DocKruce's Xanga

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:52:28 GMT

Hey Bloo.

That's it.

And again, The Stage is Still Set

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:19:39 GMT

Obviously, I've been considering shutting down this site. But since its still up, such considerations lie low on my priority list - much like the entire concept of sharing my thoughts and happenings with the outside world. Notice that I didn't specify "blogging," since approximately 70% of my information comes from blogs these days. But I promised myself that I'd write at least an informational/updated post before I got to my daily feeds . . .

/rant on

Sometimes there's no better feeling than getting something done. In this case - taxes. I finally sent mine off yesterday, but not without some trials and tribulations. Hopefully, this is the last time that I have to do CA <i>and</i> IN - and believe it or not, Indiana's was far more confusing. But its done.

OK, having freelanced in Indiana for the better part of 7 years, I am well aware that the artistic scene in (anywhere) most small towns is less than financially viable. Especially since I was often the victim of budgetary cuts, setbacks, trims, you name it. However . . . You sent me a W2. Congratulations. It is one of those quarter-page sized dealies, so I received 4 copies. Looks good. Would it kill you to invest in some perforated paper, like the REST of the organizations we do business with?!?

(Kumiko and I had a sum total of around 15 W2s to deal with. And a bunch of 1099-Miscs because apparently we were contractors - more headache that I hope I don't get audited over).

/rant off

That was weak. But I'm out of practice, so there.

Let's see - since September, I've moved twice and since "settled" in San Jose. I've been working in Brisbane (think Cow Palace + Candlestick + SFO) since October - and was promoted and told to hire someone before I finished my probationary period. Sure, the commute sucks, but not as much as being woken up at 5 am because something broke.

More details?

Working in IT full time - Senior Systems Administrator!!! (lolwut?) - for a musical instrument wholesaler. That's about it - taking the occasional gig, but still involved in the industry on both ends. In the last 6 months, I've gotten <i>heavily</i> into Linux administration - I originally took this job with the expectation that Windows Administration was essentially plug-n-play - very much not so with Linux. Not a big deal, except when I run into these backend problems. Who thought that I'd be merging domains and orchestrating database backend migration when I was studying Mahler and Strauss?

On the personal side, I haven't gotten married yet. That'll probably change sometime soon, but don't expect a big celebration (long story, lots involved, and I don't care). Two weeks ago, we acquired a cocker spaniel puppy (puppy!), and my pics aren't uploaded onto a computer that I control as of yet - so you'll have to wait. My audition life is settling down; I don't know if I'll take another one anytime soon. However, I still plan on writting that dissertation. Speaking of which . . .

When I considered shutting down this blog, it would be in deference to something else. I feel like I need a dedicated webspace for some other projects - and this would also give me another opportunity to install and administer a CMS. I considered doing this from home - but running stuff through my own ISP might be weird. I'd still keep a personal blog, but I also feel like I owe it to somebody to document my technical tribulations here at work. It'd be my own contribution to the field, at least. In addition, we could have a consortium of politics, economics, and snarkiness at the same time - after all, it is a CMS. Anybody interested?

Oh, and I just replaced my bike. Picking it up tonight - if the weather's good.

Can I go read my feeds now?

Its ALIVE!!!

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:14:52 GMT

This is fricking cool.

If you're confused . . . HINT: AMD Athlon X2 5200+

Update

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:51:52 GMT

Bloomington->Columbia, Missouri->Kansas City, MO->Sioux Falls, SD->Buffalo, Wyoming->West Yellowstone, Montana->SLC, UT->Elko,NV->Reno,NV->SJ.

3,098 miles and a set of new tires later, I'm here. Welcome back.

Progressing toward the less sucky part of

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:50:54 GMT

Moving.

My apartment is now devoid of all furniture (carted off today to a storage unit for my brother's future use. However, you can't beat the "First Month Free" deal when its only 3 weeks!), and we're sleeping on an air mattress I've been saving for 6 years. We also sold the car today - finally. However, now we REALLY have to dig into those HUGE piles of crap that have been building in our two bedrooms . . . hopefully we can soon decide what's worth keeping and what's not. At which point it'll be several trips to USPS (Media Rate, yay), and trying to find homes for our less-crappy crap. But the jump-off date of the move is going to be Friday. I hope.

Oh, and today I put a 4 inch gouge in the truck I rented to move all of said furniture. Note to self: 16 foot truck does NOT turn like a Camry. The gutter/drainpipe on the corner of my apartment building is not happy. But maybe I'll get lucky and the people @ Budget won't notice . . .

Considered the South route - I've seen Yellowstone, and wouldn't mind seeing the Grand Canyon again - but the prospect of driving through the desert and frying my car basically won out. I'll see Yellowstone again.

Last week (during my 28 hours in CA) I interviewed for a position at a consulting firm in San Mateo. Perhaps its time to give them a call to see what's up.

That ride made me fatter

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:49:56 GMT

13.6 miles = 260 calories burned

In-N-Out Cheeseburger = 450 calories
In-N-Out Lemonade = 180 calories
In-N-Out Fries = 400 calories

uhhh.....

To Quote Sir rLog

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:43:17 GMT

Mankind is inherently good? My ass.

My younger brother rides my bike to San Jose Community College. He just called to say that the entire row of bikes was stolen.

Damnit!

Blurb in a nutshell

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:17:12 GMT

"Redundant and redundant" says the New York Times.

I should be practicing right now. I have the room scheduled, because
My LAST recital is tomorrow, after which
I leave this area and spend some time in California. Most of you already know this. In the meantime
I'm selling all of my worldly possessions in attempt to make enough money to cover the move. Moving is teh suck. Not only that, but
Sending out resumes is also teh suck. Most of you already know this. Naturally,
My resume still needs work. After Saturday, I should be able to get to it. However
Getting no responses to said resumes is definitely teh suck. But meanwhile back on the ranch,
Today's my last gig in Indiana. The day before my recital. .July 4 nasty-ass extravaganza at Johnson County Park - outdoor concert.. Made sweeter all because
It looks like rain. Humid much?

I heard some helpful advice last night.

Fri, 23 May 2008 14:05:10 GMT

The only good dissertation is a DONE dissertation.

I'll buy that.

I would totally pay to see these guys.

Sat, 17 May 2008 17:25:00 GMT