Xenith27

An article found on Business 2.0's website:

"What if Google (GOOG) wanted to give Wi-Fi access to everyone in America? And what if it had technology capable of targeting advertising to a user’s precise location? The gatekeeper of the world’s information could become one of the globe’s biggest Internet providers and one of its most powerful ad sellers, basically supplanting telecoms in one fell swoop. Sounds crazy, but how might Google go about it?

First it would build a national broadband network -- let's call it the GoogleNet -- massive enough to rival even the country's biggest Internet service providers. Business 2.0 has learned from telecom insiders that Google is already building such a network, though ostensibly for many reasons. For the past year, it has quietly been shopping for miles and miles of "dark," or unused, fiber-optic cable across the country from wholesalers such as New York’s AboveNet. It's also acquiring superfast connections from Cogent Communications and WilTel, among others, between East Coast cities including Atlanta, Miami, and New York. Such large-scale purchases are unprecedented for an Internet company, but Google's timing is impeccable. The rash of telecom bankruptcies has freed up a ton of bargain-priced capacity, which Google needs as it prepares to unleash a flood of new, bandwidth-hungry applications. These offerings could include everything from a digital-video database to on-demand television programming.

An even more compelling reason for Google to build its own network is that it could save the company millions of dollars a month. Here's why: Every time a user performs a search on Google, the data is transmitted over a network owned by an ISP -- say, Comcast (CMCSK) -- which links up with Google's servers via a wholesaler like AboveNet. When AboveNet bridges that gap between Google and Comcast, Google has to pay as much as $60 per megabit in IP transit fees. As Google adds bandwidth-intensive services, those costs will increase. Big networks owned by the likes of AT&T (T) get around transit fees by striking "peering" arrangements, in which the networks swap traffic and no money is exchanged. By cutting out middlemen like AboveNet, Google could share traffic directly with ISPs to avoid fees.

So once the GoogleNet is built, how would consumers connect for free access? One of the cheapest ways would be for Google to blanket major cities with Wi-Fi, and evidence gathered by Business 2.0 suggests that the company may be trying to do just that. In April it launched a Google-sponsored Wi-Fi hotspot in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district, built by a local startup called Feeva. Feeva is reportedly readying more free hotspots in California, Florida, New York, and Washington, and it's possible that Google may be involved. Feeva CEO Nitin Shah confirms that the company is working with Google but won't discuss details. Google’s interest in Feeva likely stems from the startup's proprietary technology, which can determine the location of every Wi-Fi user and would allow Google to serve up advertising and maps based on real-time data."





Discuss amongst yourselves...

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

So, today I finally learned how to cure my constant procrastination. I think I'll try that out later.

In other news, CNN's The Situation Room, hosted by our very own Wolf Blitzer, premiere's today and every weekday afternoon from 3pm-6pm. I recommend watching it if for no other reason than to hear the music tracks. Good stuff I must say, and I'm going to try and find it in mp3 form ;-).

Screen-grabs of rehearsals hopefully coming soon!

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

EDIT 8/9/05, 3:31pm- Also fun is to count how many times during the show Wolf says "You're in the Situation Room." Yesterday's count hit 36 I believe. The joke here at CNN is that this show could be the next big drinking game. I mean hey, it's right in the middle of the day, so what better time to do it, right? ;-)

Ok, so for those of you who don't know, last year Bank of America bought Fleet, the bank I was with. Fleet sucked. Bank of America took that and magnified the suckitude 5000-fold. Their website sends you in circles, makes you sign up for something everytime you click a link, and doesn't let you access all of your accounts despite their claim posted everywhere of ease of use. Their 800-number phone support's an automated joke. And did you hear about the thousands of account compromised a few months back?

I'm switching banks. Any suggestions?

Without Wax, But With Much Ire,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

EDIT 8/5/05, 5:03pm- I have solved all of the above mentioned issues from yesterday, mainly through my remaining knowledge of "tricks of the trade" as it were. And to be fair, the woman finally I got in touch with was very nice, understanding, and helpful, even though I had to explain my problem to and get transferred through two different people to get there. I am no longer bitter, but I do have major problems with a lot of Bank of America's policies and standards. As such, I am still researching banks to switch to.
>>>Adam.

So today I went out cruising on the Potomac River. I also found out that I can water ski. First time I've ever done it, and it was awesome. I took three runs, and my first one I was able to get up and maintain balance no problem. I must be a natural ;-P. Anyway, second run nothing special really to report. But my third run, oh boy, was that fun. I was told that we got going about 30 mph, and I was doing fine until we went to go turn around at that speed, at which point I made it about half way around the turn, and then proceeded to be flung into a cartwheel (yes, completely on top of the water) whilst the skis went flying in two very opposite directions. Again, it was awesome! Can't wait to do it again!

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Blind Alchemist. Where You Lived: Thailand. How You Died: Killed in Battle.

So, I'm sitting here all day watching CNN, cause well...it's on all day in the CNN building. Anyway, today one of the top stories is all about the 6th Harry Potter book, The Half-Blood Prince, and that reminded me about when I applied for the part of Viktor Krum in the 4th Movie. I wondered to myself, 'Who ended up getting the part I wanted?'
Well, the internet is good for something I suppose. I found out the part of Viktor Krum went to Stanislav Ianevski, or "Stan" as he's sometimes called. I wanna show you all this:

Yeah, that's Stan...now don't tell me I couldn't have gotten this part...

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

I realize I've all but vanished from here, and I apologize, but I will not be giving a true update today. I just wanted to share a couple things...

( Just to clear something up... )

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to say I have been trying to get my summer website up and running, but am having some major issues with finding a decent server to host it. I have found a great one, but the sign-up has been down for upgrades the past couple days, and I therefore have not been able to register. I promise though, I will get this thing up before much longer. In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions for free web hosting, lemme know.

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

Let's see, what have I done since school ended that may interest the likes of y'all...

Welp, I ordered myself a custom-laptop from HP, leased out my apartment on campus through the end of June, came home for a couple weeks, received my laptop and loaded it up with all sorts of goodies to hold me over for the summer (including a new screenname that I'll be using when I've got both my computers running. So be sure to add Xen Wanderer to your buddy lists), drove down to Washington D.C. a couple days ago, and got some sun and a bit of color back on my skin.

What do I have to look forward to?

Welp, I'm gonna get to know the area in which I currently reside over the next couple days, as well as the CNN building and several of the people working there, I'm flying home Thursday, driving out to Syracuse Friday, driving out to Buffalo on Saturday to move my stuff from my apartment to my house (on which the lease starts that day), then driving back to Syracuse to watch my father's band perform that evening, driving back home Sunday, flying back to D.C. Monday, starting my internship officially on Tuesday, then doing that until the end of August. Oh yeah, I've gotta get back up to Buffalo at some point in July to end my apartment lease and turn in my keys.

I'm sure other great stuff is bound to happen among that three month span of time, so I've devised a website to include y'all on the extreme details of all this fun...maybe even with pictures of my adventures! I just need to find a decent free server to put it up on, but I'll let you guys know when it's up and going.

But alas, I'm going to sleep now, so I hope I've satisfied you. Aight? Aight.

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

"Hello,

As you may already know, the stairs leading up to Alumni parking lot (next to South Lake, building 202) are in poor condition. A contractor has been hired to erect new concrete steps beginning May 13, 2005. This project should take 1-2 days to complete. Until this time, you are urged not to use these stairs. An alternate staircase leading to Alumni lot is located across from building 201.

Thank you.

Tom Tiberi
Sr. Associate Director
University Apartments"

...'bout time.

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

Finally, my game hath arrived to stores everywhere!!

Though I'm waiting to obtain my copy, as once I do, I will most likely cease to exist otherwise... (I was part of one of the early betas, so I already know I love the game)

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

Reply and I'll tell you something I like about you.

Afterward, copy and paste this into your own journal.

So, apparently I took a computer literacy course at the University of Massachusetts

Strange, I was unaware. I must've been sleep-getting-an-education again...

Oh well.

>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

http://www.mms.com/us/mpire/mms_480x270.mov

So yeah, I was looking at my 'recent' posts, and apparently I didn't post this yet (though I don't know why not), but I got the internship at CNN this summer. I got the call a little over a week ago - 9:30 am Thursday March 31, 2005 to be exact - when I was still very much asleep. Needless to say, after I hung up, I rolled over and fell back asleep. I then realized what had just happened, and rose with a start to double-check my cell phone call log to make sure I had in fact gotten the call and it wasn't some cruel dream. As it turns out, it was real, and I will be spending my summer in Washington D.C. 8-D

Also, I haven't posted any comics in a while, and I honestly feel bad about that.

( So here, I hope you enjoy ;-) )

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

Tell me, is it weird that not only did I have a sudden urge today to listen to The Lion King Soundtrack, but ended up listening to it all the way through twice?

I'm genuinely curious, and now for some reason I Just Can't Wait To Be King...

Hakuna Matata,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

I was in my kitchen making dinner tonight, and as I was waiting for the water to boil, I decided I would move some of the crap my roommates leave all over into a few somewhat more organized stacks that wouldn't so much be in my way, and would very much more be in theirs.

Anyway, as I was moving stuff around, I encountered all sorts of change scattered throughout the place. When I was finished, I counted it up and found I had made myself $3.36. Finally, some compensation for dealing with these people.

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

So yes, after 3 1/2 hours of dismantling and rebuilding my monitor, plentiful cursing, numerous pleas to any existing diety, several momentary sucesses, getting electrocuted twice (which incidently caused much of the cursing), and a rollercoaster ride of inspiration and depression, I have managed to finally figure out the problem with my monitor and then figure out how to fix it.

I'm exhausted and still feeling a bit of electricity running through my veins (both figurative and literal), but I felt I should share this small adventure before passing out for the night.

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.

I have such a mix of emotions right now...

I'm so T.O.ed because I just got back from class to find my roommate had taken all my stuff out of the dishwasher, and then ran it. This is like the fifth time he's done this and frankly, I'm just a tad irked right now.

I was intending to only write about what crossed my mind as I was walking back from class, but I had to get that outta the way first, since it was more immediate. But now that I've vented a bit (not to mention empty the contents of the dishwasher back into the sink, where, btw, there were still dirty dishes), I present to you my wandering thoughts:

Walking back from class tonight, I realized with growing pain that I have become lonely more often as of late. Now, that isn't to say I haven't spent a bunch of time with my friends, or that I haven't enjoyed it a lot. But I believe the fates have played a cruel joke on me, in that they've taught me what it's like to be lonely. I really never felt lonely until this year. Don't get me wrong, I've been alone a lot in my life, in fact even quested towards such. However, now that I've had the extreme honor and privilege of good friends, not having them always around me has left me wanting, and thus given me the feeling of loneliness. I fear, as the title of this post suggests, that I am quickly nearing my breaking point. I fear that I may soon give up the one moral and social value I have clung to so desperately for most of my short life. The one thing I possess that society would not have me do. My singularity. My once rock hard resolve has begun to crumble and the ideas of others have begun to get through to me. I fear that I may not be who I once was much longer, which is my reason for this post. I wish to preserve the part of myself that I have for so long thought would represent me eternally. I apologize to one and all for my continuous arguments against your ways. I have been overwhelmed with opposition for too long, and the numbers are always growing. I shall give up what I have preserved for so long. You all win...

Without Wax,
>>>(Xenith27)_Adam Out.