Freedom Lives

2003-08-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

Out of here

I still have not moved all my old posts from here (any of them) but I am confident enough to say, go to my new site for all future posts. starhawk.net. Thanks a lot blogger, it has been a real blast but it is time to move on.

2003-08-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

Not quite moving day

I have been posting at the new site starhawk.net but I still have to make a few changes and move the archives over. All new posting will appear there from here on out, I hope.

2003-08-09T14:03:00.000-05:00

Beta Testing

There is still a lot of work to do but if anyone wants to go over and bang on the new site at starhawk.net, feel free. Any constructive advice would be wonderful.
My mother used to always clean up the apartment before the cleaning lady would get there. She said it had to be clean enough to let someone else see. I never understood her when I was a kid but the new web site is about to that point, I hope.

2003-08-08T21:31:00.000-05:00

Timeout

Stay with me while posting gets light. I am going to have to make an effort to get the MT site looking at least as bad as this one so there might not be much here for the next few days. I will try to at least post something but we will see. Sometimes I can work miracles when I focus on something but it is not something I do all that often.
Listening To: say it with Love - Moody Blues

2003-08-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

Arnold's Strategery

Time to stick my neck out a little and not get it chopped off. I think Arnold is holding back. He didn't want to wait until Saturday to file but because he declared on Wednesday it gives the Dems a chance to find someone to run against him. Now he wants to appear weak until the filing date is past. He doesn't want the Dems to go ballistic and make Feinstein run against him. His TV appearances today were window dressing. He is trying to make the powers that be overconfident. To what extent it is working it is hard to tell. Most of them flipped out when he declared. There are signs that it is working with some pundits. Let's see where he is and what he is saying by this time next week. Arnold didn't get where he is by being dumb. I would no more underestimate him than GWB. The Dems do so at their peril. It should be an interesting few days. An interesting and probably dirty election.
Listening To: The Load Out and Stay - Jackson Browne

2003-08-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

Renaissance Fair

It seems a little early to be writing about the Ren Fair in the midst of this heat wave but I just got my order of advance tickets for this event that happens every year on October and November weekends. Maybe by posting this I will finally get my photo essay from last years fair done. Anyhow. This is year is something special. Two friends of ours back east are driving down as part of their honeymoon. To celebrate we decided to treat them (and us) to something we have thought about doing for several years but never wanted to shell out the money for. It is called the King's Feast

The King's Feast Package includes admission to the festival, and an all you can eat 6 course Black Angus Beef meal with a world class dessert, premium wine ,... and a limited edition commemorative pewter mug and a 2 hour variety show hosted by the Duchess Spendalot.

If you didn't guess by the Duchess's name the Ren Fair while very low tech is a easy place to spend a lot of money. Actually when you consider what the pewter mugs sell for and admission to the fair, the feast is not a bad deal at all.

2003-08-07T23:15:00.000-05:00

Kate Blew it

One of the nice things about blogging is you get the chance to write whatever you want and make an ass of yourself in front of the entire internet. Kate didn't make an ass out of herself but she sure blew a call when she posted Ten Reasons Arnold won't run yesterday. She has been on a roll recently but it just goes to prove, you can't win 'em all.
Listening To: Rocket Man - Elton John

2003-08-07T22:44:00.000-05:00

Texas Politics

Stoney at Rebel Yell is saying some nice things about me. I am certain I don't deserve it but I am encouraged to live up to my billing. I can't imagine how Glenn does it day after day.
Anyhow I was driving home today from a brief job of fixing an application I did a few months ago listening to our locally owned (one of the few) radio station KSEV. The afternoon drive guys had went to Albuquerque to interview our wayward lawmakers. They reported that not only did these spoiled brats not want to be interviewed for the folks back home but they were downright rude about it.
The latest on their goal is apparently to hold out until Sept. 15 when it might be too late to make any changes for the 2004 election.
There is a lawsuit being filed in Harris county that might be able to compel one of them to return but right now that is a long shot. A suit would have to be filed in the district of each one.
The real reason behind all this nonsense is an effort to save the seat of congressman Martin Frost who is a leader in the house. The redistricting plan will affect his chances of holding that seat so the Dems are ignoring the oath of office they took for partisan purposes.
Listening To: Alive and Well and Living In - Jethro Tull

2003-08-07T21:27:00.000-05:00

Hot Stuff

It hit 104 in Houston today, a record. Looks like another record Friday. Europe is roasting too. For some reason we are not hearing much about global warming however, quite odd.
Listening To: Over The Hills and Far Away - Led Zeppelin

2003-08-07T21:20:00.000-05:00

Busy August

Not normally a big news month this August is shaping up as a busy one. Right now the spotlight is on Arnold but Kobe is taking up a lot of news time also. Right on the horizon waiting to blow both of them away is the capture of Saddam. Of course we will be cursed with more terror attacks also.
Listening To: Don't Look Back - Boston

2003-08-06T23:57:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Howard Beale: I want you to go to the window, open it, stick your head out and yell: "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Network - 1976

2003-08-06T23:53:00.000-05:00

August 6

On this day in 1945 a plane named the Enola Gay flew over the city of Hiroshima. A new age had begun.
Listening To: 409 - The Beach Boys

2003-08-06T23:47:00.000-05:00

Arnold

I just watched the Tonight show, which is something I rarely do and saw Arnold declare himself as a candidate for Governor. He didn't sound half bad. He made a good move by preemptively listing all the bad things that Gray Davis might say about him. That is always a good move, admit your a womanizer which he didn't do but he did. He said, Davis will say I am a womanizer. He didn't admit it but he brought the issue up so if Davis does all it will get is a big yawn. I predict he will be hard to beat. Tomorrow there will be dems getting into the race. That will be the end for Davis. Jay set up a press room in the back and Arnold is holding forth with every LA journalist not in Eagle Co. Arnold gave two movie quotes during the show. One was from of his movies, the other was from one of my favorites.
Listening To: Your Wildest Dreams - Moody Blues

2003-08-06T14:47:00.000-05:00

Strange Headlines

These are some excerpts from an article headlined Returning Marines critical of Iraq plan.

'Thank you's' the company heard proved to them the war President Bush sold as a quest to destroy weapons of mass destruction was good because it ousted a cruel and ruthless dictator. Masterson recalled getting thanks even from an Iraqi who believed his wife and child had been killed by an American shelling -- so-called ''collateral damage'' in the march to Baghdad. He also heard it from a man who said his daughter had been raped and murdered by men loyal to Saddam Hussein. 'You were sitting there thinking, 'Wow, I am really doing something important. I am part of a grand scheme to do something good,' McGee said.

There were some critical comments too but the body of the article was a lot more balanced then the headline suggests.
Mostly they were just glad to be home and who can blame them for that.
Listening To: Love Her Madly - The Doors

2003-08-06T11:05:00.000-05:00

Paris Wifi

I was on Mike Wendland's site and came across this story. Since Wifi has been a continuing theme here I thought I should report it even if it is about the French. This story on NPR touts the new Wifi system which might be extended throughout Paris's Metro. A more detailed story however indicates that the frogs might blow it after all. It seems that during the first three month's only 1,700 people have used the system which was free. In the second stage they are planning to charge about $11 per hour for access.
Mike's Wifi Truth #1:

Eventually free access points will be in enough places that no one will even consider paying for it.

The French are going to spend a lot of money find out truth number one for themselves. It couldn't happen to a nicer people.
Listening To: Trouble in Paradise - Bruce Springsteen

2003-08-05T22:35:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Davy Crockett: Republic. I like the sound of the word. It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. Some words give you a feeling. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat - the same tightness a man gets when his baby takes his first step or his first baby shaves and makes his first sound as a man. Some words can give you a feeling that makes your heart warm. Republic is one of those words.
The Alamo - 1960

2003-08-05T20:44:00.000-05:00

Texas Politics

Lt. Gov. Dewhurst writes about why the lawmakers still hiding out in New Mexico are hypocrites. He makes the case about why Texas should be redistricted and how the Dems are just crying sour grapes. My feeling is that they are derelict in their jobs and should be replaced.
Listening To: Wild Horses - Rolling Stones

2003-08-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

Decisions, decisions

My new, still in testing blog has comments in it. I have not installed comments here because I didn't want to deal with it. Let me clarify, it is not because I can't deal with it, in fact I can deal with it very well. I dealt with it for nine years when I ran a public BBS system. I also dealt with it on CompuServe where I was a section leader in the Multi-player Games forum for a number of years. I just didn't feel like doing it. I may leave it in as a test this time. Of course then we have a bigger problem. What happens if you throw a party and no one comes? Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have never thrown a party where no one came. The closest I came was my going away party from Columbus where a lot of people turned around when they saw the police car in my driveway. The cops didn't stay till the end of the party and left with just a warning to keep it down.
Listening To: Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

2003-08-05T16:04:00.000-05:00

Learning Movable Type

Which is what I am doing at the moments I can actually log into it. Today I forgot my password so I had MT send me a new one. The only problem with that was that I had entered the address incorrectly. Luckily I did remember my domain's password so I was able to retrieve the mail that had bounced with the new password.
Listening To: Year of the Cat - Al Stewart

2003-08-05T15:56:00.000-05:00

That's some cease fire

If you think that things are ok in Israel since the cease fire go over to Meryl's and educate yourself on what is really going on.

2003-08-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

Who I am NOT

I just registered with Blogstreet (see sidebar) and when I clicked on it, at the very bottom were references to books written by Starhawk. I am not THAT Starhawk. SHE can be reached at starhawk.org. Aside from some ancestral similarities we have nothing in common, though I do own one of her books.
Listening To: The Hangman's Knee - The Jeff Beck Group

2003-08-04T15:47:00.000-05:00

Good News - Bad News

The bad news is that I didn't get that job in Dallas I had been working on the last week or two. The good news is I managed while waiting for word to make all my donations to the blogs I sponsored during Blogathon.
Listening To: Light up or Leave Me Alone - Traffic

2003-08-03T23:20:00.000-05:00

More from Diana

I am continuing to follow the changing attitudes of Diana Moon. Diana was one of the first blogs I read and along with Meryl inspired me to start my own. She really has gone into uncharted areas though.

I've spoken with a lot of people recently, all of them supporters of the war. We've all developed tremendous misgivings. Every day, every new American death, every ambush, and I feel those doubts grow. Am I not supposed to blog about that?

From what did she and her friends develop misgivings? Perhaps they all thought that we would march into Baghdad and the people would be cheering in the streets? That would have been nice but that only had a 10 to 20 percent chance and only if we had gotten Saddam during the war. No one likes seeing american boys getting killed but this what happens in war. This is what war is all about and if they supported it, as they say they did, they should have realized that this could happen. These are not the kind of people you would find drinking latte at Starbucks. They are animals. They are vicious, depraved killers. They won't go easily. We are going to have to root them out and put them somewhere where they can't hurt others. My own preference would be six feet under but I suppose we are too civilized for that. It is going to be a messy business but we will get it done. In contrast I am pretty upbeat about Iraq because I think things could be going a lot worse, a whole lot worse. Things may still go a whole lot worse but it looks like we have a handle on the situation and it is improving.
Diana also has some strange ideas about National Defense.

I think that true national defense consists of getting our education system together, because if we had a crack K-12 system we would create our own cognitive elite instead of having to import it from abroad.

Where do I start? I will grant that our K-12 school system, especially in our major cities is a mess. Howard Dean is not going to change that. If Bush could get a voucher program through congress it would go a long way to moving in the right direction. The school system is not national defense however. In some ways it is more important than national defense but it has taken us a long time to let it get as screwed up as it is and it is a problem that we are not going to solve overnight. Fixing the school system, not just K-12 but the colleges also is going to be a major factor in the future direction of this country.
Real national defense is concerned with breaking things and killing people. For this Howard Dean would be a disaster. The world is a messy place, to quote Rush's Undeniable Truth of life #6: Ours is a world governed by the aggressive use of force. This is not something Howard Dean understands. Saddam understands this, so does Bin Laden. Every two bit dictator knows this. The mullahs in Iran and the generals in North Korea understand this. The Chinese understand this, that is why they are continuing to build missiles that can reach Taiwan. When Dean was on Meet the Press last, he didn't have a clue. When Russert asked him about the military he gave some lame answer about his advisors. Who are these advisors? Let's hope that Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is not one of them. I recently watched her on TV and was amazed that a woman from California could think herself an expert of military matters just because she was elected to congress. She is the kind of person, and so is Dean, who would overule generals on tacitcal metters that they have no business being involved in. Bush at least seems to have enough sense to let the generals do their jobs.
The final problem I have with this post of hers is this idea of a "cognitive elite". We have plenty of "cognitive elites" already. What we need is basic citizens who know how to read. Who know enough to be productive members of society. Who know who the Founding Fathers were and what they did. We need people who know what is in the constitution. We need people who know that the purpose of the bill of rights is to limit what government can do. We need people who can work together to build a better America for our children and our children's children.

2003-08-03T19:09:00.000-05:00

Another Web Quiz ala Harry Potter

I'm from Gryffindor!
Hogwart's Sorting Hat Quiz
made by The Genki Gang

Link Via: View from the back window of My Pickup Truck

2003-08-03T16:20:00.000-05:00

New Webring

Thanks to a heads up from Lair even though it is one I would probably not be in. You can find it on the right sidebar (only sidebar). It is for unemployed Bloggers. This is one Webring I hope to be able to get off of, the sooner the better. Listening To: Out of The Frying Pan (and into the fire) - Meat Loaf

2003-08-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

John Kinsella: Is this heaven? Ray Kinsella: It's Iowa. John Kinsella: Iowa? I could have sworn this was heaven. [John starts to walk away] Ray Kinsella: Is there a heaven? John Kinsella: Oh yeah. It's the place where dreams come true. [Ray looks around, seeing his wife playing with their daughter on the porch.] Ray Kinsella: Maybe this is heaven.
Field of Dreams - 1989

2003-08-02T23:16:00.000-05:00

Thinking of Life and Death

I just was flipping through the channels and happened across Field of Dreams and ended up watching the last 90 minutes or so. What a great movie. I actually cried during the last scene where Ray gets to play catch with his long dead father. I am not sure why. I got to play catch with my father many times when he was alive. How many? Not enough, not nearly enough. Enjoy life and the people you love while you can because you never know if this time that you see them or speak to them might be the last.

2003-08-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

Moving Day soon

Thanks to Dean I now have an MT setup to play with. I will probably mess with it this week and move over next week when I am sure it is working ok and I am comfortable working with it.
Listening To: Suzanne - Leonard Cohen

2003-08-01T20:46:00.000-05:00

UN votes for Peacekeepers in Liberia

The vote was 12-0 with 3 abstentions from guess who? If you guessed France, Germany and Mexico, go to the head of the class.
Listening To: Legend - Poco

2003-08-01T15:28:00.000-05:00

Still Job Hunting 2

According to my headhunter these people have still not decided and they want the person to start Monday. Unbelievable. Also out of work are Vicki and the Roverpundit. Bloggers and technical people in general are being hit hard during this downturn. This could have its root cause in outsourcing. Link via Glenn
Listening To: I've Seen All Good People - Yes

2003-08-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

Thanks Lair, I think

I decided today to check my ftp site which as you know has not been working at all. All of a sudden today it was working fine. It might have something to do with the fact they are now employing the fine blogger Laurence of Amish Tech support. It might not but thanks anyway Lair. Listening To: House of Four Doors - Moody Blues

2003-08-01T14:51:00.000-05:00

Still Job Hunting

I finally had my tech interview over the phone yesterday and I am supposed to find out today. No one has called yet so I am assuming the worst.

2003-08-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

Diana, we thought we knew you

Ever since Diana has returned to blogging she has posted things very much at odds with her previous attitudes or so it seems to me. Since she is no longer answering her emails, at least the ones I send, which she used to, I can not say what is up with her or even if it is the same person doing the posting as the postings I read in the old Letter from Gotham. Now she has really gone off the deep end claiming she is going to vote for Dean. I find this very strange because in my previous discussions with her I got the impression that she was concerned with national defense and Dean would be a disaster for defense. Another reason I suspect a ghost blogger has taken over her identity.

2003-07-31T23:48:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Pippo Popolino: Don't be frightened, Francesca. I'm scared enough for all of us.
Casanova' Big Night - 1954

2003-07-31T23:22:00.000-05:00

Only in California

I read that there were already 123 people who took out papers to run for Governor in the recall election. What the hell is the damn ballot going to look like? Page 1 - Should Gray out be recalled? Page 2,3,4 - who do you want to replace him in alphabetical order? If my name was Aacme I would stand a good chance of winning. Heck with 123 people in the race anyone with a known name could win. Mickey Mouse could win. Come to think of it he would probably be a big improvement.
Listening To: Shine on you Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9) - Pink Floyd

2003-07-31T23:00:00.000-05:00

And you thought Iraq was dangerous

When I saw this article on Drudge about Marines attacked by gang members I was thinking "Iraq?" No, it turns out is was San Diego.
Listening To: Determination - Todd Rundgren

2003-07-31T00:52:00.000-05:00

My worst fear

This article could, might be one of my worst fears becoming reality. Hopefully not but if this mystery disease is something man-made we could be in for real trouble. Link via Drudge
Listening To: God Bless the Child - Billie Holliday

2003-07-31T00:38:00.000-05:00

Job Hunting

I had a call Monday from a headhunter about a job I was submitted for in Dallas. Originally they wanted someone to start on the 27th. I was told they were running behind (no kidding), but they wanted to know if I could start on the 4th IF I was selected. I said yes. The client has not said anything since and there are only 2 days left in the week. I hate people who are not professional.
Listening To: Windy - The Association

2003-07-30T22:09:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

In case you hadn't noticed I am doing Bob Hope quotes this week. You have to imagine Hope delivering this line to know how it is really meant. Potter: Brave men run in my family.
The Paleface - 1948

2003-07-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

Moving

I am about to take up the offers of all the nice fellow bloggers who offered to help me move to MT. Keep on eye on this space and as soon as I get settled and moved and tested I will let you all know.
That of course is going to totally ruin my standing in the ecosystem where for some reason I suddenly jumped to the ranks of Slithering Reptiles, opps never mind it looks like that was short lived and I am back with the Crawly Amphibians. Still, after moving I will likely be with the Insignificant Microbes
Listening To: Happy - Bruce Springsteen

2003-07-30T21:56:00.000-05:00

Drinking

I had some email about my recent posts on drinking. I don't do as much drinking as I used to. If I did I would never have time to write about it. It seems a lot of people don't drink as much as they used to especially when they are away from home. If I am drinking JD I never drink more than five shots. I don't know for sure but I would be willing to guess that would put me over 0.8 on the breath scale. I should find out how many beers you can have, does anyone know? This is certainly something that was easier to do when I lived in NYC. No matter how many I had I could always get a cab home for under 10 bucks. Where I live now if I get crocked in downtown Houston or the west side it would cost me 50 or 60 for a cab home. At that price it makes sense to rent a room for the night. The only trouble is finding and getting to a decently priced motel.

2003-07-29T21:32:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Chester: Am I dead? Duke: I can't tell, you always look that way.
Road To Utopia - 1946

2003-07-29T17:05:00.000-05:00

Doing without France

I stopped in my local liquor store and talked with the manager a while. I wanted to know the difference between two Merlots from the same vineyard in Australia, one was $15+ while the other was under $6. We chatted awhile and I asked him what he would recommend that was under $10 and not French, which got a grin from him. He walked me over a few aisles and grabbed a bottle of Santa Alicia reserve a Chilean Merlot. Not bad stuff and at under $6 per bottle quite a bargain.

2003-07-28T22:13:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Turkey Jackson: I hope she didn't hear that. The dead have a way of coming back you know. Jeff: Get out, when they're dead they're dead. Turkey Jackson: Not Aunt Lucy, she was a republican.
Road to Morocco - 1942

2003-07-28T10:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the Memories

Bob Hope died today at the age of 100. He mastered every entertainment medium he went into. He spent decades giving up his Christmas vacation to entertain troops overseas often in dangerous spots that a lot of today's prima donnas wouldn't dream of going near. His 1966 Christmas show from Vietnam was watched by 65 million people, the largest audience of his career. He was one of the best hosts the Oscars ever had. He was a master ad libber. He was a gentleman. Since I still can't get to my ftp site I can't post this mp3 but I will try to make it available somewhere.
Listening To: Thanks for the Memory - Bob Hope & Shirley Ross Update: More coverage and videos at Fox
Two Hope Mp3's I have
More tributes from Susanna and LT Smash

2003-07-27T22:53:00.000-05:00

Back to normal

I got three hours sleep this morning which wasn't enough and I had to lay down later after the planting incident.
The planting incident was where the wife and I went out to plant some passion flower vines we bought last week around two oak trees. Things were going pretty well until as I was bring two bags of mulch over my wife suddenly jumped up and moved about twenty feet from where she was working. She looked at me and said "run". I looked around and didn't see anything to run from so I waited till she walked very quickly over to and past me when I joined her. She was brushing her shirt as we walking and finally enlightened me with one word "bees". We walked back to the house and directly to our bathroom where she knew I had a stash of Benadryl in case I am attacked by fire ants. It turns out she was stung about 8 times but everything seems ok. We went back out an hour later and though we can't see the hive we think it is about 30 or 40 feet up a tree behind a dead branch. That finished our planting for the day and the Benadryl made her sleepy. Since she was laying down I lay down also and woke myself an hour or so later not knowing exactly where or when I was. That is my typical reaction when I take mid day naps like this. I tried to impress on her that if she had appended the word "Bees" to the word "Run" I would have reacted faster. For some reason she didn't appreciate this advice.
Listening To: You Keep Me Hanging On - Vanilla Fudge

2003-07-27T12:27:00.000-05:00

Aftermath

I am kind of burned out after last night even though I could only make it till 5am CDT. I might not post again till much later in the day but I just wanted to say once again congratulations to everyone invloved in Blogathon.

2003-07-27T08:51:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update Final

To catch up to where and what everyone blogged about. Kevin talks about the First Test tube baby turning 25. Budget cuts hurting Autism services and 10 things we didn't know last week. Lair has posted some of the lost chapters. Meryl is protesting the number of posts and states that their group is just shy if 15k. Great work. The Hulk makes an appearance. Joni finished her story about her Cancer surgery. Michele is glad it was over. I think everyone was glad it is over but once again great job by all involved.

2003-07-27T04:48:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 26

Kevin talks about a Kiss concert Lair has posted video called Frisky Kitty. Meryl is damned tired and so am I. Meryl this link is for you. Joni continues about her Cancer surgery. Michele is breaking out the booze. I am going to bed. Good job all
Listening To: In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning - Carly Simon

2003-07-27T04:17:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 25

Kevin is reminding people about the Bonfire of the Vanities. I guess you send him your Worst post. I never heard of that before. It must be getting late for him though, he posted it twice. I IM'ed about so he will fix it before anyone else sees it but it did happen. He replaced the Double post with another about Autism. Lair has posted video number 31. He also has a new picture that needs a caption. Meryl has some news from Israel. Joniis still fighting her laptop and is too tired to go and get coffee. Michele doesn't believe that any of us are still up, I am starting to flag myself and may not make it but then I am surprised I got this far. I just went outside for a bit, maybe the fresh air did me in. It is a very dark night but mild. I could here trains in the distance and dogs.
Listening To: Young Man Blues - The Who

2003-07-27T03:48:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 25

Kevin is reminding people about the Bonfire of the Vanities. I guess you send him your Worst post. I never heard of that before. It must be getting late for him though, he posted it twice. I IM'ed about so he will fix it before anyone else sees it but it did happen. Lair has posted video number 30 Meryl has a list of aches and pains. It must be the Blogathon. Joni continues about her cancer and the doctor she used doesn't sounds like a prize either. Michele talks about an Islanders game and REO. I noticed she turned off her IM so she must be getting tired.
Listening To: In your Wildest Dreams - The Moody Blues.

2003-07-27T03:21:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 24

Well the wife finally went to bed. I guess its just me and the dogs. Cancel that the dogs are gone too, traitors. Kevin is posting about WalMart. Lair has posted video number 29. Meryl got a call from LT Smash in Iraq. Joni is getting serious and talking about her cancer. Michele has a guest post about the 60's.
Listening To: Rhapsody in Red - Queen

2003-07-27T02:58:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 23

Kevin has few words about autism, his charity. Lair has posted video number 28. Meryl says that the contributions for their group has topped 14k, an amazing number. Joni is talking dirty about her laptop and dialup connection. Michele is showing men's fashions from a bygone era.
Listening To: You Don't Bring me Flowers - Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond I could have sworn I pulled that off the hard disk a while ago.

2003-07-27T02:31:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 22

I surfed around and bloggers are raising money for the darnest things. This one is raising money for rat rescue :sheesh:.
Kevin says the next person who pledges $20 should get to name the challenge winner. Lair is back in the picture on his web cam looking pretty much like a zombie. He lists 10 TV pilots that never made it. Meryl is talking about music and Alice Cooper, not that they are separate things. She also mentions Mountain whose lead guitarist is so big that his guitar looked like a toy when he was playing it, He made good music though. I never saw Mountain though they were around Ohio State a lot when I started there. I did catch him a few years later with West, Bruce and Laing, which was not a bad group either. Joni met her goal for money and set a new one. She is talking about cats again but since she is raising money for a cat shelter that's ok. Michele relates the first CD she bought was Dark Side of the Moon. It was my first CD also. She is also talking about Crystal Ship a group I remember well that used to do live covers of Doors tunes.
Listening To: I know you're out there Somewhere - The Moody Blues

2003-07-27T01:56:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 21

Kevin is taking up Meryl's challenge. Lair is taking up Meryl's challenge. Meryl has a post about American anti-semitism. Joni is getting a little tired I think. Michele is thinking of going to one sentence posts next year, I am smoking the same cigar. Good ones last longer.
Listening To: The End - The Doors

2003-07-27T01:28:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 20

Kevin sounds like he is gathering his second wind. Lair is on Chapter 27 has already moved through his second wind Meryl has posted a challenge to capture Saddam with five items. Joni wants us to wake up another blogger and says she is having trouble staying up late. At least I am not alone. Actually I am doing better than I thought I would. Michele is taking up Meryl's challenge. I am lighting up a decent cigar, no cheap shit this time.
Listening To: 3/5 of a mile in 10 Seconds - Jefferson Airplane

2003-07-27T00:55:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 19

Looking through some other blogs I happened on BlueCalx which has some great pix of waterfalls. It also has some chemical posts for things like Psilocybin and Methamphetamine. I guess they are not wasting time with coffee. Kevin directs us to Cambloggers who he notes do note seem as chipper as earlier. Liar's cam shows nothing at all. Maybe he is blogging from and undisclosed location. Lair is on Chapter 26 moving right along. Meryl has gone to stream-of-consciousness time. I told her that odd things would happen if she posted something I wrote but she wouldn't listen. Joni is posting Mp3's along with lyrics. Michele sounds like she could use a little of whatever blueclax is doing. So could I actually.
Listening To: Going to the Chapel - Dixie Cups

2003-07-27T00:35:00.000-05:00

Still crazy after all these years

I am sitting here eating celery and smoking cheap cigars wondering why I am still awake.

Liberia

This story convinces me that we should not send troops to Liberia. They will just get shot up. Bad idea. Let's get shot up where we at least have an idea what we are doing and why we are there.
Listening To: Message in a Bottle - The Police

2003-07-27T00:25:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 17

Kevinhas some more MT code. He also wonders why Lair seems to be missing some chapters. So do I and others. I doubt it has anything to do with Texas education but since I didn't go through it I can't say for sure. Lair is on Chapter 24 and questioning guest posts of his team-mates. I guess he hasn't since my guest post yet. Meryl meanwhile ,er, well she has a guest post by yours truly as promised. She also is still going strong with French insults as is Lair. I will have to keep her up with IM's and email from here on. Joni is talking about different coffees now. I hope she isn't making the Irish ones or she will never make it. Michele has a story about Leo Sayer.
Listening To: Call Me - Blondie

2003-07-26T23:40:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 16

Kevin ended the day with Linux sucks. He starts it by asking for more sponsors. Lair is on Chapter 23 of his pretzel cooking series. I am getting hungry. Meryl has lost the ability to send email though she can still receive. She loves fried potatoes. Joni is talking about Milkshakes. What is this with everyone about food that I can no longer eat? Michele keeps chugging along. Eight hours or so left. The hardest part.
Listening To: Cheeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffett Food again, even Winamp is torturing me.

2003-07-26T22:33:00.000-05:00

Break Time

One of the advantages of not blogging myself in Blogathon is that I can pull myself away and do others things. Right now I have to break away and turn on the cartoon network to watch Samurai Jack and .Hack//Sign with my daugther. They are great shows. I love the fact that though she is a teenager we still can watch cartoons together. It probably won't last much longer so I better enjoy it while I can.

2003-07-26T22:16:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 15

Kevin has his take on Gary Condit running for Governor. Yes you heard that right. Lair is on Chapter 21 of his cooking series. Meryl has a post on relationships and needs something caffeinated, Joni posted a picture of a great looking hamburger, which I love, and a place in Houston to get one, no address yet. A nice recipe too for Salmon and Taragon sauce. Michele sounds like it is starting to get to her. Nice picture of a Ouija board. I had one of those once.
Listening To: Redemption Song - U2

2003-07-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 14

I went and sponsored another blog. Kevin is Blogging for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. He is currently offering MT Template tricks that I hope to use in the not too far future. Lair is on Chapter 19 of his cooking series. Meryl is posting a Harry Potter takeoff. Joni has a cheese soup recipe and is promising a story on her fight with cancer. Michele has a guest post from Bill Quick. I am rapidly falling behind on keeping up with these 5, I hope I don't lose my sense and sponsor someone else. I still have to do a guest post for Meryl.
Listening To: Nights in White Satin - Moody Blues

2003-07-26T18:53:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 13

Lair is up to chapter 14 of his cooking video. Meryl is talking about ID cards for Saudi women. Joni is still on her Las Vegas story. It is a long one and split into at least 5 parts at this point. I am surprised she didn't save this until later but it is good reading. Michele has a guest post from a soldier in Iraq.
Listening To: The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon and Garfunkel

2003-07-26T18:04:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 12

Lair has descended into what I think is bad taste in his latest caption contest. Meryl is keeping track of the pledges of the group and they have topped 13k, amazing. Joni blogging about a very personal incident between her and her significant other. Michele is onto the top songs of 1967,which I don't agree with. She also talks about MAD magazine. I have not seen MAD in ages.
Listening To: The Joker - Steve Miller

2003-07-26T17:33:00.000-05:00

Breaking News

Philippine Soldiers sieze Austrailian Ambassador and others. More here.

2003-07-26T17:01:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Update 11

Lair is now up to chapter 12. Talk about missing tapes. Meryl has Jane Finch doing a guest blog so she can get something to eat. Joni is talking about Pumpkin Bread. Michele has some pictures of 8 track tapes and portable players. I can relate to this because I have some 8 tracks and a real Panasonic tape deck somewhere.
Listening To: Wasted Time - Eagles

2003-07-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

Glad I am not blogging this for money

I took this test to see where I would have come out.

40 %

There's a 40 % chance that I'll survive the 'thon.
Will you survive the Blogathon?
Listening To: Money - Pink Floyd

2003-07-26T16:20:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 10

Lair goes directly to chapter 9 of making pretzels without posting 7 or 8. He took a test that says he has a 100% chance of surviving the Blogathon. Not at this rate. Meryl is going through her referer log.Always good for a laugh. Joni has moved back to cat pix. Michele has a 70% chance to survive the Blogathon which is probably why she hasn't made a 5pm post yet.
Listening To: Cool for Cats - Squeeze

2003-07-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 9

Lair blogging on the Hunting for Bambi fraud. Wow did everyone , Bloggers and big Media get taken in by that one. Meryl has started to run down. Probably the fault of the IM software and my email messages. I am sure she will catch her second wind though. Joni has moved from cat pix to cat poetry. Not hard to guess that she is blogging for a cat shelter. Michele has a quiz on her pop culture theme.
Listening To: Fashion - David Bowie

2003-07-26T15:32:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 8

It started to rain and even though the power has blinked twice more I am still here, as are our Blogathon heroes. Lair is busy greasing his ~~face~~ pans. Meryl has gotten a hold of some instant messaging software (be afraid). Joni is posting Cat pix and Lemon Bar recipes. Michele is deep into music. Deep Purple and Smoke on the Water. Good thing I only sponsored four blogs, any more and I would be going nuts.
Listening To: Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf

2003-07-26T14:56:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 7

I walked outside and was greeted with the sounds of Thunder and the sight of lightning which convinced me that perhaps mowing was not what I should be doing today. Michele has the top songs of 1984. Meryl has a list of rejected Blogathon themes. My UPS just beeped. I might be knocked offline. If my power goes good luck to you all.
Listening To: All You need is Love - The Beatles

2003-07-26T14:37:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 6

Check out Lair's latest video post for his hilarious confrontation with fresh butter. I think I have to go mow now. Listening To: The Spy - The Doors

2003-07-26T14:19:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 5

Well I am back from my WalMart trip. Joni has a pretty good joke about a salesman.
Listening To: There's a Kind of Hush - Herman's Hermits

2003-07-26T12:34:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 4

Michele is giving an 80's quiz, Lair is doing movies on how to make homemade Pretzels and I have to run out to WalMart.
Listening To: Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie

2003-07-26T12:07:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 3

I need to mention that Joni is blogging at this URL .
Listening To: Easter Parade - Al Jolson (yes my collection is a bit eclectic)

2003-07-26T12:02:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Today's quote comes from Meryl who is trying to fulfill a the desire of a sponsor who offered her, Michele, and Laurence a donation for each French insult they posted during Blogathon. If you have any good ones pass them on. In certain public indecencies the difference between a dog and a Frenchman is not perceptible.
Mark Twain

2003-07-26T11:39:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 2

I should also mention Kevin who is answering tech questions. Especially since I just asked him one.
Listening To: The Song Remains the Same - Led Zeppelin

2003-07-26T11:35:00.000-05:00

Blogathon Post 1

I have decided to direct all my posts today on what the blogathoners are doing. I won't be as regular as them since I have to mow the lawn and several other things but I will try to stay up a little later than normal. Michele is talking about her VIC 20. I never had one but I remember it well since my first real job on microcomputers was translating code written for the examples on a PC book so that they would run on everything else that existed. A bunch of us met at my boss's basement. Iwas doing mostly the Atari conversions but I did work with the Vic a little. I don't miss it at all. My first computer was a Compaq with 2 256k floppy drive and 1mb Ram, of which 640k was usable. Later on I added at 10mb Hardcard which made it state of the art. I don't miss that machine much either.
I will be available on AIM, at least during the evening hours, my AIM id is Starhwk.
Listening To: Mood for a Day - Yes

2003-07-25T12:02:00.000-05:00

Blogathon

Tomorrow is the big day. If you have not already donated(sponsored) someone in the Blogathon, DO IT. I will online part of the time cheering them all on. As of now I am sponsoring the group of Michele, Meryl and Laurence. I am also sponsoring Joni. Check them all out tomorrow and cheer them on. I will be available on AIM, at least during the evening hours, my IM id is Starhwk.

2003-07-24T22:22:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Piggy: We did everything just the way grownups would've. Why didn't it work?
Lord of the Flies - 1990

2003-07-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

We also killed a kid

That is a title of Diana's latest post. It is one of the most odd posts I have ever read on her blog. In an ideal world no one would shoot 14 year olds. In an ideal world 14 year olds would not shoot at you. What does she expect our soldiers to do when they have this kid shooting a AK-47 at them, offer him an ice cream cone? Welcome to the real world kiddo, teens with guns can kill. She also seems to think that we could have/should have taken them alive. There are some people how would rather not be taken alive. It is easy to understand why, they probably thought we would turn them over to Iraqis who would treat them the same way they treated so many of their countrymen.
Listening To: Another Day - Paul McCartney

2003-07-24T20:15:00.000-05:00

From bad to worse

I took the computer back to the place I bought it from. Good News: The power supply is fine Bad News: The mother board is toast Good News: The computer is still under warranty Bad News: That mother board is no longer made Bad News: Because it is no longer made they think they will have to reformat the drive. Bad News: The 512mb memory module is toast too Good News: The memory is still under warranty Bad News: I told them to try putting in another drive and format that. Good News: 40gb drives are cheap Bad News: The kid will be very mad if they re-format "her"drive" Good News: As long as it is in the shop I told them to add more memory and a CD-RW for which they may wave the installation charge. Bad News: I am not sure how I am going to pay for any of this. Good News: I didn't wreak the car driving back in the rain.
I hate days like this. It makes me wish I were a gypsy.
Listening To: Gypsy - Moody Blues

2003-07-24T10:48:00.000-05:00

As if I don't have enough problems

I woke up this morning and noticed that the computer in the den that I share with the kid wasn't on. No problem just turn it off and back on. Nothing. This is not what I want to deal with at 6am. Sent some email to a friend more knowledgeable that I and we have agreed that it is either the motherboard or the power supply. I hope it is the power supply.

2003-07-24T10:44:00.000-05:00

Local boy makes it big

Blogdom's own Steven den Beste has a post in the Opinion Journal today about why "We won't back down".

2003-07-23T21:55:00.000-05:00

Guerilla War

A had a discussion with my FiL the other day when he suggested that Iraq was becoming just like Vietnam. "It is nothing like Vietnam. It is more like Germany after WW2, do you remember that?" (I wasn't around then but he was) "I don't remember anything like this after WW2" My guess is either that they didn't put much in the press about it then. John has a post on a group called the werewolves who killed allies and German collaborators in the aftermath of WW2. It is good to remember this because it shows that this type of thing that we are encountering in Iraq is not all that uncommon.
Listening To: For Crying out Loud - Meat Loaf

2003-07-23T20:37:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

Dr. Emil Reingold: Mickey and Mallory know the difference between right and wrong; they just don't give a damn.
Natural Born Killers - 1994

2003-07-22T16:21:00.000-05:00

Beer

Last weekend there was a party at Dean's place. In the discussion and postings about the party Dean extolled a friend of his who couldn't attend but arranged to pay for a case of his favorite beer Anchor Steam. I was intrigued and vowed to try this brew that I had never tasted. I went to the Kroger yesterday and was not surprised that they did not have anything like that. Luckily a local liquor discounter named Spec's had opened a store near me and they did indeed have products of the Anchor brewing company. They also managed to sell me a product of a local Houston brewer named Saint Arnold. I am drinking that now, the brew is named Lawnmower and while I was not mowing the lawn today( not yet anyway), I have just returned from doing some yard work and it is quite refreshing as I dry off. Update later on the Anchor Steam, which is a fairly expensive brew. Update: This Anchor Steam is pretty good stuff, even the wife liked it.
Listening To: The Man who Sold the World - David Bowie

2003-07-22T12:07:00.000-05:00

Blogathon

It is almost time for this years Blogathon which starts July 26. This is an amazing event, a great and innovative use of blogging and a way to raise money for organizations that really need it. As I did list year I am sponsoring Meryl and Lair who this year are blogging for the same charity. In addition I am sponsoring Joni who is blogging for a local charity. I urge you if you can to sponsor these or any other bloggers for any amount you can afford. Even if you can't sponsor go to their sites during the Blogathon and support them. That means a lot too, especially when you are staying up all night making a post every 30 minutes.
Listening To: Rush

2003-07-21T23:12:00.000-05:00

More Wifi

It looks like the big players, at least some of them, want to give users of other services access to each others hot spots. While Cometa is falling behind on their plans to build 20,000 hot spots. You can read about it here and here. As I have said before I think that eventually these pay services are going to be overwhelmed by the free hotspots that are popping up all over the place. To facilitate that process I have added a link on the sidebar to the Free hotspot web site. The interesting thing is that some of the locations where the pay sites would do well are already covered by free hotspots. Where the pay sites have an advantage is big secluded places like airports. Current Song: Conquistador - Procol Harum

2003-07-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Central Park

There are many things I would change about the city I grew up in but Central Park has never been one of them. The creation of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux is 150 years old today. It is a treasure not only to New Yorkers but to the entire country. I say this in spite of the fact that I almost lost my life there on at least two occasions, but that is another story. I have hiked most of its trails, biked around the drive on numerous occasions, boated on the lakes, sailed model boats at another lake, played softball, (totally pulling my leg during one game), played chess, rode the carousel, climbed rocks, visited the old zoo, the new zoo and the children's zoo, played Frisbee, jogged around the reservoir and seen so many concerts big and small that I couldn't begin to count them all. Once I even skated in the Wollman rink which I thought was just for concerts at some point. I even took a hansom cab through the park years ago. You used to be able to hear Shakespeare for free, I hope they still do that. It sounds like I spent a lot of time at the Park and I did even though I didn't live or work near it till I was in my late twenties. On the west side is the Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium (which I was very found of). By walking directly across the park you get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Macy's day Thanksgiving day Parade starts at the Museum of Natural History and goes down Central Park West alongside of the Park. The NY Marathon ends in Central Park. There is so much more and times in Central Park I could talk about but I hate long posts and I am sure you get the idea. The city had a celebration on Saturday but as with the birthdays of Presidents I prefer to celebrate on the actual day rather the days that the pols find convenient. Happy Birthday Central Park
Current Song: I'm just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band - Moody Blues

2003-07-21T16:10:00.000-05:00

Liberal Bias in the Media

If there ever was a case to demonstrate liberal bias in the media this story would certainly stand out as a prime example. The article details the non-story of Americans who have decided to move to Canada. Why is this a non-story you might ask? The article is 25 paragraphs long but the real story emerges only in part of paragraph 17.

But every year since 1977, more Canadians have emigrated to the United States than vice versa -- the 2001 figures were 5,894 Americans moving north, 30,203 Canadians moving south.

We have an entire article devoted to people leaving the US for Canada when not only has this been happening for years but the number of people moving to the US from Canada is over five times as many. Don't expect to see the liberal media do a story on the vastly larger number of Canadians moving south because it doesn't fit into their template. These media zombies are so anti-american it just makes me sick.
Current Song: Legend of a Mind - Moody Blues

2003-07-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
Winston Churchill

2003-07-19T21:59:00.000-05:00

Three Shirt Day

There are few things I like less than working in the yard when in is in the 90's but feels like it is over 100. there were things to get done however and it will probably be just as hot until September. I first had some spraying to do. Mealy bugs are the current problem ~~du jour~~ (can't let those pesky French words into our lexicon now can we. (detour to this article about how the French are trying the ban the word email from general usage in their country. If this is not a sign of a dying culture I don't know what is. I can not understand why they don't get it but I guess we just have to shake our heads and say "That's the French") Now where was I. Oh yes Mealy bugs. I still can't post pictures but just follow the link which really makes them look a lot worse than they are. I sprayed a couple of their target plants then went on to clearing some brush and trees. Carted all those to a pile for later burning and returned to the house for drying out and shirt number 2. Next job was the gas trimmer. About twenty minutes of that was enough to go for a third shirt. I did make the garden look a nicer. I wish I could show you a picture but when the 2 garden gals from Wal Mart delivers my mower a few weeks ago they both loved it.
Current Song: Bridge over Troubled Water - Paul Simon & Paul McCartney

2003-07-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

The spread of freedom is the best security for the free. It is our last line of defense and our first line of attack. And just as the terrorist seeks to divide humanity in hate, so we have to unify it around an idea. And that idea is liberty.
Tony Blair - July 17,2003

2003-07-18T21:17:00.000-05:00

WTC Memorial

Another positive sign in the creeping progress of rebuilding the WTC is the submission of 5200 proposals for memorial. The proposals will be reviewed by a 13 (stupid number) member panel and narrowed down to 5 finalists who will be given money to further develop their ideas. Let's do a little math here. How long does it take to evaluate a proposal Let's say an hour for arguments sake. At that rate they will have the five finalists in something like two and a half years providing they don't take any vacations. I did say this was a positive sign didn't I? At least the process is moving along. As a sign of the times I like this quote at the end of the article.

Applicants had to mail their designs to a warehouse where they were checked for anthrax, chemical agents and explosives before being shipped to a second, undisclosed location where the jury will review them.

Current Song: Walk On By/Say a Little Prayer/San Jose medley - Dionne Warwick & Burt Bacharach

2003-07-18T20:12:00.000-05:00

Good Day on Wall Street

I left the house to take the family to town and the Dow was up 64. By the time we got back the market had closed up 137. A very good sign. We have been having what is called a trading range however the highs always seem higher in recent weeks. Unemployment was down too this week another good sign. Next week things could breakout even higher. Current Song: Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin (like you didn't know that)

2003-07-17T22:15:00.000-05:00

Blair to Congress

The transcript of Tony Blair's speech today can be found here
Current Song: Roxanne - The Police

2003-07-17T21:55:00.000-05:00

Not fun

I get up in the morning and check email. Then I check the job boards. Make calls to all my headhunter ~~leaches~~ friends. The cell phone rings. Aha someone calling me back. "Hello" "I think you have a wrong number, what number did you dial?" "Right number wrong person." "No sorry, this is not a Dentist office" The regular phones rings. I run to the other room to get it. "Hello" "No I don't want to change my phone service" Some days are like that.
Current Song: Hey Paula - Paul and Paula

2003-07-16T22:29:00.001-05:00

That didn't last long

It seems that even though I have all the skills for the job some of them are 10 years old and they want someone with more recent skills. Which is a good lead in for the quote of the day.
Current Song: The Other Side of Life - Moody Blues