Another Straw Is Placed Upon The Camel’s Back

Here is the posting I placed on the EAV Buzz message board this morning.

Backstory
I was held-up by two “kids” (teenagers?) with guns five years ago in my driveway on Milton Place. They apparently had gotten out of a truck that followed me down Milton and took the opportunity to walk up my driveway and rob me while I was unlocking my door. Since then I’ve been keenly aware of the actions of those who drive down the street.

Today
I exited my house around 6:30am and heard a vehicle driving down Milton Place toward Stokeswood. As I was standing there locking my door the black pickup truck stopped just past my driveway, put the vehicle in reverse, and started to back into my driveway.

With both hands full and not willing to get victimized again I pressed the “panic” button on my keyfob in order to have my car make a lot of noise. Upon doing so the truck stopped backing into my driveway and drove off toward Flat Shoals where it made a right to head south.

The truck was a newer model black pickup truck, very clean and shiny. Sorry, I wasn’t able to get the make, model or tag because I was too concerned about identifying an escape route if the car horn didn’t deter the guy. The driver was an African American male and appeared to be alone.

Was the driver merely using my driveway to make a u-turn? Perhaps, but the timing of his actions made me believe otherwise.

Did I overreact? Perhaps, but having been a victim once and knowing how bad things are I wasn’t about to take any chances.

I drove around the immediate area but didn’t see the truck. Pay attention. Stay safe.

After this little incident my adrenaline was pumping. I. Do. Not. Like. Any. More….

Happy Digital TV Transition Day!!!
It’s finally happened! Or has it? Who will know?

Today, June 12th is the day that America’s television stations, except those broadcasting with low signal, are to turn off their analog television transmitters and start only broadcasting digital signals. Surely you’ve heard about this, right?

The analog/digital transition was supposed to happen years ago, then was supposed to happen in February, and is supposed to happen today. For the past few years people have been warned and allowed to get a $40 coupon good toward an analog-to-digital converter. And yet, I’ve heard that approximately 2.8 million households will not be ready.

How long until someone files a lawsuit because of their loss of television?

ITP Flickr Pic
I have nothing new and I failed to upload anything last night. So instead, I’ll unhide one of the portraits I took last weekend.

This is a fair portrait. Had I control of the lighting I would have gotten a much better photo.

One Year Of Digital Media
It’s been a year (not exactly) since I launched my “Buy Only Digital” campaign. How have I done? Really well, actually. In the past year I may have purchased three physical cds and about a dozen books.

I plan to continue my goal to purchase only digital media unless the media is not available digitally, or if the digital nature of the media seriously hampers the media’s appearance (“think photography books”).

Introducing the 1500 Square Foot Project
And now, here is my newest plan…
Starting this weekend I am going to identify 1500 square feet of my house and start to limit my belongings to it. Why? To get accustomed to a smaller living space of course.

I no longer have exact measurements and I will admit that I will have to cheat somewhat (read “I can’t relocate my projector”) but here is a tentative list of the planned spaces.

• kitchen
• master bedroom
• den
• my bathroom
• living room and/or dining room

I’ll update this list when I take some measurements this weekend.

Over time I will start to clean out the spaces not listed. This will finally get me to reduce my possessions and will prepare me for the time when I decide it’s time to change living arrangements.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – ugh
Current Music – listening to today’s “Daily Giz Wiz” podcast
Website Of The Day – Along with typography I am a big fan of logos. That’s why Your Logo Makes Me Barf laugh so much.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing

Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 12 (12)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 11
Marta Rides – 0

June Goals
– lose four pounds… plain and simple (not going to happen)

2009 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
РEarn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalape̱o Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]