Sarge’s Neighborhood

What's your favorite song with "America" or "USA" in the title? Bonus points if you share it with us.

There are a few, like Iced Earth's sincere rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner".  And you can't forget Jimi Hendrix's version.  Although these don't have "America" or "USA" in the title, do they?

Anyway, my very, very favorite is "America" by Spinal Tap.  Certainly their original "Black Album" was the inspiration for Metallica's album of the same name.  Yes?  Anybody know?

The complete lyrics to this divine tune:

We came like babies
From our home across the sea
To see America.
And the people opened up their arms
To welcome us...to America.
We came like children
From a far and distant land
To see America, and the golden
Sun of freedom filtered down to us,
In America.

And the people stood and stared
Loved us more than we had dared--to
In America.

Super highways here and there
Pretty womens everywhere.
Brady Bunch and Smokey Bear.
Buildings reaching to the sky
Afro-sheen and apple pie.
PTA and FBI.

The jumbo jet begins to rise
A joyful nation waves its bye-byes.

Each religion, race, and creed
Gets exactly what they need.
God bless Johnny Appleseed!

Spinal Tap

Spinal Tap | This Is Spinal Tap | America

If you're offended by stereotypes, move along little doggy.  I'm gonna rant, and my rant concerns people and three "archetypes".  I think I've earned this post, considering the fact that my blog has morphed into a terribly uncontroversial ledger of tunes and miscellany, and the fact that I'm anything but uncontroversial.

PERSON TYPE ONE -- Never had an idea in his head and could care less.  This bloke works a blue collar job, gets by, is relatively content with his lot in life, might follow NASCAR, and definitely likes (American) football (or whatever is its equivalent in your country), classic rock, and beer.  Enough said.

PERSON TYPE TWO -- Thinks he has an idea in his head, but doesn't.  These types tend to work white collar jobs and are always, always "positive".  Need a little emotional validation?  Don't go to a type two for it.  After you've spent the last five minutes describing the horrors of your rape, they'll blurt out, "But you have to admit that MOST men aren't like that.  Right?"  Or better yet, "Boy, I sure am glad that I'VE not been raped!"  Gotta just love that POSITIVE reinforcement!

PERSON TYPE THREE -- Truly has a number of great ideas, but lacks the emotional capacity to know what to do with them.  These are the types of folks who can't attend a hockey game without discussing Nietzsche.  In other words, elitists.  These are those people who have lost the ability to enjoy anything.  Unless, of course, that thing is considered "nonconforming", "alternative," or just plain fucked up.  NOTHING common or, dare I say it, NORMAL, for these folks will do.

My favorite people, almost to the person, are type ones.  And what I find is that type ones often do have ideas, they just don't wear them on their shirtsleeves as a form of identity.  And anyway, it's a hell of a lot more enjoyable watching the Sox pound the crap out of the Cubs with a beer in your hand and an honest soul's shoulder under your arm than with a mirthless, smirking, underachieving, overinflated, walking textbook of Robert Frost's poetry.  Trust me.

This cat has a reason to run.  Our cat, Miles, runs when there is a breeze outside...just like this. I think I make Miles nervous.  Sometimes I'm intentional, but most often he just gets out of my way.  I clipped this from Google.  The domain is not my husband, just a coincidence.

www.swapmeetdave.com

So one misconception I keep hearing over Vista is it's short lifespan.  Basically that it won't last very long with Windows7 being in works already.  Well, here's some information I've gone over that kind of stamps it out because it's a bit out there to say investing in it is a foolish path.

Okay, so comparing Vista's life span to anything else, we get this fact.  Ever since as far back as Windows 1.01, the time span between each OS and it's next has been 1-3 years.  This may fall to deaf ears because Windows XP had it's longest run in the chain from late 2001 all the way to January 2007 when Vista released.  So basically 5 year and 3 month run if you think about it.  Now, with the current statement that Windows7 will release in 2010, that puts Vista at a 3+ year run.  So no, it's really no different than any of the other operating systems in regards to release time. 

Now, what is Windows7(W7)?  Well.. it's basically Vista!  The only differences I've seen so far announced is: 1.It will have touch screen capability, 2.It will have cloud computing capability.  That's it, other than that it will have the same layout, look, and everything of Vista.

So if you buy Vista now, when W7 releases you will have the option of sticking with what you have, or upgrading to get touch screen and cloud computing.

Now, let me explain what those two are from what I've gathered.  Cloud computing meaning that when you setup for this, no matter what computer you walk up to, if it has W7 installed on it, you log in, and it pulls all your settings up from Microsoft servers.  And all your files, music, videos, ect is on there.  This is a neat idea, but personally, not something I want.  See I have this thing about not wanting my stuff on someone else's server.  Now, this is a GREAT idea for businesses, but for personal use, no.  Plus there's the issue with having to be on a W7 computer.  Are you sure wherever you go that there will be a W7 machine?  So basically, cloud computing is just that, your stuff is placed on a cloud and you can reach it from any destination, void the fine print that says you have to have a W7 machine, a HUGE bandwidth connection, and want to have you stuff streamed across the internet all the time.

As for touch screen.... Okay, do you have a dirty keyboard?  Do you clean it on a bidaily basis like me?  HANDS ARE DIRTY.  Just thought I'd get that out there.  I used the example of my father's work where many truck mechanics touch their keyboards that have those plastic covers on them.  It got so dirty you couldn't see the letters under the plastic.  Now.. Is that REALLY something you want to put a 200 to 1200+ dollar screen through?  It's just illogical.  Touch screen is for styluses and easily cleanable surfaces, not expensive wide resolution screens.  So personally, for me, it's not really great.  As I heard stated very well on my TWiT shows I listen to.  "People keep trying to invent new ways of Input/Output devices, and we end up going back to the ol Keyboard+Mouse over and over."

So anyhow.. I think big problem is Vista got painted black really quick to start out.  And that caused people to move to it late, 2 years late for some.  It got wronged by fanbois of Linux and Mac and poor driver writters for certain companies.  So people drug out there XP keys for another 2 years in fear, confusion caused by lies, and in some cases their bosses avoiding extra costs.  Which in the end caused them more because of security vulnerabilities. 

So, my opinion.  I'll probably stick with Vista til I see some improvement in W7 security that outdates Vista.  But for now, a touch screen and putting my private information on the internet is not enough for me to think Vista will be killed in 2010. 

Then again, the Lord may return for his people before that.  God Bless. 

So, today is officially the day of Windows XP no longer being sold retail.  Well, not really.  Certain companies may stop carrying shrink wrap or boxed copies.  Though some resellers may have stocked up on it.

What does this all mean?  Well, that's basically it.  Windows XP will stop being sold in some stores.  The company I work with still has access to some.  You will still be able to activate it.  You will still be able to legally buy it.  You will still be able to downgrade it from Vista through reseller means. 

My opinion on it?  It's outdated.  Some may disagree, but hey, like I said, my opinion.  World is moving on, machines are getting faster, Vista is stable.  XP is no longer being actively constructed to be safe for using.  I think I read that it will still be updated but that will only last until I think the year 2014.  With fast pace movement of the world, the constant threat of hackers.  Do you want to rely on not suffering a loss between Tuesday to Tuesday hoping to not get struck by a security breach before it's patched?

The world needs to stop listening to Mac and Linux fanbois trying to ruin Vista, and move on.  The faults in driver compatibility that has been around is almost none existant anymore.  In my own opinion, the later parts of it really isn't so much Microsoft's fault, but rather the hardware manufacturers not producing proper drivers.  I can't even begin to mention my disatisfactory by Hewlet Packards lack of Vista Proper drivers.

Summary.  XP had a long hawl.  People are confirtable with it, and that's understandable.  But Technology is moving on.  Time to move on.  Vista is stable aside from what people think.  You just have to do what you did with XP, and learn it.  Once you do, you'll never look back.  One thing to remember however.  At least dual core processor, and at least 2GB of DDR2 RAM. 

Tomorrow I'll discuss some misconceptions about Vista's future I keep hearing (mostly from my Boss/Pastor hehe).

God Bless.

In case you were wondering, the White Sox just swept the Cubs in a three-game stretch played at home.  Although we live exactly one mile north of Wrigley Field, we're Sox fans and are quite happy about this!

Anyway, here's another "Hetta Music" selection.  Heather likes her because she sings in a genuine, slightly older style and not the breathy vocal lurching that is so often mistaken for singing these days.

Enjoy!

Duffy | Rockferry | Mercy

1 comment

Hetta Watching "Nancy Drew"

P6300010

08_0630_01

And yes...that really is me.

Sooo.. Other than a pretty standard day, my mom discovered the wonders of "Don't Drink and Drive".  We were heading home after work and stopped by Sonic.  Got 2 RT44 (44 ounce drink) Cherry Lime-Aids.  About 5 seconds after pulling out of Sonic, she goes to get a drink (she's driving of course) and it slips, she catches it, but only after it punctured the side of the cup.  A HUGE puncture about an inch round.  Lime-Aid goes pouring out onto her feet as she's driving.  She turns and hands it to me to deal with, while transferring it pours all over the stereo deck and shorts it out.  Radio starts randomly changing stations.  I swap hands and hold it out the window.  Lime-Aid pouring all over the side of the van.  I decide within a second that it's hopeless and chuck it out to the street.  We pull over into nearest parking lot.  

Result?
-My Chile Cheese Fries are now very sweet (were on my lap).
-My lap, arms, hands, legs, and belly are now soaked and sticky.  
-Car stereo is fried.
-My mom's leg drenched and sticky.
-Whole center panel, floor, and my side door sticky and drenched.
-Outside right side of van is splattered with sticky gunk.
-My Mother learns not to Drink and Drive.

According to NASA, the soil on Mars not only could support life, but asparagus could even grow there.

Here's to that ranch on Mars, baby!

NOTE: The song below doesn't actually begin until nearly halfway into the track, so you may want to move the little grey circle to the right a bit.

Space in Your Face

Galactic Cowboys | Space in Your Face | Ranch on Mars