Thunder of Wade

visit, game, grandma,

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On April 13, 2009

In Uncategorized

I visited my parents, my sister, and brother-in-law this weekend for easter.   We went to the 1/2 priced bookstore and then over to Micheal’s Crafts – I bought some foam hats.  (which I’m planning on wearing here at work since I freqently tell people “I wear a lot of hats”)

We also played UNO, Dominoes, and a new game called Zombie Flux.   It was one of those games that winning wasn’t as important as the constantly changing play of the game.   One hand took almost 2 hours before there was a winner – and the zombies almost won a couple of times.
We had ham for an early dinner, then I got on the road and headed back home.
No real change in Grandma’s progress.  She’s at a nursing home for the next 20 days or so while she tries to recover and my dad and his siblings try and determine the next steps for her.
I’ve just about got all the donations collected for my swim for diabetes – just three people to go.   A few have given me more than they initally planned and my total now is over $500.
Well, I’d better finish my oatmeal and get back to work.   Later…

writing

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On April 10, 2009

In Uncategorized

My co-worker’s brother – who also works on campus – was the designated driver to Chipotle yesterday.   On the way back, I saw some graffiti on the wall of a building near some train tracks.  We went past it too quickly for me to see what all was written there, but I saw enough to want to investigate.

So, after work, I drove over to a parking lot near that wall and located the text.  Here’s what it said:
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Orwell you were so right
Well, duh.   I was hoping for something more insightful than that.  If you’re going to go to the trouble of defacing a building with an intellectual quote (instead of, say, “kilroy was here”)  – then you should either leave it as it stands or add to it in the spirit of the original writer.     What is this?  Youtube?
Disappointing.

early, worry

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On April 9, 2009

In Uncategorized

I got up early this morning – around 5:00 am.    I had a time-sensitive task to complete today and it needed to happen before 7 am – and it’s one of those that had a 50% chance of going completely wrong.  So, I gave myself plenty of time and things went smoothly.  

Strangely enough, when I came downstairs this morning – my room-mate was already down there. He’s usually not up and running until after I’ve already left for work.  Apparently, he fell asleep in the chair watching TV and was there all night.    I’m of the opinion that when I’m tired, I go to bed.   He frequently does the whole “I’m tired and I should go to bed, but I’m going to stay up for no apparent reason and watch some mindless crap on TV”.
In other  news… my dad called me at work yesterday.  My grandmother was recently admitted to the hospital with what was thought to be a diabetes issue but turned out to be a stroke.    My uncle found her – very disoriented – at her house and he and my dad decided over the phone that she should be admitted. 
She’s doing better and her motor skills and speech are on track – but she’s having some vision problems still and the last update still had her in ICU.  She’s getting good care, so, not much we can do at this point other than wait for news.  Dad promised to keep me  updated.
Well, it’s just about time for my day to officially begin – better get to it.
later…

big swim, cards, twitter, vampire

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On April 6, 2009

In Uncategorized

The big swim was on Saturday.  I had intended to do 144 lengths, which equals 72 laps or 2 miles.   I was feeling pretty good as I neared the end and decided to do 3 more laps to set a new record for myself – though I only reported 144 since some people had donated based on the number of lengths.   

I had to share a lane for part of the time, which was not a big deal except for when I did the backstroke – I’m all over the place on that one.  It was difficult to avoid being kicked in the head  – or kicking the other person in the head.   Plus, no overhead flag lines were set up so it was difficult to determine when I was supposed to stop at the end of the lane.  I didn’t hit my head this time, fortunately.
So, I got in my laps and got a ribbon for being in the 100 club.     
On Sunday, I sat outside and wrote up the thank you cards.  It was a nice day for the most part, but a little windy.  I’m not used to writing that much and my hand got tired, but I’m glad I did it.  I may use email as a reminder for those that pledged but haven’t turned the money in, but a thank you card seems the right way to go at the start.
I’ve also started Twittering.   But, I’ve decided that all my Tweets will be in the form of Haiku.   Just for the challenge and for something different.
Finally, watched an odd vampire movie called Let the Right One In.    Set in Sweden, it was dubbed in English and told the story of a social misfit who befriends a 12 year old “looking” vampire “girl”.   Strange movie – very nuanced.
That’s it for now… later…

long

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On April 3, 2009

In Uncategorized

Longest.

Afternoon.
EVER.
I’ve still got 49 minutes to go before I can get out of here and if I wasn’t the master of space and time I’d swear that time had slowed to a stop and was starting to drift backwards.  
48 minutes now.
okay, 47.   At least time is still moving forward.   
Sort of.   
I’ve gathered up my swim donation forms and I’ll work on some thank-you cards after my swim tomorrow.   Maybe a little over the top, but I really do appreciate that people have donated.   Looks like I should break the $400 mark if I get all the money turned in.  
The longer I have this post the more likely I am to keep looking at my watch – and that aitn’t helping.
later…

rest, better, temp

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On April 3, 2009

In Uncategorized

I’m taking the day off from swimming.  I think I could still do a mile today and then 2 miles tomorrow, but I think I’ve earned a break.   A few people have decided to do donations per length – so, I’m more motivated to go the distance and don’t want to risk being too tired to finish.

My room-mate called last night from his sister’s to report in about the funeral.   Apparently it was a mostly good service (with the exception of most of what the minister said and the overly loud and somewhat self important singers) – and even the guy’s defense attorney got up and spoke for a bit.  I asked my room-mate if he thought he got some closure and he said he did.   
I talked a bit to my co-worker – he and his sort-of-maybe-ex-ish girlfriend had a good talk last night and went out to eat.  So, there’s hope there.   He didn’t really go into detail and I didn’t pry – but thinks may be on the right track for them.
In other news… the warm weather has had an impact on the building temperature where I work.  Since it’s controlled by time of year and not actual outside temp – it’s still set on heat and was in the mid eighties in here yesterday.     I dressed in layers today in case we get up there again – but the rain this morning should help.
So, looks like we’re got another mission critical last nano-second project brewing here – looks like I’d better get back to my email.
later…

worst

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On April 1, 2009

In Uncategorized

I usually focus on this blog on what’s happening with me, since I’ve got first hand knowledge and writing about other people is by definition second-hand knowledge.    Given the date today it’s going to seem pretty far fetched – but this is all true.

My room-mate is a funeral director and has been for over ten years.    As a consequence, he always wins the “who had the worst day” contests.   For me, a bad day might be that I couldn’t get to my email for a couple hours or a server goes down when I need it.  For him, he might have to sew someone’s  head back on.  So, he always wins.     
I’ve learned to brace myself when he uses the phrase, “Not to be gross, but…”  and I try to get him stopped then if I’m eating or there are other, less brave, people in the room.
I was at home yesterday when he called and said he was going to be very late.  They had just gotten a new call and the individual was over 400 pounds.   The essential process of embalming is the same no matter how much the person weighs, but it gets more difficult the more they weigh.   My room-mate went into a level of detail that I’m not going to share, but you can be assured that you would not be able to handle it.     It ended up taking him over 5 hours and his hands were so fatigued that they were shaking when he got home.
While he was gone, I took a couple calls for him and then had to share the bad news when he got home.    One of his friends from back home hung themselves yesterday.   Which is terrible all by itself, but the story leading up to it is even more tragic.
Apparently, this guy killed his uncle, hid the body in a trash can in a field, then fled the state with $50,000 dollars and guns – and was hiding out in a hotel under his dead uncle’s name.  
He’s been in jail for the past two years and in and out of the court room.  He had pled not guilty to all counts (including abuse of a corpse), but the evidence was substantial and prior to his sentencing yesterday he did the deed.
One of the calls I took last night was from this guy’s mom – the victim’s sister.   She asked me to pass along the message to my room-mate when he got home.   I can’t imagine what she’s going through.
So, on the heels of a really graphically difficult day at work, my room-mate gets the news.   He called the guy’s mom back and got the details of the service on Thursday, which he’s going to try and go to. 
This morning, when I got into work, I related this story to one of my good friends here.  We talked for a bit about how crappy that all was, then he told me that he and his  girlfriend are on the rocks.   She’s wanting the “marriage-baby” plan and he’s not ready for it.   He may be moving out and breaking up with her.    
So.  My room-mate is dealing with this huge tragedy and my friend is in the middle of relationship crisis.    And me?  I’m playing video games, watching DVD’s, and getting ready for my big swim.    I can only imagine what these guys are going through and I have no idea how to help.   I can’t even properly relate to them because things are going okay for me.  Just ordinary.
I guess I’ll just try to be there for them if they need to talk – or to vent.   Kinda puts things in perspective, I guess.
That pretty much wraps it up for me now.  I guess I could relate some minor news that’s going on with me, but it seems pretty inconsequential compared to what my friends are going though.  So, I’m just going to close and get back to work.  

walk, race, quantum

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On March 29, 2009

In Uncategorized

I went for a long walk on Saturday, about 4 miles or so.   No real purpose except to get out of the house.   I planned my route, adjusted the laces on my shoes, and headed out for Walmart.  

Not exactly an epic quest, but still a bit of an adventure.   I stopped at Home Deport to get some pricing on materials for a couple projects I have in mind and then over to Walmart to pick up Quantum of Solace.    
During my walks, I sent a text message and made a couple of calls.   I hit voice mail on a couple of those, but talked to my grandma for a bit.   She was headed out again in a bit, but we talked for a little while and I mentioned my swimming.  She offered to make a donation to the Swim for Diabetes and though I tried to talk her out of it, she was insistent.  I gave up quickly – I’ve seen grandma argue with people and she usually wins.    It was near the beginning of the conversation and she was planning on a nap before she went out – so, good chance she’ll forget.  I appreciate the sentiment, but she’s diabetic herself and it seems like you shouldn’t have to donate to find a cure for a disease you have.   
Anyway, it was a good walk and I’m glad I went.   I got a response on the text message a few minutes after I got home.  No time for shower – just some additional deodorant and a clean shirt and I was out the door.   Went and saw Race to Witch Mountain – good flick.  The effects were good and it didn’t take itself too seriously.   The kids from the original movies – now all grown up – had significant cameos in the movie and ended up moving the story along.   I thought they were great back when the first movies came out and it was cool to see them again.
Later in the evening, I watched Quantum of Solace on DVD.    Also a good flick.   Good story, intense action.     I think Daniel Craig is a great James Bond and Judi Dench plays an excellent M – but the interplay between the two characters is the best part.  
Today has been pretty quiet.   Did a lot of reading – just about to finish up the last of the Academy series of books by Jack McDevitt.     Watched some Eureka on DVD and I’m now listening to a little Ingid Michaelson on CD.    Might work on my personal website a bit.
Less than one week before I hit the pool for a long swim.   later…

36, taxes, games, twitter

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On March 27, 2009

In Uncategorized

I did 36 laps in the pool today – no problem.  I wasn’t even winded when I got out.   Next Saturday’s 2 miles should be a snap.  

I worked on my taxes the other evening.  The federal and state were okay – I used Turbo Tax  and breezed through those.   I haven’t done the city one yet – those are always the worst.   The forms are almost deliberately complicated and I’m not looking forward to it.   I’m trying to decide if I should be a in good mood when I start – thereby only dragging me down to a middle level.  Or if I should wait until I’m already in a bad mood since it won’t ruin a good mood.
I played a little Red Steel for the Wii.  It reminded me once again that I am no good at first-person shooters.  I barely made it through the first section of the first level before I died.  And with really long load times, eh, I don’t think this game will spend much time in the fun category.
I also played a little Super Mario Galaxy last night and did pretty well until I got to a level where:
1. Mario is trapped in a essentially a Plexiglas box.
2. He has to run around and jump over obstacles.
3. The ceiling is coming down on him
4. He’s upside down.
What is this?  A death trap from the old live action Batman series?  Who comes up with this?
The way out of this is to keep moving left and jump when appropriate.   Simple, right?   
Wrong.  “LEFT!   RUN LEFT, YOU IDIOT!   PAY ATTENTION!”
All the shouting at the TV did no good – just like when my room-mate yells at the TV during WVU football games.    The yelling turned into swearing and threats, but that didn’t  help either.   I finally gave up for the evening and read a book.
Well, I signed up for twitter.   Ugh.   I realized I was missing things that were going on with my co-workers and friends – they kept referring to things that they had twitted and I was out of the loop.   Will I send my own twits?   Not until I get an unlimited cell phone texting plan.  So, you know, never.    
I’ve got a twitter account.   What the  hell happened to me?  I mean, just a year ago I was still on the “cell phones are dum”  bandwagon.    And now I’ve got a twitter account.  
(hangs head in shame)
I still don’t have a blu-tooth-walking-down-the-street-talking-to-myself-like-a-crazy-person-headset   So,  there’s still hope for me.
Starting to get a big of a headache – I think I need to take a break for a few minutes.  We still don’t have a vending machine in the building, so I’ll have to head over to the school of law to get a snack/drink.
later…

swim for diabetes

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On March 26, 2009

In Uncategorized

I’ve decided to do this year’s Swim for Diabetes.   It’s next Saturday at the pool on campus and I’m going to try and do 2 miles.   

http://www.swimfordiabetes.com
Should be good – but tiring.  I do a mile pretty frequently, but I’ve only done 2 miles once before.  I feel pretty confident that I can pull that off  – but I’m also pretty certain that I’ll need to eat a pile of food when I’m done.
I’ll add more later as I get ready for the big swim.

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