So much for *my* wisdom concerning things football... I took quite a bath on last week's games, but so did a lot of other people more knowledgeable than I on the subject. I lost every one of my side bets, and got killed in the pool. The tendency here would be to just forget about posting my picks, but I am made of sterner stuff than that, so I will do so again later this week. Hopefully with better results.
In other news, please don't forget the real reason we observe Veterans Day. Give a thought and prayer to those who have served and continue to serve our great Country and stand to defend freedom for all people who love it.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Puttering At Home
It was a rare Friday night that I spent in at home. I usually go out *somewhere* on Friday evenings, be it shopping, to the cigar club, or out to eat. I felt like staying home, so I did. I work nights, so usually I get out of work on Friday morning, and go to bed at about 10:00am, and nap until 5 or 6. Not this week. I couldn't sleep, so I went shopping for some stuff. I picked up some dinner, and a new coffee grinder. I also bought 3 lb of gourmet coffee. I had to feed my sweet tooth, so I got some chocolate and 1/2 dozen donuts from DD. I picked up some new candle holders and candles. I am up to 8 holders with large candles, which is sufficient to well light my play room.
The play room is very nice. My apartment is very small, so the kitchen is right around the corner from it. This is good for easy snack and coffee or other beverage retrieval. It has good ventilation by way of several windows. This is important because I smoke cigarettes and the occasional cigar. I have a 37" LCD plasma TV with a DVD player attached to it. My laptop serves as the music system, and it is hooked up to a rather good sounding JBL sat-sub speaker system. I own 2 guitars for now, a Fender Strat and a no name acoustic. I plan to buy more as finances permit. I used to own a Les Paul standard, but like an idiot I sold it years ago.
My friend from work hooked me up with 2 really nice cigars on Friday, a large black triple maduro stick, only identified by the word 'Camacho' and a La Flor double maduro, which I am familiar with, but have never smoked. I enjoyed the Camacho cigar last night, it was really good, about a 3 hour smoke. Played a lot of guitar, and cooked dinner. I had ham and scalloped potatoes. Went to bed at 3am. I am off to my mother's house today, and I will spend the day and night there, back to work on Sunday night.
The play room is very nice. My apartment is very small, so the kitchen is right around the corner from it. This is good for easy snack and coffee or other beverage retrieval. It has good ventilation by way of several windows. This is important because I smoke cigarettes and the occasional cigar. I have a 37" LCD plasma TV with a DVD player attached to it. My laptop serves as the music system, and it is hooked up to a rather good sounding JBL sat-sub speaker system. I own 2 guitars for now, a Fender Strat and a no name acoustic. I plan to buy more as finances permit. I used to own a Les Paul standard, but like an idiot I sold it years ago.
My friend from work hooked me up with 2 really nice cigars on Friday, a large black triple maduro stick, only identified by the word 'Camacho' and a La Flor double maduro, which I am familiar with, but have never smoked. I enjoyed the Camacho cigar last night, it was really good, about a 3 hour smoke. Played a lot of guitar, and cooked dinner. I had ham and scalloped potatoes. Went to bed at 3am. I am off to my mother's house today, and I will spend the day and night there, back to work on Sunday night.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Are You Ready For Some Football?!?
Where I work during football season is kind of like Las Vegas. There are tons of pools going, and lots of people willing to make personal wagers on games, sometimes with points, most of the time it is pick the winner. I am ahead with my bets, and I have won the pool I am in once this year out of 9 people.
Let's go. Off this week are New England, the Jets, Tampa Bay, and Houston. My personal bets for the week are; $10 wager on Minn vs. Green Bay at Lambeau field. I have Minnesota. Atlanta vs. Carolina, I have 2 $5 bets with different people, both I am betting Carolina to win against the hapless Falcons. Buffalo vs. Miami, I am betting $5 on Miami to win. Hey, they have to win at least *one* game... Lastly, I am picking the Giants to beat Dallas for $5.
Now for this weeks games in the pool, and my choices:
1. Buffalo vs. Miami. I am picking Buffalo, my other bet notwithstanding. $90 bucks at stake.
2. New Orleans vs. St.L Rams. Please. New Orleans is a lock.
3. Philadelphia vs. Washington. Skins have a good 'D' but no offense. Philly wins.
4. Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh. Big rivalery here, but Pitt has what it takes.
5. Atlanta vs. Carolina. Atlanta is a cellar dweller along with the Jets, Miami, and the Rams. Carolina takes it.
6. Denver vs. Kansas City. KC almost never loses at Arrowhead, and they won't this week.
7. Minnesota vs. Green Bay. I am calling an upset here, Minnesota wins it.
8. Jacksonville vs. Tennesee. Pretty evenly matched teams, Tenn at home wins.
9. Cincinatti vs. Baltimore. Ravens got treated like a bitch last week, and they are in for some more abuse at the hands of the Bengals. Yes, I hate the Ravens.
10. Detroit vs. Arizona. A no brainer. Detroit wins this one.
11. Dallas vs. NY Giants. Flip a coin. I picked Dallas, just because everyone else picked NY.
12. Chicago vs. Oakland. Go Raiders.
13. Indianapolis vs. San Diego. We had one crack addict who picked SD to win this game. There is only one team who can beat the Colts, and they get some rest this week...Colts. Big.
Monday Night Football. 49ers vs. Seattle. Seattle wins this one.
There you have it. Long view, Patriots will have an un-defeated season and win the Super Bowl. The Miami Dolphins will win one game, and the Rams will go winless this season.
Let's go. Off this week are New England, the Jets, Tampa Bay, and Houston. My personal bets for the week are; $10 wager on Minn vs. Green Bay at Lambeau field. I have Minnesota. Atlanta vs. Carolina, I have 2 $5 bets with different people, both I am betting Carolina to win against the hapless Falcons. Buffalo vs. Miami, I am betting $5 on Miami to win. Hey, they have to win at least *one* game... Lastly, I am picking the Giants to beat Dallas for $5.
Now for this weeks games in the pool, and my choices:
1. Buffalo vs. Miami. I am picking Buffalo, my other bet notwithstanding. $90 bucks at stake.
2. New Orleans vs. St.L Rams. Please. New Orleans is a lock.
3. Philadelphia vs. Washington. Skins have a good 'D' but no offense. Philly wins.
4. Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh. Big rivalery here, but Pitt has what it takes.
5. Atlanta vs. Carolina. Atlanta is a cellar dweller along with the Jets, Miami, and the Rams. Carolina takes it.
6. Denver vs. Kansas City. KC almost never loses at Arrowhead, and they won't this week.
7. Minnesota vs. Green Bay. I am calling an upset here, Minnesota wins it.
8. Jacksonville vs. Tennesee. Pretty evenly matched teams, Tenn at home wins.
9. Cincinatti vs. Baltimore. Ravens got treated like a bitch last week, and they are in for some more abuse at the hands of the Bengals. Yes, I hate the Ravens.
10. Detroit vs. Arizona. A no brainer. Detroit wins this one.
11. Dallas vs. NY Giants. Flip a coin. I picked Dallas, just because everyone else picked NY.
12. Chicago vs. Oakland. Go Raiders.
13. Indianapolis vs. San Diego. We had one crack addict who picked SD to win this game. There is only one team who can beat the Colts, and they get some rest this week...Colts. Big.
Monday Night Football. 49ers vs. Seattle. Seattle wins this one.
There you have it. Long view, Patriots will have an un-defeated season and win the Super Bowl. The Miami Dolphins will win one game, and the Rams will go winless this season.
Things That Go Bump In The Night
It happened the night I decided to play hookie from work. It was about 12:30am, when a knock came upon my window. My apartment is in a secure house that is divided into 4 apartments. Mine happens to be on the right side of the house, and my front windows are facing the large porch and front door of the house. *rap* *rap* *rap*
My friends know to call me before they stop by, and I wasn't expecting any visitors. My apartment was dim, I had my candles burning, and I was chilling out with a good book. *Rap* *Rap* *Rap* A little louder now, and I was getting a bit nervous. I don't live in a bad neighborhood, but that line of demarcation is only a few blocks away... I still don't respond, the shades are down, and I can't be seen or heard. *Rap* *Rap* Now I get the SKS, which I keep around for such an occasion, and fold out the bayonette.
I am now crouched with my rifle near the window the unknown person is knocking on. Are they visitors for another resident? Are they casing my apartment to see if anyone is home before they attempt a break in? The business end of the SKS looks like this...
The window set up is a bay style window, 2 windows on each side of a large window that doesn't open, the small side windows do. I am kneeling on the side of the window that they are knocking on. There are definetly two people out there. I don't want to skewer anyone, and I sure as shit don't want to shoot anyone either.
This is a moment I have prepared myself for, yet I have a million things running through my mind. What if they break the window to get in? They would have a hard time getting through that small window, so I would chamber a round home to make an audible point, and ask them to leave, or else. Problem is, if they don't leave, I have to be ready to deliver the 'or else', and it won't be a good situation either way. For them, I imagine being stabbed with that bayonette, or shot can't be a pleasant experience. For me, dealing with the police, the landlord, the neighbors, the newspapers etc. *RAP* *RAP*
My nerves are on end, and my adreanelin level is up. Then I hear a womans voice, I can't understand what she is saying, but it is a woman's voice. I hear another woman respond to her.
I feel relief wash over me as I stand the rifle against the wall out of sight, and open the shade to ask what they want. One of them lives in the apartment upstairs, and she forgot her keys when she left for work. I let them in.
They will never know what was on the other side of that window, and it's better that they don't. I believe I handled the situation responsibly, but it has caused me to think more about what I would do in another situation like that, or, if God forbid, I were in a situation where I have to make a life or death decision. My decision matrix is pretty clear; neuteralize the threat to me or others. If I threaten deadly force and the perp runs away, the threat is gone, there is no need for further action, save calling the cops.
Every gun owner owes themselves a bit of deep introspection and planning for what they would do in the event they have to use deadly force. I could go on and on about the effect of taking a life on one's psyche, or what to do after taking deadly action, to what and what not to say to the police. There are many, many resources on the web that deal with all of this. You would also do well to read and understand your states' laws pertaining to the use of deadly force.
I am not proud of what happened to me, nor am I ashamed of my actions. I used my default of not using force unless my life or property are in danger. The ladies knocking had no idea there was an armed man on the other side of that window.
Think about it, and stay safe.
My friends know to call me before they stop by, and I wasn't expecting any visitors. My apartment was dim, I had my candles burning, and I was chilling out with a good book. *Rap* *Rap* *Rap* A little louder now, and I was getting a bit nervous. I don't live in a bad neighborhood, but that line of demarcation is only a few blocks away... I still don't respond, the shades are down, and I can't be seen or heard. *Rap* *Rap* Now I get the SKS, which I keep around for such an occasion, and fold out the bayonette.
I am now crouched with my rifle near the window the unknown person is knocking on. Are they visitors for another resident? Are they casing my apartment to see if anyone is home before they attempt a break in? The business end of the SKS looks like this...
The window set up is a bay style window, 2 windows on each side of a large window that doesn't open, the small side windows do. I am kneeling on the side of the window that they are knocking on. There are definetly two people out there. I don't want to skewer anyone, and I sure as shit don't want to shoot anyone either.
This is a moment I have prepared myself for, yet I have a million things running through my mind. What if they break the window to get in? They would have a hard time getting through that small window, so I would chamber a round home to make an audible point, and ask them to leave, or else. Problem is, if they don't leave, I have to be ready to deliver the 'or else', and it won't be a good situation either way. For them, I imagine being stabbed with that bayonette, or shot can't be a pleasant experience. For me, dealing with the police, the landlord, the neighbors, the newspapers etc. *RAP* *RAP*
My nerves are on end, and my adreanelin level is up. Then I hear a womans voice, I can't understand what she is saying, but it is a woman's voice. I hear another woman respond to her.
I feel relief wash over me as I stand the rifle against the wall out of sight, and open the shade to ask what they want. One of them lives in the apartment upstairs, and she forgot her keys when she left for work. I let them in.
They will never know what was on the other side of that window, and it's better that they don't. I believe I handled the situation responsibly, but it has caused me to think more about what I would do in another situation like that, or, if God forbid, I were in a situation where I have to make a life or death decision. My decision matrix is pretty clear; neuteralize the threat to me or others. If I threaten deadly force and the perp runs away, the threat is gone, there is no need for further action, save calling the cops.
Every gun owner owes themselves a bit of deep introspection and planning for what they would do in the event they have to use deadly force. I could go on and on about the effect of taking a life on one's psyche, or what to do after taking deadly action, to what and what not to say to the police. There are many, many resources on the web that deal with all of this. You would also do well to read and understand your states' laws pertaining to the use of deadly force.
I am not proud of what happened to me, nor am I ashamed of my actions. I used my default of not using force unless my life or property are in danger. The ladies knocking had no idea there was an armed man on the other side of that window.
Think about it, and stay safe.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Staying Home
I am not going to work tonight, I am staying home and taking a day off. I have no real valid reason for staying home; I am not sick, nor do I have any type of emergency to tend to, I just don't feel like going to work. I don't often do this, but I have a couple of sick days I have to get rid of before the end of the year. I never use sick days for when I am actually sick, I prefer to use them for nights like tonight when I feel good. When I am sick and miserable, I go to work.
I don't have a lot to do, I am typing this, while watching the Steelers deal it to the Ravens. Good. I f-ing HATE the Ravens, ever since Art Modell (the turd) snuck them out of Cleveland one night years ago. I suppose I will surf the web, and do some more research on the camera I want to buy, and see if I can find something interesting to look at. I may clean my apartment, but it is already pretty clean, just a bit of clutter to deal with. Perhaps I will piss off my rude neighbors by practicing guitar at about 2:00am. Payback is a bitch. They know I work nights, and they chose to let their bastard whelps run up and down the hallway screaming their heads off all afternoon. I think I need to work on my Black Label Society chops.
Playing hookie from work feels just like it did when I used to ditch class all those years ago. The time seems to go by really slowly, although I enjoy that now. 4th quarter just started, and the Steelers defense is really sticking it to McNair and the Ravens O. The perfect start to a perfect night...
I don't have a lot to do, I am typing this, while watching the Steelers deal it to the Ravens. Good. I f-ing HATE the Ravens, ever since Art Modell (the turd) snuck them out of Cleveland one night years ago. I suppose I will surf the web, and do some more research on the camera I want to buy, and see if I can find something interesting to look at. I may clean my apartment, but it is already pretty clean, just a bit of clutter to deal with. Perhaps I will piss off my rude neighbors by practicing guitar at about 2:00am. Payback is a bitch. They know I work nights, and they chose to let their bastard whelps run up and down the hallway screaming their heads off all afternoon. I think I need to work on my Black Label Society chops.
Playing hookie from work feels just like it did when I used to ditch class all those years ago. The time seems to go by really slowly, although I enjoy that now. 4th quarter just started, and the Steelers defense is really sticking it to McNair and the Ravens O. The perfect start to a perfect night...
Go Pats!
Nice win by the New England Patriots last night. I became a Patriots fan years ago when I moved to New Hampshire. I have always been a Cleveland Browns fan, and I was happy to see them beat the Seahawks. I did, however manage to lose $20 in bets despite the Pat's win because I was a dumbass and gave a couple of the guys 7 points with the Colts, so sure was I with New England's offense to run up the score... Speaking of that, I really wish these idiots would just quit ragging on the Pats about that matter. I am really sick of hearing it. This is the NFL, not local god damned pee-wee football. My question back to anyone who bitches about them running up a score is, "Why are you upset about it?" Honestly, there is no good answer to that unless you are willing to admit you are a pussified PC moron. Life isn't fair, and competitive sports on a professional level shouldn't be either, at least where feelings and perceptions are concerned. If you don't like the other team scoring a lot, try sending your defense out to play.
There is a lot of talk about these high score thumpings administered by the Pats as being a sort of 'Bellicheks revenge' for all of the fall out with the sideline video cheating. A lot of folks were suggesting the reason for the Patriots' success over the years was because they utilized these tapes to cheat and Bellichek may be out to prove he doesn't need no steenkin tapes to kick some ass about the league. I don't know about that, but I do know that the Pats will probably break a few team and individual records this year, and stand a pretty good chance of unseating the '72 Dolphins from their throne.
There is a lot of talk about these high score thumpings administered by the Pats as being a sort of 'Bellicheks revenge' for all of the fall out with the sideline video cheating. A lot of folks were suggesting the reason for the Patriots' success over the years was because they utilized these tapes to cheat and Bellichek may be out to prove he doesn't need no steenkin tapes to kick some ass about the league. I don't know about that, but I do know that the Pats will probably break a few team and individual records this year, and stand a pretty good chance of unseating the '72 Dolphins from their throne.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
As if I don't have enough things to occupy my time...I am in the process of buying a new digital camera. I was never really interested in photograpy in the past, mainly because I couldn't afford to persue it in the way I like to, which is to say, to it's fullest. Years ago, a friend of mine bought a Nikon film camera and lenses. The thing cost him a small fortune, but it took nice pictures. Strike that, beautiful pictures. My problem with the whole film camera thing was initial cost, then ongoing expenses such as buying film and processing pictures. Digital cameras at first cost a fortune and took crappy pictures, so I never really got into the whole thing until recently.
My mother bought me a Kodak 10 megapixel point and shoot camera for Christmas last year, and I really enjoyed using it. After a pretty short learning curve, I was taking some pretty impressive pictures, considering the features of the camera. A good computer and Photoshop really help as well. The more I thought about it, years ago with film, you would have to have spent tens of thousands of dollars to persue photography as a hobby to the extent that anyone can enjoy now for under a thousand dollars or so, assuming you own a computer.
As I said above, I tend to take things to the extreme, so now of course, the trusty Kodak cannot do what I want it to do, which is manually adjust such things as aperature, shutter speed, exposure and white balance. The Kodak is also painfully slow to recover from taking a shot, up to 3 seconds depending on flash use and or battery discharge. I like to shoot landscapes, and slow re-cycle time between shots isn't too much of a burden, except that it really takes a lot of the spontainaity out of it. I also like to shoot animals and sports events, and slow recycle times for these types of shots are just unacceptable. Besides that, I hate to wait. For anything.
I was pondering some solutions to this dilemma, and the most obvious was to buy a new DSLR camera. Then I checked out the prices of the things, which are way out of my league and disposable income. This brought me to checking out compact DSLR cameras, and there are a LOT of them to choose from, all with lots of great features. The features I am looking for are ability to function in manual mode as said in the above paragraph, uses AA batteries, has a zoom lens, no less than 10X. I would like a camera that stores images in either TIFF or RAW format in addition to JPEG. Taking good quality pictures that are clear and well defined is a must, and a usuable, non confusing interface would be nice.
After a week or so of searching and reading reviews, I have settled on buying the Canon PowerShot S3. This camera distilles the features that are most important to me with a cost I can afford. To buy the camera, I have to sell off one of my guns, which pains me greatly, but I have lots of those, and no good camera to continue a hobby I really enjoy to the next level.
As I said, I wonder where I find time for all I enjoy doing. Some of these things can be combined, such as walking and photography, or listening to and playing music. Cooking and feeding myself are a natural pair. I can't help but wonder if I might be better at my hobbies, or enjoy them more if I just focused on a couple instead of spreading myself out so much.
I will post some old camera and new camera pictures when I have them ready.
My mother bought me a Kodak 10 megapixel point and shoot camera for Christmas last year, and I really enjoyed using it. After a pretty short learning curve, I was taking some pretty impressive pictures, considering the features of the camera. A good computer and Photoshop really help as well. The more I thought about it, years ago with film, you would have to have spent tens of thousands of dollars to persue photography as a hobby to the extent that anyone can enjoy now for under a thousand dollars or so, assuming you own a computer.
As I said above, I tend to take things to the extreme, so now of course, the trusty Kodak cannot do what I want it to do, which is manually adjust such things as aperature, shutter speed, exposure and white balance. The Kodak is also painfully slow to recover from taking a shot, up to 3 seconds depending on flash use and or battery discharge. I like to shoot landscapes, and slow re-cycle time between shots isn't too much of a burden, except that it really takes a lot of the spontainaity out of it. I also like to shoot animals and sports events, and slow recycle times for these types of shots are just unacceptable. Besides that, I hate to wait. For anything.
I was pondering some solutions to this dilemma, and the most obvious was to buy a new DSLR camera. Then I checked out the prices of the things, which are way out of my league and disposable income. This brought me to checking out compact DSLR cameras, and there are a LOT of them to choose from, all with lots of great features. The features I am looking for are ability to function in manual mode as said in the above paragraph, uses AA batteries, has a zoom lens, no less than 10X. I would like a camera that stores images in either TIFF or RAW format in addition to JPEG. Taking good quality pictures that are clear and well defined is a must, and a usuable, non confusing interface would be nice.
After a week or so of searching and reading reviews, I have settled on buying the Canon PowerShot S3. This camera distilles the features that are most important to me with a cost I can afford. To buy the camera, I have to sell off one of my guns, which pains me greatly, but I have lots of those, and no good camera to continue a hobby I really enjoy to the next level.
As I said, I wonder where I find time for all I enjoy doing. Some of these things can be combined, such as walking and photography, or listening to and playing music. Cooking and feeding myself are a natural pair. I can't help but wonder if I might be better at my hobbies, or enjoy them more if I just focused on a couple instead of spreading myself out so much.
I will post some old camera and new camera pictures when I have them ready.
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