I had lunch with a good friend a few days ago. Of course, one of the topics you typically should never discuss came up. Religion. (The others are Sex and Politics) Oh wait, I think you’re not suppose to discuss these at a party. So, I guess it was okay to talk about.

Beings that Easter of 06 just passed, it was a good discussion. We have differing views, but I believe there’s a mutual respect and a level of tolerance that doesn’t affect our friendship. I appreciate that.

Often, during or after a major religeous time, usually a holiday with christian focus, I tend to reflect on my past beliefs and review my own thoughts on how I feel about a particular subject that had a profound affect on my earlier years, religion. Beings that I do not follow any particular organization or group, I tend to re-evaluate my own beliefs and since we’re a society of “labels” and “titles” I tend to try and label myself, religeously.

During said periods of reflection, introspection, curiosity or what ever, I like to peruse the infinite knowledge medium, the internet. This past weekend I stumbled onto a web site, www.religioustolerance.org that looks like it’s been around awhile and the design is atrocious.

However, the message was interesting and I agree with their mission statement of “Tolerance” on all levels and for all beliefs, religious or otherwise.Thankfully, we (I do anyway) live in a free country to think and believe as I please without fear of retribution and reprisal.

I only hope I’m learning to tolerate other opinions even when I do not agree.
-Shane

Posted: April 19th, 2006 under Personal, Religion.
Comments: none

I’ve run across the coolest web site. If you’re into music at all and would like to discover unknown bands or try other music genre’s, then you have to try out this site.

Go over to Pandora.com. It’s a “radio” site. However, the way it works is, you start with a favorite band or song. From there it streams similar music based upon the band and specific sound of the song. It’s simple to use and best of all, for a few ads popping up, it’s free. For a detailed explanation on how they derived at how music is selected, they’re core business is part of the Music Genome Project.

I’ve use it now for two purposes.
One - to get an idea of some new bands I might like
Two - as a radio at work or home. So, while ads may pop up, the songs still stream along in the back-ground.

Enjoy - Shane

Posted: April 18th, 2006 under Personal, Web Site.
Comments: none

So, this past weekend was the very last ski training day for Dylan with EMSC. On Saturday morning as we’re driving over to Boulder for Dylan to catch the Van, he turns to me and says, “I’m going to miss skiing, I wish I could ski all summer.”

This statement came unsolicited and we weren’t really talking about skiing or the end of the year. It’s moments like this that you think, man it’s great to be a parent that can provide such activities for your son.

Makes it all worth it.

Shane

Posted: April 18th, 2006 under Personal.
Comments: none

This is freakin cool. After reading a blog by a tech guy, Phil I think, over at Conversant, I stumbled on this blog posting tool he suggested trying out. It has built-in spell checking and is a lot like an email client.

One feature is that you can write posts and save them as a draft. This is my first post with this tool. Way cool for offline editing

I’ve also found it helpful for quickly editing posted blogs as well.

Get a demo at: MarsEditor

The only issue is, it’s Mac only.

Posted: April 16th, 2006 under Personal, Software, Technology.
Comments: none

For me, it’s just another Sunday. Well, except the stores are closed, the roads were clear save for a few early worshipers all dressed up on the only day they probably get up this early. It looks like everyone in cars this morning were probably going to attend some form of worship service as everyone looks dressed up, for the most part. I’d guess more to please their significant other, parent or maybe they truly do believe that something profound happened a few thousand years ago.

Then, I’d guess off to search for colored eggs that a bunny left, asorted candy and have a big breakfast, lunch or what ever it is people do on Easter Sunday. Right, bunnies, eggs and our stomach. No wonder this country is so lazy, their focus is all twisted on food and feel good(ies).

Oh well, off to fix the satellite dish, work on a few things around the house, tidy up a few web sites and do what I typically do on a Sunday.

Posted: April 16th, 2006 under Personal, Religion.
Comments: none

Ski season is winding down here in Colorado. Even though the weather is warm down on the front-range, it’s still snowing at higher elevations.

This weekend, April 15th and 16th is the last training weekend of the year for EMSC. Eldora closes on Sunday and we still have a race next weekend at Loveland.

Then… it’ll be over and I can take the ski box off the top of the car.

Posted: April 15th, 2006 under Personal, Skiing.
Comments: none

Finally, after weeks of waiting, my ole reliable PowerBook is back!!

Yes, I have my PowerBook G4 back after several weeks. The screen is brand-new and runs like a champ. The entire chassis is a bit tweaked, 2 corners a little bent. A small price to pay to get back on my Mac.

Speaking of, Apple of course has introduced the Intel DualCore products and they look like they’ll be winner. Interesting how Apple puts out a laptop based on Intel DualCore technology before most of the “other” manufactures. Go figure.

I’m hoping to let this one last another year before upgrading to a new MacPro. With the announcement of dual boot and/or virtual solutions taking advantage of the native Intel chip, looks like a perfect laptop for those of use who have to work in a dual OS environment.

Posted: April 14th, 2006 under Personal, theMac.
Comments: none