Out along the edges, always where I burn to be...

What can move a ton 436 miles on a gallon of fuel?

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:10:02 GMT

Sure isn't a GM car or truck!

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/can_a_freight_train_really_move_a.html
http://www.freightrailworks.org/index.html

Nothing's perfect in life, but here are some quotes to run with...

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:29:42 GMT

Rach hooked me up with this, and I agree with her: it is pretty damn good. It's too bad he didn't actually get to deliver this speech.

Neal Boortz: "I started out my political life as a bedwetting liberal. Young, idealistic -- and dumb. Then I started paying income taxes. Thankfully I realized sooner than most the difference between what I earn and my "take-home" pay. For a few years I guess you could have called me a conservative. I was troubled, though, by the penchant conservatives have for directing the social lives of people. That led me straight to the libertarian philosophy. Simply put, I believe in freedom. I believe the Constitution should be amended with a clause which states that neither the federal nor any state government shall make any activity that does not violate, through force or fraud, a person’s right to life, liberty or property, a crime. I firmly believe that if liberty is to be preserved in America, it will be libertarian thought, if not the Libertarian Party, that saves it."

It's shocking how similar my own idealistic liberal upbringing was to his (hell, I was even a bedwetter at one point)... being a liberal was a "cool" way to go and just felt good at one point. But that was before I entered the workforce and learned how taxes worked; before I was exposed to free thought (and its suppression) in college; and before I learned new principles/truths about economics, nanny government, and the benefits and dangers associated with public education.

Where I differ with Boortz is that I never became as conservative on the majority of issues. Though I shudder at the notion of being labeled a liberal, I can't imagine voting Republican in the near future (though some of that is related to my own self-interests). While Boortz may be known as a republitarian, I'm less conservative and endorse some of the ideas of left libertarianism, while remaining committed to a strong foundation of limited government (Founding Fathers ideas, preserving the Consitution, all that good stuff) and classical liberalism. Thank you, MSCD Economics Department - you have done me well by forcing me to think and to question - and in turn, hopefully I have done you proud.

Additional quotes and readings, plus useful links here.

Development news

Tue, 20 May 2008 01:12:55 GMT

You Are in the Genital Stage of Development

According to Dr. Freud, you've reached the genital stage of development.

Whatever issues you may have had in your childhood have been resolved.

You don't have any hang ups, and you are able to function as a stable adult.

You are the model of being well-adjusted, and you are able to balance your life beautifully.

What Freudian Stage Are You In?

And airplanes keep moving too...

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:52:11 GMT

It was odd taking the Oath of Office on my first day at the Academy. By the time the HR folks came and talked to us, the thought was finally sinking in that I am now a federal employee, and that I technically represent the FAA / federal government 24/7/365 and my behavior and actions both at, and away from work, reflects back on the agency on some level. It felt like I was finally starting the first day of the rest of my career...

"Sun shines, clouds rain
Train whistles blow and guitars play
Preachers preach, farmers plow
Wishes go up and the world goes round

And I love you
It just comes natural
It just comes natural

Seasons change, rivers wind
Tumble weeds roll and the stars shine
Wind howls, dawn breaks
Cowboys ride and time slips away

And I love you
It just comes natural"

I have a good life...

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:39:45 GMT

but I have missed out on so much. Life is a series of choices, and it's scary to think about how decisions interconnect and how even one small decision can totally change the course of a person's life. I have always tried to make the best decisions that I can, given the knowledge and information I have available to guide myself. The choices I have made have resulted in missed weekends, holidays, birthdays, gatherings... and I'm pissed that I can never have that time back.

I see friends, former classmates and associates, some young and others a little older, getting married, buying homes, having children, settling down... some days I can't help but wonder if that might be me right now -only if I would have made a different choice along the way.

Want to take a test?

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:48:36 GMT

Your Personality at 35,000 Says...

Deep down, you prefer spending time alone to spending time with others. You enjoy thinking more than talking.

You are good with your place in the world. You are confident and comfortable with who you are.

Your gift is having a good eye. You take amazing picture and have the natural talent for most visual arts.

You are inspired by what is possible. Real life is often too ordinary for you.

It's very easy for you to feel happy. You can find peace with any situation.

The Personality Test at 35,000 Feet

You Should Live in a Small City

You are definitely an urban person, but not any old city will do.

You want a city that matches you well. For you, big cities lack individuality.

You prefer a smaller city with lots of personality, local culture, and history.

Where Should You Live?

You Are Classical Music

You are a somewhat serious person who enjoys studying subjects deeply.

Art of all kinds interests you, and a good piece of art can really effect you emotionally.

You are inspired by human achievement, and you appreciate work that takes years to accomplish.

For you, the finer things in life are not about snobbery - they're about quality.

What Kind of Music Are You?

Feels like this will be one more wasted week

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:16:32 GMT

"Days off during the week are nice, if you don't mind doing things by yourself."

You never know...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:22:11 GMT

Miller's fingers are traveling down the length of her thigh
But Miller's mind is still wandering
Staring up at the sky
They come out of the blue sky
They come out of the blue
They come out of the blue sky
But you never know where they're gonna go
Hey romeo

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=17120

Aren't you excited?

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:35:15 GMT

The Price is Right is having their Million Dollar Spectacular tonight!

On hold

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:39:40 GMT

I wish I could just stay in bed all day...

My day is made :)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:12:21 GMT

Two nice lessons I learned today:

1) Beer is more filling, satisfying, and a lot cheaper than buying dinner at a restaurant. Safer enjoyed at home, drunk driving = bad!

2) "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Now, where have I heard that lately? ;)

Oh yeah, and two more things: absence makes the heart go, I mean grow, fonder, and beer makes the TV more entertaining. I love women.

The answer to the puzzle is "Parole Officer"

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:39:04 GMT

And tonight, my thoughts and prayers are pulling for a man and his daughter that need them.

Sorry, but I just can't resist...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:43:06 GMT

I know for a fact that you're a good driver, Rachel, and sure most of my "death grips" are exaggerated, but can you see why I'm concerned? Okay, but crazy stuff like that just happens on TV, right? WRONG! Also, observe Exhibit 2. And now, Exhibit C... er, 3.

So, a few tips here, but most of all, SLOW DOWN! ;)

For additional comedic relief, check out this as the war goes on... and here's how it really works: Jill must have been hungry.

There's nothing like ED to get me all worked up...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:39:48 GMT

You go girl!

It's a sad day when these RTD idiots act like it's no big deal to bulldoze someone's house and livelihood to build a PARKING LOT. As long as it "benefits thousands of people," it must be okay, right? Hey, check it out, one block to the north, the massive big-box Walmart that was built has a hell of a lot of parking that never gets used. And here's a novel concept...negotiating with them would probably be a lot cheaper than the eminent domain process!

On the upside though, as HB 1278 shows, trample the rights of the people long enough, and they'll revolt.

No, you're a whore :P

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:50:24 GMT

Amazingly, I have discovered that I actually have a stove. Plus, if I burn a few boxes, my living space seems to be getting larger, shocking!

Haha, gotta fight back against "the system"

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 07:40:54 GMT

"After three days of room service, Don lost all pride and slipped into something comfortable: a pair of his new wife's elastic-waist black pants, which just cleared his knees, and a silk poncho. The maître d' raised his eyebrows but he let them stay.

Don said he got such a kick out of wearing his wife's clothes, he threatened to borrow a pair of her pumps. She said it was bad enough he could fit into her pants. If he started prancing around in her high heels, she might have to kill herself."

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=76568

Last night I was blown away...

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:54:17 GMT

I can see this light in her and there are times when it simply overwhelms me.

Yeah, like I'd enter a contest for a Lincoln Navigator

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:55:26 GMT

So, I check my answering machine and there's a message that says I won a Lincoln Navigator and I should call an 800 number to claim my prize *immediately.* Yeah... right... never heard of those kinds of scams before. It would help if I actually had entered that sort of a contest. Idiots.

Coincidentally, the National Do Not Call Registry states: "We are experiencing system difficulties." Gee, what a shocker between scams and political campaign season... or just combine it as political scams season.

Monkey business is fucking awesome

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:43:05 GMT

Paying for sex - economics always applies

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Sarah's going to love this I'm sure...

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:11:15 GMT

As the Econboy strikes AGAIN - muhahaha! Looks like a good read.

Plus, check out all of these famous people!

So I was searching for something else...

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:38:22 GMT

but this is still good information to know.

Get on Board!

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:40:55 GMT

NEW: B TRAIN BLUES

Youtubeij

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:23:19 GMT

While mildly humorous (and not exactly PC), I sure hope this doesn't foreshadow the future of ATC.

New Quiz

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:48:26 GMT

People Definitely Like You

You are very well liked, and many people admire you.

You are friendly, well mannered, and fun to be around.

Of course, you're not perfect... but that's okay.

Your friends are usually willing to accept you for who you are!

What People Like About You:

People like that you truly take and interest in them. Everyone likes to be liked!

People like that you can defend what you believe in calmly and rationally. You stand your ground and gain respect.

People like that you are genuine and real. They can count on you to be yourself.

Do People Like You?

'Scuse me!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:35:27 GMT

I believe you have my... stapler.