Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Music Videos From the 80's

Music Videos From the 80's

What an awesome find. And a great way to re-live my childhood.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Itty Bitty City Scavenger Hunt

Update - 6/27
1 Item in Question due to newly discovered details!
New Answer page added

The Free Lance-Star is running their Itty Bitty City Scavenger Hunt again this year. Since my wife and I had such a good time playing last year, I thought I'd make a page just for this year's hunt.

Enjoy!

Update 6/27
Item 18 - The black corner believed to be located at 708 Caroline Street (Beck's Books) is now in question. While the detail of the molding and background had been stared at by us for many many minutes, it is now possibly located at the corners of Amelia and Caroline. Clearly at opposite ends of the Scavenger Hunt area. Why is it in question? Read on.

I snagged the original pictures from the FLS website when I started this whole thing. After finding everything, I wanted to organize the photos from FLS (the clues) and the photos I took into one nice spot to show all the answers and proof that the answers were correct.

So everything is going dandy until I open Picasa, my weapon of choice for creating fast and easy photo pages on my site. And to what to my wondering eyes do I see? The exact location to several of the clues written into the description section by the photographer. Here's an example of what I read:

"Deatil from the sign at The Picket Post at 602 Caroline St.------color3colsphotos and cd"

Clearly I was excited (and a bit disappointed I didn't find it earlier). But then comes the part related to Item 18 (the black corner we believe to be at Beck's Books).

"photos for itty-bitty city along Amelia and Caroline street(Mike Morones/The Free Lance-Star)------color3colsphotos and cd"

Now I think we might need to go back to double check the corner of Amelia and Caroline. I do feel very confident that the corner is located at Beck's Books (708 Caroline), but just to be sure, I need to check.

The results of the research will follow soon.

New Answer Page
And to see all the answers in one spot, go to the newly created page here.
http://www.tk42one.com/Photo%20Pages/IBCSH2Answers/index.html


Update 6/26
7 Items Found, 1 Location Clarified
Item 2 - The stars were found at 303 William Street (The Star Building portion of the Hyperion Espresso). We knew it was here, but had a hard time finding it until we crossed the street.
Item 6 - The yellow curve was found at 525 Caroline Street. It was another difficult item to find since it looks yellow and silver in the picture but is more of a brass or mustard color.
Item 8 - The Parking was at the Train Station on a column. It was an interior column, so you need to step off the sidewalk a bit to get close.
Item 10 - The 1/2 was at 103 and a half William Street (2 Paws Up Grooming). This was a bit sneaky since the again turned the photo and made you walk to nearly the end of the street to find it.
Item 15 - Rights was found on the "Seeking Civil Rights" sign in front of Crown Jewelers (200 William Street).
Item 18 - The black corner was at 708 Caroline Street (Beck's Books). After much searching, this was the only edge that matched this profile exactly. Which means there are two items at one location. After much disbelief, this is our final stance.
Item 19 - The Flowers were found at 528 Caroline Street on the top of a gate. Hard to see if you're not paying attention.
Item 20 - The red and white frame had two potention locations as reported earlier. After further review, we've confirmed it's location at 808 Caroline Street (Redfern). There was some speculation it was at Cards and Cones (201 Caroline Street), but we pored over the details and decided this was the answer.

Update 6/21
Clue 4 Added
Item 15 - Here's Clue number 4.














"This sign commemorates the site
of a battle between black and white."

This pretty much confirms my original thought that the sign was referencing the Civil Rights movement. But, it could also be a reference to the Civil War and the "battle between black and white." And until we find the sign, I doubt it has anythign to due with newspaper printing.


Update 6/20
4 Items Found!
Item 07 - The Civil War guy was found at 602 Caroline Street (The Picket Post). I knew I had seen this guy somewhere, I just couldn't remember.
Item 11 - The Books sign was located at 708 Caroline Street (Beck's Antiques and Books). Kind of an obvious one.
Item 12 - This corner was found at 1020 Caroline Street (Hugh Mercer Apothecary). Don't be confused by the picture, it's been rotated 90 degrees.
Item 20 - The red corner was found at 201 Caroline Street (Cards and Cones) and 808 Caroline Street (Redfern and Sons). This one can go either way from what I can tell. Without a hint, it's impossible (my best guess is the later).

Update 6/19
Clue 3
Item 02 - The third clue is out.













"Where some people go for a steaming cup,
You'll see stars if you look up."

Sounds to us like it's up the hill on WIlliam at the coffee shop. Won't know until we get back to town to hunt some more.

Update 6/7
Clue 2 in Color
Item 01 - The second clue has been released. Too bad we already know where it is!














"Look for the King where you shop for a queen,
who wants gold and diamonds and stuff in between."

Since we already know Elvis is residing at the second story of the Jewel Box, the clue doesn't help much.

Update 6/6
4 Items Found!
Item 04 - Concrete was found at 601 Caroline Street (the Executive Plaza). I pretty much figured this one out on my own, but had to stop just to make sure.
Item 09 - Fallout Shelter sign was located at 1001 Caroline Street (the Antique Court of Shoppes). Don't confuse this with the similar sign at 829 Caroline Street.
Item 13 - Black and White Corner I was found at 1016 Caroline Street (Fredericksburg Baptist Church). Could be any of their corners on the trim.
Item 14 - Spiked gate was found between 509 Caroline Street and 511 Caroline Street (it's an alleyway). There are plenty of gates in town, but this it the one.

Update - 6/5
5 Items Found!
Item 01 - Elvis was seen at 412 William Street (The Jewel Box). He was almost missed on the second story here. Fortunately some nice kids pointed him out when we were looking at another discovery.
Item 03 - Transom at 312 William Street (the Ellis House). There are actually two transoms at this location.
Item 05 - Christmas lights at 209 William Street (Hunan Chinese Restaurant). While we didn’t see other lights around town, these looked to be the obvious answer.
Item 16 - Bench at 415 William Street (The Flower Shop). Again, one of two benches at this location (it’s actually the one on the right, but either is good enough).
Item 17 - Large planters at 402 William Street (Kybecca of the Table). Yet again, there are actually two planters here.

Clue 1 in color
Item 12 - It appears FLS re-released the same clue as last Wednesday, just in color this time.













Update - 6/2
Here's the first clue (referencing Item 12):



"Look for me where people sought
healing from what he had in stock."

The "where people sought healing" brings to mind two places, Goolrick's Pharmacy (901 Caroline Street) and the Hugh Mercer Apothecary (1020 Caroline Street).

The "from what he had in stock" makes me think it's the Apothecary. Could it be this sign on the corner?

Comcast? No thanks, I already took a nap.

So I've been following SnakesOnABlog.com for some time now. I've been completely captured by the Snake On A Plane movie and I have no idea why.

Anyway, the guy running SnakesOnABlog.com had some internet issues and posted this video of his technician. He's since been fired and the conneciton issues have been fixed.

You'd think Comcast's competitors would want to use this video in a commercial.

Monday, June 26, 2006

The monster comes out at night

My daughter sleeps around.

And before you take that the wrong way, let me explain.

She turned two this past April (making her 2 and a couple of months) and last week we moved her into a big girl bed (that’s code for a toddler bed).  Yvonne (my wife) said Elizabeth helped take her crib down and put the new bed together.  Everything was gravy until it was time to go to sleep.  Since then, it’s been a nightly battle to get her to stay in her bed and go to sleep.

During the day she’ll climb into bed, play with Dora, play with Baby (a Cabbage Patch Kid), show us how she is supposed to sleep, etc.  Everything is great during the day.

Then the monster comes out at night.  Friday night was a great example.  We put her in her bed, told her she needed to go to sleep, etc. at 9:30 (an hour and a half past her bedtime).  No sooner did you tell her she needed to sleep in her bed did she start screaming and crying.  So I spent the next 2 hours going into her room every 5 minutes to tell her she needed to stay in bed.  She’d refuse (still crying).  I’d continue to ask her nicely and threaten spanking.  Nothing worked.  So she got spanked.  Repeatedly.  I think she finally zonked out from sheer exhaustion at 11:30.

Saturday night was a glimpse of heaven.  Yvonne read some poems to her while she laid in bed.  All was quiet.  All was good.  She went to sleep and while she was on the floor when we got up yesterday morning, she seemed to stay in bed most of the night.  And there was no screaming or crying.

Last night was a repeat of Friday.  Lots of screaming, lots of crying, but thankfully for me, only one spanking.  I really hated being spanked as a kid and I can already tell that I hate spanking my own kid.  All I could hear in my head when I spanked her Friday night was what I always heard from the pre-school director that spanked me, “it’s because I love you.”

So last night she passed out on the side of her bed.  Her way around the staying in her bed is to sit on the side and cry.  She’s still in bed, but isn’t sleeping.  So her legs were hanging off the side last night when we went to bed.

So how does she sleep around you might ask?  Where is this story going?  She has a tendency to move when she sleeps.  With the introduction of the new bed, she’ll get out of bed and lay on the floor on her stomach.  By morning she’ll be at our door in the same position.  Total distance traveled is about 10 feet.  Thus the sleeping around.

And if anyone has a great idea on how to keep her in bed without duct tape or super glue, we’re willing to try it.  We’ve added a lamp to the existing night light.  We’ve moved her bed into every conceivable position.  We’ve added the idea of the floor being “yucky” with Henry drool (which has prompted repeated requests from her to vacuum the floor).  We’ve tried giving her prizes.  We’ve kept her from swim class.  Nothing seems to work.

Driving to school is not a right

I would like to express my lack of faith in those School Board members "balking" at the proposed fee increase for student parking at the High School. Simple math tells us that of the 180 school days a year, $20 averages less than 12 cents a day. Almost as much as the increase in the price of milk. Is the School Board promoting students driving or drinking something healthy at school?

I would also like to specifically point out the serious flaw in Chairman Davis’ argument against the increased price of parking. He is quoted as saying “Why are our high school kids responsible for the maintenance, and striping, and anything else having to do with the parking lot?” and “Our elementary kids are not responsible for paying for maintenance of the parking lot.” The last time I was at an Elementary School, the students were not old enough to drive. Does Mr. Davis need to make a field trip back to second grade?

Finally, I would like to show my support for the increased price of parking. Students, parents, and the community should realize that driving to school is a privilege, not a right. It’s clear Dr. Brown, Mr. Satterwhite, and others see this. Why can’t the School Board?

To see the news article, click here:

http://tinyurl.com/fc84a

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

How not to steal a sidekick

http://www.evanwashere.com/StolenSidekick/

Tale of a Lost Cellphone, and Untold Static - New York Times

It's amazing that our society has come to something like this. Meaning the theft of a cell phone, not the public vindication. I think I'll keep this kind of story in mind when something bad happens. Kind of like that bad driver in King George.

I'll be watching out for you with camera ready.

Even if you are "late for a date."

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

The Halfling's Gem Review


The Halfling’s Gem
by R. A. Salvatore

Rating: 4 out of 5

We see Drizzt grow yet again in this story. He’s confronted with the same racism as before and his internal conflict to define who he is. He acquired a magical mask to disguise his true color and learned that despite the mask, he would need to come to terms with the poor treatment from others. His other battle was with Entreri. While there were many physical fights, there was also one inside of Drizzt. He saw Entreri as his evil twin and had to prove to himself that he wasn’t as evil as Entreri was.

We also see Wulfgar and Catti-brie go from some expressions of love, to wedding plans. Regis is rescued, and then gets in trouble again after a year of leading Pook’s Thieves’ Guild. Entreri escapes to fight again another day. Rassiter, a great bad guy, meets his end. Bruenor is crowned King of Mithril Hall again. Captain Deudermont makes a great, strong boat captain.

And that about tidy’s up things with the “Companions of the Hall” as they are known.

Bob does a good job telling a good story again. I was disappointed at the end. It felt very rushed as he describes the future wedding between Wulfgar and Catti-brie and the taking of Mithril Hall in only a few pages. I really wanted to hear more about it. But he does flesh out Drizzt more and furthers the conflict with Entreri.

But the biggest disappointment I have is with the editing. Really, the lack of editing. I couldn’t read a chapter without stumbling on a misspelled word, poor grammar, or horrid punctuation. And the sad part is that it completely distracted me from reading the story. Even the original printing had better editing!

Neil@tk42one.com
© 2006 TK42ONE.com Productions

Friday, June 09, 2006

Special Olympics Torch Run






Happened to get caught in traffic waiting for the Special Olympic torch runners to pass by. So I hung my camera out the window and snapped away.

I should have a video up by Monday on Google Video.

Yvonne and Elizabeth

















Paparazzi - Junk Mustangs


On the little road going to the local indoor gun range, there are a few Mustangs rusting away.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Elizabeth goes shopping



Elizabeth is sporting the latest in "Potty Promotion" headwear (she's earned many different types of prizes), cool shades, and the standard Boppy. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Dark Empire II Review


Dark Empire II
by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

This will be the last Star Wars book I trudge through for a bit. My patience is wearing thin with the low quality of the older books. I know I’m putting myself through this torture for a reason, but I can only take so much. It’s starting to become an endless epic like the Wheel of Time series.

One point I’d like to comment on with this particular installment that was quite pleasing was the transition between scenes. Many times one scene would end with half a sentence where the last word would be a character’s name. It would be immediately followed by a new scene with that character’s name being the first word. Almost like the conversation wasn’t interrupted but the story switched to a different scene. A neat technique that I haven’t seen in awhile.

Aside from that, we see the birth of Anakin Solo and the death of yet another of Luke’s would-be suitors. We see some new Jedi appear that were “lost” when Vader came a-hunting. The oddest had to be the guy in a steam-driven exo-suit of sorts. I guess I haven’t seen it all in the Star Wars universe.

We also get to see Bob Fett make more attempts at capturing Han and crew. I’m not too happy with how they made it more of a personal vendetta against Han than a bounty. Seems to me like Fett would have kept his professionalism a bit more.

That’s it for now. Stay tuned for more reviews.

Neil@tk42one.com
© 2006 TK42ONE.com Productions

Ross Sisters - "Solid Potato Salad"

Ross Sisters - "Solid Potato Salad" (via YouTube)

The song was pretty catchy at the begining. But the real show begins after that.