Friday, December 26, 2008

Enough Already!

I'm done....

We have now had snow for almost two weeks and I am ready for it to go away. It is seriously getting on my nerves now...

If the temperature would stay constantly below freezing I wolud be loving it, but the last two days it has been around 35. The once nice light dry snow is now the consistency of wet cement. ...and just about as heavy.

The neighborhood road is packed about ten inches thick, higher than the sidewalks, with ruts where people have spun their tires to the asphalt. Coming back from the gocery store there was a fella in a minivan stuck at the corner so I had to stop. Five minutes later when he decided to back out, he almost slid into me so I had to back into some deep snow to get some clearance. This, just about got me stuck. I had to use all the tricks in the book short of a shovel to get the RDX to the driveway. With the deep ruts I think it is starting to float on its belly so it doesn't get all its weight on the ground. I need to remember to throw my avalanche show shovel in the back next time I venture out.

Since the snow was melting today, I cleaned the entire driveway clean. then guess what happened. It snowed two more inches of concrete.

With all this 'global warming' I think I may invest in a snow blade for the truck.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Seattle Sports

Carrie email me an interesting article on Seattle Sports today.

The Worst Year Ever
Think the last 12 months were rough? It could be worse. You could be a sports fan in Seattle.


It tells the story of how miserable a sports year can be...








Has any city ever endured a year in sports like the one the Emerald City is just completing? A 101-loss, last-place baseball season, despite a payroll of $117 million; a 62-loss, last-place NBA season; a 12-loss, last-place college football season (the first 0-12 season in the history of the Pac-10); an 11-loss (and counting) NFL season; four coaching/managerial changes; one general manager dismissal; and, of course, the hijacking of its basketball team to Oklahoma @$&%ing City. Sure, other cities have lost their teams or endured epic losing seasons, but for it all to happen in one calendar year? To end December without a single head coach or manager who was employed in January returning for the next year?


It's really quite amazing when you think about it... I think the Seahawks are the biggest surprise. Their bizarre flurry of injuries, especially to the receivers, and their drop in wins makes me wonder what kind of bad karma has come over this city.

One of the coolest thing about last Sundays game in the snow, other than the weather (pun intended), was the fact that the stadium was still packed for a 3-11 team that is going nowhere this year. If you didn't know any better you'd think the Hawks were playing for a playoff spot, the crown still brought the noise.

Don't feel sorry for me though. I take it all in stride. Sure, I'd love for all the teams to win every game. But I thing a year like this is good. It is galvanizing, a sports fans 'thinning of the herd'.

One of my least favorite this is the fan that thinks he can run the team better than the people that are paid to do it. You know the guy... Constantly second guessing the coaches play calling, bitching about draft picks, tackling, this and that. "Fire the coach"
"The GM has to go"
And on and on.
These people ruin the game experience for me. I watch football for entertainment, not to listen to people moaning about this and that. Like I've said before, if my team wins, my day is better, if they lose, no change. I don't take it that seriously, because it is just entertainment.

I noticed that by the end of the year, 'that guy', wasn't coming to the games anymore. He gave up his tickets to people that just wanted to see a football game... It was quite pleasant in the stands. We just enjoyed the game that was played in front of us. No distractions. Refreshing.

My favorite quote from the article...
Anyone can show support when the team is winning. The mark of true fans is showing support when their teams are losing.


Merry Christmas everyone!

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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Snow Game!!!



Edit: More Pics!


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Whole Chicken

I am now a huge fan of buying whole chickens... It's really easy to do and it is fantastic!

I started with a Jaime Oliver recipe from his first book "The Naked Chef". I had to improvise a bit as I didn't have the stuff to do it identically, but hey, that is the fun of cooking... When it works! (this did)



After rinsing and drying the chicken, I rubbed the insides with salt, and stuffed it with a lemon (halved) and some rosemary and bay leaves. I made pockets between the breast and skin and put various spices and some olive oil in there. On the outside I rubbed olive oil and some more spices. Cooked it for and hour plus ten and it was finished. Honestly some of the best chicken I have had!

The beauty is, for less than we pay for the two trimmed breasts, I get two meals out of the thing, and I can make a homemade stock out of the carcass.

Don't be afraid of the skin and the nasty bits, the end result is well worth it!

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Saturday, December 20, 2008

More Snow!


2-3 inches of snow have fallen since my last post, and it is still going pretty steady. My nice clear shoveled driveway needs to be done again.

Carrie and I are going to the Hawks game tomorrow, but instead driving in to downtown, we are going to take the train to the game. The transportation geek inside of me is pretty excited. The ride should be pretty with the snow and the waterfront... It just isn't worth messing with Seattle's hills in the snow. Sure we are insured, but it isn't worth the hassle. We might even start a new game day tradition!

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Snow Boots

Just ordered up some boots for Clyde the dog. We got these from Ruff Wear.




You are probably thinking that I am nuts, why would you pay $60 on a pair of shoes for a dog?

The reasons are threefold.

  • snow/ice
  • hiking trails
  • broken glass

Clyde has some pretty tough feet, but I want to take him out hiking a few times next year. One of my nightmares is being a few miles out and having him lay down because his feet are beat up. There is no way I could carry the guy for very far. These will help a great deal with that fear.

The snow is a no-brainer. I make a couple of bare handed snow-balls and I am done. He goes for a half hour walk on it... He doesn't complain, but I am pretty sure it isn't great for him. I'm just giving him an extra edge.

Pretty amazing when you think about it, dogs walking around in all conditions barefoot. Us humans with the advent of shoes have pussified our feet.

We'll be sure to shoot video when we put them on for the first time... I hear it can be pretty hilarious!

BTW, it is snowing again. We may just be able to have a white Christmas this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

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Friday, December 19, 2008

Brrrrrr......

Well, it is still cold here in Sea-Town. A winter wonderland. I don't think that the temperature cracked thirty all day.


This is looking down the street from my house. Apparently people forget how to park when everything is white. Yesterday, some bonehead from down the street went around the corner too fast and skidded up over the sidewalk where that Volvo is parked. If you zoom in you can see his skid marks.

The roads are pretty brutal. Carrie and I drove to the supermarket in the RDX (It has AWD) and at the stoplight before a main road, it was glare ice. All the anti-lock in the world does nothing if there is no traction to be had. The RDX wasn't gonna stop and traffic was coming. I made a split second decision and decided to go. We made it just fine.


Here are the Christmas lights. I love Christmas lights in the snow!

This year I went with the LED lights. I am not too big of a fan of the White C9's lining the roof line. Their color is too cold for me, I think of florescent lights in an office when I see them. I love the multi's on the three trees. I am going to use more of them next year.

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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Winter Wonderland



Yay! It has snowed! Clyde is ecstatic/annoying as all he wants to do is go out and play. Constantly.

We learned a long time ago not to leave Clyde's outdoor toys on the porch. Balls, sticks, squirrels... When the toys are visible to him he will paw at the sliding door and whine, wanting to be let out. Snow is one great big toy for him. As I am typing this, he is by my side whining.

As you can see from the picture we have been out in it already. He likes to run around with his nose in it. No yellow snow on the porch yet!

Last night before the snow started Carrie and I went downtown for my birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. While I often complain about the downfalls of a birthday so close to Christmas, there is one huge plus to its timing. It is a wonderful festive time. The decorations, the music, everything is a little more special at this time of the year.

We had a fantastic dinner, the whole time with the jazzy Christmas music that is my favorite in the background. When we came out to collect the car from the valet, it was snowing pretty decent. Carrie drove (two martinis, a glass of wine, and a scotch with dessert took me out of the running...) us to Olympic Manor, a neighbor hood that goes all out with lights. Christmas music was playing on the XM, and snow was on the ground, a literal icing on the whole scene. I love it!

If I was born in July there would be none of this. Yes, there is the Fourth, but that is nothing compared to the juggernaut that we call the Christmas season.

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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Simple Pleasures

So I have been doing ten hour days at work again, going to work in the dark, driving home in the dark... Can be a bit depressing.

Thursday I was getting on I-5 to head home on an on-ramp where they have two lanes with the stoplights to let you on the freeway. The lights were going green-green almost in sync (other lane first) so it was like a drag race for the hole shot. I normally don't launch at these things anymore, but I had Captain Impatient lining up next to me.

Sure enough, we get our turn and Captain Impatient is anticipating the light, lurching multiple times until his back wheels are past the line, but still no green for him. Usually guys like that just go, but at least he was still waiting for green. His light was still red when I got my green. I barked the tires and roared off, laughing.

It made my evening, I laughed about it for a good part of my trip home. Simple pleasures.

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Sunday, December 07, 2008

Christmas Tree



'Charger Girl' asked, charger girl received.

Here is our Christmas tree this year. Been up for a week and the beast (Clyde) has yet to touch it.

That's good news, I don't need to be cleaning up any sparkly poops this year...

BTW, That is a 'fake' pre-lit tree, I love it. Pull it out of the box, plug it in, no fire/squirrel hazard. Plus, it is 'green', no trees were harmed.

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Roofs

It is absolutely pouring outside right now and Carrie and I aren't going to the Seahawks game.

The reasons we aren't going is three fold...


  1. The Hawks have nothing to play for, and quite frankly they aren't that good this year.
  2. Arguably the two best players (Matt Hasselbeck, Walter Jones) are not playing because of injuries.
  3. It's raining and cold.



If any of those factors were different, I'd be there. I enjoy watching football, even when my team isn't doing well. Like I have said many times, if the Hawks win, it is a net positive in my mood, if they lose, no change. That takes care of the first two.

The problem is the last one.



I enjoy being in the cold and rain... ...when I am doing an activity the ups my mood. Say fishing, taking the dog for a walk, even camping. I am a Seattlite with a few years in Alaska thrown in. We have all the right gear too. It's just watching a game with those other two conditions thrown in means there is fairly high chance that nothing good will happen. I can stay dry and warm, watch the game on my HD big screen, save some cash, and gain the extra two hours back that it takes to get to and from the game.

This is why they put roofs on stadiums.

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Saturday, December 06, 2008

My Head...

Sipping a cup of joe, nursing a headache this morning...

Spent last evening at the Winter Beer Fest with a few beer-buddies. A neat event, lots of good beers were tasted. A lot! I really enjoyed the smoother "woolly sweater by the fireplace" beers. My favorite beer was the 2007 Industrial Ho!Ho! from Diamond Knot Brewery. It was aged for a year with bourbon-aged oak chips. Fantastic!

I'm thinking that I need to change my strategy as to how I attack these festivals. Last night we basically attacked the thing like a bunch of twenty year old that just got the legal right to drink. I think in future beer fests I would like to go with a plan and a limit, and then retire to a nice eatery and discuss. That way I won't be a zombie when I am dropped off at my house at the end of the evening. I also think that I am going to join Washington Beer Lovers and go to more events than just three a year. This way I won't feel the need to binge on the fantastic nectar that Washington micro-breweries produce.

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Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Freakin' Rock!



Hot damn! That freakin' rocks.... I hear Hum will be playing a reunion show on the new years this year, I'd sure love to be there. Probably my favorite during my formative years, many hours were spent with this on 10 in the old GTI. Sniff, memories...

Edit... More! This time Engine Kid.


To bad the sound is a bit off in this video, epic stuff.

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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

And Now, Something Completely Different...

C.H.iP.'s! Yeah!



Whole episodes over at Sling.com. Bitch-in!

If C.H.iP.'s isn't up your alley, there are plenty more shows to choose from over there... Didn't spend too much time looking around because I was drawn directly to Seven Mary 3 & 4, but it look like an aggregator of sites like FOX and Hulu.com. Very cool to be able to see some of the shows that I grew up on.

Jeff... No luck so far finding 'THE' episode, but I am keeping my eyes out...

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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Beware the Church of Climate Alarm

A while back, a friend referred to me as "the guy that doesn't believe in Global Warming™". This kinda hurt coming from a friend, I felt it was belittling, kind of like them saying, "hey, look at Mike, he's stoopid". (I spelled stupid wrong on purpose...) I forgot about it until I read this article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Beware the Church of Climate Alarm

In regards to the religion of Global Warming™, I realize that no, I don't believe in it. I'm now fine with that, just preface it with the 'religion of' or say it in front of me so I can defend my thoughts.

What I believe, is that the earth is constantly in flux. There are many variables that affect it. I believe that we humans do have a part in it, just infinitely smaller than some want us to believe.

I believe that carbon dioxide is not a poison. Sure, if you put me in a box with no air and just carbon dioxide, I will asphyxiate and die, but last time I checked, the same happens with water... CO2 doesn't kill you because it's CO2, you die because you aren't getting oxygen. See the 1986 Lake Nyos disaster. BTW, plants love CO2.

Contrary to what the followers of Global Warming™ want you to believe about us 'non-believers', I do think we need to continue to push to be 'green', to lesson our impact on the earth. I'm all for efficient transportation, recycling, and etc. I just think it is a mistake to cram it down our throats.

Regarding transportation I am not a fan of 'hybrids' just yet. I've yet to be convinced that the batteries are good for safety/environment/resale. I'm am a big fan of diesel. VW and others are getting great mileage out their diesels, rivaling hybrid cars. If you figure in a non-stop and go commute like I am able to have in the morning, and they surpass a hybrid. And no high voltage batteries adding weight, voltage, and nasty chemicals.

What really excites me about diesel is bio-diesel, specifically bio-diesel from algae. In simple terms, you can grow algae in saltwater, no de-salination needed, feeding it fertilizer runoff from farms, even human waste (poop). As it can be mixed in with your standard crude-based diesel, the infrastructure to distribute the stuff is pretty much there (gas stations). Theoretically with continued development of vehicle efficiency and bio-diesel production the US could "grow" all its fuel... Greater minds are working on it.

Back the the Sydney Morning Herald article, two of the most interesting bits to me were these....

There was much more but essentially Plimer's message is that the idea humans cause climate change has become a fundamentalist religion which is corrupting science. It is embedded with a fear of nature and embraced principally by city people who have lost touch with nature.


It is difficult for non-scientists to engage in the debate over what causes climate change and whether or not it can be stopped by new taxes and slower growth, because dissenting voices are shouted down by true believers in the scientific community who claim they alone have the authority to speak.


You heard it when hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans in 2005... We had ton of named storms that year and people screamed that Global Warming™ causes more storms! Because there were more big Atlantic storms that year than in many previous seasons it had to be true, right? Compare 2005 to 2006 and 2007...

I think Global Warming™ is just the replacement for the Y2K paranoia. Yes, precautions need to be taken but it isn't quite the 'emergency' that some want us to believe. Global Warming™ is just a ploy to gain power over us.

My vote for the next big issue... Pirates. Many think modern piracy on the high seas only recently started. It is just the new sexy story.

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Fried Turkey Report

I was successful in not burning down the house. ...And the turkey didn't turn out half bad either!

We had some anxiety though. The fryer that I bought is a 'safety' fryer. It has a few features to prevent you from maiming yourself, and house fires. The good was the flared top section to prevent overflows and the high cradle that hugs the pot so it is basically one piece with the burner. The bad was the safety control that was supposed to shut the burner down if the oil got in the range of 300°-390°. The turkey is cooked at 350°. Great idea, poorly implemented. Mine shut off at 300°. The first time it happened it almost gave me a heart attack. Some fiddling and it came back on (it has a pilot light). The second time, my heart raced, again some fiddling and it was back on. The third time and many following we let it do it's thing, and it kept the oil at 300°.

Because of this temperature issue we gave the turkey a little more time to make sure it was done. This was a mistake as the turkey was a bit overdone. Thankfully not 'Christmas Vacation overdone', it was still good, just a bit dry for my tastes. My guess is that the sensor on the burner wasn't off as much as the cheap thermometer that came with the thing was. I'm boiling a pot of water as I type (multifunctional) to see what it says. We'll probably fry another turkey next weekend at its prescribed time and it should be perfect.

All in all I give the process of frying a turkey a thumbs up. The big positive, in my opinion, is that it gives the men that primal 'stand around the campfire with a beer in hand' time. All you men reading this know what I mean, the women are probably just rolling their eyes.

This just in... The thermometer does read low by around 10° at 212°.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

At the moment I am high on orange cinnamon rolls and coffee with the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on in the background. We are hosting both families this year because the Hawks are playing and we have a great football viewing room.

Today we are breaking from the usual and going to ceremoniously boil a turkey in oil. I plan to fill the pot to the brim with Castrol 10w-30, crank the burner to 11, and once the oil is to it's flash-point drop the bird in with a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sky hook.

Seriously.

Seriously, when we bought the fryer I also picked up two fire extinguishers. One smaller kitchen model, and one large industrial type for the garage. That one is rechargeable so it isn't a throw-away after my first turkey fry. I don't want to burn down my house, easily in the top five of things that I am thankful for. The other four are my wife, family, friends, and dog.

Regarding the dog, I am now off to the dog park to tire the big guy out before we have a group of 9 over at the house.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Mike

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Sandbox


Metal Heart from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

More tilt-shift fun from the guy that gave us this

Carrie... A good gift idea for Mike....

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Video Game Used to Train Amputees to Use Artificial Limbs

Very cool stuff... Researchers are using Guitar Hero to motivate patients in the process of calibrating artificial limbs. It is used not only to make the process more interesting and engaging for the patient, it also gives better results. In the game of Guitar Hero a player has to hit specific keys (frets) in time with a song. As you can see in this video, it can be pretty intensive. For the patients they wire up electrodes to them and analyze the signals from the remaining muscles. Instead of long days responding to commands like "open ring finger" they can rock out to Rush old skool style.

I love it when people think outside of "the box" and come up with stuff like this. Who says video games are bad for you?

[h/t Kotaku]

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Test Post

Hey y'all! I'm standing here in the produce section as Carrie runs around filling the cart for our Thanksgiving extravaganza.

Edit: I accidentally hit send on the phone when I was typing that and wasn't able to finish. The reason I was just standing there was I was on purse-security duty... Carrie was on a mission and all I would do was slow her down (that's my story, and I'm sticking too it.)


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Monday, November 17, 2008

The Beautiful People

It is common knowledge that television is generally horrible for our self-esteem. You hardly ever see a 'normal' everyday person, it is always the 'perfect' person. One giant marketing boob-tube and we are all the lemmings. It suckers us into the latest fashions, hair care products, make-up, etc, making us think that if we buy it, be happy. When that fails to work, the pharmaceutical companies jump in with their ads for the latest drug to solve all our problems (may cause diarrhea).

I have been simmering over this for years, but finally last night something Carrie pointed out something to me that put me over the edge. During a lull in a football game the camera panned the crowd and focused in on a dude so good looking, he makes Brad Pitt look like Gary Busey.

Sickening. Young boys growing up will never be able to match this guys rugged good looks. The guy just stands there stoically with his arms crossed in his trendy away jersey. I'll bet he was a plant by the NFL to try and sell more jerseys for a team that is down on their luck.

Sadly people will spend millions to look as good as this guy, but will never be successful. They will most likely end up depressed.

Again, it makes me sick.

I took a few screenshots to show you just how blatant this is...


They start with an inconspicuous wide shot and then zoom in on the fella. Look for him in the white jersey with his arms crossed and a look of steely nonchalance that is oh-so-hip...


See what I mean? Nobody can possibly look as good as this guy. It isn't even worth trying.

BTW, I bet you didn't know that Santa Claus was a Hawks fan. Probably his last 'me-time' getaway until after the busy season.

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Meh

I'd like to think that I had a part in this...

Meh chosen for 30th anniversary of Collins English Dictionary


Some of my loyal readers (reader) will remember that 'meh' was my word of the day for March 2, 2008.

Yep, Mike D is still a trend setter...

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Check This Out


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Check this video that I came across during my daily visit with Google Reader. Very creative, weird, cool, creepy and fascinating at the same time.

I think being creative is to the brain as doing sit-ups is to the abdomen. My brain BTW, is in much better shape than my abdomen (gut). Seeing stuff like this gives me ideas, most that probably won't be used, but just the thoughts are good exercise.

I need to get out shooting pictures....

(h/t f/1.0)

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Monday, November 03, 2008

Lewis Hamilton Wins World Championship

Fantastic! Probably one of the most exciting races that I have witness. The world championship literally came down to the last corner.

Phew!

So close that at the finish, both Ferrari (Massa) and McLaren-Mercedes (Hamilton) were celebrating at the same time....

With less than five laps to go, Massa was leading, and Lewis was comfortably in fourth (he needed to finish fifth or better to clinch). A hard charging Vettel was behind him, but there was no reason to fight and chance a spin, because fifth would still get the WC and Kovalainen, his teammate was in sixth. There is no way that Kovi would pass him.

Then it rained.

Oh boy, this could be bad for all players. Luckily for Massa it didn't seem to rain too hard, he was able to circle around and trade his drys for wets without relinquishing the lead. Hamilton was not so lucky. Because the rain was light Timo Glock in the Toyota chanced it and stayed out on dry tires, Leap-frogging quite a few places while everyone (including Lewis) pitted for wets.

No problem yet.

Lewis exited the pits in fifth place with Vettel right on his tail. The WC was still his on the track. Then, out of nowhere Robert Kubica in his BMW caught up to the two drivers like he had an extra gear. I would guess that as rain was threatened all weekend BMW took a chance and set their cars up for it. He blew by Vettel and when he took Lewis, he forced him wide, leaving Vettel the opportunity to get by as well... With two laps to go!!! Hamilton, now in sixth, was going to lose the WC to Massa. I couldn't believe it, how could this happen to him two years in a row. Lewis was making no progress with Vettel, in fact, Vettel was pulling away...

Until the last corner.

As they came to the last corner, in traffic, was the red and white Toyota of Glock, floundering with his dry tires on. His tires had cooled with the water on the track and he just couldn't put the power down. Lewis blew by him to regain fifth and become world champion! Amazing!

I don't think that I have ever been so excited! You couldn't have scripted a better finish. Formula 1 is my favorite sport, but I may have to stop watching if the seasons keep ending like this... My heart just can't take it!



I get a kick of all the haters of Lewis. The dumbest thing I hear is, "He doesn't deserve it". Why not? He scored more points. Simple as that. We can debate if Massa is a better driver (cough, Silverstone, cough), 'til be are blue in the face. Lewis scored more points (even with the gift of five to Massa at Spa...). The people thinking Kubica deserves it more are nuts. To win the WC, you need to be a fantastic driver, AND have a great car. Kubica is a great driver, but at the end of the year, his car just wasn't there.

Then we get the people that thin Timo sandbagged to let Lewis by. Please. If Timo or Toyota was going to do that, they would have pitted at the same time as every other team did. Timo would've had to do the final lap five seconds faster than his more than capable teammate, in an identical car, with the same tires, in the same conditions, with the same fuel load. No, Vettel and Hamilton blew by him simply because the track was wet, they had wet tires, and Timo was on drys.

Toro Rosso and Sebastian Vettel would be my vote for most impressive at the end of the year. They were right there with the rest of the not-Ferrari-or-McLaren teams. I think that Vettel is going to be one of the greats when he is done.

Next year cannot come fast enough... The new aero, taking away a bunch of downforce and the new kinetic energy recovery system should make things really interesting. Will Honda get back in the hunt? Will Renault continue to improve? BMW? ...I don't know how I wil make it until March!!!

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Friday, October 31, 2008

Bothering Me...

Hey all! It's been a bit... I've been working some pretty long days at work lately and have been too exhausted to type anything up. I'm pretty stoked to get to sleep in on a Saturday tomorrow.

Something has been bothering me.

You hear it all the time, people complaining about how much money gets spent on this or that. Whether we are talking about Bill Gates's home office, someones private jet, or even an aircraft carrier. You always get someone saying things like, "Why do they need that, they should give it to charity/kids/education".

It drive me up the wall. Do they think the money is just burned?

Here is an example.

My office is next door to a company that builds upscale luxurious yachts. We're talking tens or hundreds of millions to purchase one. Do you know where that money goes? It goes to people like you and me. These things don't build themselves. Countless people are employed to make a boat like that. You got engineers, drafters, carpenters, welders, material handlers, truck drivers, crane operators, janitors, managers, painters, plumbers, electricians, etc. And that is just where they assemble the thing. Their suppliers for furniture, windows, engines, and electronics all employ a bunch of people, just like their suppliers. On down the line we go.

Same thing goes with military spending. Stop spending any money on aircraft carriers, airplanes, tanks, bombs, and you have a hell of a lot of unemployed people.

Things don't cost a lot of money just because. I'd be curious to how many man-hours go into the building of a Ferrari compared to a Chevy. I'm talking from the ground up. The guy raising the cattle for the leather seats, the person mining the minerals to make the metal, the people that sweep the floor, the people in HR, everything. Yes, the Ferrari costs 10 times as much as the Chevy, but it also feeds many more people per car.

Basically people need to open their minds and stop looking at just the shell. See the whole egg.

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The G1 is here

After some worry that my order didn't go through because the tracking never showed up, my G1 was dropped off by Mr. UPS on my front porch.



Woot!!!

I'm off to play with it some more... Detailed report to follow...

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Monday, October 20, 2008

Still Sailing

Here we are almost a week since my last post and I am still sailing in the Volvo Ocean Race Game.



True to my word, I have stayed the course and not bought any options. The boat doesn't change course unless I grab the wheel and do it myself. First thing in the morning, a little before five (I work early) I get up, set up the coffee maker, and check my progress. I'll tweak my course and re-set my sail if it has become worn, checking what the future wind may be. Off I go to the office.

I ignore it all day and check it first thing when I get home. This is when I set my strategy for the next 24 hours. I scour the GRIB files, looking for a path with some good wind. Pretty much, I end up just guessing. I'll check back a few time through the evening and tweak, ending with a final course setting that should get me through the night without hitting land.

It is definitely not an adrenaline rush, but there is a lot of satisfaction seeing the long term progress.

From a start around 16061st place my boat has steadily moved up to 12288th. Still 4400 miles to go. The end of the race won't find me in the winners circle, but my results are encouraging. I'm pretty confidant that I'll do just fine when I get to start with everyone else.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Sailboat Racin'


I came across this fun little game today... It is the Virtual Volvo Ocean Race. You get to skipper your virtual yacht against thousands of people around the world, AND the real-life yachts of the Volvo Ocean Race going on right now. It different from fairy-tale football, where you just pick some players and hope they do well for you. If you screw this thing up, it is all on your shoulders... You picked the course, and the sail.

There is no fantasy here!

Unlike your typical addictive flash game, this game is a commitment. If you look at the picture above of my dashboard, I have 6116 nautical miles to go. ...On the first leg. ...Without a fast forward button. The race won't be finished until June 27 of 2009.

I think this will be a good test for me as it is totally against how our "right now" society works. Can I sail this thing through to the finish? We'll find out.

If you want to join me (it's free, and easy) be sure to buddy up with me. My boats name is 'mdelite'. No worries that the race has started, they place you in the back twenty percent of boats. My goal for this leg is to see if I can finish in the top fifty percent.

BTW, they charge for some options like an autopilot and such. Lame. I'm sailing 'old school'. I'll set my course before I go to bed, when I get up, when I eat lunch, and when I get home for work. Hopefully I won't hit any islands or continents!

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Sunday, October 12, 2008

I am Mike Domestic

Just came up with that...




I found an interesting article on kitchen essentials [h/t Lifehacker] over at the LA Times.

Kitchen essentials, and items you can pass by

Basically they weigh in on what things you need in your kitchen and what you don't. I agree with all except the toaster. Sure, we don't have toast all that much, but when I do have it (morning) I am in no mood to fire up the BBQ, as good as that sounds...

I am completely fed up with non-stick pans and will not buy another. Like they say, a 'good' one gets beat up just as fast as a cheap one. you just paid five times as much for the thing. My favorite pan is a 8" Calphalon anodized fry pan. It's as good as new, five years later.

...I got hungry thinking about my pan, and stopped writting to cook up an egg, sunny side up, with a little Tabasco on top. Tasty. I'm back now.

High quality coffee is another that I am a big proponent of. Cheap coffee is like cheap booze, users only use it for it's effects. The buzz. Good coffee (and booze) is an enjoyable experience. The same thing goes for beer.

That brings me to the fondue (fon-don't) set. I have two, we have used them once. ...In seven years... Because of my aversion to throwing stuff away, they are just taking up precious cabinet space. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it (especially the dark chocolate and strawberries, mmmmm) there are better ways to do it, as they point out.

I'd add this as an un-needed kitchen appliance... The microwave.

Carrie and I have been microwave-less for five years now...

What!?!?!

Yes, that's right boys and girls. Mister Gadget-Freak has no microwave. ...And we haven't missed it once.

No, I am not afraid of the radiation. We just decided that it isn't needed.

Sure it takes us a bit longer to re-heat something in the oven, but it is so much better. Especially Carrie's baked macaroni and cheese. It is actually better re-heated in the oven than when it is cooked the first time. A microwave would ruin it.

Yes , a half-cup of coffee gets wasted once in awhile, but that is the only downfall. The upside is more counter/cabinet space, and better food.

Ditch your microwaves people! You'll be glad you did.

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Thursday, October 09, 2008

New Shots


Pictures taken while camping at Potholes Resevoir in Eastern Washington.


I threw a few new pics up on flickr yesterday... Nothing spectacular, but I like them.

These are four of my favorites out of almost three hundred snaps of my shutter. I would have taken many more, but I was busy fishing or drinking beer. We had a good time out there!

BTW, I was much more successful at snapping photos than catching fish. I caught five fish, only one was keeper sized (barely). ...Still, it was on of my better performances this year. Cut me some slack, it's been some twenty years that I have cast a lure in anger before 2008.

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Toy Boat

Check this out....


Bathtub III from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Fascinating! I love how it makes everything look like toys.

The video is a collection of time-lapse pictures using a tilt-shift lens. Here is another example. I'll had to add one of those to my 'needed' items....

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Thursday, October 02, 2008

One Nation, One People



Hmmm, sound familiar?...
...Ein Volk,Ein Reich,Ein Führer...

h/t Protein Wisdom


No, I am not not calling Obama a Hitler, just noticing some similarities...

A powerful charismatic speaker able to move a crowd...

...the Nazi-like propaganda, like The singing children...

..."Truth Squads" to threaten libel charges against critics.


Hey, I guess it worked once!

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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Sing for Change!



Ahh, the exploitation of kids for your political views. So cute!

Creepy and weird if you ask me...

Light, hope, courage and love shine through these nonvoting children who believe that their very best contribution to the Obama campaign is to sing.
Sure... (eyes rolling)

Some say this is no different than what millions of Christian kids do every Sunday... Sing in praise of their Lord and Savior?

That just makes it creepier.

Sing comrades!


UPDATE!

More singing!

We lead off with hope, here is your change!

h/t Ace

Just try not tapping you foot and snapping to this!

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Fressssshhhhhhh....

ATIRE!



I feel better now. BBoys always bring a smile to my face!

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Great

Rough day at work, ten hour day, finally over...

I walk out the truck...

Sweet.

Someone busted out my window.

Commute was long.

I need a beer.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

You Can't Say That

When your society has gotten to the point where word using is being decided upon and policed — in the academy, for Chrissakes — by “sociologists” steeped in multiculturalism and the PC mandates of communism, you are no longer living in an “intellectual” society.
...from Protein Wisdom

So in GB the color of my truck would be RGB 0,0,0?

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

G1 song

Still excited about the G1!

I liked the song used on T-Mobiles website that I went a searching to find out what it was...



Good stuff. I like the thick sound... Reminds me a bit of the Black Keys or a sleepy Fu Manchu. I'll definitely seek out their stuff.

It got me thinking of some of the best use of a song in adverts... Recently, the most successful (on me) were the Dell ads last year using the Flaming Lips "W.A.N.D." This ad was for the Inspiron, I bought a red XPS which used another great song, "Watch us work it" by Devo.

Some other favorites... The Nissan 'Toys' commercial, VW Mr Robato

Ooops, got sidetracked on YouTube... Came across this video that made me cry.

Damn I miss my MkII. Mine was an 8v so I didn't have the round headlights, but it was red, with a rack (Yakima) and in the winter I rolled Hakkapeliittas on the 16v teardrops. There will never be a car that touches my heart like that one. EVER!


..And here it is!

Summer


Winter


BTW that is my mountain bike/snow board buddy Mike in both pictures... Lots of good times with the bikes or snowboards on the rack.

Sniff...

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G1

Yeah!


Click on the pic to learn more...

Mike's got a new gadget on the way!

Last week while in Vegas I watched a coworker fiddle with her iPhone and I was jealous. My two year old Blackberry Pearl, while a great phone, is really starting to show it's age. I have bought pieces off ebay to keep it running. Today, the trim ring around the roller fell off. The new Blackberrys look very sweet, but unfortunately my carrier would not have the ones I want until early next year. I have been looking into my options, frankenstein pearl, jumping ship, using an old blackberry 8700, buying a cheap hold-me-over... I wasn't happy.

When my trim ring fell off I sat my phone down and started up Google Reader, BAM, I was confronted with this fella!

Love at first sight!

I am a big enough of a Google honk to jump in feet first.

Honestly though, if I hadn't read "push Gmail" I wouldn't have done it. That is by far the greatest reason to have a smartphone, and the Blackberrys are great at it. the G1 doesn't have a desktop sync, but that doesn't matter to me... All my contacts, calendars and messages are online in Google. Now accessible through my phone!

I'm excited like a fourteen year old girl going to see Nick Carter and the Backstreet Boys!

ALRIGHT!!!

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Disappointed

Well everybody, I just got back from four days in Vegas and I am disappointed in myself.

Why am I disappointed?

I am disappointed because I did absolutely nothing in Vegas. I was there for work, and work is what I did. Mom, you'd be proud.

I didn't gamble one cent, didn't walk down the strip with a silly drink... Hell, I didn't even take a card with the sexy women on it from the dudes snapping them.

Most of my view of the strip was from my hotel room.



Sad.

I got out and snapped a few pictures but didn't get much.

Even the room was disappointing...

It was a decent view from the top floor of the Flamingo, that was the best thing my room had going for it. What it didn't have going for it was the crappy beds, the hot water on the lav not working (I shaved in the shower), and the fact that there was only on eroom farther away from where I needed to be every morning in the whole complex. I didn't switch rooms because I actually had it good compared to the three others that traveled with me. One got a room without a tub, it had a handicap shower stall that you could roll a wheelchair into. Not a big deal except for the fact that the water would soak the whole bathroom floor whenever it was used.

Another got fixed up in a room that hadn't been cleaned yet. He ended up getting a mini-suitee that still wasn't sweet.

The best was the one that got a room with ants in the bathroom. Not too bad until she left up her do-not-disturb and room service didn't clean. That night she had ants on her bed. She switched rooms.

The good thing about it is that I think I have learned to spell disappointed.

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'Cause I'm A Geek...

I know, this is boring to 99% of you out there, but last time I checked, this blog was called 'I Am Mike D', and this is who I am...

A few years ago I started keeping track of the airplanes I flew on and here they are. There are a few flights missing as I wasn't able to get tail numbers. Click on the photo link to see the planes in action! Yay!


DateAirlineFlight #DepartArriveBrandTypeModelCNLNTail NumberPhotos

9/1/2005HawaiianHAL21SEAHNLBoeing76733A/ER33421887N587HAPhotos

9/1/2005HawaiianHAL173HNLLIHBoeing71722A551185053N476HAPhotos

9/11/2005HawaiianHAL144LIHHNLBoeing71722A551235064N478HAPhotos

9/11/2005HawaiianHAL22HNLSEABoeing76733A/ER33424901N593HAPhotos

11/30/2006FrontierFFT834SEADENAirbusA3191112019N923FRPhotos

12/4/2006FrontierFFT811DENSEAAirbusA3191112258N932FRPhotos

9/12/2007AlaskaAS656SEALASBoeing73799030857902N309ASPhotos

9/15/2007AlaskaAS633LASSEABoeing737490292703038N799ASPhotos

9/16/2008AlaskaAS124SEALASBoeing737990300191218N315ASPhotos

9/19/2008AlaskaAS611LASSEABoeing737990300181326N318ASPhotos

The good and bad news is that I don't get to travel much for business so this list doesn't grow that fast. As much fun as it is to go on a trip, it is even better when I get to come home. What I need to do is load up on some more of those Hawaiian vacations!

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

American Broadcasting Chopper

ABC News Edited Out Key Parts of Sarah Palin Interview - NewsBusters

Sweet. On TV we get hear this...

GIBSON: Let me ask you about some specific national security situations.


PALIN: Sure.


GIBSON: Let’s start, because we are near Russia, let’s start with Russia and Georgia.


The administration has said we’ve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?


PALIN: First off, we’re going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCain’s running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And we’ve got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable and we have to keep…


GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.


PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there.


GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?


PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.



But in reality this is what was said...

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.


PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there. I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals. That’s why we have to keep an eye on Russia.


And, Charlie, you’re in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors.We need to have a good relationship with them. They’re very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor.


GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?


PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.


GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they’re doing in Georgia?


PALIN: Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.



That isn't the only cut, there is more on the link.

I think it is totally acceptable to edit an interview of someone in this way if you are interviewing, say, Tom Cruise on his latest movie project. Or even Matt Damon on his views of the political landscape. Basically any interview for entertainment.

This interview isn't for entertainment though... This is a person that is running for vice president of the United States of America. I don't care if it is Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, John McCain, or Joe Biden. I want to hear every word they said. If Obama said he liked to beat up hobos for fun (who doesn't), I'd like to hear that.

Matt Damon said (7 seconds in) that he doesn't know any thing about Sarah Palin. Well Matt, maybe if ABC didn't cut big chunks of what she had to say, you might know more than just the facts that she was mayor of a "really REALLY small town" and that she was governor of Alaska for less than two years.

Thanks ABC for deciding what I need to hear.

Scary.


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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Interesting Read

Sarah Palin and the gaze of the Other

What the left elites in search of a new aristocracy sometimes forget is that America was created out of a desire to do away with the old aristocracy of classist England.

The left — both at home and abroad — while always prattling on about championing the little guy, seldom include the unwritten caveat to such support, specifically, provided the little guy shuts up, learns his place, and doesn’t try to crash any of our parties.


She hunts, OMG!! Send her back to hick-ville!

It's fun to watch all the attempts to marginalize Sarah Palin. I can't remember a VP choice that has sparked this much debate.

Matt Damon droppin' the knowledge.
Damon, showing off his political acumen, claims to want to know if the Palin pick was made “for political purposes.”

– Which, I think I can answer that for you, Matt: Yes. In fact, that’s the way these picks are generally decided — this being, well, politics and all.


Don't forget the marginalization Matt....
“It’s like a really bad Disney movie. The hockey mom… and she’s president and facing down [Russian president] Vladimir Putin,” Damon said. “It’s absurd. It’s totally absurd and I don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about it.”

And how is Obama (who is actually running for president, not VP) better qualified to take on the big Russian bear, Matt? Other than being the 'chosen one'?

I'm still waiting for a good answer.

Every day I am more and more impressed with the choice of Palin as McCains VP.


BTW - If you haven't figured it out, I love Protein Wisdom. Especially now that Jeff Goldstein is back as the sole blogger.

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Monday, September 08, 2008

Maiden Voyage

Sailboats are for the wine and cheese crowd...


Holy crap! That looks scary and fun as hell all at the same time!

For an alternative soundtrack see below...


Things like that remind me how unskilled I am.

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Sunday, September 07, 2008

Good Advice

Hello all.

It has been a lazy weekend for me. I haven't done much, mostly lounging infront of the TV. I think I aggravated my back a bit on my last sailing day and it has been a bit sore. When I was skippering (??) my crew member wasn't balancing the boat out so I had to keep leaning in to keep it upright. I should have used my skipper powers to let them know what they needed to do but I didn't.

Any how, mixed in with my viewing of the boob-tube I have been reading an interesting blog that my sister forwarded to me.

Adventures of the Sailing Vessel SohCahToa

Three guys quit their jobs and cruise around the world. It's pretty interesting so far, reminds me a bit of a book I read last yeat, Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum. The more I read and hear stories about doing this, the more I want to do it... ...but I digress.

I was reading the entry for April 27th 2006 when I came across this...

...I stacked coconuts, stuck sticks in the sand, chased the coconut crabs(which are really fast), outran the waves, tried to weave palm tree roots together to make rope, and just generally screwed off on a beach for a while acting like a curious 9 year old. I think that everyone should act like a kid now and again. That is an order. Everyone at work, stop reading, go outside and start throwing rocks at cans and find cool bugs.

Fantastic! I couldn't agree more! As a person that will be three years from forty (??!!??) this December this is what keeps me going. I think too many people my age that forget this. They get too tied up with the pressures of 'life' and don't do this stuff. Old isn't how many years that you have been alive, it's how you live. You get me on a sandy beach and I will sprint and then cut hard, often running in a full circle. Like doing donuts in a car, except with feet. A couple weeks ago I was doing it with Clyde out on the spit at the dog park. Giggling like a schoolgirl.

Seriously people, do what he says at least once a week, hopefully more. You'll be glad you did.

I'm going out in the backyard to throw rocks at cans. Seriously.

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Monday, September 01, 2008

I Had No Idea!

Welcome to September. Two months to go!

Some good reading on the sins of Vice President candidate Sarah Palin...

One of the most damning is #14... P-Diddy yo! If you can't watch it (it made me dizzy) look away and listen.

"There's not even no crackheads in Alaska" (3:36). Damn, I didn't realize that! I may have to rethink things now. (eyes rolling)

How about what someone pointed out in comment #145...

What many here don’t understand. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. RUMOR IS TRUTH.

The modern laws of media hype and political warfare have a useful tenet:

Repeat ANYTHING or raise false concern over ANYTHING and it is likely to be planted in the conscious/subconscious of many voters.

If people start to think that there might be something fishy with Palin’s last kid (if hers), then that’s FINE. One more doubt (whether tied to reality or not) is another hesitation at the ballot box.

GET WITH THE PROGRAM PEOPLE. The “rising above it” bullshit has served us so well in the past, hasn’t it?

If you have problems with the story, then STFU and get out of the way of Dems who are engaged in MODERN POLITICAL WARFARE. Go tend your garden or some other pedestrian task, because the “concern trolls” are not helping shape the message.


My favorites are the people that say they won't vote McCain because he is too old... Really? Age is how you determine president?
I don't really agree with how Obama wants to do things, but I'm voting for him because McCain is too old.

That is almost as silly as voting for someone because "P-Diddy says".

I don't know what scares me more, people spewing this stuff (yes, it happens on both sides) or the people that drink it up...


Actually I do know, it is the latter. By a mile.

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

We've Got Wind

Just got home from my fourth sailing lesson, our first with some decent wind. What a blast! I even got to do some hiking. Not much, as I am a heavy guy and the boat that we were sailing is built to be handled by 'lighter' people.

In past classes we have been sailing courses in front of Sand Point, but tonight we got to do an excursion.


View Larger Map

We sailed from the pier that we were taking the lessons, upwind to the NOAA pier. We farted around there, waiting for everyone to get out and headed downwind to Matthews Beach. From there we crossed Lake Washington to Denny Beach. We did circles for a bit and then headed back to the NOAA pier, dodging a big gravel barge along the way. Farted around there and then we parked the things. The wind was going good the whole time. It was the best night by a mile!

I can't wait for Tuesday, we should get to capsize the boats that night.

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New Lens



Here is the first shot with my new lens. Much to the joy of Carrie I got a new lens, a Canon EF-S 10-22mm. As I told her, this is the last lens that I 'need'.

Heh, we'll see!

Anyhow, it is a wide angle lens that can take some really interesting picture that I wasn't able to take before. You can add quite a bit of depth to a picture with the thing as you can see above. Clyde's nose is huge and his feet small.

I a few weeks I will be in Las Vegas for a work trip... In my off time, instead of losing money at a table, I'll wander around with this lens and explore what I can do with it.

Stay tuned!

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Monday, August 25, 2008

Seahawks Monday

Didn't watch much of the game tonight... Not much of a pre-season guy, I like when they play for reals. I did however tune into the Q13 post game show.

You need to catch this show. Why? Because it is a train wreck. A hilarious train wreck! Here is an example of what I am talking about...


An older clip.

...Eaton is gone, but the poor production remains. This stuff happens all the time on this show.

As an extra bonus we get Bill Wixey's hair!

BTW. silly pass interference call. I would have gone ballistic if this game had counted.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Sailing...

takes me away...

I had my first sailing lesson tonight. No time on the lake yet, mostly terminology and rigging a boat. I sure enjoyed the rigging, I get geeked out by stuff like that. I like anything that makes adjustments, whether it is a button, knob, switch, or line (rope in sailor talk). Even the basic boat we are using had a ton of adjustments available. The challenge now will to be knowing what they are and what they do.

We also got to practice moving about the boat while tacking. Pretty awkward right now, passing the tiller behind you back and all that. I am not the smoothes of people, but I'll get the hang of it eventually. they assure us hta it'll come to you pretty quick once on the water.

I am all excited for lesson two on Thursday!

Soon I will be free. (bonus Christopher Cross not to be confused with Kriss version)

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

What I am Thinking II

Nothing says white-trash like a tri-colored* third generation Chevy C/K pickup with a mossy old hot tub thrown haphazardly in the back with a new couch still wrapped in plastic tied on top.

I saw it today.

Were was this guy going, where was he coming from? I can't figure it out.

Do you know what else I saw? Wood.


*front end one color, door and bed off of two different donor vehicles.

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What I am Thinking

Beer is too expensive at stadiums. $7.50 for a Bud Light? C'mon. Sure it is to discourage drinking... I guess that is why sodas are $4. Highway robbery of a captive audience. I'm surprised the drinking fountain doesn't accept quarters.

This NBC 'Live' broadcast of the Olympics is bull$#!^. Michael Phelps swam for his record 8th gold medal at 7:55pm our time. NBC wouldn't broadcast it until 10:55pm on the west coast. Do you know when I found out the results? 7:58:29.34pm by Vern Lundquist during the Seahawks broadcast.

Clyde needs to be kept in his crate when we aren't home.

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Bad Idea

I had two good ideas this weekend that Clyde made me realize were bad.

It has been pretty hot the last couple of days so I set up a little kiddie pool that we got for Clyde. Typically we put it out in the middle of the lawn and dump it at the end of the day. Not yesterday. I thought it would be a good idea to put it in a flat spot under the trees where there wasn't any grass so I wouldn't have to drain it.

This morning I got up made come coffee and let Clyde out to relieve himself in the back yard. Ten minutes later he is back at the door ready to come in... ...except he is soaked! The punk went out and submerged himself in it.

Bad idea.


Clyde is now about eighteen months old. Typically when he is unsupervised we keep him crated this is for his well being, our houses, and our possessions. Lately I have benn leaving him alone for short periods. A run to the grocery store, etc...

Do you know where this is going?

Usually he would be laying on the floor sleeping, right where we left him. that is when he is in 'low power mode'. Yesterday Carrie and I had to run some errands when he was in 'high power' mode. I told Carrie that I wanted to leave him out, and she reluctantly let me. He likes to shake the couch pillows so we put those away and off we went.

Bad idea.

An hour or two later we came home. Luckily nothing of great worth was destroyed. He had pulled one of our Ikea CD shelves out and shredded the press-board. More concerning he grabbed a CD and crunched that into little bits. It was Limp Bizkit. Both were spread evenly across a large portion of our family room floor.

Bonus, in the middle of typing this up, he puked up a handful of pieces from the case. The good news is that he is eating and pooping just fine, no food came out with the pieces so his system is working. We are getting to be old hands at this.

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