Pot Luck #3: Memorial Day

Overtime:
Ah a day off from work. I've been working overtime for over two months so today is a true luxury for me. Since I came back from Hawaii I have been working 50+ hours due to a rapidly approaching deadline. I was getting to the point this past Friday where I just could think straight anymore about computers. A long lazy weekend was just what doctor ordered. Other than two Bar-B-Q's Rita and I have done very little but chill and straighten up the place. Yeah I'm up real early today but I plan on napping later today to make up for it. Besides its peaceful right now.

Looking Down a Double Barrel Shotgun/Dodging a Bullet:
Speaking of overtime. So at work I had two assignments whose deadline was rapidly approaching. I was starting to feel that I would never make the mid June deadline with them. This made me feel like I had a double barreled shotgun aimed at me (one barrel for each assignment.) Well Wednesday I stayed at Work with my co-worker Stacy until 11pm and we got one of the problems fixed. I was so relieved since I felt like I had just dodged a bullet. Well things got better the next two days as I created prof-of-concept solutions for my other assignment. Heading into Friday afternoon I was starting to think that I had just managed to pull off that Trinity move from The Matrix where she kicked the shotgun out of the guys hands and used it herself. I was flying high, until I tried testing a third problem I thought I had finished implementing and discovered Friday afternoon that my solution didn't take certain cases into account. So I didn't leave work Friday in high spirits as I had been earlier that day. Needless to say I'm not looking forward to tomorrow when I'll need to explain this to my manager.

Congrats Kevin!:
Last night was my bud, Kevin's, graduation Bar-B-Q. He now has his Masters in Computer Science. I am really happy for Kevin since he has worked especially hard the past couple years to get this done before his wedding in August and he has pulled it off. Also if it hadn't been for him I may never have gone back to school myself. He was part of the motivation and I tagged along on his coattails to sign up for my first pre-requisite class. He went on to get accepted to Drexel before me and I have gone off to Villanova to get my degree since Drexel was very bastardly to me. One more year and I will be graduating too!

Windows Almost Ready for the Desktop:
I just saw this article by the author of Point & Click Linux discussing Windows XP installation and use from a Linux users point of view. The results are the same as Microsoft's main complaints against Linux. It is a funny read especially if you think that most of the "professional reviews" out there are crap anyway.

An Audience with the Squirrel King:
I am writing this from my balcony since it is such a beautiful morning. I just looked up from the laptop's display and realized the King of Squirrels is on the roof looking down at me with a squirrelly entourage of two other squirrels (one of whom I think is the Prince since he is a baby and only the size of a normal squirrel). Rita had told me earlier this week that his highness had made a similar appearance. Apparently the King is a hands on chap that likes checking on the happenings in his realm. He probably wants to keep a watch on my apartment after threatening me last week. Last week the King didn't take to kindly to my parking under his tree. When I went to drive to work the next morning the King was there and he squeaked several times at me in what sounded like a very angry tone. So I haven't parked under that tree since. I don't want to cross the Squirrel King, I think he might be able to kick my arse! (Please picture myself getting attacked by a giant squirrel and his entourage. My job is done here.)

Quickie #4: The Reistance Grows

Ryan has just finished installing Debian on his spare computer. He has never used Linux before, and you know what? He really likes it!

Viva La Resistance!!

A Surprise...

I was not looking forward to going to work today. I had a review, both of my assignments just missed their deadline, and it was a Monday. I decided to not call out sick and went to work expecting to roll with the punches all day. I was doing good with the "punches" thrown my way until my project manager called me into his office in the late morning. The first thought I had was, "Crap, what did I do that was that bad?"

I sat down in his office and he said to me, "I have something I want you to read." He then passed over a single piece of paper. I took the paper and read it.
"I'm getting a promotion?"
"I know this is a little earlier than you were expecting," my manager explained, "But it came through now, congratulations."

So now I am a SENIOR Member of the Engineering Staff. I was working toward getting this promotion near the time I graduated from grad school next year. To get it now is amazing! This is why I love my new company, they don't try to screw their employees every chance they get (unlike my last job.)

Live from the Turnpike

So here I sit in the passenger seat of Rita's car driving back from a weekend in Long Island. Its nice to have the ability to just sit back on the road home and not have to worry about actually getting there. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy driving to a point, but when you've been at it for more than two hours it gets a bit tedious. Its times like these I wish there was a smart car that could do all the driving or even a really thorough mass transit system. Oh well, you drive the transportation arteries you have, not the transportation arteries you want.

So I got to thinking while I was driving out to Long Island yesterday about how the maze of roads out there are just that, a maze. You spend the majority of you traveling time on a certain chunk of this maze and you get to know it rather well. Then when need or opportunity arise you traverse a little farther out from the familiar roads to less familiar ones. In this way you learn more about the maze we live in and how to get to the “cheese” du jour.

[blech we just past the strong smell of Road Kill a la skunk]

Star Wars: Redemption

Ryan, Duc and I caught the 6:10 showing of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith yesterday. I was excited and I was worried.

My fear concerning Episode III was that it would cheese out like episodes 1 and 2. I was afraid it wouldn't explain enough or would contradict too much from the original trilogy and would fail to tie up the previous two movies. After seeing it I have to say that I'm completely impressed with how Lucas answered the questions of how Anakin Skywalker turned into Darth Vader, and it was not ridiculous either. It was plausible and understandable.

The story was complex but even though I knew where it was going, I didn't want to see it get there. I cared about the fate of Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin, Padame, and all the other characters. I didn't want to see the inevitable happen.

But once it did, I could never have looked away!

To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I think this episode does not deserve to be grouped with the previous prequels. It deserves to be grouped with the original trilogy! I'm not sure it is better than any of the original movies, but the fact that I am even comparing them shows that Lucas finally found his movie making mojo and treated a prequel right! I plan on seeing this again in the theaters with Rita, and I can't wait!

(As an added bonus, after you see Episode III, and you will see Episode III, go over to the local book store and look at the book adaptation. Read the last 10 or so pages about Anakin's awakening as Vader. It answered the only question I had left after I saw the movie, "How does it feel to be Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith?")

"Carbonite"

This is the last of the fan flick recommendations. The great news is that I got tickets for tonight's 6:10 showing of Episode III. So Ryan and I are going there and checking out Episode III! w00t! Maybe I'll blog it later, with spoilers (Like Anakin turns into Vader! OMG! OMG!)

To wind up this series of posts I present to you "Carbonite." I will not ruin this guy in advance with a disclaimer but I will say this, it isn't a parody. It is a really well made little flick that I deeply enjoyed (maybe enjoyed most of all the others.)

Runner up films include:
"Cheap Seats"
"Tiny Toys"
"Han Solo: Switch Parody"
"Dark Side Switch Campaign"
"The Yody Years"
"Star Wars Help Desk" and
"Pink Five"

"Figure Club"

"Figure Club" is a fan film that somehow combines the anti-consumerism philosophy of "Fight Club" with obsessive Star Wars merchandise collecting. I really enjoyed this film and it expresses many of my thoughts about the Star Wars merchandise (summed up in my 13" Greedo sitting on my desk for years outside of his original packaging.)

Warning: This film contains spoilers if you have not seen "Fight Club." If you have not seen "Fight Club" shame on you! Go rent it now! I will wait until you get back. Go on! GET! (Are you still here!?)

"Real Men of the Empire"

Once upon a time Bud Light ran an ad spot on the radio called "Real American Hero" and would feature something absolutely ridiculous for the "American Hero" (like my favorite, "Mr. Wrestling Wardrobe Designer".) Well today's flick is a parody of those ads called, "Real Men of the Empire." Be sure to watch for, "What is really wrong with the Empire," and why the Rebels have better recruitment ads.

Political aside: OK, I realize that after 9/11 it would be uncomfortable for the "Real American Hero" ads to continue, but in essence those ads were always blatantly over the top. They could always have been taken offensivly because they were grouping Mr. Really bad Toupee Wearer with Medal of Honor receipients, but I never recalled hearing even a slight protest to the ads. They do still runs the ads but as "Real Men of Genius", but to me it doens't have the same ring to it. Are we that politically correct or downright sissy of a nation not to get a stupid joke?? Maybe they were just afriad of being sued for offending somebody. Sigh.

end rant; -- cleanup and put away soapbox

"Trooper Clerks"

What happens when you mix the characters from Kevin Smith's cult classic Clerks with Star Wars? Pure comedy genius! So today I present to you the fan film, "Trooper Clerks."

(Also as an interesting aside related to this post. I worked at a Pathmark grocery store in my late teen years and I swear to God that the girl in Clerks that gave the 37 "BJs" came in and went through my line. Turns out she worked as a hairdresser in the same shopping plaza. So I went out that night and purchased a copy of Clerks and a sharpie and brought it with me to the register as I worked every day, but saddly she never came through my line at work again. I still wish that I had her signature because her character made me laugh so hard, and was right (Dante was a tool to her.) Well if that doesn't start a flame war I don't know what will.)

"Your Lightsaber and You"

Not much longer until Episode III. In keeping with what I promised earlier here is the next fan film recommendation.

Today I bring you the heart warming story of a boy, Timmy, who has just constructed his first lightsaber and the 1960's-esq safety video that helps him and his friends use it appropriately "Your Lightsaber and You."

Sadly it looks like I may not make it to see Star Wars 3 until Monday due to a very busy weekend, but I think I can live with that. I will just keep myself totally cut off from all forms of media until showtime (I've already begun construction of my isolation chamber).

Live From My Linux Laptop

W00t! I finally got my laptop to install and run linux just now! It has taken me all weekend but it is so nice to have a fast OS on my laptop again (My laptop became a slug after SP2)!

So I installed Knoppix 3.7 on my laptop, but this was after I had major issues installing Slackware 10.1 and 10.0 (has anyone else had problems trying to use disk 2? Please let me know!), and Debian 3.0 revision 5 failed to properly config my ati mobile radeon video drivers. Oh well it works and it is Linux, right!?

Now to get my bookmarks for Firefox going. Oh my dad just told me he finally installed Firefox (after I told him for like months how great it was) and he says he loves it too! Watch out Microsoft, your loyalty base is crumbling!

Star Wars, Nothing but S-T-A-R W-A-R-S-!

Today I shall begin my countdown to Star Wars Episode 3. Since I did not purchase tickets 30 years in advance I will not be seeing it opening night. Instead I will probably see it Friday.

Anyway I shall recommend a different Atom Films Star Wars fan film every day until I get to see the blasted thing (or Friday whichever comes first.)

Tonight I wanted to start out strong with a parody of "The Apprentice" called "Sith Apprentice". This short proves once and for all why Darth Vader is the epitomy of evil that is the Dark Side! Also look out for these little hidden gems:

• Princess Bride References


• Lord of the Rings references


• Highlander reference


• Monty Python reference(!)


• Vader's reason why Count Doku is pathetic


• The totally sweet female Storm Trooper's armor


• A Star Trek and Babylon 5 reference in the same scene

Also you can leave anonymous comments, really you can! Please talk to me I'm lonely!

Holy Crap on a Crap Cracker!

Ok, I have purposely kept my nose out of all the Star Wars Episode III trailers because I didn't want to build up my expectations unreasonably. So until just a minute ago I have not seen any trailers, heard any commercials, read any reviews, or even really dicussed the movie.

That is until just now since I was not expecting to hear it on the Dragon Page podcast.

Oh my God! I must see it now! Give it to me now! I shall kneel before George Lucas and ask what my master's bidding is! Holy crap I only HEARD a two minute tralier and I immediately felt tingles of excitement and anticipation.

My favorite part was when Obi-Wan screams, "You were the chosen one!" and it cuts to Vader's breathing.

Is this the personification of intense marketing while I was in my formative years, or is this my geek nature taking hold? I care not, I just know that I must have it! It has a strong influence on this weak mind!

Now if you'll excuse me I need to take a cold shower and then find the trailer online.

Fully Recovered

I have determined over the past couple days that I am almost fully recovered from my wedding maddness two months ago. I am using the trend in my reading material as the basis for this. Here is how it works and how I know I'm (almost) back to normal.

A year ago I was reading programming manuals (mostly on how to run Linux or to do something with Linux.) I was able to digest this info and was enjoying the reading immensely. Then about nine months ago I started reading novels instead of the technical books. I devoured several good ones over the next four or five months including (but not limited to) Neuromancer, American Gods, 1984, Just a Geek, and I Robot. Then about four months ago I was reading collections of short stories, usually in the magazines Asimov, Analog, and Fantasy & Science Fiction. Then with only two months to go until the wedding all I was reading was Manga (Oh how the mighty had fallen!) But wait! That's not the worst of it! With only weeks to go before the wedding reading even Japanese comics centered around school girls in uniforms and absurd situations became too much for me since I had bought a couple of books and never even finished them!

Then the Wedding took place (I've started the next blog on it, keep your shirt on!)

Ah the flight out was a beautiful twelve hours of nothing. Just me and a book of short Sci-Fi stories I had purchased. By the time I came home two weeks later I had read most of that book. Then it was another book of short stories I had started but never finished. I didn't realize it yet, but I was on the road to recovery. In the last couple of weeks I have been reading Neverwhere (an awesome book) and have even picked up a book on Sed and Awk scripting (though I haven't been devoting too much time to it since Neverwhere is so damn good!)

Thank God I skipped the Manga on the way back (but if you get a chance check out MegaTokyo, its written by an American and ranges from completely ridiculous to heart warming.)

(Wow, this blog was link filled, eh?)

My New and Improved Geek Code

I was going over some of my older entries and realized that my geek code had changed but I had not put up the new geek code. The big changes are in the relationship, living arrangement, and sex. I also decided to be a little more realistic when it comes to my other yearnings. So without further ado, my geek code.

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.1
GCS/G d--(+)@ s+:- a- C++$ ULSC++$ P+>++ L++>++++ E--- W+>+++ N++ o K? w(--) O- M V-- PS+@ PE+@ Y+ PGP- t++@ 5 X+ R-(++)* tv- b++ DI++++ D++ G++ e++>+++ h--- r+++ y+++*
-----END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

As with last time here is where you can cheat. If you want to know what you're geek code is you can do so here.

The McChicken Wars and Mint Shakes

I have three quick things to share with you.

First I was listening to a new favorite podcast of mine Mur's Geek Fu Action Grip and heard a great song at the tail end of her 21st Podcast. The song is hysterical and has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. Check it out for a good laugh (HINT: the song starts about 5 minutes from the end of the mp3.)


Secondly, my intro post is now up on The New Wisdom so check it foolio!

Lastly, I was at McDonald's last night for the first time since I got married. I was ordering my typical "Cheap Ass Combo" (Double Cheeseburger and small fries, total cost $2.12) when I saw they had St Patty's Day Mint Shakes listed on the menu.
"Do you really have the mint Shakes," I eagerly asked the scratchy intercom.
"Yesh [tch] we d- [tch] sir." Was the reply. I took that as a yes.
"I'll have a small one of those then."
"Than- [tch] you. [tch]"
The shake was wonderful, even if their intercom sucked. I do hope that the mint shakes are here to stay. I would gladly pay a little more on my Cheap Ass Combo for them regularly.

The above blurb reminds me of when Jeff single handedly protested the loss of the McChicken sandwich to the Arch Chicken Deluxe. He created a webpage to its memory with images that he had taken of it. When asked about why he cared he would pull out his soapbox and explain how you couldn't just replace a staple on the menu every time you had a change in marketing campaigns! Sure we all thought he was a little bit daft, but that is Jeff. In the end guess who I thanked for it's return (and at a cheaper price too!) So every time you eat a McChicken say a little thank you to this unsung hero of the McChicken wars!

The New Wisdom Has Lift Off

My friend, Senor Duc has recently put together a new politically oriented website called "The New Wisdom." The purpose of this site is to have enlightened debate on societies problems. When I heard what Duc was doing I asked if I could be a part of it. I'm not the most active or informed person I know, but I wanted to be a part of the site. I was overjoyed when Duc emailed me late last week with my login. I just submitted my first post, an introduction, for review. So look for it sometime in the coming days.

As a taste, the following was the first draft of what I was going to put into my intro. After working on it for a little while I decided it wasn't the right time to bring this up, but I thought I would share it with all of you faithful Spambots. So have at it.


For almost twenty years now I have been struggling with the way the world works. If I had to pick an event that started this it would be a trip to New York City my father took my sisters and I on when I was eleven years old. I don't remember where in the city we were, or where we were going but I do remember this. In the falling snow besides a gray skyscraper stood an elderly man in a tattered tan trench coat, duct taped shoes, worn fedora, fingerless knit gloves, and a bag of hot dog rolls at his feet. He was shivering from the cold and rubbing his hands together for warmth and while my dad rushed my sisters and I past him I heard him saying in a scratchy voice to all those passing by, "Hot dog rolls! Ten cents!"

I've thought about that man and his hot dog rolls many times over the last seventeen years. Is he the a shining example of the power of capitalism? Is he an example of how our society has failed him? Or is he just another bum that should be ignored and rushed past? None of these questions have simple or easy answers.

Now I work in Camden, NJ. A city that is ranked as the most violent city in America. I used to commute to work via public transit before I moved. The homeless and downtrodden knew the entrance to the train station was where to hit up the daily commuters for loose change or maybe a crisp dollar bill. I would occasionally pass on a spare dollar here or there to those asking. They ranged from the bum that wore winter clothes in the summer to the dirty hippie chick that had apparently been left behind after one of the local concerts blew through town. Always I thought about the Hot Dog Man. I thought, "Maybe if I gave just a little to this person, they will be able to turn their life around. Maybe this is the little help they need."

The truth is that a single dollar probably would never help these people out. The truth is that if I wanted to help these people out I should have joined the soup kitchen I passed every day or another organization that looked to help the homeless. I still want to help and I think that I will join the soup kitchen. I only can't change the world, but maybe I can team up with others to try and help others.