Never Despair

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34578262@N05/

Dooobeee dooooby doooooooooo...

Successful!

Oh baby.

Closing on the house tomorrow, 10am. We had the final walk-though today at 4:00. Our real estate agent didn't show up because she was "lost in cyberspace". Oh yeah.
Luckily, the seller's agent was there, who's basically Peyton Manning's long lost twin. Nice enough guy. Everything looked fine.

Now I'm just chilling at home having a beer and watching football. Tomorrow is a brand new day, homeownership.

Went to Sterling last night to visit the guys while we're all converged on central MA. I'm always glad when we get an opportunity for us to all hang out, as it's become more and more rare.

James accompanied me on my hike of Wachusett, which did not go well. While we were unshaken by the rain, the condition of the mountain and trails in general were awful. The ice storm from 2 weeks ago had destroyed any sign of the smaller offshoot trails we needed to find to navigate around the ski trails.
After some bushwhacking parallel to the ski area, we determined much of what we saw ahead as less than encouraging. So, disappointed, we left the mountain for the first time in our lives without summiting...

...which is really lame.

Ah well, the Presi range will still completely rock this summer.

Here's my route tomorrow morning, god forbid my wife's nightmares are realized:

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/WachusettMtn.gif

Ski area parking lot to:

-Balance Rock
-Left on Old Indian Trail
-Bear right on Semuhenna
-Left on West Side Trail
-Right onto Old Indian Trail to summit.

Looks like it's 3 miles. Avoiding all slopes (the yellow patches).

Yehaw.

-The Holidays and a lack of work
-Family gatherings
-Winter Hike of Mt. Wachusett
-The year 2009
-Owning a home
-Getting a new heavy bag
-A honeymoon
-24hr Presidential range traverse
-4000 footer hikes
-Star trek, T4, and other sweet movies
- (top secret) -
-Remaining employed at a great job

http://hundredpushups.com/test.html

Did the initial test, and made it near the top of level 3. So, tomorrow the long avoided attempt begins.

I'm glad I'm finally trying for it, it's been months since I told myself I'd give it a go.

P.S.

Anyone want to be my virtual workout buddy on this?

I just got into a verbal argument with a vending machine.

...It was a bit one-sided.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/large_trailer2.html

www.seeqpod.com

Playable music search engine.

see more pwn and owned pictures

After giving it some thought, I've come to some conclusions about the marital affair "dating" service known as Ashley Madison.

The very idea of the site isn't as bad as I initially thought. Granted, encouraging lies and deciet and in some cases like MA, illegal activity, is abhorrent. However, in terms of a business venture, I can't see how what they're doing is any different than what some other companies profit from. Pharmaceutical companies profit from sickness and suffering. Defense contractors profit from wars. Evangelists profit from faith and religion. How does Ashley Madison fit into the grand scheme of shady business models? There are too many variables, but I can't put them even close to the top.

The site advertises exploring extramarital affairs if you are living a life "of quiet despair". If that is even remotely true, then people should consider moving on to someone else. It's my opionion that personal happiness is more important than simply upholding the sanctity of a marraige. If you're miserable, I think its within your rights to call it quits.

Where A.M. bothers me, is in its wording. They seem to make you want to believe that an affair is something that is "not to be missed", and life's too short to not have one. The problem there, is that it can persuade and attract those who are currently in happy relationships to explore this idea. It takes a certain type of person, but advestising is a powerful tool. If you get it in someone's head that affairs are a social norm, then a surprisingly high amount of people would probably contemplate acting on this newly discovered void in their life.

"I didn't know I should be doing this! I hope I'm not missing out on something cool!"

That's the dangerous type of mindset that I think A.M. may be unintentionally (or intentionally) fostering.
Manipulating people into thinking that Pepsi is a better drink than Coke through advertising doesn't involve personal character dilemmas, life-changing consequences, lawyers, or anything like that. If A.M. seeked to help people realize they're not trapped in a loveless marriage, and helps them take the first step into rectifying that...I think I wouldn't have a problem with it. But as it stands, it glorifies and encourages people to test their own moral standards in a deceitful and malicious way.

I simply cannot accept that.

I'm fairly excited to be out of "politics" mode for now. I often get sucked into posting on and discussing things like the election because it become all-consuming in our culture. My circles of friends are also polar opposites in that one is fairly conservative and the other is more liberal.

Now I'm on to bigger and better things. My job is exceedingly satisfying, and is basically just what I was hoping for after leaving the monster of corporate finance. I took this job, and the considerable pay cut, in order to feel like what I was doing was either interesting, or fulfilling. Much to my delight, I hit on both counts.
I'm speaking with some people right now who are suffering from chronic migraines, and the sound of excitement and hope in their voice when we tell them that our study does not involve new medications, but is a form of behavior modification therapy, is palpable. I take pride in the fact that I'm helping a cause to aid people who are suffering, and that they are so grateful for it.

On the other hand, my other project is satisfying my creative drive. I have been asked to brainstorm, research and present many different ideas and materials to aid parents during their childs' transition to college. It's nice to know my feedback and ideas are so appreciated.

Concentrating on this kind of stuff is way better than thinking/reading/speaking about how Obama and McCain were performing in the race.

Sometimes in the musical world of catchy, but soulless electronica, overinflated hip-hop, cookie-cutter pop and other uninspired sounds of modern music...it's really, really refreshing to find a band that fills their music and lyrics with the passion of what they're communicating.

It helps if they can bring the fucking house down too.

:)

Demon Hunter slams pretty hard.

What a year:

-Get Married
-Get Awesome Job
-Buy House
-Witness Historic Presidential Election

Oh..yeah.

So we totally bought a home yesterday.

Sweet.

Pretty much right on

http://goodnightmoon.ytmnd.com/