Disperser Tracks

They said it couldn’t be done; they said it’s not worth trying . . . they were wrong!

Here I am, in double-digits. My next milestone is triple-digits.

Well, technically, I’ve been in triple-digits all along because I include the leading zeroes in my numbering scheme. I could have done a single post and when I asked how many I’ve completed, I could honestly reply “I’ve hit triple-digits!”

But, I hold to no such subterfuge. Ninety more of these and I will have my next milestone of one hundred (less than a third) Project 313 posts. I can hardly wait. Well, you know, I have to because I ain’t got no time-traveling ability.

Too bad that . . . if I could travel back in time, I’d go back to ten minutes ago when I had a full cup of coffee beside me. That way, I wouldn’t have to get up and get me another cup.

And now, the photo; some flowers at the entrance of the complex where we’re staying:

Project 313 010

I hesitate whenever I think about posting flowers because there’s a limited number of flowers (I’m speaking of how they look and not the quantity) and after a while, the photos start to all look alike. Not waves, of course. Waves are all uniquely different. 

. . . I should do more waves . . . 

On a completely non-related matter, Willy is — in many respects — someone with the right attitude, especially about work. By all accounts, I’ve never competed for Worst of the Worst Employee of the Month. Despite my lack of ambition in that regard, I hear I probably came close a few times.

Be that as it may, I never wanted to work and I seldom enjoyed what I did. Combined with doing as little as possible, I sit here marveling that I did as well as I done did do. I wonder how tempted I’d be to buy one of these curses . . . you know, if there were such things as curses (there aren’t) and they actually worked (they don’t . . . because there aint no such thing).

Let’s face it; people have been sold the idea the purpose of life is to support and provide for the bit of (probably) your DNA carried by snot-nosed offspring. For the vast majority of people, this translates into hours upon hours of drudgery and misery that slowly and inexorably shortens our lives. 

Me? I rather do more stuff like this next doodle.

By the way, that almost looks like it should means something . . . if anyone knows if it does, please mention it in the comments below because people want to know what they should be doing. 

And . . . that’s it

Some of these posts will likely be longer as the mood hits me, but most will be thus; short, uninteresting, bland, and relentless.

You can read about Project 313 HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, sympathy, or complaining about my life, or asking for help and advice, know you’re  likely missing my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor.

This is a huge milestone for the Project 313; we’re nearly into double digits. It’ll be all smooth sailing from here on. 

I said various things occupy my time and I decided I’d mention a few of them as a preview of things to come. 

One thing I’m doing is trying to get more sleep. There’s a lot of data pointing to people getting less than 7-8 hours sleep each night dropping off like flies. Also, being less productive, being unable to concentrate on tasks, and in general not reaching the full potential decreed by destiny and cast as immutable on the river of time oh so long ago, before even Nutella and Spam came into this world. 

I think lack of sleep is following in the footsteps of gluten as achieving the status of universal evil. Just imagine if lack of sleep becomes associated with gluten . . . I plan to start a business selling gluten-free sheets, pillows, beds, and even bedrooms! I’ll be a millionaire before you can say “fad”!

And now, the photo:

Project 313 009

These are from the same shop that has the shutters (a photo from a few posts ago). They import a lot of interesting pieces. I can’t tell if these are concrete cast and made to look like rocks or actually sculpted rocks. Either way, we both like these and that will be one of my projects when and if we ever buy a house . . . to make some of these. Yes, yet another hobby I won’t tell anyone about. 

Today’s cartoon is — this time for real — a Joe Martin comic strip.

I think I’ve used this one before in a previous post but since I hadn’t flagged it as having been used, I can’t be sure. I would appreciate — and be seriously impressed — if readers went back through the previous 1,200+ posts and check if that is indeed the case. 

I understand if no one will but, again, super-impressed by anyone who does! Super-impressed. 

I’m still experimenting with the animated gifs. The interesting thing, for them who care about these things, is that as simple as they are, they’re a minimum of 3MB to a maximum of 6MB in size. 

And . . . that’s it

Some of these posts will likely be longer as the mood hits me, but most will be thus; short, uninteresting, bland, and relentless.

You can read about Project 313 HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, sympathy, or complaining about my life, or asking for help and advice, know you’re  likely missing my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor.

Thankfully — some will say — this and the next few Project 313 posts will be brief.

I’m giving myself a few day’s breather to concentrate on a few other things. 

“What?” you ask. 

Well, as you know, I’m a very private individual and not prone to showcasing everything I do. Few people know my hobbies, interests, passions, and food preferences. That’s the way I like to keep it, and that’s why there’s hardly ever anything about any of that on this blog. Mum’s the word, OK?

And now, the photo:

Project 313 008

We went to a local restaurant that supposedly served Fish & Chips where the fish was locally caught Ono (fast becoming our favorite type of fish). It’s an open area seating place so as we waited — and as tiny mosquitos had their way with my legs — I took the opportunity to photograph a few of the items they had strewn about the place. I presume they were meant as decorative pieces, and they certainly attracted my attention. Nothing more reassuring to kids than a headless angel.

Yes, the Ono was good but the breading overpowered rather than complemented the fish taste and, unfortunately, whatever seasoning they used was not exactly a hit with us. We didn’t hate it, but Island Fish & Chips remains our favorite and we’re not likely to return to this place. 

Today’s joke is — surprise, surprise — another Joe Martin offering. No, wait; it’s a Downstown cartoon I clipped from a newspaper many moons ago . . . when they still had newspapers. I tried getting in touch with the creator of Downstown and I’ve not heard anything back so while this goes up today, it may have to come down tomorrow. We’ll see. 

Tims Downs wrote the strip while he attended college and they eventually got syndicated. The cartoons, not the college and him. He then went on to write books, and the strip shriveled up and died (but is still remembered and liked by a few).

Finally, here’s the doodle and it’s another black-on-black offering.

And another one is in the can, ready for distribution a few days from when I’m writing this. Interesting phrase — in the can — that probably few people realize comes from the porn industry. 

. . . not really;  well, at least not exclusively. Perhaps something that readers will now research. I mean the etymology of the phrase, not the porn . . . although, given the value of the porn industry, there must be many people already researching the dickens out of it. 

Some of these posts will likely be longer as the mood hits me, but most will be thus; short, uninteresting, bland, and relentless.

You can read about Project 313 HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, sympathy, or complaining about my life, or asking for help and advice, know you’re  likely missing my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor.

I always wondered . . . is there a downhosltery? I don’t mean holstery filled with down; I mean, is there such a thing as downholstery? If not, where does the term upholstery come from? I ask because the etymology of the word makes little sense to me. “They” say it comes from tradesmen who used to hold up their product.  

Such are the things I ponder at odd times when not specifically committed to being just plain awesome. I ponder a lot.

Here we are in the seventh post, and I’m still enjoying these. For one, I like the unfettered nature of the creative process. Pretty much whatever I want . . . as long as it’s a photo, a cartoon, and a doodle.

As will be seen below, I’m still liking Topaz Studio and the Digital Frame plugin. I wish it had a few other options, but I can get pretty close to what I envision and do so with little effort. 

Today’s photo:

Project 313 007

I could get the name of the plant, but I’m too lazy. This one is in the parking lot where we currently live. The sun was hitting it in a peculiar way and I liked the contrast (slightly enhanced here for effect). 

I may have to modify the signature a bit to have it fall solely on the matting and thus enhancing the illusion of a framed print. 

I thought this would have been a decent joke for a few days ago, but since I just came across it, here you go . . . 

As a small update, I’m editing both of my novels; Hybrid and Gin’s War. When I finish, I plan to make a focused push to get someone to at least read them (so far, agent rejections are based on reading a small sample). Failing that, I’ll plan to self-publish them (on the cheap).

I also really need to get back to writing short stories. Pretty much everything I have has been rejected in multiple places. I’m really not all that optimistic for reasons I’ve listed before, but I’ll keep trying. Again, at some point, I’ll self-publish those as well (also on the cheap). 

I also plan on taking a few courses on drawing and I might start reading again . . . but, honestly, I’m losing the drive; for the amount of time I spent reading last year, I have maybe two books I sort of liked but neither are books I would read again. That is a huge time investment for very little return.

Not only did I not enjoy a lot of what I read, but I didn’t think most of it was particularly well-executed. Now, granted, I’m reading mostly books that are published through Amazon, but that’s because a lot of what traditional publishers offer hold little interest for me. 

It seems, then, it makes more sense for me to write as opposed to read as much as I can. In part, I was reading to see what published books (with some sales success) look like. Color me unimpressed. Then again, it’s likely the same will be said about my books. 

Just a reminder: not complaining; not considering myself a victim; not thinking the universe has it in for me and my books. Just thinking aloud. 

And finally, a doodle . . . I’m not yet at the point where I’m tired of these . . . great for me because I enjoy making them, but it sucks for my readers who find these boring. What can I say?  Seriously, what can I say? 

And . . . that’s it

Some of these posts will likely be longer as the mood hits me, but most will be thus; short, uninteresting, bland, and relentless.

You can read about Project 313 HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, sympathy, or complaining about my life, or asking for help and advice, know you’re  likely missing my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor.

Six? That’s all I’ve done so far?! 

. . . I think this might have been a bad idea!

I kid, of course. Humor is one of them things that I occasionally do. Now, before someone asks “Really? When are you gonna start?” let me say that — like everything else in life — it’s difficult to agree on what’s funny. The opening to this post was meant to be funny . . . did you laugh? 

I think most people would rather read something funny than a serious dissection of what is or isn’t funny. Unfortunately, few people can call up “funny” at will, and I’m not one of them.

Mind, you, I try funny all the time, but only if it flows naturally out of me. You can’t force being funny and people pick up on forced humor. I’ve read a few blogs recently that try to employ humor. I thought only one managed to employ humor naturally and without effort. The others forced it, and it comes off sounding hollow. 

Really, I’m a situational funny man . . . I see, hear, or see something and I can usually find the oddness that often passes for humor. So, interactively, I can crack jokes almost non-stop . . . it’s what endears me to most people (not). 

Here’s the photo:

Project 313 006

That is a slice of a tree in front of a bunch of old shutters. That’s from the same shop where I snapped the photo of the turtle from a few posts ago. They have lots of neat stuff.  

Anyway, most people tolerate my goofy behavior because they prefer that side of me to the serious side. No one likes my serious side. 

Today’s cartoon is one of those you either find funny or . . . you’re Australian, possibly Brittish, or both.

Being neither of those things, I find this humorous but, like all humor, I can’t explain it to anyone else. 

Yes, it’s another Joe Martin cartoon. So far, He’s the only one who’s answered my request to use his cartoons. Yet another reason I think the man’s not only funny but has a crapload of class (at least when it comes to this matter), to boot.  

I have enough cartoons to do the whole project with just his comics and I might just do that. On the other hand, I’ve posted other cartoons here and there and the Internet is awash with all manner of cartoons. 

I’ve read a few “opinions” regarding copyright, fair use, and stuff. Realistically, I don’t think anyone will send me a DCA take-down notice because — as I said — cartoons are being shared left and right on blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and FSM knows where else. Companies and authors would spend more money sending out notices than they’d save by keeping their material from being used. 

Well, I’m off to prep a few more photos and stuff for future posts, so let me wrap this up. 

Here’s the doodle . . . Yes, I’m still on the animated GIF doodle kick. I have a few other drawings I’ll eventually use, but these still hold my interest and attention.  

And . . . that’s it

Some of these posts will likely be longer as the mood hits me, but most will be thus; short, uninteresting, bland, and relentless.

You can read about Project 313 HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, sympathy, or complaining about my life, or asking for help and advice, know you’re  likely missing my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor.

Wow . . . five posts and I’ve barely hit my stride. 

I’m grateful and amazed and dang-near teary-eyed at the outpouring of positive comments and overwhelming response to this still-in-its-infancy effort. 

That’s what I want to say but — of course — I’m writing this before the second post goes live so I’ve no idea how anything will be received. 

Suffice it to say I’m still enthusiastic about this project even as I look to resuming other posting efforts like trip reports, food reports, flowers reports, and waves and stuff. 

And now, the photo:

Project 313 005

That’s the top of a coffee made using the Nespresso machine. It’s not a proper espresso or latte because I didn’t froth the cream. 

We’ve just recently started making . . . excuse me while I go make me one. 

Anyway, we’ve just recently started making some of our coffees using Nespresso and their coffees, no more than one or two a day. I have to say they are very, very good. Of course, that could be because we normally drink copious amounts of Kirkland coffee brewed on a Mr. Coffee drip machine. Mind you, it’s still good coffee — it’s Mr. Coffee coffee — but the flavor of the Nespresso offerings is better. That particular photo is from last week and that coffee is long passed but its brief existence has been immortalized on the Interweb. 

Here’s the joke:

I wanted to use a Far Side cartoon but I happened to check the Fair Use and copyright rules and Larson’s company is fairly adamant against the electronic reproduction of his work . . . which you’d never know from even a casual Interweb SEARCH. 

I like Larson, and I’m all for copyright rights being enforced (I don’t like my work copied without permission) but in this case, I think he’s wrong. An argument could be made his contribution has become part of the culture. I can understand not licensing his work to make money, or using his work for causes he might not agree with, or using his work in a manner that would taint it. 

Larson wrote a note about it but if a parent used the same logic as he does (he calls his cartoons “his kids”), kids would forever be locked up in the basement and never see the light of day after being born. 

Again, I’m conflicted about this . . . I’ll respect Larson’s wishes (and don’t want to get sued by his company) but I think he’s doing a huge disservice to his fans because he’s essentially turning all of the people who innocently share his work into criminals. 

Excuse me for saying this, but that’s a pretty dickish move. My opinion, of course, and I hold that opinion because he could release the work under Creative Commons, Attribution, No Derivatives, Non-Commercial License and retains all the rights, let his fans share the comics, and still have control over their misuse or plagiarism or exploitation. 

The irony is that all that bad stuff he doesn’t want to happen is still happening, only he chooses to lump the casual fan along with lowlifes who steal and illegally use his work. I mean, it’s like everything else; the only ones who will follow his wishes are people with scruples. Everyone else will go ahead and do whatever they want. The end result? I can’t share cartoons I love.

Like I said, I think that’s dickish, but it’s his work, his choice.

Here’s the doodle:

If you want to use it, just ask (unless your name is Gary Larson). I do like how the black lines end up looking against the black background (there’s a bit of glow that gets added to make them visible). 

And . . . that’s it

Some of these posts will likely be longer as the mood hits me, but most will be thus; short, uninteresting, bland, and relentless.

You can read about Project 313 HERE.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Note: if you are not reading this blog post at DisperserTracks.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

<><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><><><o><><><><><><><>

Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

Finally, if you interpret anything on this blog as me asking or wanting pity, sympathy, or complaining about my life, or asking for help and advice, know you’re  likely missing my subtle mix of irony, sarcasm, and humor.