Christmas.

[QT]

Is anyone ready? Only a couple of weeks left! Did you all get your shopping done early this year? Anyone traveling this year?

[GaryK]

I bought everything online and had it shipped right to the person it was for. I sent each person an e-mail telling them they can't open the FedEx box until Christmas. Yeah, well at least I sent them something. :D

As for traveling, I've pretty much given up on being a world traveler. I've been almost everywhere already, the world's too dangerous now, and I can't stand the lines at the airport. Besides the people who are most important to me, my entire family, are all here in South Florida.

What about you, QT? Do you have any big plans?

~gary.

[DXD]

Oh crap shopping I knew I forgot something :D
Besides I'm still waiting for my regular job to cough up the bonus check. That usually depends on if everyone is getting socks or new DLP TV's. They need to hurry up or everyone is gonna get socks! :P

Travel? Who has time for that. I'm to busy writing software.

[QT]

Originally posted by GaryK
I bought everything online and had it shipped right to the person it was for. I sent each person an e-mail telling them they can't open the FedEx box until Christmas. Yeah, well at least I sent them something. :D

As for traveling, I've pretty much given up on being a world traveler. I've been almost everywhere already, the world's too dangerous now, and I can't stand the lines at the airport. Besides the people who are most important to me, my entire family, are all here in South Florida.

What about you, QT? Do you have any big plans?

~gary.

Online shopping is the best! I did that last year and for some this year. Do you _really_ think people are going to hold off until Christmas for opening presents? ;)

I have no big plans for Christmas. I'll be spending the day at home with my family. :) I don't look forward to the morning when the kids wake me up at the crack of dawn (last year they woke me up at 3am :eek01: ), but once I see their faces when beginning to open their presents..(and I have my coffee), it'll be much better. :D

[QT]

Originally posted by DXD
Oh crap shopping I knew I forgot something :D
Besides I'm still waiting for my regular job to cough up the bonus check. That usually depends on if everyone is getting socks or new DLP TV's. They need to hurry up or everyone is gonna get socks! :P
You're so silly! :emlaugh:
Originally posted by DXD

Travel? Who has time for that. I'm to busy writing software.

I wish I had the time for traveling. My days begin before daylight and end pretty close to the next sunrise. However, we all deserve a vacation at some point and time right? :)

[GaryK]

Do you _really_ think people are going to hold off until Christmas for opening presents? I think most of them will wait. If I hear from those who didn't wait I'll delete them from my Christmas database. :evil:
and I have my coffeeWhat would life be like without caffeine? Once I realized I spent enough at Starbucks each quarter to justify an espresso machine and a bean grinder I bought both. Now I have absolutely no reason to leave the house/office unless some desperate soul decides to go out on a date with me. :violin:

It's not quite socks but one of my favorite gifts this year was sent to my now former network administrator from before I moved to SB. It's a t-shirt and on the front it reads:

SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Clue > 0
(0 row(s) affected)

I laughed so hard that I got claw marks in my thighs when the cat in my lap decided she didn't like all that commotion.

DXD, true geeks can code anywhere. :erm:

[QT]

Originally posted by GaryK
I think most of them will wait. If I hear from those who didn't wait I'll delete them from my Christmas database. :evil:
:emlaugh:
Originally posted by GaryK

What would life be like without caffeine? Once I realized I spent enough at Starbucks each quarter to justify an espresso machine and a bean grinder I bought both. Now I have absolutely no reason to leave the house/office unless some desperate soul decides to go out on a date with me. :violin:
I've put an espresso machine on my "wish list" for a while now, but Santa just doesn't seem to think I need it yet. My bank account tells me different though. On the flip side, the crew (all shifts) at Starbucks know me on a first name basis and they always manage to have my drink ready when I walk in (going on 2 years now). :)
Originally posted by GaryK

It's not quite socks but one of my favorite gifts this year was sent to my now former network administrator from before I moved to SB. It's a t-shirt and on the front it reads:

SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Clue > 0
(0 row(s) affected)

I laughed so hard that I got claw marks in my thighs when the cat in my lap decided she didn't like all that commotion.
I love that t-shirt. My closet is full of thinkgeek t's. I think the biggest kick I get out of wearing them is when people stop to read it and laugh...like they understood what they read. ;)
Originally posted by GaryK

DXD, true geeks can code anywhere. :erm:
Laptop! (and vi ;))

[DXD]

Well I'm a .NET developer and the type of PC/Laptop that Visual Studio .NET, SQL, IIS, and all the crap needed to develope requires a laptop that would weigh as much as a desktop PC.

Sooo SANTA PLEASE BRING ME A GREAT LAPTOP FROM SOMEWHERE LIKE WWW.ALIENWARE.COM.

I'm not a coffee drinker but the first thing I have when I get to the office is a coke :)

[GaryK]

QT,

A word of advice about espresso makers.

Don't buy a DeLonghi. I bought one when my Krupps died after two years and I couldn't find any Krupps in the local stores. Overnight wasn't an option, I had to have one that day! The thing wastes so much water when you leave it running all day and I have to empty the drainage tray twice a day. I have spring water delivered so it incenses me that my hard-earned money is literally going down the drain. I mean, I'm not frugal, but I don't like to spend money needlessly.

This is a case where you really do get what you pay for. The US$100-200 espresso makers are really designed to be used occasionally, not 20/7/365. The next leap up in price range takes you to the US$1000 level. That'll be my next machine when I get fed up with this DeLonghi in another year or so.

[GaryK]

I'm not a coffee drinker but the first thing I have when I get to the office is a cokeCoke, coffee, IV drips... it's all the same. We're all addicts of something. :beer:

[QT]

Originally posted by GaryK
QT,

A word of advice about espresso makers.

Don't buy a DeLonghi. I bought one when my Krupps died after two years and I couldn't find any Krupps in the local stores. Overnight wasn't an option, I had to have one that day! The thing wastes so much water when you leave it running all day and I have to empty the drainage tray twice a day. I have spring water delivered so it incenses me that my hard-earned money is literally going down the drain. I mean, I'm not frugal, but I don't like to spend money needlessly.

This is a case where you really do get what you pay for. The US$100-200 espresso makers are really designed to be used occasionally, not 20/7/365. The next leap up in price range takes you to the US$1000 level. That'll be my next machine when I get fed up with this DeLonghi in another year or so.
Wow, I'm glad you told me that...thanks! I have been looking at the DeLonghi machines at Fry's (for those of you who don't know what Fry's is, it's a huge electronics store :D).

I guess I better get to throwing bigger hints at the guys around the office if I want a good machine eh? ;)

as if they even take hints..if I want them to get the idea of anything I'm trying to say..I have to put it as blunt as I can. Or just smack 'em. ;)

[QT]

Originally posted by DXD
Well I'm a .NET developer and the type of PC/Laptop that Visual Studio .NET, SQL, IIS, and all the crap needed to develope requires a laptop that would weigh as much as a desktop PC.

Sooo SANTA PLEASE BRING ME A GREAT LAPTOP FROM SOMEWHERE LIKE WWW.ALIENWARE.COM.

I'm not a coffee drinker but the first thing I have when I get to the office is a coke :)

Alienware has some awesome stuff. Where is Santa when you need him?!

[GaryK]

QT,

If you're going to leave it running all day and use it every few hours then you really need a commercial quality machine.

Having said that, my Krupps was a decent machine once I got one that worked.

The first one I brought home had a broken pump.

The second one worked great for a few weeks and then the power switch broke. Spare me the jokes about not needing an off-switch, LOL.

I cracked open the housing on the switch, snipped off the two wires and put a WireNut on them. Then I got a gadget that plugs into an outlet, lets you plug something into it, and it has a built-in switch.

The Krupps then continued working hard for another year or so before it started leaking badly and finally the pump broke after I mistakenly used a Turkish grind instead of an Espresso grind. The machine literally blew-up inside its housing because the density of the grounds was enough to prevent any water from getting through at all. It was quite a site to behold. It started getting really quiet, then it began to make hissing noises, and finally there was this really loud explosion and the thing quit working. Scared the heck out of the cat; everything scares her!

Hey, create a PayPal account and post it here. Maybe all the people who appreciate you being at SB will donate just enough to let you buy a really good machine.

[QT]

:rofl:

I have cats, so I can imagine the fear something like that would cause...and the laughter from "watching" the cat.

You've had some serious experiences with these machines. I believe if I had one, it'd only be used in the evenings and weekends.

Thank you for the PayPal suggestion. :)

[knightfoo]

Speaking of cats ..

A couple years ago I was setting up a real christmas tree .. trimming the branches, adjusting the stand, etc. I had left one of the branches sitting in the middle of the floor and my 4 cats (at the time) were investigating the new addition to the living room. I barely *nudged* the end of the branch and all 4 cats jumped about 2 feet up in the air and 4 feet back .. funniest thing I've ever seen. They didn't go near the tree for the duration of the holidays. :D

-knightfoo

[QT]

Originally posted by knightfoo


-knightfoo

Huh? What was that? Santa!!!! :emlaugh:

I'm kidding. Cat stories...they're hilarious!

[GaryK]

Both of you are too funny. But it's so true about most cats. Once they've been spooked by something they'll never go near it again.

So what's everyone getting as a Christmas present for their cat(s)?

I bought mine a Roomba (automated robotic vacuum cleaner). She loves to play with my RC car so I'm hoping she'll like this. If not it's one more thing she can be scared of as it chases her all around the apartment. I hate to agree with you QT, but a small part of me does like the reaction you get from a scared cat. :evil:

[QT]

Originally posted by GaryK
Both of you are too funny. But it's so true about most cats. Once they've been spooked by something they'll never go near it again.

So what's everyone getting as a Christmas present for their cat(s)?

I bought mine a Roomba (automated robotic vacuum cleaner). She loves to play with my RC car so I'm hoping she'll like this. If not it's one more thing she can be scared of as it chases her all around the apartment. I hate to agree with you QT, but a small part of me does like the reaction you get from a scared cat. :evil:

My cats have their own Christmas stockings (with their names on it). They get their own little plates for dinner with Ham and all the trimmings (spoiled, eh?). I'll probably fill their stockings this year with little cat toys...that they never play with (as usual). One day I'll wise up and rather than spending tons of money on their toys, I'll just throw a couple of paper bags on the floor, some string and let them have a blast.

Generally after I err, the kids scare the cat(s)...I pick them up and love them to make it all better. ;)

[GaryK]

Oy, QT. You're one of those types of cat lovers. :rolleyes: ;)

[DXD]

My cat's have their own stockings with the names on them too.

Spooked cats are fun, except when they are outside in the caged in pool area and something spooks them or one of them and they attach each other for no reason and won't stop fighting so bad that you have to keep them locked up in seperate rooms.

The Vet said it happens and gave me some kind of kitty prozack for them said if that doesn't work and they can't get along you'll have to keep them seperate or get rid of one.

Yea right get rid of one? What the hell crazy cats over 2 years old brother and sister from the humane society and now all of a sudden they are each others enemy.

Thankfully the prozack worked so they TOLARATE each other now but they are not the same they don't cat nap together anymore or anything. Kinda wacky but that's cat's :)

Not sure what I'll get mine probably the usuall there is a gormete pet food store down the road probably get them some goodies from there.

[QT]

Originally posted by GaryK
Oy, QT. You're one of those types of cat lovers. :rolleyes: ;)

Hahahah! I am one of those type...I love my cats, they're like big, round, children...and they behave so much better than my kids. ;)

They're very loyal too. They are waiting by the door when they hear my truck pull up in the driveway, they follow me upstairs everytime I go up there, and they hop in the bed and curl up on the pillow next to mine when it's bed time. My 15 pounder even yells at me after 10pm when he knows that it's bed time. Generally I'd throw in a 'man' comment here, but...I'll behave today. ;)

[GaryK]

DXD, has your vet checked them for hyperthyroidism or other health problems?

The reason I ask is because one time my then two cats were just like yours used to be. Then all of a sudden the younger cat stayed away from the older one and even hissed at her if she got too close. Once I realized what was going on I asked my vet about it. She told me it's sometimes a sign that's something's physically wrong with the cat. In my case the older cat had hyperthyroidism and once it was under control both cats became best buddies again.

Sadly the older cat died of old age at 17, almost 18 years of age. But she's still with me, literally. Her ashes are in an urn right above my workspace. It's odd that the younger cat suddenly took an interest in laying on top of a stereo next to the urn. She's never shown any interest in being up there before.

EDIT: QT, before she died my older cat used to lay down on the keyboard when she decided I'd done enough work for the moment. Some friends used to get really weird IMs when Lek plopped down on the keyboard and managed to hit the send key.

[knightfoo]

Originally posted by QT
Huh? What was that? Santa!!!! :emlaugh:


Hey, no weight jokes, its the holidays! :P

-knightfoo

[QT]

Originally posted by knightfoo
Hey, no weight jokes, its the holidays! :P

-knightfoo

See what I mean? Hints....men! ;)

So what are you getting us all for Christmas knightfoo? :D

[knightfoo]

Originally posted by QT
See what I mean? Hints....men! ;)

So what are you getting us all for Christmas knightfoo? :D

Well, umm .. I hadn't planned anything, but I can put a bow on MyServerBeach when it comes out. :D

-knightfoo

[QT]

Originally posted by knightfoo
Well, umm .. I hadn't planned anything, but I can put a bow on MyServerBeach when it comes out. :D

-knightfoo

hahah! Good answer.

[Crrrazzzy]

i got mine early

http://www.SuperImageHost.com/usr/742/Picture.jpg

[QT]

Originally posted by Crrrazzzy
i got mine early

http://www.SuperImageHost.com/usr/742/Picture.jpg
Nice!! Specs? :)

[QT]

I received a very nice suprise...it was titled my birthday/christmas present: a beautiful pair of diamond stud earrings. :)

Now, even though I don't do the whole jewelry thing, I don't like to shop, and I'm not into the whole taking over an hour to get dolled up and put my face on to go outside thing...

I must say, this was a wonderful suprise. :)

I hope you all receive everything that you put on your wish list this year! :)

[knightfoo]

All I need now is a red suit and a white beard and you can call me santa! ;)

Ho ho ho!

-knightfoo

[DXD]

Originally posted by QT
I received a very nice suprise...it was titled my birthday/christmas present: a beautiful pair of diamond stud earrings. :)

Nice!! Specs? :P

[Crrrazzzy]

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2

Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case (480-Watt PS) - Martian Red

Power Supply: 650 Watt Power Supply Upgrade

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology Extreme Edition 3.46GHz 1066MHz FSB 2.5MB Cache

Motherboard: Alienware® PCI Express Motherboard with Intel® 925XE Chipset 1066/800MHz FSB

Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 4 x 1024MB

Graphics Processor: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 Ultra PCI Express 256MB DDR3 w/Dual Digital and TV Out

Video Cooling: AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Terra Green

System Drive: Extreme Performance - Serial ATA RAID 0 - 148GB (74GB x 2) Western Digital® Raptor™ 10,000 RPM w/16MB Cache
Optical Drive One: NEC® ND-3500 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Recorder

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS Platinum Pro High Definition 7.1 Surround with Dual Firewire (IEEE® 1394)

Network Connection: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet

Display One: NEC 30" LCD 3000 Black
Display Two: NEC 30" LCD 3000 Black

[QT]

Originally posted by DXD
Nice!! Specs? :P
Hahah, you're silly. :P

100 milligrams of isometric crystalline carbon set in 58% gold alloy. ;)

[DXD]

WOW that cost a pretty penny. $6000 just for the monitor's

[QT]

Originally posted by Crrrazzzy
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2

Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case (480-Watt PS) - Martian Red

Power Supply: 650 Watt Power Supply Upgrade

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology Extreme Edition 3.46GHz 1066MHz FSB 2.5MB Cache

Motherboard: Alienware® PCI Express Motherboard with Intel® 925XE Chipset 1066/800MHz FSB

Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 4 x 1024MB

Graphics Processor: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 Ultra PCI Express 256MB DDR3 w/Dual Digital and TV Out

Video Cooling: AlienIce™ Video Cooling System - Terra Green

System Drive: Extreme Performance - Serial ATA RAID 0 - 148GB (74GB x 2) Western Digital® Raptor™ 10,000 RPM w/16MB Cache
Optical Drive One: NEC® ND-3500 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Recorder

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS Platinum Pro High Definition 7.1 Surround with Dual Firewire (IEEE® 1394)

Network Connection: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet

Display One: NEC 30" LCD 3000 Black
Display Two: NEC 30" LCD 3000 Black
Very nice!

[DXD]

Originally posted by QT
Hahah, you're silly. :P

100 milligrams of isometric crystalline carbon set in 58% gold alloy. ;)


HAHAHA That's a good answer :) You are a true GEEK! :flirt:

[QT]

Originally posted by DXD
HAHAHA That's a good answer :) You are a true GEEK! :flirt:
Indeed I am. :D

[QT]

Only 9 days left! Are you all ready??

:)

[DXD]

Just about 4 more things to buy, bonus sucked oh well maybe next year I'll get a pc upgrade and the lawn resoded. Or there is tax return time... COME ON UNCLE SAM SHOW ME THE MONEY!

[QT]

What is this bonus word you speak of? ;)

I still have a few more things to buy and I'll be finished! *yay*

Anything special on your wish lists this year?

[bow-wow]

Originally posted by QT
Anything special on your wish lists this year? Peace on Earth.

[KyleMulligan]

Originally posted by QT
What is this bonus word you speak of? ;)

I still have a few more things to buy and I'll be finished! *yay*

Anything special on your wish lists this year?
New TV, mainly. The sound on my current one has been drowning in and out occassionally for a couple months, now. It's hard to play Halo 2 with friends when you're on the prowl with a group of teammates and suddenly you can't hear what they're saying on proximity chat due to the sound cutting out. :P

[DXD]

I'd really like a new watch, the Citizen Blue Angels watch is what's I've been looking at but If your feeling generous I'll take a Tag Huer watch the one Tiger Woods advertises.

[brent]

I tend to only linger around here, but thought I would stop by and wish a merry Christmas to all of you. As a 12 year old stuck in a 35 year old's body, its the best time of year for me. The food, the toys, the decorations, the snow, the whole smack; I love it. I hope everyone here enjoys it the same and keeps in mind that this is the time of year you forget silly little things and let forgiveness run the table (even if its QT forgetting to send you your Serverbeach T-Shirt :).

Peace, love, and all of that...

[QT]

Originally posted by brent
(even if its QT forgetting to send you your Serverbeach T-Shirt :).

I didn't forget (and make sure your mailing address is listed correctly in MyServerBeach) :).

Just a few more days.... I hope everyone is ready and has all of their shopping done.

I can't wait...I love Christmas!!

[brent]

Originally posted by QT
I didn't forget (and make sure your mailing address is listed correctly in MyServerBeach) :).

Yes you did, and yes it is. ;)

[SylvrFalkon]

Originally posted by GaryK
SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Clue > 0
(0 row(s) affected)

Haha, I have done the typical comp geek thing and soon as I saw it, I copied and pasted that code into a generic text file on my desktop for reference at a later time. Pretty cool.

James
:poke:

[QT]

Originally posted by brent
Yes you did, and yes it is. ;)
Nah uh! :( To be fair, I want you to know that I still have my list of names to send to. There was (and still is) a lot going on here..just a little more calm now.

I will make sure that these get sent soon. :)

----------------------------------

Now, back to Christmas! :D

I finally got all of my shopping done over this last weekend. Are any of you still fighting the crowds and running at the last minute picking up gifts?

[DXD]

She's made her list she's checking it twice, she's trying to figure out who's naughty and nice!


I think I finished mine up. Had to return something.

Got my sister a new digital camera and an Epson Personal Photo Lab Printer. The printer was 180 at walmart which I got last week but then this weekend Best Buy put in their ad that it's 199 plus a 40 Best Buy gift card plus a 50 visa gift card.

So I went to Best Buy had them price match Walmart which they did and then when I got to checkout the girl was like oh you get a $40 gift card and then printed out the voucher to get the $50 visa card.

So paid a total of 191.?? with tax and got back $90 for a printer that Retails for 199. I LOVE DEALS!!

If there is a deal to be had I'll find it.

Anyways short work week with the holiday. Well I guess I should say short week to be at the actuall office, work never ends though.

Hope everyone get's what they wished for.

[QT]

Originally posted by DXD
She's made her list she's checking it twice, she's trying to figure out who's naughty and nice!
I sure did! Luckily, all the guys at the office were pretty good .. so I gave them all their Christmas presents today. :) In return, I got taken out to lunch today...I think he is my secret santa...but he wouldn't tell.. ;)

Originally posted by DXD

I think I finished mine up. Had to return something.

Got my sister a new digital camera and an Epson Personal Photo Lab Printer. The printer was 180 at walmart which I got last week but then this weekend Best Buy put in their ad that it's 199 plus a 40 Best Buy gift card plus a 50 visa gift card.

So I went to Best Buy had them price match Walmart which they did and then when I got to checkout the girl was like oh you get a $40 gift card and then printed out the voucher to get the $50 visa card.

So paid a total of 191.?? with tax and got back $90 for a printer that Retails for 199. I LOVE DEALS!!

If there is a deal to be had I'll find it.

Anyways short work week with the holiday. Well I guess I should say short week to be at the actuall office, work never ends though.

Hope everyone get's what they wished for.
I am all for DEALS! Like you, if there is one..I'll find it! Gift cards...I wish I'd have thought of that when Christmas shopping. It sure would've made much of it simple. :)