The 66_2/3 % Solution

I finally got my hand on the second of three HP-iPAQ 5500 in existence within our department. The other user was very gracious when she lent it to me this afteroon. I needed a second wireless iPAQ to isolate where my home based WLAN is having the problem.

The Problem Restated: My iPAQ has abruptly stopped its wireless access feature to the Internet, nothwithstanding the access point/router is recognized and connected. The router works fine with two other desktop computers. To add it twist to this problem, the iPAQ connects fine to the Internet when an outside access point was used.

The Test: Determine if the failure of my iPAQ to connect to the home based WLAN internet was caused by a corrupted file. This hypothetical file or files could reside in either the Linksys router or inside the iPAQ itself. A second iPAQ with no known WLAN faults would be the candidate to determine which of the two stated suspects is to blame.

My hope to do this test was dashed this evening. The borrowed iPAQ after receving a full recharge, failed to turn on. The on-off button did nothing. So much for the 66.66% solution.

I might resort to do a hard reset on the iPAQ back to the factory defaults. The reset should restore the PDA back to its out-of-the-box condition. This means I should be able to the test as stated. I was hoping I didn't have to come to this step.

I have not decided if a total recall is to be performed on the "faulty" iPAQ.

A Road Not Taken

While doing some on-line research, I read a blog that got me shaking my head.

This person of twentysomething has a college degree in Criminal Justice. For whatever reason, he is doing sales work at a clothing store and snowbroading in his free time. He, however, wants to move to southern California in the next few years.

I had to say something to him about getting a grip on reality and not to squander time and life. I also gave him some further career possibilities in CJ, if he would apply himself.

Gift Paper and Ribbons Not Required

There was just too much to pen with regard to this evening's Christmas gathering. I provide the setting, the reader, if he does not mind, supplies the imagination of sight, sound, and smell.

Weather: Cool, 50s F, Clear Night

Location: Modesto, California. A quite neighborhood ornated with Christmas lights and decorations.

Cast: 40+ adults.

Scene and Activity Inside House #1: Warm Christmas motif interior, snacks, soups, hot cider and cranberry drink. Christmas music, getting to know who's who, and who brought what to go with the soup. A warm and appreciative time were had by all.

Time Spent in House #1: ~ 2 hours.

Fade Out house #1.

Desserts in hand, all walked and sang carols on way to House #2 next street over.

Scene and Activity Inside House #2: Warm Christmas motif interior, lots of desserts, coffee and refreshments. More warm moments of Christmas hearts shared and friendships woven.

Time Spent in House #2: ~1 hour.

Fade Out House #2.

God bless one and all. Goodnight.

~ * ~
Surely, tonight in this little corner of God's creation, His gift of Christmas has replenished the fire of hospitality with the genial flame of giving not wrapped in gift paper and ribbons.
~ * ~

KDFC

Once upon a time there were two FM classical radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area. KKHI was the predominant larger San Franciscio station, whose broadcasts I'd listend to the most. On the hand, KDFC was the Palo Alto - Stanford (south of San Francisco) station. Its classical selections, as I recall, had always been more obscured and eclectic. Whenever I tuned in, it either played Renaissance or Baroque period music. Boring.

There are no classical music stations in Modesto to this day. Before Comcast cable acquired our local cable company,there was a short-lived attempt for an AM station to broadcast some Boston Pops-like light classical music. That didn't work because the station also aired major leagues sports.

The residents had two choices to reliablity receive classical music broadcasts. One was to listen to KKHI on the radio band of the TV cable signal piped in to the house. This required the splitting of the TV cable into two. One connected the television and the other (if one knew how) connected to a radio or radio amplifier. The other choice was to listen to 3-hour segments of NPR classical music aired from the University of the Pacific (the alma mater of Dave Brubeck) Monday through Friday.

When KKHI went off the air several years ago, the local ATT cable company piped in KDFC in its stead. When Comcast bought out ATT, it substituted canned music programs. No more live connection to any radio stations. And the university station went to all talk shows to compete with the likes of Rush Limbaugh. It didn't last.

Enough of history.

KDFC has a makeover. Less stuffy and more varieties. NPR now also has KXPR from out of Sacramento State University (80 miles north of Modesto) as its 24-hour classical station.

Now the really good news: Since the first week of December 2004, both radio stations are streaming audio contents on the Internet.

My station of choice is KDFC.

Reading E.M. Forster

Today I started to read my Palm version of "A Room with a View." I have several books I am alreading reading. (I use a PDA database to keep track of the books I have read, days spent on reading a book, rating, and comments.)

One of these open-ended books is "The Oysters of Locmariaquer" by Eleanor Clark. It's been over two years since I started the book, and I am only half way through it. I'd like to finish this book and write a review before the new year arrives.

As far as my reading plan for "A Room" goes, that is another story.

The Messiah's Invitation To The People

Over the internet today, I shared this thought with a person of Irish ancestry. At the young age of 24, vicissitude has etched much pain and disappointment on the soul and spirit of this person.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

These words of Christ are sung as a soprano Air (No. 20 aria 2) from Handel's "Messiah." It is not only beautiful music, but it's true in its message. If you have not heard it, listen to this Handel oratorio, if you can, this Christmas season.

From the cockles of my heart, I am sharing this thought with the hope and prayer that you (and ___) will find Jesus in your heart this Christmas. :)

As the Irish would say: "Rath Dé ort" (The grace of God be with you.)

Let the Rest of the World Go By

I got into my first Christmas shopping traffic jam after work today. Modesto is the shopping mecca for those who live within 30 miles radius of it. The Vintage Faire Mall and acres of other shops and eats like Best Buy, Target, Applebees are built parallel to the state route. The off ramp to the shopping area is also where I exit.

Like many others commuters and shoppers, I had to inch along toward the Beckwith exit on State Route 99 South. It took me about half an hour crawling along the highway shoulder before I could get on the off ramp. It tested the patience for all who shared the same fate. Especially for someone such as I who drove a stick-shift truck. Cluctch-and-go, Clutch-and-stop. Amazingly, everyone in the queue seemed to accept or resign to the madess. Far from the maddening crowd we weren't.

While lurching along the road, my mind was disjointed and out of frame with the rousing Saint-Saen's Second Symphony spiriting from the classical music airwave. I was humming an old 1919 tune - "Let the Rest of the World Go By." It assuaged the stress of being stuck in traffic on an already darken sky.

I like this song. I hope you will too. Redford and Streep danced to this tune in the 1985 film "Out of Africa." Here are the words and the MIDI I've prepared for your singing and listening pleasure. J. Keirn Brennan and Ernest R. Ball wrote the words and music to this old standard.

Click on the song title link below to play or download the music.

Let The Rest of the World Go By

With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Some place that's known to God alone
Just a spot to call our own
We'll find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath a kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
And let the rest of the world go by

With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Some place that's known to God alone
Just a spot to call our own
We'll find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath a kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
And let the rest of the world go by

The Perimeter Is Mocha Secured (Maybe)

The kitty ultrasonic repellent is now in operation. It's battery operated with an IR detection range of 20 feet. The protection range is 330 square feet. This niffty gizmo is positioned in the Alysum flower bed, pointing towards Mocha's lair next door.

An invisble line is drawn in the grass. The next move is up to Mocha. Ha Ha.

What's plan B you ask?

There is no plan B per se. Cats do as they well please.

It Was Great Fun

My agency has issued me a new high-end biometric security featured HP iPAQ 5500 Pocket PC. This six-plus-ounce little marvel has been put through its pace. It has served me well on and off work. Last evening, something caused the system to disconnect from the Internet service.

My applying the standard rescue measures failed to revive the Internet connection from the iPAQ. The IT Helpdesk I talked with this morning were clueless also. I couldn't fault them, really. There are several flavors of PDAs being used in the department. Held hand PDA maintenance is not the tech support's forté. Only three iPAQ 5500 issued to selected staff to date. I am the only heavy iPAQ 5500 user among these fortunate few. If any one knows how this thing works, it is I. For the moment, wireless Internet usage with this iPAQ is out of the question.

I am with Cole Porter on this one. It was great fun, but it was just one of those things.

AC or DC, That is the Question

A follow-up to the Perpetual Kitten blog.

For years we have placed chicken wire on various parts of the yardscape where cats would most likely go to do their business. They have worked effectively as a deterrent and are very durable to this day.

Ironically, the largest area where we didn't have problems before was the lawn. Now, that's changed. One section of the front lawn has become the favorite hangout to which our neighbor's cat or likes to frequent.

As a short term tactical ward, we have implemented a two tier defence against Le Moka la Reine de Poop (Mocha the Poop Queen). A layer of chicken wire has been placed over the hot spots. Then later in the evening, the lawn sprinkler system will activate for a few minutes to wet the grass. In any case, the chicken wire would have to be removed on the day the grass is mowed. A long term proactive and more aesthetic solution is needed.

Some high tech pet motion detection and deterrent devices are now being considered. Which to get, AC or DC powered? How about one of each?

Wouldn't it be nice if there were an AC/DC glowworm ala the Mills Brothers song we could deploy against Le Moka?

Till then (another Mills Brothers song),
to sleep, perchance to dream of a good pet motion detection gizmo; ay, there is the rub.

The saga continues.