Every day is a new day

I'm beginning to finally plan my adventures and other endeavours. I'll be revamping this site to an updated look, and try to make it more blog friendly.

I've got quite a few projects in general that I still need to finish. I've finally finished my first water cooled computer! That was quite an exciting accomplishment. It may be just another worldly thing, that will eventually break down and have to be replaced, but it was a thrilling nerd project, and went just as well as I could have hoped! It's keeping my computer quite cool too. Now if only Fallout4 would stop glitching out... I haven't found anyone online reporting the same issue.

Another project to finish would be my LED Black lights. Although my infinity mirror could use some additional work to compile the wires and power supply. I feel like I've got a few more projects, but I really think those are the big things. The top priority is cleaning up some of my clutter. I need to plan my projects better so I can finish them within a reasonable time. I believe wise planning makes for a more content life anyway. Especially if I'm going to be planning to travel more!

Above all, we should remember to treasure where we are, and not just where we want to be. "The pleasure of what we enjoy, is lost by wanting more." I actually don't know a source for this. It was on a meal ticket for work, and a Google search proved unhelpful to find the true originator.

Hacking Skills. Hard Drive ATA Security Unlock

So, I inherited a 2TB hard drive from someone that ripped apart a cloud storage device for fun, and had no use for the hard drive... Random right? I tried using the drive in a server I was making, but the Linux install would freak out any time I tried to format the drive. I figured there was some kind of lock on it, I've never dealt with it before so I've never had to know anything about it. But at last, a reason had risen.

I gave up on the drive, and just a couple days ago decided to use it again. I ordered a second of the same model to use in a mirrored raid setup. Then the true problem surfaced. When I put the hard drive into my computer, and booted up, I was presented with a hard drive password unlock screen from my bios. Answered my previous questions pretty quick on why I couldn't use the drive. First thing I did was try the name of the cloud company the drive was pulled from. I figured if they were going to be as fancy as putting a hard drive lock on it, they weren't going to be that dumb. But why not try? I've prayed on peoples innocent negligence before. Didn't work this time though.

Then it was on to the google searches. For some reason the searches weren't very direct and helpful at first. I had to piece together information on locked drives from several sources, and eventually found a linux work around that did the trick.

Here's a link to a post I made in reply to someone that was the most helpful

Took some work! and about five hours of my time. But I'm glad I figured it out. Since I already have a matching hard drive being shipped to me, I really needed this one to work. The drive was a little on the expensive side compared to another deal I found, but this drive is quiet, and had good reviews. So I figured they could be brothers! And now they will be.

New Year

Never enough time in the day to do all the things you want to. I need to be updating this blog more often, and writing in my journal, and going to the gym, and studying languages, and studying networking, and designing newer better websites...

A change will happen here eventually. I've got a lot of planning and goal making to do.

Top on the list, I need to study for my Ham Radio license. At the very least I need to review the question pool for the first level license. But with how much I've increased in programming capacity, I really want to get the online tests completed. That ought to bring in some site revenue, and attract more visitors for a real cause.

Another reason for thinking of updating this blog randomly, I help a family man change his car tire about a week ago. Maybe two; time fly fast. He was an awesome guy, and I wish I had gotten more contact information from him. He's affiliated with a company or a group that does 5K runs around the country. One of them coming up this year is in my home town, Fort Worth, Texas. I wont spill too many details in the case it's not supposed to be released yet... But it sounded worth driving home for to participate. Depending on when it is, I just might. This is where google becomes my friend!

I'll end this with a link to my sisters blog. She's gotten busier with family responsibilities over the past few months, and her stuff is mostly for women... But I still think it's pretty cool. She designed a calendar for 2015. Check it out here, sherbertcafe.blogspot.com. She's quite the crafty sister!

Ti's the season for another posting

Been a long time since I've posted. I've been behind on a lot of things. The more responsibility you receive in life, the less you spend time on things that are not requisite to life. I still have many projects I want to work on here. There is much good to be done in this world! I really hope to get back to them soon.

As for a new years resolution. That will come soon. I really shouldn't be posting now. I originally got on to host a few files for a friend as we collaborate for a New Years party we're working on. Then I felt sad that my last post was clear in May...

It has been a good year thus far! I have achieved a lot. I have grown a lot. I have learned a lot. And I have done a lot! If not posting here, I should definitely be writing in my journal more. I've become lax and lazy in many a things this past year. My new job has kept me busy, and my mind ever active. On that note, I really have learned a lot more about programming! I've learned how to make my Ham Radio practice tests work much better, and far more efficient. I thank my job for that! My ham radio license expires this coming year, so I really must study up to recertify! Perhaps I'll finally get this project finished, not just to help me, but to help many others that are seeking a good way to learn the hobby.

So much do to. Never enough time.

New services updated

My GoDaddy hosting expired. The renewal was a lot more than I was willing to pay, so I purchased a new one through them and I've migrated everything over. The files transferred much faster than I expected. Had a few issues getting the MySQL database put back in place.. But everything is all there now. I got my sister a domain name too. I'll be helping her transfer her blog to it over the next few months. Fun times to be had!

This past weekend I went camping with an old acquaintance. I think it's safe to say we're actually friends now. haha. It was his birthday slash graduation party. We went to Zion National Park in Springdale Utah. It was a beautiful place! There was plenty to do, plenty to see, and the weather was just perfect. It was probably the nicest camp out I've ever had. Made some new friends, had a great time, spent the weekend very well.

It makes me want to get into rock climbing even more. There were some good places around there to climb, and much more to explore! Maybe I can take Rachel back there some day! I even talked to a guy about his adventure motorcycle for quite a while. Getting a brand new big BMW would be rather sweet, but I'm pondering now starting a little smaller.. It's a hard debate with myself. I could get a smaller bike, or get the big GS1200 and take on anything. It's got all the tech to make my nerd side happy too. including a built in GPS controller to the handle bars (GPS unit sold separately of course). It would be very exciting!.... and very expensive. I suppose I still have a few months to think about it while I save up for which ever option I choose.

I'm glad I love programming so much.. And that my new job is letting me do a lot of programming! I'm a happy camper.

~Taylor

P.s. If you'd like full res pictures in this and future posts. Let me know in the comments below!

Venture to the Valley

Took a trip to Utah for yesterday and today. It's been a fun trip so far. I'm up here for a job interview for a wireless internet company. They make me feel rather special. They flew me up here, and even got me a rental car to cruise around in while I'm here. it seems rather promising. They're a company pretty new to WISP operations, so there's a lot of room for growth and input for improving how things run. I'm quite excited to be a part of this team. There's a lot to do up here in Utah. I hope I'll get the time to do some camping like I'd love to.

Bigger better updates

I took my 13" back and got the 15" with dedicated graphics. And I'm happy I did. The 13" would have gotten me by just fine, but I do love the bigger screen, and the graphics! It's a little different getting used to after having the 13" for two weeks... but I'm managing. I still need a case for it. It's hard to find a good case I'll like. All I really need is the bottom part. I've been looking at stickers to put on the lid. But then again... Why do I need a case? No other laptop I've had has had a case... I suppose when you spend so much money on something so sleek, you have that feeling of not wanting it to get scratched.

Aside from all that. I've finally gotten most of the links fixed on the site. Got the database routes corrected and the style links fixed, everything looks pretty again! Now to start up on some projects again :D

Let the good times roll.