PolarLava::Blog

A couple of years ago I read this about a Palestinian baby dressed as a suicide bomber.  At that time I snagged the picture as I thought I might be able to work it into one of my SFFL Rhino rants.



I hadn't really been able to find a good way to work it in, but held onto it, because I figured someday I would.  But now with this bomb boy picture I've decided to start a collection.



With people teaching nonsense like this, I think I stand a good chance of expanding this collection in the future.

I ran across this rather interesting article about Google at Fast Company yesterday.  Most of the articles I've read about Google all seem to be preoccupied with the hype and speculation regarding their upcoming IPO.  This one though was somewhat different as it offers a refreshing look into "how they do what they do".  Like anything Google related, there is still a certain amount of speculation because Google tends to be pretty tight lipped about their operation.  But interesting nonetheless.

A few years back Microsoft build the TerraServer as an advanced database research project.  Basically it's a huge satellite image database.  And it was always fun to play around with from time to time.  Long after I originally learned of the TerraServer's existence, I stumbled across the ACME Mapper from ACME Laboratories.  The ACME Mapper provides a very simple and easy to use front-end to the TerraServer.  And using the mapper you can quickly find and mark locations on the satellite images.  Again one has to wonder what practical things can I do with this?  Thus I arrived at the conclusion of mapping and documenting all the places I've lived.  Okay, maybe not practical but it makes for good blogging fun!

My early and most formative years were spent growing up in a subdivision called Grandwood Park, in Warren Township, Illinois just outside of Gurnee, Illinois.  I remember there were these two putrid black text on green billboards near the two main entrances that read "If you lived here, you'd be home now!".  Uh, really?  Okay, whatever.  It's was your basic 1960's tract housing that was built in what was once a cornfield....something that was pretty hard to avoid in northern Illinois at that time.  Now days it's mostly subdivisions and strip malls instead of the cornfields!  But in any case, it provided suitable clean and comfortable family surroundings from my parents perspective.  This was my home from birth (9/13/64) until I got married (1/18/86...the first time...a long story unto itself).  Thus our first stop, 7711, then 7727 and finally, 18547 W. Geier Road Gurnee, Illinois.  And if I still lived there, you could reach me at (312)356-5873 and later (847) 356-5873 when they changed the area code.

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Assuming the United States Department of the Treasury even made a million dollar bill, don't you think trying to use one at a Wal-Mart might just draw a bit of unwanted attention?  Apparently Alice Regina Pike didn't think so!  Well Alice, here is another government body you will likely be becoming more familiar with in the future.  And in an act of charity, here is someone you should contact, ASAP.  Oh how I love the comedy of stupid people!

For all you pinheads out there who are flocking to the Atkins Diet, maybe you should start eating at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.  Apparently one of their newest "gourmet" entrees is the new high protein salad.  Sounds yummy, doesn't it meat eaters?