One of life's Little Lessons

Well I was going to go to a concert last night... but I learned something instead . Most bars and concert venues have a rule. If you leave you can't come back in. So I didn't go to the show. While that does make me a little sad I did get to spend the night with my honey who doesn't doAlternative Rock shows... yet.

Have fun and Be Great!

Holiday Bazaar

Every year one of my favorite radio stations (WCYY) puts on a series of shows around Christmas time that they dub "The Holiday Bizarre". This year is the first year that I have gone to it. I must say so far I like.

On Friday they had Saving Able (one of the big names out in Rock) at the Station Night Club in Portland Maine. I went to the show and I have to say I was impressed, blown away, awestruck even. There openers were awesome as well. They were opened by a twenty year veteran a local band that has made it nation wide called Twisted Roots and an up and coming band from the south called The Becoming.

My ears rang for two days after. I was lucky to have won those tickets... but now I'm hooked and bought tickets for tonight's show. Red Jump Suit Apparatus. Another one of those names growing in the Rock scene.

Have Fun and Be Great!

Honest I am not bored or tired...

Well I enjoy learning about the evolution of mankind and having learned something new I am going to share. I just finished reading an article about yawning at Discovery.com. Yawning is a cooling process. Your brain has an optimum temperature for operating and yawning cools your brain. What's more it is also used to change gears. Say you are waking up that shot of cool air down the back of your throat is enough to help your brain change gears to full wakefulness.

Now having said that, let me tell you. When you are overtired your cooling system is not working as efficiently and your brain starts to get hot. That is what causes you to yawn when you are tired. I know what I said comes from the article but in case you didn't click the link and read it... there you go now you learned something.

Have Fun and Be great

Postponement

Yep, its true my girl and I have decided to postpone our wedding. It was just happening to quick with the Holidays (Maybe I should have looked before I jumped in). Six weeks was just too quick but everything is great between us .

HAve Fun and Be Great

Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem... Sieze the day. It is a horrible thing to miss an oppurtunity to do something great because of hesitation or worse because some fear holds you back and keeps you from enjoying the moment. If you have the chance to do something don't lose out by holding yourself back look first (yes look sometimes you regret it if you don't) but jump in with both feet.

I won concert ticket to Saving Able and Twisted Roots at a local venue. Unless it is cancelled due to the exciting weather we are having I am going and planning on having a great time. I won by calling the radio station WCYY and telling them why I wanted to go. If I hesitated I wouldn't have won .

Have Fun and Be Great

Mark-a-thon

I know I am a little late with this blog. From Tuesday through Friday one of my favorite radio stations, WCYY, did what has been termed the Mark-a-thon. One of their DJs, Mark, did a fundraiser for the Center For Grieving Children. For over seventy hours straight he stayed on the air in the station and he played whatever a donor wanted as long as it didn't bring a fine to the radio station. When I say whatever the donor wanted yes I mean whatever the donor wanted. I listened to songs by Slayer, Metallica, Pink and Jonhy Cash I heard the Barbi song and my personal request Convoy on the radio during that time.



It is hard when a child loses a parent or anyone, especially around the Holidays. The Center for Grieving Children helps them. It is never to late to help go to WCYY's website or go direct to The Center's website and make a donation.



Have Fun and Be Great

Comic Book

I haven't said anything about one of my favorite topics in a bit... the wonderful world of Comic Books. I think today I am going to talk about the Punisher. There is a new movie coming out in December called Punisher War Zone. I just finished watching the trailer. My God if he wasn't supposed to be the good guy I'd think it was some sort of horror movie.

The Punisher is one of those gritty anti-hero heroes. Kicks Butt takes names. In the comic books he was a cop that had his family killed by the mob and becomes the Punisher for revenge... and maybe just for a teeny bit of Justice. I believe he is based off of Don Pendleton's book series Mack Bolan:The Executioner. Mack Bolan was a soldier in Vietnam that came home from the war when his family was murdered by the mob and has waged a personal war against the mob since then.

As with most of the justice driven characters he has mistakenly gone after some of the heroes in the Marvel Universe. This lasts until some bad guy tries to kill both the Punisher and whatever hero he is fighting and they team up to take out the bad guy.

The first Punisher Movie with Dolph Lungren flopped. The second (not a sequel) did good which of coursed geared us up for the sequel Punisher War Zone. I think it will do good as long as people remember one important detail, the same detail that was true for Batman. These comic books aren't being written for kids and its fan base are largely adults. As long as they play to that it should be fine...

Maybe some day they will do a crossover with the Punisher, Ghostrider and Blade.

Have Fun and Be Great

Petaflop

Petaflop... what the heck is a petaflop? I asked myself that question this morning when as I was searching through various news articles (Yahoo Tech, Wired News) about technology looking for today's blog. There in Wired News was an article titled "Supercomputers Break Petaflop Barrier, Transforming Science". Now for a computer geek like myself I had to admit I was embarrassed I had no idea what a Petaflop is.

The explanation is rather lengthy so I am cheating; click on this link- Petaflop. Now that you have read that you may start wondering beyond the use in simulations what this computing capacity may have. You could turn it loose and with the right programming it would be able to predict the stock market... maybe. If it developed its own artificial intelligence it could take over the world (not likely). It could enable us to do what science fiction writers have been talking about for decades... enable us to have space craft that cross dimensional barriers and jump through space. I think you can all guess which one I am hoping for.

In every... or almost every book/story that tries to explain the jump process it includes one fundamental thing. A very mathematical heavy system for navigating from point A to point B without which the vessel becomes lost or is destroyed upon transition. Does this mean we may see this technology become real in our life time? I certainly hope so.

Have Fun and Be Great

No Incidents Today

My youngest son came home from school today and told me that he had a good day at school today. No incidents and none of the kids got hurt... hurt?

Yes, apparently there are several disruptive children at his school and when they have an "episode" or an "incident" they throw things (books, pencils,chairs) and even one time hit a girl in the face. Our son only started talking about it recently. Up until recently we were uninformed about it.

We, my wife (to-be) and myself, think this is wrong. We think if there are problems of a sort where our child could be injured we should be informed about it. A bunch of other parents and us got together to discuss this and agreed.

On top of that we discovered that the principal seems to be dodging the issue. Discusses it only briefly with parents that call before "something" comes up and she has to end the phone call. She never goes into detail siting confidentiality issues.

At this time we are unsure what we should do, but one thing is certain, if our son is hurt there will be one very unhappy principal. She has tried to keep a lid on it and if he gets hurt the first thing I am doing is calling the press and telling them about our child's endangerment.

Have Fun and Be Great

My View- Internet & Relationships

Once upon a time (yes another one of these) people went out to meet each other in person. They didn't always see what a person was really like but at least if they said they were six feet tall you could see they were six feet tall. If they said they had blond hair you could see their blond hair. If they said they were a woman hopefully you could tell they really were a woman (I am hoping most of you laugh at that one).

Welcome to the Internet and a whole new world of fun. Anyone can say they are anything and until you prove otherwise people will generally believe what you tell them. You can lie about your appearance (web cam helps but always proof against that one), about being single (let's hope your significant other doesn't find out), and about your job/income (No, really I do believe you cleared 1.5 million last year).

But the Internet does help millions and millions of people connect. Some happily and some not so happily. I think it is a great tool when used right. There are many social networking sites out there; My Space, Twitter, Face book, and the list goes on. You meet people in chat rooms and you get to know them. You develop an emotional rapport with them and share personal and private information with them and of course those torrid pictures you only want them to see.

Now you meet and on the off chance you really connect and everything goes great I have just two questions for you... Are you still going to the social networking sites? Why? Now the first answer to why is and should be you have friends... just friends in these groups. The problem is though that new people who are coming to these groups are looking to hook up and when that hot thing hits on you do you pass or "just be Friends" and what will your significant other think about that.

I personally and my wife to be no longer go into those particular social chat rooms. She sometimes goes into some of the weight loss ones and well I just stay away. But we no longer chat like we used to. Neither one of us wants to go back to the infernal search not when we are so happy with each other. So we avoid that hazard.

If you are in a good relationship, do yourself a favor and avoid the chat rooms. You don't need the ones where people are looking to score. If you need one for work, or weight loss or money management go ahead.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Electronic Coach

It's game time boys and girls. We need to get healthy, we need to get fit, so everybody turn your video games on. What?!?

It's true we are entering a new era. The era of the "Health Games". It started with games like Dance Dance Revolution, Mario Olympics, Wii Fit and now includes EA Sports Acvtive. After years of complaints that children (and adults) are becoming obese because of all the couch time playing the traditional video games, the video game industry is striking back by offering games that make us healthier (very reminiscent of McDonald's offering fruit and walnut salad and apple slices instead of french fries in Happy Meals after "Super Size Me") and it doesn't stop there. Nintendo is offering for its DS such things as "Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking" and "My Weight Loss Coach".

What does this tell me? The same thing I have told people for years. Video games didn't make you do it, you chose to do it. Video games made you fat... you can no longer claim that, because now they can also make you thin. Exercises alone isn't enough to make you thin you also will have to stop drinking two liters of sugary soda a day, the Twinkies and tootsie rolls have to go (or at least be consumed in moderation).

I foresee the coming of anger management and sensitivity training video games In the future when some schmo kills someone and says they were able to do it because video games desensitized and made them do it maybe they can play those games in their nice little cell.

Have Fun and Be Great!

Wedding Bells

Anybody that knows me knows I have been "off the market" for the last four+ years. While I know I have said before that I would never marry again, alas times change.

I have been, am and will be with an extraordinary woman. This woman I hope will be my wife before the end of the year (and yes she already accepted it's just finding the time and all the other details). She is beautiful, she is smart and she puts up with me (I know that does make you question the smart part). We also have that one other thing... we make each other happier than we would be alone (I think it might have to do with loving each other).

For family members that read this that I had not told previously that I was getting married I apologize for not telling you directly in person. Our plans are simple. We are inviting just parents and siblings. Our children will be there. We are not looking for people to come to the wedding. We are not looking for gifts. We have already been married previously and had our "big" wedding. Alas both my woman and I are not social creatures so for us a smaller wedding is best.

Have Fun and Be Great

Ender's Game

Finally it has arrived... "Ender's Game" written by Orson Scott Card is being published by Marvel Comics. Woohooo!! Ender's Game is one of my all time favorite books. I read it in the library first and have purchased three copies myself. Yes it is that good.

You take a child and you send him into space to learn strategy. You tell him its in preparation for the next big war. You tell him its all a game simulations. You Lie. The games aren't a game these children are really commanding space fleets. It is supposed to make it easier so there are no feelings of guilt for people in your command dying. It really is a great book.

In reality we are almost to that point ourselves with remote combat vehicles. We are almost at the point where we won't have to risk our soldiers to fight. Is it a good thing to dehumanize killing other humans? I don't think so. But it will save the lives of our soldiers and that can be seen as only a good thing.

Have Fun and Be Great

Buck Rogers 25th century

Well Ladies and Gentlemen now to get back to our sci-fi roots.

When most people think about science fiction they think about the big ones; Star Wars, Battle Star gallactica and maybe even Flash Gordon.

Before all of these was Buck Rogers. Coming into existence in 1928 he as many heroes of the time started in the comics or more precisely the comic strips. His run in the comic strips didn't end until 1967. In 1932 he made the jump to radio. In 1939 Buck Rogers was brought to life by actor Buster Crabbe in a serial film (think TV at the theaters 12 parts... hmmm kinda like a TV season). From 1979 to 1981 NBC ran Buck Rogers int he 25th century and was played by Gilbert "Gil" Gerard (seen here). This is the Buck Rogers I remember seeing as a child.

I have seen a remake of Battle Star Gallactica, Flash Gordon and even continuations of Star Wars -episodes 1-3. I think it is time to get Captain Buck Rogers back in the saddle. Remember what once was old is new again so hopefully we will see something.

Have Fun and Be Great

Best or Worse Four Years

This is going to be my last blog speaking about the presidential race. Obama has won and we will either be going into the best four years of American history or the worse.

We currently have a super majority in Congress and the Senate. There are currently more liberal judges on the supreme court than any other time in our history. What President Obama wants for laws will pass. There is nothing in the government system to stop him at this point. If he keeps to his promises things might get better in the United States. Many people will argue they can't get worse. I laugh at those people.

There are many things this country needs to get out of the hole its in. Hopefully, we will get the changes we need to do so. We, the American people, need to go into these four years with our eyes open.

And on a tangent that is related to the election- it was a close popular race but a landslide electoral race. How does that work? Each state gets an automatic two points then gets additional points based on the population. So say California gets a lot of electoral votes and Maine gets very few. Lets say only 100 people in California vote and amazingly every eligible person in Maine votes (yes people that is more than 100) whomever is running for president gets more electoral votes because of California and wins. Now so far it has gone the way o f the popular vote lines with the electoral but it is possible that in the future it might not. What will we do then.

Have Fun and Be Great

Weekend Anime

Well earlier today I took my step-daughter to a place she did not dare to ask her mother to go. She needed to nuy something and she knew that if her mother took her to get it she would not get as much time to searh for what she wanted. So she asked me, and normally I have no patience foir shopping. So, where did we go shopping that I would have more patience than her mother? A comic book store, a card shop, an anime smorgasborg and a role playing game extraveganza; Weekend Anime.

My step daughter needed some Magic cards for the Magic Trading Card Game and looked up one that was open after she got out of work. We went and found a great little shop. They had some kids... probably early teens and some adults, but everyone was well behaved and focussed on the Trading Card games they were playing right there in the store. The clerk was very knowledgable and immediately answered our questions and helped direct us where to find what she was looking for. She had a list.

After several minutes, I left her to it and browsed the comic book graphic novels. I looked at the new Dungeons and Dragons and Whitewolf books. I looked at the Manga comics and anime videos. Before I knew it more than an hour had passed and she had as much of what was on her list as she could find. She payed for it and we left. Over all as far as I am concerned a great shopping experience.

They also have an online store.

Have fun and Be Great

Haloween: Not the Only Time For Costumes

As everyone I know starts to gear up for Halloween (setting out decorations, preparing costumes and buying candy for the little trick or treaters) I would like everyone to understand that they should buy their costumes for more than one use.

I remember as a child we bought these cheap little plastic costumes and if I was lucky they would last through the two or three hours of trick or treating. Costumes are more expensive these days and thankfully more environmentally friendly. Last year we got costumes for the children and then after Halloween let them play with them outside or use them as pajamas. They love playing dress up even after Halloween.

During the year there other times even when costumes are appropriate. We just went to a pirate party at the Maine maritime Museum and the children were in costume and so was the staff. Renaissance fairs, conventions and some others that I can't think of off the top of my head.

My favorite place for costumes has to be conventions... or maybe I should say one specific convention with several others. The biggest convention I can think of that people where their costumes to is Comic-con. Ahh yes, a geek's paradise if there ever was one. Followed by other similar ones... Star Trek convention anyone?

Have Fun and Be Great

Rejection?

Well, I had submitted a short story to Asimov science fiction magazine in an attempt to get published. I recently got back a letter saying that they could not use that story at this time. I could view at as a rejection letter, but instead I am going to use it as an opportunity. I am going to publish it at my other site... Evolvedgeek.com Where any one of the millions of people online can enjoy my story for free.

They say no door closes that another one doesn't open up. I am now working on another story that I will also send out to try to get published. If they can not use it I wall add that one to my site as well. Who knows after enough "rejections" I'll be able to publish a whole anthology of my own.

Don't let anything stop you or get in the way of your dreams and aspirations. Don't accept rejection as the end just keep going. Change directions if you must, but keep going.

Have Fun and Be Great!

Finally a Solution Proposed

I have to say earlier today I thought I was going to be horribly dissapointed with the plan to save our economy. I probably would have been if I had watched the presiden't proposal. So what the heck am I talking about? I am talking about a plan that no has seen publically before today. A plan to help people keep their homes instead of losing it to foreclosure. A plan proposed by someone in the mortgage industry and not influenced by politics. One that does not reward CEO's for failing to manage their buisnesses properly. I am talking about a Recovery Program designed by Michael Cantrell. It starts by saving peoples homes... not the banks. For more information go to http://www.fhrpmtg.com/.

Have Fun and Be great

Fun Times and Homework

Ugh I as a parent now face that thankless task of getting my children to do their homework and some of them don't really want to. Surprise ... surprise....

My older children are not so much of a problem just the threat of taking away video games or enough TV and they jump to it with a vengeance. My little guy though, he is a tough one to crack. I recently initiated the "No games and no TV before homework" rule.

My little guy now hates everything. He hates the music on in the car. He hates the food we have for lunch and or dinner. To make this transition easier (or to make him see how serious I take it) I won't play on the computer or watch TV until his homework is done.

I've told him and my other children that as a child he has only two jobs; cleaning his room and doing his homework. It doesn't seem to help much (I don't even really push to make him clean his room).

Well, I will keep pushing them to do their homework. I wouldn't push them if they had perfect test scores. If they have perfect test scores they should either be moved to a more difficult class or accept that they already know it and don't worry about the homework.

Have Fun and Be Great

My Stand On Candidates

Well for the last few weeks anyone reading my blog has heard how unhappy I am with the governments recent actions. The bailout is the biggest flaw in their recent thinking.

Which is why when both candidates supported the bail out i lost any faith in anything they aim to accomplish if they get elected. At the rate things are going, I feel I might actually be a better candidate then them (and I usually am pointing out why i shouldn't be President). On a more serious note lets see who I'd like to be President.

Of all the people that have said things that have been commented enough for me to hear about it (and I do not watch the news) the one that has impressed me most with what he has to say is Bill Cosny. I know it is a shocker but I could feel the strength of his convictions when he made his speech about how we have created our own second class citizens by not pushing the education of our children. His speech moved me and a lot of people. Has McCaine or Obama said anything that they feel so strongly about that they are willing to risk alienating a segment of their voting population? That is the difference between a professional politician and a man that sees something wrong and wants to fix it.

We do not need a professional politican in the white house we need a real person that wants to fix things. Someone that isn't scared to ask for help, because they know that neither they nor their spouse has all the answers.

It saddens me to say that we won't be getting it this election (although I say let's write in Bill Cosby and Oprah as his VP) and if things don't look up by 2012 who knows maybe I'll decide to run... although I prefer King or Emperor to President....

Have Fun and Be Great

United States Bailout Folly

Once upon a time our stock market crashed. Well actually several times it crashed, once really bad in the 1930's and again in the 1980's. It destroyed the global economy and all the people were doomed and suffered for decades trying to rebuild. Not quite.

In the 1930's the only president to serve three terms, Franklin Delanor Roosevelt, instituted broad sweeping social reforms (not put a band aid over the problem for those that created the mess) and created institutions that are still felt today. He started the park service and we know have all these natural wonders around still for us to enjoy. He created the highway system we have today. He had a simple concept; a days work earned a roof over your head and food in your belly. Three things are required for survival; food, clothing and shelter, not BMW's, mansions and millions.

Our nation is in such a state that we are closing our military bases to ease the budget. We are cutting back our government contracts to manufacturers to ease the budget. And yet, we are still spending huge amounts on an unpopular war which will reap our country no financial benefit, and passing a bill to bail out the fat cats that chose to risk their money in many ways by taking advantage of giving "easy" loans to poor people.

I am a proud citizen of this country and I feel the bail out is a mistake. If you want me to put it into an easier perspective let's set up an office outside Vegas and have the government give money to the poor unfortunates that leave there empty handed.

Have Fun and Be Great

Marvel- Animated

Following their single movie blockbuster hits IronMan and Incredible Hulk, Marvel is releasing some new animated movies in 2009 featuring the green goliath. It faces him off first against oneof the most popular characters of the Marvel franchise, Wolverine. It follows up with a less popular but more powerful comic book icon, Thor.

The Hulk and Wolverine have danced this dance for literally as long as Wolverine has been in the comic books. Wolverine made his first appearence in Incredible Hulk Issue #180 in October of 1974.

The Hulk versus Thor has been seen less, but it has been seen in not just comic book media but in one of the Incredible Hulk tv movies with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno.

Where will this end. The Hulk is with out doubt one of the most loved and tragic heroes of the Marvel universe. In 2010 there should be another animated movie featuring the Hulk, Planet Hulk.

Have Fun and Be Great

Debate-couples rights

I am sitting here the debate is behind me and they just hit the married and gay marriage rights issue. They support rights for gay couples, but lets see exactly what their definition is of a couple. It means married or under contract if you are gay. I have been with my wife for going on five years and I am using artistic licence when I refer to her as my wife. We have everything together our cars, our banks, and we own our house together. We raise our children together, but according to them we are not a couple. Many insurance companies and employers would not recognize us as a couple in regards to benefits. I think any domestic partnership should be legally backed and supported.

There of course will be more on these hot topics.

Have Fun and Be Great

Tougher Video Games

There was a wall street journal entry lately that commented on how designers are purposefully cranking up the difficulty of their games. Thank-you , thank-you, thank-you.

I remember a long time ago I played the Avengers and the original X-men video game. It was across the street at 7-11, then around the corner at the bowling alley. I remember how I eventually beat those games. I brought a roll of quarters with me. I'd die, drop a quarter and continue. Yes, eventually I beat the game. I know it doesn't take a lot of skill, but it was one of those things I still felt good that I achieved success.

Now a days, that feeling of success is lacking. Not just in video games, but in the workplace and in schools. We go to work for eight hours. Do our jobs and come home. We go in the next day and do the exact same thing all over again. Occasionally if we finish early we get to leave early and man, that does feel like success like you actually finished something. I can't tell you what a success I would feel like if I was a child and I came home with my report card to show my parents that I met expectations. That screams success. Heck even exceeds expectations screams success after all whose expectations are they meeting? After all, as a parent I have no idea what level these expectations are set at.

So I am in favor of tougher video games that today's generation may feel like they succeed at something. Heck, a really tough game may either keep my son from thinking he has a "gift" for playing videos games or prove to me that he really does have one.

Have Fun and Be Great

Senate passes bailout house on fence

Well so now we got some "good" news. The senators have passed a 700billion dollar bail out and now all it has to do is pass it in the house and the president. We need this bill passed to save not just our economy but the global economy because as our markets crashed so did theirs. I personally say let it crash, the cost of everything will bottom out when everyone discovers they can't afford anything. The only people that would be doing great would be people that could offer goods or services for trade.

We just had to sweeten the deal a little more to get people to do the "right" thing. So the new and improved bill has tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses... and where are we getting the money for this bailout again? It also aimed to increase the FDIC at banks from 100000 to 250000. Ummm, excuse me but I hate to point this out that actually protects a lot less people than they think. I have never come close to having a hundred thousand in the bank... and if I had over a hundred thousand I'd have it in several banks so not all my eggs were in one basket. Then of course they also tossed in measures to aid hurricane ravaged areas and because we know that this is the root of our current economical issue lets give better insurance to mentally handicapped people.

I apologize for ranting. I like mentally challenged people. Its not their fault our government doesn't seem very focused at the moment. We could blame disaster victims, but they are actually good for business unless you are in insurance. Rebuilding costs money and requires skilled hands.

Just once do you think they could pass a bill with only the issues at stake involved instead of trying to slip all the extra junk in.

Have Fun and Be Great

Escapism

Well as things get gloomier as the days go on. Shorter days, bank failings and the stockmarket more and more people will do what seems to come naturally to most of us. We will find something to do that will occupy our minds and our time so we don't worry about it.

Some people will bury themselves in their work and escape from the larger picture while gaining hopefully some financial security. Some will spend more quality time with their family and their kids and gain some richness in their families. Then there are the ones that may escape for long hikes into the woods, up mountains, or canoe or one hundred and one different things that they do to get away from the daily grind. Then there are the rest of us. People who bury themselves in books, video games or the internet. Also doing what we enjoy but not gaining health or wealth from it (in most cases).

Now there is nothing wrong with playing World of Warcraft, Halo or any of the other online games. Nor is there anything wrong with reading a good book or a dozen comic books. The only problem that occurs is when your escape interferes with real life. Stop for a moment and look. Are the household chores and duties being neglected to make time for your escape? are you using bill money to fund the next book, game or pair of hiking shoes? Are you ignoring your children so that you can blog.....ummm never mind that last one.

The point is escaping is fine as long as you do it in moderation and as long as it does not negatively affect your household or your children. Now that my kids are in bed back to World of Warcraft for me.

Have Fun and Be Great

Presidential Candidates

God so many issues and a hard time figuring where who stands on what, but thre is help. A quick thing to figure out who you kinda want to vote for.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchOMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

Finally, ABC news gives us something people friendly to try to figure this out. It would probably work really well, except I have a hard time believing anything they (Obama and McCaine say.

Well that is it for tonight


Have Fun and Be Great

Internet Security

You may or may have not noticed a certain lack of personal details in my blog. I do not mention my whole name, my childrens' names, or my fiancee's name. I do not include things like my pets' names or the school I went to or my mother's maiden name. These are all things many online sites ask for in the event you lose your password. I read an article on wired recently where an internet security specialist took just a person's name was able to use a small amount of personal information and what they found in their blog to get and reset their passwords to gain access to their bank acount.

Of more recent infamy is the governor Palin hack. A college student hacked into her Yahoo account. Please remember what you give as a password has to have nothing to do with the hint. It should include a number to make it harder to brute force code crack and lastly it should not be anything that you ever post online. Make it something personal that only you have access to. Like what your beloved got you for your birthday... unless you or she blogged about it. Better yet make it from an inside joke you know that other people just might not get.

Be safe in the internet.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Watchmen

It started as a graphic novel. It took a concept that had never been explored inthe comic books before and ran with it. They murdered a super hero. Watchmen is a story about the investigation of said murder and a conspiracy which brings up the question if the watchmen watch over society who watches the watchmen. In the superhero laden movieverse we are in I am looking forward to this one. One other note Watchmen is the only graphic novel to make it to the times best seller list.

Please watch the trailer at the bottom of my blog.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Next: ???

Economic Woes- 700billion dollar bail out CEO wages and the President.

Wow, it's all over the news these days. With wallstreet plummetting our president wants to stabilize the economy by pushing 700 billion dollars back into the troubled financial institutions. But that is treating the symptoms and not the cause. What is the cause of these economical difficulties? Poor lending practices to new home owners where the institution doesn't verify employment or wages. Now, in these troubled times banks are worried about their assets so now they are more inclined to foreclose on these houses when their mortgages are overdue (especially with the falling home values).

Oops, the value is falling. They are no longer receiving any money from their borrowers and the economy is going badly. So because they made these bad decisions we the tax payer should bail them out? I don't think so. Neither does the three or four people (average people with not a lot of money tied into the stock market) that I've asked.

I have complained and I have heard complaints about CEO's receiving million dollar salaries. Now my first complaint is that no one needs a multi-million dollar salary, but then a friend said they get paid so much because their decisions directly effect all the employees below them and the financial success of the company. How much are the CEO's of the company's we are looking to bail out making? They are horribly overpaid.

I think the President should be paid on a basis of his success. A term is four years. Each year is a quarter. While he is in office, let him get only room and board and he can collect his wages after his/her term. Have congress or some neutral party evaluate our economy, how he's done on his campaign promises and other issues. He does good give him a salary that is appropriate for his success or lack there of. Give him a million a year for successfully running the government... or give him the same wages as the lowest paid civil service worker for a crappy job.

How should we fix the current situation? Let us start with a basic concept which I am sure many people will cringe when I say it. Nothing is free. Having said that instead of giving 700billion to the corporations lets start a bail out program for the people's whose mortgages are reaching foreclosure. First, after a citizen applies for it, we review the terms of their current loan and make sure it is fair and not designed to fail. Then we take a look at jobs in the area that we would spend federal money on (roads, highways, trail ways and environmental clean up). For twenty hours a week the home owner does these jobs for a month and the government get the mortgages caught up. Or for less time a week the government could supplement the wages to make that little extra neccessary to make their mortgage and still bring in enough money to live. The money still gets to the corporations, but we save people's homes and we get things done that need to be done that we would be spending federal money on anyway.

Well that is enough for today's rant.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Next: Watchmen

Apples

Yeah, I know I am not very specific about where I go in my meandering topics so today we talk about apples... or we can talk about Apples.

Last weekend I relived some of the joy from my childhood, we went apple picking. We wandered up and down between the trees and I would pluck a tasty looking apple off here and there. My boy, the youngest one, would climb the trees and bring his prizes back to put in the bag. My honey did like wise and warned me not too pick too many apples. Please, too many apples. We shared this experience with some family friends and their children. They had pumpkins so my my boy grabbed a nice big one for carving. We then went to cash out and we had about fifteen pounds of apples (maybe a little much for our little family that doesn't bake or can) and an eleven pound pumpkin. It cost us approximately twenty-seven dollars for this fun (it did include a ride on a horse drawn wagon). It was a lot cheaper when I was growing up and we had an apple tree on our land. Ah well times change and with the economy the price of everything goes up.

Having eaten three to four apples a day since then, I've started baking apple crisp, I tried for apple pie, but as of yet nothing I've baked resembled apple pie so I will continue with the crisp and will have to go running more to help now that I've picked so many of those healthy apples.

Now onto Apples, back in elementary school I remember the first computer we were introduced to was an Apple, but by the time I got to high school all the computers I worked with were PC's. There are many people that swear by their Apples, I am not one of them. I have worked with PC's for over twenty years now went to school for IT and focused on the PC. Now we've all seen the ads with the hip young Mac user and the square old PC. Trying to compare the two is like trying to compare oranges and well Apples. I say go with what you know, because that saves you a lot of time learning something new and learning how to troubleshoot a whole new system.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Next: Economic Woes- 700billion dollar bail out CEO wages and the President.

Quick view on music...

I like music. I like almost every type of music. However, I hate to say it, but I suffer from the sing along effect.

What is the sing along effect. I will be riding along in my car or at work listening to some song I like. It doesn't matter what song or which artist and I really like that song (and occasionally sing along with it myself) when either a passenger or co-worker starts to sing along with it. Now if they sing good all very well but if they could play in the gag reel from American Idol well then on comes the sing along effect. I suddenly find I don't like the song anymore (and the more times I hear it sang off key the worse this becomes), I turn the radio down, or off. I do not do this to be mean. I do it because I love music and I really like that song. I do it because I think telling people to "shut up" is rude.

Have I had people tell me to "shut up" because of my singing? No, not yet. Do people turn their radios down when I sing along? Not yet, but they might after reading this. I try to think about what I am putting my co-workers and my passengers through with my singing. I generally like most of these people so I tend let the professionals do the singing and save belting out that tune to the times when I'm alone in the car... or karaoke.

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: Apples

Tattoos, Piercings and Other Fun Stuff

Once upon a time, I wanted to be a tatto artist. Yeah, me. Unfortunately my goals outpaced my artistic ability. I even went so far as to get a tattoo gun and self educated myself, after all practice makes perfect and tattoos eventually fade... kind of. To tell you the truth I wasn't that bad. I put a tattoo on myself and tattooed four friends (one of them not so much my friend as my ex-wife) and touched up another friend's tattoo. The only two complaints I had were; it didn't hurt enough so I must be doing it wrong and I didn't get enough ink under the skin on my ex so instead of saying "I Love Mike" it said, "I Love Ike". Nothing a little touch up couldn't fix. Then something went wrong with my tattoo gun, a bad electrical connection or something so it stopped working. Thankfully, the only tattoo I was working on at the time was my own. Once again where I was doing it not to gain a new carreer but as a new medium for my artistic expression there was no big loss.

Piercings are another unique form of self expression. There are so many types of piercings if you can get a needle through it you can get it pierced. I have had a a total of four piercings. I had my tongue pierced, twice and my nipples pierced. Why did I get my tongue pierced twice? The first time after I had had the piercing for awhile I had taken it out and I hadn't had a problem getting it in the hole. Well, this time I couldn't. So I got it repierced. Now as to getting my nipples pierced. Yes, I was going through a rebellious stage and low and behold every time my ex-wife made me angry I'd spend the child support on a new piercing. Yeah, I know not exactly right, but I have matured a little since then. The other logic I applied was one that never actually came to be. I figured I could get girls to show me theirs if I'd show them mine. Once again never quite worked out that way. How are my nipple piercings now? There is a term called migration that is when your body rejects the piercings they push out through the skin. Doesn't sound nice and isn't I removed them before it became really ugly.

Some brief trivia on tattoos and piercings. Tatoos have been around for over 5000 years. The first tattoos were theorized as to have been by accident. An open cut of some kind and some sort of dirt or ash were rubbed into the wound. When the wound healed there was a permanent mark... a tattoo. I have heard several rumors about body piercings. The ancient roman centurians used to pierce their nipples to prove their bravery. Think about getting your nipples pierced. Yeah, either brave or crazy. The verdict is still out on me. (Some day after I get enough blogs up here so that you think you know me I'll put up a readers poll titled "Am I crazy".

I am currently running a tattoo contest as you can see to the left. I went around and hung posters up in several buisnesses (tattoo parlors, cyber cafe and music stores). For their participation I am going to give them a brief mention in this particular post and I may follow up in more details later.

As to other fun stuff... oops drawing blank. Well, I guess I will talk about other fun stuff another time.

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: A quick look at music...

***Special Bulletin***

I got a tech support tip for people with wireless networks. You have your wireless router/hub all set up and everything is going great for a week or two when inexplicably your connection goes down. Now, your hardwired connection to the Internet is still working but your wireless is down... Don't Panic!

This is a common problem. The first thing to try is to restart your computer. Sometimes that is all it takes to regain your lost connection, but let's say that doesn't work, maybe the problem really is with your router/hub. Once again don't panic. Go to your wireless router/hub and unplug it. Leave it unplugged for up to thirty seconds then plug it back in. 99% of the time that's all it takes to restore my wireless connection.

I hope this has been helpful. If it hasn't you can always try tech support for your specific hardware.

Have Fun and Be Great

CyberLANd Gaming Center

I was looking for places to hang posters advertising my hero tattoo contest, when I came across the gaming center. I thought in this of all places there would be people interested in computers and may possibly be some form of E-volved geek themselves. Many computers were in the room a big screen TV and what looked like some very comfortable furniture.

As I entered further there were people playing PlayStation3, X-box360 and on the PCs. It was a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. I walked back to the owner and told him about my contest and he happily let me put up a poster. He was a genuinely nice guy. So I told him that I blog about his business.

CyberLANd Gaming Center is located at 72 Maine Street in Brunswick Maine. It is self proclaimed as the Midcoast biggest and best LAN (as I have not been to any others I will take their word for it). Their Philosophy-Computers and video games are no longer for just the geeks and techies and it certainly doesn't have to isolating or intimidating. At Cyberland they strive to make a comfortable and fun environment that everyone can enjoy, whether you come to blow up aliens or just to watch TV with your friends.

They originally started off with this really great open door policy and just wanted to let everybody in. Unfortunately, a minority of people ruined it and now if you just want to hang out and lounge around you need to be a member. Good news... if you just want to come in and use the stuff you still can (of course the members get a discount and some free game time). For more information about their rates and hours call them at (207)725-8627.

Speaking of game time I think tomorrow night I may head over and give Warhammer a try.

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: Tattoos, piercings and other fun stuff

More Reasons Why I should not be President.

Another trait the President should have is assertiveness. You know, if he feels strongly about something nobody should be able to change his mind about it; not the vice president, not the lobbyists, not his advisors, not even Congress. Like say if he didn't want to mow the lawn, he wouldn't no matter what. Not answer his first lady with, "Yes Dear." (For those of you that are new to my blog please read some of the earlier comments.)

Muah ha ha ha ha

A friend of mine argued with me about voting, how we don't constitutionally have a right to vote (can a reader please do some foot work for me and prove that as an untrue statement.) He reads Boortz's column. Boortz is very well read and very well spoken. He has written books about politics and is open with his commentary. I will not argue with him... I do not know enough about the subject matter to do so. However, if I was President that is one of the things I would try to get changed if it wasn't so.

Let's talk about gun control. That is another one of those favorite topics during election years. I think we have enough gun control in place. What?! I can't be serious what with gun related deaths so high and so many criminals with guns. Ok, you win. All guns have to be registered and to make it even better let's make it that whomever owns a gun used in a crime is held atleast partially responsible for that crime. Of course, that won't be happening unless I am President.

Now let's see lets go to a more popular issue, drugs. On a personal note I am against most drugs, but that is just me. I guess the big one is marijuana. Some people want to legalize marijuana. I don't think so, sure no one overdoses on it, most people become more "mellow" when they smoke it, and so many people already use it. Marijuana is very addictive. Even if the government (and if I was the president then that would be me) grew its own and taxed it at a lower cost then the black market could offer it at some point some addict won't have enough money for their fix and commit some violent crime to finance it. Not enough of a reason, let's look at legal drugs- caffeine and alcahol. Our children are getting into it at a younger and younger age. The more available drugs (even legal ones) are the more likely our children will be able to get into them.

Little side issue. Cruel and unusual punishment. I think it should be allowed for any crime against children. Wow, I think I just lost some votes there, but I have much self respect and more votes from the voters that are parents (although probably not enough to make me president).

Well, Have Fun and Be Great

Next: CyberLANd Gaming Center.

Spiderman the Tormented Hero

Man, Peter Parker just doesn't get any breaks.

First, let me start by saying there is so much history on everybody's favorite wallcrawler there is no way I am going to cover it all for free in my little blog. Created in 1962, the wall crawler has 46 years of history and in depth story lines. So I am just going to recap a few of the more memorable moments in his long career.

Peter Parker everybodies favorite nerd (sorry, Mr Fantastic as far as nerds go you may be a big one, but ol' Peter Parker wins it) got bullied by the jocks and tormented by everyone that noticed him in school. Along comes a spider (in the classic version radiation from nucleur war being the big fear, a radioactive spider, genetic tampering being the current fear genetically modified in more recent versions) and bites him. Gets sick and transforms him, right? Well, maybe... there is a theory involving mystical orgins that popped up recently in the comic books as well. Life is great the spider bite cures his poor vision, gives him great strength, lets him cling to walls and his spider sense (more recent versions include natural web making and poisonous stingers). Now being a poor kid and wanting things a little better he tries to get into show buisness (we all know how this ends). A robbery, he lets the bad guy get away and Uncle Ben dies (once again two versions robbery at home or car jacking depending on the times greatest fears). He blames himself and becomes a super hero to make everything better.

Nobody understands poor Peter. Life is going on and his best friends father becomes one of his biggest enemies- The Green Goblin (makes it real hard to hang out when your friends dad wants you dead). Aahh wonder of wonders Petey gets a beautiful blonde babe named Gwen Stacy. She loves him and he loves her. All is well in the world, but you know friends sometimes talk to their parents and Mr.Goblin comes a calling. In an incredible fight on the George Washington Bridge Gobby tosses Gwen over the edge. Spidey tries to get her with his web but her neck snaps. Sorry, Pete you know we can't let you be happy. Spiderman and the Green Goblin duke it out with the green goblin accidentally dying. Hey buddy yeah your dad and I were fighting and he kinda accidently died... that's not a conversation I'd want with one of my friends.

Mary Jane , beautiful Mary Jane Watson. The longest on again off again relationship in comic book history (although Louis and Clark runs a hard second). Lets see she really likes Peter but he is dealing with the issues of losing a loved one and blaming himself (self blame a recurring theme). When she does manage to get a date with him he ends up being late, leaving early or not even showing up. However, he does have some great pics of Spidey fighting some supervillains on the front page of the bugle (narcissism- taking pics of himself and getting on the front page... ego much?). So Peter Parker is too busy well there is always his friend Harry Osborn (AKA Gobby Jr.) She dates him and at some point Harry puts on his daddy's tights (and goes crazy in the process... yes in the comics it was tights not armor that the green goblin wore). Harry tries to get Spidey for killing his dad and eventually discovers that Spidey is Peter. This of course does not end well as Peter's family and loved ones are targeted. They fight and Harry loses his memory. Now here is a recurring villain every time he gets his memory back he fights Spidey and the more time Peter spends with Harry the more likely he gets his memory back. So much for friends.

J. Jonah Jameson has his way and eventually New York hates spiderman. He puts on the black suit and does most of his crimefighting at night. Well maybe if Spiderman was more powerful things would get better (either the result of an alien on a shuttle or a gift from the Beyonder at the end of the Secret Wars he gets a new more powerful symbiotic suit). Aah but the suit is alive and feeds off of negative feelings so it encourages those feeling in its host. Spidey figures it out but not before the suit almost consumes him. He ditches the suit and it bonds with a rival of Peter Parker and becomes the next of Superman's great enemies, Venom.

Now lets take a good look at a couple of Peter Parkers idols. Two great men, scientists both. Doctor Connors and Doctor Octavious. They become the Lizard and Doc Ock, (a small side note at some point later in the comics Doc Ock and Aunt May get engaged... I missed that one, but it couldn't have been much fun for Petey).

Here is a more recent idea. Let's go public with Spiderman's identity and become an Avenger (actually I recall an old episode where Peter dreamed of that and they dismissed him as being just a kid). Well, the end results are similar to when Green Goblin found out his identity, but as a member of the Avengers his family was protected... until Civil War. Peter Parker becomes Tony Stark'sassistant. Gets money out the wazoo. Lives in Stark Towers. Has married Mary Jane. Has a new high tech suit courtesy of Tony Stark. WE all know how his happiness can't be allowed to last. Civil War and the super power registration act. At first he is on Stark's side, but he eventually realizes that it isn't right and joins Captain America's side. Now Captain America is a heroes hero and Pete kinda idolizes him.... uh-oh. So when he joins Caps side he becomes an outlaw and so does his family. Civil War heats up and Captain America is killed (tell you what I don't think I ever want to be thought well of by Peter Parker).

It gets better though. Because the bad guys know his secret identity no place is safe for them. King Pin puts a hit out on Spidey and tells the shooter that if Peter doesn't hold still to shoot a family member instead. He does and Aunt May is shot. Does Aunt May die? Maybe, but Mary Jane makes a deal with the devil Mephisto and gets reality altered so that Pete never revealed his identity, but the price was Peter and her never got married and she doesn't recall Peter's alter ego.

Once again, Spiderman has to be one of the most tormented superheroes in the comic books. The only time he is allowed happiness is when it will lead t oa storyline that will involve an even greater personal tragedy.

As they used to say, "Make Mine Marvel."

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: More Reasons Why I Should Not Be President

Warhammer is coming...

For what seems like ages Warhammer has been a table top game. On September 18,2008 Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will be making its long awaited debut. WAR as it is affectionately called is coming. Unlike many of the MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) out there this one is designed to be Realm vs. Realm. What that means is that it is army vs. army you are but one of many. Does this mean your efforts count less? No, each quest you go on helps your side.



Ahhh , but that raises the question of sides. There are but two sides; good or evil, order or destruction. The side of Order you get to choose on the following races; Dwarves, High Elves, or the Empire of Man. On the side of Destruction; Greenskins, Dark Elves and Chaos.



I personally will probably choose a dwarf. Those players that know me probably would have guessed that. Aah but what a choice. I know my friends will probably line up on the opposing side... they're just so... dare I say... evil? This of course brings up the next issue. I think the forces of good are going to be vastly outnumbered. Why? because only young heroes and a few odd old war horses like myself will choose to be good. The vast majority of gamers though will choose to be the dark forces of Destruction (what can I say so many swayed to the Dark Side).It will be interesting to see how the game balances this out.

Well, I hope you enjoy it when it comes.

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: Spiderman the tormented hero

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. This may occur as a result of sleep disorders, active choice or deliberate inducement such as in interrogation or for torture
(courtesy of Wikipedia).

Now to be completely honest with you, most of the time I suffer from the self induced form of sleep deprivation. You know I am watching a really good movie, reading a book, playing a video game, playing a role playing game or waiting for the midnight release of a popular CD (although I think in college it might have counted as torture when my roommate would wake me up at two in the morning because her boyfriend was weird and wanted me to explain why he did something). There is also sleep deprivation not because you really want to do something, but you need to; put the dog out (always better no matter how little sleep you get than cleaning up accidents), little voices telling you to get up because they're hungry/thirsty/bored (no, not the voices in my head, I really do have children... real ones).

It is sometimes funny how it works. You know you're tired but you are doing something so you push yourself to stay up just a little longer. You add caffeine or any of the other things that keep you awake. Eventually, you get to a state of perceived hyperactivity as your brain seems to kick into high gear (wired tired). You know you are tired, but even if you go to bed now you won't be able to sleep.

But it does catch up to you. Sleep deprivation can have many symptoms. All of us are familiar with cranky. I myself resemble a grizzly awoken from hibernation when I don't get enough sleep. It becomes harder to concentrate and brain tries to go to sleep with out you (things that you normally figure out really easy are amazingly difficult during this time). Not to mention the goofies, everything seems silly and/or you behave in a goofy manner. Then there are the uglies. How does lack of sleep give you the uglies? Dark, baggy circles under your eyes are the first, and pasty skin. When I am overtired I tend to eat more to keep myself awake. Sleep deprivation can cause obesity (and here I thought it was twinkies and lack of exercise).

Now for the symptoms that aren't so much fun; nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, head ache, sore throat and stuffy nose. No, you probably aren't really sick that often, but your body is paying you back for depriving it of its z's.

Well, I need to take a nap before my uglies get worse.

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: Warhammer

***SPECIAL REPORT***

Well , here we go again. Hurricane Ike may not be the disaster that Hurricane Katrina was, but still a disaster in Texas. This time millions of people evacuated and left their homes while nature tried to wash its face clean. That left only a rough count of about one hundred thousand that didn't heed the warnings. Most of them probably survived and today the largest search and rescue operation in Texas will go in and try to rescue them.

I have already commented on Darwin's theory of evolution and modern man. Sometimes nature still wins (maybe we need to evolve a set of gills if we live in or near hurricane zones). I may sound unsympathetic, but I really do feel for the people that have lost their irreplaceables. Family is irreplaceable. Pets are irreplaceable. Family heirlooms that have survived many generations are irreplaceabe. Photo albums are irreplaceable.

Cars, videogames, books and all those things that we can go out and buy with insurance money are replaceable. I like to complain about insurance companies and how I personally haven't yet had to use it, but keep paying out the premiums. This is what insurance is for , unfortunately not nearly everyone that has been affected by Hurricane Ike will have enough insurance.

Sometime soon a great number of the humanitarian aid organizations will roll in to give aid down there; The American Red Cross, The United Way and many many more. Until we hear what the results of the disaster are there is very little we can do. Like Katrina people around the country will give what aid they can.

Advertising and Gadgets

You may or may nor have noticed some new things to the right of my blog. Right at the top is an advertisement from google.

Google Adsense looks at my blog and if it sees something it will use there to determine what Ad gets placed on my page (keywords I think). If it doesn't find one than you get a random ad (Lasic eye surgery anyone?). Of course they have rules for that.

Rule number one: There can be no profanity or "adult" content on my blogpage. So if you want to comment keep it clean, please.

Rule number two: I can't click on the ad myself (I get payed per click so my clicking on it is cheating).

Rule number three: I can't ask people to click on my ad or point it out with arrows or in any other way try to get you to click on it.

So why do I have it on my blogpage? Because it doesn't hurt, because some of you might click on an ad there. and there is the possibility I will get paid for it (although it will take a while each click is twelve cents and they only send me a check after I hit one hundred dollars. It is my understanding that most advertising works in that fahion (a limit before you get paid). Affiliate programs are different and usually require someone to purchase something from their site to get paid.

The other gadgets I just thought were neat so I put them on there.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Next: sleep deprivation

Metallica: Death Magnetic

It is the wee hours of the morning. I have just finished listening to Metallica's latest CD, Death Magnetic. Let me rewind to shortly before midnight.

I drove to the Bull Moose store in Brunswick and the lights were on but I had expected a lot more cars (c'mon this is a midnight release of Metallica advertised on WCYY). So I was thinking maybe this one wasn't doing the midnight release thing. No, there were people inside. I realize now that most of them must have been from Bowdoin College and walked there. There were two sales clerks there that welcomed me. Gave me my Metallica button and offered me pizza.

I joined the milling throng and browsed the music and video game selection (and ate a couple pieces of free pizza). The wait was on. More people trickled in. Only several minutes were left. I moved to a display that was closer to the register. The clerk announced one minute left. We eyed one another wondering who was going to be the first in line. Then the clerk announced the witching hour. We stormed the register... Well not quite.

There was no mad rush. We were all fans and waited patiently. Those that came with friends hung out and talked together. The rest of us browsed until it was time. Then we moved forward. There was no mad rush, but when the second cashier opened the second register I did manage to get the second CD sold tonight at this location. I rushed back to the van and went to Walmart (where else do you go after midnight). I let my stepdaughter go cash her check while I listened to the CD (no really you think I'd want to go to Walmart after getting this CD). After she got done we returned home.

I dropped her off and took the van down by the river to listen to the rest of the CD (not really reference an old Chris Farley skit on Saturday Night Live and you'll get the joke). However, one thing that I really did try to do was call Joey Disco at WCYY and share with him and his listeners my excitement at getting this CD. Guess he will just have to read about it here instead.

Well I am adding the CD to my ipod so I can listen to it at work tomorrow.

Have Fun and Be Great

Next: Advertising and Gadgets

History of the vidoe game Giants

Well I like most people saw just a few of the many video game systems. Some came out before I was even born. But for almost as long as there have been computers there have been video games.

In the 1970's, we were introduced to the big one of my childhood, the wonderful world of Atari. Now Pong is a classic game and I think I played the original version (not sure I was really young then).

In the 1980's, there were two newcomers that ended the dominance of Atari; The Nintendo Entertainment System and The Sega Genesis. There were of course the others but those two dominated. Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedge Hog were the first games and I played any amount on the new systems. The Nintendo was the first game system I ever owned.

In the 1990's, Sony threw their gauntlet into the ring and we got the PlayStation. Sony seemed to have replaced Sega. I can't recall a specific game that was trade marked by PlayStation that was their brand that brought them forward.

Now, the last of the giants in 2000's. Microsoft gave us the X-box and with x-box the big game that most people think about is Halo. (Which of course has also spread to the PlayStation).

I have covered all the big ones and most of those I played. For those of my readers that are out of their twenties I hope you have fond memories of those early systems. My younger readers I hope can appreciate the roots.

For a complete history of the game consoles go to http://www.thegameconsole.com/

Have fun and be Great.

Next: I go to the midnight release of Metallica's next CD at Bull Moose Music

***SPECIAL BULLETIN***

Occasionally, I will get some idea that I immediately want to throw up here. I'll Throw it in and it won't be on the next of the previous blog.

A couple of things as I sit here. In several hours (at midnight to be exact) I will go to Bull Moose in Brunswick and buy the new Metallica CD. Now for the record I understand that I am supposed to be a geek, but the thing about an evolved geek is that we sometimes do cool things. To make you feel better though I will confess this will be the first Metallica CD I have ever bought. While I have listened to Metallica before (who hasn't) I am still, as far as purchasing, a Metallica virgin.

A couple of other things that don't take up enough importance for a full blog of its own.

I recently shaved my head leaving just the beard. Someone at work asked if I was hot. There are several reasons I shaved; I hate grooming yeah I know combing my hair is easy, but when it gets longer it gets real curly (Fro like). Not enough of a reason? Now in my mid thirties, when that happens the very top of my head is going bald, so just color my hair red and call me Bozo. I don't think so. I still have some dignity... well a little anyway.

I got a response to my Darwin's Theory blog arguing that we are still evolving. His example was the recent article on how flies plan their escape route. Still classic Darwin theory right there. The ones that didn't plan their escape are squishies. Enviromental pressure at work which I still say does not apply to the people in first world countries.

Have Fun and be Great

Japanese Dome Homes

I am or want to be green. Not the color green but enviromentally concious. I am aware of the many different types of green power and some of the green building techniques. Recently, in my searches, I came across Japanese Dome homes (correctly its houses but I think dome homes are cooler).


These houses are made out of expanded styrofoam. They are modular and go up really quick. Three people can assemble one in an afternoon. They are up to 90% energy efficient.


I think we should have these as emergency housing next time we have a natural disaster (hurricane, flood or earthquake). Go and watch the video and learn about them.

Now I know what you are thinking, why the heck do I think they are cool? Well lets see, cost effective, enviromentally sound and you can paint them. What's the big deal about that? Mario brother's fan anyone? You can have a mushroom house... when I showed a friend one thatwas painted pink he said it looked like ... well.. umm... anyway we tends be dirty minded and lets leave it at that. Now I know you aren't sure about it but the next time you visit Japan (come on I know everybody goes to Japan) then go to the Asa Farm Land where they have a whole community of them and spend a night in one go drinking in another (and if you already done so email me and tell me what it is like... there is the possibility they aren't really as cool as I think they are).

Now on top of being how cool they are, you will discover if you have been playing video games long enough they've been around forever. In many rpg (roleplay games) the characters go into what I always thought were huts. But now, I understand. They are japanese dome homes.


Have fun and be Great


Next: A history of video games focusing on the game systems

Why I Should Not Be President.

Wow... this is such a great topic. Muah ha ha ha (evil laughter- first hint that I would not be a "good" president.

The first thing that is a desirable trait in a president according to my impeccable source (my beautiful fiancee) is honesty. I am always honest, I never lie. In point of fact I am so honest that on occasion my children will come out and ask me if I am lying or joking about something at which point I honestly tell them that yes, I had been lying or joking as the case may be. So, honestly not real strong at telling the truth, but fortunately horrible at lying.

The second desirable trait in a president is follow through (and not on the golf swing). If your presidential candidate says they are going to do something you should be able to depend on them to do it. For example I told my wife to be I am going to mow the lawn and someday I may even finish it. Once again the title of this article is why I should not be president.

Well, I think that is enough of the presidential traits. Let's look at some of the great issues out there.

The Iraq War- is a wonderful issue that everyone has lots of opinions over. I hear a lot of talk about us winning the war. Sometimes I wonder if people understand that this war is in the Middle East. The biggest difference between us and them is our viewpoint. For us war should be over quickly. Weeks or months at most. For people of the Middle East a squabble between two families can last multiple generations. You think that they think the war will be over quickly? While we move on, the next generation will be educated as to how evil we are and indoctrinated to fight us. Is it hopeless... no, but understand there is no way it will be quick.

Should we be there? I don't know, but I can say that we should not be there for free. There have been times when people have claimed we went to war over oil. As our oil prices reach ever upward, I wish that was more true. I say if we go to war in another country we should not pay for it. We are in Iraq, we should divide their oil between us and our allies (and our oil prices would drop), but that would be imperial and wrong so of course we aren't going to do it that way (unless I am president).

Let's get out quick. Of course there is no support in the region so their economy would collapse, their government would collapse and it would be a vacuum that would suck any power hungry despot with an anti American agenda into power, but let's do it anyway. We saw how well that worked in Vietnam. The people we were aiding turned against us (and rightly so) and we left lots of equipment and people behind. So, how do we do it differently this time. We do it in the middle of the night. We plant explosives on all our equipment and blow it up turning it into junk so all we have to remove are the people, then in a massive air lift and exodus by boat we pull all our American people. Leaving the people of Iraq to go to hell. So we won't be doing it that way... unless I am president. Enough on Iraq.

Let's talk about immigration... First and fore most this is the United States that I live in. If you want to live here you need to be fluent in English. You should also have a useful skill, but that may be as simple as willing to do the jobs other people don't want to. That's it a pretty simple guideline.

Domestic violence... is it a presidential issue? Well, it should be. While we are off rescuing the world we are missing what happens in our own back yard. Let's bring all our troops back from overseas and have them help solve our domestic issues. It of course won't happen unless I am president.

Well I think that is a good start to why I should not be President of the United States (oh yes there are many more that I will discuss in another blog). And while some of my ideas may not be bad and some may cause you to ask why it couldn't happen. I know I for one will never be President. Have Fun and Be Great.

Next: Japanese Dome Homes

Batman through the movies.

Well those of you that know me know I like comic books (and comic book based movies). Now we are going to take a look at the Batman Dynasty of movies. There have been a total of six live action movies.

1989 gave us Batman directed by Tim Burton. It was a dark movie that introduced us to both Batman (Michal Keaton) and the Joker(Jack Nicholson). It was a phenomenal first movie and Michael Keaton portrayed Bruce Wayne perfectly. I think his Batman was credible but lacked a certain physical dynamic. Its a tough call on the Joker. Jack Nicholson was astounding and I would have said he played the Joker to a tee, but Heath Ledger's joker was so intense it is hard to compare. Going to the comic books I would weigh in favor of Jack Nicholson's only because of the manic glee he brought to the character (the joker has fun killing people and in the latest adaptation while he enjoys it he takes it to seriously for the comic based character).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096895/

1992 Batman Returns directed by Tim Burton. Once again the casting was great as Keaton reprised his earlier role (this time with enough of a physical aspect to convince even me that he was right for Batman). Danny Devito played the perfect penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer played Batman's on again off again Fem Fatale, Catwoman. Unfortunately this was the last time in this run that Batman would be portrayed with this dark accuracy. A little trivia I didn't realize until I did research to write this article was that McDonalds was forced to cancel a Happy Meals promotion due to parents protesting because of the violence and sexual nature (God I love catwoman) of the movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103776/

1995 Batman Forever directed by Joel Schumacher. Val Kilmer played a good Batman. I think though that as Warner Bros attempted to make the best "commercially" viable movie batman lost the intensity that we had seen before with Keaton in the role. It was a good story and Tommy Lee Jones played an awesome Two-face as Jim Carry played a great Riddler. Introducing Robin was nicely done and was well played by Chris O'Donnel. At this point we start seeing a more child friendly Batman movie and the start of using more primary colors to define characters.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112462/

1997 was the last of this run of Batman movies with Batman and Robin directed by Joel Schumacher. This time George Clooney played the dark knight. Chris O'Donnel reprised his role as Robin and we were introduced to Batgirl played by Alicia Silverstone. Not overly fond of the divergence from the comic books as Batgirl was now Alfred's niece and not Commisioner Gordon's daughter. This movie was very child friendly. But for many of the older comic book fans was horribly lacking. Arnold Schwarzenegger was too emotional for Mr.Freeze and his strength came from his armor not he himself. While Uma Thurman played a decent Poison Ivy I was horribly dissapointed with Bane as her henchman. Bane in the comic books masterminded a mass break out of the inmates of Arkham Asylum. He tracked and watched Batman recapture some of his toughest opponents and when Batman was weakened and tired engaged him in battle and finally broke Batman's back. In the movie Bane deflated when he was beaten and I don't think he spoke two words. All I could say at the end of that movie was thank God it's over.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118688/

Batman Begins reset the time line and that continuity. It was directed by Christopher Nolan who had directed horror movies before this. Christian Bale played Batman. We don't see him much as the Bruce Wayne who could not possible be Batman. Yes he is armorous to the ladies and portrays a playboy, but Bruce Wayne was also very involved in Wayne Industries and his other interests he had no time so he couldn't possibly be Batman. I loved the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) and Ra's Al Ghul (Liam Neeson). I loved the way Batman took out the thugs at the dock. Christopher Nolan used his horror experience to perfectly portray Batman's battle on the bad guys. The bad guy were terrified of the Batman. That is the way he balanced the problem of being all alone against them.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/

2008 The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan. Christian Bale as Batman Heath Ledger as the Joker. All I could say was wow. definitely not kid friendly but for us adults that like Batman... hell yeah. Give me a year or two or let me watch it a few more times on DVD and that may change.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/

So that has been my views on Batman in the movies. Hopefully, they won't try to make it kid friendly and it will keep going this time. Thanks to Wikipedia and IMDB. Have Fun and be Great.

Next: Why I should not be president.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Modern Man

Most people have heard about Darwin's theory of evolution. That due to survival of the fittest eventually elements that do not help the species thrive die out. Certain traits aren't bred maybe not on purpose, but because nature doesn't need them. The strong survive and the weak don't.

Welcome to the modern ages where in todays world atleast for humans this no longer takes effect (well it might still be in some third world countries). It's true. With modern medicine the weak and stupid can survive the mistakes that would normally weed them out. No, I'm not saying that specific people are stupid... I don't know everybody, but there sre some people that you personally know I am sure that did something they lived through because of modern technology that would have/should have killed them off.

So what happens when they survive? They breed and while their child has the potential to avoid the same mistakes and be brighter than their parents it doesn't always work out that way. Is stupidity genetic... some people look for the smartest person they can find to breed with looking ultimately to have children that exceed in the future (fortunately for me, my exwife did not and neither does my current fiancee or I'd be SOL).

In theory first world countries like the United States, Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, China and Japan all are working with a stable genetic program that will not have much pressure from nature for evolutionary changes. Third world countries where surviving because of lack of food and other natural hardships allows nature to do its thing. The greatest advances to the human species genetically speaking will be there. People that require less food and water to survive. People that due to warfare in their country will seem to have heightened senses so that they can survive and see the dangers out there before it sees them. They will have stronger immune systems if they survive.

I don't think we as a species will notice these changes. They will be subtle and due to our advanced technology and access to medicine those of us in the first world countries will still live longer then them and have a higher quality of life.

Civilization stops evolution, but I would not trade my life with all of its wonders and those of my children to become more evolved. I like my computer my car and all the other great things we have. Have fun and be great.

Next: Batman in the movies