I arrived back home today after two weeks of training in St. George. I actually had a great time and it was all very relaxing. It was almost a vacation, except for the fact that I had to work. :) I think that my time there was well spent. Very well spent actually. I think that I’m pretty much ready to start recruiting parents. I already have a few leads and I’m going to get started on it all tomorrow. I can’t wait.
Monthly Archive for May, 2005
I arrived home last night from a long day at work and sat my butt right on the couch. I was only there for a little bit when my lovely wife arrived home with a surprise: blue and pink balloons. At first, I was thinking that it was someone’s birthday, but I couldn’t remember seeing anyone’s birthday on my calendar; then it dawned on me. “Are you pregnant?” I asked. She smiled and I got up and hugged and kissed her.
Needless to say, we’re super-excited. I came in today and told my new coworkers. I called some family and friends last night. I need to call my father today and tell him. If I knew he read my page regularly, I’d not post anything now, but I’m sure I’ll catch him first. I think Corinne and I will go out tonight (without Milaena) and have a little celebration. Things couldn’t be more awesome!
Well, the time is here. Tomorrow is my last day of work. I’m now backing up all of the data on my work machine and getting ready to hand it over to another person. Frankly, more than anything at work, I’m going to miss this computer. I know that might sound silly, but this is the best Linux box I’ve ever used. I’d really like to have one for home, but I can’t justify the expense, especially considering the fact that I’m going to be getting a new PowerBook by the end of the summer to replace what I already have. Perhaps one day, when I finally start my own hosting company, I’ll be able to again have the best Linux box of my life.
I’ve really been on edge the last few days. Frankly, I’m just at the point where I want to be done. I’m sick of the questions, and I’m horrified that there will be a bunch of last-minute crap that comes up. I’ve decided that the only contact that the company will have with me is via e-mail, and even that is pushing it considering that I won’t be paid for any follow-up that I do. I’m moving on to a new job, and that is where my focus will lie. Simply put.
I was thinking today that I was going to have buyer’s remorse over the gun I put on hold yesterday. I’m happy to say that I don’t. I think it’s going to be a good thing. I realize that I could have bought a new drum-kit with the money I’ll be spending, but the only problem there is that I don’t have anywhere to actually play drums at. So…on to different - and new - things I guess.
So, I decided today that I needed to relieve some stress, so I went down to the local gun store (also own by the owner of Webpipe) and test-fired a Springfield Arms XD 4″ .40 cal pistol. I purchased 50 .40 cal rounds and went at it. This gun was AWESOME! It fit nicely in my hand, wasn’t too heavy, and shot like a dream. I also tried a Glock 23 that was actually ported. Although I got a closer grouping with the Glock, I like the feel and look of the SA much better. I’ve never shot a pistol of this caliber before and I was very happy with my experience.
I put the gun on layaway, so I can sit on it. I’m excited to have a weapon. Not only for self-defense purposes, but mostly for fun. I’m looking forward to going out with my brother-in-law this summer to do some shooting. His brother actually has a skeet trap and a few shotguns. It’s going to be great.
I also got another load off my back today when I finished the overhaul on our wireless network. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on getting the final improvements implemented before I leave. We’ve upgraded all of our wireless backhauls to 802.11a radios; moved one of our POPs to a location 1100 feet higher than it was; removed our old gateway from the picture (and replaced with a new version that actually does MAC filtering and all sorts of other fun goodies); cleaned up each of the POP locations by rearranging the inside of the NEMA boxen and replacing radios and cables; and finally arranged the IP scheme to be much more logical. Looking over the last year, I realize that this is project is going to be *my* legacy for the company. When I first started, the service was in such disarray that if nothing was done the company would have soon been left with no customers. The service was ridiculously unreliable and it makes my happy that all of my wireless experience was responsible for my being able to clean up the network and bring to a fully operable state. That one thing is a huge load off my back.
So alas, the end of my computer career is nearing. Over the last four years, I’ve built a wireless customer base for InfoWest, headed up their DSL operations, fixed a severely troubled wireless network, and administrated a network of 50+ servers. I feel pretty good about all of that and certainly can’t complain about what I’ve learned (and learned to love) in the meantime. It will be a sad parting, but I know that I’m on to bigger and better things. Ultimately, I know that my knowledge in IT is going to help my career in a serious way. If nothing else, at least I’ll be able to run my own office - servers and all - without help from an outside IT staff and that has made it all worthwhile.
Well, I finished the last of my school work on Saturday. I put in an extended day at the library, and I’m feeling great. I’m going to take my books back today for buyback (more powerbook money). I actually have two semester’s worth of books that need to go. I’m stoked.
We’ll be moving this weekend, and going to St. George for all of next week. Things are really moving along nicely. I’m just about finished with the new company’s website, I hope they like it.
This is my last week of work. I’m exicted, though I must admit that I’m not really sad. Not at all. It’s going to be a good change of pace.
