How did I live this long without...

...an iPod...

After waffling a bit in the Apple store, the other day, I nabbed a 30GB iPod. The video flavor. The Nano was cool and all, but too small and hard for me to use the way I'd like.

So, for two days I've been loading this thing with anything I can find. I'm actually cursing the networks for not making available more of my favorite shows for download. I'm travelling on business, this week, you see. Can't a brother get some Scrubs, CSI, NCIS and Earl?! Networks, do you hear me?! Do my geeky bidding! I geek command you!

Anyway, that being said, I'm already addicted to the new device and can't wait to find ways to push the limits of its features on a daily basis.

SQL> Select * From WakeupCalls Where EasternStandardTime = 'Too Freaking Early';

Dutch 508 Returns From Iraq; Cleans Boots to Get Through Customs

It's good to know my teammate is back from Iraq this week. I know his family and all of his friends (as weird as we may be) are glad that he's back home safely. Except for that whole last patrol thing.

If you don't mind a soldier's perspective on things, his blog is here. I'm not sure just how long he'll continue to update it. I think his intent was really to only keep up with it while he was in the dirt.

I'm not sure why they had to clean their boots in Maine. But, knowing what I know of Maine (and my experience there *is* limited), they are kind of. . . well . . . "odd".

SQL> Select Friends From Iraq Where Tour = 'Complete';

Yet Another Geektacular Weekend

In some sad news, my mother ruined the ending of Serenity for my brother. I'm not sure what she was thinking, but she told him something serious. And that sucks.

Now, the good news.

If you're not watching Battlestar Gallactica, well, you're probably not a geek. If you are watching BSG and missed it on Friday, for the sake of all that's great in the world, find another time, TiVo or iTunes. The series is getting pretty tense, I really like where it's going. Friday's ending had me on the edge of my seat, salivating for the conclusion of Pegasus's appearance. I don't want to ruin it for anyone :)

I finally managed to go see The Lion, The Witch And the Wardrobe, this weekend. I was fairly impressed and pleased that it wasn't watered down for today's "politically correct" masses. Tilda Swinton is one evil bwitch!

Things I liked:

1. The little girl who played Lucy was perfectly cast. I saw, or read, recently that she was not allowed to set eyes on any of the Narnia sets until they were rolling film. The director really wanted to capture her wonder and awe at what she was seeing. Good thinking, because it worked like a charm.

She stole every scene she was in and deserved it.

2. The CGI animation was perfect. Not too much and not everywhere (LUCAS!). What needed to be CGI, was CGI, what didn't need to be CGI wasn't. The animals, in particular, were most convincing.

3. The end battle. Yes, it was an "epic battle", but it wasn't the focal point of the conclusion, nor was it so over done and lengthy that we forgot all the other wonders presented to us throughout the film.

Things I didn't like:

1. The boy cast as Peter. What a simpering little drip. He wasn't at all what I have, for twenty-something years, envisioned Peter to be.

2. Aslan. I can't put my finger on it, but, I didn't like the CGI for the Lion. Something felt wrong. There was also that little bit of ever so important suspense surrounding his death that was utterly lacking. I mean, really, he's resurrected five minutes later, gives Lucy and Susan a quick explanation and it's off to the battle? bleh.

3. The Professor's beard. Way too cliche and totally out of period/character for the battle of Britain.


That's that.

SQL> Select * From Weekends Where Awesome = True;

My Orchestra Teachers Were Too Mean for This

With the exception of one Mrs. Hinze. She used to parade up and down the auditorium's aisles ordering us to "...imagine a massive, and I mean fat Russian queen and her entourage parading down the streets!" I'd like to think she would have allowed us to play the Truth and Reconciliation Suite, had it existed in 19uhhh nevermind that part.

That being said, I think it's pretty damned cool that there are some teachers/conductors out there, today, with minds sufficiently open to allow music from Halo to be played at their performances. Particularly considering the choice was suggested by a gasp student. Most of my instructors were miersable primadonnas who consistently failed to meet the standards of our local symphony and projected their frustration upon us.

So, here's to the students and to the teachers giving geeks more and more credibility by the day!



I originally found this information, today, on HBO:

High School Band RAWKS



SQL> Select LastName, FirstName From tbl_Teachers Where ClassValue <> 'Suck!';

Once More Into the Breech!

Of a new year, anyway.

Fortunately, I survived the stress I induced upon myself regarding my friend's wedding. Don't get me wrong, there were problems to solve. Quite a few, really. But, on the whole, everything went well and I'm glad they're happy with how the weekend went.

The ceremony and reception were something of a forced sacrifice for many of us. The bride really wanted a glamorous New Year's Eve Party (black tie affair). Thus, she chose to use the reception to get all of her friends in the same place at the same time to do so. This had annoyed me, immensely, leading up to the event. Particularly as more and more year-end parties began to surface. Not many people really want to spend New Year's eve in a tiny town, with extremely strict laws regarding the sale and transportation of spirits.

As I look back, though, I have no regrets. I made quite a few new friends, this weekend, all of them great. I also got to know several folks far better than opportunities had allowed me, in the past.

So, when I consider the inquiry "Do you regret how you spent your New Year's Eve?", posed frequently in the last few days, I'm quite comfortable saying "Nope, not in the least." To respond any other way would imply that I don't care for anyone I met, or their invitations to spend more time together, in the future.

So, I'm glad I got over myself for the weekend and shared this momentous occassion with my friends.

---

When it's all said and done, though, I feel some odd need to recall all the little things we resolved to keep the bride and groom in a peaceful state of mind:

1. Ring inspections: Satisfying the bride that the wedding bands made it to the venue and were ready for the ceremony.

2. Wardrobe Malfunctions: There were far more of these, than any other wedding I've ever attended. Of course, I've never attended or participated in a wedding with specialized apparel needs. Specifically, several members of the groom's party wore USAF Mess Dress and we did our best to match their uniforms.

Malfunctions included:
a. One missing tuxedo shirt (groom's). Resolved by the loan of a groomsman's mess dress shirt.
b. One pair of woefully mismatched shoes. Resolved by a visit to the local mall.
c. One unruly undergarment. I received this news third hand, so it's not 100% reliable. It was resolved using pins.
d. The resolution of 2.c. resulted in some blood on the most important garment. I thought the repair was stunning, as I never noticed any sort of stains on the garment.
e. One dearly departed zipper. Resovled by sewing a bridesmaid into her dress.

3. There were some oversights, on the hotel's part, insofar as preparing things for the event.

Most noteable was their attempt to use plastic champagne cups. Really, if you're going to offer ballrooms and other facilities for weddings, you shouldn't even attempt to use plastic anything.

Second was their choice to set the tables with wrinkled tablecloths. Another really silly thing to do. The wedding planner and I discussed this in the afternoon and prayed the bride would not notice it. As luck would have it, she didn't. Or she chose not to mention it. Upon returning from the salon, she inspected the room. During a phone call afterwards, she told me she'd looked in on everything and was "...very happy...", which was undoubtedly the first time anyone had heard such a thing from her all weekend. Really, my friend's wife isn't an unhappy or miserable person, she's just a rabid stickler for details and obsesses about all the small things. That she was finally able to relax and get on with her own preparations was great.


I'm really one happy geek, though. The entire affair was handled with astonishing aplomb and grace by friends and family. Dare I say it? That they're damned lucky to have friends as great as we are? Yes, I think I can get away with it once or twice in my life!

---

SQL> Select * From Weddings Where Date < Date();