By host on 11/29/2005 12:00 AM

I have just completed my first full month driving the new Dodge Neon SXT Manual, and I must say thus far I am quite happy. I had a minor issue with the turn signal malfunctioning which required the car to be in the shop for three days, but they were kind enough to provide a loaner. Unfortunately, those three days will through off the statistics included in this entry. Also of note, once the turn signal fix was made, whenever I go over the slightest of bumps at highway speeds, I get a nice click click under the dash, the car's very first rattle. Read More »

By host on 11/17/2005 12:00 AM

IPods never cease to amaze me, small, elegant purpose built devices, which until recently, only could play music. Until then, all they were were glorified Sony Walk Men. (continued) Read More »

By host on 11/8/2005 12:00 AM

I have found more often than not while studying for the MCAD that sometimes the 'correct' answer is not necessarily the 'right' answer. Case in point:

You have created a web user control named sidebar.ascx that encapsulates a standard sidebar to be used on all of your company's web sites. You now want to use this control in Web Applications other than the one where you built the control. What should you do?

The 'Microsoft Answer:'
Copy the Control's files into each application.

The Real Answer:
Include the control's project in the solution that contains all of the applications.

I have built about 20+ Modules for DotNetNuke, and I can honestly say if you answer the above question 'correctly' you will will get it wrong.

By host on 11/5/2005 12:00 AM

Well, I got two tanks of gas before bothering to check the pressure in the tires on my Neon. They both looked low when I got the car, but I didn't think they could be that low since the car was new, and the rear tires looked properly inflated, so I wrote it off to heavier front end associated with having the engine & drive train in front.

This afternoon, I washed the car for the first time, and low and behold, both front tires were sitting at 20 PSI... how interesting that the front tires would be so low and the rear tires properly inflated? I thought so too... of course, inflating the tires to the recommended 44 psi made the ride significantly rougher... who would have thought that my small town 5 Star Chrysler dealer would resort to such trickery? I am not saying they did, but it sure is suspicious.

By host on 11/4/2005 12:00 AM

Well, I just filled up the Neon today for the second time, and averaged 28.01 miles per gallon (down from my last tank, 28.6 mpg). I swear I drive more conservatively than I have ever driven: but as everyone I talk to agree, new cars don't get their best mileage until they have gone over a few thousand miles.

Natalie could be doing better, although, according to the 'roadmap' for her chemo therapy protocol, she is doing exceptionally well they say. Anita & I only have that to go on, as right now, it doesn't feel like there is any light at the end of the tunnel for her. She is almost 19 pounds, having gained nearly 5 pounds in six days. Again, the doctors tell us this is normal, but is very frieghtening & unnerving just the same.

For the first time every, Lauren got FIVE Green Stars Also of special note, Lauren's spelling words for this week consisted of:

Up
Along
But
As
Girl
Come

Now I don't know about you, but when I read this list, I couldn't help thinking of other ... Read More »

By host on 11/2/2005 12:00 AM

I just filled the tank of the Neon for the second time this morning, giving me the opportunity to check gas mileage. After 243 miles since the first topping off, I achieved 28.6 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

Cars rarely get their best mileage until they have been properly broken in, I expect my mileage will improve. I am however very happy thus far, as my old average with my 1999 Chrysler Concorde LXI was between 19-21.

By host on 11/1/2005 12:00 AM

I recently had the need to copy properties between similar objects in one of my VB.NET projects (using DotNetNuke), and figured I would share the solution I came up with with my fellow developers (and google) in the hopes someone else had a more elegant solution (as is normally the case). I have included all the DotNetNuke dependant code for those that have yet to find the 'light' (Continued) Read More »

By host on 11/1/2005 12:00 AM

As I wrote in my earlier post, Natalie Kay, my tenth month old daughter, has been found to be tumor-free two months out from the initial discovery of her tumor. For better or worse, she was brought into the hospital two weeks ago to undergo extensive tests, etc, to verify this. At the same time, she was started on a much more aggressive chemo therapy regimen, which has caught up to her (and her mother & I) and then some. (continued).... Read More »