ZaBlanc's Blag

All Good Things Must Come To An End

2009-10-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

After 5 years, today is the last day of this blog. It's been great fun. I've blogged about chess tournaments, murder, Cedric's birth, family tragedy, unreal democracy, Sebastian's birth, and a whole lotta political stuff. I've had fun on every post.

I'm ending it today because, frankly, if you want to keep tabs on what I'm up to, my Facebook account is the best way to find out. It's faster, easier, and I get to keep up with my friends at the same time.

But I'm not done with blogging...

Today, I will be replacing my technology blog with a better one, and will be keeping the new one more active with articles, tips, and other posts. It will be focused on the newly-dubbed iFAMP platform: iPhone, Flex, Apache, MySQL, PHP. :-)

Hope you enjoy...but, for now...happy trails! Miss you, bloggy!

You can find my new technology blog here.

Guns and Idiots

2009-10-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

My lord the idiocy of some of these people. The sheer bloodlust to fire their gun without any regard for common sense.

INTER SPRINGS, Fla. - A man who thought there was an intruder in his house shot and killed his fiancee the day before they were to be married, police said Friday.

"Right now everything points to a tragic accident," Police Chief Kevin Brunelle told The Associated Press, adding investigators were awaiting forensic results.

John Tabutt, 62, told investigators he got his gun when he thought he heard an intruder, then fired at a figure in the hallway, according to Brunelle. It was Tabutt's live-in fiancee, 62-year-old Nancy Dinsmore, who family members say he was going to marry Saturday. Tabutt told authorities he thought she was next to him in bed the whole time.

UPDATE: Dan Brown Still Genius

2009-09-23T05:46:00.001-07:00

Just finished The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown's new book that came out last week. LOVE IT. He is truly a giant among authors.

This one, I think, is more personal. I found myself with greater emotions than some of his other books. I think he crossed a boundary where instead of just a thriller, the book thrills and more, really connecting you to the characters.

A must read. I give it 5 Da Vinci's. :-)

Praise Satan!

2009-09-17T17:46:00.001-07:00

Why We Need Socialized Care?

2009-08-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

Too bad HR3200 isn't it...but, here's why we need the public option, too. :-)

Why Don't I Post as Often?

2009-08-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

No, it's not because of Sebastian. :-) It's because I rant and rave on Facebook throughout the day. So, if you feel like I'm lacking political discourse and need it...

...why aren't you on Facebook? Join the discussion!

The Sad, Pathetic Republican Party

2009-08-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

If there's one issue where you could walk the street and get a mostly consensus opinion, it's health insurance. You'd have a hard time finding anyone in the over-30 crowd that hasn't had a bad experience with their health insurer or knows someone.

You'd have a hard time finding someone not frustrated by the fact that if they leave their job that their only option for preserving their health coverage for the next one or two months is to buy into a massively overprices COBRA plan.

There's also businesses that won't give you health benefits for 3, 4, 5, and even 6 months. If you get them at all. And, if you're in that group, you know that getting health insurance outside of a group plan is generally a disaster: Your choices are expensive, you don't have an HR manager to figure out what's best for the group as a whole, and if you have a pre-existing condition: you're fucked.

So, it's so incredibly sad, and pathetic, to see this small minority of rabid, right-wing loonies fight health insurance reform tooth and nail. There are comparisons of Obama to...Hitler. HITLER?! Hitler never fought for healthcare for his countrymen, he put them in fucking GAS CHAMBERS! These people are disrupting town halls, starting fights, bringing guns and making death threats. They don't want dialogue, they want anarchy.

Sarah Palin and her ilk have taken this further -- and to a far more dangerous point. One of the provisions in the plan is that end-of-life discussions are covered by insurance. These are talks that doctors have with patients' families to discuss options when death is likely. This involves hospice care, drug usage, "pulling the plug", etc. In other words, American families have these now, and they are often not covered or the doctor does it voluntarily.

What are Sarah Palin and her other disgusting cronies saying about this? They call them "death panels" and say these discussions are government deciding if your grandparents are worthy to live. This is disgusting and the crazies suck it up. Is it true? Absolutely not. Does it matter? Not to these people.

And it's why they got voted out in the first place.

But, what is it all really? Here's what's happened. Over the last 10-15 years, the cooks have gravitated and voted for the politicians who have been the most "crazy" in the Republican Party. The ones who are most ideologically anti-tax and anti-choice. Now, over time, the Republicans are left with Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, James Inhofe and other nutballs to represent them in a time when Democrats want to go to universal health coverage.

It's akin to letting your Army stagnate by not sending them to the gym or training them effectively. War has begun, and you have a bunch of idiots standing between you and your goals.

So, the Republicans will see universal coverage instituted. They can't make any coherent argument against it. The American people are laughing at them. And rightly so.

It's just too bad this will benefit them. Ah, well.

The Idiot Right

2009-07-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Being lectured by a half-dead felon the President is an illegal alien.

Life is a Hurricane

2009-07-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know, maybe it's just me. Life is a hurricane when it comes to being busy. You go through periods of madness, followed by quiet -- and then BACK to madness.

My development firm, Rapture In Venice, has been successful. I've managed to keep a somewhat steady stream of work, and it's allowed us to be a SI household. But, there have been times that have felt like I'm running through a doughnut!

Just a couple months ago, work was crazy, I had a come-and-go client very much a-coming. Tasks for a second client, and I was going a little mental. Then, no work for a month. Just a few days ago, I felt a little bored.

Well, that changed quick. :-)

First, I landed a contract for an iPhone app. My first independent contract, though my 5th app (wait, let me see, Shapes and Colors, Task List, Secret App, Secret App, Wite Box, and then there's iStrip which I've started...), well, OK OK, 6th and a half app. :-) Happy with it. Cool project. Cool boss man.

Second, another contract may be coming. I'm not optimistic, but I should hear real soon. Also iPhone. 7th and a half app.

Third, work is starting on a Flex project that has been simmering for a while, but now is ready to burn. Some new Flex stuff, too, so will be fun.

So, three projects...and OTHER possible work! Suffice to say, I won't go more than three. Chances are it won't happen anyway. On top of it all, though, two projects will lead to other work. So, I'll be busy!

Also, a new project at work is coming. I can't discuss it, but let's just say it is absolutely fitting for me. :-D

iPhone Activity

2009-07-10T06:43:00.001-07:00

Recently, I released a unit testing framework for iPhone. Wite Box is not only my vision of what unit testing should be on iPhone, but it's also one I will use. :-) Starting a day or two ago, I began a new iPhone project which I won't go into, but it's an entertainment app and will be a challenging implementation.

Task List is still available. It's my todo list for iPhone. I've gotten steady sales, and today it's now in the magical "Top 4" for iTunes searches if you search for "task list". That means it comes up on the first screen. It's also showing up on the "todo list" search as well, something I didn't fix until yesterday. I expect sales to increase today.

Retirement? Well, let's just hold off on that. ;-)

Task List for iPhone!

2009-07-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

Good news! Task List is now available in the App Store! Whoo!

This is my second iPhone app. Enjoy!!!

The Problem with our Culture and Censorship

2009-07-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

The headline:

Debbie Rowe lobs F-bomb at paparazzi

This personifies the problem with our culture. This woman has been crushed with reporters, journalists, photographers, etc. since Michael Jackson died. Every last work she says is bit upon. She gets no privacy. The paparazzi run loose. Surely, something needs to be done about this kind of invasion on privacy rights.

No. She said the F-word. OMG!

Actually, last week Jon Stewart had a great comment about this. A guy on Fox news was rambling about the USA needs a good attack by Osama, with nuclear weapons, to wake up. The man advocated us getting hit to justify our security decisions. On the airwaves. For children to see and hear.

But, god forbid we see a boob on TV.

None of this mentions the endless violence and sex that pervades everything we see or hear. Even just outside my office, at the bus stop, is this extreme closeup pic of a woman with her breasts hanging out...it's advertising perfume.

But, we can't see the nipples, that's obscene.

Sadistic society, ain't it?

Mets Depression

2009-07-01T02:14:00.000-07:00

This has to be the worst year as a Mets fan I can imagine. They've lost not one, not two...THREE superstars to injury: Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado. It's not really even common to have injury issues in baseball. Football? Sure. The Broncos kept nobody healthy last season except their lame-duck QB.

Baseball? Nah.

Sure enough, 40% of our starting staff is hurt and our setup man, JJ Putz. Despite the injuries, the Mets are STILL just 3 games back of 1st place. What makes it sadder, though, is I can very easily count 3 games the Mets' DOWNRIGHT EMBARRASSING DEFENSE has cost us:

* Two months ago, against the Marlins, Johan Satana's gem was a loss due to an easy fly ball dropping in when LF Daniel Murphy fell for no reason. The Mets lost 2-1.

* One month ago, in a tie game in LA, the Mets scored what appeared to be the go-ahead run in the 10th. To our utter dismay, despite scoring several seconds of any throw to home plate, Ryan Chruch was ruled OUT because HE FAILED TO TOUCH THIRD BASE. The Mets lost in the bottom of the inning.

* Two weeks ago, in the first game against the rival Yankees, with 2 outs in the 9th and a 1-run lead, Luis Castillo dropped a can-of-corn popup that -- instead of ending the game -- allowed the Yankees to win.

* Last night, an inning-ending fly ball with the bases loaded was magically turned into a virtual GRAND SLAM when Fernando Martinez, earlier in the inning, inexplicably fell while chasing down a would-be out and Johan walked the opposing pitcher on 4 pitches. Johan Santana made a throwing error which allowed the 4th run to score on the double. They lost 6-3.

It's been some snake-bit year for the Mets and Broncos. All one can hope is that for all the HORROR that has gone on, the Mets can somehow survive a tad longer to get some players back. It doesn't look likely, though.

0-1

2009-06-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

On the Daily Kos this week, a user by the name of Super Bowl XX decided that we should have our 1st site chess tournament. Awesome! I love chess, and I'm a progressive...why not combine my two loves?

So, I enter, along with about 100+ more. Today, SuperBowl XX sent out the 1st round pairings. This came in the form of DKos usernames and email addresses. We have to contact our opponents to set up a day and time to play in the next week or so. So I do.

I just heard back from my opponent.

Eric Schiller.

So, I had only one more question for him: Am I allowed to use the books that he wrote, that I've bought, against him?

My Baby Can Read!

2009-05-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Cedric demonstrates his progress with the Your Baby Can Read program. :-)

Talk About Horrible Ways to Lose

2009-04-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

In the last few years, I've had to deal with terrible losses for my sports teams.

For the Denver Broncos, I was in stadium to witness the horrific loss to the 49ers on the last game of the season -- a BAD 49ers team with Alex Smith as QB -- to oust us from the playoffs in Jay Cutler's first (half) season. Not only was the loss horrid, losing a pretty nice lead and losing in overtime, but Darrent Williams was shot and killed that night, too.

That year, the Mets began a little run of mild success. In 2006, we had our best success, running away with the NL East and sweeping the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. This set up a Cardinals-Mets series to go to the World Series. That series nearly killed me. After winning Game 1, the Mets were stunned in Game 2 when, on the way to victory, Shawn Green misplayed a fly ball that led to Cardinal victory. Then, after falling behind and then coming back in the series, Game 7 was in New York. The game was close, and featured one of THE GREATEST CATCHES I'd ever seen:

Endy Chavez make an absolutely unbelievable catch in the 7th inning to rob Scott Rolen of a home run that would have broken the 1-1 tie. I thought victory would come, but Yadier Molina broke my heart with a 9th inning homer. A killer.

This was nothing, though. In each of the next two seasons, the Mets bungles division leads in the last weeks to miss the playoffs. None was worse then 2007, when the Mets managed to blow a 7.5 game lead with 17 games to go. It was amazing. They lost to the Nationals and Marlins those last two weeks. They didn't even manage to force a 1-game playoff.

Then, in 2007, They blew a 3.5 game lead with just over a week to go. That last faux pas allowed the Phillies to win the division and the World Series. Double doh.

BUT, last night was possibly the worst disaster of them all. The New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes played a Game 7 IN NEW JERSEY. The Devils had a 3-2 lead from about the midway point of the 2nd period on. Martin Brodeur, World's Best Goalie (tm), and the Devils were just 1:20 away now from advancing to the 2nd round of the playoffs.

And then a horrible disaster struck.

Carolina scored to tie the game! With just 1:20 to go! OK, it happens, right? That wasn't the disaster. The disaster is that not 40 seconds later, CAROLINA SCORED AGAIN! Yes, within 40 seconds, the Hurricanes went from ready to pack their bags in a Game 7 loss, to on their way to Washington DC for the 2nd round. An absolute shell shock of a loss -- right their in front of the home fans.

...

I'm not sure what I've done to deserve the hatred of the sports gods, but I'm there.

Screw Jaundis

2009-04-16T12:53:00.001-07:00

Sebastian Home on a Beanbag

2009-04-13T08:06:00.001-07:00

The family is back home! We arrived to the homestead Sundat at about 4 PM. Home so much faster than with Cedric when we stuck in the hospital for 3.5 days!

Sebastian has his first check-up tomorrow. The big topic will likely be the portwine birth mark he has along his chest and left leg. There's some discussion of whether it will fade or not. If it won't, we'll likely look at our options for clearing it up. Our biggest concern is that it's not a health problem, which all indications are it won't be at all.

Sebastian Mikhael Blanco

2009-04-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

The little guy is here! Sebastian came in at an astounding 9 POUNDS 9 OUNCES and 21 3/4"! What a cute little guy!!! He was born April 11th, 2009 @ 11:35 AM.

Sebastian Mikhael Blanco is Born!!!!

2009-04-11T10:44:00.001-07:00

7cm and She Needs to Push

2009-04-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

We're not far now. The pushing should be quick...maybe 20-30 minutes away? EXCITING!

OK, Come On Out Baby Boo!

2009-04-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Pitocin is Attached

2009-04-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Michele is being drugged now. In the next half hour we'll hopefully see the contractions increase and hopefully Michele will fly towards 10 centimeters. Grandma and Grandpa Colorado are en route to the hospital with big brother Cedric -- who's wondering where my mommy is :-)

Michele and I have a half hour to just chat and discuss nothing too exciting. Actually, we saw The Big One last night, a 1996 documentary by Michael Moore. You'd think it was about today. The quest for the mighty dollar, baby. *sigh*

Anyway, next update in a little bit!

Pitocin It Is -- Michele is 5 centimeters

2009-04-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

They're going to start injecting Pitocin. Bah. Michele is taking it fine, it's not a huge deal. They are checking her right now.

Nurse says Michele is 5 centimeters. So, she "probably won't need too much."

And if you don't know what 5 centimeters means...ask your mom or something. :-)

Michele Update: Yawn!!

2009-04-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

Nothing to report. Michele's water is broken, but she's not having substatial contractions. It's currently 7:40 PM and the nurses want to give Michele Pitocin if labor doesn't start soon. We want to avoid the drugs, but we have no choice on this one since there's only a relatively small window where you want the water broken without a baby looking up at you. :-/

So, something should be happening soon, one way or the other.

Cedric is doing well at home with his grandparents. Hopefully things start moving here before he decides he needs to test them a little more. ;-)

We'll see you soon, Cedric!!! Just give mommy and daddy a little more time! Enjoy Elmo!!

St. Joseph's Hospital Address

2009-04-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hospital address and info:

1835 Franklin Street
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 837-7111

Waiting in the Delivery Room for the Magic

2009-04-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Pics of Michele in Triage

2009-04-11T03:46:00.000-07:00

This May Take a Bit

2009-04-11T03:39:00.001-07:00

No such luck on the quick-delivery thing. :-) It's funny really, we did all the classes last time for Cedric and then we had the most accelerated, holy-crap-that-was-fast delivery imaginable (she woke up to contractions just past 2 AM, Cedric was born 6:44 AM!). This time around, Michele's water broke in bed (as opposed to in the car last time) but she is barely feeling the contractions and we need to actually walk and stuff to get them going this time.

So, our training was 2 years early, but here we are!

And this time around, my laptop is setup (instead of sitting in the car), so expect more status updates and pics of the process.

Hopefully this won't be too long. Once we can get the contractions heavier, it'll be a breeze. (The man says.)

At Triage

2009-04-11T02:18:00.001-07:00

Michele is having contractions but didn't even know. This may go faster than we thought after all.

Michele's Water Just Broke

2009-04-11T00:56:00.001-07:00

Big time while sleeping. Two minutes and we're ready to leave for hospital!

First Run: We May Be Hospital Bound!

2009-04-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

Michele's water may have broken. It's only barely leaking. She feels a bit fuzzy and has had some contractions, but nothing hurting yet. We've been in touch with the midwives and we're prepping to get ready to go to the hospital. The sure bet is we'll AT LEAST be heading there within the next 12 hours.

Getting exciting!

Beta: Code Cram

2009-04-07T21:33:00.001-07:00

I've been working on a little project for a little while now called Code Cram. I'm actually designing it for a very important customer of mine:

Me.

The goal is to create a system that allows me to easily jump from language to language with minimal "refresh." I also aim to eliminate the language from the competent developer's skill requirements. To become great developers, we need to focus on great design and execution and not spend meaningless brain cycles recalling how to implement the language.

The hope with Code Cram is to build a reference guide that's between a cheatsheet and a book. It's designed for the developer that knows the language already, but because they must go between so many languages, it can get confusing to remember how to perform even some of the simple tasks.

Over the next weeks and months I'll perfecting the ActionScript material on Code Cram and authoring the reference for the other languages. I'd love to hear feedback. So check it out and let me know how it goes. :-)

Origins of ZaBlanc

2009-04-06T09:21:00.001-07:00

The origins of my handle, ZaBlanc, as cross-posted from Square State:

Years ago I was an AOL junkie. I used to ring up big bills doing AOL chat with various online ladies. :-) Because I was on so much, but only worked part-time, I would take advantage of AOL's "Free First Month" promotion a lot.

So, every few months maybe, I'd find a new credit card number (I would solicit various family members) and pick a new name. I'd used NewYorkMetFan, Periscope, and some others. Then, one month, I used TheBlanc.

I liked it, it was a reference to my last name and made me sound mysterious. ;-) The next time around, I changed it a bit and went with ZaBlanc. It's supposed to be TheBlanc, but how maybe a French person would say it.

I loved it and I use it for every site that allows me to to this day.

Another Baby Update

2009-04-03T21:21:00.001-07:00

Michele had her final pre-natal appointment this afternoon and had some contractions afterward. Her whozamawhat is still far back, so the mid-wife said it could be a week, but they really can't predict. Right now, she's just relaxing.

Big snowstorm rolling in to Denver now, though. Tomorrow will be a mess. So we're hoping nothing happens in the next 36 hours. :-)

I will be liveblogging from my cell phone. Hopefully, things go better than last time when Michele was going so quickly I never got a chance to get my computer to the delivery room. See what happened here!

This time, there will be more frequent updates!

Baby Update

2009-04-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

Still not here. 7 days til Michele's due date. Heard from my bro this evening as well, and he's waiting patiently. :-)

In other news, Jay Cutler has been traded to the Chicago Bears. This ends two months of bickering between him and management over previous trade rumors. Ridiculous. Jay needed to go and it's sad.

Good riddance. Hope you had the time of your life. Thanks for the 1st round draft picks, Chicago, and VIVA KYLE ORTON (or Chris Simms)!!!

Rush Lymbough Blanco is Born!

2009-04-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

Proud to announce that early this morning night our second son was born into the world, Rush Lymbough Blanco! He was born at 6:06 AM, weighing in at a lightweight 6 pounds, 6.6 ounces. Mommy and baby are doing fine despite a slight smoker's cough that Rush seems to have.

He's also gaining weight at a troubling rate, wants President Obama to fail, has a wicked addiction to Oxycotin, and has already refused to visit New York. But, all these things are minor as all the nurses insist how clear it he loves America.

:-)

UPDATE: April Fools'! (Uh, yeah).

Earth Hour Tonight!

2009-03-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight, from 8:30-9:30, whatever time zone you're in, participate in Earth Hour by turning off all your electric lights. It's a great cause...and take a gander outside to see who else is participating!

Earth Hour

Cedric DDR'ing!

2009-03-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

My little guy is a budding DDR superstar!

Cedric the Ferocious!

2009-03-27T07:41:00.001-07:00

Cedric trying to scare me back after I tried doing the same thing to him. :-)

Quick Poll: Would you support the American Health Security Act of 2009?

2009-03-27T06:46:00.001-07:00

Some details:

Patients go to any doctor or hospital of their choice.
The program is paid for by combining current sources of government health spending into a single fund with modest new taxes amounting to LESS than what people now pay for insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
Comprehensive benefits, including coverage for dental, mental health, and prescription drugs.... Read More
While federally funded, the program is to be administered by the states.
By eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private, investor-owned insurance industry, along with the burdensome paperwork imposed on physicians, hospitals and other providers, the plan saves at least $400 billion annually - enough money to provide comprehensive, quality care to all.
Community health centers are fully funded, giving the 60 million Americans now living in rural and underserved areas access to care.
Patients would NO LONGER PAY co-pays or deductibles. Everything would be in-network, no need to worry about what doctors will and won't be covered.
Employers would pay less into the system.

Knowing all this, would you support it? No fees, everyone getting coverage, more clinics, virtually no paperwork, cheaper for employers, cheaper for us, free choice of doctors, better coverage for mental illness...would you support it?

Once you've decided, read about The American Health Security Act of 2009.

The Ender Quartet

2009-03-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading the Ender Quarter today. It consists of Ender's Game, which has become an absolute classic in it's own right. Following it were Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind.

I have to say, each book got progressively worse...although, the first two books were indeed great. Nothing, though, can come close to Ender's Game. A must read!

Most upsetting was Children of the Mind. This book was an absolute dud. I found myself even losing attention at parts. The whole book revolved around the meaning of life and a piece of the plot points from the previous two books. Decidedly lame.

My advice is to read the first two books in the series. If you love em both, read Xenocide. But, really, skip the last one. Let's see what it got on Amazon...............

3.5 stars. Blah. Too many.

After the Ender Quartet, Orson Scott Card wrote some others in the same Ender universe. The most interesting of these to me is actually the next one he wrote, Ender's Shadow. This book takes place during the first book, which makes it very appealing.

I think I'll read it at some point, but for now, gonna read some good ole Fantasy!

Incidentally, don't forget my book list. These are all the books I've read in my adult life.

Cedric is Two Years Old!

2009-03-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Michele and Cedric and I enjoyed an evening at the Denver Aquarium to celebrate the little guy's 2nd birthday!

We had a blast! We spent 3 hours roaming around, looking at the fish, sharks, jellies...oh man. We also ate at the restaurant where we got to sit near the giant tank. :-)

Here are some pics. As always, I have all of them on my Facebook. You really should Facebook me if you want to see everything. Blogs are just too cumbersome sometimes. ;-)

A Thought on Republicans Stirring up Populism on AIG

2009-03-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

Not sure what leg they'll have to stand on the issue, what with Glenn Beck and Rush and others supporting the bonuses. One guy, I forget who, on Fox News, said we shouldn't take the bonuses away because it would amount to a tax increase! Seriously. The vocabulary of a Republican frightens me.

Had the Republicans been in charge, they would most likely have made the bonuses mandatory. :-)

Funny how Republicans are all about not rewarding failure, but have no argument with $165 million in bonuses for the biggest corporate failure possibly in history! As long as it doesn't go to a couple welfare queens, huh?

UPDATE: XKCD has a pretty witty cartoon today about the AIG bonuses. I do agree on the number being insignificant, but I still believe that they were inappropriate and should be rolled back.

Anatomy of Contrived Metrics

2009-03-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of the ineptness of the Bush Administration was their determination to frame debates in ways where every situation meant we needed right-wing policy.

Here's a quick example: The Iraq War. When the death count was skyrocketing, it was "proof" we had to stay there to fight those horrible terrorists who were destroying the nation. But, when the death count declined, it was "proof" things were working, so don't mess with a good thing by pulling troops.

Both statements contradict each other. It didn't matter. The point of the game was to win, not to make sense, and it certainly worked for a while. But, we aren't playing a game. So the public turned on them and now, well, Republicans have been wiped.

Obama in.

However, the game isn't changing. In the pre-cursor to the election, the Republicans had so little to go on that they started using the argument that Obama was "too good." We saw the Celebrity ads, calls that he isn't the Messiah, and so on. The argument became, wow, everyone thinks he's so good, so he must be bad.

Even a pair of liberal, city-livin', tree-hugging, and gay friends of mine opposed him. (They'll say they didn't vote for McCain, but it's a lost vote for Obama in a swing state in Colorado.)

Now, the culmination of this lie of an argument takes form. Obama is no messiah. So, when the DOW doesn't skyrocket upon his taking office, he's now being deemed a "failure." Yes, he's being deemed this by idiots who are playing a political game, but that's what we're talking about, the game. Mere weeks into his term, one Republican congressperson is calling for Tim Geithner to resign. Why? The AIG bonuses! Let's ignore the fact that AIG, or whomever, is free to abuse the national trust in any number of ways within the confines of the bailout agreement. Where was Connie Mack during the 7 years of no-bod contracts for Bush's War? Exactly. Nowhere. And let's ignore that Mr. Mack of Florida wouldn't be happy with any of Obama's appointments. The key is to see if these things get remedied. It's not perfect foresight that guides America, but correcting the problem is key.

Obama stepped up big time and now the AIG CEO is voluntarily requesting bonus returns. See? Democracy in action! Not inaction.

Geithner's big problem, though, is that he's a Democrat. And the Republicans repeated refrain of "Obama's Budget" rings as ludicrously as the party itself.

The point of all this is that the Republicans have lost their way because they have no message. They haven't given a Democrat any credit for anything since ~~Bill Clinton~~ ~~Jimmy Carter~~ ~~FDR~~ well I don't know who.

If the Republicans can ever win some power back, they have to gain the trust of the American people. Unfortunately, they think the American people are their base. Well, their base is shrinking every day and their message is so tailored at their batshit-crazy base, it's a complete turnoff to every Independent and Democrat.

Then again, don't confuse me for anyone who feels bad. The country's in a turnaround and we don't them fucking it up anymore. :-)

A.D.D. by System of a Down

2009-03-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

A.D.D. (American Dream Denial)
by System of a Down

we fought your wars with all our hearts
you sent us back in body parts
you took our wills with the truth you stole
we offer prayers for your long lost soul
your remainder is an unjustifiable
egotistical power struggle
at the expense of the american dream
of the american dream
of the american..

we don't give a damn about your world
with all your global profits and
all you're jeweled pearls
we don't give a damn about your world
right now, right now
we don't give a fuck about your world
with all your global profits and
all you're jeweled pearls
we don't give a fuck about your world
right now, right now
right now, right now

there is no flag that is large enough
to hide the shame of a man in cuffs
you switched your signs then
you closed the blinds
you changed the channels and
you changed our minds

you bring about the stink
you bring about the confused
bring about the solution
bring about the future
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/MUqR ]
bring about the conclusion
bring about revolution
bring about revolution

we don't give a damn about your world
with all your global profits and
all you're jeweled pearls
we don't give a damn about your world
right now, right now
we don't give a fuck about your world
with all your global profits and
all you're jeweled pearls
we don't give a fuck about your world
right now, right now
right now, right now
right now, right now
right now, right now

no flag large enough
shame on the men in cuffs
close the blinds

your remainder is an unjustifiable
egotistical power struggle
at the expense of the american dream
of the american dream
of the american..

we don't give a damn about your world
with all your global profits and
all you're jeweled pearls
we don't give a damn about your world
right now, right now
we don't give a fuck about your world
with all your global profits and
all you're jeweled pearls
we don't give a fuck about your world
right now, right now
right now, right now
right now, right now
right now, right n-n-n-now!

Am I Dying?

2009-03-02T11:47:00.001-08:00

No. :-)

But, I've been disturbed by my inability to wake up lately. I believe it's due to extreme burnout at work. I've been on a project for 5 months who's deadline is at least times less than it should. The constant strain is starting to show.

And, now, Michele is up for a good hour before I can crawl out of bed. It's pretty pathetic.

Religulous

2009-03-01T00:27:00.000-08:00

After some crazy DVD drama over the last day, Michele and I finally got to see Religulous, the psuedo-documentary by Bill Maher. I say pseudo- because it's one of these modern-type documentaries where it's not exactly unbiased. Along the lines of Michael Moore and the right-wing whacko jobs...a documentary to make a point. They need a name for these, I don't know if they have one. :-)

ANYWAY.

The documentary, like I said, is by Bill Maher, a well-known agnostic/atheist like myself. He not only doesn't believe in religion, but he goes as far as to say it's dangerous. I usually only go with the former belief, though I can easily see where he's coming from on the danger part.

He visits many sites and talks to many religious leaders, discussing a wide number of religions including Christianity, Judaism. Mormonism, Islam, and Scientology...basically the ones we're most familiar with. The first part of the movie is largely occupied by Christianity and Bill lays on the comedy well. :-)

The pattern through the movie is to set up mini-debates between Bill and the person he interviews. Each interview is thematic and the topic generally revolves around who the person is that he's talking to. The best example is when he talks to the formerly-gay guy who says he never saw gay who's job it is to un-gay gay people. Bill runs rings around these guys, though frankly I think I could defend a religion better than they did.

When was it so bad to simply say, "I don't know." The religious zealots come up with some of the weirdest stuff to defend their beliefs. We commonly see them feel threatened in a way, no doubt because these people don't know how to defend their religion. Though, honestly, they don't really have to. It's a "belief" after all, isn't it?

The movie was enjoyable beyond words. As an agnostic who thinks religion is pretty silly to believe in, I enjoyed seeing someone with the balls to put this movie out, uh, put this movie out. It had to be said.

I highly recommend the movie. Even if you are religious, you might still find it entertaining because you can see the other religions get mocked. Right? You also might learn a little something, too. :-)

Kudos to Maher!

Brodeur is Back!!!!!!!

2009-02-26T20:40:00.000-08:00

Old Time Solves

2009-02-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

I've now beaten Mega Man, Mega Man 2, and Mega Man 3 on the Wii Virtual Console. Too bad Mega Man 4 isn't available yet. I guess it will be time for Mega Man 9 soon. :-)

The Idiot Lady and My Near Death Experience

2009-02-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Nearly died this morning, though that's not unusual in the age of idiot drivers. :-)

So, I commute to work via bus and train. The first leg of my trip is walking from my house to the bus stop across from King Soopers on Ken Caryl. I get to the corner of Ken Caryl and Simms and hit the button to cross. I cross the same way every morning, so I know that when the cars on Simms (going southbound) get the left turning signal, I can start across the street because the cars on Ken Caryl (going westbound) have a red light. You see, so they don't hot the cars turning left, right?

Not so much today.

So, I start walking and take my usual glance to make sure the cars stop. I tend to read while I walk and this morning I just started "Ender's Game," which is a really good book, by the way. :-) I see an SUV in the left lane coming, and go back to my book. A second later, I sense the SUV is not stopping and look up and, sure enough, the lady is going pretty darn fast and I *know* she has a red light even though I didn't stop to look.

So, what do you do in that situation? What does your instinct say?

My instinct said "Turn around and RUN!" And so I did! I turned and ran as fast as possible back to the corner and behind the telephone pole to avoid any debris from the accident which hadn't happened yet. I think the instinct came from my wife's accident years ago...she got hit by a car that had hit another car and pinballed into her while stopped at the corner. So, I know it can happen.

Just as I was getting back to the corner, I hear the screech (oh oh) and then WHAM!! Sure enough, she did hit somebody. It was another lady, and it looked like she knocked her head a bit, too, cause she was holding it when she got out of the car.

I tried to get tot he middle of the intersection to see if everone was OK, but cars were already driving around them and I couldn't get there. (The middle of an intersection was not made to walk to...who knew? Fortunately, a few people who were behind the woman had gotten out to help. Everyone was OK, but the lady who went through the red light is SCREWED.

So, for my wife who always tells me to stop reading while I walk, I say this: "SEE?? I DO PAY ATTENTION!!" ;-)

As for that idiot lady in the SUV...not so much.

Update: It should be pointed out I was ont he corner where the red light was, so I was between that SUV and the intersection where the woman got hit, so I wouldn't have been shielded by the accident, though perhaps that would have been more dangerous if the SUV careened.

I've Finally Read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

2009-02-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

1,009 pages later, I am no longer in the dark about the LOTR trilogy. It took 32 years to get there. :-)

How would I review it. It was OK. Really, an overrated series. I'd rate Harry Potter as a better series, Bartimaeus Trilogy BY FAR a better series...and if you like LOTR, you should totally read Eragon.

But, the books were good, and since there's very little in the way of "mystery" in the books, the movies translate very well. So, I'm looking forward to finally seeing Return of the King now.

Of the three books, Return of the King was probably my favorite. With all books being one big book combined, you end up getting one entire book of climax. I read the final 120 pages yesterday as I was too caught up in things. However, the last 50-70 some odd pages coming after the climax was a bit annoying. Ruffians? What the heck, man? Also, Tolkien inserts several appendicies worth of background info on Middle-Earth.

Seriously...can you say skip it? I did.

For hard-core fantasy fiction readers who really like to feel like the story is real, though, Tokien did something amazing. It's so historically specific, you almost forget what you're reading isn't real. However, if you're not that kind of reader, the books are about twice as long as they need to be. To each his own.

But, now I'm done! It took about 6 weeks to read The Hobbit and all three LOTR ring books. Done!

The Worst Dinner Out Ever and Cedric Meets Cedric

2009-02-01T06:13:00.001-08:00

OK, so every Friday night Michele and I go out for dinner. It's a tradition we started several years ago, and Cedric has done nothing to change it. :-)

This past Friday night, Michele and I, though, had the single worst night out ever. Oh, we've had some bad food (I'm looking at you T.G.I. Friday's), but this was different.

The evening starts out with Michele picking me up at work downtown. She'd gone to the zoo with Cedric and so was nearby. Yippee! No Light Rail needed!

I jump behind the driver's seat and we head off to Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeesecake Factory at the Park Meadows Mall. Yummm! Well, first, some dude nearly hits me when we turned into the same lane at the same time. The Honda has never been so close to imperfection, but after a stressful and trafficy drive all the way south, we were at our favorite restaurant.

We wait around for about 10 minutes, with an edgy Cedric, for the table. We hear a weird noise, but not sure what it is. The waitress comes by and says her usual and then says, "Excuse the noise, but the power is out and we're running on a generator." Oh. Weird. Yeah, so the droning noise is a generator. Uh...OK?

We get some bread (and oh baby it's good) and eventually order. After a while, the waitress comes by and says, "I've just been told that the kitchen is closed. They can't run the equipment. All we're serving is cold food - sandwiches, salads, etc."

NOOOOOOOOOO! I was literally (OK, not literally) *DYING* for the Factory Meatloaf. Uggg! OK, OK. Well, how bad could maybe a turkey sandwich be?

I shoulda thought better. Michele had already ordered a start salad and we'd scarfed bread. We had to stay, right? Well, we shoulda left.

The manager comes by and repeats what was said. Apparently, a transformer had blown outside and a witness reported what sounded like "a gunshot." OK, OK. Let's order the Turkey Club.

So, the waitress comes back and I say, "We'll each have the Turkey Club." Michele does her usual and orders hers with all the good stuff off: lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon. SERIOUSLY, who asks for no bacon?

Michele does. :-P But, I get off track...

So, we're waiting for our new and less than optimal order when the lights suddenly grow dim and a couple of groans come from our right. Apparently, the LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT in the KITCHEN. The TV's went out and these weird emergency lights were trying to come on. They rotated in their cases on the ceiling but had some power trouble. The sound was scary. I was literally waiting for the lights to black out.

I was totally waiting for the waitress to come over and say ixnay on the club-ay, but never happened. Eventually, they brought the sandwich out. Wait? Just one? Yes, the waitress got the order wrong as well. They brought out ONE sandwich, without the stuff Michele didn't want -- but, randomly, TOMATO! Some weird hybrid of an order. Oh, and the bread wasn't toasted.

Yeah, and since I couldn't get fries, I had to get casesar salad. *sigh*

We decided it was just unappetizing enough that we'd just go ahead and have the one sandwich. It was huge, and who was interested in buying another $12 sandwich at this point? It was thoroughly unappetizing.

During the meal, the lights flickered some more and the emergency lights were going in an out. Everyone in the place was constantly looking at the ceiling, prolly with the same idea I had, "When is the ceiling gonna cave in?"

Ambulances and fire engines were showing up, too. What a crappy night. And to top it off, they did nothing to the check. Charged full price. Lame, Cheesecake Factory, LAME!

...

To make up for it, we went out to Toast Saturday morning, the great little breakfast eatery here in Littleton -- hey, we have something! Breakfast was excellent, but we had the most fun when we got the bill. Our waiter's name was Cedric. :-)

Michele told him and he got a kick out of it. They were quick pals. It helped that Cedric smiled at him the whole time, too. :-)

Break Room LIVE!

2009-01-25T07:48:00.001-08:00

In the last week, I've become a fast fan of Break Room LIVE!. The hosts, Marc Maron and Sam Seder, are favorites of mine from back in the olden days of Air America Radio when The Majority Report (Sam Seder) and Morning Sedition (Marc Maron) were my world. :-)

They do an Internet-only show, from Air America, that goes an hour each day -- and it's live on the site at 1 PM. I generally watch the archived stuff since I can't stream at work. And let me tell you, if you don't want to watch full shows, at least watch the skits -- they are brilliant. :-) In fact, it's littered with comedy skits and the show is simply hilarious, while also supplying great progressive news! The show generally goes about 50 minutes, and then they spend 10 minutes in a post-show chat, where listeners can interact with the hosts.

Embedded here is the post-show chat for Jan. 23rd. If you go 6:40 in, you'll hear my IM (ZaBlanc of course).

Don't get my comment, it's a reference to this skit involving Sam's daughter (from a little over a week earlier):

Obama Life, South Beach, and Other Musings

2009-01-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

It's only a few days into the Obama Presidency, and I find I still need to pinch myself. :-) So far, we have Gitmo closing, torture ending (including so-called "harsh negotiations"), and an end to some of these federal bans on abortion funding.

He's had as good a three days as I could have imagined. Hillary got a great welcome at the State Department, and she gave a rousing indication of where she's going to take them. He had some positive calls with Muslim countries. He even spoke some fluent Indonesian with a State worker, haha!

In fact, I will even refuse to say the 4-letter named ex-President on this blog for quite a long while.

Prediction: Obama captures bin Laden in his first term.

...

It's official, Cedric is addicted. Nay, a-d-d-i-c-t-e-d to Elmo. :-) He is very excited to watch Elmo's World videos, at least twice a day, and he absorbs them like a sponge. Either Michele or I try to watch with him, since we don't want to just sit him there...but, man he loves it. :-)

Wow, he's gonna be 2 years old in less than 2 months. Wow. Wow.

...

Today marks the end of a pretty arduous streak of work. One of my clients will take a break (gosh I hope) after the day, and then I can focus on my OTHER client starting Monday. I also have a lot of extra time to put in at the day job. Trying to manage it all, and I think I'm doing a decent job. Yeesh!

...

Today is Day 7 of a reversion to South Beach Phase 1. South Beach is a forever diet. I've been on Phase 3, but it started to get out of control and I was feeling pretty darn flabb-o-rific. So, I reverted to the strict Phase 1 for a while. I'll finish out the week today. I think I've shed about 6 pounds this week. Didn't have too rough a time, either, since my body is used to it. I even had some BBQ this week (but no buns or extra sauce or sides!).

...

OK, guess what? Back to work. Story of my week. :-/

Review Day

2009-01-09T08:54:00.001-08:00

Today is my first review at EUI. I finally get to find out where I stand. The fun starts @ 2:30, Mountain Time. :-)

Update: Good news. I am still employed! HOORAY!!!

History!

2008-12-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

My 2009 New Year's Resolutions

2008-12-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

The last two years have been sketchy in terms of hitting these, but I've hit the important ones. This year, with Baby #2 on the way and my focus on Rapture In Venice, the list becomes lean and mean. No silly stuff. But, I can't hesitate to brag that I am less than a week away from NO FRENCH FRIES IN 2008!

OK, OK, back under control. Now, the lean and mean resolutions for 2009:

Here we go:

1. Acquire three new clients for Rapture In Venice.

I've signed 4 new clients in the last year. This year, I'd like at least 3 more. I scale this number back a bit because I'd also like to get some longer contracts, so this number is realistic.

2. Defeat Josh @ Age 8 on Chessmaster

A month ago I was close to making this resolution obtaining a 1600 rating in chess. However, in the last week, I found a comfort zone with playing Chessmaster and some light study as a way to improve my chess while having fun at the game. So, I'm keeping this resolution focused on single-player competition. No running around to tournaments -- in 2009. :-)

Gosh, how depressing, my goal is to beat a virtual 8-year old?

3. Read Lord of the Rings

OK, this one may be silly. But, I've been reading so many book series' lately, I think it's time to read this one (and enjoyed it). I'm already actively reading The Hobbit, which I've read before back in 2001. Re-reading it cause it just seems like I should. Enjoying it again.

The reason this becomes a resolution is because in 2002, I tried to read Fellowship of the Ring and became dreadfully bored and hated it. Later, I watched the movie and then dated Michele and...well...stopped reading the book. :-)

I'll get through it this time. Besides, I still don't know what happens in the second and third books, haven't seen those movies, so...I have something of interest to read.

4. Create an "Identifying" Application for Rapture In Venice -- via Facebook?

This is an important one. I'd like to make something people use. A lot. I can't expect grandeur, of course, but I'd like something to help identify my company and help bring clients to me.

I'm thinking something on Facebook (adding to the millions already there), something more interesting than the usual minutiae. It also would serve as a platform for PHP, which I'm returning to, and perhaps some AJAX which is something I want to investigate more.

5. Pass the Flex & AIR Certication Test

A couple years ago I had a resolution to get certified in something. At the time, the thinking was PHP. But, I went to Ruby later that year (writing a RoR site) and never got to it.

This year, I'll do it. I want to do it for Effective UI, but it will benefit Rapture In Venice, too. Certification can be more important to clients, and mine are the same.

Flex will be an easy certification as I'm an expert already.

6. Pass the PHP Certification Test

This one will be longer term. I'm no PHP expert. I'm probably not even a PHP intermediate! But, I will harness it through the year and will target a late-Fall certification attempt.

Would be a nice combo, Flex and PHP. No?

7. No Soda in 2009.

This is my "french fry" goal, but for 2009. No. Soda. Michele is making the same promise. Can it be done?

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T19:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I'm on Facebook so much I forget that I need to share these things on my blog. :-) It's also why I blog less than I used to. If you're reading this and you don't feel like you get enough updates on me, find me on Facebook. If you search my full name, I'm the first search result. :-D

Today was Christmas and Michele and I had a good day.

First, this morning, we did our ritual stocking stuff (in separate rooms). This year, as opposed to year's past, we had an active little Cedric who wanted to take part. :-) And indeed he did, because last night we played Santa Claus and set up his train set (all glued together) in the living room! It was so fun to see him come down the stairs and see it and he spent the next 45 minutes completely addicted to it. :-)

Michele and I exchanged stockings. I got her a Domo doll, which I was proud of. You know the Domo doll, right? One of these guys:

If you read Fark, you can't help but no one the cute little Japanese critter is. :-) I also got Michele Twilight, the first of the book series everyone seems to love. I'm curious how she'll like it when she starts reading it.

Then, we exchanged gifts. Some notables include:

I got Michele Animal Crossing and Lego Batman for Wii.
Michele gave me framed photos she had done of her and Cedric, very nice!
I got Michele Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Michele got me 1-foot tall statuettes of Mario and Luigi!

Then, we came to the finale gifts. Michele got me the coolest thing, Lego Mindstorms!! I've been curious about this thing for years now. Basically, it's Lego Technic (the less blocky looking legos) with programmable components that allow you to use a computer to give "life" to what you make. As a software developer, this totally gets me going. :-) I'll be playing with this thing for a while. I'll start tinkering tomorrow, can't wait!!

For Michele, I surprised her pretty darn good by getting her a new computer -- an iMac! It's our first Mac. I fell in love with Mac because my company gives us one, and now we have our first. Michele's laptop PC (we bought 5 years ago) was really showing it's age. It was spousal abuse to force her to use it, really. The new iMac BLAZES and she loves it. Very happy!

Afterwards, we tidied up things in the house, had french toast for breakfast, and then Michele made cookies while I went on a walk with Cedric. At 1:30, we went to her parents' house for Christmas. There, we had a good time, and her mom made a DELICIOUS chicken cacciatori dinner! OMG! Then, we exchanged gifts (no comment) and had dessert before heading back home.

This evening, we tidied up even more (after all the stuff we brought home) and Michele got to know her iMac (setting up iTunes and the like) while I, well, played a game of chess and updated this blog. :-)

Oh, and BTW, we finished finding all 160 gold bricks in Lego Star Wars. Took 60 hours of playtime. Wow! Got the last one today, though we finally had to inquire with the strategy guide. Apparently, on Hoth, you need lasso the ST's, even though a couple shots kill them. Not sure how they expected anyone to even think of that one. LAME.

OK, well, Christmas has come to a close. I'm gonna retire to bed and read The Hobbit (see my resolutions next week). Tomorrow, we'll do some shopping.

Hope y'all had fun, too!!!!!!

Some Thing To Remember About PHP

2008-12-23T08:17:00.000-08:00

I've been messing with PHP lately, and there's definitely been things to get used to. Here are some points to keep in mind if you have a history with out high-level languages:

PHP is object oriented, but the API is still largely function-based. So, getting the size of an array is done with count($array) and not $array.length. Functions, functions, functions...but much of the time it's probably preferable.
Regular expressions aren't native. Bah. So, use preg_match("/myregexp/", $string) rather than $string =~ /myregexp/. Dissapointing. Also, why the preg? It reads pregnant to me.
Instead of $string.split(), use explode($string). And, since we're using so many functions, you have to remember argument order too. And, no, it's not explode($string, $separator) -- it's the opposite. If you get back your separator, you did it the wrong way. :-)
PHP has simpler methods for most everything as compared to, say, Ruby. So, it's simple to create directories with functions like mkdir($path). You can even call it as @mkdir($path) to suppress duplicate directory warnings. As opposed to Ruby, where you have to actually wrap that statement in a begin/rescue.
Here's my biggest obstacle: The string concatenation operator is dot (.), not plus (+). This gets me a lot, though I'm getting used to it now. It once caused me a few hours of debugging when I was converting a Java program to PHP. In my mind, I convince myself it's better -- less ambiguous with mathematical addition -- but, since every other language uses plus...it gets me.

A 2008 Review: Part 2 (Resolutions)

2008-12-21T09:10:00.001-08:00

And now, to review my 2008 resolutions! Here we go:

1. Stay in better touch with my extended family.

I could have done a lot better here. I didn't do what I wanted. About the only thing I managed to do was send Christmas Cards this year to a lot more extended family. I have addresses and the sort. Next year, I need to do better.

2. Become a Rubyist -- comfortable scripting with Ruby like a spoken language.

Again, I improved. However, as the year comes to an end, I've declared -- PHP wins! See my 2009 resolutions for more info.

However, I did make inroads with Ruby. I started a Facebook application written in Ruby, the Facebooker module, and I also used Ruby on an independent project called Bartimaeus, that I did with EffectiveUI.

So, there! But, no, not a Rubyist.

3. Rebuild my chess foundation and participate in the 2008 Winter Springs Open.

No. However, I got back on the chess wagon at the tail end this year and am planning on participating in a tournament in early, early January. So, almost. Just a month late. :-)

4. Win a game of chess blindfolded.

HAHAHAHAHHA...no. Nor do I have aspirations anymore. I will be climbing the chess ladder in 2009, but I;m keeping my goals in check, and this isn't one of them................yet. :-)

5. Volunteer for a political campaign.

I volunteered for Obama in the Colorado primary, doing phone banking. Otherwise, donated a lot of money. So, yes? :-)

6. Find at least one new client for Rapture In Venice.

Did it!! I found 3 new ones! They are now proudly listed over at Rapture In Venice! And I hope to find more this year as some of my former clients have come back for more work, it's getting easier to run RIV not having to find people constantly.

7. Build the Rapture In Venice Web site.

Done! See, I just referred you in the previous resolution! Click there!

8. Strength training.

Whatever.

9. Marry my pedometer; wear it every single day.

I wore it ZERO days of the year. Screw the pedometer. :-)

10. No french fries. No potato chips.

Would you believe? I DID IT!!!!!!!! I have gone the whole year without eating a single french fry or potato chip. Pretty proud of this one. I made one exception, on our trip to New York, I had Nathan's fries. Just shared a serving with Michele, so not very many. Nathan's is only in New York, so it was OK. No potato chips either. One time, I instinctively grabbed one at a party, but luckily Michele was there to say, "You're not supposed to eat those!" and I hadn't yet chewed and was able to spit it out into the garbage.

Awesome.

...

So, not terrible, not good really either. I nailed the important resolutions, and did horribly on the not-so-important ones.

I'll do better in 2009. I'll make that my first resolution even. :-D

A 2008 Review: Part 1

2008-12-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

Every year, at the end of the year, I like to review my resolutions and see what I accomplished and didn't accomplish.

This year I do it in two parts because I had a bonus post last year predicting 2008 might be the best year ever. Here are my comments on that:

Hmmm, maybe the impossible question, but 2008 will be one heck of a year if your name is John Edward Blanco Jr. :-)

First, there is the Presidential race. I'm for Barack Obama in case you've never met me. :-) I hope to do some volunteer work for the campaign, and I hope the campaign is still going by Novemeber. ;-) OBAMA '08!

OBAMA DID WIN!!!! I did a little bit of volunteering, phone calls as the Colorado primary approached. After that, Cedric and the side work I had to do (to keep up with the economy) took over. However, I did enough evangelism, donating (the most I've ever donated to a candidate), and T-shirt billboarding to keep me satisfied -- and we won it big!!

Second, there is the US Senate race to replace the old do-nothing, Wayne Allard. Mark Udall is the Dem candidate and I appreciate and support him. UDALL '08!

UDALL DID WIN!!!! Though, sadly, and admittedly, I did not donate to Udall. I just had too much money going to Obama. But, he won anyway and my gamble paid off. ;-)

Third, Cedric turns 1 year old, and it will be super fun to see him starting to really grow up. :-) I look forward to all the new things you can do with a 1-year-old!

And a year later, what fun we had! Cedric really interacts now, and we have lots of fun throwing the ball back and forth with each other and teaching him new things. :-) Looking forward to another year -- and Baby Boo #2 is on the way -- due April 10!

Fourth, I look forward to re-shaping my physical well-being. I have mentioned specifics in my 2008 resolutions, so I don't need to detail it here. 2007 was a flabby year. :-)

Uhhh, yeah. Actually, I did. Then, well, got so busy. Still working on toning up. Wii Fit helped for a while. I also got back to DDR. But, so busy busy busy. it's no excuse.

Fifth, I look forward to getting back to chess. It's been a long time. I'll really look forward to sharing it with Cedric when he gets a little older!

I'm on my way. I started the year getting back to chess, and ended it that way as I prepare for my return tournament in January. But, in between, I focused on Rapture In Venice only. So, I'm happy with it.

Sixth, my new job at EUI will really begin to change me as a developer (and already has). I look forward to seeing where I'll be on New Years '09!

And it has! Loving EUI! I'm a much stronger developer as I've been freed from 4 years of forced labor at Fiserv!!! ;-) Creativity returned!

...

Was it the best year ever? I don't know, maybe. My brother-in-law died of brain cancer this year. Also, the economy really sucked -- even though Michele and I have done well thanks to Rapture In Venice really starting to take off -- I acquired 4 new clients this year. :-)

So, it was a mixed year. Great professionally, heartbreaking family-wise. There will always be ups and downs. Michele, and Cedric, and I are healthy and happy at years end, and that's the most important.

To 2009!

I'm Going to Read Tolkien

2008-12-20T06:36:00.000-08:00

After reading through so many trilogies and other book series...Harry Potter, Golden Compass, Eragon, The Bartimaeus Trilogy...there is one trilogy I haven't read that I've decided to for 2009:

The Lord of the Rings

Yes, I'll read it. If you don't know, I've read The Hobbit (and liked it), but when I tried to read the first book in the series, Fellowship, I was generally bored. In fact, fun trivia, I met Michele while I was reading it back in 2002. On one of our early dates, I scrapped the book and we watched the movie instead. Never got back to it, and in fact, disliked the book so much I gave it away to someone.

Well, now, I'm a lot more well-read on fantasy books, so I'm gonna give it another shot. We'll see how it goes. I start Monday. :-)

Oldie But Damn Goodie

2008-12-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

I never got around to posting this here, but Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on the Prop 8 Vote is breath-taking and a must-watch.

O Christmas Tree by The (Mii) Blancos

2008-12-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

If you own a Wii, you owe it to yourself to go out and buy Wii Music. :-) What a thoroughly enjoyable game! Michele and I got it last week and we've been toying with it just about every night.

The video above is an early Christmas gift to my family. :-) My mom and dad, sisters Pam and Susan, and my brother Mike. I layered 6 performances on top of one another, all done by me, to form a Christmas classic.

If you own Wii Music, I'll tell you how it was done. The four handbell parts were done first, one at a time. I used the notes for the "Pop" arrangement. I believe I had Pam do one extra note, somewhere, a little improv. :-) Then, I did my part on bells -- though only after first using my brother on drums. After I finished my bells part, I decided to switch him to bells, too, and re-did his piece. I focused on the bell rattle for him, whereas mine I did a more consistent part. :-)

I think it came out real well. Blancos, hope you like it!

If you're looking for a good Wii Game...

2008-12-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

Michele and I are having an absolute blast with Wii Music. I think this little gem of a game, much hyped by Nintendo but sales have been less than expected, will get more popular over time. What a fun game. The best part, honestly, is being able to replace tracks after many takes so you can perfect your songs. If the game had you try to do it in only one shot, it'd be a mess.

So, we just laid down a great version of Do-Re-Mi...with conga drums, hand clap, flute, bass guitar, and singing. It's a fun time. :-)

I look forward to playing it with the chorus line Fitt family this weekend!

Oooouch. :-(

2008-12-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

I think I broke my toe.

The Indominable K-ROD is a MET!

2008-12-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

So exciting!!! The New York Mets have signed K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez, to be their closer for the next 3 years!!! Love him! One of my favorite players, and now he's mine mine mine. :-D

And, since Michele always asks, I'll say it again here so I can refer her to it when she asks next time, too. They call him K-Rod because K means Strikeout in baseball statistics. He strikes out a lot of guys, and he got the nickname when he was a rookie with the Angels and he was so good he mauled the Yankees and helped eliminate them in the first round and they went on to win the World Series.

Remember it.

Cause K-Rod is a Met!

Don't Ya Hate That?

2008-12-06T12:21:00.001-08:00

I have the funniest story to tell Michele, but I can't, because it has to do with her Christmas present. So, I have to wait 3 weeks to share it with her.

This happens every year.

:-)

Turkey Day!

2008-11-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Turkey Day!

Michele and I are sittin' here cooking. I'm making broccoli, Michele is baking cookies. We're headed over to the in-laws in about an hour. I'm also bringing our Wii...too bad I don't have a second guitar, been playing a lot of Guitar Hero lately. :-)

Speaking of GH...if you are a Wii owner, avoid Guitar Hero: World Tour. The original Guitar Hero III has been graphics, better sound, better scoreboard (you actually see your song scores so you can try to beat them), and frankly, MUCH better music -- though that might just be my taste. Everything is just so much better on the first one. That's why I will be working on mastering the game playing THAT one. ;-)

What else is going on? Let's see. I landed another contract last week, so I've been working some side work lately. This one should be done by Christmas. It's my 5th unique client in a year and 4th in 6 months (which is the timeframe where I've been pushing on Rapture In Venice).

Next year, I'm gonna try to push for bigger contracts. That'll be my resolution for the year. In a few years, who knows...maybe it goes full-time. That's the hope, anyway.

Also, been listening to a lot of System of the Down lately. Great little band, especially the Toxicity album. I may go in for Mesmerize, too.

Another thing that's come up is chess -- again. :-D It happened about a month ago when I had a lot of free time on my hands, though can't remember why for. Rare. Seems like I should remember. And -- I had NOTHING to do. And I realized I needed something to do other than side work.

So, I broke out my favorite hobby. :-) In fact, I am un-retiring from tournament play, too. Long time readers of my blog will remember this tournament. It was my last as a week later I decided to pursue mobile phone development and try to parlay my free time into money. Well, nearly 5 years later, I am doing that. So, now, time to do go back to what I love to go with it.

Now my know my A, B, C's....

2008-11-22T22:18:00.000-08:00

Snuff by Slipknot

2008-11-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

Snuff by Slipknot

Bury all your secrets in my skin
Come away with innocence
And leave me with my sins
The air around me still feels like a cage
And love is just a camouflage
For what resembles rage again

So if you love me let me go
And run away before I know
My heart is just too dark to care
I cant destroy what isn't there
Deliver me into my fate
If I'm alone I cannot hate
I don't deserve to have you
My smile was taken long ago
If I can change I hope I never know

I still press your letters to my lips
And cherish them in parts of me that savor every kiss
I couldn't face a life without your light
But all of that was ripped apart...
When you refused to fight

So save your breath I will not hear
I think I made it very clear
You couldn't hate enough to love
Is that supposed to be enough?
I only wish you weren't my friend
Then I could hurt you in the end
I never claimed to be a Saint
My own was banished long ago
It took the death of hope to let you go

So break yourself against my stones
And spit your pity in my soul
You never needed any help
You sold me out to save yourself
And I wont listen to your shame
You ran away you're all the same
Angels lie to keep control
My love was punished long ago
If you still care, don't ever let me know

If you still care, don't ever let me know...

The National Nightmare Is Over!

2008-11-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

BARACK OBAMA -- 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!

One. More. Day!

2008-11-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Election Day and all through the house, Olbermann and Maddow were ready to pounce!

ONE MORE DAY TIL ELECTION DAY! Barack Obama. BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gematria (The Killing Name)

2008-11-03T10:51:00.001-08:00

Gematria (The Killing Name) by Slipknot

12-8-73
that was all I got and now you got me

All I ever really wanted was to take the blame
I will go down in History and not down in Flames
Meningitis / I will survive this / Dry Sockets and a Schizophrenic Crisis
The Time of The Nine has begun
Get out of the way or you will suffer as one

This is so TYPICAL / APOCALYPTICAL
Hanging on abysmal release / Jesus
I don’t need this / Don’t wanna be this
Icon in the Making / My hands are fucking shaking

WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T CARE?
WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T CARE…

Remember / Surrender / The Time is Now
Continue / We’re in you… and we will BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

AMERICA IS A KILLING NAME
IT DOESN’T FEEL OR DISCRIMINATE
LIFE IS JUST A KILLING FIELD
IT’S ALL THAT’S LEFT - NOTHING’S REAL
THROW AWAY YOUR DISPOSABLE PAST
AND FALL APART LIKE A CIGARETTE ASH
WE ARE THE FATAL AND VITAL ONES OF THE WORLD
AND WE WILL BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T CARE?
WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T CARE?

AMERICA IS A KILLING NAME
IT DOESN’T FEEL OR DISCRIMINATE
LIFE IS JUST A KILLING FIELD
IT’S ALL THAT’S LEFT - NOTHING’S REAL
THROW AWAY YOUR DISPOSABLE PAST
AND FALL APART LIKE A CIGARETTE ASH
WE ARE THE FATAL AND VITAL ONES OF THE WORLD
AND WE WILL BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

Down…

WE WILL BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

Feed the Hungry - Feed them shit
Feed them BONES and POLITICS
You wanna revolutionize?
Be specific and believe your eyes
Start a war in another backyard
And we’ll destroy your house of cards
Give me a minute and I’ll change your mind
Give me a bullet and I’ll change your life

Remember / Surrender / The Time is Now
Continue / We’re in you…
And we will BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

AMERICA IS A KILLING NAME
IT DOESN’T FEEL OR DISCRIMINATE
LIFE IS JUST A KILLING FIELD
IT’S ALL THAT’S LEFT - NOTHING’S REAL
THROW AWAY YOUR DISPOSABLE PAST
AND FALL APART LIKE A CIGARETTE ASH
WE ARE THE FATAL AND VITAL ONES OF THE WORLD
AND WE WILL BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

WE WILL BURN YOUR CITIES DOWN

DOWN...

America… what if “God” doesn’t care?

Vote NO on Prop 8 (California)

2008-10-31T10:57:00.001-07:00

I'm no fan of Samuel L. Jackson as an actor, but he is part of a really great ad against Prop 8, in California, which is an attempt to ban same-sex marriage -- and likely one of the most important amendments on Election Day, no matter where you live.

Powerful ad. Powerful.

This is What Facebook Obama Supporters Look Like!

2008-10-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

Love it.

Memories

2008-10-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Doesn't it feel like forever ago when people said Obama couldn't win the blue states and then they said he was gonna lose because of his VP pick and should have picked Hillary?

Now, McCain could lose up to 11 red states, and one of the biggest problems he has is his VP pick.

Funny.

The Truth of Bill Ayers

2008-10-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Politics is all about creative word selection. When asked about his nasty ad campaign and smearish robo-calls, John McCain, quite correctly, says:

They are 100% accurate.

And indeed they are. The problem is, they aren't the truth. It's called word play. Here's the talking points the Republicans always use:

Bill Ayers is an unrepentant domestic terrorist who bombed the Capitol and Pentagon and who's group has killed Americans.

Oh, where to start. Well, let's look at the facts:

Bill Ayers was a domestic terrorist.
Bill Ayers is unrepentant.
Bill Ayers bombed the Capitol and Pentagon.
Bill Ayers' group, the Weather Underground, killed people.

So, why doesn't it matter?

It doesn't matter because what McCain wants you to believe isn't true. First, Bill Ayers was never considered a "terrorist." The acts he was responsible for had no goals of killing people, let alone Americans. Terrorism is about intent to harm innocent citizens as an alternative to amassing a large army.

The Weather Underground was trying to send a message. However, during those few bombings they committed, they made sure NOBODY was around when the bombs went off. That's why, when you heard them say the Pentagon and Capitol were bombed, you probably went, "Really? How come I never heard of that?"

That's because a small bomb went off in a bathroom at the Capitol, and everyone knew it was going to happen and the area was cleared well before. Not exactly 9/11, and not exactly terrorism.

A stupid way to send a message? Sure. And Bill Ayers agrees as such now. He was stupid.

The next part, and it's a biggee, is the term "unrepentant." Yes, he is unrepentnant. But, not about the bombings. He regrets the method they chose. What he DOES NOT regret is the effort to end the Vietnam war. Comflating the two, the Republicans have a very good talking point. However, it's a lie. Here's what he has said:

I've thought about this a lot. Being almost 60, it's impossible to not have lots and lots of regrets about lots and lots of things, but the question of did we do something that was horrendous, awful? ... I don't think so. I think what we did was to respond to a situation that was unconscionable.

...

When I say, 'We didn't do enough,' a lot of people rush to think, 'That must mean, "We didn't bomb enough shit."' But that's not the point at all. It's not a tactical statement, it's an obvious political and ethical statement. In this context, 'we' means 'everyone.'

And more:

We were very careful from the moment of the townhouse on to be sure we weren't going to hurt anybody, and we never did hurt anybody. Whenever we put a bomb in a public space, we had figured out all kinds of ways to put checks and balances on the thing and also to get people away from it, and we were remarkably successful.

The group was doing the bombings in response to the bombings (and killings) of innocents in Vietnam. Funny, the Republicans have no problems letting the deaths of so many innocent Vietnamese go, but a bomb that tries to bring the point home, without killing anyone, makes any Democrat you care to have a conversation with who isn't white a possible terrorist.

Finally, yes, people did die due to the Weather Underground. During a failed bomb construction, three people died. THREE MEMBERS OF THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND. Nobody else died. They killed themselves by accident.

So, there ya go.

The other point to be made here is that NONE OF THIS has anything to do with Barack Obama. This has to do with Bill Ayers. Barack Obama was 7 years old at the time, he never endorsed this, he calls these acts "despicable."

Obama worked with the man on a charity board, all volunteer, to improve inner-city education. Bill Ayers is now a well-respected college professor who uses his brain for the public good, not public fear. He got a second chance in life, and he's made good on it.

And you've never heard of the man til now. Why do we hear about it now? Because it's a convenient ploy to try to win an election by people who are running the sleaziest campaign in American history.

And it's sad.

Ad of the Year

2008-10-17T11:09:00.001-07:00

No question.

Thoughts On The Debate: 2 Weeks, 5 Days To Go!

2008-10-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last night was Obama's best performance, and McCain's worst. That's not to say it was a typical McCain debate. He went on an all-out offensive. But, the reason why all the snap polls broke, overwhelmingly, for Obama was this: Obama calmly, *clearly* refuted McCain's negative talking points.

On Bill Ayers, Obama made it clear what their relationship was, that he finds Ayers acts (when Obama was 8 years old) disgusting, and that Ayers is a college professor, well respected in the community, and he worked with him on a charity board to improve inner city education in Chicago. He also gave a simple "It's not true" about the lie that his campaign was launched in Ayers' living room. It's completely false.

On ACORN, Obama clearly articulated what happened to them (they are a victim), and showed that ACRON has nothing to do with the Obama campaign and they are not, despite right-wing faux outrage, an evil organization. (They, are in fact, VERY American.)

In addition, John McCain proved how poor a leader he would be. Given at least a WEEK of preparation time for the debate, he clearly made it a point to bring up "Joe the Plumber" and mentioned him about a dozen times all night. However, despite all this preparation, he failed to get his last name right, hesitating before calling him Jo Wurzelburger instead of calling him by his real name, Joe Wurzelbacher.

Good one.

There's also chatter this morning that ole' Joe is not some uncommitted voter, but in fact a registered Republican who voted in the Republican primaries. Also, his argument is pretty lame and somewhat planted. He argues that he cannot afford to buy the small business he wants because it would put him in a higher tax bracket.

First of all, when your tax bracket goes up, you only pay the higher tax rate on the income you go over into that bracket with. Under Obama's plan, those who make $250K and less will not see a tax increase and in fact most will see a significant tax break as part of the Obama plan to elevate the middle-class.

As a small business owner myself, I know that the money Joe would make OVER $250K would be subject to the higher bracket, but none of the money below it, which would be taxed at the same rate as before. So, let's assume Joe would make $300K a year if he buys the business. What is the increased tax rate? It would go from 36% to 39%. A mere 3% difference.

3% of $50K is $1,500. So, he would have to pay an additional $1,500 of the $300K he would make a year. OMG. This is the difference between buying and not buying the business?

The whole argument is stupid, and it will be known shortly now that it's been made an "issue."

...

In addition, check this out. The mailed is using an ACTUAL PICTURE of Osama bin Laden, air brushing it to give it Obama's face and removing some elements. Not so subliminal advertising and probably the most disgusting attack on Obama this season.

But, they'll still deny they are calling him a terrorist.

OBAMA '08

3 Weeks, 1 Day To Go!

2008-10-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

Cedric Was Projecting :-)

2008-10-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

So, one of those wanna get away moments. Michele and I went to Barnes and Noble last night so I could find some children's books to read. (Yes, with Eragon done, I want more, more more!) I told Michele to just run in there cause she had to use the potty, and so I took Cedric out and walked with him inside after.

We get in, and I turn right down the Popular section. I take a look at a book, and then continue walking and am holding Cedric in my arms when all of a sudden:

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!

Cedric heaves. Oh, it was gross. It really shot out there. :-) Got all over his clothes and my sleeve and all over the B&N floor. I could make out the beets we fed him at White Fence Farm, too. ;-) Yeah, Cedric had a lot of milk yesterday and we decided to let him hold on to it while in the car. When I was taking him out of the car I had noticed he had drank it all, and wondered how much tolerance a young infant has for milk.

Quick trivia, did you know an adult cannot drink a gallon of milk in a sitting? it is physically impossible for your stomach to hold it in.

Weird, huh?

Well, for Cedric, the tolerance is much, much less. And it was gross. Poor staffers had to clean it up. I smelled like vomit for the next hour before we could shower. Mmmm, vomit.

Brisingr Complete

2008-10-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

Just finished Brisingr, the 3rd book in the Eragon series, a few minutes ago. Just like the second book, a great book. I was surprised to find out, as I'm not totally in the loop with Eragon as I was with Harry Potter, that there will be ONE MORE BOOK. I had assumed this was the last.

So, I can't wait for it. :-)

Town Hall Debate Observations

2008-10-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

Last night was a really telling debate between Obama and "that guy." Yeah, you know, that guy. Rude, right? Well, here are my observations:

Obama's talk about "I don't understand" was brilliant. "You're right, I don't understand. I don't understand how we could invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11..."
Obama's discussion of how his mother, dying in the hospital from cancer, had to fight with insurance companies from her room. It was a great moment that I think a looooooooot of Americans can identify with.
At one point during the debate, McCain gives his worn out old tale of how he voted against a "bad" energy bill and, oh yeah, guess who voted for the bill? "That guy," while pointing at Barack. Extremely rude and it's getting a lot of air time this morning. (And the argument is an old one, Obama reluctantly voted for the bill because of unprecedented monies the Democrats were able to negotiate into the bill for alternative energy initiatives...and then he fought to rescind the bad stuff.)
John McCain attacked Barack Obama's "fines for small businesses that don't provide healthcare and Obama never says how much the fine is." This was laughable, and Barack's response was to declare that there were no fines for small businesses and after his 2 minute talk McCain jumped up and embarrassingly asked, "Did you hear how much that fine was??" Uh. Yeah, we did.
John McCain was asked a question about how he'd prioritize Education, Health Care, and Energy. When Brokaw called on him, he responded, "Ummm, what were those three again?" And then as Tom said them again slowly, McCain could be seen writing them down as he went along. Senile and odd.
Barack Obama discussed for a couple minutes health care and explained how McCain's plan included a $5,000 tax credit...but what McCain doesn't say is that we'd be TAXED on our health care for the first time ever and that money would have to be used to cover the costs. He lambasted the plan. It was great. Then, in McCain's response, he refuted nothing and then gloated about his $5,000 tax credit, forgetting Obama's grilling of it. Point, Obama.
McCain talked about "freezing spending" on the same night he talked about the government BUYING UP mortgages!
At the end of the debate, there is a really awkward moment where Obama goes to shake McCain's hand, McCain backs off, and Cindy does. Very strange. What the hell was it?
The moment I laughed at the most is when Obama went through a little phrasing where he said, "McCain says I'm green [sic] behind the ears and, uh, I don't understand..." and McCain decides to interject and say "Thank you!" and smiles and moves forward into the rotunda and at that moment Obama STRIKES with ... well, watch the video. :-) It was just a wanna get away moment. :-)

Bottom line, if you support Obama, last night was Halloween candy come early. Arthur, you had nothing to be worried about. :-)

Obama was declared winner by all snap polls and even Republican pundits!

Cindy Who?

2008-10-07T15:53:00.001-07:00

Cindy McCain said this today in what has to be the most reversed, mind-blowing thing I've read in years:

Cindy McCain: Obama Waging 'The Dirtiest Campaign In U.S. History'

What is Cindy's last name? Luckett? I thought it was McCain. These people are so out of their mind.

Here's a Thought

2008-10-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

We don't seem to hear from the PUMA's anymore. I'll assume they came to their senses. I wonder how many of them are seeing Barack put up a fight the likes of which Gore or Kerry failed to do.

Orchestrating a landslide against John McCain? Even the most hardened Hillary supporters must be giving their due.

Fiona Apple Trivia

2008-10-06T13:03:00.001-07:00

Just a fun note. Fiona Apple's second CD, commonly knows as "When The Pawn," actually has a much longer title. On the cover you see it, a poem that she wrote, which according to Wikipedia, was in response to a bad review of her groundbreaking debut, Tidal. The title of the album is actually:

WHEN THE PAWN hits the conflicts he thinks like a king
What he knows throws the blows when he goes to the fight
And he'll win the whole thing before he enters the ring
There's no body to batter when your mind is your might
So when you go solo, you hold your own hand
And remember that depth is the greatest of heights
And if you know where you stand, then you know where to land
And if you fall it won't matter, cuz you'll know that you're right

- Fiona Apple

I've always liked it, especially the last two lines. That, and it's a chess reference. :-)

I am a Cholinergic Urticaria Sufferer

2008-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Weep for me.

Tuesday Morning News

2008-09-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

I have to pee. But, I have to hold it.

Starting a new life insurance policy this week. Weird, they actually come and test you. :-) So, I need to pee in 2 hours. So, I'll hold it.

Entertaining ourselves by reading email responses from the Adventure Club. We let them know Michele's little secret and so here it is:

Michele is Pregnant! :-D

Yep, #2 is coming. Due date is April 10th. Cedric will have a sibling. And yes, just one. It's not twins. :-)

The Mets Are Giving Me An Anyeurism

2008-09-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm a Mets fan.

These last two weeks have been torturous. It's doubly so because of last year's debacle. The Mets bullpen has downright stinky. The team hasn't had a day off in 2 weeks and everyone needs a mental health day.

Somehow, we managed a comeback against the Cubs tonight to get out of the 4-game series split. That's amazing. What's more amazing that if not for the heartbreaking loss last night (Daniel Murphy was stranded on 3rd after a leadoff triple in the bottom of the 9th and we lost in extras), we could had 3 of 4.

As it stands, we did give up the game lead we had on the Brewers and so we go into the final 3-0 game series as follows:

Phillies host the Nationals and have a 1-game lead on the Mets for the NL East
Mets host the Marlins and are 1-game back of the Phillies and tied with the Brewers for the Wild Card.
Brewers host the Cubs (by far the toughest opponent of the three) and are tied with the Mets for the Wild Card.

On paper, you'd expect the Cubs would pound the Brewers and the Mets and Phillies would make it to the playoffs. Of course, THIS AIN'T PAPER and the Mets have played like dog crap lately. I hope, hope, hope the Phils slip and the Mets can win a title...likely with a celebration on the home field. Would make for good memories and give me some good baseball to watch. :-) But, I'm thankful we stole a win tonight and I just get to enjoy the next few games.

Though, a certain DEBATE will interrupt me tomorrow night. That is, if chicken-boy McCain even shows.

Sometimes These Things Write Themselves

2008-09-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

I jest you not:

Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter and member of the Democratic National Committee’s Platform Committee, will endorse John McCain for president on Wednesday, her spokesman tells CNN.

“This is a hard decision for me personally because frankly I don't like him,” she said of Obama in an interview with CNN’s Joe Johns. “I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him.”

Forester is the CEO of EL Rothschild, a holding company with businesses around the world. She is married to international banker Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. Forester is a member of the DNC’s Democrats Abroad chapter and splits her time living in London and New York.

So, here's this woman named Lynn Forester de Rothschild. No one knows who she is, really -- or cares. She marries a guy from whom she appends their last name. The guy is named Sir Evelyn. Yes, this guy. She's the CEO of a company that just so happens to be named after her husband and her -- yes, named after them. She lives in both London and New York.

And this woman, whom nobody cares about, is calling a press conference to declare that she is endorsing John McCain. The first question from the press will likely be, "Ummm, who are you again?"

But a man named Barack Obama, whom until just a few years ago when his books sold really well, was just your average joe -- HE is the elitist.

Well, OK then. Whatever floats your yacht.

What the HELL is wrong with John McCain???

2008-09-13T23:08:00.001-07:00

The man is now a pathalogical liar. Obama is right, he'd rather lose his integrity than lose an election. Look at this latest madness:

Meanwhile, McCain's campaign said a new Spanish language ad set to air in battleground states blames Obama and Senate Democrats for the failure of attempts to overhaul the nation's immigration laws.

"Obama and his congressional allies say they are on the side of immigrants. But are they?" asks the announcer in the 30-second spot, "Which Side Are They On?"

"The press reports that their efforts were 'poison pills' that made immigration reform fail," he continues. "The result: No guest worker program. No path to citizenship. No secure borders. No reform. Is that being on our side? Obama and his congressional allies ready to block immigration reform, but not ready to lead." Watch the ad

But Obama and McCain cast identical votes in the major congressional showdowns on the issue last year.

Both men cast votes in favor of an unsuccessful early June effort to end a filibuster. Later that month, they voted again to end debate on the issue -- but again failed to shut down the filibuster effort, led for the most part by Republican senators.

No shit. Don't you remember? McCain was the MAVERICK that bucked his party on immigration reform. So, now he blames OBAMA??? Out of his mind he is.

Oh, and by the way, he says he opposes his own legislation now.

Obama in Pueblo!

2008-09-13T09:11:00.001-07:00

Michele and I are going down to Pueblo, Monday, to Barack at a rally! Sweet!

Finally, the Obvious: Sarah Palin Isn't Qualified

2008-09-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'm surprised, I figured this Charlie Gibson interview would be a designed cakewalk. After all, the media is fighting for the first interview. Can you believe she hasn't been frickin' interviewed yet??? Jesus Christ.

So, here ya go:

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - John McCain running mate Sarah Palin sought Thursday to defend her qualifications but struggled with foreign policy, unable to describe President Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against threatening nations and acknowledging she's never met a foreign head of state.
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The Republican vice presidential nominee told Charles Gibson of ABC News in her first televised interview since being named to the GOP ticket that "I'm ready" to be president if called upon. However, she sidestepped on whether she had the national security credentials needed to be commander in chief.

Palin, 44, has been Alaska's governor for less than two years and before that was a small-town mayor. She was McCain's surprise selection for the No. 2 slot on the ticket, raising questions about her readiness to serve in the White House, particularly during wartime.

McCain has defended her qualifications, citing her command of the Alaska National Guard and Alaska's proximity to Russia.

That bit about Alaska's proximity to Russia as a QUALIFICATION always makes me laugh. I guess they think if they keep saying it, people will just believe it. It just makes my sides hurt cause I laugh at it more and more. :-)

She's not qualified. Any idiot can tell you that. Now, can we stop with American Idol and get back to the Presidential Election???

What's Simple Math for a Good Headline?

2008-09-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

Our nation's news media continuing to be pathetic:

NBC/WSJ Poll: '08 race turns into a dead heat

So, it's tied, right? Wrong:

Obama holds a narrow one-point lead over McCain (47-46 percent)

That is not a dead heat. Very close? Certainly! But, a dead heat means a dead heat. But, it wouldn't be good for their Sarah-Palin-is-A-Goddess-Even-If-She-Lies-Every-Damn-Day-About-Her-Flimsy-At-Best-Record narrative.

I feel good, overall. I'm so sick of the Palin/McCain ticket (that's what it is) at this point, but I know that Obama's lead will rise once any sort of facts come out about her pathetic platform is: against stem cell research, doesn't know much about Iraq, can't say what a VP does, pro-earmark, pro-crony, charge the taxpayers for staying at home, irresponsible parent, and DUI husband.

Now I Know Why I'm Not Catholic Anymore

2008-09-09T19:15:00.001-07:00

Seems some Catholic Bishops took offense to Joe Biden's assertion that the definition of when life begins is an opinion:

Asked on the program about when life begins, Biden said: "Look, I know when it begins for me. It's a personal and private issue. For me, as a Roman Catholic, I am prepared to accept the teachings in my church."

He added that while he believes life begins "at the moment of conception," it would inappropriate to impose that view on others in a pluralistic society.

The bishops said Biden was right to say human life begins at conception. But the church "does not teach this as matter of faith; it acknowledges it as a matter of objective fact," they said.

"Protection of innocent human life is not an imposition of personal religious conviction but a demand of justice," they added.

Fuck that. I'm looking at my 17-month old son. I remember when he was 1. I remember when he was just born. I remember when he was kicking inside his mommy's belly. But, I don't really acknowledge when the sperm combined with the egg to form a super cell in mommy's uterus. I'm sorry, I just don't keep more than one ultrasound picture around, and that was many weeks after.

Life is one thing. Life begins after conception, of course. But, it's not a child. Give me a break.

My Thoughts on Sarah Palin

2008-09-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

Over the last 10 days, the McCain campaign has executed brilliantly on selecting a virtual unknown, Sarah Palin, for VP and then *carefully* selling her as a brand. They've kept her away from the media, equipped her with a speech she is repeating at every campaign stop, and hardcore social conservatives love her.

What's my opinion? She's the worst VP candidate in American history and a world-class fraud.

If you watched Palin's nomination speech, or acceptance speech at the RNC, you may know 2 things: (1) It was practically the same speech and (2) All her other speeches were the same, too.

Here's where she stands on *every* point:

She says she was against the "Bridge to Nowhere". Bullshit. Not only did she support and fight for it, but she promised she would prevent "the spinmeisters" from turning it into a negative! And not only that, but after Congress ended the earmark, she still spent the existing money on OTHER projects! She not only supported this travesty, she stole our money when we said no!
She says she sold the Governor's jet on eBay. Bullshit. She did try. It didn't sell. She had to sell it privately. McCain actually said that "she actually made a profit!" Bullshit. it lost half a million dollars. On top of that, the plane was actually used half the time to ship Alaskan prisoners to Arizona because Alaska doesn't have enough jails to support the state. And oh by the way, the whole eBay policy was started years before she even became Governor. What a crock of shit.
She mocked the efforts of community organizers. Fraud! Barack Obama spent 3 years as a community organizer FOR HIS CHURCH. As a proud social conservative, Palin is a fraud here. She is trying to score cheap political points at the expense of the proud work of dedicated American citizens. Disgusting.
She claims to be a proud opposer to earmarks. Bullshit. No governor has requested and received more earmark dollars per capita than Sarah Palin. She even wrote a note on one document claiming "We did well!" in response to one award.

A lot of people are excited about Palin right now. McCain has risen in the polls, and in many of them, has overtaken Obama. But, the state polls hold, and even favor Obama more...the problem is that Sarah Palin is icing the southern states. In reality, she's extremely polarizing...and the media, who's still vetting her, is only now starting to make public her murky past.

What a fake. What a fraud. Don't believe the hype.

POW != Presidential Qualification

2008-09-06T11:48:00.001-07:00

An interesting article from a fellow POW of John McCain's. He will not vote for him.

This is What I Believe In

2008-09-05T12:22:00.001-07:00