jinx wrote: Man, I miss nights like this. I just spent forever fixing a server that had tons of issues and required a lot of upgrades. I didn't feel pressured and I just took my time to work through the issues, troubleshooting each error along the way. Making it from beginning to end without any major screw-ups and not pulling my hair out the entire time. This is what it felt like when I was doing my Linux Administration work and not being forced to do it as a job. It was nice while it lasted, but I'm sure I'll be stressing out again soon enough.
If you can, try to think of it as just for fun. I know people (especially bosses) can be quite impatient. Try to ignore the stress he feeds you. If you truly enjoy it, just try not to think of it as work at all. That might help your stress level some. Maybe even think of it like excising.
"I did it this fast last time, lets see if I can beat my time" sorta thing. Not trying to dissuade you from doing your job in a timely fashion by any means. Just try to moderate your stress, and become aware of what the triggering factors for you are.
Smile: Finally back home from a most excellent and triumphant adventure.
Frown: Going back out on another one in days. Traveling gets tiresome. Fun, but tiresome.
Smile: I took over one hundred photos while in Chicago and will be happy to share some. But for now, here are a few highlights (and I have photos of just about everything I mention):
During pre-board I had to go through one of those "we can see you butt naked" scanners. When the guard says "Pose" you are supposed to place your hands above your head in a touchdown pose. When I was asked to pose, I opted to do a few modeling poses. Two TSA agents found it hilarious...one not so much. So I got my first up close and personal pat down, and yes, they touch your junk. I'm not a bit shy, so it was worth it.
After arriving in the Windy City we took the Blue Line to Jefferson park, crossed the creepy rape tunnel, purchased my Grandmother a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the local florist, and surprised her by arriving an hour early. As soon as we dropped our bags I was straight off to Kings Gyros, and the three of us proceeded to stuff our faces when I got back. The owner of the restaurant recognized me off the bat, which always makes me smile.
After some conversation and a few brewskis, my cousin Steve picked us up and we stopped in Wrigleyville to bar hop for a bit. After an hour or so of that we hit up an awesome bowling alley that has a Big Lebowski Night where white Russians are a few bucks a pop and the play music from the film. Good times.
After one round (I bowled a 222) we went to the Lincoln Park (the place not the band from transformers) for a music festival, and also to hit up The Emporium, a barcade. People had no qualms about smoking copious amounts of pot on the street. Lots of people even walked around with joints behind their ears and seemed happy to share. Oh! And every dude was wearing a plaid shirt, so I looked like a local.
There was an hour wait to get into the Emporium, so we decided to go to Headquarters, another barcade. PLACE WAS PACKED (with plaid). We grabbed some drinks and I made a b-line to the SF2 CE line, which was long. Some guy in a pikachu hoodie was owning the crowd, playing with Sagat. After maybe fifteen minutes I got my shot.
I chose Blanka and destroyed the dude and will admit that it got my adrenaline flowing. After beating around eight other guys I asked then declared, very loudly "Whose house? Luke's House!". I raised my arms and left without a loss, giving the guy behind me the next turn. After a few more drinks and a few more games, I returned to the SF2 CE cab, got in line and when it was my turn I slapped a twenty on it but couldn't get anyone to match my bet. I did however win a beer from one guy.
We stayed a bit longer, making friends (everyone was mellow and super nice, even the bouncers) and called it a night, although it was in the morning.
Had family over the next day for lunch, and I spent most of the day doing repairs for my Grandmother, who is in her 90's. Also stopped by an amazing Polish deli and pastry shop and loaded up on good eats. Of course, I took pictures of almost everything.
We went out to a local bar with Steve again and made friends with Noiseredux's new crush.
We went to one more bar that had a second floor patio with a view of Wrigley Field, and since it was in the low 70's during my visit, the weather was perfect.
We left around 1-ish or 2-ish, stopped for gas (the gas pump had a tv in it, and it was playing sportscenter) and went home and crashed.
Had homemade perogies for breakfast, went for a walk around the neighborhood, and then took the blue line to downtown. We had a picnic near the Chicago Public Library and then went to the art institute to get more Ferris Bueller inspired pictures
I've always wanted this one : .
. \
My wife got in for free as an older gentleman was a member and he offered to have her as his free guest. Nice guy. After enjoying our time there we went to the Palmer House for cocktails. While there I visited the Empire Room, played the grand piano, and a staff member showed me a secret/faux mirror that led to a gallery of autographed pictures of stars including Billi Holiday, Clark Gable, and other greats. It was something else. Following that, some shopping on State street, and then we headed home, but not before stopping at the Gale Street Inn for fries and a beer.
That night another one of my cousins stopped by for Joe's Pizza and we shot the stuff for a few hours and then it was off for stand up. Had a blast, played two sets, then came home before midnight.
My Grandmother had a funeral to attend, so we said our good byes and packed for our return. Before we left, I grabbed to more gyros, scarfed them down and left for O'Hare.
I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot...A lot. But that was most of the trip.
fastbilly1 wrote:Now Luke, werent you the one who said no one likes vacation photos?
Good to hear that you had a blast.
Without a story worth listening to, vacation pictures stink unless you are the one on vacation. I took over 100 while I was there. Even took pictures of the creepy rape tunnel, the gyros I ate, the barcades, the music festivals, the bars, a liquor store that had "EFFEN VODKA" on sale, a burnt out sign that said "Hire Ho", the bowling alley, proof that hair cuts cost $5, and many others.
Thanks, it was a blast. I threw out some comedy silver and my second show was better than the first. My unplanned jokes of the cuff always seem to bring the biggest laughs. At one moment I pointed out "...and that had to be a pity laugh from my wife". After that I had the crowd on my side and destroyed.
I need to see if there are any comedy clubs in Asheville NC that will be open this weekend.
Ticked: Went to one of those $40 per person Japanese steak houses where the chefs basically mock their own culture. I get it; onion volcanoes look cool, and they get great tips, but sometimes the racial stereotypes are a bit much.
Smile: Before dinner my wife went to a "wine tasting" at an expensive spa. I told her "It's a sales pitch. Promise me you won't buy anything, because you promised you buy any sh!t from the Pampered Chef at their wine tasting and you bought a $40 piece of crap spatula I could get at a dollar store".
She promised. And then she won a drawing.
5 spa sessions, a "value" of $900.00usd. She and I will go together for one session (lasts around three hours so they say) and she'll go with two girlfriends at a later date. All free.
Will they try to sell us extra product? Without a doubt. Will we purchase a thing? Nope.
If anyone gives a flip, my wife won the tickets at the wine and unwind event at:
Ticked: My forums (which are seldom used) got hit with over 8,000 spam posts this month.
Smile: Installed a new mod/code that blocks known IPs, emails, and disallows certain links. Since last night at about 8:30 it has blocked 2202 posts/spam user registrations.
Ticked: Now I have to remove all of the spam posts.
BLOG | BST Systems Owned: Atari 2600 & 5200, NES, Game Boy (OG, Pocket, Color, GBA & GBA SP), DSi, 3DS, SMS, Genesis, Sega CD,
Nomad, SNES, Saturn, PS1, Dreamcast, XBox, PS2, Gamecube, Nintendo DS, Wii, PSP, PS3, WiiU, XBOX, 360 XBONE & Switch.
Ticked: Overnight the heatsink that I had in my gaming rig decided to snap (the metal braces in half) and smashed into my GTX580. I guess I have to take a trip to microcenter (or order of newegg) this weekend and take apart my whole damn computer just to install it. At least I can give it a good cleaning. If the 580 is busted I have the ability to trade it in for a brand new card with the protection plan I got. I just don't want to deal with that right now, though.
Smile: Can't PC game all the new steam games I have, but I can retro game with my cat and some ice cream! Off to Dragon Warrior!
Man, I miss nights like this. I just spent forever fixing a server that had tons of issues and required a lot of upgrades. I didn't feel pressured and I just took my time to work through the issues, troubleshooting each error along the way. Making it from beginning to end without any major screw-ups and not pulling my hair out the entire time. This is what it felt like when I was doing my Linux Administration work and not being forced to do it as a job. It was nice while it lasted, but I'm sure I'll be stressing out again soon enough.
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