2005-06-29
2005-06-22
Summertime....
Well, it's now officially summer, as the summer solstice happened yesterday morning. We've definitely had some summer-like weather, with temperatures well into the 80s, and perhaps hitting the 90s by Friday. Thankfully the humidity has not been as bad as it could be.
I've more or less finish Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. It was an interesting read. Partially autobiographical, it was a non-fiction work detailing, well, Mark Twain's life on the Mississippi river. Twain's writing style and sense of humor shine through the work, making it an entertaining read instead of a long slog through dry, historical facts.
I don't know what's next on the list, and it will be a while before we find out. I start some much-needed vacation tomorrow, and won't return to work until July 2.
I've more or less finish Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. It was an interesting read. Partially autobiographical, it was a non-fiction work detailing, well, Mark Twain's life on the Mississippi river. Twain's writing style and sense of humor shine through the work, making it an entertaining read instead of a long slog through dry, historical facts.
I don't know what's next on the list, and it will be a while before we find out. I start some much-needed vacation tomorrow, and won't return to work until July 2.
2005-06-20
Low budget....
It was an expensive weekend; Maryanne and I ate out three times over the course of the weekend, in addition to seeing a movie at the drive-in out in Jefferson. Add in the expenses of groceries and a trip to Stoughton Garden Center, and it was a very pricey weekend indeed.
The movie we saw was Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I enjoyed it, but Maryanne thought it was too slow. We didn't stay for the second feature.
I'm not enthusiastic about daytime running lamps. Maryanne's car has them, and it meant that we couldn't open the windows in her car during the movie. I got a funnel cake out of it, though.
The movie we saw was Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I enjoyed it, but Maryanne thought it was too slow. We didn't stay for the second feature.
I'm not enthusiastic about daytime running lamps. Maryanne's car has them, and it meant that we couldn't open the windows in her car during the movie. I got a funnel cake out of it, though.
2005-06-16
Almost....
Today was a very pleasant day, the kind of day that makes you glad to be alive, but makes you wish you were any where other than work. Today, yard work might actually have been a joy instead of a chore, but I'll never know for sure, because I'm stuck at work.
It's almost summer now, officially. Oh, sure, there are plenty of people out there who call the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day summer, but I don't. Summer is from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox. Today is a great example of all that's good about late spring; last week was an example of why spring in southern Wisconsin is less pleasant than in northern Wisconsin.
It's almost summer now, officially. Oh, sure, there are plenty of people out there who call the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day summer, but I don't. Summer is from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox. Today is a great example of all that's good about late spring; last week was an example of why spring in southern Wisconsin is less pleasant than in northern Wisconsin.
2005-06-15
Paranoia
So some paranoid people over at the Conspiracy Planet website have the uber-liberal lefties at Fark all in a tizzy over the report of a bill to repeal the 22nd Amendment.
So did they all skip civics class or something? Because they're all forgetting
Apparently one of these bills pops up every once in a while. None of them have gone anywhere, and I doubt this one will do anything either.
Oh, and apparently four of the five sponsors are Democrats, leaving only one Republican.
Learn to read, people.
So did they all skip civics class or something? Because they're all forgetting
- An amendment would have to be passed by a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress and
- An amendment would have to be ratified by 3/4 of the states. Even if we round down, that's 37.
- Even if the amendment passes, elections would still be held every four years.
Apparently one of these bills pops up every once in a while. None of them have gone anywhere, and I doubt this one will do anything either.
Oh, and apparently four of the five sponsors are Democrats, leaving only one Republican.
Learn to read, people.
2005-06-14
In Memoriam....
The world of gaming lost one of its own recently, as David Sutherland died on June 6.
I remember seeing some of his work in the D&D and AD&D materials I own from the '80s and early '90s. He started doing artwork, then moved on to become TSR's chief cartographer, in charge of all the maps and charts that were included in a variety of materials.
The saddest part of the article, for me, is the part about Wizards of the Coast not rehiring Sutherland.
I used to despise WotC. I felt that if Magic wasn't the sole cause, it at least contributed to the decline of D&D and demise of TSR. I learned later that WotC bought TSR primarily because they truly wanted to save D&D. It's too bad they didn't try to save Sutherland.
I remember seeing some of his work in the D&D and AD&D materials I own from the '80s and early '90s. He started doing artwork, then moved on to become TSR's chief cartographer, in charge of all the maps and charts that were included in a variety of materials.
The saddest part of the article, for me, is the part about Wizards of the Coast not rehiring Sutherland.
I used to despise WotC. I felt that if Magic wasn't the sole cause, it at least contributed to the decline of D&D and demise of TSR. I learned later that WotC bought TSR primarily because they truly wanted to save D&D. It's too bad they didn't try to save Sutherland.
Reflections....
Maryanne and I spent most of our weekend in Minnesota. I won't go into details here, as even I'm not interested in a play-by-play, and I doubt anyone reading this is, either. However, some highlights are in order:
- Driving through Minnesota is more pleasant than driving through Illinois. While both have vast amounts of prairie, there are at least some pleasant hills in Minnesota around the Mississippi River. Minnesota also has better roads. They are in better shape, are better labeled, and there's not a toll plaza in sight.
- The remake of The Longest Yard was pretty good. I have not seen the original, though, so I can't make any comparison in that regard.
- The old TechTV now sucks that it's G4 and talks about nothing but video gaming.
- I still don't like hip hop music, no matter what they sample.
- Good people are just good people; it doesn't matter where they're from, what religion they are, or anything else. Likewise, bad people are the same everywhere.
2005-06-08
Judged by its cover....
I can add this to my list of reasons for not shopping at Abercrombie & Fitch.
Where's the beef?
Somehow this news about rising beef prices doesn't surprise me. The price of beef in this part of the state is typically at least ten cents per pound higher than in northeast Wisconsin, and that's just for cheap cuts like ground beef. Pricier cuts run higher of course; the price of ground chuck is approaching three dollars a pound. It won't be too much longer and you'll be able to get veal cutlets or lamb chops cheaper than beef.
It's a good thing Maryanne and I like chicken and pork.
It's a good thing Maryanne and I like chicken and pork.
2005-06-06
Play ball!
Maryanne and I were among the masses at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday for the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game. It was a fun experience. The stadium was full, but it thankfully did not feel too crowded. The weather was very warm and somewhat muggy, but an occasional breeze helped.
I know it's a fun event for the whole family, especially for the little kids, but I really wish some parents were better about keeping their children under control. There were a couple of families right in front of us, with four little ones between the two of them. One of the little boys was horsing around a kicked over his dad's beer, and much of it landed on my shoe. The guy at least apologized. I said it was OK, but really, there wasn't much else I could say without making for an uncomfortable afternoon.
I know it's a fun event for the whole family, especially for the little kids, but I really wish some parents were better about keeping their children under control. There were a couple of families right in front of us, with four little ones between the two of them. One of the little boys was horsing around a kicked over his dad's beer, and much of it landed on my shoe. The guy at least apologized. I said it was OK, but really, there wasn't much else I could say without making for an uncomfortable afternoon.
2005-06-03
Bad Apple....
This is another excellent reason I can use for not having bought an iPod.
I think we can define bad P.R. as a manufacturer forcing their customers to foot half the bill for faulty merchandise.
I think we can define bad P.R. as a manufacturer forcing their customers to foot half the bill for faulty merchandise.
"Body of the Nation"
Next on the reading list is Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. I've become quite familiar with Twain's work, which is first rate. I really have no preconceived notions about this particular book, so it will be completely unknown to me.
This particular edition was published by Readers Digest and features the illustrations from the 1883 edition.
This particular edition was published by Readers Digest and features the illustrations from the 1883 edition.
2005-06-02
Hit or Myth....
Today I finished Mythology by Edith Hamilton. Since it's not exactly a work of fiction, I can't exactly write about it in that way.
I enjoyed reading it. It provides a good overview of Greek/Roman mythology, boiling down stories taken from plays, poems, and prose, into easily digestible segments. My only disappointment was that it spent little time on Norse mythology; it seemed almost an afterthought; amost 90% of the book is dedicated to Greek and Roman myths.
I don't know what's next; we'll find that out tomorrow.
I enjoyed reading it. It provides a good overview of Greek/Roman mythology, boiling down stories taken from plays, poems, and prose, into easily digestible segments. My only disappointment was that it spent little time on Norse mythology; it seemed almost an afterthought; amost 90% of the book is dedicated to Greek and Roman myths.
I don't know what's next; we'll find that out tomorrow.
2005-06-01
Seasons change....
May is gone; June has arrived. May is my favorite month; from start to finish it embodies the progression of spring. Or at least it used to, when my Mays were spent in Door County. Here in southern Wisconsin it feels too summer-like, the way June used to feel.
And that's why June is kind of an enigma for me. Astronomically it's still mostly spring, with summer arriving on the solstice. Why, then, does it seem too much like summer? Everyone calls it summer, though it's only a quarter summer. Yet it is glorious in its own way, I suppose. It seems to ease from spring to summer in preparation for the summer onslaught of July and August with their opressive heat and humidity, and violent storms.
And that's why June is kind of an enigma for me. Astronomically it's still mostly spring, with summer arriving on the solstice. Why, then, does it seem too much like summer? Everyone calls it summer, though it's only a quarter summer. Yet it is glorious in its own way, I suppose. It seems to ease from spring to summer in preparation for the summer onslaught of July and August with their opressive heat and humidity, and violent storms.
2005-05-31
Home Sweet Home....
Maryanne and I spent most of Memorial Day weekend in Door County. At times I was reminded of how out of place I sometimes feel around here, living in an urban setting on the southern Wisconsin prairie. I miss the orchards and fields mixed with swamps, bluffs, and rolling hills, all within reach of the lake, instead of the constant prairie, marsh, and occasional hill dotted here and there with lakes sometimes small enough to call a pond. The seasons even seem to have a greater distinction in Door County than here. The apple trees and lilacs were blooming in Door County, and the cherry trees had just finished, while around here that seemed to happen all at once a few weeks ago. I miss the open spaces, the wildlife, and the way of life.
It saddens me, and sometimes pains me, when Maryanne shows such an aversion to living there, even once we're retired. It disappoints me that she doesn't show much appreciation for the way things are there: for the nature, the landscapes, and the culture and lifestyle that I grew up with.
I'll admit that there are times I'm not much better; clearly the prairie doesn't do much for me, and I have little enthusiasm for the landscapes of southern Wisconsin. However, southern Wisconsin does hold its own treasures. Edgerton reminds me of everything a Wisconsin small town should be. For all I say about tree-hugging hippies, Madison really is a nice city with a rich history. Stoughton embraces its past in the celebration of Syttende Mai. Yet something still seems to be lacking in it all, something that Door County has. In the end, I think it's that I still think of Door County as home.
It saddens me, and sometimes pains me, when Maryanne shows such an aversion to living there, even once we're retired. It disappoints me that she doesn't show much appreciation for the way things are there: for the nature, the landscapes, and the culture and lifestyle that I grew up with.
I'll admit that there are times I'm not much better; clearly the prairie doesn't do much for me, and I have little enthusiasm for the landscapes of southern Wisconsin. However, southern Wisconsin does hold its own treasures. Edgerton reminds me of everything a Wisconsin small town should be. For all I say about tree-hugging hippies, Madison really is a nice city with a rich history. Stoughton embraces its past in the celebration of Syttende Mai. Yet something still seems to be lacking in it all, something that Door County has. In the end, I think it's that I still think of Door County as home.
2005-05-30
Full Circle....
Maryanne and I saw Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith on Thursday. I enjoyed it; even Maryanne liked it somewhat. As Adam and Narf both stated, it was definitely the best of the "new" trilogy.
I thought all the acting was too subdued, especially from the Jedi. I don't know if this is what Lucas wanted or not. Ewan McGregor was by far the best of the live actors. Everyone else was too wooden, even Samuel L. Jackson. Hayden Christensen did brooding well, but not much else; I think he would have benefited from showing more emotion, and being more tortured as he’s torn between the Jedi and Palpatine. Ironically, Yoda, entirely a CGI creation, showed the most emotion of the Jedi.
There was a bit of a cheese factor involved. Most noteworthy was the Tarzan yell from one of the Wookies on Kashyyyk. The coughing from General Grievous was a bit much at the beginning, until it became apparent that he was technically a cyborg and not a droid.
The movie was redeemed by all the parts, large and small, that tied it together with the original trilogy: Obi-Wan’s relationship with Anakin, their duel, and Obi-Wan’s retrieval of Anakin’s light saber (later given to Luke); the birth of Luke and Leia, Leia being placed with Senator Organa, and Luke going to his uncle Owen and aunt Beru on Tatooine; Obi-Wan’s presence on Tatooine to watch over Luke, and his ability to commune with his mentor as he later communes with Luke. There’s more, as well, causing this movie to be by far the most satisfying of the "new" trilogy.
I thought all the acting was too subdued, especially from the Jedi. I don't know if this is what Lucas wanted or not. Ewan McGregor was by far the best of the live actors. Everyone else was too wooden, even Samuel L. Jackson. Hayden Christensen did brooding well, but not much else; I think he would have benefited from showing more emotion, and being more tortured as he’s torn between the Jedi and Palpatine. Ironically, Yoda, entirely a CGI creation, showed the most emotion of the Jedi.
There was a bit of a cheese factor involved. Most noteworthy was the Tarzan yell from one of the Wookies on Kashyyyk. The coughing from General Grievous was a bit much at the beginning, until it became apparent that he was technically a cyborg and not a droid.
The movie was redeemed by all the parts, large and small, that tied it together with the original trilogy: Obi-Wan’s relationship with Anakin, their duel, and Obi-Wan’s retrieval of Anakin’s light saber (later given to Luke); the birth of Luke and Leia, Leia being placed with Senator Organa, and Luke going to his uncle Owen and aunt Beru on Tatooine; Obi-Wan’s presence on Tatooine to watch over Luke, and his ability to commune with his mentor as he later communes with Luke. There’s more, as well, causing this movie to be by far the most satisfying of the "new" trilogy.
2005-05-27
Tama = Crap
As I was telling Maryanne once, in a Yahoo Group called "Rock and Roll McDonald's" I got in a discussion with another member, Vickie, regarding drums and drumming equipment. It all started when Vickie talked about her daughter's boyfriend, whose name is Chris. Chris plays drums, quite well according to Vickie, and his hero is Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theater). I started joking that the only unfortunate thing was that he played a Tama drum set. Things escalated from there.
It turns out Chris is quite proud of his Tama drum set, and debated me a bit through Vickie, before posting to my Guest Book:
Ignoring the terrible punctuation, grammar, spelling, and so forth, it seems that Chris thinks Tama is the strongest name in drums (their slogan), while Pearl is the worst.
I don't know what he based his opinion on, but I based mine on my experience with not only Tama and Pearl, but percussion equipment from other manufacturers such as Ludwig, Musser, Yamaha, LP, Gretsch, Slingerland, Sonor, Remo, Zildjian, Sabian, Paiste, and Deagan. I stated my preferences for Pro-Mark drumsticks. This was based on breaking a stick in each of two pair of Vic Firth (let's call that 100% failure), while only breaking one Pro-Mark stick from a total of eight pairs (let's call that 12% failure). I also prefer Remo heads, again, from experience.
I've actually played on Tama equipment, and was very unimpressed by the quality. I'm still unimpressed after looking at Tama's website. Now, I can respect that Chris wants to use Tama drums; they are quite affordable (read: cheap), after all. But unless he's actually played on Pearl equipment, he has no basis for his claims.
It turns out Chris is quite proud of his Tama drum set, and debated me a bit through Vickie, before posting to my Guest Book:
Hey,
You obviously know my girlfriends mom Vickie. You talk to her on the yahoo groups or whatever that is so we found your website. So what I have heard is that you HATE tame drums. lol. And i also heard that you wouldnt have respect for me if i play for vic firth. Yes everybody has there own opionions thats just crazy. There just drumstick. There wood and they break. lol. As simple so eggs. And i play on the greatest tama set. you play a pearl. ha!!! pearl. You weakest name in drums. Now tama says in clearly. (The strongest name in drums). There are the greatest drummers that play for tama and thats that. Me and you are gonna have a good coverstation sometime. Yea I play on promark and zildjian cymbals, and i play pretty good from what i hear. So dude dont be hatting man. I know your just expressing but i wouldnt go off and say that i would not have respect for you if u played on something. you play on what you play on. That is how it goes.
Thanks
Chris Honey
Ignoring the terrible punctuation, grammar, spelling, and so forth, it seems that Chris thinks Tama is the strongest name in drums (their slogan), while Pearl is the worst.
I don't know what he based his opinion on, but I based mine on my experience with not only Tama and Pearl, but percussion equipment from other manufacturers such as Ludwig, Musser, Yamaha, LP, Gretsch, Slingerland, Sonor, Remo, Zildjian, Sabian, Paiste, and Deagan. I stated my preferences for Pro-Mark drumsticks. This was based on breaking a stick in each of two pair of Vic Firth (let's call that 100% failure), while only breaking one Pro-Mark stick from a total of eight pairs (let's call that 12% failure). I also prefer Remo heads, again, from experience.
I've actually played on Tama equipment, and was very unimpressed by the quality. I'm still unimpressed after looking at Tama's website. Now, I can respect that Chris wants to use Tama drums; they are quite affordable (read: cheap), after all. But unless he's actually played on Pearl equipment, he has no basis for his claims.
2005-05-25
Renaissance....
The other day at the doctor's office, while I was waiting, I picked up a copy of a magazine called Town & Country. It didn't do much for me; perhaps I have too much country and not enough town in me. It seemed a bit highfalutin, but not in the good way of magazines like GQ and Connoisseur. (Sadly, it seems the latter is no longer published.) Nonetheless, there was one slightly interesting article in it on the topic of the renaissance man, and whether it was possible for a true renaissance man, such as Leonardo da Vinci or Thomas Jefferson, to exist today.
What prompted me to think of this now? I was thinking today that I'd like to redesign my website. Perhaps even just start completely from scratch: new colors, new style sheet, new fonts, new graphics, the whole shebang. Really, it would be a tremendous amount of work. I would probably need to use a tool like Microsoft Visual InterDev and build a working version of a development site, then bring it online all at once. (If anyone has any suggestions about a good tool to use to try to start a new website from scratch, besides Visual InterDev, let me know.) Then I got to thinking that I really don't have the time for that kind of project. I really don't have the time to be a real renaissance man, despite my potential.
What prompted me to think of this now? I was thinking today that I'd like to redesign my website. Perhaps even just start completely from scratch: new colors, new style sheet, new fonts, new graphics, the whole shebang. Really, it would be a tremendous amount of work. I would probably need to use a tool like Microsoft Visual InterDev and build a working version of a development site, then bring it online all at once. (If anyone has any suggestions about a good tool to use to try to start a new website from scratch, besides Visual InterDev, let me know.) Then I got to thinking that I really don't have the time for that kind of project. I really don't have the time to be a real renaissance man, despite my potential.
2005-05-24
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