Some people claim that there's a wu-UUUU-man to blame

That's supposed to be Nathan singing...I guess is loses something in the typing. Anyway, here are some random pictures from FL. I took them with my Polaroid, so they're mostly artsty-fartsy. Enjoy.





(This is what was left from Hurricane Ivan about 4 yrs. ago. They still haven't recovered from it.)





Becky still caught the ugliest fish (the toad fish), but I caught a big, nasty catfish with spiny fins (eeeww). I didn't feel like oily fish for dinner, so we threw him back. I enjoyed doing a whole lot of nothing and reading some books.

Speaking of books...for those who like good vs. evil, fantasy type stories, there are three books by Sergei Lukyanenko that you should read: "Night Watch," "Day Watch," and "Twilight Watch" (it's a trilogy, duh). The first two have been made into movies, but I like the books better. Go check them out on Amazon or watch the trailer to the movies on Rotten Tomatoes. Good stuff.

what's up, ya'll

I haven't blogged here in a while. I've been super busy with my swanky new job. Working lots and lots of overtime.
But relief is here and I've started leaving before sunset again. Yay!
So, how the hell am I?
Well things are good.
Nathan's birthday is 07/07/07, so be sure to email him to tell him he's won the jackpot that day or something.
My mom will be visiting that weekend, too. So I guess that means no kinky presents for him :)
There's this band coming to town the night before called Lez Zeppelin, that's an all-girl cover band for (who else?) Led Zeppelin. Thinking about takin him to that.
Heard of them? Any thoughts?

Let's see.. what else?
Oh, we've got a neglected compost heap that has started sprouting vegetables. Right now there's a pretty hefty pumpkin on one of the many thick vines growing out of it. I'll post a pic soon. And we're working on our new deck, too. I'll be sooo excited when it's built, but right now I'm having trouble navigating the stakes and strings blocking the back door. (sigh)

I'm thinking about taking up tennis, so if any of you have any thoughts on that topic, I'd be happy to hear (read?) them.
And I guess that's it for now. Hope that wasn't too boring.
I'll try to post something exciting in the coming weeks -- as my life recommences revolving around something that isn't work....

poor folks have poor ways

You know that your house sucks, when you look forward to coming to work to have access to a full size toilet.

Searchin for my lost shaker of salt

Margaritas, coronas, and other glad tidings from sunny florida. We're vacationing this week with my entire family - brother, sister, mom, dad, sister-in-law, so I guess I've got no excuse for not posting something. Other than the usual swimming in the gulf, we've been doing some fishing. Our condo has a nice pier that juts out into the bay. So far, Becky (sister-in-law) has managed to catch the two ugliest fish I've ever seen. The first was a toad fish. Imagine a giant tadpole. The second was a huge puffer fish. Dan caught a croaker, and as he was asking "Why's it called a croaker?" the fish was obliged to demonstrate. I'll do some fishin' tonight - supposedly that's when the trout are hanging around the pier.

Medieval 2 Hotseat

Cheers Nate. I figured this out. It is not an intrinsic feature so you will have to do some programming. First you need to download update 1.2. Not a simple task since it is over 600 megs. Then follow these instructions:

1. First, copy your medieval2.preference.cfg file to your desktop.
2. Rename the copy of the medieval2.preference.cfg file to multiplayer.cfg.
3. Now, make sure that the multiplayer.cfg file is not read only (right click on the file, and check the properties).
4. Open this new multiplayer.cfg file with Notepad or Wordpad, then add this to what is already in the multiplayer.cfg file:

[multiplayer]
playable = 1
hotseat_turns = 0
hotseat_scroll = 0
hotseat_update_ai_camera = 1
hotseat_disable_papal_elections = 0
hotseat_autoresolve_battles = 0
hotseat_save_prefs = 1
hotseat_disable_console = 0
hotseat_validate_diplomacy = 1

5. Now save the multiplayer.cfg file and put it back on read only.
6. Move the multiplayer.cfg file into your C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War folder.
7. Now open up Notepad again. In an otherwise blank document, type this:

medieval2.exe @multiplayer.cfg

8. Save the Notepad document as Launch_Multiplayer.bat
9. Put this new Launch_Multiplayer.bat file in your C:\Program Files\SEGA\Medieval II Total War folder.
10. Now, if you want to, right click on the new .bat file and send it to the desktop (Create Shortcut).
11. When you want to play the multiplayer version of the game, double-click the .bat file. This will launch the game in multiplayer mode.
12. Once you are in the game, select Singleplayer. Then Grand Campaign.


The crux of the biscuit is, once you finish your turn, you have to send the autosave file to me via email. Then I enter my faction password and start my turn. Now all we need to do is decide what factions we want to play and get a roll on! Give a ring when you get a chance and we can set it up.

Update from Jefferson

Ok, so obviously if you don't post on this website enough to entertain Nich you quickly become the subject of cruel slander. While the story about Nate is probably all true, I am not involved with the clergy. I am however, for the summer only, accepting cash from the church without deductions (don't tell the IRS) for caring for a large group of 3 and 4 year olds a few times a week and school-age kids for 2 weeks in July. This allows me down time with Bethany, possible future fall bosses, the in-laws, friends, family, and most important the bed. All this and pocket money too! How do I get to said job? Glad you asked...My 30th B-day brought me the 2001 blue birthday beetle, which runs on diesel so gets about 42 mpg plus or minus. Verrrrry nice. Mamma Pat cosigned so we are good for low interest and monthly payments...sweeet! I am already picking out flower power stickers to put on the sides and a bobble head chihuahua to put on the dash! Photos are posted.

Note: Hot-rod models not included in purchase price. Lydia noted that I should probably remove the hood ornament before driving.

New Jobs

SO... I heard that Nathan has a new job. Since he does not post, I will make up what happened, and details of his new life.

Nathan was fired from his ass-a-neer position because of an incident involving two drunk goats and a golf cart. The details are fuzzy but now in the middle of the interstate is a livestock shaped pothole and an oddly colored strip of road in the westbound lane. When asked for a comment, Nate said "well, it was the state's asphault." When asked to expound, he simply ordered another beer. Nathan's new job is also near little rock, though he had to change his name to Estemarley Philpott and grow a beard to remain in town. Little is known about his new occupation except he gets his knees dirty while he tests the firmness for his clients. Melissa is embarrased about the whole ordeal and is only staying with him becuase of the dogs.

Long story short: Nate, you need to post on the blog, or call, or email. =)

Charity has just been hired for the summer too... she is doing some under the table work for the clergy and is getting paid in cash. I will give her the opportunity to post more about it.

With love in my heart and beer in my fridge,

NBS