Turn Your Smartphone Into A Caroling Karaoke Machine With This Google Easter Egg | TechCrunch

Merry Christmas to everyone who is reading this AND who celebrates it...only accept if you process yourself through the workflow and answer yes to both qualifications! LOL Turn Your Smartphone Into A Caroling Karaoke Machine With This Google Easter Egg | TechCrunch: 'via Blog this'

BP makes deepwater discovery in the Gulf of Mexico

BP makes deepwater discovery in the Gulf of Mexico: 'via Blog this'

How to Answer the Question "What Was Your Last Salary?" | LinkedIn

How to Answer the Question "What Was Your Last Salary?" | LinkedIn: 'via Blog this'

BHP eyes Trinidad, Tobago amid asset sales

Interesting.....


BHP eyes Trinidad, Tobago amid asset sales:

'via Blog this'

U.S.-Mexico accord on deepwater drilling in Western Gulf part of budget deal

U.S.-Mexico accord on deepwater drilling in Western Gulf part of budget deal: 'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - France to Allow Private Security on Shipping Fleet - PM

RIGZONE - France to Allow Private Security on Shipping Fleet - PM:

'via Blog this'

SMBC: The NSA!

SMBC Funny!

 Hmmm...I think Zach has hit on a new meme...

  Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 'via Blog this'

Zappos.com Gear Sh-t Product - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways

Zappos.com Gear Sh-t Product - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways:

'via Blog this'

BP expands its deepwater Gulf of Mexico drilling rig fleet

BP expands its deepwater Gulf of Mexico drilling rig fleet:

'via Blog this'

Colombia targets Pacific coast oil exports amid U.S. shale boom

Colombia targets Pacific coast oil exports amid U.S. shale boom:

'via Blog this'

First gas production from UK’s Jasmine field

First gas production from UK’s Jasmine field: 'via Blog this'

On-site measurement of hydrocarbons in drill cuttings, produced water

Another automation step...

On-site measurement of hydrocarbons in drill cuttings, produced water: 'via Blog this'

SMBC: Infographics Funnies!

Definitely a good read!

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 'via Blog this'

Venezuela Seizes US-owned Snubbing Rigs

Venezuela is grabbing more stuff... claiming it is vital to the country's security and interests. I am not sure how they think this will help them... don't they realize that if they keep doing this, companies will quit doing business in the country?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57610518/venezuelas-government-seizes-u.s.-owned-oil-rigs/

Republic Wireless Moto X Bundle Giveaway

I've posted about Republic a couple of times before, here, here, & here.

Starting soon, they will be offering the Moto X as their flagship phone with some great tiers available on their service. Since they operate as an MVNO, they utilize the Sprint network for their service. The kicker is they can offer these VERY CHEAP plans because the phones are set up do do most of the communications via WiFi and only use a cellular connection when no WiFi network is available.

Anyway, they are doing a giveaway for a "Moto X Prize Pack with 12 months of 3G cell service and tons of accessories!" You can enter at the link below. 


*****Disclosure: By utilizing this link, it gives me more chances to win a prize pack.*****


http://bit.ly/1gfUZNB

AirHelp Wants To Put The Fear Into European Airlines With Its Flight Compensation App | TechCrunch

AirHelp Wants To Put The Fear Into European Airlines With Its Flight Compensation App | TechCrunch: 'via Blog this'

The War On Hackers | TechCrunch

The War On Hackers | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

Seagate introduces a new drive interface: Ethernet | Ars Technica

Seagate introduces a new drive interface: Ethernet | Ars Technica: 'via Blog this'

WellAware

This is some interesting stuff...


WellAware: "WellAware's total solution gives you the power to increase your production: Most advanced machine-to-machine network in the world Data delivery and security across the entire business Interactive, map-based mobile software Intuitive, 2-way control Gauger-friendly with easy remote data entry"

'via Blog this'

Canada might force cable providers to unbundle TV channels | Ars Technica

Canada might force cable providers to unbundle TV channels | Ars Technica: ""We don't think it's right for Canadians to have to pay for bundled television channels that they don't watch. We want to unbundle television channels and allow Canadians to pick and pay the specific television channels that they want," Canada Industry Minister James Moore said in a TV appearance, according to Reuters." 'via Blog this'

Code Name Insight: Prepare for Civil Unrest

Code Name Insight: Prepare for Civil Unrest: "Not that it will come to it (hopefully) but if things start spiraling downhill (ie: the government shutdown and the debt ceiling lead to an impasse for an extended length of time causing people who rely on the government for their income to stop receiving said income which then leads to a financial death spiral that affects the entire community/county/state/country) things could get dicey." 'via Blog this'

NEWS FROM SPE ATCE 2013 Deepwater Gulf is back on track, declares SPE panel

NEWS FROM SPE ATCE 2013 Deepwater Gulf is back on track, declares SPE panel: 'via Blog this'

101 Reasons to follow the CNI Blog - Code Name Insight: 101 Prepper Tasks

While I mostly just post a link to the CNI Blog when I see an interesting article, I wanted to at least give a little commentary on what this is about.

This post lays out a list of topics that have been and will be covered in recent and future posts on being prepared, from a practical point of view. This guy doesn't try to tell you that you need 5 years of MREs and an underground bunker...he gives sensible, practical advice.

I strongly suggest following his blog!


Code Name Insight: 101 Prepper Tasks:

'via Blog this'

Code Name Insight: Your First Step to Disaster Preparedness

Code Name Insight: Your First Step to Disaster Preparedness:

'via Blog this'

Another SMBC Funny - News Media Graphs

Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics for News Media Purposes!Another SMBC


Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 'via Blog this'

Ramping Up the Rhetoric

Ramping Up the Rhetoric

There has been an increase in the volume of so-called “Anti-Fracking” articles and commentary lately in the media. The funny thing is that many of these articles refer to hydraulic fracturing as a new technology. This is only because they have only recently become aware of the technique, so they perceive it as being new.

Also, there are the usual suspect celebrities going on & on about how bad hydraulic fracturing is for the environment and the people, when they are clueless as to how it works.

Examples of articles attacking the practice:

The two agendas against fracking

http://www.dailycamera.com/columnists/ci_23929276/laughery-two-agendas-against-fracking

Are fracked oil and natural gas really "snake oil"?

http://www.resilience.org/stories/2013-08-25/are-fracked-oil-and-natural-gas-really-snake-oil

Five Ways to Stop President Obama's Plan to Frack America

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-ruffalo/stop-fracking_b_3786370.html

Luckily, there have also been articles that support hydraulic fracturing and aim to dispel the myths that so-called “fractivists” are trying to scare America and the rest of the world with. 

See the examples below:

Ten Big Fat Lies About Fracking

http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/ten_big_fat_lies_about_fracking/13944#.Uke4ioasim7

Shale, Fracking Are Not The Main Cause Of Texas Water Shortages

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2013/08/21/shale-fracking-are-not-the-main-cause-of-texas-water-shortages/

Fracking, Or Hydraulic Fracturing, Is Helping US To Produce More Of Its Own Energy [Graphics]

http://www.ibtimes.com/fracking-or-hydraulic-fracturing-helping-us-produce-more-its-own-energy-graphics-1411532

America’s Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas Surge and the Changing Global Energy Market

http://energytomorrow.org/blog/2013/september/sep-27-americas-unconventional-surge-and-the-changing-global-energy-market

Wood Mackenzie: Global Geopolitics Reshaped by North American Energy Independence

http://www.woodmacresearch.com/cgi-bin/wmprod/portal/corp/corpPressDetail.jsp?oid=11572576

IFTTT Article in Forbes

IFTTT: San Francisco Startup Lets Anyone Control The Internet of Things - Forbes

The Sixth Amendment

It's been a while since my last "Bill of Rights" post...work and stuff got in my way.

The Sixth Amendment rights of the accused and criminal trials. Namely, a speedy, public trial, an impartial jury, to be informed of pending charges, to confront & cross-examine adverse witnesses, to compel favorable witnesses to testify (via a judiciary subpoena), and to legal counsel.

You can find out more information on the definition of the sixth amendment here:

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Sixth+Amendment


"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence"


You can find the text of the Constitution online at:

http://www.usconstitution.net/

Third Amendment specifically:


http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am6.html

Excuse the Post Vomit

Catching up on stuff I saved as Draft posts...

This tiny, wearable patch makes you invisible to mosquitos

These guys could come to South Louisiana to test this!


This tiny, wearable patch makes you invisible to mosquitos: 'via Blog this'

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Feel-Goody SMBC...teach your children about the wonders of the world!


Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 'via Blog this'

Wisner heirs battle City in Civil Court - FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports

Wisner heirs battle City in Civil Court - FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports: 'via Blog this'

Meta Concert Video

Instead of cigarette lighters during "Dust in the Wind" at a Kansas concert, it was all cell phone video displays instead of cigarette lighters. 

http://youtu.be/GOLlLSRsP5M

Low-cost Republic Wireless slides into 2013 with $299 Moto X | Ars Technica

Low-cost Republic Wireless slides into 2013 with $299 Moto X | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Kazakhstan consortium achieves first oil production from Kashagan field

Kazakhstan consortium achieves first oil production from Kashagan field: 'via Blog this'

Cubility signs LOI with Samsung Heavy Industries to install MudCubes on Statoil rigs

Cubility signs LOI with Samsung Heavy Industries to install MudCubes on Statoil rigs: 'via Blog this'

Code Name Insight: Get Out of Debt

Code Name Insight: Get Out of Debt: 'via Blog this'

Hardware Giant Flextronics Is Launching Lab IX, An Accelerator That Gives $500K To Each Hardware Startup | TechCrunch

Hardware Giant Flextronics Is Launching Lab IX, An Accelerator That Gives $500K To Each Hardware Startup | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

How Crunchbase Data Compares To Other Industry Sources | TechCrunch

How Crunchbase Data Compares To Other Industry Sources | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

Fishing Trip, Pt. II

As soon as the thunder boomer passed, I launched the boat & headed out to throw the line.

The wind was still blowing hard, so I avoided any of the larger bays & lakes, staying in the smaller canals. I decided to try a spot at a washed-out weir structure. The tide was very high, so the whole structure was underwater. I tied the boat to a 2x4 someone had planted against the submerged weir and put a couple of shrimp on my shad rig.

I caught a small black drum (+/- 12 inches...too small) on the very first cast. I missed a couple of strikes, then finally hooked what had been taking my bait...a hard head catfish. As I was lifting it into the boat, the words "...a gon-gonk!" popped into my head. It was a term that one of my relatives made up to label hardheads back when I was a kid. I hadn't thought of that in years!

As I laid the catfish on the floor of the boat so I could get a glove on to remove it from the hook, it started making it's signature noise: "gon-gonk, gon-gonk", hence the term remembered above.

After I removed it from the hook, I noticed the next wave of thunderstorms approaching fast, so I packed up and hauled ass back to the launch to head for home.

Waiting to go fishing

I have been trying to go fishing for the last 2 months. Seems like I always have other stuff that needs attention that takes precedence. A couple of weeks ago I finally got a chance to go and took my neighbor with me. We got to the launch and realized that my battery in the boat was dead. We tried jumping it off, but the battery was so dead that the engine wouldn't even stay running! We packed it up & headed home. 

Today I am trying it again, solo. I get everything loaded up, the boat hooked up, and start out for the boat launch. 

BLAM! Dark clouds to the south! They seem kind of far off, so I continue to the launch. When I arrive, there is a slight drizzle, so I check the radar and this is what I see:

There are lots of boats coming in to get out of the weather. So I am now sitting in the truck waiting for this thunder storm to pass so I can launch the boat and maybe, just maybe, red out & catch some fish!

I'll post my results when I get back home. 

The Fifth Amendment

A person sits on the witness stand... A question is asked of the witness... The only response is... "I plead the fifth! " meaning that they won't testify against themselves.

This scenario is played out on television, in the movies, and in real life on regular basis.

But this amendment is about a lot more than commonly portrayed in television and the movies.

" No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation"

So it looks like double jeopardy, self - incrimination, being imprisoned without charges being filed, and eminent domain seizures without fair compensation all come from the Fifth Amendment.

I think that the NDAA is probably already violating this amendment.

I feel pretty dumb now that I am half way through the Bill of Rights and really didn't know what they said.

You are welcome for the enlightenment, I certainly know I am!

You can find the text of the Constitution online at:

http://www.usconstitution.net/

Fifth Amendment specifically:

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am5.html

The Fourth Amendment

Consider this, if all of you communication is done through letters and snail mail, then no government entity has the right to look through them without a warrant. This inalienable right is protected by the Fourth Amendment as detailed below:

" The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized"

But, in today's modern digital age, most communication is via email, text messages, and other electronic methods. These mediums are subject to monitoring without a court order for at least seven days prior to making an official request for permission to monitor them. Also, if your email sits on a server for longer than 180 days, it is considered abandoned and legal for any government official to look through without a warrant or court order.

You can find the text of the Constitution online at:

http://www.usconstitution.net/

Third Amendment specifically:

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am4.html

The Third Amendment

In case you haven't noticed, there is a theme going on here... I realized that with all of this talk about things being unconstitutional, I decided to educate myself on what the amendments to the United States Constitution actually said. I also decided that it could help me to post more in my blog, so here we are. Today's post is about the Third Amendment.

" No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law"

This Amendment says that the government cannot force citizens to keep soldiers in their homes in times of peace, and the only way they can force citizens to house soldiers in times of war is by passing specific laws to be able to do so.

The threat I can see is that since we are in a forever war, it would no be hard to comply with this. That being said, I don't see it happening because they would rather keep the soldiers in the disciplined environment of their own camp. (just my opinion)

You can find the text of the Constitution online at:

http://www.usconstitution.net/

Third Amendment specifically:

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am3.html

The Second Amendment

Today is the 237th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Happy Birthday, US of A!

Now for a little knowledge :

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"

The Second Amendment does not GIVE United States citizens the right to bears arms. It merely states that the inalienable right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed because it is necessary to the security of the states.

The First Amendment

Read this:

" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"

This is the first Amendment to the United States Constitution. It is commonly referred to as the Freedom of Speech. Because of this, people, folks, if you will, assume that it GIVES you the freedom of speech and religion and the press, etc. The first five words state that "congress shall make no law"... That means that Congress can't legislate our already inalienable rights to these freedoms. Any attempt to do so is, by definition, unconstitutional.

Think about that as you go into your holiday weekend in celebration of our nation's independence on July 4th.

Resource on the Web to see the rest of the Constitution of the United States of America:

http://www.usconstitution.net

First Amendment:

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am1.html

Cyber Stalking

I saw this today on LinkedIn:

It is funny and a meme, but it's also true(for the most part). In the old days, pre-internet, if you knew just about everything about someone's business background prior to dealing with them face to face, you were flattering them by having taken the time out to research them.

Today, it's a lot easier to pull off, but I have to wonder...couldn't this be considered cyber stalking? I know it's bullshit, but that is basically what's going on.

This happens on social media sites like Facebook all of the time. Some people are not aware how much of their life they publish online. Or if they are, they don't realize how they are giving up their privacy.

A lot of times, people they are connecting with aren't even real. I know of someone who set up a fake profile  on Facebook using pictures that were made public on the actual person's timeline. The person with the fake account started sending friend requests to students at a nearby university and had amassed almost 100 "friends" in just ONE DAY!

WTF, people?

The moral of the story is be careful with your personal data online.

BBC News - Nexen's Buzzard North Sea oil field shut down after 'steam release'

BBC News - Nexen's Buzzard North Sea oil field shut down after 'steam release': 'via Blog this'

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

SMBC Time Travel funny...

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal:

'via Blog this'

Houma-Thibodaux ranks high among ‘mega-commuter' cities | HoumaToday.com

I made the local paper!

Talking about my Mega-Commute to work every day.
Houma-Thibodaux ranks high among ‘mega-commuter' cities | HoumaToday.com: 'via Blog this'

SMBC on Surveillance & Privacy

Funny!

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: 'via Blog this'