Where to start?

Alright, so, some time has passed since my last post. So, I will try to fill in some of the blanks. As my last post indicated, we lost the contract for the weather squadrons to L3 and I asked my company (SAIC) to get us back to where we came from. I lined up a new position back in Florida, and my Business Unit in Hawaii was gracious enough to agree to spend the money and relocate us back. Between that, and some additional relocation from my current Division it was agreed to help and we were able to get back to Florida. What a whirlwind adventure, to say the least. Moral of the story - Hawaii is a nice place to visit but not to live - SO much had changed since the last time I lived there. Hawaii was way too crowded for what it was worth. Feels good to be back in Florida! We've managed to hook back up with friends and it all seems like a distant memory now. My new position is working with the Joint Special Operations University and so far, it is real cool. The people are real nice and the mission is very cool. Bottom line is, they need someone with my skills... It's great to be back and see Wayne & Rita, Jack, Camille, John, Kenny, and Tyler Cook, Rich Powers, Cliff, Ashley, Dave, and all the others. Thanks for making us feel welcome back here... Here's to 2009!

Contract GAH...

OK, well, it was announced today (2 PM local), that we, SAIC, did NOT win the OWS contract I am on. Hmmm, well, this presents a lot of weird scenarios to say the least... Do stay in touch for the future will bring many new twists and turns, for sure...

IGXE

OK, so I have been playing this game lately - EVE Online - and it's a lot of fun! So, I contacted a company (IGXE) to deliver me some in game resources. I paid a fairly large amount of money and it was never delivered. All I received in emails was excuses why they didn't have what I requested (and their web site claimed they had). You would think that me spending a fair amount of cash for services would rate high above other who might only be spending nickels and dimes... Ha... Well, anyways, they delivered approximately 15% of my order and kept telling me that the rest was "on it's way", well, there are other servicers out there who offer similar servises for similar prices, I will go theri route from now on and suggest you do the same. Avoid IGXE at all costs, they are untrustworthy at this point and I wouldn't use them if I didn't have to. Be forewarned...

Fitting, I guess...

So this is where we are...

Kinda sad...

But, it's NOT like I never though it would happen...

Bailout

Wow, seems like a lot has happened recently! First, I'd like to say that I think this bailout is bullshit! I don't see why, we, the taxpayers and normal people in our country need to bail out these corporations that dug themselves into a bad spot. My thoughts are, it would be better to let them fail and bail out the people instead. I mean, for real, the WaMu CEO gets 18 mil for 3 weeks work, can someone explain this to me? There are things I am reading that is is a planned collapse of our economy, for the sake of establishing a couple things: namely the "AMERO" as a new unit of currency twixt Canada, Mexico, and US, as well as a plan to have the next cabinet fail in office. To me this is all scary stuff. I personally know a few people that have lost everything they had in 401 recently and it really makes me want to take everything I have out (even though my company isn't in jeopordy of bankrupcy). I just don't trust anyone right now. Give me your thoughts on all of this... Why should we bail out these huge corporations? I mean, if I went into debt, they would slap me so hard it wouldn't be funny, but a giant corporation goes under and the government offers to bail them out? I don't get it...

Journey - Revelations

I just picked up this 3 disc set and man, it rock's in classic Journey fashion! The new singer, Arnel Pineda, is an excellent singer and would this album had been released in Journey's heyday, it would have been a huge success. It's actually too bad that their time has come and gone (even though I still enjoy them, the majority of today's youth know nothing about them, or how good they've been through out the years). For you out there that know of Journey, get this, it's definately worth it.

WTF

Rant ON--

OK, come on, who really cares how many houses John McCain has? That has little to no bearing on whether or not he could be a good president. This is what I hate about our political system, both parties tend to make issues out of stuff that really carries no weight, and if it does with someone, well... They are a very shallow person. What I want to know is how is the next president going to fix the economic woes we are going through right now? How are they going to ensure we have plenty of clean renewable energy for the future and wean us off of not only foreign oil, but oil in general? How are we going to get out of Iraq and begin to stay out of other peoples business? How can we be assured that when I am elligible, there will be Social Security (after all, I've been paying into it)? I personally do not care how many houses someone owns, or cars, or boats, or whether they are getting a 'hummer' in the white house. It's really none of our business...

Rant OFF--

Delayed Contract Decision - Oh My...

Well, they have decided to delay the decision on the contract I am on, gah... Looks like they won't make an actual choice until December 1. This really sucks! In reality, I lose out on money because of this. Well, that's bullshit to me, so I am looking for a new job (relocation or not - SAIC or not). I have a great lead on a position with the Bonneville Power Administration, we'll see how that goes... There are rumors of some cool, high paying jobs on island here that I am looking into as well (within the SAIC network). The whole limbo and stringing me out thing is about THE worst thing you could do to me. Stay tuned, who knows what's gonna happen...

Also, along those lines, my Division Manager is coming to Hawaii next week for 'face time' with his people. It ought to prove to be interesting, for sure...

Funny of the day...

Wow... Been a while...

Alright, where to start? Well, been working a TON! So, needless to say, haven't had the time off I would like. We moved into our place and albeit "so far so good", it sertainly isn't what either of us would want long term. Work, is well... WORK (that is a 4 letter word BTW). I've had a few visitors at work from other Weather Squadrons and their attepts to show me things. I think they've finally figured out that I probably (from a true programming aspect) have a ton more experience than they expected. Ha... In fact, at lunch the other day, one asked if moving back to ColdFusion was a "step down". Well, yes, to be honest... I just wanted to live in Hawaii and there was no work for me in my last Division. Speaking of which, apparently that Division is all fucked up. Seems that all the good developerd have pretty much left (some crappy ones too), none the less, their development staff is hurting to say the least. Here is what happens when your "Big" Manager doesn't see what he/she has for staff and utilize them accordingly. That division had (key word) an awesome staff, but failed to see the potential and utilize them accordingly. 'Nuff said... Good luck Ash, if you see this. Uhm, let's see, our contract is up for recompete and we should see the outcome in the next 4-5 weeks. This will determine a LOT of my near future. In many ways, I hope we get it, in some, I hope we don't. In any event, we'll ride it out and see what happens... One good positive is, if we win, I get a big FAT raise... Sweet!

Digging my 350Z, except for not being able to open it up due to the traffic. The few moments I have been able to, she really scoots! It's amazing that the 'base' version has 287 HP, wow, that is a lot for a 2 seat vehicle. Can't wait to do some 'things' to her... Here is picture of her from a couple of weeks ago...

Anyways, figured it was about time to say HI again... So, hopefully it won't be so long before the next. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to Jules Verne and James Dean!

Pinmasters - Take 4

Well, week 4 saw us playing a tough team as we had to give them 10 marks right off the bat. We did fairly well, taking 3 of 4 and moving us off the bottom of the stack (after the horrible start the first 2 weeks). Wayne and I bowled real well, Tom kept his average, and Tim and John didn't fare so well, but as a team we did good and that is what counts.

http://www.leaguesecretary.com/LeagueFiles.aspx?LID=6810&IFTID=1

Other News...

Well, the Disney job fell through, they decided on someone else that was local. Oh well... On another note, there is a sweet new opening on Kauai that I am gunning for. We'll see what happens...

No football this weekend, so I guess I'll watch bowling, LOL... I actually catch bowling most weeks, so that was just a joke. Speaking of bowling, we did well last week (playing a tough team), taking 3 of 4. Me, Wayne, and Tim bowled well...

I found an old friend of mine, Bill D'luhosh and it was great to hear he and Nico had done fairly well with their Red and Black project. Way to go guys! Keep it up...

I also, "TADA", got my email notification of my neck being shipped. Should be here this week, so the official Stormbringer guitar should be a reality this week, hopefully in time for the Thursday Jam. Speaking of which, we are actively seeking a vocalist at this point to round out some of our tunes. I believe we are also planning to do some recording again soon (since I have all this bad ass equipment). That should be a lot of fun...

Circus starts at eight, so don't be late...

Wow... I pulled a banzai mission to New Orleans last night to see Robin Trower at the House of Blues. 'Twas an absolutely awesome show!

12:30 PM left home to drive to New Orleans
5:15 PM pulled into New Orleans
8:15 PM show starts - Soul Boys were the warm up act
9:30 PM Trower takes the stage
11:00 PM Show finishes
3:30 AM Arrive back home

Made for a long day. But well worth the cause. If you get the opportunity to see Robin on this tour, I recommend it. We had GA tix, but when we got there we paid an extra 'special' price to sit in the balcony and ended up with front row seats, not more than 30 feet from Robin.

The set list included:
Twice Removed
Shame the Devil
For Earth Below
No Time
The Fool & Me
Roads to Freedom
Islands
Day of the Eagle
Bridge of Sighs
Rise up Like the Sun
Victims of the Fury
Gonna be more Suspicious
Hannah
Little bit of Sympathy
Too Rolling Stoned
Go My Way
Another Time, Another Place

Robin Trower - Hell Yeah!

So, I got tickets to see Robin Trower this Friday (the 25th) at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Should be a great show, as always! Me, Wayne, and Jack will be heading over early and coming back late. I was really hoping my new guitar neck would be in so I could have him auto it for me (you know, the mojo), but it doesn't appear that will happen, so I need to find a few other things to take for auto's. Hoping I can get a camera in as well, will have my cell so at the very least I can take a few photos with that...

Pinmasters - Gah...

Well week II of the second half came upon us last night and we basically "screwed the pooch". We lost all 4 games and bowled worse than I have ever seen us bowl. Wayne was the only one to bowl his average, the rest of us pretty much sucked. We probably could have beaten a bunch of children last night. Oh well, we are bottom dwellers at this point, so the only direction to go is up...

Pinmasters - 2nd Half - Take 1

Well, as a team, we bowled our averages or better, but our opponents bowled their asses off! So, in the end, we only took 1 of 4 games. On a personal note, I bowled well, ending up with a 569 series (finishing with a 219 game). That coupled with my handicap gave me a 719 handicap series. All of this put me in the lights on our league page for many things and a couple of league awards forth coming. Woot!

January 1, 2008

Well, welcome to a new year (or another year)...

I accomplished a couple of my goals last year, markedly raising my level of guitar playing and losing a little weight. So now, this year, I am going to elevate my guitar playing a whole lot more. With the soon to be arrival of the Fender Stormbringer I feel I'll have the needded mojo to move it to the next level, which is a huge jump. /snaps to attention/ I am up for the challenge.

There have been some recent runmblings of a possible job with Disney in Orlando. In many ways this would be good: I have always wanted to work for Disney, Diana would be closer to her mom and sister, it would allow me to get out of the career predicament I am currently in, and I would get to stay in a warmer clim ate. And this brings up the really only bad item, it will be HOT there. I assume I'll be able to aclimate to it, but in the beginning it could be rather brutal. Besides moving there would give others a reason to visit. No one seems to come and visit us here on the Panhandle. We checked it out and there are a lot of lakes for the boat, so we'd still get some use out of it (albeit here is the perfect place for that boat). Stay tuned, things could get a bit of a shake up soon...