Two entries I wrote by hand yesterday.
The Best Adventure
I miss blogging the news. I only got a few responses that were positive
to the new related entries. I got a lot more negative bitching about
the gray boxes all over the place. I do not have the time to keep up
with the news any more. I'm up at seven these days. I get off at six.
We always have errands to run. All I ever want to do is crash. It
drives poor Nat crazy. I feel bad that I don't have any energy after
work. This new job is extra tough. It is getting better. I'm just
starting to find my feet. It is going to be a while before things
smooth out.
I read a blog the other day from a guy who is going round the middle
east interviewing interesting people and coming up with the best
stories. I complain about not getting enough sleep. I work. I watch TV.
I am home every night by seven or eight or nine depending on the
errands. I occasionally blog. I sometimes take pictures. I love my wife
and child. How can I compete with actual adventure? I wouldn't swap
with Michael for all the anecdotes in an old adventurer's heart.
Ads that piss me off
It really makes me sick when they play ads for drugs on TV. Cold
medicine, herpes, impotence, prostate trouble, feminine trouble,
migraines, you name it, there is a pill or a very expensive treatment
for it. I get tired of car commercials. Mobile phone ads are getting
worse every minute. It is medicine being hocked next to toilet paper
and the latest attempt at entertainment from Hollywood. Medicine just
seems like it should be on a higher level.
Politics, however should be on a lower plane. Something that includes
baseball bats, crowbars and a bunch of killers for hire all locked in a
prison until only one is left standing.
2006-04-04
2006-04-02
Yikes
I guessed 49% or less. You know what, I like being evil. I think it
works for my personality. I'm turning over a new leaf. 80% evil 80% of
the time. The rest of the time it is 100% indifference. Yup, sounds
like a plan to me.
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The power of a headline
I read a headline wrong. I read "Attacking Iran Could Cause Tourism". It actually said "Attacking Iran Could Cause Terrorism" Now, the first headline is one I would wont tho read. The second is the classic "well duh!"
I read a headline wrong. I read "Attacking Iran Could Cause Tourism". It actually said "Attacking Iran Could Cause Terrorism" Now, the first headline is one I would wont tho read. The second is the classic "well duh!"
Mudbugs 2006
Well, Happy birthday to Chris. He got a sword with "color change technology". I have to say I had a blast. Nat and I hung out all afternoon. As a matter of fact, we hung out until late evening. We left as the LSU UCLA basketball game was going badly for LSU.
It's funny, Nat got invited to four events all on one day. Two of them were scheduled for the same time as the Mudbug party and the other two were both for this evening after 21:00. They were all fun things. Nat made the comment that our calenders are normally so drab, then four cool things to do in one day. And April first at that. Nat didn't feel up to going to the other parties after we left the Mudbug event. She is out cold and enjoying some well deserved rest. I'm afraid to go in there and join her even though I'm quite tired. She can't sleep properly with my snoring. Besides, I flop around in bed like a grounded catfish.
Somehow, all the pictures ended up out of order. I'm not sure what was going on there. I tried to shoot with the camera set a stop dark to get some depth to the photos. It just made them dark I think. JAlbum was giving me fits with an out of memory error. I found a command line setting that seems to have fixed the trouble for now. Good old Google.
There were about fifteen times I wished I had the video camera. I think i have Fedora set up to download DV, but I'm not sure. I'll have to do a test video at some point. I noticed the quality of the pictures has dropped a bit. I'm doing more socializing these days.
I'm just too dog tired to keep typing. We are going to try to put a contract on a house tomorrow. Yes, Sunday. Wish us well.
To the pictures.
Well, Happy birthday to Chris. He got a sword with "color change technology". I have to say I had a blast. Nat and I hung out all afternoon. As a matter of fact, we hung out until late evening. We left as the LSU UCLA basketball game was going badly for LSU.
It's funny, Nat got invited to four events all on one day. Two of them were scheduled for the same time as the Mudbug party and the other two were both for this evening after 21:00. They were all fun things. Nat made the comment that our calenders are normally so drab, then four cool things to do in one day. And April first at that. Nat didn't feel up to going to the other parties after we left the Mudbug event. She is out cold and enjoying some well deserved rest. I'm afraid to go in there and join her even though I'm quite tired. She can't sleep properly with my snoring. Besides, I flop around in bed like a grounded catfish.
Somehow, all the pictures ended up out of order. I'm not sure what was going on there. I tried to shoot with the camera set a stop dark to get some depth to the photos. It just made them dark I think. JAlbum was giving me fits with an out of memory error. I found a command line setting that seems to have fixed the trouble for now. Good old Google.
There were about fifteen times I wished I had the video camera. I think i have Fedora set up to download DV, but I'm not sure. I'll have to do a test video at some point. I noticed the quality of the pictures has dropped a bit. I'm doing more socializing these days.
I'm just too dog tired to keep typing. We are going to try to put a contract on a house tomorrow. Yes, Sunday. Wish us well.
To the pictures.
2006-04-01
Inside Man
Nat and I went to see Inside Man. It is a Hollywood attempt to a twist on the old heist film. I won't give it away. It got me thinking though. If you had something you needed to do and you were willing to do almost anything to get it done. Where would you draw the lines? What would be the limit?
Only robe people. Institutions are made up of multiple people. People are who your are robbing from, not institutions like banks or museums. People value what ever it is you are steeling. People will try to catch you.
Only steel that which will not be missed. If you take something that no one knows is there, or that every one has forgotten about, you will not have to run away.
Only steel from people who will not suffer a loss. If the person doesn't care, or know they were robbed, where is the harm? Well, it is still wrong after all.
Only take what is given freely. Well, I've always said please and thank you will get you a surprisingly long way in this life.
It all boils down to people. Learn people and you learn life. Every day I program computers. I understand computers and how they work. I cannot figure out even a single person. It is like that part of my brain was never in the box.
I can tell a person the truth or a lie. I can only tel la computer what to do. If I give a person an order, that person takes it onto themselves to do the task. A computer just does the task without consideration. It really is just a bundle of switches. You give the right list of commands and you get the predictable answer. With people, you just can't predict the outcome.
OY. I better stop now.
Nat and I went to see Inside Man. It is a Hollywood attempt to a twist on the old heist film. I won't give it away. It got me thinking though. If you had something you needed to do and you were willing to do almost anything to get it done. Where would you draw the lines? What would be the limit?
Only robe people. Institutions are made up of multiple people. People are who your are robbing from, not institutions like banks or museums. People value what ever it is you are steeling. People will try to catch you.
Only steel that which will not be missed. If you take something that no one knows is there, or that every one has forgotten about, you will not have to run away.
Only steel from people who will not suffer a loss. If the person doesn't care, or know they were robbed, where is the harm? Well, it is still wrong after all.
Only take what is given freely. Well, I've always said please and thank you will get you a surprisingly long way in this life.
It all boils down to people. Learn people and you learn life. Every day I program computers. I understand computers and how they work. I cannot figure out even a single person. It is like that part of my brain was never in the box.
I can tell a person the truth or a lie. I can only tel la computer what to do. If I give a person an order, that person takes it onto themselves to do the task. A computer just does the task without consideration. It really is just a bundle of switches. You give the right list of commands and you get the predictable answer. With people, you just can't predict the outcome.
OY. I better stop now.
2006-03-30
House hunting
We saw some houses yesterday. I was tired after getting off work at six. That is a pretty good time to look at houses, because you know you are not going to fall in love with anything. One had no electricity. I know it can just be turned back on, but it made the house feel like there was something wrong. It also had waisted space. There was a convergence of two hallways that nearly took up enough space to be another room. Most builders consider hallways a waist of space. The designer of this one must have had a hall fetish. It had a funny wet-bar island right in the middle of the living room. There was a ton of space, but it was inefficient.
Another house was small. When I walked in the front door I banged my nose into the back door. There was no dining room or breakfast area. The kitchen had an island that was out away from everything else. Even if you took out the island you would not have enough room for a table. A third house was nice except for this seventies paneling. The garage smelled like a combination of dead skunk and mildew. I think they all needed new carpet and paint.
We missed the one house Nat and I both loved from the get-go. I was settling in on a house I originally nixed. I didn't like the colors, but we would have had to paint anyway. The one thing I'm going to remember that house is the poor dalmatian that was locked up in the back yard while we toured. It looked scared and sick. Turns out the house has an offer on it anyway.
We saw some houses yesterday. I was tired after getting off work at six. That is a pretty good time to look at houses, because you know you are not going to fall in love with anything. One had no electricity. I know it can just be turned back on, but it made the house feel like there was something wrong. It also had waisted space. There was a convergence of two hallways that nearly took up enough space to be another room. Most builders consider hallways a waist of space. The designer of this one must have had a hall fetish. It had a funny wet-bar island right in the middle of the living room. There was a ton of space, but it was inefficient.
Another house was small. When I walked in the front door I banged my nose into the back door. There was no dining room or breakfast area. The kitchen had an island that was out away from everything else. Even if you took out the island you would not have enough room for a table. A third house was nice except for this seventies paneling. The garage smelled like a combination of dead skunk and mildew. I think they all needed new carpet and paint.
We missed the one house Nat and I both loved from the get-go. I was settling in on a house I originally nixed. I didn't like the colors, but we would have had to paint anyway. The one thing I'm going to remember that house is the poor dalmatian that was locked up in the back yard while we toured. It looked scared and sick. Turns out the house has an offer on it anyway.
2006-03-28
Smurf Name
This one is really stupid. Of course, I'm sucked in.
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2006-03-27
House
We here tonight whether or not we get a house. Hopefully, it is not on an ancient burial ground, or once owned by the master of time, or infested with Archturian Albino Brain Chiggers, or it slides to one side when the aliens want to take off, or ... termites, no termites, or anything along those lines.
2006-03-26
Houses
We went and looked at four houses today.
One stunk like tobacco.
One stunk like paint.
One reeked of a mistreated dog.
One was just right.
The one that was just right was of course being looked at by other people. So they say anyway. I wonder if it it is bullshit to get a higher price for the house. It is a nice place in a good location. I'm not sure what the schools are like. I have some friends who live nearby. I just put together the last bit of some paperwork that I'm going to need for the loan. I figure the payments are going to be very high for us. I hope we can make ends meet over the long haul. If we don't get this house, we will end up spending about that amount. It looks like that is the going rate around here. I cannot imagine how people do it in California and New York. I hear Hong Kong is outrageous too. Montana has some sweet deals. Don't go looking for a cup of coffee at three in the morning.
I'm amazingly stressed over this.I suppose that is a good thing. It is all the what if(s) and what about(s) that are eating me alive.
We went and looked at four houses today.
One stunk like tobacco.
One stunk like paint.
One reeked of a mistreated dog.
One was just right.
The one that was just right was of course being looked at by other people. So they say anyway. I wonder if it it is bullshit to get a higher price for the house. It is a nice place in a good location. I'm not sure what the schools are like. I have some friends who live nearby. I just put together the last bit of some paperwork that I'm going to need for the loan. I figure the payments are going to be very high for us. I hope we can make ends meet over the long haul. If we don't get this house, we will end up spending about that amount. It looks like that is the going rate around here. I cannot imagine how people do it in California and New York. I hear Hong Kong is outrageous too. Montana has some sweet deals. Don't go looking for a cup of coffee at three in the morning.
I'm amazingly stressed over this.I suppose that is a good thing. It is all the what if(s) and what about(s) that are eating me alive.
2006-03-25
Taxes
So, I'm filling in the first bits of tax information on a web page called TaxAct. This question pops up "Wass Elle permanently disabled at any time during 2005?' I'm like NO!!!! I nearly cried. Funny, It didn't hurt at all when I clicked the "Kelly is blind" deduction.
They have a Hurricane Katrina and other disasters section this year.
Lets see,
* I changed from CDI to Kelly last year. (contract companies at my old employer)
* I had a partnership.
* Got married.
* Gained a cute little deduc.. er... daughter. =]
* Bought a car.
OK, that was a chore. I hate it because I feel like I missed something. I always feel like that with taxes.
We are off to lunch. I wish all many good tax returns.
So, I'm filling in the first bits of tax information on a web page called TaxAct. This question pops up "Wass Elle permanently disabled at any time during 2005?' I'm like NO!!!! I nearly cried. Funny, It didn't hurt at all when I clicked the "Kelly is blind" deduction.
They have a Hurricane Katrina and other disasters section this year.
Lets see,
* I changed from CDI to Kelly last year. (contract companies at my old employer)
* I had a partnership.
* Got married.
* Gained a cute little deduc.. er... daughter. =]
* Bought a car.
OK, that was a chore. I hate it because I feel like I missed something. I always feel like that with taxes.
We are off to lunch. I wish all many good tax returns.
Day
I worked all day. I came home. I have to start taxes tomorrow. We are looking at houses Sunday. When the hell did I grow up? It isn't a line you cross. it is a realization you stumble across far too late. It is like the guy in the movie who mouth's off that polar bears are chumps only to realize all his friends have this silent look of terror on their faces and are standing very, very still, as though in anticipation of something tragic that is about to happen that no one can stop.
Movie
Nat and I went to the show. We saw Failure to Launch. It was pretty funny. Sarah Jessica Parker is like 4' 11" or so. I don't know exactly, but she is short. Hey, Nat is 4' 11". It is one of my favorite heights. This Matthew McConaughey guy looks six foot pluss. I noticed some scenes where they plaid some tricks to hide the hight difference. Notice when they are both in the shot together, that they are rarely on the same level. It would look too much like Matt was talking to a child.
Rat
The rat is going away. We are looking for a new home for it. The rat bit Elle. The rat goes.
Cat
The cat is a conundrum. Nat had to fight to get the cat. The cat is peeing on everything in the house. A bunch of Elle's stuff is ruined. There are stains that will not come out of furniture. I'm not going into the state of the carpet. The cat won't change it's spots when we movie into a new house. Nat might be angry enough to get rid of him. We will probably get an outside dog if we have a back yard.
I worked all day. I came home. I have to start taxes tomorrow. We are looking at houses Sunday. When the hell did I grow up? It isn't a line you cross. it is a realization you stumble across far too late. It is like the guy in the movie who mouth's off that polar bears are chumps only to realize all his friends have this silent look of terror on their faces and are standing very, very still, as though in anticipation of something tragic that is about to happen that no one can stop.
Movie
Nat and I went to the show. We saw Failure to Launch. It was pretty funny. Sarah Jessica Parker is like 4' 11" or so. I don't know exactly, but she is short. Hey, Nat is 4' 11". It is one of my favorite heights. This Matthew McConaughey guy looks six foot pluss. I noticed some scenes where they plaid some tricks to hide the hight difference. Notice when they are both in the shot together, that they are rarely on the same level. It would look too much like Matt was talking to a child.
Rat
The rat is going away. We are looking for a new home for it. The rat bit Elle. The rat goes.
Cat
The cat is a conundrum. Nat had to fight to get the cat. The cat is peeing on everything in the house. A bunch of Elle's stuff is ruined. There are stains that will not come out of furniture. I'm not going into the state of the carpet. The cat won't change it's spots when we movie into a new house. Nat might be angry enough to get rid of him. We will probably get an outside dog if we have a back yard.
2006-03-23
I finally got the last piece of paper work I was waiting for to do
taxes. Now, I just need the motivation. We are looking at houses. We
have gone through some motions so far. I need to get my W-2 from 2004
and some pay stubs together. Again, I just don't have the energy.
I got off work today and just wanted to die. I got something fixed today that was one of those goofy bugs that make no sense. It was pure fortitude that found the answer. I'm about to fall over. I tried bringing up the news feed software and I just wanted to cry. I want to read some blogs, I just don't have the energy. I want to curl up in a ball and sleep for a decade. That attitude won't get the right house for us. It won't get the taxes done.
Hey, I changed the cat box. That counts, right?
I got off work today and just wanted to die. I got something fixed today that was one of those goofy bugs that make no sense. It was pure fortitude that found the answer. I'm about to fall over. I tried bringing up the news feed software and I just wanted to cry. I want to read some blogs, I just don't have the energy. I want to curl up in a ball and sleep for a decade. That attitude won't get the right house for us. It won't get the taxes done.
Hey, I changed the cat box. That counts, right?
2006-03-22
Speed
It boggles the mind. How can computers be that fast? The line below does several steps.
* removes an existing output file.
* It tells the difference between tow text files. This alone is amazing because one file is 15000 lines and the other is 25000 lines. That would take me a lifetime.
* the difference report is then fed into a command to only give the lines that start with "> " greater than and a space. Then, the sed command strips the "> " off the output. This way, I only get the delta. the output file is 8000 lines or so long.
How long does it take to do it? If I tap the enter key, it's done before I can let it up again.
rm diff2.txt && diff out_before.txt out_after.txt | egrep '^>\ ' | sed '-e s%> %%g' > diff2.txt
It boggles the mind. How can computers be that fast? The line below does several steps.
* removes an existing output file.
* It tells the difference between tow text files. This alone is amazing because one file is 15000 lines and the other is 25000 lines. That would take me a lifetime.
* the difference report is then fed into a command to only give the lines that start with "> " greater than and a space. Then, the sed command strips the "> " off the output. This way, I only get the delta. the output file is 8000 lines or so long.
How long does it take to do it? If I tap the enter key, it's done before I can let it up again.
rm diff2.txt && diff out_before.txt out_after.txt | egrep '^>\ ' | sed '-e s%> %%g' > diff2.txt
Speed
It boggles the mind. How can computers be that fast? The line below does several steps.
* removes an existing output file.
* It tells the difference between tow text files. This alone is amazing because one file is 15000 lines and the other is 25000 lines. That would take me a lifetime.
* the difference report is then fed into a command to only give the lines that start with "> " greater than and a space. Then, the sed command strips the "> " off the output. This way, I only get the delta. the output file is 8000 lines or so long.
How long does it take to do it? If I tap the enter key, it's done before I can let it up again.
rm diff2.txt && diff out_before.txt out_after.txt | egrep '^>\ ' | sed '-e s%> %%g' > diff2.txt
It boggles the mind. How can computers be that fast? The line below does several steps.
* removes an existing output file.
* It tells the difference between tow text files. This alone is amazing because one file is 15000 lines and the other is 25000 lines. That would take me a lifetime.
* the difference report is then fed into a command to only give the lines that start with "> " greater than and a space. Then, the sed command strips the "> " off the output. This way, I only get the delta. the output file is 8000 lines or so long.
How long does it take to do it? If I tap the enter key, it's done before I can let it up again.
rm diff2.txt && diff out_before.txt out_after.txt | egrep '^>\ ' | sed '-e s%> %%g' > diff2.txt
2006-03-20
Kilt
I have to get my kilt dry cleaned. I feel kind of funny about it. Not only do I never dry clean anything, but this is something weird. I'm sure any dry cleaner worth their salt has seen dozens of kilts. They seem more and more popular these days. it just feels strange.
Command Line vs GUI
I'm noticing some of the problems I've always had with computers boil down to the computer trying to do things for me. The other day I did something stupid at work. I moved some files instead of copying them. This is easy enough to do in the GUI. If you drag and drop files from one window into another, and they both point to the same drive, the computer assumes you want to move them instead of copy them. Well, that has bitten me in the butt before. Fortunately, I just happened to bump into the person in the hall as they were looking for the person in charge of those files. We were able to rectify the mishap. I still feel stupid. If I had done the copy in the command line, none of this would have happened.
I liken the difference between using the GUI and command line to the difference between turning a key, and turning a wrench.
Note
Elle just learned to turn the channel with the remote control. The world will never be the same.
V for Vendetta
Saw it. I liked it. It left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It was a good plot that was nothing like the comic novels. The character development was way over the top. I hated it when I knew exactly what was going on at the first instant. I wish I had been fooled. I have a hard time with predictable movies. At least someone liked it.
I have to get my kilt dry cleaned. I feel kind of funny about it. Not only do I never dry clean anything, but this is something weird. I'm sure any dry cleaner worth their salt has seen dozens of kilts. They seem more and more popular these days. it just feels strange.
Command Line vs GUI
I'm noticing some of the problems I've always had with computers boil down to the computer trying to do things for me. The other day I did something stupid at work. I moved some files instead of copying them. This is easy enough to do in the GUI. If you drag and drop files from one window into another, and they both point to the same drive, the computer assumes you want to move them instead of copy them. Well, that has bitten me in the butt before. Fortunately, I just happened to bump into the person in the hall as they were looking for the person in charge of those files. We were able to rectify the mishap. I still feel stupid. If I had done the copy in the command line, none of this would have happened.
I liken the difference between using the GUI and command line to the difference between turning a key, and turning a wrench.
Note
Elle just learned to turn the channel with the remote control. The world will never be the same.
V for Vendetta
Saw it. I liked it. It left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It was a good plot that was nothing like the comic novels. The character development was way over the top. I hated it when I knew exactly what was going on at the first instant. I wish I had been fooled. I have a hard time with predictable movies. At least someone liked it.
2006-03-18
Wedding Pictures
Bryan got his wedding pictures to me. He did a great job. He made a nice medley picture, but it would not go through the JAlbum program. Java kept complaining that it was out of memory. Piece of junk. I'm really starting to dislike Linux. If Nautilus (the GUI file interface) isn't crashing, it is X (the windows part) or JAlbum that's going down. You know it seems like things I do through the interface crash a lot. Most everything that I run through the command prompt works without flaw. I may get errors, but it is for a reason. Not just flopping down and having a fit because I asked it to do its job.
Bryan got his wedding pictures to me. He did a great job. He made a nice medley picture, but it would not go through the JAlbum program. Java kept complaining that it was out of memory. Piece of junk. I'm really starting to dislike Linux. If Nautilus (the GUI file interface) isn't crashing, it is X (the windows part) or JAlbum that's going down. You know it seems like things I do through the interface crash a lot. Most everything that I run through the command prompt works without flaw. I may get errors, but it is for a reason. Not just flopping down and having a fit because I asked it to do its job.
Pictures
I've put the pictures up from last night. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
The last two pictures are of a lovely woman who had many tattoos. I have no idea who she is, but here is her myspace link.
We should celebrate having a good time more often. That is what St. Patrick's day is all about these days, right?
I've put the pictures up from last night. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
The last two pictures are of a lovely woman who had many tattoos. I have no idea who she is, but here is her myspace link.
We should celebrate having a good time more often. That is what St. Patrick's day is all about these days, right?
Evening with Friends
When You have had a long challenging week at toil.
Then you go out and play hard on Friday night just because you can.
It was one of those evenings with friends.
The drinks flowed freely. The people were friendly. No one got hurt. No one drove under the influence (on Nat's watch anyway). Yesterday was St. Patric's day. I had one of those days mentioned above. I have been working on learning something new all week. It is a tough process. When I was done it turns out, as usual, it was much easier than I was making it out. At my old job, I felt like an idiot some of the time and like a genius most of the time. At this new job, I feel like a child in the woods, following the signs of the land to salvation. It is wonderful. I'm challenged. I am a bit afraid. I'm trying. I'm learning. I'm living.
Natalie said something that nearly brought tears to my eyes last night. She said to the group "Now I understand why Kelly has been hanging out with you guys all these years." She had a good time too.
I'll try to get the pictures up today. We have a sort of lunch date. Nat and I ran into some old work people. The thing is, none of them still work at the old company. That place is hemorrhaging people. I've heard that the new policy is to run off lower management and design related people and outsource all the work. I've heard some of the complaints from those lower people and I can believe it. I think they want to get rid of engineering and just send all the work overseas. Upper management just doesn't have the balls to pay people off and pull the trigger. It is shameful really. I'm glad I left. I found out I was scheduled for a raise. Bastards. They waited far too long.
A buddy gave me some new wedding pictures. I'll try to post them along with the party pictures from last night. Nat took some too, I'll post her link too if I can.
When You have had a long challenging week at toil.
Then you go out and play hard on Friday night just because you can.
It was one of those evenings with friends.
The drinks flowed freely. The people were friendly. No one got hurt. No one drove under the influence (on Nat's watch anyway). Yesterday was St. Patric's day. I had one of those days mentioned above. I have been working on learning something new all week. It is a tough process. When I was done it turns out, as usual, it was much easier than I was making it out. At my old job, I felt like an idiot some of the time and like a genius most of the time. At this new job, I feel like a child in the woods, following the signs of the land to salvation. It is wonderful. I'm challenged. I am a bit afraid. I'm trying. I'm learning. I'm living.
Natalie said something that nearly brought tears to my eyes last night. She said to the group "Now I understand why Kelly has been hanging out with you guys all these years." She had a good time too.
I'll try to get the pictures up today. We have a sort of lunch date. Nat and I ran into some old work people. The thing is, none of them still work at the old company. That place is hemorrhaging people. I've heard that the new policy is to run off lower management and design related people and outsource all the work. I've heard some of the complaints from those lower people and I can believe it. I think they want to get rid of engineering and just send all the work overseas. Upper management just doesn't have the balls to pay people off and pull the trigger. It is shameful really. I'm glad I left. I found out I was scheduled for a raise. Bastards. They waited far too long.
A buddy gave me some new wedding pictures. I'll try to post them along with the party pictures from last night. Nat took some too, I'll post her link too if I can.
2006-03-16
Lost words
I found the little note I wrote Tuesday. Here it is.
Packaging
RPM sucks. I have been packaging on the Windows system for years. Let me tell you, it is much easier than the Linux system. Well, the Linux systems. There are about a dozen ways to install software on a Linux box, not including compiling and running it by hand.
Commute
On my way in to work today I met a young woman at the bus stop. Actually, we have run into each other several times. Today I asked her what the date was and she said Tuesday the 15. I'm like "it can't be Tuesday." She insisted it was. There was no way to tell. I tried to compute the date based on memories of the past couple of says, but I came up blank. It wasn't until I got into work and checked the date on my computer that I was able to tell it is indeed Wednesday the 15th. She had me going though. I wonder if she did it deliberately to have a laugh. I bet she was just as confused as I normally am. That is why I had to ask after all. That's OK. I didn't have 35 cents for pop-tarts this morning. As I walked in for the elevator, some ladies were handing out donuts to the masses. I think they were angles in disguise.
I found the little note I wrote Tuesday. Here it is.
Packaging
RPM sucks. I have been packaging on the Windows system for years. Let me tell you, it is much easier than the Linux system. Well, the Linux systems. There are about a dozen ways to install software on a Linux box, not including compiling and running it by hand.
Commute
On my way in to work today I met a young woman at the bus stop. Actually, we have run into each other several times. Today I asked her what the date was and she said Tuesday the 15. I'm like "it can't be Tuesday." She insisted it was. There was no way to tell. I tried to compute the date based on memories of the past couple of says, but I came up blank. It wasn't until I got into work and checked the date on my computer that I was able to tell it is indeed Wednesday the 15th. She had me going though. I wonder if she did it deliberately to have a laugh. I bet she was just as confused as I normally am. That is why I had to ask after all. That's OK. I didn't have 35 cents for pop-tarts this morning. As I walked in for the elevator, some ladies were handing out donuts to the masses. I think they were angles in disguise.
2006-03-15
RPM
It has been a long day. I'm coming to the conclusion that Windows is worth $110. InstallShield is worth a fortune too. I just fought with RPM for an entire day and RPM won. I'm so tired I could just pass out as I'm typing.
I had some notes about more to wright, but I left them at work. I'll put them in tomorrow. Now, it is off to enjoy some time with my family.
It has been a long day. I'm coming to the conclusion that Windows is worth $110. InstallShield is worth a fortune too. I just fought with RPM for an entire day and RPM won. I'm so tired I could just pass out as I'm typing.
I had some notes about more to wright, but I left them at work. I'll put them in tomorrow. Now, it is off to enjoy some time with my family.
2006-03-14
Day
Let's see, I need to do taxes. We are looking at buying a house. The job is highly challenging. Nat and I are highly opinionated individuals who are both used to living our our own. That sounds like life.
I only just got MPlayer to work on the new box. Well, I got the command line version to work. The GUI version needs so frigging many libraries that it isn't worth it. It plays most things I throw at it though. I have to say that Linux is not ready for the desktop. It takes entirely too much effort to make things work. Even the most basic stuff takes ages just to configure. I cannot imagine having to compile things on a Windows box. aaargh. What is a geek to do?
We drove by another house today. It is cool looking in the neighborhoods and going online to get the details. There really are houses out there in our price range that don't suck that bad. I'm looking forward to moving for a change.
I have not been able to catch up with the news in several weeks. I haven't even been able to catch Dilbert or User Friendly. I'm having withdrawal. I'm learning tons at work and at home too. The log is suffering a bit. I don't know when or if I'll ever be able to get back to a schedule like I had before. Who knows. Things change. I like having a log though. There are some more wedding pictures coming soon. I have to get the proper software installed to make the web pages. Wish me luck.
Let's see, I need to do taxes. We are looking at buying a house. The job is highly challenging. Nat and I are highly opinionated individuals who are both used to living our our own. That sounds like life.
I only just got MPlayer to work on the new box. Well, I got the command line version to work. The GUI version needs so frigging many libraries that it isn't worth it. It plays most things I throw at it though. I have to say that Linux is not ready for the desktop. It takes entirely too much effort to make things work. Even the most basic stuff takes ages just to configure. I cannot imagine having to compile things on a Windows box. aaargh. What is a geek to do?
We drove by another house today. It is cool looking in the neighborhoods and going online to get the details. There really are houses out there in our price range that don't suck that bad. I'm looking forward to moving for a change.
I have not been able to catch up with the news in several weeks. I haven't even been able to catch Dilbert or User Friendly. I'm having withdrawal. I'm learning tons at work and at home too. The log is suffering a bit. I don't know when or if I'll ever be able to get back to a schedule like I had before. Who knows. Things change. I like having a log though. There are some more wedding pictures coming soon. I have to get the proper software installed to make the web pages. Wish me luck.
2006-03-13
Nat and I went to see Ultraviolet
Friday evening. I liked it. There were about five scenes where she
takes on ten guys armed with machine guns and kills them all with her
sword in like three seconds. It was quite cool. I have no idea how true
to the comics/graphic novels the story is. I don't really care. I don't
have the time to read the novels and absorb them. I know they are deep
and I would want to follow them to their depth.
DnD
What a great session of DnD. I had a blast. Nat came over and hung out with us for quite a bit of it. I don't know if she had fun or not, but I'm glad she went. Maybe I can get her interested in playing.
I believe we had two major encounters. One was in a village full of these little frog creatures. Hey, they started it. We were trying to pass through and the wake from one of our canoes toppled a mud hovel and they attacked. It was 45 to 6. We did pretty well. If there were sixty of them, I think we would have done much worse.
The second battle was against a bunch of lizard creatures who were steeling babies from a local village. How evil is that? There was an interesting twist to the whole steeling babies part of the plot that ends up with us choosing to not save the babies.
Ethan and Alexis got into a fist fight over dice. Their mom came over later and they both said "you missed the show." Their mom didn't miss a beat. "Was there a big fight." We all fell out of our chairs. Jut before that Susan's little boy and girl (two and three) were at each other's throats. It was a reoccurring theme.
Fedora Core 4
I got Fedora Core 4 installed yesterday. It like it. It is roughly the version we use at work. I'm getting things to work one at a time, just like Ubuntu. I'm writing this entry on it. I'm using the hard drive that had my Windows installation. That is gone now. I only booted it up once to get some data and that was about it. goodbye and good riddance. I'm down to my last Windows installation and that one will go away as soon as I can get eMule and a client for dynDNS.org to work in Linux.
House Hunting
Nat and I got in touch with a friend of ours who is a real estate agent. She has graciously offered to guide us through the home purchase process. Hopefully we can talk with her this evening. I'm sure I'll have more questions after we speak. That is normal in a complex process like this.
DnD
What a great session of DnD. I had a blast. Nat came over and hung out with us for quite a bit of it. I don't know if she had fun or not, but I'm glad she went. Maybe I can get her interested in playing.
I believe we had two major encounters. One was in a village full of these little frog creatures. Hey, they started it. We were trying to pass through and the wake from one of our canoes toppled a mud hovel and they attacked. It was 45 to 6. We did pretty well. If there were sixty of them, I think we would have done much worse.
The second battle was against a bunch of lizard creatures who were steeling babies from a local village. How evil is that? There was an interesting twist to the whole steeling babies part of the plot that ends up with us choosing to not save the babies.
Ethan and Alexis got into a fist fight over dice. Their mom came over later and they both said "you missed the show." Their mom didn't miss a beat. "Was there a big fight." We all fell out of our chairs. Jut before that Susan's little boy and girl (two and three) were at each other's throats. It was a reoccurring theme.
Fedora Core 4
I got Fedora Core 4 installed yesterday. It like it. It is roughly the version we use at work. I'm getting things to work one at a time, just like Ubuntu. I'm writing this entry on it. I'm using the hard drive that had my Windows installation. That is gone now. I only booted it up once to get some data and that was about it. goodbye and good riddance. I'm down to my last Windows installation and that one will go away as soon as I can get eMule and a client for dynDNS.org to work in Linux.
House Hunting
Nat and I got in touch with a friend of ours who is a real estate agent. She has graciously offered to guide us through the home purchase process. Hopefully we can talk with her this evening. I'm sure I'll have more questions after we speak. That is normal in a complex process like this.
2006-03-09
DnD
DnD is this weekend. It has been a long while. I've been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks. I have no idea if there is much homework. I don't know if I can find my old characters or books. We have moved a bunch of stuff around.
I would live blog it for my readers, but I just don't think you guys are that interested.
I've been tasked with figuring out what form of TCL exists on a specific distribution of RedHat Linux. I've torn the web page apart. They only say that TCL is included. I'm going to have to bring the Distro home and install it to find out the version and location. Nat isn't going to like that one. I'll get up early Saturday morning and do it before DnD. That is the only time I will probably have.
DnD is this weekend. It has been a long while. I've been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks. I have no idea if there is much homework. I don't know if I can find my old characters or books. We have moved a bunch of stuff around.
I would live blog it for my readers, but I just don't think you guys are that interested.
I've been tasked with figuring out what form of TCL exists on a specific distribution of RedHat Linux. I've torn the web page apart. They only say that TCL is included. I'm going to have to bring the Distro home and install it to find out the version and location. Nat isn't going to like that one. I'll get up early Saturday morning and do it before DnD. That is the only time I will probably have.
2006-03-08
Hell and Boots
When I was a kid I remember one of the turning points in my life. I was four or five. We had a heater vent in the floor of the house right in front of the kitchen I believe. It was one of those things you warn your kids about. It was one of those things you know is going to cause trouble. I would jump over it like Indiana Jones to avoid the blast of hot air and heated metal grate. I was immortal at that age.
I remember one evening as I was about to jump over the grate on my way to the kitchen, someone said my name and I turned to look at them. I did not realize I had stopped right on the searing gate to hell. I yelped and cried. I remember vividly that I was more angry at doing something that stupid than the pain.
Of course my family leaped to my rescue. A bit later I just as vividly remember standing on that vent in my boots and thinking to myself "ha-ha .. fuck you gate to hell." or something to that effect. I am quite positive that this is the reason I insist on waring heavy boots to this day.
When I was a kid I remember one of the turning points in my life. I was four or five. We had a heater vent in the floor of the house right in front of the kitchen I believe. It was one of those things you warn your kids about. It was one of those things you know is going to cause trouble. I would jump over it like Indiana Jones to avoid the blast of hot air and heated metal grate. I was immortal at that age.
I remember one evening as I was about to jump over the grate on my way to the kitchen, someone said my name and I turned to look at them. I did not realize I had stopped right on the searing gate to hell. I yelped and cried. I remember vividly that I was more angry at doing something that stupid than the pain.
Of course my family leaped to my rescue. A bit later I just as vividly remember standing on that vent in my boots and thinking to myself "ha-ha .. fuck you gate to hell." or something to that effect. I am quite positive that this is the reason I insist on waring heavy boots to this day.
2006-03-07
Friends
Ryman, my friend.
I have a friend named Ryman. He is in the hospital right now. He is a diabetic and has some other medical problems that mostly stem from there. Right now he has some internal bleeding and needs blood downers. They have to find the source of the bleeding or he will most likely die. Either way, I will probably go down and donate in his name. It will help with his family's expenses at the least.
Ryman has been there for me when I needed a ride. We have hung out and shot the shit for no reason. I bought him a pare of glasses once when he needed them. He has been there for me.
Another Friend
Last night Nat and I headed out to a friend's place to help her pack up and move. Well, she was going to her mother's place for a while. It seems her and her husband are having difficulties. While there, and while writing this, I want to exorcise a great deal of political correctness. That is what one does around friends and their lives isn't it? I'm not going to take sides. I know our friend and I do not know her husband very well. They are good people. I wish them both well.
Friends are worth having. Friends are worth helping.
Ryman, my friend.
I have a friend named Ryman. He is in the hospital right now. He is a diabetic and has some other medical problems that mostly stem from there. Right now he has some internal bleeding and needs blood downers. They have to find the source of the bleeding or he will most likely die. Either way, I will probably go down and donate in his name. It will help with his family's expenses at the least.
Ryman has been there for me when I needed a ride. We have hung out and shot the shit for no reason. I bought him a pare of glasses once when he needed them. He has been there for me.
Another Friend
Last night Nat and I headed out to a friend's place to help her pack up and move. Well, she was going to her mother's place for a while. It seems her and her husband are having difficulties. While there, and while writing this, I want to exorcise a great deal of political correctness. That is what one does around friends and their lives isn't it? I'm not going to take sides. I know our friend and I do not know her husband very well. They are good people. I wish them both well.
Friends are worth having. Friends are worth helping.
2006-03-05
House Hunting
I figure we might qualify for $150,000 loan with room to survive. Every house we just looked at in this area was just under a quarter of a million dollars. They are beautiful homes. We will not be able to afford them. Nat would love to live out in the country. Well, that's great. I would love to live out somewhere too. I cannot drive. Nat will not be able to drive me sometimes. I need to live near the bus lines. Those neighborhoods are usually pretty shitty. So, we need to find a good house in a good neighborhood near the bus routs that is about $150,000 or so. That is a tall order in West Houston. If only I could get away from the bus lines. Metro Lift is not a viable or reliable option. It is just not good enough.
There are millions of apartments. There are probably town homes and junk like that. I want a house. The only sure investment is a tombstone. The next best thing is a middle class house in a good neighborhood that stays good.
Nat is out right now looking at more houses. She has a bunch of energy for the moment. I bet both our levels will come and go. Wish us luck. Please leave advice in the comments.
I figure we might qualify for $150,000 loan with room to survive. Every house we just looked at in this area was just under a quarter of a million dollars. They are beautiful homes. We will not be able to afford them. Nat would love to live out in the country. Well, that's great. I would love to live out somewhere too. I cannot drive. Nat will not be able to drive me sometimes. I need to live near the bus lines. Those neighborhoods are usually pretty shitty. So, we need to find a good house in a good neighborhood near the bus routs that is about $150,000 or so. That is a tall order in West Houston. If only I could get away from the bus lines. Metro Lift is not a viable or reliable option. It is just not good enough.
There are millions of apartments. There are probably town homes and junk like that. I want a house. The only sure investment is a tombstone. The next best thing is a middle class house in a good neighborhood that stays good.
Nat is out right now looking at more houses. She has a bunch of energy for the moment. I bet both our levels will come and go. Wish us luck. Please leave advice in the comments.
Day
Nat and I are looking at houses. I am so not ready for this. I'm terrified of getting ripped off and buying a money pit disaster. I have nightmares of buying a house next to a psycho or a molester or something. I am just as worried about having some trashy five thousand watt stereo guitar player (you know who you are) or, God forbid, a drummer. When we buy a house I want it to be for a long time investment in a place that is worth living. That isn't how it works.
We are off to eat lunch with some friends. Nat is getting ready. How long does it take her to get ready you ask. Well, it takes her ten minutes to get out of the car on occasion. (I love you honey.)
Nat and I are looking at houses. I am so not ready for this. I'm terrified of getting ripped off and buying a money pit disaster. I have nightmares of buying a house next to a psycho or a molester or something. I am just as worried about having some trashy five thousand watt stereo guitar player (you know who you are) or, God forbid, a drummer. When we buy a house I want it to be for a long time investment in a place that is worth living. That isn't how it works.
We are off to eat lunch with some friends. Nat is getting ready. How long does it take her to get ready you ask. Well, it takes her ten minutes to get out of the car on occasion. (I love you honey.)
2006-03-04
Magic
I think it all boiled down to the last question. Anyway, it pegged me.
I believe in God, but I'm not religious. I think things that happen
just happen. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to
bad people. It all boils down to perception. There is far more to do
with the price of stock regarding opinion than reality. Yes,
technologist, that is me. Sad, but true.
 You are a Technologist. You may not have any magic --but you either don't want or need it. Whether you are a spear-throwing Barbarian, an Imperial Mechanist or even a humble Tailor you build what you need, rely on your own strength and follow your own path. You are happy doing your own thing and thinking your own way. You are extremely self-reliant and have a hard time trusting others. Which Magical Order Are You In? brought to you by Quizilla |
Life is Like...
You know, you cannot say "life is like" anything because anything you try to put forth as an example is a subset of life and thus not a worthy comparison of the whole. Life is not like anything. Life is everything. All your experiences, every one you touch, anything you build or destroy or create, all these have affects.
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. Well, if I walk over and kick the door jam with my bare foot, I'm going to break my toes. Looks like I know what I'll get there.
Life is like life, only not nearly as complicated. Life is like a complex system. Oh, wait, life is the basis for complex systems.
People say life is like something in order to remove some layer of pain to complexity. Generally, people say things like this to ease someone else's suffering.
There was a game on my old Palm pilot called Palm Life. It was a set of dots on the screen that interacted with each other based on some set of rules. They might flourish or they might all die out. It was mesmerizing. It was particularly fun because you could influence the life by touching the screen. If you touched a blank space, you created life. If you touched a dark space, you destroyed it. You could play God. There is a game called Sim-Island where you have villagers who warship you. I can't find a link. I remember a buddy who played it saying every now and then you had to make a disaster happen in order to keep the people a bit scared of you. Who needs God when things are going so well?
You know, you cannot say "life is like" anything because anything you try to put forth as an example is a subset of life and thus not a worthy comparison of the whole. Life is not like anything. Life is everything. All your experiences, every one you touch, anything you build or destroy or create, all these have affects.
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. Well, if I walk over and kick the door jam with my bare foot, I'm going to break my toes. Looks like I know what I'll get there.
Life is like life, only not nearly as complicated. Life is like a complex system. Oh, wait, life is the basis for complex systems.
People say life is like something in order to remove some layer of pain to complexity. Generally, people say things like this to ease someone else's suffering.
There was a game on my old Palm pilot called Palm Life. It was a set of dots on the screen that interacted with each other based on some set of rules. They might flourish or they might all die out. It was mesmerizing. It was particularly fun because you could influence the life by touching the screen. If you touched a blank space, you created life. If you touched a dark space, you destroyed it. You could play God. There is a game called Sim-Island where you have villagers who warship you. I can't find a link. I remember a buddy who played it saying every now and then you had to make a disaster happen in order to keep the people a bit scared of you. Who needs God when things are going so well?
2006-03-02
Elle and our blogs
What is it going to be like when Elle reads my blog? I have some pretty interesting stuff in here. I've been at it since about the time she was born. If she reads it, she will know more about me than most people know abut their best friends. That thought is kind of creepy. I wonder if there is a convention on letting your children read your blog.
Text Message
I sent out a text message to some friends today that just said "nice day, what's up?' I got a tone of responses. I just got another while typing this.
Day
God, I'm tired. I've been doing cool stuff at work. It takes thought and effort. It is wonderful. I'm tired when I get home. It is kind of a good tired. Today I left the office at six. I had to stop and pick up diapers. I caught the last bus at seven over by the new CVS. I'm so domestic these days. No one has had any dinner. I'm too fucking tired to do anything about it.
I want to be creative. I would love to have some new pictures for you guys. It would be great if I could write some creative story or a poem or something. But, it just isn't going to happen tonight. Will some one please leave something creative in the comments.
Thanks.
What is it going to be like when Elle reads my blog? I have some pretty interesting stuff in here. I've been at it since about the time she was born. If she reads it, she will know more about me than most people know abut their best friends. That thought is kind of creepy. I wonder if there is a convention on letting your children read your blog.
Text Message
I sent out a text message to some friends today that just said "nice day, what's up?' I got a tone of responses. I just got another while typing this.
Day
God, I'm tired. I've been doing cool stuff at work. It takes thought and effort. It is wonderful. I'm tired when I get home. It is kind of a good tired. Today I left the office at six. I had to stop and pick up diapers. I caught the last bus at seven over by the new CVS. I'm so domestic these days. No one has had any dinner. I'm too fucking tired to do anything about it.
I want to be creative. I would love to have some new pictures for you guys. It would be great if I could write some creative story or a poem or something. But, it just isn't going to happen tonight. Will some one please leave something creative in the comments.
Thanks.
2006-03-01
Absent Minded Professor
I can tell when I'm multiprocessing. No, not multitasking, there is a difference. Multitasking is doing more than one thing at the same time. Multiprocessing is working out multiple questions in your head at the same time. When I get up from my chair and start to walk to another room to do something and I end up turning around three times in a space of three meters. Even though I've only been standing for five seconds, I have completely forgotten why I got up. It is a kind of absent minded professor syndrome. That is the old story of a college professor who walks out of his front door with his briefcase, lesson plan, lunch and no pants. I would say it is an early sign of dementia, but I've done it all my life. I think I've managed to do this action about twenty times today.
I can tell when I'm multiprocessing. No, not multitasking, there is a difference. Multitasking is doing more than one thing at the same time. Multiprocessing is working out multiple questions in your head at the same time. When I get up from my chair and start to walk to another room to do something and I end up turning around three times in a space of three meters. Even though I've only been standing for five seconds, I have completely forgotten why I got up. It is a kind of absent minded professor syndrome. That is the old story of a college professor who walks out of his front door with his briefcase, lesson plan, lunch and no pants. I would say it is an early sign of dementia, but I've done it all my life. I think I've managed to do this action about twenty times today.
2006-02-28
Which God are You?
I flunked out of college. I was a solid C student all through school. I
did just quit a job in order to take a better job that would force me
to learn. Not a bad gig.
Ask Nat, if I'm not doing something that occupies my mind, I fall asleep.
 Athena ?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ?? brought to you by Quizilla |
Ask Nat, if I'm not doing something that occupies my mind, I fall asleep.
Day
I must have had five things I wanted to write about this afternoon at work. I didn't have two minutes to jot down notes. I got home and ordered some Chinese. Elle had a bit of a relapse last night. She is walking a bit stiff-legged tonight. She seems to be getting over whatever it is that gave her a limp.
There is noting in the news that I care about. The food will be here in a minute. I'm watching some troubling movie called The Alibi. It isn't very good. I have not seen Sam Elliott in a movie in a while. Glad to know he has found the work. I thought he did a better job that the rest of them. It proves a point. Sometimes, being very good at what you do, just makes things worse.
I must have had five things I wanted to write about this afternoon at work. I didn't have two minutes to jot down notes. I got home and ordered some Chinese. Elle had a bit of a relapse last night. She is walking a bit stiff-legged tonight. She seems to be getting over whatever it is that gave her a limp.
There is noting in the news that I care about. The food will be here in a minute. I'm watching some troubling movie called The Alibi. It isn't very good. I have not seen Sam Elliott in a movie in a while. Glad to know he has found the work. I thought he did a better job that the rest of them. It proves a point. Sometimes, being very good at what you do, just makes things worse.
2006-02-27
Day
What was I thinking today? Something interesting. Something funny happened. Something serious. It was all the same thing. It happens every day. It is most always different. It's called life.
I went to work. Elle went to the hospital. Her legs hurt. It turns out she had sat funny and her legs fell asleep. She just did the same thing a little while ago. She cried like something was trying to eat her alive. Nat and I convinced her to walk around a bit. She was fine in two minutes. I'm keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't sit like that again. What are you going to do?
In other news, I went through a code review at work today. Ouch. It was enlightening. I learned a lot. It was one of the most taxing things I've had to sit through in a while. One of the other programmers showed me a drawing of stick figures. One had his head on a block and the other was about to chop it off. That is kind of how it feels. I don't have a problem as long as I feel like I'm learning something and the code is somehow better after the fact. I do have trouble with making changes just to make changes. I know that will happen too. I just have to remember that I'm paid by the hour and the people who pay me are the ones making the changes.
What is in the above paragraphs that makes this whole thing add up to life? Well, everything. I also sat down and watched an episode of the Simpson's that I had not seen before. I took the bus home. Nat dropped me off at work. I skipped lunch and went to the video store to drop off some late movies. I'm watching A History of Violence. I don't think much of that adds up to life.
What was I thinking today? Something interesting. Something funny happened. Something serious. It was all the same thing. It happens every day. It is most always different. It's called life.
I went to work. Elle went to the hospital. Her legs hurt. It turns out she had sat funny and her legs fell asleep. She just did the same thing a little while ago. She cried like something was trying to eat her alive. Nat and I convinced her to walk around a bit. She was fine in two minutes. I'm keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't sit like that again. What are you going to do?
In other news, I went through a code review at work today. Ouch. It was enlightening. I learned a lot. It was one of the most taxing things I've had to sit through in a while. One of the other programmers showed me a drawing of stick figures. One had his head on a block and the other was about to chop it off. That is kind of how it feels. I don't have a problem as long as I feel like I'm learning something and the code is somehow better after the fact. I do have trouble with making changes just to make changes. I know that will happen too. I just have to remember that I'm paid by the hour and the people who pay me are the ones making the changes.
What is in the above paragraphs that makes this whole thing add up to life? Well, everything. I also sat down and watched an episode of the Simpson's that I had not seen before. I took the bus home. Nat dropped me off at work. I skipped lunch and went to the video store to drop off some late movies. I'm watching A History of Violence. I don't think much of that adds up to life.
2006-02-26
Domino
Bad place to be. When you freeze frame the shot, it looks like everyone
is standing around. Now, I know why they had so many bouncing around
shots in the movie. It really gave it a sense of action.
This is a publicity stunt shot. Goofy and planned. It was supposed to
look that way.
This is a much better shot that is in the middle of one of those cuts
that this movie has all over it. I tell you, it makes capturing a frame
more interesting.
It took me ten tries to get this screen shot. The camera kept wiggling
around. Those are supposed to be monkey skulls on the bottom of the
windshield. It makes sense that a bunch of bounty hunters would travel
around in an RV. I hope they don't have many stealth jobs.
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Day
While surfing the net, I came across a couple of interesting things.
Help crack WWII Nazi Enigma machine codes that never made the cut back in the day. I read somewhere that radar was not really invented in 1940. It was still on the drawing board, but not ready for field use. I forget what year it really was the use of the captured Enigma machine and codes That was probably BS. Who knows.
A blog all about purses. Expensive purses.
Plane crash statistics. It isn't the page, it is the "sabotage" category that freaks me out.
Will Sony pull another betamax?
When you live by the rules of political correctness, you hurt the freedom of speech. Who knew how delicate this freedom was?
Terrorists have great PR. Well, not that great.
A personal tragedy avoided in Israel.
Elle is on her way back home after a weekend with the grandparents. It is a beautiful day outside. At least Elle got out to a park to enjoy it.
Nat and I couldn't make the cook-off yesterday. It was rainy and Nat is just now getting over a bad caught.
While surfing the net, I came across a couple of interesting things.
Help crack WWII Nazi Enigma machine codes that never made the cut back in the day. I read somewhere that radar was not really invented in 1940. It was still on the drawing board, but not ready for field use. I forget what year it really was the use of the captured Enigma machine and codes That was probably BS. Who knows.
A blog all about purses. Expensive purses.
Plane crash statistics. It isn't the page, it is the "sabotage" category that freaks me out.
Will Sony pull another betamax?
When you live by the rules of political correctness, you hurt the freedom of speech. Who knew how delicate this freedom was?
Terrorists have great PR. Well, not that great.
A personal tragedy avoided in Israel.
Elle is on her way back home after a weekend with the grandparents. It is a beautiful day outside. At least Elle got out to a park to enjoy it.
Nat and I couldn't make the cook-off yesterday. It was rainy and Nat is just now getting over a bad caught.
2006-02-25
Generations
This sort of thing will always be true.
| ONE
FINE FALL DAY AT THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME A very self-important college freshman at a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his own. "You grew up in a different, actually almost primitive, world," the student said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "We young people today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ...and uh.." Taking advantage of a pause for breath in the student's litany, the "wizened" one said, "You're right, Son. We didn't have those things when we were young, so we invented them you arrogant young pup!! Now what are you doing for the next generation?" From a friend's mail
|
Death penalty in Texas.
I heard somewhere that Texas did not call it "capital murder". I was
wrong.
| In
Texas, the district courts have original jurisdiction for all criminal
felony cases. If an individual is convicted of a capital felony, he or
she may be subject to punishment by death, if the State sought such
punishment. A capital felony is one in which an individual
"intentionally or knowingly causes the death of an individual," under
special circumstances. In particular, the: # murder of a public safety officer, firefighter, or correctional employee; # murder during the commission of specified felonies (kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated rape, arson); # murder for remuneration; multiple murders; # murder during prison escape; murder of a correctional officer; # murder by a state prison inmate who is serving a life sentence for any of five offenses; [or] # murder of an individual under six years of age1. In Texas, a person must be of at least 17 years of age at the time of the crime to have the death penalty imposed upon him or her2. |
2006-02-24
Day
I felt pretty good today. I got over a pretty good hump on my first project. It took much longer than It would have if I were already proficient in the TCL language. I suppose that's normal.
Nat and I are headed to the rodeo cook-off tomorrow. It should be fun. As I type this, we are at my parent's place. Nat and my mom went to the drug store for something. My dad is playing with Elle. I'm, of course, in on the computer tapping away on my blog. There is a seventy percent chance of rain tomorrow. I'm planning on getting wet. I hope nothing bad happens to our car. I've heard bad things about the parking and ride.
I got to go over to DnD night last night. I only stayed for a bit, but it was enough to make me want to do it more. I'm not sure when we plan on playing again. Hopefully soon.
I want to get Nat on EveOnline. I think she would either think it was over complex and ignore it, or she would love it.
My parents have cable. Battlestar Galactica is on. Drat. I'm going to get hooked. ... Uh, oh. This is one of those "thinking" episodes.
I felt pretty good today. I got over a pretty good hump on my first project. It took much longer than It would have if I were already proficient in the TCL language. I suppose that's normal.
Nat and I are headed to the rodeo cook-off tomorrow. It should be fun. As I type this, we are at my parent's place. Nat and my mom went to the drug store for something. My dad is playing with Elle. I'm, of course, in on the computer tapping away on my blog. There is a seventy percent chance of rain tomorrow. I'm planning on getting wet. I hope nothing bad happens to our car. I've heard bad things about the parking and ride.
I got to go over to DnD night last night. I only stayed for a bit, but it was enough to make me want to do it more. I'm not sure when we plan on playing again. Hopefully soon.
I want to get Nat on EveOnline. I think she would either think it was over complex and ignore it, or she would love it.
My parents have cable. Battlestar Galactica is on. Drat. I'm going to get hooked. ... Uh, oh. This is one of those "thinking" episodes.
2006-02-23
Day
Another busy day. I learned that you can not get TCL to make a soft link unless you have the latest version. That is geeky. I must have learned something else. I cannot think. I'm so tired. Nat is worn out too. She went shopping with a friend all day. The friend lives in BFE so Nat and Elle had to pick her up and drive all over hell and gone. I ended up over at Adam's place for DnD night. I didn't play. Nat swung by to pick me up.
My God! that's boring. Why am I so tired after such a boring day?
Another busy day. I learned that you can not get TCL to make a soft link unless you have the latest version. That is geeky. I must have learned something else. I cannot think. I'm so tired. Nat is worn out too. She went shopping with a friend all day. The friend lives in BFE so Nat and Elle had to pick her up and drive all over hell and gone. I ended up over at Adam's place for DnD night. I didn't play. Nat swung by to pick me up.
My God! that's boring. Why am I so tired after such a boring day?
2006-02-22
Joke
A buddy of mine sent me this in an email. Too funny. I am so very sick
of hearing about the accident. I've never been hunting. I know that it
is a dangerous hobby. At least as dangerous as say, playing full
contact football.
| New
Texas Parks and Wildlife Rules Due to the shooting of an Attorney by Vice President Cheney, there needs to be some clarification of the rules and regulations. Here are the new regulations: 1. Any person with a valid State hunting license may harvest attorneys. 2. The taking of attorneys with traps or deadfalls is permitted. The use of currency as bait is prohibited. 3. The killing of attorneys with a vehicle is prohibited. If accidentally struck, remove road kill to roadside, then proceed to nearest car wash. 4. It is unlawful to chase, herd, or harvest attorneys from a helicopter or other aircraft. 5. It shall be unlawful to shout, "whiplash," "ambulance!" or, "Free Perrier!" for the purposes of trapping attorneys. 6. It shall be unlawful to use cocaine, young boys, $100 bills, prostitutes, or vehicle accidents to attract attorneys. 7. It shall be unlawful to hunt attorneys within 200 yards of whorehouses, health spas, ambulances, or hospitals. 8. If an attorney is elected to government office, there will be a $500 bounty on the pelt. 9. Stuffed or mounted attorneys must have a state health department inspection for rabies, vermin and contagious diseases. 10. It shall be illegal for a hunter to disguise himself as a reporter, drug dealer, pimp, female law clerk, sheep, accident victim, bookie, or tax accountant for the purposes of hunting attorneys. Attorney Bag Limits: Yellow-Bellied Sidewinder = 5 Hairless Civil Libertarian = 7 Skinny-Assed Ambulance Chaser = 12 Horse or Cattle Rustler Defender = 20 Silver-Tongued Murderer Defender = 50 Jack-Legged Divorce Litigator = No limit Honest Attorney = Extinct GOOD HUNTING! |
Song
I have the theme song to Sesame Street going through my head. I can't remember the last time I heard that song. Someone please make it stop.
2006-02-21
Religion of Peace
Please, can someone give these
folks their own country to run. ... Pretty please.
| Details
released by the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) on Tuesday revealed that
graphics appearing on the Hamas website call for the destruction of
Israel in a nuclear holocaust. On the website, a red Star of David is encased in a black rectangle which is then obliterated in a nuclear explosion. |
2006-02-20
Time
No time to blog. Life, life all over the place. Good though. Good directions. Fast. Fast and bumpy. Fun. Many times fun.
=]
More blogging soon, promise.
No time to blog. Life, life all over the place. Good though. Good directions. Fast. Fast and bumpy. Fun. Many times fun.
=]
More blogging soon, promise.
2006-02-19
Flash
I finally got Flash working with sound on my Ubuntu box. Bastards can't hold me down for log. People keep sending me links of cool videos on video.google.com. It drove me nuts not having no sound. I finally found some pretty simple instructs that said to install the binary from Macromedia instead of through the automatic installers that so many distros are using these days like yum and synaptic.
I'm glad I got if fixed too because they have some cool videos on Google.
Some of the videos below have strong language. If you look too closely, there may be some nudity too. Watch at your own risk.
4x4 and other vehicle stuff
Most impressive 4x4 rock climbing effort ever.
Frozen mud 4x4.
French excuse for 4x4.
Building a 4x4 (long, but some cool burnouts.)
Tonka-toy mud-boggers.
Real toy 4x4.
Nasty roll-over.
Trials bike making it look easy.
Rally crash.
More Rally crash.
Air
Aquatic plane crash. (I don't think any one got hurt.)
RC chopper Just as dangerous as the real thing.
Chopper crash military. Funny story here. I actually carried this video with me on my thumb drive for a while just to show people. I have no idea if any one got hurt.
Video game chopper action.
Gumball
Gumball 3000 movie.
Back of truck.
"My foot is all the way down."
One person's idea of a best of.
One participant's home video.
Other
potato gun.
I finally got Flash working with sound on my Ubuntu box. Bastards can't hold me down for log. People keep sending me links of cool videos on video.google.com. It drove me nuts not having no sound. I finally found some pretty simple instructs that said to install the binary from Macromedia instead of through the automatic installers that so many distros are using these days like yum and synaptic.
I'm glad I got if fixed too because they have some cool videos on Google.
Some of the videos below have strong language. If you look too closely, there may be some nudity too. Watch at your own risk.
4x4 and other vehicle stuff
Most impressive 4x4 rock climbing effort ever.
Frozen mud 4x4.
French excuse for 4x4.
Building a 4x4 (long, but some cool burnouts.)
Tonka-toy mud-boggers.
Real toy 4x4.
Nasty roll-over.
Trials bike making it look easy.
Rally crash.
More Rally crash.
Air
Aquatic plane crash. (I don't think any one got hurt.)
RC chopper Just as dangerous as the real thing.
Chopper crash military. Funny story here. I actually carried this video with me on my thumb drive for a while just to show people. I have no idea if any one got hurt.
Video game chopper action.
Gumball
Gumball 3000 movie.
Back of truck.
"My foot is all the way down."
One person's idea of a best of.
One participant's home video.
Other
potato gun.
2006-02-18
Fusion
I hate it when the big boy on the block has the best product. GM gets a pass only because they have so much competition these days. It pisses me off when Microsoft comes out with something new and innovative that really works. I feel the same way about Gillette. I've been using their three bladed razors for years. Before that I used some two bladed version. Well now, I've moved right past four blades to the new five bladed Fusion.
I was running low on razors for the three bladed product. Nat let me use her woman version of a similar design. I have to admit, the handle was much easier to hold and maneuver around my head. I've tried some disposable razors lately, but they always seem to cut me and leave more razor burn behind. Well the Fusion has one of those nice grips and the little extra blade that faces backwards at the top really works to get under my nose hand bits around my ear that always confound me when I shave.
There is nothing line a smooth shaved head. Something about a fresh shave makes me feel clean. The old three bladed razor never really cut me except when it was my fault. That is, until the last cartridge. I probably put a hundred threw the ringer without a mishap. Thursday, I cut a mole and it bled all day. It is ironic that I already had the new razor sitting next to it on the sink.
Darn it! The biggest most expensive company in the name of shaving has come out with a superior product again. I hate that. Will someone please out perform these dopes and let me know about it.
Thanks Nat for finding new razor. I needed it.
I hate it when the big boy on the block has the best product. GM gets a pass only because they have so much competition these days. It pisses me off when Microsoft comes out with something new and innovative that really works. I feel the same way about Gillette. I've been using their three bladed razors for years. Before that I used some two bladed version. Well now, I've moved right past four blades to the new five bladed Fusion.
I was running low on razors for the three bladed product. Nat let me use her woman version of a similar design. I have to admit, the handle was much easier to hold and maneuver around my head. I've tried some disposable razors lately, but they always seem to cut me and leave more razor burn behind. Well the Fusion has one of those nice grips and the little extra blade that faces backwards at the top really works to get under my nose hand bits around my ear that always confound me when I shave.
There is nothing line a smooth shaved head. Something about a fresh shave makes me feel clean. The old three bladed razor never really cut me except when it was my fault. That is, until the last cartridge. I probably put a hundred threw the ringer without a mishap. Thursday, I cut a mole and it bled all day. It is ironic that I already had the new razor sitting next to it on the sink.
Darn it! The biggest most expensive company in the name of shaving has come out with a superior product again. I hate that. Will someone please out perform these dopes and let me know about it.
Thanks Nat for finding new razor. I needed it.
Day
I woke up today with a stiff back. Actually, I tossed and turned all night with it. It happens every time I change my seating in front of the computer. With the new job comes some new posture. We use dual screens and of course, I have to stretch a bit to get to the right hand screen because I sit so close to the monitors. I'm surprised it took this long for the back ache to show up. I need to raise my monitors up a bit at work. I may have to find some old C++ books like I use at home. If I had the money I would get another set of small metal shelves like I used to use at the house. Those are $50 or so. It might be a while. There is a gentleman who makes risers at work who might be bribed into making one for me. I'm sure I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Nat and I are off to a movie in a bit. It is a who-done-it about a kidnapped child. I'm looking forward to the BLT and a glass of beer.
Nat and I had a nice talk earlier. We covered some of those topics only people who have been in a relationship for sometime cover. It was good to get things out. That kind of thing should happen more often.
I woke up today with a stiff back. Actually, I tossed and turned all night with it. It happens every time I change my seating in front of the computer. With the new job comes some new posture. We use dual screens and of course, I have to stretch a bit to get to the right hand screen because I sit so close to the monitors. I'm surprised it took this long for the back ache to show up. I need to raise my monitors up a bit at work. I may have to find some old C++ books like I use at home. If I had the money I would get another set of small metal shelves like I used to use at the house. Those are $50 or so. It might be a while. There is a gentleman who makes risers at work who might be bribed into making one for me. I'm sure I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Nat and I are off to a movie in a bit. It is a who-done-it about a kidnapped child. I'm looking forward to the BLT and a glass of beer.
Nat and I had a nice talk earlier. We covered some of those topics only people who have been in a relationship for sometime cover. It was good to get things out. That kind of thing should happen more often.
2006-02-16
Give 'em Hell France
Is France waking up and dropping a set? Could it be true? I think they
just cant avoid the blazingly obvious truth that the leadership in Iran
is hell bent on destroying an entire race/religion/country no matter
what the cost.
| Iran's
nuclear activity is a cover for a clandestine weapons program, French
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has said in France's most direct
attack on Tehran in the escalating international dispute. Iran's chief nuclear negotiator immediately dismissed the charge, insisting that Iran did not "want to have the bomb." CNN
|
2006-02-15
Which SciFi Crew am I?
I have no idea how accurate this is. I do not picture myself as a
member of this crew. I thought Star Trek or something. Well, I'm not
that great with so many rules. I remember an episode where a boring guy
had a boring job doing boring work, and he loved it. He hated it when
he had to take on an adventure. He wanted his dark corner and his well
known toil.
I like windows. I like trees. If I could work in a tree house, I probably would. Well, except for all the smelly thieving Jawas.
|
I like windows. I like trees. If I could work in a tree house, I probably would. Well, except for all the smelly thieving Jawas.
2006-02-14
Rampage
Rampage: The Hillside
Strangler Murders
Lots of sweeping shots of blinking signs. The director must have bought one of those booms that let you free-rotate the camera. The same shot is repeated fifty times through the movie. They make up for a really crappy story about some dead chicks by having lots and I mean LOTS of great sex scenes and some well done nude shots. It was difficult to catch an interesting shot that didn't have six pares of boobs.
I find myself in a quandary. I'll have to watch a couple more times to really come up with a rating.
 |
Lots of sweeping shots of blinking signs. The director must have bought one of those booms that let you free-rotate the camera. The same shot is repeated fifty times through the movie. They make up for a really crappy story about some dead chicks by having lots and I mean LOTS of great sex scenes and some well done nude shots. It was difficult to catch an interesting shot that didn't have six pares of boobs.
I find myself in a quandary. I'll have to watch a couple more times to really come up with a rating.
Day
It is Valentine's day. Nat, Elle and I went to Outback for dinner. It was fun. I almost ran over to Target to get something at lunch, but the budget just wouldn't allow. I'll have to make it up to her.
It was a pretty good day at work today. I got my machine fixed. X could not connect to my desktop via the servers. We have some Java apps that require this. I made changes to an existing script and make file. Things worked. I couldn't believe it. I feel all accomplished. Tomorrow I put it through some better tests. Then, it is off to the repository. I can't wait.
Joke
An oldy, but a goody.
It is Valentine's day. Nat, Elle and I went to Outback for dinner. It was fun. I almost ran over to Target to get something at lunch, but the budget just wouldn't allow. I'll have to make it up to her.
It was a pretty good day at work today. I got my machine fixed. X could not connect to my desktop via the servers. We have some Java apps that require this. I made changes to an existing script and make file. Things worked. I couldn't believe it. I feel all accomplished. Tomorrow I put it through some better tests. Then, it is off to the repository. I can't wait.
Joke
| An
old cowboy went to a bar and ordered a drink. As he sat sipping his
whiskey, a young lady sat down next to him. She turned to the cowboy
and asked, " Are you a real cowboy?" He replied, " Well, I've spent my whole life on the ranch, herding horses, mending fences, and branding cattle, so I guess I am." She said, " I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women; when I shower, watch TV, eat, whatever, everything seems to make me think of women." The two sat sipping in silence. A little while later, a man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, " Are you a real cowboy?" The old cowboy replied, " I always thought I was, but I just found out I'm a lesbian." |
2006-02-12
Some Movies
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
This is the best shot in the whole movie. I have
to say, I was entertained.
Amityville Horror.
In a word. "eh" Not even that scary. Not much of a twist. It just
didn't grab me.
Munich. Spielberg
may not know his subject very well, but he knows how
to frame a shot.
The Ware Rabbit.
Worth a watch. A good show. It does not pretend to be anything it is
not. They lost a bunch of the props in a fire after opening day.
 |
 |
 |
 |
DynDNS
I use a service for my IP tracking. Di I need to explain what a dynamic IP is? I use DynDNS.org. It is free for the amateur user and seems to work pretty well. The thing is, you need to run a service on one of your servers that stays on all the time to keep telling DynDNS.org what your IP is if it has changed. I had a crappy one for windows for a while, then I found a nice one thanks to the guys at T-Pro. I found a little command line program called INADYN. The main thing I like about it is it compiled on the first try. It looks like it will work off the showroom floor. Yay me. This allows me to replace my one Windows server with a Linux box. I will use Fedora Core 4 because it is basically what we use at work. I may have to dump Ubuntu for it on my main machine.
I use a service for my IP tracking. Di I need to explain what a dynamic IP is? I use DynDNS.org. It is free for the amateur user and seems to work pretty well. The thing is, you need to run a service on one of your servers that stays on all the time to keep telling DynDNS.org what your IP is if it has changed. I had a crappy one for windows for a while, then I found a nice one thanks to the guys at T-Pro. I found a little command line program called INADYN. The main thing I like about it is it compiled on the first try. It looks like it will work off the showroom floor. Yay me. This allows me to replace my one Windows server with a Linux box. I will use Fedora Core 4 because it is basically what we use at work. I may have to dump Ubuntu for it on my main machine.
Random is as Random does
* I founds some good information on RPM. Now all I have to do is read it.
* I still cannot get Java to work on my home machine properly. I've reinstalled it and messed with it. Nothing. It is highly frustrating.
* I haven't read many blogs in the last week. It turns out I have not missed much. It seems like the only thing that has changed is the weather. Oh, and one friend lost her dad. That sucks. Mostly they are ranting about the Iran nuclear problem or the cartoon controversy and how envoys are being recalled.
* Elle is on her way back from my parent's place. Nat is still under the weather. I'm looking forward to the company.
* The sun is shining and the air is bitter cold. It is kind of nice, if you have the cloths for it.
* There is nothing on TV. Not that I want to watch it anyway. I'm still glad I do not have cable or satellite.
* I have the entire first season of the new Doctor Who and it will not fit on one DVD. It wants to go one file over. That kind of pisses me off.
* The cat puked on the carpet. ... again. Something is wrong with that cat. I've given up on trying to get him to shit inside the box. I just put a pad out front so I can throw it outside. (yuck)
* I woke up today at 8:00. It seems like that is a good time to get up. I normally get up at around 6:30 now to get to work. Before, when I got up at 4:40 every day I would sleep in on the weekends until noon. I have the funniest feeling that is going to change.
* I just dropped the tab to my coke in the can. Nat wants to save those things for some reason. This just might be my last post.
* I founds some good information on RPM. Now all I have to do is read it.
* I still cannot get Java to work on my home machine properly. I've reinstalled it and messed with it. Nothing. It is highly frustrating.
* I haven't read many blogs in the last week. It turns out I have not missed much. It seems like the only thing that has changed is the weather. Oh, and one friend lost her dad. That sucks. Mostly they are ranting about the Iran nuclear problem or the cartoon controversy and how envoys are being recalled.
* Elle is on her way back from my parent's place. Nat is still under the weather. I'm looking forward to the company.
* The sun is shining and the air is bitter cold. It is kind of nice, if you have the cloths for it.
* There is nothing on TV. Not that I want to watch it anyway. I'm still glad I do not have cable or satellite.
* I have the entire first season of the new Doctor Who and it will not fit on one DVD. It wants to go one file over. That kind of pisses me off.
* The cat puked on the carpet. ... again. Something is wrong with that cat. I've given up on trying to get him to shit inside the box. I just put a pad out front so I can throw it outside. (yuck)
* I woke up today at 8:00. It seems like that is a good time to get up. I normally get up at around 6:30 now to get to work. Before, when I got up at 4:40 every day I would sleep in on the weekends until noon. I have the funniest feeling that is going to change.
* I just dropped the tab to my coke in the can. Nat wants to save those things for some reason. This just might be my last post.
2006-02-11
Good Job
Worth a quick visit just for the graphics.
| I've
learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.. . . . I've learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things. |
Week 1
No post yesterday. I was too busy. I had to work until 6:00 like normal. We took Elle over to my parent's place in Missouri City. We ended up staying there for a while. Nat was proud that she was in fact able to turn the car around in the top part of my parent's driveway. She has wanted to do that for a while.
Nat is not feeling well. She has had a cold ever since her brother came over before last weekend to check his email. He was laughing all over her keyboard and mouse. Now she has been down for a week. She still has the cough, but I can tell she is feeling a little better because she yells at me more now. Before she was just sleeping all the time. (I'm going to get it for that one.)
There are a couple of things I need to get done for work. I need to figure out how to get Java to work on my work machine. I need to get a better mouse pointer on my home machine. I need to learn all about RPM. All I want to do is relax and surf the net for a while. It makes me sick. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm also recovering from a job at actually challenges me. It is going to take a wile to get used to that. It feels like a sore muscle that needs to be exercised. It is awesome.
Yes, I'm sitting here writing in my blog.
No post yesterday. I was too busy. I had to work until 6:00 like normal. We took Elle over to my parent's place in Missouri City. We ended up staying there for a while. Nat was proud that she was in fact able to turn the car around in the top part of my parent's driveway. She has wanted to do that for a while.
Nat is not feeling well. She has had a cold ever since her brother came over before last weekend to check his email. He was laughing all over her keyboard and mouse. Now she has been down for a week. She still has the cough, but I can tell she is feeling a little better because she yells at me more now. Before she was just sleeping all the time. (I'm going to get it for that one.)
There are a couple of things I need to get done for work. I need to figure out how to get Java to work on my work machine. I need to get a better mouse pointer on my home machine. I need to learn all about RPM. All I want to do is relax and surf the net for a while. It makes me sick. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm also recovering from a job at actually challenges me. It is going to take a wile to get used to that. It feels like a sore muscle that needs to be exercised. It is awesome.
Yes, I'm sitting here writing in my blog.
2006-02-09
Day 4
Much better. I'm on the hump I think. Tomorrow is Friday. I cannot wait. I'm looking forward to my first weekend in a long time. I really want the time off to rest. It's been a long time since I needed the rest. My old job was not challenging enough for me. I was not in a place where I learned enough. I'm glad on so many levels that I'm making the leap. I hope I can keep up with these brilliant people.
Much better. I'm on the hump I think. Tomorrow is Friday. I cannot wait. I'm looking forward to my first weekend in a long time. I really want the time off to rest. It's been a long time since I needed the rest. My old job was not challenging enough for me. I was not in a place where I learned enough. I'm glad on so many levels that I'm making the leap. I hope I can keep up with these brilliant people.
2006-02-08
Day 3
Day 3 was an improvement. I learned without feeling completely useless and a drag on every one around me. I actually got something to compile and run from code in Linux. I made a modification to the code with a great deal of help from others I then got it back in the repository. This might work out after all.
So, what am I doing at the new job you ask. I could tell you, but then I would have to track you all down and make you sign a non-disclosure agreement. I write programs that test data. It is terrificly boring unless you are an uber geek like me.
Today is my 37th birthday. I got calls from old friends. Nat, my mom and Josh rememberd my birthday. A couple others had to be prodded. I called some of the folks from the old job just to keep in touch. I really need to get that email together with my contact info and an update on how things are going. I may post some of the responses. Maybe not.
I like the new digs. I like the window office even though we keep the blinds closed. I like the people. They are all smart and driven. They are mostly geeks too. That helps I think.
Nat, Elle and I went to Chilli's to celebrate my birthday. Elle ended up with a corn on the cob. They put one stick in the cob and expect people to be able to eat it. I wish I had a video of Elle wrestling with that thing for ten minutes before I took pity on her and stuck the stick out of my cob in the other end of her corn. She gobbled it up like a typewriter after that.
Well, it is off to fill out insurance and 401K paperwork.
Day 3 was an improvement. I learned without feeling completely useless and a drag on every one around me. I actually got something to compile and run from code in Linux. I made a modification to the code with a great deal of help from others I then got it back in the repository. This might work out after all.
So, what am I doing at the new job you ask. I could tell you, but then I would have to track you all down and make you sign a non-disclosure agreement. I write programs that test data. It is terrificly boring unless you are an uber geek like me.
Today is my 37th birthday. I got calls from old friends. Nat, my mom and Josh rememberd my birthday. A couple others had to be prodded. I called some of the folks from the old job just to keep in touch. I really need to get that email together with my contact info and an update on how things are going. I may post some of the responses. Maybe not.
I like the new digs. I like the window office even though we keep the blinds closed. I like the people. They are all smart and driven. They are mostly geeks too. That helps I think.
Nat, Elle and I went to Chilli's to celebrate my birthday. Elle ended up with a corn on the cob. They put one stick in the cob and expect people to be able to eat it. I wish I had a video of Elle wrestling with that thing for ten minutes before I took pity on her and stuck the stick out of my cob in the other end of her corn. She gobbled it up like a typewriter after that.
Well, it is off to fill out insurance and 401K paperwork.
2006-02-07
Day 2
Oh my God. Today was a nightmare. I couldn't get the test program to "make". It turned out to be a real problem, but how the hell was I supposed to know that? I never did get the software to work. I kept finding problems and not recognizing them as problems. Half the time I was hitting my learning curve and the other half of the time something really was broken. Try to learn in that environment.
I took the buss home. It takes 50 minutes to make the ten minute drive home. That is about right. The bus goes right by the office, so no long walk.
Pizza showed up. got to go.
Oh my God. Today was a nightmare. I couldn't get the test program to "make". It turned out to be a real problem, but how the hell was I supposed to know that? I never did get the software to work. I kept finding problems and not recognizing them as problems. Half the time I was hitting my learning curve and the other half of the time something really was broken. Try to learn in that environment.
I took the buss home. It takes 50 minutes to make the ten minute drive home. That is about right. The bus goes right by the office, so no long walk.
Pizza showed up. got to go.
2006-02-06
First Day
Just in case you hadn't heard, I changed jobs. This was my first day at the new employer. I ran through some introductions and some quick training. I got my computer about an hour before I walked out of the place. Before that, I red some instruction manuals. It took a a while to get the duel monitors to work properly. Now, all I need is a login and password on the network. It all comes together tomorrow.
I'm off to do some homework.
Just in case you hadn't heard, I changed jobs. This was my first day at the new employer. I ran through some introductions and some quick training. I got my computer about an hour before I walked out of the place. Before that, I red some instruction manuals. It took a a while to get the duel monitors to work properly. Now, all I need is a login and password on the network. It all comes together tomorrow.
I'm off to do some homework.
2006-02-05
Gumball 3000
Movies Clunky and a bit choppy, but worth it.
Official Site God-offal Flash requirements.
Most guys who watch this want to jump right in. I have to say, it looks like a great deal of fun. I remember stories about these kinds of races usually relating to the movies that came out in the eighties. I have no idea how much of this is true, but I know they want to go through China in 2006. That should be interesting.
I'm not a competitive sole. I prefer DnD, cooperative computer games and the like. Perhaps the Gumball thing is not my bag. Oh, well, isn't there a football game on today?
Movies Clunky and a bit choppy, but worth it.
Official Site God-offal Flash requirements.
Most guys who watch this want to jump right in. I have to say, it looks like a great deal of fun. I remember stories about these kinds of races usually relating to the movies that came out in the eighties. I have no idea how much of this is true, but I know they want to go through China in 2006. That should be interesting.
I'm not a competitive sole. I prefer DnD, cooperative computer games and the like. Perhaps the Gumball thing is not my bag. Oh, well, isn't there a football game on today?
Technorati
How do you find anything on Technorati? I put in all kinds of searches that should have brought back specific things and none of it worked. I tried the same searches on Google and they came back more like I expected.
The truth is that it really seems that blogs have high rankings. I'm not sure where to go with this information. I'm getting hits from Technorati. I've gotten a couple of comments from people who came to my site from Technorati. Oh, well. Live, learn, you know the story. The story that goes nowhere. This is one of those.
How do you find anything on Technorati? I put in all kinds of searches that should have brought back specific things and none of it worked. I tried the same searches on Google and they came back more like I expected.
The truth is that it really seems that blogs have high rankings. I'm not sure where to go with this information. I'm getting hits from Technorati. I've gotten a couple of comments from people who came to my site from Technorati. Oh, well. Live, learn, you know the story. The story that goes nowhere. This is one of those.
Evening
I'm doing laundry. I'm hungry. It's late. Nat is asleep. Nat will go to a Super Bowl party tomorrow. I don't feel comfortable going so I'll stay home with Elle.
Today we went to Nat's mom's to pick up a painting. It's funny how that took the whole day.
I should be studying for the new job, but I cannot concentrate. I've been a a horrible mood all day. I really hope it is the stress of changing jobs. I'm in a knot.
Say a prayer for me, or wish me luck if you like.
I'm doing laundry. I'm hungry. It's late. Nat is asleep. Nat will go to a Super Bowl party tomorrow. I don't feel comfortable going so I'll stay home with Elle.
Today we went to Nat's mom's to pick up a painting. It's funny how that took the whole day.
I should be studying for the new job, but I cannot concentrate. I've been a a horrible mood all day. I really hope it is the stress of changing jobs. I'm in a knot.
Say a prayer for me, or wish me luck if you like.
2006-02-04
Bambi II
Bambi II
What can I say. This has got to be the cutest movie I've seen in a while. It pulls off cute too. The story basically covers the time between Bambi's mother's death and the time he is a full grown buck. Did I mention it was cute?
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What can I say. This has got to be the cutest movie I've seen in a while. It pulls off cute too. The story basically covers the time between Bambi's mother's death and the time he is a full grown buck. Did I mention it was cute?
2006-02-03
DnD in movie form
Hollywood cannot make a good DnD movie. The best adaptation of the medium was the DnD cartoon from the eighties. Now, they have come put with Dungeons and Dragons Wrath of the Dragon God. This movie is no different.
The above snap shot pictures the group minus the cleric that
appropriately died prematurely and could not heal any one the rest of
the game, I mean movie. He was pulling a "look, I can fight too" that
clerics are quite famous for and was gobbled up by the dragon.
The guy on the left is some kind of paladin and the leader of the group. Next over is a Amazon like barbarian. Next is the rogue. The far right is the mage. The stone in the foreground is the remains of the over zealous cleric.
It appears to be a black dragon, but in Hollywood, all dragons breath
fire. At least this one could talk, and scheme.
The fights were not all that great.
The movie was pretty bad. It seemed like the director didn't know how to frame a shot. The story felt more like a half hour show stretched into ninety minutes. The dungeon was very well lit and dry. The weather was always perfect. They did have a battle in a hallway while the rogue picked a lock to effect their escape. I don't like the fact that my favorite character was the litch.
My overall opinion,"eh". There have been several of these lately.
Hollywood cannot make a good DnD movie. The best adaptation of the medium was the DnD cartoon from the eighties. Now, they have come put with Dungeons and Dragons Wrath of the Dragon God. This movie is no different.
 |
The guy on the left is some kind of paladin and the leader of the group. Next over is a Amazon like barbarian. Next is the rogue. The far right is the mage. The stone in the foreground is the remains of the over zealous cleric.
 |
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The movie was pretty bad. It seemed like the director didn't know how to frame a shot. The story felt more like a half hour show stretched into ninety minutes. The dungeon was very well lit and dry. The weather was always perfect. They did have a battle in a hallway while the rogue picked a lock to effect their escape. I don't like the fact that my favorite character was the litch.
My overall opinion,"eh". There have been several of these lately.
The Hustle
They don't make them like
this any more. Great story. Great direction. Great acting. And,
scenes like the one above. Where people stand and which way they face
is called blocking. This has got to be the best blocked scene I've
noticed in a long time. They get full use of the wide screen. Every guy
on the screen (they are all men) has a story. Even the ones that never
had a line.
A classic.
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A classic.
Morning
It was a strange last day of work. I've been at that company for nine years. I walked in this morning and did my time sheet. Then, I restaged my computer (formated the hard drive and took it back to the day it came in) and gave it to the next person who needs it. Then I left. I walked out at a smidgen after 8:00. It was cool and clear outside. The birds were chirping. The air smelled clean. The people on the bus seemed tired and dreary. I hate how the folks on the bus seem so defeated. I feel good. I have something I have not had in a while when it comes to career and work. I have hope. I was alone for a long time. Then I met Nat and Elle. I worked at the old company for nine years. They were great to me. The company had some bad ideas, but the people made up for it. I really think I stayed this long for the people.
I've threatened to stay in touch with folks at my old job. "old Job" That sounds funny. It feels like an old job. I am so ready to move on. I hope to stay in touch with most folks over there. I'll send out an email probably tomorrow or something. Meanwhile, we are off to get the oil changed in the car and deliver a birthday card to my mom. It is Nat's mom's turn next Friday. That's kind of funny really.
For the moment, I'm officially unemployed. It's a happy unemployed though.
It was a strange last day of work. I've been at that company for nine years. I walked in this morning and did my time sheet. Then, I restaged my computer (formated the hard drive and took it back to the day it came in) and gave it to the next person who needs it. Then I left. I walked out at a smidgen after 8:00. It was cool and clear outside. The birds were chirping. The air smelled clean. The people on the bus seemed tired and dreary. I hate how the folks on the bus seem so defeated. I feel good. I have something I have not had in a while when it comes to career and work. I have hope. I was alone for a long time. Then I met Nat and Elle. I worked at the old company for nine years. They were great to me. The company had some bad ideas, but the people made up for it. I really think I stayed this long for the people.
I've threatened to stay in touch with folks at my old job. "old Job" That sounds funny. It feels like an old job. I am so ready to move on. I hope to stay in touch with most folks over there. I'll send out an email probably tomorrow or something. Meanwhile, we are off to get the oil changed in the car and deliver a birthday card to my mom. It is Nat's mom's turn next Friday. That's kind of funny really.
For the moment, I'm officially unemployed. It's a happy unemployed though.
2006-02-02
Update
below
Cartoons and WW III
Have you heard about cartoon-gate? What happened is a Danish news paper published some satirical and yes, offensive, cartoons of Mohamed, the Profit of Islam. Now, it is really bad news to say anything about Mohamed that isn't along the "hell of a profit" line. Muslims get quite cross, freedom of speech be damned. It sounds like we have hit an impasse that the jihadis and western culture will not let pass.
Points
There has been a great deal to-do about a paper that published the drawings in Denmark. Then, a French paper showed support by publishing them as well. I have not heard about any U. S. papers following suit. I have found far too many blogs publishing the cartoons.
I hate to say it, but I'm going to laugh if WW III starts over cartoons in a Danish paper. Then I will, of course, weep over the loss of peace and all the killing and such. But, before that, I will give my best throw-head-back-roaring-belly-laugh!
Links
Update
Michelle Malkin has a good post.
Cartoons and WW III
Have you heard about cartoon-gate? What happened is a Danish news paper published some satirical and yes, offensive, cartoons of Mohamed, the Profit of Islam. Now, it is really bad news to say anything about Mohamed that isn't along the "hell of a profit" line. Muslims get quite cross, freedom of speech be damned. It sounds like we have hit an impasse that the jihadis and western culture will not let pass.
Points
Please correct me if I'm wrong on any
of the following points.
* Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of western civilization. Without it we all live in East Moscow circa 1959.
* Killing any who speaks out against, or even saying anything bad about Mohamed is a fundamental principle of Islam. Without it, they are Mormons.
* There have already been death threats and bomb threats over this matter. (see links below)
Commentary* Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of western civilization. Without it we all live in East Moscow circa 1959.
* Killing any who speaks out against, or even saying anything bad about Mohamed is a fundamental principle of Islam. Without it, they are Mormons.
* There have already been death threats and bomb threats over this matter. (see links below)
There has been a great deal to-do about a paper that published the drawings in Denmark. Then, a French paper showed support by publishing them as well. I have not heard about any U. S. papers following suit. I have found far too many blogs publishing the cartoons.
I hate to say it, but I'm going to laugh if WW III starts over cartoons in a Danish paper. Then I will, of course, weep over the loss of peace and all the killing and such. But, before that, I will give my best throw-head-back-roaring-belly-laugh!
Links
| Great commentary | : |
Red Hot Cupa Politics |
| Good links | : |
Exit Zero |
| The cartoons | : |
Wikipedia |
Update
Michelle Malkin has a good post.
2006-02-01
Day
Next
We had a conversation at lunch today about replacing computers. I mouthed off that the next big thing will be an iPod that you plug straight into a DVR. You can then take your TV shows with you. This is the next obvious step in my book. I've heard of attempts at this over seas. I'm convinced it is only the rights to the shows and people in power wanting too much money that queer the deal.
Cinelerra
A commenter left a great link to a Beginner's guide to Cinelerra. That is the video editing software that I finally got to install the other day. How cool is that? I have not really accomplished anything yet. I'm glad to be able to capture the video in the first place. I bet I can get those wedding videos to work. Now, I just need to find them.
DnD
It looks like DnD may start back up soon. Ethan, with a bit of help from his lovely wife, had a baby. I've been chomping at the bit. I've missed hanging out with my friends.
Job
Today was a busy day. I trained some people to do what I did. I found out that an old application that I wrote for Microsoft Access 97 just works for Access 2002. I thought for sure some conversion would be required. I feel a bit proud of myself. I wrote that code in 2001 or so. I tried to at least use the correct database calls. It was ADO. I didn't expect it to work without any modifications.
Next
We had a conversation at lunch today about replacing computers. I mouthed off that the next big thing will be an iPod that you plug straight into a DVR. You can then take your TV shows with you. This is the next obvious step in my book. I've heard of attempts at this over seas. I'm convinced it is only the rights to the shows and people in power wanting too much money that queer the deal.
Cinelerra
A commenter left a great link to a Beginner's guide to Cinelerra. That is the video editing software that I finally got to install the other day. How cool is that? I have not really accomplished anything yet. I'm glad to be able to capture the video in the first place. I bet I can get those wedding videos to work. Now, I just need to find them.
DnD
It looks like DnD may start back up soon. Ethan, with a bit of help from his lovely wife, had a baby. I've been chomping at the bit. I've missed hanging out with my friends.
Job
Today was a busy day. I trained some people to do what I did. I found out that an old application that I wrote for Microsoft Access 97 just works for Access 2002. I thought for sure some conversion would be required. I feel a bit proud of myself. I wrote that code in 2001 or so. I tried to at least use the correct database calls. It was ADO. I didn't expect it to work without any modifications.
2006-01-31
Virus Cause to Obesity
Think for a moment that it is proven that a virus contributes to
obesity. Extend that this virus is not killed by the heat of a normal
dish washing level. Can you imagine telling the U. S. public that
eating at a nice restaurant that has reusable silverware is more likely
to make them fat than eating at a fast food place that uses disposable
dishes?
This whole thing goes to prove something I've been saying for years. Don't trust scientists. I say don't put any more weight in a scientist's opinion than you would the clergy. Listen to your grandmother. Listen to the village elder. Listen to your inner voice.
I acknowledge that it seems like we, as a western society, have benefited greatly from science. I say it is all just a bunch of stuff that happened. Is it a benefit? is it a curse? We have medicine. Well, we have over population. We have great communication. We have conflict. We have longer lives. Is that a good thing? We have law enforcement and other government benefits. We have Taxes. it is all give and take.
Oh, and dark matter is still a load of crap. I said before the scientists just didn't have the numbers right. I was right.
| The
article points out that the “virus causes obesity” connection is highly
speculative. The H. pylori and ulcer connection is an excellent example. Initially the research was dismissed because of “the everyone knows” syndrome, ie, everyone know stress causes ulcers. Eleven years ago an internist friend of mine gave me a copy of a medical journal article examining possible connections between heart disease and bacteria. He told me he personally suspected bacteria play a role in “plaque” build-up in arteries. The idea was controversial and flew in the face of “current medical thinking.” Suspicion isn’t science, but when suspicion turns to “hunch” and hunch leads to research, and honest research indicates what “everyone knows” might be wrong– well, you get the point. Diseases and conditions once believed to be either behaviorally-based (ulcers) or caused by “old age, bad luck, and bad diet” (artery plaque) may have other causes or be accelerated by micro-organisms. |
This whole thing goes to prove something I've been saying for years. Don't trust scientists. I say don't put any more weight in a scientist's opinion than you would the clergy. Listen to your grandmother. Listen to the village elder. Listen to your inner voice.
I acknowledge that it seems like we, as a western society, have benefited greatly from science. I say it is all just a bunch of stuff that happened. Is it a benefit? is it a curse? We have medicine. Well, we have over population. We have great communication. We have conflict. We have longer lives. Is that a good thing? We have law enforcement and other government benefits. We have Taxes. it is all give and take.
Oh, and dark matter is still a load of crap. I said before the scientists just didn't have the numbers right. I was right.
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