May 27, 2007 by Joel.

Wanted to get out of the house and enjoy some of the nice, summer-like weather. The dogs love to go swim in the lake, so Jan and I loaded up the boat with lounge chairs, the back of the truck with the dogs and headed out this morning. Just a quick trip, since there is so much boat traffic at Jordan Lake on holiday weekends, I like to get out early and back early. This is the first time out with the boat this year, and I had to work on some problems yesterday. The steering mechanism was rusted, so had to take it apart and grease it up. The biggest problem though is that the power tilt relay to move the motor “down” has failed. It was failing last summer, but would always work after hitting the switch a few times. I was actually pretty pleased with my outboard mechanic work, figuring out that it was the relay and not the tilt motor itself. I read a bit, and swapped the relays, and then the motor went down, pretty as you please. I just have to get a new relay by next weekend when I go to the lake with the Scouts. Today, I raised the motor up for trailering, then swapped the relay at the ramp to lower the motor, and then swapped them back so I could raise it when I got back to the ramp. The skeg cleared the ramp down, so it was OK. Worked, but a bit kludgey. I just need to find a PTT relay for a 1999 Tohatsu 40Hp outboard now

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May 16, 2007 by Joel.

…that today is my 26th wedding anniversary!  My wife Jan has done a great job putting up with me for all these years!  Went out to dinner, had a nice bottle of wine.

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May 16, 2007 by Joel.

Am really enjoying the new job.  Wish the drive were a bit shorter, but 50 minutes is not too bad by metro standards, even if it’s a bit long by NC standards.  Lots of stuff to learn!  Wall to wall meetings; trying to stay caught up on email etc.  Am just about finished with the campus “world tour” of major client stakeholders, and then should have some time to try to be proactive.  I continue to be really energized, though, about the opportunity and the possibilities.  More later, on this and other general topics, as I get somewhat on my feet…

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May 4, 2007 by Joel.

…is so cool!  My new employer (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) offered me the option of having either a PC or a Mac when I started my new job.  I got a 13″ black Macbook (with external display, keyboard & mouse for docked work).  I’ve gotta say that I am really pleased with this computer.  I was concerned about the glossy screen, since I’ve been using the MacBook Pro with the matte screen, but it doesn’t glare at all.  The biggest surprise to me is the keyboard.  I like it much better than the MacBook Pro.  The keys have a small gap between them, much more than the Pro.  It also has a better feel, I think.  I also like the latchless lid and all the ports on one side.  A fast, sleek machine.  With Parallels, it’s even a PC, too!

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May 1, 2007 by Joel.

…was a success…got my HR paperwork done, parking paperwork, ID badge, new computer…and time for a few minutes of orientation.  A full slate of meetings on Wednesday.  Will try to put out some more cogent thoughts soon…

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