UNIX and Life

I was reading today about setting up a UNIX environment, trying to become more knowledgeable in the root account, the commands, the shells (Bourne, Korn, and C) and syntax, and naming structures and exactly how an administrator or I like this one - a “Superuser” - configures users and sets up file directory permissions.

It’s intense to say the least!

And while studying I came across this bit of advice for administrators that I thought was good for every one, every day - in all things:

1. Never do something you can't undo.
I’ve got that covered!

2. Write down what you did, even if you know you will never forget it, you will.
I’ve got that covered too! Journal! Journal! Journal! And the Pen is mightier than the sword!

3.If you do it more than once, write a script.
Ditto! Again the Pen is mightier than the sword - or in this case the script!

4. Get to know your users before there is a problem, then when there is, they will know who you are.
Whatever I need to know I will exhaust every avenue and even my own mind to find out what is what.
Because after the exhaustion it’s pure elation!

I definitely have this under control!

What Say You?

Finding this today kind of falls in with some advice I got last night. I was talking with an acquaintance of mine about a matter in particular when she said this to me...paraphrased:

"There's a lot to be said about simple-minded people or maybe not! The point is, you can choose to let it go and let God be the judge. However you also have to take responsibility if you can keep anyone else from getting hurt. If you do nothing about it when you could do something about it, then you will be judged for that. It's still your choice as well."

Good advice my friend. Love! Love! Love!

"Breck Waters"

A Christmas Memory

My mother passed away in December 2004 and my husband and I stayed in Virginia for the Christmas holidays. We spent time with our family as it seemed more important than ever having lost someone so loved and never knowing what day would be our last.

Christmas 2004 in Virginia

On Christmas day it snowed for the first time in many years. It was a beautiful sight watching the snow coming down. The flakes were huge and the ground would be blanketed before long. I thought about how much Mom would have loved the snow on Christmas Day and then I realized she was blanketed by its purity and she would not be cold or shivering as I was. And I think I smiled at that.

Tonight it is snowing in Virginia again on Christmas Day. They are expecting up to 12 inches by tomorrow evening. But this time the snow isn't so special. I am not with my family. My husband is in Florida with a mistress. I am alone. There were no gifts to be exchanged, and there was no Christmas dinner - because there was no money.

I know Christmas is a celebration of the birth of a child but we have also made it a time for giving gifts especially to our children. For me this year as I grow older I have to think this could be my last Christmas and I spent it in sadness for my daughter, for my grandchildren.

God is a forgiving God but he can't forgive a man but so much who does so much wrong  - else Heaven would not have room for us all.

Update: It is 7:38 a.m. December 26, 2010, and the snow is coming down hard and fast.They are predicting an accumulation of 4 to 6 inches this morning and afternoon with north winds 25 to 30 mph. Tonight another 4 inches possible accumulation. Ya wanna know what sucks? No not the Christmas presents that were never under the tree...I am so out of coffee!!!