Some folks don't believe that people actually use guns to protect their property and lives. When I send them to the Civilian Gun Self-Defense Blog they almost always tell me that they had no idea that these things were happening so often. I assure them that for every story that makes it to a paper somewhere, there are ten that didn't.
So, the Civilian Gun Self-Defense Blog is being added to the list of blogs I frequent, (or "blogroll" if you feel so inclined) I have no doubt that it will make a fine addition, and promise that it is worth reading.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Needs more chlorine
I took a dip in the blog pool earlier, and it looks like the it needs to be skimmed for debris...
*sputtering and drooling in a corner*
Yes, I realize that I didn't use any form of SMS-style shorthand, but the only way I could keep from suffering a mild stroke while typing that was to keep from using that which plagues certain corners of teh intarweb.
:) <3 LOL K THX BYE
Dear Blog,
How are you? I am good. Today I went to work today. Coworker was there and he was a jerk, but I had lunch and it was okay. I thought about clouds today. It was fun. After work I stopped to get gas for my Ford echo, and I just had to buy a chocolate bar, and i ate the WHOLE thing! Im so bad! I won't tell anyone though. You wont tell anyone either because you are so good at keeping secrets! Oh! I almost forgot, popular TV show is on tonight and I can't wait to see it! it's the hilite of my day!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Blog, your my best freind!
Love
somedipstick
*sputtering and drooling in a corner*
Yes, I realize that I didn't use any form of SMS-style shorthand, but the only way I could keep from suffering a mild stroke while typing that was to keep from using that which plagues certain corners of teh intarweb.
:) <3 LOL K THX BYE
Legal internet access
Well, I have my first *cough*legal*cough* internet access. I decided a bit ago that someone in my position should try to have more of a net presence than I've been trying to maintain (or NOT maintain), so now that I've got an IP I can call home, I plan on making some of my scripts and programs available to the public. Sadly, my impressive scripts and programs are not mine to publish; this leaves only my personal scripts which are (usually) quite ugly, and usually just proof of concepts that serve little purpose. Oh, and the porn scrapers...
My previously clandestine approach to teh intarweb, it seems, must be replaced with a cautious presence. This will afford me a few headaches related to the red tape of my work, and adjustment to my... er... conduct... But the it's important enough for me to spend the time on it.
So I'll ease into non-anonymity slowly, and see where it gets me.
My previously clandestine approach to teh intarweb, it seems, must be replaced with a cautious presence. This will afford me a few headaches related to the red tape of my work, and adjustment to my... er... conduct... But the it's important enough for me to spend the time on it.
So I'll ease into non-anonymity slowly, and see where it gets me.
More channels = More happiness
Well, we've got cable now. This is the second time I've had cable, the last time the house with the room I rented had cable. I don't much care for teevee for a number of reasons, though I do watch movies TV shows on DVD. I guess I just don't care for the medium, even though I sometimes enjoy the content. Commercials, obvious plots, formulaic shows, or anything else that insults my intelligence (IE: most of what's on TV) draws a short fuse from me. Aside from those things, I don't like sitting down, and getting up an hour later, and having nothing to show for that hour. If I was well entertained (which is usually a long shot), more informed, challenged, moved, or even a bit nostalgic, I don't mind as much. If I've managed to keep from thinking, and have spent an hour of my life that I'll never get back in front of a flickering box I feel unproductive. Hmmm, "unproductive"... now you're probably picturing me as one of those people who sits in front of the tv with stacks of things around them to do and busy themselves with. That couldn't be farther from the truth. I believe that some shows are worth watching, and that if it's worth watching, it's worth your undivided attention. If you're dividing your attention, what you're watching clearly isn't worth your time.
Don't get me wrong; being able to shut off your brain and be entertained for an hour or two is great, but there are really better ways to unwind.
I watch TV, but try to avoid it if possible, (it's not possible when House, 24, or Lost is on) which is why I don't think cable is really worth having.
More channels simply means more opportunities to waste time. Sure, more channels means a better chance of finding something worth your time; but this is still just entertainment we're talking about. I could probably find enough quality shows to keep be occupied for days, but would I? Would you?
I've thought more about this since deciding to post on it, and speculated that perhaps I was approaching this incorrectly. Maybe cable is more than a purveyor of simple amusement, maybe cable has a fuller offering. I can listen to music, watch some shows on-demand, and get a wider selection of movies than the rabbit ears offered. Maybe I need to really see what it has to offer before I arrive at my conclusion...
I don't know. Whatever. It's just teevee...<
Don't get me wrong; being able to shut off your brain and be entertained for an hour or two is great, but there are really better ways to unwind.
I watch TV, but try to avoid it if possible, (it's not possible when House, 24, or Lost is on) which is why I don't think cable is really worth having.
More channels simply means more opportunities to waste time. Sure, more channels means a better chance of finding something worth your time; but this is still just entertainment we're talking about. I could probably find enough quality shows to keep be occupied for days, but would I? Would you?
I've thought more about this since deciding to post on it, and speculated that perhaps I was approaching this incorrectly. Maybe cable is more than a purveyor of simple amusement, maybe cable has a fuller offering. I can listen to music, watch some shows on-demand, and get a wider selection of movies than the rabbit ears offered. Maybe I need to really see what it has to offer before I arrive at my conclusion...
I don't know. Whatever. It's just teevee...<
Ghost in the Shell
While I'm talking about Ghost in the Shell
No anime I've ever
This isn't just a bunch of funny stories that have a minor plot in common, this is basically an anime movie in episode format.
This anime doesn't insult your inteligence. And that's huge.
This anime requires you to
No anime I've ever
This isn't just a bunch of funny stories that have a minor plot in common, this is basically an anime movie in episode format.
This anime doesn't insult your inteligence. And that's huge.
This anime requires you to
Magnetic Fields - i
Magnetic Fields - i
My girlfriend picked up this album, and it is very strange, sad, and beautiful. I really don't know what else to say about it, but you really need to listen to it.
My girlfriend picked up this album, and it is very strange, sad, and beautiful. I really don't know what else to say about it, but you really need to listen to it.
Ain't technology great? -_-;;
For being such a high tech kind of guy; people are often suprised to find that I'm never running in circles after the newer better smaller faster unneccessarily-featured white rabbit of new technology.
I used to be like that; but wised up around when I started to understand purpose of Linux. (It was not a coincidence)
The old maxim is; If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
The engineer maxim is; If it ain't broke; fix it till it is!
What prompted this? Well, we got cable last Saturday, and I thought that I should see what's on teevee in the morning. After a few minutes of flipping through hundreds of channels of crap, I settled on the Oxygen network to watch Xena (I couldn't stop laughing; how could I NOT watch it?) Half way through Xena, I decided to hit the cartoon network on-demand section, and as I was thumbing through the selections the cable box crashed... So now, my teevee is rebooting... Let me say that again; My television... is... rebooting
Sweet fancy Moses.
Soon we'll be downloading firmware updates for our toasters, and logging in to our refrigerators.
Less is more, people.
Less is more.
PS: on demand centeral is still down; but I can see the specific on demand channels. I'm going to watch some Ghost in the Shell.
I used to be like that; but wised up around when I started to understand purpose of Linux. (It was not a coincidence)
The old maxim is; If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
The engineer maxim is; If it ain't broke; fix it till it is!
What prompted this? Well, we got cable last Saturday, and I thought that I should see what's on teevee in the morning. After a few minutes of flipping through hundreds of channels of crap, I settled on the Oxygen network to watch Xena (I couldn't stop laughing; how could I NOT watch it?) Half way through Xena, I decided to hit the cartoon network on-demand section, and as I was thumbing through the selections the cable box crashed... So now, my teevee is rebooting... Let me say that again; My television... is... rebooting
Sweet fancy Moses.
Soon we'll be downloading firmware updates for our toasters, and logging in to our refrigerators.
Less is more, people.
Less is more.
PS: on demand centeral is still down; but I can see the specific on demand channels. I'm going to watch some Ghost in the Shell.
Monday, October 30, 2006
You like my costume? What costume?
I'm growing my hair long and am a bit lazy about taking care of it. I usually have my hair buzzed very short, and enjoyed not thinking very much of my hair. Now that it's long, I've found myself wearing my hat more often than I usually do.
My hat is a short-brimmed, tan/green non-adjustable cap with a crest-style bird silhouette on the front. When I wear it; I regularly get accused of looking like Fidel Castro. The fact that I haven't been managing my facial hair has left me with a beard that hasn't helped me avoid the comparison. In fact, it has done just the opposite.
The Saturday after attending a Halloween party costume-less the cable guy mentioned that I looked like Castro. This prompted the usual polite laugh, and me dropping the subject. While my girlfriend was at work that day, she realized that I should be Castro for my costume. Brilliant. Why the hell didn't I think of that? Every one else thinks I look like him, I might as well grab a cigar and just get it over with!
So I brought my hat and cigar to the party on Saturday, and whenever anyone asked who I was or where my costume was, I'd take the cigar out of its tube, and bring it to my mouth. By the time it was half way to my mouth, everyone would yell "Castro!" and I'd smile, and suck on the cigar for a bit. This happened so consistently that I was really surprised at how many people got the reference so quickly.
Do I really look that much like Castro???
My hat is a short-brimmed, tan/green non-adjustable cap with a crest-style bird silhouette on the front. When I wear it; I regularly get accused of looking like Fidel Castro. The fact that I haven't been managing my facial hair has left me with a beard that hasn't helped me avoid the comparison. In fact, it has done just the opposite.
The Saturday after attending a Halloween party costume-less the cable guy mentioned that I looked like Castro. This prompted the usual polite laugh, and me dropping the subject. While my girlfriend was at work that day, she realized that I should be Castro for my costume. Brilliant. Why the hell didn't I think of that? Every one else thinks I look like him, I might as well grab a cigar and just get it over with!
So I brought my hat and cigar to the party on Saturday, and whenever anyone asked who I was or where my costume was, I'd take the cigar out of its tube, and bring it to my mouth. By the time it was half way to my mouth, everyone would yell "Castro!" and I'd smile, and suck on the cigar for a bit. This happened so consistently that I was really surprised at how many people got the reference so quickly.
Do I really look that much like Castro???
Who needs a flashlight?
Last Friday myself and a few others were navigating to the back of a warehouse at a customer site when we had to pass through part of the darkened warehouse. Our guide warned us that the we'd have to make our way back through the dark, and as soon as we entered the darkened area I shined my Surefire E2 at the ceiling to give us all enough light to keep from walking into or tripping over anything. Our guide chuckled and said, "There we go!"
When we were out of the dark my boss turned and asked incredulously, "You really carry a flashlight with you all the time?" To which I replied; "Yeah, but I've thought about quitting it. I mean, when am I really gonna need it?" The people with us laughed a little bit, and my boss shook his head and said, "Yeah, I guess I didn't really think about that before I said it."
I can't count the times my flashlight has helped me find something odd in a dark place, increased my visibility as a pedestrian, or given me piece of mind by illuminating an otherwise dark area. People complain that they don't want to be bothered with flashlights that they'll rarely use. When you can pick up an enormously tiny E1E with batteries that keep for over 10 years, and clip it to your pocket or beltloop and forget about it, there's really no reason why you should be caught without a flashlight.
When we were out of the dark my boss turned and asked incredulously, "You really carry a flashlight with you all the time?" To which I replied; "Yeah, but I've thought about quitting it. I mean, when am I really gonna need it?" The people with us laughed a little bit, and my boss shook his head and said, "Yeah, I guess I didn't really think about that before I said it."
I can't count the times my flashlight has helped me find something odd in a dark place, increased my visibility as a pedestrian, or given me piece of mind by illuminating an otherwise dark area. People complain that they don't want to be bothered with flashlights that they'll rarely use. When you can pick up an enormously tiny E1E with batteries that keep for over 10 years, and clip it to your pocket or beltloop and forget about it, there's really no reason why you should be caught without a flashlight.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Must be tough to be a republican
Bush signs port security, online gambling bill
So this gets pushed through congress as a (literally) last minute addition to a port security bill, and the president signs it.
Why not make the bill stand on its own? Maybe because a huge percentage of people want to be able to gamble online, and it would never make it on its own. But never fear, just tack it on to an unrelated bill that no one in their right mind would vote against.
But what does port security have to do with online gambling? What? Huh? Oh. Nothing.
And why strike this blow that will only inconvenience casual online gamblers? Because it's October, and you need to give gamblers a reason not to vote Republican. Oh wait; Republican congress... Well, it's not like you can just open the US market to the industry, and regulate and tax the hell out of this billion dollar industry right? Oh wait; you can but won't. Well, it's not like making it harder to gamble online will only drive the industry underground where it can't be controlled and will fund crime syndicates... Oh wait; history shows us that it will... Well, it should be ok because there aren't that many people who gamble online. Oh wait; there are millions... Well, it's a good move anyways because the subjects can't be trusted to spend their own money responsibly, or regulate their own finances. Oh wait; the bill excludes fantasy football and horse races...
It must be hard to stand behind the party of personal responsibility and limited government when they're for regulation and back-door banning. I'm glad I'm a Libertarian, and have just decided to change my party status officially.
So this gets pushed through congress as a (literally) last minute addition to a port security bill, and the president signs it.
Why not make the bill stand on its own? Maybe because a huge percentage of people want to be able to gamble online, and it would never make it on its own. But never fear, just tack it on to an unrelated bill that no one in their right mind would vote against.
But what does port security have to do with online gambling? What? Huh? Oh. Nothing.
And why strike this blow that will only inconvenience casual online gamblers? Because it's October, and you need to give gamblers a reason not to vote Republican. Oh wait; Republican congress... Well, it's not like you can just open the US market to the industry, and regulate and tax the hell out of this billion dollar industry right? Oh wait; you can but won't. Well, it's not like making it harder to gamble online will only drive the industry underground where it can't be controlled and will fund crime syndicates... Oh wait; history shows us that it will... Well, it should be ok because there aren't that many people who gamble online. Oh wait; there are millions... Well, it's a good move anyways because the subjects can't be trusted to spend their own money responsibly, or regulate their own finances. Oh wait; the bill excludes fantasy football and horse races...
It must be hard to stand behind the party of personal responsibility and limited government when they're for regulation and back-door banning. I'm glad I'm a Libertarian, and have just decided to change my party status officially.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Is this the real life? Is this just 50 cent?
I was over at Josh's place, and he's got this up.
50 Cent + Queen = OMGWTFBBQ!?!?
That's some crazy shit Josh; thanks for sharing!
50 Cent + Queen = OMGWTFBBQ!?!?
That's some crazy shit Josh; thanks for sharing!
Rabbit Toys
People seem surprised when they hear that Ava, our house rabbit, plays with toys. She has a few cat toys (cylinders with bells inside, a wire ball with a bell inside), cardboard tubes, small boxes, loose fabric, empty toilet paper rolls, and a beach ball. (The beach ball was kind of a surprise)
Rabbits love to chew, so toys that they can chew on or eat are the best (check any non-edible toys to make sure they haven't have pieces chewed off. If pieces are missing, try to locate them. Just because they were chewed off doesn't mean they were eaten). Beyond simply chewing, if you can come up with something that they can chew on, and is small enough to be carried they'll carry these toys around in their mouth. They will also try to move "furniture" like their litter box, or food dish.
Loose fabric such as sheet or towel is also a source of entertainment for rabbits. I'm not sure exactly what Ava's doing, but she lifts and moves the cloth in her mouth, and kneads it with her front feet. She seems to play with the cloth when it's bunched up, and has plenty of folds and corners to grip in her mouth. She also likes to run into, and push into dangling fabric. Once again, I'm not sure what she's doing or trying to accomplish, but she seems quite content to push on the fabric with her head so that it slides to either side of her face.
The beach ball was some kind of promotion for something. It was hanging from our doorknob by a rubber band, so we brought it in with no intended use for it. Eventually it found its way to the ground, and we noticed Ava pushing it around with her nose. She'd push it forward, and chase it to push it more, but would usually wind up laying down next to it. She gets excited if you bat it around, or spin it in front of her and does little jump shakes or runs in circles. She's quite attached to the beach ball, and will only lay down in the middle of the room if she's next to the beach ball.
Ava and her beach ball, with a small box for playing with and chewing.
Rabbits love to chew, so toys that they can chew on or eat are the best (check any non-edible toys to make sure they haven't have pieces chewed off. If pieces are missing, try to locate them. Just because they were chewed off doesn't mean they were eaten). Beyond simply chewing, if you can come up with something that they can chew on, and is small enough to be carried they'll carry these toys around in their mouth. They will also try to move "furniture" like their litter box, or food dish.
Loose fabric such as sheet or towel is also a source of entertainment for rabbits. I'm not sure exactly what Ava's doing, but she lifts and moves the cloth in her mouth, and kneads it with her front feet. She seems to play with the cloth when it's bunched up, and has plenty of folds and corners to grip in her mouth. She also likes to run into, and push into dangling fabric. Once again, I'm not sure what she's doing or trying to accomplish, but she seems quite content to push on the fabric with her head so that it slides to either side of her face.
The beach ball was some kind of promotion for something. It was hanging from our doorknob by a rubber band, so we brought it in with no intended use for it. Eventually it found its way to the ground, and we noticed Ava pushing it around with her nose. She'd push it forward, and chase it to push it more, but would usually wind up laying down next to it. She gets excited if you bat it around, or spin it in front of her and does little jump shakes or runs in circles. She's quite attached to the beach ball, and will only lay down in the middle of the room if she's next to the beach ball.
Ava and her beach ball, with a small box for playing with and chewing.
Completed mostly free light table
As I said in my earlier post, I wanted to freely obtain a fluorescent light bulb to make this entire project cost-free. I waited, and waited to no avail. (Though I did spot a discarded microwave and coffee maker. Both very tempting...) A different requirement necessitated the purchase of some fluorescent lights, so I bought a 3 pack. So, the light table wasn't completely free; but it was close enough!
It's pretty self-explanatory, but I used some thick posterboard for the base, and hot glued the fixture to the board to keep it from sliding around to places less prepared for the mild temperatures generated by the bulb. I bit a chunk out of the housing for the cord so it would go back together properly.
Seems to be working rather well!
Ain't recycling fun?
It's pretty self-explanatory, but I used some thick posterboard for the base, and hot glued the fixture to the board to keep it from sliding around to places less prepared for the mild temperatures generated by the bulb. I bit a chunk out of the housing for the cord so it would go back together properly.
Seems to be working rather well!
Ain't recycling fun?
Some Californian license plates
I try to keep the camera in the car with me so I can take pictures of stuff like this.
Nothing amazing; but mildly entertaining.
Nothing amazing; but mildly entertaining.
Yeah...
Brain is red lining,
Million topics through my head.
Damn you prednisone.
I was warned that prednisone had a caffeine-like effect; but for me to be pinging hard 8 hours after taking it is just nuts. At least now I know what to expect...
Million topics through my head.
Damn you prednisone.
I was warned that prednisone had a caffeine-like effect; but for me to be pinging hard 8 hours after taking it is just nuts. At least now I know what to expect...
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Duh... Boobies?
Saw an ad at the theater for American Pie presents: The Naked Mile
...
Seriously.
If you've seen the preview for this movie, you'll notice that there are more computer-added "CENSORED" bars than actual film. It's basically a "Girls Gone Wild" commercial.
The idea that there were some folks sitting around thinking up movies, and one of them said, "Hey, how about a movie that has college kids, drinking, and breasts!" Fucking Brilliant!
Why bother making soft-core porn if you're not going to call it soft-core porn? And while we're at it; why don't I just make a suggestion to change the title:
I think that should just about cover the bredth of the audience you wish to target, and might actually bring in more bodies than a movie with a title made up of more than two words. plus the red attracts the attention of those with short attention- hey look at that...
...
Seriously.
If you've seen the preview for this movie, you'll notice that there are more computer-added "CENSORED" bars than actual film. It's basically a "Girls Gone Wild" commercial.
The idea that there were some folks sitting around thinking up movies, and one of them said, "Hey, how about a movie that has college kids, drinking, and breasts!" Fucking Brilliant!
Why bother making soft-core porn if you're not going to call it soft-core porn? And while we're at it; why don't I just make a suggestion to change the title:
BOOBIES!
I think that should just about cover the bredth of the audience you wish to target, and might actually bring in more bodies than a movie with a title made up of more than two words. plus the red attracts the attention of those with short attention- hey look at that...
More pr0n
Gotta give the people what they want!
The recent arrival.
My XD sporting some new Hogue grips.
The kids.
Remember; guns don't kill people. Dinosaurs kill Hippos.
The recent arrival.
My XD sporting some new Hogue grips.
The kids.
Remember; guns don't kill people. Dinosaurs kill Hippos.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Response to Defiant Infidel
Defiant Infidel posted the following comment to my post Dances with Leaves
I began to write my return comment, but the more I wrote, and the more I thought about what DI said; the more all of this seemed important enough to post. I hope he doesn't mind my reproduction of a comment to post for all to see. Things like this renew my faith in the internet as a medium for more than bitching about politics, talking about guns, or other such drivel. Enjoy.
DI,
How you wish you could paint that??? My friend, you've painted that scene into my mind perfectly. What's really amazing is as that picture exists in your mind, it will never exist the same in anyone else's mind. I'd contend that every person who reads your painting sees it even more beautiful than the last, until actually committing your portrait to canvas could only lessen it's magic.
Scenes I've captured in my mind grow more beautiful with age, and were I to have a picture or capture their veneer I would know that they could never be more than that two dimensional box of canvas, paper, or photograph. Their scene would be forever preserved in that box and I could never forget; but they would never become more magical than they were when I witnessed the beauty with all my senses. They could never grow as they could if they were remembered with the beautiful, sad impermanence in a vessel incapable of such preciseness that might be found in the lens of a camera or the contrast of color or the sharp line of ink.
So it is always with a heavy heart that I force these beautiful things into such harsh boxes, and force them to become something more or less than they ever really were. But sometimes, it's the only way they can be communicated to others, and to let their beauty spread, and change hearts.
I suppose it's selfish to keep some of these scenes to myself, but whenever I get the feeling that I can reproduce them, I only end up angry and frustrated. I just don't have the heart, and don't know if I ever will.
Draw it and then paint it, ET. One of my best buddies in Halifax, NS, (who is an astonishingly talented artist) told me once that the picture will always exist in the "mind's eye".
It was the day after I had missed a classic and cherished scenic picture from atop a sand dune in the Arabian desert, at 2AM alone under a full moon. There were camels strewn about below and multiple oil wells with burning flames above their off gas vents. I had just succeeded in sticking a Range Rover on its' frame with all four wheels dangling in air on the pinnacle of the lengthy, highest dune for many miles around. I carefully put the camera on a tripod with the truck in the foreground and used a flash to light the vehicle, then left the lens open for extended, bracketed exposure times to pick up the golden expansive background.
The next day, I learned with great disappointment that there was no film in the camera. How I wish I could paint that. I left the area very soon after, before another full moon and perhaps an opportunity to redeem myself. I have since located the exact (it is very large and distinct) dune using Google Earth, but I know I will never return. So it is mine to keep, but not share.
Use your God given talents to create and share your view with others, my friend. You were permitted the view for a purpose.
I began to write my return comment, but the more I wrote, and the more I thought about what DI said; the more all of this seemed important enough to post. I hope he doesn't mind my reproduction of a comment to post for all to see. Things like this renew my faith in the internet as a medium for more than bitching about politics, talking about guns, or other such drivel. Enjoy.
DI,
How you wish you could paint that??? My friend, you've painted that scene into my mind perfectly. What's really amazing is as that picture exists in your mind, it will never exist the same in anyone else's mind. I'd contend that every person who reads your painting sees it even more beautiful than the last, until actually committing your portrait to canvas could only lessen it's magic.
Scenes I've captured in my mind grow more beautiful with age, and were I to have a picture or capture their veneer I would know that they could never be more than that two dimensional box of canvas, paper, or photograph. Their scene would be forever preserved in that box and I could never forget; but they would never become more magical than they were when I witnessed the beauty with all my senses. They could never grow as they could if they were remembered with the beautiful, sad impermanence in a vessel incapable of such preciseness that might be found in the lens of a camera or the contrast of color or the sharp line of ink.
So it is always with a heavy heart that I force these beautiful things into such harsh boxes, and force them to become something more or less than they ever really were. But sometimes, it's the only way they can be communicated to others, and to let their beauty spread, and change hearts.
I suppose it's selfish to keep some of these scenes to myself, but whenever I get the feeling that I can reproduce them, I only end up angry and frustrated. I just don't have the heart, and don't know if I ever will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
