Relocation

Well it’s been quite some time since I last updated this thing, but things have been just crazy busy. I’m back on night shifts at work, which I’ve been using to get back into coding and such. I’m learning the new version of the NEO framework employed by PHXX in the development of some of their client sites, including SpawnPoint. It’s a very extensible framework, and the guy who created it (Lucas W.) is genius quality. From what I hear, he’s being scoped out by a number of companies, while still in school.

Other than that, the other big piece of news is that I’m moving! I’ve leased a basement suite in the Kitsilano area for the next year. It’s a two bedroom suite in an older heritage home. It’s small, but it will do the trick. Laurel (my best friend of nearly a decade) and I are sharing the place. It’s closer to her work, and it’s MUCH closer for me. I’m soo glad I won’t have to commute from Maple Ridge into downtown at least 4-5 times a week. After a while, it eats your soul. So within the next week, I’ll officially be a Vancouverite. The other dangerous part about this, is that I have a Starbucks less than 100m from my front door (at MacDonald and 16th). This is not going to do well for my pocket book, or my caffeine intake.

At work, things are going decently. We recently lost some NOC team members to other departments in the company, so we have a couple new hires that are being trained on day shift. The two that have already started seem like bright guys, and we have one more starting next week. So we’ll shortly be back up to full staffing, and raring to go! I still learn a lot daily at this job, which keeps it fresh and interesting. It’s not just the technical side of things, but also getting better at the “team player” and even a “mentor”.

Merry Christmas from Peer1

On Wednesday, I had my 1 year anniversary with Peer1.

Peer1 is a really wonderful company to work for. Last weekend, we had an epic Christmas party at Steamworks in Gastown. Where lots of companies have been skimping on staff events to cut costs, Peer1 pulled out all the stops to show it’s appriciation for it’s staff. It’s not only made us all feel a greater sense of loyalty to our company, but it’s closened the camaraderie of our Vancouver office as a whole. Moral in the office is really high, and it’s been a very good week since.

Today, we ended up having our annual Secret Santa. We set a nice limit of $20, and most of the people in Vancouver participated. I made.. well rather a unique request, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to be taken:

Beer/Liquor, GC for something geeky (FutureShop, BestBuy, ThinkGeek, etcc), pulling a really good prank on any NOC member (other than me)

I did not expect anything like what I received:

My boss's office as a present

My boss's office as a present

That.. was just epic. The desk belongs to my boss, Jason. The attention to detail was magnificent. Every pen, CD, and magazine was wrapped. Literally, everything in, around or on his desk was wrapped. It brought such a smile to my face, as someone obviously spent hours wrapping it all. It was just.. wow.

Up close desk view

Up close desk view

I also got a present today from Charnell and the San Antonio team. It’s a pretty awesome t-shirt with “I’d rather be at the Beach” and the ServerBeach logo on the back.

Thank you to my Secret Santa, Charnell, and thanks to all my colleagues at Peer1 for making my first year with the company memorable. I’m very much looking forward to 2009 at Peer1!

Hunting for some sunshine

Well it’s been horribly rainy in Vancouver the last week. Really large downpours and such. However, I’m glad that in about a week’s time I will be on a plane heading downunder. I’m really excited and such, and am looking forward to having one of those experiences that I’m going to remember always.

I’m flying in and out of Melbourne, Victoria, with a trip up to Sydney at some point. However, I’m just going to take things how they come and really enjoy what I see. I’m not going to be able to do everything I’m going to want to, but I don’t want to be in such a rush to see things, that I’m not enjoying myself to the fullest.

Holy crap, I’m going to Australia. I keep having these mini-realizations about it. It’s going to be a blast, I’m sure. It’s going to be my first time overseas, and it’s going to be the longest amount of time I’ve taken off of work. Which, thanks to the guys who are able to hold down the fort while I’m gone :P . Well, this week I’m on solo, because one of my colleagues is in Mexico. I don’t feel quite as sorry for him.

In any case, I’m going to be posting lots of pictures and such, so keep an eye out.. or subscribe to my feed for updates.

Codeweavers Gives Away Free Software

Codeweavers makes a wonderful piece of software called “Crossover” that allows you to install and run Windows Applications and Games under the Linux and Mac OSX platforms, without needing to install or run Windows. It’s not an emulator, but it’s based off of the Wine emulation layer. I’ve been meaning to write a blog entry about it for awhile, because it’s a very solid piece of software, and they have a great support team that is constantly working to improve the program. However, I had to write an entry today, because tomorrow they are going to give their software away for FREE, for 24 hours.

Yes sir, I said free. Free as in air. You can go here to read the press release on why they’re doing it, and how to get your hands on a copy of this gold nugget of software.

Vote: Take Ownership of your Future

Everyone has their own thoughts on politics and the current state of affairs in Canada. There are a lot of differing view points, and a lot of important issues.

It doesn’t matter what you decide is important to you.. no matter if it’s the environment, the economy, heathcare, or even simply net neutrality.. This is your one chance, as a citizen, to have your voice heard on the national scale.

If you are Canadian, and over 18, get off your ass and vote. Seriously. Now.

5 Friends Uncensored

The above is a video put together for the US election, but the message is the same. However in Canada, you can register at the polls, as long as you have proper ID.

For more information, ask me, or head over to Elections Canada at: http://www.elections.ca/

Last.fm

Xbox Gamercard