tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40646695527323997652024-03-19T18:11:17.458-04:00The Travels of a ScubabumJay's random thoughts as he travels the world....Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-22153965863548745562011-12-10T08:00:00.001-05:002011-12-10T08:04:08.572-05:00Amazon Web Services...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On the topic of virtualization... it seems <a href="http://aws.amazon.com/" target="_blank">AWS</a> is a version of virtualization. Not as much control as a local version (duh) but something to look at anyway.<br />
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Another interesting concept of the AWS system is scalable web hosting. A service is offered that allows running a <a href="http://wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress</a> blog from an AWS account for about $1.50/month. Very interesting stuff, gonna have to look in to this more!</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-50651654682798908792011-12-08T21:42:00.001-05:002011-12-08T22:14:08.650-05:00All atwitter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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No, not <a href="http://twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (though I'm scubabum there too it you want to follow)...<br />
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My ADD is kicking in hard tonight... three screens, three computers, one remote connection and a virtual machine! Gotta love it!<br />
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I got interested in hardware virtualization long ago but never had the hardware or software to support it. Last year I built a modern computer (AMD Phenom 6 core processor with 8 GB of RAM) and started playing with virtualization.<br />
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I never really got things cooking because every virtual machine requires software and each instance requires its own license so toying with Windows would have cost me $100 a pop for new installs (my old Windows XP installation media was corrupt, never saved any Vista media). Now, since I'm a student (check out <a href="http://www.dreamspark.com/" target="_blank">Dreamspark</a>), I have access to free versions of Windows Server 2008. I installed <a href="http://www.virtualbox.org/" target="_blank">Virtualbox</a> and away we go!<br />
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The first step was to create the space for the virtual machine (VM) to run in. The Virtualbox software stepped me through the process and very quickly I had a 20 GB virtual harddrive for my install. <br />
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Installing Server 2008 wasn't much different than installing it directly on a computer. I downloaded the software to my file server (<a href="http://www.lime-technology.com/" target="_blank">Unraid</a> server that will soon be virtualized using <a href="http://www.vmware.com/" target="_blank">ESXi</a>) and shared the ISO using an addon for Unraid and attached the ISO to the VM I created above. On initial start of the VM the installation media booted as if it were a CD-ROM in a real computer and allowed me to install my operating system. <br />
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Once Server 2008 was running it automatically detected virtual network access and started downloading updates and service packs. After a few restarts to get all of the updates installed I had a fully functional VM.<br />
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Running Windows 7 Professional and Windows Server 2008 on the same hardware was causing some serious lag issues. My initial thought was that I was overburdening the processor but after downloading Windows widgets to track CPU, RAM and SWAP usage I found that my 8GB of RAM was the bottleneck. Luckily, RAM is cheap right now ($45ish for 2x4GB DDR3 non-ECC 240 pin RAM) so I upgraded to 16GB and my lag went away.<br />
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Great, now I have two OSs running on the same hardware (dual monitors are important here), so what? Since I'm a student... I also have access to a free version of MS Visual Studio 2010 Pro! I have a modern MS OS that is isolated from my production/play machine that I can install an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) in! If I right some code and it breaks my machine, it's a virtual machine that can be quickly returned to a useful state, all while I keep plugging away on my real machine!<br />
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The remote connection is to my Unraid server, I'm moving files from four smaller drives to two larger drives in preparation for moving that machine to a virtual OS. Should be fun!<br />
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And, for the haters, I already installed Ubuntu desktop and server and Slackware as VMs. Ubuntu works like a champ but my Linux noobishness has kept me from getting the Slackware VM up, probably going to host those on the ESXi box when it's up, speed of execution for me will be more important on those OS's so I'd rather they be closer to bare metal rather than running in a VM on top of another OS. Those installs will be another post though.</div>
</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-70167730505189152582011-12-07T15:50:00.001-05:002011-12-08T08:36:09.388-05:00Dinner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/leftover-pot-pie/detail.aspx" target="_blank">Leftover Turkey Pot Pie</a>!<br />
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</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-29148854964923237332011-12-06T22:00:00.004-05:002011-12-06T22:22:43.065-05:00Twice in one day!Yup, trying to be more communicative....<br /><br />I really was looking forward to coming home and finding out how to move my blog but, the internet was down! <br /><br />After about 2 1/2 years and a trip or two around the world, my Linksys WRT-120N called it quits. The thought crossed my mind that it might be under warranty but going without internet at home for the period of time to do the warranty exchange was out of the question. Now I'm the owner of a new Belkin N-750DB. So far so good... <br /><br />I was a bit leery about getting the Belkin, I've had issues with their stuff in the past, but it had very similar specs to the Linksys E4200 I was going to buy but cost $50 less. We'll see how it goes.<br /><br />Off to check on that warranty, a spare world traveling router isn't a bad thing to have!<br /><br />EDIT: WRT-120N waaayyy out of warranty, tech supports best advice "Dispose of properly." ;-)Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-69209299343626840302011-12-06T15:23:00.002-05:002011-12-06T15:26:22.608-05:00I'm baaack!I've been meaning to get back into blogging for a while. <br /><br />I liked blogspot/blogger because it allowed me to email my post to my blog. I didn't like the layout of the blog. I always thought I would just use blogger and then forward the site to my domain (scubabum.com). I kind of forgot about it. <br /><br />Now I've come back and tried again. I still haven't gotten the posts to forward but I have found new cool tools to post stuff to this obscure address.Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-22238197674047615882010-04-05T00:45:00.000-04:002011-12-10T08:04:58.422-05:00Marketing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello world!<br />
It's been a very long time since I posted on my blog but I'm sitting <br />at the airport in Dubai with a few minutes until boarding.<br />
That brings me to the title of this post. I'm sitting in one of 4 <br />Starbucks in this airport. I'm enjoying a venti coffee of the day <br />(Kenya if you're into such things) and I heard a Windows computer <br />start up. Here I am, very remote from the US, surrounded by US company <br />branding. I walked past a Costa coffee shop to get here and I know it <br />was a Windows computer because of the distinctive chime when it is <br />turned on.<br />
Some things, like the Windows computer, aren't here so much for the <br />brand or current marketing as for past marketing and making the PC <br />user friendly. Starbucks though? That's all marketing!<br />
There are not many computer operating systems out there that are <br />accepted by the masses but there are a ton of coffee shops! Here in <br />Dubai I can visit big chains (Costa, Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Gloria <br />Jeans, Coffee and Tea House, Caribou to name a few) or any smaller <br />chain but the one with 4 in the airport is Starbucks. In all fairness, <br />Costa has three here.<br />
They just passed a boarding call for an Iranian Air flight to Tehran. <br />I wonder what an Iranian thinks of all these American brands with such <br />dominance just a few miles from their shores?</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-85943605511452386372009-12-22T00:51:00.001-05:002011-12-10T08:08:11.670-05:00Not looking forward...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I’m a Dad now. That’s a great thing. I’m headed back out on deployment. That’s not such a good thing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">This dad thing is pretty awesome. I never realized how much one little person could influence your life! He’s a bundle of joy and just so precious you want to hug him all day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Tomorrow is going to suck though. Time to head back to my unit and the work that I’m not looking forward to. The only upside is that we have been so busy the last few months that it kind of slipped on by. Hopefully the remaining few months will do the same so I can get back to my family.</span></span></div>
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</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-31915881665336383332009-12-04T07:36:00.001-05:002011-12-10T08:08:27.634-05:00Daddy?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, almost. Sitting here in the hospital waiting for the newest member of our family.<br />
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We came in today to induce but Kris is already having contractions and is dilated to about 1cm. Not far along but progressing!</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-47864505706240575152009-12-01T12:51:00.001-05:002011-12-10T08:08:41.828-05:00Headed home...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">And that means it’s almost time for baby!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Who would have thunk? With lows in the 60’s at night people actually wear jackets here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The temperatures have been downright pleasant lately, mid-80’s during the day with a pleasant, non dust stirring breeze and down to the 60’s at night. If there were more green it would be the perfect climate!</span></span></div>
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<city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Dubai</span></span></place></city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> really is a unique town. It’s a global city in the fact that it takes its global connections for the city to thrive. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">It is built in the desert adjacent to a salty body of water. They basis of the growth of the city hasn’t been that it straddled any important trade route or was the seat of an empire, it was oil.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Luckily for <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Dubai</place></city>, early on the ruling body realized that oil is a non-renewable commodity and they started investing in what we now call the service sector. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Dubai</place></city> has built an economy around tourism and service. Tourism is the base and service is being added on. The hotels here run from nice to amazingly ostentatious. Shopping can be done in a modernized souk (air conditioning, food courts, etc) to some of the largest malls in the world. <city w:st="on">Dubai</city> has opened an international banking center and the first stock exchange in the <place w:st="on">Middle East</place>. It really is visionary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The history of the city is short, much like south <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Florida</place></state>, but it has Arab influences it can pull from that keep it interesting. So far, it has been an interesting visit. Couldn’t live here though, too flat and too brown…</span></span></div>
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</div>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-15097762308897281332009-11-20T23:09:00.000-05:002009-11-20T23:10:05.340-05:00Long time no post...<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I know, I know. I’ll get to it…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-15467677919253338922009-10-12T22:13:00.001-04:002009-10-12T22:13:47.228-04:00Another day in paradise<div dir="ltr">Well, I'm at Dubai International airport getting ready to fly to Bahrain again. The great thing about DXB is that it has free WiFi everywhere! I was able to track my progress through the airport using Google Earth.<br> <br>I'm starting to get settled in here in Dubai. It really isn't that difficult to adjust because everything here is very Western. If I long for Chili's I can go to the Mall of the Emirates, if I want some Lean Cuisine I can go to Spinney's and get it (not LuLu's though, but they have great spicy chicken shwarmas!)<br> <br>The return trip through the Bahrain airport won't be nearly as much fun. Bahrain's airport isn't the equal of Dubai's, it is like a regional airport stateside, smaller, more crowded but a lot easier to navigate.<br> <br>Well, I'm off to fly Gulf Air (broke down and got their Frequent Flyer Club card too).<br></div> Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-38381693415587584912009-10-02T07:07:00.000-04:002009-10-03T03:28:44.749-04:00On the way againI'm airborne enroute for another deployment. This one has got to be <br>one of the hardest I've ever done. 12 years of sea duty and 13 <br>deployments and this is by far the worst.<p>The saving grace is that this is probably my last deployment.Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-45073578498622511802009-09-27T18:56:00.000-04:002009-09-27T18:57:07.747-04:00Last Pasha brunchWe just finished another wonderful brunch at Pasha Mezze in Norfolk. <br>It just hit me that this is the last brunch before I deploy. It's been <br>a short but fun filled break between deploymentsJayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-10562737861805506582009-09-25T17:18:00.000-04:002009-09-25T19:41:22.147-04:00On the way againHere it is, less than a week before I deploy again for the third time <br>in two years. I did get back early from the last one but that was <br>because of my transfer.<p>Like numerous other deployments I've done I'm leaving Kris at home. <br>Unlike those other times the next time I see her we will be headed <br>somewhere to have a baby (I'm a bit vague on this detail, maybe from <br>Babys R Us?).<p>After 19 years of being married, our entire world is about to be <br>turned upside down and I'm going to miss the last couple of months. <br>Admittedly, this deployment is one of the most unique I have ever <br>done. Living conditions promise to be very nice if not downright posh <br>and there will be lots of money thrown our way to pay for living where <br>we are headed but still, I just want to be home!<p>I will be posting more now that I'm headed out again so stay tuned.Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-33806854213605471532009-07-22T14:52:00.000-04:002009-07-22T15:36:26.913-04:00Previews...Just finished the 20 week preview of our 13 ounce baby boy! He is <br>doing well and a bit of a show off, jumping around, waving at the <br>crowd...<p>Everything looks good and mother and baby are fine!Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-72054100121818478052009-07-15T15:35:00.000-04:002009-07-15T17:24:11.972-04:00Gotta have it!Diving that is. I really need to go diving soon. If I can get it <br>together, I will go diving off North Carolina in a couple of weeks. <br>I'm looking forward to diving the Graveyard of the Atlantic again with <br>Discovery Diving.Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-64693860304284546312009-07-06T09:14:00.000-04:002009-07-06T09:15:28.486-04:00Monday'sthey really aren't so bad when the boss rolls them into a holiday <br>weekend. Our Independence Day celebration was a success! How about <br>yours?Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-45521734030038520482009-07-04T09:30:00.001-04:002009-07-04T09:30:44.189-04:00Happy Independence Day!Or Happy 4th of July however you like to celebrate it!<p>This is the last 4th of July for just Kris and I, next year Baby will <br>be here to enjoy the festivities!<p>That great American tradition of the cookout will be celebrated here <br>today. Chicken, corn, potato salad and snacks followed by ice cream <br>or fruit salad. Yum!<p>Have a fun and safe holiday!Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-29281062575827782722009-06-22T15:08:00.002-04:002009-07-06T09:53:36.572-04:00Visitors...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89RsOipTE-PxLjivUZ7GvATV9b9SyZ2vQ_A_G1GxEFxVz2Xub8NH0TwKHtnvt5QdTuo5_-dzT-CoFB_RJAZxAm9rO__NuU1fpTN7hHrU80OmkrVWv5BVelcWeXj9_aAagJGZzEtVfbyfs/s1600-h/0622091507-728512.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89RsOipTE-PxLjivUZ7GvATV9b9SyZ2vQ_A_G1GxEFxVz2Xub8NH0TwKHtnvt5QdTuo5_-dzT-CoFB_RJAZxAm9rO__NuU1fpTN7hHrU80OmkrVWv5BVelcWeXj9_aAagJGZzEtVfbyfs/s320/0622091507-728512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350231004898529234" border="0" /></a></p>He just wouldn't leave!Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-57365036466764987472009-06-19T19:34:00.000-04:002009-06-19T21:38:41.743-04:00We're having a baby!At least Kris is, I think I'll just coach from the sideline!<p>Kris is pregnant with our son! Everything is progressing smoothly and <br>our little bundle of joy will arrive in December, the perfect <br>Christmas gift for Mom and Dad!Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-53951283358878731672009-06-05T02:35:00.000-04:002009-06-05T02:36:43.932-04:00Parting is such sweet sorrow...<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>NOT! I’m leaving the ship I’ve been on since February of last year. Time to move on!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>It hasn’t been a bad ship, just time for a change.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-64945972622564465522009-05-25T13:19:00.002-04:002009-07-06T09:58:36.227-04:00Long time comingI always start with the best of intentions....<p>It's been awhile since I posted here. It's kind of sad because it is<br />just soooo easy to make an entry! The blogspot people let you make an<br />entry straight from the web, via SMS or e-mail and yet, I can't seem to<br />do it!</p><p>Part of the problem, I'm sure, is my general malaise at writing.<br />English and Comp classes always seemed so difficult, "a 4 page paper!?<br />Double spaced, right? 40 pt font?" I know I will get some bashing from<br /><a href="http://kristinawright.com">her</a> but, it's easy for her to write!</p><p>Enough on the complaining though.</p><p>It's been an interesting week. We pulled in to Costa Rica with the<br />intention of painting some schools and giving out some stuff. This is<br />all part of the US intention to let Central and South America know we<br />haven't forgotten about them. The big news items seem to focus on Iraq,<br />Afghanistan and what is happening in Europe but down here in our back<br />yard things are happening too.</p><p>There have been a lot of good things happening here recently. The<br />Fourth Fleet folks have been sending ships down to less visited ports to<br />see what we can do. Usually ship's company will happily volunteer to<br />paint and clean schools and churches and hang out with kids. When a big<br />hospital ship pulls in they bring medical (and veterinary) care that<br />some of these smaller communities never have the chance to access.<br />These are the kinds of things going on down south. They don't make the<br />news most days but there are thousands of people down here making them<br />happen nonetheless!</p>Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4064669552732399765.post-29416097362747343102009-05-06T14:30:00.002-04:002009-05-06T14:34:53.559-04:00Moving on out...We are in Mayport again this week. After this though, we really start deployment. Our next port is Cartagena, Colombia. <br /><br />The war on drugs has kind of put a dent in the fun that can be had in Cartagena. There are impressive fortresses and museums there but going on liberty requires two buddies. Finding two buddies that would rather see something historical is much more difficult than finding two buddies looking for 90 centavo brewskis....Jayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11992368712263569953noreply@blogger.com0