Another day another Dollar....or in my case, another day another 600$ in hotel costs and 1200 hilton honors points...

So, as a slight caveat, i tried posting this last night, but the wireless connection in my hotel has been pretty goofy. So here goes.

Hope this finds everyone doing well. Again, ive been travelling like mad, spent 2 weeks in columbus doing some work. Things were going very well. I met some new people from IRM, worked with some existing people i have a great relationship, got to see Tom(a friend/fellow intern from AEP) and spend 2 weeks in one of my favorite cities in the world. Columbus. Im also about 99% sure that as of october 1, ill be transferring to the columbus office. I cant even put into words how excited i am. Katie will be down there working on her grad school things, ill be down in columbus, we finally wont have to travel over 2 hours one way to see each other. Itll definately be good....especially since we need to start planning a wedding soon ;-)

So all in all, things in columbus were going well....



Then i got reassigned to a client i worked on before. However, the good part of the deal was i didnt have to actually go on site for this job. Working out of the clevleand office for the next few weeks, which is nice since i actually have a good network connection to get work done and cleveland is a decent city. Working with Paul is a riot again. The only Senior Manager in our group who will sing to me, then burp, then sing again while we are working. What a character. I thought the work was only going to go about 2 weeks, but now its looking like closer to the middle of june. Middle of june, hmm...sounds like me birthday time w00t0rz.

Turning 23 on june 8. Whaaaa...when did i get so old. *sucks*

Katie leaves for her field camp trip next week. It *should* be easier to deal with this year since ill be alot busier, and im used to going weeks at a time without seeing her. However, going without talking to her either on IM or on the phone will be a chore. Well get through it, we always do.

Callie is getting declawed in the next few weeks. It will sure be nice to have a lap cat that doesnt cut me up 6 ways to sunday. From there, she will most likely be going to spend some time with my mom untill my travel schedule dies down a bit. Hopefully ill spend alittle time in the office in august to prep for my move. Time to start looking for a place to live in columbus. Yay :-)

On a sad note, everyone please pray for Al. Her mother just passed away, and shes going through a real rough time. Shes a great gal, and deserves the best. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

On a happy note, im now a contributing writer to www.ipodgarage.com and soon to www.billpalmer.net. Bill has brought me on as a writer, i dont know what he was thinking. Finally i can have a place to write about Apple stuff without the hassle of running my own website. Those of you with ipods should really check out ipodgarage.com. We have some good info on there, good ads for you to check out, and some sweet forums to participate in. Let me know if you want any info.


Hope all is well, im really trying to post more regularly. But when i have a choice between star wars galaxies or blogging....those of you who know me know what im going to choose.

Take care all.

Another week of fun...

Hello all -

Just got back from another week of fun. I spent the past week doing an internal penetration assessment for a bank in ohio. It was pretty fun, very secret agenty, very spy-esque. Learned alot, had a good time.

Went to another formal this past weekend, went to the SAI/PMA formal. Saw alot of good friends this weekend and had some very good times. There are some funny pictures on katies website, http://homepage.mac.com/katieabell Check em out.

Heading out tomorow to columbus for 4 month job there. I love columbus, so it should be great. Spending every week away from home, now thats another thing. Although, things are looking good for my eventual transfer to the columbus office with Crowe. More news on that hopefully soon.

Hope all is well with everyone, send me a note, bjwaggoner@mac.com.

Take care.

Strange weather, car vandals, FBI agents and other things...

Hello all!

I just returned from a week in Oswego, New York. Its about 45 minutes north of Syracuse, on Lake Ontario. It was nice, and did some good work.

The weather was mostly trash out there, upstate New York seems to always be cold. Thursday, it got above 50 degrees, and idiots were running around with shorts and t-shirts from SUNY-Oswego. The best part of the trip was the fact that Ryan and i got stopped twice while out and about in our suits and people asked us if we were with the FBI. Ryan still had the best answer for that.."Im not sure i can tell you". It was great.

Things are going well at Crowe. There are some good opportunities for me on the horizon and im still doing everything i can to help me be able to move to Columbus around the same time Katie goes out there to go to OSU for grad school this fall.

Also, last week, some idiot decided to break into my car during the night, and tore the dash apart, stole the stereo out of it, smashed the drivers door window and did a ton of other damage. I spent a few days trying to get it taken care of, but instead decided it wasnt worth the money or time, and bought a new car. I got a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. They are very cool, and very affordable. You can check them out at . I havent had much time to drive it, but it rides like a dream, i fit great in it(even my monkey legs) and i got a sweet deal on it.

I spent last weekend with katie's extended family for easter. It was interesting to say the least. All in all, a good time was had, including the drive back from cleveland to take her dad home to BG with their dog Myles in the backseat. What a weekend....although, the lamb cake turned out extemely well if i do say so myself.

Tomorrow (since i dont travel enough) im driving out to Bowling Green to go to the Tau Beta Sigma formal with Katie. Im making dinner for the group we are going with, that should be interesting. Heres to making something that doesnt suck.

Time for some Tony Bennett and Bed. 6 hours of travel today wore me out big time. Talk to you all soon!

Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges

Long time no see. I hate to apologize ever time i post again, but this past month has been insane. First off, theres work.

Work has been great. Im learning tons, going to alot of great places such as Houston, TX, Lexington, Kentucky and soon, New York, Tennesee, Michigan, etc. Lexington was a definate change for me. It was a long 4 weeks, but i met alot of great people, and did work ive never done before. It was great. My team was awesome and we had a great time. 4 weeks, though is definately a long time to be away from home. All in all, it was a great experience, but im sure glad to be home for a while.

Im starting to feel much older. People always told me i act much older than my age, but im really starting to feel it now. I dont know how it will affect me, maybe good, maybe bad. But i do know that im changing. Attitude, outlook, etc.

Oh well. Living on my own out here has its good and bad points. I cant tell you how much i love living in my OWN APARTMENT, especially after my last string of roommates. However, it would be nice if i had some people to spend time with that are closer than 2 or 3 hours away. Thats the biggest down side. My family is 2 hours away and my friends are close to 3 hours away. It tends for some lonley nights and weekends.

Ive been trying to keep tabs on politics as usual, which is what sparked my title for this entry. It means in latin "In Time of War, Law is silent". Im getting kind of worn out of the bickering. I know its early, but jesus. Its going to be a long trek to november.

Hope all is well with everyone, leave me some love.

Howdy Kidz

Well, ive been waiting for alot of things to die down before posting about this. But i think now its a good time to put it up here for all my friends who dont know to see.

I got engaged!

Yes, its true. I proposed to Katie this past weekend when she came out for valentines day. This is a very happy time for us, there were a few "logistical issues", but now it all seems to be working out fine. I just want to say how much i love her and how i wouldnt be the person i am if it werent for her. She has really changed my life from one of the darkest points i was ever in, and has made it the brightest it has ever been. She has made me a better person, and for that i love her and thank her.

Ok. I had to get that out of my system. Work has been going pretty well, ive been learning more and more every day. Next week, i am travelling again, im heading to Houston, TX for a week to do a network security assesment. Its going to be sooooo haaaard! ;-) Highs in the low seventies all week...sun....people with a texas accent...i dont know how im going to handle it. LoL. Seriously, im really excited about this. Its a type of job i have never done before, and its travelling. Minus the layover in cleveland, this hopefully will be a very enjoyable time.


Leave some chatterbox love!

Sword and Shield - Sister Hazel

Just when the sky runs out of rain
Just when the sun runs out of light
Just when the earth is ill with pain
Just when your body is out of fight
I will be there
I will be the smallest piece in everything
And I would give my life before I break this promise to you

Melt in to me
Don't you want to be the ones that last forever
I'll be your everlasting
And enemies they take your will but they won't last forever
I'll be your sword and shield and
I'll be your sword
I'll be your shield

Just when the ocean starts to dry
Just when the air is sick with smoke
Just when the statues start to cry
And fallen angels they lay broken
I will be there
I will be the smallest piece in everything
And I would lose my life before I break this promise to you

Melt in to me
Don't you want to be the ones that last forever
I'll be your everlasting
And enemies they take your peace but they won't last forever
I'll be your sword and shield and
I'll be your sword
I'll be your shield

I'll be your gracious angel
I'll be your favorite stranger
I'll be the mortar holding your walls
I'll be your army

Just when the sky runs out of rain
Just when the sun runs out of light
Just when the earth is ill with pain
Just when your body is out of fight
I will be there
I will be the smallest piece in everything
And I would give my life before I break this promise to you

Melt in to me
Don't you want to be the ones that last forever
I'll be your everlasting
And enemies they take your peace but they wont last forever
I'll be your sword and shield and
I'll be your sword
I'll be your shield
I'll be your sword
I'll be your shield
I'll be your army

Strange Cup Of Tea - Sister Hazel

Sometimes I wake with a weary head and
I wonder how I'll ever get through
Then I think of the things you said
how you told me to my self be true
My faith in things unseen,
My belief that it'll all work out
May seem like a strange cup of tea,
but if its all right with you than it all
Right with me

Oh my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I'll hold another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray

There's times I feel with the stains of life
I could just turn around, turn around walk away
Then a strength like a beam from above
lifts me up by the hand and it leads me to say
Good things for good people you see
good things they seem to all work out
May seem like a strange cup of tea but
if its all right with you well then its all right with me

Oh my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I'll hold another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray

Getting by ain't enough for me
I know what I like I like what I see
I'm not only flesh and blood but
I'm heart and soul I know

Sometimes I feel at the end of the day
was it worth while or have I settled for less
I sit back and your there by my side sincerely you say,
we're both so blessed
Count your blessing count them one, two, three
don't give up cause it'll all work out
It may seem like a strange cup of tea but
if it's all right with you, it's just fine with me

Oh my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I'll hoild another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray

Back again, and something of a regular schedule of posting, OMG!

Its been a pretty wild day. Nutty stuff at work, bleeding everywhere from a gash i got from callie, slipping on ice outside tgi fridays(thanks for the bad karma, morgan) and messing up my ankle and knee among other things.

I gotta tell you guys, ive always been a sister hazel fan, but lately, they have been growing on me more and more. I just got their new live CD "Live, LIve" which is awesome. Most people know them from their radio hits, which are awesome, but the rest of thier stuff is awesome. They are one of the most consistantly good bands ive ever heard. Thier first live DVD just came out too, called "A Life In The Day" which has a hilarous documentary about their travels all over the nation, their concerts, the rock boat cruise they started a few years ago, and all the great stuff they do with their fan base. I love the fact that they are popular enough to get good billing, tour enough, but not have huge ampitheatre crowds and enough time to still do everything they can to meet and talk to their fans. Ive made a decision that im going to The Rock Boat this year, since they head it up, and other bands i love are playing as well. This year, Pat McGee Band, Edwin McCain and Will Hoge are going on the cruise with a bunch more bands to be announced. Last year, among those, Virginia Coalition played. Wow. 4 days on a cruise in the carribean with these bands....like Ken Block said in the documentary on the DVD, "Its like spring break for people with jobs!".

Im gonna go head off to bed, hopefully not get scratched by callie again tonite and not fall on my ass again tomorrow at work. Good news is that my mom and missy are coming out tomorrow night to spend some time out here, and they are going to help me get a couch and coffee table!
FINALLY!

In other news, everything is now unpacked an in some sort of arranged sort here. I finally went through, created a bill filing system, as well as seriously put in hanging files in my filing cabinet. Is this something worthy of blogging? Not for most of you, but before, i could fit all my critical information(bills, statements, pay stubs, etc) in an accordion folder...but when i started to do that here....it got too big to close. So, looks like i had to upgrade to adult filing. Especially with my big kid moment of the day, i got my own car insurance starting in 45 minutes! Its so wierd to have all these bills to myself. Im just glad i have a good paying job to help me with it.

Also, ive gotten a new email address for everyone to use. I figure i have it, so i might as well start using it, and start phasing out all my other ones, since this one aint goin nowhere.

Brian@BrianWaggoner.com is it for you all. Send me love!

Hope all is well for everyone else, but if i seriously see one more away message about BG not cancelling school because of snow, im gonna start shooting. The weatherman JUST SAID that in the last 48 hours, we have gotten between 12-20 inches of snow over michiana(the wierd ass term they call the northern part of indiana and southern michigan, apparently its not enough for indiana to have their own wacky ass time zone, they want to have a new state or something. I really dont get it. I digress). So yeah. No complaining. Its not that BG "doesnt care about your safety" or that "they dont think before making a decision" its more along the lines of....you are adults now, and can decide if your safety is really at stake and if its worth risking your safety to go to class. In my 4.5 years at BG, not ONCE did a teacher not sympathize with a commuter because of a short term(less than a few days) weather issue, and i saw some students abuse it. So RELAX ABOUT THE STUPID SNOW DAY.

Ok, im done. Good night.


*whistles to callie to tell her to come to bed*

Of Snow, Peanuts, Cabinets, videochats, hacking and Indian food...


I know it has been a long time since I have posted, but im hoping to change that. Alot of stuff has happened since the last post(s), and Im going to do my best to break it down(chicka wooow-wooowww) for you. So here goes!


Im sitting here posting from South Bend, Indiana at my desk, on an IBM thinkpad eating peanuts and preparing for an exit meeting.

What?

I think im getting ahead of myself.

A person said to me once, "Dont grow up all at once, else youll lose all the fun." I tried to live by that motto, slowly easing myself into adulthood and responsibility. Well, arguably a few of the most important things in my life have happened within the past month. So much for all at once. On paper, it looks like i grew up extremely fast, but to me, its been a smooth transition.

Its true. I passed calculus(got a c with the grace of god and jimmy lesko) and therefore graduated from Bowling Green State University with an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Computer Technology. What should i do with this degree? Honestly, stuff i hate. Circuit design, mechanical electronics, manufacturing systems, etc. To that, i said...no thanks. I focused on network security, hardware, network administration. No degree program at BGSU really focuses on any of those areas, so i took as many classes as i could as well as did internships with those topics. Having a resume that rivals people 10 years older than me, I started looking for jobs.

While I had many prospects, and in retrospect, a few offers, one of them really stood out from the crowd. My number one pick was an Information Security Consultant position with Crowe Chizek, an accounting and consulting firm. Ive known the name for a while, seeing as how they have had a major office 5 minutes north of my parents house for as long as I can remember, i talked to them at the BGSU job fair. Not thinking i had much of a chance because of my background, i went in with a "nothing to lose" attitude. I gave them my resume, expected that to be it.

A few days later i was asked to do an interview on campus with their representatives. I met with 2 people from their Information Risk Management group, and had the same sort of attitude. I figured they were looking for people with much higher GPA's than myself, internships with the big 4 consulting/accounting firms and other huge professional accolades. Now, my credentials are good, but i didnt think they were in the niche they were looking for. After meeting with both interviewers, I was very interested in their position. Its part james bond, part hacker. Take the movie Sneakers and mix it with the movie Hackers. Thats the job. Testing network security, doing external penetration tests (a.k.a. Hacking) and doing internal penetration tests(a.k.a. lying to people about who you are to get critical informationby way of social engineering). I figured i had a decent interview and would get a thank you note in the mail, but nothing else.

Around 5pm, i got a call asking me to come to their headquarters in south bend, IN for an on site office visit. They were very impressed with me and my interview, and brought me out to south bend in mid november. I visited for 2 days, met with everyone, interviewed with the partners(one of which is a BGSU graduate) and then played the waiting game. In the end, the thursday of exam week....i got my offer call from the partner. I accepted, and had to find a place to live within 2 weeks, with christmas and new years sitting square in the middle of those 2 weeks.

I took a trip out here to south bend with katie, i found a nice place to live, moved in and got settled in to start work on the 5th of january. South Bend gets a boatload of snow, since we are in a lake effect snow zone, and the first night i lived here, we got 4-5 inches. Since moving in, ive been working here, loving every minute of it, and letting people know all the cool stuff i do(that i can talk about because of security reasons and confidentiality agreements). I was able to get my own cat, a black domestic short hair named Callie who is one of the most interesting animals i have met. She loves to open and close all cabinets in the apartment. Shes a good cat, very affectionate, even when im in the middle of things.

The people i work with are very interesting. We all have drastically different backgrounds. Everyone eats different things, does different stuff, knows different topics. One of the crew's favorite places to eat is an indian resteraunt that i didnt really care for ;-) but its good to try different things.

I spoiled myself a bit since i got a good job with a great salary, bought myself some neat toys. The best is probably my iSight camera that i got so that i can still see and talk to Katie and my parents from the comfort of my Mac. Its great, makes phones useless. If anyone has a mac with iChat AV, i suggest getting one of these. It will change the way you communicate.

Starting today, im going back on the Atkins diet. I was very successful with it before and hope to repeat that performance this time. Being back on a somewhat 8-5 schedule is easier for that, rather than working/class everyday from 11-10pm. I really want to get my health in order. I figure thats a good way to get started while i wait for the dietician from St. Joes Med Center to call me back.

I have definately learned alot in a month. Relationships have changed, people have changed, i have changed. I try to keep in touch with my friends, and have been dissapointed with some people doing what they can to screw me over. Its sad to see some people become everything they hated about someone else, but there is nothing i can do. Things are definately hard on the relationship front being 2.5 hours away from Bowling Green, but anything is possible. People never cease to suprise me, but they also never cease to amaze me.

Be looking for more updates soon. I promise im going to keep up on it, since i cant talk to everyone id like to, but im sure trying!

For those of you who i didnt send the information to(did ya get that memo?) I have new contact information. Email me at bjwaggoner@mac.com for it!

Climbing up on solsbury hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
I had to listen had no choice

I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart was going boom boom, boom
Son, he said, grab your things, I’ve come to take you home.

To keeping silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut

So I went from day to day
Tho’ my life was in a rut
’till I thought of what I’d say
Which connection I should cut

I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart was going boom boom boom
Hey, he said, grab your things, I’ve come to take you home.
Yeah back home

When illusion spin her net
I’m never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free

Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes, but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me

Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart was going boom boom boom
Hey, I said, you can keep my things, they’ve come to take me home.

An hour before game time, fertel gets his picks in.

He picks...


Packers
Bucs
Panthers
Dolphins
Chiefs
Browns
Seattle
Broncos
Vikings
Eagles
Jets
Pats
Colts
Rams
Cincy
Titans

Well see...

SATUDAY FOOTBALL PICKS!

So i was 10-6 last week, not too bad, if i do say so myself. However this week, Fertel and i are going head to head on the picks. Here are mine.

Panthers Vs Cowboys - Will be tough. Im going to give the edge to the panthers, having played better teams so far. While i want parcells to win, i think the cowboys have been too lucky this season. If they win, they will be for real, otherwise, i think its been luck

Lions Vs Vikings - look for the vikings to spring back this week.

Colts vs Bills - Colts to win

Jaguars vs. Jets - hard to say, would like to see leftwich do well, but the battle of marshall QBs will prolly end in a jets win.

Pats vs Texans - battle of red white and blue. Goes to Patriots.

Eagles Vs Saints - Eagles on a row. Mcnabb is back.

Browns vs Steelers - while i hate to say it, its going to be the browns. Steelers need to kill this slump. How great would it be to do it against the browns?

Seahawks vs Ravens - good matchup. Good seattle offense vs good ravens defense. i think the defense will be too good for seattle and hold them to a loss.

49ers vs Packers - battle of lost potiential. Green bay should win if they keep themselves together.

Bears vs Broncos - Broncos. *tear*

Rams vs Cards - Rams. Hands Down.

Raiders vs Chiefs - id say chiefs hands down, but the bengals rocked em last week. The raiders are still a shadow of their former selves, and chiefs will bounce back to win this one.

Bengals Vs Chargers - bengals. Will win their division too.

Titans Vs Falcons - Titans. Go mcnair

Skins vs Dolphins - Dolphins to get some momentum now.

Giants Vs Bucs - I cant believe the bucs now. What they did to keyshaun is so stupid. Barber boys will play well, but bucs will win.


There ya go, have a good sunday NFL day!

SATURDAY FOOTBALL PICKS!

Ill make this short and sweet.

Browns over Cardinals - Browns need to rebound after last week. Cards dont pose much of a threat for browns.
Saints over Falcons - Vick is back in practice. Ok, but that wont save a team with 2 wins.
Ravens over Dolphins - Ricky vs Jamal, will be battle of the run defense. Ray lewis at the helm, Ravens have the lead on this one.
Bills over Texans - Bills can rebound from last week. Will be a pretty ugly game.
Titans over Jaguars - Titans are on a roll, keep it comin. Id love to see leftwich do well, though...
Chiefs over Bengals - COME ON. If you are the chad johnson going against a 9-0 team, dont guarantee a win. Jeez
Eagles over Giants - Eagles are back on track. No shockey? Who cares.
Rams over Bears(i know, i know...) - Rams are too good. Bears are too bad. I still love my bears, though.
Panthers over Skins - Most people didnt know carolina had a football team, let alone a winning team.
Colts over Jets - Peyton will bring it home with all the tools at his disposal. No repeat of the 41-0 loss in the playoffs last year.
Broncos over Chargers - Last week was a fluke for flutie. Broncos will win. PLUMMER IS BACK!
Seahawks over Lions - Hawks at home. Hawks win.
Packers over Buccaneers - Bucks aint what they used to be. Only thing they might have are GB turnovers, but the GB offence is in sync.
Vikings over Raiders - Vikings will be focused and ready to spring back after their 4 game losing streak.
Cowbows over Patriots - Low scoring defensive game. Parcells will do it. Hes incredible.

Monday -
Steelers over 49ers - Steelers are back on a roll...cmon pitt!

6-7 In picks last week, lets see how i do this week! Tell me what you think in the chatterbox!

Hello again!

Again, sorry for the posting delay, but this has been an extrordinarily busy week. Calc exam, preparation for the job interview im going on for today and tomorrow...its been tough. However, i wanted to give the recap on the NFL picks i did as well as the Bears v. Lions game i attended.

Cardinals V. Steelers
I actually picked well for this game. I knew the steelers had it in them to come back and get a win. Lets hope they can keep it up for the rest of the season.

Falcons vs. Giants
Alright, my bad here. Who would have thought the Falcons could win this game. Good for them, but also good that vick started practicing again yesterday!

Browns vs. Chiefs
I figured it would be a shut out, i was wrong. However, i knew the chiefs would go 9-0. My boss picked the Browns. I dont get him sometimes.

Texans vs. Bengals
Right again. Kinda wish i could have seen the game though.

Colts vs. Jags
Uh. jaguars beat Colts? Noone saw that coming

Dolphins vs. Titans
Tennesee shut out the Dolphins. Right. What a week for upsets. Good god, though. Steve McNair is a god. Another wrong pick for me

Seahawks vs. Redskins
Another bad pick. I didnt see spurrier as having that good of a team. BUT, Hawks suck on the road. Should have seen that.

Bucs vs. Panthers
Well, the bucs didnt win this. So they dont deserve to go to the playoffs. What an upset.

Vikings vs. Chargers
AGAIN with the upset. I cant believe that the CHARGERS, the team the bears blasted last week beat the vikings. Wow.

Bills vs. Cowboys
Atta boy parcells and crew. Way to keep bledsoe in check. Dallas at 7-2. Wow.

Jets vs. Raiders
Picked a winner in an OT terrible game here. Go raiders. Go HOME.

Ravens vs. Rams
Rams win. Now, on like 100 yds of offense? What a game of turnovers. man.

Bears v Lions.
Anyone who saw this game knows what im going to say. Lions win by a joke field goal with 30 seconds left in the game. Terrible. Nice stadium, nice fans. Thats all im gonna say.


So i was 6-7. not bad with all the crazy upsets this week. Ill try to do another pick set this week.


Other than that, im heading to south bend for 2 days for an onsite interview with Crowe Chizek. They are an accounting/consulting firm that are interviewing me to work in thier IT Risk Management department. Gonna be a very very cool thing if it would work.

Ill be sure to keep you all posted here on my job status if it changes this weekend!

SATRUDAY FOOTBALL PICKS!

As most of you know, im a huge NFL junkie. So i thought id put that to good use, and take the weekend to make my predictions for sundays games. Here are my picks to win sundays NFL games.

Cardinals V. Steelers
I think im going to have to go with the steelers on this one. I know they havent really been playing that well this year, but they do have alot of potential. All Arizona has is....a has been running back and a bunch of other mediocre players. Plus, being at Heinz Field should give the steelers a slight boost coming into this game.

Falcons vs. Giants
No contest here. No Vick, no Falcons. Im not saying that Vick is the only thing that the falcons have, but without him, they havent been playing well all season. It may not be his athletic ability but his leadership this team has been lacking since the preseason. The giants arent knocking my socks off, but Kerry Collins and Jeremy Shockey are a pair that are hard to beat.

Browns vs. Chiefs
Sorry browns fans, you arent gonna be enough to hand the only unbeaten team left in the league their first loss. Sorry, just not gonna happen. Ill eat my words if it does, but it doesnt look likely.

Texans vs. Bengals
This could be one of the more interesting games. Marvin Lewis has done some good things to the bengals, but the texans are about at the same point. They need something big to happen to rally the team so that they can play better. I wish i could catch this game, it seems like it could be a matchup, but i think im gonna give the bengals the small edge on this one.

Colts vs. Jags
Colts. Playing so well this year, they really are coming together as a team. Jags got ALOT of work to do.

Dolphins vs. Titans
Dolphins need a win here and i think they are gonna get one. They play well, but i think there is too much crap off the field with these 2 teams. Plus, they rely on ricky williams too much to run the ball for them while not spreading it around the field. However, the titans arent much. But lets hope mcnair has a good game for all you fantasy players out there.

Seahawks vs. Redskins
Hawks. Playing REAL well this year, not stellar, but enough to get them to the postseason i think. Redskins arent terrible, but arent great. I dont see them really shining this year. I dont know if spurrier is still adjusting to coaching in the NFL or what, but something isnt gelling with that team.

Bucs vs. Panthers
If the bucs dont win this, they dont deserve to go to the playoffs. Thats all im saying on this game.

Vikings vs. Chargers
See above post for thoughts on what the Vikings need to do.

Bills vs. Cowboys
Cowboys. Parcells is a god among men. I odnt know how he does this with teams, but man the cowboys look good. Maybe the bears should hire him, lol. nah, but seriously, this Dallas team looks great this year for such a turnaround. I hope they do well, i really do.

Jets vs. Raiders
Battle of the dissapointing teams this year. Ill go with the jets just because of all the drama in oakland with woodson talking about all the problems and team infighting. Raiders. Wow. Werent you in the super bowl last year? Fooled me.

Ravens vs. Rams
2 of the top teams in the league. It will be interesting to see if the rams can keep up their streak or if they are just lucky so far. I think im going to pick the rams on this one, because they are an all around good team. Id love to see the ravens do well since they have potential, but it will have to be seen.

Ill leave the monday night game untill sunday night. However, the game of the week for me?

BEARS vs. LIONS
Yes, folks. The bears could hit a 3 game winning streak. Lets hope they turn it around. Away from home and in detroit, this could be interesting. They played the lions 2 weeks ago and beat them, so this could be an easy game for them. What will make it better?

ILL BE THERE.

Expect a full recap of the events when i get back!

GET YOUR GAME FACES ON, FOOTBALL FANS!!!!

Christ, sloka has posted more than i have lately....


Stupid 40 hours of work a week...stupid full class load....stupid trying to graduate in december...stupid trying to find a job....stupid.....a;lsdkhfla..

Its been really stressfull lately, and i havent had a chance to update. No, scratch that, ive had the time, but ive spent it trying to regain my sanity. Every day for me is at least 11 hours long with no break(11am to 10pm) and when i get home, the last thing i want to do is recap all the shit i did that day.

As my time at BG is winding down, ive been focusing on my future, trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. Career, personal life, etc. I guess i just dont know. Too many uncertainties. I am very happy though that i have been out on my own, having to pay my own bills, live on my own, take care of myself, etc so i have that level of maturity. I know alot of people who dont have that sort of mental attitude, and real life is gonna be a big shock when it hits them.

Big thing on my plate right now? Interview with crowe chizek. Check them out at www.crowechizek.com This could be a real good job, id be doing IT consulting, doing alot of travelling and alot of cool tech work. I want this job soooooo badly. I interviewed with them a few weeks ago, and almost immediately got offered an on site interview in their headquarters in south bend. Im going out the 13th of November(lucky 13) for 2 days, they are paying for me to travel and stay out there as well as interviews, meetings...and a 20 minute all or nothing interview with an "Executive". *holy nervous*

I think i should do ok. Ive had more job interviews in my life than almost any other college student i know. My resume rocks and i have GREAT interviewing skills. Is that cocky? Maybe, but its all i got...so let me be.

New season of 24....so good, so good...

Other than that...same shit is on my mind...dont know what i should do with anything...anyone have any bright ideas? Let me know....

Hes Alive!

Yes, I know again its been a long time since ive posted, but man my life has been busy lately. Working full time and being a full tiem student at the same time can be a real bear. Im so ready for that whole thing to be over with.

Got some job interviews as of late, things are looking good for a december graduation date. All i have to do is pass calc, and that could be a chore. However, my teacher said i can do it. So lets see what happens.

Some new cool things came out from apple. iTunes for windows came out today, so all you windoze users who said they wish they had itunes can now use it. Good for you all...one step closer!

Have had alot of heavy stuff on my mind lately, havent talked to anyone about it, but its been that time of the year. Trying to figure out what i want to do with the rest of my life, where i want to start it, what i will and wont do or will or wont go, making sure im doing what i want to do rather than what someone else wants me to do or what someone else wants to do. Its hard. Trying to get started is hard enough, but making sure that start is the right one for the rest of your life is definately one of the hardest things to ever do.

Flag football tonite. Playin sig ep's C team. Should be a good game.

I read some good quotes in my cousins profile that bear posting.

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.

Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there.
What you choose to do with them is up to you.

Don't settle for the one you can live with, wait for the one you can't live without.


Thanks les.

Im audi.

Windows users may have to right click on the little red download arrow and save target as. Mac OS X users should see it download automatically, otherwise control + click and download link to disk.

Graphite File Sharing

Well Hello There, My It's Been A Long, Long Time...

Yes, it has indeed been a long time. Alot has happened with me, but ive had very little time to blog. I know, extreme sadness.

Also in the category of extreme sadness, i had to deal with on of the hardest choices in my life lately. As many of you know, i interviewed for a full time position working for apple in cleveland. I got offered the job. Yay! Well, not so much. They offered to pay little more then what i make now as a student employee. That makes very little financial sense for me to leave school to work for apple when i wouldnt be making enough money out there to barely survive. So, i had to turn the job down. Honest to god one of the hardest things ive had to do in a while.

On the job front, a technology support specialist position has opened at ITS, the job ive wanted to apply to for a while now. I went overboard and got 4 letters of reccommendation inside ITS, sent in a resume, cover letter, and reference sheet. I REALLY hope i get this job. REALLY.....rea....really.

On the good side, though, our Intramural Flag Football team seems to be shaping up very nicely. We had our first scrimmage this past thursday. We have had a few actual practices before that, but never with the whole team there. We got there around 830, then found out that they moved it to the turf room of the field house. So cary(from work) and i both had to drive to our respective homes and get tennis shoes rather than the cleats we had on. We still get to the field house with time to spare, get warmed up, stretched, and took the field. We were playing some clowns that were really cocky. We took a quick lead, but they eventually matched it. We played really well but had alot of bad coverage and penalties which gave the other team prime scoring opportunities. We only lost by one touchdown, but we could have had that game if we were prepared. Oh well, at least it was a scrimmage, not a recorded loss.

We were about to leave, and they asked us if we wanted to stay, since the 10:00 slot only had one team. About 60% of the team stayed, which was still more then enough for us to play with. The team we played i i found out afterwards was a ranked team. We had alot of experience on both sides during the second game, and ended up winning. These guys werent some random jackasses, they were ripped big guys with some real athletes on their team. We ended up winning 14-12. It was insane. I got my first TD of the season there, nothing special, but it still got us the 2pt conversion we needed. Funny part was the first play of the game, they got a 5 yard penalty because their QB didnt have flags on. Which prompted me to ask the head ref...how can this be flag football if he doesnt have....flags. Cause then its just..football. He agreed and thought it was funny. All in all, this is going to be a good time. Look for us on the intramural fields thursday nights at 9. You all may ask, dont you work those nights? Yes, i do, but my boss let me take an hour off for these few weeks for "teambuilding" since most of the guys on our team are from ITS. w00t!

To keep tabs on the flag football stuff, check out this link below.

BGSU: Student Affairs: Intramural Sports: Flag Football Home Page

I also have the first highlight film up. Nothing real special, just some of the great plays of the first game. Thanks to Red for taping. Check it out on my download page off of www.brianwaggoner.com. Click on the GRAPHITE FILE SHARING link on the top and download the file.

Thursday was Katie and my 6 month anniversary, and since today is the only real time we have together, were going to actually go out on a date for it. Seeing as how its the 6 month milestone, i figured i should do some special things for her. Im sure shell say something about them. Its going to be good, kids, lol

Hope all is well with everyone. Please let me know you read this....i havent been posting much cause i dont see much in the chatterbox. If you read it, let me know by posting in the c-booooox!

*****************************************
Positive: Flag Football and 6 Months
Negative: Who says no to their dream job?
Quote: "I dont know how to uninstall windows 98 off of my computer. is there an uninstall button?" - Some guy who called the TSC
Song of the day: NFL on Fox Theme...hehehe
Cool Mac Moment: New 15" powerbooks are really slick. We also should be getting som g5's in to test at work!
*****************************************

AHHHH...YESSSSSS!!!


Apple Power Mac G5 review by PC Magazine

My Mac Website

Many of you may not read this, however id love as many people as possible to check it out, and today is as good of a day as any with the new hardware announcements from Apple Expo Paris! Check it out below!


One Infinite Loop

Wow....RIP John Ritter

First Johnny Cash now this....sadness for a friday...

TV Star John Ritter Dies of Heart Problem (washingtonpost.com)

Well, what a weekend...

Friday i worked 8-5. No calc since fridays are now optional. Thats good, i guess...but i feel kind of guilty not going, then again, what do i learn IN class? Not much.

Pretty busy at work, didnt even have a spare minute to check my email untill about 4:45, and when i did, i got the following email...

Hello, Brian!

I am emailing to let you know that we will be conducting interviews for the remaining FT and PT employment opportunities at the Legacy Village Apple Retail Store. If you think you would be interested in talking with the management team about these opportunities, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule a time for you to meet with them on September 15th, 16th or 17th.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,
Julie Thornton Allen
Apple Retail Recruiter

Yea...so another interview with apple. This could be good and bad, but well have to see. Im not sure what id do if i got offered a specialist or keyholder job, i guess i have to figure that out when/if i get offered. I was going to call her back today, but alas, she was out of the office. So exciting, but very very nervewracking.

After that, I picked up katie and met sloka and red at Hunan for some tasty chinese dinner. From there, katie, red, fyfe, al and i drove up to novi michigan to go get red a new mac! She got a real nice emac, good value and a nice printer. After that, i managed to prod the apple employee about what he thinks i should do about the jobs going on. He told me alot of things that are making me think i should really go for it. However, like i said, well have to see. We drove home, i set up reds computer, then came home to crash.

Saturday wasnt very exciting, i did some work around the house, took katie to get her car fixed, etc etc etc. That night, i had dinner at the Abells and many assorted friends of katies sister. Came home to do calc after that, but i failed miserabley...and got some sleep.

Sunday, up early to head off to Farm Aid in Columbus. We got to leave around 11, down in columbus around 1. Concert started at 2, heard a few iffy bands, but heard some real good ones like Brooks and Dunn, which i had never really heard before, and of course, Dave Matthews. Dave played some older stuff as well as some stuff from his upcoming solo album, which was exciting. All in all, we got out of there around 1230, and home around 230.

The Bears got destroyed yesterday...not even funny. Something has to happen there. You can bet ill be parked in front of ESPN on sunday at 8:30. I gotta see them play. LETS GO BEARS.

BGSU football made history on saturday, when BG beat purdue. This is gonna be a great season. Harris for heisman, indeed, fertel.

Well, i just had 3 classes, including my 6-9 marketing class. I got assigned to do a spoken report on an article next monday. Dammit...

Off to watch the rest of MNF. I cant choose who i like more, Tampa or Philly...choices choices choices.

Leave box love.

*****************************************
Positive: Good Weekend
Negative: Slightly Sunburnt
Quote: "I need to calm down" - Dave Matthews - Farm Aid 03
Song of the day: Dave Matthews - So Damn Lucky
Cool Mac Moment: New iPods and iMacs today. Powerbooks next week? Software releases too?

OH YEAH, AND MY INTERVIEW!!!
*****************************************

Back again...

Looks like thursday may be the only day i can find some time to post during the week. The rest of the week i go from 11am-10pm with loads of calc to do later. Not so much fun. But i see the light at the end of the tunnel...the 3 month tunnel...

So, someone left me a very upset IM yesterday about what i had to say about RCC. Let me clarify some things. First off, im not at any rate minimizing the work that the students do at RCC. Working there for 4 full years and being a supervisor for 3 of those, i know exactly how hard the students work there. I have never seen an organization where students work as hard as RCC employees work (special cases notwithstanding) and get as little reward as they do there. I just think that there were some managerial hiccups that could have been avoided. I know how many viruses in res halls, because i was helping log all those with the security guys here and staying after to make sure that people could get the appropriate tools they needed as well. I was working 8-10 hours straight as well. Like i said, i worked over 55 hours that week, and worked 14 days straight with no break. This is the 5th straight "IROC" that ive seen. It was by far one of the roughest. All i was saying was that we had 2 weeks from the break of the virus untill when students started moving in. Something could have been done to prep for that. Something SHOULD have been done to anticipate that. Nothing the students should have to do, but a coordinated effort with ITS and RCC. Ended up that ITS had to pick up alot of res hall slack when we had many many things to tend to on the faculty network side as well. We adapted, mass made over 200 virus removal tool cd's, handed them out, made sure they were being shared as well as fixed machines with viruses in here that people would bring in. Was that our job? No, but we had to adapt to the situation. All i was trying to bring up was a factor of adaptation, pre-move in, not have to deal with it AS people were moving in. But i digress.

Its been a rough week with people this week. I get strange feelings from alot of people im close to and people i work with. I dont know if its the stress of the beginning of the year getting to me or what, but it just seems odd. I dont know how to describe it. Its hard because i rarely see anyone. I spend 11 hours a day straight on campus, then come home to do a boatload of calc then go to bed. Wake up at 930, go to work at 11 and it repeats itself. Who knows. I guess im just feeling detached from reality. Maybe im really looking forward to starting something new. New job, moving somewhere new, just getting a change. Im the kind of person who needs some kind of change every once in a while, and im to the point where i need some kind of change again. I dont know what, im sure ill know when i see it, but something has to change....

Job market is grim. I applied for 2 computer jobs at OSU, 3 jobs with Nextel in VA, some other random tech jobs here and there all around the midwest/east coast. I keep calling the lady at apple back, she doesnt return my calls, thats not a good sign. Who knows. Rumor has it a TSS job will be open here at ITS soon since the PC image guy left and moved to florida. But do i want to stay here in BG and work for ITS full time? I dont know. I dont know what to do. Im looking for what to do with the rest of my life, but its hard, because so much is in flux. *heavy sigh*

Mission for you blog readers. Think about where you were 2 years ago. 4 years ago. Think about how far youve come. Its kind of scary.

ITS intermural football league is starting soon. McComas, Me, Mike Good, Gebby, Cary and a bunch of guys from ITS and friends of ITSers are gonna rip up the rec league. Should be fun and interesting to see. Get my ass on that field. See whats gonna happen.

Well, leave some love in the box, kids. Watch out for dem hoes.

*****************************************
Positive: 2 Weeks down
Negative: 15+ to go
Quote: "Can i just tell her.."Sorry, no tools allowed on this team?" Can I?" - McComas
Song of the day: John Mayer - Homelife
Cool Mac Moment: New version of backup 2.0 is awesome. Finally i can backup to network drives! Wow, why does this excite me so much..i suck.
*****************************************

I know a girl
she puts the color inside of my world
but she's just like a maze
where all of the walls are continually changed
and I've done all I can to stand on the steps
with my heart in my hand
now I'm startin' to see
maybe it's got nothing to do with me

fathers be good to your daughters
daughters will love like you do
girls become lovers who turn into mothers
so mothers be good to your daughters too

oh you see that skin
it's the same she's been standin' in
since the day she saw him walkin' away
now she's left cleanin' up the mess he made

so

boys you can break
you find out how much they can take
boys will be strong, boys soldier on
but boys would be gone without warmth
from a woman's good, good heart

on behalf of every man, lookin' out for every girl
you are the guide and the weight of her world

so mothers be good to your daughters too
so mothers be good to your daughters too

- John Mayer "Daughters"

Oh yes. Even in DOOR COUNTY, hoes are hard at work.


People are emailing me pictures of hoe stuff. How insane.

Here i am....taaadaaa...


Yeah, i know nothing really going on lately. Oh wait, not so much. Heres a bit of a recap.

Got declined from the apple job. Ok, shit happens, we move on. So, i had to go full tilt to get ready for the fall semester here at BGSU. While doing that, it was also virus hell week here at BGSU, so i was working some mad hours, during the day rather then my normal night time garbage, since there were no classes to support at night.

The week before classes started, including the saturday and sunday of move in, i worked over 55 hours. I know, it was sick, good thing that i get paid overtime. Do other ITS students get paid overtime? No. Why do i? Beats me. I dont know why they go the extra mile, or sometimes extra 194039472 miles for me to do things for them. Meh, dont fight it wags.

Its funny to see how RCC is viewed not only at ITS but in the rest of the university now that im outside the organization. I always knew that RCC and the whole organization was the butt of alot of jokes around campus, but jesus, this past week/weekend really showed me why. Yes, i used to be in charge of the computer labs there, and i also assisted in alot of the move in operations that first week. I have a really good idea of what went on and how things were run. This weekend was such an eye opener for me. Lets get one thing straight.

I appreciate everything i learned at RCC and where it got me today.

Ok, now that that disclaimer is over with....GODDAMN. As any of you with eyes, a sense of retention and some kind of incoming news feed can attest, there were 4 major virus attacks in the past 10 days. Thats the largest attack on this campus's infrastructure...ever. Since i work in the university main help desk, i get to see first hand how all of these viruses(virii?) effect computers and network usage. When MSBlast(aka lovesan) hit, i spent the whole day getting the union and tech computer labs up and running again. Any virus that is strong enough to bring down over 50% of a universities windows XP machines is something to worry about. Especially a worm that takes NO EFFORT on the user end to spread. After we got that somewhat under control, we got hit with sobig. Then Nachi. Now Dumaru. Now, as move in started, we had only been hit with the first 3. The wed before exam week, we were scrambling at ITS. We were dealing with those viruses, the blackout that hit the whole east coast/midwest and increase in network traffic. Now, the way lovesan works is through a windows vulnerability. Meaning users have to patch the vulnerability with a windows update to fix it. My ex-boss at RCC told my current boss that he "wasnt concerned" with the imminent virus problem on campus and said they were ok to deal with it.

Ha. HOW CAN YOU NOT BE CONCERNED WITH A VIRUS THAT BROUGHT DOWN THE NEW YORK TIMES NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE???? Right there, i was so mad i could spit blood. Think about this....once students moved in, all of their brand new dells that mommy and daddy bought them that they didnt take out of the box since they got them weeks before suddenly connected to the university network..and BAM. Infected. Last count was over 300 infected systems. Thats unheard of. Yes, it could have been worse, but it was insanity to clean up. Last count here at ITS was over 170 virus removal discs handed out for free, god knows how many people shared them. Those were just people who DIDNT report their problem to RCC. Not only that, but the fact that there were viruses all week when RCC was in training and nothing was done about it. Now, i know that its difficult for them to drop training to do that, but i also know(since i made the training outline 3 years ago) that there is considerable downtime in the evening to do things like this. We got so many calls of angry people regarding network connection issues and virus problems that Toby Singer, the head of ITS called Tim King, the head of technology stuff at ResLife(and a former boss of mine before the RCC Reorg of jesus) telling him to get on the ball. I dont know how that came about, but man. The problem was so widespread that little freshman girls who didnt know anything about computers were calling us at ITS afraid to use the RCC connection CD because they thought it would give them the virus. People called us asking for network connection and virus help because they said they werent getting responses from RCC. Something needs to be done over there. Something huge and drastic. I dont know what, but something needs to be done.

I dont want anyone to think im badmouthing RCC. Im not, i was just very suprised to see how this crisis, and yes it was a crisis was dealt with. I spent 4 years of my life there working so hard for them that i couldnt see straight. Am i bitter about how i was treated? Yes. This has nothing to do with that, this has to deal with leadership in a time of crisis. Character shows itself in crisis situations, and from what ive heard, it didnt impress the campus community.

This week ive been working alot and started classes. My last semester, hopefully. After getting the B in phys 202, hopefully i can survive calc. The teacher is a total yatch and assigns over 40 problems of homework a night. It sucks. Other then that, i have a 6-9 mktg class...who needs that? Intro to unix will be fun, 1 credit hour, hopefully learn to do more in the unix terminal in OS X, and then ECT 441. Yes. Dr. Kolla strikes again. Another fun filled semester with him, but he swears(and im not making this up) that this class will be easier, have less homework, no formal lab reports and easier exams. Well see about that.

Other then that, been playing alot of star wars galaxies, madden 04 and trying to stay personally sane, which has been more then a chore lately. Im looking forward to a weekend of nothing. Preseason football is over, bears were 1-3, doesnt show much, but i was happy with how the 1st string offense looked, should be a good season for them...JUST NEED TO STAY HEALTHY.

Well, hopefully ill start to post a bit more, and put a chatterbox or tag board back up. But well see about that ;-)

*****************************************
Positive: One semester to go before im out of this place...
Negative: One semester to go before im out of this place...
Quote: None...too many to write down.
Song of the day: Dave Matthews - Save Me
Cool Mac Moment: Using the panther dev preview on my machines. Buggy, but still cool.
*****************************************

Yeah...I didnt get the job with Apple in Cleveland.

Why?

Was it cause i was unqualified? Not according to them.
Was it cause i didnt interview well? Not according to them.
Was it cause i didnt fit the profile? Not according to them.

Was it cause they instead decided to fill them by transferring people internally?

Yes, yes it was.

Did they say i would have gotten it if they didnt do that?

Yes, they did.


Oh well, she said shed check into finding another position for me. Well see...

Alot of people have asked me what im interviewing for out in cleveland at apple. Here is the official job description.


Mac Genius

The Ultimate Mac Technician

Do you love repairing Macs and enjoy interacting with other Mac users? Does the thought of working for Apple make you tingle more than those three seconds right after a sneeze? Do you have technical support experience coupled with retail sales or customer service experience and can’t imagine a more rewarding place to utilize those skills than an Apple Store? If so, you might have what it takes to become an Apple Mac Genius.

You have lost endless hours of sleep troubleshooting a clients’ or neighbor’s machine. You, and millions of other Mac experts around the world, know that when a computer is done right it can be much more than a beige box made for the left side of the brain. You know and love the ease of use along with the power and elegance of the Mac.

As an Apple Mac Genius, you'll have the opportunity to share your wealth of knowledge on the latest Mac OS and products with millions of eager customers. Whether someone is a new user, a lifelong Mac enthusiast, or a PC switcher, you'll be the person to nurse his or her sick Mac back to health.

Some stores have technicians who sit in a back room and just see machines that are broken. Our Mac Genius is out on the floor helping customers fix their own machines and answering their toughest questions. An Apple Mac Genius is the cream of the crop. Are you one of them?


Key Features:

Seek challenge and enjoy finding answers.

Could write an encyclopedia of Mac Products.

Have mastered the latest Mac OS and keep up with cutting edge technology, while knowing what is in the pipeline.

Provide complete and appropriate solutions for every customer by utilizing retail sales and customer service skills.

Can identify tactfully the difference between a misguided user and an unhealthy Macintosh.

Have a high level of attention to detail and are a perfectionist.

Translate "techno-speak" into laymen's terms. Have the ability to teach and demonstrate to all levels of experience.

Are eager to discuss tips and tricks and why Macs rule.

Love interacting with people as much as Macs.

Be a good listener and an excellent communicator.

Bring your area of expertise to add value to our diverse team.

Would rather be in the front row of a MacWorld keynote speech than have free cable TV for a year.

Job Description:
-Run Apple’s service business by providing unparalleled customer service while solving and diagnosing Apple customer issues.
-Provide complete and appropriate solutions for every customer, explain and sell the benefits of .mac and Applecare.
-Complete bench repairs in a thorough and timely fashion.
-Keep workbench area and Genius Bar meticulously clean and organized.
-Reach out to the small business community by networking with clients.
-Demonstrate responsibility and take good care of Apple's assets.
-Comply with all company policies and procedures faithfully. Follow Apple’s steps of service with every customer.
-Execute transactions through customer tracking database.
-Communicate positively with store team members, customers, channel partners, and headquarters. Remember, you represent the Apple brand.
-Have the ability to be on your feet up to 8 hours a day.
-Maintain a fit and healthy Mac mind and oh yeah, have fun. After all, this is Apple.
-Successful candidates have bench and/or technical support experience, are using the latest Mac OS, and have worked in a retail or customer service environment.

Hey all,

I know most of you probably dont check it, but my Mac Website has been getting some decent press lately. The guys over at 2 guys have been real kind to me, and have made me a contributing writer as well. Check out my Mac Website at macevangelist.blogspot.com and check out the 2 guys website at www.2guysamacandawebsite.com/.

Also, dont forget to check out my dad's new weblog, hes kind of goofy, but its fun to read! Gets some insight into the thing that raised this crazy idiot who feels the need to ramble on on a website as well...Click if you dare!

Its looking like some major changes could be on the horizon. Im looking to get a job with Apple Computer in a few weeks out in cleveland. That would mean that i would leave BG one semester before im done with school, but its a price im willing to pay to work for the company ive always dreamed of working for. It poses a few "logistical" problems to say the least, but i hope i can work through them. Those of you who have been with my blog since day one know that day one was actually me talking about getting offered a job with Apple in New York that i had to turn down. This seems like a ironic turn of events. Maybe its saying that i should quit blogging, lol.

Ill post full information on what happens tomorrow at some point, im sure those of you who i talk to or see on a daily basis im sure will know the outcome, but dont worry, information will be posted here as well.

Oh, and since senseless team bashing is going on much to my chagrin, I just have to say that the Green Bay Packers lost their preseason opener.


*grin*


*****************************************
Positive: I could be working for Apple Computer soon. Oh yes. Its true.
Negative: Planning for the REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS.
Quote: "Yeah, someone called about a reference for you? I told them how much you suck. Oh wait, i mean how much i suck." - McComas on the Apple people calling him for a reference about me.
Song of the day: Jimi Thing - DMB
Cool Mac Moment: Ill let the readers decide what this is for themselves. Feel free to discuss in the "Bitch about whatever wags says box", errr i mean the chatterbox.
*****************************************

Cris Carter sez


I understand Cleveland's dilemma. When a team drafts a quarterback with the top overall pick, it doesn't want to admit failure to establish that guy as the franchise quarterback. But right now, Kelly Holcomb is better than Tim Couch.

When a team has a quarterback controversy like this -- and loses five defensive starters without truly replacing them -- it can't expect to return to the postseason.



Good point, cris. Good point.


He sez the following of the Steelers.

These are not the Steelers of the glory days. Gone is smashmouth football, replaced by a top-notch passing attack and, at least last season, a frustrating inability to stop the pass.

But Tommy Maddox has fit perfectly into Mike Mularkey's offensive scheme. Week in and week out, nobody comes up with better schemes than Mularkey.


Another truth. Straight from the horses mouth kids.


Now, i try not to get all wrapped up in the team rivalry BS. I like teams for teams. Yes, ill always be a Bear fan, but i know when the Packers are a better team. I never say the packers suck or anything like that, because i have respect for them as a team. They play well, have a great QB, etc. Sure, the Bears have won more times against them then the packers have won, but right now, Green Bay is a better team.

Well see this year, it could be a very different year for the bears.

Moral of the story, dont bash teams just cause they are a rival. Especially when they are a better playing team.

IM GOING TO CLEVELAND ON THURSDAY!!! I GOT SELECTED AS A FINAL INTERVIEW CANDIDATE!!!!

I HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH APPLE ON MONDAY!!!!

Oh yes, mac genious position in cleveland. Here is the information on the location i would be working at!

Lyndhurst, Ohio @ Legacy Village
As noted by MacMinute and originally reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Apple will have a store in Legacy Village when it opens October 24. Additionally, Apple is currently hiring positions at this location, according to the company's jobs database.

MY DREAM JOB!

Hello all...

Not much going on lately of note.

Heres a day in the life of me.

Wake up at 6:45, shower, get dressed, find something to eat and head to one of my 6 different times i meet for physics that week.

8:00am. Physics...something. Monday/wed its lecture. Tues its Recitation(aka bring beer for the teacher and you get full credit for the quiz) and lab. Friday its only lab.

Home for a quick bite to eat after all that jazz, maybe an hour or two to relax, play some Star Wars Galaxies, or to go to Univeristy Of Findlay to work on this contract job that i have signed up for. Then its off to work at ITS from 2-10(monday through thursday) or after class untill 5 on friday.

Repeat.


Lather.

Rinse.

Repeat.


Its getting really old. I hate physics, i hate the BS corrupt teacher we have and how noone will stand up to him. Im pretty much getting really tired of working nights, just in time to come home, not have energy to do things i need to just so i can go to bed and wake up and do it all over again.


Hopefully that is ALL about to change. After next week, summer classes will be over. BUT, today i have decided to apply for a full time job that opened up on campus. Its 40 hours a week, salary, benefits..the whole shebang. Its working for IMS, pretty much doing what im doing now, so it should be a real good thing if it works out. Rumor also has it that there may be a TSS position opening up here at ITS that im going to look into as well.

Meh, thats the general attitude.

Thats all for now, ill talk to you all later.

Yeah, i know havent had any posts of merit lately. Its been one of the roughest weeks of my life and i really havent had the chance or the feeling to post about it here..


And im not going to do it now. If anyone wants to talk to me about it, let me know, other then that, im trying to deal with everything the best i can.

I hope all is well with everyone else...soon i hope to feel up to posting about daily occurrances as well as projects and things that im up to. The only thing im excited about right now is Star Wars: Galaxies. Its been a long long time since ive geeked over a computer game like this(i think it was diablo 2 with josh and maury) but then again, RPG's have a way of sucking you in. I created a new character, been messing around with it here and there. Havent had a chance to really spend alot of time messing with it, but thats ok, since Greg Gilbert, a fellow ITS employee plays as well, and is able to play a bit more then i am(stupid class and working till 10pm) We just got a house today, and im working on being a smuggler so i can do slicing(hacking) and be a spice dealer(kind of like a drug dealer, but spices are drugs that are combat enhancers) Its all pretty cool, at least to me.

Im out for now, leave some love on the chatterbox...although this whole website has seemed dead lately. If not for the lack of new blogger templates, id change everything up to give it a new look, however i digress.

I hope all is well with everyone...take care.

*****************************************
Positive: Star Wars : Galaxies
Negative: Um...yeah.
Quote:

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
-Billy Joel

Song of the day:And So It Goes - Billy Joel
Cool Mac Moment: Apple dropping their education prices 5-15% Good thing i dont have money, or id be stupid and buy stuff...
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I'm not right
And I'm not fine
I wanna be rain that tastes like wine
I wanna be good
I wanna be great
I wanna be everything except for your mistake

Send me inside your mind
I wanna know what you're thinking
This time I'll try to be the one you always thought you knew

It's true
I'm blue
And without you -

I'm not right
I'm not fine
I wanna be rain that tastes like wine
I wanna be good
I wanna be great
I wanna be everything except for your mistake

Let me into your view
I wanna know how you see this thing that's us
I must keep managing my madness over you

And I don't want your sympathy just understanding
We'd be better off if I just took some time to try to understand you

I'm not right
I'm not fine
I wanna be rain that tastes like wine
I wanna be seen
I wanna get clean
I wanna just fall out of in-between
I'm not right
I'm not right
I don't wanna be your mistake

She said she'd meet me in the bar
At the Plaza Hotel
"Wear a jacket and a tie"
"What's the occasion?"
She just smiled and she wouldn't say why
So here I am standing , waiting in the lobby
Sweating bullets in this stupid old suit
And when she sees me she busts out laughing
"You're a sad sight honey, but you look so cute" and

I don't want to be alone anymore
I was checking you out
I was just making sure
No, I don't want to be alone anymore
And, I want you tonight
Although you hurt me before
It didn't matter that I felt like a fool
'Cause I forgot when she walked through the door
I said I'm sorry, but she said it was cool
And I don't want to be alone anymore

It's so confusing choosing sides
In the heat of the moment
Just to see if it's real
It's so erotic having you
Tell me how it should feel
But I'm avoiding all the hard cold facts
That I've got to face
So ask me just one question
When this magic night is through
Could it have been just anyone
Or did it have to be you
And, will you still be saying-

I don't want to be alone anymore
I was checking you out
I was just making sure
No, I don't want to be alone anymore
And, I want you tonight
Although you hurt me before
It didn't matter that I felt like a fool
'Cause I forgot when she walked through the door
I said I'm sorry, but she said it was cool
And I don't want to be alone anymore

But, don't you know that it's wrong
It's wrong, it's wrong
But like the song
Being caught by the wink of an eye
I can't be sure we'll get along
But I'm willing to try
As long as you can tell me-

I don't want to be alone anymore
I was checking you out
I was just making sure
No, I don't want to be alone anymore
And, I want you tonight
Although you hurt me before
It didn't matter that I felt like a fool
'Cause I forgot when she walked through the door
I said I'm sorry, but she said it was cool
And I don't want to be alone anymore

Im sure this will stir up alot of debate, but id love the discussion.

The President’s top priorities are winning the war, protecting the homeland and generating economic growth and jobs, and he has continued to lead boldly on these priorities. However, the lagging economy and weak stock market caused revenues to decline further, which explains the biggest change in the budget position, followed by the costs of the war and the economic growth plan. Although large in nominal terms, these deficits are manageable and the Administration plans to cut the deficit in half in a few years through a combination of economic growth and spending restraint. Thanks to the President delivering on a 3rd consecutive growth plan and other factors, the economy seems poised for a strong recovery.

 

Budget projections from the Federal Budget Submission
Fiscal Year 2003     
304 Billion

Fiscal Year 2004     
307 Billion

Fiscal Year 2005     
208 Billion

Fiscal Year 2006     
201 Billion

Fiscal Year 2007    
178 Billion

Fiscal Year 2008     
190 Billion

At the end of Fiscal Years 2004-08
1.08 Billion



The Deficit Is Manageable. The deficit is manageable given the shocks our economy has endured (recession, terrorist attacks, revelation of corporate scandals, and a weak market). At 4.2% of GDP, it is well below the 1983 peak modern-day deficit of 6% (it’s not even in the top five). In fact, it is the same or smaller than deficits following similar recessions. These deficits are not hurting the economy right now, as interest rates are at 45-year lows. 

Cut the Deficit With Economic Growth and Spending Restraint. The fundamentals – lower taxes, a positive outcome in Iraq, strong housing markets, record low interest rates, renewed consumer confidence, low inflation -- are in place for a strong recovery and job growth. Tax refund checks are on the way. A strong economy and spending restraint will cut the deficit by more than half. Economic growth creates surpluses, not the other way around.

Tax Relief is Helping the Economy Recover. Economists generally agree that the 2001 tax relief helped combat the recession, and that the latest growth and jobs package will help spark investment, recovery and job creation. Now is exactly the wrong time to raise taxes.

The Need for Spending Discipline. The President’s budget holds growth in discretionary spending below 4% (less than half the growth rate of recent years) because government spending should not grow faster than family income. In fact, spending growth outside of defense and homeland security has been slowed from 6.0% in FY02, to 4.7% in FY03, to a proposed 2.0% in FY04 (compared to a near 15% spike in FY01). The President’s budget would also re-impose spending caps and pay-as-you-go requirements to help slow spending further.

Recession, Plunging Revenues and the War – Not Tax Relief – Brought Back the Deficit.  

The overwhelming reason for the change in deficit from the February projection continues to be the impact of the recession and previously weak market on tax revenues. Revenues dropped for three years in a row, which hasn’t happened in the U.S. since the 1920s. The recession and its revenue effects erased 100% of the projected FY 2002 surplus. 

The response to the attacks of September 11th resulted in unanticipated but necessary spending of roughly $180B to prosecute the war on terrorism (including Operation Iraqi Freedom), build a robust homeland security system, and rebuild New York. Both parties overwhelmingly supported this additional spending.

If there had been NO TAX CUTS, not in 2001, 2002, or 2003, the budget would be in triple digit deficits today ($278B in 2003).

John Mayer Fan?

New album coming out on Sept 9th

Check it out here!

Also, if you pre-order, there is an acoustic track that hasnt been released before! Its called sucker, and ive heard other versions, but this is definately the best!

Enjoy!

Wow...what a day. Commissioning was INCREDIBLE. I got on the ship, etc. I wont go into the details, cause im sure noone cares.

In the rare event you DO care, here are the pictures from it!

Day 3 - U.S.S Ronald Reagan Commissioning Ceremony

Anyone seen my girl? *pokes around, looks worried since he hasnt heard from her in a while*

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Positive: My first and probably last time on an aircraft carrier! Meeting pilots from VF - 213 and seeing the vice president speak...incredible
Negative: SO HOT IN VIRGINIA! That and im so sunburned now!
Quote: "Some people are kind of dissapointed i didnt land on the carrier like the president did on the lincoln a few weeks back, maybe next time i will" - Vice President Dick Cheney on his helicopter landing on the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan
Song of the day: Anchors Aweigh
Cool Mac Moment: Uh...either noone has been leaving me IMs, or iChat has been eating them...either way im switching back to AIM untill iChat AV isnt a public beta anymore...
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PLANES! EVERYWHERE!

Thats right, kids, its day 2 in norfolk. This morning we got up at the buttcrack of dawn, got breakfast, then drove the 20 minutes out to virginia beach so that we could take the HRT(Hampton Roads Tranportation) exclusive tour of the Naval Air Station at Oceana, the largest NAS in the world. We got there early, so i had time to walk around the beach in my bare feet for a while. Such a pretty town, beautiful beach, etc etc etc.

We took the tour of the base, and got to have lunch at the officers club on the base. Saw alot of incredible aircraft, f-14's, f/a-18's, E-6's, f-16's(why air force jets were on a naval base, well never know) and had 2 great tour guides to give us all the information. We were able to get on the "flightline" as the military guys call it, which is the tarmac where all the aircraft are parked right by the runways. After lunch, we went to what they call "The Petting Zoo" which is where they take 1 of every aircraft the navy has ever used and put them all in a row so people can walk up to them and see what they look like and feel like as well as get a real scale of size. We also got bumper stickers for me and my mom that say "I (heart) Jet Noise - The Sound of FREEDOM" So funny! Why is it funny? Cause its true! There were full squadrons of aircraft flying around the base, i tried taking some pictures of them, but because they have the gull grey low vis paint job on them, it was impossible to get pictures to come out. Which is the point of that paint scheme! It was awesome. Nothing i could write here could do it the slightest bit of justice. Youll just have to look at the pictures on my website, which are now up for the first 2 days!

Day 1 - Downtown Norfolk and the Harbor Cruse Tour
Day 2 - Virginia Beach and Oceana Naval Air Station

I hope you all check them out! Im having a blast here, and those pictures are a good representation of whats going on!

Tonight is going to be pretty low key, maybe go swimming, get something to eat (30 minutes inbetween of course ;-) and probably an early bedtime. Tomorrow is the big commissioning, and we have to be there in our seats by 10 AM, however there are going to be 20,000 people there according to our tour guide on the bus today, so im thinking we need to get there alittle early. Im sure to have plenty of awesome pictures from tomorrow, its going to be one hell of a ride. Leave me some love in the chatterbox and let me know what you think of the pictures!

I know you all miss me ;-)

(psst, i miss you, katie!)

*****************************************
Positive: BOATS! AND NOW PLANES!
Negative: So frigging hot here, its over 110 heat index...blah
Quote: "That plane is for anti-submarine warfare, but they dont use it for that anymore, cause noone has squat on our subs anymore..." - Tim, the Navy officer who did some tour guide stuff for us who is a member of VFW - 101, The Grim Reapers
Song of the day: God Bless America
Cool Mac Moment: .Mac, for letting me post my pictures on my website!
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LIVE! WAGS FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA!!

Thats right kids! Here i am, posting in my hotel room in norfolk, va. Im here this weekend because my family got invited to the official commissioning of the newest aircraft carrier, the U.S.S Ronald Reagan. My family are huge military buffs. We love to go to naval bases and keep up with all the huge hardware that the military has. This whole thing started 5 years ago when my parents took me here to NAS Oceana and the Norfolk Naval Station as a stop on our way to DC. We just happened to stop here the same day that they were commissioning the USS Harry Truman, the latest carrier at that time. The president(clinton, ick) was here and the whole shebang. That day, my mom promised to get us on the commissioning of the next carrier. So here we are, 5 years later, and she fulfilled her promise. She made donations to the navy league, wrote her local congresswoman, etc, and we have tickets to the commissioning on sunday. Its going to be awesome.

The vice president is speaking, we will not only get on the aircraft carrier, but have a seat during the ceremony, and are going to an after party where lee greenwood is performing. Its all really exciting. For those of you who know band literature, my dad is good friends with Steve Millello(of stormworks fame) and he is writing a piece for the commissioning that the navy band is performing. He may be coming with us if he doesnt get any passes for himself. Its going to be such an awesome time.

Today, i drove to cleveland intl airport and flew out to norfolk. First off, we had an avionics failure in the plane that needed to be replaced before we took off. I met my parents in norfolk late since they were flying in from chicago, and found out they lost one of their bags. We got to the hotel, then decided to walk around town, found someplace to eat, and then headed over to the Nauticus, the Naval Museum in downtown norfolk. Our hotel is right downtown, so we are in walking distance of almost anything. We went through the museum, i bought something very pretty for katie, then took a tour of the USS Wisconsin, which is a battleship that is on inactive reserve(meaning it can be sent to sea in time of a national emergency). After that, i talked to katie(i forgot to call her and told her i got here ok cause of all the craziness at the airport) then we took the Norfolk harbor cruise, where we rode a boat all around the harbor. From Newport News shipyard(the largest shipyard in the world, they make all the navy's ships) to the Norfolk Naval Station, we saw so much. I took a ton of pictures, but the crazy ghetto internet here in the hotel room wont let me upload them to my website(ill get them all up once i get back, dont worry) There are so many ships in port at NNS, 3 aircraft carriers(including the reagan and the USS Enterprise) over 20 Missile frigates/destroyers/cruisers, a handful of submarines and many supply and support ships. For someone like me, its very very exciting. I cant wait untill the commissioning ceremony on saturday!

Tomorrow, we are going to take a tour of the Naval Air Station Oceana then head over to Virginia Beach for some good time with the sun so im not so goddamn pasty. Going to be a nice relaxing day.

Hope all is well with everyone else, i miss my girl, i wish she could be here!!

Hopefully more posting tomorrow night with news of what ive been up to!

*****************************************
Positive: BOATS!
Negative: Airlines suck so much, its not even funny
Quote: "Thats one big ass ship." - my Dad
Song of the day: Press On - Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Cool Mac Moment: Im on my laptop in Norfolk! That, and iPhoto is working wonders for editing my bad pictures i took today, and sorting out the unusable ones!
*****************************************

Im still alive, i promise!

Here i am, going a week without posting...bad wags, bad wags. Heres the run down.

Last wed, i went to class, then drove home to chicago. Spent the night doing nothing, lounging around the house with my mom and i fell asleep at 9. Yes, 9pm. I suck.

The next morning, i went downtown with my dad to the doctor with him, then to the new apple store. (pictures to come soon). The store is awesome, 2 stories, one of apples new flagship stores. For those of you following my laptop woes, they were clueless about the problems im having with it, so i opted to just buy a new hard drive for it. Im thinking about selling it on ebay and getting a 12 inch powerbook. I dont know, im going to wait and see if they are upgraded soon, though.

That night, Martha(the last remaining high school friend i have) and i went to Tinley Park, IL for DMB show number 3. Pretty good set, awesome seats, terrible acoustics. Im never going back to that venue again. Heres the setlist...

Don’t Burn The Pig 
Granny 
Fool To Think 
One Sweet World 
Pay For What You Get 
Drive In Drive Out 
Bartender 
You Never Know 
Where Are You Going 
#41 
Too Much 
Dreaming Tree 
Tripping Billies 
Crash 
Rapunzel 
__________________
 
(Blue Water) 
Typical Situation 
(Intro) 
What You Are 

(song name) indicates a partial song


Full band blue water was really good. Really exciting to see them pull that out, plus the new What You Are intro is just plain sick. The acoustics are really just god awful there, though. I cant even believe how bad they were. A good thing? I weasled my way out of the parking lot in 5 minutes, rather then an hour. Hehehe, im so clever. After a lovely stop at steak and shake, back home to bed.

4th of july. Woot. Went to watch the parade with mom to take pictures of my dads high school band. It was the first time in a long time that i have seen the band and not been marching. My dad has this thing where alumni can come back and march in the 4th parade, but since i had the surgery on my throat and havent played in over 2 years, i figured it wouldnt work, plus i didnt make any of the rehersals. We had a nice cook out that night(minus the wasps) and saw the fireworks that they shot off at the country club behind my house. I even played secret agent man(insert music) and snuck out onto the golf course with the fam and sat on the green to watch the 'works. Good times.

On the 5th, i got up, kind of jerked around the house, did some laundry, had some lunch, etc...then Martha came at 2 to pick me up so we could drive to East Troy, Wisconsin for dmb show 4 and 5. The drive was fun, had some funny moments, checked into our hotel and got to the show in good time. We went to lake geneva for dinner at a place called popeyes, which was really good. Not the fried chicken chain, this was a sit down resteraunt that was owned by a Americas Cup winner. Pretty good...had a Gyro :-) We headed off to the show then, had a few beers in the parking lot that we took along, then headed in. Robert Randolph and the Family Band opened, and they were smokin. Too bad they only have 1 CD out thats a live CD with 5 tracks, cause the play some good stuff. The concert was awesome, good set and good crowd. Heres the setlist from that night.


Grey Street 
Crush 
When The World Ends 
Say Goodbye 
Loving Wings 
Where Are You Going 
What Would You Say 
Angel 
Ants Marching 
Cry Freedom 
Last Stop 
The Stone 
If I Had It All 
Satellite 
Jimi Thing 
Two Step 
__________________
 
The Maker 
Rapunzel 

Another solid set, not a bad song in it. Rapunzel was off the hook and ants in the middle of the set was such a throwoff.(its normally a closer for those of you non-dmb fans) Martha and i parked about 100 yards from the exit, and it took us over an hour to get out of the damn parking lot(aka grass field). Sucked. However, her CRV was a trooper in making sure we kept our spot in the line. Went back to the hotel, slept in the room that "smelt of must" and then got up the next morning to check out at noon.

Now, mind you, i knew that it was supposed to rain like mad on sunday. How do i know such information? BECAUSE I WATCH THE WEATHER CHANNEL. I told martha, if its pouring, i wont want to stay at the show. She thought that was dumb, but i stuck to my guns. We went to this place called millies for breakfast, kinda tasty, then to find more pre show festivities beer. Not only did we find beer, but chex mix, gum, water for after the show, and martha(being the strangest woman i know) had to have fried chicken for after the show, so we got some KFC. Shes insane. "Well, i had me some bacon, now fried chicken, if only i had some beef to top off my day" - Martha

We watch nasty clouds roll into ET(does gang symbol) and parked, had some beer and chicken...then it rained. No, scratch that. It poured. No, scratch that. Hurricane Tommytoughnuts came through and wrecked the world. 12 people got hit by lightning(they were all leaning on a metal fence and the fence got hit) and the lot got flooded. It rained up untill the show started...ick. Especially since we were on the lawn. The people we were around were awesome, but in general, the crowd sucks on the lawn. People there just for the scene. Blegh. Here was the set for that night.

Don’t Drink the Water 
Rhyme & Reason 
Fool To Think 
One Sweet World 
Song That Jane Likes 
Crash 
Bartender 
Too Much 
Dancing Nancies 
Warehouse 
Grace Is Gone 
Help Myself 
So Much To Say 
Minarets 
Stay 
__________________
Digging a Ditch 
Intro 
What You Are 

Nancies into warehouse was so old school. SMTS into minarets was incredible too. It was a decent set, hearing 2 songs(minarets and help myself) that ive never seen live before. Fink(marthas nickname) and i ran out to the car to try to get a head start. We get out, drink our water and finish off the rest of our chicken, and end up finding a back way out of Alpine Valley, so instead of the 2 hours we figured it would take, it only took 20 minutes. Drove home to chicago, got home by 1, then sleepy time.

Woke up the next morning to total ass rain storms, packed my stuff and headed back to BG. Got here around 330, and i finally got to see katie for a small bit. Its so good to see her, ive missed her more then words can even say. Had dinner with the Abell family(including sister and grandparents) and played tech support guy for the whole night. Anything to help out the family. Since katie couldnt leave her house, i went home and got some sleep.

Got up this morning, went to fizix lab, then had "lunch" with katie. Working 2-10 today, and damn if we didnt have the storm of jesus. Roof blown off of the airport, off of the music building and heavy damage to the fieldhouse. 2 planes collided on the BG airport runway and a helicopter got damaged as well. 50+ trees estimated down, a tree through a window at the health center, plus other misc damage. Pretty nasty. 2 more waves of storms coming too. WoooooOOooOOOOoooOOoooOOo. Good thing i get to see katie tonight, though :-)

Well, now that i just made the post of jesus, im goin to get back to work. Hope all is well with everyone, and i hope to post the pictures of my trip up soon. I may not post again untill next week sometime, tomorrow i have class and work all day, then thursday morning im driving to cleveland ITL arpt then flying to norfolk for the commissioning of the U.S.S Ronald Reagan, the newest aircraft carrier for the navy. Mom has some friends in high places that got us into the ceremony and onto the ship. Its going to be an awesome thing to see. So ill be out untill sunday in beautiful norfolk VA, one of my favorite places in the world.

Leave me some love in EL chatterbox, and all my crazy travelling will be over soon!

*****************************************
Positive: THE GIRL IS HOME!
Negative: Stormy McStormerson kicked BG's ass
Quote: "ICE CREAM!!!!" - Katie
Song of the day: Best When Your On Top - Wallflowers
Cool Mac Moment: Apple store in chicago....*drool*
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