The Pool of Echoes

Because Growing Up Isn't Always Hard To Do...

2007-06-14T01:20:16Z

Funny, but I've been thinking a fair bit about this over the last few days...

Last Saturday, we went to play hockey, which was a lot of fun. At one point, I remember congratulating Steve on a really nice goal, and he looked at me and said, "I don't think you've ever called me Steve."

It was then that I realized that I've changed a lot over the last year or so.

I'm not as antagonistic.

I'm not as judgemental.

It seems easier to get along with most people.

I find myself being more supportive, and less critical.

I've managed to find direction in my life - I'm working on making advancements in my position - both career-wise, and in life in general. I have long-term goals, expectations, desires, and plans.

Really, at the end of the day, there's only one thing that's changed in my life in that span of time.

I'd like to thank her for all the help, love and support she's given me.

I love you.

Frustrated Incorporated...

2007-02-14T06:31:48Z

You know, since the big to-do started amongst my friends with Facebook, I've found myself more and more entrenched in reading up on what's happened to so many people I talked to throughout my life - be it hour-long conversations, passing silly/stupid notes back and forth behind a teacher's back in class in lieu of taking them, or simply a polite "Hello," in the hallway.

Seeing that some people I once knew and shared lunch with have since left my neighbourhood...my city...even my country...just got me to thinking about my life, what I've done with it, who has had an impact on it - be it large or small, and how I may have impacted theirs in return.

How many of you are, at this moment, right where you thought you'd be as of 10 years ago? Not many, I'd bet. Seeing people I used to draw stupid pictures in art class with, and how they've moved on from a ninth grade art class to being fourth year students at ivy-league schools really does make me wonder...if I were to just drop them a line, would they remember me just as I'm remembering them right now? Do they lie awake in their dorm rooms and think about those single chance meetings they had with others through their life as well? Am I thinking about them at the same instant they're thinking about me?

Life really is amazing sometimes...

I just don't know if some of us really stop and think about it, or if we just take it for granted.

If you can spare a minute or two, just think about it.

Windows Vista RC1

2006-10-31T11:34:51Z

My take on Windows Vista to follow, for those of you that care...

Since Codename: Longhorn was announced some 4 years ago or so, I've been itching to try out Microsoft's new baby, Windows Vista. We installed it on one of the demo machines at work yesterday, and in the meantime, I headed to Microsoft's website to obtain my own key for the beta test program. I figured I might as well come home and install it on my home machine, since it's soon going to be what we're selling (most likely exclusively), and I'd like to familiarize myself with the product, rather than find myself leading the customer on some goose-chase over the phone in a blind-leading-the-blind kind of situation.

So I get home, pop the disc in, and get Vista up and running (with as many supported drivers as I can get) within a couple of hours. From the onset, I was rather disappointed with the fact that a good portion of my hardware is still flagged in Device Manager as unrecognized, and I can't obtain drivers from the respective manufacturers for them, making me wish I'd at the very least dual-booted, rather than jumping in head-first.

Tried installing a few of my games, including Counter-Strike: Source, and World of Warcraft. Both went in smoothly, without a hitch, but WoW's updater isn't working properly - it's having trouble overwriting files, apparently...I'm presuming that the issue is due to Microsoft's *new* UAC (user access control) service, or something of the like. I can't do any research on it because it just gives me a cryptic error which, with a Google search, gave me one lone forum with an unanswered post.

Speaking of the UAC, another kinda-nice-yet-I-can-predict-to-quickly-become-agonizing feature is the fact that when anything is either installed, or needs to access the root or system folders, the screen will actually fade to black with a window in the center informing you that a program is currently requesting to perform some action on your computer, and asking whether or not you want to allow it to. Seems like it might be a potentially useful anti-malware feature, but until it's proven itself as such, it's a nuisance, especially when trying to install drivers on your fresh load of Windows. I swear I must've seen that screen a dozen times at least this evening.

Tried watching a few movies since my games don't seem to be faring so well, so I open Media Center...it looks great, but I still have a few qualms with it:
a) It doesn't play ISO files, which most of my DVDs are ripped as,
b) It seems a little resource-heavy, due to the glossy new interface on it.

I went ahead and just loaded up one of my DivX movies on Windows Media Player, which seemed to play just fine to begin with, but started getting choppy - to the point where I'd often have to pause the movie just to get it back in sync again, which I was quite surprised, and not terribly impressed, with. I was running nothing but Media Player at the time, so I'm not terribly happy to see a base install of an OS lagging like that, even though it has full reign over 1GB of RAM, with no processes to share it with, aside from the base Vista processes and services.

All in all, it's a good attempt by MS, but I just don't see how they can plausibly get this OS out to PC manufacturers by next month...still seems a bit buggy and incomplete to me. I was waiting on RC2 to see how far MS had gotten with fixing some of the bugs in RC1, but they withdrew the download from their website.

Hm.

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-28T08:19:00

2005-11-28T13:26:41Z

Man, I feel good today...

Last night, I told Kim a couple of things I'd been meaning to, and I feel a lot better having done so. I've always been told that the key to a good relationship is honesty, but I think even before that, you need someone you can be honest with. Thankfully, I've never wanted to lie to Kim or found myself reluctant to tell her the truth about things.

So she helped me work out a budget last night, and it looks like it's going to work! I was really worried about Christmas and stuff, but she's helped me get over that fear...funny, in some way, I'm actually starting to look forward to Christmas.

Maybe this year really IS going to be different...I mean, I can think of at least *one* way my life has changed for the better this year...

I love you, baby.

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-20T18:33:00

2005-11-20T23:33:57Z

Click here.
Take the quiz.
Post your results.
1) Would you ever date phreakie_teiris? I already am. LOL
2) What would inch0n do differently in your shoes? Walk, probably, unless we both wear the same size.
3) What exotic animal would randofu like as a pet? A monkey, I'm sure!
4) Does randofu smoke? Nope.
5) Does lenarie travel a lot? I don't think so.
6) How long have you known arkaith? Since we met on GW...2 years ago?
7) Are ramzey and randofu going steady? Hardly. They don't even know each other.
8) Is bestrafe_mich1 dead sexy? Damn right!
9) Do you think rebeccai is hot? Yeah, I'd say so.
10) What color should rapacious_hawk dye their hair? LOL, maybe he should grow some first.
11) Are rebeccai and alucardx married? Nope.
12) Is faintobjection single? I believe so.
13) Do you have a crush on ty_nev? No.
14) Has randofu been to your house/dorm? No, but he will someday, I'm sure.
15) What planet should teiris be from? Saturn, I'd say.
16) What would faintobjection give ty_nev for his/her birthday? CAKE!
17) Would phreakie_teiris and waitingforoiboy make a good couple? I don't think so. . .their personalities would conflict, I think.
18) Do waitingforoiboy and mrjakun go to the same school? Nope.
19) Does hawklord2112 drink? Yes.
20) What song/movie would you recommend to lestatsgirl? Dracula? :p
21) Is mrjakun friends with phreakie_teiris? By proxy, perhaps. :p
22) arkaith's hair color? It looks sandy.
23) How long would rebeccai dating arkaith last? Hmm. . .good question. I'm not sure.
24) What flavor of jello would mrjakun be? Lime!
25) Has xtoydragonx dyed their hair? I'm not sure.
26) Thoughts on rebeccai? She's wonderful. A great personality, very pretty, and a great person to talk to. She's going to (and already has) make someone quite happy, I'm sure! :D
27) If phreakie_teiris was a superhero, who would be his/her archnemesis? Censorship. XD
28) Is inch0n 1337? Indubitably!
29) One quality you find attractive in smarle? Innocence. Granted, the border on naivety on most things can be quite taxing, however.
30) What comic book character would randofu be? GAY-MAN!
31) What do you disagree with mjkthiiz about? Polygamy vs. Monogamy, I think.
32) What video game does lenarie remind you of? Final Fantasy 7, I suppose.
33) If valath and randofu were siamese twins, where would they be joined? *snicker* Two gay perverts. Where else would they be joined? :p
34) Does lestatsgirl have a crush on bestrafe_mich1? Nope.
35) Is randofu athletic? He used to be, but I'm not so sure now.
36) Is inch0n popular? He is in my books!
37) Are bestrafe_mich1 and smarle going out? Nope.
38) Is alucardx in a relationship? Yeah, I think.
39) Where was ty_nev born? Not sure, I'll guess Hamilton, though.
40) Have you ever dated phreakie_teiris? I am now!
41) What would bestrafe_mich1 think of smarle? Probably that she's too childish.
42) How tall is xtoydragonx? I dunno.
43) Does teiris do drugs? She did once. . .we both remember how that fared.
44) Did smarle break up with you? Nope.
45) What would you do if you found out lestatsgirl has a crush on you? I'd be like, "Uhh. . .well, that's swell. . .but I'm kinda with someone."
46) What is alucardx's biggest flaw? Well, when I last consistently hung out with him, I'd say he was way too nice. . .to the point of being a pushover at times. Especially with females. Then, this is my humble (and somewhat outdated) opinion.
47) One thing you can't stand about bestrafe_mich1? She gets a little too down and depressed, and I'm not sure if it's geniune, or because being depressed is the cool thing to do.
48) How many monkeys could inch0n fight at once and win against? 12 at the least.
49) What rank would alucardx have in a giant robot army? He's not a robot, so I'm not sure.
50) Does lestatsgirl know mjkthiiz? I believe so.
51) Is lenarie introverted or extroverted? Introverted.
52) What is rapacious_hawk's favorite band/artist? Not sure, though he cites Geddy Lee as one of his favourite bassists.
53) What word best describes randofu? Is there one?
54) Is rebeccai an emo? Nope.
55) If lenarie took over the world, who would suffer? I'm not sure.
56) How would randofu kill bestrafe_mich1? I'm not sure.
57) If sraphy_chan took over the world, who would be happy? I'm sure the world'd be in pretty good hands.
58) Where would zordran most like to visit? I'm not sure.
59) Could you see randofu and waitingforoiboy together? Actually, possibly, were he not gay. :p
60) If valath had a superpower, what would it be? X-Ray vision, I'm sure.
61) What is faintobjection's favorite game? Final Fantasy is one of them.
62) Is rebeccai your best friend? One of, I'd say.
63) Would hawklord2112 be a better ninja or pirate? Pirate. Definitely.
64) Which of your friends should bestrafe_mich1 go out with? Can't think of one that'd suit her.
65) When did you last call randofu? Never, I don't think. I've talked to him before, but I didn't do the calling.
66) Is mjkthiiz related to arkaith? Nope.
67) rapacious_hawk's eye color? Not sure.
68) Do you have zordran's screenname? Isn't it right there?
69) What animal does phreakie_teiris remind you of? Hmm. . .*thinks*. . .no comment. ;)
70) Is xtoydragonx a college student? I think so.
71) What is alucardx's favorite movie? Star Wars is one of them.
72) If teiris were hanging off a cliff, what would sraphy_chan do? Save her, I'm sure.
73) Does lenarie have a big secret? Probably.
74) Would mrjakun go out with waitingforoiboy? I'm not sure. Perhaps. John might have something to say about it, though.
75) What is rebeccai's favorite color? I'll say pink.
76) Have you flirted with ty_nev? Nope.
77) How would ramzey conquer the world? Some kind of insurgence.
78) Would you set up phreakie_teiris and alucardx? That'd be rather self-detrimental.
79) Is rebeccai a high school student? Nope!
80) If rapacious_hawk and teiris were spliced together, what would be its name? That thought disturbs me.
81) What mental disorder does inch0n remind you of? Mental? I'm not sure. Maybe epilepsy, if that counts.
82) Where did you first meet zordran? SSU.
83) What would you do if bestrafe_mich1 died? I'm not sure I'd know. I only know her online, and don't know any mutual friends.
84) What animal should latinloco be combined with?
85) What is faintobjection's favorite food? CAKE
86) Is inch0n a nerd? He's more of a geek than a nerd. Geeks are cool.
87) What languages does rapacious_hawk speak? English.
88) What is smarle's shoe size? Not sure.
89) Which president would xtoydragonx be likely to idolize? Hmm. . .I can see her being a Lincoln fan.
90) Does ty_nev have a dog? I don't believe so.
91) Would xtoydragonx and randofu look good together? No, I'm not seeing it.
92) What is rapacious_hawk allergic to? Not sure.
93) If waitingforoiboy commanded an army, who would be his/her followers? Starving artists!
94) Is zordran related to you? Nope.
95) What do you agree with ramzey about? Most things.
96) Does latinloco go to your school? He did.
97) If rebeccai and latinloco were spliced together, what would it be like? linaloco
98) Would you wrestle smarle in jello? Nah.
99) Would you make out with rebeccai? Sure!
100) Where was alucardx born? Poland.

Hi! My name is Joe, and I'm an obsessive compulsive blogging attention whore! :D

2005-11-08T01:44:26Z

Okay, to start off, this entry is intended to be brief, but I will not edit it for space allotted.

This entry is to a few attention whoring people that are on my LJ list who've bitched, complained, and just wholly irritated the hell out of me with posts dedicated to bitching that their journal isn't getting commented on. News flash! MAYBE NOBODY CARES!

Fuck, like I give more than a damn about the type of apples you bought today at the supermarket, or that you couldn't watch your favourite TV show because a tornado swept your house away, or that you took a shit that looked, at a glance, like Elvis.

My journal is up here, and I prefaced the entire thing with the words "Whether or not anybody reads it is irrelevent, I'm slowly finding it helps me to read my own thoughts written out." In other words, I really don't give a damn if you read my journal or not...the only real exception are the quizzes/surveys that I put up, because it's kinda cool getting to know things about your friends that you might not have found out otherwise, and it's also kinda cool letting other people on my list see one another's responses, just so they can get an idea of the various kinds of fucked up people I associate with. :P

While this sentiment still holds true, this post is being written just on general principle alone. Give, and receive in kind. If you could give less than a shit about what's on my mind, I could give less than a shit about what the two brain cells in your head produce when, by chance, they bump into one another.

Essentially, stop:
a) Assuming everybody gives/should give a shit about you, and
b) Demanding that they do when it turns out they give about as much of one about you as you do about them.

That is all.

EDIT: You really don't have to bother replying to this post a) out of pity, b) to try and look like you're NOT one of the people in question, or c) argue with me if you're inclined to do so. I'll be able to tell. :P

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-07T10:41:00

2005-11-07T15:43:22Z

As stolen from Ross' journal:

Would you:

() go out with me?
() give me your number?
() have sex with me?
() let me kiss you?
() watch a movie with me...even a really sappy one?
() take me out to dinner?
() take me on a moonlit drive?
() take a shower with me?
() be my gf/bf?
() have a fling with me?
() be there for me?
() buy me a drink ?
() take me home for the night?
() Would you let me sleep in your bed?
() sit in the doctors office with me because I didn't want to go alone?
() give me oral?
() re-post this for me to answer your questions?
() give me a piggyback ride?

(Y) = Yes
(N) = No
(M) = Maybe
(*) = Already have
( ) = Choose not to answer

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-06T02:45:00

2005-11-06T07:55:10Z

Kick-ass!

So, I got a call from Matt at MDG today, telling me that Ramzey had sent on my resume to him (thanks Ram!), and after a brief Q&A session, he asked if I'd be available to come in on Tuesday at noon! This would be so great for me...though I'm nervous as hell...I really don't want to botch this up, because Ramzey put in a good word for me and everything, and I'm really worried that his credibility may be at stake, to an extent...that in mind, I'm so worried about looking incompetent - I'm rusty with what I *do* know, and damn near clueless about all the newest tech gadgets and stuff out there nowadays...though, dwelling on it, I'm sure that I can learn...I had product knowledge of Summit's entire inventory pretty much wrapped up within a couple of days. ^_^

I probably shouldn't worry.

I'm already working out budgets in my head, and everything else...and I figure that within the first couple of paychecks, I'll be able to take Kim out 'n stuffs! She's such a sweetheart...she REALLY deserves to be spoiled rotten. :)

So, to wrap up, interview on Tuesday at noon, and an interview on Wednesday at 7:00! w00t!

Maybe things aren't quite so bad as I thought they were...

I've been practicing on the guitar like a mofo for the last 3 days or so...it's almost as though with Kim, I've found my soul again.

Who knows.

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-05T06:38:00

2005-11-05T11:58:36Z

So, I went over to Marc's for the first time in almost 9 months...Jesus, I just realized that I plausibly could have knocked a girl up and had a kid by now...strange way to try and time things, but. :P

Anyway, aside from a (from my point of view, at least) minute amount of awkwardness at first, things seemed to warm up rather quickly. I really did enjoy myself, and seeing the guys at Marc's again was quite therapeutic in a great many ways...almost as though it was yet another thing that I had(n't) done for Alexa's sake that I'm doing now, on my own two feet. A lot of laughs were had, and my nervousness and anxiety very quickly subsided amongst gales of laughter. At times, it was like I'd never stopped going. :)

It was really hard not going over there...sadly, with Alexa, it's always been a "Yer either wit me or agin' me!" kind of deal. She's not talking to Marc's girlfriend Breanne, and while (some of) her reasons are valid, the method of conflict resolution really leaves much to be desired. I'm all and well for her never speaking to Breanne again, if that's what she truly wishes...where I made the mistake was in trying to be supportive...much in the wrong way. *sighs*

I distanced myself from Breanne, and consequently ended up ostracizing myself from a great many people...REALLY good friends...who really, REALLY didn't deserve that. At least Kim's not trying to coerce me not to go, despite her objections to certain people there.

I got home tonight to an e-mail from her, just telling me that she loves me and missed talking to me tonight and everything else...*sigh*...God, what a sweetheart. I really wish she'd gone, since the people in question weren't there anyway. :P

I'm also fairly certain that everybody there knows about Kim and I...well...I'm not sure whether or not Marc does, but if EVERYBODY else does, then that's merely a matter of time. :P

Ramzey also asked me to send along my resume to him...I think he's going to try and get me in at MDG, which would be REALLY cool...I really want something in my field...and if I got in at the store up there...I'd totally be across the street from Kim. :3

Ramzey and I have been getting closer again, and we've started talking more and more, which has really been nice...I really miss hanging out with him and doing all the stupid shit we used to do...God, how I miss the couch outside, and the memories of the signs we used to look at on the building across the street...Christ, those have achieved a certain amount of immortality in our minds, I'm quite sure...or the people that would walk by...like that one lady who asked us if we could tell her how to get to Avondale because she was on her way to a friend's house when she'd broken her leg (bloody nuisance that is - I hate it when that happens!)...and then proceeded to ask us for a lighter. LOL

They say that people change, and drift apart, but by Christ, it doesn't mean I have to let it happen willingly. :P

As an aside, I'm writing this whilst taking a break after about 4 hours' worth of guitar practice, after which I'll be going back to it again. God, it feels good to have my inspiration back.

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-05T04:43:00

2005-11-05T10:00:44Z

So, I had a fair bit to talk about last night, but my internet kicked the crapper at about 4:30am, and I spent about 8 hours sans-internet (sleeping). I was awakened by Mom today, informing me that the internet still wasn't working.

So, quite reluctantly (due to MANY futile calls to them in the past), I call my ISP, and I'm greeted by Brian (which, in this given case, serves as an acronym for "Brain Regularly Impaired of A Notion", I'm quite convinced). Our conversation goes as follows:

Brian: Thank you for calling Cogeco tech support, this is Brian, how can I help you today?
Me: (deciding to be polite, since I know how horrible it can get in a call centre position) Hey Brian, how's it going?
Brian: Not bad, how're you?
Me: Not so bad. Anyway, my internet kicked me offline at about 4:30am, and hasn't let me on since. I'm getting two lights on my modem, but the third one, for the life of it, just won't come on. It's not connecting to your server properly.
Brian: *typing, clicking around* Okay, can I get blah, blah, blah, generic user info?
Me: Sure thing. Blah, blah, blah, my user info.
Brian: Okay, so you say that there's only two lights on on your modem?
Me: *knowing this means that there's a problem with the cable itself* Yep.
Brian: Okay. Are you behind a router?
Me: *reluctantly* ...yes...
Brian: Okay, I need you to unhook the router and connect your computer directly to the modem.
Me: *giving him the benefit of the doubt, since I know this is the first thing to do when troubleshooting, even if the step seems irrelevant* Sure thing. Hang on. *disconnects router and directly wires PC to modem*
Brian: Okay. Now, what I need you to do is *ridiculously emphatically* CLICK STAAART. In the little box, type C...M...
Me: Okay, yeah, I'm at the command prompt.
Brian: Okay. Now. Type I...P...
Me: Okay, according to IPCONFIG, I'm getting an APIPA address (irrelevant whether or not you know what this is, if HE'S doing my tech support, HE should). Obviously my computer can't connect to your server.
Brian: Try typing I...P...C...O...N...F...I...G...press the SPACE BAR...FORWARD SLASH...F...L...U...S...H...D...N...S...
Me: (Right, Brian. Flushing the DNS resolver cache will surely fix this.) Okay, it didn't do anything.
Brian: Okay. That means your network card probably isn't working.
Me: *starting to get a bit impatient* I can access every other computer on my network.
Brian: Okay. Maybe it's a problem with the router.
Me: Brian, the router isn't plugged in. Remember? You had me wire the computer directly to the modem?
Brian: Oh. Yeah. Well...uhh...I could have a technician come out to look at it...? If it's not a problem with our hardware, he may end up charging you.
Me: *groan*...how much?
Brian: I'm not sure. You know, you could always try calling in a technician yourself.
Me: I *AM* a technician. I just called you because I was hoping I wouldn't have to bother myself with it, since that's what YOU'RE paid to do.
Brian: Well...umm...you could try calling us back if you don't figure it out...?
Me: Yeah, okay. I'll keep that in mind. *click*

Sure enough, it turns out that there's a short in the cable running from outside to my modem. Cut, splice, crimp, done. 15 minute job turned into a 45 minute ordeal.

Thanks, Brian. I hope you read this, you fuck.

Fuck, and to think...Cogeco turned ME down because I didn't have adequate experience.

*sigh*

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-03T16:15:00

2005-11-03T21:21:00Z

Okay, I'm bored, so I thought I'd add a new entry with a game of sorts...I'm sure most bloggers and people with experience on forums or message boards will know this one, but for those who don't...

All you simply do is answer the previous question, and post an "A or B" question of your own. :)

I'll start, since it's my damn journal. :P

Better sing-along music: Beatles or Beach Boys?

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-03T15:23:00

2005-11-03T20:24:28Z

Job interview next week at The Bay at Limeridge.

Thanks, I appreciate the prompt reply to my last entry. :)

Unfortunately, I'm a bit too tired to be the least bit excited about much anything at the moment. I'm pretty sure that even if Ed McMahon showed up with the Publishers' Clearing House, I'd ask if he could come by with the cheque in a couple hours or so. :P

They asked me to bring in two achievements - one professional, one personal...and be prepared to discuss both.

What a curiously unorthodox request.

I wonder what I'll do.

baronian_cecil @ 2005-11-03T06:49:00

2005-11-03T11:52:44Z

Do things happen for a reason?

As of late, I'm beginning to believe more and more that they do. Despite my qualifications, experience, and references, I can't for the life of me get (or keep) a job in the IT/computer field. Last interview I was at, I ended up hearing from one of the supervisors there that I would have been their first pick...had the hiring manager not had a couple of people they wanted to get in first. He said if it was any consolation, if they'd been going on a strictly professional basis, I'd have been the first one hired. Whoo, yay.

Losing my job has done a lot to fuck with my head...I was on Cloud 9 working for them, I did a great job, had problems solved in little to no time...I had no problems putting in overtime when necessary...I was even under review for a raise in pay when I was called into the office on a Friday. At 4:57 PM. And told that they'd just received a fax from the head office in Quebec that they were downsizing their Hamilton branch by seniority. So, since I was one of the most recent ones hired, I was one of the first laid off. First in, last out, for all the sense that makes. Why a company would lay off their IT department first, I can't understand for the life of me. Oh well.

As somebody who likes a rational and concise explanation, accompanied by a conclusive answer for things, being inexplicably laid off 3 minutes before the end of my shift at the end of the week without even seeing it coming has done a lot to me, my sense of confidence, and reality, really...what made it most painful was that 3 days prior, the branch manager had told me I was under review for a raise. With such great news, I'd never have thought I'd be losing my job in 3 days' time. So, with that in mind, I went to HMV and blew over $500 on DVDs, and even bought dinner for the family to celebrate. That REALLY hurt. >_<

I've taken to applying around to ANYTHING now...I just need the damn money. I can't afford to be choosy or selective about where I work anymore...*sighs*...I'm really happy that Kim doesn't care where I work, and that I don't have to feel embarrassed or ashamed about having to work at a restaurant or gas station if that's what it takes until I get back on my own two feet. She's such a dear.

I just can't figure it out...I have about $4,500 worth of certification alone to my name. I have references that own their own companies, are managers and executives for other companies, and I even have the manager of the Active Directory Design and Development Team at Microsoft Canada as a reference on my resume. What the hell am I doing wrong here? I know my shit, and I have the experience and people to back up my claims.

Am I not supposed to be in computers or something? Am I meant to be doing something else? If so, what the HELL am I supposed to be doing? I wish I'd just get a sign from someone or something already.

Hindsight is 20/20.

Christ, give me something to work with already.

What do you want from me?

As an aside, I've been listening to various tracks that I've saved from Guitar War ( http://www.guitarwar.com ). I really miss those guys, and despite my claims not to come back until the new year, I may be back sooner...if I can find a damn job... :(

Ugh...

2005-10-25T19:16:25Z

So, I called The Peghead again today...the lady who answered said that the manager is off sick...hopefully he'll be there soon...it gets harder to call again with every phone call... XD

So my friend Kyle was talking to me about music prep...he's a music teacher, and he's currently enrolled at Mohawk for music...he's given me several avenues that I can look at taking, musically...a lot to take in...so I figure I'll keep at the practice, and save what I can until I know what I want to do...then I'll have the skill and the funding to go along with it. :)

Kim's coming over at some point today...she said around 4-5...it'll be kinda nice to hang out with her. :)

Anyway...that's about it. Laundry's presumably done, so I've gotta go look into that, wrap up what I'm practicing, and get ready for when Kim shows up...I feel like a total bum right now. :p

Peace.

baronian_cecil @ 2005-10-23T05:00:00

2005-10-23T09:12:40Z

Alright, what with it being 5:00 in the morning, and me not being the least bit tired, I've decided to start making up a wishlist! Yay!

I've gone ahead and made this a public entry because, hell, why would I want to limit this incredible opportunity to my friends?! This just goes to show how much I care about EVERYBODY. An equal opportunity environment is what I try to promote here.

Anyone who loves me can display such through material goods! T'is the season!

Carvin StudioMate mixer
http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=sm162

Ibanez JEM77B (Rock Mirror)
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/world/products/eg/page/JEM77B_RMR_a_e_u.html

Carvin DC400 series Electric Guitar
http://www.carvin.com/products/guitar.php?ItemNumber=DC400

with the following options (option codes listed for additional convenience - after all, it's the least I can do):

DC400C - Floyd Rose Tremolo
LN - Floyd Rose Locking Nut
BC - Black Chrome Plated Hardware
SL - Dunlop Strap Locks

H22T Bridge Pickup
H22N Neck Pickup

5K - 5 Piece Koa Neck w/ Two Maple Stripes

QTR4 - Crimson Red on Quilted Maple

With HC11 (ABS plastic case)
--------------------------------------------------------------

Well, that's about it...I estimate the Carvin at about $1600 (which, mind you, includes shipping! :O ), so whoever buys me THAT loves me the most, with the Ibanez coming in second, and the mixer coming in third. Mind you, you can buy me either of the two guitars, even if someone else has already bought me one, and I will love you equally. However, buy me a second mixer, and you'll get slapped. I don't need two mixers - that's just silly.

Also, I could add some more items I'd like, but it'd just be going overboard...however...should you think going overboard is okay...

POD XP PRO Tone Modeller
http://line6.com/podxtpro/US/

Dunlop Crybaby Wah Pedal
http://www.jimdunlop.com/products/electronics/crybaby/products/gcb95/

...I think that's about it...for now... :p

baronian_cecil @ 2005-10-23T03:55:00

2005-10-23T07:58:13Z

And now, a haiku which I so lovingly call "Ode to Being Sick".

Cough, cough, hack, hack, wheeze.
The sound of death in the air,
Keel o'er, crash, and croak.

Earthbound Quiz!

2005-10-23T00:10:47Z

Found this on a friend's LJ, so I thought I'd take the quiz myself. I'm Ness! Whoo!

Find out which EarthBound character YOU are by clicking on the picture!

Quiz by d`Jeu

LOL, I never realized how much time I spend talking to some friends (one in particular) until they're not around for an extended period of time.

I need a hobby. XD

I Hate Cheetos

2005-10-22T05:28:24Z

These are totally the most disgusting Cheetos in history.

Yuck.

*munch, munch*

I'm getting a stomachache here. Seriously.

But I paid for them.

So by God, I'll eat the fucking things, if it's the last thing I do.

'Cause Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. . .

2005-10-21T21:15:25Z

So. Yikes.

Alexa just came and picked up her things from my house...I was kind of hoping to see her and let her know that I didn't want to discontinue any sort of potential friendship or anything...but my brother answered the door, she got her stuff from the hutch in the front hallway, and left before I could get to the top of the stairs. :-/

Christ, this new relationship of mine feels like such an uphill battle...mom was kind enough to tell me that she certainly hoped I wasn't counting on them to disassociate themselves with Alexa or her mom, which made me feel about 10 times worse...as though I'd made the wrong decision, and that was her way of expressing disappointment in me. Chris, however, is happy that I did the right thing for myself, and seems to think that this new girl is much more suited to me.

Mom has a wonderful knack of saying things which she thinks are helpful, only to make the situation far worse than it would have been, had she said nothing at all. Christ, sometimes I wish people would keep their mouths shut if they're not entirely sure of what they should be saying. :-/

I love this new girl with all my heart, and, well, stuff anyone who doesn't approve. She knows who she is. ;)

baronian_cecil @ 2005-10-06T20:57:00

2005-10-07T00:57:42Z

Alright. I lied.

"loath" should be "loathe" in that previous post.

That is all.

Um, yeah, okay, so.

2005-10-07T00:52:57Z

I feel like a total freeloader having this account, especially with no intent whatsoever of adding entries to it, and for nothing more than viewing friends' blogs. I have a general loath of using blogs, personally, and as has been the case with so many failed attempts before this latest one, I'm not expecting to get more than a post or two in here, really.

So...yeah.

See you around.