Tagboard

I just added a tagboard (or chatbox) to my website, and elected to go with CBox. Here you can leave messages or interactively chat with whomever else is currently visiting online. The messages can be more general in nature rather than having to respond directly as a comment to a particular blog post.

Looking forward to seeing how this works out; scroll on down the sidebar on the left and you'll eventually find it.

Wii

Seems that this is the techno gaming device du jour. During the holidays it was difficult finding one, and still to this day people are lining up at stores' doorsteps waiting to buy one. You may have seen the ads featuring two Japanese businessmen introducing the Wii into people's lives. I don't know much about the product, but looks to me like a Virtual Reality (VR) type device. Or interactive gaming. Two coworkers recently bought one, each at their respective local Target stores about a week ago.

The chief competitor to the Nintendo Wii is Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3), which I hear is not as streamlined and more expensive. If you are reading this as a current or recent post, check elsewhere in my website for the YouTube video featuring the parody commercial (à la PC vs Mac) between the two products. A bit of warning: the parody consists of some bare skin, but nothing pornographic.

What It Is

I took a short motorcycle ride today (just 110 miles) grabbing lunch in the Sierra foothill town of Jackson. Most of my creative thinking occurs while the ol' noggin is encased in a skull bucket as I casually cruise through the bucolic countryside.

Last night I was playing around with Blogger, creating a site to showcase what can be done here as compared to what a neophyte friend is composing at another site. Suzi and her husband travel as much as possible on their vacations, and both being certified scuba divers, choose destinations where the waters are generally warm. Suzi is looked upon by many people as a wealth of information for the cruise industry and is why she is trying her hand at developing a website. She likes what I whipped up compared to her efforts at tripod.com (I found their servers to be rather slow). Which leads me to my topic for discussion: what it is.

Her website's intent is focused on providing information for a 2007 Scuba Cruise (click to see my interpretation).

Dragonmojo on the other hand is weighted more toward the blog end of the spectrum, perhaps as Blogger intended. Blog, short for web log. Log, as in, let's say... diary? A nice feature of Blogger is the ability to post new entries easily without any (or much) coding. Suzi will likely not have to make many changes once all the information have been posted. This is my long way around to answer what dragonmojo.com is about, and after a little deliberation while soaking up some scenery which included rolling hills, oak trees, hawks, ducks and egrets, here it is:

As TV's "Seinfeld" was "the show about nothing", dragonmojo.com is "a blogsite about nothing". Now if only it could be as successful as Seinfeld was.

It is what it is.

News Ewe Can Ewes

I read an article in today's paper regarding ovine homosexuality (rams ramming other rams). I must have been snoozing again, since this news has stirred up plenty of jokes in the blogosphere and I am now just catching wind of it. I couldn't locate the article online, but here is an article from the O.C. Register. I am sure you can search for many more!

My take on this is that the farmer boys are presenting these rams too much competition. OK, I'm running the risk of catching hell from Martina Navratilova... so there!

Service With a Smile

Sure we can deliver, but you can only choose TWO:

• Done Fast
• Done Right
• Done Cheap

Good day... come back soon!

Fiery Crash Kills

(CBS13/AP/CHP) VACAVILLE, Calif. A fiery freeway collision killed three people, left two clinging to life, injured five, and closed down a section of Interstate 80 on the busy route between San Francisco and Sacramento on Saturday.
(read more...)

Whoa, I had considered riding in this direction yesterday morning, but still would have missed getting tangled up in the mess. For one, I would have taken an exit 10-20 miles before the accident site. And timing... I hit the road at 9:30am whereas the accident occured around 11:30am (by that time I had already ridden up the hill the opposite direction and having lunch in Grass Valley). The CHP does not believe the vehicle was speeding, but suspects alcohol or drugs as the contributing factor (17 and 19 year old occupants; both dead). This is very tragic, especially when something of this nature is unexpected and can happen to anyone, a matter of being at the wrong place and the wrong time. So sad.

I would like to know also if cellphone usage may have been involved.

Chevron or Shell?

These are two names in gasoline that have been around for a long time. There are other brands out there, but I chose to discuss Chevron and Shell due to two recent experiences I have had. On a motorcycle trip last summer I was on the last leg home from Flagstaff, AZ. I was heading west on Hwy4 near the town of Murphys in the Sierra foothills. Time to fill up. There was a Chevron station on the left side of the road, but about another 50 feet further was a Shell station to the right. Right turn in, right turn out... I figured it'd be more convenient to go Shell. After filling up my tank, I had to pay the loo a visit, only to be informed that it was out of order. Pardon me, but I bought gas from you?

Last weekend I was riding through the small foothill town of Ione and had to fill up (and empty). I was faced again with the same scenario (Chevron left, Shell caddy-corner on the right). Again I opted for convenience, but since my previous summer's episode I now empty first, fill up later. The Shell station did not have a public restroom, so I mounted up and headed across the street where I also had a brief conversation with the Chevron clerk. I sheepishly mentioned my experiences with their competitor, whereupon she explained that Chevron requires that they have restrooms available (whether this is corporate policy or something else, I do not know). If they're unavailable for any reason, she said that I can demand having access to one (probably meaning a private restroom).

This is my personal consumer report: GO CHEVRON!

Local Deaths and the News

A local area woman died this past weekend from water intoxication, which made national news. This was all part of a radio promotion contest (click here for story).

What also happened that Saturday was a less publicized accident which took the life of a woman as she was leaving a shopping center in her Toyota.

The driver of the Toyota, a 53-year-old woman from Shingle Springs died as a result of her injuries. The two 17-year-old drivers who are suspected of street racing are now in juvenile hall, facing charges of vehicular manslaughter.
(more...)

This news did not make the national circuit, and my guess is because this is not that uncommon (especially compared to death by water consumption). However, since this is becoming epidemic, more attention needs to be directed at curbing this reckless behavior. What the article did not mention is that the boys showed no remorse when they were attempting to salvage their stereo system. Sad indeed... sadder yet is that the driver and his 17-yr old male passenger were left unscathed, the innocent driver being the only victim in the crash.

Ooh That Smell

Mmm, the smell of garlic is permeating my home! I minced up a clove and threw it in the fry pan with some shrimp I was cooking for dinner tonight. I don't remember having a fondness for garlic when I was a kid; rather, I think it was just the opposite. Funny how the palate changes when one grows older. The downside to this culinary preference is that I no longer can get close enough to pitch a clever pickup line. Or even a bad one.

Then again, I haven't stepped in any stinkin' guano lately either!

Bookends

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was a time of innocence,
a time of confidences. Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph.


Preserve your memories;
they're all that's left you.





I was going through my computer's various folders and came across this photograph of an old girlfriend. Patti and I dated for 4 years with the intention of making it a lifetime; we parted on amicable (although painful) terms. She wasn't ready and had to do what had to be done. We were both still young and at the time I refused to believe that she was probably right. I was depressed and hurting for awhile after the breakup, but in retrospect, had things been different I may have ended up with a perfectly sound and model nuclear family, an SUV and no motorcycles, and a repressed sense of humor.

Whew, I may have dodged a bullet there!

You Don't Know Jack

He's pale, he's bald, his nose is rather pointed and his head is disproportionately large for his body. If you've been following his Jack-in-the-Box commercials on TV, then perhaps you've had a chance to see his gorgeous wife. Wow. She's a hottie (yes, a HOTTIE). So what is it about Jack that won over the missus' affection (Jack, post some provocative pictures of her, please)? I narrowed down my speculation to two possibilities, one having to do with a physical aspect I did not happen to mention.

But I think it's the money.

Hands Off!

California has passed a law that will require a hands-free device for cellphone use while driving. It's about time... but that time won't be until the summer of 2008. Seems the lawmakers wanted to ensure that this law will pass by allowing ample time for drivers to purchase the necessary equipment to comply, but c'mon, a whole year-and-a-half to go out and buy a bluetooth headset? I guess I should just be content that it will happen. I have witnessed way too many incidents of erratic traffic behavior due to drivers' preoccupation with the party on the other end of their cellphones. However, I am curious as to how well this law will (or can) be enforced judging from the enormous ratio of abusers on the road.

Hands or not, I still feel the problem is mainly due to the distraction of engaging in the phone conversation itself... but hopefully this will be a good start.

Yvonne De Carlo - R.I.P.

I enjoyed watching the antics of the Munster family while growing up: Herman, Lily, Grandpa, Marilyn and Eddie. And didn't they have a "dog" named Spot? Their residence at 1313 Mockingbird Lane would have made a great frat house; no Halloween effort will ever hold a candle to their home's naturally macabre decor.

Lily Munster died today; may she rest in peace.

What TV? Heroes

I saw the advertising trailers prior to this series' debut back in September 2006 and took it in stride. Nothing jumped out at me to garner a "must see!" reaction. Well, I am just glad that it aired on Monday nights and not competing opposite any other shows I happen to watch. "Heroes" has generated quite a following, and you can add Yours Truly to the list of ardent fans.

As the viewing audience is discovering the nature of each hero's powers, the heroes, themselves, are discovering what having superpowers means to them as well as the larger picture of where their superpowers come from. Tune in each week to see how these heroes are drawn together by their common interest of evading the series' antagonist who wants to harvest their super-DNA for himself. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world!

More can be found by clicking on TV.com.

The Word Is...

1. Slow-witted when done again.
2. That feeling after pulling an all-nighter.
3. Requisite to being goose downed.
4. Deposit #2.
5. It'll get you the bronze.

Whose Space?

I have a MySpace account, mainly to find and/or keep in touch with anyone I might know who otherwise would not have found his or her way onto the Internet. The last news I heard was that MySpace was no longer the exclusive social playground for subteens, teens and early 20-somethings... the age demographic has moved broadly northward. So how does it compare to, let's say, a Blogger site?

One thing that definitely stands out in my mind is the "Friends" feature. Plenty of friends stopping by and posting their messages, with several having the distinction of making the Top 10 Favorites. The Inner Circle. The Popular Kids. THE CLIQUE. From what I've seen, many of these "friends" have never personally met but are drawn together through some form of commonality, whatever that may be.

"Whassup?"
"Just stopped in to say Hi!"
"You're hot. Thanks for adding me as your friend."
"I was like, pulling an all-nighter and it was sooo bitchin!"
"Yo, gorgeous!"

Perhaps there is a strong sense of community here; I wouldn't know, since I was one of the outsiders back in high school. Didn't even make the Breakfast Club. I personally could not imagine there being much substance to these "friendships" made in MySpace and liken it more to a popularity contest. I use the term "friends" loosely to describe the many fine (and so-so) acquaintances that I have in my past and present life. True friendships are usually developed over time and with some nurturing, with maybe a few rare exceptions. It does not necessarily mean keeping constant company of others but you know it when you've attained it. Or maybe not.

In closing, Aristotle may have described this best: "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies".

What TV? 24

I only started watching this TV series in its 5th season and I'm hooked. I also had a chance to catch up on the first two seasons (and part of the 3rd) through network syndication. The question is, "what took me so long?".

One of the most innovative, thrilling and acclaimed drama series on television, 24, created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, will retain its unique and pioneering format in the sixth season. Each episode will cover one hour of real time, and the season’s entire story will take place in one day. Once again, viewers will be able to follow several key characters through a day that none of them will ever forget. 24’s pulsating season five opened with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) forced out of hiding after the shocking assassination of President Palmer (Dennis Haybert), the murder of Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth) and an attack on Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard).

More can be found by clicking on TV.com.

Bosses Don't Keep Their Word

"It is important to stay positive, even when you get irritated or discouraged, because few subordinate-supervisor relationships last forever," he said. "You want the next boss to know what you can do for the company."

Here is an Associated Press (AP) article I found on a local news station website to start off the New Year (especially for those of us who report back to work for the first time in 2007). Looks like misery loves company.