Birthplace of the Internet

3420 Boelter Hall, Stanford Research Institute

DIY Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Boston Gets a New Lead Singer

I have been a fan of Boston for 3/4 of my life, and my love for their music shows no sign of fading any time soon. A Boston fan from North Carolina named Tommy DeCarlo was chosen to sing based on his performances on Boston cover songs on his MySpace page.

How Do You Go "Number 2" in Space?

600,000 Wasted Eyeballs

Become an organ donor.

How to Make Profound and Lasting Change

Is there an area of your life that you would like to change? Is there an area of your life you’ve tried changing, made some progress but somehow ended up in the same spot you started in?

Read all about it.

Apple Introduces iPhone Videoconferencing Kit

"This July 11 you will be able to buy the Apple Videoconferencing Kit for iPhone 3G at just $29. Press release and an exclusive leaked photo of the user manual..."

Read all about it here.

The Blog of Dude

My good friend and fellow cache freak Dude (that's him on the left with Jeremy from Geocaching.com) of Dude/Sweet has a great-looking blog. I can't wait to see his entry for this coming September 11 (no, it's not what you think).

Steve Jobs WWDC Keynote in 60 Seconds

The Price is Wrong

Is It 1984 Already?

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Young Hillary Clinton

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!

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."

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.

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

The Difference Between Regular & HD TV

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!

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.

No Man Is An Island?

Mural Animation Video

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Beauty in the Rearview Mirror

GeoJeep Mini-WWFM in the Mountains

Speciality License Plate of the Day

Geocaching Proposal

John Kerry Taser Incident

See the violence inherent in the system:

Obama Answers the Phone at 3am

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!

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.'

Top 10 Reasons I Love Podcacher Podcast

To listen to the Podcacher Podcast is to love the Podcacher Podcast!



10. It's by Sonny & Sandy...from SUNNY SAN DIego. Get it?

9. He proposed to her with a geocache hunt!

8. They produce quality content.

7. Their weekly shows are 100% Family Friendly.

6. I can listen to their show any time, anywhere on my iPhone (I think Sonny has one, too).

5. They use Garageband.

4. They actually get out and cache.

3. They share their podcasting technique.

2. They coordinate great WWFM events.

1. They have mentioned Pablo Mac on at least three podcast episodes.

That last one's reason enough to love anybody!

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies

1. If you're choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you'll be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD- 40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

8. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

Trapped in an Elevator...With Diarrhea

Warning: It's Gross. I also think it's fake.

I Took a Little Hike to Hide a Geocache

Hey, Icenrye...

Does Al Gore Know About This!?

So far this year, I have already:

worn shorts to stay cool
gone canoeing
mowed my lawn
gotten a sunburn

I woke up this morning and here is the picture I took ten minutes ago. I live near the 44th parallel.

Al Gore and many others push the "Global Warming" myth on us, and make millions of dollars in the process.

This country bumpkin has instead observed "Global Climate Change." You're welcome. Please contact me privately for money transfer instructions.

Misusing 'Separation of Church and State'

Since 1947, Jefferson's phrase has been used to limit religion, but was this his intent?
By William Federer

Obama Plans to Disarm America

Illegal Alien Geocoin

I have been in a dialog with Team 360, who placed the bronze plaque at The Original Stash (see the video here), and was banned from geocaching almost two years ago for undisclosed reasons. He is selling a very interesting geocoin on eBay, in case anybody is interested. I couldn't resist placing a bid, but I'm sure I will be outbid soon.



Please note that, by initiating this blog post, I am not publicly confirming or denying my agreement or disagreement with the offensive or inoffensive nature of this authorized or unauthorized geocoin...not that there's anything wrong with it... Just an item of interest...or disinterest.

Windoze Media Player Woes

I just got the umpteenth huge WMV email file attachment from a friend (why don't people just send YouTube links!?), and when I started to play it, Windoze Media Player told me it has an update for me. Of course, trusting everything Bill Gates sends my way, I indicated that I would be privileged and honored to accept an update to such a great Microsoft product. It goes through the progress bar thing, and, after a couple or three minutes of downloading (just how big is this update, anyway?), I get this:



Neither my Print Screen key nor my Add-On screenshot utility program would capture the screenshot, so I took a pic and sent it to myself with my iPhone.

Did I mention I just got a MacBook Pro?

Dead Stupid

After stepping around a marked police patrol car parked at the front door, a man walked into H & J Leather & Firearms intent on robbing the store. The shop was full of customers and a uniformed officer was standing at the counter. Upon seeing the officer, the would-be robber announced a hold-up, and fired a few wild shots from a target pistol. The officer and a clerk promptly returned fire, and several customers also drew their guns and fired. The robber was pr onounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Crime scene investigators located 47 expended cartridge cases in the shop. The subsequent autopsy revealed 23 gunshot wounds. Ballistics identified rounds from seven different weapons. No one else was hurt.

Verified on Snopes.com

Data Execution Prevention

First thing at work on a Monday Morning and I get this on my Dell Doorstop:


I don't even use Internet Exploder, and haven't for many years.

I clicked the "Close Message" button and got an error message dialog, asking me to send an error report to Bill Gates. When I tried to capture a screenshot of that, the computer started buzzing loudly (I'm not making this up) and slowed to a crawl. I crawled out for a cupajoe, and when I came back, all seemed normal...until I clicked the "Send Error Report" button. It seems they really don't want error reports in Redmond, because I got a Blue Screen of Death.

Welcome to my Monday.

I just bought a MacBook Pro.

Secrecy News Blog

Secrecy News from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy

"A Mismatch of Words and Actions"

That's the phrase of the day; the very theme of her and Bill's entire political careers.

See the video here.

Cyborg Insects

Smile...Wait for Flash

Survey: Apple Most Inspirational Brand

Read all about it.

The survey asked almost 2,000 readers in 107 countries which brand they would choose for 10 different categories. The group, 74 percent of which were in the marketing profession, voted Apple to the top in six of the 10 areas. Survey respondents placed Apple ahead of other companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, Google, Starbucks, McDonald's, and Microsoft, citing things like "beautiful products," ease of use, quality, and an overall love of Apple.

If Microsoft Marketed the iPod

When stakeholders think every detail is equally important, the result can be...well, see for yourself:

Get to the Heart of the Problem

The granite at the Jefferson Memorial was crumbling. However, none of the other memorials had the same problem. So the question was, "Why?"

Why is the granite crumbling? It is hosed off more than the other memorials.

Why is it hosed off more than the other memorials? It has more bird dung.

Why does it have more bird dung? It has more birds.

Why does it have more birds? There are more spiders to eat.

Why are there more spiders? It has more flying insects for spiders to eat.

Why are there more insects? The lights are turned on too soon at the Jefferson Memorial, thus attracting the insects.

Solution: The lights were turned on later and the granite stopped crumbling.

Sometimes solutions only seem unrelated to the problem and are simpler than we thought they would be.

The Machine is Us/ing Us

Achmed, The Dead Terrorist

Support the Abolition of the Federal Reserve System

"In the absence of the gold standard there is no way to protect savings from the confiscation through inflation. There is no safe store of value without gold. This is the shabby secret of the welfare statists' tirades against gold. Deficit spending is simply a scheme for the hidden confiscation of wealth. Gold stands in the way of this insidious process that stands as a protector of property rights." - Alan Greenspan

Congressman Ron Paul has introduced legislation to restore financial stability to America's economy by abolishing the Federal Reserve.

Time Stops at Grand Central Station

How To Evacuate An Airliner in Under a Minute

JUMP! Don't sit! More info here (it could save your life). You're welcome.

Eddy Murphy Predicts the Future!

A clip from "Coming to America" made in 1988!

US Marine Challenges Al-Queda to Knife Duel

My name is Matthew Sevald, a former United States Marine who participated in OIF 2-2, most notably the 2nd Battle of Fallujah, Iraq back in November of 2004. I am writing in response to this news article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_on_re_mi_ea/al_qaida_interview Perhaps you or your organization can help me get in touch with the man, or at least pass my question on to him or someone who knows someone who knows him etc. etc.
I wish to pose this question, an invitation if you will, to Mr. al-Zwahiri.

Dear Sir:

In response to your offer, I pose this question to you: Will you agree to meet me at a neutral location and participate in an internationally televised duel, a one-on-one battle to the death, with knives to see once and for all whose ideology reigns supreme? I am sure we can hammer out the details in due course. This is a most serious offer and I challenge your honor as a man and leader of your cause to put your money where your mouth is. If you feel unable to participate due to your age or some medical condition, allow me to inform you that I was wounded in Iraq and suffer a severe handicap in my left hand. Also, as I have now been out of the military for over a year I am not in the best fighting shape as I used to be. I feel that the odds would be even. If you are still unwilling to accept my challenge, I would be willing to fight Osama bin Laden in your stead. Again, this is the most serious of offers. I'm sure your organization could benefit from some more publicity and who knows, you might even win. You may contact me at 1-(***)-***-**** if you wish, or respond through your more usual channels. Enjoy your current holiday of Eid.

Sincerely,

Matthew Sevald
USA

Mountain Mud Fest 07

Footage from the Mountain Mud Festival 2007 held near Sweet Home, Oregon

Pablo Mac on the Job

Just a normal day in the office...

Help Pablo Mac Win A Jeep

Fox News Knows Their Hardware

And they know better than to cover up the logo with a stupid sticker!

When Morons Have Kids

The End Is Near

My iPhone Ant Infestation

I have seen some weird things on my iPhone, but nothing like what happened the morning after my son accidentally spilled pancake syrup all over it! NOTE: Those ants are inside the iPhone!

Geocaching WWFM 2007 Montage Video

Collected from video & still pics of dozens of Geocaching WWFM events held simultaneously on November 10, 2007.

Pablo Mac & Son in the Paper

Read all about it.

24: The Unaired 1994 Pilot

What if Jack Bauer used AOL 3.0?

Saying "NO!" to a Police State

How do you know if the Constitution has been perverted if you haven't read it?

A Nation of Sheep

On the Way to GCR8T7

In Event of Moon Disaster

"In Event of Moon Disaster" was a proposed speech drafted by presidential speechwriter William Safire. It was intended to be read by President Richard Nixon during the Apollo 11 lunar landing in July 1969 had a catastrophe occurred that would have prevented Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin from leaving the surface of the Moon. It is considered a haunting glimpse of the worst case scenario that could have made the historic landing a much more somber one. As the mission was successful and the astronauts returned safely, the speech was never used. It also never had to be adapted for any of the subsequent landings. The last line of the speech contains an allusion to Rupert Brooke's First World War poem, The Soldier.

The speech was part of a memo from Safire to Nixon's chief of staff, H. R. Haldeman. It detailed Safire's suggestions about how the Administration would react to a disaster that would leave Armstrong and Aldrin stranded on the Moon, including a speech, presidential phone calls to the "widows-to-be," and a religious ceremony for the astronauts.

The text of the memo was as follows:

To: H. R. Haldeman

From: Bill Safire

July 18, 1969.


IN EVENT OF MOON DISASTER:

Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.

These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.

These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.

They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by the nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.

In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.

In ancient days, men looked at the stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.

Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.

For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.

PRIOR TO THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT:

The President should telephone each of the widows-to-be.

AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT, AT THE POINT WHEN NASA ENDS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MEN:

A clergyman should adopt the same procedure as a burial at sea, commending their souls to "the deepest of the deep," concluding with the Lord's Prayer.

Why I Left My Great Job at Oregon State University

Without naming names or saying anything more than needs to said, this explains it well enough to my many friends at OSU and elsewhere who have been wondering about this.

Geocaching Song

My friends at Podcacher.com sent this great geocaching song, and I absolutely must pass it along.

World English Institute in Albania

Billions of people in today's world are trying to learn English. Many students enroll in World English Institute to learn English, and as they study God's Word, their interest often shifts from English to the Bible.

Why I Archived "ID V. Ego" (GC14GMJ)

In an effort to avoid more false accusations and rumors, I'm archiving my "ID V. Ego" cache. It's supposed to be fun, but someone who seems unable to solve this puzzle cache sees it differently.

Young Engineers at Work

Early Fall Mountain Biking ROCKS!

I took a bike ride to my Land Navigation 101 cache for a maintenance visit, and shot this pic nearby. Fall is my favorite mountain biking season, for good reason.

No Smoking Bicycles

Yes, we must be told not to bring our smoking bicycles into the building. I'm glad we have someone looking out for us.

This window is just a few dozen feet from my notorious All of the Cool Cachers Log DNFs Here cache. If you haven't seen the video for this cache, watch it here:

The Funniest Joke in the World

Late Summer Biking by the River

I took a ride this morning and hit some trails by the South Santiam River that I haven't ridden in at least 5 or 6 years. I started to head down what looked like a new trail and what I found instead of a rideable trail is in the pic above. When I finally got close to the road, I passed by a "No Trespassing" sign...as in coming out of a restricted area. Bummer. At least I know the direction to take again next time.

World Bible School is Bringing It Home

World Bible School has delivered the Gospel for 35 years via postal mail and email. In 2008, WBS will introduce a new web-based online education program, "Bringing It Home."



A Pablo Mac exclusive video.

River Jeeping with Crazy Joe

Who drives their Jeep across a raging riverbed? Crazy Joe & Pablo Mac, that's who!

We Must BAN Dihydrogen Monoxide!

Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the unstable radical Hydroxide, the components of which are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol.

For more information on this issue, visit this site.

Meanwhile, watch and listen to what Penn & Teller say about this pervasive chemical.

Animator vs. Animation

I wish I could claim credit for this!


Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

From a Forwarded Email...

One of my sons serves in the military. He is stationed stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him and his troops everywhere they go. Telling me how people shake their hands and thank them for being willing to serve and fight, not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them too.

Then he told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday, on his way home from the base. He said that several people were in the line ahead of him, including a woman dressed in a burkha.

He said when she got to the cashier, she made a loud remark about the U.S. Flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock. The cashier reached up and touched the pin and said, "Yes, I always wear it proudly, because I'm an American."

The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi.

A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders and, nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman, "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen."

"It is my belief that had you been this outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq, so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid."

Everyone within hearing distance cheered!

Pablo Mac's 1000th Geocache Find

My son and I Jeeped all around here with some geofriends this afternoon on a great cache adventure. We found my l000th Geocache on the summit of Snow Peak, a mountain I have been wanting to visit for a few years. I got to combine the two most fun aspects of geocaching in one trip: spending time with friends in really cool places!

Time to Give It Up

When you have stared at a puzzle cache for countless hours at home and work, yet have made no progress toward solving it, at some point you should step off, give up, and get on with life.




It's time to give up and get on with life.

Pablo Mac's 1000th Geocache Find

My son and I Jeeped all around here with some geofriends this afternoon on a great cache adventure. We found my l000th Geocache on the summit of Snow Peak, a mountain I have been wanting to visit for a few years. I got to combine the two most fun aspects of geocaching in one trip: spending time with friends in really cool places!

Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

Tampon Chandalier

I don't know which question to ask: "Why?" or "Why not?"

Pablo Mac on the Hood

I had been contemplating mounting (yes, that's the technically correct term) a huge Pablo Mac logo on the hood of my Jeep for a while. I even did a Photoshopped version during my period of indecisiveness. Yesterday I finally went for it and put it on for real. Now everybody get in line for theirs...

Cache Maintenance at GCM2YV

The Lebanon Travel Bug Rest Stop was due for some upgrades, so I knocked that out today. The cache container is mounted a little lower, and no tools are needed to access it now!

39 Ways to Live, and Not Merely Exist

So much fluff to read online these days...this piece really stands out. Enjoy!

Messing with Your Mind

Your memories are the end product of all you've ever thought and done, filtered through your perceptions and opinions. Who you are is shaped by your memories, and your memories are shaped by who you are.

A fascinating article on how we create our own memories...and some other stuff I was going to add, but forgot to...

Read on...

"Do As I Say, Not As I Do"

Want to read a real geodrama?

The owner of a geocache called Rock House Cave discovered that some cachers had taken an easier approach than she intended, so she deleted their "Found It" logs. A heated debated arose, during which I placed a note on the cache page (which the cache owner later deleted):

My impression of a true 5/5 cache is one that doesn't allow any potential for a cacher to sign the log without overcoming 5/5 obstacles. A fair number of my more difficult caches incorporate little-known and/or difficult-to-discover approaches that are easier than the more obvious ways of getting there. If a cacher stumbles upon, or studies their way to a more efficient approach than I revealed in the cache description, more power to them.

Jeremy himself (what's up with his boring profile page?) even weighed in.

I came across an interesting tidbit on how the cache owner in question had committed a similar offense on a puzzle cache a little over a year ago, so I placed another short-lived log (see the screenshot) for the 25+ cachers who were watching the cache page. As of this writing, I have received positive comments from 17 of those cachers.

You can read more of the subsequent exchange on the Emerald Valley Cachers forum.

All I can add at this point is that, although I have never found a Chubby Forest Monkey cache, I had hoped to find as many of her remote ones as possible. Until now.

Yet Another BSOD on My (OSU's) Dell Doorstop

Caused by a conflict between Windoze and an anti-virus program...sheesh. Where is my Mac Pro!?

The Elevator Lobby Near My Veal Pen

This is the elevator lobby by my office...uh...cubicle.

Slow Traffic Keep Right!

I'll admit I tend to drive within the top 20% when it comes to highway speed, but only when traffic allows. I grew up in times and places where it was understood that, unless you are actively engaged in passing another vehicle, you stay in the right lane. I am now commuting on a 4-lane highway that I used to drive daily about eight years ago. Back then, it seemed rare to see cars lined up in the left lane, with the right lane clear, but nowadays, I see examples of what you see in this pic more than anything else.

I have come to the point where I can accept people hanging in the passing (left) lane, until someone approaches from behind, at which point, you really should move over to the slow (right) lane. Driving slow in the passing lane prompts people to pass on the right, which is more dangerous than passing on the left. And if I have to go into why that is, then stay home and don't drive. At least stay out of the passing lane unless you're passing somebody!

No "Discovered It" Logs Allowed!

I was in the vicinity of one of my seldom-visited caches yesterday and stopped by for a maintenance visit. I noticed a really nice geocoin had been sitting there since the cache was last found nine months ago, so I jotted down the number to log a "Discovered It" log later (I don't make it a practice to grab nice trackable items from my own geocaches, but rather let others enjoy a pleasant surprise when they visit them).

I thought the coin owner would appreciate some news that their coin is still there, and I wanted another cool coin icon on my profile page. I placed my "Discovered It" log on the geocoin, only to have it deleted by the cache owner with no explanation. When I emailed the cache owner, he referred me to the geocoin's page, where it says, "Discovered it" logs will be ruthlessly deleted without warning or exception."

Wow, I never saw that kind of rule before, and I'm still trying to understand the logic and motivation behind it...

Pablo Mac is (temporarily) GPSr-less!

Aliex and I went on a cache maintenance visit to Pablo's Singletrack Mind, and this is the last pic I took of my beloved Garmin 60CS GPS receiver before selling it to my nephew, DCRude.

Don't assume I'm getting out of geocaching just yet; I'm temporarily between GPS units. Stay tuned...

The Great Global Warming Swindle

Accepted theories about man causing global warming are "lies," claims a controversial new TV documentary.

The Great Global Warming Swindle - backed by eminent scientists - is set to rock the accepted consensus that climate change is being driven by humans.


"The environmental movement has evolved into the strongest force there is for preventing development in the developing countries."

- Patrick Moore, Co-Founder Greenpeace

To former environmentalist Paul Dreeson, the idea that the world's poorest people should be restricted to using the world's most expensive and inefficient forms of electrical generation is the most morally repugnant aspect of the global warming campaign. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear: if we're telling the third world that they can only have wind & solar power, what we are really telling them is, 'you cannot have electricity.'"