As do many thousands of people across the country. However, my days have been so filled bees, that it could almost be called an addiction. To wit, I'm declaring the next 24 hours of my life to bee-free, to give myself a break, clear my head, and tackle the mystery anew.
If you did not understand this post, don't worry; I'll explain everything once I get it all figured out.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Thursday, August 19, 2004
SWEET!
My blog is now ad free! I don't know why Google/Blogger/Blogspot decided to scrap the text ads, nor do I care. The only complaint I have is that it clashes with my template.
UPDATE: Changed the color of the tool bar and learned it's function. If you click the "Next Blog" button, it will take you to a random recently updated blog hosted by blogspot. The search bar searches only my blog, so don't use it to look for porn.
UPDATE: Changed the color of the tool bar and learned it's function. If you click the "Next Blog" button, it will take you to a random recently updated blog hosted by blogspot. The search bar searches only my blog, so don't use it to look for porn.
Gift Quandry
I wonder when cash became a thoughtless gift, or at least a gift without much effort behind it, and gift cards, which are like cash but less useful, became the quick, thoughtful gift of choice.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Olympic Hubris
Alternate titles: Olympic Arrogance; Stupid Political Stunt.
You may have heard of the Olympic Judo fighter, from Iran I believe, who bowed out of the games because his first opponent was from Israel, and Iran and Israel have a relationship best described as nonexistent. [Hint: Iran doesn't recognize Israel the same way protestants don't recognize the Pope or two Mormons don't recognize each other in a liquor store. Badum-bum!]
Anyway, that sort of thing pisses me off. I'm of the ever so humble opinion that the Olympic Games should focus exclusively on sport. You should not be there push whatever political/religious agenda you may have. This is a golden opportunity for nations to set aside differences and just play some games. Who cares what the state of the world may be? You're here to prove your worth, not against a nation, but against another human, to see who has the fire, the spark, the desire to win.
In other words, put up or shut up.
Stunts (and yes I feel it was a stunt) like this only cheapen the ideal that the games stand for. What's the point of competing if every Tom Dick and Harry brings his social baggage with him to the match? I can't compete with him: he eats pork; or him: he doesn't believe in Baby Jesus; or her: she thinks women are allowed to have an opinion; or these guys: they're pro-life; et cetera ad naseum.
So what if he hails from a country you and your government don't officially endorse? He's still real, so fight him. Don't punk out because you'll look good to the folks back home.
Yes I know that the United States, under President Carter, boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics because we didn't like Russian soldiers in Afghanistan. [An aside about Carter's decision to boycott: I do like the idea of a permanent home for the games, even if that idea does trample, somewhat, the international spirit of the games.] I don't think it's better just because my side was the one doing the boycotting. It was stupid stunt (even more stupid because it was publicly endorsed) just like this one. Hell, We went to the 1936 Berlin games when Hitler was running Germany. Did Jesse Owens bow out when it was revealed that he would be racing Nazis? No, he came to compete and compete he did, winning four gold medals.
My point is, this guy pissed me off.
You may have heard of the Olympic Judo fighter, from Iran I believe, who bowed out of the games because his first opponent was from Israel, and Iran and Israel have a relationship best described as nonexistent. [Hint: Iran doesn't recognize Israel the same way protestants don't recognize the Pope or two Mormons don't recognize each other in a liquor store. Badum-bum!]
Anyway, that sort of thing pisses me off. I'm of the ever so humble opinion that the Olympic Games should focus exclusively on sport. You should not be there push whatever political/religious agenda you may have. This is a golden opportunity for nations to set aside differences and just play some games. Who cares what the state of the world may be? You're here to prove your worth, not against a nation, but against another human, to see who has the fire, the spark, the desire to win.
In other words, put up or shut up.
Stunts (and yes I feel it was a stunt) like this only cheapen the ideal that the games stand for. What's the point of competing if every Tom Dick and Harry brings his social baggage with him to the match? I can't compete with him: he eats pork; or him: he doesn't believe in Baby Jesus; or her: she thinks women are allowed to have an opinion; or these guys: they're pro-life; et cetera ad naseum.
So what if he hails from a country you and your government don't officially endorse? He's still real, so fight him. Don't punk out because you'll look good to the folks back home.
Yes I know that the United States, under President Carter, boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics because we didn't like Russian soldiers in Afghanistan. [An aside about Carter's decision to boycott: I do like the idea of a permanent home for the games, even if that idea does trample, somewhat, the international spirit of the games.] I don't think it's better just because my side was the one doing the boycotting. It was stupid stunt (even more stupid because it was publicly endorsed) just like this one. Hell, We went to the 1936 Berlin games when Hitler was running Germany. Did Jesse Owens bow out when it was revealed that he would be racing Nazis? No, he came to compete and compete he did, winning four gold medals.
My point is, this guy pissed me off.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Flood
I am in the middle of a creative flood! You see, I've always fancied myself a 'writer.' I enjoy writing, and am pretty good at it, I think. But for the longest time, the only thing I was writing (outside of papers for school) was this little blog. And while this is fun, it wasn't exactly the creative release I'd been looking for.
That all changed this week, when my wife and I went camping up at Goose Lake. We spent most of the day discussing some projects that we had kicking around, but never really got to. Once we started brainstorming though, it was like the flood gates opened. It was easily the most productive 24 hours I've had in a very long time. It also helps me to not worry, quite so much, about how much we spent.
I feel good!
That all changed this week, when my wife and I went camping up at Goose Lake. We spent most of the day discussing some projects that we had kicking around, but never really got to. Once we started brainstorming though, it was like the flood gates opened. It was easily the most productive 24 hours I've had in a very long time. It also helps me to not worry, quite so much, about how much we spent.
I feel good!
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
A Simple Wish
I want to see a car manufacturer come out with an ad and say, without any rebates or incentives or cash allowances or bonus cash or cash back or 90 days same as cash or no interest/no payments for 1 full year, "This is our car. This is the price of our car. We chose this price because this is lowest price we can offer and still remain profitable. Feel free to finance through us or your lending institution of choice."
Post A Comment
I have finally gotten around to actually hunting down other blogs and seeing what others are doing with the digital land-rush known as blogging. I know, I know; I who praise the democratic soul of blogs long and loud to anyone unlucky enough to share an elevator with me have never really taken the time to see what else is out there. I have found that there are a lot of semi-literate people out there with blogs. Kind of like the reat of the internet, actually. Once you wade through that, there are also a lot of eloquent and well spoken people out there as well.
Most importantly, I learned the sublime joy of posting a comment on someone else work. As anybody who has read this or knows me will tell, I can find an opinion on most anything, and now I have a way firing those opinions through the ether at total strangers. Also, it's nice to know that, at least occasionally, those hits you see adding up on your counter are people actually reading what you write.
So a big hello to all the people who I've left a comment with recently. Take a look around, tell me what you think.
Right now, the screen is flickering at the corners of my vision when I look down to type, and that means either I have an expensive repair bill coming up, or I'm extremely tired. Either way, I'm going to bed.
Most importantly, I learned the sublime joy of posting a comment on someone else work. As anybody who has read this or knows me will tell, I can find an opinion on most anything, and now I have a way firing those opinions through the ether at total strangers. Also, it's nice to know that, at least occasionally, those hits you see adding up on your counter are people actually reading what you write.
So a big hello to all the people who I've left a comment with recently. Take a look around, tell me what you think.
Right now, the screen is flickering at the corners of my vision when I look down to type, and that means either I have an expensive repair bill coming up, or I'm extremely tired. Either way, I'm going to bed.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Distilled Democracy
Now that I have titles enabled, I suddenly feel pressure to come up with pithy monikers for my posts.
Today I turned my father on to blogging. He was unaware that I had one and once I showed it to him, he became really interested so I set him up with one. He's the type of guy who loves to tinker and learns by doing, and taking things apart, so I'm sure he'll jump in, feet first. Once he gets the time, that is.
As I was explaining to him what blogs are, and what Blogger is, it occurred to me that blogs are the the internet at it's most dynamic and democratic. It's difficult to define exactly what a blog is because a blog can be absolutely anything. They allow you to broadcast your message, regardless of what your message may be, to (potentially) hundreds of thousands of people. They are free, embarrassingly simple to set up and implement, and require only the techno-how (Do you like that word? I just made it up.) needed to use a word processor and surf the web, skills most anybody in a developed country possesses. Of course, if you are one of those people who dream in HTML (and actually understand the dream, unlike myself) you are more than welcome to use your skills here.
If you are in the habit of reading blogs, but don't have one yourself, I encourage you to give one a spin.
That's all the proselytization I have for today.
PS I will link to my Fathers blog once he gets it up and running a little.
Today I turned my father on to blogging. He was unaware that I had one and once I showed it to him, he became really interested so I set him up with one. He's the type of guy who loves to tinker and learns by doing, and taking things apart, so I'm sure he'll jump in, feet first. Once he gets the time, that is.
As I was explaining to him what blogs are, and what Blogger is, it occurred to me that blogs are the the internet at it's most dynamic and democratic. It's difficult to define exactly what a blog is because a blog can be absolutely anything. They allow you to broadcast your message, regardless of what your message may be, to (potentially) hundreds of thousands of people. They are free, embarrassingly simple to set up and implement, and require only the techno-how (Do you like that word? I just made it up.) needed to use a word processor and surf the web, skills most anybody in a developed country possesses. Of course, if you are one of those people who dream in HTML (and actually understand the dream, unlike myself) you are more than welcome to use your skills here.
If you are in the habit of reading blogs, but don't have one yourself, I encourage you to give one a spin.
That's all the proselytization I have for today.
PS I will link to my Fathers blog once he gets it up and running a little.
Friday, August 06, 2004
News
I have successfully added a table of links. If you will kindly scroll down, you will find hand-picked websites for your viewing pleasure.
The comics I've chosen to link to are all quality comics that are somewhat overlooked. I read many, many more on a daily basis, but most of them are well established and don't need my help in gathering an audience.
The Nomi Art pages are full of my wife's drawings and renderings. Stop on by and leave a comment if you like what you see, though she is making me warn everybody that she sometimes has mature work, so avert your eyes, kiddies.
Bartley.com is a wonderful resource for classic literature and poetry online for free.
The Legal Information Institute is brought to you by Cornell University's School of Law and contains the text of the constitution, the bill of rights, federal codes as well as state laws. A great way to research and be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a citizen.
MoJo is actually Mother Jones.com, a left leaning political magazine that I enjoy.
The Best Page In The Universe is just that.
In other news, Nomi and I have decided to throw our hat into the webcomic ring. If you would just click her art links already, you would know that she has tremendous talent, and I will be writing the strips. We will probably set something up Keenspace, or some other such free hosting and automation service. More details will be available soon.
The comics I've chosen to link to are all quality comics that are somewhat overlooked. I read many, many more on a daily basis, but most of them are well established and don't need my help in gathering an audience.
The Nomi Art pages are full of my wife's drawings and renderings. Stop on by and leave a comment if you like what you see, though she is making me warn everybody that she sometimes has mature work, so avert your eyes, kiddies.
Bartley.com is a wonderful resource for classic literature and poetry online for free.
The Legal Information Institute is brought to you by Cornell University's School of Law and contains the text of the constitution, the bill of rights, federal codes as well as state laws. A great way to research and be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a citizen.
MoJo is actually Mother Jones.com, a left leaning political magazine that I enjoy.
The Best Page In The Universe is just that.
In other news, Nomi and I have decided to throw our hat into the webcomic ring. If you would just click her art links already, you would know that she has tremendous talent, and I will be writing the strips. We will probably set something up Keenspace, or some other such free hosting and automation service. More details will be available soon.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
I've been reading all the con reports from the various web comics I read, specifically the SDCC and Otakon reports. If you want to read some good ones (con reports that is, thought the comics themselves are well worth the trip), I suggest you check out Machall, Applegeeks, Little Gamers and Ctrl+Alt+Del.
I really want to attend some cons next year, and it's looking like Nomi and I might be in a place to afford to go to one. This month, we will be at Fandemonium, though only for one day; it's all we could afford.
I'm gonna talk with Nomi about attending some kind of convention next summer. We'll both have paid vacation by then, and might be able to swing it.
I really want to attend some cons next year, and it's looking like Nomi and I might be in a place to afford to go to one. This month, we will be at Fandemonium, though only for one day; it's all we could afford.
I'm gonna talk with Nomi about attending some kind of convention next summer. We'll both have paid vacation by then, and might be able to swing it.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Some Random Stuff
I just dusted off my Player's Handbook and dicebag. I find that sentence very sad on many levels.
My local MTV2 station seems to have lost it's ability to broadcast sound. While this may seem detrimental to the music portion of their music video programming, I find it to be a change for the better.
There is an indescribably hideous show airing Saturday mornings on your local Fox affiliate. It's called The Menu. It is wall to wall advertising aimed at the 'tween' crowd bracketed by normal commercials for the same products and companies. I am not making this up: it was Cingular presents The Menu from Disney's Atlantis waterpark. What followed was several 'segments', each brought to you by yet another corporation. Nauseating. It was like an animated issue of People Magazine.
I just dusted off my Player's Handbook and dicebag. I find that sentence very sad on many levels.
My local MTV2 station seems to have lost it's ability to broadcast sound. While this may seem detrimental to the music portion of their music video programming, I find it to be a change for the better.
There is an indescribably hideous show airing Saturday mornings on your local Fox affiliate. It's called The Menu. It is wall to wall advertising aimed at the 'tween' crowd bracketed by normal commercials for the same products and companies. I am not making this up: it was Cingular presents The Menu from Disney's Atlantis waterpark. What followed was several 'segments', each brought to you by yet another corporation. Nauseating. It was like an animated issue of People Magazine.
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