Saturday, December 30, 2006

Sex Ed

On the other side of that link is a very explict, but very cool, interesting and erotic documentary style short video featuring a male and female couple having sex.

If you're a person who is legally and morally permitted to view such things, by please do so. It's really good stuff.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

NationStates

I discovered an online game using the Stumble add-on to Firefox. It's called Nation States and it allowed me to create a nation that you can see by following the above link. This is fun so far.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

RPG

I've done it. I've joined a role playing group. I watched Craigslist until I found a group that sounded close to my wavelength. We meet on Sunday afternoons (if the Hawks aren't playing), and so far it's going really well. We're playing Mage: the Ascension, and I'm really enjoying myself. Role playing does seem a bit odd, since the emphasis is on the storytelling rather than the 'game' part, but there is enough game to keep the whole thing honest.

I got mixed up and bought the wrong books initially. There's a new edition this year, and those books ran me about $50 for the pair. The right ones were about $10 for two, since I found them used. That was pleasant.

My character is a "Son of Ether" which means 'mad scientist' in this system. All the characters use magic, but they need some way focus it, because their ability to change reality is rooted in their belief. My character requires gadgets as foci for his hocus pocus. "Harvey Campbell" is his name, and he's part Elijah Snow, part Buckaroo Banzai, part Mr. Fantastic and part Agent Cooper.

I'm amazed at how fast time flows while gaming. Our sessions have lasted about 5 1/2 hours each so far, and that seems about right. I can see how it could last longer, but really enough is enough.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Thanksgiving

Nora and I ate Indian food and had beers at the premier dive bar in Seattle for Thanksgiving today. Then we came home and played some Lego Star Wars. It's been a good day.

The bar was The Blue Moon, which is a landmark in the University District which has served Jack Kerouac and countless others over the last several decades. They only accept cash, but have a cash machine which no doubt charges notable surcharges.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Iraq

I'm afraid that if we leave Iraq, the nation will erupt into genocidal civil war. We've already allowed this to happen in Rwanda and Darfur. While I also can't see what good we're doing there anymore, the situation most definitely could be worse.

Unfortunately, I don't think the United States can fix that situation, and I doubt the current administration will admit that we need help from other Middle East nations, and I'm not referring to Israel.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Gaming notes (Lego Star Wars, Pandora Tomorrow...)

I had been hankering for something different for my Xbox. I recently struggled with a few Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow levels, but found it immensely dissatisfying. I think my tolerance for gaming frustration is much lower than it was when I played the first of the franchise. I've been told that the third, Chaos whatever is better, and its been very well reviewed, so I may eventually try that one. Maybe I just don't like stealth games. I may also try Thief when I'm feeling ready.

Prior to that I played and enjoyed Ultimate Hulk. It is what it should be: a large, sprawling Rampage for the next generation. I still haven't finished it, there's only so much tearing shit up that a gamer can do at a time. I do see myself returning to wrap it up and explore the unlockables.

Gun was a lot of fun as well. It delivered on the western shootout themes and high drama of the revenge tale. I don't know if the game's early portrayals of the American Indian was a parody of early movie portrayals, and therefore intenionally offensive, or if it was merely lazy with its ugly portrayal. Later in the game, the indian characters are fleshed out in interesting ways, so the game designers don't seem to have a racist agenda.

Cut to Friday, and my desire for something different: I bought Lego Star Wars. Usually anything from the Star Wars franchise is very much 'more of the same' even when well executed and exciting. This, however, is a departure from the others. Most importantly, this game is playable by novices and advanced gamers, and offers much to all styles of play. If you want to burn through the missions, destroy robots and other villainy, destroying the forces of evil with your light saber, you can do that. If you don't care for the violence all that much, you can spend time poking into the corners of each level, solving puzzles and finding ship parts.

The two-player game play isn't optimal, and the camera is not controllable by the players and ranges from okay to awful. Since both characters must stay on the same screen at the same time (no split screen) Gauntlet style, I've found it's easiest if one players follows the other, even during exploration. This limits the open, exploration available during single player mode.

The characters don't speak, so Jar Jar's return is palatable, and even enjoyable. Jar Jar jumps good.

I returned to video gaming four years ago, a few months after I'd met my (now) wife. I can remember her touching my X-Box controllers exactly one time, and that was to play Tetris. Lego Star Wars convinced her to try gaming again. While I don't think she'll ever be interested in Halo 2, or Gears of War, I forsee the purchase of Lego Star Wars II in our future.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Life

Life is really interesting right now. I'm recently married. I started a job two months ago, and am really getting into the swing of my new work (even though it's still difficult). We have a diabetic cat, that we give shots to twice per day. My car died, and instead of replacing it, I'm going carless for the first time since 1992. It's all about the motorcycle, the bus, Flexcar, and the occasional rental.

So far, it's working. Getting the diabetic to the vet for his glucose checks is a challenge for a few reasons. It usually adds up to running around to the flex car, back home, to the vet, back home, to drop off the flex car, and off to work. And the cat hates the whole process. They love him there because he's quiet and docile, but it really stresses him out.

It's interesting to see how cranky he gets when his sugars are low. We were wondering why he was the way he was. He's generally much easier to get along with nowadays.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Researchers identify "male warrior effect"

NORWICH (Reuters) - Men may have developed a psychology that makes them particularly able to engage in wars, a scientist said on Friday.

New research has shown that men bond together and cooperate well in the face of adversity to protect their interests more than women, which could explain why war is almost exclusively a male business, according to Professor Mark van Vugt of the University of Kent in southern England.
While the theory makes sense to me, the study is a little abstract:
In experiments with 300 university men and women students, Van Vugt and his team gave the volunteers small sums of money which they could either keep or invest in a common fund that would be doubled and equally divided. None of the students knew what the others were doing.

Both sexes cooperated in investing in the fund. But when the groups were told they were competing against other universities, the males were more eager to invest rather than keep their money while the number of women contributing remained the same.

Extrapolating a male warrior effect is consistent with the findings, but is a bit of a stretch given the nature of the study.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Draft Results, Part II

Here is the result of my draft in a different format. Parenthesis indicate overall pick order.
Zombie Robot Pirates
1. (9) C. Portis
2. (16) C. Williams
3. (33) D. Davis
4. (40) M. Hasselbeck
5. (57) D. Mason
6. (64) D. Branch
7. (81) D. Rhodes
8. (88) M. Muhammad
9. (105) D. Stallworth
10. (112) B. Favre
11. (129) K. Winslow
12. (136) J. Brown
13. (153) Denver

ebay and half.com disputes

I recently had a dispute with seller "vgamestklopp" on half.com regarding Steel Battalion. This seller didn't specify that the controller was not included, listed the condition as 'like new' and refused to give me a refund.

The good news is, the half.com dispute resolution system seems to be working. They've promised to refund my money, once confirmation of the returned item is received. It is a very slow system, but that's not so bad. At least I didn't have to go the credit card rejection of charges route.

Just a few days ago, I had another run in, this time with a buyer on ebay. "nirvrock_96" bid on some tickets I had listed, then refused to pay. The event came and went, so the tickets quickly became useless and were wasted. I even had another bidder lined up. This guy even had the audacity to request that I not leave negative feedback, after he backed out of the deal and cost me money. Really, he's the very embodiment of a bad buyer.

I haven't decided about feedback yet, but I definitely will report him as a non paying bidder.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Fantasy Draft

I'm the commissioner for my Fantasy Football league this year (doesn't it all sound vaguely dirty?), and we had our draft last night. This was the fastest yet, and took a little over an hour, even though we're a 12 team league. We did a standard serpentine draft, and the lower the draft order, the lower your waiver number to start the season. Here is a report of the evening's activity:
Round 1
1 L. Johnson Kirk Reynold...
2 S. Alexander igavechewysy...
3 L. Tomlinson Jersey Jackoffs
4 T. Barber Joga Bonita
5 P. Manning The Hyper-Hypos
6 E. James Bow Down to ...
7 L. Fitzgerald team homer
8 R. Johnson It's On!!
9 C. Portis Zombie Robot...
10 L. Jordan Get Fly
11 S. Jackson When Lobster...
12 R. Brown Jackhammers
Round 2
1 W. Parker Jackhammers
2 C. Palmer When Lobster...
3 T. Brady Get Fly
4 C. Williams Zombie Robot...
5 S. Smith It's On!!
6 C. Johnson team homer
7 J. Jones Bow Down to ...
8 A. Gates The Hyper-Hypos
9 T. Holt Joga Bonita
10 W. McGahee Jersey Jackoffs
11 T. Owens igavechewysy...
12 J. Addai Kirk Reynold...
Round 3
1 R. Droughns Kirk Reynold...
2 B. Westbrook igavechewysy...
3 J. Delhomme Jersey Jackoffs
4 A. Boldin Joga Bonita
5 N. Rackers The Hyper-Hypos
6 M. Harrison Bow Down to ...
7 W. Dunn team homer
8 C. Chambers It's On!!
9 D. Davis Zombie Robot...
10 R. Bush Get Fly
11 Sa. Moss When Lobster...
12 J. Walker Jackhammers
Round 4
1 H. Ward Jackhammers
2 R. Moss When Lobster...
3 R. Wayne Get Fly
4 M. Hasselbeck Zombie Robot...
5 D. Foster It's On!!
6 D. McAllister team homer
7 T. Gonzalez Bow Down to ...
8 Chicago The Hyper-Hypos
9 C. Dillon Joga Bonita
10 Ro. Williams Jersey Jackoffs
11 E. Manning igavechewysy...
12 T. Heap Kirk Reynold...
Round 5
1 T. Houshmandzadeh Kirk Reynold...
2 D. Jackson igavechewysy...
3 P. Burress Jersey Jackoffs
4 D. Culpepper Joga Bonita
5 K. Jones The Hyper-Hypos
6 D. Brees Bow Down to ...
7 C. Taylor team homer
8 D. McNabb It's On!!
9 D. Mason Zombie Robot...
10 Ro. Smith Get Fly
11 M. Bell When Lobster...
12 K. Warner Jackhammers
Round 6
1 C. Cooley Jackhammers
2 J. Horn When Lobster...
3 D. Driver Get Fly
4 D. Branch Zombie Robot...
5 A. Crumpler It's On!!
6 S. McNair team homer
7 L. Evans Bow Down to ...
8 J. Galloway The Hyper-Hypos
9 C. Benson Joga Bonita
10 A. Green Jersey Jackoffs
11 J. Shockey igavechewysy...
12 T. Green Kirk Reynold...
Round 7
1 A. Johnson Kirk Reynold...
2 J. Lewis igavechewysy...
3 J. Witten Jersey Jackoffs
4 D. Bledsoe Joga Bonita
5 T. Bell The Hyper-Hypos
6 N. Burleson Bow Down to ...
7 K. Barlow team homer
8 E. Kennison It's On!!
9 D. Rhodes Zombie Robot...
10 R. McMichael Get Fly
11 A. Vinatieri When Lobster...
12 C. Brown Jackhammers
Round 8
1 K. McCardell Jackhammers
2 Washington When Lobster...
3 K. Johnson Get Fly
4 M. Muhammad Zombie Robot...
5 F. Gore It's On!!
6 H. Miller team homer
7 J. Plummer Bow Down to ...
8 F. Taylor The Hyper-Hypos
9 L. Smith Joga Bonita
10 L. Coles Jersey Jackoffs
11 Carolina igavechewysy...
12 New York Kirk Reynold...
Round 9
1 M. Vanderjagt Kirk Reynold...
2 M. Bulger igavechewysy...
3 J. Feely Jersey Jackoffs
4 Mi. Clayton Joga Bonita
5 R. Brown The Hyper-Hypos
6 D. Bennett Bow Down to ...
7 T. Glenn team homer
8 B. Leftwich It's On!!
9 D. Stallworth Zombie Robot...
10 S. Graham Get Fly
11 B. Watson When Lobster...
12 Seattle Jackhammers
Round 10
1 D. Akers Jackhammers
2 T. Jones When Lobster...
3 Pittsburgh Get Fly
4 B. Favre Zombie Robot...
5 L. Maroney It's On!!
6 Indianapolis team homer
7 L. White Bow Down to ...
8 B. Roethlisberger The Hyper-Hypos
9 Ma. Jones Joga Bonita
10 M. Moore Jersey Jackoffs
11 J. Elam igavechewysy...
12 Mi. Vick Kirk Reynold...
Round 11
1 R. Dayne Kirk Reynold...
2 T. Duckett igavechewysy...
3 Baltimore Jersey Jackoffs
4 V. Davis Joga Bonita
5 L. Betts The Hyper-Hypos
6 Cincinnati Bow Down to ...
7 P. Rivers team homer
8 D. Williams It's On!!
9 K. Winslow Zombie Robot...
10 M. Barber Get Fly
11 B. Lloyd When Lobster...
12 B. Volek Jackhammers
Round 12
1 M. Booker Jackhammers
2 Tampa Bay When Lobster...
3 M. Brunell Get Fly
4 J. Brown Zombie Robot...
5 Miami It's On!!
6 N. Kaeding team homer
7 J. Gaffney Bow Down to ...
8 J. Porter The Hyper-Hypos
9 J. Kasay Joga Bonita
10 I. Bruce Jersey Jackoffs
11 E. Moulds igavechewysy...
12 K. Curtis Kirk Reynold...
Round 13
1 M. Anderson Kirk Reynold...
2 A. Lelie igavechewysy...
3 J. Wilkins Jersey Jackoffs
4 Atlanta Joga Bonita
5 Da. Clark The Hyper-Hypos
6 C. Henry Bow Down to ...
7 B. Troupe team homer
8 L. Tynes It's On!!
9 Denver Zombie Robot...
10 New England Get Fly
11 C. Simms When Lobster...
12 M. Lewis Jackhammers

A couple of the guys really do their own thing (Neil Rackers went in the third round), and I really tried to focus on fundamentals. Two of my draft choices are questionable: 1) I picked Carnell Williams in the second round, over Stephen Smith. Mine was the safer pick, especially now that Smith has Keyshawn to balance the Carolina receiving corps. Still, he was so stellar last year, and Carnell has significant injury problems, that I really could have gone either way. 2) I probably wouldn't have drafted Deion Branch until later if I'd known he was given permission to seek a trade earlier yesterday. I had my settings wrong, so the computer launched my pick before I could check for recent news.

Overall my later picks have great potential. Players like Muhsim Muhammed and Kellen Winslow didn't do much last year, but have obvious talent and could explode this year. I'm very pleased to have snagged Brett Favre for my #2 QB. Only two years ago he would have gone in the third round; if he can get his act together in a way that approaches his past glory, he was a steal in the 10th round. Alternately, if he falls behind consistently and keeps slinging the ball, that would be okay too.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Honeymoon pictures!

The First Wave of honeymoon pictures are up on Shutterfly.com. Anyone should be able to click the link and view our day at the volcano.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Joshua A Norton

Joshua A Norton was a supremely interesting figure who lived in San Francisco in the 19th century. One anectodte specifically caught my eye:
During the 1860s and 1870s there were a number of anti-Chinese demonstrations in the poorer districts of San Francisco, and ugly and fatal riots broke out on several occasions. During one such incident, Norton is alleged to have positioned himself between the rioters and their Chinese targets, and with a bowed head began to recite the Lord's Prayer repeatedly. Shamed, the rioters dispersed without incident.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Gaming gone adult

I'm not a true gamer geek. My tastes run in the comics and video game direction. Still, I have great sympathy and more than a passing interest in the activities of my paper gaming cousins.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think I like it.

Cars and Motorcycles, Robots and Mechs


Driving a car is a little like piloting a Battletech Mech. Lots of armor, lots of protection. There are ways to hurt yourself, but the human part is largely divorced from the outside world.

Mechs are BIG, powerful and a little ungainly.








Driving a motorcycle is more like piloting Tony Stark's Ultimate Iron Man Suit:

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Wedding

Making the seating chart for the wedding is fun.

Mutant hunter or multi functional vibrator?


Rabbit Habbit!



Nimrod!

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

David Hasselhoff is God

It speaks for itself. Play the video and see God.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

New tour visits the subcultures of old Seattle

This is really neat. The folks who run Seattle's Underground City tour are trialing a tour of Seattle's seedy and subversive history. I hope I can find time to go.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Many directions, some good

  1. New motorcycle
  2. 4th of July / neighborhood fireworks / two 'Mondays'
  3. small claims court
  4. second job interview
  5. waiting for word re: new job
  6. condo association project planning
  7. condo meeting planning
  8. wedding is around twenty days away
  9. gave blood a couple days ago, and I'm still feeling 'drained'
  10. some jackass on half.com ripped me off, so I've started a dispute
  11. cash flow is tight (see 1 & 8)
  12. my knee is still sore
  13. the damned cat is itchy and should go to the vet

It's all a bit much.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Lean Blogs

I've found a few really good blogs that concern themselves almost entirely with Lean:

http://www.dailykaizen.org/ - is written by lean consultants who work for Group Health Cooperative here in Seattle.

http://www.gembapantarei.com/ - this is probably my favorite. This consulting group is also based in Seattle.

http://kanban.blogspot.com/ - this blog is a little less formal than the others and provides a wider variety of topics.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Motorcycle

I've riden about 18 miles on my new motorcycle. Two rides, no crashes, I call that a good start.

I still am working on remembering to cancel my turn signal, and I'm having a rough time with the gears at the beginning of the ride. I'm not sure if it's because the engine is cold, or if it's my own ability, or if it's a little of each. Maybe I'm accidentally shifting into neutral.

I'm getting better at starting and stopping and all that stuff.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Thirty-one days

Thirty one days until the wedding. We had our first of three dance lessons on Monday. We're grinding away at the music selections, the RSVP's are rolling in. There seems to be an alarming number of non-responses so far, but I've heard this is normal. A fair number we can guess at, since they're close friends.

I plan to get fitted for my Tux tonight.

I need to finish shopping for my groomsmen!

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Other runs

I've been on two runs since my last 'run' post. One was on Sunday, the other today. Both went well. My knee was a little sore after my Sunday run, but today, so far so good.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Steel Battalion

I totally can't afford it, but I've ordered Steel Battalion on Half.com.

It comes with a special controller that you sit in. How could I resist?

Friday, June 23, 2006

Today's run

Little longer, probably 3.5 milesish

No knee pain.

Avoided sidewalks, did a lot of path running, and I wore my brace and stretched thoroughly.

Cool.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Minor injury

My knee has been acting up for a couple of months, and not in the usual way. Before, it only ached when I ran too many hills, or overdid some other way. I've learned that it's best not to increase frequency, speed and distance all at the same time.

Lately my right knee's been sore even after relatively short and slow runs, even when I'm not overdoing it whatsoever.

I went to the doctor yesterday and learned that I have Runner's Knee. Thankfully, it isn't major, and I can keep running while I do exercises to strengthen my interior quad, which will, in turn, keep my kneecap in the right place. I'm also wearing my brace with every run, and keeping my distance steady, and avoiding hard surfaces when I can.

Grass is softer than the road. The road is softer than the sidewalk. I didn't know that last one before.

Today's run was good. I ran to the I90 overpass, wore my brace, didn't go too fast, avoided the sidewalk when I could, and I feel good. I also stretched my anterior muscles (hamstrings and calves) before and after.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Wedding Honeydo List

disclaimer: not necessarily exhaustive


Things for you to do:

-order keg (half)
-arrange for dance classes (I'd prefer Monday, Wed, or Thursday nights
if a
weekday)
-get fitted for tux
-ask your father if he wants to wear a tux
-order ice cream cake
-check in with Christie re: attendance and boys' attire
-seating chart
-gifts for your attendants

Things that would be easier with a car:

-TJ's run for white wine and bubbly
-Safeway run for red wine (on sale until the end of June)


Things on the general/both of us list:

-Display/Costume for tiaras, medals, ribbons
-University Village for AV cord for iPod
-New Holly for testing iPod and timing processionals
-program details
-quiz questions
-meeting with Donovan (caterer)
-meeting with Rob (photographer)


Other major bits:
-wedding license (must get before Wed of Wedding Week)
-banquet permit (before Monday of Wedding Week)
-New Holly payment (Monday of Wedding Week)
-rental pickup (Wed of Wedding Week, I believe)

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Lesson for the day

When working with a partnered duo, the two individuals are not interchangeable, even if they tell you that they are. It's best to work with both at all times, or with the same one of the pair. Otherwise expect to repeat yourself because invaribly they will miscommuniate your message to one another.

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Neat things:

pirates
monkeys
zombies
robots
dogs
cats
leprechauns
elves
dwarves
hobbits
drag queens
porn stars
soldiers
wizards
wiccans
orcs
jedi
vikings
knights
gladiators
clowns
mimes
lions
tigers
bears
super heroes
models
hillbillys
pilots
strangers
lesbians
spies
cops
robbers
cowboys
indians
nazis
cavalry
drunks
hobos
dragons
albinos
orphans
ninjas
samurai
leather daddies
fishermen
masons
kings
queens
princesses

Saturday, April 29, 2006

New Music List

Here's the updated list, with Nora and my requests combined:

1999 Prince
A Sunday Kind of Love Etta James Her Best (1997)
All I Need Is You Kenny Rogers we like cheeeeeeeeeze, oh yes we do
All You Need Is Love Beatles Not sure about this one.
Always On My Mind Elvis Presley Chad's List
Always and Forever Luther Vandross
At Last Etta James Her Best (1997)
Baby Lets Play House various Doo Wop (the Extraordinaires)
Baby Love The Supremes
Blue Moon lots.
Blueberry Hill Fats Domino Good one! My Mom will love it.
Brickbat Billy Bragg
Bumble Bee Dusty 45s
Can't Fight This Feeling REO Speedwagon Hmmm...
Chapel of Love The Dixie Cups silly fun.
Crazy Patsy Cline / Willie Nelson Chad's List
Crazy For You Madonna
Crazy Little Thing Called Love Queen The Game cool rockabilly vibe too!
Daddy's Home Shep & The Limelites
Dancing Queen ABBA FUN!
Dedicated To The One I Love The Shirelles I love, love, LOVE this
one!!
Who put it on?
Dream Lover Bobby Darin
Earth Angel The Penguins
Everlong Foo Fighters
Every Rose Has Its Thorn Poison Chad song
Everything Jody Watley
Fire and Desire Rick James
Fly Robin Fly Silver Convection
Friends In Low Places Garth Brooks Chad's List
Funky Town Lipps
Groove Is In The Hea-art Deee-lite 1...2...3....
He's So Fine The Chiffons
Heaven Psychedelic Furs
Hey Yah Outkast Chad's List
Honky Tonk Girls Hank Williams III
How Lucky Can One Guy Be Indigo Swing
I Can't Help Falling In Love With You Elvis Excellent
I Feel Good James Brown
I Just Called To Say I Love You Stevie Wonder This may be too much.
I Knew The Bride When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll Nils Lofgren
I Walk The Line Johnny Cash Chad's List
I Want To Hold Your Hand The Beatles Excellent.
I Want to Know What Love Is Foreigner Perfect cheese.
I Will Always Love You Dolly Parton and Vince Gill (1995 version)
Chad's
List
I'm Yours Elvis
Ice Cream Sarah MacLachlan FTE Groovy.
In The Still Of The Night Five Satins
Innamorata Dean Martin
Is This Love? Whitesnake HAH!
La Bamba Richie Valens
Learning to Fly Tom Petty Chad's List
Let's Dance David Bowie
Let's Do It Cole Porter
Let's Have a Party Wanda Jackson
Like to Get to Know You Well Howard Jones
Louie Louie The Kingsmen Chad's List
Louie Louie someone other than The Kingsmen Chad's List
Love Found Me The Bellfuries
Love Hurts Nazareth Chad's list
Love Plus One Haircut 100
Love Stinks J. Geils Band Chad's list
Love Struck Hush
Love You Madly Cake
Lovesong Cure Disintegration
Luckenbach, Texas Waylon Jennings Ultimate Waylon Jennings
Lush Life John Coltrane / Hartman
Milkman of Human Kindness Billy Bragg
Mirror In The Bathroom English Beat
Misty Sarah Vaughn / Ella Fitzgerald Essential-Great Songs (1992) /
Pure
Ella (1998) um, who didn't do it?
Moon River Henry Mancini
Muskrat Love Amos Lee (among others)
My Girl The Temptations
Never Gonna Give You Up Rick Astley
Never Tear Us Apart INXS Kick I had to do it! ;p
One For My Baby Frank Sinatra Chad's List
Only the Lonely Roy Orbison Chad's List
Orbit of Me Delerium Chimera
Our Love Is Here To Stay Cole Porter the Ella version, of course
Play That Funky Mysic Wild Cherry
Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls Book of Love
Rainbow Connection Kermit The Frog
Red Red Wine UB40 Of course.
Ring My Bell Anita Ward
Ring Of Fire Johnny Cash Chad's List
Rock Lobster B-52s
Running Down a Dream Tom Petty Chad's List
S' Wonderful Fred Astaire
Satisfaction Rolling Stones Chad's List
Save The Last Dance For Me The Drifters Perfect.
Savin' My Love Wanda Jackson
Seven Shells in my Six Gun Fred Eaglesmith
She Loves You Beatles
Shotgun Junior Walker & The Allstars
Show Me Love Robin S
Spanish Harlem Ben E. King
Spark of My Life Mighty Blue Kings
Sparks Coldplay X&Y
Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin Chad's List
Stand By Me Ben E. King
Strange Currencies REM Monster
Summertime Billie Holiday
Take It To The Chapel The Bellfuries
Take My Breath Away Berlin
Take Your Time SOS Band
Tenderness General Public
Thank You Dido No Angel
The Air That I Breathe K. D. Lang
The Bare Necessities Phil Harris
The Best Is Yet To Come Tony Bennet
The Devil Went Down To Georgia Charlie Daniels Chad's List
The Gambler Kenny Rogers Chad's list
The Loco-Motion Little Eva
The Look of Love Diana Krall
The Sign Ace of Base GAWD. Good one, though.
There Goes My Baby The Drifters
There is a Light That Never Goes Out The Smiths
There's A Moon Out Tonight The Capris
True Spandau Ballet
Twist and Shout the Beatles Chad's List
Unforgettable Nat King Cole
Venus Frankie Avalon
Volare Frank Sinatra
Waiting For Somebody Paul Westerberg Chad's List
Wedding Song Bob Dylan Chad's List
When You're Smiling Frank Sinatra
White Wedding Billy Idol unavoidable.
Wishing Well Terrence Trent d'Arby
Witchcraft Edwyn Collins
Wonderful Annie Lennox Bare
Wonderful World (Don't Know Much) Sam Cooke Chad's List
World In My Eyes Depeche Mode
YMCA The Village People
You've Really Got A Hold On Me The Miracles

Monday, April 24, 2006

Wedding Songs addendum

Every Rose has its Thorn Poison
The Gambler Kenny Rogers

Wedding Songs addendum

Every Rose has its Thorn Poison
The Gambler Kenny Rogers

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Bachelor party

This will happen on July 26th, the Wednesday before the wedding.

I don't plan on driving at all. That goes without saying, I think.

There must be at least one stripper. I would really prefer a two girl show.

Since the naked girls part only lasts around an hour, there will be plenty of time for misc drinking and party games.

I better get the groomsmen started on the planning!

Wedding Update

Repeat of Men's Wearhouse info:

Group's Number is 853954

Our fitting deadline is 7/13/06

Our pick up date is 7/25/06


The song list is evolving. I think I'm around 72 minutes. Probably with Nora's ideas, we'll be pretty close.

Ironic Songs
Love Stinks J Geils Band
Love Hurts Nazareth
Satisfaction Rolling Stones
Only the Lonely Roy Orbison
Crazy Patsy Cline / Willie Nelson
Always on My Mind Elvis Presley
I Will Always Love You Dollie Parton & Vince Gill - (1995 version)
One For My Baby Frank Sinatra

Nice Songs
Running Down a Dream Tom Petty
Learning to Fly Tom Petty
Ring of Fire Johnny Cash
I Walk the Line Johnny Cash
Waiting for Somebody Paul Westerberg
Wonderful World (Don't Know Much) Sam Cooke
Wedding Song Bob Dylan

Fun Songs
YMCA Village People
Hey Yah Outkast
Louie Louie Kingsmen
Louie Louie - somebody else
Twist and Shout Beatles
Friends in Low Places Garth Brooks
The Devil Went Down to Georgia Charlie Daniels
Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin

Songs I'm Not Inclined to Play on our Wedding Day
Every Breath You Take
Everything I Do Bryan Adams
Free Fallin' Tom Petty
Macarena
Hey Jude
anything by Meat Loaf
Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
Unchained Meldoy Righteous Brothers

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Geneva Convention takes issue with in-game power-ups

In one of the more bizarre news items that came out in the week I was away, the Canadian Red Cross has taken umbrage with the red cross emblem that emblazons in-game power ups of many first person shooters and action adventures. From an interview with the Red Cross' head of international law from GamesIndustry.biz:

"We would be willing to work with a videogame manufacturer to produce a game which shows the emblem in its correct use, as a symbol of protection during armed conflict, and where the player is rewarded for using the emblem correctly. Such a game could reward the player for respecting the rules of war and thereby, help the Red Cross Movement with its work to promote such respect," Meyer continued.

According to the humanitarian organisation, using its emblem in a combat situation violates a part of the Geneva Convention.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Super Bowl post mortem

Most of the following was written a few hours after Sunday's game:

Pittsburgh deserved the win, but, it was closer than the score indicated.

The Jackson push off was a bad call. Both players had equal contact both ways, and none of it affected the play.

I think Ben did get into the endzone, by a hair's breath.

The holding penalty that brought back the Jerramy Stevens 1st and Goal was bullshit. But if Stevens had caught the passes he shoulda caught, the game also would have been different.

The Randle El / Hines Ward gadget play took advantage of Etric Pruitt, who was playing for the injured Marquand Manuel. If Pruitt had stayed in coverage instead of biting on the trick, he likely would have broken that pass. Excellent play calling by Pittsburgh.

Shaun Alexander can't catch. We knew that. He had a pretty good game overall though.

The time management issue is interesting, I suppose. At the end of the first half, Hasselbeck was audibling out of a bad play. That burned time. Pittsburgh wisely realized Seattle had made adjustments and called a timeout. I suppose the Alexander run seemed odd, but it was also unexpected and gained decent yardage.

They did fall apart a little at the end because they needed two scores and had no time.

Field position / defensive struggles often seem boring to a lot of people.

*sigh*At least it wasn't embarrasing, and it leaves hope for next year. Hopefully they can buck the recent trend of losing Super Bowl teams having losing seasons.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Project

I've been working on a large project for several weeks. We need to order several large carts for the new building, and the lead time is about 5 weeks. We are now very close to the drop dead order date, and are scrambling to meet with the vendor and send the order.

For weeks I've been immersed in a series of meetings regarding the contents of these carts. The assumption was that we needed to know what would go in them before we could order them.

But really, that was a false assumption. We aren't really using that information to determine the type of cart to purchase. We already had a ballpark idea of how many supplies the carts would hold, and we had access to the space and could find out how large a space the carts have to live in.

The lesson learned is to challenge dependencies. Are they perceived or real? We could have ordered those damned carts a month ago, and that would have freed up a lot of our energy and given us time to prepare the carts prior to move in. Now we're going to be up against it. We already are up against it.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Something I did last spring.

The numbers have changed as time passed, and the formatting didn't work well, but this is still interesting and relevant.

U.S. Military Fatalities in Iraq since 3/03 1,764 http://icasualties.org/oif/
New York, 9/11 2,985 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11,_2001_attacks
Trail of Tears 4,000
Bosnian Genocide 8,000
AIDS deaths, 2004; Middle East and North Africa: 12,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aids
AIDS deaths, 2004; North America, Western and Central Europe 15,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aids
Iraqi Civilian Deaths since 1/03 22,850 http://www.iraqbodycount.net/
Sumatra-Andaman earthquake 240,000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
AIDS deaths, 2004; Asia 350,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aids
Rwandan Genocide 937,000
AIDS deaths, 2004; Sub-Saharan Africa 2,100,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aids
The Holocaust 11,000,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust
AIDS Deaths since 1981 23,000,000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aids


Saturday, January 21, 2006

NFC Championship

I believe Carolina will get two Steve Smith Touchdowns; they will also sneak in either a running TD or a field goal. The Seahawks, therefore need to score more than 17 or 21 points if they are to win. While this is not guaranteed, I believe they'll pull it off and go to Detroit in two weeks.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Limits of Constitution

I've discovered that a few months of continuous stress (work related, combined with holidays, combined with a few other things), plus screaming my lungs out as the Seahawks won their first playoff game in two decades, plus travel, plus drinking at game and while travelling, equals waking up with a 101 degree fever on Wednesday.

I didn't mind taking the eight count, and hanging around for a day with a fever is a little novel in my life. The fever broke during the night, so I returned to work on Thursday.

That doesn't mean I'm well, of course. I have throat / chest congestion, and all the herbal tea I've been drinking has given me heart burn.

I will likely chance an alcoholic beverage tonight, since it is Friday. As soon as I felt it creeping up on Tuesday, I've abstained completely from alcohol, and I'm a person who likes something tasty with dinner, and often after dinner.

I actually had a small fever of 98.7 this morning. Believe it or not, that counts, since I tend to run in the 97 range. Work is at a point where I really need to be there, so I went. If it had been a different circumstance, I would have begged off. Over the next two months, however, 98.7 will not be sufficient.