Casey, over at the Gantry Launchpad, has his one-year anniversary tomorrow (thursday, the 27th). He also notes that he's not quite reaching a milestone of 6k hits. Since he's a lot nicer than Bill, and definitely posts more often, I'm asking that each and every Rocket Jones visitor today click this link and go visit Casey. Let's put him over the top, so do it twice or even three times, and if you're a really nice person you'd leave a comment for him too.

Happy anniversary Casey, keep up the space blogging.

Posted by: Ted at 05:45 PM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 102 words, total size 1 kb.

It's been awhile since I've done one of these, but rather than do my usual forty-seven "oooooh, look at this!" posts, I'll just do one great big "oooooh, look at these!" post.

First up (this is probably keeping GeekLethal over at the Ministry awake at nights), Silflay Hraka brings to light the newest model of military robot, named SWORDS.

But officials are quick to point out that these are not the autonomous killer robots of science fiction. A SWORDS robot shoots only when its human operator presses a button after identifying a target on video shot by the robot's cameras.

Ok, I feel better now, because we all know that humans are all kind and gentle creatures who hate to harm each other.

Filed under "You can't make this stuff up", Azygos tells of the Potty Bowl, which is associated with, appropriately enough, the Arizona Cardinals.

At this good, clean fun (and educational) event, Arizona Cardinal quarterback Shaun King will act as master of ceremonies and honorary "Kandoo Coach" while kids play against each other to finish the Go! Wipe! Flush! Wash! Dry! obstacle course first.

I noticed that one of the co-sponsors (alongside Pampers), was KOOL and my first thought was that those bastards in the tobacco industry were targeting toddlers in their zeal to indoctrinate new smokers. I mean, what's more natural than sitting down on the throne and lighting up a cigarette? After a more careful reading, I see that KOOL is a radio station, and judging by this event, it's probably on a par with WKRP in Cincinnati.

Meanwhile, over at Random Nuclear Strikes, we learn of this story:

Bay Area native Daniel Berk had planned to spend the Christmas holiday in Sri Lanka, getting his scuba certificate, but canceled his plans at the last minute. He missed the deadly tsunami, but on Saturday, he was killed in an avalanche while snowboarding off-trail in the Austrian Alps.

To which AnalogKid remarks:

When your name is on the ReaperÂ’s clip board, making him switch from bermuda shorts to a parka only pisses him off.

*snicker*

Also from Random Nuclear Strikes comes the pointer to a blog called (ready for it?)...

President Boxer.

They're serious about it, but probably my favorite part is where they quote Oliver Willis who digs up some dirt on Republicans! Imagine that?!?!?! Here's a news flash - ALL POLITICIANS ARE BASICALLY SCUMBAGS!!!

The trick is selecting a scumbag who's reality most closely mirrors your own personal priorities. That said, voting for someone who refuses to acknowlege recent history (like, fer instance, claiming WMD's were the *only* reason we invaded Iraq), means that you're not just supporting a scumbag, it means your scumbag is either a) stupid beyond belief, or b) believes "a" to be true about you. As Bill Engval would say, "here's your sign".

Better yet, maybe I should just chill out and wait for the damn robot overlords. Heaven knows, they probably couldn't do worse.

Posted by: Ted at 12:10 PM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 502 words, total size 3 kb.

There's a reason the first word of the original phrase is "illegal", although I'd go along with "Illegal Immigrant" as being even more accurate. Either way, here's what happens:

Is it so liberal that governments must pay for those who ignore the law while citizens go without? In California, the money to incarcerate more than 14,000 felonious illegal aliens from Mexico - well over $400 million - would fund the start-up costs of 20 university campuses like the new University of California at Merced, at a time when Americans (including many first-generation Mexican-American citizens) who are eligible for higher education cannot find access or financial support.

I'm not anti-immigration or anti-Mexican. I am stridently anti-illegal-immigration.

Thanks to Mad William Flint for the pointer.

Posted by: Ted at 11:45 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 137 words, total size 1 kb.

The latest in the magnetic ribbon craze, this one in the NHL's orange and black.

Thanks to Off Wing Opinion for the pointer.

Posted by: Ted at 08:36 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 33 words, total size 1 kb.

Pixy asks:

When they make MuNu: The Movie, who will play you? And feel free to make nominations for the other Munus.

My very first thought was John Goodman as Rocket Jones. Which was spooky because Jennifer said the exact same thing, and then Joe Don Bak Victor thirded the nomination, followed up by Spork in Jen's comments.

Funny thing, my wife immediately said "Jim Belushi".

I'll have to give some thought to further casting, but right off the top of my head:

Jennifer played by Bridget Fonda. Tough. Smart. Sassy.
Susie played by Sandra Bullock. Ditto, kiddo.
Spork played by Michael J. Fox, for that intense yet amiable competence.
Victor played by Joe Don Baker, natch.
LeeAnn played by Janeane Garofalo, with the stipulation that she not be allowed to speak any lines not written for her by LeeAnn herself (maybe a shock collar... careful Ted, you're getting into real fantasy territory now).
Steve and Robert played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams reprising their roles as Laverne & Shirley. Shmeel. Shnozzle. Yip! Yip! Yip!
Michael King played by Sinbad, for no reason other than it would amuse me to no end to hear Sinbad say "Just Damn!"
Bill, played by Oscar the Grouch.

Posted by: Ted at 05:42 AM | category: Links
Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 211 words, total size 2 kb.

Whereas Lawren just found it disturbing. One of us should probably seek professional help.

Hasselhoffian geometry.

Posted by: Ted at 09:20 AM | category: Links
Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 40 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Help! My eyes have crossed and are stuck! Auugh!!!!

Posted by: Susie at January 23, 2005 10:33 AM (vKvLT)

2 That's just so wrong.

Posted by: CGHill at January 23, 2005 11:25 AM (AUDQP)

3 Another image to be scrubbed out of my mind with steel wool and and/or a belt sander.

Posted by: GEBIV at January 23, 2005 12:54 PM (ZjO+R)

4 omg ... that is bloody hilarious, and subliminal..

Interesting how his actual stance is phallic... makes you wonder if it was planned and somehow the stance has affected his allure to women.

He's still a freak though

Posted by: Oorgo at January 24, 2005 12:06 PM (lM0qs)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Finally getting around to a few that have been on my list:

Welcome to Eric's Random Musings

Both Jen and Rich have moved, their links on the right have been updated.

Waiting for Boof, an excellent SF Giants blog, has morphed into the McCovey Chronicles. Good stuff for Giants fans and anyone who appreciates excellent baseball humor and writing.

Oops, almost forgot. Phillip has moved too.

Posted by: Ted at 08:30 AM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 70 words, total size 1 kb.

First we identified the Axis of Evil, now it's the Outposts of Tyranny. Bigwig of Silflay Hraka suggests the third tier should be named the Bastions of Bastardy. I like it.

Here's another discussion on it, this one in a more serious vein.

Posted by: Ted at 07:14 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 49 words, total size 1 kb.

Somebody knocked together thier list of the 50 Worst Songs of All Time. Channelling my inner-lemming, it's in the extended entry, and I've bolded the ones I actually like (or can at least tolerate).

Thanks to the Llama Butchers and Lynn S for directions to the cliff. more...

Posted by: Ted at 07:08 AM | category: Links
Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 455 words, total size 3 kb.

Microsoft's AntiSpyware Tool Removes Internet Explorer.

Via Fark (thanks to Mookie for pointing it out).

Posted by: Ted at 08:29 PM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 21 words, total size 1 kb.

That's me. Scott and Eileen are planning a one-year tour of the US, taking the backroads and poking into all the little odd nooks and crannies of our country.

From their FAQ:

Why are you doing this?
Two reasons. One, to explore the less-charted areas of America and capture what we find in words, still photography, and moving images. Two, to audition thousands of small American towns for the role of our new hometown. At the end of our trip, we'll choose one of them as the place to start a family.

Like CG Hill of Dustbury, I'll be adding them to the blogroll (eventually) so I can keep an eye out on their progress.

Posted by: Ted at 11:55 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 121 words, total size 1 kb.

My all-time favorite, Archie Leach, aka Cary Grant. Red has stories and photos.

Posted by: Ted at 08:13 PM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 17 words, total size 1 kb.

I had an Atari 800. Went into hock to pay for that pitiful thing, but man was it great. Two of my favorite games for it were SCRAM, a nuclear power-plant simulation, and an Avalon Hill (I think) wargame where you built up a military industrial complex until one side attacked and then you nuked it out. Think Battleship, the Armageddon edition.

The Atari was also the last PC that I knew intimately. In those days if you wanted to do anything beyond primitive BASIC gaming you had to be familiar with the chipsets and command sets available. Hell, I wrote a simple parser/compiler and a disk drive controller using BASIC.

The "bible" for Atari geeks like me was called De Re Atari. All About Atari. I owned a copy, well worn in a 3-ring binder. It's cool that you can still reference it, but now it's online.

Posted by: Ted at 12:04 PM | category: Links
Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 152 words, total size 1 kb.

A comparison between the murder rates of Iraq and Chicago. Sure, it's just fun with numbers, but that doesn't mean a pearl of wisdom isn't hiding in there.

Found via Diplomad.

Posted by: Ted at 06:02 AM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 41 words, total size 1 kb.

That's the description given by Mr Helpful for this Fark piece, and he's absolutely right. I had tears in my eyes as I read this college paper. Go. Now. Laugh.

Posted by: Ted at 09:10 AM | category: Links
Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 34 words, total size 1 kb.

This is too cool.

Found at Mandarin Designs, and you can look here for help on screen grabbing your montage if you need it.

Posted by: Ted at 04:10 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 26 words, total size 1 kb.

Over at Q&O.

My favorite:

5. Conclude each story with comical "Boing" sound effect.

That's a no-brainer.

Posted by: Ted at 12:43 PM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 35 words, total size 1 kb.

From Dawn, who saw it at LeeAnn's.
Stephen did it as well.

Here's the first sentence of the first post made during each month of 2004, kinda like a Reader's Digest condensed version of Rocket Jones:

January

The Redskins fired Barney Rubble Steve Spurrier.

February
I'm awake, and I'm one unhappy camper.

March
Ultimate Band List is a site with tons of information and links to official band website and fansites.

April
March 2004 will go down in the family history as one rotten month all around.

May
Might post more this evening.

June
I had one of those oddly productive weekends where you look back and say "wow, I got a lot done!"

July
Since there's been such a hue and cry (translation: nobody asked) about the secret identities of our intrepid NogMeisters, I've decided to give some clues about who they are and what they look like.

August
Here's your chance to write cheers for the Hot Jets cheerleaders!

September
A sequel to Clerks is on the way.

October
I see dead people, and most of them are wearing Cubs uniforms.

November
As usual, the people hosting BattlePark ran a great event.

December
Since everyone missed it in the Blogger Bowl post below, here is an explicit link to my newest fans: Rats for Rockets.

So let's see...
May and November referred to rocket launches, August, October and December talked about sports and the fantasy football league, while January combined sports and Redskins-bashing. The nog was mentioned in July, and September was a movie reference. Tack on the link to some interesting place on the net from March and that's not a bad description of this place, eh? Not bad at all.

Posted by: Ted at 06:01 AM | category: Links
No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 296 words, total size 3 kb.

He's currently resting in Jamaica, but his wife is making plans to exhume his remains and have them reburied in Ethiopia, his spiritual home.

Doesn't matter where his physical presence is, his music lives on.

Posted by: Ted at 11:50 AM | category: Links
Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 43 words, total size 1 kb.

Religious action figures, courtesy of the Jesus Christ Superstore!

Thanks to Rambling's Journal for the pointer. For the record, I agree with him when he says this is so over-the-top that it's meant to offend everybody. Check out their version of the Last Supper!

Posted by: Ted at 11:45 AM | category: Links
Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 64 words, total size 1 kb.