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[02.2002]
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Friday, May 31, 2002
Treated myself last week to two brand-new CD's: Final Fantasy IV Original Soundtrack and Final Fantasy: Pray soundtrack. FF IV came in the mail yesterday. Now I'm jamming to cool FF music at work ;)
FFIV, btw ... was the one with the PALADIN.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:00 PM ::> [
Really not motivated for work today.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:47 AM ::> [
Omelette.
HmmMmmmmm.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:35 AM ::> [
Hungry.
Hm.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:25 AM ::> [
So ... decked last night. The latter 30 minutes of that was in sprinkling ... but we got the damn thing DONE. Railing still needs to go on. Still need to buy a new grill ... and build a little step-thing ... and grocery shop for Sunday. Oi.
The naseua went away last night after I sat for a bit. I hope I'm not getting whatever is going around at work. The muscles feel tender still. I'm really out of shape. Aspirin seems to be keeping that in check. Considering what I can do about that, or if I want to do anything about that. I tried the gym thing - that was boring to me.
So yes. I was a crab last night. :P~
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:07 AM ::> [
Thursday, May 30, 2002
Work. Blah.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:28 PM ::> [
But, in better news ... I got my first B-day gift yesterday. From Matthew. A MOOGLE DOLL!
He's so cute. Decided I needed some jazzing up of my desk at work. So now I have a moogle at work.
He's so cute!
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:07 AM ::> [
I ... am SO .... SORE ... today.
Ugh. Hurts to WALK.
And we have to deck some more tonight :(
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:00 AM ::> [
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Blogger's being a pain in the arse. All sorts of bizarro and non-sense errors.
*sighs*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:12 AM ::> [
It's been ages since I blogged!
miss me?
Thursday was a whirlwind day. My boss's boss's boss came up to me at 8:15 am with a 'little' project. It was frickin' HUGE. A statistical analysis of an underwriting area's staffing and work-volume for 2002 to date. Uh. With projections for additional staffing needs if volume increased by 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. So ... ZOOOM. I managed to squeeze a good 2-2.5 days worth of work into ONE DAY, with some help here and there with data gathering.
He was impressed ;)
Was a bit late leaving for vacation Thursday night, and after we dodged silly, unneccesary construction on 23-south, we ended up in Pennsylvania (2 hours later than planned - doh!). Didn't sleep well Thursday night - Jarrod's grandparents are nice and all, but we got seperate bedrooms. *sighs* I'm really used to having my sweetie next to me.
Friday we did a little bit of Van Kirk research in Beaver, PA ..then skirted northward to the cabin. LOTS of renovations - it's HUGE now. Nice. Jarrod's folks arrived Friday night. The kids and brother/sister-in-law showed up Saturday. Thus left all vestige of "quiet". The younger one was cute, but still loud. We left Monday and made good time back to Michigan.
I took Tuesday off (as it was my birthday) for a "Veg" day. With the weather being so bad the last two weeks, we hadn't progressed far on the deck. SO ... Jarrod took the day off, too, and planned in deck-time. What was really neat was that Matthew took the day off, too, and Jack had the day off of work - so we four started at 10 am a'decking. And decked. And decked some more. And planked. And drilled, and cut, and screwed ... oi. 11 hours of work, with a few breaks smattered in. It's 90% done when darkness fell. About 1-2 more hours, and it's FINISHED. We would not have gotten as far as we did without Jack and Matthew's help. They were INVALUABLE. Thanks guys!!!
Not the way I wanted to spend my day off, or my birthday, but *shrugs*. Sometimes, we compromise on these things. I do want the deck done, mainly so I don't have to do it any more. I don't like home-construction.
It will be done in time for Sunday. Having a low-key Birthday BBQ thing. 3pm. My place. On our new deck ... with our new grill.
It'll be fun ;) Going to e-mail out today about it.
To work now! I'm all caught up on blogs, e-mails, ICQs, work things ... gotta get going on this training manual for our Access DB. Joy.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 10:10 AM ::> [
Thursday, May 23, 2002
Er. Am wondering where in tarnation Ms. Gibbs manages to find all these INTERESTING links!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/caffeine/5a65.shtml
Weird ;)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:14 PM ::> [
STARBUCKS!evil, evil corporation. *sips* Decent, convenient cupa'Jo!
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:10 AM ::> [
Strangely enough ... I kinda wanted to work on the deck this weekend. Would really like it done.
Also ... If EVERYONE around you seems out of focus, perhaps you need to get your prescription checked =-)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:09 AM ::> [
WorkPlanned on writing up a training manuel for using the Access DB we've developed ... but that's been pushed aside. Instead, I'm now working on a statistical overview of the Government lending area for a manager (4 levels up the ladder from me) for presentation to Sr. Management and the president of the company. *gulp* 5 and 6 levels up the ladder from me.
Yikes ;)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:07 AM ::> [
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Orniry Security Guard STOPPED me from coming into the floor.
Yes, I forgot my ID badge at home. People do that all the time.
So, he made me go back out to call my supervisor. I don't memorize folks phone numbers. The stupid operator didn't pick up the phone to transfer me.
GRRRR.
The annoying part is ... his name is Lynn. I know him. Seen him around a lot. Never been introduced, but you remember faces you've seen at the company for YEARS and YEARS. I've worked here since September of 1998. That's ALMOST 4 years.
Hello! Nice to know our security guards pay attention to the details.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:54 PM ::> [
None of my normal daily distractions are being very distracting.
Friend's blogs, KFO forums, e-mail, pbem ..... all strangely silent.
Music is helping the day go by ;) That and designing a look for the database for work. Yes, you heard (read) me. It has to look pretty, right?
The answer, in case you are still searching, is DUH...OF COURSE IT DOES.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:47 AM ::> [
TodayMuch better today.
DeckWorked on the deck a bit last night. Jarrod and Jack ran to get wood, and Matthew and I laid in cross-beam thingies. It prevents the deck from wiggling ... or something. Matthew left at abuot 7:30 for home to watch Buffy (Geek ;) ) and I got familiar with the table-saw my dad sent over via my sister's car. It's surprisingly not that hard to operate - though I'm still afraid I'm going to accidentally buzz off an important appendage. Makes me extra cautious.
After I did another few cuts/shim-thingies, I played diablo (geek ;) ) until Jarrod/Jack came home. Helped put wood in the Garage. Went to bed early, even, turning down a Moo Farm run with some KFOers.
New toyOH! and ... I have a NEW TOY. We have this employee rewards program at work (SPIRIT ... I help facilitate our team). I earned enough points with April's awards that I could 'purchase' a combo portable CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 players! Listed in the catalog at 150 points ($150.00). It plays Audio Cd's, CD-r's and CD-RWs, and Data MP3 disks. Burned a ton of MP3's onto data disks last night so I could have MUSIC again.
the downside is that I will have to remember to lock my desk up every day. Oh well. I have MUSIC again!
"Music ... makes the people ... not bored AT work...." *dances* (eh, that doesn't exactly fit the meter, but I'm sure you'll deal =) ).
Vacation!Starts tomorrow after work. I'm REALLY wanting time off from work. I have Friday, Monday (holiday) and Tuesday off. Yay. Probably doing the birthday BBQ on June 2nd (Sunday). Vacation possibilities are: Build a WRAP DB; Play D2 (lots); start two books I've been meaning to start: Robert Jordon's Lord Of Chaos and The Iliad; finish The Way of Warriors and the Code of Kings (translated Ancient Eastern philosophies for Generals and Kings); put a few puzzles together; canoe; sleep; relax. All options. Nothing set. Will go with the flow ;)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:32 AM ::> [
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
WOW ... I'm feeling fiercely anti-social today.
Grrr.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:18 AM ::> [
Monday, May 20, 2002
wow today is boring.
I'd like to be home, playing games, watching TV, or reading.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:50 PM ::> [
Ugh. Ate lunch MUCH too quickly, and burned the part of my mouth where my wisdom teeth USED to be.
Owie.
Eating a Wendy's Frosty to make it feel better.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:48 PM ::> [
And maybe Kris Fazzarri.
It sorta tastes like root beer .. but not quite.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:12 PM ::> [
Hm. Vanilla Coke is tasty.
I think Matthew would like it.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:11 PM ::> [
Gr. Blogger keeps "forgotting" to make my carriage returns into LINE Breaks. I've not changed the setting, ever, but it's constantly doing this.
Grr.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:43 AM ::> [
Weekend was PACKED.
We built the foundation for the deck. That is, Jarrod, Jack, Matthew and Pete did the bulk of it. I was "extra" help, I guess. Kinda felt like I wasn't very productive in helping. Too many folks helping, I think. So ... I made lunch for everyone (beef stew). The stump remover came, and took out the last vestige of the freaky ice-storms tree carcass. It was pretty much rotting on the inside. It wasn't going to live much longer, we think - the storm destroyed most, if not all, of the upper part of the tree. Sad. So, he removed the stump, and I levelled the ground. I helped some on the deck.
Was feeling really anti-social for several hours, but eventually snapped ouf of it, and ended up going to see Star Wars with Kristen, John and Jarrod. He was feeling anti-social as well, he snapped out of it about 7:00ish. Took me longer.
The movie was fun. There's a few scenes I really enjoyed. The story-line helps complete some of the missing pieces to episodes 4, 5, and 6. But compared to other movies, it was only adequate. The romance between Anikin and Amidala was just plain awkward and poorly done.
Sunday we attempted to have brunch with "the guys" at Cafe Zola. Party of 7, estimated 15 minute wait. Turned into an HOUR. So, we went to Grizzly peak instead. They kept telling us "15 more minutes ... we're gunna seat you soon." Bah.
In other news -- I redid the KFO front-end look of the database. It looks great Using my MSword Mail-merge from excel trick, it really turned out nice. It's going to be almost completely automated, too, using macros. I've gotten many compliments on it so far. Take a look!: KFO Database.
The KFO e-mail server tanked yesterday, too. Don't know when or why. I've got a trouble ticket in with our web server tech people. Hopefully they can restore it. Else, I'll have to rebuild about 30 e-mail accounts. It's not hard, just tedious. *grumble*
I really don't want to work today. Jarrod and I are heading to the Cabin in PA Thursday after work. I'd like to fast forward to Thursday.
OH! And ... yesterday, we bought a Voltage-adapter-thingie from Comp USA. Essentially, it's a device you plug into your Cigarrette lighter, and you can power appliances in yoru car. DIABLO ON THE TURNPIKE! oOOooOO yea! *grins*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:42 AM ::> [
Friday, May 17, 2002
Which RPG system are you?
by Mr. Vimes
Pfft. I wanted to be something COOL.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:31 PM ::> [
Is it 5 o'clock yet?
*bites nails*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:24 PM ::> [
U of M
To: University of Michigan Community@umich.edu
From: "B. Joseph White"
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 17:25:28
Subject: Today's Law School Ruling
Today, we have learned that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has found in our favor in the Grutter case and determined our Law School admissions policy to be constitutional. A majority of the court said our admissions program meets the guidelines established by the Supreme Court in the Bakke decision. The full decision can be found on the web at http://pacer.ca6.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/newopn.pl?puid=
or at
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=6th&navby=case&no=02a0170p.
This is a great day for the University of Michigan and for all of higher education, as well as for the numerous corporations, educational groups, and others who filed amicus briefs in support of the University. I am pleased that the court recognized that diversity brings educational benefits to all students. This is part of the University's historic and significant commitment to diversity in all its facets, and today's decision reaffirms our community's long-standing values. We must prepare our students to learn and to lead in the world's most diverse democracy.
The court noted that our Law School admissions policy, adopted by the faculty in 1992, is "virtually indistinguishable" from the Harvard plan held out as a model in the Bakke decision. The court found that our policy considers each applicant as an individual in making admissions decisions, and does not shield any applicant from competing with the rest of the applicant pool. "The record demonstrates that the Law School does not employ a quota for underrepresented minority students," the majority opinion stated. "Essentially, both the Law School's admission policy and the Harvard plan attend to the numbers of underrepresented minority students to ensure that all students---minority and majority alike---will be able to enjoy the benefits of an academically diverse
student body."
The case challenging our undergraduate admissions policy (Gratz v. Bollinger) has not yet been decided by the appeals court. As you may recall, the district court previously upheld our undergraduate admissions program.
I am sure these court decisions will generate many questions within our community. Once decisions have been rendered in both cases, we will be working to plan a public forum where experts will be available to provide analysis of the cases and respond to questions about their impact. Please watch the University's web site at http://www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/ for details about this event.
Interesting. Affirmative action in Admissions policies has been upheld. I rather support this. With all the classes I've taken now in minority studies and diversity issues ... the white population, in general, has a higher chance of succeeding because of the economic, class and racial advantages that have been endowed them (us) over the last 400 years.
If a 3.75 GPA, 29 ACT white student from Grosse Point is turned down for a 3.25, 27 ACT black student in Detriot ... I'm okay with that. The student in Detroit had a harder environment to succeed in. Centuries of oppression, redlining, Jim Crow, Race Riots, police brutality, enslavement, torture, forced relocation, kidnapping, murdering, rape and class politics can do that.
So yea. I'm ok with affirmative action in University admissions policy. I think it moves society torward Tolerance by allowing for a diverse student body. Let folks get to know each other and experience the similarities and differences when they aren't yet old and unmalleable. Let them realize that people are people, no matter what shade, origin, belief, orientation or choice they've made or are.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:37 PM ::> [
WRAP AccessTime to nit. This should be fairly easy, I'm thinking. I started really looking at it last night while the tech-dolt who caused this problem, Jarrod and Audrey yakked back and forth. It was built using the template for a membership DB ... the one that's installed in Access for you to learn how to use Access. It served it's purpose. It's time for something a bit more suited.
There were only two tables out of the 12 or so in there that were being used. There were relationships between the tables, aye, but only two were storing current data or were in use at all.
The "problem" was this: Volunteer-who-knows-just-enough-to-be-dangerous-but-not-enough-to-know-that-he-only-knows-enough-to-break-things-good sits down and does volunteer work (Bless his pointy little head) by upgrading the WRAP computer. He upgraded the whole Office Suite to Office 2000. Two issues, here.
Firstly, WRAP receives grants that stipulate that they use legally purchased software. They do. It's a policy. He upgraded them with a copy that he former boss gave him and "only installed on one machine that he never registered because that machine doesn't connect to the Internet." Um ... if it's installed on someone else's machine - it's their copy. That's piracy if we install it. The fact that the Suite yelled at us when we went to register it, saying it WAS registered, confirms this. Secondly, Word97 and Word2000 aren't much different - but Access97 and Access2000 are *vastly* different in how it handles the database objects internally. So much so that there is a conversion filter to go from 97 to 2000 ... and NO WAY to go back. The WRAP DB was converted to 2000. No going back, now.
So ... every time you open Access, it says "This isn't registered. You have 37 more times to open this application." That's counting down fast. The CD-Burner isn't working. We can't register the software, because that key is registered to someone else. And, to boot, we're using pirated software.
Joy.
I ripped the table data out of acccess (Since it's only TWO tables), and tossed them into Excel. Uploaded them to my Yahoo! Briefcase. I'll fix the DB, and it should be easy .. Jarrod and Audrey have to deal with this guy. Who means well, but who's made a pretty big mess of things.
Computer people need to really just be honest. "Yea, I sort-of know what I'm doing ....". At least I'm willing to admit that I only sort-of-know how a PC will handle if I push the red button.
Ah well.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:32 AM ::> [
My Excel/Word trick worked. Now I just have to write a macro to do all the leg-work (so I don't have to), and we'll have a nice new look to the KFO membership DB.
Yay. :)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:20 AM ::> [
Word of the Day for Friday May 17, 2002:
gastronome \GAS-truh-nohm\, noun:
A connoisseur of good food and drink.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:13 AM ::> [
Thursday, May 16, 2002
Secretary of State's office took for frickin ever.
BUT ... I now own my car (yay). I now have plates on it until May 2003 (yay). I got served by a cutie (and nice) latino-boy. (yay).
So that almost made of for the fact that they MISSED MY NUMBER.
Eh.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:04 PM ::> [
LinksUhhh.... right. This was in my morning Yahoo! Daily Picks: http://www.vanilla.coke.com/home.html
I'm intrigued.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 10:46 AM ::> [
Uh OhSounds like the WRAP Database has tanked, or is about to. I shot my hand up in the air. *sighs* I want to help, and don't. I'm helping. I'm nervous. I'm an Access newbie. Crash course.
No guts, no glory.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 10:00 AM ::> [
I had an ephiphany last night.
Matthew was chatting about POM, and then ducked out to head over to his place so we could play Diablo. And ... it hit me. How to solve this MSWord, MSExcel KFO DB issue. MSWord sucked at making html code. MSExcel's XML-html is buggy (lines overlap, etc).
BUT .... MSWord is good at doing mail-merges with MSExcel. Which is why I was trying to make them jive in the first place. Rather than having Word write the pages ... Word can CODE the pages for me! So, instead of setting up a template catalog to mail merge the Excel records into with the intent of using Word's "Save as Webpage", I set up a Word document that was just pre-tagged with tabling code (row, columns), with Mail-merge codes within. I then set up a header file and footer file, in Word. With a Macro, I can just assemble the page I want, save as a txt file, and ta-da! Page. Instant table-coding.
OOOO! Better yet -- I could just write the HTML page, and use a server side include for the txt file I create. This way, I'd have only ONE .shtml file needed that I wouldnt have to edit or fuss around with in a Word Macro to get what I want. OO! Like that better.
Okay. Know what I'm going to be up to this weekend ;) After the deck is built, though.
Y'know ... this could help automate a LOT of KFO things. I'm thinking .... the member's photo page. God, that could be automated! Weeeeeeeeee
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:27 AM ::> [
Wednesday, May 15, 2002
This day refuses to end.
Argh.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:40 PM ::> [
Mindless. Data. Entry. Is. Better. With. Background. Music.
Ugh. I wish they'd let me have my CD-ROM drive back on this computer. It just looks pretty. Doesn't spin. Presidential decree.
Gr.
But! I have enough SPIRIT points to get a portable MP3/CD players. Ordered it yesterday from the catalog. 1-2 weeks, it said. Then the monotone will be over.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 10:28 AM ::> [
WOW. Rough time loggin in today.
Kept getting errors. Weird.
Goat man looks hunky. Check out Wendi's blog to see him. He's a baaaaad, baaaaad boy.
Thai food for lunch today. Teeth are almost back to 'normal'.
Stayed up WAY too late last night playing Diablo. I only meant to trade, play a bit, and head to bed. Ended up doing several Moo-runs in the Secret Cow Level instead. Oi. Lost track of time. Got to bed about midnight.
Think I'm going to try a novel thing tonight: reading. Ha! Pun intended :)
Forecast is calling for Rain tonight, Rain tomorrow, Rain Friday ... Rain/SNOW Saturday. The sweetie is not amused. The Deck Must Go On! It Hailed last night. Showers/sun later in the evening - which made quite a pretty rainbow.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 10:13 AM ::> [
Tuesday, May 14, 2002
Hm. Looks like rain. The sweetie will not be pleased.
Thought we were gunna try and deck some more tonight.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:50 PM ::> [
Best milkshake in Ann Arbor: Pizza Bob's (Coffee Chocolate, thankee)
And ... if you get enough people at work interested ... Pizza Bob's DELIVERS.
*grins*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:50 PM ::> [
Bah.
Wendi's nekkid lady doodle is now on the bottom of her blog, right near all the links I use to read all the blogs I read.
Thus ... I'll have to wait a few days to catch up on folk's blogs.
Don't want the BIG bosses comin' round my desk with that on my screen ;) Be tough to explain that I'm goofing off at work!
heh
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:34 PM ::> [
Blogger wouldn't load this morning.
HmpH.
I'm very much in a gaming mood. Had lunch with James A (which was fun!). I'm going to give Champions a try. He's starting this Thursday, but I might be deep in deck-construction. We'll see. He's planning on doing this serial, not campaign, so I can miss days if needs be. I don't know if I could commit once a week to gaming right now. Life's busy.
Experimented last night with MSword, catalog mail merges, and websites. Matthew was right - MSWord sucks Ass in HTML coding. WOW. Even when I tried to tell it to ignore margins, it made the HTML with margins regardless. I can't it to look the way I want to. There's never any horizontal scroll (and there SHOULD be some). So, trying to get the KFO out of Excel XML-bullshit isn't going to be easy. I'm going to fiddle with it more this week when I have time, and see if I can get it to fly they way I want it to.
Maybe Frontpage can extract things from Word's mailmerges? Hm..... I'll have to try that.
This will all go away once I've got Access training :) I hope.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:32 PM ::> [
Monday, May 13, 2002
WeekendPOM was a blast. I had a great deal of fun, and it was neat to see all the actions that characters took because the characters didn't know what the players knew. Fun! And good role-playing ;) I get to fix the universe next session. I've never done that. Apt, coming from the person who was destroying it at the beginning of the campaign.
Deck building was ... painful. I'm still sore from it. Jarrod and his father don't work very well together, and they were butting heads on trying to get the base laid out. They eventually worked through it, though, and it looks like it'll be cool. I don't know much about construction (mostly because I don't really enjoy it, in fact, I really dislike constructing things myself), so take that for what it's worth. Heh. Jarrod sounds like he's got it mostly figured out, so I'm sure it'll be fine.
Living with my sister is easier than I thought it would be. She's changed a lot in five years ... so have I, I guessed. I told her I thought she'd be a pain in the ass, she told me she expected me to be a stick-in-mud-father type. We were both wrong. Good things, I suppose.
I putzed around most of the day Sunday. Just needed a day to veg and do nothing. I did end up doing some overtime. I have a box left that I need to do tonight, which ought to take me an hour if I focus on it. I'm not good at focusing on one thing for too long. Unless, of course, it's Diablo :)
KFO DatabaseSo, currently ... it's a massive Excel document. I'm planning on moving it to MSAccess this summer. I've glanced at the DB that "Dixen" (Mr. Kinney) was working on, and I think I can do better. I've already got a decent idea of how to lay the thing out that would be pretty easy to modify in the future. The problem with the old MSAccess DB that the KFO had 3 years ago was ... when the creator of if left, so did the ability to alter it. And when the guild changed beyond what the DB could handle, we were screwed. So, I ripped the main table of Access, and plunked it into Excel, where I could understand it. Full circle, I suppose, that I now know how to build and modify an Access DB.
The plan is to have one table for People. It will contain information like join date, contact info, personal info (name, birthday, IP address), status, current rank, comments. This will have an auto-generated primary key. Duplicates in member names won't be allowed. The memberID will link via a one-to-may to a Points table, which will track What type of points people receieve that require data input (Quests, tourney, loyalty). Off the tblPeople, will be a one-to-many relationship to a Ranks table, where the ranks of the Order will be listed. Their will also be a status table, one-to-many'ed to the People table. Also one for character class, main game (maybe just put this on the Character class table). I'm thinking that if I set it up properly, with forms to access the various other tables ... it will be EASILY modifiable. If the KFO completely redoes its rank structure -- head into that form, change them all. Easily modifiable. Which is what the old MSAccess Db was NOT.
any-who ... I'm going to hold off on that until I take the MSaccess course that my company is sending me to in Mid-June. In the interim, MSExcel exports things to HTML, via an XML-thing (that I don't precisely understand). It's buggy, though (suprise, suprise). Lines overlap in the browser, and it just looks bad. I'm going to mess with a MSword doc tonight, doing a mail merge with a catalog, and see if word can handle HTML code better. If I do this, I might be able to edit the page in notepad once Word cranks it, and use the main site's look and feel with the CSS file and #include statements. THAT would be neat. I'm pretty sure I can make that fly. :) We'll see.
Time to work now. Blech.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:10 AM ::> [
find your element
at mutedfaith.com.
<º>
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:48 AM ::> [
Friday, May 10, 2002
Friend of mine in the KFO has just planted an itch in me that I must scratch soon.
Will be re-reading "The Dark is Rising", by Susan Cooper. They're geared for middle school folks in their language, but she is a wonderfully talented writer who weaves a very neat world. "The Dark is Rising" was the reason I started to read at all. I hated reading in school. Until a teacher read that out-loud to us. I poked into the library ... checked out the book. Loved it. Found out it was a series. Loved that. Found more series. Read them.
It's all been downhill from there =)
SO! I like to poke back in them. She really has some neat ideas.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:58 PM ::> [
Busy, Boring day.
I'd like to leave, now. Play diablo. Go out to dinner. Work in the yard. See the sweetie. (he was sleepin' when I got home from dinner).
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:40 PM ::> [
Thursday, May 09, 2002
I'm going to dinner tonight with friends from work. I've never had Cajun, never been to Zydeco's ... so this should be interesting. Going to the /Aut/ to sit at the patio after dinner. Should be nice out by then -- it's getting sunnier here.
Gotta run the sister home from work, First. She's still not fully acclimated to Ann Arbor's maze of streets and traffic.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:34 PM ::> [
Uhh...huh? how?
Take the Which Star Wars Character are you mostly likely to get it on with? quiz, by ProtocolDroid.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:31 PM ::> [
Busy day. And a Web-crawling-network-being-SLOOOWWWW day. Thus, the lack of witty banter you all adore.
*grins*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:35 PM ::> [
Wednesday, May 08, 2002
Mephisto was kind to me last night! I got crap items at lunch, but I got TWO Class-uniques during the 1-2 hours of playtime I had yesterday evening! Arreat's Face (for barbarians) and The Oculus!! (for Sorceresses). Gave the Oculus to Matthew for his Sorceress. I had intended on it being a gift, but he gave me a pile of runes, perfect gems and junky jewels for my crafting (those things are easy-to-find stuff, just need time). Thus, it sorta felt like a trade ... but he DID get a COOL item :) My sorceress has an Oculus -- they REALLY work well.
My sister is all moved in. So far, so good. I was actually to work ON TIME. Go figure ;)
Oh! And Discovercard called last night. They were concerned that someone had stolen our credit card because we normally don't spend $1100 on it in one week. lol. You're right ... we don't. I hope we don't again! My wallet is starting to hurt. But! Going to take some boxes of work-OT home this week, and I'll have the cash to make up for it soon.
OT..OT...OTOTOTOTOTOTOTOT
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:39 AM ::> [
Tuesday, May 07, 2002
hmmm....STRONG urge to kill Mephisto. Going home for lunch to do so.
"My brothers...have ESCAPED YOU! MWWWaAAhAHahHAhahAHAHHAhAhA"
Zot. Zot-Zot-Zot-Zot-Zot *dodge**run* ORB! *swooooosh* ORB ... Orb.Orb.Orb.Orb.Orb.Orb.Orb, BOOM. *runs (gleefully!)to pick up the items*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:28 PM ::> [
Speaking of bosses, forgot the mention about my weekend!
I was invited to my boss's boss's boss's equivilent over the other half of the department's house for a cinco de mayo party on Saturday. (It goes, for you who care to know ME (peon) > Sr. Underwriter (about 20 of them, assists team leaders) > Team Leader (about 9-10 of them total) > Supervisors (4 area, 2 special unit/no staff) > Dept Manager (2 total) > Ops Manager (3, WHOLE company). From ops manager, you go down to other departments. So, in short I was at a Manager's party, one of two people who lead the whole 250-person underwriting department. I was a little intimidated at first.
So, I went. And ... had fun! Work has such a young-and-party atmosphere, that I almost don't fit in because of it. But, this was fun. Intimidation lasted a few minutes, then went away.
Anyways ... her house was beautiful (and HUGE). Party was fun. And ... I guess that means I'm in the "in" crowd now.
Hmph. Weird.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:01 AM ::> [
My boss was impressed with my grades this term.
Bonus!
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:54 AM ::> [
Busy week.
Sister moves in tonight. She got a job in collections on the 3rd floor ... I think that's closely related to James Arnoldi's job. She might be working in his suite, even.
Thus, our timeline on purchasing a bed was updated. We went last night and bought a new duvet cover and sheet set. Put us out a bit more than we were expecting, but the whole set is *REALLY* nice, and we now have European pillow shams :) That means they are square. In case you didn't know. Now, gotta work some OT to make up the cash (already started, really).
We're buying a bed from Sam's tonight. And a mattress pad (we forgot that). And a few essentials (TP! Soap ... etc.) Tomorrow night is deck-stuff, weather permitting. Thursday is Jarrod's last WRAP board meeting, and my monthly Dinner out with the work friends. Friday is dinner out with Danny and Jeremy ... Saturday is yardwork, deck stuff and POM ... Sunday. Hm. Sunday I can breathe. That sounds good ;)
Life never slows down, huh?
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:34 AM ::> [
Monday, May 06, 2002
Oi. Sister was supposed to move in this weekend, which is nerve-racking enough. I was going to get her a job through the temp agency here. They want her to start Wednesday. She'll be moving in TOMORROW.
Gr. :)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:55 PM ::> [
KFOA huge wieght has been lifted from my shoulders.
I was sad a bit yesterday, especially during the meeting. But ... its ... done. My term. Is over. Handed over the keys.
And then accepted a position on the Council.
I know. I'm wierd. Fanatic. I'm an Elder. I won't have all the responsibility -- just a bit of helping. Here and there. When I'm asked. Nothing like last term. I'll be much more relaxed. Already planning on revamping the website, and I think I'm going to volunteer as Scribe master. I'm already doing it. It's just not official. With the level of automation I've managed with MSexcel ... it takes 20 minutes a week. Tops. And with last week's revelation with the ballot counting (I got the MSoffice suite to work nicely together to AUTO-COUNT ONLINE BALLOTS!!!), I might be able to automate this further.
Plus, I'm taking that access class through work next month. What better chance to test my skills? I might be able to make access directly dip into Outlook's folders, and process character updates FOR ME. That would be cool.
;) Better day. Not sad anymore. Relieved.
Movie!Spiderman was neat. I got the impression through the whole thing, sitting next to Kris F., that she knew what was coming. I didn't. Afterwords, at dinner, we chatted -- yup, she knew. It followed the comic pretty closely, I guess.
I'm not a comic person. Never went through that phase in HS, so ... I didn't know. It was all a surprise for me :) Great Movie! I liked it a lot.
Toby ... is such a hunk.
WorkLots to do, little motivation today. Hate those kinda days ;)
DeckSo, we're building a deck. I HATE building things. construction. Manual labor, sweaty. Stiff muscles. BUT! It will make the sweetie happy. So, I'm helpin'. It should look better than the old one, which also helps the motivation. We're suppose to level ground and start digging holes for the concrete-support-thingies, but the forecast is calling for showers this afternoon. That wouldn't be very good. Will put us off-schedule. That won't make the sweetie happy at all.
Work, OTI took two boxes of document-checking for our credit auditing area home over the weekend. I worked about ... ooo ... 3.5 hours, total, with a 30 minute break and periodic ICQing and chatting with Jarrod, and earned about 15 hours of overtime pay. Production-based overtime :) Gotta love it. "Do this many files ... get an hour." (It was 4 to an hour this weekend. Incented (lower than normal) rate. COOool.) That means ... I already have 23 hours of overtime for my next paycheck, all on about 6-7 hours of actual time spent working. Yay.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:33 AM ::> [
Friday, May 03, 2002
Alright. So all my friends want to blog about kids.
Like Matthew, I've no uterus to speak of. I do have *some* experience with dealing with them, though ... insomuch that I grew up in a house with three women (my mom and two younger sisters). There was a period (no pun intended, really) of about two-three years when it was JUST me and the three of them, as my mom and dad were 'separated'.
Kids. They make me uncomfortable, mostly. Babies seem fragile to me. Toddlers seem demanding to me. Older children - I'm better with. They don't seem like some great burden, they do seem to be an inconvience - and they are something wonderful and mysterious. Mainly because I don't understand them, or the phenomenon surrounding them.
Okay -- yes. I'm "young" still. I have decided that for my age, and where I am at in my life: children are not an option. I've got an open mind, though, and I allow for change of my own feelings on things. If that means in another 15-20 years I really, really want kids then -- I'll know then. For now - no way. I spent the first 19 years of my life being subservient to the every whim of unstable home and unstable parent. I love my mom dearly, but she has serious problems. We walked on eggshells at home. Were subjected to tirades of her throwing things at us, and screaming at us, and demanding that the world bend to HER way. And you know what? We did. Every time she changed her mind, we changed. Cleaned the house every day became cleaning the house twice a day. Jennette quit cheerleading because the house needed taking care of and dinner needed cooking. Kristen and Jennette quit band because it was a hassle for mom to take them to band rehersals. That's the only thing I fought her on, and only because I was first chair Clarinet and told her I liked it. Everything else, though -- I caved.
I gave up Quizbowl. I gave up international club. I never even tried a sport - I saw the battles Kristen and Jennette had to fight to be in Cheerleading and track the few times they were. It boiled down to her unhappiness with life, I think: work, home ... work, home, no joy. No hobbies. Except chain-smoking. This unhappiness was projected to everyone else in the house.
The summer after I came out - it was Christmas time and I had just started seeing Jarrod - I had to borrow her truck for Christmas break because she sold my car (she offered to let me). I was working in Ann Arbor, and work didn't let out for winter break. I wasn't home at the time she specified, and I was going to just get some changes of clothes and go back to Ann Arbor (I was staying with Jarrod). She blew up at me. I was *TOLD* that I was going to leave college, come home, get a job, pay them rent. I told her no. She blew up at me, screamed. I screamed back. Told her some rather unpleasant things. Told her I was going to do what I damned well please, however and whenever I wanted. She threatened to stop paying for college. I told her FINE. I didn't need their fucking money. And I quickly discovered that I didn't. *I'M* doing this on my own, now. With moral support from my sweetie and cheering from my friends ... but me. Mom doesn't do a darned thing for me, any more.
I know, I know. I'm off topic. But, not really. I spent 19 years being subservient. On someone else's schedule; on someone else's plan, path and under someone else's will. If it was a night she was upset? We sat for 4 hours while she screamed and cried at us. And for where I am in my life -- I live for me. I choose to live for Jarrod too. He gives me space, though, to go out to dinner with friends, or to the bar after work on occasion - which is something I need. I can't live under totalitarianism again. Not now. Not right away. And kids -- are pretty totalitarianistic. It's not a decision you enter into lightly. It's not a decision you enter into for just a few years. It's a lifetime and long term commitment to give a lot of your life up to another person who will totally depend on you for everything.
And I'm not in a place in my life where that's going to work. I don't know if I ever will. I'm going to keep an open mind about it, but -- that's where I am.
If you want kids - that's great. I'll play with 'em, and chat with 'em. I'll chat with you. I don't think the world need be segregated into "kid's people" and "non-kids people" like smoking and non-smoking sections in restaurants. I have the patience, forced upon me, to deal with just about anything, I think. And I don't mind kids, beyond the part that I think I'm going to break the little ones and say the wrong thing to the toddlers. I'm finding I don't mind being a defacto uncle. Jarrod's nephews are cute, and fun. I just can't handle the idea of 24/7/365 for 18 years. I admire people who believe they can, and wish them luck. But ... it's not for me, for now.
/end rant ;)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:06 AM ::> [
Ugh. Was in pain this morning, so I decided to take a vicodin before coming to work.
Y'know ... vicodin is a GOOD pain reliever. It does this kind of cloud-your-head thing, that doesn't make me want to sleep, but makes it hard to concentrate on one thing. So ... I'm sitting at work, now in no pain, and unable to concentrate much on anything for very long. Typing is ... uhh ... fun. I have to look at my fingers again, which I haven't had to do in a long time. I keep hitting the wrong keys.
heh.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:34 AM ::> [
Thursday, May 02, 2002
I'm considering this for my next car.
It's cute! Friendly! Happy!
I wish it came in Blue, though. Currently sold in only THREE colors: this light-grey-blue-smoke thing, a goldish color, and white.
BOring.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:30 AM ::> [
lol
This one seemed better than the alternatives to me. *shrugs*
Find your Role-Playing
Stereotype at mutedfaith.com.
[Angel.]
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:38 AM ::> [
KFO/Diablo
Two interesting things this morning.
1. Dixen reads my blog. Or has read it. I find that ... facinating. Vaguely flattering, really. The funny thing? This is set up for a primary audience of me -- so that I can post whereever I happen to be, and re-read my thoughts later on. Helps me with my own perspective, y'know? Introverts don't think aloud. They think inside. And having a place to just toss thoughts has helped me bounce from ordeals (like that whole KFO mess) faster. Helps me get my bearings. I suppose a secondary audience is my friends. Since my friends started this trend, and we don't spend as much time hangin' out as I'd like to (my schedule is a pain during school, and life in general is busy for us all). What's facinating about Dixen reading this ... is ... that it's rather "stalker" like. I had one of those once, almost 4-5 years back. An Internet person I chatted with, who got way too intense, way too fast. Gleaned a whole ton of info about me off my Umich directory listing (which has been gutted). The facinating thing is - this almost feels like that. Dixen, who's real name is Micheal, seems to be living in some constructed world. He's a stay-at-hom dad, which is admirable - but that leaves little contact with adults. He probably THINKS I am really "Aular". And ... he's seems to be obsessed. He's got his own guild, playing a new game, has a wife, 4 children ... and he reads my blog. And posts to the KFO forums. And probably reads them daily.
*shrugs* It's just facinating. A little bit sad, too.
2. I'm apparently banned at Dixen's new guild's Forums.
I find this odd as well. I read it once, when I heard about the site 3 weeks or so ago. I've never wanted to post. I don't play the game they play, nor have any interest in buying it. I haven't visited their site since then, I don't read their forums. In short -- I don't care what they do, really. They do their thing over there. I'm over here doing mine. To me, that's the only way that we can avoid these silly arguements over a game and get back to life. And he assumes, I believe, that I read their forum religiously. That I stalk every move they make. That I want to post inflammatory and debasing things to their forums.
Again, facinating, and a bit sad. I don't read them. I don't post there. I've never tried to post. Nor will I. I only discovered from Brad that I was banned, because he is banned from posting as well.
Oh, and side note: Brad's being a bit obsessive about this, too. I think everyone here just needs a good dose of reality and perspective.
TeethIn other news: I can chew again! Sort-of. I had half of a Tios quesadilla last night, and that went ok (took a long time to eat it!). The jaw is still a bit sore to use, but usuable. I can close my teeth again. It just doesn't feel status quo, though. I mean, there was this "position" that everything was used to being at. And now: that is gone. I have to refind the comfortable resting spot. It's a very odd feeling.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:23 AM ::> [
Wednesday, May 01, 2002
Shaved this morning.
Bad, bad idea.
The pain went away after two advil when I got to work. I think the advil thing will work fine. Vicodin's before bed ... to help sleep. I can *ALMOST* close my teeth again. I can open my mouth beyond the requirement to insert a spoon now ... so ... that's progress. Might try mac and cheese for dinner tonight. I dunno. My mouth still feels pretty tender.
KFO elections are here. Yay, I guess. I know I've been talking about giving up the spot. And yet - I feel sad that I'm not running. Call me weird. I don't know why.
Few more days, and I'll no longer be the High Lord. Few more days ... and I can eat FOOD food again.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:39 PM ::> [
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