Mid-Life Crisis

This week marks my first official vacation since becoming district webmaster in June of 2007. I have to take two more weeks of vacation sometime betweeen now and January 31 or I lose those days. I've enjoyed working around the house getting caught up on repairs and maintenance. It's been great getting away from my cubicle and sitting in front of the computer - which is exactly what I'm doing now - but only briefly!
Mid-Life Crisis?
Some people might call it a "mid-life crisis", but I've always wanted a motorcycle for as long as I can remember. Up to now I either could not afford it and/or could not convince my wife. A friend owned the bike - a Kawasaki 1000 Concours - and was trying to sell it After some "wheeling and dealing" and a visit to the credit union (and some concessions to my wife), I purchased the bike! For some of you, this might bring back thoughts of John Woggon, retired district webmaster and mentor to us all. Well, I actually consulted John about the motorcycle before I bought it to get his opinion. Thankfully, his "thumbs up" was the final push in making the purchase. John wanted to see the bike so I stopped by his house after work one day last week to show it to him. He gave me some gear (I had nothing) and sold me some gear that he had and we set a lunch get-together.
I have met John for lunch several times since his retiring just to keep in touch and get his feedback on the changes to the site. We always meet at Baily's on Laurens Rd. This is a pool (billiard) hall. John and I play several rounds of pool over lunch, and I don't mind being John's victim (he's quite good and I'm pathetic!). It's always a good, relaxing time. He always asks about the school webmasters. Working with the school webmasters was the most exciting and rewarding part of the job for John, as I concur with him that it is the same today with me.
Many have asked about the onscreen tutorials that I had promised. I have actually made some tutorials, but have had some synching issues with Camtasia and have not been happy with how they turned out. This summer working on the curriculum portal and with everything esle since school has started (including the demon-possessed teacher website upgrade), the schedule has been very full, but I hope to get some time soon to resume and resolve the problem with the tutorials.
I usually get at least two or three calls daily from webmaster with questions. VNC is a wonderful way to resolve issues and I recommend those of you who have questions, to call and let me VNC to your computer. I prefer talking you through issues rather than resolving them myself so that it is a "learning experience". Please don't hesitate to call if need be. I can usually drop what I'm working on and help.
Well, back to my vacation projects - and maybe some piddling on the bike. Regards.