Thoughts About the $1.5B Powerball Drawing Tonight

Not sure why I'm bothering making a promise here since nobody knows where this site is yet, but anyhoo...

Discussion at work today about the typical "what if you win?" situation about the powerball drawing. Now I know the odds and know it's idiotic, but I bought a ticket. So by my calculations, if I win (cash option) I'll get approx $420 million after taxes. If shared, half that, etc.

So what if I win?

Well... I'll probably keep around $5 mil to save/invest, maybe another 2-3 to splurge. Another couple to pay for my family's mortgages, education for my nephews and nieces, etc. The rest I'll give away.

Seriously.

Not in the "here, have a check" way, but there are so many charities that can do so much with that money. And need it. I'm sure I'll be smart about it and set up a trust or foundation or something so I can keep giving for all eternity. Being super-rich doesn't appeal to me. Making the world a better place is. After a certain level, what's the point of having more?

There. I've committed myself.

And outed myself as a progressive.

Shit.

OK, Let's See How Long This Lasts This Time

Feel like writing again.

It's weird, because I've been neglecting this blog for so long. Not because I haven't had anything to say or that nothing's going on in my life. Quite the contrary. You know when you get a voice mail or text from someone, and there's no rush so you don't reply right away? Then you get distracted with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (or simple procrastination). Then it gets to the point that you can't return the call because it's been way to long to reply without it being awkward? That's sorta how I feel about this blog.

I won't even bother with giving a full update right now, other than to say I'm now at a new job in Atlanta.

Oh, and because I was slacking off so much I let my waitingforcoffee domain expire. It was picked up by a squatter so I don't know if I want to fight that battle. In the meantime, this blog has been moved to xxxxx. However, if you're reading this then you already know and redundant statement is redundant.

HAHAHAHA! Well played

To the person who previously stayed in an Orange county hotel, room 312...

You managed to program the thermostat to turn to 45 degrees at 7PM every night. That was effin HILARIOUS. Let me know who you are. I want to give you a high five.

In the face.

With a brick. 

The Long Goodbye

This will probably be my last post on this blog. Not saying much since I haven't posted in over a year and a half, but wanted to use this semi-anon forum to pass some sad news.

Murphy passed away in my arms yesterday. He was a trooper until the end.

RIP little man.

Countdown to 10K: Day Three

Circuit: Run 1 min, Walk 2 min (Repeat X10)

Success Level: 6/10

Pain level: Getting kneecapped by Tony Soprano

Doggie excitement level: 9/10

The rain stopped in the afternoon, so it was time for the doggie to join me. The first 2 cycles were ok, but the shin splints started early. I was in severe pain and was only half-assed running on the third one. It was one of those weird runs that was only mildly faster than walking. I skipped the run and walked intervals 4, 7, & 9. Murphy was dragging me the whole way.

It'll get better. I'm sure of it.

I think Murphy hopes so too. He was snoring 30 seconds after we got home.

Countdown to 10K: Day Two

Circuit: Walk 30 min

Success Level: 10/10

Pain level: Binge drinking

Doggie excitement level: 1/10

I was not as sore as I thought I would be. My legs did feel a little heavy and rubbery. I'm really glad I didn't have to run today.

It was raining today, so Murphy's excitement waned a bit when he realized he wasn't going along. I went to the gym instead, so I replaced the 30 minute walk with 20 minutes on the treadmill and 10 minutes on the elliptical death machine.

Countdown to 10K: Day One

Circuit: Run 1 min, Walk 2 min (Repeat X10)

Success Level: 8/10

Pain level: For all that is good and holy on this planet, someone shoot me.

Doggie excitement level: 10/10

Since the plan I got started on a Monday, I decided to just jump right into it when I got home. My pooch looked at me with disbelief when I went into my closet and dusted off my running shoes. Then the realization hit him.

Walk.

Walk!

WALK!

WALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALKWALK!!!!!!

He knows that when I put on those shoes we're up for something involving him. He was almost vibrating. I swear if he got any more excited he would have time-traveled. So I got the leash and he ran full speed into the door with a solid thunk. Luckily he absorbed the entire impact with his brain, so there was no damage.

I decided my best bet was to do my circuit across the street in the Dell parking lot. It's usually deserted because, well, all of their employees are in Bangalore. Plus the brief walk across my complex and across the street would be appropriate for a warmup and an opportunity for Murphy to "lighten the load," as it were.

I started the timer and I was off.

Min 1: Run (Piece of cake.)

Min 2-3: Walk (Already?)

Min 4: Run (Still not too bad.)

Min 5-6: Walk (Want to keep running, but sticking with the plan.)

Min 7: Run (Still ok, but landed wrong on a step and felt a little twinge.)

Min 8-9: Walk (Slowing down made me feel the first little pain.)

Min 10: Run like a teenage girl in an 80s splatter movie.

Min 11-12: Walk (waiting for this one.)

Min 13: Run like a teenage girl in an 80s splatter movie after she falls the second time

Min 14-15: Walk (Wait. How many more?)

Min 16: Run (are my shins supposed to be bursting into flames?)

Min 17-18: Walk (actually stopped for a second to put my tibia back.)

Min 19: Run (I couldn't even qualify for the special olympics right now.)

Min 20-21: Walk (Realize the pain hasn't really hit. Until now.)

Min 22: Run (Look for a cab.)

Min 23-24: Walk (Even Murphy is dragging ass.)

Min 25: Screw the run. I'm skipping this one.

Min 26-27: Walk (Turn back towards home.)

Min 28: Run (While technically correct, it was more or less a fast zombie walk.)

Min 29-30: Drag my ass home.

I had never been happier to get upstairs. Murphy made it almost a foot inside the door before passing out.

Day one... check.

Running For My Life

I'm sore.

Sore because I started running again. The 35th Capitol 10K is March 25th, and since I hadn't run it in a couple of years I decided to bite the bullet and get back into shape. That means I have 8 weeks to get into shape well enough so officials don't think I'm having a full seizure down the route. The last time I ran it my friends were adamant that I was imagining it, but I swear the standby ambulance was following me.

Also the Mighty Texas Dog Walk is 2 weeks after, so running/walking with the pooch will train his lazy ass as well.

So I decided to train. I looked around and found an 8-week beginner's running plan on RunnersWorld, apparently designed by Nazi war doctors. To be honest it's kind of reasonable, although it requires a 6 day/week schedule. Regardless, I've never backed away from a challenge, so have at it.

Here's my plan.

I took the program, and like any proper geek put it together in an Excel file. It's available here, in case anyone cares.

To add to the geekiness, I downloaded the Impetus Android app for my phone.

I looked at quite a few and chose this for a few reasons. First, it's free. It's very configurable as an interval trainer, and since most of the days involve "Run x minutes/Walk x minutes, repeat X times," it's quite easy to work it out. Secondly, it will actually mute my music at the designated time, so I don't miss the signal during a bitchin' guitar solo.

Now all it takes is to get my ass off the couch and do it.

Nailed it.

Ok, New Year's Resolution #312. Start blogging again.

I was sent a link to my name on Urban Dictionary. Here are a few of the definitions; all from the first page. I didn't dare read past it (There are 60 total).

1.Brian

"The name Brian is of Celtic origin and means; Strength and Honor. He is a very intelligent guy, who keeps his priorities straight and is extremely well rounded. Not only is he smart, but he is athletic, handsome, sexy, funny, and a great guy to hang out around. Trust me his somewhat klutzy personality can be funny when he plays the role/ He can often be very dramatic, in the good way. He is one of those guys that you can just share about anything with. He instantly just gains your trust. He is very reliable. Brian will always be there for a friend, no matter what the conditions. Brian is very creative and loves to contribute ideas. He has dreams of changing the world, and making it a better place for all to live. He is always true to who he is. He is a natural born leader, who can lead a group of people yet still have time for each individual. Only the lucky girls will get to be in a relationship with this guy, but anyone can be his friend.

"Man isn't he dreamy. He is such a Brian."

"That's my best bud right there. He is the greatest Brian ever."

"Everyone bow down to the Brian."

"Only a Brian can save all of humanity".

"He just pulled a Brian."

2. Brian

1. A guy who's heart is captured by the same girl always yet lives his life as if she didn't exist when she's not around.
2. Term for the best guy friend conversationalist. Someone you can vent to an actually get feedback and opinions.
3. A reliable "lean on me" kinda friend

1. "God, he's really in denial about that girl---he's acting like a Brian."
2. She thanked him for listening and named him her Brian.
3. "You've been such a Brian to me since I met you. Thanks for always being there for me."

3. Brian

A highly intelligent guy who is handsome, funny, sexy, a great kisser, and is hung like a horse. Basically the TOTAL PACKAGE! A guy that every woman wants to be with, but only the hot ones get the privilege of having him.

Woman: I’m the luckiest woman in the world…

Her Girlfriend: Why is that?

Woman: Because… I have a Brian!

Her Girlfriend: Damn girl… You are lucky… Can we share him?

Woman: Sure!! Sounds like fun… He’s hung like a horse, so there’s plenty to go around!!

Her Girlfriend: Great!! Let’s go get started then…

4. Brian

An intelligent, sexy, well rounded guy. Can be shy at times, but is liked by mostly everyone. He is lay back, but is a natural born determined leader of the masses, if only he can get over his fear of success. He is ambitious, but is also very prone to laziness. A Brian is often labeled as arrogant, but when you get to really know him, you'll find out he's just timid. Brians are nurturers, protectors, and appreciators of humanity. As partners, Brians see femininity as part of themselves, as a result, Brians find it incredibly easy to please the lady in their life. Brians are adored by women, and are often prone to promiscuity, unless a person of equal wit and intelligence keeps them interested. As lovers, Brians take the award as sex-machines, period! Brians are intimately affectionate, passionate intense lovers. Sex with a brian is like awakening an unknown side of yourself, so make sure you fasten your seat belt! And I MUST say again, Brians are INTENSE lovers, and will quickly learn which buttons to press, when & where; and rapidly understand your bodies language of pleasure.
A Brian can also be very mistrusting of others, and as shy observers, can come off as antisocial. Brians can be prone to depression, social disconnection and have a tendency to enjoy alcohol to the point of self-destruction. Negatively, Brians can be truly despised by close friends. Because Brians are very intelligent, they are good at getting revenge, and can be cold-hearted sarcastic assholes!

Halloweenie! (or, the Pumpkin is a Lie)

I know it's been a while and I have a lot of catching up to do, but gotta start somewhere.

Been trying to figure out what to do with my Jack-o-lanterns this year. And I figured I'll stick with a Portal theme, since I'm making my 5th run through Portal 2 at the moment.

Plenty of ideas there too. Wheatley was a bit ambitious, so I stuck with the companion cube and turret.

(Self-Serving commentary: I really like how the turret turned out)



This looks so much better IRL. For some reason Jacko's don't photo well.





Happy Halloween!

Sue Me

Ok, so I promised I would never, ever, ever (ever) tweet.

I lied.

@waiting4coffee

PonyCraft 2

Stop whatever you're doing.

I don't care, just stop.

Watch this video.




Words cannot express the awesome.

(From our friends over at Kotaku)

Happy π day!

In honor of Pi day, I'd like to give a shout out to Fabrice Bellard for recently breaking the record for calculating Pi to 2.7 trillion digits.

Fabrice, I tip my hat to you. But seriously, go outside. Your family is worried about you.

(EDIT: One week ago, Alexander J. Yee & Shigeru Kondo hit the 5 trillion digit mark.)

For the rest of you, here are some groovy Pi goodies...

First million digits of Pi
The Pi song
Pi. from Cracked
Another musical rendition of Pi

And my favorite...

Pumpkin Pi

Buy 9 Grams of Cocaine, Get 1 Free!

In My email today at work...


What. The. Eff...

Guess the recession is killing the business of dealers too

My Sentiments Exactly

Ok Cupid, you can proceed to suck my left one now.

RECAP: Jan'10-- Dad

So I think it's time to tell the story of my Dad and last January. As everyone knows, my memory isn't the best so I might get some dates/times/minor details a little wrong. But the recaps to follow are as I remember it.

Last time I spoke about this it was a little over a year ago, and he had just been taken into surgery for a quintuple bypass.

The surgery went great. Mom, the sibs and I stayed the entire time. The next couple of weeks were a little hectic. I had already taken a few weeks off of work, so after Dad's release date was approaching, I would drive back to Austin every couple of days, do about a week's worth of work in the next 48 hours, then drive back to San Antonio to spend some time telling Dad bad jokes, then back to Austin, and thus continued the great circle of life.

(BTW, Lil was a gem for taking in Murphy for all this time.)

Apparently Dad was making a spectacular recovery, and the release date was on schedule. Even after a minor Afib. So he was released with a clean bill of health, feelin great, looking fit, and as sharp as always.

A bit relieved, I had decided to go home and actually put in a good solid four days' work at the office. He was released on a Wednesday, and I would be back on Friday to hang out with him. My Mom had decided to go to an anniversary party. The nurturer and worrier in her didn't want to leave Dad alone, but we convinced her she needed a night out. Besides, I would be there. It wasn't so much that he needed a babysitter, but I was looking forward to spending time with him alone. With the hospital stay and all the 34,683 well-wishers, we hadn't had an opportunity to just hang out, talk, and yuk it up without an audience since before the holidays.

We watched some tv, talked about the operation (he was fascinated by the procedure), and then started talking about randomness.

10:32

I remember him saying something about the Amazon, but stopped mid-sentence. It was then I felt him reach out and grab my arm hard. He pulled himself up, and as I stood up he became unsteady and looked at me with fear in his eyes.

I had never known him to be afraid of anything. Even recently going into bypass surgery, or dealing with cancer, or even the stomach infection that nearly ended his life, I had never seen him frightened like this. His grip on my arm as he tried to steady himself was like an iron claw, and I could tell as I spoke with him he could not fully comprehend my words. At that point I saw his right eye glass over and the corner of his mouth curl downwards, a bit of spittle landing on my hand. His mouth moved as if he was trying to speak, but the same word over and over.

I had seen this before.

He was having a stroke.

I sat him down amidst protest, and told him to sit as I got the phone. With their home phone on my ear calling 911, my cell on the other trying to reach my Mom's cell, and talking to him to try and keep him with me, the next hour was a blur.

Mom got there shortly before the ambulance did, and I told her to go with Dad while I closed up everything and tried to get hold of my sisters. After I locked up the house I flew to the hospital.

When I got there the doctor had already confirmed it. He had a massive stroke, and since we were still within the window of action we could administer a clotbuster drug.

What this does is immediately break up clots and minimize damage to the brain. There's a catch: If there is any hemorrhaging or leaking (especially since he had just gone through major bypass surgery), the chance of death increases dramatically as they might not be able to stop the bleeding.

I remember the look on Mom's face as she said to me, "I can't make this decision."

And I had about 15 minutes to decide. I went outside to call my sisters and also because if at any point in my life I needed a cigarette, I needed one now.

I wanted to administer the drug. My Dad's mind is incredible, and if there was ANY chance to get him back I wanted to take it. But if the decision is passed down to the children, we ALL must agree. I got both of them on the phone.

The oldest of us wasn't sure, and the other sister agreed with me. So I went inside and told the doctor to start the drip. The paperwork came in and of course the disclaimer about the risks, chance of death, etc.

I had never in my life felt so scared signing a piece of paper.

And so it began.

The medication did about as well as we could hope. He started gaining a little bit of coherence, but still wasn't sure about where he was or what he was doing there. The hardest thing was looking into his eyes. It was a look of helplessness. He was the strong one. The rock of the family. And he looked at me wanting me to make everything better.

And I felt as helpless as he.

-------------------------------------

The next few weeks I stayed by his side. Slowly he began to restart learning things again. Speaking was a major hurdle, and he had lost almost all use of his right side. It killed him not being able to communicate. But still we worked at it. Over time, I started to notice that "he" was still in there. His mind was working; but he was trapped in a shell of a body.

The next month was even harder. I couldn't afford to stay away from work any longer, as the busy season was starting. So I would go to work every day, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings drive down to San Antonio to get there during visiting hours, take Mom to dinner and drive home again, then coming in on Saturday and stay the weekend.

After his release to a Rehab center (he hated this, as he felt it was one step away from a nursing home), I couldn't stay with him so the visits were limited to the weekends. I had noticed that the therapy was helping a lot. Or maybe we were starting to understand him better. He was also starting to gain some movement in his right leg, and was being made to try and walk.

After the second rehab center, Medicare had started to limit what they would pay for, but luckily he was strong enough to go home. Mom really surprised me as to the work she did with him. I had offered to get a job in San Antonio so I could stay nearby and help take care of him (or at least the house). Mom would have none of that. For some reason she had been determined to do everything herself. Or didn't want me there. Or something. I couldn't help but feel a little hurt.

By this time the travel season for my job had begun. I took every opportunity to go by and see them, but the travel had started to take its toll. If I wasn't in the office or traveling for work, I was in San Antonio. And it got harder each time.

----------------------------------------

So where is he now? He's doing a lot better, and has traded in his wheelchair for a walker. Over the holidays we spent a lot of time talking. There's still a lot of sadness and frustration in him. But as the people in my family can attest to, he's too stubborn to quit.

And I Love him for it.

Will Strep For Cash

At home today. With strep throat.

At least I think it's strep. I know it's been going around (Lil just got over it) and my throat has decided to start a coup against the rest of my body. I'm pretty sure it's working out some form of declaration of independence and amassing troops.

I don't know for certain because I still don't have health insurance. Not to mention for the next few weeks I'm still hourly; so I'm not getting paid for today.

Explain to me again why Government healthcare is a bad idea?

Welcome to 2011

Goodbye 2010.

And good riddance.

2011 is going to rock. A lot happened last year, which was somewhat responsible for my silence. Since (according to Lillith) I have a lot to say, I'll be blogging again.

With great vengeance and furious anger.

Travel Log Week One

The travel season for my job has begun (No, I don't have a job offer yet, but one way or another this will be my last year here). Because I'm now looking at myself as a short-timer, I had to bite my tongue to not tell Darth Skippy and the rest of the executives to take my itinerary, fold it neatly to fit into a #3 business envelope, and shove it into the orifice of their choosing.

But Daddy needs to pay the bills and keep Murphy fed, so I gotta go.

Normally I look forward to the first few trips. The last few months I had been working 70-80 hours a week staring at numbers and graphs on a computer screen, then putting those numbers into a different part of the screen had started to take its toll. I think my eyes started to bleed at some point.

But this year our fearless leader decided to reassign accounts across the board and do the travel schedule himself.

I believe he does copious amounts of hallucinogens. This is the only thing I can think of to explain his logic. But if this is true, then he is undoubtedly the dullest drug user in existence. So in hindsight, I'll go with mental illness.

Texas is a big place. You have to have traveled through here to garner the scope. I live in Austin, which is for all intensive purposes the state's center.

Useless Texas Fact #1: There are at least eight cities or towns that claim to be the center of Texas.Austin isn't one of them.Bold claim, considering the Texas Highway department put a plaque on highway 377 pointing the direction to the ACTUAL center, 5 miles away (the true center is on public property). Closest town to it is Brady, TX.

After calling all of my clients and rearranging the accounts ourselves, a couple of coworkers and I set out for the long trek.

As I said, I normally look forward to the first few trips. It gets me out of the office and lets me get away on the company's dime.

COMMA

The first trip was regrettably out to West Texas. I at least arranged the accounts to get all my West Texas ones out of the way in one go. First up to Lubbock, then down to Midland, then San Angelo on the way back. I decided to drive it. Not in my own vehicle of course. I trust my truck implicitly. It's a workhorse, and for all intensive purposes should have fallen apart by now. But it still cruises right along. But knowing my luck it'd decide to call it quits midway, and West Texas is known for having a lot of nothing between towns, including cell service. So I decided to rent. A smarter man would have flown to Lubbock and driven down, but I'm not a smarter man.

Here's the basic route:

To put the scope of scale into perspective, this round trip is
the equivalent of driving from Atlanta, GA... To Manhattan.

Luck smiled upon me again.

I reserved a "standard" by the rental company's definition, and they pulled up to my office in a Metro hatchback. I looked up the definition on their website and they said "Pontiac G6 or similar." Last time I actually did get a G6, and that was a fun little car. But a Metro? I'm 6'3", weigh 250. Getting into the passenger seat took a couple of seconds and a minor concussion.

Anyway, I mentioned on the ride to the rental office that I was going to be spending the next 4 days in the middle of nowhere. He looked at his inventory and decided to upgrade me for free, to a Chrysler 300. He says it was to give me a satellite radio, but I know it was because he didn't want to have to clean out the copious amounts of Astroglide needed to get me in and out of the Metro.

The trip was pretty much uneventful. Ok, I'm lying, but this story has already bypassed the "tl;dr" status. So I'll just mention Day 2. Driving from east of Lubbock to Midland, my new fancy-schmancy GPS put me on a road running parallel to the main highway. Since I have it set to "fastest route available," I couldn't understand why it didn't put me crossing over.

And then I decided to trust it.

I normally drive like a grandpa, at most 3-4 miles over the speed limit. But this road, I realized as I crested the top of the first hill, was a piece of driving heaven. Exciting little curves, long fast straightaways, well maintained, entirely deserted. Where if by some chance there were a cop, you could literally see him two miles away. With the exception of while driving through Post, TX I literally did not see another car. It cleaned out my cobwebs. This guy, Tenacious B, who hasn't driven above 80 in years, was precariously close to hitting 3 digits. I know I should've taken a pic, but my GPS listed my top speed for that leg as 98.3mph. And I loved it.

I finally connected with Hwy 20 in Big Spring with a huge smile on my face. Stupid to say, but that was the best I felt in weeks.

P.S. It's Hwy 669. Head south from Crosbyton towards Big Spring. You're welcome.

Holy Crap!

The Friday before the Memorial Day weekend I was having a rough day (See here). Since the office had officially shut down at one and most of the company was at the lake, I headed home at around 3 to ponder life, liberty, and whether or not I would look good in a hairnet for my next job.

Then the doorbell rang. I know this because Murphy barks loud enough to make certain everyone in the tri-state area knows that the doorbell rang. I have tried on numerous occasions to explain to him that yes, I can hear it as well. But he insists on barking as loud as he possibly can in my ear to let me know that the doorbell is, in fact. ringing. Even if it's on tv.

I walk out to the gate and notice the telltale signs of a couple of Mormons. Shortsleeve white shirts, black tie, face like an extra from Happy Days. I guess they parked their bikes around the corner.

A smile creeps onto my face.

I like debating, especially religion. I never have made any qualms about the fact that I'm agnostic, but I don't ever bring it up. It's too sensitive a subject for most people, and I respect that everyone has the right to believe whatever they want to believe.

COMMA

When it gets brought to my house, I say have fun with it.

Jean used to laugh at me because of this. She told me I'm the only one that could make a Jehovah's Witness look at their watch and say, "Gosh, lookitthetime. I gotta go." One time I was bored when a JW came by, so I invited them in and proceeded to give a 40 minute presentation on the benefits of becoming an Amway representative.

It's fun in my world.

I didn't feel like dealing with the dog during any discussion, so I let them go ahead and read their script outside on my patio. Then they started in with the open ended questions...

/cracks knuckles

I decided to play it straight. I discussed religions, god, and the possibility of error in man. I spoke of choices, morality, and compassion. I quoted from their own books plus the Bible and a few other religious tomes, and asked them questions they weren't able to answer. And no, I did not ask them about their holy underwear (fuh real. Check it out). I was respectful, and thoughtful, and cheerful.

I saw the younger one (they both looked about 16, but the one that actually spoke identified himself as an elder, so I mean the other one) listening intently, and you could almost see the point in which I started to make sense to him. To the point where I think he started not only having doubts about CJCLDS, but about religion in general.

The "elder" probably saw this happening, and suggested they come back at another time, probably to prepare. I invited them back, and they said they would be back at 7 on Monday (Memorial Day).

They didn't come back.

I'm going to hell, aren't I?