Generally Patton

Avoiding the evil of "auto reply"

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:31:00 +0000

I for one, ponder the wisdom of "Away" messages. You know what I'm talking about, right? That is the automatic "reply" email that goes to everyone who sends you an email while you are on vacation. I think it's a poor idea, but that's not what this post is about.

There is a particular problem when one subscribes to listserves. For those who don't know, a listserve allows members to send an email to the list, then it gets forwarded to all the members. They can reply and a public conversation can ensue. I subscribe to several: [ubuntu-users], dedicated to community support of computers running the Ubuntu-Linux operating system; [ssfp], a discussion among Oregon Solo and Small Firm Practitioners (lawyers); [relu], a discussion among Oregon Real Estate and Land Use lawyers. You get the idea. Note that all the names are in square brackets. I listed them that way because the listserv software adds that to their subject lines. It makes sense later.

This post is from an email I sent to [relu] this week. I am adding here since I think it is of general interest even if you don't use lists. Below I briefly describe the problem and a solution. If you must use away messages. It really is an easy fix. Please read a bit further.

The main problem is that, depending on how the listserve is configured, there are a couple of possible results.

   (A) Everyone who posts to the list receives an away message (bounce message) from everyone who has set one.
   (B) The listserver gets inundated with bounce messages.
   (C) With a poorly configured listserver, the result of B is chaos on the list.
   (D) With a properly configured listserve, the result of B is that you are unsubscribed.
   (E) It wastes bandwidth, especially for our colleagues who are still on dialup (Yes there are some)
   (F) Create the risk that something important has a similar sounding title and gets deleted in the crush.
   (G) It is a pain in the neck for everyone else. The incident that generated this post was a message sent to RELU that generated 60 emails.
   (H) Floods of emails like that are "SPAM-like" behavior. Maybe that is not a problem to the person setting the away message, but MY isp has blacklisted the bar's mail servers more than once.

So here is the fix - quicker to do than to read this far!

Note: Every email client, Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Evolution, etc has different methods and terms. This email does not have exact instructions. But if you are able to figure out how to do an away message, it should be easy to adapt the following.

First, Whether you know it or not, an away message is a "Filter" or "Rule." If you are using that technology, you are already half way there.

Second, Create a create a folder in your email client to hold messages from the list, perhaps a subfolder of "Inbox" perhaps somewhere else, For example, I have a folder for [relu] called "RELU-Folder". In my opinion this is useful even if you don't use away messages. The benefit is that you can read listserve messages all at once when you have time, and not just because they showed up in your inbox. As you will see below, you will not manually move messages to the folder.

Third, Create a "Filter" or "Rule". Tell the filter to examine the Subject line of each email and look for a unique string. For example "[relu]" and move those messages to the RELU-Folder. Read at your leisure.

Fourth, When you are going on vacation, create your away message as usual.

Finally, the the crucial last step.   Go to your "Filters" or "Rules" list and find your away message. Move the away message to the bottom of the list. Done! Go on vacation.

Why this works: As mail comes in, your mail client processes the filters / rules from top to bottom, when the "[relu] filter" is activated, the message is moved and the "away message" filter never sees the message and does not reply. Never fear, all the messages that are not filtered out will still get sent the message you desire. But you will no longer be sending an away message to a thousand of your RELU
friends who'll just be jealous that you are on vacation and they are not.

Thank you for reading this far and for considering changing your "away message" practices.

More Bang for the Book Buck

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:41:00 +0000

Attention Amazon Shoppers!

I've just learned that we can all do a little more with the purchases we are going to make anyway. So that no one has to read further than they want, here is the "press release" style summary:

Who: Anyone shopping on Amazon.
When: Every time you shop!
What: Support a good cause by linking to Amazon through the NAHHH site below. When you make a purchase, Amazon makes a donation to NAHHH.
Where: Go to the Homes that Help and Heal (National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses) website, and follow these directions:
How: It's only a few clicks. Once you are on the NAHHH page, click the Amazon logo at the top. You can check out the offerings in the NAHHH Store, but the donation works on anything you buy during that session, not just the books on that page! Click the big portal box at the bottom. As of today, it says "Price Selection Convenience" with a large Amazon arrow. Then shop freely!
Why: Well, obviously for the donations. So below is why I care, and why I think you should too.

People who need sophisticated medical care have options for speciality treatment. There are many specialist clinics around the country. More and more patients travel for treatment every year. But where will they stay? A "Hospital Hospitality House" is a place where family and patients can stay when away from home for medical treatment. Instead of a hotel, lodging is free or reduced cost in a home like setting.

Most of us are familiar with Ronald McDonald House which provides housing for children and their family's. There are many more such houses serving other patient constituents, but without the major corporate backing. NAHHH is an association of hospitality houses -- hundreds of them around the country.

So why do I care?

Two years ago, I was involved in a truly serious auto accident when I was run off of the road by a careless driver. I was able to go home pretty quickly, My nephew who was in the car with me was not so lucky. Though he is doing well now, that was not always a sure thing. For the whole story, check out the Sam's Update blog. The story begins with the August 3, 2008 post.

While Sam was receiving treatment, his family stayed at a Hospitality House near to the hospital. The fact that the family was able to be with him 24-7 while he was in was an important part of his recovery. This became an important part of his life and ours. One of his important caretakers was Sam's Aunt Karylinn.

A year after the accident, we knew that Sam was eventually going to be ok. And at that time, Karylinn learned that NAHHH was looking for an executive director. So now we have come full circle, Karylinn is serving as the Executive Director and I am promoting their fund raising. Will you consider it too? If you are going to Amazon anyway, invest a few extra clicks. Remember, go to nahhh.org, click the Amazon logo at the top, then at the NAHHH Store, click the big portal box at the bottom. As of today, it says "Price Selection Convenience" with a large Amazon arrow. Click through and shop away!

Thanks

Health Care Reform - Pain and Suffering in America

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:30:00 +0000

TodayThe Oregonian ran a story headlined "Medical mistakes kill 200,000 a year in U.S., inquiry finds." Why the death toll? Partly because secrecy of medical records and non-disclosure prevents improvements. Who objects to mandatory disclosure? The AMA and American hospital association of course. The article does not make the connection to the current health care debate, or the AMA's understandable concern the full disclosure could result in lawsuits. On another front, we continue to hear from conservatives that the real reason health care costs so much is the cost of malpractice lawsuits, (frequently using the term "frivolous lawsuits" as though a doctor could never make a mistake) malpractice insurance and defensive medicine. As a part of health care reform, let's deal with both of these problems. First, we completely eliminate jury awards for "pain and suffering" in a medical malpractice lawsuit. But as we do that, let's remember that a pain and suffering award is often a poor surrogate for the lifetime of medical care that will be required for the injured patient. For this scheme to work, there may need to be other limits on malpractice awards as well. Second, As a condition of the first one, a patient injured by a doctor's mistake, would be entitled to free health care related to the injury for life. That may sound like too much to give, but remember, if we have universal health care, this should cost nothing, or very little as insurance carriers would need to be prevented from ever imposing a "lifetime limit" on the cost of care for that patient. Finally, mandatory reporting by doctors. Don't report or get caught in a lie, it could cost you your license. But if you report, take responsibility for your actions? As long as there is universal coverage and no incentive for a lawsuit, there would be little reason for defensive medicine and little or no reason for malpractice insurance. If we want doctors to be medically responsible for their mistakes, then let we need to give them a break from the financial responsibility. If we want all patients to be made whole, then a malpractice claim can't be a windfall for the few who win a lawsuit. And if we want the costs of care to go down, then we need to remove the need for unnecessary - defensive medicine. As for the insurance companies? Well I'm sure they will find some other kind of insurance we just can't live without.

Transformers, games and whatever

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:51:00 +0000

The time has come to prove myself to be an old curmudgeon again. All because of a radio commercial. Loosely paraphrased . . . "Summer's here, the kids have been home for two days, and already they're complaining 'were bored...' Well don't despair mom, come to and get the transformers, X-box, video game or other gadget to keep you kid entertained all summer." Oh, and since also sells groceries, make sure you get them some twinkies, a tub of icecream and poptarts. (Ok, I made up that last bit.)

No NO NO and NO!@&% It is summer and it is gorgeous outside, take them to the park, to the mountains, the beach, or just kick them out into the yard with all the other kids. Or send them to the neighbor's house to drag their kids away from the x-box.

But it's dangerous out there! I can hear you thinking it. There are child molesters and gangs and drugs and whatnot. Yup, and most of those things existed 40 years ago when I was 10. And every time a kid is molested or hit by a car it is a tragedy for that family. But the reason that it is "news" is that the chances of it happening to your kid is small . . . really small. Teach them to stay out of the street, stay away from strangers, don't get separated from friends and who's mom or dad is home.

But it's hard, you say, things have changed and both parents have to work two jobs to support the family. Yes, i know that's true for some families. Especially in these times, some of your neighbors have one or the other spouse out of work right now. Maybe get out of your backyard, onto the front porch, meet these people and see who IS home this summer. And I don't think it has to be every parent in the neighborhood or even a majority. But little Jimmy and Mrs. Smith both need to know something. When mom hears from Mrs. Smith what Jimmy was doing and with whom, Jimmy and Mrs. Smith both need to know that Mom is going to believe Mrs. Smith (not "protect" her "baby") and that Jimmy is going to get in trouble for it.

As for gangs, well more of the same. I'm not saying ignore your kids, the other moms and dads have a role too and you have to educate them and keep an eye on them. You certainly can't throw the kids outside and sit at the computer surfing blogger posts eating twinkies. The best defense against gangs are involved parents. And like I said, just a few neighbors who will get involved, and who know that "Mom and Dad" have got their back, can make all the difference.

Is all of this harder than sending the little darlings to the veg in front of the glowing rectangle? Sure, but these are your kids. Pull the plug and send them outside.

Why when I was a kid, the daytime TV was "soaps" so we had to entertian ourselves with nothing but a piece of string and a grasshopper we caught, for hours at a time, uphill, in the snow, both ways . . . .

Grumph, curmudgeon signing off.

Camp Fire Girls in Iraq

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:18:00 +0000

So the other day, I was at the grocery store picking up a few things for dinner. On the way out, I discovered that it is that time again. Some kids with a table . . . "Hello! would you like to buy some____?" You fill in the blank depending on the kid. The Girl Scouts have cookies, the Boy Scouts have popcorn and nuts, the middle school band has whatever was a deal this year. The other day it was Camp Fire candy that was being charmingly pitched.

I have two usual responses. About 1/2 the time I donate a buck or two for the box of candy I really don't need. (Except for the Girl Scout "Samoas", I like them needed or not!) They get the profit they would make off of me, and they still have the box to sell. The other 1/2 I will say no thanks and move on.

This very close to being a "no thanks" day. In fact the words were said and I was out the door when I realized what it said on the sign near the table: "You Can Donate Your Candy To Troops." Huh!? I went back and asked what the deal was. This Camp Fire group has a dad in the military who is serving in Afghanistan. What they do is collect candy that people donate. When the box is full , off it goes to his units as well as others where he can give a connection to send it to.

How easy was this? It cost me five bucks, I don't have to eat the candy, the kids raise their funds, and there is a bonus day for soldiers half way around the world. I don't think that anyone loses in this transaction.

Now I know that folks have a lot of different feelings about the war(s). It is either a colossal mistake, or necessary to defend our freedom, or something else. But hopefully we all realize that these young men and women left their kids and are sticking their necks out for us. I think we can all support them regardless of how we feel about the politics that sent them there.

So here is a question to ponder. Don't you think that just about EVERY Girl Scout, Boy Scout, Camp Fire or middle school band group has some connection with our men and women in uniform? Isn't this an idea that should be spread around? Ya Think?

Cheers,
Patton

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 22:02:00 +0000

We've all been dreaming of a White Christmas and this year we get our wish. A week of snow and being almost, but not quite, snowed in has been frustrating. But it has also helped us remember what the season is all about. All our plans of Christmas dinner, who's house to go to, and so on have all been snowed out; leaving us to spend time with family, connect more closely with family and help those less fortunate than we are. Even when we could get out, last minute shopping gave way to driving for "meals on wheels" bringing a little hot meal and brief visit to folks who can't get out even in the best of weather.

So we are grateful that we have our health, our family and our sense of humor!

Snow Team 8!

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:12:00 +0000

For a week we have been under steadily worsening weather. Rain, then thaw then colder and colder weather. Now sub-freezing temps and steady snow. The result has been a slowly growing paralysis. Early on in this event, the roads "in town" have been pretty good, but the last 1/2 mile has grown unpassable. I have been fortunate in that I have been able to telecomute (the whole 2 miles to my office). I also have the Yukon that can get about if needed. Finally, today, everything ground to a halt.

All day long the TV has been filled with "Storm Team 8" reporting on the arctic blast. The local weatherman is pretty sharp and has been spot on with predictions, but I really don't see the benefit of live coverage from a slightly frozen reporter at a highway overpass reporting "it's snowing here . . . and it's hard to drive." Then five minutes later, from the other side of town, another reporter: "It's really windy here, and it's snowing . . . and now back to you for more doppler 8000 radar . . ."

Those of you in the midwest, or even east of the Cascades probably think "Geez, what's the big deal? we get that kind of weather every winter, all winter." Yup. But the difference is that we don't. Sure, part of the problem we have is that "people don't know how to drive in snow." But that's not the whole story. The rest of the story is that we, the municipal "we" are not prepared for it. Because here in the Willamette valley, it does not snow like this "every winter, all winter." So we don't have the kind of snow handling equipment that Missoula or Denver or even Bend have available to them. Drivers don't generally have chains or snow tires unless they plan on going to the mountains - because we don't get much snow!

I also think it is easier to drive where you get a hard pack snow with temps well below freezing as opposed to temps hovering around freezing - turning the snow in to a partly melted, very slick mess.

Well the prediction is that it is going to get colder, and more snow coming as the "Arctic Blast" coverage continues. The big question: Are we dreaming of a white Christmas? Time will tell.

Why Here?

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:19:00 +0000

I have been asked the question, why post the Africa Video here? What happened to the Africa blog? Answer: It is still there, just has not been updated for a long time. For those who have never seen it and want to, it is here: "Out of Africa"

Africa Video

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:42:00 +0000

I had made a video to go into a presentation I gave about africa. Alas, though it would play on my laptop, the projector would not show it! Anyway, here it is:

Buy American

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:51:00 +0000

A good friend forwarded me the email quoted below. Now those who know me well know how I feel about the whole "viral email" phenomenon. The main problem I see is that the "facts" in those emails are often sketchy at best. I have not done even the basic Snopes search of the claims in the email. But given the current economic climate, I think it is worth a thinking about. I'll share some thoughts at the end.

The findings are as follows.....

1. Ford- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response team service s and office space to displaced government employees.

2. GM- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and trucks.

3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.

4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.

5. Volkswagen-Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation, funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.

6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.

7. Audi-Nothing.

8. BMW-Nothing.

9. Daewoo- Nothing.

10. Fiat-Nothing.

11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001

12. Isuzu- Nothing.

13. Mitsubishi-Nothing.

14. Nissan-Nothing.
;
15. Porsche-Nothing.20 Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.

16. Subaru- Nothing.

17. Suzuki- Nothing.

18. Toyota-Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001. Condolences posted on the website

Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle, keep this information in mind. You might want to give more consideration to a car manufactured by an American-owned and / or American based company.

Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car
companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United States .

It's OK for these companies to take money out of this
country, but it is apparently not acceptable to return some in a time of crisis. I believe we should not forget things like this.

Say thank you in a way that gets their attention..

For me, the point is not whether the facts are accurate. It is also not that foreign car companies should have done something for America following 9/11. They would no doubt say that they have their own problems and American companies are not starting foundations in -- for example -- Korea to help with whatever their problems may be.

The point, at least for me is this: We have a choice. Yeah, you say, so what?

We are in serious economic times. I don't think that American consumers can buy us out of this problem, some would argue that rampant consumerism helped get us into this mess in the first place. But if you are buying a car, or bottled water, or a t-shirt, shouldn't you think about buying from an American manufacturer first. Better yet, one that is local to you if you have the chance.

Nathaniel

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:29:00 +0000

Today was my cousin Nathaniel's funeral. He died after a long battle with cancer. There is so much I could say, regrets, loss, hope and comfort for his wife and kids. All totally inadequate, and not something that really belongs out on the web. But since the family gathered 3,000 miles away, and I could not be there, I will fling this prayer to the aether:

Go in peace Nathaniel . . .

Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Karylinn continues to get better each day. But not nearly as better as she would like. When we first got home, even rolling over in bed was painful. Now it seems to be better and she can get up and about -- a little bit -- without so much pain. But it is definitely slow going.

So what's the prognosis? Her doctor says that 80% of patients get 80% better right away. We know she is not in that category. There is also a very small percentage who don't ever get better. but those folks have no relief at all right after surgery. Karylinn did have relief, so that's not her category either. What the doctor says is that the nerve has been hammered for a long time, is angry, and is going to take time to heal. Or, as my Dad more colorfully put it: "If an elephant has been standing on your foot, it's going to hurt for a while even after the elephant moves." Good point.

So the next question is: how is the improvement going to be? Slow and steady? Or better fast and then taper off? The doctor says he thinks that a lot of patients have gradual improvement for a while and then suddenly turn the corner. That's what he thinks will happen here. We will know more after Tuesday when we see him again.

Homecoming.

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:54:00 +0000

It has been a long haul, but Karylinn gets to go home today. She is still having more pain than expected and her doctor is concerned about it. As I understand the report, she is having continued fallout from the tear in the nerve sack and loss of spinal fluid. He is confident that she is past the worst of it but the healing can take a long time -- two to eight weeks.

Before anyone asks, I'll answer. No, I don't know what that means. Unfortunately I have not been able to be there when the doctor was there the last couple of times. Karylinn is really good at capturing that kind of detail, but when you are the one on your back alternating between pain and pain meds, it's bound to affect what you can take in. Hopefully I will get a chance to talk direct to the doctor later today.

Thursday and Hospital

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:42:00 +0000

Sigh.

Let me say that again SIGH

It's Thursday and we were hoping that Karylinn would come home today. While it could happen, it certainly will not be before noon as once predicted. This morning she had a lot of pain when the physical therapist was there. (Didn't get the meds ahead of the pain - Oops) But the doctor also is apparently not ready to release her.

I had court and so was not able to be there when the doctor was in. He will be checking in on her this afternoon and hopefully we will get some better news then. Until we do, continued prayers, good wishes, hot buttered karma or whatever would be great.

--Patton

Surgery Results

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Karylinn's surgery went well with a "Comma But"

The disk bulge was larger than expected and all removed successfully. The nerves were freed up well and when she woke up, felt no more pain in the leg, though the back incision was painful.

Comma but, there was a complication going in. What happened is that of the muscles and ligaments that had to be moved out of the way, there was one that adhered to the sack containing the nerves. There was a tear that caused some spinal fluid to leak. The good news is that the repair was good. The bad news is that in order for the repair to heal, she needs to stay flat on her back for two days.

So we're here at the hospital until Wednesday at least. Fam, you know how to reach me

Surgery Again

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:07:00 +0000

Who's surgery? No, No, not me.

For some time, Karylinn has been dealing with quite a lot of lower back pain. While I had thought that I had become a pain in her "side" it turns out there is a medical reason.
Seriously, she has a herniated disk affecting her L4 L5 and S1 vertebrae. She has been suffering with this off and on since about a year ago. A couple of weeks back, we met with a surgeon and Monday is the day. The plan is to remove the parts of the disk that is impinging on her nerves and grind down the bone in places where the nerve channel is narrowed.

While many patients who have this surgery are out of the hospital the same day, that is not a prediction and the decision of when she goes home will depend on how she does. Apparently almost all patients have a good result over time and a high percentage get immediate relief.

Any thoughts and prayers that you can send along will be gratefully received. Prayers for steady, skillful hands for Dr. Button and strength and healing for Karylinn are on my list!

I will keep you posted when we have news.

Oregon Star Party

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:29:00 +0000

It has finally come time to be a big boy and admit that there will be no Oregon Star Party this year, not for me. For those who don't know, OSP is one of the best gatherings of astro geeks in the northwest. It consists of 500 to 800 amateur astronomers (some years closer to 1,000) gathering in the desert to enjoy the night sky. http://oregonstarparty.org

This year, well now that the decision is made, it seems so obvious. The stars will always be there and Sam needs all of us. Amanda's at school and can't really help out, so why was this hard? I think it has something to do with the wish that I will wake up soon and this will all be a bad dream.

Anyway, the good news is I get to spend the afternoon with Sam tomorrow. Today I heard how he has been learning to navigate the halls at Legacy Emanuel in a wheel chair under his own power. Naturally, we want the whole wobbly legs thing to get better, but this I've got to see!

-- Patton

The Report

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:34:00 +0000

For the last two weeks I have been waiting for the accident report from the State Police. While it is probably not the most important thing, I still need to know what happened to Sam and me. Sound crazy? "Uh Dude, you know you were in an accident right? And, you already told us what happened?" Well, yes. My head didn't get busted that bad.

But I don't actually know what happened! My memory of the accident consists of snapshots: [click] Car in my lane. [click] end of the cables just before impact [click] airbag in my lap, people telling me what to do . . .. But, did I remember it right? Did anyone else see the "brown car." How about a license plate number? Anyone who has ever had a fender bender knows what happens. As the shock of it goes away, you get out of the car, turn to the next person, and say: "Wow! What just happened!" I've seen the accident site, looked at the car and I think i know what happened "off road." But I have not been able to "ask" the guy behind me what he saw.

So I've been frustrated, and today more so. The State Police say that I can have a courtesy copy of the report, but the Trooper in charge of my accident was on vacation. I have no problem with that, but I'm still frustrated. The office manager was going to give me a partial report. She thought the only thing missing was my statement from the hospital, but I know what I said. I called her back to say I was coming down, she went on vacation too. Again, nothing wrong with that . . ..

Today, the Trooper was back, he called my cell phone. I'm thinking, great! Now we're in business! But, no. It turns out that what is missing is one witness statement alright, but not mine. Someone left a phone number and he has been unable to make contact. Just a bunch of phone tag. It could be until next Saturday at this point. "Ok, I hear that there were several witnesses . . . a couple of off duty police officers . . . ?" Well they were far enough back that they didn't see anything, just a cloud of dust in the median, and that's why they stopped.

So I guess I'll wait. I know the trooper is doing what he can, and it did help a bit to talk with him today. At least I know what's going on. But no one who saw the accident stopped? I know there was someone behind me in my lane. I don't know how far, but with the traffic, probably not more than 100 feet, and I think a lot less. Didn't see anything? Or just didn't bother to stop? Or maybe, like me, it all happened so fast that they think they didn't see anything, slowed down and saw others stopping behind and so went on their way. [Sigh]

In my fantasy world, someone was on their way somewhere really important, like to the hospital to have a baby, so they could not stop. But on the way, they saw the accident, caught up with the "brown car" and got a license number. Now, healthy baby in arms, they don't know what to do with the license number so they check the internet every day . . ..

Hey, I said it was a fantasy! Still, maybe I'll put some key words in this post.

-- Patton

New Head Shot

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:51:00 +0000

Ok, since you are here, you can see my new head shot over there to the left. Don't remember the old one? Yeah, looks pretty much the same. Except the shirt is a different plaid . . . and the glasses are missing . . . Oh, and a little hair.

Ok, that's not really a necessary consequence of my accident. Yeah, I had a head laceration, and I had suggested to the E.R. nurse that since Sam had some of his shaved, then could she do mine? She convinced me that the staple sutures would not be a good look and I should wait for them to come out. While waiting Sam's brother had his head done. By Amanda! Poor guy. The things a brother will do for solidarity. Well, since Cameron did his, as soon as the staples were done I shaved mine too. Right now my plan is to leave it that way until he leaves the hospital, but I give me permission to change that plan too. Actually I kind of like it, but it makes for a lot to shave!

So What's New???

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:23:00 +0000

For the folks that find their way here on purpose, the title to this post is a dumb question. For accidental visitors, some explanation is in order. And for the intentional, you may be looking for more details.

First things first: why might there be accidental visitors? Because to make it easy to find for the intended audience if they lose the url, this blog is searchable. That also means that Blogger's "next blog" link could bring anyone here from anywhere in the world.

Speaking of accidental . . .

Two weeks ago, August 3rd to be exact, I had a serious car accident. My nephew Sam (from my wife's side) and I were in my Miata on the interstate when I got cut off by another driver. While I was able to keep from hitting the other car, I could not keep my car out of the median or out of the cable barrier that separates the north lanes from the south. Sam and I were both injured. I was unconscious for a time and lost a lot of blood; but was released from the hospital after overnight observation. Sam is far worse. He sustained a brain injury, spent the time between then and now in the trauma ICU. Fortunately, while he was touch and go for a while, he has been transferred to a regular hospital room and when evaluations are complete, he will be transferred again to a hospital with a pediatric rehab unit.

Since there were so many people who wanted to know, and since I had pre-existing blogs, I was tasked with setting up a place to share info about Sam's condition. http://sam-update.blogspot.com tells more than you wanted to know about how he is and a little more about the accident itself. If you are wondering "so how are you?" My first answer is: it's not about me at this point. I am recovering, still breathing as though I am at altitude, but now it's only when I walk up steep hills or try to work out. (Feels like being at 6,500 ft on Mt Hood rather than 13,500 ft on Mauna Kea.) The other answer is this blog. I think I am going to put some stuff here, kind of "for me" but in a place that will not distract anyone from Sam. What this blog is not is something to keep anyone who already has my phone number from calling! (You know who you are ;-)

Love to all

--Patton

Life as it happens

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:05:00 +0000

I keep having reflections on life the universe and everything. While we know the answer is 42, I thought I'd just share the latest.

Yesterday we had tickets to see Lyle Lovett at McMennamin's Edgefield. For those not from here, The McMennamin brothers keep buying building in the Portland area and turning them into brewpubs. But calling Edgefield a "brewpub" is a massive understatement and nearly dismissive. The property has a movie theater, upscale restaurant in addition to the pub, executive golf course, and oh yeah, they make wine too. But that's not the point.

You see, the summer concert series is out on the lawn. There are folding chairs for the folks in the front rows, blankets and beach chairs for everyone else. We were among the "everyone else" and found a patch of grass to stage left. The only problem was that the ground flattens out where we were, and the view was blocked unless you at least got on your knees. Sure, you could peek between heads here and there, but still not great.

So here is my moment of clarity: Lyle is not a particularly attractive man. No offense Lyle, but in spite of the opinion of Julia or Mary Chapin Carpenter, you just don't do it for me. So why was I there? To hear the music of course. Why, then would I make myself uncomfortable to see over the heads of other concert goers?

Instead, I relaxed in my chair (chairlet really) and noticed that it was an absolutely stunning northwest evening as the temperature slowly dropped from mid 70s to high 60s, no humidity, no bugs. The red sun behind the trees shimmered through the branches. The ones closest to the sun were rimmed in red and even the first aid tent looked great in the evening colors. Higher up the light breeze stirred the birch leaves against the shocking blue sky and made them flicker - first golden green, then black then back again. Higher still, contrails cross the sky, also gold like the reflections off the wings. Meanwhile I enjoy the excellent beer and the music. I didn't have to see Lyle more than once to know that he was wearing a tan suit, while almost everyone else was in black or navy, and music really does sound better live.

All around it was a great concert, a beautiful evening, and I could hardly see a thing.

Patton

Another test

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:16:00 +0000

So, here is a lovely picture of the neighbor's house. Yup, you heard that right. Why??

Well, I have not been able to find software for the palm that can read and resize photos from my camera. I tried "Paint" by MobiSystems" but their tech support said there was a problem with

high res images. Well, Ok since my camera puts out a 3000x2000 image, maybe that's fair.

So I found that the camera can make a copy of an image at 640x480! Well Yee Ha! Then I can import it to the palm, edit if needed with Paint, and post. Uhhh, nope. Oh, I can get it on the Palm ok, but Paint still fails. So the next task will be to see if there is a camera setting that is messing with the image format in a "Bad Way".

Until then, the picture is as created by the camera. If nothing else, and if this works, then I'm stuck with choosing pictures on the tiny screen of the camera. (As opposed to the less tiny screen of the Palm). But at least I'll be in business.
- -
Patton

Here we go again

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:04:00 +0000

So it's late. It's Thursday. And it' s high time i left. But since no one is reading this, I can take a bit of time and practice my blogging "skills" on my PALM ® device.

By skills, of course, I'm not referring to my ability to string words together in a row. I either can or can't. It's about keying it all in.
==========
Well, what is invisible to the reader is that was really too hard. And though I said this was Thursday, and you see that this post is Friday, don't be fooled. Thursday was a week ago and I just could not imagine finishing the post . . . So what changed? So glad you asked.

In the intervening week, I have gotten a Universal Wireless Keyboard (Full size, Compact Design). Hey, I don't make this stuff up! That's what the package says. I tried taking a picture of it. If possible I'll send it with this post. When collapsed, it is larger than the Palm, though close to the size of the hard shell case. Open, well, it works. My fingers are used to something bigger, this is an elf keyboard. But it means I can type into my Palm and Blog from Africa . . So it's a big step.

See the Africa Blog for more. We don't go until the end of the month, but planning is happening. It's at

http://patton-africa.blogspot.com

- -
Patton

Just Earth

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:12:00 +0000

File(s) Attached
<just-earth2.jpg>

This is a test post. I want to see how it works from my handheld. If you re able to read this, then not too bad!

Finding a way to Blog.

noreply@blogger.com (P Echols) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:41:00 +0000

Ok,

Faithful readers will have noticed that I am less than the faithful
blogger. Faithful readers? Who is this guy talking about?

Exactly!! You go the point perfectly. However, I'm leaving the
continent soon. In fact, I'll be leaving the country in the summer. So
what is a guy to do? Well, try blogging via email. This one is a
simple test. Sitting in the kitchen, at home, where I could blog the
normal way, I will instead send an email. And that email will also have
a picture (Nothing fancy here. Just a little something I like, and
apropos of nothing.) The only question is: will it work??

Lets find out . . . shall we?