It's been almost a week since I've posted anything - mainly because work has been kicking my ass. I won't get into details sufice to say I am glad this weekend is a long one. I'd like to take Friday off but even now I'm not sure if I will be able to. The other reason for no posts, aside from not having anything interesting to post, is that I've been unmotivated to get pictures off my camera since my main PC died. I finally decided to stop being so damn lazy and spent the 10 minutes to get pictures using my backup computer.
As mentioned in my previous post, the birds finally decided to leave my grill. They didn't really clean up very much before they left, as you can see here. I want a cleaning deposit! If that isn't enough to gross you out, check out this close up shot of... ya. I wasn't even sure where to start, but with some basic tools & a bucket of ammonia and water, I set off to clean this bad boy. All in all, I think the end result was pretty good. I even made some hot dogs on the grill later, to prove it wouldn't make me sick. Now, anyone want to come over for burgers?
Recently I've been trying to get on a health kick again. Of course, my kick ends up spilling over onto my family. I'm sure they are sick of me by now. (MOM QUIT SMOKING!) Mainly I'm trying to eat better and get more exersize. I try not to think of it as exersize, and instead have been searching for things that I actually enjoy doing. So far I've found two things I like, biking and Dance Dance Revolution. (nice action shot eh?) I try to bike to my bus stop (2 miles away) when its not raining or too humid. I hate getting on the bus and having to sit next to someone while im dripping sweat everywhere. The DDR is really fun (and I'm pretty good at it if you ask me!) I've got mostly A's and AA's on all the songs at the "Light" level. Doing DDR for a solid hour is actually quite a workout. Hopefully I can keep it up, I'll post updates!
Andrea wants me to take profile shots of her belly at 7 months (next wed), 8 months and 9 months. Check back for possible pictures. (if she lets me post them!)
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Birds, computers & AC, oh my
Birds in the grill update! Last sunday I checked on the birds to find that they had all climbed out of the nest and were hanging out inside the grill. I decided it was time to give them a little hint, and I proped the grill open, ironically enough, with a real birds nest. Then we had a huge storm on Monday, and the next day one of the birds was missing. Did the storm take him? Did he fly off on his own? Who knows, one bird down! Today, I checked the grill again and the remaining 3 birds were gone!! Woooohooo, I HAVE MY GRILL BACK! Now... the task of cleaning it. Sounds like a fun weekend project.... ya right.
So my overpriced Alienware system decided to lock up on me for the first time since I've owned it. (just about a year) After rebooting, I got nothing. No memory check, no boot up screen, NADA. Okay, hmmm pulled the RAM out and replaced it, and it booted back up. Faulty memory? Today it locked up again, only this time it didn't come back. My bro, who happens to be a computer hardware wiz, was nice enough to let me test every piece of hardware + memory chips on his (home built) machine. They all checked out, so it had to be a motherboard (or maybe CPU?) issue. Spent an hour and half on friggen tech support call convincing them I know when a motherboard is fried. Worst part of this whole thing is, even though they are sending me out a new motherboard, I CAN'T EVEN INSTALL THE DAMN THING MYSELF. I have to WAIT for some stupid ass tech support guy to come out to my house, so HE can install it, because of warranty issues. Sigh.
So if that wasn't enough, my AC has not been working for 2 days. The two HOTTEST days of the friggen year, and I have no AC. For someone that normally keeps thier house at a cool 67 degrees, it has been TORTURE. Finally, I decided to call someone. I picked the electric company. The guy I talked to has me go open some box in my back yard connected to my AC. Some toggle switch was hanging out, I yanked it out and jammed it back in. He said I had to wait 20 minutes before turning my AC back on. Finally turned it back on, and thank god - I have AC again! Now, if only it drops 10 degrees in my house in an hour so I can actually get some sleep tonight.
Did I mention I think my washing machine is leaking? Why did I buy a house again?
So my overpriced Alienware system decided to lock up on me for the first time since I've owned it. (just about a year) After rebooting, I got nothing. No memory check, no boot up screen, NADA. Okay, hmmm pulled the RAM out and replaced it, and it booted back up. Faulty memory? Today it locked up again, only this time it didn't come back. My bro, who happens to be a computer hardware wiz, was nice enough to let me test every piece of hardware + memory chips on his (home built) machine. They all checked out, so it had to be a motherboard (or maybe CPU?) issue. Spent an hour and half on friggen tech support call convincing them I know when a motherboard is fried. Worst part of this whole thing is, even though they are sending me out a new motherboard, I CAN'T EVEN INSTALL THE DAMN THING MYSELF. I have to WAIT for some stupid ass tech support guy to come out to my house, so HE can install it, because of warranty issues. Sigh.
So if that wasn't enough, my AC has not been working for 2 days. The two HOTTEST days of the friggen year, and I have no AC. For someone that normally keeps thier house at a cool 67 degrees, it has been TORTURE. Finally, I decided to call someone. I picked the electric company. The guy I talked to has me go open some box in my back yard connected to my AC. Some toggle switch was hanging out, I yanked it out and jammed it back in. He said I had to wait 20 minutes before turning my AC back on. Finally turned it back on, and thank god - I have AC again! Now, if only it drops 10 degrees in my house in an hour so I can actually get some sleep tonight.
Did I mention I think my washing machine is leaking? Why did I buy a house again?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
One Hit Wonders
Please note that todays blog contains excessive langauge. Why? I don't know. I'm in a bad mood. Besides, its been established that no one reads my blog yet so I can write what ever the hell I want!
Okay, what the fuck? In the last week there has been not one but TWO news stories about people being killed from "a single punch to the face." Granted, the recent Duluth guy died from smacking his head on the sidewalk AFTER the punch, but still. WTF? So much for Minnesota nice? Apparently we are up to 28 homocides this year, up from 16 this time last year.
Now, I realize drunk people do stupid things. But seriously. Here's some advice to all drunk assholes in the world - if your pissed at someone, punch them in the stomach. Much less likely to die that way.
Speaking of news, what the fuck is up with "Tom Cruise gets water in the face" making top headlines? WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT TOM'S WET FACE!!! Why does something like that even MAKE it in the news? That article was on the front page of CNN.com, and the article right after it? Some news story about the worst rapist/killer in Canada being released from prison. Awesome. And I hear Cruise is "pressing charges" against the guy that squirted him. FOR WHAT? He squirted him with water for fucks sake. It's not like he punched him in the face in attempted homocide. Damn.
Okay, what the fuck? In the last week there has been not one but TWO news stories about people being killed from "a single punch to the face." Granted, the recent Duluth guy died from smacking his head on the sidewalk AFTER the punch, but still. WTF? So much for Minnesota nice? Apparently we are up to 28 homocides this year, up from 16 this time last year.
Now, I realize drunk people do stupid things. But seriously. Here's some advice to all drunk assholes in the world - if your pissed at someone, punch them in the stomach. Much less likely to die that way.
Speaking of news, what the fuck is up with "Tom Cruise gets water in the face" making top headlines? WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT TOM'S WET FACE!!! Why does something like that even MAKE it in the news? That article was on the front page of CNN.com, and the article right after it? Some news story about the worst rapist/killer in Canada being released from prison. Awesome. And I hear Cruise is "pressing charges" against the guy that squirted him. FOR WHAT? He squirted him with water for fucks sake. It's not like he punched him in the face in attempted homocide. Damn.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Graduation Party
Went to a high school graduation party for my cousin Lauren today over in Victoria, MN. As beautiful as that area is, I would NOT want to commute from that far out. Dang. Very nice neighborhood, you drive through golf courses as if they are a part of the homes. I wonder how many broken windows occur each year? Got some pics of the fam while I was there.
On the drive over, I listened to this free audio CD I ordered a few weeks back. It's called Being a Dad with author Armin Brott. It was a nice listen, but I started to fade out when he started talking about the teenage years. I figure I'll try to focus on one thing at a time, and worry about that stuff when it comes. :-)
He mentioned how a lot of men these days don't take time off work when a new baby arrives, and my first thought was "Not me!" One guy came on and said he took 6 weeks off when his first child was born, and that it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done. I'm glad I went all out and took 8 weeks off. I think it will be the best thing ever as well, for me, Andrea, and the new baby.
It also talked about the changing role of Dads. In the past, the fathers role was primarily as the provider and now focus is shifting towards a more caring/nurturer role, while still having the provider role. I think if there was one fear I have right now, it would be my desire to "have it all", be the super dad! Be the caring, always there father and still be the provider. Hopefully it won't be to hard for me, as work has never been something that I would let rule my life.
On the drive over, I listened to this free audio CD I ordered a few weeks back. It's called Being a Dad with author Armin Brott. It was a nice listen, but I started to fade out when he started talking about the teenage years. I figure I'll try to focus on one thing at a time, and worry about that stuff when it comes. :-)
He mentioned how a lot of men these days don't take time off work when a new baby arrives, and my first thought was "Not me!" One guy came on and said he took 6 weeks off when his first child was born, and that it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done. I'm glad I went all out and took 8 weeks off. I think it will be the best thing ever as well, for me, Andrea, and the new baby.
It also talked about the changing role of Dads. In the past, the fathers role was primarily as the provider and now focus is shifting towards a more caring/nurturer role, while still having the provider role. I think if there was one fear I have right now, it would be my desire to "have it all", be the super dad! Be the caring, always there father and still be the provider. Hopefully it won't be to hard for me, as work has never been something that I would let rule my life.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Quitting Addictions
People that get to know me learn pretty quickly that I have a very black and white personality. I'm either 100% or 0%. And trust me, I never give 110%. This manifests itself in lots of different ways in my day to day life, some positive and some negative. This year I've given up two of my biggest addictions. They might not be addictions in the true definition of the word, but I call them that simply because of my all or nothing attitude.
First, I gave up drinking at the beginning of this year. (go go New Years Resolution) For me, it was just a personal thing I felt I should do. I can honestly say that its not permanent, but I needed to do it for a year. I tell most people that I don't drink "because my wife can't drink right now, since she is pregnant." and they will nod in understanding. Really I say that because its a lot easier then trying to explain that I decided drinking half a bottle of vodka every weekend was not that healthy for me, or that my family has a history i'd prefer not to repeat, etc. There is only one thing that really pisses me off. I had hoped that after not drinking for awhile, maybe I'd feel a little better physically. Or perhaps I wouldn't be so tired on Mondays, or maybe I'd sleep better in general, etc. No such luck, I feel virtually the same as before. Damnit.
Second, I gave up the video game Everquest. Now, I know that sounds retarded. How can someone be addicted to a video game? Well let me lay some numbers out, and then do some math! In the 5 years that I played Everquest, my "character" had well over 365 days of play time. (the game was nice enough to track your playtime for you) That doesn't mean, over 5 years I sat down and played Everquest 365 times. It means, over a 5 year period, AN ENTIRE YEAR was spent playing Everquest.
Now, lets do some math. 365 days x 24 hours = 8760 hours roughly that I played Everquest over a 5 year period. How many hours of work did I do in that same 5 year period? Well, lets see. 52 weeks a year. I got about 4 weeks vacation a year. Subtract another week due to holidays, and you get:
(52 - 4 - 1) * 40 hour work week = 1880 hours a year, or 9400 hours in 5 years.
So for 5 years, I basically played a video game as long as someone would work a 40 hour work week. Another way to look at it is this: In an average 168 hour week, subtract work time, subtract Everquest time, subtract sleeping time = about 30 hours left. In other words, on any given week, I had about 4 hours per day to do ANYTHING else besides Work, Sleep & Everquest.
Wow. That begs the questions, what the hell am I going to do with all that extra free time? Setup a Blog I guess.
If there is anything that giving up addictions this year has taught me, it is this:
Quitting is easy.
Willing yourself into inaction is not that challenging. It's trying to will yourself into action that's hard.
First, I gave up drinking at the beginning of this year. (go go New Years Resolution) For me, it was just a personal thing I felt I should do. I can honestly say that its not permanent, but I needed to do it for a year. I tell most people that I don't drink "because my wife can't drink right now, since she is pregnant." and they will nod in understanding. Really I say that because its a lot easier then trying to explain that I decided drinking half a bottle of vodka every weekend was not that healthy for me, or that my family has a history i'd prefer not to repeat, etc. There is only one thing that really pisses me off. I had hoped that after not drinking for awhile, maybe I'd feel a little better physically. Or perhaps I wouldn't be so tired on Mondays, or maybe I'd sleep better in general, etc. No such luck, I feel virtually the same as before. Damnit.
Second, I gave up the video game Everquest. Now, I know that sounds retarded. How can someone be addicted to a video game? Well let me lay some numbers out, and then do some math! In the 5 years that I played Everquest, my "character" had well over 365 days of play time. (the game was nice enough to track your playtime for you) That doesn't mean, over 5 years I sat down and played Everquest 365 times. It means, over a 5 year period, AN ENTIRE YEAR was spent playing Everquest.
Now, lets do some math. 365 days x 24 hours = 8760 hours roughly that I played Everquest over a 5 year period. How many hours of work did I do in that same 5 year period? Well, lets see. 52 weeks a year. I got about 4 weeks vacation a year. Subtract another week due to holidays, and you get:
(52 - 4 - 1) * 40 hour work week = 1880 hours a year, or 9400 hours in 5 years.
So for 5 years, I basically played a video game as long as someone would work a 40 hour work week. Another way to look at it is this: In an average 168 hour week, subtract work time, subtract Everquest time, subtract sleeping time = about 30 hours left. In other words, on any given week, I had about 4 hours per day to do ANYTHING else besides Work, Sleep & Everquest.
Wow. That begs the questions, what the hell am I going to do with all that extra free time? Setup a Blog I guess.
If there is anything that giving up addictions this year has taught me, it is this:
Quitting is easy.
Willing yourself into inaction is not that challenging. It's trying to will yourself into action that's hard.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Much A-Blog About Nothing
I've been browing more blogs lately, searching for some inspiration for my own blog. (keeping in theme with my unoriginality). I've noticed most blogs either have some sort of hobby theme (biking, gaming, etc) or life pursuit theme (such as weight loss goals, exersize plans, etc). The rest usually promise to be about nothing interesting. Even my alter ego Kevin Smith professes to have a boring ass life.
I'm not sure what direction I want to go with my blog yet, but I'll be sure to post when I do. Right now I'm leaning more towards light hearted humor, simply because I like making people laugh. But I'm also like the real serious introspective type posts that either connect with people or make them think I've seriously lost it. Then of course, there is the whole goal of posting an actual web log of my future daughter, which was one of the main motivations in the first place.
Hmmm... perhaps I will end up with a blending of all different types that suits me. Until then, enjoy this Google search proving my point.
I'm not sure what direction I want to go with my blog yet, but I'll be sure to post when I do. Right now I'm leaning more towards light hearted humor, simply because I like making people laugh. But I'm also like the real serious introspective type posts that either connect with people or make them think I've seriously lost it. Then of course, there is the whole goal of posting an actual web log of my future daughter, which was one of the main motivations in the first place.
Hmmm... perhaps I will end up with a blending of all different types that suits me. Until then, enjoy this Google search proving my point.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Notepad vs Blogger.com
My original plan was to write and maintain my entire blog on my own, without using any (free) websites like blogger.com, blog.com etc. Why? Who knows. Maybe it's because I'm old school and doing everything in Notepad is COOL.
My friend Steve was quick to point out that it was cool in a retro "1998" sort of way. (technically speaking, I was making web pages in notepad in 1994). He explained to me how you could use blogger.com as a pure publishing tool but still host the blog somewhere else. So I decided to check into it... and ya, okay its easier, and still totally customizable. It took me like 10 minutes to throw together what took an hour before. Thanks Steve, I'm offically converted!
Speaking of 1994, I've decided to put up some web pages from my original college web site, as homage to my old school-ness. Damn thats some funny stuff. I can't decide whats more pathetic, my first ever web pages or the fact that I still have them.
My friend Steve was quick to point out that it was cool in a retro "1998" sort of way. (technically speaking, I was making web pages in notepad in 1994). He explained to me how you could use blogger.com as a pure publishing tool but still host the blog somewhere else. So I decided to check into it... and ya, okay its easier, and still totally customizable. It took me like 10 minutes to throw together what took an hour before. Thanks Steve, I'm offically converted!
Speaking of 1994, I've decided to put up some web pages from my original college web site, as homage to my old school-ness. Damn thats some funny stuff. I can't decide whats more pathetic, my first ever web pages or the fact that I still have them.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Birthdays suck
Well, it's my brithday today. I'm 29 now, and I offically feel too old. I don't know why, but ever since turning 27, I've hated celbratingmy birthday. Is it just going to get worse from here? I remember hearing someone say that no matter how old you get, you always mentally feel like you are 25. I hope that isn't true, because that would say to me that after a certian age we close up to the exploration of life experience.
I don't know about the rest of the people my age, but I sure as hell don't have it all figured out. Which doesn't bother me at all... really. :-) But the thought of still feeling that way, 30 years from now... well that's down right scary as hell.
I don't know about the rest of the people my age, but I sure as hell don't have it all figured out. Which doesn't bother me at all... really. :-) But the thought of still feeling that way, 30 years from now... well that's down right scary as hell.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
$300 dollar bird house
Andi and I got a grill for christmas, which I didn't bother to setup until early April. Got to use it a few times when the weather was nice, but then we had that long string of rain and I didn't use it for awhile. Then one sunday afternoon, I went out to make some burgers and instead, I found this. No, I didn't leave my grill open. The damn thing got in through here. That will teach me to not buy a grill cover.
Needless to say, I have been told I cannot kill the poor little birdies, regardless of how badly I would like a flame broiled burger. Those damn things have 2 weeks to vacate or the babies will be learning to fly pretty damn fast when I throw them off the deck!
Needless to say, I have been told I cannot kill the poor little birdies, regardless of how badly I would like a flame broiled burger. Those damn things have 2 weeks to vacate or the babies will be learning to fly pretty damn fast when I throw them off the deck!
My name is Shakezula!
A few months ago, Andi introduced me to Aqua Teen Hunger Force or, ATHF for those in the know. This has got to be the best cartoon since Beavis and Butthead. I think the theme song does more then a good job of explaining why. This is actually the first show I ever setup TIVO to record. If you haven't seen it, I recommend checking it out.
So the other day, I'm checking up on our investments over at Vanguard. Andrea handles all the website login and stuff, I just check on things from time to time. After logging into the web site, I'm greeted with the following...
Damn my wife is cool. :-)
So the other day, I'm checking up on our investments over at Vanguard. Andrea handles all the website login and stuff, I just check on things from time to time. After logging into the web site, I'm greeted with the following...
Damn my wife is cool. :-)
New Blog!
I've always wanted to jump on the blog bandwagon, ever since they became popular. Considering I was making web pages before most people even knew what they were, selling items online before Ebay was born, and making money from pr0n before it became 80% of internet content, I figured I had a right to create my own web log.
So here it is, in all its uninspired and unoriginal glory. I can guarantee there will be lots of stolen content, spelling errors all over the place, and maybe some interesting stuff too. Check back for updates often, as this a work in progress. I'll hopefully be adding lots of nifty features, pictures, and of course, ramblings from me.
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