4.29.2K1 - 20.45
Katherine, I'm afraid. I just want you to know that.
Firefly, I AM curious - who is the pic of in this layout?
Hmm, anime crossover from hell - Those Obnoxious ALIENS - Ripley and the Marines must fight Lum in a tag team match to determine the fate of the world!
And you should all ph33r - I'm filking again. Heads down, people, it'll be the first thing after the midnight archive.
4.29.2K1 - 14.50
Meg-san, it's the post-midnight brain fry effect. I'm like a gremlin, don't let me think after the clock strikes 12, or you may not like what happens. *L* It was just a random Icky Thought, really. Okay, if it's Eriol/Draco, then...Syaoran/Ron? Tomoyo/Hermione? (there'd be at least ONE naturally willing participant) The mind bl33ds. And..."Ickle Master Malfoy". (y'know...Eriol WAS going back to England...)
Dora-san, haven't I given you enough info yet? What else do you want, anti-tank weapons and grenades now? *LOL*
Koo Koo Ka Chu? Is that some sort of insane pokemon? :p The pic's okay, but it's only Sephiroth. :p *notes the song* I am not an atomic playboy! ^_~ I still need to send you the rest of them...
Gen-chan Lives!!! well, she's at *quack*MAFBlad*quack* anyways...
Quiet newsday...hopefully Monday will be more interesting. Sorry for the lack of anything good!
4.29.2K1 - 12.45
NnM-chan...some days it just sucks to hit the power switch.
Say hi to New Jersey for me. *LMAO* Black Heaven IS TOO COOL.
4.29.2K1 - 10.01
Good morning, everyone!
I didn't break it, it sounded funny when I squeaked it in effigy at Mike. So I turned it over, and saw the little metal squeaker part fall into the body of Buddha. (that sounds too weird)
Well, we're one step to Frederik Pohl's Gateway series...gigabit ethernet links now availible for as little as 215 bucks for an 8-port adaptor for a 125 megabytes-per-second link to the core pipes of the internet. Now, if only someone would come up with an Ed browser, I'd be a HAPPY camperperson.
Hen na no...IE dies every time I go to The Register.
Seeing as how the upcoming X-43 tests are gathering attention, here's some info as to just what it is and how it works. Neat stuff. If used, it'll get trans-oceanic flights only - imagine a Mach-10 sonic boom streaking across Europe or the US...unpleasant thought, even from 20 miles up. Still, New York to London in about 45 minutes, and 90 for San Fran to Narita...it's cool.
Watching Cowboy Bebop last night, specifically ep 20 - Pierrot La Fou. The bar Spike is hanging out at in the beginning is C'est La Vie - and, if any of you remember your Bubblegum Crisis, the same name for the bar that Sylia always got her contracts through. Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed team up with (or get hired to bring in) Sylia, Priss, Lina, and Nene. Ed vs. Nene would be a riot (and a cyberpunk nightmare)...Priss vs. Faye would be THE bitchslapcatfight from hell, Jet squares off against (or hits on?) Linna, and Spike takes on Sylia for most quiet/angsty/dark-past character. Could be an interesting fic, anyone feel like scribbling Bubblegum Bebop?
And Meg-san updates, after much begging and pleading ^_^ Totemo kawaii!
Dora-san...what're you planning to do THIS time? *leer*
*debates trying for Sakura-san's contest* Nah, I'll just kick the counter a bit to get it close. Hee. ^_^
Meia-san, every grumpy boy needs his bitch. It's a law of nature, at 1am...
4.28.2K1 - 23.45
Black Heaven is TOO COOL! "Say hi to fuckin New Jersey, asshole" *LMAO*
Watching japanese animation all night, and then suddenly dropping in a perfectly American seiyuu just SCREWS with the brain.
4.28.2K1 - 18.57
*crows* HAH! Arafat orders a forceful end to the mortar attacks against Israeli camps - and also arrested a senior official of Hamas as well. This comes right before a major peace meeting, so maybe he's finally getting serious. Perhaps being faced with someone with the political willpower to kick his ass all the way to the Red Sea made him decide to call things off, or maybe it's something more sinister. Remember, there was 4-5 days that he had completely vanished in - what was he up to? Only the GSS knows for sure, hee hee.
Ragabash, the Squeaky Digital Buddha squeaks no more - I was playing with it today, and it sounded funny...turned it over to see the squeaker and the little metal part fell into it. Now it just huffs and puffs like me on a stairmaster.
4.28.2K1 - 18.05 Kya-chan, I want a copy of the "Sawed Off Boomstick" song! < ^_^ >
Now this is odd. A search query for "drug anime gun". Mmmm, what a combination!
Jim, I'm picking up some chips on the way there (must stop at gas station anyways...) and I'll also grab a 12-pack of DP too. Seeya in 90 or so.
4.28.2K1 - 16.42
Ragabash, remember - guns are evil icky bad things. Yeah, it's a bad sign, but I was surprised they actually carried them. Thankfully the WOW store does still carry all of the different titles (at least every one I know is in print), including that ultra-right-wing-facist-militia-terrorst rag, Soldier Of Fortune. (that's a joke, btw, seriously I love 'em)
4.28.2K1 - 15.04
Caller: Just one quick question...are there any restrictions on sending packages to a prison?
Me: ...
Me: This is just tech support. Call customer service.
P.S. - If anyone has a copy of that song (by Fun Boy Three) I WANT IT.
Suuure, everyone else has good dreams. _I_ get stuck with surfing an airliner down into the ground half the time. Scarily...it's really quite comforting...
Ragabash, personally I'd prefer to use that specific pic rather than just any Tomoyo layout, if Sakura-san colors it in. Partly because it's a little kid with a gun (maybe it'll piss off someone in DC, that's worth it there), partly because the brain wants to write really twisted fanfics from that, partly because Tomoyo IS cute (and I keep running into more similarities with her, which scares me), and not least partly because Sakura-san drew it and I muchly like created stuff from friends (see above). *shrugs* Up to you. Icchan ga dare?
Rebecca, if you a) go and b) get this, yes I'm bringing Spike. That'll wait till later on tho.
4.28.2K1 - 12.43
To all who work in tech support:
PHRASES YOU WISH YOU COULD SAY AT WORK 1. Ahhh, I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.
2. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
3. How about never? Is never good for you?
4. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.
6. I'll try being nicer, if you'll try being smarter.
7. I don't work here, I'm a consultant.
8. It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.
9. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
10. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
11. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
12. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
13. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
14. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean that you're an artist.
15. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
16. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
Tactical uses and definitions of modern firearms, I think, shall be this week's Gun Blog. There are 5 major types of small arms to select - handguns, submachineguns (SMGs), shotguns, battle rifles, precision rifles.
HANDGUNS Handguns are compact, one-handed weapons that are more difficult to shoot, as they are supported only by the arms. They are short-ranged, 50 yards being the maximum effective range. Average handgun bullet speed is fairly low due to relatively small amounts of gunpowder in the case and short barrels (3"-5" normally), and varies around 800-1200 feet per second (fps)*. The lack of aerodynamics ("ball" ammunition is just rounded off in front, and hollowpoints effectively have a parachute in front) slow the round down quickly, and bullet drop (gravity accelerating the round downwards) becomes more pronounced as the handgun round loses its speed. Handguns ARE, however, quite compact and are easily concealed. Handguns are the weapon of choice for normal defensive carry, due to their concealability and lightness they can be carried for many hours without discomfort, and be quickly at hand. SMGs SMGs are small to medium sized weapons that are capable of, sometimes limited to, fully automatic fire. Submachineguns use handgun ammunition, however with longer barrels and shoulder stocks the velocity and accuracy are increased, and effective ranges can reach to 100 or 150 yards when aimed carefully. Submachineguns come in all sizes, from the pistol-sized Glock 18/Beretta 93s, to the larger (and legendary) H&K MP5 series, and even to the relatively enormous Thompson 1927, the first SMG. Tactically, SMGs are used when you know you will be going into combat, like a SWAT unit or VIP bodyguards, their higher firepower than typical handguns being a large plus. SMGs also have a unique role, in that the weapons can be fitted with a sound suppressor and subsonic ammunition, and used by covert combat units to deal with trouble silently. The SMG's burst capability can also be used for suppressive fire, or against large numbers of closely massed targets (though this is not effective at anything beyond very close range). There are some SMGs that use heavier rifle ammunition, in .223 and .308, but these are extremely rare. However, their rifle-scale firepower does make them attractive to military units, since there is often little concern for anything near the target (unlike a police action, which often centers on taking one single target in a group of no-shoots). SHOTGUNS Though debated by some proponents of the .223, shotguns are the ultimate in close-range short combats. While often having a low ammunition capacity (5-8 is the norm, though some can carry 10 rounds), and a low engagement range (25 yards for typical buckshot loads, 100 yards for slug), the shotgun's power lies in its versatility and its massive projectile. The typical 12-gauge shotgun ammunition has a 1 ounce payload, often 2-3 times even the largest typical handgun ammunition (1 oz is 435 grains, versus the 230gr in a solid ball .45 or the 147-grain subsonic 9mm), and this large increase in mass translates into a massive energy dump. Buckshot loads are typically 8-20 balls of .33 to .25 caliber size. The reason for the effectiveness is that with the energy divided up over multiple strikes, the individual pellets will not overpenetrate (go through the target and pose a threat to anything behind it), but rather each transfer 100% of their kinetic energy to the target. Slugs are literally that - a large, 1 oz chunk of lead shaped not at all unlike a shot glass. Shotgun slugs are primarily used for hunting/forest defense, as the penetration is quite high and will stop anything up to VERY large bears (I have seen deformed but intact shotgun slugs that penetrated 51 inches of bear). The pump-action shotgun, with its manually operated cycle that does not require gas pressure, has a very wide choice of payloads - in addition to buckshot and slugs, there are of course bird and target loads (a hundred or more very small, BB-sized pellets), special penetrating slugs (a steel dart encased in the lead), beanbag ammunition, tracers**, explosive slugs**, sirens, firecrackers**, hollow shot, chains, weighted wire bolos, and even metal-flamethrowers**. RIFLES Rifles primarily come in 2 flavors - carbines and rifles. Carbines are shorter, lighter versions of rifles designed to be easier to carry over a long time. Carbines pretty much push the 16" barrel length limit (though safely at 16 1/4"), and as a result are a bit limited in their ranges. Depending on caliber, your average carbine won't be much accurate beyond 300-500 yards. Most carbines are chambered in rifle ammunition, however there are some popular ones using pistol ammunition. Rifles are larger, longer, and can engage targets as far as 800 yards with the heavier calibers. Rifles have much longer barrels (20"-24" is common) and are consequently bulkier, heavier, and slower to wield, but do have the advantage in long-range fights. With modern warfare tending towards short, fast fights, carbines are often preferred over normal rifles due to their lightness and ease of handling. Carbines are also quite good for civilian use, as any extreme-range combat (past 600 yards) would be a very extraordinary situation and is easiest resolved by leaving. PRECISION RIFLES Often called sniper rifles when trying to apply an evil emotion towards firearms, precision rifles have a variety of uses - hunting, target shooting, or sniping. Precision rifles are bolt-action or semiauto (uncommon) shooting (usually) heavier rifle ammunition. With proper cartridge selection (carefully machined jacketed, boat-tailed, spitzer bullets) precision rifles can be used against targets as far as 1500 yards, and some very large (.50 and 20mm) rifles are used against materiel targets as far as 2000-2500 yards. Precision rifles are enjoyable to shoot and very challenging, as there is a lot that goes into the shooting - breath control, hand control, absolute concentration, focus, being able to read the wind, knowing your ballistics by heart, and having a very well tuned rifle. Target shooting is a very popular sport, and can be very enjoyable and rewarding. Hunting as well requires great precision, so that you can take your target with a) a minimum of effort (one shot may take an hour or three to work up to and accomplish, and if it's a miss you may not get a second chance), b) a minimum of pain to the animal (there is no reason to hurt it needlessly), c) a minimum of destruction of the meat and hide (chewing on bullet fragments sucks)***.
*The speed of sound, or Mach 1, is approximately 1050fps.
**DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LOAD THESE YOURSELF! Only purchase over-the-counter, professionally loaded ammunition. Having a pyrotechnic round jam in the barrel or chamber and burst there can lead to SEVERE injury.
***No, I do not hunt. I'm generally of the opinion to follow nature's ways, and not bother the animals unless it's necessary. Bears and deer will get along unless the bear's damn hungry, I'll get along too.
Excerpted from a chatsession this morning...the screen names have been changed to protect the innocent(?).
Sakura: I found an old photo of me from a year ago.
Frank: Can I see?
Sakura: =_=
Frank: I like having pics of friends, Sakura.
...
Holy shit, I AM Tomoyo.
Sakura: *HOWL*
Sakura: XD XD XD
4.28.2K1 - 2.32
That was funky. While posting that last story, Explorer gets caught in a weird loop - first "An Error Has Occurred", followed by BSOD, then it comes back up to the An Error Has Occurred. Clicking close gives you the expected illegal-op, closing that takes you right back to An Error Has Occurred in Explorer. Whee! Clicked ignore about 50-60 times, finally got it cleared and my desktop back, then dropped into netscape. First time I've seen Illegal Operation give an illegal op, thought it was oddly amusing. Off to sleep...
4.28.2K1 - 2.27
Teen injured in Independence, Kentucky after being hit by a car - but he wanted to be hit, and he wasn't committing suicide. Rather, he wanted to be just like those guys on Jackass, thinking they could get on the show. One broken leg later (along with other minor injuries) he hopefully has changed his mind. Is MTV to blame? No, they warn people not to do things like this. All it takes is a little common sense and thinking about things, and perhaps LISTENING TO WARNINGS. And this stunt, or anything similar, had never been shown on Jackass before, so it's not like they were reenacting anything they saw (unlike the two young boys who a: ignored all the warnings on the show, b: ignored all the fire-safety stuff they learned in school, c: ignored any rules or warnings by their parents, and lit themselves on fire because they thought it would be cool and it was professionally done on Jackass).
[Good Morning America's Parenting Contributor Ann Pleshette Murphy] says that adolescent boys are risk-takers, and are often drawn to dangerous behavior at their age.
"The incidence of risk-taking behavior among boys is highest than any other segment of society," she said. "In fact unintentional death rates, that is from bungee-jumping or other high-risk activities is four to five times higher among boys this age than among girls."
And if you try to tell your children not to watch a show like Jackass or try such stunts, they will anyway. She suggests watching the show with your children and teaching them other, healthier options, to releasing some of the pent-up energy they have at that age.
WHOAH! SOMEBODY FUCKIN' GETS IT! Damn, maybe there IS hope for the humans yet. We'll see.
Ragabash - random thought...don't you wish post-natal abortions were legal? I'm just waiting for someone to walk up to you and demand the plane back, I think that would be one of the funniest things I'll see all year. I'll just carefully slip a sword in your hands too, and then go videotape it.
4.27.2K1 - 22.56 Greg, IE 6.0 ain't the only browser that layout blows up in. So how do you like Windows Disgusting?
Crayola, I'm one of those whacko freaks who doesn't watch Survivor 1 or 2. Hell, it's just a game show.
Ragabash, the layout's not bad, just eye-searingly cute after being used to seeing the previous 3...^^
Well, my job is over. If ya'll got questions about guns, just Ask Uncle Frank. Dammit...
4.27.2K1 - 21.01
And Catsy makes a big update too. Tres' cool layout, dude.
Maria, you need any other reason besides "He's just an cruel, sarcastic, bastard..."?
Meia - funny@$$ interpretation of the X/1999 movie. It had a few really wicked spiffy things (like art, and the blond water guy's careful assassination of every sakura petal onscreen when we first meet him)... I agree on the theme, my grandmother died to it.
Meril, oopsie. ^^
G'nite, folks! Maybe more late tonight. Off to the Aladdin to buy Neat Stuff - like...CLOCKS!!! nyahahaha.
4.27.2K1 - 19.48
Ragabash...ow. My eyes hurt...but a cute layout. Will study AL later. Icchan ga dare? And that's what Jim said, so *shrugs* I'll bring the electric clipper.
4.27.2K1 - 19.01
Dora-san: Apple grenade! *hee hee* nice toss. Once we hit a fire sprinkler with a koosh ball here...about 3 seconds of stark terror waiting for the water to spray (this is, I add, a WATER-BASED firefighting system covering several hundred thousand volts of electricity...think about it.
Katherine-san, "trust your government a little less everyu day"...good morning, glad to see you're awake. *grins*
Crayola, I'll get started on Tickle Me Fuuma...probably this monday or tuesday. Tickle Me Dilandau coming later. Must talk to Randy...btw, what is a Kucha?
Alan, I knew about the Overlord list LONG before I fled California. But the sites I had it at have closed, so I had to go find it again.
Firefly-chan, I may have been premature - it's only springtime here (the first day it breaks 90). It's only SUMMAHTIME when it breaks a hundred. But it's TOO FRIGGIN HUMID! I want a plush.
Ragabash, Albertsons now has all-you-can-take AOL CDs, and the Super WalMart on Eastern has has shopping carts full of AOL CDs. Let's see, the Pulse Rifle is being constructed (talked to Kelly today, he's been welding and cutting all week) and might be done by Tuesday. If it is, want me to bring it in to show you? *grins*
My personal favorite of the All Your Base pics - For Great Allah!
4.27.2K1 - 18.23
Sakura-san, yes, I still ph33r. And, MINI-Z!!!
Oooooooh...huge batch of Gundam Toys coming soon, this is a preview of all the summer releases for action figures. And they're affordable - I can have legions at my desk, bwahahaha!
The poor guy next to me has been trying to deal with this guy named Gullum for the last hour. Nassssty little callerses, it is, my preciousss...
4.27.2K1 - 15.51
And a Yahoo search for "anime guns" from Cincinatti gets the 4,000th hit. *feels so loved*
NnM, have fun on your sleepover!
4.27.2K1 - 15.49
Lack of Morning Report due to phone line requirements.
Ragabash, yes for tomorrow. And you have to bring the DVD for Escaflowne - Jim is threatening to shave your head if you don't. (Among other things, I might add) Guy, I assume you read this too now, so you better show up or we're going to watch Escaflowne, DVD 5, without you.
Perhaps a reason for the computer problems aboard Space Station Alfalfa: WinNT Service Pack 7 giving assorted problems to the space station crew. Maybe there really is a Microsoft SpaceStation2000. In space, noone can hear you have a BSOD.
Dipping into USA Today for this summer's big movie list and rough reviews, we have:
Action:
A Knight's Tale - May 11 - will a medieval peasant become a knight so he can joust in the arena? Major pretty-boy action expected, be warned. Why on MY birthday, dammit?
Pearl Harbor - May 25 - Gee, should be obvious what it's about. Lots of exploding CG, and they DID blow up a real destroyer in the making of this film. And anything with warbirds in it, I'm there.
Swordfish - June 8 - Government operative hires hot babe to steal 9 billion dollars from the DEA. Previews look good, lotsa cyberpunky-matrixy-sorta stuff going on, plus some good gunplay.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire - June 8 - Disney flick. Nuff said. Be warned.
Tomb Raider - June 15 - No real plot info given, probably for a reason. I'd expect not much more than big bouncing shoulder holsters from this.
The Fast And The Furious - June 22 - LA rookie cop investigates the street racing underground looking for jewel thieves.
Kiss Of The Dragon - July 6 - Asian spy ends up in Paris, and gets accused of a murder he didn't commit. Must run off and prove innocence. Oh yeah, Jet Li's in it, but not that anyone cares.
The Score - July 13 - Robbery flick with Marlon Brando and a hesitant accomplice. Robert DeNiro. Nothing terribly special beyond world-class acting, no flashy effects, but I'll be there.
Rat Race - August 3 - Vegas casino tycoon (played by none other than John Cleese, Steve Wynn's gonna love this) offers a 2 million dollar prize to whoever wins a race and then must battle it out. Cuba Gooding Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, John Lovitz...expect severe laughs from "Survivor-The Movie".
American Outlaws - August 17 - covering the story of Jesse James, this time with Kathy "Norman's Little Sister" Bates as JJ's dear loving mother. I wouldn't be surprised if more people get killed in one shootout than James actually killed his entire life, but that's Hollywood. Eh.
Apocalypse Now Redux - August 17 - Apocalypse Now, and Now, and Now, and Now...same Vietnam War movie, this time with 53 (yes, fifty-three) extra minutes of footage.
Sci-Fi:
Evolution - June 8 - Alien spaceship crashlands, aliens try to take over, David Duchovny saves the world. Woo?
A.I. - June 29 - Steven Spielberg's new flick, looking at life as a cybernetic organism in a rather unpleasant life - hated by both man and machine, pretty much a who-am-I movie - but it should be quite good, apparently Stanley Kubrick was working on int before he died, and Spielberg has picked it up. Sure, I'll watch it.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - July 13 - NUFF. SAID. Yeah, sure, the plot may bear (no small) resemblance to ALIEN3's original idea, but it still should be good. See previous blogs for comments re: FFtM.
Planet Of The Apes - July 27 - Another remake, this time of an old SF classic that apparently takes major departures from the original. But Tim Burton is doing it, so it can't be ALL bad...can it?
Rollerball - August 17 - Future bloodsports played in arenas of the future, with motorbikes and rollerskates. Yet another remake movie, sounds a little like Survivor: Beyond Thunderdome.
John Carpenter's Ghosts Of Mars - August 24 - Ghosts of martian warriors posess humans and threaten the law, Natasha Henstridge and Ice Cube save the planet.
Skipping the romance section, I already feel pretty sick in the stomach.
Random Original Films:
Shrek - May 18 - A scottish ogre on a quest for something or other. Apparently lots of references and inside jokes for the adults, and a good voice cast (yes, it's animated) - Mike Myers as the ogre, Eddy Murphy, John Lithgow, and Cameron Diaz.
Moulin Rouge - May 18 - Same old story, with new and good faces. Never saw the original.
What's The Worst Thing That Could Happen - June 1 - To answer the question, noone goes to see it? Comedy movie where a burglar gets caught in a billionaire's home, wacky hijinks ensue.
Cats And Dogs - July 4 - Scott Adams was right, the cats really are trying to take over the world. So are the dogs. Lots of CG work for talking animals, big high-tech war between small four legged creatures, and from the trailers it looks HYSTERICALLY funny. I'm there.
Osmosis Jones - August 10 - The There's Something About Mary crew takes on Bill Murray's intestines, animated movie about a white cell and a medicine tablet teaming up to fight viruses. Put down the doobie and step away from the camera.
And, the Gaggle of Sequels:
The Mummy 2 - May 4 - Can ya smell...what the Scorpion King...is cookin!
Dr. Doolittle 2 - June 22 - Save the forest, hook up a lovesick bear.
Baby Boy - June 29 - Boyz N The Hood 2, where the hero has 2 women, 2 babies, and 2 arrests...life sucks in South Central. Eh.
Scary Movie 2 - July 4 - Yet more whacked fun and gross horror movie jokes. What, you went to the first one expecting a plot?
Jurassic Park III - July 20 - The only good question is, which humans are gonna live? Besides, the dinos were cool. Just...ladies and gentlemen, PLEASE do not bring small children to see this - it's not friggin BARNEY, okay?
Rush Hour 2 - August 3 - YYEEEAAAAHHHH. Look for the Vegas action too, apparently they've been filming out here. Chan and Tucker take on another big supercriminal. Personally, I think that Mihoshi'd make a better partner for Chris Tucker...THAT could be fun. Anyone wanna fic it?
American Pie 2 - August 10 - Another slice of the same sticky pie, this time in college life, following the same cast.
Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back - August 10 - The foulmouthed duo take on Mighty Miramax for stealing their comic book characters, keep an eye out for George Carlin's appearance.
Anyone know when the Harry Potter movie opens?
In a discussion regarding batting about silly hairdos, Jim says that everyone's hair has a sound effect, you just need to find it. To paraphrase Gauntlet...Blue Techie needs sleep, badly! Then again he just had eye surgery and no longer has glasses. Damn him.
4.26.2K1 - 21.00 AllYourBase.net is out, cooool! ^_^ hee hee. I still am thinking of getting the AYBABTU license plates for Der Weisspanzer.
Angelica, thanks for the above link. And let's get everyone to distribute documents detailing dihydrogen monoxide. ^_^ I'll work on them when I can, LLAB is stiiiillll being worked on (I'm such a putz)...
Oz-sama updates!!! Sorta. Well, sideways now.
Reading all kinds of new fun. Finished Rama II again. Good book.
Wow, a long story on Japan Today, this one about the new Foreign Minister saying it's time to review US troops in Japan, and wondering if it's still needed. The majority of the article, though, goes on about Japanese relations with China, and how Japan feels that the other nations should back off of Asia's politics. Interesting...
And more debate over revising the Japanese constitution...
4.26.2K1 - 19.35
*dies* Bandai just released a 1/48 scale Zaku II that's remote-controlled - it walks, turns, shoots BBs, and has a WORKING camera-eye that you can watch it move with on the monitor. THAT is spinky. Shame it's 800 bucks...
New Japanese PM making major changes and reforms in his government - the first female foreign minister, plus an unprecendented four other women in cabinet posts. And apparently has seriously dissed the Mighty LDP over in Japan, giving them only two bottom-rung cabinet ministers. Too much of the LDP appears to suffer from a case of serious political inertia, though, and will be fighting him from the inside. A shame that all the wonderful fine institutions that the pollies like are forced to stay running even though the people would prefer to change. Good luck, Koizumi-kun, you'll need it. Just don't forget Gorbachev.
4.26.2K1 - 17.32
Ragabash went home sick just now, and is feeling REALLY bad. So I wouldn't expect him/her to be on later tonight. ^^ Just an FYI...
Ooh! I now have "Israel's Secret Wars" to read, thanks to Guy. ^_^ Waaai!
4.26.2k1 - 16.52
Got someone you're pissed off at? Find their car, and swap their license plate with someone else's that you don't like. Then just wait for them to get a traffic citation, and watch the fun when the plates come back registered to another car.
Well. Back to the Is-It-Life-Or-Not debate. House passes bill making fetal injury illegal. I find it interesting that a doctor can tear a fetus apart with foreceps and it's not murder, but if you happen to kill it (again still in the womb) by striking the mother it is murder. This bill DOES NOT AFFECT the mother - just the fetus. And I'll make my stand here - yes, I am against abortion in most cases. Medical issues, where the life of the mother is threatened, or if the baby has severe deformities and cannot hope to live even a semblance of a normal life(the "two-headed baby" siamese twins that show up now and then, for example) then yes, I would be okay with that. Or in cases of rape that lead to a pregnancy. I DO oppose casual abortions, to "fix a problem". If you were concerned about having a child, there are many steps you can take to avoid it. All sorts of birth-control pills, condoms for men and women, various cremes and jellies, even possible surgery (which can in all but a few cases) be reversed. Yes, a woman has a right to do as she wishes with her body - however, the fetus has its own body. It's a very tight point and a long one of discussion, and one that probably will never end up truly resolved. I believe in personal liberty and freedom so long as it does not severely impact someone else, even if that "someone" breathes amniotic fluid instead of air. I'm just stating my position, I'm not insinuating that anyone is foolish or otherwise. I leave any discussions up to you guys.
Two new designs for nuclear powerplants are in consideration. I'm all for nuclear power - despite what some people think, when properly built and maintained it is QUITE safe. Yes, Three Mile Island did cause a problem, and the Chernobyl explosion was waiting to happen, with the abominable quality control and reactor control under the Russians. Look at every single submarine operating today in the US Navy. Look at all nine (IIRC, Ronald Reagan will be #10) carriers currently in US service. Look at the 103 operating nuclear plants across the rest of the country. No accidents, no deaths from major radiation leakages, and even the technicians who work on them and build them are safe - ask your local bubblehead. And I like the 2nd reactor design, using the smaller spheres of uranium that can't be used to generate weapons-grade bomb material.
And in England, hackers are now officially terrorists. Wonder how long this'll take to spread, and I wonder just what kind of police powers the Tommies have to track "hacker terrorism" - would they legally be able to spy on computers, like the FBI did when they bagged the two Russians?
BWII - Browser War Two beginning to form? Apparently AOL's compiling a list of all of MS IE's various issues, bugs, "features", and anything else they don't like. And they seem to be developing something new, called Komodo - could this be another new entry? They absorbed Netscape, perhaps this is the "New Generation" of browsers to fight the massive hold IE has on the market? Should be interesting...wonder how XP is going to "interact" with AOL now...
Interesting response dealing with the computer problems aboard Alpha. The author of the reply makes a good point - the computer systems may be dated, but at the time they were top end and the programming was written to run fine on them. Many people don't remember the days of tight code, when you had to make EVERYTHING fit on a 1.44mb floppy disk, graphics included (or the old 720kb 5 1/4", or God help you an 8" disk). Tight code IS difficult, and time consuming, but its payoffs are quite large, and with the proper OS & code crew you can run some major programs. Everything's custom-built in orbit, thank god there's no Microsoft Spacestation 2001 out there.
A fellow techie asks a question - why should we defend Taiwan from China? What good does Taiwan do for us? I have my own opines on things, but anyone wanna offer their beliefs...either way? Just a topic idea.
NnM, hee hee. ^_^ Spam me anytime. And read Mote in God's Eye! *poke* Package to be sent monday, expect it sometime next week. *leer* Lack of DP bad.
Ah, we have located the Evil Overlord List - here's the first 100, then 101-200, and 201-231. Truly a good read. My all-time fave is:
142.If I have children and subsequently grandchildren, I will keep my three-year-old granddaughter near me at all times. When the hero enters to kill me, I will ask him to first explain to her why it is necessary to kill her beloved grandpa. When the hero launches into an explanation of morality way over her head, that will be her cue to pull the lever and send him into the pit of crocodiles. After all, small children like crocodiles almost as much as Evil Overlords and it's important to spend quality time with the grandkids.
4.26.2K1 - 10.47
No news this fine morning, just a blog update. News this evening.
It's SUMMAHTIIIIIIME!!!! Hee.
I have hurt Sakura-san. I apologize. But she DOES have the Allen swoosh!
Meg-san, I'm about the size and shape of Chewbacca (though not usually as hairy), a total 2nd-amendment-loving gun freak, very republican/libertarian...about the only similarities Tomoyo and I DO have is cosplay - I (help people) build costumes for others. I GUESS that we're the same about helping friends..no no dame yo do NOT invite favorable comparison. Tomoyo. Ph33r.
Now this is just MESSED UP. The seiyuu for Mousse and Duo Maxwell also played the roles for Dom from Captain Tylor, and Count D from Pet Shop Of Horrors. AND Shinobu-sempai from Greenwood. I'm afraid.
Katherine, okie. I don't draw (for obvious reasons) and so I can't really tell who's hard to and not hard to. Jelouise Kama, on the other hand now, JEY has ALWAYS had a talent...even at 16.
Sakura-san has not seen GalaxyQuest. This error must be rectified.
Firefly, violent huh? Why am I not surprised. Nice plushie, by the way. Damn you've gotten vocal. *L*
Catsy, not true - there is much appreciation for them here, still. *grins* Glad you had fun. We oughtta stage a major Blog Get Together - hotel rates are damn decent here in Vegas from October-March. Get together, let the gun freaks go play (we rent machineguns here if you wanna shoot full-autos, or even just touch one) and get together, hang out, and have fun. Somehow I get the feeling Ragabash would attend in absentia though...
Kristina, from my own personal experience...well, my father's in Florida and I've seen him once since Bush was president - I mean the FIRST one. And I'm glad, too. My mother...wasn't the brightest bulb on the planet, though she tries. It's not the TEACHERS that are the problem (so much), it's the lesson plan. The homeschooling I went through pretty much let you choose your own level to learn - as long as you have parents who give a damn (if they didn't, you wouldn't be homeschooling) then they'll push you. Or you'll push yourself, so you're not bored when you're "in school" (I did). I became INTERESTED in learning - that was my big thing. Going from a 1.X GPA to a 3.8, with harder material, is what made my difference. By the "vocational" education, I still agree that core things (math, english, history, etc) should still be taught, but even at 14 you can see what kids are good at and not good at. And give MORE electives - not just "print shop", "computers" (on 1970s era BRITISH Acorn mini-computers), "metal shop", and "auto shop" like we had at my HS. The brits, from what I understand, test students as they go along, and get spread out into different schools as they pass through the system. Say you have a kid who can't get math very well, but aces history and loves it (like my friend Raquel). Fine, bone them up on more history classes, lighten up the math a bit and avoid the higher stuff, and challenge them on what they WANT to learn. And you're not a parasite - at least you have the guts to buck the system and say HEY ASSHOLE! THIS DOESN'T WORK! Let someone else who might not have spoken up come up with a real solution - after all, the revolution will be televised.
Yeah, I know that a perfect educational system is impossible...but homeschooling comes damn close to adapting a plan for you to fit your own brain.
Meia, if you keep saying the TentHent phrase, it'll keep getting spidered. You need a new computer. try here maybe?
Del, re: the domain name debate going on... "Ask yourself if you will be willing to put a lot of work into it and really make it live up to it's name..." Eggplant-san has "Dead Man's Party" for a domain, and...it worries me greatly.
Meril, Garrison Keillor still uses the pun names and adds new ones now and then. (yes I listen, sue me. Guy Noir is too cool) Xavier O'Nasses is a popular one on PHC. I love the Eva fanfic, by the way.
28 cents of every welfare dollar actually goes to someone recieving it - the other 72 cents gets sucked up into the bureaucracy, paying worker salaries, building things, et cetera. Okay, so 72% of 1.1 TRILLION dollars, or (roughly) eight hundred thousand million dollars falls right back into the government welfare machine. You want to talk about starving seniors and wonder why there's such a medicare problem?
Angelica, I knew about the problem with Dihydrogen Monoxide, but I had forgotten the whole rant. Thank you for posting it. Methinks I'll get some good paper and reconfigure that to an official-looking Public Safety Bulletin and see what fun we can have in Vegas. *grinning*
4.25.2K1 - 23.35
Gen-chan...your day was a suckfest, and I'm sorry. Umm, spot of good news, next week I'll get the HD for Chii-chan and then get DSL prolly 2 weeks after that (it's 300 bucks...)
4.25.2K1 - 21.50
Well, it seems like the guys at the Food Court couldn't resist a stab at China either. Way to go, dudes. ^_^
4.25.2K1 - 20.33
You can't blame them, but oh shit. China apparently is gonna get a lot of hard data on the EP-3E they bagged.
And, is it just me or is CNN's stock market indicator screwy? Down down 65.10. Nasdaq down 37.84, and S&P down 13.32? Amidst all the "Don snaps recent drop" stories, we got a laugh off it at work.
Ragabash, no clue. Haven't heard of anything called Psycho Divers yet, tho it'll prolly come out here soon. Seems to be some sort of artbook (translates as "official capture guide").
4.25.2K1 - 20.18 Sometimes it sucks being really smart... And your school sucks. But don't they all? Spam me then ^_^ if you haven't already, can't check hotmail at work.
And don't download anything from MS, your "security" patches have viruses in them - somehow, the Certified Partners Websites have become infected with the FunLove virus. Gee, this is MS' verified clean and doubleplusgood people to get things from, and the downloads are virus-ridden? Wonder how well this is going to go over when XP ships, with the automatic download of things from those sites. Ooooh yeah, I can see the calls coming in to MS tech support now...
Who needs bubblegum terrorists? Just let the cell phone number changes wreak havoc for you. Heads up, British cellphonies, this one's for you.
Hack the hackers, is it legal? Now the FBI is hacking foreign computers, BEFORE getting warrants, to gain information to prosecute them. Without the cooperation of the foreign country. Hoo, are the Feds getting severly invasive regarding laws and liberty, or what?
4.25.2K1 - 19.12
An update in the lunchbreak expiration dates - now the Pita sandwiches are stamped, no joke, 4/3001. DAMN, that's some preservatives.
NnM...he floats down there! :p That's just nasty...umm, I feel sorry for you, there are BETTER things to get compliments on (wonder if it's the same person)...and I like Razormaid. See you tonight?
Hard to draw...don't you mean he doesn't look like Vicious? :P
4.25.2K1 - 18.47 EXCUSE ME! :P I am not queer, and I like Depeche Mode! *poke*
Ragabash, remember the FCUK store at Desert Passage? I still say it's a shot at the Brits - F(duh) C(zee, the) UK(United Kindom) - tho from who? re: the article on the Golan -
The Japanese on the Golan have earned a reputation among their peers as disciplined soldiers and meticulous planners, prevented from responding quickly to unexpected situations because their every move has to be checked with Tokyo-based officials. "As Canadians we just wing a lot of things," says Lieut. Colonel Bruce Harding, who commands the joint Canadian-Japanese logistics battalion. "The Japanese are much more precise and orderly. You don't want to surprise them with anything."
THAT will get them killed. Any lack of reaction capability makes your acceleration nil, and constantly having to check with headquarters reminds one strongly of the heavily plan-based military structure that doomed the Russians. Further on...
...newspapers were enraged last year when Tokyo's governor, the nationalist Shintaro Ishihara, referred to the Self-Defense Force as a "military." Years ago, children of Japan's 240,000 servicemen and women were bullied by schoolteachers: teachers' unions in Japan are strongly pacifist.
Gee, someone go look up last week's blog about the schoolkid in Louisiana who got suspended for drawing a picture of his hero. The article's interesting, it's mostly a bit of a fluff piece for the Japanese military, but God help them if they get in a shooting war. No plan ever survives contact with the enemy, and the army with the most flexibility and adaptability will reach its goal first.
And another article from that series, why is Japan so steeped in Cyberpunk? Article by Bill Gibson, takes a good, interesting look at Japan since the Meiji. Good read.
4.25.2K1 - 18.10
The Bonsai Kitten is extremely popular here now. At least half the crew ran to go look on their own systems...and the cries of horror coming from some of the *koff*LONI*koff* are quite amusing.
They're starting to crack down on the "illegal web accesses" during the day, so I probably won't post as much until eveningtimes. Gomen...I wanna go back to FIE.
I still can't work on Look Like A Bishounen...*cries* I will tonight, I'll be online, seeya'll then.
And, Sakura-san, Carolyn-san, I am NOT Tomoyo. :p
Woo, I think we have a vague schedule for anime club nights - in no particular order, Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, Gasaraki, Shamanic Princess, Black Heaven, Irresponsible Captain Tylor, and Magic Knight Rayearth.
Ragabash, let's just hope said electric buzzy thing wasn't a shaver. *shudder* Hmm, I wonder if there's gonna be a whitebox over there today. And I've seen those overstacked expiration-date stickers - I fear. I'll stick to cans of coke and snickers bars - those have more preservatives than a jar of formaldehyde.
4.25.2K1 - 9.45
Morning update, woo.
Unmanned airplane crosses pacific under its own guidance. It's got a wingspan bigger than a 737, and has a big enough sensor block to mount EVERYTHING in it. Radar, thermal imaging, video, you name it. This one is capable of flying 1400 miles to a target, loitering for 24 hours, then returning home. Cool stuff.
And the RIAA rears its ugly head again - someone participated in a contest of theirs to crack 4 different encryption schemes, and they did after exiting the contest due to unfair rules. Now, the RIAA is threatening lawsuits and trying to suppress the information, even though they originally made a big ballyhoo about it all. I would have more sympathy for the RIAA's side, if they didn't show themselves to be a group of whiny children who act like a dictatorship when it comes to music.
As expected, the ChiComs are pissed at Bush for letting the arms sale go through, making a strong diplomatic protest and warning relations will suffer. Whoopty-doo. Again, I say that China needs us a helluva lot more than we need them. And just coming down the pipe, the US has pledged military action if China does invade - told you there was a reason that we sold Taiwan offensive ships rather than mere defensive boats. It's implied pretty heavily in the news article, that the US will support Taiwan all the way in case of Chinese agression. Notable quotes regarding military action:
Asked in the ABC interview if Washington had an obligation to defend the Taiwanese in the event of attack by China, Bush said: "Yes, we do . . . and the Chinese must understand that. Yes, I would."
...
During the interview, Bush responded to a question asking if the United States would use "the full force of the American military" by saying he would do "whatever it took to help Taiwan defend herself."
...
Ari Fleischer, White House press secretary, said Bush's comments are "identical" to what he said during the presidential campaign, noting his comments during a debate on March 2, 2000.
"If China decides to use force, the United States must help Taiwan defend itself," then Gov. Bush said. "The Chinese can figure out what that means, but that's going to mean a resolute stand on my part."
And the One-China policy may be changing - officially, Taiwan is recognized as a separate province of China, however they are considered a separate country for many things like arms sales, commerce, etc. Bush wants to end the ambiguity with Taiwan, and I would not be surprised of full diplomatic recognition of Taiwan is soon coming or else is being used to hammer the ChiComs.
Details on the arms sale to Taiwan, again from CNN:
Four 1970s vintage Kidd class destroyers equipped with upgraded radar systems. A senior White House official said the Kidds, available for delivery as early as 2003, would represent a "significant upgrade" to Taiwan's Navy and air defense systems.
Already mentioned these earlier, no need to recomment.
Eight diesel-powered submarines - once Taiwan had the capability to house and operate them. Since the United States no longer makes diesel submarines, Taiwan could choose for the United States to arrange for the purchase through a friendly third country, most likely a European ally, the administration officials said.
Diesel subs do have shorter range than nuclear powered boats, however they also have one big advantage. Nuclear subs always have the plant running, and the noise (however soft) can still be detected, and can never be shut off. Diesel boats, if the sub commander is ballsy enough, can shut EVERYTHING off and play a serious no-be-there, since they make NO noise when shut down, and can be restarted easily enough. Once I hear what types of subs the Taiwanese want, I'll post some data on them.
Up to 12 P-3 Orion subhunting surveillance planes.
Data here, basically a large, 4-propellor airliner with sonobuoys and torpedoes. Designed to listen for and kill subs.
The Palladin(sic) self-propelled artillery system.
Data here, this is nice. Paladin is a 155mm mobile howitzer, and is capable of completely independent operations - no need for massive control facilities to cover the artillery control. Advanced, tough, and with all kinds of technological advances. Artillery would be the first thing used if the ChiComs come knocking...no word on how many they want, but I'd figure at least a battalion's worth.
MH-53E minesweeping helicopters.
Data here, the version that is being sold is far more likely the Sea Dragon compared to the special-ops-capable Pave Low III. Still, a fine minesweeper, and can be easily converted into a cargo/troop transport version carrying 16 tons of cargo, or 55 armed troops. Good buy, the versatility makes them useful, and the minesweeping may become necessary if the ChiComs try to blockade Taiwan.
AAV7A1 amphibious assault vehicles.
Data here, it's interesting that the Taiwanese would want amphibious APCs, unless mixed water-earth terrain is common over there(not having been there...). It's ours, it's old, it's nothing special except a box that hauls dogfaces around.
MK-48 Mod-4 torpedoes, but not the most advanced version.
Data here, however it covers the more advanced ADCAP torpedoes. The Mk48 is still a good torp, though, and it's damned effective.
Submarine-launched and surface-launched Harpoon missiles.
Data here, good, solid internal radar-guided antiship missiles with a 500 pound warhead.
The administration also will give Taiwan a technical briefing on the PAC-3 antimissile defense system under development for the Pentagon; it is an advanced version of current antimissile software. If, after the briefing, Taiwan made a purchase request, the administration would consider whether to approve the sale, a senior official said.
All in all, it's a good, solid arms sale, it'll give us some cash (not a lot, relatively) and it'll seriously help the defenses of our friends on Formosa.
I am not an atomic playboy! hee. Must download more Purple Motion.
4.24.2K1 - 20.51
Hee ^_^ Thank you Katherine. Well...more what I was trying to get at, and this is a blanket statement I think NONE of you will argue with, is that men & women ARE different. In whatever way we are, we are. As for the schools, well SHIT if you could get a lesson plan that enables teachers to teach, and got teachers who GAVE a damn about things, and could pass on that to their students, then you might have something there. But no, we must make the lesson plan all-inclusive (i.e. dumb enough so that noone learns a thing and is bored out of their mind) and maybe start CHALLENGING kids, you might have something. Also - let's get lesson plans that WORK and MEAN something - maybe a sort of filtering system, monitor the students, and assign class plans based on what they are and aren't good at. A REAL college prep sort of thing. And give a student some CHOICE, dammit! At 14, even a hundred years ago, you were considered an adult. So what's changed? Why can't kids say "Yeah, I like X, I wanna focus my life that way". Not this canned, rewritten-history, feel-good, lowest-uncommon-denominator BULLSHIT that students can't grow in. I did the K-8 crap, and 2 1/2 years of HS. Failed most of my classes, but of course got passed along. It was boring crap that I was sick of. Once I got into homeschooling, I started playing with physics (until I broke my brain on relativity stuff) and biology and all kinds of other things. And as for my rather rambling comments re: parents before, I don't blame working moms so much. I more blame the lack of caring, lack of existance parents who don't care about their kids. I'm for one parent staying behind and being with the kid/s, be it mom or dad - since, like I said before, recently things have changed where women have a LOT more opportunity. And, honestly, more power to 'em - as long as SOMEONE is taking care of the kids. Mou, I'll just keep my yap quiet on this and stick to guns and news and anime. *LOL* But I will say this - Homeschooling is the best thing you can do - learn what you want at your own speed, deal with tough things, blow through easy things, and enjoy it.
Speaking of anime, Ragabash, introduced Jimtachi to the first 2 eps of Gasaraki. They like.
Bashbinked? And, no, I'll stick with the Church of the Gun, thank you.
4.24.2K1 - 15.48
Katherine, quite correct. The schools have no small part in the blame, I've ranted on that before ^^; If I EVER have kids, they're getting homeschooled so they turn out properly.
4.24.2K1 - 10.38 Jester, I know how you feel. You have roomies you can get along with, a good situation, you're covering your bills, and you don't live in a dump. Why move? And about said person at work...some people ARE jealous of good, solid families. I do salute you again. *grins*
Meep...umm, back to a previous comment/rant - when I was discussing the differences with men and women, I didn't mean it to be that the women were "weak and weepy". Just that, more so than men, I see women developing much larger social circles, and being more emotionally driven than men in decisions about life. Men ARE emotional, despite what "Worf" would have said, just not as much as women, again from what I see. I'm no professor, just blogging my limited observations. Nice Utena layout, by the way. (ELEPHANTS!!! hahahaaha)
[Justice Sandra Day] O'Connor, writing for the minority, said Atwater's arrest was unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment. It does not make sense for the majority to say both that Atwater's arrest served no state purpose and also to say that it passed constitutional muster, O'Connor wrote.
"Because the court's position is inconsistent with the explicit guarantee of the Fourth Amendment, I dissent," she wrote.
Agreed. The constitution discusses unreasonable search and seizure. The police are allowed to search your car without your permission or arrest you ONLY if there is evidence of the crime. Well...the cop already saw you speeding/whatever. Going inside your vehicle is NOT a legitimate search - what will they find in the vehicle that gives them evidence of speeding? Once they give you the citation, it's over, you're done. This must be reversed, or else it sets a VERY dangerous precedent for the future. The police already can legally monitor your house with a thermal camera, without a search warrant or notification of a judge, now they can arrest you for a mere traffic citation. Sadly, not enough of the Supreme Court appears to believe in personal liberty in this case. This is, I would add, the same Supreme Court that will decide whether it is still legal for police to monitor you with thermal cameras without a warrant (see May 2001 Popular Mechanics, Page 26, bottom right hand side). Stay tuned, and get in touch with your Represenatatives and Senators to enforce the constitution - they do have power over the judicial branch.
