I like to think that it makes me more along the lines of super-efficient. What am I rambling on about? Let me explain. Yestereday I popped into the WotG IRC channel for a few minutes between running errands and I’d mentioned that I was thinking about building another WordPress plugin. The last one was fun to build and I’d like to do something a little more advanced than just building a widget. Then I took off for a day of running so many places that I spread myself thinner than an Ethiopian prostitute, typical day.

When I came back I started thinking about what the new plugin would accomplish, got a rough idea, and set out learning the Wordpress Plugin API. I knew enough from the last plugin I built to be absolutely useless. I started coding the plugin at roughly 3PM California time, stopped a few times for more errands, and stopped entirely for the night at around 9PM. Worked on it for another couple of hours this morning and it’s finished. Like, completely finished.

So, basically with about 4-7 hours of actual work, no prior training, and feeling my way through the entire thing, there’s nothing I can’t do. Or at least nothing I can’t do to the point that it will at least function, I suppose. Rack that up with the rest of the code I’ve written over just the past months and I’ve not had a bad body of work.

BitArtist, revisiting the WP-UserLogin plugin, a new members rotation script (member-specific nonetheless) for Bomb Shelter Comics, and then cranking the new one out that has yet to be hosted by WordPress (submission just went in today). I’ve been a busy little fella.

I’ve also noticed that I prefer my plugins to pull double-duty, but I won’t waste your time with that on this post. Maybe next time, but not now. For now, I have to get ready to…wait for it…run more errands. Either my butt is going to attach itself to the car seat permanently, or my legs are just going to evolve into wheels because they never stop moving. Anyway, enjoy the wall of text here.

Wasn’t a particularly overwhelming haul this year as far as numbers goes, but it was still a very good Christmas. Andrea got me a $100 gift certificate for one of the tattoo parlors in town. I got her a copy of Office Space on DVD, Rayman: Raving Rabbids for the Wii, and I picked up a KitchenAid Artisan Mixer for the house.

We’ve definitely gotten our money out of the mixer so far. Making breads, cookies, french toast batter, you name it. I haven’t managed to get my hands on any of the attachments for it yet, but one of these days I’ll be able to grind my own sausage and what have you. That’s when I’ll acknowledge that I’ve truly evolved from the animals, when I can make processed meat products in my own home.

I let Andrea open her present on the 23rd, we started playing the game on the 26th, and we beat the game yesterday. Fun, tough in spots, but a good game to play between two people. We haven’t unlocked everything yet, but beating the game in under 24 hours is nothing to really sneeze at, I suppose.

Looks like now all I have left to do is celebrate New Year’s Eve (this year wasn’t my best), plan for a massive hangover on New Year’s Day, look into some tattoo designs, and work on making 2008 better than 2007. I’m not sure, but I might even have Chad do some video for the tattoo and we can release a video podcast of my being branded like a steer once again. Who knows.

I know it’s been a while since I updated this, so I thought I’d let you all know what was going on in the world o’ Jerry. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. Oh, and thanks to everyone who sent Andrea and I holiday well wishes. It was very much appreciated, even if I didn’t send a reply text or phone call. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel the same or that I don’t care for you guys, I was just up to my armpits in busy.

So, happy belated religious holiday of your choice, happy New Year, and may 2008 be better than its predecessor.

So a couple of days ago Chad and I recorded Bomb Shelter Radio #33 that went up today and during the editing process I realized I’d done something kind of dumb. I have inadvertently challenged the guys at Diggnation to a drinking contest on-air. Now I don’t think this is dumb because I think we’d lose, far from it, I’m almost certain that we could hold our own with little effort. The reason I think this is dumb is because if they accept that means we have to go to San Francisco and drink with them…and I don’t have the cash for a hotel room because I suck.

I don’t advocate driving drunk, especially not 2 hours one-way. I doubt they’ll even find out that we challenged them though, because we’re a nobody podcast with a small listener base. It’s still a nice thought to entertain. Oh, and speaking of being stupid, apparently Chad and I are doing a drunken vidcast for the next episode of Bomb Shelter Radio either at my place of his. So tune in for that, we ought to be plenty stupid and entertaining during that episode.

Every year, on the fourth Thursday in November, throughout the United States Turkeys of every shape and size will meet their maker. Originally starting out as a ploy by the Pilgrims to spread syphilis among the native people, in order to make it feel more like home, Thanksgiving soon became an annual event. Killing and eating of the turkey became synonymous with Thanksgiving and in a fit of revenge the turkeys placed a curse on their would-be murderers. That curse would evolve into yet another tradition that carries on today, the tradition of Black Friday.

This tradition is characterized by rudeness, tramplings, and the ceremonial fist fight of the first two ladies with mullets to enter the store, known better as the “Battle of the Trailer Queens”. These two will duel each other over anything, much like wild animals over scraps of meat or a fresh kill. Be it a Tickle Me Elmo or the last can of potted meat, doesn’t matter. After all the products on sale are gone these modern day Vikings will move on to the next store, pillaging what they can with the few dollars they have.

Once the stores have all been laid bare, many Americans will divert their attention to local eateries, such as Bob Evans, IHOP, or the ever-ready Denny’s. Complaining that restaurants ought to offer sale prices on their meals during this day, many Americans will still order whatever isn’t nailed down. Not because they’re that hungry, mind you, but because you can’t let that bitch sitting at the table across from you have the last piece of pumpkin pie so help you God.

Once the feasting is over and the stores have all been emptied these warriors of the retail outlets head back to their homes where they will have Turkey leftovers for the next three months. Having wounded many and bought much they will curse their enemies while wrapping presents to give to their friends…most likely some of the people they crushed at the local Wal-Mart trying to get the last high-definition toilet scrubber on the shelf.

To all my fellow Americans, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. To the rest of the world…happy Thursday?

I just got done Interviewing Chris Baty who founded National Novel Writing Month and I’ve gotta say he’s a really cool guy. Before and after we started the interview he was polite and kidding around, even shot the shit with me for a bit afterwards. I’m definitely impressed.

On a related note, I plan on making the South Bay NaNoWriMo Kick-Off Party tomorrow, hoping to ride up with Mike and meet some new people. Should be a lot of fun.

Recorded, edited, uploaded and wrote articles for two separate podcasts today, troubleshot some code, and a few other things all before 3:30. Not bad if I do say so myself. If I can just keep up this pace for the rest of my life I may actual amount to something.

Oh, must start looking for Christmas presents sometime soon as well. It’s less than two months away now. I also have to figure out what I’m going to do for Halloween. I could go as a huge dork I suppose, I’ve already got the costume for that and wear it everyday.