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    07 December

    Job and Car.

    I mentioned the new job a while back and promised to say something more about it.  Also, I posted a second entry today that includes my Holiday/Birthday gift ideas following this brief entry.  Check it out.

    Here's a couple pics from my office from my phone's camera (not the finest optics): 



    It's up in Seattle at a firm called Jager law (www.jagerlaw.com).  I've been commuting up there each day (it's like an hour and a half, with traffic).  So far I'm having a lot of fun.. but the commute sucks.  Good thing I got a job - I was completely out of money and was just on the verge of having to borrow more from Mom (I had to anyway to pay for a downpayment on the new-used car I bought) but I had the wonderful treat of seeing my bank accounts at their lowest level since I was a teenager.

    I got a great deal on the car... good enough that I may be able to sell it back for what I paid (or more).  Here's a pic:

    The 'new' 2003 BMW 325i up at Port Angeles, WA.  5-speed, of course.  Not the best color, but it works AND is not broken.  It's pretty fun to drive and should last me for a few years and retain much of its value for when I want to rid myself of that BMW taint ;-)  It's got a few small issues which need to be taken care of, but it's pristine, for the most part.  Sorry for the boring pic.  Here's a more interesting one:

    Btw.. drove the 2009 Audi A4 while looking for cars and loved it.  No fears of me buying it any time soon - I'd need to double my salary before I could justify that kind of expense.

    And.. just to pay homage to the old A4, here's a pic of the 'ex' in her heyday:

    Oh!  And also.. take a look at the new Photo Gallery views - they've done some big upgrades!  The whole Live Wave 3 thing is turning out to be pretty badass.  MS just upped my Skydrive account to 25 gigs with the promise to expand it as needed - so I've started backing up the whole Wingard Family Archive up there (we'll see how they like 95 gigs worth!).  If you haven't messed around with Windows Live Essentials, chec it out.  It's become a rather compelling product.

    Posted a couple of bonus album with mixed pics from the last month or two.  The new slideshow interface is neat!  Update: Ahh.. just so you know, it looks a hell of a lot better in IE than Firefox - I guess it's maybe a silverlight thing...  <sigh>




    06:52 | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Happenings

    Nifty Gifties

    Hopefully this will help family and friends in addressing the upcoming holiday and birthday season problem.  Please forward this to as many other people as you see fit.  I'll be coming back to California in a few weeks and I know that literally dozens of people are literally chomping at the bit (you never know, maybe a new bit is in your future, Kara) to buy me things.  Have at it!  But be responsible giftor, coordinate with others.  I don't need another 16 copies of "Condom Balloon Animals and You", like last year.  It'll be easy to make me happy - I've bought myself next to nothing in the last 8 months, so even those most token of gifts will go a long way towards shutting me up.

    Enjoy:

    Higher Priority Gifts:
     
    1. New shaving solution.  I've been having a lot of trouble with sensitivity and my neck and a lot of redness (and I still haven't been shaving every day).  Maybe a new razor type and one of those cool shaving applicators (badger shaving brush - I've heard they alone may be able to solve this problem) and some good shave cream (the TJs stuff just isn't working for me anymore).  Maybe some new technology.  I don't know.  I do know that my neck gets very red when I wear a tie (turning your head with a tight collar facilitates significant chafing, augmented by any shaving failure)   Here's an article to consider: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/
     
    2. YiXing tea pot.  Ideally, I'd eventually like 2 or 3 of these for different types of oolong.  I'd like to buy it from Mad Hat, if I can - so I'll probably pick one up locally and someone can sponsor me.  The ones he has are about $25 (some of these pots go up to several hundred dollars).  Here's some information about them: http://cart.greenteapots.co.uk/index.php?p=page&page_id=guide  I want one that has really tight tolerances, so the lid fits perfectly - some are made really nicely.  With this size pot, I'll probably want some small tea cups - regular mugs won't do it justice (as they are typically a small capacity tea pot).  Let's start with one.  Sanction it and I'll pick one out and bring it back.
     
    3.  Chocolate.  Specifically something from Pralus, Bonnat, or Domori.  See www.seventypercent.com for further holiday gift ideas.
     
    4.  Computer games.  I know we had an informal moratorium on computer game gifts in the past.. but the reality is I haven't bought myself a game in nearly 2 years.  There are a few I specifically want and have been waiting for.  I know I mentioned Mass Effect.  I'll also be looking for Fallout 3 in the next year.  Mass Effect is the one I want first as Fallout I'll likely wait with until I upgrade my hardware.  Here is some information about and pictures of the games I want:
     
     
    Also I want to play The Witcher, Call of Duty: World at War, Left4Dead, and Crysis: Warhead - but those too can wait another year+

    5.  Work document storage and portability solution.  Think shoulder mounted device which will allow me to carry more than a small folder to a work event.  Right now I have to walk across town and have to carry my notebook or whatever.  If I need to bring discovery materials or my computer along (or the occasional something to eat), I need something that'll protect them against the elements and will be easier than carrying it without aid.  Don't need to be fancy.
     
    6.  Gym bag.  I currently use a plastic bag left over from a supermarket trip.  I managed to lose my small lock from a small hole in the bag.  I need something better so I can store my stuff in my car or have a place to put my clothes, food, or a towel before/after I work out.
     
    7.  Sunglasses.  My sunglasses are terrible - scratched, twisted and losing structural integrity.  I'm tempted to creep up the sunglasses ladder again to something more decent.  The $25 sunglasses have had very poor longevity, partly because I don't care enough about them to put them in a hard case.
     
    8.  Analog pictures of my family.  I have one framed picture of Leah.  And one paper-housed picture of Mom and I from a Royce Christmas Party 5 or 6 years ago.  It'd be nice to have a few pictures of you guys - maybe to have at my office or in my home.  Maybe something that shows you in your full adult glory!
     
    9. Fitness-time-media-player-retention-device.  I'm sick of carrying my portable media player in one hand while working out.  It gets in the way and I end up not using it on the days I don't have my 1 pair of workout pants with pockets.  I'm not sure of the solution - use your brain!  If form factor is a question, my current player is a Sandisk Sansa E280
     
    10.  Headphones cable.  My little IEMs are working great, but the cable is starting to tear through the shielding at one place.  Ultimate Ears offers replacement cables on their accessories page:  http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/products/accessories/universal.php
    It isn't super high priority because it's still working - but once it stops working, I'll be sad.
     
    Lower Priority Gifts:
     
    1.  Digital Camera and Optics money.  Within 12 months, I'll likely be trying to get a new digital SLR.   Or at least a used one and start building up my lens collection (and, if used, a new camera in the 2-3 year time frame).  $1000+ lenses are expensive but you can always get a newer, better camera - but lens technology doesn't change much - so I plan to buy good ones.  I might start with a few cheapies just to get some practice, but good lenses are the goal.
     
    2.  Knife money.  You all know, I'm going to buy knives.  It may be 3 months off, it may be a year off. 
     
    3.  Shoes or shoe money or a belt/belt money.  I need one more pair of fancier brown dress shoes and another belt or two to complete my professional wardrobe
     
    4.  Kindle or other electronic reader.  I'd like to switch to a digital reader at some point.. I don't know if it's going to happen now or in a few years.. probably a few years.  I don't like the fact that I can't share books as easily with friends.. but that'll come.
     
    5.  Money for the furniture and furnishings fund.  I don't know how long it's going to be, but I'm going to be buying furniture and more housewares within 6 months.  It will require endless funds... contribute
     
    6.  Specialty foods gifts.  You know I enjoy quality chocolate, cheese, coffee, tea, wine, and beer.  I accept any and all gifts that facilitate my furthering of these interests, holiday or no.  Feed me.
     
    7.  Contributions toward replacing my digital media player.  Technology marches on - my Sansa still works perfectly.. it's just not fast enough or sufficiently capacious to handle all the new opportunities I could be enjoying at 6:30 on a Sunday morning.

    8.  Things to read.  I haven't had a new book in like 3 months.  I'm cold and lonely inside.
     
    See you guys in a few weeks!  And come to the Glogg party on the 20th.  If you don't... I'll hate you.  Happy Holidays.

    06:25 | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Entertainment