Random Access

Wednesday – 22 April 2009
It’s Earth Day.

It’s also Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Last night, SaraRules had Book Club, so I spent a fair portion of the evening finishing up the chapel for Wildwood Grove and assembling a train stop for Mayhem Rail. I like the way that the chapel turned out; I still need to do a little work on the rail station, but it’s coming along nicely. Pictures will follow… eventually.

Stray Toasters

• ‘Deeper’ recession ahead says IMF
• Opening Skinner’s Box: ten psych experiments that remade the world
• The Geeks’ Guide to World Domination
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Gummy Bacon
• 
• Mission Impossible: The Code Even the CIA Can’t Crack, by way of
• 747 converted to a restaurant, then abandoned
• From NPR Music: Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’ At Its Best
• Star Trek’s Beast Master Reveals How to Create a Monster

Namaste.

Tuesday – 21 April 2009
Another sunny and warm day in the valley. It was even warm enough for me to leave home without a jacket! (Of course, I had an extra jacket already in the car. Just in case…)

Last night, came over for dinner. SaraRules fixed chicken and dumplings… and they were delicious, as usual. We sat, ate and chatted away the better part of the evening. ‘Twas good.

Stray Toasters

• Holocaust Remembrance Day marked
• LEGO Rock Band unveiled, slated for ’09 release
• Prelate Derek sent me a link to a tongue-in-cheek look at the appeal of Twilight‘s Edward called Midnight Sun: Edward Undone
• First Look: New Robin Hood on point with ‘Gladiator’
• UN puts global treasures online
• Inevitable Betrayal t-shirt
• sent a link: Cassini’s continuing mission – The Big Picture
• J.J. Abrams on the Magic of Mystery

Namaste.

Monday – 20 April 2009
Another work week begins.  Today, they are putting new cooling units for our server room on the roof. There’s a crane out in the parking lot and they are getting it set to move the coolers and their frame. Pictures to follow at some point today.

Last night, SaraRules and I had Logan over for dinner. SaraRules fixed a tasty chicken mole. We watched Infernal Affairs as we ate. It was the movie upon which Martin Scorsese’s The Departed was based. This version left a few more things “open for interpretation” than The Departed. I’m not sure which version I prefer; both of them stand on their own merits.

I also started assembling the chapel from Wildwood Grove. I decided to put it on a foamcore board, which meant that I had to figure out where I wanted it to go on its base before I could begin the main assembly job. I left a little space behind the chapel for figures to walk around (or, more to the point: “hide behind”). Next up is to finish the roof and steeple. I should be done with it later tonight. Then, I’ll work on the rail station.

Stray Toasters

• I have a new tuxedo… and two new suits. Having retired my old tux (and given it to The Salvation Army), I have been looking for one for a few months. Joseph A. Bank had a “Buy One Suit, Get Two Suits Free” sale this weekend; I jumped all over it. Now I just need to get the pants hemmed.
• Garden impossible
• Apple aired four new Get A Mac ads over the weekend. Thanks to for pointing them out.
• Cold War Bunker Becomes Modern Mansion
• ‘How to Talk to Girls’ author, 10, juggles life, school, more
• US marks 10 years since Columbine
• I hit some weird key combination and wound up publishing this before I was ready.  ::: EDIT :::
• Reaching out, lifting up: Prison ministry now Dungy’s priority
• Gaiman’s “Blueberry Girl”: A benediction for a girl’s happy life
  When Neil Gaiman came to SLC a few years ago, he read this. He asked that people who were recording the event to please turn off all recording devices, as it was something that had a special sentiment and he didn’t want it showing up “everywhere.”
• Brazil cracks down on sat-hackers who bounce ham signals off US military satellites

Now: Back to work.
Tonight: Dinner with SaraRules and .

Namaste.

Sunday – 19 April 2009
Last night, SaraRules and I went to Abravanel Hall to hear Utah Symphony and Jon Kimura Parker perform. The guest conductor was Thomas Wilkins. The performance consisted of:

• James Beckel ~ Toccata
• Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, op. 60
• Sergei Rachmaninoff ~ Concerto No. 2 for Piano in C minor, op. 18

The performance was very good. I was especially surprised to enjoy the Beckel piece as much as I did – I’m not usually a fan of modern classical pieces. I’m not sure if Mr. Wilkins is one of the candidates for taking over as conductor of Utah Symphony after Gilderoy Keith Lockhart leaves, but if he is, I’d be more than happy to see him take over that role. After Mr. Parker finished the Concerto, he had two encores, in which he performed:

1. Rachmaninoff ~ Prelude in G
2. Billy Joel ~ Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Today has been a lazy day. I’m good with that.  SaraRules fixed sauteed spaghetti for breakfast. We’ve been watching Doom (yes, that Doom) and Inside the Actor’s Studio, in which Dave Chappelle was interviewing James Lipton. I had forgotten that Karl Urban, soon to be seen as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the upcoming Star Trek movie, was in Doom.

Four-Color Coverage
This week’s haul had a few good items:

• Action Comics #876 – This was a good Kryptonian vs. Kryptonian issue: Ursa, General Zod’s second-in-command and wife, vs. Lor-Zod (her son/Clark and Lois’ foster son, Christopher) and Thara Ak-Var. This issue showed just how ruthless and cold Ursa could be. And the last panel…? Didn’t see that one coming.
• Captain America #49 – This was a solid character issue, in which Sharon Carter faces ghosts of the past and the present.
• Green Lantern Corps #35 – This issue brings us one step closer to the War of Light. Sodam Yat has a… less-than-heartwarming return to Daxam, while Soranik Natu takes a meeting on Korugar with the last person you’d suspect.
• Haunted Tank #2-5 – How is it that a Confederate General (or his ghost) come to the aid of a Black soldier – whos happens to be his descendant – in Iraq? That question is answered in this series.  And while, it’s not exactly a hugs-and-kisses family reunion, it makes for a good read.
• Tiny Titans #15 – Pet Club at Wayne Manor redux. Hilarity – and mayhem – ensues. Also, Ravager has to babysit the Tiny Terror Titans. What could possibly go wrong?

Stray Toasters

• Revise an Email so People Will Actually Read It
• 3D Star Wars Starfighter Kites
• 
• Doom update: The movie just hit the FPS section.  *amused*
• CYBERDYNE creates exoskeletons
  (Repeat after me: “SkyNet is now online…”)
• Is Scarlett Johansson getting in shape to portray Black Widow?  Could be.

Namaste.

Friday – 17 April 2009
Another 9/80 “off” Friday has begun. I managed to sleep in until a little after 9:00 this morning. That was nice. After a quick bite to eat, SaraRules and I headed to the gym to get in a workout. Today’s routine included:

• Leg Press: 3 sets/10 reps, 140 lbs
• Kick-backs: 3 sets/10 reps, 60 lbs
• Calf Raises: 3 sets/10 reps, 100 lbs
• Bench Press: 3 sets/10 reps
  • 2½ sets @ 205 lbs
  • ½ set @ 185 lbs
• Fly: 3 sets/10 reps, 110 lbs
• Curl w/ Shoulder Press: 3 sets/10 reps, 20 lbs
• Bent-over Row: 3 sets/10 reps, 35 lbs
• Tricep Extension (rope): 3 sets/10 reps, 45 lbs

Post-workout weight: 182.5 lbs.

We also ran into Josh, a former coworker, while in the free weight room. That was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

Stray Toasters

• I wound up getting the Mayhem Rail and Wildwood Grove sets for my masterboard. With the other corners that I have, I can fully populate two city blocks… and then some.
• SaraRules showed me LEGO Chocolate Wedding Favors.  (If only I could find some LEGO  ice trays…)
• forwared a link to Uncomfortable Plot Summaries
• For those of you in the SLC metro area:

  
  (click image for details)

• Obama Proposes High-Speed Rail System for the US
• Motorized LEGO Mech
• CIA Officials Won’t Face Charges for Waterboarding
• Green Lantern to film in Australia in November
• 
• How did Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, get his name? Find out here (about halfway down the page).
• Trendsetters on the Streets of New York: Then and Now
• Faster Than a Speeding Bullwhip: Superman Creator’s Kinktastic Art
• 

  (click image to read the Brothers Brick article)

• From NPR Music:
  • Bringing Up Baby, As Music Lovers Might
  • How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? YouTube, YouTube, YouTube
• Device Keeps Lungs Breathing Outside Body

Next up: Errand-running and miscellaneous stuff.
Later: Clitorati

Namaste.

Thursday – 16 April 2009
After the rain and snow that we received yesterday, it’s sunny (with high clouds) today. There’s a rumor that it’s actually supposed to be “nice” this weekend. We shall see…

Last night was a relatively lazy, low-key night. I started cutting a second masterboard for a new ‘Clix city block. Mmm, 6’x3′ playing area… I think that this one will include a railroad. Just because. I should also figure out what else I want on the block, building-wise. I have… 6 corners available; I am considering picking up the Mayhem Rail and either Wildwood Grove or the Mayhem Police Department sets.

Stray Toasters

• John Madden (yes, THAT “John Madden”) is retiring. (1, 2)
• I am connected to yet another high school classmate on Facebook. I’m finding it both weird and good to catch up with folks I haven’t seen/talked with in many years.
• Commentary: April 15 is patriots’ day.
  This use for “Patriots’ Day” is one that I can get behind.
• Sexy Star Trek Dossier Gives Your Enterprise Crew Run Down
• As part of the server room upgrades, they are doing some electrical work. There’s a worker not too far from my desk who is cutting conduit with a hacksaw. (“You can do a lot with a hacksaw…”) He was using very short and rapid movements to cut the conduit; my first thought went immediately to Charlie Daniels’ playing at the opening and chorus of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
• Is Your Mood a Result of Where You Live?
• Showing that there’s more to Sweden than just IKEA and Volvo: Swedish church unveils LEGO statue of Jesus Christ
• Thanks to Rachel for pointing this out:

  

• Strip search review tests limits of school drug policy
• By way of MarknTyme: Homemade Wall of Death (video)
• Emerald Night (And, for the record, it has nothing to do with Green Lanterns)
• Florida to Build Solar-Powered City

Madden… retiring…
Wow.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 15 April 2009
It’s Tax Day in America once again. Appropriately, it’s a grey and rainy day in Salt Lake City.

Last night, Chris came over and we played ‘Clix. The matchup: The X-Men (Chris) vs. The Brotherhood of Mutants/Hellfire Club (pictures). It was a very good fight; it was probably the most balanced match we’ve had. We had to call the game before things got cooking, but at that point, Chris had a 24 point lead. He said that he didn’t really call it a “win” because we didn’t really get too far into the game. *shrug* It was fun, either way.  I’m looking forward to the flip-side rematch.

Stray Toasters

• SaraRules and her mother met with a potential our wedding photographer yesterday.
• Education Standards Likely to See Tightening
• April 15, 1726: Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From Physicist
• Mythbusters: Compact Compact Rocket Sled

• The Ravens’ 2009 schedule was released yesterday. They didn’t soft-peddle them this season.
• A Grand Entrance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Man bites snake in epic struggle
• Simulated crime scene bathroom accessories
• Manifesto of a Comic Book Rebel
• 
• forwarded a link to Pulp Browsers…
• …which reminded me of this.  (Audio will most likely fall under “NSFW”)
• T. Boone Pickens relishes role in push for alternative energy
• Chesney’s “Victorian Underground” – the secret Victorian underbelly of cyberpunk
• Tetris Furniture

And that’s a wrap.

Oh, look… it’s snowing now.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 14 April 2009
It’s 51F and raining. Tomorrow, there’s a high percentage chance of snow. Welcome to Spring in Utah.

Last night, at SaraRules’ request, I cooked dinner. She wanted spaghetti. And that’s what she got. After dinner we headed to “the land where the furniture folds to a much smaller size.” While we didn’t find anything that completely wowed us, I did remember to pick up a few light bulbs for the display cases. On the way home, we stopped in Pier 1 Imports. Occasionally, I can find something in there that I find interesting, but for the most part…. *shrug* Last night, however, I noticed that they (finally) are carrying the double papasan chairs again. Of course, it’s long after I stopped looking for one. Oh, well. Before heading in, we stopped at Red Mango and picked up a couple of frozen yogurts for dessert.

Stray Toasters

• Friday, Stephanie finished my GL pony.

  
  (click image for gallery of pictures)

  She did a fantastic job; this definitely comes under the heading of “far exceeds my expectations.” However, I appear to have come up against a conundrum: What should I name her? Suggestions are welcome.

• In a follow-up to a story I posted yesterday: Girl chooses Japan over parents
• Analyst: Apple placed chip order for 32GB iPhones
• Two new Star Trek clips
• Sean is an avid football fan. (I won’t bag on his team, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.) He came in and handed me a package yesterday: It was a Ravens 2009 Draft Day t-shirt. Very unexpected and very nice of him.
• Speaking of football:

  

• Ronald Reagan was a secret FBI anti-Commie snitch
• Issue #5 of Steampunk Magazine is out
• Anatomical drawing on a cast

Namaste.

Monday – 13 April 2009
Casablanca was good; I enjoyed it quite a bit. The movie holds up quite well, especially when one considers that it was released over 65 years ago. One thing that I kept coming back to was how Rick Blaine reminded me of Han Solo. Actually, it would be more proper to say that Solo reminded me of Blaine, but you get the idea. There were a couple of other Star Wars, also, but they were a bit more fleeting.

The 6:35 alarm came early this morning, or so it seemed. I barely remember waking up long enough to turn it off… and turn over and go back to sleep.

When I got into the office, I was informed that email wasn’t working. *sigh* I’d barely stepped in the door; it’s definitely a Monday, it seems. A few searches, a test or two and a phone call later, it was being worked on.

Stray Toasters

• Schoolgirl told to choose: Country or parents
• There’s a new addition to The Covet List.
• Tweenbots
• By way of : Smart Car Crash Test

• I just caught up with yet another high school classmate on Facebook.
• Game/art: See the artwork from Giant Robot’s Game Over/Continue exhibit

And so it goes…

Namaste.

Today has been a great day.

SaraRules and I got up this morning and went to Mass at St. Vincent De Paul’s Church.

In our Easter Sunday finery.

It was a nice service with a nice homily – Change and the cross as a transformative figure. There was a little boy, about 18 months or so, in the pew in front of us who was quite entertaining (to us) and a bit of a handful (to his parents). The kid was well-behaved, but when his parents weren’t looking, he would take the opportunity to scoot up and down the pew. Comedy. Straight-up comedy.

We came back home for breakfast and coffee. I changed clothes and got ready to head to Chris’ for a few hours of playing HeroClix; he was teaching the game and we started up a three-way game on the Arena map. I had a team in mind to play – Young Superman, Gamora, Wasp (from The Ultimates) and Marvel Girl – but swapped Storm, Winter Soldier and Hawkeye in for Young Superman, Gamora and Wasp. I had a great opening couple of rounds (including a great opening shot on three targets with Hawkeye), but wound up getting caught between Chris and ‘zephyr and getting worn down. Quickly. It was still fun.  Chris and I are getting together Tuesday night for an X-Men vs. The Brotherhood/Hellfire Club game.  That should be good.

I met SaraRules’ at her parents’ house for dinner and a late celebration of Logan’s birthday. Both dinner and the homemade birthday cake were delicious.

Stray Toasters

• 
• In a related note: Peeps: Are They for Eating or Entertainment?
• From SaraRules and comes this bit of oddness: Robot Programmed to Love Goes too Far
• Just for the record: Fast and Furious was fun, but don’t go into it expecting Oscar fare. I did, however, come to something of a realization: This movie (and the original) are like modern-day versions of Smokey & the Bandit. That thought put a smile on my face.
• Nominate a Name to Retire
• This one comes from both the “Monkeys!” and “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” files: Best Buy Sells Egregiously Crappy, 9-Year-Old Hard Drive as New, Then Refuses Refund
• Time Travel Cheat Sheet, indirectly by way of
• To Save Money, More Airlines Grounding Aircraft
• City Pollution

And now, we’re going to watch Casablanca.

Namaste.

Saturday – 11 April 2009
It’s a lazy Saturday in the valley.

So far, we’ve had breakfast, watched a little TV and addressed some of our “Save the Date” announcements. We’re off to do some errand-running and we’re going to see Fast & Furious in a couple hours.

Stray Toasters

• pointed out this item: Zombies Are the New Vampires
• 
• Remember Olestra, the wonderful fat substitute used in potato chip manufacturing from the mid-90s?  The one that didn’t add fat, calories, or cholesterol to products? The one that also led to “anal leakage?” Guess what… It’s back. And this time, it’s being used as an “environmentally friendly” industrial lubricant.  (Yeah, this is definitely one for the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file.)
• Indie Chinese art/music/culture site
• Tesla Roadster runs for 241 miles in e-rally

Off to see the wizard…

Namaste.

Shortly after this morning’s post, our phone system decided to go belly-up. Not really sure “why,” but it did. It took a long while to get things back under control; it took the better part of the morning, in fact.  Now, it seems as though “Crisis on Infinite Phones” has come to an end. Thankfully. (Call Geoff Johns and George Perez.)

Stray Toasters

• Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate-covered Espresso Beans. *thumbs up*
• Nyx and I might do some drawrin’ this evening.
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Jam Out With Your Clam Out
  
• We’re going down, down, down, if that’s the only way
  2 make this cruel, cruel world hear what we’ve got to say
  Put the right letters together and make a better day
• By way of comes another item for the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Grandma dies trying to stop sword fight
• 
• I just got a message from Stephanie: “Well, it’s official. The Green Lantern pony is finished.   Now all I need is a lantern.  😛 “
• Dan Aykroyd on the Return of Ghostbusters, by way of
• Zipper Dress, which I believe was originally shown to me by SaraRules
• Pill for Alcoholism May Also Dampen Urge to Steal

YYZ

Namaste.

Tuesday – 07 April 2009
It’s another good morning in Granada Hills.  I don’t get why Superman moved to Metropolis; this place was made for Kryptonians and Daxamites: It’s 1030, sunny and already 61°F.

It seems as though SaraRules has found “The Dress.”  In fact, she and her parents just left to pick it up. I’m not sure what all is going on today. Various and sundry forms of “shopping” are going to be involved, as far as I know. *shrug* I can live with that.

Stray Toasters

• Beware the perils of caffeine withdrawal
• Top 10: Shows in Danger, courtesy of
• 
• …and I really want a sign like this for my cubicle.  (Is that a “bad” thing?)
• Columbia Developing MIB3?
• Newspapers are dumb to blame Google for their problems
• iTunes tiered pricing goes live
• What you should be afraid of instead of terrorists
• 
• Jackie Earle Haley is Freddy
• Stan and Jan Berenstein’s mid-century illustrations
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Stolen single-engine plane intercepted by US fighter jets
• Nimoy Stuns Austin Crowd with Secret Star Trek Premiere
• Nine Words From Science Which Originated in Science Fiction
• nom nom nom Lunchbag

…SaraRules and company just got back with the dress. (Which I will see in six months.)

Namaste.

I don’t know HOW I forgot to mention this earlier, but I did.  Thanks to SaraRules for reminding me about it…

We stopped at a truck stop outside of Barstow for petrol and a pitstop. Once we got inside, I found the most curious thing: The Burton Pot-Popper

That’s right: Pop. Corn. IN YOUR CAR! Thanks to the power of the 12V outlet. Not only does it pop corn, but it also can be used to cook soup/stew.

If only we had something like this last September when we went camping…

Monday – 06 April 2009
Day One of the Sunny Southern California Adventure. Well, I guess this is technically “Day Two,” since we got in last night. *shrug* We’re here to:

1. …visit SaraRules’ aunt, uncle and cousin
2. …see her sister and
3. …to let her get in a bit of dress shopping with her mother, sister, aunt and cousin.

I’m hanging out with her father and uncle (or, as SaraRules calls it: “Listening to them sit around and tell lies…”). We’ve been having a good time while they’re out gallivanting.

Yesterday, SaraRules and I got up, watched an episode of The Brave and the Bold, packed up, ran a couple of errands and then headed to her folks’ place to get on the road. We stopped at the In-N-Out Burger in Vegas. (Tasty burgers and fries, with chocolatey shaked milk!) The trip, while long, was rather uneventful… although, we did encounter many road monkeys. (Uneventful pictures here) When we got L.A., I met the family: Marie, Stan and their daughter Angela.  And then… SLEEP! (It’s amazing how tired just riding in a car can make a person.)

Today has been fairly low-key. We started off with breakfast and a fair bit of catching up, then the ladies were off to hunt for dresses. So far, we (the guys) have gone to Target, Best Buy – where Steve and I introduced Stan to the joys of Mac – and an Italian deli. Amusing side story: Steve and I were talking about the different flavors of Mac (Mini, iMac, Pro and MacBook) and discussing some of the features when a sales associate walked up… whom we effectively ignored. He just stood looking while we talked up the machines and their software to Stan. He silently wandered away at some point, because I turned around again and he was gone.

I’m not sure what’s on tap for the rest of the evening.  I’m good with that, though; that’s what “vacation” is all about.

Stray Toasters

• Obama reaches out to Muslim world
• 10 Best Geeky Last Words
• Top 10 Home Office Hacks
• Aim that rage against the corporate fee machine
• Computer Program Self-Discovers Laws of Physics
• 
• Paris liberation made ‘whites only’
• Tyranist, you might be interested in this: Six good technological ideas for improving publishing
• How scratching can stop an itch
• Jazzy covers of Mister Rogers songs

The weather’s here
Wish you were beautiful.

Back to that “relaxing” thing.

Namaste.