Boyzoid's Blog & Stuff - Rambling

Never forget...

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:46:00 -0400

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.

The Benefits of Being A Giants Fan

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:19:00 -0400

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.

On Turning 40...

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:29:00 -0400

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.

Never Forget...

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:30:00 -0400

This is a repost from last year 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 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 well 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.

Farewell Yankee Stadium, I shall miss thee.

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:58:00 -0400

Yesterday, I attended what will be my last game at Yankee Stadium. For those who do not know, after this season, they will be tearing down 'The House that Ruth Built' and next season they will be playing in a new stadum right next door.

First, let me say that this is kind of bittersweet for me. As a kid, we would go to Yankee games several times a year and I have fond memories of beign there with my entire family. But, if we are being honest, Yankee Stadium is a dump. It outgrew its usefulness long before I even knew it existed. I have been to baseball games at Coors Field in Denver and Camden Yards in Baltimore adn those stadiums are simply amazing. That being said, the new stadium looks like it will be absolutely astounding.

As I said this was the last game I will see at Yankee Stadium, but it was also the first time my kids have seen the Yankees play a home game. They seemed to enjoy the experience, but, what made it best was that at one point during the game, the kids were shown on the 'Jumbo-tron' at the stadium as part of what they call 'fan-cam'. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture of them on the screen.

All in all, it was a great day (the Yankees wound up winning in extra innings). I got to take my kids to a place from which I have such wonderful memories and they seemed to enjoy it as much as I remember enjoying it. Here are some pictures I snapped before and during the game.

These are the kids, pretty good looking if I do say so myself.

Here is a picture of Joba Chamberlain throwing a 101 MPH fastball. If you look closely at the umpire, you can see the ball.

Here is a picture of Brett Gardner about to get caught in a rundown. He was trying to steal second, put the pitcher threw the ball to first base. You can see the ball on its way

Too Funny Not To Share

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:34:00 -0400

My father-in-law just sent me this and I cannot stop laughing about it so I felt compelled to share.

Malfeasance FTW (for the win)

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:14:00 -0400

I apologize for the lack of technical posts here recently. Most, if not all, of my technical posts have done at the Alagad blog. Be forewarned, this is another non-technical post.

In June, I am speaking at Scotch on the Rocks and will need a passport. The last time I had a passport was when I was in high school (a long, long time ago) and because it has been expired for so long, I needed to apply as if I never had a passport. This is where the story begins...

I submitted my passport application in December, along with the required documents, which included my birth certificate. Keep in mind this is the same birth certificate I used for many purposes, such as getting my driver's license, getting my original passport and even more recently, getting clearance from more than one government agency.

About 4-5 weeks later (maybe longer) I received a letter for the Department of State that because I was born in Hudson County, New Jersey, I needed to get a 'new' copy of my birth certificate from the New Jersey Division of Vital Statistics. A phone call to the passport agency revealed that, at some time in the past, there was some 'malfeasance' in the Hudson County Registrar's Office, and any birth certificate issued by that office was no longer acceptable for acquiring a passport.

It seems that in order to obtain your birth certificate from the New Jersey Division of Vital Statistics in a timely manner, they suggest that you order it through a third party named Vital Check. This does not come cheap. it cost me $55.00 for 2 copies of my birth certificate. it also did not come quickly, it took about 3 weeks before I received the copies. I quickly sent one of the copies to the passport office as they requested. Basically, it was the exact same thing I sent earlier, but on different paper.

Fast forward about 2-3 weeks and I get a call from the passport office (which really took me by surprise) letting me know that the new copies were also not acceptable as the date my birth was filed was not legible on the copy. Crap!

So, I ring up the New Jersey Division of Vital Statistics. I was able to speak with someone who was very friendly and appeared to willing and able to help me. They assured me that new birth certificates with all the correct information would be sent to me. Surprisingly, a week later, I received the new copies. Unfortunately, aside from the date they were printed, they were identical to the copy I was already told was not acceptable.

I ring up Vital Statistics again this morning (the office was closed Friday), and after about an hour of trying to actually speak with a human, I get the same person I spoke with last week. Again, very friendly and very eager to help. They explain that the only thing they can do is 'manually type' the birth certificate and send them to me (which is frighteningly similar to what they told me they were going to do last time). They assured me that it would 'go out in the mail' today. So, heres to hoping that is indeed the case.

All this hassle, and stress of possibly missing my trip, because of a small case of 'malfeasance ', God knows how long ago, in Hudson County, NJ. This just reaffirms my belief that New Jersey is a great place to be 'from'.

A Nice Little Side Effect of 'Adobe ColdFusion'

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:34:00 -0400

**Disclaimer**

You are about to get a peak into my brain. This is not for the faint of heart. If you read further, it may permanently alter you view of me (for better or worse).

**End of Disclaimer**

Just today, I noticed a really cool 'side effect' of 'Adobe ColdFusion'. On my development machine, and the few servers I help maintain, I no longer have to scroll down in the services MMC in order to see all my ColdFusion instances. They are all there, sitting right on top thanx to the 'Adobe'.

18-1 = New York Giants Super Bowl Champs.

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:52:00 -0400

I do not think there has even been a more satisfying win as a Giants fan (though, the Cowboys game a few weeks ago is close). No one gave the Giants a shot, all the hype was about 19-0 and Tom Brady. Today, during the pre-game, I heard several times that in order to win, the Giants had to play a perfect game, and they did just that. Holding the Pats to less than 50 yards rushing and 14 points (note, they did not even score the 17 Plaxico Buress said they would) was a phenomenal showing. The play where Eli got away from trouble and then connected with David Tyree was awesome, and should be one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history.

After the Minnesota game and the 4 interceptions, I jumped off the Eli bus. I would like this post to stand as my official request for permission to get back on.

What a great win!!!

Not Quite 19-0...

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:30:00 -0400

I came across this link for a book being offered on Amazon. The book is about how the New England Patriots went 19-0 during the 2007 NFL season. There is one issue though, they have not gone 19-0. In order to do that, they must beat the New York Giants this Sunday in the Super Bowl.

Now, I am a Giants fan, so this is more of a slap in the face, but this is by far one of the most insulting things, towards a team, I have seen in professional sports. Even worse than Jerry Jones putting 2 tickets in each of the Cowboys' lockers before the Giants beat them 2 weeks ago.

Seeing that Amazon is taking pre-orders for that book would make me cheer for anyone who would be playing the Patriots this week, even, dare I say, the Cowboys.

Go Big Blue!!

Big Blue is Going to Phoenix!

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:43:00 -0400

As many who know me are aware, I am a big fan of the New York Giants (An American football team for those readers outside the US who may not be familiar with the name). Tonight, the Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game to make it to the Super Bowl. In the process, the Giants set an NFL record by winning 10 road games in a row.

When we made it to the playoffs, not many gave us a chance to beat Tampa Bay, few gave us a chance to beat Dallas and even fewer picked us to beat Green Bay. To all the sports columnists, TV analysts and anyone else who makes a living offering their opinions about the NFL, I have one simple favor to ask. Please, please, don't pick us to win the Super Bowl. I want every one of you to pick New England. It seems to motivate the G-Men when you think they are not worthy of beating the 'better team'.

Win or lose in Phoenix, the Giants have given me much more than I could have hoped for during this season. Now, if we can just find a way to ruin prefection.....

Will my Wii still work in 36 years?

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:43:00 -0400

When I was a kid, one of the things I really looked forward to around Christmas time was my father getting the electric train set out. We did not have a big elaborate set, but the track was attached to a 8x4 piece of plywood, with lighted billboards and trees. My dad even painted it green with a 'road' going through it.

What does this have to do with the Wii my kids got for Christmas? Well, 2 years ago, my parents gave me the train set that we used to have as kids. Unfortunately, the track was in bad shape, and the transformer plug was so dry rotted, you could see the copper wire. This Christmas, I was determined to get it running.

After a trip to a local train shop, I was able to purchase some new track and a new plug for the transformer. Thanks to help from my father-in-law, the new plug was soldered on (I don't do solder) and the new track assembled and the train was running like new. When we were looking to see how the wires needed to be attached to the transformer, I noticed the copyright date on the instruction manual, 1971. The trains set is 36 years old, and still running like new, even after not having ANY maintenance in those 36 years. I will say that I plan on taking the train to that shop to get a 'tune up' so that maybe my grand-kids can enjoy the set as well.

This, to me, proves the old saying, 'they don't make them like they used to'. How many toys that you or your kids got this Christmas will still be operating in 2043? I would venture to guess not too many.

Merry Christmas!

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:22:00 -0400

For the last 24 years, Christmas has been a mixed blessing for my mother. In 1983 she had to take care of a 17 year old girl, who died, on Christmas Eve. This year, a local paper where my parents live thought it was a story worth telling. Check out this link for more on the story.

To everyone who celebrates, Merry Christmas!

How Not To Do Business

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:56:00 -0400

For my birthday this year, one gift I was given was a grill cover with the New York Giants logo on it. I had added this item to my Amazon.com wishlist and it was purchased off of Amazon.com. What I didn't know at the time was that it was actually being sold by a reseller, or whatever Amazon calls them.

When the cover arrived, I thought it was a bit thin. I have used garbage bags that were thicker. But it fit the grill and seemed to do the job it was designed to do, cover my grill. The last few days have been a bit windy, and as a result, the grill cover has been torn and is no longer usable (see pictures below).

I phoned Amazon to complain about the cover and try to get a refund. I was told that because it was sold through a 'reseller', I needed to contact them, I am OK with that. I asked for the phone number and was told Amazon did not have it. I am not OK with that. After being transferred a few times, I was finally told that they did not have a phone number for the reseller and that I would need to contact them in writing. Not ideal, but I was OK with that. I asked for the address and was told Amazon did not have that information either. I am not OK with that either.

For those playing along at home, I added an item from Amazon.com to my Amazon.com wishlist, the item was purchased from the Amazon.com website and the credit card was charged to Amazon.com, yet, Amazon.com could not tell me how to get in touch with the company that they claim actually sold me the item. How is it possible that Amazon allows others to sell things through Amazon, yet not have a way to contact them.

After a few more transfers, I was finally able to get the number of the company, and I have called and left a message twice, with no return call yet. While all this was going on, I attempted to contact the company who sold the item through Amazon.com. I explained the situation and received an e-mail a little bit ago that basically says, because we did not express dissatisfaction when we received the item, they will not offer us a refund. The irony here is that I was not dissatisfied until the cover was ripped to shreds. It also says we ordered the 'economy' cover, which is not stated anywhere the description page.

Amazon.com has washed their hands of this situation. I was told I need to resolve this with the reseller, and their resolution has basically been, 'tough sh*t'. So, now I need to go back to Amazon to complain even more. Should be fun.

I may regret saying this, but part of me hopes we do slip into a recession. During a time of economic stagnation, companies typically try to lure and keep companies with good customer service. During a time of economic prosperity, customer service almost seems to become an after thought.

I also learned a very important lesson, make sure you know whether or not an item is being sold by Amazon or by one of its 'resellers'. I for one will not be buying from any of their 'resellers' again anytime soon.

UPDATE

After my wife sent a carefully crafted e-mail to the company, they have agreed to refund the full cost of the cover.

END UPDATE

9/11

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:17:00 -0400

Unless you live under a rock, you are undoubtedly aware that to day is the 6th 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 well 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.

Sadly, I don't think we are much safer now than we were on 9/10/2001.