Feb 26, 2008
Boris the Spider
Is my new favorite song. Robyn and I heard it yesterday as we were driving to the Greatest Store Evar! Second best store for Groceries. Here it is!
Feb 20, 2008
I sometimes wish...
That I had been born in the heyday of Command line, Terminal computing. I find myself a little more at home there. I do like my GUIs, don't get me wrong, but there's something about checking arp tables, restarting services, or installing things from the command line that I just love.
It could be that every time I do it...people think I'm a magician. "Whoa, how'd you do that?!!!" Me: "I just did, that's how!"
That, or if I could have been around during the Age of exploration. Knowing that I was one of the first people to see new lands (well, at least by non-indigenous people) would have been awesome.
Yeah, that or the Future. I mean, Captain Picard is just a kick ass guy! Maybe I could freeze myself and wake up in the 24th Century. Maybe I could give Wesley some pointers...
Did anyone ever talk to him? All I can ever remember anyone saying to him is "Shut up Wesley!"
It could be that every time I do it...people think I'm a magician. "Whoa, how'd you do that?!!!" Me: "I just did, that's how!"
That, or if I could have been around during the Age of exploration. Knowing that I was one of the first people to see new lands (well, at least by non-indigenous people) would have been awesome.
Yeah, that or the Future. I mean, Captain Picard is just a kick ass guy! Maybe I could freeze myself and wake up in the 24th Century. Maybe I could give Wesley some pointers...
Did anyone ever talk to him? All I can ever remember anyone saying to him is "Shut up Wesley!"
Feb 14, 2008
Seriously?
Went to Wegman's last night to do the weekly shopping. Since we do most of our shopping at the Greenstar Co-Op, it was pretty light night. We also had dinner there, since Mondays the fridge looks more like a vast wasteland than the cornucopia it is during the rest of the week. Since we only had a few items, we decided to use the express lanes for quickness. We found one lane empty and began to place our less than ten items on the belt. The cashier looked...about 12, which means she is probably 16 or 22.
I'm fishing in my pocket for the Money. The total comes to $15.21. I handed the nice lady a Twenty. As she is about to close the register I pull out the required change and say "I actually have the 21 cents." I was expecting a reply along the lines of "Ok, not a problem" or "I hate having tons of change too...here's a five spot."
Did I get that? No. The next sentence that was uddered quite frankly scared me.
"umm...I don't know how to do that..."
What? You don't know how to do simple addition? Isn't that required? When I worked at Friendly's eons ago, I had to pass a simple math Test before I could work the register. Nothing outrageous. Just simple addition and subtraction.
The bill is $22.37. What is the change from $30? From $40?
Have things gotten that bad that people can't do simple math problems without consulting a calculator orpen and paper Cell phone?
Ok, I'm off to consult my PDA for my current schedule.
I'm fishing in my pocket for the Money. The total comes to $15.21. I handed the nice lady a Twenty. As she is about to close the register I pull out the required change and say "I actually have the 21 cents." I was expecting a reply along the lines of "Ok, not a problem" or "I hate having tons of change too...here's a five spot."
Did I get that? No. The next sentence that was uddered quite frankly scared me.
"umm...I don't know how to do that..."
What? You don't know how to do simple addition? Isn't that required? When I worked at Friendly's eons ago, I had to pass a simple math Test before I could work the register. Nothing outrageous. Just simple addition and subtraction.
The bill is $22.37. What is the change from $30? From $40?
Have things gotten that bad that people can't do simple math problems without consulting a calculator or
Ok, I'm off to consult my PDA for my current schedule.
Jan 14, 2008
Look what I found!
It's so pretty! A message pad for me! Now to get it to talk with my MacBook Pro...that'll be an interesting challenge...
Jan 8, 2008
Great ideas...spoiled
Over the past two weeks I had a couple of great ideas for posts. Things I wanted to write to help expand my thoughts and attempt to get a better grasp on my psyche and how it works. Unfortunately, I did not write them down. I talked to Robyn about them, and we had a good old fashion discussion, but they never made it to this site.
And that right there is why I suck at blogging. I have ideas I want to express, funny stories to tell, but I never put them up. Why? There are several reasons why.
And that right there is why I suck at blogging. I have ideas I want to express, funny stories to tell, but I never put them up. Why? There are several reasons why.
- This is a public space. I mean, most of the time the ramblings are about me and why I did something, but rarely is it just me. There are other people involved. Part of me says "Mark! You were part of that conversation/interaction...you have the right to post it! Just make the other name anonymous!" Big problem with that is it would be very easy to tell who I was talking about. It's not that I would feel bad about writing about them, it just goes back to my feeling that "don't write anything that might make someone upset." If that were the case, there would be nothing ever written. Ever.
- I'm lazy. Often times, these ideas come to me either at work or somewhere I don't have internet access at my finger tips. I mentally jot it down to post later...but knowing me, I was sidetracked by the glow of my MacBook Pro or the latest Netflix arrival. (By the way, just watched The Invincible Iron Man, it was pretty good! I enjoyed the voice acting and the story (even if it was a bit off from the main story...but enjoyable nonetheless)).
Dec 21, 2007
Dec 18, 2007
Dec 14, 2007
Nov 14, 2007
Goodbye Moto Q
About a year ago, I wanted to Celebrate getting a new job. I decided to buy myself something I had been thinking about for some time: The motorola Q. After about five minutes I had come to my final thoughts: I love the Q. I can sync my Contacts, keep my calendar up to date, and in general only carry one device. Before, I had my Palm TX for my schedule, and my phone for my contacts (since my phone before the Q did not have BT.) Best Part, I can Sync it with my Mac! Granted, I needed some 3rd Party Software to get it to work, but still...it worked!
Here comes the hard part...Last month, I stopped using it. Did it break? Far from it. Did it not do something I wanted? It did all I asked of it and more. So what happened?
Verizon Happened.
Since my Q is considered a Smart Phone, all data traffic is billable. That means any txt/pix messaging that goes on, is billable. Having txt/pix plan? That just saves me from the additional charge of .10 or .25 for the honor of receiving the message. In order to have unlimited data and reasonable messaging? 100 bucks a month...compared to the 60 I pay now....
40 more a month...would it be worth it? Perhaps...but for now my cheapness is winning this fight.
So for now, my warrior Q friend, I must bid you goodbye. Perhaps at a later date we can remeet and relive our happy times....remember getting the tree last year and sending messages to G&S to find them? Good times. Good times indeed.
Here comes the hard part...Last month, I stopped using it. Did it break? Far from it. Did it not do something I wanted? It did all I asked of it and more. So what happened?
Verizon Happened.
Since my Q is considered a Smart Phone, all data traffic is billable. That means any txt/pix messaging that goes on, is billable. Having txt/pix plan? That just saves me from the additional charge of .10 or .25 for the honor of receiving the message. In order to have unlimited data and reasonable messaging? 100 bucks a month...compared to the 60 I pay now....
40 more a month...would it be worth it? Perhaps...but for now my cheapness is winning this fight.
So for now, my warrior Q friend, I must bid you goodbye. Perhaps at a later date we can remeet and relive our happy times....remember getting the tree last year and sending messages to G&S to find them? Good times. Good times indeed.
Christmas
So here's a quick list:
LEFSE KIT! Seriously! We both want one!
New CD/Radio/Alarm Clock.../Mini Pony
Harry Potter Movies 4 (Goblet of Fire) on up ( I think 5:Order of the Phoenix is out..but not sure)
Shrek the Third
Any Disney Movie Besides Cinderella ( we already have it)
Any Cute Pixar Movies we've missed since the Incredibles...
A Universal remote to replace our Way too many remotes.
A Ronco Dial-a-matic Food slicer (It looks so cool on the Rotisserie oven commerical!)
A better 5.8 GHz phone (the one we have now has HORRIBLE Range...Thanks Panasonic!..Or...Pantech?...P
two new tires for the truck :(
LEFSE KIT! Seriously! We both want one!
New CD/Radio/Alarm Clock.../Mini Pony
Harry Potter Movies 4 (Goblet of Fire) on up ( I think 5:Order of the Phoenix is out..but not sure)
Shrek the Third
Any Disney Movie Besides Cinderella ( we already have it)
Any Cute Pixar Movies we've missed since the Incredibles...
A Universal remote to replace our Way too many remotes.
A Ronco Dial-a-matic Food slicer (It looks so cool on the Rotisserie oven commerical!)
A better 5.8 GHz phone (the one we have now has HORRIBLE Range...Thanks Panasonic!..Or...Pantech?...P
The Chronic(what!)cles of Narnia
For me:
Heroes (The NBC show) on DVD
Subscription to Linux Journal
Amazon Gift Cards
A Wii...Well It has be on here :)
iPod Touch...because it's cool :) (maybe not a real serious gift...but still...so shiny!)
I also went through and cleaned up my wishlist on amazon...and my lawyers will be contacting them about IP infringement! They totally ripped off my idea!
For Robyn
Brita water filter that goes on the tap (or pur or something like that.)
Glass Tupperware style containers.
Amazon Money
2 quart non-teflon sauce pot
Pressure cooker
Nov 7, 2007
Welcome to the reopening!
Hello Everyone!
I decided to redo my website a bit. Since I got kind of lazy, I thought I would just use software I've used before. It seems to work alright...and We'll see how it goes. Let me know what you thing!
I decided to redo my website a bit. Since I got kind of lazy, I thought I would just use software I've used before. It seems to work alright...and We'll see how it goes. Let me know what you thing!
Nov 5, 2007
Sep 28, 2007
interesting Play
Two Weeks ago, My wife and I went to a play thanks to the season tickets to the Schwartz Center for the performing arts that I won. The first play on our list: Good. The play started out pretty good; it was set in Germany just before all hell breaks loose. The play chronicles the main characters reluctant joining of the Third Reich and ends with is complete 180 and seeing it as "not so bad" to put it lightly. The play itself wasn't too bad, my only main complaint being I don't see the main character as being all that good to begin with; very early on he starts having an affair.
No, the play itself was "good" up until the last 45 seconds. At the end, he has dawned his Uniform and begins the official salute. During this time, flags bearing a symbol used by the Nazi's is lowered. Since it is the end of the play, I feel as though I should clap because it was worthy of applause. During the applause, banners begin to fall with the swastika on them as well...suddenly I feel like I'm in a rally for nazi; not the place I would ever want to be.
I understand the director's thinking behind it. It helps drive home the point. I guess I am a bit more observant/sensitive than others. I could have done without the final banner droppings, but it did help me realize that people get into habits and sometimes don't even realize what they are doing is something they wouldn't have done before, all because the change was slow enough to not be noticed.
No, the play itself was "good" up until the last 45 seconds. At the end, he has dawned his Uniform and begins the official salute. During this time, flags bearing a symbol used by the Nazi's is lowered. Since it is the end of the play, I feel as though I should clap because it was worthy of applause. During the applause, banners begin to fall with the swastika on them as well...suddenly I feel like I'm in a rally for nazi; not the place I would ever want to be.
I understand the director's thinking behind it. It helps drive home the point. I guess I am a bit more observant/sensitive than others. I could have done without the final banner droppings, but it did help me realize that people get into habits and sometimes don't even realize what they are doing is something they wouldn't have done before, all because the change was slow enough to not be noticed.
Aug 22, 2007
Jul 23, 2007
Best. Argument. Ever
This link right here is the best argument against movie piracy ever! It's hurting the corn farmers....the CORN FIELDS ARE DYING! Doesn't anyone care? Maybe that's why the government is pushing corn-based everything; fuel, food, puppies.
Jun 14, 2007
May 15, 2007
Mar 30, 2007
Dragon Day 2007
Since starting my Job with Cornell, I've been told there are many traditions that go on. One that just recently happened was Dragon Day.
I had been told my many friends/colleagues that Dragon Day was a special day; it is an old tradition, and would be a day filled with Dragons, fighting, and burning. I started doing some searching of my own and found some really nice pictures of Dragons of yore. I was starting to get exicted. I would be able to see a well crafted Dragon, possibly fight a Phoenix, and then burn; how cool is that?
I think they forgot to tell the students that.
This is what I was greeted with on that cold, wintry day.
A creepy, skeletal dragon? Where's the skin? The scales? All missing. Not quite what I was expecting.
Granted, I later found out it was made of bamboo poles and the Freshmen didn't have a lot of money...but my hopes were dashed.
On the bright side, I did meet some interesting people.
I had been told my many friends/colleagues that Dragon Day was a special day; it is an old tradition, and would be a day filled with Dragons, fighting, and burning. I started doing some searching of my own and found some really nice pictures of Dragons of yore. I was starting to get exicted. I would be able to see a well crafted Dragon, possibly fight a Phoenix, and then burn; how cool is that?
I think they forgot to tell the students that.
This is what I was greeted with on that cold, wintry day.
A creepy, skeletal dragon? Where's the skin? The scales? All missing. Not quite what I was expecting.
Granted, I later found out it was made of bamboo poles and the Freshmen didn't have a lot of money...but my hopes were dashed.
On the bright side, I did meet some interesting people.
Mar 23, 2007
The 24 ban
I've banned myself from watching 24 this season. Not because I find the stories silly or anything, but after Season 5, I realized that watching week after week is the only way to go. I have Season 1 on DVD, and watched 2 on air, and then watched 3 and 4 in a frenzy to make sure I got them all in before 5. Granted, if I watched 3/4 back to back, it would have only taken two days, but these shows pack a lot in. It's not like Friends, or Seinfeld where you can watch a bunch in a row. 24 needs my undivided attention. I need to make sure I watch for all the little details that may come back into play later on.
Last year: President Logan? I mean, come on! That was well written, albeit a bit predictable. Season 5 led me to want to watch 24: Day 6 even more. They had the president as the head of an organized attack!
So you might be asking yourself "Why isn't he watching Season 6?" The answer is simple: I'm old . I go to the gym before I go to work and usually get home around 5:15. Since going before work involves me leaving the house at 5:30-6:00, I generally go to bed around 9PM. This is to make sure I'm getting enough beauty sleep to face the day.
Now, I hear another question beginning to crop up: "Why not just tape it and watch it before the next episode is aired?" This also is a simple answer: I'm a spazz. Robyn is usually still at work when I get home, which means I need to prepare dinner. After making said dinner, we usually like to eat it, then have to clean the dishes. Once that is all said and done, it's usually around 8:00pm. That leaves us an hour or so to catch up on emails, tell funny stories from the day or just hang out with our..."two kids."
Not to mention I tried taping another show last year in Colorado...and it wasn't pretty.
Last year: President Logan? I mean, come on! That was well written, albeit a bit predictable. Season 5 led me to want to watch 24: Day 6 even more. They had the president as the head of an organized attack!
So you might be asking yourself "Why isn't he watching Season 6?" The answer is simple: I'm old . I go to the gym before I go to work and usually get home around 5:15. Since going before work involves me leaving the house at 5:30-6:00, I generally go to bed around 9PM. This is to make sure I'm getting enough beauty sleep to face the day.
Now, I hear another question beginning to crop up: "Why not just tape it and watch it before the next episode is aired?" This also is a simple answer: I'm a spazz. Robyn is usually still at work when I get home, which means I need to prepare dinner. After making said dinner, we usually like to eat it, then have to clean the dishes. Once that is all said and done, it's usually around 8:00pm. That leaves us an hour or so to catch up on emails, tell funny stories from the day or just hang out with our..."two kids."
Not to mention I tried taping another show last year in Colorado...and it wasn't pretty.
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