Of Montreal w/ Elekibass!!

Please note that according to the Of Montreal website they are touring with Elekibass. Click on Shows and note the "***".

P.f'n.S. I will most likely be on my way home from IL/MO and not be able to make it.

Guess what fits in the garage again...

...this makes me happy.

Wii Would Like to Play

Well the coverage, so far, of this momentous event has been over at SchlenkerDoodle's Blog [1,2] but, I figured that I would add my POV.

Late last Saturday night I became one of "those guys" who is willing to camp out for a video game system.

E and I were over at Team Chambers' until about 1:30 and since we were close to Target and I knew that they were supposed to receive a shipment, I figured that we could swing by on the way home. There was absolutely no activity, we found out later that other Targets had received some but not Athens.

The big blue box was just up the road so we stopped by there too. I counted 9 brave souls. On the way home I made up my mind to drop of E and turn around and come back. I had planned to wake up at 6 or 7 and head straight there but, I didn't want to miss this shipment and have to wait another month.

I dressed warmly and made a pot of coffee. I put 1/2 of it in a travel cup and the other 1/2 in a thermos. I grabbed a lawn chair and off I went. I sat down at 2:30am as number 11 in line.

There wasn't much activity inline until sunrise: people trying to sleep, the Racetrac guy offering us free coffee, iPods, books, etc. It was cold but, not unbearable. After sunrise we got more chatty we compared stories and kept each other company.

The first guy in line was there before the store closed the night before and had been told that there would be 30 available. The first BB employee got there about 6 am (a full 5 hours before the store opens) he was very professional and told us that he would confirm the number and let us know as soon as he could. He posted within the hour that the number was indeed 30 and gave us details on how they would be distributed.

The 30th person got in line at about 9:00. At about 10:45 the BB manager handed out numbers to the first 30 people in line. When the store opened at 11:00 they marched us into the employee breakroom and called us 2 at a time to run through the "buffet" of games and accessories and to the registers. By the way that people were grabbing things guy number 30 probably had some slim pickings.

H and A came over and we each created a Mii and played for a couple hours but, after having stayed up all night, I fell asleep, literally, in the middle of playing Zelda.

In the days since I have played a good bit. I consider it well worth the wait and effort. My family is coming up this weekend to play.

Thanks to Mom for the Christmas present and E for being my SAG Wagon with breakfast in the morning.



P.S. If we know each other in meatspace and you have a Wii send me your "Wii Number".

The wait is over.

I can now sit at the cool kids table that is Beta Blogger. Perhaps my posting hiatus will now come to a close.

Happy New Year 2007

Happy New Year 2007

Fun hat poker.

Girl takes pic of herself every day for three years

This one is for herschel.

We found a kitten who had been hit by a car on the way to work this morning.

PB&Jam

Every once in a while my brain is able to synapse correctly and I am able to remember the right thing at the right time. I walked out of the SLC and wanted to find a nice spot outside to eat my lunch. Like a flash it hit me Thursday = PB&Jam. Thanks guys!

Prez Dispenser

Courtsey of ATHICA (http://www.athica.org):

They're back.

System Administrator Appreciation Day

In honor of today's celebration of System Administrator Appreciation Day, I suggest that all of you read this informative article titled: "Advice to employees on the proper use of the System Administrator's valuable time"

Take me out to the ballgame.

I am going to the Braves game tonight with some of my friends from work. It is a event sponsored by IBM and we are going to be in the 755 Club.

My boss set it up for us in recognition of System Administrator Appreciation Day.

It is going to be fun.

Pictures may or may not follow.

TTFN.

HHBTM!

AB approved:

Happy Anniversary to Us!!!

Here's to 4 years of wedded bliss.

Karma Pays Off

I had a rough morning this morning. It was one of those days where you feel like you have two left feet. I almost walked out of the house with only jeans and a beater on, twice!

I knew that I was running late to catch the bus but, my mobile was in my bag and I left my watch at work so I didn't know how late I was.

When I rounded the corner, on my bike, I saw the bus sitting at the top of the hill about to turn the opposite way. I kicked it into overdrive. The driver saw me and he waited as I climbed the hill.

I don't know if I am on the karmic upswing or downswing at the moment but, definitely owe someone one.

Thanks Mr. Driver.

Avast ye maties!!!

The Pirate Party of the United States

Also of note:

I wish that I could work from home everyday.

Popfest Lineup

Courtesy of Athens Exchange I just learned that the Popfest Lineup and Schedule has been posted. Go get you some.

Reader crazy on my Personalized Homepage

In conjunction with a link this morning about Google adding its Reader module to the mobile phone version of its personal homepage I found this link:

Personalize Your Homepage

which allows you to add multiple instances of the Reader Module. Check out my Personalized Homepage:

Little Steven's Underground Garage

I may be the last kid on the block to know about it but, Little Steven's Underground Garage rocked my socks on the way home from ATL last night. Sunday nights on DaveFM.

Gnarls Barkley's - St. Elsewhere has been released on Rhapsody

Gnarls Barkley's - St. Elsewhere has been released on Rhapsody. I recommend this as a way for anyone without a Rhapsody Account to spend 16 of their 25 free plays this month. Or at least go and get your 30 seconds each worth of goodness.

1. Go-Go Gadget Gospel
2. Crazy
3. St. Elsewhere
4. Gone Daddy Gone
5. Smiley Faces
6. The Boogie Monster
7. Feng Shui
8. Just A Thought
9. Transformer
10. Who Cares?
11. Online
12. Necromancer
13. Storm Coming
14. The Last Time
15. Transformer (Instrumental)
16. The Boogie Monster (Instrumental)

Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy" Slices Video

Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy" Slices Video

Twilight fun has begun!!!

News from PC Magazine: Nokia To Open Store and Bring High-End Phones to US

Being a technophile is both a blessing and a curse.

Anyone up for a trip to Chicago?

News from PC Magazine: Nokia To Open Store and Bring High-End Phones to US

Bean Team: Stage 3 Behind the Scenes Pre-race.

Check out this 8 min footage of the Bean Team: Stage 3 Behind the Scenes Pre-race.

My favorite parts were Phil Liggett (sitting on the car) chatting with them while they were on the trainers and the bike weigh in (8.7 kg < 20 lbs!!).

Athens-Atlanta Passenger Rail GainsTraction

The Gwinnett Daily Post has a good article about the 20 year old project to connect Athens and Atlanta via passenger rail.

I remember being in middle school in the Lawrenceville area and hearing about this project.

I am all for it.

Isn't it ironic, don't you think ...

No search or filters {in Google Reader} like {in} GMail? Why Not?

Serious Moonlight Live

I have Bowie's 'Serious Moonlight Live' on repeat ... so far peat, peat, and repeat are still treating me well. I Love Bowie. I will probably move to Of Montreal soon to prepare for tonight. I am enjoying my Friday. :-)

Charter Car Crash

OnlineAthens.com has reported that the Charter Communications offices on Hawthorne Avenue was knocked out of service Wednesday when a car crashed through the entrance of the cable and Internet provider and pinned a customer against the service counter.

It seems like an accident but, I am sure that anyone who has stood in line there can sympathize.

The Torn-Up Credit Card Application

Check out the new Cockeyed Experiment: The Torn-Up Credit Card Application. Scary.

katrenema: State of the "Forgotten Part" of the Union Address

Everyone needs to watch this video: katrenema: State of the "Forgotten Part" of the Union Address

Yesterday's Zippy

So, I got a kick out of the scandal between James Frey and Oprah after the The Smoking Gun outed his book "A Million Little Pieces" as possibly a "A Million Little Lies" a couple of months ago. As such, I especially enjoyed yesterday's Zippy comic.

A Meditation On the Speed Limit

I picked this link up off of the BikeAthens Listserv. A group in Atlanta (pronounced with an emphatic "at") lined up across all lanes of traffic on 285 (aka The Atlanta Racetrack) and did the speed limit. Check it out:

Olympic Curling

Today's Google Doodle prompted me to break my blogging hiatus:



I have watched all but one of the US Men's Curling matches (and several of the Women's) at 3 hours a pop that is no small feat.

Good luck to Fenson and the rest of the team as they enter the metal round.

Super Bowl XL Commercials

The game was okay but, what about those Commercials!!!

Love is in the Air - Elephant Shoes

Here is the tracklist for my and Erin's "Love is in the Air" CD Swap submission titled "Elephant Shoes".

Origin of Love	Hedwig and the Angry Inch	6:03
What a Wonderful World	Louis Armstrong	3:20
Hard Headed Woman	Cat Stevens	3:48
These Are Days	10,000 Maniacs	3:42
Brown Eyed Girl	Van Morrison	3:07
I Love How You Love Me	Neutral Milk Hotel	3:26
Wonderful Tonight	Eric Clapton	3:39
Treat Her Right	The Commitments	3:39
Stickshifts and Safetybelts	Cake	2:08
??	Ween	3:29
Lovefool	The Cardigans	3:18
Young Hearts Run Free	Kym Mazelle	4:15
Sunday Morning	Maroon 5	4:14
Somewhere Over the Rainbow	Israel Kamakawiwo'ole	3:31

Type Check

Yes, I still have the physical ability to type an entry on this blog.

No, I don't have anything interesting to say.

Paul Oakenfold is currently rocking my socks.

fresh baked bread (thing)@Everything2.com

how fresh is your fresh baked bread?

Google Video "Put on Site" Feature

In celebration of the new "Put on Site" feature of Google Video. I offer this:

How to Brew Kung Fu Tea (from WikiHow)

How to Brew Kung Fu Tea (from WikiHow)

Strolling in the woods with my wifer.

Chauncey at the ArchCam

Anyone else think that Chauncey needs to make an apperance at the ArchCam?

That is all.

From the Christmas Parade

Joy to the World! Courtesy of the "Victory Chapel".

Cyber Monday Doesn't Exist (from Slashdot)

I had a suspicion that Cyber Monday was media hype.

Happy Birthday to Erin

After a week (and a half) of birthday celebration please join me in wishing Erin a Very Happy Birthday-Day.

Soggy

Here's hoping that everyone else makes it through this soggy dreary day in good spirits.

Wired: Eat, Sleep, Work, Consume, Die

Technology makes it possible for us to work harder than ever. If you're lucky, you get paid more for your labors. Then you consume more. And the cycle repeats itself. Is this the sign of a healthy society? Ummmm ... no. Commentary by Tony Long.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,68742,00.html?tw=wn_story_mailer

Ambient Jazz + Headphones = Sanity

I can think at work for the first time in a month. I realized late yesterday that I have been getting absoultly crap done at work for the past few weeks. I hope that this is at least partly because I have had trouble adjusting to cubicle life. I purchased a set of good headpones yesterday and they seem to be doing a good job of blocking out the noise. I will be able to tell for sure when whatever it is in the ceiling that intermittently clang-clang-clangs begins its clang-clang-clanging.

Love's jerkey aisle.

Ru Sans a no-no

I would like to start by saying that I gave it a fair shot. I have been there three times. While, it has seemed to get better each time that I have been, I must draw the line in the sand.

Henceforth, Ru Sans is dead to me.

I would like to encourage you all back to the superior sushi restraunt in Athens: UTAGE.

Welcome the Wifer

I would like for you all to take note of the arrival of my better half on the blogging scene. She is new to this whole blarging thing so take it easy on her. Her Blog can be found here.

How to Exercise an Open Mind - WikiHow

I found an artice called "How to Exercise an Open Mind - WikiHow". It has some neat ideas. Need to put some of these into practice.

Rock Eagle 2005

I am up at Rock Eagle for the annual USG IT Conference. Mostly fun for only us geeks but, I do have a 3:55 tee time for a putt-putt tournament and there will be a fireworks show this evening.

Deutschland Update

I promised a update on my trip and here is ... a computer keyboard does not have 128 keys. I guess that I was tired.

The trip was a blast thanks to Ludwig our host and to Mad Ludwig II for building a crazy castle and to all, or at least most, Germans for being very welcoming. There is never enough time to see it all but, we gave it our best shot. A slide- show- show- and- tell- drink- the- doppleboch- dunkle- that- I- carried- down- a- mountain party will be soon.

Good to be back on US soil.

Stuck in Dulles on layover. Beginning cultural readjustment. Will update more completely when I have 128 keyes instead of 10.

Jittery Chuck

We survived the trip to and from St. George's Island for Chris and Cliff's Wedding. All in all it was a very good trip. The house that they rented for the occasion was awesome. It was on the far west side of the island. The weather held out fine and other than the wind and whatever was in the air making us all cough, everything was great. Due to the Bloody-Mary-Mimosa-Sangria-Margarita combination that I drank over the course of the day I had a rocking good buzz on. It was good as always catching up. The plethora of digital cameras made the event one of the most documented weddings that I have attended. Thanks to Jared and Tiffany for sharing the trip with us, we need to do more road trips together in the future.

I unoffically joined the EITS Coffee Club this morning. I was running late so I neglected to make a pot this morning. I came in and found the dripping pot overflowing all over the counter. I consider my cleanup efforts my 25¢ contribution for today and will join offically the next time I need a cup o' joe. Now for the Jittery part ... this coffee is STRONG. It is giving me the shakes.

My Blog Just Got Spammed.

Craziest thing just happened.

An anonymous comment advertising Adult Movies was posted with a link. Kind of smart if this was done by via computer. It may of course have been one of my buddies since we are engaged in an active round of the gotcha game.

I am on my way now to disable anon posting.

Standalone QuickTime Player

As of QuickTime version 7 Apple has chosen to advertise only a download of QuickTime that is bundled with iTunes. The Standalone QuickTime Player can be downloaded here:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/standalone.html

This is it ...

... the blog. THE blog that you have all been waiting for. The one where I tell you all how cool my new job is, how cool my new colleagues seem to be, how cool my spanking new laptop is. Well ... it is all very cool, so there you have it.

On another note ... Anyone else heard of The Foundry Park's new "Melting Point"? (NOTE: Melting Point not Melting Pot; I am not talking about fondue here). The Melting Point is the new large scale music venue attached to the Steam Company Pub. The info hasn't hit the website yet but, one of my new colleagues showed me a glossy of it and says that it is open. I hope this is not detrimental to the regular local Jazz and Bluegrass that has been there in the past but, I welcome a new venue for touring artists. I will let you know when I have seen it in person.

TTFN.

Chicago Tribune | Amid urban surroundings, Chicago opens "green" school with living roof

I love the fact that Green Roofs are begining to pop up in major metropolitan areas. Checkout this artice about a "green" school with living roof in Chicago.

To continue our quest for the best BBQ in GA ...

.. I encourage all of you to join me to sample the fare of Rooster's at the corner of Hiwasee and BLVD at some point in the near future.

Webcam Snapshot of Me

For all of you who missed the Webcam Snapshot of Me. Fear not it is back and now dynamically updated. If you don't like what you see refresh. If you still don't like what you see look at someone else.

Unfortunately though, due to the hack that I had to use to load the dynamic images my Blogger Profile image now has to be static.

Résumé of Charles Leggett

Checkout this link Résumé of Charles Leggett. Who's résumé do you think that he is talking about? For the record yes, I had to lookup "curriculum vitae".

Kung Fu and Junk Food ...

... if there is a better combination I don't know what it is. Thanks to EB and John Bryant (and others) for putting on the vet school's renegade movie night. I hope that you made some money on it. Kung Fu Hustle had us "boys" jumping around and acting the fool during our impromptu tour of the vet school. Had fun and can't wait for the next movie.

Of montreal rocked to unimaginable levels.

Feed Junkies be aware ...

... Google now offers News Feeds in both RSS (2.0) and Atom. There is even a customizable news feed search.

Insomnia and nausea

I had the worst night's sleep last night. Erin and I spent a long weekend in Gwinnett visiting her Family and celebrating Terry's birthday. I fell asleep fine but, I woke up around midnight and could not go back to sleep. My stomach was upset by the large quantity of pizza and wings that I ate at my folks house. I ended up dinking around on the net until around 2 and went back to bed only to wake up again around 3. I tossed and turned on the couch for the rest of the night. I feel like death rolled over. I will need a nap this afternoon.

On the plus side. My brother bought his tickets to Germany last night. This trip is going to be the bombsish (having the quality of being the bomb).

Popfest 2005 Official Lineup

The mystery guests have been revealed. Here is the full lineup/schedule:

August 9th Athens Music Museum Rooftop show FREE corner of college and
clayton
Keith John Adams - 3 PM
Geoff Reacher - 3:30 PM
Marshmallow Coast - 4:15 PM
Shot Heard Around the World - 5:15 PM

August 9th 40 Watt Club FREE doors open at 9 PM
Scout Niblett
No Parachute DVD premiere

August 10th Little Kings
the Elks - 4:00 PM
Ryan Anderson - 4:30 PM
the Ether Family - 5:00 PM
Tracer Matula - 5:45 PM
Folklore - 6:30 PM
small intermission
Superfallingstars - 8:00 PM
Cars Can Be Blue - 8:30 PM
Louis - 9:15 PM
the Eames Era - 10:00 PM
Palomar - 10:45 PM
Keith John Adams - 11:30 PM
Summer Hymns - 12:15 AM
The Great Lakes & the Late BP Helium - 1:00 AM

August 11th Little Kings
Cocker Spaniels - 3:30 PM
Charm School - 4:00 PM
Mouser - 4:45 PM
Fabulous Bird - 5:30 PM
the Mega Hurts - 6:15 PM

August 11th 40 Watt Club
Pipes You See Pipes You Don't - 8:30 PM
the Instruments - 9:00 PM
Scott E Spillane - 9:45 PM
the Visitations - 10:30 PM
Human Television - 11:15 PM
Bunnygrunt - 12:00 AM
Tullycraft - 1:00 AM

August 12th Little Kings
Lake Holiday - 3:30 PM
the French Horns - 4:00 PM
the Smittens - 4:45 PM
Fishboy - 5:30 PM
Col Knowledge & the Lickity Splits 6:15 PM

August 12th 40 Watt Club
Dan Deacon - 8:30 PM
Kiddo - 9:00 PM
Poison Control Center - 9:45 PM
We Versus the Shark - 10:30 PM
Casper and the Cookies - 11;!5 PM
the Marbles - 12:00 AM
Pylon - 1:00 AM

August 13th Little Kings
Good Lord to the Devil - 3:30 PM
Lil Kickers - 4:00 PM
Vetran - 4:30 PM
New Grenada - 5:15 PM
Ceiling Fan - 6:15 PM

August 13th 40 Watt Club
the Love Letter Band - 8:30 PM
Galactic Heroes - 9:00 PM
Red Pony Clock - 9:45 PM
Elekibass - 10:30 PM
the 63 Crayons - 11:00 PM
Circulatory System - 11:45 PM
Of Montreal - 1:00 AM

See http://hhbtm.com/popfest/ for more information.

V i d e o g a l l e r y of bike messenger races

Check out this v i d e o g a l l e r y of bike messenger races. Crazy Shite!

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane ...

...It's the end of the world as we know it.

Apple has released the Mighty Mouse (not to be confused with Mighty Mouse) the first Apple branded multibutton scroll mouse. Hockey Puck eat your heart out.

In Soviet Russia Trivia Owns You.

Played Jigsy's Trivia again Wednesday night. It was the first time that we finished "off the podium" in the three weeks that I have played. It was a good night none the less, I had a coupon for a free milkshake from Chick-fil-a and $15 worth of Jigsy's Pitchers thanks to last weeks 3rd place finish. My vote is to move the trivia train to the next venue. Jigsy's has been done.

Dreams of Snausages and Bier are dancing in my head.

So, I was playing around with Google Earth and though to myself I wonder if I can find the park that Oktoberfest is held in. Sure enough after I flew to Munich it took me about 3.4 seconds to pan around and find it.

System Administrator Appreciation Day

This year, in conjunction with Dirty Herb's birthday, I am celebrating System Administrator Appreciation Day (Friday July 29th 2005) by taking the day off to go camping.

The scrolling message mug

I am going to Oktoberfest this year with a group of friends. I think that we each need a scrolling message mug.

Free Online Motorcycle Repair Course

I have found a Free Online Motorcycle Repair Course. I am on the first page and I have already determined it to be link worthy.

Tired

I have been exhausted at work the last few days. I have been running myself to the edge. For the past month or so I have been working out almost every weekday. Running in the morning Lifting in the afternoons (sometimes both in the same day).

Yesterday, despite Mother Natures best efforts to stop us, a group of us went out to the intramural fields for a little bit of the old toss around (aka. Softball). We played catch and took turns hitting before retiring to Sons of Italy for a bite. I thought of it as an off day from working out but, I am left tired and sore today from it.

I will rest when the wifer and I go "off the radar" this weekend for a little R and R.

Sssh ... I have a secret

Had a PostSecret party over at EB's last night. It was very cathartic. Got a good secret off my chest and, thanks to the no peeking rule and the honesty of the group, I am fairly sure that my anonymity will be preserved when and if they post it. If nothing else I learned definatively the age you are at which you are 18 and that you can also get carpet burn on your elbows.

After we straightened up the billions and billions of magazines scattered across the floor (sorry EB), we took a trip up to the midnight release party of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at Borders. The Erinses got their copies and I got some good people watching. The costumes were not as plentiful as I had hoped but, there were a few.

Up early this morning to help Dirty H and A move. I can't wait to party like its 1999 in their new abode (or at least like the summer of 1998). The Sun and I have a date.

P.S. All apologies for falling off of the blogging horse. Back in the saddle.

PopFest and Surprise Guest Musings

My cash (well, credit) is on the barrel head for the upcoming PopFest music festival. There are some cool bands in the lineup. I didn't get out as much as I would have liked for AthFest and I am not going to be able to return to Austin City Limits (this year) so I am hoping that these shows will make up for it.

Also, I found out that one of the two surprise guests is likely Pylon, which is not as cool as I had hoped but, there is still one special guest to be announced.

Google Earth

Let me be the first to sing the praises of the utter coolness of Google Earth. Especially now that they have a free version.

If however you prefer to look up instead of down let me recommend: Celestia.

Many thanks ...

... go to all of my friends who got together to make the celebration of the 27th anniversary my birth so much fun.

I escaped the river without being turned into a redneck, either by the sun, or by the good ole boy on and around the river.

I must have forgotten to warn the group about the libationary skills of my wife (a.k.a. The Margarita Queen). I am glad that everyone made it home safely.

A special congratulations goes to Cliff and Chris for the announcement of their engagement. Although, we didn't expect it so soon ;-).

TTFN.

iTunes 4.9 With Podcasting Support

If it wasn't the case before it is now, Podcasts have hit the big time. Apple has added Podcast support to its newly released iTunes 4.9.

I would like to listen to the many cool podcasts that I have found, but I never seem to have the time.

Gentoo and e17

<geekSpeak>

I just wanted to mention that I have been building a new box at work for fun. I am of course using my favorite distro gentoo but, the item of note is that I am using enlightenment 17. I was a e16 user "back in the day" but, ditched it for Window Maker when active development stalled. The new version offers many reasons to switch from your current WM.

From the website:

"E17 is a next generation window manager for UNIX operating systems. Based on the Enlightenment Foundation Libraries (EFL), E17 is much more than just another window manager - it's an ambitious and innovative project that aims to drive the development of graphical applications industry wide for several years to come. E17 has not been officially released, nor is it supported yet. It's currently in a pre-alpha status and is under heavy development."

It is defiantly pre-alpha and not for the faint of heart but, if you feel up to the challenge I recommend it.

</geekSpeak>

The Onion 2056

The Onion 2056 is cool.

Justice

Killen was found guilty of the killings.

On top of the world, with a 270° view.

Had a great time in Ft. Mountain St. Park this weekend for Crease's birthday. My feet held up about 90% (I need new boots). The weather was gorgeous. The hike was awesome. The fauna was so dense in some parts that I had flashbacks to the Rainforests of Costa Rica. All of the gang gets my "cool to camp with" seal of approval.

Looking forward to many more outings to come.

Metathesiophobic Tendencies

I don't understand the "fear of change" phobia when it comes to technology. I can understand that some people adapt to new things on a different timeline than others but, when the advancement provides a dramatic improvement over the "old way" it should be embraced rather than rejected.

Like the commercial (who's product I can't remember) says:

You have to change the para-dig-um.

Sincerely,
Your resident Metathesiophile.

Oki

I am the proud adoptive parent of a loggerhead seaturtle named Oki. Erin adopted her in my name as a gift last christmas. They have recently updated their site to include my name as an adoptive parent.

She hasn't been seen since Feburary of this year but, you can see her movements up until then.

Asleep at the wheel.

Have you ever had one of those days. Lets say for instance that you just got back from a long trip. Maybe you have just been to Vegas for 5 days. When you get back the first day is great because you are still riding the wave but, on the second day you crash. I have crashed. I am afraid to close my eyes for fear that I will wake up two days from now face down on my desk with a drool encrusted beard.

I am looking forward to going hiking and camping this weekend for Crease's birthday. I haven't been camping in at least 6 months. I am treating the useless bone sacks below my ankles with as much TLC as I can between now and then so that I can participate without having to use a wheelchair.

Blog on the Road: Las Vegas, #5

So, after getting in bed about 6:00 I woke up and hit the road about 10:00 with Mike, Rhonda, and her Sister's family toward Hoover Dam. It was of course immense. We spent some time on the dam and then spent some well needed time resting in the air conditioned cafe.

Much thanks to Rob, Teresa, Robby, and Kate for showing me a good time. I had fun.

I spent the rest of the day exploring hotels. I think that the Luxor was my favorite in so far as overall ambiance. The Bellagio and Wynn are tied for "classiest". The Vencian had the best "outside replicated inside" section. The Bellagio had the best outside show.

The penny smashing was good today. I got nine for you Herschel.

At the airport now and my flight is boarding for the trip home.

I already have a reason to come back. I missed the Secret Garden Habitat and Dolphin show at the Mirage.

Blog on the Road: Las Vegas, #4

Does anyone else think that this guy is compensating for an inadequacy?

Blog on the Road: Las Vegas, #3

Well as it turns out I was able to turn it on for another night, and how!

I WALKED to Freemont Street. Walked is significant because it is a 10 mile round trip. Walked is also significant because I watched the sunrise on my way home. I saw the "real Vegas" enroute. I passed about 10 wedding chapels, 5 strip clubs, and saw one of the famous Welcome to Las Vegas signs. Freemont street was definitely an experience. I think that I enjoyed this area more than the strip.

The only bummer is that I had some where between $20 and $40 lifted (or dropped) out of my pocket.

Blog on the Road: Las Vegas, #2½

I forgot to mention the best part. While at the DLP party Elvis asked me to jump on his Harley and cruise for chicks with him.

Blog on the Road: Las Vegas, #2

So, Mike and I were talking with the Dell Reps on Wednesday and although the put off my questions about my headaches related to my 3300MP they did hook us up with passes to the Huey Lewis and the News private party that was hosted by DLP (Texas Instruments) among others.

The party was in Rain (watch out for audio) at the Palms. There was free food which was surprisingly good and free Beer, Wine, and Absolut and 7up. The Absolut and 7 had the highest octane and I figured that 7 was a good number so that is how many I decided to drink. No need to mention that I was hurting the next day but, at least I was functional.

I ended up not seeing Heuy or his News at all. I hungout poolside all night (which incidentally is the pool that MTV is currently shooting from) and met a local. He was a bar back by night and an 8th grade Math teacher by day. He said that he made 67k a year cleaning up drinks to support teaching AP math, which he enjoys. We ended up meeting some Germans which we hungout with the rest of the evening. Nadia from Hitachi, if you are out there you owe me a DVD player.

The bottom of my feet are going to peel off soon. Each of the smaller blisters that I got the first night have teamed up to form one big blister. They are even talking about forming a union. They demand that Dr. Scholls be signed as their exclusive healthcare provider.

I am gearing up for another night on the strip. I am not sure if I can make it two more nights but, I am going to give it the old college try. I am going to need to channel the partying stamina of Buckelew and the tolerance of Kari Krieg to make it happen. I am going to try to find the WPT tournament tonight to pick up some tips from Daniel Negreanu so that I can bring Pops back to his right full owner. Wish me luck.

Blog on the Road: Las Vegas, #1

So far, I have learned two fundamental truths about this town:

1) Nothing is truly free.
2) Only Las Vegas Blvd. has true sidewalks.

I learned the second as a direct rusult of learning the first. You see, Wednesday morning I woke up at my normal EST time of about 7:30 which is of course 4:30 Vegas time. I battled the demon imp that was holding my eyelids open for a couple hours but, had to get out of bed around 6:30. I found the Health Club in my hotel (Imperial Palace) and asked if I could use on of the treadmills. They wanted a "daily use" fee of $20. So, I went outside to run. Whenever I tried to veer off of the strip, the sidewalks went Shel Silverstein style within a block and a half.

I have only fed one of the reverse ATM machines so far. It was a Monty Python Holy Grail themed one so I consider it money well spent. As for table games one of the comedians described it best on the PA of the Flamingo Hotel. He said, "If you want to learn how to play Roulette it is a lot like Blackjack ... You put your money on the table and the dealer picks it up."

TTFN from the land of neon.