Breadtangle

A given amount of force applied over an increasingly smaller area produces increasingly marked results. For example, if you kick a brick wall with your foot, the impact will be spread out roughly equally between your 5 toes. However, if you should happen to kick, with the same amount of force, the corner of that same wall so that the impact is taken solely by your pinky toe, there will be quite a noticeable difference. This I know from experience.

Happy Halo-ween at work today for the WSU Multimedia Services SWAT force.

Today I dressed up as a slacker. In other words I took my sweet time getting to marching band. This didn't really bother me since we played our last game and all we did was watch the drum major candidates audition. I voted for Pedro. Also, as a Halloween treat, our ice skating instructor gave us 1/2 the time for whatever we felt like. So, today, we decided it would be fun to fall down on purpose for once and we had a skate-really-fast-and-see-who-slides-the-farthest contest. Whee.

And yes, Jason, you win for the shortest post contest.

Some totally amazing...

...web sites!

Over the past couple of days, I have been searching for more great images (mostly for wallpaper and stuff like that.) Well, the first site that I disovered is Caedes.net. I'm serious when I say that they have literally thousands of images of all kinds in proper aspect ratios for computer wallpapers. I've never seen anything like it before. So far, my favorite section is the Space section. I don't know, maybe I have some kind of loyalty to NASA seeing as it is probably one of the best man-made institutions ever created. The kind of engineering that comes out of NASA totally blows my mind.

Well, as I was browsing on this gorgeous space gallery, I came across a picture taken from one of the Apollo missions as they were in low earth orbit. The picture is one of the most breathtaking shots I've ever seen. So, I investigated a bit further and found that all the film from all the Apollo missions has been digitized and much of it is available online. So, the second of the kick-butt-amazing websites is the Apollo Image Gallery. Here you will find an astonishing collection of photos from the entire Apollo series, including the mighty Saturn V rockets. Again, this gallery is almost overkill because there are so many images on it. But, it gives me a sense of pride knowing that mankind has done some pretty amazing things. I can't wait until we put a man back on the moon! I feel like I was cheated out of the experience of hearing firsthand the account of the Apollo 11 mission to Tranqility Base.

Anyhow, just thought I'd get all sentimental for a second.

Don't

I

But

I

This is.

Some people like phishing...

...As for me, I hate it.

Okay, all I have to say is that I had the dubious privilege today of being phished. I have an email account that I have used nearly every day for almost three years and I can count the number of spam emails I've received on one hand with some fingers missing. But today, I had my first encounter with phishing. For those of you who don't know what phishing is, it is basically when lowlifes send you email pretending to be from a reputable company (eBay in my case). They will tell you some story about how they have gone through a server migration or some other maintenance and they need you to click on a link and re-enter your account information "just to confirm their records." NEVER FALL FOR THIS! Your bank, or eBay, or whatever other company should keep backup records and will NEVER email you asking for "account confirmation." The only time they ever ask for account confirmation is when you just barely set up the account, and even then, any good company will not ask you to re-enter your account data. Also, a way to detect a phish is when you open the email and mouse over the link, notice the address that it points to. More often than not, it will point to some obscure IP address that has nothing to do with the actual company you do business with.

Due to the insidiousness and ingenuity of the phishers, I can see how this can turn into a very disastrous thing for those not educated to recognize phishes. Fortunately, there are tools out there to help educate people to the dangers of Internet predators. For instance, America First Credit Union has a great page devoted to helping members recognize and avoid phishing scams. Some people might say, "Well, I installed this anti-phish software. I'm safe." I say, "No you're not." The software is fallable and won't always stop threats. We can't just install some technology and then go bounding around the Internet with reckless abandon. We all need to be well educated about things around us. You don't see deer in the meadow just bounding around with "reckless abandon" just because there are trees around the meadow. No, they carefully make their way into the meadow and are constantly on the lookout for potential threats. Hopefully we can be smarter than deer.

I'm sorry for jumping up on my soapbox like that. I know that I'm probably preaching to the choir, but I deal with really stupid people all the time and with the average intelligence level of the Homo Sapiens, it's a wonder anything works in the first place. People are just stupid. They think that it's someone else's job to think for them and to protect them. They think, "Well, I have an IT department at work to take care of my computer for me. I'll be all right here at home, too." Gaaaah! That's so freaking frustrating! It's people's stupidity and ignorance that cause a general slowdown of society, complete with a lack of ingenuity for new stuff at no extra charge. Everyone who would normally be dreaming up the next big thing is stuck here dealing with stupid people's problems.

Anyhow, I'm done ranting. Just be careful of phishing scams. Be educated; know how to recognize them; know what you can do to protect yourself, and the world will be a bit smoother. You don't have to be computer experts, just educated.

ps: Try some Chai tea. It's really good and it's good for you. Word of Wisdom safe, too!
pps: Sorry about the excessively long post. I'll make it up with some short ones. :)

What a daze

link of the day: Startup Sound

Walking up Mt. Ogden on no sleep the night before... wow.

A Question Reasonably Well Answered

I've had a question now for about 10 years that has gone unanswered until today. I have wanted to know what makes adhesives work. Why does tape stick to things and why does it stick to some things better than others?

The answer that I have found for this comes from a fairly unorthodox source: a guy's website about certain types of sexual abuse. But, what he has to say is quite reasonable. It's something I had never thought of before. To my knowledge, the only question it doesn't answer is why some substances like glue are sticky when water (with many of the same physical properties as glue) is not. Hmmm. It could be related to viscosity because it seems that the more viscous a liquid is, the more sticky it is. Of course, then there's super glue which is a totally different animal -- low viscosity, high adhesion.

Check it out: Adhesives (how they work) and Friction.

I just thought I might share my newfound knowledge with everyone. I know it's geeky, but hey, I'm a geek and I am basicall obsessed with knowing how stuff works.

Backwash Boys...

Anyone who's played brass in marching band will know what backwash is. :)

*sings* "Which Backstreet Boy is gay?"

Okay, I'm done now. Well, sort of. Actually, Bye Bye Bye is by(e) that Orlando-based group, IN*STINCT. I should know because my sister was a HUGE fan, and by huge, I mean she traveled to other states (like Idaho) to see them in concert.

M'kay, I don't have a whole lot of rambling to do tonight. Just wanted to drop in and leave the only mark I'm allowed to in this band hall: a digital one. *Psycho shower scene music* Speaking of Psycho, that was the screenplay last week on the Score Station. I listened to it while I was at work.

Okay, I do have to comment on the marching band a little bit. You guys sound really good. I quite enjoyed y'all's homecoming show. It's freakin' pathetic that we don't have uniforms yet. Come on! I mean, what ever happened to the funding that the SLTrib gave us for that gig? But, aside from the uniforms, I really liked the show. Brass, please, I beg you with all the faculties of my being, get your horns up! It's such an impressive visual treat to see bell-front instruments at the proper angle of 10 degrees above level. For the most part, it was okay, but it's such a huge deal to me that I notice it quickly when it doesn't happen. Marching band is awesome. Make it known to everyone!

Fortune for the day: Great Moments in History (#7): November 23, 1915 - Pancake make-up is invented; most people continue to prefer syrup.

Take it easy!

Remember....

You can't spell slaughter without laughter.

Good day.

And another thing...

Everybody be sure to stop by the bell tower tomorrow (any time after 7:00 AM, it doesn't matter) and support the Junction City Hybrid drumline fundraiser.

That's right - any time. They'll be drumming from 7:00 AM Thursday to 7:00 AM Friday at the bell tower. If you want to make a donation, enter a prize drawing, or sponsor them, feel free. Also feel free to just enjoy the music.

And another thing...

Anybody who wants to can come on a hike of Mt. Ogden on Friday. Meet in front of the Browning Center at 8:00 AM (hey, I need my hour of sleep). Bring lunch, water, sunscreen (no, all three are not the same thing unless you want a sunburn and to be really hungry, but not so thirsty). What better way to spend fall "break".

Ok, bye.

Just one more

...and then WBHR episode 1 will have been downloaded as a podcast 250 times.

Now that's crazy.

The bell tower is improving. A while ago it was chiming the hour and there were a grand total of three (3) of the bells working. Which is one more than were working last week when I heard it (sort of) ring. And three more than were working at 12:00 am last saturday morning, according to the Diego.

Last night I saw one of the most amazing solo performances I have ever seen. A young man from not this country played a Monk piece like nobody's business. I'll try to post a video of it; the sound quality might not be that great, but I'll do it anyhow.

Congrats to Tom.com for hiring on at LOL. Lucky!

And now, I'm hungry, so I'm going to go and eat some food.

By
Bei
Buy

(no, that's not the international remix of the Hackstreet Boys song of the same name)

I've finally upgraded.....

...to GOOGLE talk.
I know there are at least three of you on gmail. If you are,
what are your addresses. You can even just send them to me
at ohsosaxy2712-at-comcast-dot-net.
On a different note(Cbb), How many flutists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
One, but she'll twist it for hours to get it just right!

Bond-O

Great for car bodies, even better for your viewing pleasure. Oh, wait, that's just Bond, a.k.a. 007, License to [Thr]ill.

Actually, I'm not very familiar with Daniel Craig either, but neither was I familiar with Pierce Brosnan when he came on the scene in '95. I have certainly enjoyed his bond films (though none can match the mastery of Sean Connery.) I'm excited to see Mr. Craig in a Bond film. By the way, was that picture of him actually a scene from Dirty Harry? That handgun in HUGE! Maybe it's a Walter PPK hopped up on some kind of steroids.

As I remember, the reason that actors like David Duchovny were not used as 007 is because the studio wanted to use BRITISH actors to represent the BRITISH MI-6 superspies. They had considered some like Jude Law and Hugh Jackman, though they had declined the part. (Hugh Jackman isn't really British; he's from Australia. But then Sean Connery was actually from Scotland, both, however, part of the British Empire.) I think we ought to give Mr. Craig a reasonable go at the part. I think it'll be fun. Besides, that's all we watch 007 movies for, right? Because they're fun.

What's 007 in Roman numerals?

Probably, 00VII. So, Daniel Craig is the new James Bond. Not so sure what I think of him quite yet. He's not a huge star here, having basically only been in two films (The Road To Perdition and Layer Cake). I'm just not getting a Bond vibe from him, but I'll wait 'til I see him in action before making my final decision. What do you all think?

What's 700 in Roman Numerals?

Has the Simpson's even gone 700 episodes? They are considered a comercial and critical success. They've been on the air since 1989. Oh, wait, this isn't about the Simpsons; at least it wasn't intended to be. It's about the fact that this is the 700th episode of Band Geeks. According to the infallible (and by infallible, I mean it's powered by Google) blog counter, this is the 700th posting on this site. Yay! Good grief! This thing's only been going since February of ot'four and we've already seen the passage of 700 postings. I only wish the Simpsons had that many episodes in a year and a half.

Now, to find the first season of Lost....

Okay, I'll have to agree that Strong Bad was first-basin' it with a piece of looseleaf.

So, can anyone answer me this question: How powerful and engine, measured either in horsepower or kilowatts, does it take to move a 3500 lb vehicle from naut to 60 in 3.8 seconds? This question has been bothering me for the last two weeks. If you have an idea of how to figure that out, please let me know.

700 = DCC (in Roman Numerals)
700 = 0x2BC (in hexadecimal)
700 = 001010111100 (in binary)

Thank you.

But Silly PuTTY would...

...be so much fun.

I mean, who wouldn't think it was fun when they type ls on the Linux terminal if it didn't come back with "ls? What do you mean ls? I think you meant 'nmap -v www.whitehouse.gov' so that's what I'll do. Gol! No one cares to see a listing of their files."

So yeah, if you happen to have a copy of Silly PuTTY, I would love a copy of it. I might even pay actual money for it, which if you know me, is rare when it comes to software. (Viva Open Source!)

Okay, I'm being a geek now. I'll get back to what I was doing...

The latest

Fine, I'll fix it. Then you'll have to find a new one.

^
Random

I found out about a cool new game today. It is a great party game. It is called Defender. I don't know if you have played it. You should play it. It is fun. We should play it at the next party.

*snap*

Whoa! Party? So.... Ricky suggested we all go play laser tag on Saturday at Lazer Zone in Sunset after the fo'ball game (notice the wasatch phonetic spelling of football). 'Twill be fun. I think we should also plan a place to grab some dinner before the shooting match. That way we'll all be re-nouri-freshed and Tim will be off work and can come as well. So, how's about 7pm for tag and right-after-the-wsu-game-ish for eats. I'm thinking University Broiler and Grill or maybe Costa Vida or Grandalfo's. After the laser taggin, we can all play some fun Munchkin. I bought the expansion pack (including the Duck of Many Things, the Big Honking Sword of Character Whupping, and of course, the Big Fat Lyre).

*pans*

Now I am tired. I still have homework to do. They are almost done with the library. The batteries in my camera died. I should go home now. I am getting tired. I might repeat myself might rep...

Oh... wait.

*snap*

In other news, Andrew I have no idea what those numbers mean in your previous post, and I often leave messenger logged in and my computer on even though I may be somewhere else, so when it shows me being away a lot it's because I probably am. I try to respond to everyone who IM's me. You're not on my very short list of people I wouldn't respond to if they did IM me, so no worries. By the by, I don't get your joke about the dehydrated french-types. Is it one where it is not to be gotten or am I missing a subtle double-entendre? Then again, it is late and my thinker isn't working properly.

Ben, Jason mentioned that I see him every other day. I can deliver the sillyputty if you wish. No, Jason. Not Silly PuTTY. That would be silly.

So far WBHR episode 1 has been downloaded as a podcast 34 times. Isn't that just freaky? It's almost like there are other people out there on the Internet. I never see people on the Internet. Just a lot of letters and pictures. Hello? Can you see me typing, people on the Internet?

*pans*

So about that whole "going home now and getting some sleep" bit...

Y'know, I was going to say something...

...but now, I just forgot what I was about to say. I suppose I should really read the Harry Potter books so that I can be more "in the know" about stuff when people talk about it. Currently, I have read 1.96 Harry Potter books. I have seen 3.00 HP films, though, so I do know who the characters are.

Oh yeah, I remembered what I was going to say! I was going to say that I learned a really neat party trick. It's one of the fastest ways to empty an X-liter soda bottle. I'm sure there are faster ways than this, but I assure you that there are none more exciting. Also, if you try this, please do it outside because you will make a mess. Also, be prepared to get yourself messy, too.

The trick is to obtain a box of mentos, a test tube and an X-liter bottle of soda (2 liters work best because of the small opening in the neck.) Place the mentos in the test tube so that you can cover it completely (usually about 13 mentos.) Then, open the soda bottle and release the mentos into the soda and get away. The soda will come shooting straight up out of the bottle about 6 or 7 feet. This happens immediately after inserting the mentos. It lasts for about 3 seconds after which, you will have very little soda left in the bottle. Also of note: diet soda seems to work best. After all, no one cares if you waste that vile diet soda. :)

I saw that on iFilm.com.

I'm happy now...

...that I found my car on Google Earth.

Yeah, just thought I'd let you know. :)

To the tune of "If you're happy and you know it"

If you applied for graduation and you know it stomp your feet.

Actually, Ben, I blogged three days ago. Actually, Jessica, I did read your whole post (I read all the posts on this blog). Actually, Harvey, I need you to quit following me; people are beginning to wonder.

Actually, I have nothing to say, except that if you see me, in the near future, wearing parachute pants and a Vuarnet shirt, well then I don't know what to tell you, man.

Non-violin thoughts

Y'know, TheScooze, one of Mark Maxson's cronies really brassed me off one day.

Once upon a time a couple of years ago, I sat calmly in the sacred Band Hall minding my own business (not meditating.) Suddenly, a small bird in the form of a thought lighted upon my head. I realized that I needed to do some online banking to cover a check that I had written. Pondering the locations of the various computer labs around campus, I drew a conclusion that the Dr. Maxson's Mac lab was the closest. I would only need the computer for a couple of minutes so that I could transfer some funds in my bank account. I quickly bounded up the stairs and walked into the dark lab of moss-covered desks. There, along the center aisle, glowing with the dim glow of an LCD panel was an available computer. I glanced around and took note that the lab was nearly vacant with the exception of the computers that were permanent residents. I didn't figure that I would bother anyone if I quietly used the computer I had previously seen and then left. I needed to do so quietly, indeed, for there was a stillness in that lab that felt like a lead crystal goblet: one false move and it might break.

Quietly, I scurried to the computer and launched a web browser. I proceeded about my business of transferring the funds in my bank account. The process was going very smoothly until the lab aide (cronie) approached me and asked "Have you signed in?" To which I responded, "No, I just needed to use the internet for a minute." "Well, you need to sign in to use THESE computers." Oh, that brassed me off so badly. I can walk into virtually any computer lab on campus and use the computers provided. But such is not the case with Mr. Maxson's precious Mac lab. Oh no, I might write a small shell script to prevent Final Cut Pro from editing someone's NC-17-rated movie project.

So, the moral of this story is: Don't try to use Mark Maxson's Macs unless you are prepared to sign in and also provide a substantial amount of collateral (such as cars, homes, estates, trips to Hawaii, etc.) Hmmm, I wonder if he'd take a slightly mulled-over (as in doesn't work) 80cc Honda four-stroke. :) So no, I'm not having any violent thoughts or feelings right now, but I most certainly have earlier in the week. It's been a bit of a funk for me; dunno why, it just has been.

This entire post was written in 20 seconds using Macro Express - your Windows automation tool! :)

I love the life...

So, I have learned the lesson of never procrastinating study before a paper is due. I was so lost on the subject of our last music history paper (on a piece by Berlioz) that I didn't do so well. I got like 4 hours of bad sleep last night. Sorry if I was a tripping hazard in the hallway today. Naps are wonderful. Getting less sleep than you need is a very intersting experience, at least for me it is. I feel very weird. It's almost an out-of-body experience. I was working on our form assignment with Demya and got so looney that I made an interesting discovery. I think I will share it with you. ....... Apples are my favorite vegetable. Please don't take anything that I say tonight seriously. I'm so out of it, I just thought that I'd see what would come of me writing like this. It's fun! Although I don't recommend it. Conducting at 7am will hit me hard tomorrow. No wonder band directors are always really weird. yay!

Go ahead - ask me what day it is

That's a big 10/4, good buddy.

You only get to make that joke one day a year.

Well, we'll have to have a party soon so we can all play that great game I just bought. I tried it out with a few of my coworkers today. It's hilarious a parody on all RPGs.

In other news, our show is now on iTunes. Just search their podcast directory for Band Geek Radio, umkay?

Jason, the reason you were restless is probably because you were listening to WBHR. Andrew, way to go. The soap is all yours. We'll have to have a party to have you up or us down so's we can award you with your prize. And you're more than welcome to everyone who is enjoying the in-blog player access to the pcast.

Mr. Jones and me - we're gonna be big stars.

I have two...

...essential war cries in my life -- essential things for which I stand.

1) "Horns up!!" Of course, anyone in Marching Band knows what that it makes me crazy to see people marching with their horns lower than 10 degrees above level.

2.) "Try it out!" This one has meaning to me in that if you want to see what something does or how something works, try it out. Of course, this comes with a caveat: read the manual first before pushing buttons. Basically, I think that it behooves us to become expert in as much in life as possible. The best way to gain this expertise is to experiment and research. Google has revolutionized the way we get information. Whenever you have a question about something, go to Google, eHow, HowStuffWorks.com or any other information source and find out. What drives me crazy is when people ask me questions like "What happens if I do ....?" Gee, I don't know; try it out. This is especially vexing in the area of computers where generally you can try something out and the machine is pretty much guaranteed not to blow up or otherwise injure you. Computers are pretty tame that way. So is most everything else with the exception of nuclear reactors and band saws.

Aaah, now I feel like I have gotten that off my chest. It's been bothering me for a few days. ;)

Percussing

Just so you all know, the Jazz and Percussion concert is just around the corner. It is on October 18 at 7:30 PM (what other time do things start at the Browning Center?). I believe that we are in the choir room again, although I am not sure.
The program will consist of quite a number of rousing, joyful tunes. The Jazz Ensemble will give you some standard big band, plus a little funky latin music in there. The Percussion Ensemble will have some good "crash, boom, bang" pieces, and some melodic ones including an original composition by someone. Come treat your ears to a treat and enjoy the hitting, strumming, plucking and blowing at the concert.

Excitement!

Yay! My computer finally lets me listen to the imbedded audio and video features Jon has been putting into the blog!

I just listened to Episode 3! The answer is: only one went to Saint Ives, the old man! Yay! A bar of soap! I'm out of soap as it is. (don't come near me without a clothespin)

Jon - I tried to send you some audio files a while back, but they are just too big no matter what format I save them as. Ah, well. At least I tried. Maybe the show could have a call in segment? I could call in and you could record it? Others could also call in? Hmmmm.....

The only vice I have in life seems to be DVDs. I can't stop buying. There's too many good ones yet to come out this year.

I can't get into my class work as of late. Thank goodness fall break is this week. Maybe I'll get caught up, but probably not.

I have been meaning to update my own blog with reviews of Corpse Bride and Flight Plan. Keep checking it. They will be coming, just not sure when.

Star Wars Minatures is one of the coolest games I have ever played. It's like Epic Duels, but even bigger and more complex.

What did one dehydrated Frenchman say to the other dehydrated Frenchman? "What do we do now, Pierre?"

4 8 15 16 23 42

New and/or improved

If you want to hear the latest WBHR episode streaming directly instead of downloading the podcast, now you can. I've embedded a player in the template for you. Yay.

Also, here's the first two for those who haven't got them yet.

Episode I


Episode II

I want pizza, Steve

The pizza place that has the cool marquiseses (pl?) is near Ogden High. Its the Pizza Runner... I think.

By the by, Jason, we need to get together so that you can get your silly puddy.

Here I am...

...can't sleep, restless, listening to WBHR.

Yeah it's 2:53 am.

Um, I think that's a fairly expensive way to determine bear type.

Does anyone have a plastic skeleton? Or maybe a spare bone one, spare 'cause I wouldn't want to take your installed /dev/skeleton.

Is that pizzaria on 12th street the one with the random political insights on the marquee?

Don't forget Swing Club Tuesday nights at 7:30 in UB Ballroom.

But, the band hall does pose a great threat to Jingles' recording equipment.

Horsepower? Torque? I have a few qu'ns about these concepts. What is meant by ft-lb? How does RPM factor in to the equ'n? Did you know that a 16-liter engine has to burn 24,000 cylinders-full of fuel per minute to generate a 1000HP output? That translates to 5 liters of gas per minute that it needs to burn along with 45,000 liters of air. Not too fuel efficient. I'll stick to my 124HP 4-popper. I get between 35 and 37mpg loafing along at 2500RPM (60mph in 4th gear). This equals 10,000 cylinders-full of fuel/air per minute. And who freakin' has a 16-liter engine? (Source: HowStuffWorks.com)

Anyhow, I'm trying to understand the physics of horsepower and torque at now 3:17am.

ps: For all of your Unix/Linux integer math: bc is where it's at. For real number Unix/Linux math: xcalc is the ticket. Or you could pull out a real calculator, but that takes away all the fun of it. I know, I'm crazy. A year of the vi editor will do that to you. You start to crave glazed donuts at weird times of the day and the User Friendly comic strip is really funny. You start to laugh at anything political because you think to yourself "If only they had the power to take over the world like I do."