Busy Saturday!

Yesterday was one busy day. I stayed up too late playing a bit too much poker on FTP. I spent much of the night watching Bodie25 play a superb game of cards in the AlCantHang Memorial poker tournament. Since Emilea and Ashlea have moved to separate rooms, I also needed to setup the photo printer once again in my office.

In the morning, I had the follow-up to the Photo Safari at Oxbow Park. This was really fun. I got to see all the pictures that everyone else took. Some really cool shots! I also got to hear feedback on the shots I took.

For most of the rest of the day, the whole family spent getting ready to host a card game. Cleaning and organizing and cleaning some more. Wow. Our kids have WAY TO MANY TOYS!

At 6 PM, the switch occurred and we focused entirely on getting ourselves ready to play some cards. I'll be posting at that later today on my poker blog. Last night was a lot of fun! All the hard work really paid off.

I have no idea what today will bring. The girls are whiny. Brenda is tired from last night (we were up a bit late). Hmmm....maybe I finally get my office back.

The iBrick that wasn't

Yeah! I successfully updated our 2 iPhones to the latest firmware and we have no iBricks! I was a bit concerned...I tried to do some ringtones using a third party app...I was holding my breath the whole update process. I'm pretty sure, Brenda would not approve. That would take a big dent out of the poker bankroll too.

The Wi-Fi store is pretty cool and the transfer rates are fine on Wi-Fi. Shhh...I bought a new album today. It's actually very good too! Should show on the iTunes thingy.

Universal Healthcare - neat idea...but

This is in response to a post by K on her blog MN Clampits. In her post, she discusses why she believes we need universal heathcare. While I like the idea of never worrying about medical decisions in finiancial free bubble, I just don't believe it could ever work.

Should someone be making a profit off of us as human beings and our health?

My question is, why shouldn't they? You think it's hard finding a nurse now, wait until you tell them they need to do it for free. I realize you don't mean the staff in a hospital should be volunteers, but essentially, you'd be making the government employees. Competition would leave the workplace and mandated pay scales would be left behind. You you really want to give up 10 years of your life to medical training to be a doctor knowing that your salary is $X and it won't change but with a fixed schedule?

We don't see a problem with paying for food. It too is essential to our well being. Farmers get paid and hopefully make a profit.

Would you be willing to wait 4-8 weeks longer to see a specialist for a
non-life-threatening issue so that the 47 million other citizens of our "great"
country could be covered?

Is that really the only downside to Universal Healthcare? Canada and much of Europe have these systems. It can take an extra 4-8 weeks to see a doctor for ANY non-life-threatening issue...like depression, cancer or a progressive disease. Do you know why there is an extra long wait to see the doctor? No one wants to be doctors or nurses. They don't get paid much for the hard work they do.

The state of Minnesota recently started looking at all the uninsured people in the state. Are you aware of the primary demographic descriptions of these people? Mostly single males in their 20's...people that never go to the doctor anyways. They are a burden to the system for a reason other than health care is not available. The believe they can live forever, but when they go the hospital, the have no money to pay, which causes the rates to rise at the hospital because the hospital is then forced to eat the cost.

The healthcare problems in this country would never be solved by just creating universal healthcare coverage. We have a serious problem in this country...we love seeing out doctors. Got the emergency room and hang out for a while...discover why people are there. Many have colds, or an ache and most are on public assistance. We also believe that if throw enough treatments at a problem...we could live forever. There is a great deal of waste in the medical industry and much of it comes from us. If we could solve our addiction to seeing the doctor for everything...we could easily lower costs and make healthcare more affordable.

My 2 cents...have a great weekend!

We have a winner!

I've read some of the reviews of "Carnival Games" for the Wii. As is usual, they fail to take into account how much fun it is when you play it with your kids.

The girls bought be that game for Mommy and Daddy's wedding anniversary. The reviews have not been that kind to the game, but I think they are missing you key piece of information...my kids LOVE it! Even Ashlea, she was playing the Wii last night and could actual play some of the mini-games really well.

This is the first game she has ever been able to play with Daddy and her big sister.

As any Dad out there knows, anytime you find something that you and your daughters have a lot of fun doing together...it's gold!

I missed some postings!

I didn't post yesterday, but it was back to work as usual. My job isn't as exciting as G's over at 3daysnopay, and frankly, I usually have to work with an NDA. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

I got the post done for my photo blog. I think hanging out with the other shutterbugs was a lot of fun. I wasn't as impressed with the shots I got. I really hope we get to do more of these.

Today we vote for a new school in Rochester. It will be built a couple of blocks from our house. It's one of those votes you hope they aren't just shoving new spending into on top of an issue that MUST pass. Seems people are starting to figure out that Rochester is a great place to live. 20% growth in the elementary schools is a big number considering that the schools are already full. Let's hope it passes.

Grandpa Jim's In Town!

The photo safari went well. Check it out at my photo blog. Grandpa is
in town so of course we went to the park!

TGIF! And a photo shoot to boot!

Well, if the weather doesn't suck, I'll be photographing the downtown of Rochester this evening with the community ed crew. Mark P, and Mark I. will be there of course. I've really been looking forward to this since I signed up for it. We will exploring downtown Rochester and taking night shots. Check out my photo blog for pictures! The should be up tomorrow or Sunday, depending on how many there are and if any are good.

It is Friday, so glad. I like the weekend. Brenda works :-( but the girls and I will find something fun to do.

I just read G's post on its not about the badge and I gotta tell ya G...I'm not really sure a 16 month old would notice porn on the tellie. She might even start dancing to the cool music. j/k

Hey! Brenda's having a Tupperware party

Why aren't you here?

What to do, what to do...

I'm been thinking lately about this blog. I really like K's and G's blogs and look forward to each post. They do there's as more of a personal journal and way to tell the rest of the internets what they are up to.

I might try to do something like this at force myself to post everyday at least once. I like expressing my views and sharing them with everyone, but I also just like the idea of writing everyday.

I have 2 other blogs that I also update regularly. These get far more attention than this one, which is unfortunate. The Poker Blog and the Photography Blog are places for me to put the numerous occurances that happen in those areas. I like the focused appoach. Let's see if I can get myself to post here everyday about any topic. The photography of Jim Brandenburg has inspired me, maybe his daily project will work with me!

It's Official...Google Reader Is a Real App

As of last night, Google Reader is a real app...no more beta!

I've been using Google Reader for a couple of months, and I really like it. It's a great way to keep up on all your favorite blogs and news stories. No need to check 25 different sites everyday, just subscribe and read!

Give it a try, you can subscribe to my blog by clicking way cool and very simple!

The Pirate's Code - It's more of a guide

People who know me know how complete pissed I was at the Patriot Act of 2001. It was passed right after the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. I know how scared everyone was, but let's be honest, does anyone think that FBI, CIA and NSA will always use their powers for good? Please.

In one of my favorite blogs, Good Morning Silicon Valley, John Murrell writes about the latest set back to the Patriot Act. The FBI and the Justice Dept can no longer just walk into court and say..."It's secret" and leave. Yes, that's all it took before. The judge in the case believes that they need to actually explain themselves when the slap a gag order on an ISP when the go fishing in the logs. Heck of a nice try though.

I'm always amazed at how the "Conservatives" in our political system talk about getting government out of our lives, yet, find more ways to attempt to circumvent the U.S. Constitution than is really necessary. The president even swears an oath,

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office
of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

It sure looks like it says "preserve, protect and defend" to me. I'm not sure I can read it to say, "I will circumvent, ignore or assult."

The nature of powerful leaders is to become more powerful. This is the most powerful government in the world, but, like I've mentioned before...I love this quote,

"People should not fear their government, the government should fear the
people..."

We need to remind our leaders periodically that they serve not to their power, but at the will of the people. We are the people. Of course the people need to be reminded periodically

He who would give up liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security.

Democracy and freedom will fail if you allow them to take away our liberty. I understand the fear of terrorism, but what they want is a society where there is no liberty, so, in a sense, they are already winning. It is through fear that we are controlled. You get one shot on this world, be proud, be strong and live YOUR life.

My iPhone - the kick in the stomach heard around the world

As many of you know, Apple (AAPL) in their infinite wisdom, cut the price of the iPhone $200 yesterday (1/3 the original price).

As one of those angry customers yesterday, I really thought about blogging my feelings, but chose not to. I wasn't sure if I could really type anything without hitting the shift key and typing only with the top row.

Today, Steve Jobs pointed out that that is how technology works. Many of us work in the tech industry and understand that to some degree, but let's be honest, price drops this fast this soon after launch only coincide with failures, not successful products. Not to mention...2 MONTHS and by 1/3!

I felt sick yesterday. I listened with abosulte horror to the entire address. I felt kick in the gut and was really wondering if I'd like to use my phone knowing that Apple really likes to stick it to ya.

My buddy Mark (an Apple fanboy...ssshhh...he doesn't know he is...he thinks he's not, but everyone knows better) loved the address and was really excited by it. I really would have been to if I hadn't been thinking about the 2 phones my wife and I bought are now a combined extra phone cheaper. Yep, had we waited until to day, we could have bought 3 phones for the same price (ain't math cool).

Today, on the Apple website, is an open letter from Mr. Steve Jobs. He's gonna give us $100 in Apple Store credit. That should be $200 for our house. Maybe a new iPod??? I don't know. It might sit for a little while so I can soak all this in. My feelings are still out if this is gonna take away that sick feeling I was feeling yesterday.

Well just have to wait and see. (I'm pretty sure, I won't have any new ringtones for my phone...a buck a piece? I want to make my own!)

Gotta love blogging with the iphone!

Man, this is cool! I'm still not sick of picture blogging with the
iPhone.

A couple of the funniest beer ads...ever!

Rock, Paper Scissors



Swear Jar

Using the iPhone to blog

I've been on vacation now for almost a week. We've been blogging the
entire vacation the whole time.
The phone works great!
I can send photos in a snap. Since we made it to Virginia, we haven't
had an Internet connection except EDGE.
That's been spotty at times, but we've rarely missed a post.
Check it out @ http://TwoVans.blogspot.com

This is why you don't leave it to the consultants

In a recent article in the Post-Bulletin, taken from the AP, it details the actions of our Governor Tim Pawlenty in the minutes and days following the collapse of the I35 W Bridge. I must say, except for the comments of the consultant worried about making the GOP leaders happy, the response seemed appropriate and showed an excellent grasp of leadership. They cleared his schedule and set up to both rescue, clean-up and rebuild in a most professional manner.

Great Job!

Vacation - Vacation - Vacation

9 days until I'm on vacation!



I tried to find video of Homer doing the excited/happy dance, but no one seems to have it!

We need to stopping tinkering with Darwinism

I just read this article today. "Survey Shows Support For Bans On E-Mail, Texting While Driving", written by K.C. Jones of InformationWeek.

Enough already. The idea behind Darwinism, is that the strong gene set will go on to populate the earth. If we keep making it harder for the truly stupid to kill themselves, we will be encouraging them to breed and thus, the human population will continue to become more and more stupid.

Why is important for the U.S. Government to protect us from ourselves? If people want to do stupid things that will kill them...I say let them. Mother Government is a horrible idea. I know, I know, they might kill others in their wake, but why on God's Green Earth would you want the government to tell you how to live your life?

People piss and moan all the time that they hate the government taking money out of our wallets through taxes, yet we demand that they tell us what we can and can't do. They need all that money to enforce the stupid programs we demand from them. People need to the right to as moronic as they want to be.

This is just one more piece of stupid legistlation that will get all the press it wants. “Will someone please think of the children?” How are people ever going to learn that doing stupid things can have bad results. They won't. Next...we need to find a way to mandate that everyone has rails on their beds so that no one will fall out...again.

Photos and the iPhone

Since this is my first phone with a camera, I was pretty excited to have one with a camera. I had no expectations as to how well it would work.

I have one complain...the lens is right where my left index finger rests when I'm taking on the phone and holding it in my left hand.

The tiny lens and camera do an pretty good job.

Here's Ashlea playing in the rain at River City Days taken with the iPhone.

Tis the season of worry

Whitetail just sent me a link to this article on Engadget. Our politicians, not wanting to offend the vendors, don't get it. The act of voting and the act of an accurate count are the corner stones of a democracy. Our politicians seem to think that if we spend enough money on voting machines and keep the manufacturers happy, we can have democracy.

B as in B and S as in S!

I know there are flaws in the paper ballot system and no system is perfect. But at least paper ballots have some checks to ensure that they are there, they exist and the haven't been manipulated.

No matter what the tech industry says about these systems, we will send them back to the manufacturer with the request that if they try just a little harder, we will send the millions of dollars.

We, as a nation of people, need to find a voice that tells our elected officials that this isn't there show, but OUR show. Democracy only works if the people's voice is heard loud and clear.

Now, I'm not overly optimistic that anyone will care. Must people trust there government. That thought makes me shiver, and I haven't bought land in Montana yet, but I'm getting there. How do I not give up on a society that hires police officers that SHOOTS SNAKE IN TREES! But I have to believe that the common will will eventually wake up and the spirit that founded our nation will be revived.

As our biggest election approaches, we can only hope that people start to think about what's best for their nation. As my friends know, I'm difficult to pin a party affiliation on. In fact, I detest the political party system, but I do believe strongly in the Constitution and our representive democracy.