It's been awhile

Bad news

Family Health:
Horrible news. For a month my Dad's Mother has been growing more and more ill. It is a worst case scenario. Needless to say, I'll be in Rochester a few times in the next few months.

Work:
I sortof got laid off in December. My IRAD got cut significantly (+50%) and I was one to get the axe. It isn't so bad, I actually still get a paycheck and I wasn't alone. Well, at first I was the only one, I think cuz I was ELDP and I am expected to bounce back. Anyway, I look at it as, I felt what it was like to get laid off but I didn't have to deal with the significant consequences. The resolution is in the Good news Section.

rodericj.com
Is down. Our whole network is hosed. Something is up with the hardware. I think it is the switch.

Good News:
Las Vegas:
Uh....I went to Las Vegas last weekend. It ruled. OMG It ruled. First night I was up $200 in Roulette. I could not miss. It was amazing. It was almost to the point that I thought I had figured the game out! Pretty sweet huh? I thought so. Anyway, by the end of the weekend I was down into the negatives. I don't care, it was well within the pre-determined limit that I set for myself so I am happy with that. I learned how to play craps. That game rules. I think the odds are the best on that table. It was a really fun game. I learned a few strategies and it was cool. Of course I lost a buncha cash on that.

One of the best things about Vegas is that your drinks are almost always free. That ruled. I was wasted a few times.

Summary of that goes a little like this - Went with Kathy, Meredith, George her husband, and Adrian (Kathy's old Roommate). It was great. One of the real highlights was drinking in Paris with Adrian and him saying "Nurk Nurk" instead of "New York New York". That ruled. There were other things of course. Pictures will be on my site, which is down, soon.

Pictures:
Speaking of. I ordered some pictures that I took. I got them from Shutterfly. I got 6 8x10's of some of the best pictures I have taken from Hawaii, Bahamas, Honeoye, etc. Grand total with Shipping: $1.79. Kick ass.

Work:
I started a new rotation. I work in Virginia now. The drive is not so bad. Bout 40 minutes if I leave at 6. Thats fine. I can handle getting up early. More later as I gotta get out of here for...

Drumcorps:
...I started teaching a drumcorps in New Jersey. It is a pretty big thing for me. I am very excited. If you knew me, I was considering some drastic changes. I think I just needed to get my favorite hobby back. Anyway, this is working out quite well. I am leaving work right now and I am gonna head over to that as soon as I can get packed. This is huge for me. Some thoughts: the line is pretty good so far. I They are a little green but it is entirely workable. I think this is the right spot for me. Not to mention that everyone is on this huge momentum kick and they really are thinking that this is going to be the year for them. Dan Delong is the writer. He knows what he is doing so this could work out huge.

Oh also, it turns out that I am not so bad at this teaching thing. Not as bad as I thought anyway. I'll report more later, but it looks like its gonna be good!


Project:
I submitted my project 10 days ago. Its the first draft of my paper. I am excited to be wrapping this up. I expect only cosmetic changes. Since it has been 10 days and no response, I think that Kaminsky is already passing it to the rest of the committee. That is hugely awesome news for me. I am excited. Sweet.

I have to go now.