Roadwolf's Blog

I generally do not take notice of mass hysteria type predictions such as this one.  I simply try to go about my normal life and do my own thing – while maintaining a natural degree of alertness to the world around me.  December 21st, 2012 or December 23rd, 2012 will hopefully be similar for me.

I normally wouldn’t write such an article, prolonging and expanding the discussion of such events.  This is especially true now that web crawlers like Web Bot scanning for keywords into such events, which will be used to make very false predictions based on human fear.

This is very much like terrorism.  While I must agree that many intelligent people I converse with all believe that these theories are full of shit.  The uneducated population might not be able to figure that out.  I imagine there will be some people that will be scared for their lives on this day.

This brings me to my next point.  The influx of popular culture into this prediction, has all but eliminated the possibility that ‘SOMETHING’ will happen.  In fact, the more people discuss this, the more likely that something will happen.  Will it be a comet? or Planet X?  Or a black hole?  No…  It will likely be the work of terrorists, who would use this event to fuel their reign of terror.

Think about it.  What better time to strike?  Millions of people will believe the world is coming to an end if someone were to strike targets on this day.  The chaos, and terror this would cause would be far greater then the Sept 11 attacks.

Personally, I plan on being in Central Ontario, Canada, at a cottage, spending time with the family on these dates.  However, I will suggest bringing extra food, water, and fuel to the members of my extended family.  I do plan to have my ham radio set up for communication as well.  Will I be scared?  No…  I will be ready however for any human made disaster.

I suggest that people stop laying importance on these dates…  The more they do, the more likely something will happen.

Tags: Roadwolf's Rants by Roadwolf
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My birthday is fast approaching, and I just wanted to take the time to go over some of the things I have been up to lately.  For one,  my best friend here in Buffalo lost his house last month, so it has been tough for him to try to cope.  Damn foreclosures…   So I have tried to be there for him and keep him company.  On that note, he got me into a pharmacy delivery job, where we work as a driver under a contract to deliver medications to nursing homes and such.  I rode along with my friend on several runs, even heading down to the Southern Tier and the Pennsylvania border.  It was alright work, however there is a catch.  For one, it only pays .39 cents a mile, and about 1.50 or so per stop.  Usually you get about 10 stops, so that really doesn’t amount to much.

It ended up costing as much as you make at the place, per day.  The surcharges on your ‘rental’ of your scanning device, plus your uniform fee, plus a number of other things you must pay for weekly…  Not to mention the gas money, which comes out of your own pocket, and is not reinversed.  So all in all you do not make much doing this job, and in the end it will cost you more on maintnance of your vehicle then you are making.  A pizza delivery job would be much much better then this.

So I never went through with that.  Which is likely a good thing.  I must say that my wife is pleased, as she thought it was a scam right off the bat.

I have a major interview coming up with a major local company, so I hope that goes well.  Otherwise I am still looking.

Team Fortress 2 update:

My Team Fortress 2 server is moving along nicely.  As a clan, we are continuing back to the basics.  Applications and interest had gone through the roof, and we were not really prepared for that.  In order to retain the family feel of the clan, we have decided to revert to a invite only policy again.  At the same time, we plan on making the server more entertaining and including more theme nights.

I am still working on the bylaws for the clan…  That is work in progress for me.

The servers are running great, and I have nothing negative to report.

Social / Family Life:

I ended up going to Fort Erie to watch my sister skate over the weekend.  It was fun, and surprisingly quite interesting.  I basically grew up in an arena when I was younger, as her skating was a serious thing when she was younger.  Her team did alright, and I am proud of her for sticking with her interests, even when it demands so much from her.

I ended up also meeting my mother there, and it was very nice to see her.  My grandmother is not doing very well, and my mothers side of the family have been taking turns being with her to keep her company.

New Project

I am working on a new project, Railsexy.com – Yes I know it is a copy of hamsexy in a way, but my intentions are similar;  To get the younger generation interested in rail fanning.  I am currently looking for any input and assistance in running that website.  I want it to be a community project.  It is indeed a wiki, as well as a photo gallery.  Please check it out and offer some feedback, if your interested in trains at all.  www.railsexy.com

Dawn of Discovery / ANNO 1404: Venice

I have pre-ordered ANNO 1404: Venice (Dawn of Discovery: Venice), and hope to write a detailed article about it to enforce my other articles regarding the game.  Venice edition is an expansion which will offer multiplayer capability and co-op modes.  As well as a new playstyle, and many new objects, and missions.  I am looking forward to it.

I do plan to write a single page which will link all my ANNO 1404 articles together.

Scajaquada Rails

Scajaquada Rails is a new Trainz 2009 route I am working on.  The work is going quickly, and I should have the basic scenery done on the first phase of this route within the week.  You can read more about this route here:  http://www.railsexy.com/tiki-index.php?page=Scajaquada+Railways

All in all, that is about all that is about all that is really going on.  Fun stuff I know

Tags: Buffalo Life, Canadian Life, Computer Game Reviews, Roadwolf, Train Spotting by Roadwolf
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Foamers, Rail Buffs, Train Spotters…. Whatever you want to call them, they were always nuts about trains. I myself am one of these people. I LOVE trains and infrastructure. But I find myself asking some questions lately… Is this just a hobby for old men? They are the only ones who I seem to be able to find who seem to enjoy it. Why am I so .. different? Why are few other young people into train spotting or foaming. I imagine part of it these days has to do with the whole ’security’ aspect. Any cop who happens to come across people taking photos of trains is likely to accuse you of plotting a terrorist act. And that may be why a lot of people do not bother with rail fanning anymore. But if that is the fact, this added security of ours, is causing a whole subculture to disappear.

Trains are special and important to us here in North America. We may not realize it today, but our nation was build with trains. Without the railways, we would be 100 years behind where we are now, technically. It is amazing to think what these otherwise insignificant lines of steel have done for us.

I would really like to find someone else about my age who is also into trains in the WNY area. Sure I don’t mind hanging around the older guys and talkin trains. But I likely wont go out foaming with someone who is 40 or 50 years my elder.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Hobbies, Train Spotting, Trainz by Roadwolf
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