POTD updated, happy holidays to all

I've updated Picture Of The Day for the first time in a month. I think my New Year's resolution will be to stay on top of that thing. And take pictures on more than 51% of the days! I'm excited to get started on POTD 2004, and I have a slightly updated layout ready.

If you're looking for more to read, you can check out Mike's blog or Jake's blog. If you're reading this, I'm sure you know one of those two.

Off to Yasir's place tonight for a little fun.

Everything goes wrong yet right

I've never experienced a day like yesterday, when things went so wrong and right at the same time. Cindy had a bit of a medical emergency the day before (but everything is fine!) and I offered to accompany her to the follow up appointment. Along the way she was starving but we couldn't find any suitable food, we were rear ended (no injuries, but a ding on the hood that bent up the corner), we spent four hours at the appointment, the nurse screwed something up, and she missed her dinner plans with an old friend. Despite all of this, we had a wonderful time together. It's not the kind of day I hope to repeat, but that it should end up feeling so positive is, well...something.

More than a fortnight

Two weeks and one day without a cigarette. Last night at the bar I apparently looked visibly purturbed..I wanted a cigarette, but it was still easy to resist.

I finally put up the Lithuania photos. I feel like I've been very productive lately, but it has mostly involved editing old photos and putting them online. It's time to get out there to take some new ones.

Quantifying my skills

I just signed up for the Illinois Skills Match Workforce Development System, a required part of collecting unemployment. My skills, all of them that I have found so far, are below. Prepare to be amazed that I'm not fully qualified for anything..at least according to their system.

Drivers Licenses and Endorsements

• Normal (class d) drivers license.

• Use AppleWorks
• Use desktop publishing
• Use Excel software
• Use graphics software programs
• Use internet to locate information
• Use Microsoft Office software
• Use Microsoft PowerPoint software
• Use Microsoft Word software
• Use MS Works software
• Use spreadsheet PC software
• Use word processing software
• Use Windows
• Use Microsoft Outlook
• Use Quicken software

• Use personal computer
• Typing speed
• Pounds able to Lift
• Hours Able to Stand or Walk

• Determine specifications
• Review technical writing
• Review, revise written materials
• Use Framemaker
• Write equipment manuals
• Write operating procedures r maintenance instructions for users
• Write software manuals
• Write technical manuals

• Operate audio or visual equipment
• Operate cameras
• Set up cameras
• Set up video taping equipment
• View, evaluate, film or video tape
• Operate taping and filming equipment
• Adjust equipment or controls

• Monitor signals
• Operate sound mixing board
• Record sessions
• Regulate volume, or sound quality
• Review or edit recordings
• Set up or operate sound equipment
• Set up, adjust, maintain or test recording equipment
• Keep logs
• Obtain, review tapes and records
• Synchronize sound with pictures

• Develop operational, maintenance, or testing procedures
• Analyze system requirements, capacity, cost and develop system plan
• Design electronic components, products, or systems
• Evaluate operational systems
• Implement research methodology, and procedures to engineering projects
• Provide technical assistance to field and laboratory staff
• Understand transistor operation
• Design embedded micro controller circuitry

• Photograph in color or black and white
• Set up and operate equipment
• Take measurements
• Photograph subjects
• Photograph children
• Photograph family portraits
• Photograph news events

• Design and plan buildings
• Operate Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software

• Collect, identify or analyze data
• Design electrical instruments, equipment, products, or systems
• Confer with engineers, or customers on projects or products
• Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, or testing
• Investigate customer complaints
• Compile data and write reports for engineering studies or projects
• Plan or implement research procedures for engineering projects

• Read books
• Recommend deletions
• Edit motion picture film, tape, video or soundtrack
• Read screenplays
• Read scripts

The new whatever..

Part of my recent changes (leaving my job, quitting smoking, etc) included a determination to not let opportunities pass me by anymore. More honesty, more action, more joy, more pain, fewer regrets. And it's working.

Aislers Set photo..

Whoo hoo! More validation from people I don't know! =)

It's been one week without a cigarette. The urges are still strong, but they're few and far between. This feels great.

Pinhole photography

My first pinhole photo!

Video killed the...oh nevermind..

Everybody has a video these days.. I remember being thrilled to see a Bob Mould video back in the day, but it's getting so I'll be disappointed if someone hasn't got a goofy video of their own.

Mates of State are dancing around in their underwear, The Shins have penguins on their side, and Death Cab For Cutie have a scary video. I should get in touch with SLGTM and make a video for them.

To the moon, Geedub?

If anyone besides GWB was going to announce a return to the moon, I would be thrilled. But if he says this, I feel like there's something dirty about it. We may never have the money to spare for a return trip to the moon, but in the midst of the current spending I feel like it's especially foolish, and probably designed to fulfill a few different purposes: reelection, keeping China in its place, drilling for oil on the moon.

This day is the fourth without a cigarette. I keep expecting it to get harder, but it hasn't yet. Knock on wood..

Samples

It took me this long to notice that Saturday Looks Good To Me's song Everyday uses a sample of the intro to The Ronettes' Baby I Love You. You should check out both.

Still haven't done those Lithuania photos.. tomorrow. Along with everything else.

Today my stop smoking issues have changed from constant hunger to no appetite and a headache. It's still easier than I expected it to be.

New photos

Today I finally updated Picture of the Day with a couple of months' worth of photos. Every one a gem.

I also uploaded all of the artsy photos from my most recent road trip. I'm hoping to put a page with stories, statistics (I know you're dying to know what mileage I got!), and additional photos. Percentage of photos on this page compared to the total number of photos taken? 4.5%

While rollerblading this afternoon I noticed a few things:

1. There are a lot more people out and about during the day than I expected. Who are these people?

2. Even more shocking was the number of people sitting in their cars, parked outside some building with the engine idling. The only conclusion I can draw is that they are waiting for someone inside..meaning there are still more people out and about than I'm seeing. And in pairs..who's earning the dough?

3. I'm highly suspicious of anyone doing anything during the middle of the day. Person sitting in their car? Suspicious. Someone in the alley with a wheelbarrow? Suspicious. Guy rollerblading around town looking at everyone? Suspicious.

Thirty one hours

It's been more than 31 hours since my last cigarette. So far it hasn't been too hard: no nicotine withdrawel issues, no crisis moments, no hardcore cravings. Instead, the following dialog plays in my head about every 10 minutes:

Subconscious: "I have a great idea: a cigarette!"
Conscious: "Damn, that sounds like a great idea."
Conscious: "Shit, I quit."
Subconscious: "But you would like one, right?"
Conscious: "Yes. But I quit."

MoS photos

Mates Of State put some of my photos up but never bothered to write back telling me so, or thanking me! I wasn't very happy with the photos, but they kind of stand out from the others taken on this tour...except for these! Damn they're nice..

And so it begins..

It's been a whopping.. 10 hours since my last cigarette? And I was sleeping for most of that. I've been awake for two hours and I'm already running short of productive ways to fill my time.. I've separated some old recyclables into bags, caught up on the Strong Bad Emails, and uploaded a new Friendster photo (as a temporary measure until I can come up with a new theme). It's going to be a long day.

From a pack of cigarettes I bought last time I was in England, the warning labels. One for the ladies:

And one for the gents: