It's way past time for us to chnge passwords in our house. We change every single password on a regular basis of every five or six months. Right now we're at.....eleven I think. Something happened about nine months ago that has put a hiccup into most of our plans. We love that kid, but keeping to task became a LOT harder!
We have used words and names that have meant something silly to one of us or the other. Anny's childhood cat Brutus was a password for a while. I saw a Maybach car on the road one day and loved the M logo, so Maybach became our password after Brutus. Before that it was Glenkirk, the place we met and the place we got married.
(Do not worry, none of these are passwords that we use now. Maybe "worry" is the wrong word. Don't try to break into my life, none of these are passwords we use now!)
We also always tag a number or two at the beginning or end, and always change the number at the same time that we change the word.
The fun time is the week after we decide to change it. We then have to systematically go through every vendor we use to change the password, even if we don't plan to buy from them until Christmas! There is nothing worse than the four attempt password entering to buy one toy because you can't remember when the last time you changed your info was!
At the office we've gotten even more complex. Here are the rules there:
Changes every six months - forced change by the server
At least eight characters (any number, letter or symbol)
At least one number, one letter, one symbol and one Capital Letter
Cannot be a simple word - so anything with "monroe" would be rejected
Luckily I have another three months to come up with a new one at the office!
Anyway - I'm thinking that we are going to move to a two-password system in the coming weeks. One password will go on things like email and blogs, and another to go on bank accounts and places that our credit cards are stored.
My questions for you are:
Do you and your spouse share one password for everything or have separate passwords for different accounts? (that's if you have a spouse, if not, ignore this one!)
How often do you change your passwords? (follow up, are we crazy to make the change as often as we do)
Do you use simple words or something more complex?
March 27, 2008
March 21, 2008
Holiday's with Double Meanings
This time of year, Holy Week and Easter, is especially hard on my family. My extended Monroe family, that is, not my wife-and-daughter family.
In 1999 my grandmother died on Good Friday. I don't even know the date, but I remember everything very vividly. This year I find myself thinking about it more than in past years, I think I've become more emotional since Abby's arrival. Seeing a birth changes you, and it's not necessarily bad.
My Grandma Pat had a huge part in raising me. My parents divorced early on, and my brother and I lived with my mom and step-father. At about the age of 11, when my mother was in Saudi Arabia in Desert Storm/Strike, we moved up to Maryland to live with my grandparents, aunt and father.
Grandma was an in-home babysitter, so she was home when we left for school, and home when we got home. She was a stabilizing force. No matter how bad a day I could have, she reminded me to keep things in perspective. She stressed family first, but also the value of a good day of work. I can not think of a day she "called in sick" before she got really sick, and then she worked as long as she could and made sure that every child had another good place to go for childcare.
I was young. I remember that I was in college, but living at home. I remember very vividly the cryptic phone call from my father, and being furious that people would not share more than "you need to come to the hospital." I also remember being the public face of strength for the family. We needed someone to make arrangements at church, and that is a role I easily stepped in to.
I remember Grandma more than I remember her death. She was always loving, and was the most accepting person I ever knew. Though she was a Presbyterian to no end, she would sit with the regular Jehovah's Witnesses that stopped by on a weekly basis. I never saw her turn away anyone from child care, even if she disagreed with some of their views. She taught us that education about a variety of things so that we could hold conversations with those same people.
I know that today is hard for me, but I will be fine. I know, more, that today is one of the hardest days for my grandfather, who I love and adore above almost anyone else in the world. He was there when I was baptized, when I was married, when I was ordained. He made a special trip to be with us at the hospital when Abby was born. He made another trip for her baptism, too.
He will be home and we will see him tonight for dinner. I know that hugs last longer on Good Friday in our family. We remember that Jesus died. We also remember that Grandma Pat died. They both opened their arms to those in need, and I love them both.
No posting before the end of the weekend, so Happy Easter to you all. I'm sure that Abby's blog will be updated, so check over THERE to keep up with her. If you can.....!
In 1999 my grandmother died on Good Friday. I don't even know the date, but I remember everything very vividly. This year I find myself thinking about it more than in past years, I think I've become more emotional since Abby's arrival. Seeing a birth changes you, and it's not necessarily bad.
My Grandma Pat had a huge part in raising me. My parents divorced early on, and my brother and I lived with my mom and step-father. At about the age of 11, when my mother was in Saudi Arabia in Desert Storm/Strike, we moved up to Maryland to live with my grandparents, aunt and father.
Grandma was an in-home babysitter, so she was home when we left for school, and home when we got home. She was a stabilizing force. No matter how bad a day I could have, she reminded me to keep things in perspective. She stressed family first, but also the value of a good day of work. I can not think of a day she "called in sick" before she got really sick, and then she worked as long as she could and made sure that every child had another good place to go for childcare.
I was young. I remember that I was in college, but living at home. I remember very vividly the cryptic phone call from my father, and being furious that people would not share more than "you need to come to the hospital." I also remember being the public face of strength for the family. We needed someone to make arrangements at church, and that is a role I easily stepped in to.
I remember Grandma more than I remember her death. She was always loving, and was the most accepting person I ever knew. Though she was a Presbyterian to no end, she would sit with the regular Jehovah's Witnesses that stopped by on a weekly basis. I never saw her turn away anyone from child care, even if she disagreed with some of their views. She taught us that education about a variety of things so that we could hold conversations with those same people.
I know that today is hard for me, but I will be fine. I know, more, that today is one of the hardest days for my grandfather, who I love and adore above almost anyone else in the world. He was there when I was baptized, when I was married, when I was ordained. He made a special trip to be with us at the hospital when Abby was born. He made another trip for her baptism, too.
He will be home and we will see him tonight for dinner. I know that hugs last longer on Good Friday in our family. We remember that Jesus died. We also remember that Grandma Pat died. They both opened their arms to those in need, and I love them both.
No posting before the end of the weekend, so Happy Easter to you all. I'm sure that Abby's blog will be updated, so check over THERE to keep up with her. If you can.....!
March 17, 2008
What Dog Breed are You?
March 13, 2008
World Kidney Day
It's World Kidney Day!
Please take a moment to become more educated HERE. Take the Quiz - it's very informative.
To read about MY kidney story, click HERE.
For those that have asked recently - I'm feeling really good right now. I'm feeling more run down from a sick baby than from my kidney's causing problems. I've gotten a lot better about laying off of the potassium recently, and am looking forward to continuing my afternoon walks with the girls of the house as the weather continues to get nicer.
The one thing that I wish everyone knew about FSGS (my type of kidney disease) is that sometimes I really just don't want to do anything but sit. A normal day does not take the wind from my sails, but some times I get really quiet if I'm doing a lot. That usually means that I'm pooped.
The other thing (I'm going with two, just for the fun of it!) that I wish folks knew is that, I'm not avoiding your mashed potatoes because I think they aren't good. I want banana pudding more than anything sometimes, too. I can't have potassium in quantity, and those two are the biggest culprits.
For Contest Purporses, I'm linking over to Krissy! You should check her out, and not just for the contest prizes!
March 12, 2008
New (and Contradictory) Sins
(For the record, I am not Catholic and do not subscribe to much of the theology and hierarchy. I am just observant.)
The Vatican released a list of new sins for the 21st Century. These do not take the place of the old standards, but add onto it. The new ones are:
The Vatican released a list of new sins for the 21st Century. These do not take the place of the old standards, but add onto it. The new ones are:
- Environmental pollution
- Genetic manipulation
- Accumulating excessive wealth
- Inflicting poverty
- Drug trafficking and consumption
- Morally debatable experiments
- Violation of fundamental rights of human nature
Okay, some of these are just common sense as bad. Numbers 3, 4, 5 and 7 are blatantly so. I don't think that numbers 1 and 2 are good, but sins? Sometimes humans need to be the experiment. Trust me, I would jump at the chance to be a test subject if there was a chance that my kidney problems would go away!
Then there is number 6 - Becoming Obscenely Wealthy. Isn't that what the Catholic Church is known for? They have more money than....Sorry I can't type it!
To top that, there is a report that the Papal Visit to DC in April is going to cost upwards of $3 Million. How is that for obscene wealth!
March 03, 2008
Air Drumming
Quick post from the office (ahem) about the drive in this morning.
At a light behind the University I noticed this guy air-drumming in his big SUV. He was into it more than I have seen anyone before! In his mind, he was playing an entire set of drums, not just the steering-wheel-snare-drum that I prefer.
At the next light I noticed that he had gotten MORE into it - even picked up a REAL drumstick to rock out with! I gave up faulting his bad driving, because he was happy on his way to (I assume work) someplace on a Monday morning. I was struggling to keep my head up and he's rocking out.
At the NEXT light he went even further. He pulled out a second drumstick! He was rocking out, drumsticks in hand, over the entire dashboard of his car! It was hillarious!
Okay, I am going back to working. I just HAD to share this. (And who knows, maybe it's only funny in my head. You know, one of those "had to be there" moments.) Sure made my morning go a little smoother.
At a light behind the University I noticed this guy air-drumming in his big SUV. He was into it more than I have seen anyone before! In his mind, he was playing an entire set of drums, not just the steering-wheel-snare-drum that I prefer.
At the next light I noticed that he had gotten MORE into it - even picked up a REAL drumstick to rock out with! I gave up faulting his bad driving, because he was happy on his way to (I assume work) someplace on a Monday morning. I was struggling to keep my head up and he's rocking out.
At the NEXT light he went even further. He pulled out a second drumstick! He was rocking out, drumsticks in hand, over the entire dashboard of his car! It was hillarious!
Okay, I am going back to working. I just HAD to share this. (And who knows, maybe it's only funny in my head. You know, one of those "had to be there" moments.) Sure made my morning go a little smoother.
February 27, 2008
Inclusive Christian Scale Results
Thanks to reading a friends Lenten Blog for her church I participated in an online study today that measures how religious Christians are in six different dimensions, described as follows:
The authors of the Inclusive Christian Scale have found over the course of previous research studies that religiosity could be thought of in terms of the following six dimensions: evangelical, Christian conservative, activist, golden rule, community involvment, and mystic.
The Evangelical dimension refers to a particular focus on prayer, evangelism or outreach, and faith as a source of strength.
The Christian Conservative dimension reflects a particular focus on avoiding acts seen as sinful, on a literal interpretation of the Bible, and on a transforming spiritual experience.
The Activist dimension refers to a focus on changing unjust structures in the world as a part of one’s practice of faith.
The Golden Rule dimension refers to a particular focus on attempting to live so that one treats others as one would wish to be treated. This dimension highlights a concern about many of the same issues found on the Activist dimension, but the focus is more on individuals and less on social structures.
The Community Involvment dimension underlines a particular focus on active participation in the church as a fellowship of faith.
The Mystic dimension reflects a particular focus on an intimate, pervasive relationship/connection to God.
My Scores:
EVANGELICAL: 83 %
CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE: 33 %
ACTIVIST: 80 %
GOLDEN RULE: 89 %
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: 88 %
MYSTIC: 75 %
Not at all surprised to see Christian Conservative lags so far behind the rest. I think that my Mystic dimension would have been higher five years ago.
Wanna take it? Do it, and let me know what you come back with!
The authors of the Inclusive Christian Scale have found over the course of previous research studies that religiosity could be thought of in terms of the following six dimensions: evangelical, Christian conservative, activist, golden rule, community involvment, and mystic.
The Evangelical dimension refers to a particular focus on prayer, evangelism or outreach, and faith as a source of strength.
The Christian Conservative dimension reflects a particular focus on avoiding acts seen as sinful, on a literal interpretation of the Bible, and on a transforming spiritual experience.
The Activist dimension refers to a focus on changing unjust structures in the world as a part of one’s practice of faith.
The Golden Rule dimension refers to a particular focus on attempting to live so that one treats others as one would wish to be treated. This dimension highlights a concern about many of the same issues found on the Activist dimension, but the focus is more on individuals and less on social structures.
The Community Involvment dimension underlines a particular focus on active participation in the church as a fellowship of faith.
The Mystic dimension reflects a particular focus on an intimate, pervasive relationship/connection to God.
My Scores:
EVANGELICAL: 83 %
CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE: 33 %
ACTIVIST: 80 %
GOLDEN RULE: 89 %
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: 88 %
MYSTIC: 75 %
Not at all surprised to see Christian Conservative lags so far behind the rest. I think that my Mystic dimension would have been higher five years ago.
Wanna take it? Do it, and let me know what you come back with!
February 20, 2008
What You Say You Said
Trip to St Louis was incredibly great. Rightly timed time-away from home and downright relaxing time with Sarahlynn, Paul and the girls. Abby did not learn to crawl, but did pick up clapping! I even got to go to a Blues (pro hockey) game! Really, though, the best part was spending quality time with the family.
I planned to write two posts in the last few days, one about the trip and one to celebrate my two year blogoversary, which was Valentines Day. I have decided not to delve into either far enough for a full post. Instead I am looking to see if I'm the only one dealing with craziness.
I got an email from one of my supervisors: "Rob, I need your help writing this check request."
Let's break that down:
Rob - that's me
I need your help - we need to work together to get this done
writing this check request - with this mundane task
It seems that what she meant was: "Rob. Write a check request for this."
When I was ready to leave for the day, I asked what kind of help she needed for the (again, mundane) check request. An account number to charge it to? An address? A pen? She told me that I was to have written it on my own, and we had conversation about our roles in this relationship. She is the boss, I am the worker bee. Boss says "do this" and should expect it done. I think we're on the same page now.
At home the situation is similar, but different: "Rob, would you vacuum this weekend?"
Again, a breakdown:
Rob - That's me! People know my name!
would you - Please do this
vacuum - Get out the stupid machine, and do the deed
this weekend - 72 hours that begins roughly Friday at 5 pm and ends Sunday at bedtime
? - Implied option - yes or no.
What Anny means is: "Rob, vacuum this morning please."
Anny says that she does not want to be a nag. I keep telling her that she is not nagging, she is being direct. There is a difference to me.
Do you deal with issues like this? Am I not being perceptive enough, or should people be direct in what they are asking for?
I planned to write two posts in the last few days, one about the trip and one to celebrate my two year blogoversary, which was Valentines Day. I have decided not to delve into either far enough for a full post. Instead I am looking to see if I'm the only one dealing with craziness.
I got an email from one of my supervisors: "Rob, I need your help writing this check request."
Let's break that down:
Rob - that's me
I need your help - we need to work together to get this done
writing this check request - with this mundane task
It seems that what she meant was: "Rob. Write a check request for this."
When I was ready to leave for the day, I asked what kind of help she needed for the (again, mundane) check request. An account number to charge it to? An address? A pen? She told me that I was to have written it on my own, and we had conversation about our roles in this relationship. She is the boss, I am the worker bee. Boss says "do this" and should expect it done. I think we're on the same page now.
At home the situation is similar, but different: "Rob, would you vacuum this weekend?"
Again, a breakdown:
Rob - That's me! People know my name!
would you - Please do this
vacuum - Get out the stupid machine, and do the deed
this weekend - 72 hours that begins roughly Friday at 5 pm and ends Sunday at bedtime
? - Implied option - yes or no.
What Anny means is: "Rob, vacuum this morning please."
Anny says that she does not want to be a nag. I keep telling her that she is not nagging, she is being direct. There is a difference to me.
Do you deal with issues like this? Am I not being perceptive enough, or should people be direct in what they are asking for?
February 12, 2008
I'm Leavin, on a Jet Plane
Okay - we're not flying out until Friday, but I know that Thursday is a special day for my blog and I won't post properly about the upcoming weekend preview. Knowing where we are going, though, I am sure that I will post on my blog over the weekend.
Where-o-where might the Monroe's be traveling? Saint Louis, MO, of course! For the first time EVER Anny has conceded to taking a day off of school for fun purposes! If Anny can take a day off, I can certainly match that! We decided to head out of town on Friday morning rather than wait until the evening, which would mean really only one fun day out of town. Late Friday arrival and leaving Sunday after church is not nearly as fun as a full Friday and Saturday, with an afternoon return on Sunday.
When I was looking at a calendar, ready to press "buy now" on Southwest to confirm our reservations, I noticed a pretty long word on my calendar. H-O-L-I-D-A-Y. The Presidents are doing us a favor this year, we're making an even longer weekend out of it!
Another upside for me, not as up for Anny, is that we truly can make Friday into a full day. Yes, we ARE leaving at 7:00 am, thankyouverymuch. I'm so much of a morning person that I didn't flinch. Anny does not mind too much, but will admit that it will be hard to get to sleep early on Thursday. A big thanks in advance to Jason for getting up early to take us to the airport.
I'm excited to spend time just hanging out with the St Louis part of the family. Nothing scheduled - no baptisms or road trips - except hanging out.
On a completely different note - Abby is officially 8 months old today! I'm going to go wake her up to celebrate. (It's election day, so Anny and Abby have the day off.) WAIT - She is waking up on her own......Time to change a diaper and hug a baby!
Where-o-where might the Monroe's be traveling? Saint Louis, MO, of course! For the first time EVER Anny has conceded to taking a day off of school for fun purposes! If Anny can take a day off, I can certainly match that! We decided to head out of town on Friday morning rather than wait until the evening, which would mean really only one fun day out of town. Late Friday arrival and leaving Sunday after church is not nearly as fun as a full Friday and Saturday, with an afternoon return on Sunday.
When I was looking at a calendar, ready to press "buy now" on Southwest to confirm our reservations, I noticed a pretty long word on my calendar. H-O-L-I-D-A-Y. The Presidents are doing us a favor this year, we're making an even longer weekend out of it!
Another upside for me, not as up for Anny, is that we truly can make Friday into a full day. Yes, we ARE leaving at 7:00 am, thankyouverymuch. I'm so much of a morning person that I didn't flinch. Anny does not mind too much, but will admit that it will be hard to get to sleep early on Thursday. A big thanks in advance to Jason for getting up early to take us to the airport.
I'm excited to spend time just hanging out with the St Louis part of the family. Nothing scheduled - no baptisms or road trips - except hanging out.
On a completely different note - Abby is officially 8 months old today! I'm going to go wake her up to celebrate. (It's election day, so Anny and Abby have the day off.) WAIT - She is waking up on her own......Time to change a diaper and hug a baby!
February 06, 2008
Observations from the Last Few Days
Some Observations:
On the Abby Front:
A fat lip on an infant is both funny and cringeworthy at the same time. Sorry, no pictures. Can't have social services after me.
She is scooting toward her toy basket, but only when she can touch it already. She's gotten up on her hands and knees, but gets confused pretty quickly at that point. Hopefully a weekend with Ada will get her moving.
On the Sports Front:
I apreciated hearing Plaxico Burress after the SuperBowl. His comment was "This is the greatest feeling in professional sports." So often we hear that something in sports is the greatest thing in LIFE, and I just can't believe that.
Who really cares who the next Redskins coach will be? Aparently a lot of people. What I can tel you is that he, whichever he it is, will come in and change the system, personnel and feel of the team. Oh yeah, and it's not your decision, it's the decision of the guy that owns the team. He does not come to your office and tell you who to hire.
On the Political Front:
There are a lot of people in Virginia that don't know how to listen. Seems that they got almost 1,000 calls yesterday furious about closed polling stations. Yeah, Super Tuesday was not in your state. That's NEXT Tuesday, just like they keep telling you in the paper, radio and TV.
Because the folks in VA, MD and DC want to feel important they have dubbed next Tuesday, our TV Stations have dubbed it Chesapeake Tuesday. Get over it. It's just another Primary Tuesday. It started yesterday and I'm already annoyed with it.
On the Music Front:
When someone posts a new Celebrity Playlist on iTunes, check it out. Thanks to one list I have discovered Brett Dennen and what is now one of my top 10 songs to listen to. (Oh yeah, check him out based on my recommendation too!)
On the Abby Front:
A fat lip on an infant is both funny and cringeworthy at the same time. Sorry, no pictures. Can't have social services after me.
She is scooting toward her toy basket, but only when she can touch it already. She's gotten up on her hands and knees, but gets confused pretty quickly at that point. Hopefully a weekend with Ada will get her moving.
On the Sports Front:
I apreciated hearing Plaxico Burress after the SuperBowl. His comment was "This is the greatest feeling in professional sports." So often we hear that something in sports is the greatest thing in LIFE, and I just can't believe that.
Who really cares who the next Redskins coach will be? Aparently a lot of people. What I can tel you is that he, whichever he it is, will come in and change the system, personnel and feel of the team. Oh yeah, and it's not your decision, it's the decision of the guy that owns the team. He does not come to your office and tell you who to hire.
On the Political Front:
There are a lot of people in Virginia that don't know how to listen. Seems that they got almost 1,000 calls yesterday furious about closed polling stations. Yeah, Super Tuesday was not in your state. That's NEXT Tuesday, just like they keep telling you in the paper, radio and TV.
Because the folks in VA, MD and DC want to feel important they have dubbed next Tuesday, our TV Stations have dubbed it Chesapeake Tuesday. Get over it. It's just another Primary Tuesday. It started yesterday and I'm already annoyed with it.
On the Music Front:
When someone posts a new Celebrity Playlist on iTunes, check it out. Thanks to one list I have discovered Brett Dennen and what is now one of my top 10 songs to listen to. (Oh yeah, check him out based on my recommendation too!)
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