Yesterday was a typical work Friday. Reporting first thing in the morning, followed by a long conference call, and then small end-of-week emergencies until quitting time.
After work, Jess made a fantastic dinner with sauteed tenderloin and fresh vegetables over a bed of ramen noodles. Very tasty. After dinner, Jess headed out to see Niccem and friends while I headed into Denton with Justin to play poker with the guys.
We got there just before 9pm. We goofed off, played cards, drank whiskey, smoked cigars, and discussed those hot issues that only nerds seem to care about; like what was the best PC video game of the 90s (Myst, clearly), and which "Star Trek: TNG" episode is the best (Darmok, obviously). I opened with $10 and left with a little over $15. Not too bad. I got home around 3:00am.
I woke up this morning around 8am. In the 8 hours that have passed since then, I've managed to do very little. The day's biggest achievement is that I am showered. I'm still working on getting dressed though. I also spent a good deal of time researching two crucial things:
1) Should I buy a "MDA/8125/HTC Wizard":http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=781 or stick with a smaller, cheaper, phone-only phone like the "Motorla PEBL U6″:http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=685. I'm leaning toward the HTC device because it should help me keep my schedule a bit more organized, will allow me to check my email on the run, and will serve a few other purposes (portable portfolio like "Jonathan":http://vaxocentric.livejournal.com/ has, for instance). Initial cost-wise, it's about the same. However, it's an extra $30/mo to use the networking functions it provides. Plus it's large, more likely to be destroyed, and will solicit further expense to buy gadgets and software for it.
2) Should I buy an "iPod Nano":http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/, a "Frontier Labs NEXBlack":http://bohwaz.kd2.org/static/nexblack/, or something else entirely. I'm still balking at the iPod, not because of cost (about $45 difference after tax and everything), but because the battery has to be charged when it runs out. If I go camping for an entire weekend, I don't want it to run out on me. That'd be silly. But extra batteries aren't even an option let alone affordable. The NEXBlack runs on two plain ole AAs and gets over 20 hours of use on them. The same thing goes with storage. The 8GB in the iPod is STUCK in the iPod. I can't increase or decrease my storage capability. I can't pull it out and access it in a way I'd prefer. I'm stuck with it. I don't like proprietary and I don't like being stuck. I know that sometimes we have to allow that to happen, but if I can avoid it, I'd prefer to. Not a HUGE deal, but enough to be important to me.
Advice on either front is appreciated.
Later tonight, Jess and I are going out tonight in honor of her birthday. First to a nice late dinner at a restaurant she really likes ("Dragonfly":http://dallas.citysearch.com/profile/37414848/dallas_tx/dragonfly.html) and then for a Nightcap at "The Balcony Club":http://dallas.citysearch.com/profile/34445667 as recommended by Mr. "Elements of Pop":http://elementsofpop.com/, a long-time friend of mine with with impeccable taste and a vast knowledge of all things holy and unholy in Dallas.
Outside of this, I have no requirements for today.
I've been wanting to test a new flash idea. I'm hoping I can save $20/pop and relieve a small user interface issue by setting my flash output in a slightly different manner than I usually do. Since I don't have a hot model handy today, I'll probably end up photographing myself. I hate that.
I should probably also pick up the house a bit, make a trip to the hardware store, and maybe even shave my face before this evening. Don't get your hopes up though.
