10.21.08
Posted in Books, Wicket at 2:28 pm by steve
I want to write another book. The topic: Wicket. This has got to be one of the coolest UI frameworks around. I think this thing is really picking up speed. It’s an Apache project, so you know it’s great (open source rules!). There are 2 mainstream (Manning and Apress) books and one self-published book on it. I’ve asked O’Reilly to let me write the O’Reilly book on Wicket. I’m waiting to see what they say. I hope they say yes.
If they don’t, no problem. There are tons of outlets for my creative juices. And they’re flowing now. Sounds gross, but it’s gonna be gnarly.
You heard it here first.
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10.14.08
Posted in Philosophy at 7:07 am by steve
I’m in the world to play the role He assigns: facing each moment with calm awareness and clarity of thought, divorcing my thoughts (and hence my actions) from selfishness, self-pity and feelings of guilt and remorse, I can be effective in carrying out His will.
My life changes each moment as awareness of my role and its place in the world help me see what it is I’m really here to do.
Selfishness and anger play no part in a true spiritual life.
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07.10.08
Posted in Rants at 8:44 pm by steve
It’s kind of sad when people have to pick sides. Us vs. Them. He-said/She-said. Is you is or is you ain’t? That type of thing.
But, it’s a fact of life. You have to decide where to stand. You see stuff going on, and you take a stand. I’ve done that recently, and the people on the other side are trying to bully me into changing my mind. Not gonna happen, folks. You’ve been misled by your champion, so I forgive you in advance (holy s—, can I do that?).
One day the truth will come out. Unless it doesn’t. Either way, I’m alright. I’m like Arjuna. This whole thing has me down. Dejected, you might say. But like Arjuna I’ve been counseled. Not by Krishna (though, who knows?), but counseled all the same. And it’s time to get it on. Because it’s all alright.
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06.28.08
Posted in Cycling at 6:52 pm by steve
This one goes from my house to ALLTEL, then does the River Trail. That doesn’t sound so hard, does it. Try riding it. Here’s a link to mapmyride.com:
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Posted in Cycling, Rants at 1:12 pm by steve
I was riding today. Noodling along, just trying to enjoy the ride. When I came upon this. Now, I’ve been here a few times before, but I never noticed the conflicting signs. What’s a conscientious bike rider and law abiding citizen (I don’t run stop lights either) to do?
Just thought I’d share. I was like, “Aw hells nah” when I saw this… Funny, man! Yeah, Yeah, I know the “Do not Enter” is for automobile traffic, but it struck me kind of funny anyway.
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06.16.08
Posted in Books at 9:04 pm by steve
Living Buddha, Living Christ
I don’t know where to start with this one. It makes so much sense, I’m amazed that it ever got published. Thich Nhat Hanh really understands the concept of religious diversity, which means the path to God just might not be as narrow as we’ve been led to believe. Acceptance of others and their religious views can lead to peaceful dialogue, if both parties can only shed or shelve their insecurities in their own beliefs (which is arguably the main taproot of fanaticism to begin with).
Let’s just say it’s quite a different view than, “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.”
Light on Life
I’m kind of a yoga nut. This is a really good book, that I think Iyengar meant for the mainstream, but most people aren’t going to get it. Yoga philosophy is beyond most Americans. If you’re wondering, “How do compassion, selflessness and discipline help me get a bigger house/SUV/job/etc.?” then you’re probably in the wrong place (try google:foxnews.com), but thanks for making my point. If not, check it out. But I’ll warn you, it’s pretty dense. Iyengar has nicely simlified the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, but it’s still pretty chewy. But, come on, you can make a diamond only so small before it loses its luster.
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06.14.08
Posted in Film, Rants at 11:15 pm by steve
I’ve been wanting to buy a new truck for some time now, and figured out a few months ago what I wanted: a new Dodge Ram 2500 Quad-Cab with the Cummins Diesel engine. Do I need one? No. I just want it because, well, I want it.
But, I just never could feel good about it. I haven’t bought a new truck, and continue to offer up many different excuses as to why not. “It’s not the right time.” or “With gas prices the way they are, it doesn’t make sense.” The bottom line is, it just seems wasteful. But, hey, I’m an American. We’re good at being wasteful.
Then I saw a movie called Crude Impact. I’m not much of a joiner, and definitely not an activist, but this movie really struck a chord with me. While the world’s thirst for oil continues to grow, our supplies continue to dwindle. It doesn’t take a scientist to see this is not a sustainable climate (ah, hell, pun intended). The producers have put together a web site that outlines what we can do. Unless we can decrease our dependence on fossil fuels, we are in serious trouble. Not only is an untenable economic situation in our future, but a resulting man-induced global climate change could seriously diminish the Earth’s capacity to sustain human life (though the Earth will be just fine, and it cracks me up to hear how we are “destroying the Earth,” which will be here long after we are gone).
So what do we do? Well, for starters, I’m going to stop and start. Stop wasting and start conserving. Stop using my recycle bin as a backyard trash bin and start taking it out to the curb every week. Stop wanting for things I don’t need and start being more thankful for what I have.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get in my SUV and go get some more fluorescent bulbs. Yeah, I know
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06.03.08
Posted in Cycling at 9:09 pm by steve
Picked these up today at the Burns Park Visitor’s Center.
River Trail Map
Burns Park Trail Descriptions
Burns Park Trail Map
I was told at the Visitor’s Center that the Equestrian and Boy Scout trails, which used to be off limits to Mountain Bikes, are now “multi-use” trails. So if anybody gives you s— for riding your MTB up in there, tell ‘em the rules have changed, yo.
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Posted in General at 9:55 am by steve
A friend of mine, Ralph, sent me these pictures. Are these not the cutest? Yeah, yeah, baby deer, cute, etc. But these really are cool. Ralph said he took these just moments after Bambi and another twin (Bambi 2?) were born, and momma deer was not too happy. When I think about it, I don’t know that I would have hung around to take these with Angry Momma Deer close by. But ole Ralph is a pretty tough guy.
What’s up?
You looking at me?
I gotta motor!
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01.23.08
Posted in Electronics at 6:54 am by steve
– Update –
It only took two years (I’ve been a little busy) but I got this working on my Javelin stamp. The code is ugly. I have to refactor it to make it generic. But it works. Here’s the setup, and me pushing the 7 key (the keypad I got from All Electronics doesn’t have the numbers, so imagine this keypad looks like a telephone touch tone keypad):
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What’s up?
You looking at me?
I gotta motor!
