LED belt buckle!?

....must buy this junk.......consumer drive soaring..........how can I live without an Electronic Scrolling LED Belt Buckle??

Of toes and teeth

100_1403 (web), originally uploaded by jcroach.

Parker has found his toes! They are his new favorite plaything. I just hope he doen't hurt himself chewing on them with his two new teeth! They popped out last weekend and are slowing coming in more each day. You can just barely make them out in this picture.

The $100 Computer

Check out this story from the Associated Press about a $100, hand cranked laptop computer. The computers are being developed by the MIT Media Lab. The laptop will be Linux-based, with color display. The computer will have a 500MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, 500MB of Flash memory, USB ports, wireless broadband ability but no hard drive. The goal is to give these computers away to school kids in developing countries. The recent news is that the United Nations is going to help fund the program.

Latest project

Latest project, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Here's a little preview of my latest project. My parents got us a MiniDV Camcorder for Christmas. I'm working on finding a way to convert their old Super 8 films to DVD. I'm running into a problem with frame rate. Super 8 film runs at 18 frames per second while NTSC video runs at 30 frames per second. The difference creates a screen flickering affect that is annoying at the least and creates a virtually unwatchable movie at the worst. I'm trying to find a 8mm projector with a variable speed control to fix this. If anyone out there knows where I can rent/borrow/steal one from, please let me know. In the mean time, this frame was scanned with a slide scanner attachment on a flatbed scanner. It's George and my Mom at Santa Claus Land theme park in 1981.

Johnny Cougar rockin' in Lebanon

From the Lebanon Reporter comes this story about John "Cougar" Mellencamp recording a promotional video in our old hometown. "The Coug" shot a video to be used by CBS Sports to promote their coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament. The Final Four is going to be in Indianapolis again this year. John performed his classic “R-O-C-K in the U.S.A.” with a new basketball theme, changing the ending of the chorus to “Rockin’ in the NCAA.” He shot the video at the old Lebanon High School gym, now known as Memory Hall, along with some of the Lebanon High School cheerleaders. Indiana basketball fans will remember Memory Hall as one of the gyms from the movie Hoosiers. I remember it as the place where I saw Henry Lee Summer play, back in the day!

New web sites of friends

Be sure to check out these two new web sites of friends of ours.

• Matt, Kristen and Madolynne Jarret have a new blogger blog called I Think I'm Going Bald ...


• Jon, Dair, Cooper and Paul Macy have a new web site called MacyFam.com There site includes an incredible picture of Paul just moments after he was born.

Wolfgang's Vault

Here's a new e-tailer I just discovered. Wolfgang's Vault is a collection of poster art, vintage t-shirts, concert photos, concert tickets and other rock music memorabilia puled from the personal holdings of the late rock concert promoter Bill Graham. Atrists include classic acts like The Doors, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and The Who, as well as some of my favorites including U2, Wilco, Son Volt, Ben Folds and The Old 97s.

Gloworm

Gloworm 1, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Parker's gloworm always puts a smile on his face. This is my current favorite picture of him.

Hoosier Fans

Hoosier Fans, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Dad and I went to the IU/Purdue basketball game this weekend. Here we are with Parker after the game.

2006 Commemorative Stamps

Ok, I'm a dork. I like stamps. And coins. They're like little pieces of American history you can hold in your hand. The USPS has some cool commemorative stamps coming out this year. Including "Favorite Children's Book Animals" with Eric Carle's "Very Hungry Caterpillar," Maisy, Curious George, Olivia, one of the wild things from Maurice Sendak's "Wild Things Are," Wilbur from "Charlotte's Web" and Dr. Seuss' "Fox in Socks." Also out this year is a tribute to DC Comics superheroes, including Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Plastic Man (?), Supergirl, Superman and Wonder Woman.

Computer parts for sale

And just in time for Valentine's Day!

I was doing a little early spring cleaning this weekend. I have some spare computer parts I want to get rid of. Send me an e-mail if you're interested before I put them on eBay next week.

• Sony internal CD-R/RW burner. Model #CRX175A1. 40x CD-R read/33.2x CD-RW read/16x CD-R write/10x CD-RW write. Asking $25
• ASUS video card for AGP slot. Model #V3800M. nVIDIA TNT2 M64 4x 3D graphic hardware accelerator. VGA out only. Asking $15

Just for fun

Just for fun, originally uploaded by jcroach.

A little fun with photoshop and a goofy picture of Parker.

Parker's newest trick

Parker's newest trick, originally uploaded by jcroach.

He's sitting up with assistance. And working really hard to do it on his own.

Big changes for the Roach Family

Parker started daycare this morning. It was a lot rougher on Mom and Dad than him. Keep us all in your thoughts this week as we try to adjust.

Oh, and the Colts lost. bummer. Peyton Manning is now 3-6 in the post season.

Not quite a gold watch....

Not quite a gold watch, originally uploaded by jcroach.

....but still greatly appreciated.

A Day On, Not a Day Off

This coming Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For most of us, this day comes and goes, with many employers not even observing the Holiday. For others, it's a chance to serve their community. This year I'll have the opportunity to once again work with Habitat for Humanity. I'll be part of a group of volunteers from First United Methodist Church working on a Habitat house here in Bloomington. We're working on Saturday instead of Monday, but the spirit of the MLK Day of Service is still there. I encourage everyone to volunteer time in their community over the long weekend.

New Poll!

Well, after 21 votes I've decided to create a new poll for the blog. Thanks to everyone who voted. 81% of respondents think that Parker looks more like Cathy than me. Thanks to the 4 people that voted he looks more like me, but heck, I even voted that he looks more like Cathy!

The new poll is to the right --------->
Help Parker pick out a nickname.

Back to work

Well, I'm finally back to work, after my 2 month paternity leave. It's going to be a rough transistion. Wish me luck. Evil land developers beware! The best part is that regular readers of the Roach Family Blog will get more frequent updates, like the fact that Parker is rolling over like a champ!

Moving Pictures

Test! This is a test post to make sure that our new camcorder, editing software and movie hosting site is working. You'll need Quicktime to view the movie. Click on the image above to view this short movie of Parker.

Parker: Up Close 4

Parker: Up Close 4, originally uploaded by jcroach.

This is the last of four pictures Cathy and I have taken recently of Parker "up close and personal!" Hope you enjoy.

Parker: Up Close 3

Parker: Up Close 3, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Parker: Up Close 2

Parker: Up Close 2, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Parker: Up Close 1

Parker: Up Close 1, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Sears

sears, originally uploaded by jcroach.

Parker's first formal picture. Ain't he cute?

Parker and Cathy

100_1175 (web), originally uploaded by jcroach.

A lazy winter afternoon, right before he fell asleep.

Bath in the big tub

100_1156 (web), originally uploaded by jcroach.

Parker getting one of his first baths in the big tub.