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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 7:13 am Post subject: The Status of ShadowTwisted's Affairs |
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Not the adulterous type of affairs, just to be clear. I must say I have always found it difficult to keep up with people/communities, so I'm hoping that I can start remedying some of that here. This thread will pretty much be my little update thread to let people know what's going on with me from my real life stand point.
Now, for the current state of things: Financial Aid came through and now I have a significant cash pile. While I'm overjoyed to have it, I still need to hold myself in check from spending any of it. I have a bad habit of impulse buys, so I want to rationalize anything I buy. Also, I know there are an untold number of little repairs and what not that can be done to our car, so I want to ensure I leave enough to cover those costs.
At least this time around, I have something else to my benefit: A JOB! Working for one of my professors, which is fun and I'm glad for the work. The hours and hourly wage aren't the best, but it's enough to cover the monthly expenses that are in my name, with a little something extra left over. Right now, I want to keep saving the leftover cash for one of two things: summer classes and/or loan repayment funds.
As far as school goes, I'm not as thrilled as previous semesters. For one thing, I have fewer classes and none of them are at the local campus. The other thing is I have the same professor for 2/3 classes and he doesn't seem to really teach so much as fly through powerpoint presentations and wonder why no one is understanding the material. Not too much to worry about, though, it just means I need to put it in more effort outside of the classroom. I plan to spend part of today reading through the course books for those classes so I can really understand it.
Aside from the classroom, I want to start prepping for certifications. When I had the class that covered CompTIA A+ certification materials, I wanted to get certified, but knew the test was going to change. Now that I work for one of the professors that teaches the A+ courses, I have a free copy of the new book. If I spend my weekend studying the A+ and Network+ course books, I think I'll have a good shot at getting the certifications. |
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Drofgod969 Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 08 Sep 2008 Posts: 3428
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 11:44 am Post subject: |
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Glad to know things are working out. _________________ yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. that's why it is called the present.
quoted by master Oogway off kong fu panda
Some weep, some cry, some make couches fly. - Katmir
Let me stand behind you in times of peace, let me stand infront of you in times of war, let me stand beside you as a equall, as a friend. |
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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The work and school continue, and the ideas come. Such was the idea to actually install a wired LAN in the house. Today was spent mostly waiting on the last piece of my puzzle, the 3 packages of 50' CAT 5e cable. At last they had come and so began the drilling int cielings and contorted maneuvering throughout the attic to get the switches connected to the router. I have 3 switches that I am hooking up to a central router. So far, 2 of the 3 switches are hooked up and running. The last remaining switch will seek to be (to me at least) the hardest. The house was modified from it's original state and what is now the living room had previously been a courtyard of sorts. In any case, it has no attic space and therefore there are only two options: run it along the cieling inside the house or run it for a short length outside. At first, I figured outside would be cleaner and easier as far as interior appearances go. In reality, I'm wondering if it would be so easy to get through the shingles and patch them enough to avoid any leaks from rain. At this point, I'll probably spend he extra money on cable concealing plastic railing and just snake it along the cieling. At least I have 2 previous installations to draw from and I look forward to a minimalist trip back inside the attic. |
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Rune174 Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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I know how it is with the college and with the financial aid. I got kicked from a class since I could'nt afford the book till I got my financial aid, and I was never able to explain to my professor the situation. She seemed very cold about it, and I felt really guilty about it. Too bad, since my standing on classes really left me hanging in the wind. _________________
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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It seems I've missed a lot in such a short time. So rather than an update, I leave you all with a poem.
When amidst a sea of sorrow and loss
A path we may yet come to cross
Hope and joy while far away,
Shall always come another day
With all that bites with bitter ache,
There is yet more within its wake
When we've whethered that dark tide
We live anew with faith and pride
Out of darkness, shall come the light
Till we meet again in that dark night |
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Aaron_Thom Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 3215
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, such sorrow gets to me, and I felt I needed to to express that pain helps us appreciate the joyful moments so much more. My wife and I have been struggling with our current situation a bit, and I always tell her it's just going to make us that much happier when we're able to move on. |
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Dorian Longstreet Rank: Super Veteran

Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 4141
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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True that... I just recently started to except her death. Though she will be missed. _________________ "Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength."- From your sincere gentleman of PBB |
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 4:55 am Post subject: |
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Whew, glad to see that things aren't as bad as they seemed. Still, an attempt at one's own life is still a grave situation and I hope that Mayfield can get better and move on from this.
For me, life moves on. It seems I've gotten too busy to be able to take a decent enough break. Fortunately, today is one of my few days of relaxation, assuming I don't end up having a Linux test.
I know that Wednesday is a usual hang out day for my wife and I, neither of us has work, but we both have a class this morning. Not sure exactly what we'll do while we're out, but I know that later today we'll enjoy some tennis. Started playing on Sunday and it was fun, so I think we'll get into a regular pattern of it.
Working for a professor at the school certainly helps keep me busy, and I'm glad I can finally cover my end of the bills without using loan money. |
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:05 am Post subject: |
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Well, let's see...
Today I have open lab, as the professor is out of town. It should give me some ample time to study my weaker areas for my upcoming exams. Hopefully I'll get the vouchers for my CompTIA A+ exams tomorrow. If it all goes well, I'll probably shoot for Network+ next.
I'd like to take the A+ exams either this week or next. Then, if I study enough, I can only hope I can be prepared for Network+ before the final in my Networking class. If I get certified before the final, I get an instant A in the class and I can be exempt from the final.
Institutions vary in their course curriculum, but certifications are more of a universal standard. Even if I only have a 2-year degree, I hope having several certifications by the time I finish school will make me much more marketable.
Some of the other certifications I may shoot for:
Security+
CCNA
Various Windows certifications |
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Up for a hat trick, I suppose. Oh well, my topic so I say nyah to all those who complain.
Anywho, I was a bit surprised when I was asked a certain question today.
"Do you think I'd like that site?" And the person asking it: my wife.
At present, I think the price tag will be a big deterrant for her, as we're on a bit of a budget. I know she's peeked over my shoulder from time to time, but I think the 2 big reasons she'll hold off on joining are 1)Price and 2)Time.
For now, I wouldn't expect to see her pop up, but the impression I get is that she WILL join, just later on down the road when we have the extra cushion in our budget. |
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:35 am Post subject: |
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Rather than post a new topic about how I'm still alive, I figured I'd just tack on to this one. Hopefully Friday will see to it that I get my student loan money. School has strated once more and now I have 20 credit hours. I'd say more but I have to be off to the campus. |
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, time for a more in-depth update. Have a lot on my plate course-wise, but sadly it's not as stressful as you'd expect. I have 2 classes that present what I would call a challenge. For the most part, I've been busy inside the realm of Fiesta Online as my latest mmorpg addiction, though I'm happy to hear signs of life in the realm of Earth Eternal. The hard part about my schedule is I have 2 days a week that I spend a lot of time on the campus, mostly between 2 classes. While it would be nice to check the forums there, not going to risk the backlash. I hope to make more of an appearance on the boards, but I'm not sure how active I'll be. |
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Rune174 Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010
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Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:03 am Post subject: |
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All I know about the classes I'm having trouble with is that I don't think I'm cut out to be an electrician. Its not that its a challenge, it is, its just the information does'nt stick to my head as most information would, so I know how it goes. After all, being a gamer also makes it more difficult. _________________
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:58 am Post subject: |
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Peek-a-boo!
Yeah, been awhile, sorry. Anyways, so far it looks like I might be able to go ahead and mark down all my classes as passed. Also, there's a possibility of a job for me soon, which I might be able to put towards my internship credit. Just need an elective and I think I'll be all set to graduate before fall. |
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Wolf Stride Rank: Super Veteran

Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678
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Rune174 Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 29 May 2009 Posts: 6010
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:25 am Post subject: |
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Thats great news. I'm applying for the post office myself, so everyone seems to take the responsible path. _________________
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Caroline Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 2173
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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((What sort of job were you interested in?)) |
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Aaron_Thom Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 3215
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Shadow_Twisted Royal Member of BonBon

Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 1521
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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The job would be at a local company that does tech support, computer sales, and offers networking services for businesses. I just need to talk with the person in charge of the internships in order to see if it would count towards the credit I need. Since it's in my field, I don't see why it wouldn't. Most of the stuff I found on their site seems familiar, except a PoS system for resteraunts. |
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