Ch,ch,ch,changes...

So many changes...

I left GenUX last month. I'd rather not go into details in public, but I think it was an amicable split. (at least I hope it was) (yes, I still run Gentoo Linux on 3 of my 4 computers, the other one running OS X)

I became what I once despised... one who goes to a "gym." Yes, that's correct, the world is at an end, and I have joined a gym, and actually go regularly. (3-6 times a week, most weeks closer to the latter number) It's anyone's guess how long this will last (so far it has been going on for about 6-7 weeks). Some side-notes on going to the gym:

• Listening to "Heroin" by the Velvet Underground while doing cardiovascular exercise is plain wrong, yet it works (and in case anyone is wondering, I went to Berkeley for 5 years, and I still have never taken any "drugs" of any kind except for those prescribed to me by an actual doctor for actual medicinal purposes... yes, I'm extremely square)
• If the gym is open 24-hours a day, and one can survive on a schedule where they wake up after noon, then hitting the gym past 10pm can work really nicely.
  
• "Soft-Hearted Hana" by George Harrison is a HORRIBLE song to listen to while doing exercise though with the continual altering of the speed of the song at the end. It kills whatever rhythm you have. Indeed, any track that varispeeds is probably going to be a bad one to exercise to. (note: I still like the song)
• Early Beatles ('62-'65) songs are REALLY good for working out to since they're usually very high energy, indeed, the songs one listens to seems to matter a lot. I've found myself lose energy and focus too many times because I picked poorly for my "workout music" (eg: the album "I'm Your Man" by Leonard Cohen didn't work well)
  

Watching the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and how horrific the Bush "administration" has bungled everything has managed to find a way to raise my level of outrage and disgust even higher than it had been before. No matter how low I place my expectations for this White House, it is ALWAYS undercut. I can't add anything eloquent or otherwise right now. I'm too apoplectic to begin to gather thoughts. Normally I would add that hopefully something good will come of this, but at this point, I can't even fake that level of enthusiasm and hope.

I started yet another semester of graduate school... one that promises to be my final for my Master's Degree in Computer Science (at least the last one I take courses during). I decided to take some classes beyond what I am required to for the sake of fun (yes, fun), and to fill in gaps of my education as well as working on my thesis that I plan to complete this semester. I am still trying to decide if I want to go for a doctoral program in Computer Science or not.

I am working on side jobs. Tomorrow I am going to help "Alliance For A Better California" (a campaign against our Governor's propositions this fall) set up computer networks for their field offices. I am getting paid, but I'm also glad to be doing something in the political process again. Even as disgusted as I am right now, I still want things to be better. I may have another opportunity or two coming down the pike as well. I have also put out job applications to various companies, mostly for software engineering positions. (in theory I'm pretty well trained for that now)

Let me see.. A new Rolling Stones album, "A Bigger Bang" comes out on Tuesday. I've heard an advance copy, and it's quite good (yes, I will buy the real thing when it's out). This will never replace anything in their "holy" quadrilogy from '68-'72 of "Beggar's Banquet", "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile On Main Street", but it is rather good. I enjoyed their albums from "Steel Wheels" through "Bridges To Babylon", but this is better. It takes a few listens to get into, and not every track works. The "controversial" political track, "Sweet Neo Con" is not one of the better songs on the album, even though I generally agree with the sentiment. The lyrics are still awkward, and overly blunt. (or as a friend put it, clumsy) Still, this is easily the best Stones LP since "Tattoo You" 24 years ago. (Grade: B+)
Paul McCartney's new album, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" comes out the following Tuesday, and I have only heard pieces of it - not enough to form any opinion with. I honestly don't know if this will be another middling effort with a handful of standout cuts, or a miraculous continuation of what I believe to be the best streak of Paul's solo career. "Flaming Pie" and "Driving Rain" I believe stand up as two of the best albums he has made since the Beatles broke up. Even with those albums not every cut works, but an amazing amount of the albums DO work, and they work VERY well. "The World Tonight", "Somedays", "Beautiful Night", "Calico Skies", "The Song We Were Singing", "Lonely Road", "Heather", and "About You" are amongst his best songs he has written since 1970. If Paul can manage ANOTHER great album, he will officially be one the best streak of his career since the Beatles. (yes, I am ignoring the wonderful "Run Devil Run" since it was mostly a covers album) I'm hoping for a continuation of the streak... even if I can't see him in concert this go-around.
Off-hand, I cannot think of any other releases I am looking forward to (including any Bowie as my misleading title may imply)

Of course, there have been many many other changes in the last few months (being able to listen to the Beatles being one), but most I prefer not to speak of on a public forum. (yes, they are largely positive changes)

Does any of this excuse my lack of posting? Well, no... but on the other hand, given my lack of readership, it really is a very minor issue. (if someone doesn't post, and no one is paying attention did the blog really not get updated? And if don't not speak in double negatives am I speaking in a positive tone?)