Well, I’ve opened the Pandora’s Box that is C++. The pinnacle of programming as we know it today. From what I have heard it also carves out a piece of your soul when you learn it. Ok, that’s going overboard, but I do hear it carves out a piece of your social apptitude — and I must say that every C++ programmer I have met stands as an example to that statement. What? It’s true…

My wife purchased a C++ tome that I’ve had my eye on for awhile, and I cracked it open today to begin studying. I’m not sure what I expected to find in this tome, but so far I’ve come away with a slight distaste if not disrespect for C#. I also feel the pull of the Open Source magnet once again. I don’t think it would be prudent just yet to start moving back to that area, but again, I’ve come away with a broader horizon, and bigger picture of the way things are. The jury is still out on if I have what it takes to become the next John Carmack, or even a quarter of what skill that man possesses, but I’m certainly going to start down the road and see where it takes me. :)

PS: I’d like to apologize to my family in advance… I love you guys for supporting me during these times of intense study. :) You are my inspiration and the reason that any of this matters a damn. :)

We’re finally in our new house, we have internet, and things are mostly put away and in their place. It’s been a long road to get to this part, but we’re finally here and glad to be here. Yes, I realize it’s not that big of a deal — the things we went through — but the weight of many little things is what I feel like we experienced.

Either way, we are now ready to start out new life, in our new house. I still don’t have my desk, so I’m working on folding tables, but, at least I have my precious internet back and Heidi can get her fix as well (don’t let her tell you she’s not as addicted to the internet as I am).

I still don’t quite feel recharged and ready to have at everything, but I think now I can start recharging again. This time, I will allow myself to do so, and not throw myself into a whirlwind of life changing events again. I’ve got one weekend left to enjoy the peace before I get back to work. I’m looking forward to getting back into the game, both figuratively and literally (I miss my Eve).

So, I think 2009 will FINALLY be our year! :)

Hey gang! I just wanted to wish everyone who reads this blog a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope both of you eat lots of food, drink lots of drink, and fight with your family — the way American Thanksgiving should be! :) In all seriousness, let’s all put aside our personal troubles and challenges, and come together to be thankful for all the things we have.

I’m thankful for my wonderful family. All of you are so very important to me, and I really should say so more often. You all love me anyway, and I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful for my job, and the ability to provide for my immediate family. I’m thankful for my family’s safety and health and a chance to get together to eat some good food! Even my hippy wife will have good eats today — yay side dishes!

HA! I made a play on words… No, I’m not watching Pulp Fiction right now, but, hey, GOOD IDEA!

So, let’s play ‘ketchup’. Everything’s the same! I can’t believe I’m too boring even for a personal blog like this. Even *I* don’t want to read this drivel. But, I’m writing for posterity… It’s my generation’s version of a photo album and journal wrapped into one…

Ok, it’s not all the same. My Tito Rudy is in the hospital right now. I’ve been visiting with him, and with family that I haven’t seen in such a long time. I seriously regret my part in allowing that gap of time to pass between now and the last time we all had a chance to talk. Seeing Tito Rudy brings back some pretty heavy memories about my dad. I am, however, glad to see Tito Rudy in good spirits, very alert, and quite well it would seem. It’s nice to get the chance to talk with him, and with the family, so I’m am definitely grateful for that.

We’re still looking to take advantage of this down housing market, without shooting ourselves in the foot. The first house we put an offer in on, went into electronic bidding… What that means is, some other company out there is providing realtors/banks a means to put a house up for bid… And then charging them $5,000 per completed transaction — which of course the bank/realtor is passing off onto us. So, when that happened, we lowered our offer by $5,000 and were promptly out bid…

The second house we put an offer in on is MUCH better. We’re still waiting to hear back from that one. Hopefully we will hear on Wednesday — or sooner. It has a pool, fireplace, big office, great room, and none of that wasted space people seem to call the “family room”… or whatever.. You know, the space up front that people put furniture in and never use? So, we wait…

My mom is still in the Philippines and seems to be having a good time there. Eating good food, and catching up with her sisters. She has tasked me with purchasing for her the $79 18″ LCD Monitor for her computer. After pointing out that this delusion of her’s did not in fact exist, I will be more likely getting her a $179 19″ LCD Monitor. :D

Rhys and Heidi and I are fine otherwise. Just doing the do. :) We’re starting the process rolling on getting our house rented. Hopefully we will have some news on that front soon.

Here’s a random hit I found on the internets. ;) Enjoy!

Stop Motion Musician

I just wanted to vent about the emotionally charged arguments you get from the Dems and the Reps during election time. It saddens me to see this type of thing every time. I’m involved in a political talk show right now. One of the things I like about the show is that it actually seeks to explore the substance behind the rhetoric (if there is any at all to begin with).

“Palin’s daughter is pregnant! That’s just AWESOME! Hilarious!!” I’m told… Let’s look deeper? What are the circumstances? What’s the context? Talk to me about WHY this makes her unfit to serve.

“McCain stopped his campaign! OMG He’s scared!!!” Has he said as much? Ok, let’s just take the statement at face value and run with it. That’s smart.

“McCain isn’t familiar with email and other technology!!” Ok… !? I’m sure he doesn’t know how to build a nuclear bomb, either… Or make a proper pot of kimchi… Or do a cartwheel…

“McCain can’t even do a proper, energetic thumbs up!” Jeebus, don’t get me started on that one.

There are equally as many for Obama, and I’m not trying to deny that — so spin down those email clients if you are about to remind me of that.

And my god, could each side just quit taking pot shots at the other? How about campaigning? Just campaign… Don’t campaign AGAINST the other person. We’re all Americans. Let’s stand together for once…

I call it the FOX effect! :: makes jazz hands :: I don’t claim to be the smartest person politically at all, but I can pick out substance on both sides if I see it. Both candidates have issues, and I’ll acknowledge them, but I just HATE it when people bring me emotionally charged rhetoric that has no substance at all. It’s retarded, and you are just making yourself look like a fool.

On another note, I would love to know what each candidates’ stances are on technology issues! Anyway, that’s my small afternoon rant. Happy Thursday, folks!