Airing Out Our Dirty Laundry

Anna and I have too many clothes. Last night we went to the laundromat and spend about 4 hours there. We used 6 "triple-loaders", 2 "quad-loaders", and two regular loaders. Then we proceeded by using about 12-14 dryers. Good thing we bought that detergent and fabric softener at Costco. How many quarters did we use? Well, maybe $50-60.

You see, Anna and I subscribe to the school that, when your clothes are dirty, you go out and by more. I know, very grown up! Hopefully with Lucy coming tomorrow we will grow up a bit.

(I can't believe some of you thought I was going to throw down some "gossip" on Anna and I... haha... just kidding)

No Celtics Talk!

None. I do not want to discuss them. Touchy subject!

Are People Switching? {UPDATED}

Are people really starting to switch over from Windows to Mac's? If you read these article's from today (1 yesterday), you might get the sense that the media is nudging you that way. Of course, you don't really have to ask what I think, I have an Apple sticker on the back of my cah!

Boston.com/Assoc. Press: Review: Mac Os X steps ahead of Windows and 'Tiger' at a glance

Wall Street Journal: (Walter Mossberg) Apple's Tiger "... the best, most advanced personal computer operating system on the market..."

New York Times: (David Pogue) From Apple, a Tiger to Put in Your Mac

BusinessWeek: 'Tiger bolsters Mac OS X's edge as the best personal-computer operating system around'

InformationWeek columnist: Apple's Mac OS X Tiger 'a compelling upgrade'

Yesterday -
Wired News: Apple's Mac OS X Tiger 'full of welcome surprises'

Its time folks, it's time to come over to Mac OS X - 10.4 - Tiger (or whatever you want to call it)

{UPDATE}

CNET.com: 'If you're tired of Microsoft's promises, Mac OS X Tiger may be your best incentive to switch'

Tonight {UPDATED}

The Celtics are on at 8PM. But Anna wants to do laundry at the laundromat before the weekend (before tomorrow if possible). And, we have A LOT of laundry. I know, the Celtics game is being TiVo'd, but... watching the game "live" is also good, or slightly live. By the time I get home and start the game, then finish, it will be real late. Then I have to wake up early and be at work at 8:30AM, like today.

These my friends, are the problems that haunt me... hahaha

{UPDATE}

We did do laundry (see here) and I did come home late for the Celtics game (see here)

Friday, 29 April 2005

(Yes, I did "rip" some stuff from the NY Times article)

Yeah, I know, today is Thursday. But a few things happen tomorrow:

1. Well, it's Friday... duh. Everyone likes Friday.
2. It's Uma Thurman's Birthday. Did you know she turns 35. Also, a quick Google Search reveals that she was born in Boston, MA and lived here, through middle school, in western Mass. Weird.
3. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy comes out. Someone, Greg, let me borrow this book then took it back (alright, I had it for a month and only read the "dedication" page).
4. Mac OS X - 10.4 - Tiger comes out for the Mac. For those of you who don't know' It's an operating system, like Windows 2000/XP, but of course, better.
5. T-minus 1 day until Lucy arrives (more on this on a later post, and she actually arrives Saturday, for those of you who got lost, with my "pre-Friday" talk).

Congratulation Andrea

This is a special "shout out" to an old high school buddy, Andrea. Andrea has recently completed a Masters Degree in History from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Congrats Andrea, you're wicked smaht.

And, now, you've officially been pimped (I virtually flick your collar)

Snapple: Real Fact #190

Today my Snapple (peach iced tea) bottle "Real Fact" says:

Thailand means "Land of the Free"

So does this mean that when I go and pick up "Thai" food, that it actually should be "free"?

Joke: Yankee Fans

A Red Sox fan used to amuse himself by scaring every Yankee fan he saw strutting down the street in the obnoxious NY pinstripe shirt.

He would swerve his van as if to hit them, and swerve back just missing them.

One day, while driving along, he saw a priest. He thought he would do a good deed, so he pulled over and asked the priest, "Where are you going Father?"

"I'm going to give mass at St. Francis church, about 2 miles down the road," replied the priest.

"Climb in, Father! I'll give you a lift!"

The priest climbed into the passenger seat, and they continued down the road.

Suddenly, the driver saw a Yankee fan walking down the road, and he instinctively swerved as if to hit him. But, as usual, he swerved back into the road just in time.

Even though he was certain that he had missed the guy, he still heard a loud "THUD."

Not understanding where the noise came from, he glanced in his mirrors but still didn't see anything. He then remembered the priest,and he turned to the priest and said, "Sorry Father, I almost hit that Yankee fan."

"That's OK," replied the priest, "I got him with the door."

Smarties Candy

Gardez-vous les rouges pour la fin?

(Do you eat the red ones last?)

That's the catch phrase for "Smarties", one of the greatest reasons to go to Canada. Made by Nestle, they are similar to M&M's, but MUCH better. The chocolate taste better, the shell is harder, and they are slightly bigger. The catch phrase is so big, that even sell a bag containing only "red" Smarties called: "les rouges pour la fin" (red ones last)

Lenka came back from Canada and brought me back a huge bag. Too bad they will be done before I leave work today. Thanks Lenka!

You can find them with a google search (use the terms: smarties, Canada, chocolate).

Actually, I'm going to check and see if they sell them at Star Market in the "International Isle"... for some reason I have a feeling they might. THAT would be GREAT, EH!

Pinky and The Brain

No, I am not describing pet names that Anna and I have recently chosen for ourselves. This is a cartoon that I loved in the 90's. Two labs rats set out to rule the world, but something always happens they end up back in the cage. Kind of like life... Haha.

There was a constant line built into each episode:

Brain: "Hey Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yeah, Brain, but..."

Example: Brain: Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
Pinky: I think so, Brain, but where are we going to find a duck and a hose at this hour?

Click here for a site I found with a bunch of conversations (or go here:
http://www.maths.tcd.ie/~snpower/pages/pinkybrain/brainponderings.html)

Dinis' Site (Update)

My "older" cousin Dinis and I have been e-mailing back and forth for the past week or so. Truthfully, it's very refreshing to see someone in my family share many of the same interests and views I have. I haven't always felt that others in my family shared my thoughts. I don't always get to see my family as often as I would like, so it is nice to shoot e-mails back and forth. And, after the tragic accident that happened two Fridays ago, I am realizing that, perhaps, I shouldn't be as distant as I am. Well, enough of the sentimental talk. Here is Dinis' site:

http://dteixeira.blogspot.com/

UPDATE: Being the great cousin that I am, I spelled "Dinis'" name incorrectly. I spelled it "Denis" when in fact, it is "Dinis". I apologize a million times.

Real Life Google

Thanks to Greg for the last bit of Google info (Craigslist AND Google Maps).

I made a little joke about stalking people with this new google maps/craigslist thing and he shot back with this link of a what a real-life google map would look like.

Check it out here (or here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kokogiak/8777595/in/photostream)

Craigslist AND Google Maps

Wow... the world just keeps getting better. At this site you can search for apartments and homes advertised on your local craigslist site (http://boston.craigslist.org) and there will be a google map with all the results.

This is handy because if you are new to an area, you can have a sense, via a map (or the new satellite pictures), of where the property is located. All in one site, instead of having to go through the whole "copy paste" thing, and the whole "... now which property did I look at?"

See the site by clicking here (or go here: http://www.paulrademacher.com/housing)

Some One Liners

Here are some one liners I found:

1. [scratch here to win!]
2. For sale: Used parachute, only used once, never opened, small stain.
3. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
4. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
5. I'm a nobody, nobody is perfect, therefore I'm perfect
6. If you can't laugh at yourself, i'll be glad to do so for you
7. Alright, so what's the speed of dark?

Game On!

We did not go to the Red Sox newest Restaurant/Bar, but we did go to the game on Sunday, 17 April 2005. Game time: 2:05PM. Temp? About 65 F. Seats: Centerfield. This is all thanks to Russ and Andrew. Thank you! The Sox won 3-1.

After the game Anna and I walked down to Newbury Street. Down Newbury Street. Across to Comm. Ave. Back up to Mass. Ave. To the edge of the Mass. Ave Bridge. Down the ramp to the Charles River Walkway. Walked to BU, down the Charles. Mind you, this was all Anna's idea. She wanted to walk all the way down to her parents house in Cambridge (way to far). I finally got Anna to walk over Storrow Drive and onto BU's campus to get on the Green Line. Ah, anything not to have to walk (too much).

It just occurred to me, if you're not from Boston, you would have no idea what I just said. Oh well. You should move here. What a GREAT place! (Even when its snowing)

Can You Hear Me... In Your House?

"Why in the world would you think your cell phone would work in your house? The customer has come to expect so much." -- Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg

If I could, or if I had done some more research, I would have left Verizon Wireless, but.... this guy is a moron.

Read the complete article here

New Pope: Ratzinger

I guess he finally has a response for the old question/insult: Who died and made YOU Pope!?

WWW.CTEIX.COM

You can now access my page by typing in the address:

http://www.cteix.com

I just got the domain yesterday and it seems to be working fine. I thought it would be a lot easier than:

http://teix.blogspot.com

Now all I have to do is remind people how to spell the first half of my last name. Haha. They both lead to the same place, one just has a shorter address.

In Memory of Olivia Teixeira (Updated 2)

Over the weekend funeral services were held for Olivia Teixeira. While in Rhode Island I found out more information about the accident and what occurred.

Apparently Tia Rosalina was driving (wearing her seatbelt), Olivia was in the passenger seat (wearing a seat belt, therefore not ejected), and Uncle Pio was sleeping in the back (wearing his seatbelt). A car cut Tia Rosalina off when she repeatedly try to switch lanes and finally she had to swerve back and the SUV rolled over.

Why am I relaying this news? Gossip? No, just want to get the truth out.

In Memory of Olivia Teixeira (Updated)

Tia Rosalina, Uncle Pio & Olivia (Taken at our wedding about a year ago).

I have never, ever, wanted to write one of these, especially about someone so young, but for Olivia I will.

Friday night my family was rocked with news of a car accident that involved my god-father, my aunt, and their daughter. The three were headed down to Rhode Island, as they do almost every weekend to visit my aunts family, when they got a in an accident on Rt. 95S in Attelboro, MA and their SUV rolled over. Uncle Pio was driving, Tia Rosalina was the front passenger, and Olivia was sitting in the back. Apparently, Tia Rosalina and Olivia were not wearing thier seatbelts. I believe Tia Rosalina was saved by the airbag. However, Olivia was not so fortunate, she was thrown through the windshield and later died at Rhode Island Hospital. Olivia would have been 21 on May 10th. She leaves behind two younger brothers E.J. (18) and Joshua (16). Uncle Pio and Tia Rosalina are recovering at Rhode Island Hospital (Uncle Pio has pain in his upper back and feet; Tia Rosalina had surgery to insert a plate in her wrist and she is also in total body pain).

As many of you know I have a very large famiy. We all conviened (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) until 6AM on Friday night, waiting for word from Rhode Island. Many people drove down to Rhode Island to confirm it themselves. About 50 people came to my grandmothers house that night, located about 15o feet from where Olivia grew up. We cried, we prayed, and just sat silent as the news sank in. Over the weekend, well over 100 people came through that house to pay their respects to the family. It has been a sad few days.

We will all miss Olivia as she was a fun girl to be around who had a beautiful smile. She was one of the nicest people I have ever met. I can still recall her and my sister Stefanie hanging around, like twins, whenever they/we visited. She was shy and polite, until she got around the family, then she became one of the loud ones like the rest of us.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words these past few days. We really appreciate it. Please read the article below for more information and to see how great of a family they are.

Thank you.

UPDATE: Tia Rosalina is recovering from surgery that placed a plate in her wrist and Uncle Pio is out of the hospital. Funeral services are to be held on Saturday, with the wake preceding on Friday. Check out my cousin Tony Rosa's site for a lovely tribute and more information on the services.

In Memory of Olivia Teixeira (Globe Article)

Here is an article from the Boston Globe on Sunday, 10 April 2005, amonth before Oliva was to turn 21.

2 SUVS CRASH, ROLL OVER
Author(s): Suzanne Smalley, Globe Staff
Date: April 10, 2005 Page: B5 Section: Metro/Region

Two young people died in separate car accidents Friday evening and early yesterday morning on area roadways, authorities said, leaving two large extended families grieving. Both accidents happened when the sport utility vehicles the victims were riding in rolled over.

Olivia Teixeira, 20, of Braintree, was killed at about 7:30 p.m. Friday after the Ford Explorer her father was driving on Route 95 in Attleboro overturned, and she was thrown from the vehicle. Paul Cappello, 21, of North borough, was driving near 415 Howard St. in Northborough around 2:30 a.m. yesterday when his vehicle left the road and struck a boulder, Northborough police said. Cappello's Chevy Blazer then rolled over, killing him instantly.

Teixeira's father, Olivio, 49, and mother, Rosalina, 47, were injured in the accident and were listed in fair condition at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence yesterday.

Family members said Rosalina Teixeira was undergoing surgery on her wrists and arms. State Police investigators said the crash occurred when Olivio Teixeira attempted to move from the left lane to the middle lane, nearly hitting another car. He then swerved back to the left lane, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. Olivia Teixeira and her mother were not wearing seat belts when the SUV crashed, State Police said.

Olivia Teixeira's anguished relatives gathered yesterday at her grandparents' home, just down Birch Street from the house she grew up in, to mourn the girl they said had loved children and dreamed of moving to California to start a career.

Olivio Teixeira immigrated to Boston from Cape Verde in the mid-1970s, family members said, and the extended family spent most of their time with one another.

Bartolomeu Teixeira, Olivia's uncle, said the family was driving to the Pawtucket, R.I., home of Rosalina Teixeira's sister when the accident occurred. Olivia went because she had promised to help her aunt with a chore, Bartolomeu Teixeira said.

"This is a huge tragedy," he said. "Nothing like this has happened since we have been in America."

Olivia Teixeira graduated from Braintree High School two years ago, family members said, and recently worked at a day-care center in downtown Boston.

"She was quiet and loved kids," said her cousin, Elvira Correia. "She wanted to do a career with kids. . . . At her age, there were a lot of plans."

Family members said Olivio Teixeira is devastated by his daughter's death.

"The only thing he's repeating is that Olivia is gone," Bartolomeu Teixeira said.

In the driveway of Olivio and Rosalina Teixeira's home, a second SUV sits with rosary beads and a cross hanging from its rearview mirror.

Jeanne Harrington, who lives next door to the devoutly Catholic family, said that the Teixeiras are extremely close-knit and that their politeness and generosity are legendary in the neighborhood, where they have lived for 15 years.

Harrington said Olivia Teixeira attended Harrington's father's funeral with her parents, even though the girl didn't know her personally.

Harrington said that one of Olivia Teixeira's two younger brothers plays basketball at Braintree High School and that a favorite activity of the family is watching him play. "They did everything together," she said.

New Color Scheme

I thought I would change thinks up a bit. I call this the "Google-Inspired Color Scheme" Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, and White! Multicultural too!

Let me know what you think!?

Man Drives Into DMV's Wall, Renews License

This story comes from Boston.com:

April 8, 2005 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A man drove his car into a wall at the Division of Motor Vehicles building, then walked in and renewed his driver's license, police say. Police believe the man was driving while impaired on medication and charged him with driving under the influence...

Read the whole story here

Get Perpendicular

Ever wonder how all that data is stored on hard drives? But never cared too much to read all that technical mumbo jumbo? Well...

Get Perpendicular!

Movie Review: Sideways

Anna and I rented "Sideways" last night. I thought it was a pretty good movie with some flaws. First, Anna fell asleep about 10 minutes into the movie. Second, the movie does move at a rather slow pace. It's about two guys and their week long trip to California's "Wine Country". One character, Miles, is divorced (2 years) and has a multitude of what I like to call, "life-management" problems. From stealing money from his mom, to anxiety, to still being in love with his ex-wife. The second character, Jack, is set to be married at the end of the week. Jack is having "commitment issues" and sets his number one priority for the week: To "get some". There are definitely some funny parts in the movie and some sad parts. What I didn't like about the movie? The ending was horrible. It was the second horrible ending I have seen in a movie this week ("The Final Cut" starring Robin Williams was the other).

Movie Review: The Final Cut

Robin Williams as a dark, talented "cutter" with a hidden secret. The film takes place it the not so distant future. When people are born, their parents have the option to implant an organic chip into their heads that capture video/data of everything they hear/say/see. A great concept. But obviously, weird. When the person dies the chip is removed and sent to a "cutter" who goes through the persons life and splices a movie together of the good parts (unless asked to do different). It brings up a lot of moral questions: When do you tell the child that there is a plant in their head (in the movie it's a recommended age of 18)? How come when people find out they have a chip they either get a strange tattoo to cut the frequency for the audio/video or they just tighten up and act perfect until they die? Is that a good thing? Is it right for "cutters" to edit out possible horrific crimes committed by the people before they die? (in the movie Robin Williams says he does not judge the dead for crimes they cannot be sentenced for anymore - there are also protestors in the movie who despise Robin Williams character). In the end, none of the questions are really answered, but they are obviously up for debate. The reason I like this movie is because I think Robin Williams always plays an excellent "creepy/weird" guy, because, let's face it... the guy, in real life, is just nuts. The ending also leaves much to be desired.

Happy People

Even when it seems, like we are going through some hard times, what do we do?

Smile, because we know, we're going to make it through

Google: Satellite (New!)

If you use Google Maps (which you should, instead of "mapquest"), you will see something interesting today. In the upper right hand corner of the map you have created (enter any address: # street zip code) you will see a "Satellite" link. Click on it, and Google Maps switches to a "Satellite View" or your map. Now you can actually see what people are eating for dinner. Ok, it's not live, nor can it zoom in that closely, but it is really cool.

I Go Back... Again

The line "... Livin life with no sense of time..." actually came from a song that I have been listening to a lot. Here are some lyrics from the song:

"... I used to rock all night long to "Keep On Rockin Me Baby"
Frat parties, college bars, just tryin to impress the ladies
I heard it today and I couldn't help but sing along
Cause every time I hear that song....

I go back to the smell of an old gym floor
The taste of salt on the Carolina shore
After graduation and drinkin goodbye to friends
And I go back to watchin summer fade to fall
Growin up too fast and I do recall
Wishin time would stop right in its tracks
Every time I hear that song, I go back, I go back

We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives
Takes us to another place and time..."

Anyone have any songs that just bring them back to a certain place and/or time? Write a comment, let me know. I will collect them, edit them and eventually post them.

I Go Back...

Do you remember "... Livin' life with no sense of time..."?

Whatever happen to those days? When all you knew was that you were up right before the cartoons started and that you had to be in bed right before that show that you "really, really" wanted to see.

Nowadays between that moment you lift your head off the pillow, to the moment you rest it back down... time just slips away. Minutes, hours, days, even years go by and we regret not using that time for ourselves.

So, step out from work now and then, talk to someone face-to-face, smile... spend some time "... Livin life with no sense of time..."

Take me for example... I am always late! Hahaha.

Boston.com: Registration

Boston.com is going to go on an use registration for their site starting next week. Registration is free, but its just another step to go through. My advice, sign up now. Here is the letter from Boston.com:

Dear Friends,

You've probably had to register at other websites that you visit -- online stores, auction sites, and so forth. Now it's our turn to ask you to please register with us.

This week, we're holding a preliminary registration period; beginning some time next week, registration will become mandatory.

Yes, we know, we know -- it's a bother. And we don't like to bother you. So why are we doing it? We have two really good reasons:

1. We want to know you better. Seeing how many users read a story or do the crossword puzzle is limited research; we want to give you more of the stories and features you like.

2. Our advertisers want to reach those who are most interested in their products. So if you live in a certain geographic area, for example, one of our retailers might place an ad for a store near you on the pages you visit.

Our registration is free, and we've worked hard to make it quick and easy. If you don't delete the "cookie" that will be set on your computer, you'll never have to sign in again -- we'll recognize you. (If you use a different computer, you will have to sign in.)

Please stay with us and become a member of Boston.com. We'll continue to provide you:

Up-to-the-minute breaking news
Sports news and features, chats, and Dirt Dogs
The Boston Globe daily and Sunday editions
Photo galleries and audio slideshows

Restaurant and movie reviews
Crossword, comics, and puzzles
E-mail alerts and newsletters
Message boards and chats

And we promise to keep improving. If you have any questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions or send us feedback. Thanks for visiting Boston.com.

Lisa M. DeSisto
General Manager, Boston.com

Google: Google Gulp

My favorite company has done it again. Goodbye Gatorade, hello Google Gulp (Beta) w/ Auto-Drink.

"... At Google our mission is to organize the world's information and make it useful and accessible to our users. But any piece of information's usefulness derives, to a depressing degree, from the cognitive ability of the user who's using it. That's why we're pleased to announce Google Gulp (BETA)™ with Auto-Drink™ (LIMITED RELEASE), a line of "smart drinks" designed to maximize your surfing efficiency by making you more intelligent, and less thirsty..."

Check out Google Gulp here and their F.A.Q. here.