Archive for April, 2007
Monday, April 30th, 2007
Ok, so here it is. I bet a lot of you are going to roll your eyes at this one, but listen up anyway. I guess I am a conspiracy theorist with the best of them.
You know Al Gore? Sure, we all do. He is the Vice President from a few years back. He recently made (mass produced) a documentary about Global Warming that was won awards…a big one if I remember correctly. He claims that he has been presenting this documentary for years and years, but how do we really know that? I think he has only been presenting since the mid-nineties, and here is why.
Do you remember way back when someone claimed they invented the internet? Well, if you don’t, the big joke is that Al Gore said he did. I don’t remember the exact phrase, but no one has let up on him for years.
I was sitting here at work today listening to someone ask someone else about how long the internet has been around. the other person blurted out, “Al Gore invented the internet!” Ahhhh, Al Gore.
If I remember correctly, it was around 1996 that people really started getting on the internet bandwagon. I applied to Clarkson University online. I had no idea how to do it and I had to keep asking people. It was embarrassing, to say the least. Ok, so the other night, Laura and I watched the movie, “An Inconvenient Truth.” In that movie, or documentary, Al Gore showed tons of graphs and charts, but one stood out. If I remember correctly again, I think one of them showed a line sharply increasing right at or after 1996. I think it was showing the level of carbon in the atmosphere.
Well, as it turns out, people are saying that electricity producers are causing lots of pollution. Well, as it also turns out, I bought my first laptop in 1996. Hmmm…I would’ve had no reason to get a laptop if there was no internet. That laptop used electricity to run…along with the millions and millions of other computers purchased between then and now.
My theory: Al Gore invented the internet which caused all this pollution and now he feels guilty about it. That’s why he is traveling around trying to fix it.
Aren’t you glad you read this post?
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Posted in Ramblings | 1 Comment »
Monday, April 30th, 2007
This is a fun little tool. If you’re into SEO (that’s search engine optimization) and watch your website’s pagerank every month, then you might get a kick out of this. There are tons of websites out there that offer Google Pagerank Prediction or Predictors. they claim to predict what your site’s pagerank will be in the future…or after Google’s next update.
Just visit the site and type in your URL. You may either be pleasantly surprised or tragically shocked. Please take it with a grain of salt though…it has yet to predict one of my sites correctly, except when it says my pagerank will just stay the same. Also, I think all the sites use the same tool, so there is little use jumping around from site to site trying to predict the highest pagerank.
If you want to see if Google is in the middle of an update and you suspect that your pagerank will change, just check out the Google Multiple Datacenter Pagerank Check.
Enjoy!
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Posted in Internet, Websites | 2 Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2007
This weekend was huge for working. I did a bunch of stuff around the house, optimized a bunch of websites for one thing or another and revamped my Feed Directory website.
I guess I hit a slow point at one time during Saturday as I was sitting at my computer. I had all of my goals for the weekend in my head and was meeting them pretty quickly.
I simply opened the RSS Feed Directory website and deleted the entire thing. I deleted the files off the server and started over again. I did this because I never really liked the first software I purchased. It was weak to begin with and it wasn’t very active regarding updates from the company that created it. That is very important and part of the reason I changed this blog over to WordPress from the old one.
Take a look at the new directory. I think you’ll like it. If you have any type of feed (RSS, XML, ATOM) you would like to submit, just pick your category and go for it. Also, you can submit just your website if you would like. Both submission links are right on top of the page.
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Posted in Business, Websites | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2007
I was just reading the Drudge Report and came across a pretty funny article about websites that offer the ability to confess your sins online. This stuff is hysterical. You have everything from people stealing things, falling in love with their neighbors, hating their parents and, oh so much more.
Here are some links:
- Not Proud
- Daily Confession
- Group Hug
- MySecret.TV
- I’ve Screwed Up
This is too good to be true. If you thought you were the only person on the planet thinking the stuff you think, just visit one of these sites. You will most likely find out you are not.
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Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2007
So about a month ago, I went down to Home Depot and picked up some Vigoro Ultra Turf™ Summer Turf Fertilizer plus Insect Control. I got some of this last year in the Autumn because I noticed some grubs down in the dirt when I was digging around doing something. Laura’s father has a grub problem and he lost about a half-acre of grass. I recalled reading on the fertilizer bag that this stuff took care of the grubs, in addition to a bunch of other things. We had a huge ant pile in the front lawn that was taking out some grass too.
The reason I bought this particular product last Autumn is that it had both insect control and fertilizer in one. I like that. Soooo…I put it down and waited. I did notice a drop in ant population in the front lawn and much better looking and fuller grass, but I have still noticed grubs. I suppose the grub feature was either in my imagination or just didn’t work. So, like I said, I bought some again this year and put it down. Well, currently, I have really green and lush spots of grass, but I still see those damn grubs. I am not sure about its insect killing capabilities because…well, I never saw many insects to begin with. I must say that our lawn looks a heck of a lot better than it did when we moved in.
Yesterday, I found myself down at Lowe’s purchasing some Scotts ProSelect 12-12-12 Flower, Tree and Shrub Fertilizer and some insect and grub killer. I made sure the package said grub control this time. Also, the thing I like about this fertilizer is that is has equal parts of nitrogen, phospherous and potassium…which all do different things for your plants. Nitrogen is mainly for green grass (and leaves), but I was looking for root strength and growth rate too, so I needed the other two at decent levels as well. On top of that, it is slow release, so it fertilizes over three months.
I will let you know what happens with that.
Anyway, when are you supposed to fertilize? Well, the answer relies on a few things:
- climate
- grass type
- the fertilizer being used
- how you want your lawn to look
For a very in depth look at this topic, you can read about it at “All About Lawns.”
After you fertilize your lawn and shrubs, let me know what kind of success you had and what you used. I am sure there are tons of tips out there.
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Posted in Home Improvement, Landscaping, Trees & Shrubs | No Comments »
Saturday, April 28th, 2007
Which is it? I think maybe a porch is in the front of the house and perhaps a deck is in the back? Maybe. I’m not sure. If you know, fill me in.
Anyway, I am so glad to be here to fill your lives with porch stories. I mean, c’mon, you know you read these things…haha. I just love the way I get on a topic and drag it out over months. Just wait until next year when I run out of stuff to write about and I start repeating myself.
Sooo…I did a little more work today. I had a few goals. I had to dig out three bushes and put them in pots. I planted them along the side of the deck last year before I got this bright idea of re-doing the thing. I transplanted a Lilac and two Burning Bushes…or Burning Bush…whatever. I also wanted to get all the railing parts disassembled so there was nothing more than a floor. I did that. Here, take a look.
So now you know what I have done so far. I also took up two floor boards. The Trex lookalike stuff. I have to say, I hate it. The bottomside is like a tan color and the top is completely gray and washed out. It’s only 6 years old, so that’s not good. I wonder if there was some sort of a sealer these people should’ve put on. Also, do you want to know how I got it into two foot lengths to put in the garbage can? I was going to pull out my brand new Milwaukee Circular Saw, (ooh so sweet) and cut the boards up when I got a bright idea…I went into the basement and grabbed the ax I bought but never used. I layed the boards flat on the ground and just chopped them. One chop for each two foot piece and I had the whole pile in the trash in ten minutes. Garbage.
So, by this point, you are probably wondering what the heck I am doing with trees on the porch. Well, when I noticed that the deer were eating them, I has to dig them up and put them in pots. It does sound a little weird, but I don’t have the heart to watch something be eaten by those beasts. Arborvitae is like candy to them.
Till next time!
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Posted in Home Improvement, Trees & Shrubs | No Comments »
Friday, April 27th, 2007
From time to time, I am going to be posting entries from other people besides myself. I think this is a good idea to get some discussion started. As you may have noticed, I can be one dimensional at times. Now, I will identify which posts are not mine and will give credit to the person who sent them to me, if they want. I want to let you know that I may or may not agree with what is written in these posts…I am not going to say. Hopefully these points of view will stimulate discussion. Also, I have only asked that people I respect write for me and I also review what is written, so as you read, you can rest assured that what you are reading is absolutely brilliant.
Here goes…some insight from an educator…
Written by Steve Henry
The state of public education in the United States is in shambles. From pre-k through 12th grade, American students are suffering from the lessening of Arts education and Physical education. Apparently the school boards of America feel it is much more important to impose “sit and get” strategies for students to “buckle down” and get “back to basics.” Teachers are held hostage with the threat of losing their jobs if their students do not meet certain percentages on some standardized test at the end of the school year. Because of this, teachers are forced to shove facts down the student’s throats for rote memorization. This country was founded on individuals who thought outside the box. These were Men and Women who relied on ingenuity and hard work. What we are doing to the students of this country is a crime of massive ramifications for our future.
Research data from Improving Basic Education for All Learners: The Role of Arts Education Arts education helps raise SAT scores by an average of 34 points higher on the math portion, and 48 points higher on the verbal portion compared to students with no Arts education. Current research has led researchers to hypothesize that continual participation in Arts education stimulates brain development in areas that are critical to higher-level thinking, emotional maturity, and social functioning. Similar research shows that children who also sweat a lot, because of continual physical activity, score higher on exams, and are more socially stable.
Arts education and Physical education
- helps students understand “quality” as an important value
- helps guide thinking across subjects by teaching students to integrate knowledge and “think outside the box”
- builds an understanding of the diversity of our multi-cultural world
- strengthens academic performance, and
- teaches students how to work cooperatively
It is not too late to save our future. We must stand up to the politics that are ruining our educators and students. A message must be sent to the public school boards across this country, a message that says we want our children to learn how to learn, and not worry about end of year testing. A message that says we want out children to be life-long learners, to take chances, try new things, and not worry about a score on some so-called standardized test. Ten years from now, do we want leaders that just stick to the “basics?” Perhaps we want leaders and citizens that use ingenuity and hard work, citizens that can think outside the box and forge a place for the United States in the coming global community.
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Posted in Education, Politics | 2 Comments »
Friday, April 27th, 2007
Who da man? I’ll tell you…Jeff’s the man. I am trying to diversify these blog posts with something more than my own exciting life. I think you are in for a treat with this.
My brother, Jeff, recently purchased a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in somewhat of a compromised condition. Obviously, this car is worth money, regardless of the condition, so it is a worthwhile effort to restore it. The real value from this vehicle comes from the matching munbers…if you are a car buff, you know what I am talking about.
For years, I think since he was 18, this brother of mine has been into Volkswagens. Those stories are for other posts, but let me tell you one thing…the instant his eyes glaze over with the thought of restoring a car that needs TLC, just move over. Don’t get in his way and just watch. Soon enough, you will be looking at something pretty.
So here it is…this car was purchased in Michigan after a long drive with truck and trailer there and back. I received a few phone calls while Jeff was taking that trip and almost felt bad, of course until I remembered that he was in a crazed state.
Bought Nov 2006 in Michigan
1970 Mustang Mach 1
___________________
Matching number car
351 4v Cleveland
Competition suspension
Medium Red Code T
White Vinyl Deluxe Interior
Traction Loc Differential
Sport Deck fold down rear seats
Power steering
Front disc brakes
Tilt steering wheel
Factory Air – Selectaire
Am/FM strereo
Intermittent wipers
Tinted glass complete
Deluxe belts/ warning light
Tachometer
Front Bumper guards
Above are a few pics for a taste of what this car needs. I am waiting for more photos and Jeff and I will offer a complete log of what exactly this car is all about. The photos above were actually taken after many man hours of labor.
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Posted in Automotive | 4 Comments »
Friday, April 27th, 2007
The way I operate is like this; I usually just putz (that’s Laura’s word) around and kind of start tinkering with something. My tinkering turns into light work and the light work turns into hard labor. That’s how I built most of the things around this house. I never have a plan…well, not a real one anyway.
Yesterday, I got home and realized it was very nice weather outside. I grabbed a huge screwdriver, hammer and a cordless drill. I walked out on the back porch and started taking it apart. Before the end of May, I need to take the whole thing apart and dig out the old footings. The current ones are 8″ and the new ones are going to be 12″. Also, we are going to double up on the number of footings to take out any bounce. I hate bounce.
Here are some pictures of what I did yesterday. I took apart the railings. This weekend I will finish that up so all there will be left is the flat floor.
Anything I take apart, I stack neatly down below. I also take all the screws out and save them in a bucket. I am going to make a real effort to save a rainforest with this project and re-use any material I can. All the lumber to construct this porch will be new, but with building the little stuff, I think I can get away with re-using some of what I have.
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Posted in Home Improvement | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007
Have you ever heard of the Epiphany Project? I was just sitting here and a weird thought popped in my head. It was “Epiphany Project.” I know…it’s strange.
Laura told me yesterday that she started listening to the “Chill” channel on the Sirius Satellite Radio I got for her two Christmases ago. I like that kind of music, it’s very relaxing.
If you read my previous post about Peter Kagan or Garrison Keillor, then you would know that I have many a “epiphany” while I am driving, listening to NPR. Well, one night a while ago, NPR aired an interview with the Epiphany Project. They seemed very deep and worthwhile exploring. I like some of the song titles. Here they are:
• Gone
• Lockerbie
• Jealousy
• Walkin’
• Long Gray Line
• Tubwahun
• To The Lighthouse
• Mission Bells
• Blackbird
• Chasing The Moon
• Widow’s Walk
• Goth
• Black II
• Black I
You can listen to some of the sample music here, or purchase the CD.
I like this review found on Amazon’s site:
In a galaxy far… far… away… resides the most exquisite compilation of piano and vocals. It is a galaxy created by Bet Williams and John Hodian. I had the pleasure of seeing this duo perform it “live” and they literally transported my mind to another place… a wonderful dimension. Like another reviewer, I had this in my CD player for months on end. I return to it often. A rare and UNIQUE treasure.
That about sums it up…give it a try.
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Posted in Entertainment | No Comments »
