semmz.com

So… I’m striking secret resolution #1 (switch jobs) from the record. This is due in no small part to a healthy raise, good managers, and a long lunch with the company owner today. I’m happy with things. I think I’ll buy a place and move out soon.

Tomorrow I begin flight training! N96507 out of Schaumburg Regional. Weather-permitting, of course. Watch out, sky! I really want to get a photo of my first flight… which brings us to the next item. After much research, I picked up a black DSC-T5 on the way home from work today.

It’s pretty full-featured, but not quite as portable and adventure-ready as my last camera. I’m scrapping the plans to buy a digital SLR camera this year… they’re just too bulky.

In short, I’m doing much better with this year’s goals than I had expected. Even started work on an indie game with a couple of guys. The only goals I have yet to address are the adventure trips, starting a business, and the freaking spiders.

Airbags… good stuff.

Gave the Cadillac away, and the next day the minivan got totalled in a 5 car accident on 94W involving a semi. Dad was driving, but unharmed aside from an airbag punch to the face. Airbags are good.

I got a fat raise, but things are seriously looking more dismal than ever. Coworkers are bailing out and dispersing throughout the country… even one to Europe. I won’t consider buying my own place in this uncertain climate.

The parties this month were a lot of fun. Didn’t take any photos because I haven’t decided on a camera.

Travel is temporarily on hold. I need the vacation, but it looks like it may have to be a between-jobs vacation.

Happy February. Less than 2 months to Ice Age 2! Sequel to the best computer animated movie, ever. Don’t hate.

I’m back to working relatively normal hours for a while. To witness the post-crunch deforestation of my head, roll your mouse over these photos.

The situation at work remains interesting. Headhunters and recruiters are like vultures circling overhead. Not totally sure what to do and when to do it.

I’ve been thinking of attempting Mt. Rainier this year. Unfortunately, every photo of a glacial crevasse leaves me second-guessing myself. Moreso than every flash of lightning above timberline on Pike’s Peak. I really don’t want to fall a hundred feet between two sheets of ice and die. There must be safer activities.

Major events for the month:

• Feb 4: Tito and Tai-Chi’s birthday at Cherry Red. The last party there was great; I expect this one to be even better.
• Feb 11: Eunice and Cella’s birthday at The Big House. I’m so gonna have my Michigan hat in my pocket.
• Feb ??: Might take a random flight somewhere. Gotta keep those MileagePlus miles alive as long as United is around.
• Feb 28: Premiere of Nate’s movie, The Gift, in California. Go Nate!

I should pick up that SLR, or at least a replacement point-and-shoot, really soon. This month must be documented!

New record is 18 hours.

Morbid curiosity compels me to show up every morning. What does it feel like to go down with the ship?

Work is crazy. Crazy hours, crazy goings-on. Crazy games of MarioKart DS twice daily.

That attempt at secret resolution #1 failed. Ah well. Time to pursue other avenues.

I was looking through the list of goals from my first post. I really miss my old camera, so an SLR (or at least a temporary point-and-shoot to fill the photographic void in my heart) might be the first order of business. An adventurous trip would provide the perfect opportunity to break in a new camera. Of course, depending on the destination, the spider issue could come into play. It’s complicated.

I waited nearly a month before making a second post. Most people do a week or two of daily updates, followed by a couple months of weekly updates, before reaching this point. I did it in two posts. Way ahead of the curve.

On Friday, I evicted 2-3 months’ worth of crunch-time hair from my head and face. I was starting to get used to it. It was keeping me warm. Clumped together on the barbershop floor, the exiled former inhabitants of my head resembled a small black poodle.

You know the tagline up at the top of this page? About eagles not catching flies? It was in the body of a spam message. I found it amusing… sort of like a fortune spam cookie. Ok, that’s pretty nasty.

Yeah. ~1 month, and that’s all I’ve got. Things might pick up once I get a photo gallery installed.

Monday will mark my first attempt at secret resolution #1.

I told myself that I’d start using my domain before the year’s end. What better day to begin than birthday #24? I hope that, by writing consistent entries, I will be able to restore my rapidly deteriorating writing skills to their former glory.

Significant accomplishments since my last birthday:

• Made some new friends
• Purchased my dream car
• Established a saltwater reef tank
• Climbed Pike’s Peak
• Took aviation ground school
• Became less scared of spiders

Things I plan to accomplish before my next birthday:

• Earn my private pilot’s license
• Write an indie game
• Start a business
• Buy a digital SLR camera
• Take at least 2 adventurous trips
• Eliminate my fear of spiders

That should keep me busy. Goodnight.