Jeff

Regrets

2006-10-31T08:05:19Z

I've been thinking over my life recently... and I know that you're supposed to live your life with no regrets; you're supposed to take a lesson from everything so no expierence was wasted, and how could you regret an expierence that netted you a lesson. But I have to say, looking back on my life so far, I have some regrets. I regret not doing more in school. I regret not going to prom. I regret not getting out and meeting people more in college (and regret the reason for that, which I will not get into here). I regret the people I've hurt...

...and I'm sorry.

Development Blog

2006-10-10T07:08:05Z

Hi all. Just a quick note: I've started a development blog. For those are you that are so inclined (read: interested in CS), the username is jlipelesdev. I don't promise it'll be entertaining... or even insightful. Its just what's going on in my development life. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee.

In other news, I'm really busy. Not a bad thing (except I'm always tired). And I just recently (tonight) got back to the gym after a while off (I gained some weight). I'm also starting to eat better again. Yay! Back to fit Jeff in a jiffy!

Yeah, I said jiffy. What's it to you?

Final Party Info

2006-07-12T20:03:18Z

Ok. Party at my place, noon, July 15, 2006.

Parking will be a pain so I suggest you pack as many people as possible into one or two cars.

I will attempt to save one space (with my car).

There will be pizza, beer, salad, and dessert. I need to know what people want for beer (and what non-alcoholic things people want).

Events may include (but are subject to change without notice) beach vollyball, general beach frolicking, a movie, etc.

If you have any other comments or suggestions (and beer preferences), comment on this post.

Drivers should contact me by phone or online for directions to my place. Do NOT use Mapquest or Google Maps.

Remember, tell the gang... they don't all have me friended.

See you all there!

Your Attention to the Center Ring

2006-07-06T22:36:31Z

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all shapes and sizes, I would like to direct your attention to Redondo Beach, California. Specifially, Jeff's apartment on July 15, 2006. There, at around noon, you will find all sorts of amusments such as beach vollyball, surfing (potentially, if you don't mind waves that are out to kill you), swimming, and all sorts of other delights to be capped off by a meal of some sort (late lunch, dinner, who knows) and maybe even a movie in digital 6.1 surrond sound.

Ok, so I'm done with my circus ringleader voice. A couple of issues, parking will suck since its at the beach. I suggest the Irvine people carpool in as few car(s) as possible. I will issue directions (Mapquest's suck and Google Maps doesn't find the place, weeeeeeeeee) to the driver(s). Let others know about it, the whole Irvine group is welcome (I know a lot of them don't have me friended so SPREAD THE WORD).

Oh, and please, please, please, RSVP in this thread (or to me directly) if you're going to go. I'd like to know approx how many people are coming beforehand for food, drink, and parking purposes.

Jeff's Doing A Party? NO WAY!

2006-06-20T22:16:16Z

Hey all! Yeah, that's right. I'm thinking of hosting a party at my place in Redondo Beach (that's the one on the beach). Before I do the official announcement, however, I'd like to know when is good for you. Right now it looks like its either going to be Sunday, July 9 or Saturday or Sunday, July 15 or 16. Please let me know which you'd prefer. Also, I don't think I have the whole gang as friends so some of them may not see this... so SPREAD THE WORD!

Workout Log (5/15 - 5/21)

2006-05-17T04:29:18Z

Monday:

Ab Drill -
2 min bicycle situps, 1 min crunches; 3 reps.

Back -
Lat Pull (inner grip) from 90lbs to 50lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.
Lat Pull (outer grip) from 90lbs to 40lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.

Arms -
Arm curl from 90lbs to 50lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.

Tuesday:

Warm-Up -
10 minutes rowing machine.

Ab Drill -
12 V-Snaps, 20 seconds of plank; 3 reps.

Cardio -
Sideways run 10 times around the classroom.

Marine Corps Countdown (UUH RAH!) -
10 jumping jacks, 10 push ups, 10 burpees, 10 situps.
9 jumping jacks, 9 push ups, 9 burpees, 9 situps.
Down to one of each with no rest from start to finish.

Wednesday:

Warm-Up -
10 minutes versaclimber.

Back -
Pulldown - 25lbs to failure, 1 rep; 35lbs to failure, 2 reps.
Assited Pullup (inner grip) - 170lbs to failure; 3 reps.
Assited Pullup (outer grip) - 170lbs to failure; 3 reps.
Row - 35lbs to failure; 3 reps.

Arms -
Arm Curl from 80lbs to 50lbs, lowering 15lbs each failure; 3 reps.
Ropes - 40lbs to failure; 3 reps.
Hang to failure, 10 ropes at 30lbs; 3 reps.

Legs -
1 minute squats, 1 minute mountain climbers.

Thursday:

Cardio -
20 minutes rowing machine.

Friday:
DAY OFF.

Saturday:
Grrrr... didn't get a chance. DAY OFF.

Sunday:

Cardio -
20 minutes elliptical.

Shoulders -
Overhead press from 50lbs to 30lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.
Lateral press from 50lbs to 30lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.

Forearms -
Hang (no thumb) until failure; 3 reps.

Comments: Did all right. Was annoyed that time got by me on Saturday so before I knew it, it was 10:30 and I didn't want to go to the gym that late. Otherwise, pretty good.

Workout Post OF DEATH!

2006-05-10T03:35:47Z

Monday:
DAY OFF (didn't feel well).

Tuesday:

Warm Up -
Elliptical: 10 minutes.

Ab Drills -
25 hanging leg raise (10 extended, 15 knees), 20 bicycle situps; 3 reps.
30 situps, 20 bicycle situps; 3 reps.
10 weighted (10lbs) plank raises, 20 bicycle situps; 3 reps.

Leg Drills -
15 squats, 1 minute on the Versaclimber; 2 reps (was supposed to be 5 reps).
1 minute mountain climbers, 1 minute bicycle situps; 2 reps.

Wednesday:

Warm Up/Cardio -
Elliptical: 20 minutes at 20 seconds normal, 10 seconds all out.

Ab Drill -
2 situps, 2 reverse knee situps, 8 cycles: 10 each rep; 3 reps.

Chest/Triceps -
Chest press from 90lbs to 40lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.
20 seconds holding pushup position.
Fly from 80lbs to 40lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.
20 seconds holding pushup position.
Individual overhead press from 30lbs to 10lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 3 reps.
20 seconds holding pushup position.

Thursday:

Cardio -
Elliptical: 20 minutes.

Friday:
DAY OFF.

Saturday:

Warm Up/Cardio -
Elliptical: 20 minutes at 20 seconds normal, 10 seconds all out.

Shoulders -
Overhead press from 120lbs to 80lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 2 reps.
Overhead press from 80lbs to 40lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 1 rep.
Reverse fly from 80lbs to 40lbs, lowering 10lbs each failure; 2 reps.

Triceps -
Front forearm curl: 3 sets; to failure at 40lbs.
Reverse front forearm curl: 3 sets; to failure + 10 assisted at 30lbs.

Grip -
Hang (no thumb): 3 sets to failure.
Hang (thumb under): 3 sets to failure.
Hang (thumb over): 3 sets to failure.

Abs -
V snaps: 10; 1 rep.
V snaps to failure, Bicycle sit ups to failure, cruches to failure; 2 reps.

Sunday:
DAY OFF.

Comments: I did good, I think. The weight has been going up, even from just last week. Oh, and I never posted this, but last week we did measurements and I went from 30% body fat to 25% body fat while gaining 3lbs. Hehehe... gotta love muscle. Still got a ways to go though... weeeeeeeee.

Our One Year Anniversary!

2006-05-07T09:56:57Z

I didn't believe in love at first sight, until I met you.
I didn't believe in the perfect relationship, until I met you.
I didn't believe I could ever be this happy, until I met you.

I love you, Cheryl. Here's to the past year we've spent together and to the many more we spend together in the future.

Workout Post

2006-05-02T05:00:46Z

I'm gonna start posting my workouts to help keep track and motivate me.

Monday:

Abs -
Reaching side-to-side situps: 3 sets; 50, 50, 100 reps.
Bicycle situps: 3 sets; to failure.

Tuesday:

Warm Up -
Elliptical: 10 minutes.

Abs -
Sit ups: 3 sets; 50, failure, failure.
Crunch machine: 3 sets; 20 at 20lbs each.

Cardio -
Sprints, back and forth 5 times, rest, then 7 times.

Drills -
2 minutes weighted squats, 2 minutes bicycle situps, 10 pushups; 2 reps.

Wednesday:

Warm Up -
Elliptical: 10 minutes.

Abs -
Hanging leg raise: 3 sets; 10 extended legs, 15 knees each set.
Reaching side-to-side situps: 3 sets; 20, 20, 40.
Reaching situps: 3 sets; 20, 20, 20.

Chest -
Bench press: 5 sets; to failure at 20lbs each arm.
Incline bench press: 5 sets; to failure at 15lbs each arm.
Butterfly: 5 sets; to failure at 10lbs each arm.

Triceps -
Tricep extension: 3 sets; to failure at 15lbs.

Thursday:

DAY OFF

Friday:

DAY OFF

Saturday

Warm Up -
Elliptical: 10 minutes.

Abs -
Crunch machine: 3 sets; 20 at 40lbs each.
Bicycle situps: 3 sets; to failure.

Back -
Lat pulldown (weight for each arm): 3 sets; to failure 40lbs each arm.
Lat pulldown (wide grip): 3 sets; to failure at 75lbs.
Lat pulldown (narrow grip): 3 sets; from 90lbs to 50lbs to failure each set.

Biceps -
Arm curl: 3 sets; to failure at 60lbs.

Triceps -
Front forearm curl: 3 sets; to failure at 30lbs.
Back forearm curl: 3 sets; to failure at 25lbs.

Sunday

DAY OFF.

Comments: Well, I'm impressed by my progress (I remember what I did before this week) and am impressed by the fact I was able to go to the trainer two days in a row without a large drop off in performance the second day. This coming week will be harder. The days off will turn into cardio days and there will be hard cardio (not the easy 10 minutes steady on the elliptical) at the beginning of two of the three training sessions. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Valentine's Day

2006-02-15T04:03:58Z

What would a Valentine's Day be without an entry by Jeff. Now, I know all of you are used to bitter, angry, and indignent entries today, however, I must disappoint you. That's right, as you may or may not know, I have the best girlfriend ever that I can share this day and all days with.

Cheryl, even though you may be 400 miles away, you are always with me. I look forward to your every call. I think about you all the time. You make me so happy. I hope I do the same for you. I'm the happiest man alive.

I love you, babe.

The IMDb List

2006-01-05T08:45:06Z

- Bold the ones you have seen and didn't hate (indifference doesn't mean hate).
- Strike out the ones you saw and hated.
- Italicize the ones you own.

1. The Godfather (1972)
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
3. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
5. Shichinin no samurai (1954)
6. Schindler's List (1993)
7. Casablanca (1942)
8. Star Wars (1977)
9. Pulp Fiction (1994)
10. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
11. Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (1966)
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
~~13. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)~~
14. Rear Window (1954)
~~15. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)~~
16. The Usual Suspects (1995)
17. Cidade de Deus (2002)
18. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
19. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
20. 12 Angry Men (1957)
21. Citizen Kane (1941)
22. Memento (2000)
23. C'era una volta il West (1968)
24. Psycho (1960)
25. Goodfellas (1990)
26. North by Northwest (1959)
27. Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (2001)
28. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
29. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
30. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
31. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
32. American Beauty (1999)
33. Fight Club (1999)
34. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
35. The Matrix (1999)
36. Vertigo (1958)
37. Apocalypse Now (1979)
38. Paths of Glory (1957)
39. Taxi Driver (1976)
40. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
41. The Pianist (2002)
42. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
43. Se7en (1995)
44. The Third Man (1949)
45. Léon (1994)
46. Chinatown (1974)
47. Boot, Das (1981)
48. Untergang, Der (2004)
49. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
~~50. Requiem for a Dream (2000)~~
51. American History X (1998)
~~52. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)~~
53. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
54. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
55. Rashômon (1950)
56. M (1931)
57. L.A. Confidential (1997)
58. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
59. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
60. Modern Times (1936)
61. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
62. All About Eve (1950)
63. Alien (1979)
~~64. A Clockwork Orange (1971)~~
65. Crash (2004)
66. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
67. Raging Bull (1980)
68. Some Like It Hot (1959)
69. Double Indemnity (1944)
70. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
71. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
72. Vita è bella, La (1997)
73. Metropolis (1927)
74. Sin City (2005)
75. The Incredibles (2004)
76. The Shining (1980)
77. Amadeus (1984)
78. City Lights (1931)
79. The Great Escape (1963)
80. The Sting (1973)
81. Aliens (1986)
82. Touch of Evil (1958)
83. On the Waterfront (1954)
84. Rebecca (1940)
85. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
86. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
87. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
88. Ran (1985)
89. The Apartment (1960)
90. Sjunde inseglet, Det (1957)
91. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
92. Jaws (1975)
93. Strangers on a Train (1951)
94. Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1989)
95. The Great Dictator (1940)
96. Braveheart (1995)
~~97. Donnie Darko (2001)~~
98. Finding Nemo (2003)
99. Fargo (1996)
100. Forrest Gump (1994)
101. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
102. Blade Runner (1982)
103. Mononoke-hime (1997)
104. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
105. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
106. The Big Sleep (1946)
107. Yojimbo (1961)
108. High Noon (1952)
109. Notorious (1946)
110. Batman Begins (2005)
111. Wo hu cang long (2000)
112. The Elephant Man (1980)
113. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
~~114. The Sixth Sense (1999)~~
115. Annie Hall (1977)
116. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
117. Ladri di biciclette (1948)
118. The General (1927)
119. Oldboy (2003)
120. The Princess Bride (1987)
121. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
122. It Happened One Night (1934)
123. Smultronstället (1957)
124. Unforgiven (1992)
125. Duck Soup (1933)
126. The Graduate (1967)
127. Ben-Hur (1959)
~~128. The Deer Hunter (1978)~~
129. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
130. The Green Mile (1999)
131. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
132. Amores perros (2000)
133. Lola rennt (1998)
134. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
135. Back to the Future (1985)
136. Toy Story 2 (1999)
137. Life of Brian (1979)
138. Platoon (1986)
139. Before Sunset (2004)
140. The Killing (1956)
141. Salaire de la peur, Le (1953)
142. The African Queen (1951)
143. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
144. The Gold Rush (1925)
145. Glory (1989)
146. Finding Neverland (2004)
147. Ying xiong (2002)
148. Patton (1970)
149. Kumonosu jô (1957)
150. Notti di Cabiria, Le (1957)
151. A Christmas Story (1983)
152. Gladiator (2000)
153. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
154. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
155. The Night of the Hunter (1955)
156. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
157. Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
158. Per qualche dollaro in più (1965)
159. Die Hard (1988)
160. Mystic River (2003)
161. Gone with the Wind (1939)
162. Shrek (2001)
163. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
164. Gandhi (1982)
165. Hable con ella (2002)
166. The Conversation (1974)
167. Festen (1998)
168. Quatre cents coups, Les (1959
169. Big Fish (2003)
170. Stalag 17 (1953)
171. The Hustler (1961)
172. Stand by Me (1986)
173. Brief Encounter (1945)
174. The Wild Bunch (1969)
175. Magnolia (1999)
176. The Straight Story (1999)
177. Manhattan (1979)
178. Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)
179. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
180. Harvey (1950)
181. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
182. Spartacus (1960)
183. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
184. Ikiru (1952)
185. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
186. His Girl Friday (1940)
187. Kabinett des Doktor Caligari, Das (1920)
188. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
189. Trainspotting (1996)
190. Toy Story (1995)
191. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
192. Diaboliques, Les (1955)
193. Groundhog Day (1993)
194. The Searchers (1956)
195. Young Frankenstein (1974)
196. Ed Wood (1994)
197. Grande illusion, La (1937)
198. Sling Blade (1996)
199. Belle et la bête, La (1946)
200. Hotaru no haka (1988)
201. Twelve Monkeys (1995)
202. Roman Holiday (1953)
203. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
204. The Exorcist (1973)
205. Trois couleurs: Rouge (1994)
206. Brazil (1985)
207. The Big Lebowski (1998)
208. Snatch. (2000)
209. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
~~210. Sideways (2004)~~
211. Strada, La (1954)
212. Almost Famous (2000)
213. The Lady Vanishes (1938)
214. Charade (1963)
215. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
216. The Terminator (1984)
217. 8½ (1963)
218. King Kong (1933)
219. Heat (1995)
220. A Night at the Opera (1935)
221. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
222. The Insider (1999)
223. Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925)
224. Lost in Translation (2003)
225. All the President's Men (1976)
226. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
227. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
228. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
229. Scarface (1983)
230. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
231. Laura (1944)
232. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
233. Sleuth (1972)
234. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
235. Rain Man (1988)
236. Frankenstein (1931)
237. Being John Malkovich (1999)
238. Miller's Crossing (1990)
239. Cinderella Man (2005)
240. The Thing (1982)
241. Garden State (2004)
242. Mar adentro (2004/I)
~~243. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)~~
244. In America (2002)
245. Passion de Jeanne d'Arc, La (1928)
246. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
247. Network (1976)
248. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
249. Planet of the Apes (1968)
250. 21 Grams (2003)

No stats or stuff. If you have questions or flames, leave a comment.

2005: A Year of Change

2006-01-01T08:10:39Z

The past year has been a one of new experiences and change: some good, some bad, all learning experiences. Some of my memories of 2005 are below.

Senior year of college: The class for my senior year wasn't really memorable. Its what happened after it was over that was a learning experience. Some know, some don't, my final quarter at UCI, I ended up failing a math class. This led to myself not graduating in June. My job had to demote me and I had to go to summer school. When I first got the news about the class, I was devastated. I'd always been able to pull bad grades out of the fire by the end until this... and this was about the worst time to do it. I had failed. To top it off, I had to take a large pay cut while in summer school. It was not a pleasant experience and it took until the end of December to finally get my full pay and status at work (for some stupid reasons I won't go into).

Making some true friends: I've always had problems throughout my life making really close friends. I've always been able to make friends with everyone. I knew everyone in my high school senior class. But I have had a lot of trouble keeping close friends I can tell anything. I have maintained one from high school, but barely ever talk to him. I made one freshman year of college and still keep in close contact with him. Senior year, I made two, which, while not a lot, is a lot more than I've had for a while. I hope to keep in contact with all of my friends, close and otherwise, but I take comfort in the fact that I have a few that I know I will.

Working after school: After the whole summer school thing was done (and I passed it), I was working full time. Its... interesting. As a student, I sure took vacations (summer, winter, spring) for granted. There is none of that now. Yeah, I do get paid vacation (although not until December for stupid reasons) but its not automatic that you take off a lot of time in winter. And I haven't been through a summer full time yet, but I have a feeling its not going to be fun to not be able to take three months off. Overall though, I've been pleased with the work I am doing. Its interesting and I am able to do it well while learning more and more.

Cheryl: Much to everyone's surprise, Jeff got a girlfriend. And not just any girlfriend: I got the hottest girl in the world. I've gotten to experience what having a girlfriend is like. The good and the bad. I've been the happiest I've been in my life. I've been very sad at times as well. I've made a lot of mistakes, some of which, well, they've been bad and I'm sorry. Sometimes I don't know why she keeps me around. But she has, and I hope she continues to. And now, to Cheryl: Babe, you make me so happy and I love you so much. I was dead serious when I told you that you were the one for me the moment I saw you, and every time I look at you now, I get the same feeling. I have nothing but love and affection for you. *kisses*

I guess I should do the traditional resolutions thing. Honestly, I don't have that many but the ones I have are very important to me. First and foremost, I want Cheryl and I to grow even more, learn even more about each other, and continue being happy together. Another resolution is to continue doing my job well. In the past year, I've won an award and received a letter of commendation. I hope to get a lot more of those in the coming year. And finally, I want to get in shape. I do not like the blob I have become. Its gross. I've already been going to the gym this week and I will continue all throughout the year, decade, and century.

Anyway, I started writing this in 2005. Now its 2006. So I'll post this and go do some drinking. :-D

Time to Be A Nerd

2005-10-09T23:16:21Z

Well, I've done some nerdy stuff that I thought I would share with you all. First, I will cover the machine that has made some filled with awe, and other filled with hate. I have done some small upgrades to my computer. I will post the pictures in a later entry (because yes, I did take pics... didn't want to get yelled at like before). I replaced the Vantec hard drive coolers with really cool Cooler Master ones, I pulled out the black tube that went through the computer and tried to hide the cords as well as possible (looks all right... not great, but all right), took out some old hardware and put in some new hardware, which is reflected in the updated specs below (new stuff in bold).

Computer specs:
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5
Power Supply: Antec SmartPower 500W ATX 2.0
Processor: Pentium 4E 3.2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache w/Zalman Cooler
Main Board: Abit AI7
Memory 1: 512MB DDR PC2700
Memory 2: 512MB DDR PC2700
Memory 3: 512MB DDR PC2700 PNY Memory
Memory 4: 512MB DDR PC2700 Kingston Memory
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X800 XT All-in-Wonder 500/500MHz
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Wireless Card: Belkin 802.11g Wireless Card, Version 2000
Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Raptor, 74GB, 10,000RPM, w/Cooler Master CoolDrive 6
Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Raptor, 74GB, 10,000RPM, w/Cooler Master CoolDrive 6
Hard Drive 2: Western Digital 250GB, 7,200RPM, 8MB Buffer
Hard Drive 3: Western Digital 160GB, 7,200RPM, 2MB Buffer
CD-RW: Dynex 52X Write, 32X Rewrite, 52X Read
DVD-RW: Emprex 16X DVD+/-R, 4X DVD+R DL

In other nerdy news, I got a new MP3 player. It is a Sony Vaio player (now discontinued, probably because it was too expensive) which has 40GB, a huge (relatively) color screen (XBrite technology), great sound (awesome bass), and 20+ hours of battery life (good considering the awesome bass and the large screen). I like it a lot. Linky

And in non-nerd related news, Cheryl is awesome and I love her a lot. That is all.

What I Am Doing Up

2005-09-29T09:50:02Z

Hi everyone. It is almost 3 in the morning right now and I have work tomorrow. Why am I still up? Because I have things on my mind. Things I gotta get off my mind and on to LJ. Things that need to be said... why? Cause I said so.

thelittlesthalo, my girlfriend, best friend, etc. is the coolest, smartest, most beautiful person I have ever known. Just sitting and talking to her is an overwhelming feeling of joy that I wish upon all of my friends (although, feel it with someone else, she's taken). I am so in love with her, I have been speechless until now. Up until now, I didn't think I could put into words how much I love her. And even now, as I look back on what I've written, it comes nowhere close to what I feel.

I love her. I love her. I love her. She is my everything.

And with that, I will be silent and ponder a better way to accurately express how much I love and care for her.

BAAAAAAAAAAABY!

2005-09-19T04:26:51Z

I will do a better update on everything that has been happening with me later. Right now, I just want to say this: I LOVE MY CHERYL!!!! She's my pretty girl!

A Terrible Confession

2005-05-18T09:19:50Z

Everyone... I have a confession to make... please make sure you are seated before reading this... I will NOT be responsible for you fainting and hitting your head on your desk. Seated? Good. Here goes...

I cheat at Guess Who. I count cards. Now I know what you're saying, "What kind of sick, twisted, warped individual cheats at Guess Who?" Well, the answer would be me. I recognize I have a problem. I need help.

Please, don't shun me. Help me. HELP ME!

A Change

2005-05-06T21:32:31Z

I noticed that I always post when I have some bitching to do. Well, in case you hadn't noticed, I haven't posted in a week or two. That's cause I'm happy. It was pointed out to me that maybe I should post when I am happy. So here I am, rambling on about being happy.

Why am I happy, you ask? Cause I have someone I can talk to, hang out with, and are a lot like that makes me very happy. Yup. That's right folks. Beleive it or not, Jeff has a girlfriend. And a pretty one at that. :-D

Surronded By Art People!

2005-04-14T05:54:53Z

I don't know about the rest of you computer types, but I'm getting really sick of art people. At my job at the start up, we have 6 people there. The boss (who does the business stuff), me (the software engineer ["That's just like garbage men calling themselves sanitation engineers! You're a computer programmer!" - my supportive roommate]), and 4 art/design people. And I'm getting sick of them! Now, not them as people. Them as people who output pretty looking art to which people say "oooh, ahhhh" while I sit there coding up something that will only impress them AFTER THE ART PEOPLE GET DONE WITH IT! No one appreciates the people that make things work, only the people that make things pretty.

Now I ask, my fellow software engineers, have any of you experienced this? If you have, how did you deal with it? I'm going to deck the next person who comments on what "nice, clean graphics" the application I just slaved over has. ARGH!

Eh...

2005-04-11T01:45:30Z

As some of you may have noticed (ok, no one did, but that's ok), I haven't been writing in my LJ recently. Now, it isn't that I don't have anything to write about. I have plenty. Its just that, well, I have found that LJ is kind of worthless for things that actually matter. Now, before some of you jump all over me, pointing me to countless meaningful entries you have put into it, let me explain myself.

See, I have thoughts about a lot of things pertaining to a lot of people and events that occur in my life. As part of the LJ community, I have a lot of my friends "friended" on my LJ so they see the newest things I put up. However, this creates a problem. If an entry is negative (or is even perceived as negative) to one or more of these friends, problems can occur. And not just things where someone is mad at another for putting down something bad. It can get nasty and moreover, it can be out in the open (in the form of comments).

I guess what my point is is this: how do you handle personal things that may not be flattering to people you know in your LJ? Do you not put them in (as I have done thus far, except on rare occasion, when, sure enough, it did cause problems)? Do you just not name names? Do you just put them in and follow the tried and true adage of "If they no longer are friends with you for saying X, then they weren't your friend to begin with" (or variants of that)? Or do you just not give a fuck what anyone thinks?

My Last Quarter

2005-04-03T08:43:26Z

I know I talk big. I go on and on about how much I want to leave school and go into the "real" world. I complain about the notion of the "real" world and claim I already am in it. But ya know, it is setting in how much the "real" world may end up sucking. There is a 95% chance I will accept the offer at Aerospace. In addition, there is a 98% chance that the start up I work for will end up being squat. Which means there is a large probability (don't feel like calculating it) that I will be at Aerospace for who knows how long. Now, don't get me wrong, I like Aerospace. But when I think about the next 44 years, I don't like to think I will have just sat in an office that whole time, accomplishing whatever the large company (Aerospace or otherwise) tells me to.

"So go out and do something on your own! Start your own business!" you say encouragingly. But we both know the chances of that succeeding are very slim. And I know that I am too into the concept of a "safety net" to try that anyway. I am a big wussy.

So here I am, about to end school, which, as you all know, I am not a fan of. But I am heading into something where, while I've never been anything but a number to the schools I've been at, I really am just a pawn to get the corporate (or governement, as the case may be) machine working. And will I ever do anything to try and break out of it? Probably not. And to top it off, I still have about 10 years before chicks stop liking dick guys and start liking nice guys. Ugh... I won't even get started on that.

Hehehehe

2005-03-02T18:30:54Z

Signed up for my schedule yesterday. ICS 178 and ICS 105. Only Tuesday Thursday (minus discussions which I hope will be optional). Monday Wednesday and Friday I will probably be working. Eh... maybe just Monday and Wednesday. Hehehe. Excellent.

Oh, and I have to bitch about something. Why do people buy these expensive powerful cars if they don't want to take them past 25MPH. And why do they insist on driving in front of me... boxing me in even. And when I put my blinker on to try to get around them, they don't move! Why do they insist on doing that!? If they want to go slow, don't waste your money on something expensive with a big, powerful engine PLEASE! It depresses me. I feel bad for the car. And please don't box me in. It irritates me immensely!!!

So Close

2005-03-01T05:35:38Z

Its getting down to the wire. Eighth week. I want out of this quarter so bad. I want out of this school so bad. And its soo close. I can taste it. I can also taste a midterm tomorrow, programming project due Friday, work due on Friday, etc, etc, etc. Ugh. I want out!!!

Mystery... Not Solved

2005-02-18T04:35:55Z

Well, I called Best Buy again tonight. Didn't get to speak to the manager... but it looks like no matter who I talk to (expect maybe a tech who works at a Sony Service Center), they won't be able to tell me much. I had pretty much guessed that the hard drive was not replaced, but reimaged. The guy I talked to today told me that the Sony Service Center "does that sometimes". Why asked why, he was as clueless (or more) than I am.

I have a couple theories: They booted it up and saw that there is (or, more acuratly was, since I have deleted all the copyrighted infringing software on the computer) and they formatted it. However, I find that this is not likely since it is a massive violation of privacy to go around someone's computer looking for illegal programs AND Sony probably doesn't care all that much about it since they don't make software. Then there is the theory that gives Sony some credit: if they are going to boot up the computer, they format it so that there is no way they can violate your privacy. If that's the case, good for them but they should warn people of this up front.

Either way, like I said in the previous entry, I backed up my stuff so its not a huge deal. But it will take me a few hours to put it back the way it was. Eh... oh well.

I also looked at my schedule for next quarter. Class only on Tuesday and Thursday. That makes me happy!

I'm Impressed... Sort Of

2005-02-17T04:07:52Z

So I got a call from Best Buy today. My laptop had come back from service. It only took a week! Go Sony! So I go and pick it up. Sony did a freaking overhaul of the thing. If you will recall, it had a busted D-key. That's it. Well, they replaced the entire keyboard, the CD/DVD drive, and the hard drive. Yeah... the HARD DRIVE!!! So all of my stuff is no longer on here. Now, being the smart little CS major I am, I backed up everything... so actually, this just means I have to do my planned reformat a little earlier than expected. However, it is still a shock. I am going to call them tomorrow (called today, told to call tomorrow to speak to a manager) to see why Sony did this.

Past the hard drive thing, I am pretty impressed with this. They did a complete overhaul of the thing when they weren't asked to. The damn thing is like new. Its cool stuff.

Oh, and thanks for the overhaul Josh!!!

The Important Stuff

2005-02-15T04:33:06Z

Now that I got the inside computer pics taken care of (see previous entry if you care), I can talk about what's going on.

Hmmm... oh, laptop is out for service. A large wooden plank came down on it and knocked the D key silly. I now am spoting a slick replacement. A 400MHz speed demon with a whopping 260MB of RAM! And no wireless internet neither. Who needs my old one!? This one is way better! And now I have to pay attention in class also. No goofing off on the laptop! I better get my old one back soon... or else.

Got done with my first round of midterms. Should do pretty well. Yay!

Getting more involved in work. Its good since I'm getting more exposure to the higher ups in the company. But that means more work and I don't have time for the work I have. Sigh. I think tomorrow I'm going to have to let the CEO know of the inevitable delay in the software I'm doing for them. He should take it pretty well, but I know he'll be disappointed. Blah. So am I.

Oh, and you didn't think I'd forget. Today is Valentine's Day. Now, all of you know I hate Valentine's Day but I feel this must be said: I HATE Valentine's Day! And anyone suggesting I'm bitter with receive a stern look (I'm tired, no energy to do anything else).

Sigh... even if I could have a gf, I have no time and no money for one. Sigh.

Wait for it...

Wait...

Sigh.