Random Access

Tuesday – 28 December 2010
It’s quiet around here again.  Things are returning to what passes for “normal” around here.

I just talked with my mother and uncle — they both made it home, although MUCH later than either of them had anticipated. Thanks to a three-hour delay getting out of SLC, my parents didn’t get home until almost 0100 AM EST. My uncle didn’t fare any better, as he made it into and out of Chicago with no problem… but couldn’t land in White Plains. At least, not the first time. His flight was re-routed to Hartford for refueling and then went back to White Plains. He got home after 0200 AM. But… everyone made it home safely.

Last night, I had dinner with my in-laws, before they took Meliko to the airport. We went for Mexican food at El Chihuahua. I had the beef enchiladas; they were good. After dinner, I met at MacCool’s for the last Monday Night Football broadcast of the season: The Saints at the Falcons. It was a very good game and pretty much came down to the last few minutes. Add to that a couple of Black and Pumpkin beers and an order of Finn’s Skins and it made for a good evening in good company.

Stray Toasters

• I’m thinking (seriously) about tearing out my rail yard and reconfiguring it. Again.
• 1980s cartoon intros in other languages
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” and the “People Are People” files: Harry Potter actress in hiding after death threats
• Coded American Civil War Message in Bottle Decoded
• 
• Big Bird Behind the Beak – A Look Behind the Feathers
• Infographic: Bad Science in Movies Chart
• Despite the fact that I left my old web hosting company nearly three months ago, I still get email from them.  (No, I’m not still getting billed by them.)

I should probably start getting ready to face the day.

Namaste.

Monday – 27 December 2010
It’s quiet around here. VERY quiet. It’s amazing how “quiet” it is, in fact. I guess that’s just one of the things you notice when you go from having five people in the house to being alone at home.

I had a fantastic Christmas. It was made even better by the fact that I was able to have (most of) my family here — we’re looking at ways to get Kris out here later in the season or this Spring/Summer.  We started some new traditions this year (Christmas Eve spaghetti dinner and Christmas morning mimosas) and incorporated some of our favorites as well. The man in the red suit did me a good turn this year; he brought me:

• A couple of really nice sweaters
• A pair of boots (…which I need to send back because they were both for the right foot)
• An overcoat and scarf
• A new pair of lounge pants… with the Ravens’ logo on ’em!
• A couple of passenger platforms for my railroad
• A LEGO Creator set
• Buckyballs
• A “gift certificate” to Dr. Volt’s or The Train Shoppe (Woo!)
• A Sawz-All
• A new train set

SaraRules! and I got a couple of very nice gifts as a couple, too.  So, I can honestly say that I had a very good Christmas this year.

Saturday, before heading to SaraRules!’ parents’ place for dinner, I took the family up to Brighton — I figured that since they had come all this way to visit, the least that I could do was take them for a drive up one of the canyons and let them see the mountains. I think that they were taken aback a bit at how truly “big” the mountains are here. They were also a bit surprised when I told them the elevation.

After the drive, we met up with SaraRules’ side of the family for dinner. We had a magnificent feast with all kinds of foods: brisket, ham, borscht, mixed vegetables, roasted root vegetables, breads, potatoes and more! All of it was wonderfully prepared.

Sunday, we got up and took my folks to Music and the Spoken Word. My mother has mentioned many times that she wanted to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but hadn’t been able to get out her to do so. But, with retirement comes time… and, fortunately, we were able to make it in to see this week’s recording.

After the broadcast, we went up to Park City for brunch at Cisero’s. It started to snow shortly after we arrived, but was coming down a little more heavily as we left Park City and headed down Parley’s Canyon. After we got in, we settled in for a relatively quiet afternoon at home. Later in the afternoon, we took my uncle down to the Cathedral of the Madeleine and picked up dinner.

This morning, SaraRules got up for work and I got up to take my family to the airport. It was really nice to have them here for the long weekend; I’m glad that they were able to come out.  (Now, I just have to get Kris out here…) We got everyone to their respective flights on time, although I got a call from my mother a little while ago saying that her plane was grounded because of a “mechanical problem.” I’m waiting to see if/when they get boarded on another plane and how that will affect their connection home.  My uncle, on the other hand, might not get out of Chicago – or at least not to his home airport – thanks to the snowstorm that hit the northeast over the weekend. We’ll see how everything shakes out.

Stray Toasters

• How was your Christmas?
• The Ravens beat the Browns and secured a spot in the playoffs!
• Five Best Resources for Free Games
• Teena Marie dies at 54; R&B singer-songwriter
  • Lovergirl
    
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Man Faces Five Years in Jail — for Reading Wife’s Emails
• I need to replace the battery on my MacBook. This one has developed a “bulge.”  You know, the “This battery has reached the end of its useful life cycle…” kind.
• Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

It seems as though my parents made it out of here… nearly three hours late.  But, they’re in the air.

Now, it’s time to find some trouble to get into.

Namaste.

Friday – 24 December 2010
It’s Christmas Eve.
My uncle will be here in a few hours, as will Meliko; we’re still waiting to see if Kristen will be able to make it.

My mom and stepfather got into town about noon yesterday. We spent the afternoon and evening in; we had lunch and sat around and talked for a bit.  Later, Mom tagged Christmas gifts – she and Kris had shipped them here earlier in the week – and then we watched the Panthers take on the Steelers on Thursday Night Football. It was seriously like watching David take on Goliath… except this time, Goliath knew what was up and completely manhandled David. The final score was 27 – 3; I was just happy that the Panthers put some points on the board. After the ‘rents went to bed, SaraRules! and I watched the mid-season finale to Fringe and an episode of Burn Notice.

SaraRules! and I are heading to the gym in a bit; I think that my stepdad is going to join us… if he’s awake. (He and Mom were up at 0330 yesterday to make their first flight, so I can understand and appreciate that they’re “a little” tired.) Later, we’re all going to lunch with SaraRules!’ parents. Pat’s Barbecue.  Mmmm. I think that there will be a little shopping done and then it will be off to the airport to pick up Uncle Ronnie and Meliko – their flights gets in around the same time).

Workout
And…. we’re back. My stepfather didn’t join us, after all. The workout was short and sweet:

• Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps, 155 lbs
• Deadlifts (barbell): 2 sets/8 reps, 70 lbs
• Curls (dumbbell): 2 sets/10 reps, 25 lbs
• Shoulder Press (dumbbell): 2 sets/10 reps, 35 lbs
• Lat Pulldown: 2 sets/10 reps, 110 lbs
• Lunges: 2 sets/8 steps per leg, 20 lb dumbbells
• Crunches (Swiss ball): 2 sets/15 reps

Stray Toasters

• It’s been fun having my parents here.  There… I said it.  (And meant it.)
• 
• America has a serious drug problem
• Hyperbole and a Half: The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas
• What Happens When You Steal a Hacker’s Computer
• 
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Pearl comes out of ear 41 years later
• Wright’s ‘Falling Water’ in gingerbread
• California beaches ‘contaminated’ after rain storms

And, just in case I don’t get back on here tomorrow (or later tonight): I hope that everyone has a safe and very merry Christmas.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 22 December 2010
It’s midweek.
Comics (and probably not-Sushi) Wednesday.
Sugar cookie-making with the in-laws day.
And, the day before my parents get to town.

Whew.
I’m already tired.

Tuesday saw a bit of errand-running. I went to the office to drop off Christmas presents to my team and then it was off to lunch with a few other coworkers. We went to Market Street Grill; the service was uncharacteristically slow, but the food was still good (for seafood in a landlocked state, that is!). Next, it was on to the Post Office to drop some Christmas cheer in the mail. After that, I did a little wandering before making it back home.

After dinner, SaraRules! and I went to an advance screening of The Green Hornet.  (Thanks to Melissa S. for the passes. I have been… leery… of the movie, especially when it was announced that Seth Rogen would be starring. My main concern was that it would be more along the lines of “The Green Hornet meets The Hangover.” While there was some camp and a few places where belief had to be suspended, it was a fun movie. I don’t see it as an Oscar contender, but it was definitely entertaining. As I told SaraRules!, “I was trying to put it on a scale between The Spirit (bad) and Superman (good), in terms of superhero movies.  It’s definitely more Superman than Spirit.”

(7) … possibly even (8)

Stray Toasters

• By now, I’m Ivory Soap sure that most people have seen the DeSean Jackson punt return that gave the Eagles the win over the Giants on Sunday… but have you seen it redone in Tecmo Bowl? Check it out:
• Pa. boy to be tried for murder as adult; historic sentence looms
• FCC Is Set to Regulate Internet Access
• ‘Flash mob’ results in California mall evacuation
• From another TED talk: Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders
• 
• This entry, from DC Comics’ The Source blog, may just contain three of the funniest Batman related pages that I have ever read. And, they are only made funnier given the fact that Aquaman is delivering the lines. Yes… that Aquaman.
• I saw this a few days ago, but let it ride.  Then I started thinking about it and decided to add it to this morning’s ‘Toasters: Racists Totally Freak Out Over Idris Elba Playing Norse God in ‘Thor’
  • In a Quote of the Day-worthy note, my brother-in-law,, had this to say:
    

    “Let me get this straight: Douchebags are upset because a black dude is playing a completely fictional character from Norse mythology.  Is that correct?  Glad to know our country’s capacity for getting upset over totally inane bullshit hasn’t waned any…”

  • Related note: if you have a chance, watch the Penny Arcade TV “Racist Clock” video, mentioned in this article, as well. It’s doesn’t really take off until about 2 minutes in, but it’s worth it.
  • Additional related note: All I have to say is “Wow…” about the Council of Conservative Citizens. While I don’t agree with their ideology, I support their right to think and believe what they will…. with the notable exception of Item #2 in their Statement of Principles. Chalking this one up to the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file.
• From the “Yes, these were parts of our history…” files:
  • Discussing Civil Rights Era, a Governor Is Criticized
  • Charleston’s ‘secession ball’ a contentious start to Civil War’s 150th anniversary
• Cartoon Network’s ‘Young Justice’ to Begin Regular Rotation on January 7

I’m sure that there are a lot of other things I could add to this post, but I’ll just wrap up here.

Namaste.

Monday – 20 December 2010
The song says, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.”  Today is Monday. It is also… snowy, although there may be some rain falling somewhere in the valley. However, this combination is far from getting me down. Why?

1. I’m on vacation.
2. It’s only three more sleeps till my parents get here!
3. It’s only four more sleeps till my uncle gets here!
4. It’s only five more sleeps until Christmas!
5. Did I mention that whole “vacation” thing? I did?  Okay, good. Just making sure.

Yesterday, SaraRules! and I knocked out a little more eleventh-hour Christmas shopping. That was good. After that, we came home for a bit. During the down time, I fired up the 360. I was planning on playing a little bit of LEGO Batman, but Fate had other plans in store: messaged me and invited me to play HALO: Reach online with him and . As I hadn’t played Reach online (heresy, I know…) and as I was going to be able to play with a couple of friends, I pulled Batman out, put Reach in and played for a bit.

A short while later, SaraRules! and I headed over to Sanaz and Logan’s. On the docket: Dinner and making/decorating a gingerbread Christmas tree:

All-in-all, it turned out well.  Steve brought the video camera, to record the event, so I’m Ivory Soap sure that there will be a trailer – if not a full-on movie – showing our exploits. Dinner was very good; we had turkey legs, homemade mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, asparagus and cranberry sauce.

After we returned home, SaraRules! watched The Godfather, which I recently realized that I had never seen in its entirety. It was good. Very good. My only complaint was the pacing — there were places in the film where you couldn’t get a firm grasp on just how much time had elapsed. Other than that, I can easily see why it’s on so many people’s favorite movie list.

Instant Replay: Football

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
24 – 30
Drew Brees and the Saints came marchin’ into M&T Bank Stadium… …and the Ravens sent ’em marchin’ back home with a loss. Joe Cool and the boys started out strongly, but let the lead slip away in the second half. The game ended with another Ravens interception, this time delivered by DE Cory Redding. With this win, the Ravens go to 10-4 and are still very much in the hunt for the AFC Playoffs Wild Card, as the #5 seed.

Coach Harbaugh! Hey, Coach!  Hey… your team just beat last year’s Super Bowl champions and are currently the #5 seed in the AFC Playoff picture!  How does that make you feel?

.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
23 – 39
The Raiders busted the Broncs in this division win. Congrats, SaraRules! and 1silver_seraph.

.

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
12 – 19
The Panthers hosted the Cards… …and found a way to come up with a win. Sorry, Marr.

.

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
17 – 19
The Bengals came away with the win in this “Battle of Ohio” Congrats, carefreespirit and janietrain!

.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
17 – 14
The ‘Fins dropped this one to the Bills, making them 0-3 against division rivals this season.

Stray Toasters

• Your Apps Are Watching You
  • Full database of apps/information shared, as tested
• Lewis Delivered Passionate Speech
  Ray Lewis..!? Passionate about football..!?  This is a surprise to whom, really?
• Many High Schools Offering “Computer Science” Really Aren’t
• Hailee Steinfield: For a Young Actress, a Gritty Debut
• 
• Pentagon Plan Won’t Cover Brain-Damage Therapy
• Save the Wedding Date: Any Time Before Krypton Explodes
  • In a semi-related note: Stuart Immonen’s take on the origins of some of Superman’s 1990s’ Rogues Gallery
• The underwater sculpture of Jason de Caires Taylor
• Best Buy Puts an End to Tyrannical Restocking Fees

Namaste.

Sunday – 19 December 2010
It’s a chilly, rainy/snowy day here in the valley.

On the “plus” side, today is my uncle’s birthday:

Yesterday, SaraRules!, and I did our best Smokey and the Bandit impression and headed to Cedar City to retrieve the last of SaraRules!’ things from storage. We were up at 0630 and on the road a little after 0700. The trip down was a little slow, thanks to new snowfall and poorly-plowed roads in Utah County. After that, it was pretty smooth sailing. After picking up the trailer, we headed to the storage unit, where Josh (SaraRules!’ former MFA classmate) met us and helped us load up. We stopped for a bite to eat that The Pizza Factory and then got back on the road. The whole process took a hair under 12 hours, from the time we left to the time we got home after returning the trailer. It was a good, productive and tiring day.

I’d also like to take a moment to thank for volunteering his time – and his Jeep – to help us get the things from southern Utah:

Today, we’re doing a little shopping and then heading over to Sanaz and Logan’s for dinner… and gingerbread tree making/decorating. Tonight, as there will be no new episodes of The Walking Dead (for ten months!), we’re most likely going to watch The Godfather.

Stray Toasters

• I neglected to mention this a few days ago: I’m an uncle again!
  My brother and sister-in-law had a little girl, whom they named “Corrine,” on Thursday.

• Jazz Composers Orchestra: Teaching the Symphony to Swing
• For the first time in… weeks, I think… I have an organized HeroClix collection.  Hallelujah!
• Guess who’s back!
  I actually have an original C64 in the storage room… this almost makes me want to break it out, boot it up and play a little Impossible Mission.
• A couple of days ago SaraRules told me that my father-in-law made a “trailer” of this year’s family vacation.  This morning, she showed me the video.
• Drug helps clear lung mucus in cystic fibrosis patients
• I just watched this video, Changing Education Paradigms, which was informative, interesting… and rather entertaining, as well:

• Thief’s Facebook Photo Robs Sense of Online Security
• Magnetic Yellow Card – cyclist intervention

And with that, it’s time to get ready to face to the day.

Namaste.

Friday – 17 December 2010
It’s my 9/80 “on” Friday.
It’s also my last day of work for the year.

With those two things, you’d think that the day would almost qualify as an “NBN Friday.”

Too bad that I spilled my coffee as soon as I got to my desk. *sigh* I made it out of the house, out of the garage, all the way to work, up the elevator and into the office with no problem. But, go to turn the corner at my desk…?

::: SPLASH :::

And I’d only gotten a small sip of the coffee in the elevator. “Some days…,” I tell ya. Hopefully, this will not prove to be a bellwether of the rest of the day. I got the office wet/dry vac and did the best I could to clean Ground Zero. (Fortunately, the carpets are scheduled to be cleaned this weekend.)

Last night, SaraRules! and I had dinner at MacCool’s. As usual, the fare was quite good. We split an order of Finn Skins as an appetizer; she had their Ahi Tuna Sandwich, while I had the Meat Loaf (with a spiced barbecue sauce). And there was Guinness. It was a good dinner and a nice change of pace.

After dinner, I stopped at Dr. Volt’s to pick up my second brick of ‘Clix, the tournament prize pack – gotta have goodies to hand out at tourneys, of course – as well as this week’s four-color paper crack. From there, it was on to Hastur Hobbies for 4th ed. D&D night. Josh, a former coworker, joined the group. We finished out the encounter (and that chapter of the story) without any deaths in our party.

After the game, I headed home to meet SaraRules! and we then headed to the gym:

• Leg Raises (Roman Chair): 3 sets/15 reps
• Bench Press: 3 sets/8 reps, 155 lbs
• Squats: 2 sets/10 reps, ~75 lbs
• Row: 2 sets/10 reps, 110 lbs
• Push-ups: 2 sets/10 reps
• Step-ups: 2 sets/10 reps per leg, with 20 lb dumbbells
• Jackknifes: 2 sets/10 reps

And, to finish up the evening we finally finished up this year’s Christmas card.

Stray Toasters

• MarknTyme just called me a “pusher.”
  All because he:
  1. Is considering getting back into model railroading after we’d talked about it a few times, and
  2. Just made his first purchase from WorldWorksGames.

  I told him that I prefer to think of myself as a “facilitator.”

• 
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Flirty Models Were Hired in Bid to Find Bone Marrow
• Zombie attack hoodie
• From the “We’ve Taken Care of Everything…” file: Man boards plane at IAH with loaded gun in carry-on
• Help, My Half-Elf Is Pregnant! The 11 Strangest Questions from the D&D ‘Sage Advice’ Column

  

• Blake Edwards, Prolific Comedy Director, Dies at 88
• Badass LEGO Guns
• The Implants Loophole
• When the Apocalypse Happens, You’ll Find Me in My Armored Home

Namaste.

Thursday – 16 December 2010
I am a little shocked and embarrassed to admit this, but I had completely spaced off the fact that today was Thursday – and NBN Thursday, at that – until I started typing the date. Go figure.

Today is ‘s birthday:

Today is also the day that Ludwig von Beethoven’s birthday is generally celebrated:

Last night, Dr. Volt’s held a release day tournament for the new Heroclix set: DC 75th Anniversary. Even better, Jeremiah ran it, so I was able to play in the tourney. (This doesn’t mean that I didn’t get asked rules questions, mind you.) I went 1-2 for the night – it was a sealed draft – but it was still a good bit of fun.

After the tourney, I headed back home. SaraRules! and I watched The Terminator on AMC. I remember going to see this in the theatre (I believe it was at The Janus…) with one of my cousins. Some of the effects look rather… dated… but, on the whole, the movie is solid.

Stray Toasters

• Last night, I was contacted by a friend with whom I haven’t spoken in… probably close to two years. It was a nice surprise.
• Mick Without Moss
• Kids write Santa this year for basic needs rather than toys
• Today’s workout: Helping to bring 120 new monitors into the office… 10 (or 12) at a time.
• 
• L.A. dry run shows urban nuke attack ‘a survivable event’
  Huh… didn’t look that way in The Terminator.
• Dannon’s Activia, DanActive health claims draw $21M fine
• Chris Roberson & Phil Hester on Taking Over ‘Superman’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ from JMS
• 
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” and “Whoops!” files:
  • Colorado database leak puts informants in jeopardy
  • UBS’ 43-page dress code requires tie-knots that match your facial morphology

• The business of malware

Time to tie up a few loose ends and then head to the office holiday party.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 15 December 2010
Another Comics (and possibly Sushi) Day is upon us!
Today also marks the release of WizKids’ DC 75th Anniversary HeroClix Set.

This morning started with a fresh 2-3″ blanket of snow. My first thought, upon looking out the window this morning, was: “I do not feel like dealing with this.” I put it off for fifteen minutes, but the snow didn’t magically shovel itself, so… I went out and cleared the driveway and sidewalks.

Yesterday was a good day at work. Thanks to the help of my coworker, James, I was able to get through a problem that was keeping me from getting some work done on a particular server. If today and/or tomorrow are like that, I’ll have worry-free (at least as far as work-related issues go) vacation.

Last night, I headed over to Chris’ place to play HeroClix. It’s been a while since the two of us have faced off in a friendly game. We had considered playing one theme, but wound up changing our plan after I got there. We wound up playing the X-Men (Chris) vs. the Avengers. Chris won – but not without taking a couple losses. It was a good game, though. And it was fun.

Stray Toasters

• It’s another suit day: Grey suit, white shirt, grey/pink/white/black tie, black vest… all capped with a pink pocket square.
• In a pretty stunning bit of health science news: Man officially cured of HIV
  • Stem Cell Transplant Cures HIV in ‘Berlin Patient’
  • The First Man to be Cured of AIDS
• Curse you, MTH, for providing more items for The Covet List, especially when it’s this close to Christmas! (More specifically: This!)*shakes fist*
• Hanna Rosin: New Data on the Rise of Women
• These Are America’s Worst, Best Commutes
• 
• The Most Amazing Science Images of 2010
• From the “Curiouser and curiouser…” file: De Young Draws the Line on Sketching
• Internet posters angry at computers with which they are unfamiliar
• 
• Jorsh Pena Adds Vintage Charm to Gremlins, Ghosts and Goonies
• By way of comes: New scam tactic: Fake disk defraggers
• The Adoration Aside, There Are Dangers to Being an R&B Heartthrob
• It would seem that Jon Favreau has turned down the director’s chair for Iron Man 3.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 14 December 2010
Last night, , and my former coworker, Josh, came over to watch Monday Night Football. After the game, SaraRules! and I watched the latest DC Animated Short: Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam. It was pretty good. They did a decent job of telling the origin of DC’s Captain Marvel and of introducing one of his main antagonists, Black Adam. The DVD also included the short features with Green Arrow, Jonah Hex and The Spectre, as seen on other DC Animated DVDs.

Instant Replay: Football

Batimore Ravens at Houston Texans
34 – 28
The Ravens seriously tried to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory… but managed to eke out a win over the Texans. In the first half, the Ravens were solid on both sides of the ball. They went into halftime with a 21-point lead, 28-7. I’m not sure what happened in the locker room, but the same team didn’t take the field in the third quarter. Perhaps they got a bit cocky and complacent. Whatever it was, they blew their lead. The only Ravens score in the second half came from WR David Reed‘s 103-yard kickoff return, which opened the third quarter. For the rest of the half, the offense couldn’t quite pull it together and the defense looked tired and beat. One of the most telling plays was when LB Jarret Johnson – normally one of the faster linemen – tried to chase down Texans’ QB Matt Schaub… and just looked like he was completely out of gas. And, CB Josh Wilson, acquired this season from Seattle, is becoming one of my favorite new Ravens. He was all over the field last night. He made good defensive plays, including the game-winning overtime interception/touchdown return that ended the game.

Stray Toasters

• I have my parents’ travel itinerary for next week. This is a “good” thing.
• Panel Set to Study Safety of Electronic Patient Data
• By way of  comes: The Suits of James Bond
  • So far, I’ve worn suits yesterday (black suit, white shirt, black holiday tie) and today (olive suit, yellow shirt, burgundy tie with candles). I’m not sure if this will be a week of suits, though.
• For Nyx, Nox and , and others: Hey, why not try the Necronomicon?
• “Avengersaurs” and Its Dino Superheroes Should Be the Next Marvel Event
  One word: “Wolveraptor.”  That’s all I’m saying.
• McCartney Plays Apollo, His “Holy Grail”
• 
• My brother-in-law, , knows of my Christmastime affinity for David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth. Last night, he chose to exploit that knowledge and send me the following (rather funny) video:
  • …and in a related note: Jingle Jams: A Holiday Mix from NPR Music
• Nintendo’s Heroes of the Second World War
• Airlines rake in $4.3 billion in fees; Delta tops list

Namaste.

Sunday – 12 December 2010
So far, it’s been a good day.  Of course, I just woke up… so, there hasn’t been a lot going on. But, as the commercial says: “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup waking up,” so I seem to be batting 1.000 so far.

Yesterday was a shopping day. We got a fair portion of Christmas shopping done for members of the family. We also went to Abravanel Hall to see Holiday Celibration with Jerry .

The concert featured Angela Theis and Kate Tombaugh (the two of the Resident Artists from Utah Opera), Karen Brookens (Weber State University Asst. Professor of Music), Brent Reilly Turner (also from Utah Opera), the West Jordan High School Concert Choir and their choral director, Kelly DeHaan. It was a fun concert, with a nice mix of sacred and secular music; among the notable selections:

• Angela, Kate and Karen performed a lovely three-part lead to O Come, All Ye Faithful, backed by the choir;
• The ladies also sang Handel’s Come Unto Him, from Messiah and a swing version of Up on the Housetop, in the manner of the Andrews Sisters;
• Brent performed a sung/spoken rendition of The Polar Express, backed by the choir; and
• The soloists performed The Twelve Days After Christmas, which was… different and amusing.

It was a nice way to spend the evening.

Stray Toasters

• Thanks to , angstd and MarknTyme for making sure that I saw the LEGO Antikythera.
• I think I’m in a mood for some Bobby Darin…
• Hilary Clinton: Empower Girls and Women
• Scandal and a Schism Rattle Atlanta’s Schools
• Bobby Darin – Artificial Flowers
• Technology Outpaces Privacy (Yet Again)
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Killer Groupie Samantha Spiegel
• Just Breathe: Body Has a Built-in Stress Reliever
• Kids’ book/science fiction mash-ups
• Bobby Darin – Beyond the Sea
• After watching a few of bravosixxx’ videos, I’m trying to find a way to change up my rail yard. Unfortunately, it appears as though I would need to extend the length of that side of the layout by a couple of feet.
• Buried in Peru’s Desert, Fossils Draw Smugglers
  (I’m looking at you, Dr. Jones. The Hovitos are still a little ticked about that whole golden idol incident.)
• Heavy snow causes Metrodome roof to collapse in Minnesota
• Bobby Darin – Mack the Knife

just suggested making a trek to The Garden of Sweden. And with that, it’s time to start getting ready to face day.

Namaste.

Friday – 10 December 2010
It’s my day off. I’m trying to decide what to do with the day. has suggested a possible trip to Hobby Stop, which seems like a good suggestion. Other than that, “…the future is wide open,” as Tom Petty said.

Last night, SaraRules! and I decided to go out for an impromptu date night. We saw Harry Potter and Six Months in the Woods the Deathly Hallows (Part I). I realized that it’s apparently been “a while” since I’ve read the book, as there were a few things that didn’t quite seem to fit what I recall from the novel. *shrug* Not a big deal. All-in-all, the movie was entertaining.

Stray Toasters

• I just got back from coffee with , Perry and the kids. It was a far better way to kick off the weekend than just sitting around the house, waiting for the garage door opener installer to show up… which I’m now doing.
• New SUPERMAN Writer Fills JMS’ Shoes But Walks Own Path
  • Must There Be a Superman? – The story that Roberson referenced in the interview
• SantaCon is coming to town…
• Neil Armstrong personally responds to an NPR correspondent’s rhetorical moon-landing questions
  Hmm… based on that second grey section, maybe Michael Bay’s take on the moon landing (as seen in the Transformers 3 trailer) wasn’t so far off.
• 
• Modern Treasure Hunts for the Whole Family
• The Doc and Rooch Show – lots of interesting O-Scale railroading videos
• I’m not typically a huge Conan O’Brien fan. (There, I said it.) This morning, there was an item on DC Comics’ Facebook page titled “Conan Gets Animated,” with the following description:
  

  Since the WB lot is home DC Comics, Conan realizes his dream of becoming a superhero!

  Well, then. With a lead-in like that, I was curious. Conan and a camera crew headed over to the WB animation studios and talked with Peter Girardi and then had a character drawn… by Bruce Timm:

• Renee Fleming to be Consultant at Lyric Opera of Chicago
• Wine Library TV
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Goat heads left on Hyde Park doorsteps
• Sports Stars Seek Profit in Catchphrases
• I just got pocket-dialed by a friend from back home. Naturally, I called him back and we chatted for about 10 minutes. It was a nice surprise.

Okay… off to wait some more.

Namaste.

Thursday – 09 December 2010
I’d like to wish a “Happy No Bad News Thursday” and a “Happy Birthday” to my good friend and favorite comic book-reading, motorcycle-riding band director: MarknTyme

Congratulations on completing another circle around the sun!

Last night was D&D (4th ed.) game night. And, like Tuesday’s game, there were zombies. During the game, I encountered an interesting phenomenon (do DO do-do-do!): My dice rolled fairly well for me… but failed to roll well three consecutive times when I was trying to keep Jack’s character from dying. (No, it wasn’t because I was planning on looting his corpse. This time.) Other than that, it was a good night’s gaming session. And, as an added “plus,” it seems as though my former coworker, Josh, will be joining our group.

Stray Toasters

• Somehow, I managed to leave home without making a cup of coffee.
  This may mean that I need to pencil in a trip to Pin-up Girl Espresso in this afternoon’s agenda.
• Did you see Inception and wonder how the layers of dreaming were supposed to map with reference to each other?  Wonder no more: The Definitive Inception Dream Layer Map, Drawn by Christopher Nolan Himself (Warning: Spoilers ahead!)
• ComicsAlliance’s Holiday Card Series: Belated Happy Hanukkah!

  

  (Click image to read the full article and the rest of the card.)

• Apple Ban on iPhone Donation Apps Anger Nonprofits
• and I traded links to a few model railroad layout and scenery building videos on YouTube last night. There are more than “a few” of them out there.
• Why some holiday specials are still special, and others aren’t
• Pro-WikiLeaks hackers target Mastercard, PayPal
  • Amazon Could Be Next Site Brought Down by WikiLeaks’ Supporters
• The trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon has been released; thanks to for making sure that I saw it.

  Before everyone gets all excited about how good it looks and psyched up to go see it, let me remind you of one thing: The trailer for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen looked good, too… and we all remember how that turned out. Just something to keep in mind.

• Chaplains Worry About Careers if ‘Don’t Ask’ Is Lifted
• SpaceX launches Falcon 9 into orbit
• Four Ravens Lead Pro Bowl Fan Voting

• Buy a Colorful Clock That Tells Time in Three Dimensions
• Visit the Manhattans of Our Wildest Imaginations

And with that…

…right on to the friction of the day.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 08 December 2010
New comics today?  Yep.
Sushi for lunch?  I believe so.
D&D (4.0) game tonight? Yes, indeed.
Verily, I proclaim that this shall be a good day.

Last night was D&D (3.5) game night with and company. After a three-week hiatus, it took us a few minutes to recall exactly where we were (in an underground cathedral) and what we were doing (getting ready to fight a group of zombies). Not so surprisingly, things fell into place pretty quickly once those details were recalled. We fought. We didn’t die. Life was good. Post-zombie attack, we quested into the cathedral’s lower levels, met some other… figures (that’s about the best I can give ’em at this point, as they weren’t exactly alive, but not undead, either). With their help, we finished a quest – and lost our NPC – and made our way back out of the cathedral and back to a safe haven. It was a good night.

Stray Toasters

• SaraRules! has already had to deal with a monkey today. Feh.
• Steve Wozniak leads a Computer History Museum tour
• 2010’s most provocative celebrity is…
  • …in a related note and courtesy of :



• At California School, Parents Force an Overhaul
• I’m amused by Kevin Maguire’s description of his soon-to-be-seen character, Tanga, for DC Comics:
  

  Tanga is a girl who has been flying around the fringes of space looking for some kind of intelligent contact. She’s seeking some kind of connection, any kind of connection. She legitimately feels like there’s no one else in the universe quite like her. She’s right about that. She possesses both enormous cosmic power and an inability to self-edit, a combination that will, inevitably, always lead her into trouble. My short hand pitch has always been “The power of the Silver Surfer and the personality of Sarah Silverman”

• Lawmakers call on TSA to release X-ray inspection records
• 
• And here’s another item for The Covet List.

And with that…

Namaste.

Tuesday – 07 December 2010
Today is the 69th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.

We have a visitor in our office today. I’m hoping that the fact that…

Oh, my lucky stars! A Negro!¹

…was the first thing that popped into my head after seeing him is an indicator that it’s going to be a good day.

Yesterday, I was visited by the UPS and USPS Fairies. The UPS Fairy brought the first wave of parts for my new computer arrived; now I need to figure out what I want to get next.  The USPS Fairy brought the other new arrival: my Department 56 Lionel Electric Train Shop.

and Ryan came over to watch last night’s highly-hyped Jets-Patriots game (1, 2) Too bad the game didn’t live up to the hype. The Pats steamrolled the Jets. Badly. They broke ’em down like fractions.

Stray Toasters

• Tyranist and I had a discussion yesterday about which is more terrifying: slow, shambling zombies or fast-moving zombies/”rage-infected” humans and why.
• State Department Daily Is Window on Jittery Planet
• TSA workers, experts worry about radiation exposure
• 
• Cthulhu Playing Cards
• A couple of items from NPR Music:
  • Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: The Voice of Hawaii
  • 5 Best Cover Songs of 2010
• In the Wild, a Big Threat to Rangers: Humans
• 
• pointed me in the direction of this: Awesome fan-poster for Green Lantern movie
• WikiLeaks Founder Warns About More Dispatches
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot…?!” file: Denver bomb squad defeats 8″ toy robot after hours-long standoff
• For Steve Harvey, all this attention is rewarding, scary

Julie just referred to someone as “…[her] new monkey.”  I think that my day is now complete.

Namaste.

1 – That quote comes from Brendan Fraser’s character, Adam, in Blast From the Past.