So far I have gotten all of the big stuff over here. I have a new bed that is so much better than the futon. My couches are set up... the futon is set up... the tables are set up... I found a wireless internet connection to use... my laundry machine works... my dryer works... the fridge and ice maker work... I guess I could use a couple lamps to brighten up the place. I have to say though, it was nice to wake up in a brand new bed this morning... go outside and walk along the trail for a mile or so... walk over to Jet City for my morning coffee... walk over to get breakfast... then I came home to lay down for a little bit.
I went to Wal-Mart and Fred Myer's today to get a couple of things I needed for around the apartment... a few cleaning supplies and a few cheap little things to help me get settled. Over all, I have to say that I really like the new place. The residents are nice, and I get to meet quite a few of them riding the elevator up and down.
Right now I'm waiting for my sheets to finish drying. Then I'm going to get to bed. I don't work in the morning. I asked for he day off to finish with all of my moving stuff. Tomorrow I will finish everything and turn in the keys. Everyone who needs to know where I moved should already, but I'm sure things will come up... this account doesn't have my current address... or some other one doesn't, but everyone who actually sends me either a bill or gives me money knows.
so... anyway... tomorrow I will finish up everything and post some pictures. Yesterday I took some before pictures, but I don' have my adapter to put them on my computer unpacked yet. Not to mention I'm kinda tired.
anyway, good night!
Later,
SteveO
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
It's alive!!!
We've had some interesting weather here in Seattle. We got snow last night, and it's snowing tonight (a little.) None of it stuck, but if it did I am pretty sure it would have been a couple of inches. I can tell you it really changed the face of the mountains. Both the passes were in restricted mode (snow chains and no over sized vehicles.) I heard on the news that someone actually died in a car crash when they hit a state trooper's car this morning. That is unfortunate, but over all, aside from 45 mph traffic on I-5 last night, no real impact was noticeable with the exception of a tiny tiny bit of snow sitting on top of the grass in some shaded areas.)
But back to my original thought... It's alive!!!!
Well... Everything is packed and ready to go (with few exceptions.) James is going to take a to Seattle where I will pick him up after work tomorrow. Finally today I made sure that the last piece of the puzzle (the Astro) was taken care of.)
I took a trip to Wal-Mart, and found out that the 1 year warranty on the battery expired on the 11th of this month. However, because I had taken the battery to have it looked at and attempted to recharge it, I had a sticker from the 23rd of last month to claim the battery died last month. So, the nice lady at Wal-Mart actually let me exchange it for money toward the purchase of a new battery. I was a little disappointed to find out that the original battery had a lower amperage than the astro was supposed to have, but the plus side is that it only cost me $30 to get a new battery. This one has a 3 year warranty. It had no trouble starting the car, and I found that to solve the problem of the power seat draining my battery, I can just pull the plug on the power seat.
Everything seems in order to use the astro to move. I even thought about starting to move some things into the astro tonight (because I saw an awesome parking spot just across from my apartment in stead of the spot I've been claiming for the past 6 months down by the dumpster. I have to admit that it was convenient to have the astro there because I could unload all of the garbage from the car before I moved it over here.
So, tomorrow I will go to work, swing out to Seattle after work to get James, then I think we will load up the van in tomorrow night, and finally move everything on Saturday!
On the work side of my life, I now own two features in the next version of the Zune client. One on the social side, and one on the Marketplace side. I also caught wind that I will probably be given a couple other (older) features too, but I really can't say what they are because it would violate my non disclosure agreement to talk about it. However, I must say it is starting to add up to a decent day's work. Even though the features are smaller features, they are both brand new features that nobody else has looked at before, and I can't wait to start writing my test cases. I already have a whole bunch in my notebook, plus I've been adding to the cases I already have (to increase the effectiveness of each pass, and justify the time that I need to spend on each test pass.)
So, I am becoming more important by the day, and after I finish a few more automation scripts, I really think I will be able to seriously work on securing my place as a full time employee at Microsoft. Which I think is what I want. Worst case scenario it just looks really good on a resume.
So, that's what's going on. I think my next posting will be done from my new apartment. I can't wait. I even think it might be worth it to use a little of my credit to get a new bed. That would be really nice. Sleeping on a futon is nice and all, but I think that after a year, I want something a little more... soft... like a mattress. So, I think I can justify that. After all, I do need to get a good night's sleep. Yea, I think while I have James here, I will go to get a mattress. I have a good one in mind, and I don't think it was too expensive. I'll have a new home and a new bed (as a gift to myself for getting this totally awesome job!)
Speaking of sleep it is that time. Good night.
Later,
SteveO
But back to my original thought... It's alive!!!!
Well... Everything is packed and ready to go (with few exceptions.) James is going to take a to Seattle where I will pick him up after work tomorrow. Finally today I made sure that the last piece of the puzzle (the Astro) was taken care of.)
I took a trip to Wal-Mart, and found out that the 1 year warranty on the battery expired on the 11th of this month. However, because I had taken the battery to have it looked at and attempted to recharge it, I had a sticker from the 23rd of last month to claim the battery died last month. So, the nice lady at Wal-Mart actually let me exchange it for money toward the purchase of a new battery. I was a little disappointed to find out that the original battery had a lower amperage than the astro was supposed to have, but the plus side is that it only cost me $30 to get a new battery. This one has a 3 year warranty. It had no trouble starting the car, and I found that to solve the problem of the power seat draining my battery, I can just pull the plug on the power seat.
Everything seems in order to use the astro to move. I even thought about starting to move some things into the astro tonight (because I saw an awesome parking spot just across from my apartment in stead of the spot I've been claiming for the past 6 months down by the dumpster. I have to admit that it was convenient to have the astro there because I could unload all of the garbage from the car before I moved it over here.
So, tomorrow I will go to work, swing out to Seattle after work to get James, then I think we will load up the van in tomorrow night, and finally move everything on Saturday!
On the work side of my life, I now own two features in the next version of the Zune client. One on the social side, and one on the Marketplace side. I also caught wind that I will probably be given a couple other (older) features too, but I really can't say what they are because it would violate my non disclosure agreement to talk about it. However, I must say it is starting to add up to a decent day's work. Even though the features are smaller features, they are both brand new features that nobody else has looked at before, and I can't wait to start writing my test cases. I already have a whole bunch in my notebook, plus I've been adding to the cases I already have (to increase the effectiveness of each pass, and justify the time that I need to spend on each test pass.)
So, I am becoming more important by the day, and after I finish a few more automation scripts, I really think I will be able to seriously work on securing my place as a full time employee at Microsoft. Which I think is what I want. Worst case scenario it just looks really good on a resume.
So, that's what's going on. I think my next posting will be done from my new apartment. I can't wait. I even think it might be worth it to use a little of my credit to get a new bed. That would be really nice. Sleeping on a futon is nice and all, but I think that after a year, I want something a little more... soft... like a mattress. So, I think I can justify that. After all, I do need to get a good night's sleep. Yea, I think while I have James here, I will go to get a mattress. I have a good one in mind, and I don't think it was too expensive. I'll have a new home and a new bed (as a gift to myself for getting this totally awesome job!)
Speaking of sleep it is that time. Good night.
Later,
SteveO
Sunday, March 23, 2008
5 days... and counting!
Well, yesterday I finalized everything for me to move in next Saturday. I called James and made sure he can make it, I went over to the new apartment to make sure I can get in to the one I want, and make sure everything is in order for me to move in, then I came home an packed everything I own into containers. I broke down all the tables so they would be really easy to move, and I cleaned out my room of everything except my futon, a small dresser (containing all the clothes I need for the next week), and my tiny little computer desk. which comfortably fits my laptop on the keyboard tray.
I have been constantly reminded of why I am so excited to move out of this apartment. The building is in the ghetto, it is just really inconvenient to take the bus, and last but not least (actually most importantly) I won't have to live with Evelyn any more. I have said to myself over and over that if she would spend half the time packing and moving her things as she has spent yelling at Mani, then she would be done and have her room cleaned by now. In stead, she has about half of her stuff in boxes, her room is a complete mess, and she will be begging me to help her next week. In the mean time, I have packaged everything in my room and the living room up, I have run the vacuum in my room, and the parts of the living room that she hasn't put her stuff in, I have cleaned all of my tables, and I am half way through with my dishes. I will let her clean her own dishes.
By this time next week, I will be finishing up with the carpet cleaner, and getting ready to return it to Evelyn's mom. Then I will go to my new home, and enjoy my new apartment. I think I might even take next Monday off so that I can drop off the keys in the office... or at least come in late.
Well, it's been a tiring weekend. especially yesterday. Yesterday I started the day by going up to Jet City for my morning coffee, and I also took Jaani for a walk along the trail. Then we took all three of the dogs up to Marymoore off-leash dog park. We walked all the dogs around for a while, then we took a walk down a nature trail, and I read a bunch of little plates that described the change we were going through from man made fields, to the succession zone, then to the marsh, and finally to the swamp, where the trail we walked on literally floated on top of the peat below the surface. When I finally got home, I went through all the stuff in my room, and packed everything away into boxes.
I must say I sure am happy that I got those big Dell boxes from work. I only got six of them, but I used five, and then I let Evelyn have one (pretty much just to shut her up.) I swear, if she isn't complaining about Mani, she is telling me how much of an @$$ I am, or how much she hates Jaani. Part of me feels really sorry for her Babli. The poor dog. I am happy for Payal, but I fear hat she might be left with Ev once Mani picks up this permanent load down to Cali, where he will only be home on Thursday night. I wish I could afford all the dogs, I would just take them all with me.
At the same time I will be happy to get away from Babli in the morning. As soon as Ev leaves, the little dog just starts barking really loudly, and when I told Ev that the neighbor above us was complaining about it, she just went on a rant about how he was making a lot of noise when he was setting up his bed the first night he moved in... he was pounding on the floor for like 10 minutes getting the thing put together so he could go to sleep. Well... I'm renaming the post to 5 days in counting!
Later,
SteveO
I have been constantly reminded of why I am so excited to move out of this apartment. The building is in the ghetto, it is just really inconvenient to take the bus, and last but not least (actually most importantly) I won't have to live with Evelyn any more. I have said to myself over and over that if she would spend half the time packing and moving her things as she has spent yelling at Mani, then she would be done and have her room cleaned by now. In stead, she has about half of her stuff in boxes, her room is a complete mess, and she will be begging me to help her next week. In the mean time, I have packaged everything in my room and the living room up, I have run the vacuum in my room, and the parts of the living room that she hasn't put her stuff in, I have cleaned all of my tables, and I am half way through with my dishes. I will let her clean her own dishes.
By this time next week, I will be finishing up with the carpet cleaner, and getting ready to return it to Evelyn's mom. Then I will go to my new home, and enjoy my new apartment. I think I might even take next Monday off so that I can drop off the keys in the office... or at least come in late.
Well, it's been a tiring weekend. especially yesterday. Yesterday I started the day by going up to Jet City for my morning coffee, and I also took Jaani for a walk along the trail. Then we took all three of the dogs up to Marymoore off-leash dog park. We walked all the dogs around for a while, then we took a walk down a nature trail, and I read a bunch of little plates that described the change we were going through from man made fields, to the succession zone, then to the marsh, and finally to the swamp, where the trail we walked on literally floated on top of the peat below the surface. When I finally got home, I went through all the stuff in my room, and packed everything away into boxes.
I must say I sure am happy that I got those big Dell boxes from work. I only got six of them, but I used five, and then I let Evelyn have one (pretty much just to shut her up.) I swear, if she isn't complaining about Mani, she is telling me how much of an @$$ I am, or how much she hates Jaani. Part of me feels really sorry for her Babli. The poor dog. I am happy for Payal, but I fear hat she might be left with Ev once Mani picks up this permanent load down to Cali, where he will only be home on Thursday night. I wish I could afford all the dogs, I would just take them all with me.
At the same time I will be happy to get away from Babli in the morning. As soon as Ev leaves, the little dog just starts barking really loudly, and when I told Ev that the neighbor above us was complaining about it, she just went on a rant about how he was making a lot of noise when he was setting up his bed the first night he moved in... he was pounding on the floor for like 10 minutes getting the thing put together so he could go to sleep. Well... I'm renaming the post to 5 days in counting!
Later,
SteveO
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Just a quick update...
I was approved for my apartment in Renton. I am pretty sure I'm going to move in. It's the best move in deal, and I am pretty sure things will work out fine. My only concern now is just getting everything packed this weekend and ready for James to help me move next weekend.
I have been working a bit lately. I have been averaging 10 hour days, and we have a deadline tomorrow for the pre-beta which we won't make, however we are will be ready for the internal beta launch. I finally understand what my test cases are, my machines are almost completely configured, and I am finally familiar with the team. I have 3 weekly meetings that I go to: Social team, Marketplace team, and All Test team. I really feel like the work I do is actually accomplishing a lot; I have had my hand in making sure several key features will be implemented by out RTW (Release To World) deadline at the end of April or Beginning of May.
I like this position a lot. I get to actually code some automation scripts and have even submitted several scripts for the devs (Developers) to use to minimize the test cases I am adding to my own plate. My scope of influence on the project is much larger now then it was as a Test Associate. Not only do I organize test cases, but I also organize meetings, write test cases, co-ordinate between the two test teams I'm a member of, and I have direct interaction with the devs on a daily basis.
If I can push the new features into the beta with a high enough pass/fail ratio, then I will definitely have a shot at getting hired as an FTE in August/September. I am the first one there every day, and the last one to leave; which I'm only happy about because that means I do enough to justify working the hours. (I suppose I only have crunch time to worry about.) My manager said that I might even get a team of minions to co-ordinate once we hit crunch time. I love it!
Other than that... in the words of Dad: Work work work work work work work.
On the plus side, I found out today that there is a really good chance that I will get a week of paid vacation in July. I was thinking I might leave the Saturday before Susie's wedding and come back the Monday after the wedding. That would give me almost a week before the wedding to hang around, and then only miss one meeting for each team (not that I won't be able to stay in touch via email.)
Anyway... more later. sleep now. good night every body.
Later,
SteveO
I have been working a bit lately. I have been averaging 10 hour days, and we have a deadline tomorrow for the pre-beta which we won't make, however we are will be ready for the internal beta launch. I finally understand what my test cases are, my machines are almost completely configured, and I am finally familiar with the team. I have 3 weekly meetings that I go to: Social team, Marketplace team, and All Test team. I really feel like the work I do is actually accomplishing a lot; I have had my hand in making sure several key features will be implemented by out RTW (Release To World) deadline at the end of April or Beginning of May.
I like this position a lot. I get to actually code some automation scripts and have even submitted several scripts for the devs (Developers) to use to minimize the test cases I am adding to my own plate. My scope of influence on the project is much larger now then it was as a Test Associate. Not only do I organize test cases, but I also organize meetings, write test cases, co-ordinate between the two test teams I'm a member of, and I have direct interaction with the devs on a daily basis.
If I can push the new features into the beta with a high enough pass/fail ratio, then I will definitely have a shot at getting hired as an FTE in August/September. I am the first one there every day, and the last one to leave; which I'm only happy about because that means I do enough to justify working the hours. (I suppose I only have crunch time to worry about.) My manager said that I might even get a team of minions to co-ordinate once we hit crunch time. I love it!
Other than that... in the words of Dad: Work work work work work work work.
On the plus side, I found out today that there is a really good chance that I will get a week of paid vacation in July. I was thinking I might leave the Saturday before Susie's wedding and come back the Monday after the wedding. That would give me almost a week before the wedding to hang around, and then only miss one meeting for each team (not that I won't be able to stay in touch via email.)
Anyway... more later. sleep now. good night every body.
Later,
SteveO
Sunday, March 16, 2008
My New Apartment!
So, after searching long and hard, I found a new apartment. It was unexpected when I found it. I went to Renton for a walk on Saturday, and as I was walking from Jet City to the trail, I noticed that one of the streets I always used to walk down when I lived in Renton; I noticed that the street looked a lot nicer than it used to. Where there once was old run down abandoned buildings on a dirty unmaintained streets, now stood brand new tall buildings, fresh grass next to the side walk, and families entering and leaving the buildings. On one side of the street is an assisted living home, and on the other side of the street was a brand new apartment building. 95 Burnett is written on the apartment building is large gold letters; the apartment office is open, and I go inside to have a look.
I went up to look at four model apartments, and decided that I loved it! The best part, they allow dogs, and my total move in cost will be $155 (technically). They said that I will need to pay a $400 holding fee, which they will allow me to pay at the end of this week. They also said that by signing a 1 year lease, they will write me a check for one month rent, and 6 months of parking (it is extra for a parking space), plus, they will allow me to rent a tandem space for a couple months, but only include a single space on the lease. That is perfect for the Astro.
Parking is in a garage under the building. The apartment is 720 sq. ft. The building has a party room, 24 hour fitness area, washer and dryer in the apartment, an outdoor community area with propane grills for residents to use, 1/2 block from the transit center, 1/2 block from the cedar river trail, and 2 blocks from Jet City. The end result, the two places I like to go the most are right by my apartment, and my morning commute is shorter if I take the bus than if I drive.
After doing the math, moving to this apartment will save me $40 a month in coin laundry charges. With the estimated increase in gas prices with will probably save $250 a month in gas (assuming gas prices really do get up to $4/gallon.) Together both of these aspects outweigh the increase in rent that I will have. Plus, this apartment is in a much nicer area that this one. I will also have my social life back! Which I guess is mainly due to not having my current room mate, but that is a different story.
So, I am excited to move. I am glad that the only apartment that I can really afford to move in to (as far as move in cost) is such a nice apartment that I can share with Jaani.
Anyway... It's time for me to go to bed.
Good night!
Later,
SteveO
I went up to look at four model apartments, and decided that I loved it! The best part, they allow dogs, and my total move in cost will be $155 (technically). They said that I will need to pay a $400 holding fee, which they will allow me to pay at the end of this week. They also said that by signing a 1 year lease, they will write me a check for one month rent, and 6 months of parking (it is extra for a parking space), plus, they will allow me to rent a tandem space for a couple months, but only include a single space on the lease. That is perfect for the Astro.
Parking is in a garage under the building. The apartment is 720 sq. ft. The building has a party room, 24 hour fitness area, washer and dryer in the apartment, an outdoor community area with propane grills for residents to use, 1/2 block from the transit center, 1/2 block from the cedar river trail, and 2 blocks from Jet City. The end result, the two places I like to go the most are right by my apartment, and my morning commute is shorter if I take the bus than if I drive.
After doing the math, moving to this apartment will save me $40 a month in coin laundry charges. With the estimated increase in gas prices with will probably save $250 a month in gas (assuming gas prices really do get up to $4/gallon.) Together both of these aspects outweigh the increase in rent that I will have. Plus, this apartment is in a much nicer area that this one. I will also have my social life back! Which I guess is mainly due to not having my current room mate, but that is a different story.
So, I am excited to move. I am glad that the only apartment that I can really afford to move in to (as far as move in cost) is such a nice apartment that I can share with Jaani.
Anyway... It's time for me to go to bed.
Good night!
Later,
SteveO
Friday, March 14, 2008
Free Beer and Jello Shots!
It's the St Patrick's day party here at Zune! That means a party! I'll tell you, Microsoft knows how to throw a party. It's always a good time. Free drinks, free food, and good entertainment.
Right now there are almost 100 people gathered around a 15ft TV screen all watching people play rock band! One singer, one guitarist, one bassist, and one drummer at a time. Everyone is yelling almost like it's a real band or something.
Meanwhile I sit here with my beer and jello shots doing my work. (don't worry mom, I'm not getting drunk, I had a couple jello shots at lunch, and I've been nursing a beer for a couple hours now.)
I went up and played a little of the bass up there, but it's nothing like a real bass. However, it is fun!
So, I ate dinner here... I've been putting music onto a Zune to use for the weekend, and I have to say things are going pretty good.
It looks like Sunday will be sunny, so Jaani and I are going to the dog park. Tomorrow I think we'll go walking on a trail, because it will be easier to keep him clean.
My new job is great! I have been walking around since Wednesday with a badge that says Employee (instead of Contractor or Vendor.) It's just cool because everyone who doesn't work with me thinks I'm a full time employee.
I really think I made the right choice by going here in stead of SQL Server. Even if it doesn't look as good as an SQL build engineer.
Anyway... back to work. My break is about over.
Later,
SteveO
Right now there are almost 100 people gathered around a 15ft TV screen all watching people play rock band! One singer, one guitarist, one bassist, and one drummer at a time. Everyone is yelling almost like it's a real band or something.
Meanwhile I sit here with my beer and jello shots doing my work. (don't worry mom, I'm not getting drunk, I had a couple jello shots at lunch, and I've been nursing a beer for a couple hours now.)
I went up and played a little of the bass up there, but it's nothing like a real bass. However, it is fun!
So, I ate dinner here... I've been putting music onto a Zune to use for the weekend, and I have to say things are going pretty good.
It looks like Sunday will be sunny, so Jaani and I are going to the dog park. Tomorrow I think we'll go walking on a trail, because it will be easier to keep him clean.
My new job is great! I have been walking around since Wednesday with a badge that says Employee (instead of Contractor or Vendor.) It's just cool because everyone who doesn't work with me thinks I'm a full time employee.
I really think I made the right choice by going here in stead of SQL Server. Even if it doesn't look as good as an SQL build engineer.
Anyway... back to work. My break is about over.
Later,
SteveO
Back in Michigan...
The joke of the day is sentences that start with "back in Michigan..." and then plug in something about weather or another random off topic subject.
ahh... the joys of working at Microsoft. :)
later,
SteveO
ahh... the joys of working at Microsoft. :)
later,
SteveO
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)