I have almost finished my taxes, and all I need is one more W2 to come in the mail. I figured that if I had worked at bungie all year, I would have make over $66,000 this year! That would have been great. I can see the mind set that got me into buying me car. If I was making that much still, I would be in the same position I was in working at Bungie... No debt... extra savings... oh, that was nice. I would have even been able to go on a more extravagant vacation. Like Mountain View California for the most recent Google Camp Fire... Colorado to go visit Julia. Or just somewhere random.
Oh well, it will be nice to finish up my taxes, and get my refund.
I can hear the two little snorting machines in the background. They are napping on the couch. I can hear a loud snoring, then a quiet snoring... then loud... then quiet. It really is nice to see them getting along. They both hang around under my feet when they are awake... they play all the time... I will grab a toy and throw it, then they both go running after it, and play tug of war as they run back toward me. I love my pugs... well, my pug and Ev's pug.
Anyway, I should get going. The sun is sort of out... at least on the horizon, so I'm going to take this opportunity to walk the dogs.
Later,
SteveO
Friday, February 1, 2008
A happy picture
unfortunately my internet connection doesn't work in my room... so it's the 770 to the rescue... even though typing on it sucks... I guess i should get a bluetooth keyboard or something...
anyway, here is a pic to counter act the video in my last blog entry...
anyway, here is a pic to counter act the video in my last blog entry...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
bye bye Comcast...
well, today the internet access got turned off... now I have to resort to my neighbour's internet connection. I guess it isn't that bad, but it is just annoying to think that she can't even handle one simple bill. I mean, I know that I am not completely supporting myself 100% out here, but I can at least handle myself part of the time. She can't even hold a job for more than 2 months... and even with Mani paying all her bills, she can't even handle asking for money to pay her bills.
oh well... what can I say... what can I say...
Well, I met with someone from Insight Global today. They said that they wanted to put me on the Microsoft Zune Social project. I said good idea. He called my old manager Jessica from the Zune Editorial team and she gave me a great recommendation. I hope that she spreads her word over to the Social project. I am also hoping to hear back from my other managers from Microsoft and Bungie. Hopefully I will be able to get the same excellent references from my other managers.
I just heard that Washington schools will not be serving beef for lunch at school. The Hallmark Meat Packing Company, in Chino California, was caught abusing cows! I just can't believe what I was seeing, but the worst part is that this sort of thing happens all the time! It almost makes me not want to eat beef... I somehow know that won't happen, but I really think that something needs to be done.
WARNING!!!!!! THIS VIDEO IS DISTURBING!!!!!!! WATCH AT OWN RISK!!!!!!!
That is one of the saddest thing I have ever seen.
Anyway, I'm hoping that tomorrow will be the day of change. I've been trying so hard to make progress, and I really feel good about this one.
Later,
SteveO
P.S. This is the fourth snowiest winter ever recorded for us. Snoqualmie pass has been closed for days, and we don't know how long it will take before the pass can be opened again. Steven's pass was opened today, and the passes down in Oregon we opened, but the snow is still falling hard.
oh well... what can I say... what can I say...
Well, I met with someone from Insight Global today. They said that they wanted to put me on the Microsoft Zune Social project. I said good idea. He called my old manager Jessica from the Zune Editorial team and she gave me a great recommendation. I hope that she spreads her word over to the Social project. I am also hoping to hear back from my other managers from Microsoft and Bungie. Hopefully I will be able to get the same excellent references from my other managers.
I just heard that Washington schools will not be serving beef for lunch at school. The Hallmark Meat Packing Company, in Chino California, was caught abusing cows! I just can't believe what I was seeing, but the worst part is that this sort of thing happens all the time! It almost makes me not want to eat beef... I somehow know that won't happen, but I really think that something needs to be done.
WARNING!!!!!! THIS VIDEO IS DISTURBING!!!!!!! WATCH AT OWN RISK!!!!!!!
That is one of the saddest thing I have ever seen.
Anyway, I'm hoping that tomorrow will be the day of change. I've been trying so hard to make progress, and I really feel good about this one.
Later,
SteveO
P.S. This is the fourth snowiest winter ever recorded for us. Snoqualmie pass has been closed for days, and we don't know how long it will take before the pass can be opened again. Steven's pass was opened today, and the passes down in Oregon we opened, but the snow is still falling hard.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
What is your Zombie Plan?
I found what I am pretty sure is my favorite episode of Red vs Blue.
I think it might be my favorite because I've been watching a lot of Zombie movies.
I think it might be my favorite because I've been watching a lot of Zombie movies.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
good old RvB...
I finally finished watching all 102 episodes, plus all the bonus footage from Red vs Blue (aka RvB)... the epic tale of the red team and the blue team talking about beating the each other. The Blood Gulch Chronicles tells the story of eight people, one jeep type vehicle known as a warthog, a tank (that talks)... an alien baby... a bomb (that talks)... and miscellaneous guest appearances... it really is an awesome series. I had watched all the episodes before, but I decided to put my $10 to good use and re-watch the whole story in my spare time. If you want to check out what the whole story is about just Click Here.
Just as a pre-view, here is my favorite episode that is still available online:
Other than that, I guess in a way we are snowed in... and by we I mean the entire population of Western Washington and Northern Oregon... and by snowed in I mean we can't cross over the mountains heading East, North, or South. It really is kind of crazy. The snow has been falling in the mountains in record amounts for days now. Both passes across the Cascades are closed due to avalanche conditions. There was an avalanche at Snoqualmie pass that closed I-90 and one in the middle of Oregon that closed I-5. The snow has slowed down to an inch per hour, so they think Snoqualmie pass will open in a day or two. In the mean time, they are setting off explosions in the mountains to cause controlled avalanches to prevent the snow from piling up in key areas where it can cover the road again, and every hour a police escorted group of people are coming down from the mountain pass. Hundreds of people are stranded up there (in the town) and unable to drive their cars down through the snow.
On the lighter side the ski resort on Snoqualmie pass is milking all the stranded people for what they've got! No, not really, people are getting discounted lift passes to encourage them to come back up even if they think they will be stranded. The remainder of the ski season, which is looking to be one of the best in years, should make up for any losses. Steven's pass (to the North) and White pass (to the South) are both in similar situations, except my friend James was lucky enough to get stranded at White pass.... he has been on his board for 6 days now. Every day, sun rise to sun set (which is like 2 or 3 times down the mountain a day)... lucky guy, trapped on the mountain with three beautiful women... Sometimes I wonder why I didn't go... oh yea, that's right, I had a job interview because Volt Sucks! Just like Red Sucks!
So, other than that, I think I'm going to bed. Be sure to watch some of the episodes of RvB!
Later,
SteveO
Just as a pre-view, here is my favorite episode that is still available online:
Other than that, I guess in a way we are snowed in... and by we I mean the entire population of Western Washington and Northern Oregon... and by snowed in I mean we can't cross over the mountains heading East, North, or South. It really is kind of crazy. The snow has been falling in the mountains in record amounts for days now. Both passes across the Cascades are closed due to avalanche conditions. There was an avalanche at Snoqualmie pass that closed I-90 and one in the middle of Oregon that closed I-5. The snow has slowed down to an inch per hour, so they think Snoqualmie pass will open in a day or two. In the mean time, they are setting off explosions in the mountains to cause controlled avalanches to prevent the snow from piling up in key areas where it can cover the road again, and every hour a police escorted group of people are coming down from the mountain pass. Hundreds of people are stranded up there (in the town) and unable to drive their cars down through the snow.
On the lighter side the ski resort on Snoqualmie pass is milking all the stranded people for what they've got! No, not really, people are getting discounted lift passes to encourage them to come back up even if they think they will be stranded. The remainder of the ski season, which is looking to be one of the best in years, should make up for any losses. Steven's pass (to the North) and White pass (to the South) are both in similar situations, except my friend James was lucky enough to get stranded at White pass.... he has been on his board for 6 days now. Every day, sun rise to sun set (which is like 2 or 3 times down the mountain a day)... lucky guy, trapped on the mountain with three beautiful women... Sometimes I wonder why I didn't go... oh yea, that's right, I had a job interview because Volt Sucks! Just like Red Sucks!
So, other than that, I think I'm going to bed. Be sure to watch some of the episodes of RvB!
Later,
SteveO
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunshine, on a cloudy day.
Driving North on 509 just 7 miles North of Tacoma... 27 Miles South of Seattle... and 10 miles away from my house... I could see that it is a clear and sunny day in the Olympic Mountains (West of here), but I'm not in the Olympic Mountains... Earlier this morning I could see it was a cloudy and snowy day in the Cascade Mountains (East of here)... Mt Rainier (In the Cascade Mountains) went away today; it's been out for almost a whole week now ('cept for Saturday)... clear as can see. I am driving North, on 509... admiring the sunshine over in the Olympics, but not too much... the roads are icy. I decided that on my way home from an interview in Tacoma this morning, I would try to take 509 home... It is an express way leaving the city... and the part of it that I drive South out of Seattle is an express way... so I figured it would be more direct than I5... and probably less traveled...
It turns out that yes, 509 is less travelled... however there is a good reason. 7 miles North of Tacoma, I feel like I'm on an old mountain road, and that civilization must be miles and miles away. I can see that the Puget Sound is about 200 or 300 feet down on the left side of the road. Just on the other side of that metal barrier, the hill slopes down almost vertically to the water. To my right, a wall of rock and dirt that stretches nearly another 300 feet above me. In the back of my mind, I know there is probably a shopping center or a neighbourhood right at the top of the hill (this is the Suburbs after all) however, if I didn't know that, I wouldn't be able to tell. From here, you can't see the city. You can't see houses. You can only see the water, then hills, and finally the mountains on the horizon. The sky is cloudy here, the snow is falling lightly, but the clouds stop not more than a dozen or so miles away, and the sun is out there.
I change the track on my CD to a song by MXPX called "Move to Bremerton"... This is because I know that it is sunny in Bremerton, I can see it! James moved out there, and Bri (his girlfriend) is having a birthday party out there tomorrow. Which means that I am going to pack up my rain gear and head to the Olympics! I did the math, and it is cheaper to drive than to take the ferry. Even with the $3 fee coming back over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Successor to the infamous "Galloping Gurty") . There wasn't always a fee, until just a few months ago, when they completed a toll bridge next to the stable Tacoma Narrows bridge. Now there are two nearly identical bridges spanning the narrows right next to each other... it really is kinda interesting when you think about it. So many people travel across the bridges, that they need 4 lanes in each direction... crazy.
Anyway... The job search continues. I wish Volt would speed things up a little. I had an interview through Parker Staffing today, it is a tech support position in Tacoma. I guess the nice part is that Tacoma is a cheaper area to live in than Seattle. However, I really do want to move toward the Redmond/Bellevue area. Most of the people I work with live in that area, so obviously they must make enough to live there. I hear that some areas up there are really cheap, and others are ridiculously expensive. Any away you look at it though, it would make my commute so much easier.
So... I just looked outside. It is snowing. It has snowed a lot this year. I am glad that I have fire wood, and a fire place. I heard that last year the power went out for two weeks. I am not too concerned about that though. I have a charcoal grill, charcoal, a fireplace, and firewood. Plus, a lot of canned food, Mac and cheese, and a little bit of frozen food... And if the power goes out, I can just put most of that stuff outside in the storage shed.
Anyway, I'm going to make a few calls... make some coffee... then probably brave the snow to walk the dog.
Later,
SteveO
It turns out that yes, 509 is less travelled... however there is a good reason. 7 miles North of Tacoma, I feel like I'm on an old mountain road, and that civilization must be miles and miles away. I can see that the Puget Sound is about 200 or 300 feet down on the left side of the road. Just on the other side of that metal barrier, the hill slopes down almost vertically to the water. To my right, a wall of rock and dirt that stretches nearly another 300 feet above me. In the back of my mind, I know there is probably a shopping center or a neighbourhood right at the top of the hill (this is the Suburbs after all) however, if I didn't know that, I wouldn't be able to tell. From here, you can't see the city. You can't see houses. You can only see the water, then hills, and finally the mountains on the horizon. The sky is cloudy here, the snow is falling lightly, but the clouds stop not more than a dozen or so miles away, and the sun is out there.
I change the track on my CD to a song by MXPX called "Move to Bremerton"... This is because I know that it is sunny in Bremerton, I can see it! James moved out there, and Bri (his girlfriend) is having a birthday party out there tomorrow. Which means that I am going to pack up my rain gear and head to the Olympics! I did the math, and it is cheaper to drive than to take the ferry. Even with the $3 fee coming back over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Successor to the infamous "Galloping Gurty") . There wasn't always a fee, until just a few months ago, when they completed a toll bridge next to the stable Tacoma Narrows bridge. Now there are two nearly identical bridges spanning the narrows right next to each other... it really is kinda interesting when you think about it. So many people travel across the bridges, that they need 4 lanes in each direction... crazy.
Anyway... The job search continues. I wish Volt would speed things up a little. I had an interview through Parker Staffing today, it is a tech support position in Tacoma. I guess the nice part is that Tacoma is a cheaper area to live in than Seattle. However, I really do want to move toward the Redmond/Bellevue area. Most of the people I work with live in that area, so obviously they must make enough to live there. I hear that some areas up there are really cheap, and others are ridiculously expensive. Any away you look at it though, it would make my commute so much easier.
So... I just looked outside. It is snowing. It has snowed a lot this year. I am glad that I have fire wood, and a fire place. I heard that last year the power went out for two weeks. I am not too concerned about that though. I have a charcoal grill, charcoal, a fireplace, and firewood. Plus, a lot of canned food, Mac and cheese, and a little bit of frozen food... And if the power goes out, I can just put most of that stuff outside in the storage shed.
Anyway, I'm going to make a few calls... make some coffee... then probably brave the snow to walk the dog.
Later,
SteveO
Monday, January 21, 2008
Stupid Volt...
Sometimes it is really hard to deal with Volt. I have 5 different people from Volt talking to me now. I had 2 interviews today... and another person called me, making a grand total of 6 people from Volt. I don't know why these people call me and ask me if I am looking for a position if they don't have one to fill. It is like they just want to call someone to talk about their technical skills and then say, "ok, well, I'll keep an eye out in our database..." As if I hadn't been asked the same set of questions by four or five other people at that company. It really gets frustrating. I really just wish they would write it down the first time they ask. Which it seems like someone finally did that.
The person who called me today was able to tell me that the notes on my profile in their database suggested that I would be a good fit for a build engineer position, however, she didn't want to submit my resume, despite the fact that I asked her to several times, for the position. She wanted to wait to hear the results of the interview I had through Volt today. I told her, I do not think I will take it unless they are willing to pay me more. $13 / hour for a STE position is ridiculous. I have had several offers for STE positions paying at least $16, and that was the lowest. People with half of my technical knowledge get payed over $20 for those types of positions... I know, I've worked with them, and they told me that.
In a way, I really hope that I don't get the STE position. Build engineer would be exactly what I'm looking for, and I would be able to get at least $16 plus, I would get to do some scripting.
On the other hand, I need to start working. really really bad, and in the long run, I think it would be much more worth while to wait for a higher paying position, but if she won't submit my resume now, it will take at least a week to hear back to see if I can even get an interview.
Part of me wants to just come out and say either submit the resume, or don't waste my time with stupid phone calls. I guess the worst part now is that I won't even make rent if I start work by the end of the week... Unless I go to Labor Ready... then I might be able to make it... but then I won't have any time to interview for a real job... and I still wouldn't make all my bills.
This is the worst part about contract jobs. Anyway... back to the old drawing board.
Later,
SteveO
The person who called me today was able to tell me that the notes on my profile in their database suggested that I would be a good fit for a build engineer position, however, she didn't want to submit my resume, despite the fact that I asked her to several times, for the position. She wanted to wait to hear the results of the interview I had through Volt today. I told her, I do not think I will take it unless they are willing to pay me more. $13 / hour for a STE position is ridiculous. I have had several offers for STE positions paying at least $16, and that was the lowest. People with half of my technical knowledge get payed over $20 for those types of positions... I know, I've worked with them, and they told me that.
In a way, I really hope that I don't get the STE position. Build engineer would be exactly what I'm looking for, and I would be able to get at least $16 plus, I would get to do some scripting.
On the other hand, I need to start working. really really bad, and in the long run, I think it would be much more worth while to wait for a higher paying position, but if she won't submit my resume now, it will take at least a week to hear back to see if I can even get an interview.
Part of me wants to just come out and say either submit the resume, or don't waste my time with stupid phone calls. I guess the worst part now is that I won't even make rent if I start work by the end of the week... Unless I go to Labor Ready... then I might be able to make it... but then I won't have any time to interview for a real job... and I still wouldn't make all my bills.
This is the worst part about contract jobs. Anyway... back to the old drawing board.
Later,
SteveO
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