December 31, 2004
Sleepy
Just got done working wonderful inventory shift. Tons of fun as usual. It was, however, unusally busy tonight. The tempature was AMAZING outside, in the 70's, and yet, people still came to the MOVIES. It's a beautiful day outside, and we do over 1100 for the 7 o'clock evening movies, what the heck is wrong with people.
Well, anyways, we got these new computers in for box office to replace ones that broke down and such. I got to mess around with them. It turns out the the software is so antiquated that the new hardware that has Windows 2000 won't let it print. Basically, I think it is because the POS software uses DOS to print. Anyways, I ended up getting it working by taking out the current harddrive and putting in one from an old unit with windows 95 installed on it (yes, 95......). Now I just got to do the same thing to the other replacement unit we got in, and hope that we have another old working hard drive.
See, we were suppose to get new POS software and hardware, but Home Office, being the morons that they are (we are the top selling theatre in the chain and we are the LAST to get the new equipment), keeps putting off upgrading us. All of our old stuff is held together be strands and manages to still work b/c of the things that Rob, myself, and even Joe have done to them. Anyways, the reason I just didn't whipe the harddrive that came with the unit is because the new POS software we'll be getting WILL work with 2000, and I didn't want to have to put all the stuff back on it once we upgraded.
Anyways, Laura, John, Kyle and CJ left and went back to Texas on Wednesday. I enjoyed their stay, and hope to see them more next semester. My schedule is a little more flexible so I might be able to hope down to McKinney every other weekend or something and spend some time with my nephews, teaching them a few of my ways ~_^
Still hanging out with my other two sisters. Jennifer is here until the 1st I believe, but Emily is heading down to College station to spend some time with her soon to be husband as well as straighten out a few things for the upcoming wedding (which I have to still create a webpage for [and no I haven't forgotten EM =P]). I don't work Friday, New Year's Eve, so I plan to spend some time with Jennifer on her last full day here. We'll go and hang out, and hopefully not drive each other too nutty.
Emily beat my score of 173 lines for Tetris with 176, and then today, before going to work, I managed to get 180 lines, which bumped me up to level 10, where the pieces drop CRAZY LOONY AAARRRRGGG FAST. Now I still hold the record in my house, yeppie!!!!!
TUMEO.
December 27, 2004
Post Christmas
Well, skipped a day, but I knew constant posting wouldn't last. I had a nice Christmas. Woke up, opened gifts, then cooked lunch and had a great meal.
I didn't get a lot of gifts, but I wasn't expecting many, as my main christmas gift was my cell phone, which I immensly enjoy. I also got it early, so that's a plus too. I worked, 2pm to 11pm.
Work was alright, fairly busy, but not as many people as last year. I did some running around, getting back into it after missing so many days from being in Canada.
After work, I went home and wrapped gifts for my friends. I didn't end up spending as much time, or money, on my friends gifts this year, but I wanted to get them all something, and I did. I got each of them little nick-nacks from Canada, key-chains with something different on each one. I also got them something else, and I hope they all enjoyed it. Friendship is one of the greatests gifts, so that I will always offer.
The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, as it is called by a few crazy people, was the day my sister, brother-in-law and 2 nephews arrived. I worked again, this time 12pm to 8pm. They came up and watched Polar Express again for Kyle. He liked it the second time around as well. I went back to the house towards the end of the movie, and quickly wrapped their presents before they got back. Then we spent some time opening gifts and I headed back to work to finish my shift.
Now it is Monday, and my sister Jennifer will be arriving within the hour. There will be some more gift opening and then some hanging out I suppose. I've had today off, and slept in late, as I went out and hung with friends, watching Napoleon Dynamite and talking. Didn't get back until 5am. I played some with my nephew and other things. Anyways, getting hungry, going to snack on a few things and await my sisters, one driving from Texas, the other getting off from work.
Oh, and my high score for Tetris is now 173 lines and 11,420 points, yeppie.
TUMEO.
December 25, 2004
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Well, thanks to Erik, I have been able to track Santa on his way here. I fell asleep promptly at 23:59:59 and woke up at 00:00:01. Santa has come and gone!!!! SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE, SANTA WAS HERE.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!
I work at 2pm, but I'll have fun eating and opening presents with my family before that. I hope to stop by the apartment at some point today, maybe after I get off from work.
TUMEO.
December 24, 2004
Day 8 in Canada Part 2
Scheduled flight departure time: 1:45pm PST (3:45pm CST). Arrival time at home: 3:20am PST (5:20am CST). 13 and a half hours basically to get home... of course that isn't counting me arriving early at the airport.
So, I wake up, take a shower and am ready to head out to the airport and then the things in the previous post happened. I got delayed. The flight did end up taking off from Vancouver around 3:40pm PST. While at the airport, I logged into the wireless internet, and used it for free. That was nice, would have been nicer to be on my flight at that time, but still.
We arrive on the ground in Dallas at about 9:20pm CST, but guess what, there is another plan at our gate, so we get to set on the runway. About 25 mintues later of sitting, the change us to another gate. My connecting flight took off already, but I head over to the last flight from Dallas to Tulsa to see if I can get on it.
I get all the way over to the gate, and this flight that was suppose to leave at 9:55pm is currently delayed until 10:20pm. I get a standby ticket, and while getting it, the delay changes to 11pm. The plan hasn't even landed yet. I am also told that this flight (which when I called while in Vancouver I was told it was full) already as many standby passengers on the list infront of me. I later found out that the number was 15. Basically, it would be amazing for me to make this flight.
I do a lot of calling, talking to various members of my family in Tulsa and nearby in McKinny (spelling?). At first, I decided I would rent a car and just drive up if I didn't get the standby, but oh wait, I'm not 25. Finally, after much talking and delibrating, it is determined that John, my brother-in-law, would come up and pick me up. From there I would head to my sister's house and in the morning meet my dad half-way between McKinny and Tulsa. Well, this was then changed to me using John's car and driving it to Tulsa either tonight or tomorrow.
Anyways, so I start to head back to my arrival gate so I could try and get my luggage that I didn't carry-on (I bought another sharp insturment, so I couldn't exactly get past security for carry-on with it). I finally find an exit that isn't blocked off and start to head to my horribly labeled baggage claim when I hear something over the PA system that sounds like maybe my name and the mention of gate C19 (where the flight to Tulsa is). I am now around where gate A10 is, and on the other side of security. I decide to run back to C19 and see if I can find out what's going on on the off chance I'll get aboard.
I now have to run and find an open security check point, which takes awhile. Take off my shoes, coat, remove my laptop from its case, etc etc. I make it through and start running for the gate. I don't run too well right now, partially because I am out of shape and mainly because of the cold/sinus infection I've had. Finally I make it all the way back to C19. They are starting to call out names to get onboard. Mine is not called. Now, John is probably nearly here, and I still have no idea about my baggage.
It was at this point that I was called and informed I would be driving John's car now. Anyways, I take the traam back to A10'ish area and make it there about when John calls me and tells me he is there. I tell him I'm in terminal A area and he goes to park. I finally find a baggage service desk and ask about my baggage. "Your baggage is locked up overnight and will be on the first flight out to Tulsa in the morning." "I can't claim it now?" "Nope.", yayayayayaya, I'm so happy.
John finally finds me after a bit of confusion, and we head back to his house. I got to show John and Laura the pictures I took while in Canada, and I also gave Laura her birthday present I got while up in Canada.
I decided to go ahead and drive tonight so that I would already be here and able to do some last minute shopping. Oh, and Jay, I got some Jack in the Box in McKinny as I started my drive back to Tulsa.
Anyways, I am back in Tulsa, a lot later than I planned, but here none-the-less. It's late, and now I'm contemplating if I'll go to sleep, or just stay up and get some things done, it is 7am now after all.
Oh, on another note, I wrote this while in Canada, and typed it up while on the plane: What Makes a Leader?. Don't know why I'm posting it on here, but maybe someone wants to read it, who knows.
TUMEO.
December 23, 2004
Day 8 in Canada Part 1
Well, I'm sitting at Jay's, about to head out to get some lunch and then hit the airport. I got a few calls on my cell phone, which greatly suprised me, especially when I looked and it was an 800 number. I didn't answer it, but then used Jay's phone to check my voice mail. Guess what, my flight has been delayed. They are apparently fixing something on the plane. I found out it was delayed until 3:30, an hour and 45 minutes later than orginally. This means I miss my connection in Dallas. That flight has been delayed slightly too, possibly because of the Vancouver flight. There is only one flight after that one that goes from Dallas to Tulsa. I'm slatted to arrive in Dallas at 9:35pm, the last flight is at 9:55pm.
Oh, but wait, I just got another call, my flight has been further delayed. I have no idea what time yet, the website hasn't updated. I might not be making Tulsa now, and if not I guess I might be staying with Laura and John. Hopefully things will work out. I'll update with everything that happened once I get somewhere... if I even end up leaving Canada... hmm.. Day 9 in Canada???
TUMEO.
Day 7 in Canada
Well, today, Wednesday, was, in truth, my last day in Canada, and I spent most of it in Seattle. How ironic, eh? Anyways, it was a blast of a day. Jay and I went up to Cypress mountain and I got some nice pictures taken while up there. We didn't end up getting to walk around in the snow at the top of the mountain, as you had to pay to walk on the trails (to get past this certain point), and Jay is a cheap Canadian =P j/k. We didn't want to spend the money, and could get some nice pictures anyways, plus we wanted to be back with time to spare before heading to the basketball game in Seattle.
The drive to Seattle was pretty long, and I, naturally, slept through a big portion of it. I got a few pictures of the customs check point, but not a lot. I took a total of 86 or so pictures while heading to, during, and coming back from Seattle. Most of the pictures were taken during the game of the Seattle Sonics vs Denver Nuggets. I got some good pictures with my 10x zoom from all the way up in the nose bleed section. I think there were only two rows behind us, but it was still some good seats. It was a pretty good game, even though the Sonics lead by 8~15 points the whole time.
I also got a few pictures of the space needle and a few other misc. things. I really needed my tri-pod though for those night-time shots with such a slow shutter speed. On the way back to Canada we stopped by Jack in the Box. The Canadians up here love Jack in the Box, but only get it if they come to the states. They have most of the fast food and restaurant joints up here, but not that one.
Well, that was basically day number 7. Tomorrow I got my flight at 1:45pm pacific time, so I'll finish packing tonight, then head off tomorrow around 11am or so to the airport. Gotta make time to go through security AND customs. Hopefully customs won't be as bad going back as coming to.
TUMEO.
December 22, 2004
Grade Update
Well, I got an e-mail back from my other professor. I ended up getting a 92% on the final and 313 points for the semester (78.25%), only 7 points away from the 320 required to earn a B in the class. So close, yet so far away.
TUMEO.
Day 6 in Canada
Day 6 was just like Day 5. Didn't really do a lot of anything. I ended up going shopping and getting a few more Canadian like gifts for Christmas. I found a great birthday present for Laura finally. I think she'll like it. We rented a movie and then went to have dinner, and guess where we had dinner at Mom, just guess, here's a hint:
That's right, we had sushi. I'll bring some back for you Mom!! ~_^ It was pretty good sushi, I got a plate thing that had some teriyaki chicken as well as the sushi rolls and some fried vegetables. I got a good picture of it, and will be uploading it with the rest of them, most likely when I get back to Oklahoma.
We rented the movie The Manchurian Candidate. I hadn't seen it yet, and I liked it. It was interesting, though I heard the orginal (as this was a remake) was better. Maybe I'll try to rent the orginal when I'm back "state-side". Anyways, I had a fun day of just relaxing and hanging with Jay.
Tomorrow the plan is to go up to Cypress Mountain and take a few pictures, then heading off to Seattle to watch the basketball game. Should be some good pictures from all of that.
That's all for Day 6.
TUMEO.
December 21, 2004
Fall 2004 Grades
Well, I found out what my grades are for this semester, yeppie. I got a 3.0 for the entire semester, and now have a 3.022 "career" GPA. Here's the break down:
A TECHNICAL WRITING
C MANAGING BEHAV & ORG
C PROD & OPERATIONS MGMT
A SYS ANLS & DESIGN
I was pretty suprised by the two C's actually. I was thinking that it was going to be close for Production and Operations Management, especially after that last test. I e-mailed the two professors I got C's in, and got a response back from one so far. On the final for PROD & OPERATIONS MGMT class, I got a 75% on the final and ended the class with a 78% apparently. It was a tough test too, my suitemate had the same one at the same time as me. We were both like, where did those questions come from. Oh well, that is how it goes sometimes.
My A in System Analysts and Design was a 97% for my final grade in the class, with a 118/120 on the final (98 1/3%). I'll find out how close my grade was in Managing Behavior and Organization when my teacher e-mails me back. That one was a hard class, and depended mainly on how much she curved the entire class at the end of the semester.
TUMEO.
Day 5 in Canada
Day 5 (Monday) was basically a shopping day. I didn't end up taking any pictures, but not too much to take except shopping malls. I do wish I had taken a picture of this arcade. It was a really narrow arcade that was deep. It had a lot of games in it, with not too much space leftover. They had some arcades we don't see a lot in the States, like the DDR games that are drums instead of dancing, and guitars. I didn't actually go in it.
I got a few good gifts, but still have a lot more shopping to do, technically. Tomorrow will be another lazy day, nothing really planned, we were going to go to Whistler, but decided we wouldn't.
On the way to downtown to do some of the shopping, we came to a stop light, and a man came up to the car and started to clean the front windshield. I was sitting there, and Jay was looking the other direction. I was like, "Uhh..." and Jay said, "Wha... oh man!". Naturally he didn't want him cleaning the windshield. As soon as the light changed he started to drive away. Later he told me that that guy was actually nice about it, because normally when they don't get paid they'll hit the cars and curse and such. Vancouver is apparently thinking about making it illegal to do this window cleaning, since the winter games of 2010 will be there and a lot of tourists have started to complain about the car hitting and such.
I got my early Christmas present from Jay while out shopping, he got me two movies, Falling Down (which some of my friends might recall from a long time ago) and Hearts in Atlantis. Both good movies.
Later, before going to sleep, we setup my laptop in Jay's room and watched Antwone Fisher. It was a pretty good movie, I hadn't seen it before and I liked it a lot.
Well, that was basically my day number 5, a bit of shopping, and then lounging around.
TUMEO.
December 20, 2004
Day 4 in Canada
Another crazy day. Slept in a little, and then went over to A&W to have some lunch. After lunch we walked over to Lynn Canyon Park and hiked around for about 2 hours with Jay's dog, Nikki. There were a lot of steps there. I counted on my way back from one section, and that was 328 steps (462 if you count the bridge), plus the other steps we didn't count, it's easily over 1000 steps we took. I got a few pictures of some of the stairs we went up. Tomorrow Jay has to run up to his school and do a few other things, so maybe I'll get some pictures uploaded while he is doing that.
After that we came back and I let my feet cool off from all the walking. Took a small nap too. Then we headed out to take a waterbus. That's basically like a bus, but it's on the water. It was kinda cool. I didn't get any good pictures of the actualy boat, too much glass in the way and at night time, so bad reflections. We went to a nice restaurant called "The Old Spagatti Warehouse". They serve ice cream after the meal for free, which is cool. We ate in the "haunted trolly" that was inside of the place. It was a fun day.
Tomorrow will actually be a "shopping day". So I should get some nice gifts for people. Anyways, time to get some sleep and such.
TUMEO.
December 19, 2004
Laura's Birthday
My lovely sister, Laura, was complaining on her site about me not calling her on her birthday. Well, apparently, my sister doesn't care enough about me to remember that I'm in Canada, and that calling her isn't very pratical!!! Plus, at least I post comments regularly on my family's blogs, unlike her!!!
All kidding aside, my beautiful oldest sister is now 31, though she doesn't look a day over 25 ~_^ . Even while up here in Vancouver, trying to enjoy my vacation, I am slaving away looking for a nice Canadian gift for a birthday present, as I mentioned in my early post today. By the looks of the pictures she had a nice party on her birthday. I suppose I should have sent an electronic card, but I've been so busy running around Vancouver, in addition to still be sick (though I'm almost over it, nose isn't getting stopped up at all now, and I don't cough near as much), I haven't remembered every little detail.
Anyways, Happy belated brithday to my sister, i didnt' forget, I'm just in Canada.
TUMEO.
Day 3 in Canada
Day 3 was fun. Saturday, the day of Jay's last exam and freedom for 8 months. I slept in while he was taking the exam, waking up around 12:30. I surfed around on the internet a little bit, and managed to install photoshop on my laptop. Finally Jay got back from his exam.
We ate dinner at his house and then headed out for my first public transportation in Canada at 7pm. We took a bus to the mall where Jay works at the ink jet refill place. I did a little shopping, thinking about Christmas gifts and a good birthday gift for my sister Laura.
We went to the mall to wait on Jay's friend, Mindy, to get off work and then head to downtown Vancouver and look around. We stopped by this interesting "hole in the wall" place to eat first. It was called Mr. Sandwhich I believe. I have pictures of course. We had some good food there, something called a Donair. Then we headed downtown and visited this "island". It is a nice little community of shops, all closed at the hour we got there. We walked around looking at stuff.
Then we headed to another area downtown where shops were open a little later. We stopped in Virgin records, or whatever that music/video store is called. It was funny, b/c I was looking at tv series they had. They had Family Guy, and on it, a sticker that said "Import". Imported from the USA, hehehehe, I got a picture. We stopped by a Gelato place (Italian Ice Cream). It was pretty good, though I had the real thing in Italy already.
That was basically all of Day 3.
TUMEO.
December 18, 2004
Day 2 in Canada
Another good day in Canada. I slept in some while Jay ran over to the chinese consulate to see about getting a Visa for when he's over in the Asia area. We went and had lunch at a nice restaurant. I took a few pictures of it, and I'll post them later. Then we went to see some Japanese totem poles. Apparently the Japanese government gave them to Canada as a gift of some sort. I took pictures of them and the plaques, so I'll post those tomorrow when I wake-up.
Jay spent most of the day studying, and I just lounged around. His mom cooked a wonderful dinner and then I played some FFXI with my dad and others. Jay has his test at Noon, so he went to bed awhile ago with plans to wake up early and study some more. Not sure what all is planned for tomorrow, but anyways, time for me to be getting some sleep as well.
Pictures tomorrow! (maybe, if I'm not too lazy =P)
TUMEO.
December 17, 2004
In Canada
Well, I made it safe and sound to Canada. Left my house at 6:30am to hit the airport. Made it through security without incident. Got to Dallas on my 8am flight around 9:00am. On the plane though, they told me my Vancouver flight would be at gate A25. We arrived at gate A14. So, I started that way not bothering to look. I got close to the gate, looked at the boards and saw my flight was at gate A11. I got to walk all the way back. So much fun. I boarded the plane and fell asleep before take-off. When I woke up we were at crusining altitude. Had a lovely Bristo lunch: turkey "sub", chips, carrots (yes Mom, I ate them) and the best part, a brownie. Finally arrived in Vancouver at 12:40pm (2:40pm CST). A little worried about customs, as I had 2 iPods and WoW on me. The line was HUGELY LONG for customs. It was going to take 1 1/2 to 2 hours, but they finally opened up more lines 30 minutes in, and it only took me about an hour to get through. No problems, no bags checked, 3 items "smuggled" in.
Anyways, I'm alive, just got back from bubble tea, it's about 2am here, 4am Tulsa, I'll mention more later today.
TUMEO.
December 15, 2004
Last Fall 2004 Final
Well, I'm about to head out to take my last final of the day. Technically I have two other finals, but those I just have to hand-in to the professors at 2pm. This one is in my SAD class, not as in the emotion, but as in System Anyalist and Design. This test *shouldn't* be a problem for me, and I'm not worried at all about it.
When I get back I gotta type up a memo for technical writing, so technically I still have that, but it is minor. Not completely sure where I stand for grades. I think I'll be getting an A, B, B, B, but that final on Tuesday was suprisingly hard, even for my suitemate. I guess time will tell.
Anyways, gotta put something in my stomach, then head off, good luck to everyone else who still has finals.
TUMEO.
December 13, 2004
Sick
Well, it's been awhile since I updated, so I figured I would. Erik's site has been having a comments war on who will post a comment first. So far, it seems I am in the lead. Erik is also claiming he is going to guilt trip people into posting, psh, whatever, I am the orginal guilt tripper in trying to get people to post, so his posts about getting other people to post stems from me, so HA.
I've been sick lately. Started on Wednesday with coughing, which become a sore throat. Then I think I got a sinus infection and head cold. I'm on the tail end of it now though. Not as much blowing of my nose or coughing, less medicine too. That is in part why I haven't posted.
Today has been studying for finals, and taking a few naps. Gotta have a rested mind. My first final is tomorrow at Noon. I have a take home exam I need to finish and a short memo to write for 2 of my finals. Those will be turned in on Wednesday at 2pm after my final at 10am. My biggest concerns are the test tomorrow and the take home test.
Well, back to some studying, then some sleep.
TUMEO.
December 08, 2004
How To Delete Spam
This post is mainly for my family. It is a "tutorial" on how to setup so that you get e-mail notifications whenever you get a comment, and how to delete spam. Click on any of the images to enlarge them.
After logging in to Movabletype, go to Manage your Weblog:
Once the page loads, you can look over and see the "5 Most Recent Comments". This is a good place to start, especially right after you have received an e-mail about getting a comment. You'll see the bad comments and can directly click on them:
The page will load, and you can see the content of the comment. You can select to delete it from there:
This will pop-up a window that you can select to delete or cancel:
A new page will load, and now you need to rebuild the site. You can do so by either clicking the link in the text above the entry, or selecting it from the menu. If you have more than 1 comment to delete, wait to rebuild until after you have deleted them all:
This will pop-up another window asking you which files you want to rebuild. Rebuild them all:
Wait for it to complete rebuilding, then close the window:
Now go back to the main page by clicking the "Editing Menu":
Now, to setup so that you can receive e-mail notification, you need to select "Web Config" from the menu:
On the new page, select "Prefences":
Click on "Comment Configuration":
Put a check mark on "Email new comments":
Click on the "Save" button so it will save it:
You will then need to rebuild the site again, just like you did before.
Now, to further delete comments that are not in the Most recent entries, you need to click on "Edit Entries":
Select the entry you would like to edit, or start from the latest one:
Scroll down towards the bottom, and you will see a list of the comments, with the posters name. You can click on the name to bring up the comment to see what it says, and delete it like before, or you can put a check mark next to the ones you want to delete, and delete multiple comments at once:
Then you can scroll through the comments by selecting "Previous" or "next":
Of course, in order to have a comment e-mailed to you, you have to make sure that you have a proper e-mail address in the first place. You need to get back to the orginal page when you first login to Movable Type. Select "MENU" from the very top of the page, and then click on "Edit your profile":
Select the field for "e-mail address" and fill it in. Then scroll down and click the "save" button and the information will be updated:
That's about it. There were a ton of hits the last couple of days, and I deleted most of them. I probably deleted a total of 50+ comments from the 6 different blogs. There is an automatic solution, but it requires taking of comment e-mailing, which I like for other reasons besides of me getting to know when a spam is posted. Plus, I'm not sure what it would do to comments posted by Jay's family, since they post in chinese and such.
TUMEO.