Random Access

Tuesday – 06 January 2009
Another cold and snowy day in the Land Behind the Zion Curtain. “Snowy” may be a little bit of an exaggeration; there are flurries, though.

Getting back into the swing of things around the office.  And it seems that we’ve acquired a new team member, too.

Stray Toasters

• I’ve started watching – and enjoying – Planet Earth on the Discovery Channel. It looks amazing in HD.
• Understanding Islam Through Virtual Worlds launch in NYC, Jan 29
• MacWorld 2009 Keynote
  • ArsTechnica
  • Engadget
  • Gizmodo
• Atheist bus ads roll in London
• In “What’s Happening with LiveJournal?” news: The Russian Bear Slashes a Social Network
• Shanghai recreated in dice and poker chips
• Golf can be bad for hearing
• By way of – GOP senator wants to tighten alcohol rules

Namaste.

Monday – 05 January 2009
Back to the grind, after a great vacation.

Last night, SaraRules and I put together the dresser and moved it into place. The apartment is starting to look less like a bachelor’s place already. (That’s not a bad thing.)

This morning, the alarm went off. My first reaction was “Huh.. what’s that?” Reality asserted itself and I remembered that it was back-to-work time. The morning prep went smoothly and without issue.

I just finished going through about 125 work emails. YAY!

He gets right on to the friction of the day.

Namaste.

Friday – 19 December 2008
And it’s almost vacation-time. Amen.

I wound up not going to the gym yesterday… but I still got a workout (of sorts): All of the equipment that we moved last week?  We moved it to more permanent locations. In about 3 hours. It wasn’t an entirely pretty process, but the results don’t look half bad.

Last night, SaraRules and I went to Gardner Village to pick up a few Christmas gifts… and to stroll (briefly) around the grounds and look at the lights. Briefly because it was cold and windy. But, the trip was otherwise successful. After that, we had dinner at Olive Garden. I had the Chicken Carbonara with a glass of Kendal Jackson Riesling; SaraRules had the Apricot Chicken.

Last night’s sleep was… broken. Very broken. I woke up at least three times between 3 AM and 6:30 AM. For no apparent reason that I can discern. Oh, well. I don’t have to get up for anything tomorning, so I’ll try to make it up tonight.

Stray Toasters

• Sweet Game-loving Jesus: The CoH Mac client is in beta testing. *downloading*
• By way of SaraRules – The Sartorialist: On Zoot Suits, Baggies, Stacy Adams & 125th Street
• Since the Satorialist’s post references them…  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you… The Time
  Morris Day |MTV Music
• For Meliko: McCarthyism
• Help select the 100 greatest Looney Toons
• 
• Father punishes son with public humiliation

Namaste.

Tuesday – 16 December 2008
Happy birthday to

It was snowing when I woke up this morning. However, since I didn’t look out the window, I didn’t know it until I opened the door and walked outside. The morning commute roughly doubled in duration thanks to the still-falling snow. When I got in, a few of us looked out the window at the shenanigans on 215.

(click images for larger versions)

We didn’t see any accidents or injuries.

The Council for Better Driving: Utah would like to remind every to drive cautiously in the inclement weather.

Stray Toasters

• I like this picture of Dawnstar; it’s from the upcoming Legion of 3 Worlds #5
• By way of : Rare Snow in U.S. Deep South
• Pentagon Researcher Conjures Warcraft Terror Plot
• For those who haven’t seen it yet, here’s the trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine

• Kenneth Brannagh Talks Thor: Directing and Casting
• Marking a Milestone: McDuffie on Milestone Characters’ Return

Namaste.

Monday – 15 December 2008
Yep… it’s definitely “a Monday.” While nothing has exactly blown up, there have been a few issues to deal with around the office this morning. YAY! I’ve already had to make an executive decision on one thing (so far, so good), and deferred a couple of others; hopefully things will calm down a bit around lunch time. If not, it may be Monday Night Drinking – rather than Monday Night Football – tonight.

Football Update
Last night, the Ravens hosted the Steelers in a game with big implications for a playoff berth.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
13 – 9
As is the case with every Steelers-Ravens game, there was no love lost on the field between these teams. When it was gametime, it was 60 minutes of no holds barred football. This was a decidedly defensive battle, with neither side’s offense able to get a good foothold. Matt Stover scored all nine of the Ravens’ points – it was eerily reminiscent of many Ravens games of the past… Pittsburgh scored the game’s only “touchdown” late in the Fourth Quarter, on a controversial call: Santonio Holmes made a goal line catch that was ruled “not a touchdown” on the field. Since it was inside of two minutes, the review was sent to the official’s booth upstairs. They overturned the call and ruled it a touchdown. Even SaraRules’ mom – who was rooting for the Steelers – and her brother agreed that they flubbed the call by overturning the decision on the field… as did most of the post-game commentary that we heard. Oh, well… the Ravens are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot. We’ll have to see how the last couple of games shake out.

Stray Toasters
Maybe I’ll get some posted this afternoon.

Back to the grind.
<sarcasm>YAY!!!</sarcasm>

Namaste.

Friday – 12 December 2008
I was up at Far-Too-Early O’Clock again today because I had to be in at 7:00. Yay. But, I’m done at noon, so I shouldn’t kvetch too much. And the office moves/changes are coming along at a decent pace.

Last night, SaraRules came over and made a very tasty sauteed shrimp, mushroom and potato dish – served with rice pilaf and salad – that was very tasty. While we ate, we watched last week’s episode of CSI:, which had a solid bit of storytelling to it – not over the top, nothing “jump the shark” worthy, just a good story. And, as an added bonus (at least to me): Robert Guillaume was in the episode. We followed that with this week’s episode, which was also good… and was the first episode that included/featured Laurence Fishburne. After that, we caught the tail end of The Year Without a Santa Claus – Snow Miser and Heat Miser!!!

Next, we watched an episode of Justice League Unlimited, “Doomsday Sanction,” and The Herculoids.

Chew on This – Food for Thought
For those of you who didn’t catch it in yesterday’s post: I’m still taking suggestions for this year’s charitable donation. So far, I’ve had the following suggestions:

• : Primary Children’s Medical Center
• : Kiva
• : Utah Food Bank

If you have a good suggestion, please post it in a comment (or email or IM).  Thanks!

Stray Toasters

• By way of SaraRules: ‘Chicago’ model train has $2 million price tag… and is now on The Covet List.
• From : Santa to the Rescue (I like the reworking of the Alex Ross painting) and How to Know When It Is Time to Leave the Bar
• MarknTyme pointed this out to me last night: 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes
  See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.
• Bettie Page dies at 85
• I’ve discovered another webcomic: Sunday at Ten.
  This comic, from early in its run, amused me.
• MPAA to Obama: Censor the Internet…
• Also from :



• Mixtapes move from Beat Street to Main Street
• From Boing Boing: Steampunk Second Life machinima

Namaste.

Wednesday – 10 December 2008
Last night, SaraRules and I met her parents for dinner at Hoppers. Repeat after me: “Madame X Stout.” I had the Steak Sandwich – every time I’ve had it, it’s had a section that’s been very tough/gristle-laden… last night was no exception, but the sandwich was still very good. They’ve added salmon to their winter menu; SaraRules’ folks both had salmon dishes and said that it was quite good.

SaraRules and I headed back to my place and started to watch There Will Be Blood. Just for the record:

Movie that starts slowly + Tired-from-waking-up-early Rob = Rob who nods off

We had to put the movie on hold until a later date… and I was in bed – and knocked out – a little after 11:00. I slept fine… but woke up at 4:30. Realizing that it was Ridiculous O’Clock, I went back to sleep until 6:00, when my upstairs neighbors’ dog decided to go on a barking jag. I could deal with it, but it sounded like someone else had a BIG issue with it – there was much (LOUD) knocking on the door upstairs after about 20 minutes of barking. It was oddly amusing.

So far, the work day has been good. Hopefully, that trend will continue.

Stray Toasters

• I called my friend, William, whom I haven’t spoken with in [far too long], this morning. We did a bit of catching up and agreed to try and get together when I go home for Christmas.
• I just upgraded to WordPress 2.7 (Release Candidate 2). I like it. A lot.
• By way of SaraRules and the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Man Lives with Female Robot
• IKEA hacker
• The Council for Better Driving: Utah would like to remind Salt Lake and Utah County drivers about the rules for using the express/HOV lanes.
• Hacking Knowledge: 77 Ways to Learn Faster, Deeper and Better
• I love this image from BoingBoing:

  
  (click image for accompanying article)

• Obama Wants Broadband, Computers Part of Stimulus
• This Is the Way the World Ends
• Also from SaraRules: Detroit Homeless Men Adopt Local Families for Christmas
• Student Faces Suspension for Spamming Profs

Sushi and Comics Wednesday was a success.

As I’ve mentioned before, we’re having some work done to/around the office. This includes some electrical work (which is why I was in early yesterday) and some wall/office moves. We were expecting the latter to start either tomorrow, Friday or next week. They showed up today. So, we’ve spent the past hour or so moving things to get them access/room to move. YAY!

Back to the grind.

Namaste.

Wes and I hit the gym at lunch. We decided to try max presses first: He’s just shy of 225 lbs. and I couldn’t do anything with 300, but I was good with 250. We’re going to try again in a couple of weeks. With that out of the way, we got on to the rest of the workout:

• Leg Raises: 50 reps
• Bench Press: 3 sets/10 reps, 185 lbs
• Flys (dumbbell, flat bench): 3 sets/10 reps, 30 lbs
• Curls (dumbbell, hammer grip): 3 sets/10 reps, 30 lbs
• Tricep Extension (dumbbell, overhead): 3 sets/10 reps, 40 lbs
• Curls (dumbbell, middle block): 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Flys (machine): 3 sets/10 reps – 1 set @ 100 lbs, 2 sets @ 110 lbs
• Back Extensions (machine): 3 sets/10 reps, 140 lbs
• Push-ups: 3 sets/15 reps

Post-workout weight: 181.2 lbs.

Stray Toasters

• The Council for Better Driving: Utah would like to note that UDoT has updated the Commuterlink site.
• I’m tired.
  I’m also pretty much done for the day.
  I may just go home and take a nap before heading out for dinner.
  (Or I may play City. Or Ultimate Alliance. Or something.)
• Thanks to for pointing out Beware of the Doghouse
• Meetings. YAY! *ack-phbbbpt*
• has convinced me that some people “…should never ever have clones.”
• USPS Server Meltdown – “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds…” but a busted server? Yeah, that’ll do it.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 09 December 2008
Happy Birthday to MarknTyme:

It’s a little after 7:00 (or it was when I started this), and I’m already at work. We have some work being done around the office and we needed to be sure that someone would be here to let the electricians in. I volunteered. On the plus side, I’ll be done at 3:00 or 4:00, depending on whether Wes and/or Marci and I hit the gym.

Football Update

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
23 – 38
This game was the battle of two 9-3 NFC South teams, as the Bucs rolled into Charlotte to take on the Panthers before a capacity crowd and the Monday Night Armchair Quarterback Football crowd. The game showcased a lot of defensive talent on both teams, but the game pretty much belonged to the Panthers from the get-go. They didn’t put many balls in the air – Jake DelHomme threw two INTs, although he did throw for 178 yards and one TD – but the running game was stellar: RBs De’Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who both ran in two TDs, ran for a combined 301 yards. The Buccaneers looked…unbalanced. They would have a couple of good series, but couldn’t seal the deal when it came down to it. There were also times when veteran QB Jeff Garcia just looked lost in the pocket. Literally. More than once, as the pocket started to collapse, he just looked scared and unsure of what to do. With this win, the Panthers go to 10-3, atop the NFC South. As the commentators said last night, Carolina has its season and playoff picture in its own hands – their next three games are against the Broncos, Giants and the Saints. But, if they continue to play the way they did last night, they could be a serious contender for the playoffs… and maybe, just maybe, even the Super Bowl.

Stray Toasters

• I’m a fairly unabashed fan of both The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Last night, The Late Late Show returned from hiatus; it turns out that Craig Ferguson’s mother passed away last week. Rather than his usual joke-laden opening, he began the show with a very personal monologue, in which he talked about his mother – not so much about her death, but about her life. I’ve heard that his monologue following his father’s death was similarly personal.
• By way of (whom I had originally thought was) SaraRules (but wasn’t): Our Daily Bleg: Holy Comic Quotations, Batman!
• The mouse hits 40-year milestone and 40 Years of Mighty Mice
• 
• Inside a US sex addiction clinic
• By way of : “Is this for real?”
  (, you need to share this with Mrs. .)
• Sony to cut plants and 8,000 jobs

Back to it.

Namaste.

Monday – 08 December 2008
Belated Happy Birthday to and :

Football Update
Last night, the Ravens hosted the Redskins for “The Battle of the Beltway,” as it was called. It was the first time the Redskins have played in Baltimore in close to 30 years (if I heard the stat correctly).

Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens
10 – 24
Last night, the Ravens hosted the Redskins for “The Battle of the Beltway,” as it was called. It was the first time the Redskins have played in Baltimore in close to 30 years (if I heard the stat correctly).Joe Flacco had a very slow start… that lasted the entire first half – he was 2/7 for passing in the half. That’s okay, because Ed Reed was on the other side of the ball. He had an amazing shoestring interception catch, less than a minute into the game that the offense was able to turn into a touchdown. Baltimore blanked Washington 14 – 0, going into halftime, thanks to an Ed Reed fumble recovery less than three minutes after his interception. The second half was a mostly defensive battle, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. A couple of trick plays helpd the Redskins drive deep into Ravens’ territory, but the best that they could come up with was a field goal, early in the fourth quarter. They added another touchdown, after Willis McGahee fumbled the ball a couple minutes later. Joe Flacco and Derrick Mason put the final nail in the coffin, with a Ravens’ touchdown at 3:44. Washington put up a fight and was starting to march down the field… when Ed Reed intercepted another Jason Campbell pass, just after the fourth quarter two-minute warning. With this win, the Ravens go to 9-4, one game behind the Steelers… who they face, in Baltimore, next week. And, they are very much in the race for a wild card spot in the AFC.

After the game – and after hanging out with SaraRules – I finally got around to checking out last week’s comic haul. There were a number of mediocre reads, but among the standouts were:

• Justice Society of America #21 – This issue marked the next-to-last chapter of the Gog storyline. What happens when a seemingly omnipotent being – who claims to be here to help – decides that he will only continue to help if people start to worship him… and they refuse? Well, we get a pretty good look at the answer in this issue.
• X-Men: Noir #1 – This was a/ yet another take on the X-Men. No powers, but in a noir setting. And there is an interesting bit of role-reversal, too. I have heard that they are looking at adding a couple of other titles to this line – and I’m not sure that I’ll read any of the others – but this one was a refreshing change of pace.

It’s snowing; it has been for the past few hours.

(click images for larger sizes)

Today has been fairly busy, as we’re doing some remodeling around the office and we had a new person start in IT.

Stray Toasters

• I am wearing my new kofia that SaraRules got for me.



• For lunch, we went to Orchid, a Thai restaurant in the Union Park shopping center. The food was good and the lunch prices were rather reasonable.
• HOWTO pay for America’s health insurance
• SaraRules pointed out Jonathan Jones on the parallels between ancient and modern superheroes.
  I countered with An American Pantheon.
• Music: Murphy’s law coming to an end
• By way of : Fifty Years of Popular Songs, Condensed into Single Sentences
• Pinup Bettie Page Hospitalized after Heart Attack
• Home Inspection Nightmares XV

All this… and I get to be in the office at 7:00 AM tomorning.  Woot!

Namaste.

Wednesday – 03 December 2008
Mid-week. And stuff.

«REWIND«
Wes and I hit the gym yesterday at lunch:

• Dips: 3 sets/10 reps
• Bench press: 3 sets/10 reps – 1 set @ 200 lbs; 2 sets @ 185 lb
• Curls (dumbell, concentration): 3 sets/10 reps, 30 lbs
• Side bends: 3 sets/10 reps, 25 lbs
• Lateral raises: 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Push-ups (elevated): 3 sets, 10 reps

I think that was everything. And I neglected to throw in Friday’s workout, too… but it was basically the same as last Tuesday’s, but with lighter weight, as I was working out with SaraRules.

Post-workout weight: 180.1 lbs.

›PLAY›
Last night, I had some grand delusions/designs of possibly breaking down my Rokenbok/LEGO train table. But, by the time I got home, I realized that it was almost time for the new episode of NCIS… so I sat on the couch to watch it.

I should have worked on the table, because about 15 minutes into the episode, the TV was watching me.

I faded in and out during the episode, but woke up for the very end of it. At that point, I figured that I should eat something… and it was time for Fringe. So I ate and watched Fringe. No falling asleep this time. I considered working on the table after it went off, but I got involved in surfing the Interwebs. So, the table remains a task for another day.

Today, I’ve already had an impromptu, albeit brief, meeting and put out a couple of minor fires. I call that a decent start to the day. And I get to hand off The Leash today, after two weeks of being on-call; I opted to do the two weeks on so that I can have two weeks off while I’m on vacation. Win-win.

Stray Toasters

• There’s a chance of snow in the forecast. I’m somewhat surprised – though not upset – that we haven’t seen very much so far this year.
• American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77
• From NPR Music: Best CDs of 2008
• Why the love affair with man-eating plants?
  
• By way of ThinkGeek:

  
  (click image for details)

• Some people stop at nothing
  If you’re searching for something
  Lay down the law
  Shout out for more
  Breakout and shout, day in day out
  Breakout
• First Look: Static in the DC Universe
  I really want to make a joke/pun about the Milestone Universe being “integrated” into the DC Universe… but it’s a little too easy. Suffice if to say that I’m glad that it’s being done and it’s a bit overdue. In fact, the 2003 season opener of Static Shock, “Hard as Nails“, that made a sideways nod (second quote) to the issue of a shared universe.
• Will Iron Man 2 feel the Black Widow’s sting?
• 
• How comics can save us from scientific ignorance

I’m not sure if today is a sushi day or not, but comics won’t be in until tomorrow.

Namaste.

Monday – 01 December 2008
And so, another work week – and another month – begin.

I was lucky enough to get to spend a portion of my morning on the phone with HP Tech Support explaining why they needed to ship me a replacement for a replacement part they sent last week. Short answer: They sent the wrong part. *sigh* This time, I sent to an email to the rep, so that he could see the differences bewteen Part A (the part I need to have replaced) and Part B (the part they sent). I should have the new – and hopefully correct – replacement part tomorrow.

Stray Toasters

• As I mentioned last week, there’s a new member of the family – now complete with pictures.
• By way of SaraRules:
  • As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock
  • Atlantic Records Says Digital Sales Surpass CDs
  • Kanab Orchestra Thrives Under Long-Time Maestro
    
• By way of comes an interesting read about comic book cancellations and why the Big Two keep churning out mega-crossovers: “Why you feelin’ sorry for him? He asked for it…”
• How Dan Kaminsky broke and fixed DNS
• I just discovered that a coworker used to play Star Fleet Battles, many moons ago.
• I read a news article title from Wired.com – Genetically Modified Peanuts Could Save Lives – and my first thought was of Charles Schulz’ comic strip… new and improved! Finally, Charlie Brown can kick that football! lj user=”everydave” pointed out the following:
  

  “sure..but the mutation would be across the board…so while CB might be able to finally kick the ball..the ball, now sentient, is going to come back and reign down hell on ol’ chuck in retaliation…”

• Best Book Covers of 2008
• Yiddish in Jazz
• Meetings. YAY!

Namaste.

Tuesday – 25 November 2008
Day 2 of 3.  Selah.
It’s been a quiet day. I had a meeting. I have another meeting in less than an hour. WHEEE!

Workout
Marci, Wes and I hit the gym for a lunchtime workout. In the locker room, I had a realization:

I have two (2) pairs of navy blue gym shorts:

• An “around the house” pair (the waistband is a little frayed, has a few holes – that give them character) and
• A “going to the gym” pair – in good all-around condition.

Guess which pair wound up going with me to the gym today.

That didn’t stop us from having a good workout. Wes and I went for max presses today – He’s still a couple of weeks out from hitting 225 lbs; I’m still not back to 300, but I had a good 250 rep. Then we went into the rest of the workout – Marci joined us for everything but bench press:

• Bench press: 3 sets/10 reps – 2 sets @ 200 lbs; 1 set @ 200 lbs (7 reps)/185 lbs (3 reps)
• Fly (machine): 3 sets/10 reps, 120 lbs
• Back Extensions (machine): 3 sets/10 reps, 120 lbs
• Curls (dumbell, “middle block”): 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Reverse Punch (dumbbell): 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Decline Barbell Press: 3 sets/10 reps – 2 sets @ 40 lbs; 1 set @ 50 lbs
• Tricep Press (bar): 3 sets/15 reps, 80 lbs
• Wrist curls (barbell): 3 sets/15 reps, 45 lbs (forward and reverse)
• Push-ups: 3 sets, 10 reps

Post-workout weight: 181.3 lbs

Stray Toasters

• Three auctions’ of ‘Clix – SHIPPED.
• Polygamist leaders indicted – and jailed
• I ♥ Parallels.
• The Sartorialist and Building Your Perfect Business Wardrobe
• 
• From Slashdot: Arranging Electronic Access for Your Survivors?
• Nanotech clothing fabric ‘never gets wet’
• Mythical Female Snipers Stalking Russia?
  

Namaste.

Friday – 21 November 2008
It’s the end of the week. Finally. Amen.
I seem to be on the downhill slope of this cold. Finally. Amen.

Today hasn’t been bad. I didn’t rush in getting ready this morning, including a thirty-minute Interweb surfing session before heading out the door. I can’t really complain about the workday, so far, either. Or maybe that’s just Friday apathy talking. Who knows?

Stray Toasters

• You’d think that if a vendor/manufacturer sent you a multi-thousand dollar server, they’d include a power cord or two with it.
• I don’t know how long ago they implimented it, but I just discovered that you an schedule your auction start times on eBay. The last that I was aware, you had to buy auction management software to schedule them for you. I like this option much better… even if there is a $0.10 fee for doing it.
• For reasons that I have yet to explain, I had the theme from My Mother, the Car running through my head while I was getting ready for work this morning.
• Cranky Colbert warms up for a heartwarming holiday show
• Ginger snaps. The cookies, not the movie.
• 2000-point unrestricted ‘Clix bash tomorrow. I should really put some thought into who I want to use.
• Guitar Hero as training for bionic arms

Almost… done…

Namaste.

Wednesday – 19 November 2008
After work – and after taking SaraRules to pick up her car – we headed to Best Buy. I picked up Wall·E, Season 1 of Smallville and The Illusionist. With my goodies in hand, we headed back to my place, where SaraRules made a rather tasty chicken and spinach gumbo.

Later this morning, I get to make the trek over Point of the Mountain and go to Happy Valley for a bit. Yay. Hopefully, I’ll be back in SLC by or shortly after lunch.

Stray Toasters

• I have to thank Sib-3 for pointing me in the direction of Fringe.
• Speaking of Sib-3, he and my sister-in-law are expecting their first little bundle of joy in a few weeks – it’s a boy.
• It’s fairly common knowledge that if I get to choose how God appears to me, I want him to look like Morgan Freeman. However… last night, I was poking around Amazon.com for Christmas presents and stumbled across The King James Bible, read by James Earl Jones and thought: “That’s awesome!” I mean, how cool would it be to have an audio version of The Bible narrated by Darth Vader… Mufasa… King Jaffe Joffer… Admiral Greer… I mean James Earl Jones?!
• These comics, from Invisible Spiders, amused me: One and Two
• And, on the topic of zombies: 4 Things to Keep in Mind While Killing Zombies in Left 4 Dead

I should probably start getting ready to head to the southlands.

Namaste.