Gawd Damn I love google. I just casually browsed for a map of my spin space and got this got this
You my have to hit Hybrid and zoom in a bit, but you can actually make out the Bball courts where we spin.
07 November 2005
11 October 2005
No Mo Grumpy Bear
Several years ago, I discovered that my serotonin system wasn't as it should be and was fortunate enough to discover 5-htp very shortly afterwards. 3 pills a day allowed me to live like everyone else, and basically changed my life for the better.
Last year, about this time, I was doing some further investigation into serotonin production and learned that Tryptophan hydroxylase, the necessary component to convert tryptophan into 5-htp in the body, was controlled by the T3 enzyme produced in the thalamus. The necessary component for this production is Iodine.
So, I took a crapload of Iodine (some from natural sources, some from radiation pills) and phased out my intake of 5-htp until last May when I took none at all. My hopes in this would be to restart my natural serotonin production and not need the constant 5-htp intake.
Unfortunately, as of a couple of days ago, I realized that I had spiraled down into my more manic temperment from my days before 5-htp. I found myself taking it to avoid the spiral of depression, anger, and hunger that was my life before 35.
So, I'm back on medications (Ewww!), and those of you who've patiently put up with the Grumpy Bear will have my assurances that he's back in the cave again.
09 October 2005
Ruby Racks
Okay, so, I've never deeply trusted the nutritional value of a cereal that was more than 50% marshmallows in the first place. And Lucky Charms has always walked that line between breakfast and nutritionless snack. But now they've introduced Chocolate Lucky Charms. Naturally, I had to try some, and despite the "Whole Wheat" sales blurb, I have to conclude that these are now fully Scooby Snacks.
28 September 2005
20 September 2005
Lobsterfest
So, this was generally "the ususal" kind of gig. Scheduled for 2 days, cut back to one. Promised a 16x16 stage, got a 12x12' stage. They wanted two big shows, which we prepped (even choreographed a whole story and all). Then when we walked in (with a smaller stage) they asked use to do three small shows. Eventually, because of timing issues, we got bumped back to two. Ya know... the usual.
Da boss man, he no likey the chorographed piece. In our defence we had plotted it out to a larger stage and were shorted on time. But our tribal show really blew people's minds. THAT show earned us a headline spot next year, a larger stage, and all the days we can play. Plus, he wants to do a recompression event, and a fire arts festival/competition. This show was totally worth it.
Da boss man, he no likey the chorographed piece. In our defence we had plotted it out to a larger stage and were shorted on time. But our tribal show really blew people's minds. THAT show earned us a headline spot next year, a larger stage, and all the days we can play. Plus, he wants to do a recompression event, and a fire arts festival/competition. This show was totally worth it.
12 August 2005
Racism
"I was raised a poor black child" - S. Martin, The Jerk
In may ways I felt like this growing up. Although my neighborhood was pretty much white, my mother worked in inner city Detroit, and I was definitely in a minority for most of my early life. I learned how to walk, and to talk and to keep small so as not to get pegged by the brothers, the cops, or the crazies.
I've been shot, stabbed, and beaten bloody for simply being white on several occasions. [for those that know me, I've also had all that done for being a smart-ass, but these were separate occasions] I was pummeled by a dozen black men for making advances on a black woman and had a brick thrown at me for listening to Rap. In short, I feel that I know a little bit about racism.
As a white male, I belong to the only ethnic/sexual group of people who are still legally oppressed. We are not allowed to receive any scholastic assistance strictly based on our sex and color, all others, including white women, can. My parents both retired before I got into high school, so despite a 3.8 advanced placement record and a 150+ IQ, I had to use the army to raise funds for college. It took me 10 years.
But I digress. The crucial things are that my family never owned slaves, we did run the northern end of the underground railroad. We fought with the natives in the French-Indian war. When called to the crusades, we were strangely absent. We fought for sufferage, for black rights, women's rights, children's rights, the right to bear arms and the guillotine.
But because of the color of my skin, and the location of my birth, I got to suffer the reverse racism that some redneck who's still hunting witches deserves. And Now that I'm older, I have to suffer with a smile as black people do racist things, shut up and let them or be called a troll and a racist. WTF?
When my Columbian roommate started showing his racism, I called him on it. He shut up. I may not have made him less racist, but he's at least less verbal about it. But if I call a black man on it, I'm a troll.
For the record, racism is the belief that members of a certain race or races posess some innate characteristic or ability specific to that race, especially so as to define it as inferior or superior. Note the word "especially". That means it CAN read without that last part.
If someone want's to put together a polo legue, they can. Chances are, mostly white people will join, since it runs strongest in that cultural circle. From my perspective, that would read as "rich or pretentious" white people since no one in my "lowlife" circles ever played polo (on horses). If you say that only white people can join, you're being separatist, racist, bigoted, etc. However, if you say that it's a black polo league, it's okay... How is this NOT RACIST???
In may ways I felt like this growing up. Although my neighborhood was pretty much white, my mother worked in inner city Detroit, and I was definitely in a minority for most of my early life. I learned how to walk, and to talk and to keep small so as not to get pegged by the brothers, the cops, or the crazies.
I've been shot, stabbed, and beaten bloody for simply being white on several occasions. [for those that know me, I've also had all that done for being a smart-ass, but these were separate occasions] I was pummeled by a dozen black men for making advances on a black woman and had a brick thrown at me for listening to Rap. In short, I feel that I know a little bit about racism.
As a white male, I belong to the only ethnic/sexual group of people who are still legally oppressed. We are not allowed to receive any scholastic assistance strictly based on our sex and color, all others, including white women, can. My parents both retired before I got into high school, so despite a 3.8 advanced placement record and a 150+ IQ, I had to use the army to raise funds for college. It took me 10 years.
But I digress. The crucial things are that my family never owned slaves, we did run the northern end of the underground railroad. We fought with the natives in the French-Indian war. When called to the crusades, we were strangely absent. We fought for sufferage, for black rights, women's rights, children's rights, the right to bear arms and the guillotine.
But because of the color of my skin, and the location of my birth, I got to suffer the reverse racism that some redneck who's still hunting witches deserves. And Now that I'm older, I have to suffer with a smile as black people do racist things, shut up and let them or be called a troll and a racist. WTF?
When my Columbian roommate started showing his racism, I called him on it. He shut up. I may not have made him less racist, but he's at least less verbal about it. But if I call a black man on it, I'm a troll.
For the record, racism is the belief that members of a certain race or races posess some innate characteristic or ability specific to that race, especially so as to define it as inferior or superior. Note the word "especially". That means it CAN read without that last part.
If someone want's to put together a polo legue, they can. Chances are, mostly white people will join, since it runs strongest in that cultural circle. From my perspective, that would read as "rich or pretentious" white people since no one in my "lowlife" circles ever played polo (on horses). If you say that only white people can join, you're being separatist, racist, bigoted, etc. However, if you say that it's a black polo league, it's okay... How is this NOT RACIST???
22 July 2005
Under the Radar
Here's a mentality that I love to hate: Just stay under the radar and "the Man" won't come and get ya. Right. Here's a clear tale of what I mean:
IN ADDITION TO any other laws pertaining to liquid or gas devices:
-The DOJ in California moved its enforcement of "flamethrowers" to the state fire marshall
- It did so by pushing a bill through senate. The SFM didn't like the original and a second bill was offered and pushed through instead.
-Such enforcement means a Background check, $200-300 fees annualy; or $10,000 fine and 3 years jail time.
-The spirit of the second bill is the same, but the wording allows the fire marshal to select what is and what is NOT covered by the bill.
-The first thing he CHOSE to eliminate was propane devices since propane is a gas at room temp.
-He asked me to write up any reason I could see why firebreathers should NOT be covered under this bill.
-[He also asked the forestry department to see if their weed burners could be exempt, but they haven't figured that one out, yet]
-He's also asking for our help to REDUCE the number of devices covered under the bill by bringing forward anything that sits between a Bonefire and a military flamethrower, in the grey area of the bill.
- Many people believe that if we show him the stuff we make, they will try to make NEW LAWS about those devices to restrict or eliminate their use. These people are the "stay under the radar" contingent.
- Their logic is faulty because any device that shoots flame more than 10 feet is ALREADY COVERED by it. Bringing them forward will cost them nothing, and could mean that they don't have to get this ADDITIONAL permit to use them from the DOJ.
- So, the "stay under the radar" mentality, in at least this case, is actually causing MORE legal action against the fire community rather than less.
It is my opinion that such mindsets have caused a great deal more trouble in the past, just nothing so crystal clear in the cause-effect chain.
IN ADDITION TO any other laws pertaining to liquid or gas devices:
-The DOJ in California moved its enforcement of "flamethrowers" to the state fire marshall
- It did so by pushing a bill through senate. The SFM didn't like the original and a second bill was offered and pushed through instead.
-Such enforcement means a Background check, $200-300 fees annualy; or $10,000 fine and 3 years jail time.
-The spirit of the second bill is the same, but the wording allows the fire marshal to select what is and what is NOT covered by the bill.
-The first thing he CHOSE to eliminate was propane devices since propane is a gas at room temp.
-He asked me to write up any reason I could see why firebreathers should NOT be covered under this bill.
-[He also asked the forestry department to see if their weed burners could be exempt, but they haven't figured that one out, yet]
-He's also asking for our help to REDUCE the number of devices covered under the bill by bringing forward anything that sits between a Bonefire and a military flamethrower, in the grey area of the bill.
- Many people believe that if we show him the stuff we make, they will try to make NEW LAWS about those devices to restrict or eliminate their use. These people are the "stay under the radar" contingent.
- Their logic is faulty because any device that shoots flame more than 10 feet is ALREADY COVERED by it. Bringing them forward will cost them nothing, and could mean that they don't have to get this ADDITIONAL permit to use them from the DOJ.
- So, the "stay under the radar" mentality, in at least this case, is actually causing MORE legal action against the fire community rather than less.
It is my opinion that such mindsets have caused a great deal more trouble in the past, just nothing so crystal clear in the cause-effect chain.
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