Meandering the Road to Happy Destiny...

Is Spring Almost Here?!?!

2005-03-22T16:44:00.000-05:00

Hi, all you people who don't read or leave comments!
Today has been sunny and almost warm! Tomorrow it may even reach 50! I have the windows open as I write this. I am so happy to hear outdoor noises and feel a breeze blow through the room, it makes me feel serene. That's a good thing, too. The traffic during the commute home this afternoon was stupid bad, and I was ready to scream. I noticed it started to melt as I turned the key and walked through my front door. Must be why I call this place "home".
I stayed up way too late last night watching TV. I am becoming a Law & Order addict. I can't help it; it's on like 5 times in an evening, depending on the channel. Then Without a Trace came on (great show; Anthony Lapaglia plays a great role) - had to stay up for that. Then NYPD Blue - yup, watched that, too. I've been without cable TV so many years, I feel like I have to catch up on all this stuff I missed. It's funny, really; I'll go into work saying, "Did you all see this show on TV?" And I'll describe the show and everyone will tell me that the show has been on for six or seven years. Oops. One guy calls me the Wayback Machine. Too funny.
So, uh...
It gets lonely around here, and I could use some more company than just my cats. If anyone wants to leave a comment or e-mail me, I would really appreciate it.
Signing off as
Going Crazy

The PC Guy

2005-03-20T14:58:00.000-05:00

Well, that's how I'm known at work: The PC Guy. I have a side business upgrading/repairing/building computers. Recently I expanded the business a little to designing and building web sites. It doesn't leave me much time for going to my day job, but I like it a lot more, I can tell you that.
I have been thinking about how I can use my blog as a tool to help people. I have come to the conclusion that that is a wee bit pretentious of me: how in the world would I know how to help someone? Jesus, I barely can help myself these days! I guess the best thing for me to do is to write about my life and what goes on in it. If anyone gets anything out of it, great. Take what you need and leave the rest.
Until next time, take it easy and be well!
Akos

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

2005-03-12T12:43:00.000-05:00

Once again, it is dumping this stuff all over this neck of the woods. I must admit, I am so sick and tired of it. This amount of snow has to be some kind of record for New England, or at least Connecticut. I've been here off and on since 1984 (God have mercy on my soul), and this is the most snow I can recall for many years. (Of course, they say that at 40, your memory isn't what it used to be - I'll get back to you on that later, if I can remember to...)
It's been a helluva week. Worked Monday, got sick Monday night, stayed home in bed Tuesday and Wednesday, by Thursday I was going stir crazy so I went to work, and Friday was so slow, it seemed like a week just by itself!
Someone at work was selling a chair: a recliner that looks like a regular chair; I didn't know they even made such a thing! (Here is a similar one; take a look!) Last night, I went to Westerly to see it. My recliner is kind of old, so I thought it might be nice. It needs some work, but it's not anything I can't handle. And if it doesn't turn out good, I can always turn around and sell it myself! But it's nice.
Today is not turning out the way I wanted due to the snow (6" expected by this evening, I believe). I wanted to go to this concert this evening, but I don't think I want to drive 40 miles each way; sorry, Kevin! So I guess I will clean my house, wash some laundry, build a couple of computers, and watch some movies. First, though, I am going to try out my new DVD burner. I'm excited; I can (supposedly) duplicate DVDs, so I can rent 'em, burn 'em, return 'em, and watch 'em whenever I want! Ain't it great?!?
You all have a wonderful day, and I hope it is better weather wheverever you are!

What a weekend!

2005-03-06T20:48:00.000-05:00

Hi, everybody!
I just wrapped up a wonderful weekend with my children - the third weekend in a row that I've had them. I have gotten so used to having them around in my house, it seems very quiet when I'm alone. I don't have any dogs, and my cats are usually pretty quiet (until around 1 AM or so, at which point they start racing up and down the hall, chasing each other - or they sit at the foot of my new majesty palm tree in my bedroom, noisily enjoying a midnight snack on the leaves). So I am left to talk to myself. Sometimes silently, others aloud. It's OK; I'm not going to turn myself in to the sanity police. Besides, I am 40 now; I know that it's normal to talk to oneself. Everybody does it. (Right???)
I got out of the blogging experience very shortly after starting (this past summer). I didn't have much to say, and my time is ususally at a premium. Then I discovered Meg's blog. Ohmigod, I laughed and cried (okay, so I didn't cry - but I could have) and read the entire thing. Took all of this morning. She is going through a lot, this woman, but she seems strong, so I think she's going to be alright. Hang in there, Meg; we're all rooting for you (except Rick, but screw him, anyway).
So I thought, maybe I could do something to give back to the community. I have some insights and opinions, sure, but I have been through a lot myself and I love to help people in whatever way I can. So I will be thinking about the best way to use this blog to do just that.
Until next time, be well.

Rantings & Ravings...

2004-07-27T17:12:00.000-04:00

I kinda wonder why I am even doing this whole blog thing. I could just keep a journal and leave it at that. Of course, then no one would be able to read it and I wouldn't be the subject of one of John Dvorak's ranting & raving columns. But that's OK; I probably never will be...
Enough about me; let's talk about ME!
I just got back from People's Bank in Stop & Shop in Norwich. The tellers must be under a ton of stress, because the only folks ruder are the poor bastards at DMV (and I do feel bad for them). I was so ticked off at the poor service and exorbitant fees and charges that a couple of months ago, I went in to close the account. I'm such a sucker. They closed the account, alright. By selling me on another, improved, cheaper account. So away I went, content that I was being frugal and responsible. All I had to do was get my ATM/debit card and I was off to the races.
Excpet that the card never arrived. So after a phone call to the local branch and getting routed to Bridgeport (you always get routed to Bridgeport if the local branch doesn't pick up the phone after like, one ring), I was told that the local branch had forgotten to order the card and they would be doing it post-haste. (Riiiiiight.) Card still didn't arrive. Called the local branch, talked to Bridgeport (see above explanation). This time the story was that the card had been ordered, but it takes 10-15 business days to arrive. By this time, I'm starting to think I really got my money's worth out of this new account. After another couple of weeks with still no ATM card (today), I decided I would visit the local branch to find out what the hell was going on. They told me that the card was mailed 24 days ago. Would I like to cancel the card and order a new one? Hmmmmmm. I don't know; what do you think??? So I asked if there were any possible way to get the new card rushed, since I haven't been able to use an ATM in a couple of months that I''ve had the account. Well, yessir, we can rush the card - for a $25 fee that we won't waive.
Fine. Whatever. I'll probably never see this new card, either. I am such a sap. I went in to close the account because they don't have a clue how to keep their customers happy or back off on the fees. Instead I have another account and still suffer the same service.
I just think banking should be transparent. You get an ATM card. You use it anywhere. You write checks anywhere. You get your statements in the mail with the cancelled checks. You don't get charged ridiculous fees every time you turn around. Simple, right? Apparently this is not an easy thing to do for these folks. I don't know if it's the people who work there or a bigger problem with the organization itself. Or maybe it's a conspiracy against me. Yeah, that's the most logical idea.

Whatever Happened to David Lee Roth???

2004-07-26T15:02:00.000-04:00

OK, OK... So I'm the last to hear that Van Halen has welcomed Sammy Hagar back to the fold and is on tour or planning one. And they're releasing a warmed-over re-released song album ('greatest? hits'). Am I the only one who's not excited at all about this? I'm sorry, but there was only one Van Halen, and it ended sometime in 1984 (with a brief reprise when DLR contributed to a couple of newer songs for Greatest Hits, Vol. 1). They were good songs, and there were many of us fans who have too much time on our hands that were hoping for a more permanent reunion. Oh, well... Didn't happen. I still have DLR's CD's. Some were better than others, but you gotta hand it to the guy: he doesn't ever friggin' stop rockin'.
Or does he? Where is he now? I thought I hear on NPR last week that he is training to be a paramedic in NYC. I can't find his web site, either.
So is David gone from the music biz? Was the last CD ("Diamond Dave" a.k.a. "DLR Does Better Covers than Originals") his last?

Popping the ol' blog cherry...

2004-07-24T23:33:00.000-04:00

This is my first blog post, ever. I'm sure that it will go down in the annals of blog history... Or not.
A little about me you can't get from my profile (because I'm too damn lazy to fill in all those text fields):
I am a single dad. It's the best job I've ever had (although sometimes I don't think I'm going to be getting a promotion anytime soon). My kids are the best.
I am a technology junkie in semi-luddite clothing. I run a small computer company (OK, it's miniscule, as in one-man show). I have way too many computers running way too many OS's. Handhelds, too (yeah, they run different OS's, too). DSL, wireless network, yada yada yada. However, I don't have cable TV. Or satellite TV. Don't get me wrong; it's not because I think those companies are evil (I know they are). I just don't have the cake to pay for TV I don't have the time to watch anyway. I don't have high-def anything. My TVs are old. (One of them I bought new in 1986!)
I play blues guitar. What? You didn't know that Connecticut is the breedin' ground for famous bluesmen? Actually, I didn't either. But here I am, playing guitars all the time. Electric and acoustic. There's like 6 or so sitting around the house. Way back when, my ex-wife used to ask me why I had five guitars. I answered, "Because I can't afford six." My current squeeze is a '52 Tele reissue thru a '71 Super Reverb. No stomp pedals necessary for killer tone.
I have a love affair with motorcycles, but I can't afford the addiction. My current ride is a 1971 Honda CB750, my favorite two-tone color: black and chrome. Runs great (usually), looks not so great. I guess that's what New England winters are for: overhauling bikes. If there are any antique bike riders (antique bikes, not riders), let me know.
Friends of Bill: Contact me anytime. We're trudging the road to happy destiny together.