The Value of Expert Knowledge
My mom is starting a business and wants an e-commerce site put up. Simple enough I ordered a business package then waited for the order to be approved. Once it was I got into the account and assigned a dedicated IP address and changed the name servers on her domain to point to the new name servers. Then I downloaded Zen Cart and installed it, while doing that I also configured Spam Assassin, a couple of advanced rules for SA, an SPF record for the domain, and setup an e-mail account for her. I did it all on my lunch break.
I was realizing after I finished, that had if it been someone else it would have probably taken them a full day worth of waiting around with replies back and forth about what they wanted. I did all of it in about an hour.
Kind of crazy to think about. Then again I've been doing hosting support for a year now.
So here's to expert knowledge on a subject!
Now I get to learn how to skin Zen Cart. It really looks like you can make a killing if you know what you're doing (which really doesn't take much to get to that point).
Fun in the Snow
Had some fun for a few hours with my Dad yesterday. We went Cross Country Skiing up Green Canyon.
It was great to get out of the smog, I biffed it a times on the way back down the mountain. Picked up some speed and lost my balance. I haven't been Cross Country Skiing since I was in fifth grade when I went to the Teton Science School. Wow, that was a long time ago.
The only problem I ran into was coming back down into the valley. I've been coughing pretty bad since. Oh well, it just means I'll have to go again.
Here are some pictures from the day 
It’s Been a While
It's been a little while since my last post.
Been busy with school, work, and teaching. My billiards class has been fun, learning how to control the cue stick and make the cue ball do some fun stuff. We had an 8 Ball tournament last week, I managed to win one of three games pretty solidly.
My Psychology class has been interesting, we've been learning about Operant and Classical Conditioning.
In my Cyber Security class we've been learning about the basics of security systems in use right now as well as the basic principles of designing a security system. There was the idea of Security by Obscurity and really how dumb of an idea it is.
I got a text from my mom about my last post. She pointed out that my lust for engines and horsepower didn't come from my Dad. Which is very true, I didn't mean to say there aren't women who don't appreciate and lust over horsepower just as much as males. Just that my female friends haven't appreciated Kat's rumble near as much as my male friends.
Anyway, everyone have fun!
Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude
So much to be grateful for
I got my Mustang last week, there must be something in male DNA (and what seems to be a small fraction of female DNA) that appreciates the rumble of an engine and feeling gravity pull back on you under hard acceleration.
As well I had dinner with my family the other night, had a nice sirloin with a baked potato. My dad put together a slide show with pictures from the last five decades. Got to play with my nieces and my nephew for a bit. It was great!
Ordered a pizza from Papa John's last night. It was really tasty
A New Year, a New Setup
I've been looking at running multiple blogs through one WordPress install. I'm not sure if this will do the trick or not, but here goes nothing
I'll have to setup the plugins I had installed before.
Wish me luck and everyone have a happy new year!
2010 a Year of Rediscovery
So far 2010 is shaping up to be an interesting year.
As I've mentioned before I've had somewhat of a fog that's been in my way. I've lacked direction and I've been dealing with a bit of pain and suffering because of it lately.
There was a bit of wisdom I found about suffering and how it means that a part of you is being purified. I have also been developing a better awareness of both the separation and the connection between mind body and spirit. Something that I am unable to put into words. But it is bringing a feeling of peace and understanding to what I've been experiencing.
Earlier this evening I was studying for a Computerized Placement Test that I'm planning on taking this coming week before school starts. It was while I was studying that I realized if I was really motivated to move forward with my Math education I'd already have done the review and not be cramming for the test right before it.
I've mentioned it before, I'm not sure about going for a degree in Computer Science.
I had the thought of not worrying about the CPT and continuing to work through my algebra books and then taking it during the summer. If I decide that Computer Science is something I do in fact want to pursue then I can take more math classes over the summer. For the upcoming semester I think I'm going to take an art class and a writing class.
It hit me earlier while I was thinking about Math that I don't really spend any time programming. When i do program, it seems more of a chore than anything. I do however write on a regular basis and spend time thinking about how I can write better. Not to mention I do enjoy it.
Why should I be afraid to take a chance?
A couple of days ago I read a story about an inspired idea and what following those ideas lead to. I realized this in fact is an inspired idea, what really tipped it off was the clarity, peace, and I also felt exhilarated by it. So I'm going to follow it and see what happens. Really the worst that could happen is that I'll figure out that I really want to program and I'll have been set back by a semester.
Just relax and let success flow my way.
Today, my girlfriend asked me what kind of lifestyle I want to live. It got me thinking, I want to have the freedom to take days off when I want them, I want a comfortable home with some creativity thrown into the design, I want a family, and I want a wife that I can't imagine living without.
Everyone make it a great one!
Happy New Years
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
2010
Wow, 2010, Jiminy Christmas Batman! No hyperdrives, no flying cars, no base on the moon, no ancient monolith starting life on Io (at least I think it was Io).
I don't have much to say, been kicking back and just enjoying my break. Now I'm getting ready to get back to school next week.
I did register a couple more domains the other day: alltech-nologic.com and alltech-nologic.net. Not entirely sure what I'm going to do with them, I'm thinking a tech rant/information site. Most likely something inline with my philosophy of if you complain about something, do something about it! I'll probably start with some basic stuff on webhosting and using things like local php.ini. Hell it'll give me a reason to become more familiar with everything I deal with in my job if I decide to go that route.
I haven't spent much time doing stuff with my 100 Day Challenge lately, I've been tempted to start over because I didn't give it a full go. A recurring theme over the last couple of weeks has been to relax and let things come. I keep seeing articles about relaxing your way to success showing up in my inbox and in my RSS reader. What have I got to lose besides some stress that's only breeding negative feelings and emotions?
I'm not sure about writing about the gifts I got for Christmas, really just because I feel like I would be bragging. But I am really grateful for the gifts I received. I have gotten a lot of use and enjoyment out of them. I guess I'll mention the two I've gotten the most use out of. Santa brought me a Nintendo DS and Chrono Trigger is on back order right now. But yeah I've borrowed Brain Age from Tom and been playing that every day since. My dad got me couple of Magic The Gathering Conflux pre-built decks (or whatever they are, 40 cards with a 15 card booster). I've been playing Magic pretty much everyday since. I've got 5 decks now So lots of fun there.
I also got word that I'm going to have two new little ones to spoil. My brother Tyler and his wife Makinley have a bundle of joy on the way, and my sister Brittney and her Husband Dave have their third child on the way. Really amazing given that Brittney is RH-.
Alright well everyone make it a great new year!
100 Day Challenge: Day 66
Kicking back at Mom and Dad's on what is now technically the day before Christmas.
It is amazing how much a change of setting can help clear your mind. I have nothing to worry about right now. Talking to my mom she helped me see where I've pulled myself into a spiral of worry. I keep telling myself to relax but I never seem to really be able to. As my mom pointed out, I worry about how I'm relaxing. Strange when I think about it, "Why are American's so violent about being non-violent?" -Unknown (To me anyway, I'l dig it up from In Search of the Warrior Spirit later).
I've been thinking on what I want to do during the upcoming new year. I've come up with becoming more disciplined, being more relaxed, and improving my outlook on life.
The big thing on my agenda is to start my programming classes by the beginning of next school year. The other really big thing I'd like to do is to take my Martial Arts training to the next level, I feel like I just kind of floated into my 2nd Degree. I did put some work and effort into getting it. I gave it my all while I was testing, but I could have done a much better job getting ready for the test. I've got at least a couple years to work up to 3rd Degree.
The biggest area I've been working on is balance, a couple things I learned from Tai Chi is to put your mind into your feet and into your center, as well as to move from your center. I'm amazed at the difference I feel in movement and stability.
Well everyone make it a great one and happy holidays!
100 Day Challenge: Day 62
Wow, been really nerding it up the last few days.
My mom had borrowed some money from me a while ago (I'd forgotten about it) and she offered to sell me my little brother's Xbox 360 in exchange for the money. She only owed me 60$. At first I hesitated, I'm not sure why.
I realized a couple days later that the night she'd offered it to me, I'd been thinking earlier in the day that I really wanted to let my gamer side go and get into playing games again. Which lead to the thought: "I should buy a 360 or a PS3." Which was followed by: "I can't afford it right now." Kind of funny how things work out. I got a 360 with a hard drive, it's also a model with an HDMI output, and 3 games. HALO 3, Blue Dragon, and Kung Fu Panda.
Beat HALO 3 back when it first came out with Wayne, so I've been playing Blue Dragon. Heard it's supposed to be a really epic game. It seems like it, 3 discs worth of stuff and I think Xbox only uses DVDs. It'll be interesting to see how long it goes for. So far the games seems pretty solid, very reminiscent of the Final Fantasy series. The combat system seems pretty fluid and it has some subtle complexities that I'm figuring out, things like using the charge meter to choose how large of an area is affected by a spell as well as how long the spell will take to cast in relation to the rest of the combatants in the fight. It appears there are also some elemental factors as well. I'm only 5 hours into the game so I haven't had much to choose from as far as those go. There's a lot of speech in the game and the videos in game look like they're rendered on the fly in the same style the Zelda games on Nintendo 64 did. I'm hoping there will be some awesome cinematography done with the camera in game.
I also picked up a Magic Premium Deck the other day at Shopko. It's an all foil, Sliver deck. It seems like it has some serious potential for destruction. So far it hasn't fared too well though. I think I won 2 out of 5 games with Tom. Those were more due to bad mana draws on his part (mana starved). His Vampire deck just seems very well equipped to fight creature based decks. He's got Hideous Ends, for a converted mana cost of 3 he can destroy a non-black creature and deal 2 damage to the creature's controller, and a good number of his creatures have flying with deathtouch and lifelink. Wow just a really good combination. I think I can add some cancels to the deck to counter those spells, then I'd really like to add some more Crystaline Slivers. Pretty sweet for a converted cost of 2. I'm thinking I could add more more slivers, but it might be easier to add more Wild Pair cards into the deck. They allow me to cast a creature and then cast another create with the same total power and toughness. Now that I'm looking at the cards, I see some other strategies evolving.
I also just found out that they have Bamboo Blade on YouTube, wow talk about rounding out the nerd train A new console, a new Magic Deck, and a new Anime series to watch. Of course I'm also in inheriting a Sega Genesis soon as well. Wow, I am oozing with nerdiness. Now to balance things out I need to nerd out on my Karate practice.
Karate I've discovered is a something I'm having to redefine my goals in. I earned my 2nd Degree and now I'm wanting to focus elsewhere for a while, but at the same time I don't want to abandon it all together. Always the same problem for me, I find way too many things interesting and trying to focus on one or two at the expense of the others is a difficult choice.
It's got to be better than not having anything to get excited about.
I have a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for things. I must find a way to focus it.
Come to think of it, the whole point of doing this 100 Day Challenge is supposed to be learning how to work with the laws of the universe. I haven't been doing much of that. Well at least in a direct manner.
100 Day Challenge: Day 59
I'm not really sure if this is actually Day 59 or a Day 58 recap.
Meh, it really doesn't matter.
I'm awake at 6 am. I went to bed at about midnight, then woke up at about 4:30. Couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to run with it
I fell asleep watching Accepted and decided since I couldn't sleep I figured I may as well actually watch it.
After watching it I'm feeling somewhat inspired, I don't know what I'm feeling inspired to do. I feel the need to let myself drea.
Do I know how? I find myself thinking things like: I want to do... But then my mind immediately goes to: Will this get me social acceptance? I was thinking about it last night, I wish I knew how it is that I just have fun. Thinking about it, I know when I'm having fun, so I guess it's a matter of paying more attention to what I'm doing when I'm having fun.
Wow, do I complain a lot? I feel like I do. Meh, I'd apologize but, nah, I'll give you guys permission to complain. So long as you're trying to do something about it. I think it's pretty universal that letting things out or rather expressing them helps to validate how you're feeling. I think validation helps in understanding where it's coming from and helps to be able to formulate a solution to it.
So I've complained about it, now what's my solution? Well I'm not sure, I've got some ideas I'm going to try.
My biggest idea is that I actually try something.
I know what I need to do to improve my life, but I haven't actually done much along those lines.
On a lighter note, I'm still trying to figure out how to get mascara off, I think I got all the foundation, lipstick and eyeliner. It was a fun night, I'll get some incriminating photos up here soon The things I do to help my dad out 
. But I digress, how many people can they know what they look like long black hair, makeup, a skin tight Blondie t-shirt, and a cupcake skirt? Even better, how many people can say the know what their dad looks like with shaved legs and hair extensions (mine looks a lot like Wierd Al Yankovic)?
It takes a real man to wear hot-pants.
Well time to start the day
Everyone make it a great one!