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:
Continue reading →

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!

High Temperatures (Mostly) Accurate?

Yesterday I put another thermometer beside my home weather station’s. In midafternoon it recorded a temperature of 104 degrees F, hours after my weather station clocked 110.7 F. As I said, I think my station’s temperatures run a bit hot, but they aren’t too far off the mark. I think the other thermometer proves my theory that this location is simply hotter than RDU airport.

W4OTN/blog On The Air

Glad to find out today by way of Planet Trilug that my friend and fellow ham Eric Christensen is on the air with his own blog.

I’ve worked a few Tour De Cure volunteer events with Eric and have great respect for him. It takes a lot of concentration and professionalism to keep an event like the TDC on track and Eric has lots of both.

His blog should be interesting. Welcome to the blogosphere, Eric!

(73, Mark N4JMT)

AT&T Is Evil, Reason Number 53462

I just posted this to the Internetworkers list. I thought I’d post it here for your comments.

Let me throw this out for y’all and see what y’all have to say.

In the past, I worked as a computer consultant. One of the things I did was install Asterisk servers for some local companies. One of those companies has since gone out of business and owes AT&T money. AT&T is now coming after me for the bill the former company owes, thinking that somehow I am responsible for this money. Continue reading →

in Rant | 306 Words

MT.Net Sets New High Temperature Record

My home weather station set a new high temperature record today, showing 110.7 degrees F at 1PM today. The previous high was 104, so this is quite hotter. Granted, my temperatures are a little skewed since the thermometer is close to our brick foundation on the southern side of the house (though it is shaded), but they aren’t much skewed. I just think the area we’re in is hotter in general than the airport (though surely not by 11 degrees).

Meanwhile out in the San Juan Islands, the folks out there are sweating through their flannel as the temperatures top out at 57 degrees F. I feel for ’em, you know? It’s hard out there for an islander.