WARNING: foul language.
Lost Localhost
Adam Carolla is in my head...
...at least he's in my head if I were very vulgar, or after a night of a drinking.
WARNING: foul language.
WARNING: foul language.
Where there's smoke...
...there's a Cain Train on fire, and there is enough flame to go around.
So Herman Cain has been leading the polls for the GOP primary for a couple weeks now. That was far too long before SOMETHING happened. A few anonymous sources say he did naughty things. How much truth behind this? Only the accuser, Cain, and God really know... Then a woman came out and said he not only sexually harassed her, but actually assaulted her.
Some of my observations...
The anonymous women:
Sharon Bialek:
Media:
Cain:
So Herman Cain has been leading the polls for the GOP primary for a couple weeks now. That was far too long before SOMETHING happened. A few anonymous sources say he did naughty things. How much truth behind this? Only the accuser, Cain, and God really know... Then a woman came out and said he not only sexually harassed her, but actually assaulted her.
Some of my observations...
The anonymous women:
- Why was there no legal action? Why now? [smoke]
- One of the women identified filed complaints demanding cash at her next job... pattern? [smoke]
Sharon Bialek:
- A celebrity lawyer that's been politically involved in the past, really? [smoke]
- 14 Years later? Your accusations aren't just a personal issue, it's sexual assault. If what you say is true, he should be arrested and thrown away. Why wait? [SMOKE!]
- She is a republican - which is part of my point in my next section....
Media:
- Covering this more in the first week than all the Obama issues his whole campaign? Shame. [FIRE!]
- Suggesting this is orchestrated by the left? Doubtful. They would have saved this for after the primary. You think they want to go against Romney? No way. [smoke]
Cain:
- First of all, you gave concessions for your 999 plan. Big mistake. [not related, but it's my blog]
- You handled your press conference almost perfectly. With a few exceptions.
- Blaming the democrats for this. What-The-Frack? I can't believe those words came out of your mouth unless you have proof. You can't blindly suggest that unless you specifically state it is just a gut feeling. While there may be a difference in severity, how is that much different in principle than what you say these women are doing to you? [FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!]
- Offering to take a lie detector test. Good idea.
- Offering to take a lie detector test, then qualifying it. Bad idea. [smoke]
- Saying you had never met Mrs.Bialek, when there was a fairly detailed account of a meeting you had with her at a Tea Party event a month or so ago on a popular conservative radio talk show hours before your press conference? Either you're not telling the truth about that, or your memory sucks. Either way... [FIRE!]
- Suggesting that there may be more women coming forward? Dumb move dude. [smoke]
When it comes down to it, you believe these women, or him.
If you believe the women, there are a lot of things that don't make sense or seem a bit shady. If what they say is true, he should be investigated (I'm unsure the statute of limitations on that sort of assault) and punished. He should not be given one more second of coverage as a candidate.
If you believe him, there are a lot of things that don't make sense or seem a bit shady. If what he says is true, the women should be investigated for libel and/or slander and punished. The women should no longer be covered by the media and he should continue on campaigning.
I believe there is some truth in stereotypes and rumor. Not always THE truth, but some. Realistically, there's far too much smoke surrounding him to have my vote. Unless the air gets cleared really quickly, I think he'll lose many more.
Show me your friends...
Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future... Looking back at my life, this seems to have been true. It's not because of the friends, but by my own decisions that attracted the kinds of people I was hanging around with. Luckily I found this to be true when I was young enough to change my future. It's the same concept of "birds of a feather flock together"... So I feel if you really want to see the moral sense of someone, looking at who they associate with is very important.
PJMedia did a great job at looking at the supporters of occupy wall street so far. (List will be updated regularly)
Please comment and let me know what your feelings are, and if you would still like to support a movement supported by groups like this...
Put your money where your whining crying mouth is...
The Hacking group Anonymous has prepared something I totally support based around the Occupy [Your Space Here] movement... A boycott. God Bless! Anonymous is using capitalist means to dictate the market - just the way it should be.
I actually hope some of these wall-streeters take part - not because I personally want any particular bank or person to fail, but because it will actually accomplish something they have been crying about for weeks.
I have money in a couple banks - one I've been very happy with and one I'm not so happy with and plan to consolidate as soon as I can. Good on these folks for following suit.
I actually hope some of these wall-streeters take part - not because I personally want any particular bank or person to fail, but because it will actually accomplish something they have been crying about for weeks.
I have money in a couple banks - one I've been very happy with and one I'm not so happy with and plan to consolidate as soon as I can. Good on these folks for following suit.
Blast from the past...
While going through some of my old posts I wanted to see how far off I was then to where we are now. Then while doing my normal rounds of reading, I found an article on Business Insider called "Here's the Chart That Will Get Obama Fired" and it sure looks like I expected it would have back in 2009.
At the time of my "There are three kinds of lies..." post, we were at the high of just over 10% - and the only excuse anyone could provide was that it was worse than their predictions had shown them. Meanwhile conservatives who told the left this would happen were what? Insane psychics?!
If I fail to understand a problem at work, and then promise that my plan is the right one to fix the issue and it gets worse, I'm fired. Hey BigO (and company), you're all about "fairness" right?
At the time of my "There are three kinds of lies..." post, we were at the high of just over 10% - and the only excuse anyone could provide was that it was worse than their predictions had shown them. Meanwhile conservatives who told the left this would happen were what? Insane psychics?!
If I fail to understand a problem at work, and then promise that my plan is the right one to fix the issue and it gets worse, I'm fired. Hey BigO (and company), you're all about "fairness" right?
Retaining the new and in with the old... Or something...?
About a year ago I changed servers for this blog. It looks far less cool than what it use to look like, and I had really calmed down with the political posts... With that said, I had always wanted to recover many of my old thoughts and transfer them to here - which I did today.
When I originally started LLHost years ago it was about my journey through pilot training for my private pilots licence. It then became a journal for my experience with joining the Air Force. I have kept most of the posts on these items off of this new version, as I feel they are both somewhat pointless now, and those topics would be better suited for future discussions.
So some of my favorites from years past...
When I originally started LLHost years ago it was about my journey through pilot training for my private pilots licence. It then became a journal for my experience with joining the Air Force. I have kept most of the posts on these items off of this new version, as I feel they are both somewhat pointless now, and those topics would be better suited for future discussions.
So some of my favorites from years past...
- *Let's Say... - Trying to ponder analogies to political policies.
- How much does a promise cost? - When our deficit topped $1T
- A Tragedy... - Me, a politician? Here's why not.
- There are three kinds of lies... -Stimulus? Inflation? Bueller?
- Three out of Five citizens agree, the healthcare bill sucks! - Fairly descriptive title
- Talkin' 'bout my generation... - Musings on generational politics
- Stan wojenny w Polsce - A Christmas history lesson
Because I had to transfer these from the old database manually, the dates are only accurate to the month and year - not the day or time. Also, many of the links in the stories will not work, but I expect to fix those over time.
We Are the |132.5*16/-40|%...
Big protests are shaking up the cities around the country. Pretty crazy stuff. Not completely unexpected, but completely lacking a unified message other than "we're pissed at people who have stuff". Some of my favorite gems so far...
Story on cleanliness, including a disturbing image of a classy gentleman defecating on a police car.
I can't find the video, but a protester was complaining about being unemployed and when asked if she was offered a job right now would she take it she said "Absolutely not"... Really? /facepalm
EDIT 10/10: Found the clip... Quote wasn't quite as I had remembered, but here you can see it for yourself.
I'm all for a good protest, but it has to be done well, and legal. The second you break the law, or you defy your own arguments you become a joke. Someone, somehow, made a list of demands that would be laughable if it wasn't real. Thankfully (?) this isn't an official list, but a truly "official" list will never exist because nothing is official about this until unions and political groups get involved - which they are starting to.
I'll only touch on a few of the insane ideas...
Demand two: Institute a universal single payer healthcare system
Because why let one person create a business to make a contract with another person about healthcare? It's better to have our taxes taken from us and used on something some people may not want? I am not responsible for your healthcare, YOU ARE.
Demand three: Guaranteed living wage income regardless of employment.
I wish this was a joke. What's the point of doing anything? Doesn't this just scream "I'm lazy and want to be taken care of for doing nothing"?! how can these people be taken seriously? I am not responsible for your free ride through life. YOU ARE.
Demand four: Free college education.
Give-me-a-break. Education is NOT a right. It is a responsibility. Who owns that responsibility? It's not the government, it's not other tax payers, and it sure isn't the collegiate system in place. It's you and/or your parents responsibility. If you want to learn more, find the right place and/or people to learn from, there is nothing that guarantees it will be free, and nor should it. Teach your children. If you can't teach them enough to live a productive life, maybe you need to pay someone to teach them for you. I am not responsible for your or your child's education, YOU ARE.
Demand six: One trillion dollars in infrastructure (Water, Sewer, Rail, Roads and Bridges and Electrical Grid) spending now.
Where did this 1T number come from? Pulling it from air? I agree that infrastructure is one of the responsibilities of the state and local government - so I'm not totally against the heart of this point, but it's what our taxes already goto - so again I ask, where did the 1T figure come from, what do they feel is lacking, and why should this be a national issue?
Demand eight: Racial and gender equal rights amendment.
When there is evidence of favoring equal candidates only for racial or gender reasons, that establishment should be held legally accountable, but we already have laws for this. Does this also mean abolishing the practice of affirmative action?
Demand nine: Open borders migration. anyone can travel anywhere to work and live.
I swear these people are smoking the stuff that's already coming over the border... This combined with a guaranteed living wage, free education, and free healthcare? Who will support the world? If these people's answers would be "the rich folks of America" I bet they wouldn't even say thank you if those people choose to do it. They think they are ENTITLED to these things?!
Demand eleven: Immediate across the board debt forgiveness for all. Debt forgiveness of sovereign debt, commercial loans, home mortgages, home equity loans, credit card debt, student loans and personal loans now! All debt must be stricken from the "Books." World Bank Loans to all Nations, Bank to Bank Debt and all Bonds and Margin Call Debt in the stock market including all Derivatives or Credit Default Swaps, all 65 trillion dollars of them must also be stricken from the "Books." And I don't mean debt that is in default, I mean all debt on the entire planet period.
Yep. They're definitely smoking some wacky stuff. Again, doesn't this sound like someone saying "I kind of maxed my credit card and don't feel like paying... Can't we just be friends and forget about it?" In old school Chi-town you'd have your kneecaps broken for much less than the trillions we're in the hole for. I AM responsible for the debt I have and have promised to pay it. I expect no one to forgive my debt because I have integrity and honor my word.
Demand thirteen: Allow all workers to sign a ballot at any time during a union organizing campaign or at any time that represents their yeah or nay to having a union represent them in collective bargaining or to form a union.
I have no issues with the basic right for a group of people to try and negotiate with their employer for better conditions or pay. As long as they also understand the company can say "No, we can't afford your conditions. Either get back to work or you're fired." As an employer, I expect to hire who I want. If you don't like it then I promise that no one will force you to work for me.
So while this is not an "officialy sanctioned" list of demands by the "group" - it's the closest one I could find and the only one making rounds. Road to totalitarianism is the new jiveword for this, and really - it is.
While there might be some similarities between this occupy XXX movement and the Tea Party beginnings, their intentions, goals, and tactics are so far from each other I'm surprised when people make a comparison of them. (BTW, Media... Shame on you)
The new buzz item for the folks in the middle is the 53%. "We are the %53" is a collection of people sharing their "hey, I had/have it rough too" stories through tumblr with a much different ending. Instead of a "Damn you for not giving me enough because I deserve it" message, there is a message of personal responsibility blaming themselves, sometimes with the explanation of how they pulled themselves out of the crap-situations they've been in.
I'm not sure where either of these groups/movements will land, but I know for sure the OWS people can learn from reading stories of people who have went through hard times and found a way out. Instead of turning down a job from a rich guy only because he's rich, or waiting for a poor person to pay you what you think you're entitled to, why not find a way to make a good or offer a service that others will want? Become that poor person who will give away your money to another person to help them. Become that rich person so you can give away all your money and save the world how you see fit. People have done it before you, and some are the people you're protesting.
Personally, I can understand many of the issues the OWS folks originally started protesting, but solutions never start with regulation and government. They start with yourself, as demonstrated by the 53%.
If I had an IAm|132.5*16/-40|% (#IAm53 #IAmThe53) story....?
I never got anything I thought I was entitled to.
I never give to those who expect.
I am in debt, and will repay every cent, no matter how many vacations or items I pass up.
When I don't see the way, I will make a way.
I own my mistakes.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Those close to me know my story - and really, those are the only people who matter.
With fear of being called old... I leave with Dragnet.
Story on cleanliness, including a disturbing image of a classy gentleman defecating on a police car.
I can't find the video, but a protester was complaining about being unemployed and when asked if she was offered a job right now would she take it she said "Absolutely not"... Really? /facepalm
EDIT 10/10: Found the clip... Quote wasn't quite as I had remembered, but here you can see it for yourself.
I'm all for a good protest, but it has to be done well, and legal. The second you break the law, or you defy your own arguments you become a joke. Someone, somehow, made a list of demands that would be laughable if it wasn't real. Thankfully (?) this isn't an official list, but a truly "official" list will never exist because nothing is official about this until unions and political groups get involved - which they are starting to.
I'll only touch on a few of the insane ideas...
Demand two: Institute a universal single payer healthcare system
Because why let one person create a business to make a contract with another person about healthcare? It's better to have our taxes taken from us and used on something some people may not want? I am not responsible for your healthcare, YOU ARE.
Demand three: Guaranteed living wage income regardless of employment.
I wish this was a joke. What's the point of doing anything? Doesn't this just scream "I'm lazy and want to be taken care of for doing nothing"?! how can these people be taken seriously? I am not responsible for your free ride through life. YOU ARE.
Demand four: Free college education.
Give-me-a-break. Education is NOT a right. It is a responsibility. Who owns that responsibility? It's not the government, it's not other tax payers, and it sure isn't the collegiate system in place. It's you and/or your parents responsibility. If you want to learn more, find the right place and/or people to learn from, there is nothing that guarantees it will be free, and nor should it. Teach your children. If you can't teach them enough to live a productive life, maybe you need to pay someone to teach them for you. I am not responsible for your or your child's education, YOU ARE.
Demand six: One trillion dollars in infrastructure (Water, Sewer, Rail, Roads and Bridges and Electrical Grid) spending now.
Where did this 1T number come from? Pulling it from air? I agree that infrastructure is one of the responsibilities of the state and local government - so I'm not totally against the heart of this point, but it's what our taxes already goto - so again I ask, where did the 1T figure come from, what do they feel is lacking, and why should this be a national issue?
Demand eight: Racial and gender equal rights amendment.
When there is evidence of favoring equal candidates only for racial or gender reasons, that establishment should be held legally accountable, but we already have laws for this. Does this also mean abolishing the practice of affirmative action?
Demand nine: Open borders migration. anyone can travel anywhere to work and live.
I swear these people are smoking the stuff that's already coming over the border... This combined with a guaranteed living wage, free education, and free healthcare? Who will support the world? If these people's answers would be "the rich folks of America" I bet they wouldn't even say thank you if those people choose to do it. They think they are ENTITLED to these things?!
Demand eleven: Immediate across the board debt forgiveness for all. Debt forgiveness of sovereign debt, commercial loans, home mortgages, home equity loans, credit card debt, student loans and personal loans now! All debt must be stricken from the "Books." World Bank Loans to all Nations, Bank to Bank Debt and all Bonds and Margin Call Debt in the stock market including all Derivatives or Credit Default Swaps, all 65 trillion dollars of them must also be stricken from the "Books." And I don't mean debt that is in default, I mean all debt on the entire planet period.
Yep. They're definitely smoking some wacky stuff. Again, doesn't this sound like someone saying "I kind of maxed my credit card and don't feel like paying... Can't we just be friends and forget about it?" In old school Chi-town you'd have your kneecaps broken for much less than the trillions we're in the hole for. I AM responsible for the debt I have and have promised to pay it. I expect no one to forgive my debt because I have integrity and honor my word.
Demand thirteen: Allow all workers to sign a ballot at any time during a union organizing campaign or at any time that represents their yeah or nay to having a union represent them in collective bargaining or to form a union.
I have no issues with the basic right for a group of people to try and negotiate with their employer for better conditions or pay. As long as they also understand the company can say "No, we can't afford your conditions. Either get back to work or you're fired." As an employer, I expect to hire who I want. If you don't like it then I promise that no one will force you to work for me.
So while this is not an "officialy sanctioned" list of demands by the "group" - it's the closest one I could find and the only one making rounds. Road to totalitarianism is the new jiveword for this, and really - it is.
While there might be some similarities between this occupy XXX movement and the Tea Party beginnings, their intentions, goals, and tactics are so far from each other I'm surprised when people make a comparison of them. (BTW, Media... Shame on you)
The new buzz item for the folks in the middle is the 53%. "We are the %53" is a collection of people sharing their "hey, I had/have it rough too" stories through tumblr with a much different ending. Instead of a "Damn you for not giving me enough because I deserve it" message, there is a message of personal responsibility blaming themselves, sometimes with the explanation of how they pulled themselves out of the crap-situations they've been in.
I'm not sure where either of these groups/movements will land, but I know for sure the OWS people can learn from reading stories of people who have went through hard times and found a way out. Instead of turning down a job from a rich guy only because he's rich, or waiting for a poor person to pay you what you think you're entitled to, why not find a way to make a good or offer a service that others will want? Become that poor person who will give away your money to another person to help them. Become that rich person so you can give away all your money and save the world how you see fit. People have done it before you, and some are the people you're protesting.
Personally, I can understand many of the issues the OWS folks originally started protesting, but solutions never start with regulation and government. They start with yourself, as demonstrated by the 53%.
If I had an IAm|132.5*16/-40|% (#IAm53 #IAmThe53) story....?
I never got anything I thought I was entitled to.
I never give to those who expect.
I am in debt, and will repay every cent, no matter how many vacations or items I pass up.
When I don't see the way, I will make a way.
I own my mistakes.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Those close to me know my story - and really, those are the only people who matter.
With fear of being called old... I leave with Dragnet.
I Got Some Ink!
...well, some food coloring, actually. A while ago I had mentioned to the owners of learnmyshot.com that I'd like to see their take on inking: the process of using a colored liquid mixed into another liquid and getting interesting images out of them. They obliged, and I avoided doing chores for the wife for an afternoon.
Considering I do not have a lighting setup, gels, an off-camera flash, or a decent tank - I think a couple of these are decent for a first shot. Though, I still plan to do this again when I have a better way to light and shoot it.
Here are a couple of my favorites...
You can see the rest in the "Water and Fire" gallery.
Considering I do not have a lighting setup, gels, an off-camera flash, or a decent tank - I think a couple of these are decent for a first shot. Though, I still plan to do this again when I have a better way to light and shoot it.
Here are a couple of my favorites...
 |  |
| 1/200 f/16 IOS100 | 1/200 f/22 ISO100 |
 |  |
| 1/320 f/13 IOS100 | 1/200 f/22 ISO100 |
Car shoot #1...
Had a buddy ask for some help shooting his and another friends BMW's. Took my 350 out for the fun too. I still haven't gotten them all done, but I do have a few finished.
Fun Range Day...
Lately I've been having a lot of wrist issues, so I hadn't bee out to the range in a while. A buddy of mine just moved back to town and he hadn't shot his new AR, so I had a good reason to get back out there. It was actually my first time shooting a .223 - and I'm hooked. I'm still very pleased with my MP15-22, but the thud of the AR can't be replaced by a little ol .22LR.
I was also able to grab some decent video and images of me shooting... Enjoy the shots!
Video
I was also able to grab some decent video and images of me shooting... Enjoy the shots!
Visualizing May...Fin
Ok, so I realize it's June 10th. Yes, I'm late. It happens. Part of it was because I had two photo jobs this last week. (Big thanks to Beth, Lisa, and Emily) Part of it was visiting family. All of it made me slightly disappointed I missed some shots.
On to the pics.
On to the pics.
May 22nd
I was taking pictures of a buddy's new house and saw this... It was a spur of the moment shot, and in hindsight I should have moved the leaves. :/
 |
| 1/200 F/2.8 ISO100 |
May 23rd
Quick snap of a big dog...Dull, I know
 |
| 1/400 F/2.8 ISO100 (Like it matters on this one?) |
May 24th
Shuffleboard at a local bar. Fun times playing this...
 |
| 1/80 f/3.5 ISO1600 |
May 25th
This is just on the inside walkway of the Wrigley building. We love seeing exposed brick in the Chicago streets.
 |
| 1/8 f/2.8 ISO800 |
May 26th
I tried to get a duplicate image from the first day I had my camera on the DuSable bridge - but couldn't quite get it because I didn't have a wide enough lens on me. Had to do a lot of fixes on this and the next shot, so am "eh" on them.
 |
| 1/2 f/7.1 ISO800 Image I was trying to recreate |
May 27th
WBing in the city sucks. Was shooting for an old-timy hdr feeling here
 |
| 1/4 f/2.8 ISO800 |
May 28th
Ahhh Wacker on a quiet Sunday morning...
 |
| 1/5 f/7.1 ISO800 |
May 29th
Here is one of my favorite shots of the jobs we did... This adorable girl was amazing eyes.
 |
| 1/200 f/2.8 ISO200 |
May 30th
Not that embarasing, but the wife DID take the next two of me for failing at the end of the month so badly.
 |
| 1/15 f/2.8 ISO3200 |
May 31st
FIN!
 |
| 1/40 f/2.8 ISO400 |
So how'd I do? "Eh"...
It was fun and I get a lot of great shots out of the exercise. More than anything I think I realized I like photography more than I thought I would have. This was much harder than I had thought it would be and I broke some rules, especially at the end - but I did learn quite a bit.
I expect to do more of these types of photo project in the future - just not this extended.
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