So I was reading the list of this year's winners of the Ig Nobel Prizes. The what? You ask. They are reasesrch that "makes people laugh then think". My favorite:
3 Mexican reasearchers that turned tequila into diamonds (chemistry award)

Tags: from iphone, funny, science
Current Location: 39.897342, -75.182383

Today has been the classic "that figures" of stupid things. Like when I have to update a database give me the instructions and don't make field description cryptic. But they were and there was no help file or instructions. And that was only the first one, there were 3 of these, due today...

Tags: work

I know this post will not be for everyone's reading pleasure but the iPhone users might find it interesting

So I've had my iPhone for over 2 months now. I've got the apps I like and just picked up a battery case. Yes, I use the phone that much, I'm a geek. So I'm going to see how long this new battery case will keep my iPhone powered. Started today with the iPhone and battery fully charged. I have the location services on and an active data connection. Well semi active. Screen brightness is set to auto and the screen lock is set to 5 minutes. I'll try to post when the case's battery is drained and how much is let in the iPhone's internal battery at the end of the work day.

So the results are better than I had hoped. The battery case is the Morphie Juice Air.
10am phone and case at 100%
Noon- battery at 75% phone ay 100%
1:15pm - battery at 50% phone at 100%
2:45 - battery at 25% phone at 100%
4:20 - battery drained and phone at 85%

This was also with an active data connection the whole time through my IM client, location services on, and playing the occasional round of Mafia Wars. I also changed the iPhone to not auto lock so the screen was on the whole time.

Verdict: with a little more weight and thickness the Morphie Juice Air Case is a great deal. It's an extra battery and a very nice looking case.

Tags: gadgets, iphone, tech
Current Location: US, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia

River was a lot of fun despite the rain. Saturday was great weather for the fighting and I put in a fair amount of field time as a combat archer. High points were having the king extend an offer to our archer company (all 4 of us for now) to take the field alongside his personal household, and I say 4 of us because we added a new archer Ysmay (hope I got the right) has joined our ranks and was my first authorization as a CA marshal.

All in all a goo time with a lot of good people. Hope we get to do it again next year.

Tags: sca
Current Location: US, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia

After the movie, beckishadow and stopped to get some dinner.  She had suggested a place called Iron Abby (www.ironabbey.com/ ).  Just walking in the door I knew I would like the food, the wonderful smell alone made me even hungrier.  First up was to choose a beer. They have a huge selection. My spicy citrus shrimp was pretty good and the sauce was great on the toasted bread they give you.  my mail course was their rotisserie sampler.  In short it is a plate of meat....



No I was able to finish it an it will be wonderful as a cold or hot lunch or even with eggs in the morning.  Yes there was even bacon in there.  I'll have to get what Beckie had next time- the steak melted in your mouth and could have been cut with a fork.  The only down side was the noise level. The ceilings are low and there is a very large bar, so it can be pretty loud.  I have to get people together to go, it's amazing food.

Oh and they do Beer Dinners :)

Tags: food
Current Mood: groggy

So in spite of the rain pennsic was wonderful. Met new people, met old friends and had a general good time. Now to finish unpacking. And get some much needed sleep.

Tags: sca
Current Location: US, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Been a while... So, life has been busy and work has been busy. All in a good way mind you. I am enjoying working for a small company, especially a block from the corporate HQ. SCA stuff is in overdrive for pennsic. Only down side is my wrist and shoulder still bother me at random times. Hoping I'll be an authorized CA marshal by the end of pennsic. Personal life is going, well, great! Not saying anything out of fear of cursing it.

This weekend is war camp which I am camping for, should be very fun and I get to try a new ( to me) tent. Then a week of final prep and pack for pennsic. I am so looking forward to going as it is my vacation for the year.

*deep breath and dives back in*

Tags: from iphone
Current Location: US, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Been an interesting last few weeks in terms of my fighting.  First was the realization that I was moving in the opposite direction I should have been to throw a shot and the second that I am horribly out of shape.  Back in December I had strained my right rotator cuff.  This had the effect of putting my out of any kind of fight practice for nearly 4 months.  I has healed and has not given me any issues since I started fighting again. In fact, it feels great. The result is I now know how out of shape I really am.  Spring war practice was good. weather was great and I was very read to get some melee practice back in.  So, I will spare the details and simply say, my armor doesn't quite fit anymore and after only a few minutes of fighting I couldn't catch my breath until the armor came off.. Guess I need to stop cheating by driving to the train station (a 15 minute walk) and start getting some exercise in. 

On the up side, we have about 7 or 8 people who I am hoping will be combat archery authorized by July.  Not sure if this is going on anywhere else, but as of the moment I think this is the only SCA heavy weapons archery company that is out there.  I could be wrong, but I have not seen or heard of any others.  Come Pennsic, this is going to be a lot of fun.

Now to get back into shape as well........

Tags: sca
Current Mood: optimistic

Well there has been a long happening in that time.  HP/EDS (the company I was working for) went through a round of layoffs, a pay freeze, a bonus cancellation, and a pay cut. Meanwhile I was being requested, to put it lightly, to apply for a position at McKean Defense Group. This is a small, 3 year old company that does a large amount of work with the Navy.  Long story short, I am not working for McKean, for more money, and doing a job I actually really like.  My former boss was not happy with the company when they didn't even respond to him when he tried to find something to keep me. So that's work.

What else?  For my activities in the SCA, I've started a combat archers company for our barony and taken on the role of deputy senachal, and now that my shoulder is better I am back at fight practice, sometimes 2 times a week soon to be as may as 3 times a week.

So though all of this I have had little free time to myself, but am remaining remarkable rested and sane.  Next up, ordering a new tent and starting to plan for Pennsic- 15 weeks and counting...   Yes I am looking forward to it.

Tags: life, sca, work
Current Mood: busy

I don't usually write anything political here. This time I feel I have to. I understand this may upset or even anger some people. Deal with it, it's my opinion and I am speaking my mind.

I have just watched several news reports from and about the fighting in Gaza. How can anyone of any creed, political party, race, or other group honestly condone or support any activity or action that harms, injures or kills a child.  In this every soldier, militant and fanatic is at fault. From the commanders to the soldiers pulling the triggers. I don't care anymore who claims to have what right to be where, you have destroyed the lives of children who have nothing to do with your arguments.

Just stop.

If you want to kill each other go out in the middle of the desert where no one is and shot each other there. And before anyone screams at me over this, I understand both sides of this fight. I may not agree with some or all of the politics, but I understand both sides.

OK, I'm done now.....

Tags: fed up
Current Mood: infuriated