After everything that's been going on in terms of time demands, most of my posts are really just pull-outs of links I've seen on fark and other places. I'm going to try to get away from that...but if something funny or interesting pops up, I'll post it.
In an effort to get back to actually writing about actual stuff...
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Filming Locations for Knight Rider 2000 (1991) (TV)
I'm not sure what is sadder...
A - The first thing I thought while walking through Rivercenter Mall was that it looked like the place at the end of Knight Rider 2000.
OR
B - That it actually WAS the place at the end of Knight Rider 2000.
A - The first thing I thought while walking through Rivercenter Mall was that it looked like the place at the end of Knight Rider 2000.
OR
B - That it actually WAS the place at the end of Knight Rider 2000.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Elementary School
In honor of Arthur Conan Doyle's 147th Birthday today, I present my favorite Holmes quote...
`I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.
A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it.
Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic.He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect
order.
It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before.
It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.'
`I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.
A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it.
Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic.He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect
order.
It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before.
It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.'
From the "Shouldn't be funny, but still is" file...
SI.com - Writers - The 10 Spot: "Barrett's right cross has been second-guessed by players throughout baseball, who question why Barrett didn't hit Pierzynski hard enough to deck him."
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Monday, May 15, 2006
and what have YOU done?
[x] I have read a lot of books.
[] I have been on some sort of varsity team.
[] I have run more than 2 miles without stopping.
[x] I have been to Canada.
[x] I have been to Europe.
[x] I have watched cartoons for hours.
[x] I have tripped UP the stairs.
[x] I have fallen down an entire flight of stairs.
[x] I have been snowboarding/skiing.
[x] I have played ping pong.
[] I swam in the ocean.
[] I have been on a whale watch.
[x] I have seen fireworks.
[x] I have seen a shooting star.
[x] I have seen a meteor shower.
[x] I have almost drowned.
[x] I have been so embarrassed I wanted to disappear.
[x] I have listened to one CD over and over and over again.
[] I have had stitches.
[] I have had frostbite.
[] I have licked a frozen pole and got stuck there.
[x] I have stayed up til 2 doing homework/projects. (I, in fact, still do this daily.)
[x] I currently have a job.
[x] I have been ice skating.
[x] I have been rollerblading.
[x] I have fallen flat on my face.
[x] I have tripped over my own two feet.
[] I have been in a fist fight.
[x] I have played videogames for more than 3 hours straight.
[] I have watched the Power Rangers.
[] I attend Church regularly.
[x] I have played truth or dare.
[x] I have already had my 16th birthday.
[x] I have already had my 18th birthday.
[x] I've called someone stupid.
[x] I've been in a verbal argument.
[] I've cried in school.
[] I've played basketball on a team.
[x] I've played baseball on a team.
[x] I've played football on a team.
[x] I've played soccer on a team.
[] I've done cheerleading on a team.
[x] I've played softball on a team.
[x] I've played volleyball on a team.
[] I've played tennis on a team.
[] I've been in the marching band.
[x] I've been swimming more than 20 times in my life.
[] I've bungee jumped.
[] I've climbed a rock wall.
[x] I've lost more than $20.
[x] I've called myself an idiot.
[x] I've called someone else an idiot.
[] I've cried myself to sleep.
[x] I've had (or have) pets.
[] I've owned a Spice Girls CD.
[] I've owned a Britney Spears CD.
[] I've owned an N*Sync CD.
[] I've owned a Backstreet Boys CD.
[] I've mooned someone.
[x] I have sworn at someone of authority before.
[x] I've been in the newspaper.
[] I've been on TV.
[x] I've been to Hawaii.
[] I've eaten sushi.
[x] I've been on the other side of a waterfall.
[x] I've watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies.
[x] I've watched all the Harry Potter movies.
[x] I've watched all of the Rocky movies.
[x] I've watched the Three Stooges.
[x] I've watched "Newlyweds" Nick & Jessica.
[x] I've watched Looney Tunes.
[] I've been stuffed into a locker/I have stuffed others into lockers.
[x] I've been called a geek.
[x] I've studied hard for a test and got a bad grade.
[x] I've not studied at all for a test and aced it.
[x] I've hugged my mom within the past 24 hours.
[] I've hugged my dad within the past 24 hours.
[x] I've met a celebrity/music artist.
[] I've written poetry.
[] I've been arrested.
[x] I've been attracted to someone much older than me.
[x] I've been tickled till I've cried.
[x] I've tickled someone else until they cried.
[x] I've had/have siblings.
[] I've been to a rock concert.
[x] I've listened to classical music and enjoyed it.
[x] I've been in a play.
[x] I've been picked last in gym class.
[x] I've been picked first in gym class.
[x] I've been picked in that middle-range in gym class.
[] I've cried in front of my friends.
[] I've read a book longer than 1,000 pages.
[] I've played Halo 2.
[xxxxxx] I've freaked out over a sports game.
[] I've been to Alaska.
[x] I've been to China.
[] I've been to Spain.
[x] I've been to Japan.
[] I've had a fight with someone on AIM.
[x] I've had a fight with someone face-to-face.
[x] I've had serious conversations on any IM.
[x] I've forgiven someone who has done something wrong to me.
[x] I've been forgiven.
[] I've screamed at a scary movie.
[] I've cried at a chick flick.
[x] I've watched a lot of action movies.
[x] I've screamed at the top of my lungs.
[] I've been to a rap concert.
[] I've been to a hip hop concert.
[x] I've lived in more than 2 houses.
[x] I've driven on the highway/been on the highway.
[x] I've driven more than 40 miles in a day/been in a car that went more than 40 miles in a day. (40 miles? That's nothing)
[x] I've been in a car accident.
[] I've done drugs.
[x] I've been homesick.
[x] I've thrown up.
[] I've puked on someone.
[x] I've been horseback riding.
[] I've filled out more than 10 MySpace surveys.
[x] I've spoken my mind in public.
[x] I've proved someone wrong.
[x] I've been proven wrong by someone.
[] I've broken a leg.
[x] I've broken an arm or a finger.
[x] I've fallen off a swing.
[x] I've swung on a swing for more than 30 minutes straight.
[] I've watched Winnie the Pooh movies.
[x] I've forgotten my backpack when I've gone to school.
[x] I've lost my backpack.
[x] I've come close to dying.
[] I've seen someone die.
[x] I've known someone who has died.
[] I've wanted to be an actor/actress at some point.
[] I've done modeling.
[] I've forgotten to brush my teeth some mornings.
[x] I've taken something/someone for granted.
[x] I've realized how good my life is.
[x] I've counted my blessings.
[x] I've made fun of a classmate.
[x] I've been asked out by someone and I said no.
[] I've slapped someone in the face.
[x] I've been skateboarding.
[x] I've been backstabbed by someone I thought was a friend.
[x] I've lied to someone to their face.
[x] I've told a little white lie.
[x] I've taken a day off from school just so I don't go insane.
[] I've fainted.
[] I've had an argument with someone about whether cheerleading is a sport or not.
[x] I've pushed someone into a pool.
[x] I've been pushed into a pool.
[x] I've been/am in love.
[] I have been on some sort of varsity team.
[] I have run more than 2 miles without stopping.
[x] I have been to Canada.
[x] I have been to Europe.
[x] I have watched cartoons for hours.
[x] I have tripped UP the stairs.
[x] I have fallen down an entire flight of stairs.
[x] I have been snowboarding/skiing.
[x] I have played ping pong.
[] I swam in the ocean.
[] I have been on a whale watch.
[x] I have seen fireworks.
[x] I have seen a shooting star.
[x] I have seen a meteor shower.
[x] I have almost drowned.
[x] I have been so embarrassed I wanted to disappear.
[x] I have listened to one CD over and over and over again.
[] I have had stitches.
[] I have had frostbite.
[] I have licked a frozen pole and got stuck there.
[x] I have stayed up til 2 doing homework/projects. (I, in fact, still do this daily.)
[x] I currently have a job.
[x] I have been ice skating.
[x] I have been rollerblading.
[x] I have fallen flat on my face.
[x] I have tripped over my own two feet.
[] I have been in a fist fight.
[x] I have played videogames for more than 3 hours straight.
[] I have watched the Power Rangers.
[] I attend Church regularly.
[x] I have played truth or dare.
[x] I have already had my 16th birthday.
[x] I have already had my 18th birthday.
[x] I've called someone stupid.
[x] I've been in a verbal argument.
[] I've cried in school.
[] I've played basketball on a team.
[x] I've played baseball on a team.
[x] I've played football on a team.
[x] I've played soccer on a team.
[] I've done cheerleading on a team.
[x] I've played softball on a team.
[x] I've played volleyball on a team.
[] I've played tennis on a team.
[] I've been in the marching band.
[x] I've been swimming more than 20 times in my life.
[] I've bungee jumped.
[] I've climbed a rock wall.
[x] I've lost more than $20.
[x] I've called myself an idiot.
[x] I've called someone else an idiot.
[] I've cried myself to sleep.
[x] I've had (or have) pets.
[] I've owned a Spice Girls CD.
[] I've owned a Britney Spears CD.
[] I've owned an N*Sync CD.
[] I've owned a Backstreet Boys CD.
[] I've mooned someone.
[x] I have sworn at someone of authority before.
[x] I've been in the newspaper.
[] I've been on TV.
[x] I've been to Hawaii.
[] I've eaten sushi.
[x] I've been on the other side of a waterfall.
[x] I've watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies.
[x] I've watched all the Harry Potter movies.
[x] I've watched all of the Rocky movies.
[x] I've watched the Three Stooges.
[x] I've watched "Newlyweds" Nick & Jessica.
[x] I've watched Looney Tunes.
[] I've been stuffed into a locker/I have stuffed others into lockers.
[x] I've been called a geek.
[x] I've studied hard for a test and got a bad grade.
[x] I've not studied at all for a test and aced it.
[x] I've hugged my mom within the past 24 hours.
[] I've hugged my dad within the past 24 hours.
[x] I've met a celebrity/music artist.
[] I've written poetry.
[] I've been arrested.
[x] I've been attracted to someone much older than me.
[x] I've been tickled till I've cried.
[x] I've tickled someone else until they cried.
[x] I've had/have siblings.
[] I've been to a rock concert.
[x] I've listened to classical music and enjoyed it.
[x] I've been in a play.
[x] I've been picked last in gym class.
[x] I've been picked first in gym class.
[x] I've been picked in that middle-range in gym class.
[] I've cried in front of my friends.
[] I've read a book longer than 1,000 pages.
[] I've played Halo 2.
[xxxxxx] I've freaked out over a sports game.
[] I've been to Alaska.
[x] I've been to China.
[] I've been to Spain.
[x] I've been to Japan.
[] I've had a fight with someone on AIM.
[x] I've had a fight with someone face-to-face.
[x] I've had serious conversations on any IM.
[x] I've forgiven someone who has done something wrong to me.
[x] I've been forgiven.
[] I've screamed at a scary movie.
[] I've cried at a chick flick.
[x] I've watched a lot of action movies.
[x] I've screamed at the top of my lungs.
[] I've been to a rap concert.
[] I've been to a hip hop concert.
[x] I've lived in more than 2 houses.
[x] I've driven on the highway/been on the highway.
[x] I've driven more than 40 miles in a day/been in a car that went more than 40 miles in a day. (40 miles? That's nothing)
[x] I've been in a car accident.
[] I've done drugs.
[x] I've been homesick.
[x] I've thrown up.
[] I've puked on someone.
[x] I've been horseback riding.
[] I've filled out more than 10 MySpace surveys.
[x] I've spoken my mind in public.
[x] I've proved someone wrong.
[x] I've been proven wrong by someone.
[] I've broken a leg.
[x] I've broken an arm or a finger.
[x] I've fallen off a swing.
[x] I've swung on a swing for more than 30 minutes straight.
[] I've watched Winnie the Pooh movies.
[x] I've forgotten my backpack when I've gone to school.
[x] I've lost my backpack.
[x] I've come close to dying.
[] I've seen someone die.
[x] I've known someone who has died.
[] I've wanted to be an actor/actress at some point.
[] I've done modeling.
[] I've forgotten to brush my teeth some mornings.
[x] I've taken something/someone for granted.
[x] I've realized how good my life is.
[x] I've counted my blessings.
[x] I've made fun of a classmate.
[x] I've been asked out by someone and I said no.
[] I've slapped someone in the face.
[x] I've been skateboarding.
[x] I've been backstabbed by someone I thought was a friend.
[x] I've lied to someone to their face.
[x] I've told a little white lie.
[x] I've taken a day off from school just so I don't go insane.
[] I've fainted.
[] I've had an argument with someone about whether cheerleading is a sport or not.
[x] I've pushed someone into a pool.
[x] I've been pushed into a pool.
[x] I've been/am in love.
Friday, May 12, 2006
What's in a name?
Popular baby names
Of the perspective names we have chosen for our little sprout, our boy name is between 50-100 and our girl name is between 1-50.
See if you can't take a guess. :)
Of the perspective names we have chosen for our little sprout, our boy name is between 50-100 and our girl name is between 1-50.
See if you can't take a guess. :)
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Against the Wal
Conversation between me the girl at checkout at Walgreens the other night.
I had my Cub pullover on.
Her: "I liked you until I saw you were a Cubs fan."
Me: "Well, I guess you can at least sympathize with me now."
Her: "Aw, they're a good team."
Me: "I keep telling myself that, and they're proving me wrong."
Her: "Well, at least you're not like us with all the new bandwagon fans."
Me: "yeah, I guess I can at least take solace in that."
(walks out of the store with my head down)
I had my Cub pullover on.
Her: "I liked you until I saw you were a Cubs fan."
Me: "Well, I guess you can at least sympathize with me now."
Her: "Aw, they're a good team."
Me: "I keep telling myself that, and they're proving me wrong."
Her: "Well, at least you're not like us with all the new bandwagon fans."
Me: "yeah, I guess I can at least take solace in that."
(walks out of the store with my head down)
Friday, May 05, 2006
Texas-style Fried President
Daily Kos: Re-Improved Colbert transcript (now with complete text of Colbert-Thomas video!): "The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change; this man's beliefs never will. As excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story: the president's side, and the vice president's side."
You've got to take a look at this if you get the chance. heh heh
You've got to take a look at this if you get the chance. heh heh
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
So much time and so little to do
Strike that, reverse it.
The lack of lengthy posts over the past few weeks aren't the sign that nothing is happening. On the contrary, it's been craziness ever since we closed on the house.
Shortly after I got back from China we moved in, with the help of friends and family. Thanks to everybody who helped out, big time. The storage spaces were emptied and furniture, boxes, and tubs were moved into the house and the garage. We're still going through everything.
A few days later, I went to Houston for a tradeshow. Somewhere in between there we bought a new bedroom set, living room couch and loveseat, and a set of new bookcases. We had originally planned on keeping our queen-size bed but decided after a night with the two of us and the cat and the dog that it was time to get a bigger bed. We'd always talked about it and now that we plan to have our bedroom set for a long while we figured it was time to get the king-size. We went to a local place for the mattress (the guy looked like a real-life Peter Griffin) and it all got delivered this past Saturday. The bedroom looks nice all put together and everything.
We spent the rest of Saturday going to Home Depot and picking up supplies for the lawn and some other stuff. I put down grass seed on Sat afternoon (the lawn is an embarassing mess) and raked and watered, etc.
It's just been a crazy past few weeks. I leave for LV on Tuesday again. Hopefully once I return that will be it for travel until June or so.
The lack of lengthy posts over the past few weeks aren't the sign that nothing is happening. On the contrary, it's been craziness ever since we closed on the house.
Shortly after I got back from China we moved in, with the help of friends and family. Thanks to everybody who helped out, big time. The storage spaces were emptied and furniture, boxes, and tubs were moved into the house and the garage. We're still going through everything.
A few days later, I went to Houston for a tradeshow. Somewhere in between there we bought a new bedroom set, living room couch and loveseat, and a set of new bookcases. We had originally planned on keeping our queen-size bed but decided after a night with the two of us and the cat and the dog that it was time to get a bigger bed. We'd always talked about it and now that we plan to have our bedroom set for a long while we figured it was time to get the king-size. We went to a local place for the mattress (the guy looked like a real-life Peter Griffin) and it all got delivered this past Saturday. The bedroom looks nice all put together and everything.
We spent the rest of Saturday going to Home Depot and picking up supplies for the lawn and some other stuff. I put down grass seed on Sat afternoon (the lawn is an embarassing mess) and raked and watered, etc.
It's just been a crazy past few weeks. I leave for LV on Tuesday again. Hopefully once I return that will be it for travel until June or so.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Got gas?
Oil breaks through record $75 as gas shortages reported - Apr. 21, 2006
Not too surprising, as gas has gone up and up in recent days. Luckily enough, my car is pretty effcient...mostly due to its low weight and small engine.
I'm wondering what has happened to all the oil we were supposed to be getting from Iraq??
Not too surprising, as gas has gone up and up in recent days. Luckily enough, my car is pretty effcient...mostly due to its low weight and small engine.
I'm wondering what has happened to all the oil we were supposed to be getting from Iraq??
random fact about me
Sometime I turn the Tivo sound effects on just so I remember why I turned them off.
Monday, April 17, 2006
She be the Judge
CNN.com - Ex-governor guilty of racketeering - Apr 17, 2006: "Rather than declare a mistrial, U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer decided to replace the two jurors with alternates and, over the objection of Ryan's attorneys, ordered the jury to start deliberations over again."
Interestingly enough, she was the Judge when I did my two-week stint as a juror in Federal Court some years ago.
Interestingly enough, she was the Judge when I did my two-week stint as a juror in Federal Court some years ago.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Birthday Meme
Type in your birthday (minus the year) in the search bar at wikipedia.org, and pick three interesting events, four births, two deaths, and a holiday.
Events:
1789 - New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
1943 - World War II: Battle of Tarawa begins - United States Marines land on Tarawa atoll in the Gilbert Islands and suffer heavy fire from Japanese shore guns and machine guns.
1962 - Cuban Missile Crisis ends: In response to the Soviet Union's agreeing to remove its missiles from Cuba, U.S. President John F. Kennedy ends the quarantine of the Caribbean nation.
Births:
1921 - Jim Garrison, American detective, author, and politician (d. 1992)
1924 - Benoît Mandelbrot, Polish-born mathematician who made discoveries in fracals
1925 - Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Attorney General, Senator from New York State, and brother of President John F. Kennedy (d. 1968)
1940 - Bob Einstein, American actor better known as Super Dave Osborne
Deaths:
1910 (N.S.) - Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist (b. 1828)
1737 - Caroline of Ansbach, Queen of George II of Great Britain (b. 1683)
Holiday:
United Kingdom - wedding day of Queen Elizabeth II (1947), official flag day
Events:
1789 - New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
1943 - World War II: Battle of Tarawa begins - United States Marines land on Tarawa atoll in the Gilbert Islands and suffer heavy fire from Japanese shore guns and machine guns.
1962 - Cuban Missile Crisis ends: In response to the Soviet Union's agreeing to remove its missiles from Cuba, U.S. President John F. Kennedy ends the quarantine of the Caribbean nation.
Births:
1921 - Jim Garrison, American detective, author, and politician (d. 1992)
1924 - Benoît Mandelbrot, Polish-born mathematician who made discoveries in fracals
1925 - Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Attorney General, Senator from New York State, and brother of President John F. Kennedy (d. 1968)
1940 - Bob Einstein, American actor better known as Super Dave Osborne
Deaths:
1910 (N.S.) - Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist (b. 1828)
1737 - Caroline of Ansbach, Queen of George II of Great Britain (b. 1683)
Holiday:
United Kingdom - wedding day of Queen Elizabeth II (1947), official flag day
Friday, April 07, 2006
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Home Wire-ing
Posting this from the utility room of our new home. Just got the cable internet up and working. The Comcast guy was here earlier and ran a new line to the house. The rooms had been wired off of the house antenna, so it was a small thing to replace the source with the cable line. Not sure where the cablemodem will go eventually.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The (Two) China Sydrome
or
Little red book for some, little American flags for others
In talking with a local Chinese colleague at the Jinan airport yesterday, I happened to bring up Taiwan. This brought about an abrupt change in the conversation. I'll explain why later.
Quick thing on Taiwan to save you from visiting the wiki...a few years after the end of WWII (maybe 1948 or 1949) Chiang Kai-shek and his followers were forced from mainland China by the Communist followers of Mao Zedong after the Chinese Civil War. The Chiang government fled to Taiwan and made that the seat of his 'Presidency'. At that time (and maybe now, but more on that later) Taiwan was part of China...the People's Republic (or Mainland) China.
Anyway, back to our story. I had mentioned Taiwan, and whether it was a separate entity from China itself, and my colleague became very passionate about the fact that it was not. After I stated that I had thought that China didn't consider Taiwan another country, he started in on how I only thought that because I believe what the American media told me, and how would I like it if Alaska decided to break off and become another nation? Of course, I told him that would be fine, but that's neither here nor there. I think the issue comes from how the US pretty much treats Taiwan as a sovereign nation, even thought it does not formmally recognize it as such...mostly due to how China would feel about that.
He asked how I would feel if another country 'backed' the Confederacy in the Civil War (they did, but I didn't bring that up) and that led to a bunch of stuff about how America involves itself in the issues of other nations, 'what gives us the right to be the cops of the world', etc. Fun stuff.
It wasn't in a mean way, and that was the thing. A few examples of American misdeeds were brought up that I thought were a little out of hand...such as the treatment of the Indians and all that. Of course, I had to ask for an example that wasn't 100+ years old.
I kept joking about how China was a Capitalist Country and just didn't want to admit it. He said that wasn't as bad a word now as it used to be, but he still didn't look too happy about it. He kept saying they were a 'free market economy' which I told him is just an Economist's fancy term for 'Capitalism'.
I found it a little hard to agree with much he said...it seemed he was saying I was fed everything by the media. I wonder where he got his pre-conceptions about America?
On my stating that just because the Government decides something doesn't mean everyone agrees with it, I was told that since the Presidential election is pretty much 'majority rules' then the people who did NOT vote for the winner pretty much have to live under a tyrant and have no say in anything. When I brought up the system of checks and balances I was told that that concept is pretty much something we tell other countries so they don't think the President is a tyrant. (hello, Federal Republic)
I didn't start in on him with anything about China--though the Human Rights Band was striking a few chords. I'm not exactly going to take stands (such as defending the Iraq War) that I don't believe in just to argue with somebody. Hello, I'm not Shell.
Anyways, it probably looks harsher than it really was. It was really just a conversation. But it's the second I've had with someone from another country that doesn't exactly love America...but why should he? And why should I care?
Sunday, March 26, 2006
First the Bear now the Dragon
In the hotel in Beijing now. Quick thoughts:
More later.
- Exhausted
- Sleep on and off on the flight here. Seat was cramped.
- Just found out I have to get picked up at 7:30am to fly to another province where I'll be working for Monday and Tuesday, then fly back here Tuesday.
- Driver who was picking me up had his car towed while waiting for me inside. He went off to retrieve it leaving me to wonder if I'd ever see him again as I stood outside an unfamiliar country in an unfamiliar city.
- Room here is huge.
- No clue what I will be eating for the next 2 days. I know the hotel has an Italian place.
- SMS and phone seem to be working. Who knows what the charges are.
- City not as crowded as I thought, but it was late at night. Seems spread out with lots of big buildings.
- For those keeping score...Moscow: Drive on right side. Narita, Japan: Drive on left side. Beijing: Drive on right side.
- I feel like garbage. The boss says he's been awake since 2am local time. Fun stuff.
More later.
Land of the Rising Sun
Well, sitting here in the HAL business-class lounge. Got in from Chicago a short while ago. Now, I'm in Narita, Japan...which must not be too far from Tokyo. It's breezey here, which is nice. How do I know how it is outside, you might wonder. Well, I'll get to that.
We closing on the house yesterday. Everything went quickly on the bank side so there were no problems at all. We got a key and the previous owners will be out on Friday the 31st so we'll really take possession at that point. They'll leave the rest of the keys in the house.
We stayed over late at Mom and Don's and watched some stuff off of the Tivo. I say 'we', but Court was sleeping most of the time. Sometime around midnight we headed over to her parent's to go to bed. My flight left at 11am so I slept until after to eight or so. Court's Mom had made french toast and bacon and pancakes and stuff so I ate a good breakfast, which I was thankful for, because for the next few days I've got to eat whenever I can when it's something I'll enjoy.
We headed to the aiport and said our goodbyes. I miss her. :(
Anyways, I was flying on a 777. First time I've ever been on one. VERY nice plane. Business class seats were really comfortable and had plenty of room...I didn't see the First Class setup as that much better. We got some Bose noise-cancelling headphones, which are FANTASTIC. I'm thinking of getting some because they work so well. Too bad they're expensive out the ying yang. The work like a charm tough...it takes 80% of that constant airplane THRUMMING out of the picture totally. I hooked them into my iPod and listened to some old TK shows I had missed as well as some music and stuff. I also read a lot and watched the end of National Treasure.
I say next to a nice guy who works for UL. We talked about travelling and stuff. He's doing a talk to some Chinese manufacturers about new specifications for mattress flamability. I guess they're upping the standards so they have to be able to withstand an open flame without bursting into flames...the old standard was a cigarette-style flame I guess. That was good to hear. He's flying somewhere else so we said our 'have a good flight' things and went on our way.
The Boss had called me the other day to say that there was an odd setup at the airport here...that I would have to take a shuttle to another terminal to get where I needed to go for my connection. The thing was...I had no boarding pass. I had to go through security to reach the shuttle but they were happy to just look at my intinerary. When I got to the connection office I got my boarding pass and all that, and they told me where the lounge was, and here I sit. Got a nice power jack here, so I'm charging back up since I siphoned off my laptop's power for the iPod when I was at O'Hare. I've newly discovered the 'hold' function which is like a keylock that stops the iPod from turning on whenever it gets bumped or anything. I think it was on and 'playing' Friday night because the batt was a little drained this (Sat) morning.
The iPod has worked great...I'm figuring stuff out on it and everything. The guy from UL had one he had just bought too but he was having some problems. He didn't have the software loaded up on his laptop but I told him I had the driver CD (which I just happened to have) so he loaded it up. However, I think when he loaded up iTunes he chose to sync his local Library with his iPod and thus erased everything he'd put on his iPod earlier with his empty local library. At least, I think that's what happened. No big loss, he said, since he had it all at home.
I've just found out it has an alarm functionality, which is nice. The clear case is working out nicely.
My flight boards at 5:50p and it's 4:03p now, local time. In Chicago, it's 1:05 Sunday morning. My cell doesn't seem to work here so I can't let anybody know I've gotten here safely. I've just found a wireless LAN to hookup to! NICE!
(too bad it's un-secured pay-to-play...no thanks)
More later
We closing on the house yesterday. Everything went quickly on the bank side so there were no problems at all. We got a key and the previous owners will be out on Friday the 31st so we'll really take possession at that point. They'll leave the rest of the keys in the house.
We stayed over late at Mom and Don's and watched some stuff off of the Tivo. I say 'we', but Court was sleeping most of the time. Sometime around midnight we headed over to her parent's to go to bed. My flight left at 11am so I slept until after to eight or so. Court's Mom had made french toast and bacon and pancakes and stuff so I ate a good breakfast, which I was thankful for, because for the next few days I've got to eat whenever I can when it's something I'll enjoy.
We headed to the aiport and said our goodbyes. I miss her. :(
Anyways, I was flying on a 777. First time I've ever been on one. VERY nice plane. Business class seats were really comfortable and had plenty of room...I didn't see the First Class setup as that much better. We got some Bose noise-cancelling headphones, which are FANTASTIC. I'm thinking of getting some because they work so well. Too bad they're expensive out the ying yang. The work like a charm tough...it takes 80% of that constant airplane THRUMMING out of the picture totally. I hooked them into my iPod and listened to some old TK shows I had missed as well as some music and stuff. I also read a lot and watched the end of National Treasure.
I say next to a nice guy who works for UL. We talked about travelling and stuff. He's doing a talk to some Chinese manufacturers about new specifications for mattress flamability. I guess they're upping the standards so they have to be able to withstand an open flame without bursting into flames...the old standard was a cigarette-style flame I guess. That was good to hear. He's flying somewhere else so we said our 'have a good flight' things and went on our way.
The Boss had called me the other day to say that there was an odd setup at the airport here...that I would have to take a shuttle to another terminal to get where I needed to go for my connection. The thing was...I had no boarding pass. I had to go through security to reach the shuttle but they were happy to just look at my intinerary. When I got to the connection office I got my boarding pass and all that, and they told me where the lounge was, and here I sit. Got a nice power jack here, so I'm charging back up since I siphoned off my laptop's power for the iPod when I was at O'Hare. I've newly discovered the 'hold' function which is like a keylock that stops the iPod from turning on whenever it gets bumped or anything. I think it was on and 'playing' Friday night because the batt was a little drained this (Sat) morning.
The iPod has worked great...I'm figuring stuff out on it and everything. The guy from UL had one he had just bought too but he was having some problems. He didn't have the software loaded up on his laptop but I told him I had the driver CD (which I just happened to have) so he loaded it up. However, I think when he loaded up iTunes he chose to sync his local Library with his iPod and thus erased everything he'd put on his iPod earlier with his empty local library. At least, I think that's what happened. No big loss, he said, since he had it all at home.
I've just found out it has an alarm functionality, which is nice. The clear case is working out nicely.
My flight boards at 5:50p and it's 4:03p now, local time. In Chicago, it's 1:05 Sunday morning. My cell doesn't seem to work here so I can't let anybody know I've gotten here safely. I've just found a wireless LAN to hookup to! NICE!
(too bad it's un-secured pay-to-play...no thanks)
More later
Friday, March 17, 2006
Somebody tell Bode he's at 15:01
ESPN.com - OLY - Bode's mail has gone downhill since Torino: "'The stuff after the Olympics was pretty aggressive,' Miller said. 'People were getting pretty fired up and pretty involved considering the amount of research they were willing to do, which as an athlete is a maybe a little bit weird and a little bit frustrating."
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Is there anyone here who speaks English? Or maybe even ancient Greek?
Well, I'm back. Got back Saturday night, matter of fact.
The flight to Brussels was pretty nice. The nicest flight I've ever been on, in fact. Business Class was actually First Class on this flight since there was no First Class. The seats were large and leaned pretty far back. There was a TON of legroom...so much so that if the guy in front of my put his seat all the way back I still couldn't touch it with my foot. Also, a legrest popped up which was very nice.
On this flight, we were given portable DVD players with a dozen or so movies. One was, of course, "Good Night and Good Luck" which I had just paid to see. I watched "The Last Samurai", eventually. I thought it was good. For most of the flight I read, so I started the movie late and it was about 98% done by the time the machines were automatically shut down due to landing.
Another nice thing about the flight was the food. I think we were constantly eating. Drinks whenever we wanted too, and as much as we wanted. I sat next to a colleague from work and we talked a little but mostly read and watched movies. We landed in Brussels and spent a short time at the airport getting to our next gate. The flight from Brussels to Moscow was on a smaller plane but the Business Class seat (again, no First Class on this flight) still had a good amount of room. By the time I landed in Moscow (something like 5pm local time, 9 hours ahead of Chicago) I had been awake for quite a while.
We got off the plane and I picked up my bag. Then, we had to find our driver who was to take us to the hotel. Luckily, the local office had arranged a car and driver so we just had to look for the sign with our company's name on it. The problem was...the guy didn't speak English at all. Luckily, to get to the hotel he didn't need to, but he did keep trying to tell us stuff we didn't understand, and vice versa. We're not even sure we understood the guy's name correctly.
The hotel was nice. We ended up meeting up with a guy from Swindon who was also there from work, so we had dinner with him and discussed the situation in terms of the engagement and how it would all go. I think I had some kind of beef dish. This was an 'authentic' restaurant that was located in the hotel. The pop came in small bottles. I don't think anywhere we ate at had fountains for soda.
(more later)
The flight to Brussels was pretty nice. The nicest flight I've ever been on, in fact. Business Class was actually First Class on this flight since there was no First Class. The seats were large and leaned pretty far back. There was a TON of legroom...so much so that if the guy in front of my put his seat all the way back I still couldn't touch it with my foot. Also, a legrest popped up which was very nice.
On this flight, we were given portable DVD players with a dozen or so movies. One was, of course, "Good Night and Good Luck" which I had just paid to see. I watched "The Last Samurai", eventually. I thought it was good. For most of the flight I read, so I started the movie late and it was about 98% done by the time the machines were automatically shut down due to landing.
Another nice thing about the flight was the food. I think we were constantly eating. Drinks whenever we wanted too, and as much as we wanted. I sat next to a colleague from work and we talked a little but mostly read and watched movies. We landed in Brussels and spent a short time at the airport getting to our next gate. The flight from Brussels to Moscow was on a smaller plane but the Business Class seat (again, no First Class on this flight) still had a good amount of room. By the time I landed in Moscow (something like 5pm local time, 9 hours ahead of Chicago) I had been awake for quite a while.
We got off the plane and I picked up my bag. Then, we had to find our driver who was to take us to the hotel. Luckily, the local office had arranged a car and driver so we just had to look for the sign with our company's name on it. The problem was...the guy didn't speak English at all. Luckily, to get to the hotel he didn't need to, but he did keep trying to tell us stuff we didn't understand, and vice versa. We're not even sure we understood the guy's name correctly.
The hotel was nice. We ended up meeting up with a guy from Swindon who was also there from work, so we had dinner with him and discussed the situation in terms of the engagement and how it would all go. I think I had some kind of beef dish. This was an 'authentic' restaurant that was located in the hotel. The pop came in small bottles. I don't think anywhere we ate at had fountains for soda.
(more later)
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Time to call DirecTV
DOSE :: Story: "The New York Post's Page Six reported Tuesday the cable network has not only picked up the cancelled show, it has ordered 26 more episodes. The news supports recent Internet rumblings about producers hammering out a deal with Showtime execs. "
(actually, I'll just make the change online, natch)
(actually, I'll just make the change online, natch)
Computer Fact or Fiction? - Yahoo! News
Computer Fact or Fiction? - Yahoo! News: "Your little helper will never tell you, because he or she is too polite, but no one likes being the 'computer kid' to the extended family or neighborhood."
heh heh
heh heh
Saturday, February 25, 2006
eamus catuli
Had the home inspection for the new house yesterday morning at 9:30a. Of course, Cubs tickets went on sale at 10a and I've only been looking forward to that for months.
Anyways, everything was ok with the house and I headed to work to get in virtual lines in the cubs' "virtual waiting room". In the end, I was able to get tickets to three games, Cubs/Braves, Cubs/Nationals, Cubs/Astros and I'm also in one some Cubs/Cards tickets that we got as a group at work. That'll be a blast!
Anyways, everything was ok with the house and I headed to work to get in virtual lines in the cubs' "virtual waiting room". In the end, I was able to get tickets to three games, Cubs/Braves, Cubs/Nationals, Cubs/Astros and I'm also in one some Cubs/Cards tickets that we got as a group at work. That'll be a blast!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
soft serve
The Digital Bits - We Know DVD!: "Patton will include an introduction and audio commentary by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola"
gah, another double dip.
gah, another double dip.
barking up the right tree
you know it's sad when even the dog has the sense to go upstairs and go to bed.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times :: Winter Games 2006
Chicago Sun-Times :: Winter Games 2006
So far, it looks like Bode Miller isn't doing the 'put up' part of 'put up or shut up'. In discussing him yesterday, I had heard someone say "He doesn't care about the medals, he just wants to ski!"--seemingly the ultimate 'bad boy' creedo. I think it sounds pretty stupid.
If you don't care about winning a medal, then why go? If you just want to ski, go to damn Aspen or something.
So far, it looks like Bode Miller isn't doing the 'put up' part of 'put up or shut up'. In discussing him yesterday, I had heard someone say "He doesn't care about the medals, he just wants to ski!"--seemingly the ultimate 'bad boy' creedo. I think it sounds pretty stupid.
If you don't care about winning a medal, then why go? If you just want to ski, go to damn Aspen or something.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CNN.com - Two dead in Pakistan rioting - Feb 14, 2006
CNN.com - Two dead in Pakistan rioting - Feb 14, 2006: "CNN is not showing the negative caricatures of the likeness of the Prophet Mohammed because the network believes its role is to cover the events surrounding the publication of the cartoons while not unnecessarily adding fuel to the controversy itself."
But let's keep showing pictures every time somebody burns an American flag? Come on now.
It's one or the other. Either show pictures of this kind of stuff, or don't.
But let's keep showing pictures every time somebody burns an American flag? Come on now.
It's one or the other. Either show pictures of this kind of stuff, or don't.
Friday, February 10, 2006
oh, yeah...
| You Should Drive a Ford Shelby Mustang Cobra |
 You have an extreme need for speed, even when you're not in a hurry. And while your flying by, you don't want to look like every other car on the road! |
Hitting to all fields...
- House hunting continues. We'll be out looking again tomorrow and maybe Sunday.
- The Ricky Gervais podcast is hilarious.
- I have pretty much abandoned all radio listening in order to listen to podcasts over my mp3 CD player in the car.
- Cubs tickets go on sale Feb 24th. I've already got some dates picked out. We'll see how that goes, when it comes.
- I'm reading my new hardcovers in anticipation of taking the new paperbacks on the plane to Moscow. Current plans are Chicago-->Brussels-->Moscow and then back to Chicago through a country I can't remember right now. Hopefully I will *not* have to go to Romania from Moscow.
- Starting in on Veronica Mars Season Two. Good stuff.
- Super Bowl was uneventful save the MacGyver VISA commercial.
- Heart-shaped pizza at Barnaby's on V-day, yo.
That's all for now.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Post's Tony Kornheiser Gets Hot 'Monday Night' Date
Post's Tony Kornheiser Gets Hot 'Monday Night' Date: "At the same time, however, he could not recall broadcasting a live game. 'I've never done this,' he said. 'It seems daunting. I could be a disaster.'"
I'll definitely start watching MNF again.
I'll definitely start watching MNF again.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
CNN.com - Iran invites cartoons on Holocaust - Feb 7, 2006
CNN.com - Iran invites cartoons on Holocaust - Feb 7, 2006: "A prominent Iranian newspaper says it is going to hold a competition for cartoons on the Holocaust to test whether the West will apply the principle of freedom of expression to the Nazi genocide against Jews as it did to the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed."
Well, somehow I doubt any embassies will be attacked.
Well, somehow I doubt any embassies will be attacked.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter
The complete text of an email I sent to Jewel's customer care website last night:
A short time ago I returned from this Jewel. I returned without any groceries. When I went to checkout I was told that they were having problems. Eventually they made repeated announcements that they couldn't take credit or debit payments...later this was extended to cash as well as *everything* stopped working with every register. After waiting for 20 minutes or so (I had deli meat) I decided to just give up and leave, and many people did the same. I noticed while this was going on that customers kept entering the store. By the time I had left, thankfully, they were telling people about their problem so they wouldn't have to waste their time. I'm writing because I'm pretty amazed that Jewel had no backup system in place to meet this kind of challenge. I found it very hard to believe.
Big thanks go to Shell who brought me home a piece of apple pie because she knew I was in a really bad mood.
A short time ago I returned from this Jewel. I returned without any groceries. When I went to checkout I was told that they were having problems. Eventually they made repeated announcements that they couldn't take credit or debit payments...later this was extended to cash as well as *everything* stopped working with every register. After waiting for 20 minutes or so (I had deli meat) I decided to just give up and leave, and many people did the same. I noticed while this was going on that customers kept entering the store. By the time I had left, thankfully, they were telling people about their problem so they wouldn't have to waste their time. I'm writing because I'm pretty amazed that Jewel had no backup system in place to meet this kind of challenge. I found it very hard to believe.
Big thanks go to Shell who brought me home a piece of apple pie because she knew I was in a really bad mood.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
you talk tv
Was thinking the other day...there are an awful lot of shows that I (or Court) watch that won't be around next year.
Cancelled:
Might not be back (or just not a lock and not confirmed back):
I wonder what I'll do with all the extra time I'll have.
Cancelled:
- The West Wing
- Justice League Unlimited
- Charmed (Court)
- 7th Heaven (Court)
- Arrested Development
- Threshold (cancelled earlier this season)
Might not be back (or just not a lock and not confirmed back):
- Veronica Mars
- Smallville
- Numb3rs
- Invasion
I wonder what I'll do with all the extra time I'll have.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
I believe I had that one
Oprah says Frey �betrayed millions of readers� - BOOKS - MSNBC.com: "Oprah Winfrey challenged author James Frey over his disputed memoir, asking him on a live telecast of her show Thursday to explain why he �felt the need to lie.�"
Danger! Danger!
I've just now found out that Morley Candy's Peanut Butter Block and World's Finest chocolate bars with almond, two of my favorite candies from my youth, are available online.
This can't be good.
This can't be good.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Gain for Channel 9 is loss for Channel 50
Gain for Channel 9 is loss for Channel 50
Good. The signal for Channel 9 is much clearer and crisper than UPN.
Since the demise of 'Enterprise', the only UPN show I watch is 'Veronica Mars'. It'll be nice to see it alongside 'Smallville'...especially since Veronica and Chloe are virtual twins by looks and nature.
Good. The signal for Channel 9 is much clearer and crisper than UPN.
Since the demise of 'Enterprise', the only UPN show I watch is 'Veronica Mars'. It'll be nice to see it alongside 'Smallville'...especially since Veronica and Chloe are virtual twins by looks and nature.
The power of positive drinking
I was feeling sick this morning, my friend and I went downstairs to the caf to get something to drink. I was going to get some orange juice. When I opened the cooler thing, they had the regular 'no pulp' stuff I usually get and they also had some that was marked 'immunity defense'. It says it 'promotes a healthy immune system with Antioxidants, C, E, & Selenium'. Now of course, Selenium, one of my favs on the periodic table (good old #34), was a definite eye-catcher. Anyways, I picked it up.
I think it's actually making me feel better. Freaky.
I think it's actually making me feel better. Freaky.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Ford to cut up to 30,000 jobs
Ford to cut up to 30,000 jobs: "Reacting to news of the job cuts, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said: 'Anytime someone loses a job we're concerned about it, we're concerned about the community.'
However, McClellan said overall the economy 'is going strong.'"
uh...huh.
However, McClellan said overall the economy 'is going strong.'"
uh...huh.
CNN.com - Bush tells abortion foes, 'We will prevail' - Jan 23, 2006: "'This is a cause that appeals to the conscience of our citizens and is rooted in America's deepest principle,' the president said. 'And history tells us that with such a cause we will prevail.'"
yeah, this is gonna turn out well.
yeah, this is gonna turn out well.
Had an ok weekend. Court had to work both days and well into both nights. I went over to work on a family member's PC on Saturday. Grandma took us out to dinner to a nice local place and we had a good time. Sunday I did some runnind around I had to do and some shopping. I still haven't replaced my right rear turn signal light which is out and has been for a week.
I watched the pilot episode of SeaQuest last night. It was great to see it again after such a long time. I think I hadn't seen it since it originally aired and that was over 10 years ago. I'm looking forward to continuing the season and picking up seasons 2 and 3 when they come out. I've also got The Flash but haven't started that up yet.
We're going to start house stuff this weekend. I think I'm going to take Monday off too. We'll see.
I watched the pilot episode of SeaQuest last night. It was great to see it again after such a long time. I think I hadn't seen it since it originally aired and that was over 10 years ago. I'm looking forward to continuing the season and picking up seasons 2 and 3 when they come out. I've also got The Flash but haven't started that up yet.
We're going to start house stuff this weekend. I think I'm going to take Monday off too. We'll see.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
ESPN.com: Page 2 : Welcome to the glossary: "The game where you've won too many games in a row during a season, and the PlayStation activates that 'There's no f------ way you're winning this game' chip."
This happened to me with Madden the other day. The Bucs actually recovered two onside kicks during the game, the second one happening with no time on the clock and they ran it all the way back for the game-winning TD.
This happened to me with Madden the other day. The Bucs actually recovered two onside kicks during the game, the second one happening with no time on the clock and they ran it all the way back for the game-winning TD.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
An offer I couldn't refuse
Had a call from cousin Beth last night. All is well with them...she and the hub had a 'date night' where they went to 'The Melting Pot' which is always nice. After a bit, she said she had something to ask me. She said that George and her had decided to ask Court and I if we would be Braiden's Godparents! How cool is that?
I've never been anything like that to anybody. Court is Tyler's Godmother. I actually have yet to tell Court, since she is busy at work at the moment and I talked to Beth pretty late last night. (still early in AZ though)
I think it's amazing, and a fantastic honor. I can't wait to meet the kid! :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Gear Live | CES 2006 Video: TiVo Series 3 Video Interview, First Look
It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.
It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
MiceAge.com: "(Disney was advising people to arrive by 4:30)"
Yes, and welcome to why the last time I did that is the LAST I will do that.
Yes, and welcome to why the last time I did that is the LAST I will do that.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
ESPN.com: Page 2 : Pain, suffering ... misery: "But when the Lions won the overtime coin toss against the Bears in 2002, elected to kick and then watched the Bears drive for the game-winning field goal"
I was at this game. We actually thought that the Bears had won the toss. I didn't find out the Lions did until we got home.
I was at this game. We actually thought that the Bears had won the toss. I didn't find out the Lions did until we got home.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Life on Mars
Had a nice weekend. Met my Dad for breakfast with his cousin and her family. They're nice people from my Dad's side that I don't see all the time. They're probably the only people from his family (aside from his half-brother's family) that live in Illinois. They live out in Grayslake. On the way there we passed the Moto Libertyville facility.
On Sunday, I did absolutely nothing, and I loved it. Over the weekend I started watching "Veronica Mars", which has been collected on the (formerly upstairs) Tivo for the past season and a half. I had thought about forgetting all about it and deleting it all, but I decided to watch. I'm glad I did. It's a great show. I'm looking forward to finishing out the second half of the first season.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
This week's fark hero tag goes to my sister, who set the Tivo to record the return of 'Scrubs' for me on Tuesday. She recorded both episodes, and they were both new. Bravo!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Rain, Rain
or
Until I met a man who had no feet
Reporting in from my new cube in Schaumburg. First day 'back' and everything is going good. I need to get my badge flashed or something so it can open the doors around here. We'll see how soon I get around to doing that.
Got some nice news from Court this morning. her commute only took a half hour. We'll see if that holds up. Hopefully so.
The truck delivered our stuff yesterday. The driver called me right when I finished getting dressed and I called Court and we met there. My FIL and MIL came too, with their Escape. This would be the first in a recurring theme of bringing an SUV to offload stuff.
On looking at the storage space we'd gotten, my FIL said he didn't think it would be big enough. Originally, we'd gotten one that would be big enough...unfortunately, that one was on a row that the 53' truck would not be able to reach. (suprise)
We ended up getting a smalller unit on the main row. Yesterday, we went ahead and got another one. We ended up needed both, though neither was packed very tightly nor was the second one completely full. The only casualties in the move were the leg of a kitchen chair (broken completely off) and my and my FIL's coats, which had some weird stuff on them from leaning against the side of the unit. My MIL was able to wash them both though so they weren't stained forever.
It poured rain at times...I had a clipboard from the driver to mark off their numbers that they put on each of our pieces...all the while my FIL was trying to keep an eye out for *our* number which we put on all our boxes. There were some things we didn't want to be stored in the (possibly) freezing cold so he was keeping a look out so we could put them off to the side. Our papers were drenched and the endless calling out of different numbers was a ton of fun, as you can imagine. There's one big pack of pictures that we haven't been able to locate...hopefully it's just buried in the back of the first unit.
We took our TVs to my Mom's place...the 32" is heavy as hell and was a total pain in the ass to get into the house...thanks to Don and my FIL for helping with that. It weighs a ton. I was amazed to see one of the movers carry it by himself out of the truck and into my FIL's SUV. It's got to weigh a bulky 200lbs.
Anyway, in the end, it all worked out. Hopefully everything got here in working condition and wasn't damaged or anything. I didn't see anything aggrevious or anything.
Trip to China looks to have been pospoted until February, which is nice. Having it this week was just too much stuff going on. Court leaves for FL in a few hours. I'm taking her to the airport during lunch. We'll all miss her and look forward to seeing her when she gets back.
One last thing...on leaving the storage unit at one point, in the cold, pouring rain, I was thinking of how miserable it was to have rained while we had to do all this stuff. Then, I saw a guy biking down the street. This was a cold, pouring ass rain. He could only be doing it becaues he had to. I felt a little stupid bitching about my day when I saw how his was going.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Fair Winds and Following Seas
or
Miles to Go Before I Sleep
Well, it's down to tonight. Tonight is the last night we'll spend in our house here. I'll miss it a lot. It's a great house and I really liked living here. Our family is relocating up to IL and hopefully after a short while we'll find someplace up there in IL that'll be just as good (if not better) than what we've all had here.
The movers come tomorrow. This whole weekend was very hectic. We'll be all set once they get here.
We'll spend tomorrow night at a HoJo and leave for IL on Wednesday right after the closing on the house is complete.
Might be a few days before I update again.
Friday, December 16, 2005
CNN.com - Robert Novak leaving CNN - Dec 16, 2005: "Commentator Robert Novak, who hasn't been seen on CNN since swearing and storming off the set in August, will leave the network after 25 years and join Fox News Channel as a contributor next month"
Novak going to Fox News...no big suprise. In the 'Crossfire' days, I have to say that the Right wasn't helped much by Novak. He seemed a little aged and bumbling at times, particularly when set against Paul Begala.
Novak going to Fox News...no big suprise. In the 'Crossfire' days, I have to say that the Right wasn't helped much by Novak. He seemed a little aged and bumbling at times, particularly when set against Paul Begala.
Church & State || National Jewish Democratic Council: "Democratic members asked the Republican author of the resolution, Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), if she would permit the symbols of Chanukah and other holidays to be included in the protection of the resolution -- and she refused."
Boy, this is a crazy world we live in.
I found this to be a great capper to it all.
Dingell’s HOLIDAY Jingle for O’Reilly and House GOP
Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) recited the following poem on the floor of the US House of Representatives concerning House Resolution 579, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected. “Preserving Christmas” has been a frequent topic for conservative talk show hosts, including Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly:
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the House
No bills were passed ‘bout which Fox News could grouse;
Tax cuts for the wealthy were passed with great cheer,
So vacations in St. Barts soon would be near;
Katrina kids were nestled all snug in motel beds,
While visions of school and home danced in their heads;
In Iraq our soldiers needed supplies and a plan,
Plus nuclear weapons were being built in Iran;
Gas prices shot up, consumer confidence fell;
Americans feared we were on a fast track to…well…
Wait--- we need a distraction--- something divisive and wily;
A fabrication straight from the mouth of O’Reilly
We can pretend that Christmas is under attack
Hold a vote to save it--- then pat ourselves on the back;
Silent Night, First Noel, Away in the Manger
Wake up Congress, they’re in no danger!
This time of year we see Christmas every where we go,
From churches, to homes, to schools, and yes…even Costco;
What we have is an attempt to divide and destroy,
When this is the season to unite us with joy
At Christmas time we’re taught to unite,
We don’t need a made-up reason to fight
So on O’Reilly, on Hannity, on Coulter, and those right wing blogs;
You should just sit back, relax…have a few egg nogs!
‘Tis the holiday season: enjoy it a pinch
With all our real problems, do we honestly need another Grinch?
So to my friends and my colleagues I say with delight,
A merry Christmas to all,
and to Bill O’Reilly…Happy Holidays.
Boy, this is a crazy world we live in.
I found this to be a great capper to it all.
Dingell’s HOLIDAY Jingle for O’Reilly and House GOP
Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) recited the following poem on the floor of the US House of Representatives concerning House Resolution 579, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected. “Preserving Christmas” has been a frequent topic for conservative talk show hosts, including Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly:
‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the House
No bills were passed ‘bout which Fox News could grouse;
Tax cuts for the wealthy were passed with great cheer,
So vacations in St. Barts soon would be near;
Katrina kids were nestled all snug in motel beds,
While visions of school and home danced in their heads;
In Iraq our soldiers needed supplies and a plan,
Plus nuclear weapons were being built in Iran;
Gas prices shot up, consumer confidence fell;
Americans feared we were on a fast track to…well…
Wait--- we need a distraction--- something divisive and wily;
A fabrication straight from the mouth of O’Reilly
We can pretend that Christmas is under attack
Hold a vote to save it--- then pat ourselves on the back;
Silent Night, First Noel, Away in the Manger
Wake up Congress, they’re in no danger!
This time of year we see Christmas every where we go,
From churches, to homes, to schools, and yes…even Costco;
What we have is an attempt to divide and destroy,
When this is the season to unite us with joy
At Christmas time we’re taught to unite,
We don’t need a made-up reason to fight
So on O’Reilly, on Hannity, on Coulter, and those right wing blogs;
You should just sit back, relax…have a few egg nogs!
‘Tis the holiday season: enjoy it a pinch
With all our real problems, do we honestly need another Grinch?
So to my friends and my colleagues I say with delight,
A merry Christmas to all,
and to Bill O’Reilly…Happy Holidays.
In a Red State
Just got an automated call from the 'Florida for the Preservation of Marriage' coalition or whatever wanting to inform me about important things going on with the 'Preservation of Marriage Ammendment'.
I can only assume this is to drum up support for an ammendment that would ban gay marriage in the United States under the auspices of 'preserving' the 'traditional' meaning of 'marriage'.
Yeah...it's time to go.
Kongfrontation
We went to see King Kong last night. Beforehand we had a nice dinner at Earl of Sandwich. I had wanted Chili's but Court said that they have Chili's in IL and it'd be our last time eating at EoS for a while so we went there.
It was an 8pm showing. I enjoyed the film, though like some others I felt it was a big long. I think there were several scenes in the first third of the movie that could have been cut. Also, I felt the spider/insect attack scene could have been trimmed some.
A lot of great visuals. This film has one of the most amazing sequences I've ever seen , Kong vs. 3 T-rex, and one of the dumbest, a brontosaurus stampede and subsequent pile up.
Kong looked fantastic, I have to say. I feel the T-rex bar (set by Jurassic Park) was not really met here...only because I think the full-size (animatronic) T-rex in JP was so astounding.
I liked the actors in their rolls. Brody did a nice job, I thought. Naomi Watts was a great Ann Darrow. I even liked seeing Kyle Chandler (an old 'Early Edition' favorite) though I was a bit puzzled by his character since he goes from a coward--->hero--->coward during the course of the film. If there was a weak point in casting I thought it was probably Jack Black...though Black's normal theatrics lent themselves well to the role at times.
There were a few clunker lines like the first mate (a character I was sad to see go) giving Jimmy advice, something like "You've got to get an education, Jimmy! That's what's important!"
There were a few times where the suspension of disbelief just did not work for me. Ann climbing to the top (yes, the TOP as in look up and there's only sky and look around you and there's nothing) of the Empire State Building and standing there with nothing to hold on to...Jack doing the same thing and the both of them standing on the top of one of the tallest buildings in the world like they were standing in the middle of a Target parking lot. Also, when Jack rescues Ann he grabs the foot of a giant bat-like creature that flies them down from Kong's lookout point...that's a little harder to believe than the rest of the movie.
They definitely made Kong a more sympathetic character. It'd be hard to watch a certain 'ice skating' scene and not feel something for him. I didn't get teary or cry or anything at the end, but it was sad. Makes you wish they'd just left Kong alone on that island.
At one point you see some Kong-ish skeletons at Kong's lookout point were kind of an indication that a sequel might be possible at some point.
The visuals of the Kong's rampage through New York were amazing. I felt the planes looked a little fake (why not use real biplanes and cut them in somehow?) but the city itself looked *Amazing*.
I'd give it a 7. I just think that the way the beginning was dragged out detracts from the film too much.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com - Studio Briefing: "the two sides are also discussing the possibility of Disney buying Pixar outright and, in effect making it Disney's animated division"
This would be the smartest decision Disney has made in YEARS.
This would be the smartest decision Disney has made in YEARS.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
I have seen the Falcon, and it is mine.
During her 'day after Thanksgiving' shopping, Court picked up the LEGO Millennium Falcon. It was half price so she got it at $50. Originally it was for me, but later she decided against it and was going to sell it to a friend so that friend could give it as a gift for somebody else. Of course, I was surprised to see it in the loot when she came back from shopping and even more surprised that it wasn't for me. Anyways.
Time passes...
The Falcon is still in her car. I ask her why it's still there and she said she keeps forgetting to give it to the friend.
Time passes...
It is still there.
Time passes...
Still there.
Time passes...
Then, last weekend, we exchange gifts with our Florida friends, and it's also a 'last goodbye' of sorts since some we won't again before we move. In loading the stuff into the car, I see it again.
Me: "Ok. I've seen that one too many times. It is mine now."
And it'll be put together once we get back to IL and situated.
EDIT
I should ammend this story to state that I had told Court multiple (dozens of) times that I didn't want it because I'd never have room for it even though I really did want it.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
Yahoo! TV News & Gossip -: "At least on Fox. Producer Brian Grazer told CNN last week that he is working feverishly to move the sitcom to another home.
'I think we'll get picked up by some other network, possibly,' he said. 'You never know."
We can but hope.
'I think we'll get picked up by some other network, possibly,' he said. 'You never know."
We can but hope.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
CNN.com - Snow storms freeze center of country - Dec 8, 2005
Old Man Winter is bringing his A-game.
He'll find me ready.
Old Man Winter is bringing his A-game.
He'll find me ready.
The Sign of Four
FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
Ace Hardware guy
Central Service Tech at Alexian
White Hen Pantry man
Whatever it is I do now
FOUR MOVIES YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER
The Empire Strikes Back
The Shawshank Redemption
The Untouchables
Office Space
FOUR CITIES/TOWNS YOU'VE LIVED IN
Bartlett, IL
Carol Stream, IL
Elk Grove Village, IL
Orlando, FL
FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
Smallville
Stargate SG-1
The Office
Battlestar Galactica
FOUR PLACES YOU'VE BEEN ON VACATION
Orlando, FL (har har)
Las Vegas, NV
San Francisco, CA
Anaheim, CA
FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY
my sister's blog
The Ravensoft EF Board
Trekbbs
CNN.com
FOUR OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOODS
Porkchops and applesauce (that's swell)
Ham and cheese on rye (no seeds)
Barnaby's Pizza (coming soon to a meal near me)
peanut butter and banana (don't knock it til you try it baby)
FOUR PLACES YOU'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
asleep
on this tour
Cub game
Bears game
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
National Geographic: Remembering Pearl Harbor
Another generation's 9/11.
Apart from that, it is also the birthday of my cousin Beth (preggers, big time!) and my Grandpa Rick (The I to my III).
Another generation's 9/11.
Apart from that, it is also the birthday of my cousin Beth (preggers, big time!) and my Grandpa Rick (The I to my III).
Monday, December 05, 2005
CNN.com - The many facets of Tookie Williams - Dec 3, 2005: "Williams says he's not the same man who co-founded the Crips, not the man convicted of blowing four people away with a shotgun in 1979 during robberies that netted little more than gas money."
oh yeah? Well those four people you murdered aren't the same either. You know why? BECAUSE THEY'RE DEAD.
oh yeah? Well those four people you murdered aren't the same either. You know why? BECAUSE THEY'RE DEAD.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Oh Deer
Some time ago some people cut down some of the bigger trees that formed the berm between our backyard area and the pond behind us. Now it's just a loose configuration of bushes. Last night, as I was getting ready to close up the back room, I saw Hooper and Boots staring at something outside. It was a deer. Actually, there were two of them. I asked Court to bring a flashlight and we could see their eyes glow green in the light. It was pretty amazing since they weren't that far away. Now that the berm has been cut down they can go between areas pretty easily. I wouldn't be surprise if one came up to the back door if we put food out. (don't tempt me)
I had seen a deer in the area around that back pond a long time ago when I was looking out our back bedroom's window. Now that Court's seen them too it's proof I'm not nuts. Funny thing was, the father of a family who came by to view the house asked if we'd ever had any 'beasts' in our backyard. heh heh
Friday, December 02, 2005
Bob and David - It's Official!: "Combine that with your sucker appeal to the knee-jerk white Christian patriot in us all who would much rather hear 87 fart jokes than hear a joke in which the President (the current one, not the last one) or the Pope, or Born-Again Christians, or Lee Greenwood get called on their shit for being the hypocrites that they are, and I think we've got a winner!"
Hilarious David Cross hatchet job on one of those idiot 'blue collar' comedy dopes.
Hilarious David Cross hatchet job on one of those idiot 'blue collar' comedy dopes.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Warp Speed ahead...: June 2005: "CKB still top dog!!
Well, Rich G has managed to put together his rig but guess what?? It came up short in the benchmarks when compared to the CKB (CUNSOT Killer Box). His machine scored a measly 8528 on the 3dMark 2003 benchmark, which is less that my 11103. So, there you have it, CKB is still the top dog! Woof! Woof!"
Unfortunately, the 'top dog' has been put to sleep. In what has been termed 'just a slight hiccup' by its owner, the CKB went offline last night due to some kind of internal error. What a damn shame!
Let's all take a moment of silent to reflect on the CKB...ok, that's enough. CUNSOT II reigns supreme once again!
Current CKB 3dMark 2003 score: 0
Well, Rich G has managed to put together his rig but guess what?? It came up short in the benchmarks when compared to the CKB (CUNSOT Killer Box). His machine scored a measly 8528 on the 3dMark 2003 benchmark, which is less that my 11103. So, there you have it, CKB is still the top dog! Woof! Woof!"
Unfortunately, the 'top dog' has been put to sleep. In what has been termed 'just a slight hiccup' by its owner, the CKB went offline last night due to some kind of internal error. What a damn shame!
Let's all take a moment of silent to reflect on the CKB...ok, that's enough. CUNSOT II reigns supreme once again!
Current CKB 3dMark 2003 score: 0
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Amani Toomer - New York Giants - News - NFL - Yahoo! Sports: "Gregg Bell, of the Associated Press, reports the Seattle Seahawks were told by the NFL that referee Larry Nemmers made a couple errors in the Week 12 game against the New York Giants. "
Yes! My old High School principal Larry Nemmers came through with a bogus TD call that gave my boy Toomer some Fantasy Football points! Woo hoo!
Yes! My old High School principal Larry Nemmers came through with a bogus TD call that gave my boy Toomer some Fantasy Football points! Woo hoo!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Bearing down
Great Bears game yesterday. The Defense dominated the game, so much so that on the Buc's first plays the D stripped the ball and the Bears recovered at the TB 1 yard line. Can't get better field position than that. Orton flew a nice play-action pass to the TE and that was that. He had another nice play on a screen pass later in the game. He's not "winning" games for the Bears, but the important thing is he's definitely not losing them. This team has found a way to win. They score just enough points for the W.
The weekend break was nice. We relaxed all weekend, really. Court had made arragenment for us to eat at the Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK (for my belated BD) and we had a nice dinner there on Saturday night. We had some people drive by the house and take a look and grab some of the fliers that are on the sign, so that's good.
Saturday we finally took that California Adventure litho to a framing place. It had been in its packing tube for almost two and a half years. I was happy to see it wasn't displaying any kind of banding artifacts from being stored that way for so long. It's smaller than I remember. I didn't even really remember what it had looked like, to be honest. It brought back some nice memories of our honeymoon and all. Getting it framed won't cost an arm and a leg either, so that's nice. We went to the same place Disney gets stuff framed at. We should have been going there all along.
Court made a rasberry cheesecake pie last night. It was pretty good. We started to watch the TV movie version of 'The Poseidon Adventure' but got bored with that and watched that 'Three Stooges' TV movie that was on a few years ago...they recently showed it again on AMC and I recorded it on the Tivo.
I put it for my time off work. From December 19th--->the end of the year I'll be off work, barring any trip anywhere that I *have to* go on. Hopefully that particular trip won't happen until January.
I've also started migrating my email to my gmail address. For anybody reading, rgonzale6@bellsouth.net will still be active, but I won't really be checking it other than to see what other newsletters and people need to get my new address. It's a spamcatcher right now since I've made a lot of the changes already. I just need to send out my new address to my friends and stuff. Since bellsouth will be going away once we move we need something for the interim until we get an ISP at the new house.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
CNN.com - Review: Run your own studio in 'The Movies' - Nov 23, 2005
Definitely on my Christmas list!
Definitely on my Christmas list!
The bird is the word
We had a very nice Thanksgiving today. I ran out yesterday and picked up a smoked turkey breast and a mini-ham from Honey Baked Ham, and I got some sides from Boston Market. They went into the fridge and the sides got re-heated today. Also made some of the flakey layers biscuits, which I really liked. Good food and a nice, restful day. We both needed it. Court will be up at 4am (!) tomorrow for ShopFest 2005. I'll be sleeping and probably stay asleep for 6 hours after that. That's too damn early. Even for Call of Duty 2 for $30.
All in all, we're very thankful for our health, safety, (a margin of) success, and they fact that we could all (me, Court, Felis Cattus, and Hoop) be together on this holiday. It'll be our last holiday in this house here in FL.
Hope you all had a nice holiday as well.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Don Surber's Pajamas Media: Ze French Open Post: "AP and UPI reported today that the French government announced that it has raised its terror alert level from 'Run' to 'Hide.' The only two higher levels in France are 'Collaborate' and 'Surrender.'"
heh heh heh
heh heh heh
Rocky Mountain Why
Well. Flew out to Denver Sunday night instead of the originally scheduled Monday morning. This kept us from having any kind of birthday dinner, and it also meant that not only would I be away from home for Court's BD, but for part of mine as well. I've resolved that next year I'll just take both days off.
Got into Denver at something like 10:30pm local time...12:30am Eastern. Fun stuff. Tired as hell and when I got in I learned my colleague wanted to meet for breakfast at 6am. Yikes. I figure I was in the hotel for something like 5 hours, all told. Nice.
The talk went ok I guess. Not really my kettle of fish. We'll see how it all plays out. Meeting ended at around 1pm so I headed to Coors Field to take a tour, which was to start at 2pm. It was only supposed to take about ten minutes to get there but being a dope and getting lost helped me stretch it to an hour. Thanks to the landscaper (who pointed me in the right direction) and the gas station lady (who narrowed it down exactly) for their help. In getting lost I passed Invesco Field (huge) and the Six Flags park in Denver.
The field was VERY nice. Beautiful park. There's a continuous row of purple seats around the upper deck that signifies the 'mile high' line. Suites were very nice. This was more of an in-depth baseball tour since Coors Field is only a ballfield, unlike SkyDome which they use for other stuff. We actually got to go into the visitor's locker room at Coors (Cubs have been in here) and into BOTH dugouts. Amazing. We got to walk on the warning track and I actually stepped onto the grass for a step even though we weren't supposed to. How could I resist?
Funny thing is, I came to see the park and get a bat. Guess what? They had sold out of the damn bats. I had to get one that says "Coors Field" in a cheesey type of logo. And it was buy one get one free. And I got a free 2005 Opening Day pennant too. A local sports store I stopped in after the tour had no bats either. I'll have to find one online.
In house selling news, things are moving along. A few people have been in to see it and we've got an offer, which is nice. We'll see what happens.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Terrell Owens - Philadelphia Eagles - News - NFL - Yahoo! Sports: "Nov 12 NBC10.com report, citing Knight Ridder, reports there is serious backlash at Philadelphia Eagles WR Terrell Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus - from his fellow sports agents. Several agents interviewed by reporter Paul Domowitch said the rest of the agents who represent NFL players are 'nauseated' at Rosenhaus. Two sources told Knight Ridder that some of Rosenhaus' current NFL player-clients are looking to dump Rosenhaus after his performance at Wednesday's press conference, Nov. 9, where he took the spotlight away from Owens."
BWAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA
(breathe)
BWAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA
BWAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA
(breathe)
BWAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Friday, November 11, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times - Season of Sharing
Just got a notification today. The site's been updated for this year.
Just got a notification today. The site's been updated for this year.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
A Red-Letter Date in the history of Science
Fifty years ago today, Doctor Emmett L. Brown was standing on a toilet trying to hang a clock. He slipped and hit his head. When he came to, he had a vision. A vision of the Flux Capacitor. It's what makes time travel possible.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times - Season of Sharing
This is still up from last year. When its updated for this season, it'll provide a space for you to put in your contact information so you can be sent a child's letter to Santa along with instructions on where the gift can be sent.
I say this, because I have a request. If you live in the Chicago area and happen to see information about this in the paper, please let me know. That'll let me know that I can let them know to send me a letter. Last year, with everything going on I got my letter very late in the month and had to rush in order to get my gift in on time.
Thanks!
This is still up from last year. When its updated for this season, it'll provide a space for you to put in your contact information so you can be sent a child's letter to Santa along with instructions on where the gift can be sent.
I say this, because I have a request. If you live in the Chicago area and happen to see information about this in the paper, please let me know. That'll let me know that I can let them know to send me a letter. Last year, with everything going on I got my letter very late in the month and had to rush in order to get my gift in on time.
Thanks!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
the futon critic - the web's best primetime television resource: "...while returning comedy 'The Office' got the thumbs up for three additional episodes, the network announced yesterday."
Woo hoo!
Woo hoo!
Must be the season of the witch
Halloween came and went. We only had one group of Trick-or-Treaters, the neighbor kids. We got something like three bags of candy, just in case. We usually don't see a lot of traffic but you never know, right? Anyways, I'm not sure why we got so few. There really aren't that many kids in our neighborhood, I suppose. In retrospect, I probably should have set our outside light to 'always on' for that night rather than just 'motion activated' like normally. Maybe our end of the lot looked a little dark. Who knows?
Anyways, Halloween night we watched the first half of Gremlins, which I hadn't seen in a while. Still holds up nicely, I think. Hoop definitely has his Gizmo moments.
Got some new DVDs recently...Batman Begins, which is a great flick. The 'making of' thing on the 'Tumbler' (the new Batmobile) was pretty neat. This thing actually works and it can haul ass. Was amazing to see tooling around the streets of Chicago. Court picked up the Office Space giftset (with mousepad, notepad, pen, red swingline stapler, and some other stuff) and also Revenge of the Sith.
We watched the primary 'Making of' doc on disc 2 of RotS and it was pretty well made, I thought. It basically goes through the different departments that work on a movie and talked about how they contributed to the Anakin/Obi-Wan duel scene. It gave a real voice to the myriad of credits you always see on a movie that are of such length that they all just kinda run together.
Will probably watch RotS tonight...or at least some of the cooler scenes. Once in a while I just crank up the volume on the receiver and dial up a DVD that I know has a sequence where the sound and visuals are just amazing. I'll do the SuperBoots (it's a bird, it's a plane, it's a cat!) dealio to the beginning credits of Superman with the Superman fanfare music, or play the speeder bike chase from Return of the Jedi which has some AMAZING positional sound. Great stuff!
CNN.com - 'Trek' veteran dead at 57 - Nov 2, 2005
I found this very surprising, as I did not even know he had cancer.
I'm not going to wax poetic with things like "it's a great loss" and all that. Obviously, when anyone dies it's a sad and unfortunate thing.
One thing that sticks with me here: cancer. I hope it's beaten one day.
I found this very surprising, as I did not even know he had cancer.
I'm not going to wax poetic with things like "it's a great loss" and all that. Obviously, when anyone dies it's a sad and unfortunate thing.
One thing that sticks with me here: cancer. I hope it's beaten one day.
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