One of my goals for 2012 from a previous post was to learn obtain some sort of new geek/nerd skill, trait or as I’ll add; notch to my geek utility belt. I’ve been pondering what that item should be and was torn. I’ve decided first of all to add this as a constant annual goal. This came clear to me as I ended up with a list of possible items for this year. I ended up broadening it to ten items. Some might be a little lamer or easier than the other, but this is the first year and it might advance over the years. I’m also open to suggestions from readers…if there are any out there.

I’m open to geek/nerd activities that allow me to involve my two younger sons Quattro and Mace.

Here is the list.

  1. Build something with a solar panel.  I always wanted to build something that uses renewable energy. May it be a Lego robot that travels across the picnic table or get a solar power kit from Harbour Frieght and wire up all the external house lights.
  2. Learn how to splice fiber cable. This one would be tough since we don’t carry the necessary tools at work and could be an expensive project to make mistakes in. Playing with small strands of glass sounds like too much fun though. My skills at crimping Cat5e and Cat6 cables as sped up this year and comes in handy when you want to make clean precise cable runs. Continue reading »
 

A new year is upon us and who knows it could be the last according to the Mayans. So, on the positive side of that doom and gloom, we only have to make a list of new year resolutions one more time. I hate calling them resolutions. I’m not trying to resolve some behavior or attitude. I want to accomplish something, yes. It makes it sound so much better than a resolution. A resolution makes it sound like I am an overweight, racist, cold hearty, unhealthy schmuck and I need to resolve or abolish an attitude to either stay alive, keep my marriage, or regain state custody over my kids.

So enough with that. This is what I want to get done this year. (We won’t discuss my progress from last year because I barely did a damn thing on that list. I’m going to keep track of my resolutions via a great app called Wunderlist.

-Stay well under 200lbs. [Optional goal is 180lbs.] (This has been my goal for the last couple of years and been successful.)
-Complete 2 certifications for work.
-Play more disc golf.
-Disc golf in 2 new states. (I try for one new state a year but I missed 2011.)
-Go fishing with the kids more.
-Take the kids camping.
-Get all the rooms on the first floor painted.
-Insulate 2 of the 3 crawlspaces.
-Replace the ceiling fan.
-Replace the garbage disposal.
-Replace all electrical outlets and light switches.
-Expand the garden and hook up a rain barrel system.
-Build a compost pile.
-Decommission one of my servers.
-Write 12 blog posts to this blog or any reincarnated form. (Actually 11 if you count this one.)
-Hook up a surround sound system in family room.
-Earn Xbox Gamerscore of 13500.
-Read 10 books.
-Learn a new geeky/nerdish trait or skill.

I keep making this list longer and longer. I should probably stop now or my end of the world will really be depressing since I might not complete most of these when the world implodes next December.

 

Carry over or modified resolutions from 2009.
-Place 1st in a PDGA sanctioned disc golf.
-Disc golf in a new state. (More than likely Maryland or Massachusetts.)
-Upgrade my home computer and run network cables throughout the house.
-Purchase a newer vehicle for myself.

New resolutions:
-Get all the rooms on the first floor painted.
-Redesign and landscape the front yard
-Stay well under 200lbs. (Optional goal is 180lbs.)
-Complete 2 certifications for work.

I think that’s the extent of it for now.

 

Holy crap! What a difference having on the other side of all your boundary walls is open space. No one on either side of us, below or above us. It’s been just over two months and the life we lead is totally different than the last 10 years that my wife and I lived together. We listen to music a lot more and at high volumes. Music is used just for enjoyment and not to wake my prick neighbors up at 8AM with some Black Sabbath. We talk more without wondering who is listening in. The kids play more freely. The best part is we don’t have to listen to anyone elses lives.

The one thing I did notice about no one attached is we yell at the kids more openly. Don’t get me wrong, they deserve it. When we lived in a half a double, I curbed my anger a lot just so no one would think of what a monster of parents we were. The kids kind of knew it too and they played it to their advantage.

We still have neighbors but there is some space between us. I only hear the young guy once in awhile when he takes his Mustang out of the garage. Other than that, the other neighbor is old and we barely see them except when the ambulance shows up. It’s weird to have the police show up on your block only to help the paramedics and not serve search warrants or break up domestic disputes like in Allentown.

 

Last post I mentioned we were prepping to move. Well we moved. We found a nice single home out of the city. More importantly we sold our piece of shit starter home. We didn’t get as much as we would of liked but its no longer our problem. (Neither are the neighbors.)

Thats our house! We’ve done some work to it so far. We redid the whole electrical panel and painted a bathroom. I’m also cutting out a lot of random shrubs and stumps.

 

About 6 years ago, Sarah and I bought our first home in Allentown. Not our primary choice but we got tired of hunting for a worthwhile home in our range outside of the city. Well, that was 6 years ago. Things have changed. We have one extra kid, both kids are bigger, job is better (title wise), and we need the space. We also need 0 neighbors attached. I’m done with that crap shoot.

We are starting to organize our house which entails throwing out a lot of clutter. Also, there is a bit of handywork that needs to be done so the house is more presentable. If I call you in the next few weeks, I may need help painting or laying some carpet.

Hopefully in May, we will start looking for homes outside of this city and any other city in the LV. Time to go to the out skirts, but not too far out.

Glad our pre-approved mortgage is higher that our first one. This opens so much more choices for a new nest.

 

It’s that time of year where I hold my virtual yard sale on Craigslist. Every once in awhile I will throw a ton of stuff up online to sell.

A) I want to get it out of my basement.

B) I need the cash for my toys and upcoming holiday season.

Everything is going. Air conditioners, chairs, glasses, video games, beer neon signs, and exterior doors.

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