droll exhaust . . .

Pandemic Proportions

2009-10-20T21:54:00.001-08:00

The household is plagued with the flu virus. I seems that we’re passing it off, one at a time to each family member. It’s the typical “seasonal flu” as compared to the “swine flu”, which I guess isn’t seasonal? It starts off with cold-like symptoms but then you have the high fever and achy bones, which will then turn the cold into a flu. If you had vomiting and/or diarrhea then you just may have the h1n1 (hiney) flu. I don’t want either, but I have this feeling that I’m right on the edge of the loading platform to the sick-in-bed express.

We are encouraged at the workplace, to wash our hands and get our flu shots. Only our flu shots were cancelled due to a supply shortage. However,

we’re assured that we’ll have them for the flu season. Hello! We have the flu, the season is NOW!

sigh

del.icio.us Tags: flu,h1n1,sick

Strange Plane Over Forest Grove

2009-10-12T21:08:00.001-08:00

What the heck is this?

View Larger Map

I found this one day as I was looking for a crash site. Obviously it’s a plane, and it was probably distorted by the projection of the aerial photo .. but still, it looks suspicious. Zoom in on the farm below … is that some kind of airstrip? Perhaps for stretchy white drone aircraft designed to spy on the citizens, to read our bank cards as we buy 12-packs of Hamm’s from the 7-11?

del.icio.us Tags: conspiracy,maps,domestic spying

melancholy brain

2009-10-02T18:28:00.001-08:00

melancholy brain
Originally uploaded by jugbo

a very very rough week. I had a swarm of migraines this week. The last two days being some of the worse I've had in a long while. I'm a bit defective that way I guess.
I am however, happy how this photo came out. It was an accidental lighting shot. I really like how that happens because I am not a good eye for lighting.

You Have Red On You …

2009-09-28T21:52:00.001-08:00

The 2009 great salsa harvest has begun. We went out to the farm this Sunday and picked up 50 lbs of tomato, 50 peppers, garlic, cilantro and onion. We will have tomatoes for years to come. Want some?

We took all the ripe maters and skinned and de-seeded them. I then ran them through the food saver and threw them in the freezer. We have about another 15 lbs to go yet because they weren’t quite ripe yet.

We always make out great with our CSA (community supported agriculture) program. Fresh veggies all season long, delivered to your door, can’t be beat. There is some pressure on how to deal with some of the odd things like ground cherries (blech) and abundant things like lettuce and basil. We have basil from last year frozen in the freezer still. The wife usually finds some yummy recipe solutions for most the ingredients. yummo.

del.icio.us Tags: tomato,community supported agriculture,salsa

Technorati Tags: tomato,community supported agriculture,salsa

a bush

2009-09-20T15:12:00.002-08:00

a bush
Originally uploaded by jugbo

a bush in our back yard. enjoy.

cat's eye

2009-09-16T21:42:00.001-08:00

cat's eye
Originally uploaded by jugbo

Bonnie on the prowl in the back yard today

Death

2009-09-05T12:50:00.001-08:00

Before I go off and force feed myself some extra Photoshop training, I thought I’d share what other fun thing I have started doing this week. My current position at the Transportation Dept. has me turning the information from DMV and police accident reports into coded data that can be entered into a huge database. That information is used to redesign roads and traffic controls, pass new laws, and other helpful planning goals. All up until this week, all the reports I analyzed had 100% survival rates. Not this week.

I started to code fatal accidents this week. Even though I only looked over five reports, it left me emotionally drained. I read over reports that accounted for the end of six real lives. Six people that woke up on those days thinking that they would be around the next day. One of the very real side-effects of driving motor vehicles is the possibility of death.

We’re fragile. More fragile than you may think, or want to believe. Be careful.

New Project

2009-08-31T20:50:00.001-08:00

I joined a new Flickr group. Flickr Group Roulette, where the object is to invade another Flickr group with our membership with our interpretations of their themes.

I’ve been pretty successful on a couple of these projects, the 365 Self Portrait day, and the One Object 365 Days Project. Both fun, and grueling sometimes coming up with an idea. This new project I don’t have to come up with the idea, I just have to present a photo that meets the invaded group’s requirements. Sounds like fun, I’ll give it a try.

my 365 Days of Uke Project

and my 365 Days Self Portrait Project

Lost Weekend

2009-08-30T22:18:00.001-08:00

What happened on Saturday? I don’t remember a thing. It is all a blurry unrecognizable memory. I remember today, but not the day before. It seems very odd.

Today I cleaned my room. My man-cave. It’s a bit cozier than it was before. I still have some boxes to go through and clear out, but It’s a nicer place to be. Not ideal … but really, who is ever satisfied with the state of his man-cave anyway?

Here’s to a bearable week!

Technorati Tags: man-cave

You Suck Tuesday

2009-08-25T21:28:00.001-08:00

ok … it wasn’t that bad. But hell, I’m not happy about it. no not at all. My head has felt half full all day. It wasn’t half full of anything particularly useful either. I got very upset about Afghanistan. Why? I do not know. Because it’s pointless, just like healthcare reform, like all federal political functions.

… and mostly because I feel powerless about nearly anything. Perhaps I could sway my immediate surroundings, but not much, not enough to make a difference.

This evening I had to do a pile of dishes … and I got a migraine.

it’s an out-of-season, bah-humbug day.

Oh well .. tomorrow is another day.

It was in the mail …

2009-08-19T21:45:00.001-08:00

… my diploma came today. I am officially a college graduate with proof. I also got three copies of my transcript. I managed a 3.75 GPA! My biggest hope right now is that I get to use the knowledge I have gained before my feeble mind lets it all spill out of an ear.

I’m still working on gaining good software skills. I hear one of the important issues with any kind of web or graphic design (aside from talent) is to become a master at using the tools of the trade.

Wish me luck!

Healthcare FAIL

2009-08-11T20:25:00.001-08:00

I’ve been thinking about this for a little while, and I was prompted recently by a friend’s blog. I need to comment on the President and federal government’s attempt to fix the healthcare system of 300 million citizens (give or take a few thousand). Did ANYONE think they can fix it in 6 months? A year? 4 Years? Ever? Hell no … They aren’t going to fix anything. Why?

Because it’s not in their nature to do anything against how Government works! Congress is all about deal making. Nothing is going to be voted through if there isn’t a tipping point of favors to be promised and pocketed. This is a bi-partisan issue. Laws don’t get made until the congress-people and their influence peddlers get their way. Won’t happen, not even with the most popular president. nu-uh, isn't gonna happen.

As for the President and his party, they’re not going to do anything stupid to jeopardize political clout. If they fight for the bills they want and threaten vetoes on everything that doesn’t meet standards, and nothing passes, then they look like failures. They couldn’t get anything passed. David Brooks says it best in this NYTimes Editorial:

“When the executive branch is dominant you often get coherent proposals that may not pass. When Congress is dominant, as now, you get politically viable mishmashes that don’t necessarily make sense.”

This is why I propose the federal government just drop it completely. Send all the decisions down to the states. If the states want to fix the healthcare system, let them. Let them figure it out on their own terms. If you don’t like what your state ends up with, move to a state with the plan that fits you. It will be like how people look for jobs and benefit packages. Some states will figure it out, some won’t … oh well. Elect smarter more honest people to office.

Another reason to send it to the state is the fact they are a little easier to monitor, to manage and to enforce a transparency law. Documenting who is getting what money from whom in real intimate time. I think we can do a better job managing the pork in our own pen, in comparison with the the sty we try to manage thousands of miles away.

This will also spread the influence peddlers thinner .. it will be harder to get the favors and pocket money into that many pockets with any efficiency.

my solution. if I were king for a day. Drop the ball into the State’s laps.

Facebook Buys FriendFeed: What Does It Mean?

2009-08-10T20:59:00.002-08:00

Facebook Buys FriendFeed: What Does It Mean?

it means more friends ... so in the spirit of friendship I have started to befriend everyone I've ever known, or relatives, etc ... only not current co workers. That's awkward, believe me.

Of course they can follow me on twitter, and I'd probably would check to block them.

So I am interested if and how they are going to better integrate the two services.

Posted using ShareThis

Me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/gary.jungling
Me on FriendFeed: friendfeed.com/jugbo

Manifesto 2009 beta

2009-08-08T21:58:00.001-08:00

I am going to attempt to define a few goals for the next year or so. But I must state a disclaimer. I am not entirely in control of my life and the destiny that would fold out in front of me. With any human male that is a member of the small institution of “family”, goals and plans and aspirations are depended on the daily whim of the domestic duty of “family”. I find it irresponsible if not futile to plan my life extra curricularly outside the realm of my “family” duties.

So, how to plan the second half of my life around that parameter? Good question. It can’t be very complex. I must be flexible. And (most important) it must be able to completely fail. And like a Phoenix, rise again from the ashes of dashed dreams.

With that established I only pick two goals for the next year.

1. I paid for a year of Adobe training from TotalTraining.com, so I figure I should go through all that training.

2. Take banjo lessons.

There ya go! No other goals. That’s it. Keeping it simple is a good mantra I do believe. I can’t plan for anything else … too many variables. In fact I’m not even sure either of these two goals will happen. But that’s ok. Bliss happens .. or it doesn’t … I can live with either outcome.

Squirrel!

del.icio.us Tags: life

My weight, My Teeth

2009-08-04T06:00:00.001-08:00

Just two quick items:

I was abused at the dentist. He has put a temporary crown on a tooth that I have cracked. I grind my teeth, a lot. And well, that temp crown freakin’ hurts the entire left side of my head.

Second, I have lost some weight on my own personal no carb diet. (see graph at bottom of page) Of course last night was pizza night so I consumed a beer and about 4 slices of pizza. But back on track today.

That is all.

Stay tuned for an update to my personal manifesto!

Coming soon to a blog near you, well actually right here.

Technorati Tags: teeth,fat,diet,pain,dentist

Now What?

2009-07-30T19:16:00.001-08:00

Ok, I’ve done the work, made the grade … walked across the stage and grabbed the diploma; no what? I guess I thought maybe I’d wake up the next day and all the world would be right and clear. It is not.

Do I go out and get a new job? Where? How? How do I act now that I have a college degree? I have to admit, I’m a little lost. Where’s the instant success? What? There’s no such thing?

yikes. now what?

Graduation Day

2009-07-26T07:33:00.001-08:00

Today is the big day. I am driving up with the family to attend my graduation ceremony. I need to pull the cap & gown out of the closet and iron it out flat. Exciting no? It has taken me about 18 23 years (see transcripts) to complete my bachelor’s degree, but it was well worth the effort, and money.

So, if you’re at PGE park today in Portland around 3:00 Pm, stop by and see me graduate with all the other students of course. After party is at Fudrucker’s off the Durham I-5 exit, probably around 5:00 pm or so. Dutch treat of course … I have to pay back some student loans now.

another thing done …

2009-07-21T19:04:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I posted my last ukulele picture for the 365 days object project. A year ago I joined a flickr group that posts a picture of a single object once every day. I am proud to say I did just that. I took and sometimes photo-shopped, and posted a picture of my concert ukulele everyday for a year. Too bad I couldn’t get paid for something like that. I think the family would respect the achievement more. But this is art! I do it for art’s sake.

All Done with Stuff

2009-07-13T20:18:00.001-08:00

I am proud to announce that I’m finished with school. Really! I just finished my last class (multimedia development). So after I turned in my last assignment I popped open an extra stout and celebrated. It really hasn’t hit me and my wife keeps asking me how I feel. I don’t know. I guess I will feel different when I cross the stage at graduation; ask me then. What have I learned?

stuff

I have learned stuff, and whether I actually get to apply this stuff in my career choices or everyday life is a matter of opportunity and need. However, I know one thing … I’ve finished something, an education. I believe I’m the only one in my family (other than my amazing wife) that has completed a bachelor’s degree program. I feel a bit accomplished. I feel a little proud. I feel mostly relieved. Life can go on now. But now I know stuff … official scholarly stuff

Go Look at my Photos! Damnit!

2009-07-04T16:38:00.001-08:00

Technorati Tags: photo,photography,flickr

One of the consistent things I do in my life is take pictures. Ever since I can get a camera into my hands I’ve taken pictures.

Hi … where am I?

2009-06-17T22:40:00.001-08:00

I’m still here. Just busy and distracted lately. I’m on my last course until graduation and trying to concentrate on that. I’m learning Adobe Flash, which will prove interesting, perhaps you’ll see some of my work here some day. I am realizing that I also may need some more larger summer work clothes. Because it’s hot, and I’m larger. And I don’t have enough. However, I usually trim down during the summer, so what’s a man to do?

I have just about 30 more days or so on my “Uke picture of the day” … be sure to drop by my flickr account and check them out.

Have a nice day!

Getting started is the hardest part …

2009-05-24T17:38:00.001-08:00

I’m just sitting here trying to get started on my paper that is due tomorrow. I am supposed to “Propose instructional strategies, learning materials and learning activities for the training need identified in you organization”. Ok … whatever!

I am at least going to whip out an outline here in the next 26 minutes. I should have been doing it all day today, but I got distracted with many things. Nothing at all productive have you, but distracted nonetheless.

I also have been experimenting with Live Writer as a blog publisher … the icon you see here (or not see) was my attempt to publish pictures with this tool and hosting them on my jugbo.com site. We’ll see. Cross your fingers.

Wordles Behind...

2009-05-17T09:27:00.003-08:00

I am a sad sad blogger ... just look at me, not posting ... grrr

I am behind on my prez wordles, so I combined the last two weeks together. Enjoy, I believe the topics for the President are the economy ... go figure. There is an emphasis on credit cards I think. I personally do not "own" any credit cards. They're evil!

President says “wash your hands”

2009-05-05T19:20:00.002-08:00

don’t let your guard down, those pigs are sneaky!

The President: “We have asked every American to take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu: keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick; and keep your children home from school if they’re sick. And the White House has launched pages in Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to support the ongoing efforts by the CDC to update the public as quickly and effectively as possible."

Where Have I been?

2009-05-03T01:59:00.001-08:00

Well, I’ve been rebuilding my computer. Yup, it’s that time again. Got some cash that was burning a hole in my pocket and I thought it was time to do a little upgrade.

Installed are:

New Motherboard, Memory, Graphic Cards, and extra hard drive, 1000w power supply … etc.

AND I’m installing Windows Vista, yep it’s been a long time with XP, but it’s time to move on.

It wasn’t a smooth transition, I have to reinstall most of my software. I’m also going to give Microsoft Live Writer another chance. It would always error out on me in the past. Let’s see if they worked out those bugs shall we.

posting now.

Technorati Tags: computer,windows,upgrade,hardware,software