Good news and bad news...

Well, pretty much all bad news. I am officially going on a quasi-hiatus, and I don't know how long it will be for. Most likely, it is looking to be at least five months. With the pressures of finishing up my Master's thesis, finding a job, and looking for a new place to live, I simply don't have the time to put into keeping this crappy little site updated on a regular basis.

I may check in from time to time and drop a line on what I am doing, or, if I give in, post a couple of interesting things. However, for the most part, I will be gone. If I know you, you will probably hear it through the grapevine when the site is cruising again, if I don't know you, I hope you check in in a few months. Science and crap will be up and running again. That I garuntee, since I am paying for hosting and DNS. Plus, I love it.

word.

Toyota has new radar quasi-cruise control.

It works in low speed situations (e.g. traffic jams), and when the driver in front of you breaks, audible signals let you know to break as well.

I'm baaaaaack....

And really freaking tired. I capped of the trip yesterday with a jaunt up to St. Cloud to visit Tom and Rosie. And to feed Tom's pirahna. Man, can that little fish eat other little fish something fierce.

I ended up putting about one thousand miles on the focus, or 200 miles a day. Not bad for a mini road trip between only two states.

That being said, I came back to a crap load of work here at the ol' lab, so updates may be minimal until I get a chance to catch up again.

Crazy numbered flashback...

Count to twelve? Why yes, I most certainly can. Thank you kind sir, for your informative videos or yesteryear.

Today's DG...

is brought to you by the Dano. Because I have time to update this morning, thanks to the Dan's WiFi connection. Remember the penguin game, well here is yet another clone of it. I got 596 for my top score. Beat that jerk hats.

Criss-cross and other card games for happy people.

The Pop played poker with us on Saturday night and taught me a fair number of new poker variations. I must say, I am impressed, the man knows poker. I don't know if I will be able to go back to just playing Texas Hold 'em anymore. I mean, the TX is a wicked game, but who knew there were so many other ones? Not me.

I rule at being Perfect Awesome.

You may have noticed that at the beginning of this week I ruled, but it was only at just being awesome. I now officially rule at being Perfect Awesome. Which is like awesome, but more perfecter.

Since REI is closed I am going to the mall!

Wait, let me say it this way... I am going to the mall. Notice the period at the end of the sentence instead of the exclamation mark. Why? Because the mall just isn't that exciting anymore. Again, I blame television. It has deadened my sense of wonderment. However, they are putting up an IKEA next to it, so that should be swell.

Do it. Just do it. Do it.

Saw Starsky and Hutch last night. I laughed so hard I pooped my pants, then I pooped my neighbors pants just for good measure. The best part about a Sunday night movie is that there is hardly anyone else in the theater. And the one's that are there are just as much of a smart ass as you. And by you, I mean me.

It's Monday! And I'm not working!

So... the saga of the road trip continues. Day four - Eagan, MN. Last night Al and I went on a mini road trip to play as many skill claw games located in the exits of Cub Foods and Wal-Marts as possible. We hit up four total (counting the one Al hit earlier). Though, at the end of the night the score was, Skill Crane, 4; Al and I, 0. I blame television for deadening my depth perception.

Attention.

Pitfall the game gets really, really difficult towards the end.

Dog:Cat

Dog:Cat::Puppy:Kitten

I rule at being awesome.

Just in case anyone was wondering.;

Publishing on the Road baby...

I'm a regular freaking Kerovac... or something. Things I have learned whilst on this road trip:

1. Lacrosse has no trampolines.
2. Paul doesn't know anyone with trampolines. Probably due to the lack of trampolines in that demographic. I blame jerry-mandering.
3. I rule at not pulling my groin playing soccer.
4. Al does not rule at not pulling his groing playing soccer.
5. Apparently, pulling your groing gets you out of having to get rocked in the DDR.
6. Lacrosse has a lot of elderly people.
7. The bathroom at the Krispy Kreme echos a lot when you try to talk on the phone.
8. When the focus says it is on "empty" you really have another thirty miles or so.
9. Making jokes about strip canasta in more than one city qualifies you for some sort of prize. Especially if that joke is in reference to the other guy on the elevator's grandmother.

Update on threat towards Tom's dog...

I had a really swass pic I wanted to throw up there, but, since I'm stupid, I couldn't get it to work out. So consider this threat shelved for the time being. Instead, I hope you enjoy this.

Hey Tom!

Your dog better watch her back. I got me a score to settle.

The Exorcist Reanacted

In thirty seconds, by bunnies.

Hey Pirates of the Caribbean...

stick it in your blowhole! The The Jolly Garogers, for all of your rocking musical pirate needs. Yarrrgh.

Keeping your hands at two and ten.

A bit of a hubbub has sprung up over motorists concerned about being exposed to x-rated material that is being played on DVD players in neighboring cars. I think it should be banned based on the fact that the drivers are most certainly not paying attention enough to the road is something like that is playing on the screen. This could lead to some serious rear-ending problems in the near future.

Who is Diana Hurley?

Beats me, but somebody apparently doesn't like her very much. So much that they have taken the time to provide us with the option of simulating throwing darts and pelotas at her grainy, black and white likeness. Whatever makes you feel better I guess.

Excuse me, can I borrow 40k?

Why? Oh, because I want to pick myself up a 90 Gig flash memory drive. No, it won't fit in my pocket. Why do you ask?

It's Offical... cards in the Cities on Saturday.

Attention all people I know in the Cities... both of you. My folks have graciously offered to let us come over to their place for cards on Saturday night. 8 pm. Since I'm poor, the buy in will be either five or ten bucks. Don't worry, if you lose your money, you can still play. Let me know if you can make it ASAP. That means as soon as possible, for those not in the know. And by "in the know" I mean "having above a first grade education".

Alligator People

What a strange concept for a game. You know, I have been cranking away at some of these Atari games on the emulator, and for the most part, they are just as exciting as I remember them. Well, except for Empire Strikes Back. That is much, much easier than I remember. Anyway, here are the specs on a game I have yet to try, but it says you can have unlimited lives. Something I like for games that can not be saved.

The evolution of fishing.

First there was catch and mount, then catch and release, then catch (take a picture for proof) and release, now you don't even have to catch a fish to get it's picture.

I am going to be a superhero

I have decided that my night job is now going to be "part time superhero". I already came up with a great name... Sarcasmo. In fact, I really wouldn't do anything different than what I normally do, but since I would offically be a superhero, I could pass it off as sarcasm for the good of humanity. Plus, I could declare myself eligible for the Justice League. Oh, and maybe I could make out with Wonder Woman.

Interesting read on consumerism and "bonus buys"

I have often found myself checking out something I normally wouldn't even give a second glance to at the grocery store, simply because it comes with some sort of free bonus. Same thing with items like your Copps card, or your Airline miles. Well, this guy's mom has apparently had enough.

Creating the Playsphere

You know, I have heard of casemodding before, as in the classic "Old Mac meets goldfish bowl" changeroo, but I have never seen anything done with a PS2. That is, until now.

Update on Poker Chip search

I still haven't found ones I want yet. Maybe my standards are too high. Then again, maybe I should just pop on down to my local wal-mart and pick some up, rather than trying to buy everything in the world over the internet.

Sung by flying Viking Kittens

I hadn't seen this in awhile, and I forgot how fantastic it is. Fantastically Norse that is.

Castle Cat 2

The Miami Invasion. A nice little followup to yesterday's trippy CC1.

Gorgeous and sleek...

And it makes waffles! The ultimate in waffle technology!

Frank Phillips, bug photographer extraordinarre

Check out some of his work over at Beatiful Bugs.

Not comming to a theater near you.

Reviews and splendor about those strange things that are known as "moving pictures".

Just because you don't have a house in Aspen, you get all competitive.

Senate Intern Love on the Rocks-You Suck: "Now talking about how I am obsessed with money, I simply am not. You are."

Now I can finally get back those mash letter I sent to Santa Claus...

Big String. Erasable, recallable email. Of course, it costs money, so I will never actually get around to using it, but the concept is nice.

It's Road Tripping Time!

Yep, me, my trusty Ford Focus Wagon SE and my DDR pads and game are going on a nice little road trip this weekend. From Lacrosse to the Cities, to St. Cloud, back to the Cities, to Madison. It should be good times. I'm pretty pumped.

Just passin' the info along..

So my buddy started up a comedy web zine. I told him I'd spread the word. So consider it spread, like margarine on toast. You readers being the toast, some more lightly than others, and some who's toasters are just plain broken. Here is the link. Also if you do not find any of it funny, submit stuff that is funny and help the kid out. I think it could use a certain cartoon about a certain dog with a certain dilemma.

Don't Talk about my Moms Yo.

Check out this swass music video.

One minute nine seconds

That is as fast as I can possibly beat the first level of the old Atari game, Adventure. I do not think it can be done any quicker.

Nifty little Roth IRA fact...

In case anyone is wondering, you can still contribute up to 3000 bucks to your Roth IRA for 2003. This is good until April 15th, so get on it.

Recording Artists Safety Guide to the Beach

Today's DG

Castle Cat. Brought to you by Mausland. The gameplay itself isn't very exciting, but they did manage to cram in sound bytes from looney-toons, he-man and ghostbusters. You can't beat that.

These guys are nuts.

I guess this is what happens when you are old enough to drive, but not old enough to know better. Car sledding.
-warning: big honking movie download

The FBI is watching you...

And so is everyone else, if you happen to be famous. The freedom of information act makes FBI records on most anyone available. Some notables are Louis Armstrong and The Beatles.

Pokey pokey pokey...

Seriously. When I decided I wanted to get some poker chips for our monthly (or so) games, I didn't realize that they could get to be so freaking expensive. Seriously. Who pays this much for something that peanuts could be substituted for. Well, it would be more like mixed nuts. Cashews are a buck each.

Likely Possessed Coke can for sale on ebay

So rare, it's uber rare. The uberiest of the uber. It's 200 bucks worth of Def Lep uberia.

Free Quonsar!

Hell, I don't even like the guy when he is on MeFi, but he is ocassionally very, very funny. I say let him back. It's not as if I read much of the comments on the site anymore.

On a side note, remember when MeFi started? And wasn't all politics and current events? That was one sweet site. Granted, sites change as they grow, but I miss the old MeFi something fierce. It was one of the reasons I started doing this little log in the first place.

Dear Urban Outfitters,

I hate you.

Love,
PunkVoter.com

Background: UO is selling a shirt that says "Voting is for Old People", and PunkVoter.com takes offense to the fact that UO says these shirts do not have a political agenda.

Open Letter from Science... and crap to PunkVoter.com,
Now, I agree with 99 percent of your letter, but you, as the writer, lose credibility when you throw in the obligitory cheap shot at the Republicans. Come on buddy, why ruin a fantastic letter on the need to promote voting for democratic action with a slanderous line like that. Please stick to the agenda of getting more youth to vote, not just Dem youth.

Love,
Science... and crap

You know, some people have to be at work at six in the morning

And today, I am one of those people. Sure, I'm a little tired, but I did get three adjacent seats on the bus. I streched out my legs like I was freaking Rockefeller. For a brief moment, I owned those three seats.

Whoa, hey... I have a post title now.

Just dinking around with the formatting of the blog. Crappy changes will be deleted. You never saw this.

Stupid site feed
Sometimes it publishes the whole post, sometimes just the first line. Why? I don't freaking know yet, but you can be sure I am working on it. When I'm not working on other, more important things. One example of such a thing would be brokering the shoe-securing competition between Rando and Ian, the winner of which will go on to face me and my wicked pair of Puma Disc-lock system hightops.

I'm off to find a paper mache recipe
Or just make one up. The goal is to ultimately come up with a trial-proven method for making paper mache sombreros. I am thinking that this is a market gap that needs to be filled.

Then, when I go back to the Cities next weekend, we can have a paper mache sombrero making party. It's so on, it's off again.

Excellent search request
Somebody got to my site from the search "how to make a paper mache sombrero". Maybe this is a sign from the great Google, telling me that I have to get some instructions up ASAP.

How to tie and "Ian Knot"
Because, and I quote, "One day, all shoelaces will be tied this way". I guess it's good to have a goal. Even if that goal is stupid.

So many pictures...
so little time. I present to you, Steven Segal in "On hippy ground".

Executive Laptop Steering Wheel Mount
Because only executives would be able to handle the arduous task of typing, calling, eating and driving all at the same time.

What? You don't have a livejournal yet?
And you call yourself an iterplanetary self-operaterated land rover.

This could be the best site all day
This to that. For when you want to glue something from pile A to something from pile B. Unfortunately, they don't have a pile C, which would just be a nice pile to have.

Culled this one from KK's Cool Tools, baby!

Xerox art show
Kind of reminds me of the photography exhibit they had running over at the Walker this last winter. Especially the installation with all of the people looking at the guy in the center. I would say it makes you think, but nothing in this exhibit really did. Now the Walker exhibit... that made you freaking think.

Re:
Haiku from spam lines
From the inbox to the page
these words beauty make.

Welcome to the jungle...
The Gem sweater jungle.

Do you know what lurks in the gem sweater jungle... gem sweaters. Lot's of them.

A hearty thanks to the Mel B!

Oh yeah... back to wickety work.
I need more weekends like last, where I didn't have to do anything and could allot ample time to passing the liscensing tests on GT3.

Marth found guilty
On all counts of obstruction of justice.

Thank you, inventor of the tennis elbow support
It works like a freaking charm. I tend to subscribe to the ideology that, regarding injuries due to poor form, treating the pain is far easier than actualy fixing the cause of the problem. Futuro Elbow Support, I salute you.

Played racquetball yesterday
And I am happy to report that my strategy of "If you can't beat them, hit them in the back real hard with the ball" is still as effective as always.

Watched some ping pong on the TV today
Sorry, table tennis. You know, they say it's the world's fastest sport, but I would contest that. I believe that badminton is the world's fastest sport. Or, if not the fastest, the most likely apt to make your's truly puke from running around too much. I'm more of a thinker than a doer at times. Anyway, the show was sponsored by Killer Spin, and I kind of liked the t-shirts the guys were wearing, kind of like a football kit for ping pong ninja superstars.

The best part about painting a bathroom...
You don't have to go very far if you need to use the restroom.

Bringing back the old gaming prowress
Al mentioned Atlantis in a comment, which sent me on a mission this morning... to find said Atlantis. Well, I did. Along with a ton of other atari games over at atariage.com. So, go download yourself an emulator and some roms and get to it.

You know, I was searching through a bunch of these games and I realized that there were some pretty solid games back then, like Stampede and Warlords, but there were also some that I thought were good, that turned out to be not so good. Like Adventure. I just sat down and cranked through the first world of that game in a matter of minutes. To think people paid 25 bucks for that when it first came out. High technology at the time, I guess.

As far as the type of emulator to get, I recommend the z26 program, a link to which can be found of atariage. Put the x26 GUI with it (just install it by clicking on the icon), and you're ready to rock. Let me know if you have any problems.

I'm still crushing your head

Cynthia MacDonald
Realtor, inspiration, Psychokinetic bug killer extraordinarre. Also creative, energetic and helpful.

Audio books for as low as a quarter
Right on over at Telltale Weekly. The selection is lacking, but the concept is bang on. I hope they only continue to grow.

Crazy story behind poster I want
I like to eat at a place called the Rice Cafe. You may or may not have one by you. Basically, they serve stuff with rice bowls, mostly Southwestern or Asian, but they have a little bit of Cajun thrown in for the mix. Anyway, while most of these types of restaruants have cheesey things like canoe paddles or carichitures of B-list stars up on the walls, the Rice Cafe has these unbelievable drawings of some sort of futuristic city, as imagined by someone from the 19th century.

I finally took the time to look up some info on the posters and found out that the artist is named Francois Schuiten, a comic artist who is one half of the pair that writes Les Cites Obscures, a french language comic about futuristic worlds.

There is a series of ten different prints available from Schuiten, but the one that I want, Bibliotheque, proved rather difficult to find. Luckily, it looks like I can get it from here. Vol de Nuit is also an excellent print and may be the next one I try to pick up. I have just got to convince Jess that these fit in to her interior design scheme.

Demon Balls
Crappy name for a decent little game. Move the slider to get all the red balls on one side and all the blue balls on the other. Try to beat 51 seconds, but if you do, don't tell me. That would make me feel bad.

What's in your referrer logs?
Check out Disturbing Search Requests for all of the greatest, weirdest and sickest search requests that lead people to, usually, the most non-related site possible.

Weirdest one I ever got was for "carp lure". Don't they know that anything shiny and metallic, like a can of Bud Light, works just fine?

Make your own avatar
That way, you don't have to have some stupid picture of a celebrity in that little side window next to your comments.

Remember Fensler?
He was the guy that did those great voice overs for the GI Joe cartoons. Well, he was approached by a band to do a similar thing with some of their backstage footage. I don't think it's nearly as good as the GI Joe stuff, which I am going to go watch now, but it's not bad.

Finally, a way to ensure that your beef and chicken don't mingle.
There is a chip being developed that recognizes 32 different species in food samples. What does this mean? No more ordering one kind of fish and getting another. Or asking for chocolate meatshakes and getting vanilla instead.

Patent for Reconfigurable Action Figure
The technology behind the world saving Semi King.

Do the new 20 dollar bills have RFID?
I don't know, but this guy seems to think so. He microwaved a bunch of the new twenty dollar bills and they all burned in the same place. His explanation is that there is an RFID chip in each of the bills. My explanation would be that, since he microwaved them in a stack, he had a thermal maxima near the center of the bills, most likely because the bills aren't conductors, so the microwave fields would penetrate the bills rather than reflect off the surface of them.

Holy Crap! Holy Crap! Holy Crap!
This is what the internet was designed for. This is it's sole purpose. To serve me up a completely searchable and indexed database of every single Calvin and Hobbes strip created. Wow. This is the coolest freaking thing ever. I hope it lasts.

Daily Game(s)... flashback style
All of your favorites. Especially if you are me. And you have a predilection towards Asteroids, the single greatest game of all time.