Well the computer is D.E.D. for now. I'm lucky I have cool cousins who are computer geeks so they can save me. New motherboard is on the way tomorrow. In the meantime, since it seems people are in the giving mood, I'd really like to have this jacket in medium denim. haha! Jokes are funny.
says MarissaD at 10/29/2003 09:43:00 PM
I'm back at the parents house for a few days. I actually came to pick up my computer, but it won't boot, so I don't think it would be much good in Fort Davis. I'm hoping to take it to the cousin Roberts to see if he can help me figure out what the problem is. My sad computer is a real headache for me right now.
Actually, I just went to try it again and it booted. I have no idea why. I unplugged everything from the back except the video card and the power and it booted. I'm so utterly confused.
says MarissaD at 10/29/2003 04:50:00 PM
October 25, 2003
Holy Eff, I'm exhausted. They didn't time us on the smoke house run, so I don't know how well I did compared to others. What I do know is that my first partner needed to get out of the house during the first room. Normally, they have both people leave when that happens, but since it was the first room and the last guy to go didn't have a partner, they just escorted her out and brought him back in. That guy ran out of air in the second room. I don't know why they let me keep going, but they did. There was one closet that had the door over it, but I didn't know they left the door over it for a reason, so I just moved the door and searched the closet. In the end, I found all my dummies that were trapped and ran out of air about 5 feet short of searching the last room and exiting. Some people missed some of the dummies and some people didn't make it as far as I did, so I'm happy with how I did. Especially considering I was the second to last group and I had on all my bunker gear plus the SCBA (the breathing tank and mask) for over an hour before I even went in. Afterwards, he said he wanted us to all wear it the whole time so that when we actually got in, we would be breathing hard as if we had just been hosing the fire. That's dandy except that every group that went before us got to take off their gear as soon as they got out. In the end, I was the very single last person to get out and remove all my gear. I made it through all that, took a shower and went to work for 4 hours. Go me. :) I'm 99% sure that the only reason I actually made it that long was because of the adrenaline. I definitely don't have the muscles and endurance to do that within my normal state of mind. Also, the mask that I got was too big for my face, so to make up for it I made it super tight so it would squish down and suction to my face. Then my helmet was too big to put on with it and kept pushing down on the mask. Then when I was crawling in the trailer with all the smoke, apparently my breathing tank was sagging all the way over to my side because one of the safety guys came to me, moved it over and said 'that better?' Yes, actually it was much better, but I hadn't even realized it was annoying. Done and done.
P.S. It wasn't that scary at all. Yeah, it was dark and breathing through those masks takes a little getting used to, but it helps to know there is a safety guy right there and that the smoke isn't real and that there really isn't a fire. Regardless, I'm happy and I had so much fun. Next lesson, repel rescue. WOOHOO!!
says MarissaD at 10/25/2003 10:45:00 PM
October 24, 2003
I have to post before I fall asleep.
Today was the first day of fire school and it was a blast. I borrowed bunker gear (the huge fireman suits) from one of the ladies that's about my size. It really wasn't as heavy as everyone makes it out to be. Today Barb and I signed up for Ladder Practices. We learned the right way to take the ladders off the trucks, carry them and then put them up where you need them. As well as the big honkin' extension ladders that stretch up. Barb and I carried the biggest ladder over to the building we used. That bitch was heavy. For some reason the instructor kept asking us to do stuff. I guess to prove that we could. We're both very tiny. I'm about 5' and she's maybe 5'1 or 5'2. Anyway, we went to lift the extension ladder onto the roof. She was at the end anchoring it and I had to lift it and push it up. When I lifted, I wobbled a little bit and about 4 guys came rushing over thinking I was going to drop it. I said "Hold on," got my grip and started pushing it up. Then I said, "I've got it now." That was probably one of the coolest moments of my life. Even though it sounds kinda pansy like. I did a job that big heft firemen do. And all this without even getting in shape yet. Heck, I might go all the way through with the fire school thing and go try to get Fire Fighter 1. How cool.
Tomorrow we do the smoke house. We have to wear bunker gear and go into a trailer house that's full of smoke, find the dummy and make our way back out. Barb and I talked it over at dinner. We're going to partner up and use our super secret ultra awesome strategy. I can't tell you what it is though. Duh. We're hoping to be faster than all the boys. Then, at my acceptance speach for fastest save of a dummy in a smoke filled trailer house, I'll say, "I'd like to thank God, my parents and Anni the dummy for being so cooperative. Also, I'd like to thank my partner Barb who went fast like me because we were both terrified of running out of air even though the smoke that filled the trailer was theatrical smoke and we could've just removed the masks to breath, but whatever." Yeah, it'll sound something like that.
Oh yeah, we got free tickets to go up to McDonald Observatory. That was hella cool. We went to what is called a Star Party. Unfortunately there were about 200 people there, so it was a bit crowded for my taste and took too long to get a chance to look into the telescopes, so we only looked into one. A few of the EMS guys actually work up there so one of these days I'll see if I can't talk my way into a solo or small group visit. Handy that would be, no? The guy that did all the talking was hilarious. His name was Mark. I'm sure I'll go back there as much as I can and maybe even volunteer out there. Fun times.
Now I have to go to bed. We have to meet at 7:45 AM. Did anyone that there was a 7:45 in the morning? Yeah, me either.
says MarissaD at 10/24/2003 10:42:00 PM
October 22, 2003
Okay apparently this new Blogger look is just because I'm on a Mac. I'm not a fan.
I don't remember if I mentioned it, but I got another waitressing job here. I also sent an email to the guy here that does all the web design locally and told him if he needs help with updates or small sites that I could help. He said "good" in so many words. The waitressing job pays more than the last one and I've made more in tips both days I've worked than I made daily before plus my shifts are an hour shorter. It's looking good my friends.
There are a lot of tourists that eat there. Honestly, that's the only reason they're doing as well as they are. It's a fairly large place. Really nice inside. Not like a four star place or anything, but really nice for what it is. Most of the out-of-towners who come in have yankee or canadian accents. They're pretty amazed with the area. I guess I am too. It's beautiful and all, but damn, that's a long way to travel to look at some mountains and a big telescope. I'm gald they come. They tip well.
We're still staying with the friend of my friend. We still don't have anything lined up for us to move into. If something hasn't been discussed by the end of this weekend, I'll probably go ahead and bring my computer up and hook it up here. I was home from Saturday evening to Tuesday morning and I probably spent 75% of my conscious hours playing games. I'm a fiend. if you take it away for too long, my backsliding time is really unGodly.
Speaking of this weekend, I've been signed up for Fire school. That should be interesting. One of the coolest things to learn is confined space rescue. I'm excited to get into it all. Vicki bought some EMT books on her own when she was going through the class, so I'll probably stare at those a lot over the next few weeks. Paramedic school starts Nov. 4. I'm pumped. Speaking of pumped, I have to start working out really soon. I'm puny and that's no bueno for this training.
Speaking of speaking of speaking of. That's my phrase of the day I suppose. Okay I've typed too much. Love your neighbors. Read Isaac Adamson. Love Billy Chaka. Goodbye.
says MarissaD at 10/22/2003 06:09:00 PM
October 20, 2003
Am I totally redundant in all my posts? Do I say the same thing everytime? I just read a few blogs that I haven't read in awhile and it was just like watching a soap opera. I read them for about a minute and a half, scrolled over the past several months and it all says the SAME DAMN THING. God Almighty, get some new drama!!
Guess it's a good thing I don't read them anymore. Hope I'm not like that, though.
says MarissaD at 10/20/2003 04:43:00 PM
October 16, 2003
Well, I'm now in Fort Davis, Texas. Look it up on a map if you want. It's literally is the middle of nowhere. The house I'm staying in is actually about 10 miles out of town, up in the mountains (hills, whatever.) I have an amazing view from my bedroom and now I'm kicking myself for not getting the pictures up before I left. I'll be going back home, probably sometime this weekend. Right now, the lady I'll probably live with doesn't have a place as of yet, so we're shacking up in this house. When she finds a place, we'll be moving into town. Wireless internet is pretty much the only option around here. It's supposedly minimum 256k up and down. The up part is better than most ADSL connections, but the down is a little scary. I'm just hoping it works well enough for the gaming. The paramedic school starts November 4, so I have some time to find a job and get started. This place is going to be a major change for me, but I only have to stick it out for a year. Then I'll be able to get a job anywhere I want. I just have to keep telling myself that so I don't scare myself away from living here. It's school. For free. Gotta do it.
Did Blogger change again or is it just because I'm on a Mac? I dunno.
I took a nap today after delivering some resumes and woke up to two kitties who decided to take a nap with me. Damn me for not uploading the pictures of the place. My view is totally amazing. I'll have to do that when I get home. I'm going to read and have some Chef Boyardee now.
says MarissaD at 10/16/2003 05:45:00 PM
October 14, 2003
Annnnnd it's fixed. So much easier with a crimper.
says MarissaD at 10/14/2003 01:02:00 PM
October 13, 2003
My network connection died the other day. Upon close investigation, I found that one of the copper wires in my network cord had been severed. To fix this, I wanted to purchase a little crimper and a jack. I went to Radio Shack today to do so. From an online search a friend did, the crimper was only supposed to be around $8. When I got there, the only one they had that would work was actually $31.99. The helpful attendant brought an item called the Quick-Connect 8-pin plug, found here. I was a little wary because it seemed like a piece of shit, but it ended up being about $40 cheaper than buying the crimper and jacks. I fell for it. I've confirmed that it is, indeed, a piece of shit and for the last two hours it has been the bane of my existence. First of all, the "instructions" (if they even qualify as that) are so vague and useless, I could've tried this blind and had better luck. It wasn't very encouraging to read "If it doesn't work, switch the order of the wires and repeat steps 3 and 4." Anyway, I tried everything possible with this caca. It's useless. The thing doesn't work. Whoever invented it owes me 2 hours and $8 and change. I'm almost certain this is just a trick that they're using to make the $31.99 for the crimper and $7 for the jacks seem trivial. I'll be damned if I ever go against my gut instinct again. BE DAMNED!
says MarissaD at 10/13/2003 11:52:00 PM
October 11, 2003
*BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBPBPBPBEEPBEEP*
News Update
I'd like to inform everyone that the frog at large has been captured and released to the wild. I would like to thank K.C. for making a racket when she normally wouldn't. I would also like to thank the ugly frog for remaining somewhat calm during the capture, after seeing him jump almost to the ceiling while K.C. was chasing him. I was forced to lock K.C. in the bathroom, which created much drama for her. Luckily she has the attention span of a gnat, so she started playing with the toilet water only 30 seconds after I put her in. Before I approached the frog, I gave him a comforting speach. "Look mister. I don't want you in here anymore than you want to be in here. You chose to come in instead of going out this morning. I just want you to roam freely amongst the stray cats and domesticated dogs, so just chill a bit and hop into this cup." He didn't exactly hop into the cup, but he made it pretty easy for me. Then I had a quick photo shoot, which he wasn't exactly thrilled with. When he started jumping around the clear box, it freaked me out so I dumped him outside.
So the frog issue is resolved. I can now let my bedskirt hang freely again. *Deep breath* Such a stupid bit of funny, but now that he's gone, I find it entertaining.
says MarissaD at 10/11/2003 01:43:00 AM
October 10, 2003
AH HA!! Okay, so, not exactly, but close! Thanks Terk. :)
says MarissaD at 10/10/2003 11:15:00 AM
This is a very pissed off, sleepy post. First off, if you have a website about a specific species of frogs, why the hell would you not have pictures of the frog?
Okay, story. I was woken up by Midnight who was slightly knocking on my screen door. My cats are talented, they can do that. So I open the door and let her in. She wants to stay between the screen door and the glass door, but it's 4:30 and my patience is a tad limited, so I scooch her inside, shut the door and get back in bed. For the next 5 minutes I can hear her continually scratching at the glass, occasionally bumping her head trying to get at whatever it is sitting between the doors. Finally, I get up, prepared to shove whatever animal she is hunting outside so that it can die in silence and I can return to sleep. Problem? With the glass door ajar and the screen door being held open with my right hand, I go to scoop this nasty, pointy-nosed, huge assed frog out the door with my house shoe in my left hand. Where does he go? Through the crack in the glass door and INTO my room. I bow my head in defeat and indirectly cuss my mom. I close the glass door thinking he'll be right on the other side of it and the little bastard is gone. I then spent the next 20 minutes with a house shoe in one hand and a flashlight in the other searching under my bed and desk for that stupid thing. No luck. Now I'm sitting here pissed off with my feet hiked up on the chair so he won't stumble across me with his poison frog venom. (Do those kinds of frogs really exist? If they do, are they in West Texas? If they are, what do they look like because these websites don't FREAKIN HAVE PICTURES!!!!) And how the hell am I supposed to go back to sleep with a nasty, pointy-nosed, huge assed, mother f*&$in' poison frog sitting in my room??
I swear this only happens to weirdos. But I know a lot of weirdos, so I'll sit in this chair until I get some nice advice. Much love, the big chicken, Marissa.
[edit] - Okay it has been 12 minutes and I can't sit in this chair anymore. I tucked in the bedskirt thinking maybe that was the death frogs only way to get ONTO the bed. I'm hoping that will convince my brain that it's okay to go back to sleep. If I never wake up again, it was that damned frog. Tell my wife I never loved her!
says MarissaD at 10/10/2003 05:09:00 AM
October 07, 2003
Okay, I'll go ahead and give an update here. In about a week I'm moving to Fort Davis, TX. I'm going to be working and going to paramedic school. Yes, a paramedic. I've been thinking about it for a little while now and mom and I went to visit on Saturday. I had pretty much made up my mind before that, but visiting sealed the deal. It should be a very nice change. I don't know if I'll be taking the computer with me on the first trip or not. I'm living with a lady that I knew from church that moved up there a few weeks ago. She's living with a friend of hers until she finds a house that we can afford. I took some pictures when I was up there. I need to resize them and then I'll post them. The end, for now.
says MarissaD at 10/07/2003 05:41:00 PM
October 02, 2003
Colosus photoshopped the monsters in my pic. Thx bye.
