I finally changed AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to look the way I want it to. Anyone who uses AIM for Windows knows that they are locked into the appearance. The jarring yellow icons and similarly colored highlights are the only option. While one can download add on software (such as AIMutation), there are more elegant and less invasive ways to change the appearance. You see, all I wanted to do was change the awful highlights. My success inspired me to go further and change some icons as well.
First, the highlighting color. This one is the more challenging of the two. First, determine your version of AIM and go to this AIM Codes Page and pick your current version. There, you will see the “HEX offset” of the colors to be changed (I changed the “buddy highlight ” and “mouse-over of buddy info” colors). Furthermore, you will need a basic understanding of six digit color codes. Simply put, you are looking for FFFF00 (bright yellow) to replace the highlight, and a different code for the buddy info color. Anyhow, download this Freeware Hex Editor and then open BuddyUI.ocm and search for the two offsets listed. With a little luck, you’ll find the FFFF00 combination, and you can replace it with whatever color you wish (mine was white: FFFFFF). Do the same with whatever other colors you would like to change.
Next step is to change the icons. This was easier, but required more brute force searching. I used Resource Hacker to open AimRes.dll and look through the sub-folder entitled “Bitmaps.” Be sure to use the “expand all” feature in Resource Hacker so you can look through things more quickly. In my version of AIM (5.5.3595), the away message icon was in 200, mobile in 268. I changed both of these. Futhermore, I deleted the games and video icons to clean up my IM window (in the areas of 303 and 324, respectively). The effect of all of this puttering is shown to the right.
I had not seen a beginners guide like this to changing AIM, so hopefully this can serve as a guide to others who wish to tweak their programs. Enjoy!
It has been just over one week since Katy’s clothes started fire and caused her first, second, and perhaps third degree burns across her right torso. When I first got the voicemail, all I could say was “she doesn’t need this …” Obviously, nobody does, but I wonder why an event like this would have to occur during her adjustment to graduate school. Nevertheless, Katy is very very tough and I know she’ll pull through just fine. I do not think I would do a very good job changing the bandages that have to be rewrapped daily. Perhaps it is best told in a few of her own words:
I was making myself tea on Wednesday morning on the stove and accidently caught my pajama top on fire when I leaned over the stove burner. (It’s an electric burner, and I had turned it off, so it wasn’t that I just leaned into a burning flame.) The shirt was 100% cotton, so it burned quickly and cleanly (hardly any smoke), and I did manage to get it off of me relatively quickly. My roommate, Christine, was there for the whole incident. She made sure the fire was out and called the paramedics while I took a cold shower. Between the two of us, we managed to get things under control.
Unfortunately, I have first and second degree burns, about the size of a sheet of paper, on my right torso, from my waist up to my chest. As it heals, it is becoming more and more painful. Consequently, I have been on a steady diet of heavy narcotics. In addition, there are areas of the burn which look like they may be third degree, but the doctor cannot tell yet. I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor today, and he said we are going to see how well the burn heals by itself, and, come October 6 (2 weeks out from the incident), the doctor will have a look at it again. If the wound hasn’t healed by then, a skin graft may be necessary.
We are hoping against hope that a skin graft will not be necessary. One can sometimes choose the site for donor skin for skin grafts; I hope there will be an alternative to Katy having to shave her head for a graft, if it comes to that. I have to thank all of you out there for your prayers and support, I really believe they help. I will keep you all posted.
On my visit home this past Monday, my Dad showed me the most expensive book I have ever seen. Six thousand five hundred dollars. Normally, it sells for about thirteen thousand dollars, but this one was a little outdated. Contained within its pages is a specialized market study of specific types of adhesives. He plans on using about 300 of it’s 1200 odd pages, wihch puts the price per page viewed at about 21 dollars. Dull, I know, but do you expect us to have some 12th century illuminated bible lying around? Nevertheless, I was impressed, and don’t think the record for most expensive book I have seen will be topped soon.
**UPDATE :: **Mailbag (from Tom, to Katy):
So sorry to hear about your accident. You will be in prayers. If you need anything (I am unsure whether I can do something for you from Memphis). But if you need a tacky lamp, or some leopard print pants, or a half Jesus, half Elvis thing, I’m sure I could scrounge it up for you.
When it comes to my hair, less is more. The complications in maintenance that arise as a result of this mantra are numerous. For one, my bank account does not work the same way. More is, in fact, more, there. Therefore, haircuts have a negative effect on it. Oh, and less hair means your head is cold in cold weather. Even if you let the hair on your head grow out, it is still expensive. Take your face: electric shaving is cheaper than blade style, but you lose self-respect when you go electric. Who knows.
Watched Gone in 60 Seconds. The first half-movie watched with the new TV card. Screenshots are a nice thing, as they can be taken now:
I finally listened to some Death Cab for Cutie. Favorite songs (saving best for last): A Movie Script Ending, Passenger Seat, A Lack of Color, Transatlanticism. This music has a high “play over and over but it does not get old” factor. Either that, or the soothing melodies are what my soul is looking for right now. It is hard to say.
Today may have been the last warm day for a while - 88 degrees above zero! A beautiful Sunday, and hopefully rejuvenating for the week ahead. This schedule is simple, thankfully, and I hope to write more because of that.
I found another lucky penny today. This makes me want to write a song similar to the final DCfC song I listed earlier.
John made it obvious to me: I’ve been walking around with my arms held out in front of me like a zombie, missing everything that is obvious and letting my infinite reserves of worry take over. If I were a computer program, my source code would read as follows:
include alexBrain;
include alexPersonality;
include alexExterior;
alexDayToDay(class,4,homework,lift);
play(pianoMusic) where timesPerDay = 1;
loadLifeWorries();
loadFutureWorries();
loadPeopleWorries();
predictWorries(many);
sleep == false;
He’s right: it should be less worry and more real thought about what my life is right now. I like Things right now. I like them a lot. Currently, my biggest gripe with my situation on this earth concerns days only lasting for 24 hours. I can honestly say there is nothing more I can ask for. The days (and by days, I mean days and nights) are so good, I do not want this time in my life to end, or to fly by quickly. Sometimes I wish I could hit the slow motion button and watch the intricate dance of life execute perfect turns and steps to the rhythm of the surrounding world. But, alas, the responsibility to live in the moment lies with me and me alone — whether things are good or bad, no outside force can be called upon to slow them down.
Today is my mother’s birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! I had a heck of a time locating the proper card for her - nothing seemed to fit. I could not find the card embodying the perfect verse (minimalist preferred) and cover art that was both her and me. It was funny to try to decide, because I know in my position she would do the exact same thing: I am her son, without a doubt. Anyway, a family dinner is a possibility tomorrow night. It would be good to wish her happy birthday in person and talk to Katy.
Katy attends classes, teaches classes, homeworks for classes, lives and breathes classes. I rather envy her drive and determination - but I really wish she would get a break. Like, an all-around cool roommate (she has mostly had roommates that were cool in profile, but rather strange looking when more closely examined — if you’ll forgive the analogy). Even better, I’ve been hoping for a guy for her the past … two years. I know she does not need one, but honestly I wish she would find someone who was Nice and Normal. Finding the two N’s in one package is similar in difficulty to roping a wild steer with fishing line. Or, how about winning the lottery? Eliminating financial problems would let her focus on what she wants to do in life. My most realistic wish for her now, this moment, is that she can enjoy her schooling and have plenty of down time.
My quote of the day: “What’s my problem? Sometimes you are the dumbest person I know, Alex.” Fixed, though!
Beauty and the Beast Cover Art - Drew Struzan has some amazing artwork for movies, pop culture, etc. Check out the latest art for the re-release of the Shawshank Redemption.
