Rekindled a new?

Let sleeping beasts lie,
In their sleep.
Memories of old,
they start to creep.

I am but only,
a mortal soul.
Such problems,
Engulf me whole.

What do I do?
Where do I go?
How much more,
Effort must I show?

Scars of old,
Bleed a new.
How I should act,
Haven't a clue.

Since that day,
I have lost all purpose.
Here you are,
After a long hiatus.

I want to move on,
Find a new one.
But what if,
We are not done?

Would I,
Forgive and forget.
And endure a repeat,
and regret?

Or should I refuse,
and move on.
For surely out there,
Waiting is my new dawn.

Top 10 things I want for myself

Yesh. Greedy greedy time. :o

1) A GF/female significant other. Mmmm. :o
1) A new well paying job (yes two numero unos)
3) MBA from a good business school
4) A car (Lancer Evolution X MR!!!)
5) Marshall Half Stack (MG100HDFX or if I'm feeling rich, a tube series like the JVMs)
6) Gibson Les Paul (as it is looking like it's Les Paul Standard 60's neck)
7) Intel Quad Core (current QX - mmmm I want to play!) processor and a new motherboard.
8) A new audiophile sound system (Marantz receiver and Paradigm mini monitor with a Paradigm sub)
9) Watercooling parts (a new rad)
10) A new LCD monitor to replace my dead one.

Hmm!

Nehalem!

Fair warning: This post will contain a LOT (I kid you not) of dense-ish techie-babble.

Nehalem! Who here is waiting for this new processor architecture?

For those who don't know (pity you poor non-computer geek people), Nehalem is the eagerly awaited next gen processor from Intel that is due out Q3-4 this year.

The Core architecture was unveiled in 2006. So true to Intel's 2 year cycle of new architecture / architecture revision, they seem to be on the dot of their aggressive stance. I guess I'll blabber on somewhat on why Intel has chosen to take on this path. Processors are very hard to design. They are usually done by hand and cannot really be rushed. Which is why the previous generation of Pentiums lasted so long. However, during AMD's K8 period, Intel found itself in the shallow end of the pool and it took them quite a while (until they debuted the Core Architecture). This two year product cycle is to ensure that they will be aggressive and if they lose the battle, it will not be as long as previously.

So why are my geek juices flowing due to Nehalem? Well let's see... 1-8 cores? Yummy? Well what about some Hyper-Threading on each core? Nice? How about the QuickPatch interconnect? Bye bye Front Side Bus. With it, an Integrated Memory Controller (On Die = low latencies).

What else? New Socket. Nice TDPs (considering the number of cores). Triple Channel ram (VERY fascinating).

Obvious issues is how OCing will work out. A number of factors that concern me are no more FSBs (but I wonder if it will be like HyperTransport - which isn't really that far off from FSB). Also how complicated will it be with triple channel ram and the amount of cores. More ram or processor cores, the more variables there are (like a ram stick or a CPU core that won't go as high as the others). Also with more crap now, I fully expect a new standard or updated specs for PSUs.

I also can't wait to see how the new mobo chipsets will be like too... :D

ARGH! Is it Q4 yet? :o

Some extra reading.

State of the Union (or lack of on my part)

My dad is in town.

The other day, we had this crazy deep father-son kinda talk (kinda awkward as this would never happen a few years back).

I talked about my dissatisfaction on my progress on things both professional and personal. Those who really know me, know that I am a very headstrong person who really pushes himself. Perseverances is a quality of mine that is very strong. But I am turning a quarter century this year and I feel that I'm not where I should be in life in terms of education, profession, and also relation.

My dad carefully laid things out to me.

Education
He told me at my age, he was just completing his Bachelors. He started his MBA at the age of 27. So in that sense, I still have a good head start.

Profession
He does not consider me as having my career 'started'. He said my career will only truly start after I get my MBA. His career rocket soared after his MBA and he said mine should be the same (however I am VERY ambitious). Things will take it's course. For me personally, I am persevering (god I love that word to describe myself :p ).

Relation
Not much can be said about this one. haha! Now I am trying to start fresh (though it is awkward for me - I really have forgotten how it's like haha). Starting out, I suck. After the first hurdle, I know how to treat a lady. ;) But I just wonder what the normal age is for people of this day and age. My parents married real young (20 and 22 respectively). I don't know. As much as I want to find one, only fools rush in. It will happen when it happens (aka I find Ms Right - who is willing to reciprocate). Everything happens (or doesn't) for a reason which is ultimately always the best. It probably really does not help that I am super picky on who I 'open up' to. hah. Digging part of the hole I'm in on my own.

Obviously I dislike the notion of me living under their roof (if the move goes as planned) without paying them rent (but they insist - and the way I see it, they're gonna help me with my MBA anyways - so in the end, it's the same difference). My dad told me that he knows I can survive on my own (I have been doing that for a year now) but said that even though I am an adult, I still need to get a firm hold on things. He's confident that I will leave of my own accord when the time is right (I would be out in a heartbeat).

Man, my parents really are something else. When I have kids, I have to be sure to 'pass the buck' on to them.

Moving?

So my family is moving up here from Kansas in a little bit. As the plan goes, I am to move in with them. I really don't have a problem with my parentals and I'm real close with my two younger brothers. So here's some pro's and cons so to speak.

Pros
1) I get to be with my family.
- Obviously this is a plus. No more of me being completely lonely most of the time (when I say most, I mean all the time).
2) Cheaper living costs?
- If/when I do move in with them, I fully intend to contribute at/near what I am paying for my apartment. But I could potentially live better.
3) Better TV
- No more of those "Crap! I don't have that channel". :)
4) I can get my stuff
- My beloved hobby grade RCs, my dead weights (pumpzor teh ironzor!)

Cons
1) I get to be with my family.
- They will drive me nuts with stuff (sloppy things, lazy on things, etc).
2) Perception
- "What? You live with your parents?". I'm never one that really cares what other people thinks but I am trying to get my life started (find a partner and settle down in the future). Living with parentals could be a step in the wrong direction. Don't get me wrong, I am completely independent of them (I really like it that way) but as they say, circumstantial evidence > actual evidence.
3) Food
- There will be an abundance of food. I have started eating less and less since living on my own (partly coz I have to pay for it :p) and I think I've lost weight. Which is a good thing. Hmm! Control!!!! :o

So I don't know. I will probably move in with them. I asked them how much did they want me to put in. They said no need. All they asked was for me to give my brothers pocket money and save my money towards an MBA and car payments. I haven't said anything but I have to clear my conscience and see first (I refuse to 'feel' that I'm free loading).

At least in a house I can be noisy again. I can't wait to finally be able to 'listen' to music again (and not whispering).

Also, I can have a half stack. ;)

Pentatonics!

So I've been dabbling a lot in Pentatonic Scales lately. Prepping for some Solo-ing action! Wewt!

So far, I've been tinkering with the minor scales. I spent Saturday night playing with it (yes I lack social life) practicing it (even while watching F1 - go Ferrari!).

So as a result of that session, I have mastered 4 boxes of the minor pentatonic scales (I can blast thru them now).

Minor Pentatonic Scales

I just have to learn the final box (the right most pair) and I will be done with the Minor Scales. I think I've made strides. Fingers are a lot faster now in moving around. :)

I incorporate scales into my warm up and finger exercise regiments (paired with picking exercises).

I hope to get good as fast as I can by working and practicing as hard as I can (though not too hard so I will not get a repeat performance of my tendinitis).

I will keep at it some more and master the Major scales. After that, onwards to Modes!

Muahaha. Heading down the path of shredding!

My Ibanez RG has been Hot Rodded part 2!

After installing the new pick ups, I felt that I needed to have some who actually has an idea wtf to do in terms of adjusting it so I hauled it off to the local Guitar Center here in Kirkland to be 'set up'.

Little did I know, I left it in the loving care of Dagna Barrera of Parsons Guitars. This lovely (and super nice) lady took good care of my guitar real well (I are teh guitar n00b - only played for less then 3 months). She recommended that I change string gauge to a higher one (10s) and took care of the fret buzz crap I was having and also fully adjusted my new Seymour Duncan pickups. She even gave my RG a good cleaning (I forgot to polish the frets when I changed strings) and it looked brand new when I cracked my case open. In my hands, it felt even better than brand new! :o Such fine attention to detail too. The lower knob that my strap locks hook on to was a bit loose and I half assed tried to fill it up (so it could be tightened). I checked that and it was as tight as can be (she fixed it for me!). Fingerboard seems to have been treated/cleaned as well.

I'm so glad I trusted my RG to such caring and able hands. I know its relatively cheap and not the best guitar in the world, but it is my first guitar and that will always have a special place in my heart. It's perceived value far out numbers it's actual monetary value. But with that said, it's not exactly a piece of shit either. ;) (Hey its a Legendary Ibanez RG guitar - now with hot roaring Seymour Duncans).

I will definitely recommend this wonderful Luthier to anyone who needs it. :)

Check them out for all your guitar needs up here in Seattle.

Lastly a pic of my cherished RG:

All set up!