General Thoughts

Wow, it’s kinda dusty around here. Yes, indeed I haven’t blogged for a full week. I was sick, and made myself chill out and heal. Sitting around is really overrated, and I’m actually starting to question how good I’ll be at retirement when the time comes. Thankfully, I have about 20-30 years to ponder the issue. 😉

As to the week I’ve had, well, both Donna and I were sick. I with the flu, she with chicken pox. Thankfully, it was a very mild case of the pox, and she is back to work doing well now. It is funny whenever we talk about chicken pox in our house, however, because when I was younger, I had them BAD. Back then, I was just about as geeky as I am now, and so I logically deduced that scratching the chicken pox on my head would be perfectly fine. See, the hair would cover any scarring. If you’ve seen my hairline recently, you’ll understand the err of my pre-teen thought process.

Thankfully, I didn’t have any chicken pox in the David Letterman region of my head, so assuming I don’t start balding on top, I should be fine. If I ever shave my head, however, I suspect I’ll be able to do a pretty good Luna impression.

Over at Aff The Fang, Crystal does a weekly assignment that is designed to take the pain of Monday away, if only a bit. This week, we get to write off whatever we want for our taxes.

1. Nevada. I used Nevada as an example of a place that uses a lot of electricity, therefore it is a work tool. While it’s lost significant value since The Star Trek Experience closed down, I still estimate it’s worth around $1,000,000,000.
2. One Pilot G2 pen. It’s only about half gone, as I don’t write very much, so I’ll only claim half. 63 cents.
3. One Silky Terrier. I’ve used this to relieve stress, and as a security system for my home office. $500.
4. 231,455 cubic feet of oxygen. I’ve used approximately that much to stay alive during my work day. At present market rate, this is worth approximately $15,500.
5. One truck. Used during the filming of “TruckCam”. Approximate value, $600.
6. One 2007 Dodge Caravan. Used during filming of “TruckCam” before “TruckCam” was officially titled. Approximate value, $21,400.
7. 12 months worth of blood pressure medicine. Definitely work related expense. $1,600.
8. 52 bottles of wine. See reason on item 7. $1,000.
9. Several metric tons of coffee grounds. $12,000.
10. Last but not least, I’m claiming the Internet on my tax deductions. I use it constantly. Based on RIAA and MPAA pricing for the value of audio and video content on the Internet, I estimate the Internet is worth approximately $342,230,423,232,004,327,242,000,234.43

This is one cool thing about living in Northern Michigan

Posted by shawnp0wers on Natuba

Donna and I, dressed in our 50's gear. And yes, those are Lucky Strikes. 🙂

Posted by shawnp0wers on Natuba

• I find it intriguing that my windshield wipers short out when it rains. On any given day of the week, I can use them — but when it rains, they short out.
• I think “convenience sized” bars of soap at hotels are very inconveniently sized.

Yes yes, only two — now it’s your job to continue. No oxymoron is too moronic. No pair a docks is too paradoxical. No puns are too punny. No play on words to too playful…

GO!

Hey guess what? I haven’t been posting a lot lately. I find that upsetting and disturbing. It probably hasn’t bothered you as much, but bear with me…

I’ve decided to give you an actual aural snapshot of the thoughts in my brain for the past few weeks. If you can help sort out what it means, I’d happily be happy. Or something. Here ya go, a fresh recording:

[display_podcast]

Streaming Video by Ustream.TV

*whew* — what a week. Many of you know that I won’t be doing a review video this week for Linux Journal.

WAIT! Step away from the edge of that building. The story doesn’t end there. 🙂

Starting this evening, I’ll be hosting “Linux Journal Live” on Thursday nights. When I was in Houston back in March, a live show was something we discussed as a future endeavor. (Carlie left the notes on her whiteboard, and we also apparently had a plan to “squirt video”, the definition of which baffles me to this day…) Anyway, the future is today. At 8:30PM EST to be precise.

There will be live chat, a cool co-host, and most likely coffee. Well, at least for me.

So please, join us! http://www.linuxjournal.com/live

As Nathan points out, I’ve been doing a lot of videos lately, and fewer and fewer posts that require actual text. It’s not because I forgot how to write, or because I think writing is outdated, but rather quite the opposite.

I’ve been working on an outline for a book. I find that if I write a lot here, I lose my desire to write privately. Also, if I put what I’m writing online immediately, I think after the first action scene, I wouldn’t want to delve back into the story, and it’d go unfinished.

BUT, I have this burning need for instant gratification and an online presence. I find that videos like “Truck Cam” fill that creative need without ruining writing for me. So, if things go right, this winter my actual blog writing will decrease (not go away), and my private writing will increase. I’m not going to let myself share any details until I’m finished, if nothing else than for motivation to complete the book. I’m going to be constantly reminding myself that a finished “sucky” book is easier to fix up than a half finished “good” book. Hopefully I’ll listen to myself and just write.

But NOW, I need to prepare for a community-wide technology meeting that I’m in charge of running! Wish me luck!