Aaron Traffas http://www.aarontraffas.com Skepticism, agriculture, politics Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:58:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-07 http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-07/ http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-07/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:58:00 +0000 Aaron http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-07/

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]]> http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-03-07/feed/ 0 The Star Trek glory shelf http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/the-star-trek-glory-shelf/ http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/the-star-trek-glory-shelf/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:36:57 +0000 Aaron http://www.aarontraffas.com/?p=1536

Star Trek glory shelf

I’m relaxing with Diane on a Tuesday evening, working on putting the wraps on a nasty cold that kept me home from work yesterday. I’m trying to figure out if it’s possible to do my taxes before the summer comes this year. It’s six-to-five and pick ‘em as to whether it’ll happen or not.

I’ve been relatively worthless with blogging and booking. If you feel like guest-blogging or booking some shows for me, feel free.

Diane and I went down to see the Cowboy Dave Band at Longhorns last Thursday. Cowboy Dave used to front FortyTwenty, and now has a very traditional-yet-edgy western country band. We had a blast, and will look forward to the next opportunity we get to see them.

G and I are playing a show in McPherson on Friday at Z’s Club. Stop by if you’re in the area.

Tonight I became super fan of a guy named Cory Branan. Check out his performance of Miss Ferguson from Letterman.  Here are the words or you can download the whole song for free from last.fm.

Diane and I finished our bookshelf. It’s only crooked if you look at it with a tape measure. I think our next project will be a couple of matching nightstands. I’m going to build mine with a cup holder….maybe two.

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]]> http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-02-14/feed/ 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-07 http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-02-07/ http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-02-07/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:58:00 +0000 Aaron http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-02-07/

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]]> http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-02-07/feed/ 0 Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-31 http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-01-31/ http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-01-31/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:58:00 +0000 Aaron http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-01-31/
  • likes Sarah Palin Is Qualified (To Go Out With Me) on Boxee http://bit.ly/4LN1KA #
  • likes Sarah Palin Is Qualified (To Go Out With Me) on Boxee http://ff.im/-eMsDO #
  • is watching NFL Football #
  • What isn't a catch? That last play. #
  • Bummer. #vikings #
  • Chopped & Screwed http://bit.ly/6dKBSs #
  • Latest update to Chrome Google Voice extension is a big old bucket of #fail. Google, leave my pages alone! #
  • @bideojoe Thanks for emailing the release! in reply to bideojoe #
  • "She was speaking in cursive, I was pretending to care" just sold me on buying the Two Cow Garage album. Amazon, here I come! #
  • Two Cow Garage – Bastards And Bridesmaids http://ff.im/-ePG58 #
  • RT @tweetmeme Click here, don’t break the back button http://is.gd/6PYOR #
  • WWII Crotch Rocket! http://bit.ly/6nvWQd #
  • Coffee makes you dance around like a goat! http://bit.ly/4zE4HJ #
  • That's too bad. // RT @dN0t: Looks like @techcrunch just got pwned. #
  • Listening to the studio version of Mr. Devil by the Great Divide for the first time. How delightful! I always listened to the live version. #
  • Houston Marchman – Tryin' For Home http://ff.im/-eSR8y #
  • likes GINGERS DO HAVE SOULS!! on Boxee http://bit.ly/5h6wJE #
  • Browser Speed Tests: Firefox 3.6, Chrome 4, Opera 10.5, and Extensions [Performance Tests] http://short.to/14wua #
  • iPad is so much better than iSlate. Too bad they didn't go with the more Star Trek -ish "iPadd" #
  • Why would I want an iPad? The iPod Touch is too thin, but at least I can wrap my hand completely around it. How does one grasp an iPad? #
  • So far the iPad looks like an awkwardly large iPod Touch. #
  • @dN0t @engadget coverage is crushing @crunchgear #
  • Wow! iPad at $499 is much less expensive than I was guessing. #
  • There's the bombshell – a keyboard dock for the iPad. It just became useful. #
  • I'm still waiting for a reason. Less portable, harder to type on, perhaps? RT @dN0t: So… How is the iPad superior to a netbook? #
  • So far we have no phone, no Flash, no USB ports, no camera, no multitasking from the iYawn. #ipad #
  • @bpiflier I'd take any netbook on the market over the iPad…they're more portable, they run apps simultaneously, and they're cheaper. in reply to bpiflier #
  • It's too bad, too, because I was looking forward to a reason to buy this thing. I want one, but it looks like an awkwardly large iPod Touch. #
  • @bpiflier Yeah, but that's why I have an iPod Touch. The keyboard dock could make it useful, but it didn't sound like there was a mouse. in reply to bpiflier #
  • Frantic Steve Jobs Stays Up All Night Designing Apple Tablet http://onion.com/bVZa8N via @TheOnion #
  • RT @MikeOMearaShow: So sad. i just dropped my iPad in a big puddle of "I don't care." http://bit.ly/4WZTXT #
  • Apple’s Solution For The iPad’s Missing SD Card Slot And USB port: Adapters http://bit.ly/azDNKQ #
  • RT @dN0t: I did not expect a timeline full of menstrual accessory references when I woke up this morning. #
  • RT @dN0t: Now that the iPad hubbub is over, be sure to tune in to the State of the Union live with my new @boxee app. #
  • RT @dpoe: RT @purplewave: 133 items are listed in tonight's Haiti auction! 100% goes to medical relief through Double Harvest. #
  • Wishing I could play the State of the Union Drinking Game with my friends, but duty calls. Less fun with DVR, I'm sure. #
  • The @purplewave Haiti auction is ready. Join us at 6 for our first live auction of the year! http://flic.kr/p/7yTsYh #
  • getting ready for the auction, testing Loopt http://loopt.us/oxbTYw.t #
  • @mayoauction Big fan of producing our own spots. Audacity and USB audio interface let you record yourself and email each auction's ad. in reply to mayoauction #
  • Muzizi performs at the @purplewave Haiti benefit auction http://flic.kr/p/7yQHu8 #
  • Muzizi performs at the @purplewave Haiti benefit auction [pic] http://ff.im/-eXUZg #
  • Congratulations, Peter!!! RT @pgauctioneer: Just won the Michigan State Auctioneer Championship. What an honor. http://bit.ly/a89VNx #
  • Benefit auction for Haiti at @purplewave raised over $35,000 for http://bit.ly/cs7nFs ! #
  • Had a great live auction last night. First time selling more than three lots in months! at Purple Wave http://loopt.us/Sn_xzA.t #
  • Watch out, bugs. I'm in the zone! #
  • Why shouldn't we use HTML/CSS in email? Guide to CSS support in email clients http://bit.ly/2NV0m1 #
  • iPad: A really cool gadget, but maybe not so important http://short.to/151wu #
  • @jdschultz What company is that? in reply to jdschultz #
  • No, we don't use their email services. HTML email is the devil. We use plain text through phpList – free and unlimited, as always. #
  • Peter Bruntnell – By the Time My Head Gets to Phoenix http://ff.im/-f0JU8 #
  • Ustream Helps Give Your Live Broadcasts A Professional Feel With New Desktop Client http://short.to/153ad #
  • Ustream Producer http://ff.im/-f1zvt #
  • gtkpod http://ff.im/-f1S9Y #
  • Try not to laugh at this picture. http://bit.ly/awoY4y #
  • Aaron Traffas Band – Ghost http://ff.im/-f3FJQ #
  • Doing some R and D with HTML 5. What a lazy markup language. in Manhattan, KS http://loopt.us/Kyky_w.t #
  • leaving for Hays at Purple Wave http://loopt.us/uJWDsQ.t #
  • I'm at The Middle Of Nowhere in Bunker Hill, KS http://gowal.la/s/c1u #
  • Antivaxxer movement leader found to have acted unethically http://short.to/1576z #
  • Broadcasting the setup from Professor's in Hays for tonight's show at aarontraffasband.com (@traffas live at http://ustre.am/6fd) #
  • iPad v. A Rock http://bit.ly/c7H3fO #
  • sound check is live at http://www.aarontraffasband.com – come out to the show in Hays tonight at Professor's – the five year reunion #
  • Making the setlist for tonight's show – Aaron Traffas and Pearl Grey live at Professor's. Can't come? Tune in to http://www.aarontraffasband.com #
  • Are you in Hays? Come down to Professor's to watch the KSU/KU game! #
  • getting ready to play as soon as the game is over. come out or tune in to aarontraffasband.com in Hays, KS http://loopt.us/8w49og.t #
  • Flash’s Decline on Lifehacker, from 2006 to 2010 http://short.to/15b2m #
  • eating with @dpoe at So Long Saloon http://loopt.us/m9mRdg.t #

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]]> http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2010-01-17/feed/ 0 Alzheimer’s http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/alzheimers/ http://www.aarontraffas.com/2010/alzheimers/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:29:14 +0000 Aaron http://www.aarontraffas.com/?p=1525

I grew up in rural Kansas. There was one house within a quarter-mile of mine, and it happened to be across the road. The hundred-yard distance in south-central Kansas was the equivalent of a neighboring apartment for someone growing up in urban America.

The inhabitants of the house were amazing people. The patron was an unquestioningly kind soul, within whose grandchildren I found friends. The matron was someone within whom I could never imagine an unkind or an inhospitable thought.

Recently, I recall marveling at the sight of the holiday parking feats which caused their yard to impersonate a car dealership. It seemed one of every make and model of vehicle was parked in neat, orderly rows for each Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their family was fruitful, and love seemed to bring all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren home regularly to vist.

I have a huge number of memories, all of which are pleasant and involve borrowing something from them or playing with their grandchildren on their farm equipment or stopping to visit on one of many all-too-hurried trips between my house and my grandmother’s during harvest.

My fiancee Diane and I are re-watching the West Wing. We usually average a couple of episodes each night. It’s a great TV series that deals with idealism, but one of the overriding themes is that of a president who has multiple sclerosis, a long-term and debilitating disease.

The West Wing had 156 episodes. There was one episode that dealt with a different, long-term, deblitating disease called Alzheimer’s. It’s in the middle of season four, and it’s a one-episode story arc that deals with the father of one of the regular cast memebers. It’s a truly heart-wrenching episode, and it’s what came next tonight in our one-by-one rewatching of the series.

I don’t believe in fate or providence, but it’s unnerving to watch that episode tonight knowing that I received word this morning that my neighbor passed away from Alzheimer’s. He was a beloved friend, and he and his family were never anything but unconditionally kind to me and mine. Rest in peace, Willard, you are and have been loved and will be missed.

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