My Life is A Drama Free Zone http://blog.the-jdh.com/ I graduated highschool for a reason, and it wasn't to go to college. en Copyright 2008 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:16:09 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.33 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss At least it was only 2 bucks. So we finally got around to trying to get in and see Untraceable last Tuesday, except thanks largely to the fact poor Trish is currently minus a vehicle, we were left at the mercy of OC Transpo, whom I've bitched about on an occasion or two on here. Now, not that there's a single problem with the bus system at all–cough, cough–but I still suspect that they're the sole reason why we missed by like 10-15 minutes the actual start of the movie. Suckitude galore, seeing as that one was supposed to be pretty good. At least judging by what I've been able to pick up on it. Instead, we decided to see I am Legend (sorry, no IMDB linkage for this one, which is rather odd) instead. It was… well, meh. Best way to describe it. It's a Will Smith movie, so anyone who's watched I, robot or Independence Day pretty much knows what to expect. Sadly I, Robot is probably one of his better movies. Though props do go out to the fact his character actually dies in I am Legend. Really though, as odd as it was to see him take on a more serious role than anything he's done in, say, either of the two movies I've linked to aside from that one, I think that also went towards knocking the movie down a couple coolness points. Nearly the movie's only saving grace was the fact it was actually one of the more believeable zombie movies I've seen. And far enough away that it's almost realisticly possible something like it could happen. Official decision from the opinionated jackass: we should have gone to see Untraceable. I'd watch I am Legend if it came out on TV, but um, I wouldn't pay for it. Wonder if there's a torrent for it on the intarwebz. Further investigation is required.

]]> So we finally got around to trying to get in and see Untraceable last Tuesday, except thanks largely to the fact poor Trish is currently minus a vehicle, we were left at the mercy of OC Transpo, whom I've bitched about on an occasion or two on here. Now, not that there's a single problem with the bus system at all–cough, cough–but I still suspect that they're the sole reason why we missed by like 10-15 minutes the actual start of the movie. Suckitude galore, seeing as that one was supposed to be pretty good. At least judging by what I've been able to pick up on it. Instead, we decided to see I am Legend (sorry, no IMDB linkage for this one, which is rather odd) instead. It was… well, meh. Best way to describe it. It's a Will Smith movie, so anyone who's watched I, robot or Independence Day pretty much knows what to expect. Sadly I, Robot is probably one of his better movies. Though props do go out to the fact his character actually dies in I am Legend. Really though, as odd as it was to see him take on a more serious role than anything he's done in, say, either of the two movies I've linked to aside from that one, I think that also went towards knocking the movie down a couple coolness points. Nearly the movie's only saving grace was the fact it was actually one of the more believeable zombie movies I've seen. And far enough away that it's almost realisticly possible something like it could happen. Official decision from the opinionated jackass: we should have gone to see Untraceable. I'd watch I am Legend if it came out on TV, but um, I wouldn't pay for it. Wonder if there's a torrent for it on the intarwebz. Further investigation is required.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/08/at_least_it_was_only_2_bucks.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/08/at_least_it_was_only_2_bucks.html James Wickedness awesomeness coolness. If I can find a program to use this sucker from the computer, I want this. Neat little price tag, too. Christmas present, perhaps? I won't say no.

]]> If I can find a program to use this sucker from the computer, I want this. Neat little price tag, too. Christmas present, perhaps? I won't say no.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/07/wickedness_awesomeness_coolness.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/07/wickedness_awesomeness_coolness.html James And now, an actual update. Because while it was a pretty accurate summary of my opinion of the current situation on Monday, it doesn't really do a whole lot of explaining, well, anything. So here goes (warning: the below is probably going to be an essay. Deal.).

So back in November, they transferred a lot of the overnight folks–okay, *all* of the overnight folks–over to the XPS division. Now, I have no interest whatsoever in doing hardware related support, which is what that department's primarily involved with. Not that I can't do it–it's relatively easy to do, particularly when you're not the one fiddling with the inner workings of the bustified computer. But that's also the problem; it's too freakin easy. If something physical is broken, it either works, or it doesn't. End of story. You either replace the part, or tell the customer he's an idiot and to RTFM and go on to the next call. The longest and quite probably most irritating part of the job now is more than likely going to be waiting for the diagnostics Dell builds into their systems to finish running and tell me which part I'm going to be replacing. Now, I'm all for easy as pie work, usually. But this is ridiculous easy. In a week or two of doing this, I suspect I'll be able to just coast right through it like it's nobody's business. Not good when it's me. I tend to get into things I shouldn't. Like finding random little tidbits about my coworkers about which to insult them on here. But primarily just… being me. Which can and often times is a little freaky in and of itself–just ask any member of my family! So, yeah. This week I'm going through the retraining process that goes along with a rather forced change of career path. On the bright side, it means at least for the next month or so, I'm back to having 3 days off–and an actual weekend to boot! On the not so bright side, holy late. But that's another rant for another day. Like say, on the weekend when we're being hammered yet again by snow–a third rant for the next 3 days. That one I'll probably fire off tomorrow, when I have linkage to back up my pissedness. In the meantime, though, there be hockey on my television, and I barely watch that anymore. So I go do that now.

]]> Because while it was a pretty accurate summary of my opinion of the current situation on Monday, it doesn't really do a whole lot of explaining, well, anything. So here goes (warning: the below is probably going to be an essay. Deal.).

So back in November, they transferred a lot of the overnight folks–okay, *all* of the overnight folks–over to the XPS division. Now, I have no interest whatsoever in doing hardware related support, which is what that department's primarily involved with. Not that I can't do it–it's relatively easy to do, particularly when you're not the one fiddling with the inner workings of the bustified computer. But that's also the problem; it's too freakin easy. If something physical is broken, it either works, or it doesn't. End of story. You either replace the part, or tell the customer he's an idiot and to RTFM and go on to the next call. The longest and quite probably most irritating part of the job now is more than likely going to be waiting for the diagnostics Dell builds into their systems to finish running and tell me which part I'm going to be replacing. Now, I'm all for easy as pie work, usually. But this is ridiculous easy. In a week or two of doing this, I suspect I'll be able to just coast right through it like it's nobody's business. Not good when it's me. I tend to get into things I shouldn't. Like finding random little tidbits about my coworkers about which to insult them on here. But primarily just… being me. Which can and often times is a little freaky in and of itself–just ask any member of my family! So, yeah. This week I'm going through the retraining process that goes along with a rather forced change of career path. On the bright side, it means at least for the next month or so, I'm back to having 3 days off–and an actual weekend to boot! On the not so bright side, holy late. But that's another rant for another day. Like say, on the weekend when we're being hammered yet again by snow–a third rant for the next 3 days. That one I'll probably fire off tomorrow, when I have linkage to back up my pissedness. In the meantime, though, there be hockey on my television, and I barely watch that anymore. So I go do that now.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/06/and_now_an_actual_update.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/03/06/and_now_an_actual_update.html James But I'm not a smoker... So why, then, does my apartment smell like a smoker lives here? The downstairs people suck. That is all.

]]> So why, then, does my apartment smell like a smoker lives here? The downstairs people suck. That is all.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/27/but_im_not_a_smoker.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/27/but_im_not_a_smoker.html James Consider thyself evicted. Thanks largely to the glory that is the ability to check on the weather network, it has been established that, by this time next week, we could very well be seeing a definite increase in the outside temperature. And all I can say is it's about bloody well time. Winter, I love ya, but only until December 26th. After that, now you're just overstaying your welcome. By a long shot. Bring on the 30 degree temperatures and the excuses to book off a week's vacation. Yeehaw! I'm too enthusiastic about this. I blame the fact that I'm at work, and this is my monday, and I'm not looking forward to actually starting in half an hour–it's gonna be busy as hell…

]]> Thanks largely to the glory that is the ability to check on the weather network, it has been established that, by this time next week, we could very well be seeing a definite increase in the outside temperature. And all I can say is it's about bloody well time. Winter, I love ya, but only until December 26th. After that, now you're just overstaying your welcome. By a long shot. Bring on the 30 degree temperatures and the excuses to book off a week's vacation. Yeehaw! I'm too enthusiastic about this. I blame the fact that I'm at work, and this is my monday, and I'm not looking forward to actually starting in half an hour–it's gonna be busy as hell…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/21/consider_thyself_evicted.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/21/consider_thyself_evicted.html James This kid trumps any 2 of yours. And she's not even related to me. Girl's writings opening new window on autism. And all I have to say on this is… wow. For once, that's the only opinion I can offer. Be afraid. But seriously–the kid's 13. She started doing this, according to the article, when she was 10. I dunno about you, but any 10-year-old kid I've ever met can't be bothered to sit at a computer for more than 30 seconds unless they're getting the chance to blow the crap out of something. I mean, yeah neither can she, but at least there's a reason for that. This is one of those occasions where I kinda wish the crap going on in Iraq wasn't the only thing that gets a follow-up from CTV. Kid's practically half my age and already she's gone and proven she's twice as smart as me. Props to her parents, too–it's way, and I do mean way, too easy to just give up, say I quit, and let the system take care of the kid. I used to go to a school for the blind, and by about my third or fourth year there, I saw an increasing number of people there who *may* have been blind or visually impaired, but who had multiple of other issues going on and their parents, I swear, just decided "Hey, that place'll take them off our hands. Away they go.". Good on you for actually standing up and taking control of the situation. I just hope all the media attention that story's gonna get you guys doesn't add to what I imagine is already a bit of an occasionally stressful time. Either way, go Carly go! And if by some freak accident someone who knows her stumbles across this tiny yet very opinionated blog and wants to give her a place to tell her own story, just get in touch with me. I've got lots of space I'm not using, and I'd love to put some of it into an effort like that. And hey, you fools at CTV, follow up on it a little will ya? Iraq can take a week off.

Update:

Someone at the CTV is apparently listening. A little over 24 hours after I saw this article, they did follow up. Awesomeness. And the offer I made in reference to that follow-up still stands. See? I'm not entirely cruel–just when it's deserved.]]> Girl's writings opening new window on autism. And all I have to say on this is… wow. For once, that's the only opinion I can offer. Be afraid. But seriously–the kid's 13. She started doing this, according to the article, when she was 10. I dunno about you, but any 10-year-old kid I've ever met can't be bothered to sit at a computer for more than 30 seconds unless they're getting the chance to blow the crap out of something. I mean, yeah neither can she, but at least there's a reason for that. This is one of those occasions where I kinda wish the crap going on in Iraq wasn't the only thing that gets a follow-up from CTV. Kid's practically half my age and already she's gone and proven she's twice as smart as me. Props to her parents, too–it's way, and I do mean way, too easy to just give up, say I quit, and let the system take care of the kid. I used to go to a school for the blind, and by about my third or fourth year there, I saw an increasing number of people there who *may* have been blind or visually impaired, but who had multiple of other issues going on and their parents, I swear, just decided "Hey, that place'll take them off our hands. Away they go.". Good on you for actually standing up and taking control of the situation. I just hope all the media attention that story's gonna get you guys doesn't add to what I imagine is already a bit of an occasionally stressful time. Either way, go Carly go! And if by some freak accident someone who knows her stumbles across this tiny yet very opinionated blog and wants to give her a place to tell her own story, just get in touch with me. I've got lots of space I'm not using, and I'd love to put some of it into an effort like that. And hey, you fools at CTV, follow up on it a little will ya? Iraq can take a week off.

Update:

Someone at the CTV is apparently listening. A little over 24 hours after I saw this article, they did follow up. Awesomeness. And the offer I made in reference to that follow-up still stands. See? I'm not entirely cruel–just when it's deserved.]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/19/this_kid_trumps_any_2_of_yours_and_shes_not_even_related_to_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/19/this_kid_trumps_any_2_of_yours_and_shes_not_even_related_to_me.html James I left work nearly 12 hours ago. I'm back at work now. I'm off at 7:00 tonight, barring another 10.5 hour day. Uh, crap on a cracker? The hours I'm billing Dell for are gonna be bloody well insane…

*****************

Ladies and gentlemen. When I left work yesterday, it was snowing like hell. There is more snow in Ottawa's forecast for today. Somebody up there is intent on pissing me off. And it's thinking about working.

*****************

Can someone please tell me, just once, why it is the Writers Guild of America was holding out and being a bunch of royal panzies for the sake of higher royalties to have material streamed over the internet? Are they, perhaps, not aware that if the TV stations weren't doing it, some other generous soul with a nack for getting his hands on free content–not me, RIAA/MPAA, relax–would just do it instead? I mean, not that I haven't thought about it. But really, if that's the only reason they're striking, which is sort of what the article in question's leading me to believe, it is making me contemplate perhaps watching significantly less actual TV content than I already do. Realisticly, I only have a TV right now so I can watch hockey and/or baseball. And since my team's biting the suckitude bullet something fierce, it's going to end up just being baseball. At least this year. And hey, that I can probably get online, too!

*****************

The computer they have me working on at the office has developed a habbit of randomly and inexplicably restarting without warning. No error message, no blue screen, no notta. Just I'm in the middle of typing/reading/whatever, and then kerpoof. I bitched a little about that last night. And I'm still thinking about taking the bitching to our I/T folks and flat out giving them the option. Give me access to something as uber basic/simple/non-retarded as MSConfig and let me tell you what the hell's wrong with this thing. That way all you need to do is replace the faulty component I know exists, and then get out of my hair. I wish I could work in I/T…

*****************

It has been decided. OC Transpo isn't *all* evil. I only took an hour and 15 minutes or so to get here today. An improvement, really, over a week ago. I'm… not quite to the point of irritated. Yet.

]]> I'm back at work now. I'm off at 7:00 tonight, barring another 10.5 hour day. Uh, crap on a cracker? The hours I'm billing Dell for are gonna be bloody well insane…

*****************

Ladies and gentlemen. When I left work yesterday, it was snowing like hell. There is more snow in Ottawa's forecast for today. Somebody up there is intent on pissing me off. And it's thinking about working.

*****************

Can someone please tell me, just once, why it is the Writers Guild of America was holding out and being a bunch of royal panzies for the sake of higher royalties to have material streamed over the internet? Are they, perhaps, not aware that if the TV stations weren't doing it, some other generous soul with a nack for getting his hands on free content–not me, RIAA/MPAA, relax–would just do it instead? I mean, not that I haven't thought about it. But really, if that's the only reason they're striking, which is sort of what the article in question's leading me to believe, it is making me contemplate perhaps watching significantly less actual TV content than I already do. Realisticly, I only have a TV right now so I can watch hockey and/or baseball. And since my team's biting the suckitude bullet something fierce, it's going to end up just being baseball. At least this year. And hey, that I can probably get online, too!

*****************

The computer they have me working on at the office has developed a habbit of randomly and inexplicably restarting without warning. No error message, no blue screen, no notta. Just I'm in the middle of typing/reading/whatever, and then kerpoof. I bitched a little about that last night. And I'm still thinking about taking the bitching to our I/T folks and flat out giving them the option. Give me access to something as uber basic/simple/non-retarded as MSConfig and let me tell you what the hell's wrong with this thing. That way all you need to do is replace the faulty component I know exists, and then get out of my hair. I wish I could work in I/T…

*****************

It has been decided. OC Transpo isn't *all* evil. I only took an hour and 15 minutes or so to get here today. An improvement, really, over a week ago. I'm… not quite to the point of irritated. Yet.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/10/i_left_work_nearly_12_hours_ago.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/10/i_left_work_nearly_12_hours_ago.html James And still employed is me! Just about nothing scares me nowadays. I mean, hell, I live in a city where a guy could quite easily kick the royal crap out of you in broad daylight as though it wasn't broad daylight. But I was, well, just a tiny bit concerned when the guy I was getting a ride into work with on Wednesday called me up and his first question to me was, "So, are we still employed?". Of course, 5 minutes after we got there he got his walking papers, so I was understandably just a little uh oh. Dell ended up cancelling the building of a second buildinig here, and I seriously thought they were considering closing this one–they did, after all, just slam the door on the one in Edmonton. Apparently though, instead of that, they're just axing my department and shifting us all over to doing actual hardware related tech support. I hate hardware related tech support. There's no actual work involved in it. "Okay, try this. Didn't work, okay run this diagnostic. Did it go ding ding? Cool. I'll replace your hard drive now." As a girl my mom used to work with said, absolute crap on a cracker. Although, I suppose, it's still better than if I'd followed the periodic proddings and moved to Edmonton…

]]> Just about nothing scares me nowadays. I mean, hell, I live in a city where a guy could quite easily kick the royal crap out of you in broad daylight as though it wasn't broad daylight. But I was, well, just a tiny bit concerned when the guy I was getting a ride into work with on Wednesday called me up and his first question to me was, "So, are we still employed?". Of course, 5 minutes after we got there he got his walking papers, so I was understandably just a little uh oh. Dell ended up cancelling the building of a second buildinig here, and I seriously thought they were considering closing this one–they did, after all, just slam the door on the one in Edmonton. Apparently though, instead of that, they're just axing my department and shifting us all over to doing actual hardware related tech support. I hate hardware related tech support. There's no actual work involved in it. "Okay, try this. Didn't work, okay run this diagnostic. Did it go ding ding? Cool. I'll replace your hard drive now." As a girl my mom used to work with said, absolute crap on a cracker. Although, I suppose, it's still better than if I'd followed the periodic proddings and moved to Edmonton…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/04/and_still_employed_is_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/02/04/and_still_employed_is_me.html James Free breakfast at Cora's? Well worth coming to work. As is only having to work 4.5 hours yesterday. Sadly, that good luck was not meant to carry over to day. But 'twill be made up for. In the form of various after work activities. There's a birthday that needs cellebrating. And if she's not up for that, I'm at least gonna spoil myself. ;)

]]> As is only having to work 4.5 hours yesterday. Sadly, that good luck was not meant to carry over to day. But 'twill be made up for. In the form of various after work activities. There's a birthday that needs cellebrating. And if she's not up for that, I'm at least gonna spoil myself. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/26/free_breakfast_at_coras_well_worth_coming_to_work.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/26/free_breakfast_at_coras_well_worth_coming_to_work.html James Is it Sunday yet? The calendar says no, but it's lied to me before. I've been back to work for a grand total of a week, and already I'd kill for a week off. It's been *that* busy this week. Add to that the fact that I've actually been making a conscious effort to semi-keep up with the cleaning of my tiny little place, and not just leaving it all for a day off, and I've been pretty busy. Lazy is the preference, so you can probably guess at my state of mind right about now and not be out somewhere in left field. Right field, maybe. I'm just now getting used to the idea of my weekends being Monday and Tuesday, and now we're talking about shifts changing again. So I'll probably wind up with some funky thing like Wednesday and Thursday being the new weekend. Well, as long as I'm not doing the 2:00 to 11:00 thing again, I'll go for it willingly. I did that when I first got out of training–ironicly, it was just about this time last year. Actually, almost exactly this time last year. I won't willingly do it again unless there's, like, no other option. It interferes with the roleplay. And some days, particularly after lengthy stretches of time with the family, my roleplay is the difference between a murderous rage and a nervous twitch. It would be unwise to take such a thing away from me. *rubs hands together*

]]> The calendar says no, but it's lied to me before. I've been back to work for a grand total of a week, and already I'd kill for a week off. It's been *that* busy this week. Add to that the fact that I've actually been making a conscious effort to semi-keep up with the cleaning of my tiny little place, and not just leaving it all for a day off, and I've been pretty busy. Lazy is the preference, so you can probably guess at my state of mind right about now and not be out somewhere in left field. Right field, maybe. I'm just now getting used to the idea of my weekends being Monday and Tuesday, and now we're talking about shifts changing again. So I'll probably wind up with some funky thing like Wednesday and Thursday being the new weekend. Well, as long as I'm not doing the 2:00 to 11:00 thing again, I'll go for it willingly. I did that when I first got out of training–ironicly, it was just about this time last year. Actually, almost exactly this time last year. I won't willingly do it again unless there's, like, no other option. It interferes with the roleplay. And some days, particularly after lengthy stretches of time with the family, my roleplay is the difference between a murderous rage and a nervous twitch. It would be unwise to take such a thing away from me. *rubs hands together*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/12/is_it_sunday_yet.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/12/is_it_sunday_yet.html James Easy mornings don't happen often. So on the rare occasions wherein they actually do, it kinda sorta just a little bit surprises the hell out of me. And in this case, the surprise came from the fact that at 10:30 this morning, I had only actually managed to take a grand total of 4 calls. Now, if this was the night shift that wouldn't surprise me. But it's not, and we're usually a whole lot busier than this. Plus I usually don't get lucky enough that I actually have something I can fix on the 4th try. So yeah, it's a little surprising. And now I can waste a break doing all manner of non-work related tasks because, well, they said I can. That I've been doing it all morning though will just be our secret, okay? ;)

]]> So on the rare occasions wherein they actually do, it kinda sorta just a little bit surprises the hell out of me. And in this case, the surprise came from the fact that at 10:30 this morning, I had only actually managed to take a grand total of 4 calls. Now, if this was the night shift that wouldn't surprise me. But it's not, and we're usually a whole lot busier than this. Plus I usually don't get lucky enough that I actually have something I can fix on the 4th try. So yeah, it's a little surprising. And now I can waste a break doing all manner of non-work related tasks because, well, they said I can. That I've been doing it all morning though will just be our secret, okay? ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/10/easy_mornings_dont_happen_often.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/10/easy_mornings_dont_happen_often.html James I live! Still! The last couple weeks have been… well, busy as royal hell. Christmas and new years will do that. Of course, and then I wound up on a week's vacation and didn't feel like touching this thing even just to make sure it still worked. But vacation ends tomorrow, and then it's bac to the daily grind, so I figured now's as good a time as any to get back into it. New years was hella fun. Although, for the record, nearly every bar in Ottawa being either closed or requiring a cover charge on the biggest drinking night of the year is just way too over the top. Fortunately for our sanity, Trish managed to keep some alcohol at her place which she and I made quick work of. New years day was spent waking up and getting hammered with snow. We wanted to go for a walk and see what kind of pictures we could come up with, but the weather just wouldn't let up enough for that. I mean, we could have gone for the walk, but pictures were out of the question. So the vote was we'd drive instead. A couple hours and a coffee later, we still had no pictures. But at least we'd killed the majority of the afternoon. I came back to my place after, and there was all manner of flakeyness. Spent pretty much the next week in between being flakey, and talking to an already once mentioned interesting young lady about… whatever came up. Perfect way to spend a vacation. Now, if only she wasn't in the US. The malfunction will be corrected. Wednesday I go back to work, and I know for at least the first couple days, I'm so not going to want to. But, then again… one look at my paycheck will probably make me want to. I just need to hold out 'til Friday. Oh, it's going to royally, royally suck…

]]> The last couple weeks have been… well, busy as royal hell. Christmas and new years will do that. Of course, and then I wound up on a week's vacation and didn't feel like touching this thing even just to make sure it still worked. But vacation ends tomorrow, and then it's bac to the daily grind, so I figured now's as good a time as any to get back into it. New years was hella fun. Although, for the record, nearly every bar in Ottawa being either closed or requiring a cover charge on the biggest drinking night of the year is just way too over the top. Fortunately for our sanity, Trish managed to keep some alcohol at her place which she and I made quick work of. New years day was spent waking up and getting hammered with snow. We wanted to go for a walk and see what kind of pictures we could come up with, but the weather just wouldn't let up enough for that. I mean, we could have gone for the walk, but pictures were out of the question. So the vote was we'd drive instead. A couple hours and a coffee later, we still had no pictures. But at least we'd killed the majority of the afternoon. I came back to my place after, and there was all manner of flakeyness. Spent pretty much the next week in between being flakey, and talking to an already once mentioned interesting young lady about… whatever came up. Perfect way to spend a vacation. Now, if only she wasn't in the US. The malfunction will be corrected. Wednesday I go back to work, and I know for at least the first couple days, I'm so not going to want to. But, then again… one look at my paycheck will probably make me want to. I just need to hold out 'til Friday. Oh, it's going to royally, royally suck…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/07/i_live_still.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2008/01/07/i_live_still.html James December roughly translated is holy crap it's busy? Between work, Christmas shopping, and the general insanity that is my life around about this time every year, not surprisingly I've managed a grand total of like 2.5 attempts at entries on this here blog in this here month. I finished my shopping for Christmas about a week or so before, so the only thing I had to really worry about was resisting the urge to take overtime–part of me wonders if that would have been less stressful. Aside from that, they had me doing some testing for work so I can see how much I don't qualify for a bump up in pay grade. But the topper was over christmas. There are actually people in my family who were fooled into believing my sister-in-law had changed. Her clothes, maybe, but that's about it.

Speaking of Christmas, though… people have got to stop hanging out inside my head. It's unhealthy. For everyone. My parents bought me, in no particular order, a new TV, a couple cordless phones, Garth Brooks's newest CD, a new sweater, and things I'm leaving out because i'm too lazy, don't remember, don't want to think, or some weird and wonderful combination of all of the above. It bordered on awesome. So I came back home yesterday, hooked up the new TV, watched part of the game (writeup on that one if I remember when I get home), and then stuck Short Circuit (another christmas gift) into the only thing we could get to play a DVD last night–my ever so kick ass computer system. Ironicly enough it was during that that I decided next year, I'm staying the hell in Ottawa. And it was before that that I decided, with a tiny bit of encouragement from Trish, that I don't plan to be sober come new years night. Oh darn. And All I can really say is I hope 2008 is half as eventful. I couldn't handle 2007's equal in that department. *flops over tiredly*

]]> Between work, Christmas shopping, and the general insanity that is my life around about this time every year, not surprisingly I've managed a grand total of like 2.5 attempts at entries on this here blog in this here month. I finished my shopping for Christmas about a week or so before, so the only thing I had to really worry about was resisting the urge to take overtime–part of me wonders if that would have been less stressful. Aside from that, they had me doing some testing for work so I can see how much I don't qualify for a bump up in pay grade. But the topper was over christmas. There are actually people in my family who were fooled into believing my sister-in-law had changed. Her clothes, maybe, but that's about it.

Speaking of Christmas, though… people have got to stop hanging out inside my head. It's unhealthy. For everyone. My parents bought me, in no particular order, a new TV, a couple cordless phones, Garth Brooks's newest CD, a new sweater, and things I'm leaving out because i'm too lazy, don't remember, don't want to think, or some weird and wonderful combination of all of the above. It bordered on awesome. So I came back home yesterday, hooked up the new TV, watched part of the game (writeup on that one if I remember when I get home), and then stuck Short Circuit (another christmas gift) into the only thing we could get to play a DVD last night–my ever so kick ass computer system. Ironicly enough it was during that that I decided next year, I'm staying the hell in Ottawa. And it was before that that I decided, with a tiny bit of encouragement from Trish, that I don't plan to be sober come new years night. Oh darn. And All I can really say is I hope 2008 is half as eventful. I couldn't handle 2007's equal in that department. *flops over tiredly*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/27/december_roughly_translated_is_holy_crap_its_busy.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/27/december_roughly_translated_is_holy_crap_its_busy.html James My boss can read minds. Staying up all night is a bad idea, even if I do end up talking to a very wonderful young lady in the process. But I did, so I'll probably pay dearly for it today. Not this morning, however. I came in half bagged, and the boss bought me coffee. I'd skipped breakfast, as I frequently do, and the boss brought the team doughnuts. If he could read minds, I'd say he had me pegged pretty good. But I suppose I'll just have to settle for he's just plain awesome. Yay awesome! And now, back to this particularly dragged out spyware call I had to charge someone in order to endure. The things I do for a paycheck.

]]> Staying up all night is a bad idea, even if I do end up talking to a very wonderful young lady in the process. But I did, so I'll probably pay dearly for it today. Not this morning, however. I came in half bagged, and the boss bought me coffee. I'd skipped breakfast, as I frequently do, and the boss brought the team doughnuts. If he could read minds, I'd say he had me pegged pretty good. But I suppose I'll just have to settle for he's just plain awesome. Yay awesome! And now, back to this particularly dragged out spyware call I had to charge someone in order to endure. The things I do for a paycheck.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/19/my_boss_can_read_minds.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/19/my_boss_can_read_minds.html James I have fallen off the blogging wagon. And it's admitedly my own damn fault. But I still live, at least for the most part. And I'll make a more concerted effort to actually post on here. At some point. Like… maybe on my lunch hour. Maybe. Lord knows I have a lot to write about in a week–is half an hour really enough time? We shall just have to see…

]]> And it's admitedly my own damn fault. But I still live, at least for the most part. And I'll make a more concerted effort to actually post on here. At some point. Like… maybe on my lunch hour. Maybe. Lord knows I have a lot to write about in a week–is half an hour really enough time? We shall just have to see…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/16/i_have_fallen_off_the_blogging_wagon.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/16/i_have_fallen_off_the_blogging_wagon.html James I have officially lived in Ottawa for a year. Well, actually, over that now. Over that by… about a week. Which means I've almost had internet access from Ottawa for a year. I wasn't sure whether or not I'd keep my relatively little sanity when I shoved my almost life into boxes and got the hell out of Pembroke. Trish and I were actually talking about this Thursday night, and it kinda made me realize. I don't see me going back to Pembroke any time soon, for anything more than the occasional shortened visit. By shortened, I mean… maybe an evening, hopefully an hour. I'm a different person now, I think, than I was when I moved out. I've learned a lot, and actually gotten some motivation to do something. Oh, I'm still lazy as hell, and would still rather stay home and get paid than go to work, but I like my job, and since I have to do it anyway, I'm kinda glad going to work means going to this office. I overslept yesterday and it pissed me right the hell off. But eh, it happens. Tonight, there be hockey (I'm ordering pizza). I still have 4 games–no, 4 victories–to post about when I get home tonight. And then I'm ordering pizza. Possibly. And I can only say… oh, hell, yes. Okay. I'm gonna just stop here. This entry's becoming a whole lot more random than I'd intended. Note to self: do not blog while half awake, or before coffee.

]]> Well, actually, over that now. Over that by… about a week. Which means I've almost had internet access from Ottawa for a year. I wasn't sure whether or not I'd keep my relatively little sanity when I shoved my almost life into boxes and got the hell out of Pembroke. Trish and I were actually talking about this Thursday night, and it kinda made me realize. I don't see me going back to Pembroke any time soon, for anything more than the occasional shortened visit. By shortened, I mean… maybe an evening, hopefully an hour. I'm a different person now, I think, than I was when I moved out. I've learned a lot, and actually gotten some motivation to do something. Oh, I'm still lazy as hell, and would still rather stay home and get paid than go to work, but I like my job, and since I have to do it anyway, I'm kinda glad going to work means going to this office. I overslept yesterday and it pissed me right the hell off. But eh, it happens. Tonight, there be hockey (I'm ordering pizza). I still have 4 games–no, 4 victories–to post about when I get home tonight. And then I'm ordering pizza. Possibly. And I can only say… oh, hell, yes. Okay. I'm gonna just stop here. This entry's becoming a whole lot more random than I'd intended. Note to self: do not blog while half awake, or before coffee.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/08/i_have_officially_lived_in_ottawa_for_a_year.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/08/i_have_officially_lived_in_ottawa_for_a_year.html James Because a week with no update is plenty long enough. Sadly, not much was missed in this neck of the woods. Lots of cold, lots more snow, a little tiny bit of damn that's cold, and… well, that's it. Well, besides my team finally stringing together a win or 3 but the obligatory entry that tosses all 3 wins into one very excited update will have to wait until I get home and feel like link searching. For the moment, I have only this to say. What in the hell was I thinking not moving to Florida?

]]> Sadly, not much was missed in this neck of the woods. Lots of cold, lots more snow, a little tiny bit of damn that's cold, and… well, that's it. Well, besides my team finally stringing together a win or 3 but the obligatory entry that tosses all 3 wins into one very excited update will have to wait until I get home and feel like link searching. For the moment, I have only this to say. What in the hell was I thinking not moving to Florida?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/06/because_a_week_with_no_update_is_plenty_long_enough.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/12/06/because_a_week_with_no_update_is_plenty_long_enough.html James Well, they haven't killed each other yet. Guess that makes it official. And here I was hoping there might be some small chance for salvation. Oh well, if I'm going to have that particular sister-in-law, at least I can be secure in the knowledge that she will be an hour and a half away from me. I'd prefer a country and a half, but you can't have it all. I hear tell she's done a fair bit of maturing since the last time I saw her. Of course, that, like everything, I shall believe when I see. In the meantime, the farther, the better. For the sake of my sanity and her life.

]]> Guess that makes it official. And here I was hoping there might be some small chance for salvation. Oh well, if I'm going to have that particular sister-in-law, at least I can be secure in the knowledge that she will be an hour and a half away from me. I'd prefer a country and a half, but you can't have it all. I hear tell she's done a fair bit of maturing since the last time I saw her. Of course, that, like everything, I shall believe when I see. In the meantime, the farther, the better. For the sake of my sanity and her life.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/28/well_they_havent_killed_each_other_yet.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/28/well_they_havent_killed_each_other_yet.html James Why I don't go by 'Jim'. My father and I both have the same name. So to make it less of a headache on both of us, he goes by Jim, and I go by James. And where the legal, given name is required, one of us will usually stick our middle initial in there as well–which, admitedly, can also be problematic given as that's also the same. In 24 years, I've never willingly answered to Jim–willingly, of course, meaning that there are always those few people who just don't really care either way and call me whatever comes to mind. So when I got a phone call this morning asking for 'Jim', I was admitedly a little confused/irritated. He asked for him by last name, too, so sure, I figured it was going to be for either me or my father–if it's for the latter they pulled the number out of the wrong phone book. I still have no idea who this guy is, and then he mentions that I did a job for him a while back on behalf of the ministry of labour. By this time I've gone from general curiosity to "Zuh?". Okay, so now he's not looking for me *or* my father. Now how do we get him out of *that* awkward situation? worst of it is, he called from a Toronto number, so he just paid Bell Canada some coin to be told to try again. I almost felt sorry for the guy, but… then I figured, I needed some amusement. And that was it. I gotta get a life…

]]> My father and I both have the same name. So to make it less of a headache on both of us, he goes by Jim, and I go by James. And where the legal, given name is required, one of us will usually stick our middle initial in there as well–which, admitedly, can also be problematic given as that's also the same. In 24 years, I've never willingly answered to Jim–willingly, of course, meaning that there are always those few people who just don't really care either way and call me whatever comes to mind. So when I got a phone call this morning asking for 'Jim', I was admitedly a little confused/irritated. He asked for him by last name, too, so sure, I figured it was going to be for either me or my father–if it's for the latter they pulled the number out of the wrong phone book. I still have no idea who this guy is, and then he mentions that I did a job for him a while back on behalf of the ministry of labour. By this time I've gone from general curiosity to "Zuh?". Okay, so now he's not looking for me *or* my father. Now how do we get him out of *that* awkward situation? worst of it is, he called from a Toronto number, so he just paid Bell Canada some coin to be told to try again. I almost felt sorry for the guy, but… then I figured, I needed some amusement. And that was it. I gotta get a life…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/26/why_i_dont_go_by_jim.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/26/why_i_dont_go_by_jim.html James How long will this call go? it's pretty much quarter past 2. I'm off in just over an hour and a half. Can I stretch this call out that long? Would it be in my best interest to do so? If it means I can get outa here relatively on time… hell yeah. So… would I? Watch me try.

]]> it's pretty much quarter past 2. I'm off in just over an hour and a half. Can I stretch this call out that long? Would it be in my best interest to do so? If it means I can get outa here relatively on time… hell yeah. So… would I? Watch me try.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/how_long_will_this_call_go.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/how_long_will_this_call_go.html James The 2007 Ottawa Santa Clause parade... Well, I do have to say–regardless to what I actually thought about last night's parade, it was still significantly better than last year's Pembroke equivalent. That, of course, in the sense that the child we're forced to affectionately call my brother's fiance was, in fact, not present at this one. Always makes for a perfect evening, if you ask me. More floats than you could shake a stick at, and only one actual band worth noting, but I think I'd of still gone to that one before a return to Pembroke. Plus we got coffee out of it–can't go wrong there, I think. Or if you can, please don't try to. We did kind of come to the conclusion that it'd be nice to probably end up at the Toronto equivalent parade at some point in the near future. It's odd, I spent 3 years living an hour away from TO and never bothered going there for the Christmas parade. Small oversight that was never corrected. Added to the list of things to do when I get around to it. Either way, I rather enjoyed myself. And of course, staying up 'til 4:00 in the morning yacking someone's ear off for no real reason than because we could wasn't too bad either. Yeah I know I had to work the next day, but I'm here. I had caffeine. I have more caffeine in my lunch. If it becomes an issue, it won't be for long. Anyway, back to parade talk. Not all that great overall, I wouldn't say it's something worth videotaping, but it still beat the hell out of Pembroke. Which was all I was really aiming for.

]]> Well, I do have to say–regardless to what I actually thought about last night's parade, it was still significantly better than last year's Pembroke equivalent. That, of course, in the sense that the child we're forced to affectionately call my brother's fiance was, in fact, not present at this one. Always makes for a perfect evening, if you ask me. More floats than you could shake a stick at, and only one actual band worth noting, but I think I'd of still gone to that one before a return to Pembroke. Plus we got coffee out of it–can't go wrong there, I think. Or if you can, please don't try to. We did kind of come to the conclusion that it'd be nice to probably end up at the Toronto equivalent parade at some point in the near future. It's odd, I spent 3 years living an hour away from TO and never bothered going there for the Christmas parade. Small oversight that was never corrected. Added to the list of things to do when I get around to it. Either way, I rather enjoyed myself. And of course, staying up 'til 4:00 in the morning yacking someone's ear off for no real reason than because we could wasn't too bad either. Yeah I know I had to work the next day, but I'm here. I had caffeine. I have more caffeine in my lunch. If it becomes an issue, it won't be for long. Anyway, back to parade talk. Not all that great overall, I wouldn't say it's something worth videotaping, but it still beat the hell out of Pembroke. Which was all I was really aiming for.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/the_2007_ottawa_santa_clause_parade.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/18/the_2007_ottawa_santa_clause_parade.html James How does a man who's opposed to the 1 hour lunch... … waste time for the duration of a 1 hour lunch? Well, it sure ain't on Facebook, as certain individuals who shall remain nameless would prefer it to be. Apparently… it's dropping random blog posts about what to do on a 1 hour lunch. I… have nothing. I haven't even seen me a stupid headline all morning. Gees… what's a guy gotta read between calls? Other people's blogs? *scoff*

]]> … waste time for the duration of a 1 hour lunch? Well, it sure ain't on Facebook, as certain individuals who shall remain nameless would prefer it to be. Apparently… it's dropping random blog posts about what to do on a 1 hour lunch. I… have nothing. I haven't even seen me a stupid headline all morning. Gees… what's a guy gotta read between calls? Other people's blogs? *scoff*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/15/how_does_a_man_whos_opposed_to_the_1_hour_lunch.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/15/how_does_a_man_whos_opposed_to_the_1_hour_lunch.html James I might actually get used to this. After going for an unplanned workout last night, and subsequently not getting to bed until about 1:30, you'd think I'd be slightly more tired than I am right now. That whole… 2.5 hours of sleep thing. But, surprisingly, I'm not. Perhaps not surprisingly considering I just regained consciousness–I expect I'll be pretty nearly whiped by about noon today. But, for the moment, I'll take it. Not bad for someone who's spent the last 8 or 9 months working nights. Now, depending on how *this* goes, I may still be looking for another job come January. But I'm not shaking my head at this arangement this morning. Don't wanna disturb the cobwebs.

]]> After going for an unplanned workout last night, and subsequently not getting to bed until about 1:30, you'd think I'd be slightly more tired than I am right now. That whole… 2.5 hours of sleep thing. But, surprisingly, I'm not. Perhaps not surprisingly considering I just regained consciousness–I expect I'll be pretty nearly whiped by about noon today. But, for the moment, I'll take it. Not bad for someone who's spent the last 8 or 9 months working nights. Now, depending on how *this* goes, I may still be looking for another job come January. But I'm not shaking my head at this arangement this morning. Don't wanna disturb the cobwebs.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/07/i_might_actually_get_used_to_this.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/07/i_might_actually_get_used_to_this.html James And to think they criticised me for my microwaving habbits. Now, there be actual proof that microwaving your next meal can actually be healthy. Not to mention a whole lot faster than actually cooking the thing. From Lifehacker, an article posted by Yahoo! Foods that pretty much outlines, according to their own research, o'course, the top 8 healthy microwaved food choices. Now, granted, you'd have to be borderline vegetarion to enjoy some of the choices they recommend, but even I have to admit… some of 'em sound pretty good. And anyone who knows me knows if there's a chance I can throw together something to eat in 2 minutes or less, particularly when I know I have to leave in 10, I'll take it. So this… might work. Hm. Note to self: research this further.

]]> Now, there be actual proof that microwaving your next meal can actually be healthy. Not to mention a whole lot faster than actually cooking the thing. From Lifehacker, an article posted by Yahoo! Foods that pretty much outlines, according to their own research, o'course, the top 8 healthy microwaved food choices. Now, granted, you'd have to be borderline vegetarion to enjoy some of the choices they recommend, but even I have to admit… some of 'em sound pretty good. And anyone who knows me knows if there's a chance I can throw together something to eat in 2 minutes or less, particularly when I know I have to leave in 10, I'll take it. So this… might work. Hm. Note to self: research this further.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/01/and_to_think_they_criticised_me_for_my_microwaving_habbits.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/11/01/and_to_think_they_criticised_me_for_my_microwaving_habbits.html James And I complain about missing my hockey games this year... apparently someone up there heard me. starting next week I go back to working days. And the sweet shift, to boot. If… you call having to work Sunday, of all freakin' days to work, the sweet shift. But at least it's 7 to 4. As opposed to 11 to 8, or my personal favourite from when I first started taking calls–2 to 11. At least I can catch a rush hour bus home! And watch my hockey! And CSI! And… and… and… oh, it's almost enough to make me forget why I started working nights in the first place. Almost. Except for that 11 to 8 shift, or my personal favourite–2 to 11. They're enough to make a man half crazed. At least if the man in question catches a bus that stops running at midnight when he's stuck on a call 'til 12:30. But that doesn't happen now! … God forbid. Hey, maybe I can get back into my roleplaying…

]]> apparently someone up there heard me. starting next week I go back to working days. And the sweet shift, to boot. If… you call having to work Sunday, of all freakin' days to work, the sweet shift. But at least it's 7 to 4. As opposed to 11 to 8, or my personal favourite from when I first started taking calls–2 to 11. At least I can catch a rush hour bus home! And watch my hockey! And CSI! And… and… and… oh, it's almost enough to make me forget why I started working nights in the first place. Almost. Except for that 11 to 8 shift, or my personal favourite–2 to 11. They're enough to make a man half crazed. At least if the man in question catches a bus that stops running at midnight when he's stuck on a call 'til 12:30. But that doesn't happen now! … God forbid. Hey, maybe I can get back into my roleplaying…

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/31/and_i_complain_about_missing_my_hockey_games_this_year.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/31/and_i_complain_about_missing_my_hockey_games_this_year.html James I get to do nothing for 4 more hours. Plus breaks. And all because of a collective clusterfuck that means my entire team misses out on 4.5 hours of training tonight. So now, until 2:00 in the morning at the earliest, barring a natural disaster–they taught us very early in the initial session about the speed of Dell–I get to sit here with my thumb up my ass, doing absolutely nothing except cruising teh interwebs until one of 3 things happen. we get really extremely uberly busy and they tell us they need us on the phones, one or more of us decide we're tired of sitting here and getting paid to not do work–for the record, I so won't be one of those–or plans get changed/reworked/fucked over in such a way that someone higher up than my manager realizes, hey wait a minute, training's been cancelled and there wasn't anything sent out about that. Of course, for the record, I don't think there's anyone higher than my manager so far as this department goes even in the building at the moment. Or there won't be in about an hour and a half. so unless he does a complete 180 on letting us just kinda chill it for a few hours, we're all good 'til 2:00 or 2:30. I love this job. Or maybe it's just the manager. That's a possibility. I'll take it either way.

]]> And all because of a collective clusterfuck that means my entire team misses out on 4.5 hours of training tonight. So now, until 2:00 in the morning at the earliest, barring a natural disaster–they taught us very early in the initial session about the speed of Dell–I get to sit here with my thumb up my ass, doing absolutely nothing except cruising teh interwebs until one of 3 things happen. we get really extremely uberly busy and they tell us they need us on the phones, one or more of us decide we're tired of sitting here and getting paid to not do work–for the record, I so won't be one of those–or plans get changed/reworked/fucked over in such a way that someone higher up than my manager realizes, hey wait a minute, training's been cancelled and there wasn't anything sent out about that. Of course, for the record, I don't think there's anyone higher than my manager so far as this department goes even in the building at the moment. Or there won't be in about an hour and a half. so unless he does a complete 180 on letting us just kinda chill it for a few hours, we're all good 'til 2:00 or 2:30. I love this job. Or maybe it's just the manager. That's a possibility. I'll take it either way.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/10/i_get_to_do_nothing_for_4_more_hours_plus_breaks.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/10/i_get_to_do_nothing_for_4_more_hours_plus_breaks.html James My drama free thanks giving... Surprising, given who I was spending it with. But, my brother and the bitch were barely around long enough to have any significant conversations with, with the exception of supper on Sunday–but, then, they didn't stay all that long afterwards either so I'll take it. So, no one ended up throwing punches, and all and all it was… well… unstressful. Not at all like the family I'm used to going back to Pembroke to visit. Not that it means I'm in a hurry to go back–I subscribe to the theory good things only happen once every 15 years. And that was my family's once. So now, I shall stick to the plan that has kept me alive for 24 years–go nowhere near 95% of the family if at all humanly possible to avoid them. There are, of course, the exceptions to that rule. But they, like me, were also smart enough to get the hell away from the rest of them. Which… is actually why they're the exceptions to the rule. I like it when things work out that way. I like it even better when things working out that way means I don't wind up with one hell of a killer headache. Who says avoiding people is a bad thing?

]]> Surprising, given who I was spending it with. But, my brother and the bitch were barely around long enough to have any significant conversations with, with the exception of supper on Sunday–but, then, they didn't stay all that long afterwards either so I'll take it. So, no one ended up throwing punches, and all and all it was… well… unstressful. Not at all like the family I'm used to going back to Pembroke to visit. Not that it means I'm in a hurry to go back–I subscribe to the theory good things only happen once every 15 years. And that was my family's once. So now, I shall stick to the plan that has kept me alive for 24 years–go nowhere near 95% of the family if at all humanly possible to avoid them. There are, of course, the exceptions to that rule. But they, like me, were also smart enough to get the hell away from the rest of them. Which… is actually why they're the exceptions to the rule. I like it when things work out that way. I like it even better when things working out that way means I don't wind up with one hell of a killer headache. Who says avoiding people is a bad thing?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/10/my_drama_free_thanks_giving.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/10/my_drama_free_thanks_giving.html James 27 minutes... And I'm home le free. Tonight's insanity done with, I don't have a job for the next 3 days. In 26 minutes. And… oh, my, suh, weet, le, jesus. It's gonna feel damn good walking out of this building in… 25 minutes. The countdown is on. And I *will* leave on time. Or Trish will kill me for keeping her waiting in the parking lot. Eh… maybe coffee will save my life. ;)

]]> And I'm home le free. Tonight's insanity done with, I don't have a job for the next 3 days. In 26 minutes. And… oh, my, suh, weet, le, jesus. It's gonna feel damn good walking out of this building in… 25 minutes. The countdown is on. And I *will* leave on time. Or Trish will kill me for keeping her waiting in the parking lot. Eh… maybe coffee will save my life. ;)

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/27_minutes.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/27_minutes.html James Thanks giving with the family. Or, will I snap this weekend? Take insanity from one hell of a work week, add in a trip to Pembroke for thanks giving, a pinch of the ultimate in meladramatic families, throw in a sister-in-law I'm told has grown up a bit but still find myself seriously doubting, and what do you get? Me wondering just how many ways I can torture myself that *didn't* cost the price of a trip to Pembroke. But, y'know, 'tis family–so 'tis my turn to take one for the team. Or for society as a whole. I haven't decided which yet. I have, however, decided for 3:00 in the morning, it should *still* not be as busy as it is now. It's unholy. Unnatural. I came to nights to avoid this. I didn't avoid very well. *twitch*

]]> Take insanity from one hell of a work week, add in a trip to Pembroke for thanks giving, a pinch of the ultimate in meladramatic families, throw in a sister-in-law I'm told has grown up a bit but still find myself seriously doubting, and what do you get? Me wondering just how many ways I can torture myself that *didn't* cost the price of a trip to Pembroke. But, y'know, 'tis family–so 'tis my turn to take one for the team. Or for society as a whole. I haven't decided which yet. I have, however, decided for 3:00 in the morning, it should *still* not be as busy as it is now. It's unholy. Unnatural. I came to nights to avoid this. I didn't avoid very well. *twitch*

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/thanks_giving_with_the_family_or_will_i_snap_this_weekend.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/10/06/thanks_giving_with_the_family_or_will_i_snap_this_weekend.html James My first official post from ye old reformatted desktop! Proof that, after finding pieces of wireless card that have gone mysteriously astray, and after repeated phone calls to Dell techs in a rather mislead attempt to get a straight answer out of said Dell techs, I am still the master of all–well, okay, most–things Microsoft. Except Vista, which I will continue to maintain I will never touch for as long as it exists, lest my job require it to actually perform said job. And, since troubleshooting Vista related phone calls don't require me to have a Vista machine in front of me… you can guess just how much time I'll be spent even investigating that possibility. O'course, if you can't, then… clueless art thou. A cluelessness the level of which not even Vista's suckitude can hope to equal. And… that's all manner of very, very bad. Hm. It's 10 to 5, in the morning, I'm not working, this computer's up and running… what am I still doing awake? Someone wanna tell me? Possibly?

]]> Proof that, after finding pieces of wireless card that have gone mysteriously astray, and after repeated phone calls to Dell techs in a rather mislead attempt to get a straight answer out of said Dell techs, I am still the master of all–well, okay, most–things Microsoft. Except Vista, which I will continue to maintain I will never touch for as long as it exists, lest my job require it to actually perform said job. And, since troubleshooting Vista related phone calls don't require me to have a Vista machine in front of me… you can guess just how much time I'll be spent even investigating that possibility. O'course, if you can't, then… clueless art thou. A cluelessness the level of which not even Vista's suckitude can hope to equal. And… that's all manner of very, very bad. Hm. It's 10 to 5, in the morning, I'm not working, this computer's up and running… what am I still doing awake? Someone wanna tell me? Possibly?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/30/my_first_official_post_from_ye_old_reformatted_desktop.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/30/my_first_official_post_from_ye_old_reformatted_desktop.html James James 3, Microsoft 0. And all because of a little CD HP didn't send me. Round 1, external HD goes on the blink. Or so I thought. Turns out Windows just decided it suddenly didn't know what it was. Well, after getting frustrated with that, I decided to go right on ahead and start following these instructions figuring, y'know–it isn't working anyway so how much more can I possibly screw it up? Turns out that fixed it, at least temporarily. But, about… oh I wanna say 3 weeks later, it went kerpoof again. And, in the attempt to see what flopped this time, Windows seemingly forgot where it put the *internal* HD. Brilliant. So, it continuously went through the endless loop of startup, logoff, shutdown, restart. And it decided to play the welcome and logging off sounds repeatedly as it went through, indicating it *could* find at least part of the OS–really, really, anoying… I turned off the speakers after a bit. I screwed with it a bit, then decided to bug Trish and see if she had any ideas–she's damn near my equal so far as this crap goes, so it made sense. She dinked around with it on her own, got about as far as I did, and I think we both kinda just… randomly decided the thing was getting repaired. Call it the last act of a desperate couple of techs who don't want to do a complete format. So now, after the repair–for the record, a repair instalation of Windows on a 40 GB HD with 512 MB RAM should *so* not take 2 hours to complete–we're right back where we started. Except with a working machine. And an apparently missing Internet Explorer–easily cured by the fact it didn't touch Firefox. So, this little piece of crap lives another day, giving me time to complete the downloads I'd like to complete, and possibly email myself the crap I wanna get off this machine–I don't plan on keeping this for much longer, since I can get a faster laptop for cheap, even if this thing lasts another 4 years. And with the new email setup now, prompted largely by the near catastrophy I just narrowly avoided, I can actually do that and not run the risk of not being able to pick it up on the other computer–which, for the curious, is now hooked up and just awaiting me to get around to installing the drivers. What can I say? Vista lasted about a minute and a half before the format process kicked in. But that's in another entry when I don't feel quite so geeky and want to. This one's rambling on long enough about things probably only understood by about 2.5 people, with the rest going "Zuh?!?!?!". So now, I go do stuff. Like… clean. Or sleep. Or laundry. Or watch one of the CSI eppisodes I can now access again, thanks to a now fully functioning external HD. Hm. The possibilities are endless. Should they feel that way on a 4-year-old machine that only barely meets the minimum specs?

]]> And all because of a little CD HP didn't send me. Round 1, external HD goes on the blink. Or so I thought. Turns out Windows just decided it suddenly didn't know what it was. Well, after getting frustrated with that, I decided to go right on ahead and start following these instructions figuring, y'know–it isn't working anyway so how much more can I possibly screw it up? Turns out that fixed it, at least temporarily. But, about… oh I wanna say 3 weeks later, it went kerpoof again. And, in the attempt to see what flopped this time, Windows seemingly forgot where it put the *internal* HD. Brilliant. So, it continuously went through the endless loop of startup, logoff, shutdown, restart. And it decided to play the welcome and logging off sounds repeatedly as it went through, indicating it *could* find at least part of the OS–really, really, anoying… I turned off the speakers after a bit. I screwed with it a bit, then decided to bug Trish and see if she had any ideas–she's damn near my equal so far as this crap goes, so it made sense. She dinked around with it on her own, got about as far as I did, and I think we both kinda just… randomly decided the thing was getting repaired. Call it the last act of a desperate couple of techs who don't want to do a complete format. So now, after the repair–for the record, a repair instalation of Windows on a 40 GB HD with 512 MB RAM should *so* not take 2 hours to complete–we're right back where we started. Except with a working machine. And an apparently missing Internet Explorer–easily cured by the fact it didn't touch Firefox. So, this little piece of crap lives another day, giving me time to complete the downloads I'd like to complete, and possibly email myself the crap I wanna get off this machine–I don't plan on keeping this for much longer, since I can get a faster laptop for cheap, even if this thing lasts another 4 years. And with the new email setup now, prompted largely by the near catastrophy I just narrowly avoided, I can actually do that and not run the risk of not being able to pick it up on the other computer–which, for the curious, is now hooked up and just awaiting me to get around to installing the drivers. What can I say? Vista lasted about a minute and a half before the format process kicked in. But that's in another entry when I don't feel quite so geeky and want to. This one's rambling on long enough about things probably only understood by about 2.5 people, with the rest going "Zuh?!?!?!". So now, I go do stuff. Like… clean. Or sleep. Or laundry. Or watch one of the CSI eppisodes I can now access again, thanks to a now fully functioning external HD. Hm. The possibilities are endless. Should they feel that way on a 4-year-old machine that only barely meets the minimum specs?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/23/james_3_microsoft_0.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/23/james_3_microsoft_0.html James because 2 weeks is long enough. Of course, when you do as much in 2 weeks as I've somehow managed to do in *this* 2 weeks, yeah… it's long enough with no updates. Let's see… where best to start. Vell, I could always start with the usual, easy routine of what had me so busy that I couldn't post to the thing. but… well, that'd take up all of about a sentence. 'Cuz, well, when the highlight of your little bit of time away is getting absolutely soked beyond all repair at the ex, there's not that much of an essay to be written about it. Not that it wasn't still fun–anything that results in making Trish's poor husband nearly lose it is entertainment for me. I'm sorry, was that… um, too mean? Ah well, whatcha gonna do? I'm gonna… well, I guess I'm gonna sit here at my desk and wait for a call. That's what I'm gonna do. And… curse the people for whom I work for stiffing me on a computer. Y'see, I took one of these, customised the absolute hell out of it, threw in a few fancy toys just so I have something to do when I'm bored, and had it shipped to my apartment. Where it promptly wouldn't turn on. I figured it'd be the mobo or power supply, but… eh, I got the max on warranty, so I was gonna use it to the fullest. fortunately mister probably outsourced technician from India agreed with me, so it got set up for a return real fast. And will be returned in… about… um… oh, 5-10 days. Not that it bothers me all that much; everything else works. It's currently sitting in my room right now, hooked up to my ever faithful but still slowly dying laptop. Which makes it sound a whole hell of a lot meaner than it actually is. Not that it wasn't mean when I got it… but… eh, that was like 3-4 years ago. It's a kitten now, in comparison to the potential monsterness of some fo today's systems. and the monsterness of the one currently, um, not working. Stupid computers. If it wasn't for the fact their breaking keeps me employed… okay, I'm over it. And now back to our regularly scheduled taking of calls. Which… just for the record, I haven't actually done since I got off lunch. Granted that was 10 minutes ago. But still. When I get home, and if I don't forget, I have politically motivated pictures to display. And a picture that should have been a bit more threatening than it actually is. Not that I'd know anything about picture quality–I'm going by the opinion of the girl holding the camera. Surprisingly, I'll trust her opinion on a lot of things before most people's. Setting myself up for difficulties? We shall see. Granted she *is* family, but so far… she and I are proving to be exceptions to the family rule. In just about every category. They hate it. I love it. It's all good. And… that's why they hardly call me. But, y'know, you don't hear me complaining about that one. If you ever do, please shoot me.

]]> Of course, when you do as much in 2 weeks as I've somehow managed to do in *this* 2 weeks, yeah… it's long enough with no updates. Let's see… where best to start. Vell, I could always start with the usual, easy routine of what had me so busy that I couldn't post to the thing. but… well, that'd take up all of about a sentence. 'Cuz, well, when the highlight of your little bit of time away is getting absolutely soked beyond all repair at the ex, there's not that much of an essay to be written about it. Not that it wasn't still fun–anything that results in making Trish's poor husband nearly lose it is entertainment for me. I'm sorry, was that… um, too mean? Ah well, whatcha gonna do? I'm gonna… well, I guess I'm gonna sit here at my desk and wait for a call. That's what I'm gonna do. And… curse the people for whom I work for stiffing me on a computer. Y'see, I took one of these, customised the absolute hell out of it, threw in a few fancy toys just so I have something to do when I'm bored, and had it shipped to my apartment. Where it promptly wouldn't turn on. I figured it'd be the mobo or power supply, but… eh, I got the max on warranty, so I was gonna use it to the fullest. fortunately mister probably outsourced technician from India agreed with me, so it got set up for a return real fast. And will be returned in… about… um… oh, 5-10 days. Not that it bothers me all that much; everything else works. It's currently sitting in my room right now, hooked up to my ever faithful but still slowly dying laptop. Which makes it sound a whole hell of a lot meaner than it actually is. Not that it wasn't mean when I got it… but… eh, that was like 3-4 years ago. It's a kitten now, in comparison to the potential monsterness of some fo today's systems. and the monsterness of the one currently, um, not working. Stupid computers. If it wasn't for the fact their breaking keeps me employed… okay, I'm over it. And now back to our regularly scheduled taking of calls. Which… just for the record, I haven't actually done since I got off lunch. Granted that was 10 minutes ago. But still. When I get home, and if I don't forget, I have politically motivated pictures to display. And a picture that should have been a bit more threatening than it actually is. Not that I'd know anything about picture quality–I'm going by the opinion of the girl holding the camera. Surprisingly, I'll trust her opinion on a lot of things before most people's. Setting myself up for difficulties? We shall see. Granted she *is* family, but so far… she and I are proving to be exceptions to the family rule. In just about every category. They hate it. I love it. It's all good. And… that's why they hardly call me. But, y'know, you don't hear me complaining about that one. If you ever do, please shoot me.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/13/because_2_weeks_is_long_enough.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/09/13/because_2_weeks_is_long_enough.html James Yup, it's friday. And like anyone on any friday, I find myself very, very reluctant to actually go to work. Is that bad? Survey says… signs are hazy, ask again later. Ah well, at least there's an interest there I might be able to catch for another little conversation before my shift starts. I shall leave the rough translation to your imagination–specifics from me you will not get. Deal.

]]> And like anyone on any friday, I find myself very, very reluctant to actually go to work. Is that bad? Survey says… signs are hazy, ask again later. Ah well, at least there's an interest there I might be able to catch for another little conversation before my shift starts. I shall leave the rough translation to your imagination–specifics from me you will not get. Deal.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/24/yup_its_friday.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/24/yup_its_friday.html James Now there's a baseball game I'd love to watch. 30 runs scored, and not for the home team. Texas 30, Baltimore… a grand total of… drumroll please… 3. Oh. My. Lord. Not since, and I feel shamed to admit it, Toronto lost 22 to 2 15 years ago did we see something like that. And not since the 1800's before that. Or so history's quoting us, at least. Um, ow. I'd feel bad for Baltimore, except–um, they're in the same division as toronto. And anything bad for them has gotta be good for toronto. If I tell myself that often enough, the same might hold true for the Leafs. But we're not talking about them. Not until October 15th. Or sooner if the withdrawal gets to me.

]]> 30 runs scored, and not for the home team. Texas 30, Baltimore… a grand total of… drumroll please… 3. Oh. My. Lord. Not since, and I feel shamed to admit it, Toronto lost 22 to 2 15 years ago did we see something like that. And not since the 1800's before that. Or so history's quoting us, at least. Um, ow. I'd feel bad for Baltimore, except–um, they're in the same division as toronto. And anything bad for them has gotta be good for toronto. If I tell myself that often enough, the same might hold true for the Leafs. But we're not talking about them. Not until October 15th. Or sooner if the withdrawal gets to me.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/23/now_theres_a_baseball_game_id_love_to_watch.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/23/now_theres_a_baseball_game_id_love_to_watch.html James A smattering of update. Because I only have a couple minutes before my shift starts.

  • My late birthday present, one hell of a computer, should be shipping today. It's about time.

  • Apparently, the storm we got yesterday took out my internet service, and Sympatico decided to conveniently state there were no service outages in the area. Disproven. That didn't take long.

  • For the record, when dealing with internet issues, it so should not take over 24 hours to solve. Of course, the only reason it did was because I only bothered to sit down and fight with it just before I had to go to work yesterday–also shitty, but it's a paycheck.

  • Completely and totally not related in any way, shape or form to… um, anything else in this post. Not that this post has any actual point to it as it is, but oh well. Oh my. Identical twins is kinda funky enough. But 4? Freakin' 4? Well, could be more unusual I guess.

And I have managed to make writing this entry last past my having taken my first call. Suhweet. I think.

]]> Because I only have a couple minutes before my shift starts.

  • My late birthday present, one hell of a computer, should be shipping today. It's about time.

  • Apparently, the storm we got yesterday took out my internet service, and Sympatico decided to conveniently state there were no service outages in the area. Disproven. That didn't take long.

  • For the record, when dealing with internet issues, it so should not take over 24 hours to solve. Of course, the only reason it did was because I only bothered to sit down and fight with it just before I had to go to work yesterday–also shitty, but it's a paycheck.

  • Completely and totally not related in any way, shape or form to… um, anything else in this post. Not that this post has any actual point to it as it is, but oh well. Oh my. Identical twins is kinda funky enough. But 4? Freakin' 4? Well, could be more unusual I guess.

And I have managed to make writing this entry last past my having taken my first call. Suhweet. I think.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/17/a_smattering_of_update.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/08/17/a_smattering_of_update.html James So my attempt to blog more than once a week goes kinda like this. Weekend starts today. The last time I'll have Sunday-Tuesday off. Starting next week, it'll be Saturday-Monday instead. And… so far, all I know is there will be… probably some coffee, definitely some time spent with the next best thing to a sister, and maybe some beach. Not a bad start to a 3-day weekend. Now if I can figure out just what I plan to do for the other 2 days I'll be in business. Ah, who am I kidding? The rule is simple–whether it's not being home for 3 days, or spending the next 2 sleeping, until Wednesday night at 7:00 when I head out the door, I officially have no job. And it's going to be shweet. Hm. I should be sleeping instead of going out this afternoon. Ah well. I'll sleep plenty when I'm dead.

]]> Weekend starts today. The last time I'll have Sunday-Tuesday off. Starting next week, it'll be Saturday-Monday instead. And… so far, all I know is there will be… probably some coffee, definitely some time spent with the next best thing to a sister, and maybe some beach. Not a bad start to a 3-day weekend. Now if I can figure out just what I plan to do for the other 2 days I'll be in business. Ah, who am I kidding? The rule is simple–whether it's not being home for 3 days, or spending the next 2 sleeping, until Wednesday night at 7:00 when I head out the door, I officially have no job. And it's going to be shweet. Hm. I should be sleeping instead of going out this afternoon. Ah well. I'll sleep plenty when I'm dead.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/29/so_my_attempt_to_blog_more_than_once_a_week_goes_kinda_like_this.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/29/so_my_attempt_to_blog_more_than_once_a_week_goes_kinda_like_this.html James My cable versus satelite predicament or: the only truely evil thing about living in ottawa. When I shoved my entire life into boxes and got the hell outa Pembroke way back in December, I acknowledged then that my hockey watching days, unles I wanted to convert to being a Senators fan, were either over or extremely, extremely numbered. Which, naturally, pissed me right the hell off. But, the job was here, the paycheck was here, and considering my schedule now–hello, night shift–it probably wouldn't make much difference anyway. Still, I had thought I was pretty much S.O.L. because the land lord didn't want us putting up satelites and whatnot. That whole securing things to the building thing, and all that jazze. Then I find out I can, just as soon as I go over to the office and sign some stupid piece of paper or something that basicly says I won't try to stick it on the roof. Not that the thought still won't cross my mind to try anyway. So now, it's not what to do since I can't get satelite–it's do I even want to pay the higher price for it, and which semi-monopoly do I want to support? Although, the second question will probably be answered when I figure out which higher price to pay and subsequently answer the first one. At the moment, my choices–neither of them pretty so far–are to give even more money to mother bell, who already has my landline and internet money (Rogers uses Bell's phone lines anyway and I will *not* get cable internet), or Star Choice, who I had living with my parents, but the nasty rumor mill tries to warn me they're expensive as hell. I dunno–I didn't pay the bill the last time I delt with them. Or, I could always just stick with the other evil empire (read: Rogers), and put up with the fact they refuse to offer the channels I'm looking for in Ottawa, which is IMHO about the most ridiculous thing out there–but that's a rant not suited for this non-ranting entry. My choices, of which there are so precious few, are also at the moment… quite crappy. And… quite dependant on me getting off my lazy ass and signing some "I'll behave myself" document. Heh. The idea of me behaving myself is amusing. No snickering, people who know me. That is, unless you're thinking the exact same thing I am–you will never know, for I will never tell. What I will do, though, is… contemplate maybe actually signing that stupid piece of paper. After I make some phone calls. Which I'll do later. Translation: ain't nothing getting done now on that front. So the point of me writing this entry was… oh yeah, right. There was none. Oh well.

]]> When I shoved my entire life into boxes and got the hell outa Pembroke way back in December, I acknowledged then that my hockey watching days, unles I wanted to convert to being a Senators fan, were either over or extremely, extremely numbered. Which, naturally, pissed me right the hell off. But, the job was here, the paycheck was here, and considering my schedule now–hello, night shift–it probably wouldn't make much difference anyway. Still, I had thought I was pretty much S.O.L. because the land lord didn't want us putting up satelites and whatnot. That whole securing things to the building thing, and all that jazze. Then I find out I can, just as soon as I go over to the office and sign some stupid piece of paper or something that basicly says I won't try to stick it on the roof. Not that the thought still won't cross my mind to try anyway. So now, it's not what to do since I can't get satelite–it's do I even want to pay the higher price for it, and which semi-monopoly do I want to support? Although, the second question will probably be answered when I figure out which higher price to pay and subsequently answer the first one. At the moment, my choices–neither of them pretty so far–are to give even more money to mother bell, who already has my landline and internet money (Rogers uses Bell's phone lines anyway and I will *not* get cable internet), or Star Choice, who I had living with my parents, but the nasty rumor mill tries to warn me they're expensive as hell. I dunno–I didn't pay the bill the last time I delt with them. Or, I could always just stick with the other evil empire (read: Rogers), and put up with the fact they refuse to offer the channels I'm looking for in Ottawa, which is IMHO about the most ridiculous thing out there–but that's a rant not suited for this non-ranting entry. My choices, of which there are so precious few, are also at the moment… quite crappy. And… quite dependant on me getting off my lazy ass and signing some "I'll behave myself" document. Heh. The idea of me behaving myself is amusing. No snickering, people who know me. That is, unless you're thinking the exact same thing I am–you will never know, for I will never tell. What I will do, though, is… contemplate maybe actually signing that stupid piece of paper. After I make some phone calls. Which I'll do later. Translation: ain't nothing getting done now on that front. So the point of me writing this entry was… oh yeah, right. There was none. Oh well.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/24/my_cable_versus_satelite_predicament_or_the_only_truely_evil_thing_about_living_in_ottawa.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/24/my_cable_versus_satelite_predicament_or_the_only_truely_evil_thing_about_living_in_ottawa.html James The almighty coffee chain and me... … are having just a little tiny bit of a spat right now. It has decided, I will be paying more for my occasional doughnut to go with my coffee. So now, I have to spend the next few months writing an essay on exactly why we'll need to rework our relationship. But first–one last coffee, for old time's sake. Anyone going on a coffee run?

]]> … are having just a little tiny bit of a spat right now. It has decided, I will be paying more for my occasional doughnut to go with my coffee. So now, I have to spend the next few months writing an essay on exactly why we'll need to rework our relationship. But first–one last coffee, for old time's sake. Anyone going on a coffee run?

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/04/the_almighty_coffee_chain_and_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/04/the_almighty_coffee_chain_and_me.html James Back to the grind... A week's vacation is still not enough. But, 'tis over… and now, back to the usual routine. Anyone with quiz ideas, fire 'em at me. I'm gonna be bored 'til things start picking up around here… at about, oh… 2:00. Ish. Maybe. On the other hand, it *is* July 4th… Okay, I definitely need entertaining.

]]> A week's vacation is still not enough. But, 'tis over… and now, back to the usual routine. Anyone with quiz ideas, fire 'em at me. I'm gonna be bored 'til things start picking up around here… at about, oh… 2:00. Ish. Maybe. On the other hand, it *is* July 4th… Okay, I definitely need entertaining.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/04/back_to_the_grind.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/04/back_to_the_grind.html James Happy Canadia day! Yes, I've been busy as hell. Such is the norm when it gets to be, well… any time between about mid-April to about mid-September. Perhaps mid-October if I have a reason to watch the world series. But the reason I've been off the blog wagon lately? I spent the week in Pembroke. Yes, I've lost my mind. It actually wasn't that bad, though–got some niftyness things for my birthday, took mom out for her birthday, discovered a new baseball sim which I currently find myself surprisingly adicted to already (I have 5 teams at the moment), and… just generally had all manner of good times. And when good times are had, good things happen. In this case, the good thing is I didn't shoot my sister-in-law. Wanted to. Really, seriously thought about it. Wished I owned a gun. But didn't. I'm proud of me. And then–back home for me. Where I proceeded to spend all night dinking around on the afore mentioned baseball game, and set up my own league–I was bored and didn't wanna sleep. Sue me. It's really gonna hurt when it's all said and done. But damn, I'll have fun doing it.

And speaking of fun… oh, the plans that are being had for today. Put it this way–I'm leaving here in about an hour at the earliest, and I don't expect to see this place for more than an hour until after tonight's fireworks. And oh, there will be fireworks. There will be loads of fireworks. Which… is actually why I came back. Nothing against Pembroke's display or anything, but–enough's enough already. It doesn't get any better. Time for a different location… a little closer to home. Parliament buildings with cousins it is. If I post again today, it'll be in tomorrow morning's wee hours. But it'll be awesomely fun, and such. And… I've been rambling somewhat pointlessly now for about 10 minutes. Time to go do stuff.

]]> Yes, I've been busy as hell. Such is the norm when it gets to be, well… any time between about mid-April to about mid-September. Perhaps mid-October if I have a reason to watch the world series. But the reason I've been off the blog wagon lately? I spent the week in Pembroke. Yes, I've lost my mind. It actually wasn't that bad, though–got some niftyness things for my birthday, took mom out for her birthday, discovered a new baseball sim which I currently find myself surprisingly adicted to already (I have 5 teams at the moment), and… just generally had all manner of good times. And when good times are had, good things happen. In this case, the good thing is I didn't shoot my sister-in-law. Wanted to. Really, seriously thought about it. Wished I owned a gun. But didn't. I'm proud of me. And then–back home for me. Where I proceeded to spend all night dinking around on the afore mentioned baseball game, and set up my own league–I was bored and didn't wanna sleep. Sue me. It's really gonna hurt when it's all said and done. But damn, I'll have fun doing it.

And speaking of fun… oh, the plans that are being had for today. Put it this way–I'm leaving here in about an hour at the earliest, and I don't expect to see this place for more than an hour until after tonight's fireworks. And oh, there will be fireworks. There will be loads of fireworks. Which… is actually why I came back. Nothing against Pembroke's display or anything, but–enough's enough already. It doesn't get any better. Time for a different location… a little closer to home. Parliament buildings with cousins it is. If I post again today, it'll be in tomorrow morning's wee hours. But it'll be awesomely fun, and such. And… I've been rambling somewhat pointlessly now for about 10 minutes. Time to go do stuff.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/01/happy_canadia_day.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/07/01/happy_canadia_day.html James They killed the drop zone! Bastards! I used to make a regular habbit of taking that ride during my all too frequent visits to Canada's Wonderland, and now, the nastyish rumor mill has gone on to say that, and several related rides at other parks, hit the closed line after an accident that involved one teenaged kid in hospital. Um–oh my. Wow. That's just… not cool. I didn't think there was really anything to cause real injury on a ride like that. It's, maybe, all of 15 seconds of weightlessness and all that jazze. I guess because it's the first I've heard of it it's kinda odd to believe. But, I guess… could happen, hm? Note to self: Think twice before introducing everyone I know to that ride. Or… something. Maybe.

]]> I used to make a regular habbit of taking that ride during my all too frequent visits to Canada's Wonderland, and now, the nastyish rumor mill has gone on to say that, and several related rides at other parks, hit the closed line after an accident that involved one teenaged kid in hospital. Um–oh my. Wow. That's just… not cool. I didn't think there was really anything to cause real injury on a ride like that. It's, maybe, all of 15 seconds of weightlessness and all that jazze. I guess because it's the first I've heard of it it's kinda odd to believe. But, I guess… could happen, hm? Note to self: Think twice before introducing everyone I know to that ride. Or… something. Maybe.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/23/they_killed_the_drop_zone_bastards.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/23/they_killed_the_drop_zone_bastards.html James You've received a postcard from a family member! I got this in my email now at least… um… I'm gonna say, uh… twice. But I don't have any family members who'd send me postcards–particularly not from Hong Kong. If the email says whatever.hk, it's not any family of mine. On the bright side, I know how people are managing to deliver viruses and crapola lately. The prospect of a tech support guy finding this in his email is, uh–amusing. Or maybe I'm showing the fact I've been here way too long. That's a distinct possibility. Oh well, whatcha gonna do? I'm gonna go back and pay attention to this call.

]]> I got this in my email now at least… um… I'm gonna say, uh… twice. But I don't have any family members who'd send me postcards–particularly not from Hong Kong. If the email says whatever.hk, it's not any family of mine. On the bright side, I know how people are managing to deliver viruses and crapola lately. The prospect of a tech support guy finding this in his email is, uh–amusing. Or maybe I'm showing the fact I've been here way too long. That's a distinct possibility. Oh well, whatcha gonna do? I'm gonna go back and pay attention to this call.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/22/youve_received_a_postcard_from_a_family_member.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/22/youve_received_a_postcard_from_a_family_member.html James Now that's a distraction. So I'm waiting for the local bus that gets me from my transfer point to the office, and this rather nice young lady who just so happens to be taking the same bus pulls up a seat about… oh 5 feet away from me and starts playing a guitar. At first, I figured… okay, it's the beginning of summer–she's probably just doing like those curb-side musicians do and just playing… well, because. But she was good. Nice singing voice, too. Probably someone I met in passing before but eh, still. So I'm just kinda standing there, half listening, and she goes into a version of "Tiny Dancer". I never was really that big of an elton John fan, but trust me, I almost wanted to go back home and pick mine up for the first time in… um… well okay, like 6 or 7 months–I don't have time to play anymore. Sue me. It was a cool distraction before work, though. Who knows? Maybe that whole 6 degrees of seperation theory will come into play here and I'll see her again. Or maybe not. Either way, that was a break from the usual routine from work, and a very pleasant one. If I knew half the other songs she was singing, I might have joined in. Hey–it could happen. I don't suck that badly. Or… so I'm told.

]]> So I'm waiting for the local bus that gets me from my transfer point to the office, and this rather nice young lady who just so happens to be taking the same bus pulls up a seat about… oh 5 feet away from me and starts playing a guitar. At first, I figured… okay, it's the beginning of summer–she's probably just doing like those curb-side musicians do and just playing… well, because. But she was good. Nice singing voice, too. Probably someone I met in passing before but eh, still. So I'm just kinda standing there, half listening, and she goes into a version of "Tiny Dancer". I never was really that big of an elton John fan, but trust me, I almost wanted to go back home and pick mine up for the first time in… um… well okay, like 6 or 7 months–I don't have time to play anymore. Sue me. It was a cool distraction before work, though. Who knows? Maybe that whole 6 degrees of seperation theory will come into play here and I'll see her again. Or maybe not. Either way, that was a break from the usual routine from work, and a very pleasant one. If I knew half the other songs she was singing, I might have joined in. Hey–it could happen. I don't suck that badly. Or… so I'm told.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/15/now_thats_a_distraction.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/15/now_thats_a_distraction.html James The things you learn when you don't feel like sleeping. Things like… 5:00 in the morning is the perfect time if you plan to take a walk in Ottawa. The only thing I could hear this morning besides the sound of my own breathing and the birds was… well… more birds. And the occasional car. But nothing like what it'll be at around about midday. Or what it's starting to be right now. Granted, it was only maybe 15 minutes each way, but still. Unless you're walking down Baseline, which on a good day is still insane, it's just… damn peaceful. If there was a park or something along the route I was walking, I could probably kill half the morning there. That is, if I didn't already have plans. But… can of coke gone, blogs hopped, I now go sleep. Who knows? Maybe I'll do it again this afternoon. Or… maybe I'll get some cleaning done. Or maybe I won't. We shall see.

]]> Things like… 5:00 in the morning is the perfect time if you plan to take a walk in Ottawa. The only thing I could hear this morning besides the sound of my own breathing and the birds was… well… more birds. And the occasional car. But nothing like what it'll be at around about midday. Or what it's starting to be right now. Granted, it was only maybe 15 minutes each way, but still. Unless you're walking down Baseline, which on a good day is still insane, it's just… damn peaceful. If there was a park or something along the route I was walking, I could probably kill half the morning there. That is, if I didn't already have plans. But… can of coke gone, blogs hopped, I now go sleep. Who knows? Maybe I'll do it again this afternoon. Or… maybe I'll get some cleaning done. Or maybe I won't. We shall see.

]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/12/the_things_you_learn_when_you_dont_feel_like_sleeping.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/12/the_things_you_learn_when_you_dont_feel_like_sleeping.html James Bet what you do when you're sick isn't as odd as me. Typical sickly behaviour for most people probably consists of popping a pill or two… or three if you're some people I know, finding a place to flake out/fall over, and not moving until doing so doesn't provoke pain of the head or other such body parts. Which… would make sense. Unless you're me. Apparently, my typical (as in, apparently, since I just started doing so) behaviour is a little more… I wanna say productive, but stupid might be more appropriate. I've developed a slightly off recovery routine which consists primarily of:

  • Realize something's developing, flake out for a bit in the afternoon, figure it'll go away eventually–that's usually an accurate prediction.

  • Come to the eventual acceptance, about half an hour before I have to leave for work, that going in tonight would just be all around not a good idea.

  • Make the requisit phone calls to managers and others so they don't fire my ass for just saying screw it, even though there are some people on my to call list I'd of preferred to say screw it to–I love my job, but nothing says corperation quite like the second thing some departments ask you after your name is your ID number and I was in no mood for corperate bullshit.

  • Turn the hockey game on, try to sleep through the first period, give up on that after 15 minutes.

  • Turn the hockey game off, try to sleep without the second period, realize it's just not sleep time yet, apparently.

  • Get fed up, turn the game back on, catch the score, then brag about it a little between periods. It's at least let up a bit by now. Can't undo the phone call, though.

  • Half pay attention to the third period whilst making something to eat, stopping only to see the Senators miss a penalty shot–by the way, I'm not done rubbing it in yet… I have a list–figuring nothing else is working, maybe food will.

  • Stand in front of my TV during the last 3 minutes of the third period, trying to decide if I feel any better or if I've just forgotten about it.

  • Decide I do, in fact, feel a bit better, proceed to rub it in a little more that yes, as I predicted, the Sens *did* choke. Huge.

  • Do a bit of blog hopping, discover a new blog or two to read, and rediscover some blogs I haven't read in a while. Think about possibly sleeping again, don't actually get there, of course.

  • Look at the clock, 3:32. Shake my head, immediately regret shaking my head. Check the time again, yup, still 3:32.

  • Contemplate taking the basket of clothes sitting at the end of my bed downstairs to the pot smelling basement for the purposes of washing them, decide since I'd be working anyway and therefore awake at this ungodly hour anyway, to do so.

  • Come to two crutial realizations about this apartment building while taking my clothes to said pot smelling basement.


    1. At 4 in the morning, said pot smelling basement does not, in fact, smell like pot. Or the smell isn't noticeable either because I'm used to it or because I'm still suffering whatever had me calling into work earlier and can't notice it. Both are distinct possibilities and will require further pondering.

    2. Contrary to what I first thought, I am not the only fool still awake at 4 in the morning, as evidenced by the lady across the hall from the laundry room still having her TV on. I could hear it in the hall, which indicates she's got it loud enough that if she were sleeping, she'd be in a coma. Good to know.


  • Realize once getting back upstairs the stubborn headache and possibly whatever else was still hanging on have started to let up, rather noticeably. Although there is the possibility my coming upstairs may have simply coincided with the tylenol kicking in. Further investigation required.

  • Remind myself I did decide, the last time I did laundry at 4 in the morning, I wasn't going to do this anymore. Decide screw it, it had to get done anyway.

And here I am, should be sleeping, definitely should be working, and doing neither. Unless housework counts. Who needs a doctor? This prescription's working awesome so far.

Update:

I was politely informed via IM a couple links on this here entry were busted. They weren't when I wrote it. Links work now. Someone shall be beaten.]]> Typical sickly behaviour for most people probably consists of popping a pill or two… or three if you're some people I know, finding a place to flake out/fall over, and not moving until doing so doesn't provoke pain of the head or other such body parts. Which… would make sense. Unless you're me. Apparently, my typical (as in, apparently, since I just started doing so) behaviour is a little more… I wanna say productive, but stupid might be more appropriate. I've developed a slightly off recovery routine which consists primarily of:

  • Realize something's developing, flake out for a bit in the afternoon, figure it'll go away eventually–that's usually an accurate prediction.

  • Come to the eventual acceptance, about half an hour before I have to leave for work, that going in tonight would just be all around not a good idea.

  • Make the requisit phone calls to managers and others so they don't fire my ass for just saying screw it, even though there are some people on my to call list I'd of preferred to say screw it to–I love my job, but nothing says corperation quite like the second thing some departments ask you after your name is your ID number and I was in no mood for corperate bullshit.

  • Turn the hockey game on, try to sleep through the first period, give up on that after 15 minutes.

  • Turn the hockey game off, try to sleep without the second period, realize it's just not sleep time yet, apparently.

  • Get fed up, turn the game back on, catch the score, then brag about it a little between periods. It's at least let up a bit by now. Can't undo the phone call, though.

  • Half pay attention to the third period whilst making something to eat, stopping only to see the Senators miss a penalty shot–by the way, I'm not done rubbing it in yet… I have a list–figuring nothing else is working, maybe food will.

  • Stand in front of my TV during the last 3 minutes of the third period, trying to decide if I feel any better or if I've just forgotten about it.

  • Decide I do, in fact, feel a bit better, proceed to rub it in a little more that yes, as I predicted, the Sens *did* choke. Huge.

  • Do a bit of blog hopping, discover a new blog or two to read, and rediscover some blogs I haven't read in a while. Think about possibly sleeping again, don't actually get there, of course.

  • Look at the clock, 3:32. Shake my head, immediately regret shaking my head. Check the time again, yup, still 3:32.

  • Contemplate taking the basket of clothes sitting at the end of my bed downstairs to the pot smelling basement for the purposes of washing them, decide since I'd be working anyway and therefore awake at this ungodly hour anyway, to do so.

  • Come to two crutial realizations about this apartment building while taking my clothes to said pot smelling basement.


    1. At 4 in the morning, said pot smelling basement does not, in fact, smell like pot. Or the smell isn't noticeable either because I'm used to it or because I'm still suffering whatever had me calling into work earlier and can't notice it. Both are distinct possibilities and will require further pondering.

    2. Contrary to what I first thought, I am not the only fool still awake at 4 in the morning, as evidenced by the lady across the hall from the laundry room still having her TV on. I could hear it in the hall, which indicates she's got it loud enough that if she were sleeping, she'd be in a coma. Good to know.


  • Realize once getting back upstairs the stubborn headache and possibly whatever else was still hanging on have started to let up, rather noticeably. Although there is the possibility my coming upstairs may have simply coincided with the tylenol kicking in. Further investigation required.

  • Remind myself I did decide, the last time I did laundry at 4 in the morning, I wasn't going to do this anymore. Decide screw it, it had to get done anyway.

And here I am, should be sleeping, definitely should be working, and doing neither. Unless housework counts. Who needs a doctor? This prescription's working awesome so far.

Update:

I was politely informed via IM a couple links on this here entry were busted. They weren't when I wrote it. Links work now. Someone shall be beaten.]]> http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/07/bet_what_you_do_when_youre_sick_isnt_as_odd_as_me.html http://blog.the-jdh.com/2007/06/07/bet_what_you_do_when_youre_sick_isnt_as_odd_as_me.html James Happy June! 'N such. This is what happens when I can't come up with a more creative title. But… who's counting? Ordinarily I'd be up to my eyeballs in calls… but… thank the gods for system outages, now it's "we're updating, call back tomorrow". And I get paid to just sit here and be all kinds of cute. Or… at least… all kinds of lazy. Lazy is good. Coffee is good. I have no coffee. Entertainment is good. And speaking of entertainment…

Recently the following undocumented Windows 95 error codes were found. Microsoft forgot to explain them in the manuals, so they will be spread via the Internet.


WinErr: 001 Windows loaded - System in danger
WinErr: 002 No Error - Yet
WinErr: 003 Dynamic linking error - Your mistake is now in every file
WinErr: 004 Erroneous error - Nothing is wrong
WinErr: 005 Multitasking attempted - System confused
WinErr: 006 Malicious error - Desqview found on drive
WinErr: 007 System price error - Inadequate money spent on hardware
WinErr: 008 Broken window - Watch out for glass fragments
WinErr: 009 Horrible bug encountered - God knows what has happened
WinErr: 00A Promotional literature overflow - Mailbox full
WinErr: 00B Inadequate disk space - Free at least 50MB
WinErr: 00C Memory hog error - More Ram needed. More! More! More!
WinErr: 00D Window closed - Do not look outside
WinErr: 00E Window open - Do not look inside
WinErr: 00F Unexplained error - Please tell us how this happened
WinErr: 010 Reserved for future mistakes by our developers
WinErr: 011 Window open - Do not look outside
WinErr: 012 Window closed - Do not look inside
WinErr: 013 Unexpected error - Huh ?
WinErr: 014 Keyboard locked - Try anything you can think of.
WinErr: 018 Unrecoverable error - System has been destroyed. Buy a new one. Old Windows licence is not valid anymore.
WinErr: 019 User error - Not our fault. Is Not! Is Not!
WinErr: 01A Operating system overwritten - Please reinstall all your software. We are terribly sorry.
WinErr: 01B Illegal error - You are not allowed to get this error. Next time you will get a penalty for that.
WinErr: 01C Uncertainty error - Uncertainty may be inadequate.
WinErr: 01D System crash - We are unable to figure out our own code.
WinErr: 01E Timing error - Please wait. And wait. And wait. And wait.
WinErr: 01F Reserved for future mistakes of our developers.
WinErr: 020 Error recording error codes - Additional errors will be lost.
WinErr: 042 Virus error - A virus has been activated in a dos-box. The virus, however, requires Windows. All tasks will automatically be closed and the
virus will be activated again.
WinErr: 079 Mouse not found - A mouse driver has not been installed. Please click the left mouse button to continue.
WinErr: 103 Error buffer overflow - Too many errors encountered. Additional errors may not be displayed or recorded.
WinErr: 678 This will end your Windows session. Do you want to play another game?
WinErr: 683 Time out error - Operator fell asleep while waiting for the system to complete boot procedure.
WinErr: 815 Insufficient Memory - Only 50.312.583 Bytes available

Exposed! Now the mystery of the later operating systems has been uncovered! Too bad they didn't do much better with the ridiculousness of the OS's until XP. Ahem… *cough cough* I'm getting paid to say the exact opposite. But if you're reading this blog, you probably weren't on the phone with me as a Dell employee so… um… deal with it. ;)

Yes, I was bored. Again… blame the fact I can't actually help people with 95% of what they call me about. Go tool outage!

]]> This is what happens when I can't come up with a more creative title. But… who's counting? Ordinarily I'd be up to my eyeballs in calls… but… thank the gods for system outages, now it's "we're updating, call back tomorrow". And I get paid to just sit here and be all kinds of cute. Or… at least… all kinds of lazy. Lazy is good. Coffee is good. I have no coffee. Entertainment is good. And speaking of entertainment…

Recently the following undocumented Windows 95 error codes were found. Microsoft forgot to explain them in the manuals, so they will be spread via the Interne