Friday, February 29, 2008

Leap Day Blossoms

Cherry blossoms at SJSU

Spring comes in Winter
It may still be Winter, but as far as the blossoms at SJSU are concerned; it is Spring. All over the campus trees are exploding in wonderful colors. There are flowers of many shapes and sizes. This is my most favorite time of year on our campus. The dollar may be crashing along with the stock market, we may be hip deep in a war that is bleeding us dry and oil may be setting new price records every day, but here at San José State University it is a wonderful day to go for a walk and stop, smell and photograph the flowers.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Crime on the web

Perepetrator vandalizing railroad car

New Media Used to Show Off Crime
One of the most disturbing things to me is the criminals who are using Web 2.0 technologies as a way to showcase their commission of crimes and the companies that showcase this content. I am all for the use of new media to report on crime, but not to showcase the commission of it. Here we see a perpetrator committing vandalism on private property. As a victim of crime myself I would be really irate if criminals who committed a crime against me recorded it and glorified it on YouTube. In my opinion, by publicizing the commission of crimes perpetrators collude with the Web 2.0 sites to glorify and lend legitimacy to the commission of crimes. Should there be a law against Web 2.0 sites like this profiting from the posting of videos by criminals? Yes, I think there should be.

Monday, February 18, 2008

First date anniversary

Sue and Kenneth

Our first date, 15 years ago today
Sue and I met in a country western dance class at the Campbell Community Center sometime in January or February of 1993. For our first date we went to Mandarin Gourmet for lunch on this day fifteen years ago. Almost a year and a half later we were married. As I was a widower, we had my three sons full time. Youngest son Kenneth was a little tyke, then six years old. Now all the boys are grown, out of the house, two are married and we have grandkids.

Susie is the best thing that ever happened to me. We are still dating and in love.

Sue and I March 1993

[Click Here to See More Photos in Flickr]

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Sunday, February 17, 2008

What Obama has to offer

Barak Obama Hope Speech

Hope
Bush - Clinton - Bush - ????
In this time of rising fuel and cost of living prices and a war that seems headed for no good end only one candidate offers a serious opportunity for change. Why are so many young people supporting Obama? Why has the union that represents staff employees at SJSU endorsed Obama? Why do I support Obama? Listen to what he has to say.

We know the battle ahead will be long. But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics. And they will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks and months to come.

We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we've been told we're not ready or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.

It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land: Yes, we can, to justice and equality.

Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can repair this world. Yes, we can.

I am supporting Barack Obama for President because I believe, there has never been anything false about hope.

~Steve

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Old Trains, Old Memories

SP alligator in Eugene

Scanning some of my old train photos
Kenneth and I have been sorting and I have been scanning some of my old train photos. It is cool seeing these old photos from so long ago.

[See More Photos on Flickr]

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Monday, February 11, 2008

Dave's New Bike

Dave Adler at American Cyclery

A Sunday Bike Adventure
On Sunday Dave and I went to American Cyclery in San Francisco and he bought a bike. I went with him as his personal bike consultant. Here is the frame they are going to build up for him. We spec'd the components. I really enjoyed doing that! Dave is an absolute genius in my opinion and it was also very exciting hearing about his work in science and electronics.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Spring in Feb

Cameraphone Picture: Lovely bike riding weather!
On Saturday I went for a bike ride south of San Jose. It was wonderful Spring cycling weather.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Can republicans win in November?

Ann Coulter

Should we be worried, Ann Coulter for Hillary or Obama?
My biggest concern is that the Archie Bunker democrats will not vote for either of the current democratic candidates if they precieve there is a viable middle of the road or even liberalish Republican candidate. The very conservative Republican author Ann Coulter may be validating my concern. I am worried McCain may not be percieved as a conservative by Rupublicans, or more importantly, by many Democrats.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Pixel: The Big 04

Baby Pixel

Today is Pixel's birthday, the big 04!
Just four years ago our first Burm baby was born. He is a great cat. He loves bagles and warm laps. Happy birthday Pixel, that is him above as a baby!

Monday, February 04, 2008

Super Bowl 2008

Celebrating New York win

Our Super Bowl
Our good friends Di and JC are staunch New England fans and I have wonderful memories of watching the Super Bowl at their house. That, plus the fact that I would have liked to see history be made, led me to root for New England yesterday. But, Susie is a New Yorker and she was rooting for the Giants. We had a great time at a party at Jolyce's yesterday. It was a great game. But, the history that was made was not the one I would have preferred.

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