Thanks to all the folks who helped out Munky with her tent frame.  She seems very happy now.

Now I just have to get all my stuff done:

2 carving and casting projects for Pennsic and after Pennsic.  Total will be 550 tokens.

Midnight Madness

Getting people to help with Guard duty at Pennsic

White Scarf stuff

Marshal Stuff

Pennsic Packing

The nice news is that I get to fly into Pennsic which will take a load off of me.

However, Pennsic related stuff, work, Amy's trip to Spain, marshaling at Assessment, and my normal SCA load has me a bit wide in the eyes.

I am starting to wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew.    Will just have to line up all my tasks and knock 'em off.

I think after this I might try and rest for a little bit.  Perhaps even a dive.

For some reason that song (Across the Universe version) has been playing in my head today, and made me think of all my friends, including those folks silly enough to read my posts.  Thank you all for being the reason I do the things I do.

This one is a dedication to the "Family you choose"

Been riding the motorcycle quite a bit lately, as the two jobs required me to stay late a lot.  Very Nice.  Only bad part is the morning drive.  I head out at about 6:15-6:30  and lately the sun has always been directly in front of me to lead the way to work.  UNFORTUNATELY, since Golden rose, my left eye has been a bit sensitive to sunlight.  It got a full dose of it at the tournement as the sun positioned itself perfectly in front of the left side of the tourney tree and I couldn't put up shields without staring into the sun. 

So, I did a road trip to the beach motorcycle shop and grabbed a tinted visor.  I am hoping this will help, as I don't have perscription sun glasses. 

The weekend went very well, as it was our first off in about 2 months.   We tried sleeping in (no good, cats and dog), and then got up to discover that we now have BBC-America in our tier.  WUHOO!!!!!  So we vegged on fine British culture.  Right up to the point where one of those "Clean up your House" style shows came on, at which point watching their homes made me twitch and we started to clean.  We got the house tidied up, and most importantly, got the upstairs work area back in shape. 

I spent the evening watching TV.  Amy played WoW.

Sunday went well, and was productive.  Changed the oil on the motorcycle and gave Munky a re-intro to bike riding.  She is starting to remember again, but has a ways to go before heading out on the road.  I played WoW for a change and had some fun.   Will probably create a few more characters on various servers to hang out with some friends.

We started watching "True Blood" and the movie "Defiance".  Both were good, though Amy has not said if she wants to buy True Blood yet.  We will see.

This week, work and more work as we start Pennsic Prep and get ready Munky's trip to Spain. 


Regards,

C

Kissed any one of your Facebook friends?
Yes
Been arrested? 
No
Kissed someone you didn't like?
Yes
Slept in until 5 PM?
Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? 
Yes
Held a snake?
Yes
Ran a red light?
Yes
Been suspended from school?
Yes
Experienced love at first sight?
Yes
Totaled your car in an accident?
No
Been fired from a job?
No
Fired somebody?
No
Sang karaoke? 
NO
Pointed a gun at someone? 
Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? 
No
Caught a snowflake on your tongue?
Yes
Kissed in the rain?
Yes
Had a close brush with death (your own)?
Yes
Smuggled something into another country? 
No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes?
Yes
Broken a bone?
Yes
Skipped school?
Yes
Eaten a bug?
Yes
Sleepwalked?
Yes
Walked a moonlit beach?
Yes
Rode a motorcycle?
Yes
Dumped someone?
Yes
Forgotten your anniversary? 
No
Lied to avoid a ticket? 
Yes
Ridden on a helicopter?
No
Shaved your head?
Yes
Played a prank on someone?
Yes
Hit a home run? 
No
Felt like killing someone?
Yes
Cross-dressed?
Yes
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry?
Yes
Eaten snake? 
No
Marched/Protested?
No
Had Mexican jumping beans for pets?
Yes
Puked on amusement ride?
No
Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? 
Yes
Been in a band?
No
Knitted?
Yes
Been on TV?
Yes
Shot a gun?
Yes
Skinny-dipped? 
No
Gave someone stitches? 
No
Eaten a whole habenero pepper?
No
Ridden a surfboard?
No
Drank straight from a liquor bottle? 
Yes
Had surgery? 
No
Streaked? 
No
Taken by ambulance to hospital?
No
Passed out when not drinking? 
No
Peed on a bush?
Yes
Donated Blood?
Yes
Grabbed electric fence?
Yes
Eaten alligator meat?
Yes
Eaten cheesecake?
Yes
Eaten a kids' Halloween candy?
Yes
Killed an animal when not hunting?
Yes
Made out in public?
Yes
Sneaked into a movie without paying?
Yes
Written graffiti? 
No
Think about the future?
Yes
Been in handcuffs?
Yes
Believe in love?
Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Yes

So last night I decided to turn back on the WoW crack. I haven't done it in a while as most of my old guild, The Windmasters, were just getting rolling when I needed to look at going to bed. Gotta love those USMC hours.

So, I started messing with some low level characters to get a feel for the controls and Munky decides to play with the Wii Fit. Figuring I should check my progress, I let her know I would like to run the Fit check after she is done.

She completes and I proceed to be embarassed by the machine. The funny part is that Munky sits down at the WoW and takes a puff of said WoW Pipe.

4 Hours Later....

I finally convince Munky it is time to put down the WoW for the night. She has a little Blood Elf and is happily killing her way through the game.

On the bright side, she was very quiet and I got to watch 2010. Course she called it a Cheezy Sci Fi movie. Hey, that was cutting edge back then!

-C

And so the weekend has come to pass. Wow.

The Tourney of the Golden Rose went very well. The Rose tokens were well liked by people, and were given the name "Ninja Roses", as they had points that were, well, pointy.. Think I will take a pic of one embedded in wood for fun. The documentation on them is almost done, I just have to do some photos.

We set things up at site and went out to dinner with Drea, Boom Boom, Bjorn and Hrothny and had a great time before crashing.

Satuday we arrived, and I was asked to stand by as a Herald in case folks needed one. The need arose, and I actually got to herald Duchess Seonaid. As Mike and I have known each other for a while (we used to work together), this was very cool for me, even though he was fighting for the Queen. I was pretty much told we had about 30 seconds to make an intro, and my instructions were to "make it fun". So, I immediately tapped into Chaucer from "A Knight's Tale". Did a bit of Schtick, and apparently it was well recieved, as I got complimented for it. Not bad for a first time. Just wish I had had more time to a)write my material b)do my intro. Would have had a lot more material. As it was, I was heraldicly PWND by Master Robert, who gave a great speech. He even won a prize for it, and it was well deserved.

Doing the Heraldry thing was a lot of fun, and I hope to do it again. Just have to remember hydration and notes. Otherwise the brain goes in two (or three) directions at once. I would have like to have fought, but this didn't suck.

Afterwards I needed to make myself busy, as it appears that sitting still drives me to distraction. So, I worked the Tourney tree and had fun. Got fairly good at moving the shields with the hook. Only bad part was as we reached the third and latter rounds, the sun had moved so you had to stare directly at it to see the sheilds. Spent a good bit of time with the hook in one hand and my hat in the other trying to block out the sun.

Seonaid's team did very well and they should be proud.

Countess Rowan gave me a Rose token for all of my hard work and heralding that day and I was thrilled to receive it.

At the end of the day, I got a little fighting in with Benjamin from WH, who is very talented and quick. I held my own, but I know I can do better. Have to get used to fighting these quick people again. I used to have a pretty good set of counters against them, I just have to remember them and use them. Must fight more. God I miss practices.

We took down the tree and got some dinner before crashing. Sunday we did takedown and headed for home.

Got home to discover that while the AC was running, it wasn't making the house cold. Now, we have had problems with this thing for two years, but this wasn't right, so I cracked it open. All of the coils were encased in ice. So, we shut it down and opened the windows. Munky called the Rental office and they are going to send somebody out. It would not surprise me if it needs some serious work,as our bills have been too high lately, and I have a feeling from looking at it that it is toast. We shall see. Sometimes it is a good thing to rent.:)

Today, work at Jobs 1 and 2, followed by a trip home to probably do work there. Have to start another casting project for Pennsic.

Regards,

C

The Warden continues to use the shock paddles on me, but I showed her. I left her dog in the spot. Manny now walks funny.

Last night I attempted a break out. Managed to make it as far as the local Hooters on the motorcycle, but it appears that the Warden had forseen this. Waitress was both visually and socially unpleasant. How do you get on of those at a Hooters?

The Jerk wings and attitude forced me to return to my cell.

I have completed my shank. The dog gets it during the excerc OW! OW! NOT THE RUBBER HOSE!

OH LORD, WARDEN IS BACK! OOF! Keep it above the belt!


HEEEELLLLP!!!!!! *WHAM*

"I am NOT a Warden!" *KICK* *STOMP*

Since the Warden won't let me have books in my cell, for fear of me making a paper machet hacksaw and busting out of the joint, I will succumb to the lastest live journal query for information:

“The problem with Livejournal is that we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other. Hence, I want you to ask me something you think you should know about me. Something that should be obvious, but you have no idea about. Then post this in your LJ and find out what people don’t know about you.”

I will screen questions/answers that are really personal.

The Warden has still not shown her face, though I know she is watching. I know this because she calls whenever I am eating or a show/movie is right at a pivotal moment.

Navy work arranged a prisoner swap with Marine Work, as they have no IT people (they all quit/were laid off) and the CO and upper staff were having issues. Ran over and fixed the issues, and then remained till 5 pm to build up more bribe money for the warden.

Cell buddy Cueball informed me there is a night dive with sharks on friday, and offered to take and set up my gear so I could go. However, I will be attending the Golden Rose, and if it was any other event but this one, I just might have gone. But, getting home at midnight after diving only to get up at 6am to go to Raleigh to help all day would be a death sentence.

Returned to my cell only to discover that the Spy did not want to go out. I fear he has left work for me in some hidden corner of a room, but have not located it yet. Perhaps it is a surprise for the holidays.

Was allowed to walk around the prison yard for 45 minutes with the Spy with the promise that motorcycle privileges would be reinstated. This turned out to be a falsehood, as the Warden used the Weather Dominator again to drive storms into the area. Was forced to watch re-runs of "That 70's show" until I wanted to Kill Eric and take Donna as my new girlfriend.

Dinner was Burritos. I am only allowed to eat burritos when the Warden is gone. It is all she leaves me. That and dog kibble. Spy attempted to eat said burritos but I was able to fend him off. Currently constructing a shank out of a spare burrito that went stale.

Warden performed bed check again, ensuring another two hours of consiousness, and to inform me of the goverment funded fishing trip she went on. Life on the outside sounds so nice.

Warden used remote controlled shock paddles hidden in my bunk last night, as I was abruptly awoken to major pain in my back. Pain pills didn't help, and it was still there this morning, once again ensuring I couldn't get on the motorcycle. And, of course, the weather is going to be beautiful today and completely ugly tomorrow.

I will attempt to ride this afternoon, assuming the Warden has not arranged more amusements for me.

It has been almost 24 hours since the Warden left. I truly believe I am alone. She did however leave a small, spy who has ensconced himself on the couch and attempts to review all of my email, as well as check all items I am eating.

I attempted to wander to the local practice, but weather turned foul and I had to turn back. I am pretty sure she is using a Weather Dominator to control my movement. I instead returned to my hole, where I spent the evening munching on vegatables and plotting things to do with my newfound freedom.

10:30pm: Warden called for a bed check. I assured her that I was now fully awake again.

5:30am: Awoken by the buzzer to report to my work stations. Bleh. I know that the Warden has done something to me, as I actually skipped riding the motorcycle to work today. Something is wrong with me.

Today, after working at both my jobs I will attempt to remember things I did before the Warden imprisoned me. For some reason, the words "WoW" and "Big Macs" keep coming up. I swear there was something else. If only I could remember.....

Wow, after a lot of road trips, after this weekend I will actually get a small break. Sort of.


Munky and I have been hitting the road a bunch, and with the Tournament of the Golden Rose, we pretty much will take care of the mundane side of life for a bit. Hopefully this means I get a bit of diving in. :)

I completed the lastest casting project, the heraldic Rose tokens for the above tournament. They came out pretty well, though I think as a token, I would make them a bit smaller and insert them into a roundel or something to make it easier to clean them. So many points and sides to clean. Plus I made them a bit for the tourney a) because I thought I only needed to make 200 and b) All things made for Arielle and Gracie must be spiff.

Halloweenslut apparently showed the design to Arielle and she likes them, and Gracie seems pleased. I even made them light enough that I could add 100 of my encircled rose tokens to the batch for use by the Order of the Rose. Should all be good.

Pics will go up in a bit. In the mean time I am spending my down time writing up documentation for them, as Gracie made me. I give her tokens and she gives me homework. Sigh.

Next project is a bit of work for Pennsic for allisondrea. I really need to call call her. Work should be interesting. :)

This week Munky is up in Norfolk doing work for the Navy. I still don't understand how going out for shooters with the Pilots is a part of her job.

So, I am doing the bachelor thing here and then rolling out Friday to Raleigh.

Tonigh, Practice! Maybe somebody will actually come. :)

Regards,

C

Your results:
You are Jean-Luc Picard

Jean-Luc Picard 100% Geordi LaForge 75% An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 75% Data 71% Mr. Sulu 70% Deanna Troi 70% Spock 65% James T. Kirk (Captain) 60% Will Riker 60% Worf 60% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 55% Mr. Scott 50% Beverly Crusher 50% Chekov 45% Uhura 40%

A lover of Shakespeare and other fine literature. You have a decisive mind and a firm hand in dealing with others.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Quiz

GENERAL SCA
- Been an officer? Yes. Baronial and Kingdom
- Do you have an SCA name? Yes
- Do you have an SCA persona? I say I do, but I am pretty much being just me.
- Changed persona because of different garb? Nope.  I change garb because I think I will look good (or feel comfy) in it.
- Been adopted by a person, household or clan?  Yep.  Count Kai and Mistress Susana thought I was a keeper
- Had a name and/or device accepted by the SCA College of Arms? Yep.
- Had a name and/or device rejected by the SCA College of Arms? Nope, just modified
- Been taken or taken an apprentice, protégé or squire? I am a squire
- Have rank higher than an Award of Arms? Yep.

EVENTS
- Been an Event Steward/Autocrat? Nope
- Cooked an Event? Yes
- Taught a class at an event? Yes
- Run an activity at an event? Yes

FIGHTING/MARTIAL ARTS
- Ever fought at an event? Yes
- Ever fought at Pennsic or another War? Yes
- Done a different martial art at an event? Yes
- Ever run a martial activity at an event? Yes
- Fought at an event tourney? Yes
- Ever fought in a Crown Tourney? Not Yet
- Won a tourney or contest at an event? Yes
- Made your own armor?  Yes
- Made your own weapons? Yes
- Been a squire? Yes
- Have rank as an archer? No
- Have rank as a fencer?  Yes
- Created a siege weapon? Does a grape trebuchet count?

ARTS & SCIENCES
- Have you ever entered an A&S contest? Yes
- Have you ever won an A&S contest? Yes
- Ever run an A&S contest? No
- Ever judge/critique items in an A&S contest? Yes
- Ever Word-smithed a scroll? No
- Illuminated a scroll? No
- Done the Calligraphy for a scroll? Nope, and pray I never do.
- Made your own paper? No
- Made a book? No
- Make someone's order medallion? Yes, many.
- Write someone in for an award?  Yes

- Have you ever sewn your own garb? Yes, but was told NOT to do it again.
- Sewn Garb for others? Yes
- Ever been sewing on the way to an event? Nope
- Ever finished an outfit before an event? Nope
- Researched and completed an outfit from said research? Does Armor Count?
- Ever taught a class on sewing? No
- Finished a hat? No

- Do you know how to spin?Nope
- Ever woven your own fabric? No
- Do you know how to knit? Yes.
- Do you know how to crochet? No
- Have you ever dyed your own yarn or fabric? No
- Embroidered a garment? No
- Beaded a garment? No
- Ever entertained at a feast? Not purposely
- Ever ran a bardic circle? No
- Ever performed in a bardic circle? A couple of times.  Then I learned my lesson.
- Had songs requested from you at such? NO
- Ever competed in a formal bardic? Once, never again
- Know any period songs? Nope

COURT IN THE SCA
- Ran a court as Royalty? No
- Ran a court as Herald? No
- Heralded at Court? Once
- Been an Attendant, Guard or Champion at court? Yep, all 3
- Been called to court to receive an award? I get mine mostly by mail.
- Been called to court to present something? I think so
- Been called to court for punishment?  Not yet, but the Reign is young...
- Been part of a court "shtick"? Yes
- Done something while watching court, e.g., spin, sew, embroider? Yes - Cup and Ball
- Had a royal comment on what you're doing? Only to ask if they could play with it.
- Have awards from more than one Kingdom? No

PENNSIC
- Have you ever gone to Pennsic? Yes
- Ever done Zero Night? No
- How many Pennsics have you gone too? I think 8 or 9.
- Ever Taught a class at Pennsic? No
- Taken a class at Pennsic? No
- Gone to Opening ceremonies? Yes
- Been a waterbearer? Yes
- Placed in a Pennsic tournament? No
- Worked a shift at Chirurgeons Point at Pennsic? Nope
- Worked a shift as security at Pennsic? Not Yet
- Volunteered in any other capacity? Lots
- Ever merchanted at Pennsic? Nope
- Gone to the swimming hole, Classic or Family? NO
- 'Trolled the Bog for parties?  A couple of times
- Hosted a party at Pennsic? Nope.
- Been part of a 'Pennsic building project'? I don't think so

TRAVEL IN THE SCA
- Ever traveled more than 8 hours each way for a one day event? Once.
- Gone to a different Kingdom for an event? Yes
- Lived in a different Kingdom? No
- Have trailer hitch and trailer? Just the hitch
- What ridiculous lengths you've gone to get to an event? Massive road trip to Canadian border

THE MUNDANE OF THE SCA
- Run out of closet space because of garb/gear? Yep
- Ever crammed more than 4 people into a hotel room? Only4?  You wasted space
- Met your future spouse at an SCA event? At a practice.
- Met most past significant others in an SCA setting? Yep
- Have better research books than your library? Yes, but that has to do with the local area
- Is your tent bigger than your first apartment? About the same size.
- How many sewing machines do you have? None, wife has one
- Own an anvil? Working on it.

Well, I got an offer on a new job at Cherry Point.  Part of me is happy we don't need to move (yet), but I am also sad that we aren't going to VA or MD.  I was looking forward to getting closer to good practices and good people, not to mention civilization.  Amy is still going to look up there and we hope to be able to relocate in the future, but we shall see.

In the mean time she is starting to look around at houses locally.  Kill me.

I do realize that going to a new job is very much like when I moved and had to start at a new school as a kid.  Mostly I am worried about what I am walking into.  I am always nervous when I change jobs.   I feel like I have to prove myself with the new group, both socially and professionally.  And it really sucks as I have everything figured out with my old job.  However, I DO have a job and won't need to move (yet), which is better than a lot of good people are doing right now.

I don't know a lot about the new position yet, but I should find out soon.  I do know that I will be doing programming for another group of  Marines on base, but instead of pilots it will be a lot of the high level brass.  I will also not be on the flight line anymore, which completely sucks, as I love working there.  I also have to start from scratch in regards to vacation, which sucks.  I had three weeks built up before all of this, and now I am going to have to figure some stuff out to get to go to Pennsic.

I want to talk to my current boss about a graceful exit before I sign the agreement and send it in.   My big goal is to make sure that the squadron will be taken care of.  If it was just a company, business would be business, but I take care of my friends.


More news as it develops.

3/31/2009 UPDATE:  Fixed.  Thanks to the note from Aedan, I realized I was on the right track.  So, after a night's sleep and a bit of encouragement, I re-examined my query and spotted my syntax was off a bit, causing the bad data.  As soon as I fixed it, it came out perfect.

If only I was getting paid to work this....

--C

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am trying to make a new SQL result set and I know I am overlooking something. 

I have two tables.  Table 1 contains the list of all classes that a student must take.

table 1 (requiredClasses):
classID, Name, studentID, etc.

ex.
455, FAM100, 3403, ....
455, FAM100, 3404, ...
456, FAM101, 3404,...
456, FAM101, 3403,...
458, FAM201, 3404,...

Table 2 contains all of the class grades that the students have taken.  It has common elements with Table 1 (classID, classShortName, studentID) but also has a grade and completion status.

Table 2 (class grades):
classID, className, studentID, grade, completionStatus

ex.
456, FAM101, 3404, 100, Complete
456, FAM101, 3403, 75, Incomplete

My goal is to do a printout of what classes a particular student (3404) is required to take (table 1), and the grade (if they have already taken it), or blank for the grade if they have not (i.e, there is no entry for that student and class in the gradebook)

ex. output

classID    className    studentID    grade    completionStatus
455           FAM100           3404
456           FAM101           3404            100       complete

I know there is a way to join them together, but for the life of me can't remember how to do it.  I have probably been staring at it too long to see the answer in front of my nose.

Anyone have any ideas?

Today is Munky's Birthday!  Everybody call, write, and generally harass her!

--C

Well, after a week of cleaning and some spot work this weekend, the house is cleaned up and ready for inspection.  Everything should go ok.

Today should be very quiet.  We had an unplanned change of command friday (those of you who have spent time in the military know what THAT means) and the new CO is settling in.  Looks like the Squadron is gonna be quiet for a few days as things work themselves out.
 
I work today, work from home a bit tomorrow, and then head off to Lexington Park, VA for an interview.  Should be interesting.   Will drive back wednesday, and then decide when I want to work again. 

--C

Monday we have the realtor coming to do their annual inspection on the townhouse to make sure we haven't wrecked the place. So that, combined with my current work situation, has caused me to lay seige to the house.
Managed to get the Guest Room, Dining Area, Loft, and the Bedroom cleaned last night.  I even cleaned and oiled the dining room table and China hutch. 

Plan over the next few days is to attack the kitchens and the bathroom, one a day, for the next few days.  I also want to go outside and make sure that the yard looks ok.

I'm not too worried.  Last year the inspector came out and said it was the cleanest rental property she had ever seen, but this was compared to the local marines who come in and usually trash a place.  My rule though is always to try and leave a place better than when we found it.

Looks like I might be going to a dive next weekend as well.  They are going on a run to the U-352 and my dive buddies want me to go.  We shall see.

-C

Looks like everybody got snow except for those of us on the coast.  Ah well.  Part of me would have liked to have gotten it, part of me is scared of how the locals will drive in it.

Sunday was the beginning of March, which means I can start picking up a rapier again.  I worked a little with some 5lb weights yesterday and my wrist is a bit displeased with me this morning, but it will get over it.    I am amazed how much forearm strength I have lost.  Course, without a weekly practice, I wasn't exactly great before the accident.

The road back should be fun and interesting, as I get my butt handed to me as I slowly break off the rust. 

I was working when one of the Majors came in today to see if I could find him a doc related to our program.  Told him I wasn't sure where it was but to gimme a sec and I will locate it in the systems.  He decided to hang out while I was working.

Spontaneously he stated that he realized that every time he has come into my office I have always greeted him warmly, and performed any task he laid before me, even if it was out of my knowledge base and nobody had a clue how to help, and have done it quickly and with a positive attitude.  He said this really spoke to him about the quality person I was.

He said that too often in the USMC and the Squadron he encounters people who don't neccessarily go to that level of effort and would simply pass it off, and that my dedication to my work and to helping in any aspect I was able to really spoke about my character and the fiber of my being. 

I just pointed out that I as the Marines are my customer, it is my job to help them in any way I can.  Plus, I like helping people out and loved working for the Squadron and the Corps.

Regardless he said, it was a great thing and that all of the Officers had noticed it.  They really wished everybody had that attitude.  Then he thanked me.

To me the Marines I work with are filled with Cool because they do something that I was not able to, and will never be able to.  And to hear them appreciate my work and my attitude just absolutely rocks.