Random Access

Monday – 27 June 2011
Another work week begins… as June draws to a close. Where does the time go? It seems as though June just started.

This was a good and rather busy weekend. And, it was productive, to boot: The yard has been mowed and edged. Another of the great wild shrubberies in the front yard has been introduced to the Sawzall. I have become a fan of the pruning blades for the Sawzall, might I add. And, the consolidation of SaraRules!’ and my offices has begun.

We also managed to hit the Utah Arts Festival; we went on Saturday, with our friend, Jana. The weather was quite nice and perfect for an afternoon in the sun. I picked up a few railroad-related prints while there. Imagine that. And, I also managed to come home with a half-pound of cinnamon-roasted almonds.

Yesterday was a somewhat l0w-key day. We went to the Wasatch Front Farmers Market in the morning. We ran into my friend, Peggy, and her family, which was a rather unexpected but pleasant surprise. We also made a pilgrimage to the Garden of Sweden. And had dinner with the in-laws.

Workout
Friday, I made it to the gym.  I think that I remember what I did…

• Elliptical: 20 minutes, 1.9 miles (I averaged somewhere between 5.5 and 6.0 MPH)
• Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps, 155 lbs
• Curls (dumbbell, seated): 3 sets/10 reps, 25 lbs
• Lat Pull-downs: 3 sets/10 reps, 100 lbs
• Leg Extensions: 3 sets/10 reps, 60 lbs
• Leg Curls: 3 sets/10 reps, 60 lbs
• Calf Raises: 3 sets/10 reps, 60 lbs

My left calf is still a bit sore. It’s made going up and down steps… fun… over the weekend.

Stray Toasters

• RV-sized asteroid will buzz the Earth on Monday
• New York governor signs same-sex marriage into law
  • Beyond New York, Gay Marriage Faces Hurdles
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Black student locked in locker, fellow students walk off yelling “Slave for Sale!”
• Is a Summer Suit Really Necessary?
• 
• Why Did DC Cancel Superman’s Team-Up with a Muslim Hero?
  • If I Had to Reboot the DC Universe
• Vatican Is Introducing Portal as One-Stop Information Site
• 4 things you didn’t know about sunscreen
• Month at the Museum 2: Science Never Sleeps
  While I think that this would be a lot of fun to do… I’ll have my hands full with a couple of newborns at this time.
• 
• The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments, available online
  

  You’ve long heard it spoken of in hushed whispers. Not just a book of kids’ chemistry experiments, but THE book of kids’ chemistry experiments. Supposedly, according to utterly unsubstantiated rumor, the experiments contained therein are so dangerous that the book has been banned by the government and removed from America’s libraries.

• Atop TV Sets, a Power Drain That Runs Nonstop
• How to check your Android for rogue apps
• Final launch of Atlantis shuttle is a tough ticket

Namaste.

Thursday – 23 June 2011
It’s another bright and sunny No Bad News “Technical Friday.” Amen.

Yesterday, SaraRules! and I had another prenatal appointment — another ultrasound. Baby A was in photogenic mode, while Baby B was a bit camera shy. Both babies are doing well and are growing nicely.

Last night was game night with and the usual suspects. We had a HUGE fight on our hands: Five of us (plus five NPCs) versus a small horde of villagers. And we couldn’t kill them. Not that we weren’t capable of killing ’em – morality aside – but they were possessed, and killing the hosts would have caused us to face the entities possessing them. And they, combined, would have kicked our collective recta eight ways from Sunday. So, it was a long fight:

Knock out villager.
Exorcise villager.
Trap exorcised spirit in vessel.
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat.

But, we managed to pull it off. And… we did it without anyone dying. (Well, no one in our group died; a couple of the villagers wound up as ‘collateral damage.’ Oops.)

Stray Toasters

• Burn Notice returns tonight!
• In North Dakota City, River’s Threat Renewed
  My brother (and sister-in-law and nephew and one of my nieces) live in this town, but I spoke with my brother last night and he said that their house isn’t threatened by the flooding.
• The Magnetic Dead – 3D Zombie Magnets
• A Brief History of the Corporation: 1600 to 2100
• Pulitzer Prize winner reveals he’s an illegal immigrant
• 
• Movie Legends Revealed: A White Shaft? Elm Street’s Happy Ending?
• As Start-Up Matures, Working with Amex
  • American Express Specials — now for everyone, nationwide
• Postal Service suspends retirement plan contributions
• Abandoned 1940s Power Station

Namaste.

Wednesday – 21 June 2011
Midweek is upon us once more.

It has been brought to my attention that I have neglected to mention something. Again. Something that’s kind of a big deal and bears mentioning. The omission wasn’t due to lack of care and/or consideration. In fact, it was more of a “I had other, more immediate things on my mind.” And, to be honest… it’s not just ONE thing that I haven’t mentioned, but TWO.

So, I’m going to give them their due. Even better: I’m going to tie them together. Because I can.

What are they?  Glad you asked.  The two items are:

1. My sister-in-law, Melissa’s, birthday was this past Saturday. (Like I said I didn’t forget it — cards were sent and “Happy birthday” calls were made.) But… I didn’t mention it here.
2. I saw Green Lantern on Thursday night/Friday morning… but haven’t given it a review yet.

I know what you’re thinking: “It’s great that you’re acknowledging these things, but… um… how are you planning on tying them together?”  Good question.

My answer:

BLAOW! That’s right… my sister-in-law as a Green Lantern.  How ’bout them apples?!

Here she is, post-training, when she was allowed to personalize her uniform.

…and…

Seen here with Lantern recruit G’nort (1, 2), before he was issued a power ring

And, with not-quite-entirely-belated birthday greetings out of the way, on to Item #2: The Review…

As I mentioned above, I saw the midnight showing of Green Lantern Thursday night. I’d heard rumblings – but managed to avoid reading/listening to full-on reviews – about the movie over the course of the day. The things I heard were that it wasn’t a great movie… it was a BAD movie… blah blah blah. I tried not to let this jade my opinion; after all, Martin Campbell had brought us the new-and-improved James Bond in Casino Royale, along with a couple of rousing takes on Zorro (1, 2). With that in mind, I was good to go.

The overall atmosphere of the theatre was upbeat and anxious. This is of little surprise, as the event was  hosted by Big Movie Mouth-Off, Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection and Play ‘n’ Trade. When I arrived, about an hour before the movie started, the folks from Play ‘n’ Trade had set up an Xbox 360 with Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters on the movie screen. I milled around with Dave and Jeremiah from Dr. Volt’s for a bit before finding my seat. About fifteen minutes before the movie started, they opened up the floor for trivia and a costume contest.  Then, it was showtime.

After sitting through two hours of emerald ring-slinging moviedom, I can say this: It wasn’t perfect, but I enjoyed the film. My rating scale for comic book-related properties runs from:

Batman and Robin (1) up to Superman: the Movie (10)

I’d put Batman Begins and The Dark Knight in the high 9’s. Likewise, I’d put the Fantastic Four movies around… a 6 or 7, give or take a bit.

I’d give Green Lantern somewhere between seven and eight LEGO bricks. We’ll call it 7.5, for the sake of argument.

It didn’t knock it out of the park, as I’d hoped, but it was good. And entertaining. And fun. I think that there are a number of factors that are causing people to knock it, not the least of which is: Given the “realistic” feel of movies like Batman Begins and TDK – and even the X-Men franchise – audiences and critics were hoping for a more… serious or realistic… take on GL. Really?! Let’s look at the premise:

A man gets a ring… that can create anything he thinks of… from a dying alien… who’s part of an intergalactic police force.

Yeah, let’s see the “grim and gritty”  take on that. No, thanks.  I’m sorry that die-hard fanboys felt that it was missing this obscure reference or that character or this storyline and that critics are giving Mr. Campbell the business because there was “too much of this” or “too little of that.” I think that he did a good job. Not only that: I think that he made a movie that parents can take their kids to see.  (I credit Kenneth Branagh with doing the same thing with this season’s earlier release, Thor.)

Was I disappointed that I didn’t get to see John Stewart, my favorite Lantern (other than my sister-in-law, of course)? A little.  Would it have been fun to see more of Hal’s training on Oa? Sure.  What about more in-jet flight time? Yeah, that could have been fun, too.  But, as The Rolling Stones sang: “You can’t always get what you want…”  Besides, if DC/Warner Brothers decide to make a sequel, there’s a chance I can see him there. And if not, I still have my collection of Justice League DVDs…

Stray Toasters

• Army Gets How-To Guide for Zombie Invasion

  

• I’m not a big gearhead, but I wouldn’t mind having a garage like this. Thanks to MarknTyme for the find.
• Three-Ingredient Summer Cocktails
• No pay for California legislators until budget is balanced
  • California district can’t afford to use new $105M school
• 
• This is disappointing: What’s missing from Superman #712?
• World’s Steepest Roller Coaster to Open in Japan
• Harden Up: Can We Break Your Password With Our GPUs?

Namaste.

Saturday – 18 June 2011
I’m in Denver, Colorado.  More or less. Actually, I’m in Parker. But, it’s part of the Denver Metro Area… so, like I said: “I’m in Denver.”

We’re here for the wedding of one of SaraRules!’ cousins. We drove in yesterday, with her folks. After we got to town and settled into the hotel, we found a place to eat – Johnny’s Asian Bistro – which wasn’t half bad. Then, we headed up to the Hannah’s (the bride-to-be) and hung out with the family for a while. I got in some kid-time, as a couple of the hatchlings decided to hang out and play with me.

We got made it back to the hotel and pretty much crashed. Nine-plus hours in a car makes for a LONG day.

Today, we’re off to gallivant a bit before the reception; it’s a temple wedding (1, 2, 3) , so we’re just going to the ‘after-party,’ so to speak. I think that today’s excursion will include a trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Black American West Museum, and maybe (HOPEFULLY) a trip to Caboose Hobbies, if time permits.

Stray Toasters

• My review of Green Lantern will most likely have to wait until I get back home. As a tide-me-over, here’s this from my very early Friday morning Facebook post:
  

  Just got home from seeing Green Lantern and REALLY should be putting more effort into getting to bed.

  I enjoyed the movie, not just as a GL fan, but as a comics-based movie fan. I would say that it leaned more towards “Fantastic Four” than “Superman: the Movie” or “Batman Begins/The Dark Knight,” but it was still fun.

  Would I pay to see it in a theatre again? Sure.
  Will I buy the DVD when it comes out? Yep.

• Chalk Art Festival brings artists together for a good cause
  If you’re in the Salt Lake City area and looking for a fun family event, go check it out!
• American Star Shines in House of Mirrors

Short and sweet… but we’re about to go attack the day.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 15 June 2011
Midweek. Thank Heaven…

And, thank Heaven for the local Beans & Brews; I’ve returned to my old coffee shop while Pinup Girl Espresso is “on hiatus.”  Did you hear that, IHC?  “On. Hiatus.”  The ball’s in your court now. Let’s see some machinery and equipment on that lot, so that I can get my neighborhood coffee shop back.

*stares menacingly at IHC*

Last night was low-key. SaraRules! and I started some of the moves that will eventually allow the current guest room to become the nursery. There’s still a good bit of work and moving to be done, but we’ve at least made a start.

Today is new comics day.  (Good.)  And, it’s also  game night… although, I may have to skip it: I have passes to see Green Lantern.  Whether or not I am one of the lucky ones who makes it into the theatre has yet to be seen.

Stray Toasters

• I started playing Words with Friends yesterday. Within minutes of announcing it on Facebook, I was elbow-up in game requests.
• The 2011 Summer Style Upgrade
• Apple starts selling unlocked iPhones in U.S.
• 
• Thanks to , I now have an Audible.com account. Why do I credit (or blame) him: Because he showed me the link to Go the F–k to Sleep… as read by Samuel L. Jackson.
  • …and it is HILARIOUS.
  • …and the hardcover book is now on The Covet List.
• F.D.A. Unveils New Rules About Sunscreen Claims
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Man Builds His Own Iron Man Suit, Wears It In to Work
• Yeah… I’d probably do something like this, too:

  

• Lead Poisoning in China: The Hidden Scourge
• $4 gas a thing of the past, at least for now
• Mobius Ship

Namaste.

Thursday – 09 June 2011
Another NBN Technical Friday is upon us. Amen. It looks like it’s going to be a clear, sunny day. That doesn’t exactly hurt my feelings.

Last night, SaraRules! and I had dinner with Ron and a couple of his coworkers, Linda and Kathy. We ate at The Pie Pizzeria. I’ve long been of the opinion that pizza from The Pie is “good,” but I’m not as head-over-heels about it as some of my friends. I think that I know at least part of “why” I’ve had a problem in the past: I have most often had their “Mountain of Meat” pizza, which tends to be a bit… messy… and greasy. And, while filling, it sits heavily in your stomach. Last night’s pizza (or, rather, my half of it) had pepperoni, sausage and green peppers. It went down easily and was filling, without being “too heavy.” I’m fairly confident in saying that it was probably my most pleasurable experience eating a pizza there. After dinner, Ron came over and hung out with us for a while. SaraRules!, he and I sat around trading stories until late in the evening. It was a good end to a good day.

Stray Toasters

• Today is the 96th Anniversary of Les Paul‘s birthday.
  Today’s Google doodle (on the “Classic” home page) is an interactive homage to that.

  …and…

• Straight from the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” and the “Good Cause for a Bad Situation” files: Commission a Sketch to Help Pay Legal Fees of Girl Who Refused to Cheer Her Attacker
• Peanutweeter
• After soldiers’ video goes viral, more bags will fly free
  • Delta apologizes after charging soldiers $2,800 for bags
• Drug makes hearts repair themselves
• By way of :

• Homeless Veterans Sue Over Neglected Campus
• New elements added to chemistry’s periodic table
• Soaring inflation? Not with 9% unemployment
• This made me laugh:

  

• The Walking Dead Action Figures
  • Actors Playing With Themselves: Actors With Action Figures
• Sun uncorks a massive solar blast
• Lockdown High: How schools put the emphasis on crime, security and violence instead of freedom and education
• Citigroup FAQ: What we know about the attack

Namaste.

Tuesday – 07 June 2011
It’s my mother’s birthday!

It’s also Prince’s birthday. Under normal circumstances, I’d post a link to a video by Prince here, but he’s pretty tight about rights management – as is his prerogative – so, you’ll just have to hum something to yourself.

On a less-light note, I’m in the south office today. I can’t really complain, though; it’s a nice change of pace.

Last night, I attended the Justice League Junior League Annual Dinner with SaraRules! As an added bonus, I got to be the proxy date for three other ladies. (Yeah, I know… rough life.) We sat at a table with two other members and one provisional. And a lovely time was had by all.

I was struck, once again, by the fact that of ALL the ladies there, I only saw three (3) other men… and one (pre-)teenager. It seemed odd to me that wives/families are almost expected to attend festivities related to their husbands’ jobs or activities, but when it’s time to support the wives’ activitites…? You can watch the vapor trails form as the men fly out of sight.

Personally, I’m happy to support and attend SaraRules!’ events:

• Opera? Check.
• Symphony? Check.
• Junior League dinners and events?  Check.

Why? Because they’re important to her (and in the case of the symphony and opera, job-related). And, as she’s important to me, so are the things she’s interested in. Besides, I get to go to great symphonic concerts and opera and I get to meet interesting people… and, in the case of last night, I get to dress up and escort a number of lovely ladies to an event. How can that be a bad thing?!

Stray Toasters

• One of my three-year-old niece’s favorite songs – if not her favorite – is Folsom Prison Blues, which she is fond of singing. Loudly and enthusiastically… much to the consternation of my sister.
• Parents, not government, should decide on circumcision
• By way of :

  

• Brilliant Idea for a Wall: LEGO It, courtesy of
  This not only goes down as a great idea, but now I have to find a way to convince SaraRules! that we should keep this in mind for the nursery or, at least, the kids’ playroom in a few years.
• Gmail users targeted by Adobe Flash exploit
  • Google breaks up Gmail spying campaign
• 
• Heroes*
• Batman Relaunch: New #1s for ‘Batgirl,’ ‘Batman,’ ‘Detective,’ ‘Catwoman,’ ‘Birds of Prey’
  • Oracle Is Stronger than Batgirl Will Ever Be
  • Batgirl Triumphant: The Price of DC Comics’ Disabled Heroine
• I need to pick up Green Lantern: Emerald Knights today…

  

• The Truth About Paul Revere’s Ride
• I may actually have a newfound respect for one of my coworkers.
• In State Parks, the Sharpest Ax Is the Budget’s
• BCS strips Southern California of 2004 national championship

And now… lunch!

Namaste.

Thursday – 26 May 2011
It’s my “Technical Friday.” And, since we’re going into Memorial Day weekend, that means that this is a four-day weekend. Win.

Last night, SaraRules! and I went to Rodizio Grill for dinner. At least one of us (*raises hand*) decided to indulge in one of the Seven Deadly Sins. When we left, I was quite full. When we got home, I read the day’s four-color haul before calling it a night. (And I was still very full from dinner.)

Stray Toasters

• Roger Goodell: Time coming soon to cancel first NFL game due to lockout
• Studying the Frequency of Redaction Failures in PACER
• I should play DCUO or City tonight…
• 
• NASA to Launch New Science Mission to Asteroid in 2016
• Less Active at Work, Americans Have Packed on Pounds
• Egyptian pyramids found by infrared satellite images
• Sony expects to spend at least $171 million over breach
  • If I ran the zoo…
• Operation Seduction
• 
• Boeing considers replacing the best-selling 737
• Lawsuit claims Cisco bears blame for Falun Gong abuse
• John Edwards to Face Criminal Charges

Namaste.

Friday – 20 May 2011
It’s my working Friday. We’ll see just how much monkeydom there is to deal with today. Hopefully, it won’t be too much.

Last night, SaraRules! and I went out for dinner at Pawit’s Royale Thai. As usual, the food was delicious. Pawit came out and chatted with us for a few. After that – and a quick trip to say “Hi” to the in-laws – we headed to one of the local Home Depot stores to look at bathtubs. That’s right, we’re about to kick “Project: Renovate” into gear.

Tonight, I get to hang out with a friend of mine from home whom I haven’t seen in roughly ten years.

Stray Toasters

• After talking about the Edmund Fitzgerald yesterday, Corey sent me this link about Odyssey Marine Exploration: A Bountiful Undersea Find, Sure to Invite Debate
• Make My Bed? But You Say the World’s Ending
• Gas prices could plummet for summer driving
• 
• The Real and Fascinating Origin of the Bikini
• America’s First Monorail
  • 1943 color photo of a Topeka, Kansas train yard
• Implant Allows Paralyzed Man to Move
• I’m getting tired of all of the “event” comics series coming out.  When it was one every few years, that was fine. You had an event and it meant something. Now, it’s just “Hey! You!  Buy this mini-series… and while you’re at it, buy all of these tie-ins!” Blah.
• Deal Reached on Extension of Patriot Act
• 
• Playboy puts all 57 years of its magazines online
  But, you’ll probably just click on it for the articles…
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Yes, a Cat-Food Brand Has Created Three iPad Games for Cats
• I think that I’m going to try and fix my 360’s RRoD.  God help us both.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 18 May 2011
Midweek finds a soggy, grey day settling in over the valley. (“Desert plain,” my ass.) And, naturally, with all of the rain – and snow – that we’ve had this Winter/Spring, flooding is now a concern — so much so that there have been major sandbagging efforts around the valley to hopefully stave off damage to homes and property.

Yesterday’s venture to the southern reaches was not bad. We (Minion #2 and I) were kept somewhat busy, so that helped pass the time. I made it back home in time to meet the swamp cooler techs, who were prepping our unit for use this season. (Of course, with the rain and cool temps we’ve had for the past few days, we don’t need to run the cooler. *sigh*)

Last night was also D&D 3.5 game night. We adventured. We didn’t die. I always view that combination as a “good” thing.

Stray Toasters

• Chemical Suspected in Cancer Is in Baby Products
  • Coffee Wards Off Cancer

• McNabb to Ravens “A Bad Match”
  • Locked-out players line up for cash loans
• Bionic hand for ‘elective amputation’ patient
• Blacks’ exodus reshapes cities
• 
• Walker moves to ban hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples
• One Death Provides New Life for Many
• Rock band KISS to play Carnival cruise ship
• 
• In Japan Reactor Failings, Danger Signs for the U.S.
• I completely spaced off the this past Monday was Miracle Monday.
  I actually owned this book many moons ago. I guess there’s still a chance that it’s lurking somewhere in my parents’ house.
  • Books — That is exactly how they work
• Fringe season finale = YeahbuhWHAT?!

Namaste.

Tuesday – 17 May 2011
It’s much later than I’d planned for making a post, so this will be a bit (somewhat) abbreviated.

Last night, following dinner, SaraRules! and I watched The Fighter. Very good movie. And, Christian Bale certainly earned his Oscar nod (and win) for his role. Also, it was another look at Amy Adams – who has shown a good deal of versatility in her characters – making it that much easier to picture her as Lois Lane in Zach Snyder’s upcoming Superman movie.

Today finds me in the Utah County office, once again. It’s been a little more busy than I’d expected. This is not a “bad” thing, mind you. And, I got to go to State Street Grill for lunch with some of the old crew. Win-Win.

Stray Toasters

• Today’s subject line comes from a play on “better late than never” and an old – and rather cheesy – joke. This is one variation of it.
• My 360 has exhibited the dreaded “Red Ring of Death.” *sigh*
• Orchestras on Tour: Names Hit a False Note
• End of an era: Las Vegas Strip’s Sahara Hotel to close today
• Ever wonder what it is that superheros do when they aren’t… superheroing? Ms. Marvel’s Day Off
• Why Aquaman is the best damn superhero in comic history
• You Must Read These Gleefully Deranged Stories
• I discovered this morning that one of my coworker’s ancestors were apparently the founders of the town in which my mother and uncle grew up. Small world.
• Another X-Men: First Class snippet.
• U.S. Calls for Global Cybersecurity Strategy
• Appeals court backs NFL as lockout remains in place

Namaste.

Wednesday – 11 May 2011
Midweek.
New comics day.
D&D Game night.
The day that SaraRules comes home from Boston.

Not only has she been in Boston, but this was her status message this morning:

SaraK
Nothing like a beer tour at ten in the morning. — at The Samuel Adams Boston Brewery.

Yeah, I’m (a little) jealous. But, I’m apparently getting a new pint glass out of the deal… so it ain’t all bad.

Last night, Chris and Alex came over so that I could change out the hard drive in Alex’ PS3. Things went well… until we realized that Alex didn’t bring a cord for the controller. For some reason, the PS3 firmware won’t recognize wireless controllers during that process. *shrug* Thus, we couldn’t complete the operation. Instead, we sat around and geeked about gaming.

Stray Toasters

• Sam Adams. Patriot. Brewer. Homeboy.
• Sturges and Power Girl Display “Girl Power”
  This was an interesting article; I’m curious to see how the issues actually read.
• The Composer’s Other Voice
• General Motors to invest $2B in plants, create 4,000 jobs
• ‘You Can’t Defeat Hate With Hate’
• 
• Federal Retreat on Bigger Loans Rattles Housing
  • Is It Better to Buy or Rent?
• I would say “What the fuck…?!” here but, well… that would be redundant: Best college sex ed class ever canceled after sex toy demonstration with naked lady
• The Galactic Empire Times
• From the “Hallelujah… Thank you, Jesus” file:
  

  If Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco gets released or traded, what do you think the chances of Baltimore taking him are?
  James Walker: “I don’t see that. Baltimore has a good mix of veteran receivers and young draft picks to develop. It’s not a good fit.”

• Google’s Digital Music Service Falls Short of Ambition
• 
  • Secret Origins: Rot Lop Fan
• Summer’s Superhero Movies Get Blocky With Awesome Lego Minifig Posters
• Fox has axed Human Target, along with a few other shows. While the second season departed from the character’s original premise, I still enjoyed it… and it was leaps and bounds better than the version that ABC aired in the 90s.
• ‘HALO’ and creators move on after divorce

Namaste.

Tuesday – 10 May 2011
Another grey day in the valley. The forecast says we have a 60% chance of rain. With as much rain as we’ve had lately, it’s hard to remember that we live on a high desert plain… where the streets have no name.  (No, the song wasn’t written about Salt Lake City, but it was a reference that I couldn’t pass up. And, besides, it has a fun video…)

Today is also my friend, Justin’s, birthday:

Yesterday afternoon, I received a message from my mother-in-law, inviting me over for homemade banana rum cake. Not being completely foolish, I told her that I’d be there. After work, I stopped at Pin-up Girl Espresso and chatted with Jim on the way home. I remembered that I needed to pick up a few track pieces for the new layout idea, so I jetted up to West Valley Hobbies before heading to the in-laws’.  When I got there, my MIL asked if I had eaten dinner – I hadn’t – so she fed me, as well: She’d made an amazing chicken curry dish whose exact name eludes me. After I’d finished, we – MIL, FIL and lj user=”djviking” – had cake and chatted the rest of the evening away. As if feeding me and giving me dessert wasn’t enough, I was even sent home with leftovers for lunch. Win! (In case I haven’t said it before/recently: I totally hit the jackpot in the In-Laws Lottery.

When I finally made it home, I decided to mess around with my train layout. This came under the heading of “Good Idea/Bad Idea,” as it was slightly more of an undertaking that I had planned on. I was up until [REDACTED] working on it. Yes, I know… I’m going to have to tear the whole thing down (again) when we start framing the room, but I was in the mood for something different. The trackwork is almost finished and I need to figure out where buildings will go and in which areas I’ll be able to add the SuperStreets track.

It probably goes without saying, but I made this morning’s coffee extra-strong. Thank God.

Today is also a suit day. (Added bonus: It was clean and required no prep work.) Today’s option: Navy suit, white spread-collar shirt, pink-and-blue tie, pink pocket square, maroon loafers.

Stray Toasters

• Navy chaplains cleared to perform same-sex marriages
• A Brewery Is Recreating George Washington’s Personal Beer Recipe
• Flight Attendant Fashion Through the Years

  

  Hmm, that looks vaguely familiar.  I can’t remember where I’ve seen something like that before…

  

  Oh… right.

• Microsoft in Talks to Acquire Skype for $8.5 Billion
• For Journalists, a Call to Rethink Online Models
• More Familiar ‘Spider-Man’ Hopes to Bury the Dark
• Star Wars PSAs

  

• Amtrak, 15 states get Florida’s $2B in high-speed rail money
• The Town That Banned Pac-Man
• 30 Geeky Weddings
  I have actually been to Metropolis, IL and stood in front of that Superman statue (7th pic from the bottom)
• Exonerated Inmates Fight Lawyer’s Lobbying Fees

And…. that’s a wrap.

Namaste.

Sunday – 08 May 2011
It’s Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, stepmother, sister, mother-in-law, grandmothers and a certain mother-to-be, as well as to all of the mothers whom I count among my family and friends…

…as well as to the fathers who have picked up and carried the torch when a mother wasn’t around.

Okay, okay… let’s be serious here…

Alright… don’t literally drop the kids. But, you get the idea.

Today is also my stepmother and younger brother’s shared birthday:

I met Chris and Alex yesterday afternoon for lunch. We were going to David’s Kitchen… but they were closed. We wound up going to La Puente, instead. I hadn’t been there in a while, so it was a nice change of pace. After lunch, we headed up to Dr. Volt’s. I picked up some FCBD books – and the FCBD Green Lantern HeroClix figure – and hung out for a bit before kicking off last night’s tournament: a 1,000-point brawl. We had a good turnout (16 players) and a few new faces.

After the game, I came home and pondered what to do. I resolved the dilemma by fixing myself a bowl of ice cream and watching some DVR fare.

I’m not sure what I have on the agenda for today. If the weather holds, I might try to mow the lawn before it starts to rain.

Stray Toasters

• Word To Your Mother: The 1o Gushiest Mother’s Day Rap Songs
  • Hey, Mom, What’s Your Favorite Song?
• I should give some thought to the whole “breakfast/brunch” thing.
• Easily Distracted People May Have Too Much Brain
• 
• New Board Game Coming Soon — Star Trek Expeditions
• Thanks (I think…) to for pointing me towards: What Not to Crochet
• Johnny Depp Can’t Watch 3D Movies
• The Joy of Seersucker
  • Spring 2011: Trends That Matter
• 
• The art of Dan Hipp
• A Tour of an Abandoned Amusement Park in America’s Heartland

Namaste.

Saturday – 07 May 2011
It’s the weekend. Amen.

Last night, SaraRules! and I – along with a few friends and family – went to see Thor. Kenneth Branagh did a great job of tackling 40+ years of comics history, adapting it and making it accessible to fans and non-fans alike. Chris Hemsworth was good in the title role, and Natalie Portman was a fun Jane Foster — who made the transition from nurse (in the 60s comics) to scientist. Clark Gregg also had a nice turn, reprising his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Colson. I managed to catch all five of the Easter Eggs, as noted in this MTV article… and saw – and completely glossed over – this one, until a friend noted it after the movie. It was a fun movie and a good start to the summer movie season.

This morning, I was up early-ish, to take SaraRules! to the airport. She’s got a conference on Beantown next week, meaning that I’m a bachelor for the next four-and-a-half days. After that, I met Nyx and Jeff at the Wasatch Community Gardens Plant Sale — SaraRules! wanted some plants, but that whole “leaving on a jet plane” thing kind of precluded her from going. I picked up the plants, brought them home and got them in the ground.

I’m trying to figure out the day’s next evil plot. I need to run up to Dr. Volt’s for Free Comic Book Day. Then probably lunch… or a trip to a train shop… or both. Then, it’s back to Dr. Volt’s this evening to run a tournament. No rest for the wicked, I guess.

Stray Toasters

• Today is also National Train Day.
  
• Yesterday came with two bits of news for HeroClix fans:
  • WizKids previewed two figuresfrom their upcoming Green Lantern movie tie-in set.
  • HeroClix World sneaked a look at this Autumn’s Superman set… including new Legion of Super-Heroes figures!
• From the “Sometimes, people suck…” file: Muslim group: Two imams pulled from plane bound for North Carolina

Yeah, I’m sure there’s more that I could add, but I’m going to go play in the sunshine!

Namaste.