안녕히 가세요

안녕히 가세요. That's how you write "goodbye" in Korean. I have no idea how to pronounce it, but that's how it looks when it's put to paper. Bear with me, I have reason to make you aware of this. Another word you should know is 쓰레기, which means "crap," or "junk." Actually, I do have a few friends who could read this.

Why am I telling you this? I have reason to celebrate.

You see, the Daewoo is no more. I traded it today for a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire. I've spent the last five days haggling over terms, and I feel like I've definitely come out ahead of this deal. We refinanced our Saturn Ion, getting our payment low enough that we could afford to scrap the Daewoo and get something more dependable.

For all I care, the Daewoo can burst into flames and roast slowly. It's not my problem anymore.

New/Old Sim

Yesterday was an event 20 years in the making. For all of you out there who went to high school in the 80's, then you may remember a certain fad: the Coca-Cola rugby jersey. Yesterday I created a custom skin for Sims2. After finishing, I was astounded at how much it looks like what I did back in in the mid 1980's. Complete with blue jersey with red logo, stone-washed 501's, and a pair of Nikes, this skin is sure to put a little retroactive enjoyment into your game.
And in case you play the Sims2 and decide you want it, here's the link: Coca-Cola Rugby Jersey

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

I've kept one ear on the phone all day, anticipating a call from the insurance adjuster, regarding Saturday's "Tree vs Roof" match. It's almost 2:00 Central Standard Time, and it's making me a bit antsy.

Or that could be all the Cokes I've been drinking.

I was promised a call today, between the hours of 7:30 and 4:00, and so far, nothing except the usual calls for tech help. I even told my boss I might have to leave early, in case the adjuster wanted to view the damage. You know, when you tell your boss you might have to leave early, you kinda hope it happens. I don't like to waste potential time off the job. I could be standing in my front yard, hands in my pockets, saying things like, "Yep, sure is a beaut, ain't it?"
Or, "Reckon we could get a whole new roof out of that?"
(You hear the Southern accent poking through?)

Of course, there's always tomorrow. If I had my pickin's though, I'd choose Monday or Tuesday for a little mini-vacation.

Today's Haiku

Walked to work this morn.
It was two miles exactly.
This afternoon too.

Sawing Logs, But Not Sleeping on the Job

Every blog artist knows that there are times when the ink well runs dry, either due to a sudden stop of the flow of creativity, or because the events in their life become the mundane sort of things that happen to everybody. This is not the case today.

Last night, at approximately 7:58 pm, as I was playing the Sims 2: University on my PC, there was a sound outside my window. As sounds go, it was not a horrific sound, nor was it a scary sound.

But it was out of place.

It sounded as if someone was dragging a very heavy garbage can across the street, neglecting to use the wheels, and then slamming it to the ground.

It actuality, it was a large tree limb becoming detached from the oak tree in the front yard and glancing off the roof, causing enough damage to warrant a call to my insurance provider.

Although the limb covers the entire front yard, we were fortunate in that there were no downed power lines, crushed cars, injured people or animals, or the like. For a limb that big to fall, we were extremely lucky that it chose to merely glance off the roof, rather than land fully upon it.

This afternoon begins the cleanup. I'll be visiting my dad after church to get the chainsaw.

The Once and Future King

I'm reading a book I should have read long ago. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for years and years, having been passed on by my mother, but I've never taken the time to dust it off and crack the pages. It's called The Once and Future King, and it's the story of King Arthur. I've barely made it past the third or fourth chapter, but already I'm enjoying it immensely.
Incidentally, you may have seen Magneto reading this while enjoying a stay in his plastic prison in the movie X-Men.
Arthur, nicknamed "Wart," has ventured out with Kay to go hawking after a day's work in the hay fields. Kay is Arthur's older brother, and a legitimate son, while Wart is illegitimate. Kay, in his impatience to hunt, does not properly handle the hawk, and the bird escapes. In a huff, Kay goes home, leaving Wart to retrieve the bird alone. Wart spends a night in the forest, and the next day meets Merlyn and Archimedes, Merlyn's talking owl. Wart spends a wonderful breakfast with the old magician, and learns that he is going to be tutored by him.
I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the story. It is obviously well-written, and humorous as well.

The Next Great Computer Game

So, I've gone back to playing some of my older games while I'm waiting for the next one to come out that really makes me want to buy it. I got tired of Guild Wars after a while and now I'm alternating between Civilization 3 and Sims 2. I'm really looking forward to The Fall: Last Days of Gaia, but that looks like it's going to be in the oven a while longer, while Silver Style Entertainment irons things out with their mysterious North American partner. Mysterious, because SSE won't reveal exactly who that partner is.
What great game are you on pins and needles about, and what kind of games do you like, mostly? Strategy? RPG? Simulation?

Lego Catalog

Because no self-respecting Internet junkie's catalog library would be complete without a Lego catalog, here's the link to one of our country's most popular toys of all time. It ranks right up there with Slinky and Play-Doh. Incidentally, Slinky also has a catalog, but it's online only. Here it is.

Williams Sonoma Catalog

I don't know about you, but when I enter a Williams Sonoma, I get all gushy feeling. They've got all kinds of great cooking appliances, cookware, cutlery, and dinnerware. Occassionally when I visit their store, they even have samples of foods made with these things. I took home one of their catalogs a couple of weeks ago, and I've added a few things to my Christmas list from it, like the Imperia Pasta Machine. I've been wanting one of these, actually, for a few months. So, without further ado, here's the link to your free catalog from Williams Sonoma. Enjoy!

Catalog of the Day

Hey folks. Today's cool catalog is brought to you by Atlanta Cutlery, retailer of things sharp, deadly, and just plain cool. Head over to their website for a free catalog. While you're there, be sure to read their pointers on how to care for your blades.
Be sure to check out their sister site, Museum Replicas, for an equally cool catalog.

Catalogs and Shopping Sprees

Just for the heck of it, I've decided to do a series on free catalogs.
Today's catalog is the Cabela's catalog. Cabela's is the hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear catalog to go to when you need some good readin' material. It's also great for killing time while you're in the john. It's almost an inch thick, so unless you're a speed reader, it'll take some time to get through it. Here's the place to get yours: Cabela's Catalog.
If you're a Bass Pro afficianado, you may prefer their catalog. Get it here.
Additionally, they're currently giving away a $15,000 shopping spree. Contest ends January 31, 2006, so as of the time of this post, you've still got plenty of time to get registered.
And remember, if you win, all I want is a john boat with a small motor. That's not too much to ask, is it?