| lemming |
[Jan. 16th, 2009|08:52 pm] |
( iTunes, random*. )
In general I'm not a fan of "memes", but doing this one gave me something to do while monitoring a long running critical data manipulation script. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 1st, 2009|10:01 pm] |
NYE photos
If you don't want your photo posted, let me know and I'll take it down. |
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| New Years Resolutions |
[Jan. 1st, 2009|09:20 am] |
My resolutions for 2009 will be remarkably similar to last years. I didn't do too well on my 2008 resolutions, due to a mess of interrelated health issues and a high (ok, moderate) speed crash at the track.
#1: improve health
I'm now feeling healthy enough that I can occasionally exercise intentionally. So I should actually do that.
My weight fluctuated quite a bit in 2008. I gained 5 pounds, lost 15 after being diagnosed with diabetes2, regained about 8 after getting really sick/weak from a reaction to a prescription drug. So - two pounds less than a year ago, and much weaker.
Goal is to get down to 200, and have more strength, stamina and flexibility.
#2: get back on the racetrack
Repairs to my 350Z are probably going to be between $5,000 and $10,000. So far, I've saved up about $1,300. I'm going to do at least one track day, even if I have to use my Honda Fit. Hopefully, I'll be able to get my finances in good enough shape to be able to afford to fix the 350Z and do at least 6 track days.
#3: professional development
Due to the various illnesses, I haven't had the energy to do much studying on my own time. Now that I seem to be over the worst of it, I need to push myself to learn more. I also want to get Scribo Vita launched by the end of the year.
#4: finances
I paid off one credit card in 2008, one more to go. It is unlikely that I'll be able to pay it off entirely in 2009, so the goal is to cut the balance on my MasterCard in half. I also need to rebuild my cash reserves. I currently have enough cash for a month, maybe two. I want to get that up to 3 months, maybe even 4. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 31st, 2008|12:05 am] |
Legend of the Seeker
Obvious influences from Star Wars, and all heroic myths. I've only seen the first two episodes so far, and it is very promising.
Even if it ends up being a bit silly, I'm already hooked (mostly because of Bridget Regan...). |
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| employment possibilities |
[Nov. 14th, 2008|08:42 am] |
My employer is looking for a rails dev. Starting pay is likely to be below market average.
I'm also going to try to convince my employer to hire a part time linux (fedora, apache, mysql, puppet) sysadmin in December. There would be at least 2 weeks of work migrating us from Rackspace to EC2, and then probably 10 hours per month of miscellaneous stuff. |
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| drums |
[Jun. 13th, 2008|10:12 pm] |
I'm going to buy some drums and learn how to play. Due to volume issues, I'm thinking electronic is preferable to acoustic.
I bid on YOKI DD908, but don't expect to win. Unless someone convinces me otherwise (or I actually do win the YOKI) I'm going to pick up Simmons SD7K next week, along with a double bass pedal and a throne. |
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| housing market recoving already, or just a pause in the collapse? |
[May. 27th, 2008|10:20 am] |
At least for today, I don't hate Zillow. Apparently, my neighborhood has seen a slight increase in property values over the last 2 months. The Zestimate for my house is actually a few hundred dollars higher than the balance on my mortgage. |
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| Finale |
[May. 20th, 2008|09:16 pm] |
Probably the weakest finale yet. No performances good enough to mention. I'm fairly certain that David Cook didn't want to win, and chose songs that he knew were weak. David Archuleta is the next Taylor Hicks.
The ending by Ruben Studdard blew both David's performances away. They should have added 3 more numbers where you could vote to re-elect Ruben the American Idol. |
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| hardware recommendation request |
[May. 17th, 2008|09:10 am] |
I need a new server for my personal sites and mail. Since I haven't kept up with hardware trends, recommendations would be appreciated.
Here is what I'm looking for:
- Dual CPUs or a Dual core CPU, at least 3000 bogomips per CPU.
- at least 1GB RAM, 2 or 4 would be better
- Quiet.
- Has to be able to run Linux.
- 40GB disk, more would be better.
- 1024x768 VGA (via DVI to VGA adapter is OK)
- Inexpensive (max $1000, preferably under $600)
- Reliable
- Must be able to boot from at least one of CD, DVD, Compact Flash.
Things that would be nice to have, but are not absolute requirements:
- Small, preferably close to the Apple Mini in size.
- Raid 1 or better.
- Assembled and tested
- Warranty
- Name Brand
- No parts from ASUS
- Doesn't put out a lot of heat
- Decent Linux distro preinstalled
- 64bit CPU
- Low power consumption
- Gigabit ethernet
Most likely contenders I've found so far:
- http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/configdetails.asp?Base=3728239
- http://www.cappuccinopc.com/slimpro-sp635.asp
- http://www.targacomputers.com/showpages.asp?pid=1008
- Dell PowerEdge T105
- InfoTech in federal way - buy parts and assemble. This is the cheapest way to go, but the most time consuming and risky.
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| top 3 |
[May. 13th, 2008|09:23 pm] |
The only performance worth mentioning was David Cook doing "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in the first round, which was good. Cook won the other rounds as well, but that is damning with faint praise. Archuleta was boring/syrupy, and Mercado just did impersonations. I think Cook will end up winning, but I'm almost hoping he gets sent home tomorrow. If he does win, I think he'll be ruined by the Idol contract. |
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| top 4, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |
[May. 6th, 2008|09:42 pm] |
David Cook Hungry Like the Wolf - ** / Baba O'Reilly - ****
Hungry Like the Wolf was pretty terribly arranged, but at least the intro to Baba O'Reilly was excellent. If he'd had another 30-45 seconds, he could have included enough of the song to have the rest of the arrangement make sense, which might have earned him 5 stars.
Syesha Mercado Proud Mary - ** / A Change is Going to Come - **
Proud Mary was just another bad impersonation. For "Change", she tried to do a "diva" performance, but just couldn't pull it off. This was one of the rare occasions that I agreed 100% with Randy (who thought she didn't pull it off), and completely disagreed with Simon, who apparently loved it.
I wonder how well Syesha comparing her experience on Idol with the civil rights struggle in the 60s will go over with voters. I'm thinking that and the waterworks when Paula and Simon praised her might get her kicked off.
Jason Castro I Shot the Sheriff - *** / Mister Tambourine Man - **
Finally, a Bob Marley cover. It was interesting, but messy. Not nearly as bad as the judges made it out to be. Mister Tambourine Man actually was sounding pretty good until he missed the lyrics. The combination of the missed lyrics, and the very thin sounding guitar (he really needed some help from the band) could prove Simon right, and this could be his last week. From the smirk on his face, I wouldn't be surprised if Jason intentionally flubbed the lyrics/put in a half assed performance, just to avoid the notoriously bad Idol winner's contract.
David Archuleta Stand by me - ** / Love me Tender - *
As per usual, I hated it, but the judges seem to love him.
I voted for Jason Castro, because he was the most entertaining, and because I want to see Syesha go. I'll be surprised if the bottom two isn't Jason and Syesha. |
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| Top 5 - Neil Diamond |
[Apr. 29th, 2008|09:20 pm] |
First impression when Neil Diamond was announced was wondering who'd get "I'm a Believer". David Cook could definitely make that a rocker. I also thought the songs could fit Jason Castro well.
Neither came to pass.
Jason Castro - Forever in Blue Jeans - **
Weak.
David Cook - I'm Alive - ***
Respectable performance, with an interesting energy.
Brooke White - I'm a Believer - *
Brooke, unlike David Cook, cannot rock. This was easily the worst performance of the season (post Hollywood Week/auditions anyway). I wouldn't be surprised if she gets picked for vote for the worst.
David Archuleta - Sweet Caroline - *
Blech. Runs just didn't fit the song.
Sayesha Mercado - Hello Again - ***
Simple, pure, professional and sweet. She just didn't make a real artistic statement, it was just a bit generic.
Paula Abdul - WTF?!?!?!
Apparently, Paula is drugged or demented way past what anyone could expect. Counting to 2 is beyond her current cognitive abilities. Her confusion over Jason Castro/David Cook was the most awkward moment this season since the product placement for the top 11 show.
Jason Castro - September Morn - **
Yawn.
David Cook - All I Really Need is You - **
Beginning was depressing, the middle was middling, and the ending made me glad it was over.
Brooke White - I am I Said - ****
After "I'm a Believer" I was expecting a complete disaster. There are times I really enjoy being wrong. This was easily the best performance of the night, and with a few tweaks to the arrangement, could have been 5 stars. She has justified her continued stay, at least for this week.
David Archuleta - America - **
Bland. I think he might have been neutered by his notorious stage dad, because that performance was severely lacking in balls.
Sayesha Mercado - Thank the Lord for the Night Time - ***
Her voice just isn't big enough to pull off that arrangement.
No one got my vote this week. |
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| Top 6 - Andrew Lloyd Weber |
[Apr. 22nd, 2008|09:24 pm] |
My first reaction to Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber being this weeks mentor was that if Carly Smithson wore cat ears, my penis might explode with joy.
Sayeesha Mercado - One Rock and Roll too many - **
She has been on more than one week too many, and this boring lifeless performance may cure that. I did think it was cute when she stuck her tongue out at the end a did a little twirly dance. She clearly enjoyed herself onstage, and the judges loved it, but her performance just didn't connect with me at all. Probably in the bottom 3.
Jason Castro - Memories - **
Andrew Lloyd Weber's baffled reaction to Jason was hilarious. The performance was a bit breathy and messy. Again, I think he would have done better to skip the strings and go for a very minimalist arrangement.
Brooke White - You Must Love Me - *
Andrew Lloyd Weber is a great as an Idol mentor, I loved how he was willing to point out that Brooke was clueless.
Ouch, what a painful start/restart. Throughout the restarted performance she looked like she was straining to read the lyrics from a teleprompter. Given how desperate the performance was, "You Must Love Me" was not a great lyric to have to be singing. Horrendously bad song choice, which will land her in the bottom 3, and probably get her sent home.
She did so poorly that Paula had to really struggle to come up with anything positive. I think that Simon pulled his punches to be compassionate, realizing that he could have totally crushed the seemingly fragile Brooke.
Even though I am a sadistic blackhearted bastard, I'm glad that Simon was gentle with her, and I really hope that she pulls off a great performance of this song when she leaves.
David Archuleta - Think of Me - **
I don't think Andrew Lloyd Weber thought much of David. I certainly don't.
The ending was very well done, which rescued the rest of the dreadful performance from a one star rating.
Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar - ***
She certainly did have fun with Jesus Christ Superstar, but I actually think that the gentle ballad "All I ask of you" might have pushed Carly out of her diva comfort zone, and been more interesting. By far, the best performance of the night to this point, I nearly gave four stars.
David Cook - Music of the Night - ****
I think Andrew Lloyd Weber had a bit of a crush on David, but it wasn't his voice that excited him.
The performance started out a bit weak, but really built up nicely. David brought just a touch of rock to the performance. If he'd brought just a bit more rock, and started out better, it could have been a five star performance.
David Cook got my vote, and is currently my favorite to win. I want Muppet Terl to finish third, and Carly to finish second. |
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| vaporsite |
[Apr. 20th, 2008|11:29 am] |
Perscribo Vita - to write out life.
The application isn't quite ready yet, but I'm reasonably satisfied with the domains I picked for it:
perscribo-vita.com
perscribovita.com
scribovita.com
scribo-vita.com
I've never studied Latin, but I'm fairly sure that it translates to approximately what the application is intended to do - "write out life", "make a record of life". "Perscribo" sounds close enough to "Prescription" that people should make the medical connection (although I'm sure prescribo-vita will be a common typo), but not close enough to take anything from the site for medical advice. |
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| cell again |
[Apr. 18th, 2008|01:20 pm] |
Since the budget is overly tight at the moment, I just went went with the $30 LG Flare.
When building the rails app that I want to access via the phone, I'll just have to keep the crappy screen and lack of qwerty keyboard in mind. |
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| I hate cell phone companies |
[Apr. 17th, 2008|07:31 pm] |
I hate cell phone companies almost as much as I hate talking (really, more like yelling and then straining to hear the response) on cell phones (email or face to face is preferred, traditional phones are acceptable, IM/SMS I just ignore if at all possible).
My current provider is Virgin Mobile, and I average about $13/month. That is fine. However, the battery on my phone is just about done for (I'm having to charge it every day, and after every phone call). The battery is out of stock, and even if it were in stock, costs more than a new phone.
What I really want is a phone with QWERTY keypad that I can use for mobile web access. Virgin Mobile has one phone with a QWERTY keypad, and the screen is tiny. A lot of the Blackberries look decent, but I haven't found any available with plans that are $20/month or less. IPhone - I wouldn't mind paying $400 for a phone IF I knew it'd last 4 years and IF I didn't have to pay a minimum of $60/month (it comes with 6 times the number of minutes I need, and 10MB of data transfer would probably cover data transfer that I'd actually use). |
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| Top 7 - Maria Carey week |
[Apr. 15th, 2008|09:10 pm] |
David Archuleta - some "inspirational" song - *
Not my type of song.
Carly Smithson - If Living is Without You - **
Strange, unflattering dress and necklace. Performance was dull, and not much different than any of her other performances. I'm starting to get tired of her. Hopefully she do something completely different next week.
Sayeesha Mercado - Vanishing - **
Yawn. This time she copies Maria, and as usual, not very well.
Brooke White - Hero - **
She looked fabulous. Hair, dress, shoes were all very nice. Unfortunately, just another song I don't like.
Kristy Lee Cook - Forever - **
Ugh. Supposedly Maria got goosebumps when she heard Kristy. The closest I came to a reaction was a touch of nausea. She did end well, or I'd have given one star.
David Cook - Always be My Baby - **1/2
Should have searched harder for someone else's arrangement...
Jason Castro - I don't want to Cry - ***
Perfect choice of instruments for accompaniment, with the exception of the dreadful syrupy strings. By far, this was his best performance. He actually seemed like a contender. Without the strings, I'd have given four stars.
I'm not voting for anyone, but Terl has something to say:
 |
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