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Received this in my email today:
Hello to all of you awaiting Zubbles Magic, the World's First
Colored Bubbles! Thank you for your support and patience over
the past few years! We are thrilled to announce, to all of you
before anyone else, that the first bottles for public release
are currently in production and a limited supply will be ready
to ship sometime in the next couple of weeks. As a result, we
are ready to take pre-orders on our website:
http://www.zubbles.com.
We regret that we are only able to take orders for the U.S. and
Canada at this point. To those of you from other countries, we
apologize for the delay, and rest assured that we are working to
make Zubbles available to you very soon.
Thank you again,
Marc
JAMM Companies, Inc.
info@zubbles.com
Bwahahahaha. Finally a purchasable real product, after how many years of promises? Well pre-order anyway. |
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My weekend started Thursday with a Michigan based brewery beer tasting after work in downtown Monroe (So metropolitan. I know. Y'all are jealous.) I tasted many great brews, and was extremely impressed with Monroe county's own brewery Original Gravity Brewing in Milan, MI. I tried their smoked jalapeno and Belgian (lambic-style) brews. Yum.
Afterward, we were hungry and the wife, a new found friend and I headed to the Mexican eatery across the street. *Insert diabolical music snippet here* The food tasted good, and off to home sleep off the happy beer buzz.
Friday, the wife wasn't feeling it and so stayed home from work. I wasn't sick in the least and had a productive day, leading into another quiet but productive drinking evening, this time at home. After sleeping for two hours I had to get up, and to put it mildly, it was Old Faithful on the flip-side all night long.
Understandably I was feeling queasy, sleepy, irritable and more than a bit tender Saturday morning. I did what any Dad would do. I took two anti-diuretics and made Becca drive the car up to Kensington Metropark (awesome park by the way.) Despite my previous bouts with evil, I had a good time. I read some of my book Legacy by Greg Bear while watching the kids swim, helped Toby attempt to fly a kite and once I felt up to it rented a peddle boat to tool around the lake with Toby as my skipper. A good time was had by all, and heat exhaustion that a day spent in the sun can bring was brought to a pleasant end by cool shower at home.
Woke up Sunday morning, went to church and then off to my dad's for father's day. About now I'm beginning to feel like an over-inflated beach ball so I didn't eat much of the yummy ribs my dad made. My dad offered me a beer, so I drank it, but continued on with plain water the rest of the day. Other than that, it was nice seeing my family and I was grateful to be able to catch up with a post-op Uncle Art who is doing better than expected, although he is obviously antsy to get back to his normal active life. He's not one to stand still for long.
After I returned home, the wife went off to the store and I stayed home to fold the clothes and do laundry. As it turns out, I was able to fold the clothes. I had no energy, was now extremely uncomfortably bloated, and it was becoming obvious to me that I was dangerously dehydrated. Of course the gallon and a half of water I was consuming in order to take control of final issue didn't help any with the primary or secondary issue.
Monday morning I awoke with a dehydration headache, called in sick to work, brought the kids into day-camp and proceed to sleep and drink fluids, plenty of fluids, lots of fluids, and was mostly normal around eight-o-clock hydration-wise. Hooray. And the rumblings in my belly region foretell of an impending and probable sudden end to my beached-dead-whale-laying-all-day-in-the-sun syndrome, though hopefully not in as violent a fashion.Current Music: Welcome Back Carter |
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I've seen this opinion expressed in several places now, including possibly hearing it a couple times at con, but I'm now curious.
Who out there feels that Wil Wheaton now owes Penguicon, something? (Usually showing up as a Nifty next year, or some such.)
And why? |
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So I've been working slavishly on fixing the gaping hole my bathroom ceiling, post pipe leak. And you know what there is no piece of drywall that is lightweight while balanced atop a ladder, holding a drill in one hand, and simultaneously holding the drywall up with my head and free hand, and a mouth full of screws. Also I've learned that while squaring out a hole it is best to use a straight edge of some sort or be stuck forever measuring and remeasuring and recutting the same piece of drywall over and over again.
In short I'm exhausted. Only one more frikken day! |
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The last of my cider, 4 gallons of it, the one inoculated with english cider yeast is to be bottle this evening. That said, I decided to risk a tasting yesterday.
It tastes strongly malic (it's the first thing I noticed as cracked the seal on the carboy) and a hint of acetic, tart but not bad. Tannins are present, but not noticable after the second sip. It is otherwise dry and clean without any noticable flaws. This cider unlike the others did not clear, so much haze is present, but it doesn't taste yeasty so I'm not worried. The only decision now is whether to carbonate or not. If I prime the cider the yeast may not completely consume the priming sugar by Penguicon. Which would result in a slightly sweeter version of the cider. If I go this route it would be good for the temperatures to stay up as it would facilitate the residual yeast in quickly carbonating the brew.
The alternative is to bottle it as a still cider, which would be true to style (english cider) , but I'm worried that it may not age anymore without the sugar boost.
I also made chicken paprikash last night and used the cider in lieu of water or milk in the spaetzel. Yuummmm! That brings back so many memories of childhood. |
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I'm off to Boston and it's more than a feeling that I'll find peace of mind if I don't look back. |
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I want to know what the difference between Facebook and Twitter is; short of Twitter's lack of apps (a positive in my opinion.)
Both are geared towards short regular updates and social networking. |
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I feel compelled to write about cider today. I've recently depleted two-thirds of my home-brew stash of cider. Mostly only because I've yet failed to bottle the last carboy, and refuse to open it due to fear of infecting it with nasty bugs until I do find the time and energy to clean, disinfect, fill and cap the bottles (a time consuming pass-time to be sure.)
And so I'm caught. I've developed a taste for cider, possibly stronger than my love for it's barley brethren, and yet I live in freaking America where good cider is impossible to find.
( What's a budding cider lover to do? ) |
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According to the Free Press, Homeland Security is dispatching a Predator Drone to watch USA/Canada border.
These are military air craft. They cost 10.5 Million dollars. They are a freaking weapons platform. And I know what you're thinking to yourselves, you're thinking that Zifferent has truly gone off the deep-end with his paranoid BS this time. But consider this, how many pilots flying Cessna's along the border constantly would 10.5 million buckaroos spend? Consider that the Predator drone's maintenance doesn't come cheap or at least not as cheap as a Cessna mechanic. Is it still a good idea?
I don't know, and I'm not even certain what they are looking for. A Canadian invasion? Seniors crossing the border for cheap pharmaceuticals? Yoopers smuggling contraband Molson and Sleeman into Michigan? Mexicans going the long way around?
Frankly, I can only see a few valid and yet not equally sane reasons for this kind of surveillance. (In order of decreasing sanity) One is the 'War on Drugs.' Another is the 'War on Terror.' And the other is to keep US citizens in the country. Ok maybe that last one one does reek of bat-shit, but after reading The Handmaid's Tale (great book btw) by Margaret Atwood (one of those rascally Canadians) it's hard to see these things and not scream "SEE!"
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Mar. 29th, 2009 @ 02:09 pm
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Ran across a fun site:
http://www.badpaintingsofbarackobama.com
It's a site that features and in fact only has bad pictures done by people of Barack Obama. Click for a new one.
Some are obviously children's paintings, and I don't think those are so bad.
A few I actually like.
But many are way out there, like tripping on acid while in the White House kind of crazy!
Like flaming tacos and underwear, Mexico Obama.
I think it's supposed to be suggestive of something, but I can't quite grasp it.
( More bad paintings behind this cut. )
Please visit the site and post some of the ones below that you found disturbing or enjoyed! This could be fun. |
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So (midwestern slang for "catch this bullshit if you can wrap your mind around it" ) So, I had a small leak emanating from a joint in the copper pipe that feeds our upstairs bathroom, which I've found out through deduction actually only feeds our toilet intake. By small leak, I mean less than a quarter-gallon a day. Like, drip [30 seconds] drip. Highly annoying that I had to take the ceiling drywall out, but otherwise nothing that a bucket couldn't handle till I got a round tuit.
So today I finally get up to the task and cut the pipe, only to find that the fittings I've purchased don't actually fit half inch outside diameter copper pipe that is actually five eights. I knew that, but everything I've read has confirmed that an eighth larger is par for the course. So it the don't fit and the hardware store is closed, and figuring that the valve is closed; I've got time on my side.
WRONG!
After telling people that the toilet and nothing else is out of order in the upstairs bathroom (nobody wants the unflushable turd!) and feeling safe in the knowledge, I laid myself down for a long spring's nap. Nope!
It turns out that despite the faucet and shower working, even with the valve shut, and I've tried with both valves shut, that it appears that (and correct me if I'm an idiot here, please!) waste (grey) water is coming fucking back down the supply line, because anyone standing beneath the pipe downstairs gets a nice shower when the water is turned on. WTF! That doesn't even make sense.
I'm absolutely livid. It's almost two in the morning and I feel like it's noon and I've had a half a pot of coffee. And here's why.
The people we bought the house from were nice people. My wife knew the family. And while we were aware that the domocile was purchased as flip home and that the couple was inexperienced at home repair (a bad combination to be sure) the house has been around for a hundred years, literally, and while it had issues nothing in the inspection nor numerous walkthroughs nor the legal paperwork pointed at ongoing problems or at least gross negligence. Permits were pulled and inspections were done, right?
Hence, when the wife and kids complained that the upstairs bathroom water tasted funky; we thought nothing of it. And now we know. Although it still makes no sense.
Perhaps I'm mistaken. Maybe there is some deeper plumbing mystery that I'm unaware of and maybe needs to be solved. Where is fucking Scooby Doo and Shaggy when I God Damned need them!
Huh! I don't know where to start. Do I call a plumber and then a lawyer or vice-versa. Should I patch the line for now or leave it be. These are the stupid issues that I'm left with and if comes down to a complete reboot with the plumbing situation; who pays for that shit? Me as the the home-owner or the shits who put it together wrong in the first place; knowing that a supply is not a drain. And why doesn't water shoot up my drain holes; is it some kind of super check-valve?
I have no answers. |
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The CPU fan (not original) on the eMachine was going, so much so that no one was allowed to shut down the machine for fear it wouldn't come back up. And while the it's my server machine, it's also almost 5 years old and a Celeron to boot so I didn't want to spend a fortune for a new heat-sink.
So I looked at Newegg and picked out a few , did a few Internet searches for extra comparisons and reviews as well as shop around for better prices and I came up with this monster. The Big Typhoon CL-P0114. It was a steal for only 19.99 and free shipping and I've had good luck with refurb products before.
( Little did I know how good of a deal this was. )
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Want
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Mar. 5th, 2009 @ 01:30 pm
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Topobo! Only $500 for a two motor set. Gah! |
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Meme
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Mar. 3rd, 2009 @ 09:05 am
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Comment on this post and I will give you 3 subjects/things I associate you with. Then post this in your LJ and elaborate on the subjects given.
My topics given by![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) custardfairy :
( Homebrew, Politics, Sci-Fi )
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| » Just for now |
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Annie Lenox
is a sweet sweet vessel of sexy filled to the brim.
...Just sayin.
Feb. 20th, 2009 @ 11:56 pm
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| » Not a Torch or Match in your Inventory... |
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My new favorite Nerdcore Rapper, MC Frontalot (Yes I do live in a cave. Why do you ask?):
I also highly recommend the awesome I <3 Fags.
Feb. 12th, 2009 @ 10:16 am
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| » Arrrrrrrrrrrrr |
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Been drinkin'. Feel a bit like a piratey. Arrrr, I don' t know why any more'n you do. Just piratey that's all.
Feb. 7th, 2009 @ 02:09 am
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| » Let's Just State the Facts M'kay?! |
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So in my pursuit of a web-surfing Valhalla, I've come across many interesting sites. Some bookmarked; some not.
But in all my life, I enjoy the most 'zines of all stripes that have either busted and offer their past content on as a website or still active and co-post to the web. The writing is often top-notch, witty and edgy. (like the now defunct crank.com which as close as I can find is an interview with the author)
Recently my drunken pursuits have taken me in a new direction, and I've found the still alive, Modern Drunkard Magazine. Of course to most of my audience it's probably obvious why I think this is interesting. It's a whole magazine that's devoted to the functionally drunk lifestyle. Like the aforementioned zines, the writing never fails to elicit an evil giggle or ten while reviewing their online content. My only regret is that I don't have the money or the marital capital to burn to subscribe. Perhaps it may come up in conversation with the wife, but then I would have to admit to her what is already obvious to myself, and once labeled there are consequences; frankly that I don't want to face yet. And that is even beside the point that I'm attempting at cutting back on my drunkard behavior if only because I want to experience more of life sober and although it's not an issue yet; drinking only slightly harder than I did (I've already cut back a bit) could result in serious troubles in every aspect of my life as well as overwhelm my current goals.
In the meantime I'm beginning to find a happy medium and found that I can read MDM without feeling guilty or finding that I don't measure up. The writing is good enough that I find that it's something I could enjoy knowing that I've skirted limits of problematic alcoholism, without actually using that as a template for future activities.
On the other hand, addicts often lie to themselves (and others) and I don't exactly have a clear conscience while perusing the articles. The precipice is in sight and that shakes me a bit. Everything there is both right on point and is easily designed to alleviate the guilt of a budding alcoholic, and that scares me as it should. As it encourages the very same behavior that I'm currently finding out can become a problem in the future if I don't step lightly.
The extra interesting bit is that I've just found out that the magazine holds an annual convention this is both bright and shiny and dark and ominous. Drinking, drunk and conventions are like peanut butter and chocolate to me. This is either very cool or very scary.
Jan. 31st, 2009 @ 11:44 pm
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| » Post-op. He's alive! |
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So much bad. Way too much bad. Yet, such a moderate species of bad comparatively to those around me that I have to conclude that it is only an annoyance.
Anyway, I'd rather focus on the positive. It is after-all one of my goals for this year (no resolutions; only goals.)
Without further ado, I give you the good, the great and the meh. But nothing negative, damnit! I promise.
Drinking is down. How much down? Well that's hard to tell. More importantly, my starved coping mechanisms, mostly well developed in my non-substance abusing folk, are becoming stronger. How do I know?
Well the answer to that deals with everything else I care about in life that is beginning (careful or we might scare it away!) to take more importance in my life and are starting to bear fragile and precious even if meek fruit.
Well, mostly. It seems that work is a gluttonous-bastard of a habit and will take anything I throw at it. Granted this was one of the things I've neglected and while it had begun to whither on the vine fed by my attention, it was the least of my issues because money is the one thing that kills everything else. While love of money may be the root of all evil (no proof) lack of money is at least its opposite but equal. So the conclusion all along has been while work may suck and I could care less, somethings are worse than lucrative employment at a job that I dislike. Where I'm at now, I'm moving back towards leading the pack. At my fullest, I can be a tough act to follow.
Neglect in 2008 has been almost a theme, despite my gains in Penguicon life, and family has been an easy victim. My hope has been to change that. My wife noticed the change today. No greater victory is there than this!
As far as Penguicon, things are better, but not exactly where they need to be. I'm afraid that I'm pulling attention from other pursuits into Penguigon, so I'm reluctant to devote myself fully. It may be silly, but I see my attention as a limited resource. I have much work to do, and have no doubt that I can complete it all. Effort is all that is required. But next year is up for grabs, I need to go to school to earn a degree, and consequentially put most of my effort into that.
Anyone with the skill, time and motivation to take up the banner of media is welcome. It's the toughest job you'll ever love, I can guarantee it.
Jan. 28th, 2009 @ 09:24 pm
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