So I was google’ing me in vanity, and I stumbled upon a page of oldness I wrote long ago, bit about addiction. It fits really well with what a freind of mine is going through right now. Got me thinking as to why I stopped writing, and how there just arent enough days in the week. I supose I should really write more, before I forget it compleatly. Perhaps now that life is treating me better (mainly because I am treating it better…) I could write in a happy way.

Anyway, I don’t have a local copy of this anywhere due to a reformat on Sammy. Still it lives on in the internet, like a lot of my work (on DK, Twelvestone, utopia) it is almost disposable. I wouldnt want to stare at it every day, but it is nice to bump into me again.Strange to thing about all the other people who have”disposable” content out there. and what it might say about them.

ok this is just a note to say, I am working on the Mindfactory blog. This matters to you the person reading this only because, well I dont have a test system at the moment, so it will be tested here. No this is not a new style for my blog this is a temporary switch that will be fixed at some point (less than 24 hours). Thanks for your time.

Ok so I know this place only has about 6 posts (one every 2 months or so). Yet it has attracted a very virulent form of spam. I have seen inks to sites that not even I would click on, and I click on almost anything. I will spare you the details (although a small part of me wants to pass them on just for gross out effect). So I have reinstated the login to post feature, cause it helps.

At some point in the last 6 months I have been added to the Storm botnet spamming list, and I am going to have to change my email, I will post it here somehow when I get to that point. I average about 30 spam per day. and it is getting worse. Sooo yeah address change time, next week probably.

To answer those who have asked, yup living in germany, nope not going to be in the bay area this year, perhaps in spring /summer next year. We will see how it goes.

Work is getting better I am almost caught up with the whole xmas trip. I have been making Christmas themed objects since early october, it is getting a little dull. On a lighter note I have a chance to build some really wicked large complex dynamic p.c. builder this month. Full dynamic parts list with part to part incompatibilities and dependency. At least it will be a challenge.

OK enough babble thats where I am at. I miss eggnog.

Well every so often you life changes. It seems to happen most when you are just starting to think you are getting the hang of things. I was just starting to get used to the husband position, then it was the “foreigner” thing, now it is working dad.

It is a great job, honest. The commute is the only thing that is shitty. Between being out the door at 5 am and back at 7 or 8 in the eve. I have enough time to change a diaper and kiss a forehead. *le sigh*, I know it will get better.

Not much here today, just letting you know this thing is still on. Of course most of you are going to be looking for this

Well the first boxes are packed away and the internet is up. Tonight we spend our first night in the new house.

The kitchen cabinets are mounted and we have hung lights in “almost” every room. So far, everything has survived the move unscathed. Of course we have lost some fish, one neon and a scalara (angel fish?) but the majority survived. We have our skype up’n running (jaronlittle). We don’t have our satellite dish up yet (for tv), but then again, we don’t miss it yet.

While on the subject of tv. I have long been a fan of Japanese obstacle game-shows. (admittedly a niche genre). From the early days of Takeshi’s Castle (england dub) to my new favorite Viking, The Ultimate Obstacle Course (family edition) lets just say I have a thing for it. They are the closest you can come to a video game in real life. I think that the single player form of Viking should be an Olympic sport. Point is I am a fan. One of the jokes about me moving to germany was that Takeshi’s Castle is still on air here in re-runs. Right now your saying, ok jaron, but what does this have to do with moving, have you finally misplaced your last marble? I mention this because RTL the network that brings you the German superstar, Lets dance and a hundred other “originals” Is now doing a pirate theme Takeshi’s Castle remake. This makes jaron a happy camper, and gives him a reason to screw in the satellite dish.

The web address is going to stay the same but the physical address is changing.

We have boxes up to our necks, with only paths through every room downstairs. We are waiting on the folks from up north to get here (the 27th) and well then it really takes off. We have rented the truck for a 1 day one way trip, we plan on picking it up at 4:15pm on the 27th and loading that night till ten o’clock, crashing out for a few hours then at five o’clock in the morning we take off. The drive is about the same as from L.A. to S.F. Then we unload and drop off the truck. If we do it in 24 hours we save about 400 euro. Lets see what happens.

I would like to say, while it is wonderful to have people to help, and we have received a heck of a lot of help, I have mixed feelings about the issue. On one hand I have the “be grateful for all the help you get” mindset. I know folks are doing what they can, and mean well. I am just stubborn and would like things done in my own way. I don’t mean to sound sexist (or at least I don’t mean to be sexist) but as a male I have a real hard time being told how to pack. I’ll ask for directions, water when I am on fire, and if I want to know how to wrap a glass shelf I’ll ask for that too. However, if I say I know how to take apart a bookshelf, even if I stutter while saying it, then believe me I can take it apart.

ok so I will post up here when I take “Timmy” out of the box up north. otherwise, just assume I am doing fine. Oh and yes as is the norm here we are taking our kitchen sink with.

In the mean while here are some images from the last month.

blue pink

head hole

paper eye

Well the doctor is 99% sure we are looking at a girl. So for the record, Grandpa was right. Also worth note, yes it is a girl, but that doesn’t mean you have to overload with the pink here people. I think…

This whole thing has really highlighted the differences in the medical systems between the land where I live and the land where I was born. On a relevent note the movie Sicko was leaked today you can watch it the full movie, by clicking here if you want. It probably wont last to long. The filmmaker himself said it was ok. honest.

Well the good folks at engadget have found the google street view car, so if you are trying to get filmed this is what to look for. For the three of you who have no idea what I am talking about, it is ‘the’ new feature of google maps. It lets you take a 360 degree look around the street just by clicking on the map. Better shown than explained, this is where my dad works. This sort of thing is only available in major cities (megacities is the new term I think) for the time being. Google has expressed it intends on branching it out.

Totally not relevant, but still hot in that graphic nerd way that I love, a few words on dimensions after 3. Psst it’s string theory for dummies.

As my wife becomes more and more pregnant, I am finding that my shape closely resembles hers. I understand it happens to every one who lives with an expectant mother, but I ain’t going out without a fight. I decided sit-ups were going to be my weapon against this pear shaped future.

The problem is discipline. Or really a lack of it, see I have been on this road before. Who hasn’t, you vow to get in shape, you make an effort for the first week, then somewhere along week two (or in reality day two…) you have a really good excuse to be lazy and not do it. I have tried notes over the bed, making things enjoyable, and self loathing (as a motivational tool) all to no avail. Last week I found a new tool.

You see, I am an avid gamer, I look forward to the bi-weekly sessions of Mario Kart Double Dash with the wife. I thrill then the neighbor comes over for a little Mortal Kombat or Halo, let alone a hour in bed with a good strategy game (when I get the game boy away from the wife).

So I have made a deal with myself. 50 sit ups per day (to increase when I stop bitching about 50) if I wish to play a game (including board games and poker). So far it works.

Odds are if you are reading this you know me, who I am, and what I am all about. So I will spare you the usual opening tripe.

Karina is starting to look pregnant. Which is a great thing, as it makes her even more cute. For example:

No we don’t know what it will be yet, yes we do want to know. The thing is, every time we go in the kid turns over, so that the back is ‘facing’ which means we have some great shots of the spine, but none of the part everybody asks about. When I am next asked what is it going to be, I will answer, “A vertebrate”. Karina has started answering “A can of beans” which is about the size of it.

The weather has changed, surprise surprise. We are having april weather now. Which is cold and wet. This just happened to coincide with the packing away of our winter clothes. Oh well at least the coffee is warm