Contents of the frozen stomach
Published January 16, 2009 | 
Life is a one-way street, and if you could paint it
I’d draw myself going in the right direction
So I go all the way – like I really really know -
But the truth is I’m only guessin’
– gnarles barkley
We’re told the frozen contents of mammoth stomachs tell us much about the fauna and the climate of the world some 11,000 years ago. Well, as I write this it’s a chilly -19F and I figured I’d take a moment to run through the bowels of what I have sitting on my desk. . some kayaking, some life, and maybe some fish in a bucket. . .
MAMMOTHS – The thing about Mammoths is. . . Watch this PBS Nova Science Now called “A Mammoth Mystery” online.
HACKERS – I spent the morning clearing out a little hack on a website. It’s worth mentioning. There are lots of ways people can hack your websites. It’s becoming more and more common all the time. The simplest solution to most problems is some really strong passwords. Hard to remember, but worth it. Databases are also vulnerable. General hacking or this thing called SQL injection attacks/exploits are really common. This can affect anyone using a site that calls a database for information. Including of course, your wordpress blog. WordPress users are also open to hacks through a few doorways. Making sure your passwords are strong, and locking down the permissions on certain directories can really help. But here’s the thing. These days you often won’t know your site is hacked. It’s often invisible. Then suddenly you drop off the search engines and suddenly your traffic goes in the dumper. One thing that helps is signing up for Google’s webmaster tools. They will send you an email if they plan to drop your site, so you can clean it and re-submit. They say it takes at least 30 days to get listed again after a hack. But it’s better than never knowing at all. Anyway, I fixed a site for someone and now they just have to wait until they are allowed to play with Google again.
IMSOCOOL.COM – MyName.com is not a vanity plate. It’s an address. A friend of mine recently changed his web address in part because some people think using your name for your web address is self aggrandizing. UM, I put my name on my business cards. My name is in the phone book. A web address is a. . . web ADDRESS. YIKES! Once upon a time someone thought of creating a convenient little card with their name on it. I’m sure there were people thinking what an ego-maniacal thing that was. It’s now common practice. Certainly necessary if you have any sort of business. There is nothing wrong with owning the domain for your own name. In fact the domain “.name” is now available because forward thinking folks realize that your digital moniker will only become more important as we trek on into the future.
FREAKING COLD – I can’t complain. In Alaska they have been suffering through -70 F and colder. So – 21 with -45 windchills are not the end of the world. Still, it’s bloody cold. Our little river is still open in areas thanks to some current. It’s really beautiful actually.
CERTIFIABLE - Some folks on one of the mailing lists I’m on are busy bashing BCU/ACA certifications again. It must be winter. You know, I don’t so much care about certifications like I used to. The more you experience, the more you learn. I think it’s experience that makes you less apt to spend all that time and money on the BCU. However, experience can also teach you that there is always more to learn. Whether you do that through certification or with experienced friends is up to you. HOWEVER, keep in mind that a club or local group can be an echo chamber. Before we could all communicate so freely on the net it was much more common to see regional styles and ideas holding religious proportions. Even when they were not all that safe. Certify or don’t. But bashing people who choose to learn is as old as time and a sad reflection on those doing the bashing.
GOLDEN GATE – Matt Palmariello sent me a link to some great pictures from the recent GOLDEN GATE SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM. Check ‘em out! (Now what was that bit about board shorts??)
CANADA IN JANUARY? – Hey Justine, you are crazy!
FACEBOOK – Ok, I’m trying to keep up on FACEBOOK. Don’t even get me started on “Tweets”. Anyway if you are on Facebook feel free to join me. Mainly I just post personal pics, music videos and momentary silliness. Still, lots of paddlers are there these days and you can even join the CANOECOPIA event as well as SEAKAYAKER MAGAZINE and many others.
CHICAGO – I have to answer an email. I think I’m going to teach in Chicago again this summer. . . it’s the Chicago in March thing. . . chilly!
My toes are freezing!
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Posted in Coaching, Commentary & Rants, Events & Symposia, My Weird Life, Paddling, People, Quixotica, Random Thoughts, Web Stuff7 Responses to Contents of the frozen stomach
We just endured a 45 degree Celsius Day. I had to be careful my plastic boats didn’t sag on their stands and shoes were melting on the roads. My Apple Powerbook ac adapter failed from heat stress and I had to hose my cats.
Thanks Brad. . . I needed that. . . really. . .
But everyone says it’s OK because it’s a “dry cold”… I used to think that referred to the humidity, but now I understand. It means it’s ‘Too cold to get wet.’ No kayaking or other wet sports. Hey, Brad, wait up, I’m on my way!
that’s funny!
Derrick,
Just to clarify, I had received a some comments that reinforced some plans for changes I had thought about already.
My “vanity” domain is still active and will direct to the new one.
That said it was sporadic comments from goobers on/moderating message boards who are taking potshots at the duck in the tin-pan alley. Every once in a while, even the goober will accidentally hit the duck!
Keith
hey duck! over the last few months I’ve talked to a couple different people who were debating the whole my name or not my name thing. funny though, if you don’t use your name, you find yourself making up a name. . . branding yourself. Now that’s ego!!! OH well, no I’m in trouble too!! LOL!
Justine is coming back to Canada, eh?
Seems the rumours of her eventually wanting to settle here (Paddler’s Paradise) may indeed be true. But true rumours are only that: rumours.
I was out paddling yesterday. About 44 degrees F, or +6C, warmer when the sun actually volunteered for a brief cameo in the sky.
The only negative to certification I’ve heard about is the possibility of being more liable in case of trouble, or accident. What are YOU reading about, Derrick?
MarcP