So, what can I do today to shoot myself in the foot? |
[Apr. 30th, 2004|11:54 am] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | sick | ] | Y'know, I can really be a first-class idiot sometimes. I do apologize to anyone who observed me doing anything moronic yesterday. I was feeling especially self-destructive.
No stupid stuff this weekend, thanks. I've had my fill. |
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So, you can do an IRIX64 build, right? |
[Apr. 26th, 2004|07:16 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | seething hatred | ] | Sure...
Right now, somewhere in Germany, there is a really cool, really expensive SGI Origin 3900 array.
And it's laughing at me. |
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Some friendly advice... |
[Apr. 23rd, 2004|01:22 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | quixotic | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | Hawksley Workman - Jealous of Your Cigarette | ] | Enbridge Equal Billing Plan: Sounds like a good idea, except that Some Billings are More Equal than Others. As much as $200 more equal, apparently.
Form N1 Notice of Rent Increase: If you get one, keep it for your records and don't sign it. Your rent magically goes month to month. kovucougar saved my ass on this one last time, otherwise I might still be living in a one-bedroom apartment in Parkdale.
Where am I? Mostly designing a silly little project that I may end up doing after my employment ends. I'd have to be totally crazy to try it, but hey.. You only live once. |
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Well, that was easy! |
[Mar. 19th, 2004|10:06 pm] |
I passed my G2 exit test. For those of you who are non-Ontarian or otherwise oblivious, we have a (ridiculous) system here which requires you to take two road tests to get a full driver's license. I already had a full license when I moved here, but because it was from Nova Scotia and was less than 5 years old, they gave me a G2 (second level) license. Bastards.
So, I failed the test once by going to slowly on the 401. Yeah, you read that right. Too slow. They do, in fact, want you to speed if necessary to keep up with traffic. While that's kinda cool in retrospect, it also contradicts the official material.
Anyhow, it was pretty uneventful. Of course, the very first thing I did made me look like a total dufus. The examiner approached my (rented) vehicle, and rapped with her hand on the trunk a couple of times. This, of course, is the univeral signal for 'Open the trunk.'
I thought to myself, 'I have no idea why she wants into my trunk, (um, maybe looking for bodies, or hazardous materials?) but what the hell.. She's the one who's deciding whether or not I get a permanent license.'
So I open the trunk. She laughs, and tells me she wanted me to turn the car on. I chuckle nervously and do so.
Everything was pretty much hunky-dory from there. I think doing it inside Toronto actually gave me an advantage-- because there are so many factors outside your control, the examiner isn't nitpicking as much as they do in, say, Oshawa. I still thought I'd failed when I pulled in, and must have sat there for several seconds, mouth agape, when instead of telling me I 'did not meet ministry standards', she handed me a carbon copy of the marking sheet and informed me I'd have to go wait in line to get my license.
Anyhow, no more road tests for me. Ever. (I don't intend to live long enough that they'll want to re-test me anyhow.)
In other news, I have another option to think about for school.. A smaller university on the east coast. My mom is a professor there, which gives me a couple of big advantages. Namely, I get almost half off tuition, and, well, my mom's a prof at the school. It's an unfair advantage, but all's fair in love and higher education.
I'd also be able to move back home, which would reduce my expenses to nil and let me concentrate on school. However, there's one big disadvantage: This school is not well known in the U.S. and they do not have the program I want to take. I'd have to get a general education B.Sc. or a psychology B.Sc., and I'm not sure whether I really want that degree versus one that actually includes a specialist program in cognitive science.
We shall see... Oh, and by the way, the new Nissan Sentra roxxors mad styles. Of course, in 2003 (non-supersport) compact models, I can only compare it to the Pontiac Sunfire / Chev Cavalier, which it wipes the floor with, both in handling/performance and equipment. Not that I can afford a new one. (and I still have to drive both in stick.. freakin rental cars.) :p |
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Okay, so we're back to this |
[Mar. 9th, 2004|07:33 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | tired | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | Busta Rhymes - Break Ya Neck | ] | Anyone can tell when I'm engrossed in a particular topic. I can't keep myself away from it until it's resolved. On the block right now is where to go to school, and thus also where to live for the next 4-6 years. I've whittled my choices down to two options: The University of Toronto and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. They both have very good Cognitive Science programs, but there are big differences, both in the programs and in the universities themselves.
( So, I went and over-analysed it. ) |
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The straight dope |
[Mar. 5th, 2004|03:01 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | pensive | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | Jem - They | ] | Alright, so I'm back, and I intend to post on LJ regularly now.. Well, once a week or so, maybe. Why the lengthy absence? Here goes:
( Long-ish entry.. ) |
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Okay, lets forget about the whole travelogue thing.. |
[Sep. 10th, 2003|09:10 am] |
I didn't have time to write a blow-by-blow of yesterday, and I certainly don't have time today (I've already wasted 10 minutes too much on livejournal) so I'll write an 'executive summary' when I'm finished here.
It looks as though I don't have time for any real exploits in Barcelona at this point; I have too much work to do at this conference. |
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A EspaƱa! |
[Sep. 7th, 2003|07:10 pm] |
I've been totally ignoring LiveJournal lately, which isn't necessarily a bad thing-- I really need to concentrate on work, now more than ever. However, I always tell myself I'm going to write a proper day-by-day account of my travels when I go somewhere interesting; this time I'm actually going to do it, in narrative style, day by day.
I've headed out to Barcelona to represent my employer at a conference. It's an info tech trade conference, I'm not sure how many attendees are here but it's fairly large.
These are the first two entries, which I now have time and 'net access to post. Yeah, I know they're too long...
Barcelona, Day 1
( 1. El vuelo transatlantica - I bitch about flights, boring stuff, etc. )
( 2. The shocking truth about customs, and bitching about flight #2 )
( 3. I arrive in Barcelona, chaos ensues )
( 4. Getting to the hotel, eventually )
Barcelona, Day 2
( Coffee? Internet access? Please? )
( South to the coast.. ) ( Catalonian radio ) |
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I'm actually fine, of course |
[Jul. 28th, 2003|08:35 am] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | cheerful | ] | Well, the move went off surprisingly well, and I'm very happy with the new place. Thanks to the heroic efforts of takitapup, silfur, desert, kovucougar, potoroo, and Yennix, my having totally not packed wasn't really an issue.
Now I just have to unpack everything!
Oh Crap. |
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Ah, self-destuctiveness, my old friend.. |
[Jul. 26th, 2003|03:53 am] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | hurt, empty, useless | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | Soul Coughing - Pensacola | ] | I screwed up a number of things this week. The most important bits weren't my fault, but they were so shitty that I like to blame myself anyway. I'm really not sure whether I can rely on myself anymore.
For a while there, though, the future seemed bright. I think I've figured out what I want to do with my education, for instance. That doesn't help me with the fact that I have spent no time packing, and I'm moving on Sunday. That's going to be murder. So is getting the degree I want. Am I strong enough to accomplish everything I have to do?
Maybe. Probably.
What am I saying? I know I can do it.
It's just this: I don't know if I want to. I don't know if it really matters. I could flunk in every way, so easily, with no help at all. I feel like I've failed already; I don't have what I really want, and I've had more than one opportunity.
But then, I'll submit, for your consideration, just this phrase: You can't always get what you want. Not if you want to save the world, not if you want to make a difference, not if you want everyone to be happy, not EVEN if you simply want yourself to be happy. Life is not so simplistic that you can escape that by pretending it doesn't exist or is not true. You can't always get what you want. Period.
So have I had a streak of bad luck? Maybe!
Maybe I'm playing at the wrong table.
I don't think I like this game. |
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What was the point again? |
[Jul. 18th, 2003|11:07 am] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | gloomy | ] | Well, I could have, and probably should have, gone to AC. No fixing that now, hindsight is 20/20 and all that..
It never ceases to amaze me how Ford Motor Company can consistently and profitably build and market plasticy, anemic, poorly designed vehicles. I'm not too thrilled with Enterprise, either. They didn't have any intermediate class vehicles available, so they rented me a Ford Taurus SE, in diarrhea brown. (They call it beige, but they're not fooling anyone)
The major problem I have with the rental, in this case, is that there are 45,000 kms on this car. That's ridiculous. Of all the times I rented from National, which gives you unlimited mileage and supposedly isn't aggressive about having new cars in its fleet, I was never rented a vehicle with more than 20k on the odometer.
Anyhow, that's my bitch for the day. The car has one or two good points, actually-- the power adjustable pedals are kinda cool. I'd care more on a manual transmission vehicle.
EDIT: After having sat in it a while longer, I've upgraded my rating of the Taurus from 'Plasticy Crap' to 'Not Worth the Money'. The feature content is actually okay, (except the factory stereo, which is worse than even an economy car would deserve) and it doesn't have massive build quality issues, but there's also nothing compelling about the car. On top of that, they have managed to get less power and torque out of a heavy, inefficient 3.0L V6 than some (Japanese) car companies get out of their factory 2.0L L4 engine. Also, the transmission has an unsettling 'wobble' to it on every gear change. Might be this particular car, it is over a year old.
So... Whoop-ti-doo. Dinner in Ajax with whoever I can ring up tonight, then off to Ottawa tomorrow. The CTO of my company just called. Important release. Wants me to work this weekend. I guess I'll have to do it remotely. I'm not exactly thrilled about all this. |
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I'm moving? Wow, I guess so. |
[Jul. 8th, 2003|04:44 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | excited | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | Mindless Self Indulgence - Harry Truman | ] | Well, it's all fixed! I've got a bigass truck rented, elevator booked, and a new place to live.
First things first, I need help!!! If you're available on the afternoon of Sunday, July 27 and you're interested in the time-honoured pizza and beverages payoff in exchange for moving my rather modest amount of furnishings, let me know! (I'm shooting for 4 people, maybe 5.. Should be around 45 minutes each for loading/unloading)
I don't specifically need people with cars, although I could use one driver, who would get gas money, etc. in exchange for meeting up with me a bit early and driving me around a little, driving any excess help between the sites, and driving me back from Etobicoke after I return the truck.
Anyhow, FYI the new place: potoroo, wily, and myself have rented a smallish 3-bedroom townhouse in the Danforth area, around Main. I'm really hyped about it; if nothing else it'll be interesting, and it's a damn nice place.
It's been standing empty and the landlord has actually been seriously renovating it.. They've assured me that the new ceramic tile, new appliances and re-finished bathroom look pretty good. Plans are brewing for the back yard.. I think I may be renting this place for a long time-- I guess my goal is until I'm ready to buy a house, assuming I'm staying in Canada. My next, um, final decision on that will wait a few years, though. ;) |
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I'm drivin' like a monkey! |
[Jun. 19th, 2003|05:22 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | chipper | ] | I rented a 2003 Chev Monte Carlo.
So far, I like it better than the other cars I've driven on this platform;(Grand Prix, Century) It seems to handle better and something's different about the power delivery. Cheesy interior materials in places, but overall a pretty solid car.
Whee!! |
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[Jun. 15th, 2003|03:05 am] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | full of myself! yet depressed. | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | House of Pain - Jump Around | ] | I haven't been very interactive lately. An explanation will be forthcoming.
Right now, I'm drunk.. and bored. It sucks. Perhaps only because I've been trained by certain people not to waste a buzz, but nonetheless I think boredom takes on a different effect when you're trashed. I am trashed.
It's lovely when you quite literally have to think about how to move your fingers each instant that you may be typing in order to cause patterns to form such that a semblance of correct spelling and grammar is achieved. Even if run-on sentences occur. Even if sentence fragments are rampant.
This post is too long already. Crap. I guess I'm still on livejournal.
Battle me? That's a sin! |
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I normally don't do stuff like this |
[Jun. 4th, 2003|08:52 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | cheerful | ] | ... I was curious, and yeah, I was late jumping on the bandwagon. Sue me.
Well, some of that is a tad bit shocking! Then again, a lot of it is no surprise. Hmm.. |
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It's over! |
[Jun. 2nd, 2003|03:55 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | busy | ] | Well, I just patched my apartment back together and gave notice to my landlord, so I'm definitely out of this place at the end of July. I think I may have got the timing right this time..
Now onto the 20 other ad hoc things I suddenly have to do! |
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Oh yeah, I have a livejournal.... |
[May. 29th, 2003|01:57 am] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | stressed | ] |
[ | Current Music |
| | ViperIII - Deep Dark Trance 1 | ] | Well, I was going to wait until I could recount my trip to Budapest in detail. I doubt that's going to happen, but feel free to ask about it. Lemme see, I'll try to remember what happened during the alcoholic haze... It was a good trip.
I just don't get upset like I used to.. I lose things, I accept unfortunate realities, sometimes I have nothing to look forward to, and I keep going, regardless of whether I have a reason to do so or not. What a bitch that is. (Oh, and happiness is a useful tool, yes, but for fuck's sake, don't tell me it's a reason to live.)
My truck, on the other hand, does not keep going. In fact, it goes no more. Soon, it will be laid to rest. (Well, more like carted off to be chopped into small bits and re-sold.) Poor, dear Trooper. Rest in peace, you heaping pile of Japanese-American trash.
I need to be in touch with people! Talk to me! I think I'll try to waste more time on ICQ; work nearly broke my sanity today...
Hmmm.. Enough of this! |
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[May. 1st, 2003|11:31 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | tired | ] | I really need to catch up on work. I'll be lucky if I get half of my tasks done before next week's trip to Hungary. On the bright side, Dell finally shipped my laptop.. It should be ready for pickup when I head down there. (Flying out of Detroit DTW again)
In other news, I'm officially back at the gym! Went down to the YMCA and signed up today with silfur. I didn't grievously injure myself, but it sure feels weird after months and months of doing practically nothing. I'll be right back into a 4 day per week schedule soon; hopefully I'll at least have gained a few pounds by Feral!.. |
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Can't I even get a decent disease? |
[Apr. 30th, 2003|02:34 pm] |
[ | Current Mood |
| | blah | ] | I went back to the clinic today for my results..
The good news: They found no evidence of peptic ulcer disease. Which is great, because the treatment is harsh, it would mean no alcohol for a while, etc.
The bad news: I definitely have chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. (Pronounced to rhyme with 'turd'. What a stupid name for a disease...) Which is not good, because, well, it's completely incurable.
This is basically where the one-way valve connecting the esophagus to the stomach is too weak to prevent stomach fluids from going the wrong way, up the esophagus. Most people experience this as occasional heartburn; I get it all the time, enough to damage tissue.
No big deal really, I'll just be buying Zantac for the rest of my life and avoiding large meals, spicy food, too much booze, coffee, etc.
At least I guess this means I can get back to the gym next week.. |
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