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30 December 2008

7-11 Listeria

Since I spent a few days during the recent storm only buying food from the nearby 7-11, it is a little scary that there was a Listeria contamination (click link for details).

24 December 2008

Twas the night before Christmas - Hog style

Reprinted from Sunset HOG Mail...

Twas the night before Christmas
Hog style
Author unknown

Twas the night be fore Christmas, and down at the shop.
The Harley's were waiting to thunder and pop.
Mike Durbin and staff, greet with a smile,
A new Harley wait's its very first mile.


Ready for sleep from a long work load.
In the distance I hear a Harley being rode.
I call it a night and settled in bed,
while visions of a new ride ran through my head.


Sudenly I hear.... a familiar noise,
It's a short red fat boy loaded with toys.
Raising the window and ready to holler,
I see a leather vested man with a studded collar.


The streets lights were full and
lit up the scene.
It was hundred and ten inch...6 speed...what a machine.
The rider was old as many I've seen,
Crusty and cranky and not so lean.


My eyes were bleary and then became clear.
This fat boy was towed by V-Twin reindeer.
Knowing the myth and the day of the week,
Was this Hogs version of Santa with rosy red cheeks.

In a moment the legend will definitely unfold,
Can he throttle to the roof..being this old?
Then he yelled and shouted and called them by name,
Now sportster, now dyna, now heritage and street bob,
On ultra, on road king, on crossbones and V-Rod.
From the front of the drive and over the wall,
Now crank it wide open.....to the rafters we go all.

So up to the peak the entire pack rode,
And across the roof the fat boy strolled.
I hushed myself...not to utter a sound,
Then down the chimney he comes....short, fat, and round.

He was dressed all in leather from head to toe,
With a sunset patch on the back you know.
He looked like a biker.. I remember so well,
Then went right to his work and did not dwell.


His sack carried chrome, and motor-clothes abound,
And then he was gone with nary a sound.
Never the less...he made it all so right.
Not many can say they saw Santa, on a Harley that night.
Yet I know the truth and it's all so cool,
He was a graduate of our group riding school. 


He looked very familiar and now I ask you,
Could it be that Santa is that fellow named Shoe?

But with thinning white hair and a beard all frumpy
I honestly think that Santa is Grumpy.

Then he cracked open the bike and rode out of sight,
and yelled have a Happy Harley Christmas and to all good night.

19 December 2008

Majel Roddenberry Dies At 76

From Slashdot:

Majel Barrett-Rodenberry has passed away. The widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry is best remembered as the gorgeous Nurse Christine Chapel from the original series, the pesky and officious Lwaxana Troi from The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, and of course the ubiquitous voice of Star Trek computers in movies, TV, and animated films.

11 December 2008

RIP Betty Page

Bettie Page, the 1950s secretary-turned-model whose controversial photographs in skimpy attire or none at all helped set the stage for the 1960s sexual revolution, died Thursday. She was 85.



Page was placed on life support last week after suffering a heart attack in Los Angeles and never regained consciousness, said her agent, Mark Roesler. He said he and Page's family agreed to remove life support. Before the heart attack, Page had been hospitalized for three weeks with pneumonia.



"She captured the imagination of a generation of men and women with her free spirit and unabashed sensuality," Roesler said. "She is the embodiment of beauty.

"

Page, who was also known as Betty, attracted national attention with magazine photographs of her sensuous figure in bikinis and see-through lingerie that were quickly tacked up on walls in military barracks, garages and elsewhere, where they remained for years.



Her photos included a centerfold in the January 1955 issue of then-fledgling Playboy magazine, as well as controversial sadomasochistic poses.



"I think that she was a remarkable lady, an iconic figure in pop culture who influenced sexuality, taste in fashion, someone who had a tremendous impact on our society," Playboy founder Hugh Hefner told The Associated Press on Thursday. "She was a very dear person.

"

Page mysteriously disappeared from the public eye for decades, during which time she battled mental illness and became a born-again Christian.



After resurfacing in the 1990s, she occasionally granted interviews but refused to allow her picture to be taken.



"I don't want to be photographed in my old age," she told an interviewer in 1998. "I feel the same way with old movie stars. ... It makes me sad. We want to remember them when they were young.

"

The 21st century indeed had people remembering her just as she was. She became the subject of songs, biographies, Web sites, comic books, movies and documentaries. A new generation of fans bought thousands of copies of her photos, and some feminists hailed her as a pioneer of women's liberation.



Gretchen Mol portrayed her in 2005's "The Notorious Bettie Page" and Paige Richards had the role in 2004's "Bettie Page: Dark Angel." Page herself took part in the 1998 documentary "Betty Page: Pinup Queen.

"

Hefner said he last saw Page when he held a screening of "The Notorious Bettie Page" at the Playboy Mansion. He said she objected to the fact that the film referred to her as "notorious," but "we explained to her that it referred to the troubled times she had and was a good way to sell a movie.

"

Page's career began one day in October 1950 when she took a respite from her job as a secretary in a New York office for a walk along the beach at Coney Island. An amateur photographer named Jerry Tibbs admired the 27-year-old's firm, curvy body and asked her to pose.



Looking back on the career that followed, she told Playboy in 1998: "I never thought it was shameful. I felt normal. It's just that it was much better than pounding a typewriter eight hours a day, which gets monotonous.

"

Nudity didn't bother her, she said, explaining: "God approves of nudity. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they were naked as jaybirds.

"

In 1951, Page fell under the influence of a photographer and his sister who specialized in S&M. They cut her hair into the dark bangs that became her signature and posed her in spiked heels and little else. She was photographed with a whip in her hand, and in one session she was spread-eagled between two trees, her feet dangling.



"I thought my arms and legs would come out of their sockets," she said later.



Moralists denounced the photos as perversion, and Sen. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee, Page's home state, launched a congressional investigation.



Page quickly retreated from public view, later saying she was hounded by federal agents who waved her nude photos in her face. She also said she believed that, at age 34, her days as "the girl with the perfect figure" were nearly over.



She moved to Florida in 1957 and married a much younger man, as an early marriage to her high school sweetheart had ended in divorce.



Her second marriage also failed, as did a third, and she suffered a nervous breakdown.



In 1959, she was lying on a sea wall in Key West when she saw a church with a white neon cross on top. She walked inside and became a born-again Christian.



After attending Bible school, she wanted to serve as a missionary but was turned down because she had been divorced. Instead, she worked full-time for evangelist Billy Graham's ministry.



A move to Southern California in 1979 brought more troubles.



She was arrested after an altercation with her landlady, and doctors who examined her determined she had acute schizophrenia. She spent 20 months in a state mental hospital in San Bernardino.



A fight with another landlord resulted in her arrest, but she was found not guilty because of insanity. She was placed under state supervision for eight years.



"She had a very turbulent life," Todd Mueller, a family friend and autograph seller, told The Associated Press on Thursday. "She had a temper to her.

"

Mueller said he first met Page after tracking her down in the 1990s and persuaded her to do an autograph signing event.



He said she was a hit and sold about 3,000 autographs, usually for $200 to $300 each.



"Eleanor Roosevelt, we got $40 to $50. ... Bettie Page outsells them all," he told The AP last week.



Born April 22, 1923, in Nashville, Tenn., Page said she grew up in a family so poor "we were lucky to get an orange in our Christmas stockings.

"

The family included three boys and three girls, and Page said her father molested all of the girls.



After the Pages moved to Houston, her father decided to return to Tennessee and stole a police car for the trip. He was sent to prison, and for a time Betty lived in an orphanage.



In her teens she acted in high school plays, going on to study drama in New York and win a screen test from 20th Century Fox before her modeling career took off.



___

Associated Press writers Denise Petski and Raquel Maria Dillon contributed to this report.

03 December 2008

News from the Net

I know many of you miss my daily News from the Net.... Well, since I am waiting for a server to install, I'll go ahead and post a few tidbits for you :)

Mad Scientist Brings Back Dead With "Deanimation"

TSA Replacing Metal Detectors With Brain Scans

Visual Hallucinations Are a Normal Grief Reaction

Sci Fi Channel orders 'Battlestar' prequel 'Caprica'

Hawaii Endorses Plan for Electric Cars

For all the 2012 conspiracies: US report predicts nuclear or biological attack by 2013

And now for something completely different... how about some local news?

This kinda makes me glad I didn't accept their job a few years ago... Layoff watch: Sage Software

In case you missed it the other day, my Jack-in-the-Box was hit.

If you remember that little race car track on Cascade, expect it to be replaced with yet another car lot.

Diet change cured autism

12 November 2008

Multiple Upcoming Games, Movies Based On Jordan's Wheel of Time

This is fantastic news... or maybe that is FANtastic?

Anyways, if anyone knows how to get my foot in the door to be in the film, work on the games - or both... please, do so. That would be freakin awesome.

06 November 2008

Obama, McCain Campaigns Both Hacked

I was reading the synopsis at Slashdot and thought, who had the most to gain from hacking both campaigns? Based on our history, I'd say the most likely candidate would be our own military. Regardless of which campaign wins, you ensure that they believe there are terrorist that need squashing.

I mean, come on - this sounds too much like a first time sci-fi writer:

But by the next day, both the FBI and the Secret Service came to the campaign with an ominous warning: "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand," an agent told Obama's team. "You have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system." The following day, Obama campaign chief David Plouffe heard from White House chief of staff Josh Bolten, to the same effect: "You have a real problem ... and you have to deal with it." The Feds told Obama's aides in late August that the McCain campaign's computer system had been similarly compromised.

30 October 2008

21 October 2008

Cray Desktop Supercomputer


Now, before I show you the cool new toy, I have to point out why I will never trust SGI / Cray again.

I had 100 shares of SGI.  July 5th 2006 they announced this:
SGI's current shareholders will receive no recovery under the plan.


I thought WTF, so I emailed them. Lisa Pistacchio emailed me back:

Upon confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization, the current SGI stock will be cancelled.
For more information, please go to www.sgi.com/reorg

My regrets. I am a shareholder, too.  

I thought WTF?

So what happened? They dropped my stocks, didn't reimburse me a dime, then immediately started selling stocks again.  It's like if you loaned your friend money because you believed in and like them; then one day they walk up to you and say "Fuck you! I'm never paying you back biotch! BTW Can you loan me some more money?"

So, while I will never trust the company again, this does look cool (if expensive). Of course, I'd rather it be AMD and OpenSolaris, but hey....

Review

General Information
Item Number Please confirm your selection.
Configuration Date 10/21/2008 12:46:53 PM

Product Information
Model CRAY CX1
Total Processors 8 CPUs
Total Memory 128 GB RAM
Total Storage 4280 GB

Configuration Detail
Item TypeDescriptionQuantitySKU
CX1 EnclosureCXC1081
   SystemCXC108 Chassis1CXC108
   Redundant Power SuppliesSingle Phase Hot Swap Power Module (Kit of 2)1CX1SPHSPM
   Form FactorDeskside Rolling Tray1CX1DSRT
   Infiniband KitInfiniBand Switch DDR 24 Ports1CX1IBSWDDR24
   WarrantyCXC108 - 3 Years Onsite NBD - 24 x 7 Tel Support (NA)1CXC1083YNBD24X7NA
CX1 NodesCN54001
   CN5400Compute Node CN5400 (Dual Processor)1CN5400
   ProcessorXeon Quad-Core E5472 3.0GHz 12M 1600 MHz2H5472
   Memory4GB FBDIMM DDR2 800MHz ECC/Reg.84GF8
   Hard Drive320GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 2.5"1320725
   Remote ManagementRemote Management Module1CX1RMM
   Fiber ChannelLSI 7204EP-LC Dual Port 4GB FC HBA1LSI7204EPLCKIT
   WarrantyCC48/CC54 - 3 Years Onsite NBD - 24 x 7 Call Center Support (NA)1CC48/CC543YNBD24X7NA
   Infiniband KitInfiniBand Kit (DP) DDR1CX1IBKITUPDDR
   Operating System InstallationRH/OCS - Factory Install - Basic Services (per node)1CX1FOIRHHPC
   Operating System SupportRH/OCS - 1 Year 24 x 7 Tel and Web support, unlimited incidents1SRHHPC1Y24x7x1H
CX1 NodesCS54081
   CS5408Storage Node CS5408 (DP - 8 x HS HDD)1CS5408
   ProcessorXeon Quad-Core E5472 3.0GHz 12M 1600 MHz2H5472
   Memory4GB FBDIMM DDR2 800MHz ECC/Reg.84GF8
   Internal Fixed Hard Drive320GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 2.5"1320725
   Raid ControllerRAID controller LSI SAS/SATA 8708EM2 8 ports, 3GB/s1LSI8708EM2
   Battery Backup RAID ControllerOptional Battery Backup LSI 8704/08EM21LSIBBU6
   Hot-Swap Hard Drives250GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 2.5" Extended Duty8250S725EX
   Remote ManagementRemote Management Module1CX1RMM
   Operating System InstallationRH/OCS - Factory Install - Basic Services (per node)1CX1FOIRHHPC
   Infiniband KitInfiniBand Kit (DP) DDR1CX1IBKITUPDDR
   Operating System SupportRH/OCS - 1 Year 24 x 7 Tel and Web support, unlimited incidents1SRHHPC1Y24x7x1H
   WarrantyCS5408 - 3 Years Onsite NBD - 24 x 7 Call Center Support (NA)1CS54083YNBD24X7NA
CX1 NodesCV54011
   CV5401Visualization Node CV5401 (DP - 1 x Graphic)1CV5401
   ProcessorXeon Quad-Core E5472 3.0GHz 12M 1600 MHz2H5472
   Memory4GB FBDIMM DDR2 800MHz ECC/Reg.84GF8
   Hard Drive320GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 2.5"1320725
   Video CardNVIDIA QuadroFX 56001NVQFX5600
   Remote ManagementRemote Management Module1CX1RMM
   WarrantyCV54 - 3 Years Onsite NBD - 24 x 7 Call Center Support (NA)1CV543YNBD24X7NA
   Operating System InstallationRH/OCS - Factory Install - Basic Services (per node)1CX1FOIRHHPC
   Operating System SupportRH/OCS - 1 Year 24 x 7 Tel and Web support, unlimited incidents1SRHHPC1Y24x7x1H
   Infiniband KitInfiniBand Kit (DP) DDR1CX1IBKITUPDDR
CX1 NodesCS54041
   CS5404Storage Node CS5404 (DP - 4 x HS HDD)1CS5404
   ProcessorXeon Quad-Core E5472 3.0GHz 12M 1600 MHz2H5472
   Memory4GB FBDIMM DDR2 800MHz ECC/Reg.84GF8
   Internal Fixed Hard Drive320GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 2.5"1320725
   Raid ControllerRAID controller LSI SAS/SATA 8704EM2 4 ports, 3GB/s1LSI8704EM2
   Battery Backup RAID ControllerOptional Battery Backup LSI 8704/08EM21LSIBBU6
   Hot-Swap Hard Drives250GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 2.5" Extended Duty4250S725EX
   Remote ManagementRemote Management Module1CX1RMM
   WarrantyCS5404 - 3 Years Onsite NBD - 24 x 7 Call Center Support (NA)1CS54043YNBD24X7NA
   Operating System SupportRH/OCS - 1 Year 24 x 7 Tel and Web support, unlimited incidents1SRHHPC1Y24x7x1H
   Infiniband KitInfiniBand Kit (DP) DDR1CX1IBKITUPDDR
   Operating System InstallationRH/OCS - Factory Install - Basic Services (per node)1CX1FOIRHHPC
Power Cord (kit of 2)CX1 Power Cord USA/JP 2.5M2CX1PC2
Keyboard and MouseCordless Keyboard and Mouse MX55001CX1WKBMO
MonitorSamsung 30 inches LCD Monitor Black 305T2S305T
On-Site Installation ServicesRH/OCS - Onsite Install - Premium Services (per CX1 system)1OSIPMSHPC
Road CaseRugged CX1 Roadcase1CX1RC
Unit Price$84,089.00
Quantity1
Total Price (USD)$84,089.00

 

14 October 2008

Memorial Spaceflights

I have been talking about wanting this for a long time, and it is finally available.  Well, not quite. I would rather be sent out into space rather than have some of my cremated remains sent out.  While the lowest package is only $695, I think I would rather have the Deep Space package:
Module Option (One participant, 7g)
Standard Service $25,000
Preferred Service $39,990
(please call for more information about preferred level service)

  • Launches seven grams of cremated remains, first priority, into deep space;

  • Invitation to launch and memorial services: pre-launch briefings, personal meeting and dinner with an astronaut, launch tour (when available);

  • A custom, individualized, professionally produced DVD of the launch and memorial activities;

  • Complimentary scattering of balance of remaining cremated remains at sea near the launch site;

  • Inscription of the participant’s name and message on the flight module;

  • Personalized Online Memorial, including a biography (one page — 500 words, one photo, five video and five audio clips, online Guest Book messages) placed on the Celestis Web site (additional photos are available);

  • Framed post-launch certificate;

  • Memorial urn;

  • Memorial plaque, with replica of the flight module, suitable for display in home or office;

  • Performance assurance — in the event the mission is not successful, you will have the option for a priority re-flight, at no additional cost, on the next scheduled Space Services Inc. Voyager Service launch.

Hmmm... maybe with some DNA samples :)

09 October 2008

Motorcycle update


So I got my permit today.

I was noticing on pg 49 of the Motorcycle Manual that there is a little line by the starting point that says "More than 500cc". Well, since my is almost 1600cc, I think maybe I should figure out what I am supposed to be doing differently before I get all stressed out trying to complete the weave.

I asked the Beaverton DMV and they said they weren't sure but that it looked like maybe bigger bikes skip the first cone. They suggested calling Sherwood DMV and asking them.

Sherwood DMV looked over the picture and said that they think it means the bigger bikes make a bigger U-Turn at the end of the course. She also repeatedly told me that I have a better chance of passing the test on a smaller bike. She said it would be very hard to do the cone weave on a bigger bike.

Good thing I have a year to practice on the permit, huh?

04 October 2008

Black Denim 2008 Harley Dyna Street Bob (FXDB)


Well, I bought me a Harley today. I'll probably be taking it home mid next week (after I get my endorsement and they get the addons installed).

The picture is a link to a bigger pic. The title is a link to the stats pre-upgrades.

Oh and in case any of you are wondering... I rode a bike for my first time today.... take my test tomorrow. Wish me luck.

02 October 2008

[Google Blogs] 2001: A search odyssey

From Google:
9/30/2008 03:59:00 PM
Now that we're a decade old, we figured we're long overdue for some spring cleaning. We started digging around our basement and found all kinds of junk: old Swedish fish, pigeon poop, Klingon translation books. Amazingly enough, hidden in a corner beneath Larry's and Sergey's original lab coats, we found a vintage search index in mint condition. We dusted it off and took it for a spin, gobsmacked to see how different the web was in early 2001. "iPod" did not refer to a music player, "youtube" was nonsense, and if you were looking for "Michael Phelps," chances are you meant the scientist, not the swimmer. "Wikipedia" was brand new. Remember "hanging chads"? (And speaking of that election-specific reference -- if you're a U.S. citizen, it's not too late: please register to vote.)

We had so much fun searching that we wanted to put this old index online for everyone to play with. We thought it'd be even cooler if we could actually see the full versions of the old web pages, so we worked with the Internet Archive to link to their cache of these pages from 2001. Step into the time machine and try a 2001 Google search.

For more information on this search, please read our FAQ.

Posted by Shirin Oskooi, Product Manager

Hmmm.... What to search for??? Something older than iPod, youtube and Wikipedia...? Hmmmm...
I know! I'll search for myself....
Results 1 - 10 of about 80 for Malachi de AElfweald. (0.01 seconds)

Hehe ;) Let's see... what's there... Oooh, Letter of Recommendation from the chair of the CS dept. I was listed as a Unix Wizard. And of course one of my favorite quotes of all time on our VAMPS (VAMPS Against Modern Political Systems - the political party I started and was registered with for about 10 years) guestbook:
Hehehe...VAMPS has a guestbook now? Excellent! I run an online index of political parties called The Political Lighthouse which has carried a listing for VAMPS since the last campaign. I was just dropping through while updating links. Thought you might like to know your party has more staying power than some of the big-name 3rd parties... like the Nazis and the Progressive Labour Party. Good luck in 2000!
Of course, it is always fun to look back at old webpages... like this one. To bad it can't access any of my old pages from 1993 :(

Mal

29 September 2008

Project 10100

Project 10100 is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible.

25 September 2008

Jack Thompson disbarred permanently!

You might remember Jack Thompson from various posts such as this one and this one.

Per Slashdot, "The Florida Supreme Court has approved Judge Dava Tunis' recommendations for the permanent disbarment of John B. "Jack" Thompson, with no leave to reapply and $43,675.35 in disciplinary costs."

Score one for the good guys

16 September 2008

Emotiv EPOC Delay

In an effort to ensure the highest levels of quality for our first consumer product, we are extending the testing phase of the EPOC. This is going to lengthen our release schedule and, as a result, we expect product to be shipping in 2009, rather than in time for the 2008 holiday season. We know many of you are anxious to order an EPOC and we’re anxious for you to experience it, so we will keep you informed of the availability details. As members of our “Emotivated” Facebook community (and EPOC Fan Page), you can get regular updates from our NewsFlash emails (http://emotiv.com/corporate/5_0/5_2.htm), as well as by checking the Emotiv website.




All the best,

The EmoDirect Team

11 August 2008

iPhone mutilation


Well, after having to factory reset my iPhone (and thus loose all my data again since it refuses to even acknowledge the last 3 backups) for the 5th time in 2 weeks... I think it is time to burn, mutilate or destroy my iPhone.  I originally switched to it purely for the touchscreen as I had been wanting that for awhile.  There are others with touchscreens now, and chances are they don't require the dreaded evil broken iTunes crap.

So which phone to go with? Well, preference would be for something with 850/900/1800/1900, WiFi, touchscreen (I wish my SaveJe phone had a touchscreen), allow me to write my own applications [preferably Java] , USB, and preferably GPS.  Which camp do I go with this time?

There are quite a few Linux phones... soon to be Android and Java (again) phones... what to do what to do?

The Neo Freerunner is only $374. Basically the same price as the new iPhone, or my old one, or my old SaveJe phone.... It is linux based (which wouldn't be my preference, but it is better than windows-based). Although they are not using a Sun stack (I really want full JRE7 on it) they aparently have a Maven plugin you can use to package your java app for use on the phone:
We use the CacaoJVM as virtual machine and GNU Classpath as class library. With this we have a runtime which is a mostly Java SE 1.5 compatible in the areas an average developer works. Furthermore this combination has a fast JIT compiler and a acceptable small size. 
Definitely not ideal. In fact, it looks like it has some issues.

There is a list of which phones support which JSR... but, I want FULL JRE. Like SaveJe had. Which is now aparently JavaFX Mobile and it not currently available on any phones but was displayed at JavaOne with the previous Neo product (1973).

04 August 2008

Phone died



This is the problem I had (but while installing some other app)... If you run into it as well, here was the solution that worked:
"1. Boot phone 2. Hold Power + Home until the screen goes BLACK 3. Continue to hold home and let go of power 4. Plug into iTunes (screen should still be BLACK) 5. Within 20 seconds it should come up in recovery mode 6. Let go of Home and hit RESTORE in iTunes."

01 August 2008

Lost Contact

Over the years I have lost contact with quite a few people. Some of them I have managed to reconnect with (mostly through MySpace) and many I have yet to figure out how to locate.  On the off chance that one of them may do a Google search for themselves and come across my page mentioning them, I will list a few people here that I would like to make contact with again...

  • Jeff Baxter - he was the assistant manager at Castle in Medford when we moved to Portland together. Worked for Stream for awhile.
  • Juliana - she used to do spoken word at the Ohm in Portland back in 1999 or so. She used to live in an apartment down the street from Castle.
  • Kathy Tiffee - my first girlfriend back in 7th/8th grade in Alturas
  • Kari Tibbedeaux - dear friend of mine from Redding that moved to Portola
  • Jenny Abeloe - my girlfriend when I graduated from SOU and when I moved to Portland

24 July 2008

Apache Archiva

Today I was browsing through some of the more recent Apache projects, and came across Archiva. I decided to give it a whirl.

I didn't manage to get it to work as a windows service, and a few things (like uploading artifacts to it) were kinda slow, but overall I'd say it's pretty slick and definitely something I think I will use for awhile.

Go ahead and take a look at my setup instructions (which I honestly put together so I don't forget the steps when I go to do it at home) and give it a try. I think you'll like it.

09 June 2008

Birthday


As some of you know, my birthday is coming up at the beginning of November. If you'd all like to pitch in to get me this, I wouldn't mind at all =)

03 June 2008

goosh

I know some of you really miss my News from the Net. I have not had time to read many articles or sites lately... However, I did come across one that catches my attention... goosh: the Unofficial Google Shell... I'd recommend that all you command-line geeks out there go take a look :)

02 June 2008

Identity Theft

Some of you have been wondering why my google status mentioned identity theft the other day...

A couple weeks ago, I got a new RCI Platinum Plus MasterCard. Now, the interest rate was at 14.99%, which for me is really high, so there was no intention to just use the card all over the place. I didn't use it at all in fact.

Then when I went to buy my car from Beaverton Mitsubishi, I couldn't get out of a down payment, so I put it on the card. First and only purchase. I handed my card to one guy, then got it back from another half an hour later in another building.

A couple days later, I went onto the BofA website (bank hosting the card) to determine the address to send payments to. I saw the down payment on the transaction history, then a $1 paypal temporary authorization, then a $625 ($675? can't remember) temporary authorization for Paypal Dealsonline. Since I had never used it anywhere but the dealership, I was very surprised by this.

I contacted BofA. They said that until the transaction was posted, there was nothing to do. I kept explaining to them that either someone fraudulently used my card or they got my data directly from BofA. The bank suggested I call PayPal directly.

I called PayPal. They had already flagged it as suspicious because the person had not signed into their paypal account to do the transaction. Also, the person had not mistakenly typed the wrong number because they had used MY name. At this point, PayPal identified it as identity theft. They started blocked payment and started an investigation. They told me to call BofA back and what to say.

BofA cancelled my card, issued me a new one with a different number, and started an investigation.

Since I had only used the card once, and never online, chances are very high that someone at Beaverton Mitsubishi will be getting 5 years / $500,000 fine for under $700 worth of merchandise that they never received.

I also called the Merchant and told them they might want to hold on to that shipping address.

I also called my sales rep at the dealership and told him.

27 May 2008

My new car


Whelp, I finally bought a new car.... 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (13 miles on it).

I asked them about putting the spoiler from the Limited Edition (a little more sporty than this one) onto it - and they all looked at me in amazement and wonder... they have made it their personal challenge to try to get that done in the next couple weeks because they have never seen it done and think it would look so cool...

However, here's a pic of it pre-spoiler :)

24 May 2008

Scorpio

Sometimes you just have to love these horoscopes ;)

Sometimes, when you are close to an object of love, you want to merge with it so you can intensify your experience. These days, however, you are easily distracted by a variety of possibilities, making it difficult to decide which one is most worthy of your attention. Your best strategy now may be to see where the tides take you, for no decision is necessary yet. The pressure to make a choice stems from your fear of missing a clue to the secrets of the universe. Saturday, May 24, 2008

19 May 2008

Voting

I know. It isn't like me to post a MySpace Bulletin here... but this was too good to pass up. Thanks Eric.


Who ever you choose, make sure you get out and vote!!!


Photobucket

18 May 2008

Drachten: A plan for Portland?

I was watching Beyond Tomorrow, and they had a spot on Naked Streets. The basic idea is simple - get road of street signs and markings. The host even commented that there was almost no distinction between roadways and walkways. In Drachten, they replaced a standard 4-way intersection (stop lights, crosswalks, etc) with a roundabout and no signage. Only rule is that pedestrians get priority. They have a fountain that gets higher as traffic increases, thus drowning out the sound. I think the real key is that they were talking about how many accidents they had with the old system - and NO accidents in the last 4 years since they changed systems. I could definitely see something like that going over well in Portland (or Ashland).

17 May 2008

A short yet fun read

Bored? Need some form of information you can browse and wet your appetite? I found this to be a quick yet enjoyable read.

12 May 2008

DataStorm


Ok, there are definitely some funny parts to this... if you are watching it at work, I should warn you that the volume is pretty inconsistent.

09 May 2008

Make a Chickensaurus Skeleton


I thought this was kinda kewl...

Synopsis: As a lesson in anatomy, my son and I reassembled a chicken skeleton from the bones remaining after a chicken dinner. We cleaned and dried the bones, then hot-glued them together. It came out pretty cool. A chicken is a lot bigger than you'd think. We gave it a pouncing pose. From the proper angle it does have a dinosaur look about it.

01 May 2008

Acacia berlandieri

As most of you know, I randomly browse places like Wikipedia looking for something new to learn. Today I came across something that I thought would make you say 'well, now that's interesting'.

Today we learn about Acacia. I came across the Wikipedia page about the bean/blossom shrub Acacia berlandieri from Southwest US.

  1. It's toxic to goats. You heard me right - it's something goats can't eat.
  2. In a recent study, researchers identified thirty-one alkaloids in samples of plant foliage, including trace amounts of five amphetamines previously believed to be human inventions:[5] amphetamine, methamphetamine, N,N-dimethylamphetamine, p-hydroxyamphetamine and p-methoxyamphetamine. Other trace alkaloids include DMT (found in many related species), nicotine, and mescaline (found in many cacti but infrequently in other plants).
  3. If you click on the link to the Genus 'Acacia' you'll see that some of the food uses include Fresca, Barqs and Altoids.
  4. In The Bible, burning of acacia wood as a form of incense is mentioned several times.
  5. The Acacia is used as a symbol in Freemasonry, to represent purity and endurance of the soul, and as funerary symbolism signifying resurrection and immortality.
  6. Smoke from Acacia bark is thought to keep demons and ghosts away and to put the gods in a good mood.
  7. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, the Acacia tree may be the “burning bush” (Exodus 3:2) which Moses encountered in the desert.[10]
  8. According to the Book of Exodus, this was used in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant.
  9. Egyptian mythology has associated the acacia tree with characteristics of the tree of life (cf. article on the Legend of Osiris and Isis).
  10. if exposed to an enzyme which specifically splits glycosides, can release hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in the acacia "leaves."[60]
Apparently, it still can't beat the Venus Fly Trap for meat consumption rates.

22 April 2008

My new tattoo


20 years ago, I thought I wanted a grim reaper tattoo... My dad told me that I couldn't get it right away because he didn't think I would want it long term. A year later, I decided I'd rather have a shaman shapechanging into a panther...

6 months ago, Johnny started working on my artwork. A couple hours ago I got it finished (after a 5-1/2 hour sitting). Here it is...

18 April 2008

SD/MSC Generator


At work today, I was asked to do a sequence diagram for one of the processes we recently changed. I don't have Rose or Visio installed, so thought I would do a quick google search instead.

I came across the SD/MSC Generator. This tool allowed me to easily draw my diagrams using simple ASCII arrows. Very nice.




User->Blog: Read main page
Blog->Analytics: Register information\nabout the user
note left of Analytics: TBD\nConspriacy theories
User->Blog: Select timestamp at\nbottom of story about\nSD/MSC Generator
Blog->User: Serve up the permanent\nlink to the story
User->Blog: Click on 'Post a Comment'

The text to generate this image:

08 April 2008

What your name means (Numerology)

You entered: Malachi de AElfweald

There are 18 letters in your name.
Those 18 letters total to 71
There are 8 vowels and 10 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

HebrewMaleMessenger of God. The title of the last book in the Old Testament.
BiblicalMale'My messenger, my angel'

Your number is: 8

The characteristics of #8 are: Practical endeavors, status oriented, power-seeking, high-material goals.

The expression or destiny for #8:
Your Expression is represented by the number 8. The 8 Expression is well-equipped in a managerial sense. You have outstanding organizational and administrative capabilities. You have the potential for considerable achievement in business or other powerful positions. You can expect to receive the financial and material rewards. You have the skill and abilities to establish or operate a business with great efficiency. You have good judgment when it comes to money and commercial matters, and you understand how to build and accumulate material wealth. Much of your success (or lack of it) may come due to your ability (or inability) to judge character. With the number 8 Expression, you exercise sound judgment in most of your affairs; you are realistic and practical in your approach to business matters.

The positive 8 Expression produces individuals that are very ambitious and goal-oriented. If the 8 energy is not in excess in your makeup, you will no doubt express these traits to some extent. No one has any more energy that a person with the 8 Expression who has a plan laid and is starting to work. No one has any more self-confidence, either. If you are expressing the positive qualities of 8, you are an outstanding manager because you can plan, initiate, and complete projects; you are very dependable and determined.

As it always happens, there can be too much of a good thing. If you have too much of the 8 energy in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes. A negative 8 can be very rigid and stubborn. Ambition sometimes has a way of becoming over-ambition, and you may express an unreasonable impatience with the lack of progress. If your negative side is showing, you may be too exacting, both of yourself and of others. Sometimes this can even becomes a case of intolerance.

The number 8 is very materialistic and also very desirous of status and power. Neither of these drives are inherently negative unless they are taken to an extreme. You must avoid the tendency to strain after money, material matters, status, or power, to the detriment of the other important factors in your life.

Your Soul Urge number is: 1

A Soul Urge number of 1 means:
Your Soul Urge is the number 1. With a Soul Urge number of 1, you want to lead and direct, to work independent of supervision, by yourself or with subordinates. You take pride in your abilities and want to be recognized for them. You may seek opportunities to display your strength and usefulness, wanting to create and originate. In your desire to manage the big picture and the main issues, you may often leave the details to others.

The positive 1 Soul Urge is Ambitious and determined, a leader seeking opportunities. There is a great deal of honesty and loyalty in this character. If you possess positive 1 Soul Urge qualities, you are very attainment oriented and driven to success. You are a loyal friend and strictly fair in your business dealings.

The negative side of the 1 Soul Urge must be avoided. A negative 1 is apt to dominate situations and people; the home, the spouse, the family and the business. Emotions aren't strong in this nature. If you possess an excess of 1 energy, you may, at times, be boastful and egotistic. You must avoid being too critical and impatient of trifles. The great need of the 1 Soul Urge is the development of friendliness, and a sincere interest in people.

Your Inner Dream number is: 7

An Inner Dream number of 7 means:
You dream of having the opportunity to read, study, and shut yourself off from worldly distractions. You can see yourself as a teacher, mystic, or ecclesiastic, spending your life in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.



Copyright © 2006 Paul R. Sadowski (http://www.paulsadowski.com)

17 March 2008

Creating iPhone Ringtones on the PC

1. Open iTunes, Edit, Preferences
2. Click on Advanced tab
3. Click on Import subtab
4. Change Import Using to WAV, click OK
5. Right-click on a song and Convert Selection to WAV
6. Open the WAV file in Audacity
7. Select 25 seconds of the song and Export Selection (as WAV)
8. Open iTunes, Edit, Preferences, Advanced, Import - change to Import using AAC, OK
9. Open the newly created song with iTunes
10. Right-click on a song and Convert Selection to AAC
11. In Windows Explorer, rename the .m4a to .m4r
12. Double-click on the .m4r file
13. Sync the iPhone
14. Go into Settings, Sounds, Ringtones - Custom ringtones are at the very top
15. If it was not listed in step 14, Reboot the iPhone then try step 14 again

13 March 2008

MIT

Yesterday, I received my letter from MIT saying that I was not accepted for admittance this year.

20 February 2008

Brain control headset for gamers


The Emotiv EPOC now makes it possible for games to be controlled and influenced by the player's mind. Engaging, immersive, and nuanced, Emotiv-inspired game-play will be like nothing ever seen before. Based on the latest developments in neuro-technology, Emotiv has developed a new personal interface for human computer interaction.

The Emotiv EPOC uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals naturally produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expression. It connects wirelessly with all game platforms from consoles to PCs. The Emotiv neuroheadset now makes it possible for games to be controlled and influenced by the player's mind.




I've known about this company (Randy and Tan specifically) for a year now, but now that they are accepting reservations, I have got myself on the list :)

Article
Company Site

24 January 2008

Tesla Roadster


It appears that the Roadster is now legal to sell and will being selling in March for 20% of its original price!

Google Spies 1/24/2008

Based on how good a job they did for today's, I thought I would check out tomorrows... Since the last few days have been very... interesting... I can't even hazard a guess what this might imply...

You are relieved today by the introspective mood that has settled over your emotional landscape. In some ways it may feel like waking up after a storm and assessing the damage. Fortunately, it's likely that experiencing the whirlwind was more intense than dealing with any aftermath. It's time to reevaluate your recent past, redirect your energy, and get ready to move into new territory. Thursday, January 24, 2008

23 January 2008

Google Spies 1/23/2008

So, as some of you know, Google has spies and they bug our house so that they can determine an appropriate horoscope for us. Being as I am home early, I thought I would check tomorrow's horoscope before going to bed. Sounds like Ember's Goth Night might be pretty fun WED evening :)



You can feel the emotional heat today as sensual Venus aligns with your key planet Pluto. Everything seems to be more intense, for powerful Pluto activates suppressed passion. You are like a volcano; holding back the lava flow will only back up the energy and create a possible eruption later on. The safest course of action is to express yourself as gently and directly as you can. Wednesday, January 23, 2008

22 January 2008

This would sooooo not go over in Ashland/Portland


But nothing had prepared her for the reaction of the bus driver who allegedly told the self-styled Goth and her boyfriend: "We don't let freaks and dogs like you on."

17 January 2008

Bishop Bondage Test

Your Bishop
Bondage Position

Fist this leg, then I'll get the other. You can try to struggle, but there will be no getting free. You are completely at my mercy - available for whatever I please.


How would you be tied up?
Take the Bishop Bondage Test
(only 4 questions)