I better put my boots on...

... so I can start quaking in them, re: this announcement.

I mean, seriously: can the Norks even successfully hit South Korea, let alone project force across the Pacific?

And how many people across the US, if Kim actually managed to lob a missle across and hit the White House, would be upset? I know a bunch who would probably send the man a beer for that one.

Ecigs, revisited

Ok... if you've been reading me for awhile (or actually went through and read everything I've posted), you may remember me experimenting with Blu ecigs.

That experiment failed: worked for a while, but I just couldn't stop smoking regular smokes. And, after a short time, I had given up on the gadgets. Then tried again, with a better set-up: couldn't make it work right. Even tried a third time, when a vape shop opened nearby: still no joy.

Recently, and in part to the promptings of a certain 12 year old, I decided to try again. This time, it seems to be working. And oh my gawds, the variety of gadgets available!

There is, almost literally, something available for any lifestyle or price range. There are the beginners' "eGo" system: a simple battery and tank, with an atomizer coil of some kind, all usually sold as a kit. There are "mods": devices that hold a removable battery, come in all shapes and sizes, with a variety of features (or, on the opposite end, are nothing more than a simple tube with some wires and a switch). There are pipes, boxes, tubes... you name it, someone makes it. There are even a fair number of folks building their own

So... given this new hobby, I'll be covering some vaping stuff on here. If you smoke, and would like to get away from it, I'm hoping what I convey here will help.

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First things first: benefits. I basically stopped smoking in October (I still bum a few, but that's getting less frequent). My sense of smell has come back in a BIG way (as in "I can smell smokers right away). No more smokers' hack. No more smell. And SAVINGS

Did a quick bit of math. I was spending roughly $1500 a year on tobacco and papers (more if you count lighter fluid and such). Quite a bit of scratch!

My current set-up for vaping (Sigelei Legend II, eLeaf iStick, couple of tanks for different liquids) totaled $270. Then add liquid, batteries (figuring replace once a year), and atomizer coils (which I rebuild to save more): estimating $600/year recurring. Hell... even buying new gear every year, I'm coming in at around half the cost.

Cons? There's a bit more of a start-up cost: a basic starter kit is around $30 (maybe less on evilbay) plus juice (at least another $5-10), instead of $6 for a pack of smokes and a Bic. There's also a learning curve: lots of variables involved in vaping. And you will still be lumped in with the rest of the social lepers (although it is MUCH easier to get away with vaping in Sprawlmart than smoking).

So overall... I would call the switch a net benefit. Not to mention it makes a certain 12 year old happy that I'm not smoking anymore!

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A couple good resources, if you want to learn more:

www.sweet-vapes.com (local vape shop, located in Sheboygan WI. VERY knowledgeable, with a friendly staff and good prices on gear and a great selection)

www.ecblendflavors.com (where I've been getting juice: selection and prices that are crazy good)

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com (forum for vapers of all kinds. LOTS of info available)

Bloody Hell

I'll admit up front: I don't really follow the news anymore. It's mostly depressing "if it bleeds it leads" garbage, and sports figures. Neither of which really interest me in the slightest.

So... I come across this. If you haven't heard: Greenpeace members, during the UN climate talks in Peru, decided to add to the Nazca Lines by setting out fabric strips to spell out "Time for change! The future is renewable Greenpeace" next to the Hummingbird.

Cue instant rage

Seriously: had someone at the local brew house walked up and started talking about Greenpeace after I read that, I would be sitting in jail right now. There are some lines that simply should NOT be crossed. And this didn't cross them, it pole-vaulted them. Here's hoping the guilty parties are imprisoned until the damage they caused is gone


Edit: forgot the damn link!

Oh, hi

Been a LONG year. Not going into details: nobody's business. Figured I would try using this again.

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Reading over at Larry's and saw this. Go, read, take it to heart. All it takes for evil to triumph, and all that...

The International 100 Mile Ride

Hey folks!

So it's that time of year again: we'll soon be doing the 100 Mile Ride for BACA. I had a goal this year: $200. Unfortunately, I'm currently going to be a bit short of that. So I'm going to up the stakes a bit.

If friends on Face Book (and the couple readers I have here) donate enough to push me over the $200 line, I'll be listing all the "out there" colors of hair dye available at my local Sally Beauty Supply. Folks will have one week to vote: the winner is the color I'll dye my head (and post pics of the result, here and on FB)

Hit me up at baca.strings@gmail.com. I do have a paypal acct (under a different addy), if that works better than sending a check. And remember: all proceeds go towards helping abused kids!

Veterens' Day Essay

So... a good friend's 11 year old daughter recently won a contest for essay she wrote about "what Veterans' Day means to me". Occurs to me that y'all might like to give it a read.

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What Veteran's Day Means to Me
By: Alexandria Kifer

Veteran's Day is a time to remember the heroic men and women who faithfully and courageously served our country and to whom we owe our precious lives.
Today is cold, I can hear the stormy wind singing its sad song, but I feel proud and calm.  In my hands is an envelope with the name of a courageous and valiant veteran on it.  He was on a mission in Vietnam, fighting the enemy, when his aircraft was shot down.  The damage to his plane was beyond repair.  Many of his crewmen were killed or wounded, but he survived.
I try to envision his pain.  War is bloody, cruel, and haunting.  He encountered death many times, but survived its deadly jaws.  He had a dream that one day there would be peace for every child, man, and woman in the world.  I would like to give this brave and heroic veteran a gift from my heart.  I would like to thank him and all veterans for the heroic and courageous sacrifices they made to preserve our priceless freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Our veterans are wise, courageous, generous and heroic men and women whose love and unselfish service to our country are an inspirations to all of us.  Their sacrifices and bravery made this great country of ours, the land of the Free, and the home of the Brave.

Veterens' Day Essay

So... a good friend's 11 year old daughter recently won a contest for essay she wrote about "what Veterans' Day means to me". Occurs to me that y'all might like to give it a read.

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What Veteran's Day Means to Me
By: Alexandria Kifer

Veteran's Day is a time to remember the heroic men and women who faithfully and courageously served our country and to whom we owe our precious lives.
Today is cold, I can hear the stormy wind singing its sad song, but I feel proud and calm.  In my hands is an envelope with the name of a courageous and valiant veteran on it.  He was on a mission in Vietnam, fighting the enemy, when his aircraft was shot down.  The damage to his plane was beyond repair.  Many of his crewmen were killed or wounded, but he survived.
I try to envision his pain.  War is bloody, cruel, and haunting.  He encountered death many times, but survived its deadly jaws.  He had a dream that one day there would be peace for every child, man, and woman in the world.  I would like to give this brave and heroic veteran a gift from my heart.  I would like to thank him and all veterans for the heroic and courageous sacrifices they made to preserve our priceless freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Our veterans are wise, courageous, generous and heroic men and women whose love and unselfish service to our country are an inspirations to all of us.  Their sacrifices and bravery made this great country of ours, the land of the Free, and the home of the Brave.

Weird grocery

So... haven't really mentioned it before, but I do have a day job, working for an inventory service. Which means I sometimes see things categorized in slightly odd fashions

Thus is one of those times. Unfortunately, this is NOT the oddest I've seen

You keep using that word...

... I do not think it means what you think it means

The money quote here, regarding this murder/suicide:

"Question is to whether or not she was safe, she was, in fact, we were protecting her. We also made sure with the protective order in addition to, provided protection to him," Hite said. "I think due diligence was done by detectives in both cases, making sure there was protection around him and her. There is some technology we used to make sure that happened."

Remember this the next time someone says something to you about how you should just cower behind a piece of paper