I never really experimented with client software for posting to my blog, but thought I would give it a shot. I am posting this entry from software written for the Gnome desktop environment called Drivel. It is nice; minimalistic and functional.
Maybe it will convince me to post more often since it is ridiculously easy to click a button and start typing.
I am officially setup on my new host, SliceHost. The database backup restored successfully for the blog, and I’ve decided not to re-activate the forum (although I have all of the posts backed up).
This new host is a VPS, so I have a lot more control over the functionality of the website, which is very nice.
Pardon the mostly default theme, once I have a little bit of time, I will setup a custom one.
It has been exactly one week since I took delivery of my 2007 Volkswagen GTI. My Powershot is broken, so I took some crappy pics with a handheld camcorder.
Car:
2007 Volkswagen GTI
2.0 liter turbo-charged FSI engine
6 speed manual transmission
Black Magic Pearl
4 doors
Photos:
Ever do those lame online quizzes that have no authoritative results? I love them for what I can only assume is a genetically-encoded reason.
Not one to sit around after making up his mind, I have a new job! In record time, I was able to find a company in Gainesville doing interesting work in software development, interview (a total of four times!), and get an offer.
The company is Info Tech, they write the software that the DOT uses to manage construction. This year they are rewriting the entire Trns·port product from the ground up using C# and agile methodologies. Couldn’t ask for much better than that.
I initially interviewed with them for the Programmer Analyst position, but they felt that I was better suited for the next level up, Systems Analyst. Who am I to argue? 
I always wanted to work for a company whose business is software instead of a cost-center IT department that is constantly being threatened with out-sourcing, so this is a good career move in that regard.
Anyway, I am excited and I hope it goes well.
In other news, 12 days until the GTI arrives! Woo!
Haven’t posted in a while. Not sure why. There isn’t a whole lot going on in this corner of the country. Maybe I can do a quick run-down. For those who aren’t fond of “personal update” blog posts, you may leave.
In order of excitement (for me, not you):
- Went home for Christmas, saw EVERYONE from the ol’ school, good times had by all.
- Finally ordered my car from the Wolfsburg factory. It is on the assembly line as I write this. Look for a glut of proud-owner pics come March.
- Finally finished my behemoth of a computer, liquid-cooled and all. (Which meant a marathon play-through of Oblivion, one of the finest games ever made).
- Bought some cool plants. A Venus Fly-trap, a Hanging Ivy, and a Rubber plant. (I did mention that not much is happening these days).
In other news, I am completely fed up with my job, and have begun the hunt for a new job in the area. If it were any other city on the planet, there would be a ton of choices, but no, Gainesville despises software development for some reason, and there are approximately 5.3 job openings per year.
Wish me luck.
This man was hysterical on a consistent basis (or is that just my sense of humor?), had amazing insight, and presented that insight in an outstanding fashion. Some great examples:
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
When I was young I was amazed at Plutarch’s statement that the elder Cato began at the age of eighty to learn Greek. I am amazed no longer. Old age is ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long.
A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
Humor is reason gone mad.
Try this:
“Ben’s boat is moored at low tide. The boat’s ladder has eight rungs exposed. If the tide rises eight feet and the rungs are a foot apart, how many rungs will be exposed at high tide?”
Usually Mensa questions are pretty dumb. Things like “Which of the following four words is unlike the other three?” Not very interesting, in my opinion.
However, the question above made me chuckle a little bit, because it was so unlike the rest (if you’re wondering, I have a Mensa puzzle calendar for day-to-day brain warm-ups).
Let me know if it catches you off guard (no cheating, hoser).
One day, out of the blue, I received a package. Inside the package were two smaller packages, and a slip that read, “Saw these and thought you might like them –Nate.” The smaller packages contained two McFarlane toys (click to see it bigger):
I have never had that kind of thoughtfulness applied to me, so I am still a little shocked by the gesture. It is, however, readily apparent how stand-up of a guy Nate is. Thanks, bud.
