tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22647088182005032992024-03-19T05:46:57.079-04:00What The Head Knob Thinks About...Thoughts & ObservationsSimply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-67402744042610055072010-02-03T23:40:00.003-05:002010-02-03T23:47:24.510-05:00Friends III haven't figured them out. Probably won't.<br /><br />I haven't seen much of mine lately. I've been busy and so have they I guess. One thing I won't do is have people over for food and beer anytime soon. All the times I opened the house and threw impromptu parties I never asked for anything in return. Or offered to help my friends with anything, or never said no when help was asked of me.<br /><br />Normally I wouldn't think about these things, but since I lost my job and haven't been working steady (these last two weeks are an exception) I figured I would get a call from someone wondering if there was something I needed or how I was doing. I know we're not the type of friends that would show up at somebody's house with a casserole, or anything. But come on, maybe an invite to come over for dinner or something. Even a half hearted phone call to ask how I was doing would be nice.<br /><br />Ah well, I guess the only person I can really count on is myself.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-39104924623349388492009-12-13T10:30:00.000-05:002009-12-13T10:31:31.683-05:00FriendsSometimes I wonder who they really are.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-2117890835285583262009-04-01T11:43:00.001-04:002009-04-01T11:44:39.831-04:00ChromeI've been using Google's browser, Chrome, for the last couple days and so far I like it. There haven't been any pages that don't load, and I haven't had any Java issues.<br /><br />I think I like, and will keep using it.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-3948818012561885542009-03-31T11:12:00.002-04:002009-03-31T11:29:04.185-04:00EnergyThere have been many times I've thought about the price of oil and how its driven up by the false demand generated by speculative trading. I've talked with many friends about ethanol, corn versus saw grass versus cane, and the absurdity of the US not mass producing it. It becomes even more absured when you consider that many Latin American countries have been consuming it at a greater pace then gasoline for almost a decade. A simple search of <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/">The Christian Science Monitor</a> pulls articles dating back to 1981 talking about the pros and cons of ethanol. And never mind the lack of coverage in the main stream media.<br /><br />There is no doubt corn ethanol is cost prohibitive, but could it be argued that the money going into farm subsidies could be shifted to bring the cost down? Remember the rise in corn prices recently affecting nearly everything including milk? Partly, in my opinion, due to the lack of corn being grown because of the subsidies.<br /><br />Anyway, I saw <a href="http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/30/1871113.aspx">this article</a> on MSNBC.com about <a href="http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/30/1871113.aspx">energy from algea</a> and it floored. I remember the NBC Nightly News clip it referenced and thinking at the time I saw it that it was amazing.<br /><br />I can only imagine what is keeping this technology from advancing; Lobbyists for big oil, coal, and natural gas.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-76518664691859325332009-02-16T13:49:00.002-05:002009-02-16T13:50:29.975-05:00Lunch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmpbt8cPB3PD21FmxCDtGyx3CgwqdXyqKMwrh_yTtLm1uIvQoW8Y-E_0ToS-Vc5Z5KdCBnia53OsbUNjkIz6JgjCdIgf5IWbipCQB5p0On7cEkEY8jHd41KfmyU04AmNtTA2qNOrDnSNS/s1600-h/SSPX0068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmpbt8cPB3PD21FmxCDtGyx3CgwqdXyqKMwrh_yTtLm1uIvQoW8Y-E_0ToS-Vc5Z5KdCBnia53OsbUNjkIz6JgjCdIgf5IWbipCQB5p0On7cEkEY8jHd41KfmyU04AmNtTA2qNOrDnSNS/s320/SSPX0068.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303469466172506914" /></a><br />I think I made the wrong decision...Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-27813479821665968582009-02-12T22:43:00.005-05:002009-07-09T07:27:38.464-04:00I think I've had a lot of cars1978 Blue Datsun 210<br />1979 Red Datsun 310 - "The Shit Bucket"<br />1980 Green Buick Century<br />1978 Black Mustang II Fastback<br />1983 Grey Chevy Cavalier - "Bob" which Ryan and I shared<br />1986 Hunter Green Olds 98<br />1978 White Mustang II Fastback<br />1984 Blue Buick LeSabre<br />1986 Champagne Olds Cutlass Supreme<br />1984 Black Toyota Celica - "Hector"<br />1984 Silver and Wood grain Buick LeSabre Electra Station Wagon - "Roger the Party Wagon"<br />1991 White Dodge Dynasty<br />1988 Green Chevy Caprice<br />1984 Grey Ford Crown Victoria<br />1991 Silver Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor<br />1991 Black GMC Sonoma S15<br />1979 Red Mustang<br />1984 Beige Crown Victoria<br />1988 Blue Crown Victoria<br />2003 Silver Ford Focus - Company Car<br />1992 Black Mazda MX6<br />1990 Silver Crown Victoria<br />1995 Champagne Lincoln Town Car<br />1981 Light Blue Chevy 3/4 Pick Up<br />2000 Sun Green Saab 93<br />1986 Blue K10 Chevy Blazer<br />2009 Green Mercury Milan - Company Car<br /><br />I added another one...<br /><br />1990 Red Ford F150Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-67007318091496160502009-02-05T09:01:00.002-05:002009-02-05T09:11:45.384-05:00WorkYesterday I bid a project at the University of Akron that was restoring some Terra Cotta and brick, replacing sealants and flashing, and cleaning and waterproofing some walls. Pretty straight forward stuff, but considering the building is large, there is a lot of work. Enough to warrant, so the architect thought, a budget of $695,000.00.<br /><br />I looked at the plans, read the specs, got material and equipment pricing, and put all the information together. When my bid was $412,000 I thought I missed something, so I re-checked all my numbers and called some friends who were bidding it also. They were below the budget too, so I was comfortable with my number. After sitting down with the boss to review the bid, we ended up at $389,000 trying to be as competitive as we could to get the job.<br /><br />When I was in the room for the bid opening and the results were being read, I almost fell out of my chair. There is a line between being competitive and being stupid, and I think the low number was stupid. Stupid enough that it should be carefully considered and reviewed by the owner and possibly rejected. The results are below, my bid is fourth.<br /><br />1 – $257,700<br />2 – $303,000<br />3 – $325,500<br />4 – $389,000 My Bid<br />5 – $394,000<br />6 – $413,433<br />7 – $443,992<br />8 – $490,390<br />9 – $567,006Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-55499476968141907902009-02-02T10:39:00.002-05:002009-02-02T10:40:48.317-05:00RadioI can not for the life of me understand why Carla listens to the radio when the station is mostly tuned. I think the fuzziness with the voices is about the most annoying thing i've ever heard.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-56513383446734943202009-01-19T19:34:00.002-05:002009-01-19T19:39:42.262-05:00SunriseI shot this along Rt 422 near Delightful OH, it was -7 degrees F. I don't know if the temperature had anything to do with how the light came through the clouds, but it sure was pretty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSH0XRBO2Q201gGZFqL2_QsK5wlm1bYi2UglJAlZ2j0BY7wJY1W0HheWttMnSmzOcarNMMqTex2cKVUihCvgsydLZlLdQJjAOfqWIXsubqWopl67TH3u2qe-idknVMyR73aQ2WGB9CbWt/s1600-h/P1160001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSH0XRBO2Q201gGZFqL2_QsK5wlm1bYi2UglJAlZ2j0BY7wJY1W0HheWttMnSmzOcarNMMqTex2cKVUihCvgsydLZlLdQJjAOfqWIXsubqWopl67TH3u2qe-idknVMyR73aQ2WGB9CbWt/s320/P1160001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293169036034340130" /></a>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-30280228894406931462009-01-15T10:41:00.004-05:002009-01-15T10:54:07.056-05:00An Atheist on Jesus?I don't have terribly deep religous convictions, nor to I prosthelitze to my friends. But this struck me as odd. Camille Paglia claiming to hear a "very distinct speaking voice in the saying attributed to Jesus."<br /><br />Having spent a couple years worshiping at a First Assembly of God church, one thing I learned was there are almost to many translations of the Bible to count. We typically read out of the New International Version, but sometimes Pastor would pull out a King James or the New American Standard. Each has their own cadence and grammar structure. Often the same passage will read differently and use different words but the meaning is generally the same.<br /><br />If a speaking voice is grounded in subtly and nuance, which I believe it is, has Ms. Paglia literally critiqued them all?<br /><br />See <a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/01/everyone.html">The Daily Dish Article here</a> with the link to the original article.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-34482215374670537992009-01-15T09:52:00.003-05:002009-01-15T09:57:28.255-05:00BushismsI think these are funny!<br /><br />"The important question is, how many hands have I shaked?"<br /><br />"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004<br /><br />"I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."—Greater Nashua, N.H., Chamber of Commerce, Jan. 27, 2000<br /><br />"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"—Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000<br /><br />"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004<br /><br />"Neither in French nor in English nor in Mexican."—declining to answer reporters' questions at the Summit of the Americas, Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001<br /><br />"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''—Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001<br /><br />"I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense."—Washington, D.C., April 18, 2006<br /><br />"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005<br /><br />"I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."—discussing former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as quoted by the Sun newspaper, June 27, 2007<br /><br />"And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq."—meeting with Army Gen. Ray Odierno, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2008<br /><br />"We ought to make the pie higher."—South Carolina Republican debate, Feb. 15, 2000<br /><br />"There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."—Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002<br /><br />"And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."—speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007<br /><br />"We'll let our friends be the peacekeepers and the great country called America will be the pacemakers."—Houston, Sept. 6, 2000<br /><br />"It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet."—Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000<br /><br />"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."—U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 3, 2000<br /><br />"People say, 'How can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil?' You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002<br /><br />"Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness."—CNN online chat, Aug. 30, 2000<br /><br />"I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend."—on the prospect of visiting Denmark, Washington, D.C., June 29, 2005<br /><br />"I think it's really important for this great state of baseball to reach out to people of all walks of life to make sure that the sport is inclusive. The best way to do it is to convince little kids how to—the beauty of playing baseball."—Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2006<br /><br />"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."—LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000<br /><br />"You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said, I want to be a war president. No president wants to be a war president, but I am one."—Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 26, 2006<br /><br />"There's a huge trust. I see it all the time when people come up to me and say, 'I don't want you to let me down again.' "—Boston, Oct. 3, 2000<br /><br />"They misunderestimated me."—Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000<br /><br />"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."—Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008<br /><br /><a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2208132/">See the full article here on Slate.</a>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-33225658245473816852009-01-14T10:00:00.003-05:002009-01-14T10:02:34.330-05:00StressI think people's stress levels are relative to their normal level of activity.<br /><br />The stay at home parent probably gets stressed scheduling play dates for five little munchkins. The event planner gets stressed two weeks out from a gala with a 1,000 person guest list.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-74845361072750162772009-01-07T20:52:00.002-05:002009-01-07T20:53:26.365-05:00I think name generators are great!<p>My Secret Agent name is <b>Agent Hardass</b>.<br /><a href="http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen/2962/">Take Secret Agent Name Generator today!</a><br /><small>Created with <a href="http://rumandmonkey.com/">Rum and Monkey</a>'s <a href="http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen/">Name Generator Generator</a>.</small></p>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-24896228502477950962009-01-07T11:36:00.002-05:002009-01-07T11:37:03.014-05:00UNClean CoalAgain, I really think there is no such thing as clean coal. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/us/07sludge.html?hp">See?</a>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-58121261215563606452009-01-06T10:00:00.003-05:002009-01-06T10:02:40.501-05:00The Price of OilI'm trying to think about reasons why the Israeli incursion into Gaza and Russia's GazProm fiddling with natural gas supplies is <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/28511256">pushing up the price of oil</a>.<br /><br />Anyone?Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-47968146859016230432009-01-06T09:41:00.000-05:002009-01-06T09:42:52.142-05:00I Miss Liquid TelevisionThe Hindenburg<br /><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=12213986">Stick Figure Theatre - Hindenburg</a><br/><object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=12213986,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=12213986,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-37236394041834373252009-01-05T11:00:00.002-05:002009-01-05T11:03:15.696-05:00PseudoephedrineI think it's silly I can't get pseudoephedrine products unless the pharmacy is open.<br /><br />Has that control really affected drug production? Are there stats to back it up?Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-54389242970117426192009-01-04T13:21:00.002-05:002009-01-04T13:22:58.761-05:00The Photographic DictionaryI think you'll like this.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thephotographicdictionary.org/home.html">Enjoy</a><br /><br />Hat tip to <a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/">Andrew Sullivan</a>.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-77889394005214331952008-12-27T22:33:00.004-05:002008-12-27T22:36:39.149-05:00the Fratellis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45_mcxfuUflrHeL8nGYdgPqxghuWXSa9nmkbNkMTcgxiIME7Bw44gUT5197Q5SH0VktE7D2rfxKR_SZm7uUiM_t5OklLzWJxxSaEiKote7KYyBgGjgsEBGzX7fAN4soh7Me80BCsQipp1/s1600-h/photo_the-fratellis_profile.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45_mcxfuUflrHeL8nGYdgPqxghuWXSa9nmkbNkMTcgxiIME7Bw44gUT5197Q5SH0VktE7D2rfxKR_SZm7uUiM_t5OklLzWJxxSaEiKote7KYyBgGjgsEBGzX7fAN4soh7Me80BCsQipp1/s320/photo_the-fratellis_profile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284679773270300738" /></a><br />I think these guys are about the best new group I've listened to.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/littlebabyfratelli">Check them out, please.</a>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-49591001366141219412008-12-27T08:33:00.001-05:002008-12-27T08:34:51.014-05:00And now, 209Think I can get to 190 by the 15th?Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-63047372280901140802008-12-26T09:58:00.001-05:002008-12-26T09:59:29.684-05:00Weight IIIMorning of the 26th after movement;<br /><br />Weight - 210 lbs.<br /><br />Impressive.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-91655378283233338142008-12-25T22:55:00.001-05:002008-12-25T22:55:48.864-05:00Weight IIChristmas Night weight - 214 lbs.<br /><br />I thought it would be more!Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-39742469464241630842008-12-25T09:36:00.001-05:002008-12-25T09:36:52.241-05:00Clean Coal?There is no such thing as clean coal technology. Nothing.<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/us/25sludge.html?_r=1&hp"><br />See?</a>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-88431425438721252242008-12-25T09:33:00.000-05:002008-12-25T09:34:04.798-05:00WeightChristmas Morning weight - 213 lbs.Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2264708818200503299.post-73818959363882269402008-12-23T10:04:00.002-05:002008-12-23T10:07:09.597-05:00Definately Worth Reading<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-etheridge/the-choice-is-ours-now_b_152947.html">A piece from Melissa Etheridge on the Huffington Post.</a>Simply Mindedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14890822547866704216noreply@blogger.com0