Mostly Alive… Sorta. Yeah.

Soooo what a week thus far, 1 more day to go, but it’s been quite a ride. Apparently the cat is out of the bag finally, with the co-owner of the company coming in for a week, and an investor showing up, folks got the hint that the company may be up for sale - though from what I am gathering from long-timers, this has been attempted once before, and nothing happened, so time will tell - maybe they’ll give me an IT budget but hopefully tomorrow I can work out something for my hope of a firewall and 15 computers.

I have been considering my DVD renting practices, as it stands I am doing Netflix, but I am getting bored of it, the online watching is cool, but limited to Windows, not a HUGE deal, as currently my media rig is Vista, but Netflix seems to of slowed, I recall getting DVD’s quickly, but last took about 4 days to get, and when I did get it, snapped in two. I realize this happens, BUT with Blockbuster, I could take in the envelope and tada, new DVD, cost is the only thing that I am weary about when it comes to price, as it stands with Netflix, I am on the lowest plan with live watching, but even at unlimited 1 out, and unlimited in-store exchange, it’s $22 a month, BUT that does mean instant change, not wait 4 days for a new movie - so I am considering it after I get the last of these bills paid.

iPhone is doing well, T-Mobile’s data speeds seem very nice as of late, and since I got off the 2Wire DSL at work, much more stable wireless across the board, it hops between the Linksys’s just fine, and allows me access to my mail in a quick pinch, plus SSH, just need to get my key on there so I can easily get onto servers vs ssh -> home -> server.

Sleep has been better lately, for a week or so it was out of order, as it can become with me, and yet again someone suggesting that I may suffer from insomnia - again I suppose it’s possible, I just think I have a very different way of sleeping… yeah that’s it! But so far so good, some good rest and I woke up only a little groggy not flat out exhausted.

Anywhoo - more tomorrow as it has become my weekly blogging day it seems sometimes, but for now I am going to go and stare at some code… yay.

It’s Friday. Finally!

So Friday is now upon us. The week hasn’t been horrible, got to hang out with friends last night, till about midnight, and till about 11 tonight enjoying Iron Man opening night, some friends opt’d not to come, been a busy week, but I really wanted to go, so did Dan and Cam, so we loaded up in ol Red (Dan’s Truck) and went to east hills for the movie… like 12 people total in the theatre - as always fun. Hint hint - stay after the credits.

Tonight ended mixed I think, found out what the rock I heard hit me hit tonight while washing my windows and getting my car washed, my windshield looks like it smashed about 5 inches from the mirror mount, cracking a L shape into the windshield, haven’t noticed because it’s behind the mirror, thus invisible to me as I am driving, but it does need to be dealt with before it grows, breaks, other - but PTL it didn’t break on impact, a good windshield for sure, now it just needs some love, maybe while I’m in there get some tint on it! The joys of cars.

Lot on my mind tonight, lot been on my mind lately, I dunno, part of me really just wants a vacation, a break, I’ve done my own schedule so long, and I could fit in breaks, a breath, but today at work was just bam bam bam, one thing after another, and most of it was dump’d on me things someone else was given to do, but since they were busy, I got it, things which should simply be copied and handed out, are re-written by me, and placed in boxes, things which to me in my mind are “basics” of computers, folks either don’t know how to do it, or a frightened to do so in fear of the PTB coming down on them! I guess I am just blessed more than I truly realize - I have customers who learn, read, experiment, roll back a version if needs be, who handle some things on their own, but sometimes I think my old Drafting teacher is out to get me, he said I should be a teacher lol.

Anywhoo - I know part of my problem is I am still amp’ing down, but already way too tired to probably be up and be getting up in about 6 hours to goto work for 30m or so, then drive north to the accountant’s house and do some computer work…. so I will say Goodnight, and for the short end of my Iron Man review, here it is: Go See It. Night.

The magic number: 237

So in 2 weeks… I get to attempt my first large-scale migration while working a standard 9-5 job - now for my own clients migrations have gone over smoothly, most are aware of the issues that could happen, most manage their own websites and update application configurations, upgrade the software itself, they download their mail, backup their OWN copy just in case, it’s a rather impressive thing, I have some amazing clients - but in this case, some outdated software, lack of user involvement (most are created by the host + managed by the host) - not saying this is a bad thing, but in a migration in the past we had some issues.

This time it will be different. By Thursday there will be a drafted email blast to all customers on the affected servers, it will go out no later than Friday evening letting folks know 1 full week in advance that changes to servers are coming, that of DNS, location, configuration, etc. give a few risks involved, possible downtime windows, and going from there thru the weekend - aka “fun” it also means some money in my pocket as well which leads to the next thing. The Magic Number

The number is my cost of my ticket. I think it’s actually LESS than what I paid last time, so all I need to do is call in tomorrow, pay it over the phone, and do online traffic school, and ta-da, no pesky court date, no delays, paid, cleared, back to normal, and hopefully not another ticket for another 5 years, but it’s all in all just one last thing that has been hanging on my mind lately, so tomorrow I give a ring, make a payment, sign-up for traffic school, get it done, and then the budget can return to it’s previous state of increasing… which is now part of my flip-flop going back to the top one
I am picking up additional work with servers, granted I do need to iron out some details in regards to payment - aka need to get things on a monthly payment plan via card vs. check - I don’t mind check’s for small things paid up in a year, so 1 big check, but to do that would be a big big big big big check - but it’s something I plan to discuss on another day, other possible work is more of a fun thing I think I am going to do is 2 church related things, and I don’t get paid a penny! I may be helping Dan-o with the new Church Website, which is uber cool, and maybe, be singing for The Hub on Sunday…. sooooo work but a blessing!

Anywhoo - there it is, busy busy at work, and I could go into details, but honestly I get tired of talking about the 8-5 grind, it makes me tired, thus I am going to flip off the lights, sigh a sigh of relief on the ticket, and fall asleep watching some crazy movie (The Comebacks?) so I wish you all a very happy Wednesday! Keep it real, Rock on for Jesus, and Keep on Truckin (I think that’s all I’ve got) - night folks!

ps. Dan, Jake, Scott, Val, Gavin, Cameron, Blaine, Cory, Jeff, Matt, etc. etc. etc. Who’s up for 830p showing of Iron Man Thursday? Anyone?

Back to Blogging?

So if the blogging increase is any measure of my stress level, it is true, things have calmed down, with taxes done and paid for, finances leveling out, a case of seasonal Gadget Fever, and of course finally getting my Christmas present from my bro ($50 @ thinkgeek) I did what any person trying to unwind would do… buy some nerdy stuff for no other reason than you can Actually the mini-maglight kit and the wallet were two of my main purchases, the candle I wanted to try, as for my apartment I want to limit power, see how they work.

All in all though things are getting better, not perfect, still a LOT to do. This next week I start open talks about email, I had previously hoped to have it online, but the company started to make me nervous, their solution was overly complex, and I want something 1) Clean 2) Easy to Use 3) Fair Resale Rates - so the ball is in motion on that, and this next week calls will be made, and ideas will be formed.

The speeding ticket is getting interesting, apparently my court date is moved, as my ticket was barely entered into the system on the 4th, so I am going to call again on Friday and then again on Monday if no valid answer arises, I am going to simply go in and get a printed/signed proof of the date change as I have no desire to get a bench warrant out for me over a silly ticket - so I am going to do it right and get it going and done with.

Had dinner with the boys tonight, went to Cindy’s and had some grub, good chats, good time, I was also invited to another gather next Friday with a fellow PK and his friends, few I know at least 1 other guy he hangs out with, but had a good chat today as his company does some IT services locally, and would do wonders for us, so probably going to work with him to get them helping us re-structure the entire IT setup at work, so time will tell how that all goes, but if nothing else, more friends to hang out with.

Anywhoo - approaching midnight, and I want to get some sleep, of course I may drop in a movie, but I think even if I do, I am going to just pass out, but thanks to everyone for their continued check-ups on me and their prayers, it’s all getting there slowly but surely, and to anyone who wants to if you want to hit me up on IM during the day, feel free, I am not always at my desk, but my system is locked so no random person will start chatting with you - but I’ll get back to you sooner or later, just means I am wandering between buildings so with that said I am off, happy Friday’s Eve!

Silence, too noisy for Me.

Last night as I worked on my taxes, things were too quiet, the classics of my long nights played out, un-needed worry, strange fears, etc. - I have switched so much to a “normal” schedule it is very hard to work late late, but none the less I got things done and I am mostly alive… granted another 2 hours of sleep would of been handy, but none the less I am awake, taking my bosses panic’d calls as he is in NY and it seems his cables, pointer, and clicker for his presentation were all missing from his bag, so it’s been a interesting morning, thankfully it’s slowly rolling into afternoon/evening in NY, so he’s slowed in his calling.

Things with Me as of late. Tired. I seem to be always on the move, Home -> Work -> Play -> Work -> Sleep (repeat) of course there is the occasional meeting directly after work, or the straight to coding bit as well, keeps me going going going, I miss being able to take a afternoon nap, a photo friday, or the 2 hour lunch hanging out with fellow small business owners, but the check comes in handy, most days I enjoy my time here, but as the big “sales” meeting looms, folks are just plain cranky, short fuses, not everyone, but it’s starting to get more and more noticeable, but a local IT firm has contact me with some good solutions, I meeting tomorrow @ 10am with them to discuss some options, hopefully we can come up with something good.

If I were less out of it, and not actively fighting to stay awake, I would write more, but for now I think I am going to go look at a email issue, then hit the printer issue after lunch… or something.

Always Running…

Man anymore it seems like I am always running, tonight I took a break for Earl and Eli - aka “My Name is Earl” and “Eli Stone” - both great shows, and I love Eli Stone, just well written, good message, fun cast, etc. a nice break, a nice distraction, but even here at midnight, life goes on, work continues.

Job Update - things are going well enough, so well this week I got a well done from 3 of the admin team, a hug from one of the gals from OE, and a bunch of candy from gals in sales (which I think were a bribe to fix computers, but tasty none the less) - it’s going good. Even finding a fair balance between work and my business, not great still, but it’s something I am sure for a LONG time I’ll be working to find a friendly balance in, but all in due time.

Still no update on the speeding ticket, going to call on the ticket Monday if nothing has come in, see what the fee is, and decide if I want to go before a judge, or just pay it, do traffic school, and move on. I really just want it, and taxes to be done and over with, and have the finances climbing back up and up preparing for an apartment - but even that is one thing in life I an wondering about, time tables.. nothing ever seems to be the right timing with me - I try to move out, I get a ticket, I try to leave early for work, I am nearly 20 minutes late, but like being 20 minutes late, I hope there is a good side, I was held up this morning as traffic on the freeway slowed to a crawl, had I left 20 minutes earlier, I may of been part of a 6 car accident on the freeway, so I am hoping this delay in an apartment is a good thing as well.

Last thing on my list of distractions, Windows Vista, I am considering ditching it, going to MythTV and Linux, as much as I like Media Center in Vista, the index issue with windows shares are annoying! With linux I would get native NFS support, and it’d be simple, easy, and I could always SSH from work and do what I needed to do but again, a distraction and then some.

Anywhoo - busy, busy, and I just feel like talking - so I guess the blog is the next best thing, just so much on my mind right now, it get’s dulled down a little at work, as I try my best to focus on the problems at hand, but it’s like once the noise of the day-job quiet’s down, everything else comes up front and center - prayer are greatly appreciated, but for now I’ll say farewell, going to go clear a spot on the couch and try to get some things on paper, or pass out trying. Night.

Huh? A week? Dear Lord!

Soooo where has the time gone? A week ago I was having a mixed day, getting speeding tickets, stressed out of my mind, and here we are a week later, and where am I? A little older, a little wiser, and a little less stress!

This week I have gotten a lot accomplished, ordered the Laptop plan for the boss man, got GoToMyPc installed on his Home rig, I can get on and work on it from here! Whoohoo! I’ve setup a laptop, I’ve apparently gone the speed limit as I have no more tickets this week and I just bought a $1,800 server that will give us 1.5TB of backup storage, in Raid5 setup, all SATAII with 16MB cache on the drives, a nice dual core with 4GB of ram, it looks lovely, plus I’ll have a SSH machine now at work! Woohoo!

So a lot has gone down, went and sung at the Church Choir practice for easter @ UB, twas fun, also had a birthday party at the lake, low turn-out, but good friends and family were there, so even with small numbers, it was fun (Long Live Pine!) - Sleeping a lot more lately, I think the ol body is starting to get the hang of things, and tonight I get to finally meet Mr. Solomon Poon! Da Baby! So I am pretty jazzed.

So another week down, and I need to start on my taxes this weekend, as it’s a few weeks earlier than normal, BUT since I don’t have the luxury of sitting up all night as usual, I need to get started on em now to get a good head start and have the ready to go.

Anywhoo - that’s about it, busy busy busy, fun, busy busy busy, fun, sleep, busy busy - my average day but it’s all good, keep me in your prayers, lots more stress on the way I am sure with this backup server, you spend nearly 2k on hardware it will need to work So that’s my plan, make it work, for now though, only 30m or so before Niki calls me to do the Cougar backup, so I am going to work some more on this excel export VisualFox Pro script and see if I can’t make it sing. More later (hopefully)!