It was beautiful, foggy morning on the way to the train station. (not my image, but cool, nonetheless). Lots of mist hanging, especially over the water.

Saw Fantastic Four – Silver Surfer after work with BHK, and it was a fun little bit of entertainment.

Cool! The DC Train maps are now on google!(via dcist)

We’re not going to Salem this weekend. Instead, I think we’re just going to cool our collective jets, and regroup a bit.

I’ve been watching season 6 of The Shield on my commute to and from work lately… and the writing is still quite good. I think the child molester subplot was a bit transparent, but aside from that, it has been interesting seeing what’s going on with Vic’s crew. It sounds like they’re already wrapping up season seven, now, even though the sixth was supposed to be the final one.

After I whittle that one down my travel show is going to be The Riches, I think. Never did catch up with that on the Tivo upstairs, and BHK seems to have lost interest.

Positive thing about summer. Local corn. The best I’ve ever had, anywhere. Seriously, it’s amazing.

I’m really loving the local corn crop.

By the way, to my anonymous commenter: Not everyone in the world is racist. Not everyone in the world is sexist. “All [insert skin color / gender / geographic point of origin / religious belief / sexual preference / whatever here] stick together” is untrue. Sure, there are a lot of ‘em, but humans lack cooperation on that level. Not to say that *a lot* might. Special interest groups, Armies, and the like. If you could get *any* group of people of that size to really work together, the world would be a different place – and probably a scary one, since I don’t tend to agree with any one group’s agenda.

Atheists can cuss by taking someone else’s lord’s name in vain. It’s not like snarling “Random Chance!” or “Darwin!” is nearly as good as Jesus Christ come to think of it… blurting “Vishnu”, “Zeus” or “Zoroaster” is sort of dorky sounding too. David and Abraham are in too much usage to be any good, either. Solomon?

Maybe I’ll just stick to Comic Book / Cartoon Exclamations… Merciful Rao! Sufferin’ Sappho/Succotash! Leapin’ Lizards! Sweet Christmas! Good Grief! Great Hera! By Crom!

I am guilty of saying “My Stars” – not due to Henry McCoy, but Samantha Stevens.

By the Vishanti is too cumbersome. Imperious Rex is just dopey. Dumber than saying Spoooon! in fact.

I do like to say Zoroaster, though. It’s a fun name. Zoroaster. Say it with me, dear journal. Zoroaster. Zarathustra, in the native.

If we were to ever get a gray kitten, I’d like to name him Zoroaster. (That is not to say that we’re getting a gray kitten any time soon.)

Regarding this article about faith and democratic candidates … I can’t get the phrase “Pillory Hillary” out of my head.

1 year ago

– pirate quiz, pirates w/Dan, 61 questions, walkabout pics, bus stop self portrait, newtcam silly pic

2 years ago – bro visit, good exp games, Karl Rove a rat, mood settings, big ol’ Locust

3 years ago – perspective via work, kitty-bot, rain, diseases

4 years ago – Movies w/ danny, LED-suit, Lupin quiz, dinosaur haiku, new tv, LXG, html tests, ghoulishness

5 years ago – Ian McCracken, zork 404, branleur, got my bike

6 years ago – evil news, longueur, spoliation, space fungus, superstition poll, fri-13 reasoning, I’m Neutral Good

7 years ago – Traditional trolls, Catholics handy in a pinch (via Scotto’s Wall Scrawls)

Scottobear: Sufferin’ Succotash… I mean Sappho! (via Twitter / Scottobear)

Neighborhood shakeup tonight at about 7pm – A minivan chasing another – apparently the second vehicle had 2-4 people inside with the side doors open and guns showing. The vehicle being chased was honking and swerving all over the place to avoid being shot.

BHK called 911, and the response time was *terrible*, and she was never questioned by the police for a report on the matter. I’ll be investigating that situation more tomorrow after work.

I’m just glad that she’s ok.

Random factoids and semi-specific things about people I know (or knew):

My brother is *really good* at shucking oysters. At least 4-5 times faster than me, or 2-ish times faster than anyone else I’ve ever met in the service industry.

My wife is a superb analyst, and can get to the core of a matter quite swiftly. She’s going to be an awesome lawyer. (and dangerous gamer)

Steve Jacoby has some beautiful children, and has the makings for a pretty cool dad.

Tina keeps a lovely home… everything is crisp and neat, even with a pair of kitties, a bunch of birds, and living the software company lifestyle.

Bruce can make me misty with just a bowl of cheerios .

Ray has a very real skill at blending words and experience into story.

Kathleen has a great memory, to the point of us calling her queen index when we were gaming. If she doesn’t have knowledge, she can find it fast.

Cyn has a fantastic skill at illustration, both on paper and skin.

Doug Wu has a near encyclopedic knowledge of comics from the silver age. Knows more than anyone else I’ve ever met.

Danny is a mill that grinds slowly, but exceedingly fine. He’s a living example of “the devil is in the details.”

Father-in-law is loved by everyone he meets. *Nobody*, and I mean *nobody* has anything sideways to say about him. That’s amazing.. and due to him.

Mother-in-law is a superb cook. Some wicked good queso, for example.

Mother is a master multitasker. I’ve never seen her with too much on her plate.

Wilton is an excellent carpenter – can put all manner of stuff together with quality and speed.

Got a calendar? Circle this date: Sunday, August 12th. Next to the circle write “all night” and “Meteors!” Attach the above to your refrigerator in plain view so you won’t miss the 2007 Perseid meteor shower.

LONDON (Reuters) – Lawyers and judges are to break with centuries-old tradition and cease wearing horse-hair wigs of white fake curls in non-criminal cases, the head of the country’s judiciary announced on Thursday.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, said new dress rules would mean the requirement for the wigs, which legal professionals have worn since the 17th century, would not be needed in civil or family court cases.
Wing collars and bands can also be dispensed with in such cases according to the reforms, while judges will need just one gown in future instead of a variety of colourful outfits currently required.
The wigs will still be worn in criminal courts.

“At present High Court judges have no less than five different sets of working dress, depending on the jurisdiction in which they are sitting and the season of the year,” Phillips said in a statement.
“After widespread consultation it has been decided to simplify this.”

A review carried out in 2003 found that more than two thirds of respondents wanted to eliminate the wigs in civil cases, although most said criminal court judges should still wear them.

Opponents of wigs thought they were anachronistic, as well as uncomfortable and expensive.

A shoulder-length ceremonial wig costs more than 1,500 pounds while the shorter ones worn by lawyers cost about 400 pounds each.

However, the idea of abolishing them has been met with disapproval from some lawyers who feel the wigs give them an air of authority as well as anonymity.
“While there will never be unanimity of view about court dress, the desirability of these changes has a broad measure of agreement,” Phillips said.

1 year ago – venture bros good, lj ugly nav bar, bye bye black rhino, angel / shovel / burrito, simulated lost case-630am, Arvis book in comments!

2 years ago – Last Day w/Magda, invisi-bro, chrono-lifting, breakfast foods, zombies invade sca event, crab, autostitch bus, minor drama, commendation

3 years ago – KoL, Bollywood, Patriot Act, Felix the Cat

4 years ago – sleep troubles, Andromeda Strain, 4-legged man , system crash – modem drivers (Service pack 4 for win2k caused Norton trouble) , Stalin vs Hitler comic, newtcam pic, discovered title-tags, strickland a/c die-lemma

5 years ago – more swell chatties, Roanoke (including odd reply from Boughman), Dreams of Lake Conoy with zombie mist, sweet possum sugar, mother goose

6 years ago – Evil news, riposte, dream of the jungle, If I were… meme, time, sleepy, Dumbass Tenochtitlan Saucermen,chat, aura colors, personality disorder test, Louvre

7 years ago – Bad things with April, super power question (via Scotto’s Wall Scrawls)

Scottobear: @apelad buzz cola tastes like not as good RC (via Twitter / Scottobear)

Current hot brain temp – 107.17 “on fire” stats out of 0-120

logic – 120
math – 120
memory – 91.49
language – 120
concentration – 84.39

Concentration and Memory. A pair of enemies I’ve had to combat more than a few times in my life.

I’ve sometimes wondered if DMAE would help with those weaker areas of my brain… but I don’t think I want the trade off. I do feel that both memory and concentration can be worked and built up over time… part of the reason I’m enjoying hot brain is some possible side effect of improved function in that area.

I played with mercury when I was in high school, and sometimes wonder if it cost me some IQ points. What about drinking? That kills brain cells. A few fights where I had a little jarring head trauma. What if instead of just being pretty dang smart, that I were brilliant?

I’d probably be less sympathetic, more evil, and give in to temptation to herd pathetic sheeple, bend them to my will and then just laugh, laugh, laugh would be too great.

Um, did I just write that?

Oops.

Part of the reason I’m better at playing it by ear, I guess.. .a reflex of having to dance around memory?

Cyn pointed me in the direction of Yelp! – I’ve already added two reviews.. one for someplace I love to eat… the other place, not so much.

Doodle of the moment – Sailboat blur

Recent Newt Pic. Slacking while I’m at work, I see.


A moment before the radiation got us all.


Slurpee Day 2007

– Just a reminder to all: July 11th is once again Slurpee day – a wonderful day to celebrate the creation of the Slurpee. This year, as in the years before, 7-Eleven stores will be handing out free 7.11oz Slurpees from 7am until 11pm (or until supplies last). Or are they free Squishies, with the Simpsons Promotion?

Sicko actually has the undivided attention of Blue Cross, Blue Shield. Cool. It also offended Hillary. She would have made more points staying put and facing the music. My big problem with Sicko was that I thought it was more “preaching to the choir”. If someone’s actually paying attention, so much the better. Additionally, Bush says the sorry state of health care is all the American people’s fault.

Still unsure if I’m going to Salem with BHK for the weekend. I’ll be mostly useless there for whatever projects they have in mind, but I can bring the laptop and work on whatever else in the meantime, if I can get online. Maybe take in a little walk or two when the sun goes down and the lightning bugs are will-o-wisps.

Reading old travel books or novels set in faraway places, spinning globes, unfolding maps, playing world music, eating in ethnic restaurants, meeting friends in cafes whose walls hold the soul-talk of decades- all these things are part of never-ending travel practice, not unlike doing scales on a piano, shooting free throws, or meditating. They are exercises that help lure the longing out of the soul and honor the brooding-over of unhatched ideas for journeys.

But the oldest practice is still the best. Take your soul for a stroll. Long walks, short walks, morning walks, evening walks- whatever form or length it takes. Walking is the best way to get out of your head. Recall the invocation of the philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, who said, “Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts.” As if in his footsteps, Friedrich Nietzsche also remarked, “Never trust a thought that didn’t come by walking.”

The Art Of Pilgrimage by Phil Cosineau. ISBN 1-56731-351-5 Published in 1998 by MJF Books. The quote comes from page 25.

My Harry Potter Spoiler of Doom is:
Hermione goes on a hot date with Draco Malfoy in the dining room, with the candlestick
Get your Harry Potter Spoiler of Doom

Hm. That sounds rather naughty.

My Fortune Cookie told me:
You will pay for your sins. If you have already paid, please disregard this message.
Get a cookie from Miss Fortune
1 year ago

– he’s a whore, key west stuff, travel photos (mostly graffiti), barrel of monkeys,

2 years ago – Magda time, ff flick reviews in, supernatural crime, free Slurpee, angels with attitude *shudder*, Wilde on the red rose, insanity, bottles on string, math symbol uses, had to htaccess, pagenation, Melissa Gilbert, 911 google, Florida mafia

3 years ago – Newt says Mao, travel pondering, manatee, Dan alters color scheme, good eats

4 years ago – Zwan, I snuff griefer #5, movies, Elvis tooth, bad baby names, net radio, flipped off by the universe

5 years ago – reflecting on old work, log issues, Newt attack, recalling palm animations

6 years ago – fetial, solecism, pockets poll, purse poll, evil news, pie poll, tuck-ins

7 years ago – words, bro moving to town

(via Scotto’s Wall Scrawls)

(via Scotto’s Wall Scrawls)

The Blogalyser reveals…

Your blog/web page text has an overall readability index of 15.
This suggests that your writing style is conventional
(to communicate well you should aim for a figure between 10 and 20).
Your blog has 38 sentences per entry, which suggests your general message is distinguished by verbosity
(writing for the web should be concise).

CHARACTER MATRIX

male female self world past future
Your text shows characteristics which are 56% male and 44% female
(for more information see the Gender Genie).
Looking at pronoun indicators, you write mainly about yourself, then the world in general and finally your social circle. Also, your writing focuses primarily on the present, next the past and lastly the future.

Find out what your blogging style is like!

First time using mass transit to get *to* work. Not bad, but it seems harder to arrive than it is to depart, contrary to the toilet roll hypothesis. Rode in to the station with mom-in-law, and aside from the lack of knee room in some of the seats, I’ve got no gripes. It means getting up a little bit earlier, but I think that this will save us a ton of wear on the love cube and even more fuel. Total round-trip cost for a day is under $10. (just). Of course, my trip home threatened to rain on me at the bus stop – only one place I have to wait under cover is right as I leave the office. I think that if I leave about 10 minutes earlier, I can get into the office about 30 minutes quicker. We’ll see.

BHK made Louise an awesome birthday cake… 4 layers! (see above – Neopolitain style, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry – with a milk chocolate frosting.) also barely-seen are some cupcakes spelling out her name, too. (I took the S cupcake to work today. 🙂 ) The cake is more of a silo than a disc, but that’s aok with me. Initially, it was to be a ckae for both Doug and Louise, but Doug broke it off with TM – moved out of the townhouse, and gathered up his belongings. I hope it’s what is best for the both of ‘em… they’re both pretty nice folks from what I’ve seen. I imagine he’s back on the base now, and will be going back overseas shortly. Kind of a bummer way to enjoy leave. Louise, however made out like a bandit. We got her a nice purse, TM got her some really pretty earrings, and the inlaws hooked her up with outback gift certs. I’m not sure what will become of Doug’s presents… I imagine they’ll be recycled or reprocessed. (I suspect father-in-law is going to get a Bass Pro shops gift card fairly soon for his B-day in August, and Adam may reap the TM rewards.)

via boingboing – The OpenMoko is a $300, Linux-based open smartphone. Unlike the iPhone, it doesn’t come locked to any provider (and certainly not to the crooks at AT&T), it doesn’t come with DRM, and it allows you to install any third party app you like, even if Steve Jobs worries that it might spoil your experience. It’s still in “developer preview,” but this might just be my next phone. The current version of the Neo1973 has built-in GPS too, and the mass-market unit that will ship in October will have wifi and accelerated graphics.

The Neo 1973 boasts the following hardware specifications * 2.8" VGA TFT color display
* Touchscreen, usable with stylus or fingers
* 266MHz Samsung System on a Chip (SOC)
* USB 1.1, switchable between Client and Host (unpowered)
* Integrated AGPS
* 2.5G GSM – quad band, voice, CSD, GPRS
* Bluetooth 2.0
* Micro SD slot
* High Quality audio codec

In the year 2000… (probably my favorite Conan O’Brian skit music) : Predictions of the Year 2000 – from The Ladies Home Journal of December 1900

1 year ago – wiggle chicken / keys trip / ripley’s pix, one night in bangkok, scotto-dungeon game

2 years ago – diggers, sky high/ff, career personality, dr zaius, ugly dog, choosing wrong, 12.5% inked, bike thief, presidential medical histories, people like slinkies

3 years ago – thermo-issues, helping cockeyed find spammers

4 years ago – bro, health, monkey, sun-sentinel cam, clown lovin’.

5 years ago – hard rain, dream thoughts, tests, IM spam

6 years ago – evil news, louche, fill in the blank, gush, insane beautiful people journal nonsense (he’s now suspended)

7 years ago – Mr. Rogers, April hassles, H is pregnant with B’s kid, inevitable slippery, </a></b></a>mootpoint adds me to his reading list (via Scotto’s Wall Scrawls)