We decided to go with PC Club.com since they had the best price (and a store very near to us).  Pretty much the same specs as before, with a few modifications:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 (DUAL CORE action, w00t)
Microsoft Windows XP Home (Jeff can get a cheap upgrade to Pro if we really feel the need)
1GB Corsair DDR400 (2x 512MB)
160GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB cache SATA2
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 XT 128MB PCI-E
Integrated Audio
Logitech X-230 2.1 Speaker System
16 X 16 Double Layer DVD+/-RW DVD Writer
52X32X52+16X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
9 in 1 Card Reader (silliness really, but it was only $10)
eTrust EZ Antivirus and Anti-spyware software

Also, Jeff's going to buy Office for a discounted price.  I'm quite satisfied with the system we're getting, and like I said before, it's a good price.  The computer should arrive by the end of this week, so, yay :)

So, as you all know (or maybe not, whatever), my computer died last October, and I've been using Jeff's PC for work and general computer needs. When Jeff comes home at night, he usually uses his laptop to do work. Not the best of situations, but it works.

Actually, we're getting a bit fed up with not having our own individual PCs. I feel bad kind of taking over his computer, and I really would like something with better specs. Jeff's computer is just as old as mine is (about four and half years) and has the same (now archaic) specs. Which is making us nervous, cause we're wondering how long this one is going to last. To make matters worse, of late his computer has been making some horrendous noises, not entirely unlike a razor being held up against the inside of the case. It's doing it right now, as a matter of fact, and it's enough to drive me through the bloody wall! It sounds like the fan is has gone awry, though I'm not entirely certain.

Thus, Jeff and I have finally decided to buy a new computer, top of the line. We'll probably get one from TigerDirect.com, since they seem to offer the most configurable selection. I know, I know, I should build my own computer since it's a bit cheaper, but we really just don't want the hassle. Plus, if something goes wrong, we'll have a warranty. We'd rather sacrifice a little money for security. So far, these are the specs we're probably going to go with:

AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Processor Microsoft Windows XP Professional DSP w/ SP2 1GB DDR400 PC3200 Non-ECC Memory 250GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive 52X32X52/16x CDRW/DVD Combo Drive 16X DVD+R/RW-R/RW Dual Layer Drive BFG 7800GT OC 256MB PCIE Video Card Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

The specs aren't set in stone yet, but that's what we'll probably go with. What do you guys think? *sigh* We've been hesitant about going forward with this because of the money, but I think it's necessary. I really should have my own computer, as I work from home, and we should have at least one up-to-date PC in our apartment. Plus, since Jeff's a student, he gets discounts on a bunch of software, so we'll be able to get a cheap Microsoft Office. And perhaps in the future, Macromedia Studio 8 and/or Photoshop. . .

Everything just slows down (well, except for stores and what have you).  The whole Xmas brouhaha drags on for way too long IMHO. But now things are back to normal.

There's news again!!  Yay.

Last Thursday, I officially decided that I don't like going out to karaoke bars. So a couple nights ago, a group of us got together and ate Chinese, which was concluded by a bill scenario that almost spurned enough power to create our very own infinte improbability drive and make Douglas Adams proud. Anyway, dinner was followed by karaoke at the bar, and I have come to the conclusion that I don't like it. First off, let me start off by saying that I love music, and I certainly enjoy singing. However, the people who participate at the karaoke bar are just too damn good. They've practiced their songs many times over, and thus it's a bit intimidating to participate with such karaoke professionals, if you will. Nobody (don't mean to speak in absolutes, this generally seems to be the case from my observations) ever does any daring or out-of-the-ordinary songs (or just songs they don't know well), and so I don't feel like taking to the stage and belting out some Weird Al or Rammstein. The atmosphere seems so serious, I dunno. Plus, many of the songs were either country or pop, and I don't particularly care for that kind of music.

Hmm. Perhaps people feel this way about me and DDR, although whenever I've gotten together with a DDR group, the talents usually vary from beginner to super awesome dancing freaks (with myself being at the standard level), and the atmosphere is more jubilant and inclusive. Of course, I'm referring to the Case DDR Club, as I've yet to find an actual club/place where I can get together with DDR aficionados in Seattle (I've searched both meetup.com and the clubs at the university to no avail).

Well, um, I know it's kinda a roundabout way of saying it, but I guess the whole point I'm tryin' to make here is . . .

I . . . HATE . . . SAUERKRAUT!

STOP SENDING ME YOUR BLOODY UNION REQUESTS!! :evil:

That is all.

Last Saturday, Jeff and I went to Wendita’s 40th birthday party. That was fun. There were a helluva lot of people there, but I liked her idea of a “chill-out” room for people who aren’t into, well, being around people:P It was nifty; she had her garage decked out with lava lamps, hanging beads, cushions, chairs, and a bunch of glowy-type things. It was basically a bong room, minus the bong. There were ballroom dancing lessons going on above us — yes, she has a ballroom in her house — but I didn’t feel up to it. So I chilled with a handful of atheists for most of the evening.
Sunday, we listened to Mike Newdow (”the Pledge of Allegiance guy”) give a presentation at the Bellevue Library. Although he himself was well-prepared for his talk, the presentation was plagued with technical difficulties from the very beginning. He had a PowerPoint show prepared, but apparently he had assumed that a projector would be available in the room. And since it wasn’t requested, he didn’t get one. So the speech got delayed as they tried to improvise with the materials they did have, which ultimately turned into: borrowing a television from the library, hooking a videorecorder up to the TV, and then taping the laptop’s slideshow through the recorder so we could see it on the TV. Yeah, needless to say, that didn’t work well, and the guy in charge of changing the slides had no idea where the cues were (or really even how to work PowerPoint). I wish Mike would’ve just abandoned the slides altogether, because it killed a lot of time. Anyway, he gave a nice presentation about the history of America and the government (including songs that he had created), but as a result of all the technical problems, he was not able to finish his presentation properly and we only had about 5 minutes left for questions. I thought that was really a shame, ’cause I think it would have been interesting to have a longer discussion. Oh well.
Afterwards, Jeff and I went to Best Buy and bought a CD player and DDR Extreme 2 (at the request of my mother, it's her X-mas day gift to us). The CD player is awesome — now we can actually listen to our CDs somewhere other than the car (Jeff’s CD ROM drive barely works). Extreme 2 is excellent. It’s got a lot of the songs from the Japanese Extreme, so I’m pumped about that. Plus, it’s got a mission mode that seems pretty cool.

Nothing terribly exciting:) The editing job is going well so far, and I got my first paycheck last week. My first two projects were actually book proposals, which consists of writing a chapter outline, synopsis, and query letter for the manuscript. It's good work, and I'm going to keep doing it. I like being able to set my own schedule, AND I don't have to commute to work. I just wish I had my own computer. I'd like to continue designing graphics and learning Bryce, but that would involve installing software and creating a bunch of large files on Jeff computer. I already have enough of my stuff saved on his PC, and I don't want to load it up with more of my files. For those interested in my current gaming news, we just ordered new DDR pads. FINALLY! And they're sexy--High Density Deluxe V4.5. It's good that we'll start getting exercise again. I really haven't been doing anything other than sitting in front of the computer. DDR is the only type of exercise that I can commit to for a long period of time. I always try doing other stuff, but it never lasts. I think Jeff's more excited about playing Budokai 3 with the pads than he is about DDR. Speaking of which, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi was a bit of a disappointment. The controls are totally different from the previous Budokai games, and in a way it's a good thing because it makes the fights more challenging. However, the character list isn't complete, the leveling up system sucks(esp. compared to how good B3's was), there aren't enough skill/abilities capsules, no in-game transformations, the story mode isn't as replayable as B3, and the split-screen multiplayer mode is just a tad annoying. It's entertaining, but my expectations were just built up too much from B3. BUT, there is one outstanding feature to this game--they included the Japanese voices! Yeah, it may seem like a minor thing, but I absolutely hate the English dub. That's certainly a redeeming quality, and I wish other games had that option.

Well, it certainly has been a while since I've been at GS. I poked around the site a couple times during the redesign, but it was still unusable, so I just stopped going altogether. And during the past week, I've had no internet connection at all, as I was in New Mexico visiting my grandpa and step-grandma. I've yet to give the site a thorough look-through, but from what I've seen so far... not too crazy about the design. I really liked the previous layout, and the navigation just feels awkward.  Also, since I've been away from GS for almost a month, I don't feel motivated to start being active again.  Perhaps that will change with time, who knows.

On the upside, I have a job now--editing. It's something I had never expected myself doing, but I think it will be interesting, albeit tedious:) I still haven't received the details of the job, since my employer emailed me while I was in New Mexico. Hopefully everything will go well.

And now, time to check out this site:?

So, I've completed some more fantasy drawings. For all of these pieces (as is usually my style), I sketched out the drawing on paper and then outlined the drawing in pen. For the female elf, I scanned in the contour drawing and then shaded it completely in Fireworks. Unfortunately I got lazy and didn't feel like doing too much of a background. For the other two, I brought out the colored pencils:) It's been a while since I've worked in that medium. Anywho, once I was done with the main figures, I scanned them in and created backgrounds and lighting effects with Fireworks. Well, if nothing else it is nice to have time for art.

I really thought it was over yesterday. Damn thing wouldn't even boot up. Thus, lots of rampant cursing and thrashing about ensued. But, later on Jeff and I pulled it out, unplugged everything, opened the case, and plugged everything back in. And then it decided to work. The famous solution to most computer problems:roll: Seriously though, this just keeps getting worse--there has to be a short somewhere. It won't be long before the thing dies completely. Who bloody knows when I'll be able to afford another one. That really bites.

Well, in other news, I'm tired of being separated from my old consoles, and I put together a little page explaining what and where everything is so at least some of it could be shipped:lol: Entrusting things to my mother, that's dangerous. I posted my wish list from home (heh, I still feel kinda lame about it, but oh well), so Mother should be sending me some of my gaming collection sometime in the near future. Haha, I have no excuses for myself, I'm a complete dork.

Eh, that's all for now.