7 Deadly Sins

Fresh Trackback fodder

2007-03-26T07:50:00.000-05:00

You know the drill, trackback here, link here (http://thesins.blogsome.com) and your article will appear on this front page.

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-12-16T13:13:00.001-06:00

Open Trackback Post.

What is this all about? Read the Open Trackback Alliance FAQ.

If you have an interesting post that you'd like to share, please leave a TrackBack to that post, and link to the blogsome post (not this post) so that others can enjoy the fun.

Until my blog on blogsome.com can support inline trackbacks, I will continue to use the functionality here. Please do not link to this post, instead link to the blogsome blog.

Need Help with Trackbacks? Here's an excellent primer.

If your blog can't generate TrackBacks, use either the form here or here.

Technorati Tag: open trackbacks

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-12-09T18:32:00.000-06:00

Trackback here and your link will be on the front page of this site as well as the current site.

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-10-07T07:47:00.001-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-09-30T08:36:00.001-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-09-15T19:46:00.000-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-09-02T08:44:00.001-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-08-26T13:48:00.001-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-08-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-08-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-08-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-07-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-07-22T08:11:00.000-05:00

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2006-07-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

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2006-07-08T06:23:00.000-05:00

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-07-01T23:27:00.000-05:00

Pride: A New Day

2006-06-22T12:07:00.000-05:00

Today is the start of something new for the 7 Deadly Sins.

I am saying bye-bye to Blogger and Google!

Never fear, faithful readers! I'm just moving the blog to a new service and a whole new look!

Come see the next chapter at http://thesins.blogsome.com!

This blog will stay put for archives (and maybe to come crawling back to).

Please update your blogrolls and bookmarks!

Thanks! See you on the other side!

Sloth: Busy

2006-06-21T14:43:00.000-05:00

I am really busy today.. I actually have to WORK, can you BELIEVE it????

Here's a quiz to occupy space on the blog (Via Robbo the Llamabutcher)

You Are 76% Gentleman

You are definitely a gentleman. You're very considerate and you have excellent manners.
Occasionally, you slip and do something foolish... but usually no one notices!

Are You A Gentleman?

Anger: Haloscan

2006-06-20T13:56:00.000-05:00

Trackbacks are completely hosd and I have no idea why.

Posted on the support forums, but no answer.

Just as I was going to upgrade...

I am deleting bunches of trackbacks to see if it will start working.

Update: I deleted EVERY trackback and sent one to this post. It seems to have worked.

Sorry to anyone that had trackbacks on one of the open trackback posts. Fell free to resubmit and/or bitch at Haloscan.

Update II: Now even this trackback no longer works.

Sloth: Meh

2006-06-20T13:16:00.000-05:00

Not feeling very well today...

Sloth: Huh?

2006-06-19T16:15:00.000-05:00

Can someone explain to me the meaning of this:

Durka Durka Mohammed Jihad
Sherpa Sherpa Bak Allah

and how it could get a Marine in hot water?

I call bullshit.

Pride: I am an Insufferable Prick!

2006-06-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

Join the Insufferable Pricks Party!

The position that caused me to join up?

The Insufferable Pricks vow to end this PC war.
Our goal is to fight a real war.
Get the troops out of Iraq and Afganistan.
Invade Iran.

I would add the following Campaign Promise:

An "Ethanol" still in every backyard!

He said "Ethanol" heh-heh [wink]

I really AM an Insufferable Prick!

Pride: Punch John Murtha in the Gut

2006-06-19T14:21:00.000-05:00

Everyone (myself included) grouses about Rep. John Murtha (D - Crazyville), here is your chance to do something about it!

Donate to his challenger! (I did!)

Diana Irey is young, articulate and energized. Best of all it looks to me like she has a great chance to make Rep. Murtha "go away" this November.

What better way to smack down the anti-war/anti-American left?

Sloth: Interview

2006-06-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

I am on the list at basil's to be interviewed.

If there is something you are just dying to know about me, send it to this email.

Anger: Boycott Orbitz.com

2006-06-19T12:21:00.000-05:00

I got back last night from one of the most grueling epic “vacations” I have ever had. In fact, I am so freakin’ tired and annoyed that my coworkers are avoiding me today as I have already bitten the heads off at least 3 people in the building. If something went right during this journey, I have yet to realize it. The cornmobile had issues, we had a number of small medical issues, an old friend/co-worker died, and one hotel absolutely stunk (literally). I would have rather been back in the game industry for the week, THAT’s just how bad it was. To top it all off, there is some demolition/construction work going on in the office next to mine and I am told it started today and will run the rest of the month.

I am in a REALLY bad mood.

Which brings me to the ~~pinheads~~ thieves at Orbitz.com.

First off I have to say “don’t use Orbitz.com!”

I mean it! NEVER! In fact there aren’t enough bold, italics, CAPS and underlining in the world to even begin to express my ~~intense hatred~~ displeasure with the “service” from this outfit.

The wife arranges the travel plans for all family travel. She is good at it and I hate it, it’s a “win/win”! Actually she hates it too, but since it has to be done and I suck at that whole “organizing thing”, she ends up doing it. If it were up to me, we would drive until I got sleepy and then go the 10 miles back home. She insists we actually GO PLACES. (eyeroll) Anyway, she decided to get some help this time and plotted out our hotel stays with the ~~jerkwads~~ friendly folks at Orbitz. All was well until the plan came into contact with the enemy. One of the small medical issues required canceling a leg of the journey, so we got a dial-up connection on the trusty laptop, headed over to the Orbitz site and canceled the hotel for that night. That’s when we learned just the type of company we were dealing with. It turns out that if you cancel anything with Orbitz, you have to agree to PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING. I don’t mean a “cancel fee” or “service fee”, I mean PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING. We called the hotel directly and asked about it and they said that it was no problem on their end; in fact it was all good because they would certainly fill the room with no problem. Orbiz will collect THE ENTIRE PRICE OF THE ROOM for the “service” of letting the hotel get a better rate by renting the room to someone else.

I am totally willing to pay Orbiz for the fee that they lost on the cancellation, but not THE ENTIRE PRICE OF THE ROOM.

Update: Rep. Murtha (D - Japan) proposes we withdraw our troops from Orbitz-land and redeploy in Travelocity.

Sloth: This Just In

2006-06-18T18:28:00.000-05:00

ME!

I just walked in the door and rebooted the DSL modem.

Now, I will pass out. Screedy rant about the pinheads at Orbitz.com will soon follow. Regular posting to return tomorrow.

Many thanks to my guest "Sinner", Trouble! Very nice job!

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-06-17T23:24:00.000-05:00

Open Trackback Post.

Scroll down for today's drivel...

What is this all about? From the Open Trackback Alliance FAQ:

The entire concept is to encourage bloggers to showcase their best recent articles on other blogs which may not otherwise recognize or know about their works.
Open Trackback Alliance members have agreed to create an open article at least once a week, which anyone can create a link to their own blog articles...

So, if you have an interesting post that you'd like to share, please leave a TrackBack to that post, and please link to this post so that others can enjoy the fun. If you need help with TrackBacks, Harvey of Bad Example has an excellent primer here, or check out basil’s post about TrackBacks here. If your blog can't generate TrackBacks, use either the form here or here.

(Much of the text of this post is a direct ripoff of basil)

open trackbacks

Update: The Haloscan trackback counter code seems to have stopped working, thus trackbacks are currently not on the page. They are still there, click on "No Trackbacks Yet" to see them. I hope this gets fixed very soon, sorry for the problems.

Another Update: I deleteled every trackback in an effort to make it work.

Lust: Trouble Responds

2006-06-16T12:13:00.000-05:00

Dearest Sinner:

As directed: More boobs, less crazy.

xoxox,

Trouble

Lust: About Balls

2006-06-16T11:16:00.000-05:00

I was pleased to discover this week that both the House, and the Senate, have finally located their missing balls.

Thank heavens for that. I was worried, there for a bit.

Relevant quotes:

"Americans do not cut and run, Americans do not abandon their commitments, and Americans do not abandon their friends."
-Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican

"Retreat is not an option in Iraq. Achieving victory is our only option ... We have no choice but to confront these terrorists, win the war on terror and spread freedom and democracy around the world."
-House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio

"The choice for the American people is clear; don't run in the face of danger, victory will be our exit strategy."
-Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas

Well done, boys. And as for you, Mr. Kerry...

The Senate vote unfolded unexpectedly as the second-ranking GOP leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, introduced legislation he said was taken from a proposal by Sen. John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat and war critic. It called for Bush to agree with the Iraqi government on a schedule for withdrawal of combat troops by Dec. 31, 2006.

You need a spanking. Preferably, with those flip-flops you're so damn proud of. Thanks for reminding me, yet again, how damn glad I am that I broke my solid record of 20 years of voting for Democrats (gasp!), and voted for W.

xoxoxo,

Trouble
(a real, live neo-con by the historic definition, and f'ing proud of it, too.)

Sloth: Note to Trouble

2006-06-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

Dearest Trouble,

More boobs, less crazy.

Thanks!

Sinner

Lust: Half Nekkid Thursday

2006-06-15T07:01:00.000-05:00

HNT - The Islamic Edition, Please boys, try to control yourselves...

versus

HNT - The Democratic Edition.

To me, it just seems like a no-brainer. Semi-nudity = great goodness. Swimming in full-body spandex = ugh.

For more Half Nekkid Thursday (HNT), go here.

Pride: Iraq

2006-06-14T17:47:00.000-05:00

Just checking in via [GASP!] Dial Up. (Nasty business that...)

I just wanted to say that our President has balls as big as church bells.

I will now return to my "vacation" (the one I will need a few days off after arriving home to recover).

Wrath: Hillary is Satan

2006-06-14T15:15:00.000-05:00

Chris Muir is brilliant. I am incredibly envious of his genius.

Okay, without further ado:

Trouble's Top Ten Reasons to Hate Hilary

10. She's the walking embodiment of "bitter bitch" face.
9. Looking at her makes your nuts shrink up into your body (you know it's true, guys). I don't even have nuts, and she makes mine shrink.
8. She waffles more on her positions than Cuisinart.
7. She's way too cozy with Satan.
6. If she isn't having sexual relations with Satan, it's possible she IS Satan.
5. She makes real witches look bad.
4. Staring into her eyes may turn you to stone.
3. She's twice as liberal as Bill, with half the personality.
2. Her ears are way too big, and she's stolen Yoda's light saber.
1. Voting for her will usher in the reign of the anti-Christ.

In all seriousness, Hillary earned my undying contempt on 9/12/01, when I watched her in the audience, rolling her eyes and mocking the president's speech, while her constituents searched for bodies and posted signs on the street hoping for news of their loved ones.

She is the embodiment of all that is evil, even worse than Walmart.

*For the record, Trouble is a staunch agnostic who doesn't subscribe to any religious mythologies at all.

Sinner's Update: It seems, while very funny and clever, Mr. Muir is also an insufferable bore.

Envy: I want that truck

2006-06-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

Can you seriously believe that Sinner gave me, trouble, the keys to this place? I know he expected that I would talk nonstop about sluttiness, boobs, and partial nudity the entire time. I'm not right. I have no problem doing quite a few thing that decent polite people avoid like the plague.

For instance, I talk to crazy people. It drives the chef nuts. He worries about my safety, but I'm almost never worried.

I suppose that inside my head, crazy is kind of a spectrum. I know I'm not on the right end of the spectrum, so I tend to be rather non-judgemental about other people's mental health issues. As the chef always says, "everybody got their somethin'."

On Sunday, the chef and I were in a convenience store in the hood (where the chef and the rest of the other half lives) and I, of course, wine connoisseur that I am, had to comment on their broad selection of cheap wine, including Boone's Farm and Wild Irish Rose. I hadn't seen those brands in years, since I was a college girl, during which period of time I used to drink every single brand represented in front of the counter. The chef clearly wasn't into the conversation, but I felt it warranted further discussion, so instead, I struck up a conversation with a freaky black chick in a leopard print mumu who was in line behind us. We talked for a little while about the weather, Boone's Farm, and the approaching hurricane. It was a pleasant, innocuous discussion with a stranger.

The chef glared at me out of the corner of his eye the entire time I was talking to her. When we got outside, he said, "Why do you always have to talk to the homeless crackheads? It's not safe."

"She's not homeless," I said, "She has a nice truck," and I pointed to a new, white crew-cab F-150 pickup that had been left running next to the door.

He said, "How do you know that's her truck?"

"The leopard seat and steering wheel covers match her mumu. Oh, and the pink hubcaps, seem to fit her, too."

He replied, "Oh. I guess when she pulled a wad of cash out from under her titty to pay for her drink, it threw me off."

Hey, nothing says class like keeping your assets under your assets.

Envy: Connections

2006-06-12T18:32:00.000-05:00

Sinner Sez: "No beer, no INTERNET make Sinner go CRAZY"

Lust: Conclusive Proof

2006-06-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, Life is just easier with boobs.

But, it's a lot harder if you ARE a boob.

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-06-10T23:31:00.000-05:00

Open Trackback Post.

Scroll down for today's drivel...

What is this all about? From the Open Trackback Alliance FAQ:

The entire concept is to encourage bloggers to showcase their best recent articles on other blogs which may not otherwise recognize or know about their works.
Open Trackback Alliance members have agreed to create an open article at least once a week, which anyone can create a link to their own blog articles...

Wrath: Who needs a spanking?

2006-06-10T07:39:00.000-05:00

Hello, Trouble here. I wracked my brain for subject matter appropriate for my first post in the sin zone, only to find inspiration from a fellow hardcore sinner when I woke up this morning. Like the Acidman, I was an abused child. He mentions willow switches, but my mother would never have settled for a willow tree. They break too easily. She was more a fan of the crab apple trees in our back yard, or failing that, a sweet gum or pin oak branch would work as well. Pin oaks have a tendency towards pokiness, though. Sometimes, she'd make us go pick out our own switch. If it wasn't strong enough, and broke, then she'd go get an item of her choice and use that instead.

I was a slow learner, and got a whipping many more times than just once, with whatever she could get her hands on: switch, belt, spatula or wooden spoon...if nothing was within easy reach, we'd just get the flat of her hand. She was fast, too. She could lash out faster than you'd even imagine with her palm and catch us slippin'.

If we were really bad or "lippy," she's slap us right across the face. She once left a purple handprint on my cheek when I said a swear word and she caught me pretty fast across the face with a blow that was much harder than she expected. I think she felt kind of bad about it when she saw the results of her handiwork, but it didn't stop her from delivering future physical rebuffs. I was a chronically lippy, sarcastic child who always wanted the last word in any discussion. Bet that surprises you, doesn't it?

The last time she tried to spank me, I was 23, a college graduate who had just spent 6 months house/farm-sitting for my parents while they traveled all over the U.S. I lipped off to her about something, and she chased me around the house, trying to rain blows down on me, but failing to hit me. Finally, she grabbed ahold of me, and I held onto her hand so she couldn't land a blow on me, and told her she had to cut that mess out. We were both red-faced, breathing hard, and pretty darn peeved.

Apparently, Acid was a quicker man than me...he only needed to get the switch once. I figure I got spanked a whole lot more than that: at least once a month during my little kid years and a few times during my adolescent and teenage years, as well. I had a hard head and a wide independent streak. One of my first sentences as a toddler was: "I wanna do it myself."

I spanked my kids when they were much, much smaller. It put the fear of god (aka: the mommy) into them, and I haven't needed to spank either of them very often for years. I did threaten to spank Squirrel last weekend, though, because he was just acting like a rebellious turd who threw a temper tantrum over everything he was asked to do. Just the threat was enough to get him in line, mainly because I think he remembers the last one, and he's fully aware of my willingness to deliver future whippings. I don't use objects, for some reason I have it in my head that using a switch or belt is illegal these days, though I've been assured, by no less person that his school counselor, that a spanking delivered on his little butt with the flat of my palm is still legal and perhaps even approved by the authorities.

It seems to me that boys are slower learners than girls are when it comes to spankings. My brother got about three times as many whippings as I did, and my son isn't much different from that.

So, who needs a spanking? And, do you spank?

Pride: Estrogen Alert

2006-06-09T13:24:00.000-05:00

The testosterone is getting a little think in here, so its time for a change.

I am going out of town for about a week and will have spotty connection to the internet at best.

Never fear fans of 7 Deadly Sins! Trouble from Dubious Wonder will be sinning in my place and should keep you entertained. Her blog is one of my daily reads, and should be on your list if you are interested in all that “relationship jazz” (I am!). I invited her to guest blog to give her a chance to break out of her normal (and very entertaining) style and have a go at “moronblogging”, also to cover my sorry rear-end.

I also have a secret wish that she will take the opportunity to restart HNT here, since it is out of the sight of her co-workers. (not so "secret" anymore!)
[- GAH! - ed]

Here comes Trouble!

(OK, sorry... it’s a joke that needed doing)

Sloth: Chewy

2006-06-09T13:01:00.000-05:00

Bizzzzzzare....

Pride: Ethanol News

2006-06-09T08:32:00.000-05:00

Insty points to a WSJ article that compares some of the popular Pimentel vs. the rest of the world argument over energy balance in the production of ethanol. The author (Carl Bialik) seems to come down on the anti-Pimentel side, which is good. Mr. Bialik rightly points out the sins of the Pimentel study:

But the analysis stacks the deck against ethanol in a number of ways. Perhaps most important: The researchers attributed a wide array of energy costs to ethanol production, including the energy required to produce tractors used in cornfields and even all forms of energy consumed by workers for things such as food, transportation and police protection. Equivalent factors generally aren't included in comparable analyses of rival fuels like gasoline. Also, researchers didn't take into consideration the value of ethanol by-products, which can be used in cattle feed.

This is all well and good, but as regular readers know, I dismiss the energy balance issue as not relevant and likely to evaporate in the face of new research and technology.

The Pimentel faction is further marginalized by a new(ish) study that traces the roots of the assumptions of the competing papers.

Ethanol production will get more efficient and a decentralized production scheme will be more secure than our current Hurricane threatened dead dino fuel production facilities. Mr. Bialik cites some examples:

Broin Cos., based in Sioux Falls, S.D., has pioneered a method to convert corn to ethanol at 90 degrees, rather than the previous 230 to 250 degrees, improving energy efficiency by 10% to 12%, according to co-founder and Chief Executive Jeff Broin. And E3 Biofuels LLC is finding ways to get more out of all parts of the corn, by building plants near dairy farms and feeding cows the byproducts of ethanol processing, then using energy from the animal waste to help power the plants. "Wastes are converted to valuable products, such as biogas and biofertilizers, which replace fossil fuels and their derivatives," David Hallberg, president and chief executive of Omaha-based E3, wrote me in an email.

Who would’ve thought that energy security would be enhanced by cow dung? We can count on OPEC to shut off the flow of oil, but they can’t shut off the flow of poop.

On another ethanol related note, I would like to point to this PDF that explores the effects of the high ethanol tariff on US ethanol producers. (ht E85 Forum) The most surprising thing to me is the amount of ethanol that comes from Saudi Arabia. It seems that the Magic Kingdom and Shell are making ethanol from petroleum. I see the point about trading an addiction to foreign oil for one to foreign ethanol, but for the purposes of building a market for E85 in the US, it seems that at least lowering the tariff still makes sense. We are a major agricultural power; our farmers should be able to compete with anyone.

Just to reiterate my views on Ethanol:

Every vehicle sold should be FlexFuel by a date certain (Jan 1, 2009)
We need to build an Ethanol Infrastructure (Transport and Retail)
We need to aggressively fund Ethanol Research
Ethanol production should be decentralized for “Homeland Security”

UPDATE: Price Check on aisle 5!

E10: $2.89
E85: $2.32

Tags: Ethanol, E85

Linked: basil's picnic

Sloth: Classic SNL Moment

2006-06-08T17:42:00.000-05:00

Robbo has an Emily Litella moment. In all fairness, "Terror" does sound a bit like "Tenor" and I will be dammed if the virginless wonder's dead carcass doesn't resemble a famous Italian singer...

Pride: One Less

2006-06-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

There is one less asshole in the world today, and one more dead Islamist that is really confused that there aren't a gaggle of virgins greeting him at in the afterlife.

Envy: Frenchies

2006-06-07T18:53:00.000-05:00

Girls Can Drive Cross Country gives me reason number 1,495,923 to hate the French, they're just plain weird. As evidence I give you this post that tells us what the French really think about us in the Good 'ol USofA.

I haven't decided if the French think we are sexual perverts or that they themselves are the ones obsessed with sex. Rachel has fun with it, and I can see the fun too, but I also think it sheds some light on their view of us.

Envy Gay Marriage

2006-06-07T13:08:00.000-05:00

Gay Marriage amendment goes down in flames
(activists enthuse: "fAa-BU-lous").

I may come as a surprise to many loyal readers, but I am actually in favor of gay marriage. Gays should not be exempt from the suffering and personal/financial carnage that is marriage.

Gay marriage activists only see the “benefits” of being married, not the inevitable downside. I would go so far as to suggest that currently gays are totally in a better position in regard to family law. In the beginning of a long term relationship, while the rest of us are getting major pressure from all sides to get married, gays can say “Sorry, I would totally love to marry you, but the State wont let me!”. At the end of a long term relationship, they don’t surrender half their income and assets because there is no marriage. I would so love to see the judge in the first divorce case involving a gay couple. I bet his/her head would explode trying to figure out which person in the marriage the state should punish and how this judge would allocate assets (usually based on the owner of male genitals). Even more fun when we see the first gay divorce involving kids... Fun to be had by all!

As for said “benefits”, what the heck are they? A lower tax rate? Sure, if only one partner works. Assignment of Social Security benefits at death, I can kind of see that. Only if you believe people getting married today will ever see dime-one of Social Security (I don’t).

Of course, the best solution would be for the Government (at all levels) to get out of the business of defining marriage and other social constructs. Leave it to the church or to contract law.

So, what’s the big deal? I say let ‘em get married and suffer with the rest of us!

Update: I stand by this post on Comedy intent and real feeling, but as some of you might have seen my comments at trouble's blog that I am a tad down on marriage lately... well actually more like fire breathing/stark raving mad.

And I was doing soooo well... except for that Broccoli incident, but I am feeling much better now!

Sloth: Monkey Chow

2006-06-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

Via the King of INTERNET Stoooopidity (where we learn that Abe Vigoda is still alive) comes one the dam funniest things I have seen in quite a while. The Monkey Chow Diaries is one guy’s attempt at reaching the bachelor’s nirvana of no cooking, no cleaning, no kitchen appliances and saving huge amounts of cash on food by eating nothing but “Monkey Chow”.

Not only is the premise funny, but Mr. Scott is quite funny in the role of tortured soul. His daily video is not to be missed!

Best quote so far: “I’m basically eating soggy poop from a bowl, not an ideal situation.”

You can’t buy this level of comedy.

Sloth: Google Humor

2006-06-07T07:58:00.000-05:00

Google (Australia) gives some poor dude bad advice by sending him to 7 Deadly Sins for help with his anger problem.

Sorry mate, you came to the wrong place if you are looking for sanity and/or serenity.

Pride: Anniversary

2006-06-06T23:34:00.000-05:00

Today is the one year anniversary of my flight from the game industry.

It seems like a good time to reflect and maybe come to some conclusions.

My life has sure changed this past year. I have moved far away from the familiar both in the career arena and in geography. The workday is now sane, in fact a bit boring at times. I have learned what I was giving up all those years; best of all I have learned this in time to really enjoy my daughter. I can see that I would have been quite unhappy looking back 20 years from now (if I were lucky enough to live that long) and realizing that my little girl is all grown up and I never really spent time with her. In this regard, I am lucky and very happy about it. As for the geography, it’s still a bit surreal. In some ways it feels like home, but there are times when the differences smack me in the face and I pine for my real homeland. We are most likely moving again this summer as the lease on our place is up and I can no longer live with the threat of new Drug Lords moving in upstairs. My wife has found a single family house for rent and we have put in our application. It will not be ready until later this summer and there are others in the mix, we shall see what happens.

As for games, I am still partly involved. I stayed away for quite some time but the thrill of the hunt still calls (haunts?) me. We shipped a simple game earlier this year and we are pursuing another contract. The difference is that it is no longer my primary means of support, so I can be more relaxed about it, choose the projects, not feel the weight of the entire team on my shoulders and schedule myself for part-time work. The last bit about part-time work is total bullcookies, the schedule is part-time but my obsessive personality ensures that I spent more time than scheduled.

My current job is by no means secure. It could end this late this year (unlikely), late next year or could last until I retire. Of course, to a game developer that looks like a “gold watch" like commitment by my employer (Wow! You mean I am employed and will get a paycheck for the next 6 months... FOR SURE?!?!). If (heaven forbid) I end up back on the job market, I can say that I will not be looking for a full-time return to games. Now that I have seen the other side I can never go back. I knew that a game job was a hard life, much harder than a “straight job”, but I was not prepared for just how different (and better) life is in the “real world”. I feel sort of like Robin Williams in Moscow on the Hudson where he is sent out to buy coffee and is overwhelmed that not only that there is no line to stand in, but there is a full aisle of coffee choices. He only knew about Soviet Russia and was content until seeing first hand the joys of America. I’m not kidding; the difference really is that stark, at least for me.

I remain interested in the industry, as a quick look though the archives will confirm. While I really don’t have a “dog in the fight” against game censorship anymore, it is still a hot button for me. Mainly because it is wrong, but I will admit that part of it is that I have friends in the industry that I would not like to see hurt for the political gain of some darn fool Democrats (I’m looking at YOU Sen. Clinton). I also will continue my attempts to make young people think twice before enrolling in “game programs” as a college major. The industry is not what they make it out to be, they are better served getting a CompSci degree (or MFA for artists) and deciding when they graduate if games are still a choice.

Leaving the game industry has been an unqualified success, at least for me. Looking back I hardly can understand why it took me so long to pull the trigger. I feel blessed that I have this opportunity and plan on making the most of it. If it turns out to be long term, well that would be super, if not I hope that employers will see enough distance from games to render the issue moot.

Yes, I am aware that today is another anniversary , but you can read about that one elsewhere in the blogsphere.

Linked: basil's

Envy: Capital Punishment

2006-06-06T16:46:00.000-05:00

Jay Tea over at Wizbang! makes me think about capital punishment vs. Life in Prison:

To the opponents of capital punishment, they say this is a far better deterrant than death. The thought of having to spend the rest of one's natural life a prisoner of the state, forever locked up with no hope of freedom, just the same four walls day after day, month after month, year after year, until you finally die, is to many people a far more terrifying thought than the relatively quick, painless lethal injection. It's a compelling argument.

[Note: Bolding mine and he goes on to make a great argument for my position that capital punishment is necessary. The following is my sick mind at work.].

Yep, it sure is a compelling argument. I mean, dude who would want to live in a tiny cell for the rest of your life and get 3 square meals a day and have the taxpayers finance your higher education. Not to mention the squalid conditions found in US prisons, with last year’s workout equipment, BASIC cable and only occasional access to the Internet.

WAIT!!!

That sounds better than my life.

Dam.

Pride: Super Wal-Mart

2006-06-05T08:01:00.000-05:00

Man, I totally love Wal-Mart. Not only are they considering selling E-85 at many locations, now they have gone ahead and taken tangible steps to upgrade my personal quality of life.

One of the great mysteries of life in this particular micro-town is that there is a Wal-Mart in the “shopping district”. It is the smallest and oldest Wal-Mart I have ever seen, but it is there and has a pharmacy, which makes life in the outback a little easier. True to form, the pharmacy is not the one I would use except that I really like having a national network where I can get emergency refills while on the road (and yes, I have done so on many occasions). Frankly, the fact that there was a Wal-Mart in town made the sale of the micro-town easier to both me and my wife. The tiny-town I left (3 times the population) didn’t have a Wal-Mart or even a national chain pharmacy.

Anyway, the Wal-Mart deathstar in Arkansas has decided to tear down the current store and use the land as parking for the new SUPER Wal-Mart that is near completion. They have been building this giant store for about a year now and I didn’t really care until someone explained to me that the class of “SUPER” Wal-Marts all have a full supermarket built in (hence the name “super”, I guess).

This got my attention, in fact since I heard that my attention has been “laser-focused”.

One of the major issues of micro-town living is the lack of a decent produce section. I am not talking about deluxe produce retail like the Milwaukee Public Market (ohh baby!), I am talking about having access to simple items like Serrano Chiles and Mangoes (“we don’t get much call fo’ dem fancy-pants plantins ‘round dees parts” – actual local store employee).

So, I decided that I would find a nearby SUPER Wal-Mart and get a preview. The nearest one was about an hour long ride in a town we never heard of before this. We made an adventure of it and looked over the town as well as doing our weekly shopping. We had lots of fun as sightseers in a place that doesn’t get much tourism traffic (as in none). I was surprised to see that there were 2 other supermarkets and a Target store near the SUPER Wal-Mart. I sort of expected to see a vast retail wasteland, which just shows how the power the anti-Wal-Mart propaganda. What I found was a vibrant business section that seemed completely out of place in the rural small town. This area was on the outskirts of town, so I expected that the old downtown area would be a wasteland. I could not have been more wrong. It was very cute with lots of little shops and no (zero, zip, nada) empty storefronts. All in all, a very pleasant little town.

When we got into the supermarket section of the Wal-Mart it was a little like the gates of heaven opened with angels singing and beams of pure sunlight streaming out of the produce section. This place had everything and we looks like the country rubes we are, gawking and commenting on the wonderful selection and how fresh everything was. My endorphin level was already off the meter when I came to the chili section, yes I said SECTION. There were chilis I had only read about (and dreamed of using) and none of them looked shriveled or nasty. I could have taken handfuls and not run out, which is very different from my usual experience. The rest of the supermarket was what you would expect from a “big city” supermarket: a very nice deli, a bakery, good selection of other items.

I was very happy, but I would be even happier when I got through the checkout. Not only was there plenty of open lanes, but the total was much (like 20%) less than the typical shopping trip. Considering I went a little nuts and bought lots of stuff I normally don’t (or can’t) buy, this was a major surprise.

If the new store is half as good as this sample, it will be lightyears ahead of the local stores and the quality of life here in micro-town America will be greatly enhanced.

I’m off to see if I can’t get the construction crew to “put a wiggle in it”.

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-06-03T23:26:00.000-05:00

Open Trackback Post.

Scroll down for today's drivel...

What is this all about? From the Open Trackback Alliance FAQ:

The entire concept is to encourage bloggers to showcase their best recent articles on other blogs which may not otherwise recognize or know about their works.
Open Trackback Alliance members have agreed to create an open article at least once a week, which anyone can create a link to their own blog articles...

Envy: Jobs

2006-06-03T23:25:00.000-05:00

Well... this explains a whole lot about why I can't seem to find a job in Milwaukee that would bring me back home.

Pride: I'm a Single Issue Voter

2006-06-02T19:31:00.000-05:00

Until this very day I was planning to hold my nose and vote Republican this fall because, while they have not shown it, their platform aligns with my beliefs more closely than the Democrats. Other than a grand gesture that means nothing (say home) what choice do any of us really have? Professor Reynolds has been making some noise about a 3rd party lately, but I just can’t go and toss my vote on the trash heap in a manner that would help the far left gain control of the levers of power.

I have argued that we should go to the polls, hold our noses and vote Republican because:

The Left’s whackjobs are waaaaaaay scarier than the fringe wingnuts.
The Republicans at least say the right things.
Pro-Life plank
Homeland security

Something clicked in my head today. Everything became clear to me in a sudden flash of insight into my own beliefs. A rare moment when all three brain cells got together and decided this was a “work day”.

I am a single-issue voter.

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that my issue is Alternative Energy/BioFuels.

I was reading this from Professor Reynolds and followed the link to Unity08 (a crazy-stupid idea by the way, but that’s a topic for another post). They had a poll up on the topics of the day. My first reaction was that they missed illegal immigration, but then I saw that they listed “Dependence on foreign oil” and the Red Sea parted before my mighty intellect.

Most of these problems simple go away based on the consequences of oil addiction and what actions we take today. Again, regular readers will shake their heads and say “well, there you go again”, and their right I am going off on this topic again.

Let’s look at the list that Unity08 puts forth along with illegal immigration.

Global Terrorism/Situation in Iraq

No matter what you think about the GWOT (I am a firm supporter), you can’t seriously argue that our oil addiction has nothing to do this it. If we didn’t rely on oil from that part of the world, we wouldn’t give a tinker’s dam about what happens in the Middle East. Sure Israel would be a hot topic, but what mischief could the Arab States really cause without petrodollars?

So, if we solve our energy issues, the GWOT slowly becomes a non-issue as the dollars stop flowing to our enemies. As a side benefit, Israel becomes secure and takes the lead on keeping the now bankrupt Arab States from causing trouble for the rest of the world.

National Debt

Without exporting huge amounts of cash to oil producers, the US Economy would roar like no other economy in recorded history. Even Congress might have trouble spending the additional tax revenue (I think they would certainly try). Imagine billionaire corn farmers in the Midwest, billionaire orange grove owners in the south, billionaire switchgrass ranchers in the southwest and west. The jobs from the decentralized (to reduce infrastructure and increase security) biofuels refineries would lift all boats.

Of course, the other side of the coin is that if we do nothing about AltEnergy, the economy will continue to be at the mercy of foreign powers. Foreign powers that don’t really care for us, our freedoms and our lifestyles. When the supply gets cut off (and it will in the next 5-10 years at the most), the National Debt becomes moot. So it’s all good.

Public Education and Health Care

Again, I refer to the post oil booming domestic economy. Funds will be available, people will be happier and kids will have a better world to grow up in. Nanotechnology will increase lifespans and quality of life. These are also areas where doing nothing about oil also solves the problems, but I am pretty sure that nobody wants that outcome.

Illegal Immigration

This is one area where solving the oil problem actually makes this problem worse, much much worse. The loss of petrodollars to Mexico and other Central/Latin American countries makes coming to the US more appealing. Add to that appeal the booming economy in the US and you get the picture.

This is why securing the border is so very important.

Simplistic? Sure. I am open to alternatives. Until then, I will support with my vote and my treasure any candidate with a reasonable plan to oil independence.

Blogs are a great way to test these kinds of ideas and see what others think. I also fully expect to look this up in a few years and see just how smart I am, or was..

Linked: basil's picnic, Point 5 and Samantha Burns

Pride: In Defense of Games

2006-06-02T09:54:00.000-05:00

Great article in today's WSJ OpinionJournal. Mr. Anderson hits all the required elements:

Reference to Hollywood box office... Check
Hyperbolic quote from a "conservative media critic"... Check
Uninformed Hillary! quote... Check
Reference to paragon of virtue Joe Lieberman... Check

Them he veers off the well trodden road:

Reference to past "new media" scares... Check
Overwhelming majority of game are not violent... Check
The Industry ratings system works... Check
Kids have $50-$60 in playin-around money?... Check
First Amendment defense... NO Check!

While missing the First Amendment and cost to the taxpayer angles, he still does a wonderful job of debunking the "Tipper Gores of the 21 Century" types. My favorite bit?

The truth is, critics are often ignorant of the moral universe of video games--violent games included.

Please, if you read anything today, read this, we need more of this type of anti-propaganda

(ht: cathyf)

Pride: Thanks Dorsey

2006-06-02T08:55:00.000-05:00

Dorsey Levens retires as a Packer

In a symbolic move, the Green Bay Packers on Thursday signed former Pro Bowl running back Dorsey Levens so he can officially retire today as a member of the team with which he began his National Football League career.

A versatile back that could run, block and catch. Often in the considerable shadow of Brett Favre, he was the quiet centerpiece of the offense. Dorsey was a huge part of the "World Champion Green Bay Packers" and was missed when he moved on to the Eagles.

Thanks for the memories Dorsey!

Anger: More Censorship

2006-06-02T08:32:00.000-05:00

Minnesota goes down the path of Video Game regulation with the signing of this bill. The Minnesota approach is very different from other states as it puts the responsibility directly on the purchaser instead of pressing the retailer into law enforcement duty. Since the only restriction on the retailer is to place warning signs, the chilling effect of carrying adult rated games is removed, which is my primary problem with legislation in other states.

While this bill is not a bad as other efforts, I still oppose it. I oppose it because it is still political scapegoating of an entire industry and enacted only to appease an uninformed populace. It encourages the meme of the game as an instrument of evil that our children must be protected against by placing games in the same vein as tobacco, alcohol and porn.

I also question the enforceability of this law. Will it be ignored by law enforcement or worse, will they write a ticket for every game found in the room of a kid that just went on a shooting rampage? Isn’t a law that is unenforceable also unconstitutional?

Oh yeah, and that whole “First Amendment” thingie too. This bill takes away access to legal materials to a certain class. Unless the First Amendment doesn’t apply to minors, this seems unconstitutional on its face.

The good people of Minnesota just spent a great deal of money on lawyers. I hope they remember that at the polls.

(ht: Game Politics and linked to basil's picnic.)

Sloth: Expensive TP

2006-06-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

That's some mighty expensive toilet paper!

A tax collector in the southern Austrian city of Graz accidentally left $28,000 in cash in a black attache case he placed on top of a toilet in the men's room of a local restaurant Thursday, police said.

By the time he realized it was missing and went back, the cash was gone, authorities said.

As of Friday, no one had turned up with the money, prompting police in the city 120 miles south of Vienna to issue an appeal for its return.

The money was gone and hasn't turned up? Who wudda thought?!?!

Pride: Evil Corporation and E85

2006-06-02T07:34:00.000-05:00

This ought to make a few heads explode:

Wal-Mart weighs selling ethanol-based fuel

The world's largest retailer brought together a group of industry, government and academic experts on alternative fuels in Washington last week to discuss how Wal-Mart could develop a network for supplying gas stations at its stores and Sam's Clubs with E-85 fuel.

Lefties: But...but... Wal-Mart is EVIL! It must be a trick!

Seriously, this sounds like major progress, and it is, but not as huge as it sounds at first glance. Wal-Mart only directly controls about 380 stations. There are currently around 600 stations currently offering E85. Don't get me wrong, a 50%+ increase in outlets is great and all, but when you see "Wal-Mart" and "E85" together, you think "Holy Cow! E85 is gonna be mainstream!" (at least I did).

The main benefit to the E85 cause (if Wal-Mart decides to hop on the bandwagon) will be the development of a retail Ethanol delivery infrastructure. More outlets are great, but bringing in Wal-Mart and its superior logistics know-how will be a major step forward.

Viva Wal-Mart!

Pride: Homer sez...

2006-06-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

Dunkin' Donuts ugggghhhhhhhhhhhh [slobber]

Update: Related. At least one CongressCritter gets it (435 or so to go).

Pride: Oops!

2006-06-01T12:22:00.000-05:00

[FILL IN SNARKY LEFTIST JOKE HERE]

(via Insty)

Lust: Loud Engines

2006-06-01T11:36:00.000-05:00

I think I may be missing a gene that most other men possess. Other men seem to find the roar of an un-muffled vehicle engine to be a good thing.

I find it annoying.

I saw a really nice motorcycle today, it was all shiny and cool and yes I lusted for a bit of that coolness. That is until the owner started it up. Seeing that the rest of the cycle was in great working order and that the owner took great pride in his well polished ride, it was astonishing to me to find that the muffler on this vehicle was either removed or completely defective. The gathered crowd grunted approvingly at the racket the bike made.

That is the moment when I realized that I was missing some essential part of the he-man nature.

I am also reminded of other motorcycles and “big ass” trucks that also have defective mufflers in this, the loudest micro-town in America. I realize now that the drivers of these vehicles often rev up their engines to “gawd-awful loudness mode” when they see friends nearby. This further reinforces the absence of a “loud engine appreciation” gene in my make up.

Am I alone in this or are there other men with the same affliction?

Envy: The Simpsons and Intent

2006-06-01T09:01:00.000-05:00

On the heels of Jeff's blogwar that started due to his thoughts on intent in text, comes this post from vulgar morality pointing out the absurd rewriting of the text of the Simpsons by some dam fer'ner.

The Simpsons, like Monty Python, is an Anglo-Saxon comedic take on the existentialism which in France takes on a more tragic hue. Albert Camus' absurd is defied not by will, but mocking laughter.

Maybe its just me, but I don't think this is what Matt Groening intended.

Read the whole thing.

Sloth: Rockstar:Next

2006-06-01T06:40:00.000-05:00

I was a huge fan of Rockstar:INXS, HUGE I tell ya!

I just ran across some info on the next version (starting July 5th) and I have to say I am confused. They seem to be putting 3 guys (that I never heard of) from 3 bands (2 I didn't like and one that I was lukewarm on) together for the sole purpose of putting on this show. I was a big fan of INXS (back in the day) so I knew their music, could tell when it was being sung properly, was interested in the band's opinion and enjoyed hearing all the different versions during the elimination shows. With these guys, I have no frame of reference and frankly don't give a crap about what they think or if they succeed.

I remain hopeful that I will enjoy the show because the best parts were always the performances. The band stuff, while interesting, wasn't the draw. Time will tell...

(ht: The Sportslady via Basil)

Anger: Cognitive Dissonance

2006-05-31T13:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a classic example:

the wingersphere is full of hateful people who think themselves all civil and shit, and will never, ever let you forget it

This is followed by name calling and a claim of the "wingers" were to blame for a vile posting.

Dude, did you even read your post?

Update: Woo Hoo! Mentioned in Atrios comment! My lucky day!

All that and profanity in the comments! Man-o-man, my life is full!

Update II: Its not very often that confirmation of a point comes so quickly and completely. When it does, one must savor the moment.

[Homer] START SAVORING!!!!

Linked to basil's picnic

Pride: Coffee

2006-05-31T08:06:00.000-05:00

A brief conversation with my morning coffee

Coffee:	Pretty proud of yourself, aren’t you?
ME:	Yep, I should be
Coffee:	You know, you could have just asked me instead of bothering Jeff
ME:	Yeah, like you've been following it
Coffee:	Actually, yes I have. BTW: Your simplistic analysis is only the tip of the iceberg of what Jeff is saying.
ME:	Well...
Coffee:	You're pathetic, you know that right?
ME:	Yeah... I know
Coffee:	Loser! BUSINESS Major!
ME:	I've got a sugar packet...
Coffee:	I'm a dirty, dirty whore.

Pride: Blogwar

2006-05-31T07:49:00.000-05:00

Watching a blogwar from the sidelines is always fun, but this one was both extra fun and very disturbing as it seemed to me that Jeff was working very hard not to be dragged into the typical shouting match. No doubt he got his zingers in, but always he came back to the original point.

I admit it; I was skipping the original point of Jeff’s blogwar. Every time I tried to get the jist of the arguments, my tiny little brain hurt. After the latest series, I decided once more to try and get my head around the original argument.

I read as much as I could stand and thought I had it. The basic premise seemed to be to simple to argue. I must have missed something so I sent the following email to Jeff to confirm.

To: "Jeff Goldstein"
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 6:42 PM
Subject: The "argument"

Jeff,
I really hate to bother you with this, but could you please verify that I actually managed to grok the thrust of the argument. I email so as to avoid a public embarrassment.

Your position is that the only authentic meaning of a work is the meaning that the author intended to convey. Any other interpretation is a creation of the interpreter made from whole cloth.

If this is a correct impression, WTF are the lefties on about? It seems utterly stupid to argue against this position.

If this is not embarrassing to me, I would like to post this exchange on 7 Deadly Sins. With your kind permission, of course.

If it IS embarrassing, the secretary will disavow all knowledge.

Thanks for your time.

Sinner
http://thesins.blogspot.com
sinsblog@softhome.net

To which Jeff responds

Close. The only authentic meaning for purposes of interpretation is the meaning the author intended. Interpreters can make meaning, too, but they are simply re-writing the text.

I did miss a small nuance (I am a wingnut afterall), but it seems that I understand. My immediate reaction was “WTD Dude?!”, but lucky for me the communication medium was text so I had time to elaborate:

The only question that remains is why I can get close (being a Business Major that took 20 years to complete a BS) while a Holder of a Masters can be so far off?

My respect for advanced degrees is deteriorating at a very high rate.

May I have your permission to post this?

Jeff:

Sure thing.

So there you have it. In a nutshell, the original point is pretty much indisputable, one might say (at least to the layman) obvious.

So, Dear Readers, what the heck are the lefties on about?

Update: Stewie:

I say, Rupert, this paste is quite delicious. It’s almost worth the bowel obstruction!!!

If Jeff is a paste-eater, pass the paste!

(Linked: basil's picnic)

Pride: E85 Price Check

2006-05-30T19:02:00.000-05:00

E10: $2.89
E85: $2.43

Memorial Day Weekend and all, I guess I should be glad that its not higher.

Interesting note: As I was filling up, a gentleman asked me about E85 and if he could use it in his van. A quick look at the owner's manual provided the answer that he could use E85. I told him about my experience and was careful to say that others (notably cathyf) have had much lower mileage performance. He thought about it and then asked if it would stop the engine ping, I said that it very well might due to the higher octane and he was sold.

He was filling up as I pulled out. I hope he has a good experience and continues to spread the word.

Pride: Memorial Day

2006-05-29T23:58:00.000-05:00

On this day it is right and proper to lay down your burdens. Have a picnic or cook out, spend time with your family and otherwise enjoy the day off. It is important that you take a moment, maybe with the whole family, and remember those that have served. This is a perfect time to teach our children about the wonderful men and women that serve every day and to pray with them for those that gave their lives for us.

(Added to Wizbang's Roundup)

Pride: Jeff

2006-05-29T16:34:00.000-05:00

Jeff Goldstein attempts to teach calculus to dogs.

Not the way I would choose to spend Memorial Day, but to each his own...

Sloth: Grillin'

2006-05-29T10:34:00.000-05:00

It's what’s for Dinner!

23.86% Calories from fat and 60mg Cholesterol? Steve-o and Robb-o, you've let yourselves go... [tsk]

(Link from Platypus Society)

Pride: Ironhead, RIP

2006-05-28T09:04:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite NFL players in the catagory of "Never played for the Packers" died Saturday.

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward was one of the early "big backs". He was a force from the backfield and had good hands. He could bring the pain with or without the ball in his hands. His playing weight was very close to my own playing weight, the only problem was I was an offensive/defensive lineman and he was a running back.

He died too soon, at age 39.

Anger: John Kerry

2006-05-28T07:45:00.000-05:00

It seems that Sen. John Kerry (D-North Vietnam) wants to reopen the Swift Boat Veterans charges leveled against him during the 2004 election season. Of course, the New York Times will help him any way they can, just in case he runs in 2008.

I really don’t care much about the claims of the Swifties. Its not that I don’t think they are telling the story as they see it, it’s just that the Purple Hearts and Silver/Bronze Stars don’t persuade me that he is a “war hero” that was “reporting for duty”. The claim that he gamed the system to get an early transfer out of Vietnam is not really surprising, wouldn’t you do the same?

No, these things just don’t matter much to me. What does matter is his actions after returning home.

Here is his testimony to the Senate in 1971. This performance should have kept him from any kind of career in politics. Lucky for him he was a Taxachusetts boy. It should be more than enough to disqualify him from being the Commander in Chief.

Then again we shouldn’t question his patriotism.

His campaign in 2004 was just another reason that he should never have been considered for the job. He ran a campaign based on his “war hero” status and the fact that his name wasn’t “George Bush”. It takes a special kind of chutzpah for him to make his “war hero” status the centerpiece of his campaign when he was only in the war zone for 4 months.

Real war heroes have open chest wounds longer than that.

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-05-27T23:28:00.000-05:00

Open Trackback Post.

Scroll down for today's drivel...

What is this all about? From the Open Trackback Alliance FAQ:

The entire concept is to encourage bloggers to showcase their best recent articles on other blogs which may not otherwise recognize or know about their works.
Open Trackback Alliance members have agreed to create an open article at least once a week, which anyone can create a link to their own blog articles...

Pride: AltFuels

2006-05-27T16:31:00.000-05:00

tee bee has a well thought out rant posted at the Badger Blog Alliance (as well as her own place). I posted a comment that I thought was worth tossing to my readership:

Good post, one point/idea...

If you believe in "Peak Oil" (I am not sure about it myself) there is an argument to be made for developing the ability to pump oil on a moments notice and then not pump any (or very small amounts to cover costs of keeping ready) until there is a crisis.

I think keeping it ready as a strategic resource makes the most sense.

The only real difference I have with Scott H is that we should be finding a way to be ready, to turn on the spigot at the moment the Middle East goes wacky(-er) and the flow of oil stops. Until then we should use "their" oil and not "ours", even if it means paying more at the pump.

Now, tee bee certainly knows that I am an "ethanol-guy". I would certainly like to see a "Manhattan Project" for bio-fuels and I think this is where our National Security is best served, but until we get serious we need to figure out how to survive the coming disruption.

K. Carpenter certainly has a point, one that holds true outside of Wisconsin as well. Until the politics of energy get serious, we will have the Saudi's knife at our collective throats.

Go on over and join the discussion.

Sloth: Attention TV Execs

2006-05-27T09:57:00.000-05:00

The Japanese really know how to do TV!

Why do we get stupid British ripoffs like "Idol" and "Who wants to be a Millionaire" when there is stuff like this to bring to these shores? Come on guys, get with the program!

via Blog Idaho (who, dispite the name is not a "ho")

Pride: Can't Drive 55

2006-05-27T09:41:00.000-05:00

We are making progress for 2008!

I can now verify that there are at least 2 people will never vote for HILLARY!

Me and Sammy!

How cool is it that I have so much in common with a rockstar?

Sloth: NFL News

2006-05-26T21:41:00.000-05:00

2 Vikings plead guilty in boat party case

"I used poor judgment and take responsibility for my actions," Smoot said. "I have learned a valuable lesson. I regret tarnishing the reputation of the Minnesota Vikings and the National Football League."

Not possible, sorry.

McKinnie said: "I want to be an example of everything that is good about the Vikings and the state of Minnesota."

I got news Bryant, you already are an example of "Viking character".

Anger: Senate Immigration Bill

2006-05-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

I really didn’t think about this before, but I think there is another position on the Senate Immigration bill worth considering. Maybe I should have been on the [shutter] McCain/Kennedy bandwagon all along.

I have been viewing the bill as something that would get implemented and have been working the phone, email and snail mail to do what (little) I can do to get some of the more, well, STUPID provisions removed. I just may have been going about this in the exact wrong way. I should have been using what little influence I have to get the fence removed, amnesty easier and English language provisions weakened further. I say this because the further down that road the Senate goes the less likely there will be a conference report at all, let alone with these foolish provisions intact.

The House might cave in on the shorter fence, but not on NO fence.

The House might cave in on amnesty-lite, but not on FULL amnesty.

The House might cave in on weak English provisions, but not on NO English requirements.

The passed Senate bill, as crazy as this sounds, is worse than absolutely no changes in immigration policy. My current assumption is that the House will cave in on most (if not all) of the weakened provisions, putting something very much like the Senate bill (unmolested) up for a reconciliation vote. That vote will pass so the CongressCritters can go home and campaign on “doing something” on immigration.

Too late now, we are stuck hoping that the House will not be too distracted by the Rep. Jefferson soap-opera...

Crap... we're sunk...

Pride: 50,000

2006-05-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

7 Deadly Sins got it's 50,000th hit this morning. The visitor was from San Francisco and used Google to find their way here.

To my shame, the only reason this person found me is because we both cannot spell worth a darn...

So another milestone passed! Sort of like a kidney stone, only without the strainer!

Anger: Congress

2006-05-24T15:14:00.000-05:00

Shorter Denny Hastert: CongressCritters are free to break any law within their Congressional Offices without fear of the FBI.

"Throw da bums out!"

Sloth: Teh Funny (Star Wars Edition)

2006-05-23T17:41:00.000-05:00

(via TeaFizz)

Update: Thanks for the gumball Robbo!

Here is the Main Page, go on, give it a whirl!

Anger: Yipes!

2006-05-23T17:09:00.000-05:00

Holy F'in CRAP!

Thank you so very much Prof. Reynolds! Like I needed yet another thing to worry about... FEH!

Sloth: Serious Article, Funny Name

2006-05-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

Insty links what looks to be a very important and interesting article about debunking the myths of the anti-war crowd in regard to Iraq.

The problem is that I could not get past the by-line!

[Butthead] Peter Wehner huh a huh huh
[Bevis] Yeah, WEINER! yeah yeah! and PETER! yeah heh heh

I'm a sick fuck!

Pride: Search Terms

2006-05-23T10:12:00.000-05:00

I am very happy to announce that 7 Deadly Sins is number 1 on Yahoo! for the following search terms:

prison vs.job

Thank you!

Pride: Irony Alert!

2006-05-23T10:03:00.000-05:00

Pot...Kettle...Black...

Among the best of the bits is:

In the wake of a series of journalistic scandals – Jason Blair, Memogate, Judy Miller and many others [ahem.. Dan Rather anyone??? Bueller? anyone? -ed] – it’s understandable why, in many quarters, the MSM is seen as no more reliable than many blogs or Web sites. All good reasons to question any story you come across. And all good reasons for news organizations to be more transparent and open with readers -- and harder on ourselves -- than ever.

(bold mine)

With a straight face too!

Bravo!

(ht: WuzzaDem)

Lust: Stools

2006-05-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz brings us this lovely image:

"the stools were free of harmful parasites, which is more than I can say for this case."

Credit Jeff Goldstein, I have nothing to do with this!

Sloth: New Blogroll Member

2006-05-22T11:42:00.000-05:00

The Platypus Society has been added to the "regular" blogroll. There are 2 good reasons what I am doing this now:

I have been too lazy to add him
I really dug two recent posts

I can identify with this one, the thought of boys dating my little girl is never very far from my mind. I know she is only 4, but I remember how I was as a young lad and it scares me.

The Blogger Finshin' post is comedy gold. I was totally caught...

I wonder if Chris will be caught by this posting... hmmm...

Anyway, congrats, for what it's worth...

Pride: Electricity Generators

2006-05-22T08:39:00.000-05:00

Let's hope Teddy doesn't have a home near Padre Island!

Speaking of ocean based power generation... How cool is this?

Sloth: Coffee

2006-05-22T07:47:00.000-05:00

A brief conversation with my morning coffee

Coffee:	Dude, you look like hell
ME:	Yeah, I feel like it too
Coffee:	Then why are you here?
ME:	ummm ...
Coffee:	You're here because you can't stand to be home, right?
ME:	Well...
Coffee:	You're pathetic, you know that right?
ME:	Yeah... I know
Coffee:	Loser!
ME:	I've got a sugar packet...
Coffee:	I'm a dirty, dirty whore.

Sloth: Calling in

2006-05-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

Calling in dead today. If I recover from my current "Death's Door" state, I will try to post some witty banter.

I know, it would be a first... have pity on the soon to be dead...

Pride: Open Trackbacks

2006-05-20T23:02:00.000-05:00

Open Trackback Post.

Scroll down for today's drivel...

What is this all about? From the Open Trackback Alliance FAQ:

The entire concept is to encourage bloggers to showcase their best recent articles on other blogs which may not otherwise recognize or know about their works.
Open Trackback Alliance members have agreed to create an open article at least once a week, which anyone can create a link to their own blog articles...

Pride: E85 Price Check

2006-05-20T15:26:00.000-05:00

E10: $2.72
E85: $2.19

E10 prices seem to be stable while the price of E85 is dropping.

It must be that pesky Ethanol shortage that is keeping E10 prices high. [/sarcasm]

Anger: Baltimore Police

2006-05-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

To protect and serve....

(ht: DBS)

Envy: Wow

2006-05-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Ouch!

Man, that's gonna leave a mark...

Sloth: Teh Funny

2006-05-19T12:41:00.000-05:00

A woman went to a pet shop and immediately spotted a large beautiful parrot. There was a sign on the cage that said "$50.00."

"Why so little," she asked the pet store owner.

The owner looked at her and said, "Look, I should tell you first that this bird used to live in a house of prostitution, and sometimes it says some pretty vulgar stuff."

The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the bird anyway. She took it home and hung the bird's cage up in her living room and waited for it to say something.

The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, "New house, new madam." The woman was a bit shocked at the implication, but then thought "that's not so bad."

When her two teenage daughters returned from school the bird saw them and said, "New house, new madam, new whores."

The girls and the woman were a bit offended but then began to laugh about the situation.

Moments later, the woman's husband, Keith, came home from work.

The bird looked at him and said, "Hi Keith."

Update: [crickets chirping] I know you people are out there, well not so much ... These are the jokes, folks!

[rim shot]

Update II: DBS adds a good one in the comments, check it out.

Anger: Louisiana

2006-05-19T11:58:00.000-05:00

This is one seriously messed up state, and not because of Hurricanes (weather and drink types).

Last year they passed a law to intice game developers to come to Louisiana with tax breaks.

The Digital Media Act, Senate Bill 341 of the Louisiana legislature, has been passed into law by Governor Kathleen Blanco. The bill gives video game developers who set up shop in Louisiana a 20 percent tax credit provided they remain in operation for the long term and build working relationships with Louisiana universities.

Now it looks like they hate game developers.

The Louisiana House of Representatives has passed Democratic Representative Roy Burrell's HB1381 bill, covering violent video games, by an unanimous measure of 102-0 on Tuesday.

(bold mine)

What gives Louisiana? Is this childish retribution because the game industry didn't flock to your state last year? Maybe because the SIGGRAPH Conference has bypassed you since 2000?

I guess the Louisiana House feels like it has too much money lying around. How else could you explain the rush to pour more of the taxpayer's money into the pockets of the trial lawyers? Don't you guys have bigger fish to fry?

Linked: basil's picnic and Leaning Straight Up

Update: Aww comon Lou, don't be playin' me like dat... Hate the game, not the playa...

Update II: Ray "School Bus" Nagin Re-elected? No way! ... Really?

Even Reggie Bush and Drew Brees can't help now...

Sloth: Morning Meme

2006-05-19T06:46:00.000-05:00

Your Linguistic Profile::

60% General American English

20% Upper Midwestern

15% Yankee

0% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

They missed a perfect opportunity to quiz the term "Bubbler"... So much for science.

Here is Coffee's score:

Your Linguistic Profile::

60% General American English

15% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Midwestern

5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

(via da Llamas)

Anger: The Senate

2006-05-18T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today the "Republican Controlled" Senate killed an amendment to the immagration bill that would have denied some benefits to Illegals, namely SOCIAL SECURITY!

For the love of God, how can granting access to the already overwhelmed SOCIAL SECURITY system be seen as a good thing by anyone with two functioning brain cells to rub together? Kennedy I can see... so thats 99-1.

Allah has the links you need including this one which is the record of the roll call vote. Check your Senators, vote accordingly.

If Sen. McCain ever had a chance to win my vote (I asurre you he didn't), he lost it today.

Again, Check your Senators, vote accordingly.

Anger: Black is White, Up is Down

2006-05-17T12:10:00.000-05:00

My head is spinning! Dog and Cats living together!

First, I call for the impeachment of President Bush.
(Jury is still out on my full support)

Next I find myself publicly agreeing with Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV).

Now Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is championing my pet AltFuel proposal.

Another provision directs automakers to increase flex-fuel vehicle production in ten percentage-point increments annually, until nearly all vehicles sold in the US are FFVs within 10 years.

SOMEONE STOP ME!

[rocking back and forth] I'm an excellent wingnut. Hillary!, Kennedy Clan!, Nancy Pelosi!, Charlie Rangle, for Gods sake! ... I'm an excellent wingnut, excellent ...

Linked: basil's, third world county and Diane's

Anger: More BDS Fun

2006-05-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

I know, I have already highlighted this textbook example of BDS and we already had lots of fun at his expense, but dammit he just outdid himself. Check out this post.

Because some Mexicans could come up here! Some icky, icky brown people could come up here, and they might somehow get on welfare, which would tax the social services. And there's no other big project right now that any money could be pulled from, now is there? Besides, a tiny scintilla of that money might come out of YOUR BANK ACCOUNT now that your Commander in Thief has cut taxes for the richest of the rich once again.

Ah... sweet, sweet BDS! Because, you know, if you aren't for open borders, amnesty, income redistribution and the importation of poverty then you are a dirty dirty racist.

Excuse me, I've rounded up some "icky, icky brown people" and forced them up here (at gunpoint) to tend the gardens at the palatial Casa Sins. Once they are done I plan on beating the tar out of them while they thank me for not calling the INS, then I'll lock them in the pool shed until the lawn gets a bit rough again. It’s hard to get good help these days. The palace I live in would be unmanageable if those detestable people in Congress get their draconian wall in place.

Now, if we could only find a way to distill Ethanol from the used up "icky, icky brown people" that I have piled up behind the mansion.

Who knew you needed to feed them every day?

Update: Meditate.