About Me
I’m into freedom. And I’m a fan of Heinlein’s The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, if that wasn’t obvious.
What does that mean to me? It means the right to do whatever I want, whenever I want, provided I consistently observe and respect the rights and property of others. I’m a firm believer in ultimate personal responsibility for oneself, even though that means everyone has the attendant rights and responsibilities associated with completely screwing up their lives.
I intend to use this site as a way to release pent up frustrations when I hear decidedly socialist wankers uttering inanely stupid justifications for the trampling of others’ rights. (While it would certainly be satisfying to give their beliefs a righteous fisking, it probably wouldn’t help my career any. I do have to work closely with many of these folks every day, after all.) Precious few conversations arise that allow me to inject at least a little freedom-oriented thought-provoking commentary, but I try to pick my moments. Everything else is likely to get dumped here.
I have a degree in engineering but didn’t pursue it as a career, thrive in rain, think hockey is the most interesting sport on the planet, and occasionally travel around to make in-person acquaintances of some of the fellow freedom-seekers I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with on this weird place that is the Internet. The only pets I have time for are two silly cats who disdainfully tolerate my late hours and regular absences provided I keep the food dish full, but one day I hope to be able to add a canine to the family—at which point my cats will likely disown me.
A quickie
I’m busier than a dog peckered twelve now, but I thought I’d post my cactus are still alive. No excess water … yet. And I have photographic evidence of their survival. The succulent on the right has grown an inch since I got it – I’m very proud.
Also notice that I’m having fun playing with the tripod-old my father gave me and learn all the intricacies of my Canon EOS Rebel XSi. In the photo above, the automatic setting was just the white balance – everything else, including attention, was completely manual. And I must add that I love the manual focus option, as it can bring 10x magnification and get the perfect focus before shooting. I have really wanted to play with the camera when I go to Montana, and more specifically the Glacier National Park in August.
Cactus Fail
Against all that is ingrained in me, I’m trying once again to keep some cactus in the house. Given my past history with the cactus, I clung desperately to the idea that these poor plants are doomed.
I blame the nature shows. Here I am watching a program about all things about the desert, and the narrator begins by describing how a cactus can adapt to harsh conditions and arid. That should make them ideal for me, I think. The plants we have now are the survivors clinging to life in harsh conditions!
And then with all the optimism and hope for a newborn baby, I can get some cactus poor, humble and put it in my house of horrors. I try to be comfortable, and therein lies the problem. My brain can not comprehend that a cactus prefers dry conditions. Sure, I say, the cactus can manage with very little water, but not why. At home, no plant runs out! This will not be a land of harsh! And drinking. And water. And water. Will grow best if not fighting against the deprivation of water, I say. And drink some more.
And a few days or weeks or months later, my poor cactus turn to mush from the inside out and ends abruptly threw in the trash yard. Repeat.
I stopped owning cactus for several years because of this, yet here I am, with not one but three succulent plants that share a pot of sand together. His presence causes a daily struggle with myself not to water them.
Is it worth this torture?
Update on that river of tears …
Regarding the previous post, it just so happens that The Register-Guard publishes maps of police calls every day, and has been for some months. So, just to check his article that contains all the ridiculous police complain about the lack of time for traffic stops, I recorded the daily numbers of traffic stops and all calls will be displayed from the end of September 2008.
It turns out that all this whining is bullshit. According to available data of the Guard, not only the police conducting traffic stops more (in addition to answering more calls in general), the percentage of all calls made entirely of traffic stops growing.
I expect both of Eugene police. But shame on Guard for not actually run the numbers – numbers published Guard itself.