Edumucation

Yes I misspelled it on purpose.

The university I go to forces students into learning teams. This is supposed to teach how to work together and be better teammates in the real world. We have weekly projects that are graded and no matter how much effort a person puts into the project, everyone receives the same grade. This experience has simply reinforced my belief that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. I care about my grades. They are a measure of success and effort. Nothing pisses me off and motivates me to work harder than a bad or less than perfect grade. Another thing team projects taught me is that adults are just old children. They pitch temper tantrums as well as any six year old in Wal-Mart when they get told they can't have a new toy. Lastly, a degree doesn't mean the person has any measure of intelligence. I have met people in my classes that are almost compete with their program and consistently have issues with reading comprehension. The simplest concepts elude what should be intelligent human beings.

Bad monkey

So the gorilla that was put down in the Cincinnati zoo has gotten a lot of media attention. Some people are angry at the zoo for killing the ape.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/05/31/zoo-that-killed-400-pound-silverback-harambe-to-protect-boy-stands-by-decision.html?intcmp=hplnws

Some people are mad at the mother because she wasn't paying close enough attention to her child.

http://heavy.com/news/2016/05/michelle-gregg-cincinnati-zoo-mother-mom-name-gorilla-harambe-facebook-photos-son-petition/

Since the story broke, it has been on talk radio, the TV news, and of course social media almost stop. Each side has been making impassioned emotional arguments.

My two cents: First, I don't know anything about typical gorilla behavior. However, in the released videos, the ape does seem be protecting the child. Human children are not as physically resilient as baby gorillas so dragging the child around by the arms and legs may be perfectly normal. The screams from the people outside of the cage seemed to trigger the ape's protective behavior.

Second, as a parent I understand that if you blink your eyes your kid will get into something you never expected them to do. It is possible the mother was paying attention but got distracted long enough for that baby to climb into the enclosure. There are reports that the child had stated that he wanted to get into the cage. Instead of dismissing his desires, momma should have made sure she had a close eye on him while they were in that part of the zoo.

Third, I wasn't there when the team made the shot. They had to make a split second decision to either end the gorilla's life to save the life of a human or choose another way of rescuing the child. Unless proven otherwise, they made the best decision they could have based on the circumstances and the available information.

Can we go back to hoping the FBI arrests Hillary Clinton please?

Follow up: I found this by accident. https://www.facebook.com/amanda.odonoughue/posts/1203379586363094 

I don't have the time to fact check this post so take it with a grain of salt.

Squishy

Memorial Day

Enough said

that makes perfect sense

So, I spend a lot of time in front of my computer at work and at home and most of the time it not by choice. My work requires computer based training, filling out paperwork, creating power point presentations, creating excel sheets, lesson plan preparation, and grading papers to name a few things I do. At home, I park my butt in front of the computer almost as soon as I get home for more of the same from work and putting in time to my education. I have noticed that lately I am having trouble concentrating and cannot get enough sleep or coffee. Instead of taking my lunch breaks, I’ve been sneaking in power naps. I thought maybe I was just overworking myself, and I need a break. I saw this meme on Facespace the other day and thought that maybe this is something I need to look in to. Spending a few days away from work and the computer wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Babes

Stay classy San Diego

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/at-least-35-arrested-following-trump-rally-in-san-diego/article/2592523?custom_click=rss

Gun Porn

Satuday babes

late post, Friday night scary stories

I had company last night and forgot to post the scary stories. Enjoy

Joke of the week

A college freshman decided to try out for the football team. "Can you tackle?" asked the coach. "Watch this" said the freshman, who proceeded to run smack into a telephone pole, shattering it to splinters. "Wow" said the coach. "I'm impressed. Can you run?" "Of course I can run" said the freshman. He was off like a shot, and, in just over nine seconds, he had run a hundred yard dash. "Great!" enthused the coach. "But can you pass a football?" The freshman hesitated for a few seconds. "Well, sir" he said "if I can swallow it, I can probably pass it".

not bad

We've been telling you that!!!

http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-ex-ceo-takes-on-minimum-wage-2016-5?yptr=yahoo?r=UK&IR=T

No kidding. Anyone with a lick of common sense saw this coming a mile away.

Friday night scary stories

my kryptonite

dark hair and blue yes, oh my

You can't make this shit up

Trees are racist. I had no idea. Read all about it here.

God is not your fairy godmother

I saw this meme on Facebook today. It was posted to a friend of mine's page with many comments that said "Amen".

I wanted to respond but decided that the ensuing drama wasn't worth it. This meme is telling people that God will solve all of your problems and issues, don't worry about anything. In my lifetime, I have yet to find a passage in any set of scriptures that states God requires no action from us. If you believe this meme, when you get hungry, don't feed yourself, God will feed you if he wants you to eat. Don't put on clothes in the morning, God will make clothes magically appear if he wants you to wear clothes. Don't make any attempt to make your situation better. Don't get out of an abusive relationship, God will fix the other person for you. Don't go out and better yourself through hard work or education, God will give you money and riches if and when he wants you to have them. He will take complete care of you without any need for you to do anything. In other words, be lazy and let God do all of the work in your life. This meme inspires people of faith into inaction.

A quote that I have heard all my life is, "God only helps those that help themselves." Well guess what beloved, that quote isn't anywhere in the Bible. Its commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin, one of our founding fathers. However, there is a passage in the bible that tells us what God expects from us and it is a very simple concept. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."

This passage applies not only to eating but every aspect of our lives. If you have problems in your life, we all do, don't ignore then and hope that God will take them away for you. Step up and take and active role in your life. Solve your problems for yourself. Seek outside help and advice if you need it, but don't think that some deity is going to do it all for you while you get to sit back and enjoy the easy life.

LAWS OF THE NATURAL UNIVERSE

An oldie but a goodie.

Law of Mechanical Repair:
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.

Law of the Workshop:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

Law of Probability:
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

Law of the Telephone:
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi:
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law:
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Law of the Bath:
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Law of Close Encounters:
The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result:
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Biomechanics:
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Law of the Theatre:
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee:
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers:
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Rugs/Carpets:
The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.

Law of Location:
No matter where you go, there you are.

Law of Logical Argument:
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law:
If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

Oliver's Law:
A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law:
As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Saturday morning humor

Friday night ritual

A glass or three of some good whiskey and scary stories on You Tube has become my Friday night ritual at the end of the work week. Enjoy, I know I will.

Friday night gun porn

Pat Condell, amazing human being

Pat nails another one. He may be from across the pond but it goes to show that we're not alone in the destruction of our society.

Gun Porn

Bad days

So I had a pretty crappy day at work. I spent my day being idle. While this may sound like a dream come true to get paid to do nothing, it really isn’t. While I was sitting on my butt waiting for the day to be over, work that I needed to accomplish was going undone. There was training that I missed for an upcoming event that will have to be made up later. I also have a project that every day that passes gets more expensive and more difficult to finish. The part that really gets on my nerves is that this situation was completely preventable. I did not have to be idle today. I could have made significant headway on my project and gone to my training. 

There was a silver lining. For lunch, I got to go to a new restaurant that has really good soul food. I LOVE soul food. The restaurant was also a specialty market. They carried a huge selection of craft and imported beer.  I LOVE craft and imported beer. The best part of lunch wasn’t the food; it was spending time with my colleagues that I normally don’t get to interact with. I have incredible co-workers. Any time we can get together and just be ourselves, magic happens. While today cost me a lot in time, it paid in other ways.

Mondays

Can't leave well enough alone

It is a well known fact that I am an unrepentant knife whore. As a part of my obsession, I have to tinker with my knives. My latest project involves the easiest thing to mess with, the handles. Both knives are Beckers. The BK-9 came with plastic handles, the BK-11 did not come with any handles. There wasn't anything wrong with the plastic handles, I just didn't like them. So I picked up some pine and oak. The pine was to experiment with and figure out best practices. The oak was for the final product. While I am not done with either set of handles, they are getting close. The handles had to be made from a durable wood, because they are working knives, not displays.

So I finished the handles. I put the nice oak handles on my BK-10 instead of the BK-9. Did I mention I was a knife whore? Now that I see the BK-11 with brass fittings, the BK-10 has the have brass fittings too. Why can't I stop?

Don't mind if I do

Gear Review: The Sawyer Squeeze Filter & Fast Fill Adapter

A person can live up to three days without water. So as part of being a prepared person, having a way to produce enough water to keep me alive is important. I could store water, but that is a tedious and expensive hobby. Bottled water doesn’t last forever, and plastic bottles are not good for the environment. Also, I like camping and hiking. If I go on more than just a day trip, I can’t carry enough water for long trips. Boiling water is not an option because it takes too long. There are chemical treatments, but those are not good you in the long term. There has to be a better way. Turns out there is a better way.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter has a lifetime warranty. This means, as long as you take care of the filter by back flushing it regularly, it should last forever.

The filter comes with a squeeze pouch and flushing syringe. You fill up the squeeze pouch with water, then attach the filter to the pouch, and finally squeeze the water through the filter either into your mouth or another receptacle. 

One of the accessories Sawyer makes for the squeeze filter is the Fast Fill Adapter.

With this adapter, you can fill a hydration pack without taking it off or removing it from its carrier. In my backpacking rig, my hydration pack is stored inside the pack and is very difficult to remove. With the addition of the fast fill adapter, I can refill my water quickly and get on with enjoying the great outdoors.

You have to assemble the adapter part that attaches to the filter.

Next, you have to cut the drinking tube from your hydration pack. I recommend at least two inches from where the bite valve goes into the tube. Cut the insulation at the same time if your hydration pack has insulation. Next, insert the while female end into the tube that goes to the bladder. Next, insert the male end in the tube closest to the bite valve. 

You can now join the drinking tube back together.

To fill up your pack, simply press the grey release on the female coupler, then insert the male end adapter with the filter attached, fill up the squeeze pouch, attach the pouch to the filter, then fill the bladder.

This is a quick and easy addition to your hydration pack that will help you save time and frustration.

Source:

https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-squeeze-filter-system-sp131/

This post contains links to purchase this items through Amazon.com. A purchase will help to ensure I can continue to bring you, my dear readers, new and awesome gear reviews. I'll take the chance so you don't have to.

Friday Gun Porn

Happy Friday

I’m ok, you’re not ok.

I was informed today that I was a misogynist. According to Dictionary.com, a misogynist is “a person who hates, dislikes, mistrusts, or mistreats women.” One of the parts of my job requires me to evaluate the performance of a group of people on a set of tasks. Then I select the best performers for inclusion on a high visibility project. There is a set of objective and subjective criteria that I use to make my decision. I also get the inputs of some of my co-workers to help make sure my decisions are as unbiased as possible. Well, one of the individuals that tried out for the team was not selected for a position. Once she found out, she felt it was necessary to write a two-page essay to my boss to explain how I discriminated against her because she was a woman. I clearly excluded her because she didn’t get the job.  There’s no chance she didn’t get the job because she was the one of the poorest performing people that tried out. The criteria must be biased toward men because she did nothing wrong and performed flawlessly. Therefore, the system and the face of that system must hate women. This is a classic case of I’m ok, you’re not ok. Everyone and everything else besides her is wrong and out to get her. Instead of taking a minute to think about what happened and look at it from a different perspective, declare discrimination and assign blame. This situation does make me wonder what happened in her life that made her this way. It also makes me wonder if she behaves this way in other areas of her life. 

So what did I learn from this situation? The first thing is my boss has my back. He looked at what she had to say and allowed me to give my side. Ultimately, he sided with me and squashed the accusation. The second thing is not something I learned but just reaffirmed what I already knew; CYA. Never for one minute let your guard down when people are competing for something. It doesn’t matter what your profession is, if competition is involved there are people that would cut your throat and step over your bleeding body to get ahead.