Sunday, October 22, 2006

Something New, Something Blue...

Today was the day that I swapped off our Netgear FVS318v3 VPN Firewall/Router for the new version that I bought Friday afternoon at Staples - in person, to be sure that I got the "new" faster processor. I was very pleased that the switch over went very well and did not take very long at all. I even installed a firmware upgrade without disturbing its normal functioning. The old one I have donated to the church member who works in the computer field to use at the local Seventh-day Adventist day academy to be able to access the network from home via VPN.

What DID take longer was trying to remedy some issues with the new Westell Versalink DSL modem that I installed during the week when we didn't have any internet or email access. It turned out we didn't actually need a new one (I had inadvertently changed the password the modem and router needed when I tried unsuccessfully to sign up for another year of reduced fee DSL the previous night). But we had it on hand after renewing our contract last year and tech support told us our old modem was at fault (it wasn't) and walked me through the change over.

The tech left us with an unsecured wireless network (the modem includes a wireless router/LAN Switch/Firewall as well as being a modem) AND left me with user name 'admin' and password 'admin'. Grrr. I fussed with the setup software for about 45 minutes to get the wireless router disabled and the password changed AND get the wireless connection restarted.

In addition to that activity today, I have been blessed to get our lawn mowed and the leaves on the ground after the storm Friday night mulched into the lawn. After a brief rest (~1/2 hour) Jean and I tackled painting our daughter's room in the color that she chose this morning: (Sherwin-William's Reticence #6046).

Jean taped and I cut in after which she started cleaning the brushes while I rolled the walls. All together it took about 2 hours this evening. That doesn't count the hour or so this morning we spent wiping the walls down and mopping the floor to be ready for the painting later today. But it's done - at least for now.

My lunch is made for tomorrow and I've had supper and now I'm off to talk with my sister, whose birthday was this week.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

A Second

And just how many different meanings can be construed from that title? Hmmm...

Time - a very short period of time on a stop watch

Parlimentary - another individual supporting one's motion

Supper - more mashed potatoes (or turnip, depending on the season and the fickleness of one's parental unit(s))

Or...lifetime paid vocal artist(s) concerts attended.

Courtesy of our DD #2 who gifted Jean and I with tickets we attended Bill Gaither's 10th Anniversary Homecoming Concert on Saturday night. It was his first concert in Maine since 1983 "We haven't come to Maine for quite a few years..." Right, Bill. Got that. Worcester, MA is the closest he has brought his group in recent years. Attendees who have been to concerts both in Worcester and here (this concert) found the resonance of the hockey arena a bit...overwhelming. I believe it! We were 'supposed' to be in "nosebleed" seats but were only about half way up in the stands right at center ice/court as the case might be and right behind the sound board. That sound man kept the instrumental channels "redlined" most of the night! It made it a bit difficult to understand words at times but many of the songs were very familiar and sung by familiar artists including:

Joy Gardner
Gaither Vocal Band
Signature Sound
Ben Speer (his 50 yr. old daughter just died - he was visibly affected)
Jessy Dixon
Jeff & Sheri Easter (and their "oops - Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! baby)
Lynda Randale

Gloria Gaither stayed home with other obligations this weekend.

It was a rousing great time and only slightly tempered by an elderly church friend getting lost in the crowd of ~6,000+ people leaving the concert afterwards - Jean found her in the parking lot looking for her friend who drove her - and a late night search for a 24-hour gas station to buy some oil for another concert goer. All arrived home safely, though. We saw many of our church friends at the concert as well.