Slacker Web & Desktop Radio

There's this really cool music discovery and web radio site, called Slacker, that I found out about late last year and it's still in beta (and therefore free). It doesn't have the music tracking, stats and social networking features like Last.FM (a really excellent site as well), but it really excels at just finding really great music for you. You don't have to input the music that you like (as per Last.FM), instead you just search for an artist or genre and it makes a personalized radio station for you. If you hear a track (or artist) you don't (or do) like, you can ban or 'favorite' them. The streaming is also really fast, high-quality audio and they have whole songs to listen to.



I was there today and found out that, in addition to the Flash-based browser app, they have a new desktop application (only Windows for right now). This will hook up to their future portable player and satellite radio for the car (think personalized XM). Try out the desktop app (haven't done it myself) or just try out the website (you don't have to join to start listening to the preconfigured radio stations) and let me know what you think.

Dan Doppelganger, Take 2!

Last night, Dan and I watched "My Name is Earl" and it just happened to have Dan's 'stunt' double. He played another psycho, crazed fiend and brought the house down.

Way to go, Dan! You're becoming FAMOUS! :D



(screencaps courtesy of NBC Rewind)

Birthday 2007

Well, another year has come and gone, but the fun isn't over. Later today, my family and friends are taking me down to Sima and we are going to have some delicious sushi and sake.

My friend, Ben (who absolutely rocks, btw!) is getting me the video game skate. for my birthday, too (if we can find it in the stores). It also came out on my birthday, so in addition to being a great game, it should also have some sentimental value as well.

Facebook!

Okay, lots of things have been happening lately, so just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean I haven't have interesting things to say (which, mostly is the case).

Anyways, I'll have to catch up with them, but for right now, I've just gotten into Facebook and found it to be pretty cool, so I'll obviously keep this going, but I've kind of made my Facebook reflect as much as I can this here blog. Check it out!

skate. is amazing!

The last 2 days I've been playing the skate. demo on my Xbox 360 and I (and my still skatin' lil bro) have been blown away with this game. The camera makes it feel like you are skating behind "yourself" filming a video. You can also hear the guy filming you talking to you.

The animation system is just mindblowing! Everything about it is just REAL. From your character looking down at the board when he pops up, to the way your character tries to regain his balance when he doesn't land correctly. The gameplay and control scheme is just so simple once you get the hang of it and it's quite intuitive. You just have to unlearn yourself the old (tired) controls of the endless Tony Hawk games you've undoubtedly played.

It's definitely not another Tony Hawk wannabe. In fact, it's focused on skating (and just skating), so the game's title, skate., is appropriate. Playing it definitely feels like skating and it's very fun, but your not worried about collecting stupid letters. You just keep practicing tricks and riding.

Summer is over!

Well, yesterday was my final meeting of my photography class (and I just updated my Flickr site with the 10 prints I scanned in for my final portfolio). I had to present my portfolio and afterwards I took my friend, Ben, down to Sima in Kettering, Ohio to eat some of the best sushi I've ever had. It was my second time going there and I really wanted to show Ben the place to celebrate the end of my class and to celebrate his birthday (which happened the week prior).

My photography class was hard, a lot of work, but I really liked it and everyone in my class and will miss them. The fall quarter starts up in about 2 weeks, so I don't have a lot of time to relax, but it's good to be free for a bit.

Alpha Dog - Dan's clone kicks ass!

So, my little brother and I were watching a movie he got from Netflix the other night. One of the reasons I think he picked Alpha Dog, the movie we watched, was that one of the main actors in it was someone I call "Dan-Doppelganger". Ben Foster is his actual name, but I like mine better. :) In fact, he looks so much like Dan (and me to some extent) I've made his portrait my Xbox Live public gamerpic (look to right of this post).

Now, I've seen Ben Foster in many other movies, one of the first being "Bang, Bang, You're Dead!". In Alpha Dog, he plays a crazy pot-head (not much unlike Dan in a less savory part of his life). He's Jewish in the movie and is all tattoo-ed up and reminds me of Edward Norton in American History X, but when he gets really intense, he starts knocking people down, ala Bruce Lee. In one scene, he even straight-punches some small girl for some reason. It's a pretty good movie and Ben Foster's intensity makes his scenes really stand out.

For some comparison shots:

Ben Foster:


My brother, Dan (I know, not the best picture but all I have here at work)

"Arbor Vitae"

Well, my brother is having another benefit event. This time at Ha-Ha Pizza in Yellow Springs on Thursday August 9th at 7:00 PM till 9:00 PM. The address is 108 Xenia Avenue Yellow Springs, OH 45387.

His art will be displayed in the gallery and can be sold. Click on the graphic he made to read more info about it.

My sister's visit and a television

I completely forgot to mention that my one and only (and older) sister is visiting from Alaska for 2 weeks. She came in on Friday and she, I, my friend, Ben, his roommate and his friend, all went to a really nice Asian restaurant where we loaded up on sushi and sake. Good stuff.

I also just bought a new 37" 1080p LCD HDTV. After waiting years for the right time to get an HDTV (I probably could have waited a few more), I finally made the jump. I've been holding off until prices were reasonable and the quality compromise from CRT wasn't as big. I'd still like to get a DLP instead, but my friend has had the same model since November of last year and still loves it and he bought it for $200 more than what I'm paying for it. It's a big step up from my current 24" flat CRT SDTV with component inputs I bought for my Xbox about 4 years ago. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to set it up.

News on my Summer

Well, I decided that, me being lazy and comfortable with my current position, I'd stay working where I'm at. For both positions, I'd supposedly need to be actively taking classes, so it would be better (even though I'm sure the pay rate is lower) to be where I'm at already. Also, that extra tutor position might not go through as the classes I would be helping out with will most likely be canceled due to a lack of registered students.

I was in a bit of pickle with the classes being offered as the English class I wanted to take was only open and being offered by a teacher that isn't the best one (though I checked the next day and the one I wanted was open). Also, I was able to take a Photography class that is required by my degree, so I didn't have to take another unnecessary class again just to get my 6 credits. I bought my books online used, saved some money, but now the wait begins. Hopefully, they arrive before I actually need them. I also need to hunt down an 35 or 120mm film SLR, and get film and print paper by next Tuesday. That one might be kinda tough.

As for my last quarter, I finally finished up on Monday. That research paper was kickin' my ass, but I got it done and finished up my online class with a final exam. Then, on Tuesday, I did three 20 minute quizzes and the final exam all in one class period because I didn't think I would be there for the last class period yesterday due to my scheduled (but then later re-scheduled jury duty). I'm glad to be done, but already next week on Tuesday, I've got another English class to have to deal with, as well as the Photography class, with not even a week of rest between quarters.

I could have taken the summer off and gotten a real (better-paying job) and been happy, but I'd like to get my English out of the way and be done with it.

School days

Well, this quarter of school is almost over and I'm really glad to be (almost) done with my English class. The folks at Sinclair have asked me to become a tutor there teaching computers and helping out. The only problem is that I need to have (at least) 6 credit hours to take the job, or even continue working there as a student assistant.

I had plans to take my final English class (for my Associates degree) in the summer, but I'm not sure if I want to after 2 consecutive quarters of writing papers. That (along with Photography) would be the only classes I would be able to take, since I don't have anymore gen-ed classes to take. Most of the classes I need to take have prerequisites and they aren't always offered every quarter, so it has to be planned out in advance. If I am to follow the current schedule, I will be done in Spring 2009. I don't know if Photography is offered during the summer, but I will look into it as another class I could take to make up the required 6 credit hours needed to continue working.

There's also the pay and maximum amount of hours I can work at Sinclair. I'm paid minimum wage, and can't work more than 20 hours a week. I was looking at finding a better job (I found one posted for a nice one at Honda) and only taking English 113 online, but now I'm presented with another choice: do I want to sacrifice money or convenience.

New Content

I just spent some time sprucing up my template and adding content to the sidebar. I really like the new visual way to change the templates on Blogger now. It makes it fun to add new stuff.

Moving...again

Well, it's not me this time, but another of my friends. I just helped my friend, Randy, move this past Saturday and it was an ordeal. He's going through a tough time right now with a (VERY possible) divorce and none of his relatives-in-law were on hand to help out in the nearly 9-hours that I helped him move. In fact, his father-in-law even offered my help for me. : /

Randy took it in stride (only possible through his newly refreshed Christian zeal). In fact, he's stayed courageous through this awfully tough time and I don't envy what he is dealing with, but he's stayed calm and mature through these hardships.

I've been going to his small church and really felt welcome there (something I wasn't feeling from my current(/old?) church.

On other topics, college is going well, though my English class (online, no less) is taking a lot out of me and I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I have 2 more years to go, but I just have to struggle through these English courses and it should be fun for the rest of the way, as those are the only GEN-ED ones I need to do for my degree. My new sister-in-law, Lyz, just got her Masters in education while working at a school, rockin' with a 4.0 GPA. That's amazing (something recently impressed upon me by her husband ;) Congrats to you, again, Lyz! See you, both, this weekend!

I'll write when I get a life...

Moving Friends, College Life

Well, this past weekend I helped my friend, Ben, move into his new place with his roommate. He had lots of help and I feel exhausted, but I'm glad he got such a nice place and I hope to visit him up there often (time and schedule permitting).

I'm settling into college life and this will be my third quarter back after my long hiatus. I'm taking it easy right now mainly due to the limited window I can take my classes. I'm taking English Composition II right now and it's a pain in the ass. I'm glad the rest of my schedule is so lax, therefore I can really not be stressed out about the commitment it takes to write these papers. It's my first class online at my current college and it's a bit different.

After ENG-112, I'm planning to take ENG-113 (my last english course for my degree) in the summer online. Once I get done with that, I'll be done with all of my gen-ed classes out of the way and I'll just have fun classes left. Photoshop, photography, 3D software; I'd already taken these at my old college, but Sinclair isn't taking my transfer credit for them, which kind of sucks. I have about 2 more years to do, and I was quite a ways to getting my Assosciates Degree before, so it kind of feels like I'm starting over from scratch. At least they took almost all of my gen-ed classes.

On the personal front, still single and I have a friend who will be soon, as well. He's going through a difficult divorce right now and I've had to keep him company and try to be there for him through this rough time. It's hard trying to give advice in a situation you have no knowledge of. The best I can give him is just to keep seeing his counselor, get a lawyer, keep working out at the gym, and keep praying. It looks like he'll be moving soon, too, so I'll help him move again. I think I've helped him move over 5 times now.

Car Wreck and Rental

Well, on the way to work this morning I became of a victim of the winter weather and icy conditions. All of this made worse by the rear-wheel drive, front-engine setup of my 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, which spun my car like a top the moment I hit an unforeseen puddle of slippery water/ice hidden behind a small ridge.

I tried to control the mad fishtail my car was in and was able to keep it mostly straight. In hindsight, I imagine I might have been able to keep it on the road, by accelerating, instead of braking, while I was swerving back and forth. I was fine (though a little shaken) and my car was drivable, receiving mostly cosmetic damage, despite careening into the oncoming lane (no traffic, thank God) and off the side of the road, tearing through two sections of barb wire fence and sliding to a halt in the deep snow.

I had it towed back onto the road and made arrangements to have it repaired with my $500 deductible and rental coverage. My car might just be better than before the accident when I get it back. For the next few days to a week, I'll be driving around in this brand new Dodge Magnum. NICE!

Next Step: (?)

Well, I've taken another quarter on, but I'm taking this one a little easier. It's winter and I don't have the best snow tires or vehicle, so I've taken my classes closer to home (very close in fact).

I've also landed a job at school. The pay and hours aren't the best, but it should be a good experience. I'm also working for the government now. Oooh, scary!

Out of school (for now) ... on to the next step

My brother, Thomas, has another benefit concert happening on December 16th at the Oregon Express in Dayton. This is helping raise funds to help him pay his medical bills he incurred after his stroke.

There have been a few and this should be the first one that I would be able to attend, as I was just too busy with school projects previously. It should be fun. Here's the banner ad he supplied me, but it's impossible to even read what's going on in the ad (too fast). Go to the website if you want info.

The right way (or the highway)

I'm so sick of I-75 that I've sworn off using it in the foresee-able future (especially going to/from school).

Going down to class the past couple of weeks, the traffic has been pretty heavy, and sometimes I've had to watch out for very slow or stopped traffic, but last Thursday, going down to college, I was stuck for over an hour making me late for class by about an hour. Then, yesterday, I just happened to be up in the morning (well, actually I stayed up night, but that's another issue). I saw a news story about a 7-car accident on I-75 causing delays, so I took that into account when I was finally ready to go down to campus and found alternate routes off of the highway if there was any sign of traffic. Well, there was none, so I kept on right through, though there was no shortage of asshole drivers.

Well, after being up (and having done a rigorous exercise routine earlier in the day), I barely made it through my professor's boring lecture, so I was absolutely ready to go home as quick as possible and I've never had any problem going I-75 North from Dayton, so I thought I'd be fine. Boy, was I wrong!

At about the Needmore exit, traffic began piling up and came to a complete stop. This was somewhat understandable as they have been doing construction work on the I-70/I-75 Interchange, and the left-most lane has been closed for a while (though none of the asshole drivers know how to read the sign and expected us to let them in or suffer an accident; I have a guideline: if you don't have your turn-signal on, then you don't get in front of me). This would have made for some sketchy situations as per usual, but tonight both left lanes were closed and they didn't tell us beforehand. So, the lane that I was in was closed as well and, even using my turn-signal, I barely made it over before I absolutely had to change lanes (people don't seem to follow my rule of being courteous to drivers who signal when they change lanes).

I was stuck in traffic for about an hour and it was down to one lane at the I-70/I-75 Interchange, with people merging in making it even more dangerous. Then, when the whole merging over business was done with, traffic seemed to pick the pace, though we couldn't really go that fast, as the lanes were bordered closely with cones and the lanes were moving past construction workers.

Finally, the construction ended right before the exit I was going to take. I was so frustrated by this inconvenience, but I was glad to past the trouble spot and was dreaming of my couch & bed. Well, the route I was taking was closed due to construction at the railroad tracks, so I had to take a detour north for quite a ways and the next route I could take was at another road with a railroad crossing, which unfortunately had a train crossing it when I finally got up to it. Just one delay after another.

At this time, I had to take a leak really badly, so I put it in reverse and kept on Hyatt and decided to drop in on where my brother's staying, though when it looked like nobody was there, I decided to head to Burger King to use the facilities and get some food. Then, while I was waiting for my food, I must have been standing there for about 15 min., though there there was nobody else in line.

Not all was bad yesterday, though: I saw Dan's friend, Enrique at the Sinclair library (with his Asian classmate he has a crush on). I was able to get my paper done, make copies, though I left my Tartan card in the copy machine and nearly forgot it because I was in such a hurry to finish my paper and make it to class. I noticed it wasn't in my wallet when I was buying Starbucks. Somebody had taken it out of the machine and set it on top. Then, on the way to class, I saw a friend I used to work with at Menlo. I hadn't seen him in months, but I couldn't really stop to talk. I made it to class, and the professor surprising let all us study the terms before our quiz for a few minutes. Without doing so, I would have bombed it worse than I had the previous one.

No Hobart for you!

The job-nazi spat this in my face as I got a call from Rachel (a very nice-looking woman) whom I met with Wednesday.

She told me that I might be able to get into the other location of Honda, but that they were 2nd-shift and I wouldn't be able to do that because of my class schedule.

Then, she told me of her friend who works at Honda and told me to call her about possibly getting a job there.

I might get a job at Hobart

Well, I just got a call on Tue. and went in for a tour today, so if I get picked, I should hear by this Friday if I got the job. If I do, I should be starting by next Tue. or Wed.

If I don't get that job (which would be great, other than it's further away from home than my last job), there's still a possibility that I could get in at a job where an acquaintance works.

I'm not too worried about getting a job (at least not this week). I like the free-time, but I need a steady income to get me out of debt.

Oh, that reminds me; getting out of debt was one of the goals I had for this year (or was it last year?). Well, I've got most of my credit (which was at ~$4,000 before I started work at my last job) onto a 0% APR credit card so I'm not getting hit with compound interest while I pay off my debt. That has helped a little, but the real thing that has helped me cut my debt in half in about 5 months was to come up with a simple ratio for my money and get Quicken to help me keep tabs on where I put my money. Also, to get a debit card and use that instead of credit. I've also tried not to eat out much and curb my spending habits.

I've got a little over $1, 000 in savings and about the same in a checking account I use for all my bills and spending. If I was to pay off my credit with my money I have saved in both accounts, I would be almost in the black (that might have changed to black with my last paycheck I will receive from my last job). I like the control I feel I have over my expenses and using Quicken to visually see where my money goes and what I spend the most on has been really fun, actually.