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GRAFFITI -- August 01, 2005 thru August 07, 2005 >> Link to the Current Week << Last Week << Mon   Tues   Wed   Thu   Fri   Sat   Sun >> Next Week Search this site : Welcome to Orb Graffiti, a place for me to write daily about life and computers. Contrary to popular belief, the two are not interchangeable.     About eMail - I publish email sometimes. If you send me an email and you want privacy or anonymity, please say so clearly at the beginning of your message.

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August 1, 2005

0652 - Good morning. Welcome to August. Thanks, but we've already had our dog-days. Unfortunately the weather liars are telling us that it's going to be hot again. Not high 90's, thankfully. Yesterday I got some drip-watering gear installed for the hanging baskets on our front porch. There's more to that front-yard system, but I'll do it in stages. Now, since I've slept late, to work with me.

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August 2, 2005

0626 - Good morning. Steve Robinson is going around to the bottom side of the Shuttle to deal with the protruding grout issues. The Reuters story trumpets "NASA orders risky spacewalk to repair heat shield" and Deputy Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale said, "This is the new NASA. If we cannot prove that it's safe, than we don't want to go there." What a gutless, nutless, pussy of a program manager. I'd fire his ass in a heartbeat. What a waste of skin! Exploration and extending the fontiers of humanity isn't about safety -- it's about the risks one takes to blaze new trails, the honor and glory of getting off this stagnant dead pool of a planet, and making a beachhead from which we can expand into the cosmos.

Honestly, I can't stand what we've let the politicians and lawyers do to us. Argh! No imagination. No heart. Just red tape and the ADA and OSHA and greenie-weenie EPA crap and fucking Department of Interior kowtowing to bogus crap Indian ancestor worship and on and on and on. Can't someone serve me a Spotted Owl Sandwich? Is there NO Panda Express that serves real panda? Can I pay extra to slap around that woman who spilled coffee on herself at Mickey D's, and have her lawyer thrown in with the father rapers? Can I throw Michael Jackson in after him? And Darl McBride? The part that worries me most is that the Most Reverend Nehemiah Scudder has probably been born, and he's on his way. We've already blown past all of the latest excesses of the Catholic priests and their preoccupation with young men. That was a seven-day wonder though, weren't it? We're 20 years too late by Heinlein's timeline, but there's still time to make 2006 "the year they hanged the lawyers." I can't think of any greater good first step than to rid us of lawyers who sue at the drop of a hat, and drop-dead-dumb juries who were scraped up out of the shallow end of the gene pool, where the pond scum often gets confused with intelligent life. If I keep going, I'll explode, and besides, I have to get to work to pay the taxman so that he can feed the bureaucrats.

How disheartening. Later...

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August 3, 2005

http://www.cowpieclocks.com/

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August 4, 2005

1931 - Good evening. There's lots of deep-background stuff going on, and I'm not going to talk about it right now. More when it's fit to be news, but the news is likely to be professionally good, if I'm lucky. But I'm preoccupied and really quite busy. For example, why can't my postfix public-facing server open multiple sending connections to the Exchange box? I'd really like that answer, but Google hasn't helped me much yet. Yeah, my Safari bookshelf is full of Win2k3 and Exchange books at the moment, but no joy there yet, either. I'll keep after it. In the meantime, another credit offer came in the mail today, with this text in bold and boxed at the bottom:

That's backed up by a search that turned up the same information on a number of sites, including PIRG. Good to know. I've put it here so I'll remember to get to that right soon. Oh, yeah, everyone in the house with an SSN ought to call independently, although you can probably ask whoever you get on the phone to handle each request sequentially.

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August 5, 2005

No Post.

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August 6, 2005

0802 - Good morning. We're off to talk to an insurance bloke this morning, to discuss the assorted merits of Whole vs. Universal coverage, and think about where we're going to go with such things. Back later...

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August 7, 2005

1751 - Good afternoon. Now it's later. I've been busy today, after a slow sleeping-in kind of start:

Yesterday I stripped the basil out of the herb garden, as it was going to seed. I replanted that in hopes of getting in a second crop before the freezing weather comes in the Fall. With a bit of planning on the shopping, we got the rest of what didn't come from our garden for today's concoctions. Once home from the stores, I went out and got tomatoes as well as Salsa and Jalapeño peppers from the garden. No, that isn't enough tomatoes, so I've supplemented with store-bought. In the salsa goes the following ingredients: A quart of tomatoes, rough chopped, half in the Cuisinart, reserve half. 2 small onions, diced and half reserved. 2 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped in the Cuisinart. Some Cillantro (to taste), half reserved. Peppers (again to taste), half chopped and into the Cuisinart, half chopped then minced, reserved. I run the approximately half of everything through the Cuisinart until it's about the consistency of a coarse gaspacho. Then I scoop that into a bowl, chop the rest of the veg and mix together. That yields a nice blend of saucy/chunky. This one turned out medium hot.

Then I cleaned up, and started again, making Pesto sauce. Considerably more garlic this time - 13 cloves (up to a full head, if you like) gets crushed and minced, then pitched into the Cuisinart, on top of the basil leaves that (rinsed and dried) loosely fill the food processor. Add the pine nuts (2-3 ounces) and some olive oil. Process into a puree, adding olive oil (I use Bertolli Gentile al Palato Extra Virgin) until the sauce is cohesive and thick (you can see the consistency in one of the pictures above). Then I quickly grated and mixed in perhaps a cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese. The last picture on the right shows both Pesto and salsa, me behind the camera in a state of salivation. Pesto, of course, is commonly used in place of red sauce on pasta. I also like it as an hors d'ouerve spread for crackers or bread. It also makes a nice pizza sauce. Bear in mind that it's a high fat and high calorie sauce.

It was a rough week in Iraq. Our young men and women gave their lives for our policies, for our freedom, and for the freedom of the Iraqies...

• Sgt. James D. Carroll, 23, of McKenzie, Tenn., died July 31 near Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.
• Pfc. Jason D. Scheuerman, 20, of Lynchburg, Va., died July 30 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries.
• Spc. Robert A. Swaney, 21, of West Jefferson, Ohio, died July 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol HMMWV.
• Staff Sgt. Jason W. Montefering, 27, of Parkston, S.D. died on July 24, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
• Spc. Ernest W. Dallas Jr., 21, of Denton, Texas died on July 24, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
• Sgt. Milton M. Monzon Jr., 21, of Los Angeles, Calif. died on July 24, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
• Pfc. Ramon A. Villatoro Jr., 19, of Bakersfield, Calif. died on July 24, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
• Spc. Adrian J. Butler, 28, of East Lansing, Mich. died July 27 in Ashraf, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during a patrol.
• and Spc. John O. Tollefson, 22, of Fond du Lac, Wis. died July 27 in Ashraf, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during a patrol.
• Sgt. James R. Graham III, 25, of Coweta, Okla., died August 1 as result of a suicide, vehicle-born, improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Hit, Iraq.
• Cpl. Jeffrey A. Boskovitch, 25, of Seven Hills, Ohio died Aug. 1 as result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting dismounted operations outside Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Roger D. Castleberry Jr., 26, of Austin, Texas died Aug. 1 as result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting dismounted operations outside Haditha, Iraq.
• Sgt. David J. Coullard, 32, of Glastonbury, Conn. died Aug. 1 as result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting dismounted operations outside Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Daniel N. Deyarmin Jr., 22, of Tallmadge, Ohio died Aug. 1 as result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting dismounted operations outside Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Brian P. Montgomery, 26, of Willoughby, Ohio died Aug. 1 as result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting dismounted operations outside Haditha, Iraq.
• Sgt. Nathaniel S. Rock, 26, of Toronto, Ohio died Aug. 1 as result of enemy small-arms fire while conducting dismounted operations outside Haditha, Iraq.
• Staff Sgt. James D. McNaughton, 27, of Middle Village, N.Y., died August 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was struck by sniper fire while he was in a guard tower.
• Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas C. Hull, 41, of Princeton, Ill., died Aug. 2 on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Arabian Gulf after being medically evacuated to the carrier for a non-combat related incident.
• Lance Cpl. Michael J. Cifuentes, 25, of Fairfield, Ohio died Aug. 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Grant B. Fraser, 22, of Anchorage, Alaska died Aug. 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Aaron H. Reed, 21, of Chillicothe, Ohio died Aug. 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Edward A. Schroeder II, 23, of Columbus, Ohio died Aug. 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Kevin G. Waruinge, 22, of Tampa, Fla. died Aug. 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. William B. Wightman, 22, of Sabina, Ohio died Aug. 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Bell Jr., 22, of West Chesterfield, Ohio died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Eric J. Bernholtz, 23, of Grove City, Ohio died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Nicholas William B. Bloem, 20, of Belgrade, Mont. died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Sgt. Bradley J. Harper, 25, of Dresden, Ohio died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Sgt. Justin F. Hoffman, 27, of Delaware, Ohio died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Cpl. David Kenneth J. Kreuter, 26, of Cincinnati, Ohio died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Cpl. David S. Stewart, 24, of Bogalusa, La. died August 3 when his Amphibious Assault Vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations south of Haditha, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Adam J. Strain, 20, of Smartsville, Calif., died Aug 3 as result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
• Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Dyer, 19, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died Aug 3 when the amphibious assault vehicle in which he was a passenger was hit by an improvised explosive device.
• Staff Sgt. Chad J. Simon, 32, of Madison, Wis., died Aug. 4, while under hospice care in Madison, Wis., from wounds he received on Nov. 8, 2004 from an explosion while conducting combat operations in Babil Province, Iraq.
• Spc. Jerry L. Ganey Jr., 29, of Folkston, Ga. died on Aug. 3, in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his armored personnel carrier.
• Spc. Mathew V. Gibbs, 21, of Ambrose, Ga. died on Aug. 3, in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his armored personnel carrier.
• Sgt. 1st Class Charles H. Warren, 36, of Duluth, Ga. died on Aug. 3, in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his armored personnel carrier.
• Sgt. 1st Class Victor A. Anderson, 39, of Ellaville, Ga. died on July 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while he was on patrol.
• Staff Sgt. David R. Jones Sr., 45, of Augusta, Ga. died on July 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while he was on patrol.
• Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley Sr., 34, of Valdosta, Ga. died on July 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while he was on patrol.
• Gunnery Sgt. Theodore Clark Jr., 31, of Emporia, Va., died Aug 4 when the vehicle in which he was a passenger was struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Gardez, Afghanistan.
• Pvt. 1st Class Nils G. Thompson, 19, of Confluence, Pa., died Aug. 4, in Mosul, Iraq, when he was struck by enemy fire while on a routine patrol at an Iraqi police station.

I've spent a few minutes in contemplation of the sacrifice made by these 42 soldiers, marines and sailors. I'm told by the news that the insurgents are being supplied by Iran ... the same Iran that takes monies and aid in concession, then continues their weapons-grade uranium program anyway. I don't see that we need to waste soldiers flattening that patch of sand.

And I just got a call from Leah's cell phone. Yeah, Leah Syroid. Someone must have bumped the Bilbrey speed-dial button, because I listened to assorted Syroid's shopping for a while, while I whistled and shouted "HELLO" into the handset in hopes of someone noticing. Finally I hung up, waited a minute for the line to clear, then called back and spoke to Danielle, who had the phone, but was by now in a different part of the store. She said she'd have her mom call back. It'll be great to have some news from the Great White North, especially while it's not one of the "white" seasons (it's Construction up there, unless I'm mistaken).

Now I've got to go feed the mutts. Yesterday was a special dinner day for them, as we celebrated Molly's birthday ... birthday for a rescue dog is the day we bring them home. Molly's been with us a year now. How fun! See you on Monday!

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Visit the rest of the DAYNOTES GANG, a collection of bright minds and sharp wits. Really, I don't know why they tolerate me <grin>. My personal inspiration for these pages is Dr. Jerry Pournelle. I am also indebted to Bob Thompson and Tom Syroid for their patience, guidance and feedback. Of course, I am sustained by and beholden to my lovely wife, Marcia. You can find her online too, at http://www.dutchgirl.net/. Thanks for dropping by.

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