Visit http://www.allometry.com/srcds if you would like to use it!

This small project was coded with Cappuccino, a port of Cocoa and Objective-C. If you would like to learn how to program with Cappuccino and Objective-J, you may download the source to the SRCDS application, http://www.allometry.com/srcds/srcds.zip

It wasn’t until I started this semester that I was given a taste of what I’ve previously heard. I am frustrated, upset and disgusted with the conduct by my instructor, however there is little I can do other than dropping the class. However, since bitching about it will get me through the semester, I’ll save myself a trip to the admissions office and another semester with no guarantee this shit won’t happen again. By the way, all the other classes are full and there are no transfers available.

We’re already two weeks into the semester and we’ve yet to write anything. In all my other classes, we’re well on our way into covering the course material. In this class, the instructor has opened with a negative tone on one of the following sentences:

• “Do you know how much of the worlds resources we consume?”
• “Do you know how much money you have compared to the rest of the world?”
• “Why is our environment screwed up?”

It’s OK to ask these questions, but in context they are completly with liberal bias and not objective. To add to the frustration, our answers are asked to be objective…

The context of her speech is in line with a piece we are reading by L. Robert Khols, that discusses thirteen traits Americans have in common. I agree with Khols on his description of American traits, however I disagree with him that most Americans are blind to them. Quite frankly, I find the assumption very insulting. It falls in line with liberal ideology that states Americans are ignorant not only to themselves, but also to the rest of the world.

My instructor’s preach mode kicks into high gear when traits like materialism or productivity are discussed. The majority of the students believe that materialism is a huge negative and that extreme productivity is one of the most tragic aspects of American life. The instructor validates the students claims that scream of hypocrisy then follows up with, “would anyone like to add anything else?”

I’ve accepted the opportunity to give my perspective with much resistance. The instructor doesn’t say anything and let’s the class break into screaming battles against voiced opposition. Eventually she moves on, not requiring to say anything further since the class has discredited the opposing voice. You can’t win battles if the consensus is that you’re always wrong.

My frustrations will continue to grow as the weeks come and go. The material we are analyzing and supposed to be writing about are remarkably left leaning. This piece of material by Khols is about as moderate as it gets, however we are going to be reading a piece on how water is the next world war and fast food. I dread the class discussions when these pieces come up.

It won’t matter how much you argue that the planet’s covered in water and that even though it’s salt water, desalination exists and works. Fast food is bad for you, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to consume it. Basically, the people who argue for freedom are against you being free and that’s a major tone of the class.

I’ll definitly write more as the year goes on. I wish I didn’t need to…

If you ask some dumb-fuck college student, who shares the media’s biased views about the conflict, you’ll undoubtedly hear that Israel is the oppressor and that this whole conflict is Israels fault and that their mission was completely uncalled for.

If you do your research though and bring it into discussion with the aforementioned college student, that Hamas has been launching rockets at civilian Israeli targets for over six months, they’re shut-up.

Some of the facts that the media did get correct is that Israel is launching this offensive to protect 1/3 of it’s population. If you were to think of this in American terms, this would be, in effect, us protecting the population of Los Angeles.

How long do you think we would stand while someone launched rockets into a city center the size of Los Angeles?

Aside from the disgusting media coverage in this country, there is some significant good news, despite all the reports. Israel is accomplishing much; destroying convoy tunnels, rocket launching targets and key Hamas militant personnel. Israel’s attack is swift and true; no doubt they will have success against a political group that does not see Israel’s right to exist.

Prayer’s for Israel. Peace through strength and may peace come to those innocent in Gaza.

After installing the new WD hard drive, the original OEM drive begged to become a DIY project and thus, the Cardboard Box External HD was born.

The front of the box has the male USB cable and the female power adapter. Inside the box, everything is neatly kept and organized. Zip tied together, this box is ready to rock.

The only thing that bugs me about this kit is the size. It’s larger than a desktop hard drive and it looks like a terrorist device. But, it’s not: it’s a freedom device.

Since this drive is more about fun than general usefulness (not to say that useful data isn’t on the drive), I’m planning on hitting up RadioShack and taking this DIY project to the next level… We’ll see how it goes.

Full Frontal Technology

Inside Edition

]]> http://www.allometry.com/2008/10/16/cardboard-box-external-hard-drive/feed/ 0 http://www.allometry.com/2008/10/02/fierce-saracuda-youre-doing-it-right/ http://www.allometry.com/2008/10/02/fierce-saracuda-youre-doing-it-right/#comments Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:11:52 +0000 Steve http://www.allometry.com/2008/10/02/fierce-saracuda-youre-doing-it-right/ I’m watching the debate right now and all I can say is: way to go Sarah!

Update 8:15PM

Sarah has a way of captivating the audience: she’s not so set in politics that she can communicate well to the people. A gift from God and a smile on Ronaldus Magnus’ face!

Update: 8:26PM

Biden pulled the sexist card… I’m confused.

Not really. Single dad, raising kids; it’s tough. My heart goes out to anyone that deals with a loss capable of being part of the plot of What Dreams May Come.

Update: 8:30PM

Classy lady. Winner is Sarah, by far. More passion, well spoken, focused and always with a smile!

What do these have to do with the bail out? Nothing.

Way to go congress! A simple bill, loaded up with complicated shit that has nothing to do with what is going on.

In the free market, you win some and you lose some. Government has created a way for failed risks to produce winners and that throws the balance of the market way-off.

The free market, is by principal, balanced. The free market does not produce worthless paper or severe economic crisis; government does.

These companies that are proposed to receive bailout checks from the Fed need to go bankrupt. It is not the responsibility of the tax payer to pay for the risks of these Wall Street traders. Nor is it the responsibility of the tax payer to pay for the root cause of the problem; congress passing legislation that allows these banks to loan money to individuals that have no business receiving loans.

The federal government has built a dam on the economic river of America with this type of legislation and now, the waters have built and the dam is going to break; it’s only a matter of when. The market is going to go down and it’s not going to be pretty. While a bailout may “fix” the problem, it’s only a bandage unless the legislation passed in 1999 is repealed and the root cause of the problem is resolved; government meddling in the free market.

Today’s economic problem can be resolved easiliy and without putting the American economy seven hundred billion dollars more into debt. Cut the capital gains tax, begin cutting government programs and stop investing in the world and start investing in America. Time to make Iraq start footing the bill for the war and put additional responsibility on them to make their country work. Our government is bloated and busting at the seams with greedy politicians who need to downsize government; not make it bigger.

XX Chromosome in 2008!

This is a woman who’s being easily dismissed by Obama Believers. “Oh, she’s just some woman” or “Why the hell would I want to vote for some back water mayor” or “What? A beauty pageant queen? Seriously?”

Seriously.

Saracuda, the arctic fox is one name I’ve heard her being called in addition to her true nickname, “barracuda”.

She’s tough, she’s sweet and she’s everyone’s American neighbor. She’s a woman that I know down the street, that talks straight and gets to the point. She know’s what she’s talking about and mirrors everything the conservative base of the Republican party has been crying out for.

She’s Reagan in a mini-skirt and boy oh boy, are we excited.

I look forward to seeing this woman in Washington. They don’t know that Hurricane Sarah is a category 10 storm, ready to destroy liberal shanty towns all over the beltway. Go Sarah Palin!

I’m in the passenger seat right now, traveling to my grandmother’s house in Los Lunas. On Saturday, we were unsure about tomorrow. On Sunday, the same. Monday came and our doubts continued to grow. It’s now Tuesday evening and every one’s thoughts lie on the inevitable.

While some may dispute their comfort with the situation, I am certain in how I feel.

Back in December, I had the opportunity to practice what I learned after my other Grandmother, Rosella, passed. With my Grandma Rosella, we had a dispute earlier in the week and it came as a shock that her death came so sudden. I regarded that week as the worst ever and found myself, months later, regretting that I was upset with her. I learned that life doesn’t always afford you with precious moments and when given the opportunity, one should strike.

Thanksgiving came for my Grandma Mary last year and her health took a sudden decline, putting her in the hospital for the holidays. She encouraged the family to get together for dinner and we did. It wasn’t a collective agreement, but everyone understood. We all arrived at different times at my Uncle’s house, but it was a surprise to both him and my Aunt. While everyone told my Grandmother that they would try to meet with everyone for Thanksgiving dinner, the truth of the situation was that all was rather uncertain.

When dinner finally came, everyone seemed to migrate to my Uncles. Every one’s reason was that it felt right and they didn’t know where else to go and dwell on the situation. My feeling on that thanksgiving was that God has his plan for everyone, regardless of whether they felt that going separate ways to mourn was appropriate; my grandma’s prayer for her family to remain close on that holiday was answered.

Thanksgiving passed and eventually my grandma was released from the hospital. Unfortunatly, she had suffered a heart attack and the ability of her heart, liver and kidneys to funciton properly was declining. As it was explained to me, the heart’s need for increased oxygen would further damage the lungs, which would release toxins into the body, damaging the liver, which would damage the kidneys. But, without treating the heart, life would quickly end.

The decision was to put her on oxygen, giving her at least 6-8 months.

December came, and another hospital stay as well. The heart was beginning to fail and we were all too certain that God would take her on Christmas. Again, she told the family to stick together and this time we did.

For me, I knew that my grandmother had secrets to life that I wished to learn and that learning from her would require me to set my pride aside. I laid it all out on the table, holding back nothing; it was the first time I had ever talked to my grandmother without worrying what she may think of me.

We must have talked for over three hours, discussing everything. I came out of my discussion with her feeling better, knowing that what I didn’t do with my grandmother Rosella, I did with her. I felt in some way that I had reconciled that regret and that my grandma Rosella watched over, enjoying every moment of the conversation.

I gained closure on my grandma’s life on Christmas. It was a fantastic gift, one that seemed all too perfect for that time of year. While others received cards, presents and who knows what, I was given the gift only my grandma could give; not having to suffer. She prays hard and meditates on Christ with such passion that the grace given to her was passed on to me. The feeling is indescribable.

We’re almost to her house now and we’ll be exiting the freeway soon. My Grandma has been holding on for days, for who knows what. The frustration that she must feel along with fear, uncertanty and just an indescribable feeling of asking God for just a few more moments must be the most intense thing any one person can experience.

My Grandmother is a wonderful person. She’s given me so much in life that my only return is that I will teach my kids the same as she taught me and they will experience the joy I had as a child. They will know that Disneyland is the place where my thoughts dwell when I think of my grandma and that every smile I enjoyed, they too will enjoy, because of them. Disneyland may just be a theme park to many, but to me, it’s a place where I experienced so much as a child with my grandparents.

There’s simply too much to say about my memories.

I’d like to close with a letter to both of my grandparents and my grandmother. She’s going to be leaving this world soon and if she can take a message, I would like her to take this one. First off, I must ask for permission:

Lord,

If you find it appropriate, please let my grandmother know of this message after she arrives. Please let this post be a testimate to your divine grace and let it be known to believers and unbelievers that death is only a ticket into, what can only be stated as, true paradise; a place filled with such happiness and wonder, that the good times anyone has ever experience on this planet can never compare to what lies ahead. We simply cannot comprehend what it must be like in heaven.

Grandma,

Please watch over your family. If the Lord may, please pray to him on our behalf that we stay together and that we honor him and remember you and our other loved ones on the most precious of holidays. Please help us all stick together and not feel sad about loss, but feel happy that the Lord granted you a place in paradise. Help us all to stay on path so we may all get together in the end.

I love you and tell my grandma and grandpa that I love them.

Steven

11:15PM

Thank you Lord, for not making her suffer anymore.

Here’s the speed test: