There is a smattering of nonsensical cursing spoken herein, in case that's not the kind of thing you're entertained by.
Elsewise, this is the kind of thing my sister will love.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Heck With Ol' Santa Claus!
It's my favorite Christmas song! I've always thought my Gfandpa wrote this, but it turns out it's from an old Loretta Lynn album. Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Shame on Oklahoma
Hey there, Okies... this is how your elected representative is speaking up for you:
From Dana Milbank of the Washington Post -
"Going into Monday morning's crucial Senate vote on health-care legislation, Republican chances for defeating the bill had come down to a last, macabre hope. They needed one Democratic senator to die -- or at least become incapacitated.
At 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon -- nine hours before the 1 a.m. vote that would effectively clinch the [health care] legislation's passage -- Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) went to the Senate floor to propose a prayer. 'What the American people ought to pray is that somebody can't make the vote tonight,' he said. 'That's what they ought to pray.'
It was difficult to escape the conclusion that Coburn was referring to the 92-year-old, wheelchair-bound Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) who has been in and out of hospitals and lay at home ailing. It would not be easy for Byrd to get out of bed in the wee hours with deep snow on the ground and ice on the roads -- but without his vote, Democrats wouldn't have the 60 they needed." [read the rest of the story]
From Dana Milbank of the Washington Post -
"Going into Monday morning's crucial Senate vote on health-care legislation, Republican chances for defeating the bill had come down to a last, macabre hope. They needed one Democratic senator to die -- or at least become incapacitated.
At 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon -- nine hours before the 1 a.m. vote that would effectively clinch the [health care] legislation's passage -- Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) went to the Senate floor to propose a prayer. 'What the American people ought to pray is that somebody can't make the vote tonight,' he said. 'That's what they ought to pray.'
It was difficult to escape the conclusion that Coburn was referring to the 92-year-old, wheelchair-bound Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) who has been in and out of hospitals and lay at home ailing. It would not be easy for Byrd to get out of bed in the wee hours with deep snow on the ground and ice on the roads -- but without his vote, Democrats wouldn't have the 60 they needed." [read the rest of the story]
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Not to say that I ever feel otherwise...
...but screw WalMart!
As many of you know, when you mail a package to a soldier anywhere overseas, you mail it to an APO (Army Post Office) address instead of a State and zip code. This is because Uncle Sam collects all mail and packages for soldiers at a single point in New York, where parcels enter the APO system and become the responsibility of the US Army. Essentially, when you mail to a soldier in Afghanistan, you are paying postage to New York. This is why you can mail a letter to a soldier with the same stamp as sending it within the States.
It would seem, however, that our most American of American retailers, WalMart, has taken to highly inflating shipping costs to soldiers. This furthers my already near-complete boycott of WalMart (yeah... like I needed more ammo in that clip).
This story comes to you from the Stars and Stripes:
Those same customers might be most surprised to find that retail giant Walmart had the biggest markup.
On a $120 purchase, Walmart.com charged $10.35 to ship to an APO address, compared with $2.10 to a stateside address. For most items, Amazon.com charged the same to ship to an APO address as a stateside address. And Target offered shipping on a $120 purchase to an APO address for less than to a stateside address.
Wal-Mart Inc. officials did not return calls requesting an interview. However, in an e-mailed response, spokesman Ravi Jariwala said: “In your shopping cart during the checkout process, we show an estimated shipping cost, based on our lowest-price shipping method and assuming all items in your cart are going to a single address within the contiguous United States. If you select a different shipping method, a military APO/FPO address or an address outside the contiguous United States, your actual shipping cost may be higher. We continue to work with carriers to negotiate favorable shipping rates.”
But Earl Small, the postmaster at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, said that the shipping and handling charges have nothing to do with the military postal system or the U.S. Postal Service.
“A company can charge whatever they want,” said Small, who explained that items up to 108 inches are normally shipped at normal cost, but larger items often fall under a more expensive “balloon charge.”
According to Small, when companies ship to APO addresses in Europe, the order is shipped to New York, after which the Department of Defense picks up the tab to get the package to an APO address.
On Walmart.com, the company says shipping costs will be higher to APO addresses due to higher transportation costs.
“There is no higher transportation costs,” Small said. “Companies are abusing the system and making a killing.”"
As many of you know, when you mail a package to a soldier anywhere overseas, you mail it to an APO (Army Post Office) address instead of a State and zip code. This is because Uncle Sam collects all mail and packages for soldiers at a single point in New York, where parcels enter the APO system and become the responsibility of the US Army. Essentially, when you mail to a soldier in Afghanistan, you are paying postage to New York. This is why you can mail a letter to a soldier with the same stamp as sending it within the States.
It would seem, however, that our most American of American retailers, WalMart, has taken to highly inflating shipping costs to soldiers. This furthers my already near-complete boycott of WalMart (yeah... like I needed more ammo in that clip).
This story comes to you from the Stars and Stripes:
"Some retailers inflate costs to ship to APO addresses
WIESBADEN, Germany — Overseas military customers ordering gifts online from certain retailers might get an unpleasant surprise when shipping and handling fees are tacked on at the end of the purchase.
Those same customers might be most surprised to find that retail giant Walmart had the biggest markup.
On a $120 purchase, Walmart.com charged $10.35 to ship to an APO address, compared with $2.10 to a stateside address. For most items, Amazon.com charged the same to ship to an APO address as a stateside address. And Target offered shipping on a $120 purchase to an APO address for less than to a stateside address.
Wal-Mart Inc. officials did not return calls requesting an interview. However, in an e-mailed response, spokesman Ravi Jariwala said: “In your shopping cart during the checkout process, we show an estimated shipping cost, based on our lowest-price shipping method and assuming all items in your cart are going to a single address within the contiguous United States. If you select a different shipping method, a military APO/FPO address or an address outside the contiguous United States, your actual shipping cost may be higher. We continue to work with carriers to negotiate favorable shipping rates.”
But Earl Small, the postmaster at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, said that the shipping and handling charges have nothing to do with the military postal system or the U.S. Postal Service.
“A company can charge whatever they want,” said Small, who explained that items up to 108 inches are normally shipped at normal cost, but larger items often fall under a more expensive “balloon charge.”
According to Small, when companies ship to APO addresses in Europe, the order is shipped to New York, after which the Department of Defense picks up the tab to get the package to an APO address.
On Walmart.com, the company says shipping costs will be higher to APO addresses due to higher transportation costs.
“There is no higher transportation costs,” Small said. “Companies are abusing the system and making a killing.”"
Friday, December 11, 2009
Let me introduce you to Thunderous Charles the Bus Thrower
So this year I participated in a 4000 person worldwide Secret Santa set up by a few of the users on Reddit.com. I won't divulge what I sent to my giftee, as it is still in transit, but today I received my gift and it is so amazing I thought I'd share with you all. It all starts with a box lid... (bonus points for presentation!)
If you want to check out more of this guy's really impressive work go to www.ImaginaryThomas.com and have a look around. He sells these robot sculptures on etsy.com if anyone is still looking to buy me a Christmas present! Thunderous Charles needs friends! (or archenemies??)
My most joyous thanks to Skeletonhat for the gift! What a way to start my Christmas season! This thing has me so excited I've been using exclamation points after everything tonight! I never do that!
Click on picture for larger image...
And inside the sea of pleasant blue tissue paper I found...
Thunderous Charles the Bus Thrower!!!
An evil robot in my house? Yeah, he was bound to run into the natives eventually.
If you want to check out more of this guy's really impressive work go to www.ImaginaryThomas.com and have a look around. He sells these robot sculptures on etsy.com if anyone is still looking to buy me a Christmas present! Thunderous Charles needs friends! (or archenemies??)
My most joyous thanks to Skeletonhat for the gift! What a way to start my Christmas season! This thing has me so excited I've been using exclamation points after everything tonight! I never do that!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Me in 25 pictures
I decided to try to show myself in 25 pictures or less for an upcoming secret santa I'm participating in. This is what I came up with...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Some of the things for which I am thankful today:
One year ago today I was unemployed but now I have a good job that I enjoy.
Eleven months ago today I was roofing in the rain and snow for a total shithead but today I am working with wood indoors alongside people I actually like.
Katy.
The fact that I live with a wonderful woman who cooks and bakes amazing food.
No studio projects.
(ergo) I slept last night.
I haven't gone hungry once this year.
I'm able to train jiu jitsu 3 times a week at an excellent school.
The information age.
My family are all happy and enjoying their respective lives.
Red wine.
The array of talents I have inherited/learned over the course of my life.
I am strong and in my prime.
Uncensored books.
My harmonicas.
The abundance of music amidst which I live.
My health.
My two architecture degrees.
Art. All of it.
All of the friends who named their kids after me. I have known no greater honor.
The world's slowly-opening mind.
My kitties.
Lunch... even if it is leftovers (they're from last night's fantastic dinner)
Opposable thumbs.
While many are waking this morning to wonderful food and the comforts of loved ones and holiday traditions, I packed my leftovers and coffee thermos and headed off to work as usual. Alas, there will be no Thanksgiving in Canada today. But that doesn't mean my heart's not in it. I just can't get used to celebrating Thanksgiving in October the way Canadians do. I hope you all have a wonderful turkey day and enjoy a relaxing break from work and your routines. And for God's sake, stay away from the stores tomorrow, will ya? With each participant, so called "black Friday" further solidifies its status as an actual holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
One year ago today I was unemployed but now I have a good job that I enjoy.
Eleven months ago today I was roofing in the rain and snow for a total shithead but today I am working with wood indoors alongside people I actually like.
Katy.
The fact that I live with a wonderful woman who cooks and bakes amazing food.
No studio projects.
(ergo) I slept last night.
I haven't gone hungry once this year.
I'm able to train jiu jitsu 3 times a week at an excellent school.
The information age.
My family are all happy and enjoying their respective lives.
Red wine.
The array of talents I have inherited/learned over the course of my life.
I am strong and in my prime.
Uncensored books.
My harmonicas.
The abundance of music amidst which I live.
My health.
My two architecture degrees.
Art. All of it.
All of the friends who named their kids after me. I have known no greater honor.
The world's slowly-opening mind.
My kitties.
Lunch... even if it is leftovers (they're from last night's fantastic dinner)
Opposable thumbs.
While many are waking this morning to wonderful food and the comforts of loved ones and holiday traditions, I packed my leftovers and coffee thermos and headed off to work as usual. Alas, there will be no Thanksgiving in Canada today. But that doesn't mean my heart's not in it. I just can't get used to celebrating Thanksgiving in October the way Canadians do. I hope you all have a wonderful turkey day and enjoy a relaxing break from work and your routines. And for God's sake, stay away from the stores tomorrow, will ya? With each participant, so called "black Friday" further solidifies its status as an actual holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I've come so far...
...hard to believe it's been three years since that picture. That life seems so far away.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Comfort in the small things...
"Don't worry, Parker, when I snap you'll go quickly."
-Willy (co-robot master)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Winner!
One of the guys sent me this pic taken after I won my fight at the Revolution tournament... I love having my hand raised.
Thanks to Cole Blevins for the pic.
Thanks to Cole Blevins for the pic.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Won a silver medal this weekend
I fought in a Jiu Jitsu tournament this weekend in Langley, BC. Our friends, Shawn and Kelly, came to watch with Katy and everyone had a really good time. I won my first fight via armbar submission and lost my second fight on points. Though I wish I could have won the day for my friends and for my school, I was happy to have at least made a very good showing in my first fight. At the end of the day I walked away with a silver medal... not bad for my first tournament in four years. Anyway, here's a video of my first fight. I'd show the second, but it's just six minutes of me getting overpowered by a guy who is obviously much more acquainted with the gym than I. He never threatened with submissions, but he was able to take me down and keep me there. It's not the most impressive fight.
But this one...
The loud cheer at the end is Katy. I loved fighting for her. There's something primal about it... fighting to impress a woman. It's the first time she's watched me in a real match. She was a little nervous for me, she said in the end, but always really excited and supportive. I was glad she was there with me.
Anyway, going for a harmonica walk. Hope you all have a good week.
'Night.
But this one...
The loud cheer at the end is Katy. I loved fighting for her. There's something primal about it... fighting to impress a woman. It's the first time she's watched me in a real match. She was a little nervous for me, she said in the end, but always really excited and supportive. I was glad she was there with me.
Anyway, going for a harmonica walk. Hope you all have a good week.
'Night.
Long overdue pictures of kids, family, and the beautiful place I live...
These pics are from the family celebration we had at my sister's house last month. It was awesome seeing everyone and even more awesome playing with all the kids.
I passed out a few of my harmonicas to the kids and we played together. They seemed to have a good time with it...
The next day we went to Ft. Smith to visit the Parkers. I've always loved going to Unlce Joe's house.
We drove past this sign in Vancouver on our way out to Grouse Mountain last weekend.
This is looking back at the edge of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park as we took the SeaBus North towards the mountain...
This is looking west at Stanley Park and the edge of West Van...
Looking back south at downtown Vancouver as we headed North towards the mountains.
These pictures are from the Capilano Damn on the North shore. All of the water from these mountains drains into this reservoir and serves as Vancouver's drinking water supply... it's Katy's favorite spot in Vancouver and one of the more beautiful places I've seen here. Can you believe this is less than an hour from where we live?
I passed out a few of my harmonicas to the kids and we played together. They seemed to have a good time with it...
The next day we went to Ft. Smith to visit the Parkers. I've always loved going to Unlce Joe's house.
We drove past this sign in Vancouver on our way out to Grouse Mountain last weekend.
This is looking back at the edge of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park as we took the SeaBus North towards the mountain...
This is looking west at Stanley Park and the edge of West Van...
Looking back south at downtown Vancouver as we headed North towards the mountains.
These pictures are from the Capilano Damn on the North shore. All of the water from these mountains drains into this reservoir and serves as Vancouver's drinking water supply... it's Katy's favorite spot in Vancouver and one of the more beautiful places I've seen here. Can you believe this is less than an hour from where we live?
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