Merry Thanksgiving

Merry Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!

This post is coming to you a little early...tomorrow i'll be working on console supporting the US manned space program...and following that i'll be spending some time with some good friends. I probably won't have much time to post tomorrow...

Be thankful for all that you have...Be thankful for what you don't have...
Be thankful for those that make you laugh...be thankful for those that are there when you cry...be thankful for family...be thankful friends...be thankful for all that you do...be thankful...

I'll leave you with perhaps the best short film parody that i've ever seen!!! And it goes well with my profession and the holiday... This is brilliant!!! Thanksgiving with the Kranzes. It'll take about 20 minutes to watch, but it's well worth it!

Bourne-tastic

Josh and Lisa and I went to see Bourne Ultimatum today. It was a great movie. Most sequel movies lack from what the original had to offer. The third sequels usually suck even more. Not this sequel. It is perhaps the best of the Bourne movies. But don't take my word for it...i like nearly every movie that i watch. But go watch it...it's a good one.

Computer Update and Comparisons

Laptop is back to normal...i have regained wireless access. Luckily, the reconfig was not as bad as i thought it might be. So, the laptop is fully functional with newly installed anti virus security.

I also worked out the playback issue i was having with the recording software. I now have configured the system to record and playback...all through the monitors. I'm learning a little more about my guitar interface. Things are progressing smoothly. Tomorrow, i will transfer some Finding Reason files over from the laptop to run here in the studio software. Then i will start practicing the music they way i should be when the other guys aren't around. Once i do a little practicing with the Finding Reason files, i'll declare the studio fully functional from a guitarists perspective. I don't have a microphone to record vocals...i don't ever see the need for me to record vocals...not my vocals anyway.

As promised, i have created a few comparable computer systems to what i'm running here in the studio. 1. Dell 2. HP

So, the studio machine is running:
Asus P5n E SLI motherboard (onboard sound, firewire, USB 2.0, LAN)
Antec NEO 500w power supply
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 processor (1.8 GHz)
2 GB Dual Channel RAM 2 DIMMs
400 GB SATA HD (3 partitions: 1. office 2. studio 3. storage)
nVidia e-GeForce 7100 (256 MB) graphics card
Emprex 16X DVD writer (had this already)
Windows XP Pro (had this already)
Norton Security 07

I spent just over $700 before rebates. I haven't added them all up yet, but if i recall correctly it was over $100 in rebates. For easy math, let's say i spent $600 for the new system. That is a savings of $300 off of a comparable system. Not too shabby. Now, was that $300 savings worth all my time and effort? Well, it did cut into my social life...oh wait...no it didn't...i don't have one of those right now. So, i'd say it was worth it...I at least have a system that'll last me for quite a while...the previous system lasted 7 years with a few upgrades along the way. The new system has room to grow too...i can add another graphics card if i wanted as well as quadruple the RAM. So, i shouldn't need a new computer for quite some time. Although as i was walking through Frys, a nice media center PC box with a nifty little touch screen caught my eye...

Ok, onto another subject. Have you ever seen Borat? All i can say is this movie is in a class by itself...i don't know what that class is, but it is definitely reigning in its class. I definitely laughed a lot...wanted to look away at times, but it was like a car wreck...you wanted to look away but just couldn't. Yes, i'm probably a little dumber for having seen it, but i was entertained...

The Man Who Fell To Earth

I know, I should've been out enjoying myself on this 5th of May. I was invited to a couple of celebrations. I just couldn't find the motivation to get out. I did work through some Finding Reason material. I was actually on a roll with the guitar work so that was part of the lack of motivation. Later on in the evening, i decided i'd watch a movie that i was saving for the right occasion. Not sure what that occasion was, but tonight was the night. It's no secret that i'm a fan of David Bowie. I was given a box-set gift of "The Man Who Fell To Earth." It contained the book and the movie. I read the book about a year ago. I watched the movie tonight. All i can say is ... that was flippin' bizarre!!! I'll have to read the book again, but i think the movie followed it fairly well. Actually, bizarre doesn't even really begin to describe it...it is definitely out there. And the weird thing is that James Lovell makes an appearance in it. At first i thought it was the JD talking...but no, it definitely was Jim Lovell. By the way, Minute Maid Fruit Punch and JD is pretty good! Isn't it weird how alcohol is like a truth serum. Mysteries ready to be revealed...or not...

I Hate Hollywood

Ok...that may be a little harsh. I just needed a title. This morning i went to see Spider-Man 3 with Josh & Lisa and Cory & Erin. Well, for those of you who know my story and have seen the movie will recognize that there were some "uncomfortable" scenes. Those scenes were all too familiar and brought back some suppressed memories. Nothing like seeing it on a big screen. I will admit, that was a bit of a shock to the system. I definitely did not expect that...
Aside from that, the movie was still somewhat entertaining. There aren't many movies out there that i absolutely hate, so it's not unusual that i liked the movie. Topher Grace still reminds me of Eric Forman...and it's good to see that Kirsten is still a cutie.

Well, i've got some cleaning and music to work on...and somewhere out there, a margarita awaits me...

Slightly More Productivity

Today was a little more productive than yesterday, yet not productive enough. I got several loads of laundry done and some other cleaning done. I still need to get some more cleaning done, but for now, it'll do. With the additional rains this morning, i wasn't able to get any yard work done...perhaps tomorrow after work?

As i was flipping through the channels tonight, i came across a movie i used to watch as a kid: Flight of the Navigator. It's strange how things can take you back...it was a nice trip down memory lane...albeit way too short. Life was so much simpler as a kid.

On a final note, Dad, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I love you.

Happy Feet

Today, before work, i caught the early showing of Happy Feet with a close friend. That was a pretty good little movie. This movie carried a few messages and had some subtle adult humor. The graphics were outstanding...can't wait to view it here on the TV. There was a little issue with the theater sound system part way through the movie (all but the front speakers cut out). Lost about 20 minutes of surround sound...oh well...

I still need to see Casino Royale...i love Bond movies and have been told that this is an excellent one! Anyone wanna go?