Union Pacific's Great Excursion Adventure

“I read the news today, oh boy…”

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Thursday : 10 August 2006
It’s been a good day. Aside from slamming my thumb in the door this morning, that is. That wasn’t so good. Pretty far from it, in fact. But, other than that, it’s been a good day.

Random Access
We can do the innuendo
We can dance and sing
When its said and done we haven’t told you a thing
We all know that crap is king
Give us dirty laundry!

-“Dirty Laundry” by Don Henley

I realize that the foiled “liquid explosives” bombing plan is newsworthy, but I am tired of hearing about it.

No, that isn’t entirely true. What I am tired of is hearing the sensationalization and the speculation about it. Let’s face it: We don’t know what was going through these peoples’ heads… and we probably never will. So, rather than just stick to the (few) known facts behind the story, some news outlets have taken to throwing out whatever theory, idea or whim comes to the anchors’ and/or news directors’ minds.

Got to keep the ratings up!!!

This is exactly why I tend not to watch the news anymore: It’s not news, for the most part. Sure, you get some news. And weather. And sports. But, it seems as though an increasing percentage of newscasts aren’t filled with “news” as much as they are filled with human interest stories. Light and fuzzy and fluffy. Feel-good pablum to keep the masses fat and happy. And the ratings up, of course. Because who doesn’t want to hear about little Jimmy’s stamp collection? Isn’t that cute!? Sure, it’s cute. Newsworthy? Not so much. Boy Scout Troop 104 went out and cleaned up a couple of miles of highway? Gee, that’s great… but lots people do that everyday (or on the weekends) and I don’t see camera crews following them around.

News, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is:

1 a : a report of recent events b : previously unknown information news for you> c : something having a specified influence or effect news for lawns and gardens — Garrison Keillor> news>
2 a : material reported in a newspaper or news periodical or on a newscast b : matter that is newsworthy

“Previously unknown information.” Not “speculation.” Not “sensationalization.” Information. Data. Facts. Wouldn’t it be nice if “the news” could get back to that?

Four-Color Coverage
The Wizard World Chicago Convention was held this past weekend. There are a lot of comic-related items that were premiered and previewed there, so Four-Color seemed like the most logical place to post those links. For those of you who don’t really care about this stuff, there are ‘Toasters below. That said…

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
I neglected to post a couple of things the other night:

Rockin’ the suburbs on Talos Island

The guy in the center of this picture was called “Super Captain.” Who bore a strange resemblance to this guy. He was at least level 30, as he had a couple of other costumes (1, 2)… which bore incredible resemblances to this character and this character, in one of his other costumes. Is it really that difficult to come up with a new look – says the guy who’s still deciding on a fourth costume – without having to completely cop someone else’s idea? *shrug* I guess it is. And while I can’t really say that it was “instant karma” kicking him in the ass, he did die a lot on that mission.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

“I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it…”

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Wednesday : 09 August 2006
I changed part of the program that I’ve been building at work. The fix was… pretty simple, but it works. For the most part. I’m still having a problem with a data insertion, but it’s nowhere near the amount of headache that the previous method was causing me. And that’s a good thing.

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
Two-and-a-half bubbles.
Multiple deaths.
But in the end…

Say it with me: “Security Level 42.” Mm-hmm, that’s right.

I still haven’t decided on what to do for my fourth costume, but I saw a jacket that I like even better than the one I’m currently using for costume #3. I believe that it will be switched in fairly short order.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

Signs of the Apocalypse

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Okay… there’s something wrong.

I just downloaded – and installed – a WinAmp plugin that allows me to play .sid files. Sound files. For the Commodore 64.

Why would I do a thing like that? Well… I… sort of… had the theme from Break Street running through my head – for which I will blame (AGAIN!) – and was compelled to hear it.

Compelled, I tell you!

“The power of Break Street compels you!
The power of Break Street compels you!”)


And I listened to it. And then, I listened to the theme from Carrier Command

Hell. Handbasket. That’s all I’m sayin’.

“And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon…”

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Tuesday : 08 August 06
Today was a good day. Minor problem with MFM #2, but nothing insurmountable.

Tonight was Shadowrun night. We started late. Very late. I got the team started on the new run – speaking of which: , your character is now in Denver. You might want to check up on him in the near future.

Stray Toasters

Quote of the Day

[15:59] : http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3344

[16:00] : huh. i wonder if you could put it on a cat.

[16:00] : We’ll have to put that on the list… right after Teflon coating.

Namaste.

Quick hit

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On the way to work, I pass a… hill/mountain/oversized pile of rocks and dirt… from which people paraglide and hang glide. They do this at least three days a week. I think that they look neat. I’ve observed that no one else seems to pay any attention to the gliders. Have we, collectively, lost our sense of “Wow…?”

I passed a truck for Stake Center Locating this morning with the following warning on its tailgate: “This vehicle may stop at any time.” The first question that came to mind: “Isn’t any vehicle capable of stopping at any time?” What was it about that truck that was so special that it had to make that kind of announcement? It’s not like the driver would just jam on the brakes in the middle of the interstate… or would he…?

A couple of things that I found amusing:

Okay… back to work.

“Science, like nature, must also be tamed…”

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Sunday : 06 August 2006

<< Rewind <<
Clitorati had a good turn-out – sixteen people, all-in-all (though not all at the same time). No, make that eighteen… as a couple of people popped in to say “Hi” while they were in the neighborhood. Post-Clitorati dinner was good, too. Among the more amusing points of dinner was watching  double-fist gobs of macaroni and cheese into his mouth… between brain-freezing sips of a virgin strawberry daquiri or margarita.

Saturday was pretty low-key. Lunch with  and the boys at The Mayan and then Law & Order: The Next Generation SVU and a couple of movies.

> Play>
Today, I went to the Park City Arts Festival with and Mr. and Mrs. . We were going to start the day with our traditional brunch at Cisero’s… but they were not offering their brunch today. *blink blink* That probably explains why the restaurant was virtually empty. Oh, well. We ate at The Eating Establishment, instead. The food was good, as was the conversation and the company. I made a joke about whether or not I would see anyone that I knew while in Park City; immediately said “No bet.” After we finished eating, it was time to wander ’round the festival. There were a lot of really good things to look at… and things that I considered buying. Instead, I exercised an amazing amount of fiscal responsibility. *sigh* And, sure enough… I ran into someone that I know.

This evening saw more cleaning of the HALO Command Center. Fun. Oh, man… so much fun. Had it been any more fun, I would have had to have charged myself admission.

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
I suited up and headed to Paragon City. I joined a couple of teams and took on Crey, the Clockwork, Nemesis, a few members of the Carnival of Shadows, Praetorians (whom I am beginning to dislike as much as Nemesis and Malta). I died a few times, especially against the Praetorians… which didn’t do much to raise my opinion of them.

Tonight, I went a few rounds with more Crey and some Nemesis. Got smacked around a bit. Did some smacking around, too. By the time all was said and done, I was a little more than two-and-a-half bubbles away from Security Level 42.

And… there was rocking out, too.


And this just made me laugh:

Ahhhhhh, refreshing!

And can you say “lawsuit,” boys and girls? This guy’s name was “Scarlet Speedster,” a name usually associated with this guy:

Stray Toasters

And that’s a wrap.

Namaste.

“Hail to the Chief”

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Since the Nimoy/Freeman ticket didn’t seem to work in 2004, maybe it’s time to consider a different tack. Something… more… aggressive.



(click the banner for details)
Thanks to for pointing this out.

“Watch his every move… He can manipulate the action…”

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Thursday : 03 August 2006 Another NBN Thursday draws to a close. It’s been a good day. After all, a day where your Team Lead emails you with “Your mech warrior is alive!” and links to this video can’t be too bad. The rest of the work day wasn’t bad, either. Nor was the lunchtime workout.

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
I finally decided on my Epic Power Set: Electrical Mastery. Gee, go figure. It’s in keeping with the character.

I joined a team shortly after heading to Paragon. We took on Crey and Nemesis. Lots of both. By the time that I left the city in other heroes’ hands, I was already three bubbles into Level 41. And that’s not a bad way to go.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

Test #2

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: 1-0-0-1-0-0-1

This is only a test.

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I’m trying out a couple of new plug-ins to WordPress to see how well it (now) plays with LiveJournal.

Had this been an actual post, the above line would not have appeared. instead, there would have been actual content and even a few ‘Toasters. But, as this is not an actual post, those things will not appear here.

Thank you.

Move along, there’s nothing to see here. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

“Welcome to the Next Level.”

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Tuesday : 01 August 2006
It’s been a good – and relatively quiet – day. The monkeys, for the most part, stayed in their trees and behaved. There were a couple of issues that came up, but nothing earth-shattering. The lunchtime workout was good… even though Rebel (not Alliance) Shirt Boy wasn’t there. (Hmm… maybe I’ll just start making up Legion-like codenames for everyone. Well, everyone except the monkeys.)

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
After missions in Peregrine Island, Steel Canyon and fights against Nemesis, Praetorians and Crey, I only have one thing to say: Security Level 41.

Hello, Epic Power Set.

(Now, if I could only figure out what the Hell I’m going to do for that fourth costume… )

Stray Toasters

Quotes of the Day
These come from a couple of workday conversations:

[08:48] shadorunr: Mariah Carey was just playing on your streamer….
[08:48] shadorunr: Which reminded me of her vocal range….
[08:48] Eric: but now it’s janet
[08:48] shadorunr: Which reminded me of those ludicrously high notes that she used to hit….
[08:49] shadorunr: Which reminded me of the following…
[08:49] shadorunr: This is Lex Luthor. Only one thing alive with less than four legs can hear this frequency, Superman, and that’s you.

…and …

[09:40] shadorunr: Monkey #5 needs [item for a test]
[09:41] asdf_cat: k. already have a request in for that
[11:04] shadorunr: Oh… and Monkey #5 asked if we had an ETA on that item
[11:04] asdf_cat: who is monkey #5?
[11:04] shadorunr: [name]
[11:05] asdf_cat: k. thanks. he will be first to be eaten by the grey ooze.

Namaste.

“…to pass the evening with a drink and a friend.”

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Friday : 28 July 2006
Worked with a couple of the monkeys.  One decided that he wanted to rearrange the work area that he shares with three other people… none of whom were in the office today.  *sigh*  He asked me for my input on what to move and where to move it.  After I verified that the other three were not in today, I basically told him that I wasn’t doing anything until the others were there to give their feedback – it’s their workspace, too.

Post-work saw me taking a nap.  Not quite a power nap.  Not quite a two-hour deep slumber.  But a nap, nonetheless.  It was good.  Then, it was time for Clitorati.  Small turnout, but a good time.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

“Oh, your car got mags and that be dippy dippy dope, but the whole damn nation’s got the same…”

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Thursday : 27 July 2006
Today was a rather quiet day at the office.  In fact, the most… amusing or interesting thing that happened was at the gym.  Eric and I had finished our warm-up and were heading to the free weight area to do some bench presses.  On the way, I spotted a guy at one of the benches.  Okay, that’s not uncommon.  He was wearing a t-shirt.  Again, not uncommon.  The shirt had a logo on the left breast: A rebel flag.

Okay… that got my attention.  About the time that I was Ivory Soap sure that I saw what I thought I had seen, he turned around: The back of the shirt had a picture of a non-descript capitol building… flying a rebel flag.  But, even that isn’t what really stuck out.  The picture was surrounded, on the top and bottom, by: “I have a dream,” in big letters.

*blink blink*

Yeah.  It was a little odd.  Eric offered to buy my lunch if I went over and asked the guy, “So… what does your shirt mean?”  I was tempted to do so, but decided that it wasn’t worth my time or the effort.  But it was tempting…

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
It’s amazing how much longer it takes to level up when you aren’t getting double experience for your kills.

I joined a higher-level team to take on some Malta Operatives.  Ostensibly, I was going to work off the debt that I picked up a couple of nights ago.  Instead, I added to it.  I finally managed to knock it out, though.  But, I wound up biting off more than I could chew against a Behemoth Overlord (and his nosy, butt-inski friends) after I left that team.  So, I have 14K of debt left to grind through.

And pictures!

Rocking out in Pocket D:

Taking on a Malta Group Hercules Class Titan:

Seven Nemesis troops (some are behind me) and a Warhulk.  Those odds were so unfair.  To them.

Stray Toasters

  • I’m (FINALLY) working on a long-overdue update to my site.  Thanks to for looking at it and making sure that the parts that I have completed didn’t go all ‘splodey.  With the new and nominally improved version, I’m including a new blog section, powered by WordPress.  Like , I’ll most likely syndicate the feed in RSS.
  • A few weeks ago, tagged me to list seven songs that I’m into.  I’ve mostly been listening to my iPod or iTunes, so there’s not a lot of “new” stuff… but here goes, in no particular order:
    1. Maktub – You Can’t Hide
    2. Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts  – Tank!
    3. Prince – Pope
    4. Acafool – Hata Blockas  (heard it on the radio… in UTAH of all places… and it cracked me up)
    5. Geddy Lee – Home on the Strange
    6. Fatboy Slim (ft. Bootsy Collins) – The Joker  (with a tip of the hat to )
    7. emmet swimming – Birdman of Columbia and/or 8:45

  • (…the only thing missing is a Jell-OÖ® Pudding Pop)

  • Speaking of which: Edibles – Action figures you can eat.
  • : Whose shot first?
  • I finally got past Page #27 of “the puzzle.”
  • :  Not only did I click the link to the puzzle you sent me, I completed the Daily Set Puzzle (in 8:54).
  • Cheatsheets!!!
  • Natasha Henstridge as Joss Whedon’s Wonder Woman…?  Hmm.
  • :  I’m hoping for the best, but I’m still a little worried about this.  The second half of this article talks about it.
  • *voop*

Namaste.

“Douitashimashite”

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Tuesday : 25 July 2006
Work was.  (And it wasn’t bad.)
Today’s workout was pretty good.  I’m feeling it a bit in my shoulders.
<sarcasm>I’m sure that it will feel great after a night’s sleep. </sarcasm>

Post-work, I took on the front and back jungles.  *gah*

Tonight was Shadowrun night.


Tonight, the group wrapped up the current story arc.  They got rid of a troublesome NPC.  They made a new – and rather.. um… “influential” – friend.  And they made lots of money. 

…and they lived to run the shadows another day.

Stray Toasters

Quotes of the Day
Tonight’s gems come from and Chris:

  • : “G.I. Joe was like sticking a fork in your brain…. and twirling it.”
  • I wish that I could recount their conversation about Transformers.  It was pure comedy.
  • Chris, explaining Visionaries to Nox:
    Chris:   Let’s say you have a cheetah on your armor.
    :  Why do I have a cheetah on my armor?
    Chris:   Because that’s what you turn into.  Because you’re fast.
    :  I don’t want to be a cheetah.
    Chris:   Tough shit.

Namaste.

“We’re tiny, we’re toony, we’re all a little loony!”

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Sunday : 23 July 2006
It’s been a good weekend.

and I saw Lady in the Water last night.  It’s been taking a bit of a drubbing, but I liked it.  I didn’t see what people found so confusing about it.  In fact, I think that this movie was just fine.  It wasn’t a “simple” movie, so you couldn’t just turn off your brain at the door.  It was an M. Night Shaymalan movie and thus… there were overt things and many hidden, no… “subtle” things.  I picked up on a couple of the subtleties, I missed a couple of the overt.  And that’s fine with me.

Tonight, we saw My Super Ex-Girlfriend.  I liked this, as well.  It’s not necessarily Oscar fare, but it was fun.  It was a good satire of both the superhero genre and romantic comedies.  And I think that I am beginning to like – and even appreciate – Luke Wilson more as an actor.  And that was Eddie Izzard?!  Really?!  I had no idea of that until the credits rolled.  That was a pleasant surprise.  Director Ivan Reitman seems to be back on top of his game.

I’ve questioned my sanity in the past, but every once in a while, I will do something that brings the whole “Have you lost your mind?!” question screaming back into focus.  I’ve been wanting to get in a bike ride for the past few weeks; for whatever reason(s), I haven’t.  Until today.  When it was 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  At least.  I think that it was about 103 degrees when I finally headed out.  I rode for about an hour-and-a-half.  It was good.  I’m sure that my legs will be good and sore tomorrow, but it was worth it.

[19:03] : Insanity.
[19:03] : That’s the only answer.
[19:04] : yeah?
[19:04] *** Auto-response sent to : Gone, baby… Gone.
[19:04] : Rode from about 5:20 – 6:45
[19:04] : dude.  it’s like 195 degrees out there.
[19:05] : 54th South/32nd East to 36th South to 36th South/36th West THEN did a mile on Granger’s track then back up 36th West to 5620 South and home.
[19:05] : And according to the Weather Channel’s site, it’s 103°
[19:05] : yeah.  195.

Tomorrow is Mormon Christmas… no, that’s not it.
Mormon Pride Day.  No, that’s not it, either….
Pioneer Day.  State Holiday.  Parades.  Re-enactments.  Fireworks.  Rodeos (and I don’t mean the Isuzu vehicles, either).  Everything but the kitchen sink.  I don’t get it as a paid holiday (I think that we are one of the few “local” companies that doesn’t act like a local company –  I’m good with that), but I think that I might take the day off and hang out with and friends.  Hey, if you get paid leave, what’s the point in not using it every once and again?!

The Adventures of Indigo Bolt
It is Double XP Weekend in Paragon City and the Rogue Isles.  So, I have been on teams patrolling the neighborhoods for miscreants.  I have spent most of this time fighting Nemesis, the Carnival of Shadows and Rikti.

I hit Security Level 40 today. 
“To Level 40….. and beyond!”  (Apologies to Buzz Lightyear.)
Starting with my next level, I get to pick from the Epic Level Powers.

Stray Toasters

Quote of the Day
I was chatting with about the weekend and mentioned that Pioneer Day is on Monday.  The conversation then turned (imagine that) a bit to the left:

[19:33] : So how was your weekend?
[19:33] : It’s been pretty good.
[19:33] : Coolio.  I just got back from the annual BBQ orgy that is the Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest.
[19:33] : I think I’m taking tomorrow off for Mormon Christmas… I mean “Mormon Pride Day”…. I mean “Pioneer Day,” since my gf has it off.
[19:34] : Jazz + Ribs = *jealous*
[19:35] : Well, I could give a hoot about Jazz, I go for the Meat.
[19:35] : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Day
[19:35] : It’s even bigger than 4th of July
[19:35] : Which makes me sad.
[19:35] : But, that’s me.
[19:35] : The locals eat it up.
[19:35] : Go figure.
[19:36] : I am surprised there isnt a Brigham Young day.
[19:39] : This is pretty close to it.
[19:39] : Besides, he has a university.
[19:39] : And statues.
[19:39] : And stuff.
[19:40] : And stuff?  Like what?  His own line of action figures?
[19:40] : Actually, there’s:  BYU, BYU-Idaho and BYU-Hawai’i
[19:40] : Oooh.
[19:40] : I could make a MINT if I could get some BY action figures made.
[19:40] : *ponder*
[19:40] : That would rock!
[19:40] : O_o
[19:41] : “Relive the early days of The Church with your very own Brigham Young action figure!”
[19:41] : With kung-fu grip.
[19:41] : “I say to you, brethren, that this is the right place.”
[19:41] : Man, you have come up with the BEST idea EVER!
[19:42] : Well, just send me a little of the proceeds, and we will call it even.

Namaste.