The Laughing Wolf

I Want To Join The Bad Example Clan Because

Well, heck. I've always been a joiner, willing to submerge myself in the greater whole (sp?) as it is always easier to be a non-conformist in a larger group where one can conform. Since Ol' Brokeback is creating a whole new group... Yeah, pity about his back, heard that Smiling Dynamite broke it during, ah, the birthday celebration. Yeah, that's it. Don't know what else he flippin expected...

I don't meet the rules: I think new bloggers should not be encouraged, but rather used as navigation bouys and race track bumpers; this is a job, nothing more, nothing less; I have no sense of humor At All; I hunt down and flay those who tease, taunt, or ridicule me; and, my life is too serious for laughter.

So, any of the interrelated members of that family care to vouch for my lack of character?

LW

A Hopefully Less Interesting Week

It seems that I managed to concuss myself Sunday a week ago, and then had a reaction to the concussion. I just love experiencing new things, and, yes, it probably was the reason I expressed myself in such a pithy manner in regards Google. Feeling a lot better now, and amazed the Borzoi, who maintained until now that nothing could dent this hard head... Hoping for a much less interesting week this week.

LW
who now has the CT to prove there is something besides rock in his head...

A Kilt Is Not A Skirt

I had wanted to leave this as a comment over at Professor Althouse's site, but I don't have (or can't remember) a blogger ID. So, I am just going to post this here. This comes from reading about a rather clueless dweeb attacking Sonia Belle on her site, and an afternoon perusal of Althouse to see what all was there beside the message that set off the morality police. Here is the comment that could not be left:

A couple of quick points. First, a kilt is not technically a skirt, and only the ill-informed (or bigoted), or someone really trying to start something, call them that. :) There is a really old and bad joke about it being called a kilt because the last person to call it a skirt got kilt...

While Craig is technically correct (and I agree with him on the regimental tie issue), the fact is that general usage today has people wearing tartans they like no matter what. Personally, I like the tartan(s) of my primary clan, but I also don't blow a gasket if I see someone else wearing it who is not related. In point of fact, many clan societies will try to get them to join if they like it so much, as an associate or similar member. I don't recognize the tartan he is wearing, but will also point out that there are a number of regional, city, or other tartans which can be worn by those not in a clan.

I would also ask Craig how he arrived at wearing proper automatically becoming indecent exposure? That comes across much more as a cheap shot than anything.

And, I fear that the following will forever ban me from being blogrolled:

I am a descendent of Duncan, slain by the traitor MacBeth.

Fountain pens at dawn?

LW

Remember

This day, remember those on Challenger, and all those who have died climbing the skies. I refuse the 73-second meme, and hope that they were indeed unconscious as they tumbled to the sea that day -- for I am no longer as sure of that as once I was. This day, remember not just them or one special teacher, but remember all who haved died taking us to the skies and the stars. Each is imporant, each is worth remembering, and each is worth honoring for the sacrifice they and their friends and families have made. On this day, think of them all.

LW

My Inner Doctor Who

You scored as The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker). The Fourth Doctor is your favourite, as well as being the longest running Doctor. Was it was his eccentric wit or Leela in a skimpy costume that swayed your judgement? The Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) 75% The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) 75% The Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) 69% The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davidson) 69% The Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) 63% The Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann) 56% The Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) 44% The Ninth Doctor (Christoper Eccleston) 31% The First Doctor (William Hartnell) 25% Which Doctor Who are you? created with QuizFarm.com

Shamelessly stolen from the Llama Butchers via the Phinny one.

Actually, I would say it was from meeting in person the actress who played Leela when we were both speakers/guests at an event. She was just as sexy in person, and nice, and I still regret we did not get to finish one particular conversation. Though, I must admit, I see much more of the Third Doctor in me than shows here.

LW

Happy Birthday Blackfive!

The earth had not yet even begun to cool... Er, Dinosaurs... Er, Hunting the wooly mamoth... I really do want those negatives back, so I will just say Happy Birthday Blackfive! and link to a story about his trendsetting wife and a great suggestion from Uncle Jimbo on how Pinkfive can help deal with the candles. Also, a Happy Birthday! goes out to his mother-in-law. I wonder if there is some way to put her and her daughter in for commendations...

LW

Thoughts Go Out

To those in Florida affected by the horrible truck/car/school bus wreck. May the light shine on you all, enfold you, warm you with love, and light your path in the dark days ahead.

A quick Damn You! to every miserable jerk of an editor, reporter, headline writer or other responsible for misleading headlines or ledes/stories on underage driver in multi-fatality crash or similar dreck. You are supposed to report the news gott damn it not write irresponsible, inaccurate, and sensationalistic crap. Oh, wait, you are MSM and "real journalists" with mulitple layers of fact checking and oversight, writing false and misleading stuff is what you do for a living. Feh.

Should the kid have been driving? No. Were they in any way at fault in this accident? No. That family appears to have not just lost seven children, 7 children, but reports now say that the grandfather dropped dead of a heart attack when he was told of the news. Any illegitimate offspring of diseased and defective professional sexual service providers who would compound this tragedy by lying or misleading should suffer unspeakably for their crime. A pox on you all, for you have no shame or honor.

I may have words to say in regards the driver of the dump truck later, but I will wait until such time as blood tests, phone records, and more are in. For it may be that I pity them as I pity few others, or it may be that worst curse to be placed is simply to remember it fully for the rest of their life. It is too soon to tell, and I sure as heck am not going to trust most media to give me accurate information on this matter.

LW

Another Roar: Dear Google

It is the day for them...

Dear Google,

Welcome to being full-fledged evil capitalists, and the worst type of corporate whores. You might should have checked one thing, however, before spreading your legs as you have done: the Chinese government is not known for going for the front, or for using lubricant. Today, neither am I. Hope you end up in Chapter 11 soon.

LW

A Roar From The Lair

First, some cowardly deficient (deficients?) threaten the deliciously naughty Blondage. Yes, I read and enjoy her, and she is on the list of blogs to be blogrolled as soon as I get the chance. She may get a NSFW rating, but her site is fun and enjoyable if you don't have a broomstick permanently placed where the sun don't shine.

Second, a company threatened Techography because it didn't like an opinion expressed there. Facts be damned, they didn't like it and they have a bankroll and Calimus and BloodSpite don't. So, in a power play equivalent of a grown man beating a toddler, they forced the article down.

I am not happy with either case.

For the first, there is little I personally can do. I can only hope that the authorities track those responsible down and deal with them to the fullest and harshest extent of the law. Those responsible deserve nothing less, and a whole lot more IMO.

For the second, well, the Internet is a wonderful place and caches exist in many sites and services. Yes, Techography complied with the order, but it was not hard to do a little digging and learn which post and which company. I thought of all manner of things to do, but then started truly thinking.

This action is not the mark of a successful company, nor of competent and effective leadership. All that time spent in venture capital and related workshops and presentations paid off, for this is in many ways the hallmark of a company with problems, from the top down.

Now, I am not going to name the company here -- go figure that out for yourself. I figure any group that insecure and that on the edge won't hesitate to go after any single blogger -- or to take vindictive action against Techography just for spite given the mindset shown. Now, I hope that one day soon they face a blogswarm like they never imagined in their worst nightmares, and that the EFF joins in and gets positively medieval on their sorry asses.

Meantime, I have made a note of the company and its leadership, not just the top but down as far as I can. I will never do business with them, and I will do everything in my power to prevent any employer, client, friend, acquaintance, or other from doing so. If they are already doing business with that entity, I will encourage them to cease immediately and with prejudice as the actions taken bespeak something to be avoided. Furthermore, I have noted the leadership, and I will not only not do business with them here, I will avoid any company that they found, work with, are employed by, etc. now and forever amen. If I have the opportunity, I will blackball them from any club, organization, job, honor, award, or other venue to which I have a say.

Don't like that? Too bad. I sure as hell don't like you or what you have done. Want to threaten me with a lawsuit? On what grounds? There is a lawyer I know, who practices before the Supreme Court, who will love to hear it. Don't like my analysis? Fine, it is my opinion, and I am entitled to post it and, even better, I will be glad to detail for the press and a jury why and how I came up with it. Threaten me and I will call in the world on you by using every contact I have literally around the world, and most especially in DC and New York. I will give you all the publicity you can handle.

LW

No Question About It

Nope, there is no question as to the patriotism of Joel Stein. He has none, just as he appears to be deficient in brains, intellect, integrity, and everything else of worth. Thanks to Uncle J for taking him on, so I don't have to. He needen't fear for his safety, not even a four-year-old female would dain to dirty their hands on something so vile (and far less a man than she).

LW

Howl On The Prowl #3, Lodging

Just a quick update with some notes on lodging. There are three places I am suggesting, and I have stayed at two of them. The first is the The Union Club in the Purdue Memorial Union. Rooms are nice, it is on campus, and not too far from the end of the festivities. The second is the Lee's Inn on I-65. The rooms I have had were nice and in good condition, and it is easy to find. The other, the Super 8, is near the park and offers a Wolf Park discount. I can't vouch for them one way or another as I have never even been in the doors, but it is an option. The phone there is 765-567-7100, and it is off I-65 and exit 178.

LW

Happy 21st Smiling Dynamite!

I know you are just that, no matter that your husband is saying older. May your new year be filled with all manner of good things. Sorry, but just not going to do a cat picture. Maybe a wolf picture later...

LW

Okay, I Need A Keeper

House elf, slave, something... I can take the cold fairly well, but this afternoon and evening I was starting to feel cold, really cold. Had sort of felt it last night, and was a bit puzzled that the bedroom was down at 50 instead of the normal 52-55. Well, it finally hit me that I had turned off the heat yesterday morning while hauling some stuff in and out -- and never remembered to cut it back on. It is now back on, but it is clear that I need a keeper...

LW

Drive Through Rant

As long as I am doing some quick lunch time blogging, allow me to rant a moment.

If you are in a drive through for any business, it is not necessary to keep one, much less multiple, car lengths between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Doing so not only interrupts the traffic flow, it can interrupt the product flow as well. It keeps people from putting in orders, and makes everything as jerky as your driving. Think a minute about others and it will help you and them get your order/work done faster.

LW
who gets cranky when his mocha is delayed by selfish and self-absorbed types, some of whom need to hang up and drive...

Car 54Accidental Verbosity Where Are You?

Okay, what is going on. Failure to renew? Hijacking? Accidental Verbosity where are you? Need backup?

LW

Comments In General

First, when I comment at other sites, I try to say something halfway intelligent, though sometimes it is just a quick rant. Emphasis here is quick, as I don't have time to read a lot of my favorites these days, much less read the comments. I think spelling, grammar, and syntax (and occasional missing words) clearly show the "hurry" factor. In fact, I have been taken to task for not reading the comments to posts (and still await the promised spanking from a certain female for not doing so). When I do "read" comments a lot of it is skim and most of it is skip. I look for names I know and find interesting, pro or con, and most often the comments I read in any depth are the ones just above the comment dialog box. I probably owe an apology or five for making reference to "a post above" rather than using a name, but if the comment is back up a ways, I don't always have the time or inclination to go back up to find it. If I skip your comment, it is nothing personal, you probably just happened to be higher up the comment thread.

If I am slow responding to a counter-comment you made in response to my comment, well, I don't always read the follow-ups. I do sometimes on things of particular interest, but not always. Some of my friends and readers will tell me of such a comment, but... To those that do, thanks.

Of late, the only comment thread I have even begun to closely follow were those that came out in response to my book posts on Blackfive. Some people truly got what I was talking about in terms of using the fiction as a means of gaming out things, and most of all I got some new authors to read.

And a general comment/disclaimer that is probably due again even though I posted a shorter version on Blackfive a week or two ago. Please note, I have never served my country in uniform, and have only worn the uniform in ROTC. I am not now, nor have I ever been, the employee of any intelligence agency. Much of my career has been spent around DoD and related areas, and NASA, and I have gotten to do many fun, wonderful, and interesting things, both on and off the record. Anything I say is strictly my opinion and does not represent in any way, shape, or form, the official policy or opinion of the U.S. Government or any agency or entity within; past, present, or future mother-in-laws; or, anyone else.

That is all.

LW

Dialog Of The Weekend

It was a good weekend, and a mostly fun one. Part of it has left me bruised a bit from helping move something large and cumbersome, but am glad it is done. We had Winter Wolves out at Wolf Park, and a fair turnout with interesting and nice people. In fact, I was very glad to see a couple of individuals who showed up. Attended a brunch on Sunday, and did some other visiting and meetings too.

It has also resulted in the following quote, worthy of a blogmeet:

"Heavy breathing does not qualify as dialog."

I love it.

LW

Brain Bloggle

A term I am coining and claiming as my own this day, which indicates an overload of blogging and/or blog reading. In my case, it is the result of having to visit/read several hundred blogs and/or WWW sites in the last two days for a project at work. Information overload...

LW

Howl On The Prowl Update #2

Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear ye!

The Howl On The Prowl blogmeet is a go! On 18 February, a group of demented intrepid and intriguing bloggers are meeting in Lafayette for a day of fun. The highlight of the day will be a tour of Wolf Park in the afternoon and participation in Howl Night that night.

First, a teaser: For those who come, I am working on a special event for Saturday morning from 9-10:30. Nope, not going to talk about it here, it's a surprise.

The plan for the day is as follows:

11-12: Walking tour and visit to the Tippacanoe Battlefield, with possible walks to Prophet's Rock and other sites.

12-12:45: Lunch on your own

1-5: Tour of Wolf Park

5-6:45: Dinner at a local establishment

7-9: Howl Night

Afterwards: More food and libations at Lafayette Brewing.

Since the park is being generous enough to let us in whilst closed, I have set the following prices for the tour/Howl Night combo:

0-5: Free
6-12: $5
13 and up: $10

This is close to the normal combo ticket price, and includes a very small donation to the park. Any additional donations you care to make to them will be very much appreciated.

The Wolf Park gift shop will be available to us as well, and it is filled with books, pictures, mugs, jewelry, and more.

I have sent out an e-mail update to those who have indicated they are coming, so if you have not gotten it drop me a line so I can figure out where I goofed and get you on the list.

If you want to come, drop me a line so I can start including you on the updates and such. We will need a firm count a week ahead of time for the dinner reservation, so keep that in mind. You are welcome to decide to come after that, but you may have to do dinner on your own.

LW

Iran

This one has to be short because of time, but let me just say:

SANCTIONS WON'T WORK

What we should have already been doing (and hopefully did/are) is working with the multiple groups in there that want regime change from within. The theocracy does not like or trust the people, and they know that they are not all that far away from having power slip from their grasp. We need to be funding, providing external support of all types, and providing supplies. We need to be working hard to make the mullah's nightmares come true.

If we are not already doing so, someone needs one day soon to explain why. We also need to start now and make up for lost time.

Sanctions can be used as a distraction, to make the theocracy believe we are still in our national political quagmire and that the President will have to work through the UN until it is too late. That is all for which they are going to be good.

If regime change is not possible within the limited time frame in which we must now work, then we must be prepared to take out the facilities -- no matter the cost. For the cost of not doing so will be far, far greater. If it can be done with a limited strike, and that strike can also include some additional targets that will facilitate regime change, so much the better. If that can't happen for whatever reason, we still need to take them out.

There is, of course, a lot more behind this, but I lack the time to do it justice. Go read the Iran blog links down there on the right, and some of the better blogs, and make an informed decision of your own.

LW

Wolf Fest 06?

The Howl On The Prowl?

Okay, so we do have a few interested. Before I proceed further, here are some options, and I want to see what real interest there may be.

First, I talked with the managing director out at Wolf Park, and she is willing to go along. Even though the park is closed right now (except for Howl Nights), we can do something one Saturday. We may also get drafted into doing work around the park, but you pays your money and you takes your chances. Whether we work or not, the fee (chosen by me, not the park) per person will be $10, which covers the tour, includes Howl Night that night, and a very small donation to the park. At least one staff member is willing to join in the fun, and we may be able to entice one or two more...

Second, unless we have ten or more show up, I will not try to block rooms at a hotel. I will be glad to recommend one near Wolf Park that offers a Wolf Park discount, or another nice hotel in Lafayette, but unless and until that will be it.

Third, if we really want to see the wolves at their most active, we should do this in February or very early March. So, which Saturday in February would work best for most people?

Fourth, for a quick dinner between the afternoon and the start of Howl Night, we have a couple of options. We could see if it might be possible to do hamburgers and brats out at Wolf Park, or we could go someplace to eat. What would you like to do?

Finally, I can also put in a reservation for post Howl Night at Lafayette Brewing. The food is good, the stout is great, and the rest of the brews are not bad. I don't think it will hold up to Fritz's, but it will do.

Okay, what say you?

LW

Fritz Fest '06

One of the nicest things about being able to work at home on occasion is choosing how I will spend my breaks. Today, I've chosen to catch up a bit and post about the wonderful Fritz Fest '06. I want to thank yet again the inimitable That 1 Guy for pulling this together and being such a great host.

I met some new people, and did not get to spend nearly enough time with them. I met Richmond, the Freedom Folks, TalulaZephyr, Sarah, Leslie, and Ktreva. Hmmmmm. Yep, I am forgetting something, what is it? Oh, yes, I guess there were some guys there too so I should mention meeting Contagion and Og.

In all seriousness, the biggest disappointment of the day was in not being able to stay for a few additional hours to talk with all these fine people. I had been looking forward to talking more with Contagion, as we are both man enough to wear the kilt. After meeting his better half and the other lovely ladies, I am sore hurt not to have been able to spend more time with them too.

It was also a great time to catch up with old friends. I had a truly marvelous time at Tammi's beforehand, made all the better by the arrival Sunday morning of Teresa who presented Tammi with a truly wonderful gift. I have so been looking forward to saying that Tammi ordered me into her bed (pity she wasn't in it) and that I took a shower with two beautiful women (in the house). Later, I was reacquainted with TNT. Such wonderful and charming company. Oh, yeah, Blackfive, Grau, and Harvey were there too. I think. Don't look at me that way, I was distracted.

I did get the time to talk with the lovely and charming wife of Fritz, and even was given a tour of their kitchen. Big surprise at that, as I wanted to see where the delicious food came from, and enjoyed the talks with her. The looks I got from T1G were enough to keep the wolf at bay from one of the lovely daughters also present...

My regret is in not being able to spend more time with such a diverse and wonderful group of people. Maybe sometime soon... And maybe, just maybe, Contagion and I will get over the painful shyness we both have...

Before I leave, however, I want to thank Eric for being there in spirit, and keeping us in spirits. Thanks my brother!

LW

Ceramic Brake Pads: Just Say No

I wanted to follow up on the discussions in this post (and note that Ken was right) and my promise in this post to tell how things went. In short, ceramic pads suck.

They did not work well in freezing wet, and were much harder on the rotors than any type pad I have ever before used. The rotors not only overheated, they warped and both they and the ceramic pads were pitted beyond belief. Instead of getting 100,000-plus miles out of the rotors, I will be lucky to make 100,000 miles. The pads (and rotors, really) did not last a full year. We are not amused.

I was lucky and found a chain place that was willing to turn all four rotors, replace the ceramic pads with semi-metallic, and do some other minor tweaking for less than $170.00. It will get me by until warmer weather less-lean times, when I will have to replace the rotors (all four, because if you do the front you had better do them all).

So, my experience is to just say no to ceramic pads.

LW

Who Wants A Blogmeet?

While up in the frozen north in the warm and wonderful Fritz's, the Omnibus Driver began pushing the idea of a blogmeet in or near Lafayette, Indiana with Saturday Day and Evening to be spent touring Wolf Park and the late evening/night to be spent somewhere like Lafayette Brewing. Anyone interested, let me know and I will think, repeat THINK, about trying to set something like that up.

LW

More Coming Soon

I actually have a fair bit to blog about, from an update on those ceramic brake pads to some serious discussions. They will have to wait until I recover from work and FritzFest. Just a quick thanks to T1G for putting on the dog so well! More on that soon too...

LW

Is "Stargate" really fiction, or...

English Werewolf here, butting in again on the Laughing One's space.

(He really has invited me to do this much more than I do, but I spend far too much time reading and rarely get around to actually writing stuff down -- at least legibly enough to be reinterpreted at some later date!)

Whilst perusing the Scotsman.com site this morning, I came across this little story that really makes me wonder if "Stargate SG-1" isn't really a PR program for the Air Force, helping to ease the general public into the realization that the show is FOR REAL: "Welcome to Mars express: only a three hour trip" is the headline, and the link is http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=16902006.

For those of us who are reticent to click through, I've taken the liberty of pasting the text below. In case the writer attribution doesn't paste, it's by Ian Johnston, science correspondent for the Scotsman newspaper, Edinburgh.

AN EXTRAORDINARY "hyperspace" engine that could make interstellar space travel a reality by flying into other dimensions is being investigated by the United States government.

The hypothetical device, which has been outlined in principle but is based on a controversial theory about the fabric of the universe, could potentially allow a spacecraft to travel to Mars in three hours and journey to a star 11 light years away in just 80 days, according to a report in today's New Scientist magazine.

The theoretical engine works by creating an intense magnetic field that, according to ideas first developed by the late scientist Burkhard Heim in the 1950s, would produce a gravitational field and result in thrust for a spacecraft.

Also, if a large enough magnetic field was created, the craft would slip into a different dimension, where the speed of light is faster, allowing incredible speeds to be reached. Switching off the magnetic field would result in the engine reappearing in our current dimension.

The US air force has expressed an interest in the idea and scientists working for the American Department of Energy - which has a device known as the Z Machine that could generate the kind of magnetic fields required to drive the engine - say they may carry out a test if the theory withstands further scrutiny.

Professor Jochem Hauser, one of the scientists who put forward the idea, told The Scotsman that if everything went well a working engine could be tested in about five years.

However, Prof Hauser, a physicist at the Applied Sciences University in Salzgitter, Germany, and a former chief of aerodynamics at the European Space Agency, cautioned it was based on a highly controversial theory that would require a significant change in the current understanding of the laws of physics.

"It would be amazing. I have been working on propulsion systems for quite a while and it would be the most amazing thing. The benefits would be almost unlimited," he said.

"But this thing is not around the corner; we first have to prove the basic science is correct and there are quite a few physicists who have a different opinion.

"It's our job to prove we are right and we are working on that."

He said the engine would enable spaceships to travel to different solar systems. "If the theory is correct then this is not science fiction, it is science fact," Prof Hauser said.

"NASA have contacted me and next week I'm going to see someone from the [US] air force to talk about it further, but it is at a very early stage. I think the best-case scenario would be within the next five years [to build a test device] if the technology works."

The US authorities' attention was attracted after Prof Hauser and an Austrian colleague, Walter Droscher, wrote a paper called "Guidelines for a space propulsion device based on Heim's quantum theory".

(end quoted article.)

So, has anyone noticed any new isolated blockhouses out in the middle of nowhere in Area 51? They may actually be building a version of the X-303 Prometheus out there somewhere...

Well, we can hope for it, anyway! Though maybe not the Goa'uld invasion part. Then again, it could just be a tidbit thrown out to distract the curious from what they're REALLY up to.

What, me a conspiracy theorist?