Sorry again for the absence… This respiratory thing has knocked me on my butt lately. A few days of Cipro-link antibiotics, a good decongestant, and lots of sleep have added up to “almost” recovered. Hang in there, this is gunna get good.

I know, you were beginning to wonder, “Just where in the heck did Slobokan go?”

A lot happened this last week:

First, as you know, we lost a beloved co-worker. That was quite a shock to everyone.

Second, I had a ton of stuff to finish before I returned to Georgia, then someone who thought they knew what they were doing totally hosed one of our servers. sigh. Anyway, I was aiming to leave the Baltimore area by noon, and I finally got out of there around 1:30. Of course, 5 miles from home (and 11 hours later) there was a HUGE wreck, and I was stuck in traffic for another hour and a half. haha.

Third, I came home with some sort of NASTY head cold. Recover has been slow, but at least it is getting better.

So, I am back. Are you ready? haha

PS: Thanks to all of you who left comments or sent e-mail last week. It was greatly appreciated.

We had a meeting in Wilmington, Delaware this morning. I had never been to Delaware before. After today, I really hope I do not have to go back. haha. Now, the people there told me that SOUTHERN Delaware is nice, it’s the northern part that really really sucks. So I will take their word for it, for now.

More meetings this afternoon, some more planning, a little coding, and another day was done.

I went to visit my brother-in-law and his family tonight, ate pizza, then came back to the room for more research. Another day is done.

Today did not start too well. We have not received any “official” word from the family, but the word is that our co-worker has passed away. Another somber day at the office.

“The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief, but gratitude.” - Unknown

Farewell Jack, you were a true gentleman, a true friend.

Usually, the first day back in the office, I touch base with everyone, make sure they are not experiencing any issues with their pc’s, and if so, do what is needed to correct those issues. I quickly found that this trip is different. Very different.

As soon as I walked in the door we had a meeting. One of our own is sick. Very sick. It seems his blood has stopped “functioning” and things do not look good. A few of us went over to Johns Hopkins to visit with him, if he felt like taking visitors. I did not get to see him. He took a downward turn and they called in his family. We all stayed (so someone would be there with him) until his family arrived. When his family arrived, we returned to the office. I had no way to prepare for this day. What a day, indeed.

Upon returning to the office, we held a pretty interesting meeting to implement some ideas a few of us have had recently. It went well. Very well.

Around 6:30 I came back to the hotel, thought of our friend at work, and went to Gunnings for a crab cake. Yes, I drowned my sorrows went to celebrate the life of a friend. The crab was excellent. Oh yeah.

Well, I made it. I would have made it in 10 hours, but there was a wreck just north of Richmond, Virginia (I knew I should have taken 29 and bypassed Richmond). Because of the wreck I did not get here until just after 11:00, sigh.

Hey! At least I am here! I will be strapped to 56K while in the hotel room, but I will have the T-1 while I am in the office. WOOHOO! Good night.

Wow. It looks like Spiderman has really done good. In fact, it has broken the record for the biggest opening day sales in history with a puny $41,000,000 in ticket sales. WOW. That is a nice piece of pie.

No, that title does not imply that this entry is about the 2000 Presidential Election. In fact, it’s about the FRENCH Presidential Election.

With the exception of a few die-hard far-right loyalists, no-one seriously believes that National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen will defeat the conservative President Jacques Chirac in the second and final round of the presidential elections on Sunday.

Then again, people did not think Le Pen would make it where he is. Just the other day I was wondering where the voting machines from Florida ended upligao figure.

While in the White House, from 1963 to 1969, Lady Bird Johnson served as honorary chairman of the national Head Start program and held a series of luncheons spotlighting women of achievement. But she was best known as the determined environmentalist who wanted roadside billboards and junkyards replaced with trees and wildflowers

Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson was in stable condition Friday after suffering a mild stroke and losing her ability to speak, her doctor said.

Get well soon!

Sorry for the lack of more “personal” posts for the last couple days, but I have been swamped with work, and I have to get ready for a trip to Baltimore this next week. Should be alright though, we are going to hold a “kick off” meeting for a new project and I am going to “streamline” some things on the servers while I am in the office.

Have a great weekend.