Widgets Are Your Friend

Yes, they are. They are community driven; they are free of spyware. They are sexy. Currently, I'm only running three at work: this, this, and even this.

At home, I also run this. It draws from a very simple XML file called "Random Messages.xml" that should be in your My Documents folder. It is incredibly easy to delete or add your own messages using Notepad (or some other basic text editor). Here's a nice tutorial.

In other news, two of my good friends are leaving for Santa Fe on Monday. In this case, I have chosen a special song for their departure (yes, I know I'm breaking my own rule...):

the road goes ever on and on
down from the door where it began
now far ahead the road has gone
and i must follow, if i can,
pursuing it with eager feet,
until it joins some larger way
where many paths and errands meet
and whither then? i cannot say.
from The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Good News for People Who Love Porn...

...your searches will not be given to the government (succinct and humorous review on BoingBoing).

Another note: check tonight for flickr updates.

so don't tell me about a fake drug war
go cut education some more
the people will learn one day and rise
New Thrash by Sublime

A Few Quick Notes

Disclaimer: song chosen for the upcoming holiday.

First of all, the Skullcrusher community is going to take a hard blow losing one of the best priests and players on our server. I would never think to second guess his decision, but he will be sorely missed amongst his guild and the server as a whole. He is famous for singing on Vent during raids to raise morale, filling the void that is the lack of a bard class in WoW. (If you have a link to his songs, please let me know.)

Also, check out these links in order: ONE TWO THREE!

On another note, I just checked my UPS tracking number and my new camera is out for devilry - oh, fine, be that way: delivery. If all goes well, I'll be feeling better and using it (and it's upgraded 1GB SD card) to the fullest extent of the law this weekend. Unfortunately, my friends and I won't be making it out to Tipp Hill (and our favorite Irish Pub) until Saturday. And yes, the green is on top. I better wrap this up, I'm jonesin' for a Guinness.

Best wishes for a safe and happy St. Patty's Day!

well once i loved a girl, a child i'm told
i gave her my heart and she gave me a cold
so now i sit standing here out in the pouring rain
i'll stumble back to kelly's pub and cry away me pain
Irish Drinking Song by Flogging Molly

right off my back

That's right folks, I lived through the NIN concert. Wouldn't have been complete without the protesters - though they had a poor showing compared to the Buffalo show during The Fragile tour. Saul Williams opened and was pretty damned good - while APC got a warmer welcoming during The Fragile, they had their own share of nay-sayers. Anyway, I screamed the entire setlist, which went something like this:

new flesh/pinion
love is not enough
you know what you are?
terrible lie
the line begins to blur
march of the pigs
piggy
frail/the wretched
closer
burn
gave up
eraser
right where it belongs
beside you in time
the day the world went away
wish
only
every day is exactly the same
suck
hurt
the hand that feeds
head like a hole

My voice is still not what it used to be - nor is my hearing. Amazing energy, amazing show, amazing everything. Didn't run into everyone I had hoped, but ran into some old friends - always a pleasant surprise. Can't say I touched Trent like I did at my last NIN show, but my friend and I had GREAT seats (2 rows back, center ice if it were hockey). I have a few pictures on my camera phone (Trent, it's out of love) but don't have the intarweb on my phone.

Which leads me into my other good news: finally ordered a digital camera. I've been checking the order status rabidly, but I know NewEgg will deliver; they always do. Because of this, you'll start noticing my flickr accout rapidly populating itself.

By the way, you may notice the iPod type thingee on the side bar now: it will post my top 6 artists currently being played. It would be more accurate if I could update it from work, but alas. So, give it a few weeks to normalize.

Lunch is almost over kiddies:


a 40oz to freedom is the only chance i have
to feel good even though i feel bad
40 Oz. to Freedom by Sublime

The State of My Chest Cavity

So Friday I went to the doctor because my chest has been congested for the past year or so. Yes, a year. But the student health insurance that my school requires sucks ass. So I didn't go see anyone about it. Anyway, I felt fine. Well, the doctor put me on some antibiotics and told me to get a chest x-ray. I wasn't too worried; until last night. My dad calls and tells me the doctor's office called about my x-ray, and wanted me to call them back. I didn't get the message till after the office was closed. So last night was spent worrying myself, my mother, and some friends. I layed in bed thinking what kind of horrid disease or condition I may have. This morning, I ate breakfast wondering what I would do with 2 months to live. I decided I would go to Spain; I would become the embodiment of Bacchus; I would go skydiving; then, after I find myself completely sated, I would find a quiet tropical beach spending the days underwater and the early afternoons through the night drinking frozen concoctions to help me hang on.

I called the doctor this morning...

They called to let me know they got my x-ray and it looks ok. Good to know. So - I took a little walk and rather than eating the lunch I brought, I went to the best place evar. Cute girl helped me, great food, and a beautiful (if a bit chilly) walk to and from the aforementioned place.

All I can do is sing the refrain...

stars above are shining down
nothing ever gonna hurt me now
and i slip away happy as a clam
Hell Below / Stars Above by the Toadies