Keeping Rolling Rolling Rolling Rolling

Last night I watched Furious Seven with the missus; the latest (and probably final) installment in the modern The Fast and The Furious franchise, staring Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker. Number seven was as good as number one, but different. I think I missed, or passed, on five and six.

Going back through the Furious adventures (via a nice tribute at the end of the film), I thought back through all the years of this blog and all its adventures, and how life has thrown one curve after another. Such is the ride that is life.

I've experienced blow-outs, burn-outs, crashes, citations, cruises, tuning, boosts, sideswipes, sabotage, losses, victories, and even switched cars a few times. I'm sure you have had your share of some of those too.

I'll be moving from the city this blog was birthed, in a couple of months. As part of this move, I'll be keeping some things, donating some things, recycling some things, and tossing out some things. I'm donating Epotlounge to you, with no more tuning (i.e. new posts). It's been maxed out. :). Thank you all for riding with me over these past seven years. Keep rolling, rolling, rolling, rolling!

What Would You Grab In a Fire?

I was lucky. The apartment building where my children were born in had smoke detectors so sensitive that we all got to practice fire drills often over the first months living there.

Typically, it was just someone leaving food on the stove too long.

We got so good, that when the real fire came a year later, practice made perfect.

We had already agreed with the kids on a rally point; where to go once you're out of the house and where everyone meets.

So, what did we take?

1. Keys
2. Wallet / Purse
3. Mobile Phone
4. Office laptop bag
5. Document bag (with IDs)

Truth is, one through three is really the best you can hope for, without practice. One through three are typically together if not on your person, which helps.

Four and five, everyone knew to grab based on our practices, if they hadn't been grabbed already. Also, five can fit into four, and four can be carried over the shoulder and across the chest, leaving hands free.

Designate a household fire marshal, who is the last to leave and makes sure everyone is out, and makes sure everyone is at the rally point. By my rough estimate from our practices, every adult had no more than 30 seconds, and every child no more than one minute. Add all the minutes, and that's how long from the time the alarm blares, until everyone must be out of the house; maximum. Once that time it reached, the fire marshal moves anyone remaining out of the house and leaves for the rally point.

There are sites and pamphlets on fire safety, but my impression is that if they are ever read, their contents are seldom practiced.

Again, do practice, and make sure your kids know the drill. Every alarm is different, and you never know which one will be the one. You may have more, or less time than you think. It's all theory until the $#!+ hits the fan. Then, it's what you practiced that counts.

image from commons.wikimedia.org

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

I performed an unintentional exercise in mortality awareness last week. What you see is all that will remain of me in the end, from a biological standpoint.

I was underwhelmed to say the least. All that hassle and this will be all that's left. Then I smiled, realizing that at least I'm recyclable. Plus, it's a healthy dose of humility. A reminder not to take myself too seriously.

Regardless of what you believe in, do remember to enjoy the journey, stop to reflect on your trip, and checkout the scenery.

Fasting From Mobile and Social Media

Yep. I knew I could do it. Although, it was tough the first week. No social media or non-public mobile news for three weeks. This included (unintentionally) anything that would typically trigger a notification to social media, like this blog. Sorry.

Of course, I have a generational advantage, which I think makes it easier for me. I clearly remember life before the World Wide Web. What I didn't expect was all the free "mental" space that fast would provide. It was as if someone turned down, to volume one, all the white noise in the state. I experienced better sleep, less tension, and (yes) more time. I was generally in a better mood.

Some things I'll keep: no more mobile news.

Yeah, the better sleep, less tension, and more time too.

When you stop looking for some thing...

...is usually when it finds you.






image from itisdschools.org

A Tale of Two Policings

It was the better of pullovers, it was the worse of pullovers. Rewind to the early 1990s and my first car. A Boston cop pulled me over on the corner of Newbury Street and Mass. Ave. It was a summer afternoon and the city was bustling with traffic, construction, and people. He came over, politely greeted me, and asked if I knew why I was pulled over. I told him, no.

He told me my inspection sticker was expired. Something in my eyes must have asked, and how is that a moving violation, because he briefly explained that driving without a valid inspection sticker was not only a violation (moving or otherwise), but (very important if you're a broke a$$ student) also a three-point surchargeable event (read: you just made your insurance company richer).

I told him I planned to get it done the end of the week when I took my car in for service. He went back to his cruiser. About five minutes later, on his way back he yelled that he was going to let me go with a warning. When he was about halfway over, his radio went off with some new business. He quickly brought over the citation, and told me to get it taken care of as soon as possible. He ran back to his cruiser. As he stepped in, he smiled at me, and told me to have a nice day. He then got in, busted a u-turn, and was out.

Almost exactly twenty-four hours later, thirty seconds from home in Cambridge, I got pulled over. Damn! I thought. Friday couldn't come quick enough. The cop came over right by my inspection sticker and asked if I knew why I was pulled over. I told him, yes, my inspection sticker. I got pulled over for it yesterday. I showed him my Boston citation, still in the car, and told him I was planning to get it taken care of tomorrow (Friday). That's no excuse he told me abruptly. He walked back to his cruiser. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes passed. I could feel the dread well up within me. I was on the most quiet stretch of my street and no one was around but me and this cop.

It doesn't take this long to write a ticket I thought. I wished he could just give it to me so at least I could be on my way, as mom was expecting me. Now I was late. Finally twenty minutes had passed and he was walking back. I was ready for me ticket. However, he didn't give me a ticket. He gave me an inspection test.

Press you horn he told me.
What? I responded.
Press your horn! I did.
Right signal.
I did.
Left signal.
I did.

He then stepped to the rear of my car. At this point, I got scared that this could be one of those things I saw on the news. Nobody was around, and this could go all wrong.

Press your brakes, he barked from the rear.
I did.
Again.
I did. I looked to my mom's complex, thinking, she's going to kill me for being late.

Then I saw a tall black, statue of a man at the top stair of my friend's townhouse. I could only see his silhouette, but the muscular stance was unmistakable. My friend's dad stood watching. He knew my car, by at least how much time his son spent working on it, and he was watching hard. Thank you Jesus, I thought. At least if $#!+ went down, there would be a witness. Or at least someone to tell my mom.

The cop came back towards the front of the car, looked through the rear windows, and to the under-body of the car. Now thirty minutes into the stop, he give me the $50 ticket and left. I waited until the cop was well out of site, before I exhaled and drove into my complex. My friend's dad intercepted me before I reached the parking lot.

Everything okay? He asked me in his Trinidadian accent. I saw, he said knowingly.
Yes sir, I told him. Inspection sticker.
He grunted, looked down and nodded. It's okay. Go on, he said, gesturing in the direction of my mom's place.

image from dreamtimes.com

What are you #Thanksgiving?

• I woke up this morning and everything that's me works; mileage notwithstanding 
• There's probably still more food than I can eat for breakfast in the fridge
• Heat's working
• Working today, with the option to do it remotely
• The missus secured the bedroom so I could sleep in, until (wait for it) almost 8 a.m.
• Got to wish pops happy birthday 
• And of course, much more, including clean underwear ;)

Decision 2014 - The Fourth Quarter

The last quarter of a two-term, US presidency I suspect can be the most perilous. As a president, I imagine one is not only tired, but with nothing to lose but one's legacy, one might put all his chips on 44 black, or something. By now a president knows who his friends are. By friends, I means those who wouldn't push him off a cliff for the sake of maybe keeping their jobs.

The GOP's sweep may actually do more harm than good for the party. Now they actually have to do something rather than just be against something. I think they would have been better off saving their powder until 2016. Still, I do believe that bipartisan government is the ideal for a people as counterintuitive as that may seem. Some of my best teachers in life have been folks who's world views are opposed (anywhere from degrees to miles) from mine.

The GOP have an opportunity. If they use it well (unlike 2010), they could make a compiling case for the White House in 2016. It can even be gimmicky, say 20 bills (the people care about) in 16 months. Imagine that?

Unfortunately, hope is easy and change is hard. The older you get, the harder change is.

Mayor Menino: Ubiquitous

ebay.com

I heard the news about the passing of Mayor Menino, this evening on NPR, as I drove by Boston City Hall.

The first and second times I encountered Mayor Menino were in the same day. Back when my nieces were graduating from middle-school in Cambridge, I was surprised to find Mayor Menino speaking at their graduation, giving some simple words of encouragement. He couldn't stay long due to his scheduled, and apologized for having to run off.

Later that afternoon, I happened to be at Madison Park School in Boston, when in the gym I saw...Mayor Menino! I was flabbergasted. I marched up to him, and blurted out, "You were just in Cambridge this morning!" True to Menino's nature, he humbly replied, "Yeah, I get around."

MICE Was Nice

In my busyness I neglected to rave about this earlier this month. The Massachusetts Independent Comic book Expo was once again the best show on my tour (short) schedule this year. Its smaller size and cost of admission (free) made it a no-brainer for this comic fan / parent. It is also the most unique combination of styles I have seen in one place considering its scale. They also had a great collection of panels and workshops for adults, kids, and artists alike. Can't wait until next year.

Some Things I Learned About The Secret Service While Visiting The FDOTUS

It is much more diverse than I expected, in every demographic, except gender. The veterans appear to have the keen sense of how to put folks at ease, while switching gears depending on who and what situation they are addressing. They know more about The Whiite House than The History Channel. Even Bo Obama is safe.

We Can Be Heroes

Raw sermon notes:

Sermon: We can be heroes (of #faith)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and 
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

Joseph: 

When life isn't turning out the way you planned, don't give up on your dreams. 
Don't give up.

Don't give up on your dreams...

1. Even if you don't start off well.

2. Even if those close to you don't support you.

3. Even if your journey is full of surprises.

4. Even if it takes a long time to realize it.

Read Joseph's story.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to 
them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and 
not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not 
tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just 
shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:3, 4 KJV)

1. Focus what happens in you not to you

What I'm I supposed to learn from this?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing 
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her 
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you 
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and 
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:2-5 KJV)

2. Your response to offense will determine your future 

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for 
you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, 
as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:19, 20 KJV)

3. Every dream has tough times but God is with you.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch 
forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall 
save me. The  Lord  will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O  Lord , 
endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:7, 8 
KJV)

On This #911anniversary...

Remember to be grateful.
Remember to love someone.
Remember to forgive someone.
Remember what's important.
Remember what probably shouldn't wait until tomorrow.
Remember what to hold on to.
Remember what to let go of.
Remember you may be where you are for a good reason.
Remember right now.

Hope For A Better Tomorrow

myfreewallpapers.net

We all know in the news there is always more bad news than good. However, it has been more grim than usual this summer. IS[IS|IL|whatever], Ferguson, Boko Haram, Ebola, Gaza, Ukraine, etc.

It is really easier than usual to just say $cr@w it and stay in bed, or worse, run down into the panic room. To be sure, there are serious issues of global proportion out there, and sometime they hit home in ways we never see coming.

There are also those issues that are local and even personal. It is not too hard to give up.

A youth pastor I know revealed that one of the biggest complaints teenagers confided about the adults in their lives, is that they've got a bleak outlook on the future. Their point was that why should they even bother looking towards adulthood when the adults closest to them are all doom and gloom.

My kids are all still in their single digits, and I still see all the joy and hope in their eyes as they enjoy this life. We must give their generation something worth looking forward to.

West Medford Lobsterfest

I wasn't going to go...after previously agreeing to go. That's called reneging, for you law majors. I was exhausted after a long week, and didn't have the energy for such a social event. Of course the missus called me on this, and offered an artful counter to my why-don't-you-just-take-the-kids, with it-doesn't-start-until-later-so... My armor (as well as my argument) was getting weaker. The kids later sneak-attacked me, and that was that.

Now since I didn't know what later meant, I asked my young friend Google to find out when the Lobsterfest began. Instead I found out much more about my historic, West Medford neighborhood, "The Ville", from a Boston Magazine article. I felt like a heel after reading the first few paragraphs. By now my kids had discovered me on the couch reading intently. At that moment I realized that I almost missed an opportunity not only to share with my kids an important part of Black American history, but of their specific history.

I read aloud the rest of the article to them, explaining and answering their questions as I went along. After finishing the article and then some more digging, I found the time-frame for the Lobsterfest. It had already started. We headed off. It turns out the Lobsterfest, this year, was at our end of the The Ville.

What We're Working On at Zumbi Mobile Solutions - 2014

Mobile Development:

I decided to put the iOS version of MotrAide^TM on hold, and begin with the Android version instead. I hope to get the beta done by the Fall.

Kindle Publishing:

Much of 2014 was spent on getting It Sometimes Snows in May out the door, but we did it. In May no less.

Enterprise Technical Support:

Although demand for enterprise technical support remains strong in 2014, my focus has been on the mobile app and Kindle work for the year.

Off To The #BostonComicCon

Astro Boy's Alter Ego?

This is my first real comic book convention of the year, and my first Boston Comic Con. I hope to get some app ideas as well.

World War E

npr.org

E is for everything. Everything changes when someone you love or are close to, has a furious and potentially fatal illness. Don't kid yourself; it can happen to you. Like the lottery that is life, your number just may not have come up yet. Take nothing for granted.

E is for education. AIDS in the 1980s killed more people than it should have because of a lot of ignorance and prejudice driven fears. Don't be afraid to ask, if you don't know or are not sure about the state of your health. Don't take unnecessary risks with yourself or others. If you have a "friend" who you think may be infected, be a friend and get them the information they need, or at least point them in the right direction as best as you can.

E is for everybody. Everybody knows they need to clean their hands when they are dirty. However, we all need reminding of the best technique and it's importance.

E is for ego. I don't care how famous or/and rich you are (you know who you are). Go get checked if you know you've been compromised. There is no shame in doing the right thing for yourself and others. You'll get more support than you think. Plus it tends to set a positive example.

E is for empathy. Let's show some more. You or I may need some tomorrow.

"An Awful Lot To Live For"

Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

The Most Effective Relationship Advice I Have Ever Received

• Prayer
• Patience
• Peace
• Forgiveness

Or for you math majors: r = p³ + f.