E-volved Geek

Miss Alternative Maine

2009-09-11T06:14:00.006-04:00

Wow it's Friday morning and I think I may have a hangover. Last night I had a couple of firsts. My first first was the Miss Alternative Maine pageant held at Geno's bar in Portland Maine.

Unlike most beauty pageant this one catered to the pierced and tattooed crowd... I still went. Of course me being me I showed up late and missed the first round which is sad because there were only two rounds. I did get to catch the second round, the talent round. Each contest having 30 seconds to show case their talent. The first girl up there (a cute brunette with some tattoos and dressed in goth fashion) danced a little because she had no idea there was going to be a talent portion to the contest and be-bopped up there for thirty seconds. I give her points for bravery. Now the second contestant I hate to say should have been disqualified as a ringer... or perhaps co opting a member of the audience or just because she used a whole song three minutes worth. She was obviously a stripper, got to second or maybe third base with a girl from the audience and basically had a three minute photo shoot. Then the girl after her also happened to be... a stripper. No offense to the exotic dancing community, but maybe instead of doing what you get paid to do maybe some contortionist moves or gymnastics or something you wouldn't see at PT's. Still hot girl dancing and involving that same female audience member... maybe it wasn't the dancer's fault. The fourth contestant had looked at me when this was going on and point blank told me, "I'm screwed." and then with the support of her man and a friend took the stage and banged out some nice air guitar moves... which is a talent and there is a world contest every year (if you are geek enough). Then another brunette did a lil bump and grind... but it was an amateur level bump and grind so I give her points as talent being supposedly something natural and ingrained not something choreographed. Then the final contestant a lil blond with face makeup and spiked multi colored hair went up and she belly danced to Shakira. Now I suppose I should retract what I had said earlier about talent being natural because belly dancing I believed is learned, but damn she shook it for the entire song and I honestly believe she doesn't get paid to do it normally. At this point I left to go to another bar so I can't tell you who won. But overall I thought it was fun and would like to catch next year's contest from the beginning. Of course I also think they should throw in some new talents maybe draw a talent out of a hat or something... thirty seconds of improv... ouch.

Here is a link to a page that has pics of the contestants- http://www.mainetoday.com/photoalbum.html?id=8909

And my second first of the night was at another bar. I was standing near a door and kept a woman from falling over as she was headed out. Asked if she was ok. She stabilized a lil bit kissed me then promptly went to be sick... I am hoping it was from the alcohol... ummm mentos anyone?

Have Fun and Be Great

Time to Tax the Tall

2009-07-12T08:25:00.005-04:00

I was reading one of those fun little articles that was talking about how tall people make more money than short people. How tall people get promotions and are presumed to be leaders. It has to do with self confidence which is developed during childhood. As a child if you are taller you often assume a leadership role because children often associate height to adults and get a certain amount of automatic status.

I see it reflected in the dating pool as well. It is programmed into women to want strong, healthy, powerful and tall men to provide and protect them and give their offspring a greater chance to survive. Men look for women with hips and breasts for the presumption of good child bearing (contrary to the opinion it has to do with being breast fed and obsessions with mom thanks Freud).

Well in the article they mentioned that there is a discussion to tax obese people for their increased carbon footprint and their impact on the environment. If they are going to tax fat people they should tax tall people (hmm tall leaders will never go for that). Should thin people also then be given a tax credit for helping save the planet? Does this mean people that are anorexic should be proclaimed as heroes of the planet?

I have always thought people should be rewarded for the merits of their deeds. And while in our personal lives we may not be able to escape "It would be easier to date you if you weren't so short... or fat." (Sorry that is a rant for another time) I would like to think in the workplace we would be judged on what we do vs. our height and weight.

Have Fun and Be Great

What do you think?

2009-07-06T21:09:00.002-04:00

I see all these polls and the government is always doing such and such or so and so for the benefit of the people. But I have some questions what does the working people, the people who pay the majority of taxes, say about things? Please comment...

1. What do you think of the bailout?

2. How would you have administered it?

3. What do you think of the Junkers Clunkers bill?

4. What do you think about our tax system?

5 What do you think of our prison system?

6. What do you think of our involvement in the middle east?

Please comment and throw in any extra questions you can think of.

Have Fun and Be Great

Good people

2009-07-05T17:21:00.002-04:00

On the rare occasion you get to see genuinely nice people it is very refreshing. The amazing thing is when you see more than one or more of them at a time. I dare say that is the true Legacy of my Grandmother. All her children, and all her grandchildren are really nice people. I got to see that and be reminded how lucky I am to have the family I have.

Have Fun and Be Great

farewell

2009-07-04T01:02:00.002-04:00

Bernadette Roy "Betty"
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SHERMAN - Bernadette "Betty" Roy, 81, died June 28, 2009, in Patten. She was born June 12, 1928, in Grummond, New Brunswick, the daughter of Ramuald and Martha (Lebel) Gagnon. Betty to her many friends was a strong woman and an example of great courage. She was first and foremost a loving and caring mother, who after the untimely death of her loving husband, Ralph, raised her family alone. Her love of God and strong faith sustained her throughout her life. She did not leave her faith at the door, as many often do on leaving church each Sunday morning, she lived her faith. Betty was a member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church where she sang in the choir, was a member of sodality and Daughters of Isabella, and had been a 4-H leader for many years. She was a willing and hard worker in anything she did, whether it was a bazaar supper, a Fourth of July dinner or a St. Patrick's Day celebration, she was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. There wasn't a soul that entered her home - a home filled with love, laughter and music - that was not touched by her generosity and love. She enjoyed gardening and shared its bounty with all who came to her home to visit or was in need. She is survived by five children, Lorraine and Edgar Ray of Sherman, Linda and James Wood of Gardner, Mass., Rita and Donald Chasse of Molunkus, Mona and Alec Qualey of Benedicta, and Simon "Roger" Roy and his companion, Cindy Lent, of Sherman; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marie Connolly of Cambridge Narrows, New Brunswick, Ann Gunhouse of Ohio, and Patricia and Pete Spear of British Columbia, Canada; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Ralph; three sisters, Theresa Mason, Nelida Cyr and Noella Stevenson; one brother, Armond Gagnon; and Mark Gantnier, whom they lovingly raised as their own. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Benedicta, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday. Interment will be at St. Benedict's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Daughters of Isabella, care of Bowers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 579, Houlton, ME 04730.

Twitter/Facebook new status symbols

2009-06-24T08:27:00.004-04:00

Ok here I was thinking about getting a new car. I am single again and a new jeep or sportscar would be really nice. Maybe something eye catching to help me with the ladies, but then I read this article. http://www.good.is/post/conspicuous-but-not-consuming/ My God what a mistake I almost made. See here I was thinking I still had to do things in the material world when the truth of the matter is only online counts. I just need to make my twitter interesting and do up my facebook page so everyone can see what a great guy I am... well umm anyway...

So yes twitter and facebook are having a serious effect on social networking. And people that can manage it and do it well have a key to a new level of success. One of the key things business is trying these days is to use these to connect with more people. So here comes my shameless plug- Girl Friday Services of Maine does that and is good at it.

Well that's it for today and hopefully I will get back in the swing and post more often.

Have Fun and Be Great

The Manly Way To Cry

2009-03-06T20:22:00.002-05:00

Well, my relationship of five years is coming to an end. The happiness is no longer what it was so it is time to move on.

It is difficult for her. It is difficult for her children. It is difficult for my children. It is difficult for me.

I will miss my honey. All of her. The time we spent together was good. She is a wonderful woman and brought me a lot of happiness. She did not drive me crazy, she is not crazy and I will always care for her at least a little bit. I do cry at our seperating. A manly cry is done in private with out huge sobs, but just the tears running down the cheeks.

For the children, losing the pets is going to be hard but they are just too much for one person to take care of. They are going to miss spending time playing with each other. I hope they will miss the other half of the parental unit (sorry can't think of a good term at the moment).

I also hope that my honey will miss my children and me. I hope that despite all the chaos we brought into her life she has many good memories of things we did together.

On that note, we are parting as friends. We still care deeply about one another, and it is better to end things now on a high note then to drag it out until we can't stand each other.

Have Fun and Be Great.

Why I should not be president

2009-02-27T07:04:00.003-05:00

Yes folks I had to wait until there was enough stuff but here is my latest installment of why I should not be president.

I should not be president because I would not give trillions of dollars to people that didn't handle it right the first time. I would not give more money out until someone proved to the American people who inevitably foots the bill that the last time money was given out some good came of it. Yes that means jobs and things actually getting better (and no, rising oil prices is not a clear indication that things are getting better in the us).

I should not be president because my definition of accountability isn't that if it is improperly spent it has to be paid back. My definition is you spend it wrong you pay it back and you go to jail. Anytime someone uses taxpayer money for personal use they go to court about it... heck lets take three random people off the street for a tribunal instead of paying all the court fees and ask them if they feel that thousands or millions of dollars spent by these people would have helped them if it hadn't been spent by this guy/ gal. Hmmm I know what my answer would be.

I should not be president because instead of increasing our debt to fix our economy I would be setting up a committee to find why the hell we are in the fix we are. Why is our government paying out as much as it does? Why do immigrants get tax breaks? Why are we spending so much money every year figuring out and collecting taxes. It should be easy clear cut across the board. Fair to everyone with no tax breaks for anyone. You want a tax break? How about you support a charity... when that charity helps people enough so that the government doesn't have to help those people than you get a tax break. Same across the board for everyone including churches.... or wait... if you are in a church you get a tax break if there have been no sex scandals involving your clergy.

I should not be president because I feel that the appropriate punishment for a sex offense with a minor should be a severing of the spinal cord at the neck making a person a quadriplegic... I think that might actually stop them from doing it again.

I think the most children a person should have if they are not married is two by different fathers. If its the same father and the man is involved in her life and picks up his share of the child care expenses it doesn't matter. We need to start controlling our population now, before we run out of renewable resources.

That is today's rant on why I should not be president.

Have fun and be great!

Sqip (pronounced Squip)

2009-02-21T10:03:00.003-05:00

OK you all know I am a wee bit of a geek... alright a really big geek. Well, my honey just pointed out something new to me a new social networking site that hasn't launched yet. A site that is predicted to surpass Myspace and Facebook in terms of social networking potential.

The thing is if you sign up early enough you can get a hundred free shares (can't beat free) and so when they go public or sell the shares or however they do this thing just because you signed up early and helped promote it you can make some money.

So anyway sign up http://affiliate.sqipcom.com/?user=gabeir

Have Fun and Be Great!

One of Those Days

2009-02-12T07:32:00.005-05:00

First, let me say that I am very proud of my seven year old son he is growing up so quick..

I got up this morning and discovered our black lab had pooped on the floor in the living room. Grr... so I put him out and cleaned up the mess. Then my son wanted some breakfast so I washed my hands and made him some cereal. Went to walk through the living room and discovered that our little dog , a terrier, had peed on the floor. Grumble, grumble... I pick the little dog up and put her out and let the big dog in and clean up the puppy pee. I then proceeded to get dressed for work (no I was not running around naked I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt). I come back out after getting dressed to discover that our big dog, not wanting to be out done by our little dog had peed on the floor. Ranting and raving put him out and clean up that mess. I wash my hands and get my son some clothes so he can get dressed for school (He isn't naked either he has a great pair of Spider man pajamas he was wearing). I let the big dog back in and give the cats their food. I think I wash my hands again then I start to make myself some tuna fish sandwiches for work draining the juice from the tuna into the cat food. "Dad! there's poop on the floor!" yells my son at me. I set the bowl I of tuna on the counter. @#$%&! I grab the little dog that had now pooped on the floor to throw her outside again and she pees on me. Long string of unuttered expletives run through my head. I put her out and clean up the mess. "Son get your coat and boots on we have to leave soon." I go to the bathroom to wash my hands. I come out and the black lab is licking his lips and looks guilty. I go into the kitchen and discover that more than half of my tuna is gone. I put the rest in the cat food dish. Throw the other dog outside. I've had it. "Dad, did you put tuna in the cat's food?" "Yes" I go change my work clothes. I come back out my son isn't ready to go yet he is standing on a chair looking into the cat food dish separating the tuna so each of the cats can get some. "Jeremy! get down and get ready to go !" I yell at my son. He gets down and looks at me, he doesn't cry, he doesn't yell, but in a calm voice he asks, "Dad, why are you yelling?" At this point I realize how unfair of me it was to yell at him, "I'm sorry son, just having a bad day what with the dogs pissin' and poopin' on the floor and Max eating my lunch. I'm sorry." He doesn't say anything he just gets his coat on and his boots. We let the dogs in and walk quietly to the car and I bring him to daycare. we get out of the car and he hugs me, "I love you" he says as we squish each other. "I love you too, boy."

So my little boy is growing up. He doesn't panic or cry if someone yells at him when he doesn't do anything wrong he asks why. He dealt with things in a mature manner. I love my little guy and am proud of him.

Have Fun and Be Great!

The Chronicles of the Necromancer

2009-02-10T07:33:00.005-05:00

As I have started doing recently, when I finish a book I will kick out a quick mention of it here. I just finished last night book 2 of the Chronicles of the Necromancer, "The Blood King" by Gail Z Martin.

It is a good read and could have ended with this book. It connects solidly with the first book "The Summoner" which ended leaving me hanging. Following the main character and his friends it gives the right mix of action and romance and avoids much of the gore that could be slipped into a book dealing with the living, the undead and the dead.

In book one Matris Drake (the main character) barely avoided regicide as his brother took by force the crown that he would have inherited in time. In the stress of his escape he comes into his powers that he inherited from his long dead grandmother the summoner Bava Kaa. In his escape he gains allies and learns of the evil his brother and his mage the vampire (although they call them by a different name in the book) do. By the end of the book it is clear he needs to go back to his home and over throw his brother.

In book two, he trains to overthrow his brother and stop him and his mage from bringing back the Obsidian King, a powerful spirit of a necromancer trapped in a crystal. When the Obsidian King returns there are no mages strong enough to fight him and will grant power to those that free him. Oh and bring hell on earth as well.

Have fun and be Great!

Taxes

2009-02-09T07:13:00.003-05:00

It is that time of year again. The time when we either dread paying money to the government or the time we look forward to getting a refund check. This is the time that many people have a part time job doing people's taxes. Personally, I don't think we should pay an income tax. I think it penalizes the working man/woman. How would that work? Read a book called "The Fair Tax". Enough of this though time for my rant.

I filed my taxes and I am getting back close to what I put in. I am claiming myself and one child and it comes out basically even. The basic family unit in the US calls for two parents and two children and maybe a dog or a cat or whatever (sorry no tax break on the pet). So from a social management standpoint (which includes population controls) we should break even at two children and two parents or for parents that file separately one parent one child.

Now I know you are wondering what does that have to do with anything? Well I hear one person I work with complain because being single with no children he gets less tax breaks and every year he owes the government. Then he sees single mommies or welfare people (sorry I have no control over either what he sees or what he complains about) getting back more money than they put in. The thing that gets me wondering is how does this balance for the government? I know this year it won't. Thanks to our economic stimulus package we as individuals will get slightly more money. It won't save jobs the checks we are getting back, but it looks like the government is helping. What is really happening is the government is sinking farther in debt with no long term return on its quick shot of cash and every year it does this will make people ask why can't we have it again? There is an ancient Chinese proverb, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for life." Giving us fish isn't going to help us in the long run.

Wow I ranted about both the government stimulus mess and taxes at the same time... Good golly. Anyway back to taxes I think they should use the taxes to encourage our basic family unit two parents and two children. I don't think people should get a free ride (stimulus package bad) and I think our whole tax system is a labor intensive dinosaur that needs to be revamped to encourage business and family in our country.

Have Fun and Be Great!

The Last Centurian

2009-02-08T20:02:00.004-05:00

"The Last Centurion" by John Ringo. I finished it a couple of days ago. It is based about twenty years into the future. The whole world is in crisis as the bird flu and a new ice age cuts the world's population in half. What makes matters worse is the president in the book doesn't follow the disaster plan that was ready. She also doesn't recognize the ice age because she believes that it is a side effect of global warming. Ringo gives us the story of a soldier (Bandit Six) and chronicles his journey home from the middle east and his struggles to do the right thing regardless of orders. I won't go into details here, but suffice it to say it was a good story and an excellent read.

Have Fun and Be Great!

I'm sorry

2009-02-02T21:13:00.004-05:00

There are many times when "I'm sorry" is the right thing to say. When you hurt someone, when you accidentally do something, or if something is truly your fault.

I get sometimes "I'm sorry i am such a hard person to live with." from my fiancee sometimes. Now I wish she would tell me exactly how she is hard to live with. Is it because she doesn't want to clean up after the four kids, two dogs, three cats, rat, fish, herself and me by herself? Or maybe its because she works 40 hours a week out of the home bringing home money to help pay bills and then turns around and does some work from home? Oh, I know its the way that if something is bothering her she actually communicates issues she has so they can be fixed?

There are just so many ways that a person can be hard to live with. And for when she reads this... You are not a hard person to live with and I love you.

Have Fun and Be Great!

Chat rooms

2009-02-01T13:45:00.003-05:00

If you have gone into the chat rooms lately then you probably have been inundated with requests to go to other people's web sites. Pick a site (maybe yours, or someone you know) and when they ask you to go to their site ask them to go that site. It will be fun.

My goal

2009-02-01T13:39:00.002-05:00

I have never been a small person... I have always thought myself atleast chubby. When I was 14 I weighed 160 pounds at about 5 ft tall. By the time I turned 19 I had reached 200+. There came a point in my life when I realized I was never going to be "skinny", so I decided to be strong instead. I have always been physically strong , but now I have come up against my first real obstacle to that. I have an injury and I can't lift weights the way I used to, not without causing pain. I still have the muscle I put on before, but I can't lift heavy enough to add to it. I am not looking at pity here andf this is not a sob story. Now I must adapt and do more cardio (yech) because if I was going to be big I was going to be strong. So now that that is no longer an option now I need to work on becoming healthier and more toned and losing all the extra weight so that I can be more defined.

One of life's Little Lessons

2008-12-17T07:37:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-16T07:47:00.007-05:00

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...

2008-12-15T21:37:00.003-05:00

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

2008-12-12T06:55:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-12T06:22:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-06T09:29:00.004-05:00

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

2008-11-22T10:00:00.003-05:00

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

2008-11-19T07:38:00.004-05:00

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

2008-11-17T19:45:00.004-05:00

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

2008-11-14T20:30:00.005-05:00

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

2008-11-13T07:26:00.004-05:00

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

2008-11-12T07:17:00.003-05:00

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

2008-11-09T23:31:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-09T09:23:00.007-05:00

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

2008-11-05T06:15:00.003-05:00

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

2008-11-02T21:02:00.003-05:00

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

2008-10-28T07:24:00.002-04:00

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?

2008-10-25T10:56:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-14T21:41:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-12T09:24:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-08T21:27:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-06T06:08:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-05T06:10:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-02T21:38:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-02T06:36:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-01T23:30:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-01T20:48:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-28T18:45:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-27T07:43:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-27T07:27:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-09-26T07:07:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-25T06:56:00.003-04:00

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...

2008-09-24T07:35:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-21T12:14:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-20T09:26:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-18T19:00:00.000-04:00

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.

2008-09-17T09:24:00.001-04:00

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

2008-09-16T08:07:00.003-04:00

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...

2008-09-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

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

2008-09-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

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

2008-09-13T12:19:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-13T07:25:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

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

2008-09-12T09:18:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-11T20:33:00.004-04:00

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

2008-09-11T08:08:00.001-04:00

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.

2008-09-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-09-09T08:00:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-08T09:00:00.002-04:00

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

High Tech Meets Old Fashion

2008-09-07T09:00:00.001-04:00

I love boating. When I was under the age of ten, my father would take the family out canoing. Later, I got a job working on the islands out in Casco Bay and had to take a boat to work. When my mother and father divorced my step-father took us out on the ocean and we cruised and we fished. Once again I love boating.

As an adult, I find that I can not currently afford a boat. My step-father once told me jokingly that a boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into (I think he was joking). I had bought a boat, pretty cheap because it needed a lot of work. I didn't have enough tools, skills, or money to make it work. So I put that dream on hold... for now.

I was surfing around the internet and was following a random tangent. I saw an article on Japanese dome homes (which I think are really cool) and that led me look up geodesic dome homes (I know what the heck does that have to do with boats). Well, while I was looking up geodesic dome houses online an entry lower said "Geodesic Airolite Boats". I am a curious man so I clicked on that link... http://gaboats.com/

Here was something totally cool, lightweight boat kits you build yourself. You purchase a kit from them that has cut to length 3.7 oz. 72" width heat shrink Dacron fabric, Kevlar roving, Structural Epoxy adhesive (1 to 1) mix thickened to a viscosity similar to Vaseline (very low toxicity) and Transfer Adhesive Film (hot melt glue). You buy the wood yourself. The plans are sold seperately so you can buy just one set of plans and put as many boats together as you want just by buying more kits.

You learn about some old fashioned boat building techniques and some new high tech ones (heat shrinking and working with Dacron fabric). Lastly, putting together your own boat is a lot less expensive than buying a brand new one. Some day I will put togfether my own boat from them and continue telling you about how much fun it was to go boating in a boat I made myself.

So that is how I think I will get to go boating again. Have fun and be great.

Next: Darwin's theory of evolution and modern man.

School

2008-09-06T12:35:00.003-04:00

Well its September and one of my favorite times of the year. Here in Maine, the leaves are changing and it is starting to cool down to the perfect temperature, warm enough that you don't have to worry about snow and cool enough that you can wear layers to be comfortable. The other great thing about September is the children go back to school.

I love my children as all good parents do. Unfortunately, I work which means that during summer we have to worry about the added expenses of day care. I don't begrudge my children this. It lets them have fun and good social interaction.

I look back and realize as my children start their school year how much they have changed since they started school the previous year. My oldest son is developing into the young man he will become as he enters the sixth grade. My daughter as she enters fourth grade is showing a degree of sophistication that as a father makes me proud yet worries me about when she will "discover" boys (if it hasn't happened already). Finally, my little guy, as he enters second grade is starting to bloom as he shows his mother what a gentle man he is.

There are few times in a person's life when they take stock of what they have and how the people around them have changed. I live a good life. I have a great woman that is my equal, some great kids, a roof over my head and food in my belly. Take this time now as your children go back to school and watch as they change over the year. Have fun and encourage them to do the same.

Unhappy Presidential Candidates

2008-09-06T10:46:00.001-04:00

Do you remember the last presidential race? Everyone pushed to get the most voters to vote. There was controversy and not everyone was happy with the results. Why weren't more people happy? I personally would like to blame the electoral voting system.

Once upon a time, communication in this great country, the United States of America, was by mail delivered by horseback and then later by telegraph. It took a lot of time to take the vote and get the results. Now adays we have instant messaging, email, cell phones and blackberries, there is no conceivable reason why we have to have a representitive vote. God, I love modern technology.

Why can't we each vote? Use the Social Security System and when you register to vote register the phone number/ipaddress that you will be voting from. If you don't have an address or phone number that you put down, register to a free location voting can be done at. Social Security numbers are supposed to be private, and if your vote only counts where you are registered from that should eliminate duplicates. Are you worried that will someone will register as you? Let's make that a federal crime with a couple hundred dollar fine. Are you worried what someone may think of your choice of who you are voting for? Only the government should be able to see who voted what and you know what... you should be proud of who you are voting for. If you vote for Obama than yell it out loud and let people know you are the reason he made it into office. If you vote for McCain Scream it to the rooftops. Be proud of your choices.

I personally don't like either of the candidates... my tough luck as they seem to be our only two choices. I really don't follow politics much. I hear a lot about Obama... a lot less about McCain. They both say they are for change, but what are they really going to change (I'd start with the electoral voting system)?

I think everybody should skip voting this year (like that would ever happen). Think about it.. an entire country abstains from voting because nobody thinks the voting system is right and the only reason it hasn't been changed is because people are too lazy to change it.

After all the money and time spent on trying to get us to vote, I think that not voting would make our presidential candidates very unhappy (but it would definitely send a message).

A Broader World

2008-09-06T09:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my Blog.

My name is Gabe and I am starting my own buisness and am also working towards getting published.

This Blog is going to hopefully take you along this journey with me. I will share with you some of the personal things in my life (but not too personal), my hopeful business ventures, commentaries on politics (not too often I hope) and maybe the odd thought that comes out of my head (which is more frequent than expected... not the regular thoughts but the odd thoughts).

E-volved Geek

Miss Alternative Maine

Time to Tax the Tall

What do you think?

Good people

farewell

Twitter/Facebook new status symbols

The Manly Way To Cry

Why I should not be president

Sqip (pronounced Squip)

One of Those Days

The Chronicles of the Necromancer

Taxes

The Last Centurian

I'm sorry

Chat rooms

My goal

One of life's Little Lessons

Holiday Bazaar

Honest I am not bored or tired...

Postponement

Carpe Diem

Mark-a-thon

Comic Book

Petaflop

No Incidents Today

My View- Internet & Relationships

Electronic Coach

Wedding Bells

Ender's Game

Buck Rogers 25th century

Best or Worse Four Years

Weekend Anime

Haloween: Not the Only Time For Costumes

Rejection?

Finally a Solution Proposed

Fun Times and Homework

My Stand On Candidates

United States Bailout Folly

Marvel- Animated

Debate-couples rights

Tougher Video Games

Senate passes bailout house on fence

Escapism

Presidential Candidates

Internet Security

Watchmen

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

Apples

Quick view on music...

Tattoos, Piercings and Other Fun Stuff

***Special Bulletin***

CyberLANd Gaming Center

More Reasons Why I should not be President.

Spiderman the Tormented Hero

Warhammer is coming...

Sleep Deprivation

***SPECIAL REPORT***

Advertising and Gadgets

Metallica: Death Magnetic

History of the vidoe game Giants

***SPECIAL BULLETIN***

Japanese Dome Homes

Why I Should Not Be President.

Batman through the movies.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Modern Man

High Tech Meets Old Fashion

School

Unhappy Presidential Candidates

A Broader World

Special Bulletin

SPECIAL REPORT

SPECIAL BULLETIN