To dovetail with Random Thoughts, I thought I would share my thoughts upon returning to school. I am taking two classes this semester. Aviation Ground School and Intro to computers and programing.
Ground School: This is the third time I am taking this class. It its not that I do not get it. It is to prepare you to take the FAA Private Pilot exam. Now if you do not take it right after the class, you start to lose your edge. As one of my teachers put it, Stuff keeps leaking out of the bucket. Unfortunately, I didn't take the test right off and later on that year, my Dad died.
Time two: Same teacher, Same Class four years later. Got out to take the test, however, Mom got sick and passed away that summer.
This time: New College, New teacher. This is a review. Everybody is healthy. Will take the test right after the class finishes. Then I have two years to finish flying.
Intro to Computers and programing: First non flying or Business related Class I've taken since my undergrad days. The registering process reminded me of good ol SDSU.
As I walked the campus, it felt exciting to be back. Even though, I am old enough to be the father of most of the students. I think I will like going back to school. Call me when you have no Class (Thanks to the late Rodney Dangerfield)
So like Valerie, I too feel odd venturing on to a college campus. But as humans, I believe we are wired to keep learning. After reading what happens to people as they age, I believe I will keep exercising my mind.
Now only if the body can follow.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Technology I Can't Seem to Live Without
As I am studying for this online class, I was struck by the technological systems I have grown accustomed to and cannot do without:
DSL-- I have gone from a 1200 baud modem and calling bulletin boards (Pulled my first computer all nighter) to a wireless network and DSL. When the Internet started to gain popularity, I had dial up--talk about frustration, I used to hate waiting for pages to load. Sometime back through a problem with our ISP, We were without service for about a week. I felt that I was disconnected from the world.
E-Mail: At work, it is indispensable--I have a Blackberry to monitor it when I am away from my computer. My Dad had outlandish phone bills talking his contacts throughout the world ($3000 per month), once I dragged him into email--he dropped his phone bill down to $50. It makes it much easier to communicate with friends and family throughout the country and world.
DVD Player: What I can't say. Valerie and I went to the movies recently--we purchased tickets, 2 hotdogs, 2 sodas, one popcorn and candy. We were down about $35-45 bucks. I can rent a second run movie (a few months later) for about $ 4 . Soda is about $ 1.00 each. Popcorn (Microwave) is about $ 1.00. Do the math! Plus, if we have to take a biology break, we can stop the movie.
Computer: I have had a computer since 1987. The times I have been between computers, I felt like I am was in the stone age. I remember when I dragged my Dad into the 20th century. He fought me tooth and nail, but once he got to used to the idea--I could schedule time to do my homework at 2:00am. Funny, the more we rely on computers--the longer we wait for them.
DVR: A recent addition. Being in Orange County, CA--You could put a coat hanger on the back to the TV and get quite a few channels. I finally sprung for Dish when I was working nights--Valerie would have good TV to watch. After exploring Ebay, I found a Digital Video Recorder. I can pause live TV, rewind and fast forward through the commercials. Plus, it is real easy to set to record programs weekly. Beats the daylights out of the old VCR.
Cell Phone: When I was growing up, I always carried change to make an emergency phone call. After college, I was working in Sales--I knew the location of every pay phone in my territory. Now, I complain about coverage. Of course, it brings up a whole new set of rules--like no calls on that biology break.
Car Stereo: for those of us whose first cars were 60's era, the radios were at best AM Mono. Now, I have a hard drive that holds my music. With traffic in Southern California-a good radio is essential to keep your sanity.
Air Conditioning for Autos: Up until I bought my truck (1995) , I never owned a vehicle with air conditioning. Boy, I didn't know what I was missing--especially, this past Labor Day weekend. Here in So Cal, we had 100 degrees and 100% humidity--To all of you in other parts of the country--I know, quit whining. But if you are not used to it--welcome to the gates of Hell.
PDA: This I dub my electronic brain. I have my phone numbers and appointments in it. Tried the paper planners, but I kept forgetting to take them. I am I more organized? Not really, but I do not forget phone numbers or Doctor appointments.
This isn't the whole list and it will change in the future, however, isn't this what technology is supposed to do? Please share with me--The technology you can't live without. It will be interesting to see different interpretations.
DSL-- I have gone from a 1200 baud modem and calling bulletin boards (Pulled my first computer all nighter) to a wireless network and DSL. When the Internet started to gain popularity, I had dial up--talk about frustration, I used to hate waiting for pages to load. Sometime back through a problem with our ISP, We were without service for about a week. I felt that I was disconnected from the world.
E-Mail: At work, it is indispensable--I have a Blackberry to monitor it when I am away from my computer. My Dad had outlandish phone bills talking his contacts throughout the world ($3000 per month), once I dragged him into email--he dropped his phone bill down to $50. It makes it much easier to communicate with friends and family throughout the country and world.
DVD Player: What I can't say. Valerie and I went to the movies recently--we purchased tickets, 2 hotdogs, 2 sodas, one popcorn and candy. We were down about $35-45 bucks. I can rent a second run movie (a few months later) for about $ 4 . Soda is about $ 1.00 each. Popcorn (Microwave) is about $ 1.00. Do the math! Plus, if we have to take a biology break, we can stop the movie.
Computer: I have had a computer since 1987. The times I have been between computers, I felt like I am was in the stone age. I remember when I dragged my Dad into the 20th century. He fought me tooth and nail, but once he got to used to the idea--I could schedule time to do my homework at 2:00am. Funny, the more we rely on computers--the longer we wait for them.
DVR: A recent addition. Being in Orange County, CA--You could put a coat hanger on the back to the TV and get quite a few channels. I finally sprung for Dish when I was working nights--Valerie would have good TV to watch. After exploring Ebay, I found a Digital Video Recorder. I can pause live TV, rewind and fast forward through the commercials. Plus, it is real easy to set to record programs weekly. Beats the daylights out of the old VCR.
Cell Phone: When I was growing up, I always carried change to make an emergency phone call. After college, I was working in Sales--I knew the location of every pay phone in my territory. Now, I complain about coverage. Of course, it brings up a whole new set of rules--like no calls on that biology break.
Car Stereo: for those of us whose first cars were 60's era, the radios were at best AM Mono. Now, I have a hard drive that holds my music. With traffic in Southern California-a good radio is essential to keep your sanity.
Air Conditioning for Autos: Up until I bought my truck (1995) , I never owned a vehicle with air conditioning. Boy, I didn't know what I was missing--especially, this past Labor Day weekend. Here in So Cal, we had 100 degrees and 100% humidity--To all of you in other parts of the country--I know, quit whining. But if you are not used to it--welcome to the gates of Hell.
PDA: This I dub my electronic brain. I have my phone numbers and appointments in it. Tried the paper planners, but I kept forgetting to take them. I am I more organized? Not really, but I do not forget phone numbers or Doctor appointments.
This isn't the whole list and it will change in the future, however, isn't this what technology is supposed to do? Please share with me--The technology you can't live without. It will be interesting to see different interpretations.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Thank You for the Welcome
Thanks to the lovely Valerie for giving me a little boost. To answer some questions that were raised from all of you who were kind enough to visit and leave a response.
I created this blog as part of a computer class I am taking. After many years of building, modifying, folding, spindling and working with computers--I have decided to learn programing. The last time I took a programing class, the Apple IIe (1981) was the big computer on campus. So not to worry, I am not an English major and far be it from me to comment on spelling and grammar. Heck, if it wasn't for spell check, I would be in deep trouble.
Nifty Nicknames: With a name like Brendan and the Irish surname I have, I have been called many unflattering nicknames when growing up. I was Brendan before it was cool. As I was growing up, I was called Brenda by 99 of every hundred substitute teachers I had. I had one teacher who pronounced my full name correctly--I used to have him say it a lot. I am more interested in the journey than having a cool nickname.
For those of you that invited me to your blogs: Thank you , I look forward to visiting and reading your interests and experiences.
Cast of Characters: I have my lovely wife Valerie--check out her blog and Elvis the Wonderkat. As for the family, I have my brother, Sean, Mary and his boys Brian and Kevin--want to feel old?, just watch kids grow. My Sister, Maureen, Don my BIL and her two Dean and Erin. Recently, there was Hurricane Dean and Tropical Storm Erin--Both of them got a kick out of having storms named after them. I see a lot of my sister in Erin--Sorry Maureen, but payback is a bitch.
I created this blog as part of a computer class I am taking. After many years of building, modifying, folding, spindling and working with computers--I have decided to learn programing. The last time I took a programing class, the Apple IIe (1981) was the big computer on campus. So not to worry, I am not an English major and far be it from me to comment on spelling and grammar. Heck, if it wasn't for spell check, I would be in deep trouble.
Nifty Nicknames: With a name like Brendan and the Irish surname I have, I have been called many unflattering nicknames when growing up. I was Brendan before it was cool. As I was growing up, I was called Brenda by 99 of every hundred substitute teachers I had. I had one teacher who pronounced my full name correctly--I used to have him say it a lot. I am more interested in the journey than having a cool nickname.
For those of you that invited me to your blogs: Thank you , I look forward to visiting and reading your interests and experiences.
Cast of Characters: I have my lovely wife Valerie--check out her blog and Elvis the Wonderkat. As for the family, I have my brother, Sean, Mary and his boys Brian and Kevin--want to feel old?, just watch kids grow. My Sister, Maureen, Don my BIL and her two Dean and Erin. Recently, there was Hurricane Dean and Tropical Storm Erin--Both of them got a kick out of having storms named after them. I see a lot of my sister in Erin--Sorry Maureen, but payback is a bitch.
Be Gentle--Student Blogger
Well, here is my first blog. My wife has been blogging for the last few months and has been enjoying it. I am starting this as part of a class I am taking at a local Community College. I guess I am starting to join the 21st Century.
I am old enough to remember the days pre PC. No, I am not standing out in the yard with my pants up to my chest--yelling at the kids to get off of my lawn. Since the beginning of the PC age, I am constantly amazed at how technology changes rapidly. I guess the saying " The best is yet to come." is quite valid.
I welcome anyone to join in and share random thoughts and experiences. To paraphrase an old cliche "Life is not a destination, it's the journey." So I will share my journey and hope you will share yours with me.
I am old enough to remember the days pre PC. No, I am not standing out in the yard with my pants up to my chest--yelling at the kids to get off of my lawn. Since the beginning of the PC age, I am constantly amazed at how technology changes rapidly. I guess the saying " The best is yet to come." is quite valid.
I welcome anyone to join in and share random thoughts and experiences. To paraphrase an old cliche "Life is not a destination, it's the journey." So I will share my journey and hope you will share yours with me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
