Beta testers wanted

broderic on February 13, 2008

One of the funny things about taking the Web Application development class is that they gave us a virtual server off the loyola domain to use as a test bed. We still develop locally but we have to deploy it on the web.

If you want to see some trivial examples of Java Servlets in action check this out: Assignment 3

I’m asking you, my dear readers, to do my testing for me. Check if things work correctly. If you get a crash, please screen capture it and post in comments problems. You are my beta testers. Its due Thursday. Get this done by then. TIA.

UPDATE: Here’s what’s up with assignment 3.

What’s on Page 123?

broderic on February 12, 2008

Found on Crooked Tmber. And because I haven’t posted in a while. Let me do this meme. You can too.

Instructions:
1. Grab the nearest book (that is at least 123 pages long).
2. Open to p. 123.
3. Go down to the 5th sentence.
4. Type in the following 3 sentences.
5. Tag five people.

What books do I have on hand? The absolute nearest to me is The Saga of the Icelanders by some really old Icelanders, I guess. Page 123 is in the middle of Egil’s Saga.

“Then he spoke a verse:

I could not stand the ugly
land-claimer’s wrath;
no cuckoo will alight knowing
that the squawking eagle prowls.
There, as before, I benefited
from the bear of the hearth-seat.
No one need give up who boasts
such a loyal helper on his travels.”

That’s more than 3 sentences, but it I can’t really tell what 3 sentences are when most of it is in verse. Yikes! Those darn sagas.

Your turn whomever you are.

897 Greatest Albums of All Time on WTMD

broderic on February 8, 2008

As a follow up to their 897 Greatest Songs of All Time countdown from last year, WTMD is counting down the 897 Greatest Albums of All Time. It's a chance to hear some tunes you normally don't hear on the radio.

The other day they played some Jethro Tull which probably hasn't been heard on air in a long while. It was side A to an album. I had to change the channel because it felt like a Jazz Odyssey but heavier progrock-like. I went into the harbor tunnel with it playing and came out with it still on and I think it was still the same verse. I don't know if there was a chorus.

Anyhow, you should listen to it as it counts down. You may hear some fine tunes that'll have you rocking out, especially, as it winds down to number one.

Seen from this morning

broderic on February 7, 2008

If you notice the time stamp of the previous post, you’ll see a time around 4 AM.

I don’t know why I was up.

Actually, I do. I acted the fool this morning. Have you ever been amped to get up? Or knew you had the get up that you slept lightly? I had to rise early to be in work by 8 for a training class plus also I am trying to condition myself to get up earlier so that Jorge Cruise can motivate me. So I was somewhat awake and groggy around 3:30. I thought it was 6:30. The lack of sunlight seemed normal for winter at that time.

I could’ve actually looked at my alarm clock, but I rushed to take a shower. I didn’t feel tired, but underneath the warm water I had a hunch that I didn’t sleep the full six hours I normally do.

I didn’t. My iPhone told me what the actual time was.

I pondered if I should go back to bed, stay awake and go to work around 5:30, or get breakfast. So I posted that notice about TCM running some fine movies, and went back to sleep shortly thereafter.

I didn’t miss getting up. The alarm sounded at the normal time.

Updating Movie Queues

broderic on February 6, 2008

Every year for Oscar month, TCM hosts “31 Days of Oscars.” They show many films each one a recipient of an Academy Award nomination.

It sounds like lots of good movies, but in practice not so much. There’s plenty of head scratchers out there. Check the list. It’ll make you wonder how did this get nominated. That tradition lives on til today.

There’s still plenty of gems to choose from though. If you’ve got the time, catch a few. Or at least set your Tivo.

Cycling will make you happy

broderic on February 6, 2008

I assure you, my readers, that it will.

I’m not talking about those damned stationary bikes. Those things fixed inside a room are a faux simulation of cycling. They are a means of administering some insidious form of abuse on the mind. Those things will make you really, really sad even if you do get the same endorphin high.

No, cycling in the great out doors will make you happy. If you do it on a busy thoroughfare, I’m sure you won’t be so happy scared about the cars, but you’re much better off than indoors on a stationary bike.

Why?

Remember when you first learned to ride a bike? Remember the thrill keeping it upright. Wobbly at first. Then your pedaling smooths out, the front wheel straightens, and then, you’re cruising! You probably had a wide grin across your face. You probably also squealed. Nothing as delightful as that moment.

So, why aren’t you riding your bike more? You don’t have to ride in the road. Ride around your neighborhood. Ride in the woods out back. Ride the local rail to trail conversion. Just go out and ride.

You’ll like the breeze in your face. You’ll relish the hill to climb, because of the down hill and the speed to come. You’ll enjoy the rush from the exercise. You’ll breathe in the fresh air. You’ll be invigorated. You’ll be happy. I guarantee it.

Let’s go!

Vote Quimby

broderic on February 5, 2008

I don’t really write much about politics around here. Every time I do end up calling this president a fucking fucktard. (There I go again!).

Tomorrow is Super Tuesday when a lot of states hold their primaries for each political party to assign delegates for a particular presidential candidate. I think it’s about twenty states that hold these primaries or caucuses. Here in Maryland, we don’t have ours until the 12th, but by then the presidential race may have been decided by tomorrow’s poll results.

Even if it was Maryland’s primary day tomorrow, I can’t go because they are not open to registered independents. Thats’s right. I am not associated with a particular party. I sit on the fence and perhaps choose who I think is the best which is strange because I pretty much vote a straight Democrat ticket except for the judges who I don’t even know how they get on the ballot in the first place.

This is all prelude to letting you know that I am endorsing Barack Obama for president. For me, he stands the idea of change. We don’t need another set of royals running the country. It would be 12 years of Bush rule (excluding 8 years of GHWB VP) and 16 years of Clinton rule if Hilary can get elected twice.

That’s too long to see executive power confined to these two families. We need some new blood.

Now, I have some reservations about him. Mostly that he preaches some kind of cross partisan unity. We don’t need any of that. We need a Democratic party leader to put the fucking Republicans in their place. Make them a withered, destroyed, desolate party in full rather than just the souless one they currently play. And he doesn’t really ask for that. I don’t think any Dems are asking for that, but payback is a bitch.

I want change. Perhaps Obama can bring it to us.