I find myself deleting a lot of half-finished comments on other people's blogs. Or considering a response, only to censor myself for being too nitpicky, ornery or trite. I still try to comment everywhere I visit at least once in a while, if nothing else to show that I've been there and reading.

Do you do that?

Posted by: Ted at 02:15 PM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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1 I know what you mean about half-finished comments. Many times I start to say something, but then

Posted by: TL Hines at February 03, 2004 02:24 PM (lZuGl)

2 I comment if I have something to say but I'm hesitant about the "hi, love your blog" or "I linked to you" kind of comments. I guess I worry that people will think I'm just trying to be noticed, which of course is true sometimes.

Posted by: Lynn S at February 03, 2004 03:12 PM (Y5t7B)

3 I do it too, particularly if I lose track of what I was going to say in the middle of it. Which seems to be happening more often since my last birthday !

Posted by: Susie at February 03, 2004 03:22 PM (0+cMc)

4 Yup. All the time. I start writing a comment and then try to think how the other person might see it and figure it might be better left unsaid.

On the other hand some bloggers (like me) would appreciate any comment - they can always send a few emails to sort out any misunderstanding from the comment.

Posted by: Ozguru at February 03, 2004 04:35 PM (/acvO)

5 Sometimes I think I write more in other blogs comments than I do in my own blog. And since I'm doing it in their comment form and not the text editor I use for writing posts, I'm doing it without spell check! Always very dangerous.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 03, 2004 04:57 PM (UquFN)

6 Yep. Constantly.
This is the comment to show you I'm still here and reading! ;-)

Posted by: Nic at February 03, 2004 07:43 PM (16A49)

7 No, never, not at all...

Uh, which is to say, yes.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 03, 2004 08:03 PM (jtW2s)

8 All the time. I probably wrote and cancelled five comments just last night. Usually it's because I tried to be either funny or profound and it just wasn't working. I'd rather say nothing than say something lame-ass embarrassing like this nipple shield I'm exposing.

Ooops.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 04, 2004 01:38 AM (2Wvu5)

9 Not often enough, and definately not often enough on your blog Ted.

Posted by: Rocket Man Blog at February 04, 2004 01:48 AM (OVHEo)

10 That's a load of sh

Posted by: AnonymousKyle at February 04, 2004 08:45 AM (blNMI)

11 Rarely, and that's usually because I have to calm down first. I do find myself editing the bejeepers out of some comments, tho.

Posted by: Victor at February 04, 2004 12:57 PM (L3qPK)

12 I seem to do that a lot lately (except since I'm a new visitor here, this is comment #3 so far) -- it's as though you're in the middle of typing a comment and you're suddenly struck with an extreme case of commentphobia or shyness or something. It's strange -- why begin typing a comment only to end up deleting it?

Posted by: Cindy at February 07, 2004 04:10 PM (i1ipe)

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Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake cooked up a stunt that went awry in the Superbowl Halftime Show, and the world got a look at her breast. B.F.D.

This really points up two things. First, these two are typical of today's "entertainers" who's singing abilities can't stand on their own, so they have to slut it up or do something shocking in order to stand out. Next time, try hiring talent for the show instead of flash.

Second, why in world did these two nitwits (and behind the scenes handlers) try to deny it in the first place? I'd ground my kids in a heartbeat if they lied to me about some stupid stunt they pulled. Janet and Justin should be held to the same basic standard. You screwed up, you admit it.

Ya know, if there's one thing that baseball does better than football, it's maintain its dignity. The baseball All-Star game means something, and the World Series is handled with class and celebrates the game. Football is going down the path towards WWF-dom. Lowest-common-denominator marketing. It's not the sizzle you should be pushing, it's the steak.

Jeez, I hate the Super Bowl.

Posted by: Ted at 12:05 PM | category: Square Pegs
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1 Something I find really deplorable is the way CBS is trying to play innocent, "We had no idea..." etc. B.S.! What the hell did they expect when they contracted with MTV. CBS execs are either morons or they're hoping everybody else is.

Posted by: Lynn S at February 03, 2004 03:17 PM (ojYoZ)

2 As per my long-standing boycott of the Super Bowl I had no idea about the Janet/Justin stunt until late last night. But I'm guessing that yer absolutely right: the half-time show has gone from "let's fill some time while the players rest for their second wind" to "let's get some slutty pop tarts to make some news." I nearly wrote a post tonight (OMG!) called "Skank-A-Thon" where Brittany and Janet and Christina and Mariah et al are putting on a show and they're assaulted by Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, Aretha Franklin and Debbie Gibson (and maybe Melissa Etheridge for good measure).

DONNA SUMMER: What the hell were you thinking about, girl?!
JANET JACKSON: I was just trying to be sexy!
DONNA SUMMER: You're not sexy; you're sleazy! THIS is SEXY! (She then launches into strains of "I-I-I-I-I-I love to love you baby-y-y-y.." as Madonna collapses to the floor writhing in ecstasy.) Get off the floor, hussy!!
MADONNA: Oh, sorry. I just got lost in the moment...
SUMMER: Keep that at home, skank-bomb!

..that kinda thing...
Maybe I'll write it tomorrow if I can get home before 9:30.

Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 04, 2004 01:55 AM (2Wvu5)

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Gaston Julia

Google good. Fractals pretty. Math bad.

Posted by: Ted at 09:17 AM | category: SciTech
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I know there hasn't been an update in a while (find previous posts here). I've been dodging weather, trying to get the rocket primed and painted. It's not ready to go yet, but getting there. The plan is to make the maiden flight on the 21st of February, at the NOVAAR club launch.

Sometime in the next week or so, I'll try to get a post up about the stuff you need to launch a model rocket safely and inexpensively.

Posted by: Ted at 07:54 AM | category: Build It
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Got to work an hour and a half early this morning to beat the morning rush hour. Freezing rain is making its way into the area, and it's going to be hell on earth trying to drive real soon now.

So what does one do when you're here before the systems are up? Well, there are status reports, filing and organizing, and that pile o' crap in your "do when really bored" pile.

And quizzes. (in the extended entry).

Thanks to Pixy and annika for this one. I think. more...

Posted by: Ted at 06:36 AM | category: Square Pegs
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1 It's you, Ted!

That quiz has some great answers, but Nerdslut is my favourite so far. (I liked Pervert too.)

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 03, 2004 10:15 AM (jtW2s)

2 Get your *$%&ing @$$ back to work!! Oops, I just got fined...

Posted by: Kyle at February 03, 2004 10:28 AM (blNMI)

3 Funny, I went to work an hour and a half late to avoid the freezing rainy goodness.

Posted by: buckethead at February 03, 2004 02:08 PM (dqO+A)

4 It could be worse. You could have had to trudge the 30-minute walk from the bus stop to the house in the freezing rain carrying five sacks of groceries! I'm just sayin' is all...

Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 04, 2004 02:01 AM (2Wvu5)

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Cats. Love 'em or hate 'em (or a little of both), this seems to be an idea who's time has come.

In the extended entry. more...

Posted by: Ted at 01:32 PM | category: Square Pegs
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1 Somewhere, the Baby Jesus is crying.

Posted by: Victor at February 02, 2004 08:19 PM (16A49)

2 i have requested sole distribution rights of this wonderful product.

way to go Ted!

arf

coyote

Posted by: coyote at February 02, 2004 09:30 PM (cfoFZ)

3 OWWEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 02, 2004 11:28 PM (XdAO4)

4 Almost as good as Bomsai Kitty. Almost.

Posted by: buckethead at February 02, 2004 11:44 PM (vK6yT)

5 You're a sick, twisted, mean-spirited man and you owe me a replacement keyboard, Ted!

--TwoDragons

Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at February 03, 2004 02:30 AM (A9b4y)

6 I'll accept sick and twisted, but mean-spirited? Nahhhh.

Posted by: Ted at February 03, 2004 07:28 AM (blNMI)

7 You're right--"mean-spirited" would have had you Photoshopping razor blades onto the pointy end of that carrier... ;-)

--TwoDragons

Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at February 03, 2004 01:35 PM (8x44V)

8 If you can find a way to bind their paws together, I'm buying that for my hellacious kitten!

Posted by: Dawn at February 03, 2004 08:11 PM (LD0tK)

9 Kitty Kuffs! Or you could just dip the little darling knee-deep into quickset gelatin (or paraffin or plaster or cement depending on your love) to keep him still.

Posted by: Ted at February 03, 2004 10:04 PM (2sKfR)

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The Washington Post now has photos from it's vast archives available for purchase. Very cool.

Posted by: Ted at 09:29 AM | category: Links
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For those unaware of the story, the brief version is that the refrigerator at work has a carton of eggnog with an expiration date of December 28, 2002. Previous Nog Watch posts are here and here.

We had an interesting and entertaining development during January. An unknown person posted a note on the fridge door complaining about food being left for extended periods of time. On the note was a prominent arrow pointing to two plastic containers full of mold sitting on top of the refrigerator. One heap of mold looked vaguely triangular, leading me to believe that it may have once been pizza. They sat there for a week until disgust moved someone to actually transport the containers to the dumpster. It's probably a good thing that I didn't think to take pictures until it was too late.

The egg nog remains in place.

Posted by: Ted at 08:15 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Sports Illustrated (Feb 2, 2004 issue) has an interesting two-page spread showing the positioning and responsibilities of each member of the officiating crew at an NFL football game. This is perfect for explaining to those learning the game just what it is those guys in the zebra shirts do.

You should get a copy to read their excellent complete descriptions, but here I'm going to briefly touch on each and some of their lesser-known duties and roles.

Referee: Final authority of the crew, he's responsible for all calls concerning the quarterbacks and kickers. To become the 'head', he must best other officials in mock gladiatorial combat using whistles and weighted flags.

Field Judge: Key in determining pass interference and whether ball carrier crosses the goal line. An obscure rule requires this official to have webbed toes.

Line Judge: Responsible for calling offsides and false starts, as well as whether illegal players are downfield before ball is kicked. A rather unglamorous position among the crew, his chief perk is that he gets the locker with best view of the cheerleaders at Philadelphia's Veterans stadium.

Back Judge: Concentrates on action involving tight end. Monitors 25- and 40- second play clocks for delay of game calls. Because of prominent position on field of play, during the last contract negotiations the Back Judge was almost required to wear advertising gimmick of home stadium sponsor. This idea was dropped when Enron wanted official to wear a giant chrome screw protruding from back of pants.

Umpire: Responsible for keeping emotional players separated, holding calls along the line and interference calls on short passes. The toughest of the officials, these are the guys who consistently get run over during the game. By tradition they automatically get 'shotgun' to and from game.

Head Linesman: He calls encroachment, offsides and false starts, marks the spot of a ballcarrier's forward progress and oversees the chain crew. Also responsible for holding and evenly distributing tips and bribes among crew. Must write thank you notes.

Side Judge: Same general duties as Field Judge, minus requirement for webbed toes. This is the only official specifically mentioned in the Mayflower Compact of 1620.

Posted by: Ted at 06:30 AM | category: Square Pegs
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I'm awake, and I'm one unhappy camper.

We have an appraiser coming to look at the house and this bozo gave us the choice of 7:30 or 8:00 AM this morning. No other options.

There will be no pleasantries exchanged, that's for sure.

Update: At 9:00 I put a note on the door:

You are over an hour late for our appointment. We have plans for the day and it's no longer a good time for us. Have your secretary call us to set up a mutually convenient time.

Then I went back to bed.

Posted by: Ted at 06:36 AM | category: Square Pegs
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1 I would have asked for 7:00 out of spite.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 01, 2004 11:09 AM (CSxVi)

2 Kick ass!!!!!!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 01, 2004 08:24 PM (uAaM4)

3 So, has he re-scheduled yet?

Posted by: Victor at February 01, 2004 10:08 PM (16A49)

4 Nope, he never showed. Liz is fired up and gets to deal with it today.

Posted by: Ted at February 02, 2004 06:49 AM (blNMI)

5 Bet your happy you don't have to deal with it. Hehe.

Posted by: Mookie at February 02, 2004 12:11 PM (gBa/X)

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