Ubuntu changed my clock to UTC

I dual boot my computer between Ubuntu and Windows 7. After my upgrade from Ubuntu 12.04 LTS to 14.04 LTS, I noticed that my clock was wrong in Windows. It was obvious that my hardware clock had been on EST and got switched to UTC during the upgrade. The worst part, I think, is that I even remember getting asked during the upgrade what time zone to set the hardware clock to. I guess the default changed, since my result was different.

I knew there had to be a way to fix it, and a quick search showed me the answer. Ubuntu hardware clock correction

A rambling post about pens

I don't use pens very often. I'm a computer geek, after all. I was recently frustrated when every pen I picked up was horrible in some way. Most were completely dry (probably because I don't use them very often) and many skipped or wouldn't write in various places on the paper I had.

I think I actually threw away some of the pens I had in my desk at work, probably the last time I changed offices. I had only two pens, both given to me by vendors. One was horrible when I got it last year, yet I didn't throw it away for some reason. The other is so many years old, I can't even remember when I got it. I'm guessing 9 years. It's time to move on.

Just to see what I would get, I searched for "what is the best pen" (after a search for "perfect pen" didn't get me what I was looking for.) Of course, I use Bing for that because of their rewards program, but you can use any search engine and find similar results for simple questions like this. Sign up for Bing Rewards

What I found was a recommendation on The Wirecutter from four separate pen bloggers for the same pen.

What did they all recommend? Uni-ball Jetstream

What did I buy? I bought a few different items because I'm an office supply junkie. I didn't know which point and color I might prefer, and the Extra Fine had a nice looking grip. I really did try to buy just 3 pens but somehow ended up with enough to dry out over the next couple decades.

• Uni-ball Jetstream Fine Point 0.7mm Retractable Roller Ball Pens, Black Ink, Pack of 3
• Uni-ball Jetstream Extra Fine Point 0.5mm Retractable Roller Ball Pens, Rubber Grip, Black Ink, Pack of 3
• Uni-ball Jetstream 101 Roller Ball Pens, Bold Point, Black Ink, Pack of 12
• Uni-ball Jetstream 101 Roller Ball Pens, Bold Point, Blue Ink, Pack of 12

I had to walk away at that point, because I found myself researching fountain pens. Luckily (?) I misplaced the review of the fast drying ink, and I didn't want to buy a fountain pen only to find the ink smeared all over my hand as I dragged it across the page.

Links to the pen blogs, also available from the recommendation on The Wirecutter

• The Pen Addict
• Office Supply Geek
• No Pen Intended
• Gourmet Pens

I went to the library. And I got a book!

I know many of you are already shocked, but the library does still have books!

The story begins with me learning that Dean Koontz has published another Odd Thomas book. I had just recently finished the last one, so I thought I had more time. Unfortunately, the book club I had been using was shut down, so no more monthly $9.99 hardcover books (with free shipping).

I'm getting a bit off track, so lets focus. The book I wanted (er, want, since I don't have it yet) is Saint Odd. I also found there is a slightly unrelated book, Odd Interlude that I haven't read. Finally, I learned of some Odd Thomas graphic novels, the first being In Odd We Trust.

I didn't really want to get a graphic novel in Kindle format, and I wasn't even sure I'd like it, so I didn't want to buy it. The part about it being black and white didn't sink in until I opened it, but that comes later.

First I checked the library web site to see if they had the book. They did! But not at the main library. It was available from the tiny branch that is actually closer to my house than the main library.

The slight catch is the crazy hours.

Having found a time I could get there, I started wandering through the library. Without looking at many books, the process of viewing all the shelves would have taken about 30 seconds. Before I could even make it to the back of one side, a friendly librarian asked if she could help me. Since I hadn't seen any signs (like the main library has) I readily agreed. Having only my memory to work with, I said I was looking for an Odd Thomas book, and that it was a graphic novel. I also suggested that it was supposed to be in the 700 section and that the author was Dean Koontz.

She got almost back to the correct place (not that I knew that at the time) then stopped and asked the other librarian if she knew where the Odd Thomas graphic novel was. The other librarian said, "It's in the 700's." Hmm. That's what I said. Scary! The first librarian then finished walking the last 10 feet to the correct section and touching a book randomly said, "I'm not sure exactly where it is, but it should be in this section." I caught a glimpse of the cover of the book she was touching as she moved it slightly. "That's it!" I exclaimed. She had just randomly pulled the book I was looking for.

I'm not sure if I'll actually find time to read it, but one Amazon reviewer said it should only take an hour or so. That leaves me some hope.