Brian's Blog

Facebook

Brian — 2009-01-17T19:52:41-04:00

Well, I finally gave in and joined Facebook. I've been resistant to nearly all forms of social networking because they generally seemed stupid but I guess I was at least partially wrong. I am a member of Linkedin but that is with the purpose of keeping professional contacts in the event that I need to look for employment. I never saw what else I could get out of social networks until now.

It's kind of amazing how many people came out of the woodwork that I lost contact with. It's kind of cool.

Brian — 2008-02-18T16:58:27-04:00

Time for another useless test result.

The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."

Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Diggory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.

Get Sorted Now!

Busted DS

Brian — 2008-02-11T10:44:29-04:00

The used DS I bought a while ago stopped working yesterday. It started randomly turning off and then would not say on more than a second. It was fully charged the night before. I even tried it plugged into the AC and it still would not stay on. Oh well, it died. What do I expect for buying used on eBay? I had rather hoped it would last just a bit longer.

So, I figured I would replace it with a new one and use my old dead one as a trade in to save a few bucks. I tried both Gamestop and Gamecrazy. Gamecrazy wasn't impressive. They only wanted to give my $45 for a 100% working DS with little to no scratches and no missing stylus or charger. It turns out that they don't actually refurbish their used stuff. They just take it for $45 and then put it in the used case and sell it off for $119 or so. On the other hand, Gamestop gives $70 for a 100% working DS and $40 for a broken one. They then take the broken one and send it out for repair to sell for the same $119. Needless to say I took it to Gamestop.

With a trade in of the busted DS and a couple of games I got a new Blue and Black DS for about $70. I was hoping to get the Crimson but they were out and the only other choice was Pink.

I think I would have been better off just buying a new one from the get go.

Baby Praying Mantis

Brian — 2008-01-18T21:20:33-04:00

I just saw the coolest thing in my own living room. I'm sitting here at my laptop and suddenly I feel something crawling on my arm. I normally just flick whatever bug I see off or sqash it with a tissue, but this time I notices it was a baby praying mantis. It was about 1/4in long but otherwise looked like a miniature version of the 6" adult I saw this past summer.

I should have tried taking a picture but I doubt my camera will make a clear picture of something that small. So I just took it outside and left it go. I know it may be a bit cold for them but it's better than squashing it and I doubt my wife would be happy letting any bug grow up in the house like a pet. :P

Harry Potter

Brian — 2007-11-29T14:19:29-04:00

I just finished the last Harry Potter but last week. While nothing can replace The Lord of the Rings in my heart I have to say the series wasn't bad. I found myself feeling a little sad that it was over already. The first five books were pretty good and easy to read. I think I liked the last two books most though because they turned a bit more serious, some what dark, and less "kid book like" than the rest.

I don't want to say anything else just in case I might spoil it for anyone who might not have finished it yet. Suffice it to say the series was an enjoyable read. Plus now I can understand what all the Harry Potter junkies I know are talking about.

Buy Nothing Day

Brian — 2007-11-23T15:55:56-04:00

I just heard that today is Buy Nothing Day. Apparently there is a commercial that MTV refuses to air about it. Oh my, something too controversial for MTV? Who would have thought it was possible...

It seems like a good idea. We do consume WAY to much here in the United States. Hell, we were told to go out and shop after 9-11 to give you an idea of how important consuming is to us. Well, most of us anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I consume plenty. Being a geek and into technology it's darn near impossible to not spend on things I don't really need. Even so, I do try to keep it down a bit. I haven't upgraded my main computer in over 5 years. All the rest of my systems are 2nd hand (and working wonderfully thanks to the wonders of Linux). We don't have cell phones except for the one I have provided for by work. We drive our cars into the ground before we buy another one. We only buy cloths when we need to replace worn out or out grown cloths. No closets full of shoes for us. My youngest daughter wears my oldest's out grown cloths. We don't have cable TV. I could go on, but you get the picture I'm sure. Still, we could do much better if we really tried. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about that. I know I'm such a hypocrite...

Anyway, observing Buy Nothing Day isn't that big of a deal for me. Today is, after all, Black Friday. It's very rare that I go shopping on a normal day but you couldn't pay me to go out in the rude chaotic crowds today.

Bye-Bye Magic The Gathering

Brian — 2007-10-29T21:18:42-04:00

Well, I finally did it. I actually sold off most of my Magic collection. I took it all to a local shop and got an acceptable offer. Still, it feel very very odd to have left the building without them. I had many a fun hour concocting decks and playing them with friends. I just don't have time for the game, nor the money to spend on keeping current to play beyond anything other than a casual level. I still kept about 10 or so already made decks so I can play with friends when the mood strikes though.

I know you should get emotionally attached to collectibles but I feel sort of like I betrayed them. I know, it's a stupid feeling. It's the exact same feeling I get when I sell a car that I've had a good run with. But, practicality prevails I guess. Most of what I got for the collection has to go for getting my heater core replaced in my car, or maybe a new refrigerator. I'd much rather have had it as play money though.

New Stuff in the Picture Gallery

Brian — 2007-09-16T12:38:38-04:00

I've been way behind in getting pictures off of the camera and into the picture gallery so I figured it's about time I took care of it. I've added (finally) the pictures from the Fourth of July Picnic, our day trip to the New Jersey Aquarium, my wife's garden, and the few pictures we took of Angie's birthday party that was held yesterday.

Victory Beer and my Family

Brian — 2007-09-15T23:10:54-04:00

Today we had a gathering to celebrate my daughters 3rd birthday so I decided to try out some new beer on the family. Some time ago I was introduced to Victory Beer. Specifically I first tried Victory Lager and then some time later the Hop Devil Ale and found them both very good. Anyway, I grabbed a variety case of Victorys (thanks Rik) which contains Hop Devil Ale, Golden Monkey, Prima Pils, and Victory Lager. It seemed to be fairly well received by the few beer drinkers that were present. My wife's father was the only one who seemed to enjoy the Hop Devil Ale. But that's not much of a surprise as he seems to like pretty much all beer, especially the darker and/or heavier ones. I tried a Golden Monkey for the first time tonight and WOW does that thing pack a punch. It's quite flavorful but 9.5% alcohol which I didn't realize till after I had finished drinking it. Needless to say I didn't have any more of those as I needed to be coherent enough to help host.

Of course though, I didn't forget the ladies (yes, that includes you Bob) and grabbed a six of Coors Light.

I can't say to much about the party in general as it was a typical kids party. There were gifts, cake, and family. After the cake we all ran around the yard playing ball with the kids and got reminded as to just how out of shape all of us adults are.

In short, it was a good time. Well, except for the cleaning up part.

MCSE 2003

Brian — 2007-07-27T12:24:12-04:00

Well, I'm all done. I passed the last test! I am officially upgraded to MCSE on Windows 2003. I'm glad that's over with.

Now, what game am I going to waste my life on? I still haven't finished Metroid Prime yet, and there is always Neverwinter Nights 2 among others.