Randomized Fodder

Daylight Saving Time

SweetOnTxCourt — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:31:47 +0000

It’s that time again, folks! Daylight saving time is going to begin this weekend. How do you handle DST? Do you change your clocks before you go to bed Saturday night? So you change them when you wake up in the morning? Do you change them straight up midnight? Well, technically, daylight saving time begins at 2am on the second Sunday in March. I know probably everyone is excited about having more daylight hours. I am, and so is my dog. She’ll be very happy that our walks or jogs in the evening can be extended. But ever think about the other effects of DST? Well, first of all, we can utilize more daylight, and less energy to light our homes. In fact, this is why DST was initiated in the United States. I was curious so I decided to look up the history of DST and found information here. According to this article, DST began as a way to conserve energy for war production during WW II. Then in 2007, they extended DST by 4 weeks as a part of the Energy Policy Act. Who knows if it actually worked? I know there are a few parts of the US that do not observe DST. Such as Arizona and Hawaii. Why is that? Why are they so against DST? Can I decide not to observe DST? Who makes that decision? I have more questions than answers about daylight saving time. Anyway, don’t forget to change you clocks Sunday at 2am….every single one of them. That’s the only irritating part about it. How many clocks do you have in your house? More than you think, I bet!

Resuscitated

SweetOnTxCourt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:45:37 +0000

Guess whose back? So, I knew when I started this blog that I wasn’t going to post every day. And I haven’t posted in well over a year. The blog just kind of sat out here in Cyberland waiting for me to return and revive it. Well, I’ve decided to revive it for my own personal state of mind. I don’t care if people read it or don’t, cause mostly right now it’s going to be for me. I can pretend I am telling people things, even if no one reads it.
I’ve recently discovered the beauty of the podcast. I don’t know why I haven’t even listened to podcasts before. Probably because I don’t really listen to the radio either, because I don’t like people talking interrupting my music. But as some of you know, many of you don’t, I am a member of a message board for my biggest obsession: Disney. The message boards (which are part of the
Dis family) are known as the Disboards. There are tons of Disney fans, and also Disney newbies who are just looking for info about planning their trip to anywhere within the Disneysphere. Everyone is superfriendly, and very helpful. Anyway, as I was wandering around the boards, I noticed the Dis Unplugged board. The Dis Unplugged is the Dis podcast. More out of curiousity than anything, I went into itunes and subscribed, and began downloading some of the past shows. Well, I’ve been listening to it for a few days now, and I am addicted. The folks that do it (podcasters? cast? crew? employees?) are great fun to listen to. I’ve also subscribed to some other podcasts (not Disney related) cause I have decided that podcasts are the coolest thing ever. My ipod (16gig) is literally 100% full (for the first time ever) because of all the podcasts. I know I sound really old, that I have just discovered them. It’s not that I didn’t know the existed, its just that I didn’t get the appeal of them. Now, I do. I talk back to them in the car. Which is probably the most amusing thing about it. Anyway, if you don’t listen to podcasts, I would suggest that you go into your little itunes account, go to the store, and search a topic that interests you. (In addition to my Disney podcast, I listen to a travel podcast, a design podcast (like, interior design), and a book review podcast). Subscribe to the podcasts, which are usually free, and you’ll have an hour of entertainment.

Twilight

SweetOnTxCourt — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:43:07 +0000

Twilight the movie. It’s being talked about everywhere. It’s splashed all over the cover (or should I say covers) of Entertainment Weekly. Author of the book, Stephenie Meyer, has been named one of EW’s Entertainers of the Year. I was introduced to the book by my sister who called me up one day and said, “I just read this book, and you have to read it!” I trust Kelsey’s judgment, so I picked up a copy. And then I picked up the succeeding books of the series. While it is billed as a young adult novel, it isn’t written as one. The characters are well spoken. I’ve read other adult novels, and I find that most authors write young adult novels as if the young adults are…six or seven years old. They don’t seem to be able to find the right conversational styles for people of the age 16. Albeit, Meyer’s characters probably have conversational styles at a level higher than that of normal 17 year olds. But, one of them is technically 109 years old, so she gets a pass. Anyway, I am counting down for this movie. I don’t count down to thing very often, unless it is a holiday, or a time that I get to go somewhere. But I am ready for this movie to come out. So, it is being released at midnight next Thursday (technically Friday, but whose counting.) Well, I had a lot more to say about this topic, but I can’t remember it at the moment, so more for later!

Chase (is pretty excited for Twilight)

Welcome Back!

SweetOnTxCourt — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:59:48 +0000

So, it’s been…I don’t know how long since I’ve blogged. Months. And months and months. But I want to get back into it, if at all possible. I make no guarantees, however. The election season ended last week with the election of the first African American President of the United States. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, it was a pretty historic moment for the US. Now that the election is over, and retailers can have the airwaves back for commercials, it seems that they are moving into the holiday season with fervor. I, for one, never admonish a holiday commercial. I love everything about the holidays, which anyone whose ever read my blog knows. With the economic crisis looming overhead, I would be willing to bet that this holiday season is not as big a payoff for retailers as it has been in the past. Many retailers are showing a loss in third quarter profits this year, and are expecting to see low fourth quarter profits as well. I’ve heard that some stores are planning their “black Friday” sales early, in hopes to counteract the low cash flow.

Anyway, I haven’t started any Christmas shopping yet. I still have some birthdays to get through. Although I have begun to think about it. I am about ready to start the decorating, though. Early, you say? Bah, I say. If retailers are already playing Christmas commercials, then why can’t I put up my tree? Plus, I am not really at my house much during the holidays, so if I put it up before Thanksgiving, I can actually enjoy it. I’m thinking of revamping the look of the blog for the holidays too. Not that I don’t love the green roses, but perhaps something new. Just until January 1st. Then the roses can make a comeback.

TTFN!
Chase

And yes, the orange stays for Fall, until I switch to red or green. Or maybe light blue. We’ll see!

World’s Worst Music

SweetOnTxCourt — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:27:07 +0000

I listen to a lot of music. Pretty consistently. At work, at home, in the car, even in the shower (yay, ipod shower…thing). So, I’ve been exposed to a lot of different songs. Well, a friend of mine recently came across this video, where apparently two guys challenged each other to come up with the worst mixtape ever, and the loser had to walk around town with a giant boombox blasting the worst mixtape. It’s hilarious, although I have my doubts about these songs actually being the worst songs in the world.

I decided to try to come up with my own list, but in the process, I came across Blender‘s list of the top 50 worst songs ever. Some of them I disagree with, but some of them I completely agree with. You can find their list here. As for me, my list of top five would be something like this:
1) Man, I feel like a woman – Shania Twain
I actually like some of this canadian singer’s stuff, but this one I just think was overplayed.
2) My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
This song brings back memories of the seventh grade, when my best friend was in love with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was a funny time, but I am pretty sure when we went to see Titanic, she was bawling when he died, and myself and our other best friend just couldn’t help but laugh at her, and the little girls behind us who were sobbing as well.
3) Who Let The Dogs Out – Baha Men
I don’t even have words for this one.
4) She Bangs – Ricky Martin
Ok, he did ok on Livin’ La Vida Loca, but he missed the mark with this one.
5) Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
I am actually sad to put this one on the list, but I think it belongs. It is definitely one of those that gets in your head and then just grates into your brain. And now, it is in my head, and will probably be there for the rest of the day.
What do you think are the worst songs ever?
By the way, I would just like to say that for like, 6 days now, someone (aka, Tony Perkins of the Fox Five morning news) has been promising me rain. And once again, it is bright and sunny outside. I’m not a creep who hates the sun, but I’ve lived here for almost two years, and not once have we had a decent thunderstorm. Sometimes you just need some pounding rain, and crazy thunder and lightening.
Bring on the rain!!
Chase

Harry Potter and the HBP Trailer

SweetOnTxCourt — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:31:33 +0000

Well, the first real trailer was released today for the upcoming Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This is the sixth installation of the Harry Potter series. The trailer, which you can watch here, I personally think leaves something to be desired. At least to those who are familiar with the books. We do get a glimpse (more than a glimpse, actually) of young Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort. But there are several key storylines that are missing from the trailer. And, I realize that movie trailers aren’t long, and can’t give everything away. Obviously. The trailer does reveal that this movie is going to be, like the book, darker than the Harry Potter movies we are used to.
I am looking forward to the release of this movie, even more than I am looking forward to the release of the Twilight movie. I am just not sure about Robert Pattinson as Edward. I did love him as Cedric, and I suppose it’s not fair for me to expect him to remain “dead” for the rest of his career. Although, as a vampire, I suppose that is slightly what he is again. Slightly dead. Yup, that’s what the master’s degree brought me. Phrases like “slightly dead.” Anyway, I’ve just recently seen a new teaser for Twilight, and it has me more excited about it than I was after seeing the first teaser.
Harry Potter November, Twilight December. These are two movies that I am excited about coming to the big screen.
And I will say that if you have not read the Twilight series, you should. And don’t disregard it because it is billed as a “young adult” novel. There is nothing young adult about the emotions that author Stephenie Meyer has managed to envoke in her characters.

Chase

Fini

SweetOnTxCourt — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:21:00 +0000

Well, I have done it. I am officially a Master from the Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University. It feels wonderful, although I must admit that it is going to be strange, not going to class. I am used to having many things occupying my mind, and I’ve noticed at work now, that when I only have work to think about, I get slightly antsy. I’ve taken to playing music, simply as a way to occupy some of my brain cells. I’ve been this way for a while, actually. I was never able to study in complete silence. Whereas most people tend to like the quiet while they study, I needed to have the television or the radio on, because if the only thing I focused on was my school work, I zoned out. Strange, eh? Anyway, none of this is the point. The point is that after 18 years of school, with very little break, I now have two degrees (and what to show for it?). I jest. I am looking forward to getting my social life back. In an interesting story, we took a class photo at graduation. The photographer did the general, smile, click business, but then of course she suggested that we take a silly photo. The 56 graduates all turned and looked at each other. It was simply as if we had forgotten how to be funny. It was a sad moment for us all. Although it makes for a great story now that I can reflect back on it (all the way back to Saturday afternoon). The Dean of our school also threw books around the stage at graduation. I’ve participated in three graduations now of my own, plus attended countless others of my family members. I can honestly say that this graduate ceremony is the most memorable I have ever attended. Between Dean Arterton throwing books around the stage and the featured speaker, former Representative from Florida, Joe Scarborough, this certainly was an excellent ceremony. It may also be in part that for the first time, I have no idea what is coming. Even when I graduated from Oklahoma State University, I was started at GW a month later. There was always more school. Now, there is no more school. At least, not for a while. A loooooooong while. I am going to enjoy being 23 for a bit. At least until I am 24, anyway.

Master Chase

Piracy at the Airport

SweetOnTxCourt — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:03:42 +0000

I am always listening to music. My ipod travels with me everywhere I go. I take public transportation to work, and then walk from there, so it is not unusual to see me with my headphones on. As a result, I have a ton of music and other such essentials on my ipod. It actually isn’t limited to music, I’ve had audiobooks, movies, even old episodes of ER on my ipod at any given time. But I travel often too, either for work, vacation, or just to visit the homefront and see my family. I’m always dragging my laptop, cell phone and ipod in and out of airports. In a recent article published in The Telegraph, as a part of G8 agreements in the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, airports are going to begin scanning laptops, mp3 players and ipods, and cell phones for illegal downloads. This is aimed at “how to deal with large-scale intellectual property infringements,” but there is concern that individuals who have illegally downloaded music strictly for personal use will be caught as well.

This is a concern directly from the article, but I am not sure that, at least to me, it was explained well enough. I understand that they are doing this in order to catch “large scale infringements” but the way this article approached it, it sounded like, well, we know that illegal downloading happens, and we can’t stop that, so we are just after the big guns. Actually, come to think of it, probably what the concern is is that so many people have downloaded something illegally, they they don’t want to have to pull every person out of line as they are screened. It’s also a customs issue with international travel. I thought this entire concept was interesting. Most of my music is bought and paid for through Itunes, so maybe I have a different concept of what this all means, but it seems to me that this is another way to make the security lines at the airport even longer….

Check out the rest of the article here.

Chase

Ignored

SweetOnTxCourt — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:42:15 +0000

I have been neglecting this blog for a while, simply because my work load, both at the office and at school has experienced exponential growth this summer. However, a great cause for celebration is around the corner! I will be graduating a week from Saturday. Done, fini, whatever language you prefer. And then, hopefully, I will find some time to dedicate to my beloved blog once again. I have missed it terribly. Until then, I continue to live off of the “finals week diet” of coffee and dry cereal (Cap’n Crunch is great brain food). And when I return, I shall be Master. Ha ha.
Until then-
Chase

4am

SweetOnTxCourt — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:01:17 +0000

Have you ever noticed that when you think you need to go to sleep, because you have to get up uncharacterisitically early, you can’t ever fall asleep? This is a chronic thing with me. When I have early flights, or early meetings….it is almost as if I would be better off not going to sleep, and running on low for the day, then crashing that night. Alas…

I had a 6am flight this morning to get to New York for the Personal Democracy Forum (yay, techies!). Because of my 6am flight, I was up at 4am. Knowing this, I attempted to go to sleep around 10:30 last night. Did not work. At all. At 2am, I was still awake. Which promted me to hit my snooze button when the alarm went off at 4 this morning. I almost missed my flight. It was pretty crazy. I was irritable until I was on that plane. Needless to say, I have not yet had my am coffee, something that is severely inhibiting my mood. Yet I took the time to sit and blog. I have now arrived at the conference, and discovered that (like all good techie conferences) we have decent internet access. So, I am going to be blogging throughout the day today and tomorrow, chronicling the goings-on and the nonsense. But now, I am off in search of coffee…

Ciao, baby!

Chase