Neat remote hack

I just discovered a very neat hack I have to tell you about. With the help of a Griffin Total Remote you can record IR remote control signals as sound (wav file for example). Then plug the total remote into any audio playback gadget (mp3 player, iPod, PocketPC, etc) and control devices 100ft away! That's awesome!

I saw a video of someone on engadget.com using the device to record a TV-B-Gone device's signals and then save it into his iPod. Suddenly his iPod could turn off any TV in 100ft.

New pictures on shutterfly

We have some new albums available now on shutterfly:

Tate Lewis' birth 11.14.2004
Pumpkin Carving 10.24.2004
Baby Shower 10.02.2004

Friends New Additions

Our friends Scott & Melanie Lewis had their first child today. His name is Tate Lewis and you can see pictures of him on the Lewis's second new addition (their website):

http://www.nclewis.com/

Here is a picture I took from my phone cam:


Our baby is not far behind. Abigail Rymer is due Dec 21, 2004.

DHTML book coming soon

My friend Jason Cranford Teague's new book is being released very soon. It's going to the printers next week. Just so you know why I'm promoting it, it's because I wrote chapter 10 on databases. I'm excited to announce that this is my first time being published!

I know Jason has worked very hard on this book, and I can say that writing technical books is no easy task. I hope anyone who works in the web would consider this book for your bookshelf.

Thanks to Jason for giving me this opportunity.

Man kills himself over election results

I was horrified to read about a 25 year old man from the state of Georgia that killed himself over the weekend. He went up to the 9/11 ground zero site and took his own life because of the recent Bush re-election.

Article on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/11/07/ground.zero.suicide.ap/index.html

I have been very depressed about the recent elections myself, and I've been trying to learn how to deal with another 4 years under this crazy president. My only inspiration is that as Americans, we've lived under much worse times. My nephew just recently discovered in researching the family history that my ancestors were brought here in bondage as indentured servants. My point here is that no matter what setbacks we may face, whether they are enslavement, a bad economic policy, or even a bad war, we as Americans must find the strength to more forward and live a life that is something worthy of pride. So today and everyday going forward, we should stand tall, and be proud of who we are, and create a world for our children that is better than our own.

Intelligent people voted for Kerry?

I've read a lot of interesting things about this election on the web in the last few days, but this has got to be the best link sent to me yet:

http://attenuation.net/files/iq.htm

It seems that the states with the highest average IQs all voted for Kerry. Once the average state IQ falls below 99 they become definite Bush supporters. So really it's to the republican party's advantage to keep people stupid.

I found this image on Bushflash.com as well... I love it:

Dubya Wins!

Each time we elect a president, I like to try and think ahead a bit and see what things are likely to happen. Obviously, I'm no expert; this is just my gut feeling on the situation at hand. Now that I have this blog, I think this is the perfect place to express it.

My predictions for the next 4 years...

1. Debt Increase - The US National Debt which is currently $7.4 trillion will exceed $15 trillion. There appears to be no end in sight for the current 2 occupations (Iraq & Afghanistan). I can only guess that we will continue to spend at our current rate or higher.

2. More tax cuts for the rich - If it wasn't already a sweet enough deal for those who make $1mil+/yr, it's going to get better. Who will pay? Those of us who make $250k or less a year. Our day-to-day expenses (gas, food, clothing, etc) will continue to go up, our salaries will stay flat or go down, and we might get 1-3% shaved off our tax bill which Bush will say is a tax cut for the middle class (whoo hooo), but we will experience a net decrease in spending power. My only advice is to suddenly find a job paying $1mil+. Good luck, because 5-10% of you will probably lose your job to outsourcing.

3. Another Occupation - Dubya will get bored with Iraq and Afghanistan and decide to invade another "Evil Doer" nation. This of course will increase point #1 above (the national debt), but also some how or another improve his approval rating. Everyone seems to love a good war against "evil."

4. Education fallout - The no child left behind act has been his claim to fame as far as education goes, however it's not really working. Charlotte alone has lost over $10mil in federal funded programs for at-risk kids. Bush just says that it's working, and everyone seems to believe him. Soon enough the truth will come out that it's a failing program and by then it's already too late for our youth. Luckily, we will have the military for them to join since we will be in dire need of bodies to help with point #3 above (the new occupation). You could probably send your child to private school (and get a tax break for it in the next couple years [another prediction]) if you could only afford it. However because of point #2 above, you will find it harder and harder to come up with additional money. Your only choices are to find a high paying job, increase your personal debt or suffer through failing public schools.

5. Increase in Crime - Fewer available jobs paying less money only means more crime. It's not rocket science.

Sorry for all the negativity, but I just don't see the next 4 years as very bright. We'll check back in 4 years to see how close I come.