TachyonXero

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

TachyonXero — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:46:28 +0000

Thanks Steve, For giving me the world I always dreamed of. One full where intelligence is rewarded and ignorance is shunned. Thank you for proving to me that an incredible and unachievable idea can become a reality. Thank you for everything.

An overdue truth

TachyonXero — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:31:48 +0000

I’m Gay. To some this is not a new announcement, However to many it will be. For those of you who take issue with this fact, you have two choices. You can either get over it, or leave my site. This is not something new, or something I decided to do one day, this is the way I have always been. Until recently though I had decided to conceal this part of my life online as some of the people who read this site could have potentially caused me serious harm. They are also not the kind of people to take such news well or with any degree of acceptance. The people I speak of (mostly) are my Father and Stepmother. A few weeks ago my father had a stroke and while his prognosis remains good, the chances that he will be visiting this site in the future are almost zero. I remember him telling me stories of his youth, when he and his friends would beat up gay guys. So, when I came out to him years ago and he told me “Bullshit, you’re not gay.” I did not push the issue and let him slip into a comfortable system of denial. As for my Stepmother, discovering this fact will surely not be a surprise as I have been teased and insulted by her and her sons for years. In addition, I am not even sure she remembers I have this place. When I lived with them an unofficial and unspoken rule regarding my sexuality was in play and it goes as follows: They knew, I knew that they knew, but they made believe that they did not know and I made believe that I believed that they did not know, but knew that they knew. It’s complicated I know. However, since nothing they can currently do poses any kind of threat to me, I have chosen now to tell you. I realize that I am not obligated to do so, I owe you nothing. I am doing this for me. I should also say that this lag time between telling some people and telling the world has allowed me time to heal, some people did not take the news well and I suffered a broken heart for a long time. For some this information brings about some questions, below are the top five that I have been asked.

Are you sure?

I risked everything to come out, don’t you think I would be certain? Yes, I’m sure.

How long have you known?

I knew I was different since I was three years old. I never understood the interest men had with women, I just assumed I was strange. It was not until I was twelve or thirteen that I found out what the term gay was, and that it applied to me. (Thanks, Ellen DeGeneres)

Did you choose this?

To live a more difficult life? A life of ridicule and prejudice? No, not by a long shot.

Why not stay in the closet?

There is no happiness in that small dark place.

Are you doing this to be with someone?

No, I am still the antisocial, jaded, shut-in I have always been. You won’t be seeing me at the bars or clubs anytime soon.

Finally, the question you (the reader of my blog) will most likely be asking : What does this mean for the site?

Nothing, you will not suddenly see pictures of rainbow flags and half naked muscle men here. You may see a gay interest news story or two, but that is about all you can expect. I am still not ready to return here and begin posting again but when I do, there will be no reason for me to censor myself.

-TachyonXero

(FYI- I totally called the Ricky Martin thing years ago. I would claim to have called Lance Bass as well, but that was really teenage era wishful thinking.)

Unending

TachyonXero — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:06:35 +0000

This will be my last post here for some time. It’s been over a year since I have had the inspiration to blog here, this place is not what it once was to me. As of this post I am going on “indefinite hiatus” from the blogging world. It’s not that I am depressed or sad because I am not, life is just taking me on a new path now and I intend to see where it goes. I am not the same man I was when I started blogging almost ten years ago. So much of my life has changed as well as so much of myself. Today I have been reading some of my old posts I had printed out, time seems to change everything and nothing at the same time. I realise at this point I am speeking to an empty room, However I am placing this note here so that if you happen to passing by you know that yes I am okay and no there will not be any updates for some time. So this is it, this site will stand like it always has to surve as the center of my online life. So, if your interested take a look around otherwise I will see you sometime later. As always I am greatful for all the memories you have given me over the years, Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

-TachyonXero

Apollo 11 launch

TachyonXero — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:36:33 +0000

As most of you know, I live and grew up in Houston Texas. As such, NASA and space exploration gets into your blood. For those of you (like me) who had not yet been born when Apollo 11 launched in July of 1969 this video is for you. If you did see the launch live, here is your chance to relive it again.

-TachyonXero

I’m making it official

TachyonXero — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:07:58 +0000

As far back as I can remember I have always had at least one Sci-Fi show I obsessed over. In the beginning it was The X-Files, then later Star Trek: Voyager, Stargate SG-1 and then Stargate Atlantis. Since the cancellation of Stargate I have been searching for my new fix, finding it on broadcast TV was not something I expected. For those of you who have not already guessed, In my opinion the best Sci-Fi show currently on TV is……….

FRINGE

It’s like revisiting the X-Files but with a much more sophisticated and, quite frankly interesting approach to the unexplained. Goodbye Syndicate hello Massive Dynamic. I am just 13 episodes in and am completely hooked. Now before I get comments I should explain, I am not a mindless J.J. Abrams fan. I really don’t care for Lost or am I really interested in the new Star Trek: 90210 movie to be coming out later. But if you like good Sci-Fi, try Fringe.

The fight is not over

TachyonXero — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:28:23 +0000

The war on intelligence is still being fought.

NPH rocks the Doogie Howser Theme

TachyonXero — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:01:28 +0000

If you grew up in the 80s/ 90s you know this theme.

Burn Notice returns January 22

TachyonXero — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:51:52 +0000

This is just a little shout out that my favorite TV show on this side of the atlantic will be returning on January 22 on USA. If you have never seen the show, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It’s about a spy who is a cross between James Bond and MacGyver. Anyway I don’t want to make a big post over this. However, if your Tivo is looking a little bare without your weekly Stargate fix try this, you just might like it. It certainly has the geeks covered with the legend Bruce Campbell and (reportedly) more appearances this season by Michael Shanks. (Shanks played Daniel Jackson on Stargate SG-1) Not to mention the MacGyver factor is pretty high on this show.

In conclusion I will leave you with this preview:

-TachyonXero

Get in gear

TachyonXero — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:47:31 +0000

With the cancellation of Stargate Atlantis the slot for my favorite TV in the world was up for grabs. However I recently discovered the best show on TV, British TV.

Top Gear

Now I know what your thinking, me and a motoring show? Yes, I know it’s strange, but I will give you four reasons to watch.

1) The Hosts – Not since Bond has being British looked so cool.

Jeremy Clarkson – Speed freak

Frequently known for his unusual car reviews like outrunning baddies in a Corvette inside a shopping mall and mounting a beach assault with the Royal Marines in a Ford Fiesta. He is also known for his hatred of the electric or hybrid cars and his love of speed and power. If you think speed cameras are a good idea and you see Jeremy coming, run.

Richard Hammond- “Hamster”

Known for (at least in my opinion) for being the most level headed and practical of the trio. Recently he was referred to as a “Secret American” for his love of American muscle cars. It should also be mentioned that he recently almost died in a jet car crash, but returned to continue working on Top Gear. Now that is loving what you do.

James May – “Captain Slow”

James is the nerdiest of the bunch. He frequently thinks style, technology, innovation and luxury trump speed and horsepower. It is obvious he is an avid history buff as he seems to know many seemingly insignificant details about every car he tests, as well as the history of the brand. Just don’t get him started on the war. Or the Germans. How nerdy is James May? He calculated how many revelations his Porsche made in 20 years and keeps a brush in his Fiat Panda so he can brush the dust out of his dash. Naturally, I almost always agree with him.

The Stig – “Tame racing driver”/ International man of mystery

The identity of “The Stig” is a mystery. Every week after doing a review of a car it is handed over to the Stig for a high speed lap on the Top Gear test track. He has raced everything from a Bugatti Veyron and formula 1 cars to small Fords and Fiats.

2) The Races – Cars vs. Trains, Plains, Boats and Athletes.

Top Gear is known for it’s epic races such as racing a dog team to the north pole in a Toyota pickup and the Aston Martin DB9 vs the TGV 200 mph super train. To date, they are the only group in the world to drive to the north pole. They also raced the Nissan GT-R against the 188 mph Shinkansen bullet train in Japan. For a list of Top Gear races click here.

3) The challenges – Can you cross the british channel in amphibious cars you made yourself?

It’s Motor Trend meets Mythbusters. Some of the challenges include, Helecopter gunship evasion in a Lotus Exige, Can you turn a Reliant Robin into a space shuttle? (not kidding), Can you build your own amphibious car? and Can you drive a £1,500 two-wheel drive car across Africa? Here is a list of the challenges.

4) The Appreciation – They truly love the automobile.

I have always loved computers because I always loved how a single (sometimes incredibly simple) idea could change the world. It is obvious that they feel the same way about the car. The show has a real appreciation for science and engineering just below the surface. Sure, on the surface this show appears as a macho speed freaks only display of sheer testosterone. However I think this is Discovery Channel level stuff. Every so often this appreciation sneaks out. Don’t believe me? Watch this:

In conclusion, this is a fantastic show and you would be doing yourself a favor to at least give one episode a try. It’s available on BBC America in the states or you can go to FinalGear.com to find more ways to watch.

-TachyonXero

Tachyon Reloaded

TachyonXero — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:44:33 +0000

Contrary to popular belief I have not been stranded on a strange island after a plane crash or living it up in the pegasus galaxy. In addition I should tell you that no, I am not The Stig. Now that we have all the vague references over with I can tell you what really happened. While most of the events of the past two years will remain private, the later parts of this year were spent creating a new company. A few months ago I launched Katy Budget Websites here in Katy Texas. We are a small company focusing mostly on small business and personal sites. What does the future hold for me? I don’t know, but I am closer to where I want to be than I have ever been before and I have a plan for the future. I will be posting here again, but the content will not be as geeky as it once was. I realize that most of my original readers have left and are no longer reading this site or feed, that’s okay. I don’t expect to make blogging my vocation anymore, but technology is still my passion. Site stats and adsense are a thing of the past for me. From now on, I will blog when I feel like it not when I feel like I have to. Forcing myself to blog gave me major burnout and is one of the contributing factors to my two year silence. This is to let you all know that some things have changed, others have not. Either way I am back, just not in full force.

I’ll see you around,

-TachyonXero