jamesflores.net

November

James Flores — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:59:36 +0000

I have a pretty busy month of November this year. I’ll be in Melbourne for a week and also to drop my parents+brother off to a holiday to QLD. It will be good for them to have time to relax. I’ve been hitting tennis pretty regularly again since working full time. Feels good to get out on the courts often just like when Dylan and I used to play practically every day. Dylan and Kristen leave Aussie land pretty soon. I think I’ll only see them for a week when they’re back in Albury and then gone for good (well at least for a long time). I’ll miss those guys terribly. They were my only contact to a country I will always love (besides Australia of course). Don’t you think life moves too fast? Only when we were kids we only could ever dream of growing old and getting into the real world! It would be good to stay at 21 for ever, or at least a decent amount of time. Anyway, another week ahead of me - struggles, difficulties, triumphs, happiness….ergh.

Random photo ahah. Taken at Zed after a night out for dinner.

SSL Explorer

James Flores — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:22:29 +0000

So recently I had the time to set up a VPN connection to my home computer over the last week. I used the community edition of SSL Explorer. It is really handy for when you need to access your data from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. The site here: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/27644/111/ is definitely the best guide I have come across.

I thought I’d write this post up because I found it hard to find information on it. On another note, if the SSL Explorer Agent fails to sync, make sure you set proxy settings in another profile. Quite annoying if you have proxies at home and at other locations (hence the need for different profiles). Good luck!

When October Ends

James Flores — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:44:25 +0000

It seems that the trend with my posts is towards the end of the month. It’s just coincidence. So what’s new? Um I recently got contact lenses. Originally I had planned to only use them for tennis, but it’s comfortable wearing them all the time - except when my eyes get dry looking at the computer screen. The maintenance of them aren’t too bad either. So aside from my new look, I played terribly at pennant today. So bad. I guess I haven’t been hitting nearly as much as I used to (every day). Next week I plan to hit heaps. It seems that when something goes wrong, something always comes up. Today during my singles match I was thinking to myself “Why am I so out of breath? I wasn’t like this a couple of months ago” Fitness right? Well I opened all my mail sitting on my desk and this SSA flyer was in one of them, “Personal Training Packages”. I wish I didn’t read it because I get sucked into that type of marketing ploy real bad!

Well, tonight is going to be relatively quiet. A change since the last 3 months…haha. Just got to mix it up a bit otherwise I’ll get bored.

Melbourne

James Flores — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:52:45 +0000

This week work has sent me down to Melbourne to gain some much needed knowledge in the Microsoft environment. I quite like the course as it’s very much practical and real world. I’m trying to spend some of the nights I’m here with long lost friends. Yesterday I caught up with Victor (briefly) and Tanner! We managed to squeeze a game of bowling in Prahran and I probably played my best game ever. I was telling Tanner…who would of thought, 4 years ago we’d be walking down Prahran - wouldn’t it be funny if we saw someone we both knew? Chances were pretty low, he said, but as we walked out I was like NO WAY! It was Jeff Robinson hahaha! Small world I say. The place I’m staying at is very nice. I can see the city and all the lights I still enjoy Sydney better though, probably because I don’t know my way around here. I just wish it wasn’t so far away. Anyways, I’m waiting for Sli and Leah to hurry up and come get me so we can have dinner. Also on a random note, I’m listening to Christmas music (reminds us just how close it is already)…

Clearly I didn’t know how to position myself to get the best view

Still the same Tanner from years ago

Engagement Party and Riverina Tennis

James Flores — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:48:49 +0000

The last week has been pretty hectic. As usual, we had the usual get together with friends but this time Pia, Jeff and Liz were in town to visit! Jeff and I had lunch with Liz and family during the day and towards the night, Jeff, Pia and I went out to Paddys before heading to One. On the Monday, Renee and Sam had their engagement party. It was quite fun and I had a lot of wine. Congrats on those two!!! The highlight of this weekend was the Wagga Wagga Tennis Tournament. I did feel I played a lot better than Griffith this time - probably because I’ve been playing a bit more. Andrew had a tough open draw and lost in 3 sets. We did however get to the semi’s of the A grade doubles which was pretty cool! The highlight of the tournament was Andrew winning the 16’s boys singles draw.

Out of towners!

Sam and Renee awwww

Chris Letcher - dominated the tournament

When September Ends…

James Flores — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:40:51 +0000

I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of the month already. 9 months has passed so quickly and a lot of things have happened in those 9 months. I started a new job today. It was great, I believe I’m ready for the real world now So let’s see. What has been happening in the last two weeks. Well a couple of Monday’s ago, Drage and Andy invited us over for a steak dinner. Unfortunately the barbeque didn’t work so it had to be pan fried instead. It still tasted better than I could ever cook. We also squeezed into Andy’s car that day. Check it out.

They also got a new pet - A dog by the name of Nicole or nic nic for short!

And as per usual these days, Saturday night turns into another get-together. This time Dylan joined us at Paddys for a bit. It got really busy there that night, it was probably because of the footy grand final or something. Dylan’s team also won the Section 1 mens Winter pennant by the way.

Just to top off September - some happy snaps from One Nightclub.

Interesting views on people

James Flores — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:02:44 +0000

Don’t spend major time with minor people.

If there are people in your life that continually
disappoint you, break promises, and stomp on your dreams,
too judgmental, have different values and don’t have your
back during difficult times…that is not a friend.

To have a friend, be a friend.

Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go.
Surround yourself with people who reflect values, goals interests and lifestyle.

When I think of any of my successes, I am thankful to GOD
from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends that
enrich my life.

Over the years my phone book has changed
because I changed for the better.
At first you think you’re going to be alone,
but after a while new people show up in your life that
make your life so much sweeter and easier to endure.

Remember what your elders used to say,
Birds of a feather flock together.
If you’re an eagle, don’t hang around chickens:
Chickens Can’t Fly!

Be Positive - Be Progressive

Take the time to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

Walk by faith, Not by sight
Receive God’s blessings.

Heal the past; live the present; dream the future.

Nick’s 22nd Birthday

James Flores — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:11:00 +0000

My good old friend Nick sent me a message reminding me of his birthday last Saturday. He wanted us to come meet him at Paddys for a few drinks before heading out to One. I hadn’t gone out with friends this regularly in a long time and I had almost forgotten how fun it used to be…and it still is. You have to make the most of your younger years I guess As always, pictures are worth 1000 words.

Sacred Heart Tennis Club Championships

James Flores — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:55:02 +0000

Sacred Heart Tennis Club held their annual club championships after 23 years of absence. There seemed to be a lack of interest during that time but it was good that the ball got rolling again. Andrew won the open mens singles and I came runner up! Andrew and I also took out the open doubles and he took out the mixed as well. It was good that the weather turned out good as the forecast was rain.

Sydney Crawl

James Flores — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:45:18 +0000

Jack and I went to Sydney last weekend as a little break from Albury. We caught up with my cousins and ended up having some good fun at the local pubs. The weather wasn’t so kind on the Sunday but turned around the next day for the trip home. I’m glad we didn’t need to take out the Red Bull’s for the return trip!

Pancakes on the Rocks mmmmm

The elevators onto the bridge on Darling Harbour