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Friday, January 31, 2003
Artsy or Environmentalist Gay!
What Kind of Gay Stereotype are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:17 PM ::> [
Who?
Sweet! You're an Eshu! You are the storytellers
and lorekeepers of the Kithain, and you do your
job well. You are guided by destiny and always
seem to be in the right place at the right
time, though for good or ill you cannot know.
Your tongue is extremely persuasive, so much so
that distrust follows any oath you swear. Your
flaw is that you love adventure, and seek it
always, regardless of the danger to yourself or
others.
Which European Changeling Kith do you belong to?
brought to you by Quizilla
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:00 PM ::> [
I'm a hypochondriac today, thankee
So Jarrod hasn't been feeling well the past few days. He's been achey and slightly head-acheish. He calls me this morning and announces that he knows what's been going on - he has the Flu.
Apparently it's been going around his office. Lovely. He mentioned that folks who got the flu shot experience achey-ness and slight fever. Those who didn't get a shot get the full blown three day affair.
Just lovely. I'm starting to ache just thinking about it.
"I will not get sick...I will not get sick...I can NOT get sick..."
*sighs*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:36 AM ::> [
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Patterns of Memory
So, my character's gone through some interesting 'world view' shifts over the last year. The world has changed completely -- through HIS repair of the Pattern, which no one knows about. You see, when the Pattern was repaired, Una got to re-write history. She majorly re-wrote it, obliterating 250 years of time, essentially. So, everyone alive knows events differently from Maevyn and the rest of the PCs. So over the course of the last year, he's followed his wife - an exile of Thelbane - to Amber. So much difference over there, but Amber is like the Thelbane he knew (civilized), and Thelbane is a pot of desolation and murder. He yearns for his old world back, but knows that the Pattern's restoration was the only thing that could have possibly stopped the Abyss from destroying everything ...
So he yearns for what used to be. No one's acknowledged that he saved the world. The saving was two-edged: in repairing the hole that allowed the Abyss to come forth and bring destruction to everything, he destroyed his way of life. He's a bit bitter about it.
He's attempting to make amends. He was offered and Ambassadorship to Amber, and he accepted. And during the process, he realized he misunderstood a directive. His people have been assassinating Chaosians in Amber who refuse to return to Chaos. He's nearly resigned his post, and is on leave to take care of his family.
He's heading towards Martyrdom. I can see the character moving towards shunning and disowning Thelbane as his home, and taking his wife's fate as a cast-off. I can see him attempting to become a citizen of Amber, and becoming a "Preacher" to the Citizens of Thelbane to do the same.
So much the character could move towards right now ... it will be an interesting Advancement session next time, certainly.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:06 PM ::> [
I'm having one of those days...
I've accomplished a bunch of miscelaneous tasks - and now I'm just puttered out. I want to go home. I skipped class yesterday (I know, bad bad boy) because of a work problem that I absolutely had to solve, so now I'm sitting with an excess of time at work this week.
A nap. A nap sounds lovely. Followed by a nice shower, and then dinner with Jarrod's folks at Gratzi.
Hmmmm...
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:58 PM ::> [
medle anglish, onychone?
Learning middle english for my medieval drama course. Quite a trip, really.
It's basically English meets Spanish. Not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I'm catching on pretty fast. :)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:10 AM ::> [
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
lol
What Final Fantasy summon are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:01 PM ::> [
What kind of porno would you star in?
brought to you by Quizilla
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 2:56 PM ::> [
State of the Empire
I didn't watch it last night. I didn't bother listening to the news this morning. I didn't want my day ruined.
I can already tell you the state the Empire is in. We're moving towards a pre-emptive strike on a nation that might do something bad to us.
Yes, Yes. Saddam is evil. He gasses his own people. He's a dictator. He abuses his subjects, and defiles humanity.
That doesn't make it right for King George II to blow in under pretenses of "Isn't complying with UN demands" ... and willing to act OUTSIDE UN permission. It just doesn't reconcile. What he wants is a pro-American installed government in a country that's a member of OPEC.
So, the State of the Empire? We're trampling individual freedoms under the guise of national security. We're holding people charged with nothing, for an undetermined amount of time, in a location sequestered from the public. We're working on dismantling affirmative action resolutions - that give some underprivalaged and historically supressed folks a chance (A CHANCE?!) to try and improve their quality of life. We're working on erecting an impotent "missile defense system". We're working on installing into the Government the Christian faith - neglecting the whole separation of Church and State thing, and irregardless of the fact that the administration doesn't really adhere to Christian ideals (Charity? Mercy? Grace? Do unto others ... ?).
That's the State of the Empire, your majesty.
I can't wait for the next election. Regime Change Starts at Home.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:38 PM ::> [
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
I looked up as I was walking from the bus to the office building today, and noticed a robin sitting in the tree.
And when I started to look more, I saw robins all over the place.
I don't recall them being around at all earlier this week ... or even this month.
Is that because they are newly arrived or because I wasn't looking?
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 4:50 PM ::> [
Monday, January 27, 2003
Getting there...
We don't have to pick out nearly as many things for our new house as Jarrod's folks did in their custom home, but it's still a lot to think about. I think we're compromising well, and we're agreeing on most things pretty easily.
The List:
- Kitchen Cabinets: We're going to go with Natural Oak (no funny stains on it...)
- Hardwood Floors: We're going with Natural Oak here as well. They've got a yellowish one that doesn't look bad, but Natural looks nice, too.
- Carpet: Still deciding on this one. Probably something nuetral. We're going to go nuetral until we figure out colors, decor, furniture. That won't be this year (or maybe next...)
- Bathroom tile: We only get 4 choices. White White, Yellowish White, Beige, Gray. We'll probably go beige....
- Kitchen Countertops: Our most heated decision thus far. Solid surface was waaaaay too much, so we have to go with a laminant. That'll be fine ;) We've finally decided to go with this Granite-like look, which includes a Light Beige, light blue, dark grey (in small quantity), and light grey. The overall affect is a greyish/blue stone texture. We've looked at about a half-dozen different kitchen places over the last week, and we don't think it'll look bad. I've been gunning for this particular swatch since we started ;) It's Wilsonart Laminate, Mesa Flint.
- Main Bathroom Flooring: We're still talking about this one. It'll be the main bathroom for the house - which won't be the bathroom we'll use the shower in much. They'll give us Hardwood flooring OR ceramic tile with no price difference. I'd like ceramic, Jarrod prefers Hardwood Floor. Thus, we're still debating ;)
- Wall Paint: We get one color for the whole house. It'll be an off-white of some kind. Easier to paint later with something colorful that we really want.
- Siding: This took a bit of debate, but we have one. Ironically, it's the same siding his parents put on their new house: Alside Monteray Sand. We'll put white trim on it, and get white shutters, which we'll NOT have them attach. We'll just stash them in the garage (in case it ends up looking odd without the shutters or any potential folks down the line want them installed). We think shutters are extraneous.
- Kitchen Appliances: We're not going to pay the builder's outrageous rates for appliances. We'll get ours from Sears or someplace else. I want a fabulous stove, the Maytag Gemini. He wants a side-by-side refridgerator that has an ice-maker and water-pourer in it. We'll go white appliances - we'd love black appliances (as they show less dirt/dust/grunge), or stainless steel!, but stainless steel is EXPENSIVE and black appliances wouldn't really work with the lighter oaks (we think) that we're putting in the kitchen.
Left on the list of non-building related things:
- Obtain a mortgage pre-approval
- SELL OUR HOUSE ... or at least get the FSBO signs up ;)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:46 AM ::> [
Thursday, January 23, 2003
From my E-TrueBlue Seniors thingie
Careers
Even though times seem tough right now, you might be surprised to know that there are some industries that are starting to face worker shortages. If you're thinking of grad school, consider these fields:
Nursing---The United States will need more than a million new nurses by 2010.
Information Technology---The need for computer scientists, especially in security and database administration, will grow.
Pharmacy---The Pharmacy Manpower Project predicts a shortfall of as many as 157,000 pharmacists by 2020.
Library Science---By 2009, more than 25 percent of the nation's professional librarians will reach retirement age.
I could be a Librarian!
Oh wait ... that's Matthew's schtick. Hm...
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:03 AM ::> [
Word of the Day for Thursday January 23, 2003
lackadaisical \lack-uh-DAY-zih-kuhl\, adjective:
Lacking spirit or liveliness; showing lack of interest; languid; listless.
That about sums up my mood today ....
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:07 AM ::> [
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Brrrrrr
Cold. Bus, walking outside: class.
BRRRRRR.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:55 PM ::> [
Monday, January 20, 2003
The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Royal Shakespeare Company is in residency this semester at the U of M. They're producing three plays while they are here - two of which are of Shakespearean canon. I'm required, for my Shakespeare class, to see both of them.
Jarrod and I are getting tickets to see the Merry Wives of Windsor on Wednesday, March 5th, @7:30 PM at the Power Center.
Anyone interested?
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:26 PM ::> [
Saturday, January 18, 2003
heheheheh
Kevin: Irish source. Alternate spellings: Caoimhín
Meaning: "Comely birth"
From http://www.hylit.com/info/Names/IrishBOYSnames2.html
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:24 PM ::> [
Friday, January 17, 2003
Word of the Day for Friday January 17, 2003
fop \FOP\, noun:
A man who is overly concerned with or vain about his dress and appearance; a dandy.
heh. Describes most the gay men I know ...
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 8:14 AM ::> [
Thursday, January 16, 2003
King George II's latest weapon again Iraq
See it here.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:57 AM ::> [
Home Loans, Part 2
So! Have a lot of debt and still want to purchase a home? There's a clever thing my sister managed to find through a clever broker in the Lansing area. It's legal, it works. It's a bit risky - especially if the housing market deflates in the not-too-distant future, but I present the idea here.
The hardest part about this will be finding an experienced broker who knows how to play the game and work with the numbers. I suggested this to Matthew, and he met with a broker whom I thought was pretty competant - and this guy had no clue how to make this work. This will assume you have 5% or 10% of the down payment to put on the house.
Step 1: Figuring out your Mortgage Amount
First, figure out the amount of a payment you think you can afford. This is an accountant thing - and if you ask nicely, I bet I know someone who'd help look at your budget for ya :) When Calculating this, you don't count credit card debt (especially if you have a lot of this).
Step 2: Pre-approval
This is probably the second hardest part, and a good credit score and history will help immensely on this.
The reason this might be a bit hard is -- your credit card debt will need to be included, here, in all your Debt Ratios to qualify. So, more debt will be less helpful. Max the mortgage payment as high as you can muster in the budget, though, and don't count your credit card debt in the end picture. More on why later ;)
Step 2-a: The Mortgage
Get pre-approved for mortgage on a program commonly referred to as an 80-10-10 (eighty-ten-ten) OR an 80-15-5 (eighty-fifteen-five). You'll ask for whichever program you can summon the downpayment for - 80-10-10 if you can muster 10% of the price for a downpayment, or 80-15-5 if you can muster 5% of the house as downpayment.
80% "ownership" of your home (or 20% down) is the optimum number for lenders (and for you). With 20% down, you're less likely to "walk" from your credit obligations if something goes amiss. Anything less than 20% means you incur an evil fee known as Mortgage Insurance - which raises your payment by $100 or so a month.
Mortgage insurance is a fee YOU pay to insure the LENDER in case YOU default on your mortgage. In other words - you pay for insurance so that if you stop paying your mortgage, the bank can get money from the Insurance company while they're kicking you out of your their house. The "good" part about it is - lenders would not lend money to folks who didn't have 20% of the house value as downpayment before Mortgage Insurance. So, with it, more people get home loans.
Lovely system, eh?
The 80-10-10 or 80-15-5 AVOIDS the Mortgage Insurance Fee! Let's say we're going to do the 80-15-5. You provide 5%. You get a Second Mortgage for 15% of the value of the home - this will be at a slightly higher interest rate (lower than a credit card, higher than a first mortgage, closer to to a mortgage rate than a credit card rate), and a primary (or "First") mortgage for the 80%. Thus .... it looks like you have a downpayment of 20%. Don't worry about legality - this is completely legal. People do it every day. The downside is that you'll pay for two closings. It'll be worth the small cost, though.
My sister did this, and her second mortgage was in the 8.5% interest rate area - much better than her 20.0% credit card interest rate. More later on the credit card issue...
Step 2-b: Ask for an ARM (and a leg?), please...
An ARM, or Adjustable Rate Mortgage, is a program type that most lenders offer. An ARM works like this: You get a lower interest rate than the standard 30 year fixed rates for a fixed period of time. After this fixed period, the interest rate on your home can 'Adjust' - move up (or down) - depending on what the Prime Lending Rate is. You can fix the term of the lower interest rate for 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 7 years and sometimes 10 years. The lower the 'fixed' term is, the lower your interest rate will be for the fixed period. I've seen interest rates on arms in the upper 4's. That's FOUR - I've seen a 4.875 on a 3 year arm. I can't recall if there are any points there, though ....
So! If a standard 30 year fixed rate mortgage is sitting at 6.0%, you can conceivably get a 3 or 5 year ARM for something close to 5.5 or 5.25 (it depends on your lender and how the market is doing). Lower interest means lower payment means more money you can borrow.
Now - the ARM, after the initial "fixed" period, adjusts. It's capped, though, so they can't double your rate in a year. Typically, the cap is .5% or 1% a year, and 2% total for the life of your loan. Individual cap amounts may change depending on your lender, so you want to know these caps before you sign anything. Thus, after your fixed term is up, the loan can't adjust up (or down) more than 2% total.
An ARM allows you to get more house sooner. Your salary will catch up in a few years ... and you can refinance if a good 30 year fixed rate shows up and you can afford it.
Step 3: House Hunting and Closing
Find a house. Close on the house. Your first mortgage payment is moved to the month AFTER you close - so if you close on May 1st, your first mortgage statement is mailed to you at the begining of June, and your first mortgage payment is due July 1st. Check with your specific lender, in case their policy differs.
Step 4: The Devious, Legal, Immediate Refinance
Home stretch ( he .. he ). That second mortgage you got in step 2? REFINANCE it. Immediately. The con here is that you're incurring a bit more in closing costs. But ... it will allow you to pull money out of the house to pay off credit card debt.
Lenders will let you - on a "Home Equity Loan" - pull out money from the "equity" of your home, up to 110% of the value of the home in some instances. There might even be a lender who will let you go higher ...
WARNING: Pulling more money out of your home than it is worth can be risky. This assumes that your home will appreciate in value over the next several years to recover. This assumes you can control spending so that you don't rack up the debt on the credit cards again. This assumes you set up a schedule to reduce debt load, and not try and take on more debt.
Scenario
So, a quick scenario to help with understanding how this works.
I have got credit card debt that's approximately $10,000 total. I have managed to get $5,000 into a savings account for a down payment on a home. I'm looking in at homes that are worth $100,000.
I go to my mortgage guy, and ask for an 80-15-5 -- $80,000 from the primary mortgage lender, a second mortgage for $15,000, and $5,000 of my own cash. I ask for a 3 year or 5 year ARM, to make my monthly payment a bit lower in the short term, by getting me a better interest rate. So, I manage a 5.75% interest rate on my first mortgage (ARM), and a 8.5% on my second mortgage.
After I close on my home, I immediately go to another bank, and get a Home Equity Loan - pushing my total "loan-to-value" up to the max I can at that bank, which is 110%. 110% of $100,000 is $110,000. I have to keep my primary mortgage - which is $80,000. $110,000 - $80,000 = $30,000. In the process, I *have* pay off the old second mortgage of $15,000. Which leaves me with $15,000 cash (minus any closing costs and fees for getting the new mortgage). So, I can now take that chunk of cash, and payoff my credit cards IN FULL. Yay.
A side perk to this is -- it consolidates your debt into one payment at a lower interest rate. Mortgage interest is deductible off of your federal taxes - so all that credit card debt has now been turned into tex deductible debt! Woo hoo!
Getting 110% of the value of your home might be tricky. I think Jennette managed 100% of the value of her home - or 102%. I know I've heard advertised that you can get 120% of the value. I'd pay special attention to any fine print and interest rates of anything over 100% of the total-value-of-your-home type loan.
Your mortgage guy will need to know the whole plan ahead of time, and will need to know how to make it all work correctly. It worked for my sister - she's now in a house, has most of her credit card debt wiped out, and is paying off the second mortgage with extra principle every month. in 2-3 years, she can look at doing a "debt consolidation" refinance, where she rolls the first and second mortgages together, if she wants to and if the interest rates behave. (this will also get her out the ARM, in case rates are still good).
A glimmer of hope, perhaps. It's all about working the system, working your budget - watching your budget, and having control over how you spend. With an accountant for a hubby, this control gets better all the time for me .... but I know how hard it is to curb spending.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 9:36 AM ::> [
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Grr. Yahoo.
Web Beacons and Yahoo! Spying on YOU.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 5:31 PM ::> [
Look...in the Sky ... It's ... CREDIT MAN!
Ahem. Right. ;)
Credit is a complex and weird thing, really. The concept is basic enough, but how lender's figure out your "credit worthiness" is something akin to nuclear science.
There are three major lenders for home mortgages: Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Ginnie Mae. They used to have these official sounding names, but everyone referred to them as those neat nicknames, and they each adopted that officialy.
So, you want a mortgage. You go to a broker out there somewhere. They take an application from you. If you're at a retail branch of a big bank - like Countrywide, they send your loan to Countrywide for review of your credit. If you take it to a non-bank broker (Like Ann Arbor Mortgage, or Greentree Mortgage), they'll send your loan to a Wholesale place, like Interfirst.
No matter where your loan is reviewed for credit, though, ALL (at least, I can't think of anyone who doesn't), ALL lenders send their loans to Freddie, Fannie or Ginnie's Credit Engine for a decision.
The computer takes your credit info and the numbers you provide, and crunches it through a massive formula (that they don't give us). The formula considers a long list of things:
- Current Debt Load (how much you owe other creditors)
- Potential Debt Load (how many cards, credit lines, you have open - basically the maximum amount of credit you could take right now if you maxed all your credit sources)
- Credit History in the last 2 years (lates are baaaaad, bankruptcies are deal killers)
- Credit History in the last 7 years (this counts less than the 2 years picture, though, bankruptcies are still deal killers, depending...)
- Current Credit Scores, via the three main credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and Transunion.
- Number of open lines of credit (Too many is bad, too few is 'inexperience' and bad as well...)
- Current Salary or wages
- Whether you earn a Salary, commission, or work for yourself
- Last year's salary
- employment history in the last 2 years
- Reserves (the amount of money you have in all bank, retirement and investment accounts)
So! It takes ALL these factors, including things about the property -- (the value, the purchase price) and crunches it into a formula to place you into one of four buckets:
1. A+ (Accept Plus) -- Excellent credit risk. Bow before you. :)
2. A (Accept) -- Good Credit Risk.
3. A- ('A' Minus) -- Hm. Fine tooth comb, please?
4. C -- Danger Will Robinson, Danger!
This is assuming a conventional or government loan type, only (called "A" paper). You can get loans referred to as "B", "C" or "D" paper, but you might as well put your home on a credit card for the amount of interest those lender types will charge you (the lower the letter, the worse off you are).
Credit Scores
Again, a complex issue. Freddie Mac has a good guide for credit: http://www.freddiemac.com/creditsmart/home.html.
Freddie recommends:
1. That you have no more than 5 credit cards, and not all of them should be "maxed out". Having more makes it look like you are overextended. Bank check cards aren't really credit, as they pull from your checking account. So these usually help make your payment history better, but don't really count as an "open credit line".
2. Keep a good payment history! Pay the minimum, at least, every month.
3. Keep credit accounts active and reporting. Lack of credit experience can make things difficult to getting credit. You need credit experience to get credit. A handy thing I learned from Jarrod in this regard - use your credit card for EVERYTHING you can, and pay off that amount at the end of the month. So, if you normally budget $100 per month for dining out, put those charges on your credit card, and pay the credit card company the $100 at the end of the month at statement time. The one thing here is control - you need to know how much you're spending, and you have to control those spending urges ;)
Some Other things to help the Home-bound folks...
One of the big factors in determining whether you are overextended or not is pretty easy to calculate. It's your Debt-to-Income Ratio. It's pretty easy to calculate:
1. Add up all the minimum payments on all your credit cards and "credit" lines - like an auto loan, lease payment, student loans or personal loans - that are due in one month. Don't add your primary home's payment, if you have a home you own.
2. Calculate your yearly (gross) income. For salaried folks, you can grab your most recent W2, and use the highest number on there (usually in box 4).
3. Divide your yearly gross income by 12.
4. Divide your total monthly payments by your total monthly salary.
For example:
I make $12,000 in a year, and I have 2 credit cards and an auto loan. Each credit card has a $25.00 minimum payment, and the Auto is $100.00 a month.
So
1. 25+25+100 = 150.
2. 12,000 (from my w2)
3. 12,000 / 12 = $1000 per month.
4. 150/1000 = .15, or 15%
This is your Debt-to-income ratio. Typically, if you're over 20%, you're starting to get towards a riskier borrower.
Now, figure out your monthly housing ratio:
Follow the above steps, but INCLUDE your primary mortgage in step (1) (or any possible payment you want to consider trying for).
Follow the above steps.
Example:
I make $12,000 in a year, and I have 2 credit cards, an auto loan and want to try a $300 per month house payment. Each credit card has a $25.00 minimum payment, and the Auto is $100.00 a month.
So
1. 25+25+100+300 = 450
2. 12,000 (from my w2)
3. 12,000 / 12 = $1000 per month.
4. 450/1000 = .45, or 45%
Typically, if your Housing Debt to Income Ratio exceed 40%, you're becoming a riskier borrower.
Now -- this is to say if you have an average credit rating from one of the Credit Bureaus. Each bureau gives you a "Credit Score" based on a complex formula that they don't share. Here's a scale:
0 - no credit.
400 - poor credit
500 - bad credit
560 - recovering credit
620 - average credit
650 - good credit
680 - great credit
700 - excellent credit
1000 - perfect credit (this never happens)
So, the based on the Credit Risk formula from above (way above), the stronger your Credit Score is, the higher that debt-to-income ratio can be. A 700 credit score with a 45% debt ratio would probably be ok. a 500 credit score and a 45% debt ratio - wouldn't be.
I know it can be a bit daunting, but the concepts aren't that bad. If you have specific questions, please feel free to call me :) Happy to help my friends in whatever manner I can!
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:32 PM ::> [
My So-Called ACUS Game
I'm thinking about trying it. Just give me a few days to swallow fear ;)
The Lord of Destruction
"Since the beginning of time, the forces of Order and Chaos have been engaged in an eternal struggle to decide the fate of all Creation. That struggle has now come, once again, to the Mortal Realm...and neither Man, Demon, nor Angel will be left unscathed...
In the War of Darkness, thousands died as Darkness spread. By one lone warrior's sacrifice, the Lord of Darkness was defeated. But He is a far stronger foe than one man. Returned from Hell, aided by his Lords of Chaos, he threatens once again to open the Gates of Hell and destroy hope itself.
Word has come that the Ancient Horadrim have returned from Heaven to aid mankind in this last assault. Noble Paladins, Powerful Sorceresses, Wise Necromancers, Swift Amazons, Stealthy Assassins, Ferocious Druids and Steady Barbarians - will you answer Heaven's call?
Players will select Pregenerated characters based on the Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction series characters. Diablo universe knowledge appreciated, but not required."
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:53 AM ::> [
Monday, January 13, 2003
I read too much into things....Spoilers ahead
But, I guess that's the kind of degree I'm working for, right?
Gollum's Song get's better and better. It serves the function of the whole of the TT novel, I think - it's a bridge between the Fellowship and the Return of the king.
I don't recall much of the LOTR novels. I read them when I was in 5th grade. I read them once. Tolkien use(d)(s) complex language and ideas, which in 5th grade I just didn't grasp. I do need to read them again. The little I do remember, though, is sparked by this song and discussions with avid LOTR'ers.
The song begins with I - "Don't say, I didn't try...". In the third stanza, it shifts to "we" - which is what happened to Gollum (the whole split personality thing).
But at the stanza mentioning "No loyal friend, was ever there for me..." ... we switch to "you". I think "you" is Frodo. At the end of the Return of the King, Frodo can't go back to the Shire (I can't remember why, exactly). He goes, instead, to the Great Havens. Read the last stanza again.
"And you will weep
When you face the end alone
You are lost!
You can never go home"
The ring changed Frodo as it changed Gollum.
Kudos to Tolkien and Howard Shore (music author). I so need to read again, now that I have an adult perspective.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:30 PM ::> [
Friday, January 10, 2003
LOTR: TT
A friend of mine just sent me the Soundtrack. Rohan's theme is positively powerful ...and Gollum's theme is just HAUNTING.
I love it.
Gollum's Song (Despite the kinda whiney-voiced singer) really captures what Gollum was, his plight:
"Where once was light
Now darkness falls
Where once was love
Love is no more
Don't say - goodbye
Don't say - I didn't try...
These tears we cry
Are falling rain
For all the lies
You told is
The hurt, the blame!
And we will weep
To be so alone
We are lost!
We can never go home
So in the end
I will be - what I will be
No loyal friend
Was ever there for me
Now we say - goodbye
We say - you didn't try ....
These tears you cry
Have come too late
Take back the lies
The hurt, the blame!
And you will weep
When you face the end alone
You are lost!
You can never go home"
(Music by Howard Shore, Lyrics by Fran Walsh, performed by Emiliana Torrini)
"No loyal friend was ever there for me..." Gollum succumbed to the ring, to the despair of the force of evil because that's what it DOES - it consumes you. And alone, the consumption takes him completely. "He's lost, he can never go home." Frodo CAN succeed, because he's NOT alone. The musical score does a good job of helping along the themes from the story, I think. Gollum's Song follows right behind "Samwise the Brave" - there's a built-in transition from Samwise's song to Gollum's Song so that moving from Samwise the Brave to Gollum's Song is musically seemless.
Very well done, I think.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 10:40 AM ::> [
Thursday, January 09, 2003
Classes
I registered for classes about a month ago. I signed up for English 367 - Shakespeare's plays, English 308 - History of the English Language, and wait listed for English 450 - Sex and Religion in Medieval drama. I've tried to get into the Eng450 class before, but haven't been successful. With a wait list #4, I figured I had a good shot.
So I adjusted my schedule at work this week to basically allow myself to go to all three classes, until I had secured the Sex and Religion class. The best schedule would have been with the Medieval Drama class and the History of the Language class, so that's what I was shooting for. Plus, the Shakespeare course is offered in the Spring, and I figured I could do that, then.
I went to Shakespeare on Monday, which was first. Sat through it - mildly interesting. I went to the Medieval Drama class Monday Afternoon, and she told me I'd get in the class. Yay. I almost dropped the Shakespeare course. Decided to wait.
Went to History of the English Language on Tuesday. About 30 minutes into the one hour course, and I knew that I *COULD NOT* take this class. He started discussing the grading system and wow, it was the most quantified system I'd ever seen in an English Course. It reminded me of my calculus courses! "Daily assignments in your workbook are each worth 5 points. Weekly quizes are worth 10 points apiece. Each Exam is worth 50 points apiece. The final is worth 100 points total." Blah Blah. Then, he launched into course material. I not only didn't care what the hell a bilabial voiced fricate was, I knew I couldn't break English into little, tiny components to analyze at the sound level. BO-ring. Dreadfully boring. I like larger picture stuff. Ack. So I neatly put my notes and handouts into my folder, and waited for the class period to end. I left.
Just dropped it, and got into the class I was waitlisted for.
Oy. I love the beginning-of-the-semester roller coaster ;)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:25 PM ::> [
Busy, Busy day.
I had a very odd dream last night. I was at my parent's house, getting ready for Kristin and Jack's wedding. I was in my old bedroom - which was an old breezeway converted to a bedroom while I was at home. They've since reconverted it to a breezeway.
Anyways - I was in my old room/breezeway. The house was messy. Kristin and Jack showed up to my parent's house - the wedding was going to be there? Jack was wearing a tux, and Kristin was wearing a red-Manderin-silk dress (sort of like the lead female in Spiderman at the party on the balcony). I was in jeans and a t-shirt ... so I ran into my old room to change while furiously cleaning up things: making beds, tossing things into their places, herding the dogs into the garage. [My folks have 5 labrador retrievers - all inside-dogs. 1400 square foot home. It's cramped with them all. They also like to jump, so they typically get put in a room when company first arrives.]
I checked in on the dogs in the garage - and the front garage door was open to the front yard. There's no fence there. The dogs run off when they aren't fenced in. Except, only 2 of the 5 dogs were in the garage (and this didn't concern me). So I retrieved the one who was lazing under the tree in the front yard into the garage (after panicking about it), closed the garage door, and went back into my room. I started changing.
Now, this whole thing has been odd enough at this point - it got weirder. I removed pants and underwear to change into new clothes. I started trying on various pairs of underwear, and not finding a good-fitting pair. Too-tight. Too-Loose. I went through the whole drawer, and then just kind of stood there in the room, floppin' about with just a shirt on, when SOMEONE walked it.
I woke to the sound of the alarm, and never did see who walked in on me.
BIIIzzzaaarreeee....just bizzare.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:06 PM ::> [
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
Uh.....
""Which cocktail are you?""
brought to you by Quizilla
You're an Orgasm!! There are a few variations on this drink but one way to reach the climax is to combine equal parts of Irish cream liqueur, white creme de cacao, triple sec and vodka! Tasting like ice-cream and best enjoyed by candlelight this drink suits you down to the ground. You're sensual, sizzling and have a very sweet tooth!
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:07 PM ::> [
Pft
What Kind of Coffee Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are drip coffee. You are practical, business-like and hands-off, except for when your 'machine' needs 'servicing' and 'cleaning'.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 1:01 PM ::> [
What Lord of the Rings Male and Mood Do You Desire?
brought to you by Quizilla
This one was rather easy to guess the outcome of by the questions...
Via Form
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:56 PM ::> [
Which LOTR Actor Is Your Ideal Husband?
brought to you by Quizilla
Your ideal husband is Sean Astin! I hereby label you loyal, sweet and caring, and a lover of cute goofy guys who love everybody
via Form Follows Function
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:50 PM ::> [
Monday, January 06, 2003
My New Toy
2002 Graphite Ford Focus Sedan, SE. Power doors and windows, MP3 player.
Ooooo yea. My lease is up on my car, so I had to get another. I got a hellava deal, too - 0.00% financing for 5 years, $1000 back for a loyalty customer, $500 holiday cash, $1500 rebate for 2002 model car. It's a NEW car, mind you - and I'll pay about $250.00 a month for 5 years to buy it, interest free.
Vroom. :)
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 5:14 PM ::> [
Friday, January 03, 2003
Playing Fair
I'm currently in a position to be our work-SPIRIT-wierdness program's "MVP" for my department. At least, I was.
One of the other people who was also in the running, didn't have enough points to be MVP (you get a $600 bonus for being MVP). Then, via some "miracle", she acquired more points after she found out my and my tied worker's score for the month. And then she was whispery/giggly with her boss/friend.
Ah hum.
Yes, it affects me. But even if it didn't - that's not playing fair. If she "borrowed" or "bartered" from her friend to win - that's definitely not playing fairly.
And I'll use every rule in the book that I can to MAKE it fair.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:50 PM ::> [
Small World
Of course, the lady at the sub found out I work at Interfirst. Her best friend works here, in my department, and I know her pretty well.
Small world.
Of course, the internal voice wondered if she was just trying to build ethos with me ....
*shrugs*
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:43 PM ::> [
Hrm.
So, the issue is two things:
1. The house will require some structural modifications to accomodate the staircase configuration we want. They talked about steel beams, steel supports, joists and floor-basement-thingies.
2. The house plans are patented, and will require the original architect to rework them. Redraw. Remake. Re-generate. I don't really know what kinds of fees are "reasonable" in regards to an architect reworking a plan.
I'm okay with compensating the people who work on it adequetely. I don't think we can afford that kind of addition to the house cost - we're already stretching a bit as it is. The thing that's getting me is: if they're going to be using this plan on other homes, is it fair to stick the whole developement cost on us? The District manager mentioned something along the lines that other people might want that change as well in future builds of this house.
*sighs*
I guess I'm just being a typical American. Want more at less cost. I'm hoping they're willing to budge - even just a little bit. I'd be willing to give up some of the options we were looking at to accommodate the price differential. Jarrod's dad had good advice last time we talked to him, "Pay for the options now that you can't (reasonably) do later. Bay windows. Stair moving. Walk-out basement. Things that can be done later, can wait for later if you decide to do them. Fireplaces. Maple Kitchen Cabinets. 200 amp service.
We'll see. The lady is supposed to call Jarrod back around 1ish.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 12:42 PM ::> [
Sheesh!!!
So, the estimate for moving the stairs to a more accessible location came in - $3500.00. They're claiming it costs a lot to change drawings. That may be, but they also raved when we suggested the change to the floorplan as an excellent one. And they expect us to foot the bill up front for changing all the drawings, when they're likely to use them again? I don't think that sounds very fair. We're going to negotiate with them in about 20 minutes. We'll walk if they aren't willing to come down a bit. I'd pay 1.5 - 2K for that kind of change, I don't think we can afford an extra $3500.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 11:14 AM ::> [
Thursday, January 02, 2003
Draft my ass, if you dare
Let them try. I've a trump card waiting ...
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:05 PM ::> [
Whoa
It's snowing like there's no tomorrow out.
[post.command] ::>auth-code~ Aular-0802ZXC -; ::>Time.stamp ~ 3:02 PM ::> [
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