So, here I am, sitting at one of the local Tim Hortons restaurants (the one on Broadway, if you must know), enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and a donut. Back when I worked at the TH in Brewer, I was incredibly excited to learn we would soon be getting Free Wifi in our restaurant. But then it came, and I was totally underwhelmed. Mandatory "sign ins" every hour, abysmally slow connection (and download) speeds, and the worst offender: blocked sites. Now, I understand, you don't want teenagers coming in after school, leeching your Internet, and streaming porno. But I was floored when I could not access deviantART (it's not blocked anymore).
Who's determining what sites get blocked? That's not all that gets blocked, though; RDP, VNC, and VPNs don't work. If anyone out there has a workaround (besides not using their Wifi) please clue me in.
Ahh. Now that I've let that out, on to better topics. This week marked my eligibility to upgrade my cell phone again, so I took the opportunity and ordered the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. After a bit of trouble getting my new SIM activated, I can safely say I'm thoroughly impressed. The larger screen, plus the Super AMOLED technology in it, is a major improvement over the Atrix's qHD screen. I'm going to miss Ice Cream Sandwich (CM9) for the time being, but at least I'm not stuck with stock. The first thing I did after getting it charged (and failing to register the new SIM) was install Clockwork Mod Recovery, followed by CyanogenMod 7 (CM7). The next step was adjusting the LCD density to really take advantage of the 4.5 inch screen. Everything on screen is now the same size as it was on my Atrix, only there's more space to play with. Me gusta.
Tonight's beer night at Matt's. He's brewmaster this week, and tonight is also going to be our first all-grain batch. Should be interesting.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Learn to Fly
I'd like to say my lack of updates is due to being busy, but that'd only be a partial truth. While I have been keeping busier than I used to, I pretty much stopped updating because I'm lazy. It happens in cycles, so it'll probably happen again in the near future. Just a heads-up. :D
(It's been so long, I just had to re-read my last post just to know where I left off. Oops.)
I've been spending Friday nights regularly with Matt, Jim, and Lewis. As such, I've even officially been incorporated into their operation, Beardos Brewing Company. We're still strictly home-brewing, but we've also been spreading the word to friends and family, and I'm planning on putting together some samples to give out at some point. Up until now, the only stuff I've done for them was lending a hand with pouring/bottling a couple times and playing graphic designer and throwing some labels (and the logo) together. But this next week, I get to be brew-master and choose what the next beer we make will be. I've had a couple ideas so far, but I thing we've settled on an idea that my brother recommended: steam beer. It's definitely not common in New England; it's seeing a revival in California, I hear, but definitely not the East Coast (not yet, anyway). The other two potential recipes I came across were Vanilla Cream Ale, or Chocolate Stout. But I'll save those for later.
The next big thing in my life (though, in my book more important) is I've been spending time with my friend Michelle again. It's a long story as to why we weren't speaking to each other (and admittedly my own fault), but she's definitely the closest friend I've ever had and words can't express just how much she means to me. To say that I've enjoyed being around her again is a gross understatement.
One final thing to wrap this post up (so I don't write a novel): I'm waiting to hear back from Waldo County General Hospital about a job interview I had last week. Jim works there, and he gave me a heads up on the job opening. Fingers still crossed; I haven't gotten a rejection email yet, so that means I'm not out!
(It's been so long, I just had to re-read my last post just to know where I left off. Oops.)
I've been spending Friday nights regularly with Matt, Jim, and Lewis. As such, I've even officially been incorporated into their operation, Beardos Brewing Company. We're still strictly home-brewing, but we've also been spreading the word to friends and family, and I'm planning on putting together some samples to give out at some point. Up until now, the only stuff I've done for them was lending a hand with pouring/bottling a couple times and playing graphic designer and throwing some labels (and the logo) together. But this next week, I get to be brew-master and choose what the next beer we make will be. I've had a couple ideas so far, but I thing we've settled on an idea that my brother recommended: steam beer. It's definitely not common in New England; it's seeing a revival in California, I hear, but definitely not the East Coast (not yet, anyway). The other two potential recipes I came across were Vanilla Cream Ale, or Chocolate Stout. But I'll save those for later.
The next big thing in my life (though, in my book more important) is I've been spending time with my friend Michelle again. It's a long story as to why we weren't speaking to each other (and admittedly my own fault), but she's definitely the closest friend I've ever had and words can't express just how much she means to me. To say that I've enjoyed being around her again is a gross understatement.
One final thing to wrap this post up (so I don't write a novel): I'm waiting to hear back from Waldo County General Hospital about a job interview I had last week. Jim works there, and he gave me a heads up on the job opening. Fingers still crossed; I haven't gotten a rejection email yet, so that means I'm not out!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A Place For My Head
A little recap of the past couple days: Kayla did not come over for dinner. I was not surprised. Had a good time with mom and the kids anyway. Started a few art projects Monday morning. Updated my Atrix to a newer build of CM9, camera is working and 2D acceleration is mostly working. Finally fixed my Sleeping Lionheart earring. Valentine's day is just about over.
All caught up? Good.
I've been slowly realizing that I've lost touch with way too many friends over the past few months, and years. When I moved to Brewer in 2007, I lost touch with most of my high school buddies. When I moved back to Bucksport last year, I lost touch with the friends I made in Brewer & Bangor. This sucks. So I'm gonna change that, as much as I can and as soon as I can.
Tomorrow, I'm having lunch with Hannah, my awesome former manager from Tim Hortons (who left just before I did). For a while when I lived in Bangor, we used to grab lunch together at least once a week, but we haven't gone in a couple months. We're overdue for some catch-up time.
Then, Friday night I'm heading to Matt's house, my best friend from high school. Part of the reason I even moved to Brewer was because he lived just 2 blocks from where I moved into, but not long after that he ended up coming back to Bucksport. I've seen him and the guys a few times since (mostly at various weddings), but I'm stoked to finally get a night in to relax with them. They've started brewing their own beer at Matt's; I haven't really found a beer I really like (the only regular beer I've even finished was a Sea Dog Pale Ale), so maybe their homebrew will change my mind. In any case, it'll be awesome to reconnect with them.
Those are the only plans I've made since yesterday, but I also decided to start taking better care of myself (I type while eating pizza and chocolate pretzels). I've started taking multi-vitamins again, doing some exercises at least 2-3 times a week, and I'm looking into some hikes/camping once it warms up a bit more. I'm sick of being cooped up inside all the time. As much as I hate the cold weather, I need some more nature in my life.
(I'll add my customary linked images/videos in the morning, it's getting late. Goodnight all!)
All caught up? Good.
I've been slowly realizing that I've lost touch with way too many friends over the past few months, and years. When I moved to Brewer in 2007, I lost touch with most of my high school buddies. When I moved back to Bucksport last year, I lost touch with the friends I made in Brewer & Bangor. This sucks. So I'm gonna change that, as much as I can and as soon as I can.
Tomorrow, I'm having lunch with Hannah, my awesome former manager from Tim Hortons (who left just before I did). For a while when I lived in Bangor, we used to grab lunch together at least once a week, but we haven't gone in a couple months. We're overdue for some catch-up time.
Then, Friday night I'm heading to Matt's house, my best friend from high school. Part of the reason I even moved to Brewer was because he lived just 2 blocks from where I moved into, but not long after that he ended up coming back to Bucksport. I've seen him and the guys a few times since (mostly at various weddings), but I'm stoked to finally get a night in to relax with them. They've started brewing their own beer at Matt's; I haven't really found a beer I really like (the only regular beer I've even finished was a Sea Dog Pale Ale), so maybe their homebrew will change my mind. In any case, it'll be awesome to reconnect with them.
Those are the only plans I've made since yesterday, but I also decided to start taking better care of myself (I type while eating pizza and chocolate pretzels). I've started taking multi-vitamins again, doing some exercises at least 2-3 times a week, and I'm looking into some hikes/camping once it warms up a bit more. I'm sick of being cooped up inside all the time. As much as I hate the cold weather, I need some more nature in my life.
(I'll add my customary linked images/videos in the morning, it's getting late. Goodnight all!)
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