Keep on Trucking!!

iPod madness?!

2009-06-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I have always said that I would never buy an iPod. Why? I guess it was mostly because I hate bandwagons, crazes, fads, rages, the latest thing, trends, vogue, etc. Everyone was saying that the iPod was the best digital music player in the universe. I did not want to believe that this could be true. I have bought numerous different mp3 players over the years. I have, until now, never bought an iPod. Plus, they are more expensive to boot. Were they really worth it? Or were people just, once again, paying for a name? Was the iPod really superior to, say, a Creative Zen?

Well, damnit, I have gone and done it now. I was at the mall the other day to get new glasses at Lenscrafters, when I thought I would stop into FYE to see if they had any mp3 players. I was looking for any cheap ol' mp3 player to help bide my time with on my upcoming Greyhound trip to Nashville. I was about to purchase a no name $20 2GB piece of shit, when I saw that they had 2nd generation iPod nano's for $80. Originally, a couple of years ago, they sold for $200. I couldn't pass this up? Could I? Maybe this is my chance to see what everyone else already seems to know. I did it. I now own a beautiful grey, albeit 2nd generation, iPod nano. The only major difference I can tell between it and the newer 4th generations is that mine does not do video. So what? I only wanted a music player. It still does photos, has games, contacts, etc.

Guess what? I absolutely love this damn gadget and I don't know how I ever lived without one. Sometimes stubbornness will not get you anywhere. Maybe it's like that book I read a couple years ago, "The Wisdom of Crowds". Maybe the masses were onto something with the iPod. Maybe there is a difference between a fleeting fad and something that is here to stay. Because let me tell you, I don't think anyone is going to knock Apple off of it's pedestal any time soon.

I could tell you all about how the iPod works, how neat it is, how intuitive, how easy to use, how beautiful in design, but I'm sure everyone else in the world already knows all of this. So this is not so much a review of the iPod as it is my story of how I became a late adopter.

I love my iPod so much that I can hardly put it down. The only thing I didn't like were the earbuds because I hate earbuds, they never stay in my ears and they irritate my ears. So I bought a cheap pair of headphones that work great.

I love my iPod so much and am so impressed with it, that I have actually decided that my next computer is going to be a Macbook. Yes, I am sold on Apple. I have done research and have found that you can buy the basic Macbook for $1000. It will take me awhile to save up that kind of money but I think it will be money well spent.

Yes, I'm an apple fanboy now!!!

On the road again with mixed feelings.

2009-05-27T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well in a few days I will be at Orientation with Western Express in Nashville and then back on the road. I am both excited and saddened. I know, even if no one else does, that this is the best thing for me and for us right now, but I know that I am going to miss my family like hell. But see, here's the thing. That's normal. I think I figured out my problem with being on the road. I love being on the road. I hate all the bullshit involved, but I love driving and being on my own in the truck. But then I start missing those I love and I think that I can't do this anymore and I end up coming off the road. I have to realize that anyone who goes out on the road and doesn't miss their loved ones, is not normal. It's all part of the game.

Truckers are also not the only ones in this world who leave their families behind for weeks at a time. Hell, military members leave for months at a time. Business men go on business trips and traveling salesmen..well..they travel away from home. We, as truckers, can not think that we are the only ones who do this. We do this for the good of our families, knowing that better times lie ahead.

It's a love hate relationship I have with trucking. I said once that I wished there was a way that I could drive from the east coast to California and still be home for dinner every day. haha. But since that ain't happening, I have to take the good with the bad and make the best of the situation.

So yes, I can't wait to get back on the road, but I'm sad at the same time. I will be alright though. That's what great tunes and the windows rolled down is for. : )

What is a liberal anyway?

2009-05-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

I get so tired of hearing certain people bandy the word liberal around as if it's somehow a bad thing. Most of these people don't understand what liberalism really is in the first place. They don't understand that the United States of America was the first liberal country in the world, founded on the principle that "all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to insure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." From wikipedia.
Most of the time the word liberal is used as a pejorative, but what exactly does it mean in today's world to be a liberal, or to be a liberal Democrat, because there are conservative Democrats too. Why do I call myself a liberal Democrat? Easy. I too believe in hard word and individual responsibility, just as conservatives do. We don't believe that anyone should get anything for doing nothing, despite what you may be told to the contrary. We do not believe in equality of results, but we DO believe in equality of opportunity. For example, every one regardless of race, class or money should be able to attain as much of an education as they so choose. Should a black C student get into college over an A white student? Absolutely not. Those two students should have the same opportunity to get into college as the other does, based solely on grades, whether or not his family can afford to pay. What conservatives fail to realize is that by increasing education, you necessarily reduce crime. This is just a fact. Crime is mostly caused by economics, by poverty. If you decrease poverty you decrease crime.
We as liberal Democrats also believe in science and the role that it should play in policy decisions. We believe that one should listen to those with the PhD's in climatology rather than those standing in the pulpit.
We believe that everyone should be able to live their lives free from harrassment of any kind. This great land was created for believers and unbelievers alike. The 1st amendment guarantees that.
We do not believe in rushing into war with money on our minds. We will only come back home with blood on our hands.
I could go on and on and on, and maybe I shouldn't even use the word 'we' when describing what liberals believe. These are just some of what I believe in and why I am a Democrat and why I voted for Obama. I believe that the smart ones should be running the country for a change. I don't believe in greed and money and war and lust and power. And you know what? Neither did Jesus. My lowly opinion is that Jesus' message was more in line with modern liberals than it is with modern conservatives. The modern conservative is the pharisee of Jesus' day. And we all know what Jesus said about them. "Woe be unto them... A brood of vipers." That's what the modern day conservative is. Look at Dick Cheney and everything that he stands for and you tell me with a straight face that he has Jesus on his side.
My ex father in law was a 26 year Navy veteran, enlisted as an enlisted man, retired as a Lt Commander. He has been active in his local American Legion and even served a term as District Commander. He is a proud Reagan Democrat who hasn't voted for a Republican since. He proudly voted for Obama. I'd love for any of these conservative assholes to tell him to his face that he doesn't care about the soldiers. We all care about the soldiers and we all love this country. We just know better how to run it. ha ha

Why there are still apes!

2009-05-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

A cousin of mine recently posed the following question on facebook and since this question gets asked a lot, I figured I'd take a stab at it and post my response on my blog too.

A question was recently posed to me. Maybe someone has insight. If apes evolved into humans, why are there still apes?

oooh me!! I can answer this one!! haha First of all, it's better to say that humans evolved from apes, than to say that apes evolved into humans. The latter infers that all apes evolved and hence the confusion as to why we still have apes. Basically, it's for the same reason that pit bulls, poodles, cocker spaniels and every other modern dog breed evolved, with human intervention in the form of dog breeding, from wolves, yet we still have wolves. Another modern example of evolution at work is MRSA, bugs that over time become immune to certain antibiotics. Whenever anyone tells me that evolution is not true, I tell them that I have one word that proves it. MRSA!!! Hope that helps Brent. Does any of this mean that there is no God? Absolutely not. Science says nothing for or against the existence of God. It's mute on the subject, any scientist who claims otherwise is talking out of both sides of his mouth. All science does is explain how things happened. For the rest, we need religion. And I would add, whatever amount of faith we as individuals are able to muster.

Keep on trucking!

2009-05-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

I am writing this post with all my family members in mind who are worried about me. This will be short. I know that I have made my fair share of mistakes in this life but I just want everyone to know that all I have ever tried to do was to do what was right and to be happy. All I have ever wanted was to be happy. I know everyone thinks that I do a lot of stupid stuff and that I always seem to be moving backwards, that I never seem to stick with anything for very long and all I have to say is that I know all these things myself. I know what all of my faults are. I live with myself every day. But I'm trying and I am truly doing the best that I can. Apparently I get bored really quickly doing the same thing day in and day out and I always end up screwing up a good thing. All I can do now, after losing my job at the hospital, which really wasn't that good of a job to begin with, is to move on. Trucking may seem like a step backwards to some, others may not understand why anyone would want to do this. All I can say is that I am my own person, I am an individual, and I have my reasons. I can't explain to everyone how my mind works, half the time I don't quite know how my mind works. I just have to keep believing that everything happens for a reason and that everything will work itself out in the end. There has to come a day when I will finally find that happiness for which I so wholeheartedly seek. I don't know where happiness lies, or even if true happiness is even possible in this world. All anyone can ever do is the best that they can. Keep your chin up, keep putting one foot in front of the other and just keep on trucking.

BillyCorgan.com

2006-02-15T08:56:00.000-08:00

BillyCorgan.com

I know this is a little dated, but for some reason I am just now coming across it. Great news for us Smashing Pumpkin and Billy Corgan fans. I can't wait. They are one of my all time favorite bands and I love everything that Billy Corgan does. His music is all so beautiful, whether it is hard and rockin' or slow and mellow. I was truly saddened to the core in 2000 when they broke up as a band, but now there is some hope for the future of music.

MediaShift . Video Blog Sellout::Rocketboom Nets $80,000 After eBay Auction | PBS

2006-02-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

MediaShift . Video Blog Sellout::Rocketboom Nets $80,000 After eBay Auction | PBS

Wow! Rockeboom, a daily video blog or vlog, is making some serious moola!

Alex Mayer — Stanford Homepage

2006-02-05T06:19:00.000-08:00

Alex Mayer — Stanford Homepage

Haven't read all the lectures yet, but this looks interesting. Maybe there wasn't a big bang after all, huh?

MediaShift . Futurama::San Francisco Earthquake Coverage, Circa 2016 | PBS

2006-02-05T05:06:00.000-08:00

MediaShift . Futurama::San Francisco Earthquake Coverage, Circa 2016 | PBS

Interesting take on the future. The futurists are never 100% correct in their assessments, we were supposed to be driving flying cars by the year 2000, but it is cool to dream. I don't think I like the talking to your computer thing, they've been predicting this forever as well, but it is neat to take a look into the future. I think Jeb Bush would be a good President, but I dont think he will run in '08.

Trump sues author who questioned his billions

2006-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Trump sues author who questioned his billions

And this is what it looks like when a man has more money than heart! Trump is evil folks. Anyone who didn't know that from watching his sick show, should know now from reading this article that he doesn't believe in free speech or a free press. Congress can not stifle a free press, but apparently money can? So apparently if you can be sued for saying some rich scrooge actually isn't as rich as people think. This is sick!

White House Declines to Provide Storm Papers - New York Times

2006-01-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

White House Declines to Provide Storm Papers - New York Times

In case you were wondering, this is exactly what it looks like when someone has something to hide. This is getting scary, folks. I thought we were supposed to have a transparent government. Isn't that one of the definitions of a Democracy? Apparently not so with this administration.

Google and the Department of Justice

2006-01-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

I know this has been talked about quite a bit, but I think this article lays it all out and makes you think about things you might not have otherwise thought about. Such as, is Google's reluctance to turn over the data really as altruistic as it first may seem?

read more | digg story

tonypierce.com + busblog

2006-01-24T18:45:00.000-08:00

tonypierce.com + busblog

This is hilarious. I can't tell what is the true advice and which is just a joke. Maybe that is the point the person is trying to make. That blogs are a joke.

Welcome to MY world: Top ten reasons Geeks make good fathers

2006-01-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to MY world: Top ten reasons Geeks make good fathers

Hurray!!

AlterNet: Chomsky: 'There Is No War On Terror'

2006-01-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

AlterNet: Chomsky: 'There Is No War On Terror'

When you read what the guy actually says, he doesn't really sound like a nut case, as some would have you believe. He sounds pretty sensible to me. That's the main reason the vested interests try to discredit people like him by saying "Oh he's just some crazy left wing radical Professor." What happens when they say this, is that people no longer have to read or hear what the guy actually has to say. They no longer have to think for themselves. That is the goal of all character assasination. If you know this, you can sidestep it and listen to what the guy has to say. You don't have to agree but then at least you will be able to speak with knowledge and istead of just saying "oh he's crazy" you can back it up or disagree. Ask someone who thinks Noam Chomsky is crazy, what he has actually said and they will likely say "oh I don't know, but Sean Hannity says he's a nut"

Quality editorial (kottke.org)

2006-01-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

Quality editorial (kottke.org)

Pretty good article on Digg and other social news sites vs traditional media as far as editing of material goes. Not too sure if I agree totally with this guy. Digg does pretty good as far as getting the major stories. The one complaint I have about Digg is the juvenility of it's users sometimes in regards to comments. If the users don't particularly like a posted entry, instead of simply stating so they have to personally drag you through the mud like some school yard bullying. As I've said before, one of the biggest reasons I left AOL years ago was due to the immaturity of it's users. And that is the reason why I am staying away from myspace for the most part. The only thing I see that site good for is the music and band pages.

The last Question - Isaac Asimov

2006-01-23T20:08:00.000-08:00

The Last Question - Isaac Asimov

This is an awesome short story from the mind of Isaac Asimov. Things to make you go hmmmm... I love stuff like this.

Karl Rove actually said this

2006-01-23T19:26:00.000-08:00

“As people do better, they start voting like Republicans - unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing.”

Yea, Karl Rove actually said this.

The BEAST: America's Best FIend

2006-01-23T19:20:00.000-08:00

The BEAST: America's Best FIend

Spot on!! I only disagree with a couple of these. The rest reads like a list of my most hated people in America today. I would have added Sean Hannity and "BrokeBack Mountain" to the list but hey we can't always get what we want. I've always wondered why I hate people of every political persuasion and here is a list proving that "I am not the only one" - as John Lennon once said. Exibit A- I hate Sean Hannity AND Hillary Clinton. Makes for some extreme mental gymnastics come November every 4 years on election day.

Religious Right trying to kill Cervical Cancer vaccine

2006-01-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Religious Right trying to kill Cervical Cancer vaccine

This is why the religious right needs to just shut up and let the grown folks run things. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not referring to all Christians in a derogatory manner, just the Pat Robertson loons and those like him.

Arthur Sucks: How to get Non-Riaa music like a pro.

2006-01-22T20:08:00.000-08:00

Arthur Sucks: How to get Non-Riaa music like a pro.

My thoughts exactly. I no longer support the music industry and their shenanigans. Indie all the way for me baby!!

Applied Materials, Inc. - How to Make a Chip

2006-01-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

Applied Materials, Inc. - How to Make a Chip

Fascinating look at the making of a microchip. A lot of acronyms to be sure. It's amazing what humans can do.

World Wide Web Independent Music Directory

2006-01-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

Screw the RIAA and their corporate drones! Here is the best online directory I have found to all things independent music!

read more | digg story

Preacherman Speaks::The Revolution Will Not Be Advertised

2006-01-20T22:56:00.000-08:00

Hilarous article from new blog mediashift blog from PBS. This article should be dugg and dugg often.

read more | digg story

Digg this, If you believe Google should hold their ground. Support Google!!

2006-01-20T19:42:00.000-08:00

I for one am tired of this prying government! Digg and show Google your support!

I, for one. absolutely support Google and hope that they do not cave in to the demands of an out of control government. This government seems to think they can do anything they want and we the people will just roll over and accept it. This government has no concept of law. I don't see how Google can lose on this, although I am not a lawyer, because this has nothing to do with terrorism but the administration wants the information to help their case in a court of law pertaining to pornography. I thought Republicans were about the government leaving poeple alone. Not true! The Republicans are about leaving business people alone. But as far as your personal life and what you do in the privacy of your own home, this is fair game to the Republican administration.

read more | digg story

PBS' MediaShift launched

2006-01-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

PBS started its own weblog on January 17, 2006. It called "MediaShift" and it is "hosted" by the journalist Mark Glaser.

Can never have too many blogs to read.

read more | digg story

Book review: Is Your Genius At Work? » Slacker Manager

2006-01-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

Book review: Is Your Genius At Work? » Slacker Manager

My sister tells me that one of these days I'm gonna have my "Walt Disney moment". Maybe this book will help me figure out what that means.

Zipper face!

2006-01-18T03:01:00.000-08:00

This is so aweseome I just had to share it. This guy should be making movies! And no this is not my own blog. I found it in blogdom so it is fair game to digg.

read more | digg story

The Hype and Hullabaloo of Web 2..0

2006-01-18T02:40:00.000-08:00

InfoTangle :: The Hype and the Hullabaloo of Web 2.0 :: January :: 2006

Excellent essay about the "web 2.0" phenomenon. This Nicholas Carr guy from the Harvard Business Review, that she talka about, is from the old guard and it is obvious that he is trying to protect the haves from the masses. The web is truly ushering in a revolution if you hadn't already noticed and those who aren't onboard are gonna be left behind. He's from the Harvard Business Review. Need I say more? He gets nothing but disdain from me.

Orion Nebula in all it's glory!

2006-01-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

Photo in the News: Orion Nebula in Billion-Pixel Beauty

Looks like something straight out of a science fiction comic book, but this is our universe folks! Beautiful and awe inspiring.

The truth about Limbo!

2006-01-18T02:36:00.001-08:00

This Week in God on the daily show

Hilarious! This just goes to show that the Catholic church made up the whole concept of Limbo in the first place. When are they gonna admit they made up the whole enchilada? "Oh we were just kidding, you didn't believe us when we told you there was a hell, did you? Ha Ha. Our bad!"

Blog platforms poll

2006-01-18T02:11:00.000-08:00

Blog Platforms - Poll Results: Blog Tips at ProBlogger

Good news for blogger fans. I love my blogger. I have tried other platforms but none are as easy to use. Plus so far I have been able to do as much with blogger as I have wanted to do. I have modified my template considerably and really don't see what you can't do with blogger.

The return of American Idol

2006-01-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

Well here it is again, the next season of American Idol. As much as I despise the concept, I find myself watching it nonetheless. I guess it's like rubbernecking on the highway and slowing down to look at a car wreck. I really only watch the first few episodes where they have all the crappy yet hilarious people. Then I don't watch again till the last few episodes to see who I think should win. Everything in between it pure garbage and way overplayed. They could cut the episodes in half and it would probably be a lot better. But this is just my two cents.

Privacy on the web

2006-01-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

I would just like to say a few words about all this privacy concern surrounding not only Gmail but now even such seemingly benign services such as itunes. It seems to me that all this hoopla is way over the top and more than just a bit paranoid. Let's start off with the easiest one to dismiss. iTunes. Supposedly in the new version of iTunes now available the service looks at your listening habits so that it can recommend songs and artists you may like in the future. Some on the web and in blogdom have complained, saying this is a breach of privacy. Who cares if a computer or even if a person knows what you are listening to? In this day and age of the PATRIOT Act and the President supposedly authorizing the spying on Americans by the NSA, is this really what one should be concerned about? I for one couldn't give two flips who knows what I listen to. Oh no, Brian listened to Smashing Pumpkins last week. Uh oh, call the NSA! Who cares? Get over this crap. If you don't want anyone knowing what you are doing on the internet the don't use the internet. It's that simple. And secondly, what are people actually doing on the web that they are so concerned about their privacy? If you are looking at porn and don't want anyone to know, then don't look at internet porn. Go to you local adult book store and buy it or rent it there. Problem solved. But even then, the store might have records of what you are watching. The bottom line is that in this day and age there is no such as thing as total privacy. It's a myth.
As far as Gmail is concerned, I could care less if a computer is looking at my email either. Because frankly there is nothing in my emails that would be subpoenad by the feds. Again if you are looking at internet porn and don't want the Google folks to know then don't give the porn sites your gmail email. Problem solved again. If you are looking at kiddy porn, then you deserve to be found out. Bottom line again is that the only people who should be concerned are the ones who are doing nefarious things. For the vast majority of us, Who cares?!!

Privacy Subtleties of GMail

2006-01-17T16:38:00.000-08:00

Privacy Subtleties of GMail

Good article on the issues at hand surrounding Gmail and privacy, although it seems this article was written before the service even opened their doors, so to speak. Ever since Gmail had actually been out I haven't heard as much uproar over it. I use it and love it.

Joke of the day

2006-01-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

A Vow of ''Celebracy''
The Pope dies and, naturally, goes to heaven. He''s met by the reception committee, and after a whirlwind tour is told that he can enjoy any of the myriad recreations available.

He decides that he wants to read all of the ancient original text ofthe Holy Scriptures, and spends the next eon or so learning the languages.

After becoming a linguistic master,he sits down in the library and begins to pore over every versionof the Bible, working back from the most recent "Easy Reading" to the original script.

All of a sudden there is a screamin the library. The angels come running to him, only to find the Pope huddled in a chair, crying to himself, and muttering,

"An ''R''! They left out the ''R''."

God takes him aside, offering comfort and asks him what the problem is. After collecting his wits, the Pope sobs again,"It''s the letter ''R''... the word was supposed to be CELEBRATE!"
Another hilarious joke from comedy central joke of the

Joke of the day

2006-01-17T14:43:00.001-08:00

Those Lovely Farmer's Daughters

A farmer had 3 beautiful daughters who were getting ready to go out on dates. The first beau came to the door and said, ''I'm Eddie, I'm here to pick up Betty. We're going for spaghetti, is she ready?''

"No," the farmer said.

The second beau came to the door and said, ''I'm Joe, I'm here to pick up Flo to take her to the show. Is she ready to go?''

"No."

The third beau came to the door and said to the farmer. ''Hello, my name is Chuck.''

The farmer shot Chuck.
From comedy central joke of the day

Quote of the day

2006-01-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." Rich Cook

Blogcritics.org: Those Army Ads Are BROILING My BUTT!

2006-01-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

Blogcritics.org: Those Army Ads Are BROILING My BUTT!

Yes those military ads are pretty disgusting if you ask me. I cringe every time I see one. You see, I was in the United States Navy for six years and hence, I know the ugly truth. The truth the recruiters never tell you

Favorite Music - Pandora

2006-01-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

Favorite Music - Pandora

Fresh starts and modest changes

2006-01-15T07:02:00.000-08:00

Odeo: Fresh Starts & Modest Changes
Excellent and hilarious 5 minute little podcast from 43 Folders about what I was talking about earlier on the futility of new years resolutions and that we should rather vow to make small changes.

Background song

2006-01-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

By the way the background song is called "The exstacy of Gold". It was originally in the movie "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" with Clint Eastwood. It was also sampled at the beginning of a Metallica song years later. If you want to turn it off just push stop on the player at the top of the page.

Some favorite song lyrics

2006-01-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

Silent Lucidity-Queensryche
Hush now don’t you cry
Wipe away the tear drops from your eye
You’re lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head

Your mind tricked you
To feel the pain
Of someone close to you
Leaving the game of life

So here it is
Another chance
Wide awake
you face the day
The dream is over
Or has it just begun

There’s a place
I’d like to hide
A doorway
That I’d run through
In the night

Relax child
You were there
But only didn’t realize
And you were scared

It’s a place
Where you will learn
To face your fears
Retrace the years
And ride the winds
In your mind

Commanding in another world
Certainly you hear and see
This magic new dimension

I will be watching over you
I’m gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night
I’m smiling next to you
In silent lucidity

If you open your mind for me
You won’t rely on open eyes to see
The walls you built within
Will come tumbling down
And a new world will begin

Living twice
And once you learn
You’re safe from pain
And the dream remains
Your soul is set free to fly

A round trip journey in your head
Master of illusions
Can you realize
The dream’s alive
You can be the guide

I will be watching over you
I’m gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night
I’m smiling next to you
In silent lucidity

I’m smiling next to you

Gary Wright – Dream weaver

I have just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the dream weaver train
Trying to take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind

Dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light

Fly me high to the starry skies
Or maybe to an astral plane
Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget today’s pain

Dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light

Well the dawn may be coming soon
But there still may be some time
Fly me away to the bright side of the moon
And meet me on the other side

Some things that I think about

2006-01-13T06:02:00.000-08:00

If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into? Can there be something outside the universe? I thought that the universe is the sum total of all there is. So if even scientists believe there is something outside of the universe, could this not mean that the idea of God and heaven are not such far fetched ideas after all?

I have 2 parents and they have 2 parents. So I have 2 parents 4 grandparents 8 great grandparents and so forth. So 10 generations back I have 2^10 or 1024 ancestors. So the progression of ancestors gets progressively bigger and bigger as you go back into time. So how is it that you could ever get back to only 2 people as the first Adam and Eve? It took me a little time and research to figure this one out. As you go further back in your genealogy some of your ancestors on everyone’s family tree are related to someone else in more than one way. For example, cousins married cousins, albeit distant cousins. But we also know that many years ago it was normal to marry 2nd or 3rd cousins. So in essence those 1024 ancestors are not actually 1024 distinct persons. Some of the people would fill multiple slots on the family tree. For example, one person could be your 10th cousin and also your great great great grandfather. Intuitively we all know this as we know that everyone on earth is related somehow to every other person living and dead. It has been estimated that everyone alive today is at least 50th cousin to every other person on earth. That means for any two people on earth if you go back 50 generations you will always find a common ancestor. So in conclusion our family tree is not really a never ending tree but more like a diamond that expands at first up to a maximum width and then retreats again getting smaller and smaller till we arrive back at Adam and Eve at which point all people’s family tree converges if not sooner at the 50th generation back. A generation being on average 25 years 50 generations would be 1250 years. Subtracting this from the year 2006 we get 756. This means everyone born after 756 is related to each other to at least the 50th generation. So yes we are all actually related to Osama bin laden. He is the world’s crazy uncle. And my wife is my cousin, at least 50th cousin.

My favorite bands of the new millenium

2006-01-13T05:58:00.000-08:00

Staind
Deftones
System of a Down
Incubus
A perfect Circle
Foo Fighters
Godsmack
Smashing Pumpkins
Korn
Nine Inch Nails
Sonic Youth
Death Cab for Cutie
Modest mouse
Thursday
Sparta

Favorite bands of the 90's

2006-01-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of my all time favorite bands of the 90's era, in no particular order. Trying to order them would be like trying to say which of your kids you loved the most or which parent you love the most. Can't be done.

Smashing Pumpkins-- All albums but Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is pure genius. They made such beautiful music whether it was hard rockin' or more mellow fare. I loved it all. I was very saddened when they broke up, Billy Corgan saying tha it was getting increasingly difficult to compete against the Britney Spears of the world.

Metallica – the black album. Really everything pre-load, including all the 80's albums.

Alice in Chains--Great band who a song title inspired Godsmack's name. "They ain't found a way to kill me yet"

Soundgarden-- I wish instead of audioslave they named the new band Rage against the Soundgarden. That would have been cool.

Pearl Jam--Great music and I love their non-commercial stance.

Stone Temple Pilots--It was great till Scott Weiland stopped shootin heroin. Sad to say but drugs fuel alot of great music. It turned bland after he turned sober. I'm happy for him though.

Rage against the machine-- When I was in the navy "Fu** you I won't do what you tell me" became my battle cry.

Nine Inch Nails-- "I want to fu** you like an animal" was another great line that fueled alot of drunken nights in the navy.

Korn--great music but man Jonathon Davis's dad really messed him up.

Nirvana-- I love this band, but I almost hesitate to list them because it is so cliche. It is almost as if when a rock star dies he is automatically deified in the rock world. I wonder if anyone would still be talking about him if he had lived.

Sonic Youth--Awesome alternative music that defined a generation. Very independent minded even after they signed to a major label.

Cranberries--Listened to them from the beginning but especially like that Zombie song.

Tool--Love the music and love their videos.

Going back to school the online way.

2006-01-13T05:39:00.000-08:00

This week was the beginning of my 4th semester at Strayer University Online, taking C++ programming and Descriptive Statistics. I am only taking 2 courses per semester. After one more semester I will have an associates degree in Computer Information Systems. My goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems by July 2009 when my GI bill money runs out. Strayer University is a fully accredited university which offers classes in a brick and mortar classroom setting or you can obtain your degree fully online. It is really great for working adults. You have a teacher and a class just like in the traditional setting and homework, quizzes, etc. that you have to complete each week so really it is just like traditional classes except you are not physically there. If you are looking for a good online school to attend, check out Strayer University

New years and its resolutions!

2006-01-13T05:36:00.000-08:00

Well here it ist Jan 12th so how has 2006 been going so far? Pretty much the same as last year. Everyone thinks that January 1st will bring a new life and a new world but after the party ends, everyone wakes up to find that everything is just the same as it ever was and ever will be. Everything changes and yet everything stays the same. This is the paradox of the universe. I guess the trick is to learn how to live within the paradox and not let the paradox live within you.
Most everyone makes new years resolutions every year and every year they vow that this year will be different. But come next December 31 they find that instead of losing 20 pounds they have gained 10. They find that instead of taking more time to stop and smell the roses that they still run through life as if it’s a race to the end not realizing that the end is checkout time. They find that instead of making better choices that for most people it takes a heart attack and not the dropping of the ball in Times Square to really shake them out of their stupor. But does it really have to be this way? Is it this way for everyone? I suspect not. I suspect that a very few of us, myself not included, are able to make their intentions match their reality. Most people make resolutions as what they would like to do if they had more time or if they had more money or more whatever it would take to get their asses off of the couch.
I read somewhere on the net and will have to find it again of one guy who said the trick is not to make resolutions but to make a vow to commit to one new habit every month for the rest of the year. I guess the idea is that if you can make new habits they will stick because as they say old habits die hard. I forget how long they say you have to do something before it becomes a habit but probably less than a month. Anyway, on that note here is my list of six new habits I want to commit to over the next year, not necessarily in order. The last six will follow in a later post. Have to start somewhere. I guess they don’t have to be in order as long as you commit to them all so you can interchange the months around if you want to. This method has the advantage of allowing you to concentrate on one new habit every month instead of saying you are gonna change your life every year only to wake up on Jan 1st every year to find your life the same as it ever was. But it doesn’t have to be the same as it ever will be.

1-- Stop drinking sodas and drink water and flavored water instead.

2—Stop eating fast food on a regular basis. If I find it necessary to go through the drive through at some fast food joint order a chicken sandwich and water with no fries.

3—Take a 30 minute walk at least 3 times a week even if it means waking up 30 minutes early.

4—Read at least one book every month.

5—Update my blog at least 3 times a week

6—Commit at least an hour every day to my school work instead of cramming it all in at the end of the week.

A little update!

2006-01-10T00:24:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a lot of playing around lately with a lot of so called web 2.0 services. Pretty cool stuff. I am flickring (www.flickr.com) my pictures now and I really a cool music site called last.fm (www.last.fm) which creates a little profile/blog of your own and bookmarks what music you listen to so that you can share your listening habits with others and visa verse. You can joing groups on there as well and listen to radio based on your listening preferences. Just check it out. Easier seen than done. Then I've been playing with different news aggregators or feed readers to bring in news and blog feeds into one place. I was using www.bloglines.com but now that I have the firefox browser it has an add in called Sage that I've been using and really liking. I've also been playing on www.digg.com www.technorati.com and www.feedburner.com There is alot more I want to check out. More stuff on the web than time in a day. I hope to be able to write more in my blogs instead of just posting links. Oh yea there is also the social bookmarking site del.icio.us that is the web address. Funny I know. Check it out too.

Free best of 2005 mixtape download from Culture Drift!

2006-01-09T22:25:00.000-08:00

This is a pretty good mixtape of the best music of 2005 according to Culture Drift's website. He also puts out a different mixtape every month. I guess it's legal because he only has one mixtape online at a time and you have to download the whole zip file. The rest of his site is worth a look too.

read more | digg story

Free ambient music downloads!

2006-01-09T22:18:00.000-08:00

If you like ambient music check this out at Cloud Factory's site. The link is via boingboing.com

read more | digg story

This just in! Arnold photo after his bike accident today

2006-01-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest picture of Arnold Shwartzenegger after his motorcycle accident today. Actually I can't claim originality on this because I just saw something similar on Jay Leno. Let's see how many diggs this will get.

How to Write Unmaintainable Code

2006-01-09T06:16:00.000-08:00

Hilarious satire about how terrible programming practices can be used to make code unreadable to others and unmaintainable for anyone threatening to take your job.

read more | digg story

7 Simple Steps to Good Home Computer Security

2006-01-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

My computer-retarded sister just bought a new PC and was asking for advice on how to keep from getting viruses. I started to put together this guide for her, but then I realized it would be better served if I published it for everyone to read. This is a very basic guide to good home computer security, aimed at the new computer owner.

read more | digg story

Browsing the web... ON AN APPLE IIe !!!!!!

2006-01-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

This guy is in desperate need of an upgrade! It's impressive to see how far we've come though.

read more | digg story

I love this picture!

2006-01-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my sister and I with out great grandparents Dunlap circa 1980 in Tampa, Florida where we grew up. They both passed away in 1999

Hugest libary

2006-01-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

I want me the hugest libary so I can learn me some words and stuff.

See more progress on: have a library

Test post

2006-01-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

I am doing 43 things.

cloudy

2006-01-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

cloudy
Originally uploaded by Free2Rain.

The magic of digital editing software. This with microsoft digital image. I think this makes for a cool blended picture.

Meaning of blog title!

2006-01-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

For those of you too lazy to look up the words and figure out what the title to this blog means, if you don't already know, or for those who don't have the time or just don't care, I will for this one introductory time translate it for your knowledge and pleasure. All subsequent posts will have to be understood on your own. If you don't understand something that I write, don't ask me for clarification, because most of the time I don't understand what the hell I'm saying. You know what I'm saying?

Quotidian Jeremiad of a quidam!

Quotidian - recurring daily

Jeremiad - a long and mournful complain. A literary work or speech expressing a bitter lament or a righteous prophecy of doom.

quidam - somebody. one unkown. anonymous

Or if this all seems a bit too contrived or makes you want to continuously oscitate from boredom or if you feel this is all culturally vitiating and will lead to total anomie whilst you yourself desire comity, then you can unirenically say "ascendo tuum". Look it up!

New Years Revolutions!

2006-01-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

Well here goes! Everyone seems to want to do this New Years resolutions thingamajig. But we all know that no one keeps the resolutions they make. Which leads to the question, Do unfinished resolutions roll over to the next year or do you lose em if you don't use em? I guess it all depends on your cell phone providor. Can you hear me now? So instead of resolutions I will just a make a list of goals and things I wish to accomplish this year. Whether I accomplish them all or not that will be for another time and place.

1. Finally lose this extra weight I have gained since the Navy. By the way FTN! If you are not familiar with FTN, ask.

2. Read more

3. Blog more

4. Get more organized.

5. Get more active.

6. Just say NO to the crack!

Just kidding on that last one! .... Crack rules!! My ass crack!!!

2006resolutions

Message from Bill Gates

2005-09-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

One more post that I received via email from my Grandfather for today.

Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice.

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school.

He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: They called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

If you can read this - Thank a teacher!

If you are reading it in English -- Thank a soldier!!

Paul Harvey says

2005-09-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

I got this as an email from my Grandfather but I liked it and thought what better way to forward it than to put it on my blog. Here it is.

Paul Harvey says:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to
sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I
don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and
hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory
of evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not
be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer
before a football game.
So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is
up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just
talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety
to the players on the field and the fans going home from
the game.

"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America, a
country founded on Christian principles. According to our
very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all
others better than 200-to-1. So what would you
expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem,
I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad,
I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China,
I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended.
It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome...

"But what about the atheists?" is another argument.
What about them?

Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not
going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30
seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair
of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession
stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One
or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot
do.
I don't think a short prayer at a football game is
going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the
other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights.
Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before
eating; to pray before we go to sleep.

Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a
handful of people and their lawyers are telling us
to cease praying.

God, help us.
And if that last sentence offends you,
well .. just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's
time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be
heard .... that the vast majority don't care what they
want. It is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them,
you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of
allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services
that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor
your right. But by golly, you are no longer going to take
our rights away. We are fighting back ...
and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all especially those who
denounce Him. God bless America, despite all her faults. She
is still the greatest nation of all.

God bless our service men who are fighting to
protect our right to pray and worship God.

May 2005 be the year the silent majority is heard
and we put God back as the foundation of our
families and institutions.

Keep looking up.

If you agree with this, please pass it on.
If not ... delete and God bless you .

More thoughts on love and life.

2005-07-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

Forrest Gump Wisdom
Get your mind right

People talk all the time about happiness and say that in relationships if you are not happy then you should leave and try to find your happiness. Happiness is the all important thing in today's society. But you also have to ask yourself, what does happy mean? If a person says no they are not happy does that mean they will find happiness somewhere else? probably not. Happiness is relative and over rated I think. I think responsibility and sticking to one's beliefs are more important than trying to find some momentary happiness. Happiness is fleeting, love is supposed to be forever. When you get married and say those wedding vows you vow for better or worse.... till death do us part. It does not say... until one or both of us are no longer happy. But that's the unwritten and unsaid vows that most people say in their hearts.
The grass is not always greener on the other side. The grass on either side can flourish and grow with love and attention or it can die and wither from a lack of love and attention. It's up to us to decide what it is we want and to work towards that. Not run away trying to find someone else to make us happy. We can only make ourselves happy. Happiness has to come from within. If we are not happy then no one is gonna make us happy. I think people get into trouble in life looking for happiness. Its like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Maybe people should work on themselves more and their relationships more. Stop worrying so much about the other's flaws and try to focus instead on fixing your own flaws. If everyone focused more on improving themselves the world would probably be a much better place and people would stop looking for someone or something else outside of themselves to make them happy. Think about it. If a person is not happy with themselves then how can that person make any body else happy. It all boils down to the duality of man theory. The theory states that everyone has both good and evil within them and that life is about deciding and making choices about which side they wish to express. Life is all about choices. The moment we give up those choices and decide instead to just float along "accidental like on a breeze-Forrest Gump" then that is when we decide to no longer live. Even in that case the person has made a choice. No one can say about their life that some things just happen. Nothing just happens in this universe. For every time there is a season. And for every season there is a reason.

Is it just me?

2005-07-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

Failure to communicate

Cameron Diaz says that she wasn't ashamed to pose nude for those pictures back before she was famous. So.... why then is she suing to keep the pictures private? Like John Stossel says give me a break! Or is it just me!

Doesn't it seem like the volume on the commercials on TV are much louder than the volume on the show itself? I'm always having to turn the volume up and down, up and down. Or is it just me!

I am a big fan of the Dukes of Hazzard show of old, but I think the new movie is only gonna be a very bad version of the classic show. Jessica Simpson as Daisy Duke? Someone has no clue. Daisy Duke was known for her smarts and savvyness not just for her good looks. Jessica Simpson? She is known for her bimbo looks and for thinking tunafish was chicken cuz it said chicken of the sea. What a crock! Or is it just me!

This desperate housewives bandwagon 3/4 of the ocuntry seems to be on. Everyone seems to love this show. Well just as with sex and the city I am proud to say that I have never even seen the first episode. All I need to know is that it is a show about slutty women who can't conrol their hormones and cheat on their husbands like there's nothing to it. This kind of a show would never have been on TV 20 years ago. It sickens me about our culture that everyone finds the breakup of the family so entertaining. Maybe there's more to the show than that, like I said I've never seen a single episode but that is the gist of it. I am not some kind of a prude by a long shot, but I find this and other shows like it depressing. Or is it just me?

I could never cheat on my wife and be able to live with myself. Maybe it's cuz of my parents divorce and how hard it was on my sister and I and the rumours we have heard over the years about one or the other or both of my parents cheating on the other. Or maybe it is because I have always been the type of person who thinks about other people's feelings before I think about my own. Before I do or say anything I have always tried to think to myself, how would this make me feel if someone did this to me? If it would hurt my feelings then I don't say or do it. It's really just the old axiom Do unto others as you would have them to unto you. Don't get me wrong, I am a man with sexual feelings and desires just like everyone but I believe that is what separates us humans from the animals is our ability to control our desires. I am a man and I think all men probably think about what it would be like to be with other women. That is our biology in action. But as I've said we are not just biology, a bundle of cells and chemicals. We have the ability to make sound choices based on thought and feeling instead of on what would make you feel good at the moment. If it feels good do it as they said in the 60's, is still the motto of the day. It's just like with everything else these day. Everyone wants instant gratification and if their wives or husbands aren't providing it then they look elsewhere. People feel as if it is their right to be happy no matter how selfish it may be or how it may hurt others. Let alone how it hurts the children. Too often you hear people who have cheated say, well it just happened, or one thing led to another, or I never meant to hurt you. First of all, things just don't happen. Everyone makes choices in their life. Everyone always has a choice to make about things in their life. And choices have consequences. Cheating doesn't just happen. It is a choice to act on the desires that we all have. Secondly, of course one thing led to another, that's why you don't let something wrong begin in the first place. Once you start down that road it is a slippery road and it is hard to stop once you have started. And finally, of course the cheater never meant to hurt the other person. I don't think a cheater was thinking too much about the other person to begin with. But this does not excuse it. If you get into a car accident while drinking and kill some people, saying that you never meant to hurt anyone will not get you out of trouble. Or is it just me?

Brian, Who are you?? Who??.. Are you??- Breakfast Club

2005-07-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

The real me, you will have to get to know to find out but I like music, movies, books, I love boxing on TV and my family. I am married to my wife of 3 years Carrie and I have a 3 1/2 year old son who I love more than life itself. He is one cool dude! I like to listen to Nascar on TV cuz it's relaxing but I think it's boring to watch the cars go roundy round. I love laughing and humor and Larry the Cable Guy is my hero. Get-R-Done!! I think he is the epitome of a real man instead of these macho gym lovin’, import drivin’, pants below the butt wearin’, metro-sexual gear heads. If your pants are showing your butt crack it better be because your belly is too big to hold em up. Ha Ha! Get-R-Done!!

I drive a Dodge Dakota pickup truck and this is my fourth one.

I also love Bluegrass music. Have you ever met anyone who likes disco, rock AND bluegrass? Pretty eclectic I guess. It shows my varied roots. My mom’s side of the family is from Eastern TN so bluegrass is in my blood as well. I love the movie and soundtrack to Oh Brother where art thou! And I’m distantly related (6th cousin) of Lester Flatt. If you are wondering who the heck he is, he wrote the Beverly hillbillies theme song and was a famous bluegrass musician.

Movies! Love em! Gotta have em! Although I haven’t seen too many movies at the theater in the last couple years. My favorite movies of all time in no particular order are
Smoky and the bandit
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Breakfast Club
Weird Science
A Christmas Story
The Back to the Future Trilogy
Dances with wolves – for which I get made fun of by my family. Whenever I mention a good movie to see they will always say “Yea but you liked Dances with Wolves”. I always say pick a different movie. That was so long ago. It’s always “He liked Dances with Wolves”
A River Runs through it- same response from family as above
Legends of the Fall- I even wanted to name my son Tristan. Brad Pitt in that movie so epitomizes the loner tough guy real man that I find truly stirs my soul. For some strange reason I want to be just like him. Maybe it’s the symbol of strength beneath the rough exterior of weakness and loneliness. Everyone loves him but no one understands him.
Pulp Fiction
Forrest Gump
Anything Adam Sandler
Anything Jim Carrey
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- with the above Jim Carrey- very weird trippy movie
Vanilla Sky- very weird trippy movie. I love very weird trippy movies
Austin Powers trilogy
The Good The Bad and the Ugly
Cant buy me love
And last but not least and definitely not all Napolean Dynamite

The most affecting episode in my life occurred at the age of 11 when my parents got divorced. My sister was 6. My dad was always the picture perfect strong man’s man. He rode a harley, his friends were tough guys with long beards(normal in the 70’s). He worked out and ran regularly. He was and is my idol! I can count on one hand and still have fingers left how many times in my life I have seen my dad cry. But I saw him cry for the first time at the age of 11 when my parents finally split for the last and final time. He came into the living room where my sister and I were and got down on one knee to hug us both and tears were streaming down his face. I will never forget it and I can remember it like it was yesterday. I’m tearing up now thinking about it. We still saw him every other weekend and when I started high school I moved in with him but that episode and the difficult divorce in general will always be a defining moment in my life. They say some people because of divorce in childhood when they become adults they are afraid of relationships. My problem has been trying to recreate the best memories I have of my parents together through my relationships. It obviously hasn’t worked. It didn’t work for them so why should it for me? I now recognize that and am learning to let that episode of my life go but yet hold it dear as a defining moment of my life and just build relationships based on me and not on what I think my parents had and was torn away from me at such a young age.

I hate these rappers who rap about Jesus Walks in one song and then in the next curse with every word in the book and talk about bangin’ in the hood. Isn’t this just a bit hypocritical? It makes you look like you talk out of both sides of your mouth. Stop it!