I am going to attack my 1983 Goldwing!

I have thought about it for months. I am going to grab the necessary tools and pull all of the fairings and luggage off my 1983 Goldwing Interstate. I will remove all the extra bars as well. The seat has to go too. Hell, kiss those handlebars goodbye too. Why stop there? The exhaust is ugly too. It's going!

Why?

I am going to turn into into a mean machine. I hope to end up with a bobbed/fighter look. New bars, new stops and signals, custom (read as cheap) exhaust, custom seat pans and seat, and front fender, etc.

This will take a lot of time. But what the hell? I think a clean look on a meaty opposed four engine based bike will look great, weigh much less, and handle better.

This submission of mine sucks without photos doesn't it?

Hello Linux Mint

I have used Linux based distributions for many years. I have taken breaks from it (and Windows too for that matter), but always seem to go back to Linux after some time. Recently I installed Linux Mint. I was hoping for a Linux distribution that was very easy to install, very functional and good looking. This is exactly what Linux Mint is.

Much the same as I have done on my Windows laptop before, I now surf the web, check emails, mess with photo images, download torrents, and play music and videos. Of course I can do serious stuff too such as website editing, FTP, and remote server maintenance. I can even access the Windows computers around the house to easily copy and paste files.

I have tried numerous Linux distributions before, such as Debian, Red Hat, Slackware, and Suse. I really like Linux Mint. If you are considering giving Linux a try, definitely give Linux Mint a shot first. It even comes with choices to give it a different look and desktop functionality.

Tammy and I must be sharing a midlife crisis

click for a larger image

First it was me with the 1983 Goldwing Interstate, followed a few weeks later with Tammy's first bike, a Kawasaki KZ550. The KZ550 is perfect for a new rider like Tammy. Both bikes are obviously old, but they are in great shape.

I haven't rode in decades, so we both need to practice. Of course I tried them both out. The Interstate is definitely bigger than anything I have rode before, and a little bit of a challenge. The KZ is nice and light, making my re-entry into riding a real pleasure.

Amazon S3 Client Rant

I'm ranting. You've been warned.

WTF? I decided to stop using Amazon's S3 (Simple Storage Service). For me it was mostly used for archiving important files, and occasionally syncing a few dynamic files. I found it awkward to use and lacking in features offered by other companies offering me my own little space in the "Cloud".

The problem? I have to pull everything off of S3 and place it on my system, so I can upload it to the new company later. Sounds easy doesn't it.I am patient. I'll just download all the files (gigs of it). Ya right! It couldn't be that simple.

In the past I purchased two commercially offered clients to use the S3 service. I'll just use them.

1. Bucket Explorer (No link, they suck)

I went online and grabbed the latest version, since I haven't used Bucket Explorer in a while. I quickly found out that the new version won't accept my key (I paid for it). I guess updates aren't free. Okay, fair enough. Good thing I still have the old version's setup file handy. WTF? It won't let me use my old version because it says it is too old. Thanks Bucket Explorer. Paying for software and not being able to use it is just wrong. Dicks.

2. Jungle Disk (Again no link for them either)

That's it! Jungle Disk has lifetime updates. Yippee. I grabbed the latest and install with my auth/key. It actually let me.  Start 'er up! Okay, so I connect to a bucket, and use "Restore Files". Cool. Pick a destination - check. Select files and folders to restore - check. I realize it takes a while, so I leave it running all night.

I wake up to check it. Done. Wow! Let's see.... WTF? It only grabbed a few folders. Maybe I made a mistake. So I try again and select some of the folders that didn't transfer (at all). Click Restore... WTF? It's done in just minutes. That is not right. It seems while looking over the "Restore Files" interface, that Jungle Disk thinks many of my folders on S3 are empty. I quickly check (worried) with good old S3Fox (for Firefox) and find that all the files are actually still there. What the Hell Jungle Disk?  I adjusted Jungle Disk Desktop's "Restore Files" multiple times by selecting different backup dates, even though they are all the same for months, hoping that will work. WTF? The software still thinks the folders are empty.  How hard can this be? Screw this.


So what does a guy have to do? Download the free (there is a faster Pro version) of S3 Browser.

All I had to do is select one or more folders (wow, they are there) and download them to any destination folder. How hard was that Jungle Disk? I didn't have to set anything up, or adjust shit at all. It was super easy. Lesson learned? Just because you paid for software doesn't mean it is superior to free.

Ranting over.

I Cut the Cord

I am a Cord Cutter. Apparently that is a name given to those that have decide to say goodbye to cable or satellite TV.

I start to realize that I was spending too much money on Satellite TV, while having to scroll through piles of crappy shows and bullshit movies. I had most of the channels such as HBO, Movie Central, Encore Avenue, etc. The problem was that the movies were stale, not much was new A lot of network TV is horrible. No offense to anyone, but Glee, seriously? "Hey look, Dancing with Nobodies is on!"

So I did a little research and found that I can watch movies, watch many of my favorite shows, enjoy excellent online music stations, and even check out some great new video over the Internet. More research prompted me to investigate the Boxee Box.  I went for it. I called up my satellite provider and cancelled. The next day I picked up a new Boxee Box. Here is an obligatory picture;

It is a cute little bugger. This thing is tiny. It's a bit wider than a slice of Texas Toast, and just about as tall as a jumbo coffee. Hookup and setup were a breeze. There isn't much to it. Connect the supplied HDMI cable to your TV, plug in your USB storage device ( a hard drive full of video in my case) and plug in the power cord. I powered it up and simply followed the setup.

I was very impressed. It looks great and is easy to use. The tiny fan inside is audible, but not when you are enjoying TV, so I can forgive that small distraction.

There must be a hangup right? Nothing is perfect. Boxee Box for Canadians is a little lacking. The content is not the same as the content enjoyed by U.S. citizens. Perhaps the big broadcasters and providers don't like America's friendly neighbour. In any case, I needed to make some changes.

After some online reading, I realized I could easily set up a VPN to work with Boxee. It's is a whopping $8 a month. Now I can get the additional programming. I could even try out Netflix US. Netflix Canada sucks in comparison.

Now I have pile of great shows to watch, excellent music to match my tastes (thanks Pandora), and easy access to my external hard drive. It couldn't get any better.

Or could it?

Yes, it gets better. I have easily set it all up so that I can now add files to my external drive over my network from my PC or laptop. I can even access my Boxee Box via its own webpage.

Is there a hitch? yes. My plans to watch less TV will be a challenge, but going from $88 a month to $15 sure makes me feel better about my latest decision.

I am alive....

I haven't updated this area in ages.  New things have been happening, but I guess I was too lazy to update a simple web area. I have a few new things to share. I have decided to take up guitar and bass. I have also decided to dump satellite TV. Oh ya, I am older. I made it 46 years.

I can't wait anymore...

I ordered a Epiphone Les Paul Special II on December 3rd 2010 from a local shop. Damn I am getting anxious. It will be a glossy black, which they refer to as Ebony. I also ordered a Line 6 Pocket Pod recently so I can practice comfortably on the couch with headphones.

As soon as I get it, I will post a few pics.

I have the Minecraft bug.

I have played the excellent game of Minecraft for a week now, and am entirely hooked. I have built up a little base in what appears to be a massive map. I have read that it could be as large as Earth (wow) Is anyone crazy enough to try and explore it all.
Each map is random. So everybody's environment is different. It is a huge somewhat silly looking sandbox game. Play it in Peaceful mode, or try Survival against a host of enemies. Careful, some enemies explode.

Here's a recent overview map I created of my Minecraft I explored so far.

My BOB is not a BOB !?!?

My BOB is not a BOB. According to some folks opinions I have encountered online, and in person, my BOB just isn't.


What's a BOB (you might wonder)? It is a Bug Out Bag. Wikipedia calls it:
... a portable kit that contains the items one would require to survive for seventy two hours when evacuating from a disaster.

I have more than one matching bag of items I determined would best support myself, spouse, and child in the case of emergency. It has items that are likely similar to the kits every other prepper or survivalist has, so I won't bore you with the big list. As well, people's opinions on the proper items vary quite a bit, so I won't get into it. If you are curious about creating your own kit,  you can look here, or Google it.


Other survival bags or packs exist, and of course the Internet is full of acronyms to describe them. There is the GHB (Get Home Bag), for helping you get home from work or wherever else you might be. The there is also the BOV (Bug Out Vehicle). This either a vehicle prepared to aid in escape or survival in emergencies, or containing the necessary items to ensure survival while getting out of Dodge. 


Our intention for the bags is this: If we are at home, the bags are placed in locations so they can be easily grabbed when we GTFO (Get The **** Out). OR .... when we travel in either of our vehicles, we simply take a bag (or two) with us. Our thinking is that if SHTF "you-know-what Hits The Fan" while we are  at home, we can simply leave, either on foot or by truck/car. If on the other hand, all hell breaks loose while either one of us is away, we are better prepared to make it home.

So my kit is a BOB but it isn't. I guess it magically is a BOB, a GHB, or a BOV (sort of). We planned on what I simply refer to as survival packs long before I became aware of the popular acronyms preppers and survivalist use. I think that sometimes some people get a little too tied up in the terms. 


Plan ahead. Be safe.

What the Hell Happened to Scouts Canada ???

When I was a kid my folks placed me in Cubs and then Scouts. I loved it. All my friends were in it, and I made new friends too. We did fun stuff, went camping, learned cool skills, etc. So I figured that since my son is now 6 and a half years old, he can join the junior ranks of Scouts Canada, called Beavers. I could picture him in the cute little Beavers outfit. So Tammy and I took him to a nearby Beavers group to check it out and sign him up. What a major disappointment. Shame on you Scouts Canada. You suck.

It is very expensive. I realize that my days as a Scout were long, long ago, and that as times change, financing has changed as well. I expected a cost in getting my son involved, but not $230. Seriously, $230 !! I couldn't believe it. The total divides as follows; $160 just to join Scouts Canada (I assume the $160 is a combination of provincial and federal costs) and another $70 just for the local group. They quickly explained that we can volunteer to help with future costs. Heck if we volunteered enough we wouldn't have to pay as much next year. So what? 


Just what does $230 get my 6 year old? Not a uniform. Yup, the uniform will be an extra cost on top of the $230. Holy crap. How can they justify $230 to simply have a little kid in a Beavers group?

Then we found out that the last half hour of the meeting was devoted to sitting a small group of 6 and 7 years old boys in front of some sales posters while they were instructed how they and their parents were expected to sell merchandise to further support the organization. I am not kidding. They actually want us to push the sales of popcorn, trail mixes, and other crap to further provide funds to Scouts Canada. They explained how selling X number of dollars of products got the kids gift cards and other rewards. Big deal! Seriously, they are encouraging us to sell $600 worth of crap to get our kid a cheap plastic gun that shoots marshmallows. They discussed the rewards for selling $1200 and even $2500. I felt like I was trapped in an Amway meeting.

I suppose there are some costs in sending a kid to camp (if they go), and perhaps there is some overhead, like insurance, but requiring $230 to put a 6 year old kid in a Beavers group is crazy? Give me a break. They actually tried to encourage little kids to peddle merchandise. Just how bad does Scouts Canada need the money? Shame on you Scouts Canada.

My kid will do something else instead. He will join other organizations (which are far cheaper) where he will have fun and not have to sellout. I was hoping to protect my kid from capitalistic scumbags for at least a few more years. Thanks Scouts.