Ken D Nelson

Flex Developer Books on iTouch/iPhone

2010-02-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Found a great article on converting eBooks to work with Stanza on the iPhone or iTouch. I already have some books that I have purchased through Oreilly.com and they are currently on my iTouch, but I also wanted to have the Adobe documentation available on my iTouch. Using a product called Calibre I was able to accomplish the task. What was great is that once I started the Calibre Server, Stanza immediately recognized the server and I was able to read the directory ... Awesome.

Check out this article which explains the process very well.

Presentation Patterns

2010-01-04T15:34:00.001-08:00

While performing some research for me Simple Address Book sample application I came across this series of articles by Paul Williams on Presentation Patterns. I had been looking at the Swiz examples by Ben Clinkinbeard; Swiz example application with Presentation Model pattern and Swiz example application with Passive View pattern but found myself needing just a little bit more information.

Another really good presentation on implementing the Swiz framework is by Joe Rinehart: Swiz in 20 minutes video – bye bye boilerplate!

Simple Address Book: Datamodel

2010-01-01T20:52:00.001-08:00

OK. So my Simple Address Book data model is not so simple. But it is something that is worthy of a true example application. Here is the first cut.

Starting the New Year off right!

2010-01-01T13:52:00.001-08:00

To start the New Year (2010) off right I have decided that I really need to start writing about software development again. It has been some time (back in my Incware days) since I have sat down to write about technology. So to start off I am going to create a serious of posts to document my experiences in writing a fully functional, multi-user, GUI application called Simple Address Book.

The first release of the application is going to utilize Adobe Flex, Swiz Framework, MySQL, and WebOrb for PHP. The idea is to create an example I have been looking for, specifically and example of using the Swiz framework with WebOrb, as well as provide a reference implementation for clients seeking my services (I am often asked for an example of my work).

The Simple Address Book will be loosely modelled after the Contacts application you get with Mac OSX. The application will have the following features;

General Features

Simple Address Book (SAB) is multi-user and will require the user to create an account
SAB is an RIA (Rich Internet Application)
SAB shall utilize Adobe Flex 3.x, WebOrb for PHP, Swiz Framework, and MySQL.
SAB may integrate the following components from the following; Google Maps, FlexLib, Astra from Yahoo, & OpenFlux, Social.
A fully functional reference implementation that people may actually use.

Contact Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Records
Contacts may have a first name, last name, middle name, company name, job title, birthday, anniversary, and a picture
Contact pictures will be uploaded and stored as part of the contact
Each contact may have one or more of the following; Phone Numbers, Addresses, Email Addresses, Websites, Instant Message ID's, & Social Network URL's
Contacts may be associated with one or more groups
Contacts may have one or more note entries

Contact Address Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Addresses
Link with Google Maps to show location
Addresses are contact independent, this means that there may be duplicate addresses
Addresses may be of the same type such as home, work, etc. Reason being is that one may have multiple home addresses.

Contact Phone Number Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Phone Numbers
(Optional) support for Skype may be implemented
Phone numbers are contact independent, this means that there may be duplicate phone numbers
Phone numbers may be of the same type such as home, work, etc. (see same feature of contact address)

Contact Email Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Email Addresses
When clicked should start default email application
Email Addresses are contact independent, this means that there may be email addresses
Email addresses may be of the same type such as home, work, etc. (see same feature of contact address)

Contact Website Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Website Locations
When clicked should open location in new browser/tab
Website locations are contact independent, this means that there may be websites
Websites may be of the same type such as home, work, etc. (see same feature of contact address)

Contact Instant Message Account Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Instant Message Accounts
(Optional) Launch appropriate application when clicked
Instant Messages are contact independent, this means that there may be instant message accounts
Instant Message Accounts may be of the same type such as home, work, etc. (see same feature of contact address)

Contact Social Network Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Contact Social Network Accounts/Locations
When clicked should open location in new browser/tab
(Optional/Future Enhancement) Social Network integration.

Group Features

Create, Read, Update, Delete Groups
Organize contacts within a group
(Optional/Future Enhancement) Email group contacts

Future Enhancements

Calendar integration
Added CRM functionality, possibly integrate with SalesForce
Incorporate social networking (FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) support
iPhone Implementation

Natural Alternative to Red Bull!

2009-05-27T11:15:00.001-07:00

Superintendent Carter

2009-01-11T17:31:00.001-08:00

People in CUSD have asked what Superintendent Carter has done to deserve being placed on Administrative Leave. Here are just a few well documented reasons.

Top 10 reasons why Superintendent Carter must go

1) Carter secretly signed a 3-year contract providing him with a large salary increase at the same time he issued layoff notices to district teachers and classified personnel, then lied about signing the contract in the press.

2) Carter requested and was awarded by the old board a large salary increase for himself and his Deputy Superintendent Sherine Smith while asking parents to raise $1 million to fund teachers.

3) Records indicate Carter altered a Board-approved contract to insert a clause awarding himself $410,000 (18 months’ salary) in the event he is fired for any reason, without board approval.

4) Carter has failed to deliver a zero based budget, departmental budgets or organizational/personnel summaries – all basic requirements of his job and firm commitments he made when hired.

5) Carter and his staff entered into a tentative agreement with the teachers union without board authority.

6) Carter unilaterally cancelled a board approved 3-year boundary study contract without board authority.

7) Carter has failed to take any action after being notified 9 months ago that CUSD was in violation of Title 5 setbacks and the improper use of public funds to improve and maintain private property at San Juan Hills High School (SJHHS).

8) Carter has been negotiating with the developer/private property owner to purchase the SJHHS slope without the authorization or knowledge of the Board of Trustees.

9) Carter has failed to take any action after being notified 9 months ago that CUSD does not own the outfield portion of the ball field at SJHHS and has continued to use public monies to maintain it.

10) Carter has failed to deliver the district wide needs assessment, which is desperately needed to address problems with aging school facilities.

I will be posting my comments shortly, but I will say this - I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

EcoNews Websites

2009-01-08T09:03:00.001-08:00

Here are some EcoNews websites I have found that I think are pretty good.

Mother Nature Network
Forecast Earth

More to come I am sure.

The Phelps Family

2008-12-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

You know you shouldn't watch but for some reason you just can't help yourself and wonder if this is for real?

Love is Love

2008-12-06T17:51:00.001-08:00

Prop 8 - The Musical

2008-12-06T17:43:00.001-08:00

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

100th Post - Head of Skate

2008-11-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

This is very funny.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Halloween 2008 Pictures

2008-11-05T19:53:00.001-08:00

The Political Parties & Taxes

2008-11-04T07:43:00.000-08:00

One final thought before casting my ballot for President. I was watching a show on MSNBC this weekend hosted by former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. I like Mike because he speaks his mind, I don't always agree with him, but I do like him.

On the show he had author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki. The conversation was about taxes and which candidate was better for America based on taxes. Robert made a comment that I think is the root of the problem in Washington, he said "The difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans borrow and spend, and Democrats tax and spend." His point was that if you tax and spend consumers have less money to spend. If you borrow and spend, inflation rises making the the cost of goods more - creating the same problem.

The issue is, and neither candidate has effectively addressed this, our government needs to spend less. The question is how do we get our representatives to understand this?

The Vet Who Did Not Vet

2008-10-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Voter Guide

2008-10-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a voter guide for San Clemente Residents with kids in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Click Here.

There is hope.

2008-10-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

On my way to the gym yesterday I saw something that gave me hope for future generations. On the corner of Pico and the I-5 underpass, high school students were demonstrating in support of No on Prop 8. Many people honked horns in support.

If our kids are to inherit our world, should we not support their wishes on the political front. These younger kids are more educated and aware of the world than we were at their age. In some cases they are more aware than many adults, and more aware than we give them credit for.
I believe these kids get it. Hate is not part of their vocabulary, at least hate for another human being is not. They are keenly aware of differences in people and sexual orientation is not a major concern, the same with financial status, or the color of someone's skin.

Join this group of morally responsible young people and Don't Hate, Vote No On Prop 8.

Would Obama tax my profits if I sell my home? Would he tax my IRA? Would he tax my water?

2008-10-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

I got this email that claimed that Obama's tax plan would cost me thousands of dollars a year. First I considered the source (the person that forwarded the email to me). Conservatives are scared of loosing control and now we are seeing the scare tactics employed by the right in times of fear.

Anyway check out FactCheck.org. Or the article on how the email is false or at the very least over exaggerated.

Evening at the Beach

2008-09-25T16:03:00.001-07:00

West Wing's President Bartlet & Brack Obama

2008-09-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Highlights of West Wing's President Bartlet & Brack Obama

. . .

BARTLET That was a hell of a convention.

OBAMA Thank you, I was proud of it.

BARTLET I meant the Republicans. The Us versus Them-a-thon. As a Democrat I was surprised to learn that I don’t like small towns, God, people with jobs or America. I’ve been a little out of touch but is there a mandate that the vice president be skilled at field dressing a moose —

OBAMA Look —

BARTLET — and selling Air Force Two on eBay?

. . .

OBAMA I’m not. They pivoted off the argument that I was inexperienced to the criticism that I’m — wait for it — the Messiah, who, by the way, was a community organizer. When I speak I try to lead with inspiration and aptitude. How is that a liability?

BARTLET Because the idea of American exceptionalism doesn’t extend to Americans being exceptional. If you excelled academically and are able to casually use 690 SAT words then you might as well have the press shoot video of you giving the finger to the Statue of Liberty while the Dixie Chicks sing the University of the Taliban fight song. The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it.

. . .

OBAMA The problem is we can’t appear angry. Bush called us the angry left. Did you see anyone in Denver who was angry?

BARTLET Well ... let me think. ...We went to war against the wrong country, Osama bin Laden just celebrated his seventh anniversary of not being caught either dead or alive, my family’s less safe than it was eight years ago, we’ve lost trillions of dollars, millions of jobs, thousands of lives and we lost an entire city due to bad weather. So, you know ... I’m a little angry.

OBAMA What would you do?

BARTLET GET ANGRIER! Call them liars, because that’s what they are. Sarah Palin didn’t say “thanks but no thanks” to the Bridge to Nowhere. She just said “Thanks.” You were raised by a single mother on food stamps — where does a guy with eight houses who was legacied into Annapolis get off calling you an elitist? And by the way, if you do nothing else, take that word back. Elite is a good word, it means well above average. I’d ask them what their problem is with excellence. While you’re at it, I want the word “patriot” back. McCain can say that the transcendent issue of our time is the spread of Islamic fanaticism or he can choose a running mate who doesn’t know the Bush doctrine from the Monroe Doctrine, but he can’t do both at the same time and call it patriotic. They have to lie — the truth isn’t their friend right now. Get angry. Mock them mercilessly; they’ve earned it. McCain decried agents of intolerance, then chose a running mate who had to ask if she was allowed to ban books from a public library. It’s not bad enough she thinks the planet Earth was created in six days 6,000 years ago complete with a man, a woman and a talking snake, she wants schools to teach the rest of our kids to deny geology, anthropology, archaeology and common sense too? It’s not bad enough she’s forcing her own daughter into a loveless marriage to a teenage hood, she wants the rest of us to guide our daughters in that direction too? It’s not enough that a woman shouldn’t have the right to choose, it should be the law of the land that she has to carry and deliver her rapist’s baby too? I don’t know whether or not Governor Palin has the tenacity of a pit bull, but I know for sure she’s got the qualifications of one. And you’re worried about seeming angry? You could eat their lunch, make them cry and tell their mamas about it and God himself would call it restrained. There are times when you are simply required to be impolite. There are times when condescension is called for!

Read the full copy here.

Citizen McCain Author Speaks Out

2008-09-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

In an article, "How John McCain lost me", author Elizabeth Drew clearly points out the obvious in the McCain campaign.

“I didn’t decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. . . . In truth, I’d had the ambition for a long time.”)

Everyone who runs for the president runs because they have ambition to be president. If they didn't, would you really want them to be president?

What gets me is the Maverick has obviously decided that the only way to win is to adopt the right-wing rhetoric. The former POW compromised on war crime trials and torture in support of the Bush doctrine - which I do not have a problem the Bush doctrine (treat unto others...), however it was the fact that McCain is starting to sound like W.

"McCain’s caving in to this 'compromise' did it for me. This was further evidence that the former free-spirited, supposedly principled, maverick was morphing into just another panderer – to Bush and the Republican Party’s conservative base."

"By then I had already concluded that that there was a disturbingly erratic side of McCain’s nature. There’s a certain lack of seriousness in him. And he does not appear to be a reflective man, or very interested in domestic issues. One cannot imagine him ruminating late into the night about, say, how to educate and train Americans for the new global and technological challenges. "

How is a man who does not use email going to create a plan to educate and train Americans for the new global and technological challenges? I wonder if he knows how to program a VCR? Or, Set a digital clock?

Read the full article here.

McCain: Creative visionary for the BlackBerry Communication Device

2008-09-17T08:07:00.001-07:00

I guess Al Gore is running for President!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/16/mccain.blackberry/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

"If John McCain hadn't said that 'the fundamentals of our economy are strong' on the day of one of our nation's worst financial crises, the claim that he invented the BlackBerry would have been the most preposterous thing said all week," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

Yes silly season is here!

McCain: Environmental Maverick? NOT!

2008-09-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

A project supported by Montana farmers, ranchers, and Republican party leaders was mocked by McCain in 2003 and more recently in campaigning. The research shows that the North American Grizzly bear may be able to be taken off the endangered species list.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=5816596

Lesson Learned

2008-09-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

OK, you figure that a guy that has been in the computer industry for 20+ years would have a regular backup process for his computer. WRONG! The good news is that it only took a week to recover my hard drive and it looks as though full recovery is in order - Woo Hoo! The bad news is that it cost $1,800.00 to have the recovery performed.

So I one have a 320 Gig drive to back my 160 gig drive up to. I plan to activate my TimeMachine backup/recovery software that comes with my Macintosh immediately upon replacement and full recovery of my hard disk.

Learn from my mistake - BACKUP NOW! BACKUP OFTEN!

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message : Part 2

2008-09-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Here is how the Democrats are going to lose the election! That's right, lose. Barack Obama is taking the republican bait - hook, line, and sinker. He is not only acknowledging that Palin as a force in this election, he is trying to pit his "experience" against her "experience". Now that is simply stupid!

Obama needs to run against McCain. Biden needs to run against Palin. Those are the match-ups. To take the bait and bash the "community activist", bash the "working mom", and bash the mom with a disabled child will not win votes. Talk about the environment, womens right to choose (witch McCain supports he just can no longer admit), talk about the war in Iraq, or about homeland security, domestic violence, or how about education, healthcare, or any number of REAL TOPICS that concern REAL AMERICANS!

Yes the democrats and their voice of change may get over shadowed by their inability to stop putting their collective feets in their mouths!

More to come? Probably! If I have offended you - GOOD! You should be offended our government has failed us!

No On Prop 8 -This California Proposition is disgraceful!

2008-09-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Yes on Prop 8 people stopped by my house this weekend to see how I was going to vote. To be honest I had no idea that there even was a prop 8. Prop 8 would make a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a Man and a Women. Basically it outlaws same sex marriage. Not only that, but it would overturn any same sex marriage that has been performed in the State. The amendment would read: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."

The Prop 8 hate mongrels are using scare tactics to strengthen their position. They are stating that children as young as kindergartners would be taught that a marriage is between two people instead of a man and a women. I talked with a kindergarten teacher and they do not talk about marriage, even though the Prop 8 people say that it is law. They are also saying that rights would not be taken away from same sex couples, same sex couples could still have a domestic partnership - they just could not be married. Sounds like rights would be taken away.

Join me in voting NO ON PROP 8.

www.noonprop8.com

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message

2008-09-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am so glad I switched parties. It all started when in 2006, I was getting phone calls from the Republican party requesting money to help fight Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House. When I asked who the Republicans would match up against Hillary, there was nothing but silence on the other end. I have two problems with this.

1) the Republicans were so worried that Hillary was by default going to be the Democratic candidate
2) and they then had no idea who would run against her.

I knew then that Hillary would not be the Democratic candidate, the US is not ready to have a female president. I suspected that McCain would be the Republican candidate, and I am sorry he is a career politician. I have been and continue to be a Obama supporter. I am willing to give him 4 years to try something new, because the last 8 years have sucked. Also, since I have been voting there has not been an election without the names Bush or Clinton on the ballot.

But I digress. The Republican Party and John McCain are IDIOTS. Sure Sarah Palin is hot, if you caught the announcement that she was McCain's running partner, then you probably caught him checking out her ass! I guess his young wife is getting a little to old for him. But Palin is not the right answer! Want proof, then read this. She is pro-life, pro-guns, anti-environmental, and is the governor of the 4th least populated state in the union, behind (or is it ahead) of; Wyoming, Vermont, & South Dakota.

Yes, the Republican party is run by a bunch of idiots!

Relay for Life Pictures

2008-07-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

The family came out to help dad and to support the Relay for Life fight against cancer. We had a great time at this 24 hour event. I have to say that with working two jobs, my consulting company and the start-up Soleo, I was not looking forward to running this event. After participating I have to say this was extremely rewarding for me. Now that I have have exposure to the event I plan on doing it every year and now know what to expect and how to plan to make this event an even better experience.

I love water. Brrr!

2008-06-01T13:28:00.001-07:00

Cameron at the Angels Diamond Club

2008-05-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Cameron scored some Diamond Club tickets for the Angels Game on Thursday night from his BFF Tim. I figured I should capture the moment on on my cell phone.

Mackenzie Goes 7-13 in Woodbridge Tournament

2008-04-13T19:37:00.001-07:00

Not Bad, a .583 batting average for the two weekends. First game she went 4 for 4.

Thunder Thighs

2008-04-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

Cameron decided to shed his pants and go for a walk. It was a hot day of watching his big sister play in a high school softball tournament. Now if I had tried that, I would have been arrested.

Photoshop Express

2008-03-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

Adobe has released Photoshop Express and I decided to try it out. It is yet another online photo management tool that allows you to upload photos, edit the photos (with some really cool advanced editing features), put them in galleries, and share your pictures with friends and family members. Furthermore the tool was created in Flex, or at least it looks as though it was created in Flex.

Easter 2008

Mackenzie Played on Varsity today

2008-03-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

Mackenzie got her first chance at playing varsity softball today. Initially she was a runner for the catcher. But in the late innings they swapped out the catcher and Mac got a chance to hit, she hit a deep ball to right field that was caught. Not a problem, great chance for her to see some faster pitching. Tomorrow she goes back down to her starting position on JV.

Meanwhile we are still in search of a new gym for Ashley. We left San Clemente Gymnastics after they tried to pull some illegal b.s.

Worth Watching

2008-02-28T09:05:00.001-08:00

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8577255250907450469&pr=goog-sl

Kraft Cheesecake Customizer

2008-02-04T12:47:00.001-08:00

Nothing more needs to be said

2008-01-22T18:23:00.001-08:00

Who should you vote for?

2008-01-21T11:04:00.001-08:00

Take the quiz to find out which candidates you match up with based on your beliefs: http://glassbooth.org

Cameron's 1st B-Day

2008-01-14T15:08:00.001-08:00

Christmas - Round 2

2008-01-04T22:12:00.001-08:00

My dad (Papa) stopped by to give kids their Christmas gifts. Here are some pictures from Christmas Round 2.

Christmas Morning 2007 - Round 1

2007-12-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

Stockings Laid out with Care
Mac & Ash with their goodies

Ash got new Uggs

Cameron's New Ride

Christmas Eve 2007

2007-12-25T09:11:00.001-08:00

Who's Ready For Christmas? Kyle, Mackenzie, Ashley, Devin, & Cameron

Super Christmas Cameron, here to save the day!

Anyone got sugar?

Dreaming of Santa

Cameron & Santa 2007

2007-12-20T19:04:00.001-08:00

Cameron's 1st Disney Christmas

2007-12-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

My Sister sent me this

2007-12-04T09:24:00.001-08:00

Green is Universal - My Ass!

2007-11-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

At first I thought the whole "Green is Universal" campaign was brilliant. But then today I was watching The Today Show, as they televised from a helicopter the truck bringing the 84 foot tree to Rockefeller Center, an annual tradition. In my opinion NBC and Universal blew it. This being the 75th anniversary of the tree, Universal could have made a real statement. They could have said and probably should have said no tree. Or they could have made a huge display of living trees that could show how to celebrate an environmentally aware Christmas. Then after Christmas planted those trees in some of the burned out forests of California or elsewhere.

The reporters said the Rockefeller Center tree was cut down in an environmentally sound way, they used an ax instead of a chainsaw. Also, they planned to use LED lights instead of incandescent lights. So all is environmentally good. Amazing!

Instead of capping off a great week of environmental awareness with a statement, they capped it with a big environmental blunder! Thanks NBC and Universal.

Catch Limits for Sharks

2007-11-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

See the full article here.

Ocean Conservancy calls for action on sharks:

Ocean Conservancy has urged the US government to present a shark conservation proposal at the upcoming annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Turkey. Our requests included an anti-finning requirement that sharks be landed with their fins attached and the establishment of catch limits on North Atlantic mako and porbeagle sharks. "This November, the member countries of ICCAT have an opportunity to
adopt the world's first international catch limits for sharks," said Sonja Fordham, Ocean Conservancy's Shark Conservation Program Director who will serve on the US delegation to the ICCAT meeting. "The porbeagle shark, in particular, as one of the Atlantic's most endangered fish, deserves full and immediate protection." Members can help by contacting their government representatives and requesting a high priority for shark conservation at ICCAT.

For more on sharks, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/sharks

Save the Tata's

2007-11-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

My wife's aunt sent this to me. Sign the petition here.

From a nurse:

I'll never forget the look in my patients' eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You," they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it quickly! Then please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.

PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.lifetime tv.com/breastcan cer/petition/signpetition.php

This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women, THANKS.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter..."

Protecting Sharks

2007-11-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

Oceana.org and WildAid.org have release a report on the factors affecting shark survival. The report can be found here. Some of the background information includes solutions;

"Five Things You Can Do to Help Save Sharks
Sharks are being caught at unsustainable levels due to the high demand for their fins, liver oil, and meat. Shark populations globally are in trouble but there are things you can do to help.

Do not eat shark fin soup.
Only eat sustainably caught seafood.
Do not purchase cosmetic products if they have the ingredient squalene or squalane from sharks.
Write to your congressman to ask them to help protect sharks.
Help correct people's misconceptions about sharks-sharks don't hunt humans!

" - from http://www.oceana.org/sharks/shark-report/end-of-the-line-overview/

Some may ask, what is sustainably caught seafood and how do I know what I am getting. First download the Seafood Watch Pocket Guide from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. While you are at it join the aquarium, if for no other reason than to help fund the work the marine biologists are doing to better understand sharks. For instance did you know that most larger shark species do not become sexually mature until they 25 years old? We need to know more.

Join the Fight
If you can not make it the Monterey Bay Aquarium, join an aquarium in your area, or join an environmental awareness organization, or do all of the above!

Write Letters
You can also write your politicians. Vote for only environmentally aware politicians. Decisions made today may not affect you. But if you have kids, those decisions will affect them.

Hug a "Tree-Hugger"
This reminds me of a line in the movie "The American President", where the President finally fights back and defends his girl-friend's membership in the ACLU. The line is something along the line of "... this is an organization that defends our civil liberties. The question is not why is she a member? But rather why aren't you!" Why are ALL not Tree-Huggers?

"Tree-huggers" get a lot of flack. But the question is why are we all not tree huggers. Is the planet really not that important to you? Do you know your carbon footprint is? Mine is 22,308. The average person in the US is 19,000 obviously I have some work to do. World wide this number is 4,000. But this is a topic for another post.

Sharkwater

2007-11-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

I went to see this documentary on the slaughter of one of the oceans top predators. Traveling to Costa Rica's Cocos Island and the Galapagos Islands, the Sharkwater crew show the public disgraceful acts of shark finning, including illegal pooching. Turns out the Taiwanese mafia are behind the finning in Costa Rica.

Shark fin soup is a delicacy in Asia and is said to promote health even cure cancer. The Shark Fin industry is quit large, in the billions of dollars. They even have their own trading or brokerage to promote the sale of shark fins. This simple search on Alibaba.com found numerous suppliers of shark fins.

Sharks are vital to the ecosystem. Did you know that 70% of the worlds oxygen is supplied by phytoplankton? What does this have to do with sharks? If the sharks do not keep the consumers of the phytoplankton in check, the phytoplankton will die off - become extinct. How many trees would we have to plant to replace 70% of the worlds oxygen supply?

Thousands of sharks are being caught, fins cut off (some still alive) and pushed over-board to die. My wife asked me why they have not figured out how to use the entire shark. The sad fact is that the fisherman make more money for the fin than for the shark, so the more fins they collect the more money the collect - the rest of the shark would simply consume vital storage space aboard the boat.

Coconuts kill more people per year than sharks.
Vending Machines Deadlier than Sharks.
Number of human deaths per year due to sharks: 5
Number of people per year killed by a vending machine falling on them: 13
Number of human deaths per year due to choking on a ballpoint pen: 100
Number of people killed because of starvation: 8,000,000
Number of sharks killed: 26-76 Million or as high as 100 million
(numbers are yearly averages)

Shark finning needs to stop. Want to help stop this?
Visit Saving Sharks, Project AWARE, Shark Trust, Sea Shepard

Mackenzie Homecoming 2007

2007-11-05T09:10:00.001-08:00

Mackenzie went to Homecoming this past Friday. Homecoming is not what it used to be, she bought her ticket at the dance and went stag. The dance itself was only 2 1/2 hours long.

Cameron's First Halloween

2007-10-31T19:29:00.001-07:00

Hey Ladies! A-la Bert Reynolds.

Cameron and Ashley

Treat-or-Treat

Ashley Regional Gymnastics Meet 2007

2007-10-31T19:18:00.001-07:00

Favorite Picture of Ashley

2007-10-31T19:00:00.001-07:00

This was my favorite pose for Ashley from the professional pictures we had done. I like black and white photo's so I turned this into a nice B&W pictures.

Ashley Gymnastic Photos

2007-10-31T18:53:00.001-07:00

Ashley's gymnastics team had professional pictures taken, here are the results of some of those for Ashley.

Fire Update

2007-10-26T13:29:00.001-07:00

The according to base command the Horno fire is 80% contained as of this morning. The Santiago Canyon fire is still ragging, however it is moving away from us and into the Cleavland National Forrest.

This morning there was quit a bit of smoke do to a light marine layer. The marine layer has since burned off and the skies are clearing. The kids our out of school for a second day, however word is school will resume on Monday.

I took some time this morning to begin the clean up process by rinsing the concreate areas and watering down the plants. My hope is this will reduce the dust.

More Information at:
San Diego Emergency Homepage
Santiago Canyon Fire Information

Fire Images

2007-10-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Was sent this link. Click Here!

Fire Update

2007-10-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

Many have been asking about how we are doing with the fires. Our house has not been, nor do I believe we will be, in any immediate danger from the fires. We have two fire systems to worry about, the fires on Camp Pendleton and the fires up off the the 241 toll road (Santiago Canyon).

Monday we woke to a combination of sand and ash in the air. As the Sun rose, debris filtered the rays of lights and the Sun glowed white. I sent the girls to school with surgical masks in hopes that when outside they would wear them, they did! Later that day I headed to San Diego for a business meeting with my friend Todd Lass. On the way down I ran into a smoke plume that ran from Oceanside to Mira Mesa with the thickest smoke in the Del Mar area. After my meeting and lunch I headed home, with all the evacuees. It took almost three hours to get from Kearney Mesa in San Diego to my house in San Clemente, this normally takes 45-50 minutes. I did make one stop at Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad to use the restroom and pick up some of their fine meats and baked goods, oh and some beer for later. On the way home I heard that Scripps Ranch was being evacuated and called my friend Todd to offer him and his family a place to stay, he was home packing up and headed to his in-laws home. My parents were waiting for the evacuation call, but never got it.

Tuesday we woke to fairly clear skies. Later that afternoon we noticed the fire plumes on the marine base. Tuesday night was the most concern for us. I went on our roof about 11:00pm and the fires had crest the hill tops on the marine base. I would estimate that the fires were about 5 miles away from us and the wind was pushing them our way. Nicole and the girls packed bags just in case we got a reverse 911.

Wednesday morning the air was thick. Kids went to school with respirator masks I got from my dad when I was in San Diego. We kept a tab on the news and I went back to work, somewhat! Fires at Camp Pendleton headed away from us during the night, but as I said the air was solid. All of the kids activities were canceled and school was canceled for me. So I was able to watch Game 1 of the World Series! We heard from the Capo USD that all CUSD schools would be closed Thursday due to proximity of the fires and health concerns.

It is Thursday morning. Nicole is home from work. The kids are home from school. The air outside is still very smoky and thick! And the news is full of positive information. Fires are being contained.

Grandma Rita turns 85

2007-10-24T08:48:00.001-07:00

This past Monday (10/22/2007) Grandma Nelson, Rita, turned 85 years old. On Sunday we celebrated by taking her out to breakfast. Afterwards we took pictures - of course.

Grandma Nelson and her 4 Great-Grandchildren

Cameron and Papa

2007-10-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture I found (my sister, Johanna, took it) of Cameron and my dad. Cam was about 2 and a half months old at the time.

New Picture of Cameron

2007-09-25T14:15:00.001-07:00

Picture I took with the built-in iSight camera on my Apple Laptop. Cameron now has 3 teeth with a fourth one on its way in. He chews on everything.

Lobster Season Opens this Saturday

2007-09-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

For those of you interested, Lobster season opens in California this Saturday at Midnight. Conditions look really good. If you are diving, make sure you check your gear - maybe do a night dive prior to opening night.

Hawaii 2007

2007-09-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Mama's Fish House is by far the best place to eat on the island. Expensive, but well worth it. Fresh fish caught daily, the menu includes the name of the boat that caught the fish as well as its owners name. Mama's has a great selection of appetizers and drink selections, including a very tasty Mai Ta'i. Above is Mama's ride.

Picture of the kids in the court yard (or is it a front-yard?) at Mama's.

Dave with the kids; Mackenzie, Ashley, Devin, and Cameron at Mama's

Jenny & Devin at Mama's

Ken & Nicole at Mama's

Nelson Family portrait at Mama's

Kids in an Outrigger at Mama's

Sea Turtle on second dive to Molokini Crater. Actually the dive was near shore. This guy came up and bumped our divemaster, who was busy showing us some cleaner shrimp. After bumping into the DM, he came over and bit my fin and gave it a tug. Side note, Molokini is only 4 miles from Maui. On the way from Molokini to the second dive spot, we saw a 6-7 foot tiger shark looking for food at the surface. Luckily it did not appear that the shark followed us.

Mackenzie on dive #2.

I forgot to add this picture from the Maui Ocean Institute. This is Cameron with his face pressed up against 13 inches of plexi-glass looking at me inside the shark tank. What a joy it was to have Nicole and the kids there to see me dive with the sharks.

Waterfall on the Road to Hana. Hana itself is not the destination, it is the journey that makes this all day trip and adventure. I recommend going to Haleakala one day ($10 for a park entrance fee) to see the sunrise - you should do this the first full day there. The next day do the trip to Hana. Past Hana you will find the Seven Pools which is in the same state park, just down at the beach. Your park pass will get you in.

Another waterfall on the Road to Hana.

Ashley at the waterfall.

Mackenzie at the waterfall.

Nicole at the waterfall.

Me and Cameron at the waterfall.

Maui sunset over Lan'i.

More sunset.

Aloha! And Mahalo!

Shark Dive

2007-08-21T21:57:00.001-07:00

On Monday I got to dive the 750,000 gallon shark tank at the Maui Ocean Center. What a truly amazing experience. I was allowed to feed a Spotted Eagle Ray and swim with 6 species of sharks. This includes a 6 1/2 foot male tiger shark. My dive was about 50 minutes long and I even found a sharks tooth on the floor of the aquarium.

Feeding the Spotted Eagle Ray

Cameron giving dad a high-five and a kiss

Hammerheads, Tigers, Sandbars, Gray Reef, Black-Tip Reef, White-Tip Reef, and Ken sitting

26 sharks, 6 different species, one happy diver

That is me and above is a tiger shark - close enough to pet

Dive is over

Tiger Shark

Haleakala Sunrise

2007-08-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

So the gang decided that we would hit Haleakala first thing. The reason behind this madness is that the Haleakala summit is 10,023 ft above sea level. We left our condo in Kihei around 3:00 am so we could be at the summit before the sunrise. We made it, it was still dark when we got there, it was also about 50 degrees if we were lucky, it was cold. Watching the sunrise above the clouds that mashed against the west side of Maui made it all worth it. The whole event was over by 7:00 am.

On the way back to Kihei we decided to have breakfast at the Kula Lodge. Breakfast was fantastic and the view from the dining area was incredible. You could see all of the Maui valley. Fro breakfast I went with a local favorite, Loco Moco. It starts with a bed of sticky rice, I am beginning to think sticky rice is the only rice you can get on the islands and I am ok with it. Next is a hamburger patti or two, then a couple of fried eggs. Finally it is all topped with brown gravy - man is it good!

Aloha for now!

Shark Finning

2007-07-24T13:14:00.001-07:00

This is a copy of an email sent to one of the diving community news groups I am a member of. Shark finning is the process of catching large quantities of sharks, and while they are still alive, cutting off their dorsal and pectoral fins then dumping the remaining, still alive, shark over board to drown. The entire shark is simply disguarded to save room for the prized fins.

Sharks are at the top of the food chain in the worlds oceans with no natural predators. They are responsible for consuming aging and sick fish and are a vital part of the ocean ecosystem. Over fishing of any kind is an irresponsible act, but shark finning is an immoral one.

Hi All,

As you know we have been working on Yahoo! and it's sister company Alibaba.com to stop selling /thousands of tons/ of dried shark fins through their web sites. With the success of our ABC News piece last month at guadalupefund.org we worked with Bruce from Business Week to produce this latest article. This is a global slaughter on an unprecedented scale, and those of you who dive for a living know this first hand.

Hopefully Yahoo! will see the light and change tactics here.

If you can blog this, or pass it one to someone who can carry the torch there's 75 million sharks that will thank you next year...and several marine protected areas that might still have sharks next year as well.

Let's go shark diving!

Cheers,
Patric Douglas CEO
www.sharkdiver.com
www.sharkdivers.com
www.guadalupefund.org
415.2359410

Swim Lessons

2007-07-19T13:34:00.001-07:00

Cameron started swim lessons this week. Here are some pictures from Day 2.

Normal, Il

2007-07-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie's Softball Team (American Athletics - Ordos 14U) qualified for ASA Nationals, so she and I are heading to Normal, Il for a week of softball with about 120 other teams from around the US. Recently her team placed 8th at the State Championship for the Southern Region, 2nd at the State Championship for the Sacramento Region, and 4th at the second chance tournament in Tulare where the temperatures reached 106 degrees. The team qualified, however, out of Virgina when a tournament we were signed up for was canceled and we were awarded the birth by default.

If you would like to sponsor Mackenzie's team please use the link above and contact Alan Ordos (alan@americanathleticssoftball.com).

Cameron Jumping

2007-07-18T15:14:00.001-07:00

My sister took these pictures of Cameron jumping in his jumper back in June. I am finally getting them posted.

Ashley's Dance Concert

2007-06-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Ashley had a dance concert for a class she was taking as part of her gymnastics work. Three of the girls on her team were all in the same class, which was dedicated to teaching them dance for gymnasts. They did a great job and you could tell they really enjoyed what they were doing.

Mackenzie's Eigth Grade Awards

2007-06-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie did very well at Vista del Mar Middle school for the three years she was there. In the fall Mac will be moving on to San Clemente High School. But first she won a few awards. I sent out an email and it was requested that I post what I wrote, so here it is.

Mackenzie took home awards for Presidential Fitness, 2 years of 4.0 GPA (missed the third year - 6th grade - with one B in PE for arguing softball rules with the PE coach who "read the book"), and an award for top ASB student for the last three years. All of Mackenzie's teachers praised her work ethic and attention to detail as well as her enthusiasm and willingness to take on any task, she must get that from her mother. I was really happy to see that her ASB adviser had high praise and comments. This is the same person I had a run in with last year for threatening to lower her grade and citizenship because she had a softball tournament to go to and would not be able to help with last years eighth grade dance. I am very proud of her accomplishments at Vista Del Mar and hope that she can continue the success in High School - I am sure she will do fine.

... and some pictures.

Needless to say both Nicole and I are very proud of Mackenzie and her accomplishments.

American Athletics place 8th

2007-06-18T10:21:00.001-07:00

Mackenzie's Softball team, American Athletics 14U, finished in 8th place at the State Tournament held June 8th-10th. Mackenzie didn't play for the first 2 days of competition other than to pinch run. On the last day she was a designated hitter and walked twice, scored twice, and had some very well struck balls.

Cameron Pictures 5 Monthish

2007-06-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

OK. Cameron is 5 1/2 months in these pictures. For the most part he is a very happy boy. And he is all boy. Very different from the girls in respect to being squirmy and constantly on the move. The only time he cries is if he is hungry or board and sometimes when he is really, really tired. He and I are having a great time together, but unfortunately my time with him will soon be lessened as I have to go back to work - :( I guess that will simply make the time I do have with him that much more meaningful.

Same Picture as Above, Just in Black in White.

The absent minded blogger

2007-06-07T11:37:00.001-07:00

Wow I can not believe I have not had anything to post for almost a month.

Lately I have been interviewing for full time positions, I am over the whole owning your own company thing. While I will probably keep the company, I will scale it back to a meager existence. One of these days I will get off the stick and begin developing one of my software ideas, then I may revive the company again.

School is almost out for the kids. Mackenzie will be going on the obligatory 8th grade Washington D.C. trip the day after school gets out. Ashley is now beginning to wind down from gymnastics for the summer, she will still practice 4 times a week, but at least she can afford to skip a day or two. Mackenzie's softball season is in full-swing (pun intended) with most games scheduled around the state and a few out of state tournaments planned including Kentucky and Illinois. So we have some traveling to do.

I just got back in touch with a dear old friend of mine. He is doing well which is great to hear!

I have not scuba dove for some time now, I think the last time I was underwater was before my last post in May. I did however see that my first ever Open Water Scuba student did in fact get his certification card. Congratulations to Tyler Lee!

La Jolla Cove

2007-05-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

With the recent and long lasting red tide we are experiencing here in Orange County, my buddy Jeff and I decided to drive to San Diego to dive La Jolla Cove. Neither one of us had dove there before so we had to formulate our dive plans on the fly.

When we arrived the water looked deceptively appealing. Standing at the top of the stairs at the cove we were able to see sand, rocks, and orange colored Garibaldi's through the blue-green water. There were no waves and the waves that did make it to shore were more like stray boat wakes. We watched as the swimmers made their way from the beach to the half mile buoy and back. We sighted a large patch of kelp out by one of the Scripps buoys and decided that this would our first destination. We suited up and made our way to the water.

The water of the interior reef was surgy and visibility looked about 10-12 feet. We snorkeled out a bit took a compas heading and descended in 15 feet of water. Underwater we were greeted by the usual suspects including kelp bass and garibaldi. Our first dive took us through the large beds of kelp and rock quarries split by valleys of course sand. We zig-zag our way to the reef looking for things to see. 63 minutes later I had successfully navigated underwater back to our exact entry point - pretty cool!

During our surface interval we meet the local game warden. The warden was a scuba diver and had dove the area often. He checked to ensure we had not taken any game and then gave us so reconnaissance on where we were diving next - La Jolla Caves. We switched tanks and made our way back to the beach. We again snorkeled out past the tourists and made our way east along the cliffs. We dropped in at 15 feet of water and continued east. This dive was exciting from the start. There were lots of nooks and crannies to find small critters. We found a couple of shovel nosed guitar fish resting in holes. We had a curious California sea lion do a fly by to check us out and blow bubbles at us. The visibility was poor so we decided to go deeper.

Unfortunately as we swam out towards the canyon we were meet by the very red tide we were trying to avoid. We did get below the red tide and swam through the kelp forest. The kelp canopy was thick and turned back the sun to create a dark eerie dive. We decided to swim out of the tide and back towards the caves. As we came out of the sea of red something to the left caught my eye. A very large giant black sea bass, requiring a double take, had caught my eye. It scared the *#%@ out of me. This gentle giant swam up to us to get a better look, just then and second an even larger giant black sea bass arrived on the scene. It was amazing. We stayed for a bit as the two large fish circled us to get a better look, coming so close as I could reach out and touch them - I did not however.

Mother's Day 2007

2007-05-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day 2007 was a hit. I prepared a Mexican themed late lunch that consisted of Carnita's, Chicken Enchilada's, and Lamb with all the fix'ns. We had Margarita's flowing and everyone had a great time.

Johanna, Nicole, & Jenny

Moms and Kids

Mac, Ash, & Cam

Great Grandma Nelson & Cameron

Cameron 4 & 1/2 months

Google Test

2007-04-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Big Surf Pictures

2007-04-12T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a photographer that took some pictures of The Wedge in Newport Beach today.

Cool Widgets

2007-04-12T11:51:00.001-07:00

I can teach you to blow bubbles...

2007-04-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

It was just confirmed. I am now a teaching status PADI SCUBA Instructor. So if anyone wants to learn to SCUBA, I can teach you. This goes along with my Emergency First Response instructor rating where I can teach CPR & First Aid. Next I want to get my DAN instructor rating, this will allow me to teach more advanced diver first aid classes including O2, Advanced O2, AED, and Hazardous Marine Animal First Aid.

Me underwater

2007-03-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

Cameron is 3 Months Old Today

2007-03-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures to celebrate. As you will see Cameron has an array of facial expression.

Todays Dive

2007-03-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Jeff, Whitey, and I went diving at Shaw's Cove today. Jeff took some pictures and here they are.

One more week left

2007-03-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

I have completed three weeks of the four week IDC (Instructor Development Course). I have given micro teaching presentations, prescriptive teaching presentations, confined water presentations, and open water presentations. I have demonstrated the 20 basic skills required by all SCUBA divers, I have taken the same 5 general knowledge tests twice as well as 2 tests on the instructor manual.

Yesterday we went to Catalina to perform 2 of our 5 open water dives. It was cold, 57 degrees. Which if you are moving is not bad, but when you are sitting at 35 feet watching people do skills over and over again. It was cold!

So I have one more week of the IDC. The week after that I take my Instructor Examination with PADI. If I pass everything then I will be an Open Water SCUBA Instructor. Not sure what I am going to do with that, but at least I will have it.

The one thing that gets me with this whole process is how everyone I talk to that has gone through comments that it is hard, and that you don't get enough sleep, and how if they knew what the process was really going to be like, they probably would not have done it. What a bunch of wimps - it's easy, well maybe not easy, but not hard. Demanding, time-consuming, and at times confusing - it's all that!

So here is the question, what type of fish is a Garibaldi?

I must be crazy

2007-03-03T22:34:00.000-08:00

I started the IDC today. The IDC stands for Instructor Development Course. So what is it? The IDC was created by PADI to teach potential instructors how to teach people to SCUBA. Starting today can going for the next 3 weekends (Saturday and Sunday) - 8 AM to 8 PM. Then I take the two day instructor exam. Crazy!

Yes I am still going to school, taking English and Trigonometry right now. Yes I still have my consulting company, and if that is not enough I am starting a new company. It is called EFR International and it is my CPR, First Aid, and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training and sales company. I became an Emergency First Response instructor back in January. Since then I have created a goal of having an AED in every company in the US and to have every employee of those companies trained in CPR and AED - because the life that may be saved, may be yours.

So why did I start this endeavor? I am not really sure other than the fact that I had to bail out of the Red Sea trip I had scheduled and had available funds on the books at the dive shop. I was gonna go to Belize, but I am going to Mexico during the Belize trip. I was gonna go to Bonaire, but for some reason I could not do that on either. So I decided to go through the IDC.

Ashley at 5th Grade Science Camp

2007-02-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

Cameron at 5 weeks

2007-02-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

Numerous people have been asking for more posts of Cameron, so here are some more pics of "Everyone's Current Favorite".

I don't understand the problem

2007-02-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

So I went in for a vasectomy yesterday. Prior to that I had heard all the horror stories about the pain and discomfort, etc. All you guys that whine about that are pussies! Sure there is a little discomfort when you doctor injects the pain killers into your ball sack, and yes there is some discomfort after the procedure - a mild form of the kicked in the nuts feeling. But look at the benefits, once this is all over you no longer have to worry about getting your wife or girlfriend or whatever pregnant - that's a benefit at twice the cost.

Here is how it went down. Two weeks ago I went into Orange County Neurology for a consult. They put all the guys in a room to watch a humorous video about the procedure and to go over some of the associated risks. Then you meet the doctor (Dr. Shuerke - not sure on the spelling) and he makes sure that you are physically able to have the procedure. The day of the operation I went into the office and was taken back to procedure room, similar to an operating room just less fancy. I had two assistants to prep me for the main event; both female , both young or younger than me, and both attractive. The only scary part is when they broke out the Bic razor. They shaved my balls and then clean with an iodine solution.

They ladies left and the doctor entered. He started with the local anesthesia, which was like pulling the hair off your nuts. Then a small incision was made. From there he grab one tube and spliced it, then cauterized and capped both ends. He said reversal is possible, but my thought is - Hell No! He repeated the process on the other tube, threw in a suture and I was done.

Now here are my recommendations: Eat before the procedure, a jock strap is a good idea so you can throw it away when you are done healing, and have someone to drive you home. I found that I was fine using a bag of frozen corn to help reduce swelling and add in the comfort, but I only needed it for a couple of hours in the typical on 15/off 15 minutes scenario. I also found that a couple of glasses of Makers Mark helped to take the edge off. I slept fine, but I did have a pillow between my legs to give room to the now swollen boys. My final recommendation is that this a great excuse to have someone wait on you hand and foot, especially your significant other - take advantage of it.

Cameron is 2 weeks old today

2007-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Incredible! Cameron is 2 weeks old today. It amazes me that something so small can be so consuming. I guess after 10 years you tend to forget the requirements of a newborn child.

Pictures of Cameron

2006-12-30T22:36:00.000-08:00

Here are some picture of Cameron Ashton Nelson. Born 12/29/2006. 7 lbs 5 ozs and 18 inches in length.

Less than 5 mintues old
Cameron and mommy
Cameron and big sisters Mackenzie & Ashley
Cameron, Mom & Dad
Cameron, 12 hours later
Cameron and Big Sister
Cameron and cousin Devin
Cameron with cousin Devin and Ken
Cameron and Aunt Jenny
Cameron and Grandpa

There are more pictures from the hospital photographer Here and Here

Pictures of Cameron (Ultrasound)

2006-12-12T22:55:00.000-08:00

Good Karma

2006-12-06T08:47:00.000-08:00

My wife sent me this chain letter. Instead of forwarding it on as another email, I am posting it on my blog. This will allow the entire online world to view. I am asking the universe to share this blog entry or something better (more on that later).

Good Karma
This is a nice reading, but short. Enjoy! This is what The
Dalai Lama has to say for 2006. All it takes is a few seconds
to read and think over. Do not keep this message. The mantra
must leave your hands within 96 hours. You will get a very
pleasant surprise. This is true for all – even if you are not
superstitious… or of whatever religious belief… Faith…

I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R L I F E

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
Follow the three R’s:

Respect for self,
Respect for others and
Responsibility for all your actions.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for
your life.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

What I did not include is how many people you have to send this to to improve my life. I believe that sharing this with everyone will improve everyone's life, mine included.

I think these pictures are great!

2006-12-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

Went Diving on Saturday with my new camera

2006-12-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

I purchased a new camera for my Underwater Digital Photography class. I figured I should purchase something inexpensive to practice with before taking my Canon 30D underwater. So I bought a SeaLife DC500, and yet they have already come out with the DC600. I do recommend this camera, it is very easy to use and can be used on land as well.

On to the pictures (Note: I have not touched them up yet):

Mackenzie

A Happy Thanksgiving, and other stuff

2006-11-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day. Mackenzie and I woke early so that we could go for a dive with some friends. The water was warm, the fish abundant, and I was able to get one step closer to completing my DiveMaster certification.

When we got home I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for Nicole, Mackenzie, and Ashley. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, gravy, the works. We had a nice time, sitting at our formal dinning room, eating dinner and enjoying each others company.

Nicole had to go to work tonight however. She only has 7 more days until she goes out on maternity leave. We have about 6 more weeks until Cameron Ashton will join us

Ashley just finished up with Gymnastics for this season, where she placed 8th for her age group at state. We are very proud of her. She will be moving up to the next level of gymnastics, Level 5. She is AMAZING to watch.

Mackenzie will be finishing up her fall softball season in the next couple of weeks. Most of her teammates will be playing for their high schools next year and Mackenzie plans to take that time to "have a life!" I say good for her.

As for me, well I am still working - not hard of course! Finishing up my Divemaster, and getting ready to become a volunteer diver at the Aquirium of the Pacific - I'll let you know how that goes!

I am almost done doing my annual putting up of Christmas Lights in the neighborhood. If I can get some pictures, I will upload them after we are all done.

The New Laptop

2006-11-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

My new laptop came last Friday. I purchased a MacBook Pro, 2.33Ghz, 3 Gig of RAM, and 160 gig hard-drive - argh, argh, argh, argh! Once I opened it up, moved the files from my old Mac and old PC, I installed Parallels. Parallels allows you to install other operating systems, like Windows, and run them in a Window.

The goal of the new laptop was to consolidate my two laptops - a Dell and a MacBook Pro. It looks as though my plan will work beautifully. Among the many cool features of the MacBook is that it comes with a built in camera with some awesome software. Here is a picture I took in comic bok format.

One of the reasons I love the Macintosh is that it just works. The wireless networks display in your list of networks with ease, software installs and uninstalls with ease, it is simply easy.

One other decision I made was not to install Microsoft Office for the Mac. One of the reasons was that Office for the Mac is not optimized to run on the Intel Duo processor, or the Universal code. The other reason is that the open source software that is available now is fantastic. I am running Neo office, which is a Aqua version of OpenOffice and does not require the use of X11. I am also running Thunderbird and Sunbird to replace Outlook. So far, so good.

Went to the Monterey Bay Aqurium

2006-10-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

I took the family to the aquarium on Monterey this weekend to see the male white shark. The shark was active. I was impressed by the size, or lack there of compared to the yellow fin tuna in the million gallon tank. I took quit a few pictures, I will post some once I get them processed in photoshop.

While the shark was impressive, the highlight was the feeding of the other pelegics in the tank. The feeding frenzy created by dumping 75 lbs of frozen squid and 50 pounds of frozen sardines was amazing to say the least. 300-500 lb tuna swimming at incredible speeds darting through the center of drifting dinner plate. In the middle of this is matriarc of the tank, the large black sea turtle. She just swim in the middle of the bait ball trying to get her piece of the wet treats. Really amazing.

No trip to Monterey is complete unless we eat at Bubba Gumps, which with did Saturday afternoon. A couple of 2 minute warnings was exactly what the doctor ordered. Accompanied by some hush puppies and 1 1/2 lbs of gralic shrip with cajun dipping sauce and I was in heaven.

Mackenzie and I dove one dive on Sunday morning at the "Breakwater", it is a jetty near the wharf that is home to numerous sea lions. The dive was ok only because visibility was poor. Saw numerous sea stars, halibat (babies), rock fish, etc. Water temp was around 58 degrees, pretty warm for the area this time of the year.

The Real America

2006-09-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new Great White Shark at the Monterey Bay Aquarium?

2006-09-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

the folks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium have a new guest! He is a 5 foot Great White Shark. You may see him swim by on the camera below. For more information on him click here

Mac is SCUBA certified

2006-09-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie passed, with flying colors, her SCUBA certification. My plan has worked, now I have a home grown SCUBA partner. It took a little extra work, well money, to get the certification, but I think it will be worth it for her.

Two weekends ago, we went to the beach so she could complete her #2, #3, & #4 ocean dives. But the ocean had other plans, surf, swell, current all were at levels prohibiting send my first born into the ocean. So we resceduled for last weekend.

When I went to the dive shop the night before the dives were suppose to happen, the word was that the dives would most likely be cancelled. Since I had already signed us up for a boat dive this coming weekend, we really needed to get Mac certified. I suggested going to Catalina on the Catalina Flyer/Express to Mackenzie's dive instructor, who was all for it. One problem, we had to get the shop manager to approve ~ it took a little work and for me to pay for the boat ride, we were heading to Catalina.

Saturday morning, alarm goes off at 4:00 - AM! Got Mac up at 4:15, left the house at 4:30, picked up the instructor at 4:45, got Long Beach around 5:30, left the dock at 6:15. We were at Catalina Landing by 7:05 in the Taxi at 7:15, at the dive site by 7:30, and in the water for the first dive by 7:45.

Now when we went into the water, there were a couple of people around the casino, but not too many. When we surfaced, there had to be well over 100 divers walking ~ most dive students. The problem with most students is that they are people that are more or less not comfortable in the water. Then they are strapped with 30-50 lbs of equipment, strapped with mask and fins, and told 'Get in the water'! It took about 15 minutes to get out of the water because of the people trying to get into the water.

Off with the tanks and I take them over to portable dive shop that is permanently parked at the casino to get air refills. 15 minutes later, we are wading through the crowd to get back in the water so Mac can complete dive #3 which is dive 2 for the day.

The visibility is great at Catalina, especially for California diving. We had about 50 foot visibility and the water temp at depth was around 60 degrees, not bad. Casino point is a protected marine habitat, and I am fairly sure the fish know it. There are some of the biggest calico bass there that I have ever seen. One disturbing note was the lack of kelp. I heard that a recent storm may have ransacked the kelp forrest there, as there was much less of the tall green stuff then the last time I visited. The good news comes from looking at the rocks, plenty of young kelp begining to sprout.

So back to Mackenzie, she reminds me of well me! At least as far as being comfortable in the water, she never had a problem with any of the skills, including; removing - replacing - and clearing her mask underwater, removing her bouancy compensator (weight intgrated) underwater, or maintaining proper bounancy. Her instructor was very impressed and had no problems signing off on her.

Hopefully in a couple of years when Ashley is old enough she will want to dive into the water as well. SCUBA is like swimming in an aquarium, it is a wonderful recreational sport, and anyone that lives near the ocean should experience the fun!

My Beer Personality

2006-09-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

You Are Guinness

You know beer well, and you'll only drink the best beers in the world.

Watered down beers disgust you, as do the people who drink them.

When you drink, you tend to become a bit of a know it all - especially about subjects you don't know well.

But your friends tolerate your drunken ways, because you introduce them to the best beers around.

What's Your Beer Personality?