BryTee and friends's topics - tribe.net

=:)

2008-04-26T10:47:24Z

BryTee is Cool!!!

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((BRYTEE))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

=:)

C-

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

BRY TEE Upside Down

2008-04-16T11:59:32Z

What is Bry Tee doing upside-down with five squares followed by a q?

Karl

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

BRY TEE ROCKS

2008-04-15T09:18:22Z

Yes he does! Who's with me on this one?

posted in BryTee and friends - 3 replies

Wishing you a Happy New Year!!

2008-01-02T18:35:37Z

I would like to wish you the happiest new year.

Hugs to you and yours
David

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

Oi!

2007-10-31T06:07:01Z

Howdy y'all! Konban wa. Saluton and all that.
Why didn't I noticed this tribe before? Anyway, hey Bryan hope ya don't mind if I bug in occasionally.

Greetings and happy evening. o.o
o

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

Getting to know people

2007-10-24T21:03:51Z

As pulled from a tribe friend's blog... for your and my pleasure, feel free to answer as many of these as you like.
Send your answers privately if you want to be VERY honest.

1) Can you cook?
2) What was your dream growing up?
3) What talent do you wish you had?
4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
5) Favorite vegetable?
6) What was the last book you read?
7) What zodiac sign are you ?
8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
9) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favorite sport?
12) Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you?
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be???
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What color eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or Draft?
25) If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it?
26) Would you date me?
27) What 's your favorite place to hang at?
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30) Do you swear a lot?
31) Biggest pet peeve?
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
34) If you could spend 12 hours with me and ask/do anything you like, what would it be?
35) Do you believe in God?
36) Will you repost this/message me/or whatever... so I can fill it out and do the same with you in mind?

posted in BryTee and friends - 8 replies

Chocolate

2007-10-15T08:29:40Z

Had a big bar for breakfast ... needed it.

posted in BryTee and friends - 12 replies

San Francisco "decompression"

2007-10-13T05:42:52Z

I posted photos online at: http://www.dongrays.com/bm-decom-sf2007
I advertised it, and isn't NOT surprising my weblog reports the top photo viewed (in just 2 days) is the one of the sexy (even if she is way way thin) girl (she's black with white fishnets, tight T shirt).

Why do people not look at the art I photograph :-(
Not just here, but at all my pages!

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Burningman photos

2007-10-10T12:40:18Z

Mine for 2007 are finally online, see: http://www.dongrays.com/burningman2007/photos/

If you have any, please post so I can see them, thanks.

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

Astrological stuff

2007-10-10T12:28:35Z

Mercury, the messenger of the gods Mercury Retrograde

At 04:01 UT (Universal Time), on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, Mercury, the cosmic trickster, turns retrograde in Scorpio, the sign of the Scorpion, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! Once again, it's one of those tricky time zone issues, as in the Americas it happens late on the 11th! This awkward period begins a few days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until November 1, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.

Everything finally straightens out on November 17, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde.

What does Mercury affect?

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

It is therefore not wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is very likely that these decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde, these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!

The Key Issue

The key issue here is one of focus. Mercury's retro phase tends to bring unforeseen changes and blockages, but the aggravation and frustration that many of us experience during these periods is often due to our own inability to roll with the punches. Is this due to our ego-fixation? Mercury sets out to restructure our thinking processes and for many of us this is painful and frustrating. Moreover, these experiences reveal flaws in our internal organisation as well as our external planning, which can make us feel foolish and inadequate.

Mercury retrograde, like any cosmic aspect, affects people differently, depending on where it hits their personal charts. Some people actually prosper under a retro Mercury, especially if Mercury is retrograde but otherwise well-aspected in their birth charts. It is also a time when matters begun under a previous retro period will come to fruition, or completion as the case may be. Firm decisions that have been previously made when Mercury is travelling normally through the zodiac may be implemented or finalised while Mercury is retrograde without too much worry, for experience shows that this can be done without undue problems arising.

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio
Scorpio, the Scorpion

When Mercury is retrograde, everyone's thinking is more introspective and we tend to think about issues and concerns which relate to the sign involved. With Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, people with this sign prominent in their charts will be especially prone to such introspection. There is little choice but to reconsider our personal views and opinions about life. We receive, however, an opportunity to gain insight into our own ego.

Mercury retro in Scorpio creates a skeptical, cynical mood, with mental and emotional confusion arising through an undue fixation on secrecy and the hidden side of things. People cling to their opinions, despite the evidence and will fight (sometimes to the death!) to defend them. Mercury in Scorpio gives a shrewd and penetrating mind, keen aspiration, a quick wit and a sharp, sarcastic tongue. People are inclined to be headstrong and difficult to get along with. Knowledge and information tends to be equated with power and secrecy. Conspiracy theories raise their ugly heads. Although skepticism is rampant, the other side of this is an attraction to mysticism and the occult. An intriguing attraction may be shortlived and interest in the opposite sex may be misconstrued by others.
Mercury remains in Scorpio until October 24th, when he rolls back to Libra, creating havoc with the law, the arts and hairdressing appointments! He returns to Scorpio on November 11th, with Mars stationary about to turn retrograde in Cancer on November 15th, but read on for more on Mercury's stay in Libra.

Mercury Retrograde in Libra
Libra, the Scales

At 03:38 hrs UT on October 24, Mercury slips back into Libra, the sign of the Scales. Mercury retro in Libra suggests trouble by lawsuits through partnerships or an unfaithful marriage partner. Art and music tend to be a focus, but be sure to keep track of the tickets and make those bookings carefully. People think they are being objective, but actually they will be more likely to dither, not trusting their intuition. In many cases, more emotional finesse and less intellectual analysis is needed. Kidneys may play up due to nervousness and stress. Drink plenty of pure water to keep that kidney filtration happening.

Mercury turns direct again at 23° 27' Libra on November 1, returning to Scorpio on November 11th. With Mars stationary and Venus heading south (by declination), romantic communications in particular could be fraught!

All areas of communication are affected, especially in matters related to the family, business, particularly home business, travel, domestic relationships and real estate purchases in general. This period brings travel snafus and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.

[from: http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html ]

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

Never met me?!

2007-10-10T12:12:09Z

Hey! I just noticed that my profile is in your "Haven't Met" list. You've met me plenty of times. We even hung out last time I was in SF.

I demand to be moved!

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Free hugs

2007-10-10T12:10:48Z

You've possibly seen the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
Notice how I have the same hair and similar beard to the guy in the video.
So I made my own sign http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=ka005244&ref=tbb for SF decompression (Oct 8, 2006). It was a hit. I didn't have to have a petition to stop any ban for me to parade this sign.
People would come upto me and ask if I were the guy in the video!

I'll be at the LA decompression with it this Saturday (Oct 14). If you see me, come get your free hug!

posted in BryTee and friends - 5 replies

My mother died

2007-10-08T05:09:38Z

For those who do not read blogs, particularly mine, I thought I'd tell friends this way too.

On Sep 12, at 3:30pm (UK BST) she had a stroke, was taken into hospital, but died at 6:28pm. She was 75.

The funeral was on Sep 21. With mostly just immediate family in attendance. There are some photos in my profile photos: http://people.tribe.net/btd/photos

Weird butterfly incidences happened and I blogged them about in: http://people.tribe.net/btd/blog/a7490221-ce68-40d9-8fe9-db4cce3d2824

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Firefox browser

2007-10-07T01:02:15Z

Someone asked what addons I'd downloaded into my Firefox browser, so here's the full list:
• abcTajpu
a` b\ c^ ---> à β ĉ (http://lingvo.org/abctajpu)
• Answers
Alt+Click on any word or term for quick info (definitions, up-to-the-minute reference, and more). No selection is necessary!
• Copy Link Name
Copies the name (source) of a link.
• DOM Inspector
Inspects the structure and properties of a window and its contents.
• Download Embedded
Downloads all embedded objects on a webpage.
• Download Statusbar
View and manage downloads from a tidy statusbar
• DT Whois
Domaintools.com whois button for Firefox
• Exif Viewer
Extracts and displays the Exchangeable Image File (Exif) data, as stored by digital still cameras, in both local and remote JPEG images.
• Fasterfox
Performance and network tweaks for Firefox.
• Firefox (default)
The default theme
• Flashblock
Replaces Flash objects with a button you can click to view them.
• Forecastfox Enhanced
Get international weather forecasts and radar images and display it in any toolbar or statusbar with this highly customizable extension.
• Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer
Synchronizes your bookmarks across machines.
• FoxyTunes
Control any media player from Firefox and more...
• Html Validator
Adds HTML validation to the View Page Source of the browser. The validation is done by Tidy from W3c.
• Image Zoom
Adds zoom functionality for images
• MeasureIt
Draw out a ruler to get the pixel width and height of any elements on a webpage.
• Nuke Anything Enhanced
Allow hiding of almost anything via context menu
• Parent Folder
Go up a folder level
• Print/Print Preview
Replace the default "Print" button with the Mozilla Suite style "Print/Print Preview" toolbar button/menu. Adds new options to context menu as well.
• QuickRestart
Adds a "Restart Firefox" item to the Tools menu.
• Searchbar Autosizer
Auto resizes the searchbox as you type
• Search Images With a Single Click
Highlight search criteria with the mouse, right click, and choose "Search Images"
• SearchWords
Add keywords to your search engine
• Server Spy
Indicates what brand of HTTP server runs on the visited site.
• SmoothWheel
Scrolls the document smoothly when scrolling the mouse wheel
• Split Browser
Splits browser window as you like.
• Stop-or-Reload Button
Turns the stop and reload buttons into a single one. When you can stop, you have a Stop button, otherwise you have a Reload button. (Like Safari)
• Sun Cult
Worldwide Sunrise, Sunset, Twilight, Moonrise and Moonset Times
• Tab Catalog
Shows thumbnail-style catalog of tabs.
• Tab Mix Plus
Tab browsing with an added boost.
• Talkback
Sends information about program crashes to Mozilla.
• Tiny Menu
Replace the standard menu bar with a tiny menu popup.
• User Agent Switcher
Adds a menu and a toolbar button to switch the user agent of the browser.
• VideoDownloader
Download videos from Youtube, Google, Metacafe, iFilm, Dailymotion... and other 60+ video sites ! And all embedded objects on a webpage (movies, mp3s, flash, quicktime, etc).
• Web Developer
Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools.

for screenshots, or to install it for yourself, go to the addons page https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions and enter the name of the extension (as seen above).
One thing to do is not to restart your browser after each install of an addon, just download a number of the above or other ones you find, then restart (which is just a click in the addon box) to enable all of them at once.

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Thunderbird email extensions

2007-10-04T01:01:44Z

I guess using tribe as a place to store my email tool extensions, and in case someone else uses thunderbird (v1.5) you might find these useful/fun:
• abcTajpu
a` b\ c^ ---> à β ĉ (http://lingvo.org/abctajpu)
• AboutConfig
about:config
• ConfigDate
Configure the 'Date' column and displayed date in message header
• Enigmail
OpenPGP message encryption and authentication
• Exif Viewer
Extracts and displays the Exchangeable Image File (Exif) data, as stored by digital still cameras, in both local and remote JPEG images.
• FoxyTunes
Control any media player from Firefox and more...
• Image Zoom
Adds zoom functionality for images
• Restart Thunderbird
Restart Thunderbird with ease
• SenderFace
SenderFace enables you to associate images (faces) with Email senders (from field).
• Show InOut
Adds columns to ThreadPane indicating if a mail is incoming or outgoing
• SmoothWheel
Scrolls the document smoothly when scrolling the mouse wheel
• TripleSelect
Select a paragraph by triple-clicking on text.
• URL Link
Allow navigation to broken/unlinked URLs

Now to find someone who I can test out things like encrypted mail at the touch of a button.
I also haven't yet got SenderFace to work yet, but I'm sure I will get it to work, then I'll find photos of friends, and have their pictures appear in my mail when they send me messages :-)

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Granddad Bryan

2007-07-22T07:04:07Z

Born: 6:30am in Norwich, England
Keira Jasmine weighed 7lb ½oz

Ascendent:Aries
Sun:Aries (1st house)
Moon:Virgo (6th house)
Mercury:Picses(12th house)
Venus:Taurus(1st house)
Mars:Aquarius(12th house)
Jupiter:Sagittarius(9th house)
Saturn:Leo(6th house)
Uranus:Picses(12th house)
Neptune:Aquarius(12th house)
Pluto:Sagittarius(9th & 10th house)

posted in BryTee and friends - 3 replies

Happy Birthday, Bryan!

2007-05-04T18:38:39Z

From the bottom of my heart, Bryan, I wish you a Happy Birthday. Home Town Buffet - look out, here comes the Birthday Boy!

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

Airplane "rollercoaster"

2007-01-24T02:04:57Z

Yesterday (May 6) I got the chance to go on a flight of a different type.

It's a freight plane (Boing 727), with only 27 passenget seats in the back. The rest (about 90ft) is all open. Imagine a mid-sized plane usually 3 seats either side, but no seats in it at all. The flight plan is to fly out of San Jose, go out over the pacific to a dedicated 100 mile long area for this plane to fly from 24,000ft upto 32,000ft and back down again, repeatedly, with occasional level flights. Like a big rollercoaster.

Yes, you've guessed, to simulate zero gravity! Well... at least for about 30 seconds at a time on the "peaks" of the flight.

So we sign in, they give us a talk, and I'm all prepared with what I want to do. A list of 12 things from juggling (or at least trying to), handstands, pushups, flips, flying like superman, drinking water, blowing air inside a bubble of water (with a straw), rotating my arms to see if I can rotate my body without touching the walls, I'm sure there was more...

We're split into 3 teams of 9 people each, have a final talk, get wanded by the TSA, and go out to the plane to get some photos taken, outside the plane: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=0g-group&html=1&ref=tribe I'm the 4th from the left.
We get on the plane, and so do the other 2 teams.
No windows, but it's ok as there is plenty of room inside the plane, I was in the aisle seat anyway. Take off (lots of cheers), and in flight (no movie or snacks) they take our shoes, and give us colored socks (to match our teams colors). This I guess is so we don't kick anyone!

We get to the designated place, and we have a big group photo (or 3), and that'll be sent to each of the passengers (along with all other photos and some video footage). We then go to our teams designed 30ft spot. Being in the gold team, we get the front of the plane, which is nice since you can use the wall (to the pilots) to lean on, or whatever. But to get into the rollercoaster the plane has to pull up hard and while doing that we all experience almost 2g, and it's a rule to laydown, if you didn't you'd fall much faster, twice as fast, but with acceleration I think that means 4 times the speed hitting the floor. I believe the equation of energy is ½mv² so twice the velocity means 4 times the energy. Ouch!
You could feel being twice as heavy, mostly, but then after 30 seconds or so, the crew call out "Martian 1", which means the flight is going over the top of the flight curve in such a way that we all feel about one third of gravity. I weight 180lbs, so I felt I weighed 60lb, but with the same strength!
I did pushups (and one handed), and even just standing you could feel how light you were made by the flight. But 40 seconds was all too quick, the plane was in a dive and had to pull up again, so we quickly had to lay down for the heavy part of the flight (1.8g actually).
The next 3 plane arcs were lunar gravity simulations, where everyone felt one sixth their weight. I did a handstand and pushed off to do a flip in a ball and landed on the floor on my butt, but it was ok, very light fall being only one sixth and a slow fall too. But I totally lost my sense of direction, even though I was sitting, the plane looked like it was tilting. Afterward the mechanics of the effects of less gravity in my ears was explained, as to why possible my brain thought I was tilting forwards. But one or two seconds, and my brain understood what is up again. I did some "superman" flights to the camera, so hopefully they came out well. We'll see.

Then after those 5 low gravity simulations (1 mars, 4 moon), the plame did some level flight, for about 5 minutes. We chatted, and I looked at my list to see what I was going to do, and I'd missed out juggling, but it's like being on the stage for the first time, you get "dumbstruck", so it's nice to have the zero G "coaches" to tell you what to do, otherwise you'd forget and just laugh and jump a bit, not that you're not giggling anyway! It feels like being a kid experiencing a slide or swing for the first time. Wow!

So after the 5 minutes, again we lay down as the plane pulls up, but this time over the top they fly a zero gravity simulation! You are floating, I wave to the camera, do some superman floating, but again am dumbstruck about doing any "tricks". This happens 3 times, floating around, etc. On the third of those three 0g flights, I did look down the plane to see everyone else, which probably was a mistake, as I felt myself burp, and it didn't taste nice. Once down and in level flight, I was sweating a bit, and got some water and they suggested a cloth to dry my face. So for the 0g 4, 5, and 6 flights, again, fun, but now I had water I tried to make bubbles of floating water, and squeezing the plastic bottle, I got a big bubble coming out, so released the bottle and the water went back in! So I grabbed my straw, sucked some out, and blew it into the air, but in blowing it, the water made a bubble which was floating away from me! I tried to chase it, but I was floating and my legs kicked the air and not the floor, and the water floated into the ceiling and I couldn't reach it! I was hoping to blow air into it - no chance!
On the sixth 0g arc, I thought to try the "zen" pose, and just float. They said going upside-down is great, as the ceiling becomes the floor, the floor looks like a ceiling, and everyone is upside-down and you're the only right-side up one! So I did this.
Big mistake!
Being at the front of the plane I got to look down at everyone. It felt like looking down an elevator shaft, and seeing everyone floating upside down, right side up, towards me, away from me, etc, and I wasn't falling either. Extremely confusing! And my stomach agreed it was not right, so felt I must have eaten poison berries as that's the only way I'd be hallucinating (so thinks my caveman stomach), so I started to vomit. Not wanting to make a mess, I kept my mouth closed and waved to the coach, who had a sickbag to hand (I found in my confused state I couldn't get mine out of my pocket)! Luckily this was a few seconds from the pull out, and I sat (no I didn't lay down) being sick into this bag! Luckily the next part was a 5 minute level flight. So after having some wet cloths to cool me down, they asked if I'd be ok for the next four 0g flights? I knew I wouldn't be, so I asked to go back to my seat. Somebody else was already in their seat, perhaps not feeling so good. They gave me a big white 30 gallon trash bag, as being in 0g, a small bag isn't as effective as keeping everything in the bag. But I didn't need it. Most of my next "heaves" were dry, since I'd only eaten a little before the flight, knowing I might feel not so good.

So now I'm in my seat, I tighten my belt, and we're back to heavy G curve, which was really good, I held my hands out to feel the extra weight, I could feel the heaviness on my seat, and even my neck could feel my head twice as heavy. Back to 0g. I didn't feel so bad, so I got a bubble of water to float in front of me, and drank it with a straw, but I must have sucked too hard, or maybe I wasn't still ok, as it made me throw up again! Maybe it didn't help I could still see everyone at crazy angles in the open part of the plane?
Through 0g flights eight and nine, I just relaxed, but in doing so I could feel the plane making corrections to try to keep as good as a 0g path as they could, not only up and down, but forward and back, and side to side, to keep a perfect 0g through corrections. I could also feel the plane slowly turning through the heavy G parts too. I couldn't tell how fast it was turning, but there was some angular momentum happening that I could feel sitting, strapped tightly into the plane, unlike when lying down I couldn't feel that, just heavier.

When the last 0g (or number 10 - or arc number 15 since there were 5 low gravity flight first) was happening, I do remember, having a little "dry heave", and maybe in reaction to being so relieved when they levelled out for the last time.

Everyone came back to their seats, we got our shoes back, although I initially didn't want to lean down to tie my laces, until closer to landing, just in case. We also were given a snack too.

Off the plane, where we each got off one at a time, we had our individual photo taken with the CEO of the zero G company http://www.nogravity.com as we step back onto solid ground. Then back to the airport terminal, some celebration drinks and food (I just had crackers), we each got a nicely framed photo of the group (see above http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=0g-group&html=1&ref=tribe ) but also a certificate http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=0g-cert&html=1&ref=tribe of completion. We also got a logo'd sports bag and a T-shirt (or two).

I chatted with the crew about what had happened with me, and apparently 40% or 50% of astronauts had experienced sickness at one time or other, but as the 0g flights are started out with low gravity flights, and are interspaced with level flight, this reduces sickness down to virtually none (ok: 2 out of 27 for our flight, but the other person may not have been actually sick - I didn't ask). If I do it again, I can get some heavy motion sickness medicine from a doctor, which would help out. I gave the flight attendent a big hug and really thanked her a lot, since she was looking after me at the end.

If someone even said I'd feel sick, would I have not done it! No way. Of course I'd do it.
Would I do it again. Yes. But only with something that might prevent the sickness. OR... I'd do things that didn't mean seeing everyone else in all directions floating and being crazy! BUT... someone said they felt bad the first time, but they got used to it, so the next time it was all ok.

It was amazing. I would tell everyone to try it, if they get the chance.

I'll post the photos once I get them.

posted in BryTee and friends - 15 replies

Why this tribe?

2007-01-22T05:26:09Z

Because I'm thinking of using it as a way to blog.
Why have a different medium to the one I'm used to.

It may not work, but here goes...

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

Q&A

2006-11-14T06:16:49Z

1. Do we know each other outside of Tribe?
2. What's your philosophy on life?
3. Would you have my back in a fight?
4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
5. What is your favorite memory of us?
6. Would you give me a kidney?
7. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
8. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?
9. Can we get together and make a cake?
10. Have you heard any rumors of me lately?
11. Do you/have you talk(ed) crap about me?
12. Do you think I'm a good person?
13. Would you drive across country with me?
14. Do you think I'm attractive?
15. If you could change anything about me, would you?
16. What do you wear to sleep?
17. Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?
18. Would you go on a date with me if I asked you?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?

posted in BryTee and friends - 5 replies

A Kilt On Testosterone...

2006-10-18T14:22:34Z

You look GREAT at Burning Man in your Viking get up!! It looks like a kilt on testosterone. Why no pictures in your photo album? I hope you have several to post.

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

Google and YouTube

2006-10-09T23:51:10Z

It seems Google bought YouTube. I think this is bad.

With YouTube you can see old TV shows (or clips) and music videos that otherwise would be totally unavailable, it's why YouTube is better than Google Video. But with Google buying YouTube, I think it's likely that all that will go away.

Google seems to be diversifying into more and more areas of the Internet, and buying up various companies. I don't see this as a "do no evil" policy.

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

Off to see the wizard

2006-10-08T11:24:31Z

After dying my hair black: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=5064
and packing the trailer: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=5062
and filling the car: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=5063
I'm off for 10 days to Burningman.

Stay tuned for more photos.

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Another Q&A going around

2006-09-21T02:55:21Z

Comment to this post and...

1. I’ll respond with something random about you.
2. I’ll challenge you to try something.
3. I’ll pick a color that I associate with you.
4. I’ll tell you something I like about you.
5. I’ll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I’ll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I’ll ask you something I’ve always wanted to ask you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on yours.

posted in BryTee and friends - 3 replies

Burningman prep and commitment

2006-08-16T05:09:12Z

As I've not heard from anyone about FEAST and/or Orgasamateria for over 2 weeks now. I've decided that silence, except for a voicemail a couple of weeks ago telling me "go enjoy myself - I don't need you", so I guess my offer to detour to Denver's airport is unnecessary anymore. I'm still on good terms with most of the camp, and they still want to use my Icosadome. No problem.
I did call the FEAST organizer 10 days ago, but they were busy, but never called back. That friendship had been stretched for the past 5 weeks anyway.
Fine - ok with me.

So I just signed up to be a ranger. I picked the handle "LoudSpeaker".
Now I HAVE TO arrive Saturday afternoon to go do ranger training Sunday (Aug 28) 10am-5pm. This means I MUST leave Thursday (Aug 25) afternoon/evening. To give me enough time to setup my tent, setup the Isocadome for FEAST, or general Orgasmateria's chill-out shade structure.
Even though training is all day Sunday, I can still finish the Icosadome Sunday evening (if I was a little late Saturday). I also can build my bicycle (aka Think Tank) Sunday evening and/or Monday morning.

My Ebay'd BM ticket is apparently being mail'd.

I got a superfast car battery charger, it should take 2-3 hours to charge my deep cycle battery that's going to power my think-tank's sound and lights. I should fully discharge my battery, then time how long the charge takes. It draws 3 or 4 amps on the 110v - my generator can push out 20 (on a single outlet), so that's ok. I can charge a battery while I'm cooking (eg fat fryer and/or microwave).

The sound system for my think-tank is getting good. I have 4 small speakers, 2 large, and 1 bass, all driven by my MP3/CD player (which will be in sealable baggies). I have my various CDs of my favorite music - each CD containing 200 tracks, about 12 hours of music to choose from. I'll keep them in a sealed box while I cycle around.
I hope the ELwire arrives within the next 10 days, preferably sooner, I don't want to do any soldering in the desert, but will if I have to! (making sure I leave no trace). I'll call them again...

I should inform the Orgasmateria group via Yahoo on my ranger committment, and that I'll be there Saturday evening.

posted in BryTee and friends - 32 replies

Pyromania

2006-08-14T18:40:02Z

So in the past 3 weeks I've been to 2 regional burns:
• May 19-21 Singularity - Las Vegas & Los Angeles
• Jun 2-4 Element 11 - Utah

There were many people at both.

I think both were about the same size, and while Singularity had a more organized layout, I feel Element11 had more people/groups participating with their own art. I did prefer the potty's at Singularity as they were spaced all around the city, whereas E11 had them all at one end of the site.

After the burn at Singularity everyone seemed to disappear, I tihnk to their tents/RVs, I did see a movie showing, but not many people there. I can only assume I didn't know where to go for any music/partys, or maybe there wasn't any. E11 had two BIG green domes in the center of the site, which held the loudest and also the cuddledome.

The Singularity burn was good (mainly because they sneaked a couple of firework rockets).
The E11 burn had a great choreographed, practiced, and scheduled dance show (better than any Burningman preshow I've seen), and the burn (of the oil rig) was MASSIVE and WAY hot.

At Singularity I put up my dome, but it was unfortunately out of the way, and my lights didn't work, so nobody stopped by. I was going to be giving out microwaved popcorn. So I can do that at Burningman. I also have ideas for interesting covers for the empty triangles (it'll be shadish, but not 100% covered, just triangles of material each with a design, held in the triangles of each surface).
At E11 I brought my jumpsuit from ZeroG, and stitched some EL wire to it as an outline (which took a hour of soldering, and about 3 hours of stitching - while in the hot sun - I wished I'd found time at home to do it). BUT... people enjoyed it, and many told me so, took my photograph, I felt good, and it helped me break the ice in talking to strangers. I don't have a photo of myself, so I've asked on the E11 tribe for any, and when I get one it'll get posted here.
Both places i gave out my BM2005 photo (a postcard), which everyone enjoys.

I now need to focus on my BM costumes and structure.

I also need to hassle Bruno's in Gerlach to get my trailer repaired and home!

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Building a mystery (well a dome actually)

2006-08-12T09:11:57Z

I got invited to one of the Christians lake side places (there's supposed to be a cabin or something, but it got bulldozed and something will eventually get rebuilt - I guess). But I needed to start working on my various BurningMAN projects, so I had the idea to take the trailer with me, generator (if I needed power), and the PVC tubes for the dome structure. That was ok to do, said Michelle (the owner of the place), someone else had their boat, and they'd had food, so I was going to bring some chips and swiss rolls, but the chips stayed on the side, and I need to go to the store for some more rolls :-( - so I was the entertainment, in building the structure :-)

I get there and start building, except I realize part way through, trying to thread rope through a little drilled hole, when 9 ft in the air, is not easy, as well poles falling hitting people (twice). Luckily, I'd brought cable ties, and it's fairly easy to connect 2 poles at a time, although I needed help, and I had that help.

So the structure went up: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?msgid=tribe-dome&pic=3325+3326+3328+3331-3334 although plastic cable ties are very easily broken. Rope does not break. So I need to find a way to cable tie, then add rope. I also think the rope needs to be string not nylon, since the nylon is difficult to make a good enough knot - it seems "slippery". OR... maybe they make "indestructable" cable ties (eg metal?). Even though, it is still strong as I could hang on it: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?msgid=tribe-dome&pic=3336&html=1
FYI I weigh 180lb (with clothes) - the wonder of mathmatical shapes!
The dome was huge! 14' high, and a 15' diameter at the base. Although at Burningman it will seem tiny (or fairly usual compared to everything around). It'll be good to have a table inside, cooking appliances (I'm taking my microwave), and maybe someone in FEAST will bring some soft sitting areas

The individual 10'x8' tarps didn't work well, so I can take them back (I only opened one, they should be ok if I return that one too - I hope), and I can either get a one piece 20'x20' tarp to cover it all, except that's not the right shape. OR... the idea of sewing together sheets to be a covering. Then they want sides - not sure why, I've been advised by others who've built domes to not fully enclose it, it WILL be an oven inside in the daytime. The idea it will stop dust is a fallacy. OK, it will stop the biggest duststorms, but dust will still come in anyway, and it's a wasted effort. I need to discuss this in the yahoo group I recently got invited to. Also so I'm not a stranger to everyone else there!

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Your Enneagram, Myers-Briggs type

2006-07-10T13:12:46Z

We're pretty analytical people so I was thinking it might interest you to find out a little more about yourself

What are you? Find out

Myers-Briggs:
www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Enneagram:
www.9types.com/rheti/home....actual.html

ESFJ- Myers Briggs
I'm a type 2 Enneagram followed by a 5 and 7.

posted in BryTee and friends - 5 replies

Being tested

2006-07-09T09:45:47Z

The OKcupid site has zillions of tests, many seem quite fun. And I love taking such tests.

An interesting one is:
http://www.okcupid.com/politics
which it told me http://www.okcupid.com/politics?describe=Democrat&score=2032 where you can click and see where political beliefs fall on a chart, compared with famous people too. The "you" on this chart is me, but if you do the test, you can see where you would fall, based on the 42 questions it asks.

Apparently:
• Social Moderate (56% permissive)
• Economic Liberal (26% permissive)
I was best described as a: Democrat
I exhibit a very well-developed sense of Right and Wrong and believe in economic fairness.

I loved some of the "dictates" others had were interesting:
• I would dictate that...One must pass an aptitude test to vote
• I would dictate that...people wash their hands before they leave the bathroom
• I would dictate that...marijuana is legalised
• I would dictate that...love would govern with truth
if you see any good ones, post them please!

posted in BryTee and friends - 23 replies

Being grateful for...

2006-07-08T16:21:27Z

I recently watched "The Secret" video, and so did a tribe friend (totally unrelated and synchronicitously), and there's a part where it says to be positive try writing a list of a few things that you're grateful for, perhaps daily.

I've chosen to do 3, as according to numerology:

Three signifies expression and creativity. As an expression number it suggests self-expression through words or the arts. Three relates to expansiveness and learning through life experiences. It is considered to be lucky, and is often associated with money and good fortune. Three generally depicts several people joining together to achieve a common goal, whether through a social or professional affiliation. Three also represents communication of all kinds, expression, drama, acting, and humor. Although three possesses attributes of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, negatively it can exhibit pessimism, foolhardiness and unnecessary risk taking.

Also '3" means I won't run out too quickly, and stop me from listing as many as possible in one post :-)

If you're wondering what the video "The Secret" is about, you can read about and get it at: http://www.thesecret.tv/home.html
It is on Google video. but very low resolution, but if watching it there makes you get the DVD, that's good. So the Google video of it is at: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=secret+law+of+attraction it's the 1h29m video. Well worth every second you watch it. Although I suspect it might be a moving target, since the ID number seems to change often, but at least the words "Law Of Attraction" has been there everytime, to search for.

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Spin out

2006-07-07T14:16:20Z

Yesterday, driving on a highway a few hours, as I'm just about to pass a big truck (of two large grain containers), it drifts onto the shoulder and the trailer starts wildly swinging about. I dropped back fairly quickly, and once he seemed stable quickly passed.

Later, a few cars ahead, a car in the right lane goes to pull across to pass (I think a truck), and then realizes there's a car in their blind spot, and quickly move back, BUT... the car in the blond spot sees the impending collision and moves too close to the median curb, looses control and spins out into the steep ditch. I see tons of dust flying up. Everyone slows up - fast. I stop right beside where the spun out car has stopped down the slope.
For a moment I think, is it someone else's job to go see, help, etc, but I'm already undoing my seatbelt, and jumping out of the car. I'm at their car first, and through the open window ask if everyone feels ok. Someone else says they can see "gas" and with the smoke coming from under the hood, I fear this could get bad. So I need to pull hard to open the door, and take a look at the driver. She has a cut on her lip, looks stunned, but nothing looks bad, and say to her that someone says there's a gas leak, and do they think they can get out, ok? They do a quick check, and get out. Although the passenger needed to crawl over into the drivers side (it was interesting to see the natural "get out" is to try your own door, even when it's right upto the other side of the ditch, and a bank of dirt).
They get out (the passenger says she has to make sure she has her purse), and the driver has a cut to her ankle, the passenger has a scraped side of her leg/knee.
911 had been called.
The "gas leak" turned out to be water (probably from the car), and the smoke was actually steam (ie causing the water leak).

A few minutes later, all those who stopped, I noticed had left, until there was just 2 cars that had stopped. It didn't seem right to be a witness and to leave before the police had arrived, but most people left? In leaving one guy said where I'd stopped was a ticketable offense! I felt he was more concerned about where I stopped rather than people who were injured! What an idiot.

So after 10 minutes (or so), the police arrive, take the witnesses info and descriptions, and she said we could go.

The rest of my journey I thought about "what I'd do if..." scenarios, and feel I did the right thing in that situation. I have done a CPR course a few years ago, and can still remember the basics (I think), but luckily I didn't have to (but would have if necessary - of course).
When I continued driving I found myself being incredibly observant!

I wonder how these two women are doing now. What happened next, etc. Not fun I bet. I hope they had AAA.

Has anyone had this type of thing happen to them? Being the "hero" or the "victim" in a car incident? Please post your stories...

posted in BryTee and friends - 3 replies

I got tagged, 8 facts about me

2006-07-05T04:30:48Z

RULES - Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 8 facts/things/habits about yourself, saying who tagged you. In the end you need to choose the 6 people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs.

I wonder if that means no tagging someone who has been tagged, but what if you didn't know, I guess they'd tell you and you could tag someone else instead?

Well... VeryFine tagged me, and some facts about me. I assume they are supposed to be less known facts - which is difficult for me... but here goes:

#1 While I have been married twice, I have only proposed twice (the ring, the knee, etc), but both proposals were turned down, and never resulted in marriage.

#2 I feel I have had 5 children, but one was never born. There were issues, and as this one was so young that could be legally killed, while it was not my choice, I still paid. This upsets me.

#3 I sometimes wonder if this is why I have led an emotional rollercoaster, as perhaps the universe (or God) is getting back at me, since that is against my core belief about the meaning of life...

#4 I feel the meaning of life is not 42, but to have children. Yes... it's that simple. Have sex, have kids. While I have 4, I still want more. I'd have as many as I can afford to raise. But am I now too old? If I had one now, I'd be 65 when they were 21. Is that right? In many religions the "go forth and multiply" edict is there in one form or another. In science, evolution is about having children and progress made through mutation. Instincts make us go to great extremes to have and care for children. And socially, people care for children so much, and expect couples to pro-create. Many people raise good kids and are poor. I'm not poor. I should have had many more kids. I feel I am intelligent which is also a great reason to have kids. I feel me doing that would raise the IQ of the world, and part of me feels intelligent people should be having more children, but is intelligence genetic? BUT anyway... I've yet to raise a child in the way I think is right. That is.... with two parents to give a balance to the childs upbringing. I almost did it, but got divorced again, and the partner I was hoping on, did not feel it was right to be there yet. So while a one year gap probably would have been ok, I feel I failed my son, and a proper upbringing. He didn't have a nice time with his step mom anyway for 5 years, so I guess I'd failed already anyway.

#5 My religious belief is along the lines of Gaia, a bit of Buddism, some Wiccan, and I feel Jesus and Ghandi preached the right ideals. But while it's right to be nice to others, you have to enjoy and have fun, so I think the full idealology is:
• Be nice to one another, and party on!

#6 I wish I knew more about the overview of other religions, just the highlights, the top tennents of each.
I don't think any religion has got it 100% right, well... not even 50% right. I always use the analogy of an elephant in a tent. Each religious prophet has had an opening into the tent, and only feels one part or another, so each set of knowledge is limited and they can only can know so much about the full truth. Then they only have language to try to explain what was revealed, which is limited too. And worse, even then, we don't get a one on one conversation with them, we hear 2nd or 3rd hand from religious leaders who sometimes have an alterior motive to why they are the leader, which clouds the path to knowledge also.

#7 I love aircraft. Specifically small, highly maneuverable types. Like fighter jets (but take away the "fight" part, please - no missiles & guns, ok). I have dreams about flying. On roads while driving, I'll imagine I'm in a plane, imagining the controls, or being able to go up and down, roll, etc, not just stuck on the flat Earth. Even when walking I'll imagine this too sometimes. Err... even when sitting, such as in a movie theatre I'll imagine being able to float/fly to get a better view, or just to have fun, doing loops, etc, while waiting for it to start.
I really want to own a flying car.

#8 But... I'm afraid of heights. I get scared standing on a 3rd floor balcony.Maybe 2nd, but I can fight that fear. I always think I'd like to bungy jump, and do want to, until I see others doing it in front of me, then I have fear by proxy. I'm scared, yet I'm on the ground looking up!

So now I need to tag 6 others, I believe I've checked those who haven't been tagged, and you are:
• DaBomb, JeffZ, Arcana, Rev.Z, Meliza, NikO
I'll send a message to make sure you know you've been tagged, and to come to look here to understand what that means.

posted in BryTee and friends - 4 replies

Cherry/Strawberry/Heather Meade?

2006-06-30T03:35:44Z

I just mixed up 5 Gallons of the following potion 4 days ago:

1 1/2 Gal. Raw Fireweed/Wildflower Honey
1 1/2 Gal. Raw Orange Blossom Honey
1 Gal. Canned Black Cherries and Juice
1 Gal Frozen Strawberries
1 Gallon Yet-To-Be-Determined Juice (Pomegranate, Noni, Blueberry, suggestions, anyone?)
1 Oz.Dried Heather Flowers and Tips
4 Vanilla Beans
1/2 cup Scottish Yeast
1 Oz.Yeast Nutrients

It has just begun to ferment at the rate of one bubble every 30 seconds. Our batch of Dark Heineken got faster than 1 bubble per second! I hope it is ready for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I tried real hard to get Heather Honey, but had no luck. Can anybody help? I'm willing to pay quite a bit of money for it to be shipped from Scotland. I've read in Buhner's Sacred And Healing Herbal Beers that Pure Heather Blossom Honey is the consistency of Jello, which may account for the confusion over whether the Ambrosia of the Gods was a solid or a liquid.

Does anyone have any suggestions for any exotic juices to comprise the final gallon of added liquid?

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Retro grading

2006-06-27T07:36:21Z

Dixie Diva said to me she was having problems and this is often happens when Mercury is retrograde. I thought it was already, but I thought I'd better go and check when the retrogrades were actually happening this year.
It turns out Mercury does not go retrograde until July 22.

So here are my findings of all the planetary retrograding:
• Mercury - Mar 19 → Apr 12 & Jul 22 → Aug 15 & Nov 14 → Dec 3
• Venus - Dec 24 → Feb 3 (2006)
• Mars - Oct 1 → Dec 10
• Jupiter - Feb 2 → Jun 5
• Saturn - Nov 8 (2004) → Mar 22 & Nov 22 → Apr 4 (2006)
• Uranus - Jun 14 → Nov 16
• Neptune - May 19 → Oct 26
• Pluto - Mar 27 → Sep 2

I let someone else explain what each planet's retrograde is supposed to mean.

But I do see that around my breakup date:
Jupiter stopped its retrograde. For Aries (me) while retrograde (Feb→Jun) I should not have spent time alone, and when it turned (in June) was a time for me to address partner issues!
For a Virgo, retrograde meant a tricky time especially in finances.

Uranus went also retrograde symbolizing freedom and originality.

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Net Neutrality... what's that?

2006-06-26T22:12:47Z

It's freedom of the net!

It seems a bunch of TelCo's and cable companies, are trying to get a bill passed to keep lack of competition and thus their profits up AND to allow them to filter what they feel like, (eg you can only use their Internet Phone, or their video service, etc) for access to the Internet, and they can charge what they feel (due to lack of competition). Yet somehow they seem to claim companies like Google and Vonage use the Internet for fre to provide services - although I doubt either of those get their Internet connections for free, and their customers are paying for access to the Internet, too. But companies have a habit of misrepresenting the truth if they want to keep increasing their profits.

I'm not usually an activist on issues, but please... check out: http://www.itsournet.org/ and http://www.savetheinternet.com/ where people can educate themselves on the Net Neutrality debate, and if motivated contact their representatives in Congress.

Feel free to explain the error of my understanding how lack of competition helps the end user (the consumer)?

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

People online may not be who they seem...

2006-06-20T02:25:00Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2VKkf8H9fw
why do I find myself laughing at his sadness?

posted in BryTee and friends - 4 replies

Toasting Political Christians

2006-06-13T23:35:18Z

Here's to The Moral Majority,
Apostles of Hatred and Fear:
As I watched Jerry Fallwell on TV last night,
I knew that the Anti-Christ was here.

The Golden Rule he has turned into Lead:
Now it only reads "Do Unto Others".
He wants to insure we have Crosses to bear
And supports laws to repress his Brothers.

His Dogma oozed out like Puss from Christ's Wounds
Reeking of Bigotry and Malice.
I'm certain his Holy Rituals produce
Vomit From Wine in his Chalice.

posted in BryTee and friends - 6 replies

Would gender matter?

2006-06-09T20:40:03Z

If you're one of those people who:

1. Considers yourself to be in a relationship with your true soulmate

2. Had ever met, marrried or connected with what you considered was your soulmate in this lifetime

3. Is truly, madly, deeply in love with your significant other

4. Been married (with or with out kids) for several years

5. Is about to be married

6. Is in a long-term relationship and planning to keep it that way

What would you have done differently if your love was a different gender?

posted in BryTee and friends - 3 replies

What's in a name

2006-06-08T22:42:12Z

I just found out how to get symbols in tribe names.
I changed my BurningMan symbol in my name from )'( to )°( using the degree symbol instead of a single-quote, but while the head is now a circle, the whole thing looks a little too wide, so I may go back.

Maybe I should look for other symbols maybe something will work a little better.

posted in BryTee and friends - 13 replies

5 languages of love

2006-06-06T02:30:54Z

At my councilling session, a book was brought to my attention:
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
by Gary Chapman

Online there is a test: http://www.greaterquest.com/LoveLanguages.asp
there was another I found, but it was more awkward to answer, since most love aspects I like, and you had to rate how each one felt.

Anyway I did the above and I got these scores:
10 Physical Touch
7 Quality Time
7 Receiving of Gifts
3 Acts of Service
3 Words of Affirmation

• Physical Touch--You want to give and/or recieve affection physically. This may or may not center around sex.
• Quality Time--This can be expressed either through those intimate tete-a-tete discussions or via doing things together.
• Receiving of Gifts--You are moved by presents and physical tokens of affection. It's the fact that someone is thinking about you enough to give you something that moves you.
• Acts of Service--You prefer to show your love through favors and chores and doing things for others. You feel put-upon and unappreciated when your efforts are taken for granted.
• Words of Affirmation--You need to hear praise to know you are loved and you may also prefer to express your affection verbally. Negative comments cut right to the bone. You want to hear that you're loved and how much and why.

The other test also had "Words" at the bottom. Odd because I thought I was quite the wordy person! Although it's about what I like to receive, not give. But I agree I like my #1 touch, but also my #2 quality time - doing things together. Although that's on par with getting gifts.
I know I didn't get touch, nor much time together, which is what I desire, and I got very offended when she gave a card and a flower to a friend who was feeling down, yet for months I got nothing, and boy was I feeling DOWN :-(

posted in BryTee and friends - 9 replies

Speeding

2006-06-06T01:20:19Z

One reason I don't agree with speeding: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NuJKAuSocbA

posted in BryTee and friends - 6 replies

Pretty pictures from webpages

2006-06-01T10:05:37Z

I was told about this site: http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/
You enter a website, and it draws connected dots based on the web design, different colors for different "tags", but it doesn't matter how, the fact is the pictures that come out look really neat. Like weird growing Martian flowers, or growing chemical molecules.

Try:
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.google.com
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.msn.com
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://images.burningman.com
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.berkeley.edu

From my website, I liked:
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.dongrays.com/btd/burningman2003/pics
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.dongrays.com/btd/rubik
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.dongrays.com/btd/tld
http://www.aharef.info/static/htmlgraph/?url=http://www.dongrays.com/404.html

I do like the yellow "dandylions" (which come from FORMs with menu choices).

Post sites that look good to you, thanks.

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

The shootist

2006-05-16T05:13:06Z

One of the worst case of grammar errors as a movie title.

Anyway, a friend took me and another friend to a shooting range. It was great fun.

I've never fired a handgun before, and I feel my aim wasn't too bad, see:
• 9mm Berretta at 20ft: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=20051203btdgun9mm.jpg
• 0.40in Berretta at 20ft: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=20051203btdgun40in.jpg
I felt the 0.40in was a little powerful and would take some getting used to the recoil, even though I got a better score, whereas I felt quite comfortable with the 9mm. We did try a Spanish police issue 9mm, it was slightly smaller and didn't feel as comfortable.
We started with a 0.22in Berretta to get used to the recoil, and worked upto the 0.40in. The 0.22 did seem a little weak, but I guess it can do it's job!

It was interesting to see the Berretta have exchangable barrels. How neat!

Has anyone else had a shooting session? What did you think?
Do you own a gun (or gun)?

PS I hope I spelled Berretta right :-)

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Bedtime pleasures

2006-05-08T02:24:53Z

I will have to say I have never slept in a more comfortable bed than the one in the temporary apartment I am in!

Yes, I never put much stock in how good a bed could be, as I've been sleeping on one that must be getting close to 20 years old! Well... a few years back it was the spare bed, and I slept on a bed that I felt was too soft, but it's what the ex (wife #2) wanted. I was pleased to get a harder bed when we split up.

But this bed has a mattress that is a 16 inch memory foam pillowtop (for those bed technical experts amongst you). It cuddles me all night! and supports me really well. I'm not sure how the foam would handle other bed activity :-)

OK, so how would anyone rate one of those "sleep number" beds? Or are they a fad (like I feel waterbeds were)? Then, there's craftmatic adjustable, anyone have experience?

I have built two beds in my life. One was a simple wooden frame (after a few years all the screws came a little loose - it wasn't the best construction I did), the other was built into the wall, and was more of a cabin bed, this lasted years, and got sold with the house.

posted in BryTee and friends - 9 replies

Wherever I lay my hat

2006-05-06T07:02:46Z

Well... I have a place, paid money for a credit and background check, and I passed!

It's a little more than I expected to pay, but it is a house with a garage (which I really wanted). It's 1300sqft, has a yard (with an orange tree), which I wanted so I can do Burningman construction. It has 3 bedrooms: I'll use one for me to sleep in (which has its own shower), one for guests (and storage), and one for a computer room. The bathtub has airjets, but is still the typical small sized American bath. The kitchen is big and so's the living room. There's also another living room (an extension), so maybe it should be called a family room.
When I move in (Feb 1), and I've got my stuff unloaded and/or sort of arranged, I'll take photos.

posted in BryTee and friends - 33 replies

Gas

2006-04-27T06:53:59Z

So I used http://www.GasBuddy.com before going to work, and found that a gas station 0.8 miles in the opposite direction to my usual drive to work was $2.37. If I'd gone to the places I normally pass by, the least expensive was $2.49. That's a saving of 12c/gal. I was pleased since at the moment paying rent and mortgage, both sets of utility bills, is quite a killer. Saving money helps me out, as if I do go out, it'd better be low cost or for something (or someone) special.

They say money cannot make you happy, but I feel the lack of money can make you sad.
I got one of those internet email about money in the form of a chinese proverb, so I didn't include the getting lucky if you send it to so many people, but feel free to read it, and comment too...
• http://www.dongrays.com/btd/money-proverb.html

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

A Smashing Easter

2006-04-27T01:16:50Z

Except the smashing was of my car rear window: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=4209-4212&ref=tribe-btd
Nothing stolen, either:
a) because even though the car can be unlocked (that door only), opening the door causes an alarm to sound unless a front door is unlocked.
b) there was nothing to steal.

FYI I didn't hear the alarm, so it may have been either:
a) I was FAST asleep
b) it was just vandalism

I don't like to leave valuables in the car, I think it comes from having my car broken into before (but that time only the radio was stolen).

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

Whether the weather

2006-04-10T15:38:15Z

I woke up to snow today. Lots of it. So I did a panoramic of my back yard: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=im003664pan&ref=tbtd20051125 But also just a normal photo: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=3666&ref=tbtd20051125 which still surprises me, since there was a fence & pool there *forever*!

So with camera still in hand I drove to work, and here is a photo of my street: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=3667&ref=tbtd20051125 as I drive down it, and of the newly finished/constructed junction: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?html=1&pic=3668&ref=tbtd20051125 but what you don't know is that road used to be a massive "dip" in the road, that they put tons of dirt, and levelled. Lucky for them, they finished a couple of days ago *just* before the snow!

It snowed all day. The thermometer of the heating system at work said it was 20°F outside, and I believe it. Weird... because last week I was experiencing 86°F at the Santa Cruz beach (in the bay area).

posted in BryTee and friends - 35 replies

Taking care of business

2006-04-09T02:21:04Z

It seems the lday where my son stays, took my son to the optician. I don't think she knew my insurance details. My coverage is 100% for exams, and that's all my son had (and needed). I'd better not get a bill.
She also sent me an email last night tell me today Chris had a dental appointment and I needed to fax the dental insurance card to her. While of course I will (and now have), she gave me no notice, and worded her email like a demand! I initially thought it was probably an emergency reason, so she booked it yesterday to get him in today, but no, it was just a check up. She must have known about it for a while. I also asked for details of who the dentist is (name, address, phone number), but in her replies, she hasn't yet told me. I asked again.

I sent her an email explaining how I needed more time to get this to her (as it was packed somewhere, but I did find it this morning), and requested that any (non-emergency) optical, dental, emergency, to contact me when she makes the appointment. She got all offended about it. My word, he is still my son, and I'll be paying the bill anyway.
I also asked that she informs me of any costs related to such appointments, before any work is done.

posted in BryTee and friends - 12 replies

Phone message

2006-02-14T11:29:18Z

A message, not from a person, but from the phone!
I have a high-tech CallerID clock globe, see: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=4055&html=1 and I'm seeing if there are any messages, and it wished me Happy Valentines Day - nice of it to put that message up.
I pass its message onto everyone too, although I'm not over enamored with today - too many bad memories, but I shouldn't judge the future by the past.
Enjoy, and make it special.

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies

Junk mail

2006-02-06T19:19:25Z

It seems the idea to have Chris pick up my USmail, trash the junk and stuff sent to previous owners, etc, and to tell me what bills I have (how much, when due, etc), and then send it to me, seems to have failed.

I left there Dec 29.
I receive my first pack of mail on Jan 20 - about 3 weeks later!
In it are coupons for grocery stores in Minneapolis, other junk, credit card applications for my ex, catalogues for the previous owner, etc. But also bills. One was due Jan 15, another due Jan 21, one I'd got notified online and had paid it, the last one is not due until Jan 30.
So I call my son and complain about not telling me what's being sent, and to do so next time.

Today was "next time" even though I'd asked him (on the phone) to check Sunday, and call me. He didn't.
So the lady looking after him, is collected my USmail, and taking it to her work, apparently a cleaning crew there threw it away!
I have no idea what bills, tax info, maybe even checks, have been lost. This is awful, especially as my 401k rollover check should have been sent recently, and it's a lot of money. There's also my W2 being sent from my previous employer, and they're also sending me a check for my remaining vacation pay.

Now I'm about to have a place, I have filled out the USmail form to have it forwarded, so Chris does not have to be "irresponsible".

posted in BryTee and friends - 3 replies

Special photos

2006-01-18T06:13:26Z

I just uploaded to tribe some of my favorite photos: http://www.tribe.net/template/pub,PhotoAlbum.vm/context/person?parentid=b6d90f44-5eb9-4b49-905b-099de4c81d0a as in - I took these :-)

These are fairly small on tribe. So for better resolution go to my real online photo album of these at: http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=*&before=19941111 and click on the thumbnails and resize as big as you like.

posted in BryTee and friends - 9 replies

Week one

2006-01-18T00:16:48Z

It's been a week since I arrived.
I've think I worked out I want to live in the East Bay, and as everything is fairly close, a good road system, I was hoping to live in San Leandro (which is fairly central), but it's a dive! My next chose was Fremont, but just a few miles away is Pleasanton, where the rents are quite a bit less (or you get more for the same outrageous monthly cost)!
I thought Oakland might have been a good choice, but people say unless you know the area you could end up in a *bad* neighborhood, so I'll skip taking that chance.
I know where the Google shuttle will pick me up each more, and I have a leisurely bus ride, which has WiFi, so if I want I can spend my time there on tribe!
Of course, if it turns out I don't like Pleasanton and/or Dublin, I can always move after a few months :-)

posted in BryTee and friends - 4 replies

Feeling fruity

2006-01-10T05:06:22Z

Yesterday I needed some supplies (ie food).

So my first trip to a grocery store started at Albertson's. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad place generally, it seemed pretty standard for a supermarket, but the fruit was in excellent condition (and tasted nice - when I got home).

I guess in Minneapolis they have to ship the fruit in from far off places, and the fruit (and vegetables) does not have a good life expectancy, and maybe bounces around the truck a long time. I hear a lot of fruit and vegetables are grown in California (or is where the product come into the country)?

I saw some weird stuff too, like a vegetable called "Sinqua". I know California has some serious new-age type people, so I wonder how weird it'll be in a wholefoods store here - I bet I don't recognize half the product in there!

So my question is: what is a good chain for a meat and two veg type of person, who doesn't want to pay too much, but doesn't want the cheap stuff? Sorry, I got the feeling that the "Save-Mart" grocey store was a little cheap and possibly not so good. I drove by, but I may have been mistaken to do so?

Also... what is the name of a new-age grocery store (in the South Bay area, eg San Jose and surronding cities), as I'd like to experience what they sell (I might even take my camera and ask questions later).

posted in BryTee and friends - 4 replies

Leaving on a jet plane

2006-01-08T19:13:51Z

Tomorrow 7am we get picked up, taken to the airport.
The 11am flight from Minneapolis goes to Newark, NJ.
We have a 4 hr wait for the overnight flight to England, to land at 6am.
Get a car I've booked, and visit all my family, see my parents, sister and brothers, daughters, etc.

Then once I'm totally frazzled from it all, I come back on Dec 27 9pm.
The next day, 28th, they pack my house contents into boxes.
Then on 29th, they put all those boxes into a truck and take my SUV too.
I drive the minivan to work to have an exit interview with HR, and say bye bye to my work friends, and start the drive out West.

I seem to have quite a packed time for the next 3 weeks, I hope it goes well, timing-wise.

posted in BryTee and friends - 20 replies

Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow

2005-12-09T22:59:46Z

This morning I found the humidifier built into the air conditioning had its water drain pipe blocked by a build-up of hard water gunk (about half way along the pipe). While the drain pipe couldn't drain the humidifier, water would just spill out of the A/C and go on the floor.

It took a piece of telephone wire poked up the pipe, and some external massaging to break up some of the harder bits, but once it did, a torrent of water gushed through and cleaned out all the blockage material.

Now to let the basement floor dry (just in and around the appliance area), it usually takes a day or so.

posted in BryTee and friends - 2 replies

When you're hot - you're hot

2005-12-09T22:55:52Z

Sunday night I had a temperature of 103.1°F - so I took some NiteQuil (or whatever), and had some weird dreams!
Today I went to the doctor. He thought I *must* have strep, based on my symptoms it was classic, but the "quick test" was negative. He was surprised. I got a chest Xray, and that was all ok. So the longer strep test is being done and they'll call me tomorrow.

posted in BryTee and friends - 11 replies

The pool problem

2005-11-22T01:26:31Z

So I'm looking what to do with my pool.

Option 1- fix it:
• The liner does need replacing: $3500-$5000
• Some pipes may need repair (due to freezing & cracks), possibly: $2000
• The fence needs repair $2000-$3000
• The filter needs replacing: $500 + plumbing + labor
Total min:$6000 max:$12000 - So realistically: $8000-$9000
Then there would be the daily upkeep effort and costs.

Option 2 - remove it
• Quote 1: removal pool, fence, plumbing, electrical, gas. Fill, pack down, plus top soil: $6850
• Quote 1: sod: $1500
Total: $8350
Quote 1, said it'd take a week to get permits, etc. And 3 or 4 days to complete.

I will get a couple more quotes.

posted in BryTee and friends - 15 replies

Deeply rooted weekend

2005-10-12T01:55:16Z

This weekend the Minneapolis burners went on a trip to Deeply Rooted, see:
• http://www.deeplyrooted.net/
The folks there are great! And it's great to camp, have a bonfire, and walk a lot. It's a pity I didn't have my trailer, I'd have love to have brought something artistic.
I have some photos, but have yet to make a webpage of the trip. Here are the "raw" photos:
• http://www.dongrays.com/images/view.cgi?pic=3537pan+3540-3547+3548pan+3550-3584+3585pan+3588-3599&ref=Tbtd
click for the zoom in. Enjoy!

posted in BryTee and friends - 11 replies

The telephone is NOT ringing (a line from an Alice Cooper song)

2005-10-10T16:26:15Z

When I get back from Burningman, my house phone is not working. Apparently there was a storm during those days away, so I call Vonage (my Internet phone company), and they test it, and decide a new device needs to be sent. OK, except I have to pay the shipping.
It's supposed to arrive the next day, in the afternoon. ie Friday afternoon.
According the the DHL tracking, it did arrive in Plymouth, MN (a few miles from me) on Friday mid morning, but the delivery man had left already. There seemed to be no home delivery on Saturday, so Monday, they attempt delivery, (about 9:40am) but I'm not in (neither is Chris). I call so I can go to get it Tuesday, but they try again, and Tuesday night I arrive about 1 minute after the customer pickup closed (at 7pm).
So I get it Wednesday. It works just fine.
A couple of days later, I get an email reminding me I need to return the old one, except the guy on the phone said I could just trash it (luckily I didn't), but there was supposed to be an email with a printable label with return address and free shipping. They said they'd send it again. It's still not arrived.

Then last night (Sunday), another loud thunderstorm, and I notice the lights on the new device are not right. There is no dial tone. I call them again, and they reconfigure it to use the other phone port. I guess lightning caused the first port to "die".

I think I need to find where the phone line comes into the house, and disconnect it from the internal wiring, to stop any lightning strikes hitting my delicate phone box, even though I had the old box for about 3 years, many storms, no problems. So to have 2 problems within as many weeks is weird.

I also need to re-call them about the missing email to allow me to return the broken old box.

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

Pending...

2005-10-10T16:16:06Z

I ordered some ELwire from http://www.coolneon.com last Monday. On Friday I called them as it still was in "Pending Approval" - which is worrying, since if it takes another week, it's unlikely to get here before I have to go. They took my order number, and said they'd call back later (I assume they meant later that day).
It's still not changed, so I guess I call Monday morning.

I decided to try to save some money through buying a Burningman ticket through http://www.ebay.com my first try someone else bid me out. My second try I won. But at only $25 under the offical price I don't know why I bothered, but $25 is $25. So I click the "ask seller a question" since the BM site says to verify the ticket with the number on the back and the name of the purchaser, so I asked for those details. I've heard nothing back so far, and it's VERY worrying.

I guess I've still not learned my lesson, I shouldn't trust anyone. Not to sell me a BM ticket, not to expect an order to come through for ELwire (or anything else) if it's time critical. It's such a terrible way to live, not trusting anyone :-( but I don't need to say about my last two relationships, but also in my realtor "helping" me buy a house that sometimes feels like a disaster (different people have said "Money Pit" - except I have no money), I guess the seller too.

Why can't people just be honest, open, and so therefore trustworthy.

posted in BryTee and friends - 7 replies

Was like Thunder all through the night

2005-10-06T20:19:33Z

As the Minneapolis locals know, we had a BIG storm come through last night.
Seeing lightning many times per second flashing, as I drove home, was interesting, and a few "excellent" looking massive bolts of lightning too. I was concerned for my phonebox, since each time there's recently been a storm I need to call customer service, and one time they had to replace the box!

While many people lost power, I lost cable - at just after 9pm. While it came back a little over 12 hours later, it meant I had no house phone, no TV, no Internet - so I couldn't find out anything about the weather, if there was a tornado in my area (there was one near a co-worker's home - she told me today). Once the storm died down, I will have to empty my pool again, but there was no Internet.

No Internet also means no access to zoom-ins of my photos, since I don't put all my photos out on my online server, and right after BurningMan, after I advertized my photos, is a little disappointing they became unavailable. I could go check the logfile on the online server to see how many people tried to see my pictures.

Oh well... cannot control the weather - yet.

posted in BryTee and friends - 6 replies

Next American Idol

2005-08-19T23:54:37Z

I went to Kareoki last night, and got to do 2 songs:
• House of the Rising Sun
• Stray Cat Strut

People clapped and congratulated me at the end of the "Rising Sun" song. Wow!

They strongly applauded at the end of the Stray Cat song - bigger wow, and it felt quite a big surprise. I know I can sing, but the response was weird to receive!

I should go earlier next week, and sing more, and chat with people, make it an evening out. I arrived about midnight last night, and most people were in little groups.

posted in BryTee and friends - 16 replies

Ventilation

2005-08-17T21:52:38Z

So I am testing out my sound system for my Burningman art-bicycle, but as my garage is cluttered with wood, poles, tarps, tools, etc, I decided to move the battery, wires, CD player, speakers, etc, all into my basement. There's room there.
So I played my sound system all day off the battery yesterday, measuring the current drawn, etc, and the battery proved to be giving out as much power (if not a little more) as it says it should (which is 60 Amp Hours). It also helped me know how much power the sound system needs (it runs at just under an amp when quiet, and about 1.5A when loud). So I recharge the battery (which took about 6 hours on the superfast charger I now have - better than 24hrs on the old charger).

At 4am the Carbon Monoxide detector start squeeking and woke me up. It had a reading of 65ppm. I guess the battery charger manual does say to provide good ventilation when charging a battery! Whoops. I switched off the charger, opened the basement window, reset the monitor, watched the numbers start to come down, and went to bed. In the morning, it was back at zero.

Note to self: charging a battery should be done with good ventilation, such as with a window open, or in my drafty garage!

PS If your math is good, you'll see I get about 60 hours of music on one charge. But once I add lights (which is 0.6A for the 40w florescent "idea" lamp, and another 0.5 to 1.0 amp for the ELwire), that means nighttime draws twice as much power than daytime, so with 6 hours of music by day, and 6 hours of music & lights by night, and the rest I'm asleep, or inside others places/center camp. that's 18 amp hours per day. So I get a little over 3 days worth of runtime per battery charge. I have two such batteries, so I'll need to do a charge while there. Being in Asylum village, I get access to electrical power, so I can charge a battery once it runs out, probably Thursday, and then I switch to using the other, which will run probably until Sunday, and back to the first recharged battery.
Although add in 3 (maybe 4) 8 hour ranger sessions (where I won't be with my art-bike), that means I may not need that charge at all. Yeah! I'd rather know I can be self-suffient with the supplies I bring.
I could run the charger off my generator, eg while I cook, and run the microwave and deep fat frier, to keep the batteries "topped up" electrically. The kitchen appliances CANNOT run off the provided power, they're way too much power. The provided electricity is for low power things, like lights, fans, etc.

posted in BryTee and friends - 1 reply

Phone cards

2005-08-17T18:28:34Z

I was extremely busy yesterday (at work), so to call my daughter in England I thought I'd use one of the two calling cards that the ex-GF had given me a few months ago. This was very nice of her to do, but what I didn't know was they have a 99 day expiration! Their customer service told me this. Bummer. So I went home, called from there, and made it back in reasonable time. I need to find a similar excellent deal somewhere that sells them here.
I wish the phone company would allow me to redirect my home number internationally. I'd call home, it'd be forwarded there, then I undo the call forwarding once the call went through. I've done that before to call long distance, from work, via home.

posted in BryTee and friends - 0 replies