JohnMassie.com

John: “So, it’s super duty raining down here… Did I just say ‘super duty’?”

This is what happens when John tries to say super heavy and crosses super and heavy duty to get super duty. I believe Katy found this funny.

Also, if you’ve been keeping up with the Acura saga I received a second e-mail in my gmail account from Lindsay Acura. Now, maybe they haven’t realized by the blog that I’m an IT professional but I looked at the message headers to find out that the second e-mail was actually a non “form generated” e-mail though it did sound like it. I saw that this was due to the fact the “form generated” e-mails I get from them come from a totally different host (though the reply is the same). It looks like I’ve been discovered and got the attention of someone.

Well, I’m going to be contacting them soon enough regarding my recent service. I’ll keep everyone posted.

Night,
- J

Here’s that list, get ready to LAUGH:

Fatboy Slim – The Rockafeller Skank
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
House of Pain – Jump Around
Eiffel 65 – Blue
EMF – Unbelieveable
Quad City DJ’s – Space Jam
Lou Bega – Mambo #5
Reel 2 Real – I Like to Move It
C+C Music Factory – Gonna Make You Sweat
Ace of Base – All That She Wants
La Bouche – Be My Lover
Cher – Believe (Yes, I’m secure enough in my manhood to put that on here)
2 Unlimited – Get Ready for This
Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca
The B-52′s – Love Shack
Suzanne Vega – Tom’s Diner
69 Boyz – Tootsee Roll
MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
Vengaboys – We Like to Party
Haddaway – What Is Love
Deee-Lite – Grove Is In The Heart

I thought I was old when:
… I turned 18
… I moved out
… I purchased my first car
… I got a respectful and well paying job
… I started being responsible
… I stayed out late
… I traveled out of state alone
… I turned 20
… I no longer related with teenagers
… I saw my little cousins no longer be little

No, none of those made me old… however, I have found what makes me old…

I listen to music of the 90s

I used to laugh at my older friends who would listen to music of their generation. Not the music that was out when they were born but much like my mom who listens to music of her childhood they would listen to and love music that they listened to when during their childhood. I always though that I would never be that person. I would never listen to the songs of the 90s. Then I saw something under the “decades” section of iTunes… One Hit Wonders of the 90s.

Then I discovered how much of the music I listen to is from the 90s and enjoy it. See my sidenote for a sample of what I’ve been listening to for a great laugh. Just thought I’d share that note… More later this week on other stuff.

Night,
J

So, I’ve been so busy this week and for the past few months I feel like all I ever do is work. Work at work and work at home. I decided that tonight I’m having a bonfire. Nothing formal, just going to go make a fire in the backyard and invite everyone I know. So far, I haven’t heard back from anyone but Hope… but I figured even if it is just me sitting back there, it will be nice to get a breather.

Anyone is welcome, it’s just in my backyard around my firebowl. A lawnchair is recommend as seating is limited. If you want to come, give me a hollar on e-mail or call/text my phone or just show up! We’ll be in the back so don’t ring the door bell because most likely no one will hear it. Oh, and feel free to bring others… I’m always up for meeting new people.

Later,
- J

Dear Nighthawk Black Pearl RDX,
Maybe you didn’t do well in school, so let me explain this small fact about physics to you. The heavier you are the more force you need to move. Plain and simple right? You see, I saw you there, acting like you were the “king of the road”, “pimp of the parkway”, “heffner of the highway” but sadly you only drive a RDX. Now, if you were driving a TL-S or even an RL maybe even an MDX… I’d say sure and this wouldn’t be written. The fact of the matter is that you’re driving a RDX.

I know the sales guy told you all about how it is “TURBOCHARGED” and probably told you that it was the ONLY Acura factory TURBOCHARGED vehicle they make so that means that your car must be fast. However this simple math equation will help you with that fact… 240HP + More Weight = Slower than a TL.

Oh yes, and the SH-AWD (SuperHandeling-AllWheelDrive) I’m sure was something else the sales guy told you about. You seemed to think that that meant your RDX was suddenly a German sports car and you were perusing the Autobahn this morning. In reality it does handle nicely but this ain’t Germany and it was only 270 you were “perusing” this morning.

That was, until I, “Dude in Abyss Blue Pearl TL” came into your life. Maybe all your friends aren’t Acura drivers or maybe you hang with the “Truck/SUV” crowd so obviously you have the fastest car around. Well… welcome to the Acura family .

You see, lets layout the food chain here. We have the RL, TL, then the MDX, RDX and TSX. Now, you need to remember that with that layout I put before also ranks speed and agility.

It was so funny this morning when we encountered each other and you came four lanes over with no signal to cut off the guy in front of me to only see you look up and be cut off by a semi. It was then more funny when I figured out to get in the slow lane and pass said semi and that is when you noticed that “A” badge on my car… the same “A” badge that is on your car. Well… at least they taught you how to match in school…

So you, not so politely, came up on my rear end after a few minutes of you deciding how to pass the semi in front of you. I figured you were just going to follow me because I know sometimes when I meet up with another Acura we tend to “hang” together until our respective exists. Ususally a nod goodbye or eye contact to say… hey… nice ride.

You however tried to rear end my car; maybe you’re the blacksheep of the Acura family? Regardless, maybe I taught you a few lessons this morning:
1. An Acura TL can go from 65-0 in a VERY short amount of time
2. Pay attention to said Acura TL going from 65-0
3. As fast as I can go from 65-0 I can go 0-65
4. Your RDX does neither of these as fast as the TL

I must say the highlight of our entire “spirited” drive to work with you chasing me all over freaking 270 was the point where I got in the exit lane, you looked over, and I was laughing my rear end off at you and I pointed at you and you looked like you were going to cry. Well, at least you had no one with you so none of your other guy friends could whoop on you and whatnot, thus provoking more crying.

I’m sure you’re sitting at an office somewhere, telling your buddies how you ripped some TL driver a new one this morning… but all I have to say is… hard to do that when all you saw were my tail lights.

Sincerely,
Dude in Abyss Blue Pearl TL

I went to bed last night and my house was 75 degrees and I had a fan on due to the slightly elevated temperature. I then opened the windows upstairs and went to bed. I awoke this morning in what I would call a typical Ohio fall day. One that reminds me of childhood and what the mornings felt like as I would prepare and go to school.

After going through my morning routine I headed out for the day. It was only 50 degrees outside so I wore a little warmer shirt and used the heat along with my heated seats this morning on my drive in

There’s something about this time of year that also makes the morning have a different smell, one more crisp and clean. Especially up where I work,  we’re not in the country but we’re outside the city so the air just seems different.

Well, time to get some work done, thought I’d share that random though.

Later,
- J

Behold the one and only iPodTouch. I think they said it best when someone called it “the iPhone without the phone”. Now, as we all know, as much as I can ramble about Microsoft products, under this Windows front is a Mac lover at heart. I knew Apple would eventually make something like this and I held out long enough!

 

So, I thought I’d do something different and give my thoughts, opinions and propose some questions (feel free to comment and answer). Let’s get to it…

 

I believe it was a CNet article that stated that Apple had created this iPodTouch for Verizon Wireless users. Let’s be honest… that’s how I viewed it. I’m a diehard Verizon Wireless user and big fan of the network, phones, and customer service. Also, if you live in the central Ohio area, you know that the best service and coverage is Verizon. So I wasn’t about to leave my 7+ year relationship with Verizon to join AT&T to get an iPhone.

 

Now, unlike a lot of other people, I like the iPhone. If I can avoid carrying multiple devices, I would. Lets be honest though, a Verizon Smartphone (like a Blackberry/Active Sync Based) is no Apple iPhone. Sure I can browse the web, get e-mail, etc… but I can’t sync it with iTunes and use it like a TRUE Mp3 player. So I carried along with my LG VX8600 and waited for Apple to blow away everyone… That happened this week.

 

So, I used to carry my iPod everywhere, but then I also figured out I needed a PDA for Calendar/Contacts and then on top of that I needed a Laptop for web access when I’m near Wi-Fi. So soon, I’m going to need something that resembles the “Batbelt” (Batman’s Utility Belt) to hold all this crap. Then the iPodTouch came into my life.

 

You see, I didn’t focus on the cool CoverFlow interface, multi-touch, or the fact I can play video, view photos and play music. I saw Wi-Fi, Safari, Same Add-on Interface like the iPhone and THE CALENDAR AND CONTACTS BUTTONS. See, this is perfect, I don’t need my e-mail (but I’m sure someone will make an add-on or hack for the iPodTouch for mail) and I could then ditch the laptop, iPod, and PDA for the iPodTouch.

 

I’m hoping that the Calendar and Contact features resemble that of the iPhone and not a stupid “view only” type interface (like the current iPod). I can see this device becoming something that I carry more than my laptop. Also with the hope of getting the Acura equipped with an iPod connector then I’d always have it because CDs are so cumbersome and I live on the iTunes Music Store.

 

So my questions would be:

1. How easy will it be to get 3rd Party Apps onto the iPhone?

2. How robust are the Calendar and Contacts app?

 

What do you guys, my readers, think of this device? Is it just a plan to get people to love the iPodTouch so much you sell it on eBay to go buy an iPhone? I’d like to hear how others view this device.

 

Also, MAD props to Steve Jobs for listening to his user community. For those who haven’t heard, many were upset that iPhones dropped so drastically in price (which, HELLO it’s the TECHNOLOGY industry… I’ll buy something today and tomorrow it will fall in price). Steve Jobs instead of being much like… well, that company in Redmond… All current iPhone users who paid full price will get a $100 credit to the Apple Store. THAT is real CUSTOMER SERVICE by the way. Go Steve…

 

Well, night all… Until tomorrow!

- J

So, today on my lunch break I found myself wandering a local office supply store in Dublin, Ohio. I was looking for some paper, a box, and a tape dispenser (for packing tape). Well, no one offered to help me find anything but being the sharp and quick witted person I am, was able to locate everything I needed.

Which, by the way, I can’t believe how long it has been since I had to buy computer paper. They now have a whole wall of it? What happened to one kind of Inkjet, Laser, Copy paper?

Now it seems there is:
Super Bright White Laser Paper,
Dull Shady White Laser Paper,
SUPER-SWEET-MARY-MOTHER-OF-JESUS-YOU-NEED-SUNGLASSES-TO-LOOK-AT-THIS Laser Paper,
and Store Brand Questionably White Laser Paper.

Anyways, returning to the story, I was standing in the packing/shipping aisle looking for what kind of box I needed to ship out some eBay stuff. I noticed an older gentleman looking very confused at a wall of labels.

I finally select my box and grab my tape dispenser when the gentleman mumbled to himself, “I think I must be blind…” I looked over and he looked very frustrated with this wall of labels so I walk over and ask, “What are you looking for?”

“All I want are some shipping labels that have TO: and FROM: on them. The guy up front said to come to this aisle but he didn’t offer to show me where on the aisle,” he responded looking to me for some help.

I smiled and looked around for what he was describing, sure enough, this whole wall of labels didn’t have a single shipping label. I turned around and on the other side of the aisle about 10 feet down I spotted something that looked like labels. I walked down, picked them up, and sure enough, they were.

I returned to the gentleman and handed them to him, “are these what you’re looking for?” I asked.

He replied, “Thank you so much!”

He then shook my hand and continued to thank me for sometime there after. He asked me where the double sided tape would be, and I pointed to the next aisle over, “over there, with the scotch tape, I promise you can’t miss it.”

Again, he walked away thanking me and I just stood there and smiled. It is amazing how sometimes you can be in the right place at the right time to help others who are in need. It was funny we checked out together and then walked to the parking lot and he owned a 2005 Acura RL. It made me laugh. I guess us Acura owners need to stick together, even in the office supply store.

My story is two fold:

1. GET ON THE BALL “LOCAL RETAIL OFFICE SUPPLY STORE IN DUBLIN, OHIO” my cousin used to manage one of these said stores and THIS IS NOT HOW YOU’RE TO FUNCTION. It is sad when customers of your store have to help each other find products . Customer service has gone down the drain when it comes to retail establishments.

2. This doesn’t happen to me often but does remind me that we should look for others in need when we’re out. I know in Ohio there seems to be an unspoken rule that you do not speak to anyone unless you know them. I have to say that I don’t think it would hurt us to be more like “The South” and be a little more friendly. Us Yankees can be such stuck ups sometimes.

Well, that’s the story of the day. Enjoy. I’m off to list more stuff on eBay and eventually get some dinner in here somewhere.

Later,
- J

All I can do, is laugh. Want to know what’s so funny… just ask me.

Later,
- J