So many updates, I gave them names!

Posted on Sunday, 07.05.09 at 23:13 in Everyday Life~ Fitness Updates~ Shannon's Journal

As usual, it’s late and I should be in bed, but I’m not, or, if I’m going to defy my self-imposed curfew, I should at least be working on my epic list of shit to do. But I’m not.

Site News

I’ve worked diligently on the content migration from hereticsquest.com. I know you can’t see any of the content yet, because I haven’t actually moved it yet. Wordpress is built on a database, so to combine the content, I have to combine the databases. I looked for an easy way to do it and didn’t find one, so I’m doing it manually, which involves an unbelievable amount of manual data manipulation. I have two more files to edit, but they’re the two most complicated SOBs of the lot. Once I get them edited, I have to decide how I’m going to deal with site members who have duplicate accounts between the two sites. Once I figure that out, the migration should go smoothly.

Once the migration is complete, I’ll upgrade shannonthomas.org to wordpress 2.8, which should give me the functionality I need to display the new content the way I want, assuming the upgrade doesn’t break any of the plugins I use (some of them WILL break.) I’ll deal with however I can at the time.

Then I can start the real pain in the ass: changing web hosting companies. Lots of work to do, and that’s just on the site.

Fitness News

I’ve been off my diet for over a month and off my exercise program for over two weeks. Tomorrow I’m going back on the diet and I’m starting an even more stringent exercise program. I intend to run three mornings a week, swim three mornings a week, and lift six days a week. If I can stick to it, it will be a race to see if I work myself to death or starve to death first.

My scales went tits-up a few weeks ago, and that’s been part of the reason I’ve been so bad. I’ve had no way to track how much progress I’ve been reversing. I have new scales now. I will report my current status tomorrow evening, and y’all can start keeping me honest again.

Book News

I haven’t done anything in weeks to promote the book or to otherwise further my publication goals. I intend to change that this week. I will query at least one new agent this week. I will re-establish my presence on the writers’ forums I was frequenting earlier this year. I will write and post more writer-oriented content for this site.

Running for the Hills

I’ve restocked and repacked my bug-out bag, AKA, the getaway gear. I hope to post a write-up on it this week, for those of you who’d like to know the gear I have ready in case the bombs fall or martial law is declared. I spent WAY too much money doing it, but I can’t tell you how much better I feel, knowing that it’s ready to go.

Laptop Luvin

I’ve got the new laptop set up as my new primary machine, with almost all of my software installed and peripherals attached. I still have the old one hooked up, and I access it through remote desktop, at least until I can get all of my files and storage cleaned up. Right now I have a mess of duplicate files and other data-related headaches that I must get cleared up soon, because it’s stomping all over my one obsessive-compulsive nerve. Once I get it all lined out, I’ll probably wipe the old machine, reinstall Windows XP, and use it only for surfing the Internet and testing software. I’ll put some free antivirus software on it, and I’ll use it to go to websites or download files, which I’ll put in a folder that’s accessible via the laptop. I’ll scan the data on the old machine, scan it with the laptop’s A/V software, and then copy it over. It may sound like a lot of bullshit just to get stuff off the web, but I am so sick of seeing my machine get shredded by spy-ware. This scheme should protect it better.

Hatin’ House Hunting

I’m looking for my first house. It’s a pain in the ass. I’m almost convinced to stick with renting for a few more decades. As I learn more about the additional expenses and other concerns involved, I’m seriously wondering why anyone ever bothers to buy a house, unless they plan to rent it out.

Jury’s Out on the Judge

There’s no word on my poor Judge. I called Taurus about two weeks ago and they said their repair shop was backlogged into mid-may, and it would be at least five weeks before they got to mine. I just hope it comes back to me in time to take it on some of the hiking/camping trips I have planned for the summer and early fall. On the plus side, I located and bought some .45 Colt, 3-inch .410 6-shot and three-inch .410 000-buckshot for it, so we can have a proper homecoming when it does return to me.

One Day Older and Deeper in Debt

Work is going well. We got a new man on the team, so I’m the not-so-new guy. (I hate being the FNG, and I’m so relieved to pass the title to someone else!) I’m finding my place and finally making a noticeable contribution to the team. I’ve learned enough of the basics so that it’s easier to learn new things, now that I have a foundation to build on. I’m not on top of the learning curve yet, but I’m much closer to apex than I was, and I’m starting to breathe a little easier. I’ve managed to land in a great place. If I can just stop spending money, I think I’ll be just fine.

I think I could write all night, but I must get to bed, whether I want to or not. 5:00 AM comes at the same time every morning, regardless of when I got to sleep the night before.