TubaOrNotTuba

Want to wake up the complacent IT gang? Have BOTH the mail and web servers fail to restart after what can only be called “a hard night”. My guess; some patches that didn’t apply properly, but we don’t know for sure. After some careful head scratching (don’t want to reduce the number of active follicles), we attacked the problem head on. Sorry. We used our collected knowledge of server science, and restarted the services. The phone stopped ringing, and we returned to our normal state of quiet attentiveness. No bonus monies in our world. And that’s how it rocks, in my band. Sorry. As a dedicated computer tech, I’m mentally prepared for the little emergencies that assure we are appreciated by those that matter.

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Some weeks, the mundane overcomes the interesting. The dustbins have to go to the curb, and the paper guy comes for his monthly collect, and the laundry takes on a priority spot on the “todo” list. There’s no milk, so you have to head out in the snow storm (yes, even in mid-April, we keep our tuques and scrapers at hand). And after the last of the week’s food has been cooked and stored, and the kitchen cleared of the proof that people live here… it’s the weekend. For real. Only two days, but sometimes you have to settle for whatever is offered. That’s the mundane part.

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Early this morning, I learned that a dog can get rid of a pair of makeshift slippers much faster than I can put them in place. Might be the lack of a well defined heel, or an expertise in “slackfooting”, but when the task was done, I was the one outside picking them up. In the new fallen snow.  Telling him that the slippers (actually, tough plastic bags) were for his own good was wasted effort.

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Never get overconfident about having the daily finances under control. Never! Unless, of course, you are one of those with too much money and friends in high places. But for the common guy, that bottle of water probably contains vinegar.

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In preparation for the adjustment of time, I rolled back things this afternoon. I’m not a believer in this twice yearly ritual of resetting a dozen clocks (it doesn’t “save” time, and science has shown an increase in heart attacks and pedestrian accidents as a result of the tampering with nature). And so, when offered the chance to watch (rewatch) Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom…

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The family is in crisis avoidance mode. What to do, this evening, given that the Oscars are on at exactly the same time as Republic of Doyle? There’s a PVR that I don’t know how to use, which will permit storing one of the two for timeshifted play. Shall we vote? Too early to call, but the Oscars will probably get the nod for the broadcast slot, given the time sensitive nature of their content. No fun to watch after reading the results in the local newspaper.

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At our house, there’s an intonation exam. Simple. Tell the dog to “Go ’round the tree”. Either he does or he doesn’t. Pass/fail. The dog is a born weaver. With enough of a lead, he can find a way to combine three different combinations of shrubbery and linden into something quite beautiful. Painful to undo, but that’s why the exam takes on special importance.

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Another documentary on D iscovery Channel, this time dealing with unidentified flying stuff. The bottom line seems to be that there’s a rational explanation for just about everything. As for the rest, well… pity the photos aren’t better, eh?

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Please don’t interpret this as criminal intent. Instead, imagine it as a really neat simulator thing, or a great widescreen movie idea. Somewhere in Sweden, the cleaning lady proved that pushing a broom isn’t enough. There has to be more. Why not take the train for a joyride? I can understand her need for speed. And this wasn’t the planned outcome of her escapade. Before I show you the picture, remember not to try this at home. Those involved were trained (sic) professionals, meaning “paid to do the job”. Not THIS job, but sometimes things happen…

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We’re not frozen into our houses, yet. For those that remember the Big Freeze, that’s good. The news has been warning that the heavy snow cover on our rooftops, should some rainfall occur, might lead to some costly repairs. I’ve eyeballed our place, and I think we’re safe.

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