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Well after putting about $1000 on to my Visa over the last couple weeks, My new system is finally almost complete.
From an old bulky stand up case that worked better with the side panels off to a short horizontal black box that looks like an oversized Gamecube.
From a mother board that was old when I got it 3 years ago that I needed two video cards in because it no longer liked to run a monitor directly from the mother board to a new ASUS board that supports two monitors onboard.
From a old pentium II to a duel processing CPU
From 4 sticks of old RAM that pushed about a 1/3rd of a gig to one gig stick.
And lastly as of last night I have donated my old 15 and 13 inch monitors to Anime Evolution as I now get to look at twin pair of 19inch flat panel monitors (which has also given me back about 2/3 of the desk space the old monitors used.
Suffice to say, I am finally using the computer I wanted to build for the last 2 years. It feels good to have completed this task finally. The only remaining tasks are a couple of software updates and the odd thing to fiddle with.
And for anyone that used to joke at the fact my old system was still running on Windows ME, the new one is running XP Professional so you can stop laughing now.
I hope to rejoin Jakobo's journal postings shortly.
 Editor · Mon Mar 26, 2007 @ 01:15am · 2 Comments |
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For those who don't know. My home computer has been slowly dieing over the last few weeks limiting what I can do with it. Graphic heavy sites for one cause problems.
the good news is, I will have a brand new system running within a week, and I will be back on more offen.
Editor · Thu Mar 08, 2007 @ 05:50pm · 0 Comments |
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Prompt Wrote: Clothes? (Weekly 4) |
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Week 4 in the inspiration series of topics from Jakobo.
This Weeks topic:
Who decides what you wear? Have you ever decided to change your style, and if so, why? Have you ever had to stick to a "dress code"?
Fashion......... Hmmmmmmm...... Not exactly a topic I can really talk about. I'd like to think I have a bit of fashion know how, enough at least to keep my avatar looking co-ordinated. But in RL... talk2hand sweatdrop So i'll concentrait on just answering the three questions.
Who decides what you wear? On the day to day basis, that would be me. I haven't had anyone pick out an outfit for me since I quit refereeing. That said, a good portion of my wardrobe was bought or picked out for me, not by me. I tend to buy all the practical stuff that I need, but the more fashional stuff is picked out by people with better fashion sence then me. If I need to shop beyond jeans and socks, I tend to try to have a friend or my sister with me to help.
Have you ever decided to change your style, and if so, why? Not Really, the only real shift occured a couple years after high school. During school and my first jobs afterwards I tended to dress lightly, t-shirts shorts runners even in the middle of winter. Between soccer and other stuff, I just found it to be my comfort zone. As I moved over to retail, and then into an office enviroment, I slowly had to change to fit the job, so the shorts were the first to go, the runners into regukar shoes, and so on, due to that my regular everyday gear has adapted. But certain elements are still there, I still perfer comfort to design, and practical over pricetag.
Have you ever had to stick to a "dress code"? Only within work guidelines and I was forever getting in trouble at a previous job for my complete disregard of the "Jeans only on Friday" rule. That said when asked during a performance review by my direct supervisor about it, I simply pointed out that during any typical week I had to do about a dozen tasks that had been assigned to me outside my job description, (retreiving files from the storage space, maintaining the printer banks, moving dirty mail bins) that I had no problem doing, (and most I perfered than doing my proper job at the time) but if I was to do then under the guideline, I would risk messing up good threads doing so. He let me continue, in exchange that I would never ask for a raise based on needing to buy new stuff or cover drycleaning.
I'd like to say more, but that's all I can think of on this topic. Thx.
Editor · Fri Jan 19, 2007 @ 07:03am · 1 Comments |
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Prompt Wrote: How do you replenish or recharge..... |
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Ah Week 3 in the inspiration series of topics from Jakobo.
I have a feeling this weeks won't be a very exciting one from me.
But first, to the people who have may be reading this or the last post due to Jakobo's journal. Thank you and welcome.
This Weeks topic:
How do you replenish or recharge after an exhausting emotional situation?
First off, I think that first depends on the situation as what I may do will change vastly depending on the situation and need. However, there are some habits that have developed.
Mallwalking - Not shopping per say, but hanging out at the local mall (Metropolis at Metrotown) stopping by my regular stores and seeing the people I know who work there, maybe read a manga I'm interested in, but not enough to add to my collection at Chapters. Check out the new games at EB, see what's new at ToysRUs, HMV and some specially stores. I have no idea why this relaxes me, but just slowly walking around there or the shopping district downtown with a VHC from Starbucks works wonders somedays.
Dinner with Friends - b***h sessions can help alot. Sometimes it's good to just sit around with friends, be waited on, and just unload some of the crap you've dealt with and listen while your buddies do the same.
Media - What is the point of buying CD's, DVD's, Video Games if you dont use them? (To a lesser degree for those who do, replace buying with D/L) Watching the right movie or listening to certain songs can work wonders (the reverse is also quite true in that the wrong choice can take you from bad to real crappy) Be careful. For more on the negitive side of things watch Cusacks rant at the beginning of High Fidelity. And screw the people who protest against violence in video games, they are great for the time you just want to hit something without actully wanting to hurt yourself.
Me Time - sometimes (usually related to relationship troubles or just feeling down) I like nothing more to just sit around with a book, put on music - 80's, instrumental, or J-pop/anime soundtracks (I have a large anime soundtrack collections of stuff i like and no functioning ability with the language, It's good not to be able to sing along sometimes) and just chill.
Walking - First off I don't drive, (I'm not going into details why at this time) and if the weather is right and I'm not in a rush, i'll just put on my walkman and go, sometimes I'm back in 30 minutes, sometimes I'm on the other side of town and it takes a couple hours. (also the closest i get to regular execise nowdays)
Get the *&^% out of town - The main reason I go to the States. Head down to Seattle for the day with pals, get a change of atmosphere, see people you don't get to see often. Enjoy a short car ride.
Munchkin - Those who have played Munchkin know how fun it is, those who haven't need to find out.
As I said nothing exciting, but it's what I find works.
Editor · Thu Jan 11, 2007 @ 08:15pm · 5 Comments |
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Prompt Wrote: most heroic thing you have done in your life? |
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I've been neglecting this journal like something had died in it. But...
Seeing Jakobo, is looking for people to participate in "The Weekly Writer" I might as well see if it can stir some creative juices in order to post stuff here.
TOPIC ~What is the most heroic thing you have done in your life?~
I honestly can say I am completely unaware of any actions I have directly taken, that have directly affected others in a life saving way.
Of course I've helped out when I see the need to;
-- Running for blankets when someone at work injured himself outside last November. He couldn't be moved until the paramedics got there. He had concussed himself and shattered his arm in three places after tripping due to black ice.
-- Helped people with flat tires.
-- Helped lost kids in malls. (i spend way too much time at TRU)
-- Banning a stupid taxi driver from the Gas station I was working at after he tried to see a propane leak on his cab using a bic lighter.
-- Standing up for friends in bad situations regardless if it puts me in the line of fire myself.
But none of these things are really "heroic" are they. But I have been told that the following was.
Back when I was in high school, on week-ends I would referee for the local soccer club I used to play for. On an average week I would ref three games on a saturday for younger kids and was a linesman two games on sundays for kids about the same age as I was. As a referee you have to be completely neutral between the two teams, however there is one game in particular that I vividly remember when I was just unable to keep that neutrality intact.
As I and almost every other ref was assigned by the clubs it was quite common to see the same team every other week for their home games. One team I saw offen had about 3 kids from my neighborhood and I knew the coach thru family friends. I dealt with this team for 3 years in a row, and regardless of calling the game right down the middle, It was impossible not to have learned about many of the players on that team. One kid in particular was a East-Indian who wasn't very skilled but seemed to love being out there and giving his best each game.
However one Saturday, the game started as usual, but shortly before halftime I noticed the kid just ran right across the width of the field to where his team and their parents were set up. Seeing this ment his team was now a player short as soon as the ball went out of play I stopped the clock and went over to see if evrything was ok. I got over there, and the coach said he was just upset about something he heard, he seemed better so I let him back on the field and resumed the game. A couple minutes later, the same thing happened again and the kid left the field, however this time I knew why.
When somebody playing in the game does something stupid the rules are written and the results are clear. Thats why Refs carry the Caution (Yellow) and Ejection (Red) Cards. When a parent watching on the side does something it's not as clear what to do. In this situation one of the parents from the away team had been letting off racist comments when the kid was near him, and by this point he had been doing so on and off for about 40 minutes. I stopped the game immediately.
First I check to make sure he was OK, then asked his coach if he could be subbed rather than having to go back out at that moment. I then went to the other coach, demand that he have every person (except the coach and players) on his side move at least 10 meters back (there was a small slope so they would have to move right to the top of it before restarting the game, and told the coach i would be back to talk to him at half time.
I was able to restart the game and got to half time. At that time I had both coachs join me to make sure both side were aware of what was happening, and that regardless of how important the game was (it was near the end of the season and would affect the playoffs) that if I heard anymore comments of that nature not only would I abandon the game, but that I would use the power given to me, as being appointed to the game by the club, which leased the field from the local parks board that I could legally request that the RCMP remove any parent I felt was a problem under trespassing laws.
I don't really feel with my actions were truely heroic, or that by doing what I did that I'm some kind of champion of injustice. In most ways I was just doing the job I was suppost to do. After all I did was really did was ask for people to move a bit further back. But in seeing how the some of the kids responded, and more importantly to me that the kid in question felt it was safe enough to come back and play the full second period, I can understand why some may see it that way, but I guess that just depends on how you look at it.
Editor · Thu Jan 04, 2007 @ 05:34am · 6 Comments |
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The old proverb is that you can’t go back… But sometimes there can be exceptions.
For those who have cared enough to look at my work history (see profile) or know me in real life, they know that I spent 3 years working at a comic book/sports card/gaming store called Triple Play, which I can easily say was the best job I ever had.
Let step back in time to the mid 90’s
After I was fired from Petro-Canada for something that wasn’t my fault (and also wrongful dismissal but that’s another story) I spent a lot of time when I sould have been looking for a new job, hanging out at a comic shop that had opened about 2 years before. It was a partnership of 4 friends and a cool place to kill time. During this time they needed somebody behind the counter, I was asked and interviewed for the spot but didn’t get the job (I was up against an ex-student of one of the partners).
About 3 weeks later I was out “job hunting”, In reality sitting in the store watching Batman (the animated series) when one of the partners (HH) asked if I was bust and could help him out for a couple hours. I ended up helping him pick up stuff at a place which was a wholesale warehouse for D&D, Games Workshop and other games. After the car was loaded I looked around the warehouse for about 20 minutes while HH had a talk with the couple that ran the place. It seemed that they needed help and after having a talk with one of them I realized I was being interviewed. I started the next day. I spent about 3 months there before the ex-student left and I was drafted up to the store where I worked for 3 years.
About 3 months back now, after slaving for most of a year for Amazon.com. I was asked again by my Dad to join the family company (He’s been trying to make me for years). At $3 more an hour and better hours, without any other better offers, I accepted. Which brought me to last Saturday.
I have not stepped foot into the old Comic book store in years, (including a move which made the store harder to get to) but as I was with a friend who still buys there, I walked into a store that I had not been to since they moved yet so much was very familiar. Some things were exactly the same. (Old racks, cash register, signage) Some parts brand new (decent sized manga collection that I fought for but never happened while I was working for them) I didn’t know the girl behind the counter, But I knew the guy upstairs. It seems not only is he still running the place (no sign of the partners) but he is running the old warehouse as well. Which is the point of this rant. I haven’t seen this guy in over 5 years, and what does he do???
So after running from the family company for years and finally accepting fate, not 2 paycheques in, and my old boss, of what I again consider the best job I ever had, is asking not only if I’m available for work, but if I want to rejoin the team. 2 months ago, they would have been a slam dunk. Now I have a ton of things to think about all over again. I’m just waiting to hear the full pitch.
So in summery, Fate sucks, but sometimes you do have an option to go back.
Editor · Mon Aug 28, 2006 @ 08:23pm · 2 Comments |
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Anime Evolution 2006 - The Gaia Panel(s) aftermath. |
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Wow, what a week-end it was. I have to give a huge thank you to everyone who either or both of the panels.
I was very worried when I saw the schedule mix-up that resulted in not one 90 minute, panel and meet-up, but also a second hour long panel. However not only did we end up with a great hour and a half but followed the next day with the second panel that not only was attended by 2/3rds of people who weren't at the first but also ended up going another hour in the main hallway afterwards.
I had a blast pulling it all together for all of you, and am very pleased by the positive comments the attendees talked to me about and have posted on my journal. (and the one's sent to Jakabo.) I knew that you would all be excited by the look into the art of Gaia and the sneak peeks at whats coming, but i'm very happy that most of you were entertained by the "history" overview of the site and what came before, which I rushed together after a last minute idea on Friday morning. (a big thanks to those who came to watch it both times)
Again I thank all of you who attended. I also have to to give a big thanks to Akirahojo for running the multimedia part, to Rosa for stepping in with fielding questions and helping present the second panel, to Klissaye for doing her best to assist but was tied up with other con duties during the panels, and finally to Jakabo for his media support and backing.
In the three years AE has ran Gaia panels we keep getting better, and I hope to bring an even better panel next year. Please join the Anime Evolution Guild and I look forward to seeing everyone again at Anime Evolution 2007.
Editor · Wed Aug 23, 2006 @ 05:54am · 0 Comments |
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For those paying attention |
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I'm sure a couple people have noticed my lack of attendance online the last little while, if so this is for you.
Simply put, work has placed me on a new schedule that has knocked me around a bit, and I have had to change my sleeping hours. Now the main hours I have been on line previously were either just before I went to work (around noon) and just after i got home (around midnight) as I was working a 2pm-10:30pm shift. I am now on a 11:00am to 7:30pm shift effectively eliminating my morning time (you know I don't function well before noon whatever time i wake up) and giving me the time to do a lot of things I havn't been able to do over the last 6 months as I was working til late evening.
I will be back on more, it's just taking a while to get my bodyclock working on the new shift. It may only be a few hours different but it's taken a lot out of me.
--for cyberbrat, thanks for checking on me kitten, send something to my g-mail account and I get you up to speed.
Editor · Tue May 09, 2006 @ 07:36am · 1 Comments |
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This is only a test, in the case of a real emergency........ |
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Clearly I haven't posted in this journal for quite a while. My Bad, but i am spending a lot more time back on Gaia then i was a few months ago.
The page views to this journal did spike a few weeks back when Jakobo mentioned me in his journal, so I really have no idea as to how much demand there is to my ranting or listing of stuff I've picked up so i will as a simple question. I'm not asking for any big posts or huge replys but i would like to get an idea of who is checking this and what it is that makes you check this journal so i can judge demand and know what is worth posting here. So if you don't mind please leave at least a hello post so i know you've read this.
Thanx all.
Editor · Fri Oct 07, 2005 @ 02:57am · 4 Comments |
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