Philanthropunk

New Year

2011-01-06T07:45:00.001-08:00

Holiday season completed! Go team!

I will dispense with the minutia of holiday and just say that I went on my first cruise. It was a week long to the Caribbean and it was a lot of fun. I got to see Chichen Itza, coral reefs in Roatan, and Caves in Belize. All the while getting fat on a boat. Good times! (go America!)

I've not produced any resolutions this year. I'm waiting on my new moleskine. To record them, kinda a habbit of sorts... I may actually make a rule not to let anyone touch my book this year. Though, last year a friend took it out of my pocket while she was drunk and it got torn up when I tried to get it back. So 2010's book is a bit "eff'ed" .

School starts back up next week. I'm only taking one class, though it's the first graduate level course I will be taking. The previous two courses were undergraduate classes that the department thought I should take first. O, and I made an A last semester!

It's important to note here that I made a promise not to buy any fancy Apple products unless I made an A. So, yay consumerism!

I've finished both practice tests for my GIAC REM (GREM) certification. I will likely schedule to take it in a couple of weeks.

Final is over.

2010-12-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

So my final was last week. In general it went very well. Though I realised after the test that I misinterpreted part of one of the questions. In my haste I wrote down trigonometric identities instead of Euler's equations for sinusoid. I really am a boob sometimes.

It's nice to be done with class for a while though!

'Bout 2 weeks till the cruise! Will be my first time cruising, should be pretty fun.

On that note, the Dept. of State forced me to get a new birth certificate. Because the one I've had my entire life is apparently not "long" enough... Some of you that know me will appreciate the irony in this story.

Now I've got to worry about getting my passport in time and wrapping up Christmas shopping. I've nailed down pretty much everything I want to get for people. Though, I've not necessarily ordered it all; Most of it can be had locally.

Went to the tamale festival at the Pearl brewery this weekend. Was good fun! The day was surprising hot for the middle of December! Was a good event, only managed to eat at 4 of the stands before being full. However parking around Pearl is somewhere between a cluster-fuck and all out chaos.

Which reminds me the Josephine restaurant located here wouldn't allow anyone to park under the highway. The entire area between josephine and greyson on the map. Mind you the that area could park probably park at least 10 times the number of people that could sit inside the maybe 1000 sqrft. restaurant. I understand needing to protect parking for your customers. But, you will never have that many people wanting in your establishment; And I sure as hell won't be going there now.

If it were my restaurant I would have saved the number of spots for maximum occupancy and then handed out coupons and menus to get the people parking in all those other spots to become customers. NOVEL IDEA.

Trials

2010-12-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

I have a test today.

I was discussing with my girlfriend last night my current state. How I find having to study and do homework inconvenient, but that I also have a hard time seeing myself doing anything else right now. All in all, I think that's a good sign. Really all this says is that "hard things are hard", and that what I'm doing I actually want to do. It was just an odd perspective at that moment.

This last year certainly has included a bunch of changes: New job, new city, started graduate school, girl friend, house shopping. Though with all this in mind, I'm still resolute not to be too much of an adult.

Wikileaks is all in the news right now. I have mixed opinions on the subject. I think it's important for 'journalists' to uncover scandal or corruption, but I'm not so convinced that is what this is. This doesn't appear to be much of a focused revelation about anything, so much as someone just dumping over a filing cabinet in hopes of finding something good. However, the animosity being directed as Assange doesn't seem warranted. Too many politicians are throwing around the word 'terrorist' too liberally these days and it's not like he stole the documents personally, in all likelihood the person that did could have just sent them to any of the news agencies himself.

Anywho, back to studying...

Being right

2010-11-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

I recently had a test for my communications class. I lost points on the second question. When I inquired as to why, the professor said he wanted the integral written out for the relationship. Which makes sense, except that there is a special symbol for the relationship (convolution) that I used instead. The question didn't specifically ask for the integral, it just wanted us to show the relationship. I, of course, used the symbol. I challenging the professor on this, but he was not swayed. I pointed to questions one and three where he used the word "Define" explicitly for other equations.

I suppose in the end it's up to him to decide how he grades his tests. But, I'm also bound by his grades. I also have to question how much I want to fight with him about it, in the event he curves and I've pissed him off such that I don't get my A.

Perhaps I should just be happy with being right.

Nah...

Honestly, just stop already

2010-11-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start punching people around me that use the term "Lameduck". I'm sure you've heard it on the radio lately. If you haven't, and are curious, it is a reference to the congressional term after the election and before the new guys arrive. The implication being that nothing will happen... BECAUSE THIS IS APPARENTLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER TIME.

The semester is going well. I've definitely learned a lot from this class on wireless communication. Good Stuff! Looking forward to some new ventures at work, hopefully we can make some good things happen. Some people despise change, and I guess there is a question of degree, but I like switching things up now and then. At least for right now. Maybe when I'm old I'll just be upset and shake a stick at the kids on my lawn...

Mid terms...

2010-09-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

foamfoamfoamfoamfoam.

Who are the people that really consider some of these current 'issues' actually important?

It's a building in New York. Shut the fuck about it already.

Christianity has extremists too. You wouldn't consider it fair to blame everyone. In fact, when it comes to atheists telling you to jam it and pointing to all the atrocities that have happened under the banner of Christianity, you would make the same argument Muslims are having to.

This is of course despite the fact that most of you 'Christians' fail to understand the tenets of what Christ taught.

Eating again

2010-08-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

So my fasting only lasted four days. I gave in to social convention, that was the hardest part of not eating for me. It was very interesting to see how much of a part consumption is to our, or at least my, "social fabric".

I may try doing it again at some point. I wasn't really planning to start when I did. I just didn't eat one day for breakfast, then lunch, then I decided to roll with it.

Not eating.

2010-08-17T07:29:00.001-07:00

I've been playing with the idea of fasting. In general I've recently been interested in feets of human endurance, things like marathons, suspension and the like. I've been on a juice diet since yesterday, probably had 200 calories total, and no solid food. We'll see how long this lasts...

Teeth.

2010-07-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

I really do hate teeth. Why can't they be trouble free? I mean what sense does it make to have parts that are supposed to grind on shit that are sensitive? O yeah, AND DON'T GROW BACK!

Let's talk about intelligent design, because this shit is stupid.

Procrastination

2010-07-07T07:59:00.001-07:00

I'll post about it later....

Lazy summer...

2010-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

It feels like summer. This last week I was working till 11 some nights, not that I really needed to make up the time, but just that I was enjoying work and knew I wasn't going to spend the time any better at home. I doubt I will keep up working that long, especially when the next semester starts up, but it was kind of nice getting so much done. Now I just need to be able to focus like that when it comes to other things...

I am planning on signing up at a gym/trainer. There is a company here in San Antonio called Velocity that apparently specialises in sports training and such. My goal is to run a marathon, at least before I'm 30. I think with proper training and if I work at it, I could totally due it in a year. I used to not like running, but I've kind of gotten into it...

Going to College Station this week to hang out with my besties. Should be good times all around!

Cheers!
C.

Lame...

2010-06-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

So Boston was a huge success. Yelp really has been, as I see it, a great travel tool in really finding GOOD places and things to do in new cities. Way to go crowd sourcing! Though I still have some reservations in how yelp attempts to make money by extorting businesses that get bad reviews. They so they don't, but...

I've a preorder for the new iphone tomorrow. This weekend, in Houston, I purchased a caftetiere, press pot, French press, whatever you wanna call it... Also some cups for my espresso machine and some wine glasses.

Yes sir, living that yuppie life...

I also picked up an awesome stomach virus in Houston! Woo hoo.

And finally, please enjoy this video of Microsoft Bob.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZegWedG-jk4

Boston! O Boston!

2010-06-01T06:40:00.001-07:00

Going to Boston tomorrow! I will be there until Wednesday. Should be great fun, I'm going with most of the Neumeyer family; Abby my girlfriend, Nina my coworker and friend, and their mother. Should be good times! Plan on meeting up with Brooke and BJ while I'm there of course, certainly planning to tour bother the breweries there. I'll probably only have time for tweeting and such while there, so yeah...

Negative.

2010-05-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Hot water heater was out this morning. I have a cold. It's stormy outside. wah wah wah...

Participated in the defcon qualifiers this weekend. Was a ton of fun. I learned a lot. Next year I want a bigger team, and more direction. We really only had 4 people and we were all going in different directions. It's certainly an event though. I hear some of the teams had command centrals with big screens, like they're landing shuttles or some shit.

Anywho, I'm going to drink this tea...

2010-05-19T06:36:00.000-07:00

So I've agreed to participate in an independant study class for my control systems professor this summer. I've yet to determine if that course would actually benefit my in any way. As of right now it just sounds like a part time job that I don't get paid for....
:-/

2010-05-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

So, my first semester back is over! Final is done, took forever. He gave us a take home final and I subsequently spent 12 hours on it... Why can't we just have an in-class one next time, fuck.

As for this summer, I have a few plans.
One is to get my CISSP.
Two is to get a website idea I've had with my brother up and running. I actually fully intend to hire developers for this.
Three... maybe get into geocaching. It looks like fun.

Lords of Ultima...

2010-04-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

Lord of Ultima is a web-based strategy/city management/world sim. It's also the exactly the same thing as Utopia, which is has been around for ages. Virtually every part of the game is the same, except that you can attack dungeons that randomly appear in the world. In fact it's so bad, I'm not even going to continue pointing out how bad it is...

So Class is officially over, really this time. Still have a final to complete, and a presentation to give on a project. I really enjoyed the class, it was kinda fun being back in school and the material was actually really interesting. I hope this momentum keeps up! Only 5 years to go!...

Listening to MC Frontalot's latest album. Thumbs up. Well done sir. Come to San Antonio so we can hang out... maybe play some settlers.

Well, maybe...

2010-04-29T06:56:00.001-07:00

But apparently my prof is holding another class today.... balls.

SCHOOOLS, OUT, FOR, SUMMER!

2010-04-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

Well, kind of anyway. I still have to complete a final, but I will say overall my first course has gone swimmingly well. I really enjoyed learning the material too. Feels kind of good to be back in school honestly. Let's just hope I continue to feel that way...

I still have another levelling course I need to complete. Though, I did as my advisor if it would be possible for me to take a graduate course before finishing my levelling courses. He seemed to imply that it was possible but not recommended, but if the graduate course did not use the material...

I'm trying to decide if I should get in a course this summer. I was intending to do the whole house shopping thing and there is the business idea that I wanted to pursue. I also thought it might be a good use of time to spend the summer getting some certifications I could use career wise. Then at least it wouldn't be a total wash in terms of self development ya know?

I still feel like I should be taking a class though... It's already going to take forever to finish this degree, dragging it out any more that it needs to be is just asking for trouble.

2010-04-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

So tired....

My partner I worked on the test with is really good at trying my patience.

Father passed last night...

2010-04-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

My father's health had been declining for the last month, last night was the end. My brother was on his way out to Las Vegas, and I got a text from him at the air port saying they were "a little too late". From what I've heard he hadn't been conscious for a couple of days. At least my brother or I were there when he was.

Though it sounds bad, I'm not upset. This was a person I really didn't know that well. That part in and of itself is kind of sad, but that was mostly his decision, not mine.

That test turned into a take home test, issued on Saturday. I have more than half of it done. Should have it polished off tonight.

Breakfast tacos.

2010-04-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

Nawm.

I have a test on thursday, and loads of shiz to do this week. :-(

Long time no post.

2010-04-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

I was out for this week before last up in las vegas. My father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is something of a financial mess. Suffice to say, plan for you future people.

In the largest case of irony ever, I watched him try to explain to a doctor how he's "not like some people" that take advantage of "wellfare" systems. Mind you, this is coming from a uninsured dieing man in the county hospital that was claiming social security, unemployment, and had 400 dollars to his name.

He also watches Fox "news". *sigh*

I try to respect this person and I do want to take care of him, but I'm pretty upset about the whole thing. I think I'm doing it more for my brother than anything else, because I know that he will try to do it all himself. My relationship with this man has never been good. His irresponsibility and tendency to lie have jaded my view him over time. For a long time when I was young I would defend his lies to other people, even my mother. I desperately wanted him to be an archetypal father, but looking back, I have a hard time saying he was. Suffice to say, this is not the person I wish to emulate.

This is all brought to bare because he needs, or will need, someone to look after him soon and I don't feel he really ever did much of the same for me. The second part being his fiscal irresponsibility is possibly going to become a burden to my brother and I.

Tea.

2010-03-18T08:30:00.001-07:00

Mmmmm. Tea.

TUUUUUUUUESday

2010-03-16T08:27:00.001-07:00

I have off from class this week. I hadn't even really considered that I'd be getting a spring break. Pretty sweet overall I guess.
My brother's birthday party was this weekend. Met up over at sister in law's parent's house. It was a fantastic day outside, andn played my first game of "bunko". Which I have to say isn't really much of a game. Just all luck really, I guess aside from your ability to madly grab the dice when a "bunko" is rolled. For my efforts I won a begonia; That's right, a plant.

I also stopped by the cigar shop to pick up a few things to send to a friend out in country X. Trying to decide what other fun stuff to put in the box. Maybe some angry bees...

Found out last night that my father is apparently in the hospital. Reportedly for shortness of breath. Apparently there is a blood clot in his leg, and they've said there might be some more cancerous tissue around his bladder. Which he had been doing radiation therapy for a while now. Not sure if thing's are very serious atm, but we'll see.

Test today!

2010-03-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

Test today!
Yesterday was so beautiful outside I decided to leave work mid day to go sit outside at the flying saucer and study. It was pretty fantastic.

The test today shouldn't be too bad. So far I've been really pretty good with control systems, it's been coming easily.

I've often wondered about my abilities in both an emotional and intellectual sense. I think I am generally behind my age. It seems like I am usually a couple of years behind my peers in terms of events or achievements. I'm not sure how well I can draw this corollary or really what evidence I could provide that's not anecdotal, but it feels right. I don't really find this disturbing or upsetting. Not even to say that it at all matters once you're outside of primary school and you're being compared directly to other kids your age. Just a thought...

I have read that it's apparently best to make your kid as old as possible in class, because they'll be way smarter and through success more confident in their abilities.

Gloomy with a chance of awesome.

2010-03-08T08:31:00.001-08:00

It's gloomy and wet here in San Antonio.

In better news the Portal 2 stuff is at an all time frenzy. Valve, you continue to amaze me with how well you understand your customers. Please never go the way of Blizzard and sell your souls to the devil... Or at least if you do make sure you're not fucking your customers too. Just sell them to make even sweeter titles. kthnx!

Test this thursday.

C

Mostly uneventful weekend.

2010-03-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

This previous weekend was mostly uneventful. This is in comparison to this coming weekend which will likely prove to be quite eventful. NAHMEAN?

I got some jalapeno bacon at the store last week and I have to say, "It's fucking delicious". Or rather I said, "This is fucking delicious" after I made some at home.

I have a meeting with a relator today! I'm going to pursue adulthood through purchasing a house. The whole idea of house shopping is both exciting, terrifying and potentially boring all at the same time.

ok that's all for now.

Really?

2010-02-25T07:54:00.000-08:00

I feel like an old man. This rib injury sucks. Nothing like starting the morning being forced to actually roll out of bed.

I contacted a relator a while back and was subsequently blown off. I told them exactly what I was looking for, and they seemed excited. Then they sent me a email, asking what I was looking for. My response was to read the previous email where I covered this all, and I never heard anything again. Good job "boehm team", nothing says professional like not paying attention to your correspondence, and sending annoying automated advertisements to people came to you in the first place.

I looked into what it takes to get a real estate license. Frankly, it's not that much. Brokerage is about twice the amount of training. It's by no stretch of the imagination a degree, but I'm not going to say that it takes certain skills to be a good sales person. But it does seem to provide a good income to people whom I would otherwise doubt their ability even operate heavy machinery.

Birthday Success

2010-02-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

This weekend was a successful birthday. Nick came down from Dallas and we had a good time. Saturday I won a case of wine at the winery we got to! Got to pick anything I wanted. They had a curling game and I had to compete against coworkers. Was a good time hanging out with folks.

In more immediate and painful news. I think I just sneezed a rib loose. Awesome Monday so far...

Tomorrow

2010-02-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my birthday. I hope I get spankings...

The last couple of years I've planned reasonably large outings with friends. I've decided that if you want your birthday to go a particular way, you better well plan it yourself. However, I think I'm going to keep things low key this year.

I am of the realisation that 2010 makes the year of my 10th year since high school graduation. I assume there's going to be some form of reunion, and I'm in the debate about whether to attend. Hmmm... Do I really want to look at people's baby pictures? I'll probably go, I'm just actin' tuf'.

2010-02-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

Don't let the beard fool you, I'm still evil.

Fucking yay

2010-02-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

So I got my first test back on Thursday and I made a 94! On top of the average being a 64! The professor went so far as to show the number of people that made grades in certain brackets and he called the group I was in the "Honour roll" and then called out our names in class, followed by, "You can beat them up later." Thanks dude. He then suggested the other students start studying with us...

So all in all pretty excited about that.

Ribs

2010-02-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

So the rib thing is apparently a separated rib, or close to it. I've apparently torn or damaged the tendon that keeps the right ones connected to my sternum. And let me tell you, it feels awesome!

Wonder if our prof. is going to have our tests graded today.

UTSA's email is out of control. Seriously, they need to limit the organisations that are allowed to send broadcast messages because there is entirely too much spam flying around. Though, if it's run anything like the parking department, they're too busy flinging poop at each other to actually be productive members of society.

Post test

2010-02-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

The test went really well. I felt good about the whole thing, so here's hoping that my grade reflects it.

The CHL class was pretty interesting. I learned a good deal about what you can and can't do, with and without a license. I also finally learned what those red 51% signs you see outside of Texas bars. For those that don't they are to tell you that the establishment makes 51% or more of it's income from the sale of alcohol, which means you're not allowed to "carry" inside.

My chest still really hurts. I think I mentioned it before that I think I pulled something from all the coughing, but damn. It's taking a hell of a long time to get better... I wonder if I should go back to the doc. Sneezing is like getting punched in the stomach right now. I guess it's possible I cracked a rib or something, but that just doesn't seem likely.

This coming weekend is my birthday. Nick has offered to come down, so that will be fun.

I need a haircut, I'm developing an acute case of scrufitis.

Concealed Carry

2010-02-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

They're holding a concealed carry handgun class at work this weekend. Apparently one of the VPs is a certified instructor! So, I'm going to be getting my license this weekend.

Some of you may know that I'm an avid NPR fan. I think pretty much everything about what goes on there is great... except for the stations that play TOO much classical to fill time. I mean I like classical and all, but in my opinion that should be it's own station. Anyway, one of the shows I love is This American Life which just recently aired an episode pertaining to guns and gun ownership. It was a good episode. I suggest those on either side of the gun ownership fence listen to it. It doesn't pick sides, but it does a great job of explaining both points of view.

I have my first test tomorrow. It's been 5 years since I've taken a school test. I'm pretty nervous. I want to do so well in the course. I deeply want to validate myself in getting an A. I was always upset with my performance in school, but I never seemed able to really change much of the outcome in college. Sure I would try studying more, or different techniques, but never really produced a change. I consequently blamed myself for not having the diligence to study or work harder, never really accepting it was a lack of talent. Thus, I'm hoping that being older has changed me in some way; In some way that will reflect as better grades. That's not to say I'm just sitting idly by, certainly I'm studying and trying to do well, I just hope I'm not disappointed.

phlegm

2010-02-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

So I've apparently pulled some unknown muscle that extends over my right rib cage. I know this because it now hurts to move, cough, or live. Awesome. I imagine this is what I get for coughing for over a week...

In other news class is going well so far. We have a test coming up next week. It already seems too soon to be having a test, but eh. I think I can handle it with no problem.

I'm trying to come up with something else to do. Right now I am considering either taking up Judo again, or perhaps fencing. Both of these sports seemingly being silly in some sense. One requires wrestling dudes on the ground, the other, prancing about.

It's supposed to be in the 60s this weekend, I'm looking forward to it.

Mission Accomplished.

2010-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

New York was a huge success. Lot's of fun with Cat and Mike. I got to see the things I intended to see, and I also succeeded in making my cough far worse. I went to the doctor yesterday and got the hook up on some meds, so hopefully that will help... Though he gave me some uber-sizzurp that was supposed to help me sleep, but it didn't really help. The only time I recall not looking at the clock last night was from 1:30 to 4:30... weeeee.

I'm keeping it short today.

Falling apart...

2010-01-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

Man, I appear to be falling apart. After my fun on Sunday, I developed a slight sore throat, and was running fever last night. Awesome. Perfect time to get sick, right before I do some leisure travelling. THANKS!

Class is going well so far. I need to stay on the ball study wise, I've been doing an OK job so far. I may start a schedule and try to stick to it. I have a feeling that will prevent me from the "I'll do it tomorrow" monster.

Play leaves in the afternoon tomorrow. Need to do a spot of laundry, and pack some warm things. Looks like New York is going to be more like "New-BURR-City"....

Projectile Vomiting

2010-01-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

Sooooo... I had lunch on Sunday, and an hour or two later I was vomiting. Hard.
I dunno if it was just some weird stomach bug, or if it was what I ate for lunch. Which was sardines, edamame, and some avocado. A had a coffee shortly after that. Perhaps that combination is poisonous.

I'm going to NY,NY on wednesday! It's going to be somewhere between totally rad, and flippin' awesome. Though I will be missing a day of class, hopefully I don't miss something super important or a quiz... O well.

Some of the work people and I just walked down to the new whataburger they built down the street. We met the President of Whataburger! He was visiting the store and asked us how stuff was. Pretty neet!

Office party

2010-01-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

Tonight we're having an office party. Bunch of people that get paid far more than I do will be attending. At least there will be some friends there.

It's friday.
I have some coffee, and an orange.

Class is going well so far. Part of out class is to sign up for a project in the control systems laboratory. Really what it is is helping out graduate students with their projects, for part of our grade. Technically speaking, the class doesn't have a lab, but I guess we can use this in place of a test grade. I signed up with the group working on some autonomous vehicles, and I think it will be pretty fun. They're using Arduinos for the processing platforms, and I've been wanting to play with one of those for some time now.

Looking forward to my trip to New York this coming week. I was supposed to have been keeping a list of all the stuff I wanted to do, but I didn't... ewps. I think winging it will be just as good.

Tinned fish

2010-01-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

I've started looking into sardines. Clearly I'm a sucker for anything Alton Brown does, but I am interested in increasing my fish consumption for heart health reasons. Sardines are a pretty convenient way to go about it. The trick being, findings sardines that don't taste like crap. Which do actually exist.

It's funny, of everyone I talk to, either they used to eat them, or have always hated them. It seems like I'm having a hard time finding anyone that currently puts sardines in their pie-holes. From what's available at my local grocer, my favourite so far are "Kind Oscar" brand.

It's a pretty intimidating food. I would easily compare it to sushi. Not just because it's fish, but because how different it is to the typical things we consume. Skins, tails, bones... though in a good sardine you wouldn't notice any deviation of texture from these other components.

Calories per can, I've seen, range from 150-210. Most of that coming from fat, though the good kind. Though, you should note the type of oil that use to pack. Most are olive, but some use various other unsavoury oils. Let me break down a can: 210 calories, 16g fat(25%), 6g saturated (28%), 45mg cholesterol(16%), 710mg sodium(30%), 14g protein(28%), 20% calcium.

That was on a pack of larger sardines, packed in mustard, so I think the sodium is a bit higher. The high calcium is of course from the bones, which you can't even notice that they're there.

There are some other arguments for sardines too. Since these are all smaller and short lived fish, the heavy metal content in them is going to be way lower than fish like salmon and tuna. They're also supposedly more sustainable that the larger fish as well.

Enough about fish!
Time for coffee!

oi

2010-01-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

I started running again. I was going a good job of once it wasn't 100 degrees, up to thanksgiving. I guess thanksgiving is the start of the downhill holiday slide into fatty land. I did run once a few weeks ago when it warmed up some, and I was starting to come down with a cold. I had the "manly" idea of running the cold off, and now I'm not entirely sure I just made it worse.

I went on a date this saturday. It was fun, I think we both had a good time, though I did happen to have a bit too much sauce by the end of the evening. I'm pretty sure we will go out again.

I've begun researching sardines. Do you like them? Up until a few days ago I would have probably said I did not. But, my reaction to them would be based on a very small sample size. It's pretty interesting how diverse the world of sardines are. Huge variances by region, packer, and fish. Apparently, the labeling laws for what counts as a "sardine" are pretty wide. Allowing 5 some-odd fish to be called sardines. I also have to admit my interest is derived from Alton Brown's recommendation. I'm such a sucker for Good Eats...

Third day of class is today. We don't have home work due until next week, and I've already banged it out. So far we're moving slow, but then we've only had 2 classes. I hope it stays slow...

School days...

2010-01-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

I'm starting class again tomorrow.

Is it a universal truth that all universities have no fucking clue how to plan for parking? Why is it that other businesses can figure this out, but the institutions with the worlds smartest minds can not? Clearly, they've not devoted any of their time to the matter.

UTSA is of course no different that any other school, in that they charge you for no parking. As in you pay for a theoretical spot, that does not currently reside on this plane of existence. What spots do exist are currently occupied by liberal arts majors and 'bros' getting 'ripped' at the "recreation centre". I leave the lesser of the evil for you to decide.

Also, I had to pay a 100 fee for the shitty football team. Isn't the argument EVERY school uses to justify the presence of the meat-headed-fuck-tards that usually compose these organisations, that they generate money? Clearly my interpretation of "generating money" is wrong. To me it just looks like I payed an extra hundred dollars. So by that logic, shouldn't I be paying for NOT having a football team?

Chairs

2010-01-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

Why are chairs so expensive? I mean nice chairs.
I want a nice chair, one that isn't going to kill me sitting in it at work. But where do these kids get off charging a grand for a bunch of plastic. There is no way in hell these people are not making 10000% profit. I guaran-fucking-tee you there is no skilled labor in the production of these things, and 9 times out of 10, you're putting the fucker together.

We need open source chairs. Ergonomic chair designs and build procedures that are free to use by any manufacturer. I want there to be a flood of affordable, and comfortable chairs.

Like these: http://www.ergonomicofficechairs.com/

I've priced one of their cheaper models. A grand flat. They only get more expensive from there, for what is essentially a design that hasn't changed in decades, made with products that are not revolutionary. Sure, in this case, perhaps they have a little bit better build quality that some "competitors", but I don't honestly think there is any legitimate competition taking place, or these seats wouldn't be so expensive.

Expensive and cheap

2010-01-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

I bought some new jackets yesterday. They're adult jackets, a leather one and a wool pea-coat. If only I had the mentality to boot.

I have to say, American apparel is way over priced. It's great they're American made, but honestly, if that's as competitive as we can get, we need to work on efficiency. A machine made t-shirt need not cost 25 bucks, for one.

I'm not convinced it's the case that we can't produce goods much cheaper, at the same quality, than that. I figure they're just marking them up like there's no tomorrow. My proof is that woot uses their shirts, adds awesome silk screens and gets them SHIPPED for only 10 dollars.

Apple is replacing my laptop battery again. It's not holding a charge and has been through less than a 100 charge cycles. I have to say, people bag on Apple being expensive, but if you ever have to deal with their customer service, you'll understand why.

Happy new year to those who havn't heard it enough times to puke.

steak

2009-12-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

You know what's tasty? Steak.
I had one last night.
You know how it was?
Tasty.

My morning was met with rime covered clouds, sprinkling me with bits of frozen water. Sounds like all of Texas is going to get some frozen precipitation. AND THEY SAY CLIMATE CHANGE ISNT REALLLL.

It's funny because I do think we should be attention to what we're doing to the planet. Very much so. But on the other hand, we pretty much know the climate has changed and drastically before; You know, before US.

The second part of this is, and perhaps the one that makes the most sense, do we really have legitimately accurate weather models to even know what the fuck all this data means? My case in point is the weather from the local news. Those dudes can't predict shit.

Throw in some tin foil hats and a bad scientist or two, and we have ourselves a controversy!

My coffee is getting cold, so I'm going to go put it on the spotted owl burner. ttyl

C.

"expresso"

2009-12-28T07:23:00.000-08:00

So I got something I really wanted for christmas, an "expresso" machine. My yuppie-dom is complete. As this seems to be the most popular way of pronouncing the word, I will now begin saying it like this as well.

New Years.
Do you have resolutions? I had some last year, and I think I did a good job on them.
1. Lose all negativity.
-well, shit.
2. Pursue Graduate School and a business that you love.
-check.
3. Pursue new love and new friends.
-check on the friends part.
4. Define your limits to others.
-I think I've become better at this, this was most applicable to the situation I was in at my last job where I was just being too complacent, and not voicing my concerns. So check.
5. Be a best friend, brother, uncle, son, person you can.
-I believe I've done better. I've tried to make sure I keep in touch, and spend more time on or with people I care about. I'm not sure I've made myself a better person, but yeah.
6. Do not wait for the perfect time and do no doubt yourself.
-Well my job change certainly wasn't the perfect time, though I probably still doubt myself more than I should. Semi-check

I may carry over a couple of these are they're pretty important in how I perceive myself as the person I should be. Overall, I think last year was a successful year. I grew a lot as a person and I'm happy with where things are now. I'm loving my job, and am looking forward to starting school again this next year. I'm spending a lot more time with family and friends. I pursued interests and passions. In addition to focusing more on my health, as I felt I had begun to neglect my person.

So, next year's resolution probably won't look too much different, but maybe good resolutions are goals where you strive for perfection knowing you may never be able to achieve it.

2009-12-24T07:39:00.003-08:00

I still need to wrap my presents. Though I'm just generally not a fan of wrapping. It's really all kind of wasteful ya know?

2009-12-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

Soo... I lost my voice.

I've never lost my voice like this, it's kind of annoying.

O' where for out thou voice?

Please excuse me, I'm going to make some tea.

2009-12-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

I'm sick. :-(
Pity me!

So much to learn...

2009-12-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

Man I have so much to learn. Working on this new project at work.
I'm effectively trying to implement WiMax on a USRP drivin' by GNUradio. By myself. :-(
I am of course learning a lot, but there is just so much to take in. These books I'm reading use WAY too many acronyms. It's like every other word...

Dear drivers

2009-12-14T07:09:00.001-08:00

Stop looking at the accident on the other side of the road, and drive. You stupid fucking monkeys.

I guarantee everyone in the traffic jam north of 1604 on 35 this weekend was pissed that they were in traffic. But, then everyone that got up to the accident had their fucking necks craned. I know because I kept looking ahead, on the road.

So why didn't I look at the accident?
BECAUSE I KNOW HOW THE GOLDEN RULE WORKS.

jerks.

Shopping.

2009-12-10T07:17:00.001-08:00

I just finished most of my Christmas shopping last night.
Still have a few things to pick up, but I know what they are.

I don't want to work today... :-/

Guy from work lent me one of the Warhammer 40k books. I've always been interested in the game, but have never taken the leap in getting units and rule books and such. It's a rich-man's game for sure. But, I suppose that's really no different than Magic, or D&D to an extent. I really think the biggest hangup is the lack of peers to play the games with. I'd love to get back into some games just to have the social group to hang with. I've not made a whole lot of friends in San Antonio yet. I hang out with a few people from work and some of their friends by association, but no one on my own... I need to work harder on that.

Going to College Station this weekend for my best friend's wedding party. Should be fun, looking forward to it.

C.

4am

2009-12-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

The past two nights something has woken me up in the morning. Mind you, not at the time I WANT to wake up in the morning; In fact, several hours before. "What is waking you up?", you ask. Well I wish I could tell you.

But, if I found out a person is making this noise that startles me awake, I'm going to stab them in the fucking ear.

<3

Late

2009-12-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

I woke up really late this morning, for no good reason. TAKE THAT "THE MAN"!

Sunday night I was very disappointed in Cartoon Network. I had my DVR setup to record Venture Bros, but since CN was running some holiday spots during every break shows were running late. Suffice to say, my recording of Venure Bros only included half of the actual show.

Dear Cartoon Network,

Please stick to your schedule. Dicks.

<3,
C

I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet. I really need to, I always put it off. STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP.

Just another manic monday...

2009-12-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

I woke up early and with a headache this morning. What an awesome way to start the week! Think I was just dehydrated, happens to me easily.

So I took a bath this morning.

I like to play a game in the tub while taking a bath. As the faucet continues to drip, I like to catch the drops with my big toe. The drops form in three places, and tend to drip at a very constant tempos. Though, each drop has a different one. I keep my foot as far below the faucet as possible, but above the water.

I haven't given this game a name.

Lazy McFatty Cheeks

2009-12-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

For a while I was doing a good job running. I haven't hit the track in week now... and, AND I had chik-fil-a last night for dinner. Damn I love some chik-fil-a though...

I'm being lazy at work today too. Perhaps this is because it's nearing the end of the year. It gets cool outside, everything slows down.

I need to visit my apartment office, there should be two packages for me there. A motherboard, and 4 gas masks...

awesome.

Easy tiger...

2009-12-01T07:36:00.001-08:00

I had a "case of the Mondays" yesterday. So I decided to pay someone to touch me... In a totally legal and masseuse kind of way. This is the second time I've even gone for a massage. Both times have been at the same place, that is apparently a training facility for "massage therapists".

This last time was, perhaps, not as good as the first. Given that the lady felt it necessary to find the knots in my shoulders and GRIND ON THEM LIKE A FUCKING MORTAR AND PESTLE.

You will ask, "Did you say anything? You know, tell her that it kinda hurts?" Of course I didn't.

"Why?", you ask. Because, I'm an idiot.

It's colder today. I heard on the news that there was snow in El Paso, and that the town collectively shat itself.

First cold day.

2009-11-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

Today is the first cold I've seen in San Antonio. By cold I mean 50ish.
Clearly, something is amiss.
I can only imagine what would happen if there was frozen precipitation here.

Best friend is getting married tomorrow, in Hawaii.

I added bentonite to my mead last night. Going to try and clarify this batch.
Was reading that it might be better to add it at the beginning... pewp.
Tasted some of the mead though, was pretty good.
I'll probably add some of the leftover honey when I go to bottle.

Thanksgiving, then?

2009-11-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY

Dirty Nose..

2009-11-16T19:27:00.000-08:00

There is something growing in my sinuses. I think it's an alien baby. Perhaps twins...
Because I think I just aborted one of them. (thanks cat)

Partied in Austin with friends. It was a great time and it makes me sad we're all getting older. We had steak, booze, and played at an arcade that had more than House of the Dead and racing bullshit. A rarity for sure.

Saw an unexpected friend while there too. Good guy, bad times. He's the kind of person to stay happy though.

My last welding class is tomorrow. I need to figure out what to do after that, at least in terms of metal work. Perhaps I will move up to a community college course? Though, I will likely be starting my graduate degree next semester, so maybe I'll want to keep that time open until then...

I sent an email to the professor I am planning to take a course from. It is an undergraduate course, to fill in stuff from my previous degree. So I ask him if he can tell me what book he plans to use, or perhaps point me to a website with materials on it.

He responded with this:
"

Go to google.com and use the following key words:

control systems

Root locus

Laplace Transform

Frequency response

Design

Matlab control toolbox

etc.
/"

Yes, he told me to Google it.

Yes. He put "etc." How does that even make sense? You gave me a list about a topic I am planning to take a course in, and you put ETC. LIKE I KNOW WHAT ALL IS COVERED IN THE COURSE AHEAD OF TIME. O WAIT, THATS WHAT I JUST FUCKING ASKED YOU.

If you read this, and you're a professor. Please don't ever do this.

Bzzzz.

2009-11-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

I just realized that my AC hasn't been turned on in weeks. Apparently I had turned it to "OFF" and put the fan to "ON". I'm special like that.

2 more welding classes. 2 More months till spring semester. 2 more... something anothers to keep the pattern going...

My best friend showed me this webcomic gunnerkrigg court. It's awesome. Go read it, or I punch you.

Anime.

2009-10-19T20:01:00.001-07:00

I just attending a free anime showing at one of those new dinner and movie theaters.
It was 3 hours of nerds trying to be funny...
Sadly, I did laugh a few times; But the rest of the time I just wanted to punch people.

I'm not really in any position to pick fights. I guess this is to be expected because admission was free. People don't respect what they don't pay for. Excuse me waiter, there appears to be some proof in my pudding.

C.

A Sunday, with dreams on top.

2009-10-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

I often have vivid dreams. The dream I had last night left me in a strange mood when I woke.

The dream had started strangely enough, there was a guy who I was watching in third person who was fighting vampires and Nazis ala Indiana J. This somehow progressed into a classroom setting where there was a women who had me smitten. She was not some grotesque manifestation of boobs and such, but she was a genius. You know how in dreams you have a "meta" sense about some things? She was brilliant and cunning, but shy and not the type of person that would rub her vast intellect in your face. She did very little in terms of talking or moving, but the little that she did my infatuation only multiplied. The subtlety of her words and movements told me she was kind.

The Indiana guy was there too, and I felt competitive towards him, even though neither he nor I had made any attempts to win her favor.

As from me waking up feeling alone in the universe, Sunday ended up being a good day. Here's my day: I road my bike, I ate tasty ham sandwich, I sat outside reading a comic while drinking limeade and smoking a cigar, then later dinner with friends. All of this in magnificient 74 degree weather and a cloudless sky... but

Thanks for fucking up my Christmas dream lady.

Soot

2009-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

The welding class was lot's of fun. Arc welding is a very different experience, in terms of sensory input. You're not really able to see much of what you're doing when you are actually doing it.

"It" being when you're pumping so much energy through metal that it melts and spits all over the place. Coupled with the fact that my helmet auto darkens when there is bright light, a result of previously mentioned dangerous activity.

It's much like trying to drawing tiny little circles on a canvas around a door, using a foot long stick held at the end, looking through the keyhole.

It strongly reminds me of the "Peril Sensitive Sunglasses" in Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker series.

http://www.hhgproject.org/entries/perilsensitivesunglasses.html

It also apparently turns your boogers black.

Who was the asshole...

2009-10-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

Really, I need to know who it was. I'm just sayin'...

I'll be attending my first welding class today.

This will eventually lead to me building the robot that will save us from ourselves.

Or severe burns...

Probably the later...

Definitely the later.

Slides

2009-09-26T12:55:00.001-07:00

It may be true that society is sliding to the lowest common denominator of intellect and moral deprivation.

However, I think you fail to realize that slides are fun.

Truth?

2009-09-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

People find bits of truth throughout their life. We hold onto these slivers of truth ever so tightly. Holding them against the darkness to define our existence or way of life.

Some times we hold them so hard that the varnish comes off, revealing something we wish we had never seen.

What do you do with it then?

Don't forget...

2009-09-15T19:56:00.001-07:00

Don't forget, life is what you make it.

I plan on making mine more interesting.

A possibility.

2009-09-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

I attended a wedding this weekend, and it's brought up some thoughts.

I take issue with people that assume there is "some one" out there for everyone. How are you so sure? This is borderline religious depending on how you look at it. The assumption that there is undoubtedly a person who is your a perfect match or "soul mate" to you.

What about the creepy guy you work with? Is there someone out there for him too? Someone that is accepting of, and interested in, his hair dolls and the pillow he fucks at night that has the face of Andy Rooney taped to it.

Yeah. I win.

I called someone a "bitch" on okcupid today. I'm not particularly proud of it, but she was being a bitch and I don't see any reason not to call a duck, a duck... or a bitch, a bitch...

Fuck all the women on okcupid. I hate you.

2009-09-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

I fucking hate people.

I'm on okcupid.

I send someone a message genuinely interested in something, or asking a question about what they do, or information on a mutual interest in the area.

I don't get a response.

But the site shows they've been online since I sent the message, and they've looked at my profile. So it's not like these people haven't received my message. They've gotten it, and they choose to ignore polite conversation.
Why?
Because they've so god damn full of themselves. They get off on ignoring people. They like the special feeling they get by ignoring someone.
It makes them feel special.
Like it's some accomplishment of desirability that they're laid a trap, in a place to that connects people to other people, and they've sprung it.
They've managed to acquire interest from someone and ignore it one fell swoop, providing themselves with a high of exclusivity.
Someone's unwittingly witnessed their false claim in whatever it is they're looking for and gone to inquire, only to be shunned.

I'm not asking for a date, marriage, or sex;I am just asking for a small piece of conversation. With no other obligations, and at full anonymity.

This is one of the reasons I hate people.

I imagine this is the reason that chauvinists are born. To be repeatedly denied a simple request by someone that made themselves available for request, without explanation or reprisal.

Artichokes and longing

2009-08-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

I just cooked some artichokes.

I made out a little with a coworker on Thursday after we'd had a bit too much of the sauce...

I can never get the hang of Saturdays.

The most...

2009-08-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

I wish I was the most intelligent person in the world...
Do you think that would make me any more lonely?

Tattoos...

2009-07-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hey. Internet. How's it going?... Good.

Listen, you need to keep your opinion of whether or not tattoos are a good idea to yourself. I know you may not be able to comprehend how someone could make a decision that will be there the rest their life. But, then, you probably will get married, have kids, or choose a degree and career path which will have effects of a similar scope. So with those choices in mind, you need to realize you're just as likely to being a failure, if not more so, at those than someone who gets a tattoo may "regret" it later.

See? That was easy.

P.S.
In all likelihood you're just jealous.

Parking

2009-07-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

Pay for parking is an atrocity to man kind. I see it in the same light as spam e-mail. People accepting it is driving the business model.

Suffice to say:

STOP PAYING FOR PARKING

If I had a pet unicorn...

2009-06-30T18:26:00.001-07:00

If I had a pet unicorn, I'd name him "Eat shit and die".

You and your online persona.

2009-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

You shouldn't create a profile on a community site, and then refuse to respond to people that message you in that community.

Unless they're rude.

And if they're not, then you are.