Not that writing about nerdy stuff is a responsibility. It's quite more like a biological imperative. Which is why I never quit fully; I just don't care for a few years at a time.
First and foremost, I graduated undergraduate school in December of 2008. After a long, dark period of filling out meaningless online paperwork that never netted me a job, I submitted an application to a temp agency which managed to get me a solid, "neverending temporary" job with a place that maintains airplanes. For about nine months I have entered data regarding work orders performed by mechanics. It has been an absolutely wonderful job for a number of reasons. I began graduate school at WVU's Social Work Master's program in August, completed my first semester, and just started my second. During the first semester, I worked Thursday through Monday and went to classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. With a few exceptions, I sort of had no days off, but I made it through and shall continue to do so. This past December, I was hired direct by my employer, effectively raising my salary, adding benefits, and ensuring that my temporary-but-still-sort-of-permanent job would stay permanent. Over the wintry break, I got my weekends back and utilized many of them to travel to visit friends and family.
Despite my not-days-off, I managed to still have a pretty good time. I still had several opportunities to play games online with Jimmy, Matt, and Scott, and I took up karaoke with Ron. These things managed to help me retain some sanity during the semester, and indeed, I owe much to my friends for these things. This picture is just a sample of the kind of things we managed to do.Musically speaking, I've been working really hard. Sweep-picking, economy picking, and tapping have all been on the regular practice schedule. Despite this, I've not written any new music or anything. Almost seems a waste, but I'll do that when I'm good and ready. (I've made a couple recordings, but one is a cover and one is a song that I wrote a few years ago.)
I have a 7-string guitar.
Except mine has a Tune-O-Matic bridge instead of a Floyd Rose. Which, in hindsight, I would've rather had the Floyd on a 7, simply because I never change tuning from the standard BEADGBE. And of course, having cheap tricks over not having cheap tricks? That's a no-brainer for the flashy guitarist. But I like it. Quite a lot.
Some updates have been made to my computer. First, I've essentially maxed out my 32-bit XP-detectable memory at 3 gigs. Second, I have an ATI Radeon HD 5770. Third, I'm thinking very seriously about installing Windows 7. But still in the thinking stage.
My Steam games list has grown immensely. Not that I've managed to finish them all yet. But I'm working on it. I don't exactly have that much free time these days.
Anyhow, I have successfully achieved contact, for what that's worth after roughly forever. Oh well. Ron will forgive me.
