WesM

5/6/2008

2008-05-06T22:20:14Z

lolcheese

Doing the whole Web 2.0 thing..

2008-05-02T03:26:06Z

Do any of y'all use:

1) Twitter?
2) Skype?
3) Anything else I haven't thought of, especially on a mobile?

If so, for what? I'm just curious, since I read about these applications and find them interesting from a CompSci/Programming angle, but haven't come up with a practical use or know anyone else who uses them.

Hello? Is this thing on?

2008-04-30T17:10:09Z

I wonder if anyone actually reads this any more.. :)

I'm still here, still in school, and we now live up in Denton since roughly this time last year. For those of you used to asking me Exchange questions, feel free to continue, however I'm now in Platforms After Hours Support after our overnight shifts were eliminated in the Exchange support group.

This semester's schedule should be fun. Let's see, there's:

MayMester: MU 3703 - Music, Women in (Core)

Summer 1: SPCH 1013 - Oral Communication (Core)

Summer 2: CSCI 3103 - Applied Computer Graphics (Comp. Sci.)

Summer 3: GOV 3153 - Legal Environment (Crim. Justice)

Fall: SCI 3153 - History of Modern Science (Core, last one!)
CSCI 3423 - Database Management (Comp. Sci.)
GOV 3253 - Criminal Evidence and Procedures (Crim. Justice)
GOV 3053 - American Presidency (Crim. Justice)

Right now I have 57 hours as of the end of this semester, assuming everything stays as-is and I pass all three courses. At the end of May/Summer, I'll be up to 69 hours meaning only 55 to go until I'm done with my degree. In order to finish by my goal of before I turn 30, I'll be doing all semesters, including May and Summer, until Spring 10 then I'll be done! I'll be doing 12 hours in Fall 08, 12 in Spring 09, 3 in May 09, 9 in Summer 1/2/3 09, 10 in Fall 09 and 12 in Spring 10, assuming all goes as planned (of course, "Life" is what happens when your plans go awry).

OK, enough about school. Pictures earlier posted should have revealed that I took Nathan to his first baseball game ever. He seemed to have a good time, even though he'll be quick to tell you he didn't. :) The boy loves baseball food, that's for sure. Of course, a 10-0 shutout of the Rangers by the Twins didn't hurt either, since that means he got to see several fireworks from HRs.

So, how about the rest of you? Anything fun going on?

4/27/2008

2008-04-27T17:43:33Z

4/26/2008

2008-04-26T18:31:08Z

tmb.org Hosting support number

2008-04-01T19:26:38Z

tmb.org Hosting has a new support number. In lieu of e-mail, please give us a call at 248-434-5508. It'll help us keep requests better organized so we don't lose any.

Thanks!

School thoughts...

2008-03-17T10:00:44Z

Course	Description	Term	Location	Hours	For
SOCI 3093	Racial and Ethnic Groups in US	May	Campus	1p-415p M-Th	CJ
GOV 4083	Const. law, Individual rights	S1	Internet		CJ
SOCI 3113	Juvenile delinquency	S2	Internet		CJ
CSCI 3103	Applied Comp. Graphics	S2	Internet		CS
GOV 3153	Legal environment	S3	Internet		CJ
CHEM 1013	Intro to Chem	S1	Campus	8a-10a M-Th	Core
CHEM 1011	Intro to Chem lab	S1	Campus	1-2p T,Th	Core

			1st class	Last class	Finals
		May	5/12/2008	5/27/2008	5/28/2008
		S1	6/2/2008	7/2/2008	7/3/2008
		S2	7/7/2008	8/7/2008	8/8/2008
		S3	6/2/2008	8/7/2008	8/8/2008

Howdy :)

2008-03-09T08:49:34Z

Yep, I'm still here.

Oh, and I have XM in my new truck now:

Testing from Windows Live Writer

2008-02-17T00:20:57Z

Hello there! :)

wesmills @ 2008-01-15T02:54:00

2008-01-15T08:55:29Z

Confused..

2007-12-21T04:41:51Z

This door opens into an alternate paradox.

While out shopping...

2007-12-20T14:53:20Z

Is it waterproof?

What the ... ?

2007-12-13T07:44:31Z

I watched tonight's MythBusters episode, and thoroughly enjoyed it, as usual. Airplane myths are awesome, especially when they show clips of Airplane!, which is the best Leslie Nielsen movie out there.

It turns out, however, there's something of a black helicopter conspiracy brewing. According to a large number of disgruntled posters on both Discovery's forums and Mythbusters Fan Club, there was supposed to be a segment about whether a plane can take off while on a treadmill spinning in the opposite direction (and, presumably, matching reverse ground speed). I'll admit, I didn't read the description for this show ahead of time, so I wasn't expecting Planes on a Treadmill, and wasn't disappointed when it didn't air. (For the record, my DirecTiVo's description reads as: "'Air Plane Hour,' Jamie and Adam test if a person with no flight training can safely land an airplane; Hollywood-inspired sky diving myths.")

Others are not so sanguine about it. There's page after page of "I got duped!" and "I'll never watch MythBusters again!" along with my personal favorite "Let's do a test to see if MB has jumped the shark; I'd say it's confirmed." I only found out about this from noticing the vandalism on MythBuster's Wikipedia pages.

What is wrong with people?!

According to show producers in the same threads, the segment got bumped to episode 97, and they are very sorry for the description mix-up. The threats and complaints still persist. Sheesh. Get over it and wait until January. I'm sure the segment will still rock.

New feature in Vegas

2007-11-29T23:53:35Z

The Miracle Mile shops next to PH has a laser light show in the center dome, just before the indoor thunderstorm show. It's a really neat addition. :)

Howdy from Vegas

2007-11-29T23:07:02Z

Best wishes! LOL

I'm the blue player

2007-11-23T06:35:46Z

I also suck at teh Risk...

11/7/2007

2007-11-08T02:44:31Z

This is my first post from the LJ windows mobile client. :)

The line forms to the left...

2007-09-19T16:48:00Z

Before I get to my birthday and truck post (thanks to everyone who said "happy birthday!"), I wanted to point this out: We've all been hearing about how horribly long the wait times are for U.S. passports, and how if you want one this century, you should have applied in 1997. Since getting back into the U.S. by air requires, at an absolute minimum, a birth certificate and proof of application for a passport, we applied to get Nathan one for the cruise this weekend. Four days (calendar, not business) later, on September 10th, this status message is on the website:

Thank you for submitting your passport application! It is currently being processed. Your passport application locator number is [shhh]. When you applied, you requested Routine Service. You should receive your passport within 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. If you are traveling within 2 weeks and have not received your passport and have further questions about the status of your application, you may contact the National Passport Information Center via e-mail at http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_896.html. Please include the above locator number. It will enable them to update you on the status of your application. For more information about the National Passport Information Center, please visit us at http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html.

OK, great. Now we have proof of application, so if the worst happens and we need to fly Nathan back into the country, he can still reenter. Awesome. Oh, but wait, this e-mail trickled in this morning:

We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you. Your passport application locator number is [shhh]. You requested delivery by regular mail. Passport Agencies use Priority Mail. This means you should receive your passport on or about 09/23/2007. Check the USPS status at: http://trkcnfrm1.smi.usps.com/PTSInternetWeb/InterLabelInquiry.do?origTrackNum=[bignum]". *** Please note that the delivery confirmation number is a tracking number. It is a number that will provide information as to whether or not an envelope has been delivered. You can click on the delivery confirmation number to check delivery status or call USPS at 1-800-222-1811. If you have any additional questions, you may contact the National Passport Information Center via e-mail at http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_896.html. Please include the above locator number. It will enable them to update you on the status of your application. For more information about the National Passport Information Center, please visit us at http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html.

Well, how do you like that? Nathan is apparently very important to Our Government, so they rushed his passport out the door in a week.

The line for special favors and considerations forms over there...

Birthday present....

2007-09-14T22:28:02Z

So, it seems, Cari and I got me one of these for my birthday..

More pictures here

:D

A longer post coming later about my shiny new purchase, but for now, PICS.

Hot in Denton today..

2007-09-01T05:57:07Z

vegas!

2007-08-28T02:58:53Z

Cari and I went on our first vacation together alone last week, to sunny (and scorchingly hot) Las Vegas. :) We had a free three day/two night hotel room at the Las Vegas Hilton, which for those unfamiliar is on Paradise Road at the north/east end of the strip. It's not so much on the strip, which is why we were glad they have alternatives to walking in LV. The "freebie" package even included dinner for 2 at the hotel's fancy restaurant, which took a bit of hassling to get them to hand over, but we finally got it. :) Throwing down about $220 at the roulette table from 2AM to 6AM might have helped their decision along, but I doubt it.. If you like to gamble, be sure to stay up late and do it, especially if you're a slots fan. You can probably get them to open a table of roulette or blackjack if you're truly dedicated to those games (like we wound up being at roulette).

Highlights:
- The fountains at the Bellagio are AWESOME. Everyone who goes definitely needs to see the show during the day and come back again for the night one with lights. It starts at 3PM and runs three songs every half hour until 8PM, then one song every 15 minutes until midnight.

- Las Vegas Monorail. If you spend money on a taxi to go up and down the strip, you're throwing cash out the window. The monorail runs on the east side of the strip from MGM Grand north to the Sahara. This is a great way to stay at a less expensive room in the LV Hilton or the Sahara and still have easy access to the rest of the strip. It's $9 per person for a 24 hour (and they mean 24 clock hours, not "one day") all you can use pass, or $40 for a 72 hour pass. Oh, and be sure to catch a shuttle to and from the airport. $6 per person each way beats $30-45 for a taxi.

- The Star Trek Experience at the LV Hilton. If you're at all a Star Trek fan (doesn't matter which variety, but TNG and Voyager are the themes of the two rides, and DS9 is the theme of the restaurant and large gift shop), definitely make a stop. Be sure to snag a coupon book at a monorail station, so if you're not staying in the LV Hilton you can get $10 per person off your ticket, making it $32.99/ea.

- Freemont Street Experience. Downtown Las Vegas has all the "old" hotels, including the oldest one still around, the Golden Gate. They're all on Freemont Street, which has been closed off and turned into a pedestrian walkway mall. Be sure to get there after dark to see the massively large roof-TV in action. It's the only time you'll see that much neon in Vegas be turned off. :) Take the monorail up to the Sahara, then get on the bus that stops just south of the main entrance and ride it to downtown. $5 per person for an all-day bus pass, or $2 per person per trip.

- Benihana Restaurant in the LV Hilton. Yes, it's expensive, but it's really tasty and the "show" your chef gives you at your table is great. Be prepared to chat with people, since they seat parties of less than 6 with other parties to fill up the dining table. I had the "Rocky's Choice," which is steak and chicken breast, with grilled veggies and fried rice. Best part? The chef cuts your food up for you, so all you do is eat. It'll be about $55 per person (excl. tip) if you stick with a refillable drink like soda or tea and just an entree. See if your local travel agent friend can hook you up with a freebie, then go all out. ;)

Lowlights:
- Paying for Internet access. Yes, the Hilton is one of those that charges, and it's not even wireless in the rooms. $6 for 2 hours or $10 for a 24 hour pass.

- The room at the LV Hilton itself. Nothing to write home about, though the bed is soft the pillows will try to kill you in your sleep by suffocation... No mini-bar, but there is $4 per bottle water for you to consume and hope the housekeeping staff (who are usually half asleep) don't charge you for.

Getting there and back:

This is the first time I've ever flown Southwest Airlines, or even from Dallas Love Field, and it was just as good as I'd always assumed the airline would be. Our airfare was $412 (incl taxes) round trip; American Airlines was about $485 AND we'd have had to fight with going to DFW. The plane is comfortable, as far as being in a coach seat on a plane goes, and the staff was friendly.

People will complain about not having assigned seating, but I loved it. Flying on Southwest is about as equal-opportunity as you can get. It doesn't matter when you booked your ticket or how much you paid, everybody is treated the same: pretty well. There's no First Class to hike through while everyone in that cabin gives you evil eyes for holding up "their" plane. As long as you have an "A" boarding pass, you can pretty much sit anywhere you want to, except maybe the first two rows of the plane (since preboarding older people and children fills those up). We had to make a short connection at ABQ, and even on a "full" plane there were two seats together (next to a guy who packed an entire deli in his carry-ons, and was trying to use his two bags to "save" empty seats, but annoying passengers happen anywhere) for us to occupy.

I think Southwest's test in San Antonio where boarding passes are given sequence numbers will help out greatly, since my one complaint was having to keep a spot in the A line instead of being able to sit down, as well as some of the "tactics" people used to get a good spot. Making the boarding more orderly, instead of a door-rush, will help out a lot and still preserve the "all seats go to the same place" style.

There's no meal service, but you do get peanuts and, possibly, Ritz crackers, which is fine for me since I prefer sleeping instead of eating on a plane (both are my favorite activities, however ;).. Love Field as a small airport is awesome, and doesn't have the long hikes from one end to the other like DFW does.

It was a great trip. I can't wait to do it again. :D

Code Monkeys intro

2007-08-12T01:48:19Z

This is an exceedingly funny show on G4... :)

wesmills @ 2007-07-19T23:27:00

2007-07-20T04:29:19Z

I finally found a replacement DVD.
I am watching this movie.
It is still hysterically funny.

I am a people person!!

QUOTED FOR TRUTH

2007-07-14T04:54:07Z

In case you thought it couldn't be done

2007-07-14T02:16:13Z

Yes, the free iPod sites work:

On the left, my new 2GB Nano and on the right, cari's new 30GB Video. (yes, I already have a 60GB Video..shut up :) ) It took us (technically, I "earned" one of the Nanos; we got 3 Nanos, 2 Videos, and 2 Shuffles so far) about a month plus shipping time.

Edited to add: By "us," I mean cari.. :) My contribution to "earning" one of the nanos was to do the offers on one account to get 2,000 points. Cari beat the stuffing out of their servers for days on end to get the others (a video is 3,000 pts), and there's supposedly more on the way.

My sister got one for everyone she knows, and cari got one for everyone she knows. There's not too many people we know who lack iPods who didn't specifically decline one (hi techie_!). The "loophole" may have closed, but if you're interested, let me know and maybe we can work something out.. :)