October 31, 2005
links for 2005-11-01
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Well done post on the S word, and she takes a poke at Reich too.
Name That Costume
Halloween just isn't what it used to be. The nattering nabobs of negativity that are taking over the country have about sucked all the life out of this holiday. Only one house in my neighborhood even bothered to do more than a token pumpkin on the porch, and about 1/3 of the homes were not participating at all.
In my day, we had ways of dealing with the non-participants. However, today our methods would likely qualify as a hate crime.
October 30, 2005
Happy Halloween from O'DonnellWeb
I don't think I need to specify who carved which pumpkin.
25 farenheight is really cold when you are sleeping in a tent
Actually, it's really cold when you are exiting the tent at 630 AM. Sleeping wasn't an issue. I was comfortable in my cheap sleeping bag supplemented with a blanket. But when it was time to get up...
The 7 mile hike went well. Breck is reporting no after effects. My legs and knees hurt, and I have a phat blister on my little toe.
Due to the freezing temperature, Breck has qualified for the Polar Bear patch, which is awarded to any Boy Scout that camps overnight in below freezing weather.
Permalink | Comments (1)October 28, 2005
Brrr...
The forecast for Sharpsburg, MD. (That is Antietam to you Yankees)
This Afternoon
Mostly cloudy with patchy drizzle. Highs in the upper 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
]
Tonight
Mostly cloudy in the evening...then becoming partly cloudy. Cold with lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 5 mph.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy in the evening...then clearing. Cold with lows in the upper 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
We'll be camping. I'm bringing plenty of layers, and I picked up a couple of cheap blankets (100% man made material!) to fortify the sleeping bags with.
Oh, and this is a training trip for future backpacking adventures. So meals are limited to what you can cook on a backpacking stove.
Mmmm, MRE's, yummy.
Permalink | Comments (4)links for 2005-10-28
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A friend was involved with this little project...
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What a shame - living in a state where you are literally surrounded by the history of our country
October 27, 2005
Quoted Out of Context
Contrary to the official statement of the campaign, I have not endorsed Vince Ferrari for President in 2008.
I also am not working for his campaign.
And no, I have no idea what any of this is about! If it was all a ploy to score an inbound link, it worked.
Permalink | Comments (2)links for 2005-10-27
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This is actually a pretty cool idea
October 26, 2005
Religion Kills People
I've only skimmed this, so no comment for now. Feel free to start without me.
Update: I've thought long and hard about this, and my official statement is...who cares?
I just can't get worked up about it. HSLDA is not going to build a Christian Army and take over the country. We are not returning to a world where all women are subservient to their husbands and non-believers are regularly burned at the stake.
In fact, I'll be surprised if they can even keep a Republican in the White House in 2008. If the Democrats will nominate somebody just slightly to the right of raving moonbat, whose last name is not Rodham Clinton, they should take the White House back. The country has gotten a good look at one party Republican rule and it looks surprisingly like one party Democratic rule.
I'm looking forward to gridlock again.
Permalink | Comments (4)links for 2005-10-26
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Blogging jumps the shark?
October 25, 2005
Homeschooling* P.E.
The Minneapolis school system is allowing kids to fulfill their PE requirements via correspondence course. They do whatever they want for physical activity 3 times a week and keep a journal that is check by a certified teacher.
Anything that gets kids the kids out from under the thumb of the oppressive school bureaucracy, even a little bit, is a good thing. And there is always the hope that parents, upon seeing little Johnny enjoy PE class for the first time, may wonder if the same wouldn't apply in math.
* I use the term, of course, in the public-school-at-home sense.
Permalink | Comments (0)The final word of Honda Sec 10 (military recruitment)
Valerie Moon on why the HoNDA military recruiting provisions are particularly bad.
Permalink | Comments (0)October 24, 2005
links for 2005-10-24
October 23, 2005
Welcome to the family Shado
Well, he isn't really in the family, as we are leasing him, we don't own him. However, Delaney does have virtually unlimited access to the horse, and she'll be able to show him all season next year, assuming I keep the lease up ;)
Now I need a vehicle capable of hauling him to the shows.
When Willie Nelson sang "Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" he was talking about money.
links for 2005-10-23
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This is brilliant
October 22, 2005
The US Army and HSLDA
Check out the URL for the new Army web page announcing that HEK's are elgible for traditional Tier 1 bonuses, etc.
As far as the US Army is concerned, HSLDA and homeschooling are the same thing.
NC Homeschool Legislative Issues has a whole lot more to say on the cozy relationship between HSLDA and the US Army.
Permalink | Comments (4)Serve N' Store Party Plates
It's been a while since I did any kitchen product blogging, and I know how my readers how like my entries on common household products.
Well, today we are talking about a new kitchen product, Serve N' Store Party Plates. They are the greatest things, ever.
OK, that is over doing it a bit - but they are quite nifty. First of all, they solve the lid problem. No longer do I have to curse the Gods when I defy all odds of probability and pull out the 12th consecutive Tupperware lid that does not fit the bowl I just dumped leftovers in.
I do that a lot.
With Party Plates, the plate is also a lid. They interlock with each other, totally eliminating the need for a separate lid. It's another one of those ideas that seems so obvious, after somebody else has done it.
They also pass the Michelle O'Donnell, Domestic Goddess test. She put some bread on one of the plates, closed it up, and let it sit. The bread was still yummy fresh 2 days later. That actually surprised me, as they are not airtight. 2 days is probably the upper limit of fresh food survivability. Either that, or maybe my kitchen is seriously lacking Oxygen.
They are not microwave proof, or at least the lawyers made them stamp "Not for use in microwave" on every plate. If these could go straight from the fridge to the microwave, that would be cool. If they did that I'd advocate packing up all your china and just living with Party Plates and Party Bowls.
Somehow, I don't think the Domestic Goddess will go for that though.
Update: Upon checking the FAQ, the white Party Plates are microwavable. I have red, although my food turning red in the microwave really wouldn't be a problem for me. Actually, I have no idea what would happen if I put the red Party Plates in the microwave, but I know how to find out....
The PR folks for the Hefty company, manufacturer of this fine product, did supply me with samples and ask that I write about their product. However, I think most of my readers know that I am way too principled to actually sell out for a few dollars of free product. If these things leaked, smelled funny, or otherwise ruined a perfectly good plate of leftovers I'd be the first to tell you, free product or not.
I'm not saying that my principals can't be bought, because they can. The price is higher though. If Mercedes-Benz wants to supply a car, I can assure you that you'll never see a disparaging word on this blog :)
Permalink | Comments (2)October 21, 2005
Graphics Card Advice?
I have a lazyweb request. I'm upgrading my 1.8GHZ / 512MB RAM box for Breck to use as a game machine. I need a real video card in it - but I know nothing about graphics adapters. Any game geeks out there with an opinion? I'm looking for something mid-rangish, hopefully less than $150, although I'll spend more if I'm convinced I absolutely have to in order to put a halfway decent card in the box.
Note - he has been gaming with the on board graphics - so any real video card is likely to be a big improvement. A $999 GE Force 6800 is not in my budget. I built the computer for less than $500 about 2 years ago.
Update: I'm leaning towards a Radeon 9550 based card, however I've learned that this will also involve an upgrade to the power supply. My case is an MATX form factor, so any standard ATX power supply will fit in it, right?
I'm a software guy...hardware makes me nervous.
Permalink | Comments (3)October 20, 2005
Sink The Bismark!
Watched this fine old WWII movie with the boy tonight. He had asked several times for me to get it from Netflix, and I finally remembered to move it to the top of the queue.
Never watch a WWII movie with my son. He already knows what is going to happen, usually in excruciating detail. Between the 5 minute monologues on the history of every ship mentioned, to his prattling on about WWII naval warfare tactics, I probably missed half the dialog of the movie.
It's one thing to be an expert on your country's history, but British naval history?
If there is any 11 year old on the planet that would appreciate a trip to Europe to trace WWII history, it is him. I wonder how much it would cost for the two of us to jaunt across the pond and spend a couple of weeks touring? He's a Boy Scout, we could do it on the cheap, backpacks and a train pass.
Permalink | Comments (4)(Public School) Classrooms without walls
This gushy PR piece (disguised as a news article) about an Arlington County VA school program that allows kids to spend one whole day per year learning homeschooler style out in the woods never follows through and asks the obvious question.
If this is so good for the kids - why not do it everyday?
Permalink | Comments (1)October 19, 2005
Homreschoolers in college
This is a nice article from the student paper at Washington University in St. Louis. They did forget the obligatory sneering quote from a representative detractor though.
Permalink | Comments (0)links for 2005-10-19
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Flu Prevention Kit - Wash your damn hands!
October 18, 2005
Announcing my latest site
I just designed it - the troop leader is handling content.
In other news - never stand around with your hands in your pockets at a boy scout meeting. You may get volunteered to organize this year's Scouting For Food effort.
I'm just saying...
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2005-10-18
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Fellow baseball geek Mike Masnick has cracked the code on how to make a living blogging
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How dare these kids cross district lines for an education...
October 17, 2005
Proms, Teenage drinking, and Parental Rersponsibility
Michele puts the prom flap in NY into perspective. The whole prom thing really is out of control, and I'm glad to see a school official finally taking a stand.
Permalink | Comments (3)links for 2005-10-17
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I'd rather do the traditional triangle eyes and nose - but I get outvoted by the family every year
October 16, 2005
The Devil Is Not Going to Georgia
Ar least, he is not going with the suburban DC high school band that was planning to play the song at the Peach Bowl.
A complaint (via a LTTE) about the church-state implications of the song caused the band director to pull it.
The complaining parent is apparently a homeschooler.
Several things don't add up here - from anybody being so tightly wound to really believe a Charley Daniels song is inappropriate due to religious issues, to yet another fellow homeschooler making us look silly.
Sigh...
On the bright side, we finally have some proof in the media that not all homeschoolers are evangelical Christians. They never would have complained on church-state grounds. Promoting Satanism in the schools would have been their complaint.
Permalink | Comments (2)October 15, 2005
links for 2005-10-15
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I get all the movie star grief - but my former neighbor from Leesburg has the IMDB entry
October 14, 2005
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Sorry to disappoint, but this post has nothing to do with movie theaters that show, err, offbeat movies. The New Pornographers are a Canadian super group of sorts, that put out brilliant albums. Twin Cinema is no exception. I really can't summarize this album in my usual short style. It's just too damn good, too damn unique, to suffer my usual "sounds like..." analogies.
So, you'll just have to check it out yourself. You want to own this album.
Oh, and despite the name, the lyrics are tame enough, I think. I haven't read the liner notes like an obsessed teenager. Actually, I haven't seen the liner notes - I downloaded the album from Itunes.
Permalink | Comments (2)Taking a break before college
College administrators report that increasing percentage of students are taking a break from school before starting college. The stress and pressure of the push to achieve leaves many youngsters too immature to deal with college at age 17 or 18.
If school is no longer preparing you for college, what exactly is the point?
My kids are on a 12 year school break. I suspect they will be ready for college should they choose to go that route.
Permalink | Comments (5)links for 2005-10-14
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New resource for HS'ers in the Old Dominion
October 13, 2005
Women's Razors
Jay has discovered the joy of women's razors. Me, I'm an electric guy. I happily trade closeness for speed.
Permalink | Comments (0)October 11, 2005
links for 2005-10-11
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The same guy caught the Berkmand Grand Slam and the 18th inning game willing HR in Houston - AMAZING!
October 10, 2005
links for 2005-10-10
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K5 is talking about homeschooling - comments seem to be running pro homeschool
October 09, 2005
I'll accept any offer over $200,000
This guy did the math on AOL's acquisition of blogs.com and determined that AOL paid $564 per inbound link.
Technorati says I have 434 inbound links.
$564 X 434 = $244,776
I'd prefer a certified check.
Permalink | Comments (0)CSS Hell
If you have tried to do a new site in Movable Type 3.2 then you know the meaning of CSS Hell. There is nested, double, triple, and quadruple nested DIV tags everywhere. It might be easier for professional web developers, but for the average hack that just wants to customize a blog, you are pretty much screwed. Accidentally delete one frigging DIV and you'll spend hours trying to figure out why all your hyperlinks are now white text on your white background.
Not that I had to do that today or anything.
I really would have preferred to be working in Wordpress. However, I'm cranking out a site for Delaney's Girl Scout Troop on very limited time, and I need non technical users to be able to upload pictures and text easily. Wordpress has a big weakness in that upload images piece. There just isn't a real novice friendly plug-in yet on Wordpress. Also, I thought I knew MT's templates much better than Wordpress.
If I had known that Six Apart had totally changed everything between 3.16 and 3.2 I would have given much more consideration to Wordpress.
Permalink | Comments (7)links for 2005-10-09
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with a very active comment thread too.
October 08, 2005
Serenity Now, Serenity Now
Get thee to the cineplex to see Serenity, now. What a great movie. Good story, and characters with depth that you will actually care about. The good versus evil message is based on the the good of individuality and freedom, and the bad of governments that try to control and supress that.
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2005-10-08
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I've been thinking about this lately...
October 07, 2005
I was going to make fun of this site...
I was going to make fun of this site, not because of the content or design, but because of the ridiculously long domain name. Then I scrolled down to her traffic counter and had a second thought.
Maybe she is just smarter than the rest of us.
HT: The Agitator
Permalink | Comments (7)Unpreschooling
Apparently, it's the new new thing.
Permalink | Comments (1)October 06, 2005
links for 2005-10-06
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burmese python died while trying to swallow a full size alligator - whole
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A new project from Sarah - one of those Canadian homeschoolers :)
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Bob hates religion, homeschoolers, and particularly religous homeschoolers
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What a cool product - and only $12 each too. I'm thinking I need several of these
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I'm fairly certan that this is not good news
October 05, 2005
Homicide Bombers in the US?
i haven't followed this story as closely as I should have...
Lone male of middle eastern origin, blows himself up 100 yards away from a football stadium packed with 80,000 people, and the FBI wants us to believe it was just a random suicide.
Oh, the kid apparently tried to buy a large quantity of fertilizer a few weeks ago.
It was only a matter of time before the suicide bombers starting working the US. Actually, I'm surprised that it took this long. However, the government trying to cover it up (if that is happening) does nothing to make any of us more secure.
Update: I originally wrote Muslim, the changed it to middle eastern descent because he looked middle eastern in the picture I saw, but I really didn't know that he was Muslim. It turns out that he is American - and may have been attending a mosque recently. Either way, he blew himself up near a large crowd, and recently tried to buy a large quantity of fertilizer.
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2005-10-05
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The Ultimate Calvin &Hobbes Collection has hit the streets
October 04, 2005
The Index to the HoNDA Debate
Scott has posted an index of links to the various conversations that have been happening here for the last few weeks.
Permalink | Comments (2)links for 2005-10-04
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I wish I could come up with lines like that.
October 03, 2005
It's the end of the world...Bon Jovi Edition
I was listening to the new Bon Jovi CD in order to provide a review for you fine folks. I downloaded it for Breck - he is a Bon Jovi fan. I can take or leave Bon Jovi, and that is pretty much my assessment of the new album. It's what you would expect from a Bon Jovi album. If you liked him before, you'll like Have a Nice Day.
One song stands out. The duet version of You Can't Go Home Again could end up #1 on the pop and country charts at the same time, It's a serious earworm. It gets into your head and you can't get it out. The duet is provided by hot country singer Jennifer Nettles. And I mean hot in the selling a gazillion albums sense.
And that other sense too.
But here is the end of the world part. I was sort of entertaining the thought of taking Breck to the Bon Jovi concert at the MCI center on 12/17. However, the cheap seats are $49.50, before Ticketmaster adds the 2000% service charge markup.
But it doesn't really matter because the concert is virtually sold out. There are not two adjacent seats available. The best I could do if I was really buying is a single in the cheap seats.
Bon Jovi sold out the MCI center 75 days in advance. Is it 1987 again and nobody told me?
Harvey Danger - Little by Little
Remember Flagpole Sitta? That annoyingly popular song from Harvey Danger's debut album? Yeah, I'm sick of it too.
The good news is it's five years later and the new album is not an attempt to recapture that glory. In fact, it's the opposite. Little by Little is a damn fine record. My first thought was "late 60's vintage Beatles." However, nobody else on the Internet has made that comparison. So I'm either brilliant, or way off base. Doesn't matter - you should get the point. This isn't post grunge pop, it's mature and intelligent music, filled with more piano lines than distorted guitars.
Oh, one more thing. The band is giving the album away for free. Download away, with the full endorsement of the band.
Permalink | Comments (2)Did I Really Say That?
Bill Simmons offers up some timeless advice on picking the right quote for your high school yearbook. HEK's may not have to deal with this very important decision - but they should be prepared just in case.
Note - link is full of pop culture, rock and roll, and movie references, with a healthy dose of sexual innuendo. If that offends you, what the heck are you doing here?
Of course - you are now morally obligated to fess up in the comments.
I'll start.
What, me worry? - Alfred E Neuman
I didn't say it was going to be good.
Permalink | Comments (5)links for 2005-10-03
October 02, 2005
DC Tour guide for a day
I spent yesterday running around DC with my buddy Damon (temporarily stationed in Dover DE) and Breck. We visited:
- The WWII Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- The top of the Washington Monument
- US Archives
- Nationals - Phillies game
Not bad for one day....
Permalink | Comments (0)Understanding the natural world
Fred First has a few thoughts on kids (or in his case, college students) not understanding the natural world they live in.
They have grown up in an era when our language in the digital world has grown rich while our vocabulary in the real world of nature has become sadly impoverished.
This isn't a problem in our house. The butterfly garden and bird feeders are studied for hours on end, and the kids are on a first name basis with all the regular visitors. The binoculars are stored at the kitchen window so they are always handy when something new is perched in the yard.
This all came from the kids. The adults here had to play catch up to keep up with the kids interests. We gave the time, they took it from there.
Unfortunately, the average kid has two working parents and the kid spends 10 hours a day on school each day. (6 hours in school, 2 hours back and forth / prep, and 2 hours on homework. That doesn't leave a lot of time to look deeply at the world right under your nose. Maybe it should, but that isn't the point. Until tree and butterfly identification is included in SOL's, the schools won't care.
Fred makes the point that parents need to take on themselves to teach their kids to look deeply at the world right under their nose. Unfortunately, more parents than not take their cues about what is important from that same school system that is obsessed with national standards that apply to every kid equally, as though they are all robots that should come off the end of factory line the same.
Shouldn’t you ask why your boy or girl needs to know anything about Iraq or about computer language before they can tell you the name of every tree, plant, and bird outside your window? What will happen to them with their high standardized test scores when they discover they can’t fry an egg, sew a button, join things, build a house, sail a boat, ride a horse, gut a fish, pound a nail, or bring forth life and nurture it? Do you believe having those things done for you is the same? You fool, then. Why do you cooperate in the game of compulsion schooling when it makes children useless to themselves as adults, hardly able to tie their own shoes?
Of course, I'd like my kids to know all of it. However, the older I get, the more I believe the "old school" stuff like tree, birds, and how to pound a nail is a heck of lot more important.
Permalink | Comments (2)