Cream Cheese Warlords

[comment] by [Mitch] on Hello stress headaches

Mitch none@none.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:24:49 EST

Wow have fun with all that. Good luck though and dont kill anyone.

Posted by Mitch

[comment] by [megan] on Hello stress headaches

megan none@none.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:44:26 EST

I don't mind it, but it's a lot of hours in a short period of time during which I have to play nice and make people like me. It wears thin after a while.

Any news stories this week involving the above mentioned places and unexplicable firestorms, I didn't do it....

Thanks :p

Posted by megan

[comment] by [megan] on Just a quick note

megan none@none.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:42:42 EST

Lol, if I ever have need to take heed of your warning, I shall :p

Posted by megan

[comment] by [Lyle] on Hello stress headaches

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:03:35 EST

I thought you liked driving :) good luck.

Posted by Lyle

[blog] by [Lyle]: Just a quick note

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:02:37 EST

We're moving! Not me, I still have 9 months left on my lease. The site is moving in the next few days. Site interruption should be minimal, but there will be some.

The reason for this is Surpass Hosting has the worst customer service department I've ever seen. There's no call in number, no way to get a hold of an actual human being outside of e-mail. And it's never the same person twice. So, if they bill you mistakenly (or fraudulently), you have to either go to court or pay up. If you try to explain their mistake to them, they send your account to collections.

If you're looking for hosting, STAY AWAY FROM SURPASSHOSTING.COM.

We're moving to dreamhost. Partly because I've gotten a thumbs up from a lot of people with high volume sites on dreamhost and partially because of a new years sale that allowed me to purchase 2 years of hosting for 80% off. :D

Posted by Lyle

[comment] by [Tim] on Happy New Year!

Tim none@none.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:01:17 EST

We played goldeneye that first year with the dropping and mooning.

I'd forgotten the starwars drinking game with sugar/fudge - that might have been the next year... not sure. Didn't go over so well.

Posted by Tim

[blog] by [Megan]: Hello stress headaches

Megan dyoc235@hotmail.com — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:40:38 EST

Well, tomorrow I'm off to somewhere north of NYC for an interview on Tuesday, followed by one north of Philedelphia on Wednesday, and one north of Pittsburg on Friday. Next week I have two south of Boston on Thursday and Friday. Someone better like me a whole heck of a lot and offer me an internship after all this travel or I'm gonna have to hurt people.

Seriously. Hurt. People. Badly. Wish me luck :p

Posted by Megan

[comment] by [Lyle] on Cost Comparison!

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:10:15 EST

The only kangaroo stuff I've had was Shiraz and I dislike Shiraz in general. It's cheap, but not as cheap as the stuff pictured. I actually found another brand that's even cheaper, it's the same price as the smallest can of red bull you can buy here. As for taste, at this price point, wine is wine and anything in a bottle is better than wine in a box :) Besides, I'm going to learn how to cut glass and make cups out of my used wine bottles. I have to use something now that Pom switched to plastic bottles.

Posted by Lyle

[comment] by [Lyle] on Happy New Year!

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:03:59 EST

It's not a tradition so much as it's something we did the first year (or two?) we decided to celebrate New Years together. It was just me, Tim and Ken at Ken's place. Tim decided we should drop him with the ball. Immediately afterwards, Ken mooned us.

I'm trying to remember if the following year is the year we decided to play the Star Wars drinking game and passed out at 11 from the sugar crash or if the following year is the year we played goldeneye. Either way, I only remember dropping Tim once. Associating that with Ken's backside was enough to discourage a repeat performance.

Posted by Lyle

[comment] by [Justine] on Happy New Year!

Justine none@none.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:16:27 EST

You can convince ME to tape that for YouTube... but you might have to wait until 2010, because this is apparently a New Year's tradition. Have I not spent the past three or four New Year's with you guys?? When did anyone ever drop Tim??

Posted by Justine

[comment] by [Chris] on Happy New Year!

Chris none@none.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:49:54 EST

I'm trying to figure out if that would hurt or not.

Posted by Chris

[comment] by [Chris] on Reflections

Chris none@none.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:32:59 EST

... you could write the canadian version of IT Crowd, and then write candian reality-tv show knock-offs when it gets cancelled.

The judges could wear moose hats. It would be fabulous.

Posted by Chris

[comment] by [Chris] on Cost Comparison!

Chris none@none.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:24:48 EST

The kangaroo shit is good, and it should be much cheaper where you are. The penguin stuff is good too...

Posted by Chris

[comment] by [Chris] on The Truth

Chris none@none.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:22:33 EST

I forgot what I was backing up.

Posted by Chris

[comment] by [Lyle] on Reflections

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:00:07 EST

It's funny you mention that, I went to meet a recruiter in San Jose on Tuesday and the Caltrain stop is across the street from the Sharks hockey arena. I saw it and thought 'I wonder how the Avalanche and Canadiens are doing this season.' :) Cause let's face it, there's no way I'm becoming a Canucks or a Maple Leafs fan.

As for the schlock on Canadian TV, um, I liked jPod and Due South? :P

Posted by Lyle

[comment] by [Ken] on Reflections

Ken lytjan@twcny.rr.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:39:55 EST

then again maybe the screenplay is beautiful and the actors are just shitty. anyway you could definitly be a breath of fresh air. just brush up on hockey first

Posted by Ken

[comment] by [Ken] on Reflections

Ken lytjan@twcny.rr.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:38:23 EST

Montreal gets colder in the winter.

Oh and if you've seen some of the scholck they put on canadian tv i think if you can put together a half a thought with ay you can get a job screenwriting in canada

Posted by Ken

[comment] by [Lyle] on Happy New Year!

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:13:50 EST

I'm trying to picture Justine picking Tim up and dropping him. Now I'm wondering if I can convince somebody to tape that for youtube ;)

Posted by Lyle

[comment] by [Lyle] on Reflections

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:11:38 EST

Oh, right, it's been a while since I've done one of these posts, I didn't cover how I decided to become a screenwriter.

After being laid off, I decided to weigh my options and figure out some long term plans. At first, I thought I wanted to do video games, but that wasn't practical. The programming for AAA games is waaaay beyond me, I'd have to learn a metric ton of new programming skills and platforms and a lot of math as well. As for writing/designing games, I've played 1 video game in the last 4 years. I'd have to play a lot more and become more conversant with console gaming. Did I really want to put all that effort into an industry I'm not even a fan of anymore? Now, at some point in the future I'll try my hand at a flash-based game, but as a hobby.

So what does that leave? Programming as a career is wearing thin on me, so I took a look at what I did with my time. I watch TV and movies. Right now, I can rattle off lots of information about current and past TV series and some movies (that reminds me, I have a huge backlog of new movies I should watch at some point). So, I'm already intelligently (well, sort of intelligently, this is me) conversant in TV and Film and screenwriting is one of the few writing careers that might be able to pay off my student loans. Plus, once I get some experience, it'll make shifting into comic, novel or even game writing a bit easier than if I tackled it with no experience it all.

Oh and Ken, I'm actually thinking of Montreal. I'm told the biking there is better ;)

Posted by Lyle

[comment] by [Ken] on Reflections

Ken lytjan@twcny.rr.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:17:59 EST

I say good luck. and hope for Toronto. its closer than Montreal and Vancouver is still on that damn left coast!

Posted by Ken

[comment] by [megan] on Reflections

megan none@none.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:21:37 EST

Sounds like a plan. As always, good luck and let us know if we can help at all.

Posted by megan

[comment] by [Tim] on Happy New Year!

Tim tim@beyondinsane.net — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:50:50 EST

Oh, and I'm glad I'm not with Kenny this time...

That was a fun New Year's present

Posted by Tim

[blog] by [Tim]: Happy New Year!

Tim tim@beyondinsane.net — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:49:50 EST

Tim drops himself.

Posted by Tim

[blog] by [Lyle]: Reflections

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:16:15 EST

Despite the title, this is more an observation and a game plan than a reflection, but since the new year starts tonight, I figured it was an appropriate time to voice these plans.

First, a video!

Now, the observation. At one point not too long ago, I would have thought this was cool and rushed out to learn the stuff needed to reproduce it and alter it for something else fun. Well, all my old projects that started because of this were programming related, but the idea holds! (anybody remember dynamo stasis?). Now I see something like this and the first thought that pops to mind is "that is completely impractical."

I have to concede, here and now, that capitalism and student loans have quite solidly altered my perception. Everything I do lately is geared toward making money. I suppose that's the way it's supposed to be until I settle into a career. Then I can afford to dive into purely fun exploits, like wire a zipline and a small bot that run from my fridge to my desk and carries delicious snacks and sodas. That'll be a fun weekend project one day, which will last until the first time I get clotheslined, then it comes down. But for now, I'll be storing all my ideas into evernote, where they'll wait until I'm ready.

Ah yes, the mythical thing called a career. I say it's mythical because I don't have one yet and that's where the plan comes in. Right now, I hope to get a good job so I can save for my summer class. After that ends in July and I FINALLY get my diploma, I'll be applying for jobs in LA. Hopefully, Blizzard will still be looking for web developers, but regardless, LA is key.

Yes, groan, moan, I hate LA. But I want to become a screenwriter and LA is pretty much my only option. When I get there, I'll apply for Canadian permanent resident status. I'm told the paperwork takes a year and a half to process, which'll give me plenty of time to see if I can make it as a screenwriter in LA. And when I fail (and I probably will) I'll move to either Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal and write Canadian TV. Which is what the permanent resident status is for; TV is government run, so you need to be a permanent resident in order to be hired.

Apparently, it's easier to make a living as a screenwriter in Canada, but it's harder to make a fortune. Which is fine by me.

Happy New Year, everybody.

----
Another day down the mines of our lives. We drink 'til we stink and smoke 'til we choke because that's how we get things done, you and me. Spending our lives making things and making things out of our lives, because anything else would be dull as hell and we're damned if we're going to sit at the other end of whatever years we get saying, well, what the fuck was that for?

Years of scars, lipstick and tears, and every day the dawn comes on we turn our eyes up in surprise, saying, "There's that goddamn sun again."
- Warren Ellis

Posted by Lyle

[picture] by [Lyle]: Creative Cork Screw

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:13:00 EST

A screweye, a piece of hemp rope and a well placed bicycle lock later and I have wine!

Posted by Lyle

[blog] by [Lyle]: Cost Comparison!

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:12:47 EST

Booze vs caffeine, merlot vs red bull...

Which do you think cost more?

PS

Opening it was a challenge too. A screweye, a piece of hemp rope and a well placed bicycle lock later and I have wine! (note to self: get cork screw).

Oh, and the Red Bull is one of the monster 17fl oz ones and was purchased individually. For the more anal retentive among us. ;)

Posted by Lyle

[picture] by [Lyle]: Merlot vs Red Bull

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:11:41 EST

Which do you think cost more?

Posted by Lyle

[blog] by [Tim]: Merry Christmas

Tim tim@beyondinsane.net — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:56:39 EST

Hope everyone is well out there. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Posted by Tim

[blog] by [Mitch]: The Truth

Mitch none@none.com — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:49:00 EST

So last night when we are together we discovered the truth about Lyle. back in the day when he was a Boyscout and he had an idea for stuff crust pizza, some big wigs from Pizza Hut came through the woods and touched him. Where we don't know. We need an intervention, we need to find out where it was. All we know is that after all these years Lyle is still that anti social comp sci kid. At least we know why now. So lets all come together to help Lyle out.

Posted by Mitch

[blog] by [Ken]: Big News

Ken lytjan@twcny.rr.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:10:43 EST

Posted by Ken

[blog] by [Megan]: And the verdict is..

Megan dyoc235@hotmail.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:29:17 EST

Well, looks like between the "I'll be around anytime," "I'll be around any time, except for new years" and the "I wont be around at all," an early party is ok this year. So how does the weekend before Christmas (Sat the 20th or Sun the 21st) sound for a get together? I figure KC and I can get in Friday evening and will probably stick around for about a week.

Next I'll make you vote for either cheese or chocolate fondue :p

Posted by Megan

[blog] by [Lyle]: Change, and not the small kind

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:10:35 EST

Sorry I've been so quiet around these parts, but I've been focusing on work and the grander questions in life. Like what I want to do for a living, how I go about getting there, who I am now that I'm completely untethered from secondary education, social groups and old labels. Then I realized I wasn't completely untethered, I still had a job, right?

Wrong.

Although they neglected to inform me (that's twice now, dammit) I am no longer employed. They disabled my login and everything. Hopefully somebody will get around to debriefing me and giving me a severance package, but probably not until Monday. They cut my entire department just like they did last year, but instead of hiring us back after the new year they've opened a Beijing office that will take over all our work.

I'm taking it alright. I'm doing what any self respecting person would do: get drunk and use the hangover on Thanksgiving to come up with a game plan. Speaking of which, Happy Thanksgiving, people.

I should have seen the writing on the wall, but I was too focused on other things. The biggest omen was this morning, when somebody stole my bike. In a pinch, I could have sold the thing and used the proceeds for a full month's rent. It's a good thing I never sold the bikes I upgraded from, at least I have a bike to fall back on for transportation.

To round out my day, Ken's informed me that a Chinese spammer got a hold of my email and is using it to send spam. Thus, if you get any spam that says its from me, I apologize, but I didn't send it. And I'm removing email addresses from comments and posts by the end of the week. Nobody really used that feature anyway and now it's causing problems.

So now back to the big question: what's next? My only real choice at this point is to pound the pavement and get another job here in Cali. I would really like to move at some point though, the cost of living is too high and the climate is driving me nuts.

Posted by Lyle

[blog] by [Megan]: Anybody home?

Megan dyoc235@hotmail.com — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:35:06 EST

So I have one interview set for early Janurary, and I completed one by phone this week (I get gloating rights for finishing an interview earlier than most everyone else has them scheduled), but I'm still hoping to have some undetermined number more to complete in January, meaning I need a role call and schedule for the holidays. Anyone up for the general hangout night of newyears-esque shenanagans? Trying to figure out how much time I can take off from work for vacations and interviews while still being able to afford the gas to drive to said interviews.

Short version: I = poor, need schedule work. We party when?

Posted by Megan

[blog] by [Ken]: back up and running

Ken lytjan@twcny.rr.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:30:44 EST

Oh yeah I be back up and running now, with nothing lost but the old case and power supply. the new is much quieter and darker, should be easier to sleep with it running. Thats all. the other news can be gotten by catching me online or waiting for a bit for me to post the news on here. Overall its been a good day.

Posted by Ken

[blog] by [Ken]: Weekend Update

Ken lytjan@twcny.rr.com — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:15:58 EST

Figured I'd give everybody an update as to whats going on in my life. I've got one major announcement that I want to make personally to everybody so try and catch me when I'm online however I won't be much because of the second announcement, my computer's power supply has died. I have ordered replacement parts but I'm just praying that it didn't take anything else with it when it went. Lyle helped me pick out a case with a meganormously gargantuanic fan (250mm)[I was denying the temptation to say HHHUUUUGGGGEEEEEAH]It should take care of the few issues Ive been having with it, although they could just be winblows. yeah so catch me on soon or wait around for the blanket update at some point in the near future. and if anybody cares Lyle already knows all of this because of his left coast time zone having him awake and online about the same times I end up hijacking my moms comp.

I pity all the jibba-jabba foos

Posted by Ken

[blog] by [Lyle]: Small change

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:01:42 EST

I just modified the user pages a bit so you won't time out when you're writing a long rant. The default time for a session is 24 minutes, I extended it to 7 days. Let me know if you're still losing posts.

Posted by Lyle

[blog] by [Tim]: Vote

Tim tim@beyondinsane.net — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:06:19 EST

Go vote.

Posted by Tim

[blog] by [Lyle]: We're back!

Lyle lylejantzi3rd@gmail.com — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:20:21 EST

Sorry about the commercial break. I don't really know what happened, but hopefully the site won't crap out again anytime soon. In the meantime, I'm backing the damned thing up.

I've got a few things to talk about, my job, my move, the future and NaNoWriMo to name a few, but the post will have to wait until I get my thoughts together.

Posted by Lyle

[blog] by [Mitch]: Job

Mitch none@none.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:12:04 EST

Well I guess I got the job. I start on Monday for the 6 weeks of training. Its 10 an hour which is great than after that I work from home well in this case Lyle's parents house. I take calls and do tech support for direct tv. Trouble shooting and returns and basic billing stuff. It should be cool. No stress of being around other people. Seems like a really good place to work for but we know how jobs look before we get them. I have to make it to JCC from Gouvy mon through fri by 7:45 for 6 weeks. Thats going to suck really bad.

Posted by Mitch

[blog] by [Mitch]: NY

Mitch none@none.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:29:12 EST

Well I made it back in NY. I have been here for a week and its just as fun as always. I have a job interview today with some work at home place supporting direct tv. I will be making 10 an hour though and sitting at home. That will be cool.

I think Leah is liking it here so far.

I also caved and I made a twitter. twitter.com/keldosnick

Um thats about it for now. I will update once I find out if I have the job.

Posted by Mitch