I just wanted to vent about the emotionally charged arguments you get from the Dems and the Reps during election time. It saddens me to see this type of thing every time. I’m involved in a political talk show right now. One of the things I like about the show is that it actually seeks to explore the substance behind the rhetoric (if there is any at all to begin with).

“Palin’s daughter is pregnant! That’s just AWESOME! Hilarious!!” I’m told… Let’s look deeper? What are the circumstances? What’s the context? Talk to me about WHY this makes her unfit to serve.

“McCain stopped his campaign! OMG He’s scared!!!” Has he said as much? Ok, let’s just take the statement at face value and run with it. That’s smart.

“McCain isn’t familiar with email and other technology!!” Ok… !? I’m sure he doesn’t know how to build a nuclear bomb, either… Or make a proper pot of kimchi… Or do a cartwheel…

“McCain can’t even do a proper, energetic thumbs up!” Jeebus, don’t get me started on that one.

There are equally as many for Obama, and I’m not trying to deny that — so spin down those email clients if you are about to remind me of that.

And my god, could each side just quit taking pot shots at the other? How about campaigning? Just campaign… Don’t campaign AGAINST the other person. We’re all Americans. Let’s stand together for once…

I call it the FOX effect! :: makes jazz hands :: I don’t claim to be the smartest person politically at all, but I can pick out substance on both sides if I see it. Both candidates have issues, and I’ll acknowledge them, but I just HATE it when people bring me emotionally charged rhetoric that has no substance at all. It’s retarded, and you are just making yourself look like a fool.

On another note, I would love to know what each candidates’ stances are on technology issues! Anyway, that’s my small afternoon rant. Happy Thursday, folks!

There was a time when I would definitely call myself an avid gamer. I’d still like to call myself that. But, lately every game I play seems to fall short of that proverbial mark — whatever that mark is. Perhaps the problem is I am not aware of the mark I am trying to hit.

I just LOVE Massively Multiplayer Online games. I’ve loved them since the days when we mudded on terminal screens at the University…

I’ve played a lot of MMOs since those days: EQ2, Planetside, Dark Age of Camelot, Eve, Tabula Rasa, Guild Wars, Second Life, and now Age of Conan… Some of these did well to capture my attention, some did very poorly. However, lately, it’s as if no games are capturing my attention at all! Not sure what that is about. I mean, the latest MMO I’m playing is Conan… Yeah, CONAN! I should be all over that like white on rice, but somehow I’m not…

The reigning theory is that the heat is rolling in and we all feel a bit lethargic. Gotta love the oppresive summers here. Well, I have thirty days on Conan and we’ll see how it goes. I might just stick to Angband… ;)

Well, the Thought Dumpster is back. It’s not in full glory at the moment, but it’s functional! :)

Heidi’s in Phoenix right now taking Rhys to the eye doctor… Yeah, we have to go to Phoenix to find a doctor who is both (1) worth a damn, and (2) covered in our health plan… As a bonus, she gets to go to a concert, and get a massage while she’s up there. Yay for grandparents (thanks guys, she really REALLY REALLY needs a break — even though she won’t say so)!

For me, this means I got some time on my hands to get some stuff done. I decided this time to use my time for productive things — instead of getting very drunk and very hungover. I’m going to buckle down into .NET crap and see if I can find my “click moment”.

I gotta go bug hunting too… Not software bugs, but the genuine creepy crawly kind of bugs. Seems we have a spider problem again… The last time, I inspected our 8 legged intruders and found they were black widows… Great. They nested underneath Rhys’ play picnic table. Yeah, good times. YAY for the desert. I think this time I will actually venture into my attic to see what’s up there. Honestly, I’ve put it off for so long, I have visions of that scene in Aliens when they realize all of Ripley’s Bad Guys were in the ceiling. Maybe I’ll set up a cam to record the hilarity that I’m sure will ensue…

So the big move at Spacely is all done. What’s more is it actually went pretty damn well! So, here I am late at night, trying to get ready for the new week. I’m now in a new desk at the new building and soon to be the lucky new recipient of our next night shift. This is both a blessing and a curse. While I’m going to have more time for coding and studying I’m going to see my wife and son even less than I get to now. Oh well, it’s only four months, right? :) BLARF

In other news, Rhys is doing well these days. He’s being the normal defiant and testing two year old. Just driving us absolutely bat shit crazy.

Speaking of bat shit crazy, Heidi is here next to me watching some freaky ass orchestra shit. Nothing against strings, man. My roots are still in good string music, but we are supposed to be chilling. :P Ok, and now she is listening to one of those “Hits of the 70′s” infomercials.

She just punctuated that event with, “You know, I still want that AM Gold collection..” And I’m the crazy one… Yeah.

Ok, why so I seem to be babbling on? Well, it’s because I’m having fun using my new TenGo user input system for my PDA. I’d put up the link for you but IE on the PDA sucks. Google it. It’s free, but I totally plan on paying for the extended version. Imagine typing at 74 words per minute on your PDA!

[EDIT] Here’s the link to TenGo!

This’ll be quick, unchecked, and perhaps a bit unconsiderable… Imv taken a reall fast acting sleping plii and its bout kickin in…

So, here we go. What to udate: Rhys stood up TWICE on his own. DIdn’t stay up, but did it. :) H goees tomorrow fo rhis 18 month check up… Get to see how hes doing with al l that… FLAGR@@@d Damn ambien makes me sleepyu…

Work is work. nought rel big goin on there to spteak of. nuth a day, nutha dollar… We’ve got a team day comping up soon so that shou be fun. They usually are. :)

Heidi is going on a rod trip with one o f her best friendstto Iowa for like 3 months@.

Ok… system shutdown I beleive has arrived… good night folks. :) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

ds

————————————
EDIT (06/20/05)

Ok, let me try to translate that to English… WOW! I had no idea it was that bad..

——-snip——
This will be a quick entry since I’ve taken an Ambien and can harldy keep both eyes open at the same time… Thus, there may be a few small gramatical and spelling errors…

So, what’s goin on lately… Rhys stood up twice on his own, with no supporting help from Mom, Dad, or pieces of furniture. He didn’t walk anywhere and sat down proptly afterward. I figure he just wanted to say, “SEE!! I can do it! Now shut the hell up and let me play!” Tomorrow is his 18 month check up. Will let you now about that later. DAMN IT!!! This pill is making me sleepy!

Nothing new to speak of at work. We have one of our “Team Days” coming up soon and that should be fun. They usually are.

Heidi is going on her road trip with Bobbi soon. She’ll be gone for around 3 weeks, although apparently it feels like it will be 3 months… :)

Ok, I better go to bed now since I’m typing with my nose… Good night…
——-snip——