2011
Good Bye, Dennis
Thanks for the engine of serious computing. Your language and portable operating system enabled generations of hardware to perform magic.
It is still so simple it takes a genius to understand it.
Comments
Home Repair
06/10/11 17:20 Filed in: 6
We had a little damage because our roof was incomplete (never received the roof caps!). So I paid someone to replace the damaged drywall, but now I am painting. Paint wants a smooth surface for a nice finish. That means sanding the lumps and edges out of a patch job.
Did I mention it was the ceiling?
I had to stop because
a) I could no longer breathe well
b) I could no longer see the work
c) my curious dogs were sniffing and licking the dust on floor
I had to get down and crate them. I chased Chase into the bathroom and caught sight of myself. No wonder he was running from me! Snapped this picture from my always handy iPhone (Thanks Steve) and sent it to you through the internet.
Living by the Rockaway
08/09/11 15:08 Filed in: 6
So the Rockaway River decided to take a shortcut through Denville after Irene. We were without power for over 3 days. Downtown Denville was flooded for 4 days. Some of these small businesses will not survive.
UPDATE (19 SEP 11): Relief Efforts continue. Evening meals served by the town have ceased, local community organizations are continuing to serve. Work parties are organized weekly to try and repair some of the 150 homes that were damaged but not declared unsafe.
News: The Neighbor News
Statistics*:
• Approximately 200 homes damaged
• 150 inspected, 75 have significant damage
• 13 homes declared unsafe, 2 in Cedar Lake
• Approximately 200 businesses damaged
* Source: Township of Denville Hurricane Relief Meetings (12 SEP 11)
Aussie II
23/08/11 20:11 Filed in: Wife Story
Karen bought our first Aussie Grill in Arizona. We used it for 6 years, but finally the charcoal tray and the grill were rusting away. It was time for a new grill. The first Aussie cost like $50. It lasted 6 years! I went out and bought another Aussie. I am hoping for 6 more years.
Why did you buy a whole grill if you only needed parts?
Parts:
* Charcoal tray $15
* Grill $15
+ shipping
Is about $45
A new one with all new parts was $48 and was here tonight not two weeks from now.
Why I Left Arizona
21/07/11 18:58
I left Arizona because temperatures like this made it unbearable. Why am I driving in New Jersey at 5:30 and still seeing this?
Fence Saga: Thanks
12/07/11 18:09 Filed in: 6 | Wife Story
A gracious note and bottle from the neighbors (Liebig) after a long struggle to place the fence and clear the brush that troubled our border. My wife elucidated the project from the “Girl Perspective” after I became hopelessly mired in not wanting to do more work or spend the money necessary to make this project an asset to both our properties. She communicated with our eastern neighbor and reached an amicable resolution.
Fence Saga: Done!
03/07/11 18:07 Filed in: Wife Story | 6
Fence Saga: Supplies
29/06/11 07:43 Filed in: 6 | Wife Story
The cedar planks arrived today. The gates are being unloaded in the picture. We are finishing the grading along the fence line to achieve a level fence.
Fence Saga: Liebig Decision
27/06/11 12:30 Filed in: 6 | Wife Story
Choose, but choose wisely!
Is it better to cede territory to the Liebigs and build above to the stone row. This in hope of avoiding trouble at inspection time over maximum 72” height.
OR
Build closer to the line, 8 - 10 inches lower and be able to see over the fence (I am 73” tall).
Grrrr!
Fence Saga: Hutchinson Compromise
27/06/11 12:23 Filed in: 6 | Wife Story
So far the compromises include staying on “our side” of the Chain Link fence. One survey indicated it is on our property. Two other surveys agree it is mostly on the line.
COMPROMISE: Our new fence will be on “our” side of the property line
Fence Saga: The Clearing
27/06/11 12:15 Filed in: 6 | Wife Story
We have 3 little dogs. We want to enclose the backyard so they can frolic and play. We have three legal opinions on where the property lines are laying.
Plenty of surveyor fees, arguments with the Title Company and hour of discussions with the neighbors. We are starting to clear the land and plot the fence line.
Arcade Stuff is Happening
15/06/11 09:53 Filed in: arcade
I am at it again with the arcade games. I am currently working on a MegaTouch IV, Ice Cold Beer, LeMans, Scramble, Asteroids and Front Line.
What are you doing in your spare moments?
Photos: Ice Cold Beer
Rain Stopped!
The rain stopped, the deck is dry again, Daddy is getting the cushions, time for Mommy to come home for happy hour at the lake!
Happy Puppy Birthday
23/04/11 09:25 Filed in: Puppies
A very cool Chihuahua (mix) birthday for the triplets. Technically it was yesterday, but Mommy just arrived , so we are celebrating today.
Cards from Linda and Bruce, cupcake cookies from Bubba Rose and Mommy back in the house will make this s good day for the puppies.
Photo Albums: Jake, Chase, Ms. Abigail
Where is Mommy?
19/04/11 10:25 Filed in: Puppies | Wife Story
Spring Flowers
09/04/11 14:53 Filed in: 6 | cedar lake
Where is "Uncle" Jim?
The puppies are enjoying an Early Spring day. Chase and Jake are looking for their buddy Jim Ridgway to return from playing Airsoft, Abby is trying to catch his scent.
Warming
After playing in the snow today, Chase assumed this position over the heat vent. He managed to catch that last sliver of sunlight as well.
King of the Hill
Kids and puppies find mounds of snow irresistible. After months without a visit from the neighbor kids, the puppies had a play session with the snowsuit set.
Self Cleaning Oven
01/02/11 13:14 Filed in: Puppies
9 New Inches
27/01/11 08:33 Filed in: Snow
We received a few inches of snow every day this week, today we got a 9 inch wallop. The puppies will not leave the porch! Trying to shovel a poo-path for them now.
Prediction: Mr. Cornish will smile and have a laugh at my expense when he sees this post.
Photo Album: Winter Wonders
2010 Archived
27/01/11 07:46 Filed in: melchman.net
Bad Puppy!
26/01/11 15:42 Filed in: Wife Story | Puppies
That is a corner of “Mommy’s” expensive, custom, matching pillows. The blur in the background is the criminal responsible trying to escape justice. To paraphrase the old saying, “Wait until your mother gets home!”
Blizzard?
12/01/11 08:03 Filed in: Snow
A great Blizzard was predicted! Eight inches in the first hours than inches per hour all night. Pffft! The unpatented, unscientific, measure before you shovel meter says 7 inches here in Denville.
No more Presents?
11/01/11 15:04 Filed in: Puppies
but, the paw stockings are still up?
The Holidays are wrapped again! The tree is dead, the stockings are down, the Yule Log is stored. Hope you made off with a haul in the gift department.
It is REALLY cold now. The days need to get longer. The snow will help beautify, but these poor puppies are sick of freezing when it is time to go out!
Geek!
07/01/11 19:58 Filed in: Personal
Proof that I was doomed to be a geek. That is me at 11 years old. The graph paper, pencil and code samples were there to help me write a computer program. Yes, that is an Apple ][ personal computer. The (barely visible) image on the screen is my program executing.
Prednisone
06/01/11 15:31 Filed in: Personal
Apologies, apologies, apologies! I will be a mean man for the next 7-10 days. I am up to steroid treatments to knock out this pneumonia. I am told I become very mean and ill-tempered when taking Prednisone.