Every now and then you run into a movie that just seems perfect. Friday night, Kelly and I watched just such a movie. So good that I’m actually dreading the next NetFlix delivery – whatever it is it couldn’t possibly measure up. Our movie was Miss Potter, a biographic film starring Renee Zegweller and Ewan McGregor about Beatrix Potter, the extraordinarily talented author and illustrator of the most popular children’s books of all time, including the famous Tale of Peter Rabbit.
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Has anyone put Linux on the dashboard GPS units?
When we bought our 2001 Honda Odyssey two years ago one thing I was anxious to hack was the DVD navigation system. Honda wants $150 for an updated map DVD, which is – appropriately enough – highway robbery. Thus, these sub-$300 car GPS navigation systems that big-box retailers are now stocking have caught my eye.
With their relatively low cost, 12V power source, built-in color touch screen, voice synthesis capability, and of course integrated GPS, these units seem perfect for hacking with Linux. Yet I’ve not been able to come up with any such projects.
Let me know if you find anything, mmmkay?
Cheap Thoughts: Drought Flag
We like to display flags on our front porch that reflect the season or a special occasion. I was trying to think of what flag would be appropriate right now and then it hit me: a drought flag! Imagine a nice applique flag with a burning sun on top, a bleached-white steer skull in the foreground and a dry cracked lakebed in the background. Maybe a withered cactus or two, for effect.
Is it any wonder that I’m destined to be a millionaire?
Nice Sail Today
We made it out to Lake Gaston again today for a few hours on the water. We visited with the Naylors briefly before getting the boat in the water. This time I felt in no rush to prepare things and as a result things went far more smoothly.
The winds were forecast for 9 MPH but were a little slow to develop. Skies looked a bit threatening, too, though I knew there was no chance for rain and that the clouds present were not towering. We sailed west for a few miles before turning upwind. By the time we passed the Naylor’s lakehouse again the sky was almost clear and the winds provided the best sailing of the day. The last 30 minutes in the sun provided me with an unexpected sunburn after a day full of clouds.
The family seemed to adapt more to the boat, too. The kids were a bit reluctant to go early on, but Hallie had fun being mostly in the cabin and Travis spent most of his time topside with Kelly. Both seemed reluctant to go home.
We all had fun, though our visit with the Naylors was far too short. We’re looking forward to seeing them again.
Most Dangerous Jobs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual report of the country’s most dangerous jobs, this one covering 2005. Number two on the list of dangerous occupations is – get this – blogging! Yes, it seems bloggers had another tough year, where carelessness caused many preventable deaths. Tragic, really, when you think
… huh? Whazzat? It’s logging?
Ahem.
See the report for yourself straight from the horse’s mouth: the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries [PDF, or HTML], or take CNN Money’s word for it. And stay safe out there!
Protect America Act of 2007
Any member of Congress – whether Democratic, Republican, or Connecticut Weasel – who voted for the Protect America Act of 2007 deserves to be voted out of office. Especially the Democratic ones, who ought to know better. Cowards! Apparently no one learned anything from the last election, so its time for a refresher.
I wonder why we even bother pretending to have a Constitution anymore. Or separation of powers.
Here’s the Hall of Shame from the Senate:
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The Bear Is Awakening
ExxonMobil and its shareholders aren’t the only beneficiaries of today’s high oil prices. It seems Russia is starting to flex its military muscle again with its forays to the North Pole, dropping (unexploding) bombs on neighboring Georgia, and overflying our military bases with its Tu-95 bombers – the first since the end of the Cold War.
I tell ya, if the world wasn’t a safer place than it was seven years ago, I’d be a little concerned.
Holy Moly – 113 Degrees!
I just placed another digital thermometer on the south side of my house. It just registered 113 degrees! This while my weather station reads 112. Its obviously in the shade.
It really is that hot outside! No wonder my long-suffering lawn is dying (and my home AC is struggling).
Virgin America Arrives
…but not here. Yet.
You’ve probably heard the news of Wednesday’s inaugural flight of Virgin America, the geek-friendliest airline to date. With an in-flight entertainment system built around Linux, onboard wireless Internet, and power plugs at every seat, Virgin America appeals to geek customers like me.
Right now they fly between San Francisco and New York’s JFK airport, but will soon be adding more cities to their schedule. Wouldn’t be great if Virgin America came to Raleigh and offered our first Raleigh-San Francisco nonstop flight?
I signed up for Virgin America’s frequent flier program, eleVAte, with the hopes that if Virgin America sees many members in North Carolina, they might be willing to consider serving us. You can help, too! Go to the sign-up page and get yourself an eleVAte membership. Let’s bring the “Geek Airline” to the Triangle!
Track The Space Shuttle With Google Earth
I am constantly amazed at the uses people dream up for Google Earth, like using it to track the space shuttle and the ISS. I’m not getting any altitude information in mine, but cool nontheless.
NASA makes the shuttle’s orbital elements available on their website, too, which is what this script uses. Pretty cool stuff.
Bonus: Here’s a page which tracks it with Google Maps and AJAX.