and the day's go on...

So what’s going on with Jonathan these days you might ask? Well, not much of anything new. Just the same stuff mostly. Although I have picked up on some new (some might say bad) habits lately. I recently started playing World of Warcraft on my PC. In case you aren’t familiar with this game, it is a MMORPG (Massivly Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). The reason some people might consider this a bad habit is because it is an addicting game. But I was talked into playing by friends at work. I really enjoy the game. It has the best geography of any game I have ever played (which is limited to a few popular ones but I have concurrences by people who play games 24/7). It’s not that addicting to me. This is probably because I do not enjoy playing computer games “solo.” I only play when my friends are on and we can “quest” together. This is the way I feel about Halo; I enjoy the game but only when there are a bunch of guys (whose age decreases by the current amount and then 12 is added; y = (x-x)+12 where y equals age while playing Halo and x equals current age). World of Warcraft (or WoW for short) is a little more mature because it’s not just running around shooting things. Although I will note that people of any age can play (part of the team is the 10 year old niece of a co-worker, and she is higher level and better than all of us). I usually only play a few hours a week spread out over about 3 days. With new Fall TV shows on now, my WoW time is seriously limited and I can only hold so many episodes of my favorite shows on the TiVo.

I’ve been SCUBA diving a bit. My most recent trip was to the Yukon (a Canadian Destroyer ship) and the Ruby E (a coastguard ship). These are located offshore from San Diego’s Mission Bay. At the Yukon I achieved my deepest depth so far (105 ft) but at that depth there isn’t much exploring that can be done due to the air consumption changes and nitrogen saturation in the body at that depth. The Ruby E was fascinating…after we surfaced I heard someone describe it as looking like a float from the Rose Parade…this is an accurate description because it is covered with strawberry anemones.

The weather in California has been great. The only thing that could be better would be the ability to go bow hunting or throw a spinner bait for fall bass after the seasonal lake turnover. But one day I will be able to do it all again…

I haven’t read a complete book since HP7 (which I will talk about at a later date)…I have decided to go back to some classics that I own but have never read. I’m starting with “The Lost World” (by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)…I’ve watched a few documentary’s about the actual expeditions that influenced the book and thought it would be interesting to read.

So with that…here are today’s links:

10 Surefire Ways to Kill Your Crabby Mood

Some days we could all use these tips.

Between The Seconds...

An interesting collection of photographs

Give due respect to our soldiers

This is a great article and I agree. This one is well worth the read.

Testimony Details Alleged Rove Ties To Prosecution Of Democratic Governor

Since I’m from Alabama this one is particularly interesting. I know that to some extent most all politicians are corrupt (in one way or another). So the question remains, where do we draw the line...and isn’t it pretty sad that the corruption of one influences the fate of a potentially corrupt other. This sort of stuff is what makes it hard to trust anybody.

Bush White House Eager To Brag to FOXNews; Unconcerned w/National Security

Long-term damage might be an understatement…we shall wait and see.

Squash Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence

I’ve never had the dress/hair experience but some of this seems like good advice…I will let you know if I use it.

8 Simple Ways to Enjoy Life Every Day

Step back and try some of this…I do some of these things already but am always looking to improve.

The Marines Want Their Forces Removed From Iraq

I’m no military analyst but this makes sense to me. And it also appears that the Marines at least understand where they can be used effectively.

Muslims stake our survival on Christian Peace

This all sounds good and all…but why isn’t anyone (insurgents/militias/etc.) listening? Is there a solution in the mix that I missed?

Microsoft Showing Support for our Fighting Men and Women

A nice deed by Microsoft…I know this sounds unappreciative but how many mouths could be fed for the worth of all those 360’s?

Signatures on Draft Gore petition accelerating dramatically on Eve of Nobel

Oh…if only…

Fantastic printable world map

This one is nothing special but since I’m a geographer I had to include it. Plus as I read the disclaimers down at the bottom I couldn’t help but think of Hiro (if you don’t know who that is then don’t worry…if you do then you get it)

How to make giant soap bubbles

For those boring Saturdays…

Get Smart: How to Boost your IQ by 10 points

Most of these things don’t require much (if any) effort so what’s there to lose?

Flu Pandemic Of 1918

An interesting tidbit of history…