Guild Wars 2 Weaponsmithing Farming Locations

Guild Wars 2 Weaponsmithing Farming Locations

One of the biggest pains in Guild Wars 2 is farming for components to level the crafting skills. Here are suggestions of locations to find items for the Weaponsmithing Crafting Skills

The Crafting skill is sorted out by level, with the minimum suggested number of crafting items needed to advance to the next crafting tier. IE, You’ll need 28 Tiny Claws total when advancing from Levels 0-75 (Tier 1) to Levels 75-150 (Tier 2)

Please note Copper Ore, Greenwood Logs, Iron Ore, Soft Wood Logs, Seasoned Wood Logs, Hard Wood Logs, , Platinum Ore, Elder Wood Logs, and Mithril Ore are also obtainable by using Salvage Kits on Armor and Weapons.

Tier 1 – Level 0-75
Copper Ore, Qty 180
- Caledon Forest (Level 1-15)
- Metrica Province (Level 1-15)
- Plains of Ashford (Level 1-15)
- Queensdale (Level 1-15)
- Wayfarer Foothills (Level 1-15)

Lumps of Tin, Qty 18
- Weaponsmithing Vendor near Weaponsmithing Station
- Gendarran Field – Centaur Supply Carts in Blood Hill Camps

Green Wood Logs, Qty 222

Tiny Claws, Qty 28
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Tiny Totems, Qty 28
- Metrica Province – Inquest Outer Complex. Drops from Inquest
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits
- Wayfarer Foothills – South of Outcast’s Waypoint. Drops from Sons of Svanir

Bone Chips, Qty 19*
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Tiny Scales, Qty 28*
- Wayfarer Foothills – North of Darkriven Waypoint, in lake. Drop from Ice Drakes and Barracudas

Tiny Venom Sacs, Qty 3*
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

*Note: An equal numbers of Vials of Weak Blood can be substituted for Bone Chips or Tiny Venom Scas.

Tier 2 – Level 75-150
Iron Ore, Qty 270
- Brisban Wildlands (Level 15-25)
- Snowden Drifts (Level 15-25)
- Gendarran Field (Level 25-35)
- Fields of Ruin (Level 30-40)
- Dredgehaunt Cliffs (Level 40-50)
- Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55)

Soft Wood Logs, Qty 296

Small Fangs, Qty 28

Small Totems, Qty 28

Small Scale, Qty 28
- Gendarran Field – Witherflank River, drops from Barracuda.

Small Claws, Qty 19*

Small Venom Sacs, Qty 3*

*Note: Bone Shards are an equal substitute for Small Claws and Small Venom Sacs

Tier 3 – Level 150-225
Iron Ore, Qty 270
- Brisban Wildlands (Level 15-25)
- Snowden Drifts (Level 15-25)
- Gendarran Field (Level 25-35)
- Fields of Ruin (Level 30-40)
- Dredgehaunt Cliffs (Level 40-50)
- Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55)

Lumps of Coal, Qty 90
- Weaponsmithing Vendor near Weaponsmithing Station

Seasoned Wood Logs, Qty 296

Fang, Qty 28

Totems, Qty 28
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Scales, Qty 28
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Claws, Qty 19*
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Venom Sacs, Qty 3*

*Note Bone may replace Claws and Venom Sacs

Bones (replacement for Claws)
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Tier 4 – Level 225-300
Platinum Ores, Qty 222
- Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55)
- Timberline Falls (Level 50-60)
- Iron Marches (Level 50-60)

Hard Wood Logs, Qty 222

Lumps of Primordium, Qty 180
- Weaponsmithing Vendor near Weaponsmithing Station

Sharp Claws, Qty 28
- Fire Heart Rise – Sati Way Point. Drops from Salamanders

Engraved Totems, Qty 28

Full Venom Sacs, Qty 28

Heavy Bones, Qty 19*

*Note; Heavy Bones maybe replaced with Sharp Fangs or Smooth Scales
Sharp Fangs
- Sparkfly Fen, Aleem’s Waypoint. Drops from Reef Skelks

Tier 5 – Level 300-375
Mithril Ores, Qty 180
- Straits of Devastation (Level 70-75)
- Malchor’s Leap – (Level 75-80)
- Orr (Level 80)

Elder Wood Logs, Qty 222

Large Claws, Qty 28

Intricate Totems, Qty 28
- Frostgorge Sound – Northwest and West of Highpeaks Waypoint. Drops from Son of Svanir in Heavy Icy Bag and Large Icy Bag

Potent Venom Sacs, Qty 28

Large Bones, Qty 3*

*Note; Large Bones maybe replaced with Large Fang or Large Scale

Tier 6 – Level 375-400
Mithril Ores, Qty 48
- Straits of Devastation (Level 70-75)
- Malchor’s Leap – (Level 75-80)
- Orr (Level 80)

Elder Wood Logs, Qty 36

Tier Five Fine Crafting Materials, (Below List) Qty 60
Large Bones

Large Claws

Pile of Incandescent Dust

Large Fang
- Frostgorge Sound – West of Highpeaks Waypoint. Drops from Ice Elementals

Large Scale

Intricate Totem

Potent Venom Sac

Vial of Potent Blood

If you have any additional suggestions that are not mentioned here, please comment below

Guild Wars 2 Armorsmithing Farming Locations

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Guild Wars 2 Armorsmithing Farming Locations

Guild Wars 2 Armorsmithing Farming Locations

One of the biggest pains in Guild Wars 2 is farming for components to level the crafting skills. Here are suggestions of locations to find items for the Armorsmithng Crafting Skills

The Crafting skill is sorted out by level, with the minimum suggested number of crafting items needed to advance to the next crafting tier. IE, You’ll need 20 Tiny Totems total when advancing from Levels 0-75 (Tier 1) to Levels 75-150 (Tier 2)

Please note Copper Ore, Jute Scraps, Iron Ore, Wool Scraps, Cotton Scraps, Platinum Ore, Linen Scraps, Mithril Ore, and Silk Scraps are also obtainable by using Salvage Kits on Armor and Weapons.

Tier 1 – Level 0-75
Copper Ore, Qty 80
- Caledon Forest (Level 1-15)
- Metrica Province (Level 1-15)
- Plains of Ashford (Level 1-15)
- Queensdale (Level 1-15)
- Wayfarer Foothills (Level 1-15)

Lumps of Tin, Qty 8
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station
- Gendarran Field – Centaur Supply Carts in Blood Hill Camps

Jute Scraps, Qty 96
- Blazeridge Stepps – From Skritt Foragers. Drops in Tiny Bag of Skritt Shinies
- Caledon Forest – From Skritt Foragers. Drops in Tiny Bag of Skritt Shinies
- Diessa Plateau – Oldgate Clearing east of Nolan Waypoint in cave, bag drops from Charr.
- Dredgehaunt Cliffs – From Skritt Foragers. Drops in Tiny Bag of Skritt Shinies
- Fields of Ruin – From Skritt Foragers. Drops in Tiny Bag of Skritt Shinies
- Kessex Hills – From Bandits and Centaurs
- Harathi Hinterlands – From Bandits and Centraus
- Metrica Providence – Thaumanova Reactor. Drops in Bag of Testing Material from Inquest
- Plains of Ashford – From Skritt Foragers. Drops in Tiny Bag of Skritt Shinies
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Spools of Jute Thread, Qty 36
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Tiny Claws, Qty 20
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Tiny Totems, Qty 20
- Metrica Province – Inquest Outer Complex. Drops from Inquest
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Bone Chips, Qty 9*
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Tiny Venom Sacs, Qty 6*
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

Vial of Weak Blood, Qty 3*
- Queensdale – Around Bandithaunt Caverns. Drops in Bag of Pinched Goods from bandits

*Note: An equal numbers of Vials of Weak Blood can be substituted for Bone Chips or Tiny Venom Scas.

Tier 2 – Level 75-150
Iron Ore, Qty 114
- Brisban Wildlands (Level 15-25)
- Snowden Drifts (Level 15-25)
- Gendarran Field (Level 25-35)
- Fields of Ruin (Level 30-40)
- Dredgehaunt Cliffs (Level 40-50)
- Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55)

Wool Scraps, Qty 92
- Diessa Plateau – Oldgate Clearing east of Nolan Waypoint in cave, bag drops from Charr.
- Fields of Ruin – Northeast of Stronghold of Ebonhawk in cave. Drop from Charr Renegades

Spools of Wool Thread, Qty 61
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Small Fangs, Qty 28

Small Totems, Qty 28

Small Scale, Qty 25
- Gendarran Field – Witherflank River, drops from Barracuda.

Small Claws, Qty 22*

*Note: Small Venom Sacs or Bone Shards are an equal substitute for Small Claws

Tier 3 – Level 150-225
Iron Ore, Qty 114
- Brisban Wildlands (Level 15-25)
- Snowden Drifts (Level 15-25)
- Gendarran Field (Level 25-35)
- Fields of Ruin (Level 30-40)
- Dredgehaunt Cliffs (Level 40-50)
- Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55)

Lumps of Coal, Qty 38
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Cotton Scraps, Qty 92
- Blazeridge Stepps – Northwest of Tumok’s Last Stand – Ragged Garment drop from Separatists
- Blazeridge Stepps – North of Tail of the Star God Point of Interest. Drops from Grawl
- Fields of Ruin – Northeast of Stronghold of Ebonhawk in cave. Ragged garment drop from Charr Renegades
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Spools of Cotton Thread, Qty 61
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Fang, Qty 28

Totems, Qty 28
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Scales, Qty 25
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Claws, Qty 22*
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

*Note Claws maybe replaced with Venom Sacs or Bones

Venom Sacs (replacement for Claws)
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Bones (replacement for Claws)
- Harathi Hinterlands – Cloven Hoof Pass, High Timberland Claim, Modnir Gorge. Supply Bag Drop from Centaurs

Tier 4 – Level 225-350
Platinum Ores, Qty 76
- Bloodtide Coast (Level 45-55)
- Timberline Falls (Level 50-60)
- Iron Marches (Level 50-60)

Lumps of Primordium, Qty 28

Linen Scraps, Qty 92
- Bloodtide Coast – Laughing Gull Island. Moldy Bag drop from Risen
- Bloodtide Coast – Mole’s Head. Moldy Bag drop from Risen
- Iron Marches – South West of Viper’s Run Waypoint. Rune Bag drop from Flame Legion
- Mount Maelstrom – Medium Moldy Bag drop from Risen Hylek and Risen Thrall

Spools of Linen Tread, Qty 61
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Sharp Claws, Qty 28
- Fire Heart Rise – Sati Way Point. Drops from Salamanders

Engraved Totems, Qty 25

Heavy Bones, Qty 22*

*Note; Heavy Bones maybe replaced with Sharp Fangs or Smooth Scales

Other items:
Sharp Fangs
- Sparkfly Fen, Aleem’s Waypoint. Drops from Reef Skelks

Sharp Fangs
- Fire Heart Rise, Sati Way Point. Drops from Barracuda.

Tier 5 – Level 350-375
Mithril Ores, Qty 76
- Straits of Devastation (Level 70-75)
- Malchor’s Leap – (Level 75-80)
- Orr (Level 80)

Silk Scraps, Qty 92
- Frostgorge Sound – Northwest and West of Highpeaks Waypoint. Drops from Son of Svanir in Heavy Icy Bag and Large Icy Bag

Spools of Silk Thread, Qty 61
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Large Claws, Qty 28

Intricate Totems, Qty 28
- Frostgorge Sound – Northwest and West of Highpeaks Waypoint. Drops from Son of Svanir in Heavy Icy Bag and Large Icy Bag

Potent Venom Sacs, Qty 25

Large Bones, Qty 22*

*Note; Large Bones maybe replaced with Large Fang or Large Scale

Tier 6 – Level 375-400
Mithril Ores, Qty 16
- Straits of Devastation (Level 70-75)
- Malchor’s Leap – (Level 75-80)
- Orr (Level 80)

Silk Scraps, Qty 24

Spools of Silk Thread, Qty 44
- Armorsmithing Vendor near Armorsmithing Station

Tier Five Fine Crafting Materials, (Below List) Qty 60
Large Bones

Large Claws

Pile of Incandescent Dust

Large Fang
- Frostgorge Sound – West of Highpeaks Waypoint. Drops from Ice Elementals

Large Scale

Intricate Totem

Potent Venom Sac

Vial of Potent Blood

If you have any additional suggestions that are not mentioned here, please comment below

Guild Wars 2 Weaonsmithing Farming Locations

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Foiled Terrorist Plots since 2009

Foiled Terrorist Plots since 2009

2009 May 20: 2009 New York City bomb plot Three U.S. citizens and one Haitian from Newburgh, New York were arrested in a plot to bomb a Riverdale Temple and a Riverdale Jewish Center in The Bronx, New York City in an alleged homegrown terrorist plot. It was also alleged that they planned to shoot down military planes operating out of Stewart Air National Guard Base also in Newburgh.

2009 September Najibullah Zazi of Denver was indicted on charges of trying to build and detonate a weapon of mass destruction. He and two others allegedly planned to detonate the homemade explosives on the New York City subway system.

2009 August – September: On September 24 William Boyd and Hysen Sherifi charged with conducting reconnaissance of the Marine Corps base at Quantico, Virginia and obtaining armor-piercing ammunition with the intent to attack Americans.

2009 September 24: Michael Finton/Talib Islam a 29 year old man from Illinois charged with trying to kill federal employees by detonating a car bomb at the federal building in Springfield, Illinois.

2009 September 24: Hosam Maher Husein Smadi a 19 year old illegal immigrant from Jordan charged with trying the bomb the 60 story Fountain Place office tower in Dallas, Texas.

2010 January 7 Adis Medunjanin an alleged 2009 NYC Subway plotter attempts a suicide attack by intentionally crashing his car on the Whitestone Bridge in New York City. Medunjanin has since been charged for his role in an Al Qaeda plot to conduct coordinated suicide bombings on New York’s subway system.

2010 September 20: Sami Samir Hassoun, 22, a Lebanese citizen living in Chicago, was charged with one count each of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted use of an explosive device after placing a backpack with what he thought was a bomb near Wrigley Field.

2010 October 27: Farooque Ahmed, 34, a naturalized U.S. citizen indicted for conspiracy to bomb 4 Washington Metro stations.

2010 November 26: Mohamed Osman Mohamud a 19-year-old Somali-American is alleged to have attempted a car bombing at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Oregon. On January 31, 2013 a jury found Mohamud guilty of the charge of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction.

2010 December 8: Antonio Martinez, also known as Muhammad Hussain arrested after a sting operation in an alleged plot to bomb a military recruiting center in Catonsville, Maryland.

2011 February 24: Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari a 20 year old Saudi Arabian student arrested for building bombs to use in alleged terrorist attacks. Targets allegedly were home of George W. Bush, hydroelectric dams, nuclear power plants, nightclubs and the homes of soldiers who were formerly stationed at the Abu Ghraib prison.

2011 June 23: Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif and Walli Mujahidh of Long Beach, California are arrested on charges of buying machine guns and grenades and conspiring to attack a federal building housing a Military Entrance Processing Station in Seattle, Washington

2011 September 28: Rezwan Ferdaus, a US citizen,was indicted for allegedly plotting to use remote-controlled aircraft carrying explosives to bomb the Pentagon and the US Capitol. He also allegedly planned to hire people to shoot at people fleeing the Pentagon. In July 2012 he pleaded guilty to plotting an attack on the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. .

2012 January 7: Sami Osmakac a naturalized American from Kosovo arrested in plot to create mayhem in Tampa, Florida by car bombing, hostage taking and exploding a suicide belt. Allege bomb targets included by night clubs in the Ybor City, a bar, and the operations center of the sheriff’s office and South Tampa businesses. Osmakac allegedly told an FBI undercover agent “We all have to die, so why not die the Islamic way?”

2012 February 17: Amine El Khalifi a Moroccan man from Alexandria, Virginia arrested in alleged suicide bombing plot of U.S. Capital. Was arrested was a result of F.B.I. sting operation. As a result of a plea agreement El Khalifi was sentenced to 30 years in prison on September 14.

2012 August 27: Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, Sgt. Anthony Peden, and Pvt. Christopher Salmon three non-commissioned officers from Fort Stewart in Georgia charged in alleged plot to seize control of Fort Stewart, and blow up a dam. The alleged plot was on behalf of the “FEAR” militia for the long term purpose of overthrowing the government.

2012 October 17: Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis age 21 arrested in plot to bomb the Manhattan office of the Federal Reserve Bank. Suspect was pulling detonator on disabled 1000 pound van bomb when arrested.

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Filthy Mudblood

86 nFilthy Mudblood Filthy Mudblood Picture Photo

“I hate driving you to college its so far”

“I’m sorry dad. its really only 30 miles away if there was a road going straight to school”

“You should have taken my advice and gone to hogwarts for a year and gotten your flying license. then you could use a broomstick to get to college”

“…what?”

“…filthy mudblood”

“DAD!”

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September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures

September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures

An early fall trip to Disneyland in Los Angeles is starting to be somewhat of a tradition in my family. Once again we drove down from the Portland area along the I-5 corridor. The return trip always includes a stop over in San Francisco. This was the same trip where we stayed only a couple of blocks away from Venice Beach.

Tomorrow Land Entrance 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo
We always go to the right, to enter into “Tomorrowland” first. I’m still up in the air about the 1990′s refurbishment, and I really miss the “People Mover” for some reason.

Astro Orbitor 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo
The Astro Orbiter is the first ride in this part of the park. It replaces the older Star Jet Ride that opened in 1974. Geared towards younger children, the ride orbits around a fake orrery showing an unknown Solar System.

Castle Top 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo Here you can just barely see the top of Cinderella’s castle through the trees.

Darth Maul 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo

Darth Vader 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo
One of the cool parts of Tomorrowland is the Star Wars themes. Kids can learn to be Padwans and “fight” both Darth Vader and Darth Maul with their own lightsabers.

MoonLiner 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo
The “Moonliner” looks to be the rocket part of the original Star Ride. It remains forlorn as decorations.

If find Tomorrowland fascinating in general because it was a glimpse of the future when it was built. “Tomorrow” held a lot of promise for many people. Now it’s Tomorrow, and it’s interesting to see how much everything not only diverged from that imagination, but also didn’t really change. How practicality trumped wishful thinking, and how certain technologies just never came to be.

Cymball Monkey 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo
The Cymbal monkey is a statue in the “pet cemetery” of one of my favorite rides, the Haunted Mansion. Most of the statues have a pun or funny little saying on them. Most of them are also a bit boring after reading the 100th time though, although I still get a thrill out of the ride and will ride it at least five times during a three day visit.

Sailing Ship Columbia 1024x768 September 2012 Disneyland Trip Pictures Picture Photo
And of course, the Sailing Ship Columbia that occasionally circles Tom Sawyer’s Island, and plays host to an epic battle between Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Most of the time it just sits there as a huge prop, never moving, and frequently inaccessible.

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Portland’s Freeway Names, Interstate Highway

Portland’s Freeway Names, Interstate Highway

Back to War Veterans Memorial Freeway

Before I-5 was built through Portland, and opened to traffic on December 2, 1964,Interstate Avenue was “the” main Freeway through Portland as part of both the Pacific Highway Route, and the Highway 99W route. This road connected Portland and Vancouver Washington, via the newly built Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River. This bridge is now the east bridge of the I-5 Columbia River Crossing. Future plans will likely remove or replace both existing bridges with a new modern crossing.

Interstate was renamed by then Portland Mayor George L. Baker in 1916 to commemorate the opening of the bridge across the river. From 1909 to 1916, portions of Patton (now Massachusetts) and Maryland Avenue were condemned and repaved to form Interstate which at that time ran through empty land and were essentially dirt roads.

In 1928, Interstate was extended south over the bluff, (Kaiser hospital is at the top of the bluff now,) Delay and Larabee streets were renamed and connected to Interstate.

As the car became more and more a fixture of American Culture, Interstate shifted to serve the need of the driver directly. Gas Stations, Dining and Lodging in the form of Auto Camps popped up along the street. As a designated part of West Side Pacific Highway #3 it became a popular drive for the long distance traveler.

1939 saw a huge change though, as the street was lit with street lights, causing many people to gush about it’s beauty. After WWII Neon lights were added, among these are some of Portland’s most iconic signs such as the Alibi and the Palms Hotel. As part of the plan for the Interstate Urban Renewal Zone, these neon signs are considered public art and are celebrated as such.

May 1, 2004 saw the hugest change to Interstate in decades. The Yellow Line of Trimet’s MAX was opened to the public. The above mentioned Urban Renewal Zone had to be created to allow the light rail train to be built, but doing so also spurned development along the street.

In 2007 a movement started to push to rename Interstate to Caesar Chavez Avenue, but was scrapped because Interstate was already a historic name. According to City of Portland City Code, existing names can not be renamed if the original name is of historical significance. This was eventually dropped in favor of renaming 39th to honor Chavez.

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On Gun Control

On Gun Control

Criminals have guns because it’s a convenient tool that does the job. No other reason at all. You can drive a nail with a wrench, but you really want to use a hammer. You can saw wood with a pocket knife, but you’d really prefer a Circular Saw.

Even if we somehow managed to get rid of every gun in the world, and there was no way to get another one, “criminals,” would simply find another weapon. There are hundreds of instances in history where certain types of weapons were banned, yet that didn’t stop criminals from finding tools just as effective at ending a person’s life. Just look at Feudal Japan as a (repeated) example, swords are banned, so what did bandits use? Staffs, cudgels, sticks, and rocks. And they still managed to terrorize the country side, leaving hundreds of thousands terrified to leave the safety of their homes, and forcing leaders to band together to wipe out the scourge.

Humans are going to keep killing humans, that is the sad fact of our stupid species. Short of mind chipping everyone and pumping us full of mood altering drugs, it’s going to continue to happen no matter what. Gun Control, whatever form new laws take, will only salve the emotional torture that the victims families are going through right now for so long.

The even more unfortunate truth, and one that many people in this forum seem to forget, is that old saying “If guns are outlawed, only criminals will have guns.” Restrictive laws like Japan’s will only create a huge black market, and “DIY” gun culture. You’ll see zip guns being built in home garages and sold on street corners alongside meth and cocaine. We’ll see news stories “Feds seize 15,000 guns at border crossing. Estimate .001% reduction in the number of weapons!”

What you will not see is any reduction in unfortunate tragedies like this, and many fear, you will in fact see a drastic INCREASE in such.

That is why the Pro-gun crowd and the anti-gun crowd disagree. Both sides are combatting an unknown fear – both of which are rooted in reality.

 

 

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Unintentionally Scary Song

Unintentionally Scary Song

I have been a fan of They Might Be Giants for quite some time, actually since before college. But until today, for some reason, the actual words to this song titled “Sleepwalkers,” on their “No!” album have escaped me.

If you listen to the original version, which was only available on the original “Dial-A-Song” not the “new” Internet enabled version (which is also down!)

Compare this to some of their more lighthearted songs such as “Particle Man” from “Flood” which is still one of my most favorite albums.

or Birdhouse in your Soul, from the same album.


If you really listen to the lyrics of this song, it’s actually very comforting.

Even for fans of TMBG like myself, I still find surprises. Like this even MORE scary song they did for ABC’s Nightline.

Yeah… I’m not going to be sleeping tonight.

Sleepwalker Lyrics:
See them over there
See them moving down the road
Their arms held out ahead
And their eyes, their eyes are closed

Don’t make any noise
Cry out loud or stamp your feet
You’ll wake the girls and boys
Who are walking in their sleep

Every night they throw aside their blankets
Swing their feet down, stand up and move out to the street
Like they’re under a spell and together
They roam across the country and they’re walking in their sleep

You’ll recognize them when you see
Their rumpled hair and stocking feet
It seems like they want something
But we don’t know what it is
But here they come again
Yes, here they come again

Move aside and let the people go by
They don’t see you thinking that they’re home in their beds
They must not be disturbed when they’re wandering
All across the country and they’re walking in their sleep

Perhaps when they awake
They’ll remember everything
They’ll think it was a dream
It will be forgotten then

But don’t make any noise
Cry out loud or stamp your feet
You’ll wake the girls and boys
Who are walking in their sleep

Particle Man Lyrics:
Particle man, particle man
Doin’ the things a particle can
What’s he like, it’s not important
Particle man

Is he a dot, or is he a speck?
When he’s underwater does he get wet?
Or does the water get him instead?
Nobody knows, particle man

Triangle man, triangle man
Triangle man hates particle man
They have a fight, triangle wins
Triangle man

Universe man, universe man
Size of the entire universe man
Usually kind to smaller man
Universe man

He’s got a watch with a minute hand
Millennium hand and an eon hand
When they meet it’s a happy land
[Inaudible] man, universe man

Person man, person man
Hit on the head with a frying pan
Lives his life in a garbage can
Person man

Is he depressed or is he a mess?
Does he feel totally worthless?
Who came up with person man?
Degraded man, person man

Triangle man, triangle man
Triangle man hates person man
They have a fight, triangle wins
Triangle man

Birdhouse in Your Soul Lyrics:
I’m your only friend
I’m not your only friend
But I’m a little glowing friend
But really I’m not actually your friend, but I am

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you?
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I have a secret to tell from my electrical well
It’s a simple message and I’m leaving out the whistles and bells
So the room must listen to me filibuster vigilantly
My name is Blue Canary one note spelled L I T E
My story’s infinite like the Longines Symphonette it doesn’t rest

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you?
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I’m your only friend
I’m not your only friend
But I’m a little glowing friend
But really I’m not actually your friend, but I am

There’s a picture opposite me of my primitive ancestry
Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free
Though I respect that a lot I’d be fired if that were my job
After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts
Bluebird of friendliness like guardian Angels its always near

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you?
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

While you’re at it
Keep the nightlight on inside
The birdhouse in your soul

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
(And while you’re at it)
Who watches over you?
(Keep the nightlight on inside the)
(Birdhouse in your soul)
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
(And while you’re at it)
Who watches over you?
(Keep the nightlight on inside the)
(Birdhouse in your soul)
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Back in April of 2012, I had my first chance to go to New York City for work. Among the many things I did while I was there, was to go through Central Park, and to The Metropolitan Museum of Art right next door.

I can honestly say that right up until that moment I did not really “get” art at all. I could look at a piece and go “that’s nice, but it doesn’t invoke any emotion in me.” Or “what a ugly piece of junk. Who would want that around?” But going into The Met changed all of that. The piece that started it for some reason was this one.

Greek Statue 1024x768 The Metropolitan Museum of Art Picture Photo

I did not think to get much information about it at the time unfortunately. In fact I really enjoyed the Greek Art section a lot. This next piece though changed my thoughts around art of any kind instantly.

Ugolino 1024x768 The Metropolitan Museum of Art Picture Photo

Titled “Ugolino and His Sons.” This piece by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux portrays Ugolino (who was a real person) in Dante’s Inferno.

In addition to the hundreds of paintings that I viewed, not to mention tons of sculptures, entire rooms from different eras, armor and weapons, an Egyptian Temple stood inside the museum. Surprisingly, it’s not quite as large as one would really think it should be considering some of the Egyptian peoples other works.

Egyptian Temple 1024x768 The Metropolitan Museum of Art Picture Photo

But I did find the hieroglyphics on the side to be interesting. Wish I could read them!

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