In the Red Forest

So, this past weekend was interesting.

My parents, on their way back to VA from Cali stopped over for a few days here for the first time, which meant me playing tour guide basically.

But it wasn't too bad. They got in Thursday afternoon and I had them meet me at my work for a quick tour. Later that night they came over to my place to see where I live, meet my animals then go to dinner.

Friday around noonish I took them up to the capital building then we just kinda drove around. Went out to the state marina so they can say they've seen the Great Salt Lake.

Saturday's when we actually did something fun. We looked around at what was happening and found out there was a dog sled race up in Park City (about 20-30 minutes from downtown SLC). So, we went up there. Lots of cute pups around. Each team was a little different in the size of the dogs and the number.
It was a "stage stop" race, and this was the last stage I think. Once a team was ready to go they lined up and went along at certain intervals.
Some of the dogs, this one in particular seemed really well behaved.... until his team mates start getting hooked up.


Park City is also where a lot of the facilities for the 2002 Winter Olympics were situated. As it happened, several Olympic teams were in town using said facilities to practice for this year. The entire complex is open to the public now so we got to go up and see a couple of sleds make a run down the track. The only way I could get a still image of a sled was to go over to the uphill section where they coast to a stop.

It was a fun weekend. I saw two things I'm not sure I'd have ever had a chance to see otherwise, at least not without a lot more money and effort.

And now, it's back to the same old grind.
OH, btw, I got my cold air intake installed Thursday, after a bit of confusion. It's actually made a noticeable difference in the car's sound and pick-up, I approve :P

So, I've got a room reserved for AC, do you?

Current plans are to check in on the Thursday and out on Monday. Hopefully getting the fursuit floor but we'll see how that goes.

For the time being, it's just me and the wuff so I've reserved a King bed room for us. If we end up with a roomy (dunno who yet) I'll have to switch it to two beds but that shouldn't be a problem.

Funniest thing is: The hotel stay is CHEAPER than it would've been for FC, and I bet travel expenses will be similar.

Hehe. So, after 4 years, of paying on my Tiburon the end is in sight. Not only does this mean a big financial weight gone and a boost to my credit, it means I can start doing the things I've wanted to since I got the car.

Yesterday I finally ordered a cold air intake and short shifter for it. About $100 all told and should make a nice difference. After those things will start getting more expensive though.

The next thing I want is a racing clutch. So far I've found a Clutchmaster Stage III for $530.


A company called Next Generation Motorsports custom builds boost kits specifically for my car/engine. They used to have a turbo kit but seem to have stopped stocking them (though the owner says he may be able to help me out). The rest of their kits are all Superchargers.

Assuming I won't be able to get a turbo kit (which I'd really prefer) I'll be going with their stage 1 super kit that comes with the supercharger, a custom painted "icebox" intake chiller/manifold, all the piping needed and provides around 3psi boost as is. My engine, unmodified, has been pushed to around 7psi with no problems so I may drop the pulley down a couple sizes to get it to 5-6psi until I upgrade the heads and such.

The Stage I Iced Sniper Super kit is $3800 though so that'll probably be a ways off.


I'm just excited to finally be doing something under the hood like I've always wanted.

I'm bored, it's Monday morning and my coffee isn't kicking in yet, so why not post.

Honestly, not much goes on to post about (which is mainly why I rarely post).

Got my computer all put together, though I had to hunt around town for a copy of Win7 Home since apparently my RC disc was fubar'd. It runs great, MW2 and wow both at (literally) the highest possible settings and it hardly breaks a figurative sweat even in the most graphically intensive parts of either game. I'd like to get some new games to play but just can't seem to justify the $$ for it in my head.

Briar and Natasha are getting along great. Briar recently discovered that she can jump to my first book shelf, walk behind my books over to where my computer is to crawl out on top of that and up onto the second shelf. Sometimes she'll sit on top of my computer, which isn't usually a problem... until she stands on the power switch and shuts me down >_> Not her fault though. She's gotten big (some pics in my FA gallery btw) and is about due for her last round of shots.

Hmm... only other thing of note is that my parents will be in town in a couple weeks. Only for a few days, passing through on their way back from a business thing in Cali. Still not sure what all we're gonna do though. I'm not very good at the whole tour-guide thing.

So, the (seemingly) endless cycle of days wears on, I can't wait till AC though. A break from SLC and work, plus getting to see at least 4 dear friends, one that I've never had the chance to see in person in the 5+ years I've known him.

Laters.

So, for christmas/b-day I got some monehs and decided it was time to upgrade the hardware.

Now I'm just waiting to get home where my package of guts should be waiting (got the case yesterday) to put it all together.

It really is about time too, I ordered the parts for my current/old machine in March of 05 and only added minor upgrades since (i.e. more hard drives, ram) so it really is due.

For those curious:

Old Machine:
AMD Athalon 64, 2.0GHz, Single-Core
ABIT AX8 MoBo w/ 1x PCI-e 16x, Gigabit LAN, etc.
NVidia 9600 GTX
~3GB RAM (can't remember)
2x 120mm Case Fans
2X 80mm Case Fans

New Machine:
AMD PhenomII X4, 3.0GHz, Quad-Core
ASUS M4N72-E MoBo w/ 2x PCIe 2.0 16x, 6 3Gb/s SATA, 6+6 USB
NVidia GTX 260 896MB/448-bit
4GB RAM (2x 2GB sticks)
2x 230mm Case Fans (1 that glows red)
1x 200mm Case Fan
6X 120mm Case Fans (5 that glow red)
And a HUGE CoolerMaster Case

I'm using my more recently replaced PSU (750w), my old hard drives (4x 150GB SATA, 1x 120GB PATA), and my 16X DVD-R drive. Would have a second CD drive but I'd rather have the HDD since I've only one PATA on this MoBo.

Eventually I plan to double the RAM (at least), get a second GTX 260 for SLI, and probably a second PSU to avoid getting a 1200w one to run this thing, yeah.. my case is built for two PSU's :P

Hi all, just wanted to wish everyone out thhere happy ! I hope you're having a good time with family and/or friends. If you're away from loved ones this season, keep them at heart.

Take care all!

For those of you with reservations at the Fairmont for the upcoming FC, go check your accounts.

There's been a 'glitch' in Fairmont's system, causing them to bill several attendees for their full stay instead of the one-night hold fee they were supposed to.

Imagine my surprise when I hop on my account to see a $600 charge instead of $140.

If you did get charged like this, you can call 408-998-3922. They're supposed to fix it right away for you, but apparently some of the people aren't getting that memo. A very nice and apologetic lady named Dianne took care of me immediately and said they'd take care of any Overdraft fees that were a direct result of this 'glitch'.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/the-illustrated-man-how-led-tattoos-could-change-the-face-of-humanity


TL,DR: LED TATTOOS!


lol, so, yeah it's in the really early stages, and still requires some form of power source to be implanted along with it. But we've known for decades that the human body is capable of producing power, just not much. Of course, something like this shouldn't require much power anyways.

I know it's the geek in me squeeing over this, but I've wished for things like this forever. I wonder how long till they've got relatively cheap implantable watches? How long after that till they can turn your arm into a day planner?

Depending on just how far people will go (and how invasive it has to be to be permanent) I could easily see people doing full body ones that let them put patterns and colors on their skins to suit their whims.

Of course.. my freckles would kinda interfere with that some, but bleh :P

Also, I need a geeky type icon of my fuzball self >_>

For those who care about it, I've got an album for pics of Briar on my photobucket :P

On a whim, I looked up a bit of the history of marriage.
( this could get long )

So, yesterday SLC City council passed two ordinances that are a great step for gays in the city. We can't be fired or evicted solely for being who and what we are.

That's wonderful news yes? It even passed with a unanimous vote.

But... people are actually FIGHTING to prevent the same laws from going state-wide. Apparently, making employers and renters unable to be douchebags over things that don't really affect them directly (I mean, how many landlords pry into their tenant's sexual goings on?) is going to lead us on a slippery slope to "destroying marriage". According to these people.

The funny part though, the MORMONS who basically orchestrated the whole ending of gay marriage in California actually strongly supported the ordinances in the City.

I still can't understand why these people think allowing people who love each other to marry is going to 'destroy marriage'.

/sigh

So... yeah, it's been a LOOOOONG time since I've posted anything here. Hell, I've not even been keeping track of things on my friends page. Not sure why really, just didn't poke in and look.

Anyways, I guess a good bit of stuff has happened since I last posted here.

Me, Chris and our friend Erik had been applying at various houses for rent, kept getting either no return calls or flat out denied. Most of the time it was because Erik made one stupid mistake in the past that got him a record (he's a great guy and spent all of like 2 weeks in jail over it, regrets it, and is just trying to move on with his life).

Anyways, just a week or two ago we finally got accepted for a nice little Duplex near downtown. 1200 sq ft, garage, yard, HUGE tub in the upstairs bathroom. Nice cozy little place. We were supposed to move in on the 1st, but the previous tenants didn't get moved out until the night of the 31st and the landlord wanted to clean/fix a few things. So we should be moving tomorrow.

In the meantime, while at work I heard a strange noise outside my window. Turned out it was a kitten, tiny little thing. It wouldn't let me near it so I called Chris's mom and she brought over some food for it, which I put out but I didn't see that one again.
About the middle of the next week, I hear the crying again so go and look. A second (pretty sure at least) kitten, about the same age was there, one eye shut. At first she wouldn't let me near her either. A few hours later she starts crying again so I go out and she's sitting somewhere easy to reach. Between how badly she was shivering and the fact her eye was shut she didn't react fast enough and I was able to grab her.
Tucked her in my coat, brought her inside (yes, at work), and got some food and water for her.
Turned out her eye was just stuck shut with dried mucus, which I cleaned up gently. As she got warm and ate she showed every sign of being a curious kitten. I took her home, where she's been living since and is completely attached to me. Her name is Briar =^-^=

She's already had her first shots, gets her next round on the 20th. Vet says she's healthy except for some worms which is normal for kittens, especially strays. She'll be fully dewormed next visit.


Lastly, and most recently.. and more or less the reason I decided to post something. My self-adopted little brother (well, I love him as though he's my brother and then some) recently got tested for HIV. The first test came back positive. He's getting a second done to be sure. I just wish there were something I could do for him. Of course I give him all the love and support I can. I'm just hoping the first test was a false positive, for his sake.

So, earlier we went and took a look at a nice place today. One we're hoping to move too. The only thing we don't really like is that road access is a little tricky, but other than that it's really nice. As you can see yourself. He had run out of the applications he needed so I'll have to go back for that.

Meanwhile, my mate is selling his husky suit to help us pay for the move (we have to have ~$2300 total, half of that isn't too big a burden over current rent though). So if you know anyone interested point them on over ^_^

Not much news otherwise.

I'll let everyone know what happens with the house hunt.

So, recently the otter (Tiber) moved out in preparation of going to training for the National Guard. When he moved out a friend of ours who is currently on probation wanted to move in to make life easier on his parents so we said of course.

Well, apparently his probation officer must have stopped by while we were gone and talked to a neighbor or something because one looked our friend up and reported it to the apartment managers. It seems that the management here has a 'strict' no felons policy and I was basically told this morning that I had to tell my friend to GTFO and not come back... which kinda pisses me and Chris off. The poor guy was in jail for a month for whatever the charge was so it's not like something major.

Anyways, now we're pissed and he's bummed.

So, now we're looking for a house or some such to rent that would afford us a bit more freedom and space and allow a pet or three. So far I've gotten a bunch of scam shit off craigslist so I'm just giving up on that site for now.

back to work i suppose.

So, for once, I actually did something interesting over the weekend.

Saturday, me and some of the roomies and friends went to the Zoo here. Wandered all over, the usual. My main desire was to see the tiger cubs that were just recently let out where the public could see them along with their momma. Of course, when we got there, one was sleeping in the farthest corner where you couldn't really see much, one was completely hidden, but the third was in a spot you could see if you looked from the right place :P And of course momma was around. They had daddy tiger in another pen and he was just sprawled out asleep.

Got to see one of the wolves pretty close up since he was sleeping in a corner close to the viewing area. And the kangaroo wound up rolling over and giving everyone a good pin-up pose :P

I took my old old camera that mom sent me a while back. Wound up taking two rolls of film, 48 pics, with at least 16 of those being just the tigers >_> I should've taken another roll with me but oh well. Once I get it developed I'll start posting pics in my FA and/or Photo bucket (along with some choice pics from the roomies)

The other things of note, Tiber (our otter/husky friend) has moved back to his parents' and another friend has moved in with us to not be stuck at his parents'. Tiber's move was instigated by the fact that he was supposed to be shipped off for training on the 4th, but has since learned that he won't have to leave until November now.

I'm finally going clothes shopping tonight, I need new/more khaki pants, I have one pair that I can't even button comfortably >_> It'll be nice to have pants that fit finally.

So, obviously I'm excited for Cataclysm, despite blizzard putting the Worgen on the wrong side if you ask me. Though... given the back story of them mentioned in the trailer I guess it makes sense sorta. Of course, by that logic the Forsaken could've gone either way.
Don't get me wrong, I may be mainly horde but I'm so making a worgen or 5 ^_^ I'm thinking rogue maybe, dunno yet.

I'll probably also pick up Diablo III, I've had a chance to play Diablo I or II for a little bit and like that sort of game, just never got around to getting it for myself so I figure I may as well when the time comes.

In the more immediate future is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which should be next month. My family is clamoring for xmas/bday gift ideas so I may put it on that list, it'd be easier for them to get out to Seattle than, say, cookware or something.

Other than that, I'm excited to get my suit started in November *squeeeeee*

Not a whole lot else going on here. Playing wow and various xbox games, reading Cryptonomicon at the moment (the author is awesome, great sense of humor in his writing). Hmm... guess that's it for now. Laters

This is exactly why I could never be a judge

I'd take one look at this lawsuit, look the plaintiff right in the eyes and say "You're a dumb fucking bitch who apparently doesn't have a shred of common sense. GTFO my court before I bash you with my gavel."

I hate stupid, money grubbing, asshole people.... I really do. THEY'RE the downfall of humanity if anything is.

So, it's half official now. I've talked some with Surfcat Costumes (Sophie Cabra) and I've asked to be put on the list for a suit commission to start in November.

I haven't dicided/figured out for sure when I'm going to ask for it to be done. I'm currently thinking RMFC '10 or FC '11 depending on a few things. Or sometime in between, we'll see.

I was gonna use the money for a new computer... but that can wait a little longer still :P

I figure I should do the obligatory post-con synopsis at some point, why not now?

In short... RMFC RAWKED MAH SAWKS! Hehe =^-^=

In long...

We drove up Thursday, which was a pretty nice drive despite a few storms along the way, got to Denver around 5 or 6ish and got our room after a bit of confusion about the hotel (we had forgotten the name >_> ) Anyways, the hotel itself was pretty nice, though a bit small feeling. It's best feature was being a block or so from the 16th street mall. Mika and Dattas were waiting for us so we dumped stuff and kinda hung out that night, went to Hard Rock with tails on. We were the first furries to come in there and the manager and some of the staff thought it was cool.

Friday we got up around 8ish and went down for registration, everyone but me and Chris pre-registered so we were stuck in line a lot longer. After we finally finished that we went down to Einstien Bro. Bagels for breakfast, which became the norm for the weekend. Then Chris, Tiber/Sylvari and Dattas suited up and goofed around, getting themselves on the news in the process (see here for links). We hopped into the dealer's den and I got a sketch by Wolf Nymph (total sweetheart btw.) The dance was fun, though I didn't go down in suit.

Saturday we goofed around most of the morning then there was the parade. I was in Chris's Darkwulf suit for it as we wandered out and down along a section of the 16th St. mall. The news from Friday night had mentioned the parade and its time so we had a lot of locals out, most of which seemed to think it was interesting at least. After that we had to take a break (it was about 80-90 outside so we were a bit warm in suit). Got our sketchbook back and had another artist do one for Chris. Later we grabbed a few drinks at the bar before the dance and had some fun again (not in suit again for me).

Sunday was the usual wrapping up bit. Wandered the dealer's room where one girl with some very cool fantasy-type art was doing a sale of 4 prints (8.5x11 or 11x17) for $20 flat. Then I had to stand in line for about 2 hours waiting to pick up the small piece I bid on in the art auction (was called Shadow Tiger, basically me but without the red eyes or headfur, I couldn't NOT try to get it, lol). A bit later we all went back to the Hard Rock Cafe where one of us, in talking to the girl in the shop, found out they hadn't gotten to see any suiters. After dinner with a waitress that's decided she'd be a Woolly mammoth, we headed back to the hotel, suited up and returned to HRC. Much good times ensued, I think about 2/3 of the floor staff wanted pictures with us and a good number of random customers as well. One little kid (maybe 6 or 7) loved the Darkwulf suit (Chris was wearing it at the time). As we were about to leave, someone apparently turned on a giant fountain as there was a curtain of water at the edge of the awning. So we waited it out there, more pics, etc. Sunday dance I went to in suit... but I had lost my poi so I couldn't do what I wanted to >_>

Then Monday was the drive home, we all got in a caravan and drove the 8 hours back.

All in all, I'd say this was one of the best cons I've been to. Despite the small con space and tiny beds. I just hope I can have my own suit next year.

I know, I rarely have much to say on the topic of politics beyond getting infuriated at gay-bashing, bible-thumping politicians. But that's not what I'm about this time.

I saw a news article today that, after a moment of consideration, just made me want to say 'Well, DUH! What'd you expect?'

Namely, someone did a poll to see who's likely to be elected in 2012 as president. Specifically they did the poll as Barack vs. Mitt Romney. In which Mitt came out a little ahead. They did a second one with Barack vs. Palin where Barack came out ahead.

The thing is... anyone with a slight ear to the country could have probably predicted that. Think about it for a moment. Despite the fact that this recession has been looming for a while now everyone's blaming Obama for it because he happened to be in office as it got worse and it's actually in the news more now than the war, unlike previously. As such people are going to think, right now, that a new-comer must be better (grass is greener after all).
As for Palin, well lately she's been in all sorts of ethics trials and scandals and just resigned her office so people will be thinking: "Shit, if she can't handle ALASKA, how's she going to handle the other 49 too?!". So, though they may not like Obama that much they'll pick the 'lesser of two evils'.

In today's economic and political climate, I would trust a poll like that about as far as a donkey can carry an elephant. Though, I'm sure, Mitt and the republicans will be all over it if they aren't already.