Maybe we need to go over a few things...

This might come across as a bit harsh but I don't really intend for it to. There are just some things that I need to say just so it's out there for the record. I have a few pet-peaves that seem to be creeping up more and more. So let's just go over them.

1. Standing to close in the checkout line
This one really bugs me and it happens all the time. I don't want someone to put their items on the conveyor belt as I am checking out. It is like you are breathing down my neck to hurry me along. Also, I don't want you standing too close to me as I am exchanging funds for my items. I usually use my debit card for purchases and I don't want to make these transactions with some stranger standing right beside me. It will happen one day that I will turn to this person and ask them if they are going to purchase my items for me.

2. Respond in some way
I send a lot of emails and text messages. This is my preferred method of communication. I choose this because my questions do not always need an immediate response. But the do need a response. I do not ask questions just to be doing something. I ask because I would need an answer. Even if that reply is "Quit emailing or texting me!". It's fine. At least you answered me. By not answering my questions is somewhat of a slap in the face because it seems that you just don't care to stoop down and answer such a meaningless question.

3. If I don't know something, don't make a big deal about it
This one REALLY bugs me! Let's say we are having a conversation and you mention some thing I have never heard of. I say "I've never heard of that" or "I don't know what that is". Please don't respond with "WHAT?? YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS??!!??" No, I don't know what that is. That's why I responded with "I don't know what that is". And what's the big deal anyway? What does it matter? In the grand scheme of things if I don't know that the prongs on the end of a for are called "tines", what does it matter?

By responding in a manner of flabbergastion with such a meaningless topic, is as if you are looking at me as an idiot savant. Which I am not. Do I look at you with utter disbelief because you don't know what the OSI model of standard TCP/IP is? Do I belittle you because you don't know how to compile your own Linux Kernel from source? Or how best to design a scalable database? Nope! I don't! You don't need to know these things. Same as I tell my wife about our animals. I don't work in veterinarian medicine which is why I ask her what do when our animals are sick.

I know these items may seem petty to some but these things REALLY bug me and they happen on a daily basis. At any rate, if these things happen at least I have documentation that I have informed the entire world that these things bother me. So if I go off on you for committing one of these acts, I will refer you to this post.

:)

The Camaraderie of it all

Anyone that has spent five minutes talking to me knows that I love to mountain bike. I love being outdoors breathing in the fresh air. I love the exercise that it brings. Getting your heart pumping and your lungs working. Feeling the burn in your legs as you pull up a hill just to look back and laugh at it. Pedaling down a hill to feel your bike under your feet as you hit berms and jumps. It's an amazing feeling to be able to do something that just a few months prior you couldn't do at all. But there is another side to it all. The camaraderie. Doing all of this with people that are like minded.

For a while now I have been biking with a group of people every Sunday. We pick a different trail each week and encourage those that are new to mountain biking to join us. No better way to learn something than to have 10 or more people willing to help you at anytime. Recently I joined another group that rides on Saturday mornings happily experiencing the same situation. The first ride for me was today and I met 11 of some of the nicest people.

If it isn't the thrill of something that brings you back to it, then hopefully it is the good friends you meet along the way.

Living Proof is ... living proof

The host of one of my favorite podcasts, The Command Line , has started a joint effort called "Living Proof Brewcast". It's a podcast on beer! Some of the philosophies behind it as well as brewing discussions. It just started but if I know Thomas, the quality will be superior.

From listening to the first show it has also got me thinking about home brewing again. I've wanted to try it but never had the time or the place to get started. Now, I have a great place to actually store the beer while it ferments. So at the beginning of the year, I am planning on getting what I need to start my first batch. Luckily there is a locally owned store that sales everything you need to home brew as well as offering classes. Sounds like a win - win.

Hopefully after the first of the year I will be starting on my first home brew. Now to think of a name for my tasty beverage :)

Time for this Outlaw to ride off into the sunset

Like most people, I am a huge fan of podcasts. Most of what I have on my portable player is all podcasts. In total I subscribe to about 20 podcasts ranging from Science, Religion and Technology. One of the podcasts that I am subscribed to, Linux Outlaws, has been removed from my podcatcher for good.

I debated this for a while and kept it in the catcher until I totally decided it was time to go ahead and remove it for good. On the last show that I listened to, I just could take it any more. I stopped listening about 15 minutes into the show. The constant screaming from one of the host of the show was getting to be too much. The constant rant of "You're stupid for thinking this way!" was all I could handle. Couple that with his constant interruptions of his co-host, it was time to part ways.

The reason I listen to a podcast is to get a good un-biased opinion on a certain subject. Be it science, religion or technology. I do not listen to a show to hear a man with a German accent scream at me about how Novell and Windows and everyone that disagrees with him is stupid and inferior.

I will continue to listen to show such as The Command Line and Tux Radar to get my technology fix. I can't say that I won't go back to listen to Fab and Dan at a later date but for right now, this Outlaw is riding into the sunset with one less podcast.