Wildlife Photos and Whiled Thoughts

Twitter Updates for 2008-07-04

Paul Fischer — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:59:59 +0000

@MarsPhoenix Sweet! I can’t wait to see what the chemical makeup of that ice is. #
Started the holiday weekend by cutting the grass and doing yard work. Allergies are so-so. Next we make baby registry. #
@TeeMonster Oh wow! Is it that time of year again! I can’t believe it’s gone so fast. Happy b-day to SB. #
@Kamikat W00t! @kamikat makes the best pies. #
@AudioMetrix Holy shit! You’re moving to Ireland? #
@clm122704 Killer Koi? #
ReTwt: GMMFAO - if cookbook geeks were like D&D geeks: http://tinyurl.com/6l78r7 #
@TSDivaDani You still in Maine? #
@Kamikat I wish we could be there. We have some Maine tastes to share. #
@AudioMetrix Good luck! Study hard! #
@TSDivaDani Wow! Enjoy London. It rocks! #
@PGHolyfield Don’t forget @nlowell has a sexy sexy voice #
@nlowell Woo Hoo! Ishmael is back! http://podiobooks.com/title/double-share #
@martyndarkly Hello Crown! Happy no-more-oppression-day from one of your many former colonies! #
@PGHolyfield Just subscribed to MAAH. #
Wow! Babies need a lot of stuff. Don’t they come with a starter kit or something? #
@podcastmama THANKS! I’m just trying to be prepared. #
First parent test failed. Can’t find Babies R Us. #
The one around the corner is gone. Have to head out by the office. Grrrrr #
@martyndarkly Same old same old. #
@podcastmama What do you really need for a “newborn starter kit”? http://tinyurl.com/6pvorh #
@Kamikat What do you really need for a “newborn starter kit”? http://tinyurl.com/6pvorh #
@ShannonFarrell What do you really need for a “newborn starter kit”? http://tinyurl.com/6pvorh #
What do you really need for a “newborn starter kit”? http://tinyurl.com/6pvorh #
@Kamikat Thanks for the baby info #
@trreed Thanks for the comment on the baby stuff #
@PodcastJunky Thank you so much for the good info #
@ShannonFarrell Wow! Dude, that’s like a dissertation. You’re awesome. Still need to read and digest. #
Retweet from @Rudy:Oh, how this picture makes me laugh. For my fellow Doc Who fans: http://snurl.com/2u06i -We need that shirt for @Cmaaarrr #
@ShannonFarrell Dude, that was totally awesome. More info is better. We’re engineers. We thrive on info. #
ReTwt from @ clm122704 : “It’ll take time to restore chaos” http://tinyurl.com/pflrd #
3 hours in Babies R Us. Dinner at Eggspectations. Home to digest baby info. #
@PhilippaJane Want more Baaaaahhhhhd #
@trreed Awesome. Thanks #
@ladyozma We found a nice soft spot in the glider/rocker section. We’ll be there if you need us. #

What do you really need for a “newborn starter kit”?

Paul Fischer — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:35:55 +0000

Please comment here and let me know what I should be focusing on for our baby registry. Babies R Us and Target have huge lists of things, and most people on Twitter are saying I don’t really need it. I would appreciate it if you could give us some new parent advice on what we really need.

Twitter Updates for 2008-07-03

Paul Fischer — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:59:59 +0000

LATE! #
Up Scope ~P~ #
Twitteriffic doesn’t work for me this afternoon, but the service seems to be up. Grrrrr. #
Done working on my Matt Selznick interview. Time to hit the kitchen. #

Twitter Updates for 2008-07-02

Paul Fischer — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:59:59 +0000

@WillBrown I just got on Facebook. I’m in my 40 #
@WillBrown I just got on Facebook. I’m in my 40’s. How do you think I feel? #
@PhilippaJane Prawn Smoothie = Epic Fail #
@PGHolyfield That’s from Jaws. It’s Roy Scheider. #
@mightymur You geo tag the rocks. We’ll move them. How about that big one at the base of the dam? #
@TeeMonster Too much barf cam? Will it make me toss cookies? #
@TeeMonster New Mummy looks awesome. I love Brendan Frasier. #
@TeeMonster Right. Kill all the hand held camera operators. Got it. Check. #
@PGHolyfield That’s some bad hat, P.G. #
@TSDivaDani Pretty cat #
@SVAllie We’re all pulling for you. Keep it cool. You’ll be all right. #
@MsInformation What kind of plants do you get when you bury those things? #
Niven and Pournelle episode FINALLY live. http://tinyurl.com/5rs7uy #
Down scope ~p~ TV time. #
Good morning all. Finally made it to work. Jim Butcher is a monkey on my back. Listening to On The Podcast Matt Selznick interview #
@PauletteJaxton Let me know if you need suggestions for getting rid of Go Daddy #
@PauletteJaxton I use IM Hosted for hosting and 1&1 for domains. No BS, excellent support, great prices. Usable interface. #
@ctumaven Cyberduck is an excellent FTP client #
@SFEley Wow! $500 buck for toilet bowl cleaner research in Japan! I’m stunned. #
Call 1-206-666-2843 with your memories of Balticon 42 for our feedback show #

Twitter Updates for 2008-07-01

Paul Fischer — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:59:59 +0000

@MistressJett spoon #
@Daecabhir Charlie Jade kicks ass! Watch number 2. #
ReTwt: The Big Reveal: The Real Story of July 13, 2008 http://tinyurl.com/6ob6jx #
The next person who asks why we don’t change the default timers on the routing protocol is getting a size 10.5 enema with a side of tabasco #
@HeatherWelliver Glad to hear progress is being made. I hope everything goes well for her. #
Long day of work is successful. No one needed boot enema. Time to pack and head for home. #
I have a friend shooting a video for a new Facebook app. He’s looking for men in their 20’s & women in their 20’s & 30’s. Two 8-hour days #
of filming in the DC area. Pays $25 plus food and drink. DM me if you want specifics. #

Twitter Updates for 2008-06-30

Paul Fischer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:59:59 +0000

Our flight home was cancelled. Waiting for 11am flight now. Grrrr. Hate missing 1/2 a day of work. H8 Weather #
We finally made it home. Working from here the rest of the day. Need to get my 8 hours in #
@amberlrhea Is that where people pay to watch other people sleep? #
@steppek W00t! I love getting loans paid off! Great job. #
@Cmaaarrr You’re the sixth secret cat. You will lead the kittens to Earth. #
@mightymur I’m sorry you lost your data. Glad you had a recent backup. I’m reaching for my backup drive right now. #
@Chelly527 I think a politician named Don Davis died, not the actor. #
ReTwt from C. Miller: This has got to be the coolest wireless netowrk ever. Whoever built it must be a genius: http://tinyurl.com/3g9mvb #
@steppek Wow! You had $300 for a car? My first car cost me $25. 2nd cost me $100, 3rd was free. #
Last several blog entries eaten by Twitter. Good pictures too. http://pfischer.com/ #

In Honor of Kreg Steppe Paying Off His Car

Paul Fischer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:08:42 +0000

I present the conclusion of the loan for my ‘98 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[Show as slideshow]

Bought it on a 6 year loan, paid it off in 4.5 years. Got rid of it when I won a Pontiac Aztek. Sold both of them and bought Famous Blue, my ‘05 Prius.

Twitter Updates for 2008-06-29

Paul Fischer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:59:59 +0000

@pseudojoe Jeans, Golf shirt, undies, hoodie sweatshirt #
@teemonster check your email on facebook. They’re looking for an update on the USB mic shipping. The one you gave to the RIF auction #
@cmdln Did you pick up the story of the Python hackers picketed by PETA? #
@cmdln What about the follow up to the story of the linux file system programmer who got convicted of murder? #
@ctomasi Hawaii is always over too fast. I can’t wait to see more pictures. I love Kauai. #
@cmdln “I didn’t do it, but I’ll show you the body if you reduce my sentence.” #
@cmdln Let me know if you need a link to the Python-PETA thing. #
@nantekoto Congrats! When’s the big day? #
Breakfast, then Maine blueberry pie. nom nom nom #
Packing up and leaving Bar Harbor. Home first thing tomorrow morning. #
@nlowell Squee! #
ReTwt: http://twitter.com/nlowell/statuses/846486304 #
ReTwt: Double Share - First Episode FULL - http://tinyurl.com/5rnlsk Everybody Squee! #

Kung Fu Shearwater

Paul Fischer — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:21:04 +0000

This is the most awesome shot ever of the little known Kung Fu Shearwater, These birds train year round to prefect their Kung Fu techniques.

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Caught off the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine on a whale watching tour.

Death to Weathermen

Paul Fischer — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:13:22 +0000

The next weatherman who lies to me and says it’s supposed to be cold is going to get a Hiking Boot Enema. We’re now hopelessly overheated and sunburned. Dressed for 60, real weather is 80. Gack!

Had a nice trip to Baker Island National Park. Participated in the National Park Service “Feed the Mosquitos” tour. They said bring a lunch. I didn’t think they meant me.

Saw lots of nice sea birds. Downloading the pictures now. Bent a pin on my flash card reader. Using the slowwwwwww interface on my camera, and of course, burning camera battery power to do it.

I need to lower my core body temp and get my zen back.

Wish me luck.

Greetings from Maine

Paul Fischer — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:59:42 +0000

Had an excellent day exploring the island today. We went all over the place, but I only felt like bringing out The Beast at one set of trees that were heavy with little birds. We forgot bug spray and paid for it. Birding was slow, but we’re doing well. And a bad day birding is better than a good day at work.

Tomorrow we go to sea.

Today’s Picture, An American Redstart in flight.

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June Baby Pictures

Paul Fischer — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:01:33 +0000

Here are the latest pictures from our June ultrasound.

Current baby name being floated: Rose Atalanta

Everything is fine and we’re still on track for early October.

These are her Han Solo encased in carbonite photos.

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Clothes Make The Man

Paul Fischer — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:16:53 +0000

There has been a bit of a debate going on between myself, Christ Lester, and Jared Axelrod. Jared started it all on his Voice of Free Planet X Episode 136: It’s Called A Power Suit For A Reason. And then picked it up again in that week’s feedback Episode 137: Feedback And Forth. Chris Lester picked up the response on his blog, and I’ve left comments on both.

Regardless of my personal desires for a more relaxed world, I still found time to get this new suit jacket for the upcoming series of weddings we will be attending. It really does make me look good.

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My blog comments are below the “read more”.

My Mac dictionary defines affectation as behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress. By definition, if I wear t-shirt and jeans as my default uniform, it is not artificial and definitely not designed to impress.

When I first started my career I bought the book “Dress for Success”. I followed it reasonably well, sticking with suits, slacks, button down shirts, and ties. I allowed myself black sneakers instead of shoes because of foot problems. It wasn’t long before I realized that my job required me to climb under people’s desks to fix their computers. At this point I switched from suits and slacks to Dockers which held up better.

Regardless of my chosen uniform for work, I still changed into my preferred jeans and t-shirt when I got home. Jeans and t-shirt are not artificial for me. They are my default state. My chosen garb. The suits, slacks, button down shirts, and ties are the affectation.

I’m a large guy. Usually I can’t find cloths that make me look good unless I work very hard. I have never found anything second hand that fit me remotely well, and I have spent hours in thrift shops. I usually can’t find much that makes me look good in the stores unless I go to a big and tall man’s shop. The cost of acquisition in time and money is rather large for a whole wardrobe. The cost of maintenance is as well.

I think you missed one opportunity this provides us rebels. By the American work force getting more relaxed I think the rebels will turn to suits and ties to show their rebellion, thus standing society on it’s head. The new punk may be the old IBM dark suit, white shirt, red tie, and black shoes.

I was the first of my group of friends to adopt the golf shirt and jeans as a uniform. Maybe it’s time for me to rebel again and start looking for some good looking blazers.

-Paul Fischer
Rebel Cothier
posted by: Paul Fischer on Thu, 6/12 12:38 PM EDT

Well said. But there is a point that I think you and Jared both missed. For the last 20 years or so I’ve been the chief computer expert in my various jobs. I discovered way back that customers expected me to look a particular way before they would really take me seriously. It was a personal style that screamed to them uber geek.

While my sales and marketing associates were taken seriously wearing a suit and tie, I got the best results looking rather unkempt. I affected a ponytail which looked awful no matter what I did, and went for a full beard and mustache before trimming back to a goatee. If I dressed in a suit I would be ignored. But when I dressed in golf shirt or t-shirt and jeans I was instantly identifiable as the tech genius.

Contrary to Jared’s main point, I was more successful when I fit the mold of what the customer thought a tech guy should look like. When I tried to look debonair I was not taken seriously.

I believe the thinking back then went like this: “He looks like a mess, but they still employ him. He must be highly competent or he couldn’t get away with it.” I know certain people who “get away with it” today. They dress Goth and it seems to be taken as a sign they’re very good at what they do.

Now that everyone in my industry has affected my mode of dress, I am pining for a way to be the rebel again. Maybe it’s time for me to find a nice blazer and tie to wear. Maybe if I get the color combinations so discordant my customers will think, “He must be the best. Otherwise how could he get away with that outfit?”

-Paul
posted by: Paul Fischer on Thu, 6/12 02:25 PM EDT

Balticon 42 Photos

Paul Fischer — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:09:22 +0000

Here are my photos from Balticon 42. I had a great time. It was tons of work but all the awesome people who showed up and gave their all made it worthwhile.

These photos are now available on my Flickr.

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The Game of Bacon!?!

Paul Fischer — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:22:12 +0000

Thanks to Choochus for bringing this to my attention. The link

Teacher Fired for Wizardry!

Paul Fischer — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:41:26 +0000

This is insane. In this day and age for a man to loose his job over superstition seems like fantasy, but it’s all too real.

Please click through to Digg and vote for this story. Then leave a comment on the Tampa Bays 10 website. We need to bring some national attention to this idiocy.

Bacon Rapping

Paul Fischer — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:41:10 +0000

JoCo judged a recent contest on ColorWars to see who’s rap lyrics were the best. Oh, the lyrics had to include the word BACON!

Bacon! The Musical

Paul Fischer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:59:53 +0000

I ran into Rob Balder at RavenCon last weekend and discovered The FuMP! Funny music is awesome, and I figured I’d get around to looking at it eventually. But then I noticed a song about Bacon by The Great Luke Ski.

Rolling Back Twitter Friends

Paul Fischer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:22:36 +0000

I’m sorry to say I just can’t keep up with the greater conversation on Twitter anymore. In order for Twitter to continue to be of value to me I must cut back on who I’m following. I hate to do it. There are a ton of people out there with good information and interesting lives. But I’m just too damn busy.

I think my heuristic will be something akin to this: Do I know you personally? Have I met you in person? Am I going to meet you in person? Do we do business together? Do I find you intensely interesting?

Unfortunately, everyone who doesn’t meet the heuristic must be axed. I’m sorry, but I need to make Twitter work for me. Please don’t be offended. It’s nothing personal. I will still approve follow requests, but I will likely not follow you back.

Fight Junk Mail With Bricks

Paul Fischer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:23:36 +0000

I found this on Digg today and just couldn’t contain myself. This must be shared.

http://officeofstrategicinfluence.com/bulkmailer/ Is a site that shows you how to mail a brick or other heavy items to junk mailers. It helps the USPS and cost the junk mailers lots of cash. It’s time to fight back America! Click the link and mail your own brick.