SUNDAY, July 27, 2003
By Dave

The SCAM artist are at it again. This time it is telephone calls that could cost you thousands of dollars. I will pass along the following with the message "READ AND HEED."


Subject: DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809, 284 AND 876
> THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY
> AT&T.
> DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 This one is being
> distributed all over the US.
> This is pretty scary, especially given the way they
> try to get you to call.
> Be sure you read this and pass it on to all your
> friends and family so they
> don't get scammed!
> MAJOR SCAM:
> Don't respond to Emails, phone calls, or web pages
> which tell you
> to call an "809" area Phone Number. This is a very
> important issue of Scam
> Busters
> because it alerts you to a scam that is spreading
> extremely quickly, can
> easily cost you $2400 or more, and is difficult to
> avoid unless you are aware of
> it. We'd like to thank Verizon for bringing this
> scam to our attention.
> This scam has also been identified by the National
> Fraud Information Center
> and is costing victims a lots of money. There are
> lots of different
> permutations of this scam.
>
> HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
> You will receive a message on your answering machine
> or your pager,
> which asks you to call a number beginning with area
> code 809.
> The reason you're asked to call varies. It can be
> to receive information
> about a family member who has been ill, to tell you
> someone has been arrested,
> died, to let you know
> you have won a wonderful prize, etc.
> In each case, you are told to call the 809 number
> right away. Since there
> are so many new area codes these days, people
> unknowingly return these calls.
> If you call from the US, you will apparently be
> charged $2425 per-minute.
> Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point
> is, they will try to keep
> you on the phone as long as possible to increase
> the charges. Unfortunately,
> when you get your phone bill, you'll often be
> charged more than $24,100.00.
>
> WHY IT WORKS:
> The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin
> Islands (The Bahamas).
> The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call"
> number, similar to 900
> numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, it
> is not covered by U.S.
> regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you
> be notified and warned of charges
> and rates involved when you call a pay-per-call"
> number. There is also no
> requirement that the company provide a time
> period during which you may terminate the call
> without being charged.
> Further, where as many U.S. homes that have 900
> number blocking to avoid
> these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing
> calls to the 809 area code.
> We recommend that no matter how you get the message,
> if you are asked to call
> a number with an 809 area code that you don't
> recognize, just disregard the
> message. Be wary of email, or calls, asking you to
> call an 809 area code
> number.
> It's important to prevent becoming a victim of this
> scam, since trying to
> fight the charges afterwards can become a real
> nightmare. That's because you
> did actually make the call.
> If you complain, both your local phone company and
> your long distance
> carrier will not want to get involved and will most
> likely tell you that they are
> simply providing the billing for the foreign
> company. You'll end up dealing
> with a foreign company that argues they have done
> nothing wrong. Please
> forward this entire message to your friends, family
> and
> colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.
>
> Sandi Van Handel
> AT&T Field Service Manager

 
WEDNESDAY, July 23, 2003
By Dave

One of the really nice things about blogging is that it doesn't have to be done on schedule. As you can readily see, this blog is not a scheduled service and probably never will be.

For those that haven't read Tony's story on our trip across Lake Michigan, I will point you to www.steidler.net. I think you will find it entertaining and highly informative. As for me, I have to approach it from a different direction.

Judi and I have owned "FINE ALEE" for 5 years. In that time, she has sailed from Charlevoix, Mi. (where we bought her) down and across Lake Michigan, up and down the western shore and has served as our summer home. This was the first trip that truly excluded Judi and included my oldest two sons...Tony and Mark. As I had mentioned in early July, seldom does a father get to spend much time with children after they leave the nest. Their presence made the trip something to long remember and gave us hope that we might try again another year with all four of the boys and possibly even the girls. While this would make for a true "boat load" it would be memorable.

As I look back on our journey from Racine, Wi to Saugatuck, Mi. I don't believe we could have had any better weather or a finer crew. Our close friend Gary and another sailing friend Nick rounded out the crew. Gary is an old hand at sailing and keeps his 35 foot O'Day in Miami. Nick, has been sailing since he was a kid, which means better than a half century. Nick is an engineer and has more stories pertaining to the number of bolts required to hold the keel and how to row a small sailboat in light winds than anyone I know.

I took the helm on departure (about 7:30PM) and remained at the helm until 2AM. While this sounds like a long time, with the auto pilot, the main reason for anyone to be in the cockpit was to look out for other traffic. It was Nick that remained when the others decided it was time to sleep and while Nick remained in the cockpit, he did take his short naps. Some of his statements were interrupted by short bursts of snoring!!!

By 2AM, I had reached a point where, for safety purposes, I needed to be spelled and awakened Mark. Mark, who keeps his "Cruiser" on Lake Erie has been sailing for years. He would gladly take the helm, giving me a chance to warm the sheets.

During the night, we had discussed,via radio, with one of the other boats our course and whether we were actually "dead-on." I had had this discussion on a trip back to Florida from Bimini several years ago. I decided then and continue to believe the things I learned while attaining my pilots license..."trust your instruments." When the entrance to the river that would lead us to Saugatuck appeared, it was as if we were the football on a very accurate field goal...Right in the middle! Moral...got a handheld GPS...TRUST IT!

While slips were not available to us, we were offered the sea wall and an opportunity to raft off. FINE ALEE would be the boat against the sea wall with the Martha J and Joyce Lynn off our starboard side. Later, Shadowfax would join us to making our little fleet complete. In all, 13 hours from sea wall to sea wall. Not bad for a boat that is old enough toi vote and a crew that is old enough. One novice in our midst never lost his smile from the moment we departed til we arrived. It would be the first sailboat trip in Tony's life and one I'm sure he will never forget.

Saturday, with our boat being the one everyone had to climb across to access land, we also became the center of activity, with a constant cockpit full of bodies, spinning tales and just enjoying the company. Another big attraction to our boat is that it has a bimini that provided some much needed shade.

Sunday morning two of our fleet departed at 6AM...the Martha J and Shadowfax would sail together on this day. The Joyce Lynn and FINE ALEE would leave around 9AM, or so we thought. Jeff, the owner of the Joyce Lynn and a maintenance buff would discover that he had a belt loose and about 9:45, stuck his head out of the cabin and ask "if we were waiting for him." This brought a strong response from the crew of both boats and within minutes we were making our way thru the channel enroute back to the big lake with hopes of finally putting the sails up with meaning.

As we entered Lake Michigan, we were greated with a southerly breeze of 10-15 knots, perfect for a trip west. We pointed up, set the main, fell-off and set the genny and shut down the little diesel that had carried us across the lake several hours before. Underway, we were seeing 6-6.5 knots GPS and when we set the auto pilot, we were on a bearing directly to Racine. For those that sail, this just doesn't happen often and you find yourself correcting and sometimes tacking. For the next 6+ hours, we would remain under sail without the aid of the "cast iron spinnaker." This time, when I looked at Tony I saw an even bigger grin and he admitted that he was hooked, this was what had been promised and it was an adventure to add to the ones earlier. It would be a truly memorable trip.

We arrived in Racine after midnight and secured the boat. Those persons that had driven decided a good nights sleep was in order and there were no objections. The sun and wind had taken its toll. Monday morning dawned with beautiful sunshine and the crews of the two boats decided to share breakfast before most departed, with Tony, Mark and myself staying behind with the hope of getting some more sailing in before returning to Rockford on Wednesday. We did, but it came in the form of light air sailing on Wednesday morning.

Mark has called to say what an amazing experience it was and if another trip is on the horizon to count him in...Tony and I have talked and he too wants to be a part of the crew the next time FINE ALEE departs on a major junket. I have heard from one of our other sons whose work schedule would not permit him to make this crossing...he too wants to be included and Marcy, our oldest daughter, who spent many of her younger years jumping off the fly bridge of a cruiser to swim has also announced her intentions of going.


There are people that wonder why we do the things we do. I guess the pay off is having an opportunity to have a reunion with your children, while doing something that not only Judi and I enjoy, but that they enjoy. The ability to keep the family ties that were there through childhood and sometimes get stretched with children living so far away. It is a cherished memory and one that we will enjoy again and again when Judi and I sail whether with our crew or JUST US.

 
MONDAY, July 7, 2003
By Dave

This has been an early July to remember. Set for a fun filled fourth, our moods changed at 7:30am, July 3rd. I had the day off and had planned to run errands and have the car packed when Judi came home from work. But, at 7:30, or within a couple of minutes of that time, the phone rang, the person on the other end (an employee of Judi's company) needed her immediately. The reason, there had been a shooting in the parking lot and the employee had been shot to death and her estranged husband had killed himself as well.

This was the culmination of months of threats by the estranged husband on the employee. I rushed to the office with Judi and were there when the detectives began their grim search for answers from the employees that had gone in early and had been there when the altercation began and ended.

The irony of this senseless death was that she had been raising her daughters three children. Her daughter having been killed by her husband in a murder suicide some 10 years before...now these children face death of a loved one by violence for the second time. The employee had told her 30 something son that she knew it was going to happen and ask that he take the kids and raise them in a non-violent manner. His best efforts and time will record the outcome.

By mid-afternoon, the office had closed and we had begun our trip to the lake. The mood was quite somber and we talked endlessly about the various aspects of the day and talked about how each of us felt. Once in Racine, our closest friends joined us and we managed to talk thru the day even more. Someone had once told us that talking it out and not holding it back was good for the soul. I now believe that to be true. Even after we went to bed, neither of us slept the entire night...we would roll, toss and talk.

As we awakened to the 4th, we put many things in the back of the mind, especially when a storm with strong winds (foirecast to 70 mph) and hail suddenly hit the forecast. We ran to the main building in the marina and enjoyed coffee while the storm raged. No damage, no one hurt, we returned to the boat, picked up clothes and returned to the showers to officially start this day.

Afternoon found one of our daughters with three of our grand-children and two additional friends. It was fun just watching the kids enjoy the boat, the docks and stare endlessly at the various boats in our marina. The agreement had been reached between Judi and daughter that we would keep the one-year-old on the 5th so the kids could go to Great America. Fireworks were wonderful and it was with astonishment that we saw the youngest of the group jabber, point and smile at the fireworks.

With a one-year-old on board, we decided to sail on the 5th. It was mid-day and the temperatures on the lake were climbing and while the little guy was sleeping, we pulled away from the dock and within minutes were hauling sails and setting a course for no-where. It was just one of those afternoons when friends and a grandchild enjoyed Mother Nature as she gave us one of her finest.

By Sunday morning, friends had departed and Judi and I were struck with the urge to clean the inside of the boat and do some arranging. It was great fun seeing spaces on the rails that we hand't seen for a couple of years and joking about some of the things we had bought because "we needed them" only to find that after two years on the rail, we just couldn't remember what for!!!

For a holiday weekend that started so strange, it ended wonderfully well. JUST US, enjoying each others company and as any truly close friends would do...sharing the emotions, both good and bad.

 
MONDAY, June 30, 2003
By Dave

Anyone visiting this site must believe that I have died and gone "where-ever." To use a phrase, oft quoted, "The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

The truth is that we have just been busy. Some computer things, trips to the boat and of course work. Any way you cut it, summer is not a great time for blogging, even for a geek.

Since I last posted, both Fathers Day and my birthday have passed. It was one to remember with great cards and presents from the kids and Judi went far beyond my expectations with a Sharp Zaurus. The SL-5500 walks, talks and with the proper programming, will probably walk the dog. While I am not very proficient with the unit yet, I will have a week, very soon, with an expert and hope to enhance my skills.

Judi and I finally got the boat cleaned, aft cabin carpeted and ready to entertain as well as sail. I have had two great trips in the past two weeks. June 21, Judi and I sailed about 16 miles south of our marina for a get together with other members of the boat club. With winds out of the East South East, the old gal heeled to about 15 degrees and we went flying down the lake at about 5.5 - 6.5 knots. While this is far from breaking any speed barriers and causing a sonic boom, it really felt good to be out there just doing what we enjoy. This past Sunday Gary, my closest friend and sailing partner and a fellow I work with hit the lake again and once again, winds and crew were right to see as much as 7 knots.

With the 4th just around the corner, we will be spending Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights on the boat with as much sailing as we can muster a crew for. In fact, there will probably be some sailing on other boats as the boat club is coming to Racine to take in the fireworks (those fired in the air...not those between sailors and wives) and usually we get a crew together and take two or three boats out, leaving other boats for the wives or enjoy.

While all of this sounds like fun, the big event comes July 12th. Gary and two of my Sons will join us as we sail across Lake Michigan to Saugatuck, Michigan. This is a club event and everything will depend on weather as this is about a 12-15 hour sail returning a couple of days later. While this might sound like something that the average person would not do, for me having endless hours to spend with my two oldest boys is like a dream come true. The only thing that would make it better would be if the other two boys could make it...they were ask and their schedules would not permit.

Seldom do parents have a chanced to spend time like this with their children when they reach their early 40's and late 30's. In this hectic world, time is something we never have enough of with our families...I feel fortunate.

 
FRIDAY, June 13, 2003
By Dave

Computers...what can you do with them and more importantly, what can you do when they die?

During the week, our house apparently took a power surge and Judi's computer bit the dirt. One power supply smelled bad and died. It was that electronics burning smell that you know is going to result in the release of more "Washingtons" than you are prepared to spend.

Thank goodness for a good relationship with a local computer store. $40 after taking the machine in, it had a new power supply and the hard drive and memory had been checked and certified good. One minor problem, the operating system was so corrupted that it needed to be reloaded.

To insure that there was nothing further wrong with the computer that would show up later, I added a user to one of my systems and set it up for Judi. It immediately crashed!
While my first language is English, I believe anyone that would have been near enough to hear would have decided that was an inaccurate statement. I had plenty of words and only some of them could be used in mixed company!

My first attempt at re-loading the system failed miserably. In fact, it crashed half way through. Second try, I changed flavors. It came up but there were major problems in video, mouse and sound. None would configure, so I went to the old reliable, Red Hat 7.3. Loaded, came up immediately and configured without problem. Now, to upgrade to 8.0. It took and I considered the job done.

Turning to my Red Hat machine, I moved the mouse to wake up a sleeping machine and all I had was a series of lines. Mouse was frozen and when I finally got the machine to reboot, it came to the part of the program where it checks for new equipment and died. I could almost hear the funeral durge.

OK...I have just gone thru this, this is no big deal. I tried Mandrake 9.1 and it would not go. I just hung up during the install and at the 20 minute mark, I finally decided that it wouldn't progress any further. Why not try Red Hat 7.3 and upgrade? I did and it worked. I upgraded to 8.0, but was a little nervous about going any further until I had all machines working.

Now with two operating systems on my side of the desk, I made a big decision tonight. I installed Suse 8.2 on the machine that had Red Hat as an op system.

I have a bit of loyalty to Suse, as it was the first Linux OS I ever attempted to load and use.

8.2 loaded without trouble, found and configured my entire system and when I was done, gave me a chance to set up a cron job for automatic updates. Sound easy? It is!

As I write tonight, listening to Smooth Jazz, it is on the new Suse install. It is also a night when all three computers are working quite well. One with Suse, one with Mandrake 9.1 and one with Red Hat 8.0.

Hope you have had a good week, ours has been just ducky or is that penguinish?

 
WEDNESDAY, June 11, 2003
By Dave

I really tried to get a blog to post last night and it wouldn't, so here I am on Wednesday night, making another attempt.

May ended with a mixture of good things. We went to Iowa and spent time with some of our children and grand children, we did a bit of shopping and we decorated graves. Those were the good things...the bad came by way of Judi and me trying to spend some time on the boat and freezing. I don't know how the weather is in the rest of the world, but in the Mid-west, it has been a very cold spring.

June has finally began to show some signs of warming, in fact I was able to get the sails on the boat last weekend. My only problem was I forgot to take the Main Sail cover with me, so had to use a day off (Monday) and return to the boat.

The trip back proved to be productive. Judi and I had talked about re-carpeting the aft cabin and hallway. Not a large area, but when I started with my trusty pair of scissors, sharpie (for marking) and a small roll of carpet...that aft cabin took on new dimensions. In slightly less than 2 hours, I had the job completed and if I may pat my own back...not looking bad.

Backing up to Saturday...Judi had to work and I had gone to the boat on Friday night. Friends came up Saturday and helped get the sails on and ready for the season. One friend brought his 12-year-old daughter. His reason was that she had been taking sailing lessons for two years.

When we finished with the work on our boat, one of our friends suggested that we go sailing on his 36 footer. Out of the harbor we began setting sails and our 12-year-old was asked if she would like to take the helm. Not only did she take the helm, she held a good course. All the time displaying a big smile. On the water for about 3 1/2 hours, she manned the helm for about 2 hours...never waivering and proudly announcing the GPS speed.

As the sun began to drop on the horizon, we turned toward the harbor and once again our 12-year-old was asked if she would like to handle the boat for a little longer and as you may have guessed...there was no hesitation. I think we will see her on the water again this summer!

Both Judi and I work this Saturday, so we will depart for the water late Saturday afternoon and Sunday, with any luck at all, we will take our first sail of the summer on "Fine Alee." It will be great sailing, even for a short sail as it will be JUST US!

 
TUESDAY, May 27, 2003
By Dave

I really thought I was going to miss my Tuesday deadline, but made it with some time to spare.

Tonight was the night, where I had two kennels to travel to after work, picking up our Dog and Cat. It was the end of the perfect weekend, seeing how excited they were to be coming home to familiar surroundings. And now, they hardly lift their heads when I enter the room. All this sleep makes me believe they enjoyed their stays.

Tonight is the night I have been planning to do some downloading of single floppy disk Linux Distros to put on an old computer that a few months ago sat as a work station in a local business.

The computer is an old 486 something that has had the 3G hard drive removed and has 128 Mb of ram. There is no CD, so relying on the floppy is key.

Several distributions exist and how I configure this non-working computer will be quite interesting. Will I finish tonight? Hardly! If I manage to get the Distro downloaded and ready to go, I have a couple of cables to run down so I can run it back to my KVM switch and fire it up right.

I do wish that the old work station had a CD as over the weekend I was given a brand new, slightly used copy of KNOPPIX and I have an interest in working with it as well.

OH WELL, there's always a new project just around the corner.