tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56464367975497099682024-03-04T22:29:38.705-08:00NSA ChattersNormal, Serious, Annoying (NSA) chatters: when the internet land is littered with cyber trash, our first instinct is <i><b>too can do that</b></i>. So, we will bring you the occasional IM chatters that we engage in.</p>
Now, you may scream and run for the exit.</p>
Class dismissed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-77824440994755567432007-11-06T17:23:00.000-08:002007-12-31T16:21:17.180-08:00massage, sailing, mech warrior</p>[11/5/2007 12:33:39 PM] pD says: howdy!<br /></p>[11/5/2007 12:33:42 PM] pD says: long time no talk<br /></p>[11/5/2007 12:33:46 PM] pD says: how are things?<br /></p>[11/5/2007 12:38:41 PM] nsy says: hi!<br /></p>[11/5/2007 12:38:51 PM] nsy says: i'm on the phone with FB.. minute...<br /></p>[11/5/2007 12:39:17 PM] pD says: no wories<br /></p>[11/5/2007 12:39:19 PM] pD says: take your time<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:12:45 PM] nsy says: how have you been?<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:05 PM] pD says: ok<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:10 PM] pD says: i had a good massage this weekend<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:12 PM] pD says: very deep<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:18 PM] nsy says: nice!<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:19 PM] pD says: so, i am sore all over right now<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:32 PM] nsy says: i'm a whimp. i can't take that deep tissue stuff.<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:13:41 PM] pD says: but, i can feel parts of my body that i have forgotten...<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:14:11 PM] pD says: deep tissue is good in terms of pushing oxygen into parts of musle that has been deprived. but it sure hurt like hell<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:14:33 PM] pD says: so, a good therapist would be very helpful - that you are not just a dough but a human<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:15:05 PM] nsy says: maybe i should try it instead of acting like i know what i'm talking about. (but i'm good at that - just working with my strengths)<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:15:31 PM] pD says: hahaha! i know what you mean<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:16:04 PM] pD says: since deep tissue is pretty rough in the wrong hand, you would need to find the right person<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:16:22 PM] pD says: i would recommend the one that i use, but she is based in mountain view - not sure if that works for you<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:16:48 PM] pD says: did you do anything for the weekend beyond the usuals?<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:18:29 PM] nsy says: i took a sailing class - 2 of 4 down to get my sailing cert.<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:19:13 PM] nsy says: i want to get enough experience to take a boat out starting in the spring<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:26:26 PM] pD says: that is so cool!<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:26:39 PM] pD says: do you need somebody to run the sail for you?<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:26:53 PM] pD says: i got my sailing cert many years ago and have not been on a boat since then...<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:27:34 PM] nsy says: sure! i've met some good people to sail with in my classes too. that wouldbe fun!<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:28:47 PM] pD says: i am even better at sitting on my butt and drinking a cold one, but i assume you want somebody that is less inert on your crew<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:29:52 PM] nsy says: ha!<br /></p>[11/5/2007 1:30:12 PM] nsy says: well - unless you bring enough for the skipper<br /></p>[11/5/2007 2:14:33 PM] pD says: boozy skipper, huh. maybe we should just moor<br /></p>[11/5/2007 2:15:42 PM] nsy says: LOL. yeah. good call on your part.<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:01:24 AM] pD says: hi nsy<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:01:35 AM] pD says: what is this arbor day thing?<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:01:40 AM] pD says: very cool!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:01:41 AM] nsy says: hi!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:01:55 AM] nsy says: I'm not sure. somethig about trees.<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:02:16 AM] pD says: hahah! indeed "arbor" being tree and all. :)!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:02:23 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbor_Day">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbor_Day</a><br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:02:38 AM] pD says: A was going to plant 10K trees with the arbor day foundation<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:02:55 AM] nsy says: whoa! i never heard about that<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:02:58 AM] pD says: sorry, i was referring to the press release about the VMware and the green initaitive<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:03:04 AM] nsy says: ah, yes<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:03:14 AM] pD says: it is a bit left field, but very cool, i thought<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:03:21 AM] nsy says: we're too cool for school, and too green to...<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:03:34 AM] nsy says: be mean? eat beans? i dunno<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:04:37 AM] nsy says: i have to get ready for our big 10:30 meeting, so i'll be available after about 11:30. intermittent until then ;) - not trying to be rude :)<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:04:38 AM] pD says: hahahah!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:04:48 AM] pD says: no worries<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:04:58 AM] pD says: just thought that was pretty neat - lotsa trees<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:05:06 AM] pD says: talk with you in a bit after 11:30<br /></p>[11/6/2007 10:05:35 AM] nsy says: okeedokee<br /></p>[11/6/2007 12:51:00 PM] pD says: this is pretty crazy <br /><br />A copyright row means that one of the most ambitious fan films ever made may never be shown before an audience. <br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7010484.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7010484.stm</a><br /></p>[11/6/2007 12:51:04 PM] pD says: a real shame too<br /></p>[11/6/2007 12:51:16 PM] pD says: although i completely understand the point of the IP owner<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:12:05 PM] nsy says: wow, thats crazy!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:12:48 PM] nsy says: you should ask AE about the story of how he invented that game<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:16:45 PM] pD says: AE invested that game?<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:16:55 PM] pD says: what is he doing working in PA?<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:17:04 PM] nsy says: no, he was working in a comic shop, and started it with the owner<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:18:04 PM] pD says: ok, sorry for being dense here<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:18:12 PM] nsy says: its sortof a long story.<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:18:16 PM] pD says: what is AE's relationship with this game/video now?<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:18:27 PM] nsy says: he started it. it was his idea<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:18:35 PM] nsy says: but he never got any credit for it<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:19:04 PM] pD says: AE created Warhammer 40,000?<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:19:09 PM] pD says: you are shitting me!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:19:13 PM] pD says: that is very cool!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:19:16 PM] pD says: really?!<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:19:17 PM] nsy says: no, my mistake. it was mech wariior<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:19:56 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MechWarrior">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MechWarrior</a><br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:20:18 PM] nsy says: aka battletech<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:21:41 PM] nsy says: the comic shop he worked at was importing these toys from japan. he started up a RPG for the toy robots. they used to play it at the shop, and the guy that owned the place that he played with ended up taking that and it turned into battletech<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:21:53 PM] pD says: if it is on wiki, AE should assert his rights<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:22:01 PM] pD says: assuming he can prove it of course<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:22:11 PM] nsy says: i can't recall all the details off my head, but AE will tell you about it if you ask him.<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:23:19 PM] nsy says: he says nobody believes him, so he doesn;t usually bring it up. i've known him for about 4 years, and i just found this out recently. but knowing him - i believe it<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:26:20 PM] pD says: yeah, i know wht you mean<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:26:30 PM] pD says: i see no reason why AE would make a fib like that<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:27:06 PM] pD says: too bad that at the creative stage, it is kind of hard to say who was the "inventor" since it is a community effort for fun at first<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:27:16 PM] pD says: <that is why I never have fun><br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:28:05 PM] nsy says: yep. i told him that i always wondered if all the great ideas came from some back-room grunt, and were monopolized by business folks. and that answered my question ;)<br /></p>[11/6/2007 3:28:41 PM] pD needs to know more gruntsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-29817189936220420282007-10-15T17:21:00.000-07:002007-12-31T16:13:10.980-08:00joke, martini, prosecco,</p>[10/15/2007 3:47:52 PM] pD says: just realized that you did not get to tell me your favorite (dirty) joke...<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:47:55 PM] pD says: darn!<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:48:04 PM] pD says: something about martini<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:48:12 PM] pD says: or, was it over a glass of martini...<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:49:09 PM] nsy says: yeah, it was over a martini.<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:49:20 PM] pD says: that good, huh!<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:49:35 PM] pD says: need to scheme for a martini lunch soon...<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:49:40 PM] nsy says: i'm a fan of the cosmo, actually. not a gin drinker.<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:49:55 PM] pD says: what's in cosmo<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:49:57 PM] nsy says: and straight vodka is too much for this girl.<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:50:23 PM] pD says: on the rock is a good solution for strong liquor<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:50:46 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.cosmopolitanrecipe.com/">http://www.cosmopolitanrecipe.com/</a><br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:51:08 PM] nsy says: best in an icy glass<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:52:54 PM] pD says: i do not like sugar in my drink - just a personal prefernece. although italian prosecco (sparkling) can have a touch of sweetness which I enjoy during the summer<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:55:08 PM] nsy says: ooh - looking that up...<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:55:55 PM] nsy says: ah, sparkling dry white wine<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:56:27 PM] pD says: it is not considered a serious drink like champaign<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:56:46 PM] pD says: but, who wants to be serious all the time - besides, it goes well in a summer picnic<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:57:14 PM] pD says: anyway, we will need to find a way to open a bottle of prosecco, maybe in lieu of martini/cosmo, for your joke<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:57:29 PM] pD says: (better be a really good joke, for all that work... :P!)<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:57:39 PM] nsy says: sounds good! i'll have to try it. i wonder if they have it at the village wine and cheese shop....?<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:57:48 PM] nsy says: no, its not a very good joke, sorry.<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:57:58 PM] nsy says: maybe only worth root beer.<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:58:15 PM] pD says: probably, they are fairly common - you can find them in most "fancy" markets like whole foods<br /></p>[10/15/2007 3:58:42 PM] pD says: for around $10 - not a bad deal for the kind of careless enjoyment<br /></p>[10/15/2007 4:36:10 PM] nsy says: hey - my ride is showing up early today - gotta go.<br /></p>[10/15/2007 4:36:24 PM] pD says: ciao,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-83650330243812654282007-10-08T16:33:00.000-07:002007-12-31T16:06:53.514-08:00vmware, UPS, Kippers, larry craig, Ig Nobel, blackwater</p>[9/29/2007 10:22:05 AM] pD says: say, where is my care package?<br /></p>[9/29/2007 10:22:16 AM] pD says: btw, how did the new t-shirt come out?<br /></p>[9/29/2007 10:22:31 AM] pD says: can you score me a couple, i am running low on t-shirts<br /></p>[10/1/2007 10:22:38 AM] pD says: good day everyone, hope the end of quarter push has not been too brutal<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:14:30 PM] pD says: huh, hello?<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:15:53 PM] nsy says: well, i guess that answers your question about the end of quarter push<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:17:32 PM] pD says: so, it is brutal?<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:17:54 PM] pD says: i think we had this conversation a while back, why not create an image that is need to be plugged into?<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:18:05 PM] pD is asking for trouble...<br /><br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:43:10 PM] nsy says: i must have missed that one, sorry. what kind of image?<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:43:43 PM] pD says: ? what are you referring ot?<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:43:58 PM] nsy says: "why not create an image that is need to be plugged into"<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:44:24 PM] pD says: a HD image, i meant<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:45:56 PM] nsy says: i missed the backstory, sorry.<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:46:09 PM] nsy says: we're doing vmware now<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:46:31 PM] pD says: hahahah! this is a bit confusing for me as well<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:46:38 PM] pD says: the true spirit of NSA chatters, no doubt<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:46:45 PM] nsy says: so, lets start a new one!<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:47:01 PM] nsy says: how's everything in the land of leapers<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:47:09 PM] pD says: so, i was just wondering out loud about creating a HD image for the appliance, so the assembly process is more streamlined.<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:47:22 PM] nsy says: aaaah<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:47:42 PM] pD says: as for VMware, has A gone that way? i thought NJ has some reservatino on that idea, or was it YE who was not sure about it<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:48:22 PM] pD says: in any case, for the uninformed (moi), VMware seems to add one extra layer of variables into the equation. not sure if it is a good diea<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:48:24 PM] pD says: idea<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:49:14 PM] pD says: life in the leper colony is a bit slow<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:49:38 PM] nsy says: well, somewhere the software would have to be added to the drive anyway - so we talked about having PC connection do that, but there are some custom processes needed for adding drivers to the 250, and they seem to drop the ball on some things, so we don;t trust them yet.<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:50:06 PM] nsy says: yeah, vmware was a suprise to us too. but someone wanted it, and they installed it.<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:54:48 PM] pD says: who installed it? was it done from SG directly? Frank said soemthing about he has done it before.<br /></p>[10/2/2007 2:56:36 PM] nsy says: yeah, it was FB and SG<br /></p>[10/2/2007 5:02:35 PM] pD says: when would the madness subside? i can come back then. no need to be a nuiance...<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:19:09 PM] pD says: UPS 19 FedEx 5<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:23:38 PM] nsy says: what are the stocks looking like?...<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:27:23 PM] pD says: no idea, don't even know their symbols<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:28:36 PM] pD says: UPS - ticker UPS - $75.5 - day range 76.19-75.23 - 52 week 79.22 - 68.66<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:29:04 PM] AE says: <a href="http://finance.google.com/finance?q=fdx%2C+ups&hl=en">http://finance.google.com/finance?q=fdx%2C+ups&hl=en</a><br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:29:42 PM] pD says: FedEx - ticker FDX - $105.11 - day range 106.38 - 104.58 - 52 weeks 121.42-99.30<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:30:47 PM] AE says: fedex has increased in value 3000% since it's inception!<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:31:05 PM] nsy says: nice!<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:33:14 PM] pD says: but, for the last 12 months, both have lagged S&P500 and the technical indicators are not looking favorable<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:33:58 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/09/ups-vs-fedex-battle-of-the-brands/">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/09/ups-vs-fedex-battle-of-the-brands/</a><br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:34:18 PM] nsy says: anything untoward<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:38:04 PM] pD says: fascinating article<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:38:15 PM] pD says: how about an image of the brown<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:38:45 PM] pD says: i never quite got the adverts where the office workers oggle at the man in brown<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:38:51 PM] pD says: since it is clearly not the uniform that attracts<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:39:05 PM] nsy says: hi!<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:39:20 PM] pD says: and, unless UPS thinks that they are just a bunch of pretty boys, what is the connection<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:39:58 PM] nsy says: i don't know - my fiend had a big crush on her UPS guy for a while<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:40:39 PM] pD says: on a related note, let's do an UPS style ad where the delivery person is a dominatrix and all the office workers are nerdy guys in glasses "wanting to be punished" - that would be funny...<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:40:42 PM] pD says: hi nsy<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:50:07 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1995/vp950220/02170010.htm">http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1995/vp950220/02170010.htm</a><br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:51:51 PM] pD says: very disturbing<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:52:54 PM] nsy says: indeed<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:57:10 PM] pD says: another flick idea - how about an ad on brown *pants*, a delivery person was chased on crazed office workers and brown his pants...<br /></p>[10/3/2007 12:58:57 PM] nsy says: LOL!<br /></p>[10/3/2007 1:00:11 PM] nsy says: i bet we could get Troma films to produce that<br /></p>[10/3/2007 1:00:56 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troma_Entertainment">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troma_Entertainment</a><br /></p>[10/4/2007 9:31:43 AM] pD says: UPS 17 FedEx 1<br /></p>[10/4/2007 9:32:11 AM] pD says: btw, i think there is an UPS depot/DS around muffet.237, that is why i see a lot of them<br /></p>[10/4/2007 9:32:24 AM] pD says: btw, whre is my care pakcage?<br /></p>[10/4/2007 12:48:51 PM] pD says: new buzz word<br /></p>[10/4/2007 12:48:56 PM] pD says: Kippers – Kids In Parents’ Pockets Eroding Retirement Savings.<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:27:43 AM] pD says: UPS 2 Fed 1 - must be a slow day<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:27:58 AM] pD says: just heard that Larry Craig ain't resigning from Senate<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:28:01 AM] pD says: yes!<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:28:22 AM] pD says: this whole public bathroom thing is just silly<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:28:49 AM] pD says: it is his wife's problem, not a public issue<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:35:50 AM] nsy says: like how clinton's thing was just hillary's problem?<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:36:00 AM] pD says: more or less<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:36:24 AM] pD says: it sure ain't no political issue as far as i am concerned<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:36:47 AM] pD says: unless, larry craig has a specific promise that if he is gay, he would resign<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:37:07 AM] pD says: but, even then, it really is an issue of his integrity than anything else<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:37:46 AM] pD says: on that note, I am happy to say that News Hour of PBS did not have a single minute of Monica-gate coverage during that whole time<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:38:14 AM] pD says: talk about sensational yellow journalism<br /></p>[10/5/2007 9:38:26 AM] pD says: or, the complete opposite, i should say<br /></p>[10/5/2007 12:26:42 PM] nsy says: no coverage - wow<br /></p>[10/5/2007 1:38:36 PM] pD says: yeah, they rock!<br /></p>[10/5/2007 1:59:30 PM] pD says: Gay bomb! That is brilliant!!<br /><br />2007 Ig Nobel Winners <br /><br />Peace - The US Air Force Wright Laboratory for instigating research and development on a chemical weapon that would provoke widespread homosexual behaviour among enemy troops. <br /><br />Medicine - Brian Witcombe, of Gloucestershire Royal NHS Foundation Trust, UK, and Dan Meyer for their probing work on the health consequences of swallowing a sword. <br /><br />Physics - A US-Chile team who ironed out the problem of how sheets become wrinkled. <br /><br />Biology - Dr Johanna van Bronswijk of the Netherlands for carrying out a creepy crawly census of all of the mites, insects, spiders, ferns and fungi that share our beds. <br /><br />Chemistry - Mayu Yamamoto, from Japan, for developing a method to extract vanilla fragrance and flavouring from cow dung. <br /><br />Linguistics - A University of Barcelona team for showing that rats are unable to tell the difference between a person speaking Japanese backwards and somebody speaking Dutch backwards. <br /><br />Literature - Glenda Browne of Blue Mountains, Australia, for her study of the word "the", and how it can flummox those trying to put things into alphabetical order. <br /><br />Nutrition - Brian Wansink of Cornell University for investigating the limits of human appetite by feeding volunteers a self-refilling, "bottomless" bowl of soup. <br /><br />Economics - Kuo Cheng Hsieh of Taiwan for patenting a device that can catch bank robbers by dropping a net over them. <br /><br />Aviation - A National University of Quilmes, Argentina, team for discovering that impotency drugs can help hamsters to recover from jet lag. <br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7026150.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7026150.stm</a><br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:02:31 PM] AE says: hahahahahaha! Jetlagged hampsters! That would be a good name for a rock group!<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:03:00 PM] pD says: gay bomb - that would be my choice<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:06:55 PM] AE says: maybe they could come up with a bomb that made politicians ethical.<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:07:13 PM] pD says: for that to work, you have to make it deadly...<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:11:41 PM] AE says: then drop that on capitol center and watch chaos ensue<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:12:02 PM] AE says: what, you're saying it's not possible to make?<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:12:34 PM] pD says: actually, if you drop it on capitol, then peace will start breaking out!<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:13:15 PM] pD says: but, seirously, politicians only represent the interests of the voters for the most part. so, unless you are advocating benevelent dictatorship like Singapore, it is awfully hard...<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:17:04 PM] AE says: i believe that's too naive a view, that politicians only represent the intrests of voters. too commonly, they represent the intrests of who is speaking with the most money.<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:18:05 PM] pD says: that is a fair qualification. but, that is assuming that there is enough disparity in income/assets. which, often is not a sufficient condition outside of the US<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:18:43 PM] pD says: for example, most of the conflicts on the news, has to do with president so-and-so doing something untoward to another group<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:18:53 PM] pD says: (seomtimes the majority in headcount)<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:19:23 PM] pD says: and, president so-and-so is really representing the will of his voter/people<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:19:28 PM] AE says: ah, see, i was thinking in my USA-Centric view.<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:19:46 PM] pD says: even in the US, i think it is not fair to assume money automtically wins<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:20:00 PM] pD says: after all republican always get more money in absolute terms than democrats<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:20:05 PM] pD says: but, republicans do not always win<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:20:07 PM] AE says: true. but the underlying current is there.<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:20:25 PM] pD says: oh, nobody will deny how important/helpful money is, but that is just one of the variables<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:20:43 PM] pD says: and, i think if you peel back all the issues, the money is to win elections/positions/power<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:20:54 PM] pD says: and, ultimately, it is derived from votes<br /></p>[10/5/2007 2:21:23 PM] pD says: so, you still have to pander to the voters whose votes you want<br /></p>[1:25:25 PM] pD says: a little background on the founder of Blackwater. pretty interesting guy...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/washington/08prince.html?th&emc=th">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/washington/08prince.html?th&emc=th</a><br /></p>[1:58:14 PM] nsy says: all that by age 38, wow<br /></p>[2:00:08 PM] pD says: yeah, gotta give it to him<br /></p>[2:00:20 PM] pD says: surely, he has all the connections, but he made it work for him.<br /></p>[2:01:58 PM] nsy says: all these families and corporations. i wonder who really runs the world...<br /></p>[2:02:38 PM] pD says: not you or me<br /></p>[2:02:46 PM] pD says: you know what they say about a card game<br /></p>[2:02:57 PM] pD says: if you don't know who is the sucker....<br /></p>[2:10:46 PM] nsy says: ha, strangely, i had never heard that one, so i guess it IS me. hahaha<br /></p>[2:13:18 PM] pD says: this is one of the self-preservation principles that i subscrube to<br /></p>[2:13:29 PM] pD says: very cynical, but seems universally trueUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-42064858076289153512007-09-27T21:11:00.001-07:002007-12-31T15:54:55.038-08:00Care package, end of the world, FedEx, kids, norman hsu, pets, throwing food, UPS, mother teresa, 300, Rome[9/21/2007 9:32:23 AM] pD says: UPS 9 FedEx 6 today<br /><br />[9/21/2007 9:32:34 AM] pD says: this is a new game for pD...<br /><br />[9/21/2007 9:52:10 AM] AE says: deliveries?<br /><br />[9/21/2007 9:52:29 AM] AE says: none from us yet. i found some floss, but no toothpicks.<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:01:25 AM] pD says: i would be most concerned if you also found toothpicks since they would not be mine<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:01:54 AM] pD says: cool! are you guys actually collecting the korean candies? do not think there are many left back when<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:02:20 AM] nsy says: there's only a handful left<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:04:01 AM] pD says: end of the world as we know it<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:04:16 AM] pD says: no more kim-chic!<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:14:46 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGqroT1FZ5Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGqroT1FZ5Y</a><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cGqroT1FZ5Y"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cGqroT1FZ5Y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:15:56 AM] nsy says: in case you're wondering what the heck they said: <a href="http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/R-e-m/It-s-The-End-Of-The-World-As-We-Know-It-And-I-Feel-Fine.html">http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/R-e-m/It-s-The-End-Of-The-World-As-We-Know-It-And-I-Feel-Fine.html</a><br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:16:34 AM] AE says: It's the end of this song if we're lucky.<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:16:42 AM] AE says: (that's the Weird Al Version)<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:19:39 AM] pD says: are they, R E M, too fan of korean green tea candies? did not know!<br /><br />[9/21/2007 10:19:46 AM] AE says: <a href="http://www.ugoplayer.com/music/endoftheworld.html">http://www.ugoplayer.com/music/endoftheworld.html</a><br /><br />[9/21/2007 1:09:26 PM] pD says: what is the story with the norman hsu dude - why does he feel compelled to give so much money to the democrats?<br /><br />[9/21/2007 1:09:45 PM] pD says: what he did is plainly illegal, but i have not heard any explanation on why he is doing it...<br /><br />[9/21/2007 1:11:34 PM] pD says: from the NY Times, i thought having connections via chocolate and beer is way ahead of most other ethnic tensions that i am aware of... QUOTATION OF THE DAY -<br /><br />"We are two different nations, an artificial state<br />created as a buffer between big powers, and we have<br />nothing in common except a king, chocolate and beer."<br /><br />- FILIP DEWINTER, the leader of a right-wing Flemish party, on Belgium's ethnic tensions.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/world/europe/21belgium.html?th&emc=th">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/world/europe/21belgium.html?th&emc=th</a><br /><br />[9/21/2007 1:25:49 PM] AE says: hmm... chocolate beer...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 9:30:50 AM] pD says: UPS 11 FedEx 1 this morning<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:36:10 AM] nsy says: are you still counting trucks?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:36:34 AM] pD says: apparently<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:36:52 AM] pD says: just one more things to keep me occupied while driving<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:37:02 AM] AE says: we'll have to send our care package via dhl then...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:37:17 AM] pD says: i would get very confused.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:37:19 AM] pD says: good idea<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:39:29 AM] AE says: are you counting deliveries? or trucks you see on the way to work?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:42:35 AM] pD says: only trucks that is going the opposite direction that i am going<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:43:33 AM] nsy says: interesting gauge - why only opposite direction?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 10:43:51 AM] pD says: because in the traffic, i will always see the same two UPS trucks in front of me...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:12:11 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maisonbisson/1303521019/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/maisonbisson/1303521019/</a><br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:38:11 AM] pD says: here is a question for AE<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:38:38 AM] pD says: at what point does a kid stop throwing food?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:43:45 AM] AE says: oh... we're supposed to stop?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:43:51 AM] AE says: uh... 40?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:44:17 AM] pD says: ok, not the animal house sort of throwing food<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:44:28 AM] AE says: are they throwing it because they're done eating/ bored?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:44:31 AM] AE says: or because they don't like it?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:44:41 AM] pD says: anyway, the little boss has a tendency to throw things that he does not want to eat<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:44:56 AM] pD says: not even not liking it, sometimes, it is food that he usually eats, but may not strike his mood?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:45:12 AM] pD says: at this age, there is no reasoning with him - which I accept<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:45:20 AM] pD says: so, i just want to calibrate a bit here<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:45:43 AM] AE says: yeah. my kids tended to smear their food around if they didn't like it or they were not really hungry.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:46:08 AM] pD says: any suggestion?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:46:09 AM] AE says: small amounts of different things are always best.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:46:11 AM] pD says: to be honest<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:46:16 AM] AE says: what do you feed him?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:46:21 AM] pD says: i am just tired of having to mop the floor after each session<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:46:45 AM] pD says: we feed him adult food for the most part. he does get puree veggie so he gets enough green<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:48:22 AM] pD says: my goal, admittedly selfish, is for the little boss to put aside the things that does not strike his fancy on the trey instead of dumping it overboard. just easier to clean...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:49:25 AM] AE says: hmm... i'm not sure. we never had a food tossing problem...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:49:32 AM] AE says: perhaps we never gave them enough time?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:49:45 AM] pD says: enough time?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:49:57 AM] AE says: we would always feed Quinn, then eat, so we were focusing on him while he was eating, then he would sleep while we ate.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:51:14 AM] pD says: he would take the food and while looking at one direction, toss the food at the other direction. which is kind of funny, but a lot of work to clean up<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:51:21 AM] pD says: how often do you feed Quinn?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:51:37 AM] AE says: now? at least once a week.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:51:46 AM] pD says: one of the things that we do is to make sure that the little boss gets enough calories during the waking hours so that hedoes not wake up at night<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:51:53 AM] AE says: um... there was no set schedule. he nursed until he was 3.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:51:55 AM] pD says: once a week - that is an expensive kid<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:52:05 AM] AE says: so, most of the nutrients he needed came from that.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:52:08 AM] pD says: exclusive?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:52:15 AM] AE says: he didn't have solid food until about 9 months.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:52:20 AM] pD says: it is kind of hard since both parents work<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:52:31 AM] AE says: ah... yes. there is the whole life structure thing...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:52:58 AM] nsy says: i think its just fun to throw things<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:53:16 AM] pD says: agree - if you don't have to clean it up<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:53:55 AM] AE says: get a small dog?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:54:06 AM] nsy says: if you put something else in his hand when he eats does he throw that instead? or is he using his hands to eat (not being spoon fed)?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:54:31 AM] nsy says: dog - good idea! i don't think roombas are designed for wet pick-up.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:55:07 AM] pD says: never been much of a pet person - i don't mind pets, it is just that they seem to be babies that never grow up for interesting conversations, so the upside is quite limited in my view<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:55:23 AM] pD says: nsy has an interesting observation<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:55:41 AM] pD says: it is true that if i give him something else to hold, he would throw it instead<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:55:55 AM] pD says: that is one of the ways that I feed him veggies<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:56:12 AM] nsy says: so, its a game. he likes to watch you pick stuff up for him. whee!<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:56:26 AM] pD says: which brings up a related question, why would he NOT eat the puree veggie as is, but would open widely when he has something to hold in his hands and bang?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:56:43 AM] pD says: nsy, you are not to talk with the little boss...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:56:53 AM] nsy says: dang<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:56:54 AM] AE says: LOL<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:57:10 AM] nsy attempted collaboration thwarted<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:57:29 AM] pD says: subversion is a better description<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:57:41 AM] nsy says: for the same reason you like to listen to arias while working.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:58:00 AM] pD says: the connection?<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:58:19 AM] pD says: it is true that he definitely treats it partly as a game.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 11:58:49 AM] pD says: that is part of my quandary. how do i make it such that he would eat nicely so we can play games nicely - without the mopping<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:03:01 PM] AE says: maybe stop feeding him for a few days.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:03:12 PM] AE says: then he'll be too hungry and weak to throw food.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:04:02 PM] pD says: drastic, but i see where you are going with that idea<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:04:17 PM] AE says: (please tell my you know I'm kidding)<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:04:22 PM] nsy says: the connection - if you have a divine multi-tasking brain, and you are trying to focus on one task, there can be distracting "chatters" unless you keep one part occupied with one task, so the other channel can focus on a separate task. this is just a theory i have because i used to have trouble with calculus until i started listening to classical music during my differential equations. like how a worry stone can "help you think" i suppose.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:04:59 PM] pD says: no, it is time for the little boss to face the real world. school of hard-knocks is what this is all about<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:05:01 PM] nsy says: keep the hands occupied so he can focus on the eating<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:05:29 PM] nsy says: let him clean up his own mess - tough love<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:05:39 PM] AE says: perhaps carrot sticks for the hands (good if he accidentally puts one in his mouth) and then spoon feed everything else.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:06:03 PM] nsy says: and carrot sticks are easier to clean off the floor<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:06:55 PM] AE says: that way the hands are distracted, and he learns that sometimes hands have yummy things.<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:07:14 PM] AE says: oh! or replace the carrot sticks with sugar sticks!<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:07:19 PM] AE says: or chocolate bars!<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:07:30 PM] AE says: then he certainly won't throw them away!<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:08:15 PM] nsy says: i wonder if putting bells on his wrists would distract him...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:08:29 PM] AE says: haha! it would distract me!<br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:26:41 PM] AE says: <a href="http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/eating/throwingfood.html">http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/eating/throwingfood.html</a><br /><br />[9/24/2007 12:26:47 PM] AE says: other parent's thoughts...<br /><br />[9/24/2007 2:32:27 PM] AE says: still... it could be worse: <a href="http://www.neatorama.com/2006/07/07/kids-and-an-open-can-of-paint-what-could-go-wrong/">http://www.neatorama.com/2006/07/07/kids-and-an-open-can-of-paint-what-could-go-wrong/</a><br /><br />[9/25/2007 7:05:25 AM] AE says: In completely unrelated news comes this disturbing graph: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FSM_Pirates.jpg">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FSM_Pirates.jpg</a><br /><br />[9/25/2007 7:05:51 AM] AE says: I never realized there was a direct correlation, but I think our course is clear on what needs to be done...<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:14:36 AM] pD says: start a business on pirate gears, correspondence course on pirating, author pirates for dummies, etc.?<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:16:02 AM] pD says: btw, the score today is UPS 10 Fed 1<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:16:03 AM] AE says: exactly!<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:16:10 AM] AE says: run away and join the Pirates!<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:16:29 AM] pD says: lest we forget the god rush<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:16:35 AM] pD says: none of the gold diggers got rich<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:16:50 AM] pD says: but we get Levis' who supplies to the gold rushers<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:18:56 AM] AE says: hmmm... and the potato farmers and rotting mountains of potatoes<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:21:26 AM] pD says: i would prefer a business with short inventory cycle, farming takes a long time between sowing and harvesting and pirating ain't a sure thing until they have replace QEII<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:38:03 AM] AE says: no, i was referring to the mountains of rotting potatoes in Watsonville and Gilroy during the latter part of the gold rush<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:38:31 AM] AE says: there was a potato farmer who took a cart up and sold each potato for $2-4 (since there was more gold than food).<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:38:57 AM] AE says: He came back and told of the riches he'd encountered, and everyone planted potatoes, thinking they would get rich too.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:39:19 AM] AE says: so of course, there was a glut of potatoes on the market, no one could buy them all, and they rotted.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:39:28 AM] AE says: farmers went bankrupt because of that.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:01:29 AM] pD says: that is indeed a fascinating story about herd mentality<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:02:00 AM] pD says: so, whoever sold those potato seedlings made a killing.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:06:29 AM] AE says: haha! that's why we love you, pD! Always able to find the money making angle to something.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:07:29 AM] pD says: well, if some schmuk is going to make out like a bandit, i can think of worse candidates than self :)!<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:08:32 AM] AE says: that's what Mother Teresa used to say.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:10:13 AM] pD says: was she running a biz on the side? she would have amazing branding opportunities. but, i suspect the roman church would demand a healthy cut - another reason why i always think religion is a good biz<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:12:55 AM] pD says: pD = the saviour<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:24:19 AM] AE says: hers was not a faith based in commercial religion.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:24:27 AM] AE says: her religion was within her.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:24:52 AM] AE says: yes, she was a Roman Catholic nun...<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:25:23 AM] AE says: but it was deep within her that the love came from to attempt the work she did.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:25:51 AM] AE says: NJ sent me this one right after I started working here:<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:26:00 AM] AE sent file Mother Teresa.jpg to members of this chat<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:26:46 AM] AE says: reading it makes me cry sometimes<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:31:57 PM] pD says: not to make light of mother teresa's work and what she had given up for her work. But, i do strongly believe that we are judging her in a way that is completely unnatural<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:32:34 PM] pD says: first of all, the reason that she is notable is because she is the exception in all sense of the words - put another way, she ain<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:32:49 PM] pD says: ain't one of the regular folks<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:33:21 PM] pD says: and, not being a regular folk, it simply is not fair to judge her through the lens of the regular folks<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:36:10 PM] pD says: for example, while you and I (well, "I" especially) may consider what she does as an impossible task because of X, Y, and Z reasons. but the first question to ask is if she even consider the X, Y Z relevant. and, if these issues are irrelevant, maybe she is just doing the right thing by her even if it is considered "filthy/impossible" for regular folks<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:37:44 PM] pD says: to give a goofy example, for somebody who is not familiar with some french cheeses, the stink and texture is simply impossibly gross. but, for another person who does not view the same cheeses as such, it is simply another form of food<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:38:04 PM] pD says: so, from A, B is doing a brave/impossible thing while B is only doing something normal<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:38:34 PM] pD says: now, we can argue how normal is it to live and work in the more deprived slump of india.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:39:04 PM] pD says: But, keep in mind, even that description is full of our own prejudices from a first world middle class view point<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:40:24 PM] pD says: in other words, although unverified, I have a strong suspicion that mother teresa and her gang probably lived a dulce vita relative to most of the population in the very same slumps.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:41:21 PM] pD says: people make money donations and volunteer their time to work with mother teresa. that is all fine - if it makes a person feels better him/herself<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:42:45 PM] pD says: but, i do not know how the true locals feel about this - for all that i know, the locals may simply feel that "oh, great, here comes another sucker who is well fed and has more money than my entire village is worth coming here to do some work so he can feel better about himself."<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:43:26 PM] pD says: that may well be a local perspective and it basically continues the legacy of imperial/colonialism<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:44:05 PM] pD says: now, in term of welfare for its citizens, i wonder how much damage mother teresa's organization has done to the healthcare infrastructure of india.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:44:50 PM] pD says: as strange as it may sound, it is also true that many third world government views this kind of "service" as a perfect substitute for taking up the responsibilities of serving their own citizens.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:45:55 PM] pD says: and, in a strange way, such service removes the locals from depending on the government (which one may be tempted to consider a good thing on first glance) but this is terrible for a functioning government because it also removes incentives from both the government and the governed to engage in meaningful dialogs<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:46:36 PM] pD says: it becomes a crutch that neither side is willing to give up<br /><br />[9/25/2007 9:47:26 PM] pD says: finally, at a personal level, i can only hope that mother teresa was the happiest while doing her work. if she is doing it for a sense of duty, she has a major major major complex.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:04:25 PM] pD says: and, if she is happily doing her work - our admiration is a bit like cheering my kid for eating cookies<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:09:11 PM] pD says: i admire mother teresa because she has found her calling.<br /><br />[9/25/2007 10:09:20 PM] pD is the contrarian<br /><br />[9/26/2007 10:26:13 AM] pD says: UPS 12 Fedex 1<br /><br />[9/26/2007 10:26:53 AM] pD says: btw, where are my green tea kim-chic candies?<br /><br />[10:57:38 AM] pD says: knock, knock<br /><br />[10:57:41 AM] pD says: anyone home?<br /><br />[11:02:06 AM] nsy says: i'm home!<br /><br />[11:02:57 AM] nsy says: but i'm installing...<br /><br />[11:05:44 AM] pD says: no worries, just thought it has been a bit quiet lately<br /><br />[11:07:16 AM] nsy says: end of quarter and end of fiscal year - very busy for us lately ;)<br /><br />[11:17:25 AM] pD says: cool! make me more money!<br /><br />[11:25:53 AM] pD says: UPS 0 FedEx 1 today<br /><br />[11:26:04 AM] pD says: but, it is during a different time period<br /><br />[11:55:23 AM] nsy says: heading to the office - se y'all in a bit<br /><br />[11:59:40 AM] pD says: oh! you are literally at home, thought you were in PA doing install<br /><br />[12:00:24 PM] pD says: what is going on these days? what excitement have i been missing?<br /><br />[12:00:39 PM] AE says: customer 300 is next.<br /><br />[12:00:55 PM] pD says: very cool!<br /><br />[12:01:08 PM] pD says: #300 being installed or what is "next"?<br /><br />[12:01:17 PM] AE says: to be signed.<br /><br />[12:01:37 PM] pD says: sounds like a touch of bubbly is called for<br /><br />[12:01:46 PM] AE says: probably will be on Friday.<br /><br />[12:02:01 PM] pD says: hahah! down to the wire, huh<br /><br />[12:02:04 PM] pD says: i know how that works<br /><br />[12:02:08 PM] pD says: who is working on that deal?<br /><br />[12:07:17 PM] AE says: don't know which one it will be.<br /><br />[12:09:01 PM] pD says: i hope it is SG. he is on a bit of a short leash right now<br /><br />[12:26:50 PM] AE says: actually, that leash was cut.<br /><br />[12:29:33 PM] pD says: oh!<br /><br />[12:29:38 PM] pD says: SG is no longer?<br /><br />[12:29:46 PM] pD says: sorry to hear that<br /><br />[12:29:47 PM] AE says: he 'resigned'<br /><br />[12:29:52 PM] pD says: when did they happen?<br /><br />[12:30:03 PM] AE says: about a month ago.<br /><br />[12:30:09 PM] AE says: not long after you left.<br /><br />[12:30:34 PM] pD says: man! you are holding out on me on the story<br /><br />[12:30:47 PM] AE says: you now know as much as i do.<br /><br />[12:31:34 PM] pD says: so, has anyone else left?<br /><br />[12:31:48 PM] pD doing a name count in his mind<br /><br />[12:31:59 PM] AE says: CE.<br /><br />[12:32:08 PM] pD says: oh, that was before me<br /><br />[12:32:14 PM] AE says: Ok. That's it.<br /><br />[12:32:17 PM] pD says: around the same time as CM<br /><br />[12:32:22 PM] AE says: ah<br /><br />[12:32:38 PM] AE says: we've hired a couple of new sales folks... they're getting their feet under them<br /><br />[12:32:38 PM] pD says: MB and JB still around, i am hoping<br /><br />[12:33:03 PM] pD says: oh, yeah, a chicago guy was supposed to come onboard when i left<br /><br />[12:33:20 PM] pD says: BP joined around that same time too<br /><br />[12:33:41 PM] pD says: sales is a tough life - i would never make a good sales<br /><br />[12:33:59 PM] AE says: i hear you. i was in sales just long enough to know it wasn't for me.<br /><br />[12:34:56 PM] pD says: outside of sales though, any addition/subtractions?<br /><br />[12:35:04 PM] AE says: nope<br /><br />[12:35:11 PM] pD says: how is JH doing?<br /><br />[12:35:21 PM] AE says: she and M1 are both doing a great job!<br /><br />[12:35:31 PM] pD says: is M1 back from her time in France?<br /><br />[12:35:39 PM] AE says: italia, but yes.<br /><br />[12:36:02 PM] pD says: very cool! italy, huh. wish I was there. i always liked italy<br /><br />[12:36:39 PM] pD says: but, i must say that Rome was just a bit too much as a place to live. enjoyed the visit, but i think i would prefer northern italy<br /><br />[12:37:33 PM] AE says: yes, they save if rome leaves you wanting, you'll enjoy further south. if rome is enough, then that's as far south as you need to go.<br /><br />[12:39:21 PM] pD says: hahahah! I totally see the point. although i suspect that i would enjoy the country side of southern italy well. to me, it is just the compactness/dense-ness of the roman madness that was getting to me.<br /><br />[12:39:38 PM] AE says: ? what madness?<br /><br />[12:39:39 PM] pD says: strange for me to say that of course, since i seem to prefer big cities in general<br /><br />[12:40:40 PM] pD says: well, in most densely populated areas, there is a basic rhythm to how things work, how people walk, talk, etc. it may not be friendly, but if you get onto the same speed/wavelength, it becomes a non-issue<br /><br />[12:41:24 PM] pD says: but, in the case of rome, i just felt that it was too many speeds and styles going at once, and it felt really "random" as oppose to having a rhythm like other big cities<br /><br />[12:41:37 PM] pD says: purely personal observation<br /><br />[12:44:13 PM] AE says: i'm not sure what you mean by rhythm... cities are large populations of individuals.<br /><br />[12:46:15 PM] pD says: oh, i do not know about it<br /><br />[12:46:22 PM] pD says: each location has its own rhythm and styles<br /><br />[12:46:33 PM] pD says: and, it is partly a function of who lives/work there<br /><br />[12:47:02 PM] pD says: for example, santa cruz, though i have never been, has a particular rhythm/style that if somebody from new york city just materializes would look out of place<br /><br />[2:21:16 PM] pD says: btw, whatever happened to SG's infamous laptop(s)?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-47508360266099088572007-09-21T17:00:00.001-07:002007-09-27T21:21:53.246-07:00AI - second life - Tokelau - official NSA Chatters flag - candies - kim-chic - UPS - FedEx - pirates - LASIK - floss[9/13/2007 1:11:45 PM] pD says: speaking of AI: Artificial intelligences could soon be living and<br /><br /> learning inside online worlds such as Second Life.<br /><br />[9/13/2007 1:11:54 PM] pD says: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6992613.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6992613.stm</a><br /><br />[9/13/2007 2:43:45 PM] nsy says: yep - there was a lot of talk about Second Life at the singularity conference. there are a lot of funding companies throwing money at programmers to create better virtual reality.<br /><br />[9/13/2007 3:19:10 PM] pD says: have you been on Second Life, I have heard so much about it but i also do not find enough motivation to go there<br /><br />[9/13/2007 3:19:24 PM] pD says: seems to be just a fancy D&D site...<br /><br />[9/13/2007 3:34:59 PM] nsy says: i have a gamer friend that said its not worth the effort, so i trust her.<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:11:17 PM] pD says: i hear you<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:11:42 PM] pD says: the only thing about Second Life that piqued my interests was the fact that they too have a monetary policy/central bank<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:11:58 PM] pD says: the reason being that the local currency (linden?) can be converted into US$<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:12:08 PM] pD says: so, it is important for them to maintain some level of stable exchange rate<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:12:17 PM] pD says: so, on that basis, I have been fascinated by Second Life<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:12:35 PM] pD says: avatars and other stuff - just seem so "trivial"...<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:12:44 PM] pD says: but, i am not a gamer, so i am probably the wrong person<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:24:12 PM] nsy says: it reminds me of the ender's game books where the computer program used to train military students becomes self-aware. the first AI of sorts<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:24:47 PM] pD says: central banking based on AI?<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:25:07 PM] pD says: that is an intriguing idea but some would probably argue that it will do a better job than human central bankers...<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:25:20 PM] nsy says: no, just the Second Life thing<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:25:48 PM] nsy says: yeah, humans make mistakes.<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:30:33 PM] pD says: but, that makes life interesting. human mistakes<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:31:00 PM] pD says: the other problem with AI as the central banker is that the audience is still human. so the impulse would be to hack the system to gain an advantage<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:31:10 PM] nsy says: yes, i agree on that one. i make a lot of mistakes, and things have been pretty interesting so far<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:31:29 PM] pD says: or, somehow reverse engineer the logics to build a parallel box which makes the AI goal unattainable over the long term<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:34:05 PM] nsy says: a parallel box you say?<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:34:15 PM] nsy says: hmm<br /><br />[9/13/2007 4:36:16 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6927775.html">http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6927775.html</a><br /><br />[9/14/2007 1:45:50 PM] pD says: An atoll in the South Pacific has come up with a novel way of making money via its domain name .TK. <br /><br />Tokelau may only have 1,500 inhabitants and be a two-day boat trip from its nearest neighbor but selling its .TK domain is reaping benefits: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6991719.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6991719.stm</a><br /><br />[9/14/2007 1:45:54 PM] pD says: looks win-win to me<br /><br />[9/14/2007 1:46:17 PM] pD says: i wonder what are the definitions for assigning country level domain names.<br /><br />[9/14/2007 1:46:31 PM] pD says: for example, can i declare a new country in order to get a domain?<br /><br />[9/14/2007 8:56:15 PM] pD says: finally caught up somewhat with NSA Chatters postings<br /><br />[9/14/2007 8:56:26 PM] pD says: one more to go. hope to get to it in the next few days...<br /><br />[9/14/2007 8:56:55 PM] pD says: gotta go watch the 5 episode of TNG season I<br /><br />[9/17/2007 11:37:56 AM] pD says: man! i would kill for one of 'em green korean tea candy about right now...<br /><br />[9/17/2007 2:32:37 PM] pD says: a question on Windows OS<br /><br />[9/17/2007 2:32:55 PM] pD says: what is the function that allows me to adjust if the icons on the desktop will auto-align?<br /><br />[9/17/2007 2:33:06 PM] pD says: i want to turn that darn thing off, but cannot find how to do it<br /><br />[9/17/2007 2:33:08 PM] pD says: thanks<br /><br />[9/18/2007 6:58:54 AM] nsy says: there's only about a handful of them left!<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:23:42 AM] pD says: end of the world as we know it...<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:25:13 AM] nsy says: if i could read any of that, i could probably find them online. only if pD were here...<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:29:36 AM] pD says: the wrapper? you mean<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:29:46 AM] pD says: well, they are korean, so cannot help you on that<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:30:11 AM] pD says: speaking of which, i always thought it odd that why would a SG outfit send over stuff that is made in korean<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:30:26 AM] pD says: nothing wrong with it, just a bit unexpected<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:30:41 AM] pD says: unless, of course, that candy was/is the rage in asia right now<br /><br />[9/18/2007 9:30:54 AM] pD says: who knew, we were hip once!<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:13:48 AM] nsy says: i only know "Annyong haseyo?" - it gets a smile in Korea town<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:14:20 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Language/korean.cfm?Subject=basic">http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Language/korean.cfm?Subject=basic</a><br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:15:04 AM] pD says: you are way ahead of me as it is<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:15:16 AM] pD says: korean has been pretty hip for the past 5-10 years in Asia<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:15:27 AM] nsy says: wow, i had no idea<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:15:47 AM] pD says: there is even a term for it "kim-hip" after the most common korean food "kim-chi"<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:16:01 AM] pD says: "kim-chic", i meant to say<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:16:04 AM] nsy says: mmm kim-chi<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:16:23 AM] nsy says: no way! that’s hilarious<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:16:50 AM] nsy says: why did it become hip, i wonder?<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:17:24 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/56897_pac04.shtml">http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/56897_pac04.shtml</a><br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:19:15 AM] pD says: i have my theories - how Korean got to be so chic. suffices to say, a good deal of cosmetic surgeries are involved<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:23:42 AM] nsy says: my only experience with Korean culture is through a Korean-Italian ex of mine. the food was great, but his mother refused to be seen in public with me because I wore jeans and t-shirts. she said i looked like a slob.<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:24:11 AM] nsy says: and the plastic surgery - yikes.<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:26:07 AM] nsy says: then, i helped her daughter with her homework, and she dragged me to "fashion Island" on Orange County to buy me some clothes to wear so we could go to dinner. hahaha<br /><br />[9/18/2007 11:27:38 AM] nsy says: i always just thought it was an orange county thing, not necessarily a Korean thing, though<br /><br />[9/18/2007 12:28:08 PM] pD says: the slob part or the plastic surgery part?<br /><br />[9/18/2007 1:21:50 PM] pD says: Small Collectors<br /><br />Encouraged by wealthy, art-loving parents, children are collecting Warhols and even Rembrandts. Kelly Crow on their kid-centered tastes, 'art allowances' and why auction paddles aren't toys. - <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118971801238026797-lMyQjAxMDE3ODE5NDcxMTQ4Wj.html">http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118971801238026797-lMyQjAxMDE3ODE5NDcxMTQ4Wj.html</a><br /><br />[9/18/2007 1:22:09 PM] pD says: pretty amazing! i would hate to be Dakota's first boyfriend...<br /><br />[9/19/2007 12:39:58 PM] pD says: is UPS a good stock to buy? this morning i saw about 14-15 UPS truck within 20 minutes. and, only about 3-4 FedEx trucks...<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:47:27 PM] nsy says: maybe you were close to the UPS distribution center?<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:47:53 PM] pD says: on 237? it was a busy highway<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:48:14 PM] pD says: howdy! good to hear from you. was feeling a bit neglected<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:48:22 PM] pD says: gotta keep the chatters going<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:48:28 PM] pD says: busy with end of quarter?<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:49:51 PM] nsy says: yeah - its been crazy lately, but we're hangin' in there! how’s your new digs?<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:50:46 PM] pD says: busy<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:50:57 PM] pD says: building up a marketing operation is hard work...<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:51:48 PM] nsy says: i can only imagine<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:53:14 PM] nsy says: why not buy both fedex and UPS?<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:54:49 PM] pD says: well, there is only so much money, so i am all for chasing the one with good prospect<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:55:14 PM] pD says: actually, in reality, fedex is pretty late in their ground service vis-a-vis UPS, so that may partly explain what i was seeing<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:55:26 PM] pD says: it was just a bit freaky seeing one UPS after another in that short space<br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:57:00 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F31P0_kgEic">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F31P0_kgEic</a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F31P0_kgEic"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F31P0_kgEic" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[9/19/2007 3:58:27 PM] nsy says: Yes. that’s right...."International Talk Like A Pirate Day" is every Sept 19th <br /><br /><a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html">http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html</a><br /><br />JB...I took liberty to provide you with TLAP Day pickup lines. Use them wisely.<br /><br />10 . Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly? <br />9. Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?<br />8. Come on up and see me urchins.<br />7. Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you.<br />6. I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon. <br />5. Pardon me, but would ya mind if fired me cannon through your porthole?<br />4. How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?<br />3. Ya know, darlin', I'm 97 percent chum free.<br />2. Well blow me down?<br /><br />And the number one pickup line for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day is ...<br />1. Prepare to be boarded.<br /><br />[9/19/2007 4:03:44 PM] pD says: hahahah!<br /><br />[9/19/2007 4:04:02 PM] pD says: (waving my pirate pom-poms while rolling on the floor)<br /><br />[9/19/2007 4:07:13 PM] nsy says: on that note - we'll talk to you tomorrow! Aaargh!<br /><br />[9/19/2007 4:07:49 PM] pD says: prepare to be de-boarded.<br /><br />[9/19/2007 4:07:57 PM] pD says: aye, aye!<br /><br />[1:21:07 PM] pD says: how is the LASIK thing coming along? do you have x-ray vision now?<br /><br />[1:21:16 PM] pD says: thought you should be totally healed by now<br /><br />[1:30:14 PM] nsy says: yep - i'm 20/20 as of my last appointment! woo hoo!<br /><br />[1:30:50 PM] pD says: so, you cannot even avoid booga-man even you wanted to - with clear vision<br /><br />[1:31:07 PM] pD says: BTW, AE just changed his icon.<br /><br />[1:31:09 PM] pD says: what gives?<br /><br />[1:44:35 PM] AE says: Hi pD!<br /><br />[1:45:00 PM] AE says: we need a mailing address for you. (we're sending you a care package)<br /><br />[1:45:13 PM] AE says: and the icon is to celebrate the new shades.<br /><br />[2:04:11 PM] pD says: new shades?<br /><br />[2:04:21 PM] pD says: what's in the care package<br /><br />[3:27:36 PM] AE says: part of my new SteamPunk look, I purchased some old welding goggles on Ebay.<br /><br />[3:27:58 PM] AE says: The care package contains most of the remaining GreenTea candies. You were mentioning that you missed them.<br /><br />[3:28:32 PM] pD says: can you also send me the small dental floss packs on my top drawer, i think i forgot to take them...<br /><br />[3:30:24 PM] AE says: sure I'll look to see if they're still there.<br /><br />[3:30:35 PM] AE says: you'll need them with the candies, i'm sure...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-84926384069580088622007-09-12T16:44:00.001-07:002007-09-21T20:32:30.536-07:00gay senator - republicans - democrats - national debt - James Bond - dr who - fish tacos - AI - iraq - booga-man - TNG - Battlestar Galactica - tasha[9/6/2007 9:21:12 AM] pD says: howdy!<br /><br />[9/6/2007 9:21:15 AM] pD says: just love long weekends<br /><br />[9/6/2007 9:21:21 AM] pD says: you get not just the long weekend<br /><br />[9/6/2007 9:21:27 AM] pD says: you also get a shorter work week following that<br /><br />[9/6/2007 9:21:34 AM] pD says: sweet!<br /><br />[9/6/2007 9:33:40 AM] nsy says: yeah - it doesn't feel like thursday already - so great!<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:22:38 AM] pD says: i must say that i am glad that larry craig is not leaving the senate yet<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:22:57 AM] pD says: this just seems so petty - what the republicans are doing<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:23:24 AM] pD says: aren't they suppose to be the small government hands-off people? why would the same people try to regulate what people do in their bedroom<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:23:25 AM] AE says: as opposed to... when?<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:23:30 AM] pD says: ok, bath room<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:23:34 AM] pD says: but, you get the idea<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:24:10 AM] AE says: to me, the republican party has always been hypocritical. ever since I was a child (Nixon was my intro to the republicans)<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:25:34 AM] AE says: my family was always staunchly republican, and i see the same hypocriticalness in them as well. two are out and out racists, one loves nothing but money, always saying 'those hippies and junkies should be locked up for good!' and has a serious drug problem.<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:26:12 AM] AE says: so... that the republican party is getting into all sorts of trouble is not surprising.<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:26:39 AM] AE says: of course.. the democrats have had some interesting deviant behavior as well (Gary Hart and President Clinton)<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:27:30 AM] AE says: so maybe it's a politician thing. but the republican party always stands for 'decency' and 'family values', two things they talk a lot about but seem to have a hard time up-holding.<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:27:37 AM] AE steps off his soap box<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:27:46 AM] AE says: Next!<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:33:11 AM] pD says: well, i don't care for democrats either<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:33:26 AM] pD says: my biggest issue is that they have a preference to spending OPM - other people's money<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:33:48 AM] pD says: trust me, i understand the impulse, but throwing money at problem is not the cure all<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:34:19 AM] pD says: ideologically, i think democrats are burdened by what Roosevelt did - he did good things, but really, move on<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:34:34 AM] pD says: my favorite "democrat" is arnold<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:34:43 AM] pD is an independent<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:34:48 AM] AE says: wait, didn't clinton pay off the national debt that the previous two administrations racked up?<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:00 AM] AE says: and then the current administration spent us deeper than ever?<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:05 AM] pD says: i think greenspan paid off the national debt...<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:16 AM] AE says: haha.. yes, that actually is more accurate<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:23 AM] pD says: i think it is unrealistic to attribute economic activities to politicians<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:29 AM] pD says: it is just an unnatural act<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:47 AM] AE says: as opposed to what they do in the bathrooms...<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:35:53 AM] pD says: clinton's contribution to the national debt is simply that he never had full control of the congress, so his damage is quite limited<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:36:06 AM] AE says: oh, and I agree with you on the govenator... he's the surprise candidate for me as well.<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:36:08 AM] pD says: whereas W has full control and you see how ugly it can get<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:36:23 AM] pD says: politicians and economy do not mix<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:36:46 AM] pD says: or, i should say, sound economic policy and execution<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:37:10 AM] pD says: anyway, back to the bathroom republicans<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:37:22 AM] pD says: doesn't that have a ring - more interesting than the log cabin republicans<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:38:01 AM] AE says: heh<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:38:11 AM] pD says: anyway, i am sadden by the fact that republican are so down on themselves that they are much more inner looking and being "anti-" instead of being "pro". that is no way to create a national agenda<br /><br />[9/6/2007 10:38:32 AM] pD says: you can be the best slasher in town, but it won't much too far in a democratic political process...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:53:05 AM] pD says: anybody home?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:53:07 AM] pD says: knock knock<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:56:04 AM] AE says: Who IS It?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:56:26 AM] pD says: hmmmm.....<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:56:30 AM] pD says: dr. who?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:56:40 AM] AE says: Who?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:56:51 AM] AE says: He's on first<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:57:01 AM] pD says: isn't there a james bond villain called dr who?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:57:10 AM] AE says: that was Dr. No<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:57:18 AM] pD says: then, who is dr who?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:57:25 AM] AE says: Dr. Who is a Timelord from the BBC series<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:57:45 AM] AE says: started waaaay back in the late 60's. currently revived again and on Sci Fi<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:58:05 AM] pD says: is that the thing with the red dwarf and stuff?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:58:07 AM] AE says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_who">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_who</a><br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:58:29 AM] AE says: Nope, that was a different show called "Red Dwarf". Chicken Vindaloo anyone?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 10:58:54 AM] AE says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dwarf">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dwarf</a><br /><br />[9/7/2007 11:57:30 AM] pD says: nsy, are you around?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 11:57:43 AM] pD is feeling a bit lonely these days...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:03:39 PM] AE says: Lonely. He's Mr. Lonely. He has nobody, do call his own...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:06:21 PM] nsy says: i'm here! ta da!<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:06:40 PM] nsy makes a grand entrance<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:09 PM] pD says: (clap)<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:14 PM] AE says: *Princes wave*<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:15 PM] nsy says: chicken vindaloo in hand...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:24 PM] AE says: we're ordering Fish Taco's<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:27 PM] nsy says: wrist, wrist, elbow, elbow<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:35 PM] AE says: exactly!<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:47 PM] nsy says: dang it! i always miss the good friday stuff!<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:07:57 PM] pD says: fish tacos, that is so unfair - only after I have left...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:08:16 PM] nsy says: and AE doesn't eat fish - agh!<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:08:16 PM] AE says: You can buy them too, you know.<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:08:18 PM] AE says: haha!<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:08:25 PM] nsy says: ;)<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:08:41 PM] nsy says: the tragic irony<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:08:41 PM] pD says: good point, those fish died in vain...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:11:30 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/rionoj/gollum_bigfish_ps1.3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.geocities.com/rionoj/gollum_bigfish_ps1.3.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://www.geocities.com/rionoj/gollum_bigfish_ps1.3.jpg</a><br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:13:07 PM] AE says: pD, the printer misses you. :(<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:13:37 PM] nsy says: yes, it’s been all downhill for the dell since you left<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:14:19 PM] AE says: right now there's a big ole piece of taping keeping the duplex unit on so we can print.<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:14:29 PM] AE says: total ghetto printer repair...<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:18:36 PM] pD says: what happened?<br /><br />[9/7/2007 12:18:54 PM] pD says: the color printer has been pretty okay beyond the occasional overheating...<br /><br />[9/8/2007 9:48:19 PM] pD says: tapes to keep the duplex in place? i hope there is a good story behind this one...<br /><br />[9/8/2007 9:48:22 PM] pD says: i am all ears!<br /><br />[9/9/2007 2:23:42 PM] *** pD has changed the chat topic to "gay friends"<br /><br /> ***<br /><br />[9/9/2007 2:23:57 PM] pD says: i was very disturbed by the lack of primary gay friends and did some search in my contact list.<br /><br />[9/9/2007 2:24:32 PM] pD says: lo and be hold, i did find at least one - a co-worker who is a lesbian<br /><br />[9/9/2007 2:25:47 PM] pD says: so, i definitely feel better, but i am still wondering about the lack of (male) gay friend(s). this is the bay area after all...<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:20:45 AM] pD says: good morning<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:21:54 AM] AE says: Hello!<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:25:09 AM] pD says: how is life?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:25:21 AM] AE says: life. don't talk to me about life.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:25:29 AM] pD says: this is the end of the quarter, drum beats?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:25:45 AM] AE says: actually it's all rolling along very well!<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:26:11 AM] AE says: I was just throwing the obligatory HHGTTG reference. NSA Chatters is void of them as of late.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:28:27 AM] pD says: ?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:28:32 AM] pD says: HHGTTG<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:28:44 AM] AE says: Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:29:00 AM] AE says: It was an old BBC radio show.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:29:15 AM] pD says: didn't they make a film?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:29:21 AM] AE says: later it was made into a book, a BBC television series, and yes, a really bad movie<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:29:45 AM] AE says: please don't judge it by the movie. That was made after Douglass Adams died.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:30:08 AM] AE says: he's the brain power behind the radio show, and author of the 5 books in the trilogy.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:37:09 AM] pD says: since i am not familiar with HHGTTG, was the "rolling along nicely" a common expression to indicate that shit is about to hit the fan? ;)<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:38:44 AM] AE says: no, the "life, don't talk to me about life" was something one of the characters would always say<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:38:54 AM] AE says: things actually are rolling along quite well.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:39:11 AM] pD says: very cool!<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:40:18 AM] AE says: the character was a robot named Marvin who was always very depressed.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:40:50 AM] AE says: he was a product of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:40:56 AM] AE says: Motto: Share and Enjoy<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:41:21 AM] AE says: ah... here's the complaints department anthem. Make sure you're speakers are on. <a href="http://www.zootle.net/afda/share-and-enjoy.shtml">http://www.zootle.net/afda/share-and-enjoy.shtml</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:52:52 AM] nsy says: hers where I was Sunday: <a href="http://www.singinst.org/summit2007/">http://www.singinst.org/summit2007/</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:54:09 AM] nsy says: I wish I had been there saturday - especially for Steve Omohundro: <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=6086">http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=6086</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:54:30 AM] nsy says: Laurel and I worked with his cousin at Lutris<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:55:24 AM] nsy says: Saturday was about practicalities, applications and uses, while sunday there was a lot of speculation and ethics, and debate<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:57:24 AM] nsy says: Peter Norvig made some statements arguing against some of Kurzweil's theories: <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=6187">http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=6187</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:58:02 AM] nsy says: Kurzweil is very brave to make such specific time-based predictions, and I respect him for that<br /><br />[9/10/2007 10:59:34 AM] AE says: excellent stuff! Thanks for bringing some tidbits back!<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:00:38 AM] pD is completely lost...<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:05:27 AM] nsy says: they had a financial speaker talking about how to invest in AI. I was trying to find a podcast for you, pD. but i don’t see it on the site<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:08:52 AM] pD says: AI - artificial intelligence?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:17:04 AM] nsy says: yep<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:17:39 AM] pD says: why would anyone invest in AI? is that a new hot vertical?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:18:08 AM] nsy says: some people apparently think so<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:18:32 AM] pD says: what is the hook with AI?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:20:22 AM] nsy says: one hook is the ability to extend life as we know it by uploading consciousness to new body/brain/machine/whatever<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:22:11 AM] nsy says: another is that they want machines that teach themselves, better themselves, repair themselves, and if this is the case, they may surpass our intelligence at an uncontrollable rate. so these people feel that this is inevitable, and that we need to take action now in order to prevent the world from being taken over by intelligent machines in the future, or so that when it happens, they are friendly instead of destroying or enslaving us<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:23:33 AM] nsy says: the singularity is a time period that these folks think is inevitable where the tables will turn one way or another.<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:37:27 AM] pD says: terminator... singularity has already happened - he is now our governor!<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:45:14 AM] nsy says: can't resist... <a href="http://www.42ndprecinct.50megs.com/TVG/T2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.42ndprecinct.50megs.com/TVG/T2.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://www.42ndprecinct.50megs.com/TVG/T2.jpg</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:46:00 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://nice-n-fun.com/governator.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://nice-n-fun.com/governator.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://nice-n-fun.com/governator.jpg</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:50:16 AM] nsy says: open singularity is an interesting concept, but i'm not sure how realistic: V<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:50:19 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=6180">http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=6180</a><br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:51:34 AM] nsy says: it was amazing how many tall, skinny, white men were there<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:53:49 AM] pD says: pale, you mean<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:53:53 AM] pD says: or, pasty?<br /><br />[9/10/2007 11:55:01 AM] nsy says: both<br /><br />[9/10/2007 1:17:26 PM] pD says: with a day old pizza and flat Jolt in hand, probably...<br /><br />[9/10/2007 1:17:34 PM] pD says: i was like that once<br /><br />[9/10/2007 1:17:52 PM] pD says: then, i discovered something else<br /><br />[9/10/2007 1:18:03 PM] pD says: ;)<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:37:52 PM] *** pD has changed the chat topic to "america the empire"<br /><br /> ***<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:38:07 PM] pD says: so, i listen to a bit of news coverage on the iraq thing<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:38:56 PM] pD says: as bone headed of an idea it was to go into iraq was in the first place, the reality is that we are in there and walking away would not make the issues go away<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:39:18 PM] pD says: so, i must say that i am not impressed by the Democrat's incessant chant about pulling out<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:39:50 PM] pD says: equally unimpressive was republican's insistence on staying the course without specific objectives<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:40:35 PM] AE says: at least pulling out is less expensive money and soldier wise.<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:40:57 PM] AE says: but i agree... we're leaving behind a wonderful breeding ground for more terrorists against the US<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:41:43 PM] AE says: so pulling out now is irresponsible... but i don't see that anyone is pushing for a positive change in the situation there.<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:41:57 PM] AE says: we're trying to bomb them until they love us.<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:46:15 PM] pD says: well, that too is a bit simplistic - i am confident that nobody subscribes to the bomb them until they love us theory (even if army intelligence is an oxymoron)<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:47:12 PM] pD says: i think what is missing is a public discourse on what US's role is inside Iraq, Middle East, and the world in general<br /><br />[9/11/2007 12:48:20 PM] pD says: even if the conclusion is that america is a global empire with interests around the world and we have to behave accordingly - i am okay with that, but let's be honest about it and with the knowledge that our boys will have to die to maintain the vision<br /><br />[9:18:03 AM] pD says: found nsy's post-it note with stick figure in my pile<br /><br />[9:18:27 AM] pD says: was laughing out loud!<br /><br />[9:18:29 AM] pD says: thanks!<br /><br />[9:21:38 AM] nsy says: i'm so glad to hear it. i see booga-man every now and again and it gives me a good laugh too - thanks :)<br /><br />[9:36:06 AM] pD says: the boss just bought the entire 7 seasons of the next generation with picard<br /><br />[9:36:15 AM] pD says: just watched the first episode last night<br /><br />[9:36:25 AM] pD says: man! the production quality was seriously poor<br /><br />[9:36:31 AM] pD says: they clearly had no budget then<br /><br />[9:36:34 AM] AE says: have you seen any of TNG before?<br /><br />[9:36:44 AM] pD says: not sure about the scripts either, pretty dodgy<br /><br />[9:36:53 AM] AE says: because it gets better.<br /><br />[9:37:06 AM] pD says: yeah, i have not been a close follower of the star trek series, but i have seen a few<br /><br />[9:37:21 AM] pD says: my sister actually write a synopsis of the episode after watching one<br /><br />[9:37:44 AM] pD says: and, the boss is totally fanatical for the Voyager series<br /><br />[9:38:13 AM] pD says: i think the rule of thumb - according to the boss - is that the whole series gets better after season 2<br /><br />[9:38:47 AM] pD says: i must say that this is a clear case of fan loyalty - i cannot image any other series that has two years to clean up their acts<br /><br />[9:39:02 AM] pD says: btw, the last one - the beginning (what it is called) was really bad<br /><br />[9:39:13 AM] AE says: enterprise?<br /><br />[9:39:19 AM] AE says: yeah... it was really bad.<br /><br />[9:39:20 AM] pD says: i am sorry that they had to terminate that series, but i am glad that they did. it was just painful to watch<br /><br />[9:39:26 AM] AE says: :)<br /><br />[9:39:54 AM] pD says: being a dutiful companion to the boss - i have endured my share of bad episodes...<br /><br />[9:39:59 AM] AE says: If you want some really good sci - fi, I highly recommend the new Battlestar Galactica.<br /><br />[9:40:03 AM] pD says: btw, what was the story with Tasha?<br /><br />[9:40:15 AM] pD says: i know she was killed half way through the series in TNG<br /><br />[9:40:16 AM] AE says: Tasha, the security guard?<br /><br />[9:40:20 AM] pD says: because of some controversy?<br /><br />[9:40:27 AM] pD says: yeah, the security chief<br /><br />[9:40:30 AM] AE says: the actress wanted to leave the show. that was all.<br /><br />[9:40:41 AM] AE says: and they didn't want her to since she was a main character.<br /><br />[9:40:47 AM] AE says: what was her name? Crosby?<br /><br />[9:40:59 AM] pD says: oh, i thought some nude pictures from prior incarnations was involved<br /><br />[9:41:06 AM] AE says: she had done a playboy shoot a while ago... i wonder if there was something about that.<br /><br />[9:41:08 AM] AE says: yeah, exactly.<br /><br />[9:41:35 AM] AE says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denise_Crosby">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denise_Crosby</a><br /><br />[9:41:37 AM] pD says: but, seriously though, i would have thought that playboy shot makes a really cool character on the series<br /><br />[9:41:51 AM] AE says: especially considering their demographic...<br /><br />[9:42:14 AM] pD says: precisely. the pin-up girls of today<br /><br />[9:42:35 AM] AE says: that would be her, seven of nine, starbuck...<br /><br />[9:42:36 AM] pD says: i like good story lines and drama, so science fiction or not is not the big consideration<br /><br />[9:42:56 AM] AE says: you would really like Battlestar Galactica. it's a very involved and evolved story line.<br /><br />[9:43:01 AM] pD says: and, of course, i have no cable and very poor TV reception (I think I get 3 channels)<br /><br />[9:43:14 AM] pD says: so, i am more limited to what is available via DVD<br /><br />[9:43:17 AM] AE says: there is Ok acting at first, but they get good quickly. the director is very good.<br /><br />[9:43:35 AM] AE says: You can get the first 2 or 3 seasons on DVD, and I think the next season is the last.<br /><br />[9:43:42 AM] AE says: sort of the B5 thing.<br /><br />[9:43:59 AM] AE says: The story line is top rate, and the writing as well.<br /><br />[9:44:06 AM] AE says: you can tell i'm a total fan of it.<br /><br />[9:44:17 AM] AE says: i would watch it more, but it's not always kid friendly<br /><br />[9:44:32 AM] AE says: so i've only seen season one and two and parts of thee so far.<br /><br />[9:45:57 AM] nsy says: yeah, i'm not a big fan of the traditional sci-fi stuff on many counts, but someone forced me to sit and watch the new battlestar galactica, and i'm hooked. we just wait for the seasons to come out on netflix, and watch them all at once<br /><br />[9:46:19 AM] nsy says: even mike likes it and he’s not a sci-fi fan<br /><br />[9:46:47 AM] AE says: yeah. it's really well done, and they do a good job of discussing current issues in the context of the show.<br /><br />[9:47:16 AM] AE says: it's a great vehicle for showing what's going on in a different light. It stands out well in the alien background of the show.<br /><br />[9:47:19 AM] nsy says: there are a lot of interesting ethical questions raised. good brain food.<br /><br />===<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-38344110533081968962007-09-05T20:20:00.000-07:002007-09-14T20:27:25.145-07:00trillian - skype - gay friends - kinsey report - population study - hard drive - nose-picking man - booga-man[9/4/2007 10:39:24 AM] pD says: so, if i want to use yahoo IM, i can just install Trillian and get started or do I need to do some kind of registration with Yahoo IM?<br /><br />[9/4/2007 10:52:53 AM] nsy says: trillian is just a tool to organize multiple IM accounts. you need to create the accounts with the provider - like YIM, AIM, etc.<br /><br />[9/4/2007 10:53:37 AM] AE says: does it handle Skype too?<br /><br />[9/4/2007 10:56:44 AM] nsy says: not sure... haven't tried it - but i doubt it<br /><br />[9/4/2007 10:58:34 AM] nsy says: no, its secure<br /><br />[9/4/2007 10:59:08 AM] AE says: ah, and I think Skype uses a protocol Trillium can't understand.<br /><br />[9/4/2007 11:00:02 AM] AE says: so... is the [skype acct1] account becoming inactive?<br /><br />[9/4/2007 11:00:18 AM] AE says: and what about the [skype acct2] account?<br /><br />[9/4/2007 11:00:27 AM] AE says: you have so many faces!<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:13 PM] pD says: hi folks,<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:14 PM] pD says: am back.<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:17 PM] pD says: long story short<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:22 PM] pD says: the best way to find me is via this one<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:35 PM] pD says: [skype acct2] is the pc at home which is not on most of the time...<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:42 PM] pD says: [skype acct1] is no longer<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:19:56 PM] AE says: OK. thank you<br /><br />[9/4/2007 3:22:36 PM] nsy says: [co2], eh? ok, then!<br /><br />[10:01:13 AM] pD says: howdy!<br /><br />[10:01:19 AM] pD says: i just realized something important<br /><br />[10:01:50 AM] AE says: that we're not alone?<br /><br />[10:02:02 AM] pD says: i do not have many gay friends. this is statistically strange...<br /><br />[10:02:07 AM] pD says: if the kinsey report is any guide<br /><br />[10:02:26 AM] AE says: it just means you need to get out more.<br /><br />[10:02:44 AM] pD says: or that i am not fabulous enough...<br /><br />[10:02:54 AM] nsy says: hahaha<br /><br />[10:02:56 AM] AE says: daaahling!<br /><br />[10:03:16 AM] nsy says: what is the stat? maybe i'm under par too?<br /><br />[10:15:59 AM] pD says: according to the kinsey report, one in ten is homosexual<br /><br />[10:16:11 AM] pD says: of course, that number has been attacked for poor methodology, etc. over the years<br /><br />[10:16:37 AM] pD says: and, it may be an overestimate. but i think the key thing was that it is a prevalent form in the society<br /><br />[10:16:42 AM] AE says: I think the number is increasing of the the years.<br /><br />[10:17:12 AM] AE says: if we go on the assumption that it's genetic... then we can point to overpopulation as a driving force for homosexuality.<br /><br />[10:17:54 AM] AE says: it happens in populations of other mammals (citation needed), when over population will result in part of the population being homosexual.<br /><br />[10:19:50 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0005A6D3-7ADC-14A0-B6C483414B7F4945">http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0005A6D3-7ADC-14A0-B6C483414B7F4945</a><br /><br />[11:10:58 AM] pD says: there should be an easy way to prove the idea, i.e. survey the high population density locations and do a ratio comparison of the gay population<br /><br />[11:19:50 AM] nsy says: so where are you going to get the funding for your study?<br /><br />[11:20:12 AM] pD says: AE, of course.<br /><br />[11:20:31 AM] nsy says: excellent! can i be a field researcher?<br /><br />[11:26:56 AM] pD says: sure, as soon as i get the grant funding in the bank account<br /><br />[11:27:12 AM] pD says: first destination Cairo<br /><br />[11:27:46 AM] nsy says: ooh! you definitely need your field researcher there!<br /><br />[11:30:10 AM] pD says: i would agree<br /><br />[11:30:17 AM] pD says: AE? AE? where did you go?<br /><br />[11:30:39 AM] nsy says: he's setting up a PC for E - all the way across the office<br /><br />[12:44:48 PM] pD says: E, he is the new chicago guy?<br /><br />[12:45:02 PM] pD says: is he using my old laptop? Katie was asking me about the pw earlier<br /><br />[12:45:08 PM] pD says: old guy...<br /><br />[12:45:12 PM] pD says: poor guy, i meant<br /><br />[1:51:02 PM] nsy says: no, E - Y's progeny. the new HP HD died, so he needs a temporary PC, but I gave him C’s old one<br /><br />[1:52:32 PM] AE says: so your secrets are still safe, for now...<br /><br />[1:52:39 PM] AE says: I'll fund it.<br /><br />[1:52:52 PM] AE says: oh. whoops, look at the Apple stock... never mind, I'm poor again.<br /><br />[2:18:13 PM] pD says: E, i see. sorry to hear that the new HP died, too soon, wouldn’t you say?<br /><br />[2:18:58 PM] AE says: yes... the good always go so young...<br /><br />[2:19:11 PM] nsy says: yah - western digital drive. the power outage killed it even though it was on a surge strip<br /><br />[2:19:37 PM] pD says: the one from last week? that was a while back...<br /><br />[2:19:46 PM] pD says: i guess E was on vacation and nobody was using it<br /><br />[2:20:06 PM] nsy says: yep<br /><br />[2:27:01 PM] pD says: how is life in the PA office?<br /><br />[2:27:08 PM] AE says: silly at best<br /><br />[2:27:14 PM] pD says: have you guys been looking at the nose-picking man and booga-man<br /><br />[2:27:16 PM] pD says: be honest now<br /><br />[2:27:35 PM] AE says: I still smile when I see it!<br /><br />[2:27:56 PM] nsy says: booga-man is right where you left him - i have no choice but to look!<br /><br />[2:28:06 PM] AE says: we can't avert our eyes!<br /><br />[2:28:17 PM] pD says: i was hoping that they have been permanently imprinted on your brain cells...<br /><br />[2:28:20 PM] pD says: but, i will take that<br /><br />===<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-59806639154543381562007-08-29T20:20:00.001-07:002007-09-14T20:20:17.246-07:00no spell check - spiderman - chairman mao - gay senator - singing politician - benevolent illustrious boss - labor day weekend - the history lesson -[10:48:29 AM] pD says: anybody home?<br /><br />[10:49:10 AM] AE says: nope<br /><br />[10:49:18 AM] AE says: oh... wait... yes!<br /><br />[10:49:26 AM] pD says: my bad<br /><br />[10:50:02 AM] nsy says: hullo?<br /><br />[10:50:44 AM] pD says: should we declare today as a no spell cehck day?<br /><br />[10:50:54 AM] pD says: could be an interesting exercise<br /><br />[10:51:14 AM] AE says: (that's "splel cehck"<br /><br />[10:51:16 AM] AE says: )<br /><br />[10:51:31 AM] pD is having anotehr brilliant insight (clap)<br /><br />[10:51:45 AM] pD says: hahahah! indeed, let's see how bad it can get<br /><br />[10:52:19 AM] pD says: btw, does anyone want to be Peter Parker? “Spiderman suit” may be on the way - <a href="http://www.world-science.net/othernews/070829_adhesive.htm">http://www.world-science.net/othernews/070829_adhesive.htm</a><br /><br />[10:52:22 AM] AE says: no, that's the official mispelling of 'spell checking'. if you're gonna misspell it... get it right.<br /><br />[10:53:30 AM] pD says: AE, don't be a killjoy - as chairman mao once said, let a thousand flower bloom - diversity is good<br /><br />[10:54:01 AM] pD says: (of course, it turns out that was a trick for mao to find all of his enemies so he can easily deal with them. But, that is a differnt story)<br /><br />[10:54:40 AM] AE says: so let all the weeds bloom so you can mow them down?<br /><br />[10:54:48 AM] AE says: or "mao" them down?<br /><br />[10:55:04 AM] pD says: precisely...<br /><br />[10:55:07 AM] AE says: cool link! It's amazing how much we learn from nature!<br /><br />[10:55:26 AM] pD says: btw, what is the story on the gay republican senator - do we care?<br /><br />[10:55:45 AM] pD says: the bigger question for me is that why does he still need to do his busienss in an airport bathroom?<br /><br />[10:55:51 AM] AE says: um... no. sorry, but being alt-sexual in this day and age is very blase<br /><br />[10:56:05 AM] pD says: aren't there airport hotels that he can use?<br /><br />[10:56:09 AM] AE says: and that he's a perverted replublican.. kind of redundant.<br /><br />[10:56:15 AM] pD says: so, is he "old school"?<br /><br />[10:56:20 AM] AE says: where's the fun in that?<br /><br />[10:56:31 AM] AE says: don't know.<br /><br />[11:00:13 AM] pD says: btw, what is his name, craig something?<br /><br />[11:09:52 AM] AE says: uh Larry I think. From Idaho<br /><br />[11:10:02 AM] AE says: Oh... Larry Craig. that' the dude<br /><br />[11:10:52 AM] pD says: we wre both right!<br /><br />[11:10:55 AM] pD says: talk about win-win<br /><br />[11:11:07 AM] pD says: nsy, got any good pix of larry and craig?<br /><br />[11:16:59 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://webpages.charter.net/micah/aud/barbershop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://webpages.charter.net/micah/aud/barbershop.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://www.cowboyrudy.com/rudy8_lcraigcopy.jpg</a><br /><br />[11:17:47 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.cowboyrudy.com/rudy8_lcraigcopy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.cowboyrudy.com/rudy8_lcraigcopy.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://webpages.charter.net/micah/aud/barbershop.jpg</a><br /><br />[11:28:48 AM] pD says: was that john ashcroft and trent lott singing?<br /><br />[11:29:49 AM] pD says: what is with politicians singing? didn't orrin hatch do a CD or something?<br /><br />[3:31:33 PM] pD says: knock, knock<br /><br />[3:32:28 PM] nsy says: who's there?<br /><br />[3:32:36 PM] AE says: banana<br /><br />[3:32:49 PM] pD says: banana who?<br /><br />[3:33:10 PM] pD says: (just thought it was awfully quiet)<br /><br />[3:33:37 PM] pD says: just got back from the airport picking up benevelent illustrious boss (BIB) who was away on business<br /><br />[3:34:56 PM] AE says: Welcome back B I B!<br /><br />[3:35:08 PM] AE says: I have to go to a birthday party on the beach.<br /><br />[3:35:10 PM] AE says: poor me.<br /><br />[3:35:22 PM] AE says: have a good night all!<br /><br />[3:36:24 PM] pD says: <hang ten><br /><br />[3:37:03 PM] pD says: btw, going to oregon tomorrow for a short R&R. talk with you next week, AE<br /><br />[3:37:55 PM] pD says: got any plan for the labor day weekend, nsy?<br /><br />[3:39:29 PM] nsy says: shameless plug - mike's band (the history lesson) is playing at the parkside in san francisco saturday, and we are helping his cousin pick up some furniture sunday, and relaxing monday.<br /><br />[3:39:40 PM] nsy says: are you goign to see shakespeare in oregon?<br /><br />[3:40:28 PM] pD says: cool! you should annoucne the history lesson's performance more often - i am all for shameless plugs<br /><br />[3:40:40 PM] pD says: is there a website? what is the location and time?<br /><br />[3:41:19 PM] pD says: not going to see shakespeare. little boss has little patience for the "to be or not to be" crowd - not enough blinking stuff<br /><br />[3:41:43 PM] nsy says: great! <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=71844567">http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=71844567</a><br /><br />[3:41:45 PM] pD says: A friend has a wineyard in Oregon, so we will be doing the wine country thing. Generally just taking it very easy<br /><br />[3:41:49 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.showDetails&Band_Show_ID=16341712&friendid=71844567">http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.showDetails&Band_Show_ID=16341712&friendid=71844567</a><br /><br />[3:41:57 PM] nsy says: sounds nice<br /><br />[3:42:21 PM] nsy says: that was what i was hoping to do (relax), but maybe next weekend<br /><br />[3:43:18 PM] pD says: for those too lazy to click on the link:<br /><br />[3:43:19 PM] pD says: the history lesson<br /><br />September, 1 2007 at Thee Parkside <br /><br />Not Available , San Francisco, CA, <br /><br />Cost : FREE<br /><br />FREE HAPPY HOUR ROCK SHOW @ thee PARKSIDE. with The Doormats, Days Into Years, In the Flat Field.<br /><br />[3:43:24 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.theeparkside.com/">http://www.theeparkside.com/</a><br /><br />[3:43:40 PM] pD says: btw, what time is the gig, need more info<br /><br />[3:44:55 PM] nsy says: yah- whats up with that? its an afternoon show with a BBQ - all ages. i think it starts at 3, but i''l check<br /><br />[3:45:17 PM] nsy says: myspace says 5pm<br /><br />[3:47:53 PM] nsy says: depth charge revolt is santa cruz's best kept secret: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/depthchargerevolt">http://www.myspace.com/depthchargerevolt</a><br /><br />[4:09:44 PM] pD says: is mike involved with depth charge revolt? if not, they cannot be taht good...<br /><br />===<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-81159077760573066042007-08-28T16:40:00.000-07:002011-04-25T16:50:07.693-07:00pirates - alberto gonzales - fathers - moon - send-off - running - honey buckets - Hood to Coast - skirts - sarongs - sulus - kilts - print stamps - s[9:53:03 AM] pD says: high sea piracy stats: <a href="http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/overview.php">http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/overview.php</a><br />
<br />
[9:53:53 AM] pD says: from an interesting magazine which I have no idea why they send to me: Pacific Maritime: <a href="http://www.pacmar.com/">http://www.pacmar.com/</a><br />
<br />
[9:54:05 AM] pD says: how is life?<br />
<br />
[9:54:57 AM] nsy says: i have to get ready for a meeting in 30 min, but i'm all over this topic as soon as i'm done!<br />
<br />
[9:55:18 AM] pD says: make sure that you have your pom-poms at the ready<br />
<br />
[10:06:58 AM] pD says: you know how alberto gonzales said "Even my worst days as attorney general have been better than my father's best days"<br />
<br />
[10:07:15 AM] pD says: free speech aside, i do wonder, what he actually means by that?<br />
<br />
[10:07:39 AM] pD says: is this a dig on who his father is - a day laborer is "nothing" vs. the attorney general?<br />
<br />
[10:07:46 AM] pD says: sounds like class warfare<br />
<br />
[10:08:18 AM] pD says: or, is he suggesting that as the attorney general, he is making a greater contribution to the welfare of his fellow citizen?<br />
<br />
[10:08:53 AM] pD says: sure, that is certainly theoretically possible, it is, however, also theoretically true that he can cause more misery for his fellow citizen.<br />
<br />
[10:09:18 AM] pD says: my father<br />
<br />
[10:09:28 AM] pD speaking from own perspective<br />
<br />
[10:10:19 AM] pD says: never finished high school, but i think he is pretty cool and even if i can do certain things better/more than he does, i sure, for goodness sake, hope that his best days are no worse than mine...<br />
<br />
[10:19:44 AM] pD says: Highly detailed photographs of the Moon taken by the Apollo missions are being made available to the public for the first in more than 30 years. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6966655.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6966655.stm</a><br />
<br />
[10:20:45 AM] pD says: this is the actual site for the scanned images: <a href="http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/METRIC_PREVIEW/index.html">http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/METRIC_PREVIEW/index.html</a><br />
<br />
[10:55:16 AM] pD says: are you guys gonging to be around the PA office around 1pm? i am going to be in the neighborhood - thought that I can drop by<br />
<br />
[12:40:04 PM] AE says: Hi pD! Sorry I missed your big send off. :(<br />
<br />
[1:58:43 PM] pD says: hi AE, welcome back<br />
<br />
[1:58:47 PM] pD says: thanks for your kind words<br />
<br />
[1:59:08 PM] pD says: you did not miss much, was not a big send-off, some are pretty glad to get rid of me. :)!<br />
<br />
[2:43:36 PM] pD says: hey! my new favorite word: eyeservice - Work done only when the employer is present<br />
<br />
[2:43:54 PM] pD says: i think the modern equivalent is the saying of "i only work here."<br />
<br />
[2:58:07 PM] pD says: This is better than some people i know! Chimps practice self control, Apes distract themselves with play to resist temptation. <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070820/full/070820-4.html">http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070820/full/070820-4.html</a><br />
<br />
[3:03:57 PM] pD says: hi AE<br />
<br />
[3:04:02 PM] pD says: so, how was the run?<br />
<br />
[3:04:19 PM] pD says: heard that you have converted to a tibetan monk?<br />
<br />
[3:04:30 PM] AE says: haha! not yet.<br />
<br />
[3:04:37 PM] AE says: how are things with the little boss?<br />
<br />
[3:04:59 PM] pD says: he is doing good, i think. he is at day care right now<br />
<br />
[3:05:13 PM] AE says: aha. when do you start your new gig?<br />
<br />
[3:05:14 PM] pD is a bad father. hehehehe!<br />
<br />
[3:05:28 PM] pD says: next week would be the new gig<br />
<br />
[3:05:40 PM] AE says: can you announce where yet? or is it secret?<br />
<br />
[3:05:48 PM] pD says: so, what was it like to be running all these time - 24 hours?<br />
<br />
[3:06:16 PM] pD says: oh, there is no secret, i think most people know - or the ones who asked<br />
<br />
[3:06:24 PM] AE says: well, this was not like that. We ran for about 45 minutes, then get in a van and chase the next person.<br />
<br />
[3:06:50 PM] AE says: then repeat that for 6 hours, then sleep for 1 hour, then run again. then repeat again, <br />
<br />
[3:06:53 PM] AE says: then it was over.<br />
<br />
[3:07:00 PM] pD says: hi nsy, remember the out of body experience thing from yesterday, here is a video: <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070820/multimedia/070820-9.avi">http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070820/multimedia/070820-9.avi</a><br />
<br />
[3:07:02 PM] pD says: pretty cool stuff<br />
<br />
[3:07:07 PM] AE says: as opposed to an ultra which really is running for 24 hours.<br />
<br />
[3:07:19 PM] pD says: i see. still sound like a lot of work<br />
<br />
[3:07:30 PM] pD says: heard from nsy that the team beat its old record<br />
<br />
[3:07:43 PM] pD says: all thanks to you, i can only assume since all the other team members are the same<br />
<br />
[3:08:05 PM] pD says: so, here are some logistic questions, how do you eat, drink and eliminate?<br />
<br />
[3:08:34 PM] AE says: hah. no. we had three new ones this year.<br />
<br />
[3:08:41 PM] pD says: and, how do you pack so many into a van?<br />
<br />
[3:08:43 PM] AE says: i did set two course records, though<br />
<br />
[3:08:48 PM] AE puffs up chest<br />
<br />
[3:09:07 PM] AE says: there are two vans and 12 people, so 5 in each van.<br />
<br />
[3:09:20 PM] AE says: (five, because one is always out running)<br />
<br />
[3:09:31 PM] AE says: we had a cooler full of food and drink<br />
<br />
[3:09:45 PM] AE says: and at every hand off point were "honeypots"<br />
<br />
[3:10:25 PM] pD says: do i want to know what is honeypots...<br />
<br />
[3:10:45 PM] pD says: how far does each person have to run?<br />
<br />
[3:10:45 PM] AE says: sorry, "honey Buckets"<br />
<br />
[3:11:00 PM] pD says: ok, you got me, what are honey buckets?<br />
<br />
[3:11:25 PM] AE sent file H2C 2007\PICT5412.JPG to members of this chat<br />
<br />
[3:11:34 PM] AE sent file H2C 2007\PICT5412.JPG to members of this chat<br />
<br />
[3:11:46 PM] AE says: hmm... trying to send you a file but it failed.<br />
<br />
[3:11:58 PM] AE says: They are the company that provides the porta-poties<br />
<br />
[3:12:06 PM] AE says: so you go in them.<br />
<br />
[3:12:28 PM] AE says: each person runs a total of 14 - 17 miles in a series of 3 legs<br />
<br />
[3:13:55 PM] pD says: hi AE, you need to re-send the pix to this chat session - i assume it is also meant for nsy<br />
<br />
[3:14:18 PM] AE sent file H2C 2007\PICT5412.JPG to members of this chat<br />
<br />
[3:14:40 PM] pD says: hmm.. do not know what happened, i do not get the new window for download request<br />
<br />
[3:14:51 PM] pD says: is my skype blocking it? is nsy getting the file?<br />
<br />
[3:15:25 PM] AE says: it might be too big... hold on...<br />
<br />
[3:15:47 PM] AE says: nope... 680k<br />
<br />
[3:16:24 PM] pD says: maybe it is inappropriate material that is being proactively blocked by skype<br />
<br />
[3:16:37 PM] pD says: too family friendly - probably<br />
<br />
[3:17:10 PM] AE sent file H2C 2007\PICT5412.JPG to members of this chat<br />
<br />
[3:17:12 PM] nsy says: i didn’t get it<br />
<br />
[3:17:39 PM] AE sent file <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRi24GKGEdxLk1Qc8wzEwGFT6UvE5_BzRnznoPXReCeCMH-qy4QiTcE5DUQRg3idTOvBx9hBJuMqYH1GVnhRdgZvRWOI-C1lHQJxV-6-Fbl1BDUvbmuDww_tRKB1_GAvDdJueQY7mh8Y/s1600-h/Honey-Buckets.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRi24GKGEdxLk1Qc8wzEwGFT6UvE5_BzRnznoPXReCeCMH-qy4QiTcE5DUQRg3idTOvBx9hBJuMqYH1GVnhRdgZvRWOI-C1lHQJxV-6-Fbl1BDUvbmuDww_tRKB1_GAvDdJueQY7mh8Y/s200/Honey-Buckets.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103903251370782242" />AE and the Honey.JPG</a> to members of this chat<br />
<br />
[3:17:48 PM] AE says: Aha! It was the file name!<br />
<br />
[3:17:52 PM] AE says: it had a / in it<br />
<br />
[3:18:09 PM] pD says: got it<br />
<br />
[3:18:29 PM] pD says: hahah! nice pix<br />
<br />
[3:18:58 PM] pD says: so, how long did the run last?<br />
<br />
[3:19:03 PM] pD says: btw, what is the run called?<br />
<br />
[3:19:13 PM] AE says: Hood to Coast relay<br />
<br />
[3:19:36 PM] AE says: We started at 7:15 PM and finished 22 hours, 17 minutes (and 26 seconds) later<br />
<br />
[3:20:13 PM] nsy says: slow connection - agh!<br />
<br />
[3:20:46 PM] AE sent file <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5CaVbZKDMBHMOpVCjxMYzepLZjWRVeh-kCLojbBSdgJZolsSSpHiKAvTZstieLwEXvFCl39I-jcImki3FhXaJIM512WJkrJkHfNDiiEdYaRR0SF0M2Xe3PhxMPmO76GIAFsBJROuCwk/s1600-h/team-at-start.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5CaVbZKDMBHMOpVCjxMYzepLZjWRVeh-kCLojbBSdgJZolsSSpHiKAvTZstieLwEXvFCl39I-jcImki3FhXaJIM512WJkrJkHfNDiiEdYaRR0SF0M2Xe3PhxMPmO76GIAFsBJROuCwk/s200/team-at-start.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103903332975160882" />Team at Start.JPG</a> to members of this chat<br />
<br />
[3:20:56 PM] pD says: how can nsy get slow connection, she probably has the biggest pipe amongst the three of us...<br />
<br />
[3:21:05 PM] AE says: heh<br />
<br />
[3:21:43 PM] pD says: love the skirts - very manly<br />
<br />
[3:21:48 PM] nsy says: but i have to share my pipe with everyone in the building<br />
<br />
[3:21:49 PM] AE says: Skirts?<br />
<br />
[3:21:55 PM] AE says: skirts?<br />
<br />
[3:21:56 PM] nsy says: sarongs<br />
<br />
[3:22:04 PM] pD says: reminds me of the Hawaiian warriors<br />
<br />
[3:22:08 PM] AE says: those are, of course, sulu's<br />
<br />
[3:22:13 PM] AE rolls his eyes<br />
<br />
[3:22:24 PM] AE says: they're from the Fiji Islands<br />
<br />
[3:22:29 PM] pD says: i have always wanted to get a kilt<br />
<br />
[3:23:18 PM] pD says: how come nobody else was wearing the skirts? was it a team uniform thing?<br />
<br />
[3:23:28 PM] AE says: yes<br />
<br />
[3:23:39 PM] AE says: our benefactor owns the Turtle Islands in Fiji<br />
<br />
[3:23:43 PM] pD is singing "you say sarongs, i say skirts... (music)"<br />
<br />
[3:23:58 PM] AE says: Hence the turtle on the shirt, and the sulus<br />
<br />
[3:24:01 PM] pD says: really!<br />
<br />
[3:24:08 PM] pD says: that is cool<br />
<br />
[3:24:24 PM] pD says: what does it mean to own the turtle islands? does he get to print his own stamps?<br />
<br />
[3:24:41 PM] pD says: man! some seriously bad typos - will fix it up with a spell check<br />
<br />
[3:24:46 PM] AE says: no, they're still part of the Fiji Island chain.<br />
<br />
[3:25:14 PM] pD says: i have always thought that it would be an interesting business to own an island with stamp printing rights and just make money off the "commemorative issues"<br />
<br />
[3:25:41 PM] AE says: true. But they'd have to be cool looking and rare.<br />
<br />
[3:25:42 PM] pD says: ok, who in the pix is the benefactor and the ruler of turtle islands<br />
<br />
[3:26:29 PM] AE says: not in there... it's a long story.<br />
<br />
[3:26:41 PM] pD says: btw, is it really call sulu? on wiki, sulu refers to an island province of the Philippines: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulu">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulu</a><br />
<br />
[3:26:49 PM] AE says: but the original founders are no longer on the team. They are too busy with their projects<br />
<br />
[3:28:03 PM] AE says: it's really called a sulu.<br />
<br />
[3:28:21 PM] AE says: <a href="http://www.scottpix.com/gallery/travel/Fiji/002124.html">http://www.scottpix.com/gallery/travel/Fiji/002124.html</a><br />
<br />
[3:29:16 PM] nsy says: haha finally seeing the pics - thanks. so will you do it again next year?<br />
<br />
[3:29:33 PM] AE says: possibly... depends on if they need me on the team or not.<br />
<br />
[3:29:35 PM] nsy says: honey bucket <shudder> eew<br />
<br />
[3:29:39 PM] AE says: I have to go now...<br />
<br />
[3:29:43 PM] nsy says: bye<br />
<br />
[3:29:45 PM] AE says: bye all! <br />
<br />
[3:31:15 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.yachtpiracy.org/en/dangerous_regions.htm">http://www.yachtpiracy.org/en/dangerous_regions.htm</a><br />
<br />
[3:32:14 PM] pD says: bye AE<br />
<br />
[3:34:02 PM] pD says: fascinating stuff - according to the article i read, the worst region is SE Asia with a few African and Middle eastern regions sprinkled in. basically, anywhere there is poor economic condition and an imploding political system - basically when there is no credible government in place - kind of make sense, i suppose<br />
<br />
[3:37:13 PM] nsy says: desperation and lack of repercussions does seem like a good pirate recipe<br />
<br />
[3:42:30 PM] pD says: yeah, there is not a lot of glamour on being a real pirate<br />
<br />
[3:43:06 PM] pD says: i recall there was a study on the economic advantage of being a drug dealer - because popular image is that dealers are "playa's"<br />
<br />
[3:43:41 PM] pD says: basically, the conclusion was that life of an everyday dealer is tough and they unusually do not make enough money and they tend to live with mom<br />
<br />
[3:43:55 PM] pD says: not very player-like in that fact...<br />
<br />
[3:46:48 PM] nsy says: indeed. pirate life is no picnic - not very glamorous in reality<br />
<br />
[3:52:02 PM] pD says: this is a talk by the researcher on the drug dealer study: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UGC2nLnaes">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UGC2nLnaes</a><br />
<br />
[3:52:08 PM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5UGC2nLnaes"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5UGC2nLnaes" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br />
<br />
[3:52:58 PM] pD says: steven levitt is a bit of a popular celebrity as far as an economist goes. but, i hope his celebrity does not destroy his work as a researcher<br />
<br />
[4:41:07 PM] nsy says: wow, that was amazing - thanks. TED is wonderful stuff.<br />
<br />
[4:41:49 PM] pD says: gets you thinking, doesn't it!<br />
<br />
[4:42:26 PM] pD says: okay, gotta get ready for baby daddy duty - trying to get more face time with the little boss until new gig starts<br />
<br />
[4:43:22 PM] nsy says: have fun - bye!:)<br />
<br />
[4:43:54 PM] pD says: ciao<br />
<br />
===<br />
NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-68632940667034572382007-08-27T21:10:00.000-07:002007-08-27T21:28:39.387-07:00chairman mao - laptop - lama - saviors - omnipotent - vaccum tubes - turntables - analog music - live music - LP's - veggie chili - wiki[9:39:17 AM] pD says: howdy, howdy!<br /><br />[9:39:32 AM] pD says: what is going on today?<br /><br />[9:40:00 AM] nsy says: hey PD! thanks for the booga-man!<br /><br />[9:40:18 AM] pD says: hahahah! i have already forgotten about it. glad you like it<br /><br />[9:40:30 AM] pD says: (with side glance)<br /><br />[9:41:03 AM] nsy says: yes, perfectly placed - much enjoyment!<br /><br />[9:41:20 AM] pD says: btw, hope you got my message about chair mao and leninade<br /><br />[9:41:33 AM] pD says: cannot get the files deleted after two reboots, weird<br /><br />[9:41:54 AM] nsy says: no, haven't seen your message yet<br /><br />[9:42:09 AM] pD says: should be from my other account<br /><br />[9:42:24 AM] nsy says: an email?<br /><br />[9:42:33 AM] pD says: the laptop is still on, assuming you have not taken it off line yet<br /><br />[9:42:36 AM] pD says: from skype<br /><br />[9:42:55 AM] pD says: anyway, basically, i was not able to delete the leninade and mao t-shirt pix from my laptop<br /><br />[9:43:04 AM] pD says: so, i am wondering if you can do your magic<br /><br />[9:43:14 AM] pD says: btw, the other post-it has my id/pw into the laptop<br /><br />[9:43:16 AM] nsy says: sure - NP<br /><br />[9:43:26 AM] pD says: let me know if you have any question<br /><br />[9:43:31 AM] nsy says: ok, will do<br /><br />[10:06:49 AM] pD says: is AE back?<br /><br />[10:06:53 AM] pD says: how did the run go?<br /><br />[10:09:06 AM] nsy says: yep, they're all back and the run went well according to G. AE worked this morning, and is taking the rest of the day off to spend with his family. they beat their top time by about 20 minutes<br /><br />[10:09:18 AM] nsy says: G has some good pictures<br /><br />[10:09:38 AM] pD says: all thanks to AE, i assume, since he is the new addition to the team<br /><br />[10:10:19 AM] pD says: cool, glad to know that all went well. and with so many people exerting so much effort over the weekend, i feel doubly entitled to take it easy - to maintain the cosmic karmic balance, mind you<br /><br />[10:10:23 AM] nsy says: he earned a new nickname - the dalai lama - due to his graceful zen-like demeanor, yet still kicking butt<br /><br />[10:10:58 AM] nsy says: i'm just going to call him "lama"<br /><br />[10:11:56 AM] pD says: lama? Scientific name for the genus containing llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas<br /><br />[10:21:34 AM] nsy says: exactly<br /><br />[10:42:41 AM] pD says: this is cool! Out-of-body experience recreated <br /><br />Near-death events have triggered out-of-body experiences <br /><br />Experts have found a way to trigger an out-of-body experience in volunteers<br /><br />[10:42:47 AM] pD says: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6960612.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6960612.stm</a><br /><br />[10:47:07 AM] nsy says: wow, interesting<br /><br />[10:49:21 AM] nsy says: that tricky brain of ours.<br /><br />[10:49:37 AM] pD says: having been appointed a savior by your guys a while back, i have been diligently honing my skills - gotta get your money worth, ya know<br /><br />[10:51:54 AM] nsy says: "my guys" - i like that<br /><br />[10:52:22 AM] pD says: hmm... typing too fast again, gets you every time<br /><br />[10:52:35 AM] nsy says: and i definitely want my money's worth. so thanks for figuring that one out. video games will only get better now.<br /><br />[10:54:04 AM] pD says: video game is asking for a lot - this savior is kind of low tech that way - cannot get his own signal booster working...<br /><br />[10:54:46 AM] nsy says: heh. maybe it was overwhelmed by your omnipotence.<br /><br />[10:56:34 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.tjmahaffey.com/full/omnipotent.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.tjmahaffey.com/full/omnipotent.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://www.tjmahaffey.com/full/omnipotent.jpg</a><br /><br />[10:56:37 AM] pD says: yeah, the thought did cross my mind, but was dismissed since it was working fine before<br /><br />[10:58:59 AM] nsy says: stumbled upon this searching for omnipotent: <a href="http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/?m=200604">http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/?m=200604</a><br /><br />[1:29:21 PM] pD says: you know the beauty of being at home when there is nobody around - including neighbors - is that you get to blast music<br /><br />[1:29:33 PM] pD says: ah, just until my vacuum tubes get warmed up properly!<br /><br />[1:30:14 PM] nsy says: vacuum tubes in your stereo? or are you playing guitar through an amplifier?<br /><br />[1:30:29 PM] pD says: tubes in stereo<br /><br />[1:30:45 PM] pD says: classical guitars are, by definition, unplugged<br /><br />[1:31:12 PM] pD says: which, in a way, is unfortunate - because amplification brings a very different dimension to the music making<br /><br />[1:32:30 PM] nsy says: ooh - i would love to have a tube stereo! they just don't make things like they used to...<br /><br />[1:33:07 PM] pD says: oh, you can buy them brand new - tube stereos. actually, tubes are making a come back.<br /><br />[1:33:25 PM] nsy says: nice!<br /><br />[1:35:06 PM] pD says: tubes are beautiful for LP's. maybe i should fire up my turntable too<br /><br />[1:36:23 PM] pD says: this is what i have: <a href="http://www.ear-usa.com/earproducts.htm">http://www.ear-usa.com/earproducts.htm</a><br /><br />[1:39:11 PM] nsy says: supashweet!<br /><br />[1:39:42 PM] pD says: do you listen to LP's? i saw you had a Beatles album on your desk a while back<br /><br />[1:39:47 PM] nsy says: i need this turntable: <a href="http://www.ear-usa.com/ear_sources.htm">http://www.ear-usa.com/ear_sources.htm</a><br /><br />[1:42:01 PM] pD says: cool! did not know that he makes turntables now<br /><br />[1:43:00 PM] pD says: i think the most interesting turntable that i have seen is air driven which eliminates all the vibration from the drive. never seen it in live - only read about it. supposed the darn thing weights in at 2 tones - i think you need an enforced floor for that sucker<br /><br />[1:45:23 PM] nsy says: i have a limited collection of LPs. my turntable needle broke about 12 years ago during a move, and I never found another needle for the model. i've been putting off buying another one because my Mom has a nice old Magnavox she said I can have, but I didn't want to pick it up until I own my own home and won’t be moving for a while.<br /><br />[1:45:26 PM] pD says: ah, here it is: pretty darn good review, Mike Fremer is the dean/god of analog for many: <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/analogsourcereviews/258/index.html">http://www.stereophile.com/analogsourcereviews/258/index.html</a><br /><br />[1:45:33 PM] nsy says: wow, 2 tons! incredible!<br /><br />[1:49:33 PM] nsy says: "We love those LPs, and we know they can sound good—certainly better than CDs—but can a stone dragged through a vinyl drainage ditch ever sound $73,750 worth of good?"<br /><br />[1:49:39 PM] nsy says: no way - ever<br /><br />[1:52:37 PM] pD says: hahah! i beg to differ<br /><br />[1:53:04 PM] pD says: CD suffers the sampling limitation as well as the inability to store sound in the extremes<br /><br />[1:53:50 PM] pD says: so, in a chamber/jazz setting, the resolution of spatial relationship is much more clearly delineated - in other words, if you close your eyes, you can hear how far each instrument is from each other<br /><br />[1:54:41 PM] pD says: and, in the orchestral/operatic context, when everything and everyone is going at full blast - CD sounds like there is a governor that throttles back the high and low ranges<br /><br />[1:55:13 PM] pD says: CD is great, i got lots of them. but, it is great for reasons different from LP's<br /><br />[1:55:29 PM] pD says: /pD is an analog dork<br /><br />[1:55:37 PM] pD is an analog dork<br /><br />[1:56:18 PM] nsy says: I can't think of any way that even the best listening experience - even live, with my favorite players playing my favorite piece just for me could ever be worth 73k, unless i was filthy stinking rich and that was chump change to me - but right now - its definitely not.<br /><br />[1:56:54 PM] pD says: on that point, i concur.<br /><br />[1:57:28 PM] nsy says: music is my church, but finding god is cheaper<br /><br />[1:57:51 PM] pD says: having said that though, if you think of the number of concerts, flights, and hotels that you would have to endure - 73K amortized over X years, may not be as outrageous as it sounds initially<br /><br />[1:58:16 PM] pD says: but, it is true that people are known to go over board with stereo equipments<br /><br />[1:58:25 PM] nsy says: live music is always better than recorded for me - its the energy<br /><br />[1:59:03 PM] pD says: when i was talking with a dealer, he told me that there are two types of stereo people - one who buys the gear to listen to music and those who buy the gear for the gear<br /><br />[1:59:12 PM] pD says: and, there are a lot of gear heads<br /><br />[1:59:55 PM] pD says: on the live music part - i agree theoretically. i use to have season tickets and as much as i hate some of the performances, i suffer through them<br /><br />[2:00:06 PM] pD says: it builds character and i need to show my support<br /><br />[2:00:48 PM] pD says: but, the reality is that when it becomes impossible to travel - with domestic diaper duties - stereo gear becomes a nice second best<br /><br />[2:01:31 PM] nsy says: ok, i'll give you that. but if i was into gear, i'd go big and gaudy: <a href="http://www.stpaulsesquimalt.com/organ.html">http://www.stpaulsesquimalt.com/organ.html</a><br /><br />[2:01:45 PM] pD says: speaking of energy, if the performance sucks, it also drains the energy big time - there are several times, i have been known to beat a hasty retreat when the music gets unbearable<br /><br />[2:01:47 PM] nsy says: i guess that’s not really gear, but you get my drift.<br /><br />[2:02:20 PM] nsy says: well, i never thought of the loss of energy, but i've definitely felt that too<br /><br />[2:02:27 PM] pD says: oh, that is not the half of it on gears<br /><br />[2:02:55 PM] pD says: if you ever hear some of them talk about the cables and interconnects that they use, it can be quite hilarious<br /><br />[2:04:50 PM] nsy says: as with any whateverophile, i suppose<br /><br />[2:06:14 PM] nsy says: i want to have chills and goosebumps for my hard-earned cash, dammit. now, if that player lasts a lifetime, and I get chills every time i listen to it, but i wouldn’t with a cheaper one, then it might be worth it. but very doubtful. <br /><br />[2:06:56 PM] pD says: what kind of LP's do you have?<br /><br />[2:07:19 PM] pD says: i was given a batch of pop LP's from the 80's. do not know what to do with them<br /><br />[2:07:50 PM] pD says: i am a decidedly jazz, classical, and opera kind of a person. i enjoy my share of pop - but there are a lot...<br /><br />[2:07:54 PM] nsy says: not very good ones. yep - pretty much 80's mod and classic rock. nothing chill-worthy.<br /><br />[2:09:01 PM] nsy says: i'm not a collector until i get my new turntable. and then, i'm all about blues, jazz and bop<br /><br />[2:09:10 PM] nsy says: of course, classical.<br /><br />[2:09:54 PM] nsy says: there's a record store downtown SC that might buy the batch. i've been thinking of trading mine.<br /><br />[2:15:31 PM] pD says: cool! what is it called? let me know if you enjoy doing business with them, some of these stores can be a bit suspicious in their dealings...<br /><br />[2:22:25 PM] nsy says: they did so well in the antique shop basement they recently moved downtown. <a href="http://www.metamusiconline.com/ http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/recommendation/Metamusic-Records/santa-cruz-sf-ca/3fff1d01-d79b-4627-8309-e9ff1b6f656b">http://www.metamusiconline.com/ http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/recommendation/Metamusic-Records/santa-cruz-sf-ca/3fff1d01-d79b-4627-8309-e9ff1b6f656b</a><br /><br />[2:27:36 PM] nsy says: grabbing food - back soon...<br /><br />[2:52:36 PM] nsy says: mmm, vegetarian chili.<br /><br />[2:53:33 PM] pD says: should go well with veggie dog<br /><br />[2:53:48 PM] nsy says: definitely<br /><br />[2:54:05 PM] nsy says: but you need real cheese as far as i'm concerned<br /><br />[2:57:27 PM] nsy says: ...<br /><br />[2:57:48 PM] pD says: what is fake cheese? made from petroleum?<br /><br />[2:58:05 PM] pD says: wasn't there an urban legend about how pizza hut is using edible plastic..<br /><br />[2:58:37 PM] nsy says: so quiet here today with you and AE out. i keep expecting to see you in the corner there. oh well.. i'll eat my sammich on your laptop as a protest.<br /><br />[2:58:54 PM] nsy says: they make it out of soy - like everything else vegan.<br /><br />[2:59:25 PM] pD says: ah, soy cheese, you are right, that thing don't fly with me<br /><br />[3:00:06 PM] nsy says: its actually not bad on sandwiches, but it doesn't melt right<br /><br />[3:00:07 PM] pD says: you are too late when it comes to eating on the laptop, i have done most of the damage<br /><br />[3:00:26 PM] pD says: wait, that was my keyboard. the laptop should be in decent shape, save for a few tea spills<br /><br />[3:00:36 PM] nsy says: true. i guess its a symbolic gesture.<br /><br />[3:00:37 PM] pD says: btw, what are they gonna do with those old laptops?<br /><br />[3:01:08 PM] nsy says: who knows. i don't understand why they don't sell it to you for cheap.<br /><br />[3:01:21 PM] pD says: if they are going to be thrown out, can you reserve mine? i need a wifi ready laptop that i can use to surf the net in front of the stereo.<br /><br />[3:01:31 PM] nsy says: sure<br /><br />[3:01:35 PM] pD says: i only have a desktop right now and the stereo listening thing is much diminished...<br /><br />[3:01:36 PM] pD says: thanks<br /><br />[3:02:42 PM] pD says: since I have my own XP OS, I can wipe things out pretty clean. if there is any old ones that is wifi ready, i would be interested. getting my old laptop is just mostly sentimental value - all the stuff we have been through together... :)!<br /><br />[3:05:43 PM] nsy says: i doubt they'll throw them away, but i'll keep my ears open and my eyes peeled.<br /><br />[3:06:32 PM] nsy says: they'll probably try to foist them onto some new lackey grunts when we get them<br /><br />[3:08:11 PM] nsy says: yours was going to go to a new sales person, but i talked them out of it<br /><br />[3:12:01 PM] pD says: yeah, that is silly to give people old laptops that is clearly crawling - mine crashes a few times a week. nothing major, but it is sure annoying...<br /><br />[3:15:32 PM] nsy says: yeah - its hard to come to terms with the fact that what might have seemed like a great deal at the time, and ideal for a mobile sales force - was simply not able to keep up with the speed at which applications grow and hog up cpu and ram.<br /><br />[3:16:12 PM] nsy says: you almost have to incorporate the cost of a new computer every 1-2 years in with the cost of employing comeone<br /><br />[3:16:20 PM] nsy says: someone<br /><br />[3:17:36 PM] pD says: and, that is assuming that that somebody is competent in handling a laptop, not breaking it with or without a dog...<br /><br />[3:18:49 PM] nsy says: and the fact that we don’t; have any rules, or centrally managed systems, or IT really, its just a recipe for PC death.<br /><br />[3:19:16 PM] nsy says: or at least illness<br /><br />[3:19:47 PM] nsy says: heh. nice work-in with the dog comment.<br /><br />[3:21:06 PM] nsy says: i don’t know how IT people stay sane. it drives me nuts. i don’t have that much patience, or self-loathing. whichever is the preferred IT job requirement.<br /><br />[3:21:35 PM] pD says: low self-esteem...<br /><br />[3:23:59 PM] nsy says: masochists<br /><br />[3:25:38 PM] nsy says: oh, wow, i just remembered this movie i was going to tell you about... "brother from another planet" - great social commentary - absolutely priceless: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brother_from_Another_Planet">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brother_from_Another_Planet</a><br /><br />[4:09:40 PM] pD says: fine!<br /><br />[4:09:43 PM] pD says: another film onto the list<br /><br />[4:10:20 PM] pD says: sounds like fun - it is a pretty heavy subject to pull off, look forward to seeing it<br /><br />[4:11:17 PM] pD says: i am currently watching volver by almodovar. about half way through - there is a touch of magic realism to it. quite sympathetic - unlike the in-your-face type of story in his prior films<br /><br />[4:11:41 PM] pD says: my favorite remains women on the verge of nervous breakdown - it is hysterical<br /><br />[4:12:00 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441909/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441909/</a><br /><br />[4:12:47 PM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ABSvppyQGdE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ABSvppyQGdE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[4:13:31 PM] nsy says: yeah, that’s on my list. i enjoyed "talk to her"<br /><br />[4:16:10 PM] nsy says: i haven't seen any of his others - i'll have to see the "nervous breakdown" one<br /><br />[4:19:41 PM] pD says: this is a clip in youtube, i thought it captured the sense of breathless wonderment that Almodovar exhibits that attracted me to his work in the first place.<br /><br />[4:19:47 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu07LH81cok">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu07LH81cok</a><br /><br />[4:19:53 PM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gu07LH81cok"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gu07LH81cok" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[4:21:51 PM] nsy says: excellent! I love it. another one for the list<br /><br />[4:23:08 PM] nsy says: i finally saw ma vie en rose - good stuff. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/</a><br /><br />[4:26:56 PM] pD says: cool stuff, adding to my list too<br /><br />[4:33:28 PM] pD says: btw, just came up with the ultimate NSA Chatters idea<br /><br />[4:33:34 PM] pD says: wanna know, wanna know<br /><br />[4:33:47 PM] pD says: we should get an entry into Wiki...<br /><br />[4:34:01 PM] pD is basking in his own brilliance<br /><br />[4:34:15 PM] pD says: do you know how to do that? make an entry into wiki?<br /><br />[4:34:35 PM] nsy says: oooh. hm...<br /><br />[4:35:39 PM] pD says: ok, will continue tomorrow, i am signing off. need to get ready to pick up the little boss<br /><br />[4:35:55 PM] pD says: ciao<br /><br />[4:37:20 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Who_writes_Wikipedia">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Who_writes_Wikipedia</a><br /><br />[4:37:23 PM] nsy says: bye<br /><br />=== <br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-37658684972033439102007-08-24T11:45:00.000-07:002007-08-24T11:55:38.944-07:00chairman mao - Lenin - short timer - resignation - benevolent illustrious boss - lunch - signal booster - linksys - LASIK - porn as a technology drive[8/22/2007 10:01:20 AM] pD says: howdy, everyone<br /><br />[8/22/2007 10:01:42 AM] pD says: nsy, did you have a chance to offload those chairman mao and leninade pix?<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:20:56 AM] nsy says: not yet, sorry. Does anyone know how to move files from the PDA to the PC? I can't email out from my PDA since we switched to google mail because my PDA won't allow me to specify an outbound port. i have a USB cable, so I probably just need to specify a new connection - just haven't had time since yesterday.<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:22:15 AM] pD says: whenever you have a chance. it is not urgent - but it sure was cool!<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:22:38 AM] pD says: and can make AE jealous for missing out on the comrade action<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:24:59 AM] *** pD has changed the chat topic to "official short timer"<br /><br /> ***<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:18 AM] pD says: btw, i have officially tendered my resignation<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:23 AM] AE says: WHAT?<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:27 AM] pD says: have not figured out my last day yet<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:29 AM] nsy says: waaaah!<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:32 AM] pD says: probably Friday<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:37 AM] AE says: WHAT?<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:42 AM] nsy says: agh! thats so soon!<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:25:47 AM] AE says: where?<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:26:43 AM] pD says: well, the benevolent illustrious boss wants to take a short vacation over labor day, so we decided to shifted it up to miss the crowd<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:26:57 AM] pD says: i may come in next week - on an as needed basis<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:27:07 AM] pD says: and, i would need a few days to catch up on a lot of personal stuff<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:27:20 AM] pD says: my investment is in a bit of a mess right now with the current market volatility<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:27:38 AM] pD says: well, i am contemplating several offers, so i have not fully decided.<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:27:49 AM] AE says: you will be missed. :(<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:28:03 AM] pD says: but, it probably will be another startup who is in desperate need of marketing<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:28:15 AM] pD is looking for more pain...<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:28:23 AM] pD says: oh, i will miss working with you guys too<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:28:37 AM] pD says: but, i hope this does not mean that we cannot continue NSA Chatters<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:29:14 AM] nsy says: we definitely have to continue NSA Chatters!<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:29:40 AM] pD says: because the world needs all the subversions that it can get<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:32:06 AM] AE says: gotta go. Back in a bit.<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:34:35 AM] nsy says: yes, we can't deprive the world of this caliber insight<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:34:56 AM] nsy says: do you know if you will still be in the area so we can go to lunch?<br /><br />[8/22/2007 11:55:03 AM] pD says: i will be in this area - if you guys are willing to drive a bit, would love to meet up for lunch and stuff<br /><br />[8/22/2007 5:57:07 PM] nsy says: we definitely need to continue the lunch tradition.<br /><br />[8/23/2007 9:41:30 AM] pD says: we will work something out<br /><br />[8/23/2007 10:11:41 AM] pD says: btw, nsy, are you coming into the PA office today? i think we are heading out for fish tacos<br /><br />[8/23/2007 10:37:03 AM] nsy says: ooh, fish tacos!<br /><br />[8/23/2007 11:25:39 AM] pD says: chairman mao pix?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 11:25:57 AM] pD was known as a bulldog who never gave up in a prior incarnation...<br /><br />[8/23/2007 11:34:27 AM] nsy says: i guess i have to install activesync on my PC to get the pictures without emailing them... give me a few minutes here.<br /><br />[8/23/2007 11:48:38 AM] pD says: darn Microsoft!<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:08:12 PM] pD says: got a question on my linksys range expander<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:08:28 PM] pD says: specifically it was pulled off the plug and chewed on by an one year old<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:08:38 PM] pD says: well, actually i do not see any visible damage<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:08:48 PM] pD says: but, when it plug it back in, the light does not turn on<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:08:57 PM] pD says: i tried to re-set and use the auto configure button<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:08:58 PM] pD says: nothing<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:09:10 PM] pD says: any suggestion on what i can do to check either it is still working<br /><br />[8/23/2007 12:09:15 PM] pD says: or i should just buy a new one?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:12:38 PM] nsy says: are you saying there is no power, or are we talking about a different light?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:13:20 PM] pD says: it does not turn on<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:13:53 PM] pD says: i do not have a mobile/wifi device to check if it is still functioning just the indicator light not blinking or it is completely kaput<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:14:55 PM] nsy says: the power cord could need to be replaced, or the LED might have gone bad. test if its just the light by trying to connect. if nothing, try another power cord.<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:15:21 PM] nsy says: why do you need it if you do not have any wifi devices?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:15:31 PM] pD says: since it is a wifi signal booster, what do i connect it to?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:15:51 PM] nsy says: the wireless router<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:19:18 PM] nsy says: it would just be used to boost the wireless signal from the source to places the signal might not reach, or might be weaker.<br /><br />[8/23/2007 1:27:09 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://consumerist.com/consumer/wifi/how-to-build-your-own-wifi-signal-booster-252419.php">http://consumerist.com/consumer/wifi/how-to-build-your-own-wifi-signal-booster-252419.php</a><br /><br />[8/23/2007 2:56:31 PM] nsy says: ooh, you can stay a night in the bat cave in the buenos aires hilton: <a href="http://www.travellady.com/Issues/August05/1803BatCave.htm">http://www.travellady.com/Issues/August05/1803BatCave.htm</a><br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:40:42 PM] pD says: are you coming in tomorrow?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:41:08 PM] nsy says: i wasn't planning on it. are you here next week?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:41:21 PM] pD says: tomorrow is my last day in the office<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:41:31 PM] pD says: i will be around tomorrow Mon-Wed<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:41:36 PM] nsy says: agh! thats too soon!<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:41:49 PM] pD says: we will do a little trip with the labor day weekend<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:42:37 PM] pD says: btw, i am still confused about the wifi range booster thing, can i come over to talk, or do you want to swing by?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:42:50 PM] nsy says: well, since AE is missing out too, we will all have to go out to lunch - maybe monday the 11th?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:42:55 PM] nsy says: sure come on down!<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:43:11 PM] nsy says: or i can come over - really all the same to me<br /><br />[8/23/2007 3:45:31 PM] nsy says: i would come in, but i'm having lasik at 3:40<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:02:12 PM] pD says: nsy, that was a very helpful, at least i do not feel like an idiot<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:02:13 PM] pD says: for now<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:02:15 PM] pD says: Linksys Wireless - G Range Expander Mod: WRE54G<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:03:29 PM] pD says: so, you are getting your eyes fixed tomorrow<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:03:32 PM] pD says: that is exciting<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:03:39 PM] pD says: one eye or both?<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:04:46 PM] nsy says: both at the same time, they have a viewing room so your friends can watch, and you can get video<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:05:29 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.furlongvision.com/">http://www.furlongvision.com/</a><br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:06:10 PM] nsy says: custom lasik <a href="http://www.furlongvision.com/customLASIK.html">http://www.furlongvision.com/customLASIK.html</a><br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:09:59 PM] nsy says: check out appendix G of the user guide here: it says you have a 3 year warranty: <a href="http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1130267578138&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper">http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1130267578138&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper</a> <br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:11:44 PM] nsy says: chapter 3 says that the LED will light red when not connected, so it looks like it should be on even when its not working. i'm guessing defect<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:38:19 PM] pD says: video of eyes being cut open - that is so cool! You should get it and post it on YouTube - so we can refer to it on this blog<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:38:28 PM] pD will never make a good doctor<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:42:14 PM] pD sent files "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8Z66QfcZPJYrvVm3AquhHgfno5OWCrR6SzudNCrCQrsK4UFOIm2GyAt0Z46zlkedJ8c9twUDnVO4vciyKn_TRhyphenhyphenAqUa1aeY45b1uanrUxkAGar-mCJIKo3v0mXdUUlrWJ3dV57iDyBs/s1600-h/leninade.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8Z66QfcZPJYrvVm3AquhHgfno5OWCrR6SzudNCrCQrsK4UFOIm2GyAt0Z46zlkedJ8c9twUDnVO4vciyKn_TRhyphenhyphenAqUa1aeY45b1uanrUxkAGar-mCJIKo3v0mXdUUlrWJ3dV57iDyBs/s200/leninade.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102341850370059778" />leninade.JPG</a>", "<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWnedfOmNSs5eoRWRutjgl51C0oyjcomzIT7d0CRrly5f0ZCsazv3SF95yHDnGEy0rDqtM80DsoBjKbtFoUPBqgHk8Zg_dYFdaP9KWvdhhfb5eGC1VLDXOPelnWoi_Shapn4OBlGgEDI/s1600-h/mao.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWnedfOmNSs5eoRWRutjgl51C0oyjcomzIT7d0CRrly5f0ZCsazv3SF95yHDnGEy0rDqtM80DsoBjKbtFoUPBqgHk8Zg_dYFdaP9KWvdhhfb5eGC1VLDXOPelnWoi_Shapn4OBlGgEDI/s200/mao.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102341923384503826" />mao.JPG</a>" to members of this chat<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:42:35 PM] pD says: AE, btw<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:42:43 PM] pD says: this is what you missed by running<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:43:00 PM] pD says: chairman mao as a pop symbol and Leninade - another pop symbol<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:43:13 PM] pD says: i think (and hope) that they are rolling in their graves furiously<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:43:22 PM] pD says: say, maybe we can generate some electricity that way...<br /><br />[8/23/2007 4:47:52 PM] nsy says: those turned out great! thanks :)<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:11:44 PM] pD says: love our NSA Chatters ranking<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:12:04 PM] pD says: i think it says more about human nature on the net than the actual content of the net<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:13:34 PM] nsy says: LOL! of course it grabs the one topic with the word "porn" in it.<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:14:09 PM] pD says: porn and VC, the two deadly combination that has been propelling technology since before the beginning<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:14:23 PM] pD says: i think i am heading out<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:14:38 PM] pD says: since you will have your Lasik tomorrow, I assume i am on my own<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:15:01 PM] pD says: cannot wait to hear about your lasik stories<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:15:29 PM] pD says: i will also ping you guys from my personal skype<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:15:43 PM] pD says: and we shall continue the conversation yet<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:16:17 PM] nsy says: indeed. you will be sorely missed around here. i still can't believe i won’t see you sitting over there. it's already hard enough to make the trip, but now... <sigh>. (boo hoo!)<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:16:35 PM] nsy says: at least we still have lunches and NSA Chatters!`<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:16:43 PM] pD says: note to self, draw another booga-man for nsy<br /><br />[8/23/2007 5:16:52 PM] nsy says: exactly!<br /><br />===<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-82163258175822264402007-08-17T17:05:00.000-07:002007-08-17T17:07:07.163-07:00books - statistics - TED - skype[8/14/2007 10:01:23 AM] pD says: hi nsy<br /><br />[8/14/2007 10:01:29 AM] pD says: i put your norse book on your desk<br /><br />[8/14/2007 10:01:46 AM] pD says: looking at my reading load, i will not get to it any time soon, so i figure that i should return it first<br /><br />[8/14/2007 10:02:24 AM] pD says: i am a bit touchy on people who hold my books for too long, so i also try to not wear out your kindness.<br /><br />[8/14/2007 10:13:05 AM] nsy says: aw, thanks. Well, I'll just keep it in my desk for a while, and you can use it whenever you find time.<br /><br />[8/14/2007 1:13:52 PM] pD says: this is a pretty interesting presentation on the world statistics on birth rate, income, etc. not exactly new data, but the description and its presentation are quite eye opening:<br /><br />[8/14/2007 1:13:54 PM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hVimVzgtD6w"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hVimVzgtD6w" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[8/14/2007 1:14:05 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVimVzgtD6w">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVimVzgtD6w</a><br /><br />[8/14/2007 5:54:17 PM] nsy says: wow, TED is amazing! thanks for sharing that :)<br /><br />[2:41:16 PM] pD says: hey, i think skype is back!<br /><br />[2:41:20 PM] pD says: at least mine isUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-28548074102254121682007-08-13T17:17:00.000-07:002007-08-13T17:24:24.106-07:00weekends - dogs - mind control - saviors - gods - infidels - ignorance - happiness - knowledge - couture house[11:18:55 AM] pD says: did anything exciting this weekend?<br /><br />[11:19:02 AM] pD says: we originally had a few social events planned<br /><br />[11:19:15 AM] pD says: but, with a sick baby, we were persona non-grata<br /><br />[11:19:26 AM] pD says: (understandably)<br /><br />[11:19:45 AM] pD says: so, we caught up on house chores...<br /><br />[11:19:52 AM] AE says: woo hoo! Laundry!<br /><br />[11:20:10 AM] AE says: We went bed shopping for our daughter, and I ran really far on Sunday.<br /><br />[11:20:27 AM] AE says: and captured our escaped doggy and repaired the dog fence.<br /><br />[11:20:38 AM] AE says: she's got a pair of wire cutters hidden some where, I'm sure of it!<br /><br />[11:21:00 AM] pD says: 'em dogs are smart<br /><br />[11:21:15 AM] AE says: smarter than me when it comes to fence design.<br /><br />[11:21:35 AM] AE says: it's certainly a game we're playing... .good thing we're both enjoying it!<br /><br />[11:21:37 AM] pD says: oh, i also made a simple but nice lunch for sunday - sat in the yard and enjoyed 30 minutes of serenity<br /><br />[11:22:03 AM] AE says: rare for a parent of a young child. make sure you treat the Mrs. to the same now and again.<br /><br />[11:22:57 AM] pD says: yeah, it is hard, but we do try.<br /><br />[11:23:39 AM] pD says: a good friend has an (empty) apartment in Paris, we have been talking about visiting. but, logistically, it is extremely hard. but, it is good to have aspirations<br /><br />[12:11:37 PM] pD says: noticed that nsy has a Beatles album<br /><br />[12:11:57 PM] pD says: glad to know that there are fellow LP users here<br /><br />[2:13:15 PM] AE says: Now here's an interesting read:<a href="http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread59986/pg1">http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread59986/pg1</a><br /><br />[2:13:19 PM] AE says: I had no idea!<br /><br />[2:13:36 PM] AE says: So, this happened like 3 years ago, so we're probably all mind controlled by now.<br /><br />[2:14:05 PM] nsy says: There are steps you can take to accelerate the growth of your DNA strands. If you have not already done so, work towards strengthening your personal relationship with God, or your "Higher Power."<br /><br />[2:14:26 PM] AE says: I'm all over that!<br /><br />[2:14:37 PM] AE says: Got my Reverend card in my wallet!<br /><br />[2:14:49 PM] nsy says: save us!<br /><br />[2:14:58 PM] AE says: Nope. Doesn't work that way.<br /><br />[2:15:05 PM] AE says: Jesus can't save you, neither can I.<br /><br />[2:15:12 PM] AE says: Guess who can?<br /><br />[2:16:39 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.thesaviours.com/">http://www.thesaviours.com/</a><br /><br />[2:17:43 PM] AE says: nope. guess again.<br /><br />[2:18:10 PM] pD is volunteering himself - albeit raising his hand gingerly<br /><br />[2:18:26 PM] AE says: yes! You, the intelligent looking one with the glasses.<br /><br />[2:18:41 PM] nsy says: and the finger in the nose<br /><br />[2:18:50 PM] pD says: what?! what did i do this time?<br /><br />[2:19:00 PM] AE says: volunteered.<br /><br />[2:19:11 PM] AE says: you're now our savior.<br /><br />[2:19:17 PM] AE says: congrats. you get a robe<br /><br />[2:19:35 PM] AE says: most of the stains will wash out. the blood will come out with some lemon juice.<br /><br />[2:20:09 PM] pD says: no worries, blood red will be the new black<br /><br />[2:20:34 PM] AE says: True.<br /><br />[2:20:53 PM] pD says: the key question of the day then, is should i be the god of old testament or the new?<br /><br />[2:21:02 PM] pD says: compassion is so yesterday, you know<br /><br />[2:21:08 PM] AE says: neo testament.<br /><br />[2:21:18 PM] AE says: we're writing a new chapter.<br /><br />[2:21:24 PM] pD says: that would be the mormons<br /><br />[2:21:31 PM] AE says: bout time there was a sequel to that book.<br /><br />[2:21:45 PM] AE says: The worst thing about that page is there are some things that make good sense sprinkled in.<br /><br />[2:21:50 PM] AE says: "As long as we are kept busy and economically enslaved, the majority of humanity will not take notice of what¹s really important."<br /><br />[2:21:59 PM] AE says: that strikes me as very true.<br /><br />[2:22:36 PM] AE says: Of course, not in the way their describing, but in the way that is subtly more insidious; human nature.<br /><br />[2:23:18 PM] pD says: i am not proud, i believe that human is just an animal and actually most animals are more humane than human<br /><br />[2:23:50 PM] pD says: but, my point is, i have no issue if there is a way to distract human mind - that is how "better" beings can come to dominate<br /><br />[2:24:01 PM] pD busily popping his soma<br /><br />[2:24:14 PM] pD says: (and trying to play the chosen one)<br /><br />[2:24:22 PM] AE says: sorry, what? I wasn't listening...<br /><br />[2:24:38 PM] AE says: "Learn to heal your past. Holding grudges and resentment against others will only serve to limit your higher development."<br /><br />[2:24:55 PM] AE says: another line that is totally with my beliefs.<br /><br />[2:25:01 PM] AE says: perhaps these people are on to something...<br /><br />[2:25:27 PM] pD says: don't forget to give your tenth to your savior<br /><br />[2:25:33 PM] AE says: of course they loose me with things like this: The human DNA has a 12 strand potential. Most humans only have strands 1, 2 and 3 fully activated, and strand 4 partially assembled but not yet activated. In order to make yourself "invisible" to the coming bio-neurological invasion, you must have a minimum of 4 strands fully activated, and strand 5 at least half assembled. This will require a certain level of interpersonal development and acceleration on your part.<br /><br />[2:25:35 PM] pD says: it keeps you in his good grace<br /><br />[2:26:07 PM] AE says: we give our 10%, but we use other charity organizations that affect the planet as large as possible.<br /><br />[2:26:28 PM] pD says: infidels!<br /><br />[2:26:42 PM] AE says: *Blatant Commercial* We find Plan International is the best way to go. /Blatant Commercial><br /><br />[2:27:18 PM] pD says: blatant annoyance - NSA Chatters<br /><br />[2:27:22 PM] nsy says: ha. the truth comes out.<br /><br />[2:27:23 PM] AE says: they go into some impoverished, devastated area, and make things happen: clean wells, schools, infrastructure, education, farming techniques...<br /><br />[2:27:38 PM] pD says: NSA Chatters or infidels?<br /><br />[2:27:40 PM] AE says: which truth? There is no truth on NSA Chatters!<br /><br />[2:27:43 PM] pD says: be fearful!<br /><br />[2:28:00 PM] pD says: the day there is truth is probably going to be the end of the world as we know it<br /><br />[2:28:16 PM] nsy says: either of you read "the celestine prophecy"?<br /><br />[2:28:20 PM] AE says: gulp. I'll be careful what I post here.<br /><br />[2:28:21 PM] AE says: nope.<br /><br />[2:28:36 PM] nsy says: similar stuff. was very popular- big seller<br /><br />[2:29:24 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celestine_Prophecy">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celestine_Prophecy</a><br /><br />[2:31:32 PM] AE says: Wow, written a while back.<br /><br />[2:41:40 PM] nsy says: and inspired by a book from the 60's<br /><br />[2:42:02 PM] nsy says: he sold 100000 copied out of the trunk of his honda before getting published<br /><br />[2:42:33 PM] nsy says: another interesting read is "the late great planet earth"<br /><br />[2:42:39 PM] pD says: you know what is the malaise of our age: not enough high quality drugs<br /><br />[2:43:14 PM] nsy says: unless you have a prescription<br /><br />[2:43:40 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late,_Great_Planet_Earth">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late,_Great_Planet_Earth</a><br /><br />[2:45:00 PM] pD says: you know a world akin to Matrix is not that bad, if you think about it - you do not have to do jack and just dream away - how sweet is that!<br /><br />[2:45:52 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.arrod.co.uk/essays/matrix.php">http://www.arrod.co.uk/essays/matrix.php</a><br /><br />[2:46:17 PM] nsy says: ignorance is bliss<br /><br />[2:46:34 PM] nsy says: okay, not really<br /><br />[2:47:09 PM] pD says: well, actually, i think the original idea of matrix was based on the philosophical question of what is reality.<br /><br />[2:47:43 PM] pD says: the original question was "how do we tell that we are living a real life vs just being imagined by a really big brain" - i am paraphrasing of course<br /><br />[2:48:04 PM] pD is donning his contrarian sombrero<br /><br />[2:48:14 PM] nsy says: i love your hat!<br /><br />[2:48:19 PM] pD says: ignorance IS bliss<br /><br />[2:48:32 PM] nsy says: do you know any ignorant people?<br /><br />[2:48:47 PM] nsy says: are they happy?<br /><br />[2:48:49 PM] pD says: well, it depends on your definition<br /><br />[2:49:07 PM] pD says: but, of the "conventional" ignoramus, they tend to be much happier<br /><br />[2:49:31 PM] nsy says: where's my "get out of semantics free" card?<br /><br />[2:49:39 PM] nsy says: yes, for the most part i suppose thats true<br /><br />[2:49:47 PM] pD says: in psychology, happiness is often derived from a relative comparison<br /><br />[2:50:00 PM] pD says: so, if you are ignorant enough not to compare, you've got it made<br /><br />[2:50:40 PM] nsy says: but if something doesn't work out for me, i learn from it so i can go on to make bigger, better mistakes. ignorami just do the same things over and over, and can't figure out why it doesn’t work. that seems like a frustrating, confusing existence<br /><br />[2:50:40 PM] pD says: recall the old story about Pandora’s box? one of the things that escaped was "knowledge"<br /><br />[2:51:04 PM] nsy says: true<br /><br />[2:51:12 PM] nsy says: damn greeks<br /><br />[2:51:22 PM] pD says: and, the evil doer (i am just noting the fact) Eve induced Adam to bite on that apple thingie<br /><br />[2:51:25 PM] nsy says: and their philosophy<br /><br />[2:52:00 PM] nsy says: he was just looking for an excuse to bite it<br /><br />[2:52:27 PM] nsy says: and so was she. they conspired.<br /><br />[2:54:19 PM] nsy says: so, why do the ignorant seek knowledge then? why was pandora's box opened? why eat the apple?<br /><br />[2:54:37 PM] pD says: and, of all things, they found that they were fearful of being naked - which goes to prove that they ain't too smart. that would have been the perfect market for selling clothing - you know the first couture house!<br /><br />[2:54:56 PM] AE says: I think true ignorance is not knowing (or admitting) that you're ignorant.<br /><br />[2:55:08 PM] pD is trying to demonstrate why he is the chosen one<br /><br />[2:55:16 PM] AE says: once you admit you're ignorant, it's nothing but work.<br /><br />[2:55:41 PM] pD says: that goes to show why the little boss is so happy!<br /><br />[2:55:59 PM] pD says: this reminds me of an old chinese creation myth<br /><br />[2:56:38 PM] pD says: in the very beginning, there was houn-tung (roughly translates as "uncertainty/confusion/unkonw/ignorance")<br /><br />[2:57:07 PM] AE says: (darkness)<br /><br />[2:57:11 PM] pD says: then, the motherly god came and took pity on him. she drilled holes in him to help him see/hear, etc.<br /><br />[2:57:26 PM] pD says: and, houn-tung died immediately<br /><br />[2:57:27 PM] AE says: (let there be light)<br /><br />[2:57:30 PM] AE says: doh!<br /><br />[2:57:36 PM] pD says: and, his death created the world as we know it<br /><br />[2:57:51 PM] pD says: well, something like that, i am sure that i am massively bastardizing the story<br /><br />===<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-64125938054938419732007-08-12T14:52:00.001-07:002007-08-17T13:43:31.391-07:00hot fuzz- trekkie- favorite movies- birth of a nation - buster keaton[10:31:42 AM] pD says: special thanks to AE for recommending Hot Fuzz<br /><br />[10:31:57 AM] pD says: just saw it last night and for senseless and cheeky violence, this is great!<br /><br />[10:33:59 AM] nsy says: I watched the first and second season of the tv series intermittently - hilarious stuff.<br /><br />[10:34:29 AM] pD says: i must say that brits have a really weird sense of humor and more often than not, i enjoy it<br /><br />[10:34:31 AM] AE says: there's a series?<br /><br />[10:34:37 AM] pD says: something about not taking life too serious<br /><br />[10:34:39 AM] AE says: I've only seen the movie.<br /><br />[10:34:48 AM] pD says: is there a TV series? that is cool!<br /><br />[10:34:52 AM] AE says: And you have to see their zombie flick too, Sean of the Dead<br /><br />[10:35:13 AM] pD says: that is on my list too<br /><br />[10:35:28 AM] pD says: my problem is that the list keeps expanding although i watch a lot of films<br /><br />[10:35:34 AM] nsy says: sorry for the false alarm, i was thinking of reno 911<br /><br />[10:35:50 AM] AE says: ah. never seen that. is it good?<br /><br />[10:36:00 AM] nsy says: sean of the dead is definitely in my favorites - i forgot to add that one!<br /><br />[10:38:23 AM] nsy says: the improv is great in some of the reno 911 stuff, but its not in my favorites<br /><br />[11:04:23 AM] AE says: I've got my super cool running shirt on today:<br /><br />[11:04:28 AM] AE sent file <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mA08-ag6o5SEFmCGysEcKrvr9Gksl7wPCeKCMFjVFPvCLjhLQ9vZnmoqHARydrLd8WCOGG9tcqD7k4wH9ftiPjl2_-8No6jVX3uIVZ7zVOSN98m9DCe-ow4kSuSOSqp_p5z32RSfRXU/s1600-h/running+shirt.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mA08-ag6o5SEFmCGysEcKrvr9Gksl7wPCeKCMFjVFPvCLjhLQ9vZnmoqHARydrLd8WCOGG9tcqD7k4wH9ftiPjl2_-8No6jVX3uIVZ7zVOSN98m9DCe-ow4kSuSOSqp_p5z32RSfRXU/s200/running+shirt.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099771896558956018" />shirt.jpg</a> to members of this chat<br /><br />[11:04:42 AM] AE says: So off I go, Mr. Trekie<br /><br />[11:08:25 AM] nsy says: we talked yesterday about making trekie shirts with the company logo ;)<br /><br />[11:08:34 AM] nsy says: oops - no names, sorry!<br /><br />[11:09:47 AM] nsy says: run, trekkie, run!<br /><br />[11:35:54 AM] pD says: this is from nsy:<br /><br />[11:35:55 AM] pD says: Favorite Movies, huh? Ok, that's tough, but I'll give it a shot... and this is without looking at my collection, which I'm sure would remind me of ones I've forgotten.<br /><br /> <br /><br />The Crow<br /><br />The Lost Boys<br /><br />Blade Runner<br /><br />The Fisher King<br /><br />The Princess Bride<br /><br />Legend<br /><br />The Holy Grail<br /><br />Lord of The Rings trilogy<br /><br />Lady Hawke (damn that horrid score, though)<br /><br />Leon, The Professional<br /><br /> <br /><br />... agh! can't stop myself...<br /><br /> <br /><br />Raising Arizona<br /><br />True Romance<br /><br />Edward Scissorhands<br /><br />Clerks<br /><br />The Princess and the Warrior<br /><br />Ghost Dog<br /><br />What Dreams May Come<br /><br />The Breakfast Club<br /><br />The Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen<br /><br />Office Space<br /><br />Goonies<br /><br />Kung Fu Hustle<br /><br />Hackers<br /><br />American Beauty<br /><br />Wild At Heart<br /><br />Fright Night<br /><br />Grosse Pointe Blank<br /><br />Super Troopers<br /><br /> <br /><br />... still can't stop...<br /><br /> <br /><br />one crazy summer<br /><br />Sleeping Tiger, Hidden Dragon<br /><br />Dogma<br /><br />The big blue<br /><br />Subway<br /><br />Sin City<br /><br />Delicatessen<br /><br />Dark City<br /><br />near dark<br /><br />the devil's rejects<br /><br />vampire hunter d bloodlust<br /><br />dead poets society<br /><br />the evil dead<br /><br />ginger snaps<br /><br />the dangerous lives of alter boys<br /><br />the man who fell to earth<br /><br />the usual suspects<br /><br />even cowgirls get the blues<br /><br />snatch<br /><br />clockwatchers<br /><br />Untamed Heart<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Beloved Directors...<br /><br /> <br /><br />Anything by Luc Besson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Besson (Leon, The Big Blue, Subway) <br /><br />Anything by Federico Fellini http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellini (La Dolce Vida, La Strada, 8 1/2)<br /><br />Akira Kurosawa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_kurosawa (Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Ikiru)<br /><br />Anything by Jim Jarmusch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jarmusch (Ghost Dog, Dead Man, Mystery Train, Down By Law, Stranger Than Paradise)<br /><br />Anything by Terry Gilliam http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Gilliam (The Holy Grail, The Fisher King, Brazil, Baron Von Munchausen, Time Bandits, Twelve Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas)<br /><br />Ridley Scott http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridley_Scott Blade Runner, Legend, Alien)<br /><br />Tim Burton http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse bride)<br /><br />John Hughes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hughes_%28film_director%29 (Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller's day off, Uncle Buck)<br /><br />Tom Tykwer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Tykwer (The Princess and the Warrior, Run Lola Run, Heaven)<br /><br />Coen Brothers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coen_brothers (Raising Arizona, Hudsucker Proxy, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where art Thou?, Fargo)<br /><br />Quentin Tarantino http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, Death Proof, True Romance (writer), Sin City (Guest Director))<br /><br />Kevin Smith http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_smith (Clerks, Dogma, Mall Rats, Chasing Amy)<br /><br />Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, Amile, The City of lost Children)<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Responses to your list:<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />1. Life is Beautiful <br /><br />- Netflix didn't have it last I checked - still need to see it.<br /><br /> <br /><br />2. Train of Life<br /><br />- Netflix didn't have it last I checked - still need to see it.<br /><br /> <br /><br />3. Brazil<br /><br />- Oh, beloved Gilliam! He can do no wrong (although I haven't seen tidelands).<br /><br /> <br /><br />4. Aliens<br /><br />- I like James Cameron's work (seen "The Abyss"?). I need to see this one again.<br /><br /> <br /><br />5. The Milagro Bean field War<br /><br />Great movie - I saw it in English class of all places. Need to watch it again.<br /><br /> <br /><br />6. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen<br /><br />- own it! Love it!<br /><br /> <br /><br />7. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai<br /><br />- keep trying to own it, but not finding it in convenient places. can I borrow it?<br /><br /> <br /><br />8. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea<br /><br />- never seen it! must watch this one... haven't read the book, either - such a sinner!<br /><br /> <br /><br />9. Leon<br /><br />- in my top 10, own it.<br /><br /> <br /><br />10. Blade Runner<br /><br />- in my top 10, own it.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />I better send this before I remember more movies I love...<br /><br />-nsy<br /><br />[2:36:48 PM] pD says: i am surprised that Hitchcock, John Ford, Billy Wilder and the likes did not make into the lists<br /><br />[2:37:02 PM] pD says: their work inspired many of the people mentioned above.<br /><br />[2:38:57 PM] AE says: well, we're not exactly a 'Citizen Kane' crowd...<br /><br />[2:39:34 PM] pD says: never quite got Citizen Kane<br /><br />[2:39:42 PM] pD says: but, some of the works are pretty time-less<br /><br />[2:40:14 PM] pD says: for example "some like it hot" - although it is black and white, it was the first instance where a gay-ish personality was a main character<br /><br />[2:40:56 PM] pD says: going even further back, Griffin's "birth of a nation" was absolutely amazing - politically incorrect, but the level of sophistication on many levels are quite mind blowing<br /><br />[2:41:17 PM] pD says: then, there are the Chaplin series, Buster Keating series<br /><br />[2:42:06 PM] pD says: this is why i cannot come up with a list, each list would predicate on a prior list and very quickly, it becomes a chronology<br /><br />[2:42:34 PM] AE says: Buster Keaton rocks!<br /><br />[2:42:41 PM] pD says: my point!<br /><br />[2:42:57 PM] AE says: Jackie Chan reminds me a lot of him. Doing all his own stunts with a very smart physical comedy<br /><br />[2:43:24 PM] AE says: pD, you need to learn to let go of things.<br /><br />[2:43:55 PM] AE says: For further reading on our hero: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buster_Keaton">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buster_Keaton</a><br /><br />[2:44:37 PM] pD says: yet, but i am ready to be a Buddhist yet<br /><br />[2:44:54 PM] AE says: good! That's the spirit!<br /><br />[2:45:10 PM] pD says: not letting go? :)!<br /><br />[2:45:41 PM] AE says: no, saying you're ready to be a Buddhist.<br /><br />[3:38:48 PM] pD says: hahah! I meant to say i am NOT ready yet<br /><br />==<br />NSA ChattersUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-22332819028289136772007-08-08T17:51:00.000-07:002007-08-14T16:13:43.444-07:00kids - electronic music - virtuosity - jazz - john coltrane - miles davis - herbie hancock - sonny rollin - max roach - dave brubeck - kind of blue -[8/7/2007 9:26:37 AM] pD says: working from home<br /><br />[8/7/2007 9:26:42 AM] pD says: little boss has a fever<br /><br />[8/7/2007 9:29:35 AM] nsy says: aww! poor little guy. Well, you'll be missed here, but at least you are here "virtually". Hope the little guy feels better soon!<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:13:38 AM] pD says: i hope so too, so his folks can get some sleep...<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:35:26 AM] AE says: yeah! that means teeth!<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:36:18 AM] pD says: AE is speaking from experience<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:36:23 AM] pD says: and he is correct,<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:36:25 AM] pD says: mostly<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:36:36 AM] pD says: as it turns out, he also has a running nose<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:36:38 AM] AE says: teething must really suck when you're little.<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:36:57 AM] AE says: yes, it wipes out the immune system and it's like they have a bad cold.<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:37:12 AM] pD says: so, this is a double whammy situation where he is suffering from the teeth (two molars at the same time, yikes) and some kind of viral thing<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:37:42 AM] pD says: anyway, i have a doc appointment later for him<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:43:23 AM] AE says: yuck. sorry to hear that!<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:44:12 AM] pD says: shit happens, this is part of the grand bargain in life.<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:44:27 AM] pD says: he is still a good kid<br /><br />[8/7/2007 10:44:44 AM] pD is stating the obvious being a highly biased party<br /><br />[8/7/2007 11:57:04 AM] AE says: <a href="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167/brainshrub/wheres-the-baby.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167/brainshrub/wheres-the-baby.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167/brainshrub/wheres-the-baby.jpg</a><br /><br />[8/7/2007 11:57:08 AM] AE says: speaking of kids...<br /><br />[8/7/2007 1:14:07 PM] pD says: just got back from the doc, do not know what bug he has. probably a viral thing. he is still under observation - poor thing<br /><br />[8/7/2007 1:14:11 PM] pD says: i am going to grab a bite now<br /><br />[8/8/2007 6:50:40 AM] AE says: Here's what I want for Christmas: <a href="http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/faster-faster/video-of-rollerman-racing-against-600cc-sportbike-spoiler-he-wins-287158.php?autoplay=true">http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/faster-faster/video-of-rollerman-racing-against-600cc-sportbike-spoiler-he-wins-287158.php?autoplay=true</a><br /><br />[8/8/2007 11:51:52 AM] AE says: <a href="http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20501">http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20501</a><br /><br />[8/8/2007 10:22:15 PM] pD says: with a sick kid, i am not bored... just catching up on work after a day of unhappy kid...<br /><br />[9:30:39 AM] pD says: howdy... It has been a long two days<br /><br />[9:31:12 AM] pD says: no complaints on taking care of a sick/fussy kid (that is part of the grand bargain), but it sure takes a toll on your body...<br /><br />[9:31:23 AM] pD says: so, have i missed anything good?<br /><br />[9:35:30 AM] AE says: ah... the sweet disease of parenthood...<br /><br />[9:36:08 AM] AE says: well, there was the new toy on my christmas list: <a href="http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20501">http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20501</a><br /><br />[9:36:25 AM] AE says: and the cartoon: <a href="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167/brainshrub/wheres-the-baby.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167/brainshrub/wheres-the-baby.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o167/brainshrub/wheres-the-baby.jpg</a><br /><br />[9:42:57 AM] pD says: <table border=0 bgcolor=D1D1FE cellpadding=3 cellspacing=1><tr bgcolor=black><td><table border=0 bgcolor=black><tr><td><td valign=middle><a target=_new href=http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20501><img border=0 src=http://www.i-am-bored.com/art/icon_10a.gif width=25 height=25></a></td><td valign=middle><font size=2 face=verdana color=white><a target=_new href=http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=20501><font color=D1D1FE><b>Rollerman</b></font></a> Guy has made suit with rollerblade wheels all over it.</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><br /><br />[9:43:22 AM] pD says: hahah! AE, this is a good illustration of why you run and i sit on my butt<br /><br />[9:43:40 AM] pD says: that looks like a lot of work rolling on roads<br /><br />[10:01:53 AM] AE says: oh but I be that view is awesome!<br /><br />[10:04:18 AM] AE says: and here: <a href="http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/reactable/reactable-synth-makes-touchy+feely-music-for-your-eyes-287729.php">http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/reactable/reactable-synth-makes-touchy+feely-music-for-your-eyes-287729.php</a><br /><br />[10:04:23 AM] AE says: you know... for kids.<br /><br />[10:43:24 AM] AE says: Check this out!<br /><br />[10:43:25 AM] AE says: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h-RhyopUmc&mode=related&search=">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h-RhyopUmc&mode=related&search=</a><br /><br />[10:43:38 AM] AE says: WoW! I Totally think this company NEEDS one of these!<br /><br />[10:43:51 AM] AE says: Tags:<br /><br />reactable reac table music (more)<br /><br />URL<br /><br /><br /><br />Embed<br /><br /><br /><br />[10:43:59 AM] AE says: hah... whoops.<br /><br />[10:44:09 AM] AE says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h-RhyopUmc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0h-RhyopUmc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[10:44:45 AM] AE says: IMHO, easily the coolest thing we've had up on NSA Chatters!<br /><br />[11:17:43 AM] pD says: no company name pls<br /><br />[11:17:51 AM] pD is a killjoy<br /><br />[11:18:58 AM] pD says: it is pretty neat, but how long would it last? Not a huge fan of electronic music<br /><br />[11:20:10 AM] AE says: no, but since it's a synthesizer you can give it any voice you want.<br /><br />[11:20:33 AM] AE says: so you could mimic classical instruments (though that's not really the proper medium for this)<br /><br />[11:20:53 AM] pD says: this is purely an opinion, i know - but, i can usually tell when a sound is synthesized or by conventional instruments<br /><br />[11:21:11 AM] pD says: and, i agree with you that<br /><br />[11:21:11 AM] AE says: True. but that doesn't mean it's not able to make good music.<br /><br />[11:21:28 AM] AE says: though... actually I haven't really heard anything produced on it that I would actually enjoy listening too.<br /><br />[11:21:30 AM] pD says: the point is not to mimic what has come before, but explore what is possible<br /><br />[11:21:46 AM] AE says: it's more the technology, and the ability to dynamically control the music with such a cool interface!<br /><br />[11:21:51 AM] AE says: exactly<br /><br />[11:23:15 AM] pD says: well, i am old fashion in believing in virtuosity - nothing wrong with providing an easy ramp for the less talented (like me), but i have not seen/heard anything that would blow me away in the realm of electronic music<br /><br />[11:24:00 AM] pD says: and, i do not know if it is a limitation on the instrument or somehow we (collectively) have not yet figure out how we define that music form<br /><br />[11:24:03 AM] AE says: Odd. I feel the same about jazz, though I know I'm in the minority.<br /><br />[11:24:25 AM] AE says: There is some electronic music that totally blows me away.<br /><br />[11:24:28 AM] pD says: actually, most jazz performance is pretty crappy<br /><br />[11:24:37 AM] AE says: haha. So it's not just me then.<br /><br />[11:25:02 AM] pD says: people want to improvise on jazz, because all the greats can do it<br /><br />[11:25:13 AM] AE says: but not everyone can do it great.<br /><br />[11:25:23 AM] pD says: but, what people often do not realize is how much effort it takes to improvise in the first place<br /><br />[11:25:37 AM] pD says: also, once you get to that level, how much more work is involved in not repeating yourself<br /><br />[11:26:03 AM] pD says: because, it is very easy to find a set of crutches that you can always fall back on when you are in a jam - during improv<br /><br />[11:26:32 AM] pD says: so, for example, john coltrane was known as practicing every waking hour - either writing or trying out new notes on his instrument<br /><br />[11:26:54 AM] pD says: and, sure enough, he is one of the most influential because he keeps breaking new grounds<br /><br />[11:27:45 AM] pD says: on the other hand, this does not meant lesser souls than Coltrane cannot do jazz - just different style and in much smaller dosages<br /><br />[11:28:27 AM] pD says: just like eating, you should not have 3 start meals everyday. a snack stall on the street can provide inspiration.<br /><br />[11:28:29 AM] pD says: sometimes<br /><br />[11:33:20 AM] AE says: Ok. I'll have to find some Coltrane and check him out.<br /><br />[11:33:31 AM] AE says: Perhaps I just haven't heard good jazz before.<br /><br />[11:33:37 AM] AE says: only elevator and Muzak.<br /><br />[11:33:39 AM] AE says: yuck.<br /><br />[11:33:51 AM] pD says: muzak sucks! it ruins even the best music<br /><br />[11:34:08 AM] AE says: you should check out a group called "Lounge against the Machine"<br /><br />[11:34:33 AM] AE says: they take heavy metal, industrial, and Rage Against the machine kind of music and "loungify" it.<br /><br />[11:34:45 AM] pD says: well, i would suggest you start with Blue Trane and My Favorite Things. These are two of the major works from his earlier period - tends to be a bit more listener friendly<br /><br />[11:35:41 AM] pD says: Miles Davis is also another major figure - and i think the fact that he went to Julliard (the music school, but he dropped out) helped him a great deal in providing a much larger canvass in his music making<br /><br />[11:36:16 AM] pD says: he actually ventured into electronic music in the 70's. Not a critical success, but he gave that genre a great deal of credibility as a result<br /><br />[11:38:10 AM] pD says: speaking of electronic music-ish in the jazz format, you might also want to check out Herbie Hancock's HeadHunter - it is the first major work on Funk with a jazz context - it sort of borders on groovy musak because the texture sounds very similar unless you pay attention. but, its internal structure was quite complex - a fun academic piece for dorks like me<br /><br />[11:40:21 AM] pD says: you may also enjoy max roach and Sonny Rollin’s Saxophone Colossus - this was the first major hard-bob jazz. amongst other things, max roach's use of drum as a performance instrument instead of just beat keeper was a major break through and, if you listen closely, the kind of texture he can get out of his set is nothing short of amazing<br /><br />[11:41:22 AM] pD says: finally, dave brubeck's take five and the rest of the recording on that album is a major work from the "west coast" jazz. it comes from a completely different tradition and is quite enjoyable<br /><br />[11:42:03 AM] pD says: well, this is a very partial list of several major genres that may be worth checking out. hopefully, you will find at least one that sings to you<br /><br />[11:42:58 AM] AE says: Cool! Thanks for the recommendations.<br /><br />[11:44:10 AM] pD says: oops, for miles davis, Kind of Blue (the first/wrong recording) and Sketches of Spain would give you a good flavor<br /><br />[11:45:03 AM] pD says: Interestingly, Sketches of Spain is not on my favorite recording list for Davis - but I think it is a function of my classical training (which involves a lot of spanish work) interfering<br /><br />[11:45:34 AM] pD says: Kind of Blue is probably the most famous jazz work of all time - highly enjoyable. it does have an interesting history<br /><br />[11:46:35 AM] pD says: basically, the original release was done on the wrong speed - it was faster, so both the tempo and pitch are higher than the actual recording. So, for the longest time, practitioners who are looking to play the piece always have problem re-producing the sound from the sheet music vis-à-vis the recording<br /><br />[11:47:13 AM] pD says: a few years back, somebody found the original recording tapes. And, long story short, figured out what happened. so, there are now two release, the "wrong" and the "corrected"<br /><br />[11:47:59 AM] pD says: the corrected version definitely makes a lot more sense musically because the change in style for Miles davis was not as drastic - there is a clearly a sense of continuity<br /><br />[11:49:33 AM] pD says: on the other hand, i would argue (and what do i know) that the "wrong" version was so much more fresh and earth shattering, that it is the "right" version. the impressionistic style that keeps a sense of urgency without sounding hurried - that was the reason why that recording was such a Wow!<br /><br />[11:49:42 AM] pD says: and, naturally, I have both recording...<br /><br />[11:49:59 AM] pD will stop yakking about jazz for now<br /><br />[11:51:28 AM] AE says: No. Thank you for sharing your background knowledge. It helps to know this stuff to appreciate the music. <br /><br />[11:51:40 AM] AE says: brb. we're heading out of the shedquarters and up to the house.<br /><br />[12:26:12 PM] AE says: pD, question: do we have samples of branded product?<br /><br />[12:32:20 PM] nsy says: i sent a new mail with the samples :)<br /><br />[12:32:38 PM] AE says: saw that. You're always on top of things nsy!<br /><br />[12:33:21 PM] nsy says: hey pD, have you heard the charlie hunter trio, or the bad plus?<br /><br />[12:33:46 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.charliehunter.com/">http://www.charliehunter.com/</a><br /><br />[12:34:14 PM] nsy says: charlie plays guitar and bass at the same time on a custom instrument - so cool!<br /><br />[12:35:00 PM] nsy says: the bad plus is great nerd jazz <a href="http://www.thebadplus.com/">http://www.thebadplus.com/</a><br /><br />[12:45:05 PM] nsy says: i love Wes Montgomery's "So much Guitar!" - good one too<br /><br />[12:48:52 PM] nsy says: i also forgot how great and terrible the movie "six string samurai" could be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-String_Samurai">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-String_Samurai</a><br /><br />[12:56:53 PM] pD says: is this the one? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqrd6buFHE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqrd6buFHE</a><br /><br />[12:56:57 PM] pD says: cool!<br /><br />[12:57:03 PM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0nqrd6buFHE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0nqrd6buFHE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[12:57:19 PM] nsy says: hahaha - yep - thats it!<br /><br />[12:58:27 PM] nsy says: it's reminiscent of the guitar battle from the movie crossroads<br /><br />[1:19:22 PM] pD says: looks so non-sensical. love it. i am putting it on my list<br /><br />[1:20:57 PM] nsy says: i may have asked you about this before, so ignore me if we've been over this... but have you seen seven samurai? or any of akira kurosawa's films?<br /><br />[1:21:12 PM] AE raises hand<br /><br />[1:21:20 PM] pD says: i have seen most of the kurosawa films<br /><br />[1:21:36 PM] pD says: any particular reason for asking?<br /><br />[1:21:38 PM] nsy says: excellent. i just love kurosawa!<br /><br />[1:21:59 PM] AE says: what was your favorite?<br /><br />[1:22:03 PM] AE says: both of you.<br /><br />[1:22:18 PM] nsy says: no, the samurai thing, and the movie thing triggered spreading activation in my brain is all<br /><br />[1:23:10 PM] pD says: they all have their merits so, it is hard to have a favorite.<br /><br />[1:23:25 PM] pD says: i especially enjoyed his use of cinematography<br /><br />[1:23:31 PM] AE says: true... so many were copied in other films as well.<br /><br />[1:23:51 PM] AE says: they were a big inspiration to Lucas on the Star Wars films.<br /><br />[1:23:51 PM] pD says: coming from the Noh tradition - his camera perspective is much lower than the western tradition<br /><br />[1:24:21 PM] pD says: yeah, hidden fortress was the inspiration for princess Leia, Han Solo, R2D2 and C3PO<br /><br />[1:25:02 PM] pD says: on a comparative basis, i would say that Yojimbo is the most interesting and revealing<br /><br />[1:25:30 PM] AE says: but a talking samurai rabbit? <br /><br />[1:25:35 PM] pD says: because "a fistful of dollars" with clint eastwoord is a literally shot by shot re-creation<br /><br />[1:26:16 PM] pD says: and, i must say that a fistful of dollar remains a very compelling story - which goes to show how good the original yojimbo is/was<br /><br />[1:26:53 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000041/">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000041/</a><br /><br />[1:27:48 PM] AE says: this is still one of my favorites: <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0047478/">http://imdb.com/title/tt0047478/</a><br /><br />[1:28:01 PM] AE says: it's a story that much older than the movie, and has been told many times since.<br /><br />[1:28:30 PM] AE says: it's got the classic scene of the samurai joining together one at a time until they're all facing their adversaries.<br /><br />[1:29:02 PM] AE says: "Dreams" has to be my all time favorite, though.<br /><br />[1:29:24 PM] AE says: <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0100998/">http://imdb.com/title/tt0100998/</a><br /><br />[1:31:05 PM] AE says: To me, it's a very personal look inside his head.<br /><br />[1:31:17 PM] AE says: to share your dreams like that... it speaks a lot about a person.<br /><br />[1:31:41 PM] AE says: and when it's a person who has the ability to make the images of their dreams come real... that's very powerful.<br /><br />[2:17:55 PM] pD says: AE's favorite films:<br /><br />[2:17:56 PM] pD says: Here's my list of recommended, must see movies (in the order I thought of them):<br /><br />1. Life is Beautiful<br /><br />2. Train of Life<br /><br />3. Brazil<br /><br />4. Aliens<br /><br />5. The Milagro Bean field War<br /><br />6. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen<br /><br />7. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai<br /><br />8. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea<br /><br />9. Leon<br /><br />10. Blade Runner<br /><br />[2:18:06 PM] pD that was from AE<br /><br />[2:18:42 PM] AE says: Wow! Those are some of the best movies!!!<br /><br />[2:18:43 PM] AE says: oh...<br /><br />[2:26:23 PM] AE says: so what are your favorites, both of you?<br /><br />[2:26:59 PM] pD is not into lists - too much of it is dependant on moods<br /><br />[2:27:47 PM] AE says: but some must stick out. some you must watch more than once or twice...<br /><br />[2:27:50 PM] pD says: same idea as "comfort food"<br /><br />[2:27:55 PM] pD says: tampopo would be high on my list<br /><br />[2:28:04 PM] AE says: who directed that?<br /><br />[2:28:43 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/</a><br /><br />[2:28:49 PM] pD says: Itami is the director<br /><br />[2:29:23 PM] pD says: "roman holiday" is sort of the mindless snack for the soul<br /><br />[2:29:49 PM] pD says: "terminator 1" was stunning with the machine that refused to die<br /><br />[2:30:49 PM] pD says: "Nueve reinas" is an argentinian film that takes so many unexpected turns that you would just have to embrace it to enjoy it<br /><br />[2:30:57 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247586/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247586/</a><br /><br />[2:33:02 PM] pD says: momento (interesting not in IMDB) employs a grabbing narrative that you would either turn it off within the first 15 minutes or you have to watch it to find out what happened <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_%28film%29">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_%28film%29</a><br /><br />[2:34:00 PM] pD says: Audition is one of the most creepy films that I have seen: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235198/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235198/</a><br /><br />[2:35:57 PM] pD says: 3-iron is a film where the main character did not utter a word, but the story flows and takes you on a wild ride on what contemporary Korea is about<br /><br />[2:38:00 PM] pD says: speaking of Korea, A State of Mind, is a completely fascinating study on life under authoritarianism. and, yet, it is a very hopeful film not because people are going to overthrow the government but there is a sense of ease and peace between them: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0456012/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0456012/</a><br /><br />[2:39:54 PM] pD says: anyway, these films all have their moments - i also love star wars and the godfather films<br /><br />[2:40:07 PM] pD says: it is about what is the mood...<br /><br />[5:21:26 PM] pD says: getting ready to fulfill my baby daddy duty...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-2528777449784398122007-08-06T18:11:00.000-07:002007-08-12T15:13:08.571-07:00CSA - economist magazine - hinckley yachts - LASIK - Peterson 33 - ships - yachts[9:36:44 AM] AE says: here's the link I was showing nsy: <a href="http://www.hydroptere.com/">http://www.hydroptere.com/</a><br /><br />[9:36:51 AM] AE says: Our new pirate ship!<br /><br />[9:50:06 AM] nsy says: terry my carpool buddy works with the guy that started this: <a href="www.3VotesADay.Org">www.3VotesADay.Org</a><br /><br />[9:50:59 AM] AE says: cool! I've been looking into the whole local/organic debate. Which is better for the planet in the long run and all that.<br /><br />[9:51:37 AM] AE says: we're lucky enough in Santa Cruz that we can get local organic produce (Dirty Girl farms in Pajaro Valley for instance).<br /><br />[9:51:55 AM] AE says: but for other people, you can only get organic if it's trucked in from far away.<br /><br />[9:52:49 AM] AE says: I think reverting back to local CSA is good... but we're going to run into the problem of economy of scale that originally let to the growth of agricultural industry that lead to the current farming situation.<br /><br />[9:53:20 AM] AE says: which, btw, is washing tons of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) down the Mississippi and into the gulf.<br /><br />[9:53:41 AM] AE says: have you heard of the oxygen depletion problem that's occurring there?<br /><br />[9:54:28 AM] AE says: <a href="http://www.csc.noaa.gov/products/gulfmex/html/rabalais.htm">http://www.csc.noaa.gov/products/gulfmex/html/rabalais.htm</a><br /><br />[10:16:38 AM] pD says: hi guys, busy. 'tis Monday<br /><br />[10:16:54 AM] AE says: zzzzz .... *snort* wha?<br /><br />[10:17:06 AM] AE says: nope. actually pretty calm.<br /><br />[10:17:38 AM] pD says: On AE's question, the Economist had an in-depth analysis a few months back. and, the long and short of it is that it was more of a style/choice than any discernable environment impact - mostly due to transporting produce<br /><br />[10:17:57 AM] pD says: i will try to find the article 'cause it was quite controversial when it came out. later tho<br /><br />[10:17:59 AM] AE slowly killing pD with another print out<br /><br />[10:18:12 AM] AE says: Time also carried an article about it.<br /><br />[12:00:07 PM] nsy says: I may be getting custom lasik soon: <a href="http://www.furlongvision.com/customLASIK.html">http://www.furlongvision.com/customLASIK.html</a> aberrometers are cool! <a href="http://www.furlongvision.com/advanced_technology.html">http://www.furlongvision.com/advanced_technology.html</a><br /><br />[12:07:10 PM] pD says: very cool! nsy is going to be a true bionic soon<br /><br />[1:07:30 PM] pD says: fake steve jobs! i did not know until he has been ID'd, so slow i am: <a href="http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/08/05/fsj-blog-apple-biz-media-cx_pm_0805fsj.html?partner=rss">http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/08/05/fsj-blog-apple-biz-media-cx_pm_0805fsj.html?partner=rss</a><br /><br />[1:12:43 PM] pD says: some spoof pix of Bill and Steve: <a href="http://captions-fakesteve.blogspot.com/">http://captions-fakesteve.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />[1:20:47 PM] pD says: hydroptere: that is pretty cool. bi-tri-cat design is pretty fast. in yacht racing, they have their own class. the issue with the x-cat design has to do with stability. the traditional monohull design is self-centering, if properly done. But, when a cat flips, it stays flipped<br /><br />[1:21:47 PM] pD says: so, x-cat design tends to be for near shore usage instead of transoceanic - too high of a risk.<br /><br />[1:22:03 PM] pD worked in the yacht building industry in a prior incarnation<br /><br />[1:23:31 PM] pD says: this is the economist article I was talking about: <a href="http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8380592">http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8380592</a><br /><br />[1:24:01 PM] pD says: i consider economist as authoritative, so, not going to argue over the numbers<br /><br />[1:24:25 PM] pD says: what is missing, for me, is that I buy organic and local because it tastes damned good<br /><br />[1:25:07 PM] pD says: secondarily, just like nuclear power, i can appreciate all the safety measures and trade-off intellectually, but at the gut level, organic makes so much more sense<br /><br />[1:43:44 PM] nsy says: wow, what did you do for the yacht building industry. i almost ended up there myself.<br /><br />[1:46:01 PM] pD says: i was in sales/business development - they needed somebody who is not afraid to talk with super-rich clients<br /><br />[1:46:02 PM] nsy says: when the startup i worked at (lutris technologies) went under, i decided to go back to school like so many other tech orphans. it was a close race between computer science and Naval architecture and marine engineering at UNO<br /><br />[1:46:48 PM] pD says: so, what made you decide on CS?<br /><br />[1:46:58 PM] pD says: what kind of boat did you want to design?<br /><br />[1:47:04 PM] nsy says: cool! i interviewed the owner of santa cruz yachts to figure out what direction to take, but eventually chose cosci (obviously)<br /><br />[1:47:20 PM] pD says: Y's dad was a ship designer<br /><br />[1:47:32 PM] pD says: what kind of boats do SC Yachts make?<br /><br />[1:48:18 PM] pD says: i had a good relationship with Hinckley back then, they make beautiful boats<br /><br />[1:48:35 PM] nsy says: hm... i couldn't afford to go to university right away, and there are no community colleges that offer a 2-yr degree that transfers to UNO. i decided that i better do something more universally useful for my first degree, then if i was still interested, i'd get a graduate degree in marine architecture<br /><br />[1:48:51 PM] pD says: i especially like their picnic boat - cannot afford them, but that is the boat i would buy, if i ever have too much money to blow: <a href="http://www.hinckleyyachts.com/">http://www.hinckleyyachts.com/</a><br /><br />[1:50:18 PM] nsy says: i wanted to make one-handed boats fit for circumnavigation, or just a business idea like the now defunct shoe site customatix.com for boats - total custom design online, then mfr and ship. including interiors<br /><br />[1:51:47 PM] nsy says: i inherited my father's 32ft Peterson racing sloop, and i was trying to fix it up, but i ran out of funds, and sold it on ebay. one day i'll hopefully have another, but its nice when it's someone else's financial headache, and you can just pitch in.<br /><br />[1:54:39 PM] pD says: yeah, boats ain't cheap to keep - like wine making, the best way to be a millionaire is to start with 10 millions<br /><br />[1:55:06 PM] nsy says: exactly.<br /><br />[1:55:16 PM] nsy says: money begets money<br /><br />[1:56:33 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://sailingworld.com/article.jsp?typeID=398&catID=608&ID=200801">http://sailingworld.com/article.jsp?typeID=398&catID=608&ID=200801</a><br /><br />[2:01:55 PM] nsy says: this is pretty much the same sloop I had, but it was white<br /><br />[2:01:59 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://asianyachting.com/boats/Peterson33.htm">http://asianyachting.com/boats/Peterson33.htm</a><br /><br />[2:02:53 PM] pD says: well, in this case, you start with 10mm and get down to 1mm...<br /><br />[2:20:51 PM] pD says: i do not believe they make thes yachts any more. shame too, they are beautiful - <a href="http://www.yachtworld.com/annapolissailyard/annapolissailyard_5.html">http://www.yachtworld.com/annapolissailyard/annapolissailyard_5.html</a><br /><br />[2:55:56 PM] nsy says: wow, that's a nice boat. it has a lot of the features i would like to incorporate into my design, but i'm not sure how i feel about the foremast. maybe i just don’t know much about it yet.<br /><br />[2:58:22 PM] nsy says: rigs 101 for boat newbies: <a href="http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~elfox/types.html">http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~elfox/types.html</a><br /><br />[3:15:33 PM] pD says: boats are interesting, a whole different set of language onto itself<br /><br />==<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-32394170135665119312007-08-03T17:03:00.000-07:002007-08-03T17:13:25.380-07:00movie genre - left-wing action films - hitler - left-wing ideas - software laws - chocolate - calories - Sea Land - small countries - Andorra[8/2/2007 9:20:36 AM] pD says: howdy!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 10:19:37 AM] nsy says: hi there!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:01:36 AM] pD says: i was thinking back to the movie blood diamond<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:02:00 AM] pD says: and, a parallel idea came up about a discussion on the use of documentary in recent years<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:04:13 AM] pD says: specifically, the speaker was arguing that documentary has become a form of self-congratulatory format for the left<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:04:54 AM] pD says: for example, most of the "good" ones on Enron (smartest guys in the room), environment (inconvenient truth), etc. are really geared at a specific type of audience<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:06:19 AM] pD says: so, long story short, i hit upon this idea of a new emerging genre that marries block buster action films with a moral spin - like Blood Diamond where the audience is not only entertained by the explosion, he/she also gets a sense of moral superiority by agreeing with the argument of the story (not buy blood diamond in this instance)<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:16:28 AM] nsy says: wasn't there a clint eastwood-directed movie like that recently?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:25:55 AM] pD says: do you recall which one?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:26:53 AM] AE says: Flags of our Fathers, and Letter's from Iwojima. iwogima? iojima?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:27:40 AM] pD says: Iwa Jima<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:28:13 AM] AE says: Iwo Jima.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:28:43 AM] AE says: oh, and the Yesmen. their movie is exactly what you mean... except without the block buster part...<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:29:06 AM] pD says: i see the eastwood film more as revisionist history telling at its best - there is a push to talk about the history from the common men's perspective<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:29:26 AM] AE says: <a href="http://www.theyesmen.org/">http://www.theyesmen.org/</a><br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:29:32 AM] pD says: Ken Burn was quite controversial when he did the same on WWII from the soldier's perspective - WAR<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:30:57 AM] pD says: my point is that by marrying the two parts - the moral high ground and actions, this brings a wider audience to the theater - parents would feel good about themselves and kids get to see a lot of explosions and stupid men (usually men) killing each other<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:36:14 AM] AE says: yeah! Explosions!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:36:26 AM] AE says: sorry... moral what?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:39:20 AM] pD says: my point - same product - serving different audiences with different perspective and needs<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:39:49 AM] pD says: this is a shrewd ruse to capture the "art" house audience<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:40:18 AM] pD says: 'em MBA's are good!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:40:36 AM] AE says: capture the art house audience, or sneak morals into the main stream audience?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 11:59:49 AM] nsy says: are we under a fascist regime? <a href="http://propagandamatrix.com/articles/july2007/240707fascistcoup.htm">http://propagandamatrix.com/articles/july2007/240707fascistcoup.htm</a><br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:05:02 PM] nsy says: part of one of those leftist documentaries you are trying to avoid ;) <a href="http://prisonplanet.tv/articles/december2004/021204martiallaw.htm">http://prisonplanet.tv/articles/december2004/021204martiallaw.htm</a> "Martial Law"<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:05:37 PM] pD says: the failed coup: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot</a><br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:06:12 PM] pD says: morality is over-rated<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:06:40 PM] pD says: hitler was highly popular until the shooting ware started, and even then, there are many people who sided with hitler<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:06:47 PM] pD says: in UK, US, etc.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:07:41 PM] pD says: given the degree of economic woe from the great depression and how hitler was able to seemingly single handedly rescued german economy from the ruins of WWI to its industrial might - i can totally understand its allures<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:08:36 PM] pD says: it was not obvious that he would actually do the things that he claimed to want<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:09:09 PM] pD says: not an apologist for adolf, but i think historic context is often difficult with hindsight...<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:12:38 PM] nsy says: yes, it seems that questioning the current political philosophy is reasonable when everyone is poor and starving to death. "Clayton Cramer, in a 1995 History Today article, reminded readers that the devastation of the Great Depression had caused many Americans to question the foundations of liberal democracy. "Many traditionalists, here and in Europe, toyed with the ideas of Fascism and National Socialism; many liberals dallied with Socialism and Communism." This helps explain why some American business leaders viewed fascism as a viable system to both preserve their interests and end the economic woes of the Depression."<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:13:41 PM] nsy says: but genocide... c'mon people.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:17:22 PM] nsy says: so, can you find a way to turn this stuff into a blockbuster with car chases and explosions?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:17:48 PM] AE says: uhg. can't we start to wean ourselves off that?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:18:05 PM] nsy says: maybe we can systematically go through the leftist documentaries and turn them into blockbusters?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:18:22 PM] AE says: i mean... it's big and you can't look away... but think what all those explosions are doing for the environment<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:18:55 PM] nsy says: well, for the masses, it seems like a sugar coated pill, or no pill at all.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:19:02 PM] AE says: true<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:20:50 PM] pD says: so, let's start a list - blood diamond is one<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:21:04 PM] pD says: how about oil reserves in Sudan<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:21:08 PM] AE says: what's on the list?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:21:17 PM] AE says: things we want to make into documentaries?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:21:52 PM] pD says: well, left wing ideas that can be made into block busters<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:22:37 PM] pD says: lord of war -by nick cage had a similar theme - albeit a bit more cynical - it talks about arms dealers<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:22:56 PM] AE says: Global climate change (Day after Tomorrow just didn't do it for me)<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:23:24 PM] AE says: The genocide in Darfur.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:23:37 PM] AE says: The aids crisis in Africa<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:24:18 PM] AE says: The economic disparity between the first and third world, and how little power there is for the poor people of the world to change it.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:24:52 PM] AE says: more locally, we have imminent domain, the FLOW issue in Felton, and sudden oak death.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:25:10 PM] AE says: and don't even get me started about non-native invasive plants!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:25:49 PM] nsy says: animal species endangered due to human interference<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:26:07 PM] AE says: yeah! loss of bio-diversity!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:26:10 PM] AE says: that's a key one.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 12:26:38 PM] AE says: we're finding more and more things we need, cures for diseases, in our fellow inhabitants.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 1:29:25 PM] nsy says: i stumbled across this blog, and it held my interest for more than 3 seconds <a href="http://haacked.com/">http://haacked.com/</a>. I was particularly amused by <a href="http://haacked.com/archive/2007/07/17/the-eponymous-laws-of-software-development.aspx">http://haacked.com/archive/2007/07/17/the-eponymous-laws-of-software-development.aspx</a><br /><br />[8/2/2007 1:38:00 PM] AE says: uh oh... don't you have that XKCD comic on your wall nsy?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 1:42:39 PM] nsy says: i know - haha<br /><br />[8/2/2007 1:47:51 PM] pD says: hey, should come up with an NSA Chatters’ Law<br /><br />[8/2/2007 1:48:11 PM] pD says: or, we could have our individual pD, nsy, and AE laws<br /><br />[8/2/2007 1:48:17 PM] pD says: why not, no?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:50:59 PM] nsy says: maybe even some commandments?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:51:58 PM] nsy says: thou shalt not eat bad chocolate<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:52:14 PM] AE says: naw, too negative... how about:<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:52:22 PM] AE says: thou shalt eat only good chocolate<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:52:57 PM] nsy says: well, i guess if you're into optimism.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:53:15 PM] pD says: or mine would be "any chocolate that i can afford to eat is not good enough"<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:53:45 PM] AE says: that's a rather fatalistic point of view... i mean... is life without chocolate worth living?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:54:11 PM] pD says: or "i would not eat any chocolate that i can afford" - like the Marx brother's club-joining thing<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:54:47 PM] pD says: conversely, is life with bad chocolate worth living<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:55:00 PM] pD says: (into the realm of existentialism)<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:55:31 PM] AE says: Karl Marx was in a chocolate club?<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:55:56 PM] AE says: or was he banned from one, and that was one of the forming factors of communism.<br /><br />[8/2/2007 2:56:03 PM] pD says: he was in France briefly when trying to make his way to britain...<br /><br />[8/2/2007 3:18:06 PM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Groucho_Marx">http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Groucho_Marx</a> - search for "club" - 2nd or 3rd occurrence<br /><br />[8/2/2007 3:22:04 PM] nsy says: good stuff!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 5:28:14 PM] pD says: baby daddy duty<br /><br />[8/2/2007 5:28:42 PM] nsy says: ok. farewell, baby daddy!<br /><br />[8/2/2007 5:28:58 PM] nsy says: good luck with the doody<br /><br />[8/2/2007 7:58:22 PM] AE says: doody duty?<br /><br />[9:33:12 AM] AE says: mmm... 800 calories for breakfast...<br /><br />[9:33:22 AM] AE says: 4 yummy chocolate bars<br /><br />[9:33:53 AM] AE says: er, I mean "All-natural Sports nutrition bars"<br /><br />[9:34:22 AM] AE says: why are sport foods so sugary?<br /><br />[9:34:46 AM] AE says: aren't sports folks supposed to be fanatically healthy?<br /><br />[9:35:02 AM] AE says: or do we exercise so much so we can eat whatever the heck we want?<br /><br />[9:35:11 AM] AE says: perhaps it's really all based on fear.<br /><br />[9:35:38 AM] AE says: we're afraid if we don't exercise, we'll bloat up to un-acceptable levels of body mass.<br /><br />[9:35:53 AM] AE has changed the chat topic to "Counter Calories"<br /><br />[9:36:08 AM] AE says: i bet i'm the only one on NSA Chatters that worries about this kind of stuff...<br /><br />[10:14:18 AM] pD says: agree...<br /><br />[10:14:34 AM] pD says: my concern usually runs in the direction of how good it tastes<br /><br />[12:04:17 PM] AE says: so couple good taste with low calories and you've got a good snack.<br /><br />[12:27:55 PM] pD says: calorie does not enter into the equation for me - happiness is more important<br /><br />[12:28:58 PM] pD says: food should nourish both body and soul<br /><br />[12:29:18 PM] pD says: so, an occasional indulgence is a good thing<br /><br />[12:29:49 PM] pD says: another reason why pD would never make it as a conscript<br /><br />[12:54:50 PM] pD says: Queen guitarist Brian May has handed in his astronomy PhD thesis - 36 years after abandoning it to join the band. : <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6929290.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6929290.stm</a><br /><br />[1:09:02 PM] pD says: i am dead meat, need to buy more insurance - Your Printer May Be Hazardous To Your Health: <a href="http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/36077">http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/36077</a><br /><br />[1:27:13 PM] AE says: <a href="http://www.sealandgov.org/">http://www.sealandgov.org/</a><br /><br />[1:27:26 PM] AE has changed the chat topic to "think SMALL"<br /><br />[1:27:29 PM] AE says: <a href="http://geography.about.com/cs/countries/a/smallcountries.htm">http://geography.about.com/cs/countries/a/smallcountries.htm</a><br /><br />[1:33:35 PM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andorra">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andorra</a><br /><br />[1:35:50 PM] pD says: Andorra is great! i will need to visit it<br /><br />[1:35:57 PM] pD says: but, i do not speak catalan<br /><br />[1:36:11 PM] AE says: I'm sure they cater to French and Spanish as well.<br /><br />[1:36:23 PM] AE says: what a cool history!<br /><br />[1:36:50 PM] pD says: wikitravel! <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Andorra">http://wikitravel.org/en/Andorra</a><br /><br />[2:30:53 PM] pD says: San marino at 24 square miles would be my cut off - it is still walk-able<br /><br />==<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-37140523594937766402007-08-01T17:19:00.001-07:002007-08-02T13:36:59.235-07:00blood diamond - limbs - necrophilia - taboos - benevolent illustrious boss - single parent - pink five - hard drive - strauss - foreign languages - Tc[7/31/2007 11:31:15 AM] pD says: saw the film blood diamond last night<br /><br />[7/31/2007 11:31:48 AM] pD says: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450259/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450259/</a><br /><br />[7/31/2007 11:32:05 AM] pD says: Di Caprio is a much better actor than I expected<br /><br />[7/31/2007 4:05:33 PM] nsy says: hm. sounds interesting. what’s your rating out of 10?<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:02:08 PM] pD says: 'm back. sorry, having a particularly bad day today<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:03:23 PM] nsy says: no problem-o. some days, i get so swamped; i just have to check out entirely. go on and do your thing. i hope its just trivial work stuff, and nothing really bad...?<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:06:00 PM] pD says: thank you for your kind words. it is a bit more than the trivial stuff - but it is a bit complicated which requires a stiff drink or two<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:06:08 PM] pD says: hmm... maybe i will make a martini when i am home<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:06:14 PM] pD says: on the movie<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:06:27 PM] pD says: it is hard to give it a straight score<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:06:37 PM] pD says: nothing is straight forward with pD<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:06:49 PM] pD says: i think the story line is good enough<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:07:00 PM] pD says: the direction and actions are quite spectacular<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:07:49 PM] pD says: the moralistic tone of the story can be a bit off-putting; but naturally, one would be hard pressed to argue that he/she is in favor of chopping people's limbs off and/or child soldiers<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:08:12 PM] pD says: it is interesting to note that the practice of chopping limbs off started with the Belgium king Leopold<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:08:35 PM] pD says: whose abuse of the Congo inspired the story of "heart of darkness"<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:08:43 PM] pD says: going back the limb chopping bit<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:08:59 PM] pD says: apparently, he demanded one limb per 100 slaves to keep the slaves in line<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:09:13 PM] nsy says: wow, seems counterproductive<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:09:26 PM] pD says: ever since, limb chopping has been a "stable" in African politics<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:09:33 PM] nsy says: hard to polish a candlestick with one hand<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:09:40 PM] pD says: well, actually, similar practice is time honored<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:10:09 PM] pD says: for example, the word "to decimate" came from the Roman practice of killing 1 in 10 of the mutiny soldiers<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:11:35 PM] nsy says: wow, i love those fun facts from pD's brain<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:11:55 PM] pD says: morbid, you mean<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:12:14 PM] nsy says: morbid=fun<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:12:28 PM] nsy says: ok, maybe not every time<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:12:58 PM] nsy says: morbid obesity = not fun<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:13:09 PM] pD says: usually though - death and sex, the two unfailing ingredient of a good joke<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:13:36 PM] nsy says: exactly!<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:13:46 PM] nsy says: especially if you can get them both in the same joke<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:14:02 PM] nsy says: wow, i'm a jerk today.<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:14:08 PM] pD says: i suppose, following the same logic<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:14:16 PM] pD says: necrophilia jokes are the funniest of them all?<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:14:23 PM] nsy says: definitely<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:14:27 PM] pD says: (you can see that one coming a mile away, no...)<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:14:45 PM] nsy says: yep, there it is on the horizon.<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:15:27 PM] nsy says: well, i'll have to tell you one of my favorite jokes offline sometime after a few martinis.<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:15:36 PM] nsy says: totally tasteless<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:17:37 PM] pD says: (still lurking, the necrophilia story...)<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:17:42 PM] pD says: speaking of tasteless<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:17:47 PM] pD says: have you seen either of these two films<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:17:52 PM] pD says: Team America<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:17:59 PM] pD says: and The Aristocrats<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:18:11 PM] pD says: they are not "tasteless" in my view<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:18:20 PM] pD says: but, conventionally speaking, they really shock!<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:19:01 PM] nsy says: America, Fuck Yeah!<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:19:24 PM] nsy says: and i only saw a scene from the Aristocrats in the Sarah Silverman Movie - Jesus is magic.<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:19:37 PM] pD says: team america was one of the few films that i was rolling on the floor literally.<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:19:39 PM] pD says: what fun!<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:20:39 PM] pD says: jesus is magic is also fun - but i would recommend aristocrat - it really gives you insights on the person telling the joke<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:20:59 PM] nsy says: i didn’t know it was out - i'll queue it up!<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:21:12 PM] pD says: and, if you want to, i think compelling arguments can be made about the notion of what constitutes "Taboo" over generations in america<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:21:28 PM] pD says: anyway, i need to leave soon to pick up the little boss<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:21:55 PM] pD says: my BIB (benevolent illustrious boss) is out of town so i am a single parent this week<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:22:58 PM] nsy says: ok, safe travels. at least the little boss will carry your genetics into the next generation to push the boundaries of what is taboo... or so we can hope. and now you have more of an appreciation for single parent’s plight ;)<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:23:19 PM] nsy says: fair well!<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:23:41 PM] pD says: appreciation ain't worth nothin'<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:23:50 PM] nsy says: hahaha<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:23:54 PM] pD says: i want an award or medal<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:23:57 PM] pD says: and big ones too<br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:24:49 PM] nsy says: here's your metal! <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9ovgVXdcjBU">http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9ovgVXdcjBU</a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ovgVXdcjBU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ovgVXdcjBU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[7/31/2007 5:26:10 PM] nsy says: bummer - i thought it was a video of dave mustaine playing guitar. oh well, at least you got a montage. (team america sings "montage"...)<br /><br />[9:03:52 AM] AE says: Look how educational legos and the internet can be!<br /><br />[9:03:53 AM] AE says: <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=-5ak6X-mOkA&mode=related&search=">http://youtube.com/watch?v=-5ak6X-mOkA&mode=related&search=</a><br /><br />[9:06:13 AM] nsy says: the "dragging" scene is classic!<br /><br />[9:06:54 AM] nsy says: wow, i didn’t know about the snake omen - cool<br /><br />[9:07:45 AM] nsy says: and darth vader too! wow, that was great!<br /><br />[9:07:59 AM] AE says: vader?<br /><br />[9:09:09 AM] AE says: oh, conducting the Imperial march?<br /><br />[9:12:20 AM] AE says: even better: <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-967254940440792524&q=pink+five&total=546&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-967254940440792524&q=pink+five&total=546&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0</a><br /><br />[9:14:47 AM] AE says: course... you have to endure some commercials first...<br /><br />[9:19:14 AM] AE says: and it gets better:<br /><br />[9:19:16 AM] AE says: <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-734898518739208205">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-734898518739208205</a><br /><br />[9:35:55 AM] pD says: i am embedding some of the clips: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-5ak6X-mOkA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-5ak6X-mOkA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[9:36:20 AM] pD says: lego trojan war is pretty neat, somebody clearly has too much time on their hand<br /><br />[9:39:09 AM] pD says: pink five: hahahah!<br /><br />[9:39:11 AM] pD says: <embed src='http://www.atomfilms.com:80/a/autoplayer/shareEmbed.swf?keyword=pink5' width='426' height='350'></embed><div style='border-top:1px solid #343f43; padding:5px 0 7px 0; text-align:center; width:426px; background:#1a3441; color:#fff; font: bold 10px verdana, sans-serif;'>SEE MORE: <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/comedy.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px 0 12px'>Funny Videos</a> | <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/animation.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px;'>Funny Cartoons</a> | <a href='http://www.comedycentral.com/?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin-left:5px;'>Comedy Central</a></div><br /><br />[9:41:31 AM] AE says: oh, the last two are the best: Return of Pink Five volume one and two.<br /><br />[9:41:51 AM] AE says: in reverse order: Volume 2: <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8983943213224739541">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8983943213224739541</a><br /><br />[9:43:05 AM] pD says: pink five strikes back I embedded<br /><br />[9:43:06 AM] pD says: <embed src='http://www.atomfilms.com:80/a/autoplayer/shareEmbed.swf?keyword=pink5_strikes' width='426' height='350'></embed><div style='border-top:1px solid #343f43; padding:5px 0 7px 0; text-align:center; width:426px; background:#1a3441; color:#fff; font: bold 10px verdana, sans-serif;'>SEE MORE: <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/comedy.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px 0 12px'>Funny Videos</a> | <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/animation.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px;'>Funny Cartoons</a> | <a href='http://www.comedycentral.com/?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin-left:5px;'>Comedy Central</a></div><br /><br />[9:47:49 AM] pD says: pretty good voices of obi wan and yoda<br /><br />[9:51:56 AM] AE says: yes... it's really well done for a fan film.<br /><br />[9:52:11 AM] AE says: here's volume 1 of Return:<br /><br />[9:52:12 AM] AE says: <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6993648185637675797">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6993648185637675797</a><br /><br />[9:52:35 AM] AE says: <embed src='http://www.atomfilms.com:80/a/autoplayer/shareEmbed.swf?keyword=return_pink' width='426' height='350'></embed><div style='border-top:1px solid #343f43; padding:5px 0 7px 0; text-align:center; width:426px; background:#1a3441; color:#fff; font: bold 10px verdana, sans-serif;'>SEE MORE: <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/comedy.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px 0 12px'>Funny Videos</a> | <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/animation.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px;'>Funny Cartoons</a> | <a href='http://www.comedycentral.com/?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin-left:5px;'>Comedy Central</a></div><br /><br />[9:53:01 AM] pD says: i understand that they have to make money somehow, but i must also confess that it is annoying to have to watch the commercial<br /><br />[9:53:16 AM] AE says: that's from Atom films....<br /><br />[9:53:44 AM] pD says: return of pink five V2: embedded<br /><br />[9:53:45 AM] pD says: <embed src='http://www.atomfilms.com:80/a/autoplayer/shareEmbed.swf?keyword=return_pink_five_2' width='426' height='350'></embed><div style='border-top:1px solid #343f43; padding:5px 0 7px 0; text-align:center; width:426px; background:#1a3441; color:#fff; font: bold 10px verdana, sans-serif;'>SEE MORE: <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/comedy.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px 0 12px'>Funny Videos</a> | <a href='http://www.atomfilms.com/films/animation.jsp?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin:0 5px;'>Funny Cartoons</a> | <a href='http://www.comedycentral.com/?brand=embed' target='_blank' style='color:#c1ddf2; text-decoration:none; margin-left:5px;'>Comedy Central</a></div><br /><br />[9:53:48 AM] AE says: it' kinda why we don't got to the Cinema 9 anymore... commercials after paying full ticket prices at a theatre... bad form.<br /><br />[9:54:11 AM] AE says: The embed linked was for volume 1... so I think we have the whole collection.<br /><br />[9:54:16 AM] pD says: the films are pretty technically slick<br /><br />[9:54:22 AM] pD says: i do wonder how they are done<br /><br />[9:54:22 AM] AE says: Guess they haven't made part 3 yet.<br /><br />[9:54:32 AM] AE says: CGI, green screen...<br /><br />[9:54:40 AM] AE says: here's another fan film classic:<br /><br />[9:54:41 AM] pD says: specifically, how do they embed characters<br /><br />[9:54:46 AM] AE says: <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=643405919082518371&q=troops&total=22910&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=643405919082518371&q=troops&total=22910&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0</a><br /><br />[9:54:51 AM] pD says: green screen makes sense<br /><br />[9:54:59 AM] AE says: in the movie you mean?<br /><br />[9:55:07 AM] AE says: they can simply edit them in.<br /><br />[9:55:09 AM] pD says: but, that is assuming that they have access to the original film stock to superimpose<br /><br />[9:55:16 AM] AE says: we can do it in Final Cut, and that's not too difficult.<br /><br />[9:55:29 AM] pD says: really!<br /><br />[9:55:37 AM] AE says: sure, that's stuff practically public domain now.<br /><br />[9:55:39 AM] pD says: and, it would not look "obvious"?<br /><br />[9:55:47 AM] pD says: i am way behind...<br /><br />[9:55:49 AM] AE says: depends on how good you are.<br /><br />[9:55:54 AM] pD is an old fart<br /><br />[9:56:13 AM] pD says: i suppose i would need to get a mac if i ever to want to do something constructive with my video clips<br /><br />[9:56:14 AM] AE says: The Pink Five series is way above the typical fan film in terms of production quality.<br /><br />[9:57:13 AM] AE says: it's a good way to do it on the cheap.<br /><br />[9:57:51 AM] AE says: Troops is another fan film that's very well done, acting and production quality wise.<br /><br />[9:58:21 AM] pD says: yeah, you have shown me troops already<br /><br />[9:58:25 AM] pD says: very cute<br /><br />[9:58:47 AM] pD says: i think it would be interesting to inter-cut these films with the official version, it would be a riot<br /><br />[10:23:43 AM] pD has changed the chat topic to "portable storage"<br /><br />[10:23:54 AM] pD says: a quick stat: little boss turned 1 last week<br /><br />[10:24:15 AM] pD says: and, i am seeing about more than 100GB of pix and video clips<br /><br />[10:24:46 AM] pD says: more importantly, my 300GB HD is going to run out of space - not immediately, but it will given the growth rate<br /><br />[10:24:59 AM] pD says: i have been backing up files by burning CD's<br /><br />[10:25:09 AM] pD says: however, remounting CD to look for data is kind of painful<br /><br />[10:25:26 AM] pD says: so, i am thinking that some kind of portable external drive could be nice<br /><br />[10:25:55 AM] pD says: on a related front, when traveling, it would also be good to be able to download files from the digital camera to an external drive<br /><br />[10:26:24 AM] pD says: anyway, this is my theoretical musing, do you guys have any suggestion on how to approach these needs and if you have any specific recommendation, that would be great<br /><br />[10:35:10 AM] nsy says: jungledisk rules: <a href="http://www.jungledisk.com/">http://www.jungledisk.com/</a><br /><br />[11:08:57 AM] pD says: i prefer an appliance approach - something about holding the data in my own hand<br /><br />[11:09:07 AM] pD says: also, when traveling, internet connection is sometimes hard to get<br /><br />[11:27:31 AM] AE says: there are several one button backup solutions.<br /><br />[11:27:36 AM] AE says: but they're all hard drive based.<br /><br />[11:27:47 AM] AE says: and there are only two types of hard drives:<br /><br />[11:27:52 AM] AE says: the kind that have failed.<br /><br />[11:27:55 AM] AE says: and the kind that will fail.<br /><br />[11:28:04 AM] AE says: so, it's not an archive solution.<br /><br />[11:28:27 AM] pD says: it will not be for archive as such<br /><br />[11:28:30 AM] AE says: There is tape... but it has many of the same problems as CD/DVD backups... mainly, they will not last 5-10 years.<br /><br />[11:28:33 AM] pD says: i burn CD/DVD for archive<br /><br />[11:28:48 AM] AE says: but the media has a 5 year shelf life for most of them (archive wise)<br /><br />[11:29:01 AM] AE says: the best is a NAS<br /><br />[11:29:16 AM] AE says: then you've got enough hard drives to back each other up.<br /><br />[11:29:23 AM] AE says: when one fails, you toss it and put a new one in.<br /><br />[11:29:26 AM] pD says: what I am thinking of is some sort of external drive so that i can offload files while on the road and be able to quickly access the files at home (unlike CD/DVD where i would need to copy files over to improve the performance)<br /><br />[11:29:40 AM] AE says: Then get a USB 2 drive.<br /><br />[11:30:01 AM] AE says: there are several small (2.5 inch) drives on the market that have 150 GB storage.<br /><br />[11:30:18 AM] AE says: Or you can get a full size case and go much larger (up to 1 TB now)<br /><br />[11:30:28 AM] AE says: it depends on how much gear you want to tote around.<br /><br />[11:30:47 AM] AE says: La Cie makes some one button backup solutions in the 500-1 TB range.<br /><br />[11:31:02 AM] AE says: brb<br /><br />[12:05:46 PM] nsy says: a 16 gig thumb drive might do nicely... <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/usb-flash-drives/axiom-usb-drive-usb/4505-3240_7-32335454.html?tag=prod.txt.20">http://reviews.cnet.com/usb-flash-drives/axiom-usb-drive-usb/4505-3240_7-32335454.html?tag=prod.txt.20</a><br /><br />[12:08:13 PM] nsy says: alternative mfr <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/usb-flash-drives/edge-diskgo-usb-2/4505-3240_7-32310463.html?tag=prod.txt.18">http://reviews.cnet.com/usb-flash-drives/edge-diskgo-usb-2/4505-3240_7-32310463.html?tag=prod.txt.18</a><br /><br />[12:08:54 PM] nsy says: i've never heard of these manufacturers, and there are no reviews, so you could be a pioneer<br /><br />[1:13:59 PM] AE says: pioneer = guinea pig<br /><br />[1:16:09 PM] pD has changed the chat topic to "BFT"<br /><br />[1:16:28 PM] pD says: 28-wheel truck, check out the video. it does not "look" that big...<br /><br />[1:16:33 PM] pD says: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6922967.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6922967.stm</a><br /><br />[1:17:39 PM] pD says: thumb drive are too small for my purpose, unfortunately<br /><br />[1:17:58 PM] pD says: i think an USB external drive with 300+GB would be ideal<br /><br />[1:18:16 PM] pD says: any suggestion on that front?<br /><br />[1:19:19 PM] AE says: sure: <a href="http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10036">http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10036</a><br /><br />[1:19:54 PM] AE says: prolly this would fit your needs: <a href="http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10833">http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10833</a><br /><br />[1:20:00 PM] AE says: though it's a bit small.<br /><br />[1:23:06 PM] pD says: is this any good? <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3176017&CatId=136">http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3176017&CatId=136</a><br /><br />[1:24:38 PM] AE says: sure. friend of mine has one. but you wouldn't want to pack it along with you.<br /><br />[1:24:50 PM] AE says: it's pretty big.<br /><br />[1:25:01 PM] AE says: and i'm not sure how travel-worthy it is.<br /><br />[1:31:26 PM] pD says: that is a good point, i did not see the measurement, but the picture does look pretty good size<br /><br />[1:31:42 PM] pD says: the problem with hardware is that there is always tomorrow when things are better and cheaper<br /><br />[1:33:15 PM] AE says: yep.<br /><br />[1:33:31 PM] AE says: you can always get a case that's rugged and put a larger drive in it later.<br /><br />[1:33:44 PM] AE says: the 2.5 and 3.5 inch form factors will not change any time soon.<br /><br />[1:34:06 PM] AE says: though the internal connectors might (i'm thinking of the switch to SATA that recently occurred)<br /><br />[1:38:52 PM] AE says: here's a fancy shmancy one by Porsche: <a href="http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10558">http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10558</a><br /><br />[1:39:01 PM] AE says: it's 250 GB.<br /><br />[1:39:29 PM] AE says: cool, doesn't require AC power either, so you don't need to lug a brick along.<br /><br />[1:39:40 PM] AE says: and it's made to travel.<br /><br />[1:42:50 PM] AE says: Or there's this one: <a href="https://www.olixir.com/products_SecurFlash.php">https://www.olixir.com/products_SecurFlash.php</a><br /><br />[1:43:19 PM] AE says: They have them up to 750 GB... but expect to pay a premium (like $900!)<br /><br />[1:48:26 PM] nsy says: imagine lugging this around? not! but how do they make it waterproof?<br /><br />[1:48:29 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://www.klsecurity.com/disaster_ready_drive_iosafe.htm">http://www.klsecurity.com/disaster_ready_drive_iosafe.htm</a><br /><br />[1:49:15 PM] AE says: wow! That's a good question!<br /><br />[1:49:39 PM] AE says: how do you make an electronics device that requires cooling waterproof?<br /><br />[1:57:34 PM] nsy says: what's your price range?<br /><br />[1:59:34 PM] nsy says: whats the necessary storage? ex: 40 gig or 400 gig?<br /><br />[2:00:38 PM] pD says: those are hard questions - fair, but i do not know<br /><br />[2:01:04 PM] pD says: actually, one of the "problems" is that i have not figured out how to add a new HD onto the mother board<br /><br />[2:01:22 PM] pD says: there seems to be only one bus/port for HD<br /><br />[2:02:33 PM] AE says: then you can have two devices if they're ATA or SATA, the hard drive being one, the CD/DVD being the other.<br /><br />[2:02:59 PM] AE says: if they’re SCSI, you can string up to 15 (depending on what variant of SCSI)<br /><br />[2:03:22 PM] AE says: but these we've been showing are external; they'd hook up with USB 2.0 or Firewire.<br /><br />[2:03:51 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://shopper.cnet.com/4566-3186_9-0.html?filter=503164_11795436_500076_14824018_100021_7810606_500489_5054007_">http://shopper.cnet.com/4566-3186_9-0.html?filter=503164_11795436_500076_14824018_100021_7810606_500489_5054007_</a><br /><br />[2:22:01 PM] pD has changed the chat topic to "NY Philharmonics"<br /><br />[2:22:05 PM] pD says: this is a rant<br /><br />[2:22:24 PM] pD says: i was just listening to the NY Phil playing Strauss' Blue Danube (waltz)<br /><br />[2:22:28 PM] pD says: it sucks!<br /><br />[2:22:42 PM] pD says: the river was sluggish and muddy<br /><br />[2:23:43 PM] pD says: interestingly, the same can be said of the Vienna Phil when they play American composers such as Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue<br /><br />[2:24:57 PM] pD says: there is no question on the technical proficiency of both orchestras and to the extent that both pieces are very well known and falls squarely within the classical construct - you would think that both pieces can be play with a high degree of dexterity by both orchestras<br /><br />[2:25:58 PM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Blue">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Blue</a><br /><br />[2:27:32 PM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Danube">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Danube</a><br /><br />[3:22:38 PM] nsy says: so, are you saying that technical proficiency is not enough to perform a piece well? if that's the case, what is missing? an understanding of the artist's intent? emotion? ...?<br /><br />[3:23:53 PM] pD says: at a very crude level<br /><br />[3:24:01 PM] pD says: (in the world according to pD)<br /><br />[3:25:02 PM] pD says: that means the NY Phil people have not been on the silly boat for the Danube tour where they would stay left to right on waltz<br /><br />[3:25:34 PM] pD says: similarly, Vienna people have a darn time getting the "swing" mood<br /><br />[3:26:09 PM] pD says: i think part of it is at the gene and cultural level<br /><br />[3:26:42 PM] pD says: american grow up with a particular sensibility so although people may not think of "swing" as a music choice<br /><br />[3:27:11 PM] pD says: but, it is a fundamental beat in the american context - from blues, Elvis, to today's R&B<br /><br />[3:27:56 PM] pD says: if you would allow the poor analogy<br /><br />[3:28:12 PM] pD says: it is same as "white men cannot play basketball"<br /><br />[3:28:24 PM] pD says: it is not a physical or willingness issue<br /><br />[3:28:38 PM] pD is wondering if he is making any sense<br /><br />[3:29:06 PM] nsy says: hahahah - yes, it makes sense, i think i catch your drift.<br /><br />[3:30:00 PM] nsy says: like speaking a foreign language, it is almost impossible to get rid of your accent. natives always know "you're not from around here"<br /><br />[3:31:34 PM] pD says: that is the same idea<br /><br />[3:31:48 PM] pD says: i would make one modification, often time it is not the accent,<br /><br />[3:32:24 PM] pD says: perversely, it is the fact that native speakers tends to be more "sloppy" with the language whereas the fluent foreigner would be speaking "proper" all the time<br /><br />[3:32:59 PM] pD says: another give-away is when the foreigner is using terms that are no longer in use - learnt from text book instead of regular conversation<br /><br />[3:33:32 PM] pD says: and, the flip side of the same coin is when the speaker is using excessive amount of slang - watched too much BayWatch for example<br /><br />[3:33:42 PM] pD says: this reminds me of an unrelated story<br /><br />[3:34:08 PM] pD says: when i was in japan, i learnt that they run a brisk business of selling the scripts to movies<br /><br />[3:34:22 PM] pD says: apparently, it was considered an excellent way to learn colloquial english<br /><br />[3:34:40 PM] pD says: i wonder if the advent of DVD with subtitle has killed off that business<br /><br />[3:50:40 PM] nsy says: there must be an exception to the rule. can you think of any example where an orchestra plays music that originated in another culture, and does it well?<br /><br />[4:02:52 PM] pD says: well, there are any number of good examples<br /><br />[4:05:23 PM] pD says: for example, the most inspiring Tshechosky [i am butchering his name] performance I have heard is done by Vienna Phil<br /><br />[4:05:24 PM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky</a><br /><br />[4:09:05 PM] pD says: this is the CD, took me a while: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Symphony-No-Pyotr-Ilyich/dp/B00000IIXV/ref=sr_1_3/105-1672069-1958045?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1186009723&sr=1-3">http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Symphony-No-Pyotr-Ilyich/dp/B00000IIXV/ref=sr_1_3/105-1672069-1958045?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1186009723&sr=1-3</a><br /><br />[4:11:04 PM] pD says: similarly, a good number of american orchestras are known for their interpretation of European works - Philly under Ormandy: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Ormandy">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Ormandy</a><br /><br />[4:11:40 PM] pD says: Chicago under Reiner: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Reiner">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Reiner</a><br /><br />[4:11:49 PM] pD says: actually, you know what, i think i know what the catch is<br /><br />[4:11:53 PM] pD says: it is the conductor!!<br /><br />[4:12:18 PM] pD says: we are talking about world class orchestras with the best players from around the world.<br /><br />[4:12:48 PM] nsy says: wow, interesting revelation!<br /><br />[4:12:54 PM] pD says: but, if the conductor cannot find the music in his soul, there is little the players can do since the conductors ultimately controls the finer points<br /><br />[4:13:20 PM] pD says: the difference in a pause that is rushed and meditated is just a split second<br /><br />[4:13:27 PM] pD says: but, that makes the world of difference<br /><br />[4:13:43 PM] pD says: part of it, you can attribute to personal styles, but<br /><br />[4:14:10 PM] pD says: there is a lot to be said about if the performer (conductor in particular for these kinds of orchestras) gets it in his guts<br /><br />[4:14:29 PM] pD says: for example, Muti and Abbado are both Italians<br /><br />[4:14:42 PM] pD says: but, they can do German operas like nobody’s business<br /><br />[4:15:25 PM] pD says: Muti: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riccardo_Muti">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riccardo_Muti</a><br /><br />[4:15:38 PM] pD says: Abbado: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbado">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbado</a><br /><br />==<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-50982696445062509512007-07-31T16:59:00.000-07:002007-07-31T17:17:16.004-07:00heavy metal - ozzfest - ASCII - Chthonic - government - conspiracies - tamarind - CD length[10:58:48 AM] pD says: <a href="http://www.rocket-craft.com/works_car_en02.html">http://www.rocket-craft.com/works_car_en02.html</a><br /><br />[10:58:53 AM] pD says: starting a new thread<br /><br />[10:59:00 AM] pD says: makes it easier to input into blog<br /><br />[10:59:34 AM] pD says: thanks for the link AE<br /><br />[10:59:42 AM] pD says: what is it? a sofa/cushion?<br /><br />[11:00:00 AM] AE says: stuffed plush engine toy.<br /><br />[11:00:26 AM] pD says: ah!<br /><br />[11:00:42 AM] pD says: btw, what defines heavy metal?<br /><br />[11:01:53 AM] AE says: I think any element with a certain atomic weight or higher is classified as a heavy metal...<br /><br />[11:02:11 AM] AE says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metals">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metals</a><br /><br />[11:02:31 AM] AE says: according to the article, there are over 40 definitions<br /><br />[11:03:02 AM] AE says: but the one I was thinking of is "having a specific gravity greater than 4.0<br /><br />[11:03:03 AM] AE says: "<br /><br />[11:05:00 AM] nsy says: this is heavy metal: <a href="http://downlode.org/Creative/metal_family_tree.txt">http://downlode.org/Creative/metal_family_tree.txt</a><br /><br />[11:06:21 AM] pD says: is Ozzfest a big thing?<br /><br />[11:06:29 AM] pD is clearly not into the metal scene<br /><br />[11:06:40 AM] nsy says: the tree is from: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal:_A_Headbanger's_Journey">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal:_A_Headbanger's_Journey</a><br /><br />[11:06:52 AM] nsy says: yes, ozzfest is a big thing<br /><br />[11:07:06 AM] AE says: that tree is awe some!<br /><br />[11:07:24 AM] pD says: tree is a riot!<br /><br />[11:07:30 AM] AE says: not only that someone would make it... but that they made it in ASCII!<br /><br />[11:07:38 AM] AE says: that's some serious commitment.<br /><br />[11:07:51 AM] pD says: wasn't there some kind of software that lets you do that in the old days?<br /><br />[11:07:59 AM] nsy says: music geeks - our dexterous brethren.<br /><br />[11:08:35 AM] pD says: now that i think about it, i think you can do with WordPerfect in DOS<br /><br />[11:08:42 AM] pD says: still hard, of course<br /><br />[11:09:09 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII_art">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII_art</a><br /><br />[11:10:51 AM] nsy says: there are programs you can use, but they are not for ascii art "purists"<br /><br />[11:12:18 AM] pD says: :'-) - happy crying<br /><br />[11:13:28 AM] nsy says: haha - thats a good one.<br /><br />[11:13:40 AM] nsy says: so, why are you asking about heavy metal?<br /><br />[11:14:35 AM] pD says: well, i was told that there is a band from Taiwan called Chthonic that will be part of the 2007 OzzFest<br /><br />[11:14:42 AM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonic_%28band%29">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonic_%28band%29</a><br /><br />[11:15:05 AM] pD says: i also watched a documentary on Metalica which I rather enjoyed<br /><br />[11:15:46 AM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/71WycugwlW4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/71WycugwlW4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[11:16:01 AM] pD says: apparently, this band is really big in northern europe<br /><br />[11:16:40 AM] pD says: so, going back to the definition of metal, what is it? beyond the face paint, i mean<br /><br />[11:16:51 AM] pD says: would KISS be considered metal, for example?<br /><br />[11:18:18 AM] AE says: very.<br /><br />[11:24:56 AM] nsy says: there is a new surge of bands that wear a lot of make-up and costumes, etc. some call it goth metal, or a branch thereof. (see H.I.M.) for example. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIM_(band). ">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIM_(band). </a>they don't do the makeup much anymore, though.<br /><br />[11:47:39 AM] nsy says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music</a><br /><br />[1:09:59 PM] pD says: nsy, thanks for the link on heavy metal<br /><br />[1:10:02 PM] pD says: fascinating stuff<br /><br />[1:10:42 PM] pD says: did you know that The Who was once the world's loudest band in Guinness Book Of World Records<br /><br />[1:11:15 PM] pD says: the thing with metal for me is that they all seem to sound awfully similar<br /><br />[1:11:55 PM] pD says: the use of power chords, for example, seems to provide an excellent way of propelling sound waves with an emphasis on volume<br /><br />[1:12:06 PM] pD says: nothing wrong with the style per se, it has its places<br /><br />[1:12:18 PM] pD says: but, i do get bored easily<br /><br />[1:13:27 PM] pD says: what i find equally fascinating, oddly, is that they tend to have pretty interesting lyrics - at least not boring lyrics<br /><br />[1:13:47 PM] pD says: but, again, due to the volume, i find it hard to understand unless there is sub-title or something like that<br /><br />[1:17:41 PM] pD says: i enjoy the theatrics of metal performance - in many ways, it reminds me of opera<br /><br />[1:20:21 PM] pD says: having said all the above, i would still try to get a copy of the Chthonic CD compilation. for the same reason that i have a CD of songs praising Chairman Mao<br /><br />[1:20:36 PM] pD says: just because<br /><br />[1:20:52 PM] pD says: and, i just read that their music has been banned in China<br /><br />[1:21:21 PM] pD says: what is the thing with governments? do they not ever learn? ban something is equivalent of making something super-sexy<br /><br />[1:21:43 PM] pD is wondering how to get a ban from a government, any government...<br /><br />[1:21:54 PM] AE says: perhaps they are share holders in it...<br /><br />[1:22:06 PM] nsy says: yes, maybe they hold stock in the things they ban...<br /><br />[1:22:58 PM] nsy says: running out of tax dollars? buy stock in geffen then ban one of their acts<br /><br />[1:38:43 PM] nsy says: i saw an interesting thing about music and electronics last night. it talked about this: <a href="http://www.snopes.com/music/media/cdlength.asp">http://www.snopes.com/music/media/cdlength.asp</a><br /><br />[3:08:17 PM] nsy says: in case anyone's curious about the tamarind candies, here is more info about the tree: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind</a><br /><br />[3:12:41 PM] pD says: i have heard similar story about CD length, but it has to do with Morita's (Sony Chairman) wife whose favorite music is the 9th<br /><br />[3:13:47 PM] pD says: naturally, i googled a site that claims to provide the official sony history - although it looks awfully spartan for a "sony" site: <a href="http://www.sony.net/Fun/SH/1-20/h1.html">http://www.sony.net/Fun/SH/1-20/h1.html</a><br /><br />[3:14:03 PM] pD says: that talks about the CD project between Sony and Philips<br /><br />[3:21:34 PM] nsy says: yep - here's the quote... Philips argued for a 11.5 cm disc because this was the same length as the diagonal length of an audiocassette. Also, this size satisfied the DIN standard and thus would be the right size for a car audio system in the European market. But it was Ohga, a trained musician, who decisively presented Sony's argument for a 12 cm, seventy-five minute disc. He argued that, pictJust as a curtain is never lowered halfway through an opera, a disc should be large enough to hold all of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.pict Ohga believed that the disc needed to be of a practical size for music aficionados and that 95% of all classical music pieces would fit onto a seventy-five minute disc. Therefore, a 12 cm disc was necessary to guarantee seventy-five minutes of playing time.<br /><br />[3:24:24 PM] pD says: in fairness, however, this description does not definitively addressed the "why" - for all we/I know Ohga is kissing up to the boss by making sure that the new gee-weez product would wow the boss's wife.<br /><br />[3:25:14 PM] pD says: caio<br /><br />[3:25:33 PM] pD says: NSA Chatters - another senseless commercial<br /><br />[3:25:48 PM] nsy says: bye :)<br /><br />==<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-52667690760305412062007-07-26T16:42:00.000-07:002007-07-26T16:56:29.495-07:00norse - birthday - mythology - pretzels - outlook - gmail - DOS - open source - mac - marriage - transformer - mings[7/25/2007 11:52:55 AM] pD says: howdy! howdy!<br /><br />[7/25/2007 11:53:02 AM] pD says: so, did i miss anything good?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:12:40 PM] nsy says: the water sports yesterday were fun. they covered the new product features, but you can get slides of those.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:13:18 PM] pD says: cool! i should<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:13:25 PM] nsy says: i didn’t know you already looked at a Norse myth book, so i brought you another one - you don’t need to read it if your myth curiosity has been satiated.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:13:43 PM] pD says: sorry for missing the festivity - the little boss turned 1 yesterday<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:13:47 PM] pD says: oh, yes, thanks for he book<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:13:57 PM] pD says: if you have no objection, i would still like to browse it<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:13:58 PM] nsy says: happy b-day little boss! woo hoo<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:14:10 PM] nsy says: sure - keep it as long as you like<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:14:18 PM] pD says: i did read the cliff note version from AE, but, would like to get a bit more into it<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:14:30 PM] pD says: i see a lot of similarity to greek and roman mythology<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:14:50 PM] pD says: the b-day thing was funny because the little boss inadvertently planted his foot onto the b-day cake<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:14:53 PM] nsy says: yes, same premises. like soap operas and novellas, really<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:15:09 PM] pD says: i have pix<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:15:09 PM] nsy says: ha! that’s classic!<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:15:20 PM] pD says: so, i will be in the position to black mail him<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:15:22 PM] nsy says: ooh - where/how can i see them?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:15:22 PM] pD says: later on<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:15:39 PM] pD says: i need to bring them in<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:16:26 PM] nsy says: that would be great. my first b-day my mom made me a cherry vanilla cake from scratch and i wouldn't eat any. i just asked for pretzels<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:16:51 PM] nsy says: "prets"<br /><br />[7/25/2007 12:17:22 PM] nsy says: how are you holding up with the visitors?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:20:42 PM] pD says: oh, we just need to take turn to breath with so many in a confined space<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:20:46 PM] pD says: actually, it is going okay<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:20:51 PM] pD says: i have given them maps and my car<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:21:00 PM] pD says: and, so far, they have not been lost too badly<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:21:09 PM] pD has changed the chat topic to "google this"<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:21:21 PM] pD says: this is an NSA Chatters conversation, btw<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:21:33 PM] pD says: so, i have been a regular user of google - like most people<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:21:49 PM] pD says: but, could somebody explain why the attraction with the google mail service thingie?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:21:55 PM] pD says: what is wrong with what we have got today?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:52:43 PM] AE says: you can store up to 10 GB of mail.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:52:57 PM] AE says: you can search it with Google's algorithms<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:53:10 PM] AE says: and it's not in Singapore.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:54:31 PM] pD says: so, we are dumping Outlook en mass? I like my outlook...<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:54:40 PM] AE says: no, you can still use Outlook<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:54:51 PM] pD says: also, how do I backup my email box? i use to just make a copy of my .pst onto a network drive<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:54:56 PM] AE says: If you still wish to hold on to outdated technology, that's your issue.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:55:00 PM] AE says: yes<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:55:11 PM] AE says: as long as there is room on it.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:55:11 PM] pD is an old fart<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:55:22 PM] pD says: so, i can still back up my .pst?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:55:43 PM] AE says: of course. Gmail is now acting as our POP/SMTP server.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:03 PM] AE says: so, the functionality in Outlook is unchanged, it's just getting mail from a different server.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:15 PM] pD says: that is a good point<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:17 PM] AE says: and... all the same functionality is offered on the website.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:31 PM] AE says: so if you *want* to, you can dump Outlook.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:36 PM] AE says: but you don't have to.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:52 PM] pD says: i grew up with DOS, 'nuf said<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:56:57 PM] pD says: i still like DOS<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:57:09 PM] AE says: well, we can find you a copy of Pine if you like...<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:57:14 PM] AE says: you'll feel right at home then.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:57:31 PM] pD says: i also liked pine<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:57:37 PM] pD says: although it is good to have a GUI<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:57:51 PM] AE says: Pine was nice because it NEVER crashed.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:58:00 PM] pD says: i think, in the old days when it is strictly command line, it is helpful to exclude a lot of people<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:58:02 PM] AE says: but yeah, functionality wise, it's pretty old.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:58:22 PM] pD says: but, since my mom is on email, i have slowly shifted to GUI...<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:58:47 PM] AE says: .Mac?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:58:57 PM] pD says: never have been a mac person<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:02 PM] pD says: i have nothing against it<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:03 PM] AE says: ah. yahoo then?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:06 PM] pD says: intellectually,<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:30 PM] pD says: but, of the several times that i tried to use mac, I found the UI very confusing<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:38 PM] pD says: i think that is a function of my PC-centric world view<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:46 PM] pD says: but, i did use AppleIIe<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:46 PM] AE says: yes. it's not what you're used to.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:48 PM] pD says: great box<br /><br />[7/25/2007 1:59:51 PM] AE says: what is that?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:00:03 PM] pD says: i used to run the Basic interpreter to scar people<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:00:12 PM] pD says: Apple's old old computer<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:00:17 PM] pD says: Apple II e<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:00:21 PM] AE says: Oh... got it. hehe.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:00:24 PM] pD says: it was more like PC than the closed system<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:00:44 PM] AE says: and now with OS X they've gone full circle.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:03 PM] AE says: you can use most open source/Linux apps with little modification.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:05 PM] AE says: most<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:09 PM] pD says: oh, what is with OS X?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:09 PM] AE says: not all<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:21 PM] AE says: it uses a FreeBSD core<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:40 PM] AE says: they coupled it with some other kernel mods and called it Darwin.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:47 PM] AE says: but it's Unix.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:01:54 PM] pD says: cool! I am all for "de facto" standards<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:02:18 PM] pD says: i think the attraction of DOS/PC world for me is that it is easy to hack<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:02:20 PM] AE says: I wish they would extend standards to those little machines at the checkout counter!<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:03:05 PM] AE says: each one is different! Each store has little markers on their machine helping you find the right button to push, and then the cashier still needs to help most people.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:03:57 PM] pD says: actually, in Korea, you just point your cell phone and it pays (deduct from a debit account)<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:04:15 PM] pD says: when it comes to retailing electronics, the US is quite behind<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:55:28 PM] pD says: so, what were you guys doing this morning when we were having our off site excitement?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:58:58 PM] AE says: working.<br /><br />[7/25/2007 2:59:34 PM] pD says: you should have come to the off-site then... ;)<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:45:15 PM] pD says: wait! AE is celebrating 10 years of marriage<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:45:22 PM] pD says: but, i thought his son is around 10 years old<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:45:33 PM] pD doing the math in his mind<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:45:36 PM] pD says: with great difficulty<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:46:09 PM] pD says: hmm...<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:46:44 PM] nsy says: actually, 11 years, i think<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:46:59 PM] pD says: his kid or marriage?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:47:10 PM] nsy says: marriage<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:47:10 PM] pD says: :)!<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:47:30 PM] nsy says: yes, the math is close...<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:47:38 PM] pD says: darn! could have been a good story...<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:48:39 PM] pD says: btw, is AE coming in on Friday?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:57:09 PM] pD says: have you seen the transformer film? i was told that it was pretty entertaining<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:57:39 PM] pD says: i am looking for entertainment ideas for my house guests so they do not kill each other<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:58:09 PM] pD says: oh, i also saw the film Shooter with Mark Walberg<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:58:26 PM] pD says: he is pretty entertaining as an action actor<br /><br />[7/25/2007 3:58:36 PM] pD says: wasn't he a rapper before or something?<br /><br />[7/25/2007 5:15:24 PM] nsy says: marky mark and the funky bunch, and i think he might have been a backstreet boy too<br /><br />[6:13:31 AM] AE says: AE + Kusum = 11 years<br /><br />[6:13:40 AM] AE says: Quinn = 10 years<br /><br />[6:13:46 AM] AE says: Megan = 6 years<br /><br />[6:14:04 AM] AE says: AE will be watching the Transformer's movie on Friday, so will not be coming in.<br /><br />[9:25:02 AM] pD says: cool! i would like to get a full analysis of the film next week<br /><br />[9:25:21 AM] pD says: btw, what does Kusum mean? it is a cool name<br /><br />[2:04:58 PM] pD says: guess where i just went to lunch<br /><br />[2:05:44 PM] AE says: Oh! I love guessing games!<br /><br />[2:05:49 PM] AE says: Um... Mars?<br /><br />[2:05:59 PM] AE says: no wait.... uh....<br /><br />[2:05:59 PM] AE says: Mars?<br /><br />[2:06:04 PM] pD says: wrong direction<br /><br />[2:06:07 PM] pD says: but, the right idea<br /><br />[2:06:16 PM] pD says: one syllable destination<br /><br />[2:06:22 PM] AE says: Oh... Moon?<br /><br />[2:06:38 PM] pD says: good guess, even if not right<br /><br />[2:06:41 PM] pD says: keep going<br /><br />[2:06:54 PM] AE says: Sun? (I hear their food is really spicy!)<br /><br />[2:07:05 PM] AE says: Earth?<br /><br />[2:07:17 PM] AE says: Mings?<br /><br />[2:07:27 PM] pD says: gotta get to the Mars and Moon path<br /><br />[2:07:30 PM] pD says: think M<br /><br />[2:07:36 PM] pD says: yes, Ming's<br /><br />[2:08:04 PM] AE says: Wow! I'd love to try their food sometime!<br /><br />[2:08:10 PM] AE says: what did you have?<br /><br />[2:08:49 PM] pD says: dim sum, you know the usual<br /><br />[2:09:00 PM] pD says: i was trying to get people to order dishes at la cart<br /><br />[2:09:07 PM] pD says: but, dim sum was the preferred method<br /><br />===<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-25963255088822752082007-07-25T16:48:00.000-07:002007-07-25T16:54:52.473-07:00pearl - perl - curmudgeon - think - Han Solo - birthday - truck driver - veggie dip[12:20:22 PM] pD says: who is pearl?<br /><br />[12:20:35 PM] AE says: programming language.<br /><br />[12:20:58 PM] pD says: did not know that a programming language comes with a little girl's voice these days<br /><br />[12:21:03 PM] pD says: kind of disturbing<br /><br />[12:21:06 PM] AE says: weird. isn't it.<br /><br />[12:21:06 PM] nsy says: things in tea?<br /><br />[12:21:16 PM] AE says: also in oysters.<br /><br />[12:21:30 PM] AE says: oyster tea programming language.<br /><br />[12:21:32 PM] pD says: wait! that is perl<br /><br />[12:21:38 PM] AE says: oh... you're correct.<br /><br />[12:21:47 PM] AE says: it's a skit with Will Ferrel.<br /><br />[12:21:54 PM] pD says: oyster tea... kind of crunchy?<br /><br />[12:22:09 PM] AE says: personally, it's a little too juvenile for me.<br /><br />[12:22:16 PM] AE says: but some people seem to really like it.<br /><br />[12:22:41 PM] pD says: sorry, i am lost. what are we referring to now?<br /><br />[12:23:00 PM] AE says: they're watching a skit with Will Ferrel and Pearl.<br /><br />[12:23:11 PM] AE says: Pearl is... Will's daughter?<br /><br />[12:23:18 PM] pD says: if you say so<br /><br />[12:23:19 PM] AE says: Friends daughter?<br /><br />[12:23:26 PM] AE says: something like that.<br /><br />[12:23:43 PM] pD says: btw, who will man the store when everyone is in the off-site?<br /><br />[12:23:48 PM] pD says: just wondering<br /><br />[12:24:08 PM] AE says: <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74">http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74</a><br /><br />[12:24:22 PM] AE says: us support folks will still have our phones going.<br /><br />[12:24:38 PM] pD says: calling each other to get out of meetings<br /><br />[12:24:43 PM] pD says: that is a good idea<br /><br />[12:24:57 PM] AE says: heh. hadn't thought of that!<br /><br />[12:25:08 PM] AE says: I'm actually looking forward to meeting everyone.<br /><br />[12:26:59 PM] pD is a curmudgeon<br /><br />[12:27:09 PM] pD says: so, i have seen the video with will and pearl<br /><br />[12:27:30 PM] pD says: it is amusing, but what is the big fuzz about?<br /><br />[12:27:40 PM] pD says: what am i missing?<br /><br />[12:27:52 PM] AE says: i don't know. nothing as far as I know.<br /><br />[12:28:02 PM] AE says: M was sharing it with S.<br /><br />[12:28:16 PM] AE says: that brought it to the current reality.<br /><br />[12:29:30 PM] pD says: the following is for google bot's<br /><br />[12:29:34 PM] pD says: nsa chatters<br /><br />[12:29:41 PM] pD says: end message<br /><br />[12:29:55 PM] AE says: you have to be more creative about working the phrase nsa chatters into conversation.<br /><br />[12:30:01 PM] AE says: it's a little abrupt!<br /><br />[12:30:07 PM] nsy says: what is nsa chatters?<br /><br />[12:30:21 PM] AE says: blah blah blah... btw NSA CHATTERS... it's a bit jaring really.<br /><br />[12:30:39 PM] pD says: well, think of it as a comercial break<br /><br />[12:30:54 PM] pD says: i suppose we can come up with a tag line<br /><br />[12:30:59 PM] pD says: but, that requires thinking<br /><br />[12:31:04 PM] pD says: thinking is hard<br /><br />[12:31:11 PM] AE says: oh.. well forget that then.<br /><br />[12:31:29 PM] AE says: we get paid to think... and as far as i know no one's paid us anything for this!<br /><br />[12:31:45 PM] pD says: my point precisely<br /><br />[12:31:53 PM] pD says: thinking is for wimps<br /><br />[12:32:08 PM] pD says: young men - just type away<br /><br />[12:32:23 PM] AE says: I totally agree!<br /><br />[12:32:25 PM] pD says: btw, we went up to SF on Saturday<br /><br />[12:32:48 PM] AE says: I'm a big fan of the Han Solo school of "irrational action before thought"!<br /><br />[12:32:58 PM] AE says: how was SF?<br /><br />[12:33:19 PM] pD says: we figured that it would be "eaiser" to take the family to a place that we know fairly well<br /><br />[12:33:40 PM] pD says: my whole family is coming to visit to celebrate the little boss' one year birthday<br /><br />[12:34:02 PM] AE says: when is that?<br /><br />[12:34:09 PM] pD says: did han solo actually said that - "irrational action before thought"? i do nto recall<br /><br />[12:37:08 PM] AE says: no. he did not need to say it: he simply did it!<br /><br />[12:40:27 PM] pD says: actually, i thought he was quite cynical - recall that he did not want to get involved with the rescue until the reward was mentioined<br /><br />[12:40:56 PM] pD says: it is true that he charged the storm troopers solo in the rescue, but that is not irrational as such - it worked to some extent<br /><br />[12:43:30 PM] AE says: but it was not thought out<br /><br />[1:23:47 PM] pD says: love how nsy puts S in his place...<br /><br />[1:23:57 PM] pD says: nsy rocks!<br /><br />[1:24:09 PM] pD is looking for his pirate pom-poms<br /><br />[1:29:59 PM] pD says: btw, the his laptop fixed?<br /><br />[1:30:47 PM] nsy says: not that i know of<br /><br />[1:45:11 PM] pD says: i was going to find a han solo clip on youtube<br /><br />[1:45:14 PM] pD says: not seeing anything<br /><br />[1:45:28 PM] pD says: i wonder if george lucas has been culling those as well, that would be fitting of his style<br /><br />[1:45:34 PM] pD says: Lucas the litigator<br /><br />[1:46:56 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.film.com/movies/story/georgelucaswantsyou/14895159">http://www.film.com/movies/story/georgelucaswantsyou/14895159</a><br /><br />[1:49:46 PM] pD says: i have always wondered what it would be like to be a truck driver<br /><br />[1:49:57 PM] pD says: could be an enjoyabel life<br /><br />[1:50:10 PM] pD says: anotehr alternative was to be a postal delivery guy in the rural area<br /><br />[1:50:21 PM] pD says: but, i don't like dealing with dogs<br /><br />[4:51:19 PM] pD says: that was not too painful<br /><br />[4:54:36 PM] AE says: and we got free food.<br /><br />[4:55:08 PM] pD says: not to take anything aways from fruits since i am a personal fan<br /><br />[4:55:13 PM] pD says: but, that ain't no food<br /><br />[4:55:23 PM] AE says: i was thinking of the veggies and dip.<br /><br />[4:55:36 PM] AE says: if you just drink the dip straight... it's quite filling.<br /><br />[4:55:44 PM] pD says: ah! i did not have those. so, in the pD-centric wrold, that does not count<br /><br />[4:56:01 PM] pD says: i would pay to see you drink the dip straight<br /><br />[4:56:14 PM] AE says: how much?<br /><br />[4:56:23 PM] pD says: how much would you drink?<br /><br />[4:56:29 PM] AE says: (we've now established what kind of person I am)<br /><br />[4:56:41 PM] AE says: depends on if the money would cover the hospital bills.<br /><br />[4:56:54 PM] AE says: then amount is not in question.<br /><br />[4:57:19 PM] pD says: probably not enough - but you should do it for pride, country, family, and the knowledge of how much dip you can consume<br /><br />[4:57:46 PM] pD says: i say that in and of itself, as a self-discovery journey, is well worth the efforts<br /><br />[4:57:57 PM] pD is once again looking for his pirate pompoms<br /><br />===<br /><br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-8493755376408064922007-07-18T17:31:00.001-07:002007-07-19T15:18:18.247-07:00santa cruz - lost boys - alan guilbert - NY Philharmonics - acres - band practice - sound insulations - geeks - steam roller - reverse polarity[10:19:54 AM] pD says: hi nsy<br /><br />[10:19:59 AM] pD says: thanks for the info on santa cruz<br /><br />[10:20:09 AM] pD says: would you mind if i post it sans your phone number<br /><br />[10:20:15 AM] pD says: makes for good references<br /><br />[10:24:33 AM] nsy says: sure :)<br /><br />[10:25:07 AM] nsy says: oh, and they are showing "the lost boys" movie on the beach where some scenes were filmed - next Wed, I believe. I can't wait.<br /><br />[10:25:20 AM] nsy says: and the Moscow Circus is in town, they do a 45 min show on the wharf<br /><br />[10:25:42 AM] nsy says: santa cruz rules<br /><br />[10:25:47 AM] pD says: who are the lost boys?<br /><br />[10:26:27 AM] pD says: this is from nsy - guru of santa cruz<br /><br />[10:26:28 AM] pD says: Here are some links fro Santa Cruz...<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz,_California">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz,_California</a> <br /><br />Metro Santa Cruz lists events, and you can search by date and type:<br /><br /><a href="http://calendar.metroactive.com/calendar/Events?StartDate=2006-12-18&EventCategory=&RegionCity=oid%3A5892&searchPhrase=">http://calendar.metroactive.com/calendar/Events?StartDate=2006-12-18&EventCategory=&RegionCity=oid%3A5892&searchPhrase=</a><br /><br />Wander along Pacific ave<br /><br /><a href="http://www.downtownsantacruz.com/">http://www.downtownsantacruz.com/</a><br /><br />Take the train!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.roaringcamp.com/fares.html">http://www.roaringcamp.com/fares.html</a><br /><br />Shakespeare is great for Babies!<br /><br /><a href="http://shakespearesantacruz.org/summer2007/calendar.html">http://shakespearesantacruz.org/summer2007/calendar.html</a><br /><br />A good way to kill an hour or 2:<br /><br /><a href="http://www2.ucsc.edu/seymourcenter/visitor_information.html">http://www2.ucsc.edu/seymourcenter/visitor_information.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_Museum_of_Natural_History">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_Museum_of_Natural_History</a><br /><br />A bit off the beaten path, but fun:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mysteryspot.com/">http://www.mysteryspot.com/</a><br /><br />Bonfante Gardens was recently purchased by Gilroy Theme parks, but is supposedly nice:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gilroygardens.org/">http://www.gilroygardens.org/</a><br /><br />Off HWY 9 in Felton, this is an easy, paved loop through a section of old redwoods. Get a brochure at the visitors center, and follow the numbered items to get history of certain spots. Even better if you follow a volunteer docent. There is one older gentleman who knows all the "unspoken" history, and its is pretty interesting stuff. Only takes about an hour if you are slow. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/henrycowell.html">http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/henrycowell.html</a><br /><br />The Beach boardwalk ! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.beachboardwalk.com/01_events.html">http://www.beachboardwalk.com/01_events.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.boardwalkbowl.com/events.html">http://www.boardwalkbowl.com/events.html</a><br /><br />Mini Golf:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.beachboardwalk.com/02_neptunes_kingdom.html">http://www.beachboardwalk.com/02_neptunes_kingdom.html</a><br /><br />Classic corner arcade games - yeah!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.beachboardwalk.com/02_casino_arcade.html">http://www.beachboardwalk.com/02_casino_arcade.html</a><br /><br />You can walk from the Boardwalk to the Wharf. The only places I would recommend to eat there are Riva Fish House or Olitas Mexican Grill.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/08.16.00/riva-0033.html">http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/08.16.00/riva-0033.html</a><br /><br />Dining is actually better down town, which is about a 10 minute walk from the Wharf. <br /><br />Kianti's is Italian-style family place. Good food (nothing fancy), reasonable prices, big portions, great service. They sing and dance and toss pizzas on weekend nights at 7 and 9. <a href="http://www.rojo.com/story/T4MN3675ZlDjpqRv">http://www.rojo.com/story/T4MN3675ZlDjpqRv</a><br /><br />If you are willing to drive to Felton, the Tyrolean Inn is great Bavarian food! <a href="http://www.tyroleaninn.com/">http://www.tyroleaninn.com/</a><br /><br />If you want a really great (but pricey) adult dinner - make reservations at Pearl Alley Bistro. <a href="http://www.pearlalley.com/">http://www.pearlalley.com/</a><br /><br />Another good eatery, but requires driving down Soquel a bit is the Crepe Place:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/12.12.96/dining-9650.html">http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/12.12.96/dining-9650.html</a><br /><br />For dessert, just walk down town Pacific ave to Chocolat and order a copper pot of Sofia to share. Yum!<br /><br />For breakfast, Walnut Cafe is the local favorite, but usually has a long wait. <a href="http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/02.14.01/dining-0107.html">http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/02.14.01/dining-0107.html</a><br /><br />Hoffman's also does a good breakfast, and everything else there is good, too! <a href="http://www.hoffmansbakery.com/aboutus.htm">http://www.hoffmansbakery.com/aboutus.htm</a><br /><br />Zachary's is also a local favorite. <a href="http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/06.14.00/zacharys-0024.html">http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/06.14.00/zacharys-0024.html</a><br /><br />If you are willing to leave the downtown and drive to food for breakfast, you have to try Cafe Brazil! Crowded, ling wait - but worth it! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/05.04.05/dining-0518.html">http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/05.04.05/dining-0518.html</a><br /><br />Nice lounge for adults after hours:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.redsantacruz.com/">http://www.redsantacruz.com/</a><br /><br />[10:28:05 AM] nsy says: just one of my top 5 movies ;). cheezy 80's vampire flick: <a href="http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/196737/">http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/196737/</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093437/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093437/</a><br /><br />[10:32:23 AM] pD says: cool!<br /><br />[10:32:26 AM] pD says: i will put it on my list<br /><br />[10:44:20 AM] AE says: wow pD. You know a lot about our back yard up here...<br /><br />[10:44:23 AM] AE says: kinda... scary.<br /><br />[10:44:34 AM] AE says: Guess where I'm going?<br /><br />[10:44:39 AM] AE says: that's right! Running!<br /><br />[10:44:43 AM] AE says: bye<br /><br />[10:50:52 AM] pD says: in the meantime, pD shall sit on his butt<br /><br />[10:51:09 AM] pD says: 's a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it<br /><br />[1:01:10 PM] pD says: alan gilbert<br /><br />[1:01:22 PM] pD says: is going to be the new boss at NY Philharmonics<br /><br />[1:01:23 PM] pD says: <a href="http://nyphil.org/attend/guests/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=478&seasonNum=7">http://nyphil.org/attend/guests/index.cfm?page=profile&personNum=478&seasonNum=7</a><br /><br />[1:01:29 PM] pD says: hail gilbert<br /><br />[1:02:03 PM] pD says: on NY Times: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/arts/music/18phil.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/arts/music/18phil.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp</a><br /><br />[1:16:07 PM] nsy says: gilbert is a chump - what's so great about gilbert anyway?<br /><br />[1:16:15 PM] AE says: Wow! I just ran with my son. 5 miles!<br /><br />[1:16:29 PM] nsy playing devils advocate to rattle pD's cage<br /><br />[1:16:31 PM] AE says: who's gilbert?<br /><br />[1:16:39 PM] AE says: *read read read read*<br /><br />[1:16:43 PM] AE says: Ok. got it.<br /><br />[1:17:21 PM] nsy says: greetings, runs-with-a-kid<br /><br />[1:18:37 PM] AE says: hello. sorry i forgot to log back in. been busy?<br /><br />[1:18:56 PM] nsy says: hey, AE... your opinion...how many acres must one have to host a "band practice" of the electric kind, and not infernalize one's neighbors?<br /><br />[1:18:59 PM] AE says: I only had one install today, and one tomorrow, none Friday, so I think we're past the busy time.<br /><br />[1:19:13 PM] AE says: uh... not an acreage issue.<br /><br />[1:19:28 PM] AE says: it's an acoustic insulation issue.<br /><br />[1:19:53 PM] AE says: if you have a flat field, or are in a canyon, sound can travel or bounce very far: hundred acres wouldn't be enough.<br /><br />[1:20:16 PM] AE says: But, if you have a well insulated room, you could do it on a small lot.<br /><br />[1:20:35 PM] AE says: are you talking out doors? Or just needing a place to practice?<br /><br />[1:25:24 PM] pD says: on gilbert: well, it is all about buzz - anyone who does not think classical music is show biz is kiddin' themselves<br /><br />[1:25:36 PM] pD says: the selection process has gone on for several years<br /><br />[1:25:44 PM] pD says: so, it is the climax<br /><br />[1:25:59 PM] pD says: btw, i am glad that they have come to their sense to hire somebody who is relatively young and an american<br /><br />[1:26:24 PM] pD says: it is funny that most american musicians go to Europe and most Europeans come to the US to build their careers<br /><br />[1:26:55 PM] pD says: now back to the band thing - for whatever it is worth, couldn't the instruments be plugged into a mixing board and headphones?<br /><br />[1:27:25 PM] pD does not play electric guitar<br /><br />[1:51:20 PM] pD says: for sound insulation, there are two things that you want to consider<br /><br />[1:51:33 PM] pD says: speaking as a minor audio geek<br /><br />[1:51:56 PM] pD says: one is the heft of the insulation and the other is the surface characteristic of the insulation<br /><br />[1:52:15 PM] pD says: heft (the heavier) is the key determinant on how far the sounds energy will travel<br /><br />[1:52:43 PM] pD says: so, in audio equipments, for example, lead is used a lot to minimize minor vibrations<br /><br />[1:53:02 PM] AE says: i disagree.<br /><br />[1:53:05 PM] pD says: surface area is a concern because depending on what it is, it determines how "bouncy" the sound is<br /><br />[1:53:18 PM] AE says: you need something that absorbs vibration.<br /><br />[1:53:28 PM] pD says: in other words, if you have a hard surface, there will be more echo/bounces<br /><br />[1:53:30 PM] AE says: heavy objects can still transmit vibration.<br /><br />[1:53:42 PM] AE says: true. but density is not the key to sound deadening.<br /><br />[1:53:59 PM] AE says: you need something with dead air space; something that cannot vibrate.<br /><br />[1:54:03 PM] pD says: the reverse is true, in that, if it absorbs all the sound, transfers it into heat - more specifically<br /><br />[1:54:04 PM] nsy says: just looking for a good place for band practice. if your neighbors had a teenager with a metal band, what would you recommend to them?<br /><br />[1:54:19 PM] pD says: it could also sound "strange" as it is not "natural"<br /><br />[1:54:39 PM] AE says: how it sounds was not the question though.<br /><br />[1:54:46 PM] AE says: the goal is sound deadening.<br /><br />[1:55:04 PM] pD says: so, there are the two things that you want to consider - heft to protect your reputation, but it has to sound natural enough that the "practice" sounds real<br /><br />[1:55:05 PM] AE says: *AE and pD steam roller past nsy....<br /><br />[1:55:14 PM] pD says: * like always<br /><br />[1:55:51 PM] pD says: so, if you wish to do it in an open space, i would suggest that you do it in a area with lots of shrub/tree<br /><br />[1:56:19 PM] pD says: running water also acts as good insulation, but that requires you to direct the amp's in certain directions<br /><br />[1:56:50 PM] pD says: so, this goes back to my original suggestion, if it is for practice, it would be best to hook everything up to a mixer and everyone can hear it via headphone<br /><br />[1:57:15 PM] pD says: not sure this is being at all helpful<br /><br />[1:57:35 PM] pD says: yakking away all the same<br /><br />[1:57:55 PM] pD = the yakker<br /><br />[4:02:41 PM] pD says: btw, nsy<br /><br />[4:03:01 PM] pD says: did we make any meaningful impact on your acreage for the band question?<br /><br />[4:07:16 PM] nsy says: nope, but it was an amusing debate. i like to stir the bees nest and watch the fray! (sinister laughter...)<br /><br />[4:07:36 PM] nsy says: i'm guessing about 5 acres will do if you have an insulated room<br /><br />[4:07:47 PM] nsy says: and the land is rolling and semi-wooded<br /><br />[4:08:47 PM] pD says: well, i think the truth is that if it is indoor with an insulated wall, you may not need 5 acres.<br /><br />[4:08:58 PM] pD says: but, i am assuming that you have a specific location in mind and that is probably okay<br /><br />[4:09:31 PM] pD says: if you really want to make sure, just play a CD of their music and ride around the property on the bike to be sure<br /><br />[4:18:59 PM] pD says: now, if you want to get fancy - and assuming that you have the equipments - you can direct the amp/speakers toward each other with reverse polarity<br /><br />[4:19:45 PM] pD says: the effect is that the sound (waves) will cancel each other out for the most part. Think of it as a very large "noise cancellation" set that you can get on airplanes<br /><br />[4:39:57 PM] nsy says: hm... good idea ;-p<br /><br />===<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-35122147759771473462007-07-17T17:07:00.000-07:002007-07-17T17:19:26.567-07:00tanks - du pont - torque - worm - falsetto - moth larvae - BFML - eugenics - bounty - taxes - dorks - google ranking[7/16/2007 10:19:22 AM] pD says: howdy AE<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:19:25 AM] pD says: is nsy in LA?<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:20:30 AM] AE shrugs<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:20:39 AM] AE says: no idea. She's apparently not here.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:20:50 AM] AE is master of the obvious<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:20:51 AM] pD says: you are a very shrewd observer<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:31:06 AM] AE says: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AcVSEY2DP0&mode=related&search=">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AcVSEY2DP0&mode=related&search=</a><br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:35:13 AM] AE says: here's the story on the recent one: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6898667.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6898667.stm</a><br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:36:26 AM] AE says: and the back story on the San Diego incedent:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Nelson">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Nelson</a><br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:36:30 AM] AE has changed the chat topic to "Tanked"<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:36:45 AM] AE has changed the chat topic to "Tanks a Lot"<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:37:11 AM] pD says: John E. Du Pont is the name of the du pont guy<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:37:26 AM] pD says: and, i am afraid that i may have mixed up the san diego tank story with the du pont story<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:37:41 AM] pD says: he (du pont) was not killed - he was just known to drive his tank on his estate<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:37:55 AM] pD says: he is, however, in prison for a murder conviction<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:37:56 AM] AE says: which is actually pretty fun!<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:38:02 AM] AE says: oh.. that's not fun.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:38:12 AM] AE says: ever driven a tank/tracked vehicle?<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:38:49 AM] AE says: they turn instantly. you can out accelerate most anything (up to about 25 MPH).<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:38:53 AM] pD says: never driven one - seems like an interesting experience<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:39:10 AM] AE says: very loud. very noisy. the old ones vibrate a lot too.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:39:13 AM] AE says: but way fun.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:40:08 AM] AE says: our boy scout troop got to ride in a M113 once. That was a kick for a bunch of kids!<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:40:30 AM] pD says: that is interesting - about acceleration - why would it be faster?<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:40:57 AM] AE says: you can lock both treads and rev the engine up. Then, all the torque is released at once.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:41:20 AM] AE says: you can do the same thing in a car (called 'break barring"), but a tank has better traction.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:41:41 AM] AE says: so it can apply all that torque at once, lurching the tank to it's maximum speed in seconds.<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:41:59 AM] AE says: of course... maximum speeds usually are not that impressive...<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:43:05 AM] pD says: that makes sense - ability to release the torque all at once<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:43:19 AM] pD says: i wonder how it has been used in combat situation - if any<br /><br />[7/16/2007 10:43:42 AM] AE says: good question. I imagine it's pretty hard on the transmission...<br /><br />[7/16/2007 3:11:32 PM] pD says: howdy!<br /><br />[7/16/2007 3:11:37 PM] pD says: monday is always busy<br /><br />[7/16/2007 7:25:20 PM] AE says: sorry... yes... very busy.<br /><br />[10:15:15 AM] pD has changed the chat topic to "still tanking"<br /><br />[10:16:07 AM] pD says: but, i think it begs the question of why/how does AE know so much about tank/tracked vehicle<br /><br />[10:37:38 AM] pD says: okay, i have a worm on my desk<br /><br />[10:37:41 AM] pD says: who wants to see<br /><br />[10:37:49 AM] pD says: and, equally important, what do i do with it?<br /><br />[10:37:59 AM] AE says: run your anti-virus scanner.<br /><br />[10:38:04 AM] AE says: should take care of worms too.<br /><br />[10:38:13 AM] pD says: it is onto my phone now<br /><br />[10:38:26 AM] AE says: your phone has a worm? <br /><br />[10:38:29 AM] AE says: that's a new one!<br /><br />[10:38:30 AM] pD says: question: when do i pull up my pants and scream bloody murder?<br /><br />[10:38:51 AM] pD says: a physical worm - brown/red-ish in color<br /><br />[10:39:55 AM] AE says: scream now. We're on a conference call; it's boring and could use a little spicing up!<br /><br />[10:40:39 AM] pD preparing for falsetto voice<br /><br />[10:40:45 AM] pD says: aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh<br /><br />[10:40:53 AM] pD says: yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii<br /><br />[10:40:58 AM] pD says: uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh<br /><br />[10:41:21 AM] pD says: give me a few seconds to center myself<br /><br />[10:41:38 AM] AE says: :D <br /><br />[10:41:56 AM] pD says: (music)<br /><br />[10:42:06 AM] AE says: (dance) <br /><br />[10:42:09 AM] pD says: hummmmmmm (music)<br /><br />[10:42:31 AM] pD says: Ooooooooooooooooooh my goooooooooooooood!! <br /><br />(music)<br /><br />[10:50:07 AM] pD says: actually, this reminds me of the book "confederacy of dunces"<br /><br />[10:50:24 AM] pD says: the main character says "oh, my god" quite often<br /><br />[10:50:34 AM] pD says: nsy<br /><br />[10:50:45 AM] pD waving to get nsy's attention<br /><br />[10:50:57 AM] AE says: we're both in a meeting right now.<br /><br />[10:51:01 AM] AE says: so she may not be looking.<br /><br />[10:51:14 AM] pD says: oh, she is just ignoring me, i know that<br /><br />[10:51:35 AM] AE plays world smallest fiddle.<br /><br />[11:33:22 AM] pD says: nsy<br /><br />[11:33:31 AM] pD says: if you are okay with the idea<br /><br />[11:33:36 AM] pD says: can you take a pix of the worm?<br /><br />[11:33:55 AM] pD says: and, we probably need to give it a name too<br /><br />[11:33:59 AM] pD says: but, i think a pix would help<br /><br />[12:09:01 PM] pD says: i have set the worm free<br /><br />[12:09:28 PM] pD says: the office environment is just no place for a self-respecting worm<br /><br />[12:15:54 PM] AE says: really, this is not a law firm!<br /><br />[12:19:24 PM] pD says: i thought they are sharks<br /><br />[1:43:56 PM] nsy is done ignoring pD<br /><br />[1:44:15 PM] nsy says: so, did you get a picture with my silly phone? is the worm free?<br /><br />[1:44:28 PM] pD says: worm has been freed<br /><br />[1:44:48 PM] pD says: well, i sent him flying through the 2nd floor window<br /><br />[1:44:59 PM] pD says: hmm... that did not come out sounding right<br /><br />[1:45:03 PM] pD says: anyway, he is on his own<br /><br />[1:45:12 PM] pD says: as for photo, the memory card was full<br /><br />[1:45:14 PM] pD says: so, no photo<br /><br />[1:46:04 PM] pD says: but, nsy did have a look<br /><br />[1:46:12 PM] pD says: so, is it more of a slug or a worm?<br /><br />[1:47:35 PM] nsy says: there are windows that open?<br /><br />[1:47:39 PM] nsy says: definitely a worm<br /><br />[1:48:11 PM] pD says: in the small conference room that is the only one that opens - that i know of<br /><br />[1:48:32 PM] pD says: say, can you find an image similar to the worm so AE can share the joy?<br /><br />[1:49:31 PM] nsy says: trying- going to have daymares on these images - ugh<br /><br />[1:50:22 PM] pD says: you too can pull up your pants and scream bloody murder<br /><br />[1:54:15 PM] nsy says: bloody murder!<br /><br />[1:54:38 PM] nsy says: i definitely thing its some sort of moth larvae.<br /><br />[1:55:00 PM] pD says: no vocal warm up, just straight into it. good stuff.<br /><br />[1:55:51 PM] pD says: <a href="http://crawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/figures/codapple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://crawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/figures/codapple.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://crawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/figures/codapple.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:55:57 PM] nsy says: just be glad it wasn't a pussworm <a href="http://rxwildlife.org.uk/images/Puss%20Moth.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://rxwildlife.org.uk/images/Puss%20Moth.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://rxwildlife.org.uk/images/Puss%20Moth.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:56:22 PM] pD says: this is kind of close: <a href="http://www.yates.com.au/images/problemsolver/large/Codlingmoth.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.yates.com.au/images/problemsolver/large/Codlingmoth.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://www.yates.com.au/images/problemsolver/large/Codlingmoth.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:56:30 PM] pD says: more red/brown in color though<br /><br />[1:57:51 PM] pD says: unrelated, but this is a giant BFML: <a href="http://schmidling.com/impcat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://schmidling.com/impcat.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://schmidling.com/impcat.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:58:04 PM] pD says: imperial moth: <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://schmidling.com/impcat.jpg&imgrefurl=http://schmidling.com/impmoth.htm&h=368&w=400&sz=17&hl=en&start=109&um=1&tbnid=q27VFMzCpFkV4M:&tbnh=114&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmoth%2Blarvae%2Bpictures%26start%3D100%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGIH_enUS211US211%26sa%3DN">http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://schmidling.com/impcat.jpg&imgrefurl=http://schmidling.com/impmoth.htm&h=368&w=400&sz=17&hl=en&start=109&um=1&tbnid=q27VFMzCpFkV4M:&tbnh=114&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmoth%2Blarvae%2Bpictures%26start%3D100%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGIH_enUS211US211%26sa%3DN</a><br /><br />[1:58:21 PM] pD says: i will stop now<br /><br />[1:58:40 PM] pD says: i have nothing against moth nor larvae, but it does make me feel a bit queasy<br /><br />[1:58:54 PM] pD loves his artificial environment<br /><br />[1:59:00 PM] nsy says: ooh - here are some good ones: <a href="http://www.mark-ju.net/wildlife/larvae.htm">http://www.mark-ju.net/wildlife/larvae.htm</a><br /><br />[2:00:11 PM] nsy says: yeesh- that imperial larvae is <glarg> <shudder> freaky huge<br /><br />[2:00:38 PM] pD says: (puke)<br /><br />[2:00:57 PM] pD says: :O<br /><br />[2:01:12 PM] pD says: as i said, i have nothing against them, but...<br /><br />[2:01:58 PM] pD says: maybe this is how eugenics got its start. people wanting to have better looking larvae<br /><br />[2:16:32 PM] nsy says: fascinating Eugenics archive: <a href="http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/">http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/</a><br /><br />[2:53:04 PM] pD has changed the chat topic to "bounty"<br /><br />[2:53:26 PM] pD says: so, i heard that the bounty for bin laden has been upped to $50mm<br /><br />[2:53:40 PM] pD says: but, a check on the FBI site shows that he is only worth 25mm<br /><br />[2:53:45 PM] pD says: what gives! <a href="http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/fugitives/laden.htm">http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/fugitives/laden.htm</a><br /><br />[2:54:02 PM] pD says: btw, why is his name Usama on the FBI site instead of Osama?<br /><br />[2:54:34 PM] pD says: i am sure that it is a gross bastardization of his name either case, so why not make it easier for the rest of us?<br /><br />[2:56:06 PM] pD says: i guess it has just been approved by the US Senate (i heard it on the radio earlier today). Probably why FBI has not upped the bounty: <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/57FF48F9-D41B-41B4-8119-4615FE01F0DB.htm">http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/57FF48F9-D41B-41B4-8119-4615FE01F0DB.htm</a><br /><br />[2:56:20 PM] pD says: btw, i am wonder if you have to pay tax for the bounty<br /><br />[2:56:50 PM] pD says: if yes, that would significantly diminish the inventive, i would think...<br /><br />[2:58:01 PM] nsy says: <a href="http://volokh.com/posts/1149797357.shtml">http://volokh.com/posts/1149797357.shtml</a><br /><br />[2:58:40 PM] nsy says: "Bounties are subject to the income tax. It's really just compensation for services by unilateral contract. It's not different (from a tax perspective) from commissions paid to salesmen or the like. "<br /><br />[3:02:44 PM] pD says: dang! i hope it is not too late to cancel my priceline flight reservation to pakistan<br /><br />[3:03:14 PM] nsy says: good luck with that<br /><br />[3:07:00 PM] pD says: priceline?<br /><br />[3:07:21 PM] pD says: btw, more legalese on the tax treatment of the bounty. really good read too<br /><br />[3:07:24 PM] pD says: Okay, here's a tax lawyer's quick take. If the recipient of a bounty like this is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (a more common example would be a reward paid by the IRS for turning in somebody who didn't pay their taxes, which the IRS is indeed authorized to pay), then the bounty is definitely "gross income" subject to income tax. I think it is probably NOT subject to social security (FICA) tax or "self-employment tax" and NOT subject to withholding of income tax, because it is not "wages" nor is it income from the recipient's own business or professional activities. It's the kind of income that would be reported to the recipient and to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC Box 3, "Other Income." It should be reported by the recipient as income on Form 1040, line 21 ("Other income"). The IRS instructions say that is the line for reporting "prizes and awards," gambling winnings, and other miscellaneous non-business, non-wage income. <br /><br />Since a bounty paid by the U.S. government is "U.S. source income," if the recipient is a foreign national, then the payment would be subject to U.S. withholding tax (not employment tax withholding, but withholding tax nonetheless) at the rate of 30% unless the rate is reduced by treaty. U.S. tax treaties with most of our trading partners would allow a reduced withholding rate. But we don't have a tax treaty with Iraq right now, so technically it's subject to 30% withholding. If the $25 million bounty is paid and the recipient is an Iraqi, I wonder if he or she will complain when the check is only $17.5 million.<br /><br />[3:08:15 PM] nsy says: yep - thats good info! wow, 30% lost - where's my motivation, eh?<br /><br />[3:08:40 PM] pD says: but, here is a ruling that may make it possible - if you have a non-US passport<br /><br />[3:08:41 PM] pD says: Nonresident aliens not engaged in a business within the United States are subject to U.S. federal income tax on their U.S. source fixed or determinable annual or periodical income at a flat rate of 30% (unless reduced by treaty). IRC Sec. 871. This tax is generally withheld by the payer of the income. IRC Sec. 1441. (For a discussion of withholding tax under Sec. 1441 on amounts paid to informants, see Gen. Couns. Mem. 37,198 (July 18, 1977)). <br /><br />For this purpose, whether a bounty is subject to tax by the United States will largely depend on how a bounty is characterized for tax purposes, because that will dictate how the source of the bounty is determined. There is one revenue ruling from 1970 (Rev. Rul. 70-576) that characterizes a reward paid by the United States to a Canadian informant as personal service income. The source of personal service income is generally the place where the services were performed. IRC Secs. 861(a)(3) &862(a)(3). If the informing in this situation was done in Iraq, then the bounty would be foreign source income paid to a nonresident alien, which renders it generally non-taxable by the United States. (In the revenue ruling, the informing appears to have been done in the United States, which would make the reward U.S. source income; however, the IRS found that the informant was nonetheless exempt from tax under the commercial traveler exception in the U.S.-Canada income tax treaty---the US currently has no treaty with Iraq, but we do have a statutory commercial traveler exception---IRC Sec. 861(a)(3), but that exception likely would not apply here given the size of these bounties).<br /><br />[3:10:50 PM] nsy says: i guess buying a forged non-US passport is a good investment if you are a bounty hunter.<br /><br />[3:14:44 PM] pD says: dang! need to change my flight schedule to go to a few Caribbean countries before heading to Paki<br /><br />[3:23:11 PM] pD says: i know this sounds funny, but, the life of a tax lawyer is turning out more fascinating than i have first imagined<br /><br />[3:23:24 PM] pD is once again reminded that he is a dork<br /><br />[4:34:29 PM] pD has changed the chat topic to "because pD is a google ranking whore"<br /><br />[4:34:34 PM] pD says: nsa chatters<br /><br />[4:35:09 PM] pD says: i am afraid that this would be a recurring theme<br /><br />[4:35:25 PM] pD says: throwing a few random "nsa chatters" into the mix to up our ranking<br /><br />[4:35:49 PM] pD says: it dropped off last week since the phrase "nsa chatters" was not used regularly<br /><br />[4:35:58 PM] pD says: on a related note<br /><br />[4:36:27 PM] pD says: we should get people to link to us<br /><br />===<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-56081560235353664372007-07-13T15:43:00.000-07:002007-07-13T15:54:28.925-07:00allergy - conspiracies - federal reserves - dorks - geeks - nerds - mings - google ranking - kord (king of real dorks)[7/12/2007 10:12:04 AM] pD says: allergy sucks!<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:12:30 AM] pD says: i have blown through (literally and figuratively) a good stack of tissue papers this morning already<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:20:34 AM] nsy says: yikes! do you know what you're allergic to?<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:20:53 AM] pD says: O2<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:20:55 AM] AE says: trees<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:21:14 AM] pD says: organic objects<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:21:15 AM] AE says: oh, maybe you're alergic to tissue paper!<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:21:48 AM] AE says: it's a plot by the tissue paper industry!<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:22:12 AM] AE says: everytime you blow your nose it makes your nose run! A viscious circle...<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:22:22 AM] AE says: first they engineered the death of the cloth hanky...<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:22:37 AM] AE says: then they subverted us to the paper tissue...<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:22:53 AM] AE says: now they've imbued them with a special powder that makes you sneeze!<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:23:19 AM] AE says: and if they haven't they should! Because it would be good for the economy!<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:24:01 AM] pD says: hahaha!<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:24:29 AM] pD says: you remind me of the character from "King of the Hill" who believes in conspirarcy theories of all sorts<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:25:00 AM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_the_Hill">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_the_Hill</a><br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:25:23 AM] pD says: Dale: Dale Gribble<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:25:50 AM] pD says: <a href="http://www.fox.com/kingofthehill/bios/images/bio_img_dale.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.fox.com/kingofthehill/bios/images/bio_img_dale.gif" border="0" alt="" />http://www.fox.com/kingofthehill/bios/images/bio_img_dale.gif</a><br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:26:20 AM] pD says: btw, why would imbuing sneeze power be good for the economy?<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:27:37 AM] AE says: because massive tissue production will help deforestation.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:27:46 AM] AE says: and trees are bad for the economy.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:28:57 AM] pD says: AE, i know you are being facetious, but that still makes no sense<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:29:09 AM] AE says: ok, what is US currency printed on?<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:29:59 AM] AE says: a cloth pulp mixture.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:30:01 AM] AE says: and what is counterfiet currency printed on?<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:30:02 AM] AE says: paper<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:30:31 AM] AE says: so, remove the paper, you remove the material component of counerfiet money.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:30:55 AM] AE says: since counterfieting costs the US govenerment billions a year... <br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:31:08 AM] AE says: it would be good for the economy to reduce or totally remove it.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:31:28 AM] AE says: not to mention the side savings we'd all incurr in not having to do as much paperwork...<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:33:09 AM] AE says: Ok. Off to do an instal.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:36:41 AM] pD says: well, within the US, the move is to go into electonic money. Most of the transactions are done via credit cards already. and, larger ticket items are done via check. so, the amount of paper money in circulation is quite minimum.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:37:38 AM] pD says: and, even the use of check is dropping significantly. so much that Fed reserve announced recently that they will consolidate their check processing facilities and cut over 1,700 positions related to that process: <a href="http://www.wtop.com/?nid=111&sid=1175678">http://www.wtop.com/?nid=111&sid=1175678</a><br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:38:39 AM] pD says: interestingly, most of the US paper money circulates outside of the US as it is considered a good store of value - be you drug lord or Japanese tourists visiting Uganda<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:40:00 AM] pD says: on that basis, it has been the intention of the US mint to increase the frequency of paper money design. This does not deter counterfeits per se, but it does significantly increases the costs of printing large quantity. i think one of the latest in disucussion was to embed RFID onto the bill<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:40:55 AM] pD says: <a href="http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20011219S0016">http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20011219S0016</a><br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:41:17 AM] pD says: but, that does raise significant privacy concerns because it becomes a de-facto tracking machanism.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:42:31 AM] pD subscribes to all the federal reserve publications<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:42:45 AM] pD is a dork<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:59:10 AM] pD has changed the chat topic to "dork v geek"<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:59:22 AM] pD says: so, here is a question that i ponder every so often<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:59:35 AM] pD says: what is the difference between a dork vis-a-vis a geek?<br /><br />[7/12/2007 10:59:53 AM] pD says: equally importantly, who would win when pitted against each otehr<br /><br />[7/12/2007 12:00:44 PM] pD says: saw two funny bumper stickers today<br /><br />[7/12/2007 12:01:01 PM] pD says: one says: my kid is a honor student but my president is an idiot<br /><br />[7/12/2007 12:01:09 PM] pD says: the other is graphic in format<br /><br />[7/12/2007 12:01:35 PM] pD says: nixon (head shot) - brain (a picture) = bush (head shot)<br /><br />[7/12/2007 2:02:48 PM] pD says: this is a blantant commercial - becasue they are - from Dailey. Go on their site and you can see some really interesting ad's. Never seen any of them - then, I do not watch TV often: <a href="http://www.daileyads.com/">http://www.daileyads.com/</a><br /><br />[7/12/2007 4:50:28 PM] pD says: btw, how often does AE get a massage, i am jealous<br /><br />[7/12/2007 7:52:03 PM] AE says: he gets one about once every 6 weeks.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 7:52:29 PM] AE says: and the debate I've heard is Geek v Nerd. <br /><br />[7/12/2007 7:52:58 PM] AE says: It's an East Coast (Nerd's are cool) vs West Coast (Geeks rule) thing.<br /><br />[7/12/2007 7:53:24 PM] AE says: if you call someone a geek in New York, it's like calling them a nerd or dork on our coast.<br /><br />[11:19:39 AM] pD says: need to grab lunch<br /><br />[11:19:46 AM] pD says: wanna walk to ming's, AE?<br /><br />[11:31:20 AM] AE says: yes!<br /><br />[11:31:28 AM] AE says: I'll go run and then we'll walk over.<br /><br />[11:43:11 AM] pD says: i want: Mings Special Hong Kong Pan Fried Noodles<br /><br />[11:43:47 AM] pD says: btw, i found the msuic at Ming's site, very distrubing: <a href="http://www.mings.com/">http://www.mings.com/</a><br /><br />[11:43:59 AM] pD says: bad music is bad music is bad music<br /><br />[12:06:57 PM] pD says: I can see how nerds vs geeks would be considered positive traits on the coastal context<br /><br />[12:07:31 PM] pD says: but, i guess i am more exploring the deragatory side of things. when do you call somebody a dork vs a geek - what isthe difference?<br /><br />[12:27:43 PM] AE says: on this coast at least, Geek is a positive term.<br /><br />[12:32:50 PM] AE says: sweet and sour mock pork<br /><br />[12:33:17 PM] AE says: (650)856-7700 <br /><br />[2:50:57 PM] AE says: But on the east coast Geek is a negative term.<br /><br />[2:50:59 PM] AE says: Geek vs dork... <br /><br />[2:51:14 PM] AE says: I think dork is universally a derogatory term.<br /><br />[2:51:21 PM] AE says: but geeks can be cool, hip.<br /><br />[2:51:33 PM] pD says: that is fair.<br /><br />[2:51:35 PM] AE says: <a href="http://geekspeak.org">http://geekspeak.org</a>, for example. Those guys are way cool!<br /><br />[2:52:00 PM] pD says: but, let's transport ourselves outside of the silicon valley or any tech centers, how would the two terms play out?<br /><br />[2:52:35 PM] AE says: my relatives know I'm a geek. In Texas, I was introduced as : "This is my grandson, he's a geek."<br /><br />[2:52:41 PM] AE says: this was received very well.<br /><br />[2:52:58 PM] AE says: so it was not a derogatory term, and the people invovled were octogenarians at least.<br /><br />[2:53:13 PM] pD says: hahah!<br /><br />[2:53:22 PM] AE says: plus it's entered our common lives as non-derogatory: geeksquad is an example.<br /><br />[2:53:38 PM] pD says: so, i guess i can only refer to my self as a dork, then<br /><br />[2:53:47 PM] AE says: Ok... that's a bad example, because people (especially their geek piers) think they suck.<br /><br />[2:53:55 PM] AE says: why? what are you trying to portray?<br /><br />[2:54:03 PM] AE says: un-hipness?<br /><br />[2:54:06 PM] AE says: un-coolness?<br /><br />[2:54:13 PM] AE says: cluelessness?<br /><br />[2:55:06 PM] pD says: soemthing like that<br /><br />[2:55:24 PM] pD says: just like people who get into goth and punk in the initial stage<br /><br />[2:55:35 PM] pD says: being un-hip is the hip thing<br /><br />[2:56:18 PM] pD says: similarly, it is like black people calling each otehr nigga' or women refers themselves as bitches<br /><br />[2:56:39 PM] pD says: i think, as an exercise, it is interesting because it initially adds a shock value,<br /><br />[2:57:09 PM] pD says: but, as it gets cooped by the main(er) stream, it turns into something edgy/hip and lose much of its punch<br /><br />[2:57:14 PM] AE says: shock to whom? Most people are too narcasitic to understand something like that.<br /><br />[2:57:30 PM] AE says: are you trying to find the next edge?<br /><br />[2:57:32 PM] pD says: imagine that, 5 years from now, "dork" is a good word<br /><br />[2:57:48 PM] AE says: like geek.<br /><br />[2:58:13 PM] pD says: oh, as a social phenemonem (i am butchering this word), it is intersting to see the evolution of words<br /><br />[2:58:14 PM] AE says: when i was in highschool, being a geek or nerd was synonomus with being a dork.<br /><br />[2:58:39 PM] AE says: and usually resulted in lowered enjoyment of social activities.<br /><br />[2:58:51 PM] AE says: unless you count swirlies as a social activity.<br /><br />[2:58:56 PM] pD says: that is a good example, now that the word "geek" has taken on a different set of meaning - esepcailly after the dot com thing<br /><br />[2:59:14 PM] AE says: yeah. you know why?<br /><br />[2:59:22 PM] pD says: why<br /><br />[2:59:25 PM] AE says: beause the geeks were rich!<br /><br />[2:59:38 PM] AE says: suddenly those geeks from highschool were driving porches<br /><br />[2:59:43 PM] AE says: porches?<br /><br />[2:59:48 PM] AE says: can you drive a porch?<br /><br />[2:59:55 PM] AE says: you know what I mean.<br /><br />[2:59:58 PM] pD says: not sure if that is a valid test - for example, i would quality both bill gates and warren buffets as more dorky than geeky<br /><br />[3:00:10 PM] pD says: and they ain't poor<br /><br />[3:00:14 PM] AE says: yea. and look at how popular they are.<br /><br />[3:00:19 PM] pD says: porsche<br /><br />[3:00:24 PM] AE says: pooch?<br /><br />[3:00:48 PM] AE says: bill gates was hugely unknown in high school, I bet.<br /><br />[3:01:14 PM] AE says: so I think that very much proves my point.<br /><br />[3:01:27 PM] AE says: until he became a billionaire he was not much known.<br /><br />[3:01:40 PM] pD says: NSA Chatters<br /><br />[3:01:45 PM] pD says: btw, that was a commercial break<br /><br />[3:01:47 PM] AE says: now there are probably very few people in the world who don't know him.<br /><br />[3:01:49 PM] AE says: haha.<br /><br />[3:02:00 PM] pD says: i noted that our google ranking has dropped since we do not refer to our own title often<br /><br />[3:02:04 PM] AE says: Google that, biatch!<br /><br />[3:02:21 PM] pD says: i would occasionally drop that in just becasue i am a ranking whore<br /><br />[3:02:28 PM] AE says: So we need to start mentioning that NSA Chatters is going down in rankings?<br /><br />[3:02:29 PM] pD says: (rofl)<br /><br />[3:02:39 PM] pD says: that is a good start<br /><br />[3:02:54 PM] pD says: speaking of bill gates, i think he was pretty well known in various circles<br /><br />[3:02:55 PM] AE says: Or that NSA Chatters is going to one day rule the blogging universe?<br /><br />[3:03:02 PM] AE says: Like where?<br /><br />[3:03:03 PM] pD says: fame is a relative thing<br /><br />[3:03:23 PM] pD says: oh, he was the first one to sell a Basic compiler<br /><br />[3:03:34 PM] pD says: that is how Microsoft got started<br /><br />[3:03:41 PM] pD says: he also did not shy from being an asshole<br /><br />[3:03:55 PM] pD says: he was suiting everyone for copying/pirating his compiler<br /><br />[3:04:01 PM] pD says: that was considered by unhip<br /><br />[3:04:12 PM] pD says: then, of course, IBM called on him for the OS<br /><br />[3:04:40 PM] pD says: and, i read somewhere that fairly early in Microsoft's life, there has been a person dedicated to answer all the "fan mails" for bill<br /><br />[3:04:53 PM] pD says: apparently, he got a tonne of marriage proposals<br /><br />[3:05:22 PM] AE says: right, but that was after.<br /><br />[3:05:30 PM] AE says: before he started M$, who was he?<br /><br />[3:05:36 PM] AE says: some geek.<br /><br />[3:07:55 PM] pD says: i think we are mixing several discussions here<br /><br />[3:08:14 PM] pD says: one of the points for discussion is the difference between geek and dork<br /><br />[3:08:27 PM] AE says: ok. you're a dork. i'm a geek.<br /><br />[3:08:28 PM] pD says: on this point, i do not believe there is a clear answer beyond the fact that current usage<br /><br />[3:08:40 PM] AE says: so now it's up to you to define who you are.<br /><br />[3:08:44 PM] AE says: and i'll do the same.<br /><br />[3:08:45 PM] pD says: is such that geek has a preferred image<br /><br />[3:09:05 PM] AE says: it doesn't matter to me. I was a geek long before it was cool.<br /><br />[3:09:08 PM] pD says: then, there is a discussion on what makes geek a preferred/popular word<br /><br />[3:09:17 PM] AE says: i played with computers and model rockets in high school.<br /><br />[3:09:24 PM] AE says: i spent friday nights gaming with other geeks.<br /><br />[3:09:24 PM] pD says: the concludsion is that if you are rich, people would love you<br /><br />[3:09:40 PM] AE says: ... i don't know that love is the right word.<br /><br />[3:09:46 PM] AE says: more... know you? respect you?<br /><br />[3:09:54 PM] AE says: i don't know if that's accurate either.<br /><br />[3:10:07 PM] pD says: that is not in dispute and when Bill gates goes from a geek to a uber-rich geek in the eyes of the public is a debate on degree as oppose to definition<br /><br />[3:11:04 PM] pD says: finally, there is the point of discussion on the usage of a word in the greater social context - words such as bitch, nigga, etc.<br /><br />[3:11:29 PM] pD says: and, as there is no "answer" on that one as such, my proposal is to call myself as "dork"<br /><br />[3:11:42 PM] pD says: becasue being a "dork" is the new un-hip<br /><br />[3:11:48 PM] pD says: which makes you/me hip<br /><br />[3:12:09 PM] pD says: which is definitely a very sophmoric logic,<br /><br />[3:12:12 PM] AE says: you calling me a dork?<br /><br />[3:12:22 PM] pD says: but, it makes me happy<br /><br />[3:12:26 PM] AE says: LOL<br /><br />[3:12:27 PM] pD says: i call myself a dork<br /><br />[3:12:37 PM] pD says: you can call youself whatever you like<br /><br />[3:12:42 PM] AE says: then it's up to you to define dorkdom.<br /><br />[3:12:50 PM] pD says: but, i do claim the first dorkhood<br /><br />[3:13:09 PM] AE says: Ok. We'll refer to you as sir dork.<br /><br />[3:13:21 PM] AE says: if we had Lindsey on line we could make it official.<br /><br />[3:13:24 PM] pD says: spellt backward, dork is kord<br /><br />[3:13:26 PM] AE says: where is she, anyway?<br /><br />[3:13:43 PM] pD says: kord is like a cord (let's say its a norse spelling)<br /><br />[3:13:56 PM] pD says: and, what is a cord - it connects you with the mother ship<br /><br />[3:13:59 PM] AE says: it's an acronym: King Of Real Dorks<br /><br />[3:14:13 PM] pD says: and, surely, it is like the pope - also known as pontif<br /><br />[3:14:30 PM] pD says: from the word that means bridge which is who he is - the brdige between men and god<br /><br />[3:15:02 PM] pD says: so, King of Real Dorks, is nothing but a code for being the connectiion with the omnipotent<br /><br />[3:15:13 PM] pD says: yeah, where is lindsey?<br /><br />[3:15:21 PM] pD says: is she on other IM's?<br /><br />[3:15:35 PM] AE says: congatulations! we'll all be asking you for stuff from above now.<br /><br />[3:15:37 PM] AE says: nope.<br /><br />[3:15:43 PM] AE says: Lindsey is MIA.<br /><br />[3:16:01 PM] AE says: Well... time for me to battle the lords of chaos.<br /><br />[3:16:12 PM] pD says: no probolem, i am never shy on making up stuff out of thin air<br /><br />[3:16:22 PM] pD says: have a safe drive home and a good weekend<br /><br />[3:16:26 PM] AE says: haha. thank you.<br /><br />[3:16:31 PM] AE says: you have a good weekend as well!<br /><br />[3:16:37 PM] pD says: ciao<br /><br />==<br />NSA Chatters crewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646436797549709968.post-50529500693823723452007-07-11T17:14:00.000-07:002007-07-12T15:10:28.474-07:00Web 2.0 - AJAX - benevolent illustrious boss - BIB - day care - crowdsourcing - James Bond - cookies - che - emoticons - potatoe - quayle - hail mary[9:53:16 AM] pD says: are we Web 2.0/AJAX complaint?<br /><br />[9:53:34 AM] pD says: i included several embedded youtube clips on the blog<br /><br />[9:53:55 AM] pD says: and, you can play them simultaneously - i think that qualifies us since they are multiple threads going at the same time<br /><br />[9:54:18 AM] pD is feeling a bit down since he thought Web 2.0 was something more fancy<br /><br />[9:57:01 AM] AE says: please define web 2.0...<br /><br />[9:57:25 AM] AE says: Actually, there was a great spiel about security, identity and web 2.0... let me see if I can find a link...<br /><br />[9:57:33 AM] pD says: hell if i know!<br /><br />[9:57:44 AM] pD says: but, seriously, that is a subject of much debate<br /><br />[9:57:56 AM] pD says: i think the technical definition of AJAX is more precise<br /><br />[9:58:20 AM] pD says: Asynchronous JavaScript and XML<br /><br />[9:58:28 AM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajax_(programming)">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajax_(programming)</a><br /><br />[9:58:57 AM] pD says: as for Web 2.0, i think the original idea is that using techniques such as AJAX, it allows the web to be more interactive in both directions.<br /><br />[9:59:08 AM] pD says: in the bad old days, web content is more one direction<br /><br />[9:59:33 AM] pD says: now, slackers like me can post blog and embed video clips to create our own content<br /><br />[9:59:37 AM] AE says: here, this is brilliant: <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=RrpajcAgR1E">http://youtube.com/watch?v=RrpajcAgR1E</a><br /><br />[10:00:17 AM] pD says: and, with that, now web 2.0 seems to have developed into the concept of end-user based web/content activities - youtube, blog, etc.<br /><br />[10:00:45 AM] pD says: well, that is my personally definition<br /><br />[10:01:26 AM] pD says: what is the clip about, AE?<br /><br />[10:01:31 AM] pD says: it is 15 minutes long...<br /><br />[10:15:24 AM] AE says: yeah. that's right.<br /><br />[10:15:35 AM] AE says: it's about 15 minutes long.<br /><br />[11:12:40 AM] pD says: Little boss seems to be doing well in day care<br /><br />[11:12:59 AM] pD says: the first day was a bit traumatic - mostly for BIB<br /><br />[11:13:41 AM] pD says: the little boss also came back a bit cranky - i think he was just over stimulated since he never hangs out with many others<br /><br />[11:14:01 AM] pD says: but, second day, yesterday, was okay. he was pretty normal when i picked him up<br /><br />[11:16:00 AM] pD says: so, my conclusion is that he either hates me now, but did not want to say it or he can deal with shifting vicissitude well<br /><br />[11:16:26 AM] pD is pondering the imponderable<br /><br />[11:42:12 AM] pD says: btw, nsy, how did you get volunteered to do a re-fresher course?<br /><br />[11:50:39 AM] pD says: little lindsey is very cute, isn't she<br /><br />[12:13:41 PM] pD says: say, isn't this sort of what we do? Assignment Zero: Can Crowds Create Fiction, Architecture and Photography?<br /><br />[12:13:47 PM] pD says: <a href="http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2007/07/assignment_zero_all">http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2007/07/assignment_zero_all</a><br /><br />[12:14:53 PM] nsy says: S knows i'll do it because i like educated customers - better for us in the long run ;)<br /><br />[12:16:10 PM] pD says: good point<br /><br />[12:16:23 PM] pD says: 8-|<br /><br />[12:17:55 PM] nsy says: wow, crowdsourcing - cool jargon, too<br /><br />[12:20:43 PM] pD never realizes he is in front of the wave...<br /><br />[12:23:40 PM] nsy says: pD the surfer - hang ten, bra<br /><br />[12:31:23 PM] pD says: never been "cool", not use to this...<br /><br />[12:31:52 PM] pD says: on James Bond: Birdsong author Sebastian Faulks writes a new official James Bond book, Devil May Care, set during the Cold War.<br /><br />[12:31:59 PM] pD says: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6289186.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6289186.stm</a><br /><br />[1:04:36 PM] pD says: this kind of news makes me feel warm and fuzzy. common sense triumphant<br /><br />[1:04:45 PM] pD says: 1937 – A Shanghai newspaper believed it could boost circulation by including special editions to entice the reading public. They produced reams of copy and sold pages and pages of advertising eventually producing the largest ever Sunday newspaper edition to hit the streets of Shanghai . Sales of the paper doubled and the owners were delighted. But not much use for the advertisers – canny Chinese had bought up multiple copies of the paper in the knowledge that due to its gargantuan size the paper’s worth as scrap exceeded the cover price – they made about US$25 per thousand copies after forming syndicates to buy up every copy available making themselves about US$300 – not a bad Sunday’s work.<br /><br />2007 – 70 years later and the Chinese post office announces proudly that it had delivered a record weight for a newspaper, a special pre May Day edition of the Beijing Evening News, circulation 650,000, containing 208 pages (normally just 48) – the most in the paper’s history, and resulting in a total delivery weight of 400 tons. However, the cover price of RMB0.50 (US$0.06) was less than the scrap value of the paper, so many dealers held the paper back and sold them for scrap at a better profit margin – something the advertisers were understandably unhappy about.<br /><br />[1:38:09 PM] nsy says: ha - now thats ironic, alanis<br /><br />[1:41:01 PM] pD says: gotta love those state controlled enterprises<br /><br />[1:43:59 PM] nsy says: i like the way this guy thinks...<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/PhotoAlbum2.html">http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/PhotoAlbum2.html</a><br /><br />[1:46:08 PM] nsy says: someone found Jesus in their chocolate milk: <a href="http://www.wokq.com/images2/wwjd1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.wokq.com/images2/wwjd1.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://www.wokq.com/images2/wwjd1.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:46:33 PM] pD says: love the "Millennium Falcon Cookie!" <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/.Pictures/falcon%20cookie.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/.Pictures/falcon%20cookie.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/.Pictures/falcon%20cookie.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:47:14 PM] pD says: hahah "Naughty Nurse and Dirty Doctor Cookies" <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/.Pictures/IMG_10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/.Pictures/IMG_10.JPG" border="0" alt="" />http://homepage.mac.com/o051971/.Pictures/IMG_10.JPG</a><br /><br />[1:47:42 PM] pD says: i would have thought that chocolate milk image look more like Che<br /><br />[1:48:02 PM] pD says: <a href="http://arabist.net/wp-content/Che.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://arabist.net/wp-content/Che.jpg" border="0" alt="" />http://arabist.net/wp-content/Che.jpg</a><br /><br />[1:50:30 PM] nsy says: yes. in the eye of the beholder, i guess. this was the site where i found that - some other interesting stuff too... <a href="http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/food_chocolate/index.html">http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/food_chocolate/index.html</a><br /><br />[1:53:59 PM] pD says: cool site!<br /><br />[1:54:14 PM] pD says: check out this story, from the blog, Woman buys 10,000 chocolate bars: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3685925.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3685925.stm</a><br /><br />[1:54:25 PM] pD has just found new faith in huanity<br /><br />[1:54:34 PM] pD says: humanity anyway<br /><br />[2:03:14 PM] pD says: nsy, are you tempting me to insert my name in the <deity> field?<br /><br />[2:03:19 PM] pD says: i am not shy that way, you know<br /><br />[2:03:30 PM] pD says: ]:)<br /><br />[3:52:24 PM] nsy says: haha, i can't believe i didn't do that myself!<br /><br />[3:53:17 PM] pD says: are you too doing an ]:)?<br /><br />[3:53:52 PM] nsy says: put your name in the deity field<br /><br />[3:54:16 PM] nsy says: and how DO you make those cool smileys? i like the one with glasses - is that a capital bee?<br /><br />[3:54:33 PM] nsy says: B-p<br /><br />[3:54:37 PM] pD is feeling omnipotent<br /><br />[3:54:39 PM] nsy says: 8)<br /><br />[3:54:54 PM] pD says: i use the emoticons from skype<br /><br />[3:54:58 PM] nsy says: BD<br /><br />[3:55:04 PM] nsy says: cheater<br /><br />[3:55:10 PM] pD is not omnipotent when it comes to smiley variations<br /><br />[3:55:26 PM] pD says: i just know my limits - another sign of godliness in my dictionary<br /><br />[3:55:55 PM] nsy says: heh. i guess AE reached his limit of us and dropped us like a hot potatoe<br /><br />[3:56:18 PM] nsy says: eew - remove the "e" from the end of potato - ghastly<br /><br />[3:57:26 PM] pD says: nsy just pulled a bush! nsy just pulled a bush! nsy just pulled a bush! nsy just pulled a bush!<br /><br />[3:57:45 PM] pD says: the alternative scenario with AE is that<br /><br />[3:58:17 PM] pD says: seeing that he's got a few hot potatoes on his hand, he is busy searching for sour cream, butter, and other condiments so he can enjoy 'em properly<br /><br />[3:58:30 PM] pD says: that is what I (capital I, the godly kind) would do<br /><br />[3:58:31 PM] nsy says: actually that was quayle, wasn’t it?<br /><br />[3:58:57 PM] pD says: yeah, you are right<br /><br />[3:58:59 PM] nsy says: well, either way - its worse for me!<br /><br />[3:59:16 PM] pD says: so sorry, that i am confusing quayle and bush, not sure who to feel bad for<br /><br />[3:59:33 PM] nsy says: heheh - true conundrum<br /><br />[4:00:11 PM] nsy says: potato potaaahto<br /><br />[4:01:31 PM] pD says: well, it got a complete paragraph in Wiki: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Quayle#Vice_Presidency">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Quayle#Vice_Presidency</a><br /><br />[4:02:26 PM] pD says: and there is even an entry about the kid whose spelling dan "corrected" <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Figueroa">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Figueroa</a><br /><br />[4:02:50 PM] nsy says: wow, what a way to get your 15 minutes<br /><br />[4:03:58 PM] pD says: and, here is more on the potatoe episode, apparently, it was an accepted spelling into the 19th century. Maybe dan was just a classy kind of guy...: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potatoe#Spelling">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potatoe#Spelling</a><br /><br />[4:05:24 PM] nsy says: yes, that was my renaissance faire training haunting me with the potatoe thing.<br /><br />[4:07:19 PM] pD says: yeah, yeah, yeah<br /><br />[4:07:54 PM] nsy says: heh - not falling for it? fie upon thee, rapscallion!<br /><br />[4:08:28 PM] pD says: what a way to talk to god, your nun teachers would have been scandalized<br /><br />[4:08:43 PM] pD says: repent - thee rapscallion<br /><br />[4:10:46 PM] nsy says: no! not the rulers of wrath from the nuns of repentance!<br /><br />[4:12:42 PM] pD sighs - so much fun at other's expense, the way way for mirth<br /><br />[4:12:51 PM] pD says: the best way<br /><br />[4:17:10 PM] pD doing the hail mary for repentance<br /><br />[4:17:25 PM] pD says: in classical greek: Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη Μαρία, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ. εὐλογημένη, σὺ ἐν γυναιξί, καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου, ὅτι Σωτήρα ἔτεκες τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν.<br /><br />[4:17:55 PM] pD says: in latin (middle age): Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum. <br /><br />Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.<br /><br />[4:18:20 PM] pD says: in latin (current official version): Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum. Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. <br /><br />Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatóribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ. Amen.<br /><br />[4:18:31 PM] pD says: wiki rocks! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_Mary">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_Mary</a><br /><br />[4:24:57 PM] nsy says: look for the hail holy queen - i had to memorize that when i was 12. i still remember the whole thing. its morbid.<br /><br />[4:26:26 PM] pD says: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_Holy_Queen">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_Holy_Queen</a><br /><br />[4:27:54 PM] pD says: or, salve regina, for the cognoscenti<br /><br />[4:27:59 PM] pD says: talk about morbid<br /><br />[4:28:17 PM] pD says: what i remember the most about hail mary is from the second god father film<br /><br />[4:28:50 PM] pD says: when alfred (second brother who betrayed Michael the godfather) was fishing<br /><br />[4:29:25 PM] pD says: alfred was whacked while fishing many years after the betray - Michael wanted to wait for their mother to die first<br /><br />[4:29:36 PM] pD says: that was an extremely creepy ending<br /><br />[4:29:48 PM] nsy says: sadly, another classic i have not seen all the way through (blasphemer).<br /><br />[4:31:37 PM] AE jumps into the middle of everything without bothering to catch up to the 'story so far'.<br /><br />[4:31:40 PM] AE says: Hi.<br /><br />[4:31:49 PM] AE says: So, I've got these ideas for commercials for our products.<br /><br />[4:31:53 PM] AE says: One is easy:<br /><br />[4:32:08 PM] pD says: this is a clip from the film: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQygwUBwnn4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQygwUBwnn4</a><br /><br />[4:32:10 PM] AE says: there is a white area, nothing in it.<br /><br />[4:32:16 PM] pD says: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KQygwUBwnn4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KQygwUBwnn4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />[4:32:30 PM] pD says: beautiful cinematography<br /><br />[4:32:52 PM] pD has changed the chat topic to "AE's commercial idea"<br /><br />[4:33:14 PM] AE says: well now I'm watching the god father...<br /><br />[4:34:02 PM] AE says: Ok.. where was I?<br /><br />[4:34:08 PM] AE says: Oh, commercials...<br /><br />[4:34:16 PM] AE says: there's this white room and a voice over:<br /><br />[4:34:22 PM] AE says: "Your mail server"<br /><br />[4:34:35 PM] AE says: then hands place a generic server in the white area.<br /><br />[4:34:47 PM] AE says: "A delicate, dedicated piece of hardware."<br /><br />[4:35:10 PM] AE says: "An integral and crucial part of your business infrastructure."<br /><br />[4:35:22 PM] AE says: then a bunch of really heavy things fall on it, destroying the server.<br /><br />[4:35:40 PM] AE says: "that's why you need [deleted]."<br /><br />[4:35:59 PM] AE says: and a pair of hands puts [deleted] on top of the ruined server.<br /><br />[4:36:36 PM] pD says: cool!<br /><br />[4:36:41 PM] AE says: Commercial two (which I may have stolen from pD, or made up in my mind, I can't remember):<br /><br />[4:36:59 PM] pD says: maybe drop a few sleazy (sales) looking people on the server<br /><br />[4:37:01 PM] AE says: Guy is writing a letter and stuffing it in an envelope.<br /><br />[4:37:15 PM] AE says: Camera pulls back a little so we can see him and a mail box.<br /><br />[4:37:22 PM] AE says: there is a rope trailing off camera.<br /><br />[4:37:51 PM] AE says: voice over: "Dear such and such. I'm sending you this in hopes you can use it. hope it finds you well.. blah blah blah blah."<br /><br />[4:38:12 PM] AE says: person puts the envelope into the mail box.<br /><br />[4:38:34 PM] AE says: camera pulls back following rope to a massive (boat, car, elephant, whatever).<br /><br />[4:39:00 PM] AE says: Voice over describes [deleted] can help you!<br /><br />[4:39:18 PM] AE says: Ok. Have to go get a massage now.<br /><br />[4:39:27 PM] AE says: we should try and film some of these!<br /><br />[4:39:31 PM] AE says: bye!<br /><br />[4:41:35 PM] pD says: maybe AE just found the sour cream and stuff that he needed for the hot potatoes...<br /><br />[4:41:37 PM] pD says: ciao<br /><br />[4:53:13 PM] pD says: not to make light of dropping sales people onto servers - i do still think the Darth Vader as Shaft as a more interesting plot...<br /><br />[4:53:11 PM] nsy says: ciao - go baby daddy<br /><br />[4:53:26 PM] nsy says: maybe we can mix them somehow<br /><br />[4:53:29 PM] pD says: oh, not quite time for me to leave for a bit<br /><br />[4:53:35 PM] nsy says: oh, i see<br /><br />[4:53:47 PM] nsy says: so, we can have darth vader levitating a server...<br /><br />[4:56:39 PM] pD says: hahah! that would be a good one<br /><br />[4:57:01 PM] pD says: maybe instead of air massage, he does the air transfer?<br /><br />[4:57:08 PM] pD says: hmm... not as funny tho<br /><br />[5:15:06 PM] pD says: okay, need to get ready to be baby daddy<br /><br />[5:15:23 PM] nsy says: maybe he can levitate and drop the sales ppl on the server?<br /><br />[5:16:05 PM] pD says: i think we are onto something hereUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0