Jun
17
2008
This is been a weird week where two of my heros have died unexpectedly.. First Tim Russert of Meet teh Press and now Stan Winston.
Stan was the genius behind the speical effects on some of the greatest horror films of all time including Aliens, Jurassic Park, Predator, Edward Scissor Hands, Batman Returns and many more.
He had recently added Vistual Effects to his tool box by adding 3D Animation to Stan Winston Studios.
His genius will be missed.
Some links to storys about his death:
Associated Press
Jun
16
2008
We think of the knife as an old school weapon that has little room for innovation.. Along comes Wasp, probably one of the most innovative weapons to hit the streets in many years. The Wasp combines a traditional Bowie style knife with a gas delivery system that injects a frosen ball of gas at 850 psi.
Some info from the Wasp Injection Systems Website.
“This weapon injects a frozen ball of compressed gas approximately the size of a basketball at 850psi nearly instantly. The effects of this injection will drop many of the world’s largest land predators. The effects of the compressed gas not only cause over-inflation during ascent when used underwater, but also freezes all tissues and organs surrounding the point of injection on land or at sea. When used underwater, the injected gas carries the predator to the surface BEFORE blood is released into the water. Thus giving the diver added protection by diverting other potential predators to the surface.
”
The WASP Injector retails from around $379. For more information, visit Wasp Injector Systems by clicking HERE
Jun
14
2008
DEP will be rocking Conroy’s tonight from 9:30pm to 2am.
Come hang out!
Conroy’s Pub
9091 Fair Oaks Pkwy
Boerne, TX
Two exits past Leon Springs off of I-10!
Jun
13
2008
I recently blogged about the new Google Health and commented how only a MORON would willingly share their medical records on the internet…
Imagine my surprise today that Blue Cross Blue Shield is going to being offing Google links to their customers medical records..
BCBS really places alot of trust in Google and the security of their data.
Read Article HERE
Jun
13
2008
I have always had MUCH respect for Tim Russert, host of Meet the Press. In this day and age, it’s usually easy to know where a reporter stands on political issues. Tim Russert was an “old school” professional. He was an equal opportunity HAMMER. Drilling all sides of the political spectrum equally.
Drudge Report posted that Mr. Russert had recently returned from a family trip to Italy and was in the DC Bureau filing a report when is suffered from a heart attack.
America has lost a great one!
Jun
12
2008
I’ve had a TRON arcade game for a few years but just recently, I rediscovered the greatness of the game. I have it sitting near my office at NewTek and it is rarely turned on.. Until NOW!
for some reason, I got the urge restore TRON to it’s glowing glory of yesteryear and relpace all of the burned out bulbs… It’s amazing how much impact the black lights have on the enjoyment and immersion in game.
Thanks to Jim Brady for the help in figuring out how to replace the black light!
Check out his TRON refurb project HERE
Afternoon Update:
Blacklight DIED today.. Less than one day of black light goodness and the glow is gone.. could be a bad ballast.. Will keep you guys posted.
Next Day Update:
After a trip to Home Depot for a ballast and starter.. The Hypnotic Blue Glow lives again
Jun
11
2008
The joys of live television.. You never know what may happen.
During a live report, a Fox News reporter impressed a fan so much that he felt the need to tip her a buck!
Jun
10
2008
Stumbled across this article on Market Watch this eveing..
Reasons why you’ll rejoice when we hit $8 per gallon gas..
Some interesting reasons.. I’ll list the headings and let you read the details in the original article.
1. RIP for the internal-combustion engine
2. Economic stimulus
3. Wither the Middle East’s clout
4. Deflating oil potentates
5. Mass-transit development
6. An antidote to sprawl
7. Restoration of financial discipline
8. Easing global tensions
Read Entire Article HERE
Jun
10
2008
Before you read this post.. Be warned.. i’m not posting scientifically researched facts.. Just a simple commentary on how much $10/gal gas would strain the minimum wage worker using info that I’ve gathered through google searches.
Average gas mileage for vehicles in America is 17 MPG.
Source Wiki.Answers.com
Average commute for American worker 16 miles (26 minutes) one way.
Source ABC News
At $10/gallon of gas that is about 59 cent/mile..Round trip to work each day is right at $18.88 (Not including cost of car, maintenance, etc)
US Minimum wage – $6.55/hour (Before Taxes).. $52.40/day (Before Taxes)
Average American pays 30.8 percent in taxes.. leaving them with $26.26 per day after taxes..
Subtract the $18.88 for gas, the minimum wage worker is left with a whopping $7.38 per day to pay for food, housing, clothing, entertainment, heath care, etc…
At what point is it more profitible for a person to stay at home and collect unemployment than to spend almost 2/3 of their income paying for gas? When the lowest paid workers stay home, what happens to the US economy?
I hate to say it but we should really take a hard look at our current lifestyles and think about how our behavior would change in the the event of $10 gas.. After we do a thorough self evaluation, we should start implementing changes now and be ready for $10 gas, not if it arrives but when it arrives.