Hitting the Fan

I've been having some computer issues for the last few weeks.  Basically It won't reboot properly.  If you tell the system to restart or power on from a shut down... well let's just say it's not pretty.  Sometimes it will freeze on the Dell logo (yeah, it's a Dell) not even getting into the boot sequence of the hard drives.... or it will completely boot into Windows 7 but be running at the speed of a TRS-80.

Well I thought I could solve my computer issues with a simple reinstall of Windows 7 on a smaller drive.  it's running off a 1.5 terrabyte drive right now and that's not the original drive to this system.  Couple that with the fact that the system has a 300-watt power supply (thank you, Dell) which is WAY under-powered for the amount of technology packed into this case.

Thank GOD I didn't format and reinstall.

I used a different hard drive... still a 320gb (in fact, it was the original drive that came with the system)... and installed Windows 7 Home Premium from scratch.... fresh install, not an upgrade.  Deleted and recreated the partition on the drive to be sure.  Well... failure is the only word to describe it.  On the very first reboot, it did the same thing that has been plaguing me for weeks... locked at the Dell post screen.

So the sh@* is truly hitting the fan now.  I'll need to invest in some new parts... most likely building my own for the first time in 8 years... and try to limp this thing along until I can afford it.  It's funny how it acts.  I can't reboot the system the traditional way.  Once it's been shut down, I have to unplug every USB peripheral except the keyboard, open the case up and detach the drives from the power and the SATA cables, then boot it up into BIOS.  Once there, I save the settings and exit, then power it down right after I hear the POST beep, THEN reconnect EVERYTHING and power back up.  Voila! The system boots back into Windows 7 normal as if nothing had happened in the first place.

Strange, I know.... but at least it lets me back in.   For now...

30 Days of Truth - Day 18: Your views on gay marriage

Well obviously this one is going to be written from a slightly slanted viewpoint... seeing as how I'm gay.  Therefore i should be for Gay Marriage right?  Well this may get me kicked out of the Pink Parade... but when the debate first came up, I was undecided.  I had a friend, Chuck, who said it didn't have to be marriage... a civil union was fine... so long as all the rights and privileges were still conveyed.  And because this was during my "wishy-washy" phase... I just agreed.

But now looking back... why can't we have gay marriage?  Why can't I have a ceremony just like anyone else instead of having just a set of legal laws to protect me?  And I know that some of you would say "if it's the same thing" but let me put this in front of you...

Two things... identical in design, quality, function... but one I'm not allowed to take advantage of.

Do you know what I'm talking about?  It's not gay marriage. It's restrooms during the civil rights era... one for whites... one for colored persons.  That's the direction gay marriage is heading.  One ceremony for straights... one legal structure for gays...  Do we REALLY want to take a step in that direction as a country?

30 Days of Truth - Week in Preview

Here's a look at this week's upcoming topics...

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.

Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

Money Grubbing

So most of my friends are now playing StarCraft 2... and while I would like to be playing it, I can't justify the $59.99 price tag for it at this time.  So today when I saw the announcement of the digital download of it I thought that might be a better option.  They didn't have to press a CD or pay for packaging... should be cheaper right?  Wrong.  $59.99 still.  I'm sorry, but I'm not going to pay the same for less.  If I'm gonna pay $60 for a game, I want the CD, manual, and the shiny box for my bookshelf.

Why should the manufacturer make more profit than it already is!?  I can get it from AMAZON cheaper than Blizzard directly... and they need to make their own profit off of it too!  Can you say overpriced from Blizzard?

30 Days of Truth - Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

This is going to sound strange coming from a gay man... but I'm going to put an oldie but goodie for my book.  The Holy Bible.  I'm not strictly speaking extremely religious, but in my youth I was brought up in the faith and I have carried most of that upbringing with me to this day.  Granted, I've found my own path since those early days, but I still believe in what the Bible teaches... and having been exposed to it at a young age has shaped me into the person I am today.  I still believe in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and believe that through him we are saved.

But while I hold on to these foundation principles... the other ancillary interpretations that organized religion have made do not hold as much sway with me as they use to.  I still attend a church and consider myself a Lutheran, despite the fact that the particular synod of which I'm a member considers me to be an abomination.

So while I'm no longer an avid reader of the books, chapters, or verses that are contained within, I still hold on to the Bible as the one thing that I've read that has changed or shaped my views.

Finally

It's FINALLY raining here in Phoenix.   I guess some areas have seen it already but we are finally getting it here at the apartment.   This storm is a huge one though.... I guess a section of roof collapsed on a building in Tempe from the amount of water dumped on it.  At least no one was hurt and everyone got out safely.

30 Days of Truth - Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.

There's no gentle way to put this....  Morons.  I can't stand people who can't do the simple jobs assigned to them.  Or are unable to grasp hold of the simplest concepts.  From filling out paperwork properly to handling simple computer tasks.

Case in point, one of my coworkers who has the laughable title of "Office Manager".  She herself says she has nothing to do with the running of the business.  ?!?!?   What exact does an "Office Manager" do then?  She doesn't know how to use Word or Excel... or even figure out how to save a Favorite or Bookmark in Internet Explorer!  SERIOUSLY!?  That's like basic office skills there... and you're suppose to be the MANAGER!?

Ok, rant over. :)   Can you tell I'm having a bad day at work? LOL