First Looks category archive

Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Learn how to use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do.

It’s not hard; it’s just different.

What: Monthly TWUUG Meeting.

Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.

Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room. See directions below. (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.

When: 7:30 PM till whenever (usually 9:30ish) on Thursday, October 1.

Directions:
Lake Taylor Hospital
1309 Kempsville Road
Norfolk, Va. 23502 (Map)

Pre-Meeting Dinner at 6:00 PM (separate checks)
Uno Chicago Grill
Virginia Beach Blvd. & Military Highway (Janaf Shopping Center). (Map)

Join the forums.

The Booman considers the assimilated.

If you post a spam comment, I will find you and I will make you go away.

MediaMatters rounds up the Republican welcomes for Pope Francis:

Via Bob and Chez.

The Bangor Daily News reports on how one experiment is turning out.

Off to drink liberally.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, September 10, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.

Via Mediaite.

Christallmighty, I need a break.

In the meantime, swing it, baby!

I have a difficult time taking it seriously when the national office of a frat suspends a local chapter for, you know, acting like frat boys.

Aside:

When I was a young ‘un, back in the olden days, I knew some ‘Nus on my own college campus up the road a piece. It is good to see that some things haven’t changed.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, August 13, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.

Family matters.

Good family matters, but blogging will be sporadic for the next week or so.

Update: I learned this morning (Friday) that this was satire. Two points:

• That will teach me to surf the web when I’m supposed to be listening to the presenter. (No, it won’t).
• It should be true. Someone of position, and not just second-tier bloggers, needs to call out the stupid.

A word to the wise.

Public health officials are urging Americans to exercise caution if they choose to participate in “drinking games” during the first Republican primary debate this Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio.

“You simply can’t drink every time one of these guys says something silly,” said Surgeon General Vivek Murthy during a Wednesday morning press conference. “We’ve got three candidates who are prone to gaffes — Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Scott Walker — and then a half-dozen obscure goofballs vying with Donald Trump for a little media attention. It’s just a formula for disaster.”

Afterthought:

Silly is right.

Much of what these clowns say is silly–not harmless-silly, but, rather, schoolyard-bully-silly. They need to be called out on it, and you can be certain that the “both sides do it” crowd has no interest in doing any calling out.

Via Le Show.

Anyone from these parts knows how to pronounce “Norfolk.”

If you can’t pronounce it, we know you are not from these parts.

Just remember the (likely apocryphal) cheer:

We don’t smoke.
We don’t drink.
Norfolk!

Camp-fired girl:

When my first daughter was born, my mother told me that my life was going to change — that my emotional weather would no longer be dictated by my own moods, but by my daughter’s. “You’re only ever as happy as your unhappiest child,” she said.

If my girls become mothers themselves, I’ll tell them the same thing, with an important addition. “You’re only ever as happy as your unhappiest child,” I will say. “So do not send your unhappiest child to sleep-away camp with an unlimited texting plan.”

Follow the link for the text of the texts.