What, was I thinking?

Twas I who had to face the storm, with nothing inside to keep me warm

2009-08-29T08:06:00.008-05:00

My pirate name is: Bloody Jack Flint

Every pirate lives for something different. For some, it's the open sea. For others (the masochists), it's the food. For you, it's definitely the fighting. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Pirate Quiz at http://www.piratequiz.com/

2009-07-05T09:56:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday, USA. Last night to the local fireworks, which are supposed to start at 21.00 or thereabouts, and didn't actually start until 22.00 due to high winds from a storm system that had just come through. Not bad for a small town show.

I'm planning some composing with a colleague (seriously dude, update!) who also is a musician, although much better than me, but I'm wanting to re-explore the landscape of my inner creative world and re-connect to something that's always brought me a great deal of pride and pleasure, writing music on my guitar. We've talked about using a website for a posting/collaborating tool, and I'm thinking it could also be a peek into the creative process for people who have never played or written music.

I'm adding pictures of my guitars on the sidebar.

And I promise I'll finish my movie list.

Hey, 101, how's it going?

Derfor er jeg rolig når, Repet strammes rundt min nakke.

2008-12-10T20:33:00.003-06:00

So, I've been listening to a lot of Norse Death Metal lately. Haven't had time to learn the language, but the guitars are awesome. The title is a quote from a song called "Sorgens Kammer" from Dimmu Borgir. Much better than Creed .

Cats are evil. And cute.

2008-12-06T10:16:00.002-06:00

One of my daily sites that I visit is List of the Day. It's usually got new stuff every day, unlike me. I found this on it today, and had to take the test to find out.

Ooops.

Virtues exalted to blessings.

2008-12-05T08:36:00.002-06:00

Ok, so here it is almost a year since the last entry. I don't have the time to make a long one right now, but I did want to post my certificate online. I have just become an ordained minister. That's right, kids, you heard it here first. The Right Reverend Me. Deal with that, 101

Do as I say...

2008-01-27T13:38:00.001-06:00

After all the crap I gave 101 about not posting in such a long time, here I am doing the same thing. Ok, so here is the post. Of course, she has a lot more going on than I do, so bravo for her for even posting at all. (Virtual pat on back for you.)

Movies the III - Godzilla, or Gojira, if you want to use the original release title. Fantastic (for the time) special effects (and if you've seen the latest garbage from the Sci-Fi channel, better than today even) a good story line, several subplots, and of course, Gordon. The American release had added footage with Raymond Burr, shot well after the original release, to widen the appeal for American audiences. It didn't really add or subtract from the story, so I'd say irrelevant. The moralizing doesn't sledgehammer you on the head and no loose ends left hanging.

Obligatory U2 reference.

2007-12-31T20:04:00.001-06:00

Ok. Foregoing the obvious again.
In our last thrilling episode I was torqued off by a POS GPS. I replaced it with a Mio C520 and have been very happy with it. The interface is easy to navigate and the screen is clear.
So, here's hoping your holidays have been merry and bright, and maybe, just maybe this year, it really will be different. Terra pax, y'all.

Where am I? The saga of a GPS system.

2007-11-25T13:20:00.000-06:00

Just bought a GPS system from Magellan. Ok, it's crap. I tried to get a hit on a couple of businesses, no luck. I tried Starbuck's with no luck, for J. Herbert's sake!!! It's going sailing back to the store as fast as I can get there. Luckily I don't have to depend on this box to tell me the way, because it doesn't list it.

Ok, enough ranting. It's been a long, long time since I posted, no excuses, just be thankful you aren't paying to read this. And besides, 101 hasn't posted in almost as long as me, so there. :)=

Great movies the II.

2007-06-18T17:21:00.000-05:00

"Shadow of the Vampire" - Willem Dafoe, John Malkovich, Cary Elwes. A movie within a movie. I like a lot of twists and turns in my cinema, and this one delivers. A "what if" in which it is imagined that they had used a real vampire for the lead role in the filming of "Nosferatu". (Inclusion in list and review to follow.) For some reason a lot of people panned this movie, but reading their comments it seems that they really didn't understand what it was about anyway. And I've never been a fan of critics to begin with. It was nominated for a couple of Academy Awards and won the Bram Stoker Award. John Malkovich always turns in a stellar performance, and though I've never been a huge fan, Willem Dafoe delivers a solid characterization of the Count. Stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack make this one a high entry in my top 100.

Pictures of Matchstick Men

2007-06-02T11:02:00.000-05:00

Ok, I need to lay off the oldies stuff for titles. It may be confusing to those who were born after 1970. "Things to do" recently posted a couple of new movie viewings, which led me to read the toplist, which led to a couple of more toplists. These things are always subjective, but I did see a common thread of what appears to me to be just plain snootiness and pretension. I left a comment on her site that I would post my own top 100 for people to make fun of, but I don't really have the time to do it all at once, so I'm going to start bit by bit and in no particular order with comments about each,and then at the end post the toplist sorted by my order. First up: Halloween - Released in 1978, it didn't start the slasher genre, but it did put it into mainstream. It wasn't particularly bloody and contained an actual plot, defying the usual conventions of the time. The soundtrack is one of the creepiest ever made, and the only song not written by the director, John Carpenter, was Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear The Reaper. Top that, Casablanca!

Blinder than the Blind Eye?

2007-05-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

Not by a long shot, although I am a bit fuzzy at the moment. Had Lasik done yesterday morning. A very odd procedure indeed, involving as it does a slit being cut in my cornea, the resultant flap being pushed back, a laser burning tissue from my eye (yes, it does smell like burning flesh, duh) and a prod of some sort being rubbed all over the surface and subsurface. Not to mention the medieval torture device that slides under the eyelids and cranks them full-on open. Actually, it doesn't feel anywhere near as bad as it sounds. They numb the eye first, and give you a Valium beforehand, so the worst part is that in the beginning you can actually see the beginning of it. However, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The first day after, you sleep quite a bit, and there is some discomfort and you can't see very well. Today, I had an appointment with the good Dr. and he said that things are progressing well. The clouds and occasional blurring will get better each day and my vision should be totally clear in about a week or less. I can see well enough now to type this, so good for me! My vision went from 20/800 in the right eye and 20/750 in the left with a combined figure of about 20/750, to 20/30 in each individual eye and 20/20 combined. At this point there should be no further complications and even the dryness should improve over the next few months. My wife's (about 2 months at this point) eyes are clear (pretty, too) and her visions if flawless.
Ok, it wouldn't be a post without a rant. The week before the surgery I had a lot of people, most of whom I don't work with or even know that well, telling me all kinds of horror stories about "someone they know's friend" having a horrible experience and just escaping blindness. What is it about things that people want to fill you with their own fears? Same thing happens with plane travel. I once flew to Phoenix, and just before the flight my dad was telling me stories about the time his plane lost an engine, blah, blah, blah, and his wasn't the only one. You want a horror story? Let me tell you about this pet bunny I had once...

BTW - if you get the title, bravo for you! You're also an old person, so maybe you should lie down now for a nap.

Sausages and the odd bit of maple flavouring.

2007-05-17T06:34:00.000-05:00

Just added a link to my friend Todd's blog. He doesn't update the blogbits very often, but the pictures alone are worth the visit. He's a part-time photographer, full-time techno geek, musician, artist and general all-around Renaissance Man. He also sells his photos, links to come as soon as he gets his new site up.

Riding with Danger.

2007-05-13T10:19:00.000-05:00

That title kind of reminds me of "Riding with Death". Seen the movie? The MSTK3 version was far superior. Basically 4 episodes of a really crappy TV show strung together to make a "theatrical movie".

Went on the "Ride for the Cure" for the first time yesterday sponsored by the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. There were roughly 1400 motorcycles taking off from a local outdoor mall riding from Peoria to Pekin. 29 miles, but it took about 1 1/2 hours for the distance. The foundation sponsors a "Walk/Run for the Cure" as well as the ride. My wife and some of her friends and co-workers did the walk. If you didn't participate this year, please plan on doing so next year. It's a really worthy cause, and has personal importance for me. Sidetrack into medical rant: I've heard doctors (recently) claim that there is no link between hormone therapy and breast cancer, but of the 4 women in my family who've had it, all were on therapy. This is moving from anecdotal to actual data point territory here. Anyway, the Foundation is important, please support it.

Things to do before you die.

2007-05-10T06:53:00.000-05:00

Added my first link today, to a blog that is run by a friend of my wife's. In it she lists her attempt to fulfill all of the goals listed in the book "101 Things to do before you die". Good Luck! Although I noted that one of the items is to "get arrested". Might want to not be in Turkey when you do that one. I've seen the movie. Oh! Had a thought: If you've ever had a speeding ticket, you can cross that off. Technically, you were under arrest, although unless you had a nice cop, you probably didn't get handcuffed. :)

Cinco de Mayo!

2007-05-06T07:15:00.000-05:00

Can't remember how to say "late" in Spanish, so I'll settle for not trying. I mean, Google would be too much trouble now, wouldn't it?
Spent a little time yesterday at Wildlife Prairie Park here in central Illinois, a very beautiful setting in which to relax and forget about civilization. It hosts a wide variety of animals that were at one time native to Illinois. If you live around here, you should join and support this wonderful park. There were some bonus animals this time, free-range: 4 red fox kits running wild and free (didn't see the parents, not sure if the fox dad hangs with them, it's the whole inconvenience of Google thing again), a couple of racoons, once of which was trying to figure out how to get into the otter pen to steal it's food, and a snapping turtle, which was a long, long way from the nearest pond.
Spent the evening with friends at a nice New Orleans-style restaurant called "Po Boys". They have nice food and pour a nice drink. Had a good band as well, but couldn't stay up late enough to really hear very much of them. The food isn't too spicy as seems to be the case with a lot of other cajun style that I've had. On the subject of drink, I was wondering how some of the bars get by with offering some of the cocktails that they do. The one I had (Mardi Gras Mash) had 3 shots in it. Just wondering, since the current BAC (.08) would seem to be exceeded by 2 of these.

Yes, we have no bananas!

2007-04-29T17:08:00.000-05:00

At least none that aren't past the expiration date. Just went out for an anniversary dinner (number 8, if you care), did a little shopping on the trip. Stopped at a CVS pharmacy on the way. Now, last week I was at the same store to buy some sunscreen, and I noted that one of the bottles of their store brand had expired in 04/06, and another was set to expire at the end of this month. I took the expired one to the cashier, as a courtesy to them. She put it behind the counter. Today I noted that it was back on the shelf for sale. Hmm... Wonder if they do this with medication as well? CVS has just lost my business. Funnier yet, we went to the Kroger store next door to buy some marshmallows, and about 2/3 of the Kroger brand were either expired by a week, or set to expire today. WTF is going on with stores? Did some new deregulation just pass that lets them get by with selling expired merchandise?

Ok, enough of that rant. Went to Chicago yesterday to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Nice place, free, although you pay about $20 for parking, but that's Chicago for you, and it never seems very crowded. No rant here, just showing that I don't always complain about everything. :)

Bats-a-matter-for-you, eh?

2007-04-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

Just back from Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. It was a nice trip, and the Zoo is a wonderful place to visit, but on the way back I missed a toll plaza on I-355. Pissed me off, because the location of the toll plaza is NOT well marked. In fact, it's marked as a "Boughton Exit only". OK. So now I have to go through a major online hassle to pay the SOB. They don't even make it easy to find out which one you went through. There are two options for the Boughton exit, and the map is inconclusive as to which is the correct one to enter. Can we rant for a minute? If I was a conspiracy theorist, I'd say that the toll system is stacked to make you get an iPass, the electronic version of dropping the buck in the basket. They've cut down the number of lanes that you can use to pay with actual coin-of-the-realm and put them out of the way so you have to hunt for them. If I was a conspiracy theorist. If. So, I've paid the toll, but there's also a little blurb on their site that says if it happens 3 times in 2 years, you get nailed with an extra fine. This marks the last time I take a toll road. At least in Illinois.

Loss of wonder, I wonder?

2007-04-17T17:06:00.000-05:00

The original title of this post was going to be "The not-eyes of Laura Mars", but I discarded that for two reasons.
1: Didn't really care for the movie to begin with.
2: Doesn't really matter now, do it?

Had an evaluation of my eyes done (I've worn glasses since I was 8), and apparently I'm a good candidate for Lasik surgery. 5 minutes in a chair, and you can see the world without glasses. Amazing, but it's commonplace now. Looking back at the technological advances over the course of humanity, I'm struck by the common thread of losing a sense of wonder as we advance. I had a great-grandmother who had cataracts for many, many years. She had been blind since before I was born and she died blind because the procedure was too risky. Now, it's an outpatient thing. If onlys, eh?
Too often, too early, too much is taken for granted, and even worse, interactions between people seem to suffer the same fate. Familiarity, and all that. Wisdom ala "Family Guy": An old guy at a science fair said, as he was clicking a lamp on and off, "This doesn't amaze you? I saw this at the 1903 World's Fair and crapped myself!". Wisdom, ahh yes, wisdom. How do we lose the sense of wonder at the beauty of the world and fall into the dark? Is it possible to recover without the wonders of Modern Chemistry?
Odd thoughts, nothing more.

Walkies?

2007-04-16T18:05:00.000-05:00

Points for the reference. (Answer at bottom, don't cheat!)

We have a Toyota Prius. Nice car. Environmentally friendly. I get about 46+ MPG, compared to the 17 or so in my old Chevy Blazer. It doesn't haul much, for sure, but with those savings, I'll pay for delivery. I've read some people who say that a Hummer is a better deal over the lifetime of the car, but of course, they are flawed. The studies and people both. A Hummer gets about 10-12 MPG, the Prius gets 45-55, and they used 300,000 miles for the life of the Hummer and 100,000 for the Prius. What a crock! I can be reasoned with, and I don't ignore factually correct arguments, but something like this is more akin to deliberate lying. Break for a bit here ---

Going for a walk now. Trying to get more exercise now that spring seems to be here for the duration. Duration of probably a week, more like, then it'll turn to summer and 100.

Back from walkies. Had a cat try to make the sojourn with, but discouraged him. And was then berated thoroughly upon return.

Anyway, back to the mileage thingy. I also ride have a motorcycle that gets about 55 MPG. America really needs to start lowering it's dependence on oil in general, but foreign oil in particular. It starts with steps like this.

Answer: It's from Monty Python's Flying Circus. If you don't know the episode, you should run out and buy the entire DVD set. Now. Go on, I'll wait...

Guitars and Cadillacs

2007-04-16T09:47:00.001-05:00

The Gibson SG is the finest guitar ever made. Discuss.

In the beginning, there was a post.

2007-04-16T09:24:00.000-05:00

Hello (blog) World!

Anyone who's programmed in the past 20 years or so will probably recognize this as a variation on the traditional First Program. If you don't program, just nod your head knowingly. People won't be able to tell the difference. Really.