Interesting

Sometimes you can tell a lot with page titles.

Pacers

Why look at the dismal box scores when the stories are so much more interesting.

Penguins are great

NEWS UPDATES:

In light of recent events, the James Bond series will be discontinued. Instead, they will now highlight the adventure of their new agent.

I also found this interesting article. It pretty much says how cool college is and that penguins are the greatest animals ever.

FAQs

Today I'd just like to field some frequently asked questions I get on a regular basis:

Q: Are you really an engineer?
A: Why would I put 'engineer' in my title if I didn't really wear that "scarlet letter".

Q: Does this article refer to "Tobias" of Arrested Development fame?
A: No. "Arrested Development" and "fame" do not belong in the same sentence. Also, the guy's not really Tobias, either.

Q: Are these people serious?
A: I cannot comment on that, as a past experience has utterly scarred me from ever joking around about this subject again.

Q: Are these real questions you've actually gotten before?
A: If they are, they were probably in a self-addressed e-mail.

If you have any questions about this blog, feel free to put them in the comments section!

Trekkies are scary

...according to a news article that you probably don't want to read.

And a website that I should have thought of. That is all - get back to work.

This IS the most ethical blog you will ever read

Competent? Ha! That's my middle name. Unfortunately, my first name is "In". As you may know, I recently went to a hotel (if you don't know, it's back a few entries). In this hotel, I joked about how they charge customers for towels that are missing when they leave; likely to deter those that want to steal them. So the humor of the situation eventually waned, and I moved on. However, a few days ago I was doing laundry, and what to my wondering eyes should appear - but a towel from the hotel! Those that don't know me (in that case, why are you reading this blog) are problably wondering how that happened. Those who do know me (hey, how's it going?) are likely to think that I've struck again.

I also learned this morning that a flash disk can survive both a washer and dryer.

In news you probably missed on purpose: finally, a good clean political race. It is fortunate that the winner will be the one that didn't lie about their position. [blogger's note: isn't it interesting how allies can all of a sudden become rivals when opportunity knocks - in the world of politics, anyway]

And finally, I just have to say it figures.

Good day to all of you. For the record, my new calendar has informed me that Led Zeppelin was released 37 years ago. It's nice to have little factoids to distract myself from the actual work-related deadlines on my calendar.

All the news that's fit to...eh, who am I kidding, I just found these in 5 minutes...

I don't have much time, but I'd like to give you the rundown on some of the latest news reports you probably didn't hear:

Once again, the government's tinkering around with people. Sure, laughter's a good medicine in small doses, but what happens when it becomes the next OxyContin? Huh? Then what? [Blogger's note: I'm going to assume nobody reading this blog has to worry about overdosing on laughter...]

And here's a bonafide, absolute Bad Idea. Maybe it was the same brilliant mind who engineered this statement.

Also, there's other news, something about some Alito guy (?), but it's probably nothing important.

Chicago Adventure, Part B

Wasn't that last entry just incredibly exciting? I thought so! And perhaps you thought that surely I've already gone through enough to warrant writing extensively about this trip in my blog. But no! There's still more to go.

When I was finally able to tear myself away from the rather tasty breakfast, I had to find my way to the testing facility. However, when I say facility, what I really mean is something more like a garage that's overcrowded with various electronic gizmos that I hope I never have to see again. The owner of the facility is the only guy who works there - and while nice, he was also rather quiet. There was also no music or other distractions, making this whole situation somewhat awkward.

Also, tests were failed, blah blah blah, that's not what you came to read.

So after two days of this excitement, it was time to leave. No bad traffic, I had left a little early. I'm sure I'm missing some great details in this trip, but one thing does stick out in my mind. Somewhere in boondocks, Indiana, I had to stop at a gas station (fyi, don't drink lots of fluids before long trips). I should have known this wasn't a good idea as I pulled in. When I went inside, nobody was at the register for a little a minute or so. Then all of a sudden, some kid that probably was all of 10 years old comes out to help me. Now what I needed didn't involve a monetary transation, but I'm rather curious to know what would have happened if I wanted to buy something that they'd need to be a certain age to sell. Anyway, I asked if the facilities were around, and apparently they were on the side. He said it should be unlocked; then he went back to whatever it is kids do when they're in charge of a gas station. When I went to the side to check the door, and it was actually locked. By then, I decided I didn't like this place so much and took off.

I should mention that by boondocks, I simply mean I didn't know where I was at and I probably won't return for a vacation stay. If there is a Boondocks, IN, then by no means am I trying to badmouth it. Although they should probably get their name changed. That has been all the Chicago trip memories that I can recall at the moment.

Chicago Adventure, Part I

I'm back from my "Big-City Adventure" (not to be confused with a likely title for an Olsen twins adventure). I was recently in the Chicago-area (read as: far outskirts which resembles Chicago about as much as Des Moines) to do some testing of equipment for work. Okay, now everybody who reads this page knows this isn't where I post my happy thoughts (although laughing about things does make me happy), so something must have happened in order for it to wind up here. You'd be close in thinking that. Instead, I found so many ridiculous things, I'm not sure it'll all fit in this entry.

The drive went well. I've heard terrible things about driving through Chicago, but I'll bet those people weren't driving through on a Sunday night. I finally get to my hotel, only to realize that it has indeed been a little while since I've been in a hotel. Apparently the biggest attraction in hotels is the showerhead. Even when I went down for my continental breakfast (which, incidentally, was better than most of my breakfasts here at home), there was a sign on the table which, again, mentioned the showerhead. That being said, it was pretty good.

Also, in what appears to be a transparent attempt to reduce stolen towels, they now declare the towels are on sale. If you simply grab one that was in the room, you have agreed to pay for it on your bill. How nice!

Lunch time appears to be over and I have only started on my adventure. To Be Continued...

Blog Status: Next entry close to almost about to be written

So you've decided to read this blog again? Well, I guess it's your mistak...er, choice. I recently ordered computer goodies from an online source, and now I find myself constantly checking my order's status. The memories of checking the mail everyday for something I ordered out of a cereal box have come flooding back. The worst part is, the status codes add even more tension. The current status is "Your package is about to be packaged and sealed." What?!? Have they done it yet?!? How'd it go?!? *Sigh* I think this could possibly be one of the most unrelatable blogs ever blogged.

Want to participate in the Superbowl? Well, you probably won't get the quarterback or tight end positions, but they're still looking for this one. But at least you'll get to play more than Terrell Owens, right?

Plus, if you do that, you'll likely get more accomplished than this group here. Wouldn't it be interesting to see corruption and scandal hit the prime-number project? Like "Wait a minute, that number is divisible by 67!!!" Instead, we have the same old song and dance. I wonder if the charities, also not wanting to be associated with Abramoff, donated it to a needy politician.

[Blogger's note: I have no idea what that last sentence means, nor do I take any responsibility for it].

[Blogger's update: My order is still on the very verge of being packaged and sealed!]

All this checking on my order is making me restless...maybe I should practice for my special cheer that you'll no doubt see Superbowl Sunday!

Year of the Engineer

Welcome to a new year! I suppose you're wondering: how will this blog, which has been a refuge of unfaltering commitment to you, change this upcoming year? Allow me to go over some changes that will be implemented this year:

*We will no longer be a refuge of unfaltering commitment to you. Instead, this blog will simply be a vehicle for me to get Cheez-Its as quickly as possible.

* When you look at the timestamp at the bottom, no longer will it indicate 2005. Instead, it has been renovated through months of codework, computer science research and studies, and Cheez-Its, to say "2006". Do not be alarmed.

I know these may be hard to get used to, but here are some things that you can still expect to continue this year:

* I'll still be an engineer.

* The pop machine here will still be out of lemonade.

Feel better? I thought so. Here's something else to be relieved about. In case you were worrying about your personal information being stolen from your computer because you played a Sony CD, you don't have to worry anymore. You are now entitled to $7.50 plus a free CD download!! But first, you have to admit you own that Celine Dion CD...

Spanish word: Bienvenido a 2006
English Translation: Welcome to 2008