Just a Little Snow...

Well, the forecasters were wrong again... in a different direction, though. We didn't get the 3"-6" of snow they predicted. No... we got nearly a foot of snow instead!! Well... maybe not quite... but is was about 9-1/2" - 10". The drifts were well over a foot, though. And once you shoveled... whew! The shoveled piles were about 3', probably. And it took me 2 hours to shovel my driveway completely. I didn't even attempt my sidewalks!! I figured no one else did them, so why should I? Besides... I'm already going to be sore for days. :(

I stayed downtown last night (at Eric's) because I had a late meeting at work, and it was already snowing pretty good at that point. I came prepared. Even then, I didn't expect what we got in the snowfall department. When I saw how much snow had fallen this morning, I about flipped. My Baby Bleu (my Xterra) is not used to being outside, especially in weather like this! So she had so much snow on her. The snow on the ground was up to the step bar - that's a lot! Luckily, most of it just brushed off... but still! Anyway... the plows couldn't keep up today. Anywhere! So the roads were a mess... everywhere! People were slipping and sliding (and getting stuck) on the city streets, the interstates, and the county roads all the same. And SO many people got stuck! My neighbor got stuck in her driveway, Eric got stuck, Eric's neighbor, Dave, got stuck... I did fine, though... I think I do pretty damn well for a rear wheel drive car in snow. But then, it's all I've ever driven in snow, so of course I know how to handle it.

In any event, I guess I asked for this. I was wanting to have a 'real' snowfall... well, I got it! It'll be below freezing through the weekend, too, so it'll stick around for awhile. And since I'm done shoveling ad the plows will *hopefully* be caught up by the morning, I get to just enjoy looking at it. I can handle that. :)

Update 01/29/09 8pm: The roads still sucked this morning. The City of Indianapolis did a HORRIBLE job of clearing the roads. You would've thought that they would've focused on the commuter routes, especailly for the morning rush. Nope. They sucked!! One of three lanes were cleared on one heavily used inbound rush hour route. WTF?!!? Then, to top it off, I came home to find 'snow boulders' at the end of my driveway. The plow came through again, taking a wider route and stuff got dumped at the end of my driveway. So I had to shovel some more!! Grrr!!

They Say it's a BIG One!

It may not be the storm of the century coming, but they sure are hyping up this 'big winter storm' we're supposed to be getting over the next 24 hours. Quite frankly, I don't believe it. They've missed the mark on just about all the storms this year (if not all!). So I don't trust the weather forecasters in these parts.

Then again... maybe they're due. They're bound to get it right one of these times. I mean, the range is pretty wide... 3-6" of snow over a period of 24 hours, in which two storms go through. But it hasn't started yet... and they initially said it would start 'just after rush hour.' Well, it's well after rush hour, and not a flake has fallen.

I'll guess we'll soon see. I'd like to see some more snow on the ground, personally. And tomorrow I'm heading to a conference, so punctuality is not a critical thing for me in the morning. In fact, I'll probably be heading out at the tail end of rush hour to get there 'on time.'

If we get anything like they said we would, there will be pictures posted. But don't get your hopes up. I'm not.

Update 7am the next morning - the first storm: Okay, so I was half right... kind of. I barely got a dusting here - barely enough to cover my roof!! Not nearly the 1-3" forecasted for my area for the 'first of the two storms'. BUT, they are saying some areas south of the City got 4" overnight. I not there, though, so I can't verify that. We'll see if round 2 gets us any closer!

The Speech

So did you get to watch the inauguration today? I caught the important parts - the swearing in and the speech. And I have to say, the speech was inspirational. Barack Obama is an amazing public speaker, no doubt. But the key is, he's truly a motivational speaker, as well. I really hope his years in the White House are fruitful and his actions speak louder than his words, if possible. If he can do that, Our Country is going to heal, no problems.

I thought maybe it'd be a good historical marker to copy his speech here, in case you missed it. It was amazing to see the millions of people all over D.C. to witness this, even if it was from a great distance on a jumbotron! The Inaugural Address is all over the web already, so nothing you can't find anyway. :)

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The following is the prepared text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address, delivered Jan. 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.:

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Real challenges

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America -- they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

Remaking America

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

Shifting ground

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Greater cooperation

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To Muslims

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West -- know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

Promise of citizenship

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

We will not falter

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Source: Presidential Inaugural Committee

Inauguration Day

Tomorrow is a very historic day in our Nation. Barack Obama takes the Presidential Oath of Office and becomes our 44th President at noon, changing the voice of the Nation.

One can’t help but wonder what the future has in store for us as we move forward as a Nation. Truth be told, Obama has a very high bar set by both himself and the People. Will our economy improve? Will we pull troops from Iraq? Will the poverty level drop? Can we really set standards for industries and states alike to ‘Green Up’ our Nation? So many critical items came up through the campaigning, and so many of Obama’s answers gave so many Hope.

Hope. A word that has come to mean so much. The basis of a campaign has brought that word to the center of so many households and so many people’s hearts. After everything we’ve been through and everything we’re still going through, there can’t be anything but hope that things will improve for us. How can they not? Surely it can’t get worse. At least that’s what we Hope.

At this point, that’s what we must do to survive day to day. So many go to work every day with the hope that they will not become the next victim of the economy. Every day, military families hope their loved ones come home soon. Every day, unheard of levels of people hope to have a warm meal that night. And if you have ever been on the wrong side of one of these ‘Hopes’, you can only hop no one else has to succumb to the same.

As we move forward, though, let us remember… Obama has the highest hopes for our Country and he, too, hopes he can fix so many of these problems. But he is one man. He is only one part of the government. Not everyone in DC is happy he is the one in the White House and do not agree with his vision. So we must also hope that our own government can actually come together and work towards a better Country. Together. Forget about party lines, forget about lobbyists… finally remember why they are there… for the People of these United States.

It's Definitely Winter...

For those of you not in the Midwest, you may not be aware of this, but Winter is HERE!

This week it is frigid. Only getting colder through the week. Right now, it's in the 20's with some snow showers. No big deal, relatively. BUT, as I said, it's only getting colder. The temperature is dropping through the day today, more snow tomorrow with a high in the 20's, and then (here's the kicker) we have a high in the single digits on Thursday, with a low below zero!!

BrrRrrrr!!!!

It's weeks like this that I just want to hunker down and go nowhere. But I still have to go to work. :P So I have to leave the house and bundle up more than I ever knew existed growing up. It is weeks like this that I ask myself multiple times why I moved to Indiana. Should've stuck with living in the South, where it's much warmer this time of year. But them come Summer, I'm usually glad to not be dealing with their highs...

But still... I had shorts on at Christmas!!! I actually like that!!!

Oh well. For those of you dealing with this weather with me, STAY WARM!! For those in a warmer region... :P

Facebook is E-V-I-L!!

So about two months ago, I broke down and got on Facebook. At first, no big deal... I was just trying to figure out how it all worked. Then as I figured things out, found more friends (from way back in high school days!), and discovered some of the applications...

EVIL!!

It just sucks you in and keeps you online 'playing' for way too long. I wouldn't say it's addicting (yet), but if you start playing with one of the apps, it can kill quite a bit of time! And keep you up late, which had been my problem. Wasting way too much time and before I know it, it's almost midnight. And I'm a person that needs my sleep. So it's bad if I got to bed that late, especially if it becomes a regular thing.

So that has been my struggle this week... prying myself away from the computer at a decent hour. And what do I accomplish? Nothing. So that is why Facebook is EVIL!

New Year, New Problems... (kind of)

My car is dead. Dead, dead, DEAD!

Let me explain...

Late last winter, my car started doing this weird thing when it was cold and wet... it would 'short out' when I turned the engine off. It'd stay dead for about 30 seconds or so, then be fine. It would start the next time, no problem... the trip odometers were just reset. Come spring, no more problem. So I figured it was just a weird glitch.

Fast forward to late fall/early winter 2008. It's started acting up again, only more often and more 'symptoms'. So I take it to Autozone and get a new battery - the guy said the other one was way bad. Okay. That kind of makes sense. And it fixes the problem.

Or so I thought! Yesterday, I came out to the parking garage after work and the dome light wouldn't even come on. It was deader than my old battery had ever gotten. But it was icy yesterday morning, and I was running late because of it, so I shrugged it off as me being absent-minded and accidentally leaving lights on or something. So a coworker was able to give me a jumpstart and I was on my way. Figured I had a 30 minute commute and it'd be recharged and good to go.

Wrong!

Got home, backed into the garage (just in case), turned the engine off, and immediately tried to turn the ignition again. DEAD!

WTF???

So I email Eric (he's on a flight back from FL) and tell him I'm going to need a ride in the morning and proceed to ask if I can borrow his car the rest of the week (he walks to work). Being the absolutely wonderful guy that he is, this was not a problem.

But I still have the issue of trying to figure out my car issue. I'm searching forums (other 2000 Xterras are having this same issue, it seems), asking friends for their thoughts... but ultimately, I'm going to have a fun filled weekend of auto repair! Not really what I wanted to do. But I must, obviously. So it'll be Autozone first (to make sure they didn't give me a bum battery) and then off to the dealer, more than likely. I really hope it's something minimal and easy and CHEAP!

So keep your fingers crossed for me! I'll update everyone on the issue later. :P

UPDATE (01-09-09): Good news!! It turned out to be much of nothing, really... some loose battery cables. Apparently, when the guy installed my battery, he didn't tighten them around the terminals enough. So Eric and I cleaned them up and tightened them real good. Baby Bleu started right up. I knew she wasn't trying to strand me!

Happy New Year!

A new year is upon us... already!! 2008 flew by for me! So much happened in my life, it's easy to see how it flew by, I guess. But it's the past... how's the saying go... "Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, but Today is a gift, and that is why it is called the present"... something like that, anyway.

Though today left little to be gifted, as I was too busy unwinding from my trip. I guess that WAS the gift. :) I spent a majority of the day unpacking and figuring out where to put things, and preparing to go back to work. BLAH! I really don' want to yet. Oh well. Tomorrow will hopefully be an easy transition back into work since so few will be there. I'll be able to catch up on email and clear whatever is on my desk off... and then really be ready for work on Monday!

But enough about that. I really just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!! I hope 2009 is a good one for you and I really hope there is some change for all of us around the corner. I think the world could use a little change and a little 'pick-me-up' through 2009. Regardless, cherish what you have, from your loved ones to your health, and don't take anything for granted as we all move towards a brighter future.