Jim's Journal

12/11/2007 10:45 #42470

Holiday Dinner: in Two Days!
Category: estrip

Don't forget that Thursday is the (e:strip) holiday dinner / pot luck, this Thursday at around 7pm! 24 Linwood right off North Street in Buffalo.

Don't sign up on this journal, sign up here, on the official news journal about the potluck. That journal's comments tell of what others have already signed up to bring. It's OK to come last minute, and if you don't know what to bring or if there is some problem with bringing something just send me a message and we'll work something out, don't worry.

Previous (e:strip) dinners have had 16 or more people show up, so it should be a great time. You can also sign up for the (e:strip) secret santa at the dinner, if you haven't already. I'll also have a box out to collect canned goods for the food bank, if you think to bring some to donate.

tinypliny - 12/11/07 18:45
Oh Man. I will have to go shopping tomorrow. :/

janelle - 12/11/07 14:09
Jim, have you committed to a particular food bank because I saw in the Buffalo News where this Food Bank had been broken into and $1,000 worth of food stolen.
:::link:::

12/08/2007 22:26 #42441

Cash Money
Category: money

I never have any paper money on me anymore. Just always use a debit card. If I have $20 in my pocket, it's a rare thing. But, last week someone paid me for some work in cash.

If I got a check for $500, it would have been totally unremarkable. Just put it in the bank and not thought about it, but seeing all these 20's, 50's and 100's is kind of shocking. I don't think I've ever carried this much cash in my pocket at once.

I went and deposited it this morning, I was so tempted with thoughts of going wild, out to dinner, out shopping, etc, etc. Or go buy drugs or hookers. It also made me feel like I'd done something wrong and was going to get arrested. Weird psychological reaction to cash. Glad it's out of my pocket. Now it'll go towards the gas bill, rent, and food like it needs to so I don't end up homeless :)

hodown - 12/10/07 11:21
Im in love with that picture!

mrdt - 12/09/07 23:39
That looks like $550 bro.

metalpeter - 12/09/07 10:38
On a serious note about money for a second. Yes banks are good and are safe and insured. That being said everyone should have some cash stored some place that only they know where it is, for the just incase something something happens that prevents you from getting money from the bank like say the Hoover dam and the falls power plant are both taken and we lose all power or something along those lines. The thing about debit cards is that they are great but they also increase spending. First of all you can spend 24 hours a day and don't have to worry that if you run out of cash how will you get to the bank. But what they also do is change the feel of having money. When you work a week and are handed cash or a check that you cash. You are more careful with that money. I drop $500 in the snow next person who comes along it is theirs. Now with a check they can get it cashed but that is breaking a law or two. Also when you hand that money over for a PS3 and maybe a game, it like wow I did a lot of work for this so it makes you think about it every time you buy something. But with checks being direct deposited you never feel or smell that cash so when you spend all that money you don't even think about it really. But there are some places where you really do need cash like drugs, strippers, and hookers. Hey maybe I should find a nice stripper do date who doesn't do lap dances but still has lots of cash. Oh Forgot one other place you need cash in Rap Videos.

paul - 12/09/07 10:06
Is there a video to go along with that?

jim - 12/09/07 01:07
"I forced him to throw that money at me while I pretended to sob in bed."

QFT

james - 12/09/07 00:48
I forced him to throw that money at me while I pretended to sob in bed.

It was great!

drew - 12/08/07 23:29
You should have made it rain.

paul - 12/08/07 23:05
I love cash more than more than checks or electronic money. One of our tenants pays there rent in six $100 bills each month. Its fun going to the store 6 times and whipping out a hundred.

12/08/2007 17:50 #42436

Christianity and Public Discourse
Category: politics

Regarding the more religious Republic presidential candidates, Mitt Romney is saying whatever he needs to in order to get elected, but Mike Huckabee scares the crap out of me. He doesn't believe in biology, thinks the world is only a few years old, and thinks his recent rise in the polls is divinely guided.

I'm sorry but if you think that Jesus could come knocking on your door to ask for help during an ultimate throw down between good and evil, you are seriously disqualified to have nuclear launch codes.

drew - 12/10/07 09:15
yeah. I know it sounds intolerant. And I am pretty cool with Jews and Buddhists and other faiths.

But some people believe things in such a way that, while I respect their freedom to believe such things, does not lead to me trusting them, at least not with anything big, like the government of the US.

I would put Mormonism and Scientology in those categories. They can believe whatever they want, but what you believe says something about you, and the history and theology of the mormon church do not reflect well on a person.

And yes, I understand the same thing could be said about Christianity (or much of it). Frankly, I think it is only because there are a lot of Christians that are able to ignore their faith that so many have been elected. Does anybody really want somebody who practices "love your enemies," and "turn the other cheek" as commander-in-chief?

jenks - 12/09/07 23:27
whoa.... I mean this in the kindest way possible, Drew, and I swear this is not to start a fight and it's not a personal attack- but "but because to believe what mormons believe shows a particular lack of judgement" sounds like a pretty intolerant thing to say... Pretty un-Drewlike. ;)

I mean I think not to support abortion and not to vaccinate your kids shows a lack of judgment- but I know a lot of people disagree with that, and that's their right.

drew - 12/08/07 23:34
I don't think that there should be a religious test for president, but I also think that voters should consider a persons faith and what it says about their character/intelligence.

I would never vote for a Mormon, not because they aren't Christian, but because to believe what mormons believe shows a particular lack of judgement that I would not want in a president. The same could be said for the Christianity practiced by some of the other candidates (but not Barack! He's the man)

paul - 12/08/07 21:49
Amen to that. I am sure end of the worldests would argue that they are actually the best to have the codes because they would only use them as absolutely necessary while someone who doesn't believe in final judgement would have no reason to hold back.

I really don't want a Mormon president.

12/06/2007 18:42 #42416

Rails 2.0
Category: programming

Rails 2.0 just came out today. Long wait! Well I didn't really wait I've been using the dev versions all along, but still.

^_^

12/05/2007 21:36 #42411

Frustrations at Work
Category: work

I hated it today but I took a fall at work. Had to admit defeat and regroup, but I think in the end it will work out. Hurts my pride though. I was sick thinking about it all weekend. Thanks to Del and Paul for being so kind. Sorry. :(

And congrats on your 2 year anniversary at Roswell, Paul!

On other fronts, I spent all summer making sales pitches, and all fall cursing the fact that all the short term contract work resulting from those pitches came in at once, but I'm almost through the stack. After this I think I can limit my involvement in projects to two or three ongoing gigs. Will be a nice change of pace. I am looking forward to taking Sundays off and having some weekday evenings free.

I need to take more photos, go to the Zen thing once a week, and be a more well rounded person. I love what I do, but I can't hardly carry on a conversation lately with my head packed so full of symbols and control flows and class design abstractions. (e:James) is probably sick of it :)

And I'm looking forward to posting some non-computer, non-bitchy (e:strip) journals as my life comes into balance.

Don't forget to come to the holiday dinner! I think I may bring along my kid brother who is in town the next couple weeks.

metalpeter - 12/06/07 18:33
I don't know what happended at work. But sometimes work can suck sometimes. Sometimes it is all our own fault and some times not. If it is our own doing then all we can try to do is try to do better or not make the same mistake again.

On the dinner note I am planning on being there (but I planned on being at the last 2 also). I will bring some kind of cake or pie that I will buy, wish I knew how to make one and that it would be good. To double check it is the 13th but what time should I be to (e:pmt)'s?

jason - 12/06/07 12:36
It is always good to take a breather and clear the head. Sounds like you need it. Here's to a stress free stretch!

james - 12/06/07 11:15
breath deep cub scout