Two Wheel Oklahoma Show in Keetonville

January 24, 2010 – 08:53
Two Wheel Oklahoma

Two Wheel Oklahoma

Keetonville, Oklahoma is near my hometown of Catoosa, Oklahoma and I have had an interest–perhaps an obsession–with the beautiful yet mysterious Keetonville Hill ever since I heard about the legend of the Cry Baby Bridge when I was a teenager.

However, what has caught my attention about Keetonville recently is that there is a new show called, “Two Wheel Oklahoma,” which recorded a portion of a show in Keetonville.

Two Wheel Oklahoma states the following about their show:

Two Wheel Oklahoma is a television program featuring the unique destinations and backroads of Oklahoma. Brad Mathison and Rex Brown are your hosts for this scenic tour of life off the beaten path.

Co-hosts: Rex and Brad Oh… and they ride motorcycles to get there.

To date four episodes of T.W.O. have been produced. On October 3, 2009 these pilot episodes began airing on KMYT-41 in Tulsa.

Episode 2: OK 20 features the segment on Keetonville, Oklahoma. Nice to know that others out there have an interest in this great area of Keetonville even if the interests are slightly different.

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Note | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Developing characters

January 9, 2010 – 09:34

To develop a character I usually visualize that character in my mind and then I create a name. After a few days or so when I have a idea of what the character will look like I will surf the internet for images.

I’ll find a picture of a person who looks similar to how I imagined the character, I download that image and using an image editing software I size the image to fit on a 3′ x 5′ index card.

I print out the image and attach to the blank side of the index card. On the line ruled side I write the name and general description and characteristics of that character.

This helps me make the character seem more real. Once I have the major characters for a story on index cards, it helps me visualize the story in my mind and to write the story more clearly.

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Writing | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

January 7, 2010 – 20:33

I have been reading and reviewing the website Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. I first became aware of the blog about two years ago when I was stressed by an excessive workload and wanted to learn how to be more productive. The irony is that I was trying to do too much by meeting the excessive demands of the job.

Sadly, most of us are having to do that nowadays because of downsizing. The term “multi-task” is the code word for doing the job of five people, which is humanely impossible.

Zen Habits is a joy to read. I learned how to declutter the home even though this annoyed my wife, how to keep my email inbox empty, and how to track tasks. I purchashed the 170 paged book by Leo Babauta titled, “The Power of Less” in 2009. Great book packed with powerful substance.

I can tell that it is about time to read the book again. I can tell because I am starting to get bogged down in so many tasks again I become confused about which task to tackle first. I feel like a tire spinning in the mud.

Babauta summarizes the essence of his book in the introduction by stating, “Identify the essential and eliminate the rest.” That is great advice. There is only so much that we can do each day. Do the important stuff and forget about the rest.

I’m not a believer in New Year’s Resolutions but I am a believer in reviewing my past year goals and setting goals for the days ahead.

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Books | Tagged | Comments (0)

Star Trek is Alive

December 31, 2009 – 18:13

I admit that I am a Trekker. Although I’m not a virgin who speaks Klingon and lives in my mother’s basement, Star Trek is a significant part of my life. I collect the shows and movies and I do have some die cast metal star ships and a communicator. I did have an original series blue shirt but it wore out over the years.

Having said all of that I was disappointed with the new Star Trek movie, which I attended on opening day. I loved the new movie up until Spock’s mother died and Vulcan was destroyed. I felt like J.J. Abrams was re-writing Trek and all of the original and Next Generation shows and movies were no more because Trek history was destroyed by a rogue time traveling Romulan.

For Christmas I received a DVD of the new Star Trek movie. I watched it. And it rocks. I still have issues with the death of Spock’s mother and the destruction of Vulcan. But considering all the possible scenarios that could have played out in the new movie, there was no way to please all of the Trekkers. I believe Trek has become too much worshiped by some of us Trekkers.

I admit that the pacing and special effects are the best of any Star Trek to date. And the casting was excellent. Chris Pine is great as Kirk. Zachary Quinto shines as Spock. I look forward to more adventures with these crew. I can only accept the new Star Trek as a continuing adventure of the original and Next Generation Star Trek. With Leonard Nimoy portraying the elder Spock I accept this as an adventure where Spock has gone back in time to assist the young crew of the Enterprise.

Basically, the new Trek is for the young and Paramount was wise to make the movie as they did in order for this franchise to thrive again.

Those of us who grew up with the original Star Trek and the generation who followed behind us who grew up with the Next Generation are older. Sad but true. It is those people between the ages of seventeen to twenty-five year that bring the big bucks to the cinema. So I have made peace with the new Star Trek. It is fresh and new. It rocks.

And finally Star Trek is getting the big budget and guidance needed to make some damn good movies. Perhaps if Paramount had tried this years ago some of the Trek movies from the past would not have been so freaking bad.

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Where’s Waldo? I Mean Where’s Lawrence? There He Is

September 3, 2009 – 05:38

This is just too funny to pass up. I watched the Channel Six News last night. I was on the News. Watch video here: http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=121535&clipId=4096923&topVideoCatNo=118582

As I watched the news story about the Health-care Reform advocates, I noticed that I was in a few scenes. The funny part is that I can be seen walking and talking to folks on both sides of the debate.

Here are a few pictures of me blending in with the crowds.

Support Health-care Reform
I’m strolling along in the background of the Reform advocates.

Get back to your side
I’m in the background trying to get a picture of a confrontation between a Reform advocate and an anti-Reform advocate.

Who's Side Are You On?
Who’s side are you on, dude? Here is a picture of me standing and chatting with the Anti-Reform Advocates.

Gee, do you think I could start a career doing this? It was actually fun. I enjoyed walking and talking to people on both sides of the debate. It is funny how I was able to blend in with both groups of people. When is the next protest rally, anyway? I can’t wait to be there!

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Democracy in Action at Tulsa, Oklahoma

September 2, 2009 – 19:46

Books, computers, and movies have been and are my passion and while I do have political view I steer clear of posting my ideologies on this blog site. I intend to stick with that policy, although I will bend it slightly just this once.

On Septemeber 2, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma near 21st and Lewis two rival political groups arrived with signs, buttons, and attitudes to promote and protest the health care reform bill known as H.R. 3200. This event was scheduled by a local group of individuals who are in favor of the public option. While they may not all identify themselves as Liberals, for the purpose of this blog, that is the category I will assign for them. The Liberals scheduled the event as a candlelight vigil to began at 7:30 PM Central Standard Time.

The Conservatives arrived at 7:00 PM and must be given credit for planning an early ambush. They quickly took signs and stations at three of the four corners on the intersection. Around 7:15 PM a few Liberals began to arrive. By 7:30 PM most if not all Liberals stood on their crowded corner to hold signs and chant support for health care reform.

Both sides chanted patriotic slogans and both sides yelled insults at each other. There were a few minor verbal confrontations when a few members of the Conservative side stepped onto the Liberal side to call names and insult. Otherwise this demonstration went smoothly and peacefully.

Here are some pictures of the event.

Defend the Constitution
Defend the Constitution: I forgot which side this sign was on; the Liberal or the Conservative.

Worship God not Government
Worship God not Government: Great sign for a Church, Mosque, or Temple.

Dictator Socialist Marxist
Dictator, Socialist, and Marxist: This Guy is an overachiever!

Public Option
Everyone Gets Health Care with Public Option: I bet that scares the socks off of those rich CEOs of Insurance companies!

Moral Mandate
Universal Coverage is a Moral Mandate: Sounds like she is promoting compassion.

No Socialism
No Pork. No Socialism: No Socialists pigs for this guy. He doesn’t look Muslim so he must be a Jew.

No Amnesty
No Amnesty: I guess this means he’s not sorry.

Affordable Healthcare
Affordable Health Care = Public Option: This guy gets right to the point.

No Profit Centers
No Patients as Profit Centers: No more putting your hands in the cookie jar, Mr. Insurance CEO.

USA Number 47
USA = 47th in the world for life expectancy. Why?: Damn good question. Let’s take another look at the Conservative side and see if they have the answer.

O.B.A.M.A.
One. Big. Ass. Mistake. America: This guy doesn’t like donkeys either. What religion is that?

Granny Lives
ObamaCare Dies. Granny Lives: Does she really believe that Death Panel lie? Goofy lady.

Tea Party
Join A Tea Party Today: Sorry, dude, wrong location and time. The tea party is at 21st and Yale on the 7th of September.

WWJD
WWJD? and Honk for Liberty: Oh, Darn, I can’t remember if these are Liberals or Conservatives.

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

The Code Wars

August 31, 2009 – 14:50

A few years ago I designed an access database for a small business to track assets. That small business later hired a programmer to take my access database and develop an online application, which the small business could provide to clients for asset tracking.

I worked with this programmer as a consultant. The online application was completed. I went on to other projects. In the meantime the small business decided to hire a group of programmers to expand and improve the program. That group of programmers asked and was able to speak to me and the original programmer. We provided all the information they needed.

Recently, I was asked by the owner of this online tracking database to return and assist in getting several thousands of records uploaded from a new customer who wants to use the system. I agreed to help.

The current group of programmers host the site and the database. There was, of course, new user names and passwords. The owner of the application informed all involved that I would be assisting with loading some records.

And these programmers have been guarding the site like a doberman with a taste for human blood. Interesting, that I was the original designer of the prototype database and gave these people all the information they needed but I can’t get nothing from them.

Sorry, no real point to this post. I am just whining and complaining. And I suppose I am being just as territorial as they are being. Interesting though, that the company who owns the full rights to this system was having trouble getting these people to relinquish the information I needed also.

Finally, after some weeks they did. But I conclude from this experience that Programmer jokes are going to become as rampant as Lawyer jokes. For example, “How many programmers does it take to change a light bulb?”

“Well that all depends on the testing, which will determine if there is some legitimate reason to change the light bulb in the first place.”

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Computers | Comments (0)

First Draft in 30 Days by Karen S. Wiesner

August 30, 2009 – 20:08

First Draft in 30 Days by Karen S. Wiesner available at Amazon.com or a local bookstore is well worth the investment. I have read this book and I currently use it as a reference.

This is what I like about it:

  • Provides worksheets
  • Worksheets help me set goals
  • Helps me build a story by focusing on the overview and progressing towards the finer details
  • The Website KarenWiesner.com provides supplemental materials to the book

I am still working on writing a novel but I have used the knowledge gained from this book to write some short stories. I did this to become familiar with the guidance of the book.

Anyway, I have found this book useful and I wanted to put in a good word for it for any wannabe writers, like myself, that need some help on putting a good story together.

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

Login.aspx.cs Connecting to SQL Server with ASP.NET

July 13, 2009 – 10:35

using System;
using System.Configuration;
using System.Data.SqlClient;

public partial class Login : System.Web.UI.Page
{
protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{

}
protected void LoginButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
String cs = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["csString"].ConnectionString;

String strUserName = UserName.Text;
String strPassword = Password.Text;
String strUserId = “”;
String strMemberId = “”;
String strRoleId = “”;

DateTime dtLogDate = DateTime.Now;

String strQuery = “SELECT ” +
“user_id, ” +
“member_id, ” +
“role_id ” +
“FROM ” +
“application_users ” +
“WHERE ” +
“username = ‘” + strUserName + “‘ ” +
“AND ” +
“password = ‘” + strPassword + “‘”;

SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(cs);

SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(strQuery, cn);
cn.Open();

SqlDataReader dr = cmd.ExecuteReader();

if (!dr.HasRows)
{
Response.Redirect(“Failure.aspx”);
}

while (dr.Read())
{
strUserId = dr["user_id"].ToString();
strMemberId = dr["member_id"].ToString();
strRoleId = dr["role_id"].ToString();
}
Session["snLog"] = dr;

String strSession = Session.SessionID.ToString();

cn.Close();
String strInsert = “INSERT INTO ” +
“application_logs ” +
“(user_id, ” +
“log_datetime, ” +
“log_session) ” +
“VALUES (” +
@strUserId + “, ‘” +
@dtLogDate + “‘, ” +
“‘” + @strSession + “‘)”;

SqlConnection cnInsert = new SqlConnection(cs);
SqlCommand cmdInsert = new SqlCommand(strInsert, cnInsert);

//Add SqlParameters to the SqlCommand
cmdInsert.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@strUserId”, strUserId);
cmdInsert.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@dtLogDate”, dtLogDate);
cmdInsert.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@strSession”, strSession);

cnInsert.Open();
cmdInsert.ExecuteNonQuery();
cnInsert.Close();

Response.Redirect(“Success.aspx”);
}
}

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Computers | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

ADO.NET 3.5 Web.Config Connection String to SQL Server

July 13, 2009 – 10:14

providerName=”System.Data.SqlClient”
connectionString=”Data Source=XX\WS5; Initial Catalog=XX_Catalog;Integrated Security=True” />

By Lawrence Roth | Posted in Note | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)