My Life is A Drama Free Zone

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.

March 7, 2008

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.

March 6, 2008

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.

February 27, 2008

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.

February 21, 2008

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…

February 19, 2008

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:

February 10, 2008

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.

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.

February 4, 2008

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…

January 26, 2008

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.

January 12, 2008

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*

January 10, 2008

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?

January 7, 2008

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…

December 27, 2007

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*

December 19, 2007

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.

December 16, 2007

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…

December 8, 2007

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.

December 6, 2007

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?

November 28, 2007

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.

November 26, 2007

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…

November 18, 2007

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.

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.

November 15, 2007

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*

November 7, 2007

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.

November 1, 2007

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.

October 31, 2007

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…

October 10, 2007

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.

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?

October 6, 2007

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.

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*

September 30, 2007

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?

September 23, 2007

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?

September 13, 2007

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.

August 24, 2007

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.

August 23, 2007

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.

August 17, 2007

A smattering of update.

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

July 29, 2007

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.

July 24, 2007

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.

July 4, 2007

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?

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.

July 1, 2007

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.

June 23, 2007

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.

June 22, 2007

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.

June 15, 2007

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.

June 12, 2007

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.

June 7, 2007

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:

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:

June 2, 2007

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…

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!

April 30, 2007

... I could never do that.

A 59-year-old blind pilot manages to fly half way around the world in nearly 2 months? Um… yeah. Suddenly, me doing tech support at Dell doesn't seem quite so exceptional. Not that I thought of it as such, but hey, someone out there did. And now, they have this headline to compare it to. I sure as hell didn't make headlines… thank god. I don't have a face for TV. I should update more often. This looks pathetic when it's been over a week since actual content was posted here.

April 20, 2007

Road trippin!

As some of you know, and most of you don't particularly care, my brother joined the military a few months back. And, as I said then and continue to say now, lord have mercy on this and every other country–they let that man control things that go boom. Okay, requisit jab at my brother aside, we went to see his and my cousin's graduation cerimony thing in Quebec yesterday. Well, okay, so we actually went there on Wednesday but the thing wasn't until yesterday. Sue me. So now he and my cousin, both of whom I would absolutely not want to be near if firearms are involved, are officially soldiers in the Canadian armed forces–also known as those guys with the 30-year-old equipment. The military isn't anything new for us. I mean, I have two uncles and a father who were in the military for upwards of 19-20 years, and one uncle who's still there–he's one of the two, just so we're all on the same page over here. But there's something a little different when you actually get to witness two people being recognised as actually being part of the forces after their training. Or maybe the difference is that for the first time in my life I find myself wondering if municipal roads can actually *be* health hazards. I will point out right now, if ever you find yourself driving through Montreal, get out and walk. You'll actually get there in under 3 hours. *And* your body will thank you. Some of those roads I swear to you felt like a 20-year-old rolercoaster I decided on my last trip to Canada's Wonderland I've subjected myself to for the last goddamn time. I find myself more and more convinced, too, that the sooner Quebec seperates, the better. That topic of conversation actually came up while we were there, and it was sort of decided amongst all parties–Quebec is done. It will seperate, and it will subsequently be cut off from all federally provided funding, services and other projects. The Blocke Quebecois will also be disbanded as a federal party. And then we'll all sit back and watch the natural disaster that'll be the result. Hey, it might as well… I already felt like a foreigner for the 24 hours or so I was actually there. Why not?

April 15, 2007

Just how awesome is my boss?

I've been off the phone for the last like… 5-10 minutes, conveniently 20 minutes before my shift ends, to update my timecard for lack of a better thing to call it. I've no intention of going back on the phone, and even if I did… I leave in 5 minutes. I'm so not getting a call between now and then. I love my job… way too much. Is that a bad thing? Hm… I think not. Correct me if I'm wrong, o'course.

April 8, 2007

Hey look, an update!

There's a whole hell of a lot to update yall on, and I have no idea when my next call's coming in, so let's see how much I can cram into a small piece of downtime.

I never noticed teenagers were quite that whiny when I was one. And, well, I know for a fact I wasn't the slightest–I was too busy not really caring. I bused to work last week, like I almost always do, and wouldn't you know, some chick decided to pick that particular night to complain about the bus schedule, and how the bus was taking too long to get here. Keeping in mind it was about 20 minutes at most. Now, just for comparison, had it been, say, sunday–or, say, good friday (rant on that one to come later)–there'd of been an hour, count it, an hour, between buses going where she needed to be. And I, personally, did *not* want to listen to her cry about it for any longer than I absolutely under any circumstance had to. It was bad enough the bus she was taking just so happened to be the bus I was taking. First thing that came to mind: call a wambulance. I run that route daily–get over it. I did.

Okay, next up. Parents who want to name their daughter 'Metallica' (link to come when I get back to the computer that has it)? What. The. Fuck.?!?! I'm sorry, but um, ignoring the fact that's almost off the wall as naming your kid 'Legacy' (I've seen it), their excuse for doing it is pretty flimsy. "The name suits her" and "There's already someone with that for a middle name" wouldn't fly with me. It doesn't make sense… it's like me saying I should be allowed to let my 6-year-old drive because people do it in Texas. And your point, exactly, would be… what? One jumps off a bridge, they all jump off? News flash, folks. "Because they're doing it" is what gets kids to smoke. I almost question their parenting skills at this point.

Why, oh why, dear lord, do you insist on surrounding me with idiots? It's just not fair. People in Ottawa have got to learn what "I'm blind, not an invalid" means. No, fellow passengers who apparently don't know better, "I know where I'm going" does not mean "Please, grab me by the arm and attempt to drag me off the bus". My trip home on Friday morning velry nearly resulted in someone losing their arm because, put plainly and simply, they didn't listen. I don't like people who don't listen. They make my head do hurty things. Hurty things are bad for me.

It's April. It's baseball season. It should not be raining on Tuesday, snowing on friday, and freezing most the week. Spring has sprung, for crying out loud. Winter's on vacation. Extended. Preferably permanently. People get all uptight about global warming, I say bring it on. No freezing while waiting for buses. Suh. Weet. How can anyone be upset with that? You're all on crack, you are. All of you. I know none of you. None. Environmental issues be damned. I'm sick of freezing. MWA!

Disclaimer: If you buy any of this crapola, you belong in the category of moron. I will personally make sure you get there. And send a public farewell with you.

March 22, 2007

I definitely should have done this ages ago.

I always thought the walk from my place to work and back was actually kinda nice. Even when it was upwards of -25 degrees and I'd spend 15 minutes after getting here bitching to no end about the cold. But it actually *is* rather enjoyable, in spite of that. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable things about working here. I'm all for just randomly going for a walk wherever… I mean, it beats the hell out of sitting at home watching TV, and it's apparently doing me some good. But until this week or so, I've always been tossing around the idea of cabbing it instead. Of course, taking the bus and the resulting necessary walk to the office wins out always anyway, both for the cost and… well, because I'm doing something. Today, though, I actually enjoyed my walk home this morning. At least, I think I did–by the time I got home I was probably too whiped to really care. I know for sure, though, it was relaxing making the trip to work tonight. Not for any one particular reason… except that it's actually above freezing, and I'm not spending longer putting layers of clothing on than actually getting out the door. It probably hellps that for the second time this year I was able to open every window in the place. Summer's fast approaching, and that means lots of baseball, pizza, caffinated cold beverages, and leaving that apartment as wide open as I possibly can without making it a security risk. How can you possibly go wrong with a plan like that? Too bad it's only for a couple months out of the year. But, what're ya gonna do? I'm sure not complaining.

March 15, 2007

And from the "You're just realizing that now?" department...

The shocking discovery that people pay way too freaking much for rent in Ontario. I mean, I probably don't have much room to complain–I can still aford the not quite modest amount I pay on a monthly basis to the folks who keep a roof over my head. But still. Without getting into specifics, I make per month more than enough to get me by on a day-to-day basis. But that having been said, nearly half what I make per month is sucked up within 2 weeks when the rent's due. Again, I'm not complaining, but if I didn't have a job that pays as well as it is, I'd still be living in Pembroke. Why? Because rent anywhere else is freaking insane. Hell, rent in Pembroke borders on insane some places. If you're lucky, in Ottawa, you can probably get a room for $300/week (I've seen it). Per *week*. That's less per month than I pay and considerably more than any sane person should pay. You almost have to hook up with a real money maker just to get your foot in the door if you can't land a job that isn't in fast food or retail. Not that I want some 18-year-old with a Mcdonald's paycheck and a partygoer personality like I've never seen, but hey, I've been there. I thought about moving out a couple years ago, except… yep, you guessed it. On what I was making, rent per month would kill me. But that's a whole other rent I might get into on a day off when I can devote the whole day to writing said rant. Suffice it to say, though, if they want people to actually be independant, and be contributing members of society, they really should make it a bit easier for people to do so. But then, I never claimed to be able to understand the government. I just pick certain aspects of it and tear into them. Frequently.

March 10, 2007

Now that's some kind of devotion.

Enough ranting for one week. Or until the next time the village misplaces an idiot. Now, we have the just plain unusual. Giving a dog CPR. Now, I wouldn't wanna do that with any of the dogs my parents are currently taking care of (I won't say own, because one of them is mine)–to be blatantly honest, they got breath that'd kill ya. But I guess bad breath is still better than no breath, so it doesn't surprise me all that much that someone's already gone and done that jto a 10-month-old. I dunno. Dogs are kinda like some people's children except better behaved, but… still. There are just some things I won't do. At least not without a nose plug. And that be one of 'em.

February 23, 2007

Insanity: my life summarized.

A whole shitload's happened since I last had time to breathe, let alone post here, so I'll try to squeeze it all into the half hour I have to write before my shift starts. Lessee… where to start.

February 20, 2007

Thank the gods it's Friday.

Yes, I know, calendar-wise it's Tuesday. But so far as my work schedule's concerned, today be Friday, folks. And it didn't come a moment too soon… this week has been completely and utterly insane. And it's still not over yet. I start work again in 10 minutes, and I'm expecting to have just as much relative overall insanity to go through. If I'm lucky, I may get 15 minutes to half an hour today to breathe… between phone calls, I mean. When I get home and subsequently have more time to actually do things, I'll summarize my week. Which translates to there will be an essay. And now, I get my crap together 5 minutes before my shift starts.

February 13, 2007

The secret to pissing people off: write an entry and wait 6 months.

I'd of thought, at least from a general perspective anyway, people tended to stick to commenting to the more recently posted entries, unless you're a spammer/troll/idiot. So why's an entry I posted in June just now getting a response from the very people it was aimed at? Not that I'm complaining, really–it *was*, after all, exactly what I expected. But really. Oh, and, I personally like this one.

I wonder if she even bothered to figure out exactly how old that entry is. Probably not… she just heard someone was criticising her MUD, and thought she'd set the record straight. Welp, it's still crooked, but I'll let you have your delusions. I do just have to point out something, though. If you're gonna try rubbing in the fact a place shuts down, it might actually do you a fair bit of good to know the details. Like, say… when it shut down–no, contrary to the one person's comment in the above posted entry, it wasn't in June. But like I said, I'll let you have your delusions. Just don't be too surprised when reality slaps you in the face. I expect another predictable response to this entry in roughly 6 months. And by then, I'll have forgotten what in the hell you're going on about. But oh well.

January 26, 2007

They heard me think about giving up coffee.

So in an attempt to stop that obvious plot in its tracks, the bastards have gone and developed ways to put caffeine in baked goods. Go for a doughnut and coffee, and only need the doughnut. Hey, and it'll probably be cheaper for you, too. I promise, whether I give up coffee or not, I will never give up caffeine.

January 23, 2007

I officially need more blogs to read.

It's damn near 1 in the morning, I technically don't *have* to be in bed for another hour, and I'm bored as hell. Not to mention I need something to read during down time at work… and hardly anyone on my current llist of blogs actually blogs regularly anymore! … Not that I really have all that much room to talk lately but we're not touching that with a 50-foot pole. Besides nothing exciting happens around here anymore.

Speaking of work, though, for the first time since my first day I actually managed to be considered off as of 11:00, as opposed to the typical 11:30, 12, or 12:30 that's been the norm. I'd actually forgotten what it felt like to be off when I'm supposed to be.. pretty sad considering it'd only been, like, 3 or 4 days. It was nice, though, to just get home before midnight (like I'm busing in -27 degrees C temperatures) and actually relax for a bit, rather than get through the door, get crap ready for the next day, then head for bed. Hm… I get paid this week. Rent comes out next week. Crap. Well, I tried. And I've run out of things to say. Dammit people gimme something to read!

January 12, 2007

One more reason to love my job.

I'd originally planned to skip breakfast. But with free coffee and doughnuts floating around, ya think that'll last long? Hell no. These people with whom I work are awesome. And… hey, I even get paid today. Suhweet.

January 10, 2007

One more reason ya gotta love the ladies.

It's all about the olympics in Canada in 3 years. So it probably shouldn't surprise anyone that one of the best Canadian rock bands is donating 50 cents from every concert ticket sold (by the way, they'll sell a boatload of tickets) to a program for Canada's athletes. In a way, this just makes me wanna go take in a concert just to toss my money into the pot. Getting to hear them live doesn't hurt either. I did that last in 2004, when they were touring to promote their then newest album. So I'm overdue. Anyone wanna come?

January 9, 2007

People amuse me.

I sat here and listened to a recording of a phone call wherein the guy that called in was just plain trying to bate the tech agent into an argument, and all I could think is "I know at least one person who does that for fun". Fortunately she doesn't own a Dell computer. Unfortunately, I still pity whoever she gets a hold of when her laptop goes caput. Those people amuse me, and I can deal with them way too well… but someone's gonna end up in tears. Maybe that's the amusing part.

January 7, 2007

Weekends are for... cleaning?

If you're me, and you live in this apartment, then at least Sunday is. That's exactly what I spent the last 2 hours or so doing (I'm being nice, it felt longer). But, it was still nice to actually have the weekend to myself, and get some time to just shut down for a bit. Friday night was dinner and a movie at my cousin's place, and yesterday was pretty much the same with the exception that yesterday I also borrowed her washing machine. Hey, it beat the fuck out of paying a buck and a half per machine per load, thankyaverymuch. When you take into account that, since I moved up here, this is the first weekend I actually had where I was off, and not busier than I would be at work, all told I'd say it wasn't bad in the slightest. Of course, any weekend wherein an afternoon can be killed shooting the shit over coffee can't be any less than awesome. Anyone who disagrees can move on to the next blog.

The place still probably isn't entirely as clean as I'd like it to be, but… it's definitely clean. So says the stack of dishes sitting on my kitchen counter right now. I love that no matter how busy a week I end up having, I'm always guaranteed at the least two days off with which to play catchup with everything that falls behind while I'm running my ass off. Two days may not always be enough, but for the moment, I sure as hell won't complain. Except, maybe, that they don't pay me to catch up on things around here. But, can't have it all.

January 4, 2007

Gives a whole new meaning to 'kid at heart', don't it just?

Okay, before they shuffle me off to listen to calls, I just wanna point out that this is perhaps one of the most unusual stories I've seen in, well, ages. A 9-year-old girl with the mentality of a 3-month-old is being medically limited in her height and weight. Reading the article, I can definitely agree with what her parents are thinking, really–sure, so she'll live until she's 70, 80 or whatever. But it's not gonna make any difference to her–she'll still probably keep the 3-month-old mentality. They say the treatments they're putting her through are mostly for her benefit, but truth be told, it's probably just as much for theirs–I wouldn't wanna be carrying a 20-year-old girl around because she definitely can't be walking on her own. Can't really sympathise/feel sorry for her because, well, like she knows, cares, or even realizes what's going on. I dunno. There's a whole ethics discussion behind this that I don't wanna get into. The way I see it, they're doing what they think is best for her, and it's probably just as good for them, so I say more power to them. The kid has a right to a healthy, long life, sure, and if this is what her doctors believe will give her that, then… that's really all that matters, no?

January 2, 2007

Different year, same routine.

I've said it before, and probably on here, but it deserves being said again. It's a *really* good thing it's just me living here–I couldn't come up with the time to clean up after anyone else. I got home again today at about quarter to 6, or there about, which is pretty much the usual for me now. That gives me just over 3 hours to go through a to do list of varying lengths depending on the day and what I didn't get done the day before, and then it's time for bed, and we do it all over again the next day. Don't get me wrong, I like what I'm doing–at least I'm never bored, but if I had roommates, knowing my luck they'd be lazier than I ever used to be, and well, like I said I just don't have time for that. My day starts between 3:30 and 4 usually, except for this morning but we'll just ignore that because well, I was dead tired coming on noon. And unless it's a weekend, my day ends at about 9. I dunno when it'll end on the weekend, because I haven't actually had a weekend to myself since I moved up here, what with Christmas related things having gone on.

Ottawa's bus system's apparently running some kind of new schedule, so I'm left to figure out a whole new set of drivers. And I was just getting used to the newbie with the accent, too. Ah well, these ones at least give the appearance of being fairly decent, so we'll see. I'm usually an extreme critic of people in general, so I give it maybe 24 hours and I'll have an entry brewing about how brainless at least one of them is. But for now, they seem fairly decent. One even borders on cool… impressive for a bus driver in this city. He will never actually *be* cool, though, until he can magicly remove the need to wake up insanely early to get to a less insanely early but still insanely early shift.

I probably shouldn't complain too much about the shift I've been stuck with for training–I mean, yeah it's early, okay… fucking early, but then again, I get home between 5 and 6 too. If I had a typical 8-5 shift, I wouldn't get through the door 'til about 7-ish, give or take… maybe closer to 8. Suddenly, a quarter to 7 shift isn't so horrible. But I still don't wanna wake up at 3:30 to get there. As I've said often, I love the job, I hate the shift. But I should probably clarify… I like the shift, I hate needing to take a bus to that shift. But, I bus, so I shall now move my lazy self to bed, so the wake-up call doesn't kill me. And… hey, I actually managed not to jump all over the spectrum of thought in this entry, as opposed to the one at dark o'clock this morning. Go me.

Happy after New Year!

No, this isn't going to be one of those regular occurances wherein I blog about things 2 or more days after they happen, or at quarter after 2 in the morning. Okay, scratch the second one. That one's already a regular occurance. The new years party was awesome. A little dancing, a little alcohol, a lot of good food… all that was missing was a very special person, but unfortunately you just can't drive from BC to here and expect to make any kind of short-term appointments. I did have plenty of fun, though, even if for all the alcohol that was consumed I still felt sober. I dunno what they were serving, but oh my god if it got any more watered down it wouldn't be alcoholic. Aside from that, though, the week I spent in Pembroke, some of which got blogged about already, was… eh… so-so. It was nice spending Christmas and new years with my parents, but I coulda done without the sister-in-law. And probably so could they, to be honest, but eh, 'tis life, no? Only having to work for a day last week and getting paid for the whole week was rockin. And I'll get some nifty little $$$ for not working yesterday either. You can tell I've never actually been employed before… the idea of getting paid to not work amuses me. And… hm. I'm a lot more all over the place with this entry than I'd thought I'd be this early. That's not good. I go wake myself up now.

December 28, 2006

My oficial New Year's plan.

Surprisingly, it doesn't really involve all too much drinking. I mean, yes there will be the not being sober. But this is me we're talking about. There's apparently some form of a party going on on Sunday, and I fully intend to be there this time. Unlike the last few years, wherein I ended up not going for lack of a date, this year I just don't particularly care. I'm going for the food, dammit. If I meet someone, I do. If not, then hopefully the food's good. And this keyboard is pissing me off, so I'm done. Stupid bloody parents' computer…

December 27, 2006

Merry post-christmas!

Yes, I've been absent from blogland. I blame a weekend spent with the Bradie bunch. I thought I'd have time to actually pop on here a minute or two, but… heh, that ain't happening. Go to Pembroke for a small vacation, and wind up with a list of things to do longer than both my arms. In short, uberly uber insane. King of the uber insane. I'd go into more detail, but I only have like 15 minutes to myself here. I will say this much, though. If I see another turkey, it'll be way too soon. Maybe I'll have time later to elaborate on it… or I'll just stick a quiz up here. For now, though? Back to being lectured for me.

Edit:

December 21, 2006

They're not making me get up early!

I'll just get home at the crack of midnight instead. But, I'll take it… why? 'Cuz I likes my sleep, and 3:30 in the morning sucks uber royally. I'll be done my training completely by February, give or take… then they'll probably be all curel at me and make me get up early again. But, for now, I'll take it. If only it started next week…

December 12, 2006

And a small order of progress, please?

Training officially gets underway this morning. In fact, I leave here in… about half an hour to get there. And, somewhat surprisingly, at least to me anyway, I'm not as nervous about being there as I was yesterday. Not as excited either, but… still, not as nervous. Now, I think, I'm more nervous about screwing up the new route I have to take, since the bus I just yesterday actually figured out doesn't run as early as I need it to, so now we get to do all manner of improvising. I wonder if I can end up just bumbing a lift off someone tomorrow. It'll be cheaper, me thinks.

December 8, 2006

I'm back, and mostly unpacked!

And it only took me a small eternity. Seeing as it's now 5:00 in the morning and I've not yet been to bed, I'll try not to make this entry too painfully long. That said, though, I do have one thing to say right quick. Being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, while living in Ottawa, is quite possibly the only bad thing about living in Ottawa. And only because I've yet to see the Leafs actually play a game since I moved here. Not that it matters really, since the games I missed seem to have been wasted efforts anyway–thanks loads, Mike, for briefly catching me up on the train wrecks that were the last 3 games or so. Hm. I start work in… not counting today, 3 days. And there is a chance I will freeze my ass off on my first day. This, compounded by a 4:30 wake-up call on said first day (by the way, uber le damn!), does not make for a truely wonderful beginning to my working experience. But, on the bright side, I get paid to sit there and listen to someone go on and on about things that probably won't even need to be talked about for another month or so, when they actually, you know, become an issue. So, I'll take it. Hmmm… I had more to say, but after banging my head against a wall dealing with my internet people, and staying up until now getting everything working the way it needs to be, I need sleep. And then, I need to go look over certain individuals' blogs I have missed reading over the last week or so. There will be at least one rant later today, that's a guarantee. But for now, I'm moved in, I'm mostly unpacked save the, like, one or two boxes sitting in my closet, and now I actually have my interweb. And now, sleep. Then cleaning. Then potentially laundry. Then ranting. Or maybe ranting then laundry. Or ranting then cleaning. I'll figure it out later. G'night 'n things!

December 1, 2006

Moving day.

In the span of two days, I have managed to get every single thing I needed out of the way, and in record time. Which… actually explains my rather lacking blogness for the majority of those two days. And now, paperwork is in the hands of the Dell folks, rental applications are secured, checks made out, final rounds made to make sure everything's packed, and my parents' computer nearly updated. As I write this, a moving van is outside being loaded, and in less than an hour, I shall be Ottawa bound, a one-way trip to a whole new level of oh my god I've lost my fucking mind. And, on that lovely note, I shall be back with a vengance in very nearly a week's time. You are not allowed to miss me!

November 25, 2006

The 2006 Santa Clause parade.

As we do every year, a good portion of my family–that being a couple of my aunts, a few cousins, my mom, me, and now my future sister-in-law–took in the traditional Pembroke parade tonight, the first time in a long time they actually held the parade in the evening. Not that it was anything too noteworthy, other than the change in time… there was the occasional interesting float, but for the most part, the parade was a little bit on the meh side. I might have been better off going to the one in Ottawa, but of course, that was last week. And there was only one band to start off the thing. Even when compared to last year's parade, this one was a bit disappointing. Also disappointing, though, was that it was the first or second time my sister-in-law had actually been to one of these, and she's lived here as long as or longer than me. Although, I think it's more disappointing that the first or second one she's ever been to sucked so bad as this one. On the bright side, though, at least the parade's suckage wasn't compounded by a loss of feeling in the extremeties, as most often is the case. I just wish that did something for the actual enjoyment factor.

November 23, 2006

Well, this is about time.

The US has apparently finally wisened up, it looks like. Either that or Slashdot is misinforming everyone. Apparently, you are now able, and legally permitted, to break the software lock your cell phone has when you buy it through a specific provider. As if I haven't said it enough already–it's about goddamn time. Now, I'm wondering how far behind that Canada's gonna be. My guess is not very, but… it's Canada. Don't quote me on that. Ah well, on the up side, though, it does kind of reinforce my opinion on most/all things copyright and restrictive. Finally I don't need to switch providers to get a cell phone I actually like! Um… not that I care about the latest in camera phones, but eh.

November 22, 2006

Essays on blindness, and other random things.

It's bloody amazing the things a person can find out when they're not actually doing the work. A friend of mine (that's how you shall be referred to on here 'til you tell me whether or not I can use your actual name, hun, sorry) was doing an essay for a college english course, and the topic was blindness, and whether or not it should be considered a disability. Now, admitedly part of me kinda suspects she picked that topic because she had a bit of an unfair advantage, but hey, whatever works.

Well, in going through the essay with her, kinda helping her to correct it before she handed it in today, I discovered something a little surprising, and a little disturbing. In the span of maybe a week, she'd not only found a fair bit of information I knew about and used on a daily basis, but she uncovered a few things I pretty much had no clue about. Now, I dunno if that says more about her research abilities or my questionable ones, but… still. The essay must have been a good one, if it managed to teach a blind person a thing or two about blindness, no? It was *her* essay, for *her* english class, and I think in some ways, I ended up learning almost as much as she did. That's not fair! I haven't been in college now for damn near 3 years…. I dun wanna start now! LOL

And now, I go finish getting ready to go to a cousin's birthday party… *mutter mutter mutter* 20 freakin' years old, and she's still been reminding everyone for the last week and a half that her birthday's today. Did she expect 50 screaming kids and a birthday party, perhaps? I guess I aughta make a showing, anyway. Since it sounds like not many people are gonna be doing that. Mm, maybe I'll get lucky and at least one other person will have the hockey game on that I'll be missing otherwise. Why couldn't her birthday be on Tuesday…

November 19, 2006

That was too easy.

I've mentioned before I need furniture for the apartment. There isn't anyone in my family who isn't aware of that. I mean, they've all seen my stuff. I can fill a bedroom just fine, but… heh, I've never had my own place before, so filling the rest of it will require some creativity. Or a mother looking for a bar fridge. My parents bought me a minifridge last Christmas, because… well, I buy a lot of my own stuff, and if it goes in the family fridge, it's lible to get eaten before I can get to it–that was true mostly when my brother was home. But, since the place I'm moving into comes with a fridge, and there will be no brother to eat what I don't get to, I have no use for the one sitting on the other side of the room as of once I move out. I've offered to give it to my parents before, since you know, they're the ones who bought the thing for me and it'd save them going out and buying a second fridge to put in their bar when they've got one that won't be used in 2 weeks anyway. And now, we've decided on a trade, of sorts. She gets the fridge, and I get a new kitchen set. Can't complain with that one, really. I mean, still gotta sit on the floor to watch TV, but at least I've got a place to eat! And one less thing I have to spend my money on. I love my mom.

November 18, 2006

So I lied. Sue me.

On the bright side, though, those of you who actually thought I'd be offline for upwards are a month will be pleased–or, perhaps, not–to know it'll only be a week or less. So, yay small fortunes! Or… something. I went into Ottawa yesterday, as I threatened to, and finally got to the signing of the lease. Of course, then we didn't stop there, so spent an hour or two in the afternoon doing a little browsing. Hey, I hate shopping as much as the next person, but I needed furniture. Still do, in fact. So shush already. And somewhere in the insanity that is productiveness, I set up my cable instalation and whatnot, so I *will* have TV the night I move in. Which means I will absolutely not be missing Saturday's hockey game. Unless the bastards put a Senators game on instead, at which point someone will be cursed out to no end. I meant to write this entry last night, but by the time I got home, got everything sorted out, and all that, I was about ready to pass out. So, I kinda half-assed my way through the last entry, shot the shit with a couple people over IM, and then promptly passed out. And now, I go make, find, or invent food. Then finish setting things up for the move. Yay not having a shortage of things to do.

November 16, 2006

Possible Christmas gift from me to... well, me.

Assuming I can scrounge up the $$$ for it, that is, this is something I could find a use for. Start moving some of my MP3's off this computer… or, hell, just stick the screenreader I use on the thing so I can start fixing other people's computers without having to reauthorize. 'Cuz I just hate that. Merry Christmas to me…

Now that's progress.

And I should so be in bed by now, but I'm just… well, sleep isn't happening any time soon. And no, it's not because of the half empty can of coke sitting to my left. Although I suspect that probably won't exactly serve to be a sleep aid. So what has me up at this otherwise ungodly hour? Well, for once, it's not talking to a certain very interesting young lady (more on that when I figure out exactly what's going on). Rather, I did in fact get stuff faxed off. And then I got dragged around the mall for an hour or so while my apparent future sister-in-law (by the way, damn) looked at wedding related things. Then we went to another store, where I started pricing out kitchen sets and the like–yes, I'm going to need furniture. Anyone willing to contribute to the "fill James's apartment" fund can do so at their own leasure. I accept all forms of major creditcards, checks, money orders, cash… or you can just buy me things! *nods*

So, we're looking at one of said kitchen sets, when my cell phone rings. Now, this is like 7:30 or 8:00 at night, mind you, so I'm thinking it's nothing too terribly important–just someone wanting to shoot the shit, that kinda thing–and am about ready to tell them I'll talk to them probably online when I get home. It's a good thing I didn't, though, because it was the phone call that pretty much cieled the deal. I am now the proud rentee of an apartment in Ottawa. The lease gets signed this Friday. Two weeks from then is moving day. And in between now and then, I still have a whole shitload of things to do. I may decide at some point to probably pilfer one of Stacie's ideas, and throw a to-do list up here at some point, just so I don't end up forgetting something. O'course, that doesn't guarantee I won't forget anyway, but at least the next time I look at this thing then I can soundly kick myself for forgetting, and then go about the business of remedying that situation. I'm going to have quite the busy couple weeks… and it's all gonna start tomorrow. And the once half empty can of coke is now empty, which means I should be attempting sleep. Good gawd, the prospect of having something akin to a routine is gonna kill me.

November 11, 2006

I remember.

Ordinarily, I don't really pay much mind to the whole rememberence day thing. I mean, I know its importance and everything, but I suppose until recently, it just… never really made much of a difference from where I sat. So what's changed? Well, before, the only people I might possibly have known who I felt deserved this day, I never actually met. One of those was my great grandfather, who died just after the first world war–to put it in perspective, my grandfather was a kid, then. So needless to say I never knew the guy. My dad and one of my uncles are former millitary. I have an uncle who's still in the millitary, and currently serving in Afghanistan. My brother and one of my cousins are going through basic training, and they could end up in Afghanistan or elsewhere. I won't say that bothers me–they said themselves that's one of the reasons they joined–but it does give a day like this a whole new meaning for me. Although, I'd be lying if I said some small part of me didn't hope one of these ceremonies isn't all we're gonna have left of either of them.

November 10, 2006

I have decided, I need something to play with.

And to that end, perhaps someone who randomly happens to read this thing will have an opinion… do I go Gravatar, or do I just leave things as is? I'm leaning towards leaving things as is, but then again, I *am* lazy–that, everyone's well aware. The opinion box, better known as comments, are wide open. However, anyone who comes back with some response akin to 'stop being so damn lazy' will find themselves hunted and summarily shot. Or at the least ignored. You have been warned.

And we start all over again.

On one hand, I'm mildly encouraged by the fact I'm now exactly where I was almost 2 weeks ago, but on the other, I was kind of expecting to be a little farther along in the proceedings by now. But, I feel a little more confident, at least, in saying I'll actually be able to start this time in December as opposed to the before speculated January. Thank the gods for the huge rental listing that appears to be the Ottawa Citizen. At the moment, I have 3 definite places to look at on Monday, and 2 that I'm hoping will call me back today, to make it 5 in all. I'm leaning dangerously close to confirming that December start date with Dell, too, so the sooner that gets done, over with and settled, the sooner we can get that going. Damn, do I ever feel accomplished. That didn't take much at all.

November 9, 2006

The shortest distance between two points is under construction.

I've been quiet on here for a very good reason. It's been dead quiet around here the last couple days. I can't even find anything ridiculously amusing to laugh at on here in the news… although, if I wanted to temporarily lower my standards I'm sure I could come up with something. Still trying to find a start date for this little attempt at a job of mine that won't cause me to go completely and totally insane, still trying to find a place to live, still getting irritated at the lack of any real progress with either, you know the drill. And all that whilst making sure someone else doesn't go completely and totally insane thanks to her own problems. By the time everything gets set up on this end, I'm gonna need a small vacation… LOL And now, back to trying to get some answers. And such.

November 7, 2006

Don Cherry has surprised me.

And not for the reasons you'd think, either. He showed up at the house of commons, got booed by the Block Quebecois (who cares about them anyway?), then proceeded to dash any hopes he might have a differing opinion on politics. Instead, he openly admited to being a Harper supporter. Granted, it sounds like it's just on the whole support for the troops thing, but… seriously. "I support Steven Harper" are 4 words I did not want to hear out of the mouth of the man who's opinions I mostly respect. Ah well, no one's perfect. Even he must be allowed his mistakes, I suppose.

November 6, 2006

The difference between hero and hated is a game.

If Raycroft had been in net for the Florida game, in which we soundly got spanked, he probably wouldn't have been named one of this week's 3 stars. But, he wasn't, and he was. Ah, I do love the ins and outs of the hockey world. And now, Raycroft has his own personal 3 game winning streek going on. Will he make it 4 tonight? Will the Leafs make it 2 in a row for the second time this season? Well, if not, I won't be the only one uncovering the dictionary of 4-letter words, I'm sure.

November 5, 2006

And tomorrow starts another's trek to soldierdom.

Well, that day has come. My parents will have dropped my brother off by now, and are on their way back home. And this house is going to be an aweful lot quieter for the next week or two. And then, a hell of a lot quieter after that as I move to Ottawa in preparation for starting work. Blah, seems just 6 months ago I was complaining about my lack of employment, and his ability to get himself fired from just about any job he chooses. What a bloody difference 6 months make, I tell you. It almost makes me wonder where we'll all be in another 6. Well, okay, so I know where I'll be in another 6. It's everyone else who's the questionmark. Okay, one less thought to cross my mind, then.

November 4, 2006

The things we talk about on a Saturday afternoon...

So an IM conversation I was involved in somehow got onto the topic of whether or not a blind man could actually own a car. How that happened, or why, is still anyone's guess. But, in doing so, I discovered something perhaps too glaringly obvious about the system that regulates vehicle ownership up here. There's more goddamn red tape involved than you can shake a stick at. Thank the gods I don't drive…

October 26, 2006

Small victory for the antitrash policy!

Canada 1, idiotic US judge 0. After being willingly tossed from the US, a convicted sex offender found himself rather quickly arrested at the border. And all I can say is, oh, hell, yes. I wonder if this creap will see jail time after all… *rubs his hands together*

October 19, 2006

Oh, if only mister Ignatieff wasn't running for leadership of a dead party.

Already, he did the first smart thing I've seen any liberal do in quite a while. He made blatantly obvious the fact that everyone's favourite president–taken with as much or as little sarcasm as you please–is a disaster. Hm, I've said that at least twice on here that I can specificly remember, though not in those exact words. Now, if he were the leader of the NDP, he'd get my full congratulations. But, instead, he's a goddamn liberal and I'm sick of them screwing us over. Ah well, can't have it all.

October 13, 2006

Well, that's better...

Okay, now that I can pretend to be awake, let me see if I can't… at least summarize yesterday without making myself look and sound like an idiot. It'll be damn near impossible, but hey, I could pull off a miracle. Possibly.

Before I get into anything, though, I'll say right now anyone who tells me being up and actually on the road for 15 hours is fun deserves to be shot, pissed on, and strung up by their hair. Now, with that having been said, getting up at 6 to be in Ottawa by 9 for an interview that started at 1 is no fun. Fortunately, mom had an appointment she had to get out of the way, so we were able to get that done and still had time to swing by a decent restaurant for breakfast (by the way, Cora's (probably misspelled) is bad if you expect to eat a light breakfast). Then it was to the interview, which was a whole adventure in itself. First off, the directions we got were a bit misleading, so we thought the place I had to be was actually closer than it was. To look at the directions, it looked like the office complex was kinda right on the corner of two streets, in an area where, you know, it'd be hard to miss. Wrong answer. So we ended up guessing at exactly where the place was. We weren't far off, though, so it only really took us, maybe, about 5 minutes longer than it should have. And 3 of that was finding a place to park (visitors' parking is just not heard of in Ottawa, apparently). So we finally get in there, and keep in mind I had to be there 15 minutes early for the interview, I guess to give me time to clear the security checkpoints and such, and the first thing they want me to go through apparently is a manager's meeting. Okay, so no problem. Figure it'd take that maybe half an hour. Well, it did. Unfortunately, it took 10 minutes longer than it should have for it to start–I was there on time, but where was he? God only knows.

We finally got that out of the way, though, relatively painlessly, and he ended up asking me a lot of primarily technical/work experience questions (since when the hell do we still use MS DOS on a regular basis, anyway?). I think I did alright with that, though, considering the oddness of some of the questions. Then I waited another 5-10 minutes (they do like their waiting games) for the HR person who set up this whole thing so we could get onto the customer service assessment/simulation/thing, whatever the fuck it is you wanna call it. To say that was brutally tedius would be a grose understatement. I mean, I know the job itself calls for some degree of tedium, but that was just… over the top. It started alright enough, though, with anywhere from 150 to 200 questions related to the kind of person you are and work experience/preferences, that kinda thing–think personality survey. I think I did alright with that. Then they put me through 7 simulated customer service situations, 1 via a simulated chat environment, and 6 pre-recorded script-driven calls, or somesuch, for a fictional GPS tracking company. If you've never done call center/customer service work, I'll warn you right now–bring a notebook or a good memory. That was a simulation for an interview and I still had a hell of a lot of crapola to memorise. I managed, though, considering I only had 5 minutes to memorise it, and the only particulars I had to look at were the minor, customer-specific things, for obvious reasons. I think, with the exception of 1 or 2 where I know I kinda fubared the answers a little, I did alright on that section. We shall have to see, though. It was pretty rappid fire–you'd get done one simulated exchange, then they'd sorta quiz you on it. Then you'd move right into the next one. So at least in that regard I didn't have time to think about where I could have maybe done things a bit differently.

All told, the interview must have lasted a good 3 and a half hours, easily. Officially the longest interview on my personal record to date. I'll hopefully hear back, the HR person told me, in anywhere from 5 to 10 days, so… we shall see. 'Twas a learning experience, though, if nothing else, and definitely showed me that's something I'd at the very least like to learn more about doing, if not make a career out of it. It seems to be a bit more… I dunno, relaxed than what I thought, which is kinda a good thing. In between meetings, I was sitting in the front lobby talking with someone who's doing the same job I was being interviewed for, just kinda killing a few minutes before we had to go do our own things–apparently, he was applying to move to a different position–and I'm guessing they don't try to enforce a strict average call time. Either that or he just got unlucky… we were both rather amused over a call he took the night before that took him 3 hours to resolve, and it ended up being something rediculously simple–the laptop the customer bought had a network card his router wouldn't support. That'd be a kick in the teeth… 3 hours just to be told to replace the card or get a new router. So that was a decent distraction, anyway.

Of course, after the interview was over came the mandatory 3 hours of boredom–my mother and my aunt, in the same vehicle, in a city with at least 6 malls, maybe more. You can see where this is going. Lots of wandering through stores I have no interest in, and no actually buying anything. So after that interview, I got to try to stay awake for 3 hours while they browsed supposedly decent-looking art work, and other asorted pictures, then went clothing/jewelry shopping. My uncle, who had an appointment at the same time as my interview so at least they had something else to do while I was occupied, was probably less enthused with the idea than I was, and he can see the damn things. We'd planned to swing past my cousin's place, but apparently there was no one home… so we ended up going out for supper (by the way, Montana's is just bad, period) instead, then we headed home. And then I caught the last 5 minutes of a hockey game (rant about that mess to follow in a few minutes), thought about updating, half-ass attempted to update, and passed out. And now, I shall stay home today, and actually inside, unless I absolutely have to leave… because it is fucking *freezing* out there.

October 11, 2006

But I don't *get* nervous...

So why am I about the interview tomorrow? I mean, only a little… but… eh. Still. Nervous is not me. I think it's a lot to do with the fact it took, like… 2 months to get this far, but I dunno. I'm not worried about not getting this job, I mean someone thinks I'll land it if they already went out of their way to make arangements so I could get their computer assessment thing done, which the HR person makes sound like it's just a formality anyway. Ah well, we'll know in about… 28 hours whether or not I bombed the interview completely. In the meantime, I'm going to distract myself. If you have no clue what the hell job interview I'm talking about, look at the calendar entry for that date (that's why it's plastered on the site, after all), or read back through these entries. And now, I turn my attention to figuring out why it is a country band will go and remake a song that's less than 10 years old. Random, yes. Blame the station I'm listening to.

October 10, 2006

Ponderings

After spending, roughly, a day or so tinkering with Word Press (No, I'm not abandoning my Moveable Type yet), I have discovered in that way that really makes me wonder what the hell I do with my free time 3 things I didn't know about me and blogging software.

I learned a lot, though, surprisingly. It's kind of amazing how much you can find out just by taking a couple hours and messing around with software and crap. And that's what I've been doing for the last couple days, instead of popping up with all kinds of sarcasm and other such randomness on this site–I know, I know, the 3 of you who read this didn't miss me much anyway. I've learned, though, it's not the kind of thing I'd want running this blog. Although, I suspect, that's primarily because I *just* got finished beating my head against the wall figuring out MT's inner workings so I didn't break this site–not for the first time–while I'm attempting to change something. I don't wanna go through all that with a new system again! Well, okay, so maybe eventually I will. If, for whatever reason, a natural disaster happens to come up and this blog's completely and totally whiped out. Hm… but since I'm on the topic, anyone want a free blog? I've got the space for it…

October 7, 2006

You'd think it was Christmas.

Between the baking, shopping, and just generally lazing around that's been done today, and the fact in just under 2.5 hours there will be hockey on at least one TV set, you'd certainly get that impression. But, no, this is just our premature thanksgiving dinner, done tonight rather than Monday when it traditionally would be done because tonight's the only night wherein people will actually be home. We've almost been going non-stop since early-ish this morning–when we do something like this, we generally like to overdo it. Translation: there will be food left over to feed a family twice our size for a week. There's usually plenty to do, and we often don't have to worry about everyone not finding something with which to keep themselves busy. That I have time to sit here and write this surprises me, really. It's a little out of the ordinary, how we're doing it this year, but oh well. All that means is come Monday, it'll be just another day for us, and we'll be ready for the grind that is going to be the next week. I have a feeling I'm going to be quite thankful when Friday gets back around to us…

Oh my.

When they say a political campaign should catch the attention of the voters, I'm… quite sure they didn't think someone would actually take it at skin value. But, I was told once the spanish do have a tendency to take things very… uh, literally. Hey, the public and even the opposition isn't objecting to it, so… whatever works. I wish people around here were that creative sometimes. Of course, that said, some people around here would be shot if they were that creative. For those people, I'm just thankful I can't see.

October 6, 2006

Do the Leafs need another center?

Someone obviously thinks we do. It's being circulated that they've come to some kind of an agreement with Boyd Devereaux, who used to play for the Coyotes and before that the Red Wings. Well, I guess we'll find out eventually if we need yet another body plugging the hole at center. Like, say, if someone ends up victimised by another Dany Heatley. In the meantime, though… uh, well, at least the minor league team's got an experienced man. I suppose.

October 5, 2006

Could mister Harper be a Leafs fan?

He won't say. But, there be speculation afoot, and his being all smiles when they scored last night is certainly fueling that fire. Can't say it'd surprise me, seeing as he *is* Toronto born, but… the irony of it is just too amusing. I wonder if this will spark the all too familiar Senators crowd's irritation level a little…

Just 3 more hours..

This damn dog of my brother's is supposed to be leaving at 2. Provided, of course, I don't kill him before then. God it can't come fast enough…

October 4, 2006

Apple and DRM can go right to hell!

I've ranted about the stupidity of DRM plenty before, so we'll just leave that topic alone. But I would just like to point out the amusement factor that comes with the topic. Particularly in the form of the nod from Slashdot that my web host's latest down with DRM got them. I knew there was a reason I picked these guys that wasn't solely based on the fact everyone else would have fried my account ages ago just based on disk usage alone. Sorry, 150 MB just doesn't cover it nowadays. Hm… which reminds me. I have another post to make in a bit…

October 3, 2006

I feel all accomplished and such.

After spending nearly an hour in wallmart when I only had to go there for, like, 1 or 2 things but my mother decided she'd buy something from every sale coming, which I suppose shouldn't surprise me but anyway, we finally got into the music store so the guitar that's been threatened to be bought could actually be purchased. It was worth the wait, though… it plays well, as evidenced by the fact anyone who's ever picked up a guitar just had to try it out. So that's one more thing to be taken off my to do list. I've already pretty well numbed my fingers picking at the thing today, and I plan to get back to it… eh… a bit later on. It's not bad, though. For about $313, after taxes and what have you, I walked out of the store with what I figure is a fairly decent deal. The guitar itself was supposed to be something like $249 or something, but the guy selling it to me knocked $20 off the price, then tossed a case, extra strings, and picks for about $40. Not bad, when you consider the strings themselves were originally $13. It amused me, though, to a degree… I've only been there a grand total of maybe 3 or 4 times in the 3 years I've lived here. Yet the guy doing the selling to me recognised me from one of those times, presumeably when I bought my piano from there, because I decided to kill like 15 minutes dinking around on one of their display models. It was all kinds of nifty and such. And completely irelevant to the entry as a whole, but like I care. We ended up just shooting the shit about all kinds of crap, and I got the number off him for a piano teacher that does her instructing kind of on her own but through them, some kind of arangement where she just rents the studio space from them but takes care of her own affairs, so I can talk to her probably tomorrow, and tell this dimwit I'm finishing up with tomorrow that I'm sick of taking my lessons at a different time each week or not at all–explanations of a clarifying nature to come when I'm bored. So yeah, today was actually a surprisingly productive day. Not bad for a lazy sack-o-crap.

And, because I'm due for a random topic jump, more positive news. My brother's gone to basic training in…. *checks* 33 days. I'll get into the specifics of hours, minutes and seconds when it actually gets decided exactly when he's being kicked out. In the meantime, though, the countdown begins! Maybe he'll come out of basic a bit more mature…. eh, one can always hope. I do have to kind of feel sorry for my mother in a way, though. With him going to the millitary, my dad usually on the road and me hopefully getting this job, there doesn't exist much company for mom, who'll pretty much have the place to herself when we all clear outa here. And the girl can't even go anywhere because someone still needs to stick around and make sure the bills get paid, and such. But, on the bright side I suppose, she'll have more reason to spend her days off in, say, Ottawa. Or Quebec. Or… take a couple weeks' vacation and go travel with dad. Ah, who am I kidding? She won't even notice we're gone. Much.

October 1, 2006

Go shopping for a guitar and end up with clothes. Go figure.

The original plan was to drop my brother off at work, then get a bit of household shopping out of the way, before we went to at least price out a decent-sounding guitar so I can actually give my uncle's back to him. Well, we managed to get 2 of the 3 accomplished, getting the shopping and such done by about noon, so figured the music store which, actually, is the only real decent place around here to buy things like that (no duh, right?) would have to be open by now. You'd think they would. Unless, of course, they weren't open at all on Sundays, which just so happened to be the case. Irritating, but it's Pembroke. I should have expected that. The alternative was Wallmart and, well, of all the things I'm likely to buy from Wallmart, a guitar is most definitely not one of them. Specificly because they overcharge for crap like that, and then you end up paying $150 for a guitar that sounds like it's only worth about $75. No thanks. So, it's back to square 1, and waiting for the music store to actually be open late enough that we can get in after we get the rest of the week's bullshit out of the way. One of these days, I'll manage to get everything accomplished that I left the house to get accomplished. One of these days. Just not any time soon.

September 29, 2006

I don't remember school being such a bitch...

And even then, I really have no idea how bad it'd have to be for someone to show up to school with a gun and blow the hell out of teachers, other students… whichever. And yet, it happened in Colorado, it happened in Montreal, and it happened in Whisconsin. A student showed up at school, and before classes even started for the day, and put a couple rounds in the school's principal. Maybe I'm just too naive for my own good, but… since when did school, of all places, become *that* terrible a place to be? I've been known to skip a class or few, don't get me wrong, but… that? Hm. I guess we all react differently under stress…

September 25, 2006

The longest attempt to set up an interview, *ever*...

… May very well come to fruition in about 2 weeks. That's when the interview that's been in the works for at least 2 months has finally, tentatively, been scheduled for. Tentatively meaning, subject to change depending on when the hell I can hitch a ride to Ottawa. Damn, with a job preparation timeline like this, the job had better damn well be guaranteed to me. Or at least hard for me to avoid getting hired for. The really sad part is, the reason it took this long to be tentatively scheduled for 2 weeks from Thursday is completely and totally out of the hands of the Ottawa office I'm hopefully going to be working for. To explain that, though I'll need to do what I'm famous for and sidetrack a little.

Anyone who's actually read more than 3 lines on this blog knows I'm blind, and use a screenreader. Specificly, JAWS for Windows, designed by Freedom Scientific. That lovely little piece of software, as useful as it is, comes with a nice little price tag. And they aren't always as quick on the uptake as I think they should be when it comes to shipping. One of these days, barring lazyness, I'll upload a demo of just what the hell I manage to do with that software installed and running. But suffice it to say, you're reading a small part of the result of that program.

Okay, with that explanation or sorry attempt at one out of the way, back to the original point of this entry. So, the majority of the delay was a waiting game on everyone's part. The HR person I've been talking to has pretty much been running circles between their IT department, their financial department, and presumeably the company linked above who makes the screenreader, trying to put things in place so I can actually do the computer things their interview requires. I can only imagine how much of a pain in the ass it is trying to justify that kind of a price tag just for the sake of an interview. Someone either really likes my resume or has lost their freakin mind. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. Then, it was all about the waiting for the screenreader to get from the developers to the office it'll actually be used in. And, in someone's infinite wisdom, it was getting here by way of Texas. So that meant waiting until they got around to shipping it to Texas, then waiting until whoever picked it up in Texas to get around to shipping it to Ottawa. And all the while, the HR person's calling me every so often with the all too familiar "I'm still waiting on it, but your resume hasn't moved". So apparently, he's been calling for a couple hours, trying to get a hold of me today, and I just finally actually got on the phone with him about half an hour ago–I do believe he sounded more relieved that it was over and done with than I'd originally expected. So now, I arange transportation, let him know when I'll be showing up, and finally actually get this interview out of the way so they can tell me to take my qualifications and shove 'em up my ass. Or hire me. Whichever. So, 2 weeks from now, rather than sitting in front of a computer looking for work and randomly dropping opinions on this thing, I'll hopefully be sitting in front of a computer, giving them a reason to hire me, and maybe if they feel like being nice dropping an opinion or two on this thing. But probably not. I'm gonna miss being an unemployed, lazy sod… but at least I'll be doing something!

September 24, 2006

I am lazy, and lazy is me.

There is absolutely nothing planned for the day, except to just sit around, watch a little TV, and just… generally do nothing. I approve of this. After doing fifty thousand things through the course of the last week or so, and still having fifty thousand more to do this coming week, it's a unanimous decision that today shall officially be slackers day. There's a nice breeze going on outside, which… is probably where I should be right now, but I think instead, I'm going to haull my lazy self downstairs, and pick a little at the guitar my uncle loaned me until I decide whether or not I'm sticking with the lessons enough that I actually go put the money down on my own. I keep threatening to do that at some point, but… yeah. That'd require free time. Maybe if I just tack it onto the bottom of my to do list… right under finding a job. No, wait, then it'll never get done. Ah well. I'll work on something resembling a schedule or something later. Lazy is today.

September 22, 2006

Holy hell.

This is the first time I've actually been able to sit down since, well, this morning. I mean, there was the span of like… 10 minutes wherein email got checked, people got replied to, and pixies got kinda sorta somewhat teased, but actually sitting down, not since before I did the unthinkable and got out of the house for the day. A whole lot of nothing got accomplished, though, as usual… went all over hell's half aker getting financial crap sorted out, that took up the bulk of the day, followed immediately by grocery shopping–because I do occasionally actually do that.

We got all that out of the way, though, then went for dinner to kind of cellebrate, I guess, the fact my brother managed to pass the.. uh, physical assessment thing they do as a prerequisit for getting into the millitary. This made me realise two things. He's actually trying to get back on his feet, and getting into a job he'll actually enjoy, or at least not get himself fired from within 3 months. And, holy shit he's trying to be semi-mature. I thought that impossible 6 months ago. Of course, that was when he was all unemployed and borrowing/spending more money than he had coming in, and generally being a pain in everyone's ass. I was almost tempted to flat out ask him who the fuck he was and what the hell he did with my brother. And his girlfriend was actually conversational for a change, rather than just being all stuck-up and bitchy. Surprised the hell out of me. She may yet turn out not to be the sister-in-law everyone wants to strangle. We shall have to see about that, though. As long as they don't end up getting married before I do, I could really care less. If they get married at all, that is. Well, okay, so I could care less either way. I think if they ever get married at all my mother's gonna have a heart attack. He is not the marrying type… he'd have to actually settle down first. Not gonna happen. But, he hasn't run like hell away from the possibility yet… just as long as I don't end up an uncle within the next year. Neither one of them is in a position for that. And I'm doing all sorts of jumping all over the place here so uh, finding something else to do now.

September 19, 2006

Having that much fun should not be allowed.

After much shuffling of schedules, we managed to kill pretty much the entire day in Ottawa, and for once, it wasn't the type of killing a day that makes you want to just go home, flake out, and try to forget that you actually left the house to be bored to tears. I discovered a few things that managed to surprise me, too. Like… my brother can actually be kind of hillarious, when he's not got a chip on his shoulder. And, just because you aranged to have a prescription ready the day before you're supposed to go to pick it up does not mean it'll be there the day you go to pick it up. In fact, the paperwork will still be on the desk of the nurse who was supposed to have sent it to the farmasy. And, hm… you can actually go to Ottawa and back in under 12 hours and for less than $200. There's other things, too, but I don't wanna think anymore. Well, that, and most of it would require quoting certain parts of conversations with Trish, and that's just way too much damn typing for me. Still, I think I learned enough for one day, at any rate.

September 16, 2006

So I relented...

And against what is obviously my better judgement, I've broken down and finally installed Skype. I have no clue why, other than the fact certain individuals, who shall remain nameless (I'm talking about you, miss L), have been insisting upon my downloading it. I can't guarantee it'll actually get used, but now at least I can claim I have it. Hm… now I don't have an excuse not to talk to people. Damn me and my making everyone happy.

September 13, 2006

Well now, if that's not motivation to move to Ottawa...

A guy I haven't actually talked to in, well, ages, since my time at Algonquin College, just IMed me with a very… tempting offer. One that might almost be worth the hour and a half trip from here to Ottawa once a week. Apparently, he's managed to hook up with several people I used to go to highschool with, though what the hell they're doing in Ottawa is anyone's guess, and they're getting together some type of recreational goalball league. Which, of course, if I wasn't an hour and a half away I'd be all over, if only because some of the named players are, at the worst case possible, an excuse to test your reflexes–I've played with, and against, most of these people. They hurt. But it's awesome fun. People who've never heard of the sport will probably give me all kinds of strange looks. But that's what Wikipedia's for. I even did the work for you. Now someone find me a job so I can move to Ottawa and play.

September 12, 2006

In China, car drives you.

Or tries to, anyway. A Chinese company demoed a driverless car that topped out at 37 MPH without leaving the road, or hitting anything. Small progress, but 'tis still progress. Some people may not think all too highly of a driverless car, but hey, as long as it knows where it's going, and has a proven safety feature or 6, I don't see how it'd be so bad. But then, a small part of me is still holding out for that tiny chance that it becomes so easy, a blind man could do it. Because, as much as I don't like taking handouts from people, I don't like not having a choice but to hitch a ride, either. It's inconvenient for me, and I'm sure it's inconvenient for the borrowed driver. And Pembroke's rather pathetic transit system means you either drive, go with someone who's driving, or stay home–there are no grocery stores, or anything of the sort in walking distance. Hell, it's a half-hour walk to the cool aunt's place. Try doing that in 20 below.

September 10, 2006

If my relatives had blogs...

I think, for the most part, I would be quite… frightened. Although, I've given some thought to twisting my cousin and her husband's arm to get themselves one… those two would, at the least, be extremely amusing to read. And I've got the space for it… hmmm. *ponders* But, anywho. Outside of those two, I think I'd be afraid to learn anyone in my family actually kept one of these. They scare me in person… I don't wanna know what the hell goes through their heads on a daily basis. This of course assuming they actually bothered to update the thing, or didn't break it inside of 3 minutes. Technically inept is the family's bigest understatement.

What got me on that train of thought was my cousin and her husband stopped by for about 15 minutes, before they headed back to Ottawa, just for the sake of shooting the shit. I hadn't actually heard from them in a few months, so it was nice. Now, if we can just get them to remember my phone number *can* be called from Ottawa…

September 9, 2006

Yes, I'm a geek.

So it probably shouldn't surprise you that I've got the TV set on the news channel in expectation of the shuttle's launch this morning in 9 minutes from the time of this post. I dunno, I think I blame Star Trek for the fact I have an interest, even if it's a passing one, in the US's space program. Hopefully, the thing actually gets off the ground today… I've made a point to watch it this morning, which is a far cry from Friday's launch when, had it actually gone according to plan, I wouldn't have been home and so would have ended up missing it. Okay, they're doing the kinda pre-launch interview, so I think I'll go flake out and sort of pay attention to this here. Geekdom is awesome.

September 8, 2006

I got free food, and such!

And it only meant going to the clinnic so certain people could get stuff looked at, and spending 2 hours in a grocery store. But it was free! And food! Yeah, I'm easily excited… big freakin' deal. It's out of the house, anyway. And away from the insanity contained withint. And now, back to the grind…

September 7, 2006

The linux of beer is upon us!

Because open source isn't restricted to *just* software, this probably shouldn't surprise you. Anyone who's ever used an application similar to… well, just about anything that runs on the linux operating system for one, a la wordpress, movable type, and all that, is very familiar with the concept of open source–use the software for what you want, change it if you so desire, extend it as you wish, but making those changes public is strongly encouraged. And now, 'twould appear the rules of open source have left the software community, and entered the world of beer. I dunno, could be interesting. Hey, if any of the big US breweries start following that business model (ha, right) it might not be quite so uh… watered down. Could happen. And windows could be open source, too. Not.

September 5, 2006

Better than a kick in the head...

… It's a possible timeline. IE: the guy I gotta talk to about a job is thinking he'll hopefully be able to call me back next week and schedule me in for an interview. So, it's not a definite yes yet, but he's still not told me to go right to hell. And so far, that's the most response I've gotten out of any job application I've tossed out there. That part should probably frustrate me to no end, but… oddly enough, it doesn't. Or maybe it's just because I haven't thought about it much. Either way, it works for me. Hopefully, there is an interview. And, hopefully, a job to follow.

Sorry Edmonton, you might have lost me. Not that I can afford the relocation fees anyway. Coolness does not a plane ticket make.

September 2, 2006

Why I love saturday mornings.

Me, mom, and my aunt made the ritual trip for breakfast, just for general shooting the shit's sake and well, because we could. As much as I despise family gossip, when we do it it actually gets to be quite… uh… well, amusing. But then, we don't go putting our own twists on things either, so that probably has something to do with it. It's almost a shame it only happened once this week… she's probably the one aunt I can actually say I'm close to. Of course, half of them are just plain irritating and the other half are brainless, and like every family I'm sure, we have that one aunt who's just a manipulative bitch and there's no way in hell around it, so I guess there's a reason this one's the one I'm closest to. LOL

You'd think, my cousins being more my age or there abouts, I'd be closer to them… but most of them have yet to get beyond the stage where a good time equates to driving at speeds somewhere around 3 times the speed limit with something/things of alcoholic nature in the trunk, and well, that just isn't me. I rarely drink for starters, and the last time I checked they don't give a driver's license to a blind man. I do have one cousin who's older than I am that I'm close to, but explaining that one needs an entry all on its own and I'm already way the hell off my original topic.

Anyway, we'd originally planned (mom and I) to just go grab a coffee, and pick up a couple things at the store, seeing as my brother was supposed to have been at work this morning and mom had to drive him in. Then, fortunately my aunt called, warning us to stay put… which was a good thing because, at the same time I was talking to her, mom discovered my brother, in that way the immature tend to do, had at some point while we were asleep left us a note saying he was staying at his girlfriend's place (yes, the bitch who manages to make the english teacher I had in grade 9 look angelic). So needless to say the day didn't exactly get started off on a very positive note. Well, aside from the fact we went for breakfast and he was just a little irritated we didn't invite him… ha. Call it poetic justice. Or revenge. Whatever works. I'm cruel when I haven't had my coffee yet. You've been forewarned. But, anyway, aunts with vehicles meant we still got what we needed to get done out of the way today, so all is right in the world. I've had my coffee, and I do believe in spite of the fact he's an irresponsible moron, my brother may have actually for the first time in his working life gotten to a job on time. Or at least not 15 minutes late. On his own. *marks it in the calendar*

Plans for the rest of the day are still in development… I'm sure I'll have something to actually complain about later. There's talk of ending up at my grandma's at some point today… she always gives me something to bitch about. Hey, I never said I lead an interesting life. But, you're the poor soul who's reading it.

September 1, 2006

Happy September!

Ordinarily I wouldn't even be thinking that, since you know, September = dangerously close to freezing temperatures, but… it also means 33 days to hockey! … 17 if you include preseason. Suddenly, freezing cold doesn't look all that horrible. As long as I'm not outside in it. And no, Erin, Buffalo is not going to do as well or better this season than they did last. Buffalo is going to *suck* this year. *suck*, I say. … Okay, I'm done. Until they lose. And then, I shall write an entire essay on how and why they suck this year. Mwa.

Oh, and for crying out loud if you're gonna brag about havin' a blog, damn well let me read it, girl! LOL

August 31, 2006

Proof

It is now a proven fact. Certain foods have undesireable affects on clothing. Note to self: peanut butter is bad, mm'kay?

August 30, 2006

No news is... well, not bad, I guess.

Still no word on the interview with Dell that's been put on hold for nearly a month now. At least, nothing concrete that says it's going through… apparently they're still ironing out a couple details. *shrugs* I dunno. I keep regular contact with the guy so at worst he'll just agree to get it over with so I'll stop harassing the royal hell out of him. I fired off a couple more applications today, though, so in case that one falls through one of those *should* get me at least a callback. Should. In theory. At least I'd hope so anyway. Fortunately most of what I'm applying for is tech support type positions, so what I don't already know they'll probably train into me before they actually turn me loose, assuming it even gets that far. The only solid guarantee at this point is I'll be leaving Pembroke. Where I'll be moving to, though, is entirely up in the air, dependant on what pans out from these applications. Ideally, I'd like to stay in Ontario, so the likely places to move are probably Ottawa, Toronto, or London… maybe Guelf, but that's probably stretching it a little. I could probably get away with moving elsewhere if the situation gets desperate enough, I'd just rather not. I'd like to actually know people if I'm gonna be moving anywhere, and well, any friends I used to have outside of Ontario mostly had millitary families as well, so probably aren't even around anymore. Not to mention that whole being out on their own thing people tend to like to do about now. Anywho, my fingers are officially getting tired after those applications, so 'tis time I did something that didn't involve a computer for a bit. Probably post something later on.. like another job application. Or a quiz. But probably another application. Someone hire me before I go postal.

August 29, 2006

Well, it's as good an explanation as any.

Okay, so I'm neither Japanese nor a psychiatrist, but there's still a lot about this story that I can agree with. Particularly speaking as someone who really doesn't rely on things like facial expressions and such. I think that's what makes it extremely easy for me to tell when something's bothering someone, to be honest. Not so much because I have a medical degree, or anything like that, but.. hm. Let's see how well I can explain myself here without making me sound like a complete and utter idiot.

People who can see find it incredibly easy to rely solely on the more obvious, and often more deceptive, visual queues. It's easy for someone to force a smile and accompany it with the usual 'I'm fine', or 'It's just stress', or something similar. And it's equally easy for other people to accept that, and move on–if it doesn't look like there's a problem, then there can't be much of one, can there? That, I think, is a huge difference with me; I can't see a person's facial expressions, so I have to rely on the less obvious, but really still just as easy to spot, non-visual clues. It's surprising how many ways people can signal there's something wrong without their even realising it. Anything from their tone of voice, to the way they enter a room… things most people miss, because they either can't, or don't want to, see past the false smile.

Now, I'm not gonna sit here and say I pull a Star Trek, where I can instantly know what someone's thinking/feeling, but sometimes, I do think I get more of an indication of it than most people, just because I don't have that pleasant little 'Everything's just peachy' image to give me a reason to miss those other… I dunno, warning signs, I guess. Of course, just because I can usually tell doesn't mean I'm going to mention it–it isn't my business. I subscribe to the theory that if people want me to know, they'll tell me. If they don't tell me, then I probably shouldn't be asking unless I'm in the mood to be told to fuck off. On a scale of 1 to 10 so far as loaded questions goes, it's been my experience when it comes to seeing other people, at least, 'What's wrong' rates right up there as about a 1. It can be the best, and the worst, question you could possibly ask or be asked, especially if there *is* something wrong–one of the reasons I don't ask. That, and it's not my business… see above. Heh… it's kind of amusing, in a few ways. I've been told by a few people I should consider a career as a therapist. My response is usually the same… therapists are good for what they do, but who wants to spill their life story to someone they don't know for $30 an hour? It's hard enough doing it with someone you actually know, for free. And, personally, I'd much rather fall into the latter category… I like to actually know the person if they're gonna fall apart in front of me. That whole comfort thing, I guess. But, hey, at least someone's taking those few people's advice… and, like the title says, it's as good an explanation as any.

August 25, 2006

This thing is way too political.

Small side-effect to the fact there's not been all that much going on lately that I'd call particularly blog-worthy. In fact, there hasn't been a whole hell of a lot going on over here in general since the last blog-worthy thing that wasn't politically motivated was posted up here. Ah well. Politics is my thing, as is commenting on the rediculousness that is the average local idiot. That there's more of that going on than is currently happening around here of any importance/general productiveness should be an indication, if nothing else. LOL

Hm. Let's see. Called about seeing where my job interview stands yesterday. The guy I have to talk to was out of the office… he's not called back yet, so I'll probably harass him some more on monday. And… um… wo. That's it. Heh, told you. Still unemployed, still waiting for the hockey season to get here, still living in a relatively small town (well, okay, so compared to Ottawa everywhere around here is small), and still RPing, when I've got time–just because it isn't blog-worthy doesn't mean I've been busy. But, thinking optimisticly here… at least if I keep up with my political opinions I can never be accused of lollyblogging! See? There is madness to my method. Or method to my madness. Either's true and both are applicable. Hm. I need to come up with a better blog title. That one bores me now. Yes, I know, I bore easy. It was a bad title when I started the thing but I didn't particularly feel up to being creative. I still don't. Maybe that'll change at some not too distant point. And at the same time, hell could freeze.

August 23, 2006

I can't even form an opinion on this one.

Homeless guy, or rather, a guy who's using an abandoned shack for a home, gets evicted for construction reasons in Toronto. The sad part is, I can see both sides of this little problem. It's rare I don't have an opinion on something, so that in itself deserves a note on here. Stupid media and its stupid making me stupid indecisive… Okay, I'm over it.

August 22, 2006

I was in a tinkering mood again.

No, for once in my blogging life, nothing broke or needed fixing this time around… the fix was already posted about. A conversation I had over emails with someone, though, gave me an idea. And, since I'm always up for doing things I haven't seen anyone else do yet, that idea was just now implemented. Fans of lazyness everywhere rejoice–you can now comment on entries right from the main page. What… you didn't actually expect something ground breaking, did you? Remember who's blog this is, here… ground breaking for me is I'm awake before noon. But, yeah. That would be the extent of my tinkering today, lest I do end up breaking something. And now, I think it's time I get productive…ish.

August 21, 2006

So, as if my government bashing didn't give it away...

I am back. And full. Breakfast was much fun. The rest of the morning… about as much fun as a trip to the clinnic can be. Kinda necessary, though, considering my mom and cousin both needed to have stuff looked at. But, all in all, it was out, which is still more than I can say for how I spent my weekend. My brother ended up joining us for all of about 15 minutes for breakfast, which was… kind of odd, given he never bothers doing that. Guess he's feeling a little more confident about his latest job prospect or somesuch… I dunno. Either way, if he gets fired from this one I'm gonna laugh my ass off at him. Then demand he pays me back what he owes me anyway. And now, time to do what it is I do best… absolutely nothing. Yay lazy!

V for Vendetta...

Awesome, awesome, awesome movie. I wish I came across it sooner… yay for awesome chicks with wicked tempers (you know who you are) finding it so I don't have to. Admitedly I was skeptical, so while it was downloading (yeah, like I'd buy it if I haven't seen it) I decided to do a little research. The plotline, or what was revealed of it, interested me… so I spent this morning, until about now, watching it. Again, awesome, awesome, awesome movie. If you've not seen it, what *were* you thinking? If you've seen it, what *were* you thinking not telling me? E-vil! Now I have to think back through it and try to find me some decent quotes to stick up here. Or maybe I'll watch it again later and just take notes. That… might be easier. It was worth the 3 hours of downloading time… fuck, the movie's damn near that long! And now, we're talking morning plans, so I guess that's hintage for me to shuffle my lazy ass into some starting the day kinda routine. But I dun wanna.

August 20, 2006

A quote I can so agree with.

I wish I'd found that quote in highschool. In fact, I think I said something similar in highschool. Or wanted to. Story for another entry… I should really create an amusement category. Later.

Good colesteral, bad colesteral,, good fat, bad fat, good bacteria, bad bacteria?

Could happen. And in the case of the US, did happen. Well, it beats medication, I guess. Not sure what I think of the consumers not being made aware of it, what with all the concerns with alergies and the such, but I guess you just don't know 'til you try. At least it isn't seafood, anyway. You know I have way too much time on my hands when I stumble across this.

August 19, 2006

Snakes and Martina...

Two things that one would think were completely unrelated. But you would be wrong. They're here, written by me, for no other reason than because I can… so of course they're related! … Right? *eyes you* Ahem. Anyway. I've seen the previews. I've heard a few reviews. Now, I want to see Snakes On A Plane. If anyone's going, do not spoil it. If anyone's going and feels like being generous, pick up a ticket for me. If anyone's going and is out of driving/walking range, mail me a plane ticket and we'll talk, mm'kay? Thought so. Awesome movie by the sounds of it.

And now for the unrelated part. I like a few Martina McBride songs. I hate Canadian Idol. She will be making an appearance on Canadian Idol on monday. I'm contemplating watching it… but again, I hate Canadian Idol. Decisions, decisions. Decisions I shall make Monday, assuming I'm home and in a TV-watching mood when it comes on.

August 18, 2006

Some would call it good politics.

It's amazing how much opinions vary, even on things that would ordinarily be considered positive. If the government of any western country, for instance, or any recognised middle-eastern government started pumping funds into a reconstruction effort, say after something like hurricane Katrina, for instance, it would be seen as the right response, and some would even go so far to say the response isn't good enough (everyone's a critic, you know). But, if an entity that the US recognises as a terrorist organization does it, like what's going on in Lebanon, it stops being a good thing and starts being said organization buying loyalty. Lebanon however calls it the right response. Recognise a familiar patern of opinion? To the people who're effected by it, it doesn't matter who's doing it, or why. It matters that someone's doing it, and all the US is doing by taking *that* stance on it is alienating Lebanon's citizenry, particularly the ones directly effected, further than it has already. It supported turning their lives upside down, and now it's against a rebuilding effort by the people it blames for the damage. One has to wonder, though, how many of the people effected blame Israel, and the US, for said damage. It's amazing how much your opinion changes depending on whether you're on the outside of a situation, or right in the middle of it. That's life, and so far as Lebanon goes at the moment, that's politics. Good politics. Whether loyalty is being bought or not, they certainly aren't making any enemies–I certainly wouldn't break the hand that's giving me money to buy furniture and things for the house they're building for me.

Common sense not included.

We went shopping this afternoon, just for a couple things we needed around the house… nothing all too major, really. It was still the biggest mistake I made today. First, my mother couldn't make up her mind where the hell she wanted to go, so we're doing the halfway up one isle, turn around, 3 quarters the way down another maneuver. And dodging people who should not be allowed to operate anything on wheels in the process. For once, I actually agree with something my brother said while at the store. If you don't have a driver's license, you shouldn't be allowed to push a cart. Although, there's people around here who shouldn't have a driver's license that do so I dunno how much less likely we'd be to end up watching out for other people's stupidity.

We finally got everything we were there for, and a few other things (I don't know why it is we always come home with more than we went for), and the drive home was just as… ahem… eventful. People have apparently not yet learned that no more than one object can occupy any given space at any given time without catastrophic results. So, we got to play the hit the breaks before the truck that isn't watching where he's going hits you game. Back to what I said about people who shouldn't have licenses. Obviously we made it through alright, since I'm here bitching about it, but… it was irritating as hell, to say the very, very least. Then, less on the common sense needed list and more on the screwing with us list, we had to stop for gas and the station we were planning to stop at was closed. At 3:00 in the afternoon they were closed. That can't be good for business. So we went somewhere else and saved a penny. Pretty sad when the price of gas is down to $1.1/liter. A month ago that price would had at least my mother cursing to no end. Ah well. Back to CSI, lasagna and lazyness. Pembroke's stupidity can only do so much to fill an entry, and I've got nothing else.

August 16, 2006

Bush's minions have been exposed!

And you shall be called Twitchy.

Her: I'm having to do this electrode therapy thing… feels so fucking strange
Me: you figured it out?
Her: (Name removed) helped me. Lol.
Me: lol.
Her: Muscle keeps spasming
Me: hehe… you've got a twitch.

Her: Yes, I do. Shush
Me: no.

August 15, 2006

Freakin' finally.

It only took a month, but it would appear Israel's *finally* decided to pull out of Lebanon. And the US didn't even have to tell them to. Now, if they can get their story straight, we'll have it made. But, can't have everything. I'll just be happy with the UN imposed ceasefire. *If* it holds out. *fingers crossed*

August 12, 2006

I did not sleep last night... I died.

I blame 5 hours of concert, bad beer, and the fact by the time we went home it was… considerably cooler than when we got there. But it was loads of awesome, anyway. After the concert we weren't quite ready to go home yet, so we went for coffee and such instead, and got some of the worst service I ever remember getting at a restaurant. It's one thing for it to be busy and for things to take a while… that's understandable. But, it was pushing midnight, the place wasn't that busy until we'd been there for a while, and the waitress we had couldn't get her act together. By the time the waitress actually remembered we did have an order placed, most of our food was cold, and a few of us were on our third time asking for a refill on coffee. To add to that, all my mother ordered was rice pudding and it took 3 tries and a different waitress before she got it. Oddly enough, every time there was something not to our liking about the service, it was someone else's fault; not the waitress's. Like, again, my mother's order, which she blamed the afore mentioned different waitress for because she 'told' her to bring it to us. Meanwhile, I'm thinking "Okay, this isn't her table for starters, so why's she doing your job?". If things kept going like they had been, that different waitress would have gotten our tip. As it is we never left one… I was tempted to demand a poor service discount. Which reminds me, it's a good thing we didn't have a problem with the bill, or paying for it… she just punched in the information and buggered off to do whatever the hell it was she'd been doing when she was supposed to be serving food. We could have just hit cancel on the payment and walked out, and she'd of been none the wiser for it. We didn't, though, 'cuz we're honest folk like that, though the thought did cross my mind a couple times. And it wouldn't be the first time I ended up not paying for a meal. Or the first time I ended up not paying for a meal because the waitress was too ditsy to collect. But that's another amusing story for a different entry. I just find it kind of amusing, in a way. I mean, it wasn't that busy in there, and the waitress we had seemed 3 steps behind herself for the whole time we were there. I cringe to think what she'd be like during the supper/lunch hour rush. If only their schedules were common knowledge I'd plan my eating there around her.

In somewhat–okay, very–unrelated news, I swear my brother now has a new girlfriend. And, in fact, she happens to be the lap warmer mentioned in the last post here before I died for the night. I'm… not sure exactly what to think of her *quite* yet. I mean, so far she's at least slightly more mature and less bitchy than the last one, but then, I had an English teacher in grade 9 who was less bitchy than the last one, so that doesn't tell me much. Now, if they'd just get out of the driveway and go do whatever it is she came over here so they can do, so they can stop driving my dogs up the frickin' wall, I might like her a little more. Or at least not get the urge to scream out the window for them to bugger off. Much.

Well, that rocked.

If anyone recommends that you take in a Roadhammers concert, do not ask, just go. They throw an awesome show. A few of the opening acts kinda stunk up the scene–one group killed almost every song they sang, and the other only managed to brutally torture about half of them, and the beer sucked–it was a choice between crap (Coors Light) and sludge (Molson Canadian), but aside from that, it was all a good time. My ears are still recovering. Yeah, I don't blame people for not liking/listening to country music. I'll listen to almost anything, that included, but even for someone who doesn't like that type of music it's a good show. My brother, a fair few of his friends, my cousin, and my aunt are not into that particular music selection and they all had a decent time. At least, that's how it appeared anyway. Although I dunno if my brother was enjoying the concert or the fact he had a lap warmer, but hey, he was enjoying something. And for once, I didn't feel like clubbing him one with the nearest heavy object. That's gotta be some kind of a record. So, uh, yeah. Fun was to be had. Tomorrow is apparently the day of the bands I either haven't heard of or don't like, so the chances of me going down tomorrow are slim. Especially if I end up deciding sleep is overrated… but, eh. And speaking of overrated, I still got crap to do. Dammit to hell.

August 11, 2006

Dogsitting not included.

I put up with my brother's mut because I don't have much choice when he decides to steal him from his girlfriend's (x-girlfriend's?) house, which is kind of… an odd story in itself considering one week they're speaking and the next she's a bitch and he's a prick. Well, she's a bitch all the time but that's just my opinion. I guess he figures I'll just babysit the thing while he goes and falls asleep on the coutch, since you know, I've got one plus i look after my mom's while she's out. But neither of them are 3 months old… I think he's less than that. Needless to say, my brother got a nice little surprise when his dog decided it'd be fun to piss on the carpet. Not that he did anything about it, but hey, at least he knows about it. He *eventually* took the dog out, but by then I'm sure if he had to do anything else it was already done. Ah well, it ain't my dog, and it ain't my problem. That'll teach him to think I'll babysit his dog, though. *grins*

August 10, 2006

Wo. GMail is a spam bucket.

Of the currently 24 messages sitting in my junkmail folder, 10 of them are from GMail addies. This is not encouraging me to give any more thought to getting an account past the half second's thought I gave it when it first started accepting accounts. Of course, someone invited me anyway, but… eh. So, GMail officially joins hotmail on my list of blacklisted companies. Sorry to people who actually legitimately use GMail, but I don't like green eggs and spam. I still know when I get an email that's been caught by the server, so as long as it's not blatantly advertising viagra, it'll make it to my inbox, eventually (I do, occasionally, have to manually push a legitimate email through) and I'll reply to it if it warrants a response. If you're the paranoid type, then warn me before you mail me, or use an addie that isn't GMail. I love free email providers, really I do. Unfortunately, so does joe31001 who's selling replica rolex watches–I had a mailbox full of those from hotmail addresses a few weeks ago. Amusing, considering anyone who knows me knows I don't even wear a watch… kinda useless, given the uh, rather… lacking in sight. Ah well, it makes me feel popular anyway, and I don't see 99% of the junk except in a list of addresses and their associated subjects every night. Now, if I can just figure out how to make Spam Assassin block emails coming from Microsoft Outlook and/or Outlook Express, regardless to address, I'll be laughing. God knows those programs are viruses with email client add-ons. Yay microsoft, and such. And… that's the extent of what I have to write about tonight. That would be depressing, but I think I've filled my weekly fit-bitching and criticizing quota. If I'm wrong, you'll know tomorrow.

August 8, 2006

Ah, the randomness.

Though not entirely unplanned, it was still fun. By 'it', I do mean spending a good 2 hours taking a walk by the waterfront and doing absolutely nothing. Nothing that didn't involve coffee, anyway. Sometimes, I'm very thankful for places like Tim Horton's. It's kinda sad, in a… "thank the gods" kinda way, that is… when that's the most productive thing I've done all day, but eh, until certain individuals who deserve no mention on here save to be proverbially poked in the eye actually call me back about certain job opportunities, both in the making and coming up, this is all the productive I want to be doing today.

I have officially decided the firing off of job applications is getting me nowhere, so it's now time for plan B: narrow my options and kick down doors. I've got a few things lined up, one of which has been referenced here a few times already and others will be when something significant actually comes of them, so now I think if I can concentrate on those things for now, I'll… *probably*… at the very least get my foot in the door. And, at the absolute worst case, someone'll slam said foot in said door. But eh… that's what high pain tolerence is for! And now, with that thought in mind and on paper (uh, relatively speaking?), I now go remind my aunt I want to borrow her Constantine DVD before she goes 'n forgets on me. So, because I'm lazy, unmotivated and uncreative, I shall steal one of Buttercup's famed lines–goodnight, keedz!

August 7, 2006

Who says TV sucks at 1:30 in the morning?

I just sat in the kitchen eating and watching Cheers. And, before someone asks why I wasn't in the living room where I could actually see the TV, read my profile. God, talk about a show that stays just as good now as when it was originally on–if my memory serves, that would have been when I was 6…ish. Or younger. I believe I shall demand that series on DVD for Christmas. Or get off my cheap, lazy ass and buy it myself. In the meantime, though… there's another episode coming on, so… g'night 'n things.

August 6, 2006

I should really clean house.

It took looking at my MSN contact list and reminding myself just how many of these people I haven't seen online in forever, never mind talked to, before the thought occured to me that I should probably start going through my contact list and removing said people I haven't seen online in ages. Some of these people I haven't heard 2 words from since, you know, I left college. And anyone who knows me knows when that was. Ah well, maybe at some point before the end of next year I'll actually do some cleaning out. Probably after I use up the 200 or so contacts MSN sets the limit to. I didn't know why there was a limit in the first place… now I do. And they said I'd never learn…

August 4, 2006

Random pieces of useless

Taking a look at my access logs indicates someone's been browsing around this way from a computer at one of Intel's facilities. Yay for those who read blogs whilst at work! Can ya find me a job, now?

August 2, 2006

Kids take longer to leave home than they used to... no, really?

I think these folks just wanted something to make a story out of. Not that I'm complaining–it's better than the latest casualty report from Israel. Children today, apparently, take longer to leave home than they did even 20 years ago. Not that I couldn't have just told you that without the scientific research, but I guess if you've got the cash to pay for it. They say it's a lot to do with cultural things… I, personally, disagree with that but that's just me and everyone knows I'm messed up. Personally, though, I think most people who're still living at home are either unwilling to, or unable to, manage having their own place. Only reason I'm still living at home is just that; rent around here is rediculous, and well, I'm not employed yet. Whereas there's absolutely no reason for, say, 2 of my cousins to be living at home still–neither is going to school, both put in 40+ hour weeks and get a fair-sized paycheck for it, but they're both just too damned unmotivated. Or maybe they just don't see independence as motivation… whichever. And my brother, well.. he'd have to keep a job first before he can worry about moving anywhere. That kid's been fired from more jobs than I've had job interviews. So yeah, long story short, yet another example of the media telling us what we already know. I smell a subliminal message here.

July 31, 2006

As I suspected, the dads lose.

Yesterday I made mention to an ongoing court case involving child support payments and the dads who do not pay. Now, a decision's been handed down that I rather like. Retroactive support payments are the in thing. To throw my own interpretation of the ruling at it, because I just can't resist trying to decode a little law here and there, to me, it sounds a lot like exactly what I said in that entry yesterday. That being, if you're told you're paying 15% of your anual income for child support, then that's what you're paying. And if you don't, the courts can make you cough it up at once. I don't *think* this changes support laws in the sense that you're not absolutely forced to pay child support–I think a lot of that can still be decided upon between the divorcing couple. But, if child support is in the cards, then the agreed upon amount for support can now be proactively enforced at the court level. Like I said, something I can finally agree with.

And again, Murphy's law.

Not quite in the same screwing with me as it's famous for, but… considering how well *cough, cough* my first attempt to screw with the database went, you'd think I'd know better than to try again. Well, I didn't, and this time, the database got a face lift. Significant enough back-end upgrades anyone reading this site probably wouldn't notice if I didn't have to make a post specificly to brag about it, but… eh. And this time, I didn't even *need* the backup plan so cleverly devised after my first ever blog oopsy. There is something just wrong about that, I'm telling you. Just… absolutely 100% wrong.

July 30, 2006

Now there's a way to get your kids to take their medicine.

Who'd of thunk it. Apparently, sticking Pepto Bismol in ice cream makes it go down easier. Gee, if they got ideas like that when I was growing up I might not have learned to prefer to wait out whatever it was that was making me sick. What am I saying.. yes I would. =) They recommend vanilla, but it would *probably* work just as well with chocolate… something sweet, anyway, to counteract the god aweful taste of it. And just think, all it took was a hangover.

It isn't even that day yet...

… and I'm nervous as hell. I dunno if it's the prospect of the job, or of possibly moving out, but… yeah, I'm a little bit jittery. And the job I'm being interviewed for hasn't even gotten to the "you might be hired" phase yet. I dunno what's more pronounced, the nerves or the excitement about the possibility of actually having my own space again. I did it for a year in college, and I like to think that went fairly well, save the fact you can't stay in school very well on $930/month when you're paying $5000/year for residence fees on top of tuition. But, yeah, I liked it… I'd still be doing it if it wasn't for that small roadblock. Now, with this job, I not only get a chance to have my own place assuming I get hired, but I'm not going to school, and I'll be making more with this job than I was in college, so I'll both be able to put more money towards, and have more money to put towards, important things.. like rent, hydro, and all the fun stuff that all goes with. I think it'll be nice, once the initial.. um, awkwardness(?) gets out of the way and I actually get used to the idea. Of course, I could end up not being hired and everything I've written here will be moot–but I'm not thinking about that right now. Get past the interview first, then I'll do the "what if I don't get hired" panic dance.

July 29, 2006

Now this is surprising.

I usually don't like posting things from sites like Slashdot, but in this case, I'll make an acception or few because it gives me an excuse to bash Microsoft. Not that they need me to add to the pile of MS bashers, but you know… and people wouldn't be looking to bash them senseless if they didn't do something incredibly stupid, like slam the door on antivirus software manufacturers. I dunno just how reliable what's been referenced here is, but it sounds like a Microsoft thing to do. Kind of like charging $1.50 per download of the new Microsoft Office beta products.

National leadership qualification: must be a whackjob.

As if we needed further proof of this, all one need do is take a look at the latest thing to come out of Iran. Long story short, 'foreign' (meaning western cultural) words are now officially being banned from use in that country. Maybe it's just me, but there's something a little off about calling a pizza an elastic loaf. Someone kindly correct me on that, if you wouldn't mind. Backwards countries amuse me. Even if said backwards countries happen to be ruled by nutjobs with nuclear capability.

July 28, 2006

Not how I wanted to spend a friday...

I haven't exactly gotten all that much sleep, at least as yet. But that's perfectly fine… I haven't had time to think about it yet. I'd planned to go to bed about 2:30 this morning, but by 2:25 I got hit with… something. I don't know if it was a DoS attack, a virus, or whatever, but this machine was pretty well hammered, and the network was all kinds of saturated from the resulting… whatever it was that happened. I couldn't even bring up the google homepage. On top of that, the virus scanner I use took a pretty heavy hit, to the point where it needed to be reinstalled. Okay, no problem. Fortunately I had the instalation file on this machine from when I saved my family's computer, so that wasn't *too* much of a headache. Except for the fact I had to run back and forth between computers comparing information and trying to figure out how the hell I pulled it off installing it on the other one. I love Trend Micro's virus scanner, but damn it's a bitch to install. Finally got all that sorted out by about 7:00 this morning, thank the gods of all that is sane, and grabbed a couple hours' snooze–it was damn well deserved! The rest of the day was pretty evenly divided up between dealing with the finer details of the afore mentioned interview with Dell, and kicking the shit out of my web host for being crappy on a day when I coulda been blogging instead of doing what I actually had to get done. And, apparently, we're being hit with another DoS attack again… so if I can't post this freaking thing, we know why. Bastard child that it is. But, all has been averted, at least for now, anyway. Disaster number 54000 of my online life. Sadly, closest thing to a real life I've got right now. At least until I've got me a job… *fingers crossed*

Finally!

Just when I thought I was about to be overwhelmed by morons with little backbone, no IQ, and the personality of a piece of crap, I get the occasional nice little reminder that there are, surprisingly enough, still people out there I *don't* want to beat repeatedly with heavy, blunt things. There's hope for humankind yet… or so I keep telling myself. Hey, it beats screaming at the top of my lungs and putting my fist through some snobby 16-year-old's face out of frustration. Although, now that I bring up that option… it is a little tempting. Damn, still illegal. I tried.

July 27, 2006

Decision made; RSSFWD loses.

After Bloglines registered updates to my chosen feeds upwards of 9 hours before RSSFWD, my decision is an easy one. Buh bye RSSFWD. I'll miss ya. But, you know, greener pastures and the such. The comparison be done… and now, back to your regularly scheduled randomly posted crap from me.

July 26, 2006

Saddam would like to be shot.

Something about that amuses me. Oh, yeah… my theory that stupid assholes who're full of themselves to the point of delusions should be shot. Which is exactly what master Hussein wants. I say, if the man wants a bullet in the brain, then give the man a bullet in the brain. Give him 2, just in case the first doesn't meet with his approval. I don't like how the US handled the war in Iraq, but now that it's been handled, I subscribe to the theory of ask and ye shall receive. And he certainly asked. Harsh? *shrugs* You decide, all… 1.3 of you that actually happen across this thing.

Lazyness prevales.

Today is yet another day of doing absolutely nothing. Which is perfect for the guy who's in the mood to do absolutely nothing. So, watching TV and consuming generous amounts of coke (no, not the snorting kind) is the order of the day. Oh, the awesomeness of it all. Maybe I'll get around to doing a quiz or few in between Tv shows. Depends on how lazy I feel like getting. Teehee and such…

July 25, 2006

Well, it's a little slow, but...

Bloglines eventually does actually get the updates from certain sites. Specificly, mine. Now, let's just see how long it lasts. Overall, though… I think it might be an interesting little site to work with. At least until something better comes along.

Well, Bloglines is getting somewhere.

Already it's winning my favour away from the other site.. it can handle sites better than the other, and a few sites that rssfwd.com wouldn't read, this one can… so I'm thinking… *grins*

Because I like to try new things.

So I'm doing that whole seeing how this Bloglines thing works out. It's so far fairly good, and… potentially? a lot more reliable than RSSFWD.com, though that still remains to be seen. IT doesn't email you the new feed updates like the latter site does, but there's a small program (100K, maybe?) that sits on your computer optionally, and checks every so often (you decide how often) for updates, and lets you know. Then you can either go to the site and read all the updates it found, or… not. They'll still be there when you decide not to be lazy. So far it's working alright… but we shall see. I think I'll run a comparison of the two for a few days and see which one holds my interest. RSSFWD isn't proving as reliable as I'd like to see, so… holding breath, here.

I love it when people finally agree with me.

I'm due for a round of Shadow Siege bashing. But I don't even have to do the bashing… someone already did it for me. I'll stick to Eternal Struggle when I can actually get to RPing, thankya much.

I have really got to stop doing that.

It's bad enough I have this odd tendancy to end up not sleeping at all kinds of odd hours… like 3:30 this morning. I should also try to remember, though, that it's a bad time to be dinking around with the site, too… even if it is uber fun. I tend to break things. Even though I've yet to do that in at least 2 attempts. Sure, there was the accidental floppage, but to this day I continue to blame PHPMyAdmin for that attempt blowing up in my pretty (ha, ha) little face. Besides, I learned a little more about PHP from that experience… I was just hoping I wouldn't have to use it to save my own rear end. I think it's a psychological thing… boredom or lack of sleep triggers some odd little part of my tiny little brain that goes into website redesign mode and there's just no stopping it. At least it's a small change this time… can't break the small things. Much. Now, if only it did a damn thing for the sleep…

July 22, 2006

Let me turn on the part of my brain that gives a damn.

The perfect bumper sticker for me. Now all I need is a bumper to stick it on. This is also my general train of thought with 99.9% of local cry babies. Because they irritate and amuse me. But mostly irritate.

Yay for other people taking over!

Those other people, of course, being the dog's actual owners… finally! So, I actually had time to get crapola done tonight. Freakin' amazing, that. As much as I can tolerate that dog, and as much as I like the idea of taking care of puppies, I already did that once recently. She's nearly 2, now. I'm not about to be doing that again… so these people can take their dog and stuff it. I dun wanna play no more!

July 17, 2006

Because it's way past time.

I'm seriously entertaining the idea of getting back into regularly playing the piano, and even taking lessons again just as a way to distract me for an hour or so, not counting practice time of course. I used to do it almost religiously, then reality popped up and decided I wasn't allowed to have fun anymore so that went the way of all things that keep me sane. Well, as sane as a fool like me can get anyway. Now that things have gone back to their usual (almost, relatively?) calmness, I can look into the possibility, however remote, of picking that up again. On top of that, I'm thinking about taking guitar lessons just because… well, for the same reason as the piano ones, minus the whole having done it before kinda thing. If and when I can find some method of sticking what I've already devised ways of playing up here, for piano at least, I'll toss a few things up here… but as it stands right now, this laptop, portable though it may be, is not being dragged downstairs to where I've got the piano stashed away. Plus I don't have much faith in my microphone for something like that.C

Trillian's about to get cut out.

Call it a response to programs kinda sorta like Jabber and Trillian if you're so inclined; I'll just call it about goddamn time. Microsoft and Yahoo are, apparently, working on a kind of IM partnership. MSN (Windows Live, now, I guess?) Messenger and Yahoo Messenger users will be able to IM each other without having to be actually on the same service. At least, that's what they're saying, anyway. *That* is about freaking time. Maybe next they'll manage to accomplish that with AIM and the much less favourable ICQ, both of which are, of course, owned by AOHell. As much as I'm all for open source thingies, Trillian can now kindly go to hell. That's one open source program I'll never use.

July 15, 2006

How to accomplish nothing in 2 relatively stress free hours.

We decided completely at random to kill a couple hours at the mall–which, for me in itself is almost miraculous, given I hate malls unless I'm going there with a purpose in mind. But, it was out of the house, which is always a good thing. So we went there so my aunt could pick up a bunch of pictures from a wedding or somesuch… I'm guessing it's not a recent wedding but I have no clue. We ended up having lunch there, and surprisingly, that's what killed most of our time there… not shopping for once in a goddamn blue moon. Other than that, absolutely nothing was done today. Because it's the weekend, I'm lazy, and… um… I'm lazy. Did I mention I love being lazy as hell on weekends? And during the week, but… eh.

My logic frightens me.

An example: I should be sleeping now, but I can't. So rather than try, I'm consuming generous amounts of caffeine. Why? *shrugs* I can. Maybe by 6 I'll be awake enough to do something semi-productive, and by noon I'll actually be doing it. That's being incredibly optimistic, though, given my lazy state of mind the last… well, forever. But hey, someone might as well be optimistic around here. The place is one giant ball of bleh otherwise.

July 11, 2006

Let's see how well this new resume pays off.

I fired off an application for a position at one of Dell Canada's Ottawa offices last night. IT's for an entry level tech support job, pretty much, and they're not looking for any insane amount of education it doesn't look like… they *prefer* at least a year's experience in the field, which I've got thanks largely to the fact I work in a tech support equivalent department for A Call to Duty Roleplaying. Yeah, so it's not an actual business and such along the same lines as what I'm applying for. It's still applicable so far as work experience goes, if only on a volunteer basis. I'm just kind of hoping Dell sees it that way, too, or I'm probably gonna be up shit's creak without a paddle. It's an entry level position, so it *shouldn't*, in theory, matter. But that's theory. And my theories usually blow up in my face after about 5 minutes. We shall see.

July 7, 2006

Well now. That was a kick in the head.

It's official. Just when I'm threatened with an easy week, something always comes up. This time, it was a head cold from hell. Whiped me right the holy hell out. I think I may have been awake for all of.. maybe 5 hours yesterday. Not counting the half the night I spent either blowing my nose, sneezing, or trying to get back to sleep after blowing my nose or sneezing. But at least this morning things were improving… once said nose stopped trying to be a tap. Then, we went out for breakfast this morning… I think the fresh air might have helped, too. No doubt the coffee did. And I managed to stay awake this long… I'm bloody amazed. No doubt I'll make up for it tonight, but hey, I lasted this long.

July 5, 2006

Not sure what I think of this game yet...

It's a little bit off the types of games I like to play, but so far… I think I might kind of get used to playing Hat Trick. IT's a soccer simulation, wherein you control everything except what the individual players do on the field. I guess it kind of classifies as a strategy game, if only sports strategy, but it works I suppose. Now if I can just find a hockey game that's similar we'll have it made. Oh, wait… I played a couple. They sucked. I quit. Okay, soccer it is. *sigh*

July 2, 2006

Downloading music and such may be illegal, but oh well.

I got bored, and TV sucks, so now, I watch CSI. It's a two-part eppisode I haven't seen before… which is odd, 'cuz I thought I'd seen all of them. But this one hath escaped me. Until now! Mwa! IT's a damn good one, too. I won't say anything specific about it in case someone actually reads this who hasn't seen that eppisode, not that anyone actually reads this anyway. But a cop ends up shot. This is just… well, I know I've used the word too often on here already but to hell with it. Awesome. And all it cost me was some bandwidth. Which is good, because I can't afford anything else.

Damn, that was fun.

I came, I drank, I enjoyed, I got wasted. Enough said. Canada day was awesome, even if we didn't end up going to the fireworks… most of us couldn't care one way or the other if we saw them or not, and a select few of us, me included, were in no shape to go see them even if we wanted to. But it was awesome anyway! I brought half a case of beer over to go with the stuff they already had over there, and we killed it. I think I drank my half case and then some myself… though I know for sure I had help. My cousins and a couple of their friends, and another cousin's boyfriend, were sitting in the hot tub getting completely and totally hammered, so if nothing else I can blame them for drinking the beer I didn't get to. Them, my mom, my aunts… ah, hell, the list of people who *weren't* drinking last night is probably shorter. And, of course, we had a BBQ. All in all, I loved it. Even if I ended up feeling like shit last night… it was still fun! And now, I can sit here and watch CSI, because uh, I don't feel like doing anything else. LOL

June 30, 2006

I'm set for Canada day!

Well, we had the combined birthday party dinner thing for me, mom, my brother, and his bitch I mean girlfriend… wasn't too bad. The food was semi-decent, service sucked, and everyone but me, my dad, my uncle and the bitch stayed sober. For the record, that isn't actually her name… but it's what she is, so it works. Then, we swung by the beer store on my way home, and picked up my Canadia day stock. IT's all good, now, for tomorrow… fireworks watching while less than sober. The awesomeness of it all. And now, I'm… like… $35 poorer, and sufficiently full from supper. And it only actually took us an hour to eat and such. Something about that just… impresses me. I haven't the foggiest idea why. Well, other than the fact there were 7 of us in all and it usually takes 3 of us that long to get done eating and things. I think we set a family record.

June 29, 2006

I have far, far too much fun...

Well, seems I was right after all. We ended up partying, though it was hardly what I'd call planned… it was still fun. The one aunt and uncle that actually bothered to show up (thanks, by the way, even though you don't read this) gave me a t-shirt with another of what are now my favourite quotes, which I'll probably stick up here when I'm sober enough to remember what the hell it says. Damn, it was awesome, though. And, for the first time in… oh at least a couple years, the only thing that's left over from the party is the cake. Did we ever do good. And we still have another birthday, and Canada day, to go! There's gonna be a hell of a lot of chug chug this weekend…

June 28, 2006

My birthday is complete!

My mommy loves me.

As so evidenced by the fact the first thing I saw when I got up this morning was a card with $100 stuck in it. All I can say about that is… wow. Just… absolutely… wow. And I wasn't even sure what the hell I wanted for my birthday. Not that it matters, really… it's really just another day, to me. But, she made a point to ask me every 6 hours (I think it was maybe a little more often than that) and I was still clueless as hell, so I dunno. So now I get to decide what the hell I'm spending $100 on. Well, I do want a new cell phone.

I guess the biggest surprise, though, is I have time to actually post something here. Considering I didn't expect to be home as much as I am, and don't expect to be home much longer, that's a miracle in itself. My mother's going all out for supper tonight, it looks like… ordering things in, picking up a cake… even though I told her not to bother with it. Heh. Guess that's what makes her awesome… I'll decide that one for sure later tonight. LOL

June 25, 2006

Another bloody BBQ...

I'm gonna be BBQ'd all the hell out by the end of next month at this rate. So far we've had 3 this month, and we're supposed to have one on Canada day. I should not be allowed to socialise this much… it's bad for me, I swear. At least I stayed out of the alcohol this time. I'll make up for it on Saturday, though… gonna go buy me a case on Friday, and I plan to have it at least 3/4 gone by midnight Saturday. Yay party! And now, with the calendar and such up on the site, there's no need to be asking me what I'm up to.. it's all self-explained. Because I'm all for making things obvious. Now, if I can just make some money so I can go back to college, where the obvious actually does me some good.

June 24, 2006

Happy early birthday to me.

For a crazy old lady, My grandma still rocks plenty. It's still almost a week before my birthday, but she already gave me my present. Yeah, I know, I'm 23 fucking years old in a week and don't need presents. Well, I'm not about to tell her no.. especially when she sticks $20 in a card and calls it a birthday present. So instead, part of that $20 will go towards coffee tomorrow morning, or whenever it is we get around to getting out and doing things. Hm… which, come to think of it, probably won't be tomorrow morning, or tomorrow at all. Because I'm still lazy as fuck, even though I now have money for caffeine. Including stocking my fridge who's caffeine supply has been drained now for… hm. At least 3 days. How I managed to stay conscious without my caffeine is anybody's guess. But anyway. Birthday money will fix that. Yay grandparents who give you birthday money! … I feel like a kid. I'm gonna stop writing now before I end up making myself sound like one.

June 22, 2006

Happy belated pappy's day, pappy!

So, I finally got off my ass and got a father's day gift and such, even if it is uberly late in coming. That's okay, so is my dad. He's at least coming home tonight, and leaving again at noonish tomorrow or so, so at least it won't be to the point where I get to hear how much he doesn't like the t-shirt he got. Then, we stopped by my uncle's place since, you know, we were there… he of course had absolutely nothing important to say. I love my family for that–really, I do. But not really. And now, I get to do all kinds of being lazy, yet again. Hm. Maybe I'll slap on another quiz.

June 21, 2006

*yawn*

12:30 PM… earliest I've dragged my fat ass out of bed all this week. And it's only half over. Yay lazyness. Now, perhaps, I can get certain things accomplished today. Not holding my breath, of course, but… well, you know. I'll find out just how lazy I am when my ride gets back from having coffee with my aunt. Or… whatever else she's doing. And yes, by "ride" I mean mother. I still live at home… yeah, you can laugh now.

The after sleep plan of action...

Not hard to figure out. Get my resume, possibly go for coffee, watch tv, and torment the dogs; can't go anywhere unless they've been properly payed attention to or they start looking for crap to destroy. Stupid dogs. Oh, and curse my poorness for being the reason I can't have the birthday present from me to me I want to get. Stupid bloody poorness and its stupid bloody making me poor… Okay I'm done.

June 19, 2006

Well, that amused me.

So, the scheduled RP for tonight on my Star Trek RPG was rather cancelled, but at least I managed to find those quizes to be quite the amusing distraction. Which is good, because now, I get to be bored to tears 'til I fall asleep, assuming I ever actually get to deciding to do that any time tonight. Although, to be blatantly honest… I don't fucking feel like it. On that, I blame the caffeine. Every single time. Yay for constant awakeness, though. Now to find some RP to go with it.

Okay, now I know what to think of this movie.

IT's one great big ball of sap. I believe I shall forego watching the rest of it. In fact, I believe I shall block it out of my memory completely before it scars me for life. Oh the horror! The pain! The… okay I'm done.

Not sure what to think of this movie.

Sitting here watching the Wedding Date, and not entirely sure whether to plug my ears or just get up and leave the room. I guess it isn't *too* bad a movie, at least so far… but… I dunno. This has the dangerous potential of turning out to be one hell of a sappy movie. If I had a clue what the hell the storyline's supposed to be I'd quite possibly try and explain it. Right now, though, all I know is the main character, Kat, paid some guy to be her date to attend her sister's wedding or something… I dunno. I'm paying more attention to someone's stream of a police scanner instead. That's the closest thing I have to having my own yet. Though my birthday *is* in 2 weeks… hint, hint, hint! And the one I want is only $500 US… give or take. Okay, I'm starting to get off track here…. doing too many things at once! Back to half watching a mediocre movie and half listening to said stream.

I will never be happy with the organizational structure of my website.

This is evidenced by the fact that, in the span of… oh… maybe the last month, I have reorganized the layout, directory structure, and whatnot at least twice. Quite possibly 3 times. I knew I was picky, but man oh man oh man am I picky. Ah well. Maybe this time it'll stay the way I have it set up. Wouldn't hold your breath, of course, but you know…

And, in somewhat more related news (okay, not really), I talked to Cheryl earlier, the friend of mine I was planning to go to the highschool reunion i ranted about at least once. First time I actually had a conversation at length with her in at least a year, as pathetic as that sounds. And, can't very well talk to her in person because, as I've already bitched about, I'm poor as all hell. And unemployed. And cheap. But seeing her would be worth me overcoming my cheapness. I'm still poor and unemployed, though. So now I get to give her shit 'til she decides to get her cute ass up here instead. Yay powers of persuasion! I hope.

And again, I neglect this thing.

At least in that I'm consistent. Not that there's much of a reason for me not to… I've still managed to get very little actually accomplished. I was supposed to go and pick up a resume today, but that ended up not panning out. I was probably supposed to do a couple other things today, too, but you know… that just won't happen either. Mostly because if I was, I can't remember. Yay forgetfulness. At least I slept decently, when I slept. Now I can devote more time to staying up all night tonight. Again, yay! Hm. I just realised this post lacks actual content. Oh well.

June 15, 2006

I've seen that CSI episode way too many times.

I can almost recite, from memory completely, the lines to the CSI episode entitled "Grave Danger". That's how often it's been aired the last month or so. This, of course, not counting the times I've seen it before that, including the first time it was aired on… hm… I think it was CBS or some other TV station like it. Of course, we're also not counting the fact I have it sitting on my hard drive right at the moment (no, I'm not tossing it on the server for your watching pleasure; I value my bandwidth). Besides, after the second and third time through it gets a little old. I mean it's a good episode, but enough is enough is enough. Okay, now we're bordering on a rant and I didn't put it in that category so I'm stopping here.

Hard work never hurt nobody, but I'd rather be lucky.

Quote from a song, actually the song's name, but it's so true! I'd rather have things like money and such fall in my lap like some people I know (relatives, anyone?) rather than have to go out and actually earn a pay cheque, and whatnot. But until that happens, I'll just keep my eyes open for a job or a rich uncle on his death bed. But since I have no rich uncles, never mind a rich uncle on his death bed, job anyone? Yeah, I'd rather be lucky.

June 14, 2006

Everyone's a bloggin' blogger...

… So why aren't you? Oh, wait, you are? Well whoopdy do! But just in case you aren't, there's no reason not to be. You're right, I don't use it. But oh well! I don't use live journal either, but I used to. Then I got money and well, enough said. Now, stop being lazy, get yourself a blog, then tell me… 'cuz I want something to read on those mornings when it's 4:30 or so and I haven't been to bed yet. … That's a bad thing isn't it?

June 9, 2006

Lazyness is my friend, yo.

So today, and yesterday for that matter, were filled with absolutely nothing but boredom. Lots and lots of boredom. Throw in a little irritation with said boredom and you have the perfect pathetic day. The highlight was going out for dinner tonight… which is actually kind of depressing, considering dinner sucked. Hmm. I forgot why I started writing this. Oh well. Guess that means we end it here.

June 6, 2006

I'm suffering through Much More Music...

I'm supposed to be going out, but my parents are taking forever… so instead, I'm stuck watching Much More Music since that's what my brother stuck on. I just thought I'd remark here that the music played on this station stinks the high heavens. And now, I leave.

June 5, 2006

Okay, I feel better now.

That last rant didn't do a thing to calm me down, so I banged my head against a wall for a half hour or so fiddling around with templates again. That did it. Though mostly because I actually accomplished something. Not that said something has anything to do with employment, but at least I'm looking. When I'm not fucking around with templates and the such.

Reports of my death have been exagerated.

Reports of my insanely illness, though, right on the money. No idea exactly what happened… I was perfectly fine most of yesterday. Well, fine enough that I still managed to joke around with people on ES for an hour or so anyway, before I rolled my fat ass into bed. Guess something I ate didn't agree with me though, because I didn't stay there long. But I'm still alive, and it obviously wasn't a virus or anything, seeing as I'm perfectly fine now. I just wish I knew what the hell did it to me so I can not do it again. But, ah well. First time in like 3 years I got that sick, or sick at all, so maybe I was just due. In less related news, I'm still unemployed. At least I have nothing from which to call in sick.

June 3, 2006

House to myself, just the way I like it.

I don't have a clue how long it'll last, of course, but I'll take what I can get now that my brother and his oh so bitch girlfriend are gone to do whatever it is they do when they're not here. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for hanging out with people… but I have to tolerate them first. Neither of them come close to tolerable. So given the choice between them and the house to myself, I'll take the latter. Which is what I have. Which works out just awesome for me. Antisocial? You're damn right.

There's something to be said for a rainy night, methinks.

Ordinarily, that would put me right the hell to sleep. But for some odd reason tonight, no such luck. I dunno if it's just because I'm thinking about things, or what, but this is the first time in a long time I'm up this early/late and don't want to be. It's odd, because I know full well I'm tired, and it's probably gonna show up tomorrow morning and punch me in the face, but sleep just ain't happening. Ah well. Maybe if I decide to do another quiz or two it'll put me to sleep. In the meantime, I shall stick my playlist on random, watch whatever happens to be going on on ES, and flake out. I'd say RP, but there would be no RPing tonight. I'm braindead… my body just doesn't want to join it.

Shall we make it 3 in 2?

I do believe we shall. I haven't the foggiest idea what it is I'll put here, but I'm all for 3 posts in 2 hours anyway. Make up for the occasional entry that might have got missed in the rebuild. Not that I think any actually have, but with the way I tend to rebuild things, that wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. Ah well. At 6:00 AM EST, that will all become pointless. Yay backup scripts that do my backing up for me!

June 1, 2006

Well, I can go, but...

To do so, it's going to cost me probably around $192.30 for a round trip bus ticket. So, the reunion gets temporarily sidelined until I can invent me some
more money. But, I'm at least on the guest list, so that counts for something. Ah well. On the bright side, it means I get to sit on my ass for another
weekend. Lazy is such awesome goodness. And now, I go do crap before I RP. Yay doing crap.

May 30, 2006

Contemplative Planning

I'm giving thought to calling up the temp agency my cousin works with, and asking what they can do for me. I'm not finding a damn thing so far as work goes in Pembroke, so moving to Ottawa seems to be the next likely option. Of course, likely does not a definite happening make. But, food for thought. And right now, my thought needs some serious foodage. So, temp agency it probably is. Right after I finish prettying up my resume… which I should probably post here eventually. Someone bloody well hire me already!

I get spoiled on central air.

It's bloody well freakin hot out there. 29-30 degrees hot out there. Celcius, of course, but still. Blarg. Thank god for central air… AC is the awesome! Ah well. Bright side, 26 days 'til I get to go see a few old highschool friends… yay! That is, if I made it onto the guest list in time. I'll call today and find out… after I'm done enjoying the hotness.

May 25, 2006

CSI, old blogs, and randomness... what a thing to fall asleep to.

So, I've managed to stay up until now watching CSI, and reading over the blog of a friend online that I haven't actually talked to in, oh… a while, and just generally… doing things that so easily amuse me at damn near half past 1 in the morning, when I should be sleeping rather than updating a blog/journal/thing no one reads. But it's my blog/journal/thing no one reads so screw conformity. Updating it is!

*long pause due to brain malfunction* So, people have apparently discovered that having a TV in your bedroom, or in this case the bedrooms of children, can lead to disrupted sleep. And this is where I kind of snicker to myself and *not* point out the fact I'm watching a news story on that very subject at nearly half past 1 on a TV in my bedroom. *cough cough* You didn't see that. Nope, not at all. There was no mention of TV's in bedrooms here. And now
we're at the part where I slink off to bed. So… slinking.

May 22, 2006

Reunions a-plenty

So the highschool I used to go to is having a reunion at the end of June. About… 5 days before my birthday, to be exact. So I'm trying to scrape together the funds to make the 7-8 hour trip there for the weekend, because some of these people I haven't even spoken to in… oh… about 5 years or so. Yes, I know, I'm not old enough to worry about highschool reunions and such. Well, no. But it happens every 2 years and I missed the last one, so screw it–I'm going to this one. Hopefully. If I'm slightly less than poor when it gets here. I should probably call and make sure I can still squeeze myself onto the list. Ah well, I'll do it later. Finding money now.

*sleeps on his blog*

This is yet another lazy day, as evidenced by the fact I've managed, yet again, to do something to the layout of the website. And, I've actually gone a step further and added a RSS feed! Welcome to the world of web 2.0. Complicatedly simple XML documents are the inn thing! Of course, if you decide you hate the whole RSS feeds idea, RSSFWD,com can still email new updates to you. If… it works, anyway. Hm. I should of tested it first. Ah well.

May 14, 2006

Mother's day--a day of coffee, and sucking up.

So maybe that isn't what it means to other people. But I'm not other people. So… let's see how decent I am at explaining this. Well, you can't go wrong with coffee, so that's kind of a given there. Which becomes part of the sucking up, really. Because, heh… you can't go wrong with sucking up when you know full well you're gonna need it later on. And.. you're damn right I am. =)

May 12, 2006

Commic relief to the max, or something.

Everyone who bothers to actually read this already knows I'm an avid roleplayer. And, they also know the majority of said roleplay occurs on Eternal Struggle. So I won't bother with mentioning that in future. Not that anyone reads this really, but you know… So, I've gone and created a character specificly for commic relief. He's not very bright–well, actually, he borders on brainless. HE's extremely fat, short, and ugly. Well, maybe not for his race but by most people's standards he is. But he's oodles of fun to play! I'll have a picture of him eventually. Maybe. If people actually want to see it. And if
someone will give me a hand with it. Lynn, I'm looking at you…

Website reorganizing is a good time.

Not really, but it had to be done. I didn't have anything else to do this afternoon, so… the site got the overhaull of the century. And when I have time,
I'll actually put things more constructive here. Not really but you know…

May 7, 2006

I should get back into writing again.

I found a couple *really* old and not so well done things I've written in the past, mostly half-finished stories I'd forgotten which direction I wanted them to head in, and it got me to thinking… I haven't actually written anything in forever. Well, aside from here, anyway–but not quite the kind of writing I'm talking about. So, one of these days, I'll get back into doing it… and it might even end up here. Don't count on it, but you know… stranger things have happened. Like me actually having a blog after my Live Journal attempt kind of floppededed.

May 6, 2006

You know too much is happening when you don't have time to blog.

Well, on the bright side, part of the too much that's happening is I'm back on staff at Eternal Struggle, better known as that place that's stolen all my RP ability. So when I can I've been getting caught up with things there and helping out wherever. Aside from that… eh. Reality sucks. But we know this already. Maybe next time I post something it'll have more content to it. Not making any promises, mind you.

April 21, 2006

My educational plan of action--AKA what I'll do when I'm not lazy...

I've narrowed down what I want to take should I actually afford to go back to school. Now, it's a toss-up between a music degree (I do play piano, after
all though not in a while), to do with networking/information technology/computer geeky stuffs, to something as simple (relatively?) as conflict resolution. I still kick around the idea every once in a while about getting into the criminal law side of things, but I doubt I could come up with the tuition for that and still be sane… well, as sane as I am now. Which… isn't really. But oh well. But, I'm still tossing that idea around here and there because I've always liked that kinda thing. I have absolutely no idea why beyond the fact it's an excuse to argue with someone. And I do love a good argument. *cackles* Well, at least now it's narrowed down. Phase 2: $$$!

April 20, 2006

This is so relevant it's not funny.

Okay, so not relevant to the last entry I posted here. Big flippin' deal. I keep hearing this particular song on the radio and, well, needless to say it almost always makes me think of certain people, and the repeating hell they go through either by choice or otherwise. The problems aren't exactly the same, well okay so they're not really the same in the slightest. But that isn't why I'm doing it. So, anyway. First time I heard this song the first thought that popped into my head was basicly "I keep *telling* these people that". Or something like it anyway. And maybe not quite so literally. Basicly, the song's about a couple who's managed to go through all kinds of problems, or so I'm gathering by it anyway, but it was the overall sentiment I was aiming for. Basicly, the song… which I might as well link to here, explains that the only way you're going to get what you want out of anything, be it love, life or both, is if you want it badly enough that you're willing to fight for it, no matter what. There's gonna be pain before you find love–that's a guarantee. But if it's worth it, you'll want to work through that pain to get to whatever it is that makes you happy. I think a lot of that has to do with the whole having strength and actually being able to trust yourself to put things behind you and get through it. That, and if you have someone with you to actually be there for you, it makes coming through things in one piece just that much easier. The song's a country one, but it works for what I think it's meant for. Might not be exactly what it was originally intended for… but oh well. That's what the song says to me, so it found itself there.

Edit:

I should make this a daily routine. By that, I mean actually doing things like this while sitting outside. God knows it's warm enough now. And I've certainly got the free time… but I'm lazy. Ah well, lazy is fun but it's nice out. Easy decision.

Hmm. Apparently a book that was published 7 years after Shakespear's death, which contains pretty original versions of most/all of his plays, is now up for auction. Without that book, so I read, anyway, plays like MacBeth would never have made it to this day and age. Which… I would have been perfectly fine with–it would have kept a good portion of my hair actually on my head. How's that for a topic change?

April 14, 2006

I think I'll save my money.

Well, so much for that idea. I'd planned to maybe kinda sorta possibly take in a movie, specificly Lucky Number Sleven, but I don't think so. A couple reviews caught my eye, particularly this one, and well… I'll keep my ticket money in my wallet, this time. Shouldn't be surprised I suppose; it's a Bruce Willis movie. *gags* No plot, no point, just people knocking people around. Someone should really suggest he retire and get it over with. Aside from maybe two of his movies, he's a disappointment.

April 8, 2006

I don't think I like this...

There is still calls for snow. It's April. IT's baseball season. And we're still calling for snow. Cruel and unusual, that. But then, this is the same person who'd of loved to have been done with snow after about, oh… December 26th. How'd that go? *scoff* It's all cool and everything at around Christmas time. So, from about the 23rd to the 26th of December. Any time before or after that, and all it does is irritate the hell out of me. Not an easy thing to do as certain individuals who probably read this are verry well aware of. Ah well. Sucky weather for baseball, but I haven't abandoned my hockey yet. *misses the playoffs already*

April 6, 2006

How adicted to hockey am I?

Well, it's quarter after 3 in the morning and I'm listening to last night's Toronto Maple Leafs game versus New York. I already know who won but I slep through most of it. So I get to listen to the rerun. Did I mention I love the internet for that?

April 1, 2006

Hard work pays off in the future. Lazyness pays off now.

… That's so me. It's so me it's written on a shirt I own. Specificly, the one I'm wearing. So, in light of my proudly displayed lazyness, I won't go into details of how I did more shopping yesterday than I ever want to do in a single month. Instead, I'll skip to the real content of this post. Oh… wait… that was it. Ah well.

March 29, 2006

Blurgle.

Getting absolutely 0 sleep then going for an hour-long walk is a good time. My feet disagreed for most of the afternoon, but man I feel good. We walked a half hour for the sake of going out for breakfast… one way to work up an appetite, I'll give my mother that much. And somehow, the walk back seemed not to take quite so long… I think it's to do with the fact it wasn't all up hill. Stupid bloody freakin frickin frackin hills…

So, anyway, walking for an hour plus no sleep plus lots of caffeine = I'm good!

And now, lots and lots of watching TV. Because my fat ass is still lazy.

March 28, 2006

Insert catchy and oddly off the wall sentence/phrase here.

I'm bored and couldn't think of a better title. Sue me. Or better yet, send me money. Yeah…I like that idea better. I think I'll look at going back to
college next year. Or the year after. But probably next. Can't find work anyway and I've been looking left and right, so might as well do something for 8 hours a day. Being a pain in certain people's asses isn't getting my bills payed…. but it sure as hell is fun!

March 27, 2006

Random website browsing is a good time.

So, I wound up on a website that pointed to a website that pointed to some odd little single-page site that linked to this blog. The thing hasn't been updated in like 3 years, which is about how long I haven't spoken to its author. That's a whole other can of worms for a post when I'm significantly less lible to still wind up pissed about the explanation. Ah, who am I kidding? If I'm still pissed about it 3 years later it's not going away. IT was immature anyway. Ah well. Maybe I'll find a more updated version of someone else's blog I haven't heard from in about that long. Considering most of the people in question I used to roleplay with fairly regularly on Eternal Struggle, I suppose there's enough explained there. Boy, does her writing ever look different now that her vendictiveness is common knowledge. Who'd of thunk it?

March 23, 2006

I made it onto Google!

4:30 Randomness

Okay so amidst being bored, I realised just out of completely and absolutely nowhere, that on average I forget about close to 3 birthdays per month. That's
just wrong. Well, easy solution… happy birthday to whoever I haven't said happy birthday to yet this month! Ah, staying awake until damn near 5:00 in
the morning is a good time.

March 6, 2006

I crave me some BNL!

It's been just over 2 years since the only BNL concert I've gone to, and I know for a fact I'm overdue. I should fix that… but I'm poor. Someone fix that
for me? Pwease?

February 25, 2006

Hockey's comin' back!

Okay, so the stupid Canadian men's hockey team sucks so far as the olympics go. I've already bashed them. But now the real hockey season's back… and there was much yayness! Personally, I'm looking at the Ottawa Sennators to at least take it to the finals. I'd put my money on the Toronto Maple Leafs, but if their pre-olympic play is any indication I'll be broke. So, moving on…

February 7, 2006

Teehee...

Even the non-trekies will find this link hillarious. But, if it goes over your head… read it while listening to this theme I've personally picked out for it. Even the humorless (you know who you are) will at the least smirk at it. Maybe.

January 31, 2006

They won! They won! They.. won?

My leafs actually won a game… bloody miraculous! Yeah, that's new. New enough to be worthy of being posted here, anyway. That, and I just wanna make sure
this isn't just something that's gonna wind up completely and utterly breaking on me any time soon. It'd better not…

Yay for almost minor miracles...

Today's minor miracle… I actually have this thing working! Just a little easily amused, perhaps? You betcha. But oh well… right?

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My Life is A Drama Free Zone: musings

March 8, 2008

At least it was only 2 bucks.

March 7, 2008

Wickedness awesomeness coolness.

March 6, 2008

And now, an actual update.

February 27, 2008

But I'm not a smoker...

February 21, 2008

Consider thyself evicted.

February 19, 2008

This kid trumps any 2 of yours. And she's not even related to me.

Update:

February 10, 2008

I left work nearly 12 hours ago.

February 4, 2008

And still employed is me!

January 26, 2008

Free breakfast at Cora's? Well worth coming to work.

January 12, 2008

Is it Sunday yet?

January 10, 2008

Easy mornings don't happen often.

January 7, 2008

I live! Still!

December 27, 2007

December roughly translated is holy crap it's busy?

December 19, 2007

My boss can read minds.

December 16, 2007

I have fallen off the blogging wagon.

December 8, 2007

I have officially lived in Ottawa for a year.

December 6, 2007

Because a week with no update is plenty long enough.

November 28, 2007

Well, they haven't killed each other yet.

November 26, 2007

Why I don't go by 'Jim'.

November 18, 2007

How long will this call go?

The 2007 Ottawa Santa Clause parade...

November 15, 2007

How does a man who's opposed to the 1 hour lunch...

November 7, 2007

I might actually get used to this.

November 1, 2007

And to think they criticised me for my microwaving habbits.

October 31, 2007

And I complain about missing my hockey games this year...

October 10, 2007

I get to do nothing for 4 more hours. Plus breaks.

My drama free thanks giving...

October 6, 2007

27 minutes...

Thanks giving with the family. Or, will I snap this weekend?

September 30, 2007

My first official post from ye old reformatted desktop!

September 23, 2007

James 3, Microsoft 0.

September 13, 2007

because 2 weeks is long enough.

August 24, 2007

Yup, it's friday.

August 23, 2007

Now there's a baseball game I'd love to watch.

August 17, 2007

A smattering of update.

July 29, 2007

So my attempt to blog more than once a week goes kinda like this.

July 24, 2007

My cable versus satelite predicament or: the only truely evil thing about living in ottawa.

July 4, 2007

The almighty coffee chain and me...

Back to the grind...

July 1, 2007

Happy Canadia day!

June 23, 2007

They killed the drop zone! Bastards!