Timmer – Page 30 – The Daily Brief

Google Chat

24. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense, Technology

Google has an Instant Messaging client. Once it’s installed, you get little IM popups about new mail in your GMail Account. You can use your GMail Account to log into it. If anyone needs an invite (does anyone NOT have GMail at this point?) let me know and I’ll shoot you one.

I’ve never been a big IM fan…if I wanted to chat with someone I’d hook up with them on irc or some other chat room. But what the heck?

Dean and Michele pointed me at it, I just can’t download anything to my computer at work.

I’m timmer847@gmail.com.

More: They’re trying to unify all chat. Once you’ve got Google Chat installed, the IM pops up whenever you get new Google Mail, whether or not you’re signed in. I’m sure there’s a way to turn that off…just haven’t found it.

Casey Sheehan

24. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Iraq: The Bad, Iraq: The Good, Iraq: The Ugly

Blackfive has the scoop on the real Sheehan story:

Casey Sheehan’s Sergeant asked for volunteers. Sheehan had just returned from Mass. After Sheehan volunteered once, the Sergeant asked Sheehan again if he wanted to go on the mission. According to many reports (and according to his own mother), Casey responded, “Where my Chief goes, I go.”

Go read the whole thing. Bring tissue.

The Extreme Wisdom of Bob Hope

24. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense

Extreme Wisdom has a clip from a 1940 Bob Hope pic, “The Ghost Breakers.”

You can see it coming a mile away and it’s still funny.

Via The Venemous One.

Presenting the iFlea

22. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General

The iPod Flea.

And Yet Another Stupid Survey

22. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense

Ran into this one over at On The Fritz.

[ ] I’ve run away from home.
[X] I listen to political music. (Only because of Green Day and The Clash)
[ ] I collect comic books.
[ ] I shut others out when I’m sad.
[ ] I open up to others easily.
[ ] I am keeping a secret from the world.
[X] I watch the news.
[ ] I own over 5 rap CDs.
[X] I own an I-Pod.
[X] I own something from Hot Topic.
[X] I love Disney movies.
[X] I am a sucker for hair/eyes.
[ ] I don’t kill bugs.
[X] I curse regularly.
[ ] I paid for that cell phone ringtone.
[ ] I have “x”s in my screen name.
[ ] I’ve slipped out a “lol” in a real conversation.
[ ] I love Spam.
[X ] I bake well.
[X] I would wear pajamas to school.
[ ] I own something from Abercrombie
[X] I have a job.
[ ] I love Martha Stewart.
[X] I am in love with someone.
[X] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
[X] I am self conscious.
[X] I like to laugh.
[ ] I smoke a pack a day. (Used to.)
[ ] I loved Go Ask Alice. (I don’t remember Go Ask Alice.)
[ ] I have cough drops when I’m not sick.
[ ] I can’t swallow pills.
[X] I have many scars.
[X] I’ve been out of this country.
[X] I believe in ghosts.
[ ] I can’t sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[X] I am really ticklish.
[X] I see/have seen a therapist.
[X] I love chocolate.
[X] I bite my nails.
[X] I am comfortable with being me.
[X] I play computer games/video games when i’m bored.
[X] Gotten lost in your city.
[X] Saw a shooting star.
[X] Gone out in public in your pajamas.
[X] I have kissed a stranger.
[X] Hugged a stranger.
[X] Been in a fight with the same sex.
[X] Been arrested.
[X] Laughed and had milk/soda come out of your nose.
[X] Pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
[X] Made out in an elevator.
[X] Swore at your parents. (And nearly got my ass kicked by my mother for it.)
[X] Kicked a guy where it hurts. (Guy jumped me in an alley and rushed me…shrug.)
[ ] Been skydiving.
[ ] Been bungee jumping.
[X] Broken a bone.
[X] Played spin the bottle.
[X] Gotten stitches.
[X] Drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour. (…along with a whole bag of Chocolate Chip Cookies)
[X] Bitten someone.
[ ] Been to Niagara Falls.
[ ] Gotten the chicken pox.
[ ] Crashed into a friend’s car.
[X] Been to Japan.
[X] Ridden in a taxi.
[X Shoplifted. (I was 5 and Gramma wouldn’t buy my Bazooka Joe.)
[ ] Been fired.
[X] Had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back.
[ ] Stole something from your job.
[ ] Gone on a blind date.
[X] Lied to a friend.
[X] Had a crush on a teacher/coach.
[ ] Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
[X] Been to Europe.
[X] Slept with a co-worker.
[X] Been married.
[ ] Gotten divorced.
[X] Saw someone dying.
[X] Driven over 400 miles in one day.
[ ] Been to Canada.
[X] Been on a plane.
[X] Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[X] Thrown up in a bar.
[X] Eaten Sushi.
[ ] Been snowboarding.
[X] Been skiing.
[X] Been ice skating.
[X] Met someone in person from the internet. (Another friend almost married her.)
[ ] Been to a motorcross show.
[X] Gone/Going to college.
[X] Done hard drugs (Only because I checked the one below, I consider Vicodin pretty hard.)
[X] Taken painkillers.
[ ] Cheated on someone else
[X] Were so bored you took this survey.
[X] Have a tattoo (Four and counting.)

Rockwood

22. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense

If you need to kill some time, go read some of the archives too. Some classic geeky stuff here.

Ultimate Fighting

21. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: That's Entertainment!

I’ve just watched about 4 hours of Ultimate Fighting.

I think Professional Boxing is in a LOT of trouble. Watching the guys with good wrestling skills is kinda boring, but the fights with the punchers and kickers? Those are better than any boxing I’ve seen in the past 10 years.

I think the reality TV side of it is kind of lame, but they seem to have paid attention to the mistakes made by similar shows and moves along pretty well.

There’s just more action and if you’re a martial arts fan, there’s just more fighting going on.

Which Resevoir Dog Are You?

21. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense

You’re Mr. Orange!

Which Reservoir Dog Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Via Sondra.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization

18. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: World

Sounds like an East Asian Trading Company doesn’t it? Or maybe a trendy place for good eggroles and trolling for members of the oppisite sex?

For this old Cold Warrior, its formation makes me go hmmmmmmmmmmm. All together now, get into your inner Arsineo, hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Russia and China are the dominant countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a grouping that includes four former Soviet republics of Central Asia and which took on Iran, India and Pakistan as observers this year.

At a summit in July, the group called on Washington to set a date for the withdrawal of forces from Central Asia, where they have been deployed since late 2001 in support of military operations in neighboring Afghanistan.

If this were the late 80s or early 90s, I might be a bit worried. Well it’s not like they’re playing wargames or anything…

The war games launched Thursday will practice coordinating a joint force that culminates in a mock invasion next week on China’s Shandong peninsula in the Yellow Sea – using thousands of air, sea and land forces to simulate a mission stabilizing a restive country.

Go read the whole thing.

Note to Admin…looks like we’re going to need Russia and China categories.

Whatcha Watchin’ Meme

17. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: That's Entertainment!

What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

– The Fantastic Four

What was the last movie you watched at home (DVD/VHS, not TV)?

– Sin City

What was the last TV show you watched?

– Studio B while on the crosstrainer at the gym.

What was the last TV show you watched on DVD?

-Firefly

What is the next TV program you plan to watch?

– Battlestar Gallactica.

Via Ravenwood.

Buy That Captain a Beer!

17. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Media Matters Not

From Newsbusters:

After getting two responses to the effect that morale was good, Lauer had this to say: “Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re probably telling the truth, but there might be a lot of people at home wondering how that could be possible with the conditions you’re facing and with the insurgent attacks you’re facing. ”

If Lauer was the advocate for the anti-war case, he then made the cardinal mistake that no advocate should make: asking a question to which you don’t know the answer.

Asked Lauer: “What would you say to those people who are doubtful that morale could be that high?”

Captain Sherman Powell nailed Lauer, the MSM and the anti-war crowd with this beauty: “Well sir, I’d tell you, if I got my news from the newspapers also I’d be pretty depressed as well!”

Somebody, anybody, buy that Captain a beer, and put it on my tab.

Via Blackfive.

Question of the Day (050817)

17. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Israel & Palestine

Are those folks who disagree with what the government of Israel is doing today, clearing out the Gaza Strip, anti-semetic?

I’m curious, because it does seem that if you disagree with Israel these days, you’re immediately labeled a Jew Hater.

Personally, I think they’ve been way too moderate in dealing with terrorism over the years, but the paradox struck me as I watched the news this morning.

On Cindy Sheehan

16. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Rant

Okay, look… I feel for her, I do. Can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a child. I know I’d have a meltdown myself if anything happened to one of our kids. I’m not joining the anti-war movement because of her though…no matter how much she looks like Arlo Guthrie in that hat…even if she knows all the words to Alice’s Restaraunt…not going to happen…however, if she can follow up with the Pickle song, we might invite her over for a barbeque…as long as our Jewish friends aren’t coming ‘cuz…yeah, she crossed the line…big time.

On the other hand, the yahoos on the right who have decided that she’s the anti-Christ and must be crushed, including publishing facts about her personal life that I simply have no need to know about…bite me. Each and every one of you. You know who you are. Especially you self-righteous prigs who are always going off about how the left has no sense of decorum, no sense of proportion, or how Kid Rock isn’t conservative enough to play at your party. Lick me. I’m done giving you any support. I’m done reading you. You can’t be funny or witty enough for me to return to your site. You’ve proven yourselves to be so far gone that you’ve become everything you claim to ~~hate~~ be against.

You know what you do with crazy people? You leave them alone. That’s the best way to let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. You don’t give them MORE attention, that just feeds the fantasy that they’re more important than they are. I suppose that might apply to Mrs Sheehan too…don’t know…don’t know her.

Project Valour-IT

15. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Veteran's Affairs

DaGoddess has got the story on Project Valour-IT and how and why you can help disabled vets get Voice Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops. It’s just one of the things that Soldiers’ Angels have been up to.

With your help, voice-to-text computers and software can be made available to those wounded warriors in need of some assistance.

Can you imagine how you were get by without the use of your hands? Picking up a phone would be impossible. Typing out an email would be impossible. Blowing your nose, wiping away tears of pain or joy, and even something as simple as being able to go to the bathroom by yourself would require assistance. We may not be able to wipe away the tears or anything else for our wounded, but we can give them some independence with these computers.

Greyhawk is involved too.

Coins, Chips, Medallions…

15. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Military

This discussion over at Boing-Boing got me thinking…

Does anyone have the definitive answer to the question, Where did the tradition of military members “coining” visitors and distinguished members come from?

Nerd Phone Sex

14. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense

I can’t remember where I first found this site…but this is just wrong on so many levels.

Well…at least they didn’t have Hermoine….

What’s to Fight About?

14. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Rant

I know, ever since we got back from leave I just haven’t really picked any fights for the weekend. Sorry. It’s just that what’s been in the news has been so silly that I just can’t bring myself to take a serious side on anything without melting down into a complete case of the giggles and snickers. The extreme but vocal/verbose fringes of both sides are so far removed from where I stand these days, that I simply can’t pick a side and seriously make a case without rolling my eyes and doing Ctrl/A del. We’ve simply got too much real life going on to care about the lathering of others. Beautiful Wife’s Dad is not doing well and since we’ve just started to finish grieving over her Mom and Stepdad, it’s a very grey cloud over our heads. And we’ve just learned that an old friend from Germany has a very aggressive cancer and has just started chemo. So you’ll excuse me if I don’t give a rat’s ass about some lady’s meltdown at the President’s ranch or the “news” that liberal democrats have ripped off a charitable fund to support their radio station. I grew up in Chicago dammit, this has all been done before…and better I might add.

I would love to write more about really good new music…and as soon as I find some, I’ll write about it. But talk about a complete crap-alanche of summer music. Nothing stood out. The fact that “Holiday” off “American Idiot” has finally been released as a single ought to tell you something about the state or our music scene. It’s a great song, but it’s almost a year old. Come ON. Thanks to Gorgeous Daughter, I’ve at least had Bif Naked to break up the monotiny. I think I need to hang out with young people more often, they listen to stuff I like.

Movies? All the summer “hits” have come and gone and again, nothing really stood out. The anticipation and discussion of Star Wars Episode III was much, much bigger and better than the movie itself…which was actually better than I expected. “The Island” by all rights and expectation should have stood out as the thrill ride of the year, but the studio didn’t even try to sell it. What do I mean by that? I mean that if I don’t see a Sci-Fi movie advertised on Friday Night Sci-Fi, then the studio is either trying to have it tank, or they’re just clueless as to what the geeks are up to. And what do us geeks have to look forward to for the rest of the year. “Serenity” is coming but it simply won’t be enough. That’s just going to rustle up a new herd of Firefly fans and maybe get a series of movies going. Harry Potter? Okay, good stuff there, but after this one, there’s only three of them left. And it’s not new. It’s old…and most of us have read the books so we know how much of the story isn’t being told. That kind of bites in and of itself. King Kong is coming and looks great but this is version number three. Do we need a version number three? I’m just askin’.

Televison? Other than Friday Night Sci-Fi, is there anything to look forward to? Oh well, at least we have another season of “Survivor” and “American Idol” to look forward to. And here’s a confession, I watch them, but I don’t much like them, there’s just nothing much else on Tuesday or Thursday nights. Have I mentioned that I can’t wait to get back to the Pacific? Something about being able to just go snorkling again when I’m bored makes me happy. Nine months and counting.

Quicky Review (Fantastic Four)

12. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General

Actually better than I thought it would be and relatively close to the comics I read as a kid. And I have to admit I was basing a lot of my preconceptions on the absolute craptitude of the toys that I’ve seen for this movie. But it’s really unfair since you really can’t do much, safely, with the F4 as toys can you? I mean the coolest one, The Human Torch, just doesn’t lend itself to realistic play does he?

The trailer for King Kong looks real good.

I Can See you Hiding Under There

10. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General Nonsense

…I just made you say “underwear.”

It’s National Underwear Day.

Because it’s that kind of day and I can’t go anywhere without someone mentioning it. Which makes “Dr. Strangelove” seem less satirical and more disturbing every moment I spend in this building.

Haynes Boxer/Briefs cover my fuzzy white butt.

First Cup of Coffee (050809)

09. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General

Some days I can’t believe I used to rock out to R*U*S*H’s 2112, other days I wish it was still as good to me as it was when I was 16.

Something I learned from a comedian this weekend: Green Day’s “When I Come Around” uses the same riff as The Cars’ “Let the Good Times Roll.” J.R. Brow is a funny man, go see him any chance you get.

It’s getting harder and harder to read any blogs from work. Some of them simply don’t load at all anymore and some take up to 15 minutes to load. I blame MTV.

Did you know that Microsoft is offering a free AntiSpyware program in Beta? It’s true. You can install it using Firefox, but it’s easier if you use Explorer. Oh, and the security blurb I read says that you should use Microsoft’s Firewall instead of Norton’s especially if you’re going to use the Microsoft Antispyware. They’re kinda made to work together.

Is it just me or does it seem that Iran is jumping up and down going, “Ooh-ooh, me next, me next pleeeeazzzze?”

Heheheheeeee…God I love a good catfight.

The White Sox are in first place and 12 GAMES OUT?! The South Side must be coming unglued. News from the North Side however, remains, sigh, normal.

Oh for the love o’ Pete… Michele’s back from vacation and winds up in the hospital.

Kate’s Fang Fund is doing well (left border). I’d like to think we had something to do with that.

Sigh…53 days until Serenity.

R.I.P. Peter Jennings

08. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Media Matters Not, Memoir

That’s all. I was going to rant about how the right-wingers and left-wingers couldn’t simply pay their respects without causing a fuss or qualifying their respects, but then I realised I’d be causing a fuss.

I thought his 9/11 coverage was simply amazing.

EMail From Soldier Niece

07. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: GWOT, Iraq, Memoir

This is an email I received from Soldier Niece today. Unedited except for a couple of typos. Used with her permission.

Photo via AP.

Dear Family,

Let me start out with I had one hell of a day yesterday. I’ll also say that myself and everyone else are just fine. I didn’t know how soon I should tell you, but I didn’t want anyone to worry.

Yesterday our convoy was hit by a vehicle born IED (suicide bomber). We had a large convoy of 10 vehicles that left at around 6am. This was after the raids earlier that morning. Our mission was to go door to door in the neighborhood gathering info as to what they think of coalition forces, insurgency, etc. This neighborhood has just a “few bad guys”! Yeah, right! We made the first couple stops and found the people really eager to talk to us, which is rare in these parts. To give you a little history, this neighborhood is consistently disturbed by IEDs and other attacks on near by main routes. All of was good up to this point.

As we made our third stop for the morning, we set up security along a IED hot spot, a main MSR (nasty road). We conducted our meet and greets, only to continue to get good information. There of course were some extremely bad people in the neighborhood, that’s all I can say. We had been at this particular spot for what was going on 45 minutes, too long. There was a discussion on the next course of action, things I cannot mention but I was called to the front in case of an emergency. We got the “go ahead” and the group moved out on foot to conduct it’s next mission. Not even 30 seconds later a vehicle veered off the road at about 60 mph straight for the vehicle I was standing next to. He got about 5m off the road and about 10-15m from my vehicle and detonated. Myself and another female from my company were standing on the drivers side of the HMV he was headed for. The gunner in the vehicle in front of us saw the man but only had time to turn his rifle to fire, never got a shot off.

After the blast, I was immediately disoriented, I don’t think I heard anything for about 20 seconds. We headed for the front of the truck for cover and pointed our rifles in the direction of the blast. I immediately started my Medical duties checking on all the personnel in my immediate area. The gunner of the vehicle was amazingly ok. I continued to relay the word back to check on all personnel. Then I heard the dreaded word “MEDIC”! This is something no medic really wants to hear. Near the vehicle in front of the one I was standing at a civilian woman was injured.

Myself and the other medic proceeded to assess the casualty who had large lacerations on her lower legs (gaping wounds). She had two tib/fib fractures one of which was protruding from her leg. She had multiple shrapnel wounds on her legs and upper body. We got the word there was another UXO (un-exploded ordinance) in the whole where the blast was, we then moved the female to the nearest house. After dressing her legs, the other medic left me with the woman (cultural reasons). For a short period I was in the house by myself with an interpreture as well as 10-15 Iraqis. By the time I got additional security the crowd in the room was growing larger and as I was treating her a fight broke out. I was a little upset and continued to take action. The woman was stabilized as much as possible and the Iraqi police escorted her to a near by hospital.

I finally made it back outside, looked over a few more people and got the word they were blowing the UXO. This blast was somewhat smaller than the first, but was controlled. Shaken with a massive adrenaline rush, I finally got a chance to just sit down. Some of the crazy, ironic details of the incident finally started to sort through my mind. One, I was away from my vehicle standing ready with my medic bag right by the blast. I had placed my medic bag at my feet because it adds a lot of weight on top of body armor, ammo, and weapons. My bag saved my legs…

When we were first dressing the injuries of the woman I pulled out a bag of kurlex (gause) and found it ripped open with a piece of shrapnel. I also found Betadine solution covering the inside of my bag. After I got a chance to breath, I looked down at my bag to find a quarter size hole in the front, and two holes in the side. The shrapnel had got through the front three layers of my bag, hitting a bottle of Betadine, going through a large syringe, through the next compartment and into the Kerlex. This would have been my leg.

In all the damage was this… 4 Iraqi civilians injured, only one major. No US personnel injured other than small shrapnel wounds. The gunner in the vehicle in front of mine had three tiny pieces in his lip and check. Two vehicles were damaged, one is totaled. I made sure to thank God for keeping us safe.

Everyone involved in the incident will receive the new Combat Action Badge. Myself and the other medic will receive the Combat Medic Badge. One thing I’ve always wanted, but didn’t want to do the work to get it.

I just wanted to reassure that everything is ok here, but wanted to share this with you all. Thanks for all the support you’ve all given me, I really appreciate it.

Thanks and God Bless,

Soldier Niece

Damn straight I’m proud of her. Now excuse me while I have a good cry because a little girl I once knew had to grow up too fucking fast in one day.

I Know What I Said…

07. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Technology, That's Entertainment!

…but the prices were too good and the old one was starting to get weird on us.

This is really sweet. I really haven’t even started playing with this yet but from what I’ve seen so far, everyone in the family’s going to be very happy with their gaming experiences.

And yes, I went to the store to replace a fried video card and came home with a new video card and a new computer…makes perfect sense to me…especially since the dual cores are driving the prices down so much.

I LOVE the fact that I can plug every memory card, camera, MP3 Player and Microphone/Headset that I own or plan on buying into the front of this if I want to and still have open USB ports on the rear.

So no, I didn’t build it, but yes, we finally got the new computer. Beautiful Wife didn’t even raise her voice, she just rolled her eyes because she knows I’m not going to get much sleep the next couple of days until the new one is fully loaded with everything the old one had. This thing made it a breeze to transfer files over.

Sigh…but I still have to mow the frelling lawn before the yard nazi gives me a ticket tomorrow.

Battlestar Bloggin’ (050805)

05. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: General, That's Entertainment!

I know it’s already been said by smarter folks than me, but DAMN, this is good television.

Two whammies in the last five minutes. Both of them literally knocked some wind out of me.

Wow…

Harrell’s At It Again…

05. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: GWOT

I’ve linked to Jeff before, mostly for his “Survivor” outlines.

Lately, he’s had his rant on and today’s post simply says it all for me, I don’t have to add a word.

There are those, of course, who will say that this is just going to make the situation worse because it’s going to perpetuate the myth that the civilized nations of the West are against Muslims. To these people I say: Lick my balls. The civilized nations of the West are against Muslims. We’re against those Muslims who stand up in what are supposed to be holy places and call for murder and mayhem. We’re against those Muslims who yell “God is great!” while plotting the deaths of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of innocent people.

That’s just a blurb and not the best part of it by far. Read it all.

Journey? WTF?

05. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: That's Entertainment!

Does anyone know what Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” is doing back on the charts? Is “Back to School” making a comeback on DVD or something?

Intelligent Design vs Darwin

04. August 2005 · Comments Off · Categories: Good God, Science!

I don’t know and neither do you. These people are sure they’re right. So are these folks.

Faith is sure one way…science is pretty sure the other. Nobody really knows and at most it’s kind of fun to talk bout it but let’s get serious shall we?

The Daily Brief