Man the torpedoes! -- Freddy Krueger from Freddy vs. Jason
Tower View
RIAA has shown how they identify "illegal" files. They've made claims against a woman in New York that the files she had on her computer came from napster, not cds she purchased.
The question here is, so what?
If I remember my Information Law (and its really rusty), a person who purchases a cd is allowed to make duplicates for personal usage. There was nothing that said that you couldnt get the duplicate first.
Another mistake made by the RIAA. Instead of seeing the new medium as a chance for a way to bring in new business, they are determined to follow the old business model; have people pay more money for bad products.
How often has someone paid $20 for a cd to get 1 good song and 12 bad ones? I havent done that in a long time.
The RIAA feels this woman was more of a shoplifter, that she was taking the songs without permission. They neglected to see the amount of money she spent buying the cds after hearing the songs she downloaded. She had only purchased the music she actually liked and knew was good.
Greed tends to make people blind.
***********
Critical Work
Quotes from critics sell movies. The problems is that many of these so-called critics are either taken out of context or simply just the person's opinion.
This bring up Hollywood BitchSlap's Whore of the Year: the critic who was used the most to sell bad movies.
Makes sense to me.
I figured any critic who actually liked Gigli had to either be boning Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, or both.
***********
Out in The Yard
Mississippi judge refuses to remove burning cross from courthouse. Damn. Its not like the lawmakers in Mississippi dont know what the hell they are doing anyway.
***********
Fart causes bank to be sued Damn. And I thought only the US had stupid lawsuits.
***********
Gas kills sex life. Damn. And I thought all my girls liked playing Turtle with me.
***********
Background Noise
He Got Game by Public Enemy
Damn.
Was it something I said?
Pretend you dont see
So you turn your head...
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
Neal: Sucks to be you! Ha! Ha!
Gi: What do you mean "Sex with me?!"
-- Miscommunication at work once again
Tower View
Language Lessons
Vegas outranks the public school system when it comes teaching immigrants how to speak English.
Thats pretty sad, isnt it?
So many people are determined to have our own culture bend and make it easy for those who cant speak English. And then here are the casinos, teaching their own employees how to speak English. If those immigrant employees didnt learn English, then they are out of a job. How simple enough is that?
What happens when an American is trying to employment in Europe or Asia? Would those cultures bend to the American will and have everyone else speak English? I sincerely doubt that.
Maybe the public schools will actually learn something from the casinos.
***********
No More Newbies
Speaking of immigrants, there is a sentiment going on for opposing future illegal immigration. With so many illegal immigrants coming in, employers are hiring these people in at a signficantly lower wage than those people who actually live here.
Coming from a family who legally immigrated from Asia, its ironic that I fall into this sentiment.
Why do I fall into this realm?
1) My family legally immigrated.
I understand that many people who come into this country cant afford the cost of being legal immigration. But why should we have to pay our tax dollars to set up aid stations in the middle of the wilderness because people are crossing the border illegally. I think this money could be spent somewhere else, for example, teaching our kids how to speak frigging English.
2) I have many friends who legally immigrated.
They went through a ton of red tape in order to become legal immigrants. Why should they have to pay more than those who havent come in legally?
3) The illegals are getting screwed by the greedy.
I wonder if those illegals are really better off being here. Too many greedy companies/employers are hiring these immigrants at an obnoxiously lower wage rate than the legals or citizens. Even the legals are getting hired at a lower rate than the citizens.
As one of those who are threatened by the cheap labor, I find this feeling of bringing in more immigrants to enforce such so-called "world corporations" abit of a crock.
If its really going to be a world corporation, then why arent the upper eschelon being replaced with the immigrants as well?
***********
Out in The Yard
The Star Wars Kid deals with fame. If you've never seen the video, its of a young, heavyset teen named Ghyslain imaging that he is a light saber fight. As much as Ghyslain doesnt want the fame, he has become an international hit.
Check out JediMaster.Net to see the video. Ghyslain is great because he is simply the kid that is inside of all us.
***********
Two teens charged with sexual assault on each other. How the hell did they come up with this one?
***********
Background Noise
"Rebus" is on BBC America tonight.
It stars John Hannah from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns as a cynical Scottish detective who has no problem stepping on a few toes in order to get his way. It makes Rebus an interesting character because his personal obsessions play havoc with his personal life.
Sounds a lot like myself then...
More info on Rebus can be found here.
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
Jane: Those arent films! Those are names of all the women you've slept with! You've videotaped all the women you've had sex with, havent you??
Patrick: I can explain. Yes, I have...
-- from Coupling yet again
Tower View
Define Small
CNN's article notes that the RIAA wont put go after the small violators.
Go figure. Since the word "substantial" hasnt been defined, they could say that anyone with more than 2 songs on their computer is substantial.
Now that it would help them any. Most everyone I know is now using our own servers or cd drives that cant be read without permission.
So do they plan on invading our right to privacy to read our drives? I wouldnt doubt it.
***********
Gray Is Crying
Gray Davis lashed out at the Republican party for the recall that will take him out of office.
I dont know, Gray. Seems to me that you did all that yourself.
***********
Out in The Yard
Citibank notes a scam email going around. I believe it since I got one of these emails and I'm not even a Citibank customer.
***********
Man tosses attacking bear. Damn!
***********
Eagles used to fend off giant gerbils. I was going to make a joke here, but I was refraining from such childish things.
That is until I saw AmusedOne running to the airport with a plane ticket to China in his hand...
Background Noise
Day By Day by Hooters
Nothing lasts forever,
Only fades away,
Day by day...
Day by day...
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
Look! Its the four pillars of the male heterosexuality. We like 1) naked women, 2) stockings, 3) lesbians, and 4) Sean Connery best as James Bond. Why? Because that is what being a boy is! -- Steve from Coupling
Tower View
Once again, its been really hectic so I havent been able to post. Hopefully this really long post will make up for the past week.
The Obituary
A friend sent this to me. I had seen it before, but I forgotten the sadness I felt at this passing...
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life, but died in the United States from heart failure early in the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, and factories, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.
For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second. A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language, and "new math." But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus.
In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned but overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies.
Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.
It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.
Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.
When an individual, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs, stepladders and auto emissions.
Common Sense finally succumbed when, while the United States was fighting a war on terrorism, a federal judge declared the Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepsiblings: My Rights, and Ima Whiner.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
***********
Wheel Away Part 1
This past weekend, I was taking my first major road trip for a cycling event. In order to get ready, my bicycle was going to have to get some major maintenance work done it.
One of the first things was that I replaced the saddle (aka seat) to a lighter, more aerodynamic one.
The second thing was that I had been debating about getting a new set of wheels. The current wheels were only a year old, but they were the cheap stock versions that came with the bike. They had been through so much that they were beginning to wobble and I had never really had them adjusted (called truing).
All the wheels I had been looking at would range from $300 for both to as high as $1000. Since I only paid $450 for the whole bike, getting the new wheels seemed out of the question.
When I took it into the shop, I asked the maintenance guy, Chris, if he could true the wheels as well as check out the brakes, chain, etc. I would leave it there for a couple of days, then come back to pick it up.
A few days later, when I returned, the other tech, Mike, said that Chris had left a note saying that my rear wheel couldnt be repaired. The rear wheel was warped enough to make it harder to fix rather than just buy a new one.
After cringing at that thought, I was relieved when Mike told me that a replacement was only $50. But then he says "But... I would recommend this set to replace both wheels."
I cringed again.
Mike begins showing this set of Neuvation wheels, black and red to match my bike, more rigid than the cheapies and more aerodymnamic.
They were so good that he has never had one returned except for the usual truing. They were so good that Motobecane was using them as their stock tires on their cheaper bicycles.
For Motobecane, a cheaper bicyle means its $800.
This was like putting on Porche wheels on a Volkswagon Passat.
I cringed again. Then I asked the obvious question.. "How much?"
His reply: "Normally they run $250, but since you spend so much here, I'll sell them to you for $230. I know its not a lot off, but thats how much we pay for them."
At that the price, this was too much of a deal to pass up.
I surrendered my soul and my credit card for these wheels. Best part, he was able to get the work done that day so I was able to pick up the bike on the way home from work.
When I got home, I realized that Mike had forgotten to put a part back onto my front wheel for my speedometer. I called him at the shop and double checked that he hadnt tossed out my old wheels yet.
Fortunately, he hadnt thrown them out yet and told me to come by in the morning on my way out of town. He would remove the clip off the old wheel, then put it back onto the new one.
So I rode the bike around the neighborhood to get a feel for the new tires. For the cost, they were everything Mike had said they would be. They were an absolute dream.
Wheel Away Part 2
The next morning, I walked into the shop, new wheel in hand, ready for Mike to put the speedometer clip on. The first thing he says as soon as I walk in: "Oh hey.. umm.. dude.. I need to show you something.."
I cringed.
Mike begins to show me the invoice screen on his register. If you looked at the link, like I did the night before, the wheels were listed was exactly as Mike noted: $250. The picture didnt quite match, but it was close enough.
The wheels he had installed where the good kind; the really.. good.. kind. The $500 kind.
I cringed and felt a pucker around the anal region. I had wondered if I had been caught in some kind of bait and switch.
Then I asked the obvious question "Do you need me to pay the rest of it?"
He replied "Nah, dont worry about it. I've sold three sets at $250 already and your's at the $230."
I felt the pucker relax abit as Mike told me about he would have never even noticed until he tried to order more of the wheels, that they were selling like mad. Thats when his boss tried to figure out why the rest of the stores couldnt sell them as fast.
Must have been the price... *cough*
Mike returned my clip to its proper place on the new wheel, then gave me my old wheels saying "Here. Hide the evidence."
The only thing I was worried about now was hopefully that Mike wouldnt lose his job over this. By my estimation, that was nearly $1000 lost in the sale of the wheels.
He said he would be ok. After all, he was one of the seniors techs and one of their better salesmen.
At prices like these, I can understand why. Hopefully, nothing will happen to Mike. He might have one of these sales again.
***********
And The Trip Itself?
After all that excitement (I know it wasnt *that* exciting, but it was for me), the cycling event was a bit more tame. We road 26 miles in the rain, enjoyed a buffet at a local restaurant, and had a good time was had by all.
On that note, I must have give kudos to Kelli.
What can be said about an attractive woman who likes sports, like shooting handguns, and even more so, willing to pull down her workout pants to show me her legs?
I tried talking her to going out with my buddy, Doombringer, who is in dire need of female companionship, but to no avail.
Why? Well, besides the fact that we are talking about Doom, there were some other reasons:
1) Kelli was showing the bruises she had gotten while moving. Not that attractive. 2) She's a cop and she carries more ammunition than I ever would. 3) She's gay. 4) She's in a relationship. 5) Did I mention Kelli was gay?
Granted, with her being a lesbian, Kelli does fall into one of the pillars of male heterosexuality and Doom gets a chance to dream, doesnt he?
Out in The Yard
Anne's blog has new look. She's even got a new picture out there which looks really good.
***********
US tech workers are the ones training their replacements. US companies are wanting us to train the cheaper labor so they can lay off the more expensive Americans. Something is wrong in that.
***********
Over half of Califorina voters would pick Schwarzenegger. After Gray Davis screwed things up, its no wonder that Arnold would be a front runner. If he doesnt like what someone has to say, he'll either shoot them or break them in half.
Granted, I wouldnt mind voting for Larry Flynt. I can see it now. "If I'm elected, I promise to have a naked woman in everyone's home.."
Background Noise
Get Down Tonight by K.C. And The Sunshine Band
Do a little dance...
Make a little love...
Get down tonight...
Get down tonight...
I'm still in that 70's mode.
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
Look at me! I'm nearly thirty years old! I'm a prison for sperm! -- Jeff from Coupling
Tower View
From The Sick Bed
Its been awhile since I've been able to post. It sucks being sick.
Granted, my illness is simply weather and a head cold, but it still sucks. I can only imagine those people who are really ill with SARS, AIDS, or some major disease.
Then here I am, whining about a head cold.
The comfort I've had is by watching my recordings of the Tour de France and the British comedy, Coupling. The show was such a hit in the UK that the US is bringing it to the States.
How else can you explain a series in which the guy who is dating the girl that went out with his best friend while her best friend goes out with her ex? Then there is the guy's ex who wants to go out with everyone, male or female, while the best friend would pay money in order to go out with somebody... anybody...
Come to think of it, I've got a friend like that. *cough Doombringer cough* Hmmm...
Anyways, between my coughing and my laughing, I think I woke my neighbors on several occasions.
Parking Lot Adventures
I know I have an issue with my road rage, but I usually keep it in check, especially around the parking lot. After all, how bad can it get in the parking lot?
That changed today.
I was picking up lunch today from a local suchi place that happened to be next door to a supermarket. I had just gotten into the Jeep and started the engine when a white station wagon flies thru the parking lot, cutting between the parking spaces.
The male senior citizen behind the wheel was determined to beat this little Honda Civic thru the lot, but despite the fact that the Civic was obeying the law and driving thru the given lanes at a slow speed, the older station wagon was no match for the newer vehicle.
The Civic moved across unaware of the white predator that was ready to plow thru my Jeep and the other two cars next to me.
What the hell is it with old people driving thru markets?!
Again, another situation in which the other person was lucky that I wasnt carrying any weapons.
Out in The Yard
Mom leaves kid in the trunk. Now I know that parental units have always had that urge, but damn...
***********
School superintendent fails English test. This must explain the state of the nation's eduction.
***********
Gray Davis is sueing to delay the recall. Are you kidding me? Its time to go Gray. We dont need your so-called help any more.
Background Noise
Sister Golden Hair by America
I keep on thinking about you,
Sister golden hair surprise,
and I just cant live without you...
Cant you see it in my eyes?
Ok, so I was having a 70's urge...
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
No breathing, no life. -- Mr. Miyagi
Tower View
The Quest For Five Continues
Tour de France: Lance beats Jan!
Lance and Jan battle it out in an exciting final time trail.
Its a close race with both men riding, giving and taking seconds here and there, but still overall at the same time. Ullrich's powerful style shined while Armstrong's fast powered pace was reflected in his face.
Then with under 10 kms to go, Jan hits the deck and slides, giving Lance another 6 seconds. Afterwards Jan looked shaken, nervous, and going slower than normal. He kept looking back, trying to wave off his manager's pace car, then looking down at his cycle, checking to see if anything was breaking.
Ullrich eventually finished fourth while Lance finished third, beating the German by 11 seconds. With David Millar and Tyler Hamilton taking first and second respectively, the overall classification is pretty much tied up.
So the final outcome is all but tied up. With a leisurely ride to the Champ-Elysee, Lance will enter Paris as the winner of his fifth straight Tour. Armstrong is the only American to do such a feat. He also ties Migual Indurain as the only man who has won five in a row.
If I could only ride so well...
The question now arises: Will there be six?!
Armstrong's site has a great image of him and Ullrich.
Check out Outdoor Life Network's website for the latest news.
***********
Out in The Yard
28 DAYS gets a new ending. Damn! I'm going to have to watch it again!
***********
"Bennifer" is getting panned by the critics. I hope so. I dont know how much more I can take of Ben and Jerry.. err.. I mean Ben and Jenny... Jennifer. You know what I mean.
***********
Background Noise
Karate Kid II is on, hence today's quote. I liked the series until Karate Kid III came out.
Why is it that every time a sequel comes out, the story line gets screwed up?
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
I can't wait til I get that Giant between my legs. -- Marie talking about her new bicycle.
Tower View
Two Down, One To Go
The Hussein brothers are confirmed dead. Maybe our troops will be able to secure themselves now from ambush.
Come home safe guys. Stay frosty.
***********
Too Little, Too Late
The byline from this story on CNN is Hollywood to pirates: Please don't steal.
I can hear the response now: No.
I understand that this is people's livelyhood; that they live off this product. But then I also have no issue with getting a copy of a movie prior to its DVD release.
If its worth the money as the industry would have us to believe, then I will buy it. If its not worth the money, then I wouldnt have bought it anyway.
So what have they really lost?
Now I will say that those who are selling the movie copies should be smacked. If the industry isnt going to make any money off of this, then neither should we.
Its the fair thing to do.
Out in The Yard
Tour de France:
Its a rest day for the Tour. After yesterday, I think that even the spectators need it.
Check out Outdoor Life Network's website for the latest news.
***********
MS Flight Sim 2004 is available. As much as I love this game, why did MS feel that the steel tin was worth the extra $5? Merchandising, merchandising, merchandising...
***********
She had to keep the sofa dry. Are you kidding me?
***********
Background Noise
Couch Potato by "Wierd" Al Yankovic
You're going to lose your mind watching tv
They told me, they scold me
But I still tune in every show
On cable I get CSpan, TVLand, and HBO,
The Travel Channel, Discovery, and Lifetime...
I cant help it. Its a great parody of Eminem's "Lose Yourself".
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
At first, I thought I wanted a career. Then I realized I am just here for the paycheck. -- tagline at work
Tower View
Its been hectic as hell at the office. If work is supposed to be so fulfilling, why do they have to pay us to do it?
Word Smithing
This week's PC Police article shows how the League of United Latin American Citizens (aka LULAC) wants to change the wording of the Goliad Massacre.
For those not familiar with the Goliad Massacre, this battle entailed Mexican troops killing 300 Texas soldiers.
LULAC feels the word massacre is too harsh and would enforce hatred for Mexicans. They feel the word execution would be best suited for this.
Isnt this the same group that wanted to sue Taco Bell because they felt the Taco Bell dog in the commercials was degrading to Hispanics??
So the Battle of Little Bighorn was an execution? Tell that to Custer's troops.
We are Americans, regardless of our heritage. If you really want to stop the hatred, teach our kids to see beyond skin color and bias. Dont limit their ability to think for themselves.
Massacre is an appropriate word for troops that outnumbered and outgunned. Its also just a word. Its not what killed those men.
So has anyone told LULAC about the Alamo?
Out in The Yard
Tour de France:
Lance wins Stage 15!
In what has been called one of the most exciting races ever, Lance pulls out a win despite crashing and then having pedal problems. An exhausted Armstrong crossed the finish line with a 1" gap between him and second place man, Jan Ullrich.
image from TDF.OLNTV.COM
Speaking of which, kudos have to go out to Ullrich.
After Lance crashed, Ullrich showed the class of a true competitor by waiting til Lance was back and riding before continueing on his way. This way the race was still on even footing and would be decided by them, not by the accident.
I am confused about something though.
OLN has this listed on their site: "In stage 12, Ullrich proved he capable of stealing over a minute and a half. And that was the catalyst Armstrong needed to attack the final mountain of the centenary Tour with the sort of bravado that would enable him to start the final individual test (of stage 19) with a bigger leading buffer."
But according to their own site, stage 19 is a listed as a team time trial.
Ullrich's team, Team Bianchi, isnt as strong as Armstrong's US Postal Service team. USPS proved it by winning stage 6.
But if stage 19 is really the individual time trial like it was last year, then it may come down to Ullrich and Armstrong. Ullrich is an awesome rider, but Armstrong put his stamp of authority at last year's stage 19.
I cant wait to see what happens!
Check out Outdoor Life Network's website for the latest news.
***********
Cars sold on Ebay? So how do you do the test drive? Hey, Ao? Did you ever get that car? Heh...
***********
Its time to outlaw spam! Ummm.. duh?
***********
Judge tosses out NAACP lawsuit against gun makers. Talk about frivelous lawsuits. Guns dont kill people, people kill people... And a bullet doesnt care about the color of your skin.
***********
Background Noise
Once again, the replay of the Tour de France is on. I tried to listen to the webcast this morning at the office, but the network couldnt keep up.
Its probably a good thing too.
I can imagine myself yelling at my desk while Lance crashed. People at work already think I am strange enough already.
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
If marriage is an institution and love is blind, then marriage is an institution for the blind. -- Anonymous
Tower View
The Happy Couple
To Gi And Alex, Congrats and God Bless!
I tried to send the poor lad a sympathy card, but was threatened with bodily harm if I did such a thing. Geez, women can be really touchy about such things.
***********
The Great Silver Celica Hunt
Its been raining pretty steadily for the past few days. When it rains, normal people tend to slow down abit, but apparently people who own silver Celicas are incapable of slowing down.
As I was coming down a two lane road, one such Celica came flying down a side connecting street. The driver misjudged his speed, slammed on his breaks, and began sliding.
A quick swerve to the other lane and a hard right swerve to swing the tail out allowed the Celica to miss me by at least a foot. If I hadnt been driving my BMW, I would have been sideswiped for sure. The Jeep just doesnt have the same manuverablity.
So after nearly crashing into either me or into a fence, what does this person do? Speeds down the street behind me.
If it werent for a flooded section of the road that forced all the cars to slow down, the wee bastard would have tried to pass me.
Sometimes stupidity isnt painful enough.
Out in The Yard
Tour de France:
Lance pulls a rabbit out the hat. He holds the lead by just over 20 secs and had to go offroad to avoid a crashing Joseba Beloki.
Beloki is a very strong competitor who has won second place the past few years, but this crash has taken him out of the Tour. Hopefully Beloki will be able to recover from his injuries quickly. He will be missed.
Kudos to Jimmy Caspar. Caspar was part of the major crash in Stage 1 and had been riding all this time with a neck brace. The injuries finally got the best of him today, but still managed to do seven stages and what had to be over 500 miles of cycling.
And there is Tyler Hamiliton who is riding with a fractured collarbone.
I can only hope to be tough as these men.
Check out Outdoor Life Network's website for the latest news.
***********
Man attacks woman with a dagger; blames the jasmine tea. Are you frigging kidding me?
***********
David Lee Roth is still rocking. The question is why??
***********
I am a firm believer that the state government of Mississippi has no idea what the hell its doing, especially with its alienation of affection law. Here is a story that proves it.
***********
Background Noise
The replay of today's stage of the Tour de France is playing on OLN. I was listening to the stage on OLN's website this morning, but people kept coming up to my desk and asking me questions. So what else can I say?
"Hi, my name is Ken and I'm a cycling addict."
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
Who cares if I've had sex? It's nobody's business. Trust me, I'm not going to have a press conference to announce it. -- Britney Spears
Tower View
Absurdity Abounds
Britney is talking about her virginity? Or in this case, her lack there of.
Isnt this like Micheal Moore talking about his weight loss program?
If she wasnt going to have a press conference, why the hell did she tell People magazine?
Besides, if I'm not going to have sex with her, then at least let me see some good pictures. Hehehe...
***********
Loss For Words
Wendy McElroy's article talks about the similiarities between Politicaly Correct terms and the language described in George Orwell's book 1984.
Its ironic that the language of Orwell's dark view of the world is very close to the PC language. I always believed that it limits the way free people think because it prevents us from speaking our minds, agreeable or not.
McElroy agrees and shows how we are losing our ability to express ourselves.
***********
Its The RIAA'S Fault
John Dvorak talks about how the rebirth of anonymity sites are coming because of RIAA's snooping into our own machines. In order to hide from the RIAA's prying eyes, users will use these sites to hide their IP's and make it harder to be found.
Dvorak can see how the bad guys, terrorists, pedofiles, etc., will use the same sites for their own ends.
Thanks RIAA. Here's another mess we can blame you for.
Out in The Yard
Tour de France:
U.S. Postal wins the team time trial! Congrats to the Posties who now hold top 8 positions and to Victor Hugo Pena, the first Colombian to ever wear the yellow jersey!
Check out Outdoor Life Network's website for the latest news.
***********
What is it with bodies and windshields?! Here is a story about a young man who hit a pedestrian. The impact tore off the ped's legs and smashed the body into the windshield.
"It's the pedestrian's fault. He was wearing dark clothing. The poor kid (the driver) was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The ped's family may disagree with that one.
***********
Background Noise
The replay of today's stage of the Tour de France is playing on OLN. I missed listening to the team trial this morning because of a meeting.
Hopefully, people will leave me alone long enough to listen tomorrow's stage.
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
ShrimpFriedRice: I saw you carrying a gift bag last week. What did you get me?
Me: Gift bag? That was over two weeks ago, woman!
ShrimpFriedRice: Never mind that. What did you get me?
-- Today's conversation at work.
Tower View
Vacation time is over so its time to catch up.
But First
One of the running jokes around here: A picture of Ken and Barbie...
***********
PC Police Part 1
This week's PC POLICE article from Scott Norvell touches close to home because there is some discussion about Asian-Americans. Apparently some people took offense to having a new Charlie Chan series because they saw it as a racist series.
I think it would be kind of cool having an updated version of Charlie Chan in order to get rid of those old stereotypes. Think about it.
Have an multi-talented actor like Chow Yung Fat or Tony Leung as Charlie; not a quotation spouting chunky psuedo-asian man, but instead, an intelligent, handsome Chinese detective.
What would be more cool than that?
Check out Hard Boiled and Tokyo Raiders and see if you agree.
***********
PC Police Part 2
Then there is the part where people were upset with the new Charlie's Angels movie. An early script had Lisa Liu's parents as a Chinese man married to a Jewish woman. When the movie was released, it was actually John Cleese as her father and a Chinese woman as her mother.
The disgruntled voices note that Lisa Liu is Asian, not half-Asian.
Excuse me? How were the gender changes in parents supposed to be any different? More to the point, isnt this a frigging movie?!
Liu is playing a character, people. Get over it.
Out in The Yard
The Tour de France is on! For cyclists, this is one of the most exciting races ever.
I'm a fan of Lance Armstrong, but he may not have this one yet. Its too early to tell and with two major crashes within the past three days, it can be anyone's race so far. .
Check out Outdoor Life Network's website for the latest news.
***********
Its a Blur. I wish I could afford one of this bike! But I'm saving up for this one from Trek.
***********
The three person body count is perpetuated once again. From the actor's catagory, there was Katherine Hepburn, then Buddy Hackett, and now Buddy Ebsen.
***********
Gamers arent anti-social hermits. Well, no sheet Sherlock.
***********
SPAM strikes back! I never realized the email term was referring to the Monty Python skit. I always thought it was a wordplay off of acronym for Spam - "Stuff Posing As Mail."
Background Noise
"Not Gonna Get Us" by Tatu
Starting from here, let's make a promise
You and me, let's just be honest
We're gonna run, nothing can stop us
Even the night that falls all around us
The problem with Tatu is that they are simply too hot. Who can concentrate while staring at their nice round.. umm.. eyes...
*********************************************
* I will never forget those nights.
* I wonder if it was a dream.
* Remember how you made me crazy?
* Remember how I made you scream?
*********************************************
Careers are for those who just want to screw a better class of people. -- Tracy.
Tower View
Always A Bride's Maid
My friend, Gi, had a bridal shower this weekend to celebrate her upcoming wedding. She was tempted to invite me to this event except for two major factors: 1) I'm male and 2) I'm not gay.
Being gay really didnt have anything to do with this. Besides being the work husband, I'm her Will Truman while she's my Grace Adler. And if this doesnt make sense, watch the TV show Will & Grace. Good show.
For her, it was just wierd because she doesnt have that many female friends and the one friend she did want there, really would have felt strange since he would have been the only male there. Even her fiance was smart enough to escape this event.
When Gi told me this, part of me was flattered. After all, its nice to be considered a good friend to someone.
But then part of me was slightly upset. I can appreciate floral patterns as well as the next man, thankyouverymuch!
So what did I exchange this event for?
Girls Night Out
Apparently, I exchanged my night for one set of females for another set of them.
Somehow a friend of mine talked me into hanging out with a cluster of females. The downside was that I would be the only male since the others had backed out for one reason or another.
I thought to myself "Me. Several women drinking and cavorting with a night on the town. And then there is just.. Me... It doesnt get any better than this."
Or so I thought.
Out of the eight of us for this gathering, there was myself, my friend who is spoken for, another who is married, and six very attractive lesbians.
Oh. My. God. Talk about waving the damn meat in front of the hungry dog.
What made it worse was this evening became a scene out of Chasing Amy. Here I am, surrounded by women and what am I doing?! Exchanging oral sex techiniques, showing how to lick whip cream off fingers, and getting the description of chocolate cake mix.
Hell, I cant even look at chicken soup the same way.
So what do we do after dinner? We go to a dance club. The part they neglected to tell me was that it was a gay dance club.
Now before going any further, lets get something straight. I dont care if someone is gay, straight, or otherwise. We are all adults and we have to act like it.
But damn! There were some very attractive women and I knew that there wasnt a chance in hell with being with one of them. I could have gone to a straight bar for that!
Two positive notes. First, I think I can pass for a lesbian, Some of the women had the short cropped hair like me, were wearing similiar shirt and pants as I was, and hell, I even like women too.
Secondly, I was told I am a good dancer and am welcome back. I just have to make sure not to bring a purse with me.
So on that note, I must give a shout out to Valdez, Amy, Stacz, Megan, Tracy, Debi, and to all my other girls that I dont have time to name. I must also give a shout to Marie, who I blame entirely for putting me into the situation in the first place.
One More Note...
I forgot to add this...
Umm.. Hey Valdez?
*SNORT*
Out in The Yard
Katherine Hepburn passed away today. She was really one of the good ones.
Background Noise
Daria: Is It College Yet? in now. I like the series even though Noggin doesnt show all the episodes and censors the ones it does show.
Fortunately, Is It College Yet? and Is It Fall Yet? are available on DVD.
*********************************************
* You are the light
* To my soul...
* You are my purpose...
* You're everything...
*********************************************
For some strange reason, the new Blogger forces the font to change after the horizontal line. I'll have to figure that out later. Bleah.
See attached update. blah, blah, blah, yeah I changed it. Get over it or face the wrath of Princess G. -- Email from Gi.
Tower View
Now that Blogger has allowed us to log in again.. here we go...
The Greedy Ones Strike Again
RIAA wants to sue users who share a "substantial" amount of music files. The story here describes how the suits want to go after these users in eight to ten weeks with a significant lawsuit for each song shared.
Get over it, RIAA. So they find out who shares the files. Big deal. Since the word substantial hasnt been defined, they will make the mistake for going after everyone who shares more a single file. So users will also simply share outside the normal channels. They dont need the peer to peer software anymore.
Too late, suits. Instead of paying all that money for the frivilous cases, it could have been used to adapt to the new environment.
Oh well. I'm not crying for them. Just another example of the how far over the edge we've gone.
There Is Hope Yet
On the other hand, maybe we arent so bad off yet.
Last night during a visit to the local Subway, a jovial customer in line began a converstation with the rest of us as well as the sandwich maker behind the counter. Despite the long wait, he was in good spirits and even got the crowd laughing with his discussion about the shows American Idol and Fame.
He even got the tired sandwich maker smiling. Apparently her fiance had been mean to her earlier that day so Mr. Happy simply said "Dump him. That will teach him. Then when he comes groveling back, make sure he crawls. And if he doesnt come back, then more food for you."
We need more people like Mr. Happy. It would be a nicer place to be.
Out in The Yard
Good lord! Talk about a tough crowd. Look here.
Chickens as pets?? Hmm... So what happens if you get hungry?
Background Noise
Before I forget, yes, I got the name wrong in the last entry. It was California Love, not California Dreaming. It was late and I was tired. Well, that and I'm old, but nevermind that.
Boys Of Summer -- The Ataris (cover of the Don Henley song)
I can see you,
Your brown skin shining in the sun.
You got your hair combed back
And your sunglasses on, baby.
I can tell you
My love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone
*********************************************
* You are the light
* To my soul...
* You are my purpose...
* You're everything...
*********************************************
Me: First off, let me apologize for all the errors you folks saw. The frigging moron who set up the webpage not only did it wrong, but he also screwed up all the links.
Ann: Werent you the one who set up the page?
Me: Yes, it was..
-- From today's meeting.
Tower View
What The Hell Is Wrong With People?! Part 1
Fury sent out this article about how the police had to shut down a 6 year old girl's lemonade stand because she didnt have a business permit.
I understand the police have to do their job when a formal complaint is called into them. The problem I have is that it was a frigging neighbor who filed the complaint.
What the hell? Did the girl's lemonade stand cut into the neighbor's profit margin??
What The Hell Is Wrong With People?! Part 2
This story notes that New York state government wants to put a tax on video games and junk food in an effort to fund anti-obesity programs. As far as I know, this doesnt deal with anything remotely closely medical in nature; thyroid, genetics, age, etc. This is more because too many people are sitting on their ass eating junk food and playing video games.
Do you really want to pay extra money for a government program that requires someone else is too damn lazy to exercise or eat properly?
What The Hell Is Wrong With People?! Part 3
Cynical Tyrant has a blog entry about her most recent weekend in which she did a cycling event. Along the way there was an accident in which a driver plowed thru a couple of riders. The riders where hurt, but fortunately, not seriously.
On the upside, the driver was arrested on felony charges.
Cyclists have the right to the road. Get over it. Learn to share the road, people.
Out in The Yard
Speaking of obesity, here is a story about a hotel that deals strictly with larger folks.
Its the year of the beaver. See here.
Denny's makes the news again. Hope the former employees that ticked off this cop lose much more than their job. They definately fell under the catagory of What The Hell Is Wrong With People?!
Background Noise
California Dreaming -- Dr. Dre and Tupac
Say what you say,
Give me that bomb beat from Dre,
Let me serenade the streets of LA.
From Oakland to Sac town,
The Bay area and back down.
Cali is with it.
Put the Mac down.
Give me love...
ShrimpFriedRice: As always, my lips are sealed.
Me: Around what?
-- A conversation at work. I can always count on her to say the wrong thing at the right time.
Tower View
Speak Freely
We are lucky that we have freedom of speech. The Europeans dont have such a liberty and are about to lose more of it when they will require all Internet writers to provide space for *any* reader to contradict their thoughts.
Would you really want to pay for space to have someone else discredit your work or even contradict your opinions? Let them pay for it if they feel their opinion is that important.
Take a look at this article and think about what we take for granted.
Speaking Of Which...
William Safire wrote a pretty good editorial about how the recent FCC regulation needs to be tossed back by congress.
I agree with Safire. Do we really want corporate America telling you what to see, you to read, and what news you can hear?
Talking About Corporate Life
Once again, the music artist is getting ripped off. This article shows that even with web based music, the corporate label is getting a larger cut than the artist. A much larger cut than is deserved.
This letter to an editor shows that corporate labels should be worried. I, for one, try not to buy any cds. If I'm going to give money to somebody, I would prefer to give it to the actual artist.
Too many corporate suits have lived off their artists like a bunch of vultures. Its time for the artists to be able to live off their work.
Out in The Yard
Speaking of vultures, CBS wants to make a tv movie about PFC Jessica Lynch. Bleah... She's been through enough as it is. Leave the woman alone. Sheesh.
Now for a movie, the Transformers would definately be a better choice. Woohoo!
For those of us who cant get outside or cyle in the great tours, there is Cycling Manager 3. I've played the demo and am anxious to get the full version. The bad part is that I'll have to wait awhile since it will only be released in Europe this month. Wah!
Background Noise
I Against I -- Mos Def and Massive Attack
Flesh of my flesh,
Mind of my mind,
Two of a kind,
But one more wont survive.
My image is reflected in my enemy's eye
And his images reflect in mine
the same time.
*********************************************
* You are the light
* To my soul...
* You are my purpose...
* You're everything...
*********************************************
Careful, Ken! Next time you poke your fingers in me, I may not be able to let them out... -- ShrimpFriedRice
Tower View
The Morning Ritual
We all have our habits that we do in the morning. For me, its the stretch before the shower, dress, then drive to work. For others, it may require grabbing that cup of coffee or even the morning workout prior to work.
But if your morning ritual requires you to put on makeup while smoking a cigerette and driving down the road at 55mph, then you may want to rethink that habit. Especially when your car consistently drifts from lane to lane in front of an armed individual such as myself.
Two options here:
1) Wake a little bit earlier
2) Do the make up when you get to the office.
Trust me, ladies. We arent really looking at your face anyway.
Racing Away
We as a society have gone overboard on the politically correct crap. Scott Norvell tends to agree with his ongoing article on Fox New's web site.
People have gotten oversensative over the most dumbest things. My own "race" would consider me as an Asian-American.
Thats strange. I always thought of myself simply as an American.
Out in The Yard
I know that kids are supposed to help with the shopping, but this is ridiculous.
In my personal opinion, Alienware makes some of the best PC's in the world, especially when both Starfury and myself own one. Now some of the more industry based websites are beginning to notice.
Here is David Coursey's article about the little company that did.
Background Noise
Desperate People -- Living Colour
Feel the Earth revolving
See the Sun dissolving
And the Night coming after you
You have no direction
And you have no protection...
Whatcha gonna to do
when your trip turns blue?
*********************************************
* You are the light
* To my soul...
* You are my purpose...
* You're everything...
*********************************************
Mike: Thank God for the tax break for married couples. I had some friends who would get divorced in December, then re-marry in January, just to avoid paying the extra cost for being married.
Me : Thats not why they did it. He did it so he could avoid getting her an anniversary present. She did it so she could get another honeymoon. -- A conversation at work.
Tower View
Knowledge is Power
A recent article describes the University of Vancouver allows students to study and write computer viruses. There are many proponents for and against this matter. One of the more vocal ones wrote this article saying that this subject should be taught to college students.
I tend to agree on this.
There are many arguements against this kind of material, the most notable are that this type of class would only create more virus writers and why couldnt they be taught the other subject materials that cover this realm; TCP/IP, networking, computer communications, etc.
There is no sense in hiding from the truth, people. The virus writers are already out there. The code is already readily available. Even Wired magazine is going to publish an article that shows the source code for the Slammer virus.
Colleges already teach the other pieces of networking, connectivity, and other internet based communications. It doesnt change the fact that viruses are getting through to those people who dont know anything about them.
For all the bickering going on about this subject, when was the last time you heard an uproar about students taking accounting? Recently, it was the accounting practices of Enron and WorldCom that bilked stockholders out of millions of dollars?
Dont military forces teach their soldiers how to build and fire weapons? Dont they learn how to kill those who oppose them?
The purpose of this class is to responsibly educate responsible students. It will be up to them to determine what to do with this knowledge. With more responsible, knowledgable people available in the industry, then perhaps we will have better anti-virus products available to the public.
Besides, holding information back from the masses leads to censorship, even if you dont like the information given.
Out in The Yard
V is coming back to the little screen. Here is the story. I cant wait! Heh...
This article notes that The Smoking Gun is getting its own tv show. Hmm.. Too bad it will be on Court TV. TSG always shows the best mugshots of arrested celebrities.
Background Noise
Bring Me to Life -- Evanescence
Actually, in this case, I've got the digital music channel going on the tv. Instead of showing a video, the song plays while there are artist fact's displayed.
I find it interesting that Evanescence was once considered a Christian band. Listening to the words of "Bring Me To Life" and "Tourniquet" along with their musical blend of Goth rock and a call to God, I can see how they could get this label. It even reminded me of how Creed had this distintion for awhile.
Evanescence renounced this fact, saying that although they were Christians, they were not a Christian band. When this was publicized, their cd was pulled from many Christian market stores.
Christians, who are supposed to turn the other cheek, refused to sell the music of other Christians, just because they didnt to fit a stereotype.
Isnt it ironic, dont you think?
*********************************************
* Dont let me die here
* There must be something more
* Bring me to life
*********************************************
The Secrets of Hung Men -- From the cover of July/August Kung Fu Quigong, referring to Hung Gar kung fu.
Tower View
Games Have Freedom of Speech
Video games have been listed as protected by the first admendment by the Supreme Court. The story is listed here.
Finally some sense has been made in this issue. Too many people have been blaming games for the behaviour of their children instead of taking responsibility for the way they act. Thats about as smart as blaming guns for the amount of crime in the country.
Employment Opportunities
I've come to the realization that I wasnt made for physical labor.
The company that I am employed with is one of the sponsors for the local chapter of Habitat of Humamity. This is the charity that has local companies and builders volunteer their time and materials in order to help builds homes for under-priviledged people.
I'm not one for such physical work, but I didnt want to be the only person on my team that didnt volunteer. What can I say? It was peer pressure.
After a somewhat disturbing drive to the more seedy part of town, I found myself "volunteered" for building the walls that would be the framework of the next home. I dont know a thing about building so I had to defer to the knowledge of Richard, the carpenter who was in charge of us.
Six hours of measuring lumber, firing a heavy nail gun repeatedly, pulling nails from wood, and stacking newly fabricated walls into slates will wear you down. The part that kept me laughing was Richard, who would keep telling us war stories about how at a nail either penetrated his fingers, foot, or leg.
There was the story about the forklift that fell on his toe... *shivers*
I definately have a new found respect for those in the construction industry.
Out in The Yard
An editor with Eweek noted that viruses are a problem, but its the idiot users who decide to keep sending the damn things out have become more of the major problem. I tend to agree so the story is here.
The biggest liar in West Virginia is going into politics. How ironic. Read it here.
This has to be one of the best commercials I've ever seen. Give it time to load though. Its a little slow, even on a cable connection.
Background Noise
Pushing Me Away (Remix) -- Linkin Park
When I look into your eyes
There's nothing there to see
Nothing but my own mistakes
Staring back at me
*********************************************
* Dont let me die here
* There must be something more
* Bring me to life
*********************************************
The Steward
