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A: Find out you owe $1700 bucks to the fucking Art Institute.
It could be a fault in their records, they show us not paying since December, but I know we have. The more likely scenario is that we forgot. Why they couldn't have said something last month beats the hell out of me.
Hope the credit card is feeling limber.
What I went through to learn how to loose money,
I actually bought a game the other day...well I've actually bought two games in the last few months...that's unusual for me, but it seems that my usual sources are becoming unreliable...so what can you do.
I bought Hoyle Casino 2004 so I could polish up on my Casino beating strategies...yeah right. Well I get it home; I gleefully pop open the box, enjoying the plastic cardboard smell of a new game. I pop the CD in my CD drive and eagerly begin the installation process. I even decide to register the game, just because it all seems so legit and it's a novel thing for me.
The moment of truth arrives. I've already seen this game played on a friend's computer and the anticipation has reached fever pitch. I'm so ready to try out my Casino strategies, I'm going to show those money grubbing bastards what for. The icon conveniently placed on my desktop is lavishly double-clicked and I wait for nervous seconds to see the start up movies.
Nothing happens. Of course reason dictates that if double-clicking to launch the application once didn't work, you should do it again and again. I'm in IT I know this works, it's the same mentality applied to the printer, "oh it didn't print, I should send it six more times, because the printer obviously has some grudge against me or isn't paying attention." Several double-clicks and muffled swear words later I'm still staring at my desktop.
Then something weird happened, almost miraculous. As I went to eject the CD from the drive I see the video flicker and pop, the resolution notches down and an intro movie starts. Astonished and relieved I play my game, knowing that the issue isn't resolved, but at the moment not caring. I play blackjack, I play craps and video poker, I even try some roulette and then some slot machines; these are heady days! Moments pass and more less-than muffled swear words have escaped my lips; I've lost all my virtual money. Yay, gambling.
I was right though, the issue didn't go away. Already long story made a bit shorter, there is evidently something in the disc's security device that makes it incompatible with some CD-ROM drives. And my CD-ROM drive being already pretty gimpy to begin with (it used to be a CD-R, but it just can't do it anymore), it was a sure candidate for this. Last night I got tired of the old guy and ripped him out, replacing it with the little used CD-ROM from my server. Everything works now, so I was well pleased.
I found this article from the associated press in yesterdays a.m. journal express that said two-thirds of Americans want televised executions.
21% said they would watch Osama bin Laden put to death
11% said the same for Saddam
At least 54% said they wouldn't watch it on TV...so they support it being broadcast, but wouldn't watch it...weird. Of course only 1,017 people were interviewed.
But, wow, that's a little disturbing, it seems so gruesome and bloodthirsty. I wonder how these same people feel about Janet's nipple being flashed during the pre-execution show.
She tried to remember that one evening they had shared together. Her memories swam through her mind as if struggling to surface from the bottom of a murky lake. It all seemed so long ago and the pain of remembering made everything hazy and distant. The world had been transformed and when it was over nothing had been the same again.
Slowly, hesitantly, but with long practiced fortitude her brain brought those long ago days back to her. She had only been a girl then, no more than 17. Everything seemed so promising and full of potential then, death was some unknown thing and the world was teeming with passion and life. There was energy in the air and people moved with purpose and vigor. The calendar in her room, the one decorated with kittens and flowers read 1914.
He had been no more than a boy, at least that's how she had known him all her life. Really, he had still been a boy when he went away. Not that any of that had mattered at the time, they had been too caught up in the swiftly moving current of epic events. She tried to remember.
A raucous mansion set on sweeping estates, aglow with lights and filled with the laughter of party goers. These evenings were not uncommon. Her parents were wealthy and they loved to entertain, throwing lavish galas for almost no reason at all. She had never minded these events and, as she had gotten older, the opportunity to sneak glasses of champagne was absurdly easy. Typically ignored, it allowed a young woman and a young man to find ways to entertain themselves. They often had in the last few years as each had matured.
That night had been his last. The party was in honor of those leaving for the front, but it hadn't been difficult to slip away. She had always loved him. Not in the crazy, romantic way that most of her friends babbled about at school, but something much more sedate and solid. Yes, it had been a deep, soulful love. Sweet and dedicated as if they had always been meant to be together, two spirits who had waited for birth to spend their existence together on Earth.
As she thought back on it her eyes closed and the ghosts of memories ascended from their crypts. They had never made love before, though they had experimented and explored each others bodies. That had held certain sacredness to it, something that should wait. Fear and sadness weighed heavily on that night and the passion of uncertainty pushed them onward. Making them grasp for what they may never have again.
A tear slid down from a clinched eyelid, winding its way down her cheek. They had been right and she felt the pit in her stomach open and felt an endless void fill it. Much the same feeling had come to her on learning how right they had been. He never came back and nine months later she bore the child he would never meet.
What would have been endless shame and scandal passed without notice. By that time her father and brothers were gone, buried in the French mud. Her mother, now wrecked by misery, could find no outrage for her granddaughter being born out of wedlock. A year later her mother found escape from her misery.
The mansion and sweeping estates went away too. She found herself alone with her daughter, in a life far removed from where she'd been. And the years moved on. A soft sigh escaped from her lips and her moistened eyes opened to view the world again. She didn't cry anymore, she had no tears left for sorrow and these memories brought more comfort these days. Life had gone on.
The phone rang in sharp chittering bursts, and she answered it on the fourth ring. The conversation was short, "Yes, yes honey that would be fineÂ…stop by with the kids anytime today, I'll be home." As the phone clacked lightly back into its cradle her hand went to her neck and the small gold locket that had hung there since that night. She looked at the faded photos of two young people in love and she smiled.
I just found out via D's web site that a pig's orgasm lasts for 30 minutes. I just wonder who discovered this and why. I guess there is some reason, though I can't imagine how useful it is...but I'm sure they who did it know why. The thing I wonder is how long they had to watch pigs having sex and I can't imagine that's a very rewarding job. Not something you'd mention at the bar when picking up chicks...or would you?
I skipped the Stars game in order to spend some quality time with my lovely wife. When I left it they boys were down 1-0...I was very pleased to see they pulled it out with 2 goals from Mo, 1 from Morrow and 1 from Lehts.
You know what I've been getting tired of lately? I'm getting tired of smug elitists who make quibbling remarks about anything they don't approve of. I guess, in a way, I'm doing that right now, but I'm going to do it anyway.
I see it time and again all over the place. Someone like the first lady makes a remark that abstinence could be discussed alongside contraception. Then I see her get verbally wrangled by some semi-intellectual yahoo who evidently feels that anyone who holds on to such out dated dogma must be intellectually inferior. God forbid anyone who happens to attend a Christian Church should speak their mind. Obviously if you aren't atheist, wiccan, Buddhist or a vegetarian you don't know what's good for anyone.
I get aggravated to no end that I'm asked to be reasoned and understanding about issues that fly in the front of my long held convictions, to be compassionate about the plight of others and not condemn those who are different from me. Then I see those same people who ask this of me seemingly disrespecting and making light of my beliefs and value systems. Maybe I'm over reacting, but that's how it feels and they keep saying that feelings are important. Sometimes I get the impression that it's not cool to be sympathetic or understanding of a white ChristianÂ…after all, we had our time in the sun and now we deserve the kicking we get.
Maybe these comments are inside jokes to be shared amongst the faithful, maybe they are a response to the opposition. Maybe I'm taking it too personally, but for once I'd like to see some rise above the pettiness; grow up as it were.
Oh, if anyone can help me with this puzzle lights on! without giving it completely away...i would be much obliged.
For some reason unknown to me I decided this morning to do a Google search on Life Simulators. I found a program called Real Lives made by Educational Simulations that they allow you to download for a free X days free evaluation. So, after looking at the screen shots and reading a little of the verbage I decided I would partake of some of this free downloading goodness.
After a brief install I double clicked on the conveniently located desktop icon and launched the program. I was informed that I was born a boy, somewhere in India (there was a specific location, but I don't remember it). I then proceeded to live my life, complete with going to school, parents getting jobs, romantic interests, deciding on my leisure activities and such things as 'will I drink or smoke'.
This is surprisingly addictive, leading this little virtual life. I've played a girl in Indonesia, a girl in China, a girl in Brasil (for some reason I keep getting born as a girl). Unfortunately the program seems to love sticking you in impoverished parts of the world...which while insightful, doesn't make for a lot of decisions. I complete school, get married, have babies and then I die.
If I have any complaints it is that all my people have died before reaching 70. Even my US doctor died at 49 from mouth cancer, but then I guess I shouldn't have made him a smoker...the pity there is that he had just quit. Also, my brazilian girl managed to graduate from graduate school with a degree in Engineering and then I couldn't find a job...even in Rio. Plus you can't leave your country...as near as I can tell anyway and the economic model is a little screwy...you don't have to pay for college and you don't have to pay for relocation.
Anyways, fun little game. It should keep me entertained for awhile and avoiding work :D
I've been reading several web pages on Blackjack trying to figure out how to play in some fashion so as not to consistantly loose. There's the basic strategy which isn't hard to follow, but I found out that it is widely understood amongst the blackjack community that you will never make money using it. Evidently, counting cards is the best way to make the odds a little bit more in your favor, but talk about brain melt.
Bah
Oh yeah, I hate coworkers who can't decide what to fucking do and have to ramble on for half an hour trying to ask me a question about something I have no idea about. It is called troubleshooting...try it!
I'm in a bad mood this morning. I can't really pinpoint the reason. I don't want to be at work. I don't want to go look at this stupid printer that isn't working. I don't want to work on this fucking laptop that belongs to one of the faculty's kid.
RARR
I was reading a game review of Deus Ex 2. I found it amusing that the reviewer complains that carrying around dead bodies is far too unrealistic. Hmmmm.
"Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
After a cold and windy Saturday of Ultimate, this little quote seemed appropriate.
We won both games...very long games 12-11.
I had 3 scores, the wife got 1 score and an assist...go us!