May 31, 2007
You know the coolest part about the new Harry Potter theme park (though I'm still unclear as to whether it will be its own separate entity of not), telling my niece Brittany and then telling her that when the theme park opens, she will be old enough to possibly work there. Can you think of any better after school job for a 15/16 year old Potter fan? Neither can I. Hell, I'd work there if the money was good!
Wait.. they said there would be a Hogsmeade... That means there would be a Honeydukes. Hope they have sugar free candy there too! What about Zonkos. Wow, there is so much potential for vendor shops. Think about it. You'd want a wand, right? What if Olivander's was there? What about Madam Malkin's in Diagon Alley? Hrmm. Knowing how much people will pay or a t-shirt at Disney, people are going to eat this up! They are going to be raking in the money on this one.
The wizarding world of Harry Potter is coming to Universal Studios! Now that will be interesting! Supposed to open in 2009.
Pac-Man's skull. Best use of artistic abilities ever! (Link via LinkMachineGo)
So that program that I have been sort of working on is at O(n^4). Supposedly there is an O(n^3) algorithm that will work, but I am too tired to think about that. If I get my analysis correct and my code looks good, I could get a 100. If I figure out n^3, I could get extra credit.
I am stopping for the night and will work for a tad longer tomorrow on figuring n^3. If I can't, I'll move on and just comment it and then do the analysis. I have other stuff I need to work on too!
I am almost out of white copy paper. Why is this a blog worthy piece of news? Because I am almost out of white copy paper and that hasn't happened in a long time.
Over the years we seemed to have accumulated a substantial amount of types of paper. We a few reams of fancy linen (even your resume isn't good enough for this paper) sheets of paper. We have colored paper. We have heavy weight paper, we have paper with pre-punched holes. We had tons of white paper that would get mixed in with all of these different papers.
A few months back, I found a 4 shelf organizer at my local Goodwill. Most of the Goodwill stores in the area get left over stock from the local Targets and this was one of the left overs. It was brand new. The top had been ripped and so it apparently never sold. I checked it before I bought it and everything was there and in perfect condition, so I bought it (for less than $5). I put it together when I got home and then I started organizing the paper.
Not all of it fit in there initially. But, it allowed me to realize that I didn't need to buy paper for a while. Now that I have reduced the amount of certain papers, I can use the shelves for other office related items. A stack of paper and a three hole puncher fit on one shelf perfectly.
OK, you are asking again, wtf? I'm getting there. I've also applied this to other things. Groceries for instance. Normally we spend around +/- $75 a week on groceries and household related items. This week I spent $46. What I did different was organize my cabinets, fridge and freezer. I realized we had food that we don't eat, because they were hidden behind things. I had to throw a few things out, but I found more than enough things to make up for that loss.
So, the whole reason for this post is to say this. Take a moment to organize yourself and the space that surrounds you. You may find something you're missing!
Today you shall all remember your towel. But this is also Memorial Day Weekend in the United States.
You may not support the current administration, or even the war, but you can support the troops who have been sent away from their friends and family. If you have the ability, you can send care packages via AnySoldier. Send support in the form of letters via A Million Thanks or America Supports You (U.S. Military Site).
In other links:
For you livejournal users, the first 10,000 users that request them, can get 10 free moo cards(scroll down) for being a livejournal member and friending LJ user moocards. If you are a paid LJ member, you can use images from your gallery. Free users can create text only moo cards (they do have color/pattern background options). I have made my 10 cards and will let you know how they come out. If they print nice, I might end up getting some using some of my flickr pics or I might upload some to make new cards. It all depends on quality!
Yesterday we made a patch cable in my networking lab. That will probably be the only thing we make, but it was still fun. Only one person managed to cut themselves with the cutters (and it wasn't me). I think some people just aren't made to use tools. That person obviously, was one of them.
I'm trying to get things done before the season finale of Lost tonight. Heroes and Lost are the only two shows I am interested in, so I've been scheduling things around the shows. It forces me to get things done.
I'm still working on that program. I haven't programmed in Java for quite some time, so it is taking me a while. I thought my algorithm would work, but I expanded my test data and it fubared. Back to the blank screen.
OK, off to finish some networking homework. Personally I think it is busy work, but I get graded for it and it isn't too hard. I shouldn't complain, right?
OK folks, don't forget what is coming up on Friday. I only have one 50 minute class, but I'll be sporting mine again!
So, they actually cleared up some things on Heroes last night. Finally. I hope Lost does the same thing tomorrow night. They did introduce new characters this episode and some things were left as cliff hangers. I know some people who read this haven't seen it yet, so I am being really vague, but I will say this, get your butt watching so I can talk about it!
OK, off to work on a problem (I have to do it with a certain level of efficiency).
Learn Korean! I don't know why, but I thought Eric would like this. (Link via Kris.)
So I ended up just going to urgent care because I haven't gotten any better. I may have to miss class tomorrow, but what can I do? I got a shot and a prescription for more medicine. Oh fun. I also have to get some bloodwork done, go to my regular doctor and get a referral to an allergist.
My injection site is hurting. This isn't fun at all.
This crap is getting ridiculous. I was miserable last night. I ran out this morning and bought an OTC antihistamine. I'm hoping that works better than the prescription. I think the worse part is that outer portion of my ears itch. You can't scratch too hard there and rubbing it just makes it worse.
I'm so miserable that I am not even in the mood to surf or watch TV. Beavis, this sucks.
I'm having an allergic reaction to something. It is bad. I mean itching, bumps, everything. I've taken an antihistamine and I am hoping that it works. We'll know soon. All I know is that it is driving me crazy.
While waiting for my class to start this morning, I fell asleep on one of the couches in one of the engineering buildings. I proceeded to have a dream about solving the program I had been working on before falling asleep. Then in the dream a professor from last semester walked by me (asleep) on the couch, laughing because I always seemed to be on the same couch whenever he sees me. Funny thing is, that last part is true. I am always studying or going to sleep or waking up on the same couch when that professor sees me.
OK, itching still. Must resist the urge to scratch.
A damn squirrel just climbed on my shoulders as I was sitting on a bench. It wanted my raisins, so no we are sharing them. It is going to be pissed when I leave in a few minutes. Oh well.
I get paranoid sometimes. Just your usual home worries. Did I lock the doors, is the stove off, did I close the refrigerator door all the way? Silly, but it still bothers me sometimes. Don't you hate those moments?
I'm on campus early. I had errands to run before I got here and they went faster than planned. The accident on the main road I take (and only one around the lake) and that I figured would slow me down, was cleared up before I got near. I'm not sure if I consider this luck or not. At least I brought my laptop. That was mainly because Eric is bringing his spork for a photo shoot. Nah, I need to take pictures of it for something we are doing. I want to check the pictures as soon as possible.
I may take some pictures around campus, just for fun. Tomorrow I should get out early enough, so I may do some more yard work and take some pictures of that. I'm sure you are all itching to see the destruction that came in the wake of the wrath of Josh.
I suppose I should head to class now. It is a two networking lab. It is the same length as the actual class. Don't ask, I don't know!
Am I the only one that didn't know about the two cent increase on postage rates? Crap. I was going to mail out some bills tomorrow, but I guess I need to go buy some two cent stamps.
I used the neti pot again after all of the yardwork we've done and it stung again. I survived and my nostrils feel clearer. I really think it is getting the saline level correct. I found this pdf file after this latest attempt. I just need to get the right type of salt!
It would seem that the azalea plants that are still firmly planted are pleading for their lives. They have all started blooming, again. I've lost count of how many times they have bloomed this spring. Did the witnessing of the death march of their comrades have anything to do with it? Or was it just the rain lately? Until we develop a common language, we will never know. Josh took the chain saw to some large fallen limbs and to a tree. It felt like it missed the house by inches.
I ended up purchasing The SinuCleanse Neti Pot System.
I know what you are all asking, "So how did it go?" I'll tell you.
I read the instructions. I was mostly interested in what to do with the solution and how much water to add. They were simple instructions, so no worries there. One thing I did note is that they mention about for some people the solution packets may need to be used in two session (half a package to a nostril).
I followed the instructions in making my mix. Then I started the cleanse! I did my right side first and all went well. I blew my nose and I could already breathe better out of that nostril. Then I prepared the solution for the left side. I started that one and in my head I heard Gollum screaming, "It burns, burns..." because it was burning like hell! So, after blowing my nose and wiping away my tears (yes, there were tears), I added more water, but not any more of the solution. It still burned, so I added more water (still no more solution). That worked. It went fine from that point.
So, did it work. On my right nostril, yes. My left is still undecided. I definitely feel a difference in both nostrils. I also umm, watched some stuff come out. Hey, I was doing yard work today, what do you expect?
What I will do differently next time.
Tips for those that want to try it.*
*I'm not a doctor nor do I claim to be one. I'm just telling you what worked for me. You are dumping water into your nose, not me. If something goes wrong, it isn't anyone's fault but your own!
I was searching for information on removing some of the shrubs in my backyard and I came across some interesting questions on Yahoo! Answers.
What should I do about a body buried in my yard? and Help i punctured my testicle. what should i do? were my favorites. Of course they are jokes, but some of the responses are pretty funny. Some people take the questions way to seriously. All you have to do is look at the other questions they have posted and know that they are joking.
Mr. Blondin, where are you? We just wanted to say hi, but cannot find you. Dagnabit!
Mr. Britt, where are you? We hear things through the grapevine, but alas no one ever has a number on hand.
So a few months back (err a semester or two ago) I bought some ice-bots. They are cute little things. I was testing out my camera (taking pictures of various things) when I snapped a shot of my ice-bots and one of the cat's toys. It all came together.
I give you... an Ice-Bot Story. I may get more and write more stories, I haven't decided.
I don't know why (yes I do) but after watching this latest episode of Lost, I find myself singing The Next Life by Suede.
Work progresses on the back yard, albeit slowly. I am tempted to post pictures, but I don't think I will take any until Sunday. I've discovered a method for digging up the bushes. I've been going from underneath. There is such a massive root network that it is hard to break through. Instead I'm digging under it enough to weaken it. It has made the eventual root breakup easier. I have stopped the yard work because Andrea the Subtropical is broken up about things and is now providing us with much needed rain.
Hi, my name is Andrea. I like warm waters at sea. Forecasters call me weak and windy. I like to think of myself as relaxed and breezy.
The smoke is pretty bad and Andrea isn't helping matters. The clouds would be great to work in the yard if the smoke wasn't just lingering about. The air quality is pretty crappy and apparently yesterday we got a reading of 189 when our normal reading is about 9. Maybe if I water down a mask and wear it while I work I can get something done. That would be one interesting tan line!
Josh, stop reading this now. I'm going to talk about neti pots.
OK, now that that is over with. I'm thinking of starting jala neti and buying a neti pot. I've always had sinus issues. Things have been getting worse with the fires. I've done saline irrigations before and not had any problems, but I think a neti pot would be easier than my previous methods. So far I've found this site's info more than wikipedia, but wikipedia was good for background info.
If I get one, what kind should I get, stainless steel, ceramic 
If I do go neti, I'll be sure to report back how it goes.
I have caught myself watching Grey's Anatomy a couple of times off and on. Read: while I recovered from having my wisdom teeth were removed. All in all, I don't think it is a bad show, but it doesn't necessarily draw me in to watch it the next week. I thought the lead in for the possible spin off wasn't so bad. I do have to ask, why does Amy Brennemen always have to play a neurotic character?
On the wisdom teeth front, my cheek is a little swollen. There is still some minor pain where the needle was inserted. It feels close to my sinus, so that's kind of scary. I'm hoping this goes away soon. I haven't gotten the motrin yet. The Tylenol has been helping.
On the house front, I have been a chopping fool. I'm hacking away at the backyard. I don't like to sit still, even when I am in ill, so I have been doing this. Unfortunately, I've managed to scrape my eyeball, my arms and nearly impale myself on a dead tree. Yep, exciting times for me. So far I have made ten huge bundles and four bags of leaves and debris. I may try to get some pictures tomorrow. I've only managed to dig up three of the bushes. They aren't exactly easy to get out. Yay for me!
There are brush fires all over the state. We can see and smell the smoke from one of them here at the house. This past Friday we actually had ash coming down. I think that might be irritating my sinuses as well.
So, here is a question for all of you programmers out there. What is your favorite development environment?
Right now I have JCreator, NetBeans and Eclipse installed on my Windows. I'm just seeing if there is something I am missing.
Josh has been ricing my Ubuntu install. I fell asleep and when I woke up he told me that he did it. Bad boy!
The cat is having a bit of a fit. I think she is confused as to why both of us are home. Then I think she is confused as to why it is only 75 degrees outside. Then to top it off, she can't figure out why there are 20 mph winds outside. Join the club cat!
There is a tropical system off the coast. Is it a sign of things to come, I truly hope not.
I'm thinking of blog hopping today. Josh is off of my laptop so maybe I can veg on the couch and hop along. I'll report my adventure, if the cat lets me.
I'm thinking I may need the motrin now. Owww
OK, one more tooth is out. It is good that I am doing this one at a time. This tooth was apparently a bitch to get out of my mouth. The dentist started and it just wouldn't budge. She even lowered the chair more for better leverage. That is kind of unnerving. They eventually broke out this cutting device (air, laser or something). Needless to say, I cranked up the Enya on the Ipod and closed my eyes. The last time I had NIN playing and I think it got too much blood flowing because I was bleeding all over the place!
I did have to groan and throw my hands up twice. The "spray" was mixing with the water wash and backing up into my sinuses. Not cool. Even now, I'm dealing with more pain from the irritation in my sinuses than from them yanking out my tooth. I had to get tissues before I left, for the stuff draining out of my nose
I was given a prescription for 600mg of Motrin after my bad reaction to the Tylenol/ with Codeine. I'm holding off on getting it because I would prefer to see if the Tylenol Rapid Release I have been taking works well enough. I'm going to end up with a bunch of barely used painkillers in my medicine cabinet. It would look oh so lovely if something happened and someone looked in the medicine cabinet. Of course they wouldn't know that I can't take any of them. I'll probably just dispose of them at the pharmacy.
Josh is on the phone with Eric talking beer brewing. I don't know if Eric called for me or for Josh, but they've been on the phone for quite some time.
We just went through a crap load of rain. There was a tiny bit of hail. I think I had a river in the back yard and a lake in my front yard for about ten minutes. Oh and apparently I need to clean the gutters, again. That was so gross. Hey, maybe Josh can do it this time since he is off! I'm going to be in recovery mode from getting more wisdom teeth removed tomorrow.
My cat puts up a fuss, but this cat is ridiculous (and adorable).
Last Friday I was sitting at my computer when I heard a little squeak. It startled both me and the cat. We both ran to the window and saw an adorable little kitten frolic across the grass. No mom in sight. I ran outside but was unable to find the little bugger. I sat on kitten watch for what seemed like hours. No sign of it.
Now Josh and I have both seen it. We've discovered who the mom and dad are and we've also estimated an age of about 4 months. It is absolutely adorable and looks nothing like its mother but exactly like its father. We've seen it hanging out with mom quite a bit, but every attempt at getting them to come close is fruitless. I'm concerned that something will happen to them. Either by accident or on purpose. There are tons of assholes out there and not enough licenses to kill those assholes*.
I don't know if we will be able to adopt them if we can get them, but they are both young. I don't know how our cat would handle new cats. She doesn't do well but she seems to express concern when she hears the meows of kittens when I play them.
I am pretty sure there will be a post if we manage to get them.
*Probably another reason why I will never be elected supreme ruler of the world.
While I was feeling a little out of it yesterday, I started thinking of things for a side project Eric and I have been working on. I started looking for images and thinking of photographs I need to take. I think I tend to be more creative when I am out of it. By out of it I mean puking and feverish that is.
So, I have some ideas and will be working on that. I'm almost done with my resume. My editor/critic has made a few more suggestions. I value his opinion as he often sorts through resumes at work. He knows what people are looking for. I don't want to fill my resume with fluff, but I don't want it to be bones. I have a decent work history and I want that to show. Go me.
So, if I am away for a bit, you'll know. If I am here more often, I'm probably feeling loopy from my next tooth pulling appointment on Monday.
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