Wow, Another Overdue Update
Hello Everyone!
It's been a while (yet again) since I've written an update.
I put a Cold Air Intake on Kat about a week ago, it's been a blast. It's made the exhaust tone deeper and I've noticed the throttle is more responsive.
I took some pictures while i was installing it, I'll get them up after I finish one detail. There is connection for the Mass Air Flow meter that goes through a coupler. I was in a hurry, I had a little over an hour and a half between school and work. In my rush I didn't realize how easily I could have removed the cable from the coupler. So it's sitting next to my intake at the moment.
Some other interesting things, my gas mileage seems to have gotten a bit worse, which doesn't make much sense. More than likely it's because I've been getting on the loud pedal more. It's the price I pay I guess 
The one complaint I have about it is that now I want to make Kat faster. I've already priced out a Flowmaster Cat-Back, it's going to be about $500 plus the cost of having it installed (yeah I'm going to be lazy/I want to make sure it gets installed right). So that'll uncork it at both ends. I don't know how much power it will add all together. But from what I remember watching HorsepowerTV on Spike, it seems like that'll give an increase of probably 10 horsepower. Not to mention it should make the power curve a smoother.
As well, when I stay off of the pedal it'll actually increase the gas mileage.
After that I'm thinking a new throttle body and a coil pack upgrade.
That's probably thinking too far ahead, but I think it'll be fun. I just have to keep some goals in mind for Kat. I'm not drag racing every weekend after all, as much fun as that would be 
Lets see, been working on mom's site. Tutufun.net is pretty much completely up and going. Just waiting on my sister to take some pictures of my nieces in the outfits.
On a side note, I setup PayPal Instant Payment Notification. It was really easy. I have to wonder yet again: HOW THE HELL DO PEOPLE SCREW THIS UP? In the case of Zen Cart there's a spiffy little guide that's been linked to by PayPal. All you have to do is follow the instructions.
Yeah, I went to work and I was in a bad mood. I'm tired of dealing with lazy clients and yes they are simply lazy. Anyone who doesn't know what Google is and how to do a simple search needs to pull themselves out from under the rock they've been hiding under the last ten years. Of course these people are also the ones that haven't upgraded from Internet Explorer 6 and then wonder why Comodo SSL certificates don't show up as valid.
There have been so many instances I would love clients exactly how stupid and lazy they are. Particularly Resellers that don't know anything about how simple things like file permissions and DNS zone files/caching work.
The really sad part is that they're the ones who are generally the most pompous about problems. People that expect us to develop their site for them and fix every little problem they create for themselves. Then when we tell them it's out of the scope of technical support they get bent out of shape. I guess they don't realize that most web designers get paid $40+ an hour. Hmm 6$ a month vs. $40 and hour.
Just a thought if anyone ever needs Tech Support.
Oh lets see what else? As a leadership team we've started a 12 week challenge. It should be fun. A we complete daily goals we get so many points. At the end of the 12 weeks, we're going to use the points to build banana splits.
OH YEAH!
I also got a new desk and a new chair! It's been nice having a comfortable chair that I can lean back in. My new desk also sets the monitor at a better height. So it sits right below my line of sight where it's supposed to. It's making computer work a lot nicer to do
Looking at the the kittens, they're getting huge! I found some pictures from about three months ago when we got them. They're a little over five months old now. Cobra's coat is nice and shiny, Glacious is looking as well fed as ever. They're both hyper at night, I heard them running all over the apartment last night while I was trying to get some sleep.
Alright well, I guess I should go get some sleep so I can get up and do laundry in the morning.
Everyone have a good one!
Inspiration
I found myself watching the best movie review I have ever seen for the the third time. This thing is 70 minutes long and I suggest if you are at all of a fan of Star Wars that you watch this scathing review of Episode 1.
I will admit when I saw this the first time I thought Episode 1 was cool. But then again I was ~16 and didn't understand film all that well (I still don't), and this guy puts a point on so many things that are WRONG with Episode 1.
(Before you go on, I'm going to give a warning about some strong language.)
Here are some convenient links so that you can take my advice:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Another one of my internet heroes is: "The Angy Video Game Nerd" aka James Rolfe of Cinemassacre.com
He does film work, reviews of movies, and my favorite part: reviews of crappy video games.
Some of my favorites are:
The Indiana Jone Trilogy
The Wizard/Super Mario Brothers 3
Metal Gear
Ninja Gaiden
Sooo, the reason I brought these guys up. They make a living at things they are passionate about. At least I'm going to guess the guys at Red Letter Media do, James Rolf aka the AVGN, does stuff regularly for Spike TV.
Which is right inline with the Self-Actualization level of Mazlow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Stuff to think about
Life Altering Realizations
I had a bit of a realization today, well really something just staring me in the face. I've gone over this in my head and I'm sure out loud numerous times, but I've never let myself just go with it.
Is a College Education what's required to lead a successful life?
I was watching the movie: Accepted the other night and it really irked me that Bartleby's parents seemed to think that because he couldn't get into college out of high school, his life was over. It just doesn't make sense to me why anyone would think that.
I didn't get into college until I was 25, if anything it's been a great thing for me. I appreciate the opportunity a lot more than I would have had I gone to college right out of high school.
Today I was thinking about people who didn't go to college or didn't finish college. Bill Gates immediately came to mind. As well some advice from The Science of Getting Rich and Think and Grow Rich came to mind. Both authors talk about the importance of the application of specialized knowledge. The knowledge can come in the form of any type of schooling or experience.
So I will take it from the examples of these people that college is not "required" to find a profession to be successful in. The more important factor seems to be how you can be of service to as many people as possible. Napoleon Hill and Wallace D Waddlles both wrote books detailing your knowledge and experience. Bill Gates, founded a company that produced software to make computers more widely usable.
Something important I came across last week was in a podcast by Geoff Thompson, he pointed out that service doesn't necessarily mean that you do things for free, you can be of service to someone by giving them what they need, rather than what they want. If what they need happens to be a lesson in the value of whatever you're offering then you've done them the best service you can. Mr. Thompson gave the example of giving someone one of his books for free, when hinted at wanting all of them for free he kindly declined and said he could by the rest if he found the first useful.
It's only fair to give what you've worked for in exchange for what someone else has worked for.
While I was at work I found myself thinking about money. What money is exactly and why it's important. The meanings behind various pieces of wisdom I've been given in the past gained a new level of clarity for me. First money is an energy, that's it. Just like any other kind of energy it needs a direction, a purpose. As Bob Proctor put it (I think he was quoting someone else, probably Napoleon Hill): Money is an excellent servant, but a terrible Master. Next, the most important thing in manifesting a desire for money is understanding the reason you want money. They money itself is inconsequential. After all money is only good while changing hands. Understanding why you want the money helps you to create the emotion behind what you want to use money for. The more valuable the service you are offering to someone the more money (energy) you can request in return for it.
There are three things to consider in a product: Time, Quality, and Price. I think of Skill as a function of Time and Quality. If you can produce something of high Quality in a short Time then you can expect a higher Price for your effort.
So how does one build Skill? That's simple by "spending" Time improving the Quality of your product.
So if you find something that you don't mind spending your time improving your abilities at, then using a creative mindset you can create opportunities to be of service to others. Which will result in opportunities to request money for you services.
So with those ideas laying the groundwork for what I think an education should be, now the question becomes: "Where should I be focusing my studies while I'm in college?"
I love understanding computers and how to use them. But they're tools they're not an end in and of themselves for me. I think that rules out Computer Science as a career field for me. Well that and I just can't picture myself writing code every day for the rest of my life.
The next question becomes: "What can I picture myself doing for the rest of my life?"
The answer to this has been staring me in the face for a number of years now. I've got five years worth of experience already and I'm only going to keep improving, especially if I stop getting in my own way.
Another piece of the puzzle fell into place tonight while I was texting Julie back and forth about my current lack of desire to excel in my class work. I just can't see how one of the majors I'm aware of will help me in what is really fulfilling to me.
There are so many subjects I think would help me, Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, History, Art, andI'm sure I can come up with more.
I've been torn because it seems I have to pick just one specialty and leave the other areas lacking.
Julie happens to have a friend who custom built their degree at USU. I wasn't even aware I had the option. But apparently I do, I have to go talk to a counselor and figure out a course of study that fills graduation requirements. But once that is established I'm good to go.
"That's the beauty of College these days! You can major in GameBoy if you know how to bullshit!" -Droz (Jeremy Piven), PCU
So there's the next step on my way toward self-actualization.
What I want to do is to: give as many people the opportunity to study the Martial Arts in order to help them improve their lives. (Wow I think that sounds like pretty good beginning to a Soul Purpose Constitution!)
Everyone have a good night!
The Secret of Tech Support
Technical Support seems to be regarded as somewhat of a black art, we're revered as all knowing wizards. If we know something it's treated as if it's something magical. If we don't know something we're treated like morons.
I found this handy dandy chart that explains Tech Support logic and how we find our answers to problems. Please see below and use the information wisely.
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!