webdevmatt

In my first few weeks of using the Droid, I took a couple ~5hr trips along the east coast. As mentioned in this second droid post the streaming of music and podcasts was great, and my girlfriend had downloaded some game apps for some extra shotgun entertainment.

While I’m not one for play games on my computer or my phone for that matter there’s an app that she downloaded that I just can’t put down, especially when I’m on the crapper. It’s called jewels.

It appears to be a version of bejeweled and it is definitely entertaining. The object of the game is to get as many points as you can by putting at least 3 of the same color / shape in a row. There are 2 types of games, “timed mode” and “normal mode.” Timed mode is, as expected, the normal game with a countdown with time added as you score points.

Thank you Erin for downloading this game, it keeps me on the toilet a little longer each day. Droid users out there give it a go or post your favorite bathroom apps.

As I sit here contemplating weather to spend the $20 for Touchdown, a “better” exchange client for my Droid, I think to myself, am I starting to embody my stance on why Americans love America but are still down with complaining about it. My discussions about the USA can be misconstrued as negative when in fact the negativity is bread from how our “society” exploits all things great about America, our freedom.

I am of the belief that convenience is what drives the vast majority of humans living in America. Everything is so convenient, and when it’s not, we like to bitch about it. Good thing we don’t live somewhere where walking out your front door can be very inconvenient. “Honey, I’m going to the store and grab some milk, you need anything,” BLAM, my home has just been destroyed by a rocket. Do corner stores even exist in war zones?

The next time you feel like bitching about having to wait a few extra minutes in the express lane at the supermarket, remember that we are privileged to be able to have easily accessible food; food that we can buy in the store that is packaged, clean and sometimes ready to eat (semicolon is for you @alex_howansky).

I have a Droid, it’s a great device and delivers on most of the needs I have for a phone and comes drastically close to an efficiency machine that comes in the form of a Blackberry. I’m going stick with Active Sync out of the box for now. If my profile gets erased or the messages lag behind, I will go to the convenient store and grab the Touchdown Client.

As I get out of the shower on Thanksgiving morning and see the bruises emerge on my arms, I’m reminded of the game we had the Sunday before and how much of a pleasure it was to have Sean “If I can’t Beat You I’ll Beat on You” Brown playing his first complete Turkey Bowl. The weather was pleasant on this day and there were a few more things different going on besides Sean’s presence:

1. Founders Gil Steele and Robi Banerjee were not present (’this was their first missed turkey bowl in 6 years); but we got O’Leary back.
2. Teams were more “dictated” by senior, by age, Turkey Bowl softmore Jimmy “The Coach” Nichols
3. WE WERE WEARING FLAGS (no tackle)

The game commenced more promptly this year about 15 minutes from the scheduled starting time with former MVP Ben Evens in transit. We started the game as a 5 on 5 evenly balanced matchup, Ben would step in as all-time QB when he arrived.

The Coach’s dream team brought it early and often, and the youngest member of the clan started to position himself as a strong player starting the game off with an interception (this would happen 3 more times throughout the course of the game).

It was a few plays later when we would have our first casualty on the Turkey Bowl field. Mark went down in a heap of bodies coming up with a mouse in his ankle. The mouse would progress to about the size of a baseball before he had to be carted off for treatment by Sandie as the Beer, i mean medicine, was not quite doing the job in the healing process. The Tuities would miss Mark’s speed for the rest of the game.

While it appeared that the teams were well balanced on paper, Tuite’s team lacked the existence of a quarterback, which became evident after the first 6 possessions of the ball. Everyone attempted to fill the position resulting in 5 interceptions and another first at the Turkey Bowl, a punt.

Meanwhile on the other side of the ball, you had the bizzaro version of the Tuite team. Every player on Jimmy’s Giants converted on a touchdown pass, and with me at quarter back, the Coach drew up a beautiful draw play resulting in a QB TD on a blitz from the Tuities.

With the lack of the aerial assault from the Tuities, Jimmy’s team pretty much rolled over them. After the 5th or 6th intermission, Denzel (Gil’s Neighbor) stepped in as QB, and Charles made a valiant effort to contain the 6′3″ 15 year old phenom. With a QB at the helm for the Tuites, they made a late surge to come within 3 scores before the Giants stepped up when pressured on the good ole “last touchdown wins” rule.

Awards

Kyle Bartz Award: This was the easiest of all awards to give out. Nate Leader, you were the epitome this award. Talking smack on Tuesday, “injured” on Sunday, and I thought you were a bad man.

Sibling Rivalry: This might not have been the year of Christian Tuite, but newcomer Paul “I’m the better” Tuite showed his big brother a thing or two in true Tuite fashion, on both offense and defense. When Paul made the “give him a pump fake, I’ll burn em call” I personally was skeptical. Sure enough Paul left his brother, as Chris has left his opponent many times before at the Turkey Bowl, in the mud. Welcome to the game Paul, we look forward to the showdown again next year. NOTE: Paul put on this show in front of the kids, Riley and Paul’s son, I wonder if Riley will be talking smack next year.

MVP: Walker “Don’t Call Me Dr. Quinn” Nichols. His stats were the best, hands down, 4 interceptions and and 2 TD’s. While stats have not always been our criteria for MVP, the numbers were staggering and deserving of the award. NOTE: This award was a gift from Tuites’ QB’s

No Cleats, No Carnage: Late in the game we saw a new side of the one we call DUSA Dave. The only player without cleats, and maybe the most physically intimidating human on the field, Dave may very well have a mean streak in him K. With the use of flags, there were a few equipment issues and they appeared to get the better of Dave’s temper. Tim “the old man” Sullivan, who had previously owned Dave on Offense with a half a dozen completions and a touchdown, was thrust into the QB position after a minor ankle injury. After some fancy footwork, Dave tore 2 flags clearly off of Tim’s belt. That coupled with some nice jarring hits, I think Dave may be a game changer with cleats and full contact.

Unsung Hero: The MVP may have been given away this year. Our MVPs, in the past have been known to play 100% on every play with stats to boot. How does this sound; 6 TD passes, 1 interception, 1 rushing touchdown, a tipped pass to an interception, the shutting down of Sean Brown, 2 sacks (one being on Denzel). Just saying, one year the writer will get this award :).

Throw Me the Ball: We heard it all day from Sean Brown, and when Denzel stepped in, it looked like he might have been the go to guy. With Sean Brown’s physical offensive strike and the right QB, this guy might be dangerous.

Well, it’s another year and another game in the books. The presence of flags and the absence of menacing intimidation of crushing blows, changed our game a bit, and have the founding fathers pondering a bit. 2009 was the first year without tackle, and it resulted in our only, knock on wood, prolonged injury (Mark our thoughts are with you every day as you hobble around on that huge ankle), and a 13 year old MVP. Is tackle a safer game for our aging bodies and egos? Is Chris Tuite a menace both off and on the field (I’m pretty sure we know at least the answer to one of those)? Should the game go back to its roots? Maybe we should answer these questions in a Christmas Bowl.

WHO’S IN FOR THE INAGURAL CHRISTMAS BOWL, SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS? Please comment on your thought and attendance.

The laptop power supply, why is it that it always disappears? I thought it was a phenomenon native only to certain clients, but all of a sudden, they are disappearing everywhere. As I searched high and low, querying my fellow IT professionals and pulling my hair out obsessively a power supply conversation came up proceeded by the production of a P.O. for 2 new power supplies.

As an IT professional, a human with a laptop and one with entrepreneurial spirit, I propose one of the following solutions to IT’s equivalent of the lone sock in the dryer:

1. Get approval for and install POA (Power Over Air) in all office buildings
2. Install mandatory tethering devices from laptop to power supply
3. Raid the lost and found of every hotel, motel and convention center and provide a roaming service that replaces power supplies for a small profit

I know what you are thinking, “yeah, Matt got a dog”. If that what you were thinking, so sorry to disappoint, this is a different type of post.

If you have been a home owner who has lived there in the fall or spring, there is another thing a man cannot be without. It comes in the form of a square or rectangle in many sizes and colors ranging from plain grey to tri-color. For me, my best friend at home is my $10 Blue Tarp. You can put anything on this large piece of plastic; it won’t bark at you, beg or whine. It embraces the leaves you rake over it, and lays there as you overload it with pounds of brush, logs and twigs. As you drag it across cement and it gets a new hole every other trip, it grins and provides you with a sense of accomplishment as the lawn “trash” piles up to impressive piles on the curb.

Dogs are great, though I am a cat owner (they’re cool as well), but there is nothing like a blue tarp. It comes out 2 times a year, and hangs out quietly in the garage the rest of the year. No feeding, no soiling of the floor, no vet bills, just pure, unadulterated servitude making life that much better for its owner.

I LOVE YOU BLUE TARP.

I woke u p Thursday morning as if it were any other. The sun was out with a few fluffy clouds in the sky and it appeared that we got a dusting of snow. With rain the past 3 days, who would have thought the sun’s rays would carry history from the heavens to our humble Turkey Bowl Game. With perfect weather, and the competitors assembling, there where a few things not so right about the game. The first notable was the absence of some of the founders of the game:

Gil “the accordion” Steele

Mike “pantelones ” Varre

Robert “cleats” O’Leary( the old turkey bowl write-ups seem to be missing so no links to reference the understanding of nicknames. Speak to writer or other veterans for descriptions)

Another notable SNAFU was MVP hopeful Ryan” the axe” Gilmore was once again cleat-les on a field destine for muddiness. Said size 10.5 cleats were promised to Ryan weeks before by Chris Tuite, but they found the feet of Jimmy “old saint” Nichols. (Investigation ensuing). To round of the field, double threats, crafty veterans and former MVP’s Chris “Riley’s Daddy” Tuite and Ben “the fudge packer” Evens were present. Me, Matt “The writer cause he can only run ” Holt, Robi “I ‘m on 690″ Bannerjee, Sean “I’ll be there in an hour” Brown, and Mark “the Old Man” Dobrzynski, and finally the virgins to the game besides Old Saint Nichols were “Sorry I can’t remember your name, short arms” and Tyler ” you can’t teach tall or young”.

With teams picked, and there being an odd number of players, number one pick and quality QB, Ryan was called upon to play all time quarter back for the first fifth (that’s right we model our breaks on measurements of liquor as apposed to a more rigid quarter system). With Ryan at the helm for the Tuitie clan, it appeared there was some foreshadowing about to occur. On the first play from scrimmage a perfect pass just beyond my short arms into the outstretched hands of CT. As if a bolt of lightning from a top Mt Olympus was put in the welcoming arms of the new father. This was not the last time we would see this connection, it would occur 5 or 6 more times in the course of the game, but oh, there was more.

We had flashes of brilliance and moments of despair peppering the 1.5hr game with both highlight reels and out takes. At the end of the first 5th, I believe Ryan had thrown for 6 touchdowns providing Ben’s team with a comfortable lead, 4-2. Notable performances were riding the golden arm of “the axe” by both CT and Tyler. Tyler pulled down 2 interceptions, and 2 td’s while the sole touchdowns came from CT on his team. Believe it or not, in this first part of the game, there was no real hard hitting, but the field was softening up and the air was thick with anticipation, something big was on the horizon. (BEER BREAK!!)

All being fair, and with Sean Brown still “an hour away” I became all time QB as the first pick on Ben’s team. Much like the rest of my play, the passing game was a bit subpar. And then “short arms” put a little bug in my ear, “how about we run it”. After that both teams had no clue what was coming. There was a bit of diminished joy from CT as the ball was not being delivered like a baby from the stork into his gloved hands, “short arms” had some nice carries and somehow we were able to complete some short passes, but with no fruit.

As the ball turned over on downs, there was a much different air of team work and maybe thanksgiving spirit on Ben’s team. Everyone was calling for the ball, and everyone was contributing. Whether it is a bad pass or a hardnosed run, the Ben team was digging the Miller Lite offence. Finally, with the first reverse call in turkey bowl history, Ben showed MVP form by taking the ball nearly the entire length of the field for the longest running play since “Tie Die” in the second annual game. On that note, another 5th came to an end, and the final player, Sean Brown, swaggered onto the field. “Where’s the Grande Marnier!!”

Now here’s where it gets a little sketchy. The beers coupled with it being over a month since the game, the details are a bit fuzzy, but here’s the call. The teams became true. Ben’s team got Robi and Tuite got the fresh Sean Brown. With this “Suring up,” Chris’s formula for MVP, which started with the initial draft, started materializing before everyone’s eyes. Behind the arms of Old St. Nichols and Ryan the Ben team seemed to have no coverage that could handle the aerial assault. Slants, Posts, east coast, west coast, it didn’t matter; the balls were place where only CT could catch them. A combination of golden arms and pure concentration on the ball, it was as if it was any pro team vs. the Lyons.

When this new found offense was compounded by 3 straight possessions of downs resulting in turnovers, the Tuite team started to roll the Bens. While the Bens started the game strong with touchdowns, interceptions and record breaking runs, the Tuities had the staying power of a true finishing team. The final 5th turned into a first team to 3 wins, and what appeared to be immediately after we finished our beers the game was over. The lethal combo of Gilmore to Tuitie put the Bens to bed, and with perfect pass only inches above the defender, Tuitie laid out for the final touchdown of the game. A suitable end to another great Turkey bowl.

Hit of the Game - Ben on CT; while his offense was tailing off at the end of the game Ben sure was able to put some nice licks on CT before we finished up. Both of them felt it the next day.

Bone Head of the Game - Me; 3 perfect passes to my hands no catches, sorry Ben. Subpar defense, at least I was able to drink beer without spilling it on my teammates.

Surprise - 2nd drive of the game a pass from Ryan to Mark. In his younger years Mark would have risen up for the catch, but the pass soared just a bit too high and ended up in the hands of much younger Tyler as he was laying out in the end zone. This type of concentration is usually only found with an athlete with pure concentration or excellent luck, we’ll see next year which one it was. We’ve got another player, we’ll see next year if he can sustain the brilliance he had early in this game.

Non-Factor – Robi; There are always the players that are their just for distraction. Robi played the role like a champ. Robi was there in flesh, but not so sure he was “really there”. Let’s see the “A” game next year, and make your namesake proud (BB ;)).

Thanks for Comin
Out - Mark, it’s becoming apparent that the whole crew is getting to know what it’s like to get older, so we tip our hats to you buddy. We know you are getting on in years, and just getting out of bed is tough. Nice game and keep on coming :).

MVP - While I’m torn on not giving the a shared MVP to the QB’s that made this guy look so good, he keeps reminding me of playing the “whole game”. From the first whistle, offenses, defense, to the end whistle. Even with the stresses of fatherhood “Rieley’s Daddy” CT came through again with a great game. The crushing blows on defense were not so prominent this year, but he was in on every play. There’s no disputing that CT was able to muster that extra effort to go get every ball that was thrown, only where he could get it. Hats off to your History Making performance and our first BACK TO BACK TURKEY BOWL MVP, Christian Tuite

This year’s game showed us some new talent and crafty veterans. The question is, will the MVP trophy ever leave the clutches of CT. Young guys, I expect some commitment to training during the year / off season. Ryan, I will make sure you have cleats next year, Tyler work on your mental game, Jimmy keep doing what you are doing and maybe you can catch the Benjamin Buttons Disease. Until next year.

Those of us who don’t have children or don’t believe in some of the eastern philosophies, might not be able to understand this statement completely, but "it’s not about me." While philosophically we may try to live with this mantra in the back of our heads, since most of us only have to answer to other adults and maybe domesticated animals, one can easily slip up and be selfish without much consequence.

I stayed with my brother for 5 days last week. My sister-in-law and he had a baby girl 6 weeks prematurely last month, so they have a new member of the family. The attention, sacrifice, and "it’s about you" attitude shown to their newest family member, and everyone else in the house, was amazing.

We childless people should learn from these special people called good parents. Next time we’re out and about, perform a selfless act. If you normally talk over your friends or spouse, let them express themselves, unadulterated. If you normally text while someone is telling you a story, hold off until they are finished, you might learn something. If someone shares a story of a tough time in their life with you, don’t try to one up the story, listen and give them, if not your understanding and sympathy, your ear. In our fast paced, “me” centric world, it’s easy to lose sight of how important the people we interact with every day are.

Thank you family for putting this simple idea into the forefront of my mind. It’s so easy to lose track of what is truly important.

So, I have be training with my buddy Nike+ Sportband, I like to call him sporty for short, and he’s been treating me pretty well. After my first calibration on the street, it was pretty much dead nails on with road runs. Hit green lakes a few weeks ago and Sporty was off about 1 mile on a 10 mile run, I think there needs to be 2 calibrations, 1 for the road and one for the trail. No biggy, was going to calibrate the walk pace for the trail and I’m guessing my partner would be right back up to speed.

Well, before hitting a measured trail run again, a tragedy has fell upon young Sporty. After a very wet run on Onondaga Lake Park (OLP), life lights were quite fain. I couldn’t really see the display, but my live running partner said, “4.86 I think it says 4.86.” So I left Sporty on the counter for a few days off, and then it hit me. 3 days later as I put Sporty on my wrist to start the day, there’s nothing but a tiny black led  background staring back at me.

I though, maybe, just maybe all he needed was a little juice so I brought out the paddles in the form of my laptop and plugged him to see if he could be jumped. Sporty just hung off their like a lifeless kidney bean.  All the coaxing and chanting doesn’t seem to effect Sporty’s will to live. Sporty I will miss you, we had some good times together, maybe Fleet Feet will replace you with one of your brothers.

WOW. MSFT did this one right out of the gate. I’m not much of a photo guy, but have used and or have been exposed to many “photo album” managers, and this one ranks right up there.

Out of the gate I was able to easily import, and categorize my photos. Once imported; arranging, naming, touching up, modifying, and even publishing was cake. Close enough to iPhoto on my PC, providing me with the simple tools I need to manage, modify and publish my photos. I’ll keep you all up to date as I fall in or out of love with Windows Live Photo Gallery.

So we are looking at a new challenge facing IT and it’s users. A shift from security v. usability to green v. usability. We have made the pledge for green and we must comply. We as users have to understand the commitment we are making and look at this as a positive change, not an inconvenience.

History
Security policy has always been a mode of contention between IT and it’s users. Whether it’s entering passwords, or even more obtrusive the old time out for inactivity. “15 minutes isn’t enough time.” has been an age old rumbling.

Next Step
With that short piece of history. Now we are going green with IT, and will be following EPA recommendations which has the potential to compound these rumblings.

1. The screen will go dark after 5 minutes, a definite challenge for those doing presentations. Will there be any reprieve for this type of activity.
2. The hard drive will go to standby or hibernate mode after 30 minutes. I have heard the occasional rumble of “45 minutes isn’t long enough.” This action will require a press of the power button and a logging in at the security window.

A new battle has begun. We must change our thinking once again in order to adhere to our commitment to lowering our carbon footprint. This is a good thing, and maybe even a point of discussion when our screens time out during a presentation, it’s all positive.