Technology

So it has been a while since I wrote anything here. There are several reasons, and a good number of excuses, for this. Mostly I have failed to take the time to write the things I have been thinking. But this post isn't about my failing as a blogger. That would be looking at the past, and that doesn't help. I am instead going to be looking at the future. Interestingly enough, I do have to take a few steps back in time to begin the story.

In March I was promoted to the role of Jr. Linux/Networking Engineer at the company I work for. This means first and foremost that I am no longer a member of the help desk, and don't spend my days taking calls about why someone's outlook is 30 seconds slow getting mail. Please don't get me wrong. I don't have any animosity towards people who call up for things like that, but taking calls like that challenges me in only one way, and thats my patience. Since moving to my new role I have been given responsibilities and challenges that are more to my liking. I now manage the phone system (a very complex system, as we run call centers in two different countries). Now this phone system (for those of you in the know, its Asterisk 1.4.x on two T1 lines with aprox 300 numbers) is going to be a challenge, but a welcome one. We will be upgrading it ( moving from the 1.4 branch of Asterisk to the 1.6 branch) and rethinking a good deal of it. I also have lots of other things I a responsible for, our DNS servers, our old MailScanners, our old OpenFire system, our Wiki, and our monitoring servers just to name a few. 

Another new thing is that I have decided to rethink some of my lifestyle choices. I am trying to eat better, move more, and think more about where things come from. My lovely wife has decided to tag along for the ride at least for now. We are trying to eat local foods or make our own when we can to cut down on preservatives, pesticides, and other nasty chemicals that might find their way into our food (thanks Monsanto ). To that end we have also taken to starting our own garden. Right now it looks a bit sad, but its a start. I will eventually (I hope) write a bit more about this effort and what it takes to make foods rather than to buy them in a box. For now is smoothies, rice and beans, and other healthier things for me. 

That seems to be all the new that I really feel the need to write about for now. Until later, stay free, stay open, and move in the ways life pulls you. 

Lyle J. McKarns
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