Month: November 2004

Soon to be a Homeowner!

OK, I’m flipping out. We put in an offer on a house and it was accepted!

We’ll be living in, believe it or not, Eldersburg Maryland. We had been looking into Howard County or Baltimore County, but they were simply out of our price range. So we’re buying a cute little 3-bedroom split-level right down the road from my mother’s house (free babysitting!), and we’ll be poor for the next few years as every ounce of money we make will be channelled into the house. *whew*

We close December 8th – think happy thoughts for us!

OK, I’m flipping out. We put in an offer on a house and it was accepted!

We’ll be living in, believe it or not, Eldersburg Maryland. We had been looking into Howard County or Baltimore County, but they were simply out of our price range. So we’re buying a cute little 3-bedroom split-level right down the road from my mother’s house (free babysitting!), and we’ll be poor for the next few years as every ounce of money we make will be channelled into the house. *whew*

We close December 8th – think happy thoughts for us!

Couch potato?

We are not couch potatoes at our house. We have no reception to speak of and getting dish network or something of that nature would surely turn us into couch potatoes.

However, I do allow my toddlers/preschoolers to watch as much TV in the form of movies as they would like. I have a couple reasons for this: first of all, I get absolutely nothing done around the house otherwise; secondly, repetition and music is good for vocabulary development for little children.

My two year old proved this theory correct this morning. He is two and a half and loves his movies. His usual favorites are Muppet Treasure Island and George of the Jungle. But recently we bought the new release of Mulon on DVD so we’ve been watching that constantly.

We are not couch potatoes at our house. We have no reception to speak of and getting dish network or something of that nature would surely turn us into couch potatoes.

However, I do allow my toddlers/preschoolers to watch as much TV in the form of movies as they would like. I have a couple reasons for this: first of all, I get absolutely nothing done around the house otherwise; secondly, repetition and music is good for vocabulary development for little children.

My two year old proved this theory correct this morning. He is two and a half and loves his movies. His usual favorites are Muppet Treasure Island and George of the Jungle. But recently we bought the new release of Mulon on DVD so we’ve been watching that constantly.

This morning as I was trying to get my big kids ready for school, Elijah was playing with a toy drum, using a “magic wand.” He proceeded to the kitchen and beat on the floor, then suddenly turned to Zach and said, “Bow to me!” He normally doesn’t speak very clearly so I was surprised to hear him say it so clearly and asked my big kids, “What did he say?” He seemed to sense our need for a repeat and did, “Bow to me!” with his magic wand in place of a sword as seen in Mulon, pointed directly at Zach’s face. I had to ask the kids what it was from. Of course it all made sense once they told me, Mulon.

So our little Eli is growing up, speaking more clearly and using a magic wand as a sword! As tedious as housework is for four children, these are the moments that make parenting worth while! They sure can be fun.

Religious Statistics

I ran across a study today on people’s answers to the basic question, “What is your religion, if any?”.

Key findings:

  • the proportion of the population that can be classified as Christian has declined from eighty-six in 1990 to seventy-seven percent in 2001;
  • although the number of adults who classify themselves in non-Christian religious groups has increased from about 5.8 million to about 7.7 million, the proportion of non-Christians has increased only by a very small amount – from 3.3 % to about 3.7 %;
  • the greatest increase in absolute as well as in percentage terms has been among those adults who do not subscribe to any religious identification; their number has more than doubled from 14.3 million in 1990 to 29.4 million in 2001; their proportion has grown from just eight percent of the total in 1990 to over fourteen percent in 2001

I ran across a study today on people’s answers to the basic question, “What is your religion, if any?”.

Key findings:

  • the proportion of the population that can be classified as Christian has declined from eighty-six in 1990 to seventy-seven percent in 2001;
  • although the number of adults who classify themselves in non-Christian religious groups has increased from about 5.8 million to about 7.7 million, the proportion of non-Christians has increased only by a very small amount – from 3.3 % to about 3.7 %;
  • the greatest increase in absolute as well as in percentage terms has been among those adults who do not subscribe to any religious identification; their number has more than doubled from 14.3 million in 1990 to 29.4 million in 2001; their proportion has grown from just eight percent of the total in 1990 to over fourteen percent in 2001
  • there has also been a substantial increase in the number of adults who refused to reply to the question about their religious preference, from about four million or two percent in 1990 to more than eleven million or over five percent in 2001;
  • Women are more likely than men to describe their outlook as “religious”;
  • Older Americans are more likely than younger to describe their outlook as “religious”;
  • Black Americans are least likely to describe themselves as secular, Asian Americans are most likely to do so;
  • those who identify with one or another of the main religious groups are considerably more likely to be married than those who have no religion;
  • Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and those with no religion continue to have a greater preference for the Democratic party over the Republican – much as they did in 1990. Evangelical or Born Again Christians and Mormons are the most apt to identify as Republicans. Buddhists and those with no religion are most likely to be political independents. In keeping with their theology, Jehovah’s Witnesses disavow political involvement.

What do you think this means, if anything, for America? What do you think are the causes? The effects?

Void War’s Music Review

For the first time, I got an overwhelmingly positive review of the music I wrote for Void War. The review states:

Rock on! Void War’s soundtrack is loud, really loud. Eight tracks filled to the brim with big, fat beats, wailing guitars and classical instruments literally scream at you while you are tangled up a huge fur ball or speeding through the remains of an asteroid mining colony. There are even bits of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata” and other classical pieces in the soundtrack — heavily punkified, of course.

For the first time, I got an overwhelmingly positive review of the music I wrote for Void War. The review states:

Rock on! Void War’s soundtrack is loud, really loud. Eight tracks filled to the brim with big, fat beats, wailing guitars and classical instruments literally scream at you while you are tangled up a huge fur ball or speeding through the remains of an asteroid mining colony. There are even bits of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata” and other classical pieces in the soundtrack — heavily punkified, of course.

If that wasn’t enough, there is a free 13MB high quality music pack available for download via the game’s auto update function. On the other hand, there are the slightly dull sound effects – they do their work, but they pale in comparison to the massive soundtrack of this game. The samples are of mediocre quality, but nonetheless every power-up, special weapon, and blaster has its own distinctive sound effect.

…Void War is a perfect example where good game play and balance can make up for less-than-perfect graphics and sound effects, and in my eyes also demonstrates how much a decent music score can add to the entire experience. I found myself compelled to yell “Yeah!” after winning some particularly challenging battles more than once. And I’m seriously motivated to hone my skills until I get to unlock that final bonus fighter – the Cyclone. With its skirmish mode that’s every bit as fast-paced as the true multiplayer game and a campaign that spans roughly two dozen missions, I can recommend this game both to the casual solitary gamer as well as the free for all deathmatch fan.

I’m pretty darn excited about the game. It’s fun to play, and getting reviews that say how much a good score can add to the experience is gratifying.

Now if only it would actually bring in some decent money 🙂

STARBUCKS NATION: The Christmas Story

Of late, I have brought my coffee addiction from one caffiene drug dealer to another, betraying my beloved Starbucks and having an affair with Panera’s I.C. Caramel, and a side fling with the Panera Caramel Latte (both of course with the extra shot of espresso). Also, I have been known to slum it at 7-11, mixing the Chocolate orange “cappuccino” (from a powder, yuck) with regular coffee.

All that changes at Christmas time, though.. as I have returned to my first love, the Starbucks Empire, to enjoy my annual Christmas indulgences – of which there are three..

1) The Grande Skim Triple Mint Mocha. 3 shots of espresso, skim milk, chocolate syrup and peppermint, topped with whipped cream and red and white sprinkles. Tastes like a hot York Peppermint patty.

Of late, I have brought my coffee addiction from one caffiene drug dealer to another, betraying my beloved Starbucks and having an affair with Panera’s I.C. Caramel, and a side fling with the Panera Caramel Latte (both of course with the extra shot of espresso). Also, I have been known to slum it at 7-11, mixing the Chocolate orange “cappuccino” (from a powder, yuck) with regular coffee.

All that changes at Christmas time, though.. as I have returned to my first love, the Starbucks Empire, to enjoy my annual Christmas indulgences – of which there are three..

1) The Grande Skim Triple Mint Mocha. 3 shots of espresso, skim milk, chocolate syrup and peppermint, topped with whipped cream and red and white sprinkles. Tastes like a hot York Peppermint patty.

2) The Tall, 1/3 skim Egg Nog Latte. A grande tends to be too much.. a shot of espresso, and the rest of the 12 oz split between 1/3 skim milk and 2/3 egg nog, topped with whipped cream and nutmeg. I actually like this more than the mint mocha, but I save it for after Thanksgiving – Egg Nog can’t be consumed before in my strange world.

3) The Caramel Apple Cider. More of a fall drink.. I’ll have this one when I don’t want caffiene – Hot apple cider mixed with a shot of vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, a touch of milk and topped with lots of whipped cream. Drinking it down tastes, I kid you not, like a hot apple pie a la mode.

These tastes have become part of my fall and Christmas like pumpkin pie and candy canes. Yum.

Circling the drain

So I figured out that my small division of a much larger company (which has remained nameless for good reason here at barnson.org is circling the drain. Going belly-up.

Unfortunately, the division was created to provide certain services to a customer which didn’t materialize. Stinks when that happens, but my job is going to be “collateral damage”.

So here’s my question: when you’re searching for a new job, what are your primary resources? And, of course, know anybody that’s hiring a Sr. UNIX Systems Administrator?

So I figured out that my small division of a much larger company (which has remained nameless for good reason here at barnson.org is circling the drain. Going belly-up.

Unfortunately, the division was created to provide certain services to a customer which didn’t materialize. Stinks when that happens, but my job is going to be “collateral damage”.

So here’s my question: when you’re searching for a new job, what are your primary resources? And, of course, know anybody that’s hiring a Sr. UNIX Systems Administrator?

My first stops are, of course: * Monster.com * Washingtonpost.com (Hey, I can hope for a good job in/near DC, but the cost of living is going out of control there) * Dice.com * hotjobs.com * saltlakecityhelpwanted.com (you mostly end up with government jobs there, but it’s a start) * Talking to friends (this is the most important lead type I’ve ever used)

The weird thing to me is that I’ve been getting a call nearly every day from one form of recruiter or another until three weeks ago. Then the calls dried up. I felt like I was kind of “in demand”, and now… I’m not so sure.

There are days I’m sick of the technology rollercoaster. And others, when I solve a major problem or figure out a terrific optimization, that I remember why I got into the business in the first place, because I love this stuff.

It’s still nearly enough to make me want to give up and try my hand at being a novelist sometimes!

STAR WARS TRAILER – REVENGE OF THE SITH

Today on Access Hollywood, they played the “Revenge Of The Sith” trailer in its entirity, and it was FREAKIN AWESOME!! If you want to see it, good luck.. its hard to find a copy without joining starwars.com and paying as a member tonight. By this weekend, I’m sure you’ll be able to download it anywhere. Its also playing with “The Incredibles”.

Stop reading now if you don’t want to know what’s in the trailer… I will be very detailed. (PLEASE. if you are going to respond with any spoilers, let us know before you state them)

Still there?

OK.. here’s the skinny, excerpts of the full description from theforce.net

Today on Access Hollywood, they played the “Revenge Of The Sith” trailer in its entirity, and it was FREAKIN AWESOME!! If you want to see it, good luck.. its hard to find a copy without joining starwars.com and paying as a member tonight. By this weekend, I’m sure you’ll be able to download it anywhere. Its also playing with “The Incredibles”.

Stop reading now if you don’t want to know what’s in the trailer… I will be very detailed. (PLEASE. if you are going to respond with any spoilers, let us know before you state them)

Still there?

OK.. here’s the skinny, excerpts of the full description from theforce.net

00:07 – 20th Century Fox Logo 00:09 – Lucasfilm Logo 00:14 – “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” 00:19 – Luke Skywalker in ANH walks out to view the binary sunset on Tatooine. 00:23 – Obi-Wan Kenobi in ANH speaks to Luke about the Jedi. 00:26 – Qui-Gon Jinn in TPM brandishes his saber before the final duel with Darth Maul. 00:27 – Shot from AOTC of the Clonetroopers walking into the transport. 00:29 – Shot from AOTC of the Clonetroopers at the end of the movie with transports lifting off in the background. 00:23 – First Revenge of the Sith shot of Obi-Wan and Anakin with their backs toward the camera, walking up to a window during the day. 00:36 – AOTC shot of Anakin looking evil just before the Tusken slaughter. 00:38 – AOTC shot of Anakin riding the Swoop on Tatooine. 00:41 – ANH Obi-Wan continues his voice-over. 00:42 – Second Revenge of the Sith shot. A hooded Anakin turns to the camera with red and yellow eyes much like Darth Maul’s. 00:50 – Shot of erupting volcanoes on Mustafar. 00:56 – Geonosians ride giant beetles in a Mustafar lava field. 00:58 – Black screen with Darth Sidious saying “Lord Vader?” followed by Vader’s (James Earl jones) “Yes Master?” and Sidious’ “Riiiiise”. 01:04 – Darth Vader, strapped to a table, begins to rise. 01:05 – A hooded Obi-Wan looks up. He is in a darkly lit area with sunlight seen in the background. This is possibly a location on Utapau. 01:06 – Palpatine turns to look at the camera. 01:07 – Vader continues to rise. 01:08 – R2D2 on the Tantive IV. 01:08 – C3PO on the Tantive IV. 01:09 – Padme turns to look at Obi-Wan with a terrified look on her face. 01:09 – Mace Windu raises his saber above his head. This shot is inside Palpatine’s office. 01:10 – Vader continues to rise. 01:11 – Chewbacca and Tarfful. 01:12 – Yoda, in Palpatine’s doorway, opens his cloak to reveal his saber. 01:13 – Vader finishes his rise and locks into frame. 01:17 – Two starfighters speed past the camera during the Battle of Coruscant. 01:18 – Anakin kisses Padme. 01:19 – Yoda, in Palpatine’s office, pulls out his ignited saber and points with it. 01:19 – A starfighter in the Battle of Coruscant speeds along the hull of a capitol ship towards the camera. 01:20 – Mace Windu fights against a red lightsaber in Palpatine’s office. 01:20 – A large Wookiee army cheers on the Kashyyyk beach. Republic walkers and troop transports can be seen in the background. 01:21 – Tion Meddon snarls at Obi-Wan. 01:22 – Flaming capitol ship heads into Coruscant with a fire ship spraying water on it. 01:22 – A very angry Anakin does an overhead slash with his saber. 01:23 – R2D2 in a grimy area. 01:24 – Padme, with a ANH Leia haircut, hugs Anakin. 01:24 – A small Naboo cruiser flies away from Mustafar. 01:25 – Obi-Wan and Anakin, both with blue sabers, fight on Mustafar as lava erupts around them. 01:26 – Capitol ships fire on each other above Coruscant. 01:27 – Anakin grab’s Obi-Wan’s neck with his robotic arm. 01:27 – A “Tri-fighter” flies toward the camera during the Battle of Coruscant. 01:28 – Obi-Wan held near the ground by Anakin. 01:29 – Anakin holds Obi-Wan’s saber arm as he continues to force him to the ground. 01:30 – A starship hanger door slams shut. 01:30 – A very angry Darth Sidious swings his red lightsaber at something possibly small and close to the ground. 01:31 – A large explosion on a capitol ship above Coruscant. 01:36 – Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith logo.

AWESOME!!

Predictions for 2008

Predictions for January 1, 2008

1. Military draft.
2. Roe v. Wade overturned.
3. Prayer in schools.
4. English As The National Language.
5. National debt at $9.5 trillion.
6. U.S. National Guard deployment to Iraq continues.
7. Dow and Nasdaq at 5% annual growth.

Predictions for January 1, 2008

1. Military draft. 2. Roe v. Wade overturned. 3. Prayer in schools. 4. English As The National Language. 5. National debt at $9.5 trillion. 6. U.S. National Guard deployment to Iraq continues. 7. Dow and Nasdaq at 5% annual growth.