Thank TechEBlog for digging this one up: The Locus Folding Bicycle Concept. Now, that's just convenient and cool. Plus, the colors are pretty dang sweet!
No word on when you can get one of your own…
Jun 302006
Jun 282006
It's a very valid question this is raised over on Slashdot, and in my two experiences (only because the laptop was still under
warranty, otherwise I wouldn't have wasted my time) they don't do very much.
The first time, the guy was able to run a diagnostics CD and then ship the laptop back to Sony (the touchpad had died).
The second time, the guy was able to look up the error message on Google, and then managed to break the display before he was able to run the diagnostics CD. Then he went on guessing what the problem was (including a program that had been uninstalled over a year ago, but had left registry entries behind).
Sadly, the Geek Squad can't even live up to it's name. There's no geeks that work there, just losers who finished the 3-hour in-store training course. Don't waste your time with them if you don't have to, as several others have already found out. There are plenty of other qualified computer technicians out there, so open up your yellow pages and get someone who can actually help you.
Jun 262006
Just like the Colts, Italy has become one of my more dispised teams in this world cup very quickly. The team has plenty of talent, but plays so soft that it offsets most of their giftedness. Serously, it's as if they spent a summer at the Vlade Divacs school of flopping.
If it weren't for a few favorable calls, they might not have even made the elimination round, let alone the quarterfinals. Against the U.S. they had more dives than the Italian swimming team, and several weak calls against the Americans took away a U.S. advantage (at a man up, 11-on-10) to an Italian advantage (a man up themselves, 10-on-9) where they were still being attacked upon. In reality, the Italians were the ones lucky to escape that game with a tie.
Move forward to this morning, where the Italians were backed into a corner by the Socceroos of Austrailia, but managing to hold the fort in a scoreless game. Then comes an extremely weak and questionable call against the Aussies in their own penalty box with 8 seconds remaining in regulation injury time. That turned into a penalty kick for the Italians, which they managed to drive home for the game winner. Nothing like handing the more reputable team the victory, huh?
So far, the World Cup officiating has been abysmal at best. I'm not sure that it's been bad enough for FIFA to go back and evaluate it and their general officiating practices, but more officials have had their names in the headlines than players.
In the meantime, I'll keep hoping that Italy gets oblitherated on their way in the tournament!
Jun 262006
You've probably seen the commercials with that tag line, but this past week it sure has been the truth. Monday, we got the news that Pastor Paul was going to be leaving our church to move out to Washington state. Marci and I are very sad to be seeing him and his family go becaue they have been our best friends in Pittsburgh for the last few years. But they are being called by God into family ministry, so we wish them all the best and do plan to stay in touch!
Then in the middle of the week I got a call from Don letting me know that Meredith was pregnant. Congratulations to the expecting couple! Seems like many of my friends are starting (or growing) their families, which is nice to see, but Marci and I are still several years away from doing that ourselves. Besides, the dog is enough trouble.
Then yesterday I got a call from my parents letting me know that my dad had accepted a position here in the Pittsburgh area, and that they'll be moving this way in the next few months. I had known this was a possibility because my dad had visited with us when he came over for several interviews, but now it's becoming a reality. I have to say that I'm looking forward to having them closer, and Marci likes the idea as well, as long as we're not sharing a living space 
. The whole family seems fine with the idea, even though they'll be leaving the town where we all graduated from high school, but you've also got to play the hand you've been dealt.
So, after nearly a year of marriage with not too many events, we suddenly got bombarded with lots of life-changing news (maybe not all of it changing our lives, but life-changing none-the-less).
For once, the advertisers were telling the truth…
"Life Comes At Your Fast"
Jun 232006
It won't be for two more year, but this outstanding series is coming back!
Jun 222006
Following the United State's groundbreaking performance in 2002, they have followed up in this year's World Cup with a disappointing performance. Granted, they did finally break through by finally getting a point on European soil in World Cup play with a tie against Italy, but uninspired performances against the Czech's and Ghana ultimately lead to their demise.
The team did not attach much in any of their games (except for short stretches against the Italians), but played very conservative. Unfortunately, they had a very tallented attacking team and this style of play kept many of them in check. Add to that the befuddling performance of team captain Claudio Reyna, who regularly was overmatched, killed his teams attacking runs by holding the ball, and continued to turn the ball over (one of which directly turned into a goal for Ghana).
Maybe the youngsters who will be back in four years will learn what it takes to really compete in the World Cup. And maybe the national team will reconsider keeping coach Arenas on board. In this cup, it just seemed like he kept the reigns on the talents of his players in favor of his system (a la Larry Brown with the Pistons).
While disappointed with this result, I still look forward to how the rest of the Cup plays out. Gotta find a second team to get behind…hmmm…both Ghana and the Swiss might be fun to cheer for.
Jun 202006
I'd been looking for some more good Christian music recently, and I got this recommendation from Jason Powell's blog, and it's definately worth a listen. The band's name is needtobreathe, and with their debut album Daylight, they are proving themselves to be a very solid alternative group (I hate using that, because "alternative is such a lousy name, but at least everyone know's what I'm talking about then). Anyway, they are a band in the mold of Switchfoot, with lots of catchy sounds and meaningful lyrics.
You can get a preview of some of their songs at needtobreathe's web site, but that's just a smattering of their work. Their entire album is excellent (which, if you read my other reviews, is a big deal for me…I hate purchasing albums and finding that the only songs I really liked were the radio releases). If you're itching for some quality new music, I encourage you to check it out!
Jun 192006
Not much time to make a long post today, but I do want to say how impressed I was Saturday with the U.S. draw against Italy in the World Cup. Playing a man down for almost the entire second half against one of the elite squads in the world (and still attacking the goal even then, making the Italians look really bad), being able to hold the fort for the tie was huge. That's probably the most I've ever been into any soccer game ever, and I've always enjoyed watching the sport.
Now they have a huge Thursday game against Ghana. Here's hoping that they can keep the momentum going and make their way into the second round.
Jun 142006
Jun 142006
Nine months after FEMA's "response" to hurricane Katrina, they're now realizing that the debit cards passed to those who were impacted were used for far more than the "necessities". I know…shocking!
I mean, I'm sure the stipulations on the card were really clear. When you basically say "here's some money to help you get back on your feet", who's to say how they'll spend the money to do that. Apparrently, for one guy that meant getting divorced, strippers and porn. Ya know, the necessities…
Once again, this is another case of FEMA just screwing up. Sure, the cards are a good idea because they could be used at a number of places, but put some restrictions on them, like food stamps. Better yet, next time just hand out gift cards or vouchers. But no, FEMA just decided to hand out "free money", and people did what they pleased with it.
Just for the record, that's entry number 873 in FEMA's upcoming book How To Do Nothing Right…Ever.
EDIT: Oh, it gets worse too!