Thought for the day - "Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature." - Tom Robbins
Posts
And when you are done with that scrub the toilets...
I always like the idea that any CEO worth his salt should be willing to spend at least a week out of the ivory tower of corporate headquarters a year and down in the trenches sweating and working their butts off. Not even just the CEO I think it would do well for all CXO positions. It would give them an insight to the stupid policies and levels of bad bureaucracy that can exist even in the best of companies. It also is a great step to making the corporate culture more accountable and human.
Now PBS has a series of CEOs spending a week doing just that, I believe the concept is based on a British show. I am not a big fan of television, but it looks like something worth watching. (Thanks to Tastes Like Chicken , it also looks like I missed it I hope they rebroadcast the program)
Poetry Wednesday
A bit of Billy Joel...
Piano Man
It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There's an old man sitting next to me
Making love to his tonic and gin
He says, "Son can you play me a memory
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet
And I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man's clothes"
Sing us a song you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feeling alright
Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he's quick with a joke or to light up your smoke
But there's someplace that he'd rather be
He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me"
As a smile ran away from his face
"Well, I'm sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place"
Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And ...
Traficant Sentenced to Eight Years
Not really a surprise, since he was convicted and if he serves all 8 years he will be 69 when he is released from prison, not accounting for good behaviour of course. Although he hasn't helped the probation folks any so the chances of him serving a full term have been increased.
Interesting followup to the Slashdot article on the DRM hearing at Department of Commerce by Richard Stallman. If you have been following the topic it is definately worth a read.
Postscript : It must be the day for updates after the DRM hearing New Yorker's for Fair Use have an article in Linux Journal as well. It's a fairly accurate write up and gives more of the background to their appearance at the event.
Artemis Records and Time for Credit to Where it's Due
I am rather concerned about the treatment of the Music Industry to it's customers and have no problems complaining when they treat us like baby calves waiting for the slaughter. But for all my complaining, I think it's fair to highlight when someone does the right thing and that as customers we should support those labels trying to be good citizens. I was more than a little concerned that Artemis Records might follow down the path of unreadable CDs for computers as they had a distribution deal with Sony. I was so concerned that I held off purchasing Warren Zevon 's new album My Ride's Here until I heard back from the record label that they wouldn't have such measures on the CD. I believed their reply and bought the CD.
Now I am glad I did. Artemis records has decided to wave fees for webcasting music for the next year. I think that's a great idea, it shows real leadership. In the statement of why...
RIAA writes bill to support hacking of p2p services ( peer to peer, think Napster for those non tech ).
Someone in the Internet community hacks RIAA website with DOS attack
Hilarity ensues.
I don't think it will do their political cause that much good, but I do rather admire the humor of the whole idea.
I'm Gunna Tell, I'm Gunna Tell...
sound juvenile? So does today's press coverage about Traficant. He evidently went on Imus' show yesterday and cursed, it got caught by censors for the radio show but not for the MSNBC broadcast, what a shame I couldn't watch. But even funnier was the media coverage...
Ousted Congressman Uses Swear Word and Ousted Congressman Uses Profanity The man has been kicked out of Congress and is going to jail you really are surprised by the fact that he's not bothered by using fowl language, have you ever read a speech by the man? And if I was Traficant I probably be thinking what are they going to do to me? Add another month on to my sentence? How much you want to bet the authors of the piece have said the words Traficant used at least once in a semi-public environment in the last month, better than even I'd bet you. Grow up guys, go report something real.
I just signed up for my first fantasy football league for the Fall. I am getting excited only 5 weeks until football is back. Speaking of which I need to get working on my Arizona league. Are you an Arizonian? Interested in Fantasy Football? Join us! Heck join us if you're not and you are just a regular reader.
I'm back at the office, we have a webcast and a few other things going on today so I am actually busy. Besides after being online for a full day I was alittle burned out. The train ride back was fine, I walked from the apartment down to Penn Station, it was nice to get a feel for the place and relative distances. I tend to best know an area if I have walked it, while the morning was grey and humid it did a good job of finishing off my bodies morning energy so I could take a good nap on the ride back to DC. That's all for now, but before I go...
PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.30
1. What is your favorite snack food? Does anyone you know have weird tastes in snacks? I don't eat much snack food, I naturally not a thin person so I try not to worse the effect by eating snack foods. If I do have a favorite it would be pistachos or maybe pickle garlic, which the later is definately weird and I completely blame on a college professor of mine. But I don't eat it all the ti...
Last Post Blogathon
As I type my last blogathon entry I think about how for last hour or so I have pondered how did I do? would I do this again? what purpose did it serve?
I think my paricipation did do a little good about the awareness of Vital Ground, at the very least in the blogging community. I was also able to raise $115 for the organization.
The way I did the blogathon was mixed, while I liked the fact I was in New York City which made internet cafes, restaurants, and finding them at odd hours easily accessable. I was not pleased with the way things work for the party, I felt I kinda missed out on some of the community atmosphere that others were experiencing during the event. I know that the community part was not necessarily a requirement for participating, but I wish I had been able to join in more.
So would I do it again next year? I think so, I have friends in the last year who have made me aware of various issues that need more attention and money, as this prog...
The Scene:
Apartment in Lower East side of Manhatten, in the living room sits to figures at either end of a long couch. One person types semi-deligently, if not mad rants into a computer. At the other end of the couch a sitting figure snores softly. Bad old episodes of Saturday Night Live play on the large screen tv, with volume so low that the typist strains to hear the television set.
That about sums up this moment...
Thanks Reemul for the sponsorship!
Transplant Blues
Some birds can't fly
Some cats can't dance,
Some people just don't get the fair chance.
Life is what it is,
Now is what we know,
Tomorrow is a dream and may never go,
We play the cards we are dealt
Drawing a lucky card,
It fates smiles on you.
Live these days,
enjoy the transplant blues,
cause old friend, this ole world ain't the same without you.
I got cornered into a wonderful political discussion where someone wanted to lecture me on an issue that he and I had already discussed and don't see eye to eye. Frankly I told him once was enough and got up and walked out the room. Blame it on being tired, but I am just tired of people assuming anything about me based on their preconcieved political labels and my past work experience. Blind partisanship just for the sake of partisanship bores me and so I don't put up with it. Besides I don't think Middle East will be resolved anytime soon anyways...
Otherwise the party is at it's height and I am having a good time.
Back from McSorley's to let some friends in to the apartment and post to the blog...naturally. It's a cool little bar, I hadn't ever been to a bar that old in America before. Alot of character from the way it is run, to the gear on the walls, and the beer is tasty as well. They bring you two half-pint glasses at a time. Sawdust covers the floor so the idea of ashtrays is a bit removed. A lot of character...back for another round.
Back from Strand bookstore. Ever been?
If you are a booknut like me, I highly recommend you must pay it a visit...the toughest part of the whole store was pulling myself out of their to come back and post my update. 8 miles of books. 8 miles and I believe it too. One of the more interesting things they offer is reviewer's edition of books for half price. I didn't pickup them...there are far too many to browse and I had to get back to a computer.
Nearly forgot, I picked up the following...Bruce Sterling's Holy Fire , James Crumley's The Last Good Kiss , and The Next Fifty Years: Science in the First Half of the Twenty-First Century .
Back...over at my secret NY headquarters...from one window I have a great view of the Empire State Building. I do enjoy my New Yorks when the occur, there is a full force experience of walking through New York. If you walk determined and sure you'll make it fine even if you have no clue where you are going, which was the case as I was looking for lunch. The experience in New York always reminds me it's an assault on all the sense at once smell, feel, sight, and taste. Not even necessarily in bad way just omniprescent and doesn't let you forget it's there.
Zel asked me a question so now I have my next post material thanks!
If you could be a character in a book. Who and Why?
I'll pick a book from growing up and one that I read now. I forget the exact name but there was this book series I always liked as a kid about too kids at a boarding school (I want to say in Canada) that always got into lots of trouble and having great adventures, really running the school in a way behind scenes. I had always liked the idea.
Of the things I am reading now I would like to be character out of an Alan Furst novel. I have been reading through his books over the last few years and love the stories and the time he talks about mostly set during and right before the break out of World War 2 in Europe.
Off to find an ATM and some food....
Poetry Saturday
Every Wednesday I post a poem just to raise my soul in the middle of the work week. I may try to publish a few over the course of the day, partially as Zel 's effort to have a poetry contest during the blogathon. But I just discover this little gem when I went to use the restroom on a sign about the toilet.
If you sprinkle,
when you tinkle,
please be neat,
and raise the seat.
Just the kind of silly nonsense I needed after my last post.
Well a whole lot of the fun of the blogathon just went out the window. I had been waiting on hearing results for a friend's operation. An old buddy of mine had been up for an operation for cancer, with the results far worse than first predicted. Looks like a simple surgery won't solve it he will have to go through Chemotherepy.
Friday, er Saturday Five
How long have you had a weblog? November of 2001, but I wanted to get started around January of '01, but I was working out some hosting questions.
What was your first post about? A brief description of me and what I wanted to do with the blog.
How many changes (name, location, etc.) of your weblog have there been, if more than one? None yet, but in the Fall there will likely be a major renovation and a move to hosting on bears.org.
What CMS (content management system) do you use? Do you like it or do you want to try something else? Blogger and it works, I have no major complaints, yes it gets buggy from time to time but considering it's free...I ain't complaining...althought with the site redesign I'll likely be changing systems, right now Greymatter has the lead on being the new system.
Do you read people who have both a journal and a weblog? Or do you prefer to read people who have all of their writing in one central place? ...
Just kinda chillin at the moment reading through my Blogroll catching up with some of my favorite sites....among them especially go read Wake Me Up on Interrobang or whatever Dave is calling his blog today as he is a fellow blogathoner and for a lawyer a pretty good guy.
Only one complaint about the web2zone they have these Star Trek chairs at each computer and I keep for getting about the headrest so everytime I lean back....as when I review a post before publishing, my shoulder brushes against it and I suddenly jump thinking... damn it who is reading over my shoulder...
It's pretty quiet here at web2zone, where I am blogging at for the moment there are 2 staffers on duty and 3 other customers. It's a pretty modern internet cafe/game center. They evidently host gaming fests as their big money maker. In fact, since it's dead right now I had a killer deal on the internet access for the time being. I'd go back to the NY secret headquarters, but everyone is still dead from their night of drinking and the coffee is fine here, so I'll be here for alittle while.
A few words about Vital Ground . I chose to pick Vital Ground as my charity for a number of reasons. As you can tell by the name of the blog I like bears. They are amazing creatures, especially to me the Kermode bear of British Columbia. I hope to make it up there someday and see them in person. I have known the folks who run bears.org for nearly 7 years and while that site tries to preserve accurate beliefs from various cultures about bears. At the same time the site tries to promote awareness of the conservation efforts around the world. When I decided to do the blogathon I wanted to sponsor an organization reflective of the spirit of the bears.org site, so that made Vital Ground an easy choice.
On top of that I loved the show Growing Up Grizzly and the work of Bart the Bear . So it's fun to be able to have a charity that has a heart, a big ole grizzly heart. So donate , because Vital Ground helps ensure that bears have the room they need so they can thrive, without getting...
Live From New York It's Saturday Night, um er Morning...
Live From New York it's Bear Droppings with your host Thomas Vincent coming to you live from web2zone just around the corner from New York University.
Starring....New York City and a cast of millions....would you believe thousands.....okay Thomas, Zippy the Chimp and whoever run into today.
Anyways...I made it safely up to New York City and to my friends apartment. The last of their weekend visitors to arrive a day early got in at 12:30 and they all promptly went out to hit the bars and if not for the fact I would have to spend the next 24 hours awake for the Blogathon I would have joined them. I did get to see what condition they were in at 4am as they woke me on their return. ( Glad I didn't go or else I would be in a world of hurt right now ) While they are sleeping off the effects from last nights fun I will be here at web2zone which is nicely just around the corner from my secret new york headquarters o...
Next Stop NYC...
I am finishing up details around the office and will be leaving shortly. I just chatted with my friends about how I will find their place once I get there the only minor issue remaining. I have no clue about the neighborhood where I am going, where exactly the building is except for an address and I have never been in this part of the city before. In other words, it's going to be fun, alittle spark of the unknown and I can't wait...have a good weekend. Oh and to my Arizona friends who may stop by, I have not heard anything as of yet.
And stop by tomorrow during the blogathon, because we will be open all 24 hours of the day, Yeah Baby!
GoldMember Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Evil
Austin Powers returns in another Shagadelic experience...
The Good
The opening is great don't miss it, actually I think that applies for the movie as a whole. The cameos are fun especially Fred Savage's mole, er um I mean role. It's nearly as funny as the first two with the usual bunch of sight gags and silly humor that you would expect out of an Austin Powers movie. Mole .
The Bad
The editing was not very good many time a scene ends and you wonder why it happened wasn't there a bit more to it. Or a portion of the movie occurs with no story to back it up, granted though this is Austin Powers so I was not expecting Shakespeare, but it could have been edited better. And then the biggest disappointment was Foxxy Cleopatra. In the first two movies you had Elizabeth Hurley and Heather Graham and they owned their movies, they made it come alive, it just didn't work with Beyoncé Knowles. I think it would have b...
No Special Election to Replace Traficant
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft said he won't go through the expense of a special election for 17th district.
In other news, House admin wasted no time and Traficant's website has already been pulled from the web. I had a feeling they wouldn't take too long to do that. And it took less than 24 hours in fact.
The greatest of sins in the modern world perhaps is apathy. That we don't listen and understand before actions are taken and that in our rush to judgement and action, we overlook the consquences of acts. Not that people are evil, not that companies always steal, nor governments corrupt. We just don't stop to think for a minute before people commit to actions with long term implications. So fight apathy. Or maybe I am just full of it.
Awwwww, Forget it.
( grin )
Seriously, though pay attention, listen, learn. (Yes I am talking to myself)
Traficant Expelled or Check Out JimmyT's New Suit
Not surprisingly the House of Representatives voted to expel James Traficant from Congress last night. Perhaps the most interesting thing in last night's vote was who voted against Traficant's expulsion Representative Gary Condit. So while JimmyT is out of a job, unless he appeals in Cincinnati go well he may have to trade in his demin suits for prison stripes.
Fellow Ohioian Representive Steven LaTourette did propose putting off consideration of the matter until September 4th which would have give then appeal process some time, but that measure failed 146-285.
Think this is the end? Nope the Business Journal nicely explains how we may yet see Traficant elected back into Congress.
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft has said he will call a special election to fill the seat. Theoretically, Traficant, who is likely to be in prison, could be a candidate and win back his seat....
In the end, it may not be the end.
Capitol Hill Class Reunion
I went to a memorial service today and while it's definately that for the formal ceremony, the afterwards is always a bit like a class reunion. People catch up with those they haven't seen in a while. A bit of gossip is exchanged on whose dating, where people are working, and often how we are glad we are working less stressful jobs. Most folks do look more healthy than we did for years ago, but age is slowly creeping into people's faces.
But in reply to the question I get ask from time to time "Do I miss working on the Hill?"
No. I miss the wonderful govt ID, some of the better receptions, and occasional lobbyist ticket to a ballgame. I miss seeing some great people on a regular basis. But the job, the long hours, low pay, and high stress. It's gone and I am very glad for it.
Traficant Update
As regular readers know, Congressman James Traficant has been convicted of 10 federal felony counts and is awaiting sentencing . The man with his bad suits, funky hair, and outrageous speeches liven up an otherwise boring CSPAN broadcast of House congressional affairs. Today at 6pm the House of Representatives will meet and most likely expel him from Congress.
While there is the possiblity he may pull off the most brilliant defense in public forum ever. Bringing justice to the eyes of all those watching CSPAN and stunning them with his keen and unique insight to the modern state of America. I am more inclined to say he's fucked.
So in tribute to one of my favorite members of Congress, at least he still is while I type this post, a one minute speech that demostrates the humor and insight of Traficant. Beam Me Up !
ACCIDENTAL HOSPITAL DEATHS ARE HIGHER THAN ACCIDENTAL GUN DEATHS
June 26, 2000
Mr. Speaker, accidental deaths caused by doctors and hosp...
Poetry Wednesday
It's a rough week for some friends at there, just so they know that they are in my thoughts.
New Friends and Old Friends
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test -
Time and change - are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For 'mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die,
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold. - Joseph Parry
Thanks to the Friendship page.
Handspring Visor
I love my little Handspring Visor, it's small enough to carry most anywhere and the 8megs memory while not huge, served my needs. In fact until today I had never had a memory issue. While loading everything available from Vindigo on New York City it suddenly had alittle trouble digesting that much information. I deleted a few programs I don't use anyways and BAM! I have a whole little tour book in my pocket. I used vindigo a few months ago in California, it was very handy to find a restaurant or a place for a tasty beverage. And since it's online it's generally more up to date than those print guides down at your local megabook store. The last positive and perhaps best is when your are flipping through your handheld, it's not so obvious you are a tourist than if you would be flipping through a guide book.
Monday Mission 2.29
1. Do you remember your first encounter with computers? Internet or computers, because there is a big difference. Computers it was the early 1980's and it was when the Apple 2 series showed up into our school, programing Logo, playing games, all sorts of fun. Then for the holidays my Mother brought home an Apple 2e from her school and she accidently erased a class project I had been working on, she hasn't felt comfortable with computers since.
2. How late can you stay up and still be functional the next day? Do you do that very often? it depends on when I need to be up but generally 6 hours of sleep in the minimium daily allowance. (Not real often 7-8 is my norm)
3. When was the last really good hug you got from another adult? Who was it and what was the situation? Kelly a few weeks ago when we had lunch I think.
4. One thing about children is that they all like to draw. We all shared the same ability and skill level at one time. Do you still li...
Fun weekend with a dock party Saturday. It's nice to get out to the bay and ride in a boat again, it was nice to be able to see stars at night as well. Even the bugs seemed to leave us be for the most part.
Otherwise time was spent hanging with bloggers on Friday and Sunday, come in on Monday morning to all sorts of depressing news. Get Well C. Busy with work but I am sure Monday Mission will find it's way to be posted later.
DRM Hearing at the Department of Commerce
I was at the Digital Right Management hearing at the Department of Commerce on Wednesday. I have spent the last two days thinking about the hearing and reading over the various reports. Most of the news stories I have read have focused on the consumer rights groups and their participation. That was an important element I’ll examine later, but I want to start with the panelists and what they said. If you are not famailar with digital rights management check out EPIC 's page on the issue, I think it's a pretty good overview.
Other people’s thoughts on the hearing…
Grant Gross version
Slashdot’s coverage
New Yorks for Fair Use have their response to the slashdot article, a great read on the topic, well thought out piece.
Declan's report
DOC page
Session One: Creating a Snapshot of Standards Activity
The first session began with a presentation by Michael Miron of ContentGuard . He tried to show all the efforts unde...
FRIDAY FIVE
1. Where were you born? Saratoga Springs, NY
2. If you don't live there, do you want to move back? Why or why not? I moved away as a baby and I have never been back. I keep intending to make it up there sometime for a visit, but it's never been a rush thing. I doubt I would ever move back there, I don't know anyone, have no driving interest in living in rural New York and don't know of any industry that would interest me.
3. Where in the world do you feel the safest? Northern Arizona
4. Do you feel you are well-traveled? Compared to most folks, yes, I have lived in six different states and one other country, but I would still like to spend some time in Russia, a month long vacation in India and Nepal, and get back to Germany for a year or so.
5. Where is the most interesting place you've been? Southern coast of France, amazingly beautiful with the rocky coast and deep blue sea.
Yahoo does it again...
Yahoo shot themselves in the foot, AGAIN. Evidently, they change certain words in email messages without users knowledge or permission, in an effort to prevent viruses, the problem is they could do it just as easily with the some script changes and then they wouldn't be imposing on customers speech. Idiots.
Wil Wheaton and Spudnets explore the wonderful world of Epitaphes. To my sick and demented friends (read: most of you bastards !) I am sure you will enjoy, especially the comments afterwards. Remember in event of death, roast me and my ashes with a nice stout or hefe weizen and then hold a big old party. Hopefully I'll have enough money by the time I die to afford it, if not cover is $20 because I want to go out with a bang!
If there is a marker of some kind with an epitaph "Yes, I am dead, but your shoe lace is untied ( made you look )"
Poetry Wednesday
'Komm Zu Mir' from Lola Rennt (or in English Run Lola Run)
I wish I was a hunter in search of different food
I wish I was the animal which fits into that mood
I wish I was a person with unlimited breath
I wish I was a heartbeat that never comes to rest
Komm zu mir
Komm zu mir
Komm zu mir
Komm zu mir
I wish I was a stranger who wanders down the sky
I wish I was a starship in silence flying by
I wish I was a princess with armies at her hand
I wish I was a ruler who'd make them understand
Komm zu mir
Komm zu mir
Komm zu mir
Komm zu mir
(zurück zu mir)
Wir sprengten jeden Rahmen
als wir zusammen kamen
war's wie eine Explosion
und ich schwör'
ich spür' die Erschütterung immer noch
ich weiss du rennst und doch
bist du erst nah und da
wenn du in meinen Armen liegst
ich geh' zu Boden wenn du nicht mit mir fliegst
oh Baby, bitte bitte lauf lauf gib nicht auf
ich hab' dich vermisst
es fressen mich Däm...
Cutting Edge ( ahem circa 1997 )
Beetle Bailey has been cutting edge of lately adding a new character who is high tech, online, and uses chat rooms, the only problem is he sounds like a character from 1997 or so, not today. I appreciate Mort Walker 's effort to get with the times, I mean the strip is almost modern now...I can't wait until his new Kizmo character develops a dot.com and becomes a millionaire, in stock, on paper, ahem and then the bubble bursts ...
Phoenix had a serious story Sunday night as the Republic notes. Monsoon season is just a function of living in Arizona, come July and August you expect it. But I can't help but wonder if the heat island effect is some how causing a few major storms that seem to hit the Valley every summer that are of great intensity than when I was growing up. In the 70's as the Desert Pundit noted you got a storm every afternoon, it was just part of living in Phoenix. But then as Phoenix exploded in size the majority of the storms seemed to by pass the Valley. Now it seems once or twice a summer a major storm larger than normal monsoon storm seems almost drawn to the Valley with severe consquences. I only had one class on geography and geology in college I never studied meteorology, but it seems like the heat island may be intensifying and drawing these super storms into the Valley.
Education and Future Paths
I wasn't the best of students in school after I hit my teens. The problem has been one of motivation, not ability. In college I did rather well in the classes that challenged and interested me. The rest I kinda left at the wayside as necessary dogmatic practices to get the good classes that really challenged me. So when I finally completed Bachelor's degree I knew that while I wanted to continue on with learn, I knew I was not ready for grad school. So I spent the last few years out of school until I felt the motivation was present to really learn this time and not screw around. I have looked at law school, but I realized that it was in fact not unlike military boot camp in a sense, it stripped your thinking processes and geared it to a certain regiment of thinking. Be that good or bad is better left to wiser men than myself, but I realized that regiment was not going to meet with my long term interests (at least at this point in my life). Then I lo...
Hacker Crackdown
I finished on the metro ride this morning The Hacker Crackdown by Bruce Sterling . I was interested in it after hearing him speak in person and the fact that this was the only book of his they had at the used bookstore at the time. I am used to him writing fiction when I have read his work, so it was alittle odd to read him writing about real events and people. After I got used to this change in tone I was very engaged by the book, if someone is interested in the computer crime and wants to understand the events in the late 80's/early 90's this is a great place to start. I was also interested to learn more of the origins of the WELL and EFF which the book also covers. The book gave me a historical ground work to some of the online activism in politics which I really think helps me better understand, some of the people in the online privacy fights around DC. Lastly you can't mention a Bruce Sterling book without talking about his writing style, his pers...
Billiards on Sunday
Want shoot pool with fellow bloggers in the Arlington area? Please drop by and join us.
Where : Carpool (4000 Fairfax Dr., Arlington)
Metro: Ballston, One block East of the metro station
When : Sunday @ 4PM
And while this will be in VA, all of our DC and MD friends are welcome to join us. :-)
Monday Mission 2.28
1. Have you ever sold anything through an online auction? What did you sell and did you make very much? No, but mostly because I am a packrat and haven't thought of anything worth selling.
2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience? I have bought online at ebay a number of times, computers cards, watch working equipment, and some leather craft work equipment, I wouldn't even know where to look for some of the things in DC area, but it's all on ebay.
3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn? As opposed to living in a dark demon like experience, a forever night? Like most things in life in moderation it's fine. (Now you can make the FINE reference properly Mr. Cross) I tan fairly easily and don't burn that badly most times, but have had a bad sunburn on occasion.
4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it? You know I could be a vegetari...
I watched Clerks and it reminded me why I dislike watching movies alone. It was definitely a movie I wanted to talk with others after watching. It reminded me a lot of my own past after alittle thinking, not that I ever worked a clerk job at a convience store but I did have a few friends that did. In particular I realized it reminded me of summer nights spent at a store out in the middle of nowhere, 10 miles at least from the nearest traffic light, on a lonely stretch of the highway. It would get quiet there especially after 10 at night. Except for when the occasional customer stopped in we basically had run of the place. Not that we ever took Gatorade like Dante's friends did, but the non-itemized events like slurpees and sodas and a few other things were ours. In the movie they had a hockey game on the roof, we tended to play catch with football, but it was always annoying when the football went over the roof and someone had to run down to catch it. Or if a customer arrived to...
I haven't posted on Traficant and found this in my inbox as I was leaving, so here is a quick Traficant update from the wire services! Have a good weekend kiddies!
U.S. Seeks at 7 Years for Traficant
CLEVELAND (AP) - Prosecutors are asking that Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. get at least 7 years in prison for corruption, arguing that his crimes could undermine Americans' faith in their government just when it is needed most.
Traficant, a Democrat running for re-election as an independent, is set for sentencing July 30 and could get up to 63 years. The congressman was found guilty of payoffs from businessmen and his own staff.
In court papers Friday, federal prosecutors argued that Traficant showed no remorse and made his crimes worse by repeatedly accusing the FBI, the Justice Department and the courts of misconduct.
"The fact that a member of Congress, one of the highest positions in our government, has been convicted of these crimes of dishonesty will cause ...
So Monday Screen on the Green kicks off for the Summer, they will be showing ' On the Town '. I am a little mixed on it, while I like seeing the movies down on the Mall, I am not a big fan of musicals. The act of going though is definately a social one since you have to arrive early to get decent seats and normal kick back on a blanket with food and tasty beverages. So who all is going if we can get a decent group of folks together I think I'll be there. So are you in?
Email issues...
I am rather glad that I moved my primary email account over to bears.org , it's very fast, never lags and I don't have trouble getting messages. I just wish my friends using Yahoo didn't have the same issues. I sent a few of them email a few hours ago and I have gotten three warning messages that the message hasn't been delivered yet. It's email, not brain surgery. If they can't process email efficently, why would I trust them with an auction , airline tickets , or my calendar . A shame just last year I would always recommended Yahoo to people as a good place to do business, no more.
As my boss said "Can We Go Play Outside"
Some days, like today, I really wish we had Wi-Fi in our office. So we could set up outside and enjoy the day. Lunch outside is a must as will be enjoying tasty beverages I think.
Last night though it was great too, beautiful sunset enjoyed burgers on the deck. The thing was after sunset you literally could see a hundred or more stars, which while my friends out West know to be nothing considering how many we used to see at night, but in DC that is damn good. In fact you could easily see some of them twinkling. In an average DC summer night you are lucky to see 10 stars because of the pollution, both air and light, so last night was a real treat.
At 25 you get Cannibalism or He’s dead Jim I’ll grab the profits and you grab his Muppets
I was watching the idiot box last night and I see this new Denny’s commercial a very coy attempt to cross market the 25th anniversary of the Grand Slam with the same for the Muppets, I guess the Muppet Show since the characters were started in the 60’s. Anyways for those of you who haven’t seen the ad in it Miss Piggy and Kermit are sitting at the table discussing this with the waitress and then Miss Piggy orders three Grand Slams and the politely asking if Kermit would like anything. One kind of major point, the Grand Slam has bacon and sausage, nothing like a little swine cannibalism, eh? When I point this out I am not in anyway suggesting Jim Henson would not have done that sort of commercial, I suspect he would have, he was very good at the marketing side of the business as evidence of the movies, toys, and other promotional issues. I think the difference is one of style, Jim would have b...
Okay I have not mentioned the Blogathon this week, so a quick time out for our sponsors the folks at PBS, just kidding . First off Bear Droppings will indeed be broadcasting from NYC, I have talked to my friend who is having a party on the 27th and I will be able to use his computer, I may even take a couple of DVDs with me as his computer has a player as I recall.
Secondly, Vital Ground , who they are, why you should give them money. Vital Ground is a foundation formed by Doug and Lynne Seus in 1990. Doug and Lynne Seus are professional animal trainers who specifically work with Grizzly bears. If you have seen Dr. Doolittle 2 , The Bear, or Legends of the Fall then you have seen their efforts. Vital Ground was their response that working with these amazing creatures has given them a livelihood and so it felt they need to give something back to their wild cousins. Most famous of their bears was Bart the Bear , the only of his species to attend an Oscar ceremony, where he made his ...
Charles pointed out to me that Tinsley Hall is now co-ed at NAU and there are pictures of the dorm online. Very cool, it was a good place to live...Uncle Stinky, Mother, GLENN , and all the other crazy neighbors all made for a good time. If I listen close closely I can almost hear the echo of the R.A. saying "Quiet Floor, Quiet Floor, Quiet Floor"
In need of an Adventure...
I need to make a made crazy trip somewhere soon. Where? I don't know, I just have got that Wanderlust in my blood again. I get it from time to time, I just need to get my passport in order....hmmm or maybe Oregon would be fun, I don't know. I am inclined to take a trip to some place I have never been so maybe Russia or India I have wanted to visit both of them. The problem is once I get this itch it isn't happy until I travel again...
Michael Jackson and the Music Industry
Call me a cynic, but I wasn't really buying Michael Jackson's rant the other day about the recording industry is racist. I do believe they conspire to milk ever dime possible from musicians and customers without adding much to the process. They are equal opportunity offenders, they want to screw us all. Add to that all the stories about how long it took MJ to record his album and how much was unusable, it looks like a clear case of sour grapes. The problem was I kept listening and while I still haven't been convinced it's racial, I do suspect there is an industry effort to discredit his statements. Last night on CNN Headline news there was a entertainment news piece that in essence said he had gone over cliff and was insane, though they were careful to not use such words the tone and intent were clear. The other television news stories seem to have promoted this story as an over the bend story as well. Additionally, Adam Curry r...
More on Blogrolling
I updated again the blogroll this week, this time to add some old friends, who have been blogging the last couple of months. It was tough to include them because defining our friendship is difficult, because we share some similar spiritual beliefs, but we all follow different paths. Same and different. Most of their blogs tend more towards dream journals, though it slowly has been changing. It felt like something was missing on my blogroll without including them so I came up with a new category Soul Bloggers, cause they are all about DA LOVE . So it's good to have you blogging my friends.
New Browser Feature Needed
The next step in the browser development is, one should be able to print a single posting from a weblog. Granted alot of my stuff is short form, but I got to thinking sometimes I look at an article and think that looks like a great read for the metro over to the meeting. Printing out a month or weeks worth of posts for one long form essays is a pain and waste. I think it would be fairly simple operation to incorporate to the browsers just right click on the post id and then in the scroll menu under print page, you second have a second menu option of print post. (or heck maybe a palm program that allows you to load specific posts to your PDA) Just a random thought...
Things I learned this weekend...
Long weekend and I learned alot, well if I remember the lessons of this weekend.
Lesson #1 - In summer in DC, always make a tee time reservation. Otherwise you spend a good chunk of time sitting on your butt!
Lesson #2 - On the golf cart follow directions It says on the little sign keep your hands and feet inside the cart at all times...they are not kidding folks, it's necessary. Take it from me, AKA The Gimp.
Lesson #3 - While eating Sea Urchin Roe may impress your sushi chef, it still tastes like poo! Bad side of being willing to try new and different things, sometime you find the most disgusting foods on earth.
I hope everyone elses weekend was fun I spent way too much time indoors due to nasty twisted ankle while on the golf course Friday afternoon. I did eventually hobble out to Nouveau East for sushi. It has a good staff and great eats, although a little pricey. I highly recommend the Oily Tuna and I highly recommend you avoi...
PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.27
1. Have you had to repair anything lately? Did you do it yourself or have someone else do it? Watches, I used to work in a watch repair shop and working with the little gizmos is kinda fun for me, so I do the odd repair work for people, mostly just replacing batteries, but I am working my way up to a full repair bench eventually.
2. Do you work out or exercise? Or is there anything you do each day for your health? I work out at the gym about 3 times a week. Otherwise I do take a multivitamin, otherwise I don't pay too much attention to such things, I'd rather just enjoy life...
3. Are you a modest person? That is, would you be embarrassed for someone (an acquaintance, a friend, a stranger) to see you nude? What are you implying? Trying for a little blackmail, eh? The only thing you will get with those pictures is people screaming and running away in horror, ummm not that there are pictures or anything. Ummmm nice weather we have been...
Friday Five
Okay, so it's Monday, but I have a busy morning so later I'll tell all about the weekend.
1. Where are you right now? Work
2. What have you lost recently? My swing, I think I need Bagger Vance 's help.
3. What was the first CD you ever purchased? That's an easy one, The Miracle by Queen bought hmmm about 13 years ago last Wednesday. I got a CD player for my birthday that year and went out and bought that CD, it was high on the charts at the time. I still have it somewhere, I should give it a listen, it's a good album.
4. What is your favorite kind of writing pen? Since I am left-handed any pen that the ink dries very quickly, which generally means it's a very fine point. Other than that I don't care.
5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Really rich Vanilla like a French Vanilla either homemade or custard. Yum in fact I have been having a craving for it for the last two weeks.
My brother pointed out this site, it a nice memorial for Officers Chestnut and Gibson who died on July 24th, 1998. While I didn't know Officer Chestnut all that well, I did know John Gibson. He had a great sense of humor and if not for his sacrifice many of my friends and coworkers would not be alive today. People throw around the term hero a lot but in his case it was true.
Two for Tuesday, but Wait this is Wednesday
Regardless I checked my inbox this morning and found an email with a poem from the fire in Arizona, so we have two poems this week.
Jim Littlepage, Fire Chief of Forest Lakes Fire District, wrote a poem the
morning after the threat to his community had passed. His reference in
the poem to the "Devils Hand" refers to the topography of the rim country
immediately east of the community of Forest Lakes, an extremely
complicated and difficult community to protect from fire. The poem goes
as follows:
FIRE FIGHTER SOLDIERS OF RODEO-CHEDISKI
Marching in groups, tools in hand.
Trucks and dozers across the land.
Birds and planes fill the sky.
Today's the day, fire, time to die.
Command group here, plans are made.
Support is ready, the tracks are laid.
Take it to the enemy in the Devil's hand.
All are ready to protect this land.
All working as a team, hand in hand.
Our mission to...
Poetry Wednesday
One of my favorite songs...
Home
If I woke up one morning with my memory gone,
I'd pick out some clothes and I'd put them on,
And walk down the street, and find a cafe,
I'd order a Guinness, and I'd sit there all day.
Then some kids would come in and start a fuss
About how great their weekend in New Orleans was
Then I'd look down and smile, like their tale was my own,
And I'd open my eyes, and I'd know I was home,
Where my friends are, even when I'm not.
I wish you were here.
And then it would rain, like it sometimes does,
If we were bored that wouldn't bother us.
We'd just get in the car and drive though the night,
And get lost in East Texas, but no one would mind
Because we'd find our way home, like we always do.
Funny how the time flies in our youth,
But with darkness approaching, we'll all grow close
In the place we'll call heaven
But for now, we'll just call it home ...
Jen's What's Worse ...
Since the comments section on blogger is out to lunch...
What's worse?
Having to take a youngun to a bad kiddy movie , because taking your gf to a chick flick wins you points and lead to a fun night afterwards. (There is a Catholic priest joke in there but I just won't make it)
Getting sick on vacation , you can always take time off work and they have to pay you...vacation is your time.
Getting caught by your parents having sex or catching your parents having sex ....let's move on to the next one.
Toothpaste and then orange juice or toothpaste and then red wine - OJ because it ain't got that zing.
Getting stung once by a bee or being bit 10 times by mosquitos , mosquoitos, one sting you can ignore 10 little stings that you ned to scratch will drive you mad.
wet bathing suit full of sand then sitting in a hot car or getting caught in the rain and having to sit in arctic air conditioning. Bathing suit....the smell of b...
Fun IM conversations...
A friend, let's call her B : I am dying of restlessness
Thomas : are you?
Thomas : well don't go outside it's ugly
B : i can't, i'm at work anyways
Thomas : I got out of work most of the morning, but I think I am actually going to have to get things done today
Thomas : ready for darts tonight?
B : i was. i'm in a bad mood now. kind of sucks.
B : I am so tempted to go home early
Thomas : do I hear that cold that has been going around in your voice ;-)
B : heh
B : god, i'm so tempted
B : but i can't
Thomas : why not?
B : i'm already in enough trouble at work
B : this guy is kicking my ass in dominoes, man
Thomas : heh
Thomas : enough trouble at work and boy is this guy kicking my butt at dominoes
Thomas : hahahahahahaahah
B : oh, shush, there's no one around
and someone wonders why they are in trouble at work?