Random & Incoherent

Miller High Life.......................The Official Sponsor of Mellan

2011-05-27T20:57:00.004-05:00

That's a whole lotta responsibility for one single dollar!

But I am committed to living the High Life, so it shouldn't be a problem

been gone for awhile

2011-03-23T20:34:00.002-05:00

and while i don't really have anything new/interesting/entertaining to share, i do have about 3-6 months worth of mobile phone pics. should bore anyone tuning in to tears, but hey, some people might like them

2011-03-22T20:39:00.001-05:00

bathroom demolition

2011-02-11T21:05:00.001-05:00

Poetry in motion (along the roadsie in Boston, MA)

2011-01-31T21:31:00.000-05:00

Boston, MA in pictures

2011-01-30T21:08:00.001-05:00

Boston, MA in pictures II

2011-01-29T21:25:00.001-05:00

Aziz Ansari, live and in concert (Boston, MA)

2011-01-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

Not the next Annie Leibovitz

2011-01-01T20:52:00.000-05:00

The youngest one went rummaging through my pockets whilst I was in the shower, found my phone and just started taking pictures. Kid's got quite a visionary and multi-perspective view, huh?

He was the perfect size to be Yoda

2010-12-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

Patriotism on a license plate (please forgive the spelling)

2010-11-16T21:32:00.002-05:00

Creativity in vanity plates at it's finest

2010-11-16T21:30:00.002-05:00

ProTip: How to use an elevator without stopping

2010-11-16T21:29:00.002-05:00

2010-11-16T21:28:00.001-05:00

Italian Stiletto

2010-11-10T21:21:00.003-05:00

The Italian Stiletto, more commonly referred to in the US as a switchblade, has a history of terrifying people. And by history, I mean back in the 1950's people got scared of "criminals" or "hoodlums" that carried this type of bladed weapon. But in reality, put up against other knives, either fixed blade or folder, the stiletto is not really all that intimidating. The knife just got a bad rap from the movies.

This particular knife I don't exactly remember how, when, or why I acquired it, but needless to say, it's a part of my collection. In my opinion, it's not really suited for "everyday carry". Sure it's great for stabbing and slicing, or maybe even getting the little chunks of BBQ out of your teeth from lunch, but it's really just a glorified letter opener. This knife sits on my desk and that's exactly what I use it for. Also, there are varying laws, state to state, regarding "assisted opening" knives (and this one definitely qualifies as that seeing as how it's spring loaded and the blade deploys with the push of a button) so you're better off safe than sorry with this one. Leave it on the desk, not in your pocket.

Handle length is just under 5 inches, blade length is right at 3.5 inches, making the whole thing 8.5 inches while open. The blade is 440 stainless steel, and judging from the imprint on the blade, the knife was manufactured in Milano, Italy. I have no idea what the handles are made of and due to the mystery surrounding acquisition, the above specifications are being made simply from looking at the knife.

Just a cool little piece of an eclectic collection.

BOKER PLUS CLB KARAMBIT

2010-11-06T12:33:00.003-05:00

Another knife from the fine folks at Boker, designed by Chad Los Banos (just like the Boker Trance, posted earlier).

This was a Christmas gift from Santa last year. Cool design, hefty knife, but doubtful that it will ever be utilized as an "everyday carry" type of knife.

Can't really give much of a review as it has only been carried a handful of times, and not really used for much as of yet. Comfortable carry, sharp, and intimidating looking.

BOKER PLUS CLB KARAMBIT

Chad goes Karambit! This Chad Los Banos design has it all - framelock mechanism, G-10 handle offering remarkable carrying comfort, and a spring-assisted carabiner. The blade is made of 440C stainless steel, titanium coated, and provides outstanding cutting performance with its recurved tanto style shape. Blade length: 2 7/8". Overall length: 7 3/4". Weight: 5 oz.

The election results are in........

2010-11-06T12:12:00.002-05:00

Divorce Cakes

2010-10-29T21:51:00.001-05:00

2010-10-27T21:31:00.006-05:00

From as far back as I can remember, I've always had a fascination with sharpened bladed instruments. I can't necessarily recall all of the knives I've ever had, or even tell you which was my very first, but I can tell you what re-sparked my interest. And let's keep in mind that I'm not overly analytical about knives either. I couldn't say which type of steel is better than another, which type of handles provide for better grip and traction, or which type of locking mechanism is the best. I can, however, relay from a layman's perspective, what I think.

I had been carrying around a Gerber LST for the last 10+ years, and I'd love to say that I picked it out all shiny and new in the store and took it home to make it mine, but that would be a lie. The truth is that I found it beneath my couch cushions the morning after some rambunctious college party. So let me apologize to whoever left it there and also say thanks for providing me with decent knife to carry around for quite some time.

(pictures are of my actual knife, description is from website where you can purchase your own)

Gerber L.S.T. 6009 (Light, Strong, Tough) Lockback Pocket Knife

Just as the name implies the Gerber L.S.T. is made to stand hard use under tough conditions. The Gerber L.S.T. 6009 is 3 1/2'' closed and features a black, lightweight, fiberglass filled nylon handle with checkered grip and lanyard hole. The knife is fitted with a stainless steel drop point blade. Retail cost for this piece is $25.95. Gets yours here at our low discount price of only $16.95.

http://www.foxqualityknives.com/gerber-6009-lst-lockback-knife

Unfortunately, as time goes by and things get used on a regular basis, they start to wear and show their age. Such was the case with the Gerber. I was beginning to notice some side-to-side wobble, as well as some front-to-back wobble when in the open, locked position. This was a sure sign that it was about time to find a replacement.

Now keep in mind that this was no easy decision. I was about to replace something that had traveled with me for the past 10 years or so, this was a true EDC knife.

Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness.

http://everyday-carry.com/

Some of the things that this Gerber helped me with on a regular basis are as follows: opening mail, breaking down boxes, prying open windows, scraping burrito left-overs out of my teeth, trimming the cuticles on my fingernails, slicing limes for the occasional cerveza, assisting in opening the occasional “stuck” locked door, slicing a steak, cutting open those oh-so difficultly packaged kid's toys, (among other things I can't remember), and every so often to whittle.

And once, a very long time ago, I was able to utilize the knife in a self-defense mode, taking the eye of a pirate that was attempting to ransack the village.

So anyway, it was time to upgrade and I really didn't know where to go. I had been out of the game for far to long. Like I said, I didn't know about the intricacies of the knife world, I only knew what I liked. Sharp Steel, cool design, easily whisked away to the inside of a pocket. I knew nothing of quality or craftsmanship.

That's where Whitt steps in. He had been collecting for quite some time and was (and still is) in my opinion, a knife nerd. He knows more about the strength and quality of certain types of steel than anyone I know. I became Anakin to his Obi-Wan, but really still haven't learned all that much. Like I said, I don't really concern myself with the details, just what works and looks cool.

So, enter the new knife, the Boker Trance. Able to accomplish all of the previous knife's work, but in a sleek new form. A bit thinner than my previous blade, different locking mechanism, larger blade, way sharper, and easy one-handed opening. And the price point is what really sold my on it. Ordered online and shipped for just about $30. Can't really beat that.

(pictures are of my actual knife, description is from website where you can purchase your own)

Boker Knives: Boker Trance Knife, BK-BO590

The illustrated Boker Knife is the Boker Trance Knife, designed by Chad Los Banos, that features a 2 3/4" drop point blade made of AUS8 stainless steel. The blade of this Boker knife has a non reflective finish, a notched thumb rest, dual thumb studs and a blade flipper for ambidextrous one hand opening. The stainless steel handle, 3 1/2" closed, has a single black fiberglass reinforced nylon scale, a frame lock and a lanyard hole. An end to end reversible metal pocket clip is included with this Boker knife. The Boker Trance Knife has an overall open length of 6 1/4" and weighs 3.2 ounces.

http://www.knivesplus.com/bokerknifebk-bo590.html

The Boker Trance was thinner in width than the Gerber, had a longer and sharper blade, was a frame lock instead of a lock-back design, and had a clip to keep it in place and make it more easily accessible as opposed to the Gerber which just sat at the bottom of my pocket.

I've been carrying the Boker Trance for a little over a year now and have really come to depend on it. I've enjoyed this knife and it has been a fantastic replacement for my old blade.

But I think that it's getting to be time to replace the Boker Trance. I've got a few things lined up and will revisit this once they've been tested. I think a solid month of EDC for each of the potentials should prove helpful in determining what should be the next big thing.

The thing that really got the juices flowing for new and better knives was the Blade Show in Atlanta, GA.

http://www.blademag.com/bladeshow_attendees

Being able to attend this event was an eye opener. Getting to meet some of the artists and craftsmen that make the blades was a real treat and really got me interested in seeing and knowing more. If you have any interest in knives at all, I highly recommend attending the show in 2011.

Now, I had purchased the Boker Trance a long time before going to the Blade Show. And while I was there only managed to pick up another Boker knife (big thanks to Boker for the freebie). Prior to the show, I received a Boker Karambit for Christmas, and while a very cool knife, not something I picture using for EDC.

See, there are knives that are cool, and there are knives that are practical for day-to-day situations. I've more of the “cool but not practical” than the “practical and cool”. I'm looking to change that so I'll have some diversity in my collection.

Kershaw, Spyderco, and CRKT are all in the works.

I'll keep you posted.

Top Ten Reasons Why Men Prefer Guns Over Women

2010-10-16T19:39:00.000-05:00

#10 - You can trade an old 44 for a new 22.

#9 - You can keep one gun at home and have another for when you're on the road.

#8 - If you admire a friend's gun and tell him so, he will probably let you try it out a few times.

#7 - Your primary gun doesn't mind if you keep another gun for a backup.

#6 - Your gun will stay with you even if you run out of ammo.

#5 - A gun doesn't take up a lot of closet space.

#4 - Guns function normally every day of the month.

#3 - A gun doesn't ask , "Do these new grips make me look fat?"

#2 - A gun doesn't mind if you go to sleep after you use it.

And the Number One reason
Why Men Prefer Guns over women.....

#1 - You can buy a silencer for a gun!

2010-08-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionalistically
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Transubstantiate

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. No thanks, I'm married.
2. Nope, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Taco Bell ? No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7.. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now, as I have to work in the morning.

Etiquette tips for a gay wedding:

2010-08-04T21:09:00.001-05:00

1. Superstition suggests that the two grooms should not get mani-pedis at the same spa on the day of the wedding.

2. It is customary for one of the grooms to carry something shiny, something flirty, something trashy and something dirty during the ceremony.

3. It is generally considered unlucky to use any of the following items during the first dance - flags, hand-held lasers, streamers, whistles or glowsticks.

4. It is considered bad luck if either of the grooms have dated the priest.

5. It is customary for the parents of the grooms to drink during the ceremony.

6. Gay wedding tradition dictates that both grooms refrain from eating wedding cake as it contains too many carbs.

7. It is generally customary to avoid using show tunes during the actual ceremony.

8. According to superstition, it is bad luck to throw the bouquet overhand.

9. It is also considered bad luck to have more than one person named "Bruce" in the wedding party.

10. The best man/men should be prepared with essential items such as chap-stick, tissues, a mustache comb and glitter.

11. If a chihuahua is used in the wedding ceremony, it is generally assumed that the father of the older groom is on "pooper scooper" duty.

A special Fairy Tale just for men......

2010-06-16T21:43:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time, a Prince asked a beautiful Princess, "Will you marry me?"

The Princess said, "NO!"

And the Prince lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and went fishing and hunting and played golf and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.

The End

The year is 1907

2010-06-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.

But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American....There can be no divided allegiance here.

Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all.

We have room for but one flag, the American flag...

We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language..

And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

lady killer

2010-05-31T16:18:00.002-05:00

I must apologize for the blurriness of the picture, but it's a difficult task to get a toddler that doesn't know you to stand still long enough to get the right angle. This was taken at my son's daycare. I love parents with a sense of humor.