madameblogalot

Flatland: I began reading this book last year but never finished. I decided to give it another go. For the majority of the book it was a MISS as I just didn’t get most of the ideas. But the very last part of the story did hit me and I enjoyed the thoughts that it provoked. I was able to compare the square meeting the sphere as our (lack of) comprehension of Jesus and Heaven. While the author may never have intended this, it is something that hit me. As for the explanation of the possiblities of a fourth, fifth or more dimensions, I say why not! As for the explanation given within the context of the story, I can buy it! And acknowledging my ignorance in such realms, I don’t deny that nearly anything is possible, whether I understand it or not! I guess I will give at least the end of the book a HIT. (Just in looking at a bit of info from Wikipedia, I find this concept fascinating! I found the term “tesseract” which brings me back to A Wrinkle in Time!)

The Story: I began this book at the beginning of the year. This edition is the Bible done as a “novel”. There are some things I do like about it, though I felt like way too much detail was left out (which some folks may like.) I think for those who have never read the Bible all the way through, this might help get some of the diversions out of the way, though I did feel like some important things were left out. It is pretty easy to read and probably many folks would find it a great way to get through the entire Bible’s story for the first time. For me, I would call it both a HIT and a MISS.

Great Expectations: Having only read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, I was not sure I would enjoy this book. But I was drawn in from the beginning of the story. I enjoyed most of the book, though there were times when I did not understand some exact details. But only a few times did I feel the author got too wordy, which is what I had been expecting from Dickens. This edition of the story ended with the rewrite that Dickens did just before the original publication. It also contains the original ending he wrote. Actually, I preferred neither ending and liked the way the chapter just before the last ended. Overall I give this book a HIT and think they could make this one into an interesting movie. I also think all young adults should read it; it’s better than The Great Gatsby for that, in my opinion.

My unofficial race results for this morning’s sprint triathlon placed me in tenth place in my age division. That is near the bottom of the group, but my times were good, better than I expected. My six lap swim was finished in 7:12. I had put my time as 7:43 on registration so I am pleased with this. Swimming in the pool was not too bad. Each person was started at ten second intervals. I had a couple of people pass me and I passed a few as well. It was not as hard as I had expected, but I think that’s because I was toward the back of the group with other slower swimmers. My husband had a harder time with lots of swimmers clumping up together, making it hard to pass anybody.

I am not sure of my cycling time. The wind was not bad today and I kept the speed between 16 and 20 mph for the whole fifteen miles. The bike time was not listed on the unofficial results but I think I must have finished in around 45-50 minutes. This exceeded the hour I was guessing!

My run time was listed at 28:00 minutes. Not bad for an old lady with a heel spur getting over plantar fasciitis. I was happy with the time.

My total time was listed at 1:31. I had figured to finish in about 1:40 so I am happy. The overall female master’s winner (over age 40) had a time of 1:04. I don’t think I’ll be seeing that number, but I am ok with that.

Overall the Combat sprint tri was lots of fun. It was a small local event with just over 300 participants. The course was not bad and there were lots of great volunteers to keep us all organized. I would do this one again and would recommend it to anyone, particularly those who are wanting to try the sport for the first time.

Remote PC management seems like a very important feature for many small and medium sized businesses in today’s virtual work world. Because so many employees must travel, at least from time to time, having remote control trouble shooting software seems to make perfect sense. Using such Remote PC Access Software allows IT techs and help-desks to trouble shoot while employees are on the road. The remote access software allows work groups the tools needed to keep work progressing, even when that work is far removed from the central work location.

Not only does remote access software make sense for those whose employees must travel, it makes good sense for those whose employees work from home on a regular basis as well as those whose entire business is kept in a virtual environment.

Allowing the access to remotely and securely work behind firewalls and NAT-devices will provide real time management when trouble arises, saving time, money and likely some frustration. Real time screen sharing is an important proponent of the remote access software. Reaching computers anywhere and taking control of desk tops to reconfigure settings and monitor security events is key to remote trouble shooting. The Proxy 2 is a business oriented software that offers 256-bit encryption – the highest in its class. Check their website for a quote and to download a free trial.

It’s time for me to pay up on the two blogs whose domains I own. The fees cover the next two years. Since blog ads have been down, I didn’t have enough in my paypal account to cover the full amount. I thought they would go ahead and charge the account and then take the rest out of my bank account. They did not. They just sent an email notice stating that the fees are due and there were not sufficient funds to cover the cost. I just had a transfer done so I will be able to pay the fee before the due date. For better or worse, I guess that means this blog will be active for two more years.

I took some tests today to see if I qualify for a summer job at our local public library. I have not had any formal testing done like that before. First I had to pass a typing test. The requirement was 30 wpm. I was nervous but have been practicing with some online typing tests. My result was 64 wpm (thanks to all my practice blogging!) Good enough. Then I had to take three basic office knowledge tests: basic arithmetic, office vocabulary and grammar and vocabulary. I missed one on the math (I think I double clicked, effectively missing a question). I got 100% on the office vocabulary and only 90% on the grammar section! There were a couple of things I truly didn’t know and some that I just flat out missed. I think I did good enough though and hopefully it will work out for me to get the library job.

As we walked in this evening from getting the mail, my husband told me to wait. He said the Space Station would be passing by in just a few minutes. As it was heading NorthWest to SouthEast, we knew where to watch. Just as he got the kids out, I saw it “appear” in the sky. It is amazing how fast it moves! And my husband said this night’s fly by was historic as it is the last time the space shuttle Atlantis would be docked to the station.

All around me I hear excitement building as the school year comes to a close. Many folks are talking about their upcoming summer vacation plans. While I don’t have any big plans coming up (I took a big vacation earlier this year!), I know there are lots of people eager for their summer plans to come to fruition.

Maybe there are some who are hoping against hope that there will be enough money this year for a vacation. Many people are turning to package deals to find the best rates available for their summer vacation plans. I have seen many vacation packages being offered. The most recent I found are san diego vacation packages. So if a West Coast vacation is what you have in mind, be sure to check into the california beach vacation rentals and the mission beach vacation rentals available online. Even if you are still in the dreaming stage of your vacation plans, these sites make interesting destination conversation!

It seems more and more common for families these days to wait until their teens turn 18 and then have them get their driver’s license. That is not necessarily a bad idea. But up until now, these kids did not have to undergo any formal instruction, they could just walk in when they turned 18 and get their license. So I was glad to hear that a new law is passed that states all 18-24 year olds have to undergo a short driver’s ed course before obtaining their driver’s license. It is actually only a six hour course so can be completed in just one day. I don’t know if that is actually enough, or just another way for the state to make money. I am not so naive as to think these kids have not driven (for the most part). But that is tantamount to “learning it out on the playground”. I am not sure six hours is enough, but maybe it’s a start.

If you are in the mood for a trip to the west coast, how about San Diego?

I have never been to San Diego, but I hear there are a lot of great things to do while visiting. Of course there is the San Diego Zoo with its ever popular flock of animals. New this year is the revamped panda structure, complete with a new little panda! Often overlooked are the reptiles located outside of the reptile house, the hummingbird house and the El Condor Pasa. The zoo is located in Balboa Park which boasts its own attractions-the carousel, the miniature train ride and the Japanese Friendship Garden. The Chula Vista Nature Center often gets overlooked as a San Diego visitor attraction, so be sure to stop by! Many fans love to take in a Padres ball game. Of course, Sea World is not to be missed. And Lego-land in northern San Diego county is always a hit for the whole family. Before you head out, be sure to check out the latest san diego news. Planning your san diego travel can start with an online san diego tourist guide. You are sure to have a great time visiting San Diego!

I have been thinking of getting a new bike, of upgrading to one with curved handle bars as well as getting clip in pedals. While talking to a local bike store owner I asked when he would be putting something on sale. He showed me one that he could make a deal on. It was purple. I was not thrilled with the way it looked, but thought more about the deal.

When I went back in later this week, he told me if I trade my bike in he could get the new bike close to half the price. So then the purple didn’t look so bad. He let me take the purple bike out for a test ride. Then he set me up on the bike. This means he fit it to my body. He took measurements and did some kind of geometry measurement to align everything properly. Then he said I ought to go ahead and look at getting the shoes and pedals now. Of course, he made me a great deal.

So after trading in my bike, I got a new, better bike, pedals, shoes and cleats all for less than I paid for my previous bike.

It was a pretty good deal. I can live with purple.
*picture posted here*