Four Score

Again...

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:16:31 PDT

Once again, it has been a long time. I seem to only blog occasionally now. Life has been too eventful to allow time to blog. I work part time leasing apartments and go to school to learn to build airplanes for Honda Jet. Everyone who knows me knows that I have Christy and we have been working to build a life for ourselves. So, bear with me and when things settle down I will again write. I enjoy it and I hope that I write something that at the very least entertains. Stay tuned true believers!

IMG00388.jpg [Flickr]

jrthompsoniv — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:45:59 PDT

jrthompsoniv posted a photo:

A sticker we found on a light pole, lol.

Class

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:15:51 PDT

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Class

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:12:30 PDT

Class bores me to tears, so here I am blogging. There doesn't seem to be any relief coming. Can anybody save me?

I haven't forgotten...

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:24:02 PST

I haven't forgotten about you, my faithful readers, I just haven't felt much like writing. Maybe soon, stay tuned true believers!!

American Idol

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:13:29 PST

..........is back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Church

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:16:47 PST

We went to visit Morehead United Methodist Church today. It occurs to me that church renews me. Helps me to reset, reboot and refresh.

Birthdays

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:14:34 PST

Yesterday I went to two birthday celebrations. One was at world famous (or at least Greensboro famous) Arigato Japanese Steak House. The other was a house party. I ate well, drank a bit and overall had a decent time. Happy Birthday Heather and Ben!! Here I am trying on a pair of Ben's sunglasses. I felt very Kanye.

President - Elect Barack Obama

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:06:12 PST

Election Day

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:20:13 PST

Yesterday was a great day in American history. The first man of color was elected President of the United States of America (POTUS), the highest office in the land. How is that for civil rights?! This country has come a long way in dealing with racial tolerance and acceptance. I long for the day when this kind of thing is no longer even news. When people don't think of race or sex or ethnicity first, but as an interesting addendum to add depth to a person rather than detracting.

The accomplishment is not only Barack Obama's or just an accomplishment for black people. This is an accomplishment for America. This is evidence that things really do change and people can change their minds and leave prejudices behind. My country is evolving before my very eyes and I am overjoyed.

Congratulations, Mr. Obama and congratulations America, land that I love.

Hulk Smash!

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:10:22 PST

Christy got me Hulk gloves that make sounds and say things like "Hulk Smash!" and "You're making me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry!". One of the best gifts I have ever gotten and it wasn't even my birthday!

One More Step

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:28:39 PST

Christy and I went to church today at College Park Baptist Church this morning. The sermon was about faithfulness. Taking that one more step. Very appropriate for me and for our country as we navigate difficulties. This is a very important time for America. We are on the verge of depression and this election is historic. I would like to put my $0.02 worth in and say PLEASE VOTE! Most people who say that really mean, please vote for MY favorite candidate. I really just mean vote. It is important for everyone to stand up and be counted. Vote for who best espouses your values. I voted early and am glad that I did. Take part in the civic process. Let your voice be heard. Take that one more step.

I don't get too much into politics and religion on this blog, but that is not because I do not feel strongly about both. This will not become a forum for those kinds of discussions, but I would be remiss if I did not say that both are very important in my life and in everyone's lives. Both affect each of us either directly or indirectly, whether we like it or not. One of the ways that we have to be involved in the process and affect the outcome is by voting and it costs us nothing but a little time.

Cellspin

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:17:52 PDT

I am testing a new mobile blogging software. Hopefully, this will enable me to stay on top of posting!

I AM BATMAN !!

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:14:31 PDT

I found this mask at some party store Christy and I went to this past weekend. Did anyone recognize me before reading?

Job Fair

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:32 PDT

I went to a job fair today. The 2008 Job Expo at the Guilford Convention Center at 3314 Cedar Park Rd. It was an interesting experience. Today is overcast and rain comes in spurts. It happens that the rain came while I was arriving, sans umbrella, to this conclave of job wielders and seekers. They had not planned on the turnout for this event and parking was horrible. After parking I had to wait in line just to be admitted as the fire marshall had placed a limit on the number of people allowed inside. The line took forever and the payoff was not commensurate. There were around twenty employers inside, including Wendy's and the US Army. The pickings were slim, but I made do and distributed my resume, pressed palms, made earnest talk about the job hunt, took cards and made promises to consider their companies. I was a bit disappointed, but maybe something good will come of it. Keep your fingers crossed True Believers!

Wallace Wade Stadium

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:34:28 PDT

Christy's father took me and her brother, Chuck to a Duke football game on Saturday! Go Blue!!

Palm?....Blackberry?

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:02:13 PDT

I have been a dedicated Palm aficionado for many years. I had the m500, the Zire 72, the TX and even had a Handspring. I now have a Palm Centro. I finally buckled and got a smartphone.

Combining devices always makes me nervous, kind of like the TV/VCR combos. What happens when one of the functions goes down? Well, I got over myself and took the plunge. I have been happy with it so far, although it definitely does not have the cache of a Blackberry of the much vaunted, but basically only pretty, iPhone.

My Centro has everything I actually need. Internet connectivity, email, sms, mms, productivity software (PIM or Personal Information Management) like a datebook, memo, voice notes, contact management. It has games, an ebook reader, music, an expansion slot and even a Facebook application.

I have only had it for a few months, but something else has caught my eye (big surprise, I know). The new, as yet unreleased on US soil, Blackberry Bold. I like the form factor, the ability to use wi-fi and Blackberry's vaunted push email. There is also a new entrant, the Palm Treo Pro that also uses wi-fi and if connected to an exchange server will can receive push email. The form factor is almost the same as the Centro but is a sleek black. I seriously love the Bold's form and like the design touch of the leather-like surface on the back. I think that a few more things have to be done under the hood, like native support for more MS Office file types, but take a look at the websites and let me know what you think.

Changes

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:14:16 PDT

Change is a hard thing most of the time. Even changes for good. I don't enjoy being taken out of my daily habits any more than anyone else. In the last several months I have changed jobs, changed residences and changed habits. I haven't written much because of this, plus I don't have an internet connection at the moment. My girlfriend has recently changed residences. I think these are all positive changes but that doesn't make them any less difficult at times.

I have also changed my mind about my direction. I will be going into Network Engineering to make that real money! Seriously, it might be something I enjoy and can support me in the lifestyle that I aspire to.

Give me some feedback and I may keep writing.

Hello

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:06:58 PDT

It has been a long time since the last time I blogged. Over seven months. I don't have any particular reason for the absence except life. Life happens. I have seen several movies and done some pretty cool things. Changed jobs, moved, got a new car (new to me). Things have been okay. They could always be better, but I can't complain. I hope this post finds everyone well.

One notable movie that I have seen that I am sure you are all well versed on is The Dark Knight. The latest in the Batman series of movies. Everyone is talking about the amazing job that Heath Ledger did as the Joker and the accolades are well deserved. He played it dark and understated, was shabbily dressed and very creepy. He was compelling and funny and crazy all at the same time. This was his seminal role in my book. Not to take anything away from the rest of the cast. Christian Bale did his thing as Bruce Wayne/Batman yet again. Although he was overshadowed by Ledger, he played the role pitch perfect and kept to what he started in Batman Begins. The change-up to Maggie Gyllenhall was a good one. She did a good job but didn't steal any scenes. This movie was bigger than it's predecessor and sequels must be with the Bat Pod disengaging from the Tumbler and the explosions the scale of the movie was grander. The script was more ambitious. My only caveat was the length. I looked at my watch at the 2 hour mark. Movies of this length should have an intermission. Concession stand soft drinks want to be released well before the 2 1/2 hour mark. I found the movie to be exceptional and is finding its own way into the pantheon of greats.

AVPR, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:01:22 PST

Just recently went to see Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (AVPR). It was a decent and entertaining movie. It stops there. It is escapism on a boring day. Matinee at best. Not much to advance the mythology of either species. This movie is mercenary. Nothing is sacred, no one is safe. People die that you would think would have to be spared. This is as much as this movie pushes the envelope. Nothing innovative, nothing special. Watching it on cable would take nothing from this movie. Honestly, the website (http://www.avp-r.com/US/)is more interesting. It was nice to see Gloria Holden in something other than the SciFi Channel Original Series Flash Gordon, but her performance is lackluster as is the rest of the cast. I think the director phoned in most of this movie.

There is so much that can be done with this franchise that it saddens me the see the lack of imagination at work. It has been hinted that the Predators have been coming here for centuries. That was not explored. It has been hinted that they have been hunting the Aliens for centuries and that was not explored. How about a tie in character with the last name Ripley? Anything that acknowledges that there is a backstory already in place here. The only nod to backstory was the fact that this movie starts where the last one ended.

Any fanboy could write a better script in their sleep.

Insomnia...

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:35:08 PST

I fell asleep early and now am fully awake and no that I will be hurting in the morning, so I thought I would stop in and write a post for the true believers. I have been kept busy lately. For those who don't know, I now work for Sedgewick Industries. They make chairs, loveseats and sofas for businesses such as hospitals, schools, offices, etc. I started as the Quality Control Manager and have been moved to supervising the upholstery line that was set up for our biggest customer. So far, so good. I now have a red Jeep Cherokee. The Ford is gone. I think that is it for major updates for the moment.

I don't know if anyone even reads this blog (I never get comments), but I will operate under the assumption that there are some lurkers out there. Welcome. I hope I don't bore you to tears. Until next time....

Guns again.

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:14:41 PDT

I take it from my previous post that my few readers don't care about guns one way or another. This saddens me for a few reasons. As more and more of our civil liberties are eroded away through apathy and misdirected protestations, this too will fall by the wayside. The right to bear arms. What happens when we are faced with a government that thinks (as ours does) that it knows best for everyone and takes action to secure a totalitarian rule rather than a faux democratic rule? By this time the right to bear arms will have been destroyed and there is no way an average citizen can protect themselves because weapons will not be on the market or accessible. They will have been confiscated and we will be the new Soviet Union or worse the American Empire with few individual rights and enforced classism. Now, this is alarmist and a worst case scenario, but shouldn't you plan for the worst and hope for the best?

What about criminals? If you criminalize guns then only criminals will have them and the rest of the law abiding citizens will be sitting ducks. Except, of course, those that merit Secret Service or Police protection. I don't know about you, but I would like to have the option to defend myself. Prosecution of an assault on my person after the fact is useless to me if I am dead.

I'm all for peace, but mankind has proven to be it's own worst enemy too many times for me to feel all warm and fuzzy when thinking about my fellow man. Leaders across time have tried to get us to see the merits of considering others above ourselves. Yet, people are still killed everyday for nearly nothing.

I for one want to maintain at least that civil liberty. I don't advocate going back to old west rules, but I do advocate law abiding citizens keeping the right to bear arms.

Guns?

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:17:40 PDT

I am curious how you feel about guns and gun rights. Many people like to weigh in on the Second Amendment right to bear arms and what it actually means. Is it only a well regulated militia that should be able to keep and bear arms or citizens in general? I am interested in how you feel about guns period. Do you believe that if there were no guns there would be no violence as many seem to feel (please keep in mind that there are many more methods to reach a violent objective)? Are you in favor of more or less restrictive gun laws. Are you afraid of guns or fascinated by them or simply indifferent. I don't post much and don't expect much response, but if anyone is reading this at all please weigh in. I truly am interested. My positions will be posted later as I don't want to taint anyone's answers. All answers will be treated with respect. The picture should not be a guide, just a visit to a local sporting goods store and a camera phone photo op.

It's been a long time...

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:40:46 PDT

I have been away from blogging for quite awhile. I didn't feel interesting enough to justify continuing to write. I now realize that even if no one reads this I was doing it for myself to release. I will continue to submit my thoughts and experiences into the ether and if anyone finds it interesting let me know. Leave a comment or a shoot me an email. Let me know what you want to talk about. This can become a forum for whatever. I am back and I intend to stay this time. I can't guarantee there won't be lapses because life happens.

Dining for Friends 2007

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Wed, 30 May 2007 21:12:27 PDT

The time has come again for Dining for Friends, an event sponsored by the Triad Health Project to combat AIDS. Here is an except from the Triad Health Project's web page describing the event:

Each year in the Piedmont, thousands of area residents come together for Triad Health Project’s Annual Dining for Friends fundraising event. Hundreds of hosts from around the Triad will welcome their friends for dinner/drinks/refreshments the evening of Saturday, June 2^nd, 2007, in exchange for a donation to Triad Health Project, Guilford County’s leading AIDS service organization. Following dinner, hosts and their guests will gather at 9pm for the gala dessert finale at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center indulging in delectable delights donated by local restaurants and caterers.

The event was born in 1990 here in the Triad by some concerned citizens and continues to this day to grow. It has been duplicated across the country by various organizations as it is an effective fundraising tool. If you don't know anyone hosting go to the this link and try to find someone or donate if you can. If not, just come out to show support.

Highway 68

noreply@blogger.com (John R. Thompson, IV) — Fri, 25 May 2007 12:23:48 PDT

The following video was shot with my HP Photosmart M417 digital camera which does not allow zooming while shooting crappy video, but this guy was so funny dancing on the median in High Point with a sign for a thrift store that I had to share!!