Got a new job!!!

2008 has been an interesting year. I took the bar exam in July and missed passing it by 5 points. I was somewhat bummed as you can imagine so I decided to put the law thing on the backburner and give it some serious thought as to whether I want to be an attorney. I really have not made a decision yet but in the meantime, I still needed to get a job and earn some income.

To make a long story short, I got a job with the Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. I am a Partnership Specialist. I am responsible for establishing partnerships with state and local governments, businesses, civic and grassroots organizations. I will be going up to Atlanta this coming week for training on the Census Database and other stuff. I am excited about my new endeavor and am looking forward to this new and challenging job.

Quantum Of Solace Review

Friday night I dragged the wife to the movies to see the new Bond film which opened in theaters Nov. 14th. This sequel is different than other Bond films. The actions picks up almost exactly where 2006's CASINO ROYALE left off, Bond brings in Mr. White to learn more about the secret criminal organization responsible for Vesper's death. Bond's investigation leads him to Mr. Greene through Greene's girlfriend, Camille played by Olga Kurylenko, the latest model turned actress Bond girl. When circumstances put Bond at odds with both MI6 and the CIA, Bond follows though to the very end saving the day as expected.

The reboot if you will of the James Bond franchise in CASINO ROYALE introduced us to a Bond that had just earned his license to kill but still had not become the "classic" Bond made famous by Sean Connery. In QUANTUM OF SOLACE, the action sequences seem bigger than the ones in CASINO ROYALE but the tone is more subdued as Bond begins to establish his "code of ethics" and strengthen M's trust in him.

In my opinion, CASINO ROYALE was better than QUANTUM OF SOLACE but as far as action packed, blow 'em up, car chase movies go, QUANTUM delivers.

Network is up and running

I got a call from the Apple Store on Sunday morning that the power adapter for my UFO Airport Extreme had come in. A quick trip to the Altamonte Mall confirmed my original diagnosis, the base station worked, it just needed a new power adapter. Saved myself a few bucks in not having to buy a new one.

My trip to the Apple Store

WI-FI less, Day 3

I decided to try Radio Shack to find a replacement AC adapter for the Airport Extreme base Station, yes the UFO looking one that is my belief still works if it had power going to it. To my amazement, Radio Shack was a bust, then again, I have not set foot ina Radio Shack since 1987... LOL.

So on the advice of my friend Steve, I made an appointment with a genius at the Altamonte Springs Store. I had to wait about 30 minutes when I got there. It was quite amusing to see the amount of people that needed help with their iPhones. While I don't claim to be an expert, I think I'm tech savvy enough to figure stuff out.

So finally, my name got called and I explained my problem. The genius took the base and went to "test" it in the back, while I waited, I was witness to this doofus who had a white iphone that had problems with the speaker. The tech figured out that the liquid immersion sensors had been triggered and showed the guy with a magnifying glass the red marks. There was nothing Apple would do for him since water damage is not covered. The guy took offense and claimed to be an IT guy and he would never buy another Apple product again, etc. The manager gave him the Customer Care Line (1-800-MY-APPLE) and the guy was such an ass that he said, I will call, from the middle of your store and make a scene. Seeing this spectacle with my own eyes, I totally feel for the tech support folks like my friend Steve.

So what happened to teh Airport? The tech came back and tried my cables, no lights, nothing. He agreed with me in believing its the power supply/brick and he ordered the part... should come in in a few days and the best part is... $16.97 is cheaper than a new router. I'll let you know when the network is up and running again.

Prospects are looking good

I have an interview lined up for WED afternoon with the Census. Wish me luck. More to come as news develops

Digital Phone... here we come

Today I had the cable guy come over to install Digital Phone. With the economy the way it's going, every little bit helps. The Mrs. and I will be saving about 30 bucks a month. Plus, we get free long distance in the US and PR included in the deal.

I am a little pissed though, when the guy was doing his installation, he swapped out my cable modem and in the process, for reasons unknown to me, the wireless router died. I tried resetting, but the power adapter must be fried or something, no lights light up. I am tethered to the modem as I type this. Will go shopping for a new WI-FI router later in the week. I do not have the money to go Airport Extreme again... looks like Lynksys might be a contender.

If you have any recommendations, drop me an e-mail.

Happy Halloween

Hernan & Vanessa get married

The Lake Mary Events Center was the happening place to be this past Sat evening since the Chico/Seijas wedding was taking place there. The ceremony began promptly at 6pm followed by a cocktail hour and reception. More pictures to follow

R.I.P. - George Carlin

Comedian George Carlin died Sunday of heart failure. Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references. He's more well known for his routine called "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television." A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of the routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1978.

In the case, "Federal Communications Commission vs. Pacifica Foundation", the top U.S. court ruled that the words cited in Carlin's routine were indecent, and that the FCC, (the US government's broadcast regulator) could ban them from being aired at times when children might be listening.

George had many achievements thoughout his long 50 year career. He produced 23 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials, three books, a couple of TV shows and appeared in several movies, from his own comedy specials to "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" in 1989.

The Grammy-winning Carlin remained an active presence on the comedy circuit. Carlin was scheduled to receive the John F. Kennedy Center's prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in November. Carlin performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

I thought Carlin was very funny when I was in college in the late 80's. His material got a little too edgy for my taste after his wife died of suffering a long battle with cancer. He later remarried to his current wife.

Carlin definitely left his mark and is sure to remain a icon in the history of stand-up comedy.