Anthony Rants

Well, I've finally taken (or more accurately, found) the time to sit down and write an update. As you can see by the picture above, Anna & I are going to see Weezer when they come through town, so that's pretty exciting. The seats aren't exactly the closest, but I'm hoping with a fast prime or zoom (haven't decided yet), I'll still be able to catch some decent pictures. I have a feeling that it will be an awesome show.

We purchased a washer and dryer last weekend so that now we finally are able to have clean clothes without running down to the nearest laundromat. They're EnergyStar compliant. That means combined they cost somewhere around $30 a year to operate. They're both front-loading, and the washer is agitator-less (meaning now maybe some of my favorite clothes won't wear out so fast :-p)

Sometime midweek our DirecTV system will be arriving for me to install, and although I am beginning to adjust to our three over-the-air channels, I'll be happy when I have NFL Sunday Ticket (and GoodEats!). I decided to install it myself so that I can engineer the whole MythTV setup and its involvement without worrying about the technical limitations presented with 'free' installation (no more than 50' cable run, etc.). Evidently I have to install two dishes because the locals are broadcast out of the regular slot, so that will be interesting. I'm pondering hitting my dad up for his signal meter, might make the install a little easier.

I've been considering trying to make it back with Anna to Columbia for Mike & I's birthdays. I talked to Matt and he thought he'd probably be around. What about the rest of you? Does it sound like something you'd be interested in?

My job is going pretty well. Right now my time is split between learning Delphi (to maintain existing programs), extending a server-side Java bug-tracking/Wiki program (Jira / Confluence), and developing deployment plans for Linux servers. I got Anna and I enrolled for my benefits package. It looks to be a little over $150 a month to get the standard HMO with dental and vision coverage (not too bad). Monday will be my first paid holiday (ever!). On the agenda for the coming year is developing a very large database and migrating to .NET (probably C#) all of the existing program functionality (that lives in Delphi atm). So it looks like they have more than enough work for us through the initial 3 year appointment.

Over the past two weeks, we've had both sets of parents cancel their trips out here. Anna's mom got too busy to come, and my dad actually ended up getting put on alert for activiation (due to the hurricane Katrina stuff). Someone come visit us! :-p