Ramblings of an American Madman
Hello All,
The other day I took the CCNA test (the final one that would have given me the full CCNA), I failed...first time I have ever failed anything related to academics or work, a bit shocking actually, and it points out that I might actually be partly human. I'm currently planning on what I need to study to retake the test, and I'm going to go in ASAP to pass the test...because I am rather depressed and angry that I actually failed (I'm extremely hard on myself about work). By the by, don't do any consoling if you can help it, its something I'm rather against.
Studying the first time was why I have yet to blog about Montana at all, nor posted pictures of the trip. So, here are a couple of pictures to lighten the blog up.
Best picture ever taken of me.
On other notes, I'm back home, for the time being, and I spent yesterday ripping the carpet out of our living room. Getting it replaced today, after it's been in this house for, quite possibly, 20 years.
I also happen to be in the middle of a great many fires right now, so far none have threatened my home, but I knock on wood every time I say that. (pretty good, since I'm not very superstitious) Much of California is burning right now, and the parts that aren't burning, they are covered in pretty darn thick smoke...because of that I've been trapped inside allot more than I would like, only been able to go out for walks a few times...and even then there was an official warning against doing much outside. 
Anyways, be back around eventually, I'm kind of lost; can't go outside much, can't study yet...might be online a wee bit. Best wishes all.
- John
"The more we learn from losses, the less losses we will see, but soon again we'll fall behind, and lose and learn again." -John
Simple Things
Time ago I told myself,
to look beyond the sea,
but mists would come,
and block away the bay.
And time would go,
and I would wait,
and never could I see,
those simple things were right in front of me.
Now I'm looking out the window,
but damned if I can see,
the leaves are rustling in the wind,
but rustle not for me.
I blink aside the blurryness,
but still a blurr I see,
the clouds can blow, and birds can fly,
but flutter not for me.
Time has past,
and I am lost,
and never will I see,
the simple things that sit in front of me.
- John1918
Howdy all,
Hope those approaching the end of their school periods are doing well, finals can be a pain in the arse. Personally, I just got done with them on Tuesday, and for those wondering; no I didn't study for any of it.
Apparently an entire semester (half a school-year) has disappeared on me, and so has all the time when I lived in the dormitories. I'm currently moving my stuff out and cleaning, and tomorrow I'm going to say goodbye to those still here, and to allot of memories that accumulated on the way. I must say, we did go out with a bit of a bang, I had been wanting to throw a pool tournament, and one got started up for me and a couple of buddies...then it grew until six players was sixteen, and ten attendees were...I couldn't even count. Heck, I even got to chug a fair bit of a keg of rootbeer...yes they sell it in kegs. 
(I'd post pictures, but common sense says no)
Now, about that job I was considering, I did apply (3k a month is hard to pass up), but it turns out that all hirings at the college have frozen due to budget cuts...ergo, nobody is getting the job. I've still got an offer here and there, but I'm pretty sure that I will just take my last fun summer and run with it.
On that note, I get to the title thing, I'm going to Montana on Monday. *listens to that bloody cricket chirp* Yeah, I found out about it not very long ago. I was hanging out at a friend 's place and he asked me, over drinks, to go to Montana with him and another of his friends. My family had even less notice...essentially getting a call asking if I had any prior engagements then. 
A little trip (over 1000 miles) is a good way to start off a summer eh?
Hmm, guess that means I'll be gone even more, do yourselves a favor while I'm gone...make sure to keep having fun, no matter what you're doing. 
- John
They say that there is no greater joy than accomplishment, I say there is no greater accomplishment than joy. - John
unfortunately...the bouncer was bigger than I had first thought. 
So, first thing being placed first...though that is likely more logic than I should use in one place at one time online...I went in to take the CCENT test shortly after my last blog post. I obviously did pretty poorly...thankfully, my version of pretty poorly is a score that passes by a rather nice margin in Cisco's parlance. 844 out of 1000 is okay, only 804 is needed to pass, but the thing I feel a bit proud of is that I got the 844 via my retained knowledge...because I did not study for the test. Sure, I could have studied, and maybe could have gotten a little better. The thing is, that wouldn't have been a true representation of what I know, its not like you can cram before each day of work. This way, I know that I am good enough, even without practice, to be a networking engineer.
Word has apparently gotten around, as I have told a few people I thought might be interested I passed, and I have gotten a number of fingers pointing me towards job openings at various places. This, though rather nice, is a bit troubling...as I did not plan on working heavily during this summer (figuring it would be my last even remotely free one), but now have the chance to make lots of money, and gain experience. Now I'm between a rock (my plans of some traveling and fun) and a hard-place (working, making money, and getting into an apartment with a good friend, or two, of mine).
Thankfully my life isn't all rock and hard-places lately, and I've been having a heck of allot more fun...at the expense of a wee bit less studying. I actually managed to place second in one of the local pool tournaments, and I've still been having a fair amount of fun with small wagers at the college. (a tip, do NOT bet against me in billiards)
( I think) I've managed to pick up a copy of Hellgate London...I know it got a bad rap, but I've played the demo to hell and back, and it seems like something I'd really like. The main unfortunate casuality of college has been gaming, as the PC I normally played on is not here with me...and thus I will have to wait to play Hellgate, on a good note, it has pushed me to find free (and therefore less likely to need highpowered hardware) games online.
One of the gems I have stumbled upon is Wesnoth. It is a simple, turn-based, fantasy strategy game. You play it on a hex-board with one of a number of factions, each having similar, but different, unit selections. The main fun seems to stem from persistance in matches (and across whole campaigns) with units gaining in experience with each fight and kill, and becoming stronger units (with branching paths) over time. Its nice to think that you actually get to mold your army to what you want...from balanced forces to extremes like all-cavalry armies. Additionally, it forces you to protect and heal your higher end units, because you can't just turn around and replace them like in other games. Most certainly worth a look if you like strategy games.
Anyways, enough ranting and raving for now, maybe next time I can regale you with a tale of drunken delight. (no, I wasn't drunk, a guy I know...drunk barely even covers it )
"Little Johnny was a chemist, now he is no more, for what he thought was H2O, was H2SO4." - Someone...wish I knew
Hullo All,
So, somehow, I've been really busy lately...therefore, I haven't yet gotten to muck around with the blogs I may have helped kick off via tagging. I will get there...eventually...but sadly I have far too much homework that has not gotten any pencil or pen marks on it yet.
I finally got in a break today though, went to a billiards tournament...I personally was very off my game, so I only got 3rd place, I did get a bit of prize money...but I'm good enough at 8-ball that 3rd doesn't really match up to my skill level. I've honestly gotten more money out of idiots at the college wanting to bet on games, though I try to keep away from that, not exactly smiled upon to shark your dorm...anyways, it was fun.
Now Friday...that won't be quite as fun. I'll be heading off around 2 P.M. to take the Cisco certification test for the CCENT (half of the CCNA). The question isn't really "will I pass," but moreso "how high will my score be." Still, a bit of me is probably nervous about it, I just haven't been informed by the nervous bit yet.
Hmm, I just got an email, apparently I am finally an official member of that honour society thing...I think I spoke about that thing on here...anyways, now its all official and I'm actually listed online as a new member. Only took them most of the semester to do it... You can find the page he...nah, its got my name on it, tis a secret. OOOOOO, there is an Official PTK Teddy Bear you can buy! 
Anyways, I'll try to get around to the messes I have inspired, but I honestly am considering sleep...
- John
P.S. Can you read this?
0100 1010 0110 1111 0110 1000 0110 1110 0010 1100 0010 0000 0110 1001 0111 0100 0010 0000 0110 0100 0110 1111 0110 0101 0111 0011 0010 0000 0110 0001 0010 0000 0110 0010 0110 1111 0110 0100 0111 1001 0010 0000 0110 0111 0110 1111 0110 1111 0110 0100 0010 1110 0010 1110 0010 1110 0111 0101 0110 1110 0110 1100 0110 0101 0111 0011 0111 0011 0010 0000 0111 1001 0110 1111 0111 0101 0010 0000 0111 0000 0110 1001 0111 0011 0111 0011 0010 0000 0110 1001 0111 0100 0010 0000 0110 1111 0110 0110 0110 0110 0010 1110
Howdy Various Creatures With Typing Apendages,
Well now, I clocked in here while checking email, and jumped a couple of blogs to see what was what. Apparently there has been a rash of chain-blogging lately, normally I do not enjoy such things, but this time the chain actually does exhibit considerable personality. Thus, when asked by my friend gamer_girl15 to join in on the festivities, I actually decided to do so.
So, here are five things about me that you might not know, or that you might have wondered about. 1) Things break around me, to clarify, I'm mostly talking about inanimate objects. Pool cues, kitchen knives, pool tables, plates, doors, walls, windows, my car, screwdrivers, etc...its a long list. Its not because I'm particularly violent, nor because I'm not careful. My body is fairly powerfully built, toss in bad luck or not paying attention, and its really easy for me to snap a pool stick I have in my hand in half, or to knock a buddy too hard and send him through a wall. 2) I cuss seldomly, and around women, next to none. 3) I cannot dance. I can pretend I know how, but only for short periods of time and more formal dances. 4) I was a vegetarian for a number of years, and I still do not eat all that much meat. 5) I have been asked if I am gay due to
A: Being too nice to women to be straight
B: Being too good of cook to be straight
C: Being too intelligent to be straight
Normally my answer is followed by the lovely question of "Then why are you single?"
Anyways, hope one of those was entertaining to you, I think I'm supposed to call out some number of people to do this now...orkhammer, champ, hokies, david (kinda scared what he could write), smolle, some people, somewhere, on the side of my blog...start writing.
~
Not much to say otherwise I guess, going to get my blood drawn tomorrow for a liver test, probably going to take off sometime afterwards for a break from life. I need a passport, going to go to Canada with some buddies sometime, I'd like to be able to get back in the States. Anyways, starting to get tired, when on a really, really, long walk today, threw some boulders too.
See ya'll later, might make the blog I was thinking of writing...sometime later.
