January 30, 01:38 hours, after just 3,5 hours of labor, our first son was born. He and Sweety are doing great, but are to tired to post anything. I'm on my way to declare him at city hall and hand in my resignation at work. Busy days :) I'll probably update again, with photos, tomorrow....
January 2006 Archives
Since the baby still isn't here yet I'm now in the progress of moving my website and upgrading to a new MovableType version, so expect so downtime or slow performance :)
update: this post has been updated from the new loaction using the new MovableType.... seems to be working!
update 2: Done! (I think) Thank you DREAMHOST for making this a very smooth domain transition, I've been a happy customer since January 2000. Thank you Six Apart for making MovableType.
Thank you for the new strip of pictures you made for my site :)
My parents surprised us Saturday with diner at a Spanish Restaurant (Qué Pasa), just around the corner from where we live. It was a great surprise and we had a fun evening with good food.
Earlier on Saturday we went to a few car dealerships. With the new job that's coming I wont be able to commute by bus. There simple is no bus or train that comes close to where I'll work. For those of you who travelled in The Netherlands using public transport that might be hard to believe, but it's true. None of the car dealers we visited had any cars older that two or three years and we are looking for something we can afford without financing. So no deal. We'll have to go out again.
It was funny to see the reaction to Sweety's noticeable belly. Car dealer: "Look at this car, it's very SAFE. I'm sure SAFETY is of great importance for you." all while staring and winking at Sweety's belly. Or "This car doesn't have a passenger airbag, that's GREAT because you can put the baby's car seat in front!" It was interesting how none of them asked WHY we were buying a car or what it would be used for. They all just assumed it had to be because of the baby :)
"Whoever...utilizes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet... without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person...who receives the communications...shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both."
H.R. 3402: Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005
Unfortunately I almost feel the need for a new category on my weblog: Why NOT to move to the US. Things like this, the Patriot Act, and other recent laws and regulations are the main reasons. Still love the people, mentality, politeness, spaaaace, food etc etc. But Freedom and Liberty? It's almost totally being diminished. It's a shame.
News.com: Create an e-annoyance, go to jail
CNET: FAQ: The new 'annoy' law explained
You no longer have to wonder if you can go a day without chocolate, eat all you want!
Jee! I received the first part of the paperwork (or e-mailwork really) for the new job today! See, it helps to write about it. So what this means is that we now have agreed, per e-mail, on the terms/salary. Next step is putting this in a real contract and starting the background check. Now if the background check fails I obviously won't get the job but I don't see any problem. That means iBaby will have a Daddy Day... hooray!
My current job is based on a temporarily contract. It ended at December 31 but was renewed for another year. Before it was renewed though I started doing slightly different work in October. First I was under the impression I would also get a different job, you know? different salary, job-description, new contract etc. But it turned out not so. I only got more responsibility and work. What I liked but my contract wasn?t even renewed until mid-December. By that time I was already interviewing with another organization for a position. A very interesting one. Working 4x9 hour days so having an extra day of every week to play with iBaby! Of course I?ll loose some salary but not to much, I?m sure it?s worth it. It?s a IT Security job and for a Government organization. So with great benefits!
There?s just one problem. They still haven?t sent me the contract. So I had to accept the renewal at my current job where I now have a month notice. Before I can start at the new place they need to do a background check that requires two months, but I?m supposed to start in March. I just came of the phone with the guy that offered me the job and he seems very angry at his HR people for not sending me the paperwork yet. So now I?ll just have to wait again. Hopefully I get the paperwork this week and I can mentally start preparing for the new job. Right now I feel kind of stuck in the middle.
