11/30/2011
The Truth About...
Looks like Robert "Don't Be A Dick" Farago is up to his old shenanigans again, this time with the very artwork that I made for Weer'd's blog header. Just thought that this would be a good time to explain that the very first time I went to Da Trut' Abou' Whatev, I saw that the writer was saying "If you don't have proper training you shouldn't be allowed to carry a gun" and "We attempt to examine the gun issue from a fair central position" or somesuch, two things that, even in my nascent gun state, raised red flags and warning signs. The writer seemed, to me, anyway, to be trying to pander to all sides.
[As an aside, and in case you weren't aware, "gun issues" are not something that can be compromised on. There is no "agree to disagree." The anti-rights cultists want to be able to control you. Your firearms are what keep them scared--I was going to say "honest," but it has been shown time and time again that they are anything but. And when you consider that most cases of countries governments enacting gun control of various sorts inevitably led to the genocide of millions of people (pdf warning), do you really want to even start down that road? And pandering in general just proves that you are only there to get attention, and calls into question your credibility.]
In any case, nowadays I make very sure to carefully check every link before I click on it in case it goes back to that attention whore's website. If on a google search I am looking for information on a particular firearm and see that TTAG is one of the websites with a review, I make a pointed effort to ignore it. After all, the Gun Blog Black List came into being directly as a result of ol' Robert Farwhatsit, and what's the use of a black list if you ignore it's basic tenant?
[As an aside, and in case you weren't aware, "gun issues" are not something that can be compromised on. There is no "agree to disagree." The anti-rights cultists want to be able to control you. Your firearms are what keep them scared--I was going to say "honest," but it has been shown time and time again that they are anything but. And when you consider that most cases of countries governments enacting gun control of various sorts inevitably led to the genocide of millions of people (pdf warning), do you really want to even start down that road? And pandering in general just proves that you are only there to get attention, and calls into question your credibility.]
In any case, nowadays I make very sure to carefully check every link before I click on it in case it goes back to that attention whore's website. If on a google search I am looking for information on a particular firearm and see that TTAG is one of the websites with a review, I make a pointed effort to ignore it. After all, the Gun Blog Black List came into being directly as a result of ol' Robert Farwhatsit, and what's the use of a black list if you ignore it's basic tenant?
Something is wrong in my brain
This song has been stuck in my head, see if you can't figure out why I'm worried about myself:
(Apologies to the original artists)
it's cold outside
Time for you to go out go out into the world
it's cold outside
Turn the lights up over every boy and every girl
it's cold outside
One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here
I really can't stay
I know who I want to take me home
I've got to go away
I know who I want to take me home
This evening has been
I know who I want to take me home
So very nice
I know who I want to take me home
i simply must go
I know who I want to take me home
the answer is no
I know who I want to take me home
your welcome has been
I know who I want to take me home
so nice and warm
I know who I want to take me home
it's cold outside
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
(Apologies to the original artists)
11/29/2011
A change in the wind
As the Gormogons said: booyah. "Global Climate Change" (or whatever they're calling it this week) is dying, even in great britain. Go and read the whole thing.
Keep the Catblogging Alive!
Concerned that Fractal's coldish thing wasn't clearing up, and indeed seemed to be getting worse, we have now got him on some antibiotics, which have to be forced down his gullet with a little dropper thingy.
It's amazing how sharp and pointy a 2 pound cat can be.
It's amazing how sharp and pointy a 2 pound cat can be.
11/28/2011
More Thanksgiving leftovers
What, you have several pounds of leftover ham?
Why not make Split Pea Soup?
Adapted from this recipe-ish thing, though I used ham juice instead of chicken stock. If you've got it flaunt it, huh? Oh, and the carrots were frozen from the garden.
And that was the latest bread experiment, with the sourdough started added to the dough and then aged for about a day, cooked at normal bread temperatures (~375) in a sealed casserole dish. Turned out pretty darn good, though the crust is still a little thick for my taste. I'll keep experimenting, I guess.
Why not make Split Pea Soup?
Adapted from this recipe-ish thing, though I used ham juice instead of chicken stock. If you've got it flaunt it, huh? Oh, and the carrots were frozen from the garden.
And that was the latest bread experiment, with the sourdough started added to the dough and then aged for about a day, cooked at normal bread temperatures (~375) in a sealed casserole dish. Turned out pretty darn good, though the crust is still a little thick for my taste. I'll keep experimenting, I guess.
Warning: Those Allergic to Puns Should Look Away!
Got all these from an email. I tried to cut out the worst of them, but I offer no guarantees.
The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.Sorry, so sorry.
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .
She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
A dog gave birth to puppies near the road, and was cited for littering.
Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'
I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
The soldier who survived mustard gas, and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
A backward poet writes inverse.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.
When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.
A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'
Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
The joys of air conditioning*
These joys, specifically, are something that I'm not going to get to experience today, as it is 49 degrees in the office. Good thing I've got a jacket on.
*Air conditioning refers to heating as well as cooling, just in case you were confused.
*Air conditioning refers to heating as well as cooling, just in case you were confused.
Life goes on
I found another piece of safety glass on the floor yesterday, leftovers from the Jeep Incident. A little over a month off of a year from when that happened.
My poor Jeepy. Ah well, that's life...
My poor Jeepy. Ah well, that's life...
11/26/2011
I shouldn't have done that
Went to Gallery of Guns and found that they're having a deal on the Bushmaster ORC 308. I could get one within a week for just under 800 bucks. It doesn't have all the trimmings that I think I would like (you know, like SIGHTS?), but for that price you would have lots of leftover moolah to start in on the accessories. And you'd have the rifle--the price of which is only going to go up.
How much do I have stashed in my fun fund, again?
How much do I have stashed in my fun fund, again?
This one goes out to doubletrouble
He said, and I quote: "It's inevitable. Once you get a cat, the cat-blogging commences. It's a rule, I believe."
So here you go:
Fractal the cat, in daylight. He had his whack of shots and is starting to act much more animated. Though the vet said that he's 5 months old yet only weights 2.5 pounds. So he'll probably be a little cat when he grows up.
Happy Caturday, dammit.
So here you go:
Fractal the cat, in daylight. He had his whack of shots and is starting to act much more animated. Though the vet said that he's 5 months old yet only weights 2.5 pounds. So he'll probably be a little cat when he grows up.
Happy Caturday, dammit.
11/25/2011
Slightly weird
Uh, Ruger, don't get me wrong. I really like you and the guns you make. I own several of them, even. But this just seems a little bit creepy.
Since Thanksgiving is over and all, I don't feel so bad showing you this
It's a LEGO Death Star Christmas tree ornament.
Oh, and while all you insane shoppers are hitting the stores for stupid deals, I'm sitting at work.
Oh, and while all you insane shoppers are hitting the stores for stupid deals, I'm sitting at work.
That's the way ya do it
Let me tell ya, the Adaptive Curmudgeon ain't dumb!
Ok, that was a pretty poor (and rather out of place) Dire Straits reference, but seriously, he is doing Thanksgiving right.
Ok, that was a pretty poor (and rather out of place) Dire Straits reference, but seriously, he is doing Thanksgiving right.
And now for something completely random*
Yet Another Trip Hop Remix
I really think that this song could be a great James Bond theme song, with a touch of editing to shorten it down. Skip to about 1:40 to here where it really starts going. Then at about 2:30 is where the James Bond Surf Guitar Sound comes in. And the girl is singing:
*I'm not entirely sure if I said that sarcastically or not.
I really think that this song could be a great James Bond theme song, with a touch of editing to shorten it down. Skip to about 1:40 to here where it really starts going. Then at about 2:30 is where the James Bond Surf Guitar Sound comes in. And the girl is singing:
It's unfortunate that when we feel a storm,That's about as James Bondy as they get. What do you think?
we can roll ourselves over 'cause we're uncomfortable
Oh well the devil makes us sin
But we like it when we're spinning, in his grin.
Love is like a sin my love
For the ones that feels it the most
Look at her with her eyes like a flame
She will love you like a fly will never love you, again
*I'm not entirely sure if I said that sarcastically or not.
11/24/2011
Johnny Cash Thanksgiving
Hard to go wrong with that.
Hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving, whether or not you have a lot.
11/23/2011
Doing Things...
...all sorts of things. Word of warning, I am going to be talking about quite a bit of stuff here, none of which is terribly organized, though I hope it all comes together in the end, and I hope there's enough random interesting stuff to keep you entertained as I wander, if not aimlessly, at least, slightly crookedly, down the paths of my recent experiences.
Yesterday I was at work and my mother called up, saying that her cousin and cousin's husband from Idaho (who are in the area for Thanksgiving) were coming up to town for the day, and "Do you want to have lunch with us?" Being that my boss was ok with me skipping out for the afternoon, and not being one to turn down a meal when offered, and being that said meal was to take place at my favorite microbrewpub, and being that said cousin and her husband are really cool folks, I happily accepted.
After lunch we split up, my mother and her cousin hitting the second hand stores, and me and mother's cousin's husband (hereby referred to as "Mr. R") hit the town. He had never spent much time in Happy Valley, so I decided to start off by showing him the recently revamped downtown. A hopping place, especially considering it was a Tuesday Afternoon (crap, now that song is going to be stuck in my head--curse you Moody Blues!) I admit, the main reason I like downtown is not because of the art on the corner, the nice landscaping, or the myriad of bike shops: I like it because of the homebrew store and Gelato Junction. It turns out, that's a big reason why Mr. R liked it too.
Soon enough the time on my parking meter ran out, and it was time to move on. But that isn't where this blog post ends.
Now, for a little background on Mr. R: he is a long time competition shooter, reloader, firearms instructor, a nearly professional guitarist, and super nice guy, as well as being a former Marine and Army Sargent, starting out in Vietnam and ending only recently with Iraq Try #2. Very interesting man, with a wide and varied body of experience, and very generous of his time, materials, and advice. Oh, and he has a very impressive beard, reaching nearly down to his belly button. It is funny to watch other people interact with him, as you can always see them start out thinking "What kind of crazy bum is this?" before they figure him out. I count myself very lucky to know him, and even luckier to be marginally related to him so I don't feel bad cornering him to talk.
Now back to my rambling.
Last weekend my mother and I went down to visit my Grandma and Grandpa (and pick out a cat). We've been going down there pretty often, every other weekend or so, as my Grandma is in the nursing home these days. While there, I like to go out to the back 40 and do a little plinking. This time I had that CCI CB .22 LR ammo that I bought for National Ammo Day, and I had my 10/22 to see if I could fulfill Butch's request for a function test, and since Mr. R was in the neighborhood (they were staying with my Uncle the mechanic, who lives practically next door to my grandparents--are you following all of this? Don't worry, I'm sure I'll stop soon), I asked him if he wanted to come back with me. Asking me if I wanted any instruction on shooting (what an offer! A few hours with someone who could be charging $100/hour, offering to teach me 1-on-1!) I readily agreed, and figuratively killed two birds with one stone by trying out the CB ammo at the same time. By the end of the afternoon I had a nice 1" group at 25 yds, which made me happy.
Oh, and Butch, to answer your question, the CB ammo is quite amazing. It doesn't have enough oomph to cycle my 10/22, relegating it effectively to bolt action territory (shoot, cycle action, repeat), but it is very accurate, and by golly it is quiet. You hear a **pop!** when you pull the trigger and a **thwack!** as the bullet hits the target--no hearing protection needed (though I should add that I have a polymer buffer, which probably helps the noise as well). Sounds quieter than someone hammering nails. Enough power to go through a half inch piece of plywood at 25 yards, so fine for hunting wabbits, I'd say. Even Mr. R (who owns a brace of NAA Mini Revolvers for dispatching snakes, varmints, and deep concealment) was impressed, and put it on his shopping list. In a lever action or revolver, I wouldn't even have the minimal complaint of the non-cycling semi-auto.
Now, back to yesterday. So then, since we were done downtowning, we started to head for home, and happened to run into the local "real gun store" (as in, not a big box multi-use sporting good store, not a hardware store with a couple of shotguns, and not a pawnshop) and decided to stop in since we were there. Luckily we did, for Mr. R found a shotgun he's been looking for for his wife (who remember, is my mom's cousin), a 12 gauge 8-rd magazine Maverick 88. She is a big 12 gauge fan, but the only shotguns she has are really nice ones that don't get taken with them when they travel. Oh, and don't tell anyone I said this, as the shotgun is going to be a surprise Christmas present. As we were doing all this I learned today that you can legally buy long guns if you are out of state, in general, as long as the store policy says so, and in some areas you can buy handguns as well. While we waited for the paperwork to go through, Mr. R had me check out the Ruger Single Six that was under the glass. Very nice gun, and now I have yet ANOTHER gun to put on my ever growing list of things I want. He also told me that his preferred .308 semi-auto is also the M1A. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a fine rifle, but it just don't click with me, and if I am going to spend over a thousand dollars on something, then by Grabthar's hammer it had better click!
But I digress. As we were shooting the breeze with the gun shop guys, the conversation turned to Mr. R's military days, and being a patriotic American small business, when we finally walked out of the shop it was with the shotgun, a free box of 12 gauge ammo and a free hat with the company's logo on it. I'd like to see an anti-gun shop do anything like that!
Whew, huh? I think I've spit out everything I've had bottled up inside, now. I'll see Mr. R again on Thanksgiving, though I'm not sure if we'll get in any more gun time. I know sometimes after the festivities there is a big trap shoot, but at last count there were 43 people planning on attending our big shindig, so we may be preoccupied with getting in all the awesome food--I know there will be turkey, ham, and probably prime rib, and the one guy who is a Louisiana transplant is bringing his famous stuffing, and my mother is making two different kinds of pumpkin pie... if you don't leave on a stretcher in a food-gorged coma, then it's your own dagblummed fault.
And, now... wait for it...
Fin
Yesterday I was at work and my mother called up, saying that her cousin and cousin's husband from Idaho (who are in the area for Thanksgiving) were coming up to town for the day, and "Do you want to have lunch with us?" Being that my boss was ok with me skipping out for the afternoon, and not being one to turn down a meal when offered, and being that said meal was to take place at my favorite microbrewpub, and being that said cousin and her husband are really cool folks, I happily accepted.
After lunch we split up, my mother and her cousin hitting the second hand stores, and me and mother's cousin's husband (hereby referred to as "Mr. R") hit the town. He had never spent much time in Happy Valley, so I decided to start off by showing him the recently revamped downtown. A hopping place, especially considering it was a Tuesday Afternoon (crap, now that song is going to be stuck in my head--curse you Moody Blues!) I admit, the main reason I like downtown is not because of the art on the corner, the nice landscaping, or the myriad of bike shops: I like it because of the homebrew store and Gelato Junction. It turns out, that's a big reason why Mr. R liked it too.
Soon enough the time on my parking meter ran out, and it was time to move on. But that isn't where this blog post ends.
Now, for a little background on Mr. R: he is a long time competition shooter, reloader, firearms instructor, a nearly professional guitarist, and super nice guy, as well as being a former Marine and Army Sargent, starting out in Vietnam and ending only recently with Iraq Try #2. Very interesting man, with a wide and varied body of experience, and very generous of his time, materials, and advice. Oh, and he has a very impressive beard, reaching nearly down to his belly button. It is funny to watch other people interact with him, as you can always see them start out thinking "What kind of crazy bum is this?" before they figure him out. I count myself very lucky to know him, and even luckier to be marginally related to him so I don't feel bad cornering him to talk.
Now back to my rambling.
Last weekend my mother and I went down to visit my Grandma and Grandpa (and pick out a cat). We've been going down there pretty often, every other weekend or so, as my Grandma is in the nursing home these days. While there, I like to go out to the back 40 and do a little plinking. This time I had that CCI CB .22 LR ammo that I bought for National Ammo Day, and I had my 10/22 to see if I could fulfill Butch's request for a function test, and since Mr. R was in the neighborhood (they were staying with my Uncle the mechanic, who lives practically next door to my grandparents--are you following all of this? Don't worry, I'm sure I'll stop soon), I asked him if he wanted to come back with me. Asking me if I wanted any instruction on shooting (what an offer! A few hours with someone who could be charging $100/hour, offering to teach me 1-on-1!) I readily agreed, and figuratively killed two birds with one stone by trying out the CB ammo at the same time. By the end of the afternoon I had a nice 1" group at 25 yds, which made me happy.
Oh, and Butch, to answer your question, the CB ammo is quite amazing. It doesn't have enough oomph to cycle my 10/22, relegating it effectively to bolt action territory (shoot, cycle action, repeat), but it is very accurate, and by golly it is quiet. You hear a **pop!** when you pull the trigger and a **thwack!** as the bullet hits the target--no hearing protection needed (though I should add that I have a polymer buffer, which probably helps the noise as well). Sounds quieter than someone hammering nails. Enough power to go through a half inch piece of plywood at 25 yards, so fine for hunting wabbits, I'd say. Even Mr. R (who owns a brace of NAA Mini Revolvers for dispatching snakes, varmints, and deep concealment) was impressed, and put it on his shopping list. In a lever action or revolver, I wouldn't even have the minimal complaint of the non-cycling semi-auto.
Now, back to yesterday. So then, since we were done downtowning, we started to head for home, and happened to run into the local "real gun store" (as in, not a big box multi-use sporting good store, not a hardware store with a couple of shotguns, and not a pawnshop) and decided to stop in since we were there. Luckily we did, for Mr. R found a shotgun he's been looking for for his wife (who remember, is my mom's cousin), a 12 gauge 8-rd magazine Maverick 88. She is a big 12 gauge fan, but the only shotguns she has are really nice ones that don't get taken with them when they travel. Oh, and don't tell anyone I said this, as the shotgun is going to be a surprise Christmas present. As we were doing all this I learned today that you can legally buy long guns if you are out of state, in general, as long as the store policy says so, and in some areas you can buy handguns as well. While we waited for the paperwork to go through, Mr. R had me check out the Ruger Single Six that was under the glass. Very nice gun, and now I have yet ANOTHER gun to put on my ever growing list of things I want. He also told me that his preferred .308 semi-auto is also the M1A. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a fine rifle, but it just don't click with me, and if I am going to spend over a thousand dollars on something, then by Grabthar's hammer it had better click!
But I digress. As we were shooting the breeze with the gun shop guys, the conversation turned to Mr. R's military days, and being a patriotic American small business, when we finally walked out of the shop it was with the shotgun, a free box of 12 gauge ammo and a free hat with the company's logo on it. I'd like to see an anti-gun shop do anything like that!
Whew, huh? I think I've spit out everything I've had bottled up inside, now. I'll see Mr. R again on Thanksgiving, though I'm not sure if we'll get in any more gun time. I know sometimes after the festivities there is a big trap shoot, but at last count there were 43 people planning on attending our big shindig, so we may be preoccupied with getting in all the awesome food--I know there will be turkey, ham, and probably prime rib, and the one guy who is a Louisiana transplant is bringing his famous stuffing, and my mother is making two different kinds of pumpkin pie... if you don't leave on a stretcher in a food-gorged coma, then it's your own dagblummed fault.
And, now... wait for it...
Fin
Cattish Updates
I doubt anyone cares, but since it's my blog and I can talk about what I want to, the new kitty gets to go to the vet today for a kitten checkup. Will certainly get dewormed, and who know what kinds of immunizations. As my mother said: "It may be a barn cat, but that doesn't mean I want it to die of a cold the first week we have it."
Oh, and the vet was told the cat's name was Fractal, so that's official, at least. Though another name I thought up that would be good for anyone who is looking is "Velcro."
Oh, and the vet was told the cat's name was Fractal, so that's official, at least. Though another name I thought up that would be good for anyone who is looking is "Velcro."
11/22/2011
A quick and entertaining goof off
Draw a stickman.
From Low Dog on the Totem Pole.
I don't know why I find this so much fun...
Oh, and I think this post is number 1776 for me. Thought I'd share that little irrelevant yet oddly patriotic bit of information.
From Low Dog on the Totem Pole.
I don't know why I find this so much fun...
Oh, and I think this post is number 1776 for me. Thought I'd share that little irrelevant yet oddly patriotic bit of information.
Stupid Headlines
Seen in the newspaper:
"Case of Whitehouse Shooting is Rare"
No. Shit. Sherlock. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
Why do I read the paper, again? I mean, I don't even have a birdcage to line!
"Case of Whitehouse Shooting is Rare"
No. Shit. Sherlock. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
Why do I read the paper, again? I mean, I don't even have a birdcage to line!
Ok, it's not really screamo
But this is probably a close as TMBG ever got to it.
Off of John Henry, probably my favorite They Might Be Giants album.
And now I might have a small break from Christmas Music in my brain. I can do this.
Off of John Henry, probably my favorite They Might Be Giants album.
And now I might have a small break from Christmas Music in my brain. I can do this.
I hate my brain
The past two days I have had, in no particular order, and for no particular reason, the following songs stuck in my head:
Jingle Bells
Frosty the Snowman
Jingle Bell Rock
The 12 Days of Christmas
and
A Few of My Favorite Things (since when did this stupid thing become a Christmas song, anyway?)
I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm not frequenting locales which play Christmas music. There hasn't been any snow to peak my subconscious. IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET.
All I know is that if I keep this up, soon I'm going to be curled in the fetal position in a corner, rocking slowly back and forth, and quietly sobbing, going slowly insane.
Better find some screamo death metal or something to detox this scourge out of my system.
Jingle Bells
Frosty the Snowman
Jingle Bell Rock
The 12 Days of Christmas
and
A Few of My Favorite Things (since when did this stupid thing become a Christmas song, anyway?)
I don't know why this has happened to me. I'm not frequenting locales which play Christmas music. There hasn't been any snow to peak my subconscious. IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET.
All I know is that if I keep this up, soon I'm going to be curled in the fetal position in a corner, rocking slowly back and forth, and quietly sobbing, going slowly insane.
Better find some screamo death metal or something to detox this scourge out of my system.
11/21/2011
Whatever you do, don't go reading the news
So I just clicked over to Google News to see if there was anything interesting happening.
Hell in a handbasket.
And here I was thinking that it was a pretty good day so far. I'm sure there's something good going on somewhere, but there is certainly a large volume of suckiness, too. "If it bleeds it leads."
May have to bump up my saving schedule for that battle rifle...
Hell in a handbasket.
And here I was thinking that it was a pretty good day so far. I'm sure there's something good going on somewhere, but there is certainly a large volume of suckiness, too. "If it bleeds it leads."
May have to bump up my saving schedule for that battle rifle...
Sooo... how do you take a good picture of a black cat in the dark?
Answer (if you're me, at least) is, you don't.
There. The barn cat. Haven't decided on a name yet, though Fractal is the leading entry. It's a happy little purrbox, for sure, the reason I picked it over some of the others which were much more skittish. It came out of the crate after an hour long drive and right away started purring and wandering around the New World.
So now we have two black dogs, one black chicken, and one black cat.
There. The barn cat. Haven't decided on a name yet, though Fractal is the leading entry. It's a happy little purrbox, for sure, the reason I picked it over some of the others which were much more skittish. It came out of the crate after an hour long drive and right away started purring and wandering around the New World.
So now we have two black dogs, one black chicken, and one black cat.
Weeping Keytar
This is probably breaking several laws of the universe, but Lemon Demon is known for that.
11/20/2011
11/19/2011
Cat names
Talking to my brother about cat names:
Bro: What about Shub-Nigurrath?
Me: I don't want any unspeakable names
Bro: That's ok, naming a cat after an eldritch horror probably isn't a good idea anyways...
Me: Yes
Bro: Yes indeed
By the way, in case you couldn't figure it out, it appears my barn cat plan will be coming to fruition sometime soon. Whether or not the plan results in fewer mice or just coyote bait remains to be seen...
And by the way again, I am leaning now towards "Lever," "Beastie," or "Fractal."
Bro: What about Shub-Nigurrath?
Me: I don't want any unspeakable names
Bro: That's ok, naming a cat after an eldritch horror probably isn't a good idea anyways...
Me: Yes
Bro: Yes indeed
By the way, in case you couldn't figure it out, it appears my barn cat plan will be coming to fruition sometime soon. Whether or not the plan results in fewer mice or just coyote bait remains to be seen...
And by the way again, I am leaning now towards "Lever," "Beastie," or "Fractal."
And another Keytar
Mutemath, this time.
Band voted "Most ruined by Twilight" by me. Still got some good tunes, though.
Band voted "Most ruined by Twilight" by me. Still got some good tunes, though.
11/18/2011
Gun Bleg
Tell me what I don't know about .308 AR-style rifles. I know enough to not say "AR-10" as it only applies to actual Armalite guns.
Not sure if I want to save up for one of these, or a FAL, or what.
Not sure if I want to save up for one of these, or a FAL, or what.
Thank you, Orange County Catholics
You just made my day.
O.C. Catholic diocese to buy bankrupt Crystal Cathedral
A Protestant Cult of Personality Mega Church, who have been sliding away ever since the Personality retired a few years ago, being bought out by the Catholics--I'm sorry, but that's just funny.
O.C. Catholic diocese to buy bankrupt Crystal Cathedral
A Protestant Cult of Personality Mega Church, who have been sliding away ever since the Personality retired a few years ago, being bought out by the Catholics--I'm sorry, but that's just funny.
I feel like I've posted this one before
But there is a Keytar in it, and Muse is just about the most awesomely paranoid conspiracy theory-obsessed british rock band out there, so here it goes again:
11/17/2011
Who is John Galt?
Remember the lady who taunts islamofacists with her pink AR? She was a cattle and grain broker. And well, she isn't anymore. Go and read why.
Seen first at Bells a Ringing
Seen first at Bells a Ringing
Sometimes I wonder about you, internet
It goes to this post, but I wonder what this person was really looking for:
Is it some weird Rule 34 thing? Geeze, I hope not.
Is it some weird Rule 34 thing? Geeze, I hope not.
A small product review: memory foam pillow
A couple of my pillows were to the point where when you took off the pillow case you wanted to put a new one right back on before it touched and infected anything. Pretty bad. So at the big box bulk item store the other day they had two packs of memory foam pillows, going for just a couple dollars more than the regular kind. Thinking "what the heck," picked up a pack of them.
Wow. Very comfortable. Very good investment. If you ever find yourself needing a new pillow, and don't mind looking forward every day to going to sleep, I highly recommend trying it out.
Wow. Very comfortable. Very good investment. If you ever find yourself needing a new pillow, and don't mind looking forward every day to going to sleep, I highly recommend trying it out.
And a more techno-y keytar from the northeast
Kind hipsterish, too.
Still, I found it entertaining and catchy, so I may be able to overlook some faults.
Still, I found it entertaining and catchy, so I may be able to overlook some faults.
11/16/2011
Typical Government Effectiveness: an Analogy
So at work I've been using a free program made by the Army Corps of Engineers, a super-duper double-effective government bureaucracy if ever there was one. This program, called HECRAS, is sort of a standard in the industry, apparently, used for analyzing river hydraulics.
Let me just say that this program is the perfect representation of our government. It works, marginally, at what it was designed for, but is so incredibly frustrating for a person to work with that you often want to throw your computer across the room. The provided documentation is extensive, yet hard to understand, and seems to leave out a few key points for basic functions. The user interface leaves something to be desired, and, the best indicator of all that this program was designed by a government bureaucracy, THERE IS NO UNDO BUTTON.
Who else would make a computer program that deals with hundreds of cross sections, each of which having hundreds of points, where if you screw up and delete the wrong point you can't undo it? Only something that has never met an agency it couldn't grow, and doesn't know the meaning of the word "cutback".
Let me just say that this program is the perfect representation of our government. It works, marginally, at what it was designed for, but is so incredibly frustrating for a person to work with that you often want to throw your computer across the room. The provided documentation is extensive, yet hard to understand, and seems to leave out a few key points for basic functions. The user interface leaves something to be desired, and, the best indicator of all that this program was designed by a government bureaucracy, THERE IS NO UNDO BUTTON.
Who else would make a computer program that deals with hundreds of cross sections, each of which having hundreds of points, where if you screw up and delete the wrong point you can't undo it? Only something that has never met an agency it couldn't grow, and doesn't know the meaning of the word "cutback".
Occupy Oregon Trail
What with all the archaic diseases floating around those hippie camps these days, it brought to mind that old classic, Oregon Trail:
and in that spirit
and in that spirit
Not a Keytar, but...
Family Force 5 uses a Keywall. You can see it in there if you watch closely.
Though they also have "conventional" keytars:
An absolutely insane band--and the one that first proved to me that Christian Bands didn't have to sound like condensed yawns.
Incidentally, the Keywall (a.k.a. Family Force 5000) was made by David Crowder Band's drummer. Which probably goes some way to tell you why I like David Crowder so much as well.
Though they also have "conventional" keytars:
An absolutely insane band--and the one that first proved to me that Christian Bands didn't have to sound like condensed yawns.
Incidentally, the Keywall (a.k.a. Family Force 5000) was made by David Crowder Band's drummer. Which probably goes some way to tell you why I like David Crowder so much as well.
11/15/2011
Funny how that works
kx59 was talking to me about headers, and it made me want to make a new one. So in honor of all you giant awesome robots out there who undoubtedly read my blog, here it is. Don't worry, I can't seem to keep the same header for more than a month, so it will probably change soon if you don't like it.
What to do with leftovers...
Had some leftover pork roast. Had some frozen green chilies. Had some limes that were passing their prime. What to do, what to do...
Green chili. Mmmmmmm...
Green chili. Mmmmmmm...
Holy Cow!
I just looked over at my sidebar and realized that I already have made over 1000 posts in 2011! 2010 had just over 700 posts. I've still got a month and a half to go here. I think I am just a little bit frightened.
Ouch
According to the newspaper this morning, Congress's approval rating is even with Hugo Chavez's (Chavezes? Chavez'? Chavezes'?) among US voters.
9%.
Telling, ain't it?
9%.
Telling, ain't it?
And now a really real keytar hero
And Rick Wakeman is a real rock god! Just look at him! He has a Cape!
Seriously, though. People went to Yes concerts just to watch him. Forget all that new age Jon Foreman stuff. An Englishman in a cape with 14 different keyboards at his command.
11/14/2011
MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP
(My brother likes fractals and periodically sends me stuff like this. Math Major.)
Quote to start out the week
In light of all the presidential shenanigans (on both sides of the aisle of our current government of tyrannic bureaucratic fiat), of which I am starting to turn decidedly apathetic, I present to you without further delay or explanation, a quote attributed to John Quincy Adams:
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
In other words, I'll vote for Mickey Mouse before I plug my nose and vote for another R-stamped John McCain singalong pal.
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
In other words, I'll vote for Mickey Mouse before I plug my nose and vote for another R-stamped John McCain singalong pal.
11/13/2011
Mugged
Walked into the grocery store on the way home from church to pick up a couple donuts for breakfast; walked out of the grocery store with $90 worth of groceries. Sheesh.
11/12/2011
Favorite WW2 Fighter
F4U Corsair. 2000 HP of Zero-eating death.
Such a good noise.
Most seem to like the Mustang, which, don't get me wrong, is a very pretty airplane... but there's something to the Corsair that I like. Maybe it's just one of those contrarian things that makes me who I am. Still, I think it's one of those classic arguments, like Glock vs. 1911, where both sides can have very good points.
Such a good noise.
Most seem to like the Mustang, which, don't get me wrong, is a very pretty airplane... but there's something to the Corsair that I like. Maybe it's just one of those contrarian things that makes me who I am. Still, I think it's one of those classic arguments, like Glock vs. 1911, where both sides can have very good points.
11/11/2011
Something new every day
On my way home from work today, I was followed by a buick with a mustache.
No idea...
No idea...
11/10/2011
Random Linking
Chuck Kuecker does the good work in Wisconsin dealing with all the new firearms rules. Found himself a government employee he can have a rational discussion with, even.
DaddyBear talks on preparation without going all out scary survivalist, with special emphasis on what to do with the coming inflation.
Speaking of inflation, Borepatch links to an interesting bit on how our government is planning on changing how they calculate inflation. Fiddle while Rome burns, anyone?
And Prof. Mondo talks on whether America is dying, wholly or in part. If it comes to that, count me amongst the remnant.
Go forth and read, think, and learn!
DaddyBear talks on preparation without going all out scary survivalist, with special emphasis on what to do with the coming inflation.
Speaking of inflation, Borepatch links to an interesting bit on how our government is planning on changing how they calculate inflation. Fiddle while Rome burns, anyone?
And Prof. Mondo talks on whether America is dying, wholly or in part. If it comes to that, count me amongst the remnant.
Go forth and read, think, and learn!
If I were in the government of Greece
Man, you are in one of the neatest locations in the world! How many little islands are there out there? Find a nice one, announce your retirement, and move to your new island! Financial collapse? Why should you care! You can get your fish from the little fisherman who goes out in his rowboat every morning, and your cheese from the farmwife with the herd of goats in her back yard! What more could you want?
(That the fact that more of them haven't done this makes me question the content of their character; however they are politicians, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.)
(That the fact that more of them haven't done this makes me question the content of their character; however they are politicians, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.)
Karl Marx was obviously NOT a college football fan
He said "Religion is the opiate of the people", but it would have been much more accurate to say "Football is the opiate of the people." Take away the football, and they go all crazy and riot.
The Marriott Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine is run by unpatriotic jerks
Sometimes, the internet is great. Like now. Go and read about this hotel, and why you shouldn't stay there.
Another old favorite of mine
Men at Work sure made some good tunes... and some frighteningly odd music videos. Maybe that was just the 80's, though.
11/09/2011
PANIC!
Apparently now is when the Fed.Gov is beaming out its mind control waves. Let me know if you have some sort of momentary lapse of consciousness, or something.
Added: Boss says, "So I guess because we're talking about mind control, we're not under mind control?"
I reply, "Unless they're controlling us to talk about mind control!"
Added: Boss says, "So I guess because we're talking about mind control, we're not under mind control?"
I reply, "Unless they're controlling us to talk about mind control!"
Poor Man's Space Pen
A while back Uncle linked to somewhere that linked to this article at The Gear Journal about taking a couple cheapish Zebra pens and combining them all together along with a Fisher Space Pen cartridge. Having grown up loving all things NASA and dreaming of having a Space Pen, and having an extra couple dollars in my pocket, and having a thought in the back of my head that I ought to get a pen to carry around in my pocket (after all, I have a notebook). While later investigation revealed that it isn't really "tactical" like he initially said, I approached it more from the "space pen" and "cheap entertainment" angles than the "ultra durable impact weapon" angle.
So I followed the instructions on the Gear Journal, and now I have this:
A clean and classy looking pen that can write... IN SPAAAAAAACE! Total cost was around $15. Yes, I am a geek.
So I followed the instructions on the Gear Journal, and now I have this:
A clean and classy looking pen that can write... IN SPAAAAAAACE! Total cost was around $15. Yes, I am a geek.
11/08/2011
To Certain Comedians Named Bill
You may or may not have heard this story going around (go ahead and read it) about certain celebrities and pundits talking on the Second Amendment. Namely, "It's old fashioned" (Uh, the First Amendment doesn't say anything about the internet, TV, the radio, or telegraphs, but that hasn't stopped you), "It's not as important as the other amendments" (Yet these are the same people who can probably quote you Mao's "All power comes from the barrel of a gun"), "Well, maybe only hunting rifles" (because getting shot with a .270 hunting rifle won't hurt you nearly as much as a 5.56 evil black rifle, of course) and, my personal favorite, "We wouldn't be able to fight against F-22's and nukes anyway" (because that stopped the Afghanis in their tracks, didn't it?).
There are many ways to respond to such assertions, from the "First they came for the ______, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a _______" argument, to the classic "μολὼν λαβÎ!/cold dead hands" argument. Facts, figures, meeting their emotional appeals with emotional appeals of your own... in the end, though, I am starting to feel that the best response to any anti-gun argument is a nice firm um, "'Fruck' Off!"
We are winning. The anti-rights cultists have lost the narrative, despite what the media may print, and the only ones left on their side are the very ones you can't reason with.
There are many ways to respond to such assertions, from the "First they came for the ______, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a _______" argument, to the classic "μολὼν λαβÎ!/cold dead hands" argument. Facts, figures, meeting their emotional appeals with emotional appeals of your own... in the end, though, I am starting to feel that the best response to any anti-gun argument is a nice firm um, "'Fruck' Off!"
We are winning. The anti-rights cultists have lost the narrative, despite what the media may print, and the only ones left on their side are the very ones you can't reason with.
A new toy
My mother recently expressed an interest in having some sort of pocket knife to carry around with her, a sentiment with which I heartily agreed. However, being a school district employee (a school district which does allow knives under 3 inches, but...) I decided that it would probably be prudent to find something "cute and nonthreatening." I purchased two knives to give her a choice, a small Classic Swiss Army Knife (which she chose), and the knife that is going to be talked about here, a Spyderco Honeybee (which I got to keep--what fun!).
I've been wanting a very little pocket knife for some time, for those occasions where one pocket clipped to your pants might not be appropriate (though truthfully I'm not sure what occasion that might be...), and this one fits the bill admirably. Here you can see it next to my old standby, a Kershaw Chive:
Cute little bugger, huh? It has about an 1.5 inch slip-joint (no lock) blade--they make one that's even smaller, which is getting into "ridiculous" territory. It is very sharp--probably the sharpest factory edge I've ever seen.
It is engraved with the Spyderco logo on the side, and the blade says "Spyderco" on one side and "China" on the other. That was the only downside to this knife, the made in China business. I've been looking and looking, but to find a small knife like this that is made in America you a going to be paying 4-5 times as much as the sub-$10 I paid for this one.
A good quality small knife, nice enough to use, cheap enough to abuse. Hard to complain about that.
Added: here's another picture to show a little better how small it is:
I've been wanting a very little pocket knife for some time, for those occasions where one pocket clipped to your pants might not be appropriate (though truthfully I'm not sure what occasion that might be...), and this one fits the bill admirably. Here you can see it next to my old standby, a Kershaw Chive:
Cute little bugger, huh? It has about an 1.5 inch slip-joint (no lock) blade--they make one that's even smaller, which is getting into "ridiculous" territory. It is very sharp--probably the sharpest factory edge I've ever seen.
It is engraved with the Spyderco logo on the side, and the blade says "Spyderco" on one side and "China" on the other. That was the only downside to this knife, the made in China business. I've been looking and looking, but to find a small knife like this that is made in America you a going to be paying 4-5 times as much as the sub-$10 I paid for this one.
A good quality small knife, nice enough to use, cheap enough to abuse. Hard to complain about that.
Added: here's another picture to show a little better how small it is:
Sometimes this is my theme song...
I imagine it can be your theme song, too.
(I feel certain that I've used this song before, but I can't find it with a cursory google search. Oh well)
And on a related note, let me just remind you that The Kinks are teh bomb.
(I feel certain that I've used this song before, but I can't find it with a cursory google search. Oh well)
And on a related note, let me just remind you that The Kinks are teh bomb.
11/07/2011
Thought for the day
No matter where you are in life, and how bad you may think things are, every time you get to the bottom of a bulk pack of .22, remember, you must be doing something right.
Up Before the Sun
I don't get it. It's still dark out when I get up, but now it's dark when I get home from work, too. What a stupid idea.
11/06/2011
Sunday Music
The type you probably won't hear in church
Brave Saint Saturn was an interesting band, with a trilogy of concept albums.
Brave Saint Saturn was an interesting band, with a trilogy of concept albums.
11/05/2011
11/04/2011
Last canning of the season
When they came for the rhubarb, I said nothing because I wasn't rhubarb.
When they came for the cucumbers, I said nothing because I wasn't a cucumber.
When they came for the tomatoes, I said nothing because I wasn't a tomato.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for the jalapenos.
Remember how 2010 was the hottest year ever?
And how 2011 was even hotter because of all the CO2 that was released in 2010?
Yeah me neither. Actually this past summer was cooler than normal and we had a ton more rain than usual.
Forgive me if I don't go into full PSH for you.
Yeah me neither. Actually this past summer was cooler than normal and we had a ton more rain than usual.
Forgive me if I don't go into full PSH for you.
11/03/2011
You ever had a purple potato?
Tastes like a regular potato, but they really are a most beautiful shade of violet. Bizarre. I want to make mashed potatoes with them...
Blog Bleg
I am seriously considering moving to a wordpress blog. Made an account and started setting up a blog, even. I am wondering, what would be the best way to proceed from here? Email people like Jay G and North who keep a reciprocal blog roll and have a large audience to get the word out--or is that just being pathetic and attention whoring? Just switch and hope people figure it out? Would it be beneficial to try to figure out how to get the google follower widget shoehorned into wordpress--especially considering a big reason driving this is that I'm getting sick of google? I know that I just recently made a lot of new readers via Stephen--would this just leave those folks in the dust?
These are the things I am thinking about, and I welcome what anyone else out there has to say.
These are the things I am thinking about, and I welcome what anyone else out there has to say.
Happy Tailgating Day!
Wait? You say there's no such thing as Tailgating Day? Huh. I wonder why everyone was doing it, then. Some people are just insane, I guess.
It has come to my attention that there has been a serious lack of Irish drinking songs on this blog
Gaelic Storm are my favorites. Maybe I'll be able to get to their concert in Carbondale whenever it is in a week or so...
11/02/2011
New addition to the neighborhood
You should admire my restraint. I didn't say "neigh-borhood."
The good neighbors got themselves a new miniature horse, to go with the one they got last year. He's planning on getting a little cart for them to pull--sure to be about the funniest/cutest thing going for miles around.
They're pretty much like bigish-herbivorous dogs--it's quite entertaining to listen to the neighbor yell out commands at them.
The good neighbors got themselves a new miniature horse, to go with the one they got last year. He's planning on getting a little cart for them to pull--sure to be about the funniest/cutest thing going for miles around.
They're pretty much like bigish-herbivorous dogs--it's quite entertaining to listen to the neighbor yell out commands at them.
Relief/sadness
The snow last night came down the side of the bookcliffs to about 4700 ft elevation. The valley floor is at about 4600 ft elevation. And this morning the sidewalk wasn't even wet. Missed our first snow of the season by 100 ft!
11/01/2011
Flattery
I was complimented by the guy at the liquor store on my good taste; he said "You are a good drinker." Apparently I picked out his new favorite type of rum, Ron Abuelo Anejo, which he raved about for a minute while I fished out my wallet, and a bottle of Jameson Whiskey (with an "e").
They say flattery will get you nowhere, but it at least made him $45...
They say flattery will get you nowhere, but it at least made him $45...
Oh for Pete's sake
Are you all going to make me do this every day? Turn on your lights when it's dark/grey out, people! It's really not hard. There's usually just a little switch next to the steering column that you flip. Even if you can see, there is no guarantee that someone else can see you.
Unless you really want to die screaming in a fire--in which case, I'm all for it, as long as you don't involve anyone else. Namely, me.
Unless you really want to die screaming in a fire--in which case, I'm all for it, as long as you don't involve anyone else. Namely, me.
The invaders have overwhelmed our positions
We have few options. If something isn't done, we won't last the night.
SEND IN THE CLOWNS.
(I always think like this when I hear that song)
SEND IN THE CLOWNS.
(I always think like this when I hear that song)
!!!!!1111!!!1!!1!!11ELEVENTY!!11!!1!!
Today is 11/1/11. Ooooh, and I can't wait for ten days from now, it'll be even better!
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