Wednesday, December 31, 2008
I bought a gun!
Why did I get one? Well, I really want a gun, and I've always wanted a "bb gun" and since my wife gave me half of her shopping spree winnings and told me to blow it on whatever, I did!
It's a really nice one without getting too too expensive and it's super cheap to shoot and you can even shoot it indoors (be mindful of doors). I saw a guy online kill a turkey with one!
Shooting is just a blast (no pun intended) but it really is fun. And this thing is accurate. I haven't really gotten the scope sighted in 100% but it's very close. I need a good gun rest (which I'll just build with random stuff) to really test it out.
It's really hefty too. It's about 8 pounds and feels comfortable. Also feels very "quality." I'm not worried about it having problems. It's a break barrel and single shot at a time but that's fine with me. Also, with it being a one pumper, it's super fast and keeps good velocity, up to 1,000 feet per second! Real guns, .22 cal zoom by at just about 1280 fps.
So anyway, that was a little gift to myself, courtesy of my wife really. I love it! Now if she'll only let me hang it over the fireplace...
WTF Wednesday
Before you get all uppity (is that spelled right?), what does "WTF" stand for?
"Wherefore Thy Fascination"
Bet you didn't know! [Thanks Josh]
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Where's the cold?
I really don't feel like it's Christmas/New Years time because it's not that cold out. That's lame. I got two great new coats and I can barely wear them! But I still am, even though I may get a little warm.
I'll leave you with this video.
[Photoshopped] Christmas Card
Tunes Tuesday brought to you by: My Friend TJ
Since I'm not really big into music, well, I enjoy it, and I enjoy lots of different kinds (Beirut, Enya, Daft Punk, Kanye), but I don't know anything about it, check out a post from a friend of mine. He breaks down it down in simple terms and it's check out some of the songs he mentions. I even recognize most of them! (He's kinda my music guru)
Monday, December 29, 2008
What should I do?
Should I move back to Scrap Paper? I haven't posted much on my Squarespace either. That's not to say I don't like it. But it's not free like Blogger is. I think I may just have to call it quits soon. It's just the better decision (?).
Anyway, vote in the poll on the right, let me know what you think, leave a comment!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Not too [Common]
I have an iPhone and I'm a pretty big Mac/iPod guy but I love this Zune ad. I also tried out a Zune for about a month when they came out. I liked them. They had some neat things that the iPod didn't have but they weren't going to replace my 60GB 5th generation. You know what... if they made a Zune that sync'd with iTunes, I think I would buy one. Just cause. Anyway, enjoy the video.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Peanut butter free app time!
You may have seen it before but if you haven't Topple for the iPhone/iPod Touch, is a great app. It's a blast to play and even though you get frustrated in the later levels you still enjoy it. My favorite thing about it is the personalities of the blocks. They are so funny!
Anyway, for a limited time, it's FREE!
Rolando video! "Escape from Rolando Central" - coming in December for iPhone and iPod touch from ngmoco:) on Vimeo.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
It's Christmas Time!
We're visiting our parents this weekend because we have a wedding to go to tomorrow. But today, while the wifey went shopping, I hung out with my brother at my parents house. Well, on the agenda for my parents was picking out and cutting down a tree.
It was pretty cold but we took our time and picked out a good one. I won't show you yet, just tease you with this photo. You can imagine how awesome it is. I know you will.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
That's not coffee.
Kona Coffee Island Blend? Wow. I don't really have much to say except that it can't be good. Here's a few reasons.
- When was this roasted?
- How much Kona is even in there?
- It's pre ground.
- It's made with a Keurig*. (*Not that they are bad, but they can't be used if you want good coffee.)
Since moving to the DC area I haven't really found a good coffee shop. Yes, I know Murky is totally nearby but it's not on my way to work or at a very convienent location from my place. And actually I just went there the other day for my first time.
Anyway, with my lack of good coffee, I've just kinda gone without. I did get a shipment or two from DoubleShot but I haven't gotten anything in a while. (Actually I think someone might be getting me some for Christmas, and if not, I will be myself!)
So what's the tip of the post? Don't drink bad coffee. Just don't do it. Unless you have to and the only people that have to are working at NORAD and the lights are low and the temps are cool and it's 3:45 in the morning. Gotta keep the missiles ready.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Eeni, menie, miney, no
A friend of mine has a Razr with T-Mobile and he wants an iPhone. His contract comes up in about a month so that works out pretty well. He planned on getting one after rave reviews from myself and my brother especially. But then he IM'ed me yesterday...
He asked the iPhone would work on another network... we'll not unless you jailbreak it. Then he asked about the G1. I said, yeah, it's cool. And that got me thinking.
Last week, I was walking by the T-Mobile store and I thought I would step in to see if they have any G1's working to play with. I went to the booth and they had three G1's out, but all were fakes then I asked a guy if they had one and he went to check in the back.
So he pulled one out and handed it over, and then put my prints all over that thing. Played with the slider, trying out the touch screen and the blackberry-esque ball thing, and clicked through some menus... Not bad.
From what I saw online and from what I played with in person, I think I got a good idea of the G1.
My list of current best comms? (Comms is my word for cell phones because they do so much more than call people... email, instant message...) In order from best to worst (though these are only the top 3 and are based only on my very opinionated opinion:
1 - Apple iPhone
* The app-store really is a huge part of this being number 1. So many fantastic third party apps. Also the multi touch screen is amazing. This list could go on.
2 - HTC G1
* Cmon it's Google, it can't be that bad. Maybe it will be slow to start but once it gets rolling, I'm sure it will be way polished.
3 - Blackberry Storm
* Comm for the suits that want the iPhone, secretly. It's the classic corporate sell out device, but it works, and it's secure.
That's all.
Oh, in the end, I think my buddy is gonna get the G1, so I'll love to get my hands on it when I see him next and really give it a good groping over, but I think it's a solid alternative to the iPhone. I also told him to buy a first gen iPhone and jailbreak it but the said no.
Monday, November 03, 2008
I see the light!
Just got my eyes checked! I ended up going with Lenscrafters because they took me the fastest and their deals were ok. I just wanted to do it super fast and not have to pay too much. Check out their offers:
AAA was actually a better deal, and I think both of them were void if I used my insurance but it turns out they don't take my insurance, and I just send my receipts as a claim and get reimbursed for almost all of it. So, new glasses cost me $31 and an eye exam cost me $20. It would have been cheaper but I needed an exam for both glasses and contacts.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Shooting the breeze (and maybe some clay birds)
A friend of mine took me shooting the other day. It was a blast! These are the only pics I got though... we did trap first (shotgun & clay pigeons) then pistol at 25m and 10m (with a Sig Sauer P226) then the AR-15 and SKS at 75m. I'm going again next weekend, will get to use an M14!
Pics of me:
Oh, I only took these at his house afterwards because I forgot all about it while we were at the range.
The Guns I used:
Yugoslavian SKS (the precursor to the AK-47)
Olympic Arms AR-15 (really an M4 Carbine)
Remington 870 Express (not sure if it was the Express but I think it was)
Sig Sauer P226 (used by SEALs, Federal Agents...)
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
I Passed Southwest Boarding School
I passed! Oh yeah... did you? Yeah, didn't think so. Get yours at www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/
Monday, October 06, 2008
Election Coverage
It seems that the only thing I hear about regarding the upcoming election is energy policy. Well, I also work at a place where that's all I hear in general, but still, there are much bigger things at hand than to just talk about how we are going to build wind farms and capture carbon. Our Second Amendment is at stake. Below are some things I found interesting in the NRA Magazine: "America's 1st Freedom"
Barack Obama's Ten Point Plan To "Change" The Second Amendment
1. Ban use of firearms for home defense.
2. Pass Federal laws eliminating your Right-to-Carry.
3. Ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.
4. Close down 90% of the gun shops in America.
5. Ban rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.
6. Increase federal taxes on guns and ammunition by 500 percent.
7. Restore voting rights for five million criminals including those who have been convicted of using a gun to commit a violent crime.
8. Expand the Clinton semi-auto ban to include millions more firearms.
9. Mandate a government-issued license to purchase a firearm.
10. Appoint judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal judiciary who share his views on the Second Amendment.
_______________________________________
NRA
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1-877-672-4680
To Receive An Introductory NRA Membership
Includes:
- Your choice of NRA's award winning magazines.
- NRA membership card and official decal
- NRA ArmsCare insurance coverage and more!
Special Offer Expires December 1, 2008.
_______________________________________
From "America's 1st Freedom" October 2008, Mail Call page 7
History Lesson
"February 4, 1938. Adolf Hitler promoted himself to military chief of Germany. Hitler took over Austria on March 15, 1938. After massing thousands of Nazi troops at the Austrian border, Chancellor Kurt Schusschnigg admitted defeat and was arrested. One might ask, "What has this got to do with the Right to Keep and Bear Amrs?" My wife of more than 50 years was living in Austria at the time. She told me how the Nazi troops took away the firearms of farmers and village people; soon after that, the Jews and the gypsies disappeared from the countryside. A few of their bodies were found, and the rest were sent off to prisons. They had nothing with which to defend themselves. I pray to God that freedom-loving people in the United States remember this lesson from history, so that we may keep our Second Amendment right to defend ourselves." - Don Humphrey
My response:
Ok, I'm not comparing Obama to Hitler, except that they both seem to have an agenda of disarming their citizens. We can't have that. You say that nothing like that will ever happen to us, but you don't know that. I think it's best to be prepared. Protected and prepared.
I probably just opened a hole can of worms... let the flaming begin.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Freakin Continuity...
I was watching "In Harms Way" tonight and I noticed something that didn't quit work for me. In the lower third, the name key, and they had a graphic in there that didn't make sense.
Let me explain, this was the first time I have ever seen the show but I guess it's mostly about people who have jobs that put them in danger all the time. If it was just Coast Guard rescue (like this episode) or other rescue jobs then this really doesn't make sense.
Well, in the lower third there is a little graphic of an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Hardly used for rescue. Except in rare occasions...
Why would they use that? Why not a Blackhawk or something, or a Dolphin?
Ok, that may be going a bit too far, but you have to maintain continuity. Although, I did
think about it further and I can justify it.
Like I said, I have not seen any of this show before. "In Harms Way" could cover many things, and one of those be our military, which just happens to be "in harms way" so I could understand that. But still...
Anyway, here is their graphic, and below that is a pic I found online of an Apache.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Why?
I thought that I would just search Google on "Why" and came back with this.
I love how the first result is a quote from Batman. Epic.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Internet Speeds
An example of my internet speeds. It's pretty self explanatory. I have DSL at home. I keep talking about upgrading it, but I don't know... I just do all of my uploading (photos and videos) at work. Plus, I can still video chat (though the quality is crappy) and play Xbox online, so it works! We'll see. I would love some blazing internet at home, but this is working out alright. Those numbers are still sad though.
Watch Now! (almost)
It's about time! Netflix will finally be streaming to my Mac! I've had to use Parallels to get by in the mean time but this is a huge step.
I think this is really going to add a lot more people to the Netflix community. I have a few friends that would totally use Netflix but since they can't take part in one of the biggest and coolest features, they decided against it.
Read more:
[gizmodo]
[cnet]
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Fringe rant #2
Why did I watch episode 4.. I don't know...
*Oh, and I'm taking these notes as I watch, so I'm not looking back things and some things may be wrong later.
**SPOILER ALERT (if you haven't watched it yet)**
Bald guy reminded me of cockroach man from MIB. Not from physical appearance but from attitude. "Need sugar water." Get it, the bald guy wanted barely cooked roast beef and 11 jalepenos... Each have their weird diets.
Oh, and about the pic of the guy in Quantico from 1987... Why is he wearing digital camo?
Digital camo wasn't used until 2004. Ok, you may say that the pic is a recent pic of him... still serving... but why is the picture of him and the picture of the mysterious object in black and white? C'mon! We have color film! We've had color film since 1942! Either way, it should be in color. That's why they need a consultant. Hire me!
Overall, this was actually a good episode. There was a healthy dose of suspense and just a touch of sarcasm while the other 3 had much more sarcasm. But, there is still something missing. Maybe this is a "LOST" that my kid brother can follow? I don't know.
Random Thoughts:
- The dude with the watch cap and nail gun was from Generation Kill if I'm not mistaken. Nice surprise.
- "Civilian Consultant to the Department of Homeland Security" I need to get credentials and a title like that!
- I love the open to this show, the music and graphics, it's kinda like House, but different.
Who is still printing emails?
[don't you love these graphics!?]
I remember my Dad used to. I mean, he would print the shortest lamest emails but if they had anything to do with me, he would just slap them right on the table. But who is printing emails?
Two reasons why you shouldn't... saving paper means you are not feeding the demand to cut down trees as well as saving money because you are simply using less. It's a win win!
Ok, conservation and good stewardship are great and all but what it really comes down to for me, is what's the point?! We live in a day and age that paper is almost not necessary, for certain things.
We get emails on our iPhones, Blackberries, laptops... we are so mobile! Having stacks of paper reports or handing out paper presentation points at a conference are cumbersome and unnecessary.
But I do know this. Sometimes there is nothing I want more than to put pen to paper. Just doodling sometimes. Sometimes I just have to sketch it out and I feel better. On the same note, I like to polish those initial notes as an organized document on my laptop.
Not wanting to turn this into a paper vs computer thing... my questions still stands. Who is still printing their emails?
Want more?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Internet TV
My brother told me that I absolutely had to watch "Fringe." He said it was amazing. I get too tired to watch shows after work that aren't on tv so Internet tv works great for me. So I turned to Hulu.
Also, it was kinda slow at work so I managed to watch all three episodes today. Ok, here are my notes.
- Not bad, but not LOST. Also, did they borrow music cues from LOST?
- The graphic titles are cool
- The chick hopped in a tub and the tub had a "hatch"... ok, maybe that's tying it too close to LOST
- I got real tired of all the negative remarks from the Kirk Cameron wannabe.
- Oh, numbers! Are the numbers like LOST's?
- The more I watch the more I feel like it's an episode of The Twilight Zone.
- "Someone has perfected this super top secret experimental anomaly... let's find him, now lets try and capture him but he escaped or killed himself... ok, now onto the next guy"
*******POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!*********
- What's with that ladies arm?! Is this iRobot?!
*******END SPOILER ALERT********
Conclusion? Fringe has some great mysteries and a semi-interesting cast but it just doesn't have the hook like LOST does. I don't have a desire to "have" to watch the next episode. It's like black guy and music from LOST have met with a polished CSI show.
OK, so that's Fringe, but my friend Josh wanted me to watch Flashpoint. So I watched that the other day.
Not much to say about Flash Point. Mostly because it's normal show. Not to beat a dead horse but it feels like CSI just more "tactical." Not so much story but still interesting. I mean, I like swat teams and stuff, but I don't feel like it's real enough.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Blast from the past.
What to do
What do I want to do? I want to be a consultant for one thing. I want to help people know what kind of digital camera to buy, I want to help them correct their blog or tweak their site, I want to tell them what new social networks to join... that kind of stuff.
I want to blog 24/7. Not even about one thing. A network of blogs that are there to help people. That's kind of why I started the "Noob Series." Just a bunch of random things that I'm learning about and that interest me so that we can learn together.
What jobs are out there like that? I'm sure Gary Vaynerchuk would tell me just to do it. But I don't know what to do. Just hustle I guess. Maybe that's why I stay up so late all the time!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Climbing Old Rag Mountain
Last Saturday, a coworker invited myself and another coworker to climb Old Rag Mountain. It's just a nice hike with a great view and going with friends should make it a good time. Well, we decided to meet at his place early in the morning to get to the mountain early to beat any crowds. We also picked up another guy from work so we had two veterans and two noobs.
It was such a great hike, though it wore me out! There were a few things I did wrong and I had excuses but some things I knew better.
I wore pants (because I thought it would be colder but they came in handy when scrambling, protecting my knees), I wore a cotton long sleeve shirt (once again, thought it would be cold but I had nothing else, but it was light. my wicking shirt reeked from running, never washed it so couldn't wear that), I should have brought some more water (I got so darn thirsty!)... I think that's it.
Back to the hike. It started out well enough. A quick pace though. And it's pretty much all uphill. A few flat spots but really I was just working the entire time. We stopped for a quick break over a lookout but packed up and moved on. I was fine through all of that.
Then we hit the scrambling. It was borderline bouldering at spots. That's what got me. I had to take little breaks for myself. Man was I not ready for this much of a workout. I am starting to run again but this was just too different for me to be very ready for it.
We got to the spot where we were going to rappel and gosh that felt good. Finally taking a substantial break and being near the top the breeze was fantastic. I found myself some shade and kicked back. I felt bad for holding the other guys up but there were times I just didn't want to push myself. I'd really rather enjoy it instead of truly bonking.
Rappelling was a blast and the hike back up wasn't bad. I didn't feel nervous at all and I thought I would! But I had faith in Dennis hooking everything up right. Climbing is his main sport and he had safety's in space. He also was an Army Ranger so I think he knows a few things about knots and stuff.
Then moving on toward the summit. I just got steeper and steeper, having to scramble over boulders. When we eventually made it I got my energy back. Took a few pics and then it was time to head down. Let's get off this rock!
Heading back down, a different way though, wasn't bad at all. Though walking downhill that long really make you adjust your walk so your legs don't get sore! It was almost as hard as going up because of all the control needed.
We ran into a lot of people on our way down and some said that if we saw the bear to just scare it away. Yeah, they have a good number of black bears up here. But they are mostly afraid of people. Although, Dennis said he talked to some climbers recently that ran into a bear and it stood its ground instead of retreating. That's not a good sign. But we never saw it anyway.
Then after hopping in the creek to cool off (that cold water really brings your core temp down!) we were on our way back home.
It was a great day. Got some great exercise and had some great "bonding" with the guys. I'm sure we'll do it again, or at least I will. Maybe when Josh comes to town.
Read more about Old Rag: Hiking Upward
See more of my photos from the hike: Flickr
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