What OS Are You?

BBspot - Upcoming '24' Focuses on Jack Bauer Eating a Sandwich

"Listen to me," Jack says, grabbing the cashier by the shirt. "I need you to take the pickles off now. There's no time to explain – you're going to have to trust me.

American Baby

Here is the download for a captured AOL stream of the new DMB single, American Baby from their upcoming album, Stand Up, due in stores May 8th.

Listen to me, im such an asshat.

American Baby - mp3

Overall, i like the sound. Its progressive for them. Somewhat everyday-esque, but i think its good, especially if all of the hype in their interviews comes to be true.

Let me know what you think.

Incredible

If you havent seen the Full Theatrical Trailer for Star Wars: Episode 3, here is your chance to get it. Its about 26mb, in divx. Trust me, its worth the wait of the DL.


Episode 3 Trailer - Divx

BAHAHAHA

<3 for t3h j3ff

[15:58] Jeff: PAP
[15:58] Waggoner98: DAMN TREEHUGGERS!
[15:58] Jeff: that's for voting for that bitch kerry
[15:58] Jeff: whuPAP
[15:58] Jeff: and that's for being a hippy
[15:58] Jeff: I figure that's what a bitchslap sounds like
[15:58] Jeff: whuPAP

Awesome...

/darthvaderbreathingnoise

VACATION++

3 weeks from tomorrow....

I wish IT Security was Jack Bauer's Area....

Watch This Video To See Why...

FANGS!

1 Room Data Center

I've updated my page that has pictures of all my different computer setups since I interned here in columbus almost 3 years ago. You can check it out HERE.

Notice the following in the Columbus 2005 picture

Server
Pentium 4 1.6 GHZ
1 GB DDR
20 GB Operating System Drive
80 GB Backup Drive
60 GB Storage Drive

Attached Brother HL 1440 Laser Printer

Machine 1(Homebuilt Gaming Rig)
Pentium 4 3.0 GHZ
1 GB Dual Channel DDR400
80 GB HD
DVD/CD-RW
Geforce FX 5600
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 - 5.1 THX Surround Sound

Machine 2(All Purpose Macintosh)
Apple Macintosh PowerMac G4
Quicksilver - 800 MHZ
1 GB RAM
120 GB HD
17" Apple Cinema Display
17" CRT
iSight Camera
2.1 Sound System

4GB Silver iPod Mini

ElGato EyeTV 200

Blackberry 7510

Vonage IP Phone System

Linksys Broadbrand Router
Linksys Wireless Access Point(802.11 G)


Theres alot of stuff to keep me busy....whaddya all think?

Columbus Weather

I cant wait for spring...

Check it out

Napster's quarterly revenue is now greater than iTunes' weekly revenue

BTW, props to a good friend of mine, Bill Palmer for having another successful website!

age++

Happy Birthday, Jman!

ITS CURSED!

4 8 15 16 23 42

Ownership

This is for you, Webproze...

Llama, llama, cheesecake, llama...

The Llama Song

Hahaha...

Thanks to Holly for this one...

Something for Everyone To Check Out

Especially those of you about my age starting out on your own with your finances, this is a great thing for you to check. It is a free credit report for you to read through. It can show you a great history of your credit as well as inquiries and accounts. Definately something for you all to look into. I'm sure I did.

AnnualCreditReport

THE PLANNING BEGINS

SLOKA AND WAGS DMB TOUR '05

Sat / Jun 04 / Post-Gazette Pavilion / Burgettstown, PA *
Sun / Jun 05 / Post-Gazette Pavilion / Burgettstown, PA *
Tue / Jun 07 / Germain Amphitheatre / Columbus, OH *
Wed / Jun 08 / Germain Amphitheatre / Columbus, OH * (yes, that IS my birthday!!!oneone!11!!!)

Potential Dates for Martha and Wags DMB Tour 05?

Sat / Jul 23 / Alpine Valley Music Theatre / East Troy, WI *
Sun / Jul 24 / Alpine Valley Music Theatre / East Troy, WI *

These dates couldnt work out better IF THEY TRIED.(Well, they could have put Tinley Park before Alpine, but im not complaining, lol)


This is going to be ANOTHER great summer of DMB!

Some good...good...good news....

This makes me so happy....i could cry...:)

IRONY DEFINED!

Im going to be participating in a web seminar next week on information security, with the Information Security Officer from THIS COMPANY as one of the key speakers.


Is this real or is this a fantasy? - Queen

Expletives Are Funny!

In this season of Lent and spirituality, I feel the n33d to share this story with my fellow bloggers.

So...badandy(BA) and I were in alabama a few months ago, returning from lunch. He was driving, and we were still getting familiar with the area. I had been giving him some static about it on the way to lunch, during lunch and on the way back, so i assume he was gettins somewhat sick of me harping on him about directions. That, of course, led me to do it more. (sidenote, i <3 BA) After a few missed turns on the way to lunch, and almost missing one on the way back, we come to the drive to enter the client's building.

Wagz: I think thats where we turn...
BA: Naw...
Wagz: (watches as we drive past)
BA: wait...
Wagz: Yeah...that was it alright...

Now comes one of the funniest unintentional expletives i have ever heard.

BA: "F$%& ME JESUS!"

Now...the thing you have to know about BA is he has a tendancy to speak quickly. His intent, from his explanation was as follows...

BA: "F$%& ME!!!" (pause) "Jesus!!!"

Instead, it turned into an incident of BA requesting sexual favors from the savior of many.

/raises glass
Heres to you, BA.

Been Almost A Week..

Havent posted in close to a week...wow how the time flies. Heres a quick update.

1. Went home to chicago for the weekend. Here are some tips. Dont keep cats who rarely see each other cooped up in the same house. Hissing ensues. Also, MRI's are the devil. THE DEVIL.

2. Had a work meeting on monday in the middle of nowhere indiana. Broke up the 6 hour return trip from chicago to columbus.

3. Cought a cold. /sneeze.

4. Getting ready for the sloka visit this weekend. Drinking and Debauchery will ensue.

5. Ive had 2 overnights since january 1. Thats unheard of. I aint complaining.

6. Im addicted to Snapple's Element drinks again. Check them out. My favorite is Rain. No, its not really rain....fewls.

7. Fantasy baseball is almost here. Im in a work league and a league with some old college friends. Assbeating will ensue.

8. 24 is getting better and better. Jack Bauer Sig Sauer Power Hour continues to ensue.

9. Andy Morin. This one is for you since you bitched at me for not updaing....and yes, that birthday message was funny.

10. New ipods from apple. No big change, 6gb minis, cheaper ipod photos, etc. Marketshare++

11. I want a G5. I need a G5. Send paypal donations to bjwaggoner@Mac.com

12. Callie has decided that she MUST sleep on my back during the night. I swear shes got issues.

13. Im addicted to button down dress shirts. I bought 8 this weekend on sale in chicago? I almost have one in every color of the rainbow. Classy++

14. Nextel almost lost their godlike customer service status with me. Bitchy CSR's never help your reputation.

15. No gun range this week. Maybe next week? Probably better since someone thinks i "love guns and am dangerous". Crazy.

16. The equinox is getting close to 1 year old. It also just hit 18,000 miles. Travel++

17. Im tired of world of warcraft. Im tired of SWG. Jman is trying to get me pumped for matrix online. Games dont get me excited anymore? Maybe battlefield 2.

18. Having a glock keychain is a very unique conversation starter.

19. Winter sucks. Bring on t3h spr1ng0rz.

20. That penguin picture on the right side beneath my profile still makes me laugh.


That should do it. Leave me some comments or chattabox luv.

Range Trip #3 in 7 Days

Ill keep this short and sweet.

Headed back to NASR with my buddy Keith today. He has some pretty sweet guns, all revolvers except this winchester hand cannon that has so much compression charge force, my hand hurts from firing 5 rounds out of it.

I fired a few sets, at 15 feet and 25 feet.


15 Feet


25 Feet


As you can see, accuracy is getting better. Esp since most of the hits on the 25 foot target is with keith's .357 magnum.

Off to bed...been a long long day.

OMFG STEAM R0XX0RZ T3H BIG ONE!11111

Flash / Posting And You...

Irony Photographed

Sometimes, Jeff just makes it waay too easy for me...

Fark.com Makes me Happy

Sample headline from fark.com....

Drugs smuggled over the border in car batteries. Feds break it up with Operation Jump Start. Somewhere, in some federal building, some guy in charge of naming operations is thinking, "Dude. I roXXor"


I love those guys...

The Best Thing to Happen To The Republican Party

Howard Dean. What a Jackass.


During a meeting with the CBC on Friday, Dean joked, "You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here."


Im speechless.

Ha...

From a coworker...

Three men are sittin' on a bench.
one's a Texan wearing a Stetson, one's a Muslim wearing a turban,
and the third is an Apache with an eagle feather woven in his hair.

the Apache is rather glum and says
"once my people were many, but now we are few."

the Muslim puffs up and says
"once my people were few, but now we are many."

the Texan adjusts his Stetson, finishes rolling a smoke, leans back in
his chair and drawls,
"that's coz we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet."

Linux is taking over...

Slashdot | Linux-Based Cat Feeder

This could be the funniest /. article ive seen in a long time. The best part is definately the comments at the bottom.

Here are some excerpts...

In order to stay current with all Linux features, Microsoft Feed (tm) will be bundled with the next major release of Windows.

The early insider-only reviews contain the following highlights:
The feeder dispenses 70kg of food at a time no matter what size cat you have.
Users of the feeder must use Microsoft CatChow (tm) or an authorized, licensed, compatible cat food (MS-ALCCF). Non-Microsoft licensed cat foods "may" cause your cat to crash.
The feeder contains hidden, Microsoft-only APIs to connect to Microsoft LitterBox (tm) and Microsoft ScratchingPost (tm). These products will be available early next year.
To show Microsoft's committment to open standards, any kind of water may be used with the Feeder product, although Microsoft may "extend" the Water Standard anytime in the future in incompatible ways.

I want Chicken, I want Liver...
Linux, Linux Please Deliver...

So can you also set up a cron job to clean the litter box?

Hardware hacking and Python? Pfft. All he had to do is this:
% cat < /tmp/tastyFish
What are they teaching young admins in college these days, anyway?

$ cat "food in tin cans"
cat: cannot open food in tin cans



I was wheezing i was laughing so hard....

Jeff on Dating

How to tell if i have found a bad date...

Jeff: if she stalks you, shaves your head, kills your cat, and converts your NTFS partition to FAT32
Waggoner98: MAN
Waggoner98: nothing worse than file system conversion.
Waggoner98: bitch.
Jeff: yeah...that sucks

Safar RSS - Will Change How I Browse

I cant wait for Tiger to be released, also known as Mac OS 10.4. The main reason im looking forward to it is for the new version of Safari, that incorperates full RSS support.

I never got into RSS that much untill a few weeks ago, when Jman showed me Bloglines. Its a pretty slick service that lets you input different RSS feeds and browse them in one spot online. I.e. create your own online newspaper. I have over 20 different feeds now, mostly other peoples blogs that have XML or Atom feeds, but still good.

Safari's RSS support looks to be incredible. Now if only Safari would come out for PC's, so i didnt have to use Firefox at work...dont get me wrong, me rikey firefox, but its no safari....

Apple - Mac OS X - Tiger Preview - Safari

Hero Worship?

best part was him playing a democrat on the west wing....kind of like alan alda playing a republican on the west wing? Irony anyone?

Man I Love Ron Silver...

I Am Now Accepting Donations

Maybe its time to look into getting a G5?


While encoding a battlestar galactica ep to divx...

FISH++

Callie is celebrating Lent like the rest of you good catholics.

The Results Are In

Tonight was a special night for me. I found my love.

She is cold. She is black. She is deadly.

She is a Sig Sauer P226. A 9mm handgun that is so money.

I went back up to New Albany Shooting range, rented the Sig that i looked at earlier this week. This gun was alot heavier than the glock i used, and bulkier. This one used a hammer, unlike the glock, which gives it a bit stranger action when fired. Its not much of a change, but noticable. I also noticed that the trigger on this weapon was alot less sensitive than the glock as well, taking alot more pressure on the trigger to make the weapon fire. Im not sure if that is adjustable or not, but i actually liked it better after using it for a while.

I picked up 150 rounds, 5 targets and my ear and eye protection, and i was off.

First Distance = 10 feet.

I put 2 targets on the rack at 10 feet.

10 Feet - RightTarget

10 Feet - Left Target

As you can see, with both of these, i was firing up and to the right a bit. The more i slowed down and tried to compensate, the more it happened. I had alot more luck when i fired through all 10 rounds in the magazine in succession.

Second Distance = 20 Feet

20 Feet - Right Target

20 Feet - Left Target


Third Distance - 30 Feet

30 Feet - Single Target


At thirty feet, all bets were off...i havent shot that much, and at that range, my accuracy was pretty poor. I guess ill have to work on that.

Ill probably be going again tomorrow or saturday. Then taking oyer on sunday. Gonna be good times.

How Thirteen Thirtyseven of them...

Who Watches the Watchers?

Slashdot | Symantec Antivirus May Execute Virus Code

Something to do if you are bored

Ever Google yourself? Youd be suprised what will show up. My ex roommate max and i would use google image search to see what kind of messed up pictures would show up if we googled our names. The first time i did this...one of the site that it threw up was "Naked Pictures of Lyle Waggoner"

/shudder

Google Search: "brian waggoner"

Double Standard++

I find it ironic that the person who asked me to delete some comments off my blog yesterday because they were "offensive" to them had this as part of a post on their website. They posted this as part of a Dwight Eisenhower speech.

Don't think you're going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don't be afraid to go in your library and read every book, as long as any document does not offend our own ideas of decency. That should be the only censorship.

irony++
double standard++

When will things come back to normal around here?

I Would Have Never Taken The Thing Off My Head

Hell would have frozen over...this would have been the best device ever made.


Satellite radio on iPod? - Feb. 9, 2005

I have no sweetheart, but you blog readers...

roses are #FF0000
violets are #0000FF
all my base
are belong to you

I <3 JMan

Jason L: so i'm in the potty
Waggoner98: ok, TMI already
Jason L: so i go to the bathroom
Jason L: where some guy is having dysentary
Jason L: i was at the urinal, he was in a stall
Jason L: so yeah, so his ass is painting the porcelain
Jason L: then i hear
Jason L: 'beep beep' 'beep beep beep'
Jason L: he's shitting his guts while he's jacking around on his phone
Jason L: "im txtn u frm shttr"
Waggoner98: i closed the window because when i saw you write "im txtn u frm shttr" i snorted
Jason L: shttr hot n stnky
Jason L: can u snd tp?
Jason L: ned hlp

Iming at work makes me happy.

Best Email Forward EVER

Ohh...the people i know that will whine and piss and moan about this...lol. I love it


WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR GEORGE W. BUSH GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?


My Fellow Americans:
As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.

Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the worlds nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.

In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home.
On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China.

To Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Yo, boys. Work out a peace deal NOW. Just note that Camp David is closed. Maybe all of you can go to Russia for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too. I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis.


I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put em? Yep, border security.
So start doing something with your oil.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty ---starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them be saying, "darn tootin."

Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. It is time to eliminate World Cup Soccer from America.


To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys. We owe you and we won't forget. To the nations on List 2, a final thought. Drop dead.

God bless Ame rica.
Thank you and good night.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.



Thanks AU, /salute

Why I Love The Second Ammendment - Anti Gun Liberals Need Not Read

As I have eluded to in my previous posts, ive had some personal crap going on. I havent really talked to many people about it, and im certainly not going to divulge the details of it here on the weblog. Sorry readers, i just dont think its the correct forum to do so. If youd like to chat, email, call, IM me.

After the weekend i had, i knew i needed to get out and release some stress, frustration and other feelings that were not helping me get through the week. What is the best way for a conservative male such as myself to do that?

Target Practice.

Thats right. After work yesterday, i took a coworker to the local place to unload some rounds, the New Albany Shooting Range. This place is pretty nice. Its a nice place for enthusiasts(such as my coworker) and casual shooters(such as myself). Their range is incredible. It is indoor, ventilated so that it pulls the smoke away from you, and they have an INCREDIBLE selection of handguns to rent. This being my first time shooting a handgun in a long time, i decided to go with something relatively simple, and picked a 9mm Glock 17c. Its a larger handgun, holds 10 rounds in the clip and had a trigger safety. This thing was incredible. I was so excited to finally get to use a Glock, that my hands were shaking when i was loading the clip. The thing fired great, and i spent about 120 rounds all together.

I had 3 targets, one at 10 feet, one at 20 feet and one at 30 feet. My accuracy, to be expected was pretty decent at 10 feet and 20 feet. I hit the target 100% of the time and hit within the 5 point circle about 90%. At 20, i still was hitting the target 100%, but was within the 5 point circle closer to 60%. At 30 feet, i was a mess. I hit the target about 60% of the time, and within the 5 point circle closer to 20%. I guess its not bad for picking up the weapon with 0 training and taking shots at the target.

The range was pretty cost effective, 15$ for range rental, 10$ for gun rental, 7$ for a box of ammunition a few dollars for ear and eye protection and 50 cents per paper target. I had a great time, the guys were helpful and the range was awesome. Im sure im going to be spending alot more time there, there is a Sig Sauer that is calling my name to be fired, and with this range so close, its a no brainer.

Anyone in the columbus area want to come with me? Hell, ill even spring for the gun rental for you :P

2/3 Of the Country....Too bad not 2/3 of Congress

Poll: Strong Support for ANWR

Wow...

Something everyone should listen to, even if you arent a hacker.

More Food For Thought After My Stupid Long Post...

She told him shed rather fix her makeup
Than try to fix whats going on
But the problem keeps on calling
Even with the cellphone gone
She told him that she believes in living
Bigger than shes living now
But her world keeps spinning backwards
And upsidedown
Dont say so long in the cellphone
Dont spend today away
Cuz today will soon be

Gone, like yesterday is gone,
Like history is
Gone, just trying to prove me wrong
And pretend like your immortal

She said he said live like no tomorrow
Every day we borrow
Brings us one step closer to the edge (infinity)
Where your treasure, wheres your hope
Forget the world and lose your soul
She pretends like she pretends like shes immortal
Dont say so long
Your not that far gone
This could be your big chance to makeup
Today till soon be

Gone, like yeterday is gone,
Like history is gone,
The world keeps spinning on,
Your going going gone,
Like sumemr break is gone,
Like saturday is gone
Just trying to prove me wrong
You pretend like your immortal your immortal

We are not infinite
We are not permanate
Nothing is immediate
Were so confident
In our accomplishments
Look at how dark it is

Gone, like frank sinatra
Like elvis and his mom
Like al pacino's cash nothing lasts in this life
My highschool dreams are gone
My childhood sweets are gone
Life is a day that doesnt last for long

Life is more than money
Time was never money
Time was never cash,
Life is still more than girls
Life is more than hundred dollar bills
And oh the town fills
Life more than fame and rock and roll and thrills
All the riches of the kings
And up in wills we got information in the information age
But do we know what life is
Outside of our conveinent lexus cages

She said he said live like no tomorrow
Every moment that we borrow
Brings us closer to the God whos not short of cash
Hey bono Im glad you asked
Life is still worth living, life is still worth living

Switchfoot - Gone

Happy Birthday!

My Blog hit its 2nd birthday as of yesterday!

Happy birthday, Blog!


/confetti

We Were Meant To Live For So Much More

So much has happened lately. I havent really felt like posting about it, just cause its stuff i keep private. Its been pretty rough and im working through alot. I want to thank those close to me for being there for me. My health has been really rocky lately, and ill leave it at that.

Have you read through your high school yearbooks lately? Look at all the things people wrote to you. Do you still even remember those people? Can you put a name with a face? I was reading through those things, trying to figure out what the hell has gone wrong with my life since high school. Professionally, ive done well. I succeeded in school, got good grades, was in tons of outside activities, excelled at work, was a role model to many people at BG and did everything i could to get everything i could out of school.

Personally...ive wasted away to nothing. There was a period of time where i thought i had become a new person. I had 2 serious relationships during college, both of them ended in EXTREME heartbreak. The first one was out of my control, the latest....god knows what really happened. Ive been consistantly chasing the dream of happiness i knew since i was a kid. In my time growing up, i always thought id have some kind of relationship that my parents had. At first, it was the high school sweetheart thing that they had, and i had a great relationship my senior year of high school. Looking back at it, it was the most personal relationship i had. I wasnt trying to be someone i wasnt, i wasnt trying to hide anything or do things that wasnt me. However, i was young and naive. Id give anything right now to have a relationship that pure. It was the only time i felt like i was in a 100% reciprocated relationship. There never was a question if she needed me, or if i needed her. We both knew. Then i did the customary thing, and blew it. Around the year mark, as usual, i botched it. I made some lame excuse, talked myself into thinking id be happier somewhere else, and in the end, all i wanted was her back. But i had wrecked it. The trust was gone, the love eventually was gone, and the thing i longed for so much was gone.

In college, i didnt know what to expect. I was alot different than most of my friends, and my sophomore year, i met and dated someone who i connected with pretty well. I finally found a way to open myself to someone after what had happened in high school, and trusted her with everything i had. In the end, i was betrayed in one of the worst ways possible, and it sent me into one of the worst places in my life i had ever been to. I wondered why it happened. I didnt know if i had caused these things, if it was because of her, or me, or what? Was i still the person that all my teachers and friends admired in high school? Had i changed into someone else that was a bad person?

Now, im out of school, i had a fiancee, thought it was the real deal, and still do in some regards. I connected with this person in a very deep way, almost a 'read my mind" kind of way. However, there were so many core differences that one of us wouldnt compromise on, it just became sandpaper on sandpaper. Was i being inflexible? Was i being too selfish? I dont know. I love this person with every fiber of my being, but i dont know what to do. She has it set in her mind that we are too different, and she thinks she knows what i want, but we barely know each other anymore. I do know that something has changed in her, and i can feel an emptiness between us that has scared me shitless lately. It feels cold and barren, like the love that was there is now gone. I know i love her, but i get the feeling its not reciprocated. What could i have done to cause this? Is it just me, or have i become something else?

I was always well respected and thought to be a model person in high school...am i the same person? Im sure the answer to that is no, but what does that mean? Have i become a better man, or have i become something i would be dissapointed in if i saw myself 5 years ago. I was surrounded by people in high school that told me i was such a great person and i effected their life in such a huge way...and right now, i dont know if anyone would think that. If so, i could probably count them on one hand.

I guess it boils down to me not being sure that i like who i am anymore. Is it because the person i love doesnt love me? Not really, its more that im realizing that theres alot about me that isnt lovable. Everyone has relationship issues in their lives, and i dont know why i cant deal with the bad things that have happened in the 3 major ones ive had. Id love to say, "Live and learn, then move on" from these, but for some reason, the errors and mistakes ive made in these relationships haunt me still to this day. I dont know if its a matter of me not being able to live with myself after causing someone so much pain, then having so much pain caused to me...now seeing a mixture of that happening....i honestly dont know. I spend so much time now wondering who i am and what ive become, and i keep coming up with no answer. Maybe ive become a nothing.

I live my life trying to be one thing, someone that at the end of my life, i would be proud of, and that those i love would be proud of. However, i cant get past the fact that so much has happened that for one reason or another i am not proud of. I dont want to hurt those that i love, but for some reason, around the time im in a relationship for a year, somehow i do something that causes the relationships to self destruct. Wether its me breaking up with them, or causing my sig oth to cheat, i dont know what it is. Do i have some sort of massechistic behavior that i NEED to have some kind of drama in my life to feel like ive accomplished something? Do i not know how to be happy or keep myself and others happy? I honestly dont know.

I know i keep asking all of these questions, and maybe this entry is more for my own benefit than to you, the reader, but im seriously trying to figure out what the hell is going on with my life anymore, and my answer is always a big fat nothing.

Id love to hear any insight anyone may have.

BW


Some food for thought lyrics.


Fumbling his confidence
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's meant for more than arguments
And failed attempts to fly

We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside

Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken...

Why I Should Work For CSI

C:\>ping 304.567.83.456
Ping request could not find host 304.567.83.436. Please check the name and try again.

Someone needs to teach CSI producers(and 24 producers as well) about how network IP address schemes work. Its like saying...

Bauer: QUICK, WHATS THE NUMBER?!?!
CTU: Phone number is.......umm.....567-9872-0938-23894

/sigh

GET OUT OF THE WATER!

David Pescovitz: Nine-month-old Milagros Cerron has sirenomelia, a rare condition characterized by fused legs and feet. Peruvian doctors will try to separate Cerron's legs later this month. From a Reuters report:

MemaidbabyFrom the waist up, Milagros smiles and babbles like any healthy infant. Below the waist, her stomach merges seamlessly into her legs, which are joined all the way to her heels.

With her tiny feet splayed in a 'V', the impression of a mermaid's forked tail is complete.

The bones of both legs are visible and move separately, "as if she wanted to get free of this sack," (doctor Luis) Rubio said.


Courtesy of Jman

This could officially be the funniest website ever

I wet myself i laughed so hard reading this page.

My First Vid Project in a While

Those of you who know me know that I love to edit video. With the purchase of my EyeTv, i now have even more types of video i can edit. I took this weeks 24 episode, converted it from the eyetv format into imovie, and edited it into a 3ish minute highlight clip. Its pretty rough, and i know the music level is too high, however, i think its still pretty good.

Download it and check it out!


Jack Bauer Highlight Video Download

Trying to be Fair and Balanced

While i spend most of the time preaching on here how much i love my mac and what it does, this page has a pretty good story on the top 10 blunders apple has done over the years.


Yes, it even has pictures for people like jeff. :P


Top 10 Apple Flops

Hide Your IPod, Here Comes Bill

Wired News: Hide Your IPod, Here Comes Bill

Is it just me, or is irony taking over the technology news circuit lately?

My life is a comic...

Seeing as how my character in World of Warcraft is lvl 38 right now, and im working hard to get to lvl 40 so i can use a horse and wear plate mail....this is how most people feel at my level...

Penny Arcade Comic

Good thing im a Paladin and i get a free mount...however, im still selling everything i loot to prepare for all the plate armor i need @ lvl 40....

Irony Defined.

MSN Search: Microsofts new Great Tool.

Using IM at Work is Interesting

Where i work, alot of us use Trillian to communicate with each other while in the field securely, since it allows for a secure IM feature that encrypts conversations. While most of our conversations over Trillian are professional, there are a few of us that chat socially as well, as you would have in any work environment.

I use the e-platino skin for Trillian, which allows for tabbed containers for your chatting windows, meaning that you have one window with each tab for each buddy you are chatting with. I was chatting with 2 people, both that i work with, one a coworker and one a manager. I was joking around with the coworker, the manager IMs me while i wasnt looking, and before i know it, i was typing in that window while i thought i was talking to my coworker. As you can see below, it turns interesting.

Unnamed Female Project Manager: hmm
Unnamed Female Project Manager: OK
Waggoner98: i <3 boobs
Waggoner98: whoops
Waggoner98: haha
Waggoner98: wrong IM
Waggoner98: *blush*
Unnamed Female Project Manager: la la la la la
Waggoner98: haha
Waggoner98: = idiot



Probably my finest moment where i work....and thats not saying much. Thanks to L1k3rt for reminding me that when it comes chatting, i suck.

Amazing News

My Dad sent this to me in an email...its an amazing story.

The  Straight Scoop from Charlie Daniels 

I've  just returned from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Naval Air Station base where we  did three shows for the troops and toured several locations around the  post visiting with some of the finest military personnel on planet earth.  The kids seemed to really enjoy the shows and especially liked "This Ain't  No Rag, It's A Flag" and "In America". We had a great time with them. 

We  saw Camp  X-Ray, where the  Taliban detainees are being held only from a distance, but I picked up a  lot of what's going on there from talking with a lot of different people. 

The truth of the matter is that this operation is under a  microscope. The Red Cross has an on site presence there and watches  everything that goes on very closely. The media is not telling you the  whole truth about what's going on over there. The truth is that these scum  bags are not only being treated humanely, but they are probably better off  healthwise and medically than they've ever been in their lives. They are  fed well, able to take showers and receive state of the art medical care.  And have their own Moslem chaplain. I saw several of them in a field  hospital ward where they were being treated in a state of the art medical  facility.

Now  let's talk about the way they treat our people. First of all, they have to  be watched constantly. These people are committed and wanton murderers who  are willing to die just to kill someone else. One of the doctors told me  that when they had Taliban in the hospital the staff had to really be  careful with needles, pens and anything else which could possibly be used  as a weapon. They also throw their excrement and urine on the troops who  are guarding them. And our guys and gals have shown great restraint in not  retaliating. We are spending over a million dollars a day maintaining and  guarding these nasty killers and anyone who wants to see them brought to  the U.S.A. for trial is either out of their heads or a lawyer looking for  money and notoriety. Or both.

I  wish that the media and the Red Cross and all the rest of the people who  are so worried about these criminals would realize that this is not a  troop of errant Boy Scouts. These are killers of the worst kind. They  don't need protection from us, we need protection from them. If you don't  get anything else out of this soapbox, please try to realize that when you  see news coverage much of the time you're not getting the whole story, but  an account filtered through a liberal mindset with an agenda. 

We  have two fights on our hands, the war against terror and the one against  the loudmouthed lawyers and left wing media who would sap the strength  from the American public by making us believe that we're losing the war or  doing something wrong in fighting it. Remember these are the same people  who told us that Saddam Hussein's Republican guard was going to be an all  but invincible enemy and that our smart bombs and other weapons were not  really as good as the military said that they were.

They  also took up for Bill Clinton while he was cavorting around the Oval  office with Monica Lewinsky while the terrorists were gaining strength and  bombing our Embassies and dragging the bodies of dead American heroes  around the dusty streets of Somalia. It's a shame that we can't have an  unbiased media who would just report the truth and let us make up our own  minds.

Here  I must commend Fox News for presenting both sides much better than the  other networks. They are leaving the other cable networks in the dust.  People like being told the truth.

Our  military not only needs but deserves our support. Let's give it to them. 

The  next time you read a media account about the bad treatment of the Taliban  in Cuba, remember what I told you.  Been there done that.

Footnote: I got an e-mail from a  rather irate first cousin of mine the other day who has a daughter who's a  lawyer and she seemed to think that I was painting all lawyers with the  same brush. Please understand that I'm not doing that at all. That would  be like saying that all musicians were drug addicts. There are a lot of  good and honest attorneys out there. I happen to have one of them. But it  seems that they never get any airtime. It's always the radicals who get  their opinions heard, who fight the idea of the military tribunals and  cite The Constitution and the integrity of America as  their source of justifying  their opinions. Well, first of all The Constitution says "We the people of  the United  States", it doesn't mention any other  country.

And secondly as far as integrity is concerned, I don't  think some of these folks would know integrity if it bit them in the  posterior.

What  do you think? God Bless America.

Charlie  Daniels

Its a hard task to make me speechless....

People never fail to impress me.

Heres an Idea...

Dont be an asshole and dont pirate.

The fact that the RIAA sues you doesnt mean you are innocent. The RIAA sues people who they have IDENTIFIED are spreading music in large volumes and committing mass piracy. The issues of suing someone who downloaded one song isnt the case.

These websites make me sick. Pay for your music and movies, just like everyone else. Dont be a cheap bastard, or if you are a cheap bastard, dont whine, complain and beg for money if you do get sued.

You Have To Be Kidding Me...

Someone needs to tell Arizona that their football team sucks, it always will suck, and it has always sucked. Changing their logo and uniforms isnt going to do anything. Ever since the Broncs changed them during the elway years, people think uniform and logo changes = superbowl rings. Ask Marvin Lewis how that worked for the bungles this year. (yah, that means you, badandy)

Plus....

ITS THE SAME DAMN BIRD!

If there is something Ive learned recently

Is That There Seems To Be an Abundance of Jackasses in the World.

Classy

This is purely incredible.

spoon++

Waggoner98: you = my hero
Andy: I know
Andy: even tho you're a hater sometimes
Waggoner98: you are a hater too
Waggoner98: but in the end
Waggoner98: we luv
Andy: spoon++

SBC Can Sit and Spin

After SBC disconnected my phone for the 2nd time in as many months for failing to send me a bill, then accusing me of not paying, i cancelled my service with them, and went withVonage - The Broadband Phone Company. These guys are pretty slick. Using existing broadband internet connection you may have for phone usage.

14.99 a month for 500 anytime minutes and unlimited long distance. 24.99 a month for unlimited minutes. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

If you are thinking of signing up too, let me know and ill give you some info, plus you can use me as a referral.

iTunes Music Store Downloads Top a Quarter Billion Songs

iTunes Music Store Downloads Top a Quarter Billion Songs

Im speechless, however i felt the need to BABAI.

Worlds Safest Operating System

mi2g Lists Worlds Safest Computer Operating Systems

What i find most suprising isnt that OS X ties for the top spot, but that linux is listed as the LEAST safe. Who knew?

Apparently some tech security minded brits, thats who.

The answer to all problems...

Elgato Systems

Check this company out. They have created a device that acts as a Tivo that connects to your computer, lets you record shows, edit out commercials, export them to dvd, archive them, etc. ITs pretty sweet. There are a few different models, one using USB 2.0, one using Firewire, and then a model that has an HDTV tuner in it so you can record HDTV shows and watch them on your mac.

This thing is incredible. I love my DVR i got from my cable company, but my main complaint is that i cant export it to dvd. My parents have a Tivo, which is nice, but it has the same issue. This seems to be a real good answer.


Oh, and its only for Macintosh. Hahahahahaahaha. I love my mac.

Im such a follower...

Top 10 car colors for 2005

*looks outside at the Equinox*

So pretty.

Its Alive!

Too Bad It Isnt a Mac.

My New Vacation Spot

Welcome to one of Saturn's Moons, care of the European Space Agency

Why Micro$oft is Insane

In discussions of Longhorn, this news tidbit came out...

By the time Longhorn ships, according to Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, PCs will have 4GHz to 6GHz processors, more than 2GB of memory, at least a terabyte of storage, and graphics accelerators three times more powerful than those offered by ATI and Nvidia today. He says that Longhorn is designed to take advantage of all this muscle, and nowhere is that more evident than in the in the rich, three-dimensional interface known as Aero.


Youve got to be kidding me. Sys reqs like that are insane.


Read More Here

The one with sticks....and the little boy...with the hand grenade...

Cereal Bawks

Mt Happiness....7 miles?

BJWaggoner Highway Mt. Happiness 7 Study Hall 12 Tower of Commitment 60 Valley of Depression 115 Confusion Lane 392 Please Drive Carefully

Username:

Where are you on the highway of life?

From Go-Quiz.com

ThinkGeek :: Network Security Staff

ThinkGeek :: Network Security Staff

Orange?

Scientific Study #6436

Black burmese feline subject is given 4 faux mice of the following color selection.

1 Pink
1 Blue
1 Orange
1 Green

Subject picks only the orange one, and procedes to destroy it over the course of 90 minutes.


My cat is odd.

Weekend Pleasure....

Some Thoughts on This Weekends Playoff Football-
I had high hopes for the Chargers. Oh well. They had a helluva turnaround, though.

I hate the Rams. Quote me on that.

"Superbowl or bust." - Brett Favre. Well Brett, its bust. Time to put your paperwork in.

Peyton. I love you. In the only way a heterosexual male can love another heterosexual male who holds more records for quarterbacks than a teenager has dirty dreams about supermodels.

Seattle. You are a bunch of has beens. That is all.

J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS!


Oh. Randy Moss is one of the biggest disgraces to ever come into the NFL.



Other News -

Jack Bauer is back with a vengeance. Tonight's 2 hour season premiere of 24 was incredible, and i get 2 more hours tomorrow. I love FOX. Next week...American idol. Just in time for me to be depressed that there is no football on TV anymore.

Im glad I dont have my Mac rumor website anymore. Heres to hoping you don't go to jail, Thinksecret.

World of Warcraft Rules.


That should do it. Night all.

My 2005 New Year's Resolution

Thanks to likert for this one.

In the year 2005 I resolve to: Stop checking my e-mail at 3:00 in the morning. Get your resolution here

My 2005 New Year's Resolution

I hate the world.

This country makes me want to cry at times.

Me No Rikey MircoS0ft

Windows Demonstrated in Public - And Still sucks!

I Like Ice Cream!

I Like Ice Cream!

I love my Co Workers

I love my coworkers.


Waggoner98: im asking shizzles(ed. - coworkers) if they "got blog?"
Jason L: hehehe for the blogring
Waggoner98: yeah
Waggoner98: non blogging slackass
Jason L: hahaha
Jason L: ask poluga
Jason L: bwahahaha
Waggoner98: dude
Waggoner98: poluga cant even use a computer
Jason L: omg
Jason L: can i copy > paste that to her
Waggoner98: sure
Waggoner98: she knows i <3
Jason L: hahaha
Waggoner98: tell her ill buy her graeters
Jason L: graeters?
Waggoner98: yeah
Waggoner98: shell know what i mean

Then....comes from jason...
Poluga: wait, y did wags say i cant use a computer
Poluga: not that i'm dispurting it
Jason L:: i told him to ask you if you had a blog
Poluga: hahahhahahhaha
Jason L: heh
Poluga: i dont believe in written evidence
Jason L: that's probably very good for you
Poluga: wags can marry me if he buys my graeters

Then...it gets even better...
Waggoner98: what flava
Poluga:
*** Auto-response from Poluga: i <3 work
Poluga: hahahha, blog this
Waggoner98: im blogging the quote saying i can marry you if i get you graeters
Poluga: hahaha
Poluga: if i can get a large...i might even agree to a child
Waggoner98: we could arrange that
Waggoner98: have your people call my people
Waggoner98: well get ice cream


I love these people.

Catrina's Take On The Weather

It is 33 Degrees and monsooning out....Catrina has this to say about the weather.


BW: This weather sucks.
CP: This weather sucks more than sucks.


Sucks more than sucks. Couldnt have said it better.

REJOICE

Deep Impact Live Remake Is No More - Please Come Out Of your Bomb Shelters

Back to work....

Strange weather lately, we hit mid sixties yesterday. The 90 feet of snow we had melted, now it just rains all the time. I think the next stage is locusts.

Back to work....i miss vacation. /cry.

Christmas Hangover?

Well, christmas passed, and was all in all a good time. It was nice to have the family together and spend some time with everyone. Finding time where all of us can get together is becoming harder and harder as we all get older, it sure is nice to spend time with my family, even as goofy as they can be.

Santa delivered some nice things this year, Sirius Sattelite radio for my car, a new laser printer, a mad pile of dvds(including the 3rd season of 24) and some nice clothes to wear at work and play. The gifts i gave were all a big success, so that is definately a good thing.

Football regular season is just about over. Another one in the book for Chitown, and who would have thought that injuries would have decimated this team again. I say that the bears pick a new physical training staff with their picks in the draft, but i dont think it works that way.

I hope all of you are doing well and the holidays are treating you well. Leave a comment on the right if youd like!

Under Construction

Bear with me as i rework some things on here...something goofy happened and i lost alot of my custom html code i wrote, so in a few days ill be readding some links and info.

Merry Christmas!

Merry christmas everyone!

I hope all of you have a lovely day, spend some good time with your families or loved ones, and remember what is important to you.


I know i sure know whats important to me.

Maybe ill get home...

Here i sit, in the columbus airport, waiting out a level 3 snow emergency. Its currently not safe enoug for planes to land here, and im told i may not make it out of here today...and after the 8 inches of snow and ice we got yesterday, we are supposed to get 3-5 more inches later today and tomorrow...meaning, it could get ugly.

Work has been pretty nutty lately, i did some more internal penetration work this week. Ethical hacking is pretty cool stuff, but it gets a bit dry to me. I like to interact more with clients than with their network devices.

Well, im off to check flight times. DITBABABI, morin. DITBABAI indeed.

"Let me explain...no, too much to expain...let me sum up..."

Hello all -

Its been a busy few weeks. Thank goodness the election is over quickly, and yes, im fairly pleased that GWB won with the amount he did. Id say there wont be whining from democrats that he "stole the election" like they said in 00...but i dont put much past the democratic party anymore. I about wet myself when Minority Leader Pelosi said that the Democratic party would work with The President. Part of me said "duh", the other part said "yeah right"

Work has been busy, spending time in louisville, alabama and some other places. Its been somewhat nice seeing some different locales, and working with some different people.

In good news, im going to be an uncle :) My sister informed me of this recently, and im very excited. It will be a welcome addition to the family.

In bad news, im no longer engaged. Im not going to get into it on here, i debated even posting about it, but if anyone wants to talk about it, you know where to find me.

Heading home to chicago next weekend for a bit, should be nice. Its nice to have a decent airport with 49$ fares from columbus to chicago. Thats almost cheaper than driving, and saves on time. Plus its nice to spend time with the family.

The holdiays are coming soon, and damn the weather is getting cold. Callie isnt a fan, she wants the windows open :( I like this time of year, people tend to be nicer to one another, however i havent seen that at all lately.

Well, im going to leave this entry at that. Feel free to email me or call me. bjwaggoner@mac.com

Its Finally Over

We had a long night -- and we had a great night. The voters turned out in record numbers and delivered an historic victory.

I want to thank our supporters across this country. At every stop I asked you to make the calls, put up the signs, talk to your neighbors, and get out the vote. And because you did your part, we are celebrating today. Thanks to you, we received more votes than any presidential ticket in history.

America has spoken. And I am humbled by the trust and confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty: I will serve all Americans, so help me God. I am proud to lead such an amazing country -- and I am proud to lead it forward.

Reaching our goals will require the broad support of Americans. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one Constitution, and one future that binds us all. And when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America.

A campaign has ended, and our cause is renewed. The United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith. I can see a new day coming, and I am eager for the work ahead. God bless you all, and God bless America.


- GWB


Thank goodness its over, and thank goodness The President was re-elected.

The College Tour Of 2004

While most high school seniors around this time are starting to do thier college visits to see where they potentially would like to go to college, my travels with work has taken me close to some large universities of late. Here is the list ive passed through or very close to within the past week.

Arizona State University
THE Ohio State University
Capitol University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Bowling Green State University
University of Toledo
University of Notre Dame
Indiana University - South Bend
College of St Marys
Holy Cross College
Valparasio
Purdue University

Speaking of which, here I am, in West Lafayette, IN, on a job that puts me very close to purdue. Luckily, im with a purdue alumni who will be my guide while in this lovely town ;-) Had an exciting monday, doing training for Sarbanes-Oxley work that i will be doing in the upcoming future, for those of you not familiar, Sarbanes was the legislation put through in response to the Enron and Worldcom scandals, making companies liable for their financial reporting. Really exciting stuff. Hopefully, i get to head home on wed night, letting me spend some much needed time at home for thursday - sunday. Next week, back on the road, heading to maryland, which should be nice, if it werent for the flight. After my previous post, im sure you can tell why ;-)

Fall has started, and its hit pretty hard. Its been dog cold lately, and even had a pretty decent frost in South Bend on monday morning. Idiot here didnt take anything warmer than a short sleeve polo to wear to the client, and didnt even bring a coat. I do have the nice scarf that Katie made for me last winter. However, i think id look somewhat strange wearing a polo shirt and a scarf. Im pretty sure Columbus is like the moon when it comes to weather, lately, its been around high thirtes or low forties in the morning when i get up, then balances out around high 60s low 70s in the afternoon. Then again, since coming back to work, ive been in Columbus for a grand total of 2 nights.

The apartment is working out pretty nicely, Mom and Dad came by this weekend and we got the living room finally set up alot better than it was originally by myself, after moving some things around, getting rid of some boxes and other things. Its a really nice place, i love the vaulted ceilings and the fact that i dont have to listen to people thump above me. Living on the 2nd floor is definately nice, especially when i dont have to move anything up the stairs when moving. Callie also is alot happier here, there are alot more windows she can look out, plus i dont mind leaving the shades open all the time here so she can look out the window like i did in South Bend, since i didnt really like the fact that people could walk past my windows, see all my electronics and could break in and take it when i was gone travelling. No longer.

Anyone else following the pro football season? Its odd to see that the Falcons and Lions are 2 of the most successful teams this year. Not only that the Falcons are doing well, but that Vick isnt doing that great. Im not a big fan of them trying to force feed him the west coast offense. Im sorry, but when a player of the caliber gets 0 fantasy points, its not a good thing. For him, it just seems like hes being constrained. I know Jim Mora has done a ton of good things down there, but i dont like seeing vick held back. Any idiot who has watched Atlanta for 2 seconds knows that the strength of that team is the fact that hes one of the most mobile, if not THE most mobile quarterbacks in the history of the game. FOcusing on using that threat of a scramble to make the defense guess is what would work there. Making him be a pocket passer is like trying to make a fish breathe out of water. Let him move around, let him scramble 150 yards a game. He is a smart and mature enough player to know whats best to get the game won, but for the love of god, dont try to make him a immobile pocket passer. Hes better than that, and they know it. Speaking of quarterbacks...i think its time for Favre to hang up his hat. The guy has heart, but just doesnt seem to have it anymore. While i like to see the packers at 1-4, i hate to see a legend go out like he is now. I hope he can turn them around, have a good comeback story, and retire after this year.

Well, im off to finish watching some TV and head to bed. Lookin forward to heading home tomorrow :)

Take care all!

Man, didnt i get out of this place?

So, its sunday night...and im sitting in South bend, In. Didnt i just get out of this town? Oh well, im here in the bend for training tomorrow. I thought i was going to be at a local client, but things changed last minute. Heading out to another client here in indiana tomorrow night, but i hope i can be home later this week. Things are looking good.

Phoenix wrapped up pretty well, long plane rides suck, but it makes you realize alot about the general public. Some of them are as follows....

• Despite what you may think...i really dont care where you are going and why. Im a big guy. Im uncomfortable in a plane. I dont want to hear that you are going to check on your wife to see if shes cheating on you.
• For the love of all things holy....GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE GETTING ON THE PLANE!!!! The bathrooms on the plane are not there as public restrooms, but are there as EMERGENCY restrooms if for some reason your ass is going to explode and you cant deal with it untill you land. Its not there to create a line remeniscent of a port-o-potty line at a dave matthews band concert.
  
• America West - If you are going to advertise in flight meals, even if they have to be purchasable, then MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE WHOLE PLANE. It makes people slightly irratable to be on a 4 hour flight that feels like 7 because of the time change if all there is to eat are peanuts...peanuts....and more peanuts.
• I dont know whos idea it is to sell alcohol on a plane, but the TSA should have them executed. Nuff Said.
• Why does every pilot sound like the same guy. Either they are using that voice changing box thing you see at sharper image, or all airline pilots are clones of each other. If i hear the phrase "Its gonna be alittle choppy" one more time....ill sit in my seat and not cause any problems, like a good airline passenger.
• Mother & Daughter fights are obnoxious to begin with. Put them in a confined space, and it makes it even more obnoxious. Listen, ladies. You got on the plane. Were on time. I dont care who made who late.
• Didnt we learn first on last off when in school on the school bus? Why is it everyone gets up immediately as the fasten seat belt sign is turned off? You know if you are in the last row, you are going to have to wait. Dont cut in front of people in rows in front of you. Just because you are more nimble than old lady blue hair in the seat in front of you doesnt mean you should push past her to get off the aircraft
• Blackberrys are personal electronic devices. Dont use it in flight. I dont want to be the biggest lawn dart there is.
• If your kids are obnoxious, flight attendants should bring handcuffs and duct tape with them. Noone likes kids slapping seats, bouncing on people or throwing their gameboys to their brother on the other side of the plane.
  

Im sure i could go on, but thats all i can write about without wanting to be like john madden and take a bus everywhere i go.

Football season is proving to be pretty interesting. Way to go pats, 19 game win streak is something to be proud of, as well as 5-0 as of this week. Also, can someone tell me what the deal with Detroit is?

Well, im off to watch the rest of sunday night football before i go to bed. Have a good evening, and leave some comments in the box!

Time flies when you move, work, travel...etc....

Hey everyone -

Alot has happened since my last post. The long term job i was on finally ended, im back on a normal work schedule, as if there is such a thing where i work. Back on the weekly travel schedule. But i finally did move to columbus! Last week i took my first week of vacation(yeah, i know, 10 months without a significant vacation) and moved from South Bend to Columbus. I live in a real nice suburb north of the city, and got a really nice fairly new apartment. Katie is down there as well now starting at OSU, its nice to not be 2.5 hours away, but only 10 minutes.

Im in Phoenix this week, what a beautiful area. Its the first week of october, and its 90some here. Rarely a cloud in the sky and mountains that i can see from the client site. Not bad. Travelling this week was interesting, i had my first in flight movie, and ate my first meal on an airplane. Youd think i would have done of those already with the amount of travelling i do, but this was definately a first for me. However, the movie was "White Chicks" with the wayans brothers and the food was a roast beef sandwich, it was like neil frigging armstrong for me ;-)

This year is wrapping up soon, i cant believe there are only 3 more months untill 2005. Election is coming up soon, and the race is getting close. The debates have been something of a let down. I dont understand how people can decide who WINS a debate. The partisanism comes out with that. I dont trust any polls anymore. They all seem slanted. They only way to know is on election day.

Its been a rotten few days for alot of people i know. I just want to let all of them know that my thoughts and wishes are with all of them, and i wish them all the best. If there is anything i can to do help, please let me know. I know times are rough, but any of you that need my help, let me know. Im here for you.

Well, its 5ish here, but my body thinks its 8....jetlag is fun. Franklin, let me know where you are at in columbus, and well get together.

Take care all, leave some love in the c-box!

Zell Miller - Democrat

Here are some notable snippets from the text of the speech from Zell Miller, the Democratic Sentator from Georgia last night at the RNC.

I ask which leader is it today that has the vision, the willpower and, yes, the backbone to best protect my family?

The clear answer to that question has placed me in this hall with you tonight. For my family is more important than my party.
There is but one man to whom I am willing to entrust their future and that man's name is George Bush

.
Now, while young Americans are dying in the sands of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, our nation is being torn apart and made weaker because of the Democrat's manic obsession to bring down our Commander in Chief.
What has happened to the party I've spent my life working in?

Motivated more by partisan politics than by national security, today's Democratic leaders see America as an occupier, not a liberator.
And nothing makes this Marine madder than someone calling American troops occupiers rather than liberators.

No one should dare to even think about being the Commander in Chief of this country if he doesn't believe with all his heart that our soldiers are liberators abroad and defenders of freedom at home.
But don't waste your breath telling that to the leaders of my party today. In their warped way of thinking America is the problem, not the solution.
They don't believe there is any real danger in the world except that which America brings upon itself through our clumsy and misguided foreign policy.
It is not their patriotism — it is their judgment that has been so sorely lacking. T

No pair has been more wrong, more loudly, more often than the two Senators from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

Listing all the weapon systems that Senator Kerry tried his best to shut down sounds like an auctioneer selling off our national security but Americans need to know the facts.
The B-1 bomber, that Senator Kerry opposed, dropped 40 percent of the bombs in the first six months of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The B-2 bomber, that Senator Kerry opposed, delivered air strikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan and Hussein's command post in Iraq.
The F-14A Tomcats, that Senator Kerry opposed, shot down Khadifi's Libyan MIGs over the Gulf of Sidra. The modernized F-14D, that Senator Kerry opposed, delivered missile strikes against Tora Bora.
The Apache helicopter, that Senator Kerry opposed, took out those Republican Guard tanks in Kuwait in the Gulf War. The F-15 Eagles, that Senator Kerry opposed, flew cover over our Nation's Capital and this very city after 9/11.
I could go on and on and on: against the Patriot Missile that shot down Saddam Hussein's scud missiles over Israel; against the Aegis air-defense cruiser; against the Strategic Defense Initiative; against the Trident missile; against, against, against.
This is the man who wants to be the Commander in Chief of our U.S. Armed Forces?
U.S. forces armed with what? Spitballs?

Twenty years of votes can tell you much more about a man than twenty weeks of campaign rhetoric.

John Kerry, who says he doesn't like outsourcing, wants to outsource our national security.

John Kerry wants to re-fight yesterday's war. George Bush believes we have to fight today's war and be ready for tomorrow's challenges. George Bush is committed to providing the kind of forces it takes to root out terrorists.
No matter what spider hole they may hide in or what rock they crawl under.
George Bush wants to grab terrorists by the throat and not let them go to get a better grip.
From John Kerry, they get a "yes-no-maybe" bowl of mush that can only encourage our enemies and confuse our friends.

The man I trust to protect my most precious possession: my family.
This election will change forever the course of history, and that's not any history. It's our family's history.
The only question is how. The answer lies with each of us. And, like many generations before us, we've got some hard choosing to do.
Right now the world just cannot afford an indecisive America. Fainthearted self-indulgence will put at risk all we care about in this world.
In this hour of danger our President has had the courage to stand up. And this Democrat is proud to stand up with him.

Show me a republican that spoke with such fervor at the DNC. There isnt one....because the democratic party are have the wrong idea and agenda for this country.

Political Talk

As the election comes closer, im going to start to post some talking points to clear up alot of the disinformation coming from liberals/left wingers/kerry supporters about initiatives coming FROM our president, and done BY our president.

Today, No Child Left Behind.

No Child Left Behind sets a clear objective for American education. Every child in every school must be performing at grade level in the basic subjects that are key to all learning – reading and math.

The legislation requires regular testing in these basic subjects for every child in every school, starting in the third grade. And when schools do not show progress toward high standards, better options are made available to parents, including tutoring for their children, or a transfer to a better public school.

No Child Left Behind is based on 4 key principles:

• Accountability for results
• Local control and flexibility
• New options for parents; and
• Scientifically proven teaching methods and programs.

The historic legislation insists on high standards and accountability because the President believes that every school should teach and every child can learn.

Unprecedented Commitment to Education

President Bush’s overall Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget represents a 48% increase for elementary and secondary education since FY 2001. It includes an additional:

• $1 billion in Title I funding for disadvantaged students, for a total that represents a 52% increase since FY 2001.
• $138 million for reading programs, for a total that is over four times the amount spent in FY 2001.
• $1 billion for special education programs, in total, an increase of 75% since FY 2001.

Through the No Child Left Behind Act, these historic levels of support are combined with an unprecedented commitment to achieving high standards and accountability to ensure every school across the nation is producing real results for every child in America.

Important Progress for America’s Schoolchildren

In the 24 months since President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law, the Bush administration has worked closely with state and local education leaders to put the new reforms into action.

The new law is beginning to show results.

• All 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have drawn up plans to hold every public school accountable for student achievement.
• Test results show America's children are making progress. In 2003, math scores for fourth graders nationwide were nine points higher than in 2000. Math scores for eighth graders improved by five points. And a higher percentage of fourth graders tested at or above their grade level in reading.
• 234 schools across the country have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools, which is the highest award a school can receive from the federal government. These schools have made outstanding yearly progress and have achieved historic results by using regular monitoring and assessment practices aligned with the policies in No Child Left Behind.

As a result of No Child Left Behind, the federal government is now spending more money for elementary and secondary education that at any other time in American history.

• In 2003, the Bush administration provided $234 million to assist the lowest performing schools that needed the most improvement. In 2004, the administration plans to more than double that amount. Federal funding for elementary and high school education has increased from about $25 billion in 2001, to more than $33 billion in 2003, an increase of about 36 percent, and the highest level ever.
• Since the enactment of No Child Left Behind, there has been a 43 percent increase in K-12 funding overall, a 41 percent increase in Title I funding, and reading funds have nearly quadrupled. The administration has proposed a 39 percent increase in resources for teachers and principles, and a 59 percent increase in special education.
• The administration has committed $1.8 billion in grants to help train tens of thousands of teachers to use effective reading instruction methods and materials. No Child Left Behind expects schools to do their job, and it provides the resources to help them to do their job.
• The administration has committed significant increases in funding to implementing these important reforms, but some states and school districts have not been able to take full advantage of these resources. According to the Department of Education, there is nearly $6 billion of unspent money remaining in the Treasury that states are entitled to that have not been drawn down yet.

Inherent in the No Child Left Behind legislation is not only the desire to assess and measure the progress of every child, but the belief that local people to make the right decisions for their children.

• No Child Left Behind is providing local communities and school districts with unprecedented flexibility in using federal funds. Increased flexibility allows states to address the unique challenges of rural areas.
• Using funding for tutoring provided in the legislation, parents can select from the more than 1600 supplemental service providers approved by the states. With this option, parents for the first time can find a program that is focused and directed and the specific needs of their child.

Thanks to the President’s leadership, closing the achievement gap is now a national priority.

A little bit of an antidote

Spinsanity - Fahrenheit 9/11

For those of you that are very quick to believe Michael Moore's word as the gospel, read this article for a bit of fact checking.

Hello again, its been too long, too long, too long, hello again...

Its been a decent amount of time since i posted last, ive been travelling almost every week for the past 6-8 weeks and when im not travelling, im swamped with work/doing things i need to do at home. There was a period of time where in 7 days i was in 6 DIFFERENT states. I left dallas on friday, flew to chicago, then to south bend, then off to columbus for a few days, then drove to pittsburgh by way of west virginia. Its been kind of nutty, let me get to the story telling.

Ive been doing some pretty neat work(of which i cannot discuss where/when/what because of new policies in our department) and been gaining some great experience. Travelling is getting pretty old. At first, it was neat to be able to see some different parts of the country. Since ive been with crowe, ive gone everywhere from small farm towns in western illinois, to dallas, texas, to my current job in the chicago area, to a little town south of houston, new york, columbus, eastern ohio and other places. Its been interesting, but living out of a suitcase gets kind of old. Its also really easy to feel like you dont accomplish anything in the line of work that i am in, seeing as we come in sunday night/monday morning, work through the week, look for any sort of findings, present our findings on thursday or friday, then head off and repeat the next week. I guess im finding out that i like to be more of a problem solver than problem finder. The long term job ive been on and off of in columbus/dallas has been pretty nice because we get to create relationships with people and work with them to solve problems. Its not a fly by night sort of thing, remediation of their issues is what is starting to be more fulfilling to me.

Consulting takes a definate mindset. You cant get frustrated easily, you cant mind living on the road 5 nights a week and you cant mind nearly living with your coworkers. Relationships at work play a HUGE part here, not only how you conduct yourself with your coworkers, but how they act towards you. Dont get me wrong, you will have politics everywhere you go, but sometimes, people take it a bit far. Its somewhat discouraging to see some people willing to do anything they can to get ahead, even say or do things to discredit people they work with.

I guess what im getting at is that i never thought id be doing what im doing today or where im at today 6-8 months ago. I guess i didnt really didnt have a good idea what i was getting into at crowe. While that is both good and bad, it is what it is, and im working with it. Trying to do my best and seeing where i can go and what i can do. If there is one thing that ive been able to find out, its that i dont know where im going in 6-8 months. Who knows what could happen from now untill january 1st. Things could change, they could stay the same. Again, it all is a matter of time and opportunity.

One thing i do know, is that I'll be in columbus. My transfer date has been approved by the powers that be at Crowe, and as of october 1, ill officially be in the Columbus office . Spending time down in columbus lately, being around the city, going to see Tom and Les, its been great. Not only do i love that city dearly, but it will be exciting to be there with Katie and be able to start getting ready for the rest of our lives. Im so excited for that.

So besides all the ranting about work, what else have I been up to? Well, its june, so i celebrated my 23rd birthday on June 8th. It came and went without much fanfare. I guess thats the difference between being 23 and being 13. 10 years really can suck the opportunities for parties with games, prizes and other festivities. Not to say that party hats are overrated, but i spend the day working from home, petting the cat and on conference calls all day. Definately not how i celebrated my birthday last year, and nowhere close to how i celebrated my 21st. However, it was nice to go home over memorial day weekend, spend some time with my family, go out to eat and just relax for a while. Getting older is no fun, i remember when i was in high school, and all i wanted to do was be on my own, working, making money, being successful, etc etc etc. Now here i am, and i guess its not the shining marvel i hoped it would be.

Katie comes home this weekend. She has been on the field camp trip she took last year, but this summer she was a teaching assistant for it. Sounds like it wasnt all she hoped for either. But i know she enjoys being out there overall, and loves doing what she does. Itll be nice to see her this weekend, spend a long weekend with her(hopefully) and hear the stories shes been trying to tell me for a while now. I cant believe its been close to 2 months since ive seen her. She left around memorial day, but due to my work schedule, other things that came up, we havent seen each other since early may. I think we are definately due for some quality time.

Also, since it is june, i had to partake in my summer vice. Dave Matthews Band tour came around, and while i couldnt go to as many shows as i normally do because of work, travel, etc, i was still able to go to 3 shows. One of them was in columbus, and i took Red. Good time was had by all. While i wasnt overly impressed with the energy of that nights show, it wasnt bad. I got to hear some of the new songs they have been working on. While i heard them for the first time after downloading them off a message board, they keep getting new twists and turns. Hearing them live is a whole different ball game. It was nice to go to Germain Ampitheatre again, but the real kicker was the 2 nights in Burgettstown, PA. I drove out and spend friday - monday morning with Sloka in Pittsburgh, had some good times, saw some sights, and went to the 2 shows out there. First night, had decent seats in the front part of the upper pavilion, and the 2nd night...4th row center. It was insane. Seeing DMB play that close to the stage is a whole different experience. Facial expressions, clarity of vocals, seeing Dave do his traditional feet dance up close...its amazing. Its going to be hard to ever top that show.

Now im in the chicagoland area, staying with my folks and working on a job out here. Its been nice to see my parents, got some new clothes, spent some time with Missy and her husband. Also, coming home means i get to mess with networking stuff for my parents, including their new wireless print server and laser printer they picked up yesterday...the print server turned out to be a complete pain in the ass for cross platform printing. There has to be an easier way...

Whats up next? Hopefully going to spend time with katie this weekend, then off to columbus next week, then spending 2 weeks in south bend for our official training. You may ask yourself, didnt you start at crowe 7 months ago? The answer to that would be yes. However, this is how they do it, so i get to spend 2 weeks in south bend doing that. Who knows, it could be a good time.

Hopefully ill post less information more often. However, travelling kind of wears me down, hell, i dont know who even reads this thing anymore.

Leave me a note, call me, IM me, whatever. Hope all is well with everyone.

BW

Rest in Peace

Ronald Reagan Memorial Foundation

He will be missed.