PolarLava::Blog

Just think if this thing had survived! Kids all across the globe would surely want one. That would have to be one big aquarium/guinea pig tank that's for sure! Then again, maybe these things would be better suited to a pen in the backyard or possibly a corral. Either way there would be a lot of cedar shavings to be shoveled and disposed of. Some how I see Mom & Dad taking care of it after just a few short weeks. And to think those kids had promised to take care of it!

Okay, so you find your time is suddenly and violently up. As unfortunate and untimely as that may be, what if you had to go? And your choices were being scalped or decapitated? Which would you choose?

Okay, maybe it's not you, but you're the woman in the elevator? Nice visual, eh?

For most of my life I have lived in rural suburban areas. A few years back I moved into a more urban environment that brought a couple of things I could live without; noise and bright lights at night. I miss the dark quiet nights of the outlying areas. I guess I expected the noise, but I hadn't considered the glowing sky I now see instead of stars. My view of the night sky isn't completely obliterated, but it is unfortunately diminished. And now we learn that not only is it unfortunate, it's downright lethal...

I've often railed against people who consider their weekly golf or bowling outing a "sport". I have absolutely no love of "the pointless pursuit of the little white ball", and although I haven't done so in several years, I have gone bowling in the past. And I will also admit I have enjoyed the occasional trip to the local PuttPutt^TM with my family. But, at no point have I ever considered these more than what they are: recreational activities. But these are not sports people! Why? Because as I have alway said, "if you can drink beer while you're doing it, it's not a sport". And thankfully I've found I'm not alone as Patrick O'Grady shares a similar thought:

"Any stunt fat people can perform while drunk is not a sport."

It's just that simple. And I'm quite relieved to see someone else actually standup and say it! This insightful fact and more musings can be found in Patrick's full article over at VeloNews.

This is not to say that golf and or bowling can't be a sport. The PGA and PBA have shown that these can be elevated to the level of sport. And one can make a career out of it, just ask Earl Anthony. And Tiger Woods has clearly illustrated that one can live quite well doing so!

Here's a rational look at the benefits of using open source software. In this case it is in regard to New York state, specifically New York City. But the argument should easily apply to other governments and even private businesses. Why pay for what you can get for free?