«All Good Things...»

Good riddance Ketchikan!

After 919 consecutive days of blogging and 963 posts, having not missed a single day, I must take a leave of absence for an unknown duration of time. I face a major change in my life, and in the transition I won't be able to blog. I may pick up blogging again at a later date after I'm settled in. I'll be at least a month. I need a break anyway. My only regret is that I didn't quite make it to my 1,000th post.

My theme song for today, just replace all instances of "train" with "ferry":
Cruxshadows - Waiting to Leave

With watching eyes
You see dreams dissolving¹
Distant voices slipping away
I have to go - I hear
The call of something deeper
A voice inside of me

And tears return
Beneath the happy ending
Promised words that scattered
In the cold
I have to leave, I hear
The call of something higher
Something young becoming old²

I can't stay here any longer
Trapped here by the rain³
I can't stay here any longer
Waiting for this train

I'm waiting for the last train
Out of nowhere⁴
I'm waiting for the last train
On the line
Some people say that I will
Never leave here...
But I have to go this time

I'm waiting for the last train
Bound for somewhere
I'm playing with my last chance
On the line
I think it's really now or never
You know I have to try...

My sympathies,
Are wasted on regretting
Why not take a chance with me?
I have to go - I hear
The call of something stronger
And it's pulling me away

I can't stay here any longer
Trapped here by the rain
I can't stay here any longer
Waiting for this train

I'm waiting for the last train
Out of nowhere
I'm waiting for the last train
On the line
Some people say that I will
Never leave here...
But I have to go this time

I'm waiting for the last train
Bound for somewhere
I'm playing with my last chance
On the line
I think it's really now or never
You know I have to try...

I've been running around in circles
Without any direction
I've been searching hard to find
Who I really am...

I've been running around in circles
Without any direction
I've been lost here for so long
I've forgotten who I am⁵...

I'm waiting for the last train
Out of nowhere
I'm waiting for the last train
On the line
Some people say that I will
Never leave here...
But I have to go this time

I'm waiting for the last train
Bound for somewhere
I'm playing with my last chance
On the line
I think it's really now or never
You know I have to try...

I'm waiting for the last train
Out of nowhere
I'm waiting for the last train
On the line
Some people say that I will
Never leave here...
But I have to go this time

I'm waiting for the last train
Bound for somewhere
I'm playing with my last chance
On the line
I think it's really now or never
You know I have to try...

- Waiting to Leave, by The Cruxshadows

^1: Being trapped in this town has a way of killing your hopes and dreams.
^2: In this case, I'm the thing getting old.
^3: Seriously, it rains a lot in Ketchikan. On the order of 160-200 inches a year.
^4: Because of the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" Ketchikan has the nickname "Nowhere", Alaska. It's like this song was made for me.
^5: I've never really been able to figure out who I am.

See the rest of “All Good Things...”»

«Kepler Findings»

So the latest results from the Kepler Telescope puts the estimate of earth-like planets in our Milky Way Galaxy at 100 million. Turns out earth-sized planets are quite common in the galaxy. That isn't to say they are all in the goldilocks zone, but out of 100 million I'm willing to bet there are a couple million planets that are.

So where does that put the possibility of life as we know it forming on other planets? It happened here. Chances seem pretty good that it could happen on a few others out of the millions of planets out there. And that's just life as we know it. There could be other forms of life that can exist outside the habitable zone. At this point there is no evidence that there's other life out there, but it seems infeasible that Earth is that special.

Just something to think about.

Am I saying I believe in aliens over God? Well... yes. Frankly, there's more evidence for aliens. However, I do not believe they have ever visited us, or even know of our existence. Much the same way we don't know about them. The "aliens" may only be algae on some otherwise barren planet.

See the rest of “Kepler Findings”»

«Motivational Monday: Atheism (Bald)»

Such a good point. Seriously people, atheism is the absence of religion. Nonexistence is the default; it takes no faith. You (presumably) wouldn't believe any random whack-job claim without proof. Russel's Teapot comes to mind.

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«Doomsday Bet»

Hooray for Doomsday!


I'll be taking the same bet, on the same conditions (sans-cookie, no cookie for you). I will consider the prophecy fulfilled if the Earth is destroyed or unable to support human life on December 21st, 2012. Should the Doomsday come to pass, you will be paid on December 22nd, 2012. Void where prohibited.

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«Caturday: Stop Really Copy»

The days are counting down... Only 4 left.

See the rest of “Caturday: Stop Really Copy”»

«FSM iPhone 4 Skin»

After being in the US mail limbo for 22 days after it shipped, I finally got my Zagg Invisible Shield for my iPhone 4. There's also a green bumper from Apple on the phone.

Click image to view full.

There's also a clear one on the front. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It actually looks better in real life than it does in the photo above. You never know how vivid the colors are really going to be when they print it. It's made out of the same material they put on the leading edge of helicopter blades to prevent abrasion from sand and dust.

It's a custom design, I made it in photoshop. I took a picture of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from Venganza.org. The background came from NASA, it's a photo of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) as seen from the International Space Space Station.

Here's the original pic I sent to Zagg to make the skin.

Click image to view full.

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«The Great Flood»

And people literally believe the Noah's Ark story?

Atheist Comedy - The Great Flood

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«Busy Days»

The last couple of days have been busy. I bought my ferry ticket. $239.00 for a 1-way ticket for 1 passenger. Believe me, it's the cheapest way to leave this town. I'll be on the M/V Columbia for the 1 day and 15 hours it takes to get from Ketchikan, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington.

Once we get off the ferry, my future roommate and I will drive to Mount Vernon and stay with my grandparents for a couple of nights. Then it's off to Boise, Idaho.

I've been gathering my stuff, deciding what to take and what to leave. I've also been throwing out a lot of stuff. Some things I'm undecided about. Do I leave my chainmail shirt or take it with me?

Is there anyone from Boise that reads my blog? If so, shout out in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

See the rest of “Busy Days”»

«Shapechanging Cows»

This is what the cows do when they think you're not looking...

cows & cows & cows

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«Motivational Monday: Christian Disposal»

Now if only it were possible to dispose of the idea without disposing of the person... Oh well.

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«T Minus 10 Days»

10 days until the blog ends.

WHAT!?

Yeah, it's a little sudden. In 10 days I'll be moving away from Ketchikan, Alaska. During the transition I will be unable to blog. Too bad I won't quite make it to 1,000 consecutive posts.

I'm moving to Boise, Idaho. I have a friend I'm going to be roommates with. I've never been to Boise, but my friend went to college there. I'm to the point that I want to be anywhere other than Ketchikan. I was born on this rock, and being born in Ketchikan is like being born into bondage. You're trapped on an island, and it's so damn expensive to leave... Well, here's my chance.

It's a sudden change in my life; I'm leaping without looking on this one. That is very uncharacteristic of me. The very fiber of my being wants to over-analyze every situation and find reasons for not doing something. It's why my life has been stagnant for the past 5 years. And I'm terrified.

I've avoided talking about my personal life and feelings here. Partly because I think there's not much to talk about. I have very low self esteem and confidence. Coupled with agoraphobia¹ and chronic anxiety, I've been trapped in a prison of my own making. Unable to bring myself to get a job, let alone a social life. This move is a last-ditch effort² to escape from myself as much as it is from this town.

I will be forced to get a job and mingle with people. I will be forced out of my comfort zone, without an easy method of return. I'll either be able to cope or have a complete breakdown. But I need to do something. I've been watching my life pass by without anything to show for it.

^1: I was diagnosed with agoraphobia instead of social phobia because I'm not overly concerned with people's opinion of me. But I'm still phobic of social situations for some unexplained reason.
^2: Yes, I've tried counseling. It was marginally helpful, but it became clear I was not going to make a dramatic recovery.

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«Caturday: Whore Wash Illusion»

It's okay when the Bible says it...

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«The Sorcerer's Apprentice»

Now this looks like a move I want to see...

The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Film Clip: You Should Run

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«CMMG Tactical Bacon»

Without the Tactical Bacon, you cannot win.

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«Fuck Texas»

If Texas wants to secede from the union, I say let them! Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

They can declare Christianity as their official national religion, make prayer and creationism mandatory in schools, homosexuality illegal (punishable by death of course), erase Thomas Jefferson from history, and execute death row inmates with a vengeance only surpassed by their god... And all the nation's fundamentalists can move there and be with their own kind¹.

Meanwhile, the rest of us can finally get on with our lives unimpeded. Texas would become some sort of militant extremist Christian country, and the rest of the US would become more like Europe. Win-win for all!

Of course, the world would be fucked... If Texas secedes, Chuck Norris would become Supreme Arch-Theocrat of Texas.

^1: You know I hold no personal contempt toward you, Looney.

See the rest of “Fuck Texas”»

«Herp Derp»

Have you ever Herped so much, that you Derped?

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«Motivational Monday: I Am A Conformist»

Aw crap. I'm no longer a non-conformist because I'm not conforming to the other non-conformists.

See the rest of “Motivational Monday: I Am A Conformist”»

«iPhone 4»

It's the new iProduct! Apple fanboys rejoice!

iPhone 4 New Commercial

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«Caturday: iPhone»

So I finally got my iPhone 4.

See the rest of “Caturday: iPhone”»

«Blend the Vuvuzela»

I haven't watched any of the World Cup 2010. Yet I'm still tired of the vuvuzelas.

Will It Blend? - Vuvuzela World Cup 2010

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«"Better Place" is Degrading»

Let it be said here that if I should ever die without outlining it in an official will: I do not want any religious overtone at my funeral, memorial, or burial. I am an atheist. I live as an atheist, and I should die as one.

You are free to say a private prayer for yourself. But for my sake, please don't say a public prayer. It would be degrading to the life that I lived to say I'd be in a "better place" after I die. That's what I was thinking when it was said at the Kralus' memorial. It's strange how trivial things like that can stick in your mind.

I'd also like any and all usable body parts (organs and such) to be donated to people who need them, anything that is left should be donated to science or cremated.

There is one more thing I would like to ask you all as my friends: if I should ever be in a vegetative state and kept alive on life support, please

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«2010 4th of July Parade (Photo Heavy)»

The annual 4th of July parade in Ketchikan, Alaska. Although judging by how it started, I almost thought I was in Iraq or Afghanistan with all the armed soldiers marching down the street. Click an image to view full.

Then it appeared I was in Canada.

Prince Rupert, BC to be exact.

Or maybe I was in Scotland? I vote the Misty Thistle Pipes and Drums as the best performance in the parade.

Now I appear to be watching a political rally. There were floats for both Bill Walker and Lisa Murkowski (not pictured). I vote the Bill Walker float as the ugliest in the parade.

Wait, did I take a wrong turn and end up on the highway to Hell? Seriously, why was this even in the parade?

*sigh* Advertising for the new Twili- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING DRIVING THE TRUCK!?

The Ketchikan Fire Department at their best.

A McDonald's meal, in MY parade? It's more likely than you think... At least I know I'm in America now, where the fast food goes strait to the hips.

After the parade there were hordes of people at the booths. I'm not sure why, all the booths were pretty lame.

You may notice these pictures were taken in 2 different locations. I watched the parade where it first started. Then I walked through town, catching back up to the beginning of the parade and watched it again. Yeah... I had nothing better to do that day.

See the rest of “2010 4th of July Parade (Photo Heavy)”»

«Amoral Agents of Satan»

Wait... Is that an ankh on her necklace?

Yes, I do see the hypocrisy in me posting this sort of thing. While not to that extreme, I am outspoken against religion. Superstitions, magical thinking, and false beliefs can and do have a detrimental impact on all of us; not just the believers.

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«Motivational Monday: Formerly Obese Man»

Now what is he? A fat-ass?

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«The Bagpipes (with Video)»

Friggin' bagpipes man, I'm going insane!

I live fairly close to where all the Independence Day festivities are happening this year. For the past 3 days now, I've been hearing the faint sound of bagpipe music. It seems to ebb and flow, and when I can't actually hear it, I'm imagining it. It's like it continues to play in my head even after it's stopped. When I'm actually down there amongst the festivities there's usually some other music playing, completely unrelated to bagpipes.

I know there was a guy in town that would drive his truck back and forth through town with his windows down, blaring bagpipe music. He use to do it all summer. For the sake of my sanity, I was hoping it was him I was hearing.

I do like bagpipe music, it's an amazing instrument. But randomly hearing it all the time without any logical source leads to insanity. Yesterday I finally found a source. It doesn't explain why I've been hearing bagpipes all day for 3 days, but I still feel better. They are the Misty Thistle Pipes & Drums, local here in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Click image to view full.

Yes, they're playing out in the rain. Like true Ketchikanites, they don't let a little rain stop them.

This is my first upload to YouTube. I recorded a song they performed in the Plaza yesterday (July 3rd, 2010) outside the AT&T store.

Misty Thistle Pipes & Drums Ketchikan, Alaska

They will be marching in the parade today as well.

See the rest of “The Bagpipes (with Video)”»

«Caturday: Patriot Pwned Hat»

What the cat said...

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«Atheism, Christianity and... Toast?»

Athesim

The belief that there was nothing and nothing happened to nothing and then nothing magically exploded for no reason, creating everything and then a bunch of everything magically rearranged itself for no reason what so ever into self-replicating bits which then turned into dinosaurs.

Makes perfect sense.

Christianity

The belief that some cosmic Jewish Zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.

Makes perfect sense.

Toast

The belief that some dead bits of plant things that grow in fields, and some clear liquid stuff, and some little dots which are alive somehow, and some other stuff, can somehow be magically zapped together to make some food, which can then be cut into bits, then put into a thing that magically zaps it again somehow to make it go different for absolutely no reason, and then you can eat it.

Makes perfect sense.

Strawman

An informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To "attack a straw man" is to create the illusion of having refuted a proposition by substituting a superficially similar yet weaker proposition and refuting it, without ever having actually refuted the original position.

That actually does make perfect sense.

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«Brown Mountain Road»

Scenery from an old logging road named Brown Mountain Road. These were taken June 9th, 2010.

Click image to view full.

Looking across the valley.

Click image to view full.

Zoomed in on the snow melt.

Click image to view full.

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