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September 6, 2024
National Read a Book Day 2024
XML Programming Book    

In my personal case, reading isn't really what it is for most recreational readers. I stopped reading recreationally shortly after my hitch in the Navy was up because I became immersed in the path to subject matter expertise in an effort to earn a living post military service.

First it was anatomy and physiology for a long while. Then it became LAN, WAN, client-server, AI, 4GLs, and expert systems for the duration. That which began evolved to something totally different.

Today is National Read a Book Day. It happens each September 6 as a vehicle for all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby allegedly without guilt. I would never feel guilt as a consequence of reading.

Reading for pleasure is a strange notion for me given the fact that everything on my bookshelf is highly technical and without wands, fantasy, or lovey dovey.

While I consider recreational reading a fine diversion and endeavor it simply has not ever been a luxury for which I had adequate time. The last recreational reading I did was aboard the USS MacDonough somewhere in the North Atlantic reading Stephen King's Salems Lot.

It scared the crap out of me.

Everything since then has been something I needed for a certification exam or to teach a class.

Yes, required reading makes Dave a dull boy otherwise. I find I relate less to others because we have increasingly less in common due to those pursuits essential to my life. That in a nutshell would be the reading of some technical tome.

I don't read for others. Oprah and her book club couldn't get the time of day read to her by me. She is just another dullard who preys upon the public to their squeeling and grunting delight.

Happy National Read a Book Day. I hope you get to read everything you do because it's something you want, not something you need.
 

take your certifications and shove them

 

Tags: technology, things
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September 5, 2024
International Day of Charity 2024
    protect yourself in the Walmart parking lot    

Until about a week ago I was a very charitable human being. This was prior to my good nature being taken advantage of by a hispanic female. She defrauded me in the checkout at Walmart and I will never return there for this reason.

Yes, I should have been much more careful, but I was ignorant to the ways of these hispanic invaders. I am now much more aware and ...

Decidedly less charitable.

The Walmart parking lot has become a place for exploitation of their customers.

They do not protect the customer from panhandlers. We must protect ourselves. Then I find out that it is not illegal to panhandle in South Carolina. Therein lay the problem in toto.

Today International Day of Charity. It originated in Hungary via a civil society initiative marking the death of Mother Teresa.

It's been picked up by the United Nations who are the biggest exporter of illegal aliens on the planet. This coupled with the lying ass black UN bastard Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who would just as soon misrepresent himself and the World Health Organization as look at you make for evil bedfellows who should be shunned by the world.

The UN thinks the rest of the world should take in the riff raff from all other countries. The democrats hold this as well. I for one will never come under their purview. I doubt that I will ever be the kind, gentle, caring charitable individual I once was. You asked for it. You got it.

The UN wants to rule you
Tags: places, ecommerce, people
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September 4, 2024
Mixed Content makes for Stupid Browser Errors
mozilla logo shot the hell up    
So I've had run ins with a number of browsers which are reporting a lack of secure connection in the presence of full blown SSL and TLS. It seem that links utilizing the insecure http:// protocol throws these errors.

While I view this all as trivial the bottom line is people coming to my sites may feel trepidation encountering such browsers warnings ... like fireGDfox and other Gecko engine monstrosities which like to get in your face for trifles.

Anyway, I have purged all sites of the issue except for the blog. I have written SQL statements to convert all instances of http:// to https://. I intend to run these after copious testing under various conditions. What a bunch of stupid crap. I really have the ass for Mozilla in particular over this. Technolamers.

Tags: technology
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September 4, 2024
Eat an Extra Dessert Day 2024
    Strawberry Dessert

Yeah, I've been known to have a second helping of dessert periodically.

I don't really need a special day to do it. Depending on what the dilection is makes or breaks the deal. I have been known to sit and eat the better part of a serving dish full of bannana pudding in all my glorious gluttony.

While the formal definition of 'dessert' refers to a sweet eaten at the end of a meal, the unabashed Dave dictionary says the dessert is merely a sweet to consumed ... whenever.

The origin of Eat an Extra Dessert Day remains unknown. Only those results which we illustrate when we partake of those meal toppers prepared for us either with or without a preceeding meal.

Cake, brownies, pie, cookies, ice cream, and the more exotic varieties are all there to tantalize the consumption of everyone.

Some of us are even blessed with natural born cooks, bakers, and confectioners in our midst as well.

Desserts are a food which has been around tantalizing our taste buds since time immemorial. Sometimes the memory of a particular taste attracts us most of all.

Sometime the spectacular visual appeal of that construction of ingredients is the attraction. Regardless they are there and we are here so get out there and eat some fattening dessert foods when you can.
 

Tags: food
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September 3, 2024
Charlie Sheen is 59 Today
Charlie Sheen    
Carlos Irwin Estévez aka Charlie Sheen, who starred in one of my most favorite shows ever, Two and a Half Men, turns 59 today.

He was born September 3, 1965 in New York City.

He grew up to become an actor and has received numerous awards for his various performances. He is a political conservative. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

He followed the career path of his father, Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez, known professionally as Martin Sheen.

After his unfortunate termination from Two and a Half Men for ubstance-abuse issues, marital problems and comments made toward Chuck Lorre he revealed that he is HIV positive. The ending of Charlie Harper on the sitcom is a such as shame too because I had really grown attached to the cast and plot.

Like his costar Angus T Jones, Charlie had issues with refraining from biting the hand that feeds him. Regardless, his stint as Charlie Harper remains a dear memory of mine and I don't hold any hard feelings for him.

Happy birthday Charlie Sheen !

Personally, I would have attempted to keep my mouth shut and just do my job.

Tags: people
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September 2, 2024
National Live Fearless Day 2024
    lady rock climbing
I've lead a fairly fearless life. I have gone boldly where others decline to tread. I have faced the enemy and prevailed. I have fought dock fights at Charleston and won. I have fought other dock fights in other places and lost. However, in the end I was a winner for getting out there and facing the formidable. I have vanquished many — both intellectually and physically — who attempted to take me out.

Today is National Live Fearless Day. The day is held each September 2 in an effort to promote living fearlessly under the auspices of one Landry Champlin. Fearless does not mean stupid. Sometimes it is better to remain outside the fray and live to fight another day. Courage is the name of the game. Fear is always there to temper our actions. I would have gone nowhere had I allowed it to take control.

This is why when the civil war against the woke and the democrats finally arrives I am ready. I am prepared to die toward the end of eradicating them from the nation. There will be no fear stressing me out. It will be me or them and that is the sum total of the equation.

So though my dreams have past I hope you will pursue yours with vigor and vitality and don't let fear get you down.

Face your fears and and pursue your dreams for life is short. Do something meaningful to you.

Tags: people
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September 1, 2024
World Letter Writing Day 2024
letter writing    
Once upon a time I was a man of letters.

Long letters some of which were significant while others were trivial. I was afar in various foreign ports missing those I thought were my friends. So much for friendship.

Today is World Letter Writing Day.

It is a September first ocurrence meant to provide an outlet for "feelings".

Alas, I have few meaningful feelings left given the state of the nation imposed by the criminal democrat party and their band of un American persons seeking willful destruction of the Republic.

The day was began by one Richard Simpkin who was an author and artist from Australia. Boy what a woke mess state of affairs they're in too.

So pardon me if I forego the letter writing anymore. I'm too busy plotting to kill all the worthless woke turds called democrats. Happy World Letter Writing Day anyway.

Tags: people, things
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August 31, 2024
National South Carolina Day 2024
Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag
    South Carolina
This day kind of snuck up on me sometime back. Today is National South Carolina Day.

It goes down each August 31 and is meant to honor the history, people, and culture of South Carolina.

Only problem is with all the immigrants arriving here they don't wish to assimilate. They want to force their culture down our throats. So pardon me if I forego all the hospitality and festive souther charm for an uzi and a couple thousand rounds of ammo.

South Carolina was an early admission to the US Constitution, becoming the 8th state in the Union and was the site of many battles for those freedoms we now enjoy. We were a Confederate state in a war where I lost family fighting on both sides.

I have little sympathy for those who express intolerance for the Confederate flag. I have an ancestor who served in the Union army as a phyisician who was executed by the North for treating confederate wounded. As it stands I am not supportive of immigration of any kind. These people come here thinking they're going to take over. It would be quite alright with me if any and all foreigners were deported with extreme prejudice yesterday.

So in the spirit of this day I would say Welcome to South Carolina.

Now go home.
Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag Confederate Battle Flag
Tags: places, people, politics
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August 30, 2024
National Grief Awareness Day 2024
Grief

    
Grief is a very personal suffering.

I recall with the passing of my dear old dad back in 2001 that I experienced profound protracted grief and I still have episodes of grief to this day.

This mental anguish which for me arose from bereavement presented a never ending stream of regrets and frustration.

This is National Grief Awareness Day.

It happens on August 30th and is some misbegotton notion that others can assist with personal grief and even offer coping skills appertaining thereto ...

I don't practice the Kübler-Ross "five stages" of grief nor do I claim any occult understanding of the process or effects.

All I know is talking about my grief never helped once and all I can do is get by as best I can.

Perhaps you who like to be led around by your nose ring will fare better in the counseling department than I ever did.

My sentiments for the late others signficant to my existence cannot be aided or abetted by somebody claiming to be in the know.

So take your worthless degree and shove it. I just have to work through it all myself. Thanks anyway, but you cannot help me.

Tags: people
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August 29, 2024
Walmart Sucks
    Screw Walmart

So I'm done with Walmart

I'm tired of the marginal products sold by rip offs who allow panhandlers to take undue advantage of their customers payment cards.

I am also seriously considering banishment of all persons who shop with Walmart so you may wish to keep it a secret if I am known to repair your computers from time to time.

Suffice it to say this company is unscrupulous, immoral, and I personally feel populated with employees who were born of parents who are siblings.

Keep your panhandlers to yourselves and try to hire people who aren't so stupid as to aid and abet their payment card fraud.

Die Walmart die.
 

Tags: ecommerce, things
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August 29, 2024
National Lemon Juice Day 2024
Lemon Slices    

Lemons are a healthy fruit grown on trees indigenous to the tropics.

My good friend has grown a few of these trees immediately adjacent to a brick wall of her home and they seem to weather the winters here just fine.

The acidic nature of the fruit makes for a pucker here and there and I must say that the taste of a cold lemonade in the Summer makes for an enjoyable interlude.

Today is National Lemon Juice Day. It is observed each August 29th annually.

The juice of lemons is said to have detoxifying effects on the digestive tract.

Lemon juice is added to various drinks, even alcoholic ones. The rind is used as decorative additions called "twists".

There was a song called "Lemon" released by U2 back in November of 1993 inspired by Bono's late mother in home movies wearing a yellow dress which was a favorite of mine for a long time.

All in all I like to pick up a 5 pound bag of lemons at the Chef Store when I can.

It makes for a number of refresing pitchers of lemonade.
 

Tags: food
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August 28, 2024
Hal Finney Passed 10 Years Ago
    Hal Finney

Harold Thomas Finney II was born in Coalinga, California May 4, 1956.

Sadly, he died as the result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka motor neurone disease aka Lou Gehrig's disease on August 28, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona at age 58.

He was a software developer and the first Bitcoin recipient.

Early on in his career he was credited as lead developer on several console games.

He later worked for PGP Corporation. He was a noteworthy cypherpunk advocating widespread use of strong cryptography and privacy enhancing technologies as a route to social and political change. He was the main author of PGP 2.0 and the core crypto libraries of later versions of PGP

Hal Finney was a cryptographer and the main author of PGP 2.0 and the core crypto libraries of later versions of PGP. He was the designer of Reusable Proofs of Work (RPOW) in conjunction with the Satoshi Nakamoto Institute.

He was an early Bitcoin contributor, and received the first Bitcoin transaction from the currency's creator Satoshi Nakamoto.

Upon his passing he underwent cryonic processes and preservation at Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Who knows, the world may see this talented human being once again.

Rest in peace ... and maybe we'll see ya later !
 

Tags: things
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August 27, 2024
International Lottery Day 2024
Mega Millions Logo    
I've been playing the lottery since April of 2002.

I began around my birthday approximately a year after my father passed away. I played all the big games with wild abandon for many years shoveling every extra dollar into chances at every turn — for naught.

When Powerball changed the rules several times I decided they were a bunch of crooks and stopped playing that game by and large. I still play occasionally, but the jackpot has to be in the 500 million dollar range or with a single ticket costing me 20 bucks I don't bother anymore. Then the state of South Carolina dropped Lucky for Life which was another game I had played to the nth degree. This left Mega Millions, what remaining Powerball I occasionally indulge, and the shitty local games.

I view the South Carolina jurisdiction as pretty much a loser ever since the Bethea era.

The advent of Ernie Passailaigue who was initially given charge of the SC Lottery by some good ole boy network members showed his true colors when he went to Arkansas and started ripping them off instead of us.

I feel the SC has become renoun for all the self promoting crooks we elect to public office. There appears to be no interest in cultivating lottery winners in the state. I have often questioned the software they implemented for ticket purchases. I mean, if you really don't trust them for any manner of good decisions otherwise ...

What's the use ?

So I still play Mega Millions and will likely do so until they change the rules of play for that game whereby I will simply drop it like the others and migrate elsewhere. I only wish I had been adhering to a budget back in 2002.

I have begun playing in other jurisdictions like Georgia and North Carolina since they are both within close reasonably close driving distance. I figure they are no more unscrupulous and immoral as the South Carolina Education Lottery.

While I'm sure lightning could indeed strike, one thing is for sure:

Lightning strikes are likewise far and few between.

Boo !

See Also:

International Lottery Day 2023
Playing the Lottery Nowadays
Something I always regret
Stopping Powerball Play
Lucky for Life ends in SC
Lackadaisical Lottery Play
Lottery Mess
No Go on the Lottery Win Again
Lottery Antics
The New Deal
Gambling is a Superstitious Thing

Tags: things
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August 26, 2024
National Cherry Popsicle Day 2024
    Cherry Popsicle
I had a real heyday for popsicles, round about my mid to late childhood.

Since then I've enjoyed a few every now and then but they are no longer the treat I pursue by choice anymore.

I suppose age is telling on me.

Today is National Cherry Popsicle Day, held each August 26 annually.

I've heard the Epperson popsicle origination story about the eleven year old who created the frozen treat by accidentally freezing some home made soda pop he was making.

The stirring stick became an integral part of the invention.

They say the word 'popsicle' is a trade mark but it remains in widespread use today regardless.

So get out there and enjoy a "Epsicle Ice Pop" if you are so inclined ...

Have a great National Cherry Popsicle Day.

See Also:

National Grape Popsicle Day 2022
National Blueberry Popsicle Day

Tags: things, people
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