The 10 Best Animated Movies for (Traumatizing) Kids: What childhood is complete without a healthy dose of trauma?
20,000 pounds of sodium being dumped into a lake: It makes a very satisfying boom.
Outtake from the Doctor Who episode "Human Nature": If you've seen the episode, you'll remember that the Doctor leaves a video with a list of instructions for Martha. We only get to see the beginning and the end of it on the show, because Martha fast-forwards through the middle. But David Tennant had to keep talking so that she'd have something to fast-forward through. The resulting video clip proves that David Tennant is a) adorably amusing when he's babbling and b) really quite a heck of an actor.
The Writers Strike: Why We Fight: A video presentation explaining the reasons behind the current Hollywood writers' strike. I'm not exactly happy about the strike -- my shows! my precious shows! -- but the stuff they're asking for sounds extremely reasonable to me, and I happen to be a big fan of the people who actually put in the creative talent being the ones to get the money, so I wish them much luck. And not just because I'm going to be annoyed if I only get half a season of Lost next year.
Genesis, the computer program: Amusing, and as believable as any other creation story.
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe: I think I may have linked to this at some point in the past, but they're currently pushing to hit 30,000 weekly listeners by the end of the year, so I figured I'd give 'em a plug. This is a podcast which examines a wide array of topics from a standpoint of scientific skepticism, featuring some very entertaining and intelligent people. I listen to it regularly.
Friday, November 09, 2007
From The "Where Are They Now?" Files
It has just been pointed out to me that a guy I went to high school with has apparently become a musical robot with a giant flame-shooting penis. To repeat my immediate response: I don't think I have ever been so surprised and so utterly unsurprised by anything at the same time in my life. Because I totally would have voted for him for "most likely to become an android with a flame-shooting penis," if such a category had ever remotely occurred to me.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Currently, I Am Possibly Even More Of A Sci-Fi Geek Than Usual. Amazingly Enough.
Current clothes: A sort of peach-colored t-shirt with a picture of a teddy bear on it and the words "Oklahoma Bear Hug" underneath, which my mother bought me, for some reason, when she was, for some reason, in Oklahoma. The bear appears to be hugging some letters, possibly an O and a U. My guess would be that they stand for "Oklahoma University." I don't know; I'm only wearing it because I wanted to dirty something bright-colored so I'd be closer to a full laundry load. Over that, a short-sleeved light-blue denim shirt, unbuttoned. Jeans. A black belt. White crew socks. Black sneakers.
Current mood: Eh, not bad.
Current music: I think it's mostly been random playlists again lately, nothing terribly memorable. Mostly today I was listening to Escape Pod, which delivers cool science fiction stories directly into my ears.
Current annoyance: Since I updated Firefox, it's started doing this thing where when I spell-check a word, the spell-check suggestions do not disappear from the right-click menu, but hang around forever, piling up on one another, presenting me with a huge and useless menu of pointless words and rendering it difficult to find whatever menu item (or, indeed, spelling suggestion) I'm actually looking for. This is now annoying me beyond all reason or sanity. And apparently it's only happening on my computer. Firefox on the work machines seems fine, even though it's had exactly the same upgrade. Why have you done this to me, Mozilla? Why?
Current thing: Last week, it was sleeping ridiculous hours and not working at all. That was nice. I haven't figured out what it is this week, though.
Current desktop picture: Still the same First Doctor wallpaper as last month.
Current book: Just finished The Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgman. Next up: Timeless by Stephen Cole. Yes, it's yet another Doctor Who novel. I've been going through these Eighth Doctor novels at a rate of about one a month, and apparently the point where I start thinking "Hmm, it's about time to read another of those Who novels" is about the same as the point where I start thinking "Hmm, it's about time to do that currently meme."
Current song in head: "Old Country Doctor (The Ballad of Bones)" by Warp Eleven. Which has been flitting into my head every time I've picked up the aforementioned John Hodgman book. Because, you see, it's a song about Dr. McCoy, and it's got this great line: "I have been asked to do many a thing outside the area of my expertise." Because, see, Bones is always complaining that he's a doctor, not a bricklayer or a moonshuttle conductor or something, and, yes, the inside of my brain is an interesting place, why do you ask?
Current DVD in player: Disc one of Stargate SG-1 season 5. By the way, for those who were worried -- as I'm sure you all were, desperately -- I did manage to get hold of the episodes on disc two that Netflix couldn't get to me. So we can all rest easily knowing the latest science fiction-related crisis in my life has been averted. By the way, while I'm talking about Stargate... I have decided, at this point in my viewing, that what I really want to see is a Stargate: Cool Old Guys spinoff, featuring Jacob Carter/Selmak, Master Bra'tac, and General Hammond.
Current refreshment: I just had some frozen lasagna for lunch (well, not while it was frozen, obviously) and am now enjoying a mug of tea and some salad.
Current worry: Eh, there are things I could worry about, but why bother?
Current thought: Dammit, Jim!
Current mood: Eh, not bad.
Current music: I think it's mostly been random playlists again lately, nothing terribly memorable. Mostly today I was listening to Escape Pod, which delivers cool science fiction stories directly into my ears.
Current annoyance: Since I updated Firefox, it's started doing this thing where when I spell-check a word, the spell-check suggestions do not disappear from the right-click menu, but hang around forever, piling up on one another, presenting me with a huge and useless menu of pointless words and rendering it difficult to find whatever menu item (or, indeed, spelling suggestion) I'm actually looking for. This is now annoying me beyond all reason or sanity. And apparently it's only happening on my computer. Firefox on the work machines seems fine, even though it's had exactly the same upgrade. Why have you done this to me, Mozilla? Why?
Current thing: Last week, it was sleeping ridiculous hours and not working at all. That was nice. I haven't figured out what it is this week, though.
Current desktop picture: Still the same First Doctor wallpaper as last month.
Current book: Just finished The Areas of My Expertise by John Hodgman. Next up: Timeless by Stephen Cole. Yes, it's yet another Doctor Who novel. I've been going through these Eighth Doctor novels at a rate of about one a month, and apparently the point where I start thinking "Hmm, it's about time to read another of those Who novels" is about the same as the point where I start thinking "Hmm, it's about time to do that currently meme."
Current song in head: "Old Country Doctor (The Ballad of Bones)" by Warp Eleven. Which has been flitting into my head every time I've picked up the aforementioned John Hodgman book. Because, you see, it's a song about Dr. McCoy, and it's got this great line: "I have been asked to do many a thing outside the area of my expertise." Because, see, Bones is always complaining that he's a doctor, not a bricklayer or a moonshuttle conductor or something, and, yes, the inside of my brain is an interesting place, why do you ask?
Current DVD in player: Disc one of Stargate SG-1 season 5. By the way, for those who were worried -- as I'm sure you all were, desperately -- I did manage to get hold of the episodes on disc two that Netflix couldn't get to me. So we can all rest easily knowing the latest science fiction-related crisis in my life has been averted. By the way, while I'm talking about Stargate... I have decided, at this point in my viewing, that what I really want to see is a Stargate: Cool Old Guys spinoff, featuring Jacob Carter/Selmak, Master Bra'tac, and General Hammond.
Current refreshment: I just had some frozen lasagna for lunch (well, not while it was frozen, obviously) and am now enjoying a mug of tea and some salad.
Current worry: Eh, there are things I could worry about, but why bother?
Current thought: Dammit, Jim!
Monday, November 05, 2007
It Is Hard To Predict, Especially The Future.
I've started noticing myself developing a real problem with books written more than a decade or so ago, which is that any time the plot depends on the characters being out of phone contact with each other or on characters not being able to find out some piece of information that I could google up in less than three seconds, I feel weirdly annoyed. Which I know is ridiculous for a book that's set in, say, the 1980s, but is probably a legitimate suspension-of-disbelief problem for books written in the 1980s but set in the 21st century.
Of course, the rapid march of technology doesn't just mean that science fiction novels might be dating themselves more quickly than ever. It seems pretty clear to me that it presents some challenges to modern storytellers, too. I think that cell phone reception suddenly going out for no good reason is already something of a movie cliche, and disrupting cell phone signals now appears to be a common ability (or intrinsic talent) for supernatural entities.
Of course, the rapid march of technology doesn't just mean that science fiction novels might be dating themselves more quickly than ever. It seems pretty clear to me that it presents some challenges to modern storytellers, too. I think that cell phone reception suddenly going out for no good reason is already something of a movie cliche, and disrupting cell phone signals now appears to be a common ability (or intrinsic talent) for supernatural entities.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
I Would Rather Spend Daylight Than Save It.
So, I spent a couple of hours last night reading by flashlight. It was a horror novel, sort of, so I guess that made for an appropriate atmosphere.
And now we're off of Daylight Savings Time, finally. This is also something that sucks for us poor night-shift people. Where everybody else gets to sleep an extra hour in order to keep themselves on the same clock schedule, I have to stay up an extra hour. And then the sun's coming up while I'm trying to get to sleep, and by the time I'm finished my morning coffee, it's set and left me in the dark. I've been known to rant and rail against the whole concept of Daylight Savings, but, really, the truth is that I don't understand why we don't simply go onto it and stay there.
(And, of course, by Murphy's Law, I always do seem to be on night shifts when we switch off DST and mornings when we switch back.)
And now we're off of Daylight Savings Time, finally. This is also something that sucks for us poor night-shift people. Where everybody else gets to sleep an extra hour in order to keep themselves on the same clock schedule, I have to stay up an extra hour. And then the sun's coming up while I'm trying to get to sleep, and by the time I'm finished my morning coffee, it's set and left me in the dark. I've been known to rant and rail against the whole concept of Daylight Savings, but, really, the truth is that I don't understand why we don't simply go onto it and stay there.
(And, of course, by Murphy's Law, I always do seem to be on night shifts when we switch off DST and mornings when we switch back.)
Powerless Owls
Annoying thing about being a night person #607: When the electric company needs to shut the power down for several hours to replace a transformer, they will do it when they expect most people to be asleep, leaving you with a good long while to spend wide awake in pitch darkness. With no computer.
*waves goodbye to the internet for the night*
*waves goodbye to the internet for the night*
Friday, November 02, 2007
Shedding
Thanks to spending nearly every waking hour last weekend at work (and thus missing what was apparently a really good Halloween party, dammit), I found myself with only sixteen random hours to put in over the subsequent seven days. Whereupon I decided that I'd rather have my time off add up to a nice round figure, sacrificed a couple of easily spareable vacation days, and scored myself an entire week to spend not working, which is far and away my favorite thing to spend a week doing.
But I have not been idle! Well, OK, not entirely idle. Thanks to the time freed up by my hookey-playing ways, I now have accomplished the seemingly impossible: I have cleaned and organized my shed! Yeah, yeah, that may not sound like much to you, but that's only because you've never seen the inside of my shed. It formerly consisted almost entirely of a random, precarious jumble of cardboard boxes left over from when I moved in. More than that, it provided an excellent illustration of the "nature is trying to eat my house" principle. It's extremely easy to see how that structure could end up completely filled with dirt after a few decades because, man, it was already well on its way.
I'm pleased to report, by the way, that I didn't get bit by any poisonous spiders (as far as I've noticed), and that I only cut myself while slicing up boxes once. This should, I believe, bring my injury-per-household project ratio down a tad. Go, me!
But I have not been idle! Well, OK, not entirely idle. Thanks to the time freed up by my hookey-playing ways, I now have accomplished the seemingly impossible: I have cleaned and organized my shed! Yeah, yeah, that may not sound like much to you, but that's only because you've never seen the inside of my shed. It formerly consisted almost entirely of a random, precarious jumble of cardboard boxes left over from when I moved in. More than that, it provided an excellent illustration of the "nature is trying to eat my house" principle. It's extremely easy to see how that structure could end up completely filled with dirt after a few decades because, man, it was already well on its way.
I'm pleased to report, by the way, that I didn't get bit by any poisonous spiders (as far as I've noticed), and that I only cut myself while slicing up boxes once. This should, I believe, bring my injury-per-household project ratio down a tad. Go, me!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
What Do You Mean, "Very Long Wait?"
Will whoever has disc 2 of Stargate SG-1 season 5 out from Netflix please just return the damned thing now? Thank you.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Is It Cold In Here, Or Is It Me?
Your results:
You are Mr. Freeze
Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz
You are Mr. Freeze
| You are cold and you think everyone else should be also, literally. |
Click here to take the Supervillain Personality Quiz
Time Keeps On Slippin'
You know, when I bought my alarm clock, the fact that it automatically adjusts itself for Daylight Savings Time seemed like a really nice feature. Now it's not only useless, but actively dangerous. Thanks, Congress.
Well, at least I actually got one more hour of sleep today than I initially thought I did.
Well, at least I actually got one more hour of sleep today than I initially thought I did.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Did I Miss Something Important In July?
I just found a folded post-it note on the kitchen counter, where it had apparently fallen out of one of the pockets in my handbag. It says "7-25." Underlined twice.
I wish I had the faintest clue what that was about.
I wish I had the faintest clue what that was about.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Even More Random Than Usual Random Links
The 8 Most Common Sci-Fi Visions of the Future (And Why They'll Never Happen): Exactly what it says it is. Rather an entertaining list.
Lolthulhu: Lovecraft and lolcats, together at last, and frighteningly funny.
Pirates vs. Ninjas: A careful examination of one of the definitive questions of our time. In powerpoint.
The Church of Google: This has pretty much convinced me of Google's status as a divinity.
Free Rice: Addictive vocabulary game that donates rice to the hungry for every word you get right. I made level 49 at one point.
Lolthulhu: Lovecraft and lolcats, together at last, and frighteningly funny.
Pirates vs. Ninjas: A careful examination of one of the definitive questions of our time. In powerpoint.
The Church of Google: This has pretty much convinced me of Google's status as a divinity.
Free Rice: Addictive vocabulary game that donates rice to the hungry for every word you get right. I made level 49 at one point.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
If This Is Paradise, I Wish I Had A Lawnmower
Current book is The World Without Us by Alan Weisman, which is all about what would happen to the world if humans suddenly vanished from the face of the Earth (although, so far, he's spent a lot more time talking about the past than about that hypothetical future).
I expected to find this book highly enjoyable and interesting, as when I was younger I frequently indulged in guilty but satisfying fantasies of being the last person on Earth, thus enabling me to finally get some real peace and quiet. (Think of Burgess Meredith's character in that old Twilight Zone episode. Indeed, the possibility of breaking my glasses was the only truly frightening part of that scenario for me.) Even now, I still rather like walking down deserted streets at night and imagining what it would be like if they really were deserted, trying to picture what things might look like a year or a century later.
Unfortunately, though, although it's perfectly good and readable, the book's main effect so far has been to forcibly remind me of the disturbing fact that nature is trying to eat my house.
I think life was more enjoyable before I became a homeowner.
I expected to find this book highly enjoyable and interesting, as when I was younger I frequently indulged in guilty but satisfying fantasies of being the last person on Earth, thus enabling me to finally get some real peace and quiet. (Think of Burgess Meredith's character in that old Twilight Zone episode. Indeed, the possibility of breaking my glasses was the only truly frightening part of that scenario for me.) Even now, I still rather like walking down deserted streets at night and imagining what it would be like if they really were deserted, trying to picture what things might look like a year or a century later.
Unfortunately, though, although it's perfectly good and readable, the book's main effect so far has been to forcibly remind me of the disturbing fact that nature is trying to eat my house.
I think life was more enjoyable before I became a homeowner.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Not Exactly Who I Was Hoping For...
Your Score: Rose
You scored 25% strength, 44% intelligence, 73% friendliness, and 21% escapology!
So you're in love with The Doctor. Who wouldn't be, with a gorgeous mug like his? But how much do you actually help him out? Not a whole lot. You're not the one who figures things out, and you're certainly not winning any awards for kick-assery. Even your solutions seem to cause more problems - remember the whole "swallowing the time vortex" thing? Yeah, that worked out well. Smooth.
Still, your pleasant enough to be around, and exactly what the Doctor needs to start getting over his emo side. It helps that you know how to dance.
| Link: The Doctor Who Companion Test written by lobotomy42 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Nerdy in 'Querque
The Weird Al concert was awesome. I think Albuquerque may now be the best place to see Al, as this time it led to him doing, like, seven encores. The audience kept chanting for him to do "Albuquerque," and he kept pretending to not have a clue what we wanted, and coming out and playing random cover songs. He does a rockin' rendition of "Smoke on the Water," for the record. Finally he said, "Oh, you want me to do the song I wrote about the town we're in?" which led to what I am quite sure was the world premiere of "Rio Rancho" (that being the Albuquerque suburb the concert was technically in, as well very nearly the entirety of the lyrics). And then he did, in fact, do "Albuquerque," one and a fraction times. With extra doughnuts.
Also, there were Imperial Stormtroopers (although not during the encores). And I now have a "white & nerdy" t-shirt, which should serve to give people around me fair warning.
Also, there were Imperial Stormtroopers (although not during the encores). And I now have a "white & nerdy" t-shirt, which should serve to give people around me fair warning.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Yes, I Am White and Nerdy.
I think this is officially Albuquerque's Geekiest Week Ever, between the Mythbusters on Saturday and the Weird Al Yankovic concert tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to the concert, but, man, I am not used to having a social calendar this full. Three fun trips into the city in the past month, and I'm starting to get that overstimulated introvert thing going on. I think I'm close to reaching the point where I just want to crawl into a hole with a stack of books and not talk to anybody for a week.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
I Think Sleep Is A Myth.
Good thing today: I'm going up to Albuquerque to see the Mythbusters! Live! Man, those guys are my TV heroes. Right up there with the Doctor, but, y'know, slightly less fictional.
Bad thing today: I knew I was going to have to cut myself a bit short on sleep to make the show, but I expected to at least get some sleep. Hello, insomnia, my old friend. Why do you always pick the least convenient times to drop by? I blame work, as things last night were annoying and complicated, and left me rather keyed up at the end of the shift. Fortunately, I'm not driving, but my friends might just have to carry me out to the car when it's over.
Bad thing today: I knew I was going to have to cut myself a bit short on sleep to make the show, but I expected to at least get some sleep. Hello, insomnia, my old friend. Why do you always pick the least convenient times to drop by? I blame work, as things last night were annoying and complicated, and left me rather keyed up at the end of the shift. Fortunately, I'm not driving, but my friends might just have to carry me out to the car when it's over.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Dr. Betty's Healthcare Insights
Once again, I am forcibly reminded how much difference an adequate amount of sleep makes to my general well-being. Also, remembering to take my allergy medicine on time is helpful.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
A Tiny Bit Of Self-Promotion
On the off chance that there's anybody out there who is not tired of hearing me go on and on about Doctor Who, I will point out that, for a mere $4 (or possibly $6.50, depending on where you are), you can now obtain a copy of the latest issue of Fred Coppersmith's Kaleidotrope, featuring about 3,000 words worth of me yakking on about how Doctor Who is perhaps the single greatest thing since the invention of oxygen. And, oh, yeah, also a lot of fiction and poetry by people who are not me, but who I am sure are all very nice folks, too.
See? Even with massive bouts of procrastination, I do finish things.
See? Even with massive bouts of procrastination, I do finish things.
We Are Living In A Material World, And I Am A Material Girl.
Your Score: The Empiricist
You scored 100 Materialism and 30 Phenomenology!
There are those who say that the truths of the universe can all be spun from a person's own head, but you know that knowledge is founded in sensory experience. You are the Empiricist.
The Empiricists presented the first true challenge to Rationalist dominance in Europe. Though they never achieved the sort of contorted reasoning found in Descartes, the Empiricists started a major shift in Western philosophy and the eggheads have never looked back. You live life by trial and error and don't believe anything is true without good reason. However, you leave more room for the internal world of personal experience than some, because after all, how can you truly know you aren't splotches of paint?
Thinkers you may agree with: John Locke, David Hume, George Berkely, Richard Dawkins
Thinkers that may challenge you: Immanuel Kant, St. Thomas Aquinas, Carl Jung
| Link: The Metaphysician Test written by Jaylhomme on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Profit!
Happy surprise of the day: going to check the expiration date on my passport and discovering $50 in Canadian currency stuck inside it. I need to go and exchange those suckers, now that they're actually worth something!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Currently Meme, Featuring Two Whos For The Price Of One
Current clothes: Gray sweats, black Farscape t-shirt, white socks. No shoes.
Current mood: Lazy and procrastinatory. Last night's zombie-comedy-and-Indian-food expedition notwithstanding, this has felt very much like the kind of weekend for lying around watching DVDs and maybe doing random very small tasks around the house, rather than working on any of the more ambitious projects I ought to be doing.
Current music: The Who, The Ultimate Collection, disc one. I read an article a few years ago where some teenager who'd barely heard of any band formed before about 1990 was sent to various classic rock concerts and asked to report his opinions. He seemed fairly lukewarm towards most of 'em, as I recall, but he thought the Who rocked. I regard this as objective proof that the music of the Who is of timeless, ageless awesomeness. As if any such proof were actually needed.
Current annoyance: The fact that aforementioned unproductive mood has persisted for over a week now.
Current thing: Doing damn little, as per above.
Current desktop picture: A black-and-white Doctor Who wallpaper I found somewhere on the internet. It features the First Doctor standing in a wood looking, well, very First Doctor-ish, with Barbara and Ian (and the TARDIS) looking on.
Current book: The Last Resort by Paul Leonard. Yes, it's yet another Doctor Who novel. I do read books without the words "Doctor Who" on the front, honest. But I'm trying to get through these Eighth Doctor novels sometime before we end up on Doctor Eleven. I'm only a few chapters into this one. So far it's kind of confusing, but interestingly imaginative.
Current song in head: "Don't Let Him Go" by REO Speedwagon. Oh, the embarrassment.
Current DVD in player: Disc 1 of Crusade. I've actually seen five episodes of that now, though; I was told to watch them in a different order from the one on the discs. Sadly, the best things I can say about it so far are that it has one appealing character, and that sometimes it comes very close to being good. In the other DVD player is disc 2 of season 2 of Farscape. (Hi, Dad!) And in the VCR is a tape with a couple of episodes of Cosmos. I stumbled across the boxed set somewhere for $14, new. Even for a semi-obsolete format, you can't beat that with a stick. And, man, call me a sap -- a nerdy sap, even -- but I still find that show incredibly stirring. Dr. Sagan isn't exactly telling me anything I haven't already known for most of my life, but I still keep sitting up, leaning forward and going, "That is so cool!" Cosmos, to be honest, is probably responsible for me being where I am right now, as reading the companion book in the 7th grade was highly inspirational for making me want to study space science in the first place. I actually find myself vaguely tempted to pick up a copy for my nephew, as all kids ought to have the opportunity to let Carl Sagan inspire them to grow up and study science. And, Carl's wardrobe choices aside, the show is, all things considered, remarkably un-dated.
Current refreshment: Mint-flavored tea.
Current worry: I'm feeling too lazy to be worried by anything right this very second.
Current thought: "Don't let him go. Don't let him go!" Aargh. *bashes brain* Play some Who instead, damn it!
Current mood: Lazy and procrastinatory. Last night's zombie-comedy-and-Indian-food expedition notwithstanding, this has felt very much like the kind of weekend for lying around watching DVDs and maybe doing random very small tasks around the house, rather than working on any of the more ambitious projects I ought to be doing.
Current music: The Who, The Ultimate Collection, disc one. I read an article a few years ago where some teenager who'd barely heard of any band formed before about 1990 was sent to various classic rock concerts and asked to report his opinions. He seemed fairly lukewarm towards most of 'em, as I recall, but he thought the Who rocked. I regard this as objective proof that the music of the Who is of timeless, ageless awesomeness. As if any such proof were actually needed.
Current annoyance: The fact that aforementioned unproductive mood has persisted for over a week now.
Current thing: Doing damn little, as per above.
Current desktop picture: A black-and-white Doctor Who wallpaper I found somewhere on the internet. It features the First Doctor standing in a wood looking, well, very First Doctor-ish, with Barbara and Ian (and the TARDIS) looking on.
Current book: The Last Resort by Paul Leonard. Yes, it's yet another Doctor Who novel. I do read books without the words "Doctor Who" on the front, honest. But I'm trying to get through these Eighth Doctor novels sometime before we end up on Doctor Eleven. I'm only a few chapters into this one. So far it's kind of confusing, but interestingly imaginative.
Current song in head: "Don't Let Him Go" by REO Speedwagon. Oh, the embarrassment.
Current DVD in player: Disc 1 of Crusade. I've actually seen five episodes of that now, though; I was told to watch them in a different order from the one on the discs. Sadly, the best things I can say about it so far are that it has one appealing character, and that sometimes it comes very close to being good. In the other DVD player is disc 2 of season 2 of Farscape. (Hi, Dad!) And in the VCR is a tape with a couple of episodes of Cosmos. I stumbled across the boxed set somewhere for $14, new. Even for a semi-obsolete format, you can't beat that with a stick. And, man, call me a sap -- a nerdy sap, even -- but I still find that show incredibly stirring. Dr. Sagan isn't exactly telling me anything I haven't already known for most of my life, but I still keep sitting up, leaning forward and going, "That is so cool!" Cosmos, to be honest, is probably responsible for me being where I am right now, as reading the companion book in the 7th grade was highly inspirational for making me want to study space science in the first place. I actually find myself vaguely tempted to pick up a copy for my nephew, as all kids ought to have the opportunity to let Carl Sagan inspire them to grow up and study science. And, Carl's wardrobe choices aside, the show is, all things considered, remarkably un-dated.
Current refreshment: Mint-flavored tea.
Current worry: I'm feeling too lazy to be worried by anything right this very second.
Current thought: "Don't let him go. Don't let him go!" Aargh. *bashes brain* Play some Who instead, damn it!
Good, Clean Zombie Fun
I went out last night to the local -- OK, semi-local -- indie theater with some friends to see Fido, which I believe was billed as "the heartwarming tale of a boy and his zombie." Very, very funny movie; I definitely recommend it. It's probably not coming soon to a theater near you, but I believe it's out on DVD very soon.
Apparently horror comedy is a bit of a theme right now, because a couple of weeks ago they were showing Black Sheep, which is both gorier and goofier than Fido, but which has, among other things, zombie were-sheep. I imagine you probably know whether that's the sort of thing that holds an appeal for you or not, but, if it does, this movie definitely delivers. That one's out on DVD this Tuesday, actually. (Hey, the fact that we get weirdo movies in Albuquerque at all is impressive. Nobody expects us to get them quickly.)
Apparently horror comedy is a bit of a theme right now, because a couple of weeks ago they were showing Black Sheep, which is both gorier and goofier than Fido, but which has, among other things, zombie were-sheep. I imagine you probably know whether that's the sort of thing that holds an appeal for you or not, but, if it does, this movie definitely delivers. That one's out on DVD this Tuesday, actually. (Hey, the fact that we get weirdo movies in Albuquerque at all is impressive. Nobody expects us to get them quickly.)
Friday, October 05, 2007
I Guess This'll Be The Last Doctor Who Discussion Post For A While.
Now showing in the United States: the Doctor Who season finale, "Last of the Time Lords." You may now talk about it here, if you so wish! I suppose the usual no-spoilers-for-future-episodes warning isn't exactly relevant anymore. I'll figure you can use your own judgment when it comes to discussing anything you may have heard about what's coming up next season.
I will also point you back to my earlier post about deleted scenes for this episode. If you're watching on Sci-Fi, I strongly recommend checking them out.
I will also point you back to my earlier post about deleted scenes for this episode. If you're watching on Sci-Fi, I strongly recommend checking them out.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Me and Sarah Jane
The wrist feels quite a bit better today. Hooray! I can type!
Wish the rest of me felt nearly as much improved, though. My muscles are all sore from yesterday's yardwork activities, my allergies are acting up, my bunions hurt, and my sleep patterns are severely messed up from switching off of night shifts after a couple of months on them. Also, I appear to have become whiny.
In happier news, though, I've obtained the current episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures, the new Doctor Who spinoff for kids, from the UK, and, oh, my, but Sarah Jane rocks. The show is excellent kids' TV, intelligent and fun. Watching it makes me feel like a happy seven-year-old again, which is pretty much exactly what I needed this week.
Wish the rest of me felt nearly as much improved, though. My muscles are all sore from yesterday's yardwork activities, my allergies are acting up, my bunions hurt, and my sleep patterns are severely messed up from switching off of night shifts after a couple of months on them. Also, I appear to have become whiny.
In happier news, though, I've obtained the current episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures, the new Doctor Who spinoff for kids, from the UK, and, oh, my, but Sarah Jane rocks. The show is excellent kids' TV, intelligent and fun. Watching it makes me feel like a happy seven-year-old again, which is pretty much exactly what I needed this week.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
I Should've Bought A "Wrist Awareness" Bracelet.
Ow. I fell on my butt while doing yardwork today, and landed badly on my wrist. Fortunately, it's not my mousing hand, but it's a little painful to type. Possibly no one should expect any long e-mails from me for a couple of days.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
My iPod Answers All Your Questions.
These random musical memes are always good, stupid fun...
1. Put Your itunes, windows media player etc on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
If someone says "is this okay?" you say,
"Dreamcatcher" (Secret Garden)
And then they look at me really funny.
How would you describe yourself?
"I Know Now" (James Galway)
I know, but I'm not going to tell you!
What do you like in a guy/girl?
"Journey of the Sorcerer," aka The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy theme song.
Yes, I like someone who can appreciate Hitch-hiker's. In fact, this may actually be my biggest criterion for liking someone.
How do you feel today?
"Forty Lashes" (Winton Marsalis)
It's not that bad!
What is your life's purpose?
"Being Boring" (The Pet Shop Boys)
*snerk* 'Nuff said.
What is your motto?
"Fragile" (Stringmansassy, covering Sting)
Don't hurt me! I'm fragile!
What do your friends think of you?
"The Last Resort" (The Eagles)
Is that bad? That sounds like it might be bad.
What do you think of your parents?
"Two Faces" (Bruce Springsteen)
Well, there's two of them, and they both have a face...
What do you think about very often?
"Cavity Search" (Weird Al Yankovic)
It's about going to the dentist! Honestly.
What is 2 + 2?
"Magic" (Pilot)
Always a difficult-to-refute answer to anything.
What do you think of your best friend?
"A Day in the Life" (The Beatles)
I have no idea what to make of this one.
What do you think of the person you like?
"The Wild Wild Sea" (Sting)
Or this one, to be honest.
What is your life story?
"Movin' Right Along" (Kermit the Frog & Fozzie Bear)
So, my life story is The Muppet Movie? Cool!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Crossroads" (Gordon Lightfoot)
Unfortunately, there aren't many job openings in that field.
What do you think of when you see the person you like?
"Civilized Man" (Joe Cocker)
I do prefer civilized men.
What will you dance to at your wedding?
"I Started a Joke" (James Galway)
A few minutes later, I will sue for divorce. Ha-ha!
What will they play at your funeral?
"Stop Talking About Comic Books or I'll Kill You" (Ookla the Mok)
Bwah! If it's attended by my friends, this is entirely likely.
What is your hobby/interest?
"Suzanne" (Peter Gabriel, covering Leonard Cohen)
I don't know any Suzannes, but I supposed listening to Leonard Cohen covers is something of an interest of mine.
What is your biggest fear?
"She's Got a Way" (Billy Joel)
I fear her ways!
What is your biggest secret?
"Southern Rain" (The Cowboy Junkies)
It's so secret even I don't know what the hell it means.
What do you think of your friends?
"Vulture Culture" (The Alan Parsons Project)
But I mean it in love. Really, guys.
What will you post this as?
"Gimme Three Steps" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Following Lynyrd's example, I will post this and quickly depart.
1. Put Your itunes, windows media player etc on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
If someone says "is this okay?" you say,
"Dreamcatcher" (Secret Garden)
And then they look at me really funny.
How would you describe yourself?
"I Know Now" (James Galway)
I know, but I'm not going to tell you!
What do you like in a guy/girl?
"Journey of the Sorcerer," aka The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy theme song.
Yes, I like someone who can appreciate Hitch-hiker's. In fact, this may actually be my biggest criterion for liking someone.
How do you feel today?
"Forty Lashes" (Winton Marsalis)
It's not that bad!
What is your life's purpose?
"Being Boring" (The Pet Shop Boys)
*snerk* 'Nuff said.
What is your motto?
"Fragile" (Stringmansassy, covering Sting)
Don't hurt me! I'm fragile!
What do your friends think of you?
"The Last Resort" (The Eagles)
Is that bad? That sounds like it might be bad.
What do you think of your parents?
"Two Faces" (Bruce Springsteen)
Well, there's two of them, and they both have a face...
What do you think about very often?
"Cavity Search" (Weird Al Yankovic)
It's about going to the dentist! Honestly.
What is 2 + 2?
"Magic" (Pilot)
Always a difficult-to-refute answer to anything.
What do you think of your best friend?
"A Day in the Life" (The Beatles)
I have no idea what to make of this one.
What do you think of the person you like?
"The Wild Wild Sea" (Sting)
Or this one, to be honest.
What is your life story?
"Movin' Right Along" (Kermit the Frog & Fozzie Bear)
So, my life story is The Muppet Movie? Cool!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Crossroads" (Gordon Lightfoot)
Unfortunately, there aren't many job openings in that field.
What do you think of when you see the person you like?
"Civilized Man" (Joe Cocker)
I do prefer civilized men.
What will you dance to at your wedding?
"I Started a Joke" (James Galway)
A few minutes later, I will sue for divorce. Ha-ha!
What will they play at your funeral?
"Stop Talking About Comic Books or I'll Kill You" (Ookla the Mok)
Bwah! If it's attended by my friends, this is entirely likely.
What is your hobby/interest?
"Suzanne" (Peter Gabriel, covering Leonard Cohen)
I don't know any Suzannes, but I supposed listening to Leonard Cohen covers is something of an interest of mine.
What is your biggest fear?
"She's Got a Way" (Billy Joel)
I fear her ways!
What is your biggest secret?
"Southern Rain" (The Cowboy Junkies)
It's so secret even I don't know what the hell it means.
What do you think of your friends?
"Vulture Culture" (The Alan Parsons Project)
But I mean it in love. Really, guys.
What will you post this as?
"Gimme Three Steps" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Following Lynyrd's example, I will post this and quickly depart.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Deleted Scenes
It seems the Canadians have already had the Doctor Who season finale, so I figured I'd post this now. I'll post a reminder link to it when the episode airs here in the states, too. Just to be clear, US people, this is referencing the episode that airs on Sci-Fi on Oct. 5, not the one that aired on Sept. 28.
Anyway, this is in the way of a public service announcement, to let you know that if you watch, have watched, or will watch the season finale ("Last of the Time Lords") on television outside the UK, what you're getting is a rather heavily edited version, as it ran long on the BBC and was then chopped down a full seven minutes for the international release. Fortunately, you can see at least some of the bits you're missing on YouTube. Thus:
This should come right after the scene with Martha at the beginning. In fact, if you're watching a recording of the episode, I recommend hitting "pause" and watching the clip right then. Because this bit of sheer and utter insanity should not be missed. It, um, certainly sets a mood...
This, on the other hand, is an extended version of, erm, a scene near (or possibly at) the climax. And the bit that was cut out of it is a rather terrible thing to have cut, for a couple of reasons. Note: DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN THE EPISODE. I mean it.
Several other small things were cut, and all of 'em are a damned shame to have lost, especially when I consider that there are other parts of the episode that I honestly think could have benefited from a good trim. But I don't think any of them were nearly as signficant.
If anybody wants a copy of the full version (as an .avi file or on VHS), let me know.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Although I'd prefer if Canadians who want to discuss the episode in general hold off and comment on the regular thread for that next week, people may want to talk about the cut scenes here, so I will warn right up-front that the comments to this post are not a spoiler-free zone. Unspoiled Americans, you really want to stay unspoiled, so beware! Wait until you've seen the episode, and then you can come back here. (If you're looking to request a copy of the uncut version, you can contact me by e-mail.)
Anyway, this is in the way of a public service announcement, to let you know that if you watch, have watched, or will watch the season finale ("Last of the Time Lords") on television outside the UK, what you're getting is a rather heavily edited version, as it ran long on the BBC and was then chopped down a full seven minutes for the international release. Fortunately, you can see at least some of the bits you're missing on YouTube. Thus:
This should come right after the scene with Martha at the beginning. In fact, if you're watching a recording of the episode, I recommend hitting "pause" and watching the clip right then. Because this bit of sheer and utter insanity should not be missed. It, um, certainly sets a mood...
This, on the other hand, is an extended version of, erm, a scene near (or possibly at) the climax. And the bit that was cut out of it is a rather terrible thing to have cut, for a couple of reasons. Note: DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN THE EPISODE. I mean it.
Several other small things were cut, and all of 'em are a damned shame to have lost, especially when I consider that there are other parts of the episode that I honestly think could have benefited from a good trim. But I don't think any of them were nearly as signficant.
If anybody wants a copy of the full version (as an .avi file or on VHS), let me know.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Although I'd prefer if Canadians who want to discuss the episode in general hold off and comment on the regular thread for that next week, people may want to talk about the cut scenes here, so I will warn right up-front that the comments to this post are not a spoiler-free zone. Unspoiled Americans, you really want to stay unspoiled, so beware! Wait until you've seen the episode, and then you can come back here. (If you're looking to request a copy of the uncut version, you can contact me by e-mail.)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Drumroll, Please! It's Another Doctor Who Discussion Post.
Today's Doctor Who episode here in the US is "The Sound of Drums." You may now talk about it here! And there's only one episode left now to avoid spoiling.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Possibly I'll Be Less Grumpy After More Coffee. Much More Coffee.
I have this annoying urge now to ring the doorbells of day people at 4 AM to ask them if they want their lawn mowed, and see how they like it.
I Told You I Was a Tortured Genius.
Am-I-Dumb.com - Are you dumb?
I like the fact that this test claims to tell you how dumb you are, not how smart you are. Judging by the questions, I'd say that's the correct way of looking at it.
Thought of the Day
I really ought to get out of the habit of answering my e-mail on a last-in-first-out basis.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Since I Missed "Talk Like A Pirate Day"
My pirate name is:
Black Bess Flint
Like anyone confronted with the harshness of robbery on the high seas, you can be pessimistic at times. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.part of the fidius.org network
Monday, September 24, 2007
Up The Waterspout
It's nice when work can provide you with a bit of a chuckle on an irritating day. I am thus grateful to find in my inbox today the following amusing work order:
Work Requested: Failure - LA - Rain gauge not recording rain.Insert your own joke about bugs in the equipment here. (Fun trivia fact: I think the original "bug" that lent its name to the whole phenomenon was, in fact, a moth.)
Corrected Action: Removed spider and spider webs from rain gauge.
Show Me The Money!
Well, I think I've gotten the stupid bank thing straightened out, or at least on its way to being straightened out, but, aargh, was it annoying.
I called the bank's customer service number, navigated their labyrinthine phone menu system, and, after giving my account number (twice), social security number, name, date of birth, street address, blood type and shoe size, I was finally permitted to discuss my problem with a human being. (OK, I made up the last two. But, honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd asked.) Said human being listened to my tale of woe, pulled up my records, went, "Gosh, yes, that's clearly a mistake!" and cheerfully informed me that it was no problem, they could get the double-deduction and the overdraft fees removed for me right away, you betcha! "Hooray!" I thought. "Good bank!" And then she said she'd have to transfer me to the "check department," so they could deal with it.
So, OK, I get the "check department" -- which turns out to be the check fraud department -- and give them my name, rank, serial number, six-thousand-digit account number, etc., etc. all over again, and once again launch into the Tale of Woe. Another person pulls up my records and, while I am in the process of explaining about the overdrafts, interrupts to inform me that I have the wrong department. My mortgage company submits their checks electronically, so I need the department that deals with electronic transactions.
So, I am transferred again, and again give six pages worth of identifying info, all the while thinking, Jesus Christ, how many departments does this bank have, and are none of them capable of communicating?! I recite the Tale a third time, whereupon I am informed that, why, no, the bank cannot and will not help me, as the mistake was made on the mortgage company's end, and is their responsibility, overdrafts and all. Indeed, as far as they are concerned, the overdrafts are perfectly legitimate, because my account was negative, end of story. All of which was explained to me politely enough, but I'm afraid I got pretty snippy at this point, leading the person I was talking to to explain how those first-tier phone-answering people like to tell you things even when they don't know what they're talking about. Which just made me snippier. I feel kind of bad about it now. I imagine the electronic-department person is as annoyed about this kind of thing as I am, and it wasn't her fault person #1 was a lying idiot. But from a customer-service standpoint, that kind of shit is just plain unacceptable. Telling me that the problem is on the other party's end and that they're responsible for refunding my money is reasonable (and, in this case, perfectly true). Promising me it'll all get cleared up right away, making me play phone tag for fifteen minutes and then telling me I'm S.O.L. as far as you're concerned? Bullshit. I'm still annoyed about it, and even more annoyed that I took it out on somebody who was only trying to do her job.
Fortunately, when I called the mortgage company, I immediately got somebody who seemed to both know what he was talking about and to have the authority to do something about it. He instantly agreed that it was all their fault, was friendly and sympathetic, and assured me that they'd credit me for the whole thing ASAP, overdrafts and all, and that if I faxed them a copy of my bank statement (or even the online records, since I hadn't gotten a paper statement for the month yet), they'd have it taken care of in a couple of days, maximum. (This as opposed to my bank who told me that I'd have to sign an affidavit saying the debit was wrongly applied, warned me that if I didn't mail it back promptly it would be ignored, and then told me it would take them ten days to do anything about it once they got it.)
To attempt to balance out my bad-customer karma or something, I gave that guy praise and a high customer-survey rating. I just really hope he doesn't fall down on the follow-through. In the meantime, I've transferred some money over from my savings account to make sure nothing that clears in the next couple of days sends me into the negative again. Man, I'm just really glad this happened now, when I've got an actual financial cushion, and not back in my starving-college-student days. Because, in that case, I actually would have starved. (Erm, not that I had a mortgage then, of course.)
Oh, and the craptacular icing on the craptastic cake? Today I get a whole slew of overdraft notices in the mail. Thanks, bank. It's real helpful to be informed of that after I've been bouncing stuff for over a week. *rolls eyes*
I called the bank's customer service number, navigated their labyrinthine phone menu system, and, after giving my account number (twice), social security number, name, date of birth, street address, blood type and shoe size, I was finally permitted to discuss my problem with a human being. (OK, I made up the last two. But, honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if they'd asked.) Said human being listened to my tale of woe, pulled up my records, went, "Gosh, yes, that's clearly a mistake!" and cheerfully informed me that it was no problem, they could get the double-deduction and the overdraft fees removed for me right away, you betcha! "Hooray!" I thought. "Good bank!" And then she said she'd have to transfer me to the "check department," so they could deal with it.
So, OK, I get the "check department" -- which turns out to be the check fraud department -- and give them my name, rank, serial number, six-thousand-digit account number, etc., etc. all over again, and once again launch into the Tale of Woe. Another person pulls up my records and, while I am in the process of explaining about the overdrafts, interrupts to inform me that I have the wrong department. My mortgage company submits their checks electronically, so I need the department that deals with electronic transactions.
So, I am transferred again, and again give six pages worth of identifying info, all the while thinking, Jesus Christ, how many departments does this bank have, and are none of them capable of communicating?! I recite the Tale a third time, whereupon I am informed that, why, no, the bank cannot and will not help me, as the mistake was made on the mortgage company's end, and is their responsibility, overdrafts and all. Indeed, as far as they are concerned, the overdrafts are perfectly legitimate, because my account was negative, end of story. All of which was explained to me politely enough, but I'm afraid I got pretty snippy at this point, leading the person I was talking to to explain how those first-tier phone-answering people like to tell you things even when they don't know what they're talking about. Which just made me snippier. I feel kind of bad about it now. I imagine the electronic-department person is as annoyed about this kind of thing as I am, and it wasn't her fault person #1 was a lying idiot. But from a customer-service standpoint, that kind of shit is just plain unacceptable. Telling me that the problem is on the other party's end and that they're responsible for refunding my money is reasonable (and, in this case, perfectly true). Promising me it'll all get cleared up right away, making me play phone tag for fifteen minutes and then telling me I'm S.O.L. as far as you're concerned? Bullshit. I'm still annoyed about it, and even more annoyed that I took it out on somebody who was only trying to do her job.
Fortunately, when I called the mortgage company, I immediately got somebody who seemed to both know what he was talking about and to have the authority to do something about it. He instantly agreed that it was all their fault, was friendly and sympathetic, and assured me that they'd credit me for the whole thing ASAP, overdrafts and all, and that if I faxed them a copy of my bank statement (or even the online records, since I hadn't gotten a paper statement for the month yet), they'd have it taken care of in a couple of days, maximum. (This as opposed to my bank who told me that I'd have to sign an affidavit saying the debit was wrongly applied, warned me that if I didn't mail it back promptly it would be ignored, and then told me it would take them ten days to do anything about it once they got it.)
To attempt to balance out my bad-customer karma or something, I gave that guy praise and a high customer-survey rating. I just really hope he doesn't fall down on the follow-through. In the meantime, I've transferred some money over from my savings account to make sure nothing that clears in the next couple of days sends me into the negative again. Man, I'm just really glad this happened now, when I've got an actual financial cushion, and not back in my starving-college-student days. Because, in that case, I actually would have starved. (Erm, not that I had a mortgage then, of course.)
Oh, and the craptacular icing on the craptastic cake? Today I get a whole slew of overdraft notices in the mail. Thanks, bank. It's real helpful to be informed of that after I've been bouncing stuff for over a week. *rolls eyes*
Sunday, September 23, 2007
No One Understands My Tortured-Genius Pain.
| You Are 65% Tortured Genius |
 You are smart. Brilliant in fact. And while it's a blessing, it's also a curse. Your head is filled with everything - grand ideas, insufferable worries, and a good deal of angst. |
Home, Sweet Home
Time-Lord's Manor
 | |
Find YOUR Dream Home! |
Sweet! With a setup like that, I would easily be the most popular person in my social circle! And I already know how to operate a radio telescope, even.
I'm not sure why my Time Lord's Manor is more Trekkish than Whovian, but, hey, that's OK. Although it would be even better if it were bigger on the inside than the outside. And traveled through time and space.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
1=1!!!
Well, there's nothing quite like glancing at your ATM receipt only to realize that it shows you as having about a thousand dollars less than you should have. Or, if there is, it involves going online to check your transactions and discovering a crapload of negative numbers glaring at you in bright red text and about nine overdraft fees because the stupid frelling bank deducted your mortgage check TWICE.
Guys! One check number = one check = one deduction! A six-year-old child could figure this out!
Sigh. Wish I'd caught this before, y'know, 2 AM on a Friday night. But come Monday, they will feel my wrath. Oh, yes, they will. And they'd damned well better refund those overdraft fees.
Guys! One check number = one check = one deduction! A six-year-old child could figure this out!
Sigh. Wish I'd caught this before, y'know, 2 AM on a Friday night. But come Monday, they will feel my wrath. Oh, yes, they will. And they'd damned well better refund those overdraft fees.
Friday, September 21, 2007
It's Friday! You Know What That Means!
Today's episode of Doctor Who here in the US: "Utopia." Which means you may now talk about it here. Or about anything else you like. Just remember, no spoilers for later episodes, yadda, yadda, you know how this goes by now.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Damn You, Ayn Rand!
I swear, four times in the past month or so I've put my iPod on random shuffle and had it come out at some point with Rush's "Anthem." I'm beginning to worry that it's converting to Objectivism and soon will refuse to play anything for me unless I pay it.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Leap of Logic
Amazon's recommendation engine often comes up with some cool and useful suggestions, but sometimes it makes some incredibly amusing blunders. Like this e-mail I just got:
As someone who has purchased or rated books by Jon Stewart, you might like to know that Kierkegaard and His German Contemporaries: Philosophy (Kierkegaard Research: Sources Reception and Resources) will be released on September 30, 2007. You can pre-order yours by following the link below.Somehow, I really doubt that's the same Jon Stewart. But, y'know, if I'm ever looking for a $125 book on Kierkegaard, now I'll know where to go.
Kierkegaard and His German Contemporaries: Philosophy (Kierkegaard Research: Sources Reception and Resources)
Jon Stewart
Price: $124.95
An Open Letter
Dear crappy discount store,
If you don't trust me with your stuff, why on Earth should I trust you with mine? Also, the statement "you have to leave your backpack here" is both rudely phrased and demonstrably false. I do not have to do anything, including shop at your crappy store.
No love (and no money),
Me
If you don't trust me with your stuff, why on Earth should I trust you with mine? Also, the statement "you have to leave your backpack here" is both rudely phrased and demonstrably false. I do not have to do anything, including shop at your crappy store.
No love (and no money),
Me
These May Turn Out To Be Surprisingly Revealing Questions.
That "interview questions" meme that periodically circulates around the web seems to have popped its head up again, and Andrew Ironwood has thus posed me the following questions. (Actually, he gave me a set of "easy" questions and a set of "hard" ones, and invited me to mix'n'match. Which I cheerfully have.)
1) What book have you most recently finished reading?
I just finished Reckless Engineering by Nick Waters. It's um, a Doctor Who novel. Not that I'm obsessed or anything. It was okay. Not great, but okay.
2) What would I most likely find in your refrigerator on any given day?
Coffee. 2% milk (for use in the coffee). I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Fruit. Possibly some cheese. Well-past-their-sell-by-date eggs. Assorted condiments, most of them left there ages ago by visiting relatives who failed to share my complete lack of interest in condiments. Maybe some orange juice, if I'm lucky.
Gender is an incidental issue; basically, I'm a bachelor. And the fridge, sadly, reflects this.
3) Let us assume a fully grown, completely healthy Clydesdale horse has his hooves shackled to the ground while his head is held in place with a thick rope. He is conscious and standing upright, but completely immobile. And let us assume that-for some reason- every political prisoner on earth (as cited by Amnesty International) will be released from captivity if you can kick this horse to death in less than twenty minutes. You are allowed to wear steel toed boots. WOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO DO THIS?
Probably not, although whether the failure would be due to a lack of faith in my physical strength or my extreme tender-hearted squeamishness is an open question. I can't even help feeling slightly upset about killing cockroaches.
4) You meet your soul mate. However, there is a catch: every three years, someone will break both of your soulmate's collarbones with a Cresent wrench, and there is only one way you can stop this from happening: you must swallow a pill that will make every song you hear-for the rest of your life- sound as if it's being performed by the band Alice In Chains. When you hear Credence Clearwater Revival on the radio, it will sound (to your ears) like it's being played by Alice In Chains. If you see Radiohead live, every one of their tunes will sound like it's being covered by Alice In Chains. When you hear a commercial jingle on TV, it will sound like Alice in Chains; if you sing to yourself in the shower, your voice will sound like deceased Alice vocalist Layne Staley performing a capella (but it will only sound this way to you). WOULD YOU SWALLOW THE PILL?
Bah. That would really suck. But I suppose, being the altruistic, non-horse-killing soul that I am, I would feel honor-bound to put another human being's physical welfare over my own aural enjoyment. And at least I'm getting a non-broken soulmate out of the deal. Not that I actually wanted a soulmate or anything, but if I'm gonna have one, one with functional collarbones would probably be preferable. Also, man, they're gonna owe me, aren't they? That could pay off. Not that I'm basing my decision on such selfish concerns, of course. Not at all.
5) A visitor from the future gives you one free use of a functional holodeck, which he has programmed to be able to simulate *any* sci-fi 'universe' from literature, TV or films. You can choose the location in both space and time, but this holodeck has two peculiar bugs: 1) you have to pick a precise length of time you will be in the simulation before starting (which you cannot change once you are inside and the program is running); and 2) the Mortality Safeguards are, well, not *entirely* reliable. WOULD YOU STILL USE THE HOLODECK, AND IF SO, WHEN AND WHERE (IN WHICH CONTINUITY) WOULD YOU GO?
Aargh. OK, maybe I am obsessive. Because, yeah, how could I resist? And I would go with Doctor Who, not simply because I am obsessive, but because the mortality rate among Doctor Who companions -- the role I assume I would be playing -- is actually very low. Not non-zero, but low. It'd be a hell of a lot safer than, say, Farscape. Hell, I'd feel reasonably safe giving it a few weeks. You know, assuming I had vacation time and someone was feeding my cats, or whatever. Because that would be the single coolest vacation ever. Possibly I would hang around with the Eighth Doctor. (Pre-Time War, obviously. Well pre-Time War. I have no desire to be exterminated by holo-Daleks, although, really, it would be a very me way to die.) And I will steadfastly maintain that my reason for picking number Eight is entirely because he was a cool Doctor who got very little screentime and would thus be interesting to see more of, and not at all because he is incredibly hot. Ahem.
OK. That was... sort of interesting. Anybody want me to ask them questions, now? Because, as I recall, that's how this meme is supposed to work.
1) What book have you most recently finished reading?
I just finished Reckless Engineering by Nick Waters. It's um, a Doctor Who novel. Not that I'm obsessed or anything. It was okay. Not great, but okay.
2) What would I most likely find in your refrigerator on any given day?
Coffee. 2% milk (for use in the coffee). I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Fruit. Possibly some cheese. Well-past-their-sell-by-date eggs. Assorted condiments, most of them left there ages ago by visiting relatives who failed to share my complete lack of interest in condiments. Maybe some orange juice, if I'm lucky.
Gender is an incidental issue; basically, I'm a bachelor. And the fridge, sadly, reflects this.
3) Let us assume a fully grown, completely healthy Clydesdale horse has his hooves shackled to the ground while his head is held in place with a thick rope. He is conscious and standing upright, but completely immobile. And let us assume that-for some reason- every political prisoner on earth (as cited by Amnesty International) will be released from captivity if you can kick this horse to death in less than twenty minutes. You are allowed to wear steel toed boots. WOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO DO THIS?
Probably not, although whether the failure would be due to a lack of faith in my physical strength or my extreme tender-hearted squeamishness is an open question. I can't even help feeling slightly upset about killing cockroaches.
4) You meet your soul mate. However, there is a catch: every three years, someone will break both of your soulmate's collarbones with a Cresent wrench, and there is only one way you can stop this from happening: you must swallow a pill that will make every song you hear-for the rest of your life- sound as if it's being performed by the band Alice In Chains. When you hear Credence Clearwater Revival on the radio, it will sound (to your ears) like it's being played by Alice In Chains. If you see Radiohead live, every one of their tunes will sound like it's being covered by Alice In Chains. When you hear a commercial jingle on TV, it will sound like Alice in Chains; if you sing to yourself in the shower, your voice will sound like deceased Alice vocalist Layne Staley performing a capella (but it will only sound this way to you). WOULD YOU SWALLOW THE PILL?
Bah. That would really suck. But I suppose, being the altruistic, non-horse-killing soul that I am, I would feel honor-bound to put another human being's physical welfare over my own aural enjoyment. And at least I'm getting a non-broken soulmate out of the deal. Not that I actually wanted a soulmate or anything, but if I'm gonna have one, one with functional collarbones would probably be preferable. Also, man, they're gonna owe me, aren't they? That could pay off. Not that I'm basing my decision on such selfish concerns, of course. Not at all.
5) A visitor from the future gives you one free use of a functional holodeck, which he has programmed to be able to simulate *any* sci-fi 'universe' from literature, TV or films. You can choose the location in both space and time, but this holodeck has two peculiar bugs: 1) you have to pick a precise length of time you will be in the simulation before starting (which you cannot change once you are inside and the program is running); and 2) the Mortality Safeguards are, well, not *entirely* reliable. WOULD YOU STILL USE THE HOLODECK, AND IF SO, WHEN AND WHERE (IN WHICH CONTINUITY) WOULD YOU GO?
Aargh. OK, maybe I am obsessive. Because, yeah, how could I resist? And I would go with Doctor Who, not simply because I am obsessive, but because the mortality rate among Doctor Who companions -- the role I assume I would be playing -- is actually very low. Not non-zero, but low. It'd be a hell of a lot safer than, say, Farscape. Hell, I'd feel reasonably safe giving it a few weeks. You know, assuming I had vacation time and someone was feeding my cats, or whatever. Because that would be the single coolest vacation ever. Possibly I would hang around with the Eighth Doctor. (Pre-Time War, obviously. Well pre-Time War. I have no desire to be exterminated by holo-Daleks, although, really, it would be a very me way to die.) And I will steadfastly maintain that my reason for picking number Eight is entirely because he was a cool Doctor who got very little screentime and would thus be interesting to see more of, and not at all because he is incredibly hot. Ahem.
OK. That was... sort of interesting. Anybody want me to ask them questions, now? Because, as I recall, that's how this meme is supposed to work.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Also, A Warning For The Who Watchers
I haven't seen it yet myself, but I'm told that Sci-Fi's preview for next week contains some really big spoilers. Which -- trust me on this -- you do not want. Do yourself a favor and don't watch anything preview-y. If you desperately want a less-spoilery glimpse at the next episode, ask me and I'll give you one.
(Stupid goddamn Sci Fi. They are always doing this kind of crap.)
(Stupid goddamn Sci Fi. They are always doing this kind of crap.)
Better Not Take Your Eyes Off This Doctor Who Discussion Post
Currently airing in the US: "Blink." Once again, you may feel free to comment below if you have anything you want to say about this episode, previous episodes, Farscape episodes, Shakespeare plays, action figures, the Doctor's love life, whatever. Just remember, no spoilers for anything past "Blink." Thanks!
The Story Thus Far
At the risk of this turning into the All-Doctor Who-All-the-Time Blog, I simply must link to this: 43 years of Doctor Who in five-and-a-half minutes. Lots of nostalgia value if you're an old-series fan, a nice little glimpse at the Doctors you've missed if you're a new-series fan, and if you've never seen it at all and are wondering what the heck this thing is that I keep going on about, it'll actually give you a surprisingly good idea.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Better! So Much Better!
Computer-genius friends rock. My screen display is... well, a teensy bit out-of-proportion, really, because my computer doesn't seem to support exactly the right resolution for the new monitor. But it's perfectly legible and usable, and my icons no longer look like they're made of Duplo blocks. And my buddy thinks he might actually have a spare video card that'll work for me; he's going to let me know.
Hooray! Man, possibly the only feeling nearly as strong as the that sick-to-the-stomach sensation that happens when the computer gets messed up is the incredible feeling of relief when it's better. What's sad is, it took less time and effort for him to fix the thing than it did for me to break it.
By the way, in looking at the little serial-number plaque to make sure we were getting the correct drivers for it, we noticed that today happens to be my computer's fifth birthday. Happy B-Day, you bastard machine! (Actually, what's funny is that, when my friend noted this date, my reply was, "Yeah, I knew it must be five years old this month, because I got it the same month it was announced that Farscape was canceled. Hey, the only kind of nerd I'm not is a computer nerd." At least he got a laugh out of the experience.)
Hooray! Man, possibly the only feeling nearly as strong as the that sick-to-the-stomach sensation that happens when the computer gets messed up is the incredible feeling of relief when it's better. What's sad is, it took less time and effort for him to fix the thing than it did for me to break it.
By the way, in looking at the little serial-number plaque to make sure we were getting the correct drivers for it, we noticed that today happens to be my computer's fifth birthday. Happy B-Day, you bastard machine! (Actually, what's funny is that, when my friend noted this date, my reply was, "Yeah, I knew it must be five years old this month, because I got it the same month it was announced that Farscape was canceled. Hey, the only kind of nerd I'm not is a computer nerd." At least he got a laugh out of the experience.)
Computers: Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Throw 'Em Out A Window When They Piss You Off. Even When You Really, Really Want To.
Aaargh. I just bought a new widescreen monitor and have now managed to utterly and completely fuck up the video display in the process of attempting to get the computer to produce the funky resolution settings said monitor prefers. This... is not good. I can still sort of use it, but it's kind of like the visual equivalent of working in thick wooly mittens. (Bad metaphor? I can't even tell. I am far, far too stressed.)
Having gone far, far, oh, so very far past the point where my attempts to fix things only started to make them worse, I now have given up and left a desperate message calling for my biggest computer-genius friend, who I am hoping will be able to swoop in like Superman and save the day. In the meantime, I'm cadging time on work computers. Which also seem to be having some problems today. Clearly it's some kind of epidemic.
Man. It's amazing how easily computer problems can give you that sick-to-your-stomach feeling.
Having gone far, far, oh, so very far past the point where my attempts to fix things only started to make them worse, I now have given up and left a desperate message calling for my biggest computer-genius friend, who I am hoping will be able to swoop in like Superman and save the day. In the meantime, I'm cadging time on work computers. Which also seem to be having some problems today. Clearly it's some kind of epidemic.
Man. It's amazing how easily computer problems can give you that sick-to-your-stomach feeling.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Oh, My Word!
Your Score: The Second Doctor
You scored 55% intelligence, 4% compassion, 45% sense of humor, and 17% weirdness!
Ah, the comedian! But a *capable* clown. You like to come across as a lovable goof, but in reality you're a genius who succumbs to occasional absent-mindedness. You know when to cut and run, and you know when you deny authority, no matter how laughable you sound. Your turn-ons include Charlie Chaplin, The Beatles, men in kilts, women in catsuits, flutists, and your giddy aunt. Your turn-offs include omnipotent beings who like to interfere with your affairs, the ever-persistent Cybermen (heck, you don't even like cybersex!), and thinking about the lisping dandy you'll eventually become.
| Link: The Which Doctor Who Are You? Test written by TottersLane on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Oh, come on, surely I'm both much weirder and much more compassionate than that! Not that I'm complaining about the result because, aww, how can you not love the Second Doctor?
Also, this quiz is full of the Doctor Who love, and thus makes me happy.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
My Inbox Runneth Over
Damn it, you people need to stop e-mailing me and leaving me comments and generally being really interesting, so that I can step away from the internet and actually get something accomplished today!
Isn't That What Happened To Wesley Crusher?
| Betty figured out the undisputed meaning of life. | |
| ... afterward, Betty became an ideal and disappeared. | |
| 'How will you be remembered in history books?' at QuizGalaxy.com |
Friday, September 07, 2007
Because, Hey, It's September...
Current clothes: Gray sweat pants. Black t-shirt that says "I'm blogging this." (My t-shirts always speak the truth!) White socks. Black sneakers. So, you know, pretty much the same kind of stuff I'm always wearing.
Current mood: Not too bad. Hungry. Does that count as a mood?
Current music: Most recently listened to some random-shuffle stuff again. I think the iPod is currently on a bit of a Rush kick. And so am I, for that matter, because the last thing I listened to before that was Rush's Snakes and Arrows, which I'm really liking. I wasn't super-impressed with Vapor Trails, to be completely honest, but this one is a terrific return to form.
Current annoyance: In what universe is it fair that I'm getting gray hairs but still have acne? Stupid human body.
Current thing: Sleeping. I've been living a mostly-nocturnal existence again for the last few weeks, and I've been doing some world-championship-quality sleeping during the day. Which beats the hell out of insomnia, but the fact that I keep having days where I hugely oversleep is making my circadian patterns even more bizarre than usual. Today I went to sleep at 11:30 AM. (Though admittedly it would have been earlier except for the fact that I stayed up to get my hair cut.) But that meant I slept until 8:00 PM, which is not so good, considering that tomorrow I have to be at work at 7:45.
Current desktop picture: This picture of Saturn by legendary space artist Chelsey Bonestell. Check out the space art blog I got it from. There's a lot of very cool art there.
Current book: Recently finished Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold. Next up: Kockroach by Tyler Knox.
Current song in head: Well, now it's random Rush tunes.
Current DVD in player: Disc four of season 2 of Numb3rs. I kind of love this show. It's like "Mathnet" for adults! Although, honestly, I don't generally care all that much about the plots, or even about whether the mathematics is entirely right and relevant. It's just that I could watch Charlie Eppes for hours. He's unbelievably cute, and he fights crime with math. Is it possible for any human being to be more appealing? I also love his buddy Larry, with his endearing way of drawing metaphors between human relationships and physics. He makes me incredibly nostalgic for college, because back when I was studying astrophysics, I swear, we really did talk exactly like that.
Current refreshment: Water. I woke up kind of dehydrated today. I think both that and my oversleeping is due in large part to the fact that it's cooled off enough here for me not to want to turn the swamp cooler on before I go to sleep, but not so much that the house doesn't get somnolently warm by the afternoon.
Current worry: Oh, hell, I don't know. Possibly something to do with that procrastination thing I mentioned the other day, but I am at least making some progress on things now.
Current thought: Hungry. Huuuuuuungry!
Current mood: Not too bad. Hungry. Does that count as a mood?
Current music: Most recently listened to some random-shuffle stuff again. I think the iPod is currently on a bit of a Rush kick. And so am I, for that matter, because the last thing I listened to before that was Rush's Snakes and Arrows, which I'm really liking. I wasn't super-impressed with Vapor Trails, to be completely honest, but this one is a terrific return to form.
Current annoyance: In what universe is it fair that I'm getting gray hairs but still have acne? Stupid human body.
Current thing: Sleeping. I've been living a mostly-nocturnal existence again for the last few weeks, and I've been doing some world-championship-quality sleeping during the day. Which beats the hell out of insomnia, but the fact that I keep having days where I hugely oversleep is making my circadian patterns even more bizarre than usual. Today I went to sleep at 11:30 AM. (Though admittedly it would have been earlier except for the fact that I stayed up to get my hair cut.) But that meant I slept until 8:00 PM, which is not so good, considering that tomorrow I have to be at work at 7:45.
Current desktop picture: This picture of Saturn by legendary space artist Chelsey Bonestell. Check out the space art blog I got it from. There's a lot of very cool art there.
Current book: Recently finished Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold. Next up: Kockroach by Tyler Knox.
Current song in head: Well, now it's random Rush tunes.
Current DVD in player: Disc four of season 2 of Numb3rs. I kind of love this show. It's like "Mathnet" for adults! Although, honestly, I don't generally care all that much about the plots, or even about whether the mathematics is entirely right and relevant. It's just that I could watch Charlie Eppes for hours. He's unbelievably cute, and he fights crime with math. Is it possible for any human being to be more appealing? I also love his buddy Larry, with his endearing way of drawing metaphors between human relationships and physics. He makes me incredibly nostalgic for college, because back when I was studying astrophysics, I swear, we really did talk exactly like that.
Current refreshment: Water. I woke up kind of dehydrated today. I think both that and my oversleeping is due in large part to the fact that it's cooled off enough here for me not to want to turn the swamp cooler on before I go to sleep, but not so much that the house doesn't get somnolently warm by the afternoon.
Current worry: Oh, hell, I don't know. Possibly something to do with that procrastination thing I mentioned the other day, but I am at least making some progress on things now.
Current thought: Hungry. Huuuuuuungry!
Damn My Guilty Conscience!
  | |
 | Ten Years: You would get caught, but only because of the guilt you'd feel. You would sign a plea bargain and spend your years in jail feeling really bad about what you'd done. |
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| from QuizGalaxy.com | |
The Triumphant Return of the Doctor Who Discussion Post
Tonight's Doctor Who episode here in the US is "The Family of Blood," meaning that all you poor souls who had to wait for two weeks to see the conclusion can finally ease your suffering. As usual, if you've got something to say, talk! But no spoilers past the current episode, please.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Memo To Myself: Do The Dumb Things I Gotta Do
My life would probably be much easier right now if I'd just stop stressing about all the things I'm supposed to be doing and started actually, y'know, doing them.
On the plus side, though, procrastination at least leads to me having clean carpets.
On the plus side, though, procrastination at least leads to me having clean carpets.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Not A Doctor Who Discussion Thread
There's no Doctor Who on in America tonight, alas. But you can feel free to make up your own imaginary episode and talk about that if you like. Or go and comment on "Human Nature" some more.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Apostrophic Anarchy
So, last week I read a book called The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig, which I very much enjoyed, but which had an odd typographical feature: there are no quotation marks or apostrophes in it anywhere. There's plenty of contractions and dialog, mind you; it's just that those particular bits of punctuation seem to have gone MIA. Despite this, I found it perfectly easy to read, and, hey, there was a justification for the conceit: the story is supposedly being written down by an 11-year-old kid. And, while an 11-year-old damned well ought to know how to use quotes and apostrophes, I could certainly see one not bothering. So, fine.
But then, yesterday, I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road (despite, rather than because of Oprah's recommendation, I might add). And I liked that one, too, but it also leaves out all the quotation marks and apostrophes. I'm not sure what the idea is there. Were they all destroyed in the apocalypse? Or is this some sort of weird new literary trend? I mean, I've seen people ditch the quote marks before, but apostrophes? What did apostrophes ever do to anybody, other than shoving themselves into far too many science fiction character names?
This is actually kind of starting to bug me. Not quite as much as encountering quote marks and apostrophes where they don't belong does. But enough.
But then, yesterday, I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road (despite, rather than because of Oprah's recommendation, I might add). And I liked that one, too, but it also leaves out all the quotation marks and apostrophes. I'm not sure what the idea is there. Were they all destroyed in the apocalypse? Or is this some sort of weird new literary trend? I mean, I've seen people ditch the quote marks before, but apostrophes? What did apostrophes ever do to anybody, other than shoving themselves into far too many science fiction character names?
This is actually kind of starting to bug me. Not quite as much as encountering quote marks and apostrophes where they don't belong does. But enough.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Doctor Who Discussion Post #3
Oh, and for those who have managed to see the episode, here's another Doctor Who discussion post. Because they're fun, even if we never do seem to end up talking about the actual episode much.
Currently airing in the US: "Human Nature." Feel free to drop a comment below if you have anything to say about this episode, Doctor Who in general, or anything else the conversation happens to drift toward, but, as usual, I'll ask you to avoid anything spoilery for later episodes.
By the way, it looks like Who will not be airing on Sci Fi next week, having be pre-empted for some reason or other. I know that this will seem like a particularly cruel point at which to make you wait an extra week, but if I recall correctly, this was also the point at which the show was pre-empted in its original UK run, in order to air the Eurovision contest. So it's only fair, really.
Currently airing in the US: "Human Nature." Feel free to drop a comment below if you have anything to say about this episode, Doctor Who in general, or anything else the conversation happens to drift toward, but, as usual, I'll ask you to avoid anything spoilery for later episodes.
By the way, it looks like Who will not be airing on Sci Fi next week, having be pre-empted for some reason or other. I know that this will seem like a particularly cruel point at which to make you wait an extra week, but if I recall correctly, this was also the point at which the show was pre-empted in its original UK run, in order to air the Eurovision contest. So it's only fair, really.
Clearly It Is Some Sort Of Evil Dalek Plot.
I do not freakin' believe this! I told someone I'd get them a VHS copy of tonight's Doctor Who episode, but first when I tried to transfer it from a computer file on disc, my extra-fancy plays-everything DVD player started glitching badly on the soundtrack syncing, to the point where it was pretty much unwatchable. "No problem," says I. "I'll just record it for you when it comes on!" Yeah. Take a wild, wild guess which one single cable channel appears to be out right now. Why does the universe conspire against me? Whhhhhhy?
Well, maybe it'll be back by the time tonight's repeat comes on. Maybe.
(Geosomin, if you're reading this, don't panic. I'll get it to ya one way or another, I promise. I'll send you an e-mail and let you know whether I ended up getting it tonight or not.)
Well, maybe it'll be back by the time tonight's repeat comes on. Maybe.
(Geosomin, if you're reading this, don't panic. I'll get it to ya one way or another, I promise. I'll send you an e-mail and let you know whether I ended up getting it tonight or not.)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Ye Olde Post Of Random Linkage
Doctor Who stand-up comedy: A half-hour podcast of Whovian stand-up. Some of the comedians are funnier than others, but if you laugh at any point whatsoever, congratulations, you're a Who geek.
Dig a Hole: Ever wonder where you'd end up if you were to dig a hole straight through the Earth? Now you can know! Hint: it's probably not China.
Special Projects Idea Generator: It, um, generates ideas for special projects. The results tend to be weirdly appealing. I want to go and invent a battery-operated holographic house right now.
Harry Potter Book Disguises: Afraid to be seen reading Harry Potter in public because it'll ruin your image as a manly man or an intellectual? These handy book disguises provide the solution!
Doctor Who clips on YouTube: Short clips from the classic series, posted on YouTube by the BBC. If your exposure to the show has mostly been via the new series and you'd like a glimpse of what you've missed over the last 44 years, here's your chance! Ah, rubber monsters, how nostalgic you make me...
Dig a Hole: Ever wonder where you'd end up if you were to dig a hole straight through the Earth? Now you can know! Hint: it's probably not China.
Special Projects Idea Generator: It, um, generates ideas for special projects. The results tend to be weirdly appealing. I want to go and invent a battery-operated holographic house right now.
Harry Potter Book Disguises: Afraid to be seen reading Harry Potter in public because it'll ruin your image as a manly man or an intellectual? These handy book disguises provide the solution!
Doctor Who clips on YouTube: Short clips from the classic series, posted on YouTube by the BBC. If your exposure to the show has mostly been via the new series and you'd like a glimpse of what you've missed over the last 44 years, here's your chance! Ah, rubber monsters, how nostalgic you make me...
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Another Interesting Outer Space Event
Whether or not you missed the Perseids, you'll want to take a look upward for Aug 28th's total lunar eclipse, which will be visible from five continents, including all of North America. (Sorry, Europeans and Africans. Better luck next time!) I've seen a couple of lunar eclipses now, and they're really damned cool, what with the moon turning the color of blood and all. You can't get special effects better than that!
Totality occurs at 5:52 AM, Eastern Time and lasts for about 90 minutes, so you early risers on the East Coast will have something interesting to wake up to, although your show, unlike that of those of us farther west, will be interrupted by a pesky sunrise. That corresponds to 3:52, my time, which comes smack in the middle of my workday, but I think I'll make a point of taking a coffee break out on the balcony.
Totality occurs at 5:52 AM, Eastern Time and lasts for about 90 minutes, so you early risers on the East Coast will have something interesting to wake up to, although your show, unlike that of those of us farther west, will be interrupted by a pesky sunrise. That corresponds to 3:52, my time, which comes smack in the middle of my workday, but I think I'll make a point of taking a coffee break out on the balcony.
If You're Not Reading Those Books, Can I Have Them?
OK, I always knew that I read a lot more than the average person, being as I'm the sort of bookwormish freak that'll read in lines, during meals, while walking down the street... But, holy crap, I'm not sure I ever realized exactly how far out on the end of the bell curve I actually am. I find this CNN article obscurely shocking:
One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.So far this year, I've read 84 books. (Yeah, there's only 83 on the list. Those are books I own. I also read one I borrowed from a friend.)
The survey reveals a nation whose book readers, on the whole, can hardly be called ravenous. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year -- half read more and half read fewer. Excluding those who hadn't read any, the usual number read was seven.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Hey, What Else Is There Worth Talking About?
It amuses me greatly that, while all my other conversations seem to end up turning into Doctor Who discussions, the actual Doctor Who discussions keep turning into conversations about every other TV show under the sun. (Most recently featured: Farscape, Stargate and The Dresden Files.)
Speaking of other shows... Is anybody but me (still) watching The 4400? I've recently decided that this program deserves some kind of prize for SF Show with the Most Bizarrely Fluctuating Cast. Which, considering the competition, is impressive. Is this series everybody's side project between real jobs, or what? I can just hear the producers now: You want to go and do a play? No problem! We'll just have you die/go on the run from the police/fall into a coma/get locked up in jail/move to Spain/undergo some weird transformation/disappear for no particular reason. Then we'll find some random way to write you back in for an episode or a season or whatever. It's easy!
This is one of those shows that I kind of wish was either a lot better (because then it would be pretty darned good) or a lot worse (because then I could stop watching it). The overall plot is kind of cool, but the characters are, well, interesting enough to keep my attention, but not quite interesting enough to arouse my enthusiasm. And the Random Cast Fluctuation factor is a little disorienting.
It's also hard not to compare it to Heroes, given the strong similarities in their premises. Which isn't especially fair, as The 4400 was around for quite some time before Heroes came along to hog all the attention. But the simple truth of the matter is that Heroes deserves a lot of attention and The 4400 deserves, well, less.
Speaking of other shows... Is anybody but me (still) watching The 4400? I've recently decided that this program deserves some kind of prize for SF Show with the Most Bizarrely Fluctuating Cast. Which, considering the competition, is impressive. Is this series everybody's side project between real jobs, or what? I can just hear the producers now: You want to go and do a play? No problem! We'll just have you die/go on the run from the police/fall into a coma/get locked up in jail/move to Spain/undergo some weird transformation/disappear for no particular reason. Then we'll find some random way to write you back in for an episode or a season or whatever. It's easy!
This is one of those shows that I kind of wish was either a lot better (because then it would be pretty darned good) or a lot worse (because then I could stop watching it). The overall plot is kind of cool, but the characters are, well, interesting enough to keep my attention, but not quite interesting enough to arouse my enthusiasm. And the Random Cast Fluctuation factor is a little disorienting.
It's also hard not to compare it to Heroes, given the strong similarities in their premises. Which isn't especially fair, as The 4400 was around for quite some time before Heroes came along to hog all the attention. But the simple truth of the matter is that Heroes deserves a lot of attention and The 4400 deserves, well, less.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Yardwork-Related Injuries, Part 2
OK, I don't know how all those giant bitey ants got into my shirt (let alone how it is that they were still there after I changed my shirt), but I do know that it was not remotely a pleasant experience for any of us.
You Know You've Gotten Too Used To Having An iPod When...
...you glance at your car radio, fully expecting to be presented with the title and artist of whatever's currently playing and find yourself utterly surprised when that information is not forthcoming.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Fencing Match
I believe I can now count myself a victim of domestic violence, inasmuch as I've just been beaten up by a fence. Ow.
OK, see, there is -- or was -- an old wooden fence between my front and back yards. It was in pretty bad shape when I moved in, and had only deteriorated further since, until this summer it pretty much just started to fall apart completely. No doubt this is in part due to the fact that these damned trees kept trying to grow up between the slats, and I could never quite manage to get rid of them, not being able get between the slats myself well enough to hack them down. And they're really, really not doing my foundation any good.
So today I took down the damned fence, which would be an accomplishment to be proud of, except the fence managed to get some of its own back. Injury scorecard: One fat lip, obtained when a board I was prying off smacked me in the face; one small gash on the shin, where I hit myself with a two-by-four; and a narrow brush with lockjaw as a nail I stepped on went right through the sole of my shoe, but somehow managed to miss breaking the skin. But, hey, you should see the other guy! I demolished the hell out of that fence! Well, except for the posts, which I think are cemented in or something.
Actually, the posts themselves seem to be in okay shape. I could probably put some herbicide or something down to kill the evil tree remnants, get some new boards, and rebuild the fence. It looks easy. I mean, I may suck at DIY, but I at least know how to hammer nails, and not a whole lot else would appear to be required. Of course, usually when I think that, I turn out to be oh so very, very wrong. Still, it seems like a good idea, if only because it would once again hide my ugly, weed-encrusted back yard from public view. Knowing me, though, I'll probably have bare fenceposts sitting there the day I finally pay off the mortgage. Sigh.
By the way, anybody happen to be in the Socorro area and want some scrap wood? It ain't good for much other than burning, but, hey, I kept myself warm for a whole winter on that kind of scavenging when I was in college. Act now and get a bunch of rusty nails as a bonus!
OK, see, there is -- or was -- an old wooden fence between my front and back yards. It was in pretty bad shape when I moved in, and had only deteriorated further since, until this summer it pretty much just started to fall apart completely. No doubt this is in part due to the fact that these damned trees kept trying to grow up between the slats, and I could never quite manage to get rid of them, not being able get between the slats myself well enough to hack them down. And they're really, really not doing my foundation any good.
So today I took down the damned fence, which would be an accomplishment to be proud of, except the fence managed to get some of its own back. Injury scorecard: One fat lip, obtained when a board I was prying off smacked me in the face; one small gash on the shin, where I hit myself with a two-by-four; and a narrow brush with lockjaw as a nail I stepped on went right through the sole of my shoe, but somehow managed to miss breaking the skin. But, hey, you should see the other guy! I demolished the hell out of that fence! Well, except for the posts, which I think are cemented in or something.
Actually, the posts themselves seem to be in okay shape. I could probably put some herbicide or something down to kill the evil tree remnants, get some new boards, and rebuild the fence. It looks easy. I mean, I may suck at DIY, but I at least know how to hammer nails, and not a whole lot else would appear to be required. Of course, usually when I think that, I turn out to be oh so very, very wrong. Still, it seems like a good idea, if only because it would once again hide my ugly, weed-encrusted back yard from public view. Knowing me, though, I'll probably have bare fenceposts sitting there the day I finally pay off the mortgage. Sigh.
By the way, anybody happen to be in the Socorro area and want some scrap wood? It ain't good for much other than burning, but, hey, I kept myself warm for a whole winter on that kind of scavenging when I was in college. Act now and get a bunch of rusty nails as a bonus!
Friday, August 17, 2007
I Ain't Got Jack
You know what would be really nice? If Netflix, after you've reported a disc mis-labeled and been told to send it back and re-add the correct disc to the top of your queue so you'll get a replacement, would actually let you add it back into your queue instead of telling you that you already have it at home.
What would also be nice is if I had me some Samurai Jack, like I expected to. *sniffle*
What would also be nice is if I had me some Samurai Jack, like I expected to. *sniffle*
Life, the Universe, and Doctor Who
Since, at 55 comments, I think we can consider the last discussion post a success, let's go ahead and do it again.
The Doctor Who episode airing tonight in the US is "42." If anybody wants to comment on the episode, or on Doctor Who in general, or even to drift off into long conversations about different shows entirely, as happened last time, feel free. Just remember, no spoilers for anything past "42." Thanks!
The Doctor Who episode airing tonight in the US is "42." If anybody wants to comment on the episode, or on Doctor Who in general, or even to drift off into long conversations about different shows entirely, as happened last time, feel free. Just remember, no spoilers for anything past "42." Thanks!
The Doctor Who Fairy Has Located Her Magic Wand!
For the people who were looking for copies of Doctor Who episodes they've missed, check your e-mail! I've got ya covered! (Although I am still kicking myself for how long it took me to realize that it would actually be perfectly easy for me to transfer stuff to tape.)
Anybody else need any while I'm at it?
Anybody else need any while I'm at it?
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Apparently I'm The Redshirt of Chess.
Your Score: An Outer Black Pawn
You scored 2 Power-Finesse, 2 Leader-Follower, 1 Unique-Ordinary, and 0 Offense-Defense!
You are a good soldier, the man the Man counts on. Unfortunately, he may or may not care for your well being, and so he will put you out just protect his interests. This you do without question because you are a team player. Bad news for you, because your team, the black team, tends to have to be more defensive in nature, and sometimes has to make hard choices or sacrifices. Guess who just volunteered?
| Link: The What Chess Piece Are You Test written by Gundark27 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Friday, August 10, 2007
Let's See If Everybody's Lost Interest Yet Or Not.
All right. Since the comments here have been a veritable hotbed of Doctor Who-related conversation lately, I figured I'd put up a dedicated discussion post, after all.
The episode airing tonight on the Sci Fi Channel is "The Lazarus Experiment." If anybody has any comments to make on this episode, or on Doctor Who in general, let's hear 'em! All I ask is to please refrain from posting spoilers for any episodes later than this one. (For everything up to this point, it'll be read at your own risk.)
The episode airing tonight on the Sci Fi Channel is "The Lazarus Experiment." If anybody has any comments to make on this episode, or on Doctor Who in general, let's hear 'em! All I ask is to please refrain from posting spoilers for any episodes later than this one. (For everything up to this point, it'll be read at your own risk.)
Pretty Lights In The Sky
The annual Perseid meteor shower will be happening this weekend, reaching its peak late on Sunday night (aka the early hours of Monday). Assuming it's not cloudy where you live, conditions for it should be especially good this year, as there is a new moon. Here's a useful guide to how to get the most out of your meteor shower experience. (Although, personally, I think anybody who needs blankets when it's 65 degrees out is a wuss.)
Thursday, August 09, 2007
All Better!
Looky! The book covers are all back to normal size! The people at LibraryThing rock, 'cause they got that fixed fast.
*scratches head*
No, I have no idea why the "recent books from my library" pictures in the sidebar have suddenly gotten enormous. I'll, uh, look into it later.
[Later edit: OK, I've removed it for the moment, because it was really annoying. I have no idea what the problem is, but apparently other people are having it, too. Hopefully it'll get fixed in the near future, and I'll put it back.]
[Later edit: OK, I've removed it for the moment, because it was really annoying. I have no idea what the problem is, but apparently other people are having it, too. Hopefully it'll get fixed in the near future, and I'll put it back.]
SF TV Info For Various People
Dad: An entire season of Farscape is making its way to you as we speak. Let this be a lesson to the rest of you. Express interest, and tapes will show up in your mailbox. And then you'll be obligated to watch them.
Captain C: I thought you might find this video amusing. (Warning: possible spoilers for the first season of New Who, general silliness.)
People watching Doctor Who on the Sci Fi Channel in America: Starting this week, it looks like Sci-Fi is moving the show back an hour, from 9 PM Eastern/Pacific to 8 PM. Those of you not employing technology that keeps track of this sort of thing for you should adjust your viewing/recording schedule accordingly.
Captain C: I thought you might find this video amusing. (Warning: possible spoilers for the first season of New Who, general silliness.)
People watching Doctor Who on the Sci Fi Channel in America: Starting this week, it looks like Sci-Fi is moving the show back an hour, from 9 PM Eastern/Pacific to 8 PM. Those of you not employing technology that keeps track of this sort of thing for you should adjust your viewing/recording schedule accordingly.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Keeping Up The Tradition
It's how far into August now? Geez. OK, here we go:
Current clothes: Black t-shirt with some kind of Celtic design in brownish-gray, and the word "Ireland" over that in gold. Blue jeans. Black belt. Black ankle socks. Black sneakers.
Current mood: Quite good, actually, except for being a) a little tired, and b) a little antsy about how little time I have left to do stuff in tonight before I really need to be in bed. Gaaah, I hate day shifts.
Current music: More random playlists. I forget what the last thing was. Something by Carbon Leaf, I think.
Current annoyance: Day shifts!
Current thing: Doctor Who. Still.
Current desktop picture: Still the same (potentially spoilery) Doctor Who wallpaper as last month. I haven't gotten tired of looking at it yet.
Current book: The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley. Important subject, so-so book. It's taking me longer to read the thing than the events it's describing took to happen. But, whatever the quality of the prose, it's impossible to read about this stuff and not feel horrified, disgusted and outraged all over again.
Current song in head: For some unfathomable reason, it appears to be "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago. Dammit, I hate Chicago.
Current DVD in player: The last disc of season 4 of Stargate SG-1. Overall, I've found this season very entertaining, but, man, the first episode on this disc sucks.
Current refreshment: Nothing at the moment. I had some water a few minutes ago.
Current worry: Eep, I've suddenly got a lot of things to get done in the next month.
Current thought: Goddamned freakin' Chicago, of all things...
Current clothes: Black t-shirt with some kind of Celtic design in brownish-gray, and the word "Ireland" over that in gold. Blue jeans. Black belt. Black ankle socks. Black sneakers.
Current mood: Quite good, actually, except for being a) a little tired, and b) a little antsy about how little time I have left to do stuff in tonight before I really need to be in bed. Gaaah, I hate day shifts.
Current music: More random playlists. I forget what the last thing was. Something by Carbon Leaf, I think.
Current annoyance: Day shifts!
Current thing: Doctor Who. Still.
Current desktop picture: Still the same (potentially spoilery) Doctor Who wallpaper as last month. I haven't gotten tired of looking at it yet.
Current book: The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley. Important subject, so-so book. It's taking me longer to read the thing than the events it's describing took to happen. But, whatever the quality of the prose, it's impossible to read about this stuff and not feel horrified, disgusted and outraged all over again.
Current song in head: For some unfathomable reason, it appears to be "You're the Inspiration" by Chicago. Dammit, I hate Chicago.
Current DVD in player: The last disc of season 4 of Stargate SG-1. Overall, I've found this season very entertaining, but, man, the first episode on this disc sucks.
Current refreshment: Nothing at the moment. I had some water a few minutes ago.
Current worry: Eep, I've suddenly got a lot of things to get done in the next month.
Current thought: Goddamned freakin' Chicago, of all things...
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Hmm...
Should I just put up an open thread here every week for Doctor Who discussion in the comments? I know several folks here are watching the episodes as they air in the US, and people do seem to like discussing them. (Er, not least of all me, of course. But if you will encourage me...)
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Even I Am Surprised By The Range Of My Interests.
Here's a deeply silly and pointless, but unaccountably entertaining meme:
Go to Wikipedia and answer the questions by clicking the "random article" link in the left corner. (Snippets of the article appear after the question, with my own comments in italics.)
01. What are you afraid of?
My Favorite Summer 1956 is a book by Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.
I've never met a book I was afraid of yet, but baseball does make me sort of unaccountably nervous.
02. What would you take with you on a deserted island?
A survivalist is a person who anticipates and prepares for a future disruption in local, regional or worldwide social or political order.
This is, in fact, exactly what I would want to take with me to a desert island!
03. What would you want for a wedding present?
Henry M. "Mickey" Michaux, Jr. is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's thirty-first House district, including constituents in Durham County.
Erm, so I guess he's invited to this hypothetical wedding of mine, but I really have no interest in keeping him.
04. What do you worship?
Phoxichilidiidae is a family of sea spiders.
We're a very small cult. So far.
05. What is your secret fetish?
At Death's Door is an independent short film featuring Cillian Murphy. It is about a boy who is urged to carry on his father's job-which is being Death.
Film about death are soooo sexy!
06. What will you dream about tonight?
Gordon Duncan (1964-2005) was one of a young generation of Scottish pipers who opened up the piping scene to a more innovative approach.
Good thing I actually like bagpipes, since I imagine a dream soundtrack featuring them would be unbearable if I didn't.
07. What would you buy if you had the money?
Defibrillation is the definitive treatment for the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Defibrillation consists of delivering a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart with a device called a defibrillator.
How much does a defibrillator cost, anyway?
08. What subject would you write a book about?
Truskavets (Ukrainian: Трускавець, translit. Truskavets’; Polish: Truskawiec) is a city in western Ukraine's Lviv Oblast (province), near the border with Poland.
This book is going to require a lot of research.
09. What do you collect?
Important Records is a record label that was created in 2001 after the management collapse of a popular North East record shop.
There may be some important records in my collection, but I don't think there are any Important Records.
10. What does your best memory connect to?
Remioromen is a Japanese rock band group formed in 2000.
How my best memory connects to that, I have no idea. But I'm sure it does somehow. Probably via Kevin Bacon.
11. The most unimportant thing you can think of?
Joone is an award winning director and producer of porn films and founder of the company Digital Playground. He is considered a ground-breaker in the world of interactive adult technology, pioneering the Virtual Sex line of DVDs. He also directed the successful porn film Pirates.
Actually, I can think of several things that I'd regard as less important than pirate porn.
12. What do you most preferably speak about?
Josh Winiberg is an English composer and pianist. Born in Essex on May 9th 1987, he composed his first solo piano album, Sunrise, at just 16 years old.
Yeah, there's just no shutting me up about that guy.
13. With which thing will/do you work with?
Roecliffe is a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated near the A1 road motorway and 1 mile west of Boroughbridge.
Funny, I wouldn't imagine there'd be much call for radio telescope operators there.
14. What always makes you laugh?
Santana do Mundaú is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. Its population was 11,235 (2005) and its area is 224 km²
Yeah, that place is a hoot! Those wacky Brazilians!
15. And cry?
The Tech, first published in 1881, is the oldest and largest campus newspaper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Yeah, New Mexcio Tech's crappy campus paper can't compete with that. It is to weep.
16. What was the first thing you saw when you woke up today?
Bentley Wood (grid reference SU250295), together with the adjacent Blackmoor Copse, form one of the largest contiguous areas of woodland in Wiltshire, England.
Why I woke up in the woods in Wiltshire, England, I don't know. Must've been some party last night.
17. What have you got in your pocket?
1715 in Poetry:
Events
* Nicholas Rowe made British Poet Laureate
Works published
* Alexander Pope, translator of Homer's Iliad, Book I, followed by Books II in 1716, III in 1717, IV in 1718, and V-VI in 1720.
* Isaac Watts, Divine Songs for the Use of Children, including "How doth the little busy Bee"
I like to always keep a book in my pocket, if I can. Usually not 18th Century poetry, though, I'll admit.
18. What could replace you so that no one would notice?
With the Tides is the third album by British band South, first released in 2003.
I had no idea these people sounded so much like me.
19. What were your first words?
Peter Fisher is an Australian film and television actor, born in Cartwrights Hill, New South Wales 9 January 1955.
Surprised the hell out of my parents, I can tell you.
20. What will you be buried with?
Küçükköyspor is a sports club located in Istanbul, Turkey. The football club plays in the Iddaa League B.
Why I'm going to be buried with a Turkish soccer team is perhaps a question best not considered too closely.
21. What have you got in the drawer of your bedside table?
Loreto is a city in the southwest of the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. It has 9,854 inhabitants as per the 2001 census, and is the head town of the Loreto Department.
I had to shrink it down, of course. All part of my evil plan!
22. What do you love the most in this world?
The District of Potisje (Serbian: Potiski krunski dištrikt or Потиски крунски диштрикт) was an administrative unit of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was formed in 1751 with headquarters in Bečej, and existed for almost one century (until 1848).
I haven't been the same since 1848. *sniffle*
23. What would you write a song about for the next Eurovision Song Contest?
Loreto is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 31,365 people in 5,572 households.
How could that not guarantee me a win?
24. What do you see from the window at this moment?
Deviated Instinct, formed in 1984, were a pioneering British crust punk band. Their debut EP, Welcome to the Orgy, was released by Peaceville Records, which released the majority of their albums.
I really wish they'd get out from under my window. They're starting to scare me.
25. What are you in reality?
Lanny J. Davis (b. ?1946) is a lawyer and former Special Counsel to the President for Bill Clinton. He served as special counsel from 1996 to 1998, during which time he also was the spokesman for Clinton in issues regarding campaign finance investigations and other legal issues. He is a partner in Washington DC office of the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, and is a graduate of Yale Law School.
Drat! My secret identity is revealed!
Go to Wikipedia and answer the questions by clicking the "random article" link in the left corner. (Snippets of the article appear after the question, with my own comments in italics.)
01. What are you afraid of?
My Favorite Summer 1956 is a book by Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.
I've never met a book I was afraid of yet, but baseball does make me sort of unaccountably nervous.
02. What would you take with you on a deserted island?
A survivalist is a person who anticipates and prepares for a future disruption in local, regional or worldwide social or political order.
This is, in fact, exactly what I would want to take with me to a desert island!
03. What would you want for a wedding present?
Henry M. "Mickey" Michaux, Jr. is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's thirty-first House district, including constituents in Durham County.
Erm, so I guess he's invited to this hypothetical wedding of mine, but I really have no interest in keeping him.
04. What do you worship?
Phoxichilidiidae is a family of sea spiders.
We're a very small cult. So far.
05. What is your secret fetish?
At Death's Door is an independent short film featuring Cillian Murphy. It is about a boy who is urged to carry on his father's job-which is being Death.
Film about death are soooo sexy!
06. What will you dream about tonight?
Gordon Duncan (1964-2005) was one of a young generation of Scottish pipers who opened up the piping scene to a more innovative approach.
Good thing I actually like bagpipes, since I imagine a dream soundtrack featuring them would be unbearable if I didn't.
07. What would you buy if you had the money?
Defibrillation is the definitive treatment for the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Defibrillation consists of delivering a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart with a device called a defibrillator.
How much does a defibrillator cost, anyway?
08. What subject would you write a book about?
Truskavets (Ukrainian: Трускавець, translit. Truskavets’; Polish: Truskawiec) is a city in western Ukraine's Lviv Oblast (province), near the border with Poland.
This book is going to require a lot of research.
09. What do you collect?
Important Records is a record label that was created in 2001 after the management collapse of a popular North East record shop.
There may be some important records in my collection, but I don't think there are any Important Records.
10. What does your best memory connect to?
Remioromen is a Japanese rock band group formed in 2000.
How my best memory connects to that, I have no idea. But I'm sure it does somehow. Probably via Kevin Bacon.
11. The most unimportant thing you can think of?
Joone is an award winning director and producer of porn films and founder of the company Digital Playground. He is considered a ground-breaker in the world of interactive adult technology, pioneering the Virtual Sex line of DVDs. He also directed the successful porn film Pirates.
Actually, I can think of several things that I'd regard as less important than pirate porn.
12. What do you most preferably speak about?
Josh Winiberg is an English composer and pianist. Born in Essex on May 9th 1987, he composed his first solo piano album, Sunrise, at just 16 years old.
Yeah, there's just no shutting me up about that guy.
13. With which thing will/do you work with?
Roecliffe is a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated near the A1 road motorway and 1 mile west of Boroughbridge.
Funny, I wouldn't imagine there'd be much call for radio telescope operators there.
14. What always makes you laugh?
Santana do Mundaú is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. Its population was 11,235 (2005) and its area is 224 km²
Yeah, that place is a hoot! Those wacky Brazilians!
15. And cry?
The Tech, first published in 1881, is the oldest and largest campus newspaper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Yeah, New Mexcio Tech's crappy campus paper can't compete with that. It is to weep.
16. What was the first thing you saw when you woke up today?
Bentley Wood (grid reference SU250295), together with the adjacent Blackmoor Copse, form one of the largest contiguous areas of woodland in Wiltshire, England.
Why I woke up in the woods in Wiltshire, England, I don't know. Must've been some party last night.
17. What have you got in your pocket?
1715 in Poetry:
Events
* Nicholas Rowe made British Poet Laureate
Works published
* Alexander Pope, translator of Homer's Iliad, Book I, followed by Books II in 1716, III in 1717, IV in 1718, and V-VI in 1720.
* Isaac Watts, Divine Songs for the Use of Children, including "How doth the little busy Bee"
I like to always keep a book in my pocket, if I can. Usually not 18th Century poetry, though, I'll admit.
18. What could replace you so that no one would notice?
With the Tides is the third album by British band South, first released in 2003.
I had no idea these people sounded so much like me.
19. What were your first words?
Peter Fisher is an Australian film and television actor, born in Cartwrights Hill, New South Wales 9 January 1955.
Surprised the hell out of my parents, I can tell you.
20. What will you be buried with?
Küçükköyspor is a sports club located in Istanbul, Turkey. The football club plays in the Iddaa League B.
Why I'm going to be buried with a Turkish soccer team is perhaps a question best not considered too closely.
21. What have you got in the drawer of your bedside table?
Loreto is a city in the southwest of the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. It has 9,854 inhabitants as per the 2001 census, and is the head town of the Loreto Department.
I had to shrink it down, of course. All part of my evil plan!
22. What do you love the most in this world?
The District of Potisje (Serbian: Potiski krunski dištrikt or Потиски крунски диштрикт) was an administrative unit of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was formed in 1751 with headquarters in Bečej, and existed for almost one century (until 1848).
I haven't been the same since 1848. *sniffle*
23. What would you write a song about for the next Eurovision Song Contest?
Loreto is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 31,365 people in 5,572 households.
How could that not guarantee me a win?
24. What do you see from the window at this moment?
Deviated Instinct, formed in 1984, were a pioneering British crust punk band. Their debut EP, Welcome to the Orgy, was released by Peaceville Records, which released the majority of their albums.
I really wish they'd get out from under my window. They're starting to scare me.
25. What are you in reality?
Lanny J. Davis (b. ?1946) is a lawyer and former Special Counsel to the President for Bill Clinton. He served as special counsel from 1996 to 1998, during which time he also was the spokesman for Clinton in issues regarding campaign finance investigations and other legal issues. He is a partner in Washington DC office of the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, and is a graduate of Yale Law School.
Drat! My secret identity is revealed!
Me And Stephen Colbert
What Form Would Your Patronus Take? (With 10 Excellent Results & Pictures)
Your Patronus would be an Eagle!
Take this quiz!
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Monday, July 30, 2007
There Are Strong Currents In My Topic Drift.
Apparently every Harry Potter conversation I have eventually turns into a Doctor Who conversation. I'm not entirely sure what that means.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Like A Bat Out Of Hell
Your Score: Atheist
Holy Crap! You're taking -90 souls with you to hell!
-116 to -85
On the plus side: You dont believe in ANYTHING! You look at things objectively and search for the truth wihtout having to resort to crazy magical ideas. You're probably smarter than a lot of the population too
On the negative side: You're probably arrogant, make fun of religion, disgruntled a lot, and self-important and think churches are just an excuse to get money out of people. But then again you may not be far from the truth
The Categories
Agnostic
Atheist
Buddhist
Christian
Fundamentalist
Hindu
Islam/Judaism
Sikh
Sunday Christian
Wiccan
| Link: The Very Offensive Religion Test written by youallwantme on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Minus 90? Does that mean I'm taking 90 souls out of hell? Cool! Well, it would be cool, if I believed in hell. Perhaps it's metaphorical.
And, Wow...
I can't believe I missed the opportunity to make a "Spock's Brain" joke in that last post. I am totally slipping.
Just In Case Star Trek Was Feeling Left Out of My Pop Cultural Landscape
It seems Zachary Quinto has now been cast to play the young Mr. Spock in the next Star Trek movie. I only know the guy from Heroes, but based on that... I dunno. You could do worse, I guess. He's got the eyebrows for it, if nothing else. I still think the whole concept behind this movie is hideously misguided, though.
Meanwhile, Matt Damon has laid to rest persistent rumors about him playing Kirk. Ooh, let's see if I can figure out how to embed video here...
Meanwhile, Matt Damon has laid to rest persistent rumors about him playing Kirk. Ooh, let's see if I can figure out how to embed video here...
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Flushed With Success
My toilet is all fixed now. Yay! I'm sure you were all terribly worried about it.
As it happens, I was correct both in that a) I probably could have put things back together myself, and b) it was a good idea to have the professionals come and do it to ensure that it wouldn't break again. Turned out what happened was that a little washer thingy on the end of the hose (which I'm pretty sure I installed according to instructions when I replaced the fill valve thingy a couple of years ago) popped off, finally, under the pressure of all that H2O. Instead of just putting it back the way it was, which is what I probably would have done, the plumbers instead installed a new hose with the washer bit already very firmly attached. I'm not exactly thrilled about having to pay the money (which was fairly reasonable by plumbers' standards, but still non-trivial), but I'd say it was worth it both for peace of mind, given that if it had broken again while I wasn't home the results could have been deeply awful, and for me not having to spend an afternoon mucking around with a toilet.
As it happens, I was correct both in that a) I probably could have put things back together myself, and b) it was a good idea to have the professionals come and do it to ensure that it wouldn't break again. Turned out what happened was that a little washer thingy on the end of the hose (which I'm pretty sure I installed according to instructions when I replaced the fill valve thingy a couple of years ago) popped off, finally, under the pressure of all that H2O. Instead of just putting it back the way it was, which is what I probably would have done, the plumbers instead installed a new hose with the washer bit already very firmly attached. I'm not exactly thrilled about having to pay the money (which was fairly reasonable by plumbers' standards, but still non-trivial), but I'd say it was worth it both for peace of mind, given that if it had broken again while I wasn't home the results could have been deeply awful, and for me not having to spend an afternoon mucking around with a toilet.
Speaking of Spoilers...
God damn it, now there are Lost spoilers on the CNN home page? WTF?
(Note: the first link goes to the article, which I have not actually read, but if you want to be spoiled more than the headline and the picture already do, go for it.)
(Note: the first link goes to the article, which I have not actually read, but if you want to be spoiled more than the headline and the picture already do, go for it.)
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
DRDelightful
On the upside, I got my plush DRD in the mail today, and it it insanely huggable.
Now if only it was real and could fix my toilet...
Now if only it was real and could fix my toilet...
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