Dennis B Murphy >>>>>>>>>>

Blog: Thoughts and Commentary

Back

December 2006

2.23.06: Follow up doctor's appt yesterday was good news. I am effectively healed and can begin using my left arm and building back the muscles, though the doctor said to avoid anything that might create another impact........such as... BIKING ! Although I suppose some easy cycling might be okay. I had a few other questions and found that I actually have EIGHT screws into my collarbone, not just two or three.... and yes, it will likely set off airport alarms.

2.21.06: Excellent site on global warming here: http://globalwarmingtruth.org

2.20.06: The Blackberry is working great- email direct from the handheld, tracks messages in and out, all contacts (and email or phone directly from address book), documents can be viewed or created (with aftermarket software, which I now have) and can be synced to my computer's Lotus Notes via cable.

I had to rent a car for work Monday through today (Wednesday). Hertz gave me a Ford Mustang. Sharp looking car, but I had the six cylinder version and it wasn't really all that gutsy as far as acceleration. It had a comfortable bucket seat and the styling is classic American.

12.13.06: Work is just slammed! Way too busy. But there are always peaks and valleys in the business- I'm on a huge peak right now! Aargh!

My Palm pilot died Tuesday. Tungsten C. First- some history. I got a Palm VIIx back in 2001 from Joni for a gift. I loved it and eventually did away with a Franklin Planner. The VIIx had a wireless email option at $20 per month and I had a keyboard I could dock it to and send emails remotely- really cool. That unit eventually bit the dust and I searched for the next PDA.

I selected a Palm Tungsten C. It had Wi-Fi, so emailing remotely depended on wireless internet access. It also would accomodate videos and photos with great color and resolution. I bought my Tungsten C on Ebay and found out after the purchase that my Palm was used as a prop in the movie Little Black Book starring Britney Murphy. BRITNEY MURPHY TOUCHED MY PALM. Anyway, that Palm unit lasted for a couple years and died in late November 2005. After a bit of decision-making, I opted to get another Tungsten C on Ebay. That unit only lasted this one year.

So now, after deciding the options- I've decided to combine my cell phone and PDA. My choices were either a Blackberry Nextel or a Sprint Treo. For various reasons (cost, cell phone plans, commitments already made, etc) I chose the Blackberry. I got a GREAT deal from the Nextel rep on the phone and my net cost for a new Blackberry 7520 (with Nextel) is $149. It will arrive at my office Thursday and by tomorrow afternoon I will be up and running.

Movie poster- notice the palm pilot? Tungsten C Blackberry 7520

12.08.06: Casual birthday. We went to Red Robin restaurant- they have great onion rings and Boca Burgers or Garden Burgers

12.06.06: I found a good image (below) that also shows where I broke my right arm in 1991.

So, the tally is: broken right arm (1991), broken left collarbone (2006), broken right collarbone(1990), crushed T7 vertebrae (2000), broken left & right wrists simultaneously (1972), cracked ribs, a concussion (1966), broken right cheekbone (1991); stitches in finger (1967), wrist(1969), head(1965), both legs (1987).... I think that about sums it up.

12.05.06: Three days to birthday! wow- I don't feel 47. The shoulder is healing, though it pretty much aches every day. I have to develop a regimen for January to get back in shape for biking! Not sure what approach to use- the fitness center at work will be closing due to budget cuts and gym memberships are pretty expensive- nearly $100/month. I'd like to road ride but not sure I will be able to do that in January due to the shoulder yet.

I thought I had another car problem. Monday morning- as I left for work at 7am in a snowstorm- the windshield wipers stopped working! They stopped in the up position. I took the car to Protech in Holland Monday evening and left it there, renting a car at Hertz to get home. Protech called today and said the wipers worked fine! We did notice alot of snow and ice caked into the area below the grate where the wiper pivots stick out... I think the moving mechanism must have gotten jammed. I will probably have to put a tarp over the car at night during snowy weather to keep buildup out of that area.