And yet it was probably my own pride that caused this. . . In thinking that I could make a Packard Bell computer better and faster than it originally was. . . stronger and more powerful attributes than its creator endowed it. . . what was I thinking? I am not a god. . . just a mere techno-magi. . . a good one. . . at least I thought I was. . . It was a worthy goal, I had thought, to use my powers and my abilities to bring the old brute into the new millenium. . . it was something that should have been workable. . .

But this? Quincy IV-C now lies dead. . . and the Media Center project (to put a computer in the entertainment center to facilitate the broadcast of non-conventional media) which I have been working on for the past week is now dead in the water. . .

*sigh*. . .

The main event last night was Rocky's party. Rocky, a friend of Ben's, thought about throwing a birthday party for himself. This party, however, happened to coincide with when he was finally getting divorced from a unhappy marriage. So, he decided to kill two birds with one stone, and threw a divorce/birthday party by inviting anyone and everyone. There were rumors of him inviting along a couple of female escorts, but there were no signs of them by the time we arrived. Still, it was fun socializing with people and finding out how badly I'm out of practice in table pool still. Unfortunately I won't be able to practice using the pool here at the complex until Tuesday, when the cue sticks are back from repairs and the table has been resurfaced.

Reckless speeding is contemptible, agreed. But when variables are not allowed into the equation (i.e. bigger truck driving next to you throws off the officer's radar scanner, making him/her thinking you're going 5MPH more than you actually are. . . etc)?

If an officer was chasing your sorry ass down, which license plate on your car would he be looking at? That's right. . . the rear. What the hell does that have to do with the front? Don't get me started about cameras being installed at intersections/stoplights; there's so much underhanded crap that goes along with it that its basically become a revenue machine for cities, not law enforcement. Not to mention it introduces even more traffic congestion after it is installed (and it has nothing to do with stopping red-light runners).

This complete and utter bullshit of sticking to the letter of the law without any rational interpretation is simply one more step towards the totalitarinism that threatened the greater western world merely half a century ago. I understand the need for laws and regulations to protect and serve the benevolent populace. But the said benevolent populace should not have to be chained and ground into such subservience, without any regards to their abilities nor matters of circumstance, in order to maintain that kind of peace and serenity.

I used to have respect for the men and women who served and protected. But this isn't serving nor protecting. This is just being downright anal. This is even worse than Richardson PD. . . at least they were only anal on excessive speeding.

So. . . to come full circle. . . I'm getting the impression that this is no longer the land of the free. . . more like the land of the chain and quarters. Maybe one of these days the ones in power would strip away the facade of democracy and admit to the reality of things. Until then, we the populace must suffer through their stupdity. Even though we didn't vote for them.

Given the current situation, it looks like I have been exiled from Camelot Command until someone/thing/being restores some sense of sanity/rationality there.

The initial cold front that hit us while enroute really put a damper on me (because I didn't bring any winter clothes, anticipating a nice sunny spring-ish weather), but fortunately the temperture remained in the 60s and the sun helped out as well. While we did see snow on the way to Colorado, there weren't any on the ground in Denver upon our arrival.

I managed to tear my collarbone again while helping Bonnie moving some stuff. At this rate I don't think that hairline fracture is going to heal at all. . . :( Its really really sore right now. . . but at least I'm not completely immobilized. . .

The replacement fuel pod for Enigma One arrived a few days ago, and I managed to get that over to Kyle for him to begin some prep work on it before we install it. Replacement sensor modules are also enroute and should be here shortly. Discounting the few remaining damaged (but serviceable) components on Enigma One, she should be ride-worthy by the beginning of May. And not a moment too soon. . . :)

Just about every last detail has been taken care of, the last bit of clothing has been packed, the latest software patches installed on Quincy VIII, stoves turned off and dishes washed. . . in less than seven hours the 3rd Denver expeditionary force will be moving out, and more than likely with me at the helm. It should be an interesting 16-hour trip, providing plenty of time for me to catch up with Bonnie. Then a quick two-day recuperation period before I come back to OC4 and resume normal operations.

That said, things are actually going better than I would expect at Best Buy. I've managed to pick up most of the procedures, and am venturing into making some judgement calls based on what I know of the company's policy. Customers I deal with generally walk away with a smile on their face, and a few have even recommended to management that I should be kept on staff for as long as possible (due to their impression that I actually know what I am talking about when recommending products). It feels good to have made some small impact in their lives like this.

Not that I'm bitter about this or anything. . .

Was shuttling back and forth throught the DFW area scrounging for parts and what-nots to fix the computers at dad's shop. Apparently one of the CDRWs called it quits, so off I went in search of a replacement drive. Found one for cheap at Best Buy, and word soon spread throughout the Chinatown area. I think I should start getting some kind of commission at this rate. :P

Another piece of news spread throughout the Chinatown area Tuesday as well. Apparently my entire family has done such a swell job of hiding the fact that I had come into possession of a new car, that only now did anyone found out. My parents derived some small enjoyment out of everyone's surprised look and insistent inquiries. I did learn one thing out of this though. . . if one does not flaunt what one has, one derives more enjoyment out of other's bafflement in the future. Then again. . . I'm not sure that was the lesson my parents wanted me to learn. . . hmm. . .

On to something more serious. Supposedly there is now a very dangerous rumor floating about in the Plano area. A quick background. . . the shopping center where dad's shop is located at contains an asian supermarket. It was one of the first in the area to be owned locally, but is now being threatened by a new supermarket that recently began operating, and financed by a group in California. When the new place opened, a fierce price war was waged, but the older shop was not deterred, and survived for the most part. But that all changed with the new SARS scare. This might be considered hearsay, but it must be said. There have been reports (by customers who patronize both shops) that employees at the new shop is warning customers not to visit the old shop because someone had contracted SARS there and had died from it. The result? The entire shopping center has been devoid of customers for the past week. I have personally been there, and I can personally verify that there have been no contractions of SARS in the area, and although I cannot verify who started the rumors, it is a very bastardly way of stealing business from the competition. It not only hurts the old supermarket, it hurts EVERYONE in the shopping center when unfounded rumors like this is allowed to continue. I really wish I could smack whoever started the rumor with a piece of cold fish, but I will settle for breaking every bone in their body, just to make my point clear. A similiar incident occured in LA, and LAPD has already stated that starting rumors such as this is considered a crime, classified as libel, and may (insert your choice of diety here) have mercy on your soul if I find out who you are. I had higher hopes that asian business people can conduct themselves accordingly during these times, but I guess I'm expecting too much.

So I rewarded myself by jumping into the freezing cold pool. Not much reward, you say? Well, I then swam a few laps as a good measure. Besides. . . the water wasn't that cold once you get used to it. . . :P

Wrapped up the expedition by soaking in the hot tub once again. This time, a father of two that's been there lately noticed my laptop, and we struck up a conversation about web app dev. Fun stuff all around.

So instead of the hot tub, I went and hung out with Reed for a bit. Haven't seen him in a long long while since he left Design Edge, and apparently he's just been goofing off and recuperating from working too much at DE. He showed up at the Mixer mixer last weekend, so I managed to get his new contact information. Much discussion ensued today at his brother's place (where he's living right now), mainly to figure out how to put our collective talents to good use. Some interesting ideas came out of it, which I am not at liberty to discuss.