The Mended Meanderer

Great video article featuring a friend!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:06:00 +0000

Thanks to CVO for turning me toward this video. Even though I am one of those "Warm Bodied" individuals it still reminds me not to let the elements get me down! ;-)

SYS

Religion truly has reached into every crevice of our daily lives.

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:36:00 +0000

Of course, we go through primary and secondary school learning all sorts of contradictions regarding religion and its place in our society. I am not attempting to bash religion. I am merely making the observation that religious themes have bled into many areas not blatantly concerning religion. I second the notion by believing that religion has very quietly crept into places most people (religious or not) probably never thought it would. We learn that the Church is separate from the State and so on, but is that a true statement. I think religion is right now very comfy in more institutions than we would like to admit to.

But first a quick side note. Moments of deep thought and reflection come to me at the oddest times. It's enough to make me spontaneously burst out in laughter or really bend my mind around something. Yet another example of how my head is wound differently than most, I guess.

For instance, I was watching the Geico commercial featuring Billy Jean King and one of the "cavemen" playing in a tennis match. I'm sure everyone is familiar with this one. Billy Jean and the caveman return to their chairs after finishing a set and the caveman says aloud, "I can believe I'm beating Billy Jean King!" She replies, "Beating me? You haven't even scored a point!" To which the caveman quickly responds, "Why don't you take a little gander at the scoreboard!?" Originally, the commercial then showed the score of the match as 6-0, 6-0, 6-0. The score actually appears like this:

6 6 6
0 0 0

As I was watching this commercial last night I realized that they changed it. Because when they cut to the view of the scoreboard it read:

6 6 5
0 0 0

Hmm? They changed the last "6" to a "5." Why on earth would they do that? It was weird until it finally came to me. Such a simple explanation that immediately made me chuckle but then started to concern me. They changed the score on the scoreboard because they didn't want it to read 666 because that is the duh-duh-duh-DUH NUMBER OF THE BEAST! Oh no, it's the Devil - look out! Scary shit, boy!

Seriously, folks. There was actually a call from who knows what religious group having a beef with the Geico commercial having the numbers 666 in it, that eventually lead to them changing the commercial? For crying out cornflakes, people! Stand up for yourselves. The commercial was fine the way it was. In no way did it make me think of anything having to do with 666 or the Devil until the commercial was changed. So basically, more attention has been drawn to it by the change rather than leaving it alone and keeping the numbers within the context of a tennis match. This is not rocket science here. Just the observation of an average Joe!

SYS

And now for some local news...

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:48:00 +0000

Apparently, the citizens sleepy wilderness town of Valentine, NE can all breathe a sigh of relief as the notorious Valentine Nebraska "Butt Bandit" has finally been arrested! At 3:30am law enforcement caught the suspect in the act of applying his signature greasy imprint of buttocks and groin on a window of a local business in Valentine, NE. Since the early Spring of 2007, the Butt Bandit has left his mark on businesses all over Valentine baffling local law enforcement for some time. In addition, worries of copycat butt bandits have subsided as Valentine police believe the suspect arrested is the same man who was caught on a surveillance camera at the middle school last year.

Crazy shit! ;-)

SYS

So apparently Prince Willie's willie is making the rounds!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:15:00 +0000

Prince William is no stranger to paparazzi. It seems the lenses of the ruthless and shameless have caught the media dubbed "hot royal" paying the water bill at a polo match. Perezhilton.com boasts in the glory of what they refer to as "Royal Cock" while other sites are all being flooded (and crashed) by people all clambering to see Willie's one-eye.

Personally, I don't see what the big deal is (?). No pun intended. It's just a bloke having a piss who just happens to be an heir to a throne. No big deal there, right? j/k Although, it's funny how he goes about aiming his stream. It's like the gentleman's version of pissing - sort of like how you're supposed to keep your pinky finger straight when holding a tea cup. Too funny.

SYS

Weird cravings. Grounded Thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:38:00 +0000

The weather has gotten colder and the days have gotten shorter and at just the right time I have started to crave all things Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pies, candied yams, stuffing and not to mention delicious turkey. Yes, Thanksgiving is a sweet time of year. Many people get stressed over the Holidays, perhaps because of the hustle and bustle to tie loose ends, arrange travel, etc. I never get depressed over things like these, but realize that it can be overwhelming for some. Still, the endurance necessary for the experience is so well worth it.

So as the big day draws nearer and time runs thin remember to take the briefest of moments, taking a deep breath, to remind yourself of what Thanksgiving really means. Not just a hot kitchen, not just a long drive, not merely a disagreement waiting to happen. Forget all that stuff. Thanksgiving is togetherness! ;-)

SYS

Twists and turns and slippery slopes.

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:09:00 +0000

Even at its dullest moments life ensures that every day is a new experience. Still, some experiences are better than others. Suffice to say that even the most stoic are at times truly challenged trying to make lemonade out of lemons.

The other day I was having a brief conversation with a friend inquiring about a mutual friend who was having a recent spell of bad luck in the form of an accident. Finding out that she was doing okay in light of all that happened made me feel better. It was then agreed upon that our friend was too great person to have to endure the mess she was in. Then I was struck for a moment.

I realized that shitty things happen more often to the best of people. And the reason for this is rather obvious. Only the truly great endure and return stronger in the presence of a tragedy, while the lesser simply cannot handle it!

SYS

It's good to be back!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:50:00 +0000

Life was full, times were good and it's great to be back here. I'll admit I stretched out the break a lil' bit longer to include this past weekend cause I needed time to rest up from all the Halloween/weekend high-jinks. There were many. And I have a tale or two to tell of course! ;-)

One observation I've made concerns Halloween and I mention it cause it is rather fresh in my mind. Have you ever wondered how similar Halloween and Mardi Gras are? I mean the two or completely different holidays, obviously, but look at how the two are celebrated especially among women. More and more often Halloween has become an occasion for women old and young to dress like complete sluts!

Think about it, sans the boob flashing and beads, women at Mardi Gras are basically dressed up the same way as they are at Halloween. Mind you, I saw some absolutely cute outfits that were both sexy and tasteful. Sarah Palins were an obvious trend this year. And a shipwrecked sailor girl I recall rather fondly. But I must emphasize again that they were tasteful. Not to be included with the very numerous ramble of "slutty witches" and "s&m cops" and other "wanton vixens" of all veins in bras, garters, heels and chokers.

Don't take me the wrong way, I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination but I think a buddy of mine said it best: "Women should no longer dress up as street walkers when taking their kids trick or treating!" I do agree here. Ladies, please save it for the privacy of your bedroom when your kids are tucked safely in bed!

A couple of other tidbits are floating around in my melon however, I need to get a few things done so I must end here for now.

SYS

In My Head

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:31:00 +0000

Image created by http://wordle.net/.

SYS

Time for a little break!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:51:00 +0000

As the Mended Meanderer approaches it's two year anniversary this month, and I myself approach the 4-year mark when I began blogging, I find it necessary to take a break from writing. I am developing a new project to take my into the next coming years and will be putting the finishing touches on it during this month.

Here in Nebraska, Indian Summer has finally approached and I will be using much of this month to unwind a bit, clear my mind, enjoy the outdoors before it gets too cold and prepare my new project. There are also some work related events that will also need my attention and rightfully so. So in the meantime, this could be the end of an old thing and the beginning of something completely new.

Do stay tuned, but it will be safe to say that nothing new will happen until the end of this month. ;-)

SYS

A treat for New Yorker's this weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:43:00 +0000

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday (September 19-21, 2008) is Free Bike and Kite Weekend at Governors Island in New York. With help from Transportation Alternatives, Governors Island visitors can borrow a bike this weekend for up to an hour.

The first 250 visitors each day this weekend will also be given a free kite to fly on the Island’s Parade Ground. Wish I could be there!

SYS

Surprise!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:09:00 +0000

Courtesy of this blogger.

After a session of sweaty sex, a satiated man lay in bed
cuddling his new girlfriend as she stroked his limp dick.

Enjoying the caresses, he smiled and said, “You really
seem to like to play with that.”

“I do,” she cooed, “because I really miss mine.”

SYS

Looking Back.

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:22:00 +0000

Photo by Alan Taylor.

We must never forget!

Ideas, direction, a theme...

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:12:00 +0000

For those who have been reading me for a while or from the very beginning (almost four years, yikes) you'll know that I have always approached my blog in a non-theme specific fashion. Basically, I've went by the seat of my pants sharing my life, my thoughts and things that I've found funny and interesting along the way. No particular agenda to really speak of other than being "open."

But I've found myself at another crossroads recently. (Oddly enough, they seem to present themselves every two years give or take. Rather weird.) I began this journey Walking Wounded and through personal growth, healing and self-discovery found myself to be a truly Mended Meanderer. I've experienced or perhaps survived, depending on how you look at it, my share of tragedy, joy, pain and ecstasy. Despite what I've been through I find myself still with the vigor to experience more and to continually hone myself. I am my canvas after all, both physically and mentally. So I think I am ready for a change and it's got everything to do with this blog!

So what should I do? Looking at this screen I naturally shrug my shoulders and ponder the possibilities. Should I merely perform a face lift and continue on as I have for the past two years? That's hard to say. Or should I shake things up a bit, perhaps go in another direction with this whole thing? The notion is exciting but also perplexing right now. I shall have a few good night's sleep to think about this as we approach the month of October that's for sure. In the meantime, don't say I didn't warn you of some changes ahead! ;-)

SYS

Tokyo Metro's "Good Manners" Signs

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:10:00 +0000

In the far East they seem to do some things quite differently and often more efficiently. Could you imagine signs like these on U.S. railways? Too fun!

Or at a concert...

This would be hard to enforce in NYC.

I'd rather women do this on the train rather than behind the wheel!

The key here is to use your "inside voice."

Aren't the point of head phones so that only YOU can hear the music???

SYS

Olympic Cycling Events and Times

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:21:00 +0000

The 2008 Olympics are just about to begin and this is so super cool words cannot describe! The problem is that many events that I want to watch will be broadcast at weird times if they are even broadcast at all. Good news for fans of cycling events lies below.

NBCOlympics.com will broadcast (streaming) Olympic coverage online in the United States with a 3 hour delay after the event. Below is a list of all the Cycling events with their broadcast times. Check out NBCOlympics.com for other event schedules and broadcast times!


.	Date	Cycling Event	Time*
.	Friday, August 8	Men's road race	23:30:00
.	Sunday, August 10	Women's road race	23:00:00
.	Tuesday August 12	Women's individual time trial	20:30:00
.	Wednesday August 13	Men's individual time trial	22:30:00
.	Friday August 15	Men's and women's track individual pursuit	1:30:00
.		men's team sprint
.	Saturday August 16	Women's individual pursuit first round	1:30:00
.		men's kerin
.		points race
.		4000m individual pursuit finals
.		Men's team pursuit	19:00:00
.		men's and women's sprint qualifying rounds
.	Sunday August 17	Women's 3000m individual pursuit final	1:30:00
.		men's & women's sprint round of 16 and round of 8
.	Monday August 18	Women's points race	1:30:00
.		men's and women's sprint quarterfinals
.	Tuesday August 19	Men's madison	1:30:00
.		men's and women's sprint classifications
.		semifinals and finals


.	Friday August 22	Women's mountain bike race	Midnight
.	Saturday August 23	Men's mountain bike race	Midnight
.
.		*All times are Pacific Standard Time [PST]

SYS

Some ring tones I've made!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:23:00 +0000

I have to thank my buddy Zach for pointing this nifty utility out to me. Audiko is a service that not only offers a searchable database for ring tones you can download or send to your phone BUT you can also upload your own mp3 of your favorite song. Using Audiko's simple interface you can grab any 20-25 second snippet of your song and create a ring tone. Once you create your ring tone you can choose to download, send directly to your phone or do some other neat stuff.

Once you make a ring tone it becomes part of their ring tone database so you are also making a contibution for others to enjoy as well. Got a unique music track that you know would make a really cool ring tone? Just upload it, snippet and Audiko does the rest. Here are some I created in like 20 minutes just fooling around (warning: it can become addicting, folks LOL):

by audiko.net — ringtones.

Oh yeah, before I forget, y'all must check out the fantastic photos of these little critters. Mother Nature truly is the greatest architect! ;-)

SYS

You know its hot...

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:07:00 +0000

...when the clocks strikes 10pm and the thermometer reads 90 degrees F! Yes, it is Summertime and, yes, it is HOT. Nothing like a hot time in the 'burbs. If it were not for my AC working well, I would be really uncomfortable. I love the parts of Summer (beginning and end, mostly) where it gets really hot during the day but at night with the sun down it gets just cool enough to run and play or just sit out and enjoy a cold beer without sweating more than the glass bottle. This night is not one of those nights, so I'm staying inside.

What really sucks is that I woke up to a migraine this morning and spent most of the day napping trying to let the intense pounding pass. The pounding eventually passed and now I have an itch to do something, anything but it is so uncomfortable outside. So I find myself doing something I never really do too much during the warmer months, staying at home and watching IFC. The Pope Of Greenwich Village was excellent. Suicide Kings will be great. Now, I'm all nostalgic over films and Summer times past too. Like music, great films take me back to when I saw them and what life was like for me at that time.

I remember when I first saw the movie My Bloody Valentine. It must have been close to 1983 or so and it was the Summer time. Back then I could play outside until it was dark. My Mother was strict about the rule but my father would be much more relaxed about the rule. For instance, with my Mother as soon as it was dark and the street lights came on that meant it was time to come in. But my father would still allow me to be outside as long as he still could hear the sound of children playing in the front yards. So we'd play hide and go seek as the fireflies lit up the yards and driveways. That was so cool. On one particular night, my Mother called me in and said a scary movie was on. Those were my favorites so I rushed right in without the usual begging and pleading to stay outside. The movie was My Bloody Valentine, and what a classic it was, although I would not know it that night. The only thing I would know that night was a "real" heart in a heart shaped box. Boy, they never made better slasher flicks than they did in the eighties!

So tonight we have a double-feature of modern day film noir dark comedies centered around organized crime. For a movie lover this is a real treat. I'm certainly enjoying this so far comfy and cozy on the couch with the AC. But a little something inside wishes I was still outside with the fireflies being called inside by my Mother informing me that some gangster movies are on. My childhood sure was a trip!

SYS

A rather full 4th of July weekend.

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:04:00 +0000

No need to overstate that this past weekend was fun on many levels. As I get older it seems that I am more content with the simple pleasures that result from being with friends and enjoying traditional activities. That said, my ears are still ringing but I have recovered nicely from the weekend's festivities.

There is nothing quite like good food, good times and good people to make a holiday like America's Birthday so much fun. As a nation we have, indeed, veered from the path I think we should be on. But at the same time I would be an utter fool to not still support my country and more so the fellow citizens who share my space. After all, people still make up much of what I cherish in this world, so I celebrate them in all their glory. America, fuck yeah!

Besides BBQ, beer and blowing shit up, lot's of other things happened over the weekend in the world as we were partying!

Another southern bigot bit the dust. Another hundred thousand or so and we should be in good shape!

Some truly unique tinkerers have built some freakish looking bikes!

A hundred or so new words have been added to the latest addition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary including my personal faves:

–Air quotes (1989): gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands, used to call attention to a spoken word or expression.

–Mental health day (1971): day that an employee takes off from work to relieve stress or renew vitality.

–Mondegreen (1954): word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung. From the mishearing in a Scottish ballad of „laid him on the green“ as „Lady Mondegreen.“

–Wing nut (circa 1900): Slang: one who advocates extreme measures or changes; radical.

So remember kids, when you are partying hard someone else is hard at work or heading for the dirt nap!

SYS

Life is all about the boom de yada!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:41:00 +0000

Courtesy of xkcd.

;-)

SYS

Basking in the great outdoors!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:34:00 +0000

All has been so unexciting recently. I would describe it as boring, but boring is sort of negative. Nothing negative has happened, but nothing exciting either. I am getting more outdoor time which is awesome really but nothing I am overly excited about. The other morning I headed out on a bike ride/geocaching mission but ended up getting a flat tire. First, I didn't find the cache which had me mildly bummed but then on the way back home I get a flat. It was kind of a buzz kill but then again it made for a great walk to enjoy the sunrise. The sunrise that morning was spectacular.

I've been recording little impromptu videos randomly over the last week or so and I will try to get them edited and uploaded asap. Also, it's good to see Photobucket.com back up and running! ;-)

SYS

Old man or Oldman? It's still art!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Indeed! :-)

SYS

Hey Twitter users!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:42:00 +0000

For those who do not follow or may not have heard heard through the news and e-zines, the Mars lander PHOENIX made a successful landing on Mars over the Memorial Day Weekend. In a stroke of utter genius and/or to more likely automate news of its progress the Phoenix lander has been connected to a Twitter feed. So you can login to your Twitter account and choose to "follow" updates auto-generated by the on-board computer on the Phoenix lander.

There is two-way communication with the computer on-board Phoenix (obviously) and updates are also provided by the NASA team using data retrieved from Phoenix's data downloads. Check out this cool shot of Earth and our Moon taken from the night sky of Mars:

Anyone even remotely interested in this program's mission should definitely check out the Twitter feed.

;-)

SYS

Rites of Manhood

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:40:00 +0000

Ladies do not get upset with me! I know it is equally daunting being a woman as it is being a man in today's age. Plus in retrospect, getting to manhood and womanhood is oft full of systematic ridicule, embarrassment and sometimes blinding fear. Remember nocturnal emissions? Periods? (or rather, having a "friend" over for the weekend?) Acid washed jeans??? Just kidding about the acid washed jeans but come on they were hideous. The only silver lining adults have is the fact that when we do look back we can most of the time laugh at ourselves and each other knowing we had all shared a common collection of experiences we lump together as "growing up."

But ladies you'll have to indulge me for a moment or two when I offer the notion that boys have it a little bit tougher. In this world, becoming a man can be terrifying when granted we have adopted some rather ridiculous standards of what being a man is and/or means. Seriously though, as screwed up as we are in modern society, some considered to be "old world" societies have us beat hands down! Below is a list of some mind-boggling rites of manhood practiced in our modern world. Forget about getting laid or riding a bike, folks!

#5. Vanuatu Land... Diving. (2 links) All you've got to lose here is the possible hip-socket or cervical vertebrae. We're often told women love a man in uniform. Women there must a man with a severe limp or who drools. Go figure.

#4. Australian Aboriginal Circumcision and Subincision. (2 links) And you thought that Adam Youch, Michael Diamond and Adam Horowitz must of had it rough, eh? Personally, I prefer that my shrimp are butterflied not my own tender loins.

#3. Hamar Cow Jumping. (2 links) Now I've heard of the cow that jumped over the moon, but never a boy who jumped over a cow being pulled head-to-tail by two eunuchs! Oh my, the things man will go through just to be able to kill and have sex.

#2. The Algonquin Drug Trip. (1 link) Hold on just a minute now. This is nothing like that Grateful Dead concert you attended in well... what year was that again? Here, boys looking to become men are brought to a sacred spot (often caged and bound), force-fed super strong hallucinogens and left to endure the utter nightmare that awaits them. Not quite your typical weekend in the 'burbs!

#1. The Matis Hunting Trials. (1 link) Talk about the gift that keeps on giving (no not Herpes). The whole point of a trial is to get through it not revisit it! I think if I were a Matis youth I'd become a vegetarian and then hope a great spirit dropped of some Tonka trucks on it's next visit!

To be honest though, I think they left one out here on this list. Probably somewhere between #4 and #2 they should have added a sixth terrifying rite of manhood: Middle School Gym Class! ;-)

SYS

"...dagga dagga doo-doo day doo-doo!"

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:30:00 +0000

THEY'RE BACK! ;-)

SYS

Net Neutrality is very important!

noreply@blogger.com (Mended Meanderer) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:52:00 +0000

You may recall that recently I got upset at the state of my cable service coupled with the very large monthly subscription rate I was paying. So I did something really radical deciding to get rid of it all and go Basic everything (while still being able to get PPV and Movies on Demand). Since giving up all of my higher tier subscriptions I have to say it took some getting used to but I am doing fine. I have a feeling if this were the Winter when I am outdoors the least it would probably be harder to adjust. But with fingers firmly crossed I am doing okay. lol

Now let's get back to a more serious note. So imagine that accessing the Internet would be the same experience as subscribing to cable TV. Just think about it for a minute. You'd pay a subscription fee and you would get a package of certain channels (er, sites) of material to look at but limited to only those that fell within your package. This works just like tiers on cable and satellite TV subscriptions, where the higher the tier the more channels you get. This means that the more you're willing to pay the more internet content you would be allowed access to. But this would also mean that some big store brand websites would start to dominate the internet while other smaller, more "niche" websites would no longer exist.

The reason smaller sites would no longer exist is that their traffic would be filtered towards those big store brand sites that would be picked up by an ISP (much like channels picked up by Cable providers) and away from them. In essence, a website like Truemors (one of my personal faves) would soon be no more because their traffic would plummet and the revenues they make off of ads would shrivel up. Small websites would be bankrupted unless, of course, they were picked up by an ISP and offered within a subscription package. If they are picked up then everything would be fine. But who's to say that an ISP like Time Warner for instance would be interested in picking up Truemors or eBaum's World or even Sherdog. Something's beginning to smell funny, isn't it? You know what that smell is? It's bullshit!

We already pay for internet access whether it's dial-up, satellite or broadband (which is expensive enough, damn it). And for that at times hefty premium we get access to the whole world wide web totally and completely unfiltered. This is the way the internet was intended and that is why it is as big of a community as it is and will be ever-growing. But large corporations along with your ISPs (yes, all the ones in the entire world) are calculating the money that is going out the window by having access to the internet be open. When the internet is open for all to use and to travel through without filtering it is said to be neutral. Corporations and ISPs do not want the internet to remain neutral and are in negotiations RIGHT NOW to have internet neutrality end by the year 2012. Is this another conspiracy theory? No, because some ISPs (perhaps even yours) are willing to admit it if you ask them. Besides, why wouldn't they be excited? The revenue that a non-neutral internet would generate for all major corporations would be huge. And that my friends is no bullshit!

Head on over to IPower and learn more about this initiative driven by the major corporations and commercial interests. Their goal is to end net neutrality by the year 2012. Sounds a bit far off but it's really just around the corner, folks. Also, watch the video below from a group of concerned activists at IPower who discuss what the average person can do to get the word out and stop this initiative.

SYS