Where U been?

Some of you might be wondering where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to… ok… maybe not. Perhaps I have an inflated sense of self-worth… No matter. I’m telling you anyway, whether you want to know or not.

Working. That’s it, that’s the list.

I got handed a rather large website project last week. I spent last weekend dipping my toes into the pool but began with vigor on Monday. This site is quite involved, and consists of many many gradient background pieces and other items which just add to the complexity. I spent so much time staring at gradients that when I got out of bed to go to the bathroom Thursday night, the light through the window cast a gradient on the wall… All I could think was how I needed to slice that up and make it into html. Yeah, I need more sleep.

I’ve got <div>’s, classes, and pixel widths coming out of my ass. Don’t get be started about Internet Explorer’s, shall we say, “limited” standards implementation…

Plus, there were a number of technical challenges I ran into. Strange corner cases with CSS and javascript that took me forever to try to solve. The worst day this week was Wednesday. I was at work for over 12 hours and when I left I was in the EXACT same place as I was when I started the day. I actually accomplished nothing. Spent the day banging my head against the wall. I would fix one little thing, or think I had, only to find it didn’t really work, or worse yet, broke something that was previously working perfectly. Let me tell you, that was frustrating.

Counting the 9+ hours I worked today (Saturday), I am at over 62 hours for the week. It was nice and quiet at the office today though. I was the only one there. I do think I need to invest in an additional monitor for my home PC, so I don’t have to always work in the office. Any of you out there with dual monitors will agree with me on how much more efficient you can be with them. I think Costco might be a destination tomorrow…

As of this evening, I have conquered all of the real sticky technical pieces… and even better, I can reuse all of the code I’ve developed on future projects, which will save me a ton of time. Sometimes, there is nothing better than really getting in that groove where everything is working and you are making killer progress.

Speaking of which, as an aside, have you seen those bumper stickers that say something like “A Bad Day Golfing Still Beats A Good Day At Work”? Bullshit. I would MUCH rather have a good day at work kicking ass, than have one of those rounds where you put 12 balls into the water. It’s not even close to a tough decision. Maybe that’s just me.

On the plus side, Jess is actually out of town in Portland, OR visiting an old college friend this weekend. So, I’ve been able to completely focus on work. Not that I can’t when she is around or anything, but it is tough when you have a metric shit-ton of work but would rather spend time with a certain someone, ya know?

So, the ‘beta’ site is due to show the customer by end of business on Wednesday. With the stuff I got knocked out today, I don’t think I should have a problem hitting that deadline. That being said, I will be working long hours up until then to be sure. Not to mention, that the client will then review it, then provide feedback. Judging by how this client has been up until now, there will be a TON of changes and alterations. I think the final product is due the 8th or 9th.

I will be neck deep until then. It’s unfortunate that I’ve been so slammed, because there has been a lot I wanted to blog about lately… bitching about daylight savings time, Boise State winning the WAC and making the Big Dance, my brackets performance (or lack thereof), so on and so forth… maybe I’ll get to them sometime.

Marcus Samuel has entered the building

I’m a little slow on the draw, but last Friday, the 14th, my sister gave birth to the latest (and last) member of their clan…

Marcus Samuel

Marcus Samuel. 7lbs. 9oz., 20″. Since he didn’t go through the Playdoh fun-factory of life, his head isn’t all squashed. So, he’s pretty cute.

By my calculations, I’m the last ‘blogger’ in the family to announce this information, well, if you don’t count Kim herself as she has been a bit preoccupied…

Jess and I visited on Saturday and the little man was just sleeping away. Despite being passed around like a bong, he didn’t seem to mind a bit. Although, when the doc came in to check on him, he started squawking a bit. Actually, he sounded a bit like a puppy. Amusing. All three of the women in the room were whimpering like puppies as well, since this particular doctor was quite the hunk. Hell, I’m 100% hetero and I thought this guy was good looking. A true life McDreamy.

I have already decided his nickname… or at least what I’ll call him until it sticks. I’m going with his initials MSE… and since its Marcus: MASE. Bang. How’s that for snappy? I like it. Either that, or “Marc Sammy” but that sounds like a pet name for a lunch item. Plus, “Zach and Mase” (their first son) sounds like a kick-ass rap group.

Speaking of which, imagine what sorts of adventures those two are going to have… Having never had a brother, I can only speculate that it is going to certainly be a sight to behold.

So, there ya go. Keep your eye on Kim’s Blog for the inevitable 10,000 pictures to come.

Congrats you guys!

The Bank Job – March 13th

The Bank JobAs usual, thar be spoilers ahead!

When a movie has boobs during the opening credits, you know you’re in for a good flick. Actually, one of my movie pet peeves are the ones that have a long drawn-out opening credits sequence where there is nothing on the screen but the names of the people and companies who created it. They are basically forcing me to read the credits because there is nothing else to look at… and that makes me angry.

Anyway, The Bank Job starts with some folks frolicking in the ocean topless, then retiring to a bedroom where some illicit photos are taken surreptitiously. We later learn that these photos contain scandalous images of Princess Margaret getting funky with swarthy types. These photos are in the hands of a Black Panther leader /pimp /all around criminal named Michael X (real original there, Chief) who uses them as leverage to stay out of jail. See, the authorities can’t touch him or he releases the photos to the press. Apparently, this is all based on a true story.

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Uncle Jason

So, my sister is about to pop. We’re talking über-pregnant with their second kid. She is actually scheduled for ye olde dash and grab method (c-section) this Friday. Of course, this makes me “Uncle Jason” yet again.

Actually, I’ve been “Uncle Jason” for a while now. Not just starting with Zach, who was their first (now 3.5 years old) either.

See, “Uncle Jason” has been around for many many years. It started with little Marcus Allen Dreps, the son of by buddy Mike. Born sometime around the mid 90’s. I was “Uncled” again when my buddy John and his wife had little Jason Peaslee (yes, named after me… how cool is that?) around the same time (then followed by Tristan and Tanner). The trend continued through my friend George’s kids Catie (4) and Jack (1).

There were even a niece and nephew by marriage in there for a few years, but let’s just move on.

Somewhere along the line, something interesting happened. I used to feel super awkward around kids. Never knowing what to do. Thus, I would avoid the situations. “Wanna hold the baby?” someone would ask. “Uhhh… no thanks” I would reply. However, through more exposure I became more and more comfortable around the wee tykes. I would say I’ve built up my tolerance levels quite a bit from where they were. Now, mind you, I’m not about to start babysitting or anything like that. But, I am good for moderate stretches.

When Zach came along, and I was finally officially legitimized as Uncle Jason by blood. Gee, that sounds kinda gross… like some sort of ritual involving sun-god robes and the still beating heart of a goat… Anyway, I digress.

Watching all these little ones grow is quite an amazing thing. I’m flabbergasted to see the beginnings of personalities. To watch them learn. Absorb. Just fascinating stuff.

Now, we’re (I say “we’re” like I’m involved somehow…) about to add another. It is really quite exciting. Lemme tell you, I never thought I’d be thinking that.

Imagine how geeked out I will be when the day comes for me to welcome the fruit of my own loins into the world. I can’t ponder that too hard or it will make my head asplode.

So, good luck on Friday Kim. We’ll be thinkin about you… and number 2.

Groomsmen

This past week, I went about the process of informing my groomsmen to be that they were, in fact, groomsmen. What follows is my email and good old George’s response.

For the record, I would just like to say that I love bein’ a guy. Reason 9,486: Life is so much simpler. I see Jess sparing with her chosen bridesmaids, spending hours upon hours looking at dresses for them and knowing that at least one, or perhaps all of them won’t like it. Me? I just fire off an email and within 2 hours, all 3 responded and we’re good to go. That’s it. They get a tux and I guarantee that not a one of them will complain about the cut, or the color, or anything. They get it, they put it on, they return it to the rental joint. Bing, bang, boom. No muss no fuss.

The emails…

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There Will Be Blood – Feb 29

This is the third entry in my 2008 movie reviews, as always, there will probably be spoilers contained herein.

I knew we were in trouble when the first line of dialog did not occur until 15 minutes into the movie.

The much lauded There Will Be Blood by P. T. Anderson was by my account wholly disappointing. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. First a little synopsis. The movie centers on a driven oil prospector and driller Daniel Plainview in the early 20th century. He is approached by a fresh faced kid who says his family ranch has oil, and for a price he’d tell him where it was. Long story short, Daniel and his son (and partner, H.W.) arrive at the ranch in California, convince the local yokels to all agree to let him drill by promising them prosperity, and bread. Obviously, you would have to imagine not all goes smoothly, and hurdles are presented by a local preacher and twin brother of the kid who put this all in motion.

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