Good start and finish

Was up early and ready for Church at 8am. Talked with old and new friends. It was all good.

More or less waited around the rest of the day. Ate, played with new aps on Touchy, got home taught, talked to my mom, watched a dumb movie, and searched for a ride to a party.

Finally, the ride came! The party was fun.

Legacy of Ashes

Should have been called a negative history of the CIA. It seemed to focus on all the failures. I don't recall it even mentioning the SR-71. I breezed through it so I might have missed a small reference to it.

It was interesting, but I was hoping for something more on positive aspects.

What will the future hold for the Intelligence community?

Christmas flight canceled

OK, not really, but it was an option. It would have required I throw money away for nothing. Why do they charge to cancel flights anyway? Anything to take your money i guess.

Should have called the post "Why I hate flying cross country, especially for Christmas.". I hate looking for deals. I hate "throwing away" countless hundreds. This time I also used a bunch of SkyMiles to bring the cost down a bit. I hate "throwing away" more when I mess up the itinerary with everyone else's schedule.

And for what? I can imagine many of the senses that will take place before they happen. So, for a warm meal, a place to stay and to be around people I love and presume the same.

Well, the money is gone. Now I need to work up the desire to get on the plane. I hate being packed in like a sardine. I hate those dang screaming kids... etc. I'm packing my good headphones and a book on my toy.

Random updates

Had a great Thanksgiving dinner. Went to Maryland to visit an old friend, his attractive wife and great cook, and their two boys. We actually went from their place to a member of their ward's house to join others for a giant dinner. After eating we played some games like catch phrase.

My boss told me to take today off because I have not gotten a computer assigned to me and I have been reading up on some work related stuff. He agreed this could be done from home.

Slept in until 9:20! I guess I had to make up for "lost time" earlier this week.

Going to watch a movie later. Watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving DVD because it is tradition.

Bought my ticket to Utah for Christmas. Looking forward to see my nieces. Two more on the way!

Permission to speak freely

I recall one network admin that was very good at his job. So good that after he was let go for some reason, they hired some security expect to test the network. I don't think they found anything.

I recall being pretty offended by the search, but when i talked to the former co-worker he said he was glad. He knew they would find the network in tip-top shape.

At another job, there was a network admin who had all these back doors to the system and used them after he got let go. I thought it was kind of funny at the time. I worked for con artists and they didn't do anything about the security holes. It was not long after that the dot-com bubble burst...

Week1 of the new job

It's all good. Well, like I expected, I'm waiting for a computer. It would have been very impressive if I was given everything ready to go. Oh well, there was a lot of reading I had to do anyway.

I think i just skipped part pf the chapter of the Legacy of Ashes book. I took my large headphones to work yesterday. It worked well on the noisy metro.

It's a short week. Turkey Day and Friday will be a personal day off unless I get a computer today - which I doubt.

Oh yeah, I'm on a seemingly great team. One with a DBA and well defined procedures! So, I'm very excited to work with these people.

Can you do better?

Just sold my coffee table. Sold my three piece sectional at a small loss the other day. I started looking around for other items to sell. I still have a few things.

Started on the book Legacy of Ashes. It is very interesting. Lots of information. I wonder if the Dulles airport is named after the CIA guy.

Barely made it to Church. Not everyone is a morning person. As usual, it was good. It was also warm unlike this old house.

Kite runner book

I was told it was a kids book. I'm not sure it is appropriate for kids. It's easy to judge when you can emotionally detach oneself from the story. Trying a new book. So far, this Orson Scott Card book seems kind of lame.

I need a good laugh. I'm going to listen to the Windows Weekly podcast. It's cold out so I did not tre4k out to the annual Turkey Bowl. I'd have to trek out of there to get to a play at 2:30.

I then would like to see BYU loose to U of U. There are a couple of places I can go, just haven't decided where yet.

Bolt Up

Saw Pixar's trailer for the next film called Up. It looked more entertaining than I was imaging. I think I'll like it.

I also saw Disney's Bolt. I thought it was better than the last two Pixar films. I was the only one in the theatre. It was in the afternoon.

Looking forward to the Tinkerbell movie. I'm just a crazy kid.

Getting set up

I kind of feel like it right now. Why? Past experiences? One goal from working on a contract was to fortify myself somewhat when the world decides to screw me like in troubled financial times like these.

At another job, I had few reasons I wanted to stay at the place. One was the comardary until one day I was told that I would stap work to join the guys at lunch. I got into the habbit of taking an early lunch! I guess I don't need to do that anymore.

Weeks later, I was told by the same that we should go to lunch. Of course I agrreed but I wasn't dumb enough to step in that nor did I feel it was my obligation to publish the interface to get me to go to lunch again.

Who's complaining?

Granted, the truth hurts. I only explained what to expect. Throwing resources at a problem doesn't fix it unless you know what the problem is.

Trying to sell some stuff on Craig's list. This time I had pictures and am getting several responses.

Another cold one. Might go to the Library with Touchy seeing how I could get on a couple wireless networks yesterday. Probably not the most secure thing to do.

Had a very little b-day party at the house. Tonight i shall venture out to see this DVD a friend produced for the Church.

Where did the glasses go?

A nice 32 degrees outside this morning. Wish I could start my new job early. It is cold in this house. Fortunately, i have a personal heater and I have places to go, people to see, etc.

So, I bought a set of 12 glass glasses when I moved in. Now, there is only 1? About a month ago, I counted 6.

Well, I need to clean my room. I feel I'm always cleaning... Got to get rid of some stuff. But what?

Jason got his car

Jason Calacanis just got his Tesla. How long before some punk keys the car or someone breaks the windows or tries to steal the car. Hope he got a security team.

Actually it is pretty sad anyone has to worry about this. I just think he is a bigger target than Joe Schmoe.

I'd like to get a ride in his car and see his solor powered car cover. Too bad I don't know him on a personal level. He's a smart guy.

Oh nuts, Redskins lost

I was hoping they would beet the Cowboys. Just because. Glad I didn't bet on that.

Went to a Horse race the other day. I never went to one before. It was kind of intense on how much data there is to analyze to make an educated bet. So, needless to say, I just bet on what a friend bet on. Oh well, I figure I have spent $10 total on gambling stuff(Slots, horse race, scratch and win.)

I want to try roulette one day. I don't think I have patients for power ball. I'd buy a ticket, but I don't see myself checking if my numbers won.

How high or what for?

I stopped by to talk to an old co-worker.It was fun to catch up. We talked about Lucky and times past. I told him that one of many things I liked when I worked with him was the database. It was very well planned out.

Probably going to see the new Bond movie this afternoon. I don't think it will be worth full price. Well, no show really is. :)

I tried to meet up with another friend, but she didn't answer her phone. Nor could I recall what building she was in. Oh well, she texted me close to mid-night last night!

Cab ride home in the rain

I don't like Yellow cab because it is every where. I prefer paying the "little guy". On the other hand, I like Yellow cab because I can get a ride with little wait time.

Anyway, I jumped in a cab on my early exodus from work. Talk about burning bridges? Maybe later. This cab wasn't yellow cab and it seemed cheaper. I gave him an extra dollar just because I am in a great mood. Freedom from Negativity.

Well, now I have a long weekend before I start my new job.

Theological question

If this life is to prepare to meet God.... be anxiously engaged in a good cause... warn your neighbor (i.e. Missionary work)... the three fold mission of the Church... If these are the most important things, why do we spend so much time doing stuff of little consequence? (e.g. work, vacation, work, go to the movies, work, etc.)

By the way, what is the difference between "i.e." and "e.g."? I should Google it. After all it is almost like praying. Except that you get an instant response. Google seems to know all.

Much knowledge can also be found in the "Bible" or wikipedia. As with many religions if what is found doesn't suit your needs, feel free to change it.

New job!

Well, I guess I need to take back what I said about DHS. Maybe not. I start my new job with an agency that has been around for a long time. Should be fun.

I'm going to miss the building, a few people, and some of the challenges (new technology to learn), but I'll have many other things to learn. I will have to tour the building after hours. OK, there is no maybe about that.

Glad it is a holiday. One less day at the place.

Nice Autum day for a vote

It was a long wait at the polls. I was in no hurry though. Well, I did want to catch the last bus up 395 or it would have been a long ride to work.

Walked down a new hallway or by new displays. It was fun. Did some cool stuff that will probably go unappreciated. It would be nice to be around a lot of smart people. Maybe a little intimidating.

Almost got hit by a car. Once on foot and once on the bus. The first was my fault. :)

Dinner was good. My niece called. It was good to hear from her.

I need to get a haircut. I was reminded again this evening. If anything, I'll look younger.

Football week

Feel asleep during the Gators game on Saturday. My team, the Colts, won on Sunday. The Redskins are ahead right now. The Utes play on Thursday.

Almost sold my vote for $20. Never got the money... so holding out for more would have been pointless.

Burrito Joynt tomorrow!

Stool sample gets a laugh

Last weekend I picked up a novelty item in West Virginia. It was a little plastic jar with a mini, wooden, three legged stool inside. I almost died laughing. I thought my mom would like it so I bought it for her birthday.

Before sending it, I thought my Dad would like it better so I got my Mom a nice card instead.

My Dad opened the package and laughed. My mom, who was on the phone had to find out what was so funny. When she saw it, she laughed too. My Grandma, wanted to know too, so it was explained over the phone and she also laughed.