Construction: Still

The construction continues at the Gregster and Bets' palace. Today I installed more pieces into the window sills and started planing the floor where it's got some high spots. This room will be completely unrecognizable when we're done.

Today was much less stressful. My old friend Beth found me on Myspace. It never ceases to amaze me when friends I haven't talked to in ages come around and find me on Myspace or through this website.

New Neighbors are moving in across the street. Looks like spoiled Reedsters. The gigantic TV kind, brand new VW Beetle and hippy attire gave it away completely.

Cynic? Me?

Gregsta'

Shining Light

"I've been dreaming of this moment since yesterday."
-Gregsta' in reference to eating Sushi for Lunch on 3/29/07

I dislike Microsoft for a number of reasons. Most recently is the Daylight Savings Time changes, security updates that have broken my file server at work 3 times already and this whole "Vista" release. I'm bitter. Not bitter in a passingly sort of way, but I'm compelled now to look over the Microsoft alternatives closer than ever before.

I've resigned myself to the fact that my job is stressful and the people I work with have little or no respect for what I do. I have decided that I'm going to make it a point to be not as kind and understanding when they make snide comments about the stability of things around here. It may be time to start looking for a job somewhere where I can be the CIO and let network experts do their job and keep things running smoothly. I'm sick of not being able to innovate and constantly forced to react to the bullshit that my software and hardware vendors continually inflicts on me.

Thursday is the ol' day-of-birth next week. Plans are still sketchy at this point. Bets has mentioned the possibility of a party.

Gregsta'

Welcome to Saturday

You're reading what could be the most neglected blog of all time.

There's nothing better than getting up on Saturday morning with no marching orders for the day. Instead, I have aspriations. You know what I love about aspirations? No expectations to actually finish anything! Heck, if you get even the smallest task done, you're getting more kudos than if you had saved the day at work.

People like me need feedback constantly to ensure that we aren't fucking everything up that we touch or interact with. We assume (due to experience, mostly) that everything we do is completely wrong until someone else validates it as 'Passable'.

I spent a few extra nights at Putts' this week. It was good to catch up with friends and numb ourselves from all the cleaning and painting at Bets' old apartment. Yep - she's officially moved in now. We're about 3/4 of the way done with integrating the cats. At this point, they've all seen eachother and had the opportunity to hiss and growl at each other. Now we're going to work on getting them to play nice. This is the part where I don the titanium full-body armor and Bets' gets behind a blast shield.

My ol' Roomie, Nate, has adopted this little Great Dane. I say little now, but the thing is going to grow into a giganto-dog here really fast. I was half joking when I told Nate he might have to get a bigger car (as the VW Golf isn't terribly large) to take the pup to the park.

It's now Sunday. I'm picking up where I left off on this blog. I suck, I know.

Bets' and I are headed off to visit parents and a laundry pile that makes Everest look like an ant hill. Last night was dinner at Pal's Shanty. We didn't realize we came in so late. They were literally putting chairs on tables and turning out lights as we were paying our check. Okay, we got it - you want us to leave.

In other news, can I just say that I hate big box stores. Remember the old days when you went to the neighborhood hardware store to get a 2x4 or some paint? Now, with the invention of the big box store, all those little mom and pop places are nearly gone. It was nice, because they were spread out, the traffic to them wasn't so bad. Now, since everyone is going to one destination, the traffic is HORRID. People's tempers are high. Nerves are on edge. It's not good. I miss paying a little more for the mom and pop places.

Then there's IKEA... at least they're building 2 lanes, in each direction to their new place here in Portland. They know what they're doing to traffic and they're doing their best to aleviate it. I've got to imagine they had to spend a pretty penny on that. I doubt the city put up all money for the extra pavement. I can't wait for them to open. I might make one more trip to the Seattle IKEA for old times sake.

Gregsta'

New Car Arrives

It didn't take as long as I thought it would. The new car is here. I'm looking for every excuse to "go for a drive" now. Gotta run. Burrito consumption paused whilst I compose this entry. Taking a break from eating a burrito is not something that one can do for too long.

Gregsta'

Quote o' da' Day

Gregster: My name is Gregster, and I have a Procurement problem.

Gooch: They have a cream for that, you know.

This is real life. I can't make this shit up.

High on Sugar Coated Almonds,
Gregsta'

Spewing thoughts...

It's Tuesday, almost Wednesday.

I started to write this very long, drawn out "I love all my friends and family" blog that was starting to get a little sappy. I'll spare you the details. In a nutshell - I'm feeling really good these days and I'm very lucky to have the people in my life that I do. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am. Thank you to everyone who's helped me along the way. Okay, now that I have that out of the way - on to the news:

Mad Props: Gooch
The day-job office. A place where even I get uncomfortable at times. Yet, there is a shining light. That light would be Gooch. If it weren't for the Goochster, I would be a steaming pile of burnout. Thanks again to Gooch for helping keep the bacon safe at the office. G' has busted out a lot of blood, sweat and frustration.

The Move: Thursday
Bets' and I are getting up early Thursday to start tranfering her worldly posessions from her apartment to the house. Neither one of us can wait. While we're a little short on sleep right now (thanks to late nights remodeling the office), we're ready to move all of her stuff into the house.

Upgrade: 4 wheels
After 4 years with the same car (this is a record for me, folks), I've opted to upgrade. The good news is that I can get everything I want in a car now, save a few minor things. The new rig is a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It's fast, heavy and gets 40 Miles to the Gallon. Did I mention it's got every creature comfort in the book? I can't wait. It's on a ship right now, headed for Portland. Should be here next week.

The Office: Goes on
Bets' and I are remodeling the office. It's a lot of work. We tore everything out but the floors and some of the sheetrock. New everything. It will look bitchin when it's all done.

That' s all for now folks.

Gregsta'

Daylight Savings?

Okay everyone, while you enjoy a couple of extra weeks of Daylight Saving Time, I'm busting my ass trying to make sure that your computer calendar doesn't fuck you over. Okay, at least for those at my company.

I've put more time and effort into making this work than anyone will be "saving" by making this change. If it wasn't clear before, it should be now: Mr. Bush - I hate you and your bullshit politics.

Speaking of Politics - I saw the best bumper sticker yesterday in my parking garage - I miss Bill. I couldn't agree more, my fellow Portlander.

What could be more invigorating than the prospect of spending your day off at the office, patching and updating everyone's calendar? A root canal, I suppose. The upshot is that it will be quiet and I can get some other things done while things are being updated.

In other news: It's been a busy week. Both Bets' and I agreed to take the evening off and not work ourselves into steaming piles of burnout ash. We had a nice dinner at the OSF and now we're off to the hot tub to soak those aching muscles. We'll pickup the painting and flooring tomorrow and perhaps get some moldings and window sills purchased.

Gregsta'

And so it begins...

Spring is upon us.

The sun came out, clothes got a little skimpy and the smell of barbecue fills the neighborhood in the evenings right now. Of course, these are only passing acknowledgements as I spend most of my time between work and remodeling my home office.

Bets' is moving in this weekend, so we're trying to get the office all situated so her stuff can integrate in with mine. Never in a million years did I anticipate that I would be cohabiting with a significant other, but I couldn't be happier. The gypsum dust in my lungs, fiberglass in my eyes and paint under my nails are but a mere compromise for what lies ahead.

We discovered a new sushi place in Northwest called Sushiville. Gooch and I put ourselves through nearly $18 of sushi each today. That's a grand total of $36 in Sushi! It's that good. Something about sushi, it wakes me up. I think they lace the krab meat with caffeine.

Back to the grind.

Gregsta'

The best blog I've ever written

I seriously had a rant I was going to go on. It was going to be the best thing I've ever written.

Unfortunatly. I've forgotten what it was.

This is what happens when you turn into an absolute cynic of everything around you.

Good Day, Indeed.

Gregsta'