Rollin'

* Comic courtesy of RocketJumper.

One year in 40 seconds

One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

* NOTE: press the 4 arrows button in the bottom right to watch this full screen- it's even more impressive.

Tuesday part 2

Today's goal was 20 items.
I crossed off 22!
Only 64 to go.

An odd place

When cleaning my microwave today, I discovered what looks to be a coaxial cable jack inside it. I wonder what would happen if...

Fate? Irony? Karma?

So, I've had this coffee pot for nearly ten years. Works like a charm. Just now, I was cleaning my kitchen and said to myself, 'wow this coffee pot has really held up. I bet it'd be hard to find replacement carafes if it broke.'

That was about the time that it slid off the counter and shattered on the floor.

Tuesday

So, since last night, I've added 18 items to my 'To Do' list.
That brings the total up to 100.
Did 14 yesterday, so I have 86 to go.
Goal for today: complete 20 items, with no new ones added.

mmmmm...

You know when you haven't had something in a week, and when you finally get it again, you're not sure it will be as good as you'd imagined?
Well, it was.
Damn, that was a good iced coffee.

Monday

14 items done today.
68 to go.

82 items on my 'To Do' list

So, I have this week off (school vacation), and I'm motivated to get stuff done. Finally. I'm really making an effort on getting back on track with the Apartment Therapy Cure. Putting stuff away, hanging stuff up, and getting rid of clutter.

An unexpected surprise

Just when you think you've been slacking off at work over the past week, with the holiday season burnout setting in, your Superintendent and School Board present you with a 'Board of Education Faculty Award'- in front of all the employees in your school district.

I was 1 of only 5 staff in the district to receive the award- and technically, I'm not even employed by the district; I just work within the school!

They said a lot of wonderful things about me and the job I do. What a fantastic way to start my vacation. :)

#1 on Amazon's 'bestsellers in office products' list

How sweet is that!?!

Brussels sprouts wreath

Apartment Therapy has some good stuff on it. But once in a while...sheer craptasticness.

To make up for the phone call

I placed a custom order online for an Xmas present today at 11:15 and they sent me a confirmation email shortly afterward.
At 3:30 I got an email stating that it had been shipped!
Talk about a quick turnaround!

Yet another flawed system...

I just got off the phone with my bank.
Goal: to order new savings acct. deposit slips with my correct mailing address on them (I just noticed they had my 2yr. old address on them- shows how often I use them).
Estimated time it should take: 5 minutes

Right.

When I called, I was connected to a representative within 30 seconds...sweet.
Yet, it took me 16 MINUTES to complete such a simple task.
The rep kept telling me, every time I change screens, I have to re-enter your address.
Let me guess, Microsoft created your software?
That was ridiculous. It actually would have been quicker for me to drive to my local branch, meet with a rep, and get the info. changed in person. Heck, I probably would've had time left over to pick up an iced coffee.

Picross

My brother introduced me to this game over Thanksgiving. It's a cross between Sudoku and Minesweeper. I quickly became addicted ... nearly breaking up my engagement. :-P

Cliff Clavin, you're a smart man.

'Well you see, Norm, it's like this . . . A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the heard is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers. ' (*emailed to me from my father)

Why I hate the Foo Fighters

Earlier I posted the worst xmas song. Here's the worst alternative rock song (currently):
Foo Fighters: Let it Die.
Here's why.
24 out of the 46 lines of the song are: "Why'd you have to go and let it die?"
That's 52%. 52% of the song is the SAME THING.
I abhor songs that repeat the same line over and over and over.
This song makes me want to run my car into a guardrail every time it comes on the radio.
Oh, and it's not just the lyrics, the instruments suck too. Dave Grohl, your talent ended with Nirvana.

Mr. Grinch

This came over the streaming iTunes radio the other day. First time I'd heard it- guitarist Gary Hoey. It's pretty rockin'!

Boat pic

Took this pic on the roadside of coastal Maine on our engagement weekend. It's no 'Suck My Wake', but it's still humorous.

Wonderful Christmas Time?

Despite all the positive comments on YouTube, I'm pretty sure this is the worst Christmas song EVER.

Christmas (i)Tunes

It's that time of year again! I'm very excited to go shopping with my brother on Black Friday. But, I'm stuck here at work for the next 4 hours, and b/c of the schedule I don't see students today. So, I thought I'd get in the Christmas spirit.

If you go to your iTunes (download for free for Mac or PC with this link) and click on "Radio" in the left column, you can get streaming radio stations. There's a "Holiday" menu there (didn't know that till today).

I'm currently listening to the "Big R Radio- Rockin Christmas" station...and guess what just came on? Adam Sandler's The Chanukah Song- part II!

I suppose I ought to upgrade

So, I'm still one of the few millions still in the dark ages using a PS2. I don't play video games often enough to really warrant spending the $$ for a new system. Also, I play a very limited variety of games.

So when a release date is bumped a week, then 2 weeks, then a month, I get a little frustrated. Especially when the title has been available for some systems since September. Isn't the PS 2 version supposed to be the dummy/watered-down/might-as-well-be-beta version, anyways?

...Rock Band 2 for the PS2 was scheduled for release on Nov. 18 ...and after 2 bumps, GameStop has it available for pre-order on DECEMBER 22!
Ugh.

Attention Backpack users

Here's a few helpful websites for those of you using Backpack.
Oh, and if you haven't discovered the awesomeness, go check it out here.

Site #1 Some things you may not have known.
Site #2 Tagging pages
Site #3 Textile help (for making words bold, colored, italic, etc.)

Or, I could use the $$ to buy a Wii

Here's a rich one: Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller Premiere Edition(left) ...$249 ...essentially a standard Guitar Hero controller inside a real guitar body. No thanks, I'll stick with my SG model (right).

Engaged!

On Saturday (11/15), Jillian and I hiked Mt. Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park.

Here's the story:
I created a fake geocache (see pic) located at the peak of the mountain, based off coordinates from GoogleEarth. We hiked in the rain for 2 hours up the mountain. Upon reaching the peak, we were soaked and exhausted. When she couldn't 'find' the geocache, I asked her to translate the hint- perhaps that would help.

Translated, it reads, 'happily ever after', to which she exclaimed, 'What the hell does that mean? That doesn't help!

I then said:
'It means I want to spend the rest of my life with you. The geocache is completely made up.'
Then, I got down on one knee and proposed. This was the best weekend of my life. :)

Electric car

If you haven't checked out the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car", I suggest you do.
We watched it last week, and it was an incredible eye opener.

Just the other day, I watched a TV commercial boasting an electric car that can go up to 40 miles on one charge. Wow. If you think that's new technology, you would be incredibly wrong. We had ones that got 70-100 miles/charge twelve years ago.

In the video, you'll learn how politics, oil companies, car manufacturers, and the consumer squashed the dream (and at that time, reality) of zero emissions vehicles.

It was educational, frustrating, and sad all at the same time. It made us think about all that is necessary in order for America and the rest of the world to move forward into a greener tomorrow.

A look back at my gas station pics...

On July 29th, I was excited to see gas at $3.74.
On August 13th, I was ecstatic to fill up at $3.56.
As you read in an earlier post, I just filled up for $1.99.
I just hope that the recent drop in prices does not sway America from continuing to move forward with alternative fuels/energy....but I have a sad feeling that it will.
Big Oil really has us by the cahones.

Star Trek Trailer

Dude, check out who's at the 1:36 mark...it's Harold!

Ready or not...

It's here! The first snowfall of the season- 11/22/08.

Monster Squad

So, I came across this article the other day. Through FAO Schwarz, you can draw a creature and have them create it into a stuffed 'animal'. WOW! What a cool idea! Seeing what kids come up with would be really neat (more pics in the article link above).

Tonight, I clicked on the link to FAO to see how much one would cost. $50? $100? $150? It is custom made and all.

Nope.

Two hundred and fifty dollars!!!

What parent in their right mind would get their brat a $250 stuffed animal that they'll drool on, draw on, chew on, get dirty, or lose? Seriously? Spend $0.59 on a fridge magnet, hang up their drawing and go buy them a $20 Pound Puppy or something. I think my brother had his till he was 23.

Christmas Morning:
Brat: 'Yeah, Santa came! I'm so excited! What? Only 1 present under the tree?'
Dad: 'Yep. That freakin' drawing of yours cost $250 to bring to life. Kinda wishing you'd asked for something else now, aren't you?'

Gummi Bears

One of my students mentioned the Gummi Bears cartoon in class the other day. I immediately broke out into the chorus (they think it's ridiculous when I sing, which makes it that much more worthwhile):

"Gummi Bears, bouncing here and there and everywhere. High adventure that's beyond compare. They are the Gummi Bears!"

Here's the rest in case you're interested. It reminds me of a simpler time...when cartoons had a positive message and were fun to watch. Aaah, nostalgia.

Get in line early

Here's my prediction for the chase item on Black Friday (Nov. 28)....a Blu-Ray player for $150.

You know some company is going to spit them out by the truckloads, just in time for thousands of crazed shoppers to be lined up in front of Best Buy at the crack of dawn, pushing and shoving, barking orders at family members on their cell phones, and checking their courtesy at the door.

Where will my brother and I be at that time, you ask? Probably about 2 hours behind them, just in time to witness the tail end of the ridiculousness- (read: the last few angry women screaming at the sweaty and scared 19 year old 'assistant manager' when he says, 'I'm sorry ma'am, we're sold out')

Update- I just Googled 'Blu-Ray' to see if a hyphen was needed in the spelling, and here's the article that popped up: 'Blu-Ray Players for $150?'

O.A.R. Concert

Jillian, Luke, and I went to see O.A.R. at UMaine on Monday night . They've got a sound similar to Dave Matthews- fun, energetic, jazzy. It was a good time, despite standing on a concrete floor for 4 hours (including opening act, Virginia Coalition). Oh, and we got a sweet hook up for tix- Jillian's brother goes to UMaine and scored us some for only $15ea. Hard to pass up! (photo courtesy Luke's iphone)

Starbucks Tie Fighter

Another guy with too much free time.

Friend's blog

My friend Luke's blog- all things computer, photography, outdoors, and Bowflex related. Add to your RSS feed. :)

Filled up for $1.99/gal. today

Can I get a hell yeah!

A sense of pride

According to some of the reader comments that I've read today, many others from countries around the world including England, France, and Austrailia stayed up late to watch the US Election last night. I've always been proud to be an American. Now, hopefully, the rest of the world can return to being proud of us as well.

More reader comments...

"I couldn't believe it. I was in a state of happy shock too until he came out on stage with his family, and I just lost it. It was so wonderful. What a great time to be an American. What an amazing step in history.. and what a great man to make it."

"I'm so happy for our country. It's almost too much to take in sometimes."

Good things are on the horizon

Rosa sat so Martin could walk.
Martin walked so Obama could run.
Obama ran so our children can fly.

(reader comment on Moby's website)

Election

Put in my car window today

Change is on its way

Hey

Take the poll in the sidebar -->

Election Day!

I just put one of these on each tenant's door in my building. Rock the vote!

Georgia

"If there is one shocker on election night in the presidential race, cast your eyes to Georgia.

1,994,990 people voted early in Georgia.

3,301,875 total voted in Georgia's presidential race in 2004."

(article here)

'Wii'cked cool effect at the end of this video.

Click on the link to: 'Wario Land: Shake It' video game.

Signs on my car

Halloween

This is a pic of Jillian's aunt and 80 year old grandmother. They went door-to-door visiting friends, and scaring children (not on purpose!...well, maybe a few). I hope I'm that wily at her age!

Pic of car in front of me yesterday

Hooked on Phonics worked for for me.

Yet

Here's the last line of a McCain TV commercial that aired last night after Obama's message:

"Barack Obama is not ready (small pause) yet."

Go back and read that sentence again.

The word "yet" completely changes the message it's sending.

I was almost impressed that McCain's campaign would choose such wording.

Voting art

A cool website: 30 reasons.
Here is some of my favorite artwork.

Guitar Hero: World Tour

You know your girlfriend is a keeper when she can beat "Crazy Train" on hard, her first time through.

Get out of debt

Here's a good article on how to get out of debt in a short amount of time. This woman paid off $14,330 in 20 months.

B-I-N-G-O!

Here's the link to download the bingo cards. :)

Red State, Blue State

Link to Polls.
Thanks to Jen for this link.

I believe he misspoke

McCain: "Of course it's OK to go across state lines because in Arizona they may offer a better [health] plan that suits you best than it does here in Tennessee". That's one long trip to the doctor.

darn

Gas was $2.99 today at the local station.
I filled up yesterday for $3.19.

No explanation needed

Thursday 9pm

Vice Presidential debate.
Let the slaughter begin.
And remember, you can't spell slaughter without 'laughter'.

Tina Fey just keeps getting better and better

It's electric...boogie woogie woogie

Our electric bill this month?
Only $35.24.
Sweeeet.

Why don't you gimme a call when you want to start taking things a little more seriously

Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

Election Quiz

Take this quick survey over at ABC News. Your results may surprise you.

Debate?

This one is from "indexed". A very simple blog that gets right to the point.

Truffle Shuffle

Meant to link to this when I referred to it in the nano post. Classic movie.

Mass. D.O.T.

On a recent trip through Massachusetts:
6 lane highway (3 in each direction)

These were the traffic signs:
Right Lane Closed Ahead
...less than 1/2 mile later...
Left Lanes Closed Ahead

No one on the road had any idea where to go, since, according to the signage, ALL lanes ahead were closed!
Once we finally did see which lane ahead was closed (turns out, only the right one), all the traffic was bottle necked. Good times.

The new Nano

Apple's new iPod Nano:
Back to the old shape- much better than the square-pat-of-butter style.
New colors- look less like Easter.
The coolest feature?

You can give the iPod the truffle-shuffle and it skips to a different song.
Neat technology.

Death Magnetic

The new album comes out tomorrow. Circuit City has it for only $8.99. Here's a link to some samples to whet your appetite. So far, this one sounds much better than St. Anger and more like Load, the Black Album, or Justice.

A flawed system

'Dunkin' Dignitary' is the name of the new system at one of the local Dunkin' Donuts near me.

D.D. is my daily stop on my commute home, since 1. I'm way too cheap for Starbucks (and one is not on my daily commute route) and 2. there is no Brewed Awakenings in Maine.

If you're a regular there, you can get a number assigned to you (hence the term "Dunkin' Dignitary") which correlates to your usual order (ie- medium iced coffee, regular).
Now, this "system" sounds great on paper- the idea is to help speed up your time at the drive through.
However, when put in the hands of morons, it all falls apart.

Here's how a conversation should go:
"Thank you for choosing Dunkin' Donuts; would you like to try a combo today?"
"No. Number 167 please."
"Thanks, drive on up."
- Quick, easy, painless.

But, here's how it typically goes:

"Thank you for choosing Dunkin' Donuts; would you like to try a combo today?"
"No. Number 167 please."
"Number 167?"
"Yes"
"Will there be anything else today?"
"No"
"I'll have your total at the window; come on up."

Sometimes, they like to throw in this curveball:
"Number 167? Medium iced coffee, regular cream and sugar?"

Okay. Why the need to confirm the details of my order? Wasn't that why numbers were assigned? This isn't speeding up the process at all.
You saying "medium iced...sugar" takes the same amount of time as me saying "medium iced...sugar".
Don't repeat my order to me.

And, for god's sake, don't strike up conversation through the drive through speaker- which is what happened today.
"And how are you today?", the woman said.

Let's see...I'm stuck here talking to you through a speaker on a pole. How am I? Not great lady, not great.

I'm in the drive through for a reason. I am avoiding personal interaction to speed the process up. Stop slowing me down and make my coffee.

John McCain Gets BarackRoll'd

Chair redo

Our Sunday project: to re-fabric Jillian's office chair.

Total time: approx. 2 hours.

Tools: For the staple gun, I would suggest using a "heavy duty" staple gun instead of the "light duty" one we used as the staples did not always go all the way into the wood and had to be hammered in the rest of the way.














Before:














Step 1: Unbolt the back and seat of the chair from the frame,
then pop off (and unscrew) the plastic backing from cushion.









Step 2: Wrap fabric around the cushion, staple into the wood,
while a second person holds the fabric tight.








Here is what the back of the cushion should look like, before
re-attaching the plastic backing:







Step 3: Snap the plastic backing onto the chair back and seat,
re-bolt to the chair frame.

After:

















Looks like a brand new chair, and she loves it. :)
Some links to where our inspiration came from:

chair redo 1

chair redo 2

more neat ideas at ikeahacker.

She'll make ya toast

While listening to WHSN and paying bills this afternoon, this song came on. Man, haven't heard that one since high school.

The Providence Place mall gets violated

Two people choose to live in the mall.

Their website "advertising" the unique living space.

Chris Jordan Photography

A friend of mine recently introduced me to this graphic artist. He uses a computer program to create images that depict our society. You really need to visit his website to get the full effect.

Make Their Day

"Make Their Day" is part of the Fish Philosophy we use at my school.
Just when you thought a co-worker had been judging you all along- they go and say "you have no idea how delighted I am to see you back. I thought you were headed off for a different job."- that made my day. :)

Err...

Recent error message in Hotmail:




After clicking "Please report this problem..":




Awesome. Well done once again, Microsoft.

2nd job

When talking to one of my students recently, I asked how her mom was doing and how her job was going.

She said "Mom is good; she has two jobs now.".

"Really? She must have been awfully busy this summer. What does she do for her second job?"

"She kind of plans parties, and runs them too."

"Like, a catering business?"

"No, not really."

Innocent and oblivious, the student continued- "Mom said 'these types of parties would be a lot of fun for Bachelorette parties'."

I did all I could to keep from laughing my ass off.

You think your recess duty is rough...

From the teacher's handbook at the middle school where I'm employed: "Students will have outside recess if the temperature is above 20 degrees". Didn't notice that in there last year.

McCain & Palin

nice

Hit the nail on the head

Today, I was explaining to my brother the simplicity of installing Ikea's "Lack" shelving, which I just installed in my home office.
He says, "What, is it like, Step 1- drill the nails in?".
A carpenter he is not. :-P

Part of a painting we're working on together.

Dwight vs. Dwight

"I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter . . . that makes stairs."- Andy Bernard, "The Office"

Wiki- worst films

Although Wikipedia is not considered to be a credible source, I have to agree with them on this one. My brother forced us to watch this at Christmastime. His plan is to torture others with it as well.

Splish-splash

Check out more details here.

Ping Pong- Matrix style

Really clever effect at 1:13.

Suspicious looking? Nah.

You know the old email forward, where you play this little game and then all of a sudden, a creepy picture pops up along with a blood-curdling scream and the viewer nearly falls out of their chair in fright? Well, the local newscaster was reading a story yesterday about a woman arrested for criminal speeding. I almost fell off the couch when this picture filled my tv screen.