Random Access

Wednesday – 18 April 2012
It’s midweek. Which means new comics and Pasta and Movie Date Night. (I should really figure out what we’re watching, as it’s my night to choose a movie.)

Last night, Team Diva (and SaraRules! and I) had a visit from SaraRules!’ Justice League Junior League co-members, Brittany and Jana. The girls were fairly social, although Diana once (re-)discovered the knocker on the front door, she found it nearly impossible ignore. (She also makes the cutest flinching face just before she lets it go.) After Brittany and Jana left, we fed the girls and put them to bed — they fell asleep quickly. I think they might have still been a little worn out from the trip.

SaraRules! and I watched NCIS over dinner and followed that up with the tail end of Top Shot. The part we caught was an elimination challenge: The competitors had to run an obstacle course in which they had to breach three doors and shoot nine targets, against each other’s time. After the elimination, SaraRules! proclaimed:

I don’t know what this is, but I think it might just be the greatest show ever!

We’ll have to see another episode before I can make that claim, though.

Stray Toasters

• I’m confused – and strangely amused – by the seeming dichotomy of this concert lineup.
• How That Tupac Hologram at Coachella Worked
• Marco D’Alfonso Draws the Mashups That Make the Whole World Sing
• ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ Mashups With Everything from ‘Watchmen’ to ‘The Walking Dead’
• The 2012 HotelChatter Hotel WiFi Report
• Thanks to iTunes, I’ve been listening to a couple of radio stations from back home today.
• The 21 Absolute Worst Things in the World

That’s good for now.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 17 April 2012
Day One of the work week. It started off rainy, but skies have cleared a bit.

TeamDiVa’s first road trip was a success.  The basic breakdowns were:

• Five days.
• Four states.
• Three hotel rooms.
• Two little ladies who traveled incredibly well, all things considered.
• One honest-to-goodness zebra.

It would be something of an understatement to say we’re “a little” tired. That was a lot of driving. But, it was a good trip. And, I wasn’t kidding about the zebra:

“Sure, there’s a zebra and some llama, Daddy… but there are cars and trucks right over there!”

There’s a petting zoo at the Flying J Truck Stop in Scipio, UT. We’d heard – and forgotten – about it, since we don’t go through there much anymore. But, we needed to stop so that the girls could have lunch. Thus, zebra.

And, while I don’t say this very often: I’d like to commend UDoT for the five (5) 80 MPH zones between Provo and the Arizona state line. They made a few of the long, boring stretches much more tolerable.

Stray Toasters

• Space Shuttle Discovery flies over D.C. to cheers — and warnings
• World’s Greatest Piggyback Ride
• I Love Ya But You’re Strange — That Time Wonder Woman Worked at Taco Bell
• 
• I am trying to avoid too much coverage of both Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises; I’d like there to be at least a few on-screen surprises.
• New treatment for prostate cancer gives ‘perfect results’ for nine in ten men: research
• 
• How to Fit Reading Into Your Schedule and Actually Finish the Books You Want to Read

Namaste.

Friday – 13 April 2012
Yes, it’s Friday the 13th… or what’s left of it. I hope that everyone fared well and avoided whatever evils confronted them.  (Or, if you were the evil, that your will was done.)

SaraRules!, Team DiVa and I spent the better part of the day on the road. We’re in Yuma, Arizona. We’re here because SaraRules!’ grandfather passed away last week:

He had been ill and we were hoping to make it here before that happened – so that he could meet the girls – but he went very quickly. So, we’re here visiting her grandmother for a few days.

I have to say that for being barely over 7 months old, the girls were FANTASTIC on the trip.

So far this trip, milestones include (but aren’t limited to):

• The girls visiting three new states
• Their first time in a casino
• Their first visit to Las Vegas
• Their first time meeting their Great-Grammy Dee.

They got a little irritable for the last few hours, alternating between joy and whining (not quite full-on crying); we attribute a good portion of that to altering their sleep schedules and trying to nap in their car seats. But, all-in-all, they’re good travelers.  (Of course, we’ll see how they fare on the return trip… just to make sure.)

It’s been a long day and the girls are (finally) asleep. And I’m looking forward to some not-still-in-the-car rest this evening.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 11 April 2012
Midweek, once more, is upon us.

Last night, because of their Uncle Logan’s birthday, Team DiVa stayed up a little past their normal dinner and bedtimes.

Vanessa (l) and Diana

They did nap a little on the way home; after a bite to eat, bottles and pre-bed wash-ups, they were still calm enough for a quick bedtime story. (Or, maybe they were just punchy.) But, they were out pretty quickly once they were in bed.

After they were down, SaraRules! and I split a piece of birthday cake (Raspberry Marzipan) and watched a little NCIS before calling it a night.

Stray Toasters

• Just a note to say that SaraRules! wins the Best Wife Ever Award. And Human of the Day. Again. This morning, I was so scatterbrained that I forgot my trusty travel mug o’ coffee. I realized this as I was at work, getting out of the car.

  She called me a few minutes later, letting me know that she was bringing it to me on her way to work.

• Long-lost Titanic S.O.S. is on view for the first time
• By way of my friend, Jeff: zxcvbn: realistic password strength estimation
• Commodore 64 pioneer Jack Tramiel lived Silicon Valley’s story
• Seat Assignment: Lavatory Self-Portraits in the Flemish Style
• For SaraRules!: Largest Rube Goldberg Machine: Purdue team set new world record (2012)
• TSA Waste

Namaste.

Tuesday – 10 April 2012
Another day in the valley. And it’s a rather nice day, at that. A bit breezy and few high clouds, but nothing horrible.

And, today is also my brother-in-law, Logan’s birthday:

Last night, SaraRules! had a Justice League meeting. My father-in-law came over to help me get Team DiVa ready for bed and to do some duct work in the basement. Both jobs were successful. When SaraRules! got home, we relaxed and watched a bit of House Crashers and Yard Crashers to wind out the evening.

Stray Toasters

• Even as Violent Crime Falls, Killing of Officers Rises
• Microsoft quietly buys Netscape browser technology
• Seeking Robots to Go Where First Responders Can’t
• For Galadriel:
  
• LEGO CUUSOO
• Raising the Floor on Pay
• It’s the End of the World as We Know It, and It’s a Small, Small World

Namaste.

Friday – 06 April 2012
It’s not only my “on” Friday, but today is also Good Friday and, as of sunset, the beginning of Passover.

I also awoke to this:

Very funny, Mother Nature.  Ha. Ha.

Last night, I got home and received confirmation on something that I thought I noticed Wednesday night: Vanessa is cutting a tooth. The most unusual part of this: She’s made no overtures of being in pain or irritable. I can only hope that Diana will be as even-tempered about teething.

After the little ladies were down for the night, SaraRules! and I had dinner and finished off Season Three of Mad Men. I was surprised by a lot of the things that happened over the last few episodes, especially when  [REDACTED]. After Mad Men, I played a little Call of Duty with friends. I had a couple of mediocre games and one great game. I should have logged off after the great game, but wound up getting talked into staying for “just one more.” And it was not a good game. Feh.

Stray Toasters

• Overthinking and Your Child-Like Mind
• How to Wear the Spring 2012 Trends Now
• Reading Is Fundimental Is Fun
• The Tragic Consquences of Mixing Love and Video Games
• LEGO Heavy Weapons
  *adds to The Covet List*
• The Secret Science of Memorable Quotes

That’s good for now.

Namaste.

Thursday – 05 April 2012
Another Thursday in the valley. Hopefully, this one will maintain the NBN tradition; it’s doing pretty well, so far.

This week’s been pretty decent. Busy, but decent. SaraRules! and Team DiVa are doing well.

Diana, Sara and Vanessa

Vanessa

Diana

Last night was Pasta and Movie Date Night. It was SaraRules!’ turn to pick a flick; she chose to start catching up on Mad Men. I was good with that, considering that we’re a season-and-a-half behind. We watched three episodes and are only two away from only being one season behind. (Hey, we’ll take the small victories where and when we can.)

I didn’t play MW3 last night, opting to read some of yesterday’s new comics. As part of the haul, I also downloaded Marvel Comics’ Avengers vs. X-Men: Infinite #1 – available only as a digital comic – which serves as a prelude to the Avengers vs. X-Men miniseries, which also started yesterday (technically, it came out on Tuesday, but let’s not quibble). If this is a possible look at “the future of comics,” as it claims, I have to give it thumbs-up for presentation. Well played, Mark Waid and Stuart Immonen.

Stray Toasters

• Many Colors of Prejudice Are Revealed in ‘Dark Girls’
• By way of SaraRules!: Robot with Human Skeleton Steps Toward Artificial Intelligence
• Nike’s new NFL uniforms built for speed, comfort
• The Nike Elite 51 Uniform
• 
• College Student Pieces His Way to LEGO Mastery
• Untangling a Border Could Leave a Mess for Some
• By way of one of my brothers-in-law: Quietest place on Earth mutes all sounds, messes with your head
• Yet another babysitting concern:
  
• Chrysler’s new SRT Viper bares its fangs
• Jeffrey Brown Imagines a More Fatherly Sith Lord in ‘Darth Vader and Son’
• Apple, Priceline and Google race to hit $1000-a-share mark

That’s good for now.

Namaste.

Thursday – 29 March 2012
It’s another Thursday in the valley. So far, it’s held up to NBN scrutiny.  Hopefully, that will continue.
(UPDATE: It did.)

Last night, SaraRules! and I watched…

…for our Date Night movie; I’ve seen it before (we own the DVD), but she hadn’t. She liked it, despite a couple of uncanny valley issues.

Stray Toasters

• Tonight, SaraRules! performs with the Utah Symphony! Again!
• By way of @wbalradio:
  

  On this date in 1996, the Baltimore #Ravens came into being when the team was officially given the name.

• Just Say No to the ‘Cinnamon Challenge’
• GM, WellStar Develop LEGO® based Visual Management Tool
• Medvedev blasts Romney for ‘number-one foe’ remark
• Hopefully, I won’t have to worry about something like this with babysitters…
  
• Looks as though Bachmann Trains has finally released their E-Z Streets line.
• The Line, It Is Drawn #83 – Comic Book What If…?’s
• In Court, Sharp Questions on Health Care Law’s Mandate
• Shelby unveiling 950-horsepower, street-legal Mustang
• Shelby doctors pictures of Shelby 1000 lifting off ground
• Maryland’s Batman Looks Like a Real Hero

Quote of the Day
This nugget of joy comes by way of my sister-in-law, Chelsea, and my nephew, Caden:

Caden: Mom, what’s that?
Me: It’s a water tower.
Caden: Oh. . .Where’s the othere one’s?
Me: What other one’s?
Caden: The milk tower and the juice tower.

The utter brilliance and genius of the three-year-old mind.

Namaste.

Monday – 26 March 2012
Kicking off the day by neglecting to get your morning travel mug of coffee could be considered “less than auspicious.” I didn’t realize that I was coffee-free until I pulled into the parking structure at work. Fortunately, I had twin cuddles (and wife cuddles) beforehand, so the morning was far from a complete loss.

I drove through at least three weather patterns on the way to work: Dry, rainy, and snowy. That’s pretty impressive, especially when you consider that my commute is less than three miles.

Stray Toasters

• I’m still achy from Saturday’s 5k.
• School District Told to Replace Web Filter Blocking Pro-Gay Sites
• Trayvon case shows more blacks tapping power of social media
• How to Live Well in 100 Square Feet
  I went from this to the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company website and looked at some of their designs. I think that some of the homes would make neat guest cottages.
• James Cameron dives to deepest ocean point
• Top 10 Essential DIY Skills That Aren’t as Hard as You Think

That’s good for today.

Namaste.

Friday – 23 March 2012
It’s my working Friday. ‘Nuff said.

Last night, after Team DiVa went to bed – and after dinner – I headed to the mall to do a little shopping. I went with four (4) objectives:

1. Get a screen shield for my iPad
2. Have the battery in one of my watches replaced
3. Pick up a new pair of jeans
4. Get shaving cream, if the new Lush store was open.

I was able to accomplish the first three. The Lush at this location hadn’t opened yet, which I found a little odd as they opened the store at City Creek Center yesterday. I would have figured that they’d do the whole “Two birds, one stone” thing. Apparently not. Feh.

Speaking of Team DiVa, here’s a picture of them from a few days ago:

Vanessa (l) and Diana

Since this picture was taken, they’ve been making a lot of improvement in their sitting. Some assistance is still needed, but they are getting better at sitting up on their own. (Although it doesn’t show in this picture, Vanessa is actually quite adept at sitting up. But sometimes, you just gotta get your lean on, I guess…) Diana, I should note, still sees sitting up as a necessary evil on the way to standing and will make an attempt to stand – usually by just straightening her legs – almost every time you get her into a seated position. It makes for a lot of “make sure you have a good grip on her” moments.

Stray Toasters

• U.S. Inches Toward Goal of Energy Independence
• Spread Reckoning: U.S. Suburbs Face Twin Perils of Climate Change and Peak Oil [Excerpt]
• 1/3 Scale TIE Fighter Up For Sale on Craigslist
• 
• Orbiter Autopsies: What NASA will learn from dissecting Atlantis, Discovery, and Endeavour
• You still have a little time to become a backer of Love and Capes creator Thom Zahler’s Kickstarter project.
• Lover of Trains, Lover of People
• This made me laugh:

• Taking on Police Tactic, Critics Hit Racial Divide

Tonight: Possibly coffee… and maybe some MW3 or DCUO.
Tomorrow: The Running of the Leopards 5k!

Namaste.

Thursday – 22 March 2012
Today has been a good day. Any day that kicks off with wife and kid cuddles can’t be bad. And, of course, it’s another No Bad News Thursday, so that didn’t hurt, either.

…and it’s William Shatner’s birthday.

Last night, SaraRules! and I watched The Muppets for our date night movie. It was a lot of fun. It was reminiscent of both The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie… and with a dash of Muppets Tonight. I give it a big ol’ thumbs-up with an okay.

Stray Toasters

• Million Hoodie March for Trayvon Martin under way in NYC
• Straight out of the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Chuck Winder, Idaho Lawmaker, Suggests Women Use Rape As Excuse For Abortions
• Your Money: The Comeback Chronicles
• Hilarious memoirs from the HR Department: Chapter 15 of “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened”
• The 7 Worst Smartphone Injustices and How to Fight Them

Namaste.

Wednesday – 21 March 12
Midweek is upon us once again. Today is apparently supposed to return warm(er) weather to the Land Behind the Zion Curtain. This would be a “good” thing, in my book… even if we are only two days into Spring.

Team DiVa are doing well. We’ve been working on their independent sitting; they are progressing well. We have also tried introducing them to Gerber Graduates Puffs. Vanessa seems okay with them, but Diana is not a fan. At least, not yet. But, she makes the most adorable “What is THIS?!” face while chewing and just before she spits it out.

Stray Toasters

• In vitro babies denied U.S. citizenship
• War Rocket Ajax #105: ‘Princeless’ Writer Jeremy Whitley On Making a Better Fairy Tale
• One more sleep ’til Lush opens. Selah.
• 
• Your brain, your food and obesity
• Artist Treats San Francisco Beach Like an Enormous Etch-A-Sketch
• Monkeys!
• Fooling facial recognition surveillance cameras with cunning and crocheting
• The Search for Amelia Earhart Resumes with Help from Hilary Clinton
• Clue In Old Photo Leads To New Search For Amelia Earhart’s Plane
• 
  
• Minimalist LEGO Sculpture Ads Capture Cartoon Favorites
• Can wooden skyscrapers transform concrete jungles?
• Dark Energy and the Joy of Being Wrong
• Original Einstein manuscripts posted online

Namaste.

Monday – 19 March 2012
Another work week begins and this one has brought snow flurries with it.

The past few days have been good. And a bit busy. Highlights included:

• Taking Adventure Babies: Team DiVa to Sugar House Park for a walk on Friday. We parked near the duck pond, so they watched the birds before we started our walk.
  Diana (rear) and Vanessa, watching the ducks and pigeons
• Green Lantern/St. Patrick’s Day
• Judging a HeroClix tournament for Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection.
• FINALLY watching the first episode of Green Lantern: The Animated Series
• Attending Utah Opera’s The Elixir of Love with SaraRules!
• Corned beef and cabbage!
• The season finale of The Walking Dead.

Stray Toasters

• Esperanza Spalding: Jazz as “Radio Music”
• Monkeys.  It is Monday, after all.
• The Art of Video Games: From Pac-Man to Mass Effect – book and Smithsonian exhibition
• Listen to a sane debate about nuclear energy
• 
• The Art of Sho Murase
  Check out the “Heroines” link.
• The Mad Men Index

Namaste.

Wednesday – 14 March 2012
Midweek…? Check.
New Comics Day…? Check.
Pasta and Movie Date Night…? Raincheck.  (We’re having company for dinner this evening; PMDN will be tomorrow.)

And, on top of all that, it’s Pi Day. (See also: The Pi-Search Page)

Last night was relatively quiet. Team DiVa didn’t go for a stroll, but there was some pre-bedtime playtime. After the girls were down and dinner was eaten, I got around to herding a bunch of free-range ‘Clix. I’d been negligent about sorting them for longer than I’d care to admit. After that, I made my way onto CoD: MW3 with a coworker. I had some horrible rounds. Seriously bad. I thought about changing my gamertag to “BulletMagnet” at a couple of points.

Stray Toasters

• 3.1415926535897932384
• Rising Sea Levels Seen as Threat to Coastal U.S.
• Visit the Titanic for $12, 500. But hurry! Only one seat left!
• 
• After 244 Years, Encyclopedia Brittanica Stops the Presses
• Lost Boy Uses Google Earth to Find His Way Home After 25 Years
• Love and Capes’ Thom Zahler did today’s strip for The Gutters:
  
• Flaw in Microsoft tool that enables remote connect is patched
• What’s in a Word? A ‘Dictionary’ of Americanisms
• What is a game?

Namaste.

Tuesday – 13 March 2012
I went outside this morning to find that the gate to our side and back yard was… mostly gone.

*grblsnrkx*

We had some strong winds overnight and the gate finally gave way. I’ve never been a big fan of that gate, so aside from the annoyance factor this just means that I get to/have to replace it sooner than I had expected. Yay.

After work last night, we took Team DiVa for a walk around the neighborhood. Just as we were getting ready to leave, Natalie (one of our Pin-up Girl baristas) and her boyfriend, Nick, stopped by.  We spent a few minutes chatting before setting off.  The girls handled the stroll well, watching the houses, cars and people as we strolled past. Another Adventure Babies outing successfully completed.

As an added bonus to the evening, SaraRules! also baked a few RubySnap Scarlett cookies. Win.

Stray Toasters

• Zombies, Run! Turns Your Exercise Routine Into a Game of Survival
• White House appoints new federal CTO
• The Most Astounding Fact About the Universe, As Told By Neil DeGrasse Tyson
• How to Be Creative
• Little League
  
• DARPA Director Bolts Pentagon for Google
• Use of Homeless as Internet Hot Spots Backfires on Marketer
• Ordinary Batman Adventures

Namaste.