July 31, 2007
Posted at: 11:29 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
As most of you know, I received the rank of Eagle Scout on January 13, 2003 from Troop 44 in Cambridge, MA. This was an amazing achievement considering that I started in Boy Scouts when I was 14 and most people start at age 11 or younger (cub scouts). I completed the requirements in only 4 years, turning in the final packet the day before my 18th birthday.
The following is a copy of my Certificate verifying that I became an Eagle Scout on January 13, 2003.
Here is a picture that I took of my Badge (left) and the Eagle Scout Award (right).
eagle scout, eagle, scouting, scout, boy scouts, boy scouts of America, badge, award, certificate
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July 30, 2007
Posted at: 11:29 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Tech and Web
My friend Matt informed me about an extension to firebug called YSlow that was developed by Yahoo. Before you can install YSlow, you must install Firebug if you don’t have it already.
It is a great tool that helps developers to analyze their site statistics on performance/speed. YSlow will give you a “Report Card” including a final grade and individual grades on each test. It checks JavaScript, CSS, HTTP requests, etc… and will give you their recommendations on how to adjust your grade.
For more information on YSlow, check out the docs section.
developers, firebug, firefox, yslow, yahoo, web, programming
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July 29, 2007
Posted at: 12:02 am by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
What would you do if your bank credited your account every morning with $86,400, but every night canceled whatever you failed to use during the day? You would draw out every cent, Wouldn’t you? You have such a bank. Every morning God credits your account with 86,400 seconds. Every night He cancels whatever you failed to use. You can’t buy time and you can’t save it. If you don’t spend it, well you waste it. Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is all the cash you have.
Spend it wisely!
I received this while I was on PACE and I think it is a great statement. I hope others enjoy it as much as I do.
God, bank, money, 86400, credits
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July 28, 2007
Posted at: 6:23 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Sports and Leisure
A few years ago, I accomplished a lifelong goal which was to go skydiving. I know to some people that it not a life long goal, but for me it was. If I decide to skydive again, I am going to make sure that I get a DVD of the jump.
After a training session, we were taken into the plane and we flew up to 14,500 feet where they told us to get ready. Since I was jumping tandem, the instructor was attached to me and we would jump together. I was really nervous and told him that I wasn’t sure if I could jump and he told me that we had a problem if that was the issue. He informed me that he doesn’t like to land INSIDE planes. I realized at that moment that I wasn’t going to be landing with wheels on the ground. I looked outside and saw how high up we were and my stomach dropped. He asked me how I wanted to jump and I told him, “A back flip”. He agreed and we got in the position next to the door. He counted 1, 2 and before he got to 3, I was no longer IN a moving object, I was the moving object.
Speaking of moving objects, when a single skydiver is in free fall, they are moving at a speed of 124 mph (200 kph). However, when there are two people in free fall, the speed increases to about 180 mph and that is not safe to be falling at if you are jumping for your first time. Due to the safety risk, after you exit the plane, you pull the “Drogue Parachute” which is about 6ft wide and slows the two people down to the safe 110-120mph.
While sailing down in the open air and the force pushing and pulling on my body, I felt as if I was lying down not going anywhere. (I’m not an expert but) Since air was flowing equally above and below me at terminal velocity, the feeling that results is an amazing rush. When it was time to pull the rip cord at 4500 feet, the instructor let me pull it, but the only problem was that I didn’t realize it wasn’t attached and almost dropped it. It is a strange feeling after your parachute opens because all of a sudden you get jerked up and then after about 2 long minutes, you finally get your stomach out of your throat. 
In the air floating down, you could see a long ways to the nearest city. However, I do not know which city that was, Portsmouth (NH), Concord (NH) or even Boston (MA) depending on how far I was looking. When I landed on the ground, I was very relived, but sad as well. I would highly suggest going skydiving if you have the chance.
skydiving, skydive new england, plane, parachute, jumping
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July 27, 2007
Posted at: 7:51 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Entertainment and News, Tech and Web
The Department of Homeland Security is funding the creation an LED flashlight that uses powerful flashes of light to temporarily blind, disorient and incapacitate people. Homeland Security’s Science and Technology arm hopes government agents can use the “light saber” to arrest people on planes and at the borders without using traditional weapons.
This is an interesting attempt at cutting the threat level down, but they didn’t think this one all the way through. Someone mentioned, all the terrorists would need to do is wear welding glasses and the money for this project is down the drain. What happens if they wear reflective clothing or bring mirrors with them.
DHS also wants to use it to subdue crowds using an bigger version of the flashlight, however, there is only one problem with that. What about the people who have seizures and are just standing in the crowd. Not only will it disorient them, but it will cause a seizure from the lights. Some people might not believe that it could cause seizures, but I know from experience because I have a seizure disorder and I have had them from strobe lights before. If I was in a crowd and I had a seizure from one of these lights, I would be suing the government/authorities for causing it. (not me personally, but others might)
This is a very bad idea even though the thought was in the right place, they would need to work on the execution and fine details behind it.
homeland security, homeland, funds, blinding, led flashlight, flashlight, led
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July 26, 2007
Posted at: 11:11 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
Most people are afraid of spiders because they are 8 legged freakish arachnids that are very creepy. The Brown Recluse Spiders are native in the southern Midwest south to the Gulf of Mexico. The native range lies roughly south of a line from southeastern Nebraska through southern Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana to southwestern Ohio. In the southern states, it is native from central Texas to western Georgia. They are generally not found west of the Rocky Mountains.
After the bite, here is a preview of how fast the bite will affect a person’s skin. These images are very graphic, but it is important that people know how dangerous the spider could be.
Day 3
The following illustrates the progression of a brown recluse spider bite. The affected skin actually dies on his body.
Day 5
Some of the pictures towards the end are pretty nasty, but take a look at the last one — it is a picture of the spider itself.
Day 6
The Brown Recluse Spider is the most dangerous spider that we have here in the USA .
Day 9
A person can die from it’s bite. We all should know what the spider looks like.
Day 10
It is pretty gross to look at, but it needs to be shared.
spider, spider bite, brown recluse, recluse spider, graphic
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July 25, 2007
Posted at: 10:18 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
After my 87 Jeep Wrangler caught on fire, I knew that I was going to buy another Jeep, it was just a matter of when. However, the time is about to come since my 1991 Ford Explorer is going down the drain. Up until 2006, I was looking for a regular Wrangler to buy, but since the release of the 4 Door Unlimited’s, I am really looking forward to the new style. Please help me decide what color is right for me (even if you don’t know me)
Below is a poll for me to figure out what color I should choose from. I have my 2 possibilities, but I would like to know other people’s opinions. You can choose your favorite two choices and from that I will decide.
Loading …
jeep, wrangler, 4 door, jeep wrangler, SUV
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July 24, 2007
Posted at: 12:05 am by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Sports and Leisure
MLB.com and Mastercard are teaming up to give one fan and three of their friends a chance to fulfill their dream of going to the World Series. I am a lifelong Red Sox fan who would give anything to go see the Red Sox play in the World Series 2007 (they will…at the rate they’re going). I would love to go see any teams in the World Series (except the Yankees), but the Red Sox would make it a dream come true.
View my Video and Vote
The directions were to create a video (using 9 short clips up to 30 seconds) that explains why you love your home team. I chose what I thought were the best clips that tell the world why the Red Sox are the best team in baseball, 2007 statistics aside. You can vote up to 10 times a day, so vote often. At the time of this post, the audio for my video was not processing through the direct link, but if you search throgh the hundreds of videos (filed under Timothy), the audio will play. That is a slight oversight by the developer. Also if you want to try looking under “Popular Entries”, hopefully mine will stay near the front page. Here is the text of my story that I created.
“My name is Timothy Haroutunian and I would be a Boston Red Sock because we have had some of the most legendary athletes who have stood before the famous Green Monster. No matter how many tears the Boston fans have shed, it is no match for the annual devotion that they have for their team. The ‘Cardiac Kids’ never fail to deny every spectator a heart pounding rush each season. Baseball is what makes Boston the best city in the world to live in and the Red Sox are the face of the city’s lure.”
Clips Chosen: Carlton Fisk’s Home Run in 1975, a Home Run by Carl Yastrzemski and obviously 2004 World Series winning play
View my Video and Vote
There will be (1) Finalist selected each week, as voted by you and other fans. From the (11) Finalists, there will be (1) Grand Prize:
A 4-day/3-night trip for winner and (3) guests to
- (1) 2007 MLB® World Series® game designated by Sponsor consisting of round-trip coach air transportation from major U.S. airport nearest winner’s residence,
- (2) standard double-occupancy hotel accommodations,
- (4) tickets to the designated game,
- a meet-&-greet with award-winning sportscaster Joe Buck,
- a behind-the-scenes tour of the applicable ballpark,
- ground transportation to/from the airport and the applicable hotel, and
- a $500 MasterCard Gift Card
(Approximate Retail Value =$5,500)
View my Video and Vote
Let me know if you voted for my video so I know who to thank if I win!!!
world series, 2007, 2007 world series, baseball, mlb, red sox, championship, dream week
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July 23, 2007
Posted at: 7:22 am by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
A little over a month before I graduated from Plymouth State University, I received a letter in the mail from the college. It was an invitation that I thought I could give to my family so that they can mark their calendar. However, it didn’t seem as if this would be any help to them.
In case you can’t read the invitation, here is the text.
The President, Faculty, Staff
and Graduate Students
of
Plymouth State University
of the
University System of New Hampshire
announce that
(Student Name)
is a candidate for the degree of
(Degree)
at the
Graduate Commencement
(Day, Month Date of Graduation),
(Year of Graduation),
(Time of Graduation),
(Place of Graduation)
TEXT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
I just thought it was great that there was no relevant information on the invitation and at the very bottom, it says “TEXT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE”
In the defense of Plymouth State, this was just a template for the invitation and there was a letter along with it that I didn’t see until a few days later. However, it was still a funny site to see.
invitation, college, graduation, plymouth state university
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July 22, 2007
Posted at: 10:52 am by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
This was sent to me by a friend awhile back and I thought I would share it with everyone. Hopefully you are able to find as much pleasure in this as I did. Enjoy!
….Before the Internet or the MAC……
….Before semi-automatics and crack….
….Before Play station, SEGA, Super Nintendo, even before Atari…
….Before cell phones, CD’s, DVD’s, voicemail and e-mail….
….way back….
I’m talkin’ bout hide and seek at dusk
Red light, Green light
Red Rover….Red Rover…..
Playing kickball & dodge ball until your porch light came on
Ring around the Rosie and London Bridge
Hot potato and Hop Scotch
Jump rope and Duck….duck….GOOSE!!!
YOU’RE IT!!
Parents stood on the front porch and yelled (or whistled) for you to come home -
Hula Hoops and Mother May I?
Seeing shapes in the clouds
Endless summer days and hot summer nights (no A/C) with the windows open
The sound of crickets
Running through the sprinkler
Happy Meals
Cereal boxes with that GREAT prize in the bottom
Cracker jacks with the same thing
Popsicles with 2 sticks you could break and share with a friend
…but wait…..there’s more….
Watchin’ Saturday Morning cartoons (you had 3 channels to choose from)
Fat Albert, Road Runner, Smurfs, Picture Pages, G-Force & He-Man, Schoolhouse Rock….
Wonder Woman & Super Man Underoos,
Catchin’ lightning bugs in a jar
Christmas morning
Your first day of school
Bedtime Prayers and Goodnight Kisses
Climbing trees
Swinging as high as you could to try and reach the sky
Getting an Ice Cream off the Good Humor Truck
A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers
Jumpin’ on the bed
Pillow fights
Sleep overs
A 13″ black and white TV in your room meant you were RICH
Runnin’ till you were out of breath
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt
Being tired from PLAYING
WORK: meant taking out the garbage or doing the dishes
Your first crush
Your first kiss (I mean the one that you kept your mouth CLOSED and your eyes OPEN)
Rainy days at school meant playing “Heads up 7UP” or “hangman” in the classroom, Remember that?
Oh, I’m not finished yet….
Kool-Aid was the drink of the summer
So was a swig from the hose
Giving your friends a ride on your handlebars
Playing Wiffle Ball in the back yard
Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school
Class Field Trips with soggy sandwiches
When nearly everyone’s mom was at home when the kids got there.
When a quarter seemed like a fair allowance, and another quarter a MIRACLE
When ANY parent could discipline ANY kid, or feed him, or use him to carry Groceries…And nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.
When your parents took you to McDonald’s and you were COOL
When being sent to the principals office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited you at home.
Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn’t because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! And some of us are still afraid of em!
Didn’t that feel good? Just to go back and say, “Yeah, I remember that!”
Well, let’s keep going!! Let’s go back to the time when…
Decisions were made by going “eeny-meeny-miney-mo”
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, “do over!”
“Race issues” meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in “Monopoly”
Catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening
It wasn’t odd to have two or three “best” friends.
Being old, referred to anyone over 20. (CRAP! I’m officially old!)
The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties.
Nobody was prettier than Mom
Scrapes and bruises were kissed by mom or grandma and made better
It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the “big people” rides at the amusement park.
Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true. (Growing up in New England, it was more like 2 feet)
Abilities were discovered because of a “double-dog-dare”
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
Water balloons were the ultimate, ultimate weapon.
Older siblings were your worst tormentors, but also your fiercest protector
If you can remember most or all of these, then you have LIVED!!!
Pass this on to anyone who may need a break from their “grown up” life……
I DOUBLE DOG DARE YA!!!!!!
childhood, younger, remembering, kids, clouds, heads up 7 up, kool aid, water balloons
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