Home on the range

Good old home. As usual there is really nothing to do, and to make matters worse I have no car. Net result: another blog post. I'm not quite sure what everybody else is up to since they're not online at all. I find this strange since I'm online all the time during vacations hoping the internet or AIM will drop something to do into my lap. It is most surprising to me that others do not do this.

I did manage to organize a good old-fashioned neighborhood game of Munchkin yesterday, which was extraordinarily entertaining for about three hours. In the end, despite all our backstabbing and monster-pumping to stop him, it was Josh who emerged victorious at level 10. That game is so entertaining that I may have to go out and buy a couple of expansions for it.

I need to get to the mall at some point to spend my gift cards, so if anybody wants to give me a ride, by all means give me a call. I've got to go get some lunch now, but don't let that stop you!

And I'll close with a trivia question:
Q: How do you know little brother might be slacking?
A: You come home from college for Christmas break and your parents ask you to rake leaves.

Oh Red Sox...

I believe some congratulations are in order:

1. Congratulations Johnny. You were right about one thing: You really are an idiot. You just betrayed at least six states of adoring fans to join the Evil Empire and have to cut your hair. It doesn't get much more symbolic than that. For 13 million a year instead of 10 million. And so much for this, eh?

2. Congratulations Red Sox management on being able to keep NOBODY.
Who's left? Let's take a look at the starters:
Manny Ramirez (for now)
Johnny Damon
Trot Nixon
Bill Mueller
Edgar Renteria (not that we'll really miss him)
Tony Graffanino (in salary arbitration)
Kevin Millar (not sure what happened to him, but he's not on the roster anymore)
John Olerud
Jason Varitek
David Ortiz
side note: Doug Mirabelli apparently was quietly traded to the Padres a couple of weeks ago. Who knew?

Well at least we still have most of our pitching staff... Not that we're particularly proud of them.

3. Congratulations Theo, for running out on us in our hour of need. I forgive you though, because I know that the Yankees used their mafia connections to threaten your family and force you to quit. Now we have two guys who can't possibly be expected to know what they're doing running the show just as all the players become free agents.

Body massage

Everything in life just loves to hit all at once. This week I have 3 finals (one down already), I have to find a co-op job so I have two interviews (and two more at the beginning of next week), and on top of all that we're moving off campus on Friday, so everything in the room needs to be packed up so that we can move it and unpack it again.

Actually, some of it was never unpacked to begin with. Real Life has a series of comics that describe the moving experience with great accuracy. I especially like this one, despite the spelling error.

So I really should be heading to bed soon so that I'll be able to get up in time for interview tomorrow. With any luck I'll have time to come home and have lunch before my final at 1:00. And I've had The Big Rock Candy Mountains stuck in my head for about three days. Could be worse, I guess.

Dot dot dot

I believe I may stand corrected.

I'm sorry Joe. It wasn't my decision.

I'm surprised that the Bruins think that trading you to one of the few teams in the NHL worse than they are will help them win games, even if one of them has a name as cool as "Marco Sturm." Well, they'll get to play the Senators tonight, and I'm sure that nothing will be significantly different. Except that you're gone, Joe. And we'll miss you.

I'm on to you.

Have you ever noticed how Store 24 seems to have a bum problem? It seems like every single Store 24 has some homeless man standing out front. Now this may seem reasonable, since people coming out of Store 24s generally have change in their hands, but why is it that other convenience store chains don't have the same problem? Sure, you have the occasional beggar out front of quite of few of them, but none seem to have them quite so consistently as Store 24.

I submit to you that these beggars are in fact professional homeless men, paid by Store 24. It is my theory that somebody over at Store 24 H.Q. did the math, and figured out that if they could get even 1 in 10 customers to drop their change in that cup, they could make a tidy profit. And that's not even counting passers-by!

Well I'm on to you, Store 24.

Moving out... again.

So yesterday Tellef, Ethan, and I put down a down payment on an apartment for January. We'll be totally free of Northeastern's housing department and probably paying more, but at least we won't have to move again. We'll also each get our own bedroom, which is cool, and we'll also have 2 and a half baths. Don't ask me who puts two and a half bathrooms in a 3-bed apartment, but apparently somebody does. We're going to have to coordinate our showering schedules to make the most of the arrangements.

Now I unfortunately get to see the money go through every month and lament about how freaking expensive living is. We should have bought a house.

I killed a mouse

So after several days of seeing a mouse running to and from the closet in our living room, I finally broke down and bought mousetraps. Baited them with peanut butter and everything. I set them up, one in the pantry and one in the living room, and sat down to play fire emblem. Two hours later, there was a cute little mouse stuck in living room trap with his neck snapped. The end.

Don't cry Joe

I still think you're a winner.

Worst week ever

TODAY: Haircut + Calc quiz + interview + regular classes
TOMORROW: Train ride to Littleton + Interview in Littleton + Train ride back from Littleton + Class (and homework due so it can't be skipped) + studying for Systems quiz
WEDNESDAY: Regular classes + Systems & Networks quiz + studying for calc midterm + studying for physics quiz
THURSDAY: Calc midterm + regular classes + physics quiz + studying for Thoery of Comp. midterm + physics lab report
FRIDAY: Lab report due, Theory of Comp. Midterm.

But ethan has it worse. All the same as above, but throw in like 2 more interviews, none of which are actually in Boston.

Just found this on fark. Hi-larious.

The NHL has done something

I know that it's easy to overlook because of the Red Sox being in the playoffs and all, but the hockey season started up a couple of days ago. Now I'm not sure if they were hoping to sneak this by the fans or what, but the NHL has made some rule changes. The first change I can completely agree with, and that is the elimination of the tie. Now, if there is still no winner after 5 minutes of 4-on-4 overtime, the two teams go to a shootout to decide the winner. I have always hated ties, so I am all for this.

They've also eliminated the two-line pass, another change I think is for the better. I've always thought the two-line pass rule was a little weird, and I don't think I'll miss it. The idea is to promote more breakaways and more end-to-end action, and I think that will be very helpful.

There are a bunch of other changes, mostly to dimensions of things such as goalie's pads (which have shrunk), the distance of the blue lines from each other, and the amount of space behind the net. But one change that I'm not sure about is the one you can't really see. Apparently, all the referees have been sort of "re-trained" to have a zero-tolerance policy for "interference, hooking and holding/obstruction." They've also added bigger fines and penalties for players who fight. An interesting thing to note is that the player's coach is the one to get the $10000 fine, not the player. In any case, less fighting really isn't what hockey is all about.

I guess having no tolerance for penalties is ok, as long as they can actually call them. The problem has always been that there aren't enough referees on the ice to actually catch the penalties. Too often somebody will take a cheap shot that doesn't get called, then the victim gets called when he retaliates. The only way a zero-tolerance policy can work is if they put refs in more places. Put one in the press box. Put one in a seat behind each net. It's a lot easier, it seems, to catch penalties when you're not on the ice.

Not that I think the Bruins have much of a chance to win this year if they keep playing like they did on Wednesday.

Those sunglasses

Ladies. What is up with the crazy huge square sunglasses? They make you look like flies. Stop wearing them. Seriously.

You knew it was going to happen.

I wish it didn't. I really do. I want the Red Sox to win with all my heart and soul, but the fact of the matter is that even though they won the World Series last year, they're still the Red Sox. And that means that they know everything there is to know about playing our emotions. It's like an abusive relationship. We love them, give our hearts to them, and in return they just break our hearts again. And yet we keep loving... hoping that someday they won't.

I'm headed out to New Bedford again tonight for Lauren's cousin's wedding. Interesting things, weddings. Funny to think that that'll most likely be me up there in the next few years.

So we finally got cable internet and TV hooked up here and are now basking in the glory of a reliable encrypted wireless network, high-speed internet, and free HBO and On Demand for 2 months. Guess I won't be doing any homework for a while.

Tellef's been thinking about getting a MythTV media PC, which is exciting because I'd get to play with it. Ethan and I have been trying to figure out how to get a web server running from behind the wireless router, but yet to no avail. (Jeff...?)

That's all for now, I have a bus to catch.

The T Customer Bill of Rights

I didn't even know this existed till just now, but apparently the T thinks that all its riders have a right to on-time service. I think "great, I'll just fill out this form for the 50 or so times the subway has been late and get 50 free fares." Then I go to fill out the form and find it doesn't even have a "subway" option, just commuter rail and bus. I suppose the MBTA can't go around insuring the service that's actually late all the time. I recommend that everyone go on over here, print off some copies of this so-called "Customer Bill of Rights," and post them in your local subway station. Then we'll see just how many "rights" we T riders have.

The Bill in Question

This morning

I had only five buddies online. That hasn't happened in a very long time.

Also, go and help the Ministry of Reshelving.

Does anybody want a free dog?

Only poops on the floor sometimes. I'll even deliver if you like!

Apartment Hunting in Boston

I've been at it for two hours and I have learned one thing: These people couldn't put together a decent web site to save their lives.

EVIDENCE:
http://www.bostonapartments4u.com (try using the search box. I bet it works in IE, but I didn't bother trying.)
http://www.bostonapartments.com (take some time to browse through this one, it gets better. I like to try to figure out what's an ad and what isn't. Make sure to click on the play button near the "click here to hear your mission" text when you find it.)
http://www.suttonboston.com (note the lack of a search box and the large number of apartments with "n/a" under in the square footage field.)
http://www.mybostonapartment.com/index.asp (that's right. we need all your contact information to find available apartments. The funny part is that the search works anyway, it just pops up an annoying dialog box. Of course, it completely ignores any search parameters you give it.)
http://www.bostonrealtynet.com (note the animated gif american flag in the upper right corner. now that's classy.)
http://www.athomeboston.com (try the 'for rent' search link. Funny how many of their apartments are number "00" of their respective streets, eh? Also, you'll note that the pictures of their realtors are WAY more important than actually being able to navigate the page.)
http://www.ringorealty.com (looks ok, until you get to the end of a search. Duck and cover, boys.)
http://www.apartmentsbyteel.com (they like to leave room to expand, so they left about three miles of white space at the bottom of their "view rentals" page. Way to think ahead!)
http://www.starrealtygroup.com (Yay flash! you'll want sound enabled to get the full experience.)
http://www.realestateboston.com (How many spelling and grammar errors can you spot??)

I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did.

I had a revelation

CHICKS. DIG. MATH.

Many various things

Yes, I am ridiculously behind in the whole posting thing. I have since the last post seen Ethan and Ben move out of the room, and Tellef and I have receieved two new roommates, Bret and Mike. They seem cool, they are both really into Resident Evil 4 right now and they are both Red Sox fans, so they certainly can't be all bad, right?

Artisene is coming up fast (the 19th to the 23rd, people. Halifax.) and the forum seems to be coming back to life in anticipation, which I like to see. I just sent my dad an order for 12 Artisene t-shirts with the 1- and 2-player arcade buttons on the front and the text "ARTISENE: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PLAYING" on the back in classic Commodore 64 font.

I think for the fourth, Lauren and I (and whoever else wants to come) will be heading up to the Charles to see the fireworks. Depending on where they come from, we might get to see them from the top floor of the building where I work, which would freaking rule.

I just ordered a USB KVM switch so I can switch back and forth between my Mac and PC at will. It's just too bad I can't hook up a router so both of them can be connected to the network at the same time. I don't suppose anybody knows where I can get a network switch that lets you manually switch which computer is connected to the network. I suppose that really wouldn't be much use to anyone connected to a sane network. Ah well, in the Fall we will be in a leased property building and have SpeakEasy DSL and everything will be better.

I need to go check on my housing costs and go to bed.

There's a tiger in my room.

Well, last night I brought Helga back down off the shelf to install Tiger on her. I haven't had much chance to play around with it till now, but let me tell you: Dashboard is a very nice thing to have. In fact, I'm updating right now from it. And trust me, anything that makes it easier to update is a good thing. I know I rarely have enough motivation to type, nevermind open the web browser and login to blogger.

Announcing...

Having had to go without for only three days thus far, I have already grown a new appreciation for the foods i have to chew every day. So to celebrate their importance, I've decided to launch THE POST-WISDOM TEETH SOLID FOOD TOUR! For a week, I will be eating nothing but the finest solid foods from around the eastern Massachusetts and mostly Boston area. Here is the schedule thus far, feel free to make suggestions for the last two days:
Day 1. Wendy's
Day 2. Olive Garden
Day 3. Taco Bell
Day 4. Hilltop Steakhouse
Day 5. Papa John's

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth
Originally uploaded by Nathan.

These stupid things are the reason i didn't go to work yesterday. Now my body is free of them and one of them is exploded. Anyway, my face looks pretty ridiculout right now and i haven't been able to eat much of anything besides applesauce, pudding, ice cream, and mashed potatoes. I suppose there are worse things i could have to eat. But Lauren has been taking care of me and i am recovering well, i think.

In other news, mac os x tiger comes out the 29th, and i need to pre-order. I am being tempted to go back to the mac as my primary computer just so i can play with tiger.

Ruby on rails looks freaking awesome

Ruby on Rails

Now that's the kind of tool I want to build a web application with. Er, with which I'd like to build a web application. Only problem is now I have to learn Ruby, Apache, and MySQL, but it would be so worth it. If only I had time...

Hmmm

I really don't know what's going on with blogger these days. That first (slightly different) copy of the Schiavo post gave me a bunch of errors and didn't post right away. So I rewrote it as best i could and posted it again. this time it worked but posted the other one too. So I went to delete the extra one and... well, I can't. Sorry about the double post, I hope you can learn to forgive me.

Right

I guess I have sorta... forgotten about the blog thing. Lots of stuff has been happening, the most notable of which is that I got a new computer. Well, built a new computer. Well, had Ethan build a computer for me out of parts I bought. Anyway, the point is that I've once again reached that fine line separating the mac users from the PC users. Much as it pains me to once again boot Windows on this desk, I simply cannot justify using an unexpandable 'mystery box' computer. Despite how pretty, stable, and user-friendly that mystery box may be, there are two, nay three things that pulled me back to this hellhole.

1. EXPANDIBILITY: If I want to get a new video card, I can get a new video card. If I want to upgrade to a DVD burner, I can upgrade to a DVD burner. If I want to install a new hard drive (or 3), I can. The unfortunate mac will allow no such thing.
2. GAMES: Yes, it's a terrible, terrible thing. Game designers could play a huge role in taking Microsoft down if only they could resist making Windows-only games. Unfortunately, they can't.
3. DESK SPACE: Yes, it's an even worse reason than the game one, but the emac just took up too much space. Sure a powerbook or power mac or imac would have free up space, but due to their still being macs and therefore experiencing the aforementioned shortcomings, I had to go with *shudder* the pc.

And two days and about a hundred installations later, I am experiencing my first true crash (after several application lockups) and cursing Windows again. Stupid computers. It's things like this that drive people to LINUX. LINUX, PEOPLE! Honestly, won't someone think of the children?

Games working so far:
Rome:Total War

Games not working so far:
Tribes:Vengeance

Look for this list to be updated as time passes. I may even pit the pc and mac head to head once I get the mac plugged in again.

Ethan's new monitor setup

IMG_0015, originally uploaded by Nathan.

That's right, Ethan has a new monitor setup. It's pretty slick. And also, I have a new digital camera that allowed me to take a picture of it. By the way, sorry about the blurriness. I'm still figuring out how to actually take pictures.

Wahey

I finally beat Resident Evil 4 today. (insert comment from Reid here.) It was too short, but I suppose it could have been an 80 hour game and I still would have said that. This, unfortunately, leaves a huge gap in the video game department of my life. I suppose I could go pick up final fantasy 1 & 2. That would keep me busy, but I can only stare at a game boy screen for so long. I need suggestions. And another Resident Evil game. Oh wait, that's right, I HAVEN'T PLAYED 2 OR 3 OR CODE VERONICA. Looks like there's still plenty of zombies for me to shoot.

Oh, and here's a fun game. Suggest some things for me to spend a $20 officemax gift card on.
Officemax.com!

An urgent question

What does it mean if I like russet potato chips? I suppose I jumped into eating them without ever considering the social consequences they might bring. Somebody give me a clue!

Being sick is crappy

So I've been sick since Thursday, and it would figure sleep, that so-called 'cure for all sickness,' would do everything in its power to elude me when I need it most. It all started with a cough. A cough that grew into headaches, dizziness, fever, and the accursed "chills" that kept my body guessing as to how it actually felt about the current room temperature. Those thousand-times-damned chills robbed me of the sandman's sweet blessing for two full nights. And today (well, technically yesterday. *sigh*) I finally decided I wasn't going to put up with it anymore. I was going to the doctor.

So, with Lauren ever vigilant by my side, I ventured out into the city of Boston. Destination: Massachusetts General Hospital. After an easy - perhaps too easy - ride on the T, we arrived at our destination and entered... the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary. The illusory building had obviously been placed as a trap, perfectly located to lead us astray and to prevent me from reaching a true physician. Fortunately, at least one soul in that building had not been utterly consumed by its evil, and pointed us toward the elevator-and freedom. I mean the real hospital.

Now the dramatic tone wouldn't work so well with the events that occurred inside the hospital. I believe that the feeling of frustration in trying to be seen is something akin to the feeling one gets when one has just boarded the space station and is immediately confronted by the Shadow Lord himself, vorpal blade at the ready. Or perhaps the feeling is closer to that of a text-based adventurer, longing only to know that precious magic verb the game so adamantly requires of him. Throw? Toss? Hurl? Chuck? Heave? There are no hints in that graphics-forsaken land. Suffice to say that after hours registering and waiting and waiting and finally being seen, I am fifty-four dollars poorer and one bottle of nasonex and one bottle of something else richer. I apologize for the confusing structure of that last sentence. Go back and read it again if you have to, it's ok.

And it would figure that tonight, my problem would change. I find it highly suspicious that, despite the doctor prescribing nothing to stop the chills, they went away tonight by themselves. Coincedence? I think not. I don't know what's going on, but I assure you it is evil of the highest magnitude. Because now, with all of this doctor's favorite 'cough suppressing drugs', it is just that - the cough - that is keeping me awake tonight. That is all.

Tsunami SHUT UP

Ok people, enough is enough. Yes, the tsunami was a terrible disaster. Yes, I am glad to see that America can be so generous. But honestly, if we can do it now, why can't we do it all the time? This tsunami hit once, and yes, it killed quite a lot of people, and caused quite a lot of grief, and forever changed millions of lives. But every year millions of people die from bigger problems like, oh, I don't know, AIDS for instance. And that shows absolutely no signs of going away. In fact, it's getting worse. But people just can't seem to focus on a really bad problem when another one is so sudden and dramatic. Is it an American thing that our attention spans just gave up on thinking about the aids problem? Or is everyone so ignorant?

Ok, a little deeper than most posts. I just get sick of not being able to visit a website without seeing a "DONATE TO TSUNAMI RELIEF FUND!!!!!" button.

UPDATE

That's right. AN UPDATE. I went skiing with Lauren over the weekend at Ragged Mountain and had a great time. The slopes were a little icy, but I think that helped keep some of the crowds away. I fell like six times, but most of those were toward the beginning of the day. I got my ski legs back later on, but Lauren's still like a million times better than me. Ah well.

I got my first paycheck this week, it was very nice, and I'm going to be using a small piece of it to buy Resident Evil 4 in about half an hour. About time, too. Ethan and I braved the -8 degree wind chill to get to Best Buy last night, only to find out that they were sold out. Stupid Best Buy. Hopefully Gamestop hasn't sold out since I called 2 hours ago, and I'll be scaring myself to death tonight. That's all for now.