thescruffypirate.org

Voting Results

5 November 2008 12:38am UTC 11 comments

I can't stop refreshing the front page of the NY Times. OMG! What are the results already?!

Am I getting old?

30 October 2008 08:14pm UTC 2 comments

Something very scary happened today while I was driving to pick something up from my mom at her work. Instead of turning on the radio to listen to music, I listened to NPR. What?! I know. I fear I'm getting old, people.

An observation on my computer's names

27 October 2008 06:49am UTC 2 comments

After naming Norman I noticed an interesting pattern. Let's see...

• I named my old laptop Hank after a character in the book Sometimes a Great Notion. In the book Hank is the older of two brothers
• I named the server I built in 2006 after Augustine from A River Why. Augustine is the older of two brothers.
• I named Norman after the author of A River Runs Through It. Norman was the older of two brothers.

Apparently, I am trying to fill the void left by my older brother's death with electronics!

(I am posting this not in sadness, but in excitement at having unearthed a little of my psyche. So, save any awwws for some other day)

My birthday/Christmas list 2008 or An Ode to Materialism

25 October 2008 10:17pm UTC 16 comments ★

Christmas is in exactly 2 months! Woo! Which means I need to make my annual list of things that I want.

Big ticket items

• A Motorcycle. Not a crotch-rocket. Something classic looking that isn't too big. I don't need to go over 60mph or anything. And if it has a sidecar that would be the greatest thing ever.
• The new Apple LED Cinema Display
• A Drobo (These things are sooo cool)
• A Digital SLR! I am a Canon guy, so Here are the options.
• Lights for my bicycle. I don't really know anything about these. So, some nice ones that are going to keep me safe!

Smaller-ish things

• Panniers for my bicycle, I like these ones by Ortlieb that my Dad also has.
• An arm for my monitor
• A Synthetic fill lightweight sleeping bag
• Moustache wax or modeling gel. Something like this maybe? Here is a thread on Ask MetaFilter with lots of suggestions.
• Some new pants. I am trying to go for some pants that are a little bit more rugged and sporty. So, I want them durable. But I am mostly going to use them around town. Here are some ideas: Arc'Teryx Spotter Pants; Kuhl Hi-Lo Cord Pants; Wrangler Dress Jean (like Peter or Steven Janke!);
• A new sweater. I love sweaters! (As I am sure we all know by now) Here are some ideas: Patagonia ¼-zip (Color choice: All are good but Molten Lava or Espresso); Patagonia Synchilla. I know it isn't technically a sweater, but my dad used to have one and it reminds me of him. So of course it has to be the same color as his was: North Sea; Ibex Shak Jersey; Ibex SHak Freestar Full Zip; Ibex Midlayer Pez Pullover; Smartwool Wintersport Half-Zip; Smartwool Routt Full-Zip
• Some knee high wool socks. Well, I guess they don't have to be wool. Some knee high socks that are a solid color or argyle. I need some socks to wear with my knickers! Some solid color soccer socks just might do the trick.
• A bell for my bike. Standard safety gear people!
• Some cycling pants, like maybe these from Ibex
• A new button up shirt. I think something in the cowboy style would be nice. Some ideas: Patagonia Pima Cotten Shirt (Color choice: Rawhide–Ceylon Blue); Shelpers Fancy blue plaid. Man who knew it would be so hard to find good western shirt online?
• A new frisbee. Mine is a little beat up. (But be careful that you don't buy a Whamo branded frisbee. Discraft makes good discs, but doesn't sell the individually. But this site sells Discraft discs)
• A ping pong table. I think one would fit up in the attic and they fold up so it could be moved out of the way for dancing.
• A small bag to put my electronics in that I take with me everywhere (mostly an assortment of random cords). I have one know but it is kind of ugly and a little too big.

I really kind of wish my birthday was in the summer, so I could ask for summer clothes for my birthday and then winter clothes for Christmas. Oh well, the burdens we have to carry, eh?

What about you guys? What are you guys asking for this holiday season?

Update: So, I decided to do some research on some of the items in my list before leaving things up to fate (AKA my parents). I just went to the Patagonia and REI stores downtown, and oh my god! Patagonia is just the greatest place ever! I didn't try on a whole lot, but I did try on both the Patagonia items listed above (the Cashmere ¼-zip and the Synchilla—I liked the stonewash color the best) and they were both amazing! I also tried on the Lined Flannel Jacket and fell in love with that, too!

For the longest time L.L. Bean was my favorite store ever, but then I went and visited one of their retail shops and decided that their target demographic was not one I related to. But the Patagonia store had wood floors and a wonderful outdoor feel! I fell in love. Pretty much. If you are going to get me some clothes, check there first! (Don't look at the prices: They are just a shmidge expensive)

Anyway, after checking things out I have crossed some things off my list. And would like to add these things that I forgot to add:

• A new bike helmet. Aren't you supposed to replace them every 5 years?
• A thermometer that records high and lows for the day

Friends forever?

24 October 2008 04:05am UTC 4 comments

Do you ever start to wonder if your friends really like you? Or if they are just tolerating your existence because you are there? This fear struck me today in the car.

I know it isn't true. But there is that sneaking suspicion in the back of my head.

(And no this isn't an invitation to tell me how wonderful I am.)