Saturday, November 24 2007, 2:39 pm
So Pandora's got classical music now...SWEET!
linkage: http://pandora.com
categorized as music
Saturday, November 24 2007, 2:05 pm
We have been doing so many things and I have been pulled in so many directions...
We had a good Thanksgiving celebration, complete with Blessed bread and a chicken instead of turkey.
TSG's sister and her family came, as well as my old college roommate RR and our new friend Denny. SpinningMom and SpinningGal stopped by.
We generic-ised our family tradition of walking across the Golden Gate bridge on Thanksgiving and crossed the river here on the Steel and Broadway bridges.
Because the holiday provided a lull in ringing phones, buzzing ims, and popping emails, I had a chance to work on some background things, learn a new programming language, Ruby, and work on my very exciting php website framework.
I know there are a million php frameworks out there, but this one is mine. I added a simple implementation of ajax into it, and upgraded it, and it comprises the backends of a number of websites, across all of its iterations. It is not available to the public yet.
I've got a ton of other projects on the back burner, political, social, agricultural, and familial...
We had a good Thanksgiving celebration, complete with Blessed bread and a chicken instead of turkey.
TSG's sister and her family came, as well as my old college roommate RR and our new friend Denny. SpinningMom and SpinningGal stopped by.
We generic-ised our family tradition of walking across the Golden Gate bridge on Thanksgiving and crossed the river here on the Steel and Broadway bridges.
Because the holiday provided a lull in ringing phones, buzzing ims, and popping emails, I had a chance to work on some background things, learn a new programming language, Ruby, and work on my very exciting php website framework.
I know there are a million php frameworks out there, but this one is mine. I added a simple implementation of ajax into it, and upgraded it, and it comprises the backends of a number of websites, across all of its iterations. It is not available to the public yet.
I've got a ton of other projects on the back burner, political, social, agricultural, and familial...
Saturday, November 24 2007, 1:34 pm
Well, we made it successfully through "No-Buy Friday" without spending a red cent.
Except, of course, for the water, electricity, natural gas, internet service, cell service, cell-network internet service, auto insurance, auto registration, rent, health insurance, homeowners' insurance, and all the other things that we either get billed for later or pay pro-rated charges ahead of time for.
But still, we didn't go "shopping." Or buy any products online.
So that's pretty good.
Right?
Except, of course, for the water, electricity, natural gas, internet service, cell service, cell-network internet service, auto insurance, auto registration, rent, health insurance, homeowners' insurance, and all the other things that we either get billed for later or pay pro-rated charges ahead of time for.
But still, we didn't go "shopping." Or buy any products online.
So that's pretty good.
Right?
Tuesday, November 20 2007, 6:39 pm
I am a font of unbridled optimism.
This will no doubt either be an incredibly boon or squished completely by my future career: farming.
For my current career, computer consulting, this always gets me way too much work.
"Yes, yes I can do it by then. And, seriously, half the cost. Or a quarter. Oh yeah, SUPER high-quality."
I really need to start repeating that thing about
"On-time, under-budget, high-quality: choose ONE."
But of course, in many other areas of our lives, my Wife and I are extreme realists:
Her: "OOOOOOooooohhhhh! Did you see that puppy??!"
Me: "He's cute! We could give him a nice home -- and our baby would LOVE him! I'll bet he's a real nice dog..."
Together: "...with real nice fleas. And hip failure. Look at how he moves those back legs. He's probably a pure-bred, and we'd have to put him under in two years. Still, if we buried him in that spot where we want to plant that persimmon tree, I'm sure it would do nicely..."
This will no doubt either be an incredibly boon or squished completely by my future career: farming.
For my current career, computer consulting, this always gets me way too much work.
"Yes, yes I can do it by then. And, seriously, half the cost. Or a quarter. Oh yeah, SUPER high-quality."
I really need to start repeating that thing about
"On-time, under-budget, high-quality: choose ONE."
But of course, in many other areas of our lives, my Wife and I are extreme realists:
Her: "OOOOOOooooohhhhh! Did you see that puppy??!"
Me: "He's cute! We could give him a nice home -- and our baby would LOVE him! I'll bet he's a real nice dog..."
Together: "...with real nice fleas. And hip failure. Look at how he moves those back legs. He's probably a pure-bred, and we'd have to put him under in two years. Still, if we buried him in that spot where we want to plant that persimmon tree, I'm sure it would do nicely..."
Monday, November 19 2007, 3:40 pm
The problem is not so much the day to day management. Really good hackers are practically self-managing. The problem is, if you're not a hacker, you can't tell who the good hackers are. A similar problem explains why American cars are so ugly. I call it the design paradox. You might think that you could make your products beautiful just by hiring a great designer to design them. But if you yourself don't have good taste, how are you going to recognize a good designer? By definition you can't tell from his portfolio. And you can't go by the awards he's won or the jobs he's had, because in design, as in most fields, those tend to be driven by fashion and schmoozing, with actual ability a distant third. There's no way around it: you can't manage a process intended to produce beautiful things without knowing what beautiful is. American cars are ugly because American car companies are run by people with bad taste.
linkage: http://www.paulgraham.com/gh.html
I love this...
Monday, November 19 2007, 3:21 pm
SUVs are gross because they're the solution to a gross problem. (How to make minivans look more masculine.)
This guy has written some interesting stuff...
Monday, November 19 2007, 1:34 pm
Confused by mercury hype? Fear not. Mercury science continues to confirm that fish is a health food. But a host of moneyed activist groups defy reason by dishonestly complaining that "mercury in fish" is today's version of "lead in paint." (Note: paint is not a health food.) So we've condensed the ten most important mercury facts into one easy-to-read handout.
linkage: http://www.mercuryfacts.org/
Sunday, November 18 2007, 1:09 am
Okay, this required some serious matrices math, and kept my brain rapt for about 3-4 hours today:
3D Rotating Cube Demo (in Flash).
3D Rotating Cube Demo (in Flash).
Commentary ::
November 18, 2007, 5.00 am
rfmarottiATGEEMALEDAWTCALM
http://
Pretty awesome.
rich
November 20, 2007, 9.14 am
http://
Wow!
Booman
Saturday, November 17 2007, 4:05 pm
- having a baby
- buying a house
- running my own consulting business
Commentary ::
November 20, 2007, 10.50 am
kronlokken(a)hotmail.com
Are you far enough along to tell us about the house? Where it is, what it is like, what the plans are?
Connie Kronlokken
November 20, 2007, 3.11 pm
We are waiting with bated breath to see if we have actually bought it or not -- more posts when we know for sure!
Dz
Saturday, November 17 2007, 2:59 pm
TSG is at the last birth class (for women), we had the last birth class for couples last night.
I am at our favorite food coop, Peoples'.
Yesterday we had five (5) social engagements, including a party that ended at 2am and included a wild and uproariously-singing Hungarian, among other highlights.
I spent a large portion of the party discussing Russian socio-political factions and events in post WWII Eastern Europe. The Hungarian's grandfather walked 6000 miles out of the gulag, back to Romania.
I am sitting on a cob bench, in the sun room of our co-op. Some of the other husbands from the birth class have been going in and out...
The weather has been stormy -- the car actually died on the road the other day, and it is doing its "pulsing thing" again. I need to get out there and give it some TLC (and find the engine speed sensor and hook it back in).
We had our friends from Ashland (without their two children) and their two friends who are local to Portland over for a glass of wine before they dined in the Pearl, and before we scooted off to birth class.
We had fajitas on the stove just as they walked in, but ended up leaving them cold and grabbing Burgerville in the car on the way to class (which we are always late to)...
...they loved our apartment, as most people do.
SpinningMom and SpinningGal arrived back in the Pacific Northwest, so we met them for breakfast/brunch/lunch just now, at the original Pap Hayden's in Sellwood.
I am at our favorite food coop, Peoples'.
Yesterday we had five (5) social engagements, including a party that ended at 2am and included a wild and uproariously-singing Hungarian, among other highlights.
I spent a large portion of the party discussing Russian socio-political factions and events in post WWII Eastern Europe. The Hungarian's grandfather walked 6000 miles out of the gulag, back to Romania.
I am sitting on a cob bench, in the sun room of our co-op. Some of the other husbands from the birth class have been going in and out...
The weather has been stormy -- the car actually died on the road the other day, and it is doing its "pulsing thing" again. I need to get out there and give it some TLC (and find the engine speed sensor and hook it back in).
We had our friends from Ashland (without their two children) and their two friends who are local to Portland over for a glass of wine before they dined in the Pearl, and before we scooted off to birth class.
We had fajitas on the stove just as they walked in, but ended up leaving them cold and grabbing Burgerville in the car on the way to class (which we are always late to)...
...they loved our apartment, as most people do.
SpinningMom and SpinningGal arrived back in the Pacific Northwest, so we met them for breakfast/brunch/lunch just now, at the original Pap Hayden's in Sellwood.
Wednesday, November 14 2007, 7:39 pm
Powerful jaw muscles add steam-shovel power to the digging apparatus. Twenty-five percent of a naked mole-rat’s muscle mass is devoted to closing the jaw, the same proportion of muscle that humans have in each leg. By contrast, only one percent of a human’s muscle mass is located in the jaw. Similarly, a large proportion of the naked mole-rat’s brain—one third of the cortex—is devoted to processing information from the area around the teeth.
Look at these ugly guys! Can you belive it??!
(It was a long day at work today.)
Actually, we went down to Salem and hung out with nephew Charlie (13 months)... Took him to a coffee shop, for a walk...
Then we battled the first surge of traffic as we made it back home.
(It was a long day at work today.)
Actually, we went down to Salem and hung out with nephew Charlie (13 months)... Took him to a coffee shop, for a walk...
Then we battled the first surge of traffic as we made it back home.
Commentary ::
November 15, 2007, 8.48 pm
clara
Wednesday, November 14 2007, 1:40 pm
I just got three previews of me in 40 years.
(1)
The first was an older gentlemen who was parked on our street...
...in a white Volvo 240 Wagon.
We've seen them around before, he and his wife, so, since we were leaving, I thought I'd offer them the last few minutes of our parking.
They already had time, but the fellow got out, looked at my car, was shocked to find that it was 5 years NEWER than his car (which was in much better shape). He demonstrated how he could open the back hatch of the car and sit on it comfortably -- a feature that even the fancy, expensive suv's don't have (he informed me).
(Of course, my Wife, still in our car, was dying of laughter at this point).
(2)
Another old guy drove by, not in a Volvo, but a Subaru wagon, and he had, on the inside of each of the front windows, a collection of parking sticker receipts that must have been accumulated over the last three months... or years.
That is EXACTLY what I had thought of doing -- just NEVER taking off the old receipts...
(of course my Wife quickly vetoed that idea...)
(3)
We drove past an older truck -- with three half-bald sheep in them, and a farmer with a white beard...
...in the same sans-mustache style as mine.
(1)
The first was an older gentlemen who was parked on our street...
...in a white Volvo 240 Wagon.
We've seen them around before, he and his wife, so, since we were leaving, I thought I'd offer them the last few minutes of our parking.
They already had time, but the fellow got out, looked at my car, was shocked to find that it was 5 years NEWER than his car (which was in much better shape). He demonstrated how he could open the back hatch of the car and sit on it comfortably -- a feature that even the fancy, expensive suv's don't have (he informed me).
(Of course, my Wife, still in our car, was dying of laughter at this point).
(2)
Another old guy drove by, not in a Volvo, but a Subaru wagon, and he had, on the inside of each of the front windows, a collection of parking sticker receipts that must have been accumulated over the last three months... or years.
That is EXACTLY what I had thought of doing -- just NEVER taking off the old receipts...
(of course my Wife quickly vetoed that idea...)
(3)
We drove past an older truck -- with three half-bald sheep in them, and a farmer with a white beard...
...in the same sans-mustache style as mine.
Monday, November 12 2007, 11:27 pm
First off, I think what we are trying to achieve through an amendment to the Constitution is to impose values on people -- that is, teach people patriotism with our definition of what patriotism is. But we cannot force values on people; we cannot say there will be a law that a person will do such and such because it is disrespectful if they do not, and therefore, we are going to make sure that people have these values that we want to teach.
Values in a free society are accepted voluntarily, not through coercion, and certainly not by law, because the law implies that there are guns, and that means the federal government and others will have to enforce these laws.
Values in a free society are accepted voluntarily, not through coercion, and certainly not by law, because the law implies that there are guns, and that means the federal government and others will have to enforce these laws.
This is what I have been saying -- and what SA was saying about the seats on the MAX train here in Portland: it is destructive to legislate that people must, for example, move out of the way for "senior citizens or disabled persons."
These sorts of laws undermine the freedom that is vital to our society. It is MUCH better, indescribably better even, for the self-serving punk to sit there and stalwartly occupy the seat and SEE SOMEONE ELSE (although further down the train) give up THEIR seat voluntarily for the pregnant lady, or elderly gentlemen.
People learn values by observation, namely by observing the good actions of others -- and perhaps by then feeling guilty, and later emulating the self-less society.
What we need in today's self-centered society is MORE encouragement of these values, and LESS legislated morality.
These sorts of laws undermine the freedom that is vital to our society. It is MUCH better, indescribably better even, for the self-serving punk to sit there and stalwartly occupy the seat and SEE SOMEONE ELSE (although further down the train) give up THEIR seat voluntarily for the pregnant lady, or elderly gentlemen.
People learn values by observation, namely by observing the good actions of others -- and perhaps by then feeling guilty, and later emulating the self-less society.
What we need in today's self-centered society is MORE encouragement of these values, and LESS legislated morality.
hat-tip: Daily Paul
Monday, November 12 2007, 10:47 pm
Today, Gordon breaks his own record every time he drives, whether it's to Cincinnati for coffee, Rolla, Mo., for lunch or Green River, Wyo., for dinner. And now, the treasured Volvo P1800 continue to roll through the ages despite the wear of road and time, Gordon - like any mighty record-holder at the top of his game - has begun to think about his legacy.
Saturday, November 10 2007, 6:37 pm
Dinner at Old Town Pizza, my fingers are bothering me from too many days of too much computing, and intensive guitar work (I decided I was going to learn a few new scales on Wednesday, and I practiced Thursday, Friday, and now I can't manipulate the digits in my left hand without that particular tendinitis pain...)
We have been talking about spending the weekend in Washington or at the Oregon coast, but Saturday has quickly ebbed away... With it getting dark so early now (cursed be "Daylight Savings" time! -- let's abolish that heinous institution once and for all) it feels like the day is done, and it's only five-thirty.
We have been talking about spending the weekend in Washington or at the Oregon coast, but Saturday has quickly ebbed away... With it getting dark so early now (cursed be "Daylight Savings" time! -- let's abolish that heinous institution once and for all) it feels like the day is done, and it's only five-thirty.
Friday, November 9 2007, 12:35 am
Hybrid cars are allowed to drive in the HOV lanes at high speeds.... where they are less efficient and more polluting than when they are "stuck in traffic".
linkage: http://nonannystate.blogspot.com/
This really tickles me.
So the best possible conservationist scenario is now EVERYBODY driving hybrids, in such great numbers that NOBODY goes ANYWHERE -- and this gridlock causes there to be no fuel expenditure and therefore no pollution.
Why didn't I see this before? The solution is not LESS TRAFFIC, but MORE.
Gobs and gobs more of it, in fact. Max out the freeways, gridlock the whole system, and save the planet.
Uproarious.
So the best possible conservationist scenario is now EVERYBODY driving hybrids, in such great numbers that NOBODY goes ANYWHERE -- and this gridlock causes there to be no fuel expenditure and therefore no pollution.
Why didn't I see this before? The solution is not LESS TRAFFIC, but MORE.
Gobs and gobs more of it, in fact. Max out the freeways, gridlock the whole system, and save the planet.
Uproarious.
Thursday, November 8 2007, 5:10 pm
More Oregon Politics, but this initiative is HUGE.
I haven't found the best way to word my sentiment (that I've been thinking for a long time) but the gist of it is that if something is as morally controversial as abortion (flatly illegal in this country until 1973) it definitely should not be funded with public money.
I would think that most people, regardless of which side they stand on for this issue, would agree with that logic.
In fact, many people are using that same logic and focusing it on the "war" in Iraq.
Personally, I think the same thing may apply to the IRS, and the DMV, and...
...Congress.
But let's take it one step at a time. And this is a good place to start.
I haven't found the best way to word my sentiment (that I've been thinking for a long time) but the gist of it is that if something is as morally controversial as abortion (flatly illegal in this country until 1973) it definitely should not be funded with public money.
I would think that most people, regardless of which side they stand on for this issue, would agree with that logic.
In fact, many people are using that same logic and focusing it on the "war" in Iraq.
Personally, I think the same thing may apply to the IRS, and the DMV, and...
...Congress.
But let's take it one step at a time. And this is a good place to start.
Thursday, November 8 2007, 5:04 pm
You know, you could insure a heck of a lot of people with a trust fund of 16 million dollars.
Not sure why we had to spend it on a political pissing contest instead.
Not sure why we had to spend it on a political pissing contest instead.
Thursday, November 8 2007, 4:56 pm
Yes, believe your eyes.
I have created a front-loading bike rack for the Ol' Silver Bullet. It is a homebrew design, made out of a pair of old handlebars (the ones that came on the original incarnation of my current bike, that I replaced with a straight (and short) bar).
Now I can easily load the bike on the front, secure it with the built-in bungee, and toodle off down the road to park the car.
Whence I return, via pushbike, to our home. Ingenious.
I have created a front-loading bike rack for the Ol' Silver Bullet. It is a homebrew design, made out of a pair of old handlebars (the ones that came on the original incarnation of my current bike, that I replaced with a straight (and short) bar).
Now I can easily load the bike on the front, secure it with the built-in bungee, and toodle off down the road to park the car.
Whence I return, via pushbike, to our home. Ingenious.
categorized as the silver bullet
Thursday, November 8 2007, 4:49 pm
I know what you are going to say.
"Oh, my, you hit a biker. Now what?"
But that's not what is going on.
Take a closer look.
"Oh, my, you hit a biker. Now what?"
But that's not what is going on.
Take a closer look.
Thursday, November 8 2007, 4:35 pm
So I got new glasses (brown Converse All-Stars) and realized last night, that, ever since I got this new prescription (and my trial two-week contacts) I have been carefully preserving the integrity of the left and right side distinction... unnecessarily.
Because, my eyes now have the SAME contact lens prescribed for each one.
Phew. One less thing to think about.
However, this little mental lapse is still of less import than the LAST time I got a new prescription, when I promptly threw away my brand new two-week contacts at approximately 1/14 of their lifespan...
Anyways, TSG and I looked at SO MANY DIFFERENT frames that I couldn't remember what these ones looked like before we picked them up.
But I am pleased with them so far.
Because, my eyes now have the SAME contact lens prescribed for each one.
Phew. One less thing to think about.
However, this little mental lapse is still of less import than the LAST time I got a new prescription, when I promptly threw away my brand new two-week contacts at approximately 1/14 of their lifespan...
Anyways, TSG and I looked at SO MANY DIFFERENT frames that I couldn't remember what these ones looked like before we picked them up.
But I am pleased with them so far.
Wednesday, November 7 2007, 2:52 pm
Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!
These houses are completely “off the grid”—they’re not connected to the utility companies. Yet the teams have to live like normal Americans. Using only power from the sun, they have to keep the TV on six hours a day, run the computer five hours a day, cook meals, wash dishes, do two loads of laundry a week, take four 15-minute hot showers a week, keep the temperature between 70 and 78 degrees...
In short, they have to prove that living on solar power does not involve sacrifice.
In short, they have to prove that living on solar power does not involve sacrifice.
It's no good trying to make a lifestyle defined by over-consumption sustainable.
Sacrifice is a loaded word. In trade, what is perceived as hard work and misery brings higher quality of life. Quality of life that is just not possible with the TV blaring six hours a day, the yearly average commute being longer than the yearly average vacation time, and with the frivolities of this neo-American daily life...
Having said that, there are some good ideas discussed in this article, although shipping twenty houses (at $100,000 each) is an affront to sustainability and rationailty, and illustrates the MAJOR WRONGHEADEDNESS of this whole exercise and mindset...
Sacrifice is a loaded word. In trade, what is perceived as hard work and misery brings higher quality of life. Quality of life that is just not possible with the TV blaring six hours a day, the yearly average commute being longer than the yearly average vacation time, and with the frivolities of this neo-American daily life...
Having said that, there are some good ideas discussed in this article, although shipping twenty houses (at $100,000 each) is an affront to sustainability and rationailty, and illustrates the MAJOR WRONGHEADEDNESS of this whole exercise and mindset...
Tuesday, November 6 2007, 3:03 pm
Regarding the health care problem Kucinich says of the other Democratic candidates: "If you don't have the courage to take on the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, don't try to fool the American people by pretending to offer real reform. The Clinton, Obama, and Edwards plans will ensure that for-profit companies remain in control, and they will be rewarded and enriched with federal subsidies to reduce the prices they charge. Instead of gouging the consumers, they'll be gouging the taxpayers."
This is the way I see the "health care problem" too...
Tuesday, November 6 2007, 12:34 am
NORMAL
I really don't like being ruled by convention, but sometimes people misinterpret this as madness. It's been cold here for quite a while and for the past couple of weeks we have had snow just about every day. Not the skiing, snowboarding stuff, but just the kind that makes things a bit white for a few hours. Now at the beginning of March, I am still wearing T shirt and flip flops when I go out (not shorts stupid -- it's winter) because I just haven't felt cold enough to consider donning layers of uncomfortable and restricting clothing. I've sorted out the barbecue and if the temperature increases by about 2 degrees I will be outside cooking.
Am I making some profound statement by exhibiting this apparently bizarre behaviour? Well actually, yes. I don't feel cold.
If I look at the hordes of despondent looking souls outside my local supermarket, I am convinced that they have, for the most part, been brainwashed into believing that during certain months of the year, it is inappropriate to be seen without their Michelin Man add-ons. Unfortunately, they also feel obliged to take on an obligatory depression and look of utter misery. Wake up! Rain and snow put wetness on you; evolution however has provided you with a skin which is damn nigh impervious to liquid. This can be demonstrated quite easily. Next time you are in the shower, look down and observe how few of your internal organs and bodily fluids are being rinsed away. After you have been cold, you get warm - wet you get dry. There is no fundamental change to your body mass or function so why stop smiling? Get my point?
Am I making some profound statement by exhibiting this apparently bizarre behaviour? Well actually, yes. I don't feel cold.
If I look at the hordes of despondent looking souls outside my local supermarket, I am convinced that they have, for the most part, been brainwashed into believing that during certain months of the year, it is inappropriate to be seen without their Michelin Man add-ons. Unfortunately, they also feel obliged to take on an obligatory depression and look of utter misery. Wake up! Rain and snow put wetness on you; evolution however has provided you with a skin which is damn nigh impervious to liquid. This can be demonstrated quite easily. Next time you are in the shower, look down and observe how few of your internal organs and bodily fluids are being rinsed away. After you have been cold, you get warm - wet you get dry. There is no fundamental change to your body mass or function so why stop smiling? Get my point?
I hope it's ok to post this here, I don't think Cass would really mind, in fact, I'd expect he'd be glad the more people see it...
Brilliant stuff folks, from a brilliant man. We miss him.
Brilliant stuff folks, from a brilliant man. We miss him.
Monday, November 5 2007, 6:42 pm
Woa--ho! I'm famous!
(I'm blogging more today. I must be more relaxed, and the stress must be less.)
Monday, November 5 2007, 6:34 pm
The saucepan on the stove is full of home-made apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and a dash of raw sugar...
...it's fall, folks.
...it's fall, folks.
Monday, November 5 2007, 6:18 pm
Here's a real, live incarnation of an idea I've had for a long time.
There's nada, zip, zilch on there right now, but it's live, it's operational, and I believe, with my undying optimism, that people will begin contributing to it.
There's nada, zip, zilch on there right now, but it's live, it's operational, and I believe, with my undying optimism, that people will begin contributing to it.
Monday, November 5 2007, 5:54 pm
The voters' guide has put TSG to sleep on the couch. Election Day is tomorrow, the skies are darkening, and it is nearly five o'clock. The remnants of today's Asian stir fry lunch are going back in the fridge, a left-over waffle from the other day's breakfast pops out of the toaster. We've only read one "lion story" yet today, but there will be more to come. Our Empire store makes funny clicking noises as it cools off after a burn session. I'm on a Stevie Ray Vaughn kick as I program away.
Monday, November 5 2007, 5:46 pm
I would just like to point out that outlawing incandescent lights bulbs is asinine.
Whoever thought that idea up ought to be dragged off and shot.
Since when does government legislate quality-of-life choices for the general public? What is going on here?
The problem has nothing to do with incandescent light bulbs. The problem has to do with excess consumption, which is a product of choices many individuals make.
How do you change this? NOT through legislation.
I would suggest incentives, rewards. Give a $100 tax break for every family that spends less than $50/month (or whatever) on electricity.
Or just shut the lights off at the malls, nationwide, at night. That alone will save more energy than all the fluorescent light bulbs in the world.
What jackass on his high horse, quoting heaven knows what absurd statistics is wasting our taxpayer dollars coming up with this tripe?
Whoever thought that idea up ought to be dragged off and shot.
Since when does government legislate quality-of-life choices for the general public? What is going on here?
The problem has nothing to do with incandescent light bulbs. The problem has to do with excess consumption, which is a product of choices many individuals make.
How do you change this? NOT through legislation.
I would suggest incentives, rewards. Give a $100 tax break for every family that spends less than $50/month (or whatever) on electricity.
Or just shut the lights off at the malls, nationwide, at night. That alone will save more energy than all the fluorescent light bulbs in the world.
What jackass on his high horse, quoting heaven knows what absurd statistics is wasting our taxpayer dollars coming up with this tripe?
Monday, November 5 2007, 5:26 pm
favorite moments from last night
Me: Hey, that looks like... We have a dish just like that one!
Our Host: Uh, yeah... I believe you BROUGHT that one.
Oh and we played "pirate dice." Although no drinking was involved during that game, there was some nice tequila pro-offered, and accepted afterwards.
The brand was "Milagro Reposado," and it was pretty good.
The brand was "Milagro Reposado," and it was pretty good.
Monday, November 5 2007, 3:38 pm
Yeah... we are all married now.
I've got one kid on the way, the guy on the left has three kids already, and the guy in the back (who just got married in L.A.) is still on his honeymoon, so all bets are off.
Wow. My, how things change in seven or eight years.
Cheers...
I've got one kid on the way, the guy on the left has three kids already, and the guy in the back (who just got married in L.A.) is still on his honeymoon, so all bets are off.
Wow. My, how things change in seven or eight years.
Cheers...
Commentary ::
November 6, 2007, 7.10 pm
yeah, except ed's still got that annoying little goatee-wannabe. some things never change.
clara
Saturday, November 3 2007, 5:58 pm
Here's my synopsis of the Oregon Special Election for this Tuesday, November 6th:
Measure 49: WTF, Salem? How about we NO this one, and see what you come up with in February? Better yet, how 'bout y'all seek gainful employment elsewhere and we select 90 Oregon citizens, at random, to replace you? And compensate them to the tune of minimum wage... Actually, let's write into that one NO subdivisions at all, ever again, in Oregon, re-zone ALL of Oregon to small, family farms...
Measure 50: Ok, I know, let's draw funding from something that nobody wants anyway. Let's create a vested interest in the whole proposition for everyone who ISN'T already in the tobacco industry's pockets. How about a bloody great NO for this one...
Measure 49: WTF, Salem? How about we NO this one, and see what you come up with in February? Better yet, how 'bout y'all seek gainful employment elsewhere and we select 90 Oregon citizens, at random, to replace you? And compensate them to the tune of minimum wage... Actually, let's write into that one NO subdivisions at all, ever again, in Oregon, re-zone ALL of Oregon to small, family farms...
Measure 50: Ok, I know, let's draw funding from something that nobody wants anyway. Let's create a vested interest in the whole proposition for everyone who ISN'T already in the tobacco industry's pockets. How about a bloody great NO for this one...
Friday, November 2 2007, 7:53 pm
Skillful composers play with these expectations, alternately meeting and violating them in interesting ways. In my laboratory, we've found that listening to a familiar song that you like activates the same parts of the brain as eating chocolate, having sex or taking opiates. There really is a sex, drugs and rock-and-roll part of the brain: a network of neural structures including the nucleus accumbens and the amygdala. But no one song does this for everyone, and musical taste is both variable and subjective.
This is the other book I bought when we were over at Powell's a few days ago... Not sure if he agrees with Molly G in everything, but it is fascinating stuff nonetheless...
Friday, November 2 2007, 7:07 pm
Well, I got hit with some kind of viral stomach flu and slept for pretty much 36 hours. Then when I tried to get up, caffeine withdrawal hit. I can't wait for the weekend -- I am going to try to catch up from several days of non-working.
On the plus side, we finally caved in and lit our little gas-burning stove. Now our apartment is toasty. We have been reading many "lion stories" from our new book as well.
The baby gets crazier by the day, kicking and squirming and playing all sorts of games with us. Pretty soon he will come out and our lives will change forever...
On the plus side, we finally caved in and lit our little gas-burning stove. Now our apartment is toasty. We have been reading many "lion stories" from our new book as well.
The baby gets crazier by the day, kicking and squirming and playing all sorts of games with us. Pretty soon he will come out and our lives will change forever...
Wednesday, October 31 2007, 4:38 pm
If you're a Grateful Dead fan, Speeding Arrow.net is like unto heaven.
Or so say the denizens of such.
Or so say the denizens of such.
Wednesday, October 31 2007, 4:35 pm
My Wife and I, for some unfathomable reason, are always talking about the "Hungry, Hungry Hippo," so this was something of a revelation.
Wednesday, October 31 2007, 12:53 pm
Went to Powell's the other day, and this is our new O.L.B. :
That's Out-Loud-Book. It's hilarious. Right up there with Bill Bryson and Gerald Durrell.
Wednesday, October 31 2007, 12:50 pm
Well this morning the MAX whisked the in-laws out to the airport... It was a good visit, felt like forever since we'd seen them.
(They said they weren't going to visit until there were grandkids to visit, so...)
Portland is cold and foggy, so maybe today is the day that we will turn the gas heater on. So far, we just bundle up, or have parties and cooking conventions that warm the place up considerably.
Yesterday I worked a half day and we pressed 10 gallons of cider in the afternoon, renting a press from Don's Rental in St. Helens and scouring the neighboring countryside for apples (SpinningMom's apple trees had nary an apple upon them, for some reason unbeknownst to us, probably because we didn't prune them at all last year -- we just picked and picked).
(They said they weren't going to visit until there were grandkids to visit, so...)
Portland is cold and foggy, so maybe today is the day that we will turn the gas heater on. So far, we just bundle up, or have parties and cooking conventions that warm the place up considerably.
Yesterday I worked a half day and we pressed 10 gallons of cider in the afternoon, renting a press from Don's Rental in St. Helens and scouring the neighboring countryside for apples (SpinningMom's apple trees had nary an apple upon them, for some reason unbeknownst to us, probably because we didn't prune them at all last year -- we just picked and picked).
Saturday, October 27 2007, 8:15 pm
Well, our "24 Hours in L.A." is drawing to a close. While I realize that could be a pulp fiction title, it actually is just the moniker I've applied to this whirlwind wedding weekend.
In a few short hours we'll be back in Portland, after braving the L.A. traffic, the Advantage Rent-a-Car bus drivers, and the Knights of Columbus bar at the wedding reception.
See you in Portland!
In a few short hours we'll be back in Portland, after braving the L.A. traffic, the Advantage Rent-a-Car bus drivers, and the Knights of Columbus bar at the wedding reception.
See you in Portland!
Friday, October 26 2007, 12:40 pm
Well, we had a real smash-up of a party last night. The In-Laws got here in the afternoon, took a nap, and then we headed out on the town. My sister-in-law made some excuse, snuck away from dinner, and went back to our apartment, where she hung signs and let the company in.
TSG and I kept her mom and dad -- the birthday boy -- occupied over dinner until the stage had been set. We took the train back to our building, her dad walked in the door and -- SURPRISE!
He had NO IDEA what was coming.
Highlights of the party:
- SA sitting on a balloon on the papa-san
- SpinningMom try to spell "balloon"
- Tables full of Wine, Cheese, and Desserts, including Baklava, which we hadn't had since Budapest
- we had one random stranger come in, a real nice guy that none of us had ever met before, lives on the fourth floor of our building, saw the multitudinous PARTY!@ signs and came on in.
ROCK!
Oh, we also did some guitar pickin' and banjo playin'.
TSG and I kept her mom and dad -- the birthday boy -- occupied over dinner until the stage had been set. We took the train back to our building, her dad walked in the door and -- SURPRISE!
He had NO IDEA what was coming.
Highlights of the party:
- SA sitting on a balloon on the papa-san
- SpinningMom try to spell "balloon"
- Tables full of Wine, Cheese, and Desserts, including Baklava, which we hadn't had since Budapest
- we had one random stranger come in, a real nice guy that none of us had ever met before, lives on the fourth floor of our building, saw the multitudinous PARTY!@ signs and came on in.
ROCK!
Oh, we also did some guitar pickin' and banjo playin'.
Commentary ::
October 26, 2007, 12.52 pm
yes, i must say i was rather frightened for my poor papasan when SA sat down and an exploding sound came from his backside.
Wednesday, October 24 2007, 7:31 pm
The thought that has been swimming around my head most, lately, concerning American politics is "how the heck do you get a reductionist government in place?"
I mean one that begins reigning in the rampant stray dog that is the current federal government?
How do we break corporate control? How do we reduce the legal corpus in every sector to one that is UNDERSTOOD by the mass of citizens and UNDERSTANDABLE at face value, instead of it being the millions of pages of incomprehensible -- and nefarious -- twists and turns that it is? How do we, as a democratic nation, throw off the yoke that is overregulation by the few?
Of course, by exercising all the rights we do (still) have. By refusing to let unconstutional law stand. By challenging unlawful authority.
As all political action, it is the work of a tireless minority...
...it is just up to each and every one of us to join that minority.
I mean one that begins reigning in the rampant stray dog that is the current federal government?
How do we break corporate control? How do we reduce the legal corpus in every sector to one that is UNDERSTOOD by the mass of citizens and UNDERSTANDABLE at face value, instead of it being the millions of pages of incomprehensible -- and nefarious -- twists and turns that it is? How do we, as a democratic nation, throw off the yoke that is overregulation by the few?
Of course, by exercising all the rights we do (still) have. By refusing to let unconstutional law stand. By challenging unlawful authority.
As all political action, it is the work of a tireless minority...
...it is just up to each and every one of us to join that minority.
Wednesday, October 24 2007, 7:24 pm
This afternoon was taken up with combatting post-sushi-indulgence-sleepiness with the best in home-brewed lattes.
And a big THANK YOU to all for the birthday calls that have been flooding in.
And a big THANK YOU to all for the birthday calls that have been flooding in.
Tuesday, October 23 2007, 5:23 pm
Organic Classic Rich Crackers
Our family has always loved buttery rich crackers, so we were thrilled to create the first organic version. Its slightly sweet, toasted taste is the perfect compliment for a homemade lobster dip and is a great topping for macaroni and cheese. We also recommend crushing and rolling them to use whenever a recipe calls for breadcrumbs. We’d love to hear your favorite Late July snack or recipe; email us at mail at latejuly.com.
These are the platonic form of what Ritz was shooting for. These, unlike Ritz's crackers, do not give me headaches after I eat a few.
They are AWESOME!
They are AWESOME!
Tuesday, October 23 2007, 4:40 pm
Today I also found out that Gelsemium is good for tension/dehydration headaches.
Tuesday, October 23 2007, 4:01 pm
I just organized the icons in my dock (yes, Mac OS X) by the colors of the rainbow.
Yes, I agree with my Wife that I need to get out more.
She won't let me do it with the bookshelves... yet.
Yes, I agree with my Wife that I need to get out more.
She won't let me do it with the bookshelves... yet.
Tuesday, October 23 2007, 3:55 pm
too much time on my hands or brain gasket blown?
You be the judge...
Monday, October 22 2007, 2:20 pm
seat -less
So some schmuck stole the seat off my bike the other night after the Blazers game. Yes, that is one more reason to add to the ever-growing list of why the Blazers suck.
Commentary ::
October 23, 2007, 12.39 am
You went to the game? Where were you sitting?
What is this list you speak of? They have blown my mind with excitement this offseason.
What is this list you speak of? They have blown my mind with excitement this offseason.
sean denicola
October 23, 2007, 1.58 am
are you going on wednesday? I'll hopefully
be there every game this year (I have a season ticket).
be there every game this year (I have a season ticket).
sean denicola
Monday, October 22 2007, 2:19 pm
The inmate van was on our street today -- one short, squat sherrif (with TWO firearms) directing a herd of beefy, scowling ragged and hairy inmates wielding shovels.
Fun, fun.
I locked the door when I went to park the car a mile away.
Not that that is any kind of change, since we still lock the door in our building even though the creepy guy moved out.
Fun, fun.
I locked the door when I went to park the car a mile away.
Not that that is any kind of change, since we still lock the door in our building even though the creepy guy moved out.
Monday, October 22 2007, 12:55 pm
eyes
Well, I finally went to the optometrist again -- I was waiting for my eyes to get worse enough so that they would fit into the next stronger size of contacts.
Apparently they did -- this new presecription has my eyes evenly matched and it feels pretty good. At least, better than the three interim prescriptions that I really couldn't deal with.
So now that it's Winter again, I can finally wear sunglasses.
Apparently they did -- this new presecription has my eyes evenly matched and it feels pretty good. At least, better than the three interim prescriptions that I really couldn't deal with.
So now that it's Winter again, I can finally wear sunglasses.
Monday, October 22 2007, 12:51 pm
Our stalwart winter re-filling of our little birdfeeder has paid off dividends.
There is a whole flock of little birds outside, playfully scattering the seeds out of the birdfeeder and then eating them from the ground. We counted at least a half dozen, some male, some female, and several species.
It's sunny and about 60 degrees out.
There is a whole flock of little birds outside, playfully scattering the seeds out of the birdfeeder and then eating them from the ground. We counted at least a half dozen, some male, some female, and several species.
It's sunny and about 60 degrees out.
Friday, October 19 2007, 7:10 pm
Today I started the "bug" for making my own Ginger Beer. Now I "feed" it two teaspoons of ground ginger and two teaspoons of white sugar each day for seven days and see if it takes off.
In other news, the parking lady came by THREE times today... There were no vehicluar manslaughter attempts as far as I am aware, but there was a general vibe of unpleasantry on our street after that. In fact, I'm pretty sure that our entire apartment building radiated PURE HATRED, and the guy with the red pickup with TWO tickets under the wiper hadn't even gotten home yet.
Luckily, my Wife was keeping a weather eye peeled. We had time on the car the first two rounds, and she spotted the evil biker lady on the third round in time for me to sprint outside, leap the steps, and zoom away, escaping her evil glare and narrowly escaping her handheld, ticket-printing terminal...
In other news, the parking lady came by THREE times today... There were no vehicluar manslaughter attempts as far as I am aware, but there was a general vibe of unpleasantry on our street after that. In fact, I'm pretty sure that our entire apartment building radiated PURE HATRED, and the guy with the red pickup with TWO tickets under the wiper hadn't even gotten home yet.
Luckily, my Wife was keeping a weather eye peeled. We had time on the car the first two rounds, and she spotted the evil biker lady on the third round in time for me to sprint outside, leap the steps, and zoom away, escaping her evil glare and narrowly escaping her handheld, ticket-printing terminal...
Thursday, October 18 2007, 4:53 pm
Check it out!
This is Ford Doctors Diesel Technician Society's Mechanical Aptitude Test.
Some guys on my Volvo mailing list (yes, I know, I know) passed it on to me.
This is Ford Doctors Diesel Technician Society's Mechanical Aptitude Test.
Some guys on my Volvo mailing list (yes, I know, I know) passed it on to me.
Tuesday, October 16 2007, 9:06 pm
The woman who runs Zoom Baby Gear -- a little shop along Greely in NE -- is a veritable treasure trove of information.
We stopped in there yesterday, en route to the midwife...
We stopped in there yesterday, en route to the midwife...
linkage: http://zoombabygear.com/
categorized as portland
Commentary ::
October 17, 2007, 11.57 am
Glad you found a midwife, otherwise you could have ended up with...A MIDWIFE CRISIS! I'll be here all week! Well, not HERE, here, in this little box, but THERE here, where I'm at right now. Outside the box.
Sean D.
Monday, October 15 2007, 2:26 pm
We went camping up on Mount Hood over the weekend.
I would post pictures, but they are all of the film variety, so you will have to wait.
After a relaxing weekend in the fresh mountain air we are ready to start off the new week on the right foot.
We visited the midwife this afternoon, as well as a baby/diaper store on the way there...
CRAZY BABY kicked the heart monitor again, as the midwife's assistant tried to track his heart rate as he kept doing somersaults...
I would post pictures, but they are all of the film variety, so you will have to wait.
After a relaxing weekend in the fresh mountain air we are ready to start off the new week on the right foot.
We visited the midwife this afternoon, as well as a baby/diaper store on the way there...
CRAZY BABY kicked the heart monitor again, as the midwife's assistant tried to track his heart rate as he kept doing somersaults...
Friday, October 12 2007, 11:54 am
snobbery
TSG and I are snobs.
Not snobs in the usual way, but in particular, specific categories.
For example, we are COOKWARE snobs.
Only two types of cookware grace our kitchen, Griswold cast iron, and Le Creuset. We bought the Griswold pre-seasoned (i.e., used) off of eBay (thank goodness for flat-rate USPS parcels!). Cast iron cookware cleans up better than any purportedly "non-stick" pan I have used, you don't have to worry about teflon flaking off and getting consumed, and it lets you control the heat precisely. Also, they keep food warm on the table for much longer.
(Well, we have one steel saucepan we picked up at Goodwill).
We couldn't really be considered CAR snobs, at least not in the usual sense -- I drool over every Volvo 240 I see and TSG loves VW Squarebacks (and her old Chevy truck).
we're not WINE snobs -- the only wine in the house we actually purchased right now is Badger Mountain's "Pure Red".
Yes, it is organic. Yes, it is in a box. Now that TSG has a little one inside, we don't consume enough wine to justify opening a bottle unless there is a lot of company... It goes bad before we can drink it. However, with the box method, it stays fresh for weeks...
We'll see if that holds true for organic boxed wine as well.
Not snobs in the usual way, but in particular, specific categories.
For example, we are COOKWARE snobs.
Only two types of cookware grace our kitchen, Griswold cast iron, and Le Creuset. We bought the Griswold pre-seasoned (i.e., used) off of eBay (thank goodness for flat-rate USPS parcels!). Cast iron cookware cleans up better than any purportedly "non-stick" pan I have used, you don't have to worry about teflon flaking off and getting consumed, and it lets you control the heat precisely. Also, they keep food warm on the table for much longer.
(Well, we have one steel saucepan we picked up at Goodwill).
We couldn't really be considered CAR snobs, at least not in the usual sense -- I drool over every Volvo 240 I see and TSG loves VW Squarebacks (and her old Chevy truck).
we're not WINE snobs -- the only wine in the house we actually purchased right now is Badger Mountain's "Pure Red".
Yes, it is organic. Yes, it is in a box. Now that TSG has a little one inside, we don't consume enough wine to justify opening a bottle unless there is a lot of company... It goes bad before we can drink it. However, with the box method, it stays fresh for weeks...
We'll see if that holds true for organic boxed wine as well.
Thursday, October 11 2007, 3:03 pm
lattes are in...
... thanks to this lovely addition to our kitchen.
The quality of the foam that this simple device generates is truly amazing.
The quality of the foam that this simple device generates is truly amazing.
Tuesday, October 9 2007, 11:08 am
Last night I battled large witches and their even larger minions with a giant, wooden Cross Pattée.
In other news, TSG and I made and froze 40 biscuits last night, using the new recipe -- the Mennonite one.
Don't even ask how many sticks of butter (yes, sticks) we used, and please don't mention the (vegetable-based shortening) lard.
In other news, TSG and I made and froze 40 biscuits last night, using the new recipe -- the Mennonite one.
Don't even ask how many sticks of butter (yes, sticks) we used, and please don't mention the (vegetable-based shortening) lard.
Monday, October 8 2007, 8:12 pm
Currently on tap rocking my world at the TSG/Dz Homestead is the
"HOT TAMALE"
beer from: The Broadway Grill & Brewpub.
Yes, it is a BEER made with jalepanos and serano peppers. It first tastes like beer, and then it tastes like HOT. RR (who visited this weekend) and I each bought a jar (the only way you can buy it) of the beer to take home. Yes, you can also take your own container there and fill it up.
Yes, it is HOT. People who do not like spicy things will not like it.
"HOT TAMALE"
beer from: The Broadway Grill & Brewpub.
Yes, it is a BEER made with jalepanos and serano peppers. It first tastes like beer, and then it tastes like HOT. RR (who visited this weekend) and I each bought a jar (the only way you can buy it) of the beer to take home. Yes, you can also take your own container there and fill it up.
Yes, it is HOT. People who do not like spicy things will not like it.
Commentary ::
October 10, 2007, 7.33 pm
Do you freeze them baked or unbaked? And I am not at all surprised by the multiple sticks of butter, but I am wondering why the recipe appears to have called for both butter AND lard/shortening?
Mrs. Bear
October 11, 2007, 11.26 am
dz's new game: offer the less-than-favored brother-in-law a glass of this beer, then watch him SUFFER as he struggles to consume the entire 8+ ounces of pain.
for some reason men cannot say no to a hot pepper challenge. i don't get it.
and, unbaked, by the way.
for some reason men cannot say no to a hot pepper challenge. i don't get it.
and, unbaked, by the way.
clara
Monday, October 8 2007, 1:36 pm
Our quest to find a house (or a home) led us to two totally different properties in two days.
The two houses were about the same in asking price.
One is in an uber-trendy neighborhood, but needs A LOT of work. The other is in a suburb, but is MOVE-IN ready.
Hmm.
The two houses were about the same in asking price.
One is in an uber-trendy neighborhood, but needs A LOT of work. The other is in a suburb, but is MOVE-IN ready.
Hmm.
Monday, October 8 2007, 12:19 am
parking day
...and I love this idea!
linkage: http://www.parkingday.org/
Monday, October 8 2007, 12:19 am
Everyone keeps point this guy out to us.
linkage: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/
Thursday, October 4 2007, 4:44 pm
I am bent out of shape by 40+ hours of work in 4 days.
The kind of logical, mental effort that is completely exhausting... where I am reduced to a barely-cogitating zombie by 3pm. Or 12pm, like yesterday. Today I can barely summon enough mental power to flop my fingers around on the keyboard enough to actually type...
In other news, that 5-layer bean dip from Costco is EVIL.
Hydrogenated this, hydrogenated that, modified corn starch, modified potato starch...
Tonight we return to our own little apartment in Portland...
The kind of logical, mental effort that is completely exhausting... where I am reduced to a barely-cogitating zombie by 3pm. Or 12pm, like yesterday. Today I can barely summon enough mental power to flop my fingers around on the keyboard enough to actually type...
In other news, that 5-layer bean dip from Costco is EVIL.
Hydrogenated this, hydrogenated that, modified corn starch, modified potato starch...
Tonight we return to our own little apartment in Portland...
Commentary ::
October 5, 2007, 2.50 pm
kronlokken(a)hotmail.com
I'm glad you guys got the Don Starnes diatribe on hydrogenated oils this week. It is the curse of the American diet and American health, in my opinion. "Stay out of the middle of the grocery store," Don says! Also keep any butter or olive oil in dark places.
Connie Kronlokken
Thursday, October 4 2007, 4:10 pm
According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.
Tuesday, October 2 2007, 10:06 pm
BICYCLIST IN THOSE FUNNY BIKING SHORTS given protected status as a minority. A court ruled today that any type of speech, delivered in any public forum by any method -- including the internet -- that in any way decries the bicyclists -- or offends their sensibilities, because of their attire or for any reason whatsoever is considered "hate speech", and subject to fines and prosecution.
Up Next: People with Arbitrary Sexual Behavior given "Protected Minority" status
Tuesday, October 2 2007, 10:02 pm
Forget about the slippery slope.
Folks, we are plummeting.
This is FREE FALL.
No traction, no footholds, and NO TERMINAL VELOCITY.
Folks, we are plummeting.
This is FREE FALL.
No traction, no footholds, and NO TERMINAL VELOCITY.
Sunday, September 30 2007, 2:07 pm
If we had been functioning under a true and transparent free market system, we would not be in the mess we are in today. Government, like the American household, needs to live within its means to get back on stable fiscal ground.
Saturday, September 29 2007, 6:35 pm
smells like hippie
Well, TSG and I have been to TWO hippie-frequented events in the last few days:
Peoples' Coop's Harvest Festival, and NE's Alberta Arts' Last Thursdays.
Much fun (and square-dancing) was had by all, and TSG and I bought a beautiful photo-on-canvas of two sunflowers from Absolute Magik, who we met there.
Peoples' Coop's Harvest Festival, and NE's Alberta Arts' Last Thursdays.
Much fun (and square-dancing) was had by all, and TSG and I bought a beautiful photo-on-canvas of two sunflowers from Absolute Magik, who we met there.
Saturday, September 29 2007, 3:43 pm
We are in California now.
It took us just under 4 hours to get from our door to my parents' house, including an hour car ride from the airport on this end, and 40 minute or so train ride to the airport in PDX.
That's a LOT better than the 10 hours car ride. We made it here before we would even have been out of Oregon or to Ashland.
In other news, I just dropped the $1300 mobile computer that I am using as the nexus of my barcoding installation that I am doing this week. Luckily, it is shock-proof and tested to 5-foot drops onto concrete.
Phew.
It took us just under 4 hours to get from our door to my parents' house, including an hour car ride from the airport on this end, and 40 minute or so train ride to the airport in PDX.
That's a LOT better than the 10 hours car ride. We made it here before we would even have been out of Oregon or to Ashland.
In other news, I just dropped the $1300 mobile computer that I am using as the nexus of my barcoding installation that I am doing this week. Luckily, it is shock-proof and tested to 5-foot drops onto concrete.
Phew.
Saturday, September 29 2007, 3:15 pm
So, basically, if I want to get anything done whilst I am in front of the computer I have to stay away from blogs, opinion, and "news" sites.
Because there is so, much stuff out there.
Because there is so, much stuff out there.
Thursday, September 27 2007, 9:38 am
why, exactly, have we let this happen?
China is a major funder of US debt, holding about $260bn (£149bn) in US Treasury bonds - second only to Japan.
Thursday, September 27 2007, 9:38 am
"This time, Beijing is offering pacific words, aimed mostly at the western countries, even as it supplies the junta with arms and ammunition," he said.
hat-tip: google news
Thursday, September 27 2007, 7:41 am
I am reminded of President Ronald Reagan's admonition at the Vietnam War Memorial in 1988: "Young Americans must never again be sent to fight and die unless we are prepared to let them win." Our adversaries do not expect our collective will to endure through the tough times.
hat-tip: http://instapundit.com
Wednesday, September 26 2007, 4:43 pm
Over the weekend we went up to Washington, where we visited our friends, the ones who are five years further down the road to achieving their life goals than we are... And we have pretty much the same life goals as them, so it's good to hang around there...
Anyway, the rain had come up, and they were in the middle of a re-roofing, so when I got there it was up the ladder and on the roof, and merrily we worked away...
On Sunday we went down to a local farmer's place where they had plenty of extra apples that they had no time to gather... So we picked fruit from the six or so trees that had ripe ones, filled up baskets and baskets, and lugged them home.
Then we set up an assembly line, where we rinsed the apples, chopped them, and boiled them down on the stove into applesauce. Some of them we stuck on this fancy mechanical de-peeler and de-corer, and we put those spiral-cut ones into the food dehydrator to preserve.
Very old-fashioned and fun.
Anyway, the rain had come up, and they were in the middle of a re-roofing, so when I got there it was up the ladder and on the roof, and merrily we worked away...
On Sunday we went down to a local farmer's place where they had plenty of extra apples that they had no time to gather... So we picked fruit from the six or so trees that had ripe ones, filled up baskets and baskets, and lugged them home.
Then we set up an assembly line, where we rinsed the apples, chopped them, and boiled them down on the stove into applesauce. Some of them we stuck on this fancy mechanical de-peeler and de-corer, and we put those spiral-cut ones into the food dehydrator to preserve.
Very old-fashioned and fun.
Tuesday, September 25 2007, 7:06 pm
crass commericalism
Is it really art if it's created to sell?
Well, you don't have to worry about that with these pieces of beauty.
Never fear, they were created with only the highest intentions of capturing beauty.
Crass commercialism was a post-production insight.
Anyway, I think the question is worth bearing in mind.
At first sight, it would seem to be easy to nullify the argument from the many examples of history.
Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Beethoven -- these were all men who churned out their art in exchange for their bread and butter.
However, were they creating art, mimicking nature, because they were getting paid, or because they were driven to -- pursued by the relentless muse and by grace -- and, had not some kind soul deigned to pay them, they would have dropped dead of starvation at the feet of the muse, one last stone un-chipped, one last stroke unpainted, one last sonnet un-penned, and one last chord forever hanging in the balance...
Well, you don't have to worry about that with these pieces of beauty.
Never fear, they were created with only the highest intentions of capturing beauty.
Crass commercialism was a post-production insight.
Anyway, I think the question is worth bearing in mind.
At first sight, it would seem to be easy to nullify the argument from the many examples of history.
Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Beethoven -- these were all men who churned out their art in exchange for their bread and butter.
However, were they creating art, mimicking nature, because they were getting paid, or because they were driven to -- pursued by the relentless muse and by grace -- and, had not some kind soul deigned to pay them, they would have dropped dead of starvation at the feet of the muse, one last stone un-chipped, one last stroke unpainted, one last sonnet un-penned, and one last chord forever hanging in the balance...
Commentary ::
September 25, 2007, 11.28 pm
rfmarotti(a)gmail.com
Score one for crass commercialism
:P
:P
rmarotti
Saturday, September 22 2007, 2:46 pm
So I bought an iBook G4, 800Mhz, 640MB RAM, 60GB, AP, Combo off of Craig's List for $300.
I don't know why anybody buys new computers anymore.
This thing works great for ME, the ultra-uber-computer-user, so I'm sure it would work fine for YOU.
No need to buy a new computer.
Of course, I'll probably still encode MPEG4 files on the Intel Core Duo Mac Mini, and if you wanted to play games or something you probably wouldn't want to do it on this, but even my power-user development works fine on it...
So, before you go buy that new computer, check out the iBooks... Since they were the latest hot item before the MacBooks came out, you can get good deals on them, since everyone is dropping them like hotcakes. Of course, don't expect too much future development for the Gx series of processors -- everyone is going to be writing everything for the Intel processors in the future. However, I'm a big proponent of buying things for "what they do right now" anyway.
That's my $0.02.
I don't know why anybody buys new computers anymore.
This thing works great for ME, the ultra-uber-computer-user, so I'm sure it would work fine for YOU.
No need to buy a new computer.
Of course, I'll probably still encode MPEG4 files on the Intel Core Duo Mac Mini, and if you wanted to play games or something you probably wouldn't want to do it on this, but even my power-user development works fine on it...
So, before you go buy that new computer, check out the iBooks... Since they were the latest hot item before the MacBooks came out, you can get good deals on them, since everyone is dropping them like hotcakes. Of course, don't expect too much future development for the Gx series of processors -- everyone is going to be writing everything for the Intel processors in the future. However, I'm a big proponent of buying things for "what they do right now" anyway.
That's my $0.02.
Saturday, September 22 2007, 2:32 pm
Are YOU paying attention?
I'm sure many people have said this better than me, butfree PRE-PAID healthcare is a BAD IDEA.
I'm not sure I really want to get started on this right now.
I was enjoying my Saturday.
I'm sure many people have said this better than me, but
I'm not sure I really want to get started on this right now.
I was enjoying my Saturday.
Saturday, September 22 2007, 2:24 pm
The brake lights are functional (two out of three). I don't know if I want to run all three bulbs in parallel because my calculations say that is 24 amps, and they used to run just fine off of 8. I tried them in series, but they were way too dim.
I-5 Baby Name we just saw:
VADER
RYDERWOOD
I-5 Baby Name we just saw:
VADER
RYDERWOOD
Friday, September 21 2007, 2:14 pm
The weekend's coming fast, the brake lights still are only semi-functional, and I've got seven web projects up in the air. And we are going to go visit our friends an hour into Washington tomorrow (probably) and fly to California a week from tomorrow (definitely).
Crazy.
Crazy.
Friday, September 21 2007, 2:13 pm
ceremony
I did some unceremonious but much needed and over due de-linking from the right hand side of this blog.
If I deleted you and you still want to be on there, drop me a line.
There's a bunch of folks I do want to link to, but there are a ton of defunct ones on there still...
If I deleted you and you still want to be on there, drop me a line.
There's a bunch of folks I do want to link to, but there are a ton of defunct ones on there still...
Commentary ::
September 21, 2007, 5.11 pm
geoffrey(a)dogsnot.net
Can you administrate my blog too? I have links that have been dead for years.
Geoffrey
Thursday, September 20 2007, 1:57 pm
close call
I walked outside and looked down the street. The parking meter enforced (on bike) was IN SIGHT.
I sauntered down to the machine and plug my card in, as he pedaled past.
"What car are you paying for now?" he growled as he went by.
"The old volvo, right here," I said.
That's how close it was.
I sauntered down to the machine and plug my card in, as he pedaled past.
"What car are you paying for now?" he growled as he went by.
"The old volvo, right here," I said.
That's how close it was.
Wednesday, September 19 2007, 7:07 pm
My Wife says I'm obsessed
...but I can't stand the little buggers fornicating in my kitchen.
Yes, I am talking about the Return of the Fruit Fly Wars. Or Flute Fry Wars, if your tongue is twisted.
When we came back from our month away, all the fruit flies were gone. That is, they were actually all floating belly-up in our balsamic vinegar. All 8 oz of our nice stuff.
Then we started getting food again, and they came from somewhere. At one point I put a lime out in the kitchen (after tucking a neat slice into my beer) and found them all clustered upon it, doing things not fit to print here.
A few days later (yes, I left the lime, because they were real easy to kill after they had spent some time on its surface) the lime was wriggling with larvae and grubs. You could see them swimming around in little pockets.
Yes, that is what happens when fruit flies land on your food. They fornicate, and then lay eggs.
I am on the warpath once again.
I did some wikipedia research, and learned to tell the males from the females. I also read that they have a 7-day life cycle and don't seem to carry diseases.
I am still looking for plans to construct the perfect trap, although the bottle of balsamic, with its narrow, curved, metal entryway seems to work pretty well.
I just don't want my fruit alive with VISIBLE critters and grubs when I go to eat it, and I prefer not to have the little "wine hawks" swarm every time I pop a cork.
It's my house, and I'll do what I want. Yes, I am looking for ORGANIC methods of destruction.
Yes, I am talking about the Return of the Fruit Fly Wars. Or Flute Fry Wars, if your tongue is twisted.
When we came back from our month away, all the fruit flies were gone. That is, they were actually all floating belly-up in our balsamic vinegar. All 8 oz of our nice stuff.
Then we started getting food again, and they came from somewhere. At one point I put a lime out in the kitchen (after tucking a neat slice into my beer) and found them all clustered upon it, doing things not fit to print here.
A few days later (yes, I left the lime, because they were real easy to kill after they had spent some time on its surface) the lime was wriggling with larvae and grubs. You could see them swimming around in little pockets.
Yes, that is what happens when fruit flies land on your food. They fornicate, and then lay eggs.
I am on the warpath once again.
I did some wikipedia research, and learned to tell the males from the females. I also read that they have a 7-day life cycle and don't seem to carry diseases.
I am still looking for plans to construct the perfect trap, although the bottle of balsamic, with its narrow, curved, metal entryway seems to work pretty well.
I just don't want my fruit alive with VISIBLE critters and grubs when I go to eat it, and I prefer not to have the little "wine hawks" swarm every time I pop a cork.
It's my house, and I'll do what I want. Yes, I am looking for ORGANIC methods of destruction.
Wednesday, September 19 2007, 6:51 pm
The fabulous spider who has taken up residency in our southern window caught a bee in its web this morning. It spent most of the day sucking it dry.
I love nature.
I love nature.
Wednesday, September 19 2007, 6:24 pm
Some people can smoke, and some can't.
I am one of the latter, and this lady is one of the former.
I started smoking freshman year of college (typical). I quit for good eight months later when I nearly died of quadruple pneumonia aggravated by a "rolling" inflammation of my bronchioles caused by an allergy to cigarette smoke. My MD said I would get emphysema if I ever smoked another one.
My lungs tighten up just thinking about it.
I am one of the latter, and this lady is one of the former.
I started smoking freshman year of college (typical). I quit for good eight months later when I nearly died of quadruple pneumonia aggravated by a "rolling" inflammation of my bronchioles caused by an allergy to cigarette smoke. My MD said I would get emphysema if I ever smoked another one.
My lungs tighten up just thinking about it.
hat-tip: Prophet
Wednesday, September 19 2007, 6:05 pm
I just responded to an email that I got in July.
That's pretty bad.
That's pretty bad.
Tuesday, September 18 2007, 10:31 pm
My working on the car in snatches, bits and pieces here and there continues...
On the list of now working:
- turn signals
- reverse lights (!)
- tail lights
Still not working:
- brake lights
So the state and fate of the car has been a sorry saga this last week and a half. First the "light out" warning light came on, presumably for the right tail light that was out.
It was not as simple as blown bulb, nor as simple as a causelessly-blown fuse. Because I checked the bulb, and it lit up fine in the other socket, or with 12V applied directly to it, and fuses kept blowing when I changed them.
So I cut the wires to instrument panel bulbs (they didn't work anyway) after much measuring with the multimeter and much analytical and mathematical thinking.
I had logically (and then physically & electrically) isolated the source of the short. I re-applied the now tail-light-only circuit to the fuse box, and the fuses held and the tail light lit.
It was at this point, that, to my dismay, I realized that the brake lights no longer worked. How long had it been going on? Certainly longer than since cutting that wire, so that was ruled out as a cause...
Well, the brake lights are still not lighting, except for the middle one, which I plugged into my switch-controlled aux circuit. Yes, that's right, I have to flip a switch to light my brake lights, (hopefully) synchronized with my actual braking (or not -- BACK OFF! I'm slowing down! But not really! Actually I'm accelerating! But you stay back there!).
Tomorrow I track the brake pedal switch wire to the relay and re-wire the back brake lights.
In other good news, I found the wire that goes to the reverse lights, and I don't think they have EVER worked since we owned the car. They are now actuated by a clear white light (which matches the reverse lights themselves) switch coming out of the center lower dash area.
The turn signals were a casualty of this week. I was working on other things (the brake lights), and thinking of how I could extend the turn signal switch to be actuate-able with one hand whilst that one hand also grips the steering wheel. During that brainstorming, I attached a handle to the existing switch... And about a minute later I put too much pressure on it and snapped off the handle from the existing switch. So today I rewired the turn signals into two SPST, momentary-contact, normally off switches, ones with big RED buttons...
On the list of now working:
- turn signals
- reverse lights (!)
- tail lights
Still not working:
- brake lights
So the state and fate of the car has been a sorry saga this last week and a half. First the "light out" warning light came on, presumably for the right tail light that was out.
It was not as simple as blown bulb, nor as simple as a causelessly-blown fuse. Because I checked the bulb, and it lit up fine in the other socket, or with 12V applied directly to it, and fuses kept blowing when I changed them.
So I cut the wires to instrument panel bulbs (they didn't work anyway) after much measuring with the multimeter and much analytical and mathematical thinking.
I had logically (and then physically & electrically) isolated the source of the short. I re-applied the now tail-light-only circuit to the fuse box, and the fuses held and the tail light lit.
It was at this point, that, to my dismay, I realized that the brake lights no longer worked. How long had it been going on? Certainly longer than since cutting that wire, so that was ruled out as a cause...
Well, the brake lights are still not lighting, except for the middle one, which I plugged into my switch-controlled aux circuit. Yes, that's right, I have to flip a switch to light my brake lights, (hopefully) synchronized with my actual braking (or not -- BACK OFF! I'm slowing down! But not really! Actually I'm accelerating! But you stay back there!).
Tomorrow I track the brake pedal switch wire to the relay and re-wire the back brake lights.
In other good news, I found the wire that goes to the reverse lights, and I don't think they have EVER worked since we owned the car. They are now actuated by a clear white light (which matches the reverse lights themselves) switch coming out of the center lower dash area.
The turn signals were a casualty of this week. I was working on other things (the brake lights), and thinking of how I could extend the turn signal switch to be actuate-able with one hand whilst that one hand also grips the steering wheel. During that brainstorming, I attached a handle to the existing switch... And about a minute later I put too much pressure on it and snapped off the handle from the existing switch. So today I rewired the turn signals into two SPST, momentary-contact, normally off switches, ones with big RED buttons...
categorized as the silver bullet
Commentary ::
September 19, 2007, 12.12 am
in the meantime i utilize portland's excellent public transit system and my own two feet, because i refuse to flip multiple switchs each time i:
-start turning
-stop turning
-start stopping
-stop stopping
-start reversing
-stop reversing
etc.
-start turning
-stop turning
-start stopping
-stop stopping
-start reversing
-stop reversing
etc.
clara
Tuesday, September 18 2007, 11:55 am
Things that irk me (today, in particular):
People THE LOWLIFE SCUM who buy concert tickets and re-sell them for a profit.
I don't mind the ones who buy extra tickets thinking they will bring friends along, or they bought tickets thinking they were going to be in town but now aren't, but it's the ones that HAVE EBAY STORES and are doing this habitually, as a filthy way of greasing th
I don't mind the ones who buy extra tickets thinking they will bring friends along, or they bought tickets thinking they were going to be in town but now aren't, but it's the ones that HAVE EBAY STORES and are doing this habitually, as a filthy way of greasing th