Stopped for dinner and gas in Flag City, outside
Stockton. All is well.
2006-12-22
2006-12-21
Slipped and Fell
While loading my jeep, I slipped, dropped a computer, and whacked my arm as I slid down a flight of stairs. After a quick clean up and first aid, I finished loading the Jeep. Then while my housemates went out for first aid supplies, I took a shower and did some more wound cleaning and decised I probably need a stitch or two. I drove myself down to urgent care and and got two stitches. By the time I got home it was 2 AM!
So I called into the toothbrush factory and let them know that I would be in a bit late. I hoping to still make the drive down to Glendale on schedule.
So I called into the toothbrush factory and let them know that I would be in a bit late. I hoping to still make the drive down to Glendale on schedule.
2006-12-17
Evacuate = Power On
About ten minutes after I packed up and drove out to spend the night with my friends Chris and Gretta, the power came back on.
The power still hasn't been restored at the the toothbrush factory, so I get the day off (with pay I think). It should give me a chance to finish up on the jeep work I wanted to do.
The power still hasn't been restored at the the toothbrush factory, so I get the day off (with pay I think). It should give me a chance to finish up on the jeep work I wanted to do.
2006-12-16
48 Hours Without Power
I gave up and went to Kinkos to check my e-mail and update my blog. My power is still out so no comouters, no Internet and no central heat.
Vaulting practice went okay this morning. Cali was a bit grouchy, and several of out vaulters couldn't make it.
Since the garage is too dark, I haven't been able to get some of the Jeep work done that I had wanted to do. I did get the wiper drive replaced. And despite their not having any power, Les Shawb {spell?} did manage to do the breaks on Friday. I still want to replace the transmission mount before my trip to CA. If the power doesn't come back on until Monday or Tuesday, I may have to delay my departure until late Friday or Saturday.
Vaulting practice went okay this morning. Cali was a bit grouchy, and several of out vaulters couldn't make it.
Since the garage is too dark, I haven't been able to get some of the Jeep work done that I had wanted to do. I did get the wiper drive replaced. And despite their not having any power, Les Shawb {spell?} did manage to do the breaks on Friday. I still want to replace the transmission mount before my trip to CA. If the power doesn't come back on until Monday or Tuesday, I may have to delay my departure until late Friday or Saturday.
2006-12-15
Power Still Out
Wind storm on Thursday knocked out our power about ten
pm. Power has been out now for more then 24 hours.
Only Internet access is my phone. Good thing we like
camping and are well equiped.
2006-12-06
Could an Iraq Pullout Combat Global Warming?
Could a pull out of western troops from Iraq reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus combat global warming? It just might.
I'm not saying that this is necessarily a good idea, as the human costs would be very large. But if the US and other western powers were to pullout of Iraq and let the Middle East fall into a broader regional sectarian war, it would surely drive up the price of oil.
As oil gets more expensive two things happen that are both good from a global warming point of view. First the developed world cuts back on the amount they drive their automobiles, thus quickly and directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Second somewhere around $4/gal USD (0.80 €/l) many alternative energy sources start to become cost competitive. At least this is the case in the US and given the global economy is probably true in most developed and developing countries.
And who's to say that the obsession with martyrdom by at least a portion of Arab culture might not serve humanity well if it can save the entire world from environmental devastation? Would a million or two war causalities be worth while if it saved tens or hundreds of millions of lives from natural disasters like storms, floods, drought and famine?
All that said, I still think the better solution would be to devote 5% of global GDP to space research, development, exploration and expansion. Perhaps by taxing carbon emissions. IMHO we should really be learning to terraform on Mars not Earth and the best long term solution for religious and social oppression is colonization of a fronter not forced democracy.
I'm not saying that this is necessarily a good idea, as the human costs would be very large. But if the US and other western powers were to pullout of Iraq and let the Middle East fall into a broader regional sectarian war, it would surely drive up the price of oil.
As oil gets more expensive two things happen that are both good from a global warming point of view. First the developed world cuts back on the amount they drive their automobiles, thus quickly and directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Second somewhere around $4/gal USD (0.80 €/l) many alternative energy sources start to become cost competitive. At least this is the case in the US and given the global economy is probably true in most developed and developing countries.
And who's to say that the obsession with martyrdom by at least a portion of Arab culture might not serve humanity well if it can save the entire world from environmental devastation? Would a million or two war causalities be worth while if it saved tens or hundreds of millions of lives from natural disasters like storms, floods, drought and famine?
All that said, I still think the better solution would be to devote 5% of global GDP to space research, development, exploration and expansion. Perhaps by taxing carbon emissions. IMHO we should really be learning to terraform on Mars not Earth and the best long term solution for religious and social oppression is colonization of a fronter not forced democracy.
2006-12-04
Fw: creepy quiz
Got this from one of the vaulters. The mind's ability to rationalize is amazing. I'd be interested in opinions about why this seems to work.
----- Forwarded Message ----
Subject: FW: creepy quiz
Subject: FW: creepy quiz
ENJOY!!!
-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: "Hawkeye Loynes" <hawk-eye-4@hot.....
To: vaultinggirl2008@com.....
Subject: FW: creepy quiz
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 02:37:46 +0000
Now, this is freaky...DO NOT CHEAT (You'll will kick yourself later) I
>was a little skeptical trying this, but if you follow the instructions to
>the "t" you'll be surprised!!!!
>
>All of my answers were accurate. We'll see tomorrow if the wish comes true.
>I'll let you know. Take 3 minutes and try this...it will freak you out! The
>person who sent it to me said her wish came true 10 minutes after they read
>the mail. BUT NO CHEATING! This game has a funny/spooky outcome.
>
>Don't read ahead...just do it in order! It takes about three minutes...it's
>worth a try :)
>
>Fi rst..get a pen and paper. When you actually choose names, make sure it's
>people you actually know and go with your first instinct.
>
>Scroll down one line at a time...and don't read ahead or you'll ruin it!
>
>1. First, write the numbers 1 through 11 in a column.
>
>
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>2. Then, beside numbers 1 and 2, write down any two numbers you want.
>
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>3. Beside the 3 and 7, write down the names of members of the opposite
>s/e/x.
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>NO LOOKING AHEAD...OR IT WON"T TURN OUT RIGHT!
>
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>4. Write anyone's name (like friends or family....) in the 4th, 5th and 6th
>spots.
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&g t;5. Write down four song titles in 8,9,10, and 11.
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>GO WITH YOUR INSTINCT PEOPLE!!!!
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>6. Finally, make a wish.
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>And now the key for the game.....
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>1. You must tell (the number in space 2) people about this game.
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>2. The person in space 3 is the one that you love.
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>3. The person in 7 is one you like but can't work out.
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>4. You care most about the person you put in 4
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>5. The person you name in number 5 is the one who knows you very well.
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>6. The person you name in 6 is your lucky star.
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>7. The song in 8 is the song that matches with the person in number 3.
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>8. The title in 9 is the song for the person in 7.
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>9. The tenth space is the song that tells you most about YOUR mind.
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>10. and 11 is the song telling you how you feel about life
>
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>NOW...put this on ur syt within the hour you read this...IF you do..your
>wish will come true. If you don't it will become the opposite!!!
2006-12-02
Time for some Jeep Work
Turn Signal Housing, Bumber & Endcap
Originally uploaded by TSayles.
With my plans to drive down to Glendale for Christmas, It's time to do some work on the Geek Jeep. So I'm ordering some parts from J&W Jeep. Most of the parts are just fixing cosmetic stuff.
2006-12-01
My Experiences Hauling to Nationals
Below are some of my experiences hauling to Nationals. I know that others in our region have also hauled to Denver, and I'd be interested in hearing their experiences too.
I've attended every nationals since '02, Livermore, Denver, Lexington, Denver, and City of Industry. I helped Tammy Denault (Emerald City / Mtn. Wind) haul to Nationals '04 (Lexington, VA) and Nationals '05 (Denver, CO). On both trips we stopped overnight at "Horse Motels" along a route she pioneered to Mt. Holyoke for Nationals '01 where she and the Emerald City Vaulters won the National Trot Team Championship.
The first night out (& last night back) we stopped at Mountain View Arena in Dear Lodge, MT. Their place is right off the Interstate, well maintained with good size stalls. They also have an indoor arena that we have used to work the horses before departing in the morning and were even able to get in some vaulting practice on the way to Nationals '04. They have plenty of stalls so getting reservations isn't usually difficult. Tammy likes to stay at the Super 8 Motel that is across the Interstate from Mtn. View Arena.
The place we've stayed outside Sheridan, WY (in Big Horn) is a family owned and operated bed & breakfast. Their stalls have attached runs and they have a large paddock where we have also been able to work horses in the AM. From Sheridan, WY Denver is an easy day's haul. They have fewer stalls then the place in Deer Lodge, so if we travel as a group we'll have to make sure they have space for our horses and humans or get their help finding additional accommodations in the area. In '04 when their B&B was booked up, but they had space for the horses we stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Sheridan. That Super 8 was a little close to active train tracks for me to get a good night's sleep, so next time we can't stay at the B&B, I'd suggest trying the newer Motel 6, also in Sheridan.
Tammy's Rig
Originally uploaded by TSayles.
When hauling with Tammy, a typically road day from these locations begins with breakfast for the horses then the humans. After breakfast we would give the horses a light work out then loaded the horses and hit the highway. We'd usually make a quick late morning stop to check on and offer water to the horses. Midday we'd make a longer stop while we made and ate lunch under her trailer's awning. In the mid-afternoon we typically would make another stop to check and water the horses. We'd also check and water any time we needed to stop for gas or restrooms. On the shorter legs we'd arrive at our overnight stop off load and settle the horses, then hit a local restaurant for dinner. On the longer legs in '04 (WY <-> IA and IA <-> IN) or if we got a late start ('05) we'd stop at a restaurant along the way for dinner.
In '04 we had two vaulters and two horses traveling with us and once they learned the hauling routine the operation was relatively quick and efficient. The vaulters got to sleep much of the day so they could do most of the loading and unloading work while Tammy and I did the driving and supervised. In '05 it was just me and Tammy with five horses going to Denver, which was very exhausting. Coming back we had only two horses, so the work load was better, but we still wished we had a vaulter or two along to help.
And finally as others can also attest to, traveling with Tammy is always an adventure. That said, I'm ready and willing to sign on with her for my third long haul trip. And probably again in '08 to Kentucky!
I've attended every nationals since '02, Livermore, Denver, Lexington, Denver, and City of Industry. I helped Tammy Denault (Emerald City / Mtn. Wind) haul to Nationals '04 (Lexington, VA) and Nationals '05 (Denver, CO). On both trips we stopped overnight at "Horse Motels" along a route she pioneered to Mt. Holyoke for Nationals '01 where she and the Emerald City Vaulters won the National Trot Team Championship.
The first night out (& last night back) we stopped at Mountain View Arena in Dear Lodge, MT. Their place is right off the Interstate, well maintained with good size stalls. They also have an indoor arena that we have used to work the horses before departing in the morning and were even able to get in some vaulting practice on the way to Nationals '04. They have plenty of stalls so getting reservations isn't usually difficult. Tammy likes to stay at the Super 8 Motel that is across the Interstate from Mtn. View Arena.
The place we've stayed outside Sheridan, WY (in Big Horn) is a family owned and operated bed & breakfast. Their stalls have attached runs and they have a large paddock where we have also been able to work horses in the AM. From Sheridan, WY Denver is an easy day's haul. They have fewer stalls then the place in Deer Lodge, so if we travel as a group we'll have to make sure they have space for our horses and humans or get their help finding additional accommodations in the area. In '04 when their B&B was booked up, but they had space for the horses we stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Sheridan. That Super 8 was a little close to active train tracks for me to get a good night's sleep, so next time we can't stay at the B&B, I'd suggest trying the newer Motel 6, also in Sheridan.
Tammy's Rig
Originally uploaded by TSayles.
When hauling with Tammy, a typically road day from these locations begins with breakfast for the horses then the humans. After breakfast we would give the horses a light work out then loaded the horses and hit the highway. We'd usually make a quick late morning stop to check on and offer water to the horses. Midday we'd make a longer stop while we made and ate lunch under her trailer's awning. In the mid-afternoon we typically would make another stop to check and water the horses. We'd also check and water any time we needed to stop for gas or restrooms. On the shorter legs we'd arrive at our overnight stop off load and settle the horses, then hit a local restaurant for dinner. On the longer legs in '04 (WY <-> IA and IA <-> IN) or if we got a late start ('05) we'd stop at a restaurant along the way for dinner.
In '04 we had two vaulters and two horses traveling with us and once they learned the hauling routine the operation was relatively quick and efficient. The vaulters got to sleep much of the day so they could do most of the loading and unloading work while Tammy and I did the driving and supervised. In '05 it was just me and Tammy with five horses going to Denver, which was very exhausting. Coming back we had only two horses, so the work load was better, but we still wished we had a vaulter or two along to help.
And finally as others can also attest to, traveling with Tammy is always an adventure. That said, I'm ready and willing to sign on with her for my third long haul trip. And probably again in '08 to Kentucky!
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2006-11-23
Tom's 2006 Thanksgiving Turkey
Tom's 2006 Thanksgiving Turkey
Originally uploaded by TSayles.
Not my best turkey. But still a good one.
Nine point eight pounds. Brined for six hours. Roasted for four hours with fresh herbs and basted every 30 minutes with extra light olive oil.
2006-11-22
Standing on Cali
Tom Standing on Cali
Originally uploaded by TSayles.
Last Saturday I actually vaulted during our regular practice. I did manage to mount again at trot though only during this practice.
This photo is a little on the blurry side, but in it I'm standing at trot. During a standing contest I stood at trot for 42 strides.
I really need to work on my flexibility if I'm going to compete in the spring. If I can get into a regular stretching routine, like a yoga class, I confident that I can manage a set of trot compulsories and a trot freestyle in the spring. I've gota show up Wendy who did walk at Regionals.
2006-11-19
Look what I found on YouTube!
In this video they aren't as good as they were in July when I saw them at Nationals. But it's still way COOL!
2006-11-18
2006-11-12
Idea: Four Freedoms for the Physical World
Given the liberating effects seen in free / open source software and the coming development of personal fabrication, why shouldn't we adapt GNU's four kinds of freedom to the physical world?
In furtherance of that idea, I propose that for a thing to be
In furtherance of that idea, I propose that for a thing to be
freeas in
free speech,its user must have the following four freedoms:
- The freedom to use the thing, for any legal purpose (freedom 0).
- The freedom to study how the thing works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the design is a precondition for this.
- The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
- The freedom to improve the thing, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the design is a precondition for this.
Open Source Computer Hardware
A couple of recent episodes of podcasts that I regularly listen to [the Linux Link Tech Show #165 and LUG Radio Season 4 Episode 5] both had discussions on the need for openness in computer hardware like is starting to mature in free and open source software. All of these guys need to check out MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms' "Fab Lab" outreach program, and probably interview Neil Gershenfeld.
This ties into my previous posts on Open Source Electronics and Fab Labs.
This ties into my previous posts on Open Source Electronics and Fab Labs.
Distributed Family / Home Backup Networks working
My Distributed Family / Home Backup Network is settling into regular use, albeit with some minimal manual interaction, i.e. running a few bash scripts and entering passwords. After setting up the bash scripts and getting through the initial transfers, the periodic (almost daily) rsync sessions are going well and finish in a reasonable amount of time, normally within 3 to 10 minutes.
The next steps in the development are to setup some dedicated user accounts with SSH keys and run the rsync-bak scripts automagically. To do this I need to figure out: how to let these dedicated user accounts access all the files that I want to get backed-up; and how to setup chron-tabs to run the rsync-bak scripts automatically.
I'm also going to try to put the commands for this set-up in one or two bash scripts too so that I can add additional "target" computers easily. I also need to fix a problem with the dyndns updates from my parents condo.
Past posts on this subject are here, here and here.
The next steps in the development are to setup some dedicated user accounts with SSH keys and run the rsync-bak scripts automagically. To do this I need to figure out: how to let these dedicated user accounts access all the files that I want to get backed-up; and how to setup chron-tabs to run the rsync-bak scripts automatically.
I'm also going to try to put the commands for this set-up in one or two bash scripts too so that I can add additional "target" computers easily. I also need to fix a problem with the dyndns updates from my parents condo.
Past posts on this subject are here, here and here.
2006-11-02
Evangelical Christian leader paid for gay hooker and took drugs!
hyp·o·crite -- a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
AP Story
read more | digg story
Is it sad or just fitting when reality smashes into fundamentalist religious zealots?
AP Story
read more | digg story
Is it sad or just fitting when reality smashes into fundamentalist religious zealots?
2006-10-31
Incorrect Route Shield, SR-202 @ 292nd Ave NE
The resent signal project on SR-202 west of Fall City at 292nd Ave NE placed a confirmation sign with a US-202 route shield along the eastbound departure from the intersection. [US-202 runs from from Delaware to Maine.] The correct sign should have a George Washington silhouette.
2006-10-03
Day Against DRM
DefectiveByDesign.org is sponsoring a "Day Against DRM" today in an effort to spread the word about the trials, tribulations, and general badness of digital rights management schemes.
"Defeating DRM is all about awareness. The direct actions that we have taken are all about this. Whether it means protesting outside Apple Stores in Hazmat suits or getting HUGE press coverage for announcing the Bono petition. Action gets attention, and creates space for debate. And as our friends at Disney recognize, if there is a debate, we will have won." -- DefectiveByDesign.org
Digital Rights Management is a myth. Any content or intellectual property that can be used, weather it be audio, video, software, or even designs of physical devices, can and will be copied or functionally replicated by anyone anywhere at an ever decreasing cost. This is a direct and irrepressible result of the cost of communication approaching zero. There is no technology that has ever existed or will ever exist that can prevent this in a free and open society.
Passing legislation and regulations in an attempt to keep the Earth at the center of the Universe did not change reality and it seriously impeded the progress of human culture and society. Likewise our current system of intellectual property has out lived its usefulness and is causing more harm to our society and culture then benefit.
It's time for those that normally sit on the sidelines of political debates to stand up, speak out, and take back our culture, our communities and our nation.
read more | digg story
"Defeating DRM is all about awareness. The direct actions that we have taken are all about this. Whether it means protesting outside Apple Stores in Hazmat suits or getting HUGE press coverage for announcing the Bono petition. Action gets attention, and creates space for debate. And as our friends at Disney recognize, if there is a debate, we will have won." -- DefectiveByDesign.org
Digital Rights Management is a myth. Any content or intellectual property that can be used, weather it be audio, video, software, or even designs of physical devices, can and will be copied or functionally replicated by anyone anywhere at an ever decreasing cost. This is a direct and irrepressible result of the cost of communication approaching zero. There is no technology that has ever existed or will ever exist that can prevent this in a free and open society.
Passing legislation and regulations in an attempt to keep the Earth at the center of the Universe did not change reality and it seriously impeded the progress of human culture and society. Likewise our current system of intellectual property has out lived its usefulness and is causing more harm to our society and culture then benefit.
It's time for those that normally sit on the sidelines of political debates to stand up, speak out, and take back our culture, our communities and our nation.
read more | digg story
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