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It’s 11:00 PM in the midwest and thanksgiving 2005 is drawing to a close. I wonder if anyone remembers what they’re celebrating, or if it’s just become an all day pass to guilt free gluttony?

I stood out on my balcony/patio earlier having a smoke. The courtyard of the apartment complex is usually *very* quiet, but this evening there was a very audible hum of conversation all over the place. My neighbors across the way were gatered together enjoying a thanksgiving feast as were other groups in many of the apartments surrounding mine.

Just before going to get my late evening thanksgiving “ultimate” cheeseburger from Jack in the Box, I stepped outside into the courtyard again. This time there was a very different attitude to the conversation. There were raised, seemingly angry tones coming from my neighbors place.

It seems that there had been a disturbance between some of the guests and the hostess or something. I didn’t catch all of the yelling that went on (nor was I trying to), but I was barely able to resist the urge to go over to them and say “You know … whatever it is that you’re fighting about isn’t that big a deal. It’s certainly not important enough to ruin your gathering over, and you’re all going to feel really stupid tomorrow when you call each other to apologize.”

I didn’t though … I can’t sort out my own problems, let alone advise anyone else on theirs.

Anyway … This is the first time that I can recall that I didn’t spend this holiday with at least one of my family members. I called everyone, but it’s just not the same. That’s not to say that I was completely alone. Dale and Kim invited me to their dinner, even though they didn’t have to. They are, without a doubt, two of the best friends I could ask for.

So what are you thankful for? If you don’t know you should *really* think about it.

I know what I’m thankful for, but it would take more time and effort to type out than anyone would devote to reading it. Suffice it to say that I’m thankful for all the people in my life — even (especially) the ones that I can’t tell.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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Buddha said that “All human life is suffering” and that “All suffering is caused by human desire, particularly the desire that impermanent things be permanent.” I think that those statements sum up life in today’s society nicely, and that if people were a lot less concerned with material trappings that they would be a lot happier. Having said that, let me now dive into this post … It will, without a doubt, seem hypocritical to both my readers :p

Recently I had made up my mind that I was in need of a motorcycle. The 2006 Yamaha “Raven R6″ is *really* slick in the looks department, and (as anyone in motorcycle circles knows) is hella fast and nice to ride (even the GSX-R snobs have to admit the facts). The 06 Raven isn’t available until 01/06, so I have had time to think about it logically, and I think I have decided against it.

In Dallas, it’s warm enough to ride a large part of the year. It’s also (reasonably) safe to ride here as most of the streets are either one way, or divided. The thing is though, a bike just isn’t very practical outside of a commuter situation (assuming you don’t have anthing to carry to and from the office) or the weekend joyride. Passengers are out of the question (not that I would want any anyway … What part of “DON’T LEAN” didn’t you understand?), and they just require more attention to ride in the city than a car.

So anyway … I’ve decided to take the money that I would have spent in payments on the Raven and put it into my car. I have a 90 TSi AWD Talon that’s just begging for upgrades. I dropped the cash for “poly” suspension bushings (yes, all of them) last night, and once that stuff is installed I’ll start looking at the powertrain. The engine in the car is pretty strong as is, but I need some 750cc injectors ($350), a FMIC (~$300), bigger fuel pump ($100), aftermarket FPR (~$150) and, of course, a bigger turbo. It’s looking like I can pick up an EVO 3 for about $550 (new), and that that turbo should run up into the 350-400WHP range. That’s exactly the mark I want to hit with the car, so I think that’s what I’ll get. I figure that those upgrades (when complete) should come in right around $1500 and should put the car at about 350 horsies.

It should be more than fast enough to keep me interested in driving it, cost less than the bike would have, and allow me to take someone with me when I go driving. Of course, hotrod projects never end … With ~350WHP I’m *sure* I’ll discover I’m in need of a drivetrain parts … I know the tranny has seen better days. Maybe I’ll start saving pennies now for a TRE gearbox

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As some of my audience knows, I recently moved to Dallas, Texas. For those of you that didn’t know, you may be wondering why?

Well, the short version is that I just wanted a change of scenery. My wife of 8 years and I decided that we didn’t belong together anymore. Please … stop yourself before you let go of the usual “Awwww … I’m sorry.” It’s really not necessary. Lisa’s a good woman and deserves all the happiness that I was always too busy to give her. “If you love someone, set them free” and all that. Anyway … So I moved to Dallas to the corporate offices of my employer and Lisa and Casey stayed in Missouri.

I work a lot harder here than I did in Springfield. I get included on a lot more on projects and meetings and such than I did in Springfield. It seems that now that I’m there where people can see me, my opinion is a lot more valuable. What it all adds up to though is more time in meetings and such and less time actually working. When I do get time to work it’s usually done at an inhuman pace that most people couldn’t imagine ( let alone match ).

Now then. I’ve got an apartment and (almost) all of the stuff that comes along with that. I’m still in need of a couch, but I think I found one that I like. Then I just need some odds and ends like a coffee table and some things to hang on the walls. AllPosters.com has some kick ass art, especially the Asian stuff.

I still need a TV. I bought a small one, and it may be all I have for a while. I want to get a DLP projector and screen. I mean, why futz around with a bigscreen projection TV when you can have a true home theater setup for half the price? The problem is that I’m having a hard time justifying the expense, since I’m hardly ever here to watch TV, and when I am, that’s not what I’m usually doing.

In summation — I’m doing fine in Dallas. It’s very *very* busy, but I like it that way.

“Idle hands spend time at the genetals … and you know how much god hates that!”

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Never let it be said that a RAID mirror will cure all your ills…

The server that previously hosted this site (along with my others) is no more. It’s now my file server and sitting in my living room floor.