31 December 2007

Another year gone, another one coming

Another year gone. My wife and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary and our son turned 16. Unfortunately my grandfather died and all of my grandparents are now deceased. But that is life, it goes on, the good and bad. But over all I can't complain and I hope that 2008 is a good year. So Happy New Year to all that read this blog.

Mike

23 December 2007

Kex Gorin

Kex Gorin, one time drummer for Magnum passed away on the 21st of December. RIP is Kex.

16 December 2007

08 December 2007

Thanksgiving Cookie!

Here's a picture of Cookie at Thanksgiving. She still hates the camera.

 
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16 October 2007

42

Isn't that the meaning of life, according to Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy? Maybe it will magically appear to me today. When I was a kid in high school I never expected to be this old but here I am. Don't plan on going anywhere for quite a while either.

05 October 2007

Ann Coulter shooting her mouth off again...

According to the New York Observer Ann Coulter had this to say:


If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democrat president. It's kind of a pipe dream, it's a personal fantasy of mine, but I don't think it's going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women.
It also makes the point, it is kind of embarrassing, the Democratic Party ought to be hanging its head in shame, that it has so much difficulty getting men to vote for it. I mean, you do see it’s the party of women and 'We’ll pay for health care and tuition and day care -- and here, what else can we give you, soccer moms?'



I may be wrong but I believe Ann is a woman and single...

04 September 2007

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site



It is amazing how much history is around you and most people don't even know it. Fort de Chartres State Historic Site is just about an hour south of here. I've seen it on the map but when I actually got around to visiting it, well it was much more than I ever expected. The oldest standing building in Illinois is within its walls. Being there reminded me of visiting a castle keep in Europe.
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10 August 2007

50 Cent: I'll quit if outsold by West

50 Cent: I'll quit if outsold by West

We can only hope! And once word of this starts spreading it might juts happen. I'm doing my part!

:-)




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02 August 2007

Minnesota bridge problems uncovered in 1990


Minnesota bridge problems uncovered in 1990.

My thoughts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. The infrastructure in this country is decaying and government at all levels needs to start taking a look at fixing it. I suspect we'll see a few more tragedies in the coming years because people have been negligent. It is more glamorous to build a new baseball stadium than to fix a bridge.




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29 July 2007

Cool optical illusion

This is a cool optical illusion. It took me a while to see it. Focus on the extended leg

Spinning Girl

28 July 2007

The Traveling Wall

The Traveling Wall is in my town for the Troy Homecoming this weekend. If you've never seen it before it is a sobering experience. It is half the size of the memorial in Washington DC. Looking at all the names, all the lives taken away...what can you say? The look I saw in the eyes of the Vets visiting it will not be forgotten, nor should it.

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25 July 2007

I'm now a Red/Black Belt

Just got done with my testing in Karate and I'm wiped out at the moment. But I did pass and am now a Red Belt second degree, or Red/Black belt as some would say. Only 8-9 months to go before I test for Black Belt. All I can say is that I really need to get in shape. I'm not 20 something anymore.

:-)




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04 July 2007

In Congress, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with
another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and
equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted
among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these
ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely
to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate
that Governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to
right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably
the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute
Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such
Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such
has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the
necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of
Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a
history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct
object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To
prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.


He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.


He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his
Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly
neglected to attend to them.


He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large
districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of
Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and
formidable to tyrants only.


He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records,
for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his
measures.


He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.


He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause
others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of
Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise;
the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of
invasion from without, and convulsions within.


He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for
that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners;
refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and
raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.


He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.


He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.


He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.


He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.


He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.


He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign
to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent
to their Acts of pretended Legislation:


For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:


For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders
which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:


For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:


For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:


For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:


For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:


For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring
Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging
its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument
for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies


For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:


For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.


He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.


He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.


He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries
to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun
with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized
nation.


He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high
Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of
their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.


He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless
Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished
destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.


In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress
in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by
every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free
people.


Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We
have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to
extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of
the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have
appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured
them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations,
which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.
We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our
Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in
War, in Peace Friends.


We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America,
in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by
Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and
declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free
and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to
the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and
the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and
that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War,
conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all
other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And
for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our
Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.



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03 July 2007

Is it real or not?

I really hope this site is a joke and not real. If it is real then it's quite scary.

Net Authority


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28 June 2007

Jesse Matney 1920 - 2007

My grandfather Jesse Matney, WWII veteran, 3 Bronze Stars. Your life was hard, you were hard to love but loved you were. May you rest in peace.

Jesse Matney 1920 - 1997

The graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 28, at West Lawn Memorial Park in Eugene for Jessie Cleveland Matney of Eugene. He died June 25 of age-related causes at age 87.

He was born Feb. 3, 1920, in Iola, Kan., to Grover and Eva Hatfield Matney. He and his wife, Georgia, were married July 5, 1941, in Galena, Mo.

He served in the Army in World War II, and worked as a general laborer in construction.

Survivors include two sons, Don of Albany and Kenneth of Springfield; a sister, Liela Daniels of Springfield, Mo.; 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. His wife died Nov. 22, 2003.

Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. Remembrances to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission program.

24 June 2007

10 June 2007

Goodbye to Linux (for now)

Well, my little experiment with Linux is over for now and I am back to
XP for my main OS. I’ve given it a go but it never worked quite right
for me. I spent more time trying to get things to work the way I wanted
versus actually being productive. I know from reading some of the
comments to my previous posts I’ll get some flack for that but that
doesn’t matter. It is my computer and as one of my friends said who
uses Linux exclusively said: use what OS is right for you regardless of
what it is. I’ve heard many a Linux user say that your computer should
work for you, not you for it. So XP it is (not spending the money on
Vista). So goodbye Linux (for now). I still have a few live distros to
spin up once in a while…



Cross posted over at my other blog On A Storyteller's Night





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02 June 2007

Frack!

Frack! Frack! Frack!



Looks like the 4th season of Battlestar Galactica is the last. But on the same hand with the storyline of finding earth having a definite end is a good thing. But still....frack!



And then to top it off the character of Dr. Carson Beckett gets killed off on Atlantis last night. What is going on with all my favourite shows?!!!



Frack frack frack!!!













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28 May 2007

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. Thank you to all that have served and my thoughts go to those who have died in service to our country. May you rest in peace.





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18 May 2007

Jericho cancelled - stupid frackin' CBS

Jericho has been canceled. One of the few shows that I look forward to every week ends on one hell of cliff hanger and CBS cancels it. Bastards!

Terror on Wall Street

The title of this site says it all. This is a damn interesting story.



Terror on Wall Street





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25 April 2007

Today is ANZAC Day

A little late but it's still ANZAC day here in my time zone. A hearty salute to those who perished and to those who survived.

ANZAC

Baby Got Back!

This is just too funny!

22 April 2007

09 April 2007

New track up at fuelweb.com

The band Fuel has a new singer and a sample of a new track is up at the website. It sounds really good and I can't wait for the new album to come out.



Fuel Official Site







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04 April 2007

02 April 2007

Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow Chart positions

Chart positions in the UK are #70 overall and #4 on the Rock Album charts according to the BBC.



Well done!





http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rockalbums.shtml





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Crops -- and our wallets -- may get stung by bee problems - MarketWatch

Crops -- and our wallets -- may get stung by bee problems - MarketWatch

It isn't just the US either. There is a problem in the UK with bees dying off too. Bees are absolutely vital to certain plants to survive. It's little things like this that add up and will cause the human race problems.

27 March 2007

Magnum hit the UK charts at #29

Magnum hit #29 on the UK album charts today with the release of Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow. Well deserved mates and congratulations on a fabulous CD.

Official Magnum Website

Now scientists create a sheep that's 15% human

Now scientists create a sheep that's 15% human.

Bah! Nothing new here. Sheepherders have been injecting human DNA into sheep for years. It's only the method that has changed if you get my drift!

:-O

21 March 2007

18 March 2007

Magnum Fans

Well I've finally gotten around to updating my website about Magnum. I've pretty much deleted everything and just posted the latest news about Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow. I do plan to start doing a proper update with the discography, links, pictures, etc. but for now it's just news.

Magnum fans

If you are interested I run a group on Yahoo about the band also. Come on over, join and talk about the band with other fans.
Link
Yahoo Groups - Magnum fans

10 March 2007

Oregon Ducks/USC Trojans Recap Saturday March 10, 2007

Ducks win Pac-10 tournament! Go Ducks!!!

NCAA Basketball - Oregon Ducks/USC Trojans Recap Saturday March 10, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports

Brad Delp, lead singer of Boston dead at 55

Another legend passes away. I remember first hearing Boston while in junior high. I was the equipment manager for the football team so I was always around the high school kids who listened to bands like Boston, Van Halen, Steve Miller, The Cars, etc. Brad Delp's voice was such a huge part of the Boston sound. The self titled debut is a classic.

Brad Delp, lead singer of Boston dead at 55.

08 March 2007

John Inman dead at 71

Another legend has passed away. "Are You Being Served" is one of my all time favourite British comedies. You will be missed and may you rest in peace.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Obituary: John Inman




"I'm free!"

05 March 2007

Just speechless

Reading this commentary today at ePluribus Media by Jay Gould III left me just speechless.

I love the following:

It has indeed been liberating for those of us who deservedly wield the economic, political, and social power in the US to eviscerate the Magna Carta, the Constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We've no need of archaic or foreign documents declaring and defining rights for all human beings. My God, man. Habeas corpus and the Bill of Rights have outlived their usefulness. You aging hippies and starry-eyed dreamers crying over their loss need to get over it! Besides, it's painfully obvious we are not all created equal. If that were the case, men wouldn't dominate women, there wouldn't be long-term psychiatric care facilities, people wouldn't choose to sleep in their own urine on the street, and schools wouldn't have to provide for "special needs" children.

And then at the end he says:

We are Americans!

We love our nation. America is number one, and we aim to keep it that way!

If you don't like that, Chalmers Johnson, then get the hell out!


How Jay Gould considers himself an American is beyond me. He seems to hate the very things that make us who we are. The Bill of Rights and Habeas Corpus have outlived their usefulness? That is his vision of what America is?

Here is the article that got him going:

Republic or Empire

02 March 2007

More Magnum - Soldier Of The Line

More Magnum tonight. Another of Tony's most powerful songs.

"Soldier Of The Line"

Soldier of the line how does it feel
You're far away from home polishing steel
The sun moves in between the mountain and sky
As dawn puts out its fingers splitting them wide

Soldier of the line what do you know
About the other side, they never show
They must be well disguised biding their time
Their armour well prepared so nothing will shine

Soldier of the line would you kill me
There's something in your eyes stopping you see
They're cloudy and you turn your head away
What's that rolling down your face, are you OK?

Hold back those tears from your eye
Don't show those feelings inside
You're in a murderous playground
War games on a castle wall
You're in a murderous playground
Crossed out if you dare to fall

Soldier of the line it isn't fair
You're bleeding deep inside nobody cares
Your flag and lance stand proud splintered and red
No movement in the field, the crows will be fed

Soldier of the line you've come to the end
You'll never get to see your mother again
Some unfamiliar place you're going to stay
An unremembered name an unforgettable day

Magnum - Sacred Hour

Magnum is my favourite band and I'm sitting here listening to their live album "The Spirit". Just as I finished my last post about Sgt Beardsley this song started playing. It's called "Sacred Hour" and is one of their most powerful songs. For some reason it makes me sad tonight.

"Sacred Hour"

All of my dreams that fell through and had tasted so sour
Take second place in my mind for this one sacred hour
Still I've been moved for so long by this strange fascination
Here as I stand all alone in complete concentration

Face through the clouds in the Gods shine with awe and splendour
Rise up and roar they approve will they always remember
I hear the voice of the crowd, it will last forever
Locked in my heart kept away like a stolen treasure

I can hear them calling
Hear the crowd applauding
If it's real I like the feeling
If I'm wrong who am I deceiving?

Night after night it repeats an exciting romance
Shared by us all though we met by a fleeting half-chance
Caught, trapped in time no escape from this powerful dreamworld
Pleased though I am to be here I am lost in the real world

Soldier, 25, dies after re-enlisting to aid ailing wife

Soldier, 25, dies after re-enlisting to aid ailing wife.

This story bothers me on so many levels. Another soldier dead, another family ripped apart. Children growing up without their father. That this man loved his wife so much that he re-enlisted to ensure she could get the medical care she needed. That he had to do it to be able to have health insurance because of the sad state of health care in this country. That his wife had to be told of his death on the day she left the hospital. It truly is a kingdom of madness.

RIP Army Sgt. William "B.J." Beardsley. After reading this article I know I won't forget you.

27 February 2007

Rock legend Billy Thorpe dies

Rock legend Billy Thorpe dies - Entertainment - smh.com.au

Another legend dies. Most Americans know "Children of the Sun" as it is a staple on classic rock radio. Thanks for the music Billy and may you RIP.

Busted!

This picture cracks me up.

20 February 2007

Planned Van Halen tour hits roadblock >> liveDaily

Van Halen News: Planned Van Halen tour hits roadblock >> liveDaily: "Earlier this month, Van Halen issued a press release in which the group announced it was hitting the road with Roth in tow for the first time since the mid-'80s. The announcement promised 40 shows featuring Roth, group co-founders Eddie and Alex Van Halen, and new bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's son, who was to take over on stage for fired original bassist Michael Anthony."


The train wreck never even left the station. Not that I'm surprised one bit.

19 February 2007

It is NOT Presidents Day!!!

Today is Washington's Birthday, not President's day!!! There is no "President's Day". Happy Birthday George.

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Presidents Day

The 2006 MelRock Awards & 2007 Preview

Andrew McNeice has up his 2006 awards. A good read if you're a fan of melodic rock.

The 2006 MelRock Awards & 2007 Preview

Toys R Us and Hooters Sign


Toys R Us and Hooters Sign, originally uploaded by matneym.

I've probably driven by this dozens of times in Fairview Heights but I just noticed it today. Gave me a good laugh

16 February 2007

Science versus Faith

Says it all.

Wellington Grey - Miscellanea

Spice Girls to reunite

Spice Girls to reunite | Music | This is London: "All five former members of the Girl Power phenomenon are said to be agreed in principle to a charity concert in London followed by a national tour."

Who saw that one coming eh?

:-)

11 February 2007

The Shower - differences between women and men

The video says it all.

The Police on the Grammy Awards

The reunited Police just played 'Roxanne' on the Grammy Awards and they sounded and looked as good as ever. Bring on the tour!

Md. Bill Would Put GPS Devices on Truant Students

Md. Bill Would Put GPS Devices on Truant Students

More big brother. What is the world coming to?

Al-Qaeda 'praying for Obama win' | NEWS.com.au

Looks like Mr. Howard is making his feelings known on US politics at the moment.

Al-Qaeda 'praying for Obama win' | NEWS.com.au: "PRIME Minister John Howard has launched a broadside against US presidential hopeful Barack Obama, warning his victory could destroy Iraq and prospects for peace in the Middle East."

Global Rich List

Global Rich List

I'm # 49,322,169 or in the top 0.82% richest people in the world. But with my travels in the military I know I'm well off compared to some of the people I've seen.

10 February 2007

USDA may allow China to import chickens to U.S.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 02/09/2007 | USDA may allow China to import chickens to U.S.: "WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to allow China, where 14 people have died of bird flu since 2003, to sell chicken to the United States."

Why in the hell would we need to import chickens to eat here in the US? This is just nuts.

Student is given a stiff penalty

The Sun Online - News: Student is given a stiff penalty: "Student is given a stiff penalty"

And as always, check out Page3 when visiting the Sun.

;-)

09 February 2007

Paraplegic allegedly 'dumped' on skid row - Los Angeles Times

Paraplegic allegedly 'dumped' on skid row - Los Angeles Times

Just plain wrong. Someone needs to be held accountable. We're the most powerful nation on earth militarily yet we do this to our own citizens. Power is nothing if this is what we are becoming, all because of money. Disgusting.

PINK CREAM 69: 'In10sity' Release Date Set

2007 is definitely going to be a good year for music. Along with Thunder's latest and upcoming releases from Magnum & Rush one of my other favourite bands has a new CD coming out in March. Better start saving up some cash.

BLABBERMOUTH.NET - PINK CREAM 69: 'In10sity' Release Date Set

I'm a PC, I'm a Mac, I'm Linux!

This one is for you Scott! LOL!!!


Doomsday' vault design unveiled

An interesting idea. The only problem is that if there is a catastrophe who will have the means to get to the island?

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | 'Doomsday' vault design unveiled

Man gets breakfast tattoo on head

Man gets breakfast tattoo on head

He should have gotten a tattoo of a brain so at least he would have one.

07 February 2007

Senator to propose surveillance of illegal images | CNET News.com

How much more of big brother can we take and continue to call ourselves a free nation?
Senator to propose surveillance of illegal images | CNET News.com: "Senator to propose surveillance of illegal images

A forthcoming bill in the U.S. Senate lays the groundwork for a national database of illegal images that Internet service providers would use to automatically flag and report suspicious content to police."

06 February 2007

Washington initiative would require married couples to have kids

Washington initiative would require married couples to have kids

While this has no chance of ever passing it does however point out the silliness of one argument some use against same sex marriage. If marriage is for the purpose of procreation and should therefore exclude homosexuals then why shouldn't it exclude those hetero couples that also don't have children?

Watching America

This is a great site to see what the other news agencies and countries around the world are saying about the United States, good and bad. How can we as Americans understand and relate to what is going on if we can't see how the world sees us? I wish more Americans would look past their own personal world and see what is going on globally? The world keeps getting smaller every day. Everyone is your neighbour now.

Watching America: "America's Public Intelligence Agency

RUSH - Snakes And Arrows Album Title Rumor Holding Up; First Single Title Rumored

Woooohoooo!

RUSH - Snakes And Arrows Album Title Rumor Holding Up; First Single Title Rumored> News

03 February 2007

Pandora Internet Radio - Find New Music, Listen to Free Web Radio

Been playing around with Pandora this evening and so far it's been quite interesting. I've heard a few new bands that I'm going to have to check out.

Pandora Internet Radio - Find New Music, Listen to Free Web Radio

Murdoch: Big media has less sway on Internet

So Fox reports, you decide...oh really? Not according to Mr. Murdoch after reading what he said in this interview. Sounds more like "we promote, we decide"...the very thing the conservatives tend to rail about the rest of the media doing. How can you trust Fox news, if you ever did at all after reading this from the man who runs it.

Murdoch: Big media has less sway on Internet:

"Asked if his News Corp. managed to shape the agenda on the war in Iraq, Murdoch said: 'No, I don't think so. We tried.' Asked by Rose for further comment, he said: 'We basically supported the Bush policy in the Middle East...but we have been very critical of his execution.'"

Endangered cranes killed in Fla. storms

This is just really sad.

Endangered cranes killed in Fla. storms - Yahoo! News

01 February 2007

'Aqua Teen' Incident Begs Question: Have We Become Too Paranoid?

My answer is yes, people are way too paranoid. It is smart to be conscious of your surroundings but come on people, this was a bunch of blinking LED lights in the shape of cartoon character. If something simple like this can cause such a panic and disruption of a major city we really do have problems.
'Aqua Teen' Incident Begs Question: Have We Become Too Paranoid?

30 January 2007

Bush Directive Increases Sway on Regulation - New York Times

"each agency must have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee"

Bush Directive Increases Sway on Regulation - New York Times

I wonder if their official title will be "Political Officer"?

28 January 2007

Update to the gay bands story

Here's an update to the gay bands story I posted below. Either way it was fun while it lasted.

Respectful Insolence: Donnie Davies "outed"?

Another Doonesbury cartoon

Doonesbury is always hit or miss with me but this one is a hit.

Doonesbury Cartoon

100 Greatest Guitar Solos

I would have to say it's hard to argue against the top 10 here but after that? It's a joke. I saw at least 2 solos by Kurt Cobain and a couple by Billy Corgan. While I'm a fan of Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins I find it incredible that they rated more solos than Alex Lifeson of Rush. That John Sykes, Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher and countless others who are far more accomplished and respected guitarists makes this list laughable in my opinion.

100 Greatest Guitar Solos

27 January 2007

26 January 2007

Abandoned Russian Planes

I joined the US Air Force in 1984, the cold war was still going and the Soviet Union was the enemy. These planes were designed to kill Americans; as we were the enemy of the Soviets.

English Russia » Abandoned Russian Planes

The cold war is long over and these wounded birds can no longer fly in anger. It's sad to see them this way and makes me feel nostalgic, but grateful that they never flew in anger against us. There is a rugged grace and beauty in the design of their aircraft.

Republican: Scripts need reviewing | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC

I just love this:

"Why should North Carolina taxpayers pay for something they find objectionable?" said Berger, who is having proposed legislation drafted".

How many people would have to be offended for it to be objectionable? Who decides for everyone? For a guy who is in a party that claims to want smaller government and less interference in our lives...well tell me how this fits in to that philosophy?

Republican: Scripts need reviewing | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC

Bands to watch out for - Gay Bands

This kind of stuff just makes me laugh as it sounds like something out of the Onion. But at the same time these people seriously believe this stuff, and that in itself is scary. Anyway, it's a good read so enjoy!

Gay Bands

25 January 2007

Radio-Locator

A handy guide if you're traveling or looking for a streaming internet station.

Radio-Locator: "Radio-Locator (formerly known as the MIT List of Radio Stations on the Internet)"

Two Ohio election workers found guilty of rigging vote recount

Sometimes what some call crazy talk isn't crazy talk.

WRIC Richmond News and Weather - Two Ohio election workers found guilty of rigging vote recount: "CLEVELAND Two election workers in Ohio have been convicted of rigging the recount of the 2004 presidential tally in one county."

24 January 2007

God, Intellect and Universal Truth

An interesting post, and one I can identify with.

Bring it On! » Blog Archive » God, Intellect and Universal Truth: "Exploring Texas, where megachurches are more common than oil wells (and probably more profitable), lately it’s made my mind itch a little more than usual. I was raised a Pentecostal Christian attending small churches, but these places nonetheless remind me of the intellectual darkness I experienced inside the stifling walls of organized religion. That a hundred million of my fellow Americans believe these buildings are their best gateway to the Ultimate is heartbreaking indeed."

'There is no war on terror' | Special Reports | Guardian Unlimited Politics

I pretty much agree with this.

'There is no war on terror' | Special Reports | Guardian Unlimited Politics

22 January 2007

U.S. image around world sharply worsens: BBC poll - Yahoo! News

I'm not one bit surprised by this. Our foreign policy over the last 6 years will take decades to repair, if it's possible at all. Very sad indeed.

U.S. image around world sharply worsens: BBC poll - Yahoo! News

18 January 2007

Waterwheel invention promises cheap electricity | the Daily Mail

I've always wondered why people haven't taken advantage of some of the old ways to lessen our demand for electricity. This story about waterwheels is a good example. How many homes are there that could easily take advantage of this? On the same line of thought why aren't personal windmills being used? Farmers through out the years have used them to pull water out of the ground all through America. Why not use small ones to generate electricity? Even if they only generate enough power to light one or two light bulbs spread out over hundreds of thousands of homes it would make a difference. Cost I suppose is a big sticking point but with enough demand it should come down. For that matter why aren't the utility companies investing in this kind of technology? What are your thoughts on the subject?

Waterwheel invention promises cheap electricity | the Daily Mail: "Waterwheel invention promises cheap electricity"

16 January 2007

On A Storyteller's Night

While this is my main blog I also post over at Lockergnome.com. My blog over there is called On A Storyteller's Night and is primarily about technology and it's political implications. Some of what I post here will appear there and vice versa. Bookmark both and post a comment or two if you feel like it. That way I'll know if someone is reading this or not.

Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow


The Artwork for the new Magnum album (due out in March) "Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow" is up at the official Magnum web site. Done by the legend Rodney Matthews himself.

The Official website of Magnum & Bob Catley

15 January 2007

Papers show France asked Britain for union in 1956 | Top News | Reuters.co.uk

I think the last line of the article says it all: ""France and England are like an old married couple who often think of killing each other, but would never dream of divorcing," he said."

Papers show France asked Britain for union in 1956: "A British government document dating from 1956 shows that on September 10 that year, then French Prime Minister Guy Mollet came to London to discuss the possibility of a merger between the two countries with Prime Minister Anthony Eden."

12 January 2007

THE BEST OF 2006 ACCORDING TO 155 MUSICIANS

Interesting to see what the musicians like.
Imhotep: "THE BEST OF 2006 ACCORDING TO 155 MUSICIANS"

Two missing boys, one since 2002, found in Missouri - Yahoo! News

Absolutely amazing! This is all everyone is talking about here in the St. Louis area tonight. There are two happy families tonight, along with the entire region. A happy ending to a story that usually ends in tragedy and sadness. Welcome home boys.

Two missing boys, one since 2002, found in Missouri - Yahoo! News

06 January 2007

White House visitor records closed

I know this kind of action from this administration should shock me but not anymore. More secrecy for what reasons? Surely it isn't security related. Sad, just sad. Wake up people!

White House visitor records closed - Yahoo! News