Last updated 6-28-2022
Without you I am grim and fatalistic;
But with you I am supercalifragilistic!
I'm happy and I'm silly, all because of you.
And that is why I am the man who loves you.
January was full of ups and downs. I lost my job at AA World Class, though I started a new one at Microwize Technology two weeks later. As the big snow last week began, I slipped on some ice that had been covered by the white stuff, and came down hard on my left knee, the one that sporadically gives me problems. I completed three new recordings ("That's Just What I Am," "Second Shot," and "Joy in the New") and began a fourth, but I was nearly crippled when the strap on my Strat knockoff came loose, sending the guitar crashing down directly onto my unprotected toes. My honey and I went out for sushi twice, relishing both meals, but twice found our plans for Mexican canceled by circumstances beyond our control.
Well, Gina and I did get to see both "Along Came Polly" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" last month. The first was entertaining and a lot of fun, the second was engrossing and powerful, if a bit long to sit through. I finally made myself buy and read "The Hobbit" in January, too. I'd been turned off by it back in high school and never really finished it, but last year, after having seen the first two "LOTR" movies, I decided to buy that book and give it a try, and I was hooked by the first chapter. I then figured that I'd have to give "The Hobbit" another chance, though I didn't get around to purchasing it until now. Turns out that "The Hobbit" was written as more of a children's book, resulting in a different narrative style than "The Lord of the Rings," and that style is what bothered me in high school (and, quite frankly, still irks me now). The story itself, however, is a good one. I've heard that Peter Jackson is considering filming that story now; hope he does.
We also stayed in for some movies, including "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Magnolia," both of which my darlin' got me for Christmas. We really enjoyed both, though we were stunned to realize that "Magnolia" was over three hours long! I introduced Gina to "Spaceballs" and was glad to learn that she found it funny, too. Some people just don't get Mel Brooks.
The new job? Well, I'm (or at least I'm going to be) a software installer/trainer/technician for billing and electronic medical records software for the medical industry. There's quite a lot I have to learn first, though. I went to my first on-site job with Robert last Thursday, in Manhattan, and I learned that I'm going with him to Johns Hopkins University this month! Very cool... The commute to Microwize is shorter than the one to AAWC was, though the hours are longer. Not really any opportunities to war-ride on that bus route, either. Oh, well.
Speaking of technology, I attended the LinuxWorld Expo in New York during my two-week hiatus from the working world. It was certainly cool, though still a bit low-key. While in the City, I visited the Apple Store in SoHo and picked up a copy of Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther). The iBook's hardware may be over three years old now, but I'm running cutting-edge software on it. :) Gina just got herself set up with some cutting-edge hardware; of course, it's a Dell, not an Apple, but... Heh-heh. I've also acquired an old Macintosh Quadra and a Hitachi laptop to add to my computer collection. Not entirely sure how I'll be able to use 'em, but they are both working.
And what have I been using this advanced hardware and software for? Recording music, of course, and updating this Web site... but lately I've been using MacMAME again, which lets me play exact copies of old-school arcade games. You haven't lived until you've played the original "Donkey Kong" or "Centipede" or "Dig Dug" on your own computer. Woo-hoo! Best of all, I don't have to use real quarters!
OK, I'm going to have another piece of chocolate loaf (from Mazur's, a
simply incredible bakery a short walk away) and then get ready to start my day. Hopefully,
I'll be able to get some more work done on my music tonight. Yes, it's Super Bowl Sunday. No,
I don't care. Well, I suppose I'll cross my fingers for the Patriots, for my honey's sake...
;)
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A (webmaster@andersensilva.com)
Last updated 6-28-2022
