Annals of the Homestarmy - Personal Entry

My Requested Stats

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:09:12 -0600

Many thanks to AoD.

Total Comments to Articles by Author (of the Article)

Average comments per post by author

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Conflict needed

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:56:00 -0600

Johnny Elbows made a comment to me Friday that I thought was quite accurate. He said: "You know I think this has been the most civil thread of comments that we have had in a long time", speaking about AoD's latest rant. I then pointed out that he had missed most of the gentle jibes that Mad Giggler and I had engaged in. He agreed and then left after we concluded our business. But his comment got me thinking: why don't we have more of those types of discussions?
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sometimes I contribute, too

nospam@example.com (Wren) — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:54:51 -0600

I've been trying to get back to more traditional mediums. So. New art after the jump. Oil on board, just practice. I really, really hate it when my traditional, actually-put-effort-into-this pieces don't have a theme or a message, but this one didn't. D:
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Addition: check. Subtraction: um...

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:22:00 -0600

So this year I had to do my taxes by myself for the first time in about 6 years. Previously I had a friend who was an accountant that enjoyed doing them and always offered. I indulged and appreciated his assistance. He moved to Pennsylvania last year. Damn him and his promotions.
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Que Orgulloso Estoy

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:18:46 -0600

My little twins are all grown up!

We're back

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:07:41 -0600

Well, we survived our trip to the dangerous foreign land of TJ. I've posted the pictures that I took in the gallery, but Daboo's brother has a lot more as well as some videos I'm hoping to post soon. For those who've forgotten, you can get to the pictures by clicking here.

Also, Wren kept turning her head when I tried to get pictures of her at the wedding, so I have a gallery of my many failed attempts.

art?

nospam@example.com (Wren) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:05:50 -0600

I tried all day to think of something for April Fools to put up here...
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I really actually have been using my Wacom.

nospam@example.com (Wren) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:42:35 -0700

Just not very much because I've had an artists block, but there are a couple of bust shots below the fold. And don't get excited, I don't mean bust the way you're thinking.
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A trip in snow

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:54:52 -0700

I recently* went on a snow-shoeing trip to Little Cottonwood Canyon with some friends from my ward; Emily Utt, Emily Hodson, and Jenny Evans. This was my second trip snow-shoeing (SS). My first trip was a year ago, and I had been itching to go back ever since.

Now some of you who know me, know that I hate the snow and cold. So you might be confused as to why I would voluntarily make a trek in snow and the high altitude cold. Well a year ago I decided that I wanted to try something new and that took the form of SS. I was skeptical, but I majestically persevered. And I was pleasantly surprised. I had a fantastic time. I was able to stay dry and warm the entire time (which is what I hated most about snow - cold and wet). Unfortunately it was done towards the end of the season and the snow was gone. I had to wait an entire year before I could go again.

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Spring Festival

nospam@example.com (The Mad Giggler) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:22:36 -0700

It's that special time of year again. Yes, that's right the Lunar Festival is upon us and the druids of moonglade. . .I mean the Chinese are gearing up for fun.

From wikipedia:

According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the colour red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the colour red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.

. . .

On the days before the New Year celebration Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. There is a Cantonese saying "Wash away the dirts on ninyibaat", but the practice is not usually restricted on ninyibaat(the 28th day of month 12). It is believed the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Brooms and dust pans are put away on the first day so that luck cannot be swept away. Some people give their homes, doors and window-panes a new coat of red paint. Homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets. Purchasing new clothing, shoes and receiving a hair-cut also symbolize a fresh start (though, as described below, it may be considered bad luck among some.)

In many households where Buddhism or Taoism is prevalent, home altars and statues are cleaned thoroughly, and altars that were adorned with decorations from the previous year are also taken down and burned a week before the new year starts, and replaced with new decorations. A paper effigy of the Kitchen God, the recorder of family functions, is also burned in order to report to the Jade Emperor of the family household's transgressions and good deeds.

The biggest event of any Chinese New Year's Eve is the dinner every family will have. A dish consisting of fish will appear on the tables of Chinese families. It is for display for the New Year's Eve dinner. In northern China, it is also customary to have dumplings for this dinner. Dumplings symbolize wealth because their shape is like a Chinese tael. This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West. After the dinner, some families go to local temples hours before the new year begins to pray for a prosperous new year; however in modern practice, many households hold parties and even hold a countdown to the new lunar year.

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Why M should come work at i4

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:49:00 -0700

Really good Project Managers are hard to come by. Pardon my arrogance, but I believe that I am one of them. It takes a special blend of intelligence, dedication, patience, and personability (yes, I know I just made up a word). Another great PM that I know of is M M*.

I have a great crew of PM's at i4 Solutions where I work. But we are in need of another couple more to replace some recent departures.

M is a very intelligent person as I have had many different conversations with her where she has shown such intelligence. M is an extremely dedicated person as I have watched her over the years in positions at church and seen her give consistent dedicated service. She is also a dedicated and loving friend. M is an extremely patient person as I know who her boyfriend (of over a year) is. And lastly, M is extremely personable. She knows just how to put a person at ease and make them feel comfortable. That is what PM's do.

We respect these types of people at i4. We know how to treat them. M's current job just doesn't honor her the way that they should. They abuse her good characteristics. At i4 she would not be mistreated. She would be working with friends. She would be working with an equally dedicated staff.

Come on board M. Come home to a real family.

*name altered to protect anonymity

An emotional morning

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:46:00 -0700

Like most LDS people, I heard the news about Pres. Hinckley's death this week with mixed emotion; sadness but mainly happiness. As many have stated, he was an old man and was lonely for his wife. I was glad that his very long and effective life had finally come to an end, so that he could rest.
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An invitation to family and friends

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:14:05 -0700

I have been a member of this shared blog almost back when it started 3 years ago and I have enjoyed every day of it. This blog was first set up as a place where a bunch of friends could all come and share interesting thoughts. This blog runs quite a diverse set of writings: from technical computer programming, movies, politics, sports, fiction/fantasy stories, and my personal favorite oddities (better perhaps entitled the ridiculous).

I have been hesitant to share this blog with my friends and family as I felt that many would not be interested because of the very technical, and sometimes inappropriate, topics that are shared here. There are 8 main contributers to this blog: Ancient of Days, Mad Giggler, Johnny Elbows, Sideshow, Daboo, Wren, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Radar (me). I invite you to read and share this blog and its many different articles with yourselves and any one else you think might find interested.

Here are a few articles I think are worth a read:
Decision Reached
Another top 10 list
Product Reviews
Mmmmm...workahol
10 Ways to Kill Your Star Programmer

I want to give one word of warning though. As this is a shared blog, I am not in control of the content of this blog. If you find something dissatisfying, then I am sorry. If you feel so inclined then you may comment to this or any article that you wish. The only thing you need to enter is your name and your actual comment. I hope that you find enjoyment in it.

Mad Giggler is a dummy

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:28:39 -0700

Mad Giggler recently remarked that I had failed in my attempt to skew AoD's statistics by only posting on the weekend. As it turns out, he is wrong, just like the failed politics that he chooses to support (communism). If you read my actual words, you will see that at no point did I actually say I would post an article every weekend. All I said is that I would only post on the weekend.

Perhaps we should be concerned for MG. Is he illiterate? Does the Mad in his name mean that he has Mad Cows Disease? Or is he, as I postulate, a dummy?

I think I speak for all on the blog when I say: Are you ok Daboo? We're here to help you. You don't have to do this alone. Just reach out, we'll support you.

A Capitol idea

nospam@example.com (Radar) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:11:02 -0700

I have a couple of friends who work for the state of Utah (Laura Durham and Chelsea Barrett). They were both volunteer guides during the re-opening tours of the newly renovated Capitol building. Though I did not actually go on a tour of the Capitol, I am quite interested in things like that. I asked Chelsea if she could give me a tour as she actually works in one of the buildings at the Capitol. She said that she would sometime (lucky me). But she also sent me a link to some of the material that the guides got to use.

I thought it was quite interesting, especially the symbols documents. Enjoy.