September 29, 2006
Attention ODonnellWeb Readers
The blog is moving to a spiffy new Wordpress install. I'm almost ready. One thing I'm having trouble with is the htaccess stuff to auto redirect your rss subscribtions to the new feed. So, if you'd like to subscribe to the new feed manually it is at http://www.odonnellweb.com/?feed=rss2
Thanks.
Permalink | Comments (3)links for 2006-09-29
-
nifty tool for changing the header image
September 28, 2006
Schools can't teach the basics in 1080 hours
There is a growing trend in the schools to extend the school day and school year. Schools are adding an hour to the standard six hour day, and some are adding 20-40 days to the standard 180 day school year. Apparently 1080 hours a year just isn't enough time.
One definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results. More time, more tests, and more money has not helped the schools in the last 30 years. Labeling it NCLB doesn't change that.
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2006-09-28
-
The book was released today
-
A fantastic review of Jesus Camp
September 27, 2006
Bake Sale Anyone?
Reynolds Fun Shapes are running a contest called “Shape Up Your Bake Sale."
Here’s how it works: Consumers can write into www.reynoldsfunshapes.com and explain why their bake sale needs “shaping up” for a chance to win a FunShapes “Shape Up Your Bake Sale” kit. Reynolds will be giving away sixty of these kits each week for six weeks starting September 22, 2006.
Each kit includes a variety of FunShapes samples, a CD-rom with tips, recipes and signage for hosting a successful bake sale, a FunShapes tablecloth and a FunShapes calculator for quick tallies of customers’ bills. In addition, the “Shape Up Your Bake Sale” kits will include a disposable camera and entry information for an exclusive photo contest, with a chance to win a $500 donation to their organization from Reynolds FunShapes Baking Cups.
Permalink | Comments (0)VA E-lert from HSLDA
HSLDA is rustling the sheeple to call their state legislators in VA this week regarding HB1294.
From what I see in the state legislative system, the bill was held over for 2007, and does not appear to be on the committee docket for this week. However, it wasn't clear if the online dockets were current.
The tax credit only applies if the scholarship organization is on an approved state list, and the requirements for that list seems to rule out most homeschoolers.
So I don't know...
When in doubt, I lean towards avoiding unnecessary government entanglements. And this appears to be another unnecessary government entanglement. We chose to do something outside of the norm, and that comes with some pitfalls. Deal with it.
Permalink | Comments (4)Ezine: Home of the self-proclaimed expert
Apparently, one of the requirements to write at Ezine is that you must be totally unfamiliar with the phrase it is better to remain quiet and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
I present homeschool expert Jeremy Low. He is also an expert on jet skis, and male infertility.
Permalink | Comments (8)links for 2006-09-27
-
I hate upgrades - this looks sane though.
-
An interview with Calvin as an adult.
September 26, 2006
The Philips Digital Photo Frame
The great corporate master in the sky has bestowed upon me a Philips Digital Photo Frame. My wife has made it very clear that they aren't getting it back. She has also made it very clear that I can't regift it to my mother.
To start, the packaging is immaculate. It unfolds much like an Ipod box. Actually, "Apple" design is very evident in many of the features. To test the usability, I avoided looking at anything resembling a manual. That was easy, since the manual is on the CD that is still sealed closed on my desk. I plugged it in, connected the USB cable, and turned it on. XP immediately recognized it as an external hard drive, internal capacity about 12 MB. It also has an SD card slot and a memory stick interface. Physically, it is very sharp. A clear acrylic frame borders the LCD screen, and a brushed metal leg holds it up.
Loading pictures is as simple as plugging in a memory card preloaded with photos, or dragging and dropping. One idiosyncrasy I would like to see remedied is that it essentially caches the original photo, and upon unplugging the USB cable goes into a compression process to reduce file sizes. Since I was loading original images over, I had to load 8 or 10, unplug to process, plug back in, etc. Probably not a big deal as I suspect most people will use memory cards.
The display quality is simply stunning. I've never seen a dedicated portable photo display gadget that is even in the same league. You can fiddle with the transitions, image order, set it up to turn on and off automatically, and a bunch of other stuff with the buttons right on the frame. It's very user friendly. I immediately thought that getting one for each grandparent would be a great Christmas gift. Add a SD card preloaded with pictures, and every six months you can mail Grandma new high res pictures of the kids.
That assumes that $249 is in your Christmas budget. The price is really the only negative. When Office Depot is selling a brand new PC with Windows XP for $250 after rebates, it's hard to justify spending that much on a snazzy little photo display that is probably running a modified Linux kernel.
So sorry Mom. You'll have to make do with visiting Flickr for another year.
Permalink | Comments (4)The Omnivore's Dilemma
I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma. I just started, I haven't even followed corn all the way through yet. One thing that I read last night though really stuck in my head.
One economist estimated that it takes 1 barrel of oil to get a steak onto your grill. Think about the number of cows in this county. Maybe the real culprit in our energy problems is not Detroit, but wherever it is that Cargill is headquartered.
We don't eat all lot of beef anyway, but I'm wondering how difficult it would be to avoid corn fed beef. I can remember commercials pitching corn fed beef as some sort of advantage.
Cows, of course, don't eat corn, unless it's force fed to them by humans. It's not even good for them. They have to be pumped full of antibiotics to counteract the negatives of the corn. It's an ugly cycle that isn't good for the cows, or the people.
Permalink | Comments (1)But we already knew this
| You Are Incredibly Logical |
 You think rationally, clearly, and quickly. A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer! |
links for 2006-09-26
-
Interesting thoughts on variable toll road pricing to alleviate congestion
-
10/25/1986 - mets won the game, but he lost his family. Serves him right ;)
September 25, 2006
Bomb Ann Arbor Now
And now for something completely different, the Columbus, OH based punk band The Dead Shembechlers present their first video, for the song Bomb Ann Arbor Now.
Purdue doesn't play either Ohio State or Michigan this year, so I'm ambivalent. Both cities could blow up for all I care ;)
Permalink | Comments (1)It's Banned Books Week
This is your cue to read something that'll piss somebody else off. Harry Potter, Catcher in the Rye, Huckleberry Finn, and Of Mice and Men are all in the top 20.
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2006-09-25
-
An HSLDA member that is sick of the scare the sheeple game.
September 24, 2006
This would be torture in a POW camp
These tactics on mentally beating your children into submission would be a violation of the Geneva Convention if they were used in prisons. In the home, Family Ministries calls it it biblical parenting.
Should we be suspicious of a "ministry" when the first thing you see on their web site is the toll free number for credit card orders? Sales, not service, seems to be their primary focus.
I can think of few things worse than a child so meek that he is terrified to question his parents. Both of my kids know they can question me on pretty much anything at anytime. It's how they get smarter, it's how I learn to be a better parent. Faced with the potential of explaining your actions, you are sort of forced to have a good reason for them in the first place.
Transparency is good for government, and it's good for parenting too.
Permalink | Comments (2)Run Fat Boy Run
I thought this might be a spoof on exercise web sites, but I'm pretty sure they are serious.
via Daniel
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2006-09-24
-
Our next house will be smaller. I honestly can't remember the last time I walked into our formal living room.
September 23, 2006
Must Read Story
I don't care how busy you are. Set aside 15 minutes and read this story from Scott's favorite newspaper. It's an excerpt from Micheal Lewis'(of Moneyball fame) new book. A freakishly large and fast 16 year old black kid, essentially homeless, shows up at a haughty Christian academy in Memphis. He can barely read or write, and doesn't particularly like to talk. He doesn't play football either.
What happens next is a remarkable story of both the school, and some parents, going way, way, way beyond the call of duty to give this kid a chance in life.
Permalink | Comments (3)I, for one, will never bow down to our new TV overlords
According to Nielson researchers, there are 2.73 televisions in the average US home, and only 2.55 people. Over 50% of households have 3 or more TVs.
We have two in use. A third 19" TV is collecting dust in the guest bedroom. The family room TV is just a standard 36" model, and the home theater set in the basement is a 53" HDTV. 4 years later and I still haven't bothered to upgrade DirecTV to HD.
We do have 5 computers for 4 people though. That will be 6 as soon as I find find a cheapie castoff PC to use for a music server. I'm going to ditch the CD jukebox and plug a PC into my receiver.
Permalink | Comments (8)September 22, 2006
Jon Stewart on Homeschooling
I don't remember seeing this before. Jon Stewart interviewed the author of the New Yorker article on Patrick Henry College that was published back in June.
Permalink | Comments (1)Buffy lives
Mark will be happy about this. The Buffy story will continue this spring as a graphic novel.
Permalink | Comments (1)September 21, 2006
'Honors' is just a word
I guess this shouldn't really surprise anybody, but a lot of the kids that think they are taking honors level classes in high school, aren't.
I don't think this is a new problem either. When I moved from MA to Kwajalein in 11th grade (over 20 years ago) I went from all honors classes at a big suburban high school, to a small DoD school. I was woefully behind on everything, and it led to one of the great comedic moments of my life.
The scene - first day in school on Kwaj, chemistry class. They are talking about moles (unit of measurement in chemistry).
Mr Taylor: Chris, are familiar with moles?
Me: Furry brown critter that lives underground?
It was at that moment that I realized my honors education stateside may have been lacking something. I had the same problem with math. I had completed Algebra II in 10th grade, and was in honors pre-calculus stateside. Kwaj put me in back into Algebra II, where I had to work a lot harder than expected in what should have been a review class.
I left the DoD school system after 6th grade as the smartest kid in the class, always. When I returned to it in 10th grade, I worked harder to maintain a B average than I ever did to maintain straight A's previously. Not that I worked particularly hard for the B average, because I didn't. But I definitely fell way behind during my 3 years at a public, urban, junior high school in Panama City, FL.
I imagine the problem is much worse now.
Permalink | Comments (2)I, for one, will not welcome our new WalMart Overlords
WalMart is rolling out a test program in FL, coming next year to the rest of us, where they are selling a wide variety of generic drugs for $4 a pop. (pop being a 30 day supply). They claim they are not selling at a loss.
Wow, cheaper prescription drugs, no government program required.
Permalink | Comments (1)Skip update
We've been horse owners for about 1 month now, and Delaney has worked with Skip probably 28 of those days. I've posted a short video over at the horse site.
Permalink | Comments (0)New Lemonheads record
You can stream the new Lemonheads record at VH1.com. I don't like it. It lacks a certain bounciness and lightness that I remember from their original albums back in the day.
Permalink | Comments (0)September 20, 2006
Unschooling gets some geek cred
An author well known in geek circles is taking his family on a one year road trip / speaking tour, resulting in some geek credibility for a practice that none of us will find particularly unusual.
The family travel blog is here.
Permalink | Comments (0)Working with a non-profit that needs cash?
The folks over at Hamburger Helper are conducting a grant contest for local non-profit groups raising funds to positively impact their community in some way.
Here’s how it works:
Every month through May 2007, Hamburger Helper will choose one 501(c)(4) organization for a monetary grant of up to $15,000. All the group has to do is to register online with www.myhometownhelper.com and complete an essay of two hundred and fifty words or less describing how they the need help.
All of the application information can be found here:
http://myhometownhelper.com/LearnMore.aspx
Permalink | Comments (1)Free Food!!!
GourmetStation.com, a company that creates in-home dining experiences, is running a contest called "Get Out of the Dog House." They are asking people to submit a short, under two-minute video on how they got in and how they got out of "the dog house” with family, friends or associates by Oct. 7. The top three winners will receive a 12-, six- or three-month Dinner of the Month Club certificate from GourmetStation.com (worth upwards of $1,000). During this promo, GourmetStation.com is offering $10 off every order it sells and donating the money to Borzoi Rescue.
For more information about the National Borzoi Rescue Foundation, you can visit: www.nbrf.info.
For more information about the contest, please visit http://www.myspace.com/getoutofthedoghouse.
For more information about GourmetStation, please visit www.gourmetstation.com.
Permalink | Comments (0)links for 2006-09-20
-
New Tolkien book due out next year
-
Custom business cards from your Flickr photos. What a great idea.
-
Awesome news!
September 19, 2006
The Camera That Takes 10 Lbs off
HP has a built in "slimming" effect in some of their cameras, that automatically applies a subtle slimming effect to the subject of the picture.
So much for pictures never lie...
Permalink | Comments (1)Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day To You
Avast! It is the most holy of days, when all Pastafanarins tell their bosses to blow it out their bungholes, and take an extra long lunch to enjoy a grog, or three.
Arrr.
Permalink | Comments (0)September 18, 2006
links for 2006-09-18
September 17, 2006
Education: Free & Compulsory
Murray Rothbard's out-of-print monograph is available on line. Happy reading.
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2006-09-17
-
Yarrr, Talk Like A Pirate Day Be Sept 19th.
September 16, 2006
Yahoo Parental Controls
I recently realized that Verizon DSL comes with a bunch of premium services from Yahoo, one of them being parental controls. I've been hesitant to give the kids email addresses, since I lack any decent mechanism to insure that they don't receive some of the really sick spam that is out there.
Yahoo parental controls solves that problem. It allows me to set up email addresses for the kids at Yahoo, and they can only send and receive email to addresses in their address books, which I control. If they want to add an address, it automatically requests my permission via the parental controls dashboard. It's a slick little application. It requires IE during set up, but once installed it works just fine with Firefox.
It also provides web filtering, which I set on "Teen." I tested it with Fark - which it let through, so it's not overly restrictive at all. It also includes a timer function and a way to track everything your kid is doing online. I have those features turned off. I'm not interested in spying on my kids. I'm mostly interested in saving myself from having to explain goat.cx to them.
Note - do not under any circumstances go to that site. I'm serious.
It also comes with Lauchcast, the Yahoo streaming music service, which is rather nice. I've got the hair metal channel on right now :) Bang Your Head by Quiet Riot just came on.
One more thing, it also gives you AV and spyware software, which I don't need. However, if you have Verizon DSL and are paying for that stuff elsewhere, Yahoo's software is good and you get it for free.
If you are a Verizon broadband customer log in at Verizon.net and click on the Yahoo link to check it out.
Permalink | Comments (2)Recent Books
Eon by Greg Bear: A cold war inspired epic in which humans, exploring a vast asteroid sized ship from the future in orbit around earth, get trapped there when the Russia and the US launch all their nukes at each other and destroy the planet in the process. The book is long, very heavy on techno babble, and often a chore to read. I did finish it, but it felt forced at times.
Eternity by Greg Bear: The sequel to Eon, in which man has a permanent settlement on the asteroid ship, but now has to deal with some ancient enemies of mankind. Like Eon, it is gripping and brilliant at times, but inter sped with just enough technobabble to make finishing feel more like a job than a treat.
Queen of Angels by Greg Bear: Why yes, I am on a Greg Bear kick right now. Used paperbacks are a wonderful thing :) I made it about 100 pages into this and just quit. The story didn't grab me, and stylistically I found it difficult to read.
Slant by Greg Bear: Set in the same universe as Queen of Angels, this is sort of a who-done-it in a future US where just about everybody is happy due to manipulation via nanotech, and everybody is connected to a super high bandwidth Internet full of, well, mostly porn it seems.(Certainly a plausible future!) However, under the surface, problems persist. Fairly fast paced and often tense, this was a pretty good read.
The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi: This was a great book. Set in a future when the US Marines are basically clones, fighting wars out in space. It's space opera, but it's space opera with soul. His blog is very good too.
Permalink | Comments (0)Recent Movies
Fun With Dick & Jane: Jim Carey and Tea Leoni in a satire on corporate downsizing. It doesn't work.
Equilibrium: In the future, a totalitarian govt has eliminated war by eliminating emotion. All people must take regular injections that keep them dull and lifeless. Books, art, and music are strictly forbidden. So what happens when a government agent who enforces these rules regime accidentally misses a dose, and experiences feelings?
Fun flick, but then I generally go for any movie involving rebellion against the man.
The Island: In 2019, after the contamination, the last remaining humans all live in underground bunkers in a strictly regulated society. Their only hope in life is to win the lottery, and get the trip to The island, the last uncontaminated place on earth. So of course, all hell breaks loose when one person discovers the true nature of his existence, and the island.
This bombed in the theaters last year, but I greatly enjoyed it. Scarlett Johannson, car chases, things blowing up, and more rebellion against the man, my kind of movie. Also, it confronts the what does it mean to be human question that we have to confront some day as cloning becomes more technologically advanced.
Permalink | Comments (2)September 15, 2006
What I learned on my early fall vacation
Hey, I'm a homeschooling parent, summer vacation means nothing to me!
1. I did not miss blogging. Not once did I think about this site.
2. I did not miss email. Not once did I wonder if I was missing anything important in email.
I think the message for me is to spend more time doing other stuff. So with that, I'm going to retire to the home theater and watch a movie.
Permalink | Comments (0)Answers to Lost Questions
If you want to know exactly what Hurley's numbers are, and what the Dharma Initiative was up to, the answer is here.
Permalink | Comments (0)September 14, 2006
At least it wasn't Dilana
Tommy Lee very obviously tanked any chance Mangi had with his commentary about his original song. Supernova's complaint, that he plays too well with the band, was my main reason for liking him. Rock fans, especially kids, can tell when the band and singer are not in sync. Given time and desire (neither of which I have) I guarantee you I could turn up quotes from every member of Supernova talking about all for one - one for all, the band is an integrated team blah blah blah. This is supposed rock band, not a Vegas act. Then again, they are kicking off their tour in Vegas...
If you look at my CD collection, you'll see a lot of bands that are not known for flamboyant lead singers. So maybe I just don't go for that sort of thing. I like my rock and roll a little more blue collar I guess.
Only a few more weeks until I start obsessing about Battlestar Galactica every week...
Permalink | Comments (5)Train Bridge
This my favorite shot from day 2 at Harpers Ferry, because I was actually trying to capture the contrast between the upright rectangle chimneys and the elongated rectangle of the bridge. This is one of the first times in my life I actually saw a picture like that before I pulled out the camera. Full set
Mead Silhoutte
This is my favorite shot of the Gettysburg pictures. I like the way General Mead is silhoutted against the white sky.
Full set.
September 11, 2006
Offline
I'm headed out on a "field trip." Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry, by tent. 2 days of civil war exploring / hiking, and one day of white water rafting. And no, I'm not bringing my laptop camping with me.
The forecast predicts rain every day.
Permalink | Comments (2)Google works in (not so) mysterious ways
By changing my tag line to This is not a homeschooling blog, I have moved ODonnellWeb into the top 20 on Google for "homeschooling blog", and probably dramatically increased the number of first time visitors I get looking for homeschool info.
Permalink | Comments (4)Arrgghhh, I'm the Pious Pirate
I dare you to make it far enough into this video to actually hear the Christian rap. It's painful, very very painful.
Permalink | Comments (0)links for 2006-09-11
-
Apparently, there really is a market for everything....
September 10, 2006
Spotsylvania VA, where $12,000 per student isn't enough
SOL (state mandated test) scores are down, and of course the local politicians are blaming the state and the Fed for shortchanging the kids. The county budget works out to about $12,000 per student.
Permalink | Comments (0)Find God - Get Cheap Gas
A local Christian church sponsored a 25 cent per gallon discount at a local gas station, where members stood by ready to wash your windshield, and spread the Word.
Apparently God really wants the middle class white folks in Spotsylvania County to save $5 on a fill up.
It did get them local press coverage and publicity, which I'm sure was the real goal of the stunt anyway.
Permalink | Comments (0)September 09, 2006
links for 2006-09-09
-
I like this idea
September 08, 2006
Fisking Lisa Whelchel
Oh, this is pure genius. A blog devoted to nothing but fisking the inane advice Lisa Whelchel (Blair from The Facts of Life) provides on her so called blog.
I have to steal this idea. Any nominations for a c-list celebrity that I can pick on?
Hat tip to Jay
Permalink | Comments (6)September 07, 2006
A Matter of Life and Death
Iron Maiden is back! The new album, A Matter of Life and Death, is 70 minutes of dark, crunchy prog metal goodness. It's an anti-war record, but not in the traditional dumb ass rock band "rah rah rah give peace a chance sense." Maiden has written a collection of songs in which they question the leaders that bring war on (without naming names or making it political), while at the same time glorifying those who actually go into battle. It's really quite brilliantly done, if you take the time to listen.
Permalink | Comments (1)Back to school shopping list now includes stimulants
Parents are asking doctors or Ritalin prescriptions not because their kids have ADHD, but to help the kids keep up with their doped peers.
Academic doping, who knew? I guess they'll start drug testing the honor roll kids along with the football players soon.
Permalink | Comments (3)September 06, 2006
GM extends warranty
GM is extending the powertrain warranty on all vehicles to 5 yrs / 100,000 miles. Word is the decision was driven in part by feedback from their Fastlane blog. If somebody had asked me to list the companies I would expect to be influenced by blogs, GM would not have been anywhere on that list. Good on them if it's true, and hopefully it'll help sell a few more cars.
Now if Dodge would just do it, and do it retroactively...
Permalink | Comments (0)September 05, 2006
Rockstar - one week to go
It's gonna be Magni or Toby fronting Supernova in Vegas on 12/31. I still think Magni is the better fit for the type of music Supernova seems to be writing. Toby has surprised me over the last few weeks though. His original tune was by far the best of the 5 original tunes tonight.
I'll be camping sans electricity next Tuesday, so the finale will have to wait on Tivo until I'm back.
Results Show Update:I'm mildly impressed that the voters picked the correct bottom 3. I'd rather Dilana have been booted, just so I don't have to listen to her again next week. I'm thinking Toby got the encore and the car as a consolation prize, because they are picking Magni next week.
However, none of will matter if Supernova doesn't produce some better music. That original tonight just sucked. Even worse, I detected a strong hint of Butch Walker in that song, and that is depressing, because Butch is an amazingly talented song writer.
Permalink | Comments (5)MIT for Homeschoolers
The Associate Director of Admissions at MIT has posted some advice for homeschoolers that want to attend MIT. He does not suggest getting a GED or High School Diploma!
Permalink | Comments (0)Battlestar Galactica Webisode 1
Filling in some of the details between season 2 and 3.
Permalink | Comments (1)links for 2006-09-05
September 04, 2006
The 10 songs meme
Just to avoid not posting anything today...the 10 songs on top when I shuffled my full playlist.
AC/DC - Problem Child
Marvelous 3 - Vampires in Love
The Silos - The First Move
Queensryche - Wot Kinda Man
Evenout - Look Back
Def Leppard - Hign N Dry
The Elders - Nation of Love
The Rolling Stones - Get Off my Cloud
Drivin N Cryin - Count The Flowers
Iron Maiden - Paschendale
September 03, 2006
links for 2006-09-03
-
Air Force jet lost in 1953 while chasing UFO found on Mars, errr, make that in Lake Superior
-
Did I mention that I'm writing a book?
September 02, 2006
Tivo's secret origin
This is a brilliant piece of viral marketing by Tivo.
Permalink | Comments (2)There is always somebody worse off than you
22 years old...check.
Pitching for the Boston Red Sox.....check
Cancer...check
Damn, damn damn. Luckily it is a treatable form of lymphoma.
I generally harbor a strong dislike for anything written by Dan Shaughnessy, but his column this morning is spot on.
Let's try to remember that somebody else out there is always doing better than us, and there's always somebody doing worse. We're all day-to-day from here to eternity. Be thankful for what you have. Give your kids a hug.
September 01, 2006
Top 10 whines of college students
This is pretty good, a college prof answers the standard whines about academic expectations in college. I classified it under Stupid Parent Tricks because I believe the attitude expressed by the kids is mostly a result of the choices their parents made.
via John Scalzi. You have read his books, right?
Permalink | Comments (7)