Boyzoid's Blog & Stuff

This is a repost from 4 years ago on this date.  I will continue to post this every year until I feel it is no longer fitting.

Unless you live under a rock, you are undoubtedly aware that today is the 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  As I am sitting here working, I am reminded of how I spent that day.

Like most Americans, I first heard news of the first plane that hit the World Trade Center on the news, and then watched in horror as the second plane hit the other tower and ultimately watched both towers fall.  Unlike most Americans, I was unable to watch the events of the day unfold on TV.  I had already made the switch to web development and was working in the IT department of the company where I had spent 12 years (at that time) as a paramedic, including 2 as a manager, but I was still certified as a paramedic and frequently worked extra shifts to pick up some extra cash.

One of the things my company was tasked with was setting up a staging area at a  local airport.  The plan was, as survivors were removed from 'Ground Zero' they would be flown to airports around the area so as not to overwhelm hospitals close to lower Manhattan.  It was decided that I would be in charge of setting up and coordinating this staging area.  I was sent to the airport at about 11:00AM and started preparing for what could have been hundreds of victims.

At the staging area, we coordinated with over 150 people from approximately 50 different police, fire and EMS agencies.  It felt good to be doing something, something we were sure would help.  From the airport in central New Jersey, about 40 miles from Ground Zero, we could see the smoke from the towers.  We did not have a TV and relied on phone calls from others to get information as the day wore on.

As time passed we would get messages that we would be receiving patients soon, yet none ever came.  After 9 hours at the airport, having not treated one person, we were told our services would no longer be needed and we could go home.  It became a stark reality to me that anyone who would survive was already out of the towers.

In the days following 9/11 my company sent numerous crews to offer assistance at Ground Zero. I was on one of these crews at Ground Zero.  While we were not on the pile of rubble trying to find bodies, we were close enough to see the utter devastation that was lower Manhattan. It is a scene that will never be wiped from my mind, but I am not sure I would ever want to.

My whole career as a paramedic I always said that as long as I could walk, I would continue to do the job, even if it was only part time. After 14 years as a paramedic, I let my certification lapse in December of 2003. The events of 9/11 played a huge part in that decision.  It had nothing to do with fear.  It had everything to do with the fact that I knew if something similar happened on my watch, I'd be running in to help people, regardless of the danger, and this would not be fair to my family.  I also knew I could not change who I was, so the only way to ensure I wouldn't do that would be to remove the possibility of it happening, so I left EMS completely.

To this day, when I think of the towers falling, or seeing Ground Zero up close and personal, I get nauseous, I get physically ill.

Dear Open Source Developers,

Yesterday, Peter Farrell published a letter to 'open source developers' pleading with them...no, actually, demanding of them, to stop asking for personal donations or even accepting 'wish list' items. Today, I am here asking you..no, actually, I am demanding of you, to do whatever you feel is necessary in order to continue to produce free, badass software.

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As I mentioned here, I was getting rid of my old iPhone and purchasing an HTC Evo. Well, I have had the phone for a little over a month, and I thought I would post some of my thoughts.

NOTE: I am comparing the Evo to my old phone, an iPhone 3g, so, yes, I understand it may not be a fair comparison, but its the only one I can make. Also, if you are expecting an in depth, fully technical, non-biased review, you came to the wrong place.

First, let's start with the size. The overall size of the Evo is a bit larger than my iPhone, but not enough for me to get upset over. Especially when you consider the screen. To my untrained eye, the screen on the Evo is quite a bit larger than my iPhone. Also, to my untrained eye, it seems the screen may be more crisp...but maybe this is because it is larger.

Next, the operating system. To be honest, I would be hard pressed to say Android was 'better' the iOS, nor could I say iOS was 'better' than Android. When I was first looking at Android phones, I was told by someone that they thought Android was not as 'polished' as iOS. I would have to respectfully disagree. I think Android is just as polished...its just a different kind of polish. There are things I miss about iOS (the biggest one being the ability to see an SMS message without having to unlock the phone), but not so many that I wish I had stuck with an iPhone. On the flip side, there are things I like about Android, but again, not so many that I can comfortably say I will never go back to an iPhone

Of course, one of the first things I did was check out the 'App Store' to see if all my 'must have' apps were available. As it turns out, I had nothing to worry about, because I already knew that I could get 'Angry Birds' for Android. All kidding aside, so far there has been no app I used regularly on my iPhone where Android did not have the same, or comprable, app. My favorite app on my iPhone was AirView Golf, an app for getting yardage to the pin or other objects on a golf course. This particular app is not available for Android, but there are plenty of other choices, I just need to pick one and try it out - if only the weather would cooperate.

Some other things that differ are the camera, the Evo has an 8.6 megapixel camera (more than my first gen digital SLR) as well as the ability to shoot video in HD - it even has an HDMI 'out' port to quickly view videos on your TV. Also, the ability to change the battery and expand the memory are huge pluses in my mind. As is the fact that it can be powered by any mini USB adapter as opposed to a proprietary plug.

One thing I do not like about the Evo (or Android) is that if I have the phone connected to my computer and have the phone 'mounted' as a disk drive, it could not (or would not) use my custom ringtones for phone calls or SMS messages

As for the carriers...meh... I seem to be one of the few people in the US who got better service from AT&T than from Verizon. I decided to switch to Sprint because in my area Sprint had great reviews and great coverage, not better than AT&T, but the cost per month was enough to make me switch. Where I live, Verizon's coverage is horrible, and since I work from home, and spend most of my time in my own county, that was important to me. So far, I am very happy with Sprint and have not had any issues with coverage.

Lastly, I would like to talk about some of the pre-installed apps. There are some great ones provided by Sprint, such as Sprint TV and their NASCAR app (where you can follow the progress of a race - not via video, but a nifty little graphic in the shape of the racetrack and icons representing the different drivers moves around the track). These are very cool and are also included with the monthly plan at no additional charge.

There was a Navigation app from Sprint as well. At first, I really liked it, then it got updated to a newer version (with a new name) and I started to dislike it. Initially it was able to find my home address, but after the update it could not - a huge negative for me. I started using Google Navigation and I have to say I am truly impressed. The voice is not as clear as the Sprint Navigation app, but I think the UI is nicer and less cumbersome. Three cool features of Google Navigation:

1. You can switch to 'satellite' view during navigation so instead of the plain map, you see satellite pictures.
2. When you arrive at your destination, it a Google 'street view' image for the location exists, it will appear on the screen (I am not sure if that happens only when you are using satellite view though)
3. If you are listening to music from the phone, when the GPS chick needs to tell you something, the music will get paused while she is talking.

Google Navigation seemed to be more accurate than my Garmin device, and, even thought I updated the Garmin recently, Google Navigation, already had some new roads that have been recently opened while the Garmin did not. Overall, I think Google Navigation will be our 'GPS app' of choice for a while. So much so that we are looking for a dashboard/windshield mount for our phones.

Overall, I love the Evo. But, as my wise friend Charlie Griefer said to me recently (and I am paraphrasing): 'It does not really matter if your phone is an Android or an iPhone when you think of what they do, they are amazing devices.' It is hard to really argue with that logic. However, the Evo has one thing that I have not seen in any other phone that I think pushes it beyond amazing: a kickstand!

That is right, as the picture above shows, my phone has a kickstand. Your argument is invalid.

I spend a short time every day (ok, almost every day) looking through my Twitter search feed for 'ColdFusion'. Most of the time the search feed is filled with messages about cool stuff someone did with ColdFusion or people asking questions about the language or recruiters looking for ColdFusion developers. However, every once in a while, there is a message from some who...how shall I put this... let's just say every once in a while you find someone who does not share the same view of ColdFusion as I do (and some are out right hostile and/or vulgar).

I will admit, in the past, I have made less than flattering statements about PHP, but I can not understand how a programming language could invoke such a visceral response from some. What ever language you choose to use, ColdFusion, PHP, Java, Ruby, etc., it is just a tool. Some people prefer PHP - and I have seen some kick ass websites written in PHP - others do not. The same can be said for any of the languages I listed (and quite a few that I have not).

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As most of you know, today marked the end of the most traveled Space Shuttle in our existing fleet. Shortly before 12:00 this afternoon, the Space Shuttle Discovery touched down at the end of its final voyage.

I was kind of surprised that when I watched the landing, I got a little teary-eyed. I guess it finally hit me that, soon, the Shuttle Program will be no longer. I remember watching, in 7th grade, Columbia blast off for the first time (and Columbia landing for the first time). It is hard to believe that after being such a big part of my life for so long, the Shuttle Program is ending.

Here are some interesting stats on Discovery:

• First mission was almost 27 years ago
• 39 missions
• 365 days in space
• 5,830 orbits of the Earth
• 148,221,665 miles traveled

This is a repost from 3 years ago on this date.  I will continue to post this every year until I feel it is no longer fitting.

Unless you live under a rock, you are undoubtedly aware that to day is the 6th 7th 8th 9th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  As I am sitting here working, I am reminded of how I spent that day.

Like most Americans, I first heard news of the first plane that hit the World Trade Center on the news, and then watched in horror as the second plane hit the other tower and ultimately watched both towers fall.  Unlike most Americans, I was unable to watch the events of the day unfold on TV.  I had already made the switch to web development and was working in the IT department of the company where I had spent 12 years (at that time) as a paramedic, including 2 as a manager, but I was still certified as a paramedic and frequently worked extra shifts to pick up some extra cash.

One of the things my company was tasked with was setting up a staging area at a  local airport.  The plan was, as survivors were removed from 'Ground Zero' they would be flown to airports around the area so as not to overwhelm hospitals close to lower Manhattan.  It was decided that I would be in charge of setting up and coordinating this staging area.  I was sent to the airport at about 11:00AM and started preparing for what could have been hundreds of victims.

At the staging area, we coordinated with over 150 people from approximately 50 different police, fire and EMS agencies.  It felt good to be doing something, something we were sure would help.  From the airport in central New Jersey, about 40 miles from Ground Zero, we could see the smoke from the towers.  We did not have a TV and relied on phone calls from others to get information as the day wore on.

As time passed we would get messages that we would be receiving patients soon, yet none ever came.  After 9 hours at the airport, having not treated one person, we were told our services would no longer be needed and we could go home.  It became a stark reality to me that anyone who would survive was already out of the towers.

In the days following 9/11 my company sent numerous crews to offer assistance at Ground Zero. I was on one of these crews at Ground Zero.  While we were not on the pile of rubble trying to find bodies, we were close enough to see the utter devastation that was lower Manhattan. It is a scene that will never be wiped from my mind, but I am not sure I would ever want to.

My whole career as a paramedic I always said that as long as I could walk, I would continue to do the job, even if it was only part time. After 14 years as a paramedic, I let my certification lapse in December of 2003. The events of 9/11 played a huge part in that decision.  It had nothing to do with fear.  It had everything to do with the fact that I knew if something similar happened on my watch, I'd be running in to help people, regardless of the danger, and this would not be fair to my family.  I also knew I could not change who I was, so the only way to ensure I wouldn't do that would be to remove the possibility of it happening, so I left EMS completely.

To this day, when I think of the towers falling, or seeing Ground Zero up close and personal, I get nauseous, I get physically ill.

This is a repost from 2 years ago on this date.  I will continue to post this every year until I feel it is no longer fitting.

Unless you live under a rock, you are undoubtedly aware that to day is the 6th 7th 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  As I am sitting here working, I am reminded of how I spent that day.

Like most Americans, I first heard news of the first plane that hit the World Trade Center on the news, and then watched in horror as the second plane hit the other tower and ultimately watched both towers fall.  Unlike most Americans, I was unable to watch the events of the day unfold on TV.  I had already made the switch to web development and was working in the IT department of the company where I had spent 12 years (at that time) as a paramedic, including 2 as a manager, but I was still certified as a paramedic and frequently worked extra shifts to pick up some extra cash.

One of the things my company was tasked with was setting up a staging area at a  local airport.  The plan was, as survivors were removed from 'Ground Zero' they would be flown to airports around the area so as not to overwhelm hospitals close to lower Manhattan.  It was decided that I would be in charge of setting up and coordinating this staging area.  I was sent to the airport at about 11:00AM and started preparing for what could have been hundreds of victims.

At the staging area, we coordinated with over 150 people from approximately 50 different police, fire and EMS agencies.  It felt good to be doing something, something we were sure would help.  From the airport in central New Jersey, about 40 miles from Ground Zero, we could see the smoke from the towers.  We did not have a TV and relied on phone calls from others to get information as the day wore on.

As time passed we would get messages that we would be receiving patients soon, yet none ever came.  After 9 hours at the airport, having not treated one person, we were told our services would no longer be needed and we could go home.  It became a stark reality to me that anyone who would survive was already out of the towers.

In the days following 9/11 my company sent numerous crews to offer assistance at Ground Zero. I was on one of these crews at Ground Zero.  While we were not on the pile of rubble trying to find bodies, we were close enough to see the utter devastation that was lower Manhattan. It is a scene that will never be wiped from my mind, but I am not sure I would ever want to.

My whole career as a paramedic I always said that as long as I could walk, I would continue to do the job, even if it was only part time. After 14 years as a paramedic, I let my certification lapse in December of 2003. The events of 9/11 played a huge part in that decision.  It had nothing to do with fear.  It had everything to do with the fact that I knew if something similar happened on my watch, I'd be running in to help people, regardless of the danger, and this would not be fair to my family.  I also knew I could not change who I was, so the only way to ensure I wouldn't do that would be to remove the possibility of it happening, so I left EMS completely.

To this day, when I think of the towers falling, or seeing Ground Zero up close and personal, I get nauseous, I get physically ill.

Yesterday I made the trip out to Northern California for MAX. I made it here without any major issues, but there were a few weird things (good weird, not bad weird) that happened solely because I am a Ginats fan.

It started in the wee hours of the Morning at Dulles Airport. I should note I was wearing a Giants windbreaker  While I was sitting at the gate waiting to board the plane, one of the Vrgin America (great airline, BTW) emplyees who was making announcements told me she was also a Giants fan at that becasue I was 'showing my colors' in DC, I could board the plane when first class did.  I thought it was a cool gesture, but just that, a gesture.  However, when it came time to board the plane, she called for first class passengers, passengers with chilren or who need exra time boarding the plane, and "my Giants fan".  It was not a huge deal, but still pretty cool that I could just gt on the plane and sit sown.

The next 'weird' thing accured at the golf course (Does anyone think I would come to California and not play golf?). We played Poppy Ridge in LIvermore, CA. On a side note, this was an absolute gem of a find.  It was a really nice course (I would rank it in top 5 I have played in the US) and the vista from the course was simply stunning. Back to the weirdness... when we checked in at the club house, one of the guys behind the counter noticed my Giants shirt and mentioned that the 'general manager' was also a Giants fan.  We I paid for my greens fees, the cost was quite a bit lower (about $40.00) less than what I expected to pay.  When I verified the cost, we were told, 'I gave you the guest rate' and when I asked why he said because the general manager woudl have told him to do so since I was a Giants fan.

What I find funny about both these things is that I got some preferential treatment becasue I was a Giants fan in DC and Northern California when I would ot have gotten any such treatment in New York.

I always used to say that your age was just a number.  Of course, that was before my own age became a big number.  Today I turn 40.  Which, to many, means I am 'old'. Like most people (ok, men) I know, I spent the last week or so fretting over turning 40.  I spent a lot of time dwelling on what I have wanted to do, but have not; things I had hoped to accomplish, but fell short.

It was not until a recent IM conversation with a friend of mine that I realized I was going about it the wrong way.  I should not be dwelling on what I have not accomplished, rather embracing that which I have. So, with that in mind, I tried to come up with a list of all the things I have done in my life, rather than those I have not.  And, because you are a faithful reader, you get to see my list.  This is in no particular order, other than how it came to my mind.

• I married my best friend
• I have been to the Parthenon
• I have been to Spain
• I was the 'king' of the circus (I was 10 or so)
• I used to do stand up comedy
• I have delivered 3 babies (1 even has 'Scott' as his middle name)
• I have gone hang gliding
• I have saved someone's life
• I have had 2 successful careers
• I have flown in a helicopter
• I have a somewhat popular blog
• I have visited the White House
• I have gone bungee jumping
• I have played golf at the Old Course
• I have seen the birth of both of my children
• I tried out for Jeopardy
• I have seen Tiger Woods play golf in person
• I have seen Wayne Gretzky play hockey in person
• I have been to Yankee Stadium (numerous times)
• I have taken my kids to Yankee Stadium
• I have taken my kids to Disney
• I have met Bruce Springsteen
• I have met Leonard Marshall (true Giants fans will know who this is)
• I have seen my favorite football team win 3 Super Bowls
• I have seen my favorite football team lose a Super Bowl
• I have been to a Giants palyoff game
• I have been to a Yankees playoff game
• I voted for Ross Perot
• I have been on TV
• I have been in the newspaper
• I was at 'ground zero' after 9/11
• I have played golf in 4 different countries
• I have written an article for a magazine
• I bought a house on a golf course
• I have had 2 eagles in one round of golf (on a course I never played)
  
• Did I mention I married my best friend? If so, its worth mentioning again

Keep in mind this list is by no means all encompassing, but more to help me appreciate all the things I have accomplished in my life, rather than to dwell on those I have not.