Insignifica

Friday, The Absurdist Edge

Happy Friday, readers!

Have you remembered to participate in the Snail Mail Extratravaganza? Back in the day, my "Send me a Penny" campaign netting more than a dozen mailings, totally more than $1! This time, all I'm asking for is some paper. Get to it!

(For those of you itching to read my very old, very basic Absurdist Edge website, click here. The Internet Archive has been kind enough to retain it in all of it's embarrassing 1999 glory).

Going to San Diego tomorrow, perhaps spending the night and doing the Zoo on Sunday. We were going to wait until next week, but since we'll be down there anyway, it might work out. It'll also clear some time from an already busy weekend next week.

Thursday

It's still plenty warm today, but not windy like yesterday. Morning clouds and fog should further cool it down this weekend. Yay for fall weather!

Lots of posting lately at the Orange County Atheists site. Take a read, sign up, contribute. We'll be making a big announcement in a couple days.

Going to San Diego Saturday, still not sure of all my plans. Hopefully things will come together today and tomorrow.

What's new in your world?

angels win, windy

Congratulations to the Anaheim Angels, who clinched the American League West yesterday, beating the Oakland A's 4-3. It's the first time they've won back-to-back division championships, and I believe it's the first time they've done it with this many games to spare (though I'm not sure about '79 and '86). Well done, team!

In local news, it's windy out there. First time we've had Santa Ana winds in many, many months. It's warm, but kind of a nice change. Don't go starting any fires out there, though.

Monday, Neil Gaiman

Happy Monday, readers! Great, relaxing weekend - saw some friends, went out to eat, all the stuff that makes days off nice. I'm trying to remember where I was/what I was doing last night at 8pm, though, that I didn't even consider tuning into Fox's Sunday night animation lineup.

I'm going down to San Diego on Saturday to see Neil Gaiman, hear him speak, and get a book signed. This is becoming somewhat of a tradition; it'll be the third time I've gone to a Gaiman signing, and I've never gone to any other author events. If you're in SD, or want to come down with me, let me know. I might find my way to a casino on the way home, too...

Mini work rant: People find it necessary to talk loudly outside my office, apparently because it's quieter than the rest of the newsroom. Yes, it is, but that means I get every bit of conversation, and quite a few one-sided phone calls.

Apparently fearing the mad HTML skillz from competitor Myspace, Friendster has decided to allow users to radically customize their profile pages, allowing things like videos and sounds to automatically play. While I'm all for everyone having their own webspaces, and that creativity is wonderful, someone has to teach these people the most basic of web design skills, unless they think not being able to read text and having video and audio forced on you is the way to go.

Undernet IRC

I'm returning to IRC (specifically the Undernet network) after being gone a while. My old regular channels have gone south - any readers out there use Undernet (or another network) for good, fun chat? 44594 channels and nothing on...

Friday, PO Box!

Happy Friday, friends and readers. I hope your weekend is nothing but good times.

I finally went out and got a new Post Office Box - I'd had several in the past, but I kept meaning to get one near my new house, and never did. I'll be using it so I can post my address here without worrying about readers knocking at my door, for my new secret project, and for my web domains. I also look forward to spam asking me if I'd like to refinance my home apparently located at my PO box.

What's this all mean for you, gentle reader? It's time for a Snail Mail Extravaganza! Here's the rules.

1. You send me something to my new address, PO Box 10541, Santa Ana, CA, 92711. I don't care what it is, as long as it's paper. Letters, pictures, checks (or Cheques, Canadians!), recipes, funny junk mail, what ever. Even thin pieces of plastic will be accepted.

2. I'll send you something back - hopefully equally cool/valuable.

3. I'll post what you send me on my website, and talk highly of you!

I was lamenting yesterday how all I ever get are bills, so it'd be fun to get some real mail. Now I can, and you can too! Send something today!

How's your Thursday?

I go 24 hours without posting, and suddenly my blog is a ghost town. Post, my friends! Post!

I added James (Voyager's Journal) to my blogroll - you can get to his site at http://www.insignifica.org/voyager640 as well. Welcome James!

Good on the Angels for coming back and winning late, especially on a day Oakland lost. Magic number is 9...

How's your Thursday?

You deserve a website today

My name is Michael Doss. I'd like you to have a website.

Call me tech-addicted, call me telephone-lazy, call me blog-obsessed. But I'm beginning to find that regarding friends I don't see regularly, I'm much, much closer to those with blogs. I can keep up with their life, leave them quick messages, and find out their thoughts on what ever it is they're posting about. They also tend to keep up with me in a similar fashion.

I've found also that I see those with blogs in real life more than those without them. When I go up to Santa Cruz/Monterey next month, I'm making a point of seeing Teresa, Tori, and Colleen - two of which have blogs. Many, many of my other friends still up there I just don't connect with much any more, so it's both harder to get a hold of them, and I feel less connected to them.

This trend isn't Mike-specific, either. Friends and other blogs I read have noted the same things. For this reason, I think it's time you get a website if you don't have one already. You've got a few good choices. Livejournal is a web based blogging system with a large community, easy to use layout, and very little work needed from the end user. It's a great place to start. My first blog was hosted at Blogger - also free, also easy to use. For slightly more advanced users there's Typepad, which isn't free, but has a load of great features.

If you know a bit more about computers, check out Movable Type, which I use for all of my current blogs. The newer versions aren't free, but version 2.65 is still free for individual use, and it's a fantastic software. I can send you a copy.

I'm so serious about this, I'll even host a site for you, in the form of http://www.insignifica.org/yournamehere. If you have your own domain, I'll host it for you, or help you set up the software you need. You don't have to post every day, you don't have to post personal information - it's just a place to say what you'd like, post your thoughts, and let others keep up with you. I personally guarantee it will help you to reconnect with friends, or your money back. Do it today!

1357 - ugly weather, vodka, bash

Good day, friends! The weather here's been wild and fairly ugly, if I do say so myself. I'm a sucker for clear, mild days.

There's been talk for a while about having a vodka/Russian themed party - taste various flavored (and unflavored) vodkas, show off creations (like my horseradish root monstrosity), and perhaps sample some Russian foods (in an excuse for my girlfriend to have some caviar). Thoughts?

In funny news, I've rediscovered bash.org - a collection of funny and strange IRC conversations. It's considerably funnier if you have a history with Internet Relay Chat, but it's entertaining nonetheless. Take a look.

We Love Mondays

Yar, it's Talk Like A Pirate Day. Avast, etc.

Great weekend, but I'm tired. I guess that's a good sign, though. Congrats to David and April Hufford on their wedding - a fun time was had by all. We also got together and played poker (stupid third place) and watched movies.

I've really got to get a move on regarding Halloween. I'll be gone the week before the party for a conference, and there are various events on the weekends before. I drempt last night about some special effects and how to put them together, though.

I Love (with a capital L) that Chris and Nhan are using my comments for message-board style discussions. Makes my site look way more popular than it is. That said, I know I have many, many readers who have never posted a comment, and many more who very rarely do. Hello readers!

some 23rd hour thoughts

You know, I'm home by this time every night, sitting at my computer, and I almost never post. That's just weird.

Had a great OC Atheists Meeting tonight. About a dozen people, quite a few new faces, and lots of great discussion. Good times. We do need a better place to meet...our choices (restaurants) have either been too loud or just not set up for 12 people to sit and chat. Any suggestions in the OC?

Chris redesigned his site and brought it live today. It's great - really sharp design, highlighting his art. Take a look.

Got confirmation that my good friend Colleen will be able to make it to my Halloween party. I can't wait.

That's it for my rare 23rd hour post. Chris and Nhan, feel free to use the comments to pass secret codes to each other.

Poker story!

I'm SO geeked right now. As previously mentioned, I'm playing in a couple different poker tournaments this week at Poker Stars, for hurricane relief. Today was the second of two,and I started out doing well, amassing three times the average by the break. I was always watching Wil Wheaton's table, he organized the event for Poker Stars, and I'm a big of a fanboy. I'm doing very well, knocking out two players at once with the nut flush. At one point I get moved and the table I was watching (with Wil) pops up - I was now sitting to the left of him, with about 3 times his stack.

Here's the table. I'm at the top in the 1 seat (GoodRev42).

I'm a big fan and regular reader, so this is neat, regardless. But there's also a "bounty" for Wil in this tourny, meaning if I beat him, I get a prize. In the last tournament it was a signed book and jacket. In this one it's at least a book. Players are getting moved a lot, though, so I didn't think I'd be at the table long with him. About five hands in he raises when I've got A-K offsuit. I reraise to about a quarter of his stack, he thinks about it, and raises all in. This was my chance; Unless he's got AA or KK, at worst I have a coin flip, at best I'm a good favorite. He turns over AQ suited, so I've got him preflop. The flop has one spade, so as long as he doesn't get running spades or a queen, I'll win. And unlike the poker you often see on TV, the odds played out and I took him down. I win at least a book, maybe more (and maybe even more if i make the final table - I'm still playing as I write this). After I geek out for a few minutes, my girlfriend reminds me that I'm wearing my WWDN posse shirt. Rock!

Update! I'm still playing, I have about half again above the average, and the last two hands I've had crazy wins (including a suck-out flush on the river and someone betting into my nut flush). It's 9:10pm, I'm in 5th place out of the 30 remaining (out of 738 that started). Feelin' fine.

Another Update! I'm at the final table, though I barely made it here - my stack's been dwindling for the last hour. I'll have to go all-in soon. There were prizes for the final table on Monday, I'm thinking there will be again for this one. Too bad this isn't a prize tournament, I'd be several hundred dollars richer. But it's for a great cause. Thanks again to Wil for organizing all this.

Update the final! I'm out in 8th place, out of 738. I'm amazed at how well I did. I get at least the Wil book, plus what ever Poker Stars is giving. Not to mention the thousands raised for hurricane relief. Awesome! Click "Continue reading Poker story!" to see how the hand played out.

PokerStars Game #2578043021: Tournament #11976865, Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2005/09/14 - 22:56:07 (ET)
Table '11976865 92' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: GoodRev42 (21182 in chips)
Seat 2: Marker231 (8230 in chips)
Seat 3: shawshank622 (9965 in chips)
Seat 4: kkalin (4630 in chips)
Seat 5: schifty1 (135 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 6: IrOnLaW (280 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 7: NickelJR (1850 in chips)
Seat 8: G808T (15610 in chips)
Seat 9: Wil Wheaton (7945 in chips)
GoodRev42: posts small blind 100
Marker231: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to GoodRev42 [Ks Ah]
shawshank622: folds
kkalin: folds
schifty1: folds
IrOnLaW: folds
NickelJR: folds
G808T: folds
Wil Wheaton: raises 400 to 600
GoodRev42: raises 1000 to 1600
Marker231: folds
Wil Wheaton: raises 6345 to 7945 and is all-in
GoodRev42: calls 6345
*** FLOP *** [3s Jc 5h]
Wil Wheaton said, "spades!"
Wil Wheaton said, "more spades!"
*** TURN *** [3s Jc 5h] [2c]
Wil Wheaton said, "gg"
*** RIVER *** [3s Jc 5h 2c] [Kd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GoodRev42: shows [Ks Ah] (a pair of Kings)
Wil Wheaton: shows [Qs As] (high card Ace)
Wil Wheaton said, "congratulations, Rev"
GoodRev42 said, "GG wil"
GoodRev42 collected 16090 from pot
GoodRev42 said, "thanks!"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 16090 | Rake 0
Board [3s Jc 5h 2c Kd]
Seat 1: GoodRev42 (small blind) showed [Ks Ah] and won (16090) with a pair of Kings
Seat 2: Marker231 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: shawshank622 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: kkalin folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: schifty1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: IrOnLaW folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: NickelJR folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: G808T folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Wil Wheaton (button) showed [Qs As] and lost with high card Ace

Blasts from the past!

Wow, it's blast from the past day! First I get Myspace invitations from both Ali (who I've known since 1983, but haven't seen in about 7 or 8 years) and John (who used to live near me, but I'd lost touch with). Next Amy from college emails to say hello and catch up. It's going to be a busy few weeks in terms of "blasts from the past", too, between traveling to Monterey/Santa Cruz and my Halloween party (we're looking for attendees from more states. We've got California, Texas, Arizona and North Carolina taken care of). I've also found the blogs of some friends from work - lots of connections happening today!

September Meeting of the Orange County Atheists

This month's OC Atheists meeting will be at the TGI Friday's restaurant in Costa Mesa, across from South Coast Plaza on Anton Blvd. We'll be meeting this Thursday, September 15 at 7:15PM. It's close to the 55, 73, and 405, and not far from the 5 and 22. Location information and map are available at http://costamesa.myfridays.com/. Look for the group with name tags, or ask at the front desk. If you're coming, leave a note so we can adjust the count. Hope to see you this Thursday!

Liveblogging on Poker Stars charity event

I'm liveblogging my PokerStars Charity Tournament play over on the the Poker Blog. Check it out!

Update! My queens got busted. I'm out in 642nd place. Still, read the blog, I think it's fairly entertaining, if too short.

pokerstars tournament

Tonight's the first of four (two of which I'm playing in) charity tournaments at Poker Stars for hurricane relief. Wil was instrumental in helping to organize the tournaments, and along with other Team Pokerstars players is giving prizes if you knock them out. There's still time to sign up and play, so head over to Poker Stars, download the software, and sign up. I play as GoodRev42. Hope to see you there!

Labor Day 2005 pics

Highlights of the pictures from labor day 2005 at my place. Click on each one for a larger version. Let me know if you'd like the whole set, I'll burn a CD for you. Enjoy!

More of mikebdoss' photos tagged with laborday2005

Friday, Halloween, Poker

Happy Friday!

Next week is monthly OC Atheists meeting. Check out the site for news and other discussions, too, or to join OC Atheists. We had our first troll post on our boards this week. I'm so proud!

I've finally decided on a Halloween costume. It fits the theme of the party (Ghosts and Spirits), it's retro cool, and I'm getting exciting thinking about building it and all the potential features I could build in. It's also comfortable to wear. Rock!

I'm interested in putting together a weekly or biweekly poker night. Who's in?

Heh, the title of this entry is "Friday, Halloween, Poker". These, truly, are a few of my favorite things.

Bush is a disaster!

Seen on DailyKos, from Sky News Ireland:

True.

gay marriage news

A busy week on the gay marriage front, though it's looking like we've lost this battle. Last week the California state senate passed AB849, allowing marriage between "two people" instead of "one man and one woman". The assembly passed it this week with the bare minimum of votes (three more than they got last time), so it's on it's way to the Governor for approval or veto. Unfortunately, Schwarzenegger said today that he would veto the bill "Out of respect for the will of the people", referring to Proposition 22, which stated that California would not recognize same sex marriages. One quote from his office I really don't understand:

"The governor believes the matter should be determined not by legislative action – which would be unconstitutional – but by court decision or another vote of the people of our state"

Quite a few problems with this, other than the standard civil rights issues. First, Proposition 22 is most likely unconstitutional itself, and it's currently in the appeals court. Second, how is legislative action unconstitutional? They did exactly what they're there to do. Third, Schwarzenegger knows the Proposition 22 defense is a sham, because just about all legal experts have said that it applies to marriages that were performed elsewhere, and California's law was for itself. He's just using it so he can keep the status quo, with an excuse.

My feelings on the issue are pretty clear cut - I'd propose getting government entirely out of the "personal relationship" business, but society at large isn't anywhere near ready for that. But if you're going to allow straight couples to marry, you have to allow the same for gay couples. Every argument against gay marriage is based on hate, ignorance, fear, or a combination of all three.

This is probably the most important American civil rights issue of our time , and we need to fight for it. Remember, if the "will of the people" was always the right direction, we might very well still have forced segregation in the southern states. The majority can most certainly be wrong.

Any time I can say "Wow, is it Wednesday already?", it's a good thing.

As mentioned before, The Edwards South Coast Village 3 plays "old" movies (for my generation, anyway) every Wednesday night - I went for the first time for "Ghostbusters" two weeks ago, last week was "Office Space", and tonight is "Spaceballs". Quite the following for these screenings, too - last week's show was a sellout, and the week before was very close. The crowd's geeky and typically in their 20s, so I tend to fit in.

If you plan on going, show up about an hour early for tickets, then head out to any of the local restaurants in the South Coast Plaza area (there's a Wahoo's on Bristol and Baker, the Gypsy Den at the Lab, and Native Foods at the Camp, if you're into Vegetarian California food, like me). Tickets are cheap, too - only $6! See you there!

RIP Bob Denver

Rest in Peace, Little Buddy.

Souter and Rehnquist not get along?

A couple of interesting things from the news this week on Rehnquist:

From http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/04/rehnquist.reaction/index.html

The Supreme Court released statements by seven Supreme Court justices who paid tribute to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who died Saturday. A statement from Justice David Souter is not expected, the court said.

and

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050906/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_rehnquist_funeral

Lining the court steps to greet the casket were somber-faced justices, former clerks and court staff. Roberts and the other pallbearers, many former clerks, took the casket from the hearse and began the slow climb up the steps.

Absent were Justices Anthony M. Kennedy and David Souter.

So what's up? Souter and Rehnquist not like each other? Simple scheduling conflict? You'd think there'd have to be a very good reason why you wouldn't attend the funeral of someone you worked so closely with for so many years, especially that kind of job...

party and weekend wrapup

We had a great party this weekend - because it was brithday-based, just about everyone made it, and we had 20 or so people BBQing and enjoying a beautiful labor day at my place. In addition to the regulars, we got to meet Jack, Ryan and Deedee's son, hang out with Marek's sister, and see Jenn, who we hadn't seen since last year. Always a good time.

Next up - Halloween. That invitation is open, so if I know you, and you'd like to come, please let me know. we've got people coming in from at least 3 states other than California so far.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy Birthday Emily!

Shonen Knife!

I'll be going to the Shonen Knife show at the Galaxy in Santa Ana tonight - they're a great band, and put on an awesome show. I also speak from personal expirience that one of their opening bands rocks also. Come on down! You know you want to!

Update: I didn't make it to the show, my cold has come back with a mucus-filled intensity. Damn the man! I did sign the tickets over to Eric, and I'm sure he'll enjoy the show.

A look back...

Day 1,000 - Saturday, January 10, 1981

I was 2 years old. Reagan would officially become president 10 days later. John Severin sets 100-mi unicycle speed record, 9 h 21 m.

Day 2,000 - Friday, October 7, 1983

I was 5 years old, and started kindergarten just a month previous.

Day 3,000 - Thursday, July 3, 1986

I was 8 years old, enjoying summer vacation between second and third grade. The renovated Statue of Liberty was relit. No one in the IMDB was born that day.

Day 4,000 - Wednesday, March 29, 1989

I was 10 years old, just a couple weeks before my 11th birthday. Michael Milken, junk bond king, was indicted in New York for racketeering.

Day 5,000 - Tuesday, December 24, 1991

I was 13 years old, celebrating Christmas eve. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were celebrating their first anniversary, and Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as head of Soviet Union.

Day 6,000 - Monday, September 19, 1994

I was 16 years old, starting my junior year of high school. The pilot episode of "ER" aired. Between day 6,000 and 7,000, I'd have had my first kiss, first girlfriend, graduate from high school, get online, and start my first website.

Day 7,000 - Sunday, June 15, 1997

I was 19 years old, and just finished my first full year at UC Santa Cruz. Naomi Campbell is hospitalized for a drug overdose.

Day 8,000 - Saturday, March 11, 2000

I was 21 years old. and three months from graduating college. I was dating my current girlfriend, and finalizing plans for an apartment back home in Orange County.

Day 9,000 - Friday, December 6, 2002

I was 24 years old, and was laid off that day from Dane-Elec, and I was able to find a new job (my current one) just three months later.

Day 10,000 - Thursday, September 1, 2005

Today! I'm 27 years old. The aftermath of hurricane Katrina is the major news story. I'm going to celebrate 10,000 days old with relaxing, shopping for groceries, and pie, and celebrate further on Monday with my other friends who have their annual birthdays around this time.

Bah, summer illnesses suck, because it's so nice outside, you just want to go-and-do, but you feel like crap. I'm back at work today, still feeling less than 100%, but better (well, different - my colds in the last few years typically feature a new symptom every day - today it's chest congestion). I've got a busy weekend ahead, I'd like to be feeling better for it.

Going to see Shonen Knife again tomorrow at the Galaxy in Santa Ana; they put on a great show earlier in the year. Check 'em out if you're around.

Wil has helped organize four poker tournaments at the Poker Stars online card room. They'll be in a couple weeks. If you're like me, and want to help out by playing poker (and getting a matching donation by Poker Stars), sign up and play. There'll be prizes for you and help for hurricane victims that need it.

In happy news, I turn 10,000 days old today!