... you're amused by ponies for several minutes.

Lotsa to catch you up on, but I probably won't have time until this damned semester ends, already.

Though one quicky update: I won the grand prize at "Bike to Mason Day," a $400 hybrid bike. The Provost himself gave me the prize. Below is a pic of me talking to one of the staff when I arrived that morning to check in.

( pic of me at Bike to Mason Day (warning: large and slow) )

Tags: biking

I love my friends:

--------------------------------- Andrew ----------------------------------
From what I can tell, evangelicals have found a way to make really big needle
eyes, or really tiny camels.
-------------------------- Andrew stops pasting ---------------------------

--------------------------------- Andrew ----------------------------------
Going to war for the Tao would be about as silly as going to war for
electromagnetism: “How dare you defame electromagnetism! Everyone knows
gravity is the true primal force!”
-------------------------- Andrew stops pasting ---------------------------


Andrew [to Brian]: Maybe it’s just me, but I find it amusing that Free
Republic is incorporated in California.

Help me keep the shell people alive.

Tags: geekery, ha, unix
Current Mood: amused

This is allegedly my itinerary for today for the Bass Ale promotion:

1. 1pm - Kates, 6131 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA
   
2. 1:45 - Hard Times, 6362 Springfield, Springfield, VA
   
3. 2:30 - O'Connells, King St., Alexandria (This may be a no-go since they don't have Bass.)
   
4. 3:15 - Murphy's, King St. Alexandria
   
5. 4:30 - Kitty O'Sheas (May skip this one, too, also for not having Bass.)
   
6. 5:10 - Whitlows, Wilson Blvd.
   
7. 6pm - Baileys, 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
   
8. 6:40 - Front Page, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
   
9. 7:20 - Lucky's, 7027 Manchester Blvd, Alexandria, VA
   

Not sure if I'm going to hang round too long after my last performance. Unfortunately I have a mid-term exam tomorrow, and I need to get in some serious study time for it.

Anyhoo, I realize the chances are low, but I do hope to bump into some of you while I'm piping for fun 'n profit.

Tags: piping

I haven't caught up on LJ, but no doubt many have already posted that Gary Gygax has passed on.

Be sure to read the comments. It's very touching to see the positive influence this man and his creation have had on so many.

I remember the first old D&D blue box edition. The cheap cardboard crumbled over the months, and the dice quickly wore to sad little pock marked plastic asteroids. But, oh, the memories that outlasted the original paper and plastic.

It's tempting to throw together a game ... just for ole times' sake. And as a salute to a man and the pastime he created.

(Oh, but for the time. *sigh*)

Tags: d&d, games, passing of giants

The band will be performing in the Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade. (Yeah, I know it's two weeks before the actual day; but they always have their parade that early.)

Step off - 1230
Assembly - 1100
Street closing - 1100 (this one is vague I will try to get better info. But, the earlier you arrive the better.

The start is at West and King. This is approx 11 blocks from the end which is at Fairfax and King. The parade runs west to east towards the river. There are a ton of parking garages etc at the end of the route at St Asaph, Pitt, Lee and Union streets. All parking regs are in effect including meters. More to come.

However, I won't be in the parade this year because it conflicts with one of the piping gigs I spoke of a few months ago. So, here's my performance schedule for Saturday:

• 12 noon - Murphy’s
  13 King St, Alexandria, VA
• 12:45pm – D. O’Connell’s
  112 King St, Alexandria, VA
• 1:30pm – Sine
  1201 S. Joyce St, Arlington, VA

Not sure how I'm getting around as I've not yet spoken to the promoters. I suspect I'll be transported, but that's not a definite thing.

My next set of performances will be on St. Patrick's day itself, March 17th. I'll post my schedule for that day as that time approaches in case anyone will be taking off then and would like to pub hop along with me.

Tags: piping, pubs

While cooking dinner, I overheard a commercial.

"No one has more bars ..."

And I thought, "Ireland?"

"... than Verizon."

Oh. I liked my version better.

Tags: pubs

(H/t to arensb)

Dear Mark:

The results of your PhD qualifying exams for Spring 08 are as follows:

Software Constructions: Pass

*thuds to floor*

Well, that's it. All my qualifying exams are now behind me and I can move forward on to the next challenges in the program. (Which appears to be getting my plan of study sorted and finding a replacement class for the one that was canceled. Oh, and surviving the Spring semester on a TA's salary. MMm, ramen noodles.)

Tags: school, w00t

From our drum sergeant:

... we are still without at Grade 5 Bass Drummer. If you know someone who
would like to come to practice and give it a try, please let me know and I
will bring the bass drum. We are somewhat restricted now with our practice
space but maybe we could have both bands run some parade music on big
instruments and if Laura is there (which she usually is), she could give you
some pointers! It is crucial that we find someone soon. Our next
competition is just over 3 months away!

Band practice, for those that are interested, is usually Monday nights at the Layhill Road Park Police facility -- it's walkable from the Glenmont Metro stop. Sometimes, especially during competition season, we will have Sunday practices.

( The band's tentative 2008 schedle )

Tags: band