I went to my cousin's in Tampa for Thanksgiving. I haven't seen them very often, so it was nice to see them. Plus the Buccaneers were losing, so I had a good laugh at my Uncle's expense. I opted against going to the mall Friday because I'm not insane. I just don't understand why people go through the insanity of Thanksgiving Friday shopping.
Saturday I found a disc golf course nearby and went to check it out. It's pretty nice, but sandy. I was a bit rusty, and not knowing where the baskets were didn't help. I didn't keep score, it would have been to depressing.
On the work front, things are going well enough. I'm slowly learning the ropes, although I'd like to be moving a bit faster. Our DBA being released today (contract not renewed due to various issues) has served to emphasise my motivation.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
miscellanea
Hasn't really been much to write about. I finally got my laptop back, but they seem to have switched batteries on me. I got a new battery through the exchange program a few months ago, and it worked wonderfully, but twice since getting the laptop back on Saturday the battery has been flat after about 1:15. I'm debating the sanity of going into the store on Friday and making a stink, hoping that they'll do what it takes to make me shut up on the biggest shopping day of the year.
I finally dragged myself out the the DMV, and now have my Florida license and tags. I decided to get the Everglades tags instead of the standard tags. As expected, it took forever to get processed (before driving a half hour to work of course), even longer because my car had been titled in Florida in the past and the computer kept trying to use the old owner's information.
I finally dragged myself out the the DMV, and now have my Florida license and tags. I decided to get the Everglades tags instead of the standard tags. As expected, it took forever to get processed (before driving a half hour to work of course), even longer because my car had been titled in Florida in the past and the computer kept trying to use the old owner's information.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Working
My first two days have been fairly uneventful. My desktop is unfortunately a Windows computer. That really needs to change, I'm too used to having a Linux desktop. Plus the version of Nero installed is absolutely brain dead when trying to make a bootable CD. I ended up transfering the OpenBSD 4.0 install files I was working with to a Linux testing machine I set up, makeing a bootable cd image there, then moving the image back and burning from the image. Feh.
I needed the OpenBSD disk to install what will become a replacement for a Linux firewall. So now I need to learn IPTables and translate their large ruleset into PF syntax, which has changed since the last time I used PF.
On the upside my new home monitor is in, and it is dead sexy.
Mark
I needed the OpenBSD disk to install what will become a replacement for a Linux firewall. So now I need to learn IPTables and translate their large ruleset into PF syntax, which has changed since the last time I used PF.
On the upside my new home monitor is in, and it is dead sexy.
Mark
Friday, November 10, 2006
Why do all DMV's suck?
SHUT. UP. AND. DRIVE!
Sorry, people talking on their phones while driving was getting on my nerves today.
I went to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles last night to look at the specialty plates, since I've decided I don't like the standard Florida plates, and while I was there I discovered that Florida requires new residents to register their vehicle within ten days of establishing residency. They require proof of Florida insurance, which while more expensive than Wisconsin was simple enough to deal with, and a VIN verification form signed by God. Oh, and I had to prove I purchased the car more than six months ago to avoid the 6% use tax. Much muttering occured as I dug through my paperwork looking for the bill of sale, since the title I have only has the new issue date from when I turned in the paperwork for the paid off loan.
The VIN verification form is a odd bit of excess bureaucracy. For reasons unstated, they want the Vehicle Identification Number to be verified by a (theoretically) trustworthy source: a cop, car dealer, DMV employee, Notary Public, or military officer. Since these are all groups of people I tend to avoid knowing, this is a problem. While I was at the Insurance agent's office, I asked about notary's and learned that the person I was talking to was a notary, but she said that if I was driving the car to be registered to the DMV, the DMV employee I talked to would be able to take care of it at that time.
So, documentation in hand, I wander off the the Tax Collector's office. In an strange fit of common sense, Florida places their motor vehicle licensing and registration offices in the same location as the tax collector's ofice rather than scattering government offices around the landscape. Upon arrival, I discover three things: First, November 11th is Veteran's Day. Second, Veteran's Day is a leagal holiday for Florida government employees, being observed this year on the prior Friday. Third, Like all good bureaucracies Florida governmental offices are open 8:00AM-4:30PM, Monday through Friday. This will make getting my new plates without getting fired more interesting.
On the upside, On my way back from the Tax Collector's office I stopped at the Visitor's Information Center and (finally) got a phone book. I also stopped at Circuit City to order a new Monitor (Samsung Syncmaster 204B) to replace my 11 year old, 14" CRT (yes really). Eventually I also intend to replace the painfully slow (but only 8 year old) desktop. While I do like my laptop, I want something more reliable which I can fix myself if it does break. I also want the larger screen size for when working on projects.
Since turning in my notice, I've had a rekindling of my desire to play with computers, so I want the Linux desktop again. This further proves in my mind how soul sucking Physics was.
Oh wow, It's eight already. I need to have dinner before my stomach claws it's way out.
Sorry, people talking on their phones while driving was getting on my nerves today.
I went to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles last night to look at the specialty plates, since I've decided I don't like the standard Florida plates, and while I was there I discovered that Florida requires new residents to register their vehicle within ten days of establishing residency. They require proof of Florida insurance, which while more expensive than Wisconsin was simple enough to deal with, and a VIN verification form signed by God. Oh, and I had to prove I purchased the car more than six months ago to avoid the 6% use tax. Much muttering occured as I dug through my paperwork looking for the bill of sale, since the title I have only has the new issue date from when I turned in the paperwork for the paid off loan.
The VIN verification form is a odd bit of excess bureaucracy. For reasons unstated, they want the Vehicle Identification Number to be verified by a (theoretically) trustworthy source: a cop, car dealer, DMV employee, Notary Public, or military officer. Since these are all groups of people I tend to avoid knowing, this is a problem. While I was at the Insurance agent's office, I asked about notary's and learned that the person I was talking to was a notary, but she said that if I was driving the car to be registered to the DMV, the DMV employee I talked to would be able to take care of it at that time.
So, documentation in hand, I wander off the the Tax Collector's office. In an strange fit of common sense, Florida places their motor vehicle licensing and registration offices in the same location as the tax collector's ofice rather than scattering government offices around the landscape. Upon arrival, I discover three things: First, November 11th is Veteran's Day. Second, Veteran's Day is a leagal holiday for Florida government employees, being observed this year on the prior Friday. Third, Like all good bureaucracies Florida governmental offices are open 8:00AM-4:30PM, Monday through Friday. This will make getting my new plates without getting fired more interesting.
On the upside, On my way back from the Tax Collector's office I stopped at the Visitor's Information Center and (finally) got a phone book. I also stopped at Circuit City to order a new Monitor (Samsung Syncmaster 204B) to replace my 11 year old, 14" CRT (yes really). Eventually I also intend to replace the painfully slow (but only 8 year old) desktop. While I do like my laptop, I want something more reliable which I can fix myself if it does break. I also want the larger screen size for when working on projects.
Since turning in my notice, I've had a rekindling of my desire to play with computers, so I want the Linux desktop again. This further proves in my mind how soul sucking Physics was.
Oh wow, It's eight already. I need to have dinner before my stomach claws it's way out.
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Hello!
Ahoy!
I've landed in Florida, Cox finally turned on the interweb, and I decided to start my own blog. It will be whatever's on my mind, from political rants to what I had for lunch (Mmm... Fazoli's)
Speaking of what's on my mind, Apple better give my computer back soon. Retro is fun and all, but a K6-233 is just so '90s.
I've landed in Florida, Cox finally turned on the interweb, and I decided to start my own blog. It will be whatever's on my mind, from political rants to what I had for lunch (Mmm... Fazoli's)
Speaking of what's on my mind, Apple better give my computer back soon. Retro is fun and all, but a K6-233 is just so '90s.
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