HAPPY BIRTHDAY... to me

Today I am 27 years old... Yessssssssssssssssssss...

That is all.

Andrew

Adobe Audition 2.0

I hate this program... I have been trying for weeks to record audio. Am I that fuckin stupid? I just want to scream. AHHH!!!! All I wanted to do is record my podcast and do an audio diary. AHHH!!!! Premiere 2.0 is EXCELLENT though...

Andrew

Stress

Today has been one of those days you want to forget about... We have been working on a Grand Am with the 2.4L in it. The customer had the car for 2 days and it threw a rod... FYI; We have NEVER had something like this had... EVER! It has been a long and drawn out process. We just finished the car. I have been worried that something would happen to the car and it would not work properly. I guess it is running a lot better now. I will be driving it soon.

We also had a another car in which the tire came off. This guy has been pushing us ever since he got the car. I think he is just an upset person. I hope we get this car done for him soon.

I had another customer bring his car to get looked at. It seems that there is some front end work that needs to get done. I just hope we can fix it today and not tomorrow...

So I have 2 cars to be finished and a deal to be completed. I really hope I can start to feel better about myself. I am really stressed and depressed right now.

These last 3 weeks have been really hard for me. I just want to go home and cry. I know I sound like a wimp, but that is how I really feel. I used to just go home and cry, but it is hard now that I am married. I really do not want my wife to see me crying. I have been praying, because I know God can help me through this day. I just need to keep on thinking about how he will help me through these difficult times. Here is the weird part... I ALWAYS worried about money. I always was stressed out. Now, I do not have to worry about money and I have more problems in other areas in my life... Weird... Very random.

Any ways I feel a lot better now that I talked about my day. I guess this is really a Stress release and people might be able to understand what I have been going through.

Andrew

Day #2 without Boss (I do not mean Heather)

Today was a good day. I was able to get to the dealership 12 minutes early. I got everything setup and was ready for business. So the lady next door brings a customer over to purchase a vehicle. I know we have told her a thousand times to call before bringing a customer over. I know I am not smartest man in the world, but I feel like a genius when talking to her.

I had another wild card when doing this deal. The customer, who is very nice, wanted not to get plates. I thought you HAD to get plates, but I was wrong. I was to move a couple of things around and get the deal to work. I was happy about getting the deal completed in a timely manner. The day was VERY busy in the morning and dead after 1:30pm. I wonder how tomorrow is going to be? I will find out tomorrow.

Andrew

Fun Day and Week...

So today marked the day of 7 days by myself at the dealership. I have done a couple of days before, but this different. Am I worried? Yes... I am worried that I would make a major mistake. I just need to get a couple of sales and I will be happy.

Today the in-laws, Heather, and I went out to eat at Apple Bee's. It was good and I will be going back there. We ended up going to Target. I started to play Madden 06 and I ran into an old friend. I have not seen her in 6 months I think. She was with her mom so I did not want to keep her too busy. It sounds like she is doing good! I am happy for her.

We ended up leaving Target and going back to our place. We watched the rest of the basketball game. I cannot remember who won, but it was a good game.

All in all it was an interesting day. My first of 7 days without the head guy. I think I should go to bed now. Thanks and enjoy!

Andrew

Microsoft respnds with Hacked XBox 360

After getting hacked, Microsoft responds. I think any update will help hackers in this situation. Sorry but it will help the hackers. Didn't Microsoft say the XBox 360 cannot be hacked?

taken from: Gamer Score Blog

We’ve been asked from quite a few of you for a comment about the recent “hacked” Xbox 360. I got the official response for your perusal:

The core security system has not been broken. However, it is reported that the authentication protocol between the optical disc drive and the console may be attacked, which if accurate could allow people to play illegally copied games. Our security team is aware of this and we are investigating potential solutions to this issue. The Xbox 360 platform was designed to be updated, and we are prepared to respond appropriately should any unauthorized activity be identified.

Everyone should keep in mind that Microsoft invests a great deal of time and effort to ensure that Xbox gamers enjoy the most powerful and exhilarating game experience available today. Genuine and unmodified Microsoft Xbox products provide gamers with the reliability, security, support and dynamic gaming experience that they expect. Microsoft works with a large group of legitimate business partners to sell and service genuine Microsoft Xbox products. Microsoft does not authorize or support any products or companies that modify or change the Xbox console in any way.

taken from: Gamer Score Blog

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... FYI: Gamer Score Blog is a great site! Please check them out!!!

Andrew

PS2... Gone?

taken from: MLGPro's Forums

Reports are trickling through this evening that Sony has indeed lost its patent case against Immersion technologies and will be forced to halt sales of its PS2 console.

Immersion last year sued Sony for infringing on its patents. Immersion claims that it owns the technology that powers the rumble in Sony's Dual Shock controllers. It also sued Microsoft for its rumble features in the Xbox, but the boys from Redmond settled out of court.

Sony fought on, and lost a case last year. However, it's been allowed to continue selling the PS2 pending appeal. If the latest reports are verified, it's lost that appeal today.

This means that Sony not only has to pony up and awful lot of cash to Immersion Technologies, but it has to stop infringing on the patent - that means stop selling kit which includes Dual Shock technology, and that means pulling the PS2 off the shelf.

Commentators are wondering if this case is the reason for the PS3 controller redesign that we've seen - it's possible the horrendous boomerang monstrosity doesn't infringe on patents.

Interestingly, Immersion is owned in part by Nintendo. The next-generation battle just took another twist...

Love the Dual Shock? Can't believe Sony will pull PS2 from the shelves? What exactly is Nintendo's game here, letting Microsoft settle and taking Sony to the cleaners? Let us know your speculation over in the forums, and we'll try to back up the reports we're seeing.

Read More @ MLGPro's Forum


What will Sony do if they do not have a console? They might be in trouble...

Andrew

How tight is too Tight?

Last night we played the usual poker game. I was playing the usual tight; tight; tight play. I did buy a couple of pots. They do not know that though. I also had at least 11 pocket pairs. I thought I was playing good and then... then I had no good hands. I folded 9 hands in a row... Seriously... 9 hands...

Later on in the night, Brian and Mike were giving me shit about how tight I play. I think they were getting mad because I was getting nothing. I am sorry but 9,3 off is not a good hand to play 3 players. I was getting shit and FINALLY I got a couple if good hands and played them. I won a couple of pots and then bluffed 3 times in a row and stole the blinds. I finally was heads up against Brian. I decided whatever and went all in. I had k,q; hearts. I thought it was a good hand to double up on... He flips over a10 diamonds. He hits his ace right away and I am knocked out.

What have I learned from playing last night. Nothing... I only to lie more about the crappy hands... I think I might start that. :)

Andrew

Top 10 ways to Speed up Windows

I just read this REALLY GREAT article on how to speed up windows. Check it out!!

10 Intermediate Ways to Speed Up Windows.

AWESOME!

Andrew

Open Source for Windows

I just found this awesome website that has a list of GREAT open source files. Check out their site:

http://www.opensourcewindows.org/

Please support these mofos!

Andrew

Even When It's Not Piracy's Fault, It's Piracy's Fault

taken from: Tech Dirt

The MPAA says that international box-office revenues fell nine percent last year, and as usual, piracy gets portrayed as the biggest villain, with camcorders singled out this time. MPAA boss Dan Glickman (who apparently really likes to sing) urged the attendees of a movie theater trade show to petition their local governments to strengthen anti-piracy measures -- perhaps hoping to get them to emulate California and make it a crime to bring a camcorder into a theater -- rather than really encouraging them to do things that might actually help, like changing the way they do business. Of course, the theaters themselves aren't blameless, either, and in some ways have as bad a case of denial as the studios about why people don't want to go to the movies any more. It's still easier to just blame people downloading movies for the industry's decline, rather than try to figure out why people are downloading movies instead of paying outrageous costs to watch bad films.

taken from: Tech Dirt

FINALLY; someone who knows what they are talking about.

Andrew

Gates says services are the future for computers -- and Microsoft

Taken from DetNews.com

Company makes plans to move away from prepackaged software and into web-based applications

written by Charles Piller / Los Angeles Times
As the Internet transforms the way people use computers, Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates has a message for the world's biggest software maker: adapt or die.

"We must act quickly and decisively," Gates wrote in an Oct. 30 memo to Microsoft executives. "The next sea change is upon us."

In the four months since Gates put his company on notice, the maker of the Windows operating system and Office productivity suite has embarked on a restructuring no less significant than its adoption of the graphical, mouse-based user interface 20 years ago or its embrace of the Internet a decade later.

This time, Microsoft wants to diversify away from pre-packaged software and toward Web-based services that provide steadier, faster-growing income streams. In this vision, users would lease access to online software or use services in exchange for putting up with on-screen ads.

Gates warned his lieutenants that every part of the company would have to embrace the new market realities: "This coming 'services wave' will be very disruptive."

The pressure is on. Microsoft's sales grew 8 percent last year, a precipitous slide from the 49 percent annual growth rates of a decade ago. Wall Street has greeted its vast profit -- $3.65 billion last quarter alone -- with a yawn. The company's stock has stagnated for three years.

By contrast, rivals such as Google Inc. pull in billions of dollars for ads on free Web-search pages. Salesforce.com's leased sales-and-marketing software has given it revenue and profit growth above 65 percent . Apple Computer Inc. recently announced that it had sold the billionth download for the iPod, which has become the company's biggest revenue source.

"Microsoft hates the services business," said Jeffrey Tarter, executive director of the Association of Support Professionals. "If they can't solve the services problem, they'll gradually begin to see themselves drifting into a backwater."

But to embrace the next big thing, Microsoft risks further slowing the most prolific cash machine in software history and forcing product managers to take huge risks that could alienate customers.

"You have to mobilize everybody and get them to give up their private interests," said a longtime competitor who asked not to be identified. "It's like when a nation goes to war."

Not even Gates knows whether his company -- with 60,000 employees in more than 100 countries and $40 billion in annual revenue -- is still nimble and aggressive enough to reinvent itself.

A generation of investors has gotten rich betting that Microsoft would steamroll competitors despite constantly playing catch-up on key technologies. The company that touches nearly everyone on the planet who uses a computer knows how to move trends in its favor.

In the late 1980s, the old command-line interface on which Microsoft built its initial fortune was waning. Windows was regarded as a clunky joke compared with the graphical interface pioneered by Apple's Macintosh computer. Gates marshaled his forces. Microsoft powers more than 90 percent of the world's computers; Apple, less than 3 percent.

In 1995, Microsoft was caught off-guard when Netscape Communications' Navigator browser became the instant leader on the nascent Web. Gates and company countered with Internet Explorer. A few years and antitrust trials later, Netscape was out of business.

Gates has now set his sights on Web services..

more @ DetNews.com

This is VERY interesting... I would read the full article.

Andrew

Riverman and Storms

Riverman -

The game was fuckin awesome!!! I just wish they would have got the shutout. With 17.5 seconds left, Columbus scored 1 goal. No shutout tonight. It was a good game. I should have had a beer or two.

Storms -

I do not mind storms, but I heard the "T" word. I am scared of Tornado's. I am up now listening to the wind... I love thunderstorms, snow, and rain. I do not like wind, ice, and Tornado's. I hope the sounds go away.

Andrew

311 Day!!!

Believe it or not, but I wanted to get married today. I thought it would be kewl to get married and have the organist play "Fuck the Bullshit". Ok... I would have played "Lucky". Any ways, I am just glad we did it in November.

RIVERMAN TOMORROW BABY!!!

Andrew

World of Warcraft

Guess what I am going to be playing again this month? World of Warcraft!!! I will give out more information when I start it up again. I really do miss playing at night. Time to play some Fight Night Round 3 now.

Andrew

Brett Leasure... Just download the Video...

Brett Leasure... Just download the Video...

Sorry dude. I can tell you were drinking, but this video is funny!

DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO

Andrew

Taproot Needs your Help

taken from taproot's my space Blog


***WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU***

We've been getting a lot of messages from people
letting us know how much our song "Birthday" means to
them, how it reminds them of a past relationship, or
the loss of a loved one, or hope for the return of
someone who is special to them. We are putting
together a compilation of these stories, and we are
asking for your help. We would like to hear from you,
not only why "Birthday" touches you, but more in depth
about the person/people that the song brings to mind.
The more we get from you, the more we have to work
with to really do something special. Feel free to send
in stories and pictures, and please leave contact info
so we can stay in touch and let you know the progress
of our project. Let your friends know about this too,
we want to hear from everybody. Thank you.

Please send stories to taproot_tribute@yahoo.com


taken from taproot's my space Blog


Please send Taproot your stories about "Birthday". I know I will!

Andrew

Taproot "Birthday"

"Birthday"

All you'd show is love Yet all I'd see is hate
you know that something's wrong I know I can't relate
Wind is blowing pleasure by And I don't feel a thing
Emotion fills the sky Erosion clouds my brain
I can't seem to breathe in I can't seem to see then through the deafening silence of pain

(Left all alone again) Imprisoned by this selfish reign
(With no more rules to bend) I think I'm breaking down

And if had just one more day
I'd tell you everything, everything I had to say
I miss you
And if I had just one more day
I'd show you one last thing, honesty believes in fate
'Cause fate is what I've gained

Strength has come and gone so now I lie in wait
The void is never long The core belief in fate
I've been down this lonely road before I know the way
As situations change, the answers will remain
Now I've got a reason as time has brought new season to carry me from this pain

Living proof of selfless gain

I've been down this road, the answers still the same

John Cena the "Great" Wrestler

I am in no way a fan of John Cena... This video makes me laugh:

John Cena and his best move...

I knew you was horrible, but this sealed the deal!

Andrew

EA and NFL: No More?

taken from: Gamers Report

What are the long-term ramifications for the league?
Barring a new CBA, the players either will be on strike or the owners will lock out the players in 2008. The union likely will decertify, and antitrust rules will apply. Also, the NFL draft will go away in 2008 as part of a clause inserted in the current CBA. Players coming out of college could be free agents, with no salary restrictions. Open negotiations, including those for rookies coming out of college, will leave it to the players to get what they can get.

Now, pay attention, cause this is a bit complicated. The current problems in the NFL between the league and the players association might make the EA/NFL contract void. This is because if the union decertifies, then anti-trust rules will apply. If this happens, then EA is out of luck. Antitrust laws would be in effect and the contract would be voided. (EA signed a deal with both the NFLPA and NFL so at the least, other companies could use the players, but not the actual team names. Not a big deal really, since we know who they would be referring to.)

Just to recap, the NFLPA may decertify itself in order to keep a lockout from occuring. This in essence will make antitrust laws apply. The NFLPA will decertify if no agreement is reached to extend the CBA. Keep an eye on this people, we know it is a lot of "ifs" but stranger things have happened. Keep your fingers crossed.

Update: Since the current CBA runs until 2008, they would not de-certify until then we have been told. This means on the off chance this happens, we still have to put up with 2 more years of EA. If you want to read up a bit on anti-trust law, check it out here.

taken from: Gamers Report

36 Crazyfists "Waterhaul"

36 Crazyfists "Waterhaul"

Press skin into skin,
just a fraction to gather the senses.
Still locking in mine, design,
just a scrape to uncover the evidence.
You won't remove me, not anymore.

So here we are, now it's obvious.
Candle lit to divide all your areas.
And inside all your barriers,
I'm defending my lines to ignite...
And I'll be this way forever.

Inside the locks hide,
so my faith can come outside and shine.
Besides it's why all these miles of road won't divide.
You won't remove me, not anymore.

And now it's where the secret's pushed behind,
with the lanterns to burn this inside.
And up there A SNOW-CAPPED ROMANCE where,
everything we build will come from our eyes...
And I'll be this way forever.

Andrew