Network outage, and entertaining links

After quite a bit of troubleshooting, unplugging, replugging, resetting, releasing, renewing, and swapping out connections, I concluded that my lack of network connection was entirely Cox's fault, and I had to just wait it out. :P (I could get an IP address, gateway, and DNS servers in any of the device configurations, but couldn't ping cox.net by name or IP.)

Suppose I should head out to today's TechExpo career fair in Tysons--what's that now, 7? 8?

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In odd food news from CNN.com:

Half-ton man drops 321 pounds, and still counting

Wedding guests eat victim

xviragox's followup comment, which I maintain is a reflection of her subconscious: "I want some KFC." ;)

Don't feel safe at night? Buy a Quantum Sleeper! (michaelduff: "Ashley Judd is QUANTUM SLEEPER!")

Also from michaelduff: Penguin Baseball!

Career fair #8ish, T-storms, ADIC update, & fun links

Headed for the fair (1000-1600) around 1445, encountering little traffic and clear weather on the way there--though the forecast was for t-storms, so I covered the bike before leaving. At the fair--not especially easy to find in the hotel--I talked with Bechtel Nevada and NetApp, and picked up some info for The Aerospace Company. I also picked up a pair of bright red squishy Dice, which are in danger of being commandeered by Christine. ;)

While in the hotel, the skies opened up; fortunately, I'd parked in the garage. However, the skies were offering such a driving rain--occasionally with sun--that visibility was almost nil, adding to the 1600 rush hour traffic. Traffic was stop&go on 495S until right around 50, when I cleared the area with downed tree branches (mostly cleared) blocking the two right lanes, and traffic picked up.

Clear sailing until 95S around Alban Rd., but I had to suffer until FFPkwy in order to pass by storage. (Also got gas, air in three tires (before the compressor stopped) and a Mocha Chip DQ Blizzard (not a great flavor, I learned, and the machine wasn't cold enough.)) Weather is still intermittently "nice" vs. "torrential storm."

Aaand a message from Arnie at ADIC regarding "more about the position at ADIC," so I'll call him back shortly. :)

Update [post-call, pre-post]: He was calling to verify that I was, in fact, still interested, and to explain what would happen next. Basically, he prepares a package for/with HR, and he expects to have an offer letter to present by the time he gets back from a 3-business-day business trip on Tuesday! w00t! (He also explained the training schedule--a week or two at a shot in Denver, quite a few times, well-scheduled, in order to a) train me on all the relevant newer systems, and b) respect the trainees' personal life by 1) allowing planning well in advance, and 2) not taking me away from an area for more than two weeks at a time.)

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Ha! Check out the registration page for BugMeNot.com. (via tittergrrl)

Via deusinnomen: The Road to Turducken. "This is one part recipe, one part history, and seven parts hilarity." :D

(And Part 2! And how to do more idiotic things! :D)

Addenda

Addendum: Oh yeah! Christine and I watched Whale Rider last night. It was a great story, beautifully done, and though we couldn't get ahold of a DVD menu or turn off the English subtitles--not entirely bad, since it meant we could see all the names written out--it was still fun. :)

Addendum 2: Oh, look! Water leaking out of the living room ceiling! Created quite a fat bulge before it split a drywall seam and started dripping. The piping problems are, apparently, not entirely fixed. (Fortunately, Nathan's home and caught it quickly, and is now contacting a plumber, his dad, and insurance again. In theory, he's covered until renewal in December, so they may allow the previous claim to be extended, or a new one to be filed.)

1918: We've now peeled off the paint over the affected area, and lanced the blister poked holes in the drywall to let the rest of the water drain. Yellow water! (Apparently from dirt/dust, not anything less pleasant.)

Them boys can *dance*

Skinny Puppy - Pro-Test video. In the words of South Park, "The goths got served, the street breakdancers got served--It's On."

(Above link is the video embedded in a webpage w/credits; the file can be found here, 28.7MB .mov)

Leak #2 update

2030ish:
Plumber came out, cut open most of the wet ceiling in the living room, but couldn't find any leak in the ceiling space. Next likely culprit: the pipes feeding the upstairs bathroom or washing machine. Nathan manhandled the washer-dryer combo out of its closet, Mr. Plumber opened a wall access panel in the closet (directly behind the bathroom sink), found damp floor below; Nathan turned the water on, and lo&behold, one of the elbow joints slowly dripped--sufficient to slowly fill the ceiling space below.

2108:
Incidentally, this traps me in my room, because the washer/drier are right outside my door.
NathanC79 (21:00:32): How's prison?
CU Stryker (21:00:49): deeelightful. want to bring me rations?
NathanC79 (21:01:08): Nah
CU Stryker (21:01:08): say, half the food in the pan downstairs, and a mug of water, possibly the one on the counter?
NathanC79 (21:01:15): OK.
NathanC79 (21:01:27): Hey, you know what, I really AM a slum lord now
CU Stryker (21:01:39): woo!
CU Stryker (21:01:50): holes in the walls and ceiling, leaks, no water..

2150:
All done. Dinner eaten, leak repaired, water back on, appliances back in place, living room cleaned up.

Another "oh yeah!"--dinner.

Last night, as Christine was starting to make some sort of curry chicken, she got a call--or rather, her phone got a call from Faye's phone, except it was Aaron calling and me answering, which amused us--inviting her (and by extension, me) to join them at Uno's in Union Station. Once she realized she could finish sautéeing the chicken and put it in the fridge, she/we accepted the invitation.

Met them at the restaurant, sat in the "outside" section--still inside, but in one of Union Stations enormous atria instead of inside the restaurant. They had pizzas, I had Bourbon BBQ sirloin tips and a skinless twice-baked potato, and Sam Adams Seasonal. Soo tasty.

And -then- we went back and watched Whale Rider, and thus didn't get to sleep until midnightish. :)