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Thursday miscellanea #174

Bo — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:01:00 +0000

Headed back toward seasonal weather this weekend. I haven’t had my coat on in two weeks.
Beginning next week, each little boy who lives at our house gets 10 hours per week of video game time, as measured on a countdown timer. (That’s any video game: handheld, console, or PC.) More than one person has told me that sounds like a lot, but I’m estimating it’s a 20-30% reduction for our boys. (Perhaps that means we let it get too far before reining it in, or perhaps it means our critics are underestimating what’s happening at their houses.) There’ll be one warning the first week, but after that, any detected playing without the timer running takes it instantly to zero for the week.
They were arrested for it, and yet someone somewhere is probably paying a grand for it: Wisconsin sisters accused of sexually assaulting man with pliers, forcing him to drink urine. You know, I think it’s about even odds it comes out that this was consensual.
I tried a headlight restoration product on Lea’s van last weekend. (It was Meguiar’s, but I think they’re probably all about the same.) It worked well, though it’s definitely a job that requires finesse if you want it to look perfect. The first little bit of work will get you a lot of the way there, though.
So apparently Bret Bielema is all hacked off that Urban Meyer signed a player that was “verbally committed” to Wisconsin. He’s babbling about a supposed gentlemen’s agreement in the Big Ten, in which the coaches don’t do that. Meyer’s response is “nonsense,” and I think it’s the correct one. If a prospect isn’t signed, then he’s unsigned. (And I can’t wait to be for Ohio State against Wisconsin this November 17.)
As distasteful as I find the prospect of paying George Lucas again, I’ve “verbally committed” to Episode I in 3D.
I’ve had such a good time being Nathan’s assistant Upward basketball coach this season. I’ve had a marvelous and patient teacher, a great group of boys, and at least twice the fun I thought I’d have.

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These roads lead to BoWilliams.com

Bo — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:57:41 +0000

Here are some recent search terms (put into Google, Yahoo!, and so forth) that led someone to this blog:

need to pee in airplane
I am proud to say I never have. I plan carefully to avoid needing airplane bathrooms. Checked one out for Nathan once; that’s the closest I’ve ever come.

wife pierced
That’s alarmingly general.

prison girls
Oh yeah man, I know. I get you.

synthetic opioid like over the counter
That’d be another step to, like, a utopia.

what the fuck is my pin number?
7942.

corn flakes look like people
Some of them. Some of us.

stimulate my economies
Your economies are filthy little perverts.

boots for rabbits
Be careful. Fur freaks ‘em out.

are car dealers the most hated profession in the usa
Nope. Attorneys.

fire les miles 2012
The mind of a corn dog is a mysterious thing.

kenny stabler beer
Yeah. It’s a problem.

be nice to obama
No.

this here’s the duck
This here’s the orange sauce.

tabasco sauce kid
That’d be a cool cowboy name.

redneck wife
Don’t have one. I know a few.

what is a damp washcloth
I can’t believe this one recurs, but it does.

i want to fuck ssheep
I can believe this one recurs. And it does.

is there a vulgar word for female genitalia or behavior that starts with a q?
Yes. Quitoris.

These roads lead to WmWms Here are some recent search terms (put into Google, Yahoo!,...
These roads lead to WmWms Here are some recent search terms (put into Google, Yahoo!,...
These roads lead to WmWms Here are some recent search terms (put into Google, Yahoo!,...

Thursday miscellanea #173

Bo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:01:19 +0000

My Google+ profile is on the ropes. In fact, as soon as I get out of my Android phone, I may see if I can go Google-free. I think I’ve decided that Microsoft is my faceless megacorp of choice.
It’s another #1 class for Alabama (and by the way, the Tide signed 8% of the ESPNU 150). Also, I’ve noticed that even the most breathlessly optimistic detractors have abandoned any fantasy of Coach Saban retiring anywhere but the Capstone. Gird up, folks. This is where Alabama belongs. More hardware to come (in my house, not yours).
RIP, Don Cornelius. I posted a video of him introducing Vanity 6 on my Facebook profile not two weeks ago. I’m not one to overvalue coincidence, so I’ll leave it at that.
Nathan didn’t make it his first time trying out for Scholar’s Bowl. He’s got the knowledge, but he can’t yet lay his brain (and his mouth) on it quickly enough. He seems okay with it, but I told him that if it was important to him, I’d help him, and we’d see next year. (Scholar’s Bowl was kind of my thing.)
I loved Runaway, for Gene Simmons, Cynthia Rhodes (yum!), and the smart bullets, roughly in that order. Now, in early 2012, the smart bullets are almost here.
The CD player in the Technical Writing Express has perished. I’d been uncommonly impressed with the ’08 Versa’s service record, but this early failure yanks it back to average. I think I’ll get an aftermarket head unit with additional capabilities for my birthday.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 scared the living hell out of the boys. We had a disjointed Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, with multiple journeys to the master suite and closet lights left on and what-not. We’ll finish the series this weekend (read: on a non-schoolnight).

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Thursday miscellanea #172

Bo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:01:46 +0000

It’s raining again. We have some neighbors to the northwest who have a pond that periodically dries up, but it’s rather impressive right now. Also, this body of water is back in a big way.
There’s a marked (but smooth-top) trooper in a Charger prowling 565 this week. Also, that unmarked Tahoe is still around. Finally, Madison Police has a new predominantly black color scheme. That’s on a new Charger too, which is a departure. MPD has run Crown Vics and Impalas for the past 25 years.
BamaDan and I saw Haywire last night. That’s a marvelous film. Solid 8/10.
I have perfectly rationalized mooching Wi-Fi without patronage, because lots of times I go to such places and buy things without using the Wi-Fi. This is the same logic that allows me to guiltlessly use McDonald’s restrooms when traveling without buying anything.
Speaking of, I’m delighted to be able to still mooch said Wi-Fi on my netbook. I grabbed it in a hurry on Tuesday morning, thinking I might blog at lunch. When I went to get it out, it had hung trying to hibernate, so the hard drive had run continuously for almost four hours while enclosed completely in its bag. It was so hot I almost couldn’t touch it. Cooled it off and recharged it, and it’s good to go.
I went poking around the Adobe site on another matter, and discovered they’re about to make essentially all of their multimedia and graphic software available for lease at $49.99 a month. I’ve sometimes considered catching back up on Director and Flash, but the prices have always turned me off. This is something I’ll consider carefully. After all, it wouldn’t take much freelance work at all to keep it paid for.
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA is tasty, but at least one area Publix appears to be stocking it instead of Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA. That won’t do, folks.

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Thursday miscellanea #171

Bo — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:01:10 +0000

Tripped and fell in the lifeboat. Now don’t all of you judgmental jackasses feel foolish? Sheesh.
Actually ready to wear my ushanka (which my former colleague B.J. bought me in Russia; thanks man!) this winter, but it hasn’t been anywhere near cold enough yet. I mean, it’s got to be 15º or so for that, yes?
Speaking of hats, I actually have a fedora I like, though it’s intended as a “weather” hat, so it has a huge brim. Sometimes I think about a smaller one, but even most of them aren’t collapsible, and I like a winter hat to fit in a coat pocket. (I’d make an exception for the immediately preceding bullet, of course.)
I’m considering a new primary ringtone. This is not a small step for me. I’ve been using the theme from Twisted Nerve, a la Kill Bill and Death Proof, for several years now. The only replacement that has any traction with me so far is the opening fanfare from Galaga. That’s really pretty cool, but I’ll keep thinking.
So I need an external hard drive for a project I’m working on. When I explored price and availability during an idle moment this morning, I discovered that they’ve shot up 50-75% since I last bought one about six months ago. Apparently this is a result of component supply disruption in Thailand and Japan because of natural disasters, like floods and earthquakes. The bottom line is that this is a really crappy time to buy a hard drive.
Just back from our second Rocket City Bloggers meeting at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. We’ve had two marvelous experiences, and I suspect we’re tumbling toward regularity there.
I’m having a lot of fun assistant coaching Nathan’s Upward team. I’m thinking maybe head coach for Aaron next season.

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Thursday miscellanea #170

Bo — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:01:44 +0000

“Temperatures falling through the 30s.” All right! Good stuff.
I don’t have a lot to say about the BCS championship. What is there to do but smile? Though I knew Alabama had a reasonable shot at winning, the total dominance was a delightful surprise. Also, thanks largely to the SEC-on-SEC title game as the final straw, it looks very much as if we’re going to get a playoff of some sort beginning with the 2014 season.
On an NFL note, one of the nastiest, most belligerent, most mean-spirited atheists I know—I mean, this guy marinates in hatred—is a huge Steelers fan. I am (just a little) ashamed to admit that Tim Tebow’s OT 80-yard TD pass to beat them gave me a little extra lift because I knew how much he couldn’t stand such an outspoken Christian sticking it to his boys. Hi, Bob.
More stuff I can’t believe anyone likes: extremely large breast implants; the angry-eyebrowed fifth-generation BMW 5-series; the song “Mr. Bojangles”; runny scrambled eggs; and knee-high socks.
Aaron read in his new biology book about how the sperm gets to the egg inside the woman, and that’s how she gets pregnant. “So when the man and the woman kiss…” he continued to me. Ack. And that’s how I came to talk to Aaron about the birds and the bees a little before I had planned to.
I am rather underwhelmed by the new “Van Halen” song (and the quotes are for Michael Anthony’s absence). What say you?
Locals: I have one more major Asian cuisine to bring into my mosaic. What’s our best Korean restaurant?

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Thursday miscellanea #169

Bo — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:48:54 +0000

I was one for three on my Christmas movies this time around. Christmas Vacation was the only one I managed.
There is nothing the University of Tennessee could do for its football program that would make more sense than calling Phillip Fulmer.
When I was Nathan’s age, I couldn’t believe how much my dad forgot. I certainly understand now.
No connection to the previous bullet intended: I was interested to read that failure to recognize sarcasm may signal dementia.
I found a good deal on a Roku 2, and we’re having fun with it so far. I like streaming Netflix without firing up the Xbox 360. I also like an easy path to get Amazon Prime videos to my TV.
I’m going to see a childhood friend this weekend. I haven’t seen him in 27 or 28 years. I’m really looking forward to it.
I think that knowing when to relinquish concern is one of the hardest, yet most valuable, things to master.

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Thursday miscellanea #168

Bo — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:19:42 +0000

We’re planning to visit seven angels today.
OK, son, check it out: I tell you well in advance what time the video game is going off so you can plan. If it’s 3:55, and I’ve already told you 30 minutes ago that I’m turning the video game off at 4:00, and you start a game that you know takes 10 minutes, then it is your fault that you lose it, not mine.
Speaking of, 2012 is really looking awesome for game releases. Add Grand Theft Auto V to Halo 4 and Bioshock Infinite.
Would you guess that 5,500 items had been recovered from the Titanic? They’re slated for auction next year, but good luck snagging something for your shelf, as the current plan is a single lot estimated at $189,000,000.
Today is apparently Dump GoDaddy Day. I tend to agree with the article that this outrage over GoDaddy’s ambiguity toward SOPA is insufficient to take GoDaddy down, but I do find it morbidly fascinating that they’ve handled this so clumsily.
The Smoking Gun usually does a fabulous job of restoring my faith in humanity. I mean, this young lady actually had her friend hold her infant daughter before she and her husband had sex on a city bus.
You know the numerical rating system on the Internet Movie Database? This one goes to 11.

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Day after Christmas miscellanea

Bo — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:40:21 +0000

The boys had a good Christmas morning, I believe, though this is almost certainly Aaron’s last year to believe in Santa Claus. Nathan, calling on subtlety and understatement I didn’t realize he yet had, did a good job preserving it for Aaron without overselling it.
Lea and I got a new couch for Christmas, and exchanged smaller stuff yesterday. She got me a pillow I probably wouldn’t have paid for that is shaping up to be a great gift.
Dad had inch-thick strip steaks and shrimp for Christmas dinner. Awesome.
Even so, I arrested my weight loss backslide in a week that included that, as well as movie popcorn. Good for me. Now, full reverse.
Church is extra-special on Christmas morning.
Nathan got six new video games from various directions yesterday, and yet still found it in himself to get pissed at me when I wouldn’t let him completely deplete his wallet to purchase a seventh today. (It did please me and mostly redeem the moment when he came back about 15 minutes later and told me I was right.)
Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock tastes exactly like a Hershey bar made into a beer. If that sounds appealing to you, then it’s a slam-dunk.
Today I reorganized my battery drawer and charger layout. I did the dishes. I’m going to cook tonight. I don’t see much else productive happening.

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Thursday miscellanea #167

Bo — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:50:22 +0000

Saw Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol last night with BamaDan. It’s a popcorn movie that is comfortable with its station, and refreshingly devoid of haughtiness. If you think you’ll enjoy it, you will. 7/10.
I find the Facebook timeline intuitive and aesthetically pleasing. No complaints so far, major or otherwise.
So I ordered and received a Lands’ End Squall jacket last week, but the right pocket was missing its zipper pull. I emailed and asked for the part, as I was pretty sure I could install it myself. I received a prompt and apologetic reply, and “Doris” told me the parts department would have the pull to me in a week or so. I thanked her and put a key ring on the zipper so I could use it in the meantime. Instead, today I received a replacement jacket with a prepaid label to return the old one. That’s service, dudes and dolls. Bravo.
“I know, right?” An idiom that becomes as ubiquitous as this almost always bothers me, but I’m mostly all right with this one. Perhaps it’s because it’s still reasonably grammatical and descriptive?
I now have two recommendations in hand for Sweet Lucy bourbon—one from Beth and one from a mutual acquaintance. Except then I saw Beffy yesterday and she said “apricot infused.” Uh-oh. It’s liqueur. There is almost no chance I won’t find it too sweet.
By the way, don’t go Googling for that Sweet Lucy. I’m pretty sure that’s what I was doing when I picked up some nasty malware of which I’m trying to rid my primary desktop even as I type. Hey, what are mornings off for if not battling anonymous evil?
Even still, I’m unclenching. I feel myself sliding into Christmas nicely. I have a couple of pleasant errands with essentially no proximity to retail today, and life is good.

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