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December 31, 2004

Its Kevin Friday

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Well It's Kevin Friday... (Not the other Kevin, this Kevin... now we're getting into multiple names). Anyway the Kevin you see above on one of his Milk Mustache Photo Sessions in the late 90's. As you know they only get the greatest, musicians or artist or sports hero's for such pictures. Kevin would fall into the later. Well known for his speed (although not as fast as a speeding locamotive), he is a lover of sports. In fact he's probably watching football right now.

But there are things you may not know about Kevin. He's an avid reader, if there is a book around he'll pick it up soon, and he likes wildlife. (As you see him here in search of the rare midnight butterfly). But really Kevin is a super nice guy... pretty much always with a smile (or smirk) on his face... and ready to give out a hardy head tipping laugh. (Well except that brief period when he was considering jumping off ledges) Oh and he'll never really talk about people bad... its rare he gets caught in the mire of gossip.

And Never forget his rib eating skills!

Anyway, Kevin... Kevin Friday add your stories...

December 30, 2004

Creative Pangram Thursday

A Pangram is a sentence that contains all 26 letters of the alphabet.

See if you can write one... harder than you think... the goal is to create as short a sentence as possible. For a bigger challenge... make two... that work together. I didnt fare to well... 68 letters in each of my sentences...

Ponder the Pangram

Ever been lazy in the ghetto, just moved to quit, skipping a few exceptional words.

Thinking where life put your crazy mind is ghastly, vexing, beyond just question.

December 29, 2004

Quote Wednesday

186,000 miles/second. Its not just a good Idea. Its the law!

-On someones door at work (ah good ol physics humor)


Add your quotes...

December 27, 2004

High?! How are You?

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So ah, a long relaxing weekend, extra day off work? Right? Yeah right! So I spent the weekend working on putting hardwood floors in the house. The hope, to relieve my allergies among other things. But alas, I think I have collectively encapsulated a years worth of allergies in three days. The combination of pulling up carpet, and then gluing floor... well was more than an ideal situation.

I realized things were wrong when Saturday night after working two straight days, in the glue, and minimizing respect for ventilation... everything started to spin around. When I woke up with a "glue hangover" Sunday I knew things were really bad. And when I thought I was going to fall off the stage on Sunday while reading... at this point I knew things were real bad.

But good news. I've cracked the window in the house... and I'm now minimizing brain cell loss. Oh and Kevin, Brent and Allen... much thanks for the help! Kevin... proved his expert Friday by teaching me how to install hardwood floors... much thanks!

December 23, 2004

Creative Writing Thursday an Ode to (Shel)

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One Frozen May

On a brisk December day,
I mistakenly thought it was late May

I ran outside in my shorts
To have a share in my favorite sports

Running down to the lake
It was for a dip I planned to take

I began to realize I’m really cold
It’s never like this in May I’d been told

But never mind what had seemed
For down on me the sunshine had beamed

So as I got close to the waters edge
I ran and jumped high up off the ledge

And as I came falling-crashing down
What a shock to find the water had turned to ground

For even though I think it May
The lake was frozen and it was a December day

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Todays creative writing inspired by Shel Silverstein. (You know "Where the Sidewalk ends" One of the greatest writers... (and scarriest looking children book writer)... Add your own writings or favorite Shel writing today.


See his site, for all his books and Bio.

December 22, 2004

Quote Wednesday

I'll definately let you know if you can get me anything. In fact, tell all the cute sisters about how pitiful I am right now and that I could use their help.

-Tremaine's Response to... Let me know if you need anything. (He's having surgery tomorrow)

Do you do anything Normal?

-Woman at work, talking to me during a meeting.

December 21, 2004

A good article...

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Much work has gone into helping out our brothers in the Gulf coast area. And this work hasn't gone unnoticed!

Read this article!

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We are considered "Hero's" in the list of those who have helped.

Go back and check out some pictures from the moblog.

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We hope things continue to get better for those down there. And a thanks to all who have helped!

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December 20, 2004

What will Your Snow Man look like?

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Well with all this cold weather, its starting to really feel like winter is here. People seeing snow in the forecast, pipes freezing, toes freezing, and tongues being stuck against bare metal objects… yes winter is here.

But of course the true joy of winter is snow. But alas, since I have lived in Alabama I am yet to see a snow. This has really stifled my creative flare. What am I to do? Well I pulled out some of my old pictures of past creations to inspire myself… and maybe you. So where ever you may be, prepare for snow, it shall come this year. And when it does, have your plan for what you will create…

An apple,

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a lighthouse,

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a rocket ship…

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or a couch.


What will you make this year… brainstorm now for the best creation when you get the chance…

December 16, 2004

Creative Writing Thursday One Line at a time

This week we will make a poem collectively... I'll start a couple of lines, you add the next, next person the next... and so on and so forth...

Title:
Does Anyone Read These Words?

Does anyone stop to read the lines
The written words of whats in our minds...

....

December 15, 2004

Quote Wednesday

"Oh wow, I like when they leave a streak. And I'm not talking about underwear".

"Its obviosly cold out here we are talking out of our heads".

-Comments made by those sitting out in the cold watching the meteor shower in the frigid cold.

Add your quotes

December 14, 2004

Expert Tuesday (Tying Knots) by Dwight Myers

Knots are knot the answer to all of life’s problems, but many of them. For that reason everyone needs to take the time to learn a few knots. These will be helpful in a variety of situations. Whether you are a fisherman, or working on the farm, or trying to figure out someone’s personality; you need to know your knots.

(On that last note: When I was dating my wife I tied her to a tree, when I was playing Cowboys and Indians with her little brother. If you ever tie your prospective mate to a tree (and then leave them), you will indeed find out what they are really like. You will also make good use of your knot tying skills).

Tying knots in fact is an art! The methods of tying knots have been passed on from generation to generation. This is no different for me. Today I'll show you how to tie the "Truckers Knot" which my father always used, and which I could never figure out. However, now that I have, I use it regularly. It’s good for cinching things down. (You know like the load of hay you need to get in the barn before it rains). So go get some rope and try it! …its knot hard.

The Trucker Knot

1) Make a loop

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2) Pull the bottom loop over the top

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3) Twist it

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4) Pull the rope through the loop

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5) Make a final loop

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6) Pull the end of the rope through and pull tight

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And there you have it one of the most useful knots you'll ever learn to use! (The beauty is it is so easy to get out once you are done.)

Also, go buy yourself a good book.

December 13, 2004

Meteor Shower

Don't forget the meteor shower tonight. Starts at 10 Eastern... Best at 2AM. No moon light... and a clear sky should help things out!

hockey

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So over the weekend took in a Hockey Game in the great Hockey state of North Carolina. (OK, so maybe not, but it does have the word North in the name). I really find it confusing how these people make a living or can even make enough to play in a leagues like this.

But the sad thing is, these folks are playing more hockey than the pros. NHL has been non existant this year. And the funny thing? People in the south don't even know it (While Canadians and people in the North are in Trauma). Hockey could return based on a new plan where players agreed to a one time 25% paycut. (Oh dear, only paid 7.5 Million not 10 Million)... But this may not happen.


But back to hockey in the south. The fun about hockey? People are crazy, the sport of hockey is about making a fool of yourself, being crazy and being loud about it. Its very entertaining to watch. (As is a good check).

Then there is the risk. As we sit there we think... whats the chances a puck hit us? The glass is only so high. Well before the night was over, a puck came flying past our head, nearly hitting a girl about 15 feet from us. Ah the risk of entertainment? Good times, good times.

December 10, 2004

Brent Friday

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So this week has a theme. If you have an online photoalbum you have to be careful about sending it to me. This is the second time this has become apparent this week. The only thing that seperatesyou from a Friday is probably enough pictures. (Well "unique" pictures).

Anyway its Brent Friday. All those who know Brent know he's well.. a geek. But the beauty of it is he is proud of this geekdom. Myself being somewhat a geek to ( I do have a webpage, and I'm humored by physics... ) But all you promoters of bad geek sentiment be gone! For in reallity behind those odd facts, weird interest, and unlikely choice to wear bows in their hair: Geeks are cool robust people. Not Robust in the sense of strong muscular. Anyway...

Take for instance Brent. He has a good interest in music. He is up for a good outdoor activity be it Dodge Ball, or Wake Boarding. He has well known sayings like... "Thats really cool..." You just have to be around him.

And then He'll go out on a limb and do goofy stuff to himself. Here we see him experimenting with the posibilty of having a mustache. But low and behold... now he's really going for it.

So today Add your stories... and also vote:

Should Brent Grow a Mustache?

December 09, 2004

Creative Writing Thursday

Thoughts of the Inadequate Unsatisfied.

You’ll never do anything right
As long as your mind is not quiet
Echoing words of doubt
Echoing words of question

You’ll never do anything unimpaired
As long as your emotions are not cared
Echoing feeling of doubt
Echoing feeling of question

You’ll never do anything unhurt
Because your mind is so very curt
Echoing words of betrayal
Echoing words of rejection

You’ll never do anything sufficient
As long as your emotions are persistent
Echoing feeling of betrayal
Echoing feeling of rejection

You’ll never….
Why do I listen?

I’ll never listen to that voice
That made me make that choice
Displaying words of betrayal
Displaying words of rejection

I’ll never feel those emotions
Which have made all these commotions
Displaying feelings of doubt
Displaying feelings of question


Add your writing.

December 08, 2004

Quote Wednesday

"What happens in vegas.... usually ends up leaking out on the internet. yes, d.a. is wearing a carpet"

-Alex (From his online photoalbum, from his and DA recent cross country galavant

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December 07, 2004

Expert Tuesday (Intro to Networking) by Brent Priddy

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Ever wander how the internet works? Hold on for a small technical overview... Don't give up you can understand this!

It is Tuesday again, and the topic de jour is “Networking”… So here it goes. Ity bity history lesson first: the Internet started out as a research project between the US Department of Defense and colleges (where a lot of the initial research and development happened) this was dubbed the dARPAnet. You know how the government loves to play with acronyms, this stands for *inhale* Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration Net. Anyways, the Internet, as you know it today, is just a big mess of computers and routers and switches all connected together, with various networking mediums, to form a big network used for communication.

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Here is a picture of what the Internet would look like if it were drawn out like a map, it looks kinda like a snowflake and it actually changes over time or when there is a Denial of Service (DoS) Attack. Think of the Internet like a spider’s web, yes it is a pun since it is called the World Wide Web (WWW), you are not connected to my computer on the internet, but you are connected to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that is connected to a larger Internet Backbone Service Provider who is connected to blah blah blah … finally to my computer.

How do computers talk to each other? They do by sending and receiving “Packets” of information. Think of packets like little letters mailed from address to address. Your computer, when you are connected to the internet… Let me digress a bit… When you dial into the internet you are THEN connected to the internet, and you lucky cable modem people… you are ALWAYS connected to the internet. When you close your web browser or your email program you are STILL connected to the internet, it is only when you turn your computer off/hang up the connection/turn off the cable modem that you get off of the internet. Sorry, where was I… Oh yes, when you are connected to the Internet you are assigned out an Internet Protocol (IP) address. This is just like your full mailing address, but shorter. It is a four-octet number, like “192.168.0.1”. The numbers are associated to your network you are connected to. Now your ISP, who assigned you the IP address 192.168.0.1 has bunches of IP addresses that they own and these other IP Addresses are kind of like your address, for instance: “192.168.0.2” and “192.168.0.3”. The last number is like the house numbers on your street address, the “192.168.0” part of the address is the SubNetwork Address like your street name.

So do this, on windows ME/XP go to “Start Menu -> Run” and type in “cmd” and hit ok. Enter the command “ipconfig.” For those using windows 98 type in “winipcfg” in the “Start Menu->Run”. From these two places you can figure out your IP address and Subnet Mask (this is what makes the SubNetwork Address).

Ok, you have an address on the internet, how can people talk to you? And Why don’t you just type in the IP address when you want to pull up a web page?!? Well It would be horrible to remember 38.118.142.171 is misconstruedthoughts.com and 216.109.112.135 was yahoo.com oh and brent.isa-geek.org is 12.218.70.172. There is a distributed database of DNS servers (Domain Name System) that translates the name “misconstruedthoughts.com” to 38.118.142.171. By the way misconstruedthoughts.com is the domain and www. misconstruedthoughts.com is the computer in the domain (or network) named www. If jerm had multiple computers within his network misconstruedthoughts.com you would see computername.networkname. misconstruedthoughts.com, it is a hierarchy type of thing.

Ok, so we have that you are on the Internet with your very own IP Address(Which You Can See Where it Is) and you are browsing to Jerm’s web server (which by the way is just a regular computer, nothing special here) to read this page.

What if you wanted to get email from Jerm’s server… how does it know the difference between web pages and email requests? Well again things are numbered. Think of this like your name in your household at your street address. There are multiple people in your house so if someone wants to send a letter to the correct person, you just specify the name. Same for the Internet, when you want to browse to a web server you are going to TCP port 80 and when you want to check email you are connecting to TCP port 25, AOL Instant Messenger connects to TCP port 5190 and the list goes on. Each computer, if there is a network server program running on it, has a list of TCP and UDP ports that they will listen to (names in the household as it were). On XP, do a “netstat” in that command window we opened up earlier. For most people this is unexciting, but for a web server you would see bunches of connections from people all over the world destined to the TCP or UDP ports that you have open on your computer (like TCP port 80 for a web server). From there the conversation would sound like alphabet soup, because communications protocols are all acronyms: PPP, ATM, FR, ISDN, ADSL, HDSL… You could even have conversations where the only nouns that you say were acronyms, sometimes even the acronyms are verbs like “I ARPed for the MAC Address to use to send a BGP Route table change to your IP Address.”
So what is all this hacking stuff I hear about? Well, it is just people finding problems with the communications protocols or with the way that a program was written to cause mischief.

For more information take a look at:

And the networking giant’s what is the internet pags (This is a bit involved though)

December 06, 2004

Muse Live Nashville, it was awesome!

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Well if you are interested in seeing the Muse show we went to check out the new design on the aftertheshow site. I have a couple of videos up...
good stuff..

I redesigned my aftertheshow.info site

Check it out...

www.AfterTheShow.info

Please give me feedback on what you think of the design. Check out the Flaming Lips Entry... thats the most updated, on the look i'm going for.

So... everybody... feedback. Please? Oh and watch this site for future updates.

December 03, 2004

The Gill Friday

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The Gill. That’s right its Nathan Friday. You may remember back meeting Josh, his brother. But this … this my friend is Nathan Friday. As we speak he is relaxing on the beaches of Mexico, after a torturus trip to the mountains last week. Or was it? Well all those who have seen the clips from our trip would think that is horrible! I would never want to be on that trip.

Well most people would say yes to this. That is except Nathan Gill. Nathan was born to freeze. He loves cold weather more than anyone I have ever seen. In fact… watch this clip to see what I mean. The other important part of Nathan has also been presented to you … a very important expression to add to your vocabulary.

Rule. … not as a adjective or verb… but a noun.

Some examples of use:

This trip is RULE!
That is RULE!
Etc…

I’ve enjoyed some ski trips with nate… where he can always be found. And some hiking trips… ok only two… and both saw sub zero temperatures, and death was closer than should be felt in both trips.

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But hey tis a good time.

The energy of Nathan, once you meet him you’ll know you’ve seen it. And once you see his excitement for the cold (and weather in general), and skiing you’ll know it was Nathan.

He may even laugh so hard he'll spit coke all over his windshield.

Oops just realized I did one of these a year ago... well more stories... similar pics

Add your Nathan stories…

December 02, 2004

Creative Writing Thursday (a true story)

Add your creative Writing.

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Today's writing is about the longest thing I've wrote in a long time. Its a true story in my life. And is a reminder of why I will never write a autobiography... I can't write even if I can tell the stories...

anyone interested in an biography?

REad the extended entry.

It was a hot day early in June. The Midterm Semester was half way through, and Jeremy knew that if he could endure those last two weeks of torture yet another course would be out of the way. He wasn’t sure how much more of this torture he could take, for in fact the four years he had promised himself to complete was seeming to last an eternity. Yet, half of these were complete. It could be worse he thought. “I could be working in that insidiously horrible factory”, which is where he would be in a matter of weeks.

It was just a matter of minutes before his circuits class would begin. “I had better head over there” he thought with remorse of signing up for this course. Packing up his books he left the library and headed past the University Center. There was much going on as usual in the University Center. “How do these people get through college if they take time just to goof off like all of these folks?”, he thought as he walked past a growing crowd assembled around a Minute Maid display. Over the loud speaker the issue herald forth, “We are still looking for competitors in our Lemon Eating Contest.” “This should be interesting,” thought Jeremy. But time was running short, he had to get to class. As he turned and begin to walk away from the growing crowd, he listened as the announcer proclaimed, “to the winner will go this brand new GT Full Suspension Mountain Bike”. Jeremy quickly turned to see the bike across the courtyard. ”Now that’s a sweet bike” thought Jeremy, what will it matter if I am a couple minutes late for class.

As Jeremy walked closer to the tables where the contest was to take place, the curators of the event seemed desperate for competitors. As it appeared the student body was not embracing the concept of showing themselves foolhardy by consuming as many lemons as humanly possible in one minute. This lack of motivation by others led Jeremy to step forward. “Lack of enthusiasm equals a sure win… I’ve got the enthusiasm”, Jeremy thought to himself. After about three more minutes of coaxing the first group of competitors were assembled. Jeremy along with four others looked nervously down at the mound of lemons. Each competitor was assigned a coach to ensure proper consumption of the lemons.

In a moment’s time, a whistle blew. Jeremy dove down to the table picking up the first lemon and impaling it into his teeth. His initial enthusiasm had disappeared when the lemons acidic fervor made impact with his salivary glands. Jeremy tried to ignore the impending swelling of those glands with each consecutive lemon he downed. “How could one minute be so long”? The swelling of the glands was beginning to combine with a slight tinge of gag reflex as his body created a concerted effort to make Jeremy stop this masochist type act.

As the crowd detected Jeremy’s decreasing determination they wholeheartedly poured there support into making this act come to the full of his fruition. Jeremy’s will to succeed began to overcome any contact with his bodies desperate plea of succeeding from these actions. And in no time after these last wandering thoughts the cry went out to quit.

The crowd cheered on Jeremy’s attempt thinking it was shear will power that had led him to what would appear a win in this first round. As the judges counted consumed lemons, Jeremy’s own confidence in a win began to grow. “Eleven and a half lemons”, the final number astounded Jeremy. Joy abounded he only need one more heat of competition. “Thirteen Lemons”… announced another judge. Jeremy had been beat. If only he had the ending zeal at the apex of the race. So close.

“Well here is your Tshirt” the judge told Jeremy. “A lousy Tshirt is all I get” thought Jeremy with a smile on his face. He decided to stay for one more round to see how this group would perform. Once again a desperate cry went out for competitors. No one would step up to the act. But in time five more had destined themselves with body inflicted hatred. Time seemed to go so much faster when you were only watching another take part in this vile acts, thought Jeremy to himself. In no time the judges were counting. “Eight Lemons” proclaimed the judge next to the winner? “Eight lemons?” announced Jeremy irritated by the ending results. Those behind agreed, “You did a lot better than them.

Once again the competition continued the third and final round before the championship round for the bike. Once again the desperate cry went out. “We need 5 competitors”. By this point the willing spirit had truly waned as the crowd had watch at least 3 competitors lose there lunch and there lemons. “We need 3 competitors” proclaimed the event coordinator. After two more minutes of request, instinct kicked in for Jeremy. “Can I try again?”, he asked. “Sure” the judges agreed. This time he had the compassion, he had the vision, he had the willpower. Nothing could hold him back.

After a few more minutes of request, 4 other souls had sold themselves to the citrus devil, in an attempt to conquer there material desires. But in a much shorter time the competition had began. Jeremy went this time into the lemons like a bomb into a house of glass. He had refined his technique and nothing could stop him. His supporters stood in amazement. “He’s insane watch him” But no sooner had those words left one persons mouth when all the sensations that Jeremy had been repressing attacked Jeremy. A strong sweat fell across his brow, and he looked down. The gag reflex had began, and he was afraid it couldn’t be stopped. He looked up to the sky looking for a regain of mental control… control over all those things in his mind one should not have control… control of his sweat glands, control of his feelings, control of his stomach. A garbage bin was pulled near him so that he could complete the act of purging his system of the vile acidity. Jeremy looked down at this. “I will not fall to lack of control of my body,” he thought as he looked over at the other competitors eating there lemons like rabid wolves.

In a flash… he was back at eating the lemons. In a post euphoric state… a state of loss of consciousness beyond the motion of picking up lemons, plastering them into the face and swallowing. The crowd was ecstatic with this determination. In a matter of seconds it was over. The counting then began. “Eleven lemons,” proclaimed Jeremy’s judge. “Eleven and one quarter,” proclaimed the next judge. “So close” thought Jeremy. If only hadn’t lost control. “One quarter lemon”… arghhh. His outward emotion resembled less frustration as near death sickness. The judges came over to make sure he was ok. (As well as to bring him his consolatory prize, another t-shirt). Appreciating his willpower, they began to give Jeremy other items, book bags, more t shirts, mugs. But the bicycle… that would never be his.

Jeremy took off for class. His concern no longer was the bicycle but the test review he was late for. As he jogged across campus his gurgling stomach reminded him of his stupid act. His teeth which were now devoid of any enamel, reminded him of his stupid act. And finally, his mind with the image of the bike and the guy smiling because of his quarter lemon … reminded him of his stupidity.

“Fifteen minutes late”, not to bad thought Jeremy as he walked into Hess Hall. The summer heat filled the building, and running halfway across campus did not help matters either. He sat down and dug for pencil and paper to begin to take notes. But in just a small matter of time… the sweat began to pour down his face. The summer heat was always so bad in this classroom. As the sweat began to grow on his face, he looked down… concentrating not on the sweat, but the words being said… the notes to be taken. “What is he talking about” he thought. Then it hit him. The sweat that had formed on his face, began to roll down his forehead into the corner of his eyes. The burning was incredible. The pain was so great. In his mad attack on the lemons he had dappled his whole face with the acidic juice which now had rolled into his eyes. He had to get out of the class… he had to wash his face… he had to just run water in his eyes. The pain was excruciating. How could he even see to get out of the classroom?

His eyes which were burning from the acid, reminded him of his stupid act.

December 01, 2004

Quote Wednesday

Don’t worry its just probably a little nerve damage.

-Dad talking to Phillip after he got frost bite.

Add your quotes.