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Daniel W. Drake's Journal
Below are the 25 most recent journal entries.
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2008.12.31 23.48
Happy New Beer!
Hope everybody had a good Christmas, and here's to a great New Year!
D
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2007.10.07 10.45
Pics of New Toys
Well, it's only been about 6 wks since I promised to post pics of the new toys and I'm just now getting around to it. So without further delay, here of my preciousssss:
 
And the new TV (Daniel used for perspective ;)
D
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2007.08.15 18.46
Glee!!!
After much signing of paperwork, the car is now mine, except for paying off the wee lil loan.
The car is AWESOME! Granted, I've only been able to drive it a little bit, but she's great. I've got the manual here in Atlanta to read thru, without that voice in the back of me head going "Drive me!".
I'll post some pics once I get back next week.
D
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2007.08.15 01.25
Cont: Car Saga
So, yesterday, the GM of the dealership calls me with an update. They had said the week of 8/24, so essentially the last week of August. The update was that it should arrive on 8/27, which is "within spec". Today he calls, and confuses the hell out of me, talking about how he's got my car. "Damn straight!", I'm thinking. Well, he was being literal. My car is now in. He called me at 8:30 to say the "prep/clean-up" had been completed. So tomorrow, I go in to sign the finance papers, and my baby is now mine.
Now the bad news. (Cause you knew there had to be.) I leave tomorrow for Atlanta for a week. So basically, I get to go get my car, then park it in the garage for a week. Only upside is that I get to take the owners manual with me to peruse, and don't have the "I wanna drive it" over my shoulder.
I'll post pics of the precious once I have a chance.
I'll also be calling the dealership's parent company to praise the GM. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves the entire commission.
D
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2007.08.09 10.45
Update: Car Saga
Well, at noon, I go to the dealership (since they hadn't called me), to find out about my car. The sales manager is like talking to a bobble head doll. Doesn't know anything, gives me some story about no regional contact, blah, blah, blah. I ask if it's that hard to call and say, we're not getting the response we need to answer you. Cue more bobble head. I give them till 5. When I get home, there's a msg saying no new info.
So, Tuesday, I call the company that owns the dealership. I lodge a complaint. 20 mins later the general manager (GM here out) calls me, says this is embarrassing, idiotic, and not how they do business. Few phone calls later, I tell him I'll come back and we'll discuss. Get to the dealership, and it's a complete fiasco. "My car" is on a boat (they're made in TN), and it's the wrong color, and with an option I didn't want. GM calls in some favors, and by 5 pm Tuesday evening, he's got my car, and it'll be here end of August. Go in yesterday, and he provides me with an '07 Maxima to drive as a loaner until my car comes in.
The GM really turned things around, and I'll make sure to call "Corporate" and let them know it, once I get my car and everything's kosher. The sales manager on the other hand I will not work with ever again. If he's involved when I go to sign all the paper work, I will be calling the GM (gave me his cell #), and asking for somebody else.
So, long story short (Too Late!), my car will be here 12 wks after order instead of 6, but at least it looks like I'm really going to get it now.
D
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2007.08.06 09.10
!%!#% Car Dealers
Well, I still have yet to receive my car, which I ordered Memorial Day weekend. Apparently the dealership I ordered it thru are a bunch of incompetent SOB's. To begin with, out of the 8 voicemails I've left over the past 10 weeks, they've only managed to return 2 of them. Initially they told me 6 wks for the car to come in, then it was 6 to 8. When I called last Tuesday, they said it had hit inventory, which meant it was enroute and would arrive in 2 days (3 on the outside). When I still hadn't heard anything Friday, I called, and they didn't bother to return it. Called again Saturday, and they finally returned that call with a "Dunno where it is". At this point, I went off on the guy. So now, they have an ultimatum. If they can't give me a definitive date by noon today, I'll be heading to the dealership to pick up my good faith deposit.
Of course, I then have to go to another dealership, and probably wait another 6 - 8 wks, but at least these yutz's won't get any of my money.
*SCREAM*
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2007.07.04 02.55
Well, I finally broke
As of today, I am the proud owner of one big ass TV (TM).
Went to look at the new Samsung LED DLP's, and they had a Sony DLP across from it that blew the socks off the Samsung. I've spent tons of time researching, and really was thinking the Samsung was it, but alas, seeing is believing. So now, I've got 60" of goodness to enjoy (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11040106).
Also got a new receiver to go with it, a Yamaha VX2700. I've been reading really good things about it, and so far it does not disappoint. I really should get some new speakers, and actually put the rear channels behind the couch, but that hasn't happened as of yet. Have to get some Component cables to hook up the PS2 & DVD player (well, don't have to, but with that screen, it will probably be worth it).
Only problems, so far are:
1) They didn't have the VX2700 in stock, as it turns out. So, I've got a floor unit, until mine comes in. Wouldn't be a problem, but they didn't give me the remote, so I have to try and get that tomorrow. Everything is OSD with this receiver, so until I get the remote, I can't configure port to name mappings (i.e., Cable = HDMI1).
2) I have too many DVD's and Games. Switching to the Sony stand dramatically reduced my storage space. I'll have to go pick-up another DVD rack tomorrow to put those on.
3) For some reason, my Wii won't let me switch to progressive scan setting. It let me switch to wide screen, but not progressive. Probably not a major deal at all, but still curious why it's happening (or not, as the case may be).
I spent the entire afternoon saying, "What the hell have I done!?!?!?", but I've been putting off this purchase for 2 yrs. Considering the TV we were using (still good, but 26") was purchased right after I moved to Raleigh ('97?), I'd say I got my money's worth.
Of course, hopefully, in 2 more wks I also get my car, and I also need to get a new computer, I'm apparently on track to just run up a bunch of debt. >>chuckle<<
D
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2007.05.09 12.08
In town
Turns out S'manda, myself, and the grub will be in RAL tomorrow evening, should anybody want to grab some dinner. Last minute business trip, so sorry for the late notice, but just let us know, and we'll figure out when and where.
D
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2007.04.02 09.56
Wheeee
Or should I say Wii! S'manda and I finally got one. Had to sit outside a Toys R Us for 2 hours Sunday morning waiting for them to open, but we finally got one. Then spent the rest of the day neglecting Daniel and playing. So far, I really like it. A couple of the games I go leave a little bit to be desired, but overall, I really like the way it works. Need to find time to try out Zelda and single player Sonic, but got work around my WoW addiction.
*dance*
D
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2007.02.07 08.18
Death March 2007
Well, it's finally done. We upgraded our DMS system this weekend. Instead of actually testing it, we went full steam ahead and replaced all the servers, networking equipment, upgraded 2 dot releases, upgraded SQL Server from 2000 to 2005 64bit, and moved a bunch of documents around. Come Monday morning, I had gotten a whole 5 hrs of sleep since Thursday morning and the system was slow as molasses. Finally yesterday we discovered that there was some problem with one or more pieces of the network. We put in a bunch of the old network equipment and my BlackBerry proceeded to come out of it's holster with "Thank you" and "Much better" e-mails. In celebration, the network manager and I went to Copelands here in Atlanta.
When will people learn not to do wholescale replacements without any testing. *twitch*
D
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2006.10.06 09.14
Apex Fire
Well, I just saw this on the news. If anybody had to evac and wants to crash at our place for the weekend, just let us know. We've got the spare bedroom, and can always figure out other options.
D
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2006.09.04 01.11
Post Wedding Bummer
Well, it's official, the Leah and Will wedding has occurred. Wish I'd actually made it, but S'manda's damn car started acting up again. This time it was the starter, though it hasn't failed completely (though it cost me $75 to find that out). Was good to see some of the folks, if only for about 15 mins each. Gotta make my way up to CLT and RAL and actually have a chance to just sit, chat, and drink (and maybe some cards for good luck). In hindsight, it probably worked out, since the grub was getting fussy before we even tried to leave, but that doesn't stop the fact that it pissed me off. We've had more problems with her car than I've had with mine. That wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that I've had mine over 2 yrs longer and it's a friggin' convertible. I'm thinking that I won't be getting my G6 Hardtop, and will instead be replacing hers. Oh well, tis the way it goes.
D
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2006.04.27 08.44
Raleigh
So, I'm back in Raleigh for a few days. Had a blast going to dinner with everybody last nite that was able to make it. I just wish work hadn't decided to interrupt. =(
S'manda and I will have to make a point of coming up here, once work settles down, with the grub in tow.
D
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2005.08.10 12.04
RIP
It's with great regret that I announce that Warren O. Drake (better known as Grandpa Moose, my grandfather) passed away today. Details are still sketchy. My folks are in S. Mississippi, and I'm heading out to get my brother and head down, with Amanda to head down later.
Since most of my friends never met him, seems kind of pointless to post this, but it just seemed like the right thing to do.
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2005.05.31 09.32
Move completed...
...unpacking not so much. The move went well, considering I'm sick as a dog, and I had to unload the truck then return to Raleigh and reload it because we have too much crap. Other than that, it was fairly smooth sailing. I did not enjoy driving a 26 ft truck, thru Charlotte, on Memorial Day Weekend, when it was also race weekend, but what can you do. Amanda and her folks (along with some folks from work) made a pretty good stab at getting the essentials unpacked and put in their respective places. I spent the past 2 days lying in bed trying not to die. I think I actually managed to dislocate a rib coughing, which is not fun, I can assure you. If this crap doesn't clear up by Friday, I'm heading to the doctor's, but since this is about par for the course when crap settles into my lungs, I figure I'll give it a couple days to get better first before forking out the dough.
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2005.05.23 14.44
Free Stuff
All,
If you want some free food, bring a cool, and swing by our place by Weds evening. First come, first serve. Includes frozen and fridge stuff.
Also, if you want a patio set, and get get it by tomorrow evening, let me know. Otherwise it will be going to GoodWill with everything else Wednesday morning.
Finally, if mixmaster or halogencat can swing by, I have a book of yours (dog book), that you might want back. Otherwise, we'll figure something else out.
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2005.05.09 09.00
The Packing Saga Continues
And so, the packing continues. Making decent progress, though I'm very glad I decided to start early and just do a little bit every night. Probably haven't made as much progress as we should have, but you know how it goes. Scheduled a bulk garbage pick-up for this morning. Our garbage man probably now joins the ranks of those that hate us, much like our postman. Now, I know we aren't the neatest people in the world, but I don't think we live in a sty. But, last nite I took to the curb:
2 bar-b-que grills (getting a nice new one for GVL)
12 small to medium boxes filled with trash
1 super large box filled with trash
And I know I've probably got at least another load close to that size. I sincerely believe that boxes of stuff just materialize in our house. It's the only explaination.
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2005.04.15 09.34
*DANCE*
A certain friend of ours just let me know that he did his interview in Charlotte yesterday, and he and his family are now officially Permanent Residents. As he so eloquently put it, "I can do anything except vote, and who cares about that."
Talk about a good day!!!
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2005.04.14 16.56
Top 21 Lines from the Star Wars Trilogy That Can Be Improved If You Substitute Key Words with “Pants
21. Lando Calrissian: “We’ve got to be able to get some reading on those pants, up or down!”
20. Han Solo: “The pants may not look like much, kid, but they’ve got it where it counts.”
19. Darth Vader: “I find your lack of pants disturbing…”
18. Admiral Motti: “These pants contain the Ultimate Power in the Universe. I suggest we use it.”
17. Lando Calrissian: “Han will have those pants down. We’ve got to give him more time!”
16. Darth Vader: “General Veers, prepare your pants for a ground assault.”
15. Luke Skywalker: “I used to bulls-eye womp-rats in my pants back home.”
14. Imperial Mook: “TK-421… Why aren’t you in your pants?”
13. Han Solo: “Lock the door. And hope they don’t have pants.”
12. Darth Vader: “You are unwise to lower your pants!”
11. Darth Vader: “She must have hidden the plans in her pants. Send a detachment down to retrieve them. See to it personally Commander.”
10. Princess Leia: “Governor Tarkin. I recognized your foul pants when I was brought on board.”
9. Han Solo: “You look strong enough to pull the pants off a Gundark.”
8. Darth Vader/ Anakin Skywalker: “Luke… Help me… take my pants off…”
7. Han Solo: “Great, Chewie, great. Always thinking with your pants.”
6. Lando Calrissian: “That blast came from those pants. That thing’s operational!”
5. Darth Vader: “A tremor in my pants. The last time I felt this was in the presence of my old master.”
4. Han Solo: “Don’t worry. Chewie and I have gotten into a lot of pants more heavily guarded than this.”
3. Han Solo: “Maybe you’d like it back in your pants, Your Highness.”
2. Darth Vader: “Your pants betray you. Your feelings for them are strong. Especially for… your Sister!”
And the #1 Line from the Star Wars Trilogy That Can Be Improved If You Substitute Certain Key Words with “Pants”…
Greedo: “Jabba doesn’t have time for smugglers who drop their pants at the first sign of an Imperial Cruiser.”
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2004.12.26 22.24
RIP Minister of Defense
Damn, I can't believe that Reggie White has died. And he was only 43. It's a damn shame, that's all I can really say.
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