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Friday, July 10th, 2009
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10:38 pm - One more thing...
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I love this guy. If you're local, you'll enjoy this:
If that one doesn't resonate, there's still this one:
Oh -- one more thing... for those of you over, say, 35:
I think this will put a smile on your face...
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(comment on this)
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10:02 pm - Who are you? What are you doing here?
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So-- I feel like I've been neglectful and out of touch, but I have to admit that my desire to write here has been so-so other than when I've been away from a connected device.
Big News: I start a new job next week. Permanent. Full time. Yay! More about it eventually, but let's just say that I've had to get fingerprinted, fill out a lenghty questionnaire and I have a nifty, government issued ID badge :) I've actually enjoyed my temp gig, and for any lawyers or legal types, I can heartily recommend Robert Half Legal as a fine place to do temp work, and a great place to secure temps. Very professional, nice operation, great folks. I was amazed at the quality of the lawyers doing the temp project (though why, I don't know -- after all: I was there! ;) ) My time temping draws to a close, and I will miss some of the folks, but I am ready for the next thing! The worst part about temping (besides the horrendous pay-cut) was not having internets during the day. I was thiiiiisss close to adding data plan to my phone...
Okay -- Current events: I've been riding metro for the past several weeks, including the day of the fatal red line accident. I feel badly for the families and friends of the victims. But I do hope things go 'back to normal' soon. Selfish? Sure. But the other hundreds of thousands of riders need to get where they are going too... I do hope Metro will continue to focus on safety, though.
Michael Jackson -- Sure, he was a freak. But he was a talented freak. And I think some of his freakiness was a creation of the media who loved to talk about what a freak he was. Did he molest kids? I don't know. I know he was acquitted, and for me, that means we can speculate in private, but public figures should not be calling him a pedophile/ child molester. He was determined by a court to be not guilty. Does that mean he is 'innocent'? Not necessarily. But it means that Rep King is an A**h*l@.
One of the best things about temping has been working downtown, and riding metro every day (despite the delays and the crowdedness. I love riding metro. I love my two crossword puzzle a day habit. I have the option of continuing to commute by metro at the new job, but that requires my eldest daughter to get her driver's license. She doesn't really want to. And I'm not sure I want her to drive if she isn't comfortable. OTOH, she's not likely to do incredibly risky/ stupid things, right? who knows...
The only real downside to being down town (from my perspective) is that I don't see many cars. This means no license plate photos. Somehow I doubt you've missed them all that much, though. I think about carrying the camera with me, but taking photos of people commuting just seems... stalkerish? weird? risky? Perhaps I'll do it at the new place, where I'll be more permanent and settled (I hope!)
Oh -- my one photo in the past many months, not related to family stuff, was this phone shot of a 'new' look for metrobus?
Anyway -- I fully intend to be a bit more regular here, once my life returns to a real routine, and I have a computer in front of me all day again :)
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(comment on this)
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| Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
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10:50 am - With Apologies to the Bard
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5th graders doing Shakespeare. Do you recognize my eldest son?
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(comment on this)
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| Saturday, May 16th, 2009
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2:16 pm - Miles to go before I sleep
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1:59 pm - "Been a long time since I rock and rolled..."
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*** EDIT *** HAPPY BIRTHDAY ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) amakazon a day late :`(
I'm feeling a little trapped by my music collection lately... not sure why, as it remains eclectic, but I'd like to add something new (or old, but different) to my library. To that end, suggest 3 bands/ songs/ albums that I should check out... Bonus if I've not heard of it, and like it.
Recommendations: Avoid country/ bluegrass/ folk, etc... unless bagpipes are involved. Not really a fan of death metal, ballads, soul or urban, but I'm open to anything that moves me. For Classical, I need the piece and the version / recording I should be looking for -- let's face it, there are some definitive versions of pieces which really make the music live.
Help a brother out! (and yes, Dave -- I do want to listen to XUBERX's newest CD... I have nuclearfest on my calendar, dammit!)
So yeah, I've been kinda ignoring license plates (and not driving as much... and not taking my camera as much...) but here are a few that motivated me to grab. No cars or people were harmed in the taking of any of these.
 
 
I found the last two funniest, but I admit that 'bimbo bakery is pretty intriguing -- buxom bakers in their skimpiest aprons?
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(10 comments | comment on this)
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| Thursday, April 30th, 2009
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12:11 am - I want something new...
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Okay -- lest you all think I've gotten excessively serious or, worse yet, maudlin, I have a confession to make. The thing I most covet right now is a new carvehicle. Sure, I have a perfectly serviceable 2002 Toyota Prius with 118,000 miles on it. Careful readers with long memories might even realize that this means I've driven the poor beast 70,000 miles in 3 years. With hardly a hiccup. What possible motive do I have to want something different?
I'm bored. Crazy bored. I mean, this car is completely reliable, eminently practical, and completely utilitarian. It has no soul. None.
I need something that has some personality -- that provides some driving pleasure. Something that excites my soul. It could have two wheels or four, but it has to generate some excitement. I don't need beauty. I don't need exclusivity or luxury. I just need passion.
Almost any motorcycle would do, but I admit to wanting either a BMW R ____ GS (the blank can contain pretty much any number BMW ever made in a GS version), a Ducati Multistrada or a Suzuki V-Strom. But even an SV-650 would do just fine.
On the 4 wheel front, I think a nice WRX STi would be ideal, with the Lancer Evo or a Mini Cooper being completely acceptable alternatives.
However, none of these are in my near future... unless I get a job... preferably one which involves minimal commuting.
Oh -- in case you missed it, I had a birthday this week. I'm older. I had some Best Buy gift cards to burn, so I got Rock Band for the PS2 ($50 for the whole kit -- drums, wireless guitar, mic and the game.... Bargain!) I also picked up a new CD player for the car, and a set of closed type headphones (as opposed to the absolutely fabulous but completely open Sennheisers I usually use. At night, the Sennheisers let too much sound leak, which disturbs the sleep of my loving and long suffering wife.
current music: Combichrist - Turmoil
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
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11:34 pm - A different kind of request for prayers/ positive thoughts/ what have you...
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Okay -- my minor economic setbacks related to job situation are nothing compared to the tragedy of this family. These folks were students of Julie's before the birth of their first child, and now they are faced with life threatening injuries to their youngest son because a daycare provider shook him.
Get details here
Please send any positivity you can spare their way, including any you might have earmarked for me.
I think my interview went well this morning, but I won't know for sure for some time.
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(comment on this)
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| Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
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5:54 pm - Prayers/ Positive Energy/ Good Thoughts
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Any of the above that you might spare in my direction tomorrow would be appreciated, as I have an interview for what seems like a really good job opportunity. Thanks!
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(3 comments | comment on this)
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| Thursday, April 16th, 2009
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10:46 pm
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| Friday, March 27th, 2009
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10:29 am - She's Crafty
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This was one of Colette's projects this week for 'Josh Week' -- no I don't know what it means.
It is a t-shirt cut into a shrug, with a skull and crossed bones stenciled on the back. I thought it turned out quite well. And since I know the recipient, I suspect it will be most appreciated.
The economy here shows some minor signs of life. This is a good thing.
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Thursday, March 19th, 2009
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2:16 pm - Maybe it is too much of an 'inside' joke, but I thought it was pretty funny...
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Besides, it was about time I posted something a bit lighter, right?
Be nice, cause I know these people in real life, and they're friends of mine.
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(comment on this)
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2:51 am - No real surprises here...
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| Friday, March 6th, 2009
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8:55 am - On bailing out the auto industry
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So, there is a lot of talk lately about bailing out the US auto industry. I can't say I have a firm, well formulated, reasoned position on this subject, but I do have some thoughts.
As a free market loving, libertarian leaning, government fearing guy, I think a bailout is completely wrong headed. ( After all... )
BUT
I would be incredibly sad to see the big three fail and disappear. ( It isn't... )
Does this mean I think the car companies don't deserve the beating they're taking? ( NO! )
Yes, it is true, I think the domestic manufacturers make cars that fulfill most of the mission requirements of US drivers at a price that most imports can't match. Even the 'cheap' Korean vehicles don't seem to undercut a comparable domestic car when you consider actual selling prices rather than MSRP. Actually, I think the Chevy Aveo undercuts its Korean brethrens' pricing, while being similarly equipped and perhaps more palatable to middle American families (it wears the bowtie, after all, rather than the twisted H). The difference becomes more obvious when you consider larger, more family oriented cars and minivans. Sure, the Japanese minivans are better in many ways than the domestic offerings, but they are also much pricier when you look at the real selling price (and ignore re-sale, etc...)
Anyway, in the end, I'm still not convinced that a government bailout will help, or that it is a good thing even if it would help. But I'm also convinced that the government and the US Taxpayers, as individual car buyers and represented by our government, created the situation that has lead to the likely demise of one, two or all three major US auto makers.
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, March 5th, 2009
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3:28 pm - More history
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| Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
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3:07 pm - rambling wreck, not from Georgia tech, and a worthless engineer...
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| Friday, February 27th, 2009
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2:29 pm - The apple and the tree...
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Remember this photo?
Well, here's proof that this kind of behavior isn't new, and it might actually be hereditary or something.
( ready? )
I loved those Jams. Totally.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Thursday, February 26th, 2009
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11:28 pm - Dead?
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| Friday, February 6th, 2009
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3:17 pm - Just one.
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| Saturday, January 24th, 2009
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4:22 pm - I Love Metro
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I love taking Metro. I wish I worked downtown, or in Arlington, because I'd ride metro whenever I had the chance! I still love the architecture, even though I'm sure most people find it cliche
On the way back from metro, walking, we saw this deer (and 4-5 of his family) walking on the trail. He was big, in case you can't tell -- taller than I am without his rack.
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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4:16 pm - New Year's Eve
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