Yes!

Current Location: Stately Camper Manor
Current Mood: ecstatic

Dr. Scott Gottlieb weighs in by comparing the UK's and Ireland's transplantation process with the States'. Suprisingly, he concludes that the US' is the best in the world when considering medical outcomes.

In somewhat related news, Edwards' former running mate endorses Obama. Irony is sometimes so poetic.

Current Location: The Nutmeg State
Current Mood: smug
Current Music: ESPN's Sports Reporters

I have tried to be aloof from politics this time around. Once again, for the 4th consecutive US Presidential election, I have no candidate, I have no choice of candidate, and it has been confirmed (again) that the two-party system is a complete joke. And I used to be so interested ...

However, if I ever get a negative vote, it will go toward the defeat of the ambulance-chasing, asbestos millionaire, who has chose his own personal ambition over the health of, at most, his third most-precious item of his life: his wife (His first two, of course, are his money and his political career) and respecting the memory of a family's daughter. Yes, I'm talking about John Edwards.

Sure, US politicians are not "clean." We all know that to get to a position of power, you've got to leave some bodies in your wake. You have to take some chances, you've got to jettison some friendships, you have to cut some corners, because it's worth it. Right? Right. However, what this guy has done has sickened me.

Made his millions off asbestos lawsuits. OK, a man has got to eat and support his family.

Then he announces his wife has been diagnosed with cancer. Note the diagnosis by the oncologist, "said the disease has worsened beyond the point of being cured -- it is so serious that no surgery can treat it." This was last March. But he's gonna run for President anyway.

Finally, he's dragging along the Sarkisyan family like a damned sideshow on a circus tour. This may seem callous of me, but to blame Cigna for her death is misplaced (Were the UCLA doctors hands paralyzed? They could have done the procedure anyway, and obtained retrospective review and approval for payment. And what about the employer, who's money was to finance this procedure and who's ultimate decision it was not to pay -- not Cigna's? Not a word about them? And is a girl in a coma the best candidate for a liver transplant?). I don't care if the family wanted to go with the Edwards campaign. Sometimes one needs to see things for what they are and do something beyond the immediate bounce in polls. Taking them on tour while they are obviously in pain and anger is opportunistic, exploitative, and demeaning. It's demeaning to them, it's demeaning to their daughter's memory, and it's demeaning to John Edwards.

But he's used to it -- of that, I am sure.

Yes, I will be goddamn indignant ... until another candidate does something even lower. Should be any second now.

Current Location: Lost in American Politics
Current Mood: infuriated
Current Music: Biggest Losers Couples

Maybe not so surprising considering I'm a lawyer in real life, although where do they get the level from?

I Am A: Neutral Good Human Bard (6th Level)


Ability Scores:

Strength-12

Dexterity-15

Constitution-14

Intelligence-17

Wisdom-14

Charisma-16


Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.


Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.


Class:
Bards often serve as negotiators, messengers, scouts, and spies. They love to accompany heroes (and villains) to witness heroic (or villainous) deeds firsthand, since a bard who can tell a story from personal experience earns renown among his fellows. A bard casts arcane spells without any advance preparation, much like a sorcerer. Bards also share some specialized skills with rogues, and their knowledge of item lore is nearly unmatched. A high Charisma score allows a bard to cast high-level spells.


Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)





Stolen with impunity from rentagurkha.

Current Location: Palais du Camper
Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Snowy Silence

I just learned that New Order broke up. But that's not the most depressing part about it. The fact that it took place 7 months ago and I just heard about it is almost too much to bear.

Current Location: Camperland
Current Mood: melancholy
Current Music: Love Will Tear Us Apart

OK, it's been a while.

Went to Europe for 2 and a half weeks in July. Caught the US' Independence Day in Roma and France's Bastille Day in Paris, staying just off the Champs Elysee. It was fantastic and will be the subject of another post, as soon as I can figure out how to post my pictures on here.

Went to GenCon in August. Seemed to fly by a lot faster than it did in years past. Had a great time working for Heliograph Games, Grey Ghost, and Rogue Games. irishspy and I demo'ed Zeppelin Ages games and had a great time doing so. I didn't run the CMT for the first time in six years and heard great things about how the Novus guys did it, including inviting the finalists for both the CMT and the Novus tourney to the same final. Very cool.

In September, I ran a full 10 minutes faster that last year (good) at the New Haven Road Race and finished 634th out of 2096.

Did the Hartford Marathon in October and was right on pace for qualifying for the Boston Marathon at the 20 mile mark. Unfortunately for me, marathons are 26.2 miles long. I finished 524th out of 1612, which sounds better than it was. I don't even have any funny stories about it, unless you think ones calves cramping up at mile 18 and reduced to almost crawling at miles 23 and 24 funny. If you do, then it was hilarious.

Just finished the Manchester Road Race and retained my "Under 35:00" card for a fourth straight year. No starting the race in the middle of the unwashed masses for me next year: I'm in the 30-35 minute corral where I belong!

All-in-all, not a bad five months.

Current Location: Chez Camper
Current Mood: relieved
Current Music: NY Giants playing dead v. the Vikings

Your Score: Spellsword

55% Combativeness, 26% Sneakiness, 88% Intellect, 11% Spirituality

Aggressive, but with the brains to back it up: You are a Spellsword!


Score! You have a prestige class. A prestige class can only be taken after you�ve fulfilled certain requirements. This may mean that you're an exceptionally talented person, but it probably doesn't.


Spellswords combine arcane might with combat know-how. They're much tougher than mages, like to wear armor, and can cast spells through their weapons. They're very, very, good at doing lots of damage to a single target very quickly, and while not quite as tough as most fighters, are still pretty hard to kill.


You're both smart and aggressive, which means that you're probably pretty dangerous when pissed off. You also tend to be somewhat straightforward, which is nice, and don�t have much use for spirituality or mysticism.

irishspy

Current Location: Chez Camper
Current Mood: hungry
Current Music: ESPN Sportscenter

So, at last check, I had just managed to retain my 35:00 minutes and under card at the Manchester Road Race. I turned in a decent performance (54th out of 269) at the Shamrock Run in March and didn't race again until the end of May. Here are the results -- read 'em and weep:

Bishop's 5K: 12th out of 331 and 6:51 per mile.

Newington Library 5K: 22nd out of 159 and 6:59 per mile (but I ran that the very next day after the Bishop's 5K).

Celebrate West Hartford 5K: 38th out of 450 and 6:44 per mile.

These are my best times in two years! My training for the Hartford Marathon (October 13th) starts next week, I have a running group at work now, and I'm ready to roll!

Current Location: Chez Camper
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: This Wagon's Gonna Roll by The Radiators

Even though this meme says otherwise. Gotta stop wearing those polo shirts and khakis at GenCon.



Thank you to eat_my_justice

Current Location: Chez Camper
Current Mood: thirsty
Current Music: NCAA Tourney: Texas over NM State

And to think my father busted his behind in the USN for 20 years and only reached Lieutenant Commander. Guess he didn't stalk people enough ...

Current Location: Le Grande Chateau de Camper
Current Mood: infuriated
Current Music: Dances With Wolves on TBS

Takikng a clue from savageplanet, I decided to see where I fell on the Political Quiz spectrum. Now keep in mind that I am labeled "very conservative" by most of my friends and all of my family.

24 points, which puts me in between Colin Powell and George Herbert Walker Bush. For reference, Ronald Reagan was a 40 and Hilary Clinton is a 10.

Thanks savageplanet for confirming my sanity.

Current Location: Stately Camper Manor
Current Mood: refreshed
Current Music: Sunday Silence

Yesterday was a Friday, so I had a lot things to do. I returned a library book, bought a new putter and golf shoes and . . .



got a job! Yeah, baby!

Current Location: Chateau de Camper
Current Mood: with delight
Current Music: KC Chiefs choking in the playoffs

Well, I've hit upon hard times in running. Earlier this year, I skipped races in January, February, and March and performed poorly in races in May through September. I managed a decent 1:47 in the Hartford Half Marathon (didn't train hard enough for the Marathon), but it was nothing to write home to LiveJournal about. About the only thing that would save the year was retaining my 35 minute card at the Manchester Road Race. That means I must run 4.748 miles in under 35 minutes or I get dumped into the starting area with the unwashed masses, as opposed to the nice, comfy starting area of the "under 35'ers."

After training like a fiend for the first two weeks of November, I did it (34:53)! All is not lost for 2006.

And I avoid the unwashed masses for another year.

Current Location: La Maison du Camper
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: More Star Trek: TNG

Echoing irishspy, This is an interesting one. Go to Pop Culture Madness and select the year you graduated high school or turned 18. Copy the list of greatest hits for that year and paste them into your LJ. Strike out the ones you didn't like.

Here's the list (Sorry, LJ Cut is not functioning correctly).

1980 Greatest Hits
1. You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
2. Theme From New York New York - Frank Sinatra
3. Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
4. What I Like About You - Romantics
5. Funkytown - Lipps Incorporated
6. On The Road Again - Willie Nelson
7. Another Brick In The Wall (part 2) - Pink Floyd
8. Master Blaster (Jammin) - Stevie Wonder
9. Rapper's Delight - Sugarhill Gang
Nope 10. Fame - Irene Cara
11. Ladies Night - Kool and the Gang
Nope 12. I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross
Nope 13. Love X Love - George Benson
Nope 14. Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray
Nope 15. Take Your Time (Do It Right) - S.O.S. Band
16. He's So Shy - Pointer Sisters
Never 17. One In A Million You - Larry Graham
God, No 18. Any Way You Want It - Journey
19. Rock With You - Michael Jackson
20. The Rose - Bette Midler
21. I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
22. Upside Down - Diana Ross
23. Off The Wall - Michael Jackson
Nope 24. On The Radio - Donna Summer
Nope 25. Volcano - Jimmy Buffet
26. Look What You've Done To Me - Boz Scaggs
Nope 27. This Is It - Kenny Loggins
28. Whip It - Devo
Nope 29. Lady - Kenny Rogers
30. Love Stinks - J. Geils Band
31. Cheap Sunglasses - ZZ Top
Please, No 32. You Better Run - Pat Benatar
Only as a Parody 33. Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
34. Misunderstanding - Genesis
Nope 35. Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar
God, no 36. You May Be Right - Billy Joel
How Did They Last Into the 80's? 37. Do That To Me One More Time - The Captain and Tenille
38. My Heroes have Always Been Cowboys - Willie Nelson
39. The Long Run - Eagles
40. I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
41. Cocaine - Eric Clapton
42. I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
43. Dreamer - Supertramp
44. Rock Lobster - B-52s
45. Against The Wind - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Huh? 46. Don't Push It Don't Force It - Leon Haywood
47. Call Me - Blondie
48. Remember (Walking In The Sand) - Aerosmith
49. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon
Nope 50. Feels Like I'm In Love - Kelly Marie
51. Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
52. Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
God, no 53. It's Still Rock and Roll To Me - Billy Joel
54. Turn It On Again - Genesis
Nope 55. Special Lady - Ray Goodman and Brown
56. Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
57. Give Me The Night - George Benson
58. The Spirit Of Radio - Rush
59. Brass In Pocket - Pretenders
60. Train In Vain (Stand By Me) - The Clash
61. Working My Way Back To You (Forgive Me Girl) - The Spinners
62. Angeline - Allman Brothers Band
Nope 63. Longer - Dan Fogleberg
64. Alabama Getaway - Grateful Dead
65. I Got You - Split Enz
Huh? 66. The Breaks - Kurtis Blow
Nope 67. Don't Misunderstand Me - Rossington Collins Band
68. Dirty Water - The Inmates
69. Cars - Gary Numan
Nope 70. Back Of My Hand (I've Got Your Number) - The Jags
71. All Out Of Love - Air Supply
72. Say Goodbye To Little Jo - Steve Forbert
73. Tired of Toein' The Line - Rocky Burnett
Nope 74. Wango Tango - Ted Nugent
75. Steal Away - Robbie Dupree
76. Clones (We're All) - Alice Cooper
77. Money - The Flying Lizards
78. Turning Japanese - The Vapors
79. 99 - Toto
80. Private Idaho - B-52s
Do not recall 81. Sequel - Harry Chapin
82. Breakfast In America - Supertramp
83. Lola (Live) - The Kinks

Just as I thought: My musical taste has not changed in 26 years!

Thanks irishspy for the memories.

Current Location: La Maison du Camper
Current Mood: about LJ Cut
Current Music: Star Trek: TNG

I couldn't resist taking it, too.

irishspy

Current Location: La Maison du Camper
Current Mood: cold
Current Music: My teeth chattering

You know, when I first watched this video, I thought Michael Richards was channeling Andy Kaufman. Apparently, and unfortunately, I was wrong.

Current Location: La Maison du Camper
Current Mood: surprised
Current Music: Jeopardy!

irishspy

Current Location: Chez Camper in front of a fire
Current Mood: cold
Current Music: One-Versus-100 Idiot Show

Scientists are attempting to emulate Romulan cloaking technology ... two centuries too early! Red alert, someone is messing with history!

Current Location: At home
Current Mood: optimistic
Current Music: Star Trek: TNG (of course!)

You scored as Joy Division. Manchester�s Joy Division remain one of the most popular and influential post-punk bands, perhaps thanks in part to singer Ian Curtis� martyr-like status following his suicide in 1980. Their music is a dark, atmospheric, almost gothic sound which is complemented perfectly by Curtis� tortured lyrics, best heard on 1980�s �Closer�. </td> Joy Division 90% The Teardrop Explodes 70% Throbbing Gristle 67% Gang Of Four 63% Wire 63% Cabaret Voltaire 63% The Fall 63% The Pop Group 60% The Slits 60% Public Image Ltd. 47% Which Post Punk band are you? created with QuizFarm.com

muskrat_john

Current Location: Stately Camper Manor
Current Mood: enthralled
Current Music: "My Name is Earl" Marathon

Your results:
You are Will Riker

Will Riker 70% Jean-Luc Picard 70% James T. Kirk (Captain) 70% Geordi LaForge 60% An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 60% Mr. Scott 55% Spock 52% Data 49% Worf 45% Chekov 45% Beverly Crusher 40% Mr. Sulu 40% Deanna Troi 35% Uhura 35% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 35%

At times you are self-centered but you have many friends. You love many women, but the right woman could get you to settle down.

irishspy

Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Off tune American Idol