Thursday, May 29, 2008

Microsoft AutoUpdate Woes

I use Microsoft Office for Mac 2008, and got a message from Microsoft AutoUpdate this morning telling me an update is available:



Of course, I download the 120+ megabyte file, and jump through all the hoops to install the update, only to be told and the very tail end:



Microsoft AutoUpdate can't even tell what version of their own program I am running!? Aaaarghhh!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Clinton Claims to Lead in “Every Poll”


"Who is the stronger candidate against John McCain? We have not gone through this exciting, unprecedented, historic election, only to lose. You have to ask yourself, who is the stronger candidate? And based on every analysis, of every bit of research and every poll that has been taken and every state that a Democrat has to win, I am the stronger candidate against John McCain in the fall."

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Video Review: Introduction to Geocaching by dezlpower


This video starts out with a brief explanation of the basics of geocaching, then wastes no time getting on with the fun part. The star (Sue from Team Tiki) tells it and shows it like it is. It was apparent that she hadn't found the cache before shooting the video, and that fact added to the authenticity and viewer anticipation. I'm pretty sure they would have even shown a DNF!

I look forward to more geocaching videos by dezlpower/Team Tiki. I rated this video 4/5 stars.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Story of Stuff

Am I turning into an environmentalist? Actually, I have long considered myself an environmentalist, but one who doesn't subscribe to the granola-crunching, Birkenstock-wearing hippie stereotype. That cliché carries a lot of negative baggage I just don't want to carry.

Anyway, I just watched a great video that I have to recommend. It started off ruffling some of my feathers, but it quickly started jabbing at my heart, so I forced myself to watch the whole thing. It's only 20 minutes, so just watch it and pay attention. And share it with others:

The Story of STUFF

Friday, May 16, 2008

FTF After 6 Years!

A Superior Cache!, a cache on an island in Lake Superior was placed over six years ago, and had never been found. Today, get_off_the_paved got the FTF. Be sure to read about the adventure!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The Ultimate Gas-Saving Tip

I read this in a forum I participate in, and had to share it here. Disclaimer: the below post is to be taken tongue-in-cheek (like most of this blog):

"I've built a simple tow-hook arrangement that's mounted to the front bumper of my car and is spring-loaded to try and extend forward. I control it with a little cable that comes back into the cabin of my Chrysler so I can deploy it to hook the rear of a semi-truck or large SUV by letting out the tension.

Like any eco-conscious driver, I just pull up close behind my target, let unhook the cable from the clip on my driver-side door and carefully let it out. The A-frame swings up and forwards, until it almost touches the vehicle in front of me. Some experimentation and trial & error has brought me to a half-hook/cup arrangement that settles easily over large trailer hooks or commercial trailer mounts and holds itself in place quite nicely. Once down, I can pop the transmission into neutral and relax.

The key is to keep your engine running so the transmission stays lubricated, of course.

Q: Why don't you use a rope or harpoon or something?
A: Well, that's just silly, you then need to watch for braking so you can avoid ramming the back of your quarry. With this, he provides your braking too.

Q: How do you avoid debris being kicked up into your paint?
A: The only danger of this really exists during the docking maneuver. Afterwards, you're within the laminar flow and subsequently safe from most of this.

Q: Isn't this illegal?
A: The law is quite firm about following at unsafe distances, yes, but once you're connected, you fall under statutes that regulate towing. There's nothing in there about getting towed without the knowledge of the driver!

I dream of someday seeing long caravans of stealthy eco-towers drifting down the highway, attached to each other and being pulled by an unknowingly helpful Humvee. The serpentine motion of such a construct changing lanes would be beautiful to behold indeed.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Monday, May 05, 2008

John Kerry Taser Incident

See the violence inherent in the system:

Friday, May 02, 2008

A Great Cache Potluck Event

What a fantastic way to spend an evening: hanging out with fellow geocachers and eating!



We are going to miss GlenMart during their caching hiatus. We'll keep Glen in our thoughts and prayers!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Roosevelt on Immigrants & Being an American

I have seen this email going around for years, and had just assumed it was inaccurate. Today I looked up the snopes.com page on this story, and it checks out! It deserves widespread distribution.



'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag...we have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'