Scientists fascinated with pooping whale sharks. Explain THAT.
Oh, wait, someone did.
Heh.
30 November 2008
29 November 2008
On Hiatus
I've had a hellish past 2 weeks or so. Besides the usual work BS, I was in a wedding that nearly physically destroyed me, I worked the three days before Thanksgiving, and helped my family out Thanksgiving day and the day after. All the while I have been fighting a ridiculous cold/infection/something and finally these past 2 nights been able to sleep a good 12 hours or so to try to feel better. So, I am behind on email, Facebook messages, etc. I don't know what's up with work this coming week, I may or may not have to give a presentation Monday, and the fun continues. I'll try to get back to everybody soon.
15 November 2008
Movie: Coffee & Cigarettes
This was a cute flick, a bunch of vignettes revolving around -- you guessed it -- coffee and cigarettes. Jim Jarmusch assembles an all-star, albeit unlikey, cast of characters to tell short stories. The bits with Iggy Pop meeting Tom Waits (that's DOCTOR Tom Waits to him) was brilliant, as was the bit with Bill Murray. But then again, I love Bill Murray and most of what he's done recently (Broken Flowers and Lost In Translation were both excellent).
Oh and is there no end to Cate Blanchett's hotness??? I loved her in "I'm Not There", and here she does double duty has herself and her "cousin".
Anyway, this was great. Check it out.
More info: Wikipedia entry
Oh and is there no end to Cate Blanchett's hotness??? I loved her in "I'm Not There", and here she does double duty has herself and her "cousin".
Anyway, this was great. Check it out.
More info: Wikipedia entry
Signs Of The Apocalypse - Gen Y Special Needs Edition
I can't tell if this really is a Sign of the Apocalypse, or just people being dumb. But the title of this article was really just funny enough as it is.
Being from M.I.T. I am more than familiar with the "millenials" and I put about as much stock in it as I do in MJ's resume.
The creepiest part of this article? Parents who want to look at their kids' health plans... and employers who accomodate them. Are you f'ing kidding me??? My parents stopped checking my homework in fifth f'ing grade yo, so either these people have smarter parents than me (possible), or are interviewing for really simple shitty jobs. Sigh.
Being from M.I.T. I am more than familiar with the "millenials" and I put about as much stock in it as I do in MJ's resume.
The creepiest part of this article? Parents who want to look at their kids' health plans... and employers who accomodate them. Are you f'ing kidding me??? My parents stopped checking my homework in fifth f'ing grade yo, so either these people have smarter parents than me (possible), or are interviewing for really simple shitty jobs. Sigh.
13 November 2008
Signs Of The Apocalypse - Bailout BS Edition
Just a quick note to say I agree with a bailout for our 401k's.
In case you haven't been paying attention, the $700 billion bailout that OMG WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS NAO OR EVERYTHING WILL ASSPLODE well, hasn't been quite that. It was really meant more as a way to restore confidence - to the banks, to consumers, etc. Well, IT DIDN'T WORK. Dow closed around 8800 today, which is up, but nowhere NEAR the 14,000 it was.
Now the auto industry wants some free money and is being told to drop dead, but the Spa Weekend Pimps are getting more money.
Has anyone noticed where all this money is going?
Let me help you out: my very wise friend Don said that the only thing in this country that makes money is... more money. All these bailouts are to banks, insurers, lenders, i.e. PEOPLE WHO MAKE MONEY ON MONEY.
What happened to using money to, oh CREATE JOBS? Invest in something that will give you actual returns? Manufacturing is gone, goodbye, C-YA! But there are TONS of other things in this country that could use this bailout money - companies rebuilding infrastructure, developing new technologies, things that would develop our workforce and create returns for YEARS.
It was all a fucking scam and it really just irritates the shit out of me. Am I the only one???
In case you haven't been paying attention, the $700 billion bailout that OMG WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS NAO OR EVERYTHING WILL ASSPLODE well, hasn't been quite that. It was really meant more as a way to restore confidence - to the banks, to consumers, etc. Well, IT DIDN'T WORK. Dow closed around 8800 today, which is up, but nowhere NEAR the 14,000 it was.
Now the auto industry wants some free money and is being told to drop dead, but the Spa Weekend Pimps are getting more money.
Has anyone noticed where all this money is going?
Let me help you out: my very wise friend Don said that the only thing in this country that makes money is... more money. All these bailouts are to banks, insurers, lenders, i.e. PEOPLE WHO MAKE MONEY ON MONEY.
What happened to using money to, oh CREATE JOBS? Invest in something that will give you actual returns? Manufacturing is gone, goodbye, C-YA! But there are TONS of other things in this country that could use this bailout money - companies rebuilding infrastructure, developing new technologies, things that would develop our workforce and create returns for YEARS.
It was all a fucking scam and it really just irritates the shit out of me. Am I the only one???
12 November 2008
Geek Roundup
Ever wonder if there was Wi-Fi around? Well, wonder no more.
And it just tickles me that, in spite of all the public mudslinging, Microsoft really loves Apple.
And, via Dennis, tequila: is there ANYTHING it can't do?!?!!
I'm tired and full of hate for the leaf blowers outside my apartment at 7:15am this morning. Need to go fire off an irate letter to management.
And it just tickles me that, in spite of all the public mudslinging, Microsoft really loves Apple.
And, via Dennis, tequila: is there ANYTHING it can't do?!?!!
I'm tired and full of hate for the leaf blowers outside my apartment at 7:15am this morning. Need to go fire off an irate letter to management.
11 November 2008
Signs Of The Apocalypse - Underwear Edition
This just popped up on my Twitter from ABC News in NYC: Toxic bras at Victoria's Secret? Still a developing story, but apparently after claims of illness and rashes, the bras tested positive for formaldehyde. You know, the stuff they preserve animals in for biology class?? Now, I am not 100% familiar with what VS bras are made of, since I am way too poor to afford them, but I know it is a solvent for some kinds of chemical reactions. Also, it may be used in some sort of dyeing process for the fabric. In any case, this shit is bad so if this is true, um, holy shit.
Also what got me was this last sentence:
This has to do with some bling flying off and hitting her in the eye, apparently.
Well, good thing I'm too poor to afford metal-studded underwear too, huh. Good thing I'm too poor to have stock investments, a mortgage, hey this ain't so bad...
Something to be said for Hanes granny panties, yo.
UPDATE: My fellow engineer Linder makes three good points:
1. Did these people wash the bra before they wore it? May not necessarily have helped, but might have reduced any residual crap in the bra.
2. Or is some creepy old guy pouring formaldehyde on underwear? Check if they were made in China...
3. What in the hell is a 52-year-old woman doing trying on a thong????
Also what got me was this last sentence:
This isn't the first time a consumer has sued Victoria's Secret. In June, a Los Angeles woman went after the retailer, claiming a thong malfunction injured her. She is seeking unspecified damages and the case has yet to be resolved.
This has to do with some bling flying off and hitting her in the eye, apparently.
Well, good thing I'm too poor to afford metal-studded underwear too, huh. Good thing I'm too poor to have stock investments, a mortgage, hey this ain't so bad...
Something to be said for Hanes granny panties, yo.
UPDATE: My fellow engineer Linder makes three good points:
1. Did these people wash the bra before they wore it? May not necessarily have helped, but might have reduced any residual crap in the bra.
2. Or is some creepy old guy pouring formaldehyde on underwear? Check if they were made in China...
3. What in the hell is a 52-year-old woman doing trying on a thong????
Good, Quick Read from Slate
Bill spotted this list for Obama from Slate. Many are putting their wishlists out there, and it seems Obama is wasting no time...
10 November 2008
09 November 2008
Movie: The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
Ok, seriously? One of the saddest movies I've ever seen. Excellently done, except, apparently for the factual accuracy. But, leaving that aside, it is a really well-done, moving movie. You don't really think that some rich playboy from France, who left the woman who fathered his children but never married, could be a sympathetic character. But, anyone with locked-in syndrome by definition becomes a sympathetic character. Jean-Do is left unable to move except for his left eye, but his mind is left completely (painfully) intact. He manages to write his book (of the same name) by blinking one letter at a time to an aide. It's a pretty phenomenal feat.
The most inspiring thing to me was that this movie showed what locked-in syndrome was like first-hand and I looked around on the web for other stories about this terrible condition. And, being a nerd, I wanted to know what was being done to help people with this. Lo and behold the story of Erik Ramsey popped up in my Googling. Left locked-in after a car accident when he was 16, Erik is now 24 and has had electrodes implanted in his brain and is learning to make sounds by thinking about speaking. A big team of scientists are working to capture the electrical signals in his brain and convert them to audible sounds. Fascinating science, and for a noble cause to boot - something I will keep an eye on for sure. As "evil" as science has been made out to be (in certain quarters of this country), it is science that will one day allow this man to speak.
More info: Wikipedia entry
The most inspiring thing to me was that this movie showed what locked-in syndrome was like first-hand and I looked around on the web for other stories about this terrible condition. And, being a nerd, I wanted to know what was being done to help people with this. Lo and behold the story of Erik Ramsey popped up in my Googling. Left locked-in after a car accident when he was 16, Erik is now 24 and has had electrodes implanted in his brain and is learning to make sounds by thinking about speaking. A big team of scientists are working to capture the electrical signals in his brain and convert them to audible sounds. Fascinating science, and for a noble cause to boot - something I will keep an eye on for sure. As "evil" as science has been made out to be (in certain quarters of this country), it is science that will one day allow this man to speak.
More info: Wikipedia entry
Movie: I'm Not There
So we have this awesome thing called NetFlix which just delivers movies to our HOUSE! No fighting in public at Blockbuster anymore! Bill got this so he could watch entire seasons of "The Wire" in one weekend and not go completely bankrupt. We've seen loads of movies, and I thought, hey, might be interesting to drop a line on the blog here when I do watch something good. More as a personal movie journal for me than recommendations for you.
The best thing about this movie? Cate Blanchett as Dylan, or "Jude Quinn" I should say. I honestly did not know who the actor (?) was when that character was first introduced. I found her strangely attractive. Dissect that comment as you see fit. It was a pretty interesting take on Dylan, basically making him a six-sided die that rolled and rolled. The soundtrack was pretty excellent, especially some of the more bluegrass versions of classic Dylan tunes. Dunno if I'd watch it again on purpose, but would definitely pick it over lots of other crap out there.
More info: Wikipedia entry
The best thing about this movie? Cate Blanchett as Dylan, or "Jude Quinn" I should say. I honestly did not know who the actor (?) was when that character was first introduced. I found her strangely attractive. Dissect that comment as you see fit. It was a pretty interesting take on Dylan, basically making him a six-sided die that rolled and rolled. The soundtrack was pretty excellent, especially some of the more bluegrass versions of classic Dylan tunes. Dunno if I'd watch it again on purpose, but would definitely pick it over lots of other crap out there.
More info: Wikipedia entry
08 November 2008
Why I Am A Sadomasochist (a.k.a., Life As A Mets Fan)
So, I am minding my own f'ing business, trying to get out of the Holyoke Mall after spending too much money on Christmas presents for people who probably won't appreciate them. Bill & I are walking past the Spencers store - every mall has one. I hate that store. Cheap, useless, stupid crap imported from China that will probably give you cancer if you accidentally lick it when you're too drunk/high/etc.
I am wearing my Mets hat. Usually, if anything, this gets me lots of sympathy from the MA crew. I had a bunch of Mets crap on my first car, and when I went in for an oil change once (if you're in Amherst, GO TO REN'S MOBIL) the guys wrote "Let's Go Sox!" on my oil change sticker, assuming we were 'united' in hatred for the Yankees. Which, for me, was basically, "When in Rome, be a Roman" especially when it comes to finding a good mechanic. I kept my mouth shut about dating a Yankees fan (but I think we were both eventually forgiven).
These douchebags, outside of Spencers, start BOO-ing me, "two years in a row!" "BOO!". I was like, "what? WHAT?" I couldn't actually believe what I was hearing, first of all. Second of all, I hate people, I hate malls, I hate shopping, and was trying to get out of there before I vomited. Bill wisely restrained me from going back there and kicking their asses (he was driving).
I mean, COME ON. First off, your beloved f'ing Sox didn't do much better. Lost to the RAYS??? LAME. Second, picking on me for being a Mets fan, if you are a Red Sox fan, is kind of like being a Patriots fan and picking on a Jets fan (which I am also and have been picked on for it as well).
It's like beating up the retarded kid at the playground and calling yourself a tough guy.
Back in May of 2007, when my excellent friend Linda scored 4 tickets to the Colbert Report, we all crashed at my house. Did I mention I'm from Queens? WITHIN SIGHT of Shea Stadium? I was wearing my "PROPERTY OF NY METS" tshirt 'cos, well, the Mets were doing pretty well around that time. And, I'm in Queens for Chrissakes, so it should be ok, right? Anyway, we were walking from the house to the bus stop, and some IROC's drive by screaming, "METS SUCK!" I was so stunned I couldn't even respond. WTF, Queens???
And, let me give shoutouts to my Queens posse - JT, Eka, Steph, etc. - I was at the last game at Shea. You cut my skin, I bleed orange and blue. Now is NOT the time to be hating on the Mets - we lost our season, we lost our HOME - I promise I will post some pics from that last day when I get my s*it together. That was, no kidding, the saddest day of my entire sad, pathetic, ridiculous life.
So, to all you Haters out there, F___ OFF.
Now, I am going to continue getting drunk. Later.
I am wearing my Mets hat. Usually, if anything, this gets me lots of sympathy from the MA crew. I had a bunch of Mets crap on my first car, and when I went in for an oil change once (if you're in Amherst, GO TO REN'S MOBIL) the guys wrote "Let's Go Sox!" on my oil change sticker, assuming we were 'united' in hatred for the Yankees. Which, for me, was basically, "When in Rome, be a Roman" especially when it comes to finding a good mechanic. I kept my mouth shut about dating a Yankees fan (but I think we were both eventually forgiven).
These douchebags, outside of Spencers, start BOO-ing me, "two years in a row!" "BOO!". I was like, "what? WHAT?" I couldn't actually believe what I was hearing, first of all. Second of all, I hate people, I hate malls, I hate shopping, and was trying to get out of there before I vomited. Bill wisely restrained me from going back there and kicking their asses (he was driving).
I mean, COME ON. First off, your beloved f'ing Sox didn't do much better. Lost to the RAYS??? LAME. Second, picking on me for being a Mets fan, if you are a Red Sox fan, is kind of like being a Patriots fan and picking on a Jets fan (which I am also and have been picked on for it as well).
It's like beating up the retarded kid at the playground and calling yourself a tough guy.
Back in May of 2007, when my excellent friend Linda scored 4 tickets to the Colbert Report, we all crashed at my house. Did I mention I'm from Queens? WITHIN SIGHT of Shea Stadium? I was wearing my "PROPERTY OF NY METS" tshirt 'cos, well, the Mets were doing pretty well around that time. And, I'm in Queens for Chrissakes, so it should be ok, right? Anyway, we were walking from the house to the bus stop, and some IROC's drive by screaming, "METS SUCK!" I was so stunned I couldn't even respond. WTF, Queens???
And, let me give shoutouts to my Queens posse - JT, Eka, Steph, etc. - I was at the last game at Shea. You cut my skin, I bleed orange and blue. Now is NOT the time to be hating on the Mets - we lost our season, we lost our HOME - I promise I will post some pics from that last day when I get my s*it together. That was, no kidding, the saddest day of my entire sad, pathetic, ridiculous life.
So, to all you Haters out there, F___ OFF.
Now, I am going to continue getting drunk. Later.
Signs Of The Apocalypse - Subconscious Edition
OK. So here's some background: My thesis advisor is a _______. My mother tends to say not-too-nice things about me on a fairly regular basis. Last night, she was wondering what the hell happened to me because I am a 9th-year graduate student.
Thanks, Mom!
My advisor got divorced in 2006, and all hell broke loose. Part of why I am a 9th-year graduate student, but more details are not relevant at the moment. Especially in public.
So, last night? My nightmare was that my advisor got divorced... and hooked up with my mom. For those of you that know either my mom or my advisor (I don't actually think any of you would know both of them), you will understand immediately why I woke up in a cold sweat and decided to get up and go grocery shopping to try to take my mind off of it.
As far as whatever Freudian analysis you want to do - I'm looking at it as my subconscious combining all the worst things into my life to really make me lose my mind.
Thanks, Mom!
My advisor got divorced in 2006, and all hell broke loose. Part of why I am a 9th-year graduate student, but more details are not relevant at the moment. Especially in public.
So, last night? My nightmare was that my advisor got divorced... and hooked up with my mom. For those of you that know either my mom or my advisor (I don't actually think any of you would know both of them), you will understand immediately why I woke up in a cold sweat and decided to get up and go grocery shopping to try to take my mind off of it.
As far as whatever Freudian analysis you want to do - I'm looking at it as my subconscious combining all the worst things into my life to really make me lose my mind.
07 November 2008
Why I Stay Subscribed to Senior-House
Because occasionally someone comes across with a gem like this:
SOTA - Charlton Heston Edition
This post was emailed to me by devangel, a question asked by P.Z. Myers - "Where's Charlton Heston when you need him?" and really, it says all that needs to be said.
Reason number 9,746 why I'm not religious anymore.
Reason number 9,746 why I'm not religious anymore.
04 November 2008
02 November 2008
Signs of the Apocalypse - Hometown On Fire Edition
What the hell is this noise??
I was chatting with my brother this morning and he told me the bank in the Whitestone Shopping Center blew up. Turns out, it was WAY worse than that. In the course of finding that video, however, I found another one detailing this fire in Flushing from a few days ago.
The Whitestone Shopping Center is about 10 minutes from where my parents live, and Flushing is about 15.
I don't like seeing my hometown on fire. This is extremely suspicious.
My brother thinks it's a little presumptive to say it's arson, but two commercial building fires in the same week (in nearby towns)? Suspicious to me. The Whitestone fire in particular, they say the flames were EXTREMELY hot. Sounds like (1) the fire systems in the stores must have been disabled to allow it to spread so far and (2) the fire had help or was set deliberately in the electrical systems. As for the Flushing fire, they haven't said anything concrete so far, but if the fire was bad enough the buildings had to be completely demolished, well, that's bad. And suspicious.
I wonder what, if anything, the businesses had in common....
I was chatting with my brother this morning and he told me the bank in the Whitestone Shopping Center blew up. Turns out, it was WAY worse than that. In the course of finding that video, however, I found another one detailing this fire in Flushing from a few days ago.
The Whitestone Shopping Center is about 10 minutes from where my parents live, and Flushing is about 15.
I don't like seeing my hometown on fire. This is extremely suspicious.
My brother thinks it's a little presumptive to say it's arson, but two commercial building fires in the same week (in nearby towns)? Suspicious to me. The Whitestone fire in particular, they say the flames were EXTREMELY hot. Sounds like (1) the fire systems in the stores must have been disabled to allow it to spread so far and (2) the fire had help or was set deliberately in the electrical systems. As for the Flushing fire, they haven't said anything concrete so far, but if the fire was bad enough the buildings had to be completely demolished, well, that's bad. And suspicious.
I wonder what, if anything, the businesses had in common....
01 November 2008
WE LIKE THE MOON
So, one of my favorite blogs, Nature's "The Great Beyond", has a great entry honoring India's moon mission. How could they NOT put up SPONGEMONKEYS??? I told them as much, let's see if they listen.
But in all seriousness, The Great Beyond is a great blog (in addition to being a great R.E.M. song). I mean, GREEN CATS?!?!?
C'mon, that's great stuff.
And no, I don't think I can say "great" any more in this great blog post.
But in all seriousness, The Great Beyond is a great blog (in addition to being a great R.E.M. song). I mean, GREEN CATS?!?!?
C'mon, that's great stuff.
And no, I don't think I can say "great" any more in this great blog post.
Believing The Green Hype
So you think you're green? You think your company is green?
Well, think again.
Interesting article about how "green" you think your company really is... just to increase your granola-chomping tree-hugging corporate hippie cred. With a Twitter piss-take just for good measure.
Well, think again.
Interesting article about how "green" you think your company really is... just to increase your granola-chomping tree-hugging corporate hippie cred. With a Twitter piss-take just for good measure.
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