So many things going on…

Last night I was hanging out with my friend Eric. His father got him access to a GM Tech 2 computer scan tool. It’s quite a neat (albeit expensive) toy: one can see data ranging from ingnition knock retard to the current air massflow rate. The neatest data is that of engine torque. Eric has a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, modified with an underdrive pulley on the blower and CAI with a K&N filter. We went on a few runs with the Tech 2 graphing the torque. The peak: 330 ft-lbs. Granted, that torque is at the flywheel, and it might not be extremely accurate, but I’m impressed none the less.

Later on, after our friends Justin and Paul joined us, we went to Bar Abilene in Uptown. Eric, Justin, and I discovered Abilene after being shunned at a ritzy place down the street. It must have been fate: we’ve been returning there every so often since then. Bar Abilene has the best burgers in the metro area – bar none. It’s right next to the Lagoon theater. I recommend you check it out.

Oh, and I’m at a LAN party for New Years, gathering with old upperclassmen friends from High School.

Right now, at 3:37 a.m., I am at a LAN party. Sure, it may seem kind of geekish (or toolish if you’re at Rose), but I’m having a blast. Essentially, about a dozen people get together at somebone’s house and proceed to play multiplayer computer games all night. At this particular party, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Quake 3, and Empire Earth are the games of choice. I’ve been going to these for about 4 years now, ever since I got a computer that could handle the 3D requirements. At first, I had no problem staying up until 8:00 a.m., but now I find it harder and harder to stay awake past 4:00. Such is old age, I suppose.

Christmas was great. It was nice being with my family again after perhaps my busiest academic month yet. Sure, I got some nice things, and I surprised a few people with their presents, but now more than ever I’m shunning the materialistic side of Christmas. Ironically, immediately following my downplay of material greed, I’m going to focus on a present.

My sister got her and me tickets to see the Minnesota Wild play the Detroit Red Wings. I was quite elated, not only because they were great seats (Section 117, Row 12 in the Xcel Energy Center), but that I’ve never been to an NHL game before. A good chance to bond with my sister, too.

The game was great, and so was the arena: If you’ve never been to the Xcel Center, I recommend going just to stare at the vivid, arena circumscribing screens. Wow. If you go to the Wild web site, you can listen to the goal-alert fog horn. However, the tiny clip does no justice to the true sound. Attend a game and be amazed; Whenever the Wild score a goal, a light house lights up, smoke machines pour their vapors, and the horn blares a pair of earth-shaking roars.

The game ended tied after overtime at 3 (quite an improvement from the last Wild – Wings meeting). What a blast. I hope to return soon! Untill then, I plan to see the minor-league Indianapolis Ice in January with my Fraternity brothers. Perhaps that will tide me over until I return to the State of Hockey.

Saturday marked my triumphant return to Minnesota. I found it essentially as I had left it four weeks ago, with one minor change: Minneapolis has snow! We’re going to have a white Christmas after all.

I did some last minute gift shopping today. The good people of the Metro area were out en masse with me. Procrastination seems to be the operative word. I am reminded of a quote from a Cheerios cereal box: "The real joy is not in doing nothing, but in having lots to do and not doing it."

Today I learned two things: MySQL can modify table types without destroying data, and there is no ‘undo’ in the same. Take note kids: Always make backups. Fortunately, I heeded my own advice, and happiness was restored to the land.

On a tangent, check out ActsofGord.com. Funny stories about when video game customers are NOT always right.