This Blog started out on Myspace, back when Myspace was cool. Beta is still better than VHS, and Myspace is better than Facebook; but better doesn't always win. If better always won, Community would be the number one show on TV instead of going on hiatus. Anyway, a long time ago i began a project of moving things from Myspace over here. Today i resume that project. In the interest of saving time i will try to cut/paste large chunks of my older entries into single posts. Maybe when i have more time i will break them up and date them properly.
I am still unsure if i will undertake any project for the month of December similar to last year, but given that it is December 5 and this is my first posting it is obvious that it will not be as ambitious as last year's effort. Maybe as a Christmas present to my loyal followers i will do some extra entries the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve since this year i am serious about not working that week.
Anyway i hope you enjoy getting to look at some of my earliest entries even if they make little sense in the current time and context
Later
Bob
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
A Brief Review Of My Weekend
I had a very good weekend. I thought that since i have not written anything here for a while i might post a short review of the movies a watched this weekend. But then i realized that it would be more fun to review the weekend.
The weekend kicked off with Kris coming up to hang out and generally play hookey. We set up duel Xboxes in my break room and played a little Halo 3. Kicking it old-school was amusing to me, except when i would try to reload and use my auxiliary device instead. Reach is better and i look forward to Kris getting himself up to speed on it so next time we can play Reach. Additionally we had pizza from Greeks and watched a number of television shows, most from Thursday night.
On the down side for Friday, i let down Sam and the newly reformed Team Fort Wayne. I was supposed to show up at FNM at least in time to draft. But i did not. Kris and i were having too much fun for the first session of FNM and i was too tired to attend the draft. Sam rightly called me out on my failure to be a team player, and i pointed out that i had other responsibilities. So now i will be attending FNM this week as it would be a serious breach of protocol to miss three weeks in a row.
Despite the small distraction of letting down TFW, Friday was a great evening. Overall i'd give it a seven out of ten. The scale is exponential, and maybe some time i will explain the scale; but not today.
Saturday was spent with Erin. It was a very good day. We did not do anything truly productive, a little light cleaning and some laundry. But it was the first weekend day we have been together since we got back from the honeymoon. She tends to get weekend hours so i don't get to see her on the weekends. It was very nice to spend the day with my lovely wife. Again I watched some TV programs, as this is what i like to do with my limited free time. Watching TV is a good way to spend time with people you care about as long as you do it right. A proper program will be engaging enough to be entertaining but not so challenging that it inhibits conversation. Often the kinds of movies Erin prefers are not conducive to conversation as they either demand too much attention or are some sort of documentary which inevitably causes me to go off on a political rant about how the left-wing creators are pushing some sort of agenda and then Erin tells me to stop talking. Being commanded to stop talking is not conducive to conversation.
Sunday was an excellent day. Erin and i had a nice double feature. Kung Fu Panda 2 and Craz,y Stupid, Love. Erin and i watched Kung Fu Panda while waiting at the airport coming back from Florida two years ago. We both enjoyed the movie and it made what would have been an insufferable layover at a hub a pleasant time with my then girlfriend. Given our background with the source, expectations were high and those expectations were met. You know that a movie has suceeded when a peacock is a believable badd-ass. Gary Oldman was the perfect villain, again. Jack Black was funny, but this time he also pulled off poignant. But as good as the movie was, the second movie was better.
Erin wasn't sure she wanted to see Crazy, Stupid, Love. She is not a fan of romantic comedies as a rule. It seems that Erin has not come to terms with her inner 13 year old girl. But i implored her to stick around and watch it with me, as i had seen it before and assured her that it was very good. Now you'd think this would be a convincing argument, but Erin believe that i have poor tastes in TV and movies. But we we having a nice time so she stuck around. It didn't hurt that this was the day i made bread pudding for her.
After watching the Movie Erin announced that she was most impressed with the movie. The acting was good, Carell was funny, but he was also good as a sad sack transformed in to a predator and then back into a good husband. Emma Stone was great as always but it was Carell's movie and he delivered. This is that rare movie that gets you credit for watching a chick flick, but that you actually get to enjoy. Of course Erin hates chick flicks so we only watch the ones that i pick, make of that what you will.
It would be self-indulgent to think any of you enjoyed reading this as i enjoyed writing it, but then this blog exists as a monument to my self-indulgence so i will assume that you did. You are all welcome.
Later,
Bob
The weekend kicked off with Kris coming up to hang out and generally play hookey. We set up duel Xboxes in my break room and played a little Halo 3. Kicking it old-school was amusing to me, except when i would try to reload and use my auxiliary device instead. Reach is better and i look forward to Kris getting himself up to speed on it so next time we can play Reach. Additionally we had pizza from Greeks and watched a number of television shows, most from Thursday night.
On the down side for Friday, i let down Sam and the newly reformed Team Fort Wayne. I was supposed to show up at FNM at least in time to draft. But i did not. Kris and i were having too much fun for the first session of FNM and i was too tired to attend the draft. Sam rightly called me out on my failure to be a team player, and i pointed out that i had other responsibilities. So now i will be attending FNM this week as it would be a serious breach of protocol to miss three weeks in a row.
Despite the small distraction of letting down TFW, Friday was a great evening. Overall i'd give it a seven out of ten. The scale is exponential, and maybe some time i will explain the scale; but not today.
Saturday was spent with Erin. It was a very good day. We did not do anything truly productive, a little light cleaning and some laundry. But it was the first weekend day we have been together since we got back from the honeymoon. She tends to get weekend hours so i don't get to see her on the weekends. It was very nice to spend the day with my lovely wife. Again I watched some TV programs, as this is what i like to do with my limited free time. Watching TV is a good way to spend time with people you care about as long as you do it right. A proper program will be engaging enough to be entertaining but not so challenging that it inhibits conversation. Often the kinds of movies Erin prefers are not conducive to conversation as they either demand too much attention or are some sort of documentary which inevitably causes me to go off on a political rant about how the left-wing creators are pushing some sort of agenda and then Erin tells me to stop talking. Being commanded to stop talking is not conducive to conversation.
Sunday was an excellent day. Erin and i had a nice double feature. Kung Fu Panda 2 and Craz,y Stupid, Love. Erin and i watched Kung Fu Panda while waiting at the airport coming back from Florida two years ago. We both enjoyed the movie and it made what would have been an insufferable layover at a hub a pleasant time with my then girlfriend. Given our background with the source, expectations were high and those expectations were met. You know that a movie has suceeded when a peacock is a believable badd-ass. Gary Oldman was the perfect villain, again. Jack Black was funny, but this time he also pulled off poignant. But as good as the movie was, the second movie was better.
Erin wasn't sure she wanted to see Crazy, Stupid, Love. She is not a fan of romantic comedies as a rule. It seems that Erin has not come to terms with her inner 13 year old girl. But i implored her to stick around and watch it with me, as i had seen it before and assured her that it was very good. Now you'd think this would be a convincing argument, but Erin believe that i have poor tastes in TV and movies. But we we having a nice time so she stuck around. It didn't hurt that this was the day i made bread pudding for her.
After watching the Movie Erin announced that she was most impressed with the movie. The acting was good, Carell was funny, but he was also good as a sad sack transformed in to a predator and then back into a good husband. Emma Stone was great as always but it was Carell's movie and he delivered. This is that rare movie that gets you credit for watching a chick flick, but that you actually get to enjoy. Of course Erin hates chick flicks so we only watch the ones that i pick, make of that what you will.
It would be self-indulgent to think any of you enjoyed reading this as i enjoyed writing it, but then this blog exists as a monument to my self-indulgence so i will assume that you did. You are all welcome.
Later,
Bob
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Random Summer Observations
I have not been back for a while. Been a little busy what with the wedding and the office and everything. But i have been meaning to put a few words on the blog for a while now. Probably should start with the random things that will otherwise get lost in the shuffle although some of them may be returned to and expanded in the future.
Germans are weird. Someone(s) in Germany stop by my blog 30-40 times a month so they can look at my post on the Tommy Seebach Band. But hits are hits so i'll take the page views. Danke, Deutchland.
Thanks to everyone who attended my bachelor party. Special thanks to Peden for acting as stunt double.
So the Tuxedos are almost done. They look great. Kris has a super cool purple iridescent diamond interior lining. Mine is turquoise, words can do it no justice so just ask me if you can see it.
In other news sartorial, Donald Trump makes a fine shirt. Or to be more accurate the children in his overseas sweatshop make a fine shirt. I picked one up to wear with the suit i got for Mike's wedding. Bermuda is not just a place to start clearing out the Spanish from the Caribbean any longer. Damn Spanish bastards, i will have revenge for what you did to my 8-bit family.
The beef jerky at Albrights is the best. Hargers is now a distant second unless we are talking the Mesquite. But for the time being seems like i will be making frequent trips to Corrunna. Let me know if i can pick anything up for you; like say Seckler's Dill Hamberger Chips, oh yes, they have them there as well.
Cowboys and Aliens was ok. Not great. Good western, bad sci-fi. Just a tip. When explaining why beings with an overwhelming technological advantage would act in secret look at history. There was nothing sneaky about the way the Europeans pushed those injuns off their land. Nor did the Commodore Perry skulk into the harbor at Edo. When you have overwhelming technological superiority you don't need to be stealthy. The only reason to do things quietly is when you are criminals. Pirates were sneaky, Navies are not. The Aliens in C & A should have been criminals, not advance scouts.
Once More with Feeling is still my favorite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But i will say more on this subject when i write about my secret love of musicals.
Sam still hasn't seen Firefly. He sucks. I suspect that he is also a Democrat. I will have worse things to write about him if he doesn't watch Firefly soon.
Aziz Ansari is funny; really, really funny. Sometimes when i watch Burn Notice i imagine how great it must be to be Harris, but then Aziz would mess with me on Facebook.
Speaking of Facebook, it's over. Facebook wins. Mark Zuckerberg just needs to administer the fatality to Myspace. Even i accept that. Ok, Mike, you were right, though it sucks when the public backs the wrong choice. (Like they did in 2008).
I get married in sixteen days. On August 20, 2011, i will be the luckiest man alive. I love Erin so much. She is great. I thank the Lord every day for letting her into my life, and for making Neil Patrick Harris gay so Erin could be mine. I love you, Erin, and i cannot wait to be your husband.
Later
Bob
Germans are weird. Someone(s) in Germany stop by my blog 30-40 times a month so they can look at my post on the Tommy Seebach Band. But hits are hits so i'll take the page views. Danke, Deutchland.
Thanks to everyone who attended my bachelor party. Special thanks to Peden for acting as stunt double.
So the Tuxedos are almost done. They look great. Kris has a super cool purple iridescent diamond interior lining. Mine is turquoise, words can do it no justice so just ask me if you can see it.
In other news sartorial, Donald Trump makes a fine shirt. Or to be more accurate the children in his overseas sweatshop make a fine shirt. I picked one up to wear with the suit i got for Mike's wedding. Bermuda is not just a place to start clearing out the Spanish from the Caribbean any longer. Damn Spanish bastards, i will have revenge for what you did to my 8-bit family.
The beef jerky at Albrights is the best. Hargers is now a distant second unless we are talking the Mesquite. But for the time being seems like i will be making frequent trips to Corrunna. Let me know if i can pick anything up for you; like say Seckler's Dill Hamberger Chips, oh yes, they have them there as well.
Cowboys and Aliens was ok. Not great. Good western, bad sci-fi. Just a tip. When explaining why beings with an overwhelming technological advantage would act in secret look at history. There was nothing sneaky about the way the Europeans pushed those injuns off their land. Nor did the Commodore Perry skulk into the harbor at Edo. When you have overwhelming technological superiority you don't need to be stealthy. The only reason to do things quietly is when you are criminals. Pirates were sneaky, Navies are not. The Aliens in C & A should have been criminals, not advance scouts.
Once More with Feeling is still my favorite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But i will say more on this subject when i write about my secret love of musicals.
Sam still hasn't seen Firefly. He sucks. I suspect that he is also a Democrat. I will have worse things to write about him if he doesn't watch Firefly soon.
Aziz Ansari is funny; really, really funny. Sometimes when i watch Burn Notice i imagine how great it must be to be Harris, but then Aziz would mess with me on Facebook.
Speaking of Facebook, it's over. Facebook wins. Mark Zuckerberg just needs to administer the fatality to Myspace. Even i accept that. Ok, Mike, you were right, though it sucks when the public backs the wrong choice. (Like they did in 2008).
I get married in sixteen days. On August 20, 2011, i will be the luckiest man alive. I love Erin so much. She is great. I thank the Lord every day for letting her into my life, and for making Neil Patrick Harris gay so Erin could be mine. I love you, Erin, and i cannot wait to be your husband.
Later
Bob
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I am a Journalist
I have just finished reading the syllabus of the New Jersey Supreme Court in Too Much Media v Hale. I was unable to locate the opinion, but will do so when able. I have read the Court of Appeals decision that was ratified by the NJ Supreme Court so i think i know where things stand. If you post on a message board you are not a journalist and you are not protected under NJ law.
Now i don't want to get off on a tangent but i will because tangents are fun. This is the same esteemed body that decided that the word "not" does not mean "not" in every case. More specifically "not" does not mean "not" when it means that your corrupt democratic Senator who is sure to lose to the Republican needs to be removed from the ballot so that the demos have a chance of winning the election. I am not sure if this opinion is any more than trying to protect one of the most vested constituencies of the democratic party, main stream media reporters. After all these idiots don't want just any idiot showing up at their press parties and claiming to be journalists. Journalism has standards and the most important one is that you hate Republicans. End tangent.
In order to establish my cred as a journalist in the event that a media company ever sues me in a New Jersey Court, or in the event that any other court decided that NJ has the right idea and adopts the same line of reasoning, i am here to declare my bona fides as a journalist. Obviously not as a real journalist as defined by press organizations given that i not only do not hate Republicans, but am in fact quite taken with them; but a journalist in a sense necessary to pass the test set forth in Hale. First off, this blog exists to inform the public. This is an essential component of journalism. It is published on the world wide web and the entirety of the planet may access it.
Secondly let me state that this is the forum where i publish the results of my investigations. Conducting investigations is the most important part of the rights secured by the freedom of the press in the various declarations of rights in the various Constitutions and laws that set forth such rights. The specific methods of investigation must remain secret as i do not want my competition gaining an unfair edge. But i will tell you that i frequently solicit information from sources first-hand. If you are one of these sources and i have guaranteed your confidentiality you can be reassured that i will not lightly reveal your identity. You should also be aware that if Agent Jack Flowers needs your name to protect your identity in order to safeguard this great nation i will have provided your name, address, and contact information to him before he gets his boot laced up. I don't want to be kicked in the nuts. The NJ Supreme Court emphasized the importance of telling confidential sources that they will be confidential. I can take i hint.
The last thing i want to emphasize is that although i do not belong to any press club or organization and lack a formal affiliation with traditional media outlets, i do adhere to journalistic standards. For instance i would never report on a story that might do harm to a cause i endorse. Just as the mainstream media tries to bury anything that might cast doubt on global warming, cause the general public to realize that obama is as big a buffoon as joe biden, or that Republicans might ever be right, i tend not to mention that there is some quasi-scientific evidence of planetary warming, obama can most likely read an analog clock, and there have been occasions where Republicans other than Lincoln were wrong.
I do try to fact check wherever possible. I admit my errors and do so in as public a way as the errors were committed. When i was the contributing writer for a major gaming website i insisted that all of our errors be published on the front page to ensure our readers were never misled. I still subscribe to that philosophy. Many major journalists cannot claim the same. Ask Dan Rather if he has admitted he was wrong about the Killian Documents that he publicized in the lead up to the 2004 election.
The NJ high court seems to think that it is important to give your target a chance to respond. I disagree. They are wrong about this. Anyone who watches House knows, "Everyone lies." Given that the targets of my investigations will just lie about the questions i ask them, there is little point in asking them any questions at all. To save time and avoid inconvenience i simply skip that process altogether. Had traditional journalists adopted this journalistic standard it could have saved Anthony Weiner a lot of embarrassment. You knew he was lying, and was going to continue to lie about sending that photo of his erect member to a coed, so why ask him for his side? Had my policies been in place he need not have gone on TV to explain that he was sorry for lying, a lot--by a lot i mean a huge amount; no more than that, more like every word that came out of his mouth between May 27, 2011, and June 5, 2011, was a lie.
Given that i am not currently being sued i think it can be safe to say that these statements are not a self-serving attempt to protect myself in the face of a law suit. I would go so far as to say that by declaring myself to be a journalist that i am making an admission against interest and as any 1L knows, an admission against interest is inherently reliable. The lack of incentive to make a damaging statement is an indication of the statement's reliability. (For those of you who did not go to law school).
I hope that this has been edifying for you all. For my regular readers, please note that you may later have to declare by affidavit that you read this before i was sued. I don't want some court somewhere getting the idea that i made this up just so i could invoke a shield law at a time that might be convenient for me.
Later
Bob
Now i don't want to get off on a tangent but i will because tangents are fun. This is the same esteemed body that decided that the word "not" does not mean "not" in every case. More specifically "not" does not mean "not" when it means that your corrupt democratic Senator who is sure to lose to the Republican needs to be removed from the ballot so that the demos have a chance of winning the election. I am not sure if this opinion is any more than trying to protect one of the most vested constituencies of the democratic party, main stream media reporters. After all these idiots don't want just any idiot showing up at their press parties and claiming to be journalists. Journalism has standards and the most important one is that you hate Republicans. End tangent.
In order to establish my cred as a journalist in the event that a media company ever sues me in a New Jersey Court, or in the event that any other court decided that NJ has the right idea and adopts the same line of reasoning, i am here to declare my bona fides as a journalist. Obviously not as a real journalist as defined by press organizations given that i not only do not hate Republicans, but am in fact quite taken with them; but a journalist in a sense necessary to pass the test set forth in Hale. First off, this blog exists to inform the public. This is an essential component of journalism. It is published on the world wide web and the entirety of the planet may access it.
Secondly let me state that this is the forum where i publish the results of my investigations. Conducting investigations is the most important part of the rights secured by the freedom of the press in the various declarations of rights in the various Constitutions and laws that set forth such rights. The specific methods of investigation must remain secret as i do not want my competition gaining an unfair edge. But i will tell you that i frequently solicit information from sources first-hand. If you are one of these sources and i have guaranteed your confidentiality you can be reassured that i will not lightly reveal your identity. You should also be aware that if Agent Jack Flowers needs your name to protect your identity in order to safeguard this great nation i will have provided your name, address, and contact information to him before he gets his boot laced up. I don't want to be kicked in the nuts. The NJ Supreme Court emphasized the importance of telling confidential sources that they will be confidential. I can take i hint.
The last thing i want to emphasize is that although i do not belong to any press club or organization and lack a formal affiliation with traditional media outlets, i do adhere to journalistic standards. For instance i would never report on a story that might do harm to a cause i endorse. Just as the mainstream media tries to bury anything that might cast doubt on global warming, cause the general public to realize that obama is as big a buffoon as joe biden, or that Republicans might ever be right, i tend not to mention that there is some quasi-scientific evidence of planetary warming, obama can most likely read an analog clock, and there have been occasions where Republicans other than Lincoln were wrong.
I do try to fact check wherever possible. I admit my errors and do so in as public a way as the errors were committed. When i was the contributing writer for a major gaming website i insisted that all of our errors be published on the front page to ensure our readers were never misled. I still subscribe to that philosophy. Many major journalists cannot claim the same. Ask Dan Rather if he has admitted he was wrong about the Killian Documents that he publicized in the lead up to the 2004 election.
The NJ high court seems to think that it is important to give your target a chance to respond. I disagree. They are wrong about this. Anyone who watches House knows, "Everyone lies." Given that the targets of my investigations will just lie about the questions i ask them, there is little point in asking them any questions at all. To save time and avoid inconvenience i simply skip that process altogether. Had traditional journalists adopted this journalistic standard it could have saved Anthony Weiner a lot of embarrassment. You knew he was lying, and was going to continue to lie about sending that photo of his erect member to a coed, so why ask him for his side? Had my policies been in place he need not have gone on TV to explain that he was sorry for lying, a lot--by a lot i mean a huge amount; no more than that, more like every word that came out of his mouth between May 27, 2011, and June 5, 2011, was a lie.
Given that i am not currently being sued i think it can be safe to say that these statements are not a self-serving attempt to protect myself in the face of a law suit. I would go so far as to say that by declaring myself to be a journalist that i am making an admission against interest and as any 1L knows, an admission against interest is inherently reliable. The lack of incentive to make a damaging statement is an indication of the statement's reliability. (For those of you who did not go to law school).
I hope that this has been edifying for you all. For my regular readers, please note that you may later have to declare by affidavit that you read this before i was sued. I don't want some court somewhere getting the idea that i made this up just so i could invoke a shield law at a time that might be convenient for me.
Later
Bob
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
My Purdue Experience
This is not new. This is something a wrote a while back, before blogging was in, and before blogging was out and tweeting was in. I used to write before i had a blog. I will probably post more of these reprints here in the future because i like to read the things i write. so here it is:
My Purdue Experience
On February 26, 2005, I, accompanied by your friendly webmaster, attended the President’s dinner at Purdue University. I have only been to Purdue this one time, so my experience may not be a representative sampling of this fine institution. I will attempt to convey my experience as best as possible.
As noted above this was my first trip to Purdue University. On no previous occasion could reason be found that would compel me to visit West Lafayette. It seemed that on this occasion even the Gods disapproved of my trip. The drive from Auburn to Fort Wayne was made under sunny skies in unseasonable warmth. As the car drove ever closer to our destination the weather became more and more inclement. Sleet and snow assaulted us in ever greater quantities as we drew closer to West Lafayette, but we would not be deterred. Finally, as nothing short of an Apocalypse would prevent the completion of our journey, we arrived in West Lafayette. Their intentions frustrated, the Gods then ceased their climatic assault. The first thing one notices upon arrival in West Lafayette is the general appearance of despondency. One is struck with the impression that the buildings wished they could be located somewhere else. Shortly after the sight of the city one is assaulted by the smell. West Lafayette carries a rank odor. Perhaps this smell goes unnoticed by the residents and students as a result of constant exposure. Perhaps not?
We then began the task of locating the Stuart Center Gallery. This task was made unnecessarily difficult because Purdue elected to not label its buildings. This was the first campus I had ever been to that eschewed the convention of large signs proclaiming the name of each structure. Eventually we resorted to seeking directions from one of the students. This fellow seemed to have a poor command of language skills, but his spacial visualization and mechanical reasoning were superb. Mike informed me that such students were common at the university.
We eventually arrived at the Stuart Center Gallery. We were there for an exhibition of rare texts by such luminaries as Hobbes, Locke, Newton, and Smith. The centerpiece of the collection was a third Dunlap printing of the Declaration of Independence published in 1776, of which only three copies remain in existence. It was charming to see the assembled tradesmen and farmers (Purdue Alumni) celebrating works that were clearly beyond their comprehension. At one point one of the guests remarked, “Them there books is pretty old.”
Following the exhibition we were escorted to the Purdue Memorial Union where dinner was served. Having been to President’s dinners at other universities I expected each table to have a student hostess, or two. These hostesses are normally comely lasses whose presence makes the alumni blood flow warm with randy thoughts of young co-eds. I was surprised to see several average looking women numbering amongst the ten assembled student representatives. I remarked to Mike that it was encouraging to see that this progressive institution did not select its hostesses merely based on their appearance alone. Mike then commented, “No, these are the most attractive women at Purdue.”
Following dinner we then headed home. There was a palpable sense of improvement as we left West Lafayette. Despite the late hour of out departure, I swear that the sky actually grew brighter. Surely the Gods were smiling upon us as we took out leave from the campus of Purdue University.
- Bob
My Purdue Experience
On February 26, 2005, I, accompanied by your friendly webmaster, attended the President’s dinner at Purdue University. I have only been to Purdue this one time, so my experience may not be a representative sampling of this fine institution. I will attempt to convey my experience as best as possible.
As noted above this was my first trip to Purdue University. On no previous occasion could reason be found that would compel me to visit West Lafayette. It seemed that on this occasion even the Gods disapproved of my trip. The drive from Auburn to Fort Wayne was made under sunny skies in unseasonable warmth. As the car drove ever closer to our destination the weather became more and more inclement. Sleet and snow assaulted us in ever greater quantities as we drew closer to West Lafayette, but we would not be deterred. Finally, as nothing short of an Apocalypse would prevent the completion of our journey, we arrived in West Lafayette. Their intentions frustrated, the Gods then ceased their climatic assault. The first thing one notices upon arrival in West Lafayette is the general appearance of despondency. One is struck with the impression that the buildings wished they could be located somewhere else. Shortly after the sight of the city one is assaulted by the smell. West Lafayette carries a rank odor. Perhaps this smell goes unnoticed by the residents and students as a result of constant exposure. Perhaps not?
We then began the task of locating the Stuart Center Gallery. This task was made unnecessarily difficult because Purdue elected to not label its buildings. This was the first campus I had ever been to that eschewed the convention of large signs proclaiming the name of each structure. Eventually we resorted to seeking directions from one of the students. This fellow seemed to have a poor command of language skills, but his spacial visualization and mechanical reasoning were superb. Mike informed me that such students were common at the university.
We eventually arrived at the Stuart Center Gallery. We were there for an exhibition of rare texts by such luminaries as Hobbes, Locke, Newton, and Smith. The centerpiece of the collection was a third Dunlap printing of the Declaration of Independence published in 1776, of which only three copies remain in existence. It was charming to see the assembled tradesmen and farmers (Purdue Alumni) celebrating works that were clearly beyond their comprehension. At one point one of the guests remarked, “Them there books is pretty old.”
Following the exhibition we were escorted to the Purdue Memorial Union where dinner was served. Having been to President’s dinners at other universities I expected each table to have a student hostess, or two. These hostesses are normally comely lasses whose presence makes the alumni blood flow warm with randy thoughts of young co-eds. I was surprised to see several average looking women numbering amongst the ten assembled student representatives. I remarked to Mike that it was encouraging to see that this progressive institution did not select its hostesses merely based on their appearance alone. Mike then commented, “No, these are the most attractive women at Purdue.”
Following dinner we then headed home. There was a palpable sense of improvement as we left West Lafayette. Despite the late hour of out departure, I swear that the sky actually grew brighter. Surely the Gods were smiling upon us as we took out leave from the campus of Purdue University.
- Bob
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Law Day
I've been doing Law Day for fifteen years now. Friday was Law Day in DeKalb County. Normally we observe the first Friday in May as Law Day, but this year it got moved to accommodate better scheduling. So what is Law Day? Lets see what the trusty Wikipedia has to say:
Long before President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared it, May 1st was May Day. A day to remember the struggles of workers who were killed or oppressed in their fight for better wages and working conditions.
Counter to this, Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 (Previously known as May Day or International Workers' Day) would now be known as Law Day, U.S.A. in 1958. Its observance was later codified into law by Public Law 87-20 on April 7, 1961. (Thanks, Wikipedia)
Erik Weber deserves a lot of credit for the way Law Day is run. Typically he coordinates it, makes sure all the classes get covered, and makes sure we have party favors for the class. This year we had a pen, pencil, button, and T-shirt. I had two classes. I kept the pens, gave the teachers the buttons, and let the teachers give away the T-shirts. I cannot account for both pencils, but i think Stephanie and Cari are getting them. Additionally the Bar Association selects a book of two to put in each school's library. I like to imagine that at lest one of these books has been looked at by a student.
Now we know what Law Day is. But what is law day for me? Law Day is mostly about me going back to DeKalb High School and looking in on things there. I don't go to DeKalb every year, but most years i get one or more classes there. Most of the teachers i had are now gone, so i no longer visit with them. I do check to see if the plaque for National Merit Finalists is still up. It is, DHS has still not had another year with three finalists.,seems that most years they do not have one.
This year i signed in at the front desk. When i started doing Law Day there was less security and i would simply wander in and try to find the class i was covering. No i sign in because it is the done thing. I refuse to wear the lanyard, like i do all lanyards and ID badges. Claramary warns that someday the Commissioners will make all DeKalb employees wear ID badges, fortunately judges are not county employees, otherwise i might look like a jerk when i refuse to wear mine. But that day is five years into the future and if obama is re-elected, janet napolitano and homeland security will probably issue everyone badges and you will have to be groped before entering any public building. Keep this in mind when voting in 2012.
So then i was met by my teacher, she was younger than i. I would observe most of the teachers were younger than i. This was an odd sensation. After twenty-two years DHS does not regress me back to the eighteen year old version of myself any longer, but it is strange to be older than the teachers. The students never get any older, so they do not make me feel old, but seeing these fresh young teachers did, a little.
I could go on to tell you about the students and their questions. How the one girl was appalled that i was so callous in doing my job. How i met the guy in my class that people would tell me was what i was like as a senior. But let's face it, you have all heard these stories before so i won't belabor them here. I did tell the students not to be lawyers, be dentists instead. Next year i will select something else because it is far too difficult to get into dental school now for a typical kid to think about getting in to dental school. Maybe i will suggest CPA.
I am now bored with this subject so i will wrap it up so i can go play Bioshock.
Later
Bob
Long before President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared it, May 1st was May Day. A day to remember the struggles of workers who were killed or oppressed in their fight for better wages and working conditions.
Counter to this, Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 (Previously known as May Day or International Workers' Day) would now be known as Law Day, U.S.A. in 1958. Its observance was later codified into law by Public Law 87-20 on April 7, 1961. (Thanks, Wikipedia)
Erik Weber deserves a lot of credit for the way Law Day is run. Typically he coordinates it, makes sure all the classes get covered, and makes sure we have party favors for the class. This year we had a pen, pencil, button, and T-shirt. I had two classes. I kept the pens, gave the teachers the buttons, and let the teachers give away the T-shirts. I cannot account for both pencils, but i think Stephanie and Cari are getting them. Additionally the Bar Association selects a book of two to put in each school's library. I like to imagine that at lest one of these books has been looked at by a student.
Now we know what Law Day is. But what is law day for me? Law Day is mostly about me going back to DeKalb High School and looking in on things there. I don't go to DeKalb every year, but most years i get one or more classes there. Most of the teachers i had are now gone, so i no longer visit with them. I do check to see if the plaque for National Merit Finalists is still up. It is, DHS has still not had another year with three finalists.,seems that most years they do not have one.
This year i signed in at the front desk. When i started doing Law Day there was less security and i would simply wander in and try to find the class i was covering. No i sign in because it is the done thing. I refuse to wear the lanyard, like i do all lanyards and ID badges. Claramary warns that someday the Commissioners will make all DeKalb employees wear ID badges, fortunately judges are not county employees, otherwise i might look like a jerk when i refuse to wear mine. But that day is five years into the future and if obama is re-elected, janet napolitano and homeland security will probably issue everyone badges and you will have to be groped before entering any public building. Keep this in mind when voting in 2012.
So then i was met by my teacher, she was younger than i. I would observe most of the teachers were younger than i. This was an odd sensation. After twenty-two years DHS does not regress me back to the eighteen year old version of myself any longer, but it is strange to be older than the teachers. The students never get any older, so they do not make me feel old, but seeing these fresh young teachers did, a little.
I could go on to tell you about the students and their questions. How the one girl was appalled that i was so callous in doing my job. How i met the guy in my class that people would tell me was what i was like as a senior. But let's face it, you have all heard these stories before so i won't belabor them here. I did tell the students not to be lawyers, be dentists instead. Next year i will select something else because it is far too difficult to get into dental school now for a typical kid to think about getting in to dental school. Maybe i will suggest CPA.
I am now bored with this subject so i will wrap it up so i can go play Bioshock.
Later
Bob
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Kris is a Good Friend
"Did you open the box?" This is the question Kris posed to me today. Of course i had not opened the box yet. Things have been hectic around here. Wedding planning is consuming more and more of my time. Erin is doing approximately one hundred times more work on the wedding than i am, so you can imagine the pressure she is under. But this story is not about the wedding. This story is about the box.
"No, i have not opened it yet."
"You probably should," replied Kris.
And i promised i would open the box when i got home. So i drove home from Warsaw determined to open the box. I had no idea what might be in it. It was given to me on Thursday along with two other presents. In the hustle and bustle of the days events the box was all but forgotten.
The first thing Kris gave me was an odd magnetic circular object with a large plastic gem in the middle. In and of itself it was interesting. Then it turned out that he had supplied several of them in a range of colors. Turns out it was a purse holder. Neither of us have any use for them in their intended capacity, but they remain interesting and Erin will put them to good use.
The second gift was a tray of blue LED light up novelty ice cubes. They are blue. They light up. It should be apparent to any of you who have read more than one post here that i was quite taken with them. Kris is a good friend.
And we come to the box. Plain brown cardboard. It's dimensions were about 6'' x 6'' x 8''. Inside was an object wrapped in a styrofoam sheet. I unwrapped the object and was pleased and perplexed. Thanks to the handy megapixel camera that came with my Droid, you can see for yourself below:
I am quite taken with my new card box. Sometimes i think Kris is a better friend than i deserve. Then again there are the times that i do something brings us closer to parity, to wit
Thank you, Kris.
Later
Bob
"No, i have not opened it yet."
"You probably should," replied Kris.
And i promised i would open the box when i got home. So i drove home from Warsaw determined to open the box. I had no idea what might be in it. It was given to me on Thursday along with two other presents. In the hustle and bustle of the days events the box was all but forgotten.
The first thing Kris gave me was an odd magnetic circular object with a large plastic gem in the middle. In and of itself it was interesting. Then it turned out that he had supplied several of them in a range of colors. Turns out it was a purse holder. Neither of us have any use for them in their intended capacity, but they remain interesting and Erin will put them to good use.
The second gift was a tray of blue LED light up novelty ice cubes. They are blue. They light up. It should be apparent to any of you who have read more than one post here that i was quite taken with them. Kris is a good friend.
And we come to the box. Plain brown cardboard. It's dimensions were about 6'' x 6'' x 8''. Inside was an object wrapped in a styrofoam sheet. I unwrapped the object and was pleased and perplexed. Thanks to the handy megapixel camera that came with my Droid, you can see for yourself below:
 |
| Ok. So far this is pretty cool. |
 |
| Cool from this angle too. |
 | |||||
| That's right, it is a card box. |
I am quite taken with my new card box. Sometimes i think Kris is a better friend than i deserve. Then again there are the times that i do something brings us closer to parity, to wit
 |
| This was the last thing i got for Kris. |
Thank you, Kris.
Later
Bob
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A Few Random Observations
I am trying to do a lot of things right now. I need to purchase my building, though to be fair Adam is in on that. Erin is in full-on wedding planning mode. The wheels of justice continue to grind. I am trying to use the damn treadmill. And i still try to find something to write about.
There is no unifying theme here today. I am just going to list random or semi-random things until i get bored or until you do, whichever comes first.
Pinball Wizard
That song rocks. No, it Rocks!, maybe even ROCKS! I am been listening to it a lot in the last few weeks. I went back and edited the last post to add a high definition version of the video. The costume is even better in HD so that you can make out the sequins.
Other Music
There are a few other videos i am currently viewing a lot. Mumford and Sons, The Cave is my current favorite video to view while on the treadmill. ET by Katy Perry might hold the top spot for treadmill music, but the Kanye parts suck.
Two Door Cinema Club, What You Know is going on the new disc i am making for the convertible. I am soliciting suggestions for additional tracks, please leave comments.
Chuck Taylors
I want to buy some Chucks. Erin is opposed. The question is not whether or not i get them, i will. The question is what color? I used to own a pair of electric blue/canary yellow extra high tops. Being an adult now i think i ought to get something a little more subdued. I am leaning towards a pair of Bright Blue Moons low tops. On the other hand Yellow would go with the Professor Zoom shirt.
T Mobile Commercials
As i finished the last section a T Mobile commercial came on. Those commercials wore out their welcome when they were Apple commercials. That Girl is hotter than Justin Long, what with her having long pretty hair and the correct genitalia to be attractive to me, but it was John Hodgman that made those commecials and he is absen from the T Mobile versions. If you doubt the talent of Mr. Hodgman, try checking this out.
Raising Hope
If you liked My Name Is Earl try this show out. Same creator, set in the same universe. Who knew that Martha Plimpton would turn out to be cute.
Ice Machine
My ice machine rules. I love having ice on command. If you think ice is just for cooling beverages you are really missing out. Zero calories and who cares how much electricity i use to get my snack of choice. If you are looking for environmental guilt and hand wringing over the fate of the planet, boy did you come to the wrong place.
Blue Moon Rising
Patrick Chapin has this book listed on Facebook. That was everything i knew about the book when i bought it. Sometimes gambles pay off.
Ok let's talk about the book.
Rupert is the second son of the Forrest King. His father sends him on a quest to slay a dragon. Rupert's only companion is his mount, a talking unicorn. In order to find the dragon he has to confront and deal with the Night Witch. Rupert and the unicorn must then cross the Darkwood, where the sun never shines and from which no living man has returned. Rupert scales the treacherous slopes leading to the dragon's lair braving bitter cold and a lack of provisions. Rupert then confronts the dragon and save it from a captive princess. When Rupert, the unicorn, dragon, and princess return to the Forrest Kingdom they are set upon in the Darkwood by a horde of demons. The dragon casts a mighty spell sending Rupert to the Rainbow's End where Rupert obtains a magic sword. Armed with the sword Rupert and his companions destroy the horde and return triumphantly to the Forrest Kingdom to confront Rupert's father and his destiny.
All of this happens in the first fifty pages.
There are still another three hundred fifty pages to this book.
I haven't read a better opening to a novel since i read Snow Crash. I am looking forward to the next book. God Bless Pat Chapin, Amazon.com, and the God Bless the United States of America. (Yes i stole that from the State of the Union Address. No i am not giving obama credit.)
Sports Show With Norm MacDonald
If you are not watching this show turn in your Y chromosome, our service representatives are standing by with a shiny new X chromosome for you since you are clearly not a man.
Firefly
Sam this is for you. If you do not watch this show i am not going to speak to you any longer. This time i am serious. You are only hurting yourself.
Externs
Externs are good. Everyone should have one. Too bad for you that i have the best one. Well to bad for all of you except Stephanie. To Stephanie, welcome back. I am excited to be working with you again.
Taxation
If you payed income taxes this year, congratulations! Welcome to the minority. This year for the first time a majority of Americans paid no income taxes. And obama wants to give more tax cuts to the 51% that paid no taxes.
Ok that is enough for now. Sports Show With Norm MacDonald is starting up. If you stuck it out to the end, leave a comment. I need songs for the new disc and color suggestions for my new Chucks.
Later
Bob
There is no unifying theme here today. I am just going to list random or semi-random things until i get bored or until you do, whichever comes first.
Pinball Wizard
That song rocks. No, it Rocks!, maybe even ROCKS! I am been listening to it a lot in the last few weeks. I went back and edited the last post to add a high definition version of the video. The costume is even better in HD so that you can make out the sequins.
Other Music
There are a few other videos i am currently viewing a lot. Mumford and Sons, The Cave is my current favorite video to view while on the treadmill. ET by Katy Perry might hold the top spot for treadmill music, but the Kanye parts suck.
Two Door Cinema Club, What You Know is going on the new disc i am making for the convertible. I am soliciting suggestions for additional tracks, please leave comments.
Chuck Taylors
I want to buy some Chucks. Erin is opposed. The question is not whether or not i get them, i will. The question is what color? I used to own a pair of electric blue/canary yellow extra high tops. Being an adult now i think i ought to get something a little more subdued. I am leaning towards a pair of Bright Blue Moons low tops. On the other hand Yellow would go with the Professor Zoom shirt.
T Mobile Commercials
As i finished the last section a T Mobile commercial came on. Those commercials wore out their welcome when they were Apple commercials. That Girl is hotter than Justin Long, what with her having long pretty hair and the correct genitalia to be attractive to me, but it was John Hodgman that made those commecials and he is absen from the T Mobile versions. If you doubt the talent of Mr. Hodgman, try checking this out.
Raising Hope
If you liked My Name Is Earl try this show out. Same creator, set in the same universe. Who knew that Martha Plimpton would turn out to be cute.
Ice Machine
My ice machine rules. I love having ice on command. If you think ice is just for cooling beverages you are really missing out. Zero calories and who cares how much electricity i use to get my snack of choice. If you are looking for environmental guilt and hand wringing over the fate of the planet, boy did you come to the wrong place.
Blue Moon Rising
Patrick Chapin has this book listed on Facebook. That was everything i knew about the book when i bought it. Sometimes gambles pay off.
Ok let's talk about the book.
Rupert is the second son of the Forrest King. His father sends him on a quest to slay a dragon. Rupert's only companion is his mount, a talking unicorn. In order to find the dragon he has to confront and deal with the Night Witch. Rupert and the unicorn must then cross the Darkwood, where the sun never shines and from which no living man has returned. Rupert scales the treacherous slopes leading to the dragon's lair braving bitter cold and a lack of provisions. Rupert then confronts the dragon and save it from a captive princess. When Rupert, the unicorn, dragon, and princess return to the Forrest Kingdom they are set upon in the Darkwood by a horde of demons. The dragon casts a mighty spell sending Rupert to the Rainbow's End where Rupert obtains a magic sword. Armed with the sword Rupert and his companions destroy the horde and return triumphantly to the Forrest Kingdom to confront Rupert's father and his destiny.
All of this happens in the first fifty pages.
There are still another three hundred fifty pages to this book.
I haven't read a better opening to a novel since i read Snow Crash. I am looking forward to the next book. God Bless Pat Chapin, Amazon.com, and the God Bless the United States of America. (Yes i stole that from the State of the Union Address. No i am not giving obama credit.)
Sports Show With Norm MacDonald
If you are not watching this show turn in your Y chromosome, our service representatives are standing by with a shiny new X chromosome for you since you are clearly not a man.
Firefly
Sam this is for you. If you do not watch this show i am not going to speak to you any longer. This time i am serious. You are only hurting yourself.
Externs
Externs are good. Everyone should have one. Too bad for you that i have the best one. Well to bad for all of you except Stephanie. To Stephanie, welcome back. I am excited to be working with you again.
Taxation
If you payed income taxes this year, congratulations! Welcome to the minority. This year for the first time a majority of Americans paid no income taxes. And obama wants to give more tax cuts to the 51% that paid no taxes.
Ok that is enough for now. Sports Show With Norm MacDonald is starting up. If you stuck it out to the end, leave a comment. I need songs for the new disc and color suggestions for my new Chucks.
Later
Bob
Sunday, April 17, 2011
We live in an age of miracles.
Right now i type on a wireless keyboard in front of a 23 inch touch screen. Next to that i have my laptop which will be in court with me on Thursday for the trial. Both are sitting in my living room where i have an undersized 45 inch HD LCD TV. All of them can be connected wirelessly to the rest of the internet thereby granting them access to more information than the Library at Alexandria. And of course, none of this impresses any of you because we accept this as normal.
Knowledge and information used to be hard won prizes. Arcane texts were closely and jealously guarded by their keepers lest the undeserving gain access or worse make off with them. Now they flow down fiber optic cables into my home at the rate of 15 megabits per second on a good day. In such a world it becomes easy to take the miraculous for granted.
I hear people lament the widening gulf between the best off and worst off in our society. "The rich get richer and the middle class is disappearing," they proclaim. These fools got together and elected one of their ilk to the highest post in our country and he has set about to throw wooden shoes one after another into the machinery of our economy. These people have missed the point. Today the average citizen lives better than European royalty did one hundred years ago. We laugh off diseases that killed nobles. Childbirth is scarcely a risk now. We live longer, healthier lives then they could imagine. We travel around the globe faster than the sun crawls across the landscape. We have multiple devices in every room of our homes that even the brightest men of a century ago would have found inconceivable. We are forty-four years from achieving immortality.
We live in an age of miracles and if the braying calls of the modern levellers do not bring us down, more and greater things are to come.
So what brought forth this outpouring?
It wasn't the release of Atlas Shrugged part I. Mike assures me the acting is poor and the liberal movie reviewing elite are not lying to bring the movie down, it just isn't very good. Nor is it Amazon suggesting i pick up Sonic Boom to go with The Progress Paradox and expand my Gregg Easterbrook collection. It was something much more mundane. Today i got up and thought about the song Pinball Wizard while brushing my teeth.
I walked down to my living room and within seven minutes i had seen Elton John standing ten feet tall in his sequined coke-bottle glasses (Edit-- HD version here) belt out the song, read three articles in the Wikipedia on Tommy, consumed a fresh batch of ice cubes, and checked the weather.
Sometimes i think about how fantastic it is to live in this world today and mean to write something, but get distracted. There is no point in the past that would be better. Today it is Sunday morning and i have promised you all that i would post more so i took advantage of the combination of inspiration and time.
I believe in the Singularity. I don't speculate on the outcome. That is the point, those of us on this side cannot imagine what things are like on the other side. I'd like to live long enough to get there.
We are at a cross roads right now. I think at some point down the road we can have Star Trek Socialism and provide creature comforts and a good standard of living for any and every person who wishes to sit on his ass and accept them. But we are not there yet. Nor do we need John Galt or Andrew Ryan to rise up and make off with our best, brightest, and most productive. All we need to do is accept that although we live in an age of miracles, we are not yet free from scarcity and our reach still exceeds our grasp. Maybe in forty-four years we can provide free heath care, food, clothing, shelter and ultra-broad band internet to everyone who wants them. I hope you are all there with me to find out.
Later
Bob
Post Script
Also encourage Mitch Daniels to run for president. Unless you hate America and then you already voted for obama.
Knowledge and information used to be hard won prizes. Arcane texts were closely and jealously guarded by their keepers lest the undeserving gain access or worse make off with them. Now they flow down fiber optic cables into my home at the rate of 15 megabits per second on a good day. In such a world it becomes easy to take the miraculous for granted.
I hear people lament the widening gulf between the best off and worst off in our society. "The rich get richer and the middle class is disappearing," they proclaim. These fools got together and elected one of their ilk to the highest post in our country and he has set about to throw wooden shoes one after another into the machinery of our economy. These people have missed the point. Today the average citizen lives better than European royalty did one hundred years ago. We laugh off diseases that killed nobles. Childbirth is scarcely a risk now. We live longer, healthier lives then they could imagine. We travel around the globe faster than the sun crawls across the landscape. We have multiple devices in every room of our homes that even the brightest men of a century ago would have found inconceivable. We are forty-four years from achieving immortality.
We live in an age of miracles and if the braying calls of the modern levellers do not bring us down, more and greater things are to come.
So what brought forth this outpouring?
It wasn't the release of Atlas Shrugged part I. Mike assures me the acting is poor and the liberal movie reviewing elite are not lying to bring the movie down, it just isn't very good. Nor is it Amazon suggesting i pick up Sonic Boom to go with The Progress Paradox and expand my Gregg Easterbrook collection. It was something much more mundane. Today i got up and thought about the song Pinball Wizard while brushing my teeth.
I walked down to my living room and within seven minutes i had seen Elton John standing ten feet tall in his sequined coke-bottle glasses (Edit-- HD version here) belt out the song, read three articles in the Wikipedia on Tommy, consumed a fresh batch of ice cubes, and checked the weather.
Sometimes i think about how fantastic it is to live in this world today and mean to write something, but get distracted. There is no point in the past that would be better. Today it is Sunday morning and i have promised you all that i would post more so i took advantage of the combination of inspiration and time.
I believe in the Singularity. I don't speculate on the outcome. That is the point, those of us on this side cannot imagine what things are like on the other side. I'd like to live long enough to get there.
We are at a cross roads right now. I think at some point down the road we can have Star Trek Socialism and provide creature comforts and a good standard of living for any and every person who wishes to sit on his ass and accept them. But we are not there yet. Nor do we need John Galt or Andrew Ryan to rise up and make off with our best, brightest, and most productive. All we need to do is accept that although we live in an age of miracles, we are not yet free from scarcity and our reach still exceeds our grasp. Maybe in forty-four years we can provide free heath care, food, clothing, shelter and ultra-broad band internet to everyone who wants them. I hope you are all there with me to find out.
Later
Bob
Post Script
Also encourage Mitch Daniels to run for president. Unless you hate America and then you already voted for obama.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
2010 The Year In Review
This post has been a long time coming. Oft delayed, putting the words into pixels has not been easy. The primary problem is that 2010 for me will only be able to be satisfactorily reviewed after events scheduled for later this year. But sometimes enough is enough and you just have to man up and do the job.
2010 was the second year of the my Law Office. Coincidentally it was also the second year of barack obama's campaign to destroy the American economy. These two forces clashed in 2010 and after pitched and bloody battle HLO came out on top. The damage to the economy, especially in Northeastern Indiana, served as a drag but it was overcome by the fact that i am now in control of my own fate. Mr. Thomas cast a large and deep shadow, only the hardiest flora could survive and removing that obstacle has allowed the sun to shine and my garden flourishes.
Golem continues to annoy Sophie and Thea.
I have written extensively and effusively regarding Community. The show has only gotten stronger. I still think it is the best thing on TV. I am enjoying Outsourced even though i know it is not very good. Erin hates it. Even though Diedrich Bader has saved pandas and Gotham City, she says he cannot save this show. Ok truth be told she hasn't said that but she should, it is a good line. Those of you who read this blog, feel free to steal that line and take credit for it. 2010 was a good year and i can afford to be generous. Shit My Dad Says has crashed and burned, but Shatner was not the problem.
2010 was a good year to be a Republican. I know, i know, every year is a good year to be a Republican, but 2010 was an especially good year. In two years obama might just become my favorite democratic president of all time. Only ex-presidents are eligible for this award because i cannot imagine liking one while he is in office. Jackson is fiercely clinging to the top spot for the time being, but being an indian fighter and telling the John Marshall to, "Piss off!" can only take you so far. (He actually said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!" but you get the gist). After George Bush Republicans were supposed to spend forty years wandering in desert of American politics. Obama has found a way to restore the Republicans to prominence. If we needed Jimmy Carter to get Ronald Reagan, i cannot wait to see what is in store for us.
Let's see business, home life, entertainment, and politics have all been covered. I could do sports and religion, but as i see it 2010 was not to eventful in those areas. Maybe 2011 will be more interesting and then they can make the YiR.
Later
Bob
2010 was the second year of the my Law Office. Coincidentally it was also the second year of barack obama's campaign to destroy the American economy. These two forces clashed in 2010 and after pitched and bloody battle HLO came out on top. The damage to the economy, especially in Northeastern Indiana, served as a drag but it was overcome by the fact that i am now in control of my own fate. Mr. Thomas cast a large and deep shadow, only the hardiest flora could survive and removing that obstacle has allowed the sun to shine and my garden flourishes.
Golem continues to annoy Sophie and Thea.
I have written extensively and effusively regarding Community. The show has only gotten stronger. I still think it is the best thing on TV. I am enjoying Outsourced even though i know it is not very good. Erin hates it. Even though Diedrich Bader has saved pandas and Gotham City, she says he cannot save this show. Ok truth be told she hasn't said that but she should, it is a good line. Those of you who read this blog, feel free to steal that line and take credit for it. 2010 was a good year and i can afford to be generous. Shit My Dad Says has crashed and burned, but Shatner was not the problem.
2010 was a good year to be a Republican. I know, i know, every year is a good year to be a Republican, but 2010 was an especially good year. In two years obama might just become my favorite democratic president of all time. Only ex-presidents are eligible for this award because i cannot imagine liking one while he is in office. Jackson is fiercely clinging to the top spot for the time being, but being an indian fighter and telling the John Marshall to, "Piss off!" can only take you so far. (He actually said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!" but you get the gist). After George Bush Republicans were supposed to spend forty years wandering in desert of American politics. Obama has found a way to restore the Republicans to prominence. If we needed Jimmy Carter to get Ronald Reagan, i cannot wait to see what is in store for us.
Let's see business, home life, entertainment, and politics have all been covered. I could do sports and religion, but as i see it 2010 was not to eventful in those areas. Maybe 2011 will be more interesting and then they can make the YiR.
Later
Bob
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Pica not just for Pokemon
I've been meaning to write this post since Wednesday. But this week i was sick. That means that i fell behind at work and had to get caught up. I have time today, so i write. Part of the reason i have time is that the Star City Open is in LA this weekend so the webcast doesn't start until 3:00.
Before i begin let me talk about the Star City Open. I love it. So many great things to say. It is like football but better. All weekend i can watch Magic. Saturday is Type II and Sunday is Type 1.5. For those of you how just started playing MtG, Standard used to be called Type II and Legacy was 1.5. Pete Hoefling has done a great service to the Magic community by creating the SCG Open. He has also done me a personal favor along with everyone else smart enough to hold on to their cards. I figure i have personally gained somewhere around $7,500 or so thanks to Pete's efforts. Card prices keep climbing and there does not appear to be a ceiling. If there was a MtG mutual fund, that'd be the smart place to put your money until the Republicans regain the White House in 2012. Because there is not, buy dual lands, Collector's Edition sets, and cards printed before the Tempest era.
So, Pica. Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal, clay, coal, sand, gum, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for food ingredients (e.g. flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt). In my case this means ice. When pica manifests itself by the consumption of ice it is called Pagophagia. Basically all of this is just a long, rambling way to say that i like to eat ice. I don't actually have pica, anemia, or any other mineral deficiency. I just like to eat ice.
This week i bought myself a Magic Chef 27 lb. Portable Ice Maker in Silver. I am most pleased with this. Best one hundred busks i have spent in a while. It makes twenty-seven pounds of ice a day, i only eat about three. I expect that ice consumption will go up on the weekends when i have more free time. Ice is the perfect snack, low calorie and delicious.
"Ok, Bob, why don't you just use your freezer?" you might be asking. Obviously you are not a ice bon viant. Ice from the freezer is inferior in quality for a number of reasons. If you use the built in ice maker you are getting tap water ice, which can range from excellent in some cities like Waterloo, to god aweful in cities that get their water from rivers like Fort Wayne. My ice maker uses whatever water i choose. I mostly use Culligan since we have it at the office. Erin will not let me use her cool Evian bottled water because it is for guests. But the real reason the ice maker is so nice is that it makes ice that is 32°, that's 0° outside the U.S. Ice at 32° is perfect for consumption. It melts quickly enhancing the ice eating experience. It is also softer which cuts down on the likelihood that you will break a tooth.
I could go on at length about how great this wonder machine is, but for those of you who have access to my office stop in and see it for yourself. Then go get one for yourself. As an American it is your duty to keep the economic recovery going.
Later
Bob
Don't worry, Sam, the 2010 YiR is still coming.
Before i begin let me talk about the Star City Open. I love it. So many great things to say. It is like football but better. All weekend i can watch Magic. Saturday is Type II and Sunday is Type 1.5. For those of you how just started playing MtG, Standard used to be called Type II and Legacy was 1.5. Pete Hoefling has done a great service to the Magic community by creating the SCG Open. He has also done me a personal favor along with everyone else smart enough to hold on to their cards. I figure i have personally gained somewhere around $7,500 or so thanks to Pete's efforts. Card prices keep climbing and there does not appear to be a ceiling. If there was a MtG mutual fund, that'd be the smart place to put your money until the Republicans regain the White House in 2012. Because there is not, buy dual lands, Collector's Edition sets, and cards printed before the Tempest era.
So, Pica. Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal, clay, coal, sand, gum, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for food ingredients (e.g. flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt). In my case this means ice. When pica manifests itself by the consumption of ice it is called Pagophagia. Basically all of this is just a long, rambling way to say that i like to eat ice. I don't actually have pica, anemia, or any other mineral deficiency. I just like to eat ice.
This week i bought myself a Magic Chef 27 lb. Portable Ice Maker in Silver. I am most pleased with this. Best one hundred busks i have spent in a while. It makes twenty-seven pounds of ice a day, i only eat about three. I expect that ice consumption will go up on the weekends when i have more free time. Ice is the perfect snack, low calorie and delicious.
"Ok, Bob, why don't you just use your freezer?" you might be asking. Obviously you are not a ice bon viant. Ice from the freezer is inferior in quality for a number of reasons. If you use the built in ice maker you are getting tap water ice, which can range from excellent in some cities like Waterloo, to god aweful in cities that get their water from rivers like Fort Wayne. My ice maker uses whatever water i choose. I mostly use Culligan since we have it at the office. Erin will not let me use her cool Evian bottled water because it is for guests. But the real reason the ice maker is so nice is that it makes ice that is 32°, that's 0° outside the U.S. Ice at 32° is perfect for consumption. It melts quickly enhancing the ice eating experience. It is also softer which cuts down on the likelihood that you will break a tooth.
I could go on at length about how great this wonder machine is, but for those of you who have access to my office stop in and see it for yourself. Then go get one for yourself. As an American it is your duty to keep the economic recovery going.
Later
Bob
Don't worry, Sam, the 2010 YiR is still coming.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
10 Reasons Why Being 40 is Better Than Being 20
This is not the year in review, but never fear i will get to it. This is something else.
1. Oldies. When you go to the grocery store the oldies music they play is the music you like. When i was twenty i worked at Scott's and all the music was twenty years old and it was lame. Now the music is still twenty years old, but it is awesome. I am sure the food i bought will taste better and be healthier because the Cure was playing when i picked it up.
2. Buying power. Now when i see something i want, i can get it. Whether it is an extra play sets of Jace TMS or new computer i can get the things i want. When i was twenty i had to sell plasma to get the things i want, now my bodily humors remain safely in my body.
3. Technology. Simple fact, the older you get the better technology is. Moore's Law kicks ass. The phone i carry around is more powerful than mainframes when i was twenty. I can watch damn near any tv show i want, whenever and wherever i happen to be. I love technology and it is so much better and more powerful than it was two decades ago. I really hope i survive to 2045 so i can see the other side of the singularity. Being immortal should be cool.
4. Magic the Gathering. I really don't play any more. All my friends have moved away or moved on. But Magic is still the best game every created and when i was twenty there was no MtG. Whenever i need a quick pick me up i can rifle through my Collector's Edition or look at my Cursed Scroll these things would not exist without Magic the Gathering.
5. Amazon.com. Much like MtG, my life is much better as a result of discovering Amazon.com. Whether i need a new book, game, or case of Boo Berry, Amazon will deliver it to my door step. Not only that but i can get these things at 2 AM while i lay in bed.
6. Perspective. It is hard to have perspective when you are twenty, you have not lived enough. Your opinions are just barely your own and you are mainly an extension of the adults who shaped you. I doubt anyone would describe me as an extension of someone else at this point in my life.
7. Character. Having character is good. Getting character sucks. Character building experiences are not fun. No one looks forward to opportunities to build character, in fact if you have any sense at all you actively seek to avoid character building experiences. But given enough time you cannot dodge every CBE, and by 40 most people will have had many CBEs. Having been though many, many CBEs i am happy with the man i am.
8. Satisfaction. At 20 you can't get no. But you try and you try. At 40 you can have satisfaction. It comes from the result of gaining perspective, character, and accomplishment.
9. Accomplishment. Maybe if you are very lucky and very talented you will experience accomplishment when you are twenty. I had a measure of accomplishment at that point in my life. Things like being valedictorian and qualifying for Nationals seemed important at the time. Those things pale in comparison to the things i accomplish now. This week i was able to win a trial. That is an accomplishment. A man is walking the streets right now because of the work i did. That makes you feel good, at least if you are a criminal defense attorney anyway. Don't worry , he isn't dangerous.
10. Erin. Ok, to be fair Erin was around when i was twenty. But she was in New York and a little girl. Now she is with me and makes my life so much better than it would be without her. I love her and she is the best thing to happen to me. On August 20, 2011, we are getting married. I can't think of anything that happened when i was twenty that is better than that.
Later
Bob
1. Oldies. When you go to the grocery store the oldies music they play is the music you like. When i was twenty i worked at Scott's and all the music was twenty years old and it was lame. Now the music is still twenty years old, but it is awesome. I am sure the food i bought will taste better and be healthier because the Cure was playing when i picked it up.
2. Buying power. Now when i see something i want, i can get it. Whether it is an extra play sets of Jace TMS or new computer i can get the things i want. When i was twenty i had to sell plasma to get the things i want, now my bodily humors remain safely in my body.
3. Technology. Simple fact, the older you get the better technology is. Moore's Law kicks ass. The phone i carry around is more powerful than mainframes when i was twenty. I can watch damn near any tv show i want, whenever and wherever i happen to be. I love technology and it is so much better and more powerful than it was two decades ago. I really hope i survive to 2045 so i can see the other side of the singularity. Being immortal should be cool.
4. Magic the Gathering. I really don't play any more. All my friends have moved away or moved on. But Magic is still the best game every created and when i was twenty there was no MtG. Whenever i need a quick pick me up i can rifle through my Collector's Edition or look at my Cursed Scroll these things would not exist without Magic the Gathering.
5. Amazon.com. Much like MtG, my life is much better as a result of discovering Amazon.com. Whether i need a new book, game, or case of Boo Berry, Amazon will deliver it to my door step. Not only that but i can get these things at 2 AM while i lay in bed.
6. Perspective. It is hard to have perspective when you are twenty, you have not lived enough. Your opinions are just barely your own and you are mainly an extension of the adults who shaped you. I doubt anyone would describe me as an extension of someone else at this point in my life.
7. Character. Having character is good. Getting character sucks. Character building experiences are not fun. No one looks forward to opportunities to build character, in fact if you have any sense at all you actively seek to avoid character building experiences. But given enough time you cannot dodge every CBE, and by 40 most people will have had many CBEs. Having been though many, many CBEs i am happy with the man i am.
8. Satisfaction. At 20 you can't get no. But you try and you try. At 40 you can have satisfaction. It comes from the result of gaining perspective, character, and accomplishment.
9. Accomplishment. Maybe if you are very lucky and very talented you will experience accomplishment when you are twenty. I had a measure of accomplishment at that point in my life. Things like being valedictorian and qualifying for Nationals seemed important at the time. Those things pale in comparison to the things i accomplish now. This week i was able to win a trial. That is an accomplishment. A man is walking the streets right now because of the work i did. That makes you feel good, at least if you are a criminal defense attorney anyway. Don't worry , he isn't dangerous.
10. Erin. Ok, to be fair Erin was around when i was twenty. But she was in New York and a little girl. Now she is with me and makes my life so much better than it would be without her. I love her and she is the best thing to happen to me. On August 20, 2011, we are getting married. I can't think of anything that happened when i was twenty that is better than that.
Later
Bob
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A little to tide you over
This is for Jason and Sam, and because i want to write something.
January has been busy. January had been busy as this is now February. I am working on a number of appeals. Writing appeals is never fun, even when it is interesting. Often it is not even interesting. This is one of those often times.
First off a complaint. I watched the first two episodes of Fairly Legal. The star is gorgeous. 10 out of 10. This is not enough to carry a show. Especially not one as riddled with problems as Fairly Legal. But first a little more of the good. It is on USA the land of good TV. It has Eathan Embry, he is good even if his character is not named Marc with a C or in a band called Mark with a K. The supporting cast is interesting.
Now for the bad, in condensed form because i do not have hours to devote to this task. Mediators do not do what she does on this show. Never. Not Ever. Not even close. Lawyers are not as dumb as they are presented on this show. Worst of all the show broke the do not discuss Magic rule. Magic players do not discuss Magic in their non-Magic lives. But the legal assistant told his boss he traded his Planeswalkers to get her the picture she needed to get the result she wanted saying, "Planeswalkers are hard to come by." This is wrong on so many levels but i will stick to the most obvious. Planeswalkers for those of you who do not play Magic are easy to come by so long as you have money. I can convert as many one hundred dollar bills as you wish into an equal number of Jace the Mind Sculpters as you care to own. JtMS is the most difficult to obtain merely because he is the priciest of them. The others run thirty-five bucks or less. None of them are hard to get. This sequence reminded me of the time Glee ran its football episode. Attention TV writers: Do not write about things you do not understand that the rest of the public does, or at least ask someone if what you wrote is stupid.
Time Warp Time
Today i was sitting in the Pizza Forum as i often do. On the music piped in to entertain the clientele was White Flag by Dido. I like this song. "White Flag" is the biggest hit of Dido's career. It is considered one of her signature songs, and helped Life for Rent sell over ten million copies worldwide. (Thanks Wikipedia)
White flag is a nice song and typical of Dido. A pretty but not too pretty girl is sad but not too sad about something that any one can relate to. In this instance Dido runs into an old lover and realizes that she still cares for him. If you cannot relate to this song good for you, you are either with your first love or a sociopath. Either way your heart remains pristine and unbroken. The rest of us are not so lucky.
As i write this today i am relatively immune to such feelings as i am still riding high on my recent engagement to the lovely Erin. She got her diamond yesterday. We will get the ring it goes in next week. The end result should be something that a million poets could try for a million years and still describe but three-eighths of its beauty. (for you Simpsons fans).
I couldn't have written this in December as i was not engaged then, but this had a December vibe.
End Time Warp
As i write this Nature is bringing its full winter wrath down upon us here in Indiana. As i understand it there is at least one man benefiting from these conditions.
Try to stay warm and stay alive.
Later
Bob
January has been busy. January had been busy as this is now February. I am working on a number of appeals. Writing appeals is never fun, even when it is interesting. Often it is not even interesting. This is one of those often times.
First off a complaint. I watched the first two episodes of Fairly Legal. The star is gorgeous. 10 out of 10. This is not enough to carry a show. Especially not one as riddled with problems as Fairly Legal. But first a little more of the good. It is on USA the land of good TV. It has Eathan Embry, he is good even if his character is not named Marc with a C or in a band called Mark with a K. The supporting cast is interesting.
Now for the bad, in condensed form because i do not have hours to devote to this task. Mediators do not do what she does on this show. Never. Not Ever. Not even close. Lawyers are not as dumb as they are presented on this show. Worst of all the show broke the do not discuss Magic rule. Magic players do not discuss Magic in their non-Magic lives. But the legal assistant told his boss he traded his Planeswalkers to get her the picture she needed to get the result she wanted saying, "Planeswalkers are hard to come by." This is wrong on so many levels but i will stick to the most obvious. Planeswalkers for those of you who do not play Magic are easy to come by so long as you have money. I can convert as many one hundred dollar bills as you wish into an equal number of Jace the Mind Sculpters as you care to own. JtMS is the most difficult to obtain merely because he is the priciest of them. The others run thirty-five bucks or less. None of them are hard to get. This sequence reminded me of the time Glee ran its football episode. Attention TV writers: Do not write about things you do not understand that the rest of the public does, or at least ask someone if what you wrote is stupid.
Time Warp Time
Today i was sitting in the Pizza Forum as i often do. On the music piped in to entertain the clientele was White Flag by Dido. I like this song. "White Flag" is the biggest hit of Dido's career. It is considered one of her signature songs, and helped Life for Rent sell over ten million copies worldwide. (Thanks Wikipedia)
White flag is a nice song and typical of Dido. A pretty but not too pretty girl is sad but not too sad about something that any one can relate to. In this instance Dido runs into an old lover and realizes that she still cares for him. If you cannot relate to this song good for you, you are either with your first love or a sociopath. Either way your heart remains pristine and unbroken. The rest of us are not so lucky.
As i write this today i am relatively immune to such feelings as i am still riding high on my recent engagement to the lovely Erin. She got her diamond yesterday. We will get the ring it goes in next week. The end result should be something that a million poets could try for a million years and still describe but three-eighths of its beauty. (for you Simpsons fans).
I couldn't have written this in December as i was not engaged then, but this had a December vibe.
End Time Warp
As i write this Nature is bringing its full winter wrath down upon us here in Indiana. As i understand it there is at least one man benefiting from these conditions.
Try to stay warm and stay alive.
Later
Bob
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