| Loving London. This now in the top three places to live, along with Madison, WI, and Tempe, AZ. Been doing a lot of walking. See the British Museum, National Museum, the Eye, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. I even went to the Who store in East Ham with a friend of mine here. It was very cool. I got a book I bought signed by Brigadier Stewart. A very geek moment. Well, just gonna relax and take it easy. Not sure what I am doing tomorrow night. Cheers! Posted via LiveJournal.app. | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment   |
| | Current Music: | Electronica music on cable | | Current Location: | Home | | Security: | | | Subject: | Been a while | | Time: | 05:41 pm | | Current Mood: |  chipper |
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| Damn.... been a while since I wrote in here. Well, let's see....
Graduated from grad school in May. Family came out to see me get my MS. Glad it is over, but just taking it easy until I star my PhD next year. Been using my degree as well at work. They finally recognized my skills and are using them.... yeah, I am shocked too!
Work is still shit. I have a new position this year since I was put on probation for a bad review. But, I made it out of probation and now I am a Quality Systems Engineer. I maintain documentation, perform audits of the machine lines and for TS certification, write defect reports for the customer and internally, and investigate defects and try to find their cause. I am just sticking it out until next year when my tuition obligation is over and I can leave. Looking to move to Madison, WI and work at the University of Wisconsin. I really want to work there and live there. I love Madison.
Life is still ok. Still single. But making sure I am enjoying myself. Playing in 3 RPGs, still playing my MMORPGs, and writing when I can. Waiting for the game Force Unleashed to come out. I played the demo and it was awesome!
Looking forward to my trip to London in December. Going there for 11 days. Hope to hook up with a few people I know there and anyone else from gaming, LJ, etc. that would like to meet for dinner and hang out a bit. I plan to see many sites while there, but also want to take days trips to Brussels, Paris, and Cardiff. Also planning to see Edinburgh as well. Got my plane ticket, hotel, Tube pass, maps, and London Pass/Diner Card. Should get passport in a couple weeks. Can't wait to get there.
Also looking forward to MFF in November and seeing a few of my friends. It is a great time to relax and hang out.
Well, gonna sign out here and get something to eat. Take care all! | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | 2008 | | Time: | 05:02 pm | | Current Mood: |  nostalgic |
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| Well, 2007 was interseting to say the least. I finished my last graduate class, dealt with a UAW strike, started up my old Mage game, met some new friends, and discovered a goal for my professional life. There were many shifty time but many fun ones too.
In 2008, I plan to graduate with my Master of Science, change job responsibilities to go along with my new degree, continue studying Chinese, regain something of a social life, find a PhD program somewhere, and maybe find love.
I want to travel more in 2008. The plans at this moment are Seattle, New Orleans (again), Hawaii, England, and Minneapolis. That is if can keep my job (long boring story). I want to game more, meet new people, and change the way I live (health, appearance, and attitude).
So bring it on 2008, but please be gentle. Hugs to all and see you all in the new year! | | comments: 7 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | Wheeee D&D | | Time: | 11:25 pm | | Current Mood: |  awake |
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| I Am A: Neutral Good Human Ranger (6th Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-13
Dexterity-12
Constitution-11
Intelligence-16
Wisdom-17
Charisma-12
Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Rangers are skilled stalkers and hunters who make their home in the woods. Their martial skill is nearly the equal of the fighter, but they lack the latter's dedication to the craft of fighting. Instead, the ranger focuses his skills and training on a specific enemy a type of creature he bears a vengeful grudge against and hunts above all others. Rangers often accept the role of protector, aiding those who live in or travel through the woods. His skills allow him to move quietly and stick to the shadows, especially in natural settings, and he also has special knowledge of certain types of creatures. Finally, an experienced ranger has such a tie to nature that he can actually draw on natural power to cast divine spells, much as a druid does, and like a druid he is often accompanied by animal companions. A ranger's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that he can cast.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
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| | Security: | | | Subject: | In 1971 | | Time: | 11:05 pm | | Current Mood: | awake |
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| | In 1971 (the year you were born) | 
Richard Nixon is president of the US
Charles Manson and 3 of his followers are convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder
An earthquake in California's San Fernando Valley kills 64 people
New York Times begins publication of classified Pentagon papers on US involvement in Vietnam
The $70 million Kennedy Center opens in Washington, DC
A four day revolt at New York's Attica state prison ends after being stormed by 1000 state troopers
A new stock-market index called the Nasdaq debuts
Walt Disney World opens
Intel releases world's first microprocessor, the 4004
Ray Tomlinson sends the first e-mail
Libertarian party established in USA
Kid Rock, Denise Richards, Sean Astin, Winona Ryder, and Ricky Martin are born
Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series
Baltimore Colts win Superbowl V
Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is published
The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour premeires on television
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel wins Grammy for song of the year
All in the Family premieres |
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| Ups:
- This is my last day of Master's degree classes. I finish my coursework and just have to finish my project next semester then I graduate in June. WHEEEEE!!!
- My book turned out great! I will post a link to where it can be found (and bought) for those interested in Chinese. I am thinking about working on a level 2 book.
Downs:
- Just found out ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2) jamesbeary passed away. I never got to meet him, but we chatted a bit. He was a sweet guy.
- Accidentally sprayed gasket adhesive all over my face, beard, and clothes. The nozzle was all gunked up and when I squeezed it harder, it backsplashed off the engine and onto me.
Right now I am very tired. I worked very hard this semester to get my projects to where they are at this moment. I just want to go home, but I will stick it out. | | comments: 13 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | Lemminged from mathan | | Time: | 05:39 pm | | Current Mood: |  blah |
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I actually laughed at the result. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Thank the gods it is the end of the semester. I am pretty burnt out, but I survived. I have completed my first draft of my book... 83 pages at this time. I published it for a class, but I plan to expand upon it for next semester. I now have to find one more professor to be on my committee to evaluate my project.
The only thing I have left to do for this semester is write a 1000 word research paper on editing distance education materials. I hope to finish that in a day and hand it in next Monday. I should have no problem doing that since I am dog-sitting for bigmosaywhat this weekend and staying at his place while doing this which will allow me to get away from my everyday distractions and force myself to do my work.
The strike is still going, but the good news is that they are bringing in 200 people from our corporate headquarters to replace all of us on the floor so we can go back to our offices. I will miss the bonus money, but my wrists and shoulders will be happy to get away from the repetitive motion and carpal tunnel pain.
I was hoping to travel for the holidays, but not sure where to go. I SHOULD go home to see family, but not in the mood to go to Philadelphia. I was thinking about either New Orleans, Seattle, San Francisco, or Miami. If I don't make a decision soon, I will be staying here in Chicago. No big deal really, but I would love to get the heck away for a bit.
Well, I guess I should be paying attention to my instructor ripping apart someone's Master's thesis in front of the class... I am just glad she is not doing it to my thesis. Ciao! | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| | Security: | | | Subject: | The strike | | Time: | 03:03 pm | | Current Mood: |  sore |
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| I really thought they were gonna run us through the ringer with this strike. But, I am pleasantly surprised.
Management has been nothing but accomodating to all of us. Granted we are working 50 to 58 hours a week, but they have been treating us well. They buy us lunch twice a week and breakfast once a week. They have been letting me leave early for school on Mon and Wed with no complaints. They pay us 2.5 times our hourly rate to work on holidays, PLUS we are getting an additional $500 a week as a bonus for every week we work on "special assignment", and it is retroactive. That means an additional $2000 in my paycheck this week. How freaking awesome!
I do hope this ends soon, but the perks aren't bad for doing this work. | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a comment |
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tired