I feel like this little comic strip sometimes.   I can't say I don't  bring it on myself.

I have been playing Lego Star Wars lately since I have been snowed in so much.   I loved the game until now.    It's BUGGY.   Being a programmer, I know that software is hard to write so I can live with the occasional glitch or even a lockup or two.     But this game has me at my whit's end.    I have completed 98/99 of the tasks in the game and have hit an un passable bug.   The game locks up at the exact place every time I try to complete the final task ("Return of the Jedi Super Story.)   The first couple of times, I thought it was just me.   It takes around 45 minutes to get the spot where it locks up and I have tried it 5 times.   Apparently it's a common but not universal problem.   Some people have the prob...some don't.  I guess, I will not be getting 100% complete.

I guess its time go start Viva Pinata.

Well, I got to experience life as a shut in this week.   I worked from pretty much every day this week and got way more work done than I do when I go into the office.    I didn't leave the house from Friday until this Thursday when my friend Dan offered to give me a ride to work.    Another  side effect of all of this indoor life is that I got a LOT of chores done.   The house is completely clean and I did lot's of little projects that I have been putting off.     For example, I got my new Flor flooring installed my server room.  It is a modular flooring system that allows you to mix and match and create interesting patterns.   I went with a mix of 4 different brown colors and it turned out really good.   It is a cinch to install and I was able to do the entire project in around 2 hours.   It definitely changed the look of my server room for the better.

Eclipse finally arrived last Friday and I got it hung over the fireplace and can't be more pleased.   I forgot how beautiful these paintings are in person and am excited that I get to look at it every day.   I spent the first few hours tuning the lights on and off to see the way the light effects the painting.     I took a few pictures of the painting on the wall but pictures really don't capture the depth of the image so if you want to see it, you will just have to come see it.

Back to work Monday.

I have been stuck inside since Friday.    We have been getting ice for three days straight and while everyone else seems to be bored, I am loving it.   I have got so many chores done this weekend.   I re-ran some wiring in my server room, installed lot's of blinds, cleaned the house spick and span and got the living room ready for the painting I bought a couple of weeks ago.  

Formally the position over the  fireplace was occupied by a 20x30 image of a mobeus strip that I shot a couple of years ago.  I loved it but dad hated it and made his opinion known every time he saw it.   On the night of his funeral, it came crashing to the floor and shattered,  destroying the frame, glass and ripping the picture to bits.    I jokingly have told people that dad's ghost was just getting in one last act of rebellion.    Rather than replace it, I decided I should probably  get something really special to go up there.  

Ever since I saw one, I have wanted one of Dave Archer's spacescapes.   He paints them with electricity on glass and they are truly amazing and unique images.   His paintings have graced the sets of Star Trek and many book covers.    They have a 3D effect when viewed in the right light that is different from anything I have ever seen.   Since he is now retiring from painting, I decided that now was a good time get one before they are hard to find.    So,  sometime this week, "Eclipse" will arrive and take it's place over my fireplace.   I will shoot some pictures when it's up.

You can go elsewhere to find out the deets, but this is the most incredible gadget I have seen...well ever.   I was expecting some simple iPod with a dial pad and boy was I wrong.   Picture the coolest phone ever, now picture an iPod that's 50 percent more awesome...now add them together and multiply by pi and you have it.     It's now a must have and we all have to wait until JUNE.   Good bye T-mobile.   Cingular, I am coming on over as soon as this baby is released.   OK, lets start the countdown ...6 months to go.

I finished my first week of shooting after a long break and so far, the pictures aren't looking  too bad.    I didn't realize how much I missed looking through my camera.   It's very therapeutic for me, creating something that people can look at and enjoy.   In fact, I am thinking of trying video for the first time soon.   I am not optimistic so we will see how it goes.   Ever since I started building this house, I just haven't had a chance to really enjoy my hobbies.    Now that I am pretty well settled into the new place, it's nice to spend some time just hanging out enjoying the activities that I really love. 

I made it all week and only ate fast food for dinner once.    For me, that's impressive.   Can't say that my cooking was all that good but it was cooking and not microwaving so I am off to a  decent start.    I am thinking I may sign up for some cooking classes soon and see if I can learn to cook something with more than 3 ingredients .  There isn't much to do in the winter anyway.

My sis signed up to be a big sister recently, I am thinking that might be fun to try as well.    She has two step kids.   For the first time in my life, I have had to interact with kids and find myself not disliking the experience.    I am not sure I have that much to offer a kid yet since I am pretty much a nerd but it's definitely going on my list.

Don't' forget to watch Engadget.com this week.   It's CES time and Apple is going to tell us all what toys will be cool this year on Tuesday.

It's finally 2007 and I can't be more excited.   For the first time that I can remember, I have made some new years resolutions that I want to share.

• Do something nice for someone every day - It's not like I try to be mean to people normally, but this year, I will make a conscious effort to do something nice for someone each and every day.   Doesn't matter who or what just something I wouldn't normally have done.
• Give back to the community - This year I plan to find something to do that really contributes to the community.    I have to confess that this is new to me so I will definitely need some ideas on how best to help out.
• Photography - After a year and a half off, I am finally picking up the camera again.    I have started a new Photo A Day today and plan to continue all year.   So if you see me looking through my camera at you, just smile and look pretty.
• Don't be a fat slob - Since August, I have lost 20 pounds.  It wasn't on purpose, I just happened to notice that my old pants that used to fit too tight no longer stay on without a belt..     I figure since I made it this far, might as well keep going and get back to a nice healthy size again.   Maybe I will even make a conscious effort to look presentable in my new skin.    The days of worn out jeans and black t-shirts are now safely behind me.
• Learn to cook - I have this great kitchen, it deserves to be used for more than frozen pizzas and the occasional steak.   I might even taking cooking classes.
• Date - I have been out of this groove for a while and can't say that I was ever really good at it This year, I will dive back and give it a whirl. 
• Travel somewhere - The only time I travel is for work (which I hate.)   I doubt I will gain a thirst to travel the world this year but I will make an effort to take a trip.   Plane, train, car or boat....I am not sure which.    This year I will travel somewhere for myself.

There it is, the recipe for a better me.    Happy New Year everyone.