Random Thursday
Category: Random Thursday...
Posted Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 06:33 AM [GMT-6]

Random observations while searching for my place on WikiMapia...

• Golf statisticians have -- by definition, I think -- too much time on their hands. How else to explain this report that fifty different players have been runners-up to Tiger Woods in PGA Tour tournaments. And, based on the fact that this story got written, it's equally obvious that some sports reporters are also running out of ideas.


• I would be curious, however, to know how many guys wearing red pants have finished behind Tiger. Surely someone is working on that.


• Ever wonder what it would be like to live the exciting life of a freelance web designer? Me, too. But I read this, and now I know. Actually, it pretty much describes my life (even down to the detail of having a law firm as one of my first clients, and wondering how I survived the experience), except I answer emails after 5 pm. I may write my own version of this article...if I ever find the time.


• My pal, newlywed, and Bible haiku king Larry Stephey brought WikiMapia to my attention recently, and it's a sure way to drain your discretionary time. The site combines the wiki concept with Google Maps by allowing you to draw a box around a place and enter a description of that place that's viewable -- and editable -- by everyone else. I spend some time outlining a few places in the Midland area, including our neighborhood park, the rifle range, and an airport south of town that we visit fairly regularly.
  This application has potential to be helpful in a number of ways, but it would be more useful if you weren't limited to rectangles for outlining places of interest. Anyway, to use WikiMapia, just zoom in on the place you want to describe, drag it to the crosshairs in the center of the window, and click "Add Place." Note that you can insert an URL in the description by simply preceding the web address with "http://" (and nothing else -- don't try to use tags; they don't work).


• I see where Governor Perry has signed SB 378, and it will go into effect on September 1, 2007. Dubbed "the Castle Law," this bill allows Texans to exercise deadly force in their homes, cars, and workplaces without first retreating. Up to now, one had to retreat from an attacker, presumably in the hope that once he understood you meant him no harm, he would have a change of heart and leave, after writing you a generous check to cover mental anguish and, possibly, broken window glass. This was a defense lawyer's dream come true. Thankfully, Texas citizens will now be able to protect their lives with the blessing of the law. Here's the text of the bill, if you're interested.