Archive: August, 2004

Today is a really good day

posted by Jeff | Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 2:37 PM | comments: 1
Today's a really good fucking day. Yeah, I use strong words because I have strong feelings about it.

I'm in the home stretch now to finish the book. This last chapter is killing me because I have to figure it all out on my own. The documentation doesn't exist because the product won't even be released until next year. That's a pitfall of writing about stuff long before it hits retail. But that said, once I finish it and turn it in, they'll process the rest of my advance, which kicks ass.

I've got two little projects that will yield and extra half-grand for me this month, thank God, since taxes are due this month. Better yet, I have a lead on a very high-profile project that, if I get it, will help me position the business as a real player. It might pay really well too.

In the silly little thing category, I signed up for Loews Hotels' guest program that gets you free room upgrades and free beer and nuts in your room. :) Where do you think I'm staying at Universal in November? A Loews Hotel of course!

The windows are open, the sun is shining, and overall I generally feel positive about things. Stephanie and I are going to make a little day trip I think Friday, so that's a nice thing to look forward to as well.


The ups and downs of USA Volleyball

posted by Jeff | Wednesday, August 25, 2004, 11:39 AM | comments: 18
Last night it ended. Misty May and Kerri Walsh swept every game in Olympic beach volleyball and won the gold medal. Generally speaking, I'm not as into the beach game because I think it's less exciting than the indoor game. However, these two are so amazing and push so hard that you can't help but love watching them. They even seems like nice people and never get big heads in interviews.

Most importantly, they illustrate that hits score points, but defense wins games. I think the giant Kerri is a role model for tall players everywhere that demonstrates how being great defensively makes you a better player.

The indoor women, God bless them, lost in five to Brazil. They dropped the first two and came back to win the third and fourth, but let Brazil rally seven points straight right at the start of the fifth. They're young, and it looks like most of them will be back in four years. They're inconsistent. I see a superstar in Logan Tom, who is only two years out of college. I can see her being a contributor for at least two more Olympics if she stays on.


Dell roommates TV spot

posted by Jeff | Friday, August 20, 2004, 8:41 PM | comments: 6
Have you seen the Dell TV spot where the blonde Barbie and the goth chick are roommates? I have to ask, which one would you date?

Obviously I'm all about the gothy chick.


Lots of great days lately

posted by Jeff | Saturday, August 14, 2004, 2:45 PM | comments: 0
It's weird, but lately I've noticed how many really good days I'm having, all because I don't need to have a day job.

This week, we went out to lunch with one of my volleyball kids, we went down to PKI for a little while, I spent time playing video games one afternoon... how could anyone complain about that?

It's not all fun and games, but "work" in my business isn't like work either. I really enjoy what I'm doing. Running CoasterBuzz only takes an hour or two a day, looking for news, processing memberships and such, then the rest of my "work" time is dedicated to finishing the book and various software projects.

As the book project winds down, there is the question about what comes next. At this point, I can't see running off to get another job, but I can see developing some of my ideas into something that generates more revenue. Honestly if I could get to a point where I generated another grand a month, we'd be doing very well for being self-employed. I'm not even considering book royalties at this point because there is no guarantee they'll come, and I won't see any until the middle of next year anyway.

The big picture is that I'm living my life on my terms, and it's awesome. There are still some issues I need to focus on (like exercise and diet), but getting control of the external things I think will make it easier to deal with the internals and my somewhat fucked up neuroses.

Life is good.


They grow up so fast...

posted by Jeff | Wednesday, August 11, 2004, 5:54 PM | comments: 2

Stephanie and I had lunch yesterday with Jamie, one of my first volleyball kids since I started coaching J.O. ball in 2000. She's about to go back to school for her sophomore college year. They grow up so fast.

It's kind of neat to see "your" kid grow up like that. She parties kind of hard, but she has really grown up into a fairly well-adjusted adult. In fact, the same could be said for most of the kids I've coached (at least the ones I liked).

Steph mentioned that it's kind of sad to see the kids experiencing "college stuff" when that part of your own life has long since passed, but honestly I wouldn't trade those years for where I am now, or even where I might be ten years from now. Growing up is a tough process overall, but I try to think back of all the good memories and take that forward while making new ones.


Detachable Penis

posted by Jeff | Monday, August 9, 2004, 3:58 PM | comments: 1
Detachable Penis just came on the alt rock channel on DirecTV MusicChoice.

After all these years, it's still funny. It's true... dick and fart jokes never get old.


Build-a-Bush

posted by Jeff | Saturday, August 7, 2004, 6:37 PM | comments: 0
It's stupid, and gets old after about two seconds, but for the easily amused...

http://homepage.mac.com/krousen/Bush%20site/