Chris Novoa's Most Shallow Depths

30May/09Off

The audacity!

I usually could care less about any politics but this really made my blood boil for a moment.

In regards to President Obama fulfilling a pre-election promise to take wife to broadway show in New York:

"Republicans characterised the trip as insensitive and wasteful against the backdrop of US car giant General Motors preparing for an expected bankruptcy.

White House aides and media accompanied the first couple on their private date.

The president and first lady travelled to New York in a smaller plane than the regular Air Force One 747." - BBC News

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"The White House declined to say how much the trip was costing taxpayers, and even before the smaller jet left Washington, the there-and-back trip drew criticism from the Republican National Committee. The RNC issued a news release that chastised Obama for saying he understands American's troubles, but then hopping up to New York for "a night on the town."

Noting that General Motors is expected to file for Chapter 11 protection on Monday, the news release said: 'Putting on a show: Obamas wing into the city for an evening out while another iconic American company prepares for bankruptcy.'"- Washington Post

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"While the Obamas’ visit to New York was considered private, there was some very public criticism of the trip. In a press release that was issued on Saturday afternoon with the headline “Putting on a Show,” the Republican National Committee suggested that the outing was inappropriate and that Mr. Obama was out of touch, especially given the looming bankruptcy of General Motors." - NY Times

Quite frankly, I'm appalled  yet not very impressed with the hypocrisy. Those republicans never really seem to have something worth talking about unless it's profitable -- It wasn't even a private date! Nor did they take the big plane!

18May/09Off

How i get to work when excuses to not abound…

Or: how an avid procrastinator finally gets to work.

Often severe spells of procrastination are spurred on by a feeling of being overwhelmed by a project, disorganized and generally making a mountain out of a molehill, even if it is a big project.

This isn't even addressing any tendencies to simply be lazy which ultimately must be overcome at ones own expense. My trick to this is to brainstorm on something that will motivate me to complete the job - typically the reward at the end but more often than not it isn't the reward that is more motivating but the 'hunger' in the meantime -- rent/bills are due, something important needs to be taken care of, etc. This is not even taking into account any actual deadlines.

As far as I know, the greatest motivators in the world are hunger and ego. Hunger is a metaphor for any immediate need but can be taken literally in certain circumstances and ego expresses the need to prove ones worth and place in the world. These are, however, only a motivating factors when working out of a rut or starting from the bottom. Motivation becomes increasingly difficult as NEEDS become WANTS and WANTS are more easily attained at which time incessant boredom sets in and once frivolous or extraneous ordeals become the primary focus.

5May/09Off

WinSCP Ftp for windows

If you like to be able to simply drag and drop between windows explorer folders and programs WinSCP is the program to have.

In fact, even if you like the standard dual pane local | remote setup it's there as well.

A Must Have for anyone who goes back and forth between Mac (and is used to the simplicity of Cyberduck)and PC. The security connectivity features which it is named for are excellent.

Best of all, it can easily be used as a portable ftp client.

28Apr/09Off

A note about 14v automotive Voltage Regulators

HüCO voltage regulator Volvo 240Since I found no reviews online about the HüCO Voltage Regulators before buying one as substitute for the OEM Bosch one, I figured I'd share my experience. - Bottom line: i've been very impressed with the huco regulator over Bosch and Transpo adjustable (IPD and Dave Barton). Excellent electrical performance with $12-$50 savings under heavy load.

First my complaint with the stock Bosch regulator. In the winter, at ambient temperatures below 50 degrees, the Bosch regulator put out a pretty stable voltage of 13.5 - 14.1 volts. Couple this with stock halogen headlights and lighting all around, plus the heavy demand of an 1800 watt stereo system and my average output at the alternator to recharge 2 batteries was around 13.5 volts. Add to this Air Conditioning and windshield wipers on a warm rainy night and pretty soon it's almost as though I have no alternator at all. To have to forfeit my music in the name of safety on a long drive is criminal.