Music Monday

Pretzel Logic is the title cut from a 1974 Steely Dan album. Good song, good album. This is actually many years later at the New York Rock and Soul Review. It does feature Donald Fagen from Steely Dan and Michael McDonald who played with the Dan for a brief time. That's the awesome Drew Zingg rippin' the guitar solo. He's pretty much a member of Steely Dan now. I think the black and white filming adds to the mood and era. The album cover for Pretzel Logic was black and white. Good music? Do you like it? I think it's soulful:



"Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard."
~Anne Sexton

Warning: Turbo Whine Mode (You Might Want to Skip This One)

Do I ever wish I had money!!! I'd stop working on PCs period. Would love to have coinage to build my own because I always research the components and usually get it right the first time. All my machines are scanned every day and each protection program is checked for updates before scanning. I don't use evil dung like spyware carrying Yahoo. I stick to valid programs and if problems do arise I take my time and search the knowledge base at Microsoft and several forums. Due to the business several OS's are run on this network when it is functioning. So familiarity with such is above average. If I didn't have this need I'd run Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on most machines with Linux Ubuntu on one, FreeBSD on another and purchase a Mac with Intel technology.

Two machines I've had since Christmas. Have continuously tried to repair the problems and I still don't have a clue. Actually I think my efforts are completely futile. One motherboard is dead I've decided and there is some hardware problem with the other. Now I have another machine that has valuable data and I have ordered another repair disk not knowing if it will work or not. Should be here tomorrow. The installation of XP Pro is in a loop that I can't remove or reconfigure. It gets to network drivers and blue screens. I bet this has happened 30 maybe 40 times. Tried different XP Pro disks and it makes no difference. This shit is gonna' put me in the damn nut house for sure! If anyone has any recommendations please contact me. Just want this latest one fixed and will worry about the other two later. Literally I've been up all night for 3 days now trying to find a solution. Any help will certainly be appreciated.

Sorry to all the AMD folks, but my next new build (if there ever is one) will be Intel based. Just never see Intel machines with all these weird problems. The two AMD machines I own are in a building stage and have been since I took these others in the shop. They will work and do a good job, but it is technology that's several years old. Just won't finish them until I resolve the client's problems. You come first. Yet, with this year being filled with disaster after disaster (the shop burning down was devastating) plus the goofball antics of the current administration concerning our country's economy, my continuous uphill battle trying to fight the VA then add max stress and worry, none of this has helped. I have found out who are my real friends though. More people have disappointed me this year than any preceding year. Still, family and my real friends have pitched in and helped. To all of those good people I owe you for what little sanity that's left. To the "friends" that deserted me I despise all of you.

Enough Mel Gibson emulation. Had to vent. Tomorrow will be a better day. I hope...

"Insanity is often the logic of an accurate mind overtasked."
~Oliver W. Holmes

Dragons, Heat, Etc.

Be sure and read today's post over at Hoppa the Geek. It has interesting information about how mapmakers used dragons as symbols and the various interpretations and meanings. Great post. Of course many of you know Hoppa as Laxen Firethrow in the realm of the three continents.

After a night of ups and downs, a queasy stomach seems to be subsiding. Now it's time to work on another set of computers that belong to another Guild Wars player, the Red Dragon aka Dragor Rogue. Also hope to spend some time creating a new workstation for the beach house, probably tomorrow evening. Have two in the making.

Everyone please heed the local warnings about heat. Several people have died due to extreme hot weather and it's just not worth taking a chance with your life to conserve electricity. Be sure and drink enough non-alcoholic beverages in order to fight dehydration. If you have to go outside, try to schedule it as early morning as possible.

Ramblings over. Now I must go against my own advice and jump in my truck with a non-functioning air conditioner and drive to Tupelo. You can bet it will be a quick trip with all windows open! Later.

"Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha."
~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

In the Beginning

We'd gathered and talked about different names finally coming up with Kudzu Dragons code name YALL. We were a small group that hasn't grown a lot down through the years. Some have left not to return, some have left and come back. Several joined another guild, Balthazar's Ashes, that are our best allies. Great players and a welcome addition when they desire to enter the realm of Guild Wars. It's a hostile world in different levels of siege where teamplay does not necessarily rule all the time. Yet, teamplay can make or break an effort at times. We'd crossed from the Pre-Searing chapter to Post-Searing and found that things are not always butterflies and beautiful Sunflowers alongside streams that run clear. One great adventurer, Red Dragon, a Ranger/Warrior had farmed the countryside to reap great rewards. He shared them by acquiring a rare Sigil, handing it to Maskull Tor with his blessing. His desire was that the Tor 'create us a guild hall of great renown.' The Dragon of Red, Maskull, Laxen, Hiarnow Kharnak, and Elie's Coming began the task of building an Imperial Hall. It is a refuge and home to all Kudzu Dragons guild members as well as their friends, trusted sisters and brothers in arms.

Center Court, Kudzu Dragons Imperial Hall

Being close to the Emperor's palace in Cantha you can occasionally hear the sound of peacocks in the background. The high walls, elaborate roof and byways are majestic in nature. Beautiful crepe myrtles grow everywhere. There are fountains and streams that will calm one's spirit after battle. There is no lack of artisans or those who aide in other ways. They closely surround the Xunlai Chest at one end of the great hall. It is a huge place where one can scrimmage, plan battles, equip various runes or insignias and interact with fellow adventurers without fear of being attacked. A motley crew if there ever was one, we began a tradition of accepting some of the most fierce players in the realm. Female and male warriors, mages, healers, those who practice the dark arts for the forces of good can be found coming and going to and from the three continents.

Kudzu Dragons Cape

One dark mage, Maskull Tor, stands alongside his guildmates not lording over them, but as an equal. His growth and that of his mates are due to many: Aang Woo, smiter and healer versed in strategy - a great ally, Cyndane Eloize, so innocent looking, who can rain down lightning and certain death, the formidable Laxen Firethrow with his ability to place arrows accurately while calling on rituals from the spirit world, the Red Dragon, aka Dragor Rogue, who wields both bow and sword, Hiarnow with powers of nature, cunning plus the ability to chameleon into other professions, Elie the warrior wielding axe, war hammer or flashing fiery sword, Skye Conner an ally versed in arts of the Ranger and friend of nature who will become deadly in an instant, Merlin of Buckhorn who can clothe as different professions using great weapons of mass destruction never desiring to surrender, fearsome Tyroneus Rex, the name certainly says it all, Apoc Stormbringer the hulking terror formidable in battle, Penitendagon Arelin whose neverending knowledge abets fellow players, Axefnarx Deaconess the wielder of healing or a master of stealth that ends in death, Forest Whistler summoning great beasts and releasing volleys of death upon all that dare confront a fellow Dragon or ally, Jared Morte the warrior always fighting up front and a valuable ally. Our two newest inductees are Blue Eyed Beauty and Shane Hall. Laxen recruited them back a few months ago and they have been embraced by the guild. Both are talented multi profession fighters that do not know the meaning of the word retreat. Blue Eyed Beauty conquered the continent of Elona in Nightfall in less than a month! Pixie Freck shows up on occasion to boost the strength of a sortee. And we certainly can't forget Tanner, Brandon, Kyle, Katylan, and Logan who are busy learning the various skills of their craft.

Xunlai Chest & Agent

We even have a Laundry Witch that makes a rare appearance. Several Kudzu Dragons are busy in Pre-Searing, while War Chunker is on hiatus (he works on the road), but will return to fight wearing the green and black of a Dragon. The Graceland Firewench is one of our great mysteries. No doubt I am leaving out some so forgive me.

Vigilant Ranger, Northern Shiverpeaks

We use a great communications program called Teamspeak. It resides on an Alienware server (TYVM Hiarnow)! We even have channels set up for those that play Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO). It's a channel that hasn't seen much use lately. There is also a channel for the free online game, Perfect World. Interested in joining? Want to learn more? Contact us. My email is listed at the top of the page, there is a comments section as well as the beach house chat. Or you can join us in the Dragons' Lair to talk to players. It is the lobby of our Teamspeak server. So this ends with the call to war...Dragons Rock!

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Guild Wars Lore

MORE INFO COMING ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF KUDZU DRAGONS.....Tribute to Red Dragon, original Guild Hall Sigil Owner (gift to the guild) and other Kudzu Dragons. Tune in tomorrow!

BTW, click on the dragon pix and see greater detail. Questions? Use the comments or Beach House Chat.

Firefox Version 3.6.8

Firefox release 3.6.8 is available. It handles several issues and should be downloaded. Firefox 4.0 is probably just around the corner. This is still one of my favorite browsers. They have moved the tabs to the top much like Chrome and Opera. The 4.0 beta is available now if you are the adventurous type. The beach house will wait on the first true release of version 4.0. Great browser.

I alternate using Chrome and Firefox most of the time. Still call on Internet Explorer 8 occasionally. Like Lunascape, but it will use a lot of resources. Downloaded and tried Opera again a few weeks ago and have since discarded it. Just doesn't seem fast or neat. Any opinions?

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."
~Alan Simpson

Headsets

My StarGate Atlantis like headset for the laptop bit the dust. The small microphone broke away from the earbud and cannot be repaired. When purchasing them, it ran through my mind they might be too delicate for my use. Well 3 years later that's true. So, if you can use earbuds I still recommend them because of their small size . They come in a nice small rigid leather carrying case too. The manufacturer is Plantronics. This set pictured is the 480 series which cost $79.95 3 years ago, but can be found in the $30.00 range today. Comes with different size ear cups and regular mic/spkrs jacks plus USB adapter. Would have bought this set again if I could have found them locally. BTW, great bass output for something so small. Beware the cord is short, but extensions can be found at most hardware suppliers.

Opted for a GE brand that is apparently made by JASCO (pictured in this paragraph). They make the same headset for several companies including Microsoft. Microphone is detachable and they fold up nicely. Great for a backpack. The microphone can be installed into the laptop port directly. They have a detachable point in the cord which makes it nice not to take them off if you have to move far away from the computer. Sound quality is good. Comfortable and inexpensive set for the laptop. Of course I wouldn't let go of my Turtle Beach Ear Force X1s for the desktop. They have been replaced in the line by a newer 5.1 Dolby set, but I'll use this set of X1s until they fail. The bass is awesome. Best sounding headset I've ever used!

"Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends.... Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts."
~Henry David Thoreau

Music Monday

This is in my top five favorites of all time. Sorry there's no live video, but sit back and hear a wonderful voice sing a wonderful song. It just doesn't get much better than this:



Whew! Moving rendition that causes me to meltdown.

"God sent his Singers upon earth
With songs of sadness and of mirth,
That they might touch the hearts of men,
And bring them back to heaven again."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Doing Documents

Finally gave up trying to download a decent invoice template for Open Office. If anyone has one they use or can suggest one please let me know. So, Microsoft Office XP small biz is now on the laptop. Didn't install Outlook. I don't like that program. Besides, GMail runs just fine on the web. I am sure I'll have to download emulators since this version of Office is several years old. Should get the job done for me. When I include those downloads the links will be listed in a future post. They come in handy when working in Office XP with an Office 2010 or 2007 document, etc.

So now I have the newest version of Works, Open Office and an older version of Office. Half-Terrabyte hard drives are wayyyy kewl.

"Database: the information you lose when your memory crashes."
~Dave Barry, Claw Your Way to the Top

Laws, or a Lynch Mob?

Woodrow Wilson's words ring true. Bosses and crooks are running our country. Might be a good idea to take your blood pressure medicine, heart meds or at least tape a valium on ya' before viewing this:



Thanks EdC for a great link. I hope everyone that visits here views this whole video. Maybe the great Satan is running or at least undermining our country. Last election may have been Armageddon and the End Times are upon us! This is horrible. Load these money manipulators on a rocket and shoot em into the Sun!

"The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy."
~Woodrow Wilson (yes, I did use this quote a few days ago - thought it worth repeating)

Random Thursday

The Silent U.S. Marines drill team is awesome. They are larger. And Most impressive! But watch the way the Navy works with accuracy and precision. Sorry about using a non USA version, but thanks to the .mx person that supplied this great display.



Do I think this is a political statement? Damn right! Oh, there is now a chat box towards the top of the column to the right. So I am reacting to the poll results.

"My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its office-holders."
~Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, 1889

Overwhelming 100% Vote (LOL)

Wow, the poll in yesterday's post was a "huge" success. I'd like to thank the 1, yes one, participant that wants a more political theme. Sure thought I'd get at least 10-15 votes, but this is the internet and you never know. Many people are afraid of these things, but it is truly anonymous so paranoia is unfounded. At least I have learned something.

Beagle, one of my daughters, changes her look on occasion. This (Cybersouth) template is an older one and has been through several phases. It seems balanced and my use of HTML is easy since I rarely have to change it. I do plan on adding pages. Actually did this at one time, but an ISP change destroyed my subsequent additions. Will find the time to add some stuff after business changes and I get caught up on my personal chores.

This is truly a post that should be labeled, "ramblings." Later.

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes."
~Benjamin Disraeli

Poll

Cybersouth, from the Saltillo Beach House, is less than 2000 hits away from the 100,000 mark. We seem to hold on to the #1 position in Google Search most of the time so there's still activity here after all these years. Change is, at times, a hard and necessary thing. Please help, This is not the time to use non-pertinent info or a joke (they will be deleted). So, help me decide how to improve by participating in this very short, anonymous poll:


Survey Results - GlowDay.com


You can also use the comments section for more suggestions. Thanks!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
~Winston Churchill

Heard the Bellamy Brothers Lately?

Okay, which is really the most politically incorrect?

Guild Wars 2 - Ranger skills

These videos were posted yesterday. I am not sure that they are titled properly since there were times I was downloading the same video for each title. They may be slow loading too. Everyone is hitting the site, but that should clear up in a few days. If you expand to full screen the resolution is awesome. Anyway, I'll keep an eye on it and make changes that are appopriate.

Barrage



Hunter's Call




Spread Shot



Serpent Strike



Whirling Defense

Few Minutes of Viewing Worth Your Time

This a speech made in November 2009. Amazing how his words ring true today. This is only a part of the speech, but it is profound. If you are an American take a few minutes and watch ALL of it;



Thanks EdC for another wonderful, relevant and important link!

"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys."
~P.J. O'Rourke

Restless Night

Yesterday's post was not well received by several ppl. It did get a lot of hits. One of my greatest passions is the way Veterans are treated by the government and the people. How fellow human beings treat each other is also important. I by no means am perfect. I have made some enemies. It's a good thing that I know in a gunfight, knifefight, etc., they'd stand no chance. Otherwise I might have hurt one of the silly bastards and that gets us nowhere. The brief scenario discussed yesterday was my first firefight, not the last. Folks, sleep was not good last night. My life is somewhat awry and I'll struggle through it as always. Stick with me. There's much more going on than one might think.

Meantime, let's drink from a half-full glass and enjoy some good laughs. Thanks to everyone that has stuck with me: God Bless and good luck to the wimpy nancies that didn't.

"Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody."
~Benjamin Franklin

Loyalty, One View

We had been on a reconnoiter mission to find out first hand if our communication stream was having impact on the VC. Our comm crew met with a forward spotter, a Force Recon Marine. There was also a squad of Marines nearby. It was a typical meet and greet to check our effectiveness. There were no cameras in 'smart' bombs during the Vietnam War. It was average and almost to the point of boring until the fit hit the shan. Out of nowhere around 30 VC appeared hell bent on killing us. The fire laid down was too heavy for them to be trying to acquire prisoners or our antiquated equipment. All hell broke loose and then I watched a systematic order come together amongst our Marine friends. Within less than two minutes 30+ Viet Cong lay dead or dying. Without gruesome details let me say that all perished before we left this rendevous. We lost one member of our team and I watched him die. It shook my soul. It was also the first time I ever took another human's life. Rarely a night passes that I do not recall these vivid images in my mind.



Riding the MWB back to our TEMDU location, a destroyer at the time, was hell. The right leg of my fatigues was soaked in blood. Mine. After a Helo evac I was resting in sickbay of CVA(N)-65, repaired as quickly as possible. Staples in the wounds and most of the shrapnel cleaned out helped me rest. The fatigue washed over me jump started by the painkillers. Then there was no pain and the mind wandered. I thought or dreamed about how the Marines acted as a unit, each putting his faith and loyalty into the others to do their job. They were efficient and deadly. I owe them my life and will always be proud that I served for a while in the company of the United States Marines. Semper Fi! It was so obvious that no matter what rank or importance to the mission each American life was precious. This fast acting, well trained squad had a mission to see that everyone got out. Even the body of the dead sailor was saved. Their efforts overcame a sneak attack that had us well outnumbered.



Loyalty. One of man's most admirable traits. It's not seen in the civilian world much. Instead we see many cowardly despots that are bereft of human compassion or sympathy. These people must bring tears to the eyes of our Lord. Yet, if asked He will forgive even these gollumish creatures. Loyalty. It is still the glue that holds our country together because it is contagious among our men and women who serve in the armed forces to keep us free. Believe me, if they weren't doing their jobs all the "infidels" (that's us non-muslims) would be dead and the radical islamic groups (no capitalization on purpose) would turn the White House into a mosque. Next time you see a Veteran in need, a returning warrior, or family members that have lost loved ones remember the word loyalty. If you are a Christian, prayer for our country and loyalty which is the American Way, might not hurt. Damn these radical groups that are trying to terrorize a nation that permits the right to worship as you please. It's simple when it comes the the radical extremists that want you and me to die. Their loyalty is self-centered and a form of psychosis. To have no regard for your fellow man unless he looks, acts and thinks like you was given a heavy run for the money back in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It didn't work. The Nazis were defeated. Actually they were severely thrashed.



To hell with the atheists and the radicals. We are a Christian nation founded by Christian forefathers. Don't like it? Take your sorry butts out of my country. Folks, you better start researching the articles used to put this nation together. You need to think about loyalty and start practicing it instead of taking cheap shots at everyone. Our nation is in trouble and you can thank the liberals for most of it. I, for one, try not to desert people in need. And I certainly won't kick a person when they're down. My hand will be extended. After all, loyalty to my fellow man that respects me is an honor. Seems this philosophy dwells in good human hearts. If you don't feel it, ignore it, hide from it, then God help your miserable soul.

"The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith."
~Confucius

Goodbye? Maybe Not So Much...

After much discussion and making arrangements with my ISP (MetroCast, God Bless 'em!) my service will stay online. They extended the charges for a few days and if I stay alive there is money to be collected. This way I can catch up some important stuff like internet connectivity and cell phone bill. Will worry about electric and water next week. I cannot let the current political administration defeat me! If the American people vote these idiots in again we are doomed. Business for many has come to a screeching halt. And you know what? I don't blame people for being ultra-conservative with their money.

Our economy is horrible and we HAVE to vote some intelligent conservatives in to fix this disaster created by the current administration. Letting these corrupt, bigoted, shady politicians force an unwanted health care debacle on us is bad enough. To destabilize our economic position and influence in the world market is unforgivable. Stop voting for race. Stop voting for a party. Those that voted this last bunch in need to get their heads out of their asses and research before voting. These offices are too important to make the elections a popularity contest. Look at a person's credentials, their lifestyle, their life experience, then make a choice. BTW, you idiots actually voted in someone not born in the United States!!!!

We survived when we put Reagan (r.i.p. Mr. President) in office and our nation once again became United and Strong. This November please, please go to the polls and vote with some sense. So, through self-determination I plan to survive. It's the American Way. This is already a struggle that looks dire. But the support of friends and family plays a large part in making me continue to strive for existence and be a positive influence. Thanks for the concern.

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
“Do or do not... there is no try."
~Yoda, Jedi Master Star Wars

Goodbye

Soon, this site will not update. It most likely will end up deleted permanently. Business has been down and the lack of funds will create the loss of internet connectivity. Recovering does not seem possible at this time. This is probably the last post. It's been fun and I want to save everything if I have time. Sorry folks, the fire was just too much from which to recover and I do not want to borrow more money. Today's present economic state has pretty much ended many businesses as we all know. I'd like to pay back what I owe and catch up things like internet connectivity, but cash flow has hit bottom. This site started in April, 2003 and has had an interesting run. Shame we didn't hit the 100,000 mark. So close. Met some nice people and appreciate all the support and readers. I will miss all of you. A lot.

"The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy."
~Woodrow Wilson