Man oh man, this vacation started months before we actually left for Vegas, with the help of some close friends (Heiko & Krista) and family (thanks mom) the planning and shopping for rings started, if you ever have to go shopping I recommend Jewels by Maxime and Spences, so sneaking out to grab the rings and get some sizing’s and re sizing’s and another re sizing done wasn’t easy at first, but thanks to the bike I the excuses were easier and easier, “Going out for a ride, be back later” was a common phrase in the house for a few weeks.

So all being said and done we now fast forward to September, Heiko became my Ring mule, sneaking the rings past security, if anyone’s wondering why I had visions of security pulling my bag apart in front of Vicki and then the jig would be up, so Heiko slipped the rings inside one of their bags and then things fell into place from there, Heiko and Krista met up with us while Vicki was using the facilities so the hand off of the ring was simple and we didn’t need to do the sleight of hand we’d been practicing for weeks in advance (yeah right). And now we fast forward to the flight, I’m sitting there happily watching the heads of the people in the rows ahead of me and I see Heiko get up and talk to a flight attendant whose face immediately lit up, either things are going my way or he’s now arranged some extracurricular activity for when we land in Vegas, so walking back Heiko gives me the thumbs up and taps his watch and shrugs, either that means “things are a go, but we don’t know when” or “woot I got the hottie but I’m not sure when I can ditch the wife and kid safely” oh god I hoped it was the first. After a little while I see her motion him up to the front of the plane (great I’m hoping for a nice proposal and he’s about to join the mile high club) now the comedy begins, he starts motioning to his wife I can see his lips spell out “what seat?” then his fingers motion 23?, a look of confusion and the act repeats himself… 3 more times. And then I think, this must be a go, woot! A few minutes later the pilot comes on with a mid flight announcement “thanks to a tail wind it looks like we’ll be coming into Las Vegas about 10 minutes early, the temperature is about 39c… oh and Vicki Mingo, James was wondering if you’d marry him.” And Yahoo instant celebrity status.

For the most part things went well with planning the wedding, though getting into the courthouse was a little interesting, the salesmen were all over us as we approached the courthouse, they were trying to get us to come to their chapels, the only saving grace we had from one super pushy salesman that was offering to “show us the chapel, and then give us a ride back to our hotel” (yeah, first one is always free, but once they have you hooked see if you can get away.) but fortunately we lied our way out of it “we’d love to but we’ve got friends back on Freemont Street waiting for us, and they stopped pressuring us, but by the time we were done we had a collection of pamphlets that could choke a horse.

After succumbing to pressure (Vicki and Heiko wouldn’t let up) we booked for the bridge of the Enterprise and that was so easy, one call, 3 attempts for them to get the credit card right (sigh) and we were a go, and nothing but the rest of the vacation to enjoy.

Day 1. San Diego here we come

Surprisingly this wasn't a bad start. Getting up at 345 and loading the car and on thee road was the start to what is sure to be a great trip. Comic con here I come.

 

Nothing like grabbing a timmies and a breakfast sandwich (ok it's a great way to start any day) while introducing Kyle to the delicacy mike called, apparently they slept in but thanks to Lisa’s internal alarm they got up just in time.

 

The flight to sunny Vancouver  was uneventful (a little joking from the bobsy twins helped pass the time) & for the first time Calgary security didn't decide that I was to be the random security check (random my ass).

 

Once in Vancouver we managed to find American customs. Mike even managed to have a run in with security, not Kyle trying to use a baggage cart as a surfboard, but mike taking a picture of it.

 

Once we hit sanding we decided to stop for a bite to eat at Hag grid’s restaurant (here) and now I can say I’ve eaten a fish taco and probably the last one I’ll ever eat. It’s really nice down here

 

 

Check this out, escalators outside I wonder what they do when it snows.

 

What a nice view from the hotel room right to the bay, and a view of the hotel pool & the hairy backed guests.

 

Ending a great day and trip we went to one of the coolest outdoor malls, Horton plaza, followed up by a great meal at the hard rock café (and now adding yet another shot glass to the collection).

 

Day 2. Still no internet

starting the day we raced out for breakfast finding an uber little deli about a block away great mushroom cheese omlette, and followed by a little nosing around the harbor (mental note, check it out later) hopping a bus to the zoo wow is all I can say (Pictures to follow) it was one of the most amazing zoos, we saw playful polar bears, proud zebras and meerkacs (insert obligatory joke about it)

 

followed up by geek Mecca when they tell you how good it is they are understating it, and especially when you get in and see how professionally set up they are your jaw will drop. Then into the dealers room we go, oh my lord I could spend days and days and a lot of money just wandering up and down this place.

 

Pictures of the con and the zoo to follow.

However now I go back to our room to figure out where to spend my time over the next few days.

so after years of hawkstone, kyohazard and tahea telling me how great and amazing it is I'm finally getting off my lazy ass and going

San Diego here I come

You know it’s been a decade since I last did a con, this morning was something I haven’t done in forever getting up at 7am and getting ready for the Calgary comic con, for $15 it was an amazing deal, busy as anything and nice bags o Swag. *mental note next year get my membership nice and early so I don’t have to wait in the pre line to get into the con line.
However waiting in line was kinda fun, watching all of the costumes parade by, and watching Phil having fun (Read making a spectacle of himself), and finally after hearing some loud cheer from the front of the line I was hoping that we would start moving soon, or at least having the entertainment of watching some paramedics run by, It was only the doors opening.
You know it was a great day; I got to meet Morena Baccarin and Cristina Hendricks

(Ok I look happy but it beats the huge goofy grin I had)

Ray Park,


Ok heck I got to see him goofing around with a Darth maul Dress Alike (That alone was worth the price of admission)


As well as tony and the 501st legion (as if you didn't see his head in the photo's above)



All in all it was a great day.

<td align="center"> Skullflare

Gold Medal Winner in...



Best Judge Bribe

'What rejected olympic sport would you win gold in?' at QuizGalaxy.com</td>

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) The Mexican
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane

Total: 9

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Young Frankenstein
(x) AnchorMan: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
(x) Saw
( ) Saw II
(x) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) Jason X

Total: 8

(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
(x) Scary Movie 2
(x) Scary Movie 3
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding

Total: 9

(x) Harry Potter
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Resident Evil I
(x) Resident Evil: Apocalypse
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
(x) The Village
( ) Donnie Darko
(x) Lilo & Stitch.
( ) Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch

Total: 9

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) Thirteen Going on 30
(x) I, Robot

Total: 7

(x) Dodgeball
(x) Universal Soldier
(x) A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
(x) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt

Total: 11

(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) the Terminal
( ) the Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
(x) Final Destination
(x) Final Destination 2
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
(x) Precinct 13

Total: 8

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
(x) Ghost Ship
(x) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards

Total: 4

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
(x) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
(x) Coach Carter
(x) Bad Boys

Total: 10

( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(x) Se7en
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
( ) Identity
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
(x) Predator II

TOTAL: 5

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
(x) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Boss' daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
( ) Frailty

Total: 5

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
(x) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China

Total: 6

(x) X-men
(x) X-men2
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
(x) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Others
(x) Freaky Friday
(x) Reign of Fire
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) Hot Chick

Total: 12

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Boogeyman

Total: 4


(x) Hitch
(x) The Fifth Element
(x) Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Episode II Attack of The Clones
(x) Star Wars Episode III Revenge of The Sith
(x) Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Episode VI Return of The Jedi
(x) Troop Beverly Hills
( ) Swimming with Sharks

Total: 9

(x) Air Force One
( ) For Richer or Poorer
( ) Trainspotting
(x) People Under the Stairs......
( ) Blue Velvet
( ) Sound of Music
(x) Parent Trap
(x) Parent Trap Re-make
( ) The Birds
(x) The Terminator
(x) Terminator-2
(x) T-3

Total: 7

(x) Empire Records
( ) SLC Punk
(x) Meet Joe Black
(x) Nightmare Before Christmas
(x) The Silence of the Lambs
(x) Sleepy Hollow
( ) I Heart Huckabees
( ) 24 Hour Party People
( ) Blood In Blood Out

Total: 5

( ) Thirteen
( ) Manic
( ) American History X
(x) Deep Blue Sea
(x) George of the Jungle
(x) Canadian Bacon
( ) Big Black Titties
( ) How High
(x) The Jackel
( ) My Little Ponys Grand Adventure

Total: 4

TOTAL: 136 (ok I watch way too many movies)

Yet again the director of finance makes himself look like a complete idiot, he sends out an email cc’ing everyone up the line about a project we have, how we’re a week after the deadline and how it’s unacceptable.

Before I get a chance to reply Nancy (the person in charge of the project) replies to everyone with a simple response: “You’re right it isn’t, this is why we met with you before Christmas and told you that the food service managers weren’t providing us with the information we need, and you were going to talk to the director of food service and get it resolved before the deadline passed.”

She attached the 3 emails to him reminding him he had to call the director, and his follow ups of “I’ll get to it”

Tagged By: kyohazard
Ground Rules: The first player of this "game" starts with the topic "Five Weird Habits of Yourself" and people who get tagged need to write an LJ entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and list their names.

5) if I’m ever having a bad day at work coming home and seeing how Pip reacts to us her insane joy and elation can put things into perspective.

4) I can’t leave questions unanswered

even if it is just an answer in my head, or the usual “because they were stupid”

3) I find it really hard to walk away from any unfinished business

in 2005 I went back to continuing education because even though I graduated high school I had failed Social 30 (with a flipping 49%)

2) I’m a storehouse for useless facts

things like: “In 2002, dogs killed more people in the U.S. than the Great White shark has killed in the past 100 years”

1) Stupid people piss me off

Stupid people are ones like this: “if you don’t get that fixed it could become a real problem” and then they whine that “it stopped working”

I choose to Tag: arcadiax, drayce, sraointe, canadianknight, catalytic

From catalytic

You scored as Wolverine. Wolverine is a loner, and a skilled fighter. He's got the hots for Jean Grey but a better fit for him would be Storm. He doesn't like to follow orders which pisses Cyclops off. He has terrible memories from the experimentation done on him at Weapon X. Even though he doesn't show it, he loves the X-Men. Powers: Fast healing and adamantium skeleton and claws. </td> Wolverine 85% Emma Frost 80% Cyclops 75% Beast 75% Gambit 75% Colossus 70% Iceman 70% Jean Grey 65% Rogue 65% Storm 60% Nightcrawler 55% Most Comprehensive X-Men Personality Quiz 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

The Firefly quote meme... Copied From catalytic

When you see this, put a Firefly quote in your own journal.

Mal: She's a human being. She has a name.
Jayne: So is this. I call her Vera.

---

Book: If you take sexual advantage of her, you're going to burn in a very special level of Hell, a level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

 

---

Simon: I've never shot anyone before.
Book: I was there, son. I'm fairly sure you haven't shot anyone yet.

---

  

Mal: Ship like this, be with you until the day you die.
Zoë: That's because it's a deathtrap.

 

 

One of the least enjoyable parts of my job is sometimes I work after hours support, and get to carry a pager, most of the time it’s not too bad, but once in a while you get to talk to a moron on the phone.

 

Mr. M. (Mister Moron): “My computer just stopped working, when I hit the power button it starts up, some stuff flies across the screen, then it turns right off.”

-This is surprisingly more helpful than the usual “it stopped working” (and yes I have had that call before, and yes the appropriate Viagra comment did come to mind).

 

Me (yours truly): “what type of computer do you have?”

- We got a bad batch of computers that have been experiencing similar problems, but our vendor isn’t planning on replacing the batch, just on a case by case basis.

 

Mr. M.: “Windows”

- so much for the hope that this wasn’t going to be the usual moron I deal with

 

Me: “Thanks that helps narrow it down, but your computer, what does it say on it, HP Compaq?”

- gotta remember to be nice, don’t start making fun of him yet

 

Mr. M.: after a brief pause “Dell”

 

Me: “Dell, you’re sure?”

- I was involved in setting up the users for his office, and we used a couple HP’s, Compaq’s and Toshiba Laptops, but I don’t remember a dell.

 

Mr. M.: “yup, I got it a couple of months ago”

 

 

Me: ok, clarity strikes, I know we haven’t had any Dells purchased in the last couple of years, and if his company computer had blown up, we would have replaced it with something similar so

“When did we send this to you?”

 

Mr. M.: “oh no, I ordered it online and it just started acting up”

-ok we have an answer Mister Moron doesn’t want to call the Dell tech support line, he just wants me to fix all his problems.

 

So I start into the: “I’m sorry, I’m not allowed to work on non company computers.” and after repeating it to him about 3 times it finally sinks in.

-this is rather remarkable, it usually takes about 5 for the average sales person

 

This isn’t the normal kind of thing I’m prone to write about, but in this case it didn’t end there, when I got into the office this morning, there was a large package waiting for me, and in it was a Dell computer.

In the box was a note saying: “if you happen to have any free time just take a quick look at it”

-looks like the speech didn’t sink in.

 

So far the consensus from my co workers and me are to:

1)      Send him the computer with a note telling him he’s going to have to package the computer up and send it back to Dell telling them he’s too dumb to own a computer

2)      Send it back to him with a bill attached, for my time.

3)      Send it back to him in pieces.

My personal favorite comes from his boss

4)      Take it to one of the more expensive computer places and ask them to fix it and then have him call them to settle the bill

 

 

By the end of the day his boss sent out an email reminding people that should they decide to send us their personal computers we are to assume that they’re being sent as a gift and act accordingly.

As well Mr. M. is being told to send a courier to pick up his computer on his own dime

 

 

Modern, Cool Nerd 52 % Nerd, 95% Geek, 47% Dork

For The Record: A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one. A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions. You scored better than half in Nerd and Geek, earning you the title of: Modern, Cool Nerd. Nerds didn't use to be cool, but in the 90's that all changed. It used to be that, if you were a computer expert, you had to wear plaid or a pocket protector or suspenders or something that announced to the world that you couldn't quite fit in. Not anymore. Now, the intelligent and geeky have eked out for themselves a modicum of respect at the very least, and "geek is chic." The Modern, Cool Nerd is intelligent, knowledgable and always the person to call in a crisis (needing computer advice/an arcane bit of trivia knowledge). They are the one you want as your lifeline in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (or the one up there, winning the million bucks)! Congratulations! Also, you might want to check out some of my other tests if you're interested in either of the following: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Professional Wrestling Love & Sexuality Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 37% on nerdiness You scored higher than 99% on geekosity You scored higher than 83% on dork points

Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on OkCupid Free Online Dating

What kind of pirate am I? You decide!
You can also view a breakdown of results or put one of these on your own page!
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

You are Wash. Not only are you a great pilot, you
are also the joker of the group. Your devotion
to your wife is admirable, though you sometimes
feel insecure. Thank god you shaved off your
moustache.


Which Firefly character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Satan You scored 70% Pride, 85% Envy, 70% Ambition, and 57% Deceitfulness!

You are Satan, the consummate villain, and the ascendant figure in the unholy trinity. Throughout history you have been called The Serpent, The Accuser, The Devil, Lucifer, The Prince of the Power of the Air, and The Dragon, among other things. Your “compatriots” in the unholy trinity, the Antichrist and the False Prophet, are merely pawns in your futile struggle with God. Though, they probably don’t know this. This is because you are a master of deception; indeed the Bible calls you “The Father of All Lies”. You are also very ambitious, and you strive to be in positions of the utmost authority. Unfortunately, it was impossible for you to obtain the highest title in heaven and this is part of the reason why you decided to leave. Of course, you couldn’t just leave by yourself, so you managed to use your deceptive abilities to get one third of the angels in heaven to join with you in revolt. God put down the rebellion and kicked you out of heaven. To most people, it would seem foolish to start a war against God, but pride can sometimes cause people to do foolish things. In heaven, you were the most beautiful and powerful of all angels and you were well aware of this. Unfortunately, you let your pride consume you and your passions led you down the road to perdition. After you were expelled from heaven, you let another one of your attributes consume you—envy. You knew that you could never defeat God, but you could attempt to destroy humanity, his most beloved creation. Your goal is to bring as much of humanity as possible to suffer in Hell with you. Fortunately for you, but unfortunately for the rest of us, you’ve been endowed with all of the attributes necessary (deceptiveness, confidence, ruthlessness, and ambition) to do a terribly good job at this.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 75% on Pride You scored higher than 92% on Envy You scored higher than 66% on Ambition You scored higher than 71% on Deceitfulness

Link: The Which Biblical Villain Are You Test written by MetalliScats on Ok Cupid

I Am Sheep, Hear Me Bleat

Stolen from hawkstone , catalytic & taeha

The Movie Quote Game
1. Pick ten movies that are ones you have special feelings about.
2. Pick a line or two of dialog that you like.
3. As people guess the film, strike out that entry.
4. NO cheating!

 

1) "Jesus, Bob what button did you push?"

2) "This Sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error"

3) "Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously, and every Molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light"

4) "What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"
"You ask a glass of water."

5)  "it is yet another in a long series of diversions in an attempt to avoid responsibility"

6) "How many assholes we got on this ship anyhow?"
(Chorus) "Yo"
"I knew it, I’m surrounded by assholes"

7) "This system's got more bugs than a bait store"

8) “I Take Fire from Water and give it to my bride”

9) “I don’t mean anything by this, but is there any particular reason why he’s black?”
 “Sure, I wanted him to be perfect”

10) “Don’t beat him so bad I can’t get a rematch ok”

Category III - The Regular
Jo(e)

You are the quintessential standard conjured by the
word 'Friend'.


What Type of Social Entity are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

The Gateway Saga Part IV
Just A Little More Faith

Customer service did call me back, so when I talked to Nicole from Gateway she needed to find out what had happened, whether the laptop had just not arrived or if it had been sent to the wrong address, I was glad I had done my homework, so I told her where it ended up, since she had me on the phone she wanted to confirm the information on my file, it seems that they still had the partial address that they shipped the first laptop to.
Mental note to see if the new laptop was sent to the correct address.

Once she was done getting my particulars straightened out she asked me if I still needed one shipped to me, I was about to tell her, don’t worry It had already been taken care of, but since this entire incident had turned into a comedy of errors I thought I’d better ask her to check to see if one had already been shipped, since I didn’t want to have to deal with another department trying to explain why they had shipped me 2 computers, after a few minutes of looking through her records she was positive that none had been shipped to me.
What the hell, this is beyond ridiculous, it’s bordering on incompetent.

So now the last I heard, she will put a priority on this new laptop, and she will monitor the account it to ensure that there are no problems.
Yeah putting my faith in them has done so much for me.

She did however agree to some of my requests
1) When they do ship this it will be sent priority.
I’m not waiting another two weeks for it to not arrive.

2) Once she finds out how this will be shipped she will call me to let me know when it is expected to arrive.
Since I’ve only had general dates (5-10 Business days, 2-3 weeks etc.) I’m not going to wait another two weeks to find out they screwed something else up.

Here I sit with a couple thoughts on my mind
If that day passes and no laptop is in sight I will be calling back, oh yes I will be calling.

Calling Nicole twice a day till the laptop is in my hands might not be such a bad idea.

The Gateway Saga Part III
Bureaucracy Runs Amok

Last week, a message from gateway, so I called back, but thanks to a rotary system I got put through to the first available drone not the person who called, so he gets my information and calls up my file, to see why someone would call to leave a message. After a little pause he humms and haas and says that the call was just to let me know that the laptop was on the way, so no worries.
The dramatic pause followed by the sudden blurting of the answer should have given me a clue.

Last night after a long day at work and my laptop giving me a hell of a lot of grief I finally sat back and started looking through the mail, and there was a letter from Gateway, gleaming with hope thinking it was something accompanying the laptop
I also believe in Santa Clause & the Easter Bunny

Ripping it open I got the shock of my life an invoice for $2300 for the first laptop that they lost.
What the Hell
Perhaps someone hasn’t been notified that I never got the laptop, I know that these things rarely work themselves out without intervention, so I called right away with the hopes this could be resolved before bed, no such luck, all I got was a recorded message saying to call back during normal business hours with no mention of what these hours were.
With nothing to do about it I passed out figuring I’ll call them first thing in the morning.

Today Arrives.
First thing this morning I called the number on the invoice, and after about 20 minutes on hold I got to talk to a person, a woman who made no secret about the fact she couldn’t care less, but I explained the situation about how I never got the laptop. She put me on hold for a couple of minutes while she looked into it, when she gets back to me the explanation she offered was that the customer service department sent the form to the lost equipment department and the forms weren’t filled out correctly, now this was where she wasn’t sure if the lost equipment people hadn’t asked for the additional information, or if Customer service hadn’t replied back.
I’m thinking that that was what the call was about last week

This breakdown in communication however was the reason why the balance was still on my account, and since the system sends out invoices for any outstanding items over a month old, I got this letter, she insisted that it was now cleared it up, she did mention that customer service might call me back for some information so if I got a call not to worry.
Not to worry, those words should be enough of a reason to cause worry.