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Ever see one of these?

So on the way to my parents' house yesterday, my sister and I are riding along. We decide to stop for some coffee, since my sister can't drive stick, and my car is a standard. We stop at this place, I pick up a medium coffee, and my sister picks up a couple boxes of the new skittles bubble gum. We're about to pull away when, stop the car! WHAT?!? THAT! THAT WHA----?

SHUT UP!

Ok, so if you can't quite see the picture, or if you're in sheer disbelief as we were, allow me to explain it to you. In Blossburg, PA, there is an Exxon Mobil station called Acorn Mart. In front of said Acorn Mart, there is a freakin Live Bait Vending machine. Yeah, right in front of the store, next to the Coca Cola vending machine. On our way back tomorrow, I'm going to see just what kind of bait they sell, and what goods they've got. I'm very curious, but there were too many scary people around during that part of the night, and they might feel a little uncomfortable seeing the flash of a camera go off at like midnight.

Friday Cat War

Here is a picture of Blur taking a swipe at Pip on my bed. I think Pip is slowly realizing that he's not numero uno in my house. He's not even numero dos. He's the wee numero lasto. But, he's still cute and playful.

I think I have now seen everything

I'm sure that most people have seen chrome wheels on trucks and cars. Perhaps slightly less people have seen spinner rims on trucks or cars. I've seen links to spinner rims on sneakers (although I can't find it now), ahhh here it is, and even after market spinner rims for sneakers. Anyway, these modders have taken things too far when they come out with spinner wheels for bicycles.

One other thing I saw today: flower shaped urinals. Why?

And, if you remember the Astronaut ice cream, now you can get astronaut instant ramen. Is that a good idea?

Oh, and this is an unfortunate story about a female skateboarder that was branded by a manhole cover, and now she's suing. [pic]

And finally, who needs a V8 snowblower?

iPod phone

There has been a lot of talk about an iPod phone. But, it appears that Hop-on has already come out with it. It's right here. Judging by the similarities between the actual ipod and this phone, and going on Apple's precendent of suing people, I would say that Hop-on's legal team is probably going to get a call from Apple's legal team.

Hop-on's 1886 is a tri-band phone that has a touch screen menu, MP3 player, 2.0 Megapixel camera and video recorder. It also has WAP/GPRS, 64 polyphonic ring tones, a 262,000 color TFT touchscreen, predictive text input, SMS/MMS messaging, E-mail (WAP Push) and a 500 name address book. That's a little more than an ipod does. Here I am thinking about getting an ipod, and yet there is chatter about a video ipod in September. I guess I'll just have to figure out which one I want, or if I should wait.

My main reason for wanting an ipod, or some sort of high capacity MP3 player, is that my new car doesn't have an MP3 player or even capability to play MP3s. My last car had Sony CDX-MP70 with a 10 disc mp3 changer in it. It's a little difficult to move back to regular cds after that. Additionally, there are NO after market stereos that will fit my car. I could always use my SanDisk 1 GB Digital Audio Player, with an FM transmitter, but I don't think 1 GB is enough for me. I'm actually unsure if I can even deal with something like a 20 GB ipod. Perhaps the 60 GB one? I dunno. Maybe I should wait for the vPod. I don't need the picture or video capabilities even. I dunno.

Work stuff I gots promotomified!

So I've been promoted to Deputy Director at work. The person that was serving that role left the company, and now I'm taking that position. I think it's the right move for me since I only have a few months of formal management experience and I'm looking to move in that direction. I think the best part of this move is that I'm not on call 24x7 anymore. w00t! I can't remember the last time that I wasn't on call. Granted, I'll still take my laptop with me everywhere I go, and I'm going to be on call kinda. We're hiring a senior systems administrator to replace me in my current role, and I've got someone working under me right now. So, once the new guy comes up to speed, there will still be a junior sysadmin, and those two will be the first two on the firing line call. So, that means that if something really bad happens, I'm next in line. And, if I get a call, that's pretty bad, and someone's going to get in trouble. :) At least I'm still going to be Senior Systems Administrator for the upcoming Systems Administrator Appreciation Day. And for that, you can always buy me something.

Pip and Blur

So my daddy brought home this little furball a few weeks ago. He didn't talk much, and I thought he was dead, but then he went to the vet (I hate car rides) and now this little black furball (my dad calls him Pip) has been running around the house a little bit. He chases me around, and meows all the time. Anyway, here is a picture of the little bugger looking out MY window, and I'm about to jump down off the ledge. He is kinda cute though don't you think?

All these gadgets!

The 2005 IDEA Product Design Award Winners are out. There are a lot of sweet designs in there, I personally like the SHIFT Concept Bike. It allows children to learn to ride a bike without the stigma of having training wheels on.

Anyway, one thing that I think is going to make the design awards next year, or whenever they do the next one, is the Mammoliti Faucets. They're sweet!

Pip update July 20

Ok, so people may be wondering about Pip. He's doing just fine. He's gaining weight, is flea free, and very playful. He's been playing with Blur. Well, I'd say it'd be more classified as terrorizing Blur. Blur will sit there looking at Pip, and then Pip will notice that he is watching. Then Pip will take off like a rocket towards Blur. Blur will then run away. Pip has been playing with everything that he can, plastic bags, straps on my bag, corners of pillows, and even my legs. I need to trim his nails though.

He doesn't seem to be fond of being picked up either. I guess that will come with time. I forgot how much work it was to raise a kitten. So curious, so playful and imaginative. So seemingly misbehaved. But... so cute.

Fuck this website

This is absolutely hilarious. There is a guy that printed out tons of stickers (and now sells them) of the F-word in many different sizes. Then, he places them and takes pictures of these images.

The pics are hilarious. I think it'd be fun to do. Please, go to the website and check out the pictures. Too funny.

Remember Natalee Holloway?

If you recognize the name, you know her story, in fact, you probably know more than I do. I know that I don't really care about the story. She's missing in Aruba. I don't even know if they've found her body, but it is indeed sad. We all agree with that.

But, K5 contributor gbd offers Fuck Natalee Holloway. This particular article has brought K5 a lot of hatemail. I find the fact that they published the hate mail hilarious!

Greasemonkey vulnerable

Apparently, a gaping vulnerability in Greasemonkey has been found.

I urge everyone to upgrade to version 0.3.5, and if you don't have greasemonkey, install it. After you install it, Dive into it. Or, download user scripts. Trust me, you'll thank yourself.

Spread Firefox hacked

Apparently, the Firefox marketing site, SpreadFirefox.com was hacked earlier this week in an attempt to use the site to send spam. The Firefox blog entry is here.

Wedding at Amelia Island

I went to Amelia Island Plantation just outside of Jacksonville, FL this weekend. I've put up pictures from the weekend here. I caught a few dusky sharks and a bonnet shark or two. The other boat of 5 guys caught a shark that they said was too big to bring on board. We spent every night at a local bar on the plantation called the Falcon's Nest. We also played volleyball, swam in the pool, and then pretty much drank the rest of the time Actually, we drank the whole time. It was like we were all at the beach house again. Except this time Dan and Erika got married.

It was very hot and humid but the wedding was beautiful. The wedding car was a golf cart, which I thought was so fitting.

Pip went to the vet

I took Pip to the vet today, he's a he. He also has fleas and intestinal worms, and is anemic. Anemia is a side effect of having parasites. So, now I've got Advantage 9 for him, and Advantage 18 for Blur. I need to rid both of them of fleas, although I don't think Blur has fleas. It's all part of the comprehensive attempt to rid my house (their environment) of fleas. I'm also supposed to vacuum every day to get rid of the dead fleas and flea eggs.

I've also got vitamins for Pip. And he's on Drontal (deworming medicine for cats). So, hopefully, within the next few weeks, he'll be healthy, and then I can allow him to meet Blur!

Lots of golf this weekend

Well, I think this was my most golf filled weekend ever. Friday, I played the Red Course at Potomac Park, and shot pretty well. I couldn't tell you what my score was because JB lost our scorecard. Anyway, then I came back and ran for a bit before going to the Lil Pub for some pool.

I won't lie, I woke up on Saturday a little groggyhungover and then went to play the Blue Course. It was my best round this year, and I would have broken 90, if it wasn't for the two double bogies at the end. I neded up with a 93. Dangit.

But today, I went to Pleasant Valley in Chantilly, VA. I played this course back in 2002, when I first started getting into golf. I love this course, with it's GPS equipped carts, and actually, the layout is great too. There are bunkers, water, and some narrow fairways. I didn't shoot too badly, but, could definitely have shot better. I ended up shooting a 100, which was the best of our foursome. I had more blowup triple bogies, and even had a *gasp* 9. Obviously, I had a rough time with that hole. Anyway, when I first played it, I thought it was the best course ever. It did have GPS after all. It also has a ball and club washer on each cart. Now that is cool.

Playing this much golf is a lot of fun and relaxing, although it can get expensive. At least I don't lose enough balls to have to buy more. I have what my roommate calls "Eagle eyes" where I can find balls pretty much any out of bounds I walk into.

Pip update

So, I guess this is mostly an update for some of the people that know me, as well as Agnes. First off, Agnes, thank you for your tips. I've bought some KMR for Pip. I've decided to name him since I considered adopting him. (yeah, I'm pretty sure it's a him according to Simba, sorry M).

Pip is eating well, drinking KMR, drinking water, and has solid stool. He still has fleas, and as I just discovered today, worms. So, I know that I've said that I was planning on taking Pip to the vet, but I've had so so much to do this week in dealing with my car, and with work. Anyway, I'm taking Pip to Banfield Pet Hospital tomorrow morning. I'm not sure that I can do anything about the worms, and I want to get him "healthified" as soon as possible now that I've got most of my car stuff sorted. By the way, I hate the DC DMV. Anyway, Pip is very loving, and I'm going to get him healthy and then probably put him up for adoption. I don't think I can handle a kitten right now, but I can handle nursing him back to full health (as healthy as a runt can get).

Although I'm not sure how long he was with his mother, he does purr a lot, and is kinda talkative. He is the runt, although he's so sweet. His meow sounds like a pip, hence the name. So, after I take him to the vet, I'll post another post and let everyone know the prognosis and how he's doing.

Stay tuned...

I taw I taw a bug!

I swear! There was a moth or some kinda flying thingy in the window! I was gonna eat him!

The arrests begin

For those of you that are either too lazy to set up your own wireless network, or are too cheap to buy high speed, or whatever the reason, look out. Police in St. Petersburg, FL have arrested a man for using someone else's wireless connection. While this is in fact a very common practice, this is the first arrest that I've heard about. This man was probably not hacking or doing anything malicious, but he actually committed a crime that falls under a hacking law: unauthorized access to a computer network, a third-degree felony.

I know of at least 10 felons then. I guess I should stop associating with them. Also, I URGE everyone with wireless to secure it. MAC address restrictions, WPA and Radius, WEP if you want to (although that's not that secure). Let's help people stop committing crimes. Would you leave your computer outside? Locked up so no one could steal it, but so anyone could use it? And YOU'D be responsible for whatever originates from that machine? Good luck to you then. Have fun, and let me know where you live.

Happy Fourth of July

Today has been quite a lazy day, getting everything with my car sorted out, like transferring what was in my old car with what is going back into my new car. And doing some more organizing. I have decided that I'm going to probaby (about 80% sure) get an ipod for my car. I can't live without MP3 capabilities in my car. I know, it's sad, but when you've got as much music as I do, you'd understand.

I'm also debating buying a Palm Tungsten E2. I'm not sure about it though, I've been out of the PDA loop for quite some time now, and I'm not sure what the improvements are with the palm line. I have a Clie N70-something, but the battery lasts about 5 minutes on it. Not so useful then huh?

I'm trying to avoid the Mall this evening since it's going to be packed with people watching the fireworks. I don't need all that trouble. Not at all.

I have decided to take Pip to the vet, and try to get him/her cleaned up and checked out. Blur needs his rabies booster anyway, so it might be a good time to do both. I think I may end up keeping Pip since he's such a nice little kitty, and very friendly (he's even hosting a bunch of fleas!) Yikes! I've gotten some good recommendations from my friend Chris and Agnes. Thanks to both of you, and I will defintely keep both of you updated on what Pip's up to and how he's doing. I still have not determined whether Pip is a male or female, but I'm going to refer to Pip as a he for now.

But, since today is America's "birthday", I'll lift up some cold ones and celebrate that way. Cheers.

Golf Review: Hampshire Greens Golf Course

My regular foursome went to play golf today in Ashton, MD. We played at Hampshire Greens Golf Course.

We played the green tees, 5970 yards, par 72, I'm not sure why I played so poorly, but I couldn't get into the groove today. The most notable thing about this course is that there are 90 bunkers. That is crazy. I only got stuck in one, but it took me 3 shots to get out of it. Like I said, I couldn't get into the groove.

There are a few fairways where bunkers take large "bites" out of the fairway, leaving the fairway about 20 yards wide at points. This course was relatively flat as well. The cart path winds all around the course and through some of the houses in the community. In fact, I hit a drive on the 18th hole that hit one of them. Well, sounded that way anyway.

There is a twilight green fee for $30, I would definitely go back to this course, and I probably will.

Screw Toby

So the date that Toby was supposed to die has changed. Imagine that. Can somebody say scam? Yeah. November 6th, 2006? You're crazy. If you give money to this nutjob, you're a sucka. What. Bring it. Eat Toby, I don't care. If you had some kahones, you'd post your name or your something, where any other person would call you out.

What do I do?

So normally, on Fridays, I'll Friday Cat Blog about Blur. However, about 5 minutes ago, my neighbor nearly beat my door down. He knows that I have a cat, and this kitty had been coming around my house. However, the gray kitty was pregnant a few months ago, and now there are stray kittens roaming around.

Anyway, back to my neighbor. I finally get the door, and he hands me a tiny tiny kitten (seen below). I have to take him (or her, I haven't checked) to the shelter tomorrow. I think it may be the runt of the litter, and I don't know what I'd do if this kitten died in my house. So, if you know of someone in the DC metro area that wants a runt, or if you have suggestions for me to take care of this precious little kitten, please email me. I'll throw in a pet carrier and some food, some litter, and a few toys. I'm not going to name it, since if I name it, I'd feel more attachment to it than I already do. Please please, help.

Here is another picture of the kitten drinking out of a tiny bowl. That is my hand next to it. My hands are not that big. This kitten is TINY. You can see from the first picture how small it really is. That's a standard roll of toilet paper next to it.