Archive for Life

June 26th, 2011
One comment

Moving Right Along

Well, it was time for a change. This blog has transitioned to it’s new permanent location here at Random Drake. There are events in our lives which cannot be foretold and thus, we move on and on in an effort to keep up with the inevitable force that drives us known as: change.

Moving the blog, setting up the new design and going through old content, allowed me to realize that it had been an entire year since I had the opportunity to publish something. I was saddened to know that a blog, I worked so hard to get up and going, was not getting the attention it deserved. Life is unfolding faster and faster in front of me and so I felt it necessary to bring this back to life. I enjoy the writings and pleasure that I received in sharing programming, news and events with the rest of the world. That being the case: you can expect a revival of content and stories from this particular blogger. I have personalized the blog in an effort to make it a part of my life and who I am instead of simply a place where I posted things occasionally.

My personal and professional lives have had a great deal of happenings in the last year. Moving to another part of the world has introduced me to a new job where I toil along an immense project that keeps me constantly busy. The database seems to practically be busting at the seams, compared to other projects, as it grows near 400GB in size. The project rewards me by allowing me to write some good PHP and increase my SQL skills tremendously.

The ongoing side project, that has been in development for a few years, has seen a revival since receiving a makeover. Surpassing half a million hits in a month was a pretty neat thing to see and allowed me to know it was something that should become more of a priority. Continuing to gain popularity, the site has a few more big steps going for it before my trip to California where I hope to start spreading the good word about it.

Continuing to work on getting this blog more accessible, interesting and connected is something I have a goal for. Hopefully I will be able to find some additional WordPress plugins to aid me in the task.

We shall see what happens as time goes on.

Category: Life, Programming, This Turbulent World | Tags: ,
January 25th, 2010
2 comments

Experience Liberia – All The Episodes of The Vice Guide to Liberia

While browsing around the Internet, I came upon a rather startling series of videos. These videos were the first, in quite a long time, where I had to stop part way through and take a break. They show the absolutely staggering poverty and conditions that exist within the country of Liberia.

BE WARNED that these videos are not for the faint of heart in any stretch of the imagination. However, if you are willing to experience what exists in our world, then these videos will challenge you. I bring you, The Vice Guide to Liberia.

Part I:

Part II:

Part III:

Part IV:

Part V:

Part VI:

Part VII:

Part VIII:

I don’t know if the other parts haven’t been published, or what, but right now, I could not find the links to part 7 and 8… but damn, this is some captivating reporting. The remaining episodes have been posted as they have been released.

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Category: Life | Tags: , , ,
December 9th, 2009
3 comments

Medical Marijuana in Washington D.C.

The Law Enforcement Against Prohibition blog just announced that the Senate will be removing the ban that they have had in place against their voters since 1998.

In 1998, the voters of Washington D.C. voted for Initiative 59 to allow medical marijuana. This was challenged by using something known as The Barr Amendment which effectively prohibited D.C. from lowering any penalties on schedule I controlled substances. Not only did it stop the initiative from passing, it disallowed the release of the vote tally information.

Now, 11 years later, voters are finally getting what they asked for. In the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Conference Report: Financial Services Summary, dated December 8th, 2009, under the “Important Policy Items” section, you can find the following:

“Removing Special Restrictions on the District of Columbia: Eliminates a prohibition on the use of local tax funds for abortion, thereby putting the District in the same position as the 50 states. Also allows the District to implement a referendum on use of marijuana for medical purposes as has been done in other states, allows use of Federal funds for needle exchange programs except in locations considered inappropriate by District authorities, and discontinues a ban on the use of funds in the bill for domestic partnership registration and benefits.”

Sounds like things are going to change in D.C. for the better.

Looks like the federal government can’t ignore medical marijuana anymore. This is a huge step in the medical cannabis and cannabis legalization movement as it forces our federal government to be faced with this issue right outside their front doors. Hopefully this will not only help the people of Washington, D.C., but also spark good conversation and reformation for draconian, damaging, and irresponsible laws that currently govern cannabis.

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Category: Life | Tags: ,
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