loneknight.org recent blogs

A tribute to Robert Jordan

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:57:00 -0600

From The Dragon Reborn, by Robert Jordan What He Said to Me I'll dance with a girl with eyes of brown, or a girl with eyes of green. I'll dance with a girl with any color eyes, but yours are the prettiest I've seen. I'll kiss a girl with hair of black or a girl with hair of gold. I'll kiss a girl with any color hair, but it's you I want to hold.

One less thing I HAVE to do...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 07:33:00 -0600

I can now check one thing off my list of "Things I HAVE To Do Before I Die": Last night I saw Weezer in concert. The show was a living tribute to the geeky, punk-rocking goodness that can only be described as BRING-THE-HOUSE-DOWN-AWESOME! Most of their set was a flashback to the Blue Album and Pinkerton, which were the albums that defined them and definitely crowd favorites. They also added a good selection of their new stuff from Red, which fit in well and proved to the crowd that they are still the band that we grew to love while wasting time in our parent's basement almost 15 years ago. Their first encore was to bring a hootenanny mob of roughly two dozen other musicians from Chicago with them back onto stage, with the most hilarious selection of instruments you have seen on a punk rock concert stage: starting with the obvious guitar and drum sets, there were also present a trombone, french horn, accordion, sax, tenor sax, clarinet, oboe, and even a didgeridoo. Rivers Cuomo then led the entire band in 'Island in the Sun', which resulted in a sound that was hilarious, endearing and rather entertaining at the same time. Other highlights of the show was an excellent live performance of "Greatest Man That Ever Lived", a blending of many different musical styles into what the band considers their epic masterpiece. Their cover of Nirvana's "Sliver" was also well received by the crowd. The opening act, Tokyo Police Club, were an eclectic rock group that had a bit of the screamo feel to them, but their keyboardist Graham Wright definitely made their set shine with a rapid, melodic sound reminiscent of Ray Manzarek (The Doors). The second act Angels and Airwaves, the self-proclaimed super-group led by Tom DeLange (former blink-182 singer/guitarist), was an epileptic-seizure inducing light show accompanied by a mediocre performance.

a haiku, V

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 20:14:00 -0600

Snowy peak floating above rolling pine forests Fishy salt water

(tsunami)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:03:00 -0600

Dedicated to J & V. Thanks to bluebird for helping me take a step back and do it right. a senryu. ---- Though fear tosses you God will hold you together through peril of storm.

The Fall of Brodgar

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:35:00 -0600

A metered poem, in senryu verse. --- The Fall of Brodgar Of this the Poet wrote: Great was the fall of Brodgar, hero of gods and men! Many were his foe, and great were his victories over all but one. He the gods did bless, but in his pride and unrest grew a wand'ring eye. In a sorceress of great beauty and fine breasts tyranny did hide; Her coquettish eyes and propensity to lie destined men to die. He thought to slay her, but instead did lay with her willing his own doom. In guilt he fled up and from rooftop with arms out for his sins commit; His sobs heard the street. To drunken gutter he plead, to heav'ns fate he flew. But in his fool heart did not repent her guiled arts nor gods' wrath dissuade. The ground smote him dead; the arm of the gods sundered vain pride from his head. Quoth this the Poet: beware the fall of Brodgar, the curse of all men!

reflections on life, getting older, and Weezer (the Red Album)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:05:00 -0600

It was one of those lazy Saturday afternoons. I was cruising down the 5 on my way to San Diego with some buddies for a little R&R. We were listening to KROQ and heard the announcement, "Next you will hear for the first time anywhere the new single from Weezer's unreleased red album, 'Pork and Beans,'" I almost wet myself. After actually hearing the song, I almost wet myself again. How can I describe the feeling? It was like running into an old friend that you haven't seen in 10 years, and picking up right where you both left off. Without words, you forgive each other for not keeping in touch. You overlook how you both have changed; how you look older, fatter. Maybe also a little crazier, but less "my-crazy-college-buddy", and more "unsettling-are-you-ok?" crazy. Sometime over the next few weeks I found myself growing ever more impatient waiting for the release date of this album. Its not like Weezer hasn't had album releases in the past, and frankly some of their latest work never made it into my 'favorites' playlist at home. But I'll admit, I have been nervously listening to (blue) and Pinkerton almost every day for months. It makes me feel like I'm a little emo kid all over again. I finally picked up a copy of the album this week. I won't try to make an excuse for how long I waited after the official release date to finally pick up a copy. I froze. Or call it nervous hesitance; I wanted it, yet I was scared to have it. The first time I listened to it straight through just to make sure I got the full effect of the album as a whole. Then I listened to it again with a critical mind, analyzing and critiquing each song by itself, comparing it to it's sibling tracks and past Weezer experiences. Then I listened to it again. And again. I'm still listening to it. And I will probably hit play once again. How do I describe it? The first word that comes to mind is schizophrenic. But that really sounds more harsh than I intend. Chaotic? Still too much. Good. Yes, I think I can start by saying, after listening to it multiple times, despite all of my other critical observations about this album, I can say that it is good. But at the same time I feel the need to explain myself, to add the disclaimer, "It is good, but..." It is good, but what else exactly is it? I think if you want to get a good head for this album, you need only listen to the single, "Pork and Beans". Rivers Cuomo writes, I don't give a hoot About what you think No I don't care I don't care [...] I think I was hoping for another (blue), another Pinkerton. But is it even possible for the same circumstances to exist that made geeky teenagers like me want to stand up on the roof tops, pump our fists and scream, over 15 years ago? OK, wait, that's what we would like to say we did. We actually wanted to find a quiet corner to crank our headphones up and let our souls sink down into the soothing-emo-goodness. Even if Weezer could somehow repeat the creative genius that went into their earliest work, the end result would have to be something entirely different again. And maybe Weezer is ready for that change before the rest of the world might be. This album is a tribute to Weezer, by Weezer, made up of individual contributions from the band members. Each song is a different voice, and each song when looked at alone may seem to clash with the next. "The Greatest Man that Ever Lived" even seems to clash with itself. But throughout the cacophony, even lending from it, a theme is built: despite how much we the public may love or hate them, Weezer is going to make the music that they want to make, and screw the consequences (and the critics). I like the album. I may eventually adjust to the changes that make Weezer sound like the older, adult version of them, and learn to love it as the older, adult me. So I'll close with this question to ponder: whether you love or dislike the red album, is it because it is a step closer to their original roots, or because it is (and must be) something new and different? "If you don't like it, you can shove it. But you don't like it; you LOVE it." -- Rivers Cuomo, "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived", Weezer (the red album)

effing the ineffable

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:15:00 -0600

"We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all." -- Douglas Adams in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Taxing the life out of America

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 2 May 2008 09:02:00 -0600

From Investors Business Daily, Thursday, May 01, 2008 link: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=294534501962503" target="_blank Profits of Doom? "Oil prices aren't high because profits are up; they're high because we don't have enough oil. By clamping down on drilling, refusing to move forward on nuclear energy and hitting producers with punitive taxes, Congress is doing all it can to ensure we don't have enough in the future."

Socialized health care is bad. Just ask Sweden.

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 1 May 2008 08:29:00 -0600

Socialized health care. It sounds great -- in theory. Wouldn't it be great if everyone in our entire nation could receive first-class health care with little or no cost to the patient? But in reality, this is far from the case. In a recent article written by Sven R. Lawson, PhD., titled link: http://www.jpands.org/vol13no1/larson.pdf" target="_blank Lessons from Sweden�s Universal Health System: Tales from the Health-care Crypt, he outlines specific cases in the Swedish government centralized health care system that are prime examples of how Socialized health care can and will fail. Universal rationing means that centralized health care will withhold care from patients due to budget pressures, lack of funding, and government regulation that prevents certain costly, but life-saving procedures from being performed due to their cost. Delayed consequences of socialized health care are again budget related, but has a much more long-range effect on the quality and innovation of health care. Tighter government budgets means that tasks will be delegated to less qualified, less skilled health care employees to defer costs. Dr. Olle Stendahl, professor of medicine at Linkoping University, pointed this out in the national Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Referring to the 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded to Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren for their discovery of Helicobacter pylori, Dr. Stendahl explained that part of the reason for their innovative research was a medical system that encouraged research and innovation. But, he continued, discoveries of this magnitude are ruled out in Sweden: "In our budget-governed health care there is no room for curious, young physicians and other [medical] professionals to challenge established views. New knowledge is not attractive but typically considered a problem [that brings] increased costs and disturbances in today�s slimmed-down health care... Primarily the system endorses health care regions and administrative directors who can show a surplus in their budget. Quality of care and patients� well-being are second-tier goals." Sven goes on to say, "While it may seem as though the Swedish tax rates are off the chart compared to American taxes, it would not take us long to get there if the United States made the mistake of adopting socialized medicine for all. It has been estimated that a Swedish-style single-payer health insurance system in America would cost the median-income household some $17,200 per year in health care taxes." Even if this is affordable for Americans, would this be sufficient to keep socialized health care going? Sven continues, "As in Sweden, American politicians would promise to freeze the tax to pay for a hypothetical American single-payer system at a fixed rate." That would put a cap on the income going into the system, but does not address the change in expenses: "Over the past half century, medical costs have risen just over twice as fast as the payroll on which the tax would be levied. To avoid raising the tax, Congress would have to have curbed spending one way or the other. This would have resulted in a combination of three things: (1) a significant lag in implementing new medical technology; (2) massive reductions in staff, beds, and number of clinics and hospitals; and (3) widespread transfers of responsibilities for medical evaluations and treatment downward in the skills pyramid: from physicians to physician assistants (PAs), from PAs to nurses, from nurses to nurse assistants, etc. In short, less skilled staff would be would be operating with yester-year�s technology in clinics and hospitals of greatly diminished capacity." Sven summarizes the article by saying, "If we implement a universal, single-payer model in America today, the negative effects will reliably occur about a generation from now. The question that we need to ask ourselves as we enter the election season is this: Are we willing to send that bill down the road for our children to pay?" --- The article linked above, "Lessons from Sweden�s Universal Health System: Tales from the Health-care Crypt" comes from the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Volume 13 Number 1.

When Microsoft and DRM combine...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:07:00 -0600

No, this isn't a quote from Captain Planet (although I wish it were something as cheesy and campy as that). No, this little piece of news that link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/23/microsoft-turns-the-drm-screw-on-msn-music-owners/ Microsoft is abandoning their DRM-music service through MSN heralds the end of the line for any of their past customers. The setup: You want to buy some music online, legally, so you go out on the net and look for music download sites. The bait: You might arrive at the MSN music download site and decide to purchase some DRM-licensed music, and download it to your PC. DRM allows for that music to be on only a certain number of devices, so you may keep one copy on your PC, maybe another on your mp3 player. Each time you want to move the music to a new device, your PC requests a new license file from the MSN DRM authentication system, which issues the approval to copy that piece of music to a new device. The switch: Microsoft decides to drop their MSN music-download service, and discontinue issuing authorizations. The dilemma: You are now forced to keep your PC running indefinitely if you ever want to listen to the music you have purchased ever again. Don't delete it from your mp3 player, either, if you ever want to listen to it from there. Because this is the last time you get to transfer the song off of your PC, too. Forever. Because DRM will not allow you to move any licensed music you own to another device, never allow you to even burn it to a CD without the authentication from a non-existent MSN authenticator. Need to reformat your PC? Say buh-bye to your MSN DRM-licensed music. Want to upgrade your PC to a new OS? Oh, I'm sorry. Tough luck. Want to free up some space on your mp3 player? Microsoft says, 'screw you'. I really hope that consumers will get the message and STOP SUPPORTING DRM MUSIC. How many people need to get screwed before consumers get smart and stop supporting DRM? Because if the consumers get smart, and the power of their money goes elsewhere, DRM will go away, too. Switching to a service like iTunes doesn't really solve the problem, either. As long as there is money in the industry, you will always have companies like MSN or other up-starts trying to get a slice of the pie. That's a part of American economics. If iTunes lasts forever, that still doesn't negate the evil of DRM, or stop music listeners getting screwed by it. The only thing that makes me less-than-completely-irate at Microsoft is the fact that consumers out there made the big mistake of purchasing DRM-infused music to begin with. I almost feel like the customers are getting what they deserve. Almost.

Of poor frenchman's dinners and whirling dervishes

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:02:00 -0600

Last week I traveled to Anaheim, California for a conference. Sco and I stayed with my good friend Chris who lives out in Irvine. I had a blast. It only took me a few minutes to realize it had been about 8 years since I had been out to SoCal, so it was a trip I definitely needed to make for a long time. During the weekend we took a trip to the Orfela winery near San Diego. It was a gorgeous day for driving, and we sampled some of the best wine you will find in Southern California. The same night we kicked back to have what Chris called a "poor frenchman's dinner." Bread with a little olive oil, sliced summer sausage, fruit and cheeses, and some amazing wine. It was an awesome spread. I also felt a little link: http://www.loneknight.org/poetry.asp?poem_id=128 inspired watching link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk0ROmJ4UY8 Clerks 2. Tuesday night we went to the Napa Rose for dinner, this little restaurant off of the Hotel California in downtown Disney. The great thing about this place is that is has world-class food, but since it's off of Disney, they aren't pretentious at all. Our server was laid back, but had great knowledge of food (and their wine list), and entertaining at the same time. I had the roasted rabbit, which made me wonder what it would take to set up a few snares in my own back yard. The conference itself was pretty good. I picked up some great info that I will inevitably be putting to good use here at work. The week did wear a little long, so as much fun as I had hanging out with Sco and Chris, eventually I had to hop on a plane back to Chicago. Unfortunately, our plane was delayed multiple times, which resulted in us sitting on the plane, unmoving, for about 2 hours. I was pretty exhausted when I got home, but it was nice to be home again with Natalie.

Cutting costs, or clever political undermining?

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 4 Apr 2008 06:52:00 -0600

Endgadget was recently mourning the announcements from link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/dell-to-cut-even-more-jobs-as-it-reduces-costs/ Dell and link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/motorola-to-cut-another-2-600-jobs/ Motorola slashing jobs in order to cut costs. Of course, reading this you get the usual reactions: "Why not fire two or three executives instead, and save the same amount of cash?" "Why don't they start by cutting their overseas support centers?" (especially infamous with Dell) Eventually, these comments turn to more broad, political musings. Why are companies like Dell and Motorola cutting jobs? This sounds like a bad barometer for our Economy. In turn, this sounds like a bad report card for George W. Bush, who traditionally receives the blame for a bad economy as the President has for decades. If you stop for a second to consider the cause-and-effect of these job firings, you realize that it is the top executives of these companies like Dell and Motorola who wield an extra-ordinary power over the political barometer of our economy, and the blame of their decisions falls at the President's feet. "8,000 jobs cut at Dell, 2,600 jobs cut at Motorola, that President Bush sure is doing a bang-up job[?]" Or if you look back at the history of, say, Dell, and their tendancy to sacrifice quality of product for cheaper production costs, and out-sourcing their support centers to who-knows-what-first-language idiots. Maybe the real problem is the fact that people have stopped buying their products, and not that the President's economics has "forced their hand". Now I'm not saying that the President plays no role in the national and even global economic situation. I'm also not saying that everything is the fault of "big, bad business". Companies have the right, even the responsibility (to their investors) to make adjustments to maintain their profit margins, regardless if you do or do not agree with their sometimes aggravating ways of implementing those changes. Sometimes a company has to trim the fat, and one can hope that the over 10,000 jobs cut (between Dell and Motorola) are the dead weight that was just begging to be shed, and the net result will work to the better for the American consumer. What I am saying is that it may be giving a little too much credit to say that the execs at Dell and Motorola don't realize EXACTLY the effect their decisions of firing employees to "cut costs" will have on the image of our President. And they have an awful amount of influence on the collective opinion of our nation's leader, if they so choose to manipulate it. With that in mind, I take the "Oh, noes!" message with a grain of salt. Yes, unemployment to a certain degree is a sign of a struggling economy. But I will not give over to the sensational over-reaction to say that the decisions of very human, sometimes very biased individuals is necessarily the hard, objective evidence against a single influence in our nation's economy. I am very open to people's reactions or opinions on this, leave comments please.

Why I am most definitely NOT voting Hillary Clinton for President. [An April Fool's apology]

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:01:00 -0600

Yes, [no,] you read correctly [ok, not really]. Yesterday's post was a joke, of course. I am NOT voting for Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, and here are my real reasons why: Abortion - Hillary is pro-death. Even though her website strategically leaves out the actual word Abortion (replaced with "reproductive rights"), is it really any surprise to anyone that she will support her perceived right for mothers to murder innocent unborn children? This is the #1 reason why I would never, ever, EVER vote for Hillary Clinton. Family - Hillary Clinton wrote her manifesto on devaluing the building block of society in "It Takes a Village." While it may require a village government to tax it's citizens, it does not require a village to raise a family. Hillary as a woman President would not be respected by our nation's enemies - Theodore Roosevelt famously said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far." He was referring not directly to the power of the U.S., even though the U.S. is one of the most powerful nations of the world. He wasn't speaking directly of the threat of American power being used against foreign nations, but at times of necessity, our nation has used it's military power to secure freedom, punish evil, and secure our nation's interests. But what our former President was referring to is the image that our enemies have, and must keep, of the leadership and power of our nation, lest they get overconfident and take offensive action against us. We do not need to police the entire world; we do not need to make unnecessary shows of force. But we do need our enemies to understand that we do in fact have military power, and a leader capable of wielding that military in a time of need, and a leader who may be respected enough to be feared by our enemies as a formidable foe. Hence the visual of "Carry a Big Stick". It is in my most humble opinion that Hillary Clinton as President of the U.S. would give such a negative image of the leadership of this country to the U.S. foreign enemies that despise us, that they would have little fear of repercussion for provoking us. America would be forced to face enemies who will have no respect and much contempt for Hillary Clinton as our President. Taxes, taxes, and more taxes - A few of Hillary's plans sound like great suggestions, sure. Who doesn't like the idea of free, quality health care? And cutting the drop-out rate of students? And, and, and. But even if you can for a moment ignore the monumental question of the practicality of some of Hillary's plans, how will we even begin to afford to pay for it? Government funding doesn't grow on trees -- it comes out of our paychecks. No, thank you, Hillary. [Note: the original text from yesterday's post is shown below in italics. My own responses are listed in brackets below each quoted segment.] "National Health Care - Tax credits will ensure you won't be charged more than a set percentage of your annual income. Insurance companies won't be able to turn you down. Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care." [My real thoughts: Forcing insurance companies to cover anyone will only force down the quality of health care offered to those with insurance. You will still have disparity in care between those who can pay well for their health care, and those who have the "freebie" government hand-out. Just look at the existing countries that have centralized health care: it sucks, and the wealthy who can afford to get it elsewhere do.] "Ending the war in Iraq - In the first 60 days of office, Hillary will order the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Aid efforts would focus on stabilizing Iraqi entities most likely to get aid to the Iraqi people. Hillary would also uphold a non-interference policy through the U.N., and in partnership with Iraq's neighbors would mediate disputes and aid in reconstruction." [My response: This not only sounds impractical, but irresponsible. If we instantly pull out our troops, there will be a vacuum of power in Iraq that will be filled by the most radical element present, which will end up being the insurgents. Just look at Iran. Asking Iraq's neighbors to "help" is also a mistake, since they all will have personal agendas at stake in controlling Iraq.] "Energy and Environment - Hillary will cut greenhouse emissions by 80%, foreign oil imports by two-thirds, and begin a 50-billion dollar energy research and development project. "Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings." "[...]All federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings."link: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/ (site source)" [My response: While this sounds GREAT, most of this is just throwing figures around. How do you stop 80% of greenhouse gas emissions? You would cripple our industry which would in turn cripple our economy. How do you stop two-thirds of foreign oil imports without changing the oil consumption needs of our society? I'm sorry, you aren't going to just wave a hand and have soccer mom's give up their SUV's, jocks give up their 2-ton pickup trucks, or your family from driving to Grandma's for Christmas. The last portion of the "Energy and Environment" section is just RIDICULOUS. If Hillary "asks" automakers, oil and energy companies and utilities to take huge profit losses by complying with her whims, at best they will smile and say, "OK, we will try our best." Or, they may just laugh in her face.] "Education - Hillary will take several measures to improve our failing school system: - Pre-kindergarten for all four-year olds. - End 'No Child Left Behind'. - Cut the minority dropout rate in half. - Create "Green schools" to improve environment for students. - 1 billion for at-risk youth for pre-college high schools and multiple pathways to graduation. - 100 million for summer internship programs. - Challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities." [My response: How are we going to pay for all of this? We hardly have the tax money available now to pay for the failing schools we DO have. Her blanket plans say nothing about feasibility, let alone quality of services that will result out of an insane policy like "pre-kindergarten for 4-year olds." That sounds more like "government sanctioned child care." PUH-LEASE! Asking colleges to "expand their access" for students will effect lowering of admissions standards. Why not give more monies for merit-based scholarships? Or building schools that are targeted to low-income communities? All Hillary will do is take the "selective" out of "Selective colleges", which just demotes their value.] I hope you join me in NOT EVER voting for Hillary Clinton as President, for the sake of the integrity, security and well-being of our nation!

Why I'm voting Hillary Clinton for President

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:01:00 -0600

[EDIT: If you didn't figure this out already, consider this your official notice: APRIL FOOLS!] Yes, you read correctly. I am voting for Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, and here's why: National Health Care - Tax credits will ensure you won't be charged more than a set percentage of your annual income. Insurance companies won't be able to turn you down. Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care. Ending the war in Iraq - In the first 60 days of office, Hillary will order the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Aid efforts would focus on stabilizing Iraqi entities most likely to get aid to the Iraqi people. Hillary would also uphold a non-interference policy through the U.N., and in partnership with Iraq's neighbors would mediate disputes and aid in reconstruction. Energy and Environment - Hillary will cut greenhouse emmissions by 80%, foreign oil imports by two-thirds, and begin a 50-billion dollar energy research and development project. "Automakers will be asked to make more efficient vehicles; oil and energy companies to invest in cleaner, renewable technologies; utilities to ramp up use of renewables and modernize the grid; coal companies to implement clean coal technology; government to establish a cap and trade carbon emissions system and renew its leadership in energy efficient buildings and services; individuals to conserve energy and utilize efficient light bulbs and appliances in their homes; and industry to build energy efficient homes and buildings." "[...]All federal buildings designed after January 20, 2009 will be zero emissions buildings."link: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/energy/ (site source) Education - Hillary will take several measures to improve our failing school system: - Pre-kindergarten for all four-year olds. - End 'No Child Left Behind'. - Cut the minority dropout rate in half. - Create "Green schools" to improve environment for students. - 1 billion for at-risk youth for pre-college high schools and multiple pathways to graduation. - 100 million for summer internship programs. - Challenge selective colleges to expand access for students from low-income communities. I hope you join me in voting for Hillary Clinton as President for a better America.

An old saying goes...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:34:00 -0600

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." I may be paraphrasing Edmund Burke a bit, but I think the substance of the meaning is there. Last night, I DID something, and a friend was safe. I only hope that friend is wise enough to stay safe tomorrow.

Happy Pi day!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:33:00 -0600

Pi Day. March 14th. You could even get more specific, and say, 3/14 16:33 (converting 3.1415926... to m/dd hh:mm) Regardless of how you want to split it up, today is the honorific holiday dedicated to one of the mathematical constants that has gained a near mystical reputation. I still remember the first time reading Carl Sagan's Contact (not the movie, you have to read the book), and wondering if, in fact, God would leave his "signature" in the physics which governs our existence. Don't forget to have some pie for dessert!

The passing of a Legend

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:46:00 -0600

Ernest Gary Gygax passed away today, March 3rd, 2008. The original creator of Dungeons and Dragons, he set the framework for the genre of role playing games. link: http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Dungeons_and_Dragons_Creator_Gary_Gygax_Died_at_69_14777.html More info at efluxmedia.com Thank you Gary, you have touched our lives and your many, many fans will miss you.

The geekiest concert of 2008!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Sun, 2 Mar 2008 14:23:00 -0600

I just spent an awesome evening at one of the most enjoyable, and best performed, symphony concerts I have been to in a long time. Distant Worlds: The Music of Final Fantasy. Composer: Nabuo Uematsu Conductor: Arnie Roth Performances by: The Chicago Pops Symphony, The Chicago Festival Choir My good friends Jim and Paul from St. Louis drove up for the concert, along with their sister Catherine and friend Brandy. We also met up with Brandon, who plays in our World of Warcraft guild. Half the fun was just hanging out with that crew, of course. I wish I could see them more often! The performance was superb. I attended the "Dear Friends" concert that was last at Rosemont, and as a Final Fantasy fan I thoroughly enjoyed the music, but as a music critic recognized a few flaws in the performance level. But this show was nearly flawless. Here's a few highlights from the set list: Liberi Fatali - One of my fav pieces, the choir was spot-on and was a great opener to get the crowd emotionally into the performance. Vamo' alla Flamenco - the classical guitar soloist was amazing. I love this scene from FF9, the music gives you a sense of the adventurous but playful spirit in this game, and the performers nailed this one. Main Theme - the guitar soloist also played for the main theme, was a great rendition of the main FF theme. Opening Bombing Mission - This one took me by surprise as a most exellently performed piece, better than what was recorded on the Distant Worlds CD. Fisherman's Horizon - Memoro de la Stono - These two pieces have never been played live by orchestra before, and were a nice addition to the show. Opera "Maria and Draco" - Absolutely the highlight of the entire concert, the very popular opera piece from FFIII (FFVI jap) got the standing ovation it deserved. The Opera voice trio played perfectly to the crowd, adding some amusing but subtle expressions to their performance that prompted an overwhelmingly positive response from the crowd. As link: http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/resk/ffdistantworlds.shtml" target="_new One reviewer put it, "Nothing less than a standing ovation is deserved. Bravo." Terra's Theme - Another piece not often played live, a superb performance and a favorite of many. One Winged Angel - The conductor introduced the last song as "And for our final piece... well, you don't need me to tell you..." A cult-classic favorite of Sephiroth fans, and excellently performed by symphony and choir. I was very lucky to have a VIP ticket, which allowed a brief yet exciting meeting with the composer and conductor after the show (after 2 hours in line) but it was entirely worth the wait to get the awesome pics. It was a blast cracking jokes and talking to the friendly Rosemont staff while waiting in line. To Travis, the ultimate bouncer, who could break a man while blind-folded and with one arm tied behind your back: you rock. I truly had a great weekend at that show, with friends as geeky about Final Fantasy as I am. What a blast! If you ever have a chance to listen to the recorded Distant Worlds CD (performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Arnie Roth), you have to turn it up LOUD, close your eyes, and pretend you are sitting in the front section of an auditorium.

Yay, the Patriots lost, and other Lenten observations

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 18:32:00 -0600

There was only one reason I was rooting for the Giants in the Superbowl; I didn't want to see the Patriots, who were caught cheating at the beginning of the season, finish with both the Superbowl championship AND a perfect season. It just wouldn't have been fair to the American sport of football. Most of the action was in the 1st and 4th quarters, which saw all of the points scored by both teams. It was a well played, fairly called contest of two rather good teams, and a great upset game. In my mind, the Giants were a subtle reminder of justice to the Patriots that cheaters should never win. In other news, the Lent season begins again this week on Ash Wednesday. I am again reminded of the pledge I made to myself last year. I will admit; I tripped up a few times in my 40 day fasting-of-self. But after slipping I didn't let it stop me from continuing to try, and the end result was as... unexpected as it was meaningful. I am resolved to try again this year, and hope to find yet again that sense of solace and self control.

Happy New Year, and all that jive

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 Jan 2008 13:58:00 -0600

My dear friends, It is that time yet again when we celebrate an arbitrary calendar date, New Years Day. This is the time when we say, "I CAN diet and lose all this weight I gained gorging myself for the last 2 months!" It is also, ironically, the time when your frantic pace that led up to the holidays crashes into exhaustion and depression; the time when the glimmer of new Christmas presents begin to wear off, and you realize that you will very shortly be back at work. Yet, during this time of feeble resolutions and melancholy, I have to stop and realize that 2008, like every new year, bears it's own promise. For while it may not be all rainbows and roses, I am very thankful to realize that things can always be worse, and that it is statistically impossible for everything bad that could happen will happen in 2008. So hang in there, things are looking up! So I raise a toast to friend and foe alike: may 2008 be everything you want it to be, and nothing you don't. May you find happiness in what you have, and be content with what you don't. May you realize and appreciate the love that others share with you, and forgive the times they don't. My final words to you are this: Take heart! If things don't work out for you in 2008, remember that 2009 is just around the corner.

My Festivus

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:43:00 -0600

My Festivus 'Twas the night of Festivus when all through the house not a person was napping, not even a mouse. Dinner was nearly over and all were in wait for the Airing of Grievances, to get issues off our plate. "I got a lot of problems with you people!" dad bellowed, and my pulse quickened with every insult furled. Not a fellow was relaxed, all were getting limber to take on the challenge to wrestle or run away with a quiver. For the head of the household would select from the crowd "I challenge you to Feats of Strength 'til someone pins me down!" I tried to act cool, "Sorry, I'm working a double-shift," but dad saw through my bluff and his eyebrows did lift. "You! Time to throw down!" he cried and charged at a full run, I fled behind the Festivus pole but deftly he spun. His arms 'round my chest, he lifted me high, "Feel the true meaning of Festivus!" and landed a pile-drive. As I lost consciousness dad yelled out with glee, "Happy Festivus to all, and to all weaklings a good night!"

(your foliage)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:22:00 -0600

a senryu. --- a leaf on the wind; at times soft as a feather, or stinging rose thorn.

An Ode to a Hoodie

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:37:00 -0600

a metered poem, in senryu verse. --- An Ode to a Hoodie I scoff when I see your mantle hang from my hook, Oh banner of geeks. Yet I cannot hide my desire to be comfy in your soothing wraps. In sun, moon and rain your lovers embrace warms me when inside or out. Oh, hoodie sweater, my +1 cloak of emo, Keep me safe from harm.

I want to...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:26:00 -0600

I want to start playing guitar again. Play like I don't care, and kick ass doing it. I want to start a band. It will sound like Radiohead getting pwnd by a hurricane. I want to be cool again, in my own eyes if not to my friends. I want to go on a real road trip. I want to hit the gas, with the windows rolled down, good tunes on the radio, and a smile on my face. I want to have a party, have all of my friends in one place. We'll laugh at the idiots at work, and toast each other until dawn. Piss off the neighbors, and earn a hangover to brag of. I want to figure out who would play me in a movie, what would be on my sound track? Screw that -- I want someone to want ME to play THEM in a movie, and have my BAND play on their soundtrack. Yeah, That would be excellent.

Teh bestest web comic.... ever?

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:58:00 -0600

I love Questionable Content, but this one has entered a whole new atrium of my heart. link: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=963 #963, hot chics and D&D, it doesn't get much better than that for a geeky guy like me, right?

a workday senryu

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:48:00 -0600

tick-tock, goes the clock. Twin arms move, yet too slowly; to tired eyes, stopped.

Tycho & Gabe of Penny Arcade featured on Wired.com

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:20:00 -0600

link: http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/magazine/15-09/mf_pennyarcade?currentPage=all A recent Wired.com article features the brainpower behind one of my favorite web comics, Penny Arcade. The interview is with Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, the real life counterparts that the comic characters Gabe and Tycho are loosely based upon.

Chicago 27, Indianapolis 24

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 23:17:00 -0600

The Bears pull out another pre-season win! This time, it was a rematch with the Indianapolis Colts, who stole the Superbowl away from us last season. Grossman looked a little shaky this game, giving up a few turnovers, but he managed to earn some redemption with a QB sneak TD before retiring to the bench late in the 2nd quarter. Brian Griese, Kyle Orton and Robbie Gould were yet again the true performers, who gave us a significant lead that outlasted Peyton's might and a late TD from the Colts' 3rd stringer QB. So while it looks like Grossman hasn't quite worked out all the bugs yet, the Bears still look solid, and I have high hopes that the '07-'08 season will be a strong one for our Chicago Bears.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:57:00 -0600

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Argh.

Chicago 20, Houston 19

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 21:30:00 -0600

The Bears win. Oh, yes. The start of the pre-season of 2007-2008 has begun, and the Chicago Bears start it out right! Even though Grossman didn't throw a TD, he still gave Bears fans a reason for optimism. Griese and Orton were able to take up the slack with a TD each, along with the twin field goals from Gould made the difference to score a W for the Bears. GO BEARS! WOO!!!

What's cooler than cool?

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:56:00 -0600

As the sagely OutKast once wrote, "What's cooler than cool? Ice cold!" And they weren't kidding. Because scientists are now working with link: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/07/ultracold ultracold physics. Cool? No, ultracold, baby. Ultracold physics is the study of atoms that are super cooled using lasers to bump individual atoms into yet lower and lower energy states. Eventually this process can lower the temp to near-absolute-zero. The result is a harmonious arrangement of atoms that can be manipulated and measured to smaller precision than has been possible before. Some of the applications are equally cool. Measuring minute differences in gravity, quantum processors, even navigation systems that don't require GPS guidance.

Kickin' back...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:19:00 -0600

There's nothing quite like kickin' it back with a tall can of link: http://www.beerpal.com/Steel-Reserve-211-High-Gravity-Beer/9876/ Steel Reserve 211 High Gravity. Oh, wait, yes there is. Maybe a glass of equal parts rubbing alcohol, grain vodka and champagne (for color, carbonation and taste). I only managed to choke down a single can, so the great bounty of 4 talls for 2$ can last you a while. If you are looking for variety, you can also try link: http://www.beerpal.com/Lucky-Number-High-Gravity-Lager-Beer/17162/ Lucky Number 7/11 High Gravity. My co-worker Aaron had it in a tall can, but apparently it's available in a 40-oz as well. For great justice!

XML, ex-em-schmell!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:26:00 -0600

I pulled up my rss feed in IE today, and got an error: "Use of default namespace declaration attribute in DTD not supported." Apparently, IE doesn't support the very valid code that specifies the document type in an xml feed. So, while link: http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/Doctype w3.org recommends specifying a doctype in every webpage, I had to pull my doctype specification in my RSS/XML feeds. It should be working fine now. If not, drop me a line. I'll keep an eye on it over the next few days. This is probably OK. The doctype I was using was XHTML, which XML should fit, but for example I can't guarantee that the code posted by my blog users will be strictly XHTML-only, which would break the doctype. Lesson learned: even if you are writing valid, standardized, even recommended code, check first to make sure Microsoft decided to support it in IE. And periodically re-check your code to make sure Microsoft didn't decide to suddenly STOP supporting valid coding practices after the fact.

resume material

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 9 Jul 2007 09:10:00 -0600

So thismorning Freyja IM's me: [Freyja]: heard on NPR that online video games such as WOW can help with future business careers [Freyja]: something about learning how to work together, lead a team...pretty funny [Freyja]: ;) [clutch]: hehe, nice [clutch]: So I can put it on a resume? [Freyja]: lol!! [clutch]: "I make weekly runs with my guild through the underbog with my level 60+ draenei shaman! great leadership skills! can off-tank in a pinch!"

The time just seems to slip by

WhiteGhost@loneknight.org (WhiteGhost) — Thu, 5 Jul 2007 16:34:00 -0600

Being the 5th of July I will start by saying Happy Anniversary. I will follow with a vague promise that I have made a few times, to post more often. I hope everyone's holiday was a blast where everyone got some time off of work and got the chance to see a nice visual reminder of America's freedom that was on display in skies across the country. It is strange to have so many memories seem so recent, and yet have them so far away. As usual whenever I am able, I have some kind of 4th of July party. In years past they have been in Chicago with 50 people a keg of beer, $1000 worth of fireworks, food from noon till dark, and crowds of all ages. Recently they have been with 10 people, 3 six packs dinner and fireworks by the city of Poulsbo. The contrast is pretty stark in scale and scope, but I wonder how it is that I could be closer to the 50 friends then the 10. I wonder how it ever happened that I had so many good friends and so many close friends. Even though it has been 3 years since one of those 4th of July bashes, it seems like yesterday, and with all else in life equal, I wish it was.

To be a hero, or not to be a hero...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 2 Jul 2007 10:01:00 -0600

Saturday I stopped by my local bookstore to pick up a golf handbook I had been eying for my brother in law. Of course, as it usually goes when I take a trip to the bookstore, a leave with far more than I intended. Books to me are like booze to the recovering alcoholic; drugs to the withdrawing addict. The temptation is so strong, I generally avoid being in proximity with the place of sale to prevent caving. But, books afterall can't hurt you, can they? Well, maybe my bank account, but I haven't reached the point of dialing "1-800-got-a-reading-problem" yet. So I picked up 2 books. Not bad. By 3am last night, I finished reading link: http://www.amazon.com/Soon-Will-Be-Invincible-Novel/dp/0375424865 Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman. I saw the bright pastel colors stand out on the bookshelf, and your eyes are quickly drawn to the title. It has an X-Men quality to it that says to me, "I may be either a glorified comic book, or totally awesome." Luckily, I found it to be the latter. This is a book where you get to hear the story from the side of an aging super-villian, and a newly acclimated super-hero. Despite the story set in a world similar to the stereotypical "Superman (and friends) vs. Lex Luthor (and friends)" of heroes and villains, there are some rather thoughtful and sometimes dark passages that give insight into the metaphysical questions that we all face. "Have I done the most I can do in my life?" "Should I use my talents and abilities for good or evil?" "Should I wear spandex or leather today?" OK, just kidding on the last one. I think Steven Leckart from WiReD magazine gives a good summary, "In a world where BlackBerry-carrying superheroes grace the cover of GQ, being a supervillain known as the "angriest dork in the world" isn't easy. A heartbreaking genius of staggering evil, Doctor Impossible avenges lost love, a lonely adolescence, and a plethora of foiled doomsday devices. (That fungus army seemed foolproof!) Every comic-book clich� in this witty, stunning debut is lovingly embraced, then turned inside out."

What Ozzy was thinking when he wrote 'Bark at the Moon'

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:10:00 -0600

I came across this webcomic, link: http://www.xkcd.com/ xkcd. It's a wierd combo of comedy, emo love, and advanced math. If you have ever finished playing Guitar Hero, you will get link: http://www.xkcd.com/c70.html this one. If you are a geeky programmer and mourn the loss of true pointers in DotNet C#, you will rofl at link: http://www.xkcd.com/c138.html this one.

Its as real as you make it? (part 2)

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 14 May 2007 09:41:00 -0600

Once you get past his bleeding-heart stab (ouch!), my friend WhiteGhost makes some good points on the online rape discussion. (see his comment on my earlier post, link: http://www.loneknight.org/comment.asp?post_id=634 Its as real as you make it?) I won't even begin to claim that online rape at all equals the crime of real-life rape. I don't think my original post gave the impression that I was even trying to imply equality between the very real crime and it's online counterpart. I also don't know how you would effectively persecute online crimes like online rape without a very specialized and focused taskforce (like the IRAA seems to have accomplished with cases against online music file-sharing offenders.) But does that alone invalidate the argument that online rape is still a crime on some level? Even though diminished and difficult to investigate, persecute, and punish in our judicial system? I posted the story for the sake of discussion, not to support one side or the other, specifically. However, I am starting to lean toward the idea that even if this qualifies as a crime, it may not be possible to pass a law prohibiting online rape that is effectively persecutable. There are many instances of laws in our judicial system that are never enforced because of the impractical nature of the proof required to prove guilt, or the nature of the crime not being serious enough to warrant the incurred expense to the state. WhiteGhost gives us a little taste of reality (no pun intended). Online rape is, in a sense, an elective crime. If you choose to step away, it can't effect you personally, other than to sully your experience for the online world, which happens eventually to every online citizen anyway. Eventually the buzz of feeling connected to the world wears off when you realize that the people you connect with online can be just as obnoxious, just as much a jerk, or even as predatory as their real-life counterparts. To those who do support the idea of a real life law prohibiting an online crime deserving real life punishment, there are a few issues that need to be well thought out and supported, and any one of these things being absent, will nullify the rest. Define "online rape" How do you define online rape? Do you spell this out as the depiction of elements of real life rape? Or are the qualifications different? How would that depiction be any different from, say, erotica or other pornography that already blur the line between "rape fantasy" and real rape crimes? Develop a law prohibiting online rape OK, for the sake of argument let's say you have drafted a solid definition for online rape. Now, you have to write a law preventing it. Do you write the law locally (US), or attempt to push our law internationally to attempt to govern individuals that are potentially from anywhere on the globe? With other online crimes, such as credit card fraud, identity theft, etc. the law is defined by the real-world implications of the online actions that take place. Where these crimes are even possible to legislate is where the online actions have a direct influence or effect on the real world. Money is the easiest example of this. If someone steals my credit card number online and makes a bunch of purchases online, they are receiving goods that aren't theirs, and using my money to do so. Both of those are real enough and easy enough to track. Someone takes my money, they should be punished for it. But what real world effect is there from online rape? With online rape, A medical doctor can't perform a rape kit, can't show any physical damage to the victim. It is possible that a psychologist could show mental damage or anguish from the victim's experience, but this seems tenuous to me at best. Perhaps this could be tried in a civil court, but judicial? Again, another easy point of contention. There are so many other problems with actually legislating this crime, in my opinion this is second only to the problem of... Enforcing the law How do you identify when online rape has occurred? What sort of evidence can remain after the crime was committed? Who is going to investigate and collect that evidence? Who is responsible for making sure that such evidence is preserved, is not tampered with, etc? How do you prove the true identity of the criminal? All questions with nearly impossible answers in any practical sense. So even if you believe that online rape is a crime deserving of real punishment, I don't see any practical means to overcome those three challenges. And those are by no means exhaustive points. In my last post, I did say "I do have many [female] friends... in the virtual world that could very easily be victimized and hurt in a very real way, mentally and emotionally." I still stand behind that statement. I think there is the potential for real hurt in the online world, just as words and expressions in the real world can be considered verbal abuse, I think they can occur online. However, I don't want that to imply that I believe this is my blind support for defining a real-world crime of online rape. Hurt feelings doesn't necessitate a crime was commited, nor a law to dole out punishment. If so, WhiteGhost, I'll be coming after you with the full wrath of the online law for calling me a "bleeding-heart". That was a virtual stab at my online heart, and that really stung! I'm basically saying, despite all the practical challenges, I don't know if this should even be considered as a crime. Just exploring the possibilities, as I am sure countless others with too much time on their minds are doing.

Its as real as you make it?

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 9 May 2007 08:41:00 -0600

So earlier I was reading link: http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2007/05/sexdrive_0504 an article in WiReD.com by the lovely Regina Lynn, discussing Virtual Rape Is Traumatic, but Is It a Crime? that raises the metaphysical question, "is online rape real enough to be a real-life punishable crime?" One link that Regina referenced in her story was this article, link: http://www.juliandibbell.com/texts/bungle.html A rape in cyberspace by Julian Dibbel. Reading both articles raised some very difficult questions for me to ponder. Having been a member of many online communities in the past, I don't know if I am emotionally invested enough, and being that I am male, I don't know that I could be personally victimized by online rape. But I do have many female friends among the many people I have grown to know and care about in the virtual world that could very easily be victimized and hurt in a very real way, mentally and emotionally. I know that many people use the online world to escape reality. It frees you to present yourself in whatever light you want, to be whoever you want. Any gender, race, creed and culture are available to explore at your whim. But that freedom also makes room for the rediculous, the evil and the insane. The problem arises when some shmuck's exploration into the undesired attributes of the human psyche conflicts with the emotional investment of other individuals who share the same virtual space. How do you define what's real and what's not? How do you define a crime of personal emotional victimization, by another's careless deviance or intentional rampage, that deserves the escalating penalties of online censorship, site banning, or perhaps even a real life penalty? Is the online world as real as you make it, or as real as the sum of your online peers' emotional investment?

The Boney King of Nowhere

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 3 May 2007 06:59:00 -0600

Thismorning I woke to a rythmic melody striking my ears. Via the streaming signal of the airwaves through my clock radio, my waking mind caught hold of the following lyrics, "Just because you feel it doesn't make it so." I had a near-religious experience, and felt a little overwhelmed. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, but instead I settled for quiet contemplation and allowed the song to play on til its finish. I hit snooze, and groped hungrily at another ten minutes of precious, fitful slumber.

faith and innocence

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 1 May 2007 10:32:00 -0600

a metered poem, in senryu verse. Innocence is frail A slim vine, uncut, that bears holy ignorance. Faith is a tower, untoppled by attack from the mind's flawed reason. Faith and innocence are a fragile bowl of bliss pouring out swiftly.

it has begun!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 07:47:00 -0600

I have begun the work that will take loneknight.org and geekmode.com in two very different directions. I will also consolidate falsesecurity.net into geekmode.com. My professional journaling will be on geekmode.com, and the poetry-blog-everything-else will stay on loneknight.org, along with all of my guest blogs. I don't want to leak too much yet on some of the new functionality I will be adding. Here's to hoping that the entire operation will be running much more smoothly, with some fun new toys in the process.

burritos for the soul

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0600

I've been listening to Radiohead's OK Computer alot lately in my car, and some late night streaming KoL radio. You can usually hear some good mellow stuff during the off hours. But I wish Opai was 24-7! I had a beef burrito for lunch. Mmm, grilled stuft goodness!

my fav new web comic, Questionable Content

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:48:00 -0600

So I have started reading this really great comic by Jeph Jaques, called link: http://www.questionablecontent.net/ Questionable Content. Going through the archives has been great. I'm not quite caught up to the present day yet, but I reached a point where I had to stop and actually write about it in my blog. Now, you may be expecting me to say, "Hey guys, check out this genius and totally awesome webcomic!" Which I will say, this comic is genius and totally awesome, go check it out. But I am writing about a particular story arc, that revolves around link: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=505 comic #505. I'm not saying my real-life experience is exactly the same. But I did have a very close friend, a very good friend open up to me with a very deep, terrible hurt. It was tough for me, and I can't imagine how difficult for my friend. This was a friend that I grew to care about very, very much. But unlike the comic, somehow I lost touch with that friend. I wasn't always there. So when I got up to #505, I got a little choked up, and feeling like a big stupid jerk. I know that I can't go back and change things, and if I did manage to contact that old friend, they would probably freak out and think I was crazy. It was years ago. What could I possibly say today that wouldn't sound insincere and self-serving? I'm not entirely sure why things happened the way they did. I could say something stupid like, my life got insanely busy, or that things were just meant to happen that way. But I own the fact that I really, really failed my friend. It's one of those things you don't expect yourself to do, and when you realize what happened, it's really horrible, and really too late to do anything about it. There is a part of me that really wishes I could find that friend, and just say hello. And know that they are OK. And tell them, I'm sorry for being a terrible friend. And know that my friend was able to forgive me for letting them go. *cough*clear throat*ahem* OK, sorry for being so emo. But if you get the chance, check out this great web comic. I dare you not to feel something when you get around #505, though.

List of songs to learn to play on guitar

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 4 Apr 2007 12:50:00 -0600

OK, so I finally decided I needed to make this list. Someplace I can keep track of "oh, wow, that's an awesome song, I should learn to play this on my guitar." Wish you were here - Pink Floyd Creep - Radiohead High and Dry - Radiohead Jump - David Lee Roth and John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (not Van Halen) Mega Man - Minibosses (haha, just kidding) I will add to this list as it occurs to me.

D&D, the pathway to hell!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:11:00 -0600

Someone was quoting a few lines from this great Dead Alewives skit, and I had to go find the video again. I loved the intro and 8-bit goodness of this version. Here's the link for your enjoyment. link: http://www.cybermoonstudios.com/8bitDandD.html 8-bit D&D video The video is also known as link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5331429585309819856 "Summoner Geeks", can also be found on Video Google or YouTube without the intro.

Anime Central '07

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:04:00 -0600

It's official, the 10th annual Anime Central convention in Rosemont, Illinois is scheduled for May 11th through the 13th. I am hoping to see a few of my favorite artists as in the past, such as Megatokyo's Piro and Jennie Brieden. I haven't seen the Artist's Alley list yet, so time will tell. I'm also hoping to pick up some Full Metal Alchemist on the cheap. The more I see of that series on Adult Swim the more I love it, but I would really like to see it all the way through. Hope to see you there!

Fear the Wii!

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 09:04:00 -0600

It's the end of the gaming world as we know it. Lore Sj�berg in WiReD.com magazine couldn't have said it better in his article, link: http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,72660-0.html?tw=rss.index The Wii Is a Plastic Box of Death. We should all greatly fear the Wii, the new game console from Nintendo. Why, might you ask, should we fear it? Is it because the games included, "Wii Sports" encourages mindeless violence? No, although it could be argued that boxing only encourages street fighting and a life of thug-itude. Is it because gamers now train with a controller that has destroyed hundreds of television sets, stereo equipment and such because the gamers in their enthusiasm broke the restraining strap? No, but you should still keep an eye open for the flying Wii controller missile if you are ever around one of the devilish machines. Is it because gamers are now getting in shape, playing a game that requires you stand up, move around, and (oh, help us) possibly raise your pulse in aerobic exercise disguised by seemingly harmless games? I think we are on to something there... Is it because the Wii is fun? Oh, wait... I mean, because it's EVIL! YES! The Wii is evil! The world shall fear a new generation of fit gamers, and all shall despair! I hope that my words have encouraged you to get out of that line at your local gaming store. The Wii isn't worth your time, energy and money. Think of the children. I say this mainly because I hope it will greatly increase my chances of getting one... err, increase my chances of saving the world from such a grave threat! A puppy dies every time someone buys a Wii.

If the Bears showed up at the SuperBowl to win...

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Mon, 5 Feb 2007 06:53:00 -0600

The SuperBowl was a mix of emotions for me. The first play of the game, the kickoff, was an exciting return for a touchdown by Devon Hester. One of those plays that you would hope indicates the performance you would see from the Bears, the excitement you hope to feel the remainder of the game. Grossman even connected for a TD pass with Berrian, resulting from the Bears D' collecting the ball after a Colts fumble. But it was not to be. In the pouring rain, Peyton Manning threw for over 200 yards. In the pouring rain, Grossman couldn't keep a hold on the ball, fumbling the snap on more than one occasion. In the pouring rain, Bears fans everywhere had their hopes dashed against the wall of the Colts offensive line, the Bears defense managing only one sack. Even though the weather eventually let up on the field in Miami, and sub-freezing tempuratures clutched the Bears hometown, the rain continued to pour hard and heavy on the great city of Chicago; its fans, its team, its spirit. "Well, there's always next year." What a familiar phrase for Bears fans. Not since 1985 did we say, "THIS YEAR! THIS is OUR year! WE are the CHICAGO BEARS, and WE ARE CHAMPIONS!" Grossman will have to put up with the criticism of mediocre performance all year. 20+ interceptions for the season, and a loss in the SuperBowl. Grossman fans may say, "give him another year, he just needs to mature." Optimists would call this an indication of improvement, a sign of hope for the future. I call it what it is, plain and simple: Grossman wasn't quite enough of a Quarterback, and last night that made the Bears not quite enough to be SuperBowl champions. So the SuperBowl began with excitement, energy, and hope; it ended with disapointment, frustration, and defeat. I and an entire city love the Bears, and wanted to win along with our team that trudged through the rain. If willpower has any bearing on the outcome of a game, we just didn't want it as much as the Indianapolis Colts.

Windows Vista is out

clutch@loneknight.org (clutch) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:17:00 -0600

Today Microsoft Windows Vista went on sale. With all of their promises of improved security, I'm sure it will only be a matter of time until someone proves them wrong. Again. I do have to say, I was impressed when Windows XP was released -- compared to Windows 98, even Windows 2000, it seemed a lot more stable of an OS. It takes a lot to invoke that infamous blue screen of death, but it is still possible. If anyone has had experienced the new wonder child of Microsoft, feel free to leave comments here, or email me and I will post it here.