TobyCentral

When Trekkies Go Bad

2009-02-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

The other day, here in Colorado Springs, some guy robbed two 7-11s with a Batleth. It "earned" a spot at the top of Keith Olbermann's "Best Persons in the World" segment:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

No wonder

2008-12-30T11:08:00.002-07:00

there's such a high turnover rate in teaching. I knew going into it that it was high stress. I knew I would take a pay cut, but I just crunched some numbers and found that I am making, on average, almost $800 less per month, after taxes than I was making as a dispatcher in Greeley. At that job, I sat at a desk and reacted things as they happened. After I got off work, I had no responsibilities. At my current job, I have to plan for hours before I go into work, then I have to go home and grade and plan after I get off work. For almost $10,000/year less.

...
...
...

Feel free to comment, but do NOT say "At least you get summers off." Seriously.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-23T18:15:00.003-07:00

I've had a couple friends ask me what they should say to me this time of year; "Happy Holidays?" "Merry Christmas?" "Happy Festivus?" "Happy Solstice?" "Happy Christmahanakwanzika?" "You're going to burn in hell, you heathen." (On a side note, when I wished my friends a happy Solstice the other day, it was only because it happened to be the Winter Solstice; I wasn't trying to make some kind of politically correct statement.) Any of the above will do just fine, thank you. And I've had some people get offended when I say "Happy Holidays," as if I'm trying to undermine their Christian beliefs or mock them. Though I don't understand how recognizing that there are those who don't celebrate Christmas and being sensitive to that fact can be offensive.

I don't mind if someone wishes me a Merry Christmas. In fact, I'll return the sentiment, just as I would if someone were to wish me a Happy Kwanzaa (I must admit to being a little offended that no one has wished me a Happy Kwanzaa yet...)

As far as Christmas goes, I do look forward to the time with the family and the Christmas songs (I've been avoiding them thus far -- the songs, not the family) I go to church with the family as part of our annual tradition, (At great personal risk, as I expect to burst into flames one of these years.) and I sing along with the Christmas songs; I actually prefer the Christian Christmas songs more than the annoying secular carols.

Christmas, to me, is a time to get together with the family, give each other gifts, eat good food and just enjoy life. I understand that it means something different to Christians and that's fine. By saying "Happy Holidays," I'm not trying to impugn upon that. Christmas is included in those holidays.

Happy Holidays!

It's almost that time of year

2008-11-18T18:53:00.002-07:00

And the time-honored tradition of sticking the heads of those you love onto the bodies of ridiculous elves is back! It's the reason for the season!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

This is not a bag!

2008-09-17T19:03:00.003-06:00

I got my new Timbuk2 bag today. It was a little pricey, but I like their manufacturing policy and I needed a new bag in which I could carry all my teaching crap around! Here is part of the plastic bag in which it was shipped:

Large Hadron Collider, Yo.

2008-09-08T16:15:00.002-06:00

Just FYI: in two days, they will activate the Large Hadron Collider [wikipedia], which will "cause the collision of 'two counter rotating beams of protons or heavy ions,' thus creating a tiny black hole that will steadily grow, swallowing the entire earth and destroying life as we know it." So, get your affairs in order... right after you finish watching this rap about it. The video should assure you that the scientists working on the project aren't worried (and have a lot of time on their hands right before activating the world's largest machine).

ht: German Joys

Ugh

2008-08-27T18:14:00.002-06:00

They told me it was going to happen. "Toby," they said, "you're going to get sick. First year teaching. Germs flying around the school. Stress messing with your immune system. Make sure you have some emergency lesson plans on hand that are easy for a sub to pull off..." But did I listen? No. I never get sick. I'm Toby. I'm effing Superman!

And now for the predictable climax to this story: I'm sick. Sicker than I've been in a long time.

I woke up this morning with that tell-tale sore throat, and it only went downhill from there. Now I can hardly talk, breathe, smell... And I'm exhausted but can't sleep. But I didn't listen about that emergency lesson plan. Just spent about three hours (which felt like 16), preparing stuff for the sub tomorrow.

First order of business once I recover from this fun: make more emergency lesson plans.

Indie Wedding

2008-08-21T05:43:00.002-06:00

Came across this while browsing the iTunes Store. No, I do not have any plans to marry soon, but I thought it was interesting. Even indie rockers need music at their wedding... Some decent tracks on there too.

Word.

Here we go again.

2008-08-15T05:34:00.005-06:00

The ceiling in my living room is leaking. Again. I am not happy.

Update: Just got off the phone with maintenance, who got the "pleasure" of speaking with unshowered, uncaffeinated Toby (Most of you know what that's like!):
"Hello."
"Hi. This is maintenance. You have a leak or something?"
"Yes."
"I think it's all the rain we had."
"Yeah, well, that and the hole in the roof."
"Yeah."

I think I came across as an ass... Maybe I shouldn't attempt humor before fully awake.

Update 2: And the lace just broke on my shoe. I think this is an omen that I should call in sick on my first full day of teaching.

My horoscope this week

2008-08-12T17:20:00.002-06:00

From the Onion:

After years of being an emotionless drone, you'll finally break down and cry this week, instantly rusting your metal hinges and joints.

I post this because there is a danger that it may happen this week... Being a teacher is tough! OK, it's not that bad, but sitting in meeting after meeting after meeting, during which I am inundated with new information, all while knowing that I have stacks of lesson plans and syllabi to write and stacks of boxes to unpack... I'm used to coming home after work and doing nothing! It's a bit overwhelming right now, but once the students start, and I start to settle in to a bit of normalcy, things will all be good. I complain, but when it boils down to it, I am a member of an amazing staff (which by all accounts, and by my limited experience, is one in a million) who will prove invaluable!

Long story short (too late, I know): Rough start. Things will get better, but not easier.

First day as a teacher. Sort of. Not really.

2008-08-05T17:12:00.001-06:00

Got back a little bit ago from my first day in the employ of District
20. Unfortunately, it was new teacher orientation, so it was a long,
over-texted-PowerPoint filled day of policy, procedure, and paperwork.
To be repeated tomorrow. It will be nice to finally start teaching! On
the plus side, though, I reconnected with my best friend from Liberty.
Strange how things work out.

On a totally unrelated note, we are having a massive thunderstorm. I
love the thunderstorms here in Black Forest. So intense! But, it's
knocked out our satellite Internet... Thank god for iPhone!

Seattle Pictures

2008-08-01T03:16:00.004-06:00

See here. Also, don't forget to click on the "i" under each picture for commentary. Enjoy!

A test

2008-07-25T12:46:00.001-06:00

This is a test of my mobile blogging. This is only a test.

That is all.

Sent from iPhone.

Finally

2008-07-14T16:35:00.000-06:00

someone is speaking to values that matter to me!

'No Values Voters' Looking To Support Most Evil Candidate

Expertise, fo' shizzle.

2008-07-09T21:20:00.002-06:00

I got an entertaining Facebook message last night from my friend, Melanie, whom I met in Munich last year. It was ironically entitled "expertise." She and I often exchange messages asking about the intricacies about each others' languages (she speaks German, in case you didn't deduce that with her being from Munich), but this one was especially funny. With her permission, here it is:

I need your expertise as an english native. My boss wants to know what "hustlaz" means. It is used in Basketball, and in the Gangster milieu? The same with the words "pimp" and "Homie" - they apparently call their friends that.
And the girls say "Ho(e)" to each other, whats that? :-)

Sorry for so many questions...
Hope you can help us
Mel

I couldn't help but laugh. Not because they were silly or stupid questions, but because she was asking me, the whitest person I know! So, after giving it a little thought, and trying to translate a vernacular about which I know almost nothing (with a little help from the Urban Dictionary, I replied with

Hey Mel! I think you're asking the wrong American; I am, as they say, "too white" to be talking like that! Doesn't stop me when using it when goofing around, though!

A "hustla," or "hustler" is someone who has ways of getting money out of people, like selling drugs or guns or something. It usually involves cheating someone out of their money, somehow. And it's definitely gangsta!

Pimp is someone who deals out prostitutes and collects the money. Pimps have a lot of money. They are also hustlaz (PS: adding a "z" instead of an "s" to make something plural is also a gangsta thing. I do it to be funny sometimes.)

Homie is short for homeboy. It refers to a good friend. Again, also in gangsta parlance. "Jared is my homie."

"Ho" is short for hooker, or prostitute, or whore, or lady of the night. Pimps have hos. If you're calling someone that, make sure they're a close friend. Definitely don't say it to strangers, especially in LA.

Also, throw in phrases like "fo' shizzle" (for sure) and "on the rizzle" (for real). And "word up yo," which really doesn't mean anything as far as I know, but I use it all the time.

Toby.

I think I got all that right, but again, I could be way off! Any ideas? Any other choice "American" words or phrases I should teach Melanie?

Leaving on a jet plane

2008-07-09T00:09:00.001-06:00

Just booked tickets to Seattle for the last weekend of July! Going to visit a good friend of mine! Wahoo!

That is all.

Getting Real

2008-07-08T05:29:00.003-06:00

Things are really starting to move fast now. Yesterday, I picked up my keys to Pine Creek, got my textbooks (For to start writing lesson plans. Yay.), signed my contract, and put down a deposit on an apartment in the Springs.

I'll be living at Sagebrook, which conveniently, is also where my sister lives. It's a nice complex, very close to the school, but it's about $80 more than I'm paying now... Which could prove painful given the pay-cut I'm taking. Donation, please! But, it is a short bike ride to the school, so between the short commute and biking, I hope to make up the difference by not paying so much for gas. I'll be moving in the second weekend of August (So soon!) and I'll start teaching the next week. Going to be a busy few weeks!

Yo ho, Yo ho!

2008-06-30T10:38:00.004-06:00

As I was going through the news this morning, I found this picture, which shows that we are in some real trouble, as far as the "war on terror" is concerned. Not only is Al Qaeda growing, but they have evidently enlisted animatronics from Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride to lead their army! And they've armed them with AK-47s! Arrggh! And is that.... a terrorist conga line?! Nooooo!

Just make sure we don't have dogs carrying the keys at Gitmo.

Seriously, though, al Qaeda is bad. Go America.

I'm a teacher!

2008-06-27T12:08:00.002-06:00

I finally got a teaching job. And what's more, it's at my alma mater, Pine Creek High School! I'm pretty stoked and pretty terrified at the same time. It's a strange feeling to finally be beginning my career for which I studied. It's exciting!

I will be teaching Social Studies, German, and Transitions (I'm not entirely sure what that entails...). It's almost like the position was tailor-made for me! My first day as a teacher will be August 5th... Just over a month away! Yikes!

It's time for me to start ~~corrupting~~ educating our youth. Here goes nothing...

Why a "Bible" at all?

2008-06-22T14:17:00.000-06:00

The Bad Idea Blog has an interesting article on Liberal Christianiy vs. the Bible. The author wonders why liberal Christians still use the Bible in its traditional form.

The Bible, as it is, is an artificially freeze-framed slice of spiritual speculation. Those texts are, by intrinsic implication, held as superior not only to others that the early Catholic Church rejected or never even knew of, but every single insightful thing that any Christian has thought or felt since. Heck, even the act of writing down what were likely once oral stories told and retold again with each generation is a sort of artificial freeze frame. The use of the Bible, by it’s very nature, is an act favoring routinized text over flexible oral traditions and particular selections of texts over all others. Is that bias (one that seems, in some sense, an arbitrary one amongst all forms of human understanding an expression) something you think your beliefs should support? Does the very existence of a Bible, as a religious practice, really make sense?

The Bible is limited to such a small collection of Christian thought. Why is it that Christians limit themselves to the Bible as it is now. Why not, this author wonders, amend and change the Bible to reflect modern morals?

Indeed, if the Bible is to be the ultimate text of human understanding of a living God’s will, it’s very, very odd that it should be frozen at a very arbitrary time in history, with no further chapters ever to be added, or subtracted, or retold for new generations. Has no theologian since the various missives and letters in the New Testament even had an insight into, say, the Trinity, that measures up to the previous material? I’m not a huge fan of theological work, but even I find that very hard to believe. Do the banal and absurd kvetchings found in many of the more forgettable Epistles really deserve a greater ceremonial place in the Christian corpus than the thoughts of Aquinas or Augustine? Has God really never spoken or acted since in a way that would demand inclusion?

The main issue I, and many others, have with the Bible is that it reflects the morals of a few fourth and fifth century scribes. Today's liberal Christians conveniently ignore the parts of the Bible that don't fit in with the morals of modern society.

I am genuinely interested to get some thoughts on these questions from some of my Christian readers. Not trying to play "Gotcha," or anything. Would you be open to amending the Bible to better reflect today's society? If not, why not?

Wow. Somebody must have picked a bad week

2008-06-20T09:01:00.005-06:00

to become a Nazi Mexican Farmer. From The Daily Show's segment, "Guantanamo Baywatch."

Majority of children do not want children's healthcare.

2008-06-18T21:47:00.003-06:00

From the Onion News Network:

Obama's and my Divine Connection

2008-06-10T14:27:00.002-06:00

Many find it odd that I would be supporting Barack Obama. After all, until a few years ago, I thought I was a conservative. Come to think of it, I can trace my coming-to-the-light-side to a few years ago. I was never able to pinpoint the exact moment until now. As I was reading through my heathen blogs today, I came across this post about Obama's lucky charms ("Oh, leprechaun-man, leprechaun-man! Must to get the Lucky Charms!"). What I saw amazed me! Obama carries around a little figurine of Hanuman, the Monkey God for luck! Then it all came back to me. Just a few years ago, I had a vision of Hanuman in the Denver Art Museum (DAM)! It's as clear as day! It is by Hanuman's Divine Will that I support Obama!

Hanuman bless Barack Obama!

Players

2008-06-10T12:07:00.002-06:00

A cool time-lapse movie from one of my favorite photography blogs, [daily dose of imagery].

Players from Sam Javanrouh on Vimeo.

Amazing Science

2008-06-08T12:03:00.001-06:00

Hints of 'time before Big Bang:'

Dr Adrienne Erickcek, and colleagues from the California Institute for Technology (Caltech), now believes these fluctuations contain hints that our Universe "bubbled off" from a previous one.
...
Their model suggests that new universes could be created spontaneously from apparently empty space. From inside the parent universe, the event would be surprisingly unspectacular.
...
"Every time you break an egg or spill a glass of water you're learning about the Big Bang."

Wow.

But he didn't pow it out OR own it...

2008-06-05T11:39:00.002-06:00

He is going to be the coolest president ever. Bush told the Pope he had an "awesome speech." Maybe Obama will it pound it with the Pope.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Next President of the United States

2008-06-03T23:39:00.001-06:00

I'm OK!

2008-05-22T14:34:00.002-06:00

In case you hadn't heard yet, we had some scary weather in Weld County. I was on my way down to the Springs for my brother's graduation when it happened, so I missed all the excitement. Apparently, the 3/4-mile wide tornado passed within eight miles of the Greeley city-center and nailed Gilcrest and Windsor. Jared posted more information and made a Google map showing where we live. Scary stuff.

I'm a little bit insulted

2008-04-28T19:51:00.000-06:00

"He's moving the.. the ... the... uh... puck around."

NHL Star Called Up To Big Leagues To Play For NFL Team

No one decorates a hot dog like me

2008-04-23T22:39:00.002-06:00

(except maybe Sam). I went to the Rockies game the other night and three of our group, myself included were chosen to participate in a hot dog decorating contest. They gave us cool hats and aprons, a hot dog for each and tons of condiments. Then, after decorating, the crowd voted for the best. My friend's girlfriend won, but I'm pretty sure it's because she's a girl and the crowd didn't really get what was going on until they showed her's. But I did get on the Jumbotron and got a free hot dog out of the deal!

Rousing Rabble

2008-04-18T15:29:00.005-06:00

Last night, Jared and I went to a lecture by Michael Behe, who famously (in some circles, anyway) postulated that irreducible complexity demonstrates that there must have been an "intelligent designer." He also testified in case of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District as a witness for the defense. In that case, after hearing both sides of the argument, called Behe's and others' attempts to introduce ID into the classroom "breathtaking inanity." So, with all that, Behe came to present his "scientific" view that there was a designer...

The evening started with a lovely bout of Christian music (didn't bode well for a science lecture) and the trailer to Ben Stein's propaganda movie, Expelled : No Intelligence Allowed. Then, Behe talked for an hour about intelligent design. Now, I fully admit to not knowing a whole lot about biology, but what really got to me was his complete contempt for academic integrity. He took quotations by evolutionary biologists (most notably, one of my heroes, Richard Dawkins) completely out of context and twisted their words to make it sound like they believed in ID. He completely glossed over essential parts of Darwin's theory that he couldn't explain away and labeled them as trivial, particularly the whole descent-with-modification or man-descending-from-ape part. You know, because THAT part isn't important....

Finally, after over an hour of his lecture, he opened the floor up for questions. I was first and asked him something along the lines of

Your own biology department says on its website, "while we respect Prof. Behe's right to express his views, they are his alone and are in no way endorsed by the department. It is our collective position that intelligent design has no basis in science, has not been tested experimentally and should not be regarded as scientific." The vast majority of scientists reject your findings. Ben Stein would have us believe that there is a vast scientific conspiracy against you. Is there and if so what are their motives.

He responded by saying that most scientists believe in Darwinian Evolution because that's what they were brought up to believe. Really?! What a ridiculous thing to say for someone who ignores most scientific rules so he can desperately cling to his belief in a divine creator! So I followed up by asking "So, you're saying that other scientists haven't done enough research in the field?" He backpedaled very quickly after that.

It was an interesting evening, and though I wholly disagree with Behe, I did appreciate the fact that he came out and was willing to engage in debate with other biologists who rightly disagreed with him, even if there were only about five of us in a crowd of 200+.

Also, Jared blogged about the lecture.

PS: I know some of my readers will disagree with this post, so have at it in the comments, if you ~~dare~~ like!

Awareness Test

2008-04-15T19:54:00.001-06:00

How many passes does the team in white make?

It's the hat.

2008-04-15T09:07:00.001-06:00

From a German advertising company:

Happy Yuri's Night!

2008-04-12T21:01:00.003-06:00

On this date, 12. April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human into space. I wish I had realized this sooner, as I would have attended a Yuri's Night party in Boulder or Denver. But, by sheer coincidence, I rented In the Shadow of the Moon. Maybe I should go out and get some Tang or something...

Oops.

2008-04-06T12:35:00.005-06:00

One of the few problems with the iPhone is that its camera, like most digital cameras, suffers from shutter lag. Most of the time, it ruins the photo, but occasionally (moreso with the iPhone than other cameras, it seems) the premature movement of the camera results in some interesting shots, such as the one my brother's fiancé took last night at Red Robin:

And this one I took of my brother at King Soopers:

Blast!

2008-04-06T12:21:00.002-06:00

I came down to the Springs this weekend to go see Blast! at the Air Force Academy with my family last night. It was a ...um... blast! If you're not familiar with it, check out the video below. I like to describe it as marching band on steroids. And as most of my family (myself included) were band nerds at some point, we all really enjoyed the show. The biggest letdown, though was that they didn't do my favorite piece, "Gee Officer Krupke." Oh well. Still a heck of a show!

Rabbit rabbit

2008-04-01T06:32:00.000-06:00

Happy April!

The Hubble Deep Field

2008-03-31T11:29:00.001-06:00

I never get tired of thinking about this stuff. It blows my mind.

The Tale of the Bosnian Sniper Fire

2008-03-25T18:23:00.000-06:00

Spitball Politics

2008-03-24T20:56:00.003-06:00

I just signed on as a contributor to the political blog, SpitballPolitics.com. Should be a lot of fun. Add it to your RSS readers and/or blogrolls!

My cat feels the same way.

2008-03-23T23:34:00.001-06:00

Joy of Tech: Tummy Tabby

Barack Obama-sistible!

2008-03-21T14:09:00.000-06:00

HT: Fake Steve

< /war >

2008-03-16T18:52:00.003-06:00

Geeks who know HTML will get the sign.

From Daily Dose of Imagery.

PS: I am not making any kind of political statement with this picture. I just like the sign, is all.

It's funny 'cause it's true.

2008-03-16T15:06:00.002-06:00

A bit of geekiness:

Eunicare: The 100% Guaranteed Cure!

2008-03-14T23:10:00.003-06:00

Eunicare promises to cure homosexuality! How do they do it? "[R]emoval of the biological source of the desires that cause them and Our Lord so much pain and anguish."

You see, you know it's legit, because it has a doctor-looking fellow with stethoscope and clipboard! This stuff makes me sick.

Side note: Their mailing address is the same as the Westboro Baptist Church, the God-Hates-Fags people.

For Crom:

2008-03-14T11:56:00.006-06:00

Armed America: Portraits of Gun Owners in their Homes. Some of the pictures are pretty interesting. Some a little scary. A little propagandistic? Sure.

My personal opinion on guns: Mixed, I suppose. I don't see the need for so many weapons. Handgun for protection. Sure. Rifle for hunting? OK. But, honestly, when was the last time you went hunting with that Uzi? And as far as the Second Amendment goes, the idea behind a well-regulated militia was to protect against the government. I don't think any of the collections in these photographs will stop our government, should it decide it wants to take over your house...

"...You crazy ... and the new one is much better."

2008-03-11T20:02:00.001-06:00

I wish there was an IKEA nearby. :(

Related: How the IKEA store represents libertarian ideals:

Fire the hard-sellers, lower the price of the sofa by $200 and you've got IKEA, where most items can simply be picked up and rolled out the door. At the entrance there is a sign: "No one will bother you." Five words, one libertarian ideal.

IKEA automates, meaning fewer surly minimum-wage zombies to deal with at every turn. At checkout, you can scan and ring up the merch yourself, meaning shorter waits. Conservatives should be pleased that self-sufficiency is taught as a character imperative at IKEA. Wrote Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian: "IKEA's moral crusade extends uncompromisingly to the customer. Whether you like it or not, it intends to teach you the value of good, honest, simple hard work. Self-assembly, viewed from this perspective, is more than a cost-cutting measure: it's a tool of evangelism, designed to make you sweat for your own edification."

New Drink Idea: Black and Bräu

2008-03-06T20:55:00.005-07:00

While completing the St. Patrick's Day Mini Tour at Old Chicago, I discovered the Shandy Gaff (Guinness Draught and Sprite) and a few variations on the Black and Tan. Inspired, I decided to try making one with Guinness and Löwenbräu. While I'm sure someone out there has made it before, I wasn't able to find anything online about it, so I am forced to conclude that I INVENTED IT! WOO! Jared recommended calling it the Black and Bräu, which was unintentionally punny, as "bräu" is not only the German word for "brew," but also the first part of "bräunen" which means "to tan." I will also call it the Schwarzenbräu, which means "black brew," or "black and (thefirstpartof)tan." And most importantly, it tastes really, really good!

New Feature: Call Me.

2008-03-04T19:57:00.003-07:00

This is so cool! I just signed up for GrandCentral, which is a service that allows me to have one phone number and have it forward to any phone I want. Pretty cool stuff. It also allows me to provide you, O loyal TobyFans, with a button you can press to call me. Just press the "Call Me" button in the side bar, enter your name and number, and press "Call Me." You'll then receive a call at the number you provided and the service will connect you to me. For free. Sound complicated? It's not. Give it a shot!

Tip of the hat to Jared.

This is why it's important to set up your photos

2008-03-04T17:50:00.002-07:00

When I first saw this photograph, I wondered who this mulletted fellow was. Turns out, it's Obama with his wife behind him.

¡Viva Obama!

2008-03-04T00:09:00.002-07:00

Toby vs. Skye

2008-02-28T13:52:00.002-07:00

I have never had so much fun doing a survey on MySpace. I know, I know; the whole survey thing is rather silly, but this one made me laugh. One is supposed to fill it out comparing oneself with one's significant other, but since I don't have one at the moment, this one is based on a hypothetical... Enjoy.

I always feel left out of these relationship surveys (not really). So, this is one is about Skye, a hippie type that I will have met in a commune in Nepal while on a quest to find my soul mate. Who knew it will have gone so well?!

1. Who eats more?
Neither. We're both fasting in honor of some Nepali tradition. I don't know what's going on, but I've been on the ganj for the past few nights and I'm going with the flow.

2.Who said "I love you" first?
Me, but it really just slipped out while summiting Sagarmatha. I didn't think I was going to make it.

3.How long have you been together?
Time is an illusion.

4. Who sings better?
We're both pretty bad at singing, but man, can she play a wicked Paahan chare!

5. Who's older?
We're both the same age! Wow. What a find!

6. Who's smarter?
She is.

7. Who's temper is worse?
She has attained spiritual harmony,which just pisses me off.

8. Who does the laundry?
We're hippies. (I'm not yet, but I will be after I go on a quest to find my soul mate, end up in a Nepali commune and meet Skye.) We don't do laundry.

9. Who does the dishes?
Barati, our Sherpa.

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
Ahem. Hammock...

11. Who snores?
Neither of us do. But our ass, Khadka does. Dumb ass.

12. Who's hair is longer?
Mine. (Shut up. It's my fantasy.)

13. Who's better with the computer?
We have rejected such earthly possessions. But once we make the return trip home, I am.

14. Do you have pets?
None, besides Khadka.

15. Who pays the bills?
Bills?

16. Who cooks dinner?
When we're eating, Barati usually does.

17. Who drives when you are together?
Well, I usually guide our ass up the damned mountain.

18. Who pays when you go out to dinner?
No one.

19. Who is the most stubborn?
The ass.

20. Who is the first one to admit when they're wrong?
We're never wrong.

21. Who's parents do you see more?
Neither. We're in Nepal.

22. Who named your pet?
The Great Spirit.

23. Who kissed who first?
I kissed her first, but again, it was on Sagarmatha and it was more to try to keep warm...

24. Who asked who out?
We're soul mates. Our eyes will have locked and no words were needed. We were also both on the ganj, so it was pretty wild.

26. Who's more sensitive?
We're both sensitive to the needs of all of the Great Spirit's creatures.

27. Who's taller?
Me. (Shut up. It's my fantasy.)

29. Who has more siblings?
Me.

30. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
Neither of us wears pants.

Kølig!

2008-02-26T04:10:00.003-07:00

(Apparently that means "cool" in Danish.)

Here is what happens when the braking mechanism of a wind turbine goes out with 60+mph winds. Awesome.

And from another angle:

I hate it when that happens!

2008-02-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Also, gotta love that intro.

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

Hypothetically,

2008-02-25T06:33:00.003-07:00

if Clinton gets the nomination and ultimately the presidency, how much do you think that cell phone picture would sell for on eBay?

Think Different.

2008-02-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

I love this classic commercial from Apple.

Dirty Politics

2008-02-22T16:18:00.003-07:00

Obama was right: we are in the silly season of politics. But here's my issue with Clinton. She had the canned 'Xerox' one-liner at the debate last night, that backfired miserably. Then, in what critics hailed as her best moment in the debate, she pulls this. Now, to be fair to both democratic candidates, this happens all the time in politics; people pull bits from other speeches. OK. Fine. But don't go bashing your opponent about it, then in the same debate, less than an hour later, then do it yourself. For shame.

Why do we suffer?

2008-02-19T19:59:00.004-07:00

Given our last discussion, I thought this an interesting piece from an author who spent most of his life deeply involved in the Christian faith and studying its intricacies. I'm interested to read the entire book.

"I realized that I could no longer reconcile the claims of faith with the facts of life. In particular, I could no longer explain how there can be a good and all-powerful God actively involved with this world, given the state of things. For many people who inhabit this planet, life is a cesspool of misery and suffering. I came to a point where I simply could not believe that there is a good and kindly disposed Ruler who is in charge of it.

"The problem of suffering became for me the problem of faith. After many years of grappling with the problem, trying to explain it, thinking through the explanations that others have offered—some of them pat answers charming for their simplicity, others highly sophisticated and nuanced reflections of serious philosophers and theologians—after thinking about the alleged answers and continuing to wrestle with the problem, about nine or ten years ago I finally admitted defeat, came to realize that I could no longer believe in the God of my tradition, and acknowledged that I was an agnostic: I don't "know" if there is a God; but I think that if there is one, he certainly isn't the one proclaimed by the Judeo-Christian tradition, the one who is actively and powerfully involved in this world. And so I stopped going to church."

He's right on SO many levels.

2008-02-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

Brian from Peeve Farm on the phrase, "That's just wrong on SO many levels.

I'm going to start charging a toll on people who deploy this meaningless, hackneyed phrase. It's as though people still think it conveys some kind of useful information or contributes to the group's discourse on some piece of observed oddness any more meaningfully than going, "That's... weird".

Better yet: if someone says this, I'm going to immediately turn to him and say, "Oh yeah? List some."

I will admit to having used this phrase before, even if sparingly. But I have noticed its growing popularity and he makes a good point.

Political Ride

2008-02-18T00:43:00.003-07:00

I "appeared" on my friend's internet radio show, "The Political Ride" tonight. Had a good time. Check out the recording, then check us out live on Sunday at 8pm MST.

I want one!

2008-02-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

Hat tip: Engadget.

Re: Barack's a Mac. And Hillary's a PC

2008-02-15T00:42:00.003-07:00

In case you had a hard time picturing it...

Interesting

2008-02-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

The two candidates who have been most outspoken about getting out of Iraq quickly, Barack Obama and Ron Paul lead in donations from military workers.

A bit of a contrast...

2008-02-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

First, the original: "Yes, we can."

The McCain version: "Gonna be wars."

When interests collide

2008-02-12T03:04:00.001-07:00

From Fake Steve:

Now look. I know that most of you are hardcore Apple believers who don't need to be told any of this. You know what Apple is all about. You know that when you carry iPhone it's not just because it's the best mobile device ever created but also because it defines you and tells the world what kind of person you are and what you stand for and what you believe in. You know this. You've been part of this movement for decades, some of you. But the new guys need to be instructed. And that's cool. We need to bring in the new blood. My feeling is this: Let's not harsh on the n00bs. Let's be gentle with them. But at the same time we must let them know how they're supposed to vote. Okay? We all straight? Namaste to everyone. Go Obama. Stop the war. Peace out.

Good times.

Tired of all the "issues?"

2008-02-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

That's the problem with presidential races. There's all kinds of issues to sort through. What does Candidate X think about immigration? What does Candidate Y think about gun control? Why aren't either of them using their real names? What are they hiding? Flip-floppers.

Thankfully, CNN has come to the rescue and broken it down to a fun game of Pong. In a remarkable preview of things to come, my Obama beat McCain 5-2! Wahoo! This year, if we have any issues like Florida did in 2000, I say the candidates settle it over a rousing game of Pong.

Ellen on the Hawaii Chair

2008-02-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

This almost triggered one of my infamous laughing attacks, which would have been very bad at work!

Hawaii chair!

2008-02-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

Because, you know, all the Hawaiians have one!

Democratic Caucus

2008-02-05T21:09:00.001-07:00

I went to the local Democratic caucus tonight. It was a lot of fun and
very interesting. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline to register, so
I wasn't able to vote, so I did a lot of biting my tongue... Anyway,
it looks like Obama is going to take Colorado, which is good!

Also, I am posting this with my iPhone, so if it's messed up, sorry.

Did I mention I got an iPhone?

2008-02-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't read it in the sidebar, or you aren't one of the "lucky" people to hear me blather on about it... I finally got my iPhone on Friday! Obviously, I'm loving it.

Hi, Barack's a Mac. And Hilary's a PC.

2008-02-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

A fun way to look at the Democratic race:

"Obama, like the Mac, seems almost too good to be true. He's young, hip, inspiring, and promising to do for Democrats what Ronald Reagan did for Republicans, assemble and maintain the working majority in Washington desperately needed to enact changes in foreign policy, health care and energy security. And in soaring moments at the podium -- at the Democratic Convention in 2004, in Iowa at the Jefferson/Jackson dinner, at Ebenezer Baptist over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend -- Obama appears ready and able to make good on these grand promises.

"But Democrats are still deeply divided. Having been in the political wilderness for much of the last 30 years, we are, understandably, a risk adverse bunch. We cling to Hillary like that old-reliable PC that we keep on our desks. We respond to her message: she's tested, able to handle every dirty trick Republicans will throw at her, ready on day one.

"All true, but there's also the darker side of the story. As the hipster in the Mac commercial loves to point out, a PC isn't actually all that reliable: reboot, reboot. We all experienced the rollercoaster ride that was the eight years of Bill Clinton's presidency: we should be confident in voting for Hillary only to expect the unexpected. And PC owners just try to forget about the whole "blue screen of death," melted hard drive thing, just like Democrats put Monica, impeachment and disbarment as far from their minds as possible as they contemplate pulling another voting lever for a presidential candidate named Clinton."

Drunk History, Part II

2008-02-04T01:01:00.000-07:00

Not as good as the first, but still funny.

Wanton Vista Bashing

2008-02-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

HAHAHAHA. You even need instructions to open the box! HAHA! To be fair, only idiots probably need these! HAHAHA!

HT: Daring Fireball.

Wow!

2008-01-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Even Barack Obama's server-down messages are uplifting!

This is Jeopardy (Online Test)!

2008-01-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

I'm registered to take the online Jeopardy test and will be taking it in about a half hour! Yes, it is to try to get on the show. Wish me luck!

Update: OMG! Alex is here!

Update: Whew. That was hard, but I think I did pretty well. Next step is a random selection process based on the scores, after which, if chosen, I will fly out to Minneapolis or Portland for an audition. And IF I do well there, I'll get on the show. Long shot, sure. But why not try? Oh, and I don't think that's really Alex. I think it's just a picture of him. Just saying.

New Photos

2008-01-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't already been, check out TobyPhoto for some photos from the rodeo yesterday.

An example of dishonest quoting

2008-01-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hilary Clinton, tonight:

"I do not want to, in any way, sully the reputation of the ... capitol by contributing my less-than-meager talents."

Like I said. It's dishonest quoting and I'm taking it totally out of context. But, that's what she said...

In case you're curious about the real quotation, in context, here's the story: She was in Nashville, and said that the city is known for its music and that she wasn't going to sing because "I do not want to, in any way, sully the reputation of the music capitol by contributing my less-than-meager talents."

I like my version better.

This photo wasn't staged!

2008-01-26T16:09:00.001-07:00

I don't know what you're talking about!

Happy Friday.

2008-01-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

A break from the scary videos. How much fun would this be?!

I call driver!

Holy Shit!

2008-01-25T01:07:00.000-07:00

In its most literal sense.

I don't even know where to start...
Such a loving god, hm?

On this date, 20. January 2009

2008-01-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Just saying, is all.

Scientist Raises Ethical Questions by Cloning Self

2008-01-20T02:31:00.000-07:00

An ethical question, indeed, but not the one you may be thinking of. The real ethical question is "Do you really want this man cloning himself?"

I don't heart Huckabee.

2008-01-16T03:56:00.001-07:00

Guess why.

A big, wet, sloppy, thank-you kiss

2008-01-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

to the citizens of Greeley, who, in their infinite wisdom, voted down a three-cent-to-the-dollar tax hike which would have provided the funds necessary to repair many of the roads in Greeley. Well done. My car thanks you too.

Snow in Baghdad.

2008-01-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Strange how snow can have such a uniting effect.

Thoughts on the campaign...

2008-01-14T02:23:00.001-07:00

1. The campaign in South Carolina has turned racial, which is very sad. C'mon, people; Stop overreacting to obviously-non-racial remarks and let's get back to the issues.

2. Clinton is fond of saying, "I'm very other-directed. I don't like talking about myself." Bullshit. Stop with that line and move on.

Re: Iran

2008-01-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Bush keeps telling us that Iran is a threat to world peace. Does any one else get the feeling that Bush is like a little kid, constantly poking a sleeping bear with a stick, telling his buddies that the bear is a threat to them?

"C'mon, W. Let's just go home. Your mom is making Ovaltine."

One year ago, today

2008-01-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

I made it to Germany.

Drunk History

2008-01-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Been there. Done that.

HT: Big Tent.

Us night shift guys call it the scare-ball

2008-01-07T16:31:00.002-07:00

I just woke up to the setting sun. How depressing. I'm on graves the next few months. It's not all bad, as my days off kick ass, but dammit. I feel like I just wasted an entire day.

"Jefferson" on HR 847

2008-01-07T00:55:00.001-07:00

This is one of the many reasons why Thomas Jefferson is quite up there on my list of historical bad asses. This is a recording of Clay Jenkinson, the scholar who does The Thomas Jefferson Hour. On the show, he portrays Thomas Jefferson and gives his take on how Jefferson would react to modern day issues, based on Thomas Jefferson's beliefs. In this episode, he talks about House Bill 847, which acknowledges Christmas as an important holiday and what not. Good stuff. Take a listen.

Dammit!

2008-01-05T12:32:00.001-07:00

Even in my dreams, all the good ones are taken. Last night I was gallivanting across Europe with the most beautiful, intelligent, witty, funny girl and when we were going to bed on our last night, she told me she had a boyfriend back in the States. I can't even get any action in my dreams!

Thoughts on Iowa

2008-01-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

I've been watching the Iowa Caucuses all evening and I had a few thoughts...

First, don't overestimate the importance of the caucuses. Less than 1% of the population of America voted, and we still have a ways to go before we can say who the candidates are going to be. Thankfully, though, it has already weeded a couple of the candidates out. That's always nice.

As most of you know, I've been ~~a little~~ ~~kind of~~ ~~very~~ extremely cynical about our political system lately. While some of that cynicism is still there, it is heartening to see such enthusiasm. Coming out of this current administration, regardless of your opinion of it, this country needs someone who can light a fire and bring some change. I haven't decided who I'm voting for yet (not Huckabee or Edwards), but I definitely feel better about this race than I have since before the 2000 election debacle, which was my first time I was able to vote.

All that said, I must say that I am impressed by Barack Obama. I don't entirely agree with his political position, but the enthusiasm he has inspired among his supporters -- especially the younger demographics -- is damned impressive.

We'll see what happens, but I think I might actually enjoy watching (and perhaps participating more than just voting...) this race.

Happy New Year! | Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

2007-12-31T23:28:00.000-07:00

Grave shift

2007-12-28T04:12:00.001-07:00

It's about 4:15 in the morning and I'm at work desperately trying to stay awake. Rocking out to Sufjan Stevens and browsing through some old photographs on my old blog. Good times.

Moroni's Promise

2007-12-21T22:11:00.000-07:00

We've all heard of Mormonism. But do any of us (including most Mormons) know what it's about? I've started doing some research into the religion so that I can continue a recent debate I was in, and I came across "Moroni's Promise," which is a promise, by the prophet Moroni, that the book of Mormon is true. And if you can't trust Moroni, whom can you trust? Here now, in all its glory, is Moroni's Promise, with my commentary [in brackets]:

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, [Right. God. Merciful.] from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. [Cool. We don't have to take this at face value. Think about it. But not in your brain. In your heart.]

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. [So, if you don't believe all this stuff. No worries. Go ahead and ask Jesus. He'll tell you that this is true!]

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Alright. I've read some. I don't believe it's true, so I asked Jesus. No reply yet. I'll let you know as soon as he gets back to me.

This is an interesting little endeavor. I've heard something about Spirit Babies in Mormonism. Can't wait for that part!

Funny, we don't look jewish...

2007-12-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

For my Jewish friends. I am having way too much fun with these things from JibJab. Thankfully, now that our heads are made, it's just a matter of plopping them onto the bodies and set them to dancing.

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Germany Pictures

2007-12-20T22:07:00.001-07:00

As you probably know, I just got back from Germany on Monday, after a very short, but very fun visit to Würzburg. But, it was way too short, so I didn't take a lot of pictures. And I don't have a long, drawn-out post about it. But, I did meet up with friends; spent a lot of time at the Weihnachstmarkt (Christmas Market); drank a lot of Glühwein, wine and beer; went on a Volksmarch outside Nuremberg; bought my über-comfortable underwear; and went to the WAHS faculty Christmas party. Whew. All of it was a blast, even if it was a whirlwind tour. See here for pictures!

Merry Chrifsmas!

2007-12-20T11:34:00.001-07:00

Much better than ElfYourself.

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

If you had any doubt that we, as a society, are doomed..., Part II

2007-12-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

The top story at CNN.com is not the $70 billion approved for wars by the House of Representatives, or the torture chambers just found in Iraq. No, no. Here is the lead story.

I don't have kids, but I was wondering what I was going to tell my cat about this whole ordeal that is gripping the nation. I just threw up in my mouth.