Aloha Daze

What is it lately? What’s happened? Why does there seem to be a rash of deaths all of a sudden?

I’m not sure. I have not got a clue.

For my family and friends, it started with the loss of Curt Elbert Mitchell (seen at right). One of my life-long friends that I considered a brother.

Then a slew of other deaths followed.. Farrah Fawcett. Michael Jackson. And today, of all people, Billy Mays.

Here’s my personal opinion of what happened… (more…)

It’s been a very long month.

The office sent me to California - Irvine, to be exact - to do some software training. Out for a week.

Then came back. For a week.

Then went back to Irvine. For a week.

Then came back.

Then I had to work like mad to make up for the last 3 weeks that I wasn’t able to get office projects done.

And then I get the sad news that a close, long-time friend of mine passed away last weekend.

Somehow puts everything else in perspective all of a sudden.

Everything else is just clutter.

RLR

The new movie has been out for just over a week.

Me? I’m an old-school Trek fan. From waaay back.

If you’re a fan… if you’re not but like a good science fiction movie… go see the new Star Trek. This isn’t the same, old, tired attitude and script. This new imagining of Star Trek is an absolute roller coaster ride from JJ Abrams.

Absolutely amazing. Seeing it once was great, but there was so much going on, that I’ll definitely have to own this one when it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray/Whatever.

Nevermind Star Trek. This is one of the most fun rides I’ve had at the movies in a very long time. I think a sequel is a no-brainer, but it’ll have a hard time living up to this first outting from Abrams.

RLR

Just amazing.

Yeah, I know… everyone else and their momma has posted a link to this. But you know what? It’s just that dang good. I’ve listened to it about 5 times, and it’s still that dang good.

If this doesn’t put a smile in your heart, nothing will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

RLR

A brief electrical storm was all it took to knock the power out across the Hawaiian island of Oahu tonight. (I’m posting from remaining battery life in my laptop.)

This probably wouldn’t receive any sort of national attention. Hey, it’s just that 50th state. Nevermind them.

Except…

oops… Obama is still on the island.

Think it’ll make national news now?

I’ll try and make any updates from PDA or via Qik video entries. Otherwise, we’re all OFFline on the island.

RLR

No, not Woodstock.

But I have added a Twitter link to my sidebar… again, I don’t know if it’ll stay or not, I’m just trying out new gadgets. We’ll see…

RLR

Just by happenstance, I checked the old college website… which [if I may pat myself on the back] I created back in ‘94.

The website has changed completely in the intervening 12 years… but oddly, they kept the data (in an unlinked folder) on the website that I posted on… December 11, 1996. It was a Wednesday. I posted in then, because my last day was December 13. A Friday.

(Hm.. I wonder if that is why I was jobless for the next 4 years? Never leave a job on Friday the 13th. That’s my advice. But I digress…)

From the Eastfield College website at www.efc.dcccd.edu… (which, by the way, is now EastfieldCollege.com)…

December, 1996

Well, after eight years (four as a student, four and a half as an employee), I’m leaving Eastfield. This Friday (12/13/1996) will be my last day. It’s was an absolute pleasure learning and working at Eastfield. The Educational Network TechSupport area has certainly grown in the last four years, and I’d like to think I had a lot to do with that. If anything, I leave this place (TechSupport) better than how I found it.

By creating most of the Student EMail system here at Eastfield, I hope that it brings students and instructors closer together, and that the students now, and in the future of Eastfield, enjoy the work I put into it. As Postmaster, I really enjoyed helping bring people closer together.

Most of all, I enjoyed my work as Webmaster. The chance to display what Eastfield has to offer to the community was fantastic. I’ve worked hard to make sure that the webserver system is the best it can be. I hope that future visitors to the Eastfield site enjoy the standards that I helped to create, and the system that I designed.

To everyone, I say “thank you”. If there were ever a great place to learn, and work in a casual environment, it is Eastfield College… a true community college.

Goodbye.

-Robert Rhodes
Educational Network TechSupport / Webmaster / Student EMail Postmaster
September 1992 - December 1996

December 11

Because I like new gadgets.. that’s why I’m now using Qik.com (see my Qik website), where live video can be shot from my phone and instantly placed online.

So, I’ve got a multitude of things that I’ve shot off the cuff… No, not a lot of info on the individual videos… mostly just stuff.

I tried recording Huey Lewis and the News at a concert last month in Nashville… unfortunately, the volume was so loud that my little phone mic couldn’t really make heads or tails of it all. And the video? Well, it’s decent in the daylight.. but forget about it in the dark.

Anyway, I’ve added a link to my most recent video - whatever it may be - in the sidebar. We’ll see whether or not it stays or goes.

RLR

It is my sad duty to report that Michael Crichton has died at the young age of 66.

I’ve been a very, very big fan of Crichton for years after my dad introduced me to the author in the years before “Jurassic Park” was a movie. After reading “Park,” I went on to find and read every novel that Crichton had ever written. I regret that I haven’t made the time to read the last couple of his novels - “State of Fear” and “Next.” Certainly that is something I need to correct.

For more on the life of the man with many talents, visit the Michael Crichton website [which seems to be currently down] at MichaelCrichton.net, or the WikiPedia entry.

Thanks for the great stories, Michael. You’ll be missed.

RLR

Yes, I freely admit it: I’m a fan of Star Trek.

Unfortunately, over the years, it’s lost it’s luster for me. Not so much the original series and cast, but the treatment it received. I’ve always thought it could be more than it was. Instead, it seemed to be getting the “red-headed step-child” treatment: Paramount wanted money from it, but wasn’t really interested in investing money in it.

Coming in May 2009, I may get my wish.

Meet the crew of the USS Enterprise. Again.

And read about the coming film. I don’t believe there are any plot spoilers, but read at your own risk.

Star Trek: New Movie, New Vision.

RLR