mikekn

Not sure what else to say...  I'm disappointed in the results, no one I voted for won, and I'm clueless about what I can do to improve things.  I half want to gather friends around me and bury myself in other activities while ignoring the rest of the world (something I suspect the 40%-of-registered-voters who didn't vote of doing) and I half want to get into politics so at least I'll feel like I'm doing something positive.  Hopefully I'll find a realistic middle ground.

I visited the CNN website around 10 PM last night.  It wasn't looking good at the time, but PA looked like it was going to be going for Kerry and replacing senator Specter.  This morning the only difference was that our incumbent senator was now ahead.  I'm not too surprised by that, he's a moderate Republican, respected and popular.  I only hope Hoeffel will try again in two years when Santorum's term is up. 

I was briefly distracted this morning by discovering a buck in our back yard.
( Photos behind cut... (53K) ) 

Left the house and got to the top of the hill when I realized I had a flat tire.  Spent another 20 minutes or so re-inflating my tire, going back home to see if I could find a tire gage (didn't), throwing some fix a flat into the tire, and then driving to work.  The buck was still there through all this.

The good news: My sister's school did not go on strike.  They just signed a five year contract.

The bad news: My friend Mike's father passed away and we're going to attend the service next Saturday, so no game tournament this year.  Until recently we've not gotten to see Mike and his family very often, but they been joining us for brunch recently when they can.  His father has been sick for a while now, so it wasn't a surprise, but that doesn't lessen the loss. 

The mixed news: Half my job is finally picking up again - I've got billable hours!  The other half is slowing down - to the point where they will probably be letting go the new software guy (who they just hired a few months ago).

( Been doing... )

( Plan to do... )

It's been a busy week so far.  Hopefully it will slow down a bit now...

Sunday we did the brunch thing at Kildare's, but skipped the movie since no one else was interested in going.  We had a good crowd again this week.  Joy & Mike and the kids, The Lovely Gail, Mathilde and hughcasey & Deni.  I had my usual Big Irish breakfast, minus the extra puddings this time and apple juice (ok, Strongbow cider).

Monday I drove to Long Island (New Hyde Park for folks who know the area).  Spent all day training them on their new ultrasound system (after we got around the fact that the manufacture forgot to include their non-standard power cable).  Went to the mall for dinner - I wasn't in the mood for experimenting with local restaurants - and then stayed over at the lovely Floral Park Motor Lodge... 

Next day, more training, this time on the data capture system.  We discovered a few problems that we'll need to work on, but over all the trip went well.

On my way home however, I got rear ended in stop and go traffic on the Belt Parkway.  Only my bumper seems to be damaged, and I was sore for a day or so.  Now I need to get my bumper repaired.  The folks who hit me would prefer to do this with out involving the insurance companies - which is fine with me - but I took down all their insurance info just in case.  I'm hoping to get a quote or two today, but I don't know how likely that is yet. 

We leave for Pennsic tomorrow, and I'm only now getting a chance to start to pack...