THIS is, BY FAR, the COOLEST thing EVER!!!
I have my NEW, portable USB hard drive hooked up right now. This little device is like the realization of a quest I've been on for years. I have always wanted a device that I could carry around with me, and plug into any computer, and have my files with me. Instead of using floppies (old school and WAY too small), ZIP disks (better but not enough capacity and too expensive for disks), CD's (too cumbersome to use in a rewriteable manner) I know have this. I have 120 GB of hard drive capacity, to hold any and all files that I deem necessary to have in reach.
I love this thing! I can't say it any clearer. I've got one folder on it so far, but that'll change soon. I have so much capacity. I have a drive in my main computer that has 40 GB allocated to downloads and files I access (not games or applications). That's half full. Put all those files on this portable hard drive, and I still have 100 GB left! I love this thing.
Please excuse me while I go off into the corner and gigle insanely.
Toodles!!!
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
The internet is truly a wonderful thing!
I am glad that I grew up in the Internet age. So many great, and wonderous things were given to us, when we developed this ubiquitious communication tool. Its so much more than just communication though. There are games, and shopping. Probably the most important, to most people, is how simple, and easy it has become to acquire entertainment. But even more important that being simple and easy, it can be done anonymously.
I think we all know that there are methods that exist, on the internet, to acquire entertainment. Some of these are free, and legitimate, and any of these that exist, are extremely popular. But there is also a nefarious side too.
Now nobody likes to talk about this but, there are reasons beyond economy for pursuing your entertainment in this manner. Often people that have no monetary reason to look for anonymous thrills, do so anyway. Its because its anonymous. You don't have to stand in front of a cash register, look a clerk in the eye, as they ring up your rental (or purchase). You don't have to hide your eyes, and disguise your shame, as you pay hard earned money for things that you shouldn't be buying. But you want them. You need them. You have to have them. Something burns in your soul that you must acquire these goods, whether it be right and pure for you to have them or not. Something spurs you, from deep within, to satisfy this thirst which is never quenched.
But you are ashamed, and you are embarassed, and it makes going to the store hard. Until the internet you had to wrestle with your soul, as you fought urges that didn't want to be contained. Now you don't have to fight. Though its wrong to acquire them, you now can have them, and no record is traced back to you. It is beauty, and simplicity at the same time.
I'm downloading "The Lizzie McGuire Movie"
I am glad that I grew up in the Internet age. So many great, and wonderous things were given to us, when we developed this ubiquitious communication tool. Its so much more than just communication though. There are games, and shopping. Probably the most important, to most people, is how simple, and easy it has become to acquire entertainment. But even more important that being simple and easy, it can be done anonymously.
I think we all know that there are methods that exist, on the internet, to acquire entertainment. Some of these are free, and legitimate, and any of these that exist, are extremely popular. But there is also a nefarious side too.
Now nobody likes to talk about this but, there are reasons beyond economy for pursuing your entertainment in this manner. Often people that have no monetary reason to look for anonymous thrills, do so anyway. Its because its anonymous. You don't have to stand in front of a cash register, look a clerk in the eye, as they ring up your rental (or purchase). You don't have to hide your eyes, and disguise your shame, as you pay hard earned money for things that you shouldn't be buying. But you want them. You need them. You have to have them. Something burns in your soul that you must acquire these goods, whether it be right and pure for you to have them or not. Something spurs you, from deep within, to satisfy this thirst which is never quenched.
But you are ashamed, and you are embarassed, and it makes going to the store hard. Until the internet you had to wrestle with your soul, as you fought urges that didn't want to be contained. Now you don't have to fight. Though its wrong to acquire them, you now can have them, and no record is traced back to you. It is beauty, and simplicity at the same time.
I'm downloading "The Lizzie McGuire Movie"
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
I'm watching Newlyweds again. :-D
This is, BY FAR, the funniest episode of Newlyweds.
Its all encapsulated in one moment, right at the end. If you haven't seen it, it might not make sense. But its totally hilarious.
Nick decorated the house. Jessica doesn't like it because they didn't hire anyone. They argue about it, and Jessica says, she'll just hire Nick. He wants to know how he's going to be paid. Jessica says, in bed.
Nick: I want a raise. With extra benefits.
Jessica: What's that?
Nick: You know what.
Jessica just stares at him.
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!
This is, BY FAR, the funniest episode of Newlyweds.
Its all encapsulated in one moment, right at the end. If you haven't seen it, it might not make sense. But its totally hilarious.
Nick decorated the house. Jessica doesn't like it because they didn't hire anyone. They argue about it, and Jessica says, she'll just hire Nick. He wants to know how he's going to be paid. Jessica says, in bed.
Nick: I want a raise. With extra benefits.
Jessica: What's that?
Nick: You know what.
Jessica just stares at him.
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!
Monday, January 05, 2004
I am unhappy.
I bought this new truck. The theory behind its purchase was, I wanted worry-free operation, because I travel so much. So, I get into the cold weather of a Saskatchewan winter and what do I get? I get a vehicle that won't start.
My frustration is doubled by the fact that, I added to my expensive purchase a remote start for my vehicle, so I could start it safely, and warmly, from inside a building. What happens when I try to use this feature? It won't start.
Why am I spending all this money if the equipment I bought will not perform as intended? I don't think I ask too much in requesting that my equipment work as intended. I just want it to work the way its supposed to; I am not trying to get more from it than its programmed to give. Just work when you're supposed to work, dammit!
I remain . . .
I bought this new truck. The theory behind its purchase was, I wanted worry-free operation, because I travel so much. So, I get into the cold weather of a Saskatchewan winter and what do I get? I get a vehicle that won't start.
My frustration is doubled by the fact that, I added to my expensive purchase a remote start for my vehicle, so I could start it safely, and warmly, from inside a building. What happens when I try to use this feature? It won't start.
Why am I spending all this money if the equipment I bought will not perform as intended? I don't think I ask too much in requesting that my equipment work as intended. I just want it to work the way its supposed to; I am not trying to get more from it than its programmed to give. Just work when you're supposed to work, dammit!
I remain . . .
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
What if they held a cabaret and nobody showed up?
I'm here at Sask. Place, doing my appointed duty as beer purveyor. Its not a terribly useful situation at the current time. I have been here for two hours. I think we're averaging about 3 drinks an hour. At the current rate we won't even cover the power consumption for the lights, and most of them are off.
Reporting live from a very deserted Cabaret Central. . .
I'm here at Sask. Place, doing my appointed duty as beer purveyor. Its not a terribly useful situation at the current time. I have been here for two hours. I think we're averaging about 3 drinks an hour. At the current rate we won't even cover the power consumption for the lights, and most of them are off.
Reporting live from a very deserted Cabaret Central. . .
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
I have a question.
Why do people even bother opening between Christmas and New Year's Day? I can see the point of it with stores. After Christmas you have major sales to clear out your inventory, that was acquired for the Christmas season. I'd guess that stores actually do a good business during this week.
But what about normal offices, government institutions, construction, administrative, otherwise paper pushing businesses. What is accomplished by being open? Half the people take some vacation time anyway, and aren't there to answer their phone. The other half that come in, can't accomplish anything anyway, because that first half is needed, for answering questions, fulfilling requests, checking stock levels, etc. With such a massive number of people taking time off, it pretty much grinds the whole business world to a stop. Why not, instead, just mandate that everyone is taking X number of days at Christmas time, and don't even bother with the pretext of being 'open'. You're open, but you're not doing anything. Its just boring.
This is my thought. I could be wrong.
Toodles!
Why do people even bother opening between Christmas and New Year's Day? I can see the point of it with stores. After Christmas you have major sales to clear out your inventory, that was acquired for the Christmas season. I'd guess that stores actually do a good business during this week.
But what about normal offices, government institutions, construction, administrative, otherwise paper pushing businesses. What is accomplished by being open? Half the people take some vacation time anyway, and aren't there to answer their phone. The other half that come in, can't accomplish anything anyway, because that first half is needed, for answering questions, fulfilling requests, checking stock levels, etc. With such a massive number of people taking time off, it pretty much grinds the whole business world to a stop. Why not, instead, just mandate that everyone is taking X number of days at Christmas time, and don't even bother with the pretext of being 'open'. You're open, but you're not doing anything. Its just boring.
This is my thought. I could be wrong.
Toodles!
Monday, December 29, 2003
It never ends.
I wasn't here 10 minutes and I was getting a phone call from the subject of my ever growing neurosis. Its the Christmas holiday season and my enduring gift is to have this place, and these people, haunt me every moment of my day. It is my curse, my damnation. Why can't they just leave me alone for a day?
I wasn't here 10 minutes and I was getting a phone call from the subject of my ever growing neurosis. Its the Christmas holiday season and my enduring gift is to have this place, and these people, haunt me every moment of my day. It is my curse, my damnation. Why can't they just leave me alone for a day?
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
I know I ranted about this yesterday but, it deserves being said again. People piss me off!
I have a town, with two types of filtration occurring before distribution to the town. Its three days before Christmas, and one of the types of filtration has failed. Readings taken of the water quality prove that the filtered water is actually worse than the raw water (in one respect) There is a definable problem with the process and it needs a remedy.
Its the week of Christmas. The whole world is shutting down for the holiday week. I have a malfunctioning process, and nobody available to go fix it. Furthermore, there is no quick fix solution to the problem. Making the process right again will take several days. Meanwhile there is a town of 2000+ people that need water while they enjoy Christmas.
So I make a decision. I have 15 minutes to choose something, because that's the window between whether I can sent a programmer to the water treatment plant to alter the operation of the plant. I don't have time to ask everyone what to do. I have to choose.
So I choose. I send the programmer, and we bypass the faulty portion of the process. Then I write a piece of correspondence, outlining the problem, the likely cause, and the solution I've enacted, which guarantees the town some treated water until we can come back, after the holiday, to remedy the malfunctioning process.
So what kind of response do I get from the project Engineer? A rude email suggesting I should have run the decision through them, for review and approval. I didn't have that much time. The programmer gave me until the end of the day I decided, so about 15 minutes, to make a choice about what to do. I couldn't give the town untreated water. I considered that unacceptable. So I chose the temporary fix.
Why write me a rude letter? What does that accomplish. If I had any other choice I would have consulted them, and gotten approvals. I didn't have that kind of time. What's accomplished by calling me down. Help me, don't sit on your throne and judge me poorly based on everything I do. Be in the business of solutions, not protecting your own interest. I don't think that's fair. Especially when you know you'll be out of the office yourself, for an extended Christmas break, and will be unreachable. There's a town full of people who's lives are affected by your behaviour. Help them, don't ignore them.
I am mad.
I have a town, with two types of filtration occurring before distribution to the town. Its three days before Christmas, and one of the types of filtration has failed. Readings taken of the water quality prove that the filtered water is actually worse than the raw water (in one respect) There is a definable problem with the process and it needs a remedy.
Its the week of Christmas. The whole world is shutting down for the holiday week. I have a malfunctioning process, and nobody available to go fix it. Furthermore, there is no quick fix solution to the problem. Making the process right again will take several days. Meanwhile there is a town of 2000+ people that need water while they enjoy Christmas.
So I make a decision. I have 15 minutes to choose something, because that's the window between whether I can sent a programmer to the water treatment plant to alter the operation of the plant. I don't have time to ask everyone what to do. I have to choose.
So I choose. I send the programmer, and we bypass the faulty portion of the process. Then I write a piece of correspondence, outlining the problem, the likely cause, and the solution I've enacted, which guarantees the town some treated water until we can come back, after the holiday, to remedy the malfunctioning process.
So what kind of response do I get from the project Engineer? A rude email suggesting I should have run the decision through them, for review and approval. I didn't have that much time. The programmer gave me until the end of the day I decided, so about 15 minutes, to make a choice about what to do. I couldn't give the town untreated water. I considered that unacceptable. So I chose the temporary fix.
Why write me a rude letter? What does that accomplish. If I had any other choice I would have consulted them, and gotten approvals. I didn't have that kind of time. What's accomplished by calling me down. Help me, don't sit on your throne and judge me poorly based on everything I do. Be in the business of solutions, not protecting your own interest. I don't think that's fair. Especially when you know you'll be out of the office yourself, for an extended Christmas break, and will be unreachable. There's a town full of people who's lives are affected by your behaviour. Help them, don't ignore them.
I am mad.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
One more day of work has almost been completed. There was less of a beating today, which was a positive. Still hunting the same ponderous beast. I'm not sure I'm winning at all, but I felt like I didn't lose as much today. Gotta look for the positives in life.
People frustrate me. At the end of the day what's really bothering me lately is people. There are problems to be dealt with and the most you can get from anyone is, well that's not specific problem. How does that help me? Okay, maybe its not your particular problem but I'm making the effort to reach out, and seek some assistance with my current state of affairs and I get back, the world won't end. I'm not worried about the world ending, I just wanna put a decent resolution on a screwed up situation. I have trouble with asking for help, so its demoralizing to have my request essentially belittled.
An the same topic of people pissing me off, why do I have to do everything? I got a call this afternoon. The person on the other end wanted me to give them a decision on something. It was about scheduling an installation. That's supposed to be his job. Its nothing complex or intricate, or for that matter anything I've ever dealt with before. But for some reason he felt it necessary to not decide anything himself and call me. I'm in the middle of dealing with my haunting nightmare of a project, and he interjects with a phone call about a dinky 5 gpm unit. AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
I think its time for a holiday.
Toodles.
People frustrate me. At the end of the day what's really bothering me lately is people. There are problems to be dealt with and the most you can get from anyone is, well that's not specific problem. How does that help me? Okay, maybe its not your particular problem but I'm making the effort to reach out, and seek some assistance with my current state of affairs and I get back, the world won't end. I'm not worried about the world ending, I just wanna put a decent resolution on a screwed up situation. I have trouble with asking for help, so its demoralizing to have my request essentially belittled.
An the same topic of people pissing me off, why do I have to do everything? I got a call this afternoon. The person on the other end wanted me to give them a decision on something. It was about scheduling an installation. That's supposed to be his job. Its nothing complex or intricate, or for that matter anything I've ever dealt with before. But for some reason he felt it necessary to not decide anything himself and call me. I'm in the middle of dealing with my haunting nightmare of a project, and he interjects with a phone call about a dinky 5 gpm unit. AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
I think its time for a holiday.
Toodles.