As B wrote earlier this week, we went apple picking Sunday morning and picked 35 pounds of apples.  I plan on making some into apple sauce using our slow cooker, but that will only use 3 to 6 pounds of apples.  Eating apples will use up another few pounds.  That still leaves us with many, many, *MANY* pounds of apples left.

Therefore, my Aloha Friday question is: What would you do with that many apples?  Do you have any favorite recipes?  Feel free to post them (or links to them).  If I make and post a "Cooking With TechyDad" using one of the posted recipes, I’ll link to your site.

I’ll start things out with a recipe that I’m planning on using.  Every time I make apple sauce, I’m left with a big pile of apple peels.  Ideally, I’d compost them, but that’s not a project we’ve felt up to tackling.  I hate throwing them out, but I had nothing else to do with them so out they usually went.  Instead of tossing them this time, though, I’m going to make crispy apple skins.

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #11

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that H1N1 seems to be spreading all too quickly and that the vaccine is in short supply.  Our doctor told us today that we are on a four page list of people waiting for the vaccine.  We also found out that 66 of the 270 children in NHL’s school were out today.  That’s nearly 25% of the kids out!

After picking up NHL, B told me that he was complaining of having a headache.  That sparked a memory of him complaining of having a headache this morning.  That, combined with B not being sure if he had a fever and the obvious rampant infection rate in his school, leads us to worry about NHL having H1N1.  B, JSL and NHL are off as I type this to get NHL some Tamiflu to have onhand in case he really has influenza.  Meanwhile, I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that he’s just feeling tired and run down and not H1N1-sick.

In related news, I checked out the CDC’s FluView website.  The map intrigued me and I wanted to see how H1N1 has been progressing.  I managed to locate all of the archival maps (except for week 16) and strung them into a Flash animation:

Note how the brown "widespread" states multiply starting the first week of September, aka When School Starts.  I have a bad feeling that NHL’s school in particular and schools in general are going to see worse infection rates before things improve.

Here’s hoping that everyone out there stays healthy!

I’ve written before about the Sid The Science Kid on PBS.  Well, I was recently informed that Sid was going to have a special vaccination episode.  For children, vaccinations can be scary events.  Kids don’t always recognize that the small amount of pain now (from the needle stick) prevents a lot of suffering later (from the disease) and possibly even hospitalization/death.  Diseases that used to cause thousands of deaths a year just fifty years ago are rare today thanks to vaccinations.  Kids don’t see all this, though.  They just see an adult coming at them with a needle.  That’s why shows like Sid The Science Kid can be helpful.  If kids see their favorite TV characters getting a shot and being just fine, they’ll recognize that the shot won’t be that bad. Here’s a quick video of the Sid episode, airing this Monday, October 26th:

In related news, my employer just got in their supply of H1N1 vaccine so I’ll be headed down to Employee Health to get my jab.  Not just to keep myself from getting sick, mind you, but to also reduce the possibility that I will pass H1N1 on to NHL or JSL.  NHL and JSL will get their H1N1 shots when our doctor’s office gets their supply in.  I’d urge everyone to get their child vaccinated as soon as possible.  The more people who are vaccinated, the less victims the flu will claim.

EDIT: When I went down to get my shot, my Employee Health department told me that they aren’t giving them to people who don’t have direct patient contact.  This is a change from what they said before.  So I didn’t get my shot today, but I still plan on getting it as soon as possible.

I really like my job.  I’m getting paid to do something I love doing (web development) and work with people I genuinely enjoy being around.  However, from time to time, I think about other things I’d like to do for a living.  Some of these things might not be feasible, but they play to other interests of mine.

For example, you might have noticed all of the "Cooking With TechyDad" segments.  If so, it’ll come as no surprise to learn that I love cooking.  I love trying out new recipes and techniques to see what succeeds and what doesn’t.  There’s nothing better, culinarily speaking, than putting together a dish that people wouldn’t otherwise eat and having them love it.  If they want the recipe afterwords, then that’s just makes it even better.  I’m constantly seeing shows on the Food Network about people who start up successful diners having never before worked as cooks.  I’m not sure if I could do it in real life, but running my own restaurant definitely tops my list of fantasy jobs.

Another fantasy job involves my childhood.  Growing up on Long Island, we were (obviously) close to New York City and all of the wonderful food that they have there.  Trips to various bakeries, pickle places, etc. were par for the course.  The food’s good where I live now, but it’s no New York City.  For example, there are no bialys.  There are things that kind of resemble bialys and the little tag calls them bialys, but trust me when I tell you that they *AREN’T* bialys!  I would just love to run a "New York City Food" import company.  I would travel to New York City, make some deals with local shops and transport the food back to where I live.  I would then sell it to customers who wanted a taste of the Big Apple.

Of course, I don’t see myself quitting my day job to pursue these fantasy jobs anytime soon, but they do provide for some nice occupational daydreaming.

My Aloha Friday question is: What is your current job?  If you had the chance to do anything outside of your current profession, something that you’ve dreamed of doing for years, what would it be?

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #10

NHL has been getting swim lessons, but unfortunately things haven’t been going to "swimmingly."  During the first swim lesson, during which B accompanied him, NHL didn’t get into the pool until the very end.  So this time we went prepared.  B’s parents took NHL and I went along with them.  Under my clothes, I had my bathing suit on so I’d be ready to jump into the pool.

Things started out well enough.  We got to the pool early and walked around for a bit.  Then we got NHL changed (easily done since his swimsuit was on under his pants).  After a short wait, it was pool time.  NHL went with his teacher while B and I followed the other parents into the "parents’ viewing room."  This room was right next to the pool room and had a nice big window so all of the parents could see what was going on.  Every single parent there could see exactly what was happening in the pool.  Remember that.

All of the kids sat down by the pool while the teacher got into the water.  They had these little stands in the pool so that the water wouldn’t be too deep for the children to stand in.  One by one the children got into the water.  Well, one by one minus one: NHL.  He didn’t get in.  We couldn’t hear what his teacher was saying to him, but I could see that she was using every trick in her book to convince him to get in the water.  When dealing with NHL, though, you can have an encyclopedia and it won’t be enough.  He refused and eventually, we could see that the lesson was continuing without him.

Now, we didn’t pay for "sit by the pool" lessons, so we knew it was time to act.  I went in (with B behind me) and tried my best to get him into the pool.  When that didn’t work, I took NHL over to B and she tried.  No go.  We decided it was time for me to jump into the situation, literally.

I got changed in a nearby locker room.  (Side note: Does it show how geeky I am that I felt like a superhero, pulling off my clothes to reveal my suit underneath? )  Then, I went back to the pool with NHL while B went back to the parents’ room.  You know, the one with the big glass window.  You haven’t forgotten that, have you?  Just checking.

At first, I just put my feet in the water and tried to get NHL to go in first.  When it became obvious that he wasn’t budging, I sighed and jumped into the water.  Then I grabbed NHL and pulled him in.  That’s when things got "fun."  He completely freaked out.  Instead of just standing on the platform, he grabbed my shirt (I wasn’t going topless in front of all of those parents).  His legs wrapped around my suit and pushed down.  He had a death grip on me and was screaming at the top of his lungs.

Now my suit stays on just fine usually, but it doesn’t tie tight at all.  The force of his legs pushing on my suit was enough that I could feel the suit slipping down.  If I didn’t take action, I’d be showing much too much TechyDad to the parents!!!  I let go of NHL (his deathgrip was more than enough to keep him on me and not in the water) and fixed my suit.  After that, I managed to push NHL onto the platform.  Crisis #1 averted!

After awhile, he was calm enough to watch the other kids and not grip onto me.  Still, I had to be behind him holding him or he’s start to freak out again.  And anytime water splashed near or in his eyes, he’d get upset.  He also wouldn’t participate in the floating or kicking practices.  So we were now paying for "stand in the pool" lessons.

Finally, it was "wind down" time and the teacher took him out of the pool.  Of course, I was still in the pool.  I decided that I should get out too so I looked for an exit.  One problem: NHL’s isn’t the only class.  In fact, there are so many classes going on that the pool becomes packed with kids and teachers.  It was all I could do to not interrupt another lesson, forget about actually getting out.  So there I stood in the pool feeling like a fool with all of the parents watching through the glass.

At last, his teacher got out of the pool too and I saw an opening.  I got out and took NHL to the locker room to get changed.  This is where I encountered the next embarrassing item.  (And this one is all my fault.)  I have a few pairs of underwear that B and I purchased for laughs.  Joe Boxer type boxers with funny sayings on them.  The only reason that I feel comfortable wearing them is that I know that B is the only one who will see me in them.

Unfortunately, that day I wasn’t wearing "plain white" boxers, but was wearing a pair that said "horny devil" (complete with cartoon devils all over them).  When I got changed at home to get ready for the pool, guess which boxers got put into my clothes bag?  You got it.  So there I am in the small lockerroom in front of lots of other parents.  I’m the only parent changing back into his clothes… and I’m putting on "horny devil" underpants on.  I tried to do it as discretely as possible, using the towel as a shield, but of course towels shift and jeans don’t go on as quickly as you’d like in situations like this.  Mental note: Next time be sure to wear plain white boxers on pool day!

All in all pool day was a ton of fun that I just can’t wait to repeat.  (Note the sarcasm dripping more than a bathing suit fresh from a pool.)

I’m going to have to face facts.  Summer is over.  Those sweltering days and warm nights have already been replaced with near-freezing mornings, cold days, and nights that turn toes numb.  So how does one stay toasty warm without raising your thermostat (and thus your heating bill) through the roof?

Last year, I would wrap myself in a blanket on the couch while working on my laptop, but this had many problems.  First of all, I could get all snug in the blanket, but then I couldn’t type.  If I pulled my arms out to type, my shoulders, arms and neck became exposed to the cold air.  Secondly, the blanket never seemed long enough to cover my feet properly.  Lastly, the blanket would never quite cover my back, allowing cold air to work it’s way behind me, freezing me out.

I have heard of the Slanket before, but initially dismissed it.  At first, I thought "Why not just use a robe facing backwards or use a regular blanket?"  Well, after trying it out for the first time, I had my answer.  A Slanket is much longer than a robe and while it might seem thinner, the material it is made of is designed for maximum warmth.  It’s so warm, in fact, that I needed to push part of it off of me from time to time as I got too warm!

As far as Slanket versus my previous blanket solution, the Slanket covered my entire arms, shoulders, and neck easily while allowing me to use my laptop (or operate the TV remote).  Cold air was easily thwarted there.  The Slanket is also long.  Extremely long.  So chances are, the Slanket will not only cover your feet, but wrap around them giving you double-Slanket foot protection.  It was so long, in fact, that I was able to stay covered on the couch while JSL used the bottom of the Slanket as a blanket.

Obviously, the Slanket has sleeves so arms are fully covered.  In fact, arms are extra covered.  The sleeves are so long, I was able to stick my head inside one of them.  While you might think that this would mean open sleeve ends letting cold air in, the sleeves tend to collapse on themselves.  The extra fabric adds to the general warmth of the Slanket.

Finally, the back.  The Slanket is quite wide.  It was wide enough to either cover my sides or to wrap around me.  Either method was sufficient to prevent cold air from seeping in.  My back was quite warm thanks to the Slanket.

Overall, I love my Slanket.  Thanks to it, I’m feeling a little less dread about the upcoming freezing winter weather.

Disclaimer: I received a free Slanket to review.  This did not change my opinion of the Slanket, however.  All of the opinions expressed above are my own.

Yesterday, Revision3 announced that they will have a "channel" on Roku boxes. If you don’t already know, Roku is a small, $99 set top box that can play Netflix Instant Queue movies, Amazon VOD movies and even Major League Baseball games. Roku had promised 10 new channels announced by the end of the year. MLB was one of them. Blip.TV was a second. Revision3 becomes the third. However, during the video demonstration of Revision3 on Roku, I noticed something odd. Here’s a screen capture, tell me if you notice it too.  (Click the image to enlarge it.)

Did you notice the Pandora and Flickr channels?  If these are released, then you might soon be able to listen to your Pandora music and browse photos by family and friends via the Roku.  These would be channels four and five.  Add in a rumored YouTube channel and we might have six.  It remains to be seen what other channels will come up, but I for one am excited at the future prospects of Roku!

Recently, NHL has discovered the wonder that is 80′s TV shows. I put The Super Mario Brothers Super Show and Inspector Gadget on the Roku and NHL just loved them. He loved cheering for Mario as he became “super” (complete with cheesy, oh-so-80′s rhyme: “Star light, star bright, give me pasta power, give me pasta might!”) and kicked King Koopa’s keister. Even more than that, though, he loved the antics of a certain bionic inspector, his neice and their dog. Even JSL got in on the fun, shouting “go go” when he saw Gadget coming on.

On the flip side, I decided to watch a favorite of mine when I was a kid: Voltron. I got through the first three episodes (the ones that introduce the team, Voltron, etc), but there were so many plot holes an inconsistencies that I just couldn’t continue. From everyone knowing so much about Voltron, yet claiming that it was something few knew, to the invaded planet having the keys to a powerful weapon (Voltron) yet not using them until the Galaxy Alliance pilots arrived. There definitely a nostaglia factor involved in my still liking it, but I have to admit that the show just wouldn’t stand up were it premiering today.

My Aloha Friday question is: What shows from your youth would you want to introduce your kids to? What shows from your youth might you steer them away from?

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #9

As mentioned in last week’s Aloha Friday, I’ve been thinking about cutting the cable cord. As part of my thinking, I was considering our DVD collection. Right now, our system is to pile our 100 or so DVDs on shelves in our entertainment center. This might seem like a fine system, but there are only two shelves for the DVDs. In addition, the shelves are behind glass doors that frequently get blocked by kids’ toys. This means that it is difficult to read the titles of the DVDs and it is hard to get to the DVDs themselves.

I first looked into a system to rip our DVDs to our desktop computer and then stream those movies to our living room television, but that proved too tricky. The technology is out there, but it didn’t seem proven enough for me or required too much of a monetary investment. Then I looked at similar systems, but ones that would host our videos in a set top box. These too, exist, but didn’t have good enough reviews to make me feel comfortable in spending the hundreds of dollars to set it up.

I began to think that I was – as usual – trying to cobble together a high-tech solution when a more inexpensive, low-tech solution. So I looked at some shelves, but the sturdy ones were too big for our small living room and the ones that would fit into our living room would be too flimsy around the boys. My current plan is to simply catalog and categorize our movies and print out a list. Then we can look at the list and know exactly what there is to watch.

My Aloha Friday question is: How do you organize your DVD collection so that you know what you have and can quickly select a title to watch?

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #8

Hey Sid, What do you say! What do you want to learn today? I want to know what things happen and how, and I wanna know everything now. How does this thing work? Why does that stuff change? How’d it do what it just did. What’s up with the sky do you think i can fly The world is big and I wanna know why Got a lot of questions and big ideas, I’m Sid the Science Kid.

Those words begin one of NHL’s favorite shows: Sid the Science Kid. Sid constantly tries to figure out the big questions in life like: Why does a banana turn mushy? Or why does it need to rain when you have an outdoors activity planned? Those might not seem like big questions to adults, but to kids questions like these are huge. And for good reason too. Children are just figuring out how the world works and questions like these are key.

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