dmotion

I lasted 3 years and 27 days without a subscription to a magazine. I decided today in these wee hours of the morning whilst it rains outside not only to obtain a magazine subscription but to obtain one for three magazines...

(Also to post to my livejournal--something I haven't done in a year and a half. I can't say this will end my dry spell of blogging, social networking lalala, et cetera, et cetera but at least I'll have this post.)

I re-subscribed to Popular Science which I had not done so in four and a half years. I subscribed to Details and Esquire as well. Wired has not peaked my interest--probably because since the demise of Borders I have been unable to find a copy to read off the rack. I've been able to view magazines and what not due exclusively to Target and Target.

Newspapers have been a bit difficult--also due to Borders' demise. I no longer have a sustained access to newspapers and have scaled back my reading to The Washington Times and The New York Post. I read The Washington Post on Sundays sometimes. The Washington Times publishes Monday thru Friday so that sucks and makes me want to get The Washington Post instead--at times.

It's peculiar--when I was a flight attendant I spent my waking hours in the sky away from connectivity due to lack of it and being on duty. Then in my off time spent it either resting or also in the air to go rest, leaving me no time on the internet.

Now I work the hours that I usually would be online and there it goes again--it's time to work.

...things go in cycles. Cycles break and resume...a cycle ceases and another begins--a cycle unto itself.

I find myself wanting simplicity--the 'simple pleasures' I call it and wanting 'Beautiful Sleep'...

You Are Fun

Your friends would describe you as the life of the party. You are a total blast to be around. You have a lot of enthusiasm - and it doesn't matter whether you're at work or at play. You are definitely an ideas person. You are constantly inspired, and the things you think of can be a little off the wall! You are colorful and downright quirky. You love to be the center of attention.

Deep Down You Are Sensitive

You're the type of person who notices everything and forgets nothing. You are very in tune with the world. You feel deeply, and sometimes the silliest things can effect you. You are easily brought to laughter or tears. You don't show the world how fragile you are. You instead show people how insightful you can be. You are good at anticipating what's going to happen in your life. You are often the first one to see what's coming.

You Are Balanced and Thoughtful

You view people with optimism. You have many meaningful relationships in your life. You had more conflict with your father than your mother. Your relationship with him was healthy but challenging. You deal with stress in an effective and competent matter. You are able to remain calm. You require a lot of calm in your life. When things get too hectic, you need to step back and reassess things.

Disliking Math Says You Are Expressive

You are an expressive, passionate, and spontaneous person. For you, math is way too cold a subject. You dislike how black and white it is. While some people have extreme passion for math, that would take far more work than you're willing to put in. What you're into changes like the wind, and you could never be forced to choose one thing. You have to be free to follow what you love.

You Need Freedom

You need to have full control of your life. You must make your own choices and decisions. Your confidence and self-esteem comes from being independent. It's very important that no one tells you what to do. You don't do well with rules, responsibilities, or commitment. You're not flaky, but you do need flexibility. You may not always exercise your freedom, but you need to know it's there. Just feeling constrained constrains you.

Wow...

I've had about five different iPods since Apple brought the iPod out, starting out with the third generation.

Let me say, I haven't felt any where near as fond or as satisfied with an iPod as I have with a Zune HD. (It's not even hard to say :) I have a 32GB Zune HD Platinum. Off the bat the size and feel wowed me. The next thing was the screen and it's sharpness. Although viewing it takes a bit getting used to it's splendid. Then it's user interface is so much more--how shall I say,...filling.

But coupled with what just makes the Zune HD stories above an iPod (even an iPod Touch) is it's accessibility of obtaining music. Now let's stop for a moment. Many people get caught up when describing a Zune (HD) and an iPod in terms other than their chief ultimate purpose which is (...too many it shall be surprising [imagine that...]) Playing, Loading, Listening, and Enjoying music. Everything else is, shall we say, luxury add on items. So with that in mind I would like to say that the Zune HD wins hands down. I shall explain. Upon loading music and hitting play one is presented with words a la Ocean's 11, 12, 13, etc. Along with Artist Bios, Related albums, further songs, and albums. With the ability to purchase/download/stream anything else mentioned or displayed.

A Zune Coupled with a Zune Pass is extraordinary. I haven't listened to so many different new artist on a portable media device without the aid of last.fm or pandora--in like ever.

Now I enjoy last.fm but let me say that a Zune Pass is like a last.fm Las Vegas Buffet. It reeks of excessive. If you obtain it as I did within the same day of your purchase of a Zune you will not be more pleased. It's just spectacular. Within minutes I had more than a dozen albums that I'd never listened to playing through my headphones. Truly the Zune HD has seen more usage than all the usage of my iPods over the years combined!

So the Zune HD does it's job as a portable music player very well. The iPod...well, I always have thought the screen should do something else rather than just be there. Never have been mesmerized by the screen of any iPod. I've always thought the iTunes interface was fine back in 2001 but for 2010 seems a bit mundane in comparison with the Zune interface. iTunes although $0.99 or $1.29, etc. fails to compare again with the Zune and the Pass. I'd have to pay somewhere near $100 or possibly more for 12 or so albums.

Again the interface really immerses one into the music. Zune turns loading and syncing into things you want to do. I've never synced any of my iPods (in the term of loading music) more than a couple dozen times (Long times too). Not the Zune. I probably synced it that many times in a week.

One of the luxuries I enjoy the most is just being able to load Avi (DivX/XviD) onto the Zune. It saves up so much time. I can't even accomplish this on the iPod. I'd have to jump over the hurdles of conversion. Before I'd be able to Watch anything loaded on an iPod (that needed conversion) I would have been able to watch it already on the Zune.

So as far as a media player the Zune excels.

There are a couple of shows that I used to watch but I no longer do. I watched them for their acting, their plot, their comedy, etc.

A prime example is "Weeds", "Weeds" began with an excellent concept. Housewife sells pot, Housewife grows pot, Housewife becomes Queen of pot. Therein were the gems that carried the story. Yet as the series progressed the more things became unravelled. Loose ends here and there. "Weeds" is dark comedy yet by the the third season it was becoming way too whimsical and fantastic. I felt like I was watching a Hispanic Soap Opera and a bad one at that. "Weeds" started out hilarious, smart, and amusing then not so much. Instead of growing better with age it was slowly growing worse. ...then I stopped watching. The Character development stopped and the convictions they had changed with every episode. The title sequence changed and the shows overall feel became that of an NBC sitcom that would not be renewed. As if every episode was trying to outdo one another as opposed to complimenting each other.

"Dexter" was astounding. Yet it ended--stopped being great. Indeed Dexter's code had shattered but it felt like the show, like Dexter was unravelling too. The formula of there's a "main villain" or "main foe" grew too boring for my tastes. Although the introduction of a love interest akin to Dexter was amazing and explosive (no pun intended) it ended after that. Making a Father of Dexter was interesting but once again it played out like an ordinary sitcom than a shadow of its former self. So I stopped watching.

"Californication" from its intro bump and constant characters was gratifying television. Although not a fan of its quick ending I felt that it's ending of season one was satisfactory. My viewing of it's three episodes of season two made me stop watching the show. Once again slightly whimsical and pushing to it's edge of the show's feel; it's attractiveness was gone.

I've been mostly using two flavors of Linux since my laptop charger gave way almost 3 months ago on a desktop PC: Crunchbang Linux & Ubuntu. Although I don't have consistent access to the PC, hence one of the reasons of my lack of internet participation, I've managed to gain some significant time on Linux--more so than before.

I've been doing some temp work with a friend building a greenhouse--when the weather is cooperative and the pieces are available. Prior to that job I was hurriedly looking for a job a little less than two weeks before April 1st when I was furloughed from the airline. I managed to get another airline job as a Gate Agent, part-time however, but it offered me about 4 hours of work maybe 8 hours if I was lucky they told me. Not to mention the amount of hoops and paperwork I had to obtain, fill out and jump through before I got this part-time job plus classes followed by some tests followed by training and thereafter finally the job. Not to mention that only the training was paid. I kept on looking for something else.

Anyways my charger stopped charging and pretty soon I was left without a laptop. My iMac Bondi G3 I have lent it so that wasn't an option. All that I had was a 3 1/2 old PC...that is at my parent's house. Seeing that this computer isn't exclusive to me and used by my family it's pretty hard to get on. Not to mention it's a trek to go use it.

So thus my internet logins have decreased.

Now seeing that July is the month of the Tour De France...time has been dedicated to watching it--although I can't say that I've watched it intently, at least every stage as I have in years past.

I've gone on some extended outings to the middle of nowhere, been looking for a job, been attending family birthdays, etc. I've had enough and not the means whereby to be on the internet.

When I am it's to read 400 to 600 sometimes more items in Google Reader--Watch a film, something on Hulu and that's that.

On top of all I haven't had the urge, or the inspiration to be online. So it makes for extended absence.

Been unbusy in the social networks arena for a couple weeks--or is it months now?

Been searching for a place of employment ever since being furloughed April 1st from being a Flight Attendant for United.

Now here's the thing about being a Flight Attendant...you get used to it. ...A whole lot.

It's a complete lifestyle change and not to mention a commitment.

I spent what didn't seem like 2 months but what seemed like more in Ground School.

Hours ranging anywhere from 8AM to 7PM, 3PM to 1AM, 5PM to 6AM learning about aircraft, being on an aircraft, learning terms, learning all the airport codes, taking a test every 4 days on things read, presented, and done in 4 days. It varies with each airline. Plus the added fact that you must get at least 80% on test to be considered passing. You can only retake test 3 times. Once again it varies with each airline.

For the time you're there you breath, dream, think, emergency protocols, location of emergency items, and numbered sections of your 3 inch (if not bigger) General Operations Manual plus FAA specific Flight Attendant regulations.

It's intense and it's mind boggling to sit through 4 hour (sometimes more) FAA mandated lectures and video presentations. Then having to take an hour long test thereafter. Going home studying given materials, and doing it all over again the next day.

Most people don't realize the amount of hard work, dedication, and hours that go into being a Flight Attendant (FA).

It's a sweet job once you pass ground school but it's certainly not about serving drinks and food on a plane.

Each Flight Attendant is responsible for at least 50 People on a Plane and their number one job is to protect the integrity of the Flight Deck (Cockpit).

Pouring Drinks and Serving Food is just something that we doing while doing that.

Most FAs start their day at around 5AM but most likely 3:30AM if not the day before if they're commuting on a plane.

From then what may follow is 14 hours of work with 9 to 10hrs of rest followed by 14 hours of work and so on possibly for the next 6 days. That right there is heavy work. Although it is not always the case most likely what will happen is 3 days or 4 days of work followed by 2 to 3 days off. Most FAs get at least 10 days off in a month some more (dependent on seniority).

Most of the time I would start at 5AM calling Crew Scheduling at 4:59AM right before going through security.

Crew Scheduling is your boss. If your phone rings as an FA you answer it. Else your bound for some disciplinary action.

There are two types of FAs. Those whom have a line (a set schedule) or those who are on reserve (no set schedule). I was an FA on reserve. At the literal mercy and beckoning of Crew Scheduling.

I came to work (sometimes because they call me at 7PM asking me, which is really telling me to show up for Airport Reserve at 5AM) which was Airport Reserve meaning I sit at the airport for ten hours went home and worked for another 5 hours at home.

That's called home reserve. It's pretty sweet if they don't call you but most of the time they do. When at home if they call you, you have 1hr and 30 minutes to get to the airport. That means on the plane and ready to board. In Washington, D.C. that means you have to drive like a mad man through traffic praying that you make it in 45 minutes or less, find a parking spot, taking a shuttle to the airport, getting through security in less than 4 minutes and getting to your gate with whatever time you have left after that. Home Reserve is stressful if you don't have high seniority.

Airport Reserve is a whole lot better. You literally wait for their call. Just sit there. You can sleep, walk around the airport, watch movies, etc. if you want but you have to be ready to run and I mean run to whichever gate they tell you to at a moments notice.

One time I had them call me and asking me:
"Can you make it to Gate A6?"

"All right what time does the plane leave?"

"In 10 minutes..."

"You know the Office is in the D Gates right--there's no way I'm getting there in 10 minutes and Pre-Flighting the plane."

"(sighs) I know...but can you try?"

Freakin' Madonn.

I'll write more about it later...uh, it makes me cringe when I think about it. Yuck, Crew Scheduling rofl :-P

What I narrated is just the part that happens before getting on a plane...

...madonn!

It seems everyday that passes the less and less I can use my PowerBook G4.

I really believe that Apple left PowerPC users in the dark when they made the crossover to Intel.

Even when they went from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X 10.0 (which required a bit more RAM and some processor speed) they smoothed the transition at least to some extent.

In all actuality Apple was like, "Screw you PPC Users!"

More and more now updates and applications no longer support PPC and/or Mac OS X 10.4

Leaving those with highend Power Mac G5s highly screwed.

So not having the PowerBook G4's Supplemental Disk with Mac OS 9 files (it wouldn't be much use to me anyways for the following) and my CD/DVD Drive inoperative...

I can't use Classic applications, I can't load any applications, games, etc.

Plus the fact that my trackpad doesn't work, on it's 3rd (and last) charger and second battery.

I am left with a computer that can't really do much of anything--that I want...

Which is the chief reason for buying a laptop: to do what you want with it.

Although that is hardly true (at least with me) with computers running Windows Operating System it is or rather was true with Apple and it's computers.

Although recently, as I've written in my livejournal:

Apple's Product: 12' PowerBook G4 1.5GHz w/ 1.25GB DDR SDRAM and 80GB HDD has been leaving a bitter sometimes sour taste in my mouth.

Not just due to the recent occurences but also past occurrences when it went out of comission back two years ago in May.

I was forced to use my old iMac Bondi G3 running Mac OS 9.2.2 w/ 64MBs of RAM and an 8GB HDD(!)

Currently that particular machine is still running in excellent condition however with Mac OS X 10.3 and 384MBs of RAM.

Yet that computer, despites it's age hasn't given me the amount of problems my PowerBook has and it's eleven years old.

Here I have a computer half it's age that I can't do what I want with it...

Zac Efron is Jimmy Neutron?





It certainly looks like he was going for that...

Possible live action film now? rofl

Freakin' Madonn!

I Watched Law and Order: Criminal Intent for only one reason--Jeff Goldblum.

Here I am intently watching the episode waiting for Goldblum to appear and...

Nothing...no dice.

No Jeff Goldblum.

What the freak USA Network?!

Don't say Jeff Goldblum is going to be in Criminal Intent if he isn't.

I'm not Watching Law and Order Criminal Intent because I like Watching Law and Order Criminal: Intent but because I want to see Jeff Goldblum act in Law and Order: Criminal Intent.

I don't turn the TV on for just any show or anything.

The whole fact that I am flipping to USA Network when there is no House and no Burn Notice to Watch is highly rare.

I might never attempt to Watch Law and Order: Criminal Intent again...because of failure to alert that, "Oh, the chief reason for which you are watching this show is not going to be on the show."

Anyways some Law and Order now...yeah, so this is the problem with normal TV. Because really who watches much TV this day? Usually people watch things online, through DVDs but sparingly on TV, if at all.

I was highly disappointed with the fact that the reason for which I was watching the show never really happened and I am left with the possibility of Jeff Goldblum being in the next episode.

But why should I believe USA Network when I see:



that description on their website when they've already lied to me?

Seriously it's not that big a deal but what if I never ever watched it again? ...Due to this small incident?

Blame USA Network...

Yeah...for a split second there I forgot that the CD/DVD Drive doesn't work in this blasted PowerBook G4...

So here I am waiting for it to boot from the DVD and...

*sound of drive spinning--DVD is ejected*

Freakin Madonn!

So now I am stuck with being unable to do what I want with this blasted Powerbook which is to re-upgrade it to Leopard--madonn!

I can attempt to try to downgrade to Panther but my initial intent wasn't to do that--it was merely afterthought.

Really detesting my PowerBook G4 right now.

I don't have Classic and I don't have Leopard.

If I at least had Classic I'd be slightly pleased but since I don't and I don't have Leopard, I am angered.

Re-upgrading to Leopard= Fail

(Really really hate my Powerbook right now--I am that much closer to breaking and literally burning it for a little bit and thereafter breaking it again. Madonn!)