For a film like Alien, no introduction or commentary is required. Go now and see it while the special edition "director's cut" version is in theatres. I am glad to have had the experience.

While going through folders of previously saved, but no longer necessary computer files I came across the beginnings of a letter I started to write while living in Jacksonville. Last saved at 02:47:56, I stopped and went to sleep to continue writing and send it the next day. It was never completed or edited though, for obvious reasons. And it likely never will.

Monday, 10 September 2001
8136 Patou Drive South
Jacksonville, Florida 32210-2448
407.252.8972


Captain Maurice S. Joyce, Commanding Officer
C/O Public Affairs Officer
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)
FPO AA 34095-2800

Dear Captain:

First, I appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to address the correspondence. As a citizen of the United States, I can appreciate the time and energy required by our Military forces to ensure the security of our democracy.

The purpose of this letter is to request, at the your and the services convenience and availability, a tour of your vessel when docked at the Naval Station Mayport. I have had an interest in Navy vessels for a very long time and even had the opportunity to tour, while docked at the Naval Station Alameda, my father's old Coast Guard ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WHEC-726). I recently relocated into the Jacksonville area to accept a great employment opportunity and thought it would also serve as an excellent opportunity to make this request.

After meeting a friend and enjoying a few rounds of beverages, one of which included two shots and drink, it was decided some late night feeding was in order. A nearby Steak 'n Shake would fit the evening's fare quite nicely and so we were off, greasy goodness ho!

As I was accessing my current cash situation in order to determine if using my credit card would be necessary in order to facilitate payment, I discovered I had a sum more cash than I thought I should. I returned to the table and proceeded to ask my friend if it made any sense to him or if I had simply made an error. Turns out I was not incorrect at all. The last round I purchased (one vodka tonic and two "red death" shots) came out to $13.25. I supplied $20.00 for this purchase and ended up receiving $17.00 in change! So technically speaking even after having left the bartender a good tip, all the while oblivious to the fact I was either not charged fully or a mistake in change distribution was made, the club paid for my post-club dinner.

No complaint here, especially considering another bartender gave me a free round tonight because he seemed to forget about it and simply blew it off when I pointed this out to him. I guess it was a good night to go out, after all.

Today in my meeting with the owner of the company I work for, to show off my progress on the often mentioned online relocation project, I was informed that a corporate restructuring was going to happen and that since my position was more a "luxury" item to have a full-time technical support and project person on staff and that I was also the newest member of the staff that my position was being eliminated, effective immediately.

However, as various projects are still ongoing and require attention before completion, I will be working for them on a project-by-project basis, at least for a while. I was also told to prepare a flier that would be distributed to every agent and employee in the company that advertises the computer services I do on the side.

There are a few other details that I am not going to get into here, but suffice it to say my termination is solely a business decision and has no reflection on my work to date, which is obviously evidenced in their wishing for me to continue working for them on a contractual basis.

This week has been very trying for me on several levels at no fault of one specific thing, but rather the amalgamation of several issues, both work-related and not. Needless to say, this end to my wonderful week seems only fitting.

I also found out today that an agent who I met at the office, but then subsequently left was discovered dead in her home two days ago. The circumstances are still questionable on whether or not her death was natural or self-inflicted. Either way, during the brief time I got to converse with her in person and since her departure continued little conversations via e-mail, I found her to be a very nice woman. I trust that she is at peace now, because I know life for her was not the easiest.

Although when I was hired I understood a good portion of my job would be technical support issues and the like, I was a bit too optimistic that it would not transfer into a majority situation. Over the past month I have been diagnosing several issues with our network and websites. Today alone I had four different conversations with the Network Operations Centre that manages our T-1 circuit. I had to research and learn what a T-1 Multiplexer was and learn how to reconfigure it. I am still not done either because I am having trouble accessing the DHCP server to reconfigure it as well. Oh, well. It keeps everyone happy which keeps those direct deposits a flowing.