May 2008

On The Air.

I went on a rather lengthy road trip today. As I explored various towns scattered far and wide, I opted to listen to podcasts on from my iPod. Most of these podcasts are technology driven however there are some that are not. All are enjoyable.

I don’t know if I’m getting older or if the times, they are a changin’, but I find listening to music and podcasts that I have selected to be considerably more enjoyable to anything that commercial radio has to offer these days. I tried listening to a Top 40 radio station and found it to be very repetitive and loaded with badly produced advertisements. I switched to a country station and it made my head hurt and it was loaded with poorly produced advertisements.

I hate ads. I hate bad commercials even more. With today’s technology you’d think that the ads would sound better than ever, but no, they sound bad: the voice is bad, the message is mediocre and the grammar is worse than mine.

Maybe I’m a little more critical than most because I used to write and produce commercials for a living.

Nevertheless, I believe that everyone should go out and buy something that resembles and iPod. Yes, the iPod is the cream of the crop as far as MP3 players go, but if you want a Zune, buy a Zune. If you want something else, buy something else. Just make sure you can load it with the the music that you have selected and crank up the tunes on your next road trip.

It’s wicked fun.

16 May 2008 by Fun and Games Dept 2

Long Time.

I desperately need a haircut. It’s been a long time since I’ve uttered those words and it’s been longer since it’s been true. Nevertheless, it’s a fact.

I need a haircut.

 

15 May 2008 by Ponderings and Musings 0

All News Is Good News.

Well today has been an interesting day in the life of this old college student. I just received my grades for the semester. While it was my worst semester as far as my grades go, I can say that I passed all of my classes including that blasted math class that I didn’t think I would pass. I’m glad I stuck it out for now I don’t have to take it again. Ever.

My GPA still gets me onto one of those lists that they like to print in the newspaper, so I am pleased. Since I’m going to be an engineer, I am happy to say that I aced my engineering courses. I consider that to be the most important.

Not only have I received my grades today but I also received a call from that internship program I thought wasn’t going to happen. I have an interview on Tuesday morning!

There’s hope for me yet.

The next challenge begins on Tuesday night when I start my summer course in the second half of Physics. I found focusing on one course during the last summer semester worked out really well for me and I intend to repeat the experience.

15 May 2008 by College Kid. 1

One Ringy Dingy.

So with today being the last day of the spring semester (one more hour of finals remain) it was time to get down to some serious business and figure out what I was going to do for the summer. I had hoped for an internship with NYSDOT but after a great deal of prodding from me and my advisor it looks like that’s not going to happen.

I always analyse these things six ways from Sunday so I’m trying not to take that as a “sign” from the Universe.

Anyways, I’ve accepted a job back at my old gig, working in the Network Operations Center of the local telephone company. I’ve always enjoyed working with this group of people and with some recent changes in personnel there is some room for me in the scheme of things. I have to say that I am very (and somewhat surprisingly) excited about the opportunity that begins the day after Memorial Day. If I didn’t work this summer I’d be getting into wicked amounts of trouble so it’s best that I’ll be sitting at a desk earning a few bucks.

Plus, I like the gig and the people, so it all works out for the best.

Now, to learn Windows Vista so I can support it!

13 May 2008 by Geek 3

Brunch.

Earl and I took my Mom to brunch for Mother’s Day today. Per our annual tradition, we went to brunch at the local casino. They have a really good spread and a band playing and the whole works. It was a good time. 

While Earl and I were eating at the table I noticed that it took her a little longer to get back from the buffet; she had struck up a conversation with the woman behind her (or vice versa). My mother has the gift of gab and could talk to the refrigerator if she had to and I seemed to have inherited that trait from her. I think that’s a good thing.

Earl snapped a photo with Mom’s camera; I thought it came out well. 

I wrote this a couple of years ago, but it’s still true.

She’s a little whacky. She hears her own drumbeat. All the kids in school wanted her as a chaperone, because she was the cool mom. When we were kids, she could rattle dishes in a two-mile radius when she said “no”. She was and is always there to listen. She’s always has accepted me as I am, regardless of my age. Yeah, she’s pretty neat. Happy Mothers’ Day, Mom.

Mother\'s Day

11 May 2008 by Ponderings and Musings 1

Stamp Your Feet.

It’s a two gig weekend for me. The day between gigs is always interesting as I’m in total night owl mode, but I’m surprisingly keeping busy around the house with a few home improvement projects. Lag bolts, beams and a few other devices make for an interesting experience for all.

I’m such a geek.

I’ve had this song in my library for a couple of weeks and have been “force feeding” it to the Friday night crowd at the bar. Last night they finally gave in and admitted that yes, it is a good song and yes, I know what I’m doing. It packed the floor with more than just the LaDonna fans.

Here’s the latest single from Donna Summer, it’s called “Stamp Your Feet”.  By the way, it was written in part by Danielle Brisbois, who played Stephanie on “All In The Family” all those years ago.

Quite frankly I fucking love this track.

 

10 May 2008 by DJ 0

Random Thoughts Under The Sheets.

It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to lie in bed and play around on the computer at the same time. It’s quarter ’til 8 and Earl has been at work for an hour already. My morning classes have been canceled; apparently we’ve learned all the we are going to learn in those classes this semester. So I lie in bed surfing the internet. 

Is it unusual that I’ve been sleeping in the nude since I was 13 years old? I can’t imaging getting all suited up in garb just to go to bed. When I was a kid my mom would wake me up for school and there I’d be, bare ass hanging out from the covers. Even when I go camping and it’s 35 degrees and I’m in a sleeping bag; I’m still naked with a hat on.

My dreams from last night were a combination of school activity, camping and UFOs. It’s fun when your mind mixes unrelated topics together and presents a movie in your head that makes perfect sense when you’re watching it. I know the source of all the elements of the dream so I’m not surprised that my brain was trying to work it all out last night. It was entertaining and made for an interesting entry in my dream journal. I write in my dream journal almost daily. I’m finding that it’s rare to remember about 90% of your dreams like I do. 

When I was outside getting the mail yesterday afternoon a huge sonic boom shook every house and scared the hell out of Tom (he puffed up and went running on to the porch and scratched at the door to get in). I was standing in the driveway at the time. I could feel the boom as well as hear it and it popped my ears. NEADS (North East AirDefense Sector) is saying that the sonic boom was possible as there was a lot of air traffic but they are not confirming anything. The message boards for the local television station are telling all sorts of stories: everything from natural gas explosions to a technology test at the decommissioned (wink, wink) air force base going awry. One person explained that sonic booms are no longer possible because the Concordes no longer fly. What a dipshit.

I was tempted to drink a bunch of beer last night and try the remaining questions on my math take home test while I was drunk. I didn’t do that though. I drank iced-tea instead. It didn’t make any of the questions easier. I have two questions left. The test was designed for the 50 minute class period. As of 11:30 last night I had spent roughly four hours on the exam. I can’t wait for the excitement of the two day final next week. That’ll take me a month.

I suppose I should get up and start my day. It’s just that these blankets are so comfy.

8 May 2008 by College Kid. Ponderings and Musings 2

Quicky.

I’d write a witty, stirring blog entry tonight, but I’m on hour six of my 50-minute take home exam for math. It’s going swimmingly.

At least I have only two questions left.

7 May 2008 by College Kid. 1

About J.P.

Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.

Weird? Eccentric!

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