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Busy week/weekend

Posted June 15, 2009 By Landis V

Got my new Holux M-1000 Bluetooth GPS to use with the BlackBerry (rather than paying Alltel $10/mo to use the built-in one, a straight $45 one-time fee). Seems to work great with software from Blackstar Navigation (http://www.blackstarnavigation.com/), GPSed.com (http://www.gpsed.com), and Google Maps. Did a little bit of geocaching, and it’s far more accurate than my old Garmin eTrex.

Did some cleanup on the baby’s room. It seems to be coming together. Now I just need to get on to the rest of the house! Finally got a few pictures uploaded.

My bank sucks. I’m guessing they’re doing maintenance or batch processing for the night. It would be nice to be able to log in and finish up balancing everything. At least I got through most of my receipts via mint.com.

Target’s return policies suck. I haven’t yet figured out whether the suckiness ends with their policies or whether their backend systems admins are incompetent. Should know that in the relatively near future.

Still no tricycle motor. Looks like she got the stubborn streak and will arrive when she’s good and ready. Still plenty more to do. Certain to be another busy week at work. Life is good, though.

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Figures of Speech – Teach a Kid to Argue

Posted June 8, 2009 By Landis V
Figures of Speech – Teach a Kid to Argue
Source: www.figarospeech.com
Figures of speech and rhetorical terms
    Great article. How many parents encourage their kids to argue?    
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This from a -court-…

Posted May 29, 2009 By Landis V

The following quote was taken from http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/266960, which unfortunately did not cite their references. The judiciary, too, oversteps their powers.

“The child is a citizen of the State. While he “belongs” to his parents, he belongs also to his State. Their rights in him entail many duties. Likewise, the fact the child belongs to the State imposes upon the State many duties. Chief among them is the duty to protect his right to live and to grow up with a sound mind in a sound body . . . .
When a religious doctrine espoused by the parents threatens to defeat or curtail such a right of their child, the State’s duty to step in and preserve the child’s right is immediately operative.”

Let me state in clear and certain terms and with absolute conviction that I DO NOT belong to the “State”, I HAVE NOT in the past belonged to the “State”, and I WILL NOT at any time belong to the “State.” For, what is the state but a collective of men? My decisions are not the decisions of other men, nor should their decisions be thrust upon me to be offered as my own.

The “State” has no right to nurture, only to protect. For in its nurturing, the “State” has shown a heavy interest in perpetuating its own values and furthering its own goals. There are ways these things can be done, can be improved, but they are up to man, not the “State”.

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4/10

Posted April 10, 2009 By Landis V

DVDFab, Handbrake – DVD rippers

vobcopy -i /folder/to/copy/to -m [executed where the dvd is mounted]
mkisofs -dvd-video -udf -o desired_iso_name.iso /directory/to/put/iso

CLI DVD rip

“That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.”
— William J. H. Boetcker

“If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.”
— Anatole France

I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself.
— Marlene Dietrich

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In Warrantless Wiretapping Case, Obama DOJ’s New Arguments Are Worse Than Bush’s | Electronic Fronti

Posted April 9, 2009 By Landis V
In Warrantless Wiretapping Case, Obama DOJ’s New Arguments Are Worse Than Bush’s | Electronic Fronti
Source: www.eff.org
    Heh. The change you -should- have been expecting. He told everyone it was coming.    
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10 Reasons I’m Fortunate

Posted April 7, 2009 By Landis V

I am in love with an incredible woman who loves and respects me, in spite of my flaws.

I live in a country where I can (at least for the time being… couldn’t resist that) freely and openly discuss the failures of our leadership, legislation, governance model, and society in general.

I have the financial wherewithal to afford anything I need.

I can look in the mirror and respect the person I see looking back at me.

There is nothing I feel incapable of doing.

I am gainfully employed at a company where I am respected and appreciated, with intelligent and competent teammates.

I respect and appreciate my parents, my siblings, and the community in which I was raised for giving me everything I need to succeed in life as an individual.

I believe I have been able to give some small amount back to “society.”

I have been given endless opportunities to learn, grow, change, and expand my horizons – through the Internet, books, friends, and my social network.

I face the greatest challenge and opportunity of my life in the near future as I become a father. I will do everything in my power to give my daughter the same opportunities for good fortune that I have had in my life.

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My note on the Rockefeller/Snowe Cybersecurity initiative to Sens. Johanns & Nelson, Rep. Smith

Posted April 6, 2009 By Landis V

I’ve read briefly on legislation being proposed by Rockefeller and Snowe on cybersecurity initiatives, and if what I’ve read is accurate, I must urge you to vote “no” on this or any similar initiatives. I am specifically referring to sections giving the president exceptional and unreasonable capabilities to shut down conduits of information which include PRIVATE ENTERPRISE networks, including their Internet connectivity.
As an IT professional with over 10 years experience, I can certainly understand the importance of security for our information systems. However, as an American, I cannot stand by and watch as the rights of private enterprise are trampled. I would be glad to interface with you on any questions or concerns you may have regarding this bill and appreciate your thoughtful consideration of my perspective on this proposal.

Sincerely,
Landis Vinchattle

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