sEPTEMBER aRCHIVES

Monday 9.30.02 So I was listening to cNet tonite and for what ever reason they are talking about how to determine you pr0n name. You take the name of your first pet and the street you grew up on and there you go; instant pr0n name. So, if I don't get a job soon and end up in the pr0n industry, I'll be going by the name of Midbach... I like it.

So I decided I would make a trip to the North Shore today in order to make a big grocery run. I haven't been down to the parkade since my last shift at the hell-hole six or seven weeks ago, so I didn't even know if my car was still there. Sure enough, my car was there but had been broken into. No damage and nothing gone; there's nothing to steal so that was no surprise, but it still pissed me off. I guess I should just be thankful that it hadn't been stripped again. Of course they didn't bother to close the door, so the battery was dead to boot.

I gave thought to jump starting it, but given how long it has been sitting, I had visions of being stuck on the lowest level with a dead battery and no way to get it back. I figured I would give Neal a call tonight and get a jump from him, but the more I think about it, the more I view it as a theft deterrent. I might remove the steering wheel, while I'm at it. Bastards... I'd give anything to be there just once... that's all it would take.     Top

Sunday 9.29.02 *Update* Ok, I figured out what the problem was (see 2 paragraphs down) with my IW Sale page; there was no problem with the page it was with me and the way I had written the code. Once again, the issue is between the keyboard and the chair...

Watched the USGP this morning and it was nice not to be getting up at 4:30 am to watch it live. With the next race in Japan that is all for the early mornings for this season. After chatting with Paul about meaningless things and such, I finally had a shower and went out to get some groceries. I was barely out onto Denman when I ran into Mike whom I hadn't seen since the last Stockhouse QA lunch after we were all canned. It was really nice to see him again and it turns out he only lives a couple of blocks from me. We had a little chat and made plans to get together for lunch one of these days.

I am trying to make some progress on the page; nothing that is outwardly apparent, but focusing more on the structure. I thought I had found a major flaw but now I'm not so sure. It would have been easier to figure out if the was a fundamental flaw in the code, but I am starting to think there is something else going on.

In other news, QA Labs wants me to go back in on Tuesday which is good for me. Hopefully jaalaM will have gotten back to me by then and I can know where I stand and decide accordingly. The more I think about it, the more I think it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen if jaalaM falls through but I hope it doesn't come to that.     Top

Thursday 9.26.02 Well, I had my interview at QA Labs this afternoon and I guess it went well. Actually, it did go very well but it was like going on a date with a girl after having met the woman of your dreams the day before; it's hard to get too excited but you still want something to fall back on. The thing is, I know a lot more about the position than they realize I do, after having talked to Angelo about it and his experience with them. Still, it's a tough market out there and I need to keep my options open. I am pretty sure that I can stall them long enough to know how badly I want it.

Apart from the location, it would be a good job and I know I could do it but driving to Richmond everyday doesn't make me want to get out of bed in the morning. On the other hand, if I don't get working soon, I'll be rolling out of my cardboard box in the morning... If I were to be working out of their Yaletown office, it would be much more attractive to me but I have to say there office is cramped and nothing to write home about, though I shall chronicle it here because I can.

The building is great; typical yaletown warehouse ie; tres chic... but when I went up to their floor, I walked right by their office the first time and when I doubled-back and stuck my head in the open door, the impression wasn't great. No reception desk (or receptionist, for that matter but where would she sit?), ratty sofa and table and only a copy of The Province (who reads that rag?) to read. The 'reception area', such as it is, also doubles as the kitchen... I know this sounds arrogant but compared to everywhere else that I have worked or interviewed, it was a bit of a let down. You just tend to expect more. On the other hand, if the cheque is in the bank who cares?

In any event, if an offer is made, I will consider it carefully given what I know at the time. There are aspects to being a contractor that I would find attractive, like checking my mail from home once a week and writing off some of my rent! "It's a legitimate deduction... I was working from home!"

This email showed up in my Inbox today. And so it goes...      Top

Wednesday 9.25.02 Beautiful, sunny day out as I set off for my interview at jaalaM this afternoon. I had donned my little dot com outfit and was feeling really excited about going up there and not really too nervous; at this point, I was viewing it as gravy and didn't figure I had much to lose. Still, it would be a fantastic opportunity and I wanted to take it seriously.

It took 30 minutes to walk up there which was nice though, I imagine in January I might have a different outlook on it but I could deal with that. They are located in the same building as Umberto al Porto in Gastown, where Stu used to cook when we were all living together ten years ago. Very nice place; all brick and exposed beams and views of Canada Place, cruise ships and the north shore mountains. Staci came out to say hi and everyone was very friendly which helped ease the nerves a little.

My first interview was with Jan from HR and she was great; very easy going and friendly and we really had a good chat. She was as great in person as she was on the phone and oddly enough, sorta looked as I had pictured her. Next up was Wilson who is the QA manger and he also was a great guy and has some great ideas for the future. He is one of those guys that makes you feel at ease and I could tell he would be a great guy to work with.

In the end, I was in there over two hours but it went really fast, so I hope that is a good sign. They have some more people to talk to and hope to let me know something early next week. Good enough.

I stopped by to chat with Staci on my way out and left feeling great. Even if nothing comes of it, it was great to have gone in and had a peak at the possibilities; it's places like jaalaM that keeps me wanting to work in tech even with all the uncertainties.      Top

Tuesday 9.24.02 Ok, I don't know exactly what this page will ultimately become; I have a feeling it will be more of a news page rather than a blog in the pure sense of the word. Sort of my online version of the irritating 'Update' emails I used to send out once in a while. Now you can just come here when you choose rather than hitting Delete when you see my name in your Inbox.

So, I see that Google (the finest page on the web) now has a news page. A one stop place for news from over 4000 sources that is constantly updated. Have a look... it's my new home page after using about:blank for a long time.      Top

On a Web site, a blog, a short form of Web log or web log, is a personal journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site and its purpose. Topics sometimes include brief philosophical musings, commentary on Internet and other social issues, and links to other sites the author favors. The essential characteristics of the blog are its journal form, typically a new entry each day, and its informal style.

The author of a blog is often referred to as a blogger. People who post new journal entries to their blog may often say they blogged today, they blogged it to their site, or that they still have to blog.

Definition from WhatIs.com      Top