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SWAT Kats' Kickstarter! RADICAL! :D
General | Posted 10 years agoThanks to 
mi1ez, I found out about Christian and Yvon Tremblay running a kickstarter campaign to revive the SWAT Kats. As of today (9 Aug 2015), they've netted over $100,000 and still have 12 days to go.
If you wanna check out the campaign, it's over here: https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....ats-revolution
Even if you can't afford to back the project, please help get the word of muzzle out! If it wasn't for the show, I probably wouldn't have had the fursona I've had for so long. :)
mi1ez, I found out about Christian and Yvon Tremblay running a kickstarter campaign to revive the SWAT Kats. As of today (9 Aug 2015), they've netted over $100,000 and still have 12 days to go.If you wanna check out the campaign, it's over here: https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....ats-revolution
Even if you can't afford to back the project, please help get the word of muzzle out! If it wasn't for the show, I probably wouldn't have had the fursona I've had for so long. :)
DC-bound
General | Posted 10 years agoFWIW, I'll be in the Shepherdstown, WV area from May 4-14 for a class and on leave in the Dulles Int'l Airport (IAD) area from May 15-22.
If you're in the area and interested in meeting, email me at afwxkat (at) gmail (dot) com (you can try leaving a reply here, but because I'm not on FA all that much nowadays email is preferred).
If you're in the area and interested in meeting, email me at afwxkat (at) gmail (dot) com (you can try leaving a reply here, but because I'm not on FA all that much nowadays email is preferred).
Viral video: Cat saves boy from dog
General | Posted 11 years agoAs I posted in my LJ, I'd expect to see a dog rescuing the boy, but it's REALLY unusual to see that kind of behavior from a cat. The video appears to be going viral on social media really quickly too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYHZdJx4rbg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYHZdJx4rbg
This will be short (I promise!)
General | Posted 12 years ago... because I have to be up in a few hours for work, and sleep good. :)
Been thinking about how many furs are roughly my age (I'm one year older than the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything).
And interestingly enough, I've found quite a few such furs. I know of at least two or three that were born in 1970 (so now you can do the math to figure out my age, if you didn't already figure it out from the above paragraph). If I expand that to my age +/- 5 years then the list grows a little larger.
But out of curiosity (a natural feline trait), I'm wondering who else is hovering around 42-43-ish. Feel free to post. And just imagine... you're probably the age of the parents of some of the younger furs here. :)
Been thinking about how many furs are roughly my age (I'm one year older than the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything).
And interestingly enough, I've found quite a few such furs. I know of at least two or three that were born in 1970 (so now you can do the math to figure out my age, if you didn't already figure it out from the above paragraph). If I expand that to my age +/- 5 years then the list grows a little larger.
But out of curiosity (a natural feline trait), I'm wondering who else is hovering around 42-43-ish. Feel free to post. And just imagine... you're probably the age of the parents of some of the younger furs here. :)
An unexpected vacation... [crossposted from LJ]
General | Posted 12 years ago... but I'm not going anywhere.
The vacation is thanks to Congress, which decided to shut down the federal government rather than negotiate a new budget for the current fiscal year. As such, I have been furloughed as of Tuesday.
Yes, I've applied for unemployment since I can do that, though I don't know if I've done it properly since the rules are different if you're a furloughed federal employee versus one that's been laid off. And most of the documentation on the site is geared toward those who have been laid off permanently (you have to job hunt, schedule interviews/contacts, not refuse any reasonable offer of work, etc.)
The one thing I can't do right now is appeal the decision to furlough (for example, if I was considered mission essential I would be able to continue to work, just not get paid), and that's because the appeals site is down due to the shutdown.
In any case, with all of that, that solidifies what I'd already been planning since earlier this year: no trips through the end of 2014, which means no cons and no visits anywhere. And I'll be unable to house anyone that visits either, so if you visit you're unfortunately on your own for accommodations.
We'll see how long this lasts, but right now I think this could last the entire month, especially with the issue of the debt ceiling being the next 800-pound gorilla to come our way. And if the news is right, that one will be an even bigger fight than this one.
The vacation is thanks to Congress, which decided to shut down the federal government rather than negotiate a new budget for the current fiscal year. As such, I have been furloughed as of Tuesday.
Yes, I've applied for unemployment since I can do that, though I don't know if I've done it properly since the rules are different if you're a furloughed federal employee versus one that's been laid off. And most of the documentation on the site is geared toward those who have been laid off permanently (you have to job hunt, schedule interviews/contacts, not refuse any reasonable offer of work, etc.)
The one thing I can't do right now is appeal the decision to furlough (for example, if I was considered mission essential I would be able to continue to work, just not get paid), and that's because the appeals site is down due to the shutdown.
In any case, with all of that, that solidifies what I'd already been planning since earlier this year: no trips through the end of 2014, which means no cons and no visits anywhere. And I'll be unable to house anyone that visits either, so if you visit you're unfortunately on your own for accommodations.
We'll see how long this lasts, but right now I think this could last the entire month, especially with the issue of the debt ceiling being the next 800-pound gorilla to come our way. And if the news is right, that one will be an even bigger fight than this one.
And so it begins: part 2
General | Posted 12 years agoBeginning today, we're being partially furloughed.
From this week until mid-September, Department of Defense civilian employees are forced to not work 8 hours per work week for a total of 11 furlough days, or 88 hours. The good news is that's down from the 21 days that were originally proposed several months ago. The bad news is that it still equates to a roughly 20% pay cut.
And even worse, Congress has not done its job. It's supposed to come up with a budget, and it can't even do that. And while allowing several thousand workers to take a 20% pay cut, it votes to keep its own gainfully employed, even as they do nothing.
So yeah, I'm just a tad bitter at Congress for paying itself even as it does absolutely nothing. It refused to furlough its own or -- Heaven forbid! -- let its own work without pay, but it's perfectly willing to let others take the hit for its inaction. I'm already planning to vote out whoever I can next year as it is.
In other news, this has, like I said, cancelled any and all trip plans through all of 2014. I simply can't afford to travel, period. I haven't even looked ahead to 2015 yet, but if this Congress is any indication, I expect to be furloughed even more next fiscal year, which means cutting out all trips through the end of 2015 as well.
I'm going to do my best to hang on to my Guard job, but that could be going poof next year as well. We'll have to see what happens.
From this week until mid-September, Department of Defense civilian employees are forced to not work 8 hours per work week for a total of 11 furlough days, or 88 hours. The good news is that's down from the 21 days that were originally proposed several months ago. The bad news is that it still equates to a roughly 20% pay cut.
And even worse, Congress has not done its job. It's supposed to come up with a budget, and it can't even do that. And while allowing several thousand workers to take a 20% pay cut, it votes to keep its own gainfully employed, even as they do nothing.
So yeah, I'm just a tad bitter at Congress for paying itself even as it does absolutely nothing. It refused to furlough its own or -- Heaven forbid! -- let its own work without pay, but it's perfectly willing to let others take the hit for its inaction. I'm already planning to vote out whoever I can next year as it is.
In other news, this has, like I said, cancelled any and all trip plans through all of 2014. I simply can't afford to travel, period. I haven't even looked ahead to 2015 yet, but if this Congress is any indication, I expect to be furloughed even more next fiscal year, which means cutting out all trips through the end of 2015 as well.
I'm going to do my best to hang on to my Guard job, but that could be going poof next year as well. We'll have to see what happens.
Sequester, sequester, who's got the sequester?
General | Posted 13 years agoUnless you've been completely cut off from all forms of news coverage, you're probably aware that this coming week is a very important one for Congress. Depending on what the yutzes in office do (or don't do), we could be facing a financial sequester starting Friday, March 1.
If the sequester happens, the next step is likely furloughs of Department of Defense civilian employees beginning near the end of April. Unlike the budget issue of 2011, the sequester doesn't mean complete furlough... BUT it does mean a roughly 20 percent pay and benefits cut. Or to put it another way, we would not be allowed to work 16 hours of every 80-hour pay period.
What this means for yours truly, then, is that starting March I'll be cutting back wherever I can. Mostly it'll mean not going out unless absolutely necessary. It also means putting any major purchases on hold indefinitely, because the furloughs -- if they happen -- could easily extend to the rest of the fiscal year.
One of the (fairly obvious) casualties is no travel. That nixes FC 2014 -- which I had said would be iffy from the get-go -- and any cons for the rest of this year. I don't know about FC 2015 at this point... that's too far ahead to plan.
As it is, I've been wanting to cut back for some time. This just accelerates it.
If the sequester happens, the next step is likely furloughs of Department of Defense civilian employees beginning near the end of April. Unlike the budget issue of 2011, the sequester doesn't mean complete furlough... BUT it does mean a roughly 20 percent pay and benefits cut. Or to put it another way, we would not be allowed to work 16 hours of every 80-hour pay period.
What this means for yours truly, then, is that starting March I'll be cutting back wherever I can. Mostly it'll mean not going out unless absolutely necessary. It also means putting any major purchases on hold indefinitely, because the furloughs -- if they happen -- could easily extend to the rest of the fiscal year.
One of the (fairly obvious) casualties is no travel. That nixes FC 2014 -- which I had said would be iffy from the get-go -- and any cons for the rest of this year. I don't know about FC 2015 at this point... that's too far ahead to plan.
As it is, I've been wanting to cut back for some time. This just accelerates it.
Back from FC 2013!
General | Posted 13 years agoGot home yesterday from a weeklong trip to San Jose, mainly to attend FC 2013, but also came down with a rather nasty stomach virus that kept me off my feet all of yesterday and most of today (caused me to call in sick to work and see the doctor today).
Most of the symptoms have been on the order of flulike: fever, aches/pains, and chills. But I've also been having the runs. No vomiting, sore throat, or coughing though. I was tempted to throw up yesterday morning but felt that would have probably made things worse. So for now I'm doing home treatment with plenty of rest, powerade and saimin. Hopefully I'll be back on my feet tomorrow.
The good news is that it looks like I've turned the corner and should be recovering. The bad news is that there's little the doctor was able to do since it does appear to be a virus -- which can't really be treated -- versus a bacterial infection, which can be treated with antibiotics.
Unfortunately this also means that the pix and camcorder footage I wanted to post on here from FC will have to wait, at least until this weekend and/or I'm better. But I do have a couple pix posted at least. :)
Shout outs to those I saw at FC (and if I forgot you, my apologies... remember, I'm still under the weather, so to speak):
kadinshino ... my roommate and transportation :)
Balto ... furry artist, created a con badge and did a sketch for me based on what happened with kadinshino last year :) and I really enjoyed seeing and talking to you again :)
Lockford, 
RaizStarwind, and 
Rooth ... met through Kadin, was fun hanging out with you guys :)
dotx and 
rogue_wolfclaw ... fellow Hawaii furs that are part of the 808 Furs group that I finally got a chance to meet :)
As I said in my last post, I don't know if I can make FC 2014, but I definitely plan on shooting for FC 2015.
Most of the symptoms have been on the order of flulike: fever, aches/pains, and chills. But I've also been having the runs. No vomiting, sore throat, or coughing though. I was tempted to throw up yesterday morning but felt that would have probably made things worse. So for now I'm doing home treatment with plenty of rest, powerade and saimin. Hopefully I'll be back on my feet tomorrow.
The good news is that it looks like I've turned the corner and should be recovering. The bad news is that there's little the doctor was able to do since it does appear to be a virus -- which can't really be treated -- versus a bacterial infection, which can be treated with antibiotics.
Unfortunately this also means that the pix and camcorder footage I wanted to post on here from FC will have to wait, at least until this weekend and/or I'm better. But I do have a couple pix posted at least. :)
Shout outs to those I saw at FC (and if I forgot you, my apologies... remember, I'm still under the weather, so to speak):
kadinshino ... my roommate and transportation :)
Balto ... furry artist, created a con badge and did a sketch for me based on what happened with kadinshino last year :) and I really enjoyed seeing and talking to you again :)
Lockford, 
RaizStarwind, and 
Rooth ... met through Kadin, was fun hanging out with you guys :)
dotx and 
rogue_wolfclaw ... fellow Hawaii furs that are part of the 808 Furs group that I finally got a chance to meet :)As I said in my last post, I don't know if I can make FC 2014, but I definitely plan on shooting for FC 2015.
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet and FC 2013/FC 2014
General | Posted 13 years agoBack in 2011, when Congress couldn't pass a federal budget, I was forced to cancel plans to go to FC 2012. The constant threats of shutting down the federal government not only became really old really fast, but made it impossible to plan or budget for the con.
Now with a new group of mostly conservatives coming in thanks to the 2012 elections, it looks like more people in Congress are going to play hardball with everything related to the federal budget. And they seem to be perfectly willing to shut down the federal government if that's what it takes to curb federal spending.
With our national debt at $16 trillion+, I agree that we need to cut our spending. We can't keep spending money that we don't have, and unlike the consumer that overspends, we can't just declare bankruptcy and have all of our debts erased. The federal government doesn't work that way.
The upshot of all of this is that there's no guarantee that I'll be getting a paycheck after March, and more than likely I'll have to cut back on my own personal spending.
That said, FC 2013 is already a go because I already planned and budgeted for it last year -- though I may still end up making some major changes at the last minute -- but FC 2014 will more than likely be a no-go.
If you'll be at FC 2013, I hope to see you there. But it may be a couple years, if not longer, before I return to another FC. Only time will tell (and/or you can also watch this space for updates.)
Now with a new group of mostly conservatives coming in thanks to the 2012 elections, it looks like more people in Congress are going to play hardball with everything related to the federal budget. And they seem to be perfectly willing to shut down the federal government if that's what it takes to curb federal spending.
With our national debt at $16 trillion+, I agree that we need to cut our spending. We can't keep spending money that we don't have, and unlike the consumer that overspends, we can't just declare bankruptcy and have all of our debts erased. The federal government doesn't work that way.
The upshot of all of this is that there's no guarantee that I'll be getting a paycheck after March, and more than likely I'll have to cut back on my own personal spending.
That said, FC 2013 is already a go because I already planned and budgeted for it last year -- though I may still end up making some major changes at the last minute -- but FC 2014 will more than likely be a no-go.
If you'll be at FC 2013, I hope to see you there. But it may be a couple years, if not longer, before I return to another FC. Only time will tell (and/or you can also watch this space for updates.)
RIP Daniel K. Inouye: 1924-2012
General | Posted 13 years agoHawaii (and the U.S.) lost a dedicated Senator today:
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/sto.....82sE7w4WQ.cspx
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/sto.....82sE7w4WQ.cspx
Christmas card list
General | Posted 13 years agoI haven't been sending these out but thought I'd start them up again this year, partly because of another friend's solicitation (you know who you are :)
If interested, PM me your s-mail addy. Let me know if you want mine in return.
(Don't reply to this post unless you don't mind everyone else knowing your s-mail addy.) :P
This is the same post as on LJ, so if you replied there you don't have to reply here.
If interested, PM me your s-mail addy. Let me know if you want mine in return.
(Don't reply to this post unless you don't mind everyone else knowing your s-mail addy.) :P
This is the same post as on LJ, so if you replied there you don't have to reply here.
Wuz Da Kine Night Befoa Da Time Wen Christmas Wen Come
General | Posted 13 years agoHad to share this one... a Hawaiian pidgin version of "Twas The Night Before Christmas," from the senior pastor at my church. (No preaching, just the poem.) Enjoy! :)
p.s. If you don't know Hawaiian pidgin you might be a bit lost, but hopefully you can more or less understand the poem. :)
http://youtu.be/P8V0vIUilk0
p.s. If you don't know Hawaiian pidgin you might be a bit lost, but hopefully you can more or less understand the poem. :)
http://youtu.be/P8V0vIUilk0
*snrk*
General | Posted 13 years agoThis reminds me of a certain otter doing a certain thing with a certain sea cucumber:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVE60zwXx1k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVE60zwXx1k
I'm tired.
General | Posted 13 years agoI'm not just tired. I am exhausted.
Physically, I'm more or less still awake, but emotionally, forget it. I'm drained.
It's because over the weekend I've had to endure quite a bit of drama, a couple of serious meltdowns, and what could have been a murder had I not been able to defuse part of the situation early enough.
I'm not going to go into details about what happened... best not to, actually. I will say, however, that this only involved friends and not family or co-workers. But this past weekend has taken its toll on me emotionally to where I'm just flat out exhausted. I'm tired of dealing with the drama, and while I'm doing my best to cope, I don't know at what point I'll lose it myself.
Fortunately Lani's able to help re-energize me somewhat by simply being here on the bed. There's something therapeutic about an affectionate, purring cat being nearby.
Physically, I'm more or less still awake, but emotionally, forget it. I'm drained.
It's because over the weekend I've had to endure quite a bit of drama, a couple of serious meltdowns, and what could have been a murder had I not been able to defuse part of the situation early enough.
I'm not going to go into details about what happened... best not to, actually. I will say, however, that this only involved friends and not family or co-workers. But this past weekend has taken its toll on me emotionally to where I'm just flat out exhausted. I'm tired of dealing with the drama, and while I'm doing my best to cope, I don't know at what point I'll lose it myself.
Fortunately Lani's able to help re-energize me somewhat by simply being here on the bed. There's something therapeutic about an affectionate, purring cat being nearby.
Aloha deployment for USS Reuben James
General | Posted 13 years agoMood-controlled tail
General | Posted 13 years agoAs posted in my LJ: Kauai trip
General | Posted 13 years agoAaaand... I'm back on Oahu after spending a few days on Kauai -- at one of the beach cottages on PMRF, to be exact.
Seven of us from my HIANG flight went up to Kauai to do some training and teambuilding. In between, we did a couple of beach trips, and I headed up to Waimea Canyon.
The trip was mostly uneventful.
Why do I say "mostly"?
It's because about a third of the way, while still in Waimea, and preparing to turn onto Waimea Canyon Road (which would take me up to the canyon), I witnessed a traffic accident.
Here's the location of the accident site, as it appears on Google Maps:
Click here for the pic
And here's the scenario: you are looking in the direction that I was headed. The road I want isn't in the pic yet... it's the next left AFTER the one that you see in the pic.
I'm behind one car (we'll call this car #1), and another one (car #2) is coming out from the road on the right, preparing to turn left (i.e., toward me). Car #2 almost cuts off car #1, but car #1 stops and motions for car #2 to pull out. I stop about a car length or so behind car #1.
Car #2 pulls out in front of car #1. No big deal... usually when this happens, the second car pulls out partway, waits for cross traffic on the other side to stop, then continues with the turn.
Except this time car #2 doesn't stop and continues the left turn.
Right in front of a medium-sized van. You know, one of those repair vans with no windows in the back, maybe about the size of a minivan or small SUV?
At this point I've got several thoughts running through my mind, all at the same time:
"Oh $#!+!"
"This is NOT gonna be good."
"WTF?!"
From my perspective, the van's driver has no time to react. He broadsides car #2's front passenger door at speed, sending it into and around car #1. By the time both vehicles stop, car #2 is pointed toward my right behind car #1 and I can see the damage to the front passenger door. Car #2's windshield is also cracked.
I'm far enough behind car #1 that I'm not involved, but I just got a front-row seat of everything that just happened. Luckily the speed limit on this part of the highway is 25 mph, so it could have been MUCH worse if it had happened in an area where the speed limit was higher.
I angle my car to the right, stop the car and turn on the hazards. Already a couple of other people are checking to see if anyone was hurt (fortunately, nobody was since car #2 had no passengers, and the driver of that car appeared okay... definitely shaken, possibly disoriented).
I stay put in the car while my passenger calls 911 to report the accident. The van's driver also appears to be calling 911. In a few minutes a police officer arrives. By this time other traffic on the road is slowly making its way through the accident scene. Those headed in the direction I was headed are driving slowly over the sidewalk on the right, while those on the other side stay in the lane (my lane was blocked by the accident), and the van's driver moves it off the road.
The police officer asks me if I was involved in the accident. I say no, but that I did see what happened -- like I said I pretty much had a front row seat -- and wait as the cop tends to those actually involved in the accident. A few minutes later, a second KPD officer arrives. The first cop identifies the drivers and tells the second cop to take my statement so he can send me on my way. I describe what happened, but don't say anything about how I perceived the driver of car #2 (since I didn't think about this until after I'd given my statement and been released from the scene), after which I'm released from the scene.
Needless to say, for the remainder of the drive up to the canyon, all my senses are on full blood alert. Kinda sorta, but not quite, like in "Over The Hedge," how Hammy reacted when RJ gave him caffeine.
I got some great pix of the canyon (which I'll post later), but didn't take any pix of the accident. I thought at the time that doing so might have been in poor taste and/or could have gotten me in trouble. If nothing else, though, the incident definitely gave me a story to post here.
Seven of us from my HIANG flight went up to Kauai to do some training and teambuilding. In between, we did a couple of beach trips, and I headed up to Waimea Canyon.
The trip was mostly uneventful.
Why do I say "mostly"?
It's because about a third of the way, while still in Waimea, and preparing to turn onto Waimea Canyon Road (which would take me up to the canyon), I witnessed a traffic accident.
Here's the location of the accident site, as it appears on Google Maps:
Click here for the pic
And here's the scenario: you are looking in the direction that I was headed. The road I want isn't in the pic yet... it's the next left AFTER the one that you see in the pic.
I'm behind one car (we'll call this car #1), and another one (car #2) is coming out from the road on the right, preparing to turn left (i.e., toward me). Car #2 almost cuts off car #1, but car #1 stops and motions for car #2 to pull out. I stop about a car length or so behind car #1.
Car #2 pulls out in front of car #1. No big deal... usually when this happens, the second car pulls out partway, waits for cross traffic on the other side to stop, then continues with the turn.
Except this time car #2 doesn't stop and continues the left turn.
Right in front of a medium-sized van. You know, one of those repair vans with no windows in the back, maybe about the size of a minivan or small SUV?
At this point I've got several thoughts running through my mind, all at the same time:
"Oh $#!+!"
"This is NOT gonna be good."
"WTF?!"
From my perspective, the van's driver has no time to react. He broadsides car #2's front passenger door at speed, sending it into and around car #1. By the time both vehicles stop, car #2 is pointed toward my right behind car #1 and I can see the damage to the front passenger door. Car #2's windshield is also cracked.
I'm far enough behind car #1 that I'm not involved, but I just got a front-row seat of everything that just happened. Luckily the speed limit on this part of the highway is 25 mph, so it could have been MUCH worse if it had happened in an area where the speed limit was higher.
I angle my car to the right, stop the car and turn on the hazards. Already a couple of other people are checking to see if anyone was hurt (fortunately, nobody was since car #2 had no passengers, and the driver of that car appeared okay... definitely shaken, possibly disoriented).
I stay put in the car while my passenger calls 911 to report the accident. The van's driver also appears to be calling 911. In a few minutes a police officer arrives. By this time other traffic on the road is slowly making its way through the accident scene. Those headed in the direction I was headed are driving slowly over the sidewalk on the right, while those on the other side stay in the lane (my lane was blocked by the accident), and the van's driver moves it off the road.
The police officer asks me if I was involved in the accident. I say no, but that I did see what happened -- like I said I pretty much had a front row seat -- and wait as the cop tends to those actually involved in the accident. A few minutes later, a second KPD officer arrives. The first cop identifies the drivers and tells the second cop to take my statement so he can send me on my way. I describe what happened, but don't say anything about how I perceived the driver of car #2 (since I didn't think about this until after I'd given my statement and been released from the scene), after which I'm released from the scene.
Needless to say, for the remainder of the drive up to the canyon, all my senses are on full blood alert. Kinda sorta, but not quite, like in "Over The Hedge," how Hammy reacted when RJ gave him caffeine.
I got some great pix of the canyon (which I'll post later), but didn't take any pix of the accident. I thought at the time that doing so might have been in poor taste and/or could have gotten me in trouble. If nothing else, though, the incident definitely gave me a story to post here.
Primaries
General | Posted 13 years agoWell, Hawaii's primary election 2012 is over, and at least it's nice to get a break from some political ads, at least for a day or so.
But now is when it looks like things are really gonna heat up.
The Presidential election notwithstanding, the Republicans are already looking at pouring in tons of $$$ for Linda Lingle's campaign against Mazie Hirono for the Senate seat vacated by Daniel Akaka, who is retiring. And that's because if they can get four seats, they can obtain a majority in the Senate and knock Dan Inouye out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. So the Republicans have a lot at stake on the race.
Closer to home, the upcoming runoff between former Governor Ben Cayetano and Manging Director Kirk Caldwell for mayor is gonna be interesting. At stake is the proposed rail project. Proponents are probably going to push hard for it, but I personally can't see a reason to support it... my end of the island will see no benefit from it, the project itself has been mismanaged from the start, and I'm really wary that we could be throwing good money after bad. And while those stuck in a good chunk of the morning and afternoon commute may push for it, you gotta remember that the whole island is gonna end up paying for it, so you'll have to sell the rail to everyone else. Cayetano's Bus Rapid Transit will at least benefit more of the island as far as I can tell.
I don't know yet who I plan to vote for, but it's pretty much a given that no matter who I choose, I'm gonna be criticized for my choices. But that's all part of the democratic process. For me, I think it's gonna come down to the issues AND who I believe is best for the state and country. I'm voting absentee since that's a lot easier for me logistically. But once I make my decision -- and it may not be until the weekend before election day -- I'm keeping my choices close-hold until after the election.
But now is when it looks like things are really gonna heat up.
The Presidential election notwithstanding, the Republicans are already looking at pouring in tons of $$$ for Linda Lingle's campaign against Mazie Hirono for the Senate seat vacated by Daniel Akaka, who is retiring. And that's because if they can get four seats, they can obtain a majority in the Senate and knock Dan Inouye out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. So the Republicans have a lot at stake on the race.
Closer to home, the upcoming runoff between former Governor Ben Cayetano and Manging Director Kirk Caldwell for mayor is gonna be interesting. At stake is the proposed rail project. Proponents are probably going to push hard for it, but I personally can't see a reason to support it... my end of the island will see no benefit from it, the project itself has been mismanaged from the start, and I'm really wary that we could be throwing good money after bad. And while those stuck in a good chunk of the morning and afternoon commute may push for it, you gotta remember that the whole island is gonna end up paying for it, so you'll have to sell the rail to everyone else. Cayetano's Bus Rapid Transit will at least benefit more of the island as far as I can tell.
I don't know yet who I plan to vote for, but it's pretty much a given that no matter who I choose, I'm gonna be criticized for my choices. But that's all part of the democratic process. For me, I think it's gonna come down to the issues AND who I believe is best for the state and country. I'm voting absentee since that's a lot easier for me logistically. But once I make my decision -- and it may not be until the weekend before election day -- I'm keeping my choices close-hold until after the election.
Furries sighted at Schofield
General | Posted 13 years agoI don't know any of those in the pic though. I'm guessing they were on-island for part of RIMPAC?
Oh, and I can't take credit for the pic... found out about it through a FB (non-fur) friend.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=616846373304&set=a.612158268304.2060058.54302678&type=1&relevant_count=3
Oh, and I can't take credit for the pic... found out about it through a FB (non-fur) friend.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=616846373304&set=a.612158268304.2060058.54302678&type=1&relevant_count=3
It's the pelvic thrusts that really drive you insane!
General | Posted 13 years agoFUR POWER!!! :)
General | Posted 13 years agoCANOPENER!!!
General | Posted 13 years agoI'll just let the link speak for itself. The entry is public, so anyone should be able to view it.
http://wxkat.livejournal.com/317364.html
http://wxkat.livejournal.com/317364.html
Nighttime furballs
General | Posted 14 years agoI suppose it's about time I posted an update. Not a whole lot to leave on the scratching post this time though. But for those of you who don't read my LJ, I've got a few furballs here and there from it for you:
Been dealing with some hip pain over the past few months. It's mainly on my right side and is fairly persistent. Hard to tell if there's any weakness on that side since I mostly notice pain. I think there might be a slight weakness though, hard to say. It has been enough to put me on a temporary PT waiver for Guard, but I'm planning to do some exercises in the pool as time permits.
Haven't had much of a social life (VR or RL) lately. Shift work hasn't helped, not to mention that a friend -- another fur who for the most part has been my social conduit -- has been nearly blind for a few weeks due to a partly detached retina on one side and bleeding on the other. He's slowly recovering, with emphasis on the word slowly. In between I've been doing quite a bit of driving, which I don't mind doing -- even with the seemingly increasing amount of idiots on the roads nowadays -- but it's left me kinda lethargic during my free time. So...probably not planning on seeing any more movies until the summer at the earliest.
Not even thinking about any cons -- or even travel -- for what'll probably be the rest of the year, and more than likely into next year. Too much RL chaos going on right now that I'd rather not travel off-island if I can help it. And, due to logistical issues beyond my control, I can't host anyone to visit either, so the best chance you have of getting ahold of me is online.
Been dealing with some hip pain over the past few months. It's mainly on my right side and is fairly persistent. Hard to tell if there's any weakness on that side since I mostly notice pain. I think there might be a slight weakness though, hard to say. It has been enough to put me on a temporary PT waiver for Guard, but I'm planning to do some exercises in the pool as time permits.
Haven't had much of a social life (VR or RL) lately. Shift work hasn't helped, not to mention that a friend -- another fur who for the most part has been my social conduit -- has been nearly blind for a few weeks due to a partly detached retina on one side and bleeding on the other. He's slowly recovering, with emphasis on the word slowly. In between I've been doing quite a bit of driving, which I don't mind doing -- even with the seemingly increasing amount of idiots on the roads nowadays -- but it's left me kinda lethargic during my free time. So...probably not planning on seeing any more movies until the summer at the earliest.
Not even thinking about any cons -- or even travel -- for what'll probably be the rest of the year, and more than likely into next year. Too much RL chaos going on right now that I'd rather not travel off-island if I can help it. And, due to logistical issues beyond my control, I can't host anyone to visit either, so the best chance you have of getting ahold of me is online.
FC 2012
General | Posted 14 years agoIf you're going, have fun!
Unfortunately, I won't be there this year.
Blame Congress for that since their budget wrangling nearly shut down the federal government at least five times last year. And since I'm a federal employee, that made it impossible to do any kind of budgeting for the con.
Not going to speculate about next year (or the rest of this year) either.
Sorry guys.
Unfortunately, I won't be there this year.
Blame Congress for that since their budget wrangling nearly shut down the federal government at least five times last year. And since I'm a federal employee, that made it impossible to do any kind of budgeting for the con.
Not going to speculate about next year (or the rest of this year) either.
Sorry guys.
Calling all SWAT Kats fans!
General | Posted 14 years ago(Crossposted from my LJ. Originally found out here, through word-of-muzzle from wolf_skinchanger):
Do you want to see SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron revived?
There's a letter writing campaign in the works to attempt to convince Warner Bros. (the current owners of Hanna-Barbera) to bring back the show. See the link for details.
Keep your letter courteous and professional, but don't send it until January 31, 2012 so that WB gets all the letters at roughly the same time.
Oh, and feel free to spread the word!
Do you want to see SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron revived?
There's a letter writing campaign in the works to attempt to convince Warner Bros. (the current owners of Hanna-Barbera) to bring back the show. See the link for details.
Keep your letter courteous and professional, but don't send it until January 31, 2012 so that WB gets all the letters at roughly the same time.
Oh, and feel free to spread the word!
