Vice Writes...

Halloween 2003

Hey Everyone! This is a pick of who I hung out with on Halloween!

Isn't he scary?

Have fun!

Vice

Good news

I have been working for a new company for a week now. So far so good. I'm really enjoying the hours. I'm really enjoying the work as well. It keeps me busy, so busy in fact that lunch usually flies right by me. My brain doesn't seem to mind, but my stomach notices. This job should net me a lot of knowledge and really plus me up in the experience column.

Another tidbit of good news. I am moving. Yay! I finally am getting out of this forsaken building. To give you an example of where I am going: Sometimes when my mom comes into town on business, she stays at the Sheraton, fancy eh? When my son saw the lobby of the new apartment building he asked if this is the place where we pick up Nanna. That's a good sign. He is excited about the move even though he will be changing schools. I think he will be ok. He seems to like meeting new friends. He definitely doesn't have a problem with making new friends.

Well, that's it. I figured that I would share some good news instead of always complaining. Don't worry; I'll be back again - complaining as usual.

Have Fun!

Vice

Isabel

She took my computer. I have since replaced the hard drive and am able to use my computer. Everything is all better now. Yay!!!

Why am I not happy? Why is it every time I look at my computer I want to throw it down a flight of stairs? Until Isabel came in and took what was mine I didn't realize how much of my life was on the computer. I mean to certain extent I realized I put a lot of information on computer. I did what I thought was reasonable to protect it. I had two hard drives, one backing up the other. I tried to keep unnecessary programs off my computer. I tweaked it so that it would run at peak performance. In my opinion I treated my computer pretty good. Everything was on the computer like my all important budget, my resume, my contact list for email and phone numbers, emails I was holding on to for various reasons, and my favorites list of those one of a kind web sites that you stumble across while surfing the web. Even though all of that was deemed important the biggest thing I lost was my music. My computer served as my digital studio. Yep, that's right, all of it gone. That hurts. I had plans for that music. Big plans. Yes, there are copies of the music on the websites, but if I wanted to go back and change anything to the music I will basically have to recreate each song from scratch. Ok, that is easier said than done, but with some effort I could possibly do that. After all, I did write the music in the first place. It's only music that I have been working on for the past 5 years. The part that really burns me is the new stuff I hadn't finished is gone. Data recovery is something I am looking into. I didn't realize how expensive that process can be. I have been looking at $1200 and up. There was one company that advertised $300, but they haven't returned my phone calls. Go figure. Since the loss of my data I haven't recorded anything. I haven't even loaded up my music programs on the new hard drive. I guess I am a little apprehensive right now. I need to come up with a better plan on how I do this music stuff. A lot of work goes into it and I don't want to lose everything again.

If your data is important you make sure you take a look at the measures you are currently using to safeguard it. I thought two hard drives would be enough, obviously not.

Good Luck...

Vice

Media Frenzy

Charles Barkley said something that made sense Thursday night. He said something to the effect that Kobe Bryant shouldn't play basketball this season until after his legal battles are over. At first, I disagreed. He went on to say that the media is only waiting to see him make a mistake. I agree with that. That's all they do is look for something to go wrong. I feel for everyone involved in that case, Kobe, the young lady and their families. It has got to be tough. The unfair part of this whole mess is why don't we know who the young lady is? Why is that a secret? Yes we all know who Kobe is, but if they wanted to keep this case a secret then they shouldn't have released any names. After all, aren't we innocent until proven guilty?

D.C. Snipers. Why did the USA network put this movie out now? Jury selection is scheduled to begin soon. I think most of us (especially in this area) do not want to see these guys get off. I think that putting out a movie concerning this case is reckless. Allow the victims to get the justice they deserve show the movie after the trial has started. The USA network (media) runs the risk of jeopardizing this case. Their need to put out information often falls short of the big picture in my opinion.

For those that know me I have a soapbox for many different entities - the media, the phone companies, credit agencies to name a few. Maybe later I will go into that with you guys...

For now consider yourselves lucky.

Devil's Advocate

"I don't think he's been that good from the get go. I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. They're interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. I think there's a little hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he really didn't deserve. The defense carried this team." Rush Limbaugh

What the...?

Well, let's take a look at what was said before we go casting judgment.

He doesn't think McNabb is a good quarterback. Nothing wrong with that. He isn't the best quarterback in the NFL, but, he's fairly solid and I could name quite a few teams would rather be drawing up plays to work him into their offense rather than trying to design plays for their defense to stop him.

Controversy. That's the name of the game. All major institutions thrive from it. Business, education, politics and religion. Everything is a contest. The latest controversy is the Limbaugh/McNabb bout. So what if he doesn't think McNabb is a good quarterback. He has a right to say that. A lot of people thought (some still do) that Kurt Warner was/is a pretty good QB. Whatever. I said it then and I will say it again, he's a fluke. ESPN knew what they were getting when they hired Rush.

Now, Rush stood his ground and said he would not take back what he said. Why should he? Speech is a protected freedom, right? He has a right to his own opinion. The prejudiced overtone of his statement on a national forum such as professional football says more about America than it does about him. Some of us already knew what kinds of things Rush was capable of saying. He is making $32 million a year. That indicates there are more than some of us who knew what Rush was capable of saying. ESPN and whoever their parent company is knew as well. I am not mad at Rush for his comments. That is nothing new for him. Public relations are a big deal in the media business. In my opinion things like that are orchestrated to certain extent. It is all about ratings. The media has never really cared about people. It has always been about 'the story'. Bad or good it doesn't matter what is going on. But, the worse things are, the more people suffer, the better the story and the higher the ratings. The whole process makes me sick. Yet, I will still going to watch SportsCenter. Yep, I am going to continue living life.

I do hope those that were disturbed even slightly will seek to educate their fellow man about the injustices of race discrimination and racial prejudice. You are all entitled to your own opinion. Whatever your opinions I just hope that you have the courage of your convictions like Rush does. Stand up and say what's on your mind. It is always good to know what others think about you. I applaud Rush for sticking to his guns and standing tall. It makes it easier to keep him between the crosshairs...

I don't think Isabel is coming back

Here's an update: She took my computer. She took my computer and she is not coming back. On boot up the computer told me that a crash is imminent on both drives. I did a search on the Internet and in my research I found that if your computer says it is going to crash, guess what? It is. It is going to go bye-bye along with all your precious data! So, my computer precariously hangs in the balance. All my music data is on the computer. Everything. The only thing I can do is wait until I get a new drive big enough to hold all my song data which will be in a couple of weeks. It is so sad.

To brighten the mood a bit my search for an apartment I believe is coming to an end. I think I found a pretty good place. It is located not too far from where I am right now. But, it is bigger, brighter and it seems a lot nicer. Of course it is more expensive, but sometimes you have to come up off the loot. I am so ready to leave the place I am in now. Maybe one day I will tell you all about it. Maybe. I'm hoping this place will delete itself from my memory like a bad dream. I will of course keep you updated on this situation as it develops.

Other than that I haven't come across any bags of money, I haven't invented any new gadgets that will make me rich nor have I come up with a plan for world peace. My stress level has been high but it's holding steady. I do see some light at the end of the tunnel though. Hopefully, soon I will be able to write something really positive soon. You know, something a bit more tangible than what is on the horizon.

Take Care,

Vice