Lunatic Fringe

X-Mas List

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:43:41 GMT

It seems that I rarely post on any social networking sites of late. In any event, if you are interested in Christmas gifts for me, I have a wishlist.com profile. It's located here: http://wishlist.com/861695/christmas2009/

Teknomeka!

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:19:22 GMT

So I finished up the lego creation with the help my intrepid friend Mr. F.

This monster stands 28 inches tall and is constructed of fully 3956 lego bricks.

Behold!

Hello from Japan

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:09:14 GMT

Hey everyone, I'm currently sitting in the Kawashima-sanjo Hotel in Kyoto.

I've been in Japan for two days, and I finally got some free time to sit down and get on the internet. Travel here's a pain in the butt. I flew on ANA for 13 hours to Tokyo, sat in the airport for about 30 minutes, then flew to Osaka/Itami airport. Next I took a shuttle here to the hotel.

It's fun to use my Japanese skills here, meager that they are. I've been running around with my Japanese teacher (Keiko-sensei), her daughter (Suzu-chan), and a friend of theirs (David-san) for a while now. Today, I will get to see Suzu-chan practice kendo in her dojo here in Kyoto. It's always fun to see that.

Tomorrow, I will be hanging out with Keiko-sensei in Tokyo! We're going to go to Akihabara and some other places, and hopefully meet up with some of her friends (Akiko-san and Hisako-san!). I'm having a good time so far, but I'm finding that my Japanese has a long way to go. :( I'll have to step up my learning!

Hope everyone is well.

Figure it's time.

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:17:15 GMT

I recently decided that I could no longer stand NOT having Nanoha figures from ALTER.

I ordered myself some figures from HLJ:

Signum (Knight Clothes version)
Vita
Teana

Several other figures are following this summer (which I pre-ordered), including an totally awesome sculpt of Fate, and Subaru Nakajima.

I'm currently planning my Japan trip for this year. I want to be in Japan when the second issue of Nyantype comes out, so I have to be there by July 30. So I figure I'll probably be going July 29th through August 14th. Staying with my Japanese teacher in Kyoto. Although we're going to take a trip to Tokyo, and Osaka. I'm not sure where else.

Oh, and I've made it my mission to travel to the Kyoto Animation studio. And pay homage!

In other news, I should go to bed. Really.

Of Ends and Beginnings

Sat, 16 May 2009 05:24:57 GMT

Today was a day unlike any other day. And also like every other day. A beginning, a middle, an end. And a beginning.

Today, I paid off all of my debts. My credit card balances are all zero. My car is paid off. My obligations are settled.

It's been a long time coming. I've planned for it. I've saved, I've sacrificed. I've worked hard. I had even projected the middle of June, as my target. I'm a month ahead of schedule.

So today, I am beholden to no one. Tomorrow, in a way, is the first day of freedom.

Of Sayings

Thu, 14 May 2009 03:12:58 GMT

The path of damnation is paved by the footfalls of the misguided.
--me, 2009.

Mon, 11 May 2009 19:37:00 GMT

In a conversation that I had with Jenn:

Jennifer: *sigh* how did that ' get in there.... bad ' going where it's not needed!'

me: ' is like a ninja
always gone when it's supposed to be there, always there when you think it shouldn't be.

Jennifer: man... ' IS a ninja!! :-O

Sitrep!

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:42:52 GMT

So I've stated going to the gym. I go to the lifetime fitness place near AOL. It's the size of a Wal-mart. A two story one.

In any event, on the ground floor they have pools. You may not know this, but I was on a swim team for many years. I am actually quite adept in the water. Blows the mind, ne?

So for a few weeks now, I've been going swimming. I swim back and forth and back and forth and back and...well, you get the idea. It's pretty boring. One of the things that you cannot really do is hear things when you are swimming. Or SO I THOUGHT.

Recently, I decided to ask the Internet a question. Has anyone come up with a way to make MP3 players waterproof? And if so, how about some waterproof headphones, while we're on the subject?

So read some reviews. One guys was like, "yeah, the interface on this sucks. And...well, also, the rest of it sucks. So...yeah, don't buy it. So I didn't!

I eventually came across two products that are "submersible cases for your mp3 player!" The first was a hard case with a soft vinyl window you could use the touchscreen/clickywheel/doohickey through. It's also one hundred dollars. The second one was the Aquapac. It's a vinyl bag with a strap that has a standard 1/8" stereo jack inside and a watertight locking mechanism. It's eighty-five bucks with a pair of waterproof headphones. So I bought one. And I bought Mr. Carper's old iPod (gen 3!) for a small sum. I needed a low-tech MP3 player that did not have any sort of wireless and such. I also wanted it cheap.

So last week it finally arrived in the mail (I ordered it weeks ago). I took it with me swimming tonight. Not only did it work as advertised (hey, underwater and music!), but it worked really well. The headphones are 100% waterproof. They fell out of my ears once and were completely submerged in pool water. Blew them off, stuck them back in my ears, and kept swimming. It was amazing.

The sweet sounds of KOTOKO allowed me to swim without concentrating on how tired I was.

I also got some odd looks in the pool, which I enjoyed.

Modern technology, helping to make my ass less fat. Huzzah.

Of Troubleshooting and Victory

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:05:29 GMT

So I started seriously playing with John's computer recently. I started troubleshooting and found that upon turning it on, it would no longer boot. ::blink::

Okay, so now it's actually worse than it was. I a took everything out of the case except the video card. Then I even put another video card in there and tested it. No love.

My dad says, "processor?" We mull it over some more and boot it a few more times. Wait, it's getting past post, so it's not the chip and not the RAM and probably not the motherboard. "Well, we swapped video cards, the only thing left is...the hard drive." Aha.

So I disconnected the shiny new WD Velociraptor drive and connected the terrabyte WD Caviar Black drive. I then proceeded to load Windows on it without a hithc. So I loaded the motherboard drivers, and such. Ran some tests, rebooted it like 10 times. Hrm, seems stable. So I'm like...how can I hammer this thing? So I load Folding@home and run it for 72 hours straight. Solid. No probelms. I think we have a winner.

I have since RMA'd the defective drive. Soon, I can deliver the computer, collect my pay, and get the system bench ready for the next project. :)

In other news, I've started writing my own Witch Hunters codex updates. Hehe.

Another Day, Another Security Thing

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:07:58 GMT

So...today. I waited a lot. Then I went to the customer site and met some people. And I signed more forms that say "I will not talk about stuff evar."

Then, my team lead said, "you can go."
And I said, "Go where?"
And then she said, "Home. We don't have anything for you to do today. Just put eight hours. See you tomorrow."
And I said, "Er...okay. Thanks!"

It was weird. One of the guys said in regards to my business casual dress, "You're allowed to dress like that the first week. Then, we expect you to be casual! Unless you are meeting the customer. In which case, dress appropriately."

So, tomorrow, jeans and a polo. Also, tennis shoes.

Wisdom of the Ages

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:38:00 GMT

Ah, wisdom. So tonight, my dad and I had a minor spat over a misunderstanding. We both are kinda hot-headed and stubborn. Go figure, right?

But tonight, instead of us both sort of leaving on a sour note, he came back into my room, and we hashed it out, and discussed the situation like rational adults. Bizarre, I know. And we ended up having a great conversation about lost friendships and regained friendships, and some asshole that lived in our old-old neighborhood who threatened to kill my dad one day. He was a Grade A flaming nutbar prick, apparently.

However, throughout it all, I realized something about myself this evening. The whole snap-judgments thing. I tend to make these, and then hold on to them for dear life to the detriment of others and most certainly myself. I know, you all are probably going "well, duh, we've been telling you this for years." I realized that it's something I need to work on, something that needs to be realized and corrected for, if I'm to become a better person. And I'd really like to become a better person.

Still, there is hope for me yet, right?

Without a Doubt

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:54:37 GMT

So. Today I went to see my eye doctor. My left eye has a cyst on one of the sweat glands. I will need some minor surgery to take care of it, scheduled on the 30th of this month. The doctor thinks that this might be a result of my previous surgery, which was a blocked oil duct.

Dad and I are going shooting today. I'll finally get to shoot my 9mm. Huzzah.

Big News

The recruiter at Harris corporation just called, I am ready to be briefed on the job and read on for my SCI! My start date is now officially Monday, the 23rd of March. VICTORY IS MINE.

To The Last...

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:12:15 GMT

(...I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee.)

So here I am, sitting about two hours before my last moments here at [deleted]. I have mixed feelings on the matter. First off, a somewhat bittersweet feeling to those who are here who have done me right. Those people I will miss.

However, mainly, I feel victorious. I feel that I've accomplished something great, I've gotten a job that promises to be nearly everything I want in a job. It's close by, it's interesting, it pays well, and it involves a high-end security clearance. I feel that I've been working towards this point since so long ago, when I took my very first "technical" job at Sitel Corporation doing "technical" support for DirecTV.

But since I have not received a firm start date, I also feel a sense of unease. My new job is entirely dependent on a new clearance. Yet, by accomplishing so much, the inner pessimist in me is waiting for the other shoe to drop. The pessimist within thinks that since things are going well, it seems like I should be blindsided by something terrible at any moment. I've been trying for years to get that guy to shut the hell up. But his voice is loud and quite shrill. Often, it is difficult not to listen.

Cleaning Up

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:34:27 GMT

So today, I am tasked with cleaning out my ticket inbox and catching up on all the paperwork. Blech.

On the other hand, it'll be a nice low stress day with no real work to be done. Tomorrow I'll probably ship out mid-day.

I figure I'll clean out my inbox and write a few procedures for them and call it a day.

Japanese class tonight. ^^

Taken

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:52:44 GMT

I know this movie has been out for a while, but I am going to go see it Friday. If anyone is interested in seeing it with me, please let me know.

Cheers.

Nyanoha?

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:09:15 GMT

So, after contacting the fine folks at j-list, they have secured access to Nyantype magazine, which debuts on April 30. And with that, the new Nanoha story will be MINE.

And I'll share it with Lena, of course. ^^

Fortune?

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:13:43 GMT

So today I ordered Chinese food with my co-worker, D-rok. This, in itself, is pretty good. I like Chinese food. But that's not the reason I'm posting.

The fortune cookies reports, "Success is on its way to you."

Perhaps I should bow to the cookie's superior wisdom.

TWO WEEKS!!!!

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:29:04 GMT

So today, I turned in my two weeks notice. In three weeks, my SCI will clear. So I'll have a week off to take care of random stuffs. And do lots of chillin'

After playing Dawn of War II...I might want to start a Tyranid army. <_<

Steak and Bread...for VICTORY

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:04:27 GMT

Well, Chris and I both got new jobs. What say we plan some sort of celebratory type thing?

Who's in?

VICTORY!

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:28:18 GMT

I got it. I should have an offer letter by the end of the week.

More interesting work:  check
Shorter commute:  check
Higher clearance: check
More money:  check

YES.

Grinder Pumps and Waiting

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:11:18 GMT

So, I'm back here at work. Bah. What a silly place this is.

Our grinder pump died (for our septic field) at 2330 last night. So after that, we couldn't use the water in the house for more than a few toilet flushes. Of course, I was also doing laundry at the time, so we had to use the manual override for the water. Which meant carrying buckets of water out and throwing them off of the deck until 0100. So I'm tired. :(

In other news, I'm waiting, waiting, waiting. I'm hoping to follow up Mr. Yates' new position with one of my own. After Wendesday, I'll either have a new job, or be highly motivated to look. My current boss found out (he asked me directly, and seriously, so I told him), and instead of being annoyed, he encouraged me. So I have that amount of understanding. He'd rather I move on than be unhappy here. Which is why he's an awesome boss. :D

I actually like working for him, I just hate my commute and find the job exceedingly boring. Too bad, really, he's a great dude.

But all that goes through my mind are the two scenarios, I Get The Job Woohooo, and Goddamn It I Have To Go Look Hardcore. I think I'll be happier knowing one way or the other. Soon.

Here's to hoping that I get the job. Now, all I need to do is wait. Right?

Shadow of a Doubt

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:12:39 GMT

So I got some news back from Harris. They said that they will be wrapping up the interviews on Tuesday and a decision will be made on Wednesday of next week. The recruiter from Harris said "[the interviewer] said that he thought the interview went well."

Looks like I've got a pretty good shot. It's sort of nerve-wracking, though. Perhaps a new job for the Wolf?

But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr Brightside

The Dawn of a New Age of Matt

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:56:50 GMT

It was the Third Age of Matt. An age beyond childhood, beyond young adult in into professional. Whispers of the past still linger in his mind as he strives for a better life beyond the career that has sidelined his skills. But the future, ever bright, shines on the horizon, giving the light of hope to his fellow Mattkind.

Would he prosper at a new job that was better in every way, or would he languish in mediocrity? As in many things, it all came down to a decision by a guy named Tim. Does Tim hold the future of Mattkind in his grasp? Or will destiny deviate once again around him and divulge its secrets only to those few who can make the choice?

Find out, in next week's episode of: Matt: Third Age

Sitrep

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:17:11 GMT

So I went to the interview this morning. He explained about the job, I told him I had done 90% of the stuff he mentioned. We talked for a bit, he never mentioned more than "the Air Force" being the customer. I thought it went well. There are apparently six candidates and two jobs. So I hope that I make the cut.

Interview Rescheduled

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:09:05 GMT

Apparently, the people scheduling my interview also did not realize it was a holiday. So they didn't come. So she called me this morning and said "soooo sorry, I'll contact [the guy] and ask him when is good."

Tomorrow morning at 0730. I appreciate all the well wishes. Hopefully tomorrow's interview will be fruitful.

In other news, I've just had two codeine tablets and I fell great.

In other other news, resurrecting Claves in Eternal Sonata is also great. Take that, optional dungeon.