Life Admin

Easy T1 Solution

2009-04-06T15:12:00.003-04:00

So my company has a 1.5/1.5 T1 connection, great for work, terrible for video conferencing.
Luckily, we also have a high speed cable connection for backup when the T1 fails
...and now we have a solution to our video conferencing.
http://www.barracudanetworks.com/ns/products/link_models.php

100th post - Something Special - Initial Book Preview

2008-12-29T23:13:00.001-05:00

"This is it, this is what I was meant to do," he thought, his teal eyes glimmering through the kevlar pads gripping him tightly. Quickly, like a domesticated species finally grasping it's original self preservation instinct, those eyes of his locked completely on the holstered 9mm sidearm in the NYPD's sweatstained shoulder holster.

...He had decided it was over for him, for the himself, that he used to be.

PB & J (Note I personally was upset that this receipe calls for grape instead of strawberry)

2008-12-14T07:59:00.003-05:00

NOT MINE BUT AMUSING NONETHELESS

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

First, you must spread a thick layer of peanut butter onto the white part of a slice of bread. You can only spread the peanut butter on the white part, and the white part only. You may only spread peanut butter on one side. Spreading peanut butter on both sides will provide an inferior sandwich. Next, you must spread a thick layer of jelly onto the white part of a slice of bread. You can only spread the jelly on the white part, and the white part only. You may only spread jelly on one side. Spreading jelly on both sides will provide an inferior sandwich. You cannot spread jelly onto the same slice of bread onto which you have spread peanut butter. Also, you cannot spread peanut butter or jelly onto more than one slice of bread, as this will provide an undesired excess of either ingredient. Additionally, only peanut butter and jelly can be spread onto these slices of bread; no other ingredient will suffice, and no substitute can be used in a sandwich that is to be legitimately recognized as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Likewise, only bread may be the substance upon which the peanut butter and jelly are spread, as anything else does not fit the standards of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich; if the peanut butter and jelly are spread onto a culinary medium that isn’t bread, the meal at hand simply is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Once you have accomplished spreading a thin layer of peanut butter onto the white of one side of one slice of bread, and likewise has been accomplished using grape jelly on a separate slice of bread, you must match the slices of bread up to each other, forming a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In this scenario, the peanut butter-covered face of bread must be facing the jelly-covered face of the second slice of bread so that the peanut butter surface touched the surface of the jelly. The surface of the peanut butter is not allowed to touch a jelly-less substance of bread, resulting in the jelly facing outwards, and likewise applies to the jelly. If a substance is found facing on the outside of the sandwich, the product will not be accepted as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The side with peanut butter and the side with jelly on it must match up and stick together to form one solid sandwich. When the eater picks up the sandwich, he or she must hold both pieces of bread at the same time, or else one slice will fall off, and eating only one slice of bread will not be recognized as the same or even similar to eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Next, you must take a bite of the sandwich. This action will consist of moving the sandwich within such a close proximity of your face that a small “bite” of the sandwich will enter your mouth for you to mash up with your teeth. This bite must be a bite that includes both slices of bread, peanut butter and jelly. Make sure that all obstructions are clear from the mouth and esophagus, not including peanut butter, jelly or bread or any combination of said ingredients. If you have followed all previous steps, this goal will be easily accomplished. Not doing so will create an incorrect and inferior dining experience and thus will not be a peanut and butter sandwich that is being eaten. However, if one successfully gets both peanut butter and jelly in one bite that fits in the mouth and does not result in choking, the dining experience is thus far acceptable. For your complete experience with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to be considered complete and unobjectable, you must perform the previously mentioned series of taking bites of the sandwich, chewing them, and swallowing them repeatedly until the entire sandwich has been removed visible existence. These circumstances may only be reached by eating the entire sandwich, and no parts of the sandwich may be thrown away or given to somebody else. This is your sandwich, and your responsibility. For the Dining experience to be completed, the sandwich must be completely digested. In the context of completing the process of consuming a legitimate peanut butter and jelly sandwich, there are no extenuating circumstances. Actions such as vomiting, surgical removal of the sandwich from the body, or placement of the sandwich inside the lungs opposed to the esophagus will not be taken into account, as they do not result in the complete digestion of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Maybe self-improvement isn't the answer.... Maybe self-destruction is the answer. ~Chuck Palahniuk

2008-12-04T03:18:00.001-05:00

Two of my best friends, up for Mike's B-day

New TV day for all!

The Grandfather, aka The Big Cheese

I just don't want to die without a few scars. ~Chuck Palahniuk

2008-12-03T03:14:00.003-05:00

Drivin' around in mah automobile

Work work work, all day long

Delicious cake is delicious

Facebook

2008-11-24T01:49:00.001-05:00

2008-11-02T01:40:00.005-04:00

2008-09-21T22:14:00.001-04:00

2008-09-21T22:11:00.000-04:00

2008-09-21T22:04:00.000-04:00

hometown

2008-09-05T13:26:00.000-04:00

laid back sunday

2008-09-05T13:23:00.000-04:00

2008-09-05T13:22:00.000-04:00

at hamden with Brietrick's Mustang

2008-09-05T13:16:00.000-04:00

2008-09-05T13:11:00.000-04:00

2008-09-03T21:37:00.001-04:00

Shortly after that I discovered that my planet
had originally been built for a bunch of mice.
You can imagine how I felt about that. I was
then shot at for a while and blown up. In fact
I have been blown up ridiculously often, shot at,
insulted, regularly disintegrated, deprived of
tea, and recently I crashed into a swamp and had
to spend five years in a damp cave.

What did you do this weekend?

2008-08-17T10:11:00.001-04:00

I went to the ER because I couldn't keep fluids down for more than 48 hours
Here are some pictures of America's Modern Emergency Room, exciting!

Spacious Room w/cable TV, thats the lil remote with the speaker in it

Those are my vital signs, green is heart rate, blue is oxygen stats, yellow is lung... something

My first intravenous fluid connection, ever!

2008-08-11T13:07:00.000-04:00

Peon #1: Oh my god, who wrote "Happy birthday!" in the "Loss of your father" sympathy card?
Peon #2: Clearly it was Lance. Who else is that stupid?
Lance: What did I do? Oh, it's fine, let's just use Wite-Out, he won't know the difference.
Peon #2: Didn't you read the card? Or look at it? It's blue, how's "white" out supposed to fix it?
Lance: What, it's always someone's birthday around here, since when do we do sympathy cards?
Peon #1: Since my grandma died and you wrote "Thanks for all your hard work."

Arizona

Overheard by: Shocked in AZ

Vote Counted! 97 % of 343 liked this one. |

too good not to post

2008-08-06T09:58:00.001-04:00

Dude: Do you know where your wife is?
Sarge: How the fuck are you gonna walk in here on a Thursday morning, come in my fucking office, see that I'm in the middle of writing a fucking important letter, and ask me where the fuck someone else in this fucking building is. I'm sorry, where the fuck do you see a babysitter sign on my desk?
Dude: I'm sorry, I just...
Sarge: Where the fuck do you see it? Where's the fucking sign?

Newark, Delaware

Old Routes in CT

2008-08-05T13:21:00.005-04:00

Picture update

2008-08-01T12:52:00.006-04:00

Here's a couple new pictures since my last ramble didn't include any
^_^

Awesome Desktop natchCraaaaazy rainstorm at a friend's place

CT Subie 08 Meet

2008-07-29T10:08:00.009-04:00

Saturday: The CT Subaru Rally
Getting ready to leave

Of course someone had to rear-end me on the way to the rally, state police were very helpful..
Begin- CTSUBIE 2008 Rally @ Orange CT
Full listing of pictures on webshots

26th Birthday Weekend

2008-07-29T09:56:00.008-04:00

Headin' out to Stamford

Stuck in flippin' traffic on 95 south

Arrival at the friends' complex
For some reason there was an F1 Car at our restaurant
@ the bar (Tigins?) afterward

Lazy Sunday on the Deck

2008-07-14T12:24:00.000-04:00

Fin' Ferrari

2008-07-09T12:34:00.002-04:00

Must be nice!
Driver declined to shame me at the stop light =P

The Old Days, The Good Days

2008-07-07T23:17:00.002-04:00

Most people think Marv is crazy. He just had the rotten luck of being born in the wrong century. He'd be right at home on some ancient battlefield swinging an axe into somebody's face. Or in a Roman arena, taking his sword to other gladiators like him. They would've tossed him girls like Nancy back then

See you in Portugal.

Yawn

2008-07-07T06:46:00.000-04:00

Dual Commute

2008-07-03T07:09:00.001-04:00

Awww shiiiiittttttt yeah. Nothing like a convoy into the city with a fellow 07' STI
=]

Over the hills and through the woods

2008-06-29T10:30:00.000-04:00

To grandfather's house we go...
I was amazed to see lil Greyden walkin' about on sturdy lil feet.

dook dook

2008-06-26T07:56:00.000-04:00

Pinky & Thumb extended rising to face in drinky drinky fashion.

EVIDENCE OF ALISON CLEANING

2008-06-24T07:04:00.001-04:00

Haha hahaha, she's going to kill me for this

John's new place

2008-06-20T13:19:00.002-04:00

Emergency research session till 10pm on a thursday =P

6/18/08 Daily picture

2008-06-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

2008-06-18T07:17:00.000-04:00

Just a quick one today, check out Zach's webcomic.
Hilarious!

Take it easy

2008-06-13T12:56:00.000-04:00

I was reading a book today and got about two thirds of the way through it before I realized I don't like it as much as I thought I did.

Which is weird because halfway through it I loved it.

Hmmm.

My Epic Quest

2008-06-13T07:30:00.002-04:00

Fuck Yes.
(Link in Image)

Dinner

2008-06-12T12:40:00.002-04:00

Taken in the new dining room.

Penne pasta & breaded chicken with Cutty Sark in a RL Herringbone glass.

I'm going to take one picture from now on each time I post, should make this journal a bit more vivid than internet & photoshop pics

All I Wear

2008-06-11T22:27:00.003-04:00

Its Flippin' Hot

2008-06-10T12:20:00.000-04:00

Black Car + Black Tints + 96 degree weather = Seat belt buckle burns & sunglasses that fog up instantaneously upon entrance to the car.

...Not fun, and this is only June, I can't wait until August...

Hollow Tipped Teeth

2008-06-08T19:31:00.001-04:00

=|

2008-06-03T02:16:00.001-04:00

KC Green = sweet

2008-05-30T06:18:00.000-04:00

Enjoy the awesomeness that is KC Green

Hot Crackers!

2008-05-29T12:27:00.005-04:00

Got a few visitors from across the pond!
Sixteen unique referrals from Liz in Dublin to my paltry two to Liz in Dublin, which just goes to show you that Liz has clearly out internetted me. Loved the blogpost!

Now back to the boring stuff: NEW KEYS! To a just completed condo that no one else has ever lived in ever. The best part? I'm just renting, so I don't have to worry about setting up the place, calling utility companies, haggling with insurance agents or any of that. Joy!

2008-05-19T19:01:00.000-04:00

Truly, they lived as kings.

And another one

2008-05-14T16:26:00.001-04:00

Customer: I would like four chocolate chip, four raisin, and four cinnamon crunch bagels to go, please.
Employee: [Turns to look at bagel rack, turns back to customer.] I'm sorry ma'am, I can't sell you those.
Customer: But you have four of each sitting right there.
Employee: [Looks back at bagel rack.] But those are the last of our special bagels, and they are reserved for our in-store customers.
Customer: But I'm in your store, and I want to buy your bagels.
Employee: But my manager said I can't sell those to go.
Customer: So let me get this straight. You're selling bagels, I want to buy bagels, but you won't sell me your bagels?
Employee: Well, yes... but it's my manager...
Customer: How bout I speak to your manager?
Employee: [Gets on phone, whispers to manager, comes back to counter.] Okay, I'll sell you the bagels.
Customer, under breath: Holy shit.

Panera Bread
Santa Monica, California

Overheard by: kim

Vote Counted! 95 % of 229 liked this one. |

Cop Out Post

2008-05-12T12:37:00.000-04:00

Conductor: This is a Manhattan-bound number three train; next stop is Sutter avenue-Rutland road; stand clear of the closing doors please.
[Doors close and open again.]

Conductor: Please do not block the doors, stand clear, please.
[Doors close and open again.]

Conductor: Do not block the doors. Stand clear, please.
[Doors close and open again.]

Conductor: For the last motherfucking time, do not block the fucking doors! I know you ghetto-ass niggas don't care about school, but some people want to get the fuck to work! Stand clear!
[Doors close and open again.]

Conductor: I can't fucking take this shit.

--3 Train

Overheard by: Morel Farember

Vote Counted! 95 % of 606 liked this one. |

MotherFeckin' Ireland

2008-05-08T12:22:00.000-04:00

So, I'm addicted to a new blog, no, not that one, this one: Liz In Dublin

While a good portion of the blog is about the weather (read: rainy) it is an insightful and wonderful window into life on the Emerald Isle.

I don't know why I've been reading all these blogs on Irish life, but ever since I visited back in college and felt an inexplicable sense of being home I haven't been able to shake the dream of moving there and getting a job or for retirement, etc.

Weird.

FOR THE RECORD

2008-05-06T06:04:00.000-04:00

My very first 3 word google phrase... huzzahs and champagne all around!

Free Money Monday... Mon

2008-05-05T05:42:00.001-04:00

Ok, I know our government has the intelligence of a hormone driven high school lad from Porky's, but sometimes... that isn't a bad thing.

My $600 refund magically appeared in my bank account today, which was, needless to say, sooooo sweet.

I know this splurge of cash simply cannot make sense the way our economy is going, but sometimes you have to say "eh" and enjoy the ride.

A giant inflatable pig which floated away during a Roger Waters concert has been recovered

2008-05-02T06:11:00.003-04:00

Former Pink Floyd star Waters said "that's my pig" as it drifted away during Sunday's gig.

It doesn't get much better than that folks.

Highlights from OverheardinNY

2008-05-01T05:15:00.001-04:00

[Two cops are waiting at the light. A woman jaywalks and almost gets hit by a car.]
Male cop: Phew! That would have been a lot of paper work.

Undergrad: Ninjas, see. You can't creep up on them. You can't creep up on them because actually they're creeping up on you. And the person you're creeping up on is actually a mendicant.

Greyhound bus driver: We're pulling up to Port Authority now. [Sings] My Greyhound brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours, damn right, it's better than yours, I can teach you, but I have to charge. La la la la la- New York City! La la la la la -almost there.

If you aren't reading overheard, you're clearly not as bored as I am.

2008-04-30T07:38:00.000-04:00

Hours and hours of amusing to hilarious browsing await you (link in image) of animals and their owners/internet captions

Think I'll be posting more and more of my favorite browsing sites for those of you bored with the internet.

Who Doesn't Love Waffles? WHO?!?!

2008-04-25T08:37:00.004-04:00

Link in picture to 380 picture gallery of waffles in their various forms of wafflely goodness.

I dare you to view just one page.
If you weren't hungry before... you will be.

Cutest Ever

2008-04-14T07:52:00.000-04:00

Click for full version.

Grey Cell Safari

2008-04-11T08:47:00.003-04:00

Grey Cell Safari - noun. Hunting ever elusive brain cells of the cranium with elephant guns shaped as long necked vessels of volatile spirits.

Appropriate usage: Sharon, you got time for a Grey Cell Safari this weekend? I got a thousand ML of Jim Beam locked and loaded underneath the kitchen cupboard in our summer house.

Remember, you heard it here first, @ Ancient Evil.

Writing FTW

2008-03-12T05:57:00.004-04:00

I must say, before I wrote that last post, I was a lil distressed at being up so early, but now that I've relaxed & reviewed while writing I feel heaps better.

Really, everyone should keep a blog, if not for a more accurate history of what people write when bored in their robes at 6AM on a Wednesday, then for their own sanity.

One last thing: If you do start a blog, don't write for an audience, write for yourself.

Up Early Musings

2008-03-12T05:04:00.005-04:00

Its 5am and despite what I might have to say, apparently I'm up for the day.

Out here in the real world, it has become almost a case study in how people I know or write blogs work out on paper. I know I probably shouldn't post this here, but what the hell.

We're all getting older and inevitably comes the time when you realize that the majority of your day is now spent on securing the sheltered lil world you've carved out on for yourself rather than amusing yourself with your friends building blanket forts and such. The shock often drives people crazy or, even worse, to cat collection.

Have you chosen the correct profession for yourself or are you doing it for the paycheck?
Are you doing what you wanted to do for a living? If not, are you willing to retrain & reprogram yourself to start anew?
Is your daily routine a relaxing ritual or is it a nerve shredding grind?

I believe I have, by either Irish luck and/or hard work, managed to beat the odds and land in a job that I enjoy & work in, (albeit, a small group which makes things easier) a good group of people. Sure there is the daily chafe of working together and occasional minor squabbles that it inevitably brings, but on a whole it is a good team that enjoys the luxury of a well meaning mindset.

It wasn't until I started reading other people's blogs that I realized how lucky I had it. The more I think about it, this job translates into helping people solve problems with technology & is quite self rewarding. When I complete a project there is almost always a measurable gain to be seen and if you're lucky, another person with a slightly happier disposition from having a problem solved. The work is often varied and interesting, which does keep the mind occupied as well.

I wonder if it is the job I have or just my disposition seeing as I can't remember a job I didn't enjoy. Considering I started at the very bottom (McDonald's the second I turned 16; take that ridiculously low paying paper route!) maybe I just never lost my sense of reality by becoming adjusted. Hell - without a crippling college debt and an unconquerable dream to run the Gumball Rally I might still be flipping burgers, enjoying waking people up with a steaming cup of coffee & an egg muffin.

Count your blessings I suppose, is a phrase that has survived to become a cliché because it works.

Solved!

2008-02-18T12:22:00.000-05:00

Wow, if anyone ever tells you craigslist doesn't work, they are lying to you. I have found not one but five apartments within 15 miles of work and one even has a pool table! Huzzah!

On an unrelated note, work is getting boring again. I mean, I'm actively working now on projects that need to be done and are critical to our business, but its just too easy. I don't mean easy in the sense that *poof* a project is done because it only takes 2 seconds to solve the problem and move on, rather that I see a project and find the quickest and most secure way to complete it, but it still takes months because it requires repeating the same 45 steps over and over.

I need to be in a think-tank maybe.

Intersection of Stability & Madness

2008-02-12T08:11:00.000-05:00

Oh-kay. Just when I got back in the saddle everything is turning upside down again.

In case you haven't heard, or only know me through my blog for unknown/curiosity reasons, both of my roommates are moving out of our lovely house by May 31st. One is taking a new job in California, the other is moving in with his band for like half the rent. I have the rest of the month to make the following choices:

A- Renew the lease and look for new roommates
B- Cancel the lease and use 3 months to find a new place
C- Buy a house/condo

Here's why I want to find a new place.

All the taps turn the same way (the wrong way) that is co7unter clockwise for on, clockwise for off.

The fireplace is in between two doors that go to the same deck (why god, why!?) and both the living room and dining room are just too narrow to be used as a proper living room.

All the doors have no insulation, so should you walk by the front door in the middle of the night, your toes go into shock.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are the proper size, the 3rd is obviously proportioned for a closet/nursery. This would be great if we weren't trying to fit 3 guys into 3 rooms.

...its like a mildly annoying version of the money pit, but when weighed against finding a new place, close to work for under 600 a month, its almost worth staying.

sigh.

Routine

2008-01-18T12:51:00.000-05:00

Still don't know why I don't like routine, so I've bravely given up the battle and have since fallen into a comfortable one.

My day goes like this:

8:10am Cell phone alarm
8:11am Check room temperature on blue L.L.Bean traveler's alarm clock
8:25am Snuggle in hand knitted black and grey blanket, worry about things I have to do today until
8:26am Put on Liz Claiborne robe and worry for approximately 10 seconds that they sold me a woman's robe (for the millionth time)
8:27am Arrive at conclusion of "Who cares? It is a nice robe" (for the millionth time)
8:27am Take shower towel off one end of Ikea collapsing wardrobe stand, but not the one you used yesterday
8:30am Get in shower and turn on classical music on shower radio purchased exclusively for classical music while showering
8:40am Get dressed, but first note that I should really do laundry if I don't want to wear something wrinkled
8:50am Get in car, appreciate microfiber seats and put on sunglasses
9:00am Arrive at work, put sunglasses in visor otherwise I'll wonder where they are when I leave them in the office
12 noon Lunch
12:15pm Arrive at home
12:20pm Take one microwaveable cheeseburger from freezer, put this in the refrigerator to replace the one in the refrigerator that is put in the microwave for eating.
12:21pm Turn the Mitsubishi 52" flat screen on so it can warm up for alloted 10 seconds while food is bombarded by light radiation
12:25pm Eat food and try to pick an episode of Scrubs I haven't seen in a while
12:50pm Get in car, put on sunglasses
1:00pm Arrive at work, put sunglasses in visor otherwise I'll wonder where they are when I leave them in the office
6:00pm Leave for the day
6:10pm Throw something in the microwave & crack a beer
6:15pm Eat food & watch TV
6:23pm Drink beer and make plans for the weekend

Repeat.

Weekdays

2008-01-18T12:45:00.000-05:00

So I've been scheduling more and more activities so I'm not bored anymore, it works okay.

A weekly poker game is played every Tuesday, and if I didn't invite you to play its because we don't have enough chairs.

I suppose you could play if you brought a chair.

Or beer.

Or enough beer to construct a chair from, while still having enough beer for me to get drunk and insult your ability to play cards properly (while losing horribly at the same time, myself)

The weird thing is that no one else drinks beers while playing because they all have to drive home, because they don't live there.

Business Trips

2008-01-15T12:50:00.000-05:00

I went to Florida for a four day weekend. I stayed in a hotel on the beach. It was warm and beautiful.

There wasn't a whole lot to do there as I was pretty much left to my own devices during the evenings that we didn't have business dinners.

The business dinners were surprisingly fun and not too awkward.

I always have a tough time finding common ground with coworkers, so mostly I just smoked cigarettes an sipped on some beer, then slept.

The beach and associated bars didn't really make me excited to be there, but I probably should of been.

Food

2008-01-09T12:05:00.000-05:00

I'm through with dishes.
From now on, I'm only going to use the following items.

1 White Ribbed Plate
1 English Pint Glass

For too long I've been held captive by the belief that you must keep extra plates for guests.
For too long I've been held captive by the belief that you must eat in the dining room.

The kitchen table at our house is for mail now.

Everyone eats in the living room, in front of the TV. Its comfortable and relaxing, you can even laugh while you're eating and enjoying a movie, no one minds!

I think too many people are prisoners of What Civil People Do mentalities.

X Things

2007-12-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome.

1st
If you can, imagine that we are the same person, abeit with differing life experiences

2nd
HS Thompson, Ernest Hemingway, et al. I understand and I believe that I will continue the tradition. Life is heady and entertaining, but there is much to be said for a well placed Scotch and associated NA liquid cutter.

3rd
When you rely upon someone, you will feel more complete, but the expense is your own fiber.

Have you got what you want, or what you need?

2007-12-23T00:49:00.000-05:00

I think there is a fundamental question that arises whenever you go to purchase an object. Do you want the PC or the Mac, the manual or the automatic? Are you willing to learn something about the object you've worked hard to purchase, or are you buying it simply to fulfill a need.

Personally, I've always owned PCs and currently drive a manual, but I don't believe there's any reason to prefer one over the other, its just that - a preference. The reason people get all crazy about what to use comes from someone new, typically asking for advise on which is the better type to get.

I'd say when choosing what type of computer to buy, type of car to get etc, make your decision based on what you're going to do with it, not how you wish to appear. That said, here is my take on which you should buy based on what you're going to do with it.

Macintosh - Entry level home users, musicians, artists, people associated with professional artists or musicians etc
Windows - Entry level business people, business professionals, IT staff supporting the needs of a business community
Automatic - Point A to Point B drivers, people who believe the journey is not part of the experience
Manual - Cruising drivers, spontaneous people who have been known to get in the car and drive without any particular destination in mind

As you can see, it is easy to make a case for either side of these two arguments, so spend less time arguing and more time using the equipment that satisfies you the best.

OMFG

2007-12-20T12:40:00.000-05:00

http://www.jetpackinternational.com/equip.html

11 mile flights for only 200,000 bucks seems like a raw deal, but you know they'll get cheaper in time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THEcWrznicY&eurl=http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/jetpacks-for-all/jetpack-with-a-10-mile-range-available-soon-for-226000-333150.php

The future is now

Goalkeepers

2007-12-16T18:29:00.000-05:00

I never thought this blog would be anything but a nice lil' place to jot down thoughts and ideas.

So far, its been a success, but I'm running out of ideas. I kinda feel like there should be more to talk about - back in the day I never used to have an end to the stories, but now things are quieting down.

Sometimes, I'll get home from work and just watch TV until it is time for bed. Is this my life? If so, as I sit here, allowing the seconds that comprise my life to be compromised, is it my own fault? Moreover, why am I not satisfied with the same things most people are more than content with?

I always thought, you graduate college, get a great job and the next decade is going out to the bars with friends - this is What You Do Now. I realize that this is what I should be doing, but...

...I hate it. The lustrous joy I used to feel about hitting a pool hall or whatever with friends is gone, without so much as a modicum of leftover reminiscence for friends that are still in that phase. I hadn't done it to death the way people later in life have, I simply realized that there is nothing in the experience to hold my attention. You would think that I would be depressed, as most people are into this as their primary form of stress relief... but I'm not.. I'm excited and nervous.

I've already flown a plane, gone skydiving, and lived in another country. I'm exactly where I planned on being at my age, doing exactly the kind of job I've always seen myself doing. I have the car I never thought I could afford. I work at a company that cares and work with people just as dedicated if not more so than I.

I need a new challenge.

Gentleman's Meeting

2007-11-30T13:53:00.000-05:00

Off to John's place in Vernon for the usual, which amounts to drinking and carping about work. The american dream to just push a button and be rich is ever elusive, but for some reason we want to believe that there must be a way to do that. Either way, we're all getting closer.

If there is a way to do that, it will involve computers and the internet, of that much we're certain. Luckily, between the three of us, we have about four decades of experience in the field so its only a matter of time... really!

Now some people argue against brainstorming while drinking, mostly due to the ass-backwards logic necessary to think it could actually help. Here's my take on it, when you're drinking, you don't stop yourself before you shout an idea out, you just do it. So instead of shooting the idea out of the sky, why not give it a shot sometime? You might just end up with the next Youtube or Myspace after all.

Alright!

2007-11-22T22:12:00.000-05:00

STI is back in commission and stronger than ever before (a brand spankin' new engine will do that). Driving on the highway is now a joy once again, with highly modified eclipses disappearing in my rear view while I glide around turns on 4x4 rails. I cannot express the happiness that this car generates, its my favorite "currently crippling me financially" toy to date.

Got the ol' beast of a computer up and running under emergency power (fried a ram card for sure during the move I think) and even got onto the local network with a minimum of hemming and hawing. Started browsing my old videos on the various harddrives and realized that I don't have anywhere near the same taste in tv/movies that I did before. I think I'll bring the other dvds up next and rip them onto the computer to see if I should just shitcan the whole array.

I used to be such a pack rat and am just now realizing how liberating it can be to get rid of stuff that you haven't used in ages. I'm down to one sound system (a nice lil Klipsch two speaker system with 10inch woofer) and only 2 USB backup drives. The computer room is slowly approaching zen.

In the kitchen, I was the most drastic and probably should of asked some family members/friends if they needed anything, but I couldn't stand it any longer. I've thrown away 90% of my dishes and assorted kitchenware and kept only a few necessities. I realized long ago that if I had 15 sets of table settings, I would simply dirty all 15 and then have to do them all at once, but it wasn't until now that I found myself able to just chuck the excess.

Next up is to get one of those lil handy dandy broom vacuums for on the spot cleanup. Hell, I might even get a lil clothing system sorted out so I can dress by specific outing (business, friends, etc)

I suppose these are the normal things that people start to do when they realize its just time to cut back on partying all the time and focus on the things that actually matter.

Crunch Time

2007-11-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

Holy jesus, was thursday a helluva day. Internet connection at the office was on the fritz, due to [shakes magic 8Ball] squirrel nesting... Yes, thats right, squirrels and birds were nesting inside our T1 junction box which incidentally allowed water to get in as well.

But thats all fixed now, and we even have a shiny new backup connection from another hosting company coming in this Sunday to ensure we're never inconvenienced again.

Hmm what else... my new roommates are awesome, its such a difference living with a bunch of other IT guys, there's laptops and wireless connections everywhere, and the common suffering topic of staying late, working extra and getting nothing other than satisfaction out of it.

New House

2007-11-05T12:56:00.000-05:00

Huzzahs all around! I'm moving into my new place this weekend, and the rebuilt STI will be ready for pickup either today or tomorrow. The notion of being free from the puff car is almost too much to bear. I know I should realistically be thinking "it doesn't matter what car you drive, all that matters is that you get where you need to go" but in reality, it just isn't like that, despite what you may have read.

It all comes back to Fight Club I suppose.

Doom & Gloom

2007-10-29T12:42:00.000-04:00

Ze STI... has a blown short block and will be out of commission for any and all Honda embarrassment moments.

Le sigh.

On the other paw, this coincides with my medical convention rather nicely (seeing as I will be unable to use it while attending anyway). So after my grueling 3 day adventure in the intricacies of FDA Software Process Validation... yay (imagine microscopic flag waving).

Black Out Betty

2007-10-26T12:36:00.000-04:00

HUZZAHS ALL AROUND! Crazy landlord has given in to reason and returned (most) of my security deposit. Gotta love lowered expectations to swing pessimism to optimism to happiness, right?

Now all I have to do is scrounge up the other fifty bucks and BAM, I've got my security deposit for the new place. Admittedly, I should of waited to pay my roommates back until I got the security, but being in a place of reasonable financial stability (i.e. not working at a fast food joint) I felt it was the right thing to do. (not that there's anything wrong with working in the food industry, well, besides the pay)

Tonight I go out drinking, possibly to hit on another pizza girl. I found out yesterday a similar attempt occurred with great success as well as digit exchanging last Friday at the mansions, after which I promptly forgot the whole thing. Hah! Its kind of odd that even in what most people would call a "black-out" I'm still either charming or affluent seeming enough to pull a girl off the line, whilst avoiding the beer goggles I might add. I do remember what she looked like now that I had some friends to jog my memory and must say "Good form" to the drunken version of myself, good form indeed.

The STI remains in her nursery, hopefully receiving the tender care that only a mechanic who answers the phone with "STOP CALLING" can provide.

Nerdin' it up

2007-10-25T12:42:00.000-04:00

Soccercar reporting in here: News is that the STI is currently in TEARDOWN due to my mechanics not being able to find out what is making a clicking noise during acceleration. I caught a glimpse of The Beloved walking past the shop door and I really, really wish I hadn't. If you've ever had a relative in surgery I'm sure you can relate... sorta.

In other news, the battle continues on with my landlord for possession of the money I gave him for security deposit, which he now claims was actually to help him remodel the apartment that even I considered too much of a dump to survive another winter in. It would be hilarious, where it not the money I'm about to use to move into my next apartment with.

I used the phase "gonna go nerd it up" today without really thinking about it, and kinda realized how much things have changed since I was a young pudgy nerd of barely 15. Those were the good times of the bowl haircut, thick glasses and afternoon Oreo addiction. In drastic comparison we have my current nerdery level, which is wild ass irish-afro, contacts and scotch addiction. In someways, I'm better off, as nerds/geeks/techs/computer guys are now more accepted (solely because they make normal people's lives easier), but I think I liked it better when we weren't... at least we could spot each other easily by picking out who'd been recently bruised.

Gotta run, I think I see someone trying to type a URL in the MSN search field, and we just can't have that on my watch.

Careful Now

2007-10-24T12:36:00.000-04:00

Adjusting to the soccer-mom-mobile isn't going well, but it is indeed going. I only cursed under my breath four or five times today, which is a noted improvement from yesterday.

When I did call to check the status of The Only Thing that Keeps me Sane I got a curt "we're working on it right now, we'll call you when its ready". A response I can understand, as it fits neatly into self manifested nightmare of either having to change the oil once I get it back due to all the mechanic "performance testing" or having to throw myself under the nearest street sweeper to get the coin to pay for the repairs they're about to fabricate (which no doubt will not be under warranty).

Aside from that, getting ready to move (again), and trying to squeeze my security deposit out of my landlord who wants to use it to remodel the apartment he tried unsuccessfully to evict me from (I moved out on my own due to a crazed downstairs neighbor and the fact that the place was a dump when I moved in) we'll be lucky if I don't decide to make some toast in the tub today.

I Miss my Gorram Car!

2007-10-23T12:14:00.000-04:00

I had to bring my beloved STI in today. The driver's side engine compartment is making a horrible clicking noise during acceleration and the check engine light went off this morning, spurring me to a white-knuckled, "is this serious enough to not drive the piss out of the Black Beauty until Saturday when I'm getting the oil changed anyway or not" ride the entire morning. For the record, I took it easy, frightened like a 12 year old girl, that a piston would blow out the side my hood forever ending the life of one of the few things that brings me joy in this god awful world.

Its only been out of my possession for 3 hours and I already miss it terribly. I imagine some greasy 20 year old automotive tech cramming his sweaty, grease-stained ass into my microfiber seats (which are sure to be adjusted right up into the steering wheel when I get it back) and driving it all over town pretending they work as hard as I do to actually enjoy a car that I had to import from another state just to get the rare black color.

They did give me a 2008 Outback with Tiptronic shifting but it just isn't the same. I felt angry the whole ride back from the dealership, an irrational hatred that slowly burned in the back of my chest every mile I drove in a vanilla white soccer-mom-mobile, a car clearly intended for the exact opposite of my personality. Someone worried about organic food, which wine goes with what meat and probably votes for the green party... this car is seriously feminine. Its got a "just end it all now and beat the rush" gearbox with 4 gears instead of six, and a suspension that feels like I'm getting gang groped by a group of clouds. Worse yet, there's a windshield wrap which is most definitely visible from space advertising the high quality of the douchebag dealership that is probably out whooshing around in my black little rocket right now.

Sometimes its almost too much to bear, and you want to rationalize it off and say its just a goddamn car, but no. If you understand, if you actually enjoy driving, then you too are also visualizing a single tear slowly breaking away from an eye wincing in pain, and running down a cheekbone as well.

Autumn

2007-10-22T12:39:00.000-04:00

Lotsa stuff happening this week! I got a classy new place in Glastonbury I'm moving into (provided all the finances are in order) as well as the upcoming conference. In the meantime I'm pushing papers around at work finishing up a wireless conference room project & a training session I need to teach.

All is pretty much standard. I'm down to about 3 cigs a day now, with a pack lasting almost a week (now that I've given up on lights and switched to mediums). Despite the implications of global warming, I'm definitely enjoying the 70 degree Rocktober cruising days amid the autumn leaves. I don't know what it is, but there's something deeply satisfying about slicing cleanly through a leafy road at speed & kicking up a flume of clockwise rotating bits of tree dander.

What will be, will be.

Direct Deposit Desire

2007-10-19T12:15:00.000-04:00

I forgot about my paycheck today. Now this isn't really a big thing for most people, but payday was always a big deal for me, regardless of what kind of job I'm working. Well, it was.

Fixing things, working on conference calls with consultants and fending off I.T. sales people take up a majority of my mind which is always racing, but used to be focused on one thing... my paycheck. So what happened? I can only guess its because... its not my money. A car payment (which I've never had before), insurance, premium gasoline, a $2/day Mcdonald's habit, a $5/day Marlboro habit, and $100/weekend partying habit used to keep me anxiously awaiting my next paycheck

...and I liked it. I liked saving up my excess cash, one twenty at a time, and blowing it doing something outrageous, like Thousand Dollar Thursday - a ritual I would rotate through my groups of friends like some kind of spontaneous Christmas.

Nowadays I it just isn't as exciting anymore to get that paycheck at the end of the week. My friends call to go do something ridiculous and I don't see the point. I find myself reading more, but its the same book series over and over again, a trend I've had since childhood.

I know what it is though, its the damn wanderlust again, building up until I find some way to appease it with a 800mph at 30,000 feet. I'm traveling to a medical convention at the end of them month, which isn't much longer, but I wonder if I'll really be able to make it. I know its strange, but I miss the TSA like an emo band member misses veins.

Crisis @ Age 25

2007-10-17T12:15:00.000-04:00

I think I'm hitting my midlife crisis a decade early. For my 25th birthday I flew a 2006 single engine Cessna (which was surprisingly cheap, they only charge $50 for a "discovery" flight) and I think flying a plane is one of those things in life that everyone really has to experience... to find out how boring it really is.

I always assumed, when I was younger, that piloting a car, skidoo, plane, etc would be a horribly complicated task. This was reinforced by my first attempt to drive a car (inadvertently through our white picket fence). Flying a plane, with a copilot of course, seemed to me relatively simple.

The only difference is the force of the wind, which obtains a tangible personality instantly upon reaching 1000+ feet. For the first few minutes after take-off, its all about keeping the plane level, banking while keeping your nose pointed at the horizon etc. Basically you feel like you're driving a 3 axis Plymouth Sundance.

Without warning, a strong gust of wind comes along to remind you just how tenuous of a hold the little plane possesses over the air surrounding you. Frightening, yes, but only first couple of times. Soon you'll find yourself anticipating the gusts the best you can, and bam, you're fumbling with the XM radio trying to see if the Stern show is on while balancing a coffee on your lap and trying to take a picture with your cellphone.

Another curtain pulled back, another seemingly daunting task... found to be as mundane as mowing the lawn.

1 Hour Lunch

2007-10-16T12:16:00.000-04:00

The one hour lunch is a trap.

What can you really do in an hour? I write on this bloggity thang for a few minutes, fingers mashing away like some kind of epileptic on a teeter totter with an inner ear infection until the clock reads precisely 12:15.

At exactly 12:16, I'm sitting in a 300 horsepower rally car with absolutely nowhere to use it's despairingly complicated systems. At first I'm plodding along in a literal sea of Mercedes and Porsche drones, power symbols and shiny lures flying fierce for gold-diggers. But soon, I'm on a long twisting backroad, rejoicing in the unbridled ability to get it sideways whenever a particularly long patch of golden framed roadside oaks takes my better judgment away.

I haven't resorted to sitting down at a cafe (or what poses for it around here) for almost a month now (I got the Subaru STI a month ago, natch). Cigarettes are my dry turkey on rye bread with warm mustard now and the force of 90mph winds wash the cancerous burning sensation away nicely...

Life is a Cage

2007-10-16T06:44:00.000-04:00

I don't have anything to say, so here's just a dump of what I'm currently thinking.

Prison cell, condo, or park bench, its all the same. The people we meet, whether they're criminals or cops they add nothing new, nothing interesting when you've seen it all. Have you heard all the stories? Have you seen all the clips of astounding accomplishments? Does it make you want to accomplish something too, or does it barely raise an eyebrow anymore?

The only thing that surprises me anymore is a person willing to talk like a regular human being these days. Who really wants to hear about kids, cars or sport teams, I want to hear about secrets and hidden desires & aspirations... what do you want to do, who do you really want to be... what is your vision of paradise and why aren't you working towards it?

On the other hoof, I'm constantly surprised at just how much people talk about meaningless gossip, who's doing what, why are they allowed to do this, who's getting paid how much to do that, if it doesn't concern you... why are you concerned? Too many times, I've walked into a wedding/party/koolaide party/etc to find everyone staring at me, or better yet, making a point not to, what is so attractive about someone that doesn't really give a shit? I'll never know...

I've never met a genius, although I have met the people touted as such several times over, and each one turns out to be a regular human with some minor/major psychological damage causing them to focus all their energies on one particular area of expertise in a vain attempt to placate themselves with the idea that if they can control this one thing utterly, they can actually exert some force upon the world they find themselves constantly at ends with.