You did make the switch, right?

Just a friendly reminder that I've decided to experiment with switching blogging platforms so if you're reading this, you didn't get the memo.

You're currently looking at rathofbuns.blogspot.com. From now on, go here: www.theotherdrummer.com and bookmark that site. That URL will never lead you astray.

Also, you can subscribe to The Other Drummer and get all my brilliance, wit and insight delivered straight to your favorite RSS reader by clicking here.

Questions? Email me at dave at theotherdrummer dot com.

Don't get left behind - please read carefully

It's been a while since I've fiddled with this blog. And I've got the itch once again.

I'm going to experiment with switching blogging platforms from Blogger to Posterous. In order to make sure you don't get left behind in the transition, here are some quick-n-easy things you can do to make the transition with me. (For many of you, it won't require you to do anything.)


Dear readers, here's all you need to do:

1. Make sure you have bookmarked TheOtherDrummer.com NOT rathofbuns.blogspot.com.
2. If you have subscribed via RSS (which you should) make sure you're subscribed to feeds.feedburner.com/theotherdrummer.

That's it. If you've done those two things it should be a seamless transition for you. Sometime in the next few days when you go to TheOtherDrummer.com it will look different and that's it. All my posts and tags will be switched over.

The only major downside (at this point) is that comments on all the posts will be staying here for the time being. I've been in touch with one of the founders of Posterous and he said the ability to import comments from Blogger is coming, but it will be a while. I'll be sure and import comments when the option becomes available. In the meantime, rathofbuns.blogspot.com will still be here should you get nostalgic and want to look back over the good times we've had.

The upside is that I think using the new platform will enable me to post (perhaps) shorter posts a bit more frequently - hopefully once a day. Also, it's a much cleaner design.

And, hey, if it doesn't work I can always switch back to Blogger and, as long as you've followed the two steps above, no harm done.

So... who's ready for me to make the jump? Let me know in the comments if you've done the two steps above. Any questions? Email me.

Thanks and see you on the flip side.

Yet another brilliant news headline

Because, as of right now, the Web isn't a massive network.

Aunt Clara's Pink Bunny Pajamas

These would go very nicely with my brother in-law's leg lamp.

You can by them here starting at $109. (Ouch.) Or if you're really feeling flush you could opt for the pair that comes with an Official Red Ryder Carbine Action Lightning Loader 650 Shot Range Model Air Rifle for just $60 more.

Please note I have created a new label for this blog called AWESOMENESS.

Via SwissMiss.

Scene from Star Wars?

Nope. It's a dust storm in Australia. This is a picture of the Sydney Harbour (or, "Harbor" in real English) Bridge. Crazy, huh?

Via boston.com. (Because, really, don't you get all your pictures of Australia from Boston.com?)

Portland montage

Makes me a bit homesick.

So. Awesome.

More at the FAIL Blog.

U.S. Condemned For Pre-Emptive Use of Hillary Clinton Against Pakistan

U.S. Condemned For Pre-Emptive Use Of Hillary Clinton Against Pakistan

Whole Foods is being boycotted over this??

I've seen rumblings lately online of social media channels being used to organize a boycott of Whole Foods (so far over 33,000 people organized on Facebook to boycott). Deciding I'd better see what all the fuss was about, I decided to read the Wall Street Journal article written by Whole Foods co-founder and CEO John Mackey which started the controversy.

I won't quote the whole thing here for a number of reasons (1. It's too long 2. the WSJ should get traffic for the article they posted and 3. I won't want Rupert Murdoch suing me - heaven forbid I promote his content) but I will pull a couple of key quotes:

While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment.

And...

Health care is a service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges.

And...

Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health.

And...

Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.

UNBELIEVABLE. People are boycotting over this? After reading the article I actually want to go buy overpriced soy nuts just to support this man. While I'm not in 100% agreement with him (be sure and read the article - he suggest eight points of reform) I think he's definitely on the right track: people should accept responsibility, retain power instead of handing it over to the government, and be financially responsible.

I know it's a touchy subject but I love a good debate/conversation - mainly because it helps me look at things from different points of view. Not being all that bright in general (but particularly about politics and economics), I look forward to finding some insight in your comments.

So hit the comments and let's get discussin'.

My iPhone is for sale

My original iPhone is for sale. I have the chance to upgrade to a 3GS - if I can sell this one.

My phone is unlocked and in near-perfect condition except for two things:

1. The WiFi is a bit wonky - won't keep a connection. Apple has a troubleshooting list on their site but I haven't gone through it because I've been fine using my data plan.

2. There's a small scratch on one corner.

Other than that, it's pristine - you know how much I care about/baby my gadgets. It's had an Invisible Shield on it (professionally installed so it looks nice) since I got it (a $35 value) and the only scratch it has on it is the one on the corner.

Here are the perks to this phone:

• It's unlocked and will work on either T-Mobile or AT&T (no Verizon nor Sprint, sorry). 
• You won't have to extend your contract or pay an activation fee - just pop in your SIM card and it will start working on your account. 
• You can use the phone without an expensive data plan if you want.
  
• The iPhone works just as it does on AT&T (with the exception of visual voicemail) - you can download songs and applications to it perfectly.
• I'll tell you how to get unlimited data on it for $6/month instead of $25/month. :)

I'm asking $200 (or best offer). I know the WiFi is wonky so it's cheap - comparable phones on KSL are going for $250-300.

I'd like to sell it by Friday. So restore a sense of childlike wonder in your life and buy an iPhone. Leave word in the comments if you're interested (or know someone who is) or email me at theotherdrummer @gmail dot com.

Please spread the word.

Photo courtesy of here.

My son is like an insurance company

Generally, all he says is, "no" and "more."


Of course, another way of saying it is that insurance companies behave like two year-olds.

Fore.

Played golf here Saturday. It was a beautiful day. I shot a 77.5...on the back nine.

I did have one really good drive - 200 yards in the fairway. I also got to drive a golf cart. It doesn't matter that I've been driving for over a decade...I still get a kick out of driving a golf cart.

Politicans forget who they serve

And, yes, we do tell you how to run your congressional office. You represent us, remember?

Via Saric...and Counting.

Are you happy?

Via the Coterie Blog.

Yet another brilliant news headline

Gee...ya think?

Politics we can all agree on

Wish I could give proper credit for this. All I know is that a friend of mine sent it to me on Facebook.

Apple claims jailbroken iPhones could prove catastrophic, good for drug dealers

  Image courtesy of here.

It's old news by now but if you hadn't heard, Apple is trying to make jailbreaking iPhones illegal because, "In short, taking control of the BBP software would be much the equivalent of getting inside the firewall of a corporate computer – to potentially catastrophic result."

As reported by Wired, they imply that jailbreaking iPhones could be a threat to national security. They also say it would be ideal for drug dealers since you can change phone identification to avoid tracking.

The iPhone: threat to world peace, weapon of mass destruction and tool of drug dealers everywhere...

...except that it can't do picture messaging.

The arguments to Apple's "points" about unlocking the iPhone are too obvious to go into here, so I'll let you do so in the comments. I must say, this makes me particularly excited to see what the iTablet is capable of.

A sawed-off shotgun, a stray cat and an awesome fu manchu

If you heard a news story about a drunk guy who tried to shoot a stray cat in his yard with a sawed-off shotgun because the cat was chasing away the birds in his yard, what do you think this person would look like?

You're absolutely right. He'd look like this:

At first glance it seemed startling that a person with a patch over his eye was shooting a gun. (You know - the whole depth perception thing.) Then it occurred to me that you close one eye when aiming down the barrel of a gun so, in reality, it might actually be easier for this guy to aim a gun than the rest of us.

The lesson from all this? Don't judge people just because they have an eye patch.

That, and have a good weekend.

 The full story, and image can be found at KSL.

This label cannot lie

As the meat ages, ammonia is released which changes the label. After a certain time (the expiration date) the bar code becomes unscannable at the register so it can't be sold.

Via swissmiss.

Ninja Parade

Love The Onion.

Via That's So Sweet!