All posts by Duf

It’s been a hectic “vacation”. I flew up to PA Thursday afternoon. It was a great flight, left on time, landed early and it was a DIRECT flight. A big thumbs up to Air Tran. However, when I landed I got a call from my mom telling me my Dad was stuck in traffic. He was about an hour late so I just hung out at the airport. They really have a done a nice job of sprucing it up over the years.

Thursday night we stayed at my Bro’s. Everyone was pretty drunk but me. My brother evidently had been bragging about he was superior to me in athletics, coordination and skill. Not quite how I remember it. Nowadays, he probably outweighs me by 30 pounds. So, to prove his point, he challenged me to some NFL blitz on his Playstation since he said this was one of the games he used to dominate me in. (supposedly) After 10 straight losses to me, and a million excuses by him, he gave up. 🙂

Our drive back down went well. We actually made it in sub 19 hours of actual drive time, the best I ever did. I was expecting my Mom to be telling me to slow down but she never said a thing about it. 80 mph was about average. We got my Mom set up with a florida driver’s license already. She is mostly unpacked and we are in the process of acclimating her with our routines. She already has ripped into our laundry pile and has cooked us dinner every night.

Monday and Tuesday I spent the majority of the days busting ass shoveling dirt and building a border along the back of our pool cage. We have had something similar along both ends for about a year but never finished along the back due to cost and my dreading the actual work. My hands are a swollen mess and it was in the 90’s and humid both days. But, the hard work is mostly done. Thank goodness. I will have pics of it up soon.

Nicki goes in to get “fixed” today. It’s going to be a rough few days for her and us as she recovers. She really has been improving with her behavior at home. I really enjoy her company now.

I finished my replacement plane for the one that I nosedived into the ground. I crashed this one as well but less seriously. Late in the day I had a successful flight AND landing.

On monday I had my 3rd week of indoor volleyball. It really is fun. I’m very pleased that my knees are holding up this well. If I can play indoor, I should be able to play beach doubles pain free. I just wish I had more opportunities to play tournaments down here. My best partner lives 1200 miles from me. 🙁

Later today I will be flying to PA. Then tomorrow and Saturday will be 2 marathon driving days to get my mom and her car down to our place. I’m looking forward to it, something different to break up my routine. I can already hear my mom saying “Don’t drive so fast, it’s my car!”

Last night I began the construction of the replacement for my mangled plane. Construction is going relatively well except for me gluing on a piece backwards. Cutting it off without wrecking the foam was a major exercise in patience.

American Idol almost had a major upset. Rueben, who is clearly one of the top 2 or 3 left was almost voted out. A marine on the show, Josh, who is clearly the worst one left, skated by somehow. I smell a fix.

Next week we are getting two dumptrucks full of DIRT! How exciting! The dirt is going to be used to finish off the area behind our pool. It is going to be backbreaking work getting it all dispersed and building the wood frame but I think the final result will be worth it.

If you never see an update on this blog again, my plane crashed…..

Well after my CCNA failure on Thursday, I got the “bug up my ass” to not fail again. I immediately rescheduled for Monday. Friday and Monday I studied non-stop. I found some practice tests that were much more similar to the actual exam which was a big help. When I went to take the exam, I made sure I mapped out a bunch of IP subnetting stuff ahead of time that helped me save major time during the test. Instead of running out of time, I finished with 30 minutes to spare and got a score of 936. I’m relieved to have it out of the way. By far, the most difficult exam I have taken up to this point. Add another acronym to my name. I have 2 different MCSE’s, CNE, ASE, A+ and now CCNA.

2 days till I fly to PA.

On Sunday, I wrecked another plane. I was flying inverted and came out of it. As I did, snap! The wing broke and the plane came plummeting towards earth like an expensive lawn dart. The damage was terminal but I will be able to move the expensive parts of the plane to a new body.

I played my 2nd week of volleyball last night. Again, it was a great time. I am pleased how my knee has been holding up. I’m not playing great but better than I thought I would be at this point.

Argh what a frustrating afternoon. I have been beating my brains in studying for the CCNA test. Today was supposed to be the big payoff, test day! It started out bad and got worse. The testing center was 35 miles away. It took me an hour and 20 minutes to get there. So I arrived at the testing center already well flustered and angry. I went up and signed in. They said I had 2 hours for the test. I thought that was odd, my confirmation said 2:15 for the test but I dismissed it since I NEVER take anywhere near the alloted time for these type of tests. I sit down, draw out my subnet chart and then begin. After about 5 questions (of a 60 question test) I realized that this was going to be bad. It seems that about half of the questions were tied into what I had studied. With a test that requires 85% for a passing grade I knew I was in trouble. No calculators allowed either which I wasn’t expecting. So I am trudging through this thing, many of the questions take some in depth thought and calculations. I am having to make far too many educated guesses. Before I know it, my test timer is down to 15 minutes!!! I look at my watch and go what the hell??!! I have only been here an hour and 15 minutes!! I call in the test admin and said I thought you said I had 2 hours??? He shrugged his shoulders and said he had no control over it and I should hurry up and try to finish. I had about 12 questions to go in the 15 minutes left. My next question up was one of those long involved lab simulation questions! AH CRAP! I make a calculated move to skip it, figuring I can come back to it at the end and use whatever time I have left. I continue my educated guesses, answer the last question with about 3 or 4 minutes to go. I hit NEXT. BANG, test over. SHIT! You can’t go back and review? Nope. I was thouroughly frustrated. I was pissed that I had less time than I thought I had, I was pissed that the transcenders didn’t properly help me prepare for the test and I was pissed that it took so damn long to work through this test! This test was just brutal in my opinion. It had subtle banana peels everywhere that were made to trip you up. By far, the most difficult test I have attempted. The MOST aggravating part is with as much as I struggled, I still had an 809. That means I missed it by a question or two. I am positive that if I had not been so pressed for time I could have squeaked it out.

In the aftermath, I complained bitterly to both the testing center and prometric who sent me an email that said right in it DURATION: 2:15 Upon calling them they said that the duration meant that they block off 2 hours and 15 minutes for the test but it does not mean that the actual test is 2:15. Ah I guess I should have known that…. BS! In the end, if I would have investigated it more thoroughly on the Cisco site it does list the test as 90 minutes. It also mentions that you can’t go back to prior questions. 🙁 So now I have to decide if I want to jump back into the fire and go it again. I found some more study materials that apparently will be much more helpful than the transcenders. At $125 a test, it is an expensive failure. My frustration level was off the charts on the way home. A couple alcoholic beverages has taken the edge off a bit, but this is going to bug me for awhile.

I finally finished watching the 10 Commandments in it’s entirety. After 20 odd years of seeing bits and pieces of it I now have seen all 4 hours + of it. I think Yule Brenner puts in the best performance in the film. He certainly had the coolest costumes. A good flick!

Last night was week 2 of puppy school. We lost 40% of the students from the first week already. People sure give up easy. It went relatively well. Our latest puppy issue is the treatment of a yeast infection in her ears. Treatment consists of putting drops in her ears twice a day for a week or two. She absolutely hates it and freaks out if I try to restrain her so we can get the drops in. Ali is going to try to casually administer the drops while she is petting her. Good luck.

Tomorrow is my big test. I am handling the practice tests relatively well and think I have enough of a knowledge base to handle it. But…… ya never know. I have taken well over 20 of these type of tests so far and passed them all. I’m hoping to keep the streak alive.

In a little more than a week I will be flying up to PA for my 1 day visit up north before I drive my mom back to Florida. I’m looking forward to it, I think it will be fun.

Anyone who has read my blog or knows me a little, knows I get annoyed with many gym goers lack of common sense when it comes to “gym manners” Here is a little article that may help enlighten the inconsiderate, lazy or clueless gym member. Use your brains people!

Last night I resumed my indoor volleyball career after a 3 year hiatus. It was actually quite good. The competition level was equal to what I was used to seeing up north and it was a nice group of people that just liked to play competitive volleyball. I did ok considering I haven’t played any ball since October. I’m rusty, but that’s to be expected. I will need to learn some of the spanish equivalents of my volleyball catch phrases like “Come on!” As long as my body holds up, I plan to make it a Monday night tradition.

I got through another hour of the Ten Commandments last night. Hopefully I can finish it up tonight. Ramses just let the people go.

I scheduled my Cisco CCNA exam for Thursday. I haven’t taken any certification testing in quite awhile (2K MCSE was my last) so I needed to give myself a kick in the ass to add another one. Sometimes my motivation is lacking, but I always remember what a co-worker told me way back when I started in the business. It’s all about what you know. Your knowledge in this business directly correlates to your worth. If you are unwilling to refresh and expand your knowledge you will stagnate quickly. It is supposed to be a tough test with a very high number needed to pass. I’ve been studying off and on for a month or so. Unfortunately I can’t use my “lucky” testing center for this one.

Here are the Easter pics.

Here are some updated puppy pics.

The weekend was way too short. It was a a good one. On Saturday I got up early and got to work mowing the grass while Ali did the indoor stuff. I was done by lunchtime. On Friday we got our long awaited Mosquito Trap. It is one of those propane based mosquito control devices. I have heard positive reviews from others down here in FLA about their effectiveness so we decided to take the plunge. They aren’t cheap but if it helps controls the mosquitos during summer it’s worth it. Walking outside in the summertime is risking being peirced incessantly by mosquitos that are big enough that you feel them slam into you. I set up the trap after mowing. By Sunday morning we already had some bugs in the collection bag.

After all of the work around the house was done we cleaned up and hit the outlets. I got my first new pair of sneakers in 5 years. The reason I wanted sneaks was for my return to volleyball hard court tonight. I’m hoping new sneakers will help cushion the joints. It should be interesting. I have no idea what level of competition to expect or the amount of people that will be there. Hopefully it is decent. All I want is some play to get my volleyball muscles back in shape. I have been having some chronic issues with my wrists hurting from the gym. I am hoping it doesn’t bother me playing ball. Up north I used to do a 2 night a week indoor organized pick up sixes deal. I enjoyed it.

Saturday night we watched some Tivo. Has anyone else seen the Real World Vegas gig? These kids were the poster children for having no self discipline . Most of them had sex with each other, they drank incessantly and I think all of them but one smoked. Great image to throw out there to kids. I guess it’s all about ratings.

On Sunday we did our Easter Brunch cruise. It was very enjoyable. The ship was immaculate, the food was great and the views were amazing. On the trip out to the Gulf we went through Naples ultra rich area, named Port Royal. Just to give you an idea of the scale of the wealth of these people, the one place was 6000 square feet and that was the GUEST quarters! It really had to be seen to be believed. I took some pictures that I will have online later today. It was really a nice change of pace.

Sunday evening the 10 Commandments was on. As long as I can remember, I have seen bits and pieces of the movie. A couple years ago, I actually saw the end of it. But, I have never seen the entire movie. I was determined to see it all. The perfect job for TIVO. I TIVO’d it. Watched about half last night and will knock out the rest this week. Watching it via Tivo cuts out close to an hour of commercials so it is definitely the way to go. It really is an incredible film in scope considering the time frame it was done (50’s) I’m not a religious person by any sense but even I enjoy the film.

No puppy accidents this weekend. Week 2 of puppy college tomorrow.

I haven’t done any Flash / Swish stuff in quite awhile. Check out this recent good natured comedic effort I just completed. Flash is fun.

2 weeks till I drive my mom down from PA. I’m looking forward to it.

This Easter weekend will feature a busy saturday of mowing and straightening up the house. Later in the day I want to try to find some new volleyball sneaks. I am going to go to a gym to try to play some indoor vball. I haven’t played indoor in 3 years probably. It should be a challenge. Sunday is our Easter cruise/brunch. I have not been on a boat in YEARS. I am hoping I don’t have any adverse side effects if ya know what I mean….

Got some new videos up on my RC page, check them out if you have broadband. One of them is a camera mounted on a remote control 4 wheel drive mini-hummer. Kinda cool perspective 🙂

Happy Friday to all.

I watched almost all of Jordan’s last night. Besides the All Star game, it was the only other game I saw to the end this year. I think Philly gave him quite the send off. They may be a tough bunch but they also know sports and recognized how special Jordan is to the game. Granted he is only a shell of his former self. The clips of him playing during his early days were incredible. I don’t know that I have ever seen anyone make jumping look as effortless as he did. I was genuinely saddened to see it all come to an end. The game itself was secondary. It was disappointing that he played so little in the second half. I think the only reason he came in at all during the 4th quarter was because the crowd was relentlessly chanting for his return. He made his 2 free throws and checked out. It certainly wasn’t a storybook finish but it didn’t tarnish my image of him. The NBA was a much better league with him than without him. It always makes me sad to see staples in sports get old and retire, always. I’ll miss Mike.

Puppy had an accident last night and this morning. Very frustrating. She isn’t giving us any hint that she has to go out.

Yesterday I booked an Easter brunch cruise. It’s something we have talked about awhile. Something different. There are so many things we say we want to do but never get around to doing. It isn’t a purposeful act of neglect, we just seem to have a full plate more times than not. I am trying to make an effort to make sure we do some of these things. What fun is life if you don’t make an effort to keep it interesting?