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Thanksiving trip to Buffalo.....
Nov. 28th, 2010 10:06 pmI typically don't announce that I'm out of town until I come back home. That said, here's a summary of my last trip to Buffalo.
Wed 11/24: Worked for a couple hours. Had lunch at Skyline Chili with the regular crowd (co-workers and friends). Packed for the trip. Got stuck in Columbus rush-hour traffic. It was bumper-to-bumper from I-270 & Sawmill Rd. to I-71 and US 36. I lost about two hours in that traffic jam. Stopped for dinner in Mansfield, OH. Stopped for a late-night bite and to catch up on email at the rest stop in Angola, NY. Arrived at home around 1:30am.
Thu 11/25: A lazy day, as Thanksgiving Days usually are. Watched part of the Macy's parade and a dog show that was on TV. Went food shopping at Tops. Big Lots was open, so I stopped in. Picked up a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for $12. Spent the afternoon entering fuel purchase data intp my MPG spreadsheet, and configuring the Bluetooth earpiece to use with my smartphone. Had a nice Thanksgiving dinner, which I picked up at Denny's the previous evening. Called a few friends to try to schedule visits for the next couple days.
Fri 11/26: Another lazy day. Slept in and avoided the shopping malls. Had lunch with good friends Louis and Liz -- first at Ted's, then migrating to Coffee Culture. Had dinner at home. Spent the evening at home; it was too cold and dark to go out.
Sat 11/27: Did some more shopping for Mom. Stopped in at Big Lots to try to get a Polaroid 4Gb MP3 player with touch screen, but they were sold out. Had lunch at Santora's with Howard, who was in from Boston. Had dinner and good conversation with Bill and Darleen.
Sun 11/28: Had breakfast with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thepolishviking. Left for Dayton. Was cloudy and overcast until I reached Fredonia, NY. Dropped off some laptop goodies for dagonell and cigfran_cg. Had a good drive until I passed Mansfield, OH. Two rear-end collisions slowed things down between Mansfield and Columbus. Dropped off a tea sampler for maedbh7. Had dinner at China Cottage.
Wed 11/24: Worked for a couple hours. Had lunch at Skyline Chili with the regular crowd (co-workers and friends). Packed for the trip. Got stuck in Columbus rush-hour traffic. It was bumper-to-bumper from I-270 & Sawmill Rd. to I-71 and US 36. I lost about two hours in that traffic jam. Stopped for dinner in Mansfield, OH. Stopped for a late-night bite and to catch up on email at the rest stop in Angola, NY. Arrived at home around 1:30am.
Thu 11/25: A lazy day, as Thanksgiving Days usually are. Watched part of the Macy's parade and a dog show that was on TV. Went food shopping at Tops. Big Lots was open, so I stopped in. Picked up a Plantronics Bluetooth earpiece for $12. Spent the afternoon entering fuel purchase data intp my MPG spreadsheet, and configuring the Bluetooth earpiece to use with my smartphone. Had a nice Thanksgiving dinner, which I picked up at Denny's the previous evening. Called a few friends to try to schedule visits for the next couple days.
Fri 11/26: Another lazy day. Slept in and avoided the shopping malls. Had lunch with good friends Louis and Liz -- first at Ted's, then migrating to Coffee Culture. Had dinner at home. Spent the evening at home; it was too cold and dark to go out.
Sat 11/27: Did some more shopping for Mom. Stopped in at Big Lots to try to get a Polaroid 4Gb MP3 player with touch screen, but they were sold out. Had lunch at Santora's with Howard, who was in from Boston. Had dinner and good conversation with Bill and Darleen.
Sun 11/28: Had breakfast with
thepolishviking. Left for Dayton. Was cloudy and overcast until I reached Fredonia, NY. Dropped off some laptop goodies for dagonell and cigfran_cg. Had a good drive until I passed Mansfield, OH. Two rear-end collisions slowed things down between Mansfield and Columbus. Dropped off a tea sampler for maedbh7. Had dinner at China Cottage.
Search we must......
Nov. 23rd, 2010 08:26 pmI've been following the ongoing story of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and their most recent stepped-up efforts to thwart terrorists. Specifically, I've been focused on the full-body scanning devices and the pat-down searches.
There have been a few horror stories that have received a lot of press -- a father taking off his son's shirt during a search, a bladder cancer survivor getting soaked by his own urine, a breast cacncer survivor forced to show off her prosthetic breast, allegations of fondling, etc.
What bothers me is that these searches are done "by the book", with no care or compassion exhibited by the screeners.
The full-body scans aren't that much better. The government assures us that the faces are masked out, that these images are viewed in a remote area, and that there is no way to save the images. Can I believe and trust the government? Only about as far as I can pick it up and throw it.
If I traveled by plane, I probably wouldn't object to either screening, because I know what's at stake and I don't have anything to hide. But at the same time, I'm reminded of Banjamin Franklin's quote about security vs. liberty (something like "Those that give up liberty for security deserve neither"). And if I stripped naked at the gate, I'd probably be arrested for indecent exposure.
But there has to be a better way, one that doesn't involve expensive technology.
For years, Israel has used a more human, look-you-in-the-eye approach. And as far as I know, they haven't had any problems with terrorists getting through. Why couldn't we have adopted their approach? Because the company that makes the scanners, L3 Technologies, spent lots of money lobbying Congress.
The last time I traveled by plane was 1994. If I really want to get somewhere, I'll either drive or take the bus or train.
There have been a few horror stories that have received a lot of press -- a father taking off his son's shirt during a search, a bladder cancer survivor getting soaked by his own urine, a breast cacncer survivor forced to show off her prosthetic breast, allegations of fondling, etc.
What bothers me is that these searches are done "by the book", with no care or compassion exhibited by the screeners.
The full-body scans aren't that much better. The government assures us that the faces are masked out, that these images are viewed in a remote area, and that there is no way to save the images. Can I believe and trust the government? Only about as far as I can pick it up and throw it.
If I traveled by plane, I probably wouldn't object to either screening, because I know what's at stake and I don't have anything to hide. But at the same time, I'm reminded of Banjamin Franklin's quote about security vs. liberty (something like "Those that give up liberty for security deserve neither"). And if I stripped naked at the gate, I'd probably be arrested for indecent exposure.
But there has to be a better way, one that doesn't involve expensive technology.
For years, Israel has used a more human, look-you-in-the-eye approach. And as far as I know, they haven't had any problems with terrorists getting through. Why couldn't we have adopted their approach? Because the company that makes the scanners, L3 Technologies, spent lots of money lobbying Congress.
The last time I traveled by plane was 1994. If I really want to get somewhere, I'll either drive or take the bus or train.
Road trip to Miami U...
Nov. 23rd, 2010 07:19 am25 years ago this month, I was on a road trip to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The Delta Chi chapter there had invited other chapters to help set the record for the world's largest Twister game. So we loaded up the car and left Buffalo and drove all night. We stopped near Loveland, OH to shower at eat at Rocky's parents' house. Then it was on to I-275 west to US 27 north to Oxford.
We arrived just in time, in front of Millett Hall. The game had just begun. None of us had time to stretch out, so most of us got out in the first round. I think Tom lasted until the 2nd round.
After the game, we hung out at the Delta Chi house. They were serving Hudepohl Gold. Nasty stuff. I dozed off in one of the bedrooms. Soon, I heard a battle cry: "The Betas are stealing our kegs!" Another fraternity was trying to steal the empty kegs so they would collect the deposit. So we all woke up and went after them. We got them back.
We stayed the night and left for Buffalo on Sunday morning.
Since then, I've made a few trips to the Miami University campus. Oxford is definitely a college town. And the campus is pretty.
We arrived just in time, in front of Millett Hall. The game had just begun. None of us had time to stretch out, so most of us got out in the first round. I think Tom lasted until the 2nd round.
After the game, we hung out at the Delta Chi house. They were serving Hudepohl Gold. Nasty stuff. I dozed off in one of the bedrooms. Soon, I heard a battle cry: "The Betas are stealing our kegs!" Another fraternity was trying to steal the empty kegs so they would collect the deposit. So we all woke up and went after them. We got them back.
We stayed the night and left for Buffalo on Sunday morning.
Since then, I've made a few trips to the Miami University campus. Oxford is definitely a college town. And the campus is pretty.
Errand day....and a new phone.....
Nov. 20th, 2010 05:20 pmToday was the first chance in a while I've had to get out and do some shopping.
The first stop was the Cincinnati Bell store. They sent me a coupon for a free phone (after a 2-year contract and a $50 mail-in rebate). So I opted for the Cincinnati Bell Blaze phone. I don't know the OEM, but the phone runs the Android OS and apps. The cell phone number remains the same.
Next stop was the Franklin Covey store to pick up my calendar pages for 2011 for my planner book. To my surprise, the store is no longer at the mall; another tenant is occupying the space. Guess I'll have to order them online now. The low business volume probably couldn't justify the cost of brick and mortar stores.
The next stop was Kohl's; where I bought two pairs of jeans. The pairs I already have are showing signs of wear.
After that was Kroger for food shopping. I'm bringing stuffing to tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner at the UU Fellowship, so I needed to get the ingredients today.
Tonight is the USS Bismarck's monthly meeting. After that, it's down to Cincinnati for the Keshvar Project and Raquy & the Cavemen.
The first stop was the Cincinnati Bell store. They sent me a coupon for a free phone (after a 2-year contract and a $50 mail-in rebate). So I opted for the Cincinnati Bell Blaze phone. I don't know the OEM, but the phone runs the Android OS and apps. The cell phone number remains the same.
Next stop was the Franklin Covey store to pick up my calendar pages for 2011 for my planner book. To my surprise, the store is no longer at the mall; another tenant is occupying the space. Guess I'll have to order them online now. The low business volume probably couldn't justify the cost of brick and mortar stores.
The next stop was Kohl's; where I bought two pairs of jeans. The pairs I already have are showing signs of wear.
After that was Kroger for food shopping. I'm bringing stuffing to tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner at the UU Fellowship, so I needed to get the ingredients today.
Tonight is the USS Bismarck's monthly meeting. After that, it's down to Cincinnati for the Keshvar Project and Raquy & the Cavemen.
Building an earth sheltered home.....
Nov. 8th, 2010 09:35 pmOne of my co-workers has been working on building an earth sheltered home for himself.
Here's his blog.
Here's his blog.
Labyrinth walk....
Nov. 7th, 2010 09:50 pmLast night, I participated in a candle-lit labyrinth walk held at my local UU fellowship.
I've walked labyrinths before, but it's been a while. It's not so much moving from the outside to the center and back again. It's the journey in between.
The chairs were cleared and stacked on both sides of the sanctuary. I'd estimate about 200 tea lights inside glass votives marked the spiral path inside the sanctuary. At the center was an altar with a stick of incense, a cast iron cauldron, and some note paper. When we reached the center, we were to write down our concerns on the paper, and burn the paper inside the cauldron. (I forgot to burn my paper the first time, so I went back in. By the time I reached the center, there were other notes folded up beside the cauldron.)
I find labyrinths to be very peaceful and meditative. As I walk inward, my mind is focused on what is going on in my life -- the questions to which I'm searching for answers, the problems to which I'm searching for solutions. I don't hurry towards the center. I take my time, walking slowly or stopping along the path. I allow my subconscious to come up with the solution or the answer. As I reach the center, I stop to meditate. I exit the labyrinth the same way I entered -- slowly, with a renewed intention.
Thanks go to Shannon, who planned this event and created the sacred space ncessary for the labyrinth.
I've walked labyrinths before, but it's been a while. It's not so much moving from the outside to the center and back again. It's the journey in between.
The chairs were cleared and stacked on both sides of the sanctuary. I'd estimate about 200 tea lights inside glass votives marked the spiral path inside the sanctuary. At the center was an altar with a stick of incense, a cast iron cauldron, and some note paper. When we reached the center, we were to write down our concerns on the paper, and burn the paper inside the cauldron. (I forgot to burn my paper the first time, so I went back in. By the time I reached the center, there were other notes folded up beside the cauldron.)
I find labyrinths to be very peaceful and meditative. As I walk inward, my mind is focused on what is going on in my life -- the questions to which I'm searching for answers, the problems to which I'm searching for solutions. I don't hurry towards the center. I take my time, walking slowly or stopping along the path. I allow my subconscious to come up with the solution or the answer. As I reach the center, I stop to meditate. I exit the labyrinth the same way I entered -- slowly, with a renewed intention.
Thanks go to Shannon, who planned this event and created the sacred space ncessary for the labyrinth.
The election results came in, and the results were not what I was hoping. The winners in Ohio: John Kasich for governor, Rob Portman for senator, Mike DeWine for attorney general, and John Boehner for Congress (8th district). In other words, the Boehnheads won.
At least the local Health and Human Services levy passed. And Harry Reid will serve Nevada for six more years. But the Tea Party won't go away. I'm sure they'll be back with a vengeance in 2012.
At the risk of sounding like a sore loser, the election results tell me two things: 1) People want instant gratification, and 2) People respond better to fear-mongering and hate-mongering than facts.
At least the local Health and Human Services levy passed. And Harry Reid will serve Nevada for six more years. But the Tea Party won't go away. I'm sure they'll be back with a vengeance in 2012.
At the risk of sounding like a sore loser, the election results tell me two things: 1) People want instant gratification, and 2) People respond better to fear-mongering and hate-mongering than facts.
Off the bench and back in the game!
Oct. 27th, 2010 05:12 pmI just got the news a few minutes ago. I start at LexisNexis on Monday for what is starting out as a 2-month gig. It could go longer, depending on their budget for next year.
Yesterday, allisona posted about the history of her group, Urban Tapestry, and all the people who have influenced the group from its inception until now. She also asked about everyone else's musical links.
( Here's my filk music history. )
I'd like to get back into the swing of things, but I have a daughter to raise (with the help of her mother), an uncertain employment future, lots of stuff to do at home (namely, the ongoing decluttering project), and a parent to keep track of.
allisona posted about the history of her group, Urban Tapestry, and all the people who have influenced the group from its inception until now. She also asked about everyone else's musical links.( Here's my filk music history. )
I'd like to get back into the swing of things, but I have a daughter to raise (with the help of her mother), an uncertain employment future, lots of stuff to do at home (namely, the ongoing decluttering project), and a parent to keep track of.
.....was my trusty old (circa 1974) Minimoog synthesizer.
Once of the courses I took as an electrical engineering student at UB (before leaving the program) was ECE 303, Signal Analysis. It covered the creation and modification of electrical signals. It was the only EE course I did well in.
Essentially, a synthesizer's audio output is an electrical signal, generated by an oscillator and modified by a filter, with a frequency in the range of hearing (20 Hz - 20,000 Hz).
Many of the problems that were given to us in the class had a higher frequency range (i.e. radio waves). By visualizing the control panel of the Minimoog, I was able to figure out the problems.
It was also a practical way to apply the Fourier series. A regular, repeating waveform can be broken out to a sum of repeating sine waves at different frequencies. For example, a square wave -- that's the shape the signal takes when displayed on an oscilloscope -- is the sum of the odd harmonics at differing strengths (the nth harmnic is 1/n the strength of the root). And a sawtooth wave is the sum of all the harmonics at differing strengths (the nth harmonic is 1/n the strength of the root).
I illustate this in my synthesizer demos by selecting a sawtooth wave on the oscillator and setting filter resonance. This puts emphasis on a given harmonic. As I slowly sweep the low-pass filter control, the harmonics start cutting in, and the sound changes dramatically.
Music. Science. Mathematics. It all adds up. (No pun intended.)
Once of the courses I took as an electrical engineering student at UB (before leaving the program) was ECE 303, Signal Analysis. It covered the creation and modification of electrical signals. It was the only EE course I did well in.
Essentially, a synthesizer's audio output is an electrical signal, generated by an oscillator and modified by a filter, with a frequency in the range of hearing (20 Hz - 20,000 Hz).
Many of the problems that were given to us in the class had a higher frequency range (i.e. radio waves). By visualizing the control panel of the Minimoog, I was able to figure out the problems.
It was also a practical way to apply the Fourier series. A regular, repeating waveform can be broken out to a sum of repeating sine waves at different frequencies. For example, a square wave -- that's the shape the signal takes when displayed on an oscilloscope -- is the sum of the odd harmonics at differing strengths (the nth harmnic is 1/n the strength of the root). And a sawtooth wave is the sum of all the harmonics at differing strengths (the nth harmonic is 1/n the strength of the root).
I illustate this in my synthesizer demos by selecting a sawtooth wave on the oscillator and setting filter resonance. This puts emphasis on a given harmonic. As I slowly sweep the low-pass filter control, the harmonics start cutting in, and the sound changes dramatically.
Music. Science. Mathematics. It all adds up. (No pun intended.)
OVFF 26 highlights......
Oct. 24th, 2010 11:21 pmJust got back from Ohio Valley Filk Fest 26. I was there only today. HIghlights for me:
* Chamberfilk with 10 players (and 2 bass clarinets! Thanksquadrivium!)
* The dinner withautographedcat and kitanzi at BD's Mongolian Grill
* Playing a duet written bypeteralway
* [Finally] meeting a few more filkers I hadn't met before, likesweetmusic_27, ladymondegreen, judifilksign, and shadowriderhope
Thanks to all who reached out to me and made me feel a welcomed member of the filk community once again!
* Chamberfilk with 10 players (and 2 bass clarinets! Thanks
quadrivium!)* The dinner with
autographedcat and kitanzi at BD's Mongolian Grill* Playing a duet written by
peteralway* [Finally] meeting a few more filkers I hadn't met before, like
sweetmusic_27, ladymondegreen, judifilksign, and shadowriderhopeThanks to all who reached out to me and made me feel a welcomed member of the filk community once again!
Two weeks to go.....
Oct. 19th, 2010 07:12 am....until the day the politial ads stop airing. For now.
I've just about had enough of the mud-slinging and poo-flinging from both sides that constitutes most of today's political advertising. "400,000 jobs lost under [Ohio governor] Ted Strickland." "[Ohio gubernatorial candidate] John Kasich took money from Wall Street." "[Ohio senatorial candidate] Lee Fisher said 'hold me accountable' three years ago." [Ohio senatorial candidate] Rob Portman touts his plan which will allegedly save everyone and everything, but doesn't go into detail about what it contains -- he might as well just say RTFPP (Read The F'ing Portman Plan).
I used to think that the Democrats were the Good Guys and the Republicans were the Bad Guys. Now I'm not so sure about the first part.
Where does the money come from to pay for these ads? Some allege that it comes from foreign investors. But according to this article from factcheck.org, it's illegal for foreign entities to purchase American political ads. And that "foreign money" claim? Total hooey.
There are times I wish political advertising was free, so that the third parties out there, from the Libertarians on down, would at least have a fighting chance at getting their word out to people. But then what would happen to our airwaves?
For the time being, I think I'll stick to channels that don't air poltical ads: PBS and the Weather Channel.
I've just about had enough of the mud-slinging and poo-flinging from both sides that constitutes most of today's political advertising. "400,000 jobs lost under [Ohio governor] Ted Strickland." "[Ohio gubernatorial candidate] John Kasich took money from Wall Street." "[Ohio senatorial candidate] Lee Fisher said 'hold me accountable' three years ago." [Ohio senatorial candidate] Rob Portman touts his plan which will allegedly save everyone and everything, but doesn't go into detail about what it contains -- he might as well just say RTFPP (Read The F'ing Portman Plan).
I used to think that the Democrats were the Good Guys and the Republicans were the Bad Guys. Now I'm not so sure about the first part.
Where does the money come from to pay for these ads? Some allege that it comes from foreign investors. But according to this article from factcheck.org, it's illegal for foreign entities to purchase American political ads. And that "foreign money" claim? Total hooey.
There are times I wish political advertising was free, so that the third parties out there, from the Libertarians on down, would at least have a fighting chance at getting their word out to people. But then what would happen to our airwaves?
For the time being, I think I'll stick to channels that don't air poltical ads: PBS and the Weather Channel.
Dreambits....
Oct. 18th, 2010 08:09 amI don't often record my dreams, but this one was so neat I want to capture it.
I was at a week-long festival, like Pennsic or Starwood. Most of the days were pure vacation; there was nothing going on. But Friday afternoon, people start showing up in medieval costume. And the launched into some sort of interactive play with me and other people who were there. This caught me completely by surprise, which added to the drama and enjoyment. And I made some fast friends that afternoon.
I was at a week-long festival, like Pennsic or Starwood. Most of the days were pure vacation; there was nothing going on. But Friday afternoon, people start showing up in medieval costume. And the launched into some sort of interactive play with me and other people who were there. This caught me completely by surprise, which added to the drama and enjoyment. And I made some fast friends that afternoon.
Keep up the fight!
Oct. 16th, 2010 09:57 pmAs some of you already know, Canadian Larry Gowan is a current member of Styx. But before he joined Styx, he had a nice solo career north of the border. Several of my friends in college were fans, and got me hooked on his music. I got to see him live at Crystal Beach, Ontario in the summer of 1986.
As far as I know, his first album was never released on CD. I found an LP version of it years ago. One of my favorite songs from that first album was "Keep Up The Fight". It picks me up when I'm down. If I was a motivational speaker, I think this would be my theme song.
Here's the video. Embedding has been disabled; hence the link.
Right now, I can really use this pick-me-up.
As far as I know, his first album was never released on CD. I found an LP version of it years ago. One of my favorite songs from that first album was "Keep Up The Fight". It picks me up when I'm down. If I was a motivational speaker, I think this would be my theme song.
Here's the video. Embedding has been disabled; hence the link.
Right now, I can really use this pick-me-up.
Remembering Randy.....
Oct. 14th, 2010 10:34 pmOctober 14th is always a tough day for me.
It was 23 years ago today that Randy, one of my fraternity brothers, fatally shot himself.
It was 23 years ago today that Randy, one of my fraternity brothers, fatally shot himself.
Songs for a Monday....
Oct. 4th, 2010 06:28 pmautographedcat posted a link to a great compilation of 10 songs that mention Monday in the lyrics. I'll need to remember this the next time I play Encore.
Spirit Day.....
Oct. 4th, 2010 05:21 amI'm not passing the Spirit Day meme around. It has come to my attention that the pictures of the young men used in the meme were used without permission of the parents involved.
Instead, I will post this graphic, whichkshandra graciously assembled:
Instead, I will post this graphic, which
kshandra graciously assembled:
A visceral reaction to "What If...."
Sep. 30th, 2010 04:49 amOne of my FB-friends recently posted about wanting to see the upcoming movie "What If.....", starring John Ratzenberger and Kevin Sorbo. His closing quote: "What if you followed God's plan for your life instead of your own?"
This one hit a nerve with me, and I said so in my response to him. I also said, "I am not a sheep. I am not a puppet. I don't do meek and submissive.".
This is an idea I've never been comfortable with, even when I was a Catholic years ago. "Surrender yourself to God's will." was the message I got in some homilies. Why? Why should I? (I'm sure this response didn't sit well with my CCD teachers. But I don't remember standing in the corner or having my knuckles rapped because of this "attitude".)
Do I trust God enough to let Him/Her take the wheel and drive the bus I'm on? No.
It's my will, dammit, and I'll do whatever I want, as long as I don't hurt anyone in the process. Even though I don't consider myself a Wiccan, I still follow the Wiccan Rede ("An ye harm none, do what thou will") as one of my guiding principles.
I really don't think it was ever God's intention for us to be sheep, blindly following what He/She dictates, without question.
What I do believe is that there is a divine spark within each and every one of us, blazing brightly. And that there is some type of guiding force in this world that our science cannot explain. The odds of everything occuring on this planet in sequence by pure chance alone are astronomically against it happening.
This one hit a nerve with me, and I said so in my response to him. I also said, "I am not a sheep. I am not a puppet. I don't do meek and submissive.".
This is an idea I've never been comfortable with, even when I was a Catholic years ago. "Surrender yourself to God's will." was the message I got in some homilies. Why? Why should I? (I'm sure this response didn't sit well with my CCD teachers. But I don't remember standing in the corner or having my knuckles rapped because of this "attitude".)
Do I trust God enough to let Him/Her take the wheel and drive the bus I'm on? No.
It's my will, dammit, and I'll do whatever I want, as long as I don't hurt anyone in the process. Even though I don't consider myself a Wiccan, I still follow the Wiccan Rede ("An ye harm none, do what thou will") as one of my guiding principles.
I really don't think it was ever God's intention for us to be sheep, blindly following what He/She dictates, without question.
What I do believe is that there is a divine spark within each and every one of us, blazing brightly. And that there is some type of guiding force in this world that our science cannot explain. The odds of everything occuring on this planet in sequence by pure chance alone are astronomically against it happening.
