Voting Day in Iraq

This is hopefully a very special day for the Iraqi people. I don't know if democracy can work in a predominately Muslim country, but I pray that it will be a huge success! A success for their country, but more importantly, to bring meaning to all the deaths of soldiers, police, and civilians fighting for their rights. I feel it will be a couple decades before we can look back on this and praise George W. Bush, or document this as a total failure.

So Long, Johnny

Sad news on the passing of Johnny Carson yesterday. If only he hadn't been such a heavy smoker. I was living in Japan during his final years on the Tonight Show. I remember taping his last show in 1992 (I still have the tape). I just sat there and cried as he counted down to his last show. My favorite was when Bette Midler sang to him during the last episode. His shows were so intimate that you felt like he was part of your family. We'll miss you Johnny.

Using Images on your Web Site

Here's a free tip for all of you people designing your own websites. It is imperative that you optimize your images before publishing them to the web. If you have an image that if 640x480, don't just resize it in your HTML coding. Actually go into an image editing program and resize the image to what you want it to look like on your website. While you're at it drop the resolution down a couple of notches. Just doing these two little steps will make your page load so much quicker, you'll be amazed. I'm amazed at how many websites I'm still visiting that have not optimized their images.

It's Tough Being a Steelers Fan!

Well, another great season has come to a close without a trip to the Super Bowl!!

This was a painful game to watch tonight - no excuses though. The Patriots are just too good of a team this year.

Ticker Problems

UGH! I spent 3 days in the hospital this week! I had chest pains and shortness of breath at work on Monday, so the medical department had me ambulanced to the hospital where I was admitted for a battery of tests. Thankfully, I didn't have a heart attack, but they did find some "defect" in my heart during the stress tests. So now I'm in a wait mode until I can get in to see a cardiologist next week. Hopefully, it will all be an error in the reading of the tests.

Back to School

Went back to school on Monday. I think this will be a pretty interesting semester. The class I'm most excited about is my SQL course. Anything that could build up my database skills is going to be worth more on the resume than anything else (in my opinion). Database work is very logical which is why I enjoy it. On the other side of the spectrum, I'm taking a music appreciation course! I love music, but don't like over analyzing things. It's outside of my comfort zone, but I think I'll end up enjoying it and doing well. I'm also doing a self-directed study in Web Server Administration. Hopefully, I'll get started on that course this coming week.

As if I don't have enough to do, I've volunteered to help out Central Africa Vision with their website. Their current site can be seen here: http://www.cav2000.org/

I've started updating it and placing it here: http://www.dextercomputersolutions.net/CAV/

I'm doing it all in CSS, so it's a new direction for me. I'm hoping to use this site for my Web Design class at Thomas.

This Article Says It All!

Boston Red Sox BACKUP 1st baseman Doug Mientkiewicz was tossed a ball to make the 3rd out in the World Series in 2004. He kept the ball, and is allowed to keep the ball. However, the Red Sox organization would like to have the ball to put on display. I believe this guy should give it up. But, as is the case more and more in professional sports, all Mientkiewicz can think about is how much money it could bring him. Way to be a team player!

Mientkiewicz said the ball he caught was "my retirement fund," the Globe reported. On Friday, he said he was kidding - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/baseball/mlb/01/07/bc.bba.worldseriesball.ap/

His mouth was making him look like the real jerk he is, but on Friday he started to back-peddle and say he wants the Boston fans to be able to see the ball, that is why he kept it. Yea, right! He was quoted as saying how much money other significant game balls have been sold for, and that is all he cared about.

I just hope that Boston decides not to renew his contract before spring season. It would be nice to be able to see a real team again in sports instead of a group of spoiled money-hungy self-serving punks.

I Have to Speak Up!

I've seen the American Flag being flown at half-staff all week and it really bothers me. I don't want to take anything away from the horrific tragedy that has been wrought on the tsunami victims. However, why would we keep the flag at half-staff for an entire week? I believe that if we do that, then we damn well should have them at half-staff all the time for all the service men and women who have been killed or injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. They mean more to that American Flag than the victims of this natural disaster! After all, it is for the freedom that this flag represents that they are serving us.

Let me know what you think...

Happy New Year

It doesn't seem possible, but we've closed the books on another year! I hope everyone has a great 2005.

My wishes for 2005 are:

• the majority of the troops come home from Iraq and Afghanistan
• the Iraqi election are completed on schedule with little to no corruption
• the Asian countries are able to rebound after this devistating natural disaster
• President Bush is able to get some things accomplished for the economy in his new term
• Michael Moore will decide to give up his US citizenship and move to France
• and that he'll take Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins with him
• that I continue to have success at Thomas College
• that I attain some new clients for Dexter Computer Solutions
• an overall healthy and successful year for my entire family

God Bless to all.