BrainStream: I finally stabilized my SHOUTcast

I finally stabilized my SHOUTcast server. Since all my MP3s are on my laptop, I created a stable server on a machine with a static IP and broadcast from my laptop through that server. I've got 2 relay servers rebroadcasting the static server - one on my laptop and another on a static machine.

I still have some tweaking to do but it's coming along quite well. I hope to give people direct access to be able to "listen" and view the current song without having to connect to the main server page first. Stay tuned.....

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BrainStream: I'm getting totally obsessed with

I'm getting totally obsessed with this "Hagrid" (Harry Potter) costume I've been working on. Hagrid is described as having beetle-black eyes. Therefore I spent a good bit of time scouring the Web for theater or costume contacts that would render my eyes "beetle-black" instead of the hazel-green that they are. The most prominent on the Web seems to be "Wild Eyes". Unfortunately they only seem to have specialty contacts with specific costumes in mind. They have a "red hot" option that is all red but that seemed to be it.

I stopped into the optometrist at the mall while running some errands and noticed they sold Wild Eyes. I explained my quandary and asked if they knew of anyone who might sell plain, black contacts. She mentioned that a company called Cooper Vision had a line coming out but they haven't received anything yet.

I took to the Web and found the Cooper Vision Web site down...but found their new "Crazy Lenses" line at ACLens.com. Hmmm. Still no luck.

However....on the same site, I found a line called "GameFace" which does have different single-color lenses. Excellent!

Well, sort of. Then I realize that I still need to get an eye exam in order to have the contact lenses fitted. Blech.

Maybe next year.

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BrainStream: Goin' green for the cause!

Goin' green for the cause! (Courtesy of veruca at MetaFilter.)

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BrainStream: UPDATE: I e-mailed Prof. Raskin

UPDATE: I e-mailed Prof. Raskin who mentioned that a "Nader Trader" is already underway at: http://www.nadertrader.org. Please pass the word.

For the last few months, I've been a staunch supporter of Ralph Nader. Primarily because I just got tired of listening to Al Gore and hearing him couch each and every statement, answer and comment to whatever audience he was addressing to the point where what he was saying was completely devoid of any truth or heart. I can't stand that!

Anyway, it wasn't until this week that I started to worry that my vote for Nader could put George W Bush in the White House. I can't bear not to vote with my heart - my convictions are important to me at this stage of my life. At the same time, I'm newly married and thinking of a family. I don't want someone like Bush dictating policy over my wife's ovaries, laughing off alternative religions, or making tax cuts that primarily benefit the rich. It's ridiculous.

I'm still going to vote Nader, because Massachusetts has always voted strongly Democratic. But what about other states? American University professor Jamin Raskin has come up with a phenomenal idea. It basically goes like this: Nader supporters vote in states where Gore is hard-pressed to get votes provided Gore supporters in swing-states hold fast. It's a little risque and strays from the "vote with your heart" principle that I've been touting for the last few weeks. However if I could guarantee that my second choice gets elected and still give Nader enough votes to get funding for the next election (and be able to participate in debates) then I'm all for it!

Let's get Votester going!

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BrainStream: Add Vote Exchange to the

Add Vote Exchange to the list of "Nader Trader"-type sites.

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