Friday, December 17, 2010

Giving away laptops is a BAD idea!

Ok, so...

I apologize to all the grammar nazi's who are sure to read this, I do not claim to be good at it, but please consider that I am just trying to express/alleviate myself, so be kind :)

At work, we were informed about a week ago (out of the blue) that we were going to be raffling off the old laptops that we used to have at an all-employee meeting (Dell Latitude D600/D610's, real stinkers). Bullshit aside, we finally got around to today and 50 laptops were raffled off. We did our parts in preparing them, stating from the beginning that we were just going to be giving them away, no support, you-get-what-you get. Now, an HR person (who will remain unnamed) just told Kevin (and Kevin alone) that Joe, my boss, will be taking care of this and that he would have to send out an email to all of the Troy facility. I wasn't very happy about her obvious show of disrespect for us. I am also unhappy about how most people here do not know how to follow directions regarding the "You get what you get" and "No support" policies we all agreed upon.

Oh well. I have had some time to cool down at this point and I have been talking out my frustrations with many people. Aside from this, work has been going well. I've had pleasant conversations with my manager and got some good food in my stomach. I'm probably going to be packing up some more later tonight, setting up my laptop next to all of my bags and boxes and sorting through what I will actually need to bring with me when school starts (less than a month away!).



Something that suprises me is how much I have enjoyed re-watching Dollhouse. I tend to be a little more critical regarding Joss Whedon's work, as his earlier career was comprised of relatively one-dimensional space sci-fi romps. Dollhouse seems to transcend that classification, being more about the moral implications and tribulations of it's characters (most of whom are, essentially, programmable people) rather than shooting stuff and wearing jumpsuits (though those are present, as well).

Another cool thing is that my final week at Behr Automotive is nearly here. I am now on my 5th to last day, and things are proceeding along nicely. Work flow is fair, nothing too strenuous (aside from what I mentioned earlier), but there are certainly things to do.

I have discovered something cool with my Droid X. I can send print jobs to mainstream retailers straight from my phone (by simply selecting the picture I want printed, pressing options>print, then selecting the store and size I want printed). The charges would go to my selected means, either the phone bill or my bank/credit account. I assume I would then go to the store and prove the validity of my claim, then receive the pictures. This will make it so much easier to get good pictures and have them developed.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Weekending

Oh wow.

Moved my PS3 setup downstairs. Things were alot easier than I thought they would be. I guess I just took my time and organized things well. Also, netflix is now working with my ps3, and it is awesome. I literally find a movie/show I wanna watch, press play and it only buffers for about a second and I am instantly watching my show. Very cool. Also, my NAS is up and running and ready to stream via upnp and dlna.

I think I will talk to Joe and Muhammed about doing pizza tomorrow. It feels like it has been a while since we've had a joint lunch.

Ok, so this weekend will be hectic. Tomorrow, I will be going to work, leaving work, and going to dinner with CC. After that, we will go to her fathers house for sleeping/hanging out with her family. Thursday, we do our own thing for the Thanksgiving holiday, then she comes over to sleep (maybe, I'm still not clear). Friday, we shop. Yes, black friday. After that, I do not know. Things are going to be very cool this weekend, but suck at the same time. Anyway, happy Wednesday now. Midnight rolled around very fast.

I wish I were better at understanding things.

Prelude to Christmas: bring it on!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The only bad thing...

The only bad thing...

- about being a fan of a band that is no longer together is that you can't see them in concert
- about having close friends is that you have to sacrifice so much of yourself in order to keep them
- about using technology is that you get worse at doing things for yourself
- about someone you care about dying is that you can never see them again
- about money is that your always working for it, yet it never works for you
- about using a credit/debit card is that you don't see the money leave your possession
- about loving someone is that it hurts so much when they are gone
- about being a good listener is that you have to let go of having your own things to say

- is that I can't seem to get things to work

|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|
|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|
|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|X|


Anyway, this is my keyboard:
1234567890-=
qwertyuiop[]\
asdfghjkl;'
zxcvbnm,./

Monday, November 1, 2010

Simply having a wonderful Christmas Time!

Had a grand weekend. Left work on Friday earlier than I usually do (3:30pm) and was careening my way to Buffalo Wild Wings in Kalamazoo to see CC. She, as always, was as I had remembered her. Beautiful, smiling, able to fill me with happiness. We had a very wonderful time all weekend.

On Saturday, we went to see Legend of the Guardians (OWL CITY!!!). It was pretty good, but reminded me of how different movies are for this generation of kids than how it was for us. Clyde and Isabelle were very well behaved. I've only been around them for about 4 hours thus far, but they have become precious to me. Thanks CC, for introducing them to me.
Played San Juan again. It has been so long since I have played that game. Very cool. Also, had my first experience playing a game with CC, I hope in the future she and I will play more games together.

Dinner was to die for.

Sunday was bitter sweet. We enjoyed waking up next to each other once again, but regretted the fact that this would be the last time this week. Fortunately, we had hope, as we started planning for next weekend, and decided that we would do extra time in the week so that we could get out early (or not come in at all) on Friday, so that we could see each other sooner.

Next weekend is going to be kinda hellish for us. We have so many variables to work with. We have to figure out how we are getting to CMU, where we are sleeping, what are we doing on Saturday, and so on and so forth. Makes me wanna sleep. Zzz Zzz

Speaking of busy as hell, work started out like your average day. The weekend had given me a great amount of rest, so I came in with enthusiasm and charisma, but soon, the DHCP server had to be restarted, and all the test machines (36 of them) had the same .dll error, and someone couldn't get connected to the network, and someone's computer wouldn't start up, and emails to read and etc. Now, things have calmed down, but I feel like I have been spent.

I miss you, CC. I can't wait to see you again. I love you <3

Monday, October 25, 2010

Thursday, October 21, 2010

I am a bit shaken by something that a friend of mine has posted. They are having regrets about the past and I would like to be there for them. Their issues are extremely relevant to me.

Hint: "Those who know, know. Those who do not, need not."

I am reminded of a time in my life when I felt left behind, left alone, and unwanted.
I wish there were a way to have gained the knowledge that I gained through that tough time in my life without experiencing the pain.

I remember when I was committing my moral sins (or whatever you religious kids at home would like to call it, 9th commandment for you Catholics out there, 10th otherwise), I would cry in the shower, the car, or anywhere else I was alone. I used to smoke, because it would give me a reason to go outside/away to wallow about in the bad memories (some more vivid than others).

No one helped or talked to me about it, because no one knew about it.

Sometimes, as I am remembering these pieces of my past, I realize how much of it I have just let sit down in the lesser functioning parts of my brain. In fact, until recently, I didn't even have proper mediums to express these feelings.

I wish things were as simple as knowing and executing. I've stumbled, I've fallen, I've failed, but I've gotten back up. And, for myself and the people I love, I will keep getting back up, and keep raising up the people who need it too.

"Candles burn slowly,
Flames shine so brightly
Light in the darkness,
Save me from madness again

Only the lonely,
could possibly know me
Heat keeps on rising,
Fire engulfs me again
Keep on rising"

Slowish day

God, what a slow day today. I have successfully deployed 2 laptops on my own this morning and Kevin has been deploying desktops all willy-nilly.

Bdubs will certainly calm me down. Only ten more minutes til I'm in delicious heaven.

Speaking of heaven, CC is coming over tomorrow. Success for me!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Evening

Hello world. Had a very eventful day.

Morning - get up, say good morning to CC. Go to work. Kevin, the other contractor, arrives shortly after I do and is already up and running on helping me with my projects. He is a good guy.
Here's the deal though:

On Monday and Tuesday, the contractor from Netarx, Jeff, comes in at 8:30am. He is supposed to be coming in for 8 hours, but he leaves at 4:30pm, which is before I even leave, and only counts as 7 hours. Jeff's work was pretty good, but it wasn't worth the fact that we had to pay almost triple the price of a normal employee to have him.

On Wednesday and today, Kevin comes in, on time, and helps with my job and is very knowledgeable about everything that we do. He helps me with some image rebuilds and also nails down the process for building laptops. We talk a lot, and I learn he has a brother who lives in Rochester. Very cool.

We've decided to stick with Kevin and let Jeff go, given the cost savings that we will benefit from.

Also, I got my paycard from HR in order to rectify the missing pay from tomorrows reciept. They gave me what they call a pay card, a debit card that can be used as a credit card (will have $300 on it). I will probably cash it out tomorrow.

Evening - get into IM chat with Amanda. She is bored, so I introduce her to xkcd and amazingsuperpowers. She doesn't get it. Guess it's not her kinda thing. We leave for lunch around 11:30am and we talk about school, all the while Brandon sitting back just listening, since he doesn't go to Kettering and doesn't know what to say. We felt bad. Ate a full meal at Buffalo Wild Wings. :)

Later Evening - Keep working, you know.

4:40pm - leave work, satisfied with the things I have accomplished.

6:30pm - Dad and I drive to the driving range and he gets me back into the swing of things. (pun!) At first I have issues with keeping my left arm straight, but after a while, I am able to use my momentum to help me (it really is all in the hips). I loosen up and start getting the muscle memory from back when I golfed avidly (age 10-13ish).

7:50pm - remember to get into the Up Til Dawn phone conference. Have my part to say and get some work to do. Good meeting. Finish at 8:28pm.

8:30pm - call CC, finally. I wish I had a chance to call earlier. CC seemed mad at me for not having called earlier. Have a nice conversation with my other half. Grounds me. I love you CC.

Since then, I have been packing all of my clothing and things in preparation for going to Port Huron and seeing CC. I miss her so much.

To CC: I'm sorry for not calling sooner. I know you've wanted to talk to me. I miss you.

As I am typing this stanza (correct me if I am mistaken), only 19 hours remain until I am in Port Huron and get to see CC again. Success!

Watching cinemassacres Godzillathon as celebration.
Can't wait for pay day tomorrow. I love getting over $1,000 every other Friday! :)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

...the world as a hole.

Let's see...


Weekend was amazing. Had a great time lying in bed with CC, watching TV shows, going to Great Lakes Crossing, seeing 2 movies, and other things. Very nice weekend.





Yesterday was pretty hectic. Me and Jeff (new contract guy from netarx) talked alot. I deployed 4 computers yesterday. A record, I'm sure. Now only about 200 left!


Still enjoying my Droid X. I use it for reading, using the Kindle for Android software. Also, I've been using it as a super GPS, even making calls on it while navigating (my battery really hates me). I have to charge the thing every night because of the way I drain it during the day. Hopefully, as I get used to using it, this daily ritual will wane-down. (get it, a portmanteau of "wane" and "wind-down", I get jokes!)


Also, after much delay and not enough time spent on it, I finally finished reading the first adventure of Sherlock Holmes (mind you, this essentially means a 29 page chapter). Happened yesterday at lunch. I had my Droid out with a cup of ramen and a cherry coke! Very enjoyable lunch.





Yesterday night was fun as well. Went over to Jon and Steve's apartment. We were trying to decide what to eat for dinner, and what we came up with was a complete disaster of a meal.



Mon Jin Lau: the blandest, yet most expensive Thai food I have ever had. $14.95 for the standard, Pad Thai. I get it, and the flavor is so watered down, I was tempted to add salt to the meal to make it more palatable. Chu was with us and he said that he is never letting us choose where to eat ever again. I would definately agree after this monstrosity.

I feel kinda bad today about what I did yesterday. CC was lonely and I didn't call her until late last night as she was going to bed. I wish I had called her earlier. I'm sorry CC. Have fun with your friends tonight playing D&D. Call me if you think I deserve it. I love you.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday, oh what a day

A contracted worker from Netarx started today and I was training him in what he's going to be doing. He's a pretty cool guy. He's got that 'engineer' attitude about things and I can respect that. Very willing to learn and figure out a new way for the future.

What else is going on.
...
hm
...
Oh! That's right!



Got my beautifully delicious and gigantically pretty new phone: The Droid X. I love this thing, and I'm sorry for making this space on the internet my shrine of worship to this phone. I'll shut up now.



Tonight, CC is coming to my home and I plan to show her a fun and relaxing time. She seems to have been having a stressful time these past few days and I want to help her come back down to earth. If I can make her smile, I know I've done my job.

CC: as much as I love my phone, I love you more.


Hm...

I have started contemplating the Gettier Problem: (generalized) What makes a belief become knowledge? It stems from my interest in ontology, but it has evolved over the years (religion as a being, thought as a being, etc). I guess I just really like these ways of viewing and reviewing ones own system of thinking. I can also say that I am a firm subscriber of conceptual metaphor, which is exactly what it sounds like: understanding one domain based on it's cognitive relation to another.

Just wanted to type that. Had to get my mind off of work for a few minutes.

Anyway...see ya in about 5 hours CC. I can't wait!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Damn

Mom didn't get the FedEx package from the guy today. It was gonna be my new phone.

Damnit all. The best thing that was gonna happen today. Gonna see if I can pick it up at store.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Get ready for the CHEESE!

Alright, cheesy post incoming.

Heard this song at lunch (and yes, it is Jonas Brothers/Camp Rock as they are referred to):

Music's in my soul
I can hear it everyday, everynight
It's the one thing on my mind
Music's got control
And I'm never letting go, no no
I just wanna play my music

Random Funny Pictures:




CC:
If you would be my mad scientist, I would be your pissed-off engineer.
You're on my mind all the time.
Your beauty steals my glance.
Your voice steals my attention.
Your love steals my heart.
I thank whatever random act of miracles led you to me.
I could die in your embrace and be at piece with the world.
When we found we were the same person, I knew that I could not be apart from you.

You are my #1, CC. My only hope is that I am doing a good job of being yours.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pretty good today

Getting lots of stuff done today. My old phone was working, but it has just pooped out, once again.

Looks innocent enough, but it's a real humdinger.

CC, I love you.

Hanging out later today with friends. Having a fun day at work surprisingly.
Muhammed is getting palpably agitated at Alan, our boss-boss. He just doesn't like how he is so demanding about how things are done. Keep it real, my friend. Wear your bald-head up high.

Mom said "The Event" last night was pretty good. Explained a lot, but had some clever new revelations. I will be watching it with CC when she comes over this weekend.



Weezy got sent to solitary for listening to his Ipod. I wonder what song he so desperately wanted to listen to.

Anyway, just wanted to update. Happy and chillin'

Monday, October 4, 2010

Hectic Monday!

printf(%s,"Hello world!");

//As much as I dislike CS as a class-load, I seem to get a lot of enjoyment in writing it.

This has been the most hectic Monday I have ever had. Here is the rundown:
4:00am - wake up/take a shower

4:50am - leave Allegan, MI

7:00am-7:40am - freak out because my gas is dangerously low

7:40am - get gas at a very out of the way Sunoco

8:13am - arrive at work

8:15am-10:00am - read and write emails to co-workers regarding clocking in, deployment, etc.

10:00am-10:20am - have a phone conference with head boss/new lead in our division. Joe and Muhammed clearly dislike his style

10:45isham - finally respond to CC's pre-mail (preemptive email) to me, best part of my day

11:00am - go to install new Sprint SmartView software to our new head-head boss' computer.

12:00pm - now - enjoy some comfort food (McDonald's while listening to Party in the USA)

I've been doing pretty good in terms of packing lunch, but today I really needed an escape. I was literally working from the time I got in to work til now. Very busy today.

Had a wonderful weekend with CC (the reason I was in Allegan this morning). Miss it already. Great food, entertaining TV, good friends, perfect girl. Couldn't ask for more (except time).

(just for the hell of it)
current TV shows:
Mercy
Glee
The Event

Also, it is FUUUUUUHHHHHHHREEZING out here!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Happy October!

October is here again (when is it ever late?). Starting to feel the weather changing, though it goes from sunny and beautiful to rainy and near freezing temperatures.






Droid X on it's way. And yeah, I know. In an earlier post, I said I had decided on the Samsung Fascinate. Well, you know what? I changed my damned mind. Plus, Droid X has a bunch of docks and accessories, and I love that stuff. I will be saving my money though.







Work is pretty good. Gonna get out early today. Worked about 15 or so minutes extra everyday this week, so now I get an hour off of today, on top of the fact that I started earlier today.
3:20pm can't come sooner!

Also, CC has been discussing the idea of cruising with me. What a wonderful idea!

I keep on realizing the fact that I haven't watched Adventure Time in over 2 months. So, here is a meme. Bone Appetite.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Silly things that I've learned from work

Silly things that I've learned from work:

1.) 3.8 lpf = 1.0 gpf
2.) Feedback on the PA system sounds like a Banshee, a Fire Alarm, and a whistle all had a baby
3.) Coffee is best with lots of milk and sugar
4.) Phones will always give you problems
5.) People, even the most un-impressionable, love shiny things
6.) Computers make people stupid
7.) I miss CC :(

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Visit to Verizon yesterday

So, after I got my haircut last night, I see that a Verizon store is right across the street. I decided to make a stop, just to see some of the new phones in action and to see if I can renew my plan on the spot.

I walk in and the store clerk is a large man, probably 250lbs, easy. He has a slight, kinda 'Boston-esque' accent. He is being yelled at by an old woman, similar in attitude and stature to that of someone you might call 'cat-lady,' who claims that she did not make some calls that she is being charged for on her bill.

The clerk is trying to get her to use the phone properly, things like "click clr to go back a menu" and "press send to see all calls sent or received."

Both of them are clearly agitated.

She continuously insists that 29 of the minutes that she was over-charged for were not made by her, claiming things like "someone has control over this phone and it's not me!"

The store clerk, with restraint, asks the obvious questions:
"Have you ever let anyone else use your phone?"
"Is your phone with you at all times?"

Then, he asks a question which resulted in the highlight of the night, "Could anyone you live with have used your phone?"

Miss 'cat-lady's' response:
"I LIVE ALONE!"

Thinking back to my hasty generalization of imagining this woman as the 'cat-lady,' I successfully hold-back a laugh. That was pretty much the end of the fight.

I apologize, reader, for my cynical and somewhat mean humor. Believe me, she deserved it.

I talked to the clerk afterward. He said that this lady comes in every month complaining about the same issue with her over-charged bill. "I feel ya' man," I said to him.

With my new-found comradery with the clerk, I ask if he's got a Samsung Fascinate that I could play with. He hands me a just-out-of-the-box Fascinate, and I was a happy camper.

Assuming something else doesn't come out by the time my plan is up, I think I have found my new phone.

Thanks cat-lady. Without you, I might have made the wrong choice of phone.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The things I miss

I miss the past.
Nostalgia comes close to defining my state. My feelings aren't due to my missing the events of the past, but my gratitude for how I've have grown from these past events.
I could name the names, place the places, and reminisce of the memories, but nothing compares to the present, and the past can't replace the future.

"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." ~Jean Luc Picard

I miss the friends I once knew. I miss the schools that have taught me so well. I miss the bus rides that I couldn't stop laughing in. I miss the girls that I couldn't stop staring at.

But nothing compares to my friends now. Nothing compares to Kettering. Nothing compares to my car, Roxanne. Nothing compares to CC. My wonderful, beautiful, gorgeous CC.

No one can take any of my happiness away, only myself.
And I will be happy, god as my witness.




Also, the game (/gotcha!)

Muhammed's company

Muhammed just got done telling us about his company, Netrops.
Many of his friends have referenced it in their resumes. I am tempted to do so as well.

Muhammed is the sole member and CEO/Director of the company.

As of right now, the only product or service that they perform is maintaining their very simple (but still pro) website.

They are reaching a point where the business cannot sustain a $29.00 fee for maintaining the website, so it will be coming down soon.

Please visit their website at www.netrops.com and show your support.

BTW, /sarcasm

Monday, September 27, 2010

First day at work today

About three-fourths of the way done with work today. Having a good time seeing everyone again. Life is good.
I feel much more talkative than I've ever felt, probably due to the positive outlook on life that I currently have. CC has greatly improved my happiness. She is my #1.

Can't wait to see what this term has in store. Also, enjoying the benefits of a well rounded resume!