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I have searched the internet looking for one simple thing: what are the steps for the Verizon FIOS deployment. Most of the search results revolved around the actual installation of the FTTP (Fiber to the premises). I was looking for what was involved in getting a neighborhood up and running. This was not an easy task to figure out, as there are numerous scenarios.

• Underground vs Overhead
• Multi-dwelling unit (MDU) vs Single Family Unit (SFU)
• Townhouse Style vs Apartment Style

What I did find out is that there are 4 different steps involved with deploying the FiOS before you can expect it to be available to you. Each of the 4 steps involve different crews, and with the different scenarios, you can get a ballpark where you are at in the process. Below is what will be working for me.

• The first step is a sub-contractor comes to the neighborhood with what usually is orange conduits that will eventually hold the Fiber Line, and buries the cables.
• The second step is  when Verizon issued cable guys pull the fiber-optic cable through the conduit to its resting place.
• The third step is when Splicing crews fuse the fiber / splicing it into the Fiber Distribution Hubs (FDHs), Optical Line Terminals (OLTs).
• The fourth step is the final step. This is the diagnostic and testing phase. Verizon will light up the fiber, and the crew will perform series of test to ensure that the Fiber is performing properly, and that there are no defects in the Fiber line.

Now, all in all, if all goes smoothly, this process should take anywhere between 3 months and 1 year.

I learned something very interesting today. I was actually in the lunch room waiting for my lunch to heat up in the microwave. There is a poster on the wall that details the laws for labor. Employees who work at restaurants that have gratuity as part of their pay only get $2.13 an hour. I knew this was a considerable issue because I have known of a couple people within the restaurant industry. I can understand the complaints with this wage. The minimum wage as dictated by the United States Congress is $7.25. Read more…

Christmas music is one of the pleasant experiences during the year because of the unspoken restrictions of playing the themed music. I think that the unspoken rule should be that the day after Thanksgiving, which is Black Friday should be the first day one should listen to Christmas music. Anytime before that point would just be overkill. I will give one exception to the unspoken Christmas Rule, and that is July 25th, which is Christmas in July.

I think that the Christmas Music should only be played after Thanksgiving because there is room for only one holiday at a time. I used to look forward during high school and college to the break that I would get during the Thanksgiving holiday week. While I would like to look forward to Christmas because of the weeks I would get a break during my school days, I would not want to wish the 4+ day weekend away to think about Christmas. When I’m celebrating the holiday and enjoying my relaxation, I can’t imagine pushing it away to start thinking about another holiday! Christmas music brings to mind that specific holiday, and by remembering that holiday, it makes me think past Thanksgiving.

Therefore, what I’m trying to get across, is don’t play Christmas music before Black Friday. It will help you enjoy your 4+ day weekend and help you relax.

I was able to watch the film Tangled on opening night. Fortunately, it was a later showing and there were limited people in the theater. I was also fortunate to watch the movie in 3D. I enjoy movies in 3D. It gives a much more realism to the film, and being animated, realism is something that usually lacks by its very nature.

From the very beginning of the animated feature, I was drawn into the simplicity and yet classic Read more…

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Today is the 24^th of November 2010. It seemed prudent to write something in honor of Thanksgiving. Today’s birthdays include Katherine Heigl of “Grey’s Anatomy” fame, who turns 32 and Colin Hanks son of Tom Hanks, turns 33. Happy Birthday to them!

Quotes:

“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.” –Irv Kupcinet

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” -George Bernard Shaw

Read more…