Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Microsoft to ban XBox Live users

Microsoft aims at cutting down on pirated games and XBox consule modifications by banning XBox Live users who may have engaged in the practice, according to MSNBC. An estimated 600,000 and 1 million players could be cut off. Let us know what you think by voting in our interactive poll (see right ==>).

Veterans Day: We shall never forget...

SEABlogger would like to honor all of the veterans who served our country. My heart also goes out to the the families of the fallen soldiers whose lives touched many of us here in the Northwest. Feel free to honor your loved one in the comment section.

Microsoft to ban XBox Live users

Microsoft aims at cutting down on pirated games and XBox consule modifications by banning XBox Live users who may have engaged in the practice, according to MSNBC. An estimated 600,000 and 1 million players could be cut off. Let us know what you think by voting in our interactive poll (see right ==>).

Friday, November 6, 2009

Seattle mourns slain officer

A procession of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles will travel from the University of Washington to Key Arena, the location of a memorial service for the slain Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton, on Friday, November 6. The public memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m., with doors opening at 11:00 a.m.

On October 31st, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Brenton and his female student officer were parked in their patrol car in the 100 Block of 29th Avenue South when a vehicle pulled up next to the parked patrol car and opened fire. Brenton was struck multiple times, killing him.

Brenton was born in Seattle on February 9, 1970. He spent his early childhood in Poulsbo and Woodinville, Washington. He later lived in West Seattle, where he graduated from West Seattle High School in 1988. He served in the Hoquiam Police Department and La Conner Police Department before joining the Seattle Police Department in 2000. He leaves behind his wife Lisa, daughter Kayleigh and son Quinn.

A fund has been established for Brenton's family. Donations may be made at any Bank of America branch under the "Brenton Family Assistance Fund."

The memorial procession will use the following route: begins at the University of Washington’s E-1 parking lot; south on Montlake Blvd NE to 24th Ave E; south on 24th to 23rd Ave E; south on 23rd to E Madison St; west on Madison to E Pine St; west on Pine to Broadway; north on Broadway to E Denny Way; west on Denny to 1st Ave N; north on 1st to Key Arena. Staging will begin in the E-1 parking lot (north of Husky Stadium on Montlake Blvd NE) beginning at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Friday, July 17, 2009

My Google Voice account!

I'm in... I just replied to my invite and set-up my Google Voice account.

Welcome to Google Voice! Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are being left and the ability to make low cost international calls. To start enjoying Google Voice, just give out your Google Voice number. You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as SPAM. Just click on the settings link at the top of your inbox.

Once it's open to everyone, you can join me!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Got the road trip blues?

On a recent road trip, I realized a lot has changed from similar trips I had taken just a few years ago. I couldn't put my finger on it until I was gearing up for another -- though much shorter -- road trip.

As I was doing my packing, I was downloading some new tunes to my Ipod and, then, it struck me. Portable music devices and video players are ruining the bonding experience that occurs when you have nothing to do than sing songs, play word association games or do other stupid things to pass the time on a long road trip.

On my last road trip, a friend was in the back watching TV shows, music videos and a movie on his Ipod Touch. I was riding shot-gun and spent my time snoozing, checking for Wi-Fi hot-spots during refeuling pit-stops and listing to tunes on my Ipod Touch (which I openly admit that I bought in a bout of jealousy after a friend of mine showed me his). The driver spent most of his time checking for traffic reports, scanning the dial every half hour for the nearest news and trafic radio station.

I will be leaving for the Pacific Ocean tomorrow and decided to burn a CD of my dad's favorite musice (well, at least the music I could stand to listen to). That way, we'll at least be listening to the same thing and -- who knows -- we might even do some father/son bonding along the way.

Tell us about your road trip blues...

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Names of gay city employees may be released

Seattle City Light employee Philip Irvin wants the names of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) city employees who are members of a city-sponsored club working on issues of concern to their community.

The City of Seattle concedes that they may have to release the names. Members of the LGBT club have sued to keep their names from being disclosed. They claim there is no legitimate public interest to granting Irvin's request and will infringe on people's privacy.

Irvin claims to have been discriminated against because of his conservative anti-LGBT views. He once attempted to form a city-sponsored group for "ex-Gays."

A city light veteran, who is heterosexual and spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this writer that it is not a matter of discrimination but honoring a city ordinance and internal employee policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation among other protected groups. Irvin's actions are contrary to this ordinance and policy which puts him at odds with his co-workers.

King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick could decide the case on Thursday.

My two cents... Irvin's request amounts to harassment. What legitimate purpose could releasing the names serve other than to invite discrimination upon these people or, potentially, "out" them to family, friends and, even, their churches. I don't think a closeted Mormon would be received well by his elders after being "outed".

I don't see the public benefit from knowing the sexual orientation of the person on the other end of the phone line at the City Light customer service call center. All I care about is that the person is knowledgeable enough to answer my questions, take my payment or update me on an outage in my area.

Maybe Irvin should stop meddling in the affairs of his co-workers and go start his "ex-Gay" group somewhere else.

The courts would be wise reject his request.