Opened the morning with Pancakes at the in-laws. I helped Larry remove the awning from the upstairs bedroom, to make room for french doors. I suspect the awning will be relocated to the bottom floor.

We all hung out and gabbed most of the day - I scoped out Larry's 30-30 and .22 pistol, and the model of the U.S.S. Constitution. I think that I'd like to head toward Baltimore sometime for a walking tour of the actual ship. (Hm, I may have to wait until 2010 for an underway demonstration with the restoration taking place, but walking tours are still good.)

Came home to rest and relax together for a bit - got a call from Danny - Janet has a gig! Working there for 2 weeks now, doing graphic design for an advertising company that produces campground maps (surrounded by business-card style adverts). I'm glad she found something, and hope that it's profitable, challenging and fun for her.

He liked Get Smart and Evan Almighty - Both of which he saw this weekend though he's not a bit Steven Carrell fan. I suspect that Get Smart will be something I enjoy - he does the "idiot in charge" role well... but I don't imagine I'll bother with Evan Almighty, unless something comes along to further interest me about it. He really liked Wall-E, too, but I imagine that goes without saying fro me.

BHK and I watched Cloverfield today. I'll say it from the get go.... it wasn't my thing. The shaky-cam didn't bother me at all, but the movie itself was pretty stinky, in my opinion. I'm glad I waited for netflix, and didn't bother catching it in the theater. The synopsis of the film reads better than the movie played out.

The viral marketing of Cloverfield was excellent - but I just wasn't engaged by the film. The characters bored me, and the monster seemed unimpressive both in design and implementation, even for a "giant beast". It made 78% on rotten tomatoes, or 5.8 out of 10 on metacritic, which makes me think that I must be in the minority for disliking it so much. It seems that the movie critics liked it more than the bulk of "civilian" viewers.

In my opinion, if you want a good, fun horror movie with monsters and a sense of fun - Skip Cloverfield, and get your hands on Swarm of the Snakehead, instead. If you want a cool *giant* monster movie, try The Host. Cloverfield just didn't have what it takes to impress me.

In other movie news - Hancock is rated 35% at rottentomatoes. I wonder what's killing it for most folks - I haven't seen it yet. That's less than Get Smart and Harold & Kumar, which I'd figure were worse.

Flicks out now that I want to see:

Wall-E (wins over any other item showing right now.)

In no particular order - (except that of my memory)

Hellboy 2
Take Out
Dark Knight (ok, I'm tired of making links - cut and paste as needed, dear journal.)
Mongol
Space Chimps
Indiana Jones 4
Wanted
The Fall - (has it gone out of theaters yet?)
Gonzo - (Hunter Thompson pic, not the muppet)
Visitor (has that left?)

Is there something I missed? I imagine BHK wants to see the Sex in the City and The American Girl flicks, both of which are ok by me too.

We had Dagwoods at home for dinner with the in-laws...sat around and watched Oxford Blues, which really did nothing for me. I avoided seeing it in my high school years, so I guess a 25 year reprieve is about the most I could ask for. The sammiches were delicious - I made a stack of zucchini and cheese on fresh bread that was fantastic. sweet bread and butter pickles, some honey mustard, and lettuce from the garden made for a monster sammich, but the corn was the clear winner. Certainly the freshest and most tasty of the year thus far. I went through 3 ears.

The local neighbor (the one that was looking for $11 a week or so ago) came by again, looking for garlic to make chicken alfredo, but we didn't have any for her.

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Abba will ‘never’ perform again - Swedish supergroup Abba will “never” perform on stage again, two of the band’s members have said.

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Random thought - If I were invulnerable and professional superhero, I'd never wear shoes unless I was someplace that they were required by law.

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1 year ago - I love local corn pic, beautiful foggy out, FF2 with BHK, DC train maps on google, skipped salem, the shield, note to anonymous commenter, atheists taking the lord's name in vain, Zoroaster the Kitten, faith and democratic candidates

2 years ago - pirate quiz, pirates w/Dan, 61 questions, walkabout pics, bus stop self portrait, newtcam silly pic

3 years ago - bro visit, good exp games, Karl Rove a rat, mood settings, big ol' Locust

4 years ago - perspective via work, kitty-bot, rain, diseases

5 years ago - Movies w/ danny, LED-suit, Lupin quiz, dinosaur haiku, new tv, LXG, html tests, ghoulishness

6 years ago - Ian McCracken, zork 404, branleur, got my bike

7 years ago - evil news, longueur, spoliation, space fungus, superstition poll, fri-13 reasoning, I'm Neutral Good

8 years ago - Traditional trolls, Catholics handy in a pinch

This week seemed to go more swiftly than imagined, and today was pretty dang full of stuff.

Shots, then swung by Trott's farmers market for corn, zucchini (we need zucchini?!?) and eggplant (we need eggplant?!?)

BHK is veggie-crazed, and wants more of the tasty stuff than our victory garden is producing. Mystery veggie is pumpkins after all - we'll have some gourds to carve for Halloween! (they sprung from the seeds of the rotting pumpkins we tossed into the garden area last November.)

We picked up the in-laws, and hit the Selby Sub Shoppe - white pizza for Chris, Hamburger for Larry, Chicken Parm for BHK, and a black bean for me. They make their own bread, and it was all really tasty!

Came home, cooled our heels a bit and then went to go see the US Navy band play a free concert on the boardwalk by the bay. The bluegrass band went into more mainstream country and southern rock - they were quite skilled, though still had a little newbie edges on 'em. The singer was 2 days into the band, and his voice was excellent. I wonder what the difference between "Musician, 1st Class" and "Chief Musician" is in rank and pay grade for the Navy? The Banjo guy was my fave of the lot.

Mother in law, reading the local news while we were at the free concert on the bay.

Note the vital sombrero placement in the picture.

We all came home, and had ice cream while watching Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. (I hadn't seen it since the theater.)

The folks left, and now BHK is asleep, leaning on me while I watch and old Episode of Star Trek - The Cloud Minders - I don't even remember this one, and it seems for good reason... the writing and acting were of a lower par than usual.

mp3 link to current music (no relation to the band we just saw) -  - mp3 -jersey-walk

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MIT scientists just figured out how to make solar energy forty times more efficient in a manner that allows one to upgrade old solar cells too!

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Ray Gun Puts Voices Inside Your Head - The Sierra Nevada Corporation claimed this week that it is ready to begin production on the MEDUSA, a damned scary ray gun that uses the ‘microwave audio effect’ to implant sounds and perhaps even specific messages inside people’s heads.

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1 year ago - factoids about folks I know, armed car chase through the neighborhood, Perseid shower reminder, brits start to ditch wigs in court

2 years ago - venture bros good, lj ugly nav bar, bye bye black rhino, angel / shovel / burrito, simulated lost case-630am, Arvis book in comments!

3 years ago - Last Day w/Magda, invisi-bro, chrono-lifting, breakfast foods, zombies invade sca event, crab, autostitch bus, minor drama, commendation

4 years ago - KoL, Bollywood, Patriot Act, Felix the Cat

5 years ago - sleep troubles, Andromeda Strain, 4-legged man , system crash - modem drivers (Service pack 4 for win2k caused Norton trouble) , Stalin vs Hitler comic, newtcam pic, discovered title-tags, strickland a/c die-lemma

6 years ago - more swell chatties, Roanoke (including odd reply from Boughman), Dreams of Lake Conoy with zombie mist, sweet possum sugar, mother goose

7 years ago - Evil news, riposte, dream of the jungle, If I were... meme, time, sleepy, Dumbass Tenochtitlan Saucermen,chat, aura colors, personality disorder test, Louvre

8 years ago - Bad things with April, super power question

Cathy and Dave came over for a "farewell dinner" - they're moving to Colorado next week. They shuffled out of the house pretty early last night - we had some delicious baked ziti, zucchini parm and ice cream and pie for dessert... over a game of apples to apples. I dominated the first round, but the second was much ore neck-in-neck with BHK. Surprisingly, there were no tears or sad goodbyes - I guess because they're still going to be around for a week or so.

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via PAD -

Disney has announced that they intend to shutter the Adventurers Club in downtown Pleasure Island come the end of September. I want to try and convince them otherwise.

It's not as if the AC has been singled out; they're closing down all the clubs in the area with the stated intent of making the area more "family friendly."

Although the various over-18 venues on the island might fall under the label of not being conducive to family enjoyment, this most definitely does not describe the Adventurers Club. Yes, it has an active bar, but so what? If the presence of a bar made something adult-oriented, TGI Fridays would not be a family establishment. The fact is that every time we have attended the Adventurers Club, there have been kids of all ages in attendance, entranced by the club and its wildly talented cast.

For those unfamiliar with it, the Adventurers Club purports to be a 1930s private club for globe-spanning adventurers, having a pledge drive for new members. Guests mingle freely with colorful characters, interact with animatronic statues and puppets, and watch demented improv comedy and shows by the Club's "daredevil" officers. If you have been there, then you know a night at the Club is always great entertainment. If you have not had the opportunity, then we're about to fight to save it so that you may yet have the chance.

There is an on-line petition going on that already has thousands of signatures, and I wish them well (and have indeed signed it myself). But on-line petitions only go so far. What corporate types respect is actual letters, because it means that the writers took the time to write it, put it in an envelope and slap a stamp on it.

If you want to help preserve one of the single greatest entertainment experiences in Disney, then I urge you to write to:

Robert Iger
Chief Executive Officer
Walt Disney Corporation
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

I cannot stress enough: Keep letters civil. Polite. Family-friendly, if you will. If you have attended the AC, talk about your experiences and how much the place means to you. If you haven't been, underscore the good things you've heard about it and your intention to attend in the future.

And never forget the Adventurers Club credo:

We climb the highest mountains,
just to get a better view.
We plumb the deepest oceans,
because we're daring through and through.
We cross the scorching desert,
martinis in our hand.
We ski the polar ice caps,
in tuxedos looking grand.
We are reckless, brave, and loyal,
and valiant to the end.
If you come in here a stranger,
you will exit as a friend.
KUNGALOOSH!

Feel free to cross post this wherever you think it will do any good.

I've only ever been to the Adventurers Club once, but it was great fun... I'd really like the opportunity to take BHK with me to see it again with fresh perspective. A place at Disney styled after the pulps, with Tom Leher music and the occasional cocktail (with or without alcohol) ? Yeah, I'd say that's worth keeping.

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Amazing Promotion Film for More4’s Stanley Kubrick Season … a 65 second one-take tracking shot following Kubrick’s point-of-view as he walks through the set of The Shining … ‘Your Script, Mr Kubrick.’

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Sunglasses that Hide your Face from Cameras - Article and video:

They work by mounting two small infrared lights on the front. The wearer is completely inconspicuous to the human eye, but cameras only see a big white blur where your face should be. Building them is a snap: just take a pair of sunglasses, attach two small but powerful IR LEDS to two pairs of wires, one wire per LED. Then attach the LEDs to the glasses; the video suggests making a hole in the rim of the glasses to embed the LEDs. Glue or otherwise affix the wires to the temples of the glasses. At the end of the temples, attach lithium batteries. They should make contact with the black wire, but the red wires should be left suspended near the batteries without making contact. When you put them on the red wire makes contact, turning the lights on. It's functional, but we're thinking that installing an on/off switch would be more elegant and it would allow you to wear them without depleting the batteries.

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1 year ago - mysql code, hot outside, cacls, ram's head plans (did neither), ad&d stats, backpack question, commute pictures on the way home,

2 years ago - phone post from keys... riding the bus is about all I did that day.

3 years ago - power outage, cool magicians, my eyes are blue, klaxons, past life/ice cream/coffee, stem cell steaks

4 years ago - pizza with dan, adp screws up, paid users get lj-priority, making fiends, Fiona apple mp3, Miami Travel Piccies, condo

5 years ago - trolls, naughty hulk, wonder woman movie

6 years ago - Wave of Husband killings, apple nipple monkey, star trek chairs auctioned, Ashcroft afraid of kitties

7 years ago - brackish , some broken links, dancing poll, tried mcD's yogurt & fruit, Le Petomane, band name poll, bid farewell to some junk

8 years ago - angry beavers, scary movie, don't look behind you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq2_YKQGE_U Since we saw the fireworks on the bay yesterday (fireworks at beaches are staggered - different cities do them on different days so you can attend them all week and weekend long), we did our own today. Matt and Tina came back over, as did Chris and Larry.

Matt helped me quite a bit with the grill and lighting of the pyrotechnics. We ate leftovers from the 3rd, still plenty of burgers, corn, and mac&cheese for the eating!

Not much aside form that, dear journal!

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1 year ago - adam and emily picture, more getting together post 3rd

2 years ago - Happy St. Elizabeth of Portugal Day!, many, many miami-area walkabout pics

3 years ago - mp smooch habit, usa quiz, geobloggers, aztec lapdances with oranges, bowel cleansing scam, ear candles fraud, Lauderdale regional shots, scotto stressed/no sleep picture, 5th nail evil,

4 years ago - Vizcaya day trip- pictures, Jeffrey Jones - sex offender, Thundarr

5 years ago - chit chat, family, cpap, Declaration of Independence, fart, classic obstacles, America essay, kazaa lite

6 years ago - waking up, local news, prior day's ER visit, food quiz, fireworks colorchemistry, fun tidbits, UA2 credit, you weigh less on a hard surface

7 years ago - Newt-ish picture from Joel, penury, Santa wondering, track list of the concert I went to in '99

8 years ago - burning numb, blame missile, clean

We have blooms on our rose bushes - it appears that we have tea roses instead of the regular large sized ones... but BHK seems to be ok with that.

Garden progressing nicely - I swear that I can see the cucumber plants grow by inches every day.

My Life's current settings -

Spectra-Analyzer (Monochrome / 4-Color / True-Color / Thermograph / X-Ray )
MPAA Rating (G / PG / R / NC-17)
Kill switch (Off / On / Wanton Murderous Rage)
Weirdness Tank (Empty / Low / Half / High / Full)
Laugh-O-Matic (Serious / Satirical / Witty / Wacky / Insane)
Cliche Blender (Pulse / Blend / Puree / Oh, Ugh!)
Global Soundtrack Volume (off, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11!)
Personal Soundtrack Volume (off, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11!)
Batteries (Empty / Low / Half / High / Full)

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If being captured and tortured makes you ready to be president, there's a whole Guantanamo full of candidates the Republicans haven't even considered.

I'm actually a bit fearful of McCain winning. I shouldn't be, but I was burned by Kerry and Gore, both of which I'd have thought had it in the bag.

Dave's trying to put me at ease - I hope he's right. (Though I am annoyed about Obama's recent campaign actions, too - the aforementioned Supreme Court tossing the D.C. gun ban / Obama’s faith based initiatives / pandering like flags on lapels and "values" as part of a campaign ads.)

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I'm often surprised when I meet people who are... well, to put it in gaming terms, "built on a lot more or a good deal fewer points" than me. I keep myself in the thought of "everyone is created equal", but it's really just not true. I've met a couple of people that are practically super-heroes, and pulp-style doc savage types, at that. (I worked with his opposite number at the library, years ago, too) Here and there I come across a person who is amazingly put together - talented, good-natured, physically, socially and mentally fit. Granted, it's not often that this happens - I figure most people have at least one or two attributes that are at least along the mean, if not sub-par. Then there's the other side of things... someone who is neither kind to the eyes, particularly intelligent, healthy or easy to get along with. How did they get such a short end of the stick?

I know it's a pipe dream, but shouldn't everyone be beautiful and ugly somewhere obvious after talking to them for a moment or thirty? When I get blindsided by folks falling on one side of the bell curve or the other, I have this need to find something contrary to the rest of the model... and I get a little distressed if I can't spot the hidden flaw or silver lining of the cloud. I know it won't always be obvious, like Hawking's mind trapped in his body (or Anna Nicole Smith's Body [at prime] trapped containing its brain.) Those two aren't the best examples as I've never met either before, but I suspect that they're fair ones.

I think that the first thing most gamers do when given a system of measuring certain skills and abilities is to build themselves, just to see where they stand. (or, if you're extra goofy like I am, you'll do your whole game group, and then compare notes.)

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Last night, while watching Astronaut Farmer - Chris asked if the main character was going to die. My answer of "yes, eventually" was not well received.

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Ten original designs have been submitted in the 8th Icehouse Game Design Competition, and anyone willing to rank at least two of the ten designs is welcome to serve as a judge. The deadline for judging is July 18th. For details on judging, as well as links to all of the designs, head to the Icehouse Game Design page. (I don't have any entries this time, but Logger looks fun, at least in theory, as does Ambush.)

I most certainly prefer German-type boardgames (somewhat abstract, largely non-confrontational, and relatively short in playing time), rather than American-style (games that are heavy in theme, aggressive, and requiring an entire evening to play.)

That said, I think we're going to slow down on our game purchases now - our closet is pretty full. I'd like to trot out a few games for the 3-4th of July time off, especially since we'll have Alan, Jesus, The Mama, Chris, Larry, BHK and me available to play, plus the possibility of Tina and Matt. I suspect it'll turn into Apples to Apples fest, but I'd like a few other 3+ player games to get a workout then too... maybe Witch Trial or Super Munchkin would be fun and easy enough for a bigger crew... I'd even like to see a mob-sized Carcassone H&G game.

Other Possibilities are Clue, Aquarius, and Fluxx (Zombie, eco, family or regular... or a mix!)

I doubt we could get 'em to do Chrononauts. That'll be for when Amy comes over. BHK and I love it, but the gang might not be into the learning part. (same for Crime Lords or Arkham Horror )

We could play Werewolf if we get at least 8 people that want to play. It'd be better with 13... I wonder where Adam, Eric, Jimmy and Joe will be this weekend?)

Speaking of Gaming - Game Table Online is moving from subscription-based play to free, open gaming for all users as of July 1. (Lord of The Fries ! Kill Dr. Lucky !

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1 year ago - geocaching, tinkle pig in the graveyard (she may still be there - we should go back and check.), aardvark, bro in rehab, vampire peacock

2 years ago - spidey, bats and naraj team up, porch post - better day, playing catch up, getting ready for my trip to the keys with boop and weez, life settings, saw superman returns, it don't mean a thing, ambient sound post,

3 years ago - good things, snaily-pic, dealing with bro/dmv/belize, Newt and Magda hang out, giant black butterflies, palmetto bugs / Brent memory, enature, opera gloves in comics, platelet donation pics, Ken Jenne sells out the public (and is still in office a year later)

4 years ago - spidey 2 was keen, samoflange, table test, republican confession, Angry Ghost Rips Worker's Arm Off

5 years ago - Netmeeting, riblets, GP/Austin, cej-chat

6 years ago - wonderful dreams, learning the neighborhood, notes never followed up on

7 years ago - saw Ornj off on her trip, bro's got a win 95 box, monkey fishing a fib, due amici sub, leaves of grass, database link access to web, Kneel before zod!

8 years ago - nothing

Went Yard-"sailing" this morning with Tina and BHK - Mostly a bust, but one stop got us a half-dozen unopened buried blueprints puzzles (forgive the ebay link - they're out of print.), copies of mastermind and upwords, a couple of good books, Max Payne 2 , recipe software, not to mention some other loot that BHK picked up for a total of $8.

I stopped off at the doc's for shots, bhk and Tina hit wal-mart for some supplies.

After, we hit fab brew, where I got an Italian Soda (cherry), BHK and Tina each got some sort of coffee drink, and then we bounced over to Gallo's Deli it just opened this week - I got a 3-cheese sub, bhk got meatball and Tina got Turkey & cheese. We'll be back - it's pretty average right now, but they're still getting things in order - it's no Selby bay sub shop, but they're three blocks away from the house, and there's a lot of potential there.

Came back home, crashed out for a nap.

Got up, hung out with the in-laws while they worked the garden, hot dogs, garden green beans and roasted corn for supper! We ate late, and I consumed far too much delicious food.

Watched some National Treasure, Fawlty Towers (drunk chef with a thing for Manuel episode), a moment of the Brothers Solomon (don't bother) and Army of Darkness.

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Scientists think that Mars' alkaline soil might be able to grow asparagus.

Although he said further tests would have to be conducted, Mr Kounaves said the soil seemed "very friendly... there is nothing about it that is toxic," he said. "It is the type of soil you would probably have in your back yard -- you know, alkaline. You might be able to grow asparagus in it really well."

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1 year ago - zucchini from our garden pic, out with CB and BHK, DelMarVa planning, roads & L'Enfant

2 years ago - cranky, vacation plans, soccer/ football, ice cream truck music, alert map, how to make anything look like a toy, flash drive, superstitious, assorted fun links

3 years ago - mp plans, tired, miami vice movie filming, outdoor bro, open id, falling body, florida on florida, pictures, I don't wanna be stoned, zombie dogs, To live instead of exist

4 years ago - pick up the phone, explosion world, virtual frog dissection, viruses,giant clothes, roadsign, hulk coloring book, ebooks, puppy stops killers

5 years ago - plushie microbes, night flight, handguns, Scientology, newt pics, playboy

6 years ago - Newt smarts, moment of zen, moment of poop, political compass, dusty apt.

7 years ago - weird emma, peremptory, yum!, broken linkies, evil news, name poll, who do you love

8 years ago - breakup w/ April, Candle, submarine

Happy Father's Day! Beware the Ides of June!

Had a lovely breakfast at the in-laws. Got Larry a pair of nice cards, and a Micheal Buble' album. He seemed to dig 'em!

Lar made pancakes on the grill's skillet - they were fantastic... and the weather in the morning wasn't super hot... quite nice, actually. We sat on the deck and watched the birds of prey go fishing in the bay - one took off with a giant meal afte ronly a quick glance and dive. Post breakfast, we went into the house and listened to his new CD - it was OK - but I had been feeling rather ragged and zonked out on the recliner until BHK noted we had to go and grab groceries for the cookout later on.

I slept in the car as BHK shopped - we had to turn around at one point, as we'd thought that Adam and Joey weren't coming - we had to grab more dogs, buns, chips and soda-pop to keep the teens fed and happy.

I napped more at home, while BHK made Larry a blueberry/blackberry pie (and one for us at the house, too!)

Everyone showed up at about 7, I grilled meat for the team, Chris brought baked beans and slaw, BHK set everything up, and we ate like we'd just gotten the first meal in days. The folding chairs are going to get a lot of use this summer, I think.

It went well, and as the sun went down, the gang headed out and the sights and sounds of the evening began to rise up... frogs ribbiting, mosquitoes buzzing and nibbling, and fireflies lighting up the garden like dozens of will-o-wisps. we went inside, as the frogs were too busy singing to eat up all of the mosquitoes - the biters didn't stop other folks outside from lighting off roman candles and other fireworks. Maybe the smoke acts as a repellent?

Things seen yesterday and today -

we went to the bitter end - What's the asterisk mean?

...
saw some graffiti - cycloptic dinosaur and a bleeding heart inscribed with "never".

geese in bikinis


Tonight, someone was shooting off fireworks, and some got caught on newtcam. In North Beach, any holiday is a good excuse for pyrotechnics.

Arbor day? Sure! National Pen-pal day? Heck, Why not?

I am feeling better a bit now that the day is about done - I think the nap may've stiffened my back more than help. Next time, perhaps just a sitting rather than a flat-out snooze will be best. I didn't dwell much on my own father today...just as well, really.

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1 year ago - last day of county gig, hot brain, DC living costs, hero machine sponsored, neil and bugah coming for sleepover, danny visit upcoming, iana gig on monday

2 years ago - payday, mango fest, Phoenix uncomfy, Nonja the rude ape, elvis costello green shirt, chess piece poll,

3 years ago - David Sutherland RIP, trunk turtles, Easter walkies, chimp pics, paper toys, gCensus, Mothra Song, superhero TV themes, vet mixup, menstrual superstitions, 250 questions

4 years ago - Queequeg, Lizard (a knight anole) pictures, fixed calamity's icon,Mycoprotein, Sammy doodle, sites for positive change, yahoo goes fromsix meg to 100meg (now at 1 gig vs gmail's 2+gig)

5 years ago - Father's Day, vampire game, wondering about a world free of psychoactive drugs

6 years ago - lovely long talk, South Park Scotto, Tea room, Replacement parts, star trek breast insignia

7 years ago - Predators of man, Apt seeking, Nothing sacred, sql/ado. pet quiz, pizza parlor, writing urge, Big Guy and rusty.

8 years ago - Nothing in particular

Ah... Shots and then free as a bird.

Ice cream at Solomon's cone island - I got a soft serve mix chocolate and vanilla w/ chocolate jimmies (erm, sprinkles), and BHK got a small vanilla soft serve cone, dipped in a cherry shell. both were yummy.

Checked out bikes... it's going to be simpler to buy one than ship mine up from Florida, I think.

Hit Aardvark and picked up a few goodies - that place is habit-forming. We headed home to play our newly aquired treats.

got Hive - pieces bigger than expected (BHK won one, I won one)
got Kahuna - We've been playing this on Yucata.de for ages, and discovered there was a comfy form-factor - (BHK won)
got Katan Dice - missing pad, already sent for replacement. We'll play it next week.

Also picked up Archie in the 80's for BHK, and the umbrella academy trade for myself.

played If Wishes were Fishes finally - cute game, maybe a little clunky, but could be better once learned or with more players. (I won)

Arkham Horror is a lot more complex out of the box - we weren't looking to play a 2-4 hour game, so we saved that for another night. The other games could be picked up in 5 minutes played in 20 or so. Kahuna maybe twice that.

Next games for us to play from the game pile are canasta caliente, rook, killer bunnies, gloom, marriage material, and grave robbers from outer space

Went to Selby Sub Shoppe with in-laws - I got a veggie sub w/ seasoned fries, bhk got a chicken parm w/ smiley face potatoes, Larry a burger with crinkle cut fries, Chris a garlic white pizza.

Things seen on Thursday - a toy blimp at nice & fleasy antiques

.

BHK also saw some cute stuff at the library, including a mosquito wearing an I pod.

..

and a cootie catcher.

She's caught cooties! I knew it!

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Sporepedia is already publicly accessible. This is the online field guide to all the creatures people have created with Spore, and the source from which the game will eventually populate the planets you play in with AI-controlled versions of the races people have made.

The incredible thing about Sporepedia is that those thumbnail images you see are the creature files. Drag that image right from your browser to the game window, and it loads that creature in all its scampering glory. The creature’s DNA is actually coded into the metadata of a 25 kilobyte PNG image. (via James )

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City of Shadows, long exposure shots of crowds in St. Petersburg, Russia by Alexey Titarenko.

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1 year ago - digitized comic library, better off not saving?, starbase scottobear, interactive paper

2 years ago - dr who, good lyric stuff, aim cleanup, magic ringtone audible

3 years ago - 32 questions, dead fridge, cartoons, schedules, journal liability guide,

4 years ago - OTR, Black Eye guy, showers good, legion, corps more wealthy thangov'ts, DPD, purple turtle post-its, how to make, I get groovy sandals

5 years ago - Coco's, "If I were" meme, Danny and I get together, Bro goes to ER over hand, playstation supercomputer.

6 years ago - Newtie love, Masai Cow donation

7 years ago - lovely chats full of (LODD , evil news, eye patches, little red munkee

8 years ago - Ben Franklin, Fight Club DVD cap

Happy Birthday to Ldy, my littler big sis! she's ...what, 5 again this year?

I *still* have "froggy went a-coutrin', he did ride" in my head.

I must've done something dreadfully bad to deserve this. Great... now I have pet shop boys in my head.

"What have I done? What have I done? What have I done to deserve this?"

Looking forward to a weekend without feeling too ill.

Artomatic. Book Sale. Father's Day. Hive. Music by the beach? Gardening? Relaxing? A ride on the Trolley, maybe?

Am I forgetting something?

Maybe our Swarm of the Snakehead screener will arrive in time for a weekend viewing! (Writer Seth Hurwitz spotted my mention of it in my journal, and was kind enough to shoot us a review copy!)

BHK made a big salad from stuff at the farmers market - lots of yummy breads and other goodies, too. (Blueberry sun tea, some onion spread for the bread... it's just all very delicious) - our neighbor went early, and brought her some corn and strawberries, too.

Tons of fireflies out tonight! That made it feel especially summery.

After supper, we watched "I now pronounce you chuck and larry" - it was what I expected, cute.

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Random Newtcam / Pyecam archive shots - (They shoudl really be called Officecam and loftcam, since both boys go on both cams all the time.)

note the windows - most ~ at 10pm, but lightning kept striking nearby.

additional kitty pictures added for archival purposes. first is another leap shot.

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Mini-steamroller. We're that much closer to having Killdozer / Soylent green havesting technology, I tells ya.

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1 year ago - If I could change one tihng about law books, $25 ticket, BHK went to the Newsomes, how the presidents stack up

2 years ago - draggy meeting, sofla mass transit planner, stress reliever ape, waiting, got vista beta, body heat, possum man, free comics, manatees

3 years ago - Lovies for ldy and sedef, tunnel vision, hukilau, danny, bro, speed racer for geico, cvs ood by the lb, dr who, impact font, pink floyd reuniting

4 years ago - Newt Treats, police, sleepies, DIY-WiFi, Horrid teacher name, loud car alarm, RI, Harry Lime

5 years ago - Cartoon Pope blesses ldy, white/brown eggs, fibber island lyrics

6 years ago - Intruders, Out for Thai & sushi, Rent-bump.

7 years ago - perorate, Poi Dog Pondering, Thinking of using share point for journaling, smart tags, considering a piercing / blood donation, Wolbachia / Kamikaze Sperm, evil news

8 years ago - April refusing to go to the doc, bronchitis, half-light, new pals

Was a bit sicker in the am, but was feeling better by midday. It seems that mornings are the most difficult now, post sleep and shower. One day until Friday!

BHK and I went out to Thursday's for supper with Chris and Larry - took a walk on the boardwalk afterward. Nice night, only a couple of mosquitoes.

Today is Buddy's Wake - Adam's grandfather didn't make it, sadly.

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More fruit from the blueberry plant! Had a little nibble on them with lunch today, in yogurt.

We also have eggplant blossoms, two peppers coming in nicely and tons of squash, bean and potato blossoms!

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scribbls - a fun little doodle/game thing. (most faved is worth a peek) - I suspect that Kat will dig it, with that tablet!

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Robert Downey Jr. says he gave up drugs after Burger King served him "a cheeseburger so disgusting that it forced him to reassess his entire life." The burger was so nasty that he suddenly felt like something terrible was going to happen to him, so he threw all his drugs into the ocean and has been clean ever since.

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1 year ago - carcassonne, blink, masonic temple pic, moonbase blackhellkat (in comments)

2 years ago - bangs!, 70s nostalgia, net neutrality, heifer.org, zombie powered car, blondie, smothers brothers, hurricane, tv openings, far out space nuts, 3's company, tomi's vette, electrawoman and dynagirl

3 years ago - Going postal, free pie, Global Frequency, Who, Kim Possible, writing, JC & fish sammiches, mouse update, UN food force, Hav, Work Sanity, fridge cleanup, Chloe-pup, sweet farm girl mp3, Hunter-Newt face pics (vs. a paper strip)

4 years ago - Astronauts, Hound Dogs, doodles, $0.21, CoH rough, Camels vs Tigers, Hustler Store on its way

5 years ago - there-music, vampires, Bollywood posters, billy the kid

6 years ago - wondering about hover cars and jetpacks, mad shark, bad tattoos,rainbow in every teardrop, kid at work day, wondering about my own,Freedom force supers, misc bro & Danny get togethers

7 years ago - irenic & potatory, recovering from yuck, idea12, waving, coffee flavored cereals, evil news, html brad hoax, plucking out a worm, l-struck

8 years ago - fooling myself, Superman is JC, site poetry via cmdrtaco

More photos' from yesterday's tornado! - Chesapeake Beach Storm Damage - Photos - WRC | Washington

Folks here are really excited about it - After Hurricane Andrew, I'm glad it wasn't as bad as it might've been. Big issue here was that it came out of nowhere, in a matter of moments - hurricanes you get a solid warning. THe roof that was blown off may finally allow for the smokey stink to fade from traders. 12 people were hospitalized, but no major injuries that I know of.

Chris and Larry lost some roof flashing, had a cracked window pane, and some broken tree limbs about the place, but thankfully nothing too devastating.

Most fascinating to me is the marble-sized hail that hit us on the way home... I really thought the truck's windshield (already cracked, from an ancient wound) was going to shatter at one point.

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I don't know why I keep thinking today is Friday.. I've got to cut that foolishness out.

BHK hasn't been feeling very well lately - Allergies, I think. I hope she mends up quickly! She made tasty stuffed peppers for supper last night - Chris joined us, as her house hadn't cooled back down yet after losing power.

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Viva Calaca!! is a personal project by the young Art Director and Digital Designer Ritxi Ostáriz with music by Voltaire.

It is a 3 minute animation video, based on the Day of the Dead.

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1 year ago - bhk cooks yum stuff, Putin believes in Giant Russian war robots and Cthulhu, plastic choking the oceans, tinfoil hats prevent cancer, abduction lamp best lamp ever, pie chart meme

2 years ago - monday, random words, africa, hudson hawk, wireless router config can be tricky, agape, bumper sticker

3 years ago - Blinky arrives and is celebrated, on my path, MP pictures, google thing meme, swingset, sockamagee, Shaq, writing group slacking, SMART BOY..."Jones" CLEANS EVERYTHING BUT THE.."Baby", MI:3 rumors and Scientology powers, meetro, rainy

4 years ago - Laundry done, moribund, hungries, celeb-alikes, mindmap, google-search journal, work issue, radio.blog, pain-ray, newt-yawn pics

5 years ago - bollywood, gay days/ Disney, marketing spongebob cereal

6 years ago - Moscow Tunnel system, fumigation

7 years ago - Paterfamilias , living on bread alone / scurvy, hobos, secret Scotto factoid re:barbershops

8 years ago - nuffin, muffin

Midweek. Time is grinding slowly, but exceedingly fine. Only one month to July 4 and fireworks everywhere!

BHK made some amazingly good quiche last night... fake bacon "fakon!", broccoli and cheddar, and the other was a ricotta, broccoli cheddar - sides were tortellinis stuffed with brie, green beans, and zucchini - Larry came over and added corn on the cob for all, as well as grilled burgers for himself and Chris.

it was a short night - after supper, we pretty much went right to bedski... it was raining, and highly conducive to slumber.

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Glad to se