Aren't they cute?

It is hard to believe that I am a little homesick after only being gone for about 6 hours. Dad sent me an email with this picture attached. It was a reply to one I sent him originally, but what a great suprise to get a picture of the family when I'm on the road. Luckily I will be back home tomorrow.

The times, they are a changin' : Part Two

WHFS Has been Revived, sort of...

Infinity Broadcasting and America Online announced the launch of WHFS.com last week. Also, Baltimore radio station Live 105.7 will have WHFS programming weeknights and all day on weekends. I suppose they will just broadcast the AOL stream.

One last thing. It appears that 105.7 has switched their call letters to WHFS. Confused yet?

My original post on this is at http://rmreinsel.blogspot.com/2005/01/times-they-are-changin.html.

A trip to the principal's office

You do realize this will go onto your permanent record, don't you?

Snowy

It is snowing again. We have about an inch and a half so far. It is good to be inside when it snows.

We had dinner with the Spearses last night. Seth was great the whole evening. He entertained well.

A day of visiting

We are going to visit with some friends today. One family from Baltimore this afternoon and another from Olney this evening. They want to see Seth, and us too believe it or not. This is a good day because nobody seems to have anything else happening. Maybe this is what else is happening. I never thought of that!

The New Format

As you may have noticed I decided to change the format of things a little. (ok, a lot) I think this looks a little more contemporary than the old format.

The picture in the background is the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia. I took it several years ago.

Getting Back to Normal

Grandma C went home on Monday after a three week visit. She came to help out while Debbie was tying up loose ends at work. That was the official reason, the unofficial reason is that she came to play with Seth :-) I think we all had fun while she was here.

We are getting used to being just the three of us again, which is kind of nice. Seth slept until 5 o'clock this morning. That is a record for him. He stirred around a little at 2:30 but never really woke up. When I left the house this morning, he was smiling as usual. It's great to have a happy baby!

Seth looking athletic

Grandma C got a good shot this time!

Click picture to enlarge

Snow Update

I just came in from shoveling and clearing off the car for tomorrow. We have about 4 to 5 inches of powdery snow. It is supposed to snow more tonight. Perhaps as much as 3 inches. It sounds like I will be shoveling again in the morning. Oh well...

Ready for a Snow Storm

We are supposed to get some more snow tomorrow. Maybe as much as 7 or 8 inches. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to you in the north land, but it is reason enough to have a restful Saturday at home. Of course we could go out if we needed to, but you don't often get a "Free Saturday" card.

Telecommunting Part 2

The window installers did not get my new office window installed yesterday so I am at home again. This is the life!

Inauguration Day

Second verse, same as the first.

Telecommuting

Today I am supposed to be getting a new window installed in my office at work, so I am working from home. It is actually a very convenient day for this because it is inauguration day and many of my federal customers are off. I couldn't have done this as efficiently five years ago. We just didn't have the connectivity. I suppose that is a form of progress.

The First Snow of 2005

I just looked up from my desk and noticed that it is snowing outside. I'm not sure how long that has been going on, but it looks like it has been a little while. It is starting to collect on the roofs of the buildings and in the parking lot next door.

I have always liked to work on snowy days for some reason. I don't find snow to be nearly as depressing as rain, but I think that is because we usually get only two or three good snowstorms a year in this area. Right now it is coming down fast and it appears to be windy out there too. I suppose there will be major traffic issues a little later because the Federal government is encouraging people to go home early because of the inauguration road closings downtown. With that and the snow, things should be really messy at about 2 o'clock.

Seth is growing, but not that fast

I had a dream last night that Seth was talking. He was still three months old, but he could say three word sentences and repeat names. He even predicted that Pittsburg would win the Superbowl. I was a little surprised at that because I'm rooting for the Eagles.

Peaceful At Home

It's quiet at home this evening. Seth is alseep. Debbie and Peggy are watching TV downstairs. I am thinking about going to bed to read for a while. I think I will.

Photo From Huygens Probe

The Huygens probe sent back pictures on Friday which have been published by the European Space Agency. What an amazing thing!

Quoted From the Eurpoean Space Agency Website
15 January 2005
This image was returned yesterday, 14 January 2005, by ESA's Huygens probe during its successful descent to land on Titan. This is the coloured view, following processing to add reflection spectra data, gives a better indication of the actual colour of the surface. Initially thought to be rocks or ice blocks, they are more pebble-sized. The two rock-like objects just below the middle of the image are about 15 centimetres (left) and 4 centimetres (centre) across respectively, at a distance of about 85 centimetres from Huygens. The surface is darker than originally expected, consisting of a mixture of water and hydrocarbon ice. There is also evidence of erosion at the base of these objects, indicating possible fluvial activity.

Plubming, What Fun!

I just finished snaking out the wash tub drain in the basement. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that. Yuck, yuck, yuck yuck, yuck. It appears to be draining properly now, so that is good.

Saturday At Home

Debbie, Seth and Grandma C went off to do a little shopping this morning so I am at home by myself. I am enjoying this chance to putter around some. I actually made some progress cleaning the shop!

Landing on Titan

"14 January 2005
ESA PR 03-2005. Today, after its seven-year journey through the Solar System on board the Cassini spacecraft, ESA’s Huygens probe has successfully descended through the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, and safely landed on its surface.

The first scientific data arrived at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, this afternoon at 17:19 CET. Huygens is mankind’s first successful attempt to land a probe on another a world in the outer Solar System."

It is amazing to me how we can send a ship millions of miles through space and land it on another planet (or moon in this case). The fact that this is a Eurpoean Space Agency project using radio telescope resources from the US (NASA) and other countries shows that we can work cooperatively and acheive great success.

Full Story


Artist's impression of Huygens touchdown

The First Bath In the big tub

Seth is about to get his first bath in the big tub. Well, actually, in a little tub in the big tub. Grandma C is very excited, but Debbie is not so sure. More later...

...Later
The bath went well. Seth didn't mind being in the water a bit.

The times, they are a changin'

Quoted from http://zfmq.fimc.net

Legendary Modern Rocker WHFS Flips To Spanish
January 12, 2005

At noon today, Infinity flipped long-time Modern Rocker WHFS/Washington, D.C. to "El Zol" 99.1. The new format will play "a mix of salsa, merengue and bachata" Caribbean and Central American dance music music. Spanish Broadcasting System consulted and advised Infinity on the new format. The two companies announced an alliance last October.

"We have made clear our desire to expand into this burgeoning market and believe this move marks an important step in our commitment to Spanish radio," said Infinity President/CEO Joel Hollander. "There exists a tremendous opportunity for Infinity to launch a Spanish-language format in Washington, D.C. where almost 10% of the population is not being directly served. El Zol will be the most powerful Spanish radio station in the area and will provide listeners with the music, entertainment and information relevant to the many segments of the Latino culture."

In the official statement, Infinity notes that the Hispanic population in the nation's capitol has grown more than 25% in the last four years to over 400,000.

An Infinity spokesperson told FMQB the company is working to place as many WHFS employees at other positions within the company and will be seeking a new program director for the station.

Milk Protein - The Likely Culprit

After getting a second opinion from a pediatric gastroenterologist (big word 10 points!) it appears that Seth has developed an allergy to certain milk proteins. I guess this is not all that uncommon for babies about his age, but it is a little difficult for mom because he gets the problem proteins from her. It means adjusting her diet by minimizing dairy products. Other food proteins can sometimes be the source of the problem, such as soy and wheat, but milk is the most likely culprit.

The only real concern here is that because the the protein causes irritation in the colon Seth can bleed internally and might become anemic if it gets too bad. There is no evidence of anemia right now. We will be having his blood checked to get a baseline and then it will be rechecked again in six weeks.

He really is a healthy and happy baby so we are glad this is a minor issue. (no pun intended :-) )

Seth and Aunt Beth at Christmas

Independence Air

I am flying Independence Air today from Dulles to Raleigh. This is the third trip I have flown with them and have been generally satisfied with the service. Unfortunately, they appear to be having some financial difficulty, but hopefully they will get that resolved because low cost travel makes a lot of sense. A few years ago this flight cost about $450 to $500 (before tax) on United express. Today it is around $100 (including taxes) on either Independence or Southwest. Additionally, these providers are are flying commuter jets rather than turboprops which makes the flight more comfortable as well as less expensive.

I figure the cost of driving to Raleigh and staying overnight to be almost the same as making a day trip with air travel. I also lose less time traveling. In fact the dollar cost is less than $30 which makes it flying cheaper when you consider the lost time.

The best thing is that I will be home in time for dinner with the family this evening.

Seth's Blue Suit

Seth showing off his snuggly outfit that was knitted by his Great Aunt Cynthia. This litte suit really keeps him toasty warm.

Quiet Friday

It's nice to have a quet Friday evening. Sometimes I like to get a little time by myself, which is not all that common since the baby was born and Debbie has been home from work. I kind of got used to having a couple of evenings a week on my own after nine years. You would think that I get enough time by myself at the office, but that's different. This is more like un-structured time. It is good for the soul.

Nationals Spring Training

The Nationals have announced their spring training schedule. Here it is!


Nationals Spring Trainng

News Story

Babysitting

Debbie and Peggy went off to the craft store for a little while. Seth and I are at home. He got a little fussy before he fell asleep, but now he's down for the night, I think. Lately he's been sleeping longer at night, which has been really good for Debbie.

Year Of The Monkey - 2004

Seth was born in the year of the monkey.

Year Of The Monkey

1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.

Year of the Monkey - Part Two 01/07/05

Famous people born in the Year Of The Monkey:
Sacha Distel, Elisabeth Taylor, Omar Sherif, Jimmy Page, Roger Daltrey, George Lucas

The year of the monkey continues until February 8, 2005.

Mom Back to Work

Debbie is back to work temporarily and Grandma Cress is taking care of the boy. Debbie is working half days this week, and maybe next week, to tie up some loose ends. Yesterday went well. Grandma had to feed Seth 1 bottle while she was gone. I guess he handled that ok.

Seth has begun to try sitting up. If you hold him on a slant he will pull with his stomach muscles until he is upright. Obviously he is a long way from truly sitting up on his own, but its cool to see him working on this. His attention span is also getting longer.

Managers Meeting

We had a good corporate manager's meeting today. Things seem to be set well for this year. One of the major issues that we are resolving is how to deliver our software more efficiently as we grow. Our plan is to double sales this year, which will necessarily stress our tech support division. This is a good kind of challenge for the company. It is all a factor of growth.

The Baptism in Progress

Who looks like whom?

Ok, Does Seth look like Debbie?

Sunday Morning

Donuts and Coffee for Breakfast! Whoo-hoo!

New Years Day / Baptism Day

Seth is being baptized today at 1pm. After that we are having a small gathering at the house to celebrate. The pork roast and sauerkraut are already cooking and I suppose I will be peeling potatoes after a bit. Pork roast is the traditional New Years day meal in our family so it was the obvious choice for todays party.

Happy New Year to all.