Dan Mayer's Blog

Erin and I actually went to see the rally in the late afternoon, and it was pretty impressive. Almost more impressive (in that i don't see why they would really come out to piss off another group that picked one day to voice thier opinions) was that an odd group of people came out to protest the immigrants. To protect those people there was over 100 cops in two lines shoulder to shoulder one right in front of the anti-immigrants and then about 10 feet of empty space no one could go in, and then another line of shoulder to shoulder cops, in a half circle around the group which was basically backed up against a building. (I was also impressed and happy to see the police maintaining peace well) There was no violence when we were their just people yelling back and forth at each other. It was definitely something to make you think. I really don't know the solution, and I don't think I have even develop my own thoughts on it very well, but it was kind of amazing. I mean we need to be able to make it easier for people to come legally into the country, and find some solution for all the people already here, I just don't know what it is.

I have always been a fan of Kevin Smith and his movies (Chasing Amy, Dogma, Clerks, Mallrats, and such). I had heard of some of the problems Jason Mewes, has had with drugs, but obviously knew nothing in comparison to the real story. Like the movies Kevin has written he wrote a 10 essays talking about the 13 years or so of Jason's drug addiction and the problems it cause, and the amazing story of him finally getting sober (which he has remained for 3 years). The story of friendship and the bond these two share is incredible. It is a story that might even be better than all of the movies he has written, but with a still great writing style that makes it seem much more natural and conversational than other films.

Anyways, people always talk about the problems with drugs and addictions, but nothing seems to really hit home with many people. Sometimes you just can't see how steep and slippery the slope can be until you see someone that has fallen over the edge, and this is a story of someone who definitely went over the edge and was lucky enough to be able to climb back up. I highly recommend reading all of the articles in order, it will take a couple hours, but it is a very powerful and scary read.

Me and My Shadow pt1
Me and My Shadow pt2
Me and My Shadow pt3
Me and My Shadow pt4
Me and My Shadow pt5
Me and My Shadow pt6
Me and My Shadow pt7
Me and My Shadow pt8
Me and My Shadow pt9

So if you read it let me know your thoughts, I thought it was well written and one of the more honest things I have read about drugs. Interesting and scary. Jason Mewes congrats for turning your life around, and best of luck for every day in the future.

(side note: I think it is funny that Jason now drinks a bunch of redbull which we all know is a hobby of mine.)

I have been looking around at what companies seem to want currently from a mi level Java programmer, it seems to be all over the map. I also have notice a big rise in the demand for C#/ASP programmers as well. So if your starting to hunt for a new Java developer position here is a list of things you might want to study up on a bit before going out on the job hunt:

Java RMI
Java Swing Basics / tutorials
EJB basics / tutorials
Some basic internationalization
Java Date formatting or more Date timezones
Java Applet security
Compressing serialized objects or other output files in Java
Threading issues of Array List
I know we all extend classes and work with interfaces, but they always ask questions about it at interviews
There are also many testing positions available which want experience with JUnit.

So if your currently on a Java position and looking around a bit, here are some areas you should really brush up on a bit before starting your interview rounds.

I hate the fact that I am driving somewhere and apparently mostly going straight, but probably going to get lost. There should be no where that you can drive straight but actually go on 5 different roads.

My quick path of straightness as an example:

1. Turn left at Champa St - go 0.8 mi
2. Continue on Kalamath St - go 1.8 mi
3. Continue on S Kalamath St - go 1.1 mi
4. Continue on S Platte River Dr - go 0.6 mi
5. Continue on US-85 S toward Santa Fe Drive - go 0.3 mi
6. Continue on S Santa Fe Dr - go 2.6 mi

I am not even counting the Kalamath to S Kalamth as a new road. City designers are stupid, and I place the blame squarely on Dominic, because he is a architect and that is about as close of profession that I know.

Sometimes things move so quickly, and sometimes you don't know exactly what to say. I guess with quick and fast changes exciting possibilities arise. There are many things going on right now, but the most exciting of them all is how things have been progressing with Erin. It just seems like everything matches up perfectly. Everything is just going so well between us right now that it is almost scary, to quote a cute girl I know... hehe

Wow just learned that my Bro is coming to town to chill for a long weekend. He will be getting in tomorrow afternoon. Sweet, celebrating with My bro, my girl, and my friends.

an interesting read, by some feminist college student.

Feminist thoughts

It is funny sometimes how weird things feel when your surrounded only by people that agree with you, but based on the laws or social norms, you know your whole group is actually in the minority.

One day I might finally have this all straight in my head...

difference between affect and effect

It is finally time to select the best of the Denver music scene. The Flobots are up in the running for the hip hop category, and Bop Skizzum is up in another category. So you should go ahead and go vote, and tell your friends and make them vote.

Vote Flobots in the Westword

Show your support for the local music scene.

Also, Happy Mother's Day Mom, I hope you had a wonderful day, Love You.

I so stole this post from a friend and put my own answers in because I thought it was clever... Yeah clever how is that going for you? Anyways, my guess is these lists have been floating around blog to blog for awhile now, so I might as well sign on up right?

Nine lasts:
1. Cigarette: Clove Erin's graduation party Friday (before that can't even remember)
2. Beverage: Water, before that energy drink to review...
3. Kiss: My hand to get rid of excessive chap stick, before that Erin Saturday morning before heading off to Ft Collins, we wanted to go for a walk and have a short picnic, but there wasn't time I was already late.
4. Hug: Krista to congratulate her from graduating college
5. Movie seen: Last Boy Scout, it was on TV
6. CD played: Death Cab for Cutie (a collection of their Mp3's what's a CD?)
7. Song listened to: Death Cab for Cutie, Thats Incentive for about 35 seconds/currently
8. Bubble bath: No Idea, to long... new summer goal I think so.
9. Time you cried: Wednesday.

Eight have you evers:
1. Dated one of your best friends: They always became best friends, but never dated anyone that was a best friend, I had tried a couple times though.
3. Kissed somebody and regretted it: Yes
4. Fallen in love: Yes, but worse yet, out of it.
5. Lost someone you loved: Yes.
6. Been depressed: Yeppers
7. Been drunk and threw up: Yes, but can't recall the last time that happened.
8. Ran away: Yes, from High School to another HS for one semester before returning, it might have been the smartest move in my life.

7 states you've been to:
This question bores me, and I will not even give it the respect of me answering it.

6 things you've done today:
1. Programmed
2. Cleaned
3. Went for a walk around the city, it was a beautiful day in Denver today.
4. Did something special for someone.
5. Called my mom to wish her a happy Mother's Day!
6. Ran off over 450 calories on my glider machine, which yes Dom I know over counts, but every little bit counts.

5 favorite things:
1. Creativity, Creativity is key.
2. Learning if you didn't learn something new today, what was the point?
3. Passion, all forms of passion... If it is something that you can find the unending pursuit and love of, that is just amazing if it is Art, Music, Film, Goals, Love, or anything else if someone has true passion for it I can respect that (except baseball, which you can't be passionate for because it sucks so badly hehe).
4. Laughter, when everyone is laughing, it is unlikely that anyone is getting hurt.
5. Surprises, I actually link this one with the first a lot. If someone can really surprise me, and make me do a double take, they will probably hold a position in my mind for a very long time.

4 people you last talked to:
1. Erin
2. Mom
3. Nicole's Voice mail
4. Matt and Julie

3 wishes:
1. Time Machine
2. World Peace, hey if were wishing why not.
3. Everyone to be in love.

2 things you want to be when you grow up:
1. I want to own my own business and work on things I find interesting.
2. In love.
(Evil answer, I kinda just wanted to put down better than you... you meaning any reader, I guess I am evil, or kind of competitive.)

1 thing you regret:
1. Not Studying Abroad

So for the first time ever a girl has a set of keys to my apartment. I am pretty sure I should be freaking out about that fact, but instead it is just really cool. Anyways, she now has all the basic stuff here, but we need to get her some hangers, no sense in her trying to always live out of a travel bag. So I this means I am growing up, but right now I am having to much fun to really worry about things like that.

Dom, Nicole, Erin, and I are going out in Denver on Friday night, if your interested I am sure it could be a good time.

I just wanted to make a quick mention that I got the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album, Stadium Arcadium. I am enjoying it quite a bit. I enjoy both discs, and have quite a few songs that I am sure I will be listening to over and over. I got excited about the new album coming out, and listened to all of their old music. It was a good time to go back through some of it, although I still really hate some of their songs, over all I really enjoy the music this band makes.

This is funny, and probably far to true.

Alright I have been listening to the Pearl Jam album all week at work, and I have really been digging the album. I like it a lot, the song on the radio, is one of the lamest tracks off the album. I really like some of the songs, and think they have released another solid CD. I dig Marker in the sand, parachutes, comeback, and inside job a lot. So anyways if you were considering picking it up, I would recommend it. I mean Eddie Vedder should have his voice patented, because he has such a unique sound. I dig his voice, and Pearl Jam evolves a bit but keeps a lot of the sound that has always made me dig their deep sound...

wow don't I sound like a pompus audiophile... hehe whatever I am digging it.

I dedicate this post to Nicole, because she was sad, and I don't like to see a pretty girl sad. hehe

sometimes some things are just to cute and silly to pass up... here is a crow that is this little kitty's mom,

Crow and kitty

I was convinced to run the Bolder Boulder, it was a good time, but I hurt my right foot (luckily it didn't hurt until after I finished the 10k). I woke up this morning and now I can barely walk, it should be interesting to see how I get to work, since I normally walk. My guess is I will limp my way there, but it might take me awhile. Anyways yippie for something everyone in Colorado (or at least Boulder) is supposed to do at least once. It was a pretty good time with bands, belly dancers, free drinks and food, and many crazy people running in costumes. Now if I could only walk again, if you don't know what the Bolder Boulder is, here is the site.

Bolder Boulder 10k run

Oh yeah my time was 74 minutes for the 10k, considering that I have never been in any run before that doesn't seem to bad. I also wasn't planning on running it so I ended up running it in jeans and converse, which was not a smart move... hehe