Fire Mission: Hippies in the open

Occupied

2011-10-10T21:09:00.000-04:00

Ok, I tried to read the Occupy Wall Street stuff- I can't figure out what they are actually saying. So, I tried the new Occupy Boston site. Lots of instructions on how to support, where to go, and how the police are trying to break them up.

I'm still not sure what they are all protesting. Buying stuff? Owning Stuff? Showers?

NPR SF 100

2011-08-20T15:01:00.001-04:00

To follow the NPR (US National Public Radio) meme, copy this list, putting in Bold those you have read.

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
3. Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert
5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin (soon)
6. 1984, by George Orwell
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss
19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
21. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
22. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King
24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
25. The Stand, by Stephen King
26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
28. Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman
30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
31. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein
32. Watership Down, by Richard Adams
33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
34. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
35. A Canticle For Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne
38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys
39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells
40. The Chronicles Of Amber, by Roger Zelazny
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson
44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven
45. The Left Hand Of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin
46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
47. The Once And Future King, by T.H. White
48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
49. Childhood’s End, by Arthur C. Clarke
50. Contact, by Carl Sagan
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
54. World War Z, by Max Brooks
55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle
56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson
59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold
60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett
61. The Mote In God’s Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
62. The Sword Of Truth, by Terry Goodkind
63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks
68. The Conan The Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard
69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
70. The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger
71. The Way Of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne
73. The Legend Of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore
74. Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi
75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson
76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke
77. The Kushiel’s Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey
78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
81. The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks
84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart
85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher
87. The Book Of The New Sun, by Gene Wolfe
88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn
89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldan
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
93. A Fire Upon The Deep, by Vernor Vinge
94. The Caves Of Steel, by Isaac Asimov
95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson
96. Lucifer’s Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis

Patriotism

2011-05-24T21:07:00.000-04:00

When did patriotism become synonymous with jingoism?

Eh?

2011-02-02T23:08:00.002-05:00

Either your spouse is deaf as a post, or they are ignoring you. Anything else is sophistry.

Work

2011-01-30T23:23:00.002-05:00

This whole 40 hours work week, wearing pants everyday thing is getting really old.

Song

2010-10-20T23:20:00.000-04:00

I think my favorite all time song is "Yin and Yang and the Flowerpot Man" by Love and Rockets.

Stuff

2010-10-17T22:53:00.000-04:00

When you get to heaven, may the devil be your judge.

Pants

2010-09-19T16:00:00.001-04:00

Wow, working a real job really cuts into your "me" time. Reading comics and blogs is really starting to slide. Worse yet, wearing pants everyday really sucks.

2010-06-22T23:17:00.001-04:00

This thing still on?

Sad

2009-01-25T09:37:00.002-05:00

Well, 2009 is off to a good start- my 20 year old cat has passed away. Sucks.

However, I do have a few stories from the holidays I'm working on gettin up here.

David Sedaris

2008-12-25T01:02:00.001-05:00

However you feel about his politics, this is DAMN Funny! From Cdr Salamander

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T00:44:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! Here's hoping for better days for us all in the future!

Cheat Posts

2008-12-01T03:21:00.004-05:00

Memes- a way to create content without creating content. As I try to get back into the swing of things- or at least get started- here we go-

From- well, all over.

Things I’ve done are in bold.
1. Started your own blog Started, yes...
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland DisneyWORLD, numerous times. At least once a year for the previous 12 years.
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo Sober, no...
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted- do carnival caricatures count?
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- Tried tho'.
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox Had them TWICE as a child. Dr's say my first case was too mild. The second one wasn't.
89. Saved someone’s life I've talked suicides down, helped prevent stupid accidents- and saved a buddy at camp, when our boat capsized and he slid out of his life jacket- and I don't swim well either.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one Too damned many
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day Read more than a book in a day as well.

2008-11-24T03:02:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure how I feel about this one....

The High Road, Pt 2

2008-09-25T17:19:00.002-04:00

Nicki @ The Liberty Zone has more on this saga of Oleg's.

The High Road

2008-09-25T09:37:00.000-04:00

A message from Oleg Volk concerning The High Road:

In December 2002, I founded The High Road forum dedicated to the advancement of responsible gun ownership. Recently, it was discovered that in 2006, the volunteer forum systems administrator, Derek Zeanah of Statesboro, Georgia, changed domain registration to himself. After he was confronted, Derek locked out all other staff from accessing the Web server administration and would not share even backup copies of its content. After failed attempts to peacefully resolve the dispute, it has become necessary for me to initiate a lawsuit against Derek Zeanah for the return of thehighroad.org domain name and the forum database.

I am seeking and would greatly appreciate donations to help with the cost of litigation. You can use Paypal (olegvolk@gmail.com) or send a check to:
Oleg Volk 3112 Chambley Ct Hermitage, TN 37076

All donations shall be returned if the lawsuit is ultimately avoided. You can also aid me by re-posting this appeal on your blog, forum or web site. My legal position is already endorsed by almost all of The High Road staff as well as Rich Lucibella, the founder of The Firing Line forum.

UPDATE: Derek's reaction was to disable The High Road forum all together. He also removed most of the staff who opposed him.

Yep

2008-09-24T01:41:00.000-04:00

Hat tip to The AnarchAngel

Crazy Weather

2008-09-15T01:23:00.003-04:00

75MPH wind gusts in Ohio!

Over 53% of the AEP customers in Franklin county are without power- I am in the fortunate 47%. My power lines are underground.

That didn't stop tree limbs and debris from littering my neighborhood. It looks like we had a funnel cloud rip through. One half the street will be block, then 40' farther down the other half- it was like driving an obstacle course.

My neighbor lost a tree which blocked the entire street- he's always seems a bit inept, so I grabbed my chainsaw and went out to help clear it away. Idiots kept trying to drive around the tree, while I standing there with a chainsaw. A few people joined in to help haul away the debris, but just as many stood around watching.

I think they were waiting for first blood.

Schools for a 50+ mile radius are closed, as are many businesses. You just don't see weather like this very often!

I hope Roberta X, roomie Tam, and Tiger's Eye are all doing well; I understand the Indy area was hit as well.

9-11 Banner

2008-09-12T01:12:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Captain of a Crew of One for introducing me to the banner which was created by Mauser Girl.

Rachel Lucas Rocks

2008-09-11T00:30:00.002-04:00

Rachel Lucas says what a lot of the customers in my store were saying today. In regards to the "lipstick/pig kerfluffle"

The way I see it, you have precisely two possibilities here, with a dependent conclusion for each:

(1) He did use it as a snide reference to Palin. Which means he’s a dickhead.

or

(2) He did not use it as a snide reference to Palin. Which means he’s not half as smart as his superfans want to believe. If he didn’t know how it would be construed, then he is RETARDED when it comes to nuance and anticipating political moves and all that happy horseshit.

Read the entire article here.

I need that shirt!

2008-09-11T00:28:00.002-04:00

From Tam's Blog;

"But," he asks in genuine puzzlement, "why would you want to nuke Berkeley?"

Read the whole thing here.

Fisheyfullness

2008-09-10T01:28:00.004-04:00

Well, I decided I didn't have quite enough hobbies, and it was time to start one that I don't sell in my store, thus making me pay full price for my crap.

Although, a friend did donate an unused tank, stand, filter, hood and light. Also, 2 pieces of driftwood. So, after failing miserably to clean the tank of white mineral deposits, I went ahead and set it up. (I still smell like Lay's Salt and Vinegar pototo chips)

Soon, maybe even tomorrow, I'll get some plants and a starter fish or two.

For those of you who know these things, it's a 40 gallon tall.

The Omnivore’s Hundred

2008-09-09T12:17:00.005-04:00

Nods to Roberta X and Atomic Nerds; I was feeling Meme-y.

The rules are to bold all items on the list you’ve eaten, and cross out any you would never consider eating.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht ( I got the flu while visiting the Deutsches Museum in Bonn. There were serving Borscht in the cafe- it was AWESOME.)
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14.Aloo gobi
~~15. Hot dog from a street cart~~ (I have an irrational hatred of Hot Dogs)
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes (My grandfather's Blackberry wine was the wine we used for the Toast at my wedding)
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
~~35. Root beer float~~ (I dislike Root Beer almost as much as Hot Dogs)
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (I've had chocolate covered ones- does that count?)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel (Unagi is the best!)
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut (Eating them hot and fresh really is better!)
50. Sea urchin (Like eating Baby Crap)
51. Prickly pear (I've had Pickled Prickly Pear)
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV (I don't drink beer)
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips (Nasty. My mom foisted these on us when I was a kid))
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse (Not with my knowledge)
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox (Had the bagel, not the lox)
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Hmm, did better than I thought I would.

I forgot a title Title.

2008-09-08T11:41:00.005-04:00

James R. Rummel over @ Hell in a Handbasket chimes in on Sarah Palin;

Teddy Roosevelt was the last elected person with the word "President" in their job title who hunted bigger wild game than I ever did.

If Sarah Palin becomes Vice President, then that long streak will be broken.

The 80's

2008-09-08T02:11:00.001-04:00

One of my fav songs ever-

Sarah Palin

2008-08-30T01:37:00.002-04:00

Like everyone, I'm making a Sarah Palin Post. I've been a fan of hers for most of the year; I think the first time I seriously looked considered her a contender for VP was when CDR Salamander mentioned her in March.

I've been hoping she would be VP for months now; hell, I'd vote for her as Prez! But think, Palin with a few years as VP as a candidate? Woo-Hoo!

At the very least, every time I hear her surname, I think of Monty Python and I snicker.

One More Thing!

2008-08-21T00:19:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so I broke a toe today.

Yep.

At least I'm not inflicting my doom upon others anymore!

Imperial Fleet Week in San Francisco

2008-08-21T00:12:00.003-04:00

And an interview with the filmaker!

Next Model Project

2008-08-14T01:06:00.002-04:00

I'm thinking of building something fun. Something with no historical accuracy to worry about.

I'm thinking of building a Steampunk Airship.

I want an Airship Pirate Ship!

"Airship Pirates" by Abney Park

Do they still sell those glowy-plasma ball thingys?

A Test

2008-08-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

for my blog-buddy King Tiger;

2008-08-07T17:41:00.002-04:00

My Year so far-

I got Bell's Palsy.
My Dad get sick.
Mother in Law sick.
Dad gets sicker.
Dad getting transplant.
Dad dies.
My Mother in law unexpectedly dies.
Wife's best friend gets breast cancer.
Wife's cousin in bad car accident, may loose both legs.
Wife's friend dies.
I have a colonoscopy.

Apparently, it's not healthy to know me. Stormcrow! Pariah! Outcast! Unclean!

Soon, and DAMN!

2008-08-05T22:48:00.002-04:00

It is my goal to attempt this blogging thing again soon. Maybe life will calm down some.

To fill in the time- the coolest submarine models I have ever seen. I may have a new hobby!

Continuting the "Can't catch a break" catagory

2008-07-07T23:14:00.001-04:00

My mother-in-law was found dead today.

Sigh.

Fanboy!

2008-06-10T21:21:00.001-04:00

OMG! Xavier made a comment on my blog! Woo-Hoo! I feel special!

Also, I added my buddy Tracy's blog over on the right- Researcher@Large.

Retropolis Transit Authority

2008-05-23T00:49:00.003-04:00

HOLY CRAP!

Retropolis Transit Authority

Just about every t-shirt this guy has is really very cool. I think I may have to redo my entire wardrobe.

2008-04-26T05:50:00.001-04:00

My father recently died, and I'm not tracking very well. So, here's a stupid quiz!

I was Righteous!
I scored 100% on the

Take the 80s quizby SheGoddess: Quick Weight Loss

From Teh Interweb

2008-03-09T23:36:00.002-04:00

Think about it this way. You live on a nice quiet residential street with a speed limit of 30 miles per hour. All night long, gangs of kids drag race down your street at ungodly speeds. If we used the logic of gun control advocates their solution would be to lower the speed limit to 20.

Lifted from When your only tool is a Hammer.

2008-03-09T01:54:00.003-05:00

Inspired by the König- We had blizzard conditions most of Saturday.

I had about 20" of snow when it all was said and done.

Taken late Saturday morning, right in the middle of it all.

From Teh Interweb

2008-03-08T00:35:00.000-05:00

Cynics: Realists you don't agree with yet.

Primary Day

2008-03-04T13:42:00.002-05:00

I proudly, with malice forethought, voted for Fred Thompson today. It felt good to vote my conscience, even though my vote was useless.

I also added Roberta X to the Daily Reads.

From the Treppenwitz Blog

2008-03-03T23:29:00.001-05:00

Shackled to the peace process... or free to wage war

Once the seductive distraction of peace is out of the way we must begin by sending negotiating teams to meet with each of the groups who are currently in an active state of belligerence against us. Each Israeli team should bring unsigned copies of the Geneva Convention, all current agreements on prisoner treatment and protection of medical vehicles/facilities and the inviolate nature of civilian populations.

In addition, the Israeli negotiating teams should bring pictures and diagrams clearly showing all current IDF uniforms and insignias. They should provide photos of military and civilian ambulances as well as maps showing the location of vital humanitarian infrastructure facilities that provide water and electricity to civilians and hospitals.

Once all of these documents are spread out on the conference table, the Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, PFLP, (et al) representatives will be invited to sign each and every convention, agreeing to treat POWs humanely and to allow Red Cross access to all prisoners... to outfit combatants in recognized uniforms and insignia... to exclude civilians from attacks... to refrain from placing military infrastructure in or near civilian centers... and to insure that humanitarian facilities remain outside the scope of hostilities.

If they balk at agreeing to any of these most basic terms of warfare, our negotiating teams should be instructed to gather up their papers, photos and drawings and to leave behind only Israel's unambiguous declaration of our intent to carry out unrestricted warfare until an unconditional surrender agreement is duly signed.

WOO HOO! YEAH!

1970

2008-02-03T01:14:00.000-05:00

In 1970 (the year you were born)

Richard Nixon is president of the US

A federal jury finds the "Chicago 7" innocent of conspiring to incite riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention

The lunar spacecraft Apollo 13 splashes down in the Pacific after near catastrophe

The first Earth Day is marked by millions of Americans participating in anti-pollution demonstrations

At Kent State University, National Guardsmen fire into a crowd killing four student antiwar demonstrators

A powerful earthquake claims 50,000 lives in Peru

18 year olds are given the right to vote in federal elections

Tidal wave driven by cyclone from Bay of Bengal hits East Pakistan, killing hundreds of thousands

An anti-war rally is held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, attended by John Kerry, Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland

Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Andre Agassi, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, and Matt Damon are born

Baltimore Orioles win the World Series

Kansas City Chiefs win Superbowl IV

Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup

Tearjerker Love Story is the top grossing film

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is published

"The Long and Winding Road" becomes the Beatles' last Number 1 song

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Ann Coulter?!?!?

2008-01-31T00:26:00.000-05:00

I never thought I'd be quoting Ann Coulter, but-

... as we know from the recent unpleasantness in Florida, Republicans are unalterably stupid.

Dang.
McCain?
Damn.
From humanevents.com

2008-01-28T01:19:00.000-05:00

From The Smallest Minority via Mostly Cajun

Although, when I first saw bumper stickers like these in the '90's- they said "Why settle for the Lesser Evil".

In other news, I'm having a bout with Bell's Palsy, which has been giving me a bunch of trouble. I do get to wear a cool eye patch though!

Damn Skippy!

2008-01-15T14:26:00.000-05:00

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

(Stolen from The Lemon Stand)

Dang!

2008-01-12T00:31:00.001-05:00

A little side project on the PC has turned into large, life sucking project from Hell, destined to be my death. I really do plan on blogging again... someday.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T03:57:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I've got a few posts percolating, and will be venting Christmas... vitriol soon.

Christmas Meme

2007-12-22T18:47:00.000-05:00

1) Link to the person that tagged you (King Tiger) and post the rules on your blog.

2) Share Christmas facts about yourself.

3) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Yeah, we'll see.

4) Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes:

1. Wrapping or gift bags? I'm a wrapper, my wife a bagger.

2. Real or artificial tree? Faker. Easy cleanup, and it's all I've had since I was very young.

3. When do you put up the tree? After my wife has asked me twice to bring it up from the basement- usually the first or second week after Turkey Day.

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after New Year's. Probably after the BCS Championship game, this year.

5. Do you like eggnog? Eh. Rather have a Coke.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Sad to say, I can't think of one. I remember some disappointments, though... (someday, huge Grinch Doll, I will find you!) Maybe my Battlestar Galactica Viper that actually shot the red plastic bit across the room.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, but the figures have been replaced with my Hallmark Star Wars figures- Boba Fett, Stormtrooper, statue of Bob Marley, etc.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Not getting the aforementioned Grinch Doll. It's 30 years later, and I'm still bitter. Maybe the year I sacrificed Birthday and Christmas gifts to get a bike- nothing special, just a regular old 10-speed.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Enclosed in the cookies I mailed this week. If you didn't get cookies, well, ya didn't make the cut!

10. Favorite Christmas movie? Die Hard.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometime in December. I buy very few gifts, for my wife mainly.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Wife's cookies and brownies. Dove Chocolates.

13. Clear lights or colored? Colored! What's the point of clear?

14. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy, Vienna Boys Choir can make me cry. We Three Kings version by Book of Love is fun, as is Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses- but I'd have to say my favorite is Fairytale of New York by the Pogues with Kristy MacColl.

5. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? STAY AT HOME. The greatest thing about finally being an adult and owning a home- people now come here!

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Um. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Candi, Lari, Bunny Sexin? Rudolf?

17. Angel or star on the top of your tree? Angel.

18. Open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People.

20. What do you leave for Santa? A written warning about trespassing. Next year I won't be so nice.

21. Least favorite holiday song? That stupid shoes song.

22. Do you decorate your tree with any specific theme or color? No, but next year our tree will be only Hallmark ornaments. The side of the tree facing my chair in the living room has all my Hallmark Star Trek and Star Wars ornaments, as well as my scary freaky ornament collection- including the little zombie Amish Girl.

23. Favorite ornament? My Talking Darth Vader.

My “tags”

I'm punking out on the tags! The chain stops here, man!

2007-12-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

New addition to blog roll; The Johnny Law Chronicles

and from him I found Another Day at the Hall-

Both are good, Law-Enforcement type blogs. I grew up around many LEO's,
and I have always had profound respect for them and the jobs they do. Cop's are always
10 feet tall and who you go to when you are in trouble- at least, they still are in my book.

Retail Hell, pt2

2007-12-05T00:48:00.000-05:00

Christmas shopping season is killing me (aka we're busy, which is good). I hope to have a real post soon.

There's Hope Yet

2007-11-21T00:35:00.000-05:00

A boy rode his bike up to my store today. I'd guess his age to be around 10 or 11. He came into the store alone, and barely acknowledged my greeting.

He turned to his right, and headed to the toy soldier section. I wandered over, to see if he needed any help finding what he needed- I knew some kids had a project for school, and had stocked Civil War soldier in anticipation.

I asked if he was looking for any type of soldiers in particular, he silently shook his head and stared intently at the bags of plastic warriors hanging. I walked back to the counter, leaving him to make his choice.

A few minutes later, he approached the counter with a bag of your classic Green Army Men.

"I'd like to buy these, please" - he said in a soft, quiet voice, the first words he had spoken since entering the store.

As rang up his purchase, I asked him if he liked army men and toy soldiers.

He nodded his head.

As I gave him his total, he pulled out a ziplock bag of loose change. He slowly counted his money, double checking his count many times, then slid exact change across the counter to me. I finished the sale, and put his army men in a bag, and thanked him.

As he went out the door, I called out "Take Care!" as I try to do with everyone as they leave the store. He said "Thanks", in a normal tone- his loudest yet. He got on his bike, and pedaled away.

As he rode away, I noticed he did not wear a helmet, or safety pads, or have a flashing warning light on his bike.

Man, there goes one lucky kid.

Another One

2007-11-13T18:13:00.000-05:00

As seen on Michael Z Williamson's Blog (Read his books!)

I was ___ years old the first time I...

Fell in love: 11
Lost your virginity: 14
Lost someone close to you: 12
Smoked weed: 18
Got your heart broken: 11
Got arrested: Never
Smoked a cigarette: 16
Broken a bone: Never
Got cheated on: 17
Rode the city bus: 6
Went to a concert: 15 Ronnie James Dio- my ear still ring (I've had Tinnitus since)
Met someone famous: 15- President Reagan.
Dyed your hair: 16
Got your first cell phone: 32
Got a Myspace: Never
Snuck out of the house: 13
Got your own digital camera: 25
First time you got drunk: 15
Read Harry Potter: 28
Traveled across the ocean: 24
Wore a toga: 7
Traveled out of state/country: 19
Shopped at Abercrombie/M&S:Never
Went to Disney World: 11
Went on a date: 16
Saw a Broadway/West End play: Never
How old are you now: 37

Retail Hell

2007-11-12T23:53:00.000-05:00

As we approach the holiday shopping season- and Black Friday looms- I want to ask you a question;

You are shopping, especially in a low-pressure, casual environment like a hobby shop. You ask the guy wandering around the shop, checking on customers, a question about a product. Do you want the clerk to lie, and tell you it's great no matter what, or validate your existence and confirm your thoughts, or do you want an honest opinion/appraisal.

If you say honest opinion/appraisal, what do you do when the retail wage-slave tells you something bad, or something you don't want to hear?

Also, would you return a plastic airplane model with a broken propeller, or just fix it with model glue? Hey, I just consider it an extra, undocumented step myself....

Fab 5

2007-11-11T22:56:00.000-05:00

After witnessing the meme started by NRAhab, then Tam, then AD and finally from Parallax Adjustment ; well, I just had to put my foot in. The hard part is thinking of only 5 a/c, and 5 that no one else has- no matter how cool. One of my areas of personal interest is the Soviet War Machine, but I must limit the influence. Hrmmm.

I'm going to limit myself to jet powered a/c, and I guess I'll start with throwing the previous sentence out the window! Besides, this is my favorite aircraft, not the most important or world war changing or anything. AD already cornered the cool connection/story angle.

5) The TU-22M "Backfire". I love the two-tone Soviet Naval Aviation scheme, the sleek, predator look.

4) BAE/McD&D Harrier Family I had the distinct pleasure of flying the USMC simulator for this aircraft in a previous life. Not to use too many buzzwords, but it introduced a paradigm shift in aviation. Maggie showed us they worked as air-to-air combat aircraft.

Dang, this is hard deciding on only 5!

3) The ME-262. First real fightin' jet. 'Nuff said- even if it is a Kraut plane.

2) SAAB JAS-39 Gripen I'm been obsessing about this aircraft for since high school. Followed the slow developement via Aviation Week & Space Technology through the '80's and '90's.

1) Sukhoi SU-34 "Fullback" I had no previous knowledge of this aircraft before I saw the prototype when my previously mentioned previous life took me to the Paris Air Show in 1995. I've loved this ugly beast ever since.

Maybe we should do tanks/armor next?

Eh, it's only money.

2007-11-09T00:05:00.000-05:00

Anyone who build models for a hobby can tell you, kits are getting more and more expensive. I was just remarking today that the latest models from Dragon (DML) have crept above the $50.00 mark. Granted, most of their kits don't require much in aftermarket parts- but similar kits were $35.00 or so earlier this year.

Of course, a good kit and the fixin's still cost less than a good meal or a night's drinkin'. Not that my customers care. Daily, I get regaled with tales of $0.25 kits and how glorious those days were. None of them remember the horrible fit of those kits, or how the amorphous blobs barely resembled the appropriate subject matter- but those were the days! Apparently there was free beer flowing from taps marked "Testors" as well. Dang my luck!

And when did DML become the King-All-Importer of all Asian models not Tamiya or Trumpeter?

One last thing- because I can feel my rant getting on, and it's late. What's the constant fascination with German equipment? It's gotta be more than just the variety of subjects. I swear, I could fill a jar with feces, slap a swastika on it, and sell it.

BTW-are either one of my readers model builders/kit collectors?

2007-11-08T18:58:00.000-05:00

Proof the Blog Readability Test has a... sub-optimum ability to grade blogs-

Or, I ar s-mart!

Comments!

2007-11-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

As per the urging of both my readers, I have installed Haloscan comments. Let's see how this woiks out....

Are you excited?

I am.

Of course, now I have to figure out how to port the old comments over.

Blogger Code?

2007-11-06T23:20:00.000-05:00

Anybody Understand Blogger enough to tell me how I can make this
<---->
section bigger? Not that I plan on embedding lots of movies, but I hate that hidden section.

Comments Redux

2007-11-06T22:59:00.000-05:00

In case you don't read the comments sections;

A King Tiger double feature;

OK Guys
Here is something fascinating.
What if TF 34 had been waiting on Kurita?

http://www.chuckhawks.com/task_force_34.htm

Dirty Little Secrets

2007-11-06T10:05:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite bands is the British rock-folk band Steeleye Span.

2007-10-26T01:39:00.001-04:00

Trying to figure out all these cool Blogger things- like images and stuff.

Where's the "Launch Alert Vipers" button?

Whoops.

2007-10-26T01:00:00.000-04:00

David over at Random Nuclear Strikes brings up a good point, one maybe I should touch upon.

One of my aims is to try and tell some of the fun and bizarre stories from the shop in a humerous light. Now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't scowl at the lady with the paint bottle return mentioned earlier; but, as I said in my comment over at Random Nuclear Strikes, I get very upset with my guys if they don't greet every customer that comes through the door, and do it with a smile. Nothing irks me more than entering a retail store and no one says boo.

Also, is it so much trouble to actually clean the floors and straighten the shelves in a hobby shop? Not in mine- but some of them... (shudder!)

It goes with what I was saying the post below; it's tough being a hobby shop today, and customer service is one of the few things we have over the Internet and the chain stores. The old style, surly attitude of the grizzled hobby shop guy just won't cut it anymore. You have to get off your damn stool, come out from behind the counter and interact with people- and hopefully in a pleasant manner. And you've got to be nice to the kids- they're future customers!

We do get some real characters in the hobby shop- given that we carry everything from wargames/miniatures, scale plastic models, model railroading, radio control vehicles, rockets... well, you get the idea. Like the homeless guy, who was designing an airplane for NASA that would travel at hypersonic speeds due to the gases he would vent along the leading edge- and he needed our help (!?the hobby shop guys???)to design it.

Wow.

Anyway, David- if you're ever in my store, you'll be greeted, and greeted with a smile!

(PS: I don't own the store, I just run it)

14" of Hot Steel, Streaming Through the Night

2007-10-26T00:26:00.000-04:00

First, allow me to welcome Shooter from Parallax Adjustment to inaugurate my new section, "Blogs I Like." He added me to his linky-love section, and it would be not very cricket of me not to do the same!

In the comments below, King Tiger, or as I think of him "Der Königstiger" (also added to Blogs I Like), speaks of the death of the local independent hobby shop. Alas, this is very true. Our primary competition comes from ye olde Interweb; some other pressure from the chain stores and such. So, like most small "mom and pop, brick and mortar, etc" stores, we try the "Value Added" approach; knowledgeable, helpful staff, repairs and advice, that sort of thing. The sad truth is, even modelers need to watch their hobby budgets now days, and they try to help us out with their everyday purchases- but small dollar paint and glue sales won't keep our doors open.

Sigh.

Each month is tougher than the last- but enough of this maudlin horsepiss.

So, I know that many bloggers have been remembering Agincourt (... we band of brothers!) or Lord Cardigan and the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava (I say, that's a nacky bit of gunnery....)- but not only I am a big history geek, I am a NAVAL history geek!

So, today marks the end of the three day battle know inclusively as "The Battle of Leyte Gulf." The greatest sea battle ever, IMHO.

So, to you few, wonderful, treasured readers I have- here's an assignment.

Halsey- idiot or incompetent...?

For Extra Credit- If Mitscher hadn't been such a grumpy old codger, would events been any different?

2007-10-25T00:16:00.000-04:00

Nothing like watching someone drive up in a $40K Lexus SUV to return a $3.00 bottle of model paint.

That's been half used.

The arguing with the minimum wage clerk for a refund, as if by returning the paint the customer was exercising some inalienable, god-given right to free model paint, and we were going to return the money or we'd loose them as a customer.

Sometimes, just to make them leave, we give 'em the money with a smile. Ok, a scowl.

Other times, we make our little Custarian stand, and we will by-god hold these over-privileged, be-perfumed barbarians at the gate. Over three bucks, plus tax.

I live for those little petty dictator moments.

2007-10-24T01:22:00.001-04:00

I work in a locally owned hobby store. As anyone who has worked retail can tell you- they said it best in the movie Clerks;

"This job would be great if it wasn't for the f***king customers."

We have this guy who calls on a regular basis. He has a snivelly, weird nasal voice. Every other words seems to be an "Um" or an "Ah." We'll call him Fred.

A typical Fred Call;

Me- "Thank you for calling ****, how can I help you"

Fred- Um, ah, yes. Is So-and-So there? (he alternates which employee he asks for)

Me- This is he/he doesn't work today/he will be in later

Fred- Um, ah, what do you know about P-51 Mustangs?

Me- A little, what can I help you with Fred. (as there is no doubt who the caller is)

Fred- Oh, ah, um, yes; on the P-51, there are three lights on the end of the wing....

Me- Yes, the formation ligh....

Fred- the formation lights. Now, on the P-51 *D*, what was the color of the *third* light, on aircraft flying over Europe in 1944? Was it Green or blue. Because on some pictures, it looks blue, but they are supposed to be green.

Me- ....

Fred- Also, on the Merlin engined ones, built after 1944, the oil filter....

Me- Yes?

Fred- what color was it?

Me- ....

Me-...um... blue.

We've all gotten to the point where we just make up answers for Fred.

2007-10-24T01:19:00.000-04:00

Holy Crap! Two shout-outs from two of my favorite bloggers!

Thanks Cajun!

Thanks Tam!

Now to see if I can write some intelligent sounding posts....

2007-10-10T01:44:00.001-04:00

Am-I-Dumb.com - Intelligence Test

2007-09-28T22:01:00.000-04:00

FIRST!! Oh, wait- damn....

This is my blog. There are many like it, but this one it mine.

I don't know how often, if ever, I will post here. I mean, I made the damn things weeks ago, but only today made a post- because I told someone about it.

Yeah, maybe I'll pick up on one of the ubiquitous memes going around....