Apple – Mac mini

Apple – Mac mini

imageGotta have one. I’ve always wanted to run OS-X v.10 Panther at home but never could afford a Powerbook or an expensive apple display for their desktops (which start at $999.00).

The technology gods have spoken and I see a Mac mini in my future. This Mac hooks to standard VGA and USB components. Right now it’s more important to me than a plasma TV, new laptop or anything else electronic.

HP DL380 and MSA30 Array

imageHere’s what I’ll be installing if I can find time between interviewing four potential contractors tomorrow. This file server’s about a week overdue in the rack. It’s been built for days, I just haven’t had time to get it to the Inflow data center. It’s a pretty good file server including an HP Smart Array 6i internal controller with four 36GB drives configured at RAID 1+0. The memory is at 4GB with two 3.6GHz. Xeon Processors. Overkill? Hefty for file storage to say the least.

imageThe MSA30 has seven 72GB drives configured RAID 5 for a usable capacity of 407GB which can be expanded by the Smart Array 642 controller. Since it’s a file server this controller’s only got 64MB of battery backed cache. For SQL etc. I would only use 256MB of cache on the card and RAID 1+0 regardless of the loss of usable disk space. After this is in I’ve got an SQL server and another Citrix box to get installed for a P21 Commerce Center test environment. It all needs to be done by Monday morning.

Where do you put the kid?

imageConnor’s bathtub is so full of toys I’m not sure where the heck Amy puts him in it. We’ve got toys all over the house (except my office) and Amy doesn’t like the way it feels “cluttered”. Solution: bigger house. Do I move us soon or wait for her to start working again after she finishes school?

Personally I think we can live in what we’re in for a while. Connor’s outgrown half the toys he has anyway. It’s time to clean out his bedroom – hint, hint Amy. Speakin of tubs I gotta get in the shower – it’s already 7 am. I’ve got meetings all day starting at 8:00.

WRAL.com – News – Duke Health Trims Hospital Bill; Woman’s House Still Vulnerable To Pay Debt

WRAL.com – News – Duke Health Trims Hospital Bill; Woman’s House Still Vulnerable To Pay Debt

Duke will cut you up with Hydraulic Fluid (see below) and then take your house. This reminds me, I just got a follow up card sent by Duke to review my care during my stay. It sucked quite a lot. I’m starting to feel glad I survived it. Is Grandma Johnson the only thing good from Durham?

So it’s 2005…

imageAnd today we finished the last of our Christmas celebrations. Once again we gave and received. But this time it seemed like we did a little more receiving. Our gifts weren’t the best we’ve given but we had an impactful December with hospitalizations and car wrecks. My new years resolution is to pay off the Mustang. I’m tired of having two car payments. Not that we can’t afford it but I just don’t like it.

Amy and I also came up with two other ways to save money in 2005. We’re cutting off the lousy, useless DirecTV and since we both have cell phones we’re getting rid of the home phone (we mostly get calls on it for someone named Karen Westbrook anyway – bill collectors are looking for her and we don’t know her but it seems she used to have our phone number). That’s $110 a month saved that can go towards getting rid of the Mustang payment. So if you want to reach us call our cells in Y2K5. Fewer car payments, less TV and more cell phones? Sounds kinda European. I think it sounds overdue.