Success!

I've Got It Folks !!!! This guy didn't leave me stranded. For the umpteenth time, I started going through extra programs he loaded onto the computer and ran across one I had not noticed before. Boom! There it was. DVD plays great! Now all I need is a better set of speakers. Cool.

Work'en DVD Please

Got the shower done, got the belly filled, got the random photo updated, got . . . oh, that's all I got. Well three things isn't bad. The only thing left to do is get the damn DVD player to work on my new computer. The cd player did come with drivers, but . . . turns out I need to get some Dolby digital driver which I can freely download for a 30 day trial period. Somehow, I feel my wallet getting lighter. Must be a sixth sense or something. Anyways, the guy I purchased the computer from says that there are other programs on the computer that will run DVDs. Macrohards Windows Media Player being one of them. Well I downloaded all the updates for the Media Player and I've got a new error message that says there's a data encryption problem between the player and the video card - try downloading updated video drivers. OK!! S o u n d s easy enough. Not. Although my video card comes up via a serial number search (on their web site), I cannot find the drivers geared toward my specific model card and version of windows I am running. They have a lot of technical release notes to sift through, but still, none reference my video card or Windows version. Fortunately, they have an 800 number to call. Oh yeah - we'll have to see how much fun that will be. Since they are closed now, I'll reserve that excitement for tomorrow.

Otherwise, all is well in la la land. Tomorrows another day at work and as we all know, that leads to the weekend, except for those poor folks in the retail and restaurant sector. I remember those day's. When I was young. When that's the only job I could get. When minimum wage was $3.35/hr. When you'd work holiday's unless you were lucky. When your weekend may have been Monday and Thursday! Ahh yesss, those where the day's. Trust me folks, if you ever work that sector, you simply get used to it and it's just part of the grind.

Salsa Java

Well here's the photo you've been waiting for. Son Como Son played last night at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater as part of the New Mexico Jazz Workshops Jazz and Blues Under the Stars summer series. Here's a shot for ya.


A bit on the blurry side, but all my photo's of this event seemed to land in that category. It was a good time. The band played from 7 to 10pm (almost) with two intermissions. And the weather? Cozy warm. Check out the attached links info on the band, etc.

I managed to make it through the second day of the Javascript class. Got a certificate out of it too. Now, if I can only say that I actually know what was taught. Hmmm. At least it will look familiar when I see it in the book. Does that count?

Well, I'm outta here to do I still don't know what for the rest of the evening. I'll come up with something. Maybe I'll analyze the paint deterioration on the wall. I've always wanted to do t h a t.

DSL update

Well, after picking up my DSL modem yesterday after work, I THOUGHT I was going to be surf'en -n- blog'en from home. But alas, it was not to be. But I had a great substitute! K. invited me over for some chow and goofing off. Thanks K. It helped take my mind off other things.

Anyways, I had no luck with the supposed plug-n-play that the new modem was suppose to give me. I called tech support today expecting some suggestions. What did I get instead? Are you at your computer Mighty? No. Have you ever known tech support to make things easy? No. But I'm at work you see. Tech support is here until 10 p.m. uhhhhh Wow!! Okay, I'll call back tonight. - Can't believe their open that late. Customer support I see. So without further delay . . .

Long-n-boring

Now that would have been a short post, eh? I think short-n-sweet is little over rated. I might as well have posted two words: Do'en good. What do ya think? I thought so.

Work has progressed well today. I'm still thinking about my new hero I read about yesterday. Casey Serin. The guy who is in real estate bankruptcy. And he is pulling it off. He has become immortal. The hero of our generation. I can't wait to meet him some day. Is it luck? Perhaps strategy? Maybe a combination of both. My Hero. Anyways, he's got some work to pull himself out of the hole he's gotten himself into. Now if I tried this same thing, I know for a fact that I would be seeing bars all around me right about now. My meals would be handed to me through a rectangle slot. And . . . I would have all kinds of time to ponder life because life just wouldn't be going anyway. How do they get so lucky. I've got to find their secret! Maybe I'll start with Casey's web page.

In other notes, I should have DSL tomorrow. The phone company called late yesterday to say that the transfer would happen automatically on Friday. Then I'll need to get a DSL modem and I'm good to go.

What else, what else, what else. Let's see, let's see, let's see. Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm.

IBS
When working with others, analyse your plan of action. For inevitably, you will need to defend it.

MySpace

Why MySpace. Well there is a music event happening this weekend and I'm looking through the list of bands playing at the various bars downtown. I'm looking the bands up on the web and finding a lot of them with MySpace accounts to give folks a taste of their music. Some of it is okay, other stuff is not-no, fuck-no. We shall see how my search continues to go. In the end, the event will probably be a play it by ear event. Walk around, hear something interesting, move in for a closer listen until whenever. Sound good. I know you know so.

What else is up. Well no Internet at home until I get my DSL stuff going. The new computer does not have a standard phone jack so I can't get my dial-up fix. I feel so . . . SO . . . upgraded. Quick, call a doctor. So I'll have to suffer for a week or so. [Where did all the so's come from?] I think I'll live, but I think I'll be checking out more MySpace stuff once I get things setup at home. If nothing more than to see the fun stuff people have out there. Now, let's try to calculate just how many hours I'll burn doing that. Hmmmm. OR!!!!! We could try to calculate how many hours I'll burn playing Dungeon Siege. Played it a bit last night and WOW. I had played it at a friends house some years ago, and forgot just how much fun the game was.

What's next on the day's list? Head home and play. I think I'll try to get the digital camera software loaded and download all the photo's from my camera. First time since I bough the thing. See, my darling just wasn't able to handle camera's software. I will miss her. Or maybe NOT. She was great in her youth. And then . . .

Good and Bad

As I open to day's post, let's move along from bad things to good things. Shall we? After all, ending on a positive note would would certainly set the mood for later tonight.

To start, why was I hired my my current employer? By today's events, I would have to guess that it was to accept the raw end of a stick while having to gleefully accept the opinions of others. You see, I got pulled into a project yesterday in an attempt to help hasten the apparently slow progress of said project. Okay. I can help with this. I came up with a game plan to accomplish portions of the project and set forth to work it out. From my end, I made no progress this morning due to xyz crap and a doctors appointment mid morning. So I roll in this afternoon and get asked about how I intend to accomplish the goals. [Excuse me while I bend over next to a fan. Oh, that's better, pressure relieved.] My plan is apparently not acceptable because it will not be conductive to getting the project done TODAY! Well, wait a minute here. P.A. system vs. quite guy. You can see how this conversation went. Anyways, I had other stuff planned for the afternoon and I was NOT happy with the insinuation that the project HAD to be done today so that good news could be reported in tomorrow mornings staff meeting. Dear God. Not a fun afternoon folks. Project isn't done, but they will just have to live with it. I can dedicate more time with it tomorrow though. So it should get done by EOB. I think what really pissed me off the most is the final notion that the stuff had to be done his way and there was constant plugging that my action plan was more work than was required. Well, why did you ask for my help then?!

Okay, doctor's visit went well. Wound is healing great and I'm good to go. In a few weeks, I need to start massaging it for about 30 minutes each day. I should also use sunscreen. Apparently, a tan through this summer will only make the the wound show more prominently on a permanent basis.

All right, now for the good news!! [I'm already feeling better just thinking about it.] My new computer is IN. Got files transferred from old computer to new system and am ready to take it home. It will take me a while to get used to the new speed. Specs later along with photo's. Now without further procrastination, it's time to head for home. Gotta, gotta, gotta hook it up and play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers!

Just take my DSL order please!

Here we are at the end of another working day. Except for a few instances where I've pushed myself a little too much and become light headed, it's been a good day. The weather has also improved a lot outside. Blue sky with white pillow clouds, just a light pleasant breeze, and warmer temps - Eh Yeah!!

Well apparently, Netzero doesn't want me as a customer anymore. I'm trying to get things lined up to upgrade myself to DSL at home. I'd like to stick with Netzero and just upgrade my service, but alas, Netzero doesn't want to work with me. You see, when I speak with them regarding ordering and upgrading my service, they ask me for my phone number. Okay. They they plug this number into a general search engine to see if DSL is available in my area. Answer - NO. But a call to my phone company indicates that DSL is available at my home and they promptly ask me if I want to switch to their service and have the boy's activate the DSL line. I've tried explaining this to the good folks at Netzero, but the folks in India (or where ever they are from - certainly NOT the U.S. of A) simply continue to plug my phone number into the computer and wait for the response, then quote standard passages from their computer screen. I've even tried to email tech support, but the responses I've been getting sound a whole lot like canned automated replies. Even though it is signed by Shane C. I think it's just a cover myself. Anyways, god forbid I should have to go with MSN as my provider. They are in bed with the phone company and thus have the package deal. This certainly would be the cheapest, and easiest route to go. No fighting, simply submit to destiny. We shall see.

Tuesday night tid-bits

Movie Review : Black Snake Moan - Just saw it at the bargain theater. Review? It ain't gonna happen folks. After my dismal attempt at Ghost Rider, I'm keeping my day job. I'll leave you in the safe hands of Roger Eberts movie review. My overall opinion - enjoyed the movie. Especially - Chrissssstiinna. Ice please.

Evening walk - What a nice night weather wise. Got home and just couldn't resist a walk around the neighborhood. Although this wimp still needed a medium jacket, the wind was calm and the stars are out. Come'on summer!

School - Saw several advisers today. First biology. Prospects are good to get in. The of the 1200+ (yes, 1200+) students that have declared biology as a major of minor, half are pre-med students, which makes getting into the introductory courses tight. Once past that, your in pretty good shape. The picture looks good for getting into graduate school as well. Next, I'll have to talk to some of the professors about getting a tour of the labs and get a real idea about what the work would be like. Next, my advisor in electrical engineering. Nothing much said here. My assigned advisor for next semester was there, but turns out that she had another meeting to go to at the time that I scheduled to meet her. So I got shifted over to R. Head advisor for the EE program. Since we had already discussed things quite extensively via email and a previous impromptu meeting, she is simply going to remove my hold for registering and I'll just let her know where I'm going. See this and that post for more on that front. Finally, the psychology advisor. Highlights - (1) the only thing a BS degree is good for is to be used in conjunction with another degree, (2) there is no masters program, (3) you need a PhD to do anything in the field, (4) of the 200+ people who applied for graduate studies last year, only 13 where accepted, (5) social work is the only field that is in high demand right now. Although the psychology department is average among the nation, they are among the top in the nation for studies in neuropsychology. See, they got some fancy tool that helps a lot.

Break - hold that thought while I get something to eat.

Overdose - Speaking of food . . . I think I almost OD'd on Peanut M&M's during my late afternoon snack. Ya know, I suffer from One Calls for Another syndrome.

New Computer - Talked to the guy who is building my new system. We went over configuration options and generals about the system. He's going to order parts, should be ready in about two to three weeks. And then, . . . I'll say goo . . .Oh let's don't go there again.

Celebration - and I forgot to invite you to celebrate with me yesterday. So let's celebrate now, shall we! YES. I am so down right happy that the local radio station has FINALLY drawn their winner for this New You for the New Year contest. Now we can get some piece from the daily speech spats about this great chance to get $10000 dollars in cosmetic surgery from local hospital X. A tummy tuck here, liposuction there. Throw in a titty-boost for good measure. I just can't see the point. Great technology for folks that have a disfigurement of some sort, but the perfectly normal and healthy? Trust me, I've used my freedoms given me by this nation to change the station on a great number of occations.

The End - It's about time I ended this post. Relax just a bit while I eat a bit more, then hit the sack. Cheers!

LIghten up man

Eh man, snap out of it!

Gotta give it to "Your Hand" from Pink to pull me out of a mode. Several repeats are highly recommended.

Average Blog Reader: "What a boring blog. No pictures."

[Mighty]: Well keep yer pants on man! Cause when Iaa get maa nuew compota and DSL setup, I'll be good to go! I got my newest toy about a month ago. A digital camera. That's right folks. Upgrade from 35 mm, single print, matte finish to digital delight. It's a Sony DSC-W50 Cyber-shot. When I get my new computer, I'll even be able to download the damn pictures from the thing. You see, my darling is aging, and, it's just not like her. She use to be able to keep up with the big boy's. Over the years, though, she's been giving up on life. The doctor's don't know what to do. I may have to put her to sleep. She's been a great friend over the years. Except for a few big arguments, she's always been there for me. I will miss her. She'll always have a special place in my heart. I hope to find a good landfill. One that will provide piece. Silence. Low odor. Wildlife viewing opportunities. Let's practice the moment by holding a moment of silence . . . That's better.

When I pull the plug. I'll do so. With grace. digni . . . tissue please.

One minute, fifty seconds

That's how long it took me to log onto the web on dial-up. Blazing right along at the speed of . . . something, well okay, 56K! Well when Iaa get maa nuew compota, en Iaa yupgraad maa fone suhvisss tuh hii sped, then Iaa be mov'en. Til then, dial-up, 56K. You'd be surprised how you can get used to it after a while. You just have to change your perspective of time. You know. Open a new web page, take a bathroom break. Go to a page that has a lot of photo's on it, take a nap (wait - my personal coach has suggested I try not taking naps) or maybe a walk around the block. Download a file, start it before you go to bed. You know the drill. Buut when Iaa get maa nuew compota . . .

Okay, so what's new here? Not a damn thing. During mental down times at work today, I've contemplated a potential move away from the electrical engineering field, then spent some time after work browsing the subjects. Possibilities, possibilities. psychology, chemistry, biology, computer science. Now the question to ask myself is, "What types of activities do I enjoy doing at work?" "Throughout my working career, what activities have a tended to gravitate to given the opportunity?" And, "Should I stay technical/scientific or no-holds-bared approach?" Things to ponder. Even I have to give it more thought. So . . .

23 minutes, 7 seconds. The time its been since I started to log on. So where's hi-speed coming from? Quest I tell you. DSL. After considering DSL and cable, I'm going DSL. I'm currently with MCI phone service. I pay around $45 / month for a service I rarely use. All part of their Neighborhood plan. Well Quest is offering basic phone service for $13 / month with long distance at 10 cents a minute. Hi-speed kicks in with $30 / month, and I figure another $10 - 15 / month for taxes and surcharges. So I'll only be out another $10 - 15 a month from what I'm ALREADY used to paying. Sounds like a plan to me!

Let's see - 29 minutes, 36 seconds. I guess I'd better head off to bed. While some folks seem to have problems falling asleep, I tend to have problems say'en awake. Go figure.

Adios
[Spell check, formating, and dictionary - 34 minutes, 33 seconds.]

Want a new computer? First give me your wallet.

Well folks, I broke down today and placed an order for my new computer. I handed a check for (oh God) $1600 to a friend that has a side business doing - guess what - computer stuff. He really knows his shit. Why is it that when I look at those assembly line, prefab computers lining the shelves of CompUSA, Office Depot, etc., I cringe at the price tag. $600, $1000, . . . Like, that's expensive! But then I feel fine (OK, not that good) about paying what I have for this system? Hmmm. Maybe 1) it's custom built, 2) tech support is easily accessible, 3) this system might last me through the next five to eight years (even longer if I bleed it like my current computer), 4) will handle Vista (yeah I'm not stupid, I'll wait a year or two for the bug deacon), 5) when my computer says "I'm not feeling well, but I think I know what is wrong with me and I can probably fix myself if you place my instillation CD in the drive," I'll actually have the disk to do it. 6) Its going to be an AMD chipset which is gonna blow Intel.

So. What am I upgrading from: an Etower 433MHz, 128M ram, two 4 gig hard drives, and by golly, a 56K modem! Windows 98SE, 800x600 screen rez (Hey you, I still operate there!).

What's the new system gonna have? Film at 11.