6.1.2003 (23:05:00)

Jon's parent's were kind enough to have me over for a going away dinner this evening. They're so sweet, his mom is like the mom I never had, err, even though I have one... last I checked anyway. Um. Yeah. Anyway, afterwards we watched The Price of Milk, which was hillarious, but overall really a very vacant movie (I still don't know what it is about). Although the agoraphobic dog who went everywhere under a cardboard box was a side splitter.

I'm going to take Aaron down to Boston so we can pick up his girlfriend Tuesday. Looks like Dan the Fish is coming along too. I think I'm gonna buy a new watch while down there. Something classy to match the business attire I'm soon to be sporting for my new job. Oh dear. What have I got myself into! Speaking of which, I'm moving on 6/11 and my first day of work is 6/16.

American Analog Set is playing in DC on 6/22 at Black Cat. I'm very excited to see them for the first time. Lots of great shows are coming to DC. I think I'll enjoy living there!

I have to go pay bills and feed the tropical fish now. Goodnight.

6.8.2003 (01:58:00)

Like a cat who falls out of a tree and lands on his feet, I have made it through another day. I can't believe I'm moving to DC in 3 days. Yesterday I had lunch with some former co-workers and it was great fun. I only wish I could spend some time with everyone before I leave. I will be back to visit often, however. And once I find an island to buy off the coast of Maine I will be back for good. I also helped a friend move yesterday. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Well, it will be my turn early Wednesday morning. Today I went to my friend Scott's graduation (founder of one of my musical projects, Neon from Candlelight). You'd think a person who already has a degree in Journalism from Syracuse University would be sick of school?! It was rainy and otherwise blah but I was happy to be able to hang out with him and meet the family.

I talked to my friend in Las Vegas the other night. It's been so long, and she is so cool. When I go to the DefCon11 conference in August I'm going to give her some well deserved time. Sometimes I forget how important friends are.

I've purchased a suit, ties, shirts, and there is still so much more I need! May I say, I am one sexy man in my new business clothes. I'll hold a webcam photo shoot once I land in DC :-)

6.10.2003 (20:55:00)

I'm halfway through packing, and I'm leaving at 4am. It will never happen! Oh my God I've been so streched out this week. I can't believe I'm moving tomorrow. It's so weird. So far I've got the amps and guitars in the Jeep - next is the CDs, books, computers, clothes, etc etc ahhhh. Ok I'm logging off this system for the last time in Maine. Next time will be in DC!

6.14.2003 (00:10:00)

I made it to DC without harming myself or any others! The drive down was great. I left at 2am Wednesday morning (didn't bother going to sleep) and was driving through Brooklyn listening to the Howard Stern show on KROC during rush hour around 7:30am. It was such fun, they drive so bad there. However not as bad as here. Driving around DC is much like Boston, only the streets are identified and all roads are basically highways filled with people having no will to live.

I love my apartment, and have a wonderful view of the Capitol from my balcony. My first night I was welcomed by a fantastic lightning storm, as well as last night (this one striking our building air conditioning unit!!). Hopefully cool air will flow again soon - it's been over 85F all week.

Almost all my unpacking and furniture purchases are complete! Thankfully there is an IKEA just south in Woodbridge, VA. On my way down there this morning on I95 I was behind an Explorer on the left side of the 4 lane highway. He had a blowout at 75mph and flipped over about 5 or 6 times, flying over the lanes into a ditch. His stuff was scattered about in a 50 yard spread, with the vehicle barely recognizable, destroyed and in pieces. I ran over the hill to look for a body - there was no way someone could have survived that. I was wrong. I looked back and this guy squeezes out - looked like Shaq, only a couple feet shorter. He was without a scratch!! He looked at me as I helped him, picked up his small bible, kissed it, and said "someone was watching me." I'm not a religious person, but I just about lost it emotionally - one of the more powerful moments I've been witness to in my life. Definately puts things into perspective.

6.20.2003 (22:45:00)

I LOVE MY JOB! DC is awesome too. This was the best choice I've ever made. I'm surrounded by the greatest minds in the network/software security field. This first week was amazing, and I'm very excited to start working on my new projects. Some of the software projects I'll be working on cost in the hundred millions! Never before have I had such grand responsibilities. I'm definately ready.

And the dark cloud... the Washington Post machine ate my $.35 today. Grumble grumble grumble.

I went out on my bike the other evening and got to see more of the city. Got kicked off the White House lawn. Good times.

I haven't responded to many (any) emails for the past few weeks. I've got the crappy dial-up Internet connection (from my Maine account, $.10/minute). The only options for high speed here are Comcast cable modem ($54/month) or Verizon DSL (cheaper, but it's Verizon. God I hate Verizon). Needless to say, my Verizon DSL gets hooked up next week. Then I'll be a Web whore again and will update the site more often.

6.22.2003 (22:05:00)

Today I walked over to the National Mall to visit some Smithsonians. It was clogged with kids from all over, like 30 huge buses. I was choking on the crowd of adole'scents'. I went into the National Gallery of Art and for some reason was instantly depressed. Then I went to the Natural History museum and almost had a panic attack because of all the people. Then I went to the DC Metro PD HQ to report the attempted theft of my precious Grand Cherokee. Some ghetto scumbag tried sloppily to break in the passenger side and beat it all to piss. Not even two weeks in the city!!

I've been listening to a lot of The Magnetic Fields lately. You should too.

6.28.2003 (23:45:00)

Finally got my DSL connection! Now I've configured most of my servers - the router/TCP analyzer, network switch, etc. It's so nice to be back online - although now I need to go through about 300 emails that have been neglected.

The job is going great - I love what I do, where I'm doing it, and the people I work with. I tossed the webcam out the window so the RandyCam! will be showing the Capital for a little while. I'm going to get another so I can have cams all over the place. The one out the window I would like to eventually make a streaming video server.

Today I went to the DMV on C St. NW to get my new plates. Hopefully people will stop trying to steal my Jeep when I have local plates! However that will have to wait because their computers were down. Drat. Computers suck!

I just went out for a moment to go get Taco Bell (about .3 miles down the street) and quickly turned around - their drive through line wasn't moving at all. I knew it was bad news. So, the importance of this is that area of DC is da GHETTO! Driving back I was chased by about 3 separate gangs - probably the same lo-fi wanna-be gangstas that tried to take mah riiide. Why can't they go to school or something? Anyway, one good thing. On the way back down G St. SW I saw the G St. SW sign laying in a bush. I took it. That's the road I walk up to go to work. A priceless memory to hang on my wall. Moral of this story: if you're driving around the ghettos of DC with Maine plates make sure you know where the hell you are going, 'cause those brotha's know howda run!

6.30.2003 (22:35:00)

I have suddenly become incredibly inspired musically. I need to start recording, but half of my equipment is still up in Maine. I really want to start playing live by Fall. It finally feels right. I have the seclusion, the motivation, and the mood. It's rather exciting.

DC is funny this time of year. I can't tell the difference between gunfire and fireworks. It's so cool.