Well it has apparently been a little while since I have had the desire to update when I have not been fallling asleep or needing to do something else. Where to start, obviously everyone knows about the sad news, the Bulls have unfortunately been eliminated from the first round of the NBA playoffs in 6 games. A bit of good news, the Sox are still white hot, and as of this writing are 4.5 games up in their division, and well even better news, the Cubs haven’t been doing so well.

Last weekend was a good time, I had some good conversations out at the bar with some people. I will say that the debates between Lauren and Brad can be quite amusing and covering a wide variety of subjects. Saturday I got to help out Nicolette with her fundraiser at the Passport to Music program they were doing in the Creston neighborhood. I was able to cover the door at the slowest bar of the evening, Club North, and listen to the music of Gruv Unit. I have heard them before Founder’s but I was not particularly impressed that night. After ducking out of that, we headed for a drink so she could relax a bit. I ended up sticking around too late talking as usual, but its all good. Sunday was Jason’s graduation party in St. Joe, which was a blast. I rode in with Nicolette and we had a good time just chillin, eating and talking. I was a bit disappointed to not have an Old Style or PBR.

Monday was the first day of the rest of my life, or however that phrase goes. I started my new job at the RCA. After filling out the pile of appropriate paperwork, I was able to settle in at a desk, which would involve moving later anyhow. But I proceeded through the week being educated on the various systems and setups of equipment. I guess I get to help implement a helpdesk system rather than just staff it. It will be an interesting change for them in their organization. It will also be great to not just be tied to a phone like I was at USF, I will handle most problems, but I will get to actually do some desktop support as well. One of the more interesting things they have asked me to do to date is to secure their wireless network. I need to do some research on their RADIUS server to figure how I need to get the WAP to associate users by that method. I feel much better about my job now knoing that everyone I work with likes to have fun and go out and have some drinks from time to time, I had a good conversation with Charlie about several of the microbreweries around, and contrary to Jason’s description, its not “a wee little beer.” I am looking forward to working with these people, it is a very friendly and very relaxed. Maybe this will finally help to alleviate the hair loss.

I had the opportunity to hang out with several people throughout the week, and well it has been a great time of just relaxing with friends. Tuesday found the trip to Allendale then down for a drink at Founders with D, Wednesday was the last games of pool I will play with Jason for a while down at the Cambridge House, and then a few beers next door after joining up with Lauren and Rachelle, then the business meeting with Jeremy down there. He was very pleased with the etching on Titanium and D2 steel, he gave me a slab of Damascus steel to see if we can work that. Thursday brought a trip to the theater with Deanna to see Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, which I was pleasntly happy with followed by some Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The big capper to the week was teh marriage of Christopher House to Ashley Lettinga. It was a lovely ceremony followed by an enjoyable reception. I for some reason don’t like taking photos in the church, so I only have photos from the reception, which was really just our table. It was a good time followed by some more great chillin with friends and then a trip out to meet up with Lauren, apparently I was dressed well enough to have been called Bill Gates over at Founder’s.

I am finally slipping back into the schedule required when working 1st shift. I am getting to sleep realtively early, either that or I am getting better at functioning on less sleep, I still haven’t decided yet. Actually it must be the latter, as I didnt get to sleep before 3 tuesday. In any case. I believe this update should be plenty long for today.