Sunday Linkage, May 29th

This week I ran across some really great stuff that I kept wanting to link to from here on the site but I saved them for today's Sunday Linkage.

The Brick Testament

An in depth look at the Bible (the New Jerusalem Bible version) portrayed as LEGO scenes. The professionalism of the pictures is unbelievable.

Flex Your Rights

This site goes over three different types of police encounters and gives tips about how to protect your rights in each one. It's interesting and informative.

When telling a good friend about this site he was reminded of a story about one of his acquaintances. According to the story, his acquaintance's parents had suspected their son of carrying some non-kitchen herbs around in his pockets. They informed the police about this and soon enough the authorities confronted him. They asked him if they could see what was in his pockets and my good friends acquaintance simply said "No, you can't." which, according to Flex Your Rights is protecting his right to not be searched without a warrant. Way to flex your rights good friends acquaintance! No one had better have laughed at that though because non-kitchen herbs are not a laughing matter. I will link up to Dare, Seek Truth, Parents. The Anti-Drug, and Flex Your Rights.

Why Smart People Defend Bad Ideas

Pretty self-explanatory. It tries to explain why smart people often defend bad ideas. The article reminded me of a particular incident.

The Darknet and the Future of Content Distribution

Here was a great looking article that I never finished reading. Frankly, it's pretty boring.

Getting Flat, Part 2

Here's a great article that I read a long time ago. It's about how the economy and work industry is drifting away from bell-shaped curve thinking to a more flat way of thinking. It's sort of hard to explain but it's a great read. It's not nearly as boring as the Future of Content Distribution.

Here's a great quote from a quote from the article talking about the public education system:

"'... we must wake up to what our schools really are: laboratories of experimentation on young minds, drill centers for the habits and attitudes that corporate society demands. Mandatory education serves children only incidentally; its real purpose is to turn them into servants. Don't let your own have their childhoods extended, not even for a day. If David Farragut could take command of a captured British warship as a pre-teen, if Thomas Edison could publish a broadsheet at the age of twelve, if Ben Franklin could apprentice himself to a printer at the same age (then put himself through a course of study that would choke a Yale senior today), there's no telling what your own kids could do. After a long life, and thirty years in the public school trenches, I've concluded that genius is as common as dirt. We suppress our genius only because we haven't yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women. The solution, I think, is simple and glorious. Let them manage themselves.'"

- Steve

Summer Plans

First topic, air conditioning. Why does my family refuse to use it? They know that I am the only one that has a normal tolerance of temperature and just like to watch me suffer. It is 85 degrees in my house right now. My keyboard it melting!

There is something fishy going on with the school's air conditioning as well. I don't know why, but it has been declared that we will not have any air condition in the school, besides in the portables, for the rest of the school year. Granted, the school year doesn't have much left in it and is not much to complain about but as a public writer it is my job to pass off my concerns and complaints as the public's own.

There are many rumors being spread around the school trying to explain why the air conditioning is off. One speculates that the air conditioning is broken throughout the school while another speculates that the school is just trying to save money by not turning the system on. I wanted to bring to light the fact that when I was in the office today it was quite cool, it felt much like it had been air conditioned. This fact leads us to some interesting questions. Why is the office air conditioned and not the rest of the school? Does it have it's own separate cooling system? Is the rest of the school's air conditioning not really broken? Are the faculty redirecting all power from the air conditioning system from the rest of the school to make one cold safe haven for themselves? And what ever happened to Tamagotchis? These are questions that must be answered!

Second topic, summer plans. Summer is fast approaching and there will be no need for cheesy, over-used, opening tag lines any more. I, along with many others, am working on securing a summer job. I am not really sure what my summer schedule will be like yet but it's going to be pretty busy. I plan on attending church, cross country and leadership camps, working a lot and of course spending a lot of time with friends. I have been thinking to myself that it would be great to read, write, animate and make movies more this summer but I'll see how far that actually goes. I don't mean to set myself up for failure but I have a little bit of a problem with a thing called "commitment."

A few years ago I was on the Middle School baseball team. My coach pulled me aside after practice one day and said "Steve, I don't think that you are really committed to the team or the sport."

"Screw that," I said. "I quit."

After I quit reading, writing, animating and making movies I will need something to fill their gaps left in my summer life. Looking through the morning newspaper today, I may have found the answer. There was an article in the Tri-City Herald on the front page of the Life section that had a huge list of artists coming to the northwest for concerts this summer. I have never before had any idea how many great shows there were so close to here. Particularly, I am excited at the chance to see artists like Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Oasis with Jet, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and, what looks like the bets music festival ever, The Sasquatch Festival tomorrow at the Gorge. (it doesn't matter if I actually do see them as long as there was still a chance. I am excited enough about just having the chance.)

The Sasquatch Music Festival. Wow. It has an amazing lineup. Artists performing tomorrow that I would enjoy include the Pixies, Modest Mouse, Wilco, The Arcade Fire, Bloc Party and the Crystal Skulls. When discussing the lineup of this festival in Biology today, I heard that the Flaming Lips were supposed to be there and I got all excited for them too but, alas, it looks like they are not there at all.

I do know someone that is going. Ngoc. She comes to our country and steals our concerts from us? That's wrong. She even admitted that she is only going to see Kanye West and doesn't really know any of the other bands! She had better have a great time for the rest of us that can't go, e.g. at least Evan and I.

- Steve

New Picture

New picture annnnnd that's all.

- Steve

Convo and Quote of the Day

Convo

HckyPlaya3121: hi
Scuba5teve002: hey
HckyPlaya3121: how are you?
Scuba5teve002: fentestic
HckyPlaya3121: lol sweet. why are you feeling fentestic?
Scuba5teve002: because I'm alive. I dunno. aren't you?
HckyPlaya3121: thats good. this is heather. just to let you know.
Scuba5teve002: well you look like David
HckyPlaya3121: lol. im on his computer
Scuba5teve002: but you look like David
HckyPlaya3121: how do i look like david?
Scuba5teve002: "HckyPlaya3121: how do i look like david?"
HckyPlaya3121: oo. lol
Scuba5teve002: HckyPlaya3121:
HckyPlaya3121: mmk. well david is behind me. im his girlfriend.
Scuba5teve002: fentestec
Scuba5teve002: the Southridge or Hanford one?

(long pause and change in IM control from Heather to David.)

HckyPlaya3121: good job. heather actually thinks you were serious bout that one
Scuba5teve002: lol
HckyPlaya3121: shes now across the room
Scuba5teve002: that's going on the site
HckyPlaya3121: sweet

Quote

I found this quote in this article from this book that I had read a while ago. It's such a neat thought. I couldn't squeeze it all into my AIM profile and I was sad.

"And then I thought about how for a long time scientists were puzzled by the fact that the sky is dark at night, even though there are billions of stars in the universe and there must be stars in every direction you look, so that the sky should be full of starlight because there is very little in the way to stop the light from reaching Earth. Then they worked out that the universe was expanding, that the stars were all rushing away from one another after the Big Bang, and the further the stars were away from us, the faster they were moving, some of them nearly as fast as the speed of light, which is why their light never reached us.

I like this fact. It is something you can work out in your own mind just by looking at the sky above your head at night and thinking without having to ask anyone. And when the universe has finished exploding, all the stars will slow down, like a ball that has been thrown into the air, and they will come to a halt and they will all begin to fall towards the centre of the universe again. And then there will be nothing to stop us from seeing all the stars in the world because they will all be moving towards us, gradually faster and faster, and we will know that the world is going to end soon because when we look up into the sky at night there will be no darkness, just the blazing light of billions and billions of stars, all falling."

- Steve

Sunday Linkage

It would be cool to dish out some cool links that I find every Sunday afternoon. That would at least add some consistency to the site. Here's today's':

Four Ninja Food Groups
A great observation about the new Pope and Star Wars.

Exploding Dog
People send in phrases to a guy and he draws whatever comes to mind. Super funny and interesting.

The Picture of Everything
If you haven't seen it yet, definitely check it out. It's crazy. Mind-blowing.

The Wall Steve Gournal - Pictures
I finally threw up some long over due sunset pictures. These ones are awesome. I have been waiting sooooo long to get that perfect golden sunset.

Neh, I thought I have more to linkage up. I guess not.

- Steve

Positive Thinking is for Losers

"Drown yourself with positive energy." "Keep telling yourself that you can do it - you can keep running, you can pass these guys." A lot of people tell me things like that a lot before my races. I especially heard it a lot this weekend before I ran in the Big 9 District Track Meet. I decided to give it a try.

All day before my race I kept telling myself that I was ranked 18th and the only way to move in the rankings was up. It was my last race and everything was going to be perfect. It was at our home stadium, there was good weather and I would be running against people my own speed that would only drive me to do my best.

Eventually the race rolled around and I was running. During the entire race I kept mulling over all the wonderfully light and fluffy thoughts in my head that told me that I was a great runner and I could do whatever I wanted. These warm thoughts drove me from last place at the beginning of my heat to last place during my heat and finally surged me ahead to second to last place out of all 30 guys running the event. A girl beat me too. Keep in mind that I started the race being ranked 18th out of the 30 guys - and 1st out of the girls. Well that ended quick, in a slow race kind of way.

So why did I end up doing so horribly in my race? It was positive thinking! Positive thinking snuck up into my head and ate away all my ambitious drive. When I was running and I kept telling myself that I was doing great, I could do whatever I wanted, that I needed to stay steady to save myself for the end of the race and to keep thinking good thoughts, I ended up just feeling content with myself. Being content during a race completely defaced my competitive drive and kept me more focused on feeling great about my self to run faster instead of actually running faster.

Positive thinking and all those sappy mind tricks may work for some people but I am more familiar with that voice in my head telling me that I am an idiot, that I can't win, that I should fall down or quit and that there is no way that I can beat anyone. Those are the thoughts that get me moving. Those thoughts make me realize that I am actually racing and that hurting is good and make me just suck up the pain and do my best.

I wish that Tyler Durden would "cheer" me on during my races.

- Steve

In Passing

To introduce you to the concept, here's this cool site called "in passing." A college girl writes a ton of stuff that she hears "in passing." It has some funny stuff.

Now here's some stuff that I heard today that I still can't stop laughing about. You probably had to be there in order to think that these are really that funny but if you weren't, that's your own fault.

"I'm going to open up a gun store and it will have a back to school sale."
- Michael in German class.

"I'm going to have an astronaut supply store."
"Who's going to go there?"
"What do you mean?"
- Tyler, talking to Chad in German class.

"I'm not addicted, I can quit whenever I want!"
- Tyler, struggling with Brandon and I to get back his 8th pack of Pez.

"I can't kick him in the balls!"
- Me, after we all agreed that Tyler could have his Pez back if he took a free kick to the balls and, yes, he did eventually take the kick to get his Pez back.

"I've got a districts trophy in my locker."
"A Go-Kart trophy."
"Yeah, Go-Kart DISTRICTS."
- Sam, who didn't make it to districts in Track, talking to Brandon, who did.

There was also something else super hilarious said, but I probably shouldn't put that kind of trash on the site. Ask me personally about it and I'll decide if I want to tell you. Which brings to light the new "Contact Me" section on the left bar where you can contact me. I am a lonely person. I want to have a "site fans" section on my buddy list.

- Steve

Backness

My computer is all back up and running, I am jamming to some totally awesome tunes and I have plenty of homework to do - get ready for lots of random posts tonight. I probably shouldn't start posting again though, according to the site statistics. This is the second time that the site popularity has flourished in popularity when I have not been doing anything with it. Why is that?

Explanation 1:

The hit after hit of great stuff coming from the site finally stops after I haven't been doing anything for a while and people are finally able to recover from their shock at the sheer awesomeness of the site. While recovering from the shock, those people have time to hang out with other people and tell them to come here and check it out. Normally they would stay their secluded selves because they have no need for other people. The site gives them all that they would ever need.

or...

Explanation 2:

My contributing absence could just be coincidental that it happened during Richland's Prom weekend and tons of nervous people came to the site just before going to pick up their dates or getting picked up themselves to try and cool their nerves. I probably should have been more on top of things and written some prom tips but I will leave that to Jason Reinhardt and his brilliant article in the Sandstorm.

Either way, thanks for coming. Keep it up.

- Steve

Technology Sucks

I lost a post yesterday and today my computer is dead. Dead and dieing. I had some problems with the hard drive that just happened to house my operating system and all of my family's personal data. Right now "problems" is looking like it means there is pratically no chance of getting anything back. The bright side of the situation is that I can look forward to a completely fresh Windows install. Those are always satisfying after putting up with the chunkityness of a well used Windows installation. Do I know what I am talking about? No, not really.

And another thing, my copy of Windows XP Pro has been misplaced by someone and I need it. Windows XP Home will not do me justice!

Once I get it, this site will be entirely run from a typewriter. I am trying to avoid all future technical problems.

- Steve

ARRRRGH

LOST A GREAT POST!

ANGER

sympathy comments maybe?

- Steve

Losing a Friend

Losing a friend hurts, especially when that friend had been really close to you and you could always count on them for a shoulder to lean on. You know what I mean? I found a poem that talks about friends to aid me in trying to convey my emotions to you and also get myself past my 9 day writing block. I found it here. I also amended the last two lines.

You started as a stranger,
So careful and yet bold.
But then I got to know you,
And let myself unfold.

I told you all my secrets,
I shared with you my past.
This god given friendship,
It grew rather fast.

You were like my little brother,
So much more than just a friend.
And when you needed comfort,
My heart I would lend.

At night we stayed up crying,
Wishing we were dead.
The memories I have of you,
They linger in my head.

Like that time when we both vowed,
To never be apart.
I took it very serious,
And locked it in my heart.

I miss the nights when we would laugh,
And say what's on our mind.
Act as if nothing was wrong,
And leave all worries behind.

But now at night I'm all alone,
My heart it cannot mend.
For when the show came to an end,
You freakin' left me with "Will and Grace!"

So long Scrubs. The season finale was great but if I download the last episode to complete my collection, then it will mean that things are really over. I can't wait until next season.

(

- Steve

Stinky Story

Today I stank all day. I mean I really stank. It was a super bitter rank smell. It was bad. It is bad.

I thought that the soap that I had used this morning was the source of the rankness because it was a lot darker green than usual. I just figured that the company had somehow managed to pack about ten times the usual amount of whatever it is in soap that cleans you and that it had rubbed off on me.

But, just now, I found out that it was not the soap at all. The smell ended up coming from jsut a plain white T-shirt. That shirt must have been all tripped up on some funky laundry soap sometime.

Note to self: Never trust shirts again.

- Steve