Random Access

Friday – 20 April 2007
And, since it’s 4-20, let’s get this out of the way now…

And, with that out of the way…

Last night, I had to return to Fiddler’s Elbow. Why? Because I had apparently been double-charged… no, triple-charged for dinner the other night. So, I went to clear things up. The manager was shocked, to say the least, but she found the problem and explained what she thought had happened. However, there’s really nothing that can be done until the charge tries to clear my bank — which she explained should go through with the proper amount. All I can do now is wait and see. It was a little irritating – and a bit inconvenient – but nothing bad enough to throw off the NBN part of Thursday.

After that, all I wanted to do was go home. And, I did. I ordered a pizza and tried to figure out what to do with the rest of the evening, since CSI: was a repeat. to the rescue! She had picked up the second season of The West Wing from the library, so she brought it over and we watched a couple episodes. That was such a good show; it’s too bad that Aaron Sorkin wasn’t there for the end – I would be interested to see how it would have been different had be been there.

The Scales of Justice
Post-Wing, The Hand of Nefer-Tem took to the streets of Paragon City.

After a little aimless wandering, and a conversation with VikingPrincess, I was invited to join a team. A team on which no one had any missions, except me. So… we ran my mission. It was tied into the last story arc (find the missing Kheldians)… but this time, we were up against The Council. We died. A few times. But, we did complete the mission.
Stray Toasters

• I gave my site a minor update: I added CoH and CoV sections. Because I could. I still need to do a little more work on them, but they are there.
• Thanks to for bringing me back to a softer world
  
• The Lyrid Meteor Shower – coming to a sky near you this weekend.
• 
• Puttin’ on the Ritz…. Mel Brooks style
• By way of boingboing.net: The Blasphemy Challenge. Um… yeah. Kids today, I tell ya.
• To borrow a line from Jonathan Coulton: “It’s the Future Now”
• Adjustable breast implants. Make your own punchlines.
• It’s not exactly “steampunk,” but boingboing also has an article on Insane Archive of Retro-Tech Creations
• Gamers of the world, take a sip of your 2-liter Mountain Dew… and then pour a little on the sidewalk: Paizo to Discontinue Dragon and Dungeon Magazines
• In light of last night’s escapades at Fiddler’s Elbow, I found this appropriate:
  

Namaste.

This ranks right up there with “Ow!” and “Smooth Albinya”

Thursday – 19 April 2007
So far, the day’s been good.

I woke up… and realized that there was no need for me to rush to get ready and out the door.  So, I didn’t.  It was nice.  And, I was still in the SLC office a little after 8:30.  I opted to wait until I got to the office before thinning out the blood in my caffeinestream.  Irish Creme coffee.  Tasty.

Last night, it snowed.  Again.  Nothing really stuck in the valley, but… it was still snow.  I called Dad to tell him that it was snowing.  Again.  When he stopped laughing, he made his usual request:  That I enjoy the snow, but not to feel under any obligation to send it eastward.  I went to Borders to try and polish off my latest drawing.  The theory was sound, but the practical application was lacking one thing – a picture that I had intended to use as a reference for the last part of the drawing.  *ARGH*  So, I did what I could and then just… sketched a couple of other things.

Stray Toasters

• I still have six (6) Cadbury Creme Eggs.  They really do need to make – and sell – them all year.
• Esquire’s list of things worth shortening your life for
• Attacking does not cause Serra Angel to tap.
• Spin Spin Sugar (Sneaker Pimps) and Sugar Sugar (Mary Lou Lord and Semisonic)
• I just don’t get Crocs; they make no sense to me.
• Slashdot Poll: Worst Sci-Fi Sequel
• When I saw this cover, the first thing it reminded me of was Rick James’ Bustin’ Out
• For ….
  

And now, it’s time to pick up and put down heavy things.

Namaste.

Derek just sent me a link to The Landlord
Yes, that is Will Ferrell.

Here is some forum-gathered information on the short.

::: edit :::
Here is an article about it from Ars Technica.

More amusement from xkcd…

• This is what sparked yesterday’s grue question…
  
• And this amuses on general principle…
  

I’ve been informed that it’s snowing in SLC.  Does this mean that zombie Jesus did not see his shadow when he came out of his tomb and that we have six more weeks of winter?  Or should I just chalk it up to “It’s Utah…?”

Wednesday – 18 April 2007
Yesterday, I left work a little later than I had planned.  It happens.  I had to come home because, in all of my brilliance, I neglected to consider the benefits of taking a pair of jeans to work with me.  Home.  Changed.  Off on [my] way, hit the open road… and made my way to the driving range.  , onlyaly and Chris were already there.  I didn’t do so well with the 2-iron.  The 5-iron was… okay, as was the 7-iron.  My trusty 5-wood was, once again, my best friend.

And, I finally got to test drive my 1-wood/driver.  Sweet monkey-squeezin’ Jesus…!  When I managed to pull off a good swing and make a solid connection, the ball moved.  Nicely.  I still need to get a bit of practice in with it – this was the first range I’ve been on that allowed the use of a driver.  But, I can see that I’m going to enjoy using that club.

After the range, onlyaly, and I headed to Fiddler’s Elbow for dinner.  I don’t think that I’ve been there since I lived in – or shortly after I moved out of – Sugar House.  Nice place.  I’ll have to keep it on the “Places to Remember for Lunch/Dinner” List.  Good dinner and conversation.

After dinner, I met my friend, Emily – whom I haven’t seen in a proverbial month of Sundays – for coffee.  And then home again, home again.  Jiggety-jig.

Stray Toasters

• I spoke with Dad.  All’s well in the Northern Reaches.
• Tracy sent me a link to this video: Shift Happens.  Very interesting information… although I’m not sure about the number they quote on the number of laptops sold last year.
• Sherpa, ah llama llama
  You are my mountain guide
  And you help me climb K2…
• 
  
• Gamegrene.com – For the Gamer Who’s Sick of the Typical
• Matt:  Funnybooks needs an update!  (…although this still makes me laugh.)
• “It’s amazing what you can do with a hacksaw…”
• Spring-loaded Steampunk Specs
• This one is for , given his affinity for timepieces: Mechanical Watch with Miniature Slot Machine
• Frank Castle.  The Punisher.
  • Look One: Old and busted
  • Look Two: New hotness (inspired by the Civil Bore War death of a certain star-spangled Avenger)

Out-of-Context Quote of the Day

“…throwing a strap over my head and going to town.”

Namaste.

Tuesday – 17 April 2007
Today started late.

No, that’s not right.

I started the day late. There, that’s better. I slept in this morning. A little more than I had intended, but hey… it’s sleep. I opted to skip coffee this morning; we’ll see how wise a decision that was.

While most of the road monkeys behaved themselves – as much as they ever do – there was one standout in the crowd. Brave. Bold. Stupid. I’m not sure which, but he was definitely marching to his own drummer. Coming out of Salt Lake County into Utah County on I-15, you drive down the southern face of Traverse Mountain. There was a line of semis (most of which were hauling two trailers) in the second lane from the right. Near the front of this line, a van slides in between two of the semis. And I do mean “slide.” There couldn’t have been more than four feet of space between the van and the semi that he pulled in front of. And the semi didn’t slow down. I don’t know if the van driver had balls of steel or a really good supply of Depends®, but he stayed right there. Four feet in front of that semi. And didn’t flinch.

Last night was D&D night. We started late – and there was a good bit of tangentially related silliness involved – but we did accomplish part of our goal – we made it to a dragon’s lair. (No, Dirk the Daring wasn’t there, nor was Singe or Princess Daphne.) The dragon, however, was quite dead. Actually, it was a bit undead. But that’s another story. Another reason that we went was to seek out a particular sword. While others in the party were talking, I decided to check some notes that I’d written a couple of months ago… because there was something in the back of my head that said “Something about this isn’t quite right.” Then I saw it: We had been told – in fairly certain terms – that the sword we were after had been stolen from the dragon’s lair a few centuries back. So, that part of the trip was a wash. *braincramp* We may be able to get a lead on who took it and/or where it went, but we’re effectively back at Square One on the sword quest. Yay.

Tonight brings a trip the driving range. The Shadowrun game is going on hiatus, for the time being. (This means that I don’t have to rush at the range tonight. Bonus!)
Stray Toasters

• I know that I’ve called Hover the second most-stupid super power ever, behind super-breath, but this made me chuckle:
  
• Speaking of Shadowrun, this is what happens when people can’t separate their “real life” from their “fantasy life.”
• “That’s no access tunnel. But you’ll find that out about… now.” *zombie attack*
• 
• How come you never hear about anyone getting eaten by a grue anymore?

Namaste.

< dance break>

• MC Hammer – 2 Legit 2 Quit
• Madonna – Don’t Cry for Me Argentina
• The Cruxshadows – Ariadne

< /dance break>

Monday – 16 April 2007
Back on the chain gang… (with apologies to The Pretenders).  So far, it’s been a pretty decent day, for a Monday, that is.  If nothing else, it’s Mocha Monday at B&B.  This means thirty-two ounces of triple-shot laden frozen mocha goodness.  Amen.

I just got back from my morning constitutional.  Nomad kept me on a good pace with the following offerings:

• Duran Duran – Wild Boys
• emmet swimming – Judas
• Poe – Angry Johnny

I remember seeing Poe live at The Big Shindig in June of 1997.  Before she started her set, a guy with an electric cello came onstage, sat down and started to play.  I don’t recall what he played, but it was classical… definitely a bit “out of sorts/out of place” for an all-day concert.  He played a few songs and then… he… broke into the bass line of Angry Johnny.  You could see the looks of disbelief on peoples’ faces – mine included – as they realized what he was playing.

I don’t know exactly what I did yesterday, but I did something to my right arm while at the driving range yesterday: My right bicep hurts.  It’s roughly the same feeling I get after a good workout with dumbbell/barbell curls.  But, there’s just something… wrong… about saying that you injured yourself playing golf.  I mean, is there a less-intensive sport out there?  It’s golf.  And not even “real golf.”  Just the driving range.  Stand.  Swing.  That’s it.  My sides hurt last week, from the twisting motion.  That was understandable.  But, this…?  I got nothing.

Today’s musical offering: Hooverphonic – 2 Wicky

Namaste.

Sunday – 15 April 2007
Last night, I went to the reception for ‘s wedding.  It was a nice gathering. I saw a few people whom I haven’t seen in a long time as well as a number of people from work. All the best to Mr. and Mrs. .

After the reception, I went to breakfast with , Bill and Tiffanie.  Cheers: South is closed for remodeling, so we went to the Cheers where “The Clone” is/was manager; she wasn’t there last night.

When I got home, I finally got around to working on Nefer-Tem’s second costume: Civilian clothes.  And, almost as soon as I walked out if the store, I was asked to join a team.  And I did.  And we whooped some ass.  And it was good.  I’m about a bubble away from Level 23 now.

So far, today has been a warm, sunny and relaxing day in the valley. I started the day by heading to one of the local courses with and hitting the driving range and putting green. It took me a long while to get into the… swing of things (sorry)… but, once I did, it was fun. I had one series of drives that looked and felt really good. Good swing. Solid contact with the ball. Good distance. *sigh* So, if a round of golf is called “a good walk, ruined,” what do you call hitting a bucket of balls on the driving range?

Lunch and back home to hook up with my squad in Battlefield 2142. I don’t know what the deal was, but my connection was lagged to Hell and back. That made playing… difficult and irritating. But, I stuck with it for a while, hoping that it would get better. It didn’t. So, I logged off. I decided to try my hand at poker. That went a little better. I was playing with a bunch of yahoos who liked to go all-in with craptacular hands, so I won a few rather sizable pots.
And now, it’s off… to do some cleaning.  Woo!

Namaste.

Saturday – 14 April 2007
So far, it’s been a very lazy day. It started with a rebroadcast of “The Substitutes” on Legion of Super Heroes. I slept through one episode of The Batman and half-watched the second.

I’m not sure what to do with the rest of my afternoon. I’m tempted to grab the clubs and find a driving range.

Stray Toasters

• I’ve been playing Boomshine, introduced to me by Matt. Simple… yet somewhat addictive.
• “katana and cake and champagne!”
• Wizard Magazine’s Star Wars 30th Anniversary Poll Results
• : “You fixin’ to raise up and get your travel on?”
• Pepperidge Farms’ Pretzel Goldfish are just as tasty – and addictive – as the cheddar cheese ones.
• What’s the Name of That Song?
• Woo!
• I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon – I like this song, but I really want to find a video of the Shawn Colvin version of it.
• And, as if those weren’t enough: foldedspace.org has a list of Sesame Street video clips
• Alan Kistler’s Profile on: Donna Troy
• Oh, boy… this can’t be a good sign.

Time to play in the sunshine.

Namaste.