the Crawl

EE Weekend

2010-11-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

So we had our engaged encounter this last weekend, Nov 5 - 7. I would have to say that it had it's moments of brilliance, humor, intimacy & respect. I mean who doesn't like hearing about old people making love and the twinkle in their eye after? ...... I do have to admit though, that it was a very, very good weekend. While PB and I have no problems with communication there was some very good tips, some great conversation, a lot of laughter and a weekend filled with just US time. We both turned off our phones, had no Internet access and just enjoyed the weekend like we were camping or away from society.

We will keep our workbooks & notebooks, it will be a nice reminder of the weekend and all we shared. I'm sure over the course of our lifetime we'll go through them and remember back to the fun of the weekend. I even kept the fun question I got to read out loud in front of 73 other people and then answer. I would give a summary of the weekend and things of that nature, but really, I'm going to pass on putting it here. This is all the summary it's going to be, as it doesn't need to be advertised here.

Let's just say that I'm glad to have gone through the weekend and feel much better after going through it. An experience I gladly will pass on to friends thinking of going through similar as I think everyone should do that kind of retreat before marriage.

The fun of people..

2010-08-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

I see a reoccurring theme in the days that I seem to be more irritated than normal.... stupid people.

It's almost like they go out of their way to make sure it just completely f*s your day up. If I need something by noon, there are always stupid people that make sure to tell you "Hopefully we'll have it by 11:45".... really?! You knew for 3 days I needed it by noon and you're giving me 15 minutes?

Same thing goes for stupid rules... Who gets paid to come up with this kind of shit? I understand that there is a need for order. Like you don't need people showing up in board shorts and flip flops. But what's wrong with normal jeans? Is there some secret piece in jeans that somehow makes you not able to do your job?

Sadly I know why most of these rules come to be.. The same stupid people that piss me off. You give them an inch in personal choice, they take a foot and completely screw over the rest of us with their "I'm entitled" attitude.

Those are the worst people too.. "I'm entitled..." You're not entitled to shit. Work harder and do some good and then you can be rewarded with things, yes, but you're not entitled to it. You're entitled to breathe, sure, but piss the wrong person off and even that could be a reward and something taken away. I don't know how it started, but hopefully soon, this severe character flaw will go away.

Apparently today is rant Monday..

Free beer!

2010-08-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

All things considered, yesterday was an amazing success. Work sucked in terms of the fact I had to work late to get a demo system up and running before this morning. But it was after work that made the day an overall plus.

We'll start with Mad Pizza... The Starfire complex has a pizza joint that sells great beer and is open (or supposed to be open) until 10 PM on Fridays. The last few Fridays they have been closed before 9, frustrating our team as we always go up and get pitchers and chit chat, as that's our one night together as friends.. Drinking and unwinding is what we do.

So checking on league info I saw a link to the company website. Looking there, they put up a "Fill out our survey and let your thoughts known!" type link, so I figured, why the hell not! After airing out frustrations felt by many on our team, I let it go..... until I got a call from the manager thanking me for my comments. Apparently they didn't know the weekend manager was closing early until I made it known. They now have a new manager for nights (whoops, guess there if you don't do your job you get fired...) and we get a pitcher for free.....

Fast forward a few minutes after that call, I'm about to start my truck, and I watch a teen girl pull up near me and get out looking guilty that she's not supposed to be there. So naturally, I watch to see why, not sure if she was in trouble, or what.. She goes to her trunk, grabs something, then nervously goes to the bushes nearby, bends down, puts something there, then runs back to her car and leaves quickly. The way it went down was very shady and the way she looked you'd have thought she just buried a body there. She couldn't have been older than 17, so I figured it was drugs.

So naturally I had to go look.. I can't just sit there and go home, wondering what it was she was hiding.. What is it that I find? Two big bottles of Corona beer! And we all know what's worse than stealing and that's drunk teenagers, so naturally I took both bottles, put them in my truck and then headed home. Given the look of this girl and the way she was acting, I could tell this was not a normal activity, so not only did I ruin their buzz, I'm sure they're still feeling guilty and nervous that they're about to get caught at any minute, as obviously someone had to have watched her put the beer there because there was no way anyone would just stumble upon them.

Those two events definitely made it a great drive home after such a looooong day. While I'm not a huge fan of Corona, it always tastes better when it's free!

Time...

2010-08-26T10:13:00.001-07:00

.. for a little change.. So I'm going to be tweaking with the colors and layout for a while.

So I left off...

2010-07-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

.. where we were going on our extended road trip.. So I can recap that for fun times and then move forward to as far as I can remember lately.. haha

We left Seattle heading to Vegas on a Friday night. We took I-90, down to I-82, then took that to Idaho, where we cut south around Post Falls. After driving all night, we swapped so Erin could drive right at the border of Idaho & Nevada. The little town of Jackpot, Nevada. It seemed like a cute town, out in the middle of no where. I slept for about an hour then enjoyed the ride as a passenger as we went through northern Nevada.

We got to Vegas in the afternoon, where we went and checked into our hotel off the strip, South Point. It wasn't horrible by any stretch, but it wasn't amazing either. We then went into the strip to check things out, get some food, play some poker and enjoy Vegas. Played in a poker tournament at Harrah's that night, took9th. Not bad for one hr of sleep in over 36hrs. The World Series of Poker was over doing circuit events at Caesar's Palace. It was cool to see though I definitely wish I would have played in one...

Sunday we were going to go to Phoenix after playing some poker, so we jumped into an early tournament at Treasure Island where I made the final table again and took... 5th I think? I can't remember, it was all a blur. Mix in the tournament finish and some chatting and that got us a strip view room up high in TI for a cheaper rate than our previous night in South Point. We took Sunday night to go visit the new City Center, had some amazing food, including our $4 shrimp! haha. We also played some Blackjack Switch, which PB definitely did better than I..

We got up Monday morning and took off for Phoenix, since Monday night was the graduation the trip was originally planned for. The drive between LV & Phoenix? Boring as hell! The only cool thing to see was going over the Hoover Dam. Everything else was rocks, yellow dried plants, and a cactus here and there. However, as we were driving, PB threw "The Hangover" up on her laptop so we could watch it on the drive, somewhat fitting as we just left Vegas. (Though we remembered our trip..haha)

It was quite warm in PHX. When we got there we made lunch for everyone, went to the store down the street for some items and then went to the graduation waaay on the other side of town. The graduation was cool too. It did take about 2 hours though, a lot of singing & such. Once that was done, there was a little reception in the back of the church where I got to sit and chat with a future nephew on his plans for the future, as he's an IT major. It was a great conversation and fun to hear someone young interested in the things you can do in technology. Though I do have mixed emotions about being old enough now to be a mentor in someone's future. I know I have 12+ years doing this, but still..... Crazy.

We stayed Monday night, packed up Tuesday morning and headed west! We decided to visit an old friend of PB's in California on the way through. The drive there was pretty cool. Up through some windy roads we stopped off at a viewpoint and got some great pics from an overlook, saw a rattle snake and had some fun with the Hemi through the curves.. We got to their house around 6ish, had steak, a lot of chatting, and laughing, then left for Washington around 11pm.

As we left their house we realized we were only about an hour north of San Diego. So close.. The drive up I-5 was fairly uneventful, though we did stop and eat at a small little place called Burger Barn in Northern California, then stopped off in Weed, California. Had to pick up some memorabilia for such a great town. OH and we also stopped at the Liquor Expo, picking up almost $200 in alcohol, which was 3 half gallons and 6-7 fifths of booze. We got home around 10:30-11p on Wednesday, just in time to get back to work on Thursday morning.

Despite all that time on the road, together, we had a great trip. There was no fighting or complaining, we just enjoyed it for what it was. A lot of time together, talking about life, the future and the fun that we were having.

Given the length of this post, I'll go ahead and end it here. I need to update everything else going on, so more to come! Maybe even this week!! haha

Holy Crap!!

2010-04-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

It's been since DECEMBER?! WTF. Man, I fail. So how do I give the Cliff Notes version of 4 moths worth of crazy events.. hmmm let me see if I can break it down the best way I know how....

December: The rest of December was great. Spent our year anniversary up in Leavenworth at a lodge that was far enough up in the mountains they required you to take a snow cat up to it. We met some really awesome people, had some amazing food. If any of my faithful ever want to see what's up there, feel free to check out their site. They are awesome hosts! Mountain Home Lodge .. OH and we did get engaged while up there. ;) December 19th was the date on that. With December 20th being our one year anniversary. I got Erin Sounder's season tickets for Christmas which she loved and I got a paintball gun which was awesome..
January: Low key New Year's party, instead choosing to go snowboarding to Steven's after instead. It was a great time up in the mountain. January kind of flew by as we decided it was time to move to save some money. We loved that house in Des Moines, but realized it was sucking the $$ right out and we weren't even buying it. After talking to the landlady we determined that it was time to move. Turns out she'd broken up with her GF and wouldn't be renewing our lease at the end of the term anyway! So we would be able to get out of the lease penalty free. So the apartment/house/condo/townhouse search started.... and ended in:
February: We found our apartment up in Issaquah. It is a beautiful 2 bed 2 bath with attached garage. We spent our Valentine's day painting some walls to make it feel like home. We also then moved, the weekend after. We couldn't have asked for a better weekend, it was a 60 degree weekend, sun and bright. Packing, moving, cleaning and things took up the entire month for the most part. Which lead to me getting sick near the end of the month. To the point where I actually visited the Dr. Got some meds and finally started feeling better in early:
March: It was a boring March. Kinda. We got situated and delivered the couch we had in the house to my mom in Yakima on her 50th birthday. We bought a sectional couch for the apartment which rocks. The couch is so comfy it's a nice change. Overall though it was a very quiet month, all things considered. We did get our Sounder's tickets! The first game was awesome to go to. It's definitely something we look forward to. My sister came and stayed a night with us, that was a fun time.
April: So far, mid month, we've gone snowboarding, played soccer and just enjoyed life. Did Easter, met with the priest who got us in touch with a Deacon for the annulment process & to find out more with baptism. So far it's been a painless experience, other than a ton of paperwork I have to chase down and fill out. Life is good thus far. We're leaving next week for Vegas & Phoenix, so that should be a great time. OH and we both seem to be hitting the poker jackpot. Though PB is definitely hitting it bigger online than I am. So I'm proud of her for that.

So that's life in a nutshell. I'll need to come back and go off on thoughts as time goes on. But so far, that's a good recap. Maybe I'll set a calendar appointment to remind myself to update this thing. Couldn't hurt!

Regular updates ... riiiiiiiight.

2009-12-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have failed miserably at keeping this thing up to date! Even as things change. However, on a recent drive PB reminded me that I should update it more as it's a good history of things that are going on in life. As I age, as things come and go, then it's only natural that this should provide a reminder of what happened and when.

So to recap thus far... Sept 21ish is when my Jeep was stolen. Yep, taken right out of my driveway. Hmmm maybe I need to rename my blog now, eh? I'm not really Crawling anywhere! Oh well, it's only a temporary time w/ no Jeep as I'm looking at a time when I can grab a new one. Ok, well, not a "new" new one, just new to me. Preferably an older one, one I can build and mod and enjoy in ways I hadn't been able to enjoy my other one. In it's place, I got a new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The V8 has power I haven't had except on my motorcycle, which I still have.

The house is good. We just got a Christmas tree last weekend on the caravan. However it's still not up nor decorated. Given how busy we are, I see it being a few step process. First, put it up and put a skirt around it. Then I see it getting lights and anything else. But like I said, I'd bet a slow process.

Poker is still going ok. I need to play some more big money games, as I think it could be profitable, however, I have a hard time playing for the big money as I don't like giving that money away. But we'll see what happens AFTER Christmas.

Christmas is coming up and should be a fun day at PB's mom's house! We'll see if she's surprised at her present. Needless to say, I think she will be.. I'm looking forward to the short weeks later in the month. 2-3 day work weeks will ROCK!

Let's see... anything else happen... we went snowboarding to Mount Baker on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov 27th. They had an 80" base already. Luckily for us it was icy. BLAH! Overall it was a fun trip but man, that ice can sure hurt the tailbone! We're looking forward to the next trip, maybe this month, maybe early January.

hmmm that's good enough of an update for today. Maybe I'll write more later!

Let's recap...

2009-08-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

Since I'm now going to try and blog more again, I can recap more of the things that have gone on that I haven't blogged about in a long time....

Let's start w/ the one that is on my mind the most.. PB. (oh how she looooves her nickname!)

Besides being smoking hot she puts up with my shit, what more can a guy ask for?! But in all honesty most of what I wanted to do while I was 30, I've been able to do with and because of her. When things hit the fan, she was the one that was there.

She bought me a snowboard, we laughed together as I learned how to use it. She's an amazing cook. She looks smoking hot in dresses that she no longer owns. She doesn't kill me when we find out she no longer owns those dresses. She shows patience as I decide I hate poker and am no good at it. She teaches me how to be a better soccer player, then gets to see the immediate rewards where she smiles with pride as her coaching works everytime the ball hits the back of the net. She laughs and talks about the monster she created as I figure out poker and start winning good money. She's the one that asks "Why not take the bike?".

We've gone camping, for a weekend or for a night. We hit Vegas and had a great time. We'll be hitting Portland, seeing new things and having another amazing time. We'll drink together, laugh together and share a lifetime together. We do pretty much everything together not because we depend on it and require it, but because we love it and want to. We don't lead one life, we lead two amazing lives that just so happen to compliment each other ever so perfectly. I thank God every chance I get that back on that great day after my birthday, I could receive such a great present.

In 8 amazing months, I've done more than I have in the years before it. This is how my 30's have started and I'm excited at what the future holds. Many more surprises and events, more smiles, hugs and kisses. More miles, more grins, more inside jokes, nicknames and entertainment.

3/4's of year one down and there's no looking back. This is the life I was meant for. With her, hand in hand, moving forward, never back. Laughing as the likes of DB and others fall to the wayside.

I love you, my PB.

I know, I know...

2009-08-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

I don't write near enough here.. If only the summer hasn't been so busy. When I'm at work I'm *gasp!* usually working! Though now that life is settling down, sports seasons are coming to a close for the summer/fall leagues and we're having an open weekend here and there I should be able to find some time now!

So let me try and recap some things... Let's see.. We went to Vegas. The tip trick we read about online worked. For those that aren't fully in-the-know, let me educate you..

We booked a trip to Vegas, reserving a basic room @ the Bellagio.
When we checked in to the hotel, I put a $20 in between the credit card & my ID.
I asked if there were any upgrades available.
The lady upgraded us to a full lake view room, top floor. $20 extra dollars.

That little trick saved us about $250. The room was AMAZING, the view with the floor to ceiling window, just something I will never forget. No, we didn't get married, but we had a great time.

Oh something else happened in Vegas that I quite enjoy... I figured out how to play poker!
Since then I've been working on my game, online and in person. I won top-hand of the hour at a casino near by, netting me a few hundred. 4th at a charity tournament and I've been cashing in at 95% of all online tournaments I play now. Usually finishing in the top 15%. I say top 15% instead of like top 5, because these tournaments usually have anywhere from 2500-7200 people in them at once. So I usually make it from 150-350, always making my buy-in back and a little extra. Needless to say I can't complain and enjoy the competition.

Life is good though. PB & I are going to Portland this weekend for UFC. We will be there to celebrate our 8th official month together. Good times it is :)

So it hasn't rained...

2009-06-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Yet apparently that's big news? Hmmmm... I suppose it could be if we were in some major drought. But this is Seattle. It's been nice instead. So what are people whining about? The fact that if they don't water their lawn it's going to be yellow already? (Mine's close.... hahaha) I know the allergy sufferers hate it and I have my days. But medication does wonders. I say keep the sun! If you don't like it, move to Miami (where out of the 29 days it hasn't rained here in Seattle, it's rained 25 days down there).

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Oooooh how I haven't blogged in a while. I don't know why. I've got so many side projects, events, and life to live, it's hard to sit down and just type for a little while. I suppose I should work on that. I have been debating about a photo blog? I have started to figure out more about the nice SLR that I have and thus, have taken some interesting pictures. Just this morning I took a picture of a yellow bird in the yard, then on the way into the house decided on an "artsy" photo of a soccerball sitting there. Maybe that's what I'll do. Recruit PB and myself to take fun photos of random things and people. Post it on the internet, see what happens, how it goes, etc.

The only drawback to that? All those copiers out here in the interwebs. I'll have to watermark images and crap. Blah. Or well, I suppose I could just let it go and then sue whenever I see my photos in books or somewhere like that should any be good enough...... ha.

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Recent events.........
PB moved in. Master's degree - Housewarming Party. Vegas in July. Parental visits. House reorganization. Ticket while camping. Fishing.

Much living going on in the year of 30. While I may not be a YES man, I am willing to do plenty of new, fun and exciting things.

I need to blog more!

2009-04-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Or so I've been told.. So here ya f*in' go! Actually I have plenty to vent about. Like how I hope computer virus writers need to get the most painful, most dripping STD humanly possible. Yeah, I'll start off with that rant, right off the bat......

I've been a PC user since I was 16. I went through the phase of hacking and doing malicious things. But never bad enough to cause serious problems. Sure I downloaded a few games and things of that nature. But I never wrote any code that would harm people's computers. Let alone on the global scale that people are doing now. So the news since right before April 1, was about this new virus. Everyone was scared about what could happen. Then, when the first came and went and there was nothing, everyone kind of chuckled. Until this week. Suddenly our servers starting exhibiting signs of a problem. Deeper analysis pointed to a virus. Then it started spreading. It got an admin login on one server and then *BOOM* away it went. Servers all around the world started getting it. We have 300+ servers & probably close to 2000+ workstations. Suddenly people are working around the clock & every day we have a new way of fighting it. Thus almost every day it was morphing in a way that the previous day's efforts were being erased and invalidated. We're just now getting ahead.

So for the past week, despite working my ass off all day, all I've done is clean fucking virus problems. Not one "issue" other than cleaning. GRRRRRR.

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But on a brighter note, PB & I went to opening day @ Safeco. Man that was a great time. I'll be posting pics of the game shortly, I'm still redesigning my home web site. Once that's done I'll post up the link. (That's also why the logo from above is missing too ^^) It was great to see Griffey @ home. It was definitely a touching moment seeing him introduced. Chills and memories flooded in. Good times, good times.

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Let's see... I fixed the bike, putting 1.5" spacers on the rear pegs so PB's legs are at a better angle when she rides. So far so good, she sat on it last night and it worked well. Today I'm browsing around looking at communications systems. The weather's about to turn and it's going to be time to RIDE!

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OH and a quick shout out to Dimes for her nice little how-to video on makeup. Because you never know, someday I may need to know how to do it. You know, right after I start wearing PB's pants....

Speaking of pants... I don't know how many read this blog, but go to Joe's Sporting Goods before they close! I've spent almost $250 there in 2 trips, everything is 10-30% off as they liquidate the store. I'll keep checking back too as they're going to keep changing the pricing as they get closer to the end..

Ahhhhhh....

2009-04-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

You know today is APRIL FOOL'S DAY, right?

Well in that case, I hope you had a great time at the shock of my last post. There's some fun jokes going around today too. Like the new "Gmail Autoresponder" ..

Other than that humor, life is good. A new month, a new day, but the same great life.

Life's changes..

2009-04-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Life at 30 seems to be quite different for me. There's been all kinds of new events.. A birthday party in Vegas with 15 friends. A car accident. My house broken into. An amazing girlfriend. Learning to snowboard. Things just keep popping up!

So I think PB is pregnant. Why do I think this? The morning sickness usually point to a culprit.. Especially when she hasn't been sick and then feels fine towards the end of the day. Looks like some things will have to change a little. Snowboarding? Not for a while. Motorcycle? Yeah, because dying and leaving her to be a single mom is high on my list.

Work is great, life is going to be interesting but great. I may not be quite ready to be a dad, but who is? I know people who've planned baby's and they are still surprised and taken off guard by everything that happens.

Ahhh.. the fresh snow of Spring.....

2009-03-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

Yeaaaah, that's what I was thinking Saturday night.. Where does snow come from at the end of March?! Especially so much snow you can barely see the road? Then go about 10hrs later and it's gone, not even a trace. Craaaaaazy!

Overall, not a lot to say for this weekend other than it was busy. Had the Leanne Womack concert @ the Showbox in Seattle Friday night, that was fun. Watching PB do karaoke afterwards was fun as well. Saturday afternoon/night went well down in Olympia, then church & soccer Sunday. It was one of those go-go-go weekends.

But when you have the most amazing girl around, it definitely makes it easy to just go and spend the time together. We threw last night for the first time as well, so that's a plus, especially with softball starting in the next 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to more of that lovin.. hehe

Nothing much else going on right now. Heading to Yakima Saturday for my nephew's 2nd birthday. Should be fun I suppose. We're hoping that Snoqualmie extends night skiing until Saturday too, so we can hit that on the way home =) Right now they've only extended it until Friday.

Well, almost April. My how time flies..

I lived, I lived!

2009-03-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

HAHAHAHA! She couldn't kill me (the mountain, nor PB) hehe! I actually had a great time snowboarding Saturday. I made it down the mountain a few times, like 5 actually and felt it was a great learning experience. I'm excited to learn more, go again and then do some more runs probably following the great PB (or maybe I should change that to "Crash"?) down the mountain. It won't be long..

Then a small little gathering at the house that night. It was good times. Some pool, beer, jello shots, a fire in the back yard, it was good. Everyone had fun, plenty to do for everyone, a very successful night.

Yesterday was just as great. Breakfast with a couple friends that stayed Saturday night, then some Xbox 360 (I'm up 2-1 thus far!) and dinner at Jimmy John's. We played more 360, watched some TV, movies and a few episodes of the Office. It was just a great weekend.

Ahhhh now back to work... SHIT. haha

What do I do when I'm bored in the day?

2009-03-20T15:19:00.001-07:00

Well looking @ the number of my blogs, I obviously don't blog as much. But I do have a few sites I go to and laugh at.

Actually, looking over where I go, it's mainly news & ESPN. But there's one. One great site I go to that keeps me laughing everytime I'm there. Mainly at people who are so stupid you have to wonder how they're still alive. Then there are a few you feel bad for.

Of course, there are fakes too. But that's for you to decide.

For all of you, I present, fuck my life! Or well, actually fmylife or on the web site FML!

Just be warned if you're at work, giggle lightly otherwise people will want to know why you're just laughing to yourself!

Some things in life really aren't a joke...

2009-03-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

and when people do stupid shit, it then pisses me off!! Thus here I am ranting and raving about stupid shit. At least then I cool down somewhat.

What some people don't know, ok, most people, is that I've taken suicide prevention courses and am certified to work those nifty hotlines they have to help save people's lives. You know the type, where you answer the phone and all you hear is "You have 60 seconds to tell me why I should live before I pull this trigger..." and then it's game on.

Sadly, I'm not joking. That's how it can be. Sometimes it's just a girl crying over a breakup, sometimes you get someone mad at the world. What they really want is someone to care, someone to talk to, and really, someone to give them an insight they may not be getting from their parents, loved ones, whatever. The training to be able to get that certificate is intense, emotional, and not the funnest time I've had. So needless to say, I look at suicide different than a lot of people.

Saying that, I don't mean my view, because I still view it as wrong. Though I haven't really figured out how I stand on terminally ill people committing suicide, because there's a huge moral dilemma there. So it's been a debate and discussion for a while.

But I digress. My point is that I know how serious it is. I know how real it is. What I don't stand for is people who cry wolf about it just because they want the attention. There's a difference between those people who are on that line, who feel life has nothing for them, who are minutes away from grabbing that knife, those pills or that gun and the person who has no intention of doing so, and is talking about it just because they want that attention from people because someone else has all the attention.

I have a cousin like that. Everytime one of her sister's has something big going on, like a wedding for example, she puts on the whole "Life isn't fair." "I'm tired of playing the game." "God hates me." crap. Sadly that's just what it is too. Right now she uses Facebook status updates to display her disdain for her life. Then she gets lots of messages from people on her list that don't know about her attention whore standing, then the next day comes up with a new status to reflect how she wants to not be here anymore. Why's she doing this? Because her sister's getting married soon and has all the attention with people planning on the travel, talking about how cool it is she's getting married, etc.

It's like the little boy who cried wolf. If there's ever a time where she's actually serious in this endeavor, no one will know. Because she keeps bringing this up everytime she needs attention. While I know that most actual attempts are just that, simple cries for attention, hers are never attempts, just the talk to get the attention. Then once the event she wants to take the attention away from is over, she's "fine".

Grrr... very fucking irritating. Sadly she already sees a shrink. Maybe they need new doctors in Canadia. Someday those older than me, almost as old as my mother will need to grow up. I'm sure her kids love seeing those messages.

And this is why I like living hours away from my nearest family member.

Where has the time gone?

2009-03-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

It seems as though I never update this thing lately. It's not as though I have no time to do so, as my work day is basically the same as it always is. I guess there's just not much for me to rant or rave about that I care for people to know. Some parts of my life are always going to be private.

Hmmmm let's see..

As a nerd I fixed my own XBox 360. That was fun. There wasn't anything to exciting there, but the result made me proud to play, as it runs like a champ.
My knee from snowboarding is almost 100% I'd think. It still hurts from time to time, but it's taken a beating and kept on going so far. I think PB's trying to murder me though, with talks of going back up to the mountain this weekend. Look for a blog update next week on if I survived, otherwise look for my funeral/party invitation.
Football season ended and while we didn't win a ton, we definitely had a great time.
Soccer is never ending and while in one league we suck, in the other we're 7-1 and on the way to the championship game!
Softball is starting soon, which will be different nights than soccer. I'm looking forward to that, it's been a while.
My sister got married. PB got to see the family too. That was fun. Especially watching her get my mom & step mom confused!

That's a good update. I think I'm going to start post-dating blogs. Write them in advance and let them post on that date. At times that'd be easier. Just an idea I'm floating around. Or maybe I'll move this blog over to my new web server that's still being setup. Oh yeah, the longest frickin' process I've ever gone through. Thankfully it's not my new provider's fault, it's the one I'm leaving. They apparently don't like you leaving, so they make the process very difficult and convoluted. Bastards.

Anyhow, I'll update more here tomorrow or Wednesday. Time to do a quick upgrade so I can get the hell out of here and go home!

Change of pace?

2009-02-26T15:24:00.001-08:00

I really haven't had much to blog about, so let's change the pace on rants and raves and show some humor! Yes, some of it is nerd humor, but deal with it. I'll start it all off with a pic that will make the one I love giggle...

Good or bad... hmmmm

2009-02-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

Yep, he's baaaack.. Seems to be the talk of the town... I keep going on "Is this good or bad?" Kind of like the Russian Astronaut in Armageddon when they draw straws.

I grew up with Junior. His leaving Seattle hurt. But he was so likable, I didn't mind that much. Comparing that to A-Fraud, it was way different. Everyone still hates him. Now that Junior's coming back am I excited? Eh, I'd say more a reserved excitedness. I'm happy we have a left handed bat. If he stays healthy, he'll rock his full year in Safeco. If he follows trend & gets hurt, then well, we tried.

For now, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I'm even trying to get opening day tickets, I just don't think I'll be able to. Upon announcing his return, the M's sold 16,000 more season tickets. Should be an interesting year.

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PB's finally feeling a little better today after being way sick the past few days. Those white spots on the tonsils always look so nasty, yet so cool to look at. Either way, they are not fun if they're on your tonsils!

Lucky for my kickass immune system, I'm not sick with that. I'd end up needing to go to the dr & getting a note too. I hate sitting at a dr's office, so it would drive me nuts! Plus sitting at home all day is no fun at all! Cabin fever big time, especially in such sunny days.

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Well, time for pizza! We have a lady who's last day is today. Time to go celebrate with food. Hopefully beer too! mwahaha!

What it must be like...

2009-02-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

.. Ever see things on TV or read it on the news & wonder how people can stand it? For example, countries that don't provide basic care for their citizens. While the U.S. doesn't provide health care, we do have social service programs, laws, freedoms, & the right to do just about anything we want.

Countries like China restrict it all. This blog, for another example... I can say I hate Bush, I can say I love my job, I can say I hate people, I can say whatever the FUCK I want (see what I did there?) however the fuck I want & whenever the fuck I want. I can profess my love of intelligent people or PB, I can disclose that if you're a prick I'll put you in your place, and I can talk about whatever or whoever pisses me off at that very moment.

Love me or hate me, I don't really care. My friends know pretty much everything in this blog. Dimes for example reads all my posts. Agree or disagree she respects my opinion and we have a great friendship because of it.

Imagine now, that one of my readers worked for a communist government or every time I posted it had to go through a government censor program. Not so much fun now is it?! I'm sure the recipe blog would pass through ok. I'm not so sure that this blog would. Ha, who am I kidding? This blog & 99% of its postings would be against the law.. They'd either be deleted or my ass would be put in jail.

For all this, I'm glad for my freedoms, I'm glad I have my rights. I'm glad I live in this country. The benefit of this blog is it's my world. I can spout whatever. Don't like it, leave. Like it, visit regularly. Hell, even leave comments, I believe in free speech though I can & will moderate posts as needed. I am a human & a person & I expect to be treated as such. Failure to do so will lead to unwanted consequences.

As I said, thank God for America. Everyone have a great day and don't take for granted what we get for being here!

Valentine's Week...

2009-02-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

Working with a bunch of guys that like to talk as much shit as I do makes the work day fun. Then we sit and chat about things like Valentine's day, women, beer, cars, and anything else that appears from day-to-day.

Unfortunately at this present time there is no nickname's setup for my group, so I'll just make up names instead! "Bill" & "Robert" are the only two people in my department in the office today with me. Bill showed us the coffee mug his wife made him. It has pictures of the two of them in it, pictures of his wife with their baby, and then a piece of paper that gives him a free charter fishing trip. It was pretty cool, definitely creative.

Then the service center (our IT help desk) manager sent us an email, saying she heard us talking about Valentine's and wanted to show us what she got her fiance. It was a brand new, 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle. He had previously sold his motorcycle to pay for her engagement ring (everyone all together now: "awwwwwww"). We were pitching idea's for her to give it to him, since she's not sure how to pull it off yet.

We then discussed the thing's we're doing and how much of a commercial "holiday" that Valentine's day is. I only say it like that because people shouldn't need just one day a year to do something nice for the person they care about. Sadly though, because there is more than one guy out there who won't ever send flowers or do something nice, this holiday was born. Those of us that do random sweet things because we care see that day as a day to be creative. Because roses and candy are too cliche. Plus really, I could send roses any other time of year at a fraction of what they raise the prices to. Dozen long stem roses during late Feb - end of January: $50-80. Same place, same flowers, week of Valentine's day: $120+.

Yet doing something creative, something personal, something that makes a moment and shows some thought will do more than any store bought rose or candy heart. I know, nothing says I love you like dark chocolate... But still. Creative is where it's at!

Since I know some of my reader base, that's where my description of what I'm doing for Valentine's day ends.....

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On the bright side, PB gets to meet the family this weekend. That should be a good time. I haven't been back in a few months anyway, so it'll be a good time for all. Plus it'll help that we're staying at the Hilton too, so she (or well, me more so) can unwind away from them all. I haven't seen some of the family I'll see this weekend for many years, like close to 3-4.

Life...

2009-02-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

المرح الشيء غوغل المترجم. حتى أتمكن من الحديث عن هذه الفتاة الخاص بأي لغة كنت ترغب في ذلك. الانجليزية؟ من المؤكد أن سهولة. الأسبانية؟ من المؤكد انها بذلك تكون قادرة على قراءتها. العربية؟ يخلط الجميع للخروج من الجحيم! وهكذا فإنه العربية.

أنا بس كنت استخدام هذا الوقت لأقول أنا سعيد لهذه النتيجة المذهلة امرأة في حياتي. لم اكن اعتقد في يوم مثل هذا الامر. أنا دائما عن أمله ، ولكن في الحقيقة ، لم أكن على يقين من أنها حقيقة واقعة. أشكر الله كل فرصة يمكنني مذهلة في اتجاه الشخص الذي القى لي. أنا سعيد لأننا كنا قادرين على رؤية كلا! ها هي الحياة ، والحب ، والضحك من العمر.

Sí esto es acerca de usted. La traducción no es tan buena, cerca de que a nuestro idioma, pero se vuelve al punto de ancho. Poco.

I'm aliiiiiiiive!

2009-02-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

Kinda. haha That picture I posted on Friday was scarily accurate to how yesterday's humbling experience ended up! And boy do I fucking hurt! My fingers are even sore. However, I'm extremely grateful for the amazing girl that I have in my life.

First and foremost I have to recap my first snowboarding experience.. because this is something that has to be put down to be remembered. I will post pics of the trip into a separate blog later.

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I talked a lot of shit. Kind of the normal shit I talk with everything else. Because really, why would snowboarding be any different from other activities I do? God granted me the ability to pick things up and run with them very easily. Sports, technology, life, I learn and go forward. Usually from a crawl to a walk to a run very fast. Failure's never been an option, neither has having to work really hard at things. It just works.

But not this time.

Oh no, God decided that while other activities in life may come easier, this was one activity I need to work at. But the thing is, I'll do just that. I'm too stubborn to give up and really, I fucking hate to lose. HATE to lose. Especially since I'm losing to myself and SNOW. A frickin' inanimate object. How the hell do you lose to something that isn't even trying to compete with you?!

The chair lift went pretty well. I didn't really fall getting off the first one like PB thought (figured) I would. She tried her little initiation "push" which I balanced and stayed up on. There's hope! I could be good! Or...... not. I promptly ate it the whole way down. Sitting and reflecting and getting frustrated each dump. It took me way too long to get down that first run because I wasn't sure how to deal with my frustration. About half way down that first slide, the back of the board cut in hard and while I was very tense, I tried to counter that idea like a dumbass. As I felt the pop of my knee, about 10 seconds later I hit the ground. What I screamed inside my head is not safe to post on this blog, even for me. PB knew something was up based off my reaction.. I mean, really, I don't get hurt, not much. But I made it down, and it hurt.. She made a quick run after that, while I tweaked with my bindings a bit, trying to find my balance. We took a quick break for batteries and a shot (or two), then it was back to the mountain.

We decided it was about lunch time & PB really wanted one of the restaurants that are up on the mountain. It was ski-lift time again! Again, proper dismount, thus not making an ass of myself nor did they have to stop the lift for me... whoohoo!

There was this moderately steep downhill right off, as we took a right to the next lift we had to take before we got to the food.. So PB was working with me on how to take it and keep it easy. However, on this day, NOTHING was easy. While I started to do it correctly, I made it probably 15-20 feet where I then promptly ate it. Then continued to eat it about every 2 feet the whole way down. I even got to find some ice! My tailbone still enjoys that discovery. I had no real strength in my left knee though, so after enough falls, I unbuckled (we hit a flat spot, no momentum = walking) and walked to the next lift. I was so tense while falling down the slope continuously that when I loosened up to walk, I was exhausted. My body hated me. While talking with PB on the walk, we had a ski safety lady ski by, who watched my little ... adventure .. and told me that if I was tired or having a real hard time to just ask ski patrol or the safety people and they'd get me a courtesy ride down the mountain so that I didn't kill myself.

That little piece of advice was in the back of my head the rest of the next ride up. Oh, and I didn't bite that dismount either! When we got to the food place, I was so exhausted that I didn't want to eat, despite needing food. So I picked something and just kind of ate pieces here and there, while PB devoured hers. At least one of us could eat something. While eating and unwinding there, I pretty much made the decision that I wasn't going to slide my ass down the mountain for a few reasons. One, my knee really was starting to hurt in ways that made me nervous. Two, it wasn't fair for PB. She can board, but while going with me, she's not going to leave me behind. So as I fall and get pissed every 3 feet, she'll end up waiting for me. Thus not a fun ride for her. I couldn't do that. Real relationships, good relationships are about compromise and give and take. We have always done that and I'm pretty sure we always will. So I swallowed my pride and asked for a ride down, so she could it it on her own and not have to stop for me the whole way. I owed her that much after all the patience she had with my inability to do anything on a snowboard but crash.

Ahhhh the sled ride down. They strap you into this sled, and the ski patrol takes you down. That was actually pretty fun. We hauled ass down the mountain (passing PB even with her head start but I got to wave LOL!) and once at the bottom I waited for her to come down. She was happy and excited about her run smiling and happy to tell me about how amazing it was. Seeing that in her face really told me that the decision I made, regardless of how big of an ego bruise it created, was the right decision. That excitement and smile told me all I needed to know about the day. Since it was about 4, they were slowly shutting down, but she was able to get on a lift and hit it again before they shut it down. She came down, the same excitement and smile on her face as the last one. Yep, I may suck at snowboarding, but seeing her happy after those runs definitely made the day perfect.

We got a chai tea to depart with, then remembered that they took pictures at the beginning of the day, so we went to check them out. They got 2 good action shots, one of her, one of me (obviously has to be shortly before biting it! ) and then two great pictures of us, together. So we got the package deal with 4 5x7's. They're some great pictures though.

Once home, PB forced me to sit on the couch, made me some ice bags, rolled them up onto my knee, then proceeded to get me water, cocoa, beer, food, whatever. A sweetheart, in so many ways.

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Today's my review too, this should be fun. I haven't had a work review in ages. Hell, in all my career I've only had one raise. Not by lack of performance, but because the companies I end up working for go bankrupt or get bought out & merge. Thus if the ownership is always changing, there is no annual review other than, "Keep working!".. So we'll see how this goes.

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A sad, yet happy story that tugs at anyone who's a hopeless romantic....

Read me...

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On that note, it's time to get some food!

Man...

2009-01-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

.. what a slow Friday. It's too bad they restrict so much access from here, otherwise I could remote out and do some other work. Oh well, I'm just doing some intense web research and trying to keep myself occupied. I'm sure another long email thread about random things is in order. My group is fun like that. It gets even more fun when your boss chimes in and cracks a few jokes as well.

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It's been so slow, it's now 2p, and I just got back from a 2hr lunch. We sat, had some beers, and laughed. A lot. Learned a new word even....

Behyman (be - high - man). If you're not sure what that means, well, sorry! I know I've got mine though, so that's all that matters. Like I said, a good lunch. My stomach still hurts from laughing so much. My co-workers are fun, that's for sure.

Well the weekend is a little slower, with only soccer tonight & football tomorrow. I think Sunday instead of watching the Super Bore, we'll be off snowboarding. Where has yet to be determined, but it sounds like it's between Baker & Crystal. Either way, I hope I live!

As the world gets smaller....

2009-01-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

Holy crap odd. Odd enough I must blog about it. I have a knack for remembering faces, though not names. So I could remember seeing someone at the store for example, then see them again months later and think that I've seen that person somewhere before. I may or may not remember where, just depends. That's how my mind works, faces are easy, names are harder.

When PB & I put together our football team, I was looking through our opponents that were scheduled against us. Teams that had played previously had pics of those teams, and looking at the first team we played I just recognized one woman on that team. I figured it's because I play enough sports, she's probably played on some other league or something along that line.

After my great lunch today, I went over to the corporate break room to get something to drink and I swore the woman at the table with others was the coach of that first team. Nah, couldn't be. So I came back to my desk, pulled up the team page of that team, pulled up my company directory and ... holy shit! So I've been chatting with her about who else plays for her that works here. Professional networking at it's finest! Plus, she said they have a hard time finding players sometimes, thus another outlet to play when I don't want to get a team together. Sweeeeeet!

The world sure does shrink!!

The hits keep coming & coming...

2009-01-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

almost 90,000 this week. That's job losses people. By Wednesday of this week, over 90,000 people have lost their job nationwide. As it's that time of year when the companies report to Wall Street their earnings, they are announcing job cuts to help push off the chance of a collapse.

So this week is half over and we're pushing 100,000. We already have 200,000 for the year. In JANUARY. Last year we had as a country around 2.6 million jobs lost for the year. The single most since 1945. I find that stat with mixed emotions. Because there are more people than 1945, it's probably not near as damaging, but then again, that's a lot of money that's no longer being spent in the local economy.

Sadly, there's not a whole lot that any individual employee can do to make sure that they don't lose their job. Well, other than picking an industry that is safe. But then again, what is safe? Microsoft is laying people off, Home Depot is laying people off, banks, manufacturing, construction, real estate, retail, everyone is making cuts.

Well I should be grateful that I have all that I do. People are going to continue to hit rough times, so those of us that are ok will definitely have to help out where we can. However, there's a fine line with that "help". As many who lose their job or home (or both) do get depressed, help isn't the easiest thing to accept. While down, offering help can take them even further down, offering to pay for lunch or dinner makes them feel like they can't pull their own weight. The biggest thing you can do to keep them happy with that? Do free things... Go to the park, play catch, be active. Just be a friend.

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So on a brighter note ummmm the Super Bowl is coming up? Or even better, they are looking at expanding the liquor selection in Washington's liquor stores. I doubt we'll see Everclear anyday, but hey, more choices is still a positive.

OH and a definite plus is that the vending machine over at the corporate office has Bit-O-Honey! That is a huge plus. mmmmmmm

Ok, that's good enough for now. Nothing has really touched a nerve lately, just been busy with 'life'.

It's January....... right?

2009-01-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

I got a huge case of spring fever on the way in. I mean it's sunny out with no clouds in the sky. What a way to start the week. Despite the cold I felt like I should have rode the bike to work today. Looking at Komo4's weather for the week however, it looks like today's the only possible day.

Looking at the rain coming, I decided to check how the weekend treated the different mountain ski resorts. It did snow in the lowlands this weekend, plus some rain, so it had to have snowed in the mountains too..... right? Or you know, they got 2" of snow in the past 48hrs. TWO INCHES. In January. COME ON. I got all this cool winter gear that just sits and waits. It's 5 degrees up there tho. Sounds like a great time, if you're a damn polar bear... Maybe this upcoming rain will bring good snow to the mountains!

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Overall, kind of a slow blog day. The weekend went well, not losing one game all weekend. Including the nail biter final to our football game. A great defensive flag football game helps keep the adrenaline going for the entire time. It was intense and exciting.

Super Bowl is this weekend too, thinking about throwing a party since there is no softball. We'll see how the week starts to pan out and then we'll go from there. But I think it'd be a great idea. Then again, I kind of have another idea that'd be fun too. Again, we'll see how this week plays out and decide from there....

Apparently times are tough..

2009-01-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

Thank God for some real job security. While tens of thousands of Puget Sound workers are finding the axe, I'm lucky to not have that worry. Not even a little. While companies are reporting losses for the year, our numbers are way up. Apparently worldwide shipping is a profitable business.

This is where I mix up my 5 year plan a little. I'm keeping the plan intact, however, I'm keeping an open mind on if it happens in 5 years or not. While those that have been shown the door figure out where they want to work or what they want to do, the economy around Seattle is going to slow. Not the best time to take a business live 100%. Rather, it's a great time to just do the planning, the paperwork, the policies needed, then look for some different opportunities and do some part time work for things that come in. When there is a surge of small business and opportunity, then it's time to pull the trigger. Jumping too early means disaster, and who wants to be homeless??

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On that note, TGIF! It's Friday.. Nothing really important to note, just another day. I'm definitely going to keep updating my business blog, I'm going through ideas on which things to hit on, like different series based off the day.. Like Management Monday, Tech Tuesday, etc. But I don't know that I'll do one everyday.

OH! One thing I did hear on the way in to work that made me wonder about is how there are so many stupid men out there?! One of the ladies on the radio show I sometimes listen to was bitching because her husband didn't call her back after her ultrasound. Even after she sent him pics. Apparently, 4 hours later he finally called back. This is their first kid btw.

HOW?! If that's your first kid, how the hell are you not at the ultrasound with her to begin with?? If it's the 3rd or 4th, ok, no problem, I understand that it's "old news" in a sense. But you'd still call afterwords to find out the sex, make sure it's healthy, etc. How does a guy who's married and wanting kids with his wife just pass it off as though she was just trying to tell him about her breakfast? (I was going to use the BB analogy there that S² uses, but really, who calls to tell about that?!)

I'd be excited as one could imagine. I'd be open to go to every doctor appointment. It doesn't matter if it's just a checkup. This is your child, your DNA, your future. If you're not excited about the idea, then you needed to think about that before taking the steps to have kids.

I know, he's scaaaared.. Please. Being scared doesn't mean you're going to ignore your wife after the most important event with your first child. I don't know, maybe I just don't understand because I could never fathom ever being like that. But then again, I'm also the guy that has no problems running in to buy tampons either.

Still. Not good if you ask me.

And the ball is in motion.....

2009-01-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

That motion, is like a snowball... as this ball rolls it's traction gains, it's goals emerge and life changes..

Thus the new business blog is up, things are flying and away we all go.. Where we stop, no one knows.. actually I know, because I have no plan of stopping..

And I present to you the Business Blog: Maximum Dollar.

Business & Businesses

2009-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

There's a reason I have a 5-year, million dollar plan. This isn't a in 5 years I'll have made a million, but rather within 5 years my company will be bringing in a minimum of a million that year. As I talk with friends about the companies they own, work for, or work with, I come to realize just how easily this task will be to work. The only part I am still hammering out is just how far I want the company to dig into business inefficiency.

I like blogging about business, because in 1-, 2-, 3-years down the road I can pull it up and take a peak at what I was thinking now, to see if I was under estimating the problem or to see if I stuck to the path I had already envisioned out. Maybe I'll create another blog just solely on the business process & where I'm at with that. Maybe I'll do that here later today even, copying this blog into it as the first official post.

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I was chatting with a friend a couple nights ago about the company he works for, who I've done some work with on many fronts. He was asking me about some new policies that were put into place very quickly and not implemented over time like most. He was interested in my secret to accomplishing this, as change never moves that quickly. I explained not only the technical reasons on why the policies were put out there but the efficiency it offers over their old way of doing it. While he understood all that I was saying, he couldn't understand how easy it was for them to make the change, because in most businesses not only is change feared, it's usually slow to implement, and here in less than an hour, his company had a TON of change.

What can I say, I'm just that good. Now that I'm done stroking my ego, I'll share a small amount of why I'm that good.

I have experience to back it up. I know what I'm doing, period. It doesn't matter if you're a software company, an insurance company, an accounting firm or a lawyer's office. I can walk in, see where you're efficiency is failing and ways you can turn it around.
Once I see how your office is backwards, I can provide the financial incentive to make any owner/CEO/president suddenly think, "Change is AWESOME!".

Now, with point #2, don't think I go in there and pay them to change. They pay themselves to change. I just show them the approximate amount of money they save by just making a few changes: whether it be processes, software changes, computer hardware changes, or a combination of all of the above. When you tell a CEO that in this tight economy that I can save them approximately $200,000 a year without losing any staff, they sit up straight in their chairs and hang on every word coming out of my mouth. Plus they then are more than willing to give me a percentage of that to get that efficiency.

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That's all the easy part. There's nothing in any of that process that makes me nervous to do it. The question is, however, how deep do I want to go. Do I keep it to technology, or do I go down the business management side of it as well. I hate to use the analogy of Office Space, but there are some really dumb management types out there. As such, the people that deal with them on a day-to-day basis don't understand or fail to see it. That's where a third wheel comes in, evaluates the business on a whole, the IT staff, the sales manager, the HR director, making sure that the company is running at it's peak capacity. Where the flaws are found, multiple solutions can be presented. Move inefficient manager A to department Z. Move efficient senior employee B to department D to turn it around and lead it to profitability. Sometimes those closest to the situation can't see the solution sitting right in front of them.

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Each person has strengths and weaknesses. That's human nature. The question is, can that weakness be fixed or is it something permanent. If it's permanent, how can you work around it and make use of what that person is great at. That my friends, is what makes a great manager. The ability to make people succeed. Because in the grand scheme of business, a great manager can't be selfish. It's not about you, the manager. Your success comes when you're employees do great things. If you smother your employees and not allow them to succeed, you're working too hard at micromanaging. When you're salesmen bring in a monster quarter because you allowed them to do what they're good at, when you shuffled people around to get their strengths out there, delegated the projects and customers in a way that utilized every person to the peak of their potential, THAT is when you get your recognition. Because you're the boss, you enabled it. Senior management will see what you were able to perform and you will be rewarded as such.

"Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results. "
-George S. Patton

To bring sports into it, a great leader or manager (yes, they are two different things; not every great leader can manage & not every great manager can lead but there are those who can lead & manage) is a quarterback. You can be the best QB ever, but if you don't have the right staff around you, who's going to catch your passes? Who's going to deflect the defense to allow you to create magic on the field? If you think you can do it all yourself you will fail and as such, you will not only be demoted to second string, your salary will suffer with it. Bring your teammates up and along with you, you will fly, breaking records, winning games and creating that nest egg that we all want financially. Most importantly, you'll keep teammates. No one wants to play with a selfish leader who can't complete passes and fumbles all the time.

That works the same in management. Employee turnover hurts the bottom line. Being an efficient department isn't easy when you're constantly training new people. But as a leader or a manager you must look into what is causing the turnover. There are usually 2 main reasons... A) You chose the wrong employee to hire or B) Your management style doesn't fit the people in place. As a manager, people sometimes have way too much pride in that they can't admit that they don't know how to deal with their people. That's where maybe you're a better leader, but a really crappy manager. That's OK, but you must own up to it, and your management or leadership must recognize this and utilize your strengths at the benefit to the company. If it's option A, well, then as a company you've got to sit down and look through why you're hiring the people you are. You know the old insanity joke.. the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result each time... Well, hiring the same type of people over and over again while expecting something different each time is, you guessed it, insanity.

There's a reason I have about 15 different management & leadership books, each by a different set of authors. Some are prize winning, some do seminars that sell out in each city, some are just the theory & psychology of business management and leadership. Mix that in with experience, common sense, & some business savvy thoughts, and you get me. Yes I've lead people, I've managed, hired and fired. I've had one person quit on me in all my years of a manager. ONE. While that looks like turnover, it was a calculated move on my part, getting him to quit as we did not have a firing policy at the time. With that, I was the highest requested manager to work for. Imagine that. Work hard for me, I've got your back. Slack off and I'll mentor you, find your strengths and make sure you do what you're good at so we all win. Sometimes I do agree that there are cases where you can't win, that employee is impossible to reach. Sometimes as a manager you have to admit to your mistakes and realize that keeping that person is a bad choice & thus showing them the door is the only way to go. That's not a bad thing. It helps keep you grounded.

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I will end this long winded blog right about here. I only brushed the surface on a number of little things going through my head. I could take each paragraph and turn it into a blog about this size and help change businesses. At one point I probably will do just that, with a business blog. In the meantime, the overview of my company is set. There's far too many companies out there that fail, not for lack of a great idea, but for a lack of direction. It's time to provide them the compass.

For you managers, leaders, and management hopefuls.. remember, it's not going to be easy, you have to accept fault in yourself, you have to work hard and you have to do it in a way that gets results. Work smarter, not harder. Otherwise you could find yourself here instead.

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

-Theodore Roosevelt

GAHHHHH

2009-01-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mother fucker! Two times my mouth just bypasses all filters in speech or typing... 1) when I'm exhausted. PB can attest to this after last night, given Sunday night's circus -or- 2) when I get fired up because of people that I just truly don't understand.

Obama the antichrist? Really? FUCKING really!? He's been our president not even 24 hours. People lay off right after the election as if it didn't happen. Now that it's a reality and in their face, it's time to start that topic again. Facebook/myspace messages of "Here comes hell!", "Down the gutter goes our country", etc, etc.

Asking an acquaintance why her views extend the way they do in terms of that, she mentions "signs" and how she doesn't want to be the religious preacher when it comes to talking about how if she's right, life is going to suck because of his Antichrist status..

Now let me get this out of the way first and foremost as I didn't want to do a political blog, nor a religious one. I voted for GWB in 2000. In 2004, I voted for him again as really, there was no better choice and really, he couldn't do worse than he had done (wrong there for sure). I was a supporter in 2000, indifferent in 2004, and a hater in 2008. MANY people other than me believed the same. Hint why Obama was elected.

He wasn't elected because of his race, it was because he was the best speaker offering change that could sell it. He's the type of sales man that shows leadership, picks the right people, smart people, that will bring about change. He doesn't have a dad and strings inside politics, people are/were tired of that, which is why GWB is leaving with the lowest ranking of any president... EVER. 43rd president, meaning in ranking he was 43/43. I know that like in sports, unless you're first it doesn't really matter. To be dead last however, says a TON. But I digress. Big time.

As for this particular person, she mentions signs she sees. So I ask, probably the dumbest and most obvious question any one person would ask... "Like what signs? I don't see him asking to be worshipped in place of God" Not to mention I mean he goes to church. That church doesn't have a pentagram and sacrifice small animals or virgins. He's not asking for people to worship him, so I am waiting for a smoking gun or some kind of something that gives people this belief. Because really, to believe such a HUGE thing, one would think it requires something, ANYTHING, that points to this. Her answer? "I can't really explain it to you, one would need to have a very big, very deep relationship with God to understand..." Wait, wha.... ? So because apparently God and I aren't dating, I wouldn't understand nor be able to research these "signs" that someone sees (and apparently can't explain to a peon like me).

This is where she then goes off on how she hates how people claim religion while doing the opposite. I listen (or well, read) this argument while throwing morsels at her to keep her on her rampage just so I can laugh and get fired up while I throw more at her to see how deep this goes in her belief system. She goes off about how people judge and shouldn't and how she tries to live by God's word. .... wait, didn't she just judge me and what I believe earlier? Does she know what I know nor have any idea of my religious views? Hmmm, I must remember to use dictionary.com to check the official definition of judge or judging. Because I think I'm confused.

What signs are these people seeing? Obama wasn't elected because he was black, he wasn't elected because he goes to church, he was elected because he advertised the change that people are desperately seeking. Yes, he may not have as much experience as McCain did, but at this point in time, people didn't want the experience. They wanted to shake things up. Bush came from a family of politicians full of experience. Here we are.

He's not been president 24 hours, yet people are already foaming at the mouth just waiting for the failure or hell on earth. Sadly, in 4 years, it still won't be here. If he does just a fraction of what he was aiming for, this country will finally start doing things we should have been doing years ago... Will that be a failure? Nope. Even funnier will be the new supporters. Those same people that claimed he was the Antichrist or that he's the beginning of the end of the world will suddenly be a fan, trying to cover up their original feelings "I was just saying the whole time I hoped I was wrong... since I am, yay! Go Obama!" At which those that tried to get you to open your mind a little, to give it a chance (do you have any other choice, he is the elected president now), we'll be the ones looking at you, seeing that your closed minded beliefs are why people look at you the way we do.

Do I think Obama is the save all? NOPE. Do I think he'll do everything he promised on his way to the White House? NOPE. Do I think he's the reason the world will collapse? NOPE. Do I think people need to relax and let time take it's path? YEP. Nothing will happen over night, nor would we want it to. I just want people to keep an open mind as things go on. I'll be the first one to say I was wrong if shit hits the fan. I'm not naive enough to think that there's not a chance of that. I know there's a chance of that. There's also a chance I could hit the lotto. There's a chance that anything can happen. But if I sat around and just talked about it's only a matter of time and everything coming out of my mouth was gloom and doom, how good would my life be? Really? I'd lose my friends, my career would stall out, and I'd be single. I'd have to get a cat who'd claw the shit out of me for being a loser and then want to hang myself from my stairs.

I understand people are pessimistic. But with things already shitty, how about looking towards a little positive, as we're at the start of a little change. Not all change is negative.

As obvious, this was a rant on people. I'm open minded to understand other's views. When they can explain them. When they have valid points. If you don't have the points, that's ok, naive people can have an opinion too. Just keep them to yourself.

Steps... take one, then another..

2009-01-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Given the theme of blogs past, there are a number of things I'd love to do before I die. I'd love to open a small diner. I hope to have kids. I desire to not only work for myself, but to be financially set by doing so. With that, I hope to bring friends along for the ride. Because if I'm doing something that makes me a lot of money, why not let them make lots of money too?!

On that note, I've had a lot of really deep thoughts and plans in regards to my future. So much so I believe I have a model that will change the way companies use and acquire technology going forward. Kind of like the "Best Buy" of IT. I've floated different aspects of different pieces through my head for a while. Last night on the way home, about 3 pieces floated by each other and clicked.... Thus my new goal of making a million in less than 5 years.

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Wow, I was just pointed (by coworkers) to a news article talking about a 22yr old girl who is auctioning off her virginity to pay for college. Highest bid thus far? $3.7 million. I don't know what school she plans on going to, but I think that pretty much covers it. But hey, why stop there, she's starting off as a prostitute, might as well keep the process going. Because once you're the woman known for selling her virginity, I'm pretty sure no good guy is really going to want to keep you. Not to mention that thanks to the internet, her picture will forever be associated w/ that news fact. I'm sure her kids will be proud to know what their mother did.

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Oh and I've mentioned the online recipe Blog before, Favorite Eats.. I haven't written anything there in a few, but my co-author has. PB will get access before long, just need to get her the right ID to login, and then she can add whatever recipe's she wants for the world to see as well. It's gaining popularity too, with 5 people currently watching it for new posts.

New toys...

2009-01-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love me some toys.. Yes, that's right, I'm a little kid.. The only difference is that my toys cost more..

My newest collection:

That was my very latest.. Before that, just this morning I was able to score some new boots too!

Once I get those toys in and installed I will post a new picture of the board. Mmmmm gotta love new toys.

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Something I've been reading a lot about given it's still early January is "New Year Resolutions"... I guess my main question is, WHY?! Why is it that so many people set unrealistic expectations as if a new year is suddenly a reason to be a different person. I'm sorry, but if you've always been an asshole, I'm guessing you're still going to be an asshole in 2009.

Who benefits the most by these promises? Gyms, psychologists, and then, in the end, Ben & Jerry. There's a reason that each gym has a $200+ deposit (or better known as "start-up fee") and that you won't find any new year special reducing or eliminating that. Because when you quit going after 2 weeks they still get paid!

The problem as I see it is that most people set unrealistic expectations with huge change right off the bat. Instead of starting small and working towards the end result. When someone says "This year I'm going to the gym every day for at least 2 hours! Then in 2 weeks I'll be down 10-15lbs and will be on my way to my year weight loss goal!", they're setting themselves up for massive failure. They're forgetting the increased muscle mass may have the scale appear to be slowly dropping. Not to mention that at a minimum of 3 nights a week it will take 2-3 weeks before your body starts any serious change for the normal person. Thus, after about the 20th of January, Ben & Jerry's sales start increasing. Sad that they have only lost 2 lbs in all their workouts and grunts, they sit at home, drowning their sorrows in a tub of Chunky Monkey.

It's not fair by any means, but come on people. Drastic change doesn't happen over night. It takes steps. Each step being a realistic one at that. You can't expect over night weight loss, you can't expect to suddenly be rich, just as you can't expect to suddenly change your life. Change isn't bad, but you have to be fair to yourself. The big thing is to understand that if you don't accomplish all the grand schemes you set out to do, you didn't fail, you're not a failure, but to keep working on it. Giving up and going back to the old way of things you wanted to change is leading yourself to disappointment. Then year after year you get the same results. Nothing.

And to be fair, my New Year's resolution? I've got to be honest here... I've really not made any this year. I don't really have a reason to, I enjoy my life right the way it is. However, I do have goals I want to accomplish, kind of fits with the "I'm 30 this year, live life!", so I guess it all fits into those. Some of those goals:

Don't die. -Simple enough.
Snowboard. -Got a board from PB for Christmas, just got my toys above, this goal is on it's way down...
Get all my business plans in line for 2009. -Sounds easy & most is done already, just takes a little more time in planning, organizing and figuring out the details.
Making sure the people closest to me know how much I do care, both by expressing it verbally and via actions. -again, simple enough.
Staying active w/ sports, gym visits, playing in the yard or whatever comes up.

That's pretty much a small sample list of things that are on my list. Granted there's plenty more I want to do, there's plenty more I would like to do but that's for another day. Maybe I'll create a big list and check things off as I complete them.

End of the day... (And post # 50!)

2009-01-12T16:51:00.000-08:00

So ends another great Monday. Actually there was nothing great about it. I'm not as stiff today as I was yesterday, always a bonus. After a soccer game friday, throwing about 30 passes on Saturday, then playing soccer yesterday my body finally got it figured out and isn't mad at me. However, I do believe I need to go outside in the yard every day after work and throw a minimum of 20 passes at a target just to get into the arm strength that I'm used to having. I definitely noticed less zip on the ball towards the end of that game, which is where all the screw-ups were coming from. I felt like Brett Favre.

On the bright side, after a disastrous Friday night game, a rough Saturday game, last nights game was freaking amazing. PB tore up everything in the remote vicinity of her making stops that awed both teams out there.

Now that I got her car out of the garage my list for the week is to get my bindings & boots, paint the night stands from upstairs, finish up the AITG web portfolio, do some photoshopping to combat ..... crap I don't have a name for him yet. That's also now on my list.

Now for entertainment:

How I spent Mother's Day, 5/18/06.

2009-01-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

Editor's note: This story is a long one. It was a great learning experience that didn't thankfully cost much. Since that day in 2006, the Jeep and it's driver have changed dramatically. I am more experienced and it is better equipped. Enjoy the story and the pictures. -CA

Ok, so Mother's day, 2006. Great weather in the Seattle area so as such we (Erik, Cortni, and myself) decide it'd be great to get up into the mountains for a little bit of R&R. Little did we know that it would be quite the opposite! It started off simple enough, just some hill climbs, some puddles and great scenery.

It was a good 65-70 degrees out and the top was off the Jeep. Definitely a great start to a day. I however did not take any pictures of some of the small towns we drove through on the way up. One was Greenwater, a small town with maybe 3 stores but some camp grounds and cabins you can rent. Oh, I should say it was out Highway 410, Chinook Pass. It is still closed at the summit due to snow, but we weren't aiming to go over the pass, but rather just have fun on a forest service road or two.

Most of the stuff we saw was pretty cake. What you can't see in this pic is that there is a HUGE hole up on the left that if I had a winch I'd probably work my way through it. However, being completely stock it wasn't for me. Nor would I even try and risk it. So we ended up backing down this hill and heading up another route. A route I will call, Forest Road 72. That road will forever be etched in my memory. It had some GREAT scenery though. I mean it was absolutely amazing.

As you can see from the pic above, there were hidden gems around just about any corner. The higher we went in altitude the better some of the pictures got. Below is being still fairly low and finding Mount Rainier peaking around a corner:

You'd think that was awesome, but well, it gets better, see:

That's right up near where things got.... fun? Crazy? Or rather, insane. We come around this bend and see nothing but snow. No more dirt, gravel or road. No big deal, we're not going to go anywhere so we'll just mark the snow and back out and head down another trail. Erik heads up with his Chevy (no pics there, sorry) and then I follow with my Jeep after he backs out. After reaching my stopping point, we stop, get out and take some pictures.

After having so much fun, why not go ahead and just back up the rut I made and hit some more hills!

Looks good still! No problem. But you will notice there that my front end has started to slide down out of the rut. What the ... ?! So it's time to get out and see what I'm dealing with.....

Hmmm, doesn't look too bad, should be able to just turn the wheel and get back on track.. But then my front wheel hits a soft spot with the mud and rocks and decides to shift that over.

Our thoughts have shifted into "Oh, no biggie, let's just tow it out, who cares. Ha ha ha, be sure to take pics, the Chevy gets to tow out the Jeep."

Can't be that hard to do. I mean, really. Hook, tow, move on.

Soooo, let's hook the Jeep up and get out of here!

But once we start pulling, it doesn't want to get back up on the level ground, rather just kind of slide towards a very steep drop-off with rocks and trees. Never fun.

Wait! Craig! Put on your seatbelt, it's safer that way, you do not want to die!

I wish you could have seen my expression when I realized there are no seat belts. No seat belts you ask yourself? Yup! That's right. At a certain angle, Jeeps will lock the seat belts. Great idea, if you're rolling or in a dangerous spot. But when you take the belt off and it goes all the way in, it should still be able to unlock the belt to put it back on. Or well, be smart enough to realize that it's locked because it's at an angle where you shouldn't be getting back into the Jeep! I am not quite that smart yet (at that time. I'm currently smarter after this day. That's what they call experience!) Using the term "Pucker factor" doesn't even apply in this situation. There is no feeling like this in the world when you literally do not want to get back into your vehicle for fear of death being likely shortly after you get in & shutting the door.

Thankfully a couple guys stopped off to help us out. 3 actually. 2 were really helpful and we did a lot of brainstorming, digging and rock moving. There were many moments like the following where we discussed the best way to do things.

Unfortunately, none of it helped. Well, I can't say that. We did get it moved back, but we just couldn't get the rear-end to get up on level flat ground again, no matter what we tried.

From inside the Chevy:

We just about had it. One more pull and we'll have those wheels up on the flat part in nothing flat! You can see the tension in the tow line.

Figuring all we had to do was just unhook it from the truck and attach it to the tow hook on the other side to better the angle on the pull, Erik pulled forward to release the tension. What happened there nearly made me faint. The back right tire of the jeep decides to just go up into the air, with the three tires on the ground being the ones pointing it down the hill.

It was at that time I made the executive decision that it was time for a tow truck. So one of the gentlemen who stopped to help took me down to Greenwater to call a tow truck from there. Unfortunately I tried to have my roadside assistance cover the tow, but I guess I messed that up when they asked where I wanted it towed to and I advised them "About 20 feet?". I guess that's a "winch" and they don't cover that. Gonna have to work on my skills to get that covered next time. Maybe "the nearest town" would have been a better answer? So anyhow, stuck up in the hills, I had cell service. Down in this tiny town? NONE. I had to buy a calling card to use the payphone and then wait for the tow truck. Erik & Cortni being the loyal friends stayed up with the Jeep, Chevy still attached because we didn't want a wind breeze to blow the Jeep down the hill, given that without the tension the rear was up in the air.

That will hopefully be the only picture you will ever see with the Jeep being towed anywhere. The driver was extremely nice though and a good guy. Told me about winches I can get for the same price I was towed for and other places we could go and everything. A+ to Fred's Towing in Enumclaw. I would recommend them to anyone. So on the way down we found a hill climb and go figure, a tree just jumped right up in front of the path I wanted to take!

Side note, no I didn't hit the tree. To top off my night, we stopped off at Carl's Pizza in Bonney Lake. AWESOME pizza. Played softball with the owner and he's a great guy. So we ate, laughed and were glad we had all vehicles and people with no injuries, deaths or roll-overs. During the ride home however, one of the pizza's decided it wanted to try and fly! (Yes, that is upside down)

Needless to say I was VERY careful about what I did the rest of the day. I was not feeling all that lucky. But isn't that how they say you gain "valuable" experience? Is when things go completely south?? Well, I can tell you that I will not be in that situation ever again.

Thanks to all that helped that day and to all for the humor that it now is. I did a lot of prayer that day, hoping the Jeep would not go down, praying that if it did, let me not be in it and the truck doesn't go with it. Now that it's said and done with, I'm ready to go climb some hills. No more of this snow.

Gotta love it...

2009-01-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is going to be a multiple blog day.. been a while since one of those..

I've gotta say, I really appreciate the small things my boss does.. For example, I worked at 6 this morning.. Coming in late, no big deal. Hell, even leaving early after coming in late is ok. After all, not many people are willing to work any hour of the night. But I guess that's why I get the big bucks, right? But I digress.

Come to find out I have to do an upgrade tomorrow night too. Between 5 & 6. No big deal, I just stay late to do it... Until he tells me to go ahead and leave at 4 to do it from home. Who in their right mind would say no to that? There's no real reason other than he respects the work done.

Out of all my bosses that I've worked for this one seems to get it the most really. He's not as technical as those of us that work for him, but he tries hard. He doesn't let pride get in the way of saying "Help, this isn't right..." thus saving the customer time and money. It beats struggling with it for an hour before admitting he doesn't know. Nothing worse than a small problem growing to a large problem because of a delay in asking for help. One can only kiss so much ass to make up for it before the customer is tired of hearing it.

This isn't the first time, but it's always a warm & fuzzy when the little things that happen make you feel wanted. Definitely a reason why this place could very well be the very last place I ever work. This is why all my friends want to know if we're hiring, because the corporate environment here. This is also why I was able to lure my buddy from Boeing to come here. The benefits and pay are top notch, the BS is low, the attitude is fun, and they appreciate everything you do and reward you accordingly the whole way..

I just have to remember I need to get him something for Christmas in '09. He got all of us a bottle of wine this year. We get taken out to lunch with a few beers, he covers our asses with any other departments when we're in the right and they don't want to hear it and he just keeps us all happy by doing whatever it takes. Kudo's to the man, that's all I gotta say.

Sorting through older files..

2009-01-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

While doing some disk cleanup on my web server I found an old logo from when I was messing around.. It's quite entertaining really...

Click for the full size version (in a new window)!

Yeaaaah, apparently I was passing all kinds of ideas off.. But doing this maintenance, I found an old story that I will be reposting after this..

I just have to copy/paste and format to this window, as it has pictures and a write up that will take up probably the whole page. It is quite long. Mother's Day of 2006. I shall never forget that day and the experience gained..

Some other notable pics I found:

Who knew Jeep's could even get this fast? However this was before the tire change, lift, etc..

Hmm, I took this with my phone probably about 3 years ago of an incoming storm that looked absolutely nasty!

And finally, last, but definitely not least.. one of the fun pictures I took of one of my heroes.

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I think I need to go to bed earlier when I know I have to get up at 5:30 to work. Though I can say there is a certain satisfaction in getting up, putting on my super comfy robe, then sitting downstairs doing work without having to commute, sit in the office, and listen to people talk. Working from home will never get old.

Well it's lunch time, time to go reheat some of that excellent dinner that PB cooked last night.. After that I'll work on porting that story into this blog format to share with the world how I nearly could have died & totaled my brand new $25,000 Jeep when it was just 3 months old!

Yawn

2009-01-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

I think I'm going to start posting photoshops into my blog. By photoshop I mean actual pictures that I take that I then photoshop in whatever way to make them look different/better/worse. The key is actually photoshopping them first. I will also then post the orginal above or below it to show the differences..

That will start after I finish playing with fire & tools in the garage so that I may get the Honda out of it.. That little muffler "break" is a fun little project. I should take some more pics of it and it's completion. Maybe tonight. I need to go buy a torch after work to finish the project. Gotta weld the metal together to keep it quiet and permanent.

Other fire/fun projects I need to do: strip the bike of it's stickers, give it an oil change, apply new stickers to the Jeep, change it's oil, move the winch box inside the hood, take the rear seat out and fix that, build a speaker box for it, put that in, then change the differential fluids as well as the spark plugs.

All this while playing sports 3 nights a week (Fri, Sat, Sun) while going to church Sun mornings and snowboarding sometime in there over the next 2 months. Staying busy? Just a little bit. But I like it. Besides, when I'm rocking out in the garage I get cooked real kick-ass dinners. Which reminds me, I should have her type up the recipe to last nights amazing dish so I can post it to my recipe blog.

Anyhow, time to go back to drafting up some football plays & making sure the nations ports run smoothly..

The new year...

2009-01-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

New Year's eve was pretty uneventful. It was nice having friends join us to bring it in with fun & alcohol. All I gotta say is nummy crackers! Ok, maybe not so much. I need to make sure to keep an eye on dates. If the "best before" date says 01Feb06, that means they are probably not the best.

One sad, sad, sad thing with the new year came with the death of my beer fridge. I bought a new huge cooler to use instead, but still, it was a sad event. Time to browse for a new free beer fridge. Though I'm not sure how I'd get it to the house yet, since the back of the jeep isn't all that feasible during the winter months. Once the top comes off however, I think I can fit one back there.

I got my Christmas present from PB over the weekend. A very nice looking snowboard that has some nerd-ism in it that I hadn't realized until looking at my cell phone picture. I know she didn't notice it, and I'm surprised I didn't notice it when I was looking at it when I got it. I'll show that in a later pic that I take with a real camera, not my crappy cell phone camera. Her getting me a kickass present is A+ to begin with. Nerd built into it is another bonus point.

Here it is another Monday, everyone's back, life goes back to normal. Or at least until it snows again. Sports during the next 2-3 months are going to be pretty intense. Friday night indoor soccer, Saturday afternoon we have flag football then Sunday night we have indoor soccer again. However, some sports will have to suffer as we miss a day here and there to go off snowboarding! Because that's happening for sure. I need to go find some bindings & boots however.

I'll probably write more later as I do more recap. Tonight I'm hoping to get all our pics of Leavenworth / Soccer / New Years up on myspace/facebook. We'll see. Gotta get the muffler of the Honda fixed first and foremost.

13 days.. Wow..

2008-12-29T10:20:00.001-08:00

So let me recap the last 13 days in as few words as possible.......

Work, snow, Leavenworth, COLD, girlfriend, snow, gusty winds, more snow, Seahawks, sardine train, more snow, snow taxi, snow, more snow, church, snow, Christmas, rain, no more snow, rain, soccer, soccer, soccer, then more rain.

Phew, that was a long one... haha that's what she said..

So after giving up on trying to hurry on a fix for PB's initial present, I just went and got a new one. So she got that yesterday. She told me what I'm getting & can't wait to get it setup so we can go. It's a snowboard, not sure what it looks like, but I'm pretty sure it looks tight, I trust her judgment.

Ahhh the snow is gone. Thankfully there's very little trace of the record snowfall we'd received over the last 2 weeks. That's where the snow taxi part came in. Not that I mind driving in any way, I mean I did put almost 25,000 miles on the Jeep the first year I had it. It was fun because there weren't a whole lot of cars on the road. I had to pickup Birth Control (BC) in Queen Ann, then S² in Northgate before the commute to Bellevue. At less than 30mph most of the way, it did take a little while to get them all there. After I got back to my office, I realized that late is better than staying home, especially when everyone and their mom was staying home that day. Stores were closing early (or not opening), people were freaked about the snow.. it was great.

The snow is why the Seahawk's game was so interesting. I say interesting because the ride to & from made it so. The game itself was a football game, there's nothing all that interesting that happens at a football game. Sound Transit's lack of planning (I know, biiiiig surprise) lead to a long delay on not only getting to the game, but back from the game. They are lucky there wasn't any big medical emergency or stampede of stupid drunks. People were ready to use the emergency exits to get out of there it was bad enough at one point. We just sat for about an hour. Turns out there was a small medical issue, with a person who had a diabetic attack. But they didn't disclose that to us, so we just sat there. Or well, stood there for what felt like at least an hour. Overall though it was a fun day..

Leavenworth & Christmas are both seperate blog topics for either later today or later this week.

This last weekend I did finally get to put my new camera to use in taking hundreds of soccer pictures. PB played in 2 with women's teams and then we played in a co-ed one. Fun times, 1st in Friday & Saturday's tournament, then 3rd yesterday. Not a bad weekend of soccer. Now I'm ready for the winter seasons to start up for soccer & football. Gonna be a busy start to '09.

Well I hope all you people had a Merry Christmas & got everything you wanted for Christmas!

How do you know when your house misses someone?

2008-12-16T11:11:00.001-08:00

Is it when things items like a touch lamp keep turning themselves on?

Yes, the lamp on PB's side of the bed kept turning on last night. I shut it off right before I fell asleep. I woke up at least 3 times and shut it off over the course of the night. Needless to say I didn't sleep too well and was kind of freaked out. But hey, at least the spirit was just keeping me lit up!

How cold is cold really?

2008-12-15T10:06:00.000-08:00

Is it the teens? Or single digits? Or anything less than 60? Either way it's chilly out.

Last night was the prime example of why living in the middle of no where rocks and why I sometimes miss it. Out in the sticks you don't have people out on the roads in their Mustangs and other sports cars sliding all over icy roads playing Vehicular Pinball. As entertaining as it is to watch on YouTube or the local news stations, it's not near as entertaining when they're sliding all around you.

The only thing I regret about the weekend was not making a snowman on Saturday night when the snow was super wet. That way when this nasty ball-freezing cold came in the snowman would be frozen in place for a decent period in time.

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An interesting discussion throughout the day at work. Pirating software and hardware hacking. Because we have all are hypocrites in our own sense. Smoking crack to me is wrong and illegal and I agree with punishments for it. Speeding is breaking the law even if it's just 1mph. But I seem to have no problems doing it. Am I a hypocrite for it? Yep! It's where our morals step in on what's right and wrong and to what limit do you take it. Laws are the same way though, yes, speeding is illegal, but notice the tiered pricing for when you get caught doing it. The higher your speed, the higher the ticket.

Same thing goes for software piracy. If I download a copy of Photoshop use it for recreational use, messing with photo's and just having fun, I'm pretty sure that the Fed's have bigger fish to fry. Like the guy who's taking a copy of Photoshop and making copies and selling them for $100 a copy. Given Photoshop's $600-900 price tag, you can see why the government makes a distinction for intent.

Some people just don't get it however. They insist that copying games and sharing them is a "right" because it's the game maker's job to stop it. Take the Wii to cite real world examples. You can hack your Wii to play downloaded copyrighted games. Is it right? To me, no. Is it legal? The hack, yes; playing downloaded games, no. But to a coworker, his conscience and belief tells him that it's Nintendo's problem for creating a system that is open to hacking. That him downloading games and playing them is a right that he has because of that failure.

I will forever disagree with that argument, but it's not up to me to police. He however, won't get a sympathising ear when he gets busted for it. He will, though, get laughed at. For many days.

I recognize no one is perfect but sooner or later things will catch up to you. The question is, when it does, are you prepared to pay the consequence of doing said action. If I speed, I know sooner or later I'll get a ticket. There's a reason I don't fly down the road at 90+ all the time. It's because I don't want the ticket of that. A ticket going 5-10mph over I'm prepared to accept, even if it sucks.

Oh well! On that note I'm going to finish my work, go home and relax. I need to get a plan together for the busy 2 weeks that are coming. Fun times!

Awesome stat of the day....

2008-12-08T17:07:00.000-08:00

More than half of American adults play video games and one in five play just about every day..

So I've been slacking...

2008-12-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

but there's been so much going on, 99% good, since my fateful day almost one month ago..

Actually I should just say 100% good since I can't think of even one event that would constitute 1% bad... hmmm yeah, still can't think of anything..

___
Back to the routine: Things I've learned--

Church is somewhere that I should have gone to years ago. However, I don't think I'd have gotten the full appreciation that I've gotten now. I'll go further down on that in a moment.
Really, I've learned that waiting for 3 years for just that right situation was the smartest thing I've ever done. I know it wasn't the easiest, but it was by far the smartest.

That's about it right now, because I'm poorly multitasking and have so many thoughts running through my head...

___
Church.. I know I've hit on it before, but I've really came to realize that I enjoy going. I feel it's pushed me in ways that I've needed to work on for a long time. Like swearing. I still slip fuck or asshole out there. But I've been easing up on the other stuff that doesn't need to be said.

I started to realize all this yesterday. PB & I went to church like every other week before it and instead of the regular service, there was a play. Then some words at the end. While watching the children's choir singing songs, I just felt .... touched. Like seeing them smiling and being happy and singing songs, looking for their parents and everything, it was .. just different. Holding hands with her, just watching intently, I can't say that I have ever, ever, had the feelings that I had at that moment. There's something special that words can't even explain & really, I'm not going to try and explain them. Explaining it would not do it justice.

___
We won at soccer again, thus making us 3-0 with PB guarding the net. Not a bad thing at all. I love watching her play though, she's got mad skills and well, I could only wish to do 1/2 as good.

We hit the driving range after there. Where I remembered why golfing takes practice. It'd only been 8 1/2 years since the last time I'd touched a golf club. Sadly it showed. But a little practice and I think I can get back to my old skills. It's like riding a bike... right?

Continuing down the sports theme, I got the confirmation email for the Beer Stains today. So it's now official, we are a team. Should be fun! I'm excited, especially with the people we have lined up to play. We got some good skills & fun attitudes.

___
Well, that's about it for now. The little info I put here has taken me most of the day because I get side tracked lately. Helping someone find their dream car, doing work on my year end project and what not, I can't seem to focus on writing. Plus my thoughts are all over the place and seem to be hard to straighten out for writing down.

Life is good though, that's what matters most!

The weekend in review...

2008-12-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

Let's see if I can get this done before I go home.. It's 3:45 right now, so that gives me about an hour and a half..

Thursday was fun, the last blog summarized a small amount of it.. That's good enough.. So let's forward to Friday....
I did zero "Black Friday" Christmas shopping, though I did my part to help the economy by spending about $80 that day. I went to RMC, a local motorcycle shop to try and see what deals were out there on helmets as I needed one for PB. Found a real cool one as pictured below.. I even got the size right & she seems to be quite happy with the color scheme & fit!

I also faxed in my documents to the insurance company for the items in the house.. 24 page fax.. a definite record for me. As a followup to that, I called today to get status (I'd really like something that would play DVD's without skipping and all..) and am waiting on a call back from the adjuster.

Friday night we went and saw 'Four Christmases'.. I'd say a C+ / B-. The plot was kind of predictable and the route they took to get to the end really didn't follow the "lessons" of earlier in the movie. But it did have some funny moments, including the very beginning.

___
Saturday we took the R-1 over to Vashon Island for a Christmas tree cutting event. PB's older brother (or well, one of them) does an annual Christmas tree trip and invites friends and family every year. Go to a nice breakfast, take the ferry over, cut a tree, drink hot cider, eat good food, then head home.

So seeing the weather was good, we decided on the bike as our mode of transportation. It was great. She enjoyed the ride despite some soreness, it was just overall a great quality time day.. I can't wait for the nicer weather to get out on the bike and really enjoy it.

That night we went and looked at a car for her, stopped by her brother's house, then hit up the Ale House in downtown Bothell for some great food. That night we just relaxed at home, as it was a busy, busy day.

___
Sunday was extremely busy as well. Church, then breakfast, stopped by her mom's, then helped Alaska put in a lock and move a dresser, then headed back to my house. Did some work on her car for her, watched a movie and relaxed.

That's the quick and dirty to a fun weekend. I posted some pics of it to my myspace & facebook to show people my new shaved look & some of the weekend.

___
That's a good enough for today. Maybe tomorrow I'll touch on my Jeep, PB's job opportunity results, and the rest of the week....

Hey, I'm cute!

2008-11-28T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh the fun of Thanksgiving right? Yes I said I'm cute.. Well, ok, I didn't say it, but rather a guy at dinner yesterday said it. How's that for a first impression. Granted it was all in humor, but it was fun.

In a recap of yesterday I met some real fun people, ate some really good food and got to spend some real quality time with PB. We played a bunch of games that I'd never played before, some I'll play again. One I need to create soon! It'll be great for the spring/summer when it warms up too...

Overall though it was a great day. They are all good people. We'll be meeting and hanging out with a few of them tomorrow when we head over to Vashon Island for a Christmas tree thingy. I know, real detailed right?

Either way, A+ for Thanksgiving, regardless that the Seahawks sucked and lost!

Sigh

2008-11-26T12:59:00.000-08:00

So almost 2 years ago I lost a dear friend in a drunken driving accident. It wasn't a pretty accident, as the story went, his friend was driving, rolled the car, he was ejected and sadly, wasn't found for 36 hours. Thank God that in the autopsy they found he died on impact, thus he didn't die waiting for help to find him. I was definitely disappointed to read however, that the 'friend' driving didn't disclose he even had a passenger.

Today while on Myspace, I decided to go to my buddy's page. A place I have bookmarked since his profile is public. I've sent him messages before when random things are on my mind. Him and I have some strange ties that one day I should blog about, just in the off chance that something does happen, some people will then understand.

Anyhow I'll post the article from early October detailing the trial/sentencing of the driver of that car:

Driver gets 41 months for crash that killed friend

A 28-year-old Yakima man was sentenced Friday to 41 months in jail for killing his friend in a drunken-driving crash last winter.

Before he was sentenced in Yakima County Superior Court, Zachary Sluder apologized profusely for his actions.

"Ryan will always be in my heart. I will live for him," he said. "I miss my friend so much. I’m sorry. I loved him."

A jury found Sluder guilty of vehicular homicide last week for the death of 30-year-old Ryan Holwegner of Moxee in February 2007.

During the trial, prosecution witnesses testified that they saw Sluder driving away from a Moxee tavern in his Chevrolet Lumina minutes before the crash, with Holwegner as his passenger.

When state troopers arrived to investigate, Sluder told them he was the only one in the vehicle. Troopers suspected Sluder had been drinking, but he refused a blood test.

Holwegner’s body was discovered more than 36 hours later, 140 feet from the crash site. It was well outside the zone where debris and occupants should have been discovered. The question of who moved the body was never answered.

During the sentencing, deputy prosecutor Erika Soublet read letters from Holwegner’s family that described him as an honest, loyal person with a zest for life and a smile that would light up a room.

Holwegner’s father, Jon, wrote that he didn’t want leniency for Sluder, who has shown a lack of remorse for his actions. In his letter, he expressed hope that Sluder would turn his life over to God.

Holwegner’s sister, Tressa Stadel, said she and her family only wanted the truth. Instead, Sluder failed to stand up and take responsibility for his actions.

After Holwegner’s family members spoke, Sluder turned toward them in court and read his own statement. He described Holwegner as his hero and said he will be forever changed by this experience.

He said he had forgotten Holwegner had been in the car with him and would never have left him had he remembered.

"If I had known Ryan was there, I would have held him in my arms," he said, crying. "I’m so sorry for your guys’ loss."

Judge Michael McCarthy said he believes Sluder was so intoxicated at the time of the crash that he had forgotten Holwegner was with him. But he’s equally confident that Sluder later regained his memory and that somebody had moved Holwegner’s body.

Because of these unusual circumstances, he sentenced Sluder to the most jail time allowable by law. Sluder’s sentence could have ranged anywhere from 31 to 41 months because of his lack of serious criminal history.

During the trial, Sluder’s attorney suggested that either Sluder was the passenger or Holwegner wasn’t even in the vehicle. But Sluder’s injuries were consistent with wearing a left-side seat belt; the driver’s seat belt in his car was the only one that showed a collision-related defect.

___
As I read up on the trial and sentencing, I guess my mind went all over the place. I understand if you're being accoused of something you'll want a lawyer to make sure things are fair and you don't get a life sentence for something that should only be a year sentence. But really, I'd like to think that if, heaven forbid, I was in the similar situation and it was one of my many friends that had died at my hands...... I'd hope that I would do something different. Stand up, be a man, plead guilty even. I don't want off on a technicality. To me it wouldn't be far that I was still breathing while they don't get to. Somehow though, when they mention the chance the body was moved, my mind could totally see how it probably unfolded. Scared, knowing the trouble that would be coming, trying to figure a way out of it. Either drunk or the next day, doesn't matter, your mind still thinks the same if you remember it or not. So drunk you don't remember a passenger, I can understand that. Hell, I've been drunk enough to not remember a lot (Hello Vegas!) but as time goes on I remembered. Most people remember. I'd bet he remembers. Cherishing his freedom it's easier to try and supress what happened and hope you get to keep the freedom. Now, because of those choices, he loses almost 4 years of his life. Granted, that's just a small time compared to the years Ryan lost. But still. Step up, be a man, show the world you truly regret it, make amends with his family, do some work to show the world that what you say is how you feel. Don't try to hide what happened or fail to step up to the plate because your lawyer says it can hurt your appeal or because of any other reason.

Sadly, the world seems to ignore personal responsibility. There's always someone else to blaim or a reason to hide behind a wall. One may not be a bad person to do dumb and bad things. The key is fixing the bad you've caused. Hiding behind a lawyer doesn't fix anything other than make others wonder why you hide.

I know it's a touchy subject, but sometimes I just don't get people. I hope to live my entire life never in this kind of situation. Should it happen, I hope someone will point me to this blog if I miss sight of where I'm at. So I can make sure to break the mold and do right.

___
RIP Hoegz, it's too bad I never got the reply to the message I sent you the day you died. I was looking forward to catching up since your move to Yakima. All of us on the west side miss you.

Religion or politics, some things you just can't avoid..

2008-11-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

.. So I'll hit more on the subject after a small little blurb about my awesome night last night. PB left her phone at my house when she went to work yesterday morning so naturally that meant I was going to see her. She had a great final interview for her position, made a little bonus, and was in a good mood when she got home despite being tired from having little sleep the night before. We got Thai food to go, then headed down to the beach front on Lake Washington for a night time picnic. It was funny though, as when we were heading there I saw a house lit up already for Christmas & said how it was too early for people to be putting up their Christmas lights, I mean it's not even Thanksgiving yet! PB seemed to get a good laugh out of my mini-rant about people and holidays. When we got to the park on the lake, she explained the good laugh, as they had Christmas lights up down around the park. But just phase 1 of the lights, so I'm interested in seeing the final product. Yeah, I felt a little bad, but it's different when a city is putting it up in pieces vs someone lighting up their entire house already. They have picnic tables right down on the water though, so we went down, in the dark, cold clear night and ate our dinner. It was quiet, just us, romantic and just ... warm. The chill didn't matter. I had great Thai food and amazing company to keep me warm. We then walked around the park, taking a few pics and just talking. More and more I see things in her that I don't know how I've lived without in the past. That was my night in a small nutshell.

___
Now on to more controversial topics.. I heard a piece on the radio this morning, gotta love KMPS and being a country boy at heart, they were interviewing an author who wrote a book about Atheists and the change in their beliefs over the last 2 generations.

There was a talk about how just a generation ago, Atheists were basically policing the separation of Church & State. Then now with this generation it's turned them into attacking all religion. Imposing their views on everyone else in the name of 'equality'.

To give an example.. they fight and fight to have Christmas displays taken down in the name of equality. However doing so means that it's not equal for all groups, it favors them. But they don't see it that way in their arguments.

Similar to politics, religion is a very touchy subject with some. I, however, have no problems touching on any subject that could offend. Why? Because I'm an asshole like that. I truly believe that everyone has the right to believe in whatever religion they choose. Funny enough, being an Atheist means you have a belief in something. You have faith that there is no God. You have the right to that faith. Just as I have the right to believe in God. While Christmas may have taken a large commercial turn, it is still a holiday derived from religion. As such, if you don't like it, don't celebrate it. Don't impose on my right to celebrate it. No one forces you to decorate your house, buy a Christmas tree, or listen to the Christmas music (plus not all Christmas music is religious). Don't like my Christmas lights? Don't look, I won't be offended. Matter of fact, you can tell me you don't like it and I still won't be offended. Hopefully however, I don't offend you when I laugh at you and walk away.

As I age, grow, & mature, I start to realize how important some things are.. not only in my life, but in the world as a whole. Some people have nothing in life. Things aren't going their way, no breaks given. But they're happy because they go to Church, they're accepted by people they may barely know and they have their religion which means the world to them. If they didn't have that, then what would they have? No reason to live, no reason to follow man's law. Do you really believe that your own views should trump theirs? I've started to notice that a lot of the Atheists are right in line with other religious fanatics. Yet really, watch the face of one of them when you tell them that. They'll look like you just pissed in their Cheerios. But really, that's all they are. Hypocrisy, closed mindness & pushing their beliefs on you. I have yet to meet one Atheist who will not try and spew their beliefs down on you. Yet they seem offended when you tell them you don't want to hear it.

I'm not a preaching man by any means. However, if you fail to respect my beliefs or my views, similar to politics, then shut up and walk away. Because you will not enjoy my laughing at you as much as I will enjoy it. It's kind of like a two way street. You want me to listen to you, you need to listen to me. Get in my lane, however, and I'll run your ass over. Simple as that. God may not like religion, I may not like the hypocrites in religion, but I also don't like the hypocrites that hate religion.

One last slight profanity laced point.. It's still fucking Christmas. That's right, if you look on a calendar on December 25 it will say CHRISTMAS. Which means I don't give a flying shit if you believe in it or not. I will tell you Merry Christmas. If you're offended by the fact I say Merry Christmas, then go somewhere else where they don't celebrate it. All the stupid PC idiots out there that think it should be "Happy Holidays" to accommodate every person on the earth so no one group feels offended or left out can keep doing that and kiss my ass.

So on that note......
MERRY CHRISTMAS

God gets high? Sweet!

2008-11-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

haha I know people will read that and think "WTF?! That's not even funny!" ... But it is! Since really spending quality time with PB she's got me going to church with her. I should clarify that... I was willing to go, she asked and I go. I'm interested. I'm open minded and willing to learn new things, grow as a person, figuratively & spiritually. I joke about getting that first class ticket to hell, but do I really want to go there? Of course not. But I digress.

One thing I really like about going is the Pastor that runs the show. He's animated, funny, and tries hard to keep people entertained and excited about being there. He definitely hangs out around teens and things, picking up lingo to use and keep everyone interested. Like referring to the 20 cats, "not the meow cats though!", thus for you less informed: 20 people. He then preceded to tell us about the Golden Bowl where all our prayers end up as incense in front of God. "That's right! God gets high off your prayers!" and he did the whole little stoner inhale act and we just about died laughing. I mean really? God gets high? Sweet. No wonder he's a superstar! Ahhhh if I'd only realized earlier how much fun church can be..

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This week is Thanksgiving. A great holiday week usually with great food & company. This year I don't expect anything less. Just going to be a tad bit ... nervous off the bat. I will be spending Thanksgiving this year with PB & her family. I don't get nervous for things normally, but this time it's different. I care about her & I don't want to have her family hating me or anything.. Not that I think that's the case, but it's the holiday's, etc, so I will be a little nervous. I wish I'd have my Jeep by then, I could use that little bit of comfort. I know that sounds weird but it's like, the one zone I feel absolutely at home in regardless of how nervous I feel. But on the bright side, I'll have her there and that will easily calm me down. I'm sure Friday I'll post a recap of how things end up.

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On that note, just a quick blog this fast moving Monday.

Enjoy!

Einstein knows what's up...

2008-11-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

Today between doing data entry on my project I've been doing my other favorite hobby... Getting people fired up. I can't help it, sometimes I just feel the need to push buttons. Read the comments to see how much fun you can have with people. The best part is you don't have to disclose whether you're for or against, people will just rail away. Gotta love touchy subjects!

TGIF is all I gotta say...

Whatever happened to "If the store/company doesn't offer what you want, you go elsewhere?"

2008-11-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

Today's a busy blog day apparently..

But in a recent ruling eHarmony was found to be guilty of discrimination because it matches only heterosexual couples..

Now I'm not bashing homosexuals. I am however bashing the precedent that this sets. This means that the government or people can attack the business model and ideas you have.

Based off what happened to eHarmony, in theory, I could sue Curves for being an all woman's gym.

It's the same principle. It's discriminating against me because I'm a man. I don't care if that's their business model, New Jersey's lawsuit shows that it's discriminating.

All I can say is wow. If there were no alternatives to eHarmony for homosexual matches, create one. There's a new business idea. Don't sue to change someone else's business model. BAD.

Tech Tuesday's/Thursday's...

2008-11-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

So I think Tuesday's and/or Thursday's I'll throw in any cool technical tips or new nerd things to play with.

For today, those of us with Gmail email accounts will appreciate their latest add-on:
E-mail box themes!

At first I was skeptical that it'd be worth anything but man, it's quite fun! I like having something other than the traditional white or company colored email boxes. They've also added
more Lab add-ons, so if you haven't used those yet either, it's all under the settings tab.

(click on the above image to see where you should be looking)

I shall take the heart, for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.

2008-11-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

Bonus points if you know where the above quote comes from but only if you don't use Google!

So let's start with a little what have I learned, shall we?

That I could be sitting on decent money if I decide to take the time to find out!

Ok, so that's really all I have.. I couldn't think of anything else really and this blog has been open up for about 4 hours. Good enough for me!

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Last night was fun, knowing PB had a bad day at work we went out to dinner. Or well, kinda. We got Red Robin to-go then went and watched Tropic Thunder in her room. It was a great m-m-mm-movie! mwahaha If you haven't seen it yet, watch it.

We seem to still be having 'twin moments' where as we grow and learn about each other with each other, we are very similar. Those are the moments where one of us will talk about something we like or like to do and the other just looks on and says "Of course you do" because the feeling or like/dislike is the exact same. It's a nice feeling to have actually. For the first time in many years, I'm genuinely happy. I don't feel as though I'm settling or there are unresolved issues that need to be dealt with.

Life is definitely great there.

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I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to replace my laptop. I love(d) my Macbook, don't get me wrong. But I think I'd rather just put that money aside and just live with my desktop. Maybe I'll pickup a Mac mini for the office so I still have a mac in the house, but I don't think I'll go to the laptop.

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On that note, my DVD player & the 360 have been acting up in ways they haven't before.. *sigh* thus when I talked to the insurance company they told me to add it to the list. I feel bad doing it though because they're broken not stolen, but as the adjuster told me, that's why I have insurance. To make sure everything was working how it was before hand, regardless if it's broken or missing. Still feels weird. I guess because I'm used to my stuff always working since I do take care of my stuff.

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Well, that's good enough for today. It's a laid back day for the most part. Rainy and crappy out, great cuddle weather.

Man do I miss my Jeep......

Maybe I'm just a bad friend?

2008-11-19T10:11:00.001-08:00

Yet, sadly, I don't feel badly. So maybe I'm just an ass? Or maybe it's just that as I get older I feel less and less willing to deal with stupid shit from people. As previous blogs would state, I'm all for open mindedness & respecting the right for people to believe what they want. Regardless of topic.. it doesn't matter if it's religion, politics, life, abortion, marriage, jobs, whatever. If you're open minded to what others have to say I'm open minded towards you.

Here's where my problems lay... As an adult we get to make many choices many times a day. Some are impulsive, some are well thought out, some are done out of necessity. Like right now, I'm thirsty, so I'm going to make the choice to go get a cup of coffee. See, that was somewhat thought out. Now, if I were thirsty and decided to go buy a coffee maker, that'd be a little more impulsive. As such, people make impulsive decisions all the time, it's human nature and I'm no exception to that rule. However, some must require you to think out the consequences. Not to bash on any one friend, I'll use a generic example. You impulsively decide you MUST have a pet. Doesn't matter what kind of pet this is, but you MUST have it! Who am I to say you shouldn't or that it's a bad idea? It's your life right? One would assume that if you MUST have it that you put some thought behind it.. Especially if your job is one that sends you out of town for weeks to months on end. Right? That'd be something you'd want to think out ahead of time, kind of goes with responsibility right? Or maybe I'm stretching the thought process too far..

Either way, I don't feel as though I need my house invaded with whatever pet it is because you couldn't say no and walk away. Granted there are exceptions to every rule. For example, the job is new and you had the pet first. But to willingly get a pet knowing you're going to be on the road kind of says you only went on impulse, not looking at what problems it will present. I mean, sure it may be a little selfish, but I'm not sure why I should have to sacrifice my time/$$ for a decision I didn't make.

I'm kind of sad over it too, only because I'm starting to really see things clearer after my disaster day. Maybe because I'm really seeing what and who is important to me in my life. Maybe I just over read the situation, or maybe I'm just tired. I'll use examples, without names nor locations to show my point.. 'Friend A' has been noted before in this blog. Nothing's changed, still inside their own little bubble. 'Friend B' is someone who I thought was a good friend. But what I'm seeing is that she has all kinds of guy friends. I'd say about 99% of them are guys who hope that by being her friend she'll date them. As such, they will do whatever she asks of them, pretty much no questions asked. Because of that, I can see how she uses that to her advantage and probably doesn't even realize it. I just won't bend to those levels because I have no motive other than just being a friend. On the opposite side of the spectrum is 'Friend C'. Friend C is someone who I've known for about 4 years now, spent some time with, worked with, etc. Obviously last week was a bad week, but this friend stepped up to a level I wouldn't have expected. I mean, I know we're close friends, I just didn't think that close when it was offered to me to use their other car until my Jeep was back. I was shocked, I mean out of all my friends, I never would have thought he'd do that. It made me feel special and grateful for those friends I do have. Sharing the spotlight with Friend C is Friend E. Yes, I know I skipped D. But Friend E is someone who I credit with being an awesome friend.

Call it whatever you want, but the friendships and things I have with people are definitely being altered as I quit sitting back and just letting people get away with whatever. There is a definite change in the air.

Here's a little funny to take the edge off a long winded irritated post!

Hmmmm

2008-11-18T14:06:00.000-08:00

I'm not a big fan of Astrology and all that it means. I don't mind those that do, but it's just my belief. Funny enough, MSN had a thing on their page about how the Chinese calendar based horoscopes can tell you about your relationship... Using PB's bday & mine, it decided to give me:

"This is a highly recommended match where friendship deepens into long-lasting love. Because you are the most romantic partner, and because you want and need both love and affection, you have to assertively whisper sweet nothings in your Dog's ear. Your mate is slow to anger, and you don't want to argue, so there are few disagreements in your union. Get advice if amassing money and decision-making aren't your strong suits as a couple."

Entertaining to say the least.

While individual events may suck I must say my life does not..

2008-11-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

So we'll get back to the regularly scheduled format... this section will be long, so we'll start with it...

What have I learned.....

I've learned that if you leave the house, make sure you have lights on inside the house. Otherwise upstanding citizens take that as an invitation to make sure you don't have too much stuff.
A good woman will get you to do things outside your comfort zone because of a couple reasons including you care about her and because she makes it fun even if you feel stupid.
I've said this before, but that I have some of the best friends one could ask for.
Church can be fun if you go the right one.

That's a good start for now, it's been a long few days...

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Yes, things were a little hosed up Thursday night. But only kind of. I blogged back Thursday about whether or not I'd be sending flowers Friday to PB based off how Thursday night went, as I had an idea of how I wanted things to go. Needless to say, Thursday night was not how I intended it to go based off events that occurred. But that didn't stop me from showing someone how much I appreciated them.. See below picture for a quick Blackberry shot of what was sent:

Yeah, she liked them. Yeah they got the point across. She stayed with me Friday night too, I was so excited to have her with me. We pretty much spent the whole weekend together. Saturday morning when we got up we went down stairs, cooking lunch together then going outside to work on her car and wash it too. Upon completing that I found out that my buddy was going to lend me a car of his until I got my Jeep fixed.. So we decided on dinner and meet him to get the car. After a great dinner (where I happened to run into my old boss), we went back to her apartment to watch some of the fights with her roommate. Then since her roommate wasn't going to the club we decided against it too, and hit up PJ Pockets in Federal Way. Live music, casino, bar, like 15 pool tables, it was great. We gambled and laughed, had a guy at the blackjack table buying us beers as once we showed up he started winning big money.. She got me to dance before leaving, we cuddled and went to bed. Sunday she got me to go to church even. I met her stepdad, we had breakfast, then I got her to play soccer with us.

Even paraphrasing our weekend, I can't completely lay out how I feel. It's just .... amazing. I look forward to her texts, I can't wait to see her, things are just ... great. Even church, not having expectations, I had a really good time. Despite the adversity I can't even begin to explain how freaking happy I am with my life.

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Well this blog took literally all day long. It's 4:08pm as of this last note & I started this like 7 hours ago. I've been dealing with insurance and all that, I'll hit that later, but I'm impressed with the process. It's been painless & I'm glad to have chosen so well.

Side note: $5856.64 is the cost to fix my Jeep. 1/3 of it's net worth. Whooohooo! At least they're fixing it instead of totalling.

sigh

2008-11-14T02:56:00.000-08:00

Well, it's technically 3a.m. So I guess this can be my craptastic Friday blog. At about this point in the day I'm blank. But I'm not tired. PB is passed out on my couch. I'm glad she was here with me actually, as I don't know that I'd have been as calm should otherwise..

Here's a good recap for the day, I'm sure I'll blog out the process that I'm about to go through, might as well save it for history right??

All day at work, I have a pretty damn good day.. I leave around 5:30 and this is when life really turned ..... fun. Heading up the freeway on the way home, it started to get congested at it's normal point. Switching lanes was routine for me so I could head towards home. As I check my blindspot quickly I turn my head to realize the person in front of me slamming on his brakes. This leads me to slam on mine and turn my wheel quickly to try any kind of evasive maneuver. However, I only had less than a .5 second to do anything which, well, in a Jeep is virtually impossible to turn that fast. I then proceed to hit the back side of a small import which then hits the guy in front of him, and then the lady in front of him. 4 cars in all, including mine. So needless to say I was not happy.. Having never been in an accident before, I now get to wade through all the BS of that accident and insurance hell I'm sure..

So I text PB when I'm sitting there on the side of the road while the State Patrol is doing their thing telling her a little bit.. She tells me to call her when I can, which is what I do when I get back to the towing place, my Jeep being backed into it's temporary storage facility. She offers to come get me despite just pulling into her house from work (sweetheart or what?).. Being down already, I couldn't turn her down to get any of my other friends, as I knew seeing her would definitely help me feel better. While I wait for her to get down to me, I call my mom and a few others to get things out there that I'm ok, this is what happened, etc.

We stop at her house on the way to mine so she can change and be more comfortable. We also grab the Family Guy DVD so there's some humor to make the night better.. Little did we know.... So we talk and chat about her day, my day, how the accident happened, etc the whole way to the house. We pull in, get out, I open the door and take off my shoes and start walking towards the back... Guess what I see?

YEP! My back door is wide open.. I'm like wtf, this can't be real, how'd that happen? As I walk back, I see glass all over my floor.. YEP! Someone decided to break into my window, open it, and then let themselves through, then I'm guessing let someone else in the back door. Oh and they left through the door by the pool table. Awesome. So I call 911, walking around the house and seeing what's not where it should be, what's missing, wondering who the fuck was in my house, and just overall wondering wtf I did to have a day like today..

As of this blog what's missing...

My 15" Macbook Pro. I had it upgraded to 4g of RAM, so I will be watching CraigsList for it.
My digital camera.
My Xbox Controller battery pack recharger (no shit)
My .380 (great, now an armed intruder..). However, they left me my .45. Maybe they'll come back & I can show them how it works.. hmmmm
Alaska's two pool sticks (est $2k, not even including the sentimental value)
I think a bunch of CD's. I say I think, because as I was in my computer room earlier, I looked over and the top row of CD's has very few CD's. But because I cut over all my CD's to MP3, I never looked at them.. The more I think about it though, the more I think they did.

I don't know at this point that's all I know is gone. They had unplugged everything from my TV like they were thinking about taking it or my XBox as it was in the middle of my floor. When I was plugging everything back in so we could still watch Family Guy (hey, still needed to laugh, more than ever), I think my wire mess saved my xbox. Not only do I have a ton of wires behind my TV, I zip tied them together. Thus, when they were trying to get cords and things, it was nasty for them.

After the cop came, I talked to both the neighbor across the street and then next door as well. All the while PB was by my side. She gave me a big hug when we were upstairs too, just when I really needed it. I called my landlady, they brought some plywood in the back of their truck and put it up for me. PB, working for a cleaning company that specializes in vandalism and things of that nature, went into work mode, sweeping up all the glass and doing a spectacular job.

We left after the board was up, going to get some food, we were both starving and it was already 10:40. After realizing that most places were closed, including Red Robin, we decided on Jack-In-The-Box. It was good. We brought it back and ate while watching Family Guy. Cuddled up halfway through the movie, it was nice. She started falling asleep though, as did I, on the couch, but I got up, and she passed out. Asking me to set the alarm for 6:30. She didn't want to move upstairs, I think she thought walking upstairs and all that would wake her up. Which is fine, I just don't really like the idea of her down there on the couch. I've already walked down there 2-3 times just to check on her. I'll end up being her wakeup alarm, there's not a real good chance I'll be sleeping in the next 2 hours.

But out of all the sadness, some good things have come from it. Ok, I can't think of what some things are, just one. PB. I know I have great friend support. A couple phone calls and I'd had more than one person on their way here. That's why they're my friends. But she easily didn't have to do any of what she did today. We've known each other like 3 weeks. I'm so glad she was here though. It just felt right.

Well I've stayed up late enough (4:30 now), my mom's online. So I'm gonna chat with her a few and call this one a wrap. No neat pictures, nothing for this blog. Maybe later.

WTF is the point then?!

2008-11-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

"You seem to want your cake and eat it too"

NO SHIT?! That saying is the stupidest fucking saying on the planet. Of course I'm going to eat it. It's a cake! I'm not supposed to just sit and look at it! Or am I supposed to want my cake and then give it away?! Help me out, what am I supposed to do with my cake??

This rant brought to you by tools that like to say a stupid ass saying as a counter to an argument.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

2008-11-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

Time to start another 5hr blog. As I look at the clock on my work laptop, I see that it's about 9-9:30a everyday that I start a blog entry. Then it's usually 12-1p by the time I finish it out. Damn work interruptions, can't they see how busy I am typing up my blog?! hahaha

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Things I've learned ?

Definitely don't eat just salad for dinner. By that I mean just lettuce & salad dressing. A grilled chicken salad at like Red Robin is ok, but just a Caesar salad out of a bag is not. Just a note to live by.
Guitar Hero is really hard @ 4:21. I'm going to have to try it @ 4:19. I think (or friggin hope) that it might be a tad easier on me.

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So I used my mad Google ninja skills and found an address that could be very handy to have. As Dimes and I have been discussing the past 10 minutes, at this point, it could go either direction if I use it now. Which I planned on tomorrow if I do it anyway, so we'll wait and see how the next 24hrs go before making my choice.

We shall see. Tomorrow I will blog about the choice I made and how tonight went. Hard to say at this point. I'd say I'm about 70% sure I will, tonight will make that number go +/- 25%. If - then nothing tomorrow. If + then yes tomorrow. If +/- 0%, then I may just flip a coin.

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Apparently I don't know many music people. I say this because I was on CMT last night, PB & I had watched My Big Redneck Wedding the night before, and I saw an interview w/ Kid Rock before the CMA Awards, talking about a guest guitarist. When he came on to perform I was watching for someone I would recognize and being a kick ass guitar player would be on stage with him. Sadly I didn't see anyone special or different. Turns out, one of them was Lil Wayne & he wasn't even playing, rather just looking like he was playing. I had no idea who the guy was. Whoops.

That show was good though, there were some very good moments, some great songs, some very good people. I think I'm entering that country mood now, where it's time to start listening more again. I seem to sway from time to time. Needing some 80's & 90's to then going to hip hop or rap, then maybe some country.

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Well tomorrow's Friday too. WHOOHOOO! About damn time! Stay dry all & drive safe!

Some romantic moments are better than others...

2008-11-12T22:43:00.000-08:00

For example of this, I'm sitting here watching the CMA Music Awards and Brad Paisley is one of the hosts.. So when he just won an award he came out from the back to accept it, only he didn't stop at the podium. Rather he continued down to his pregnant wife and gave her and her pregnant belly a kiss. You could hear the synchronized "Awwwwwww" from the crowd as well. It's moments like that when it sucks the most to be single..

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Finished the flag football team's logo tonight:

I'm not sure how close it is to being done, but it's a good start for the first season. Should be a great time!

No clever subject today...

2008-11-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Pulling up Komo, I see floods galore. That should keep PB happy, more business, more money. This blog could end up long, even as long as it takes, I have a few topics I want to vent on and entertain.. But first, let's keep the format that's worked for me!

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Things I learned ....

Dimes has it right, I just never realized.. Comment moderation is key to these places. Otherwise you post a blog with the word "Abortion" in it and you get people who failed reading comprehension in like 1st grade and like to try and preach to you in a comment.
I also learned just how irritating people are to me when they like to impose their beliefs on you. I don't care your religion, your political beliefs, or your moral standing.
That I really enjoy hanging out with PB. To the point it makes me nervous to think about..

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To hit on point #2, that's just one of those things that really touches a nerve.. because really, I'm glad you have an opinion on any touchy subject that is out there. I'm glad you have one, really I am.. However, preaching it to me just means your message gets lost. Imagine this, as an American and human being, I have the right to believe whatever I want. Things like gay marriage, Obama, abortion, Bush, war, terrorism, 9/11, etc, seem to bring out people on all sides. It's cool you have an opinion, respect mine or keep yours to yourself. If you think dismissing my opinion to preach your religious belief on any topic is going to get your point across, sorry, but I'm not one of those small minded change because someone says to. Pray? Sure, for you. Because your lack of open mindedness to others opinions shows you're the one that needs the most help.

Who are you to believe your stance is better than mine? You really think your way is the only way? Great. Enjoy your dillusioned world. Because you're off for a stressful life of praying for all of us and preaching your way of life.

My greatest freedom I enjoy living here? My freedom of speech (as this is MY blog) and the ability to say "Fuck off" anytime I want. Don't like it, leave. I didn't force you to come here, I didn't ask your opinion even. If you don't have an open mind, guess what, better find a new blog to read. Because I don't care if you're straight, gay, bi-sexual, tri-sexual, like animals, a woman, man, he-she, black, white, Asian, tan, Eskimo, Mexican, French, Canadian, or whatever. I'll hit on whatever it is. I don't pull punches. I don't hold back.

'nuff said.

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Now that my venting is complete, I'm moving on to happier topics. I've quit over thinking any situation in regards to just one person. However, I've started to really enjoy my time with said person. It's like we never run out of things to talk about, no matter what the occasion is. We could be watching a tv show we both want to watch, yet we'll talk through most of it, catching a piece here and there when we hear something funny. So A+ there. Optimism, it's what I'm made of.

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I'm thinking I should post random stats or facts that I find that make me laugh. Given the nature of the last few weeks, I've got one I just must post for historical sense..

Quoting a CNN article: In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday, 59 percent of those questioned think that Democratic control of both the executive and legislative branches will be good for the country, with 38 percent saying that such one-party control will be bad.

The entertaining part of that, is just like normal, it's a very vocal part of the minority that's throwing a fit. And by that number it's definitely a minority.

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Whoohoo, it's 1:15, I started this blog about 4hrs ago. Continuing the tradition!

A topic of epic proportions..

2008-11-11T19:30:00.001-08:00

So on the way home I saw a bumper sticker..

"Against Abortion? Don't Have One!"

Now, having my own views on this, I will save how I felt about that bumper sticker to a future blog. However, I will say it made me smile. Why? Not because of how I feel about the topic, but rather because really, it takes a very strong person to put such a strong message on the back of your car. I've got to admire the backbone I don't have, I couldn't tote such a controversial message on the back of the Jeep. No chance.

Whether you agree or disagree.... someone has some huge balls either way.

Who doesn't love deadlines?!

2008-11-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

I mean really, who doesn't love learning 7 weeks before the end of the year that a project I was assigned is due at the end of the year. Granted, normally that'd be no big deal. Until you learn you have 7 sites to do in 7 weeks, with each site having hundreds of pieces of equipment.

Gotta love it.... right?

Be a dreamer. If you don't know how to dream, you're dead.

2008-11-11T09:09:00.000-08:00

So today starts another fun rain storm. It's foggy, dreary and just crappy out. I miss the nice days already, I want to get out on my bike damn it! Speaking of that, I need to start it one night after work and let it run and warm up a bit.

Oh well, this is Seattle after all right?

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Things I've learned through the last near 24hrs:

Dimes watches football enough to analyze things about the games. As deep as comparing home/away jerseys of teams and who their quarterbacks are.. I mean, damn I didn't even know that Shaun Hill was the starting QB for the 49ers. I thought it was still going to be O'Sullivan.
The more I talk to one person, the more I realize I'm almost talking to myself. She actually said that last night as well. Because regardless of who's speaking, me or her, it's like the words coming out match what the other would be saying as well. Makes talking and hanging out that much easier. Crazy.
Dick's is probably the single best burger place in Seattle. Sadly they are only in Seattle proper, not in the 'burbs. Damn Dick, expand!

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Just had a chat with PB. She had a rough day at work yesterday that totally flipped 180* today. So she was excited and wanted to tell me about it. Go figure that all that happened before she saw my text to her this morning, then saw that and just added to the great day she's having thus far. She's turning me back into a phone person again too I noticed.

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Well as usual, it's taken me a ton of time to write this daily blog out. This is a good start for the day, maybe I'll blog once I get home and unwind. Sometime around 4:21. As it's 4:19.

My how I love your whispering eye..

2008-11-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

So now let us go gingerly touch our tips! Ahhh for those that haven't seen it, Role Models is a great movie. However, if you're offended by seeing boobs on screen, there is plenty of it in this one so you might want to go somewhere else. Plus language, can't forget that. But it's hilarious for those of you not easily offended.

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Let's see, did I learn anything this weekend....

I need to not overthink things when it comes to women, just go with the damn flow!
I know now, why all new movies keep breaking records when they're popular. It's because it's $10 a damn person! Not that it wasn't worth it, because it was, but man, that price sure does jump!

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Where's the pause button?!

2008-11-09T00:14:00.000-08:00

I need more hours, just no more work hours. That's what I want. Because I seem to attract more people that need/want more time..

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Things I learned today..

My dad's an f*ing pool shark.. I can play when I want to play, and even when I stepped it up, he continued to wipe the floor with me. Sadly I was playing well and couldn't pull it off.
My furnace, water heater AND stove top are all on the natural gas line.

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Yes, as noted above, I know what appliances I have on natural gas now. I got home Friday night to a note on my door saying they were out fixing a gas leak. Yes that's right, a gas leak.. apparently they were checking my meter and smelled gas. So they called out a crew, who shut the gas off, fixed the leak, then wouldn't start my gas again, so I could be notified and the pilot lights be lit when the gas was turned on. I saw it, figured I'd call when I got up in the morning today. Well, yeah, I had to rush that choice, once I realized my hot water heater is on it. No hot shower (especially when I have company) means they need to get out here and get my gas on! Luckily for me, after leaks they do connects 7 days a week. So the guy was here about 2 hours after I called it in. Thank god, I was in a panic, knowing I had company coming and had no hot water!

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Well, that's it for tonight. Gonna finish with one last statement: Of course I do Dimes, it's the perfect size for you with just the right punch.. ;)

TGIF!

2008-11-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try and ween myself away from writing any future political based blogs, at least for the time being. However, I must plug Dimes' blog, because well, she articulates her thoughts very well and without the anger that is evident in my rants about the stupid people.. So A+..
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Something I've learned since yesterday:

I love understanding my Jeep in ways most people don't understand their vehicles. I say this because even the slightest change in the way it drives I know how to react. For example, as I started hydroplaning last night, I knew the feel, I knew how it'd handle, I knew how to bring it back without even a slide or motion that would have notified anyone with me. They'd not even know that I kept us from doing 360's down 167! Gotta love that!
That apparently I need to wind down a little bit.. I first heard I was a little hyper and what not from one person.. Thinking they were nuts I laughed it off after they had mentioned it once we were off the phone.. I mean, me hyper, it was a good day, I was just glad to be home and happy. Then a second person mentioned it. Totally different people, saying close to the same thing.. Whooops, that's me. So I learned to tone it down a bit while on the phone, even if I'm hyper. Just relax, deep breath and enjoy the day, without being crazy!

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Well, I start blogging early. This one was started at 11. It is now almost 2:30. SO my daily blogs entail a lot of the day, as well as last night. Oh well. I shared 2 pitchers at lunch so I can blog about whatever after that..

Well it's Friday, so enjoy your weekends, if it's like last week, I won't blog until Monday. We'll see!!

Take care!
-C

It likes to sprinkle in Seattle....

2008-11-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

Yet, I've noticed a number of drive-thru places that don't have any kind of cover for the car at the window. Who's idea was this? Seriously, I mean, if I roll my window down to pay, get my food, etc, and all I do is get wet for the time it's down, do you think I'm going to go there again? I know I could roll my window up after I pay, whatever, but my windows are manual, takes too much time when it's just a little while. Point is, I shouldn't have to!

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Things I've learned since last blog:

G-Money hooked me up goooood. Last night was fun. I love my friends.
I will not eat at places without a cover on the drive-thru, see above.
While I don't mind race type jokes (that's right Dimes, you're my little twinkie!) usually, I'm kind of disturbed at the # of racist text messages going around about our new President actually. I'm not sure why yet, I just know I'm not impressed nor laughing at any of them I end up receiving. Maybe it's because the jokes poke fun at stereotypes, however he's far from your normal stereotype, thus those jokes just aren't funny.

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So apparently I get the newspaper now. Despite never reading it. Greaaat. My landlady bought a 3-mo subscription at a Seahawks game so she could get a 'free' t-shirt. Her partner did the same, so she had one subscription going to my house & they kept the other for where they are at. They just need to throw it further up by the garage. Whatever happened to the paper near your door. Was that just back in the day or do some places still get that?

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Well the rain has started.. Looks to be around for a while even. Oh well, it already gets dark early, might as well throw the full package in now. Less of a shock than it doing it later I suppose. Hell, it's November, where's the snow?! On that note it's almost time where the stores swap to Christmas music and decorations. I think I found my next tree though. Just need to start working on it soon though!

Well, time to finish up some work then get out of the office.. It's taken me most of the day to type this up as it is. I'm sure there will be more entries tonight later.

Peace out yo! ha

Tempora mutantur nos et mutamur in illis

2008-11-05T14:17:00.001-08:00

I know I hit on it before, but it's even more interesting now.. As change is here and people start to realize that things won't be the same (because we really wanted the same right?), the little tidbits people post, talk about on forums, blogs and things seem to be the same. They spout off about different pieces of information that still aren't true. Funny thing is, it gets them no where.. you can't sway people now. You want to say he's a terrorist, or communist, or anything of that nature... great. Please do. However, with your "argument" please quote facts, including a source. The email you were forwarded from your sisters baby's daddy's uncle who got it from his co-worker's cousin who saw an article online somewhere on MySpace won't really count as a source though. How about something with some real substance to it... Like for example, I referenced McCain's age before. I don't like that he's old, and not just a fresh senior citizen, but old. He's 72. That's a fact. The average US life expectancy (per the CIA) is 75.9. Meaning that if elected, there's a chance he'd be dead before he even finishes his term. <<See that? That's my opinion about not liking his age mixed with facts to show he is indeed 72, and the life expectancy is 75.9. Notice how that works, then you can combat my facts with your personal opinion on why being near death age is ok to be president.

However, they won't find facts for their stupidity argument.. Because most everything they want to link, connect, bitch about, cry about, and be upset over is just their pissy attitude that their candidate lost. It's how life will be for you.. win some, lose some. If you're that big of a baby because you lost, I can't even imagine what it must be like to play any kind of game or sport against you. The type that loses at pool and throws their stick across the room. Because it was definitely the stick's fault, not the tool holding it.

It is funny to note, we may not be (as) racist... but there is plenty of stupid out there. I'm open to others opinions. And opinions don't always require facts. But if you're going to spout off about someone and state things as if they are facts, well, better verify them before hand. 'nuff said.

Change is not merely necessary to life — it is life.

2008-11-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

.. and change there is. Not a little bit of change even, but a lot of change. After Election Day '08, things will forever be changed. People (some anyhow) looked past race and age and decided that things that were previously working would not work any longer. Out goes Bush and anything else the Republican's controlled. Sadly though, that also appears to be the case with the Washington governor race as well. That's one place we needed change to Republican to get the Wicked Witch of the West out of there.

Enough people were fed up with the economy, the war, Bush, & all the crap. John McCain seems to be a nice guy. But so were my grandpa's, and well, in their 70's, I wouldn't want them presidents either, and I love them. He's about 4-5 years from a nursing home. I'm surprised he got as many votes as he did to begin with. But that's what America is all about. Grandpa's, Mom's, Dad's, anyone can run.

But on the humor side of it, today's Myspace & Facebook status messages are quite entertaining. People bummed, talking about the rise of Socialism, Communism, distributing the wealth, etc. It's going to be an entertaining few months I'm sure, as those people refuse to accept the change. Instead they'll critique every move, saying the whole way "This is why he shouldn't have won.." because you know, McCain would have been so much better... only problem is, over 50% of America doesn't agree. Which is why McCain's heading back to his Senate job while he has it.

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So the life of a technical nerd includes trash talking over work email in database queries. For example, a knock on me and "No-arms" out of Vegas..

Select * from CANDERSO_HAREM
where ARMS <> 2
and BRA_SIZE > DD

Then we all start combating each other in SQL querries. Yes, we are those people. I think later today I'm going to blog about the above statement and how I feel about that whole thing.. Because I've put a ton of thought into it, for reasons I don't know that I understand fully yet..

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Things I learned yesterday...

I'm growing up. I know that's kind of obvious, but I realized as people were forwarding stupid text messages about the election, that I didn't really think it was funny. I knew the historic event unfolding around me & the last thing I thought was that it was a funny thing. I didn't find the racist or crude remarks funny even in the slightest. Which is really odd, since I find almost anything funny and nothing tabboo. I guess when you're dealing with something that is as historic as MLK, it's hard to see the humor in stupid shit like that.
That after 3 years of living & enjoying the single life, I'm slowly starting to hate it. Well, maybe hate is a strong word? I just see all these things I really want to do, and I'm kind of getting tired of not having someone to share them with. Though funny enough I think out of all the people I've met, somehow, I think PB has it. But we'll see.

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This is all for right now. I hope all my friends are having a great Wednesday and the woman of my dreams is thinking about what she wants for the future.

Wow...

2008-11-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, I'm quite impressed.. WOW.

I can't do everyday..

2008-11-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

.... I'm just not that hardcore. Dimes reports in her blog that there's a 'Blog daily for a month' contest for faithful bloggers. I guess the idea is to blog everyday for a month, but November is their big giveaway month. I wasn't sure what it was exactly so I figured I'd Google it and see what I'd find. But as I've said above, I just won't do everyday. Especially if my internet doesn't quit sucking balls at night. That's right, only at night the past 2 nights does my Internet just suck. I wake up and it's fine, like there was never a problem. It better work tonight or Comcast will be getting an unhappy phone call.

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Things I learned yesterday... hmmm I didn't do a whole lot yesterday, but I did learn that ESPN (which is owned by Disney) is democrat based. I learned this because they did a Monday Night Football interview with both McCain & Obama. I would say Obama definitely got more speaking time & was the first interview. McCains was shorter and there wasn't really any kind of intro. Definitely something interesting to see. Or maybe that was just my read.

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On a side note for history's sake, today's election day '08. The mud slinging is finally going to slow down after today. No more stupid ass political commercials, though I'm sure there's going to be recounts and lawsuits, if it follows '04. Wonder if Washington will see another stolen governor election.... but given the presidential election it'll be hushed away like in '04. Soon it will be over at least.

G-Money has his second interview here today. I can't wait, I'm hoping he gets it. He needs a good company like this. There are secondary benefits, but those are very minor compared to the good reasons.

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Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes...

2008-11-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it appears I don't blog a lot on the weekends... I was going to last night but mid paragraph my internet went down and when I went to bed it was still down. Luckily, it was up this morning when I went to work. I'm kind of glad I skipped last night, I had so many things mentally running through my head, I was having a problem actually putting them on paper (or screen).

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This year, November will be a little different. It'll be 3 years of learning and growth on my part, flying solo, doing my thing. Things have changed a ton since 2005. I think that's the thing that surprises me most, though I know I'm not the only one surprised by that fact. 3 years and I'm still single. That used to last a week or two, maybe a month. Those that have known me the longest definitely know I normally don't stay single for long. I guess it's different when you get royally burnt and refuse to just spend that quality time with anyone that you meet.

I've been asked through people I've met, questions online from dating sites, etc, what it is I wish most for the future. Honestly, now that I've got a house, I kind of miss the domestic piece. Having someone to share it with. Cooking dinners, watching movies, breakfast in bed, etc. I think that is the one thing I really look forward to is that. But I'm not going to rush it. I'm not going to worry about it. I'd rather be single and live life then settle down with someone full of red flags, which has been my past. So single for as long as I have been is not a bad thing, or well, I suppose it's not. Everything happens for a reason right?

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New lesson of the weekend..... no more freakin picture mail sending. I sent a cheer up pic to PT on Thursday night. After she told me about her totaling her car in an accident earlier that day. However, she received it Saturday morning at 3am. Ummm, given the events of Friday for her, it didn't need to get there then. I'd rather it just failed and not gone at all. Oh well. But it appears my earlier observation was somewhat accurate on the drama piece! The other one is still somewhat of an unknown..

New lesson #2, don't go play blackjack with a guy that apparently doesn't know how to play. Though on the fun side his dumbass moves made it fun to flirt with the dealer. We were sharing looks all night. Sadly though, I am not so sure how one would pass a # over to a dealer, given the strict rules of casino's. So I didn't. But really, who the fuck hits on a 17?! And splits 10's with a dealer face card showing? Who splits 10's anyway?! Needless to say, no more gambling around that crap. It's one thing when it's a video game, it's another when it's real money.

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Well, that's a good enough start, I'm sure I'll blab on tonight later once I get home. Due to fairly tight expenses the next two weeks, I'll be chilling at home more than a lot of other activities.

Fun times!

Small world...

2008-10-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

So looking through my mom's Facebook friends, I stumbled across a name that just looked way too familiar. So I did my cyber-sleuthing to find out more about that person to see if it was indeed who it looked to be. It was that person and she was friends with my sister too.

A simple text to my mom clarified the issue.. That woman works with and sits next to my mom. Really? How odd & crazy is that?

The woman that I'm talking about is the sister of my good friend who passed away back in December of 2001. I haven't seen his family since January of 2002. I've heard updates, sat and had lunch with his old childhood best friend in the spring of 2004, but that's it. And now my mom works right next to her.. You want to talk about a small world.. ... ....

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity

2008-10-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ohhh what a night. Man, I need more of those! Lessons learned yesterday: Homefield advantage will always be the single most important thing in life and sports. Sometimes the norm will not apply.

One thing I've been planning in my head is to get into a solid workout routine starting on my birthday. Due to the party last night and things, I delayed it a few extra days to be smart. Sooo, while I'm not a morning person, but I've debated about trying the get up at 5am & go to the gym. But that puts me in bed no later than 11pm every night. After work could do it too, but somehow I just see it harder because there's always something going on after work. Hanging out with friends, soccer, relaxing, etc. If I did the morning, I could work out, go home, shower, eat breakfast, then go to work. I like that plan. Now, when to start.... tomorrow? No better time than the present! I just verified my club hours, they open @ 5.

There we have it: plan in place.. Starting 30 off with a bunch of +'s not to mention new friends, new opportunities, and a new plan...

OH EM GEE!

2008-10-30T01:32:00.000-07:00

I forgot about the most memorable moment of the night..... where one friend tells us about her favorite way to have a hot dog. With mayo and peanut butter! Needless to say, I was ... surprised! I shall now call her PB!

Things always have a way of working out...

2008-10-30T00:59:00.000-07:00

I swear to God, the rule continues! Tonight was C's going away party. Met her new b/f at the same time, why she's moving to begin with. Great guy! Played pool, chatted a bit, I'm glad she found him. He and I then learned we'd be the only two guys at this party and there'd be like 5 other women. Yeah, I know, my life is soooo fucking rough. Not knowing any of them, what they looked like, etc, I wasn't actually looking towards trying to hook up with any, I just thought it'd be a fun night, some shit talking, etc.

It started like that too. There was one that was trying to be all flirty, I think it was the typical blonde thing. I can't judge, but there was a vibe there. But not that kind of vibe, but rather something told me there could be some serious drama potential. There was another one, looked somewhat familiar. Can't place it, but she was cute. Didn't drink with the rest of us, due to a concussion from an earlier drinking and walking accident.. haha sounds like me & Vegas! So we'll see, who knows what happens in the future right?

Oh and the rule that I talk about? That I always meet one person one way, for example back in the day how I met C, and then someone they know is someone I start chasing. So who knows, we'll see how all this pans out, but everything happens for a reason.

Everyday is a new day...

2008-10-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

.. and you should learn something from every previous day. Even a minor lesson. Like me, I learned that a broken water main can flood a neighborhood quickly. (Not mine, but sucks to be them!) I learned that when I focus, I can completely de-clutter and clean my house in 3 hours. I learned that some "friends" should probably step outside of their own little world and realize it doesn't revolve around just them. Looking back, those are the highlights of things. I'll try and start each 'daily' blog with something I've learned. Even if it's just a minor detail. If I learned it, you will too!

This is my step into 30. I'm going to try and go not more than 3 days between blogs, for at least the year. Start of my new decade with history, stories, and fun. When I was 20, things were not as cool as they are now. Now, life is change. BFF#1 is moving to Texas, thus a going away party tonight. I'm not sad, I'm excited for her. I'm hoping she flies in the new atmosphere away from everything. I was still in school at 20. Now I'm 8 years into a career, at a job where I could spend the rest of my life. 10 years, countless stories, tears, laughter, pain and pleasure. It's had it all. I don't know that I'll recap the previous 10 over the next year, but I'll reference some things. I know some entries (like this one) will end up kind of long, I tend to have ADD and my mind jumps all over the place, so I just type it out as it comes. I'll try to keep some focus when typing though.

Items I got for my birthday: a better understanding of friends, the Cannabis Cookbook (entertaining read), a couple cards, and a touching email. (Thanks again :) )

Go figure also, no fog this morning. Ride on your birthday, it'll be nice... Should have ridden today too. haha oh well. This Jeep pic sums it up pretty damn good though:::

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I hope you have a wonderful day today, after all, it's hump day! Almost Friday, so I'm sure you're working on your weekend plans. Hopefully it's something relaxing, it's supposed to be crappy in the NW (if you're up here).

Probably the last time, but hey....

2008-10-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

.. it's my birthday afterall. I jumped on the R1 and rode it into work. Yesterday morning was beautiful out, sun, chilly, but bright. Today, wake up.... FOG. Shit! But oh well, it's my birthday and I'm starting it with a quick ride to work. Want to know what my legs felt like after I got off?

Yeah, it was a bit chilly. It was well worth the ride however. To feel the speed I haven't had in a while, the fresh air flying by. I must say that it was a great way to start off the day.. Besides, a fresh cup of coffee will warm anyone up quickly.

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On a side note, I hope the woman of my dreams is having a wonderful day today. I don't quite know where she is, nor who she is, but the least I can do is wish her a great fall day.

My next 30 years ...

2008-10-28T01:25:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know it's a Tim McGraw song... but it fits. My first 30 years were a bunch of learning experiences. Not to mention I used up 18 years being a dependent. While those were great years, that means I've only really experienced the last 12. Then, living at home while going to college until I was a little over 21, thus leaving about 9. Take into account hard lessons to learn that took up about 6 years, I've really only lived 3 years.

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THREE YEARS.
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So then I guess the question is ... what have I done with my last 3 years.. Well let's see. Work sent me all over the U.S. I stayed in hotels and cities I'll never probably go to nor would have gone to otherwise. I spent some time enjoying Atlanta. 2 trips to Vegas in 6 months. Really that aspect has been nice. I got the vehicle of my dreams, the bike of my dreams. I have a pretty slick house, I got a pool table, I have nice furniture, cool electronics. Yay for 'things'. But one thing is for sure... my next 30 years will have someone legit and real in it. This I know.

Other things I'd like to see in the next 30? I'd say a real wedding. More good friends, laughing moments, inside jokes, fun and then more fun. Kids? Maybe. Seeing more of the U.S.? Definitely. I'm sure there will be drunkin parties, bbq's, and a lot more events that we can't even invision yet.

And I look forward to each and every one of them. Because I must admit, friends make the world go 'round and well.... I have the best batch around. As we all cross into "middle age" I wish great health all the way around.

I think it's bed time. It's only 2:30 am after all. I'll leave you with an image I took with my blackberry. It shows why I love Seattle so much. I mean, where else do you always get views like this?

Ahhhh home...

2008-10-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Granted being at work isn't the best way to relax, but it sure feels good to be back in the routine after 3 days of alcohol, little sleep and entertaining stories out of Vegas. I'm alive, not bankrupt, nor suffering from alcohol poisoning. I'd have to say then, it was a very successful trip! I'll recap the trip at a later time, probably tomorrow.

The forbidden fruit...

2008-10-14T02:30:00.000-07:00

Something I've learned about a lot of people that are "Open minded" ...... They're only open minded if you see their point of view. Failure to see their point, agree with them, or convert to their view and you're just wrong.

As we all know it's an election year. It really brings out people that are either strongly Democrat or strongly Republican. But it's weird this year. GWB has actually fucked up enough to turn Republican's to vote Democrat. But that's another topic for later. I'm just tired of seeing stupid ass email forwards and blogs about facts that can influence someone who isn't sure, when it's not even full of FACTS. I'm sorry, but if you're going to spew political crap out of your mouth, make sure it's accurate or shut the fuck up and go home. Seriously. Because if you start off with a bunch of shit that is either a- not true, b- outdated, or c- impossible then you will not like me after 2 minutes of talking. I will cut through your line like a chainsaw cuts through paper. But because you're so "open minded" you'll fail to see my point and you'll walk away thinking just how big of an asshole I am.

I'll help you fix that: deal with it (or well, even better, get your facts straight...).

Obama isn't a terrorist, he isn't a Muslim, and to top it off the Democrats may control congress but they didn't cause what's happening now in the housing market and banking crisis. Sure they're in office now, but the wheels for this moment were set in motion back about 4 years ago. When home prices went through the fucking roof and they were giving out home loans to anyone with a pen in their hand to sign the documents. Gas prices are expensive, but it wasn't until the last 6 months or so that we talked about more domestic drilling to help lower our need of foreign oil. Bet you won't see that on the email chain. Hey look, as the world responds to the global crisis the stock market is climbing fast, putting value back into retirement funds, pensions & the like. But it wouldn't be because the current Congress did anything, of course not. That would be almost admitting treason to those hard core "fact" spewers. (Yes I know I'm forgetting to mention the fact the president has veto power over anything at his desk & the democrats don't control enough to over ride one... but again, small mundane detail if you ask an "open minded" Republican.)

You'd think that with all that I'm saying that I'm a Democrat. While I believe in some of the same theories, I don't align with either of the major parties. I tend to go with things that make the most sense to me. I may not be a political science major, but myself and about 70% of America see the current system as not only broken, but completely fucked up. If you're one of those 30% that can't seem to get enough of the GWB reach-around, more power to you. I however, have a little more self respect than to just sit there and take it because of a loyalty to a party of people.

On that note, I'm going to end this rant before I just keep going and going and going. When it comes to stupid people I can rant for ages.

My one line summary of this novel:

Get your fucking facts straight or keep your "opinions" to yourself.. Thank you.

Pretend it's a white board and start over....

2008-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

.. which is exactly what I did with this blog. I've had it for a while, but deleted all the dumb posts of the past, which had no validity to life nor what I want to post here. So going forward, I will be posting here as I feel I like it better than Myspace and provides me a tad more leeway to say what I want about what I want.

So more blogs to follow, that's for sure.