tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271727072024-03-07T04:23:53.174-05:00Guinness for StrengthThe place for stuff that enters my mind from time to time... which means you don't have to read it if you're not up for it. Seriously.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-163069858049332402016-11-16T22:04:00.000-05:002016-11-16T22:04:36.018-05:00Testing 1,2,3...Testing - Testing - one two three... Is this thing on?Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-54491371381844242582012-05-05T02:05:00.000-04:002012-05-05T02:19:49.488-04:00Impending Midnight Sun (and other sundries)It seems to be an annual event - feeling nostalgic for the old days of updating this blog. A few April posts in each of the past two years make up the entirety of what's been put down here in that time. The itch is still there, however, and we'll see if it sticks this time round and becomes something more frequent.<br />
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Apropos of nothing, at the end of this month I'll be making my way back to Iceland - 13 years (and a handful of weeks) after my first visit. The idea I have is to try and keep a running record of my visit. This may prove difficult because there's no way I could hump my tank of a laptop along with me. It must weigh six or seven pounds and has a 17" monitor. Not what anyone would call portable... at least in this day and age.<br />
<br />
So, the question is, do I invest in a new device? The old tank still functions well enough although she is beginning to show signs of aging. The DVD drive couldn't read a recent disc I'd purchased (Næturvaktin, Season 1) and the start-up time is quite slow among other warnings/annoyances. I've got about three and a half weeks before I leave to make a decision. Cost effectiveness seems to be the biggest factor at this point. It's more than likely any recounting of my trip will be done in bulk upon my return home.<br />
<br />
Outside of that I see there have been some changes in the Blogger interface since the last time I posted. Of course, the first thing I did was spruce up the look of the page. Just made a few, quick adjustments to update it a bit and I welcome any feedback on the scheme (colors, fonts*, layout, &c.). <br />
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Looking forward to checking out the new features. If it's easier to post content with the updated interface perhaps it will be easier to post in general. Or perhaps I'll be here in May 2013 saying the same thing. Who's to say?<br />
<br />
That's it for the other sundries.<br />
<br />
As for the impending midnight sun, the Iceland jaunt encompasses an extended Thursday-Monday weekend from 31 May through 4 June. Confession: while it won't yet be a full midnight sun while I'm there, with a sunset around midnight and sunrise somewhere in the 3:00 a.m. hour, it'll be pretty close. No matter, I'm looking forward to whenever the Sun sets and rises... because it will be <i>much</i> different from what I'm accustomed to. And I must say that's fun. And also why I want to return during winter to experience the other side of this heavily weighted coin of the Sun.<br />
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This is the <a href="http://www.hotelcentrum.is/" target="_blank">Hotel Reykjavík Centrum</a> where I'll be staying. Based on reviews, it seems a pretty good choice. It's in the old city center on one of the oldest streets in Reykjavík - Aðalstræti. After viewing maps and reading reviews, it appears to be a short walk from the action but just far enough to be insulated from the cacophony of early morning street revelers... especially beneficial when you're not one of those cacophonous revelers.<br />
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<br />
Okay, that's all for this revival. This is a terrible attempt but, "Þakka þér fyrir að lesa þetta." (Thank you for reading this.)<br />
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More to come about/from Iceland for sure... well, perhaps.<br />
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*I chose a font called 'Rock Star' (I think) for the title because it closely resembles my printed handwriting.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-26692954247077035782011-04-07T23:29:00.000-04:002011-04-07T23:29:26.946-04:00The Nuclear Issue - Today and YesterdayWith the recent earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last month and the subsequent crisis at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant I've been pondering nuclear power's place in our world. Not continuously or obsessively but much more frequently than in the recent past.<br />
<br />
Foregoing the merits of fledgling alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and the like, the energy debate is the same as it's always been:<br />
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We can't rely on fossil fuels forever, for obvious environmental and availability reasons. Nor can we run the risks of an entirely nuclear power structure due to the instant calamities when things don't go as planned (Fukushima, Chernobyl) coupled with the generations-long (centuries-long is more like it) danger of containing the spent radioactive materials once they've been sucked of all their usefulness to us. Those spent materials may be useless for producing energy but they sure can mess things up if they're not properly contained.<br />
<br />
I'm well aware that this is painfully simplified and I support all efforts for alternative energy production. This dichotomy is only being used to set up the crux of this post. So, please, if you happen upon this backwater of the internet and have a gazillion ideas on 'sustainable, renewable, etc., etc.' energy - that's great. Just exhibit some reserve in demonstrating how ignorant I am on the subject. I'm already well aware of that.<br />
<br />
That being said, it seems there was a time when I was <i>much</i> more enlightened on the subject of nuclear power. In fact, I've already penned a document on it.<br />
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It wasn't published in a newspaper, magazine, or science periodical. It wasn't even published on the Internet. To be fair, the Internet barely existed when it was written.<br />
<br />
This document was written when the backbone of the modern Internet was still three years away, "Ordinary People" won the Oscar for best picture, and "Sailing" by Christopher Cross was both song and record of the year. This document was written when I was ten years old.<br />
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There was a program in my elementary school called 'Dimensions'. It was, as much as I can remember, an extra-academic program for select students to enhance their educational experience. One of the projects we worked on was to have the students create newspaper-like editorials on important current events of the time. Or, at least, the events remembered from the previous decade by those who were just a decade old.<br />
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I don't recall whether we were assigned our topics or chose them ourselves, perhaps from some predetermined list. Regardless, my current event topic was the 1979 nuclear meltdown of Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.<br />
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Created and written some time in 1980, here is the project's introduction and my contribution:<br />
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*-----------------------------------------------------------------*<br />
<i>Introduction</i><br />
<i>Right before the beginning of 1980, we started to do a lot about things that happened in the "Seventies." We finally decided to make a book. So, we picked some of the biggest events of the "Seventies" and put them together to make this book. Each person in the program wrote one article. We all agreed that one of the biggest events of the "Seventies" was the taking of hostages in Iran. So, we would like to dedicate this book to the fifty Americans held hostage in Iran.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>We hope you enjoy our book!</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>Dimensions 1979-80</i><br />
<br />
<u>Three Mile Island</u><br />
<br />
In the dead of night, the hulks of four 372-X cooling towers and two high-domed nuclear reactor container buildings were scarcely discernable (sic) above the gentle waters of the Susquehanna River, eleven miles southeast of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Inside the brightly lit control room of Metropolitan Edsion's (sic) unit 2, technicians on the lobster shift, April 4, faced a tranquil, even boring watch. Suddenly at 4 A.M., alarm lights blinked red on their instrument panels. A siren whooped a warning.<br />
<br />
In the understated jargon of the nuclear power industry, an "event" had occured (sic). In plain English, it was the beginning of the worst accident in the history of the U.S. nuclear power production, and of a long, often confused nightmare that threw the future of the nuclear industry into question.<br />
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The problem was solved that a huge turbine engine which generates electricity had "tripped." At first, the technicians thought that it would be easy to fix. However, they were wrong.<br />
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Radioactive steam and gas filled the air around the plant for the next several days. The Governor, Richard Thornburgh, suggested that women and preschool children leave the area.<br />
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Engineering tried to cool down the "core." If they couldn't cool it down, a "melt-down" would occur, where gases would escape and eat through the concrete walls. Luckily this did not happen, although it did get people angry enough. However, the fight still goes on....... NO NUKES!!!!!!.........<br />
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*-----------------------------------------------------------------*<br />
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A bit disjointed with some lack of continuity and obvious spelling and grammatical errors for sure. But we were still using mimeograph... and I was ten. Cut me a break, eh?<br />
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What I find interesting about this piece is two-fold: <br />
<br />
The first and most obvious is that not much has changed in the 30 years hence regarding the safety and security of nuclear energy. It is still an amazing way for us to meet the growing energy demands of an ever-growing world population. Many nuclear power plants across the globe are silently, albeit dangerously, producing power for millions of people. But how safe is it? We can't rely on it forever, for sure. At some point our comeuppance is due. Are we really prepared for that day? We've been relatively lucky up to this point. Relatively being the operative word.<br />
<br />
We may understand how to harness the Dragon for its power... but do we really know how to control that Dragon when it breaks our reins?<br />
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The second interesting point I've taken from this long, almost lost* document is - at least I know my affinity for ellipses, excessive commas, and "quotation" marks has been a long and deep-seeded affectation of my writing style for just about my entire life. At least since I've been able to put somewhat coherent thoughts and sentences together in writing. Although, I'll let you be the judge on the coherency bit.<br />
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Franklin Public Schools taught me well - but one of my English teachers could've pointed out at least one of these foibles. On second thought, they probably did... I just never listened.<br />
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*Thanks to my long-time, childhood and still good friend M.T. for preserving this document for all these years. He produced it at a Poker Night we had a few years ago and let me borrow it for reminiscing. It is now 31 years old and is filled with the writings and ramblings of many pre-teens and their recollections of the 1970s - the decade of our youth. I'm thinking of transcribing the entire "book," either here on this blog or in its own space.<br />
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If you're interested in reading more or were a part of this project back at Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin, MA in 1980 please let me know.<br />
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p.s. As a note of pride and a nod to my ten year old self, I have to say I quite like the tone-setting sentence "A siren whooped a warning." that ended the opening paragraph. Thank you, Miss Modess (I hope that's the correct spelling) - I'm sure you helped me with that one!Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-63648567610640673272010-04-29T00:48:00.000-04:002010-04-29T00:48:37.708-04:00Breakin' (In) 2 - Electric BoogalooWow.<br />
<br />
I'm shocked and awed by the number of comments I've received on my last couple of posts. Something tells me that I'm not paying attention. There has to be some sort of new link system or whatever that sends people to different blogs.<br />
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I'm appreciative of the legitimate bloggers and readers that have left comments: [Wayne; Alices Wonderland; Lauralaie; DanielPhillips; ishmael; Shirley E Hardy; Dave Bennett; Professor Howdy]<br />
<br />
Thank you all. As surprised that I am there are that many new 'readers', thank you. I don't post often but that's my own personal quirk. I'm hoping to change that. Welcome. However, there were still some questionable comments left on my last post that seemed a bit dubious. I deleted them. Sue me.<br />
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I suppose I'm just not cool with people taking advantage of other people's work for self-promotion disguised as admiration. If you leave a comment unrelated to the topic and directing people to another blog or site, you're a douche.<br />
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I'm not sure who - or what - owns "blogger" these days (note to self: look into that) but I've had mega comments recently and I only make note of it because it's completely different from the response I've seen in the previous 4 years I've been posting nonsense here.<br />
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On one hand, I'm glad that people out there are reading my blog. On the other hand, it seems it's becoming something to look out for - if I'm going to be continuously battling spam comments and bullshit content, I may be better off going elsewhere... <br />
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Anyway, that's to suss another day.<br />
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*-----------------------------------------------------------------------*<br />
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The subject of this post is the fact that my neighbor's house was broken into yesterday.<br />
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As I arrived home around 7:40 p.m. yesterday, I noticed a load of police cars jammed into the driveway of my immediate neighbor. Four or five of them were packed in - three in the driveway, two on the road... It was quite disconcerting.<br />
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I had no sooner finished my dinner (a take-away sandwich from the shop up the street) when a policeman rapped on my door.<br />
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Answering the door, the officer asked me if I'd noticed anything 'out of the ordinary' that morning. Unfortunately, I hadn't.<br />
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There would've been nothing better for me than if I was able to say, "yeah, I saw a couple of suspect dudes in such-and-such a vehicle that I didn't quite get." However, I hadn't seen anything - or, at least, nothing I remembered.<br />
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The officer mentioned that a neighbor across the street saw a silver (or grey?) pick-up truck and asked if I had seen the same. I hadn't.<br />
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I feel for my neighbors, as they've just only moved in within the past 3-8 months. My bad for not knowing exactly when they'd arrived.<br />
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However selfishly, my concern goes towards whether my home is the next target or not. I've made it through day one, post-neighbor-break in, and I'm feeling pretty good. My house is a bit more 'visible' when it comes to the immediate neighborhood... but it's still a bit freaky, all things considered.<br />
<br />
So, for now, things are good... for me, anyway. I'm not happy that my neighbors have had this happen to them but, in the sense of personal preservation, I'm glad that it wasn't me dealing with the aftermath.<br />
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Perhaps this will inspire me to make acquaintance with my (recently) new neighbors... and we can work together on keeping our shared place more safe.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-7485113154579687462010-03-17T23:16:00.001-04:002010-03-17T23:20:35.787-04:00A Couple of ObservationsI've noticed a big increase in the number of crap comments posted on my posts (what few there are). Typically, I can tell who it was that left the comment based on user name or content. Sometimes it takes a bit more research - but, based on the content, it's apparent that it was a) someone I know personally or b) someone who (somehow) stumbled upon this random splattering of rubbish and was genuinely commenting on the content.<br />
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The people in the "b" group are few and far between, to be sure. Nonetheless, they're more than welcome - and well appreciated. Thank you, group "b" people!<br />
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(obviously, I well appreciate the folks in group "a" as well) <br />
<br />
However, since the new year, I've had loads of comment "dumps" (all in some sort of Asian symbolism) and individual "spam" comments.<br />
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You know what I say to those people/machines? Fuck you, you parasitic douches.<br />
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I really don't understand it. Either you're trying to get some bullshit virus or spyware downloaded - or you're trying to get people to link to your site and buy some sort of crap product. In either case, you suck.<br />
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You think you're clever. You think you may get one over on someone. Truth is, you're not clever. Nor are you a success in getting one over. What it means is, you're a fucking loser.<br />
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There's no debating that.<br />
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I'm well aware this will do nothing to stop the process (and may even attract more, though I'm suspicious whether the content is ever read to begin with). I just wanted to whinge about the fact that these assholes exist.<br />
<br />
And the fact that they suck bollocks.<br />
<br />
Another observation I've had: I much prefer Kari Byron on Mythbusters than her maternity leave replacement, Jessi Combs. Nothing against Jessi. I simply prefer Kari:<br />
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After all, who said science has to be boring?Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-75713410584517058382010-01-01T22:50:00.002-05:002010-01-01T23:09:54.159-05:00Happy Flippin' New YearAll in all, I suppose it was a fairly decent decade, the 'aughts'. My personal best accomplishment has to be the purchasing of my first home in the spring of 2008. Late in the decade as it was, it's the biggest change I've made in the past 10 years. Outside of that, the most drastic of changes - not withstanding the geo-political nonsense we find ourselves in as a nation - have to be those of the local sports scene and my personal investment in it. For better or for worse.<br />
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When the decade began, it had been 80+ years since the Red Sox last won a World Series. The Celtics hadn't been NBA champs since the 1985-86 season. The Bruins were on a stretch lasting twice as long, going back 28 years to 1972. And the youngest of the local four franchises, the Patriots, had never experienced the opportunity of being labeled 'Champions'.<br />
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At the time, I'd classify my sports enthusiasm as being above average. I was engaged enough in all of them to be aware of the ongoing successes (and failures) of each team but my team of choice was the Boston Bruins. That was the team I most hoped would get back to the top and take home the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, it appeared that owner Jeremy Jacobs and management (Harry Sinden and Mike O'Connell) seemed not to have the same desire. At least it appeared that way based on the player contract decisions being made.<br />
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I had (and still have) all but lost any interest in the Celtics, and the NBA in particular, due to the way the NBA devolved into a me-first league filled with showboaters and seemed hellbent on promoting a player-first, team-second league. I still feel this way. I don't think I'll ever be interested in the NBA again - not like I was as a kid and my teen years.<br />
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Baseball wasn't a huge priority, either, but I was interested in the Sox even while they were fielding abominations of teams. Joining a fantasy baseball league increased my interest greatly, however. As did Pedro Martinez, who landed in Boston via trade before the 1998 season. Luckily, that also coincided somewhat with the selling of the team to the current ownership four years later, when the team's fortunes seemed to take a turn for the better.<br />
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The Pats? There was excitement which went back to the Bledsoe signing in the early-90s, and the hiring of Bill Parcells as head coach, but they never seemed to be good enough to compete with the elite in the NFL.<br />
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However, everything changed on a snowy (<i>very snowy</i>) night in January 2001 during a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders at Foxboro stadium. I won't get into the details but the win they pulled out in that game was the beginning of a heightening of my sports enthusiasm that would last for the next three to four years.<br />
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I was at the house of a friend for "Italian Night" for that playoff game. A core group of 'chefs' spent the day in his kitchen making all sorts of delicious Italian food - home-made pastas, timpano, deserts, and the like. The snow had been falling all day and night and, needless to say, the beer and wine was going down just as smoothly. When the game ended, we all rushed out of the house and - with the lights of the stadium visible in the distance - hooted and hollered in jubiliation. Snow angels were made. It was delightful.<br />
<br />
The Patriots went on to shock the high-powered St. Louis Rams in the New Orleans Superdome to take the franchise's first ever Super Bowl victory. The Lombardi Trophy belonged to the "lowly" Patsies. Unbelievable.<br />
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At that point, the Bruins were still terrible; the Red Sox were getting marginally better; and the Celtics managed a decent showing in the NBA playoffs the following year. But that was it. Still, the Patriots Super Bowl victory had the effect of turning up the volume on the station in my brain that was tuned to the local sports scene.<br />
<br />
Then the avalanche began. The Patriots, led by young quarterback Tom Brady and the seemingly infallible mind of head coach Bill Belichick and his equally competent assistant staff, went on to capture two more Lombardis - back to back - in 2003 and 2004. Patriots euphoria ruled the land (at least New Eng-'land'). I was hooked. During the stretch, it was an odd Sunday afternoon when my mates and I <i>weren't</i> found cooking up delicious food while watching the Pats battle whatever hapless bunch happened to be on the schedule that week.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the Red Sox were putting together pieces of their own and quietly improving their squad, summer after summer. 2003 was a precursor of things to come, as they managed to find themselves putting their "ying" against their forever-linked "yang," the New York Yankees, in the American League Championship series. New York prevailed, going on only to lose the World Series to the (what?) Florida Marlins.<br />
<br />
Although it is <i>de rigeur</i> around these parts to pin that ALCS series loss on Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, and pin the moniker of "Aaron 'Bleeping' Boone" on the Yankee that hit the clinching home run, the truth is, Wakefield pitched his ass off in that series. He had come into the game on very little rest to try and keep the series alive. The bottom line is, he was simply out of gas. A microcosm of how the entire team was playing, if we're being honest.<br />
<br />
As previously mentioned, the Patriots' third Super Bowl win in early 2004 (second consecutive, and third in four years) was somewhat of a salve for that bitter disappointment we were left with in October, 2003.<br />
<br />
Looking back it's easy to point to 2004 as the apex year of my enthusiasm for all things sport in the region I call home. The Patriots were Super Bowl champs (again) and, once again, the fall of 2004 pitted the ancient rivals in the ALCS in the MLB playoffs. In spectacular fashion, the Red Sox managed to defeat the Yankees in the seven game series after falling behind 3-0. It was the first time in the history of the MLB playoffs that a team had come from a three game deficit to win a series. The details are well documented, so I won't even pretend to have any further insight on that magnificent series. The more important point is that this, <i>this</i> was the pinnacle of sports nirvana.<br />
<br />
Not only did the local nine eliminate a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series. They did it against their life-long rival! Amazing! They then went on to win their first World Series in 86 years. And, sadly, this is where the wheels fall off the bus.<br />
<br />
You would think that such an impressive feat would only strengthen a fan's love and enthusiasm for a team, a sport, and even sport in general. It may have done for some. However, as I alluded to at the outset of this post, it actually had the opposite effect on me. For better or for worse, right?<br />
<br />
You see, with success comes adulation. And with adulation comes blind loyalty. And where success, adulation, and blind loyalty can be found - so can opportunism. And, I'm afraid, it is the accompanying opportunism that eventually brought me from an enthusiastic supporter of some of my favorite teams to a more cynical, passive acquaintance of them.<br />
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As the local teams gained more and more success, the fanaticism grew and grew. This, of course, wasn't happening in a bubble. The local television and radio networks and corporations were also well aware of the clout that all the winning had brought to the teams. In time, the airwaves and businesses - from the largest corporations to the smallest mom-and-pop shops - did everything they could to associate themselves with the teams.<br />
<br />
The Patriots and, most saturating, Red Sox brands were everywhere. Fueling the seemingly never-ending appetite of the general public, everything from coffee shops to the nightly local news did everything they could to take advantage of the immense popularity of the champions. The onslaught was (and still is) incessant.<br />
<br />
It has become an overwhelming force that is impossible to avoid. For me, it has tarnished what were supposed to be pleasant memories of the successes of my favorite teams. I'm not saying that I'd prefer it if the Pats still don't have a Super Bowl win or the Red Sox were hurtling towards 100 years without a World Series win - that's not the point.<br />
<br />
My contention is, with all the recent success and ensuing hype, it seems the majority of 'fans' these days have developed an entitled attitude. That <i>their</i> teams (as if they have something to do with their success) should always have the best of the best - and nothing less will do. It's an impossible scenario, yet people whinge and moan about every single game, every individual play, that doesn't go "right."<br />
<br />
It is these things, and I suppose my own aging, errr... maturation, that have combined to make me more likely to watch a History Channel program on the French Revolution over a Patriots game on Sunday afternoon. Not every Sunday but this is where I am, this past Sunday an example.<br />
<br />
I'm still interested in seeing the Red Sox and Patriots do well. The Celtics, I suppose the same, albeit without the same level of interest. However, my discontent is that this attitude is quickly permeating the so-called fanbase of the the one team that I still watch with intensity - the Bruins.<br />
<br />
It's almost a certainty that, in this day and age, if the Bruins do manage the same success - if they eventually win the Stanley Cup - the same fate may be in store.<br />
<br />
New England has always been one of the nation's hotbeds of hockey. The college teams in the area bear that out quite well. A championship for the local professional team is something I hope to see - and sooner rather than later. I just hope I can withstand the inevitable deluge and it doesn't sour my enthusiasm for the last vestige of my withering appreciation for professional sport.<br />
<br />
I suppose the old adage still holds sway here: Be careful what you wish for. <br />
<br />
Happy New Year to all...Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-67280890476934105022009-10-04T00:22:00.002-04:002009-10-04T00:46:18.164-04:00A Grand Gaga DayToday was a perfect October day for me. Cool temperatures, some rain, a quiet Saturday, one more day of the weekend lurking...<br /><br />Reminds me of one of my favorite <span style="font-style:italic;">Björk</span> songs.<br /><br />In that vein, I have to say I've wildly underestimated this, how you say, 'Lady Gaga'?<br /><br />Based on the short audience I witnessed on Saturday Night Live this evening, I have to look into this more.<br /><br />What I saw was a bit of early David Bowie and a bit of errrr.. something. I'm on the case.<br /><br />Wait... what?Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-9606543607971403792009-09-03T21:51:00.002-04:002009-09-04T00:55:31.808-04:00TreintaFor whatever reason, I've developed an affinity for foreign languages in my lifetime. I suppose it's not only the languages but foreign cultures, as well.<br /><br />It's not a coincidence that my "blog name" is Viszlát Sjáumst. Both words mean about the same thing - "see you later" - in Hungarian and Icelandic, respectively.<br /><br />I studied French in junior high, high school, and one year in college. Much of it has been lost but over the years I've done okay with the basics - getting by in Montréal and Paris in quick visits. My vocabulary level is low but I can still make out basic signs and make my way through certain written materials. Making pleasantries and asking certain questions in markets, and the like, was a nice challenge.<br /><br />Earlier this decade I traveled a bit in Europe with a group of friends - to Iceland, Denmark, Hungary, and Spain. A few of us spent five days in Guatemala during that time, as well. For each visit, aside from Iceland, I brought a Berlitz phrase book with me in order to test my chops in the local tongue. <br /><br />It wasn't anything groundbreaking but I was able to manage enough to get by in most cases. Typically, I was the 'go-to' guy when it came to deciphering what was going on and trying my best to interpret what was needed to get through the situation.<br /><br />Ordering food and - more likely - beer, asking about train schedules, directions... typical travel chat.<br /><br />Denmark (and Sweden) were pretty simple, since most people in both countries are well versed in English, anyway. Although, I put myself in a corner when I asked the woman at the front desk of our hotel in Copenhagen, in Danish, if she could recommend a good seafood restaurant. Without pause, she began rattling off names and directions in Danish - after which, I gave up the game. I was outmatched. We necessarily resorted to English but I think she was impressed with my effort, nonetheless.<br /><br />Spain and Guatemala were great because one of my mates had been studying Spanish, so we managed pretty well as a group with a two-pronged attack. My proudest moment, though, probably came while we were in Budapest, Hungary.<br /><br />There were only three of us on that trip. We all knew the basics - Hello, thank you, please, etc. But my shining moment came after an afternoon visit to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gellert_Hill">Gellért Hill</a>. <br /><br />After making our way down the hill we found ourselves in the back alley of the main strip. There was a small pub/diner/market that ran from the back of the block to the front, where the main street was. We entered through the back entrance. <br /><br />Inside, there was a construction worker finishing up his lunch, another man sitting alone at a table sipping a beer, the matronly proprietor who was manually balancing the books in a thick ledger - the way it had probably been done for decades, if not centuries - and us three American tourists.<br /><br />Needless to say, this wasn't one of the places highlighted in the Lonely Planet guides. We knew it and, based on the cold reception given to us by the boss-woman, she knew it, as well.<br /><br />Undeterred (and no doubt thirsty), we sat down at the small back counter and pointed to one of the beer taps indicating that we'd each like a glass. The woman reluctantly (it seemed) obliged by filling three glasses from the tap and immediately went back to the table where she'd been sitting to finish her accounting for the day.<br /><br />As we enjoyed our first glasses of beer and discussed our recent visit, I began leafing through my <span style="font-style:italic;">Berlitz Hungarian Phrase Book & Dictionary</span>.<br /><br />Deciding we were comfortable and not quite ready to move on to our next destination, we waited for her to catch our glances and she returned back behind the counter. Meanwhile, I had had a few minutes to digest the information in the book, piece together a few words, and summon up the courage to order another round - in Hungarian.<br /><br />"Három korsó magyar sört, kérek," I said a bit sheepishly. "Three pints Hungarian beer, please." Wouldn't you know it - a smile came across the woman's face as she happily filled three glasses with cold, Hungarian beer. <br /><br />It's a phrase I've committed to memory and, for some reason, I'll occasionally say out loud. The better to practice some Hungarian diction, perhaps. Beats me.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it was close to closing time (about 4:00 p.m.) and we were only able to stay for one more before she closed up for the afternoon. I'd like to think the construction worker finishing his lunch was impressed too but that may just be revisionist history.<br /><br />It was a nice moment of connection. The slightest effort on our part to communicate in her native language, instead of pantomiming like a monkey and bellowing in English, had made a huge impression. That connection is just one of the things I love about traveling to non-English speaking locales.<br /><br />That trip was in 2001. There was one last annual trip, to Spain, in 2002. (1999-2002, R.I.P.) After that it just became more difficult to put together, mostly due to the 2003 U.S. incursion into Iraq and the uncertainties that brought with it.<br /><br />The passion didn't end there for me, though. In subsequent years, one of the items on my Christmas 'Wish List' was a Teach Yourself Icelandic book and audio cd. In 2004, I signed up for an adult education Spanish course at a (somewhat) local high school. Last year, I enrolled in another Spanish course with a couple of co-workers to hone my Español.<br /><br />Having taken French for so many years, Spanish was fairly easy to get a hold on. I mean that relatively. A lot of the grammar and verb stuff is similar (as in Italian, too). Vocabulary and verb tenses are always a challenge but the basics (present tense, please!) have been less so. Sometimes I'll practice by 'talking' to my cat in Spanish. True.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style:italic;">No más de agua aquí, gatito!</span>"<br /><br />Which leads me to the impetus of this post. My Spanish has paid off in small but gratifying ways. There's the old (I think he's 72 now?) man from the Dominican Republic who works for the cleaning service at my office. I'm usually there an hour or so after 'closing time' so I'm there when he comes around. We've had small conversations and I definitely notice when he's not there (he takes a month-long vacation back to the D.R. once a year - during the winter, of course).<br /><br />More recently, I was in the local liquor store discussing the new Guinness 250th Anniversary Stout with the cashier. A co-worker (off-duty, I presumed) was also there when a man of Latino descent came in. He went to the back of the store and searched the coolers through the glass doors for his purchase. As I was talking with the cashier about the limited Anniversary Stout, I heard the man speaking Spanish to the off-duty worker.<br /><br />"Treinta, Treinta!" he kept repeating. I peeked around the corner and I could see him holding up his hands, palms out, fingers splayed in what must be the universal sign for the number 10. "Treinta! Bud Light, diez mas," he was saying. The co-worker just stood there, somewhat indifferently, somewhat confusedly.<br /><br />That's when I said, "He's looking for a Bud Light 30-pack. There are only 20-packs there."<br /><br />The kid looked a bit put-out but he pointed to the door leading inside the cooler and said, "It's in there." The customer went in, grabbed his 30-pack of Bud Light, and paid for it. By that time, I was already outside getting into my car. <br /><br />As the man came out, he spotted me and gave me a smile and a wave. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I rolled down my window and shouted, "<span style="font-style:italic;">Que tenga buena noche!</span>" He turned, waved, and shouted something back in Spanish.<br /><br />I'm not quite sure what he said but I think it may only have been because I couldn't hear him - not that I couldn't understand him.<br /><br />At least that's what I hope it was.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-82364972307996384022009-07-16T20:37:00.002-04:002009-07-17T00:10:22.397-04:00The Eagle Has LandedGoing to the moon. <br /><br />By this time, 40 years later, it is something that is mostly taken for granted by people. Others might question why we ever did it in the first place. Perhaps it is paid no mind at all by the rest. All irrelevant. It happened.<br /><br />Today is the 40th anniversary of the United States's Apollo mission landing on the moon. I was just 356 days from existence when it happened. While I'm fine with my current place in life - and the relative years since my birth - it would have been a fascinating event to witness while it was happening. Being a dorky 13 year old in 1969 would've been perfect. Alas, I was beholden to the inimitable Commodore 64™ at that age. Anyway...<br /><br />It's not a stretch to say that nothing, <span style="font-style:italic;">nothing</span>, as spectacular has ever happened at the hand of man in human history - either before or since.<br /><br />For a quick perspective : It is amazing to think that we were able to devise, engineer, and execute a plan to fire a rocket into space, with live humans aboard, accurately enough to safely approach and land on the moon (the friggin' <span style="font-style:italic;">moon</span>!). Then have those humans bandy about - walking, buggying, golfing, &c. - upon it for a spell. Then, finally, return them safely back to Earth... all before we had touch-tone telephones. It is nothing short of astounding.<br /><br />There were plenty of satellites (okay, a few) that had been put in place beforehand. Satellites are different. They're somewhat like kites - tossed up into the galactic 'wind' and set to coast on the underlying currents. In this case, it isn't wind that keeps them afloat. It is gravity. Shoot an object from the plane of the Earth far enough (but not too far) outward and the force of gravity from the massive planet it left will grasp and hold it at arms length, so to speak, in perpetuity*.<br /><br />Apollo was different. Granted, the Soviet Union managed to get unmanned units to the moon and back. As did the U.S. (I think) However, the Apollo mission had one key element which made it stand, literally, 'head and shoulders' above the rest. Apollo had aboard human beings.<br /><br />It is an undeniably <span style="font-style:italic;">massive</span> achievement for humankind. This is true whether you agree with space exploration or not.<br /><br />There's no way for me (right now, anyway) to prove this - but it's likely the sentiment and most frequently asked question from those that don't immediately see the benefit of the research involved in getting people to the moon and back safely is, "Seems a waste of money. What does it do for me?"<br /><br />I have one word for you : Velcro.<br /><br />Actually, 'hook and loop' fastening (as it's called now. like the kleenex/tissue thing) was invented in 1941 by Swiss engineer George de Mastral. Fast forward, after many years of sparing use, it was NASA that eventually shot the fabric securing method into the mainstream.<br /><br />Seems like a trivial thing. But it's a simple example of how the things NASA uses and/or develops eventually find their way into the everyday lives of citizens. All over the world.<br /><br />As for me, I probably tend to take things for granted. I won't claim that I'm an active follower of the sciences but I am interested in, and supportive of, the overall endeavor. The good thing is there are now television networks devoted to science or showing science-based programs. No one in 1969 had such good fortune. I watch the programming and it reminds me of how crazy it is - shooting things, people, into <span style="font-style:italic;">space</span>. Looking millions of light-years in the past.<br /><br />Honestly, I don't always fully understand some of the concepts or technical details. But the ideas on their own are well understood. Like, you can attach a giant can to more cans filled with millions of gallons of rocket fuel and shoot the whole thing to the moon. And you can go with it - and come back !!<br /><br />Amazing. One small step, no shit...<br /><br />It's science.<br /><br /><br />*The force of gravity on satellites eventually decays over time. Like a battery running low - and eventually "dying." At some point, all satellites drop out of orbit, after losing their 'wind', and succumb to the same gravitational force that supported them all their orbiting lives. Much like the kite that hits an air pocket, points earthbound, and nose-dives out of the sky in a flash - satellites come crashing down. Always. Re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere is usually enough to burn them up and destroy them but there have been bits of satellites that have made their way back to the Earth's surface. Skylab, anyone?<br /><br />NB : this is my own interpretation of the fate of satellites. while I'm sure it's true, I admit my research mainly consists of watching the Science channel, Discovery Channel, and the like, along with a dash of internet searching. Hey, at least it wasn't just completely made up.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-90118019075617087272009-05-19T21:18:00.003-04:002009-05-19T21:49:06.911-04:00Kitty PresentsGotta love waking up on a Sunday morning and finding a 'surprise' left by your pet. In this case, my cat Spinny.<br /><br />It's amazing to me that of all the potential landing spots for these lovely gifts, they're more often than not delivered on the carpet. For reference, there's only one room in my entire house that has carpet. <br /><br />Not on the shiny, washable hardwood floor. Not on the easily cleanable ceramic tile. Nope. Right on the dang carpet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Warning!</span> These photos may be disturbing to viewers that don't have pets.<br /><br />Notice how close she was to the hardwood floor. Strategic puking, indeed :<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3547658458/" title="P1010630 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3547658458_292407d2f7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010630" /></a><br /><br />A couple close-ups, first the food :<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3546850781/" title="P1010632 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3546850781_1ee351f601.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010632" /></a><br /><br />Then the hair slug :<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3546850691/" title="P1010631 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3546850691_7172e455ce.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010631" /></a><br /><br />Nice, eh. Then I was treated to this gem later that evening :<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3546850921/" title="P1010633 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3546850921_ea2dc7c311.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010633" /></a><br /><br />I wonder if she's taking up cartography and was having a go at Africa? She'll need to work on it, though - not sure what that little island (Iceland, maybe?) is doing there...<br /><br />She's a good kitty, though, so it's hard to get upset with her... it's just part and parcel of living with our four-legged friends. Seriously, how could you get upset with this face?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3546898851/" title="P1010513 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3546898851_6199276532.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010513" /></a>Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-76383171798211563282009-04-30T19:28:00.002-04:002009-04-30T20:19:35.814-04:00It's Gettin' Kinda Tech-ticSo, here we are - on the eve of the one-year anniversary of my moving into my new (and first-ever) home. What a milestone. I still walk through my house and sometimes think, "I can't believe this is a house... that I'm paying for and living in." It's fantastic. And while I'll admit that I could've done more with it in my first year to "make it my own" - I've no complaints. There's plenty of time left (29 years, to be precise) for me to get down and dirty.<br /><br />Things like... well, replacing my decrepit mailbox. Yeah - never happened last year.<br /><br />But that's not what I'm dwelling on right now. After having moved up a step in <span style="font-style:italic;">where</span> I'm living, this is about what's going on with <span style="font-style:italic;">how</span> I'm living.<br /><br />Last week I took the plunge and updated my Audio/Video status. I jumped into the glorious world of High Definition Television by ordering a new TV and Blu-ray disc player. The Blu-ray disc player came on Tuesday and the TV arrived this morning.<br /><br />Holy <span style="font-style:italic;">Crap</span>... This is ridiculous ! It's not like I haven't seen HDTV in other locales - it's just very different when you experience it for the first time in your own space.<br /><br />The TV is an absolutely perfect fit in my living room at 52". The screen looks so huge... and crisp. It's almost (almost) as if you could fit two of the old 32" analog tube screens in this thing. I'm sure I'll get accustomed to the size but, right now, it feels as if a multi-plex cinema theater screen has invaded my living room. And I don't have one complaint about it.<br /><br />There must be a zillion options to play with but the setup was so simple. Plug in the HDMI, turn on the cable, <span style="font-style:italic;">et voila</span> - there it is. Turns out the cable box is 'only' 1080i and the set is 1080p, so I'm not sure how detrimental that is (not very, by the looks of it). I'll worry about that later. Right now, I'm light years from where I was last night in terms of viewing experience. Right now, I may as well be playing shortstop in the Sox/Rays game...<br /><br />Without even breaching the myriad options available on the set (the manual is the size of a 125 page magazine - and that doesn't include the alternate languages) I'm stylin'. The set, itself, should be enough, yeah?<br /><br />Hold on though... The Blu-ray player adds even more to the ensemble. It's like a high-tech wet dream. The player has built-in software that connects to both Netflix, for instant streaming of available movies and televisions series, as well as the Internet Radio service Pandora.<br /><br />Each on their own are great services - being able to access both of them through my television and Blu-ray player is... well, it's just obscene, is what it is. And, again, the setup was an absolute <span style="font-style:italic;">breeze</span>. Plug in the LAN cord to the player and the router, click a few buttons, enter a key-code at each site and - bingo! - it's all set up.<br /><br />It's really unbelievable. I've yet to stream anything from Netflix (maybe tonight) but the Pandora works brilliantly. And if you don't know of Pandora I suggest you check it out. Set up an account, pop in an artist, and it will play songs from that artist along with similar artists. Great way to check out new music without having to actively search it out. I highly recommend it - and it's free. Then go from there. Set up different 'radio stations' based on different artists, rate songs (yay or nay) and it adjusts what songs it'll play... good stuff.<br /><br />So, yeah, here it is - one year later... and with all this newly acquired technology, I'm not sure if I'll ever leave the house again.<br /><br />Now I'm off to play and enjoy my new toys.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-19129508260966003232009-02-05T21:49:00.004-05:002009-02-06T00:55:23.684-05:00Hmmm, I Wonder...>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if there's a better three second sensation in the world than returning to a warm, flannel-lined bed in the early, winter morning hours after a brief vacation from it for - whatever.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if there's a definitive human gene which contributes to, or is entirely responsible for, greed.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if reading truly is fundamental.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if the scent of even our most foul-smelling flatulence is somehow more tolerable to ourselves than it is to others due to some biological or physiological phenomenon. Does our mind recognize the self-produced scent through microscopic signatures, thus rendering it less offensive? Or is it simply a cognitive response - in that we're aware of the offense, thus diffusing our own natural reaction or repulsion?<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... how many of you were totally grossed out by that last 'wonder' - and how many have the same curiosity.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if Mrs. Sippy wore a new jersey, what did Della wear?<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if the <span style="font-style: italic;">general</span> culture in Europe dictates that tipping for restaurant/bar service is minimal, if not non-existent, what effect does heavy travel by Americans (and other similar tipping cultures) have on that culture? Will a café server in Milan be fine with <span style="font-style: italic;">no tip</span> from a fellow Milanese, yet expect <span style="font-style: italic;">some tip</span> from an American? At some point, will tourism change the tipping policy in such places? Is that fair? Or is tourism too small to have an impact? No idea... Thus, I wonder.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... how much better off the world would be today if Joe Strummer was still alive.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... "I waah waah waah waah wonder... Why... You went away!"<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... , going back to a theme, if there's a definitive human gene which contributes to, or is responsible for, laziness.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... whether people are <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span> going to get past the unwarranted, misinformed, and completely hypocritical view of marijuana use in this country or not. The decriminalization law went into effect in Massachusetts, what, a full month ago? And you're telling me that none of those apocalyptic predictions have yet to even simmer to the surface? Shocking. The paranoia is unbelievable. It's ridiculous... It's so ridiculous, I've come up with an instant proverb for the occasion :<br /><br />"a cornerstone of fear is the first brick to ruin." -me<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if that self-ascribed proverb might not be some variation of another, more succinct and elegant, ancient proverb. I don't want to rip anybody off. Credit due an' all... but I think it's fairly original.<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... if Sir Arthur Guinness's decision to negotiate a 9000 year lease - yes, nine-<span style="font-style: italic;">thousand</span> years - on the St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin, at a rate of £45 per year was shrewd business or, as a non-Guinness drinking mate recently said, hubris?<br /><br />>> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wonder</span>... 'whether will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark'.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-88423667263870741772009-01-11T19:49:00.003-05:002009-01-11T20:56:45.813-05:00The Year of the MovieHappy New Year, <span style="font-style:italic;">tout le monde</span>.<br /><br />A week ago Friday a couple of my mates came by to hang out. At some point in the night we decided it was time to watch a movie. I had two DVDs from Netflix that I had yet to view, so I threw out the options. The (predictable) winner was <span style="font-weight:bold;">Superbad</span>. I say predictable because I know one of the guys had already seen it and raved about it. My other friend and I had not yet seen it - so in it went.<br /><br />Two hours later (there were a few pauses for necessary 'pit stops'...) we were finished with it. Funny, funny movie. I rated it 4/5 stars on Netflix. I liked the Beck Jr. kid much better than the other one - but the movie, as a whole, was great.<br /><br />The following Wednesday I finally got around to watching the other movie I had at home. I say 'finally' because, when I looked at my Netflix account, I realized that it had been shipped to me on ... get this - <span style="font-style:italic;">2 July 2008</span>!<br /><br />That's right. I had had that DVD for just over SIX months...<br /><br />No idea why it took me so long to watch it - but that's the beauty of Netflix. No late fees! Anyway, that question became even more poignant after I watched the movie. It was awesome. The movie is called <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rabbit-Proof Fence</span>. I won't get into the details of it; you can look it up. Hopefully, if you haven't already, you'll also watch it. And don't forget the 'making-of' featurette included on the DVD.<br /><br />So at that point, it had been two movies in six days for me. Two <span style="font-style:italic;">great</span> movies in six days, that is.<br /><br />Okay, so fast-forward to this past Friday. I met up with a few more of my mates for some delicious Mexican food at <span style="font-style:italic;">Rancho Chico in lovely Plainville, MA</span> (Come on down!) and we convened at my house afterward for a few beers and much lively discussion.<br /><br />The talk eventually turned to movies. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rabbit-Proof Fence</span> was one we discussed. Another which came up was <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Professional</span>. The 1994 action flick about an assassin (Jean Reno) who forms a relationship with 12-year old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) after a crazed DEA agent (Gary Oldman) kills her entire family.<br /><br />Two of us had seen it; two of us had not. The perception of the movie, for those that hadn't seen it, was that it was a hokey/cheezy kind of movie. Reading some of the Netflix reviews, I think this may be a common theme. Anyway, the two of us that had seen it described the movie excitedly and promised that it was not at all a schlocky 'fish-out-of-water' kind of movie. My two mates who hadn't seen it vowed they'd give it a shot.<br /><br />More movies came up. More discussion. More insight into movies we'd never seen, heard of, etc. During the discussion I declared that 2009 was going to be "The Year of the Movie" for me. I'm making a conscious effort to watch more movies.<br /><br />It's not because of my six-month 'rental' and not getting my money's worth out of Netflix. I don't look at my membership that way. The way I see it is I'm paying for a <span style="font-style:italic;">service</span>, not simply movie rentals. Going through my queue and re-arranging it, reviewing movies, perusing movies I've yet to see, and interacting with a few of my mates that also have memberships is well worth the monthly fee for me. <br /><br />It's so much better than simply going to a video rental store, ordering movies On-Demand, or catching them on the various cable movie channels. Although, "The Year of the Movie" certainly doesn't exclude movies I may find on the cable channels... They're just an added bonus in between Netflix deliveries.<br /><br />But regarding Netflix - It's an interactive experience that I enjoy - and the luxury of not having to worry about late fees is a bonus for me. Sometimes, I'm just not in the right mood to watch a certain movie. Sometimes, I'm not in the mood for six whole months. So be it.<br /><br />However, that six-month thing is out the window now. This is 2009, "The Year of the Movie." I've already watched one today and I think I'm going to pop one in right now to finish the night.<br /><br />Here's how TYotM has begun :<br /><br />> 2 January - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Superbad</span> (4/5 stars)<br />> 7 January - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rabbit-Proof Fence</span> (5/5 stars)<br />> 10 January - <span style="font-weight:bold;">WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception</span> (3/5 stars)<br />> 11 January - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Maléna</span> (4/5 stars)<br /><br />Tonight is going to be <span style="font-weight:bold;">Full Metal Jacket</span> (a DVD I borrowed from my brother-in-law <span style="font-style:italic;">last</span> Christmas). And the next two coming from Netflix are <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Notorious Bettie Page</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten</span>.<br /><br />There it is. It's officially begun. Enjoy a movie you've been waiting to see, tonight!<br /><br />p.s. Today, 11 January, has also officially been declared "Pancake Zone Day." I had pancakes this morning, as did two of my friends - unbeknownst to me. If anyone else out there had pancakes today, I'd love to hear of it. And if you didn't today - make sure to next year.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-5559134589071426542008-12-21T21:02:00.009-05:002008-12-27T00:52:35.436-05:00The Big StormMaybe it comes from the childhood memories of Winter. Lots of snow. A day off from school, here and there. Loads and loads of hours spent bundled up in a puffy mish-mash of 'snow gear' and just <span style="font-style:italic;">living</span> in the snow.<br /><br />Forts, snowmen, snowball battles, sledding...<br /><br />Maybe it's a harkening for the good old days of college. The first snowfall of the season was highly anticipated. I'm sure we spent many productive hours drawing up elaborate rules and guidelines for it. But the gyst of it was : At the first sight of snow, everyone stops what they're doing and convenes at 192 Oakland for the party.<br /><br />This includes weekends, weekdays, classes... that was the idea. To catch a snowstorm during 10:00 a.m. classes would've been great. In the couple years the 'First Snowfall Party' edict was in place, during classes was not to be. But it's the spirit that counts, yeah?<br /><br />Whatever it is - which may be somewhere in-between the previous two examples - I always look forward to the first snow of the season.<br /><br /> *-------------------*<br /><br />With that spirit, I decided to semi-document the storm as it progressed.<br /><br />Where I am, the snow started falling around 2:00 p.m. I know that because it <span style="font-style:italic;">wasn't snowing</span> before I went into the shower just before two - and it <span style="font-style:italic;">was snowing</span> after I got out, shortly thereafter two. My deduction? The snow started falling around 2:00 p.m. that day.<br /><br />This is when I actually decided to record the big event. Here's how the driveway looked around 2:00 p.m.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 2 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3127210614/" title="P1010409 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/3127210614_5a9e41844f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010409" /></a><br /><br />About an hour later things were definitely adding up. The 3:00 p.m. record showed definite snow accumulation. Not much, yet... but it's coming<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 3 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3127210868/" title="P1010410 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/3127210868_e3337ffcb1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010410" /></a><br /><br />As the four o'clock hour approached, things were well underway. The snowplows hadn't been around yet and just about everything at ground level was covered in a smooth, unbroken layer of white. The trees at this stage are just about the picture-perfect representation of the 'snow-dusted evergreens'... And the best part is that you can actually <span style="font-style:italic;">hear</span> the snow falling. The snow insulates everything and it's more silent than ever. It's the best...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 4 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3127215072/" title="P1010417 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/3127215072_50dc164333.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010417" /></a><br /><br />Then the sun goes down and everything changes. It's tough to gauge HMHF - How Much? How Fast? Snow seems different at night. A bit more sneaky than during daylight. Luckily, for this project anyhow, there's a giant, honkin' street light right across the road from my driveway. It's always, always cranking. So, there's always, always plenty of light.<br /><br />It also makes it a little harder to take pictures. I'm no where near acquainted enough with setting my camera appropriately for different lighting and all that stuff. Choosing the appropriate flash (or trying to) and adjusting the shutter speed in rough, 1/4 second increments is about as complex as it gets right now... but sometimes that works out for the better. <br /><br />Not saying it does in this particular instance. I'm just saying that sometimes, a fortunate accident occurs. With no further ado... the five o'clock hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 5 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3126386361/" title="P1010418 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/3126386361_b177ab86de.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010418" /></a><br /><br />At this point, due mostly to the previously mentioned darkness, things pretty much look the same from the vantage point of the lens. Here's things about an hour later.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 6 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3127215630/" title="P1010421 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3127215630_5e5fba69e1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010421" /></a><br /><br />About an hour later... see what I mean?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 7 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3127215944/" title="P1010428 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3127215944_71cebf4445.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010428" /></a><br /><br />So, at this point it hits me. No one's going to move all this beautiful snow but me. The sad realization comes - it's time to trade in the camera for the shovel. I'm just thankful that my new driveway is only about 20% the size of my old one...<br /><br />A refreshing 90 minutes (here or there) out in the cool, snowy night later and the job is done. Here are two totally different picture results from the same point... It's all about the settings.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 8:51 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3126387119/" title="P1010430 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3126387119_f5cfc7f749.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010430" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 8:52 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3140499752/" title="P1010432 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/3140499752_0dd5f51d32.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010432" /></a><br /><br />It looks like it actually stopped snowing in the 40 seconds between those photos. Not so. It pretty much continued snowing all night and all day Saturday... and Sunday, come to think of it.<br /><br />Wrapping things up here, there's a final house photo of the night and another of some fun I had inside the house during the project... (man, look at that tree. it has taken a beating!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Storm - 9:25 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3139670249/" title="P1010433 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/3139670249_9ea4333975.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010433" /></a><br /><br />And this from earlier...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Big Kitty - 3:23 p.m., 19 December 2008</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/3127212214/" title="P1010414 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3127212214_4427999697.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010414" /></a><br /><br />There it is... the Big Storm of December 2008. The last 'huzzah' of the year.<br /><br />Happy New Year to all in 2009.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-57046826129983810392008-12-15T22:34:00.000-05:002008-12-16T00:10:52.640-05:00ReflectionsBlink. Blink. Blink.<br /><br />The cursor blinks at me mockingly. Every day I encounter things, events, ideas - that make me say to myself, "That's something I should write about on my blog." However, for the longest time, I've consciously tried to avoid that word. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Blog</span>. Whether in its noun form or its verb form : to blog. As in, "I should <span style="font-style: italic;">blog</span> about that."<br /><br />I'm not sure why that is. Whatever the reason, I think I've been self-conscious about being one of the millions of (let's face it) useless blogs out there. Even when I know it's contradictory to my desire to put my thoughts, ideas, and general nonsense 'out there' for others to consume. Almost as if -- if <span style="font-style: italic;">it</span> isn't mentioned - <span style="font-style: italic;">it</span> isn't one. <span style="font-style: italic;">It</span>'s something else... I know. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It</span>'s not.<br /><br />That - and the incontrovertible fact that I'm an inherently lazy person - doesn't make a good pairing for a 'successful' blog. There, I wrote it.<br /><br />From now on, I'll at least ditch the one thing that can be ditched with just a slight change in the vocabulary employed. The laziness, I fear, is a much more difficult obstacle to overcome. But you gotta start somewhere, yeah? So, from this point forward, I plan to embrace and use the word blog in all its forms. Not gratuitously, of course... just, no longer avoiding it.<br /><br />That being said... the idea of maintaining a blog, in and of itself, is pretty egotistical at its core when you think of it. So, yeah, there might be some of that. Yet a big part of the draw for me is trying to create something that's entertaining for the reader. Or, most certainly, <span style="font-style: italic;">readers</span> - plural. At least that's the idea. A slight diversion for anyone who takes the time to pop in and read whatever's here.<br /><br />My benefit in all this is I have a creative outlet to hone my writing skills. Not quite sure what I'll do with those skills - or whether I even possess skills to hone to begin with - but that's my problem. Not yours. The point is, hopefully, we both get something out of it. That's the best case scenario. If I keep writing and feel I'm 'improving' but no one reads, well, there's still a net gain in my mind.<br /><br />Okay - enough of the somewhat melodramatic introspection on "me and my blog" ... <span style="font-weight: bold;">BOOOOOOReeeeeng!</span><br /><br />Here's a quick recap/summary of things to grease the skids :<br /><br /><------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Ehh.. a few thoughts, anyhow.<br /><br />I don't watch Survivor but it happens that I witnessed the season finale on Sunday night. It was more background fuzz to start with... until I got sucked in. Long story short - I wasn't disappointed.<br /><br />The final hour, or so, was some of the craziest stuff I've ever seen on the tube. And I'm a somewhat professional television viewer. Suffice to say, like all reality programming, they definitely stack the deck in favor of some truly.. let's say "incompetent" contestants?<br /><br />Wow. I know there's not much, if anything, to go on here. It's just something that doesn't need any elaboration... They've got a formula that works. Most of these people are nuts.<br /><br /><------------------------------------------------><br /><br />A hearty R.I.P. to the exquisite and groundbreaking <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bettie Page<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>.<br /><br /><------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Alice Cook doing the 'sports' segment for WBZ news is a stroke of genius. She gives the sports report without any pretense or grandeur. Quite refreshing. Especially in this era of 'ESPN'-itis saturated sports casts/shows.<br /><br />If I could pay a fee to choose the sports reporter on a local network, I would.<br /><br />Alice Cook? I would pay for you. To report the local sports. To me. And whoever else wants to watch. Well, they'd have to pay, themselves... No, you. They'd pay you. But not like that. Just to do the sports. That would be a refreshing change...<br /><br /><------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Debate? There isn't one.<br /><br />When it comes to the Late-Night talkies, the rankings are indisputable.<br /><br />Dave, Conan, Craig, Jay. Clear as day.<br /><br /><------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Have you listened to <a href="http://knobcasters.blogspot.com/">Knobcast</a> today?Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-29995364173814871782008-10-14T23:37:00.005-04:002008-10-15T01:22:48.499-04:00La Saison GlorieuseWhat's your favorite time of year?<br /><br />Let me point out, if you didn't say <span style="font-style:italic;">right now</span> - you're wrong! Totally wrong. Winter, Spring, and Summer have their moments. And probably in that order... but Autumn is where it's all at.<br /><br />Wait a minute. This all sounds waaay too familiar, donut?<br /><br />Sure enough... after a quick search through the archives it's confirmed. Here's part of what was posted here a year ago just about to the day :<br /><br />"Going back to the best month of the year - I can't get enough of the beautiful days and cool nights. Perfect for sleeping with the windows cracked. The Halloween decorations that rival the Christmas decorations fill me with delight. The mere act of driving down a tree-lined street, outlined in the gold, yellow, brown, and red leaves that punctuate the season... jack-o-lanterns... witches, ghosts, monsters, and ghouls... nothing beats it. Nothing."<br /><br />Looking back and reading that again, not much has changed. The only changes I think I'd make are - 1> I can't quite sleep with the windows cracked, as I have no window screens and I'm not sure the windows would stay open and -2> The Halloween decorations have not only rivaled but surpassed the Christmas decorations as my favorite.<br /><br />That's it. That and the rest is still the truth.<br /><br />This past holiday weekend was phenomenal. The perfect advocate for this time of year. Clear, blue skies. Mild temperatures. Stunning backgrounds of foliage turning with the season. Defy me.<br /><br />So, after popping out on Friday afternoon and seeing the magnificent colors, I decided to spend some time with the camera. I got a few hours in on Saturday and here's a sample. The colors aren't as vibrant as they were in person - but that's my fault, not using the camera to its full potential. In any case ::<br /><br />This first one is the maple tree in my back yard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Maple Tree</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2942505253/" title="P1010355 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2942505253_666626de77.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010355" /></a><br /><br />It's huge and is perfectly positioned (just about) to shade the majority of the back yard in summertime.<br /><br />A few more of this fabulous tree. Anyone want to come help me rake its leaves? Forget it - this one I took from underneath with my back against the trunk.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Maple Tree 2</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2942505063/" title="P1010354 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2942505063_d75098cb79.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010354" /></a><br /><br />A couple to try and show some color.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Maple Tree 3</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2942504713/" title="P1010352 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2942504713_e256708445.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010352" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Maple Tree 4</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2943365098/" title="P1010353 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/2943365098_3957ecb8a1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010353" /></a><br /><br />Don't mind the playset. That's going away next year. A few more from another angle and time of day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Maple Tree 5</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2943363170/" title="P1010360 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2943363170_c644f3cac5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010360" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Maple Tree 6</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2942502633/" title="P1010358 by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2942502633_7a5e3378ea.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P1010358" /></a><br /><br />I've got some other photos from this set that I'll put up. Hope you enjoy these for now...Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-27510847051582408232008-10-14T23:20:00.004-04:002008-10-14T23:25:04.930-04:00Knobcast - S02E02<a href="http://knobcasters.blogspot.com/2008/10/series-02-episode-02.html">Series 2 Episode 2</a> of <a href="http://knobcasters.blogspot.com/">Knobcast</a> is now available for those so inclined to listen. Enjoy.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-27435538575324831412008-09-29T11:17:00.002-04:002008-09-29T11:21:14.667-04:00Knobcast - S02E01The <a href="http://knobcasters.blogspot.com/2008/09/series-02-episode-01.html">Series 2 episode premiere</a> of <a href="http://knobcasters.blogspot.com/">Knobcast</a> is now available for those so inclined to listen. Enjoy.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-50096959567080982202008-09-11T21:55:00.006-04:002008-09-12T00:50:25.871-04:00Learnin' How t'Crawl - or - LHCJust a quick shout out tonight; mostly to keep my 'stats' up but I do get the urge every couple of days... problem is, it takes me much longer to actually get to it. I have a personal assistant that keeps my schedule and he sometimes forgets to schedule in my posting sessions. He's fired.<br /><br />There was a radio program on today which covered the topic of the Large Hadron Collider, or <a href="http://lhc.web.cern.ch/lhc/">LHC</a>. <br /><br />I didn't catch the full hour but I tuned in with about 10 minutes remaining. Luckily, it's archived and available to listen to another time. However, within the small bit that I <span style="font-style:italic;">did</span> hear tonight, a caller's comment/question struck me.<br /><br />To be fair, I don't know too many details about the LHC or what it's supposed to accomplish. As surprising as it may seem, I'm not a world-reknowned physicist.<br /><br />What I gather about the project is there are scientists from about 85 countries involved. The main objective is to fire atoms, or some other 'particles', from each end of a 17 mile tunnel directly at each other in an attempt to re-create the suspected action which created the 'Big Bang'.<br /><br />Feel free to correct me - but don't slag me off for the obvious lack of detail. As I mentioned... you know, the world-reknowned physicist thing. If you want to know more about 'the hell' I'm rambling about, check out the link referenced above.<br /><br />From the LHC website :<br /><br />"The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is being built in a circular tunnel 27 km in circumference. The tunnel is buried around 50 to 175 m. underground. It straddles the Swiss and French borders on the outskirts of Geneva."<br /><br />For those uninitiated in the metric system, that's huge.<br /><br />What piqued my interest and/or cynicism about the caller's question was the lack of vision outside his own realm of self it contained.<br /><br />Paraphrased, his question was something like, "With all the issues going on regarding the world and gas prices today, why are scientists spending time and money on this project?" In other words, what is it that I'm supposed to gain from this research in my day-to-day life?<br /><br />Simple answer? Nothing, bud. Sorry to disappoint you. Yeah, that's right. The entire world isn't really concerned about you, personally.<br /><br />Harsh? Not really. It's the necessity of science.<br /><br />Projects like this aren't meant to solve the problems of today. They have their own immediate intentions, of which the general public is typically unaware. However, in five, ten, maybe twenty year's time - or more - they tend to render solutions for the problems - or advancements - of tomorrow.<br /><br />I'm sure when Alexander Graham Bell was working on what would become the modern telephone there were plenty of current-day issues that needed addressing.<br /><br />Many other everyday conveniences we take for granted have roots in a long and, most times, expensive history. At the time when that expense is greatest, it's difficult for the average citizen to rationalize its worth. There's always going to be something more 'real' to deal with. However, in most cases, those efforts usually pay off and are well worth the wait.<br /><br />The cost of the research that eventually delivers that advancement of civilization, whether it serves our generation or the next, becomes a bargain once that breakthrough insinuates itself into the mainstream society. In essence, that advancement becomes <span style="font-style:italic;">priceless</span>.<br /><br />How much would you pay for something today that you know would eventually become beyond pricing?<br /><br />Technically, nothing. I know - because, you'd never get your money back if it didn't have a price.<br /><br />But! In the less literal 'priceless' sense? It seems that any price, at the time, would be agreeable.<br /><br />Sure there are going to be projects that fail and never make it past the expensive development stage. But that price is well worth it, as that attempt will never be tried again... which allows future researchers an advantage - of knowing where <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> to go.<br /><br />Scientific research is one of the mystical professions of our time. The average person knows nothing about it and is constantly amazed at its results. <br /><br />I'm not saying "Do not question science." On the contrary. I'm saying, "Please! Question science." So we may all understand its significance and, one day, enjoy its benefits.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-18396088686562063712008-08-29T23:17:00.005-04:002008-08-30T02:42:36.136-04:00Utter RandomnessSeventeen days. Not what I had hoped for in this, the month of "less is more."<br /><br />My original 'Time Out' strategy (outlined a few posts ago) was, ehhhh.... let's say a <span style="font-style:italic;">moderate</span> success. Could've been better but, more importantly, could've been much worse, too.<br /><br />There was one week in August when I had multiple opportunities to stray from my plan, yet stuck to my guns and declined invitations for varied extracurricular (i.e. post-work) activities. That helped - but things quickly built up to previous levels and ... well, that's where the 'moderate' rating comes in.<br /><br />Three nights in a row 'out on the town' can't really be considered cutting down on going out. It's not to say, in any way, that those nights were not well appreciated. On the contrary. Each evening held its own charm and enjoyment - which is precisely what makes turning down the opportunities so difficult!<br /><br />So, it's a work in progress. I guess I was over-optimistic in assuming I could just shut it off at will. I'll keep working on it. I have to. I'm no <span style="font-style:italic;">C. Montgomery Burns</span>.<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />I'll leave the analysis at that and move on to other unrelated topics. For one, the pants I wore to work today may have seen their last useful employment - for me, anyhow.<br /><br />I've known for a while that they've been a bit ill-fitting. You know, just a bit too short in the leg... uncomfortably tight in the thigh/groinal area. See where I'm going with this?<br /><br />Problem is, I've been too lazy to replace them. Save the fat jokes, please. Yeah, I could stand to lose a few pounds. File that under Common Knowledge. I know that these pants have gotten smaller over time due to repeated washings. Lord knows I'm not getting any taller - so, there's your scientific proof.<br /><br />Bottom line is, I've had it with these pants. They were chosen today based on their color and not on their fit. And now I'm taking a stand and saying that fit trumps color. They're gone. Done. I'm sick of 'em.<br /><br />For the most part, I've been wearing thick, heavy, corduroy pants all summer - because they're the most comfortable pants I own. Hot as hell but they fit. Yeah, Fall is right around the corner... but ignoring past improprieties does not bode well for future endeavors. These non-fitting, non-corduroy pants have to go.<br /><br />While the current corduroy specimens should be okay for the upcoming season, it doesn't mean I shouldn't be in the business of picking up something new. Something that will be weather-appropriate come springtime. That, and I'm sick of wearing the same two pair of pants all week.<br /><br />Mostly, I hated the effect these soon-to-be-discarded pants had on my ball-region while driving to and from work. Sitting at work. Walking around at work - and after work. You get the picture. I've had enough. My balls have had enough. They're gone.<br /><br />Whew.. there. I've said it. I look forward to my new proper-fitting pants.<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />There was an article on Boston.com today linking to an on-line WebComic. I'm not sure exactly how to reference a "Web Comic" but they're, basically, comic strips that are posted on websites. Not 'traditional' media. So "WebComic" might not be appropriate but you get the picture. Perhaps you already have a few favorites of your own. Even better.<br /><br />Now that that's cleared up, the WebComic (what I'll refer to them as until I'm convinced otherwise) I was brought to is called <a href="http://questionablecontent.net/"><span style="font-style:italic;">Questionable Content</span></a>.<br /><br />It's quite entertaining. There are over, what, 1200 strips? I've started at the beginning and gone through the first one hundred, or so.<br /><br />The early strips look markedly different from the current strips - but that's to be expected. Much like when I look back on the early posts in this space, I notice things have evolved. I'm not saying for better or worse, just that there is some noticeable difference. This phenomenon intrigued me. It's actually what spurred me on this afternoon to go nuts with this post, tonight.<br /><br />Anyway, I really like the original lines in the early illustrations. Something about the thick ink lines does it for me. Perhaps it's the detachment from realism. I'm not sure - but I know I like it.<br /><br />It remains to be seen if I'll continue to enjoy it. I'm thinking if I go through it sequentially, it will all be seamless and there won't be any noticeable difference from early to late versions. I'm anxious to find out, though.<br /><br />What's really amazing to me is that the dude, Jeph Jacques, started his thing in 2003. Yah! 2003, can you believe it? And, as it appears, he's kept it going through today. That fact was my inspiration for tonight.<br /><br />Obviously, completely different spheres of relativity are at play here. His WebComic is viewed and enjoyed by many - my pitiful WebLog is reluctantly read by few. But that won't stop me from blathering on... relating my thoughts and observances to the masses, or at least those which dare to blow two to ten minutes of their lives reading this drivel.<br /><br />And to those - I wholeheartedly give my thanks. For real. I mostly do this for myself but I do appreciate knowing that there are some folks out there that actually read what I have to write. That's cool.<br /><br />Okay - this bit was supposed to be about <span style="font-style:italic;">Questionable Content</span> (and the bizarre community surrounding WebComics that I've been introduced to)... So - check it out. Start from the beginning (or not). And enjoy. I wish I was as talented.<br /><br />For now, the bizarre forum community observation stuff will have to wait. That short visit was strange. Some real freaky, scary 'real' internet stuff. On-line arguments regarding the nuance of a 'forum thread' vs. a 'chat room'.<br /><br />I was schooled. Then I was uninterested. It all happened so fast.<br /><br />Regardless of my whingin', you read. Sweet - and thanks, honestly, thanks for reading.<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Honestly? I don't know <span style="font-style:italic;">what</span> the frig it is I'm to blabber about. Fuck. This segment was really different than it will be in four minutes for you in what was, probably, two minutes for me.<br /><br />Be assured, there was something here. About two or three minutes ago, yes. It was here. Something was, that is. Here. This is where it was. Surely, I confess, it wasn't <span style="font-style:italic;">over there</span>.<br /><br />Yet (is it me or does this seem like the perfect Russian-language based English word ever? not that it even is one; i'm just saying), I could just as easily be describing the actions of my cat.<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Alright, I'll have to come right out and say it. Keep it "Short 'n' Sweet."<br /><br />Never mind. I was about to put a political opinion bit right here - not sure if that's the thing to do, though.<br /><br />I'll have my opinion - and influence you all to it, eventually, - but an all-out political rant would totally alter this blog. NOT where I want to go with this. So I'll keep certain 'Search Terms' out of the discussion... <span style="font-style:italic;">Capice</span>?<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />Shit. Gotta go. This was going to be a record length post. For me, anyway. Obviously. This has no relevance to anything else, hey! Right; never mind.<br /><br />'Night y'all... sleep with sweet dreams and god bless yaViszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-84036969302516730872008-08-13T21:27:00.010-04:002008-08-14T00:34:32.429-04:00Half TimeIt's not quite half way through August, sweet August, but it is <span style="font-style:italic;">Hump Day</span>. Wednesday. Which is the half-way point of the week. And that's good enough. Also, with the Summer Olympics well under way I figured "Half Time" was an appropriate title for this post. Although, I've yet to actually see a <span style="font-style:italic;">televised</span> event which has a true half-time.<br /><br />Have you been watching the Olympics? Like, really watching them? Not if you don't like gymnastics, swimming, or beach volleyball you haven't. That's pretty much what has been force-fed to us on the major NBC network feed. It sucks. During 'prime time' the secondary NBC networks are fairly bereft of coverage. <br /><br />I suppose it's my downfall that I don't, yet, have HD - as there are some full-time HD feeds, if I'm not mistaken. But the percentage of folks with HD has to be small compared to those with 'regular' television. And for those of us saps in the majority, it all comes on after 1:00 a.m. I've been tuning in (in prime time) - but I wish they'd give some airtime to some of the other events. Just wait 'til next week when we're drowning in all things Track & Field.<br /><br />There are plenty of other interesting events going on. Why can't they take an hour or so each night to highlight some of those? Thank the gods for the internet. At least they've done that right. There are live feeds on NBC.com that are serviceable. You can't get video in full-screen (that I've been able to figure out) but pretty much everything is available.<br /><br />So far, I've watched the second half of the Australia vs. Spain Women's Field Hockey prelim match (Australia routed 6-1, scoring 5 in the second half), some of the US vs. Italy Men's Water Polo match, last night's US vs. Australia Softball game in its entirety (US 3 - Australia 0; No-Hitter by US pitcher Osterman), a bit of Men's Badminton, some Women's Archery, and a bit of Men's Handball.<br /><br />These are some of the sports I'd like to be able to view on the tele, not hunched over my laptop on a 3"x5" screen. Hopefully, as things get going, the secondary networks will pick it up and these will be available. Highly doubtful, though, with all the advertising dollars being spent. Because, as we all know, the Olympics aren't about the sport - they're all about the corporate sponsors, innit?<br /><br />That being said, the tele's still much easier and more enjoyable to watch than the laptop screen. It can also pay off well. <br /><br />Sunday night was the amazing Men's 4 x 100 Freestyle Swimming race in which the US pulled out a fantastic upset of France. The final leg swum by Jason Lezak (US) against Alain Bernard (FRA) was phenomenal. Bernard had been quoted earlier as saying something to the effect of, "The Americans? We're going to smash them. That's what we came here for." <br /><br />Trash-talking in swimming? Gotta love it. The US beat them by a few hundredths of a second - but that's all it takes. I know it's not good sportsmanship to gloat... but the look of disbelief on the French swimmers' faces was <span style="font-style:italic;">délicieux</span> !<br /><br />Lezak's final 50 metres were tremendous. With about 25 metres to the finish he poured it on, catching up to Bernard and getting the touch in the end. It was damn exciting. Much more exciting than I can do justice to here. It's probably available on-line in the video archives. If you've got a few extra minutes, I suggest checking it out.<br /><br />Swimming 'experts' say this was the most amazing 4 x 100 relay race - <span style="font-style:italic;">ever</span>. That's not from me. That's from the experts. So you know it's good.<br /><br />In fact, I'll make it easy for you. Here's the <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0811_HD_SWB_HL_L0194">link</a>.<br /><br />You may need to install Microsoft Silverlight - but it's free. And quick. And it's worth it. You'll be able to watch all the Olympic action you want after that.<br /><br />While I'm on links, check out this hockey <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=-BJ-SD12-081208-102002">goal by Australia's Nicole Hudson</a> vs. Spain. The link goes to the full match replay - but, once it's loaded, scoot it up to about the 1h:09m mark (about 75% of the way) of the video and watch the next 2-3 minutes. Even better, watch the entire match.<br /><br />For reference, there are about 25 minutes on the game clock at this point with the score 1-1. Around 1h:10m in the video, play develops in the Australian end and carries (quickly) all the way down field with a spectacular finish... Alex Ovechkin would be proud. The rout is on. Australia never looks back.<br /><br />I tell ya, with high-speed internet, the video play is pretty impressive. Decent clarity (even better on close-ups) but excellent delivery speed. Once it's going there aren't many hiccoughs or delays.<br /><br />The greatest benefit it holds, however, is that the events are broadcast without any commentary, commercials, or candyfloss studio pieces. It's a completely <span style="font-style:italic;">NBC</span>-free experience. <span style="font-style:italic;">Nauseating Bob Costas</span>.<br /><br />Woah. Seems I've come down with a spell of <span style="font-style:italic;">verbositis</span>. Didn't expect to ramble on so. Guess my Time Out update will be delayed.<br /><br />In the meantime, check out some of the lesser known Olympic contests. Why not? You're already on the damn internet.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-307115264297456102008-07-27T21:08:00.003-04:002008-07-27T22:04:38.609-04:00Time OutIt's 27 July and I'm anxiously awaiting the end of the month. As previously noted (on a few occasions here), the summer doesn't hold any real special place in my heart. I don't do the beach thing. Nor do I hold the feeling that a hot summer day is not to be wasted indoors. Those aren't the reasons behind my wishing to see the July page of the calendar ripped away, though. <br /><br />What's doing me in is the heavy schedule of events - both weekend and weeknight - and the toll it's taking on my wallet. I knew when I was planning to buy my house that my monthly expenses would go up. The problem is, I have yet to re-adjust my social calendar accordingly. I've basically continued to live, and therefore spend, as I had been before the substantial increase in my lodging expense.<br /><br />I'm not lamenting the purchase; just the lack of adjustment in my lifestyle to properly accommodate such a drastic change. It's four days until payday (a monthly event) and I've got about 100 beans to get me there. It won't be a problem but I don't enjoy cutting it so close.<br /><br />Admittedly, the high gas prices aren't helping but they're not high enough to be making a serious dent. I'm simply spending more than I should without much forethought. June and July were chock-full of events. Too many events. Some big, some small - just too many, overall. It's time I took a <span style="font-style:italic;">Time Out</span>.<br /><br />I've already got a couple of 'big' events on the calendar for August which I intend to keep on the schedule... but I'll be making a concerted effort to minimize the addition of anything new.<br /><br />It's not only the financial aspect that has taken a hit, there's also the personal aspect. Since my Project Walkway posting two weeks ago, I haven't been back out there at all - aside from the two new, green weeds I plucked from the already-been-plucked section today. I think that was the physical manifestation of what I've been feeling the past two months. Things are catching up with me.<br /><br />There are also books I'd like to read, movies I'd like to watch (Netflix must be loving me and my return frequency), entries I'd like to post here, boxes in my house that still need unpacking, and projects I'd like to get done - nay, <span style="font-style:italic;">need to get done</span> - on the house. These are all things I'm looking forward to doing - and all of them are free or, in the case of house projects, necessary expenses. Yeah, I pay a monthly fee for Netflix but that's negligible. And I'm already paying it, so I may as well get the most out of it.<br /><br />This isn't to say I'm planning to board up the windows and doors and disappear for good. It's just time to stop, take a deep breath, and re-adjust my priorities. To carefully analyze any potential events or invitations... and to politely decline if I don't feel I have the time or it doesn't fit into the budget.<br /><br />It's in my best interest, both financially and mentally. And it all begins on 1 August. Bye-Bye July.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-66504166137757308822008-07-12T18:32:00.006-04:002008-07-12T21:01:08.908-04:00Project WalkwayWhat an absolutely perfect summer day. Temperatures hovering around a pleasing 80ºF. Mild breezes sporadically sweeping past. Blue sky peppered with the occasional cloud. A great day to be out of doors. Just superb.<br /><br />I took advantage of the agreeable weather by beginning my reclamation bid of the front walkway to my house. It had been taken over by weed and grass as the summer's greenery flourished, uninhibited by man's intervention. In this case, that man would be me.<br /><br />A busy June weekend schedule coupled with my own bouts of admitted procrastination had put the task off until now. Well, not entirely. A couple weeks ago I picked up two spray bottles of Round-Up® weed killer. After work one night, I emptied both onto the unwanted vegetation - as much as they could cover, anyway. The bottles ran dry before I was able to cover the entire walkway. The remaining green has gotten a temporary respite. Live it up, Weedies. Your time is short.<br /><br />Here's a picture of the stuff I'm up against. This is the section of walkway next to the driveway and up to the front-side door, which I use every day. You can see how it's been a nagging reminder that there's some work ahead for me. I'll assign this a Level One area ::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weeds: Level One</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2662582172/" title="Walkway Weeds - Level One by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2662582172_f07e5c0a75.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Walkway Weeds - Level One" /></a><br /><br />Friggin' disaster, innit? Those blue-greyish looking bits are flagstones which are about a square foot, on average. Some bigger, some smaller but they're there.<br /><br />This is what the entire walkway looked like prior to the original application of Round-Up® a couple weeks ago. Once the spray was applied, the weeds began to die and after a few days were completely dead.<br /><br />There are a lot of products out there that make bold claims of what they can do for you. That they're the best at what they do. This is the first product I've used to kill unwanted weed and grass, so I don't have a vast database of which succeed and which fall short of its promise. I will say, however, this stuff works. And works well.<br /><br />Here is proof of those results; the treated portion of the walkway. This section gets a Level Two rating ::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weeds: Level Two</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2662582328/" title="Walkway Weeds - Level Two by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2662582328_77c33d6c89.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Walkway Weeds - Level Two" /></a><br /><br />Outside of <span style="font-style:italic;">non-existent</span> weeds, these are my next favourite kind - brown, dried, and <span style="font-weight:bold;">dead</span>.<br /><br />Looking good but the job's not done, yet. Once the solvent does its work, it's pickin' time. This is the part of the project I began today. Down and dirty, on the ground, pulling every dead weed and tuft of grass out by the roots. Just like my dad taught me when I was a wee tyke, after which I was forced into child labor to keep the tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, summer squashes, radishes, and bell peppers free to grow.<br /><br />Today reminded me of those summers spent 'weeding the garden' as a kid. The work is a bit painstaking - but it also comes with a nice sense of satisfaction.<br /><br />Here is the section I started on today. This photo represents just under three hours of work. After a short break to pick up my lawnmower from the shop, I continued for another hour and 45 minutes and did a bit more. This is the Level Three section of the walkway ::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weeds: Level Three</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2661757871/" title="Walkway Weeds - Level Three by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2661757871_651edb0b42.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Walkway Weeds - Level Three" /></a><br /><br />This is pretty much the goal of the project; to rid the walkway of all weed and grass. Is it life-or-death? No. I could just as easily pull up all the flagstones and gravel, allow the grass to fill in, and be done with it. <br /><br />That's not what I'm looking for, though. So, the project continues. Starting again tomorrow. I just hope Mother Nature doesn't catch up with me and I'm starting all over again right when I've reached the end.<br /><br />There's a fair amount to tackle ahead and it won't be finished tomorrow, that I'm sure of. Just gotta keep on pluckin'. Once it's cleared, keeping up on it will be the task. Like Sisyphus and his rock... <br /><br />Here's an overall view of the project area ::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weeds: Composite</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2661757217/" title="Walkway Weeds - Levels One, Two, &amp; Three by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2661757217_964c28ef1b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Walkway Weeds - Levels One, Two, &amp; Three" /></a><br /><br />The beds inside the walk and up against the house are another project - for another time. Tomorrow, however, is slated to be another perfect summer's day. My back is a bit sore and my forefingers and thumbs are feeling it... but it's Day Two of <span style="font-style:italic;">Project Walkway</span> for me.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-44344334391548022612008-06-26T21:28:00.003-04:002008-06-26T22:42:07.364-04:00Awright, AwrightIt's been a few weeks, I know. But I've got a perfectly viable explanation - I've just awoken from a three-week, heat-induced coma. Frightening stuff, to be sure.<br /><br />Here's the deal. As noted in the last post, I was all geared up to enjoy the luxurious climate control that was to be delivered by my <span style="font-style:italic;">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</span> made central air conditioning system (which I later learned was only <span style="font-style:italic;">engineered</span> by NASA).<br /><br />At first, I thought my misprogramming of the device was the reason it hadn't kicked in to deliver those first precious bursts of cool, cool air. The next two days were relatively cold, so it then seemed that the ambient temperature was to blame. Ahhh... No.<br /><br />Fast-forward to Friday of that week. Outside temperatures rising in anticipation of the big weekend heat-wave. Inside temperatures dutifully keeping pace. Then the weekend arrived and things began to accelerate - out of control, one might say.<br /><br />The 'cool' air that had been blowing constantly turned out to be not-so-cool, at all. The whole time, I kept wondering why the compressor outside wasn't spinning. A vicious cycle developed with me sweating on the couch, fiddling with the JPL/NASA thermostat, looking out the window anticipating (hoping? begging?) the compressor fan would start whirling - as it had done the month before when the heat was running.<br /><br />Sweating, fiddling, begging. Sweating, fiddling, begging. Temperature rising. Sweating, fiddling, begging. Temperature rising... Sweating, sweating, sweating.. Until Sunday night when the thermostat read a blistering 85ºF.<br /><br />That's when I lost consciousness. Apparently, I've been languishing on the couch, caked in a layer of salt from the gallons of sweat that had dried on my skin, ever since.<br /><br />Actually, that's not entirely true. Oh, everything up until the Sunday night bit is 100% fact. The heat-induced coma is just a bit of hyperbole on my part.<br /><br />Truth is, I got hold of the guy that installed the HVAC system and he showed up to have a look at the compressor that Monday afternoon. Timing is everything, they say, yeah? He found a conductor of some sort that had been fried, leaving the compressor powerless. Conductor replaced, compressor repaired, and the coolness did flow. Ahhhh...<br /><br />It's been brilliant ever since and I couldn't be more pleased with it. Some say central air conditioning is a luxury; I classify it more as a necessity.<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />In the meantime, not much else of import has passed. Yeah, I'm aware that just about everything posted here is of little import. Touché. I'm gonna continue to put it down, regardless. So sod off! No, not really. Yes, Mr. Stokes, <span style="font-style:italic;">I am</span> havin' a laugh...<br /><br />That's not to say nothing at all has happened. This past weekend after mowing the lawn, I came in to wash up and after taking off my sneakers and socks, I noticed this :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dirty Feet</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2615042324/" title="Dirty Feet by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2615042324_eb20cd55fe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dirty Feet" /></a><br /><br />That's exciting, innit?<br /><br /><-----------------------------------------------------><br /><br />One thing I've been happy with since moving into <span style="font-style:italic;">mi casa nueva</span>, I have to say, is the small community of wildlife that I share my space with.<br /><br />Birds, chipmunks, snakes (I've seen one). Over the weekend, I noticed a new visitor. A red cardinal (are they really called St. Louis cardinals?). I saw him in my front yard on Saturday, then saw him again out back on Sunday and took this photo :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cardinal</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2614236099/" title="Red Cardinal by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2614236099_dda32fa573.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Red Cardinal" /></a><br /><br />It's not the clearest picture. He is much more vibrant with the naked eye. I hope he sticks around all summer, though. He's pretty cool to look at.<br /><br />That's about it for now, so I'm gonna <span style="font-style:italic;">fly</span>...Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172707.post-48719925956707507212008-06-03T22:25:00.008-04:002008-06-04T00:42:45.173-04:00Baby, It's Warm OutsideOh shit. Here it comes. The first real <font color="red">heat</font> of the season.<br /><br />Technically it's still spring until 21 June, the first day of summer on the calendar. Yet, the upcoming weekend is supposed to be bringing us a July-August preview, as it's said it could reach 90°+ for the weekend. I didn't want to say it - but - in super-technical meteorologist lingo, that's considered a <i>heat wave</i>.<br /><br />Some of you will be lovin' it. I won't. The heat is my kryptonite.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong - I <i>loooooove</i> the fine weather! However, much like Julio Lugo, I just can't cope with the 'high-heat'.<br /><br />So tonight I thought I'd start working on the ol' central air-conditioning system to get the house primed for the scorching weekend. How's it working out, you ask? I'm sweating my Motha'uckin <i>nuts</i> off! That's how.<br /><br />When I arrived home about 4:30 today the ambient indoor temperature was 75°F. After more than five hours with the C-A/C running the temperature is currently a cool.... 75°F. No shit.<br /><br />It's likely that I'm not setting the NASA-regulated operating panel appropriately. But shouldn't setting the temperature LOWER (much lower) than the ambient temperature get the thing kick-started? That's how my old system worked - and that was only heat. No central-air. Set it a few degrees higher than ambient? Heat comes on. Set it a few lower? Yup. Heat goes off. Simple, innit?<br /><br />Now I've got it set to the minimum - 45°F. I'm leaving it at that setting overnight. Maybe it will take some time to remove the residual heat from the square footage. To suck out all the heat. Mmmmm...<br /><br />I'm hoping I wake up in the middle of the night, my teeth chattering, my David Bowie Nipple Antennae shredding my T-shirt and sheets whilst still sending '<i>dah-ta</i> back to earth', and reach for the down comforter next to the bed. If not, something's not functioning properly. And - last time I checked - the antennae are in working order.<br /><br />I've been perusing the instruction manual throughout the evening and I'm still baffled. Here's the control panel, which appears harmless enough. Trust me - based on the fine "detail" in the instruction booklet it'll take a PhD in Thermodynamics and Technical Application to figure this thing out :<br /><br /><b>(NASA™) Control Panel</b><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10081198@N04/2550193704/" title="Control Panel by The Buzzard, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2550193704_02b93af13f.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Control Panel" /></a><br /><br />See that LCD screen? The number on the <i>right</i> is the current temperature setting. The number on the <i>left</i>? Yah, that would be the current ambient temperature... after five hours running. Granted, I've eff-ed with it quite a bit tonight. And there has been a constant flow of 'cool' air from all the outlets. It's just not like my old, 30lb window A/Cs. Give those beasts 1/2 an hour on a 90° late July Saturday afternoon and you're sitting chilly. Just have to figure this thing out and adapt accordingly.<br /><br />I only hope I can figure it all out by Thursday night and I'm well adapted by the weekend.<br /><br />Oh, I just saw a pretty big spider cruising across my bedroom wall. Second one in a few weeks - and this one was bigger than the first. Like about an inch or more. Those mini, ¼-inch to ½-inch ones don't count. Creepy. In the family room is one thing but the bedroom? Super creepy. Imagine what might happen while sleeping. That thing was <i>fast</i>, too.Viszlát Sjáumsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697191799492397188noreply@blogger.com0