2009 Update

So, at the end of 2008, I posted my goals for 2009.


Here's each one, and how it's going:

1- I will drink more water.
I'm doing very well with this. I'm drinking close to 2 liters of water a day. I have to go potty at least 3 times a night, which is fine, because so does the dog. The initial cottonmouth I experienced has passed, and when I do occasionally have a soda, it makes me feel bloated and sick. I haven't been able to give up coffee, however.

2- I will eat less
This has been more difficult to accomplish. It's easy to fall back into old habits of filling the plate, and then eating it all regardless of whether I actually want it all. I'm down to 294 pounds, however; that's 11 pounds since the start of the year. At one point, I dropped down to 286; but then, that was the week I started eating pumpkin seeds- boy, was THAT interesting.

3- Santa Fe Blond

It's hard to give up the laptop at work. In fact, I haven't. But I have dug out the original story for Santa Fe Blonde, and I'm going to re-read it and start on the script soon.

4- I will save more money

This is going well. I currently have just over $1,200 in my savings account. Most of this will be going towards my trip back east to visit family in April, but it's nice to see money starting to build up. I've revised my expectations and plans, however. I'm going to try my hardest to set aside $1,000 each month; each month, I will take that money and apply it to an outstanding bill, with the goal of having all my debts paid (excepting my student loans) by the end of the year, or as soon as possible, while always keeping at least $1k in my savings for emergencies.

2009 Update

So, at the end of 2008, I posted my goals for 2009.


Here's each one, and how it's going:

1- I will drink more water.
I'm doing very well with this. I'm drinking close to 2 liters of water a day. I have to go potty at least 3 times a night, which is fine, because so does the dog. The initial cottonmouth I experienced has passed, and when I do occasionally have a soda, it makes me feel bloated and sick. I haven't been able to give up coffee, however.

2- I will eat less
This has been more difficult to accomplish. It's easy to fall back into old habits of filling the plate, and then eating it all regardless of whether I actually want it all. I'm down to 294 pounds, however; that's 11 pounds since the start of the year. At one point, I dropped down to 286; but then, that was the week I started eating pumpkin seeds- boy, was THAT interesting.

3- Santa Fe Blond

It's hard to give up the laptop at work. In fact, I haven't. But I have dug out the original story for Santa Fe Blonde, and I'm going to re-read it and start on the script soon.

4- I will save more money

This is going well. I currently have just over $1,200 in my savings account. Most of this will be going towards my trip back east to visit family in April, but it's nice to see money starting to build up. I've revised my expectations and plans, however. I'm going to try my hardest to set aside $1,000 each month; each month, I will take that money and apply it to an outstanding bill, with the goal of having all my debts paid (excepting my student loans) by the end of the year, or as soon as possible, while always keeping at least $1k in my savings for emergencies.

Darklord Mk 3.0

In 2002, I built my first computer. I don't remember the exact specs, but I know it had 512megs of RAM and the processor was 1.4GHZ. At the time, I built the best I could afford, without spending so much that I'd be crushed if I blew something up. I tried using parts from an old Dell computer that was given to me, but everything in it was proprietary, and after I managed to slice open my finger tips almost to the bone on the motherboard (I'm still not sure how; all I did was pick it up!) I salvaged the hard drive and built what my first computer. I promptly named it Darklord. Why? Because I'm a fierce creature of the night and the blood of wombats flows through me. Or something. At the time, considering the spoken word performances I was doing, as well as the run-down hovel of an apartment I was living in (I will never, ever miss the feeling of cockroaches crushing under my back at night!) it seemed appropriate. And the beige case was the height of computer fashion!

A few months later, I ended up with a second computer from somewhere; I think it was Andy's old one that he gave me when he got his laptop. With it, Darklord, and andy's laptop, I also put together my first home network. I also named the secondary computer Minion, as in "The minion of the Darklord."

Remember, blood of wombats.

Various small upgrades were done over the years to Darklord, such as new power supplies, bigger harddrives, etc. In 2005 I built Darklord Mk 2.0. Again, I don't remember the exact specs, but I think it started with a 2.2 GHZ Intel processor. The case also had a carrying handle in the top, which was nice for awhile, but I quickly got tired of not having a flat surface to set things on. It was an improvement over Darklord Mk 1, however, because by the end, that poor beige case was sticky and smelled like pee (Using a solution of water and fabric softner on a computer case to cut down on static is actually a HORRIBLE idea!)

By the end of 2008, even though Darklord 2.0 was up to a 2.8 GHZ processor with multiple harddrives and 3 gigs of RAM, the flaky power supply was causing problems and instability, and the video card wasn't working so well with the motherboard, and I was just fed up. The case hadlost its luster to me as well.

It was time to build Darklord Mk 3.0. Dun dun dun.

I knew what I wanted. A dual-core 64-bit processor. A new case. 4 gigs of RAM. And the ability to run dual video cards. But I needed to do so on a budget.

Here's what I was able to put together for $450:

RAIDMAX xB ATX-528B Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $24.99

A simple, budget case in a lovely color. t's a little flimsy but it doesn't have any extra bells-and-whistles that I really don't need or want.

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX3 A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard: $124.99

I lucked out with this motherboard; I bought it as a combo with the processor below. This motherboard has so many features that are so easy to use.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor: $72.99

I've used Intel processors for a long time, but this AMD gave me what I needed at a much lower cost. So far, so good, too. Buying it as a combo with the mobo saved me $25.

HEC X-Power Pro 600 600W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply: $49.99

A nice boost in power for me. The only shortcoming this psu has is a lack of harddrive connections. But splitters work fine.

Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory: $45.99

Mmmm.... RAM. Sweet, sweet memory. 4 GBS that only take up 2 of 4 slots on the mobo, which means I can add another 4 gigs in the future. And at this price? Probably soon. Because I am a computer size queen. Windows 7 is going to run with no problems.

So, with shipping, I ended up spending $324.36. My budget was as far under $500 as I could do while still making a worthwhile upgrade.


I currently had a Sapphire ATI Radeon 2600XT PCI-E video card with 512mbs of memory, a hand-me-down girt from Andy. Since this was my first time setting up a Crossfire video system, I wanted to get a second card that was exactly the same. And for two long weeks, I tried to do exactly that, only to order time and time again from different websites, only to get emails that the card was no longer available. The last site I ordered from took a week to let me know, but they were gracious enough to offer me a card that was the same except for the manufacturer, and to give me $10 off. I did some research, and found out that I could combine different manufacturer's cards as long as the chipset was the same. So, I spent $94 on the card, and nearly paniced with it arrived, because it didn't have a Crossfire connection! However, the awesome Biostar mobo I got? Turns out it's able to do Crossfire right on the motherboard. Sweet. AND, even though Crossfire is limited to being able to drive only one montior, I was able to connect my second monitor to the onboard video controller. Double sweet.

And now, for some pictures:

( Hawt amatuer g33k pr0n!!!!111 )

Darklord runs like a dream. The Crossfire video cards makes video games an entirely new experience for me- no lag or hiccups, even with the graphic settings set as high as possible in World of Warcraft and Unreal tournament 3.  Windows 7 Beta is smooth as silk, and in many ways i find Ilike it better than Windows XP, which is causing a few problems with the hard drive controllers (Copying to the main drive takes an insanely long time, and freezes the computer while doing so. I'm working on that, however. It may be because I turned off write caching, but I'm not sure.)

I'm very pleased with this computer. Seeing that I upgrade every three years, this should do me nicely until Darklord 4.0 comes along in 2011.

Darklord Mk 3.0

In 2002, I built my first computer. I don't remember the exact specs, but I know it had 512megs of RAM and the processor was 1.4GHZ. At the time, I built the best I could afford, without spending so much that I'd be crushed if I blew something up. I tried using parts from an old Dell computer that was given to me, but everything in it was proprietary, and after I managed to slice open my finger tips almost to the bone on the motherboard (I'm still not sure how; all I did was pick it up!) I salvaged the hard drive and built what my first computer. I promptly named it Darklord. Why? Because I'm a fierce creature of the night and the blood of wombats flows through me. Or something. At the time, considering the spoken word performances I was doing, as well as the run-down hovel of an apartment I was living in (I will never, ever miss the feeling of cockroaches crushing under my back at night!) it seemed appropriate. And the beige case was the height of computer fashion!

A few months later, I ended up with a second computer from somewhere; I think it was Andy's old one that he gave me when he got his laptop. With it, Darklord, and andy's laptop, I also put together my first home network. I also named the secondary computer Minion, as in "The minion of the Darklord."

Remember, blood of wombats.

Various small upgrades were done over the years to Darklord, such as new power supplies, bigger harddrives, etc. In 2005 I built Darklord Mk 2.0. Again, I don't remember the exact specs, but I think it started with a 2.2 GHZ Intel processor. The case also had a carrying handle in the top, which was nice for awhile, but I quickly got tired of not having a flat surface to set things on. It was an improvement over Darklord Mk 1, however, because by the end, that poor beige case was sticky and smelled like pee (Using a solution of water and fabric softner on a computer case to cut down on static is actually a HORRIBLE idea!)

By the end of 2008, even though Darklord 2.0 was up to a 2.8 GHZ processor with multiple harddrives and 3 gigs of RAM, the flaky power supply was causing problems and instability, and the video card wasn't working so well with the motherboard, and I was just fed up. The case hadlost its luster to me as well.

It was time to build Darklord Mk 3.0. Dun dun dun.

I knew what I wanted. A dual-core 64-bit processor. A new case. 4 gigs of RAM. And the ability to run dual video cards. But I needed to do so on a budget.

Here's what I was able to put together for $450:

RAIDMAX xB ATX-528B Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $24.99

A simple, budget case in a lovely color. t's a little flimsy but it doesn't have any extra bells-and-whistles that I really don't need or want.

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX3 A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard: $124.99

I lucked out with this motherboard; I bought it as a combo with the processor below. This motherboard has so many features that are so easy to use.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor: $72.99

I've used Intel processors for a long time, but this AMD gave me what I needed at a much lower cost. So far, so good, too. Buying it as a combo with the mobo saved me $25.

HEC X-Power Pro 600 600W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply: $49.99

A nice boost in power for me. The only shortcoming this psu has is a lack of harddrive connections. But splitters work fine.

Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory: $45.99

Mmmm.... RAM. Sweet, sweet memory. 4 GBS that only take up 2 of 4 slots on the mobo, which means I can add another 4 gigs in the future. And at this price? Probably soon. Because I am a computer size queen. Windows 7 is going to run with no problems.

So, with shipping, I ended up spending $324.36. My budget was as far under $500 as I could do while still making a worthwhile upgrade.


I currently had a Sapphire ATI Radeon 2600XT PCI-E video card with 512mbs of memory, a hand-me-down girt from Andy. Since this was my first time setting up a Crossfire video system, I wanted to get a second card that was exactly the same. And for two long weeks, I tried to do exactly that, only to order time and time again from different websites, only to get emails that the card was no longer available. The last site I ordered from took a week to let me know, but they were gracious enough to offer me a card that was the same except for the manufacturer, and to give me $10 off. I did some research, and found out that I could combine different manufacturer's cards as long as the chipset was the same. So, I spent $94 on the card, and nearly paniced with it arrived, because it didn't have a Crossfire connection! However, the awesome Biostar mobo I got? Turns out it's able to do Crossfire right on the motherboard. Sweet. AND, even though Crossfire is limited to being able to drive only one montior, I was able to connect my second monitor to the onboard video controller. Double sweet.

And now, for some pictures:

( Hawt amatuer g33k pr0n!!!!111 )

Darklord runs like a dream. The Crossfire video cards makes video games an entirely new experience for me- no lag or hiccups, even with the graphic settings set as high as possible in World of Warcraft and Unreal tournament 3.  Windows 7 Beta is smooth as silk, and in many ways i find Ilike it better than Windows XP, which is causing a few problems with the hard drive controllers (Copying to the main drive takes an insanely long time, and freezes the computer while doing so. I'm working on that, however. It may be because I turned off write caching, but I'm not sure.)

I'm very pleased with this computer. Seeing that I upgrade every three years, this should do me nicely until Darklord 4.0 comes along in 2011.

You know you're a graphic designer ....

A few of my favorites:

You are pro-facebook because 95% of the myspace accounts burn your retinas

Your hand is permanently stuck in the shape of a mouse

You tell stories of exacto-knife inflicted wounds with grizzled sort of pride

You practically take caffeine intravenously

You have an appreciation for everything unique

You’ve been spending three days non-stop on a project and it still looks like shit. You find yourself overcome by Deathlust.

You know you’re a Graphic Designer when… you look at the clock and see it’s about midnight and think ‘I’ll go to bed now’… and you actually go to bed about 2-3am

You know you’re a Graphic Designer when… you need someone else to point out that you’re sitting in a room in front of the computer with all the lights off, and haven’t noticed

When you know what “kerning” is and you really, really like it.

Seeing someone use Lens Flare or Comic Sans adversely affects your blood-pressure

You’re up ’til 5am because you came up with the best idea ever while brushing your teeth.

Activating your entire font collection makes your computer crash

Apple+Z is the first thing that goes through your mind if you drop and break something.

When you know the difference between fuchsia, magenta, and maroon.

If you could go back in time you wouldn’t go back to see the rise and fall of civilizations, you’d go back in time to destroy comic sans and papyrus. (Oh YES YES YES!!!)

You go to another designers’ studio and leave dejected because of serious gear or software envy.

When working remotely at a WiFi cafe, you secretly compare your laptop with everyone else’s and then feel inordinantly proud to have the sweetest gear in the house.

Taken from here. More here.

You know you're a graphic designer ....

A few of my favorites:

You are pro-facebook because 95% of the myspace accounts burn your retinas

Your hand is permanently stuck in the shape of a mouse

You tell stories of exacto-knife inflicted wounds with grizzled sort of pride

You practically take caffeine intravenously

You have an appreciation for everything unique

You’ve been spending three days non-stop on a project and it still looks like shit. You find yourself overcome by Deathlust.

You know you’re a Graphic Designer when… you look at the clock and see it’s about midnight and think ‘I’ll go to bed now’… and you actually go to bed about 2-3am

You know you’re a Graphic Designer when… you need someone else to point out that you’re sitting in a room in front of the computer with all the lights off, and haven’t noticed

When you know what “kerning” is and you really, really like it.

Seeing someone use Lens Flare or Comic Sans adversely affects your blood-pressure

You’re up ’til 5am because you came up with the best idea ever while brushing your teeth.

Activating your entire font collection makes your computer crash

Apple+Z is the first thing that goes through your mind if you drop and break something.

When you know the difference between fuchsia, magenta, and maroon.

If you could go back in time you wouldn’t go back to see the rise and fall of civilizations, you’d go back in time to destroy comic sans and papyrus. (Oh YES YES YES!!!)

You go to another designers’ studio and leave dejected because of serious gear or software envy.

When working remotely at a WiFi cafe, you secretly compare your laptop with everyone else’s and then feel inordinantly proud to have the sweetest gear in the house.

Taken from here. More here.