January 2006 Archives

As so happens when you live in a place for many years, the subject of guns invariably comes up, and when it does, I usually mention some of my fond memories on the subject of shooting skeet or knocking off pop cans. Usually, I mention that I accomplished these feats of heroism with my trust over and under, which nobody quite knew what I was talking about. As this gun will like never see Canada due to ridiculous firearms restrictions, I have put it here in it's full photographic glory. As one can see from the picture, the over is composed of a .222 calibre rifle, and the bottom is a 20 gauge shotgun. The bottom barrel is common enough that I won't explain it. The top is similar to the common .22 that everyone talks about, but it has a much larger charge, and thus a greater velocity. It makes a darn good rabbit gun.

I am angrily facing the possibility at this point of having to purchase another cell phone. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to do this, however, after ripping apart everything, I cannot think of anywhere else the stupid thing would be. It has just completely vanished. Without a trace.

To brighten your week, I have decided to post this picture as proof positive that even an amateur photgrapher can have great effect. While I do not know the subject or the photographer of this photo, for obvious reasons I thought it worthy of posting for your glimpses. I can't get over those eyes, myself.

More serious events tomorrow, I suppose.

One of the upsides to having an apartment is the ability to entertain on a limited basis. I wish to stress limited here, as the folks are getting an oreo and a cup of tea (usually Red Rose) with non-matching mugs. Still, the opportunity for wonderfully inflammatory conversation can't be passed up. And to be honest, the refreshments aren't that bad. It's these kind of perks that one can enjoy towards the beginning of the semester.

Classes are beginning well, and I have actually already purchased two textbooks, which is quite the rarity for me. I actually really need to work this semester, and to that end, I am not doing too bad so far. Of course, this is only the first week, so time will tell . But surpringly, just having the textbooks available is a wonderful imducement to peruse through them. Too hard to work up the motivation to go to the library. Never underestimate the power of laziness. Heh.

You know, I really didn't want to take that course. As in, I really really did not want to take that class. The labs look to be a serious PITA, and I am told that at every turn, people said they were only happy to be done with it. I guess I am inclined to call it my penance for a lousy previous semester. When it comes right down to it, I deserve it. And unfortunately, I require the class. So, join with me as I yawn and pine for the end of the semester.

In other news, most of the tech community is aware that Apple is selling, as of today, Macs with Intel processors. I never actually thought I would see that day, for a number of reasons, but they're selling now and they look amazing. I really wouldn't mind having one, but I think that will be waiting until I win some kind of lottery.And given that I don't buy lottery tickets, I am guessing that the chances of me winning are very low.

I guess I am now off to the campus bookstore to see how much I can get ripped off by the major textbook publishers. This should be great...

I am back up in Edmonton after a bizarre or at least unusual flight back on Northwest Airlines. It went about as well as can be expected, though a little quirky. I doubt the airport security screeners are that used to finding things like Soldering guns and LCD displays packed in people's luggage (which incidentally cost me an extra $25 for overweight luggage). Of course, I almost didn't receive any of that luggage at all. It got lost in Minneapolis, apparently. So I took my first flight on an incredibly loud DC-9 which was uneventful. I had no layover to speak of, hoever, and thus had no time to grab anything more than some vending machine fair.

As it turns out, this would not matter. When I boarded the aircraft to Edmonton, we wound up sitting on the concrete for quite a while due to some kind of mechanical problem or other hooey. I was stuc in a middle seat too, since I checked in too late. About fifteen minutes after I boarded the plane, a flight attenadant asked me if I wanted to move up to first class due to " balancing issues" I have never moved so fast in my life. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure this is where I dropped my ID too. Nevertheless, first class was excellent.

I actually had a meal, and massive seat and the seat next to me as well. The flight attendants up there really lavish the service on you as well, so before anybody else in the aircraft was served I had a pepsi in a glass cup with a meal. And ever since the cutbacks... well, I haven't had a meal on an airline in years. And actually, it was quite good. I really savored that, and it's a good thing, because after getting grilled by customs (the guy thought I was suspiscious, and having lost my Alberta ID, well, that didn't help matters any), I found out that my luggage never made it. I did, however, receive it the next day.

I arrived back bleary eyed and exhausted, and of course, had to unpack, a process I am still nibbling at. I have class of course on Monday which I can't say I am extremely excited about, but who knows? I am making this an incredible start, and I eased up my schedule a little bit too.

I am disappointed my little break is coming to an end so fast, though it's far from surprising. I did not have much of a break to begin with, unfortunately. Only two weeks allows very little room for play. I used it as best as I could however. I got to meet up with a lot of family and old friends, so in that light it was successful. I still feel like i have so much to do though. I never even made it to the dentist, and that's a big problem. Dentist visits without insurance are a major problem.

I have to put some new tires on the Cadillac tomorrow and see a few people that I haven't yet seen, pack, and it's all over. If I am lucky, I will get a nice bump for a free ticket, but i don't see it happening. I want to take the Lanboy (cheap computer) back up to school with me this year as it's not doing much good sitting here. We'll have to see if I actually succeed at that. I guess it all depends on the check-in attendant's mood.

In any case, I need sleep.