Let's Ride - Fred Faulkner's Blog About the Road Called Life

It appears that the metal from the wreckage of the Twin Towers in NYC is getting a chance to fight back. What may have not survived jet fuel is now being ressurected as the USS New York. The Times Online is reporting that the USS New York, being built no less in New Orleans, is the first in a fleet of new ships that will are all named after areas hit by the terrorists on September 11th. Here are some of the details:

USS New York, USS Arlington and USS Somerset will be part of a nine-vessel fleet of new amphibious transport ships

Length: 208.5m (684ft) — more than twice as long as the Statue of Liberty

Beam: 31.9m (105ft); weight: 24,900 tonnes; speed: 22 knots

Equipment: helicopters, landing craft, amphibious vehicles, missile launchers

Crew: more than 1,000, comprising 361 ship’s company plus 699 marines

Serve us proud boys!

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been having fun downloading some video podcasts to my new iPod. One of my favorite is the Channel Frederator video podcast. Each one contains a few cartoons all varying in style from awesome Shrek like style to flip-book style. Of course I have a special connection because our names are so similar. Fun stuff none the less. Check them out at www.channelfrederator.com. No iPod required.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A local favorite radio show mine, Eric & Kathy, is now podcasting highlights from their morning program.  I don't get a chance to really listen to them while on my commute (yes, I don't carry an FM radio with me on the train).  So now I can download a highlights podcast and listen to the good segments they traditionally do like "The List" and other bits.  No commercials and no music, just highlights.  They give you just the right amount timing in at about 20 min. each.

Check them out.

WTMX Eric & Kathy Podcasts

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Weblogs Inc. was purchased by AOL for some good $$$. Now there is a "valuation" method to blogs by use of Technorati as some "indicator" of popularity. Well, here is what Let's Ride is worth as of today, October, 24, 2005 ($2,822.70).

Somehow I think this is off. Maybe someday I'll rely on a "valuation" method, but probably not.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Over the years there are a few things you become accustom to when working in a big city.  You learn to tune out Fire Engines/Emergency vehicles blaring down the street, and you learn to tune out commercial airlines flying overhead.  But there is something distinct about the sound of an F-16 buzzing the skyline that just makes you turn your head and go “Wow.” 

This weekend is the 47th Chicago Air and Water Show on the lake front and the planes have made their arrival!  I was working yesterday afternoon and all of a sudden I heard the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds fly by and start to get a lay of the land when it comes to their routine.  I immediately flew over to my window, pulled up my shades and gazed outside.  Then I hear the “ping” of new e-mail arriving.  “Did you see them?” Dad asked.    (A favorite childhood memory is when we would spend Thursday nights watching Wings on the Discovery Channel—I miss that show—with Dad and Rob.  Or Wings marathon weekends!)   So I spent the next five minutes looking at them as they zipped through downtown while circling to the lake front. 

Today there will be a full practice show. Maybe I’ll take off in the afternoon or a long lunch and head over to the lake front.  These are the few days of the year that I miss the old building we were in on Lake Shore Dr.  I could watch everything from my cube.  The windows would rattle as the planes buzzed our building.  Ah, the memories. 

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Hubble Space Telescope turned fifteen this week and after checking out the images it has produced over that timespan I am in awe of the people who build stuff to "boldly go where no man has gone before." This is just one of the amazing images of stars, nebulas, and supernovas that are out beyond our universe, lightyears away. To think that what we see is the past to what is really happening out there is so hard to wrap my brain around. Yet, there are scientists, for centuries, who knew it to be true and documented it. So happy birthday Hubble, and congratulations to NASA for all your dedicated work over the years to the exploration of space, the final frontier.

Links:

• NASA
• Hubble Telescope 15th Birthday

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bob Ambrogi posted pictures from BlawgConnect 2005, a blogger dinner I attended last Wednesday at the Catalyst Ranch. I had some great conversations with other bloggers, or blawgers (legal bloggers) including Rick Klau, Larry Bodine, Steve Nipper, Doug Sorocco, Matt Buchanan, Buzz Bruggeman, and many more. It was a great time and had some great conversations. I also got to meet Julia Woptika from Fios, someone who I have had many e-mail conversations with in the past and finally go to meet in person. The great thing about these type of events is that it makes the blogosphere feel a little smaller because you actually "know" the other bloggers now instead of only reading their work. Thanks to Dennis and Tom for putting it on.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 09:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

HOLY COW! To celebrate the premiere of her 19th season, Oprah Winfrey gave everyone in her audience a new car! No joke. A new car! Each member of the audience for the first show had either themselves written to her about needing a new car, or someone they knew wrote into Oprah about how their lives would be so much better if they got one. So all 273 of them got one! Brand new Pontiac G6's.

Related Links:
CNN: Oprah: A brand new car -- for everybody!
Pontiac Wildest Dreams Web site
Oprah Winfrey Web Site

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is cool. Someone took a PS2 and converted it into a sphere version to enter into an Irish art contst. Picked this up off a very cool tech/gadget blog called Gizmodo. YOu can check out how to do it to your PS2 on his website.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 09:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Marriott International, which in October began offering free Internet access in guest rooms at all 330 of its Courtyard by Marriott properties, is extending that offering to several other brands. Free Internet access is now available at all TownPlace Suites, SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn properties. Fairfield Inn is expected to offer the same service by year-end.

...I'm sold. Time to sign up for a Marriott rewards card.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have caught this new show a couple of times on the Discovery Channel, Mythbusters. These brothers go out an try to prove urban myths right or wrong. Tonight's episode had them testing if you urinated on a third rail (electric) of a subway, would you electricute yourself? They built a fake body and a bladder...amazing. The ultimately proved that it could, but only if you were standing really close and in some other water. Alas they proved the myth wrong because of the special circumstances it would take to prove it correct. I suggest checking out this show...cool stuff.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am on a business trip in Tucson, AZ this week and I am typing this from my hotel room...wirelessly. While I know that wireless has its security flaws, I have to admit, wireless is cool. Sitting on the bed, watching the Red Sox attempt to beat the Yankees for a trip to the World Series...and no cords attached.

We have been using wireless at our meetings since I have been on board (about a year) and I learn more about this stuff each time I set up our 802.11.G router. Networking is a funny thing, but I think I can now wire up, or unwire my new condo so that at the end of the day, I can be in a wireless world.

The Goal: To be able to play my MP3's from my computer in my bedroom through my stereo, be able to select songs from my remote control without having to go to my computer. With the same remote, control my DVD, TV, and Stereo system. Finally, I want to be able to watch my Fantasy Football Stat Tracker from my (hopefully soon to be purchased) laptop while watching Sunday football. Is it possilbe? HECK YES!! All with the help of wireless. Oh, and some $$. That will be the thing that will hold me up. Until then, I will live in a wired world.

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 06:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I dig advertising. I'm always looking at what works, what grabs my attention, and what would make me want to do an inpulse buy. Forgive me I'm a marketing guy by education, advertising fiend by passion. I'm one of those guys who looks forward to commercial breaks just to see what new product or old has a great 30 second slot. Super Bowl??? I'm an addict.

Continue reading "Let's Motor...I want to Motor." »

Posted by Frederick L. Faulkner IV at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)