June 1, 2008
Ey, battah, battah, sawing battah!!
Today's game against Embassy Suites was a very well-matched game. We were tied the whole way through it going back and forth until the very end. We ended up losing, but it was a great game and we're really starting to come together. We'll see if we can keep it up for our game next weekend.
Final score:
Naturals - 7
Embassy Suites - 10
Currently Playing: BT - Never Gonna Come Back Down
Posted by djkay at 9:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
June 6, 2007
Takin' a hit
I'm following this with interest lately...
Finance Blog - Market Movers by Felix Salmon: Whole Foods - Wild Oats: Has the FTC Been at the Nutmeg? - Portfolio.com
Posted by djkay at 9:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
May 2, 2007
Productivity to the max
I have never read any of this guys stuff before, but this list is made up of really good suggestions for ways to increase productivity in very simple ways. Not only will these help in a professional workplace, but even just around the house day-to-day. I'm going to try some of these and see how I do in improving my productivity while at the same time, hopefully, beating back the monster that is Procrastination.
1. Nuke it! The most efficient way to get through a task is to delete it. If it doesn’t need to be done, get it off your to do list.33 Rules to Boost Your Productivity
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February 7, 2007
No Internet, No Problem...
Here is a pretty good list of things you can do with your computer when you don't have a connection to the internet. 5 things (plus a bonus item) that are good to do anyways, but when you can't surf the "tubes" these are great ways to use up the time and at least get something done. <link>
Posted by djkay at 1:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
December 12, 2006
Long time no update
I haven't posted anything personal in a while so here's a sort of update of what's been up.
Still working, just going through the daily grind doing the same-old-same-old. I need to hang on a little longer an the regional IT position I want to apply for is going to be posted. I also get my stock options in March for reaching the 6,000 service hour mark. Erin and I are gearing up for the holiday, Erin's family will be here the 22nd through the 26/27th. I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet, I've got a couple of ideas for people; otherwise I'm clueless.
I'm studying to take the A+ certification exam early next year and my regional coordinator is going to be spending a day here at my store so I'm going to ask him what kinds of things I can do to prepare for the position I want to apply for. I'm thinking of also going after the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) certification as well.
I've got an additional computer in the house now, I got it from someone I work with who bought a new Mac Pro. I've been messing with it and µbuntu Linux; got it working then I tried something else so it's kinda in limbo right now. I was going to convert it to a DVR, but the TV-tuner card in it isn't supported by the linux I put on it to record TV.
Posted by djkay at 1:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
November 24, 2006
Can't get any respect
More often than not, the IT guy at your company has felt under-appreciated. This is becoming an alarming trend in large companies trying to take shortcuts by hiring under-qualified or undedicated people and paying them ridiculously low wages. I can say from experience that it definitely is becoming a problem; the only time you hear anything from people is when things don't work. I hardly ever hear anyone say thanks for keeping things working so well.
This article talks about this very subject and rather than reiterate what he says, here's the article:
TWEAKNEWS
The problem is that the PC tech companies put little to no store in their techs, and then pay ridiculous wages and still expect premium service.
Posted by djkay at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
September 29, 2006
Yes, I Can Fix Your Computer
This blogger vents his frustration about being a computer engineer who keeps getting asked to fix peoples computers. He's frustrated because everyone assumes that because he went to school for some aspect of computers he knows how to fix them. He actually went to school to learn how to program them. I sympathize with him in all of what he's going through; I get asked all the time why a computer might be doing something wrong, or not working at all, but that's what I do so it doesn't bother me as much. What does bother me is when someone asks me the same question for the same problem repeatedly after I've explained it very clearly already. If I show someone something I have them do it themselves while I watch so that they get the feel for it and the experience, what I won't do is do it for you.
Beyond The Summit: No, I can't fix your computer!
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September 5, 2006
How Much Less Are You Making?
Kinda depressing seeing all those negative percents.
here's a handy map showing how far median incomes have dropped over the past six years. And it's good news for most of you: Compared to Michigan and North Carolina you're not doing so badly after all.
<linkification>
Posted by djkay at 1:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
August 15, 2006
How to Land a Job in Silicon Valley
Here's some info from a guy who's been there... 15 tips that should help you get a job in Silicon Valley (and in other areas/industries). I would take them with a grain of salt, simply because not everyone may feel comfortable taking his advice on some of his points.
<link>
Posted by djkay at 2:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
July 28, 2006
Sys Admin Appreciation Day is Today!!!
Be sure to thank your friendly neighborhood System Administrator today!
System Administrator Appreciation Day
Posted by djkay at 8:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
April 27, 2006
How many hours a week do you work?
The next time you think about complaining about the long hours that you work each week and the small amount of compensation you feel you get think about this guy's story; and the many other programmers that work for ridiculous hours and get paid for a fraction of that time. Yeah things are improving, but this used to be par for the course and until recently no one was bold enough to stand up to it.
A+E Interactive
Posted by djkay at 8:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
April 20, 2006
More Screen Real Estate = More Productivity
Here's an interesting take on the whole multiple monitors idea. Personally I'd love to have like 3-5 monitors on my desk that I could use to play games, web design, etc. We'll see what I can do.
The Virtues of a Second Screen - New York Times
Posted by djkay at 3:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
March 31, 2006
Big time update
Many of my more recent posts have been kinda dry and short. I've got this grand idea that I'll put stuff on here every day, but that's probably a little unrealistic given my attention span sometimes. I've got a couple of projects in my head and that I'm working on and it's difficult to split my time up between them all. I'd like to spend more time re-working my website, as well as working on a model of the nuclear power plant that my dad is working on, and reading a new book, not to mention some minor improvements around the house (read installing a shelf in the kitchen). Erin and I have also gotten ourselves hooked on watching the first season of Lost; we've gotten through the 3rd DVD in the set.
I've been working every day and it's gets tedious at times, but I look at it as a stepping stone to bigger/better things down the road. I've spoken to my Store Team Leader at length and she's willing to work with me to help me get the necessary training/certifications that I need to continue on my career path. She knows that this isn't where I want to be; that I'd be much happier in a position where I got to use tech every day all the time, instead of once in a while here when someone has a question about a program. The computers don't break that often, not because they're well built/maintained (they don't have to be), but because the people using them don't know that much about computers so it's hard for them to muck 'em up. I'm hoping to get some certifications under my belt and then once Erin is done with her degree we can seriously think about where we want to go and I can start putting out feelers as to the possibility of moving up to a regional IT position within the company. I really don't like working in the store, well mainly I don't like working in a grocery store, but I'm in a much better position than I was when I was slicing deli meat and slinging chicken wings, but I'd like to get out of the retail world and into something a little more tech oriented; i.e. the regional help desk, or even a regional IT infrastructure guy.
Erin and I have been sitting down each weekend for the past 2 weeks and planning our meals for the upcoming week. It's been going really well and other than switching around the days, we've pretty much stuck to our menu. It's made the evenings much less stressful because we no longer come home from work/school and ask each other "what do you want to have for dinner?" We know and we just start making it. It's great, plus we have greatly diversified our palate by having things like fish, pork loin, and roast beef; no more just plain mac & cheese or some lame-ass chicken (we still have chicken, it's just more creative).
I still haven't figured out a good way to relax on the weekends. It seems like every chunk of time I get on the weekends ends up being used to do something. That's why I'm looking forward to the trips we have planned coming up. We'll be in Delaware the first weekend in May for Meriah's graduation, and then she's coming out here the end of May for a week. Plus we're hoping to either go to Alabama to see Erin's family this summer, or have them come out here (I still need to look again at my vacation time and see what I can afford to use to take time off - over a weekend will probably be best). August is when I'll be in Las Vegas for Dan's party for a weekend, then in September we'll be in Massachusetts for Dan and Niki's wedding. I just wish I could have a weekend where I didn't have to go anywhere unless I wanted to, and I could do whatever popped into my head. I know that's wishful thinking, but... um yeah.
Welll I've blabbed my head for a while and I can't think of anything else that's going on now that worth noting... OH, the other day the Dept of Agriculture came in to do their routine random audit for scan accuracy and we did awesome. The last time he came in to do this we had 11 discrepancies; this time we had 4 and if 3 of those things had had signs like they were supposed to we would have have only one thing wrong and that's a huge improvement. I was elated because it showed that I've been doing a pretty good job of making sure things are cool, and it gave me some confidence moving forward on my regularly scheduled audits throughout the store that I should not be finding that many errors as I go. Makes my job easier, and it makes the store look better. My goal now is for there to be 0 errors next time they come in to do this type of random 100-item audit. WOOHOO!!!
Ok, now I'm done.
Posted by djkay at 10:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
March 17, 2006
Bond... James Bond
Yesterday when I got to work this car was sitting in the parking lot and so I just had to park near it... and take a picture with my cell phone.
Posted by djkay at 9:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 19, 2006
Being a Geek is cool
Here's a great Top 10 list: Top 10 Reasons Geeks Make Good Fathers.
Posted by djkay at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 18, 2006
Inside the mind of Computer Dave
I've been thinking a lot lately about where I want to go with my career and I've had some ideas that are actually really exciting to me.
One of them is the proposition of the creation of a new position at work (regionally, at least) for a technical trainer. The person in that position would be responsible for training people on how to use the different programs that their job required; eg. Microsoft Outlook for email, or Excel for purchasing/schedulling. They would also be responsible for creating documentation to accompany the use of certain websites; eg. requesting new products, sending electronic sign requests, etc.
The other idea I had was to pursue a position in technical support or IT with the company my dad works for. This idea came to me just recently (this morning) because I know that they are working on some plans for a nuclear power plant that they hope will be chosen when the US decides to build its next nuclear plant.
Posted by djkay at 5:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
January 20, 2006
Certifications with a grain of salt
Here's an interesting take on the value, or lack of, of getting any type of IT certification. What makes this page more interesting is the value of the comments posted by other people who have read the opinion of the author. This is something I've been thinking of recently and started to look more seriously at relative to cost and time commitment; I've got several years of experience now and I'm looking for a way to broaden my knowledgebase so that I feel more comfortable working on a wider variety of technical issues.
Void Inside: IT Certifications, People Still Believe in Them?
Posted by djkay at 4:04 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (1)
January 19, 2006
Be Careful What You Post
Make sure you're not putting up anything online that you don't want a perspective employer to see. More company recruiters are looking through sites like MySpace.com and online blog sites: Techdirt:You Only Have Yourself To Blame: People Losing Jobs Over Social Network Profiles
Posted by djkay at 9:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
January 13, 2006
blah, blah, blah
This is just a bunch of things that are running through my head at the moment:
I'm starting to want to find something more/better/different for a job; something that will have me using more of the skills I have. I'd like to stay with the company I'm with, but in order to move up to something like that it will involve moving and since we only just got to New Mexico and Erin's not done with school that makes that a non-option.
I'm frustrated because there are a lot of things I want to do or buy or places to go to and right now none of them are possible because of one of two things: money or time; we don't have any extra $$ and we don't have any extra time.
It'd be nice if we could go out to dinner once-in-a-while, or take a trip somewhere, or get a puppy like we want, or change things in the house (we can't because we're renting), or a million other things.
For me it's tough to describe what I want to do, job-wise, but I have no problem describing what I don't want to do. I want a job where I'm being challenged mentally; I want a job that requires me to learn new skills instead of simply using what I already know; I want a job that has room for promotion, both monetarily and in responsibility (I'm at the top right now without moving outside the store); I want a job that is fun while being all those others things; I want a job that I want to go to each day (granted there are days like that now, but not as many as I'd like). Basically... I want the perfect job for me, but I'm not sure how to find it or if it even exists right now.
Posted by djkay at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
January 9, 2006
site: Landing the Job
This is an entry from a blog where the author interviewed a friend for a book entitled Landing The Job. His interview candidate had some very intersting things to say about interviewing successfully and the whole interview process. Check it out: Landing The Job: Google, Microsoft, Amazon Interview Profile.
One cool thing about the rest of this site is that there are also tips and hints for sprucing up a resume. There's even suggestions on how to prepare for an interview, ways to make your job search more productive, and loads of other useful information about getting a job that are too numerous to list here.
Posted by djkay at 4:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)