Home
Life of a Geek [entries|archive|friends|userinfo]
Tim C.

[ website | Geek Meat ]
[ userinfo | livejournal userinfo ]
[ archive | journal archive ]

Links
[Links:| New Post Icons Create Poll Latest Comments Communities ]

Wedding in Germany [Jul. 9th, 2009|07:49 pm]
[Tags|, , ]

So, its been AGES since I posted here. I've been mostly spending my time over on facebook. It seems to match my mood better, more micro-blogging. I spend all of my time in emails, chats, putting together large presentations and documents, etc. I don't really want to sit down and write more. :)

Anyway, I figured this warranted more. ;)

We headed over the big pond for a week to Germany. We had a good excuse though, so it was okay. :) A couple friends of ours were having a Bavarian Wedding on July 4th. We arrived on Wednesday morning, about a day before most others. So we got some time to recover and relax. Unfortunately, Sharon had bad airplane food or something, so she was out of commission for a couple days. I, however, had no problem and went about my business of enjoying Bad Tolz. :) Thursday, we had a nice relaxing morning, then Maria, Martin and I headed into Munich. We met up with Mathias, and eventually made our way to the airport. There, we met the Bristol crew, and had some beers at the beer garden at the airport brewery. (Only in Germany!) :) After a couple there, we headed off on the train to a real beer garden. This is my first experience with one, although Sharon's been talking about them for ages! ;) A few beers, a few pretzels, and some sausages later, we eventually make our drunken way back to the train to head home.

Friday was some wandering around Bad Tolz with the crew, then back to Gasthaus, where Martin is the brewer, for some lunch. After lunch, Sharon and some other gals headed off to Munich for some visiting. Sharon stayed with a friend the night, and baked some cakes. I stayed with the rest of the group in Bad Tolz, at the bar in fact, and kept drinking. :) It was really the only time it was raining in Bad Tolz while we were there, so it was a good time to stay under some umbrellas. The British were drinking Gin and Tonics (how predictable! ;), and I stuck with the beer. With the exception of a few shots. We apparently spent enough money and time there that they gave us some free stuff. ;) After that, it was a party at Martin's parent's house which was a lot of fun. :)

Saturday was the wedding. I promised them that I'd control the weather, and keep the rain away. I kept my promise. ;) Its nice having the power to control the weather. :-D The wedding was very cool! Sharon actually managed to make it back in time... barely! It was a cool church wedding, both Protestant and Catholic. And both in German and English. :) Then back to Maria's mother's place, which was the Inn that we had all been staying in. It was a great time of enjoyment, chatting with people, being confused by German conversations, and meeting some new cool people! :)

Sunday was a nice relaxing morning, then saying good bye to all of the cool people we met. Then a drive to somewhere else for a Medieval festival. We were expecting something like the Renaissance festivals we're used to. Instead it seemed to be just a huge jousting arena with a very large food court around it. So, we decided to leave there, and walk around the city. We walked up some mountain to a castle. After we exaustingly walked all the way up, and then it immediately started to pour down! So we made our way back to the car. After dinner with BK's father, we eventually made it back to BK's brand new flat. We got a few hours of sleep, before we had to get up early the next morning and make our way to the airport.

The flight from Munich to Atlanta wasn't so bad, just long of course. It was the 5 and a half hour layover, that then turned into about a 7 hour layover cause of delays that killed us. We calculated that we were traveling for about 26 hours to get home. It was tough traveling that far, but I'd say it was all worth it. :) We had an awesome time!
Link2 things said|Say Something

Stream Video to TVs [Jan. 25th, 2009|05:39 pm]
[Tags|]

I currently have Blockbuster Online as my rental service. My parents just switched because of Blockbuster being stupid. I've never had any problem with them, but I'm thinking that there are better options out there than what I currently have.

I've noticed that Netflix has cheaper plans than Blockbuster, both have online streaming in different forms. Blockbuster isn't super close to us, and Sharon is always complaining about "having to go to Blockbuster."

I think online rentals is the way of the future, so I want to make a move towards that. From what I can tell, nothing is a true replacement to DVDs, but they're getting closer. And the fact that most services don't offer new releases online yet, but I think that's where most of them are going to be moving in the "near future."

I'm leaning towards Netflix, and purchasing their Roku device. I know Netflix is a good dvd by mail service, as I used to have them.

I'm curious if anyone has experience or advice on this or other services.
Link9 things said|Say Something

Curiosity [Jan. 11th, 2009|10:45 pm]
[Tags|, ]

I was thinking about this the other day, and I always wonder about how people use their computers. I have two computers I use frequently, my personal computer I have the list on the left, my work computer I have the list on the right. I'm not sure if it has something to do with the OS on them or not, since they're different.

Poll #1329531 IM List Location
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

What is the location of your primary IM client's contact/buddy list?

View Answers

Top
0 (0.0%)

Right
10 (76.9%)

Bottom
0 (0.0%)

Left
3 (23.1%)

Center/Full
0 (0.0%)

Link14 things said|Say Something

Update, and plans. :) [Jan. 8th, 2009|02:15 pm]
[Tags|, , , ]

Its been a while since I posted. Not a whole lot has been going on. Mostly quiet at home, we've had to cut back our traveling after exhausting ourselves. :-D That seems to be extending into January, but February is starting to shape up to be a full month!

Work has been...well... work. And I don't really feel like talking about that subject, so that's it. :)

Car
On thing that has been quite a new experience for me, since we got back from our honeymoon, is that I don't have a car. Its not really that I NEED one, but its an odd feeling not having one. We have to plan any car trips or grocery runs, etc; very carefully. The only thing that's really allowed me to survive is that there are enough places to get basic stuff within walking or biking distance. I can go to Walmart, Target, Post office, drug store, and even a few food places. I can even go to the new library. Its hard to get too much stuff when I go to any of those places, but I usually take a backpack, so whatever fits in there.

I keep considering what I want to do about this. I'm not real keen on the idea of getting an expensive car and taking on another monthly expense of the car payment. I've looked at something like an older Jeep, something I could work on. Even considered getting a scooter just for running around short distances, but that's not really a smart move. :) What I REALLY want, is a 2006 Mini Cooper type S convertible. :) That, however, breaks the main thing I'm trying to avoid right now. :) And I'm also enjoying having the extra cash I got from my accident to play in the stock market. I've gotten some good gains out of it, I figured if I could, it was better than the money sitting in my savings account. ;) I keep looking on craigslist every once in a while, and if I find a good project jeep for the right price, I'll probably get it. :)

February, East Coast, Vegas
February is going to be a busy month. The first full weekend (the 7th and 8th) is the first weekend in AZ Fest, so it looks like we're going to that. :) The next weekend, we're going back east to visit family. Sharon's sister (the non-lj one) is spawning, twin boys no less, which apparently are being born today. So we're flying back to Philly on the 13th, seeing her sister and new nephews on Saturday morning. Then we're heading down to Salisbury to see my parents and take them out to dinner on their anniversary. (yes, they got married on v-day ;) Sunday will be heading back up to Philly, and then probably over to Atlantic City to get some of Sharon's gambling out of her system. :) Then flying back home on Monday.

The following weekend, we're driving to Vegas for a group adventure. (see why we had to get Sharon's gambling out of her system? ;) [info]l_stboy and his better half are flying out Friday. [info]callmetc and [info]jpenamelist are flying out, and we'll pick them up at the airport on our way into town. And [info]ryv_m may be joining us as well, but has been keeping suspiciously quiet. :) We'll be driving back Monday morning, so that will be a half day for me. And based on the laws of Las Vegas, I'm not permitted to say anything else about that weekend. ;)

We still have one weekend after that in Feb, but I'm sure we'll find something local to do. Either more Fest, or do some more hiking. (we've been trying to go a little more frequently :) One really bad thing about our travel dates, that Sharon found out this week, is that the two weekend's we're out of the state, are the only two weekend Mediavel Baebes are coming to AZ Fest! *sigh*

March
March is going to be another month with some activity. Sharon's birthday is the 11th, so we'll do "something" for that. She was talking of having her mother come out for a Fest visit... not sure if I can take more of her in fest garb!!! ;) March 21st is [info]menckles's wedding, in New Orleans, so of COURSE we have to go to that. ;)

AZ Fest
Aside from the weekend's we're away, if anyone is interested in coming to AZ for a fest adventure, let me know. :) It runs until the end of March. As I'm sure you can expect, there would not only be fest, but also fabulous food, adventure, and of course perfect weather. And if desperately needed, I'm sure we could manage to through "fun" in there somewhere. ;)


Right now, that's about all the planning I can take. As of now, it doesn't look like we're doing OTP in Ireland, but that may change depending on another friend's wedding plans in Germany. :) Also at some point, we're gonna try to get out to CA, do some wine stuff.
LinkSay Something

United States of Geeks [Dec. 15th, 2008|07:07 pm]
[Current Mood | amused]

Anyone have any spare unclaimed land? :)

http://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Own-Country

Or, if we can get to another planet, that would work too. ;)
LinkSay Something

OTT v5.0 Recap [Dec. 1st, 2008|10:09 pm]
[Tags|, ]
[Current Mood |recovering]

Yes, it has been 5 Thanksgivings in Arizona, spending them with awesome friends who make the holiday memorable! :)

( Details... )

I'm sure everyone is looking forward to another year of all of this, I know I am! :) It really is awesome that our friends come out for this holiday. Hopefully next year, those who made excuses this year, will see the error of their mistakes! :-P

And a totally random Monday link for your amusement. ;)

http://www.wikihow.com/Look-Good-Naked
LinkSay Something

Meow or Woof? [Nov. 25th, 2008|03:53 pm]
[Tags|]

Because its better than work, and its basically Friday for me. :) It looks like I couldn't handle [info]julesk! ;)

( Sex Animal, woof )
Link3 things said|Say Something

OTT and stuff [Nov. 10th, 2008|11:43 pm]
[Tags|, , , , ]

I've been really bad about posting, and I have a zillion things to post about. *sigh* So I'll try to get some basic updates here.

Wedding was excellent, the weather I ordered on e-bay came through! ;) We have a TON of pictures (I'm not kidding), and lots of video (currently being converted to something I can share). I'll post eventually when I have them in sharing capabilities. :) And just for the record, yes, we went through with it, we're hitched. :)

Honeymoon, it was an adventure, a very long one. It was great though, and definitely an experience! We have a ton of picture and video from that too. Here are just a few of the pictures (100) Sharon got up:
http://www.geekmeat.net/gallery2/main.php/v/Trips/Africa/

Returning was yet another adventure, one that I want to post about, but it really deserves its own post and time dedicated to it. We're all back in one piece, home safe. :)

Work has been rough for the past few weeks since we've been back. As soon as I got back, I got dumped a couple problems that hadn't been resolved while I was away. I'm slowly getting through them. Work is also another subject worth a whole post of its own. :) Probably a friend's only post. ;)

I've settled everything with my old car. It was totaled, and I got paid for it. Definitely not what I want, but its done, settled, and time to move on. I got a rental for a week to take care of some things, and also drive around looking for a new car. Now my current mode of transportation is bicycle. Luckily they've finally built things around us, so I can get just about anything I really need by bike. As for a replacement, I think I'm going to get an 06 Mini Cooper S convertible. :) Not a common car, so still looking for something else, or exactly what I want.

Final major thing I wanted to cover, OTT. :) Just a few weeks away. I made a note about it before I left, and no one responded. I've tracked down a few people that normally come and gotten answers. It looks like its going to be a smaller gathering this year than years past. The total for dinner is going to be 7, less than the 11 last year. ;) But it should be a fun time none the less. And we're going to the Luminarias at the Botanical Gardens.

If someone's reading this, and doesn't have anything to do for Thanksgiving (and wants something to do), we will make room for you, just let me know. :)
LinkSay Something

(no subject) [Oct. 31st, 2008|08:51 am]
[Tags|]

A better post about returning, wedding, honeymoon, etc is coming, but for now, its meme time. :)

( Maps )
Link1 thing said|Say Something

Oh, and... OTT v5.0 [Oct. 7th, 2008|10:50 am]
[Tags|]

So, I think I've talked to most of you about this already, but we are still having OTT this year. We have enough time to get things straight after we get back, before Thanksgiving. :)

I know a number of people have already told me yes, or assumptions have been made, and that is all good. :) If you are coming, please let me know, and also let me know when you have flight stuff.

Same as always, good food, good wine, good people. There is more stuff around us now, so we could actually walk to BevMo now if we wanted... although it would be easier to bring all the booze back in a car. ;)

Times are the same as always... Dinner will be Thursday afternoon, so please arrive Thursday about noonish at the latest. Preferable arrival times are Wed afternoon/evening/night. Suggested departure times are Sunday afternoon. That being said, we'll take you when we can get you.

Sharon would have normally had the full menu planned by now, but this will be an abridged planning. Which is actually probably good, cause she won't have time to change it 5 times. ;) And I'm sure the food will be fabulous as always. ;)
LinkSay Something

5 days, 12 hours, and 52 minutes [Oct. 6th, 2008|11:08 pm]
[Tags|, ]

Till I do. :) For those who haven't been keeping track.

Its down to the final stages, getting the last bits ready, crossing the t's, dotting the i's. And not a moment to soon, before we end up killing each other over this. ;)

We just got our rings, the favors, and a few last minute things for the honeymoon trip in Africa. We're weighing things for that trip, trying to figure out how to get it all to PA, and what to do with it afterwards. Finalizing the seating chart, the food orders, table layouts, etc.

Tomorrow is probably when we pack up everything for the honeymoon (most of it atleast), and figure out what else has to go just to Philly. Then Wed we get rid of the animals to the kennels, and do last minute packing. Then Thursday, we figure out how to get our final bits of work done, and get to the airport. :) Sharon's boss is going to drop us off, and we're leaving our car at his place.

We'll be in Philly around midnight Thursday night. Friday is Sharon's hair, maybe golf for me if things work out, Fairecon, get tuxes, ask myself "am I really doing this?!?!", and probably some dinner. Sharon's also thinking Casino, but we'll see. Saturday is kinda up in the air. Mostly I think its going to be a relaxation day, get things towards the hotel and the location. Then rehearsal dinner at night. Then Sharon and I get to do our final pre-marital...umm... things. :-D

Then, Sunday is the big day!

Monday, we re-pack, move things to Sharon's parents, etc. Then hop on a plane for a very long time. To London, then to Kenya. Two weeks away, some relaxation, some pictures, a lot of great experiences. Then back to the real world, eventually. :)
Link12 things said|Say Something

Arrr [Sep. 19th, 2008|11:39 am]
[Tags|]

Ahoy ye maties!

Incase you be eyein for something on these Inter-webs, stumble your drunken carcass over to:

http://www.google.com/intl/xx-pirate/

Three cheers to me matie [info]targie


Now me be off to one of those crazy flying machines I been hearing 'bout. Arrrr
LinkSay Something

Picture meme [Sep. 17th, 2008|10:11 pm]
[Tags|]

Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don’t change your clothes, don’t fix your hair…just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with your picture.






Posted by ShoZu

Link3 things said|Say Something

This Weekend [Sep. 16th, 2008|10:55 pm]
[Tags|, , , , , ]

So, this is kinda last minute posting, but its been planned for a while. Sharon made a post about this as well.

This Friday, we're flying out to Philly, arriving late. Saturday morning, we're heading out to West Chester for a 9am hair appointment for Sharon. This is sorta her pre-wedding appointment. She said it will take 2-3 hours, so I'll either see if I can get a manicure while I wait, or just go drive around the area to check some places out in the area.

After that, we're heading down to MD Fest... probably get there around 12-1ish. Anyone that wants to join us is welcome to. :) After fest, I think Sharon has dinner plans (or atleast ambitions :) at Helen's Garden. (I'm sure Brandie will be excited about that one ;)

We'll be spending the night at [info]youvebeenpixied's house Saturday night, and Sunday drive back up to Philly. I'm not exactly sure about Sharon's plans for Sunday morning, but I'm sure she has some. I remember something about "If you can get up early enough Sunday", but I don't remember the rest. :)

Sunday afternoon, we're going to the Eagles game. We usually get back east for atleast a couple games, but this year, this will be our only one. So, we have to make the most of it. :) After the game, we may be going out to Atlantic City for Sharon to get her gambling fix. I really do think she has a problem. ;)

Monday is the important day, and the primary reason for this trip. Sharon would argue that the Eagles game was the primary reason, but... :) We're heading into West Chester again, this time to the Courthouse. We need to both be there to apply for our marriage license. So, we'll get our legal ability to get married. :) Afterwards, if there is time, we'll probably stop by the linen store, to check out the table cloths, napkins, etc. We got tiny little samples to look at when we went to the catterer, but its hard to tell. :)

Then, Monday afternoon, we hop back on a plane for home. :) Then, we'll get off the plane, and meet up with [info]callmetc for a late dinner, as he's in town for a couple days. :) It will be a little weird to see him in MD, then see him in PHX a couple days later. ;)
Link3 things said|Say Something

Recap [Aug. 24th, 2008|11:07 am]
[Tags|, , , ]

I haven't posted in a while. I have friends that say that, and they really mean like a year. I say that, and its been about a month. I've had a few things I meant to post about, but just not the motivation to do it. Not to mention work's been so busy and a little stressful, that I really don't want to get done work only to start typing more. :)

3 Weekends ago, I went up flying with some friends. Its a single engine small plane, so they were flying, I just got to go for a ride really. :) But I took up Sharon's camera, and got some good arial shots of Queen Creek.

( Best shot of our community )

The weekend after that, Sharon headed home for the weekend to do family stuff, and a couple wedding things. I stayed home cause we're saving our traveling money for later in the year. ;) Found out that Queen Creek isn't quite setup for riding a bike around yet. It should get there, but there's still a lot of construction going on. I also finally got around to playing God of War 2. Got stuck on one spot, so have to work on that. :) Need to have it finished by OTT. :)

This weekend, I got an email on Friday from Schnepf Farm's owner mentioning a grand opening that night. So Sharon and I went down to check it out. Got some wine, and a free massage. It was a relatively nice place, but it needs some more experience. They just didn't seem ready to be open, and I'm sure it will be a bit nicer once it cools down a little.

Yesterday, we went to the Camera store to pick up a lens Sharon had rented. Its a 400mm fixed focal lens. The lens is huge! :) I weighed it, and its 12 lbs. We took it out to the west side of the city to check out a zoo called Wild Life World Zoo. She took a lot of pictures, with some really close up shots. ;) Its amazing how close they all appear, and we weren't that close. We were testing it out cause we're planning to try to take it to Africa for the honeymoon. Yeah, she's not going on a honeymoon to be with me, she's doing it for the pictures. ;) It was hot, but it was fun. A new adventure.


Aside from all of that stuff, everything else is good. Wedding planning is going, just a few details to work out, but most of the major stuff is done. Ellie (our new cat) is settling in nicely. She really likes us, we really like her. The dog likes to play with her, and she's not really sure about that, but will play every once in a while. They get along just fine, so that's good. :) She figured out the dog door pretty quickly, so she goes and hangs out outside a bit, and wanders around the neighboorhood a little I think. She always comes back, and no scars or anything, so she seems capable. :)

Well, that's all for now. :)
LinkSay Something

New Family Member [Jul. 27th, 2008|07:10 pm]
[Tags|]

We'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our family. :)

( Ellie )
Link10 things said|Say Something

yay for toys [Jul. 22nd, 2008|08:12 pm]
[Tags|]

yup, I finally got it! :-D I love it so far.

Any recommendations on apps I need to get?

Anyone know of an app for posting to Lj? ;)
LinkSay Something

iPhone [Jul. 12th, 2008|11:18 pm]
[Tags|, , ]

Well, this is not from my brand new iPhone, nor is it about my new iPhone being in my hand and being really cool. Rather, its about my brand new iPhone receipt that says I'll be getting a new iPhone in 7-10 days. Apparently all of the AT&T stores ran out of phones pretty quickly. I think I heard that the Apple stores still had them around, but it probably would have complicated things more, since I wanted to setup a family plan, and get Sharon a new phone too.

So they have this thing called Direct Fulfillment Order, so this basically means that an iPhone is shipping specifically with my name on it. (not literally)

I was kinda hoping to have the phone before next weekend, when Sharon and I are driving to Vegas for the day. We're leaving here Saturday morning, get to Vegas about 6 hours later, check in, do some gambling, who knows what else. We've got a show to go to, for the artist Godard, who did our painting/print behind our bar, as well as a Wedding gift from Nancy. Sharon really wants to meet him, and get some signatures. :) Which is really the purpose of this trip, not my birthday. ;)
Link2 things said|Say Something

Toys [Jul. 10th, 2008|09:44 pm]
So, when are you getting Yours?
Link5 things said|Say Something

Decomm [Jul. 8th, 2008|11:58 am]
[Tags|, ]
[Current Location |The wrong home]
[Current Mood | tired]

This past weekend was OTP, our yearly gathering of people that are equally crazy, in different yet complimenting ways! Sharon and I got on a plane way too early Friday morning, and arrived way too late in Raleigh. We showed up at the house and there were people working on the tree house, people sitting around on the lawn watching, and people gathering to head to the movies. We went down the hug line, heard which movie they were going to. Sharon really wanted to see Walee, so she went off with them. I put our stuff down and immediately headed over to the treehouse, assessed the situation, and started working. :)

We made some adjustments, put together a more solid plan, and started hammering. By the end of the day, we had a full floor frame put together. Next step was to acquire flooring in the morning. We did deck boards, which worked out really well. That was acquired in the morning, by the time we got it back to the house, it was sushi time. After sushi, the rain had just finished, so we got started on the flooring. Almost all boards were on and tacked by the time the rains came.

Thunderstorms rolled in, lightening commenced, rain poured down, and then we danced! I joined the crazy people out on the deck, in the rain, dancing. It was actually really nice to rinse off all of the grime from the day, but boy was the rain cold! :) After that, there was much talking, relaxing, chatting, catching up, etc.

Sunday was a bit slower, these kinda days wear on you after a while. ;) We made some more progress on the treehouse, finishing the decking, setting posts for a railing, figuring out how to do a trap door, and how to put railings on the outside as a temporary safety guard. (with 1 bolt ;) We needed more materials to continue, so Sharon put together a list of houses to check out, and Rob drove us around looking at a few, talking about neighborhoods, etc. We measured the distance from them to the Home Depot (very important ;), and eventually made it back to the house with some more supplies. There wasn't enough time to do anything with them before it started raining some more, but atleast we have everything there now.

The rest of the evening was fairly slow, finding food, I did some notes and drawings on how to complete the treehouse to be useful. Mostly the railings, and the trap door. Sharon apparently found it surprising that I could do some good architecture diagrams with perspective. *sigh* These should hopefully be up on the Wiki, for those that have access, sometime soon... Rob! :) The night ended with a very odd game, who's name escapes me, about a haunted house that dynamically builds itself.

6am was WAY too early on Monday morning, but we made it. Unfortunately we didn't get a lot of goodbyes in the morning, but I think we got all of ours out the night before. Got back home about 1pm, after picking up the dog. I have to say, as much as I hated getting up that early, it was nice to have a lot of the day to start recovering. It may have made work today a little less horrible, but going back to work really sucked. :)

Now back to the bump and grind of the daily life.
Link2 things said|Say Something

navigation
[ viewing | most recent entries ]
[ go | earlier ]