Toy Blimp Attracts Chicks!

I’ve been looking into aerial photography platforms lately as part of a special project. Google served up this page on an RC blimp which I found thoroughly entertaining. Under the uses for this stuff, you’ve got this list:

IDEAS WITH THIS TOY!!! GRADUATION CEREMONY, SPY ON STUFFS, INDOOR FUN, ADVERTISEMENT, ATTRACT CHICKS, TRADE SHOWS, MARKETING, JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!!!

I don’t see anyone “attracting chicks” whilst playing with a toy blimp. On the other hand, there might be some “chicks” out there who are, for some reason, attracted to toy blimps.

Me, I just want to be able to take cool aerial photos, preferably without having to get a pilot’s license. Attracting chicks is only secondary, I swear.

Fifteen Years With UNIX and the Internets

My earlier post regarding my history in Raleigh also brings up another important milestone: this month marks fifteen years I’ve been using the Internet. My first email address was an EOS one at N.C. State’s College of Engineering and I got it August 1992. I spent my early time online downloading bootleg copies of OS/2 from the New Mexico State University’s Hobbes OS/2 collection. Apologies to all the schmucks playing nettrek who’s latency suffered as a result. 🙂 (Apologies also to IBM. Hey, I was young and foolish.)
Continue reading →

Orcas Island’s Revenge

Remember how I said that the start of our Orcas Island vacation began with my breakfast getting airborne before we did? Well, that little bug behaved itself while we were actually on vacation but it apparently never left. Kelly had quite a restless night, spending more time upright than horizontal. I had a not-so-fun day. Fortunately for me I think my issues may be over. I hope Kelly’s are, too.

When it’s 100+ degrees outside is not the time to be dehydrated. Be well, y’all.

Tracking Phone Phishers

We’ve gotten a few calls from what we’ve taken to be solicitors, judging by their CallerID, and let them go to voicemail. They never leave a message which seems to validate our approach. Today we got a call from a similar number, but this time the CallerID shows a different company. Same result: no message.

Looking for this number on the Internets reveals a number of people have been called by these guys. It appears to be some kind of phishing scam, judging by the comments. The scammers are using the VoIP DIDs of a Las Vegas company, thus the 702-520-xxxx numbers, and likely also manipulating their CallerID information. Whitepages.com shows the numbers belong to a company called Digitcom. At this point, I’m assuming Digitcom knows nothing about the scam, but I’ll give them a call today just to make sure they know.

If you get a call from “Tuscany Industries” or “Insider Events” at 702-520-1122 or 702-520-1117 (or other numbers in the 702-520 exchange), beware. As for myself, I’ve already configured my home phone server to record all interactions with this number. Might be useful for any investigation. Asterisk may be used for fraud as it apparently is in this case, but it can also be used to bust these chumps.

The Other Potter: Beatrix

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.
Continue reading →

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.