murfSTUFF

The mugs of me and the Mrs.

I’m a bit of a recluse. I’m content to stay in for a quiet night at home. The one thing I am certainly not, is a bar person. Yet, however, part of my routine and a large part of life involved one. At the tender age of seven, my family moved to Charlottesville for a new job opportunity for my dad. He became a manager at a restaurant owned by my godfather. This restaurant was called ”St. Maarten Cafe.”

For the last 21 years, a hefty part of my life had connections to this restaurant even after Dad stopped working there. I’ve made many friends through that place. I could always come in, even after not showing up for years, and feel at home and that someone there would know who I am.

It was sad to discover this morning that, without warning, an integral part of my life had been shut down. Never again will I sit at that awesome island bar, pull down a mug so I get some extra light or chat away the night in debate with people I called “friend.” I can no longer tell Shannon that I’m hungry and get my classic Big Production Burger, with a side of cajun cheese fries with a side of ranch. It’s hard to imagine my life without Maarten’s in the picture, but all good things must come to their ends I suppose.

To Jim, Russ and all the people I’ve met through Maarten’s over the years, I raise my mug to you.

Thanks for everything.

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Filed under:Personal Tags: mugs, restaurant, st maarten cafe

It’s no secret that I’m fan of space science, space travel and NASA in general. While I revel in the robotic missions out to the far reaches of our backwoods corner of the Milky Way, there is always a special place in my heart for manned space flight. From Mercury to whatever will follow our now-ended shuttle program, I cheer for those who brave the wilds of cold uncaring cosmos. Those brave and curious few who dare to dream that we may travel among the stars. However, these upcoming days always brings to light the dangers that we sometimes forget are present in the pursuit of our journeys to the unknown.

The most major space-related disasters of the United States space program have anniversaries within one week of each other. It is a humbling and difficult time for those, like me, who see the cosmos as the next great adventure for humankind.

On January 27, 1967; during a launch rehearsal an electrical fire within the cockpit of Apollo 1 claimed the lives of Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee.

On January 28, 1986; a faulty o-ring caused troubles and the disintegration of the Space Shuttle Challenger and the deaths of its crew of seven.

On February 1, 2003; during re-entry the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated and cost seven more lives.

Many others, from other nations, have also given their lives in this great experiment.

For all those who have given their lives in the pursuit of our dreams of yearning to explore; my heart, sympathy and thanks are given with utmost gratitude.

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Filed under:Personal Tags: apollo 1, challenger, columbia, nasa, sacrifice, space

Remember way back when last week when the internet got is panties in wad over something Congress wanted to pass called the Stop Online Piracy Act? And sites like Wikipedia, Reddit and others (including my own) shut down because we weren’t going to stand for the nonsense that bill was going to try to do?

Letter from my Congressman.

Well, not only did I knock my site out in protest (thus inconveniencing all 2 of you out there), I wrote to my representatives: Senators Mark Warner [D, VA] and Jim Webb [D, VA], and Congressman Robert Hurt [R, VA-5]. Warner was already opposed when I wrote, and I still haven’t heard from Webb. Today though, I finally heard from Rep. Hurt. Unlike Warner who just sent out a mass email, I actually got a physical letter in the mail. That was a nice surprise.

Over the years, I’ve gone from apathetic youth to involved citizen. This is the first time I’ve written to any of representatives. Each year, I try to make my point of telling people to vote as it is the very least one can do. Now that I’ve participated and truly voiced my concerns, I may try to keep this up.

Thank you Rep. Hurt. I may not always agree with you, but thank you for taking the time to listen and show me that for all the problems with congress, that my voice isn’t just lost in the crowd.

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Filed under:Personal Tags: congress, politics, SOPA

My Proton Pack

Did you know that my favorite movie of all time is The Shawshank Redemption? Great film. Love it. Can always watch it. It has a majorly uplifting finale, but it also has come down moments as well. Sometimes, you need a fun movie to sit at the top of your list as well. What kind of geek would I be if my number 2 film wasn’t something appropriately nerdy? You may expect it to be the standards such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, but you would be incorrect. Of all the nerdy films to grace this world, my favorite by an insurmountable measure is Ghostbusters.

As a child of the 80′s, I was quite fond of the Saturday morning treat that was The Real Ghostbusters. I also would watch the movie as well on home video, but since I was only one year old when it came to theaters I never had the opportunity to see it on the big screen. I saw Ghostbusters 2 in theaters when I was about 6, which back then was totally awesome. Ghostbusters fell off my radar for a long time, but was always an unshakable foundation of my youth. Eventually, I was brought back around again when I bought the DVD. Ghostbusters was back in my life, and all was well.

Fast forward to 2009. I move into an apartment with my good friend John Coleman. We jokingly talk about build a proton pack since John is one of those awesome people who likes to build awesome things. It took a while, but it paid off as I soon came into possession of my own Proton Pack thanks to John’s remarkable work despite my best attempts to have him dial back somewhat. So for the first time last Halloween, I donned my pack and my flight suit and stepped into public as a Ghostbuster. Every where I went, people were amazed and some even took pictures. Awesome times.

At the Theater

So… imagine my delight when I heard last month that the original film was coming back to theaters in a really limited re-release on three Thursday nights in October. Imagine my greater surprise when I found out that somehow one of the rinky-dink theaters in Charlottesville (which has no good theaters by the way), was going to playing at least one show. You could be damn sure that I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity even if meant trudging back to my teenage days working at the very theater showing the film.

So, of course, I head to the show all decked out. Sadly though, there really couldn’t have been more than 20 or so people in attendance. I blame the rain and a lack of proper advertising. Then again, it was barely a month before the shows were announced, and they weren’t really advertised all that well. But what few people were there took the time to be impressed that someone in Charlottesville had that level of devotion to Ghostbusters. A few pictures were taken, good laughs were had, and it was fun time regardless. I’m especially thankful for my fiancée who puts up with my strange indulgences.

There is another showing next week at the same time. I may not watch the movie, but I may go back to at least show off again and meet fellow fans. Besides, I could use some practice being the center of attention what with my introversion and upcoming wedding.

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Filed under:Personal

I sit, firmly entrenched, in the middle of Mac vs. PC war. Neutral territory, if you will. In what very well be a certain reversal of expected roles, my Mac use is primarily for my work (as a web/Flash developer), and my PC use is primarily for fun (the woes of Mac gaming drive me to do so). I don’t truly have a side in this battle, and I have loves and hates on both sides of the argument. My grievances with the world of Windows are not part of my topic today though. Today, after having had time to reflect, is focused on the technology legend we so recently lost: Steve Jobs.

Regardless of your opinion of Apple, Steve Jobs and your place in one of the tech-world’s longest running debate, it is imperative to understand that Jobs is one of the fore-fathers of the modern computer age. The two Steve’s (Jobs and Wozniak) had a vision that would move computers from the world of labs and businesses, into the home. They dreamed of machines that were meant for entertainment, productivity and creativity. That those very machines would have an honored in your home. Some thought them crazy, but in the end we see how that turned out for everyone. You are likely sitting at home, in front of computer, reading a story of a 20-something nerd mourning the passing of a modern legend, possibly even on a device that said legend helped bring to market.

The legacy of Jobs isn’t that of one company (don’t forget he helped found Pixar), or a single device. Steve helped usher in a new age by daring to dream big and fill the gaps that no one knew were in need of filling. He alone is not responsible for Apple’s success, nor this modern age. He was, however, always actively striving to push it forward. Never thinking that what we had been good enough. Steve Jobs and Apple did more than just bring a computer into the home, or the world into your pocket.

They brought us the future.

Thanks Steve. For everything.

Image Credit: allanrosenow on deviantART

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So, I got into the Pottermore Beta and was sorted to Ravenclaw. It has long been the house I associated with the most. Vindication is such a nice feeling.

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Filed under:Personal Tags: harry potter, pottermore, ravenclaw