a113n’s daily dose

So tonight I got some pizza from Mother Bear’s, bought pen styli to replace the one Mama Bear lost, and got a movie to watch, King of Kong. When I went to to pick up the movie, there were a couple of store clerks (and one of their friends) standing around discussing the movie and its taglines. Evidently we’re in for a good treat. Speaking of treats, I picked up some Starburst and Laffy Taffy. I LOVE Laffy Taffy. In the recent copy of MakeZine, I learned how to build a crude yet effective taffy pulling machine. This one I really want to follow through with, because it’s easy to build and a great way to make homemade taffy. The hard part is just picking my first recipe.

It’s funny how the really simple things make a difference between a boring night and a really fun night. Mama Bear & I don’t have to go out and spend lots of money to have a good time, we enjoy a cup of tea and a game of Tiger Woods at home. I think that’s one of the reasons I love being around her so much, I can really be the closest to the “real” me as it’s going to get. Speaking of which, great xkcd comic that is hilarious and so very true. That site is possibly the best comic on the net, nuff said.

This night is just what I need after a day like today. I spent 3 hours in a courtroom for my 30 seconds in front of the judge where I was told to return two months later. I get back to the office to deal with a crashing email issue on our server and then try to get various other websites and email clients migrated. It just seemed like one slap after another today where I try to get something productive done only to be held back by a single minute detail, derailing my whole plan. I do so much impromptu work, it just isn’t funny, but as a plus I really pushed myself to get on with the PowerShell stuff. I am currently uploading our copy of VS to the server for installation, then I can do some new, exciting code-work. Interesting enough, these VS templates I found for PowerShell require the Vista SDK, which is a multi-gigabyte download. If this SDK is needed on Vista/Server 2008, skip the DVD download and use the web-based install because its less of a network-hog & using that link you can bypass MS genuine crap. I have valid copies of my OSs, but the genuine validation process for Firefox users (of which you should be one) is far too complicated even with my tricks to shorten the process.

So come to me sweet relaxation, for this weekend is DTS catchup time (with some makeout time for Mama Bear and play time for Baby Bear thrown in).

• Current Location: Living Room
  
• Website: http://www.xkcd.com
  
• Website Rating:
  
• Website Description: Web comic of romance, satire, and nerd stuff
  

This should be an eventful week, with lots of tasks being finalized and taken off my plate. However, that is not the case. It seems that every thing has a minor detail beyond my control–waiting on approval for module purchase, waiting on confirmation that user emails have been downloaded, etc. My work is typically structured so that one task precedes another out of necessity, so holding up on task being finalized holds up the next and the next and the next. This really makes things drag on as I not only have to switch gears to handle a completely unrelated task, but at any moment I may be called into action to take care of one of the aforementioned, incomplete tasks when the bottleneck is resolved. Everything is so much more efficient if I just take care of it all myself, but that’s not always feasible when you are dealing with clients and users across the country.

I am really enjoying the new work with the new server, but in the back of my mind, I harbor doubts. Not in my ability to handle whatever may happen, just doubts that my next course of action is appropriate. I still believe that I can handle the various issues that arise much better and quicker than our hosting company, but my inexperience with the new range of applications on the server makes me second-guess my decisions. However, this is the extra edge I had been looking for, and I take it all in as valuable experience.

Mama Bear and I went to a carnival last night and had a great time. The only downside was that Baby Bear did not take too well to our having a night out, and she ended up fussing for the whole hour we were gone, only quieting down 10 minutes prior to the call where we informed the sitter we were coming back. At least she does take beautiful pictures. Now if I can only to remember to bring in my boss’ copy…

• Current Location: Office
  

I opened my presents this morning (before I had to cut my grass). My guesses were way off, but I’m very happy with what I got. Mama Bear was very nervous about what she picked out. Although it was all very unexpected, I see the merit in all of them. She picked out matching speakers for the stereo in my car, a brand new all black filing cabinet–which I needed as the old one was white, rusted, and broken–and a very cool Wii remote charging station.

*big* <3 for Mama Bear

• Current Location: Applebees
  
• Daily Task(s):
  • Plant new flowers
  • Move files to new cabinet
  • Burn old boxes
  • Hang up pictures
• Nightly Plan(s):
  • Hottub with Mama Bear
  • Research IWB

With the few clues I’ve gathered I am going to guess that I am getting one or more of the following:

• Wii game
• Radar detector
• Alarm clock w/iPhone dock

Thats all I have come up with so far & Baby Bear is smelling quite foul so let’s leave it with my very much looking forward to celebrating my first Papa Bear Day tommorrow.

• Current Location: Back seat
  

We just got pictures of Baby Bear, I will try to get some uploaded soon. They were rather expensve, but are very beautiful–worth the cost for her first photos. I feel bad though when we spend so much money in such a short period of time (say several hundred dollars in less than 24 hours). At least I can say the money does my family good in terms of feeling better about ourselves and future; there is no better investment.

I realized recently that the life insurance policy through my company was set in my ex’s name, which isn’t good for Mama or Baby Bear’s sake. It will be yarn care of as soon as my boss returns. I am increasingly-aware of the various duties I must undertake to ensure my family is not only provided for, but they have all the advantages I’ve always wanted them to have.

It’s picture delivery time, then the long road home!!! Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight though.

• Current Location: Real Hacienda