I have been using Geico as my car insurance company for quite a few years now. But when i bought Amy’s truck i shopped around for cheaper insurance. I did some online comparisons – i went to one site that let me compare three different providers. I don’t remember the details specifically. It seems like i could have saved a few dollars by switching to one of them but i didn’t do anything about it. When my bill from Geico came for the next cycle my rate dropped significantly. It went down $90 for six months of coverage. It didn’t register at first – but i think that by doing that search Geico saw that i was shopping around and they automatically reduced my rate. My service with them did lapse for a little over a month about a year ago so i doubt my reduced rate was due to a long tenure. The timing just seems too perfect. I mentioned it to Cena some time ago and she did a similar online comparison and her rate dropped $100 for six months of coverage. Save yourself a buck or two – comparison shop and then don’t do anything. I’m Ryan McFarland and i approve of this message.

For about 10 years i have slowly gathered poems and saying scrawled on the walls of restrooms. My grand plan was to compile a book with one page having a writing and the opposite page having a photograph. I’ve also slowly been taking those photos. Well, naturally someone else has also been gathering sayings. The writing on the stall is a pretty nice compilation – now i just need to have it available when i’m on the toilet…

For the next week you could win a nifty remote control. [promo ended]

This is fascinating. There are encrypted messages all over human history that have not been solved. Serial Killers, buried treasure, a sculpture outside of the CIA headquarters, ancient texts, and more. Prove your brilliance and become somewhat famous – solve one of them. I think i’ll print some out and study when i eat cereal. I always feel compelled to read while eating.

I can’t help it. I like stuff. I have a closet full of outdoor gear. I have everything necessary to bike, hike, camp, climb, ski (xc or telemark), kayak, snowshoe… I have a gps and rock climbing protection. I have multiple sleeping bags, mattress pads, and backpacks. When i go into an outdoor store i strain to find anything that i actually need. I am, as we called each other at Philmont, a gear queer.

My need for the latest gadgets does not seem to end with outdoor equipment. I have a cell phone that is a full PDA, digital camera, mp3 player, and has a wireless internet connection. Of course, i feel the urge to expand my technical geekyness. I want a computer in my car. I want a touch screen monitor and the ability to play mp3s from a hard drive. I want to be able to pop in a DVD. I want to have the cradle to my cell phone allow my computer to connect to the internet. I want the computer to have built in wireless capability so i can pull into my driveway, connect to my home network, upload new music, and then drive off. There are already some that do all that and more.

In unrelated news, I do not have the urge to have a whimsical cover for my vacuum cleaner. I am interested in learning how to melt iron in my microwave at home.

Testing secure area. Archives don’t work quite yet. I’ll get there though! Two dedicated readers now have access…