Unincorporated Minds

My friend Daniel thinks poop and farts are the funniest thing on the planet. Other than stupid people getting schooled, I tend to agree.  This article is for you Daniel. Go ahead, Click the link already.

The game Territory War Online is a simple turn based stick figure assault. You build your team very simply by picking names and hats. Then you play against other people worldwide while trying to eliminate their stick figure team first. It amuses me greatly.  Anyone else play? What's your handle?

Let me preface these photos with a few things:
1.) The photographs aren't great. I had to use a flash
2.) The flash hides alot of the finer details, color,  and texture
3.) They were made specifically for the wall/room I am hanging them in.
4.) Please ask questions or leave opinions in the comment section

These first 2 took decent pics. There is still alot of detail missing from the pics.

Dear Springfield/Dayton/New Carlisle artists,

Where do you find the best prices on art supplies?  Specifically, Stretched Canvas framed around wood, acrylic paint, spray paint, and oil paint.

I have found 18" x 24" stretched canvas at Big Lots for $7. Smaller sizes are cheaper. I'm no expert, but they work great for me.  Anyone know where to get them cheaper?  I don't really want to make them myself.

I get spray paint at Walmart or Meijer.  It's a couple bucks a can I think.

I haven't really found a spot for quality discount acrylics/oils.  Any ideas?

Please comment with your thoughts/info.

I have pulled up to the drive-thru at the New Carlisle McDonalds after 1130pm about 3 times over the last month.  It is a 24 hour, 7 days a week facility. All three visits, varying in time from 1130pm to 230am, I was told they were accepting cash only.  I was also told they stop serving ice cream and shakes after midnight.  Furthermore, the employees have some attitude.

I was willing to write off the cash only as maybe running the daily reports. The more I thought about it, the more I realized McDonald's is to smart to have a system that needs to be taken down to close out the day.  Computers would just need the date/time stamp and the associated data.  The machine wouldn't care about any data after a given threshold.

Then I was just annoyed that a 24 hour facility would consistently take part of their machines offline. If it is for cleaning, why wouldn't they clean them during breakfast?

Lastly. as a fat guy, I visit many McDonald's. I have always thought the ran their businesses very intelligently.  From customizing decor and menus to local tastes while maintaining a global standard to moving to older, more experienced employees, and everything in between.  Some of the friendliest cashiers have been at McDonald's. The New Carlisle store is an exception after the lobby closes. Ya'll may wanna find some new third shifters.

//Rant over.

So I recently got a good deal on shoes at Kmart, via Kmart.com. The shoes were good quality and dirt cheap.  The rarely have my size in stores, so I check out the selection in store, then order offline.

They were marking down lots of shoes, and having a buy one get one half off.  I ordered 6 pairs of shoes, for about 10 dollars apiece.

They all shipped together in the same box, they were all the same size, a size 13.  I received 5 adult pairs of 13's and 1 kids sized 13.

I am pretty sure I made the mistake on the website as the sizes came up in a different order than the other 5, but I was shopping in the adult male section.  My question to the guy packing these shoes is, did you even stop to think why a kids shoe the numerically the same as 5 adult shoes were shipping together?  Could you have called?

I know the answer is no.  I bet the majority of the fulfillment is automated. However, computer foul ups like this is why I never worry about the Terminator scenario playing out. At some point, Skynet will parse some misinformation and build all the terminators to 1/52 of actual size.

According to this article a page went out over the Walmart PA system in a Philadelphia store asking all black people to leave, retarded outrage ensues. Basically, some dumb wank got on the PA system and said  "Attention Wal-Mart customers: All black people leave the store now."

The article reports outrage, appall, and disgust. The people interviewed seem to wholeheartedly think the message was some how Walmart sanctioned. I asked, how f'n dumb do you have to be to think Walmart would approve that message.  The only color Walmart cares about is green...money for those less intellectual readers that may come across this.  People are calling for boycotts of the Walmart.  Further retardation in my opinion.

First, I accept that the news outlet found the stupidest, most uptight jackass they could to talk to them.  Second, I pray, yes actually pray, that the majority of the people that heard it laughed or at least said "damn teenagers."  Third, it is sad that news outlets report this as a racist scandal.

Common sense would tell us that most likely some non-employee used the PA system to make this dumb statement. I know we played with the local Walmart's PA when I was in high school.   We got on there imitating Beavis and Butthead saying "Uhhhh, testes, testes, 1, 2, 3? huhuuhuhuhuh."  It was stupid, but funny to us.  As I am sure the racist comment was to the person who made the announcement.

Let it go people, laugh a little. Or at least go make your own announcement. "Could all the red neck, cracker ass, honkies please put down their Nascar merchandise and exit the building. Jeff Gordon is signing autographs in the parking lot."

This story tells about how Dutch war ships are kicking Somali pirate's asses.  It's about time someone fought back.  Doesn't sound like the Dutch are killing many people, but are disarming the pirates, sinking their boats, and sending them to row back to shore in dingies. That is just amusing.  Hopefully, it will reduce modern piracy as it ups the stakes to play.  Thank's Dutch war ships :)

Hopefully, you read my post from early this morning about the issues I was having with my phone, CBW, and their insurance.

The phone issue has been resolved by some very diligent CBW employees. The beginning of the resolution comes quite abnormally.

This morning I received a comment on my previous CBW blog post from a CBW rep named Katie asking me to contact her via email. After verifying the email was valid and not a scam, I emailed her my phone number.

Two hours later the manager, Kent, from the Fairfield Commons CBW store called me to find a solution. He was quite helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. He offered to replace my phone on a tiered pricing scale. That means I was given the choice of a nice discount on the 2 better models and offered the most similar model at no cost. I decided to go with the 8520 Blackberry (no cost) as I really just wanted my 8320 replaced. I certainly tried to justify my price of the newest model, but ultimately sided with the more financially practical.

I went to the store to pick up the phone and everything was ready for me. The employee, Shaun, was also friendly and professional. Since I didn't need my data copied, I was out of there in 3 minutes.

And this is why I always recommend CBW. It is this high level of service that always leaves me smiling. Aside from the initial snafu, CBW has always made sure I felt appreciated as a customer. And as a long time customer, I can say that I have never had a problem with their network coverage.

That is saying a lot as I have had issues with TMobile, Verizon, and AT&T (a long time ago). Furthermore, I used to work for Sprint, so I know they blow.

Lastly, another commentor suggested I wasn't aware of how the insurance worked. Quite the opposite actually. Granted I was more familiar with Sprint's insurance (their TEP is pretty good), but my issue was expecting to much from what is not a Total equipment protection plan. The insurance I HAD was basically a discount plan. I am also very familiar with equipment warranties. As a technology contractor, I deal with them frequently. The problem with dealing directly with the manufacturer is that they are usually intentionally slow. It forces you to buy a replacement.

Anyway, I am a happy CBW customer again. Thanks everyone

If you aren't reading this at http://beavmetal.blogspot.com, you should be.

This story isn't anywhere near as nefarious or as sexually adventurous as it sounds, but it does give you something scary to think about.

This weekend, I was out with a friend when we stopped by a local hotel to visit and hang with the front desk employee.  Turns out one of the guest got locked out of their first floor room.  It wasn't because they forgot the key, it was because they card reader went bad.

They employee has a master device that is used to reprogram/override a given lock via a hidden comm port. Which is kinda scary as the technology is available on the open market.  But, that was failing to override the lock too.  The employee understood how to use the technology, but that particular door was being very insubordinate (a term often used to describe me).  I offered to help as I have a knack for accessing things I shouldn't.

Most of you know I am good with technology.  Before I was good with technology, I was good with opening other things, like doors, windows, and crappy locks.  I would love to tell you I whipped out a laptop and went all hacker on the lock.  I didn't.

Initially, I took a run at the door, but even this dated hotel had decent enough door jams that I couldn't pop the lock with a credit card or my pocket knife.  First off, that is all I had to work with. Second, I have opened plenty of stuff using one of those.  Third, I had no tools with me in my car.

The employee then said, well maybe the window is open. So we checked the window. It was locked.  The employee was quite discouraged at this point. I tried to open it with my pocket knife, but I was afraid I was going to break it.  My knife has been a good friend so I didn't want it to meet its end.

I have always had good luck with windows, so I asked if there was a flathead screw driver handy.  Upon the employee's return, I had a good sized flathead and a smaller one.  The windows at this place are an older spring pressure lock.  They are made to open from the inside by pushing down and sliding the window.  Attempts from the outside to push the lock up are met via a very hefty meal ledge. However, the weakness still lays in the spring loaded lock. While trying to push the lock open doesn't work, getting the spring to work for you is as easy as a level.  Applying pressure under the window forces the window up at an angle.  In turn, that causes the spring lock to flex out over the latch and you can slide the window open.

What is scary, is it probably took you longer to read this blog post that it did for me to open that window.  Once I had a screw driver, I had the window open in 30 seconds.

That is what I want you to walk away from this post knowing, you are only as secure as your weakest lock, window, blind spot, etc.  Furthermore, I am far from a pro.  I also usually have the hindrance of not being able to damage what I am trying to open.  Professional thieves don't have that worry.  You should know that security is an illusion, but it doesn't have to be an illusion that scares you.  I recommend you read a short book called "Secrets of a Super thief" by John MacLean. Parts of the book will seem dated, but there are some serious fundamentals to thinking like a thief that will put you on your way to protecting yourself and your property.  Don't buy the book, just google the title and you will get a torrent link or a free ebook site.  You can probably read the whole book in an hour or two.


If you aren't reading this on http://beavmetal.blogspot.com, you should be.

Last September I had issues with my Blackberry 8320, the keyboard started sticking.  I didn't at the time have the equipment protection, but I figured it would be a warranty repair, so I would be able to get it replaced.

Well, at that time I went to the Centerville CBW (Cincinnati Bell Wireless) store and was told I would have to send it into RIM (the company that makes Blackberries). It would take approximately 2 week.  That was unacceptable to me as it is my only form of contact aside from email.  I finally managed to talk them into selling me the equipment protection and then replacing my phone.  They did replace it. However, I ended up losing application data because they way they transfered it didn't use the desktop switch manager.  I also ended up with a phone that had the d/5 key sticking.  I figured I didn't wanna complain about the replacement that same day as I had been a big enough pain. I also had to get somewhere.

So fast forward to the last couple weeks.  The phone has been locking up when deleting emails and the d key still sticks.  I had decided Monday to go get it replaced under the equipment plan.  Life got in the way and I didn't make it out to the store.  Monday night I was working and I ended up dropping a piece of metal on it.  It smashed the top plastic screen (not the actual LCD). So Tuesday, I decided to go get it replaced.

I went to the CBW store in Springfield, only to be told they couldn't replace it, but to check with the Beavercreek or Centerville stores.  So I drove out to the Fairfield Commons CBW store, only to be told, by an employee who seemed quite bothered I was in his store and didn't look up from his damn phone, that I had to call the insurance company directly because they no longer swap phones.  While I was there I asked about getting a new phone as I was due for an upgrade.  I specifically asked him about the $129.99 price and then he said there is a $100 rebate. I said, so the phone is basically $30 when all is said and done. Without looking up from his phone he agreed.  I told him I would call the insurance company, but that I might be back.

So I call the insurance company. I get a low paid phone rep who seems to have been on the job a week.  After going through an endless array of canned scripting, we get to the part where I find out how much they want to charge me to replace the phone. I was expecting $15 dollars, as that was what I paid last time as a transaction fee or something.  I was told by this girl, that I would need to pay $180 dollars to get my phone replaced.  It didn't matter that I was having prior issues, it only mattered that I cracked the screen.

I told her to cancel the request and to put me on the phone with a supervisor.  After holding (of course) for like 10 minutes, I get some cocky wank that tries to explain to me how insurance works. I went round and round with him trying to get a lower price. No go.  I was told by a rep when I bought the insurance that it would be like $15 to replace a phone for any reason.  I really believe the sales reps are mis-informed intentionally to boost sales.  I told the supervisor that I thought what they were doing was predatory and that I was going to inform the state Attorney General.  I have drafted that letter and it is going out tomorrow.

So I decided at this point to just go get the new phone.  I headed back to the store and of course the rude guy that wanted to ignore me was the only rep in the store.  Regardless, I picked out a new phone, verified the price, and was all ready to check out. Then Ignorey Mctexterson informs me my checkout price is $367 and change. I was quite annoyed.  He then informs me that the final price after the $100 rebate is $129. I know there was a $20 activation fee attached to it, even with tax, I dunno where the extra hundred came from. I basically said no way and left.

So while I was sitting in class, I searched Amazon.com for Blackberry replacement screens.  Yeah, they are like $5 dollars shipped. So the cracked screen is solved, I can probably solve the locking up issue, but my d key will still stick.

I have always sung the praises of CBW. I have had no unsolvable issues with them.  This one really annoyed me though. I am going to call CBW retention tomorrow and see if they will send me a replacement as a good faith.  I'll let you know.  Otherwise, I may be singing the praises of the google nexus one when it hits a carrier other the T-mobile.

If you aren't reading this at http://beavmetal.blogspot.com, you should be.

This story made me laugh and then shrug off the warm feeling I got from the story in my previous blog post. The media is presenting a story about how the black Barbie was discount priced under the white Barbie.

Walmart said it priced the doll because it wasn't selling, not because it was racist.  I am going to have to side with Walmart.  Knowing just a little bit about how they operate, I can guarantee the whole discount process is automated.  Low sales on a product SKU number trigger an automated discount of which the stores are notified.  The only person who ever knew that the discounted item was a black Barbie was the lowly employee who had to put up the discounted price tag.

I checked this story out on several websites just for the comments. They were damn funny. Some of my favorite comments were: informative - they wouldn't be on sale if black people bought less white Barbie's; racist - They aren't being bought, they're being stolen; and obvious - must've been a slow news day to report on this crap.

The truth is, this isn't an issue for most people. I do believe most people know that Walmart see the dolls a just a product and not a methodology for making a political statement over their corporate opinion of black folk.

If you aren't reading this at http://beavmetal.blogspot.com, you should be.

I read this today from the Boston Globe that made me think that people might not be as gullible as they seem.  It basically states that people may be realizing that this sky is falling global warming fear may be retarded.  The article mentions several key reason why I never bought into global warming as a world ending issue. It's a good read, check it out.

I do believe that living more in harmony with nature is a good thing. Especially when we are talking about huge corporation that have the potential to do much more damage than individuals.

I also believe Al Gore is a business genius.  He found a under exploited market and made billions conning people into thinking he was correct. At the end of the day for Gore, it doesn't matter if global warming is real or not. He'll be able to hide away in his climate controlled dwelling, rolling around in his money, laughing at us all.

Pic is from toothpastfordinner.com (http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/030910/what-did-you-have-for-breakfast.gif)

If you aren't reading this at http://beavmetal.blogspot.com, you should be.

I came across this website that allows you to arrange colors on a spectrum to show you how you see color. It really messed with my eyes. I found it I had to take a break and come back before finalizing my results.  It could be my big screen, but I was seeing wavy lines afterwards

Regardless, a perfect score is 0, a super failure is 99. I scored a 12. The results show where I have weak color discrimination :

I just checked my myspace account to verify my links are going through.  They are not.  All the other sites I auto-update are working fine as far as I know.  I want to apologize for the slew of broken links and false malicious site warnings.

However, I have come to learn that myspace blocks all shortened URL's such at bit.ly.  That is very annoying. Myspace claims it is because spammers were abusing the service, but I think it is to force people to log on to the actual site to update statuses.  It also doesn't allow http://beavmetal.blogspot.com or other blogspot addresses. Which is even more annoying. Ihaven't found or received a good reason for this. It says it is a malicious website which is false. What is the point of using a social service that doesn't let me share my work?  I am coming to find Myspace even more anti-social than Facebook.

The way I update my accounts to let you know I posted a blog post consists of 3 steps. First, I post the actual blog. Then twitterfeed.com parses my RSS feed and sends it to ping.fm. Ping.fm then sends a message to all my social networking services stating a blog has been posted, so you can see them.

I would like very much if I could turn off link shortening in twitterfeed, but we can't, so I have to deal. I have changed from bit.ly to digg. So we will see if myspace blocks that one too.

There are numbers in the article that should be alarming to anyone that can do math.  Total Fatalities for 2009 are 1028. Highest ever, 2778 fatalities.  Do you realize that the 1028 people who died only represent .0001%, yes 1/millionth of a percent, of the total state population of 11,486,000.  Total crashes is more impressive at 320,876 in 2008 (2009 numbers aren't up yet). So 2.7% of the population crashed in 2008.  So only .34% of the accidents were fatal.

I appreciate you all checking out the first round of this video I posted.  However, I discovered that the last few frames weren't showing up on youtube.  I was very upset about this as I spent a good deal of time on the last few frames.  So this is the Absolute final version.  Please check it out.  Please comment. And lastly, please check out all the other video cut here at http://www.youtube.com/beavmetal .