Sometimes videos like the one over at Geek with a .45s blog make me wonder if our air defense missile warheads shouldn't just be loaded with a payload of geese.
UPDATE: A coworker just pointed out to me that this is only a problem with western jet aircraft. The russian and chinese planes are designed to eat birds for lunch.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Planned Parenthood
I'm not a big fan and that shouldn't come as a surprise. Dawn Eden has the breakdown on one of their latest indoctrination cartoons.
More upsetting to me than the content of the cartoon (which is crap and includes blowing up christians for disagreeing with PP) is the content of that chapters annual report posted at the bottom. Planned Parenthood Golden Gate gets 53% of it's funding through the government. The majority of their finding comes out of citizen's pockets via taxation. Now this is San Fransisco so perhaps this is state and local, but I still find that number offensive. I need to look into local Delaware chapter's finances further.
UPDATE: Michael Dean has a listing of few more Planned Parenthood outrages. They're the usual really: bullying, brain washing, mild instances of mob violence, and covering up child molestations...
More upsetting to me than the content of the cartoon (which is crap and includes blowing up christians for disagreeing with PP) is the content of that chapters annual report posted at the bottom. Planned Parenthood Golden Gate gets 53% of it's funding through the government. The majority of their finding comes out of citizen's pockets via taxation. Now this is San Fransisco so perhaps this is state and local, but I still find that number offensive. I need to look into local Delaware chapter's finances further.
UPDATE: Michael Dean has a listing of few more Planned Parenthood outrages. They're the usual really: bullying, brain washing, mild instances of mob violence, and covering up child molestations...
Death of Canadian
The news is covering Peter Jennings death fairly heavily. Jenning died of lung cancer yesterday at the age of 67.
One Canadian's death you won't hear about is Ernest "Smoky" Smith. Smoky is the last Canadian soldier to receive the Victoria Cross, England's highest honor. He was 91. Smoky was a colorful character much like D-Day Vet Ralph Kelly.
One Canadian's death you won't hear about is Ernest "Smoky" Smith. Smoky is the last Canadian soldier to receive the Victoria Cross, England's highest honor. He was 91. Smoky was a colorful character much like D-Day Vet Ralph Kelly.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Sci-fi Friday
I'm a huge sci-fi fan, but frankly I'm starting to get really sick of the shows on sci-fi fridays. I'm sure Amybear will be thrilled by the prospect of that since she isn't a sci-fi nut.
The Stargates are interesting, but the plotlines are increasingly running along the lines of "team does something stupid making a new enemy and then does something smart to get themselves out of it." This is great except for the fact that I don't like shows about incompetents and they're creating new villians every weeks.
Galactica was interesting, but currently all the characters I give a damn about are either in comas or stranded on Caprica. Rosalin doesn't interest me, would you like to be led by someone with that much of a god complex? Apollo is annoying and Ty is incompetent. I am well and truly sick of many of the storylines that they refuse to wrap up, like Boomer and Baltar's hallucinations and everyone stranded on Caprica.
It would also be nice if they bothered to maintain a semblence of continuity. This weeks episode focused on people refusing to resupply Galactica because of the declaration of martial law. The problem with this are twofold:
Perhaps this season is the second act, where everything goes to hell? Even if it is, they have no excuse for implementing it so poorly.
The Stargates are interesting, but the plotlines are increasingly running along the lines of "team does something stupid making a new enemy and then does something smart to get themselves out of it." This is great except for the fact that I don't like shows about incompetents and they're creating new villians every weeks.
Galactica was interesting, but currently all the characters I give a damn about are either in comas or stranded on Caprica. Rosalin doesn't interest me, would you like to be led by someone with that much of a god complex? Apollo is annoying and Ty is incompetent. I am well and truly sick of many of the storylines that they refuse to wrap up, like Boomer and Baltar's hallucinations and everyone stranded on Caprica.
It would also be nice if they bothered to maintain a semblence of continuity. This weeks episode focused on people refusing to resupply Galactica because of the declaration of martial law. The problem with this are twofold:
- In the first season it is shown that Galactica has extensive stores and is actually used as a supply vessel for the fleet, not the other way around.
- Galactica is the only ship in the fleet capable of repelling an enemy attack and it is doubtful that the fleet will impair their only means of defense.
Perhaps this season is the second act, where everything goes to hell? Even if it is, they have no excuse for implementing it so poorly.
Financial Planning
On of the guest bloggers at Evangelical Outpost has advice on your personal finances. The specific suggestions are:
And on this topic I'd like to announce that sent off my last car payment today. This puts me out from under my car loan in about 30 of the 60 months of the loan. Yeah. Now I shall start putting that money towards a downpayment on a house.
- Maximize income from all sources
- Minimize expenses
- Control liabilities - eliminate liabilities and limit or eliminate borrowing of any kind
- Invest in appreciating (or at least neutral) assets only
- Protect the value of your assets
Changing Plans
Today is one of my scheduled days off, the result of working a compressed (9 hour/day) work schedule. Its nice to have the break, but it's unfortunately really really hot out. So while I would like to take up some of the manly activities I've been missing for the past few weeks, like shooting stuff, it's too damn hot for it. Instead I'm taking care of business inside my apartment, cleaning up what has been lying around for months.
Tomorrow is supposed to be considerably cooler so here's to hoping for some good shootin' weather.
Tomorrow is supposed to be considerably cooler so here's to hoping for some good shootin' weather.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Youth Pastors
Michael Spencer has a great post on the failings and temptations of youth pastory.
Being a youth pastor seems to be fraught with peril. First, they are usually young guys with little spiritual depth who are then expected to take on what is effectively one of the most important positions in the church. Oh the older folks may not recognize this, they just want the kids quiet and out of the way. Still raising the next generation is potentially far more important than babysitting the last one.
Secondly, there is this weird stepping stone expectation in many churches. I can proudly say that my home church was a good one. We wanted a youth pastor, not our next associate pastor in training. However some churches use youth minister as a testing ground for higher office. Tis a shame for the kids since that guy will not be their in a few years one way or another.
My young life was shaped by my youth pastors and also by the lack of them. The church I grew up in started to fracture as I entered high school and one of the first signs of it was that my dedicated youth minister, who was a great guy, decided to high tail it to florida and attend seminary. So I had a church falling down around my ears without a pastor to talk to. It sucked.
So we went to my current church. It has its troubles too and our youth minister left over disagreements with the senior pastor. However the church wasn't falling apart, it was actually getting stronger, and before he left he set up a team of students and parents to keep things going until his replacement was found. We kept things going and growing until the current youth minister, who is a great guy but different than the last one, was found. It wasn't fun but it was rewarding in ways that I would later discover.
I never had a college student pastor or an in-and-out pastor. Looking back on things I suppose I should take time to thank the Lord for that.
Being a youth pastor seems to be fraught with peril. First, they are usually young guys with little spiritual depth who are then expected to take on what is effectively one of the most important positions in the church. Oh the older folks may not recognize this, they just want the kids quiet and out of the way. Still raising the next generation is potentially far more important than babysitting the last one.
Secondly, there is this weird stepping stone expectation in many churches. I can proudly say that my home church was a good one. We wanted a youth pastor, not our next associate pastor in training. However some churches use youth minister as a testing ground for higher office. Tis a shame for the kids since that guy will not be their in a few years one way or another.
My young life was shaped by my youth pastors and also by the lack of them. The church I grew up in started to fracture as I entered high school and one of the first signs of it was that my dedicated youth minister, who was a great guy, decided to high tail it to florida and attend seminary. So I had a church falling down around my ears without a pastor to talk to. It sucked.
So we went to my current church. It has its troubles too and our youth minister left over disagreements with the senior pastor. However the church wasn't falling apart, it was actually getting stronger, and before he left he set up a team of students and parents to keep things going until his replacement was found. We kept things going and growing until the current youth minister, who is a great guy but different than the last one, was found. It wasn't fun but it was rewarding in ways that I would later discover.
I never had a college student pastor or an in-and-out pastor. Looking back on things I suppose I should take time to thank the Lord for that.
Tales from Iraq
Donald Sensing is posting a marines tale of his time in Iraq.
I have never seen a member of the media, and I haven’t spoken to anyone who has. Baghdad and the 90% remainder of the country are separate worlds, each wholly detached or even unrecognizable to the other. The Green Zone is altogether extraterrestrial; it is Coppola-esque. For the Marines with whom I work, it might as well be Disneyworld...He also discusses the various motivations for violence in Iraq. He uses the same words I have heard from others telling their stories. The violence is caused by criminals and thugs who do it because they think they can get away with it. Most of it is not organized in any way.
Red Tape
I'm busy jumping through various hoops today crafted of paper and red tape. I'll try to have something up after lunch.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Tiny Treasure
Susan Anne Catherine Torres was born today. She is two months premature and weighs less than two pounds. In most circumstances this would be considered horrible, however Susan's mother has been brain dead for over three months so that changes things.
The mother, also Susan Torres, suffered a stroke in early May because of brain cancer. Little Susan was born not just because of the wonders of modern medicine, but also because of the kindness of strangers who have donated $400,000 to cover all the medical bills that the insurance companies won't. There will surely be a lot of people praising the doctors for this little medical miracle, but I think it is high time to praise those charitable individuals who gave of themselves so that little Susan might live.
The mother, also Susan Torres, suffered a stroke in early May because of brain cancer. Little Susan was born not just because of the wonders of modern medicine, but also because of the kindness of strangers who have donated $400,000 to cover all the medical bills that the insurance companies won't. There will surely be a lot of people praising the doctors for this little medical miracle, but I think it is high time to praise those charitable individuals who gave of themselves so that little Susan might live.
Caffeinated Baptist
Joe Carter is linking to a website that will calculate the necessary soda consumption for a lethal caffeine overdose. You simply choose the soda and your weight.
Just for the record I'm betting this thing is over simplistic if for no other reason that it does not take into account any previous caffeine tolerance or your body composition.
UPDATE: Joe is also linking to a Yahama site full of different paper models. I downloaded one of the motorcycles because I figure at least Amybear will let me have a paper motorcycle model. Keep in mind some of them are designed to be used with European A4 paper not American 8.5" by 11".
Just for the record I'm betting this thing is over simplistic if for no other reason that it does not take into account any previous caffeine tolerance or your body composition.
UPDATE: Joe is also linking to a Yahama site full of different paper models. I downloaded one of the motorcycles because I figure at least Amybear will let me have a paper motorcycle model. Keep in mind some of them are designed to be used with European A4 paper not American 8.5" by 11".
Eating Sushi
Instapundit is linking to lessons on how to eat sushi by Noriko Takiguchi. So far it is a five part series.
Amybear and I are sushi nuts. Making it ourselves is a fairly time intensive process. Cooking the rice properly takes at least an hour and half, if not two. Getting good fish isn't that hard, most supermarket fish while not excellent is good enough provided it is fresh. It can be troublesome though, we only have the time on weekends but fresh shipments come in on a monday, wednessday, friday schedule. If you want to make your own sushi, get to know when the local markets restock their fresh fish.
Because of this we've started going to some local chinese buffets who offer all-you-can-eat sushi bars for a reasonable price. It is a good deal and the sushi, while not spectacular, is usually as good or better than what we can make ourselves and is far more convenient.
It has become so convenient that even my parents are trying out sushi on a more regular basis. My mother makes sure that she only eats vegetable and "cooked" sushi (most shellfish sushi is cooked).
Amybear and I are sushi nuts. Making it ourselves is a fairly time intensive process. Cooking the rice properly takes at least an hour and half, if not two. Getting good fish isn't that hard, most supermarket fish while not excellent is good enough provided it is fresh. It can be troublesome though, we only have the time on weekends but fresh shipments come in on a monday, wednessday, friday schedule. If you want to make your own sushi, get to know when the local markets restock their fresh fish.
Because of this we've started going to some local chinese buffets who offer all-you-can-eat sushi bars for a reasonable price. It is a good deal and the sushi, while not spectacular, is usually as good or better than what we can make ourselves and is far more convenient.
It has become so convenient that even my parents are trying out sushi on a more regular basis. My mother makes sure that she only eats vegetable and "cooked" sushi (most shellfish sushi is cooked).
No Masturbating
John really knows how to take the fun out of internet access at the public library.
Having done research in the Morris Library at U of Delaware, I have yet to actually see someone partaking of this particular activity. However, the third floor men's room does have a reputation for skankiness in many shapes and kinds.
My problem with internet access at libraries mostly stemmed from kids given the run of the place during the summer. When I say kids I mean children who weren't yet in their teens. I don't know whether their parents would just drop them off for free childcare or whether they were involved with some sort of program hosted by the university. But they would hop on a library computer and look at porn and better yet they would make lots of noise while doing it.
Having done research in the Morris Library at U of Delaware, I have yet to actually see someone partaking of this particular activity. However, the third floor men's room does have a reputation for skankiness in many shapes and kinds.
My problem with internet access at libraries mostly stemmed from kids given the run of the place during the summer. When I say kids I mean children who weren't yet in their teens. I don't know whether their parents would just drop them off for free childcare or whether they were involved with some sort of program hosted by the university. But they would hop on a library computer and look at porn and better yet they would make lots of noise while doing it.
Driving Records
I have resigned myself to never having a good one. You see I work on a military base. MPs have an operation philosophy wherein it is as good to show that you are working as it is to actually catch criminals. Because of this MPs will pull you over for doing 1 mph over the speed limit just to let you off with a verbal warning. This isn't to penalize you, it is so they can flash their lights and demonstrate to all your co-workers driving by that the MPs are on the job. Look civilians, this could be you next so slow down!
Such was my lot this morning. What was really hilarous is that the biggest leadfoot I work with was right behind me and waved as he passed by.
Such was my lot this morning. What was really hilarous is that the biggest leadfoot I work with was right behind me and waved as he passed by.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Mawwaige
Instapundit is linking to top ten list of marital advice given by Mark Daniels on his thirty-first wedding anniversary. Congradulation Mark. It is well worth a read.
Despite the fact that I'm not yet married, I'm going to wax intellectual on something I know little about. That is what the blogosphere is for, isn't it?
Anyway there seems to be two related memes that really will kill a marriage.
I just don't understand some people. Isn't marriage about wanting to spend your life with someone? Before you make that commitment shouldn't you (a) find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with and (b) be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to spend the rest of your life with that person without "growing apart".
UPDATE: On a slightly different marital note, a conversation with a coworker leads me to believe that you know the honeymoon is over if....
You'd rather sleep five more minutes than shower with the wife.
UPDATE2: Hehe. He just read this and is blushing like crazy. I love terrorizing my coworkers...
Despite the fact that I'm not yet married, I'm going to wax intellectual on something I know little about. That is what the blogosphere is for, isn't it?
Anyway there seems to be two related memes that really will kill a marriage.
- Not getting to know your mate before you get married
- Unwillingness to accept your spouse for who they are
- Unwillingness to change
I just don't understand some people. Isn't marriage about wanting to spend your life with someone? Before you make that commitment shouldn't you (a) find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with and (b) be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to spend the rest of your life with that person without "growing apart".
UPDATE: On a slightly different marital note, a conversation with a coworker leads me to believe that you know the honeymoon is over if....
You'd rather sleep five more minutes than shower with the wife.
UPDATE2: Hehe. He just read this and is blushing like crazy. I love terrorizing my coworkers...
Boy Scouts
Unfortunately it seems that the liberals have unraveled the truth: the Boy Scouts are nothing but an elite paramilitary organization developed by Christians and other theists. I mean if swearing to do your best and your duty to both God and your country isn't indoctrinating children in order to establish a theocracy I don't know what is. As if saying the children have a duty to God wasn't bad enough.
Oh and to quote Homer Simpson: In case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic.
Oh and to quote Homer Simpson: In case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic.
Business and Pleasure
Dale Franks has come up with some really great shockwave animations. The first is a breakdown of US military rank insignias by service. I have never served in the real military, yet I have had to deal with members of the Army, Navy, and Marines as part of my job. It helps to know someones rank beyond just "Sir."
The second is a breakdown of military rank from David Weber's Honorverse. The Honorverse series is a set of excellent military space opera books that roughly parallel the golden age of sail in the napoleonic period. They are quite good although Weber need to work on his characterizations a bit more, he tends toward white knights and mustache twirling villians a bit more than he probably should. Word is that there is another book coming out in the series quite soon.
Dale's Honorverse insignia are actually so good that Baen books has used them officially. Honor's beret on the cover of War of Honor has Dale's manticore on it. Congrats to him.
The second is a breakdown of military rank from David Weber's Honorverse. The Honorverse series is a set of excellent military space opera books that roughly parallel the golden age of sail in the napoleonic period. They are quite good although Weber need to work on his characterizations a bit more, he tends toward white knights and mustache twirling villians a bit more than he probably should. Word is that there is another book coming out in the series quite soon.
Dale's Honorverse insignia are actually so good that Baen books has used them officially. Honor's beret on the cover of War of Honor has Dale's manticore on it. Congrats to him.
Monday, August 01, 2005
My Life in Pictures
Amybear has pictures up of the demolition derby and the country fair on Flickr. She also has some of of my Aunt's bull terrier Deuce, the worlds dumbest wonder dog.
The Weekend
Amybear and I had a good weekend. We shopped. We went to the Cecil County Fair and watched a friend of mine compete in the demolition derby. We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Saturday and went with my brother to see The Fantastic Four on Sunday.
Charlie was a good film. It was probably truer to the book than the Gene Wilder version, but I can't help but have a warm spot in my heart for the Wilder version too. My one criticism of the new movie was the tone. The books and earlier movie always seemed bright and wondrous to me as opposed to this film which often seemed dark and weird. There is also the allegation that Willy planned for these kids to meet their horrible fates. I liked the new musical numbers, but Amy missed the older ones.
I liked Fantastic Four too. There has been a lot of criticism that it doesn't have the depth of Batman or Spiderman, but that isn't a criticism that I find particularly valid. This is a movie about a team of superheros and it is trying to tell the story of five people instead of just one or two. You have to sacrifice some depth to do this. Although honestly, the Fantastic Four don't have that much depth to start out with.
This movie is pretty comparable to the first X-Men film in quality. My brother's biggest criticism is that they got Victor Von Doom's origin story all wrong. In the original comics Von Doom was scientific genius descended from Gypsy magicians. He had both magical powers and technological powers from an armored battlesuit. This movie empowers Doom in a manner closer to his Ultimate Fantastic Four origin.
UPDATE: For those of you who haven't read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there is a really nice hardcover version out with both of the Charlie books for only $10.
Charlie was a good film. It was probably truer to the book than the Gene Wilder version, but I can't help but have a warm spot in my heart for the Wilder version too. My one criticism of the new movie was the tone. The books and earlier movie always seemed bright and wondrous to me as opposed to this film which often seemed dark and weird. There is also the allegation that Willy planned for these kids to meet their horrible fates. I liked the new musical numbers, but Amy missed the older ones.
I liked Fantastic Four too. There has been a lot of criticism that it doesn't have the depth of Batman or Spiderman, but that isn't a criticism that I find particularly valid. This is a movie about a team of superheros and it is trying to tell the story of five people instead of just one or two. You have to sacrifice some depth to do this. Although honestly, the Fantastic Four don't have that much depth to start out with.
This movie is pretty comparable to the first X-Men film in quality. My brother's biggest criticism is that they got Victor Von Doom's origin story all wrong. In the original comics Von Doom was scientific genius descended from Gypsy magicians. He had both magical powers and technological powers from an armored battlesuit. This movie empowers Doom in a manner closer to his Ultimate Fantastic Four origin.
UPDATE: For those of you who haven't read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there is a really nice hardcover version out with both of the Charlie books for only $10.
Morning News
Air America may be in deeper trouble than previously thought. Their tab to a non-profit is up to $800,000 and allegations of fraud have given birth to allegations of forgery.
On the support our troops front, Matt Hickethier is shipping to Iraq. Before his deployment his family took him to The Fort, one of the Denver area's best and most expensive restaurants for a good-bye dinner. Hickethier had been wearing his Marine dress blues and an unknown benefactor from a nearby table picked up the tab after he figured out what was going on.
Do you like Little Caesers? The owner of the chain is giving Robbie Doughty, veteran of Iraq who lost both legs in the conflict, a franchise when he leaves the Army.
Lastly, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has died. Crown Prince Abdullah has ascended to the throne. Abdullah is reputed to be a moderate with liberal leanings, which will hopefully be a good thing with respect to the Arab world.
UPDATE: There is officially a tenth planet in the solar system. Discovered over two years ago, it is 50% larger than pluto, but three times as far away. Scientists have referred to it Xena. You may do the yell now. If they name it's moon Gabrielle, I'm moving to another solar system.
On the support our troops front, Matt Hickethier is shipping to Iraq. Before his deployment his family took him to The Fort, one of the Denver area's best and most expensive restaurants for a good-bye dinner. Hickethier had been wearing his Marine dress blues and an unknown benefactor from a nearby table picked up the tab after he figured out what was going on.
Do you like Little Caesers? The owner of the chain is giving Robbie Doughty, veteran of Iraq who lost both legs in the conflict, a franchise when he leaves the Army.
Lastly, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has died. Crown Prince Abdullah has ascended to the throne. Abdullah is reputed to be a moderate with liberal leanings, which will hopefully be a good thing with respect to the Arab world.
UPDATE: There is officially a tenth planet in the solar system. Discovered over two years ago, it is 50% larger than pluto, but three times as far away. Scientists have referred to it Xena. You may do the yell now. If they name it's moon Gabrielle, I'm moving to another solar system.
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