Just for fun from Mr. Wyman.
Civic Liberties Quiz
Monday, October 01, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Lobster
Well... Port Charlotte isn't the most sophisticated city in the world. But they did have one of these at Boomer's.
Notes: We have a video, but it is in Iowa. We were unable to verify what you do with it when you win, the waitress was "new" and had never encountered the situation. And yes... Sam played.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Info Sci tip
Planning a trip? http://www.farecast.com/ gives you predictions of when to buy and when to sell. Like a stock broker for your flight.
Facebook and Exams
I've spent most of the last few days at home. By 8:45 AM Monday I'd gotten gas and taken Sam's laundry (I'm a good sister and he couldn't before the "deadline" had passed) and made myself a big cup of coffee. At 9AM my big exam opened. The one I didn't know what it was going to be like... the one that is in my critical path for me to graduate in December. Which is in my path of getting the job I want which is in the path of me having an income. All of those are important.
So I wrote one essay on Monday. I wrote another essay on Tuesday. Unfortunately I had two days left (before I leave town and start editing on the plane) to use the Internet to find all my sources and write my papers. Which means I squandered half the day away Wednesday on things like getting a new shower head (needed to be done, the wall was getting more water than we were) and on buying bubble wrap for a package I've needed to mail since last June.
Last night I remembered my last assignment for my class tonight. Join Facebook. Oh yes, to join Facebook... and presumably form an opinion on it. Which means I had to use it. Which means I got sucked in... which means now, in addition to the Google Reader, the MySpace, the NetFlix, the trip to Budapest, the trip to Florida, and just life I have another distraction. An assigned distraction. Not helpful.
In other news I'm glad I don't procrastinate... or rather I don't when I'm already losing a third of my exam time to go to Florida for the weekend. Granddaddy's getting married and (almost) all the cousins will be there. Except David I think... and David's my favorite, or at least the only one that I think might be reading this.
Hi David! We'll miss you!
So I wrote one essay on Monday. I wrote another essay on Tuesday. Unfortunately I had two days left (before I leave town and start editing on the plane) to use the Internet to find all my sources and write my papers. Which means I squandered half the day away Wednesday on things like getting a new shower head (needed to be done, the wall was getting more water than we were) and on buying bubble wrap for a package I've needed to mail since last June.
Last night I remembered my last assignment for my class tonight. Join Facebook. Oh yes, to join Facebook... and presumably form an opinion on it. Which means I had to use it. Which means I got sucked in... which means now, in addition to the Google Reader, the MySpace, the NetFlix, the trip to Budapest, the trip to Florida, and just life I have another distraction. An assigned distraction. Not helpful.
In other news I'm glad I don't procrastinate... or rather I don't when I'm already losing a third of my exam time to go to Florida for the weekend. Granddaddy's getting married and (almost) all the cousins will be there. Except David I think... and David's my favorite, or at least the only one that I think might be reading this.
Hi David! We'll miss you!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Texans e-mail forward (thanks Matt)
A recent study found the average Texan walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found Texans drink, on average, 22 gallons of beer per year.
That means, on average, a Texan gets about 41 miles to the gallon.
That means, on average, a Texan gets about 41 miles to the gallon.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us
Every now and then I think I might just be in one of the coolest fields ever.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Madison
A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
-James Madison
-James Madison
The Contest
As though I needed something else to think about:
We're having a Halloween baking contest at the library. Judged on taste, originality, and presentation. Something else to keep in the back of my mind... its rather cluttered at the moment.
Yeah bake offs!
We're having a Halloween baking contest at the library. Judged on taste, originality, and presentation. Something else to keep in the back of my mind... its rather cluttered at the moment.
Yeah bake offs!
Friday, September 07, 2007
On traveling...
I've got two trips planned in the next month.
The first is to Florida. All I really have to do now is pack my bags and head out for the weekend. All the cousins, aunts, and uncles (sans David :-() are gathering for the big wedding. Most of us haven't met this lady Granddaddy is betrothed to, but I'm sure she's swell. I don't have to plan for this trip. Pack. Get on plane. Get picked up. Go to Perkins sit and wait for people to show up to talk to. Go to wedding. Go to reception. Go to Olive Garden, sit and wait for people to talk to. Fly home. In the middle of all that though I'll be writing my thesis in a week (ok, not a thesis, just the equivalent for my program). I'll edit on the plane. Guess I should see if the hotel has Internet access. I'm guessing no, not the kind of thing Phillips worry about.
The other trip is to Budapest. One month to go (and lots to do before that). I've got a list, a travel guide, and a phrase book (full of useful phrases). Ten days and nothing really planned. Woooohhhhooooo... oh except I have to find and Internet Cafe or something to take my midterm. Bleh.
The first is to Florida. All I really have to do now is pack my bags and head out for the weekend. All the cousins, aunts, and uncles (sans David :-() are gathering for the big wedding. Most of us haven't met this lady Granddaddy is betrothed to, but I'm sure she's swell. I don't have to plan for this trip. Pack. Get on plane. Get picked up. Go to Perkins sit and wait for people to show up to talk to. Go to wedding. Go to reception. Go to Olive Garden, sit and wait for people to talk to. Fly home. In the middle of all that though I'll be writing my thesis in a week (ok, not a thesis, just the equivalent for my program). I'll edit on the plane. Guess I should see if the hotel has Internet access. I'm guessing no, not the kind of thing Phillips worry about.
The other trip is to Budapest. One month to go (and lots to do before that). I've got a list, a travel guide, and a phrase book (full of useful phrases). Ten days and nothing really planned. Woooohhhhooooo... oh except I have to find and Internet Cafe or something to take my midterm. Bleh.
Lessons learned
If you are picking up a package at the apartment office, don't tell them it is from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Cause then they will look for the trademarks on the boxes and ignore the fact that your package is indeed on the shelf, exactly where it is supposed to be... just in a bubblewrapped envelope.
This was discovered after I went to talk to my postman. He had the same problem and suggested if I couldn't talk them into letting me work I should go back on Saturday and ask Melvin. "He won't like it, but he'll go back there and look for ya." Then we lamented the loss of Sunshine, "she knew what she was doing, and actually cared."
This was discovered after I went to talk to my postman. He had the same problem and suggested if I couldn't talk them into letting me work I should go back on Saturday and ask Melvin. "He won't like it, but he'll go back there and look for ya." Then we lamented the loss of Sunshine, "she knew what she was doing, and actually cared."
Friday, August 31, 2007
Systems Analysis
"Hi" it's been awhile.
Haven't been up to too too much. Classes started earlier than I expected, I only have half my textbooks. I also found out that my midterm in my Systems Analysis class will be my last day in Budapest and I can't take it early. Or at least that request wasn't addressed. Annoying since once of the reasons I picked that class over another was because it is project based, and those usually don't have midterms. Plus I'm going to learn a lot... still my life this semester is going to look a lot more like IT than IS.
Speaking of Systems Analysis:
The Presbyterian Church, or rather the Presbytery of the New Covenant is now preparing for disaster. This comes two years after Katrina and almost two years after Rita. You know, when everyone that watched Fox News left town... and those that sat back and thought "28 feet above sea level and 50 miles inland, I think I'll stay home" were left with four days off work and no place to go (see mass evacuation that left the city without gas and the highways packed in all directions).
The Presbytery is collecting the names of two elders in each church to coordinate in case of a disaster. They added the caveat that these people should be able to "text" (which I can only now assume is a verb). Let us now see how this plan is a little bit silly:
1) Presbyterian elders are typically well over the age of 40. On my little Session I'm the youngest, the next youngest is 45, maybe even 50. They can't hear in Session, see this post, (Note: this month "Bill's" hearing aid was still ringing) much less hear their phones ring. Or heaven forbid "text." So... I'm guessing the pool of available ambassadors is fairly small.
2) This is the Presbyterian Church. It took us two years to find a minister, which was largely because of them (ok, and interventions of the Holy Spirit) but in a business sense it was totally their inefficiency. I think we would be more likely to be rescued from our rooftops by the federal government than by the P.C.U.S.A.
3) Most of the disaster relief funds in the Presbytery in last few years were embezzled (or misdirected anyway). If they did get all the sign offs to help (before or after) there isn't any money for it anyway.
Solution: In the event of an emergency become a Baptist, at least they know how to swim.
Haven't been up to too too much. Classes started earlier than I expected, I only have half my textbooks. I also found out that my midterm in my Systems Analysis class will be my last day in Budapest and I can't take it early. Or at least that request wasn't addressed. Annoying since once of the reasons I picked that class over another was because it is project based, and those usually don't have midterms. Plus I'm going to learn a lot... still my life this semester is going to look a lot more like IT than IS.
Speaking of Systems Analysis:
The Presbyterian Church, or rather the Presbytery of the New Covenant is now preparing for disaster. This comes two years after Katrina and almost two years after Rita. You know, when everyone that watched Fox News left town... and those that sat back and thought "28 feet above sea level and 50 miles inland, I think I'll stay home" were left with four days off work and no place to go (see mass evacuation that left the city without gas and the highways packed in all directions).
The Presbytery is collecting the names of two elders in each church to coordinate in case of a disaster. They added the caveat that these people should be able to "text" (which I can only now assume is a verb). Let us now see how this plan is a little bit silly:
1) Presbyterian elders are typically well over the age of 40. On my little Session I'm the youngest, the next youngest is 45, maybe even 50. They can't hear in Session, see this post, (Note: this month "Bill's" hearing aid was still ringing) much less hear their phones ring. Or heaven forbid "text." So... I'm guessing the pool of available ambassadors is fairly small.
2) This is the Presbyterian Church. It took us two years to find a minister, which was largely because of them (ok, and interventions of the Holy Spirit) but in a business sense it was totally their inefficiency. I think we would be more likely to be rescued from our rooftops by the federal government than by the P.C.U.S.A.
3) Most of the disaster relief funds in the Presbytery in last few years were embezzled (or misdirected anyway). If they did get all the sign offs to help (before or after) there isn't any money for it anyway.
Solution: In the event of an emergency become a Baptist, at least they know how to swim.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
AAA
Ok, it is an e-mail forward...
To: Mr. Clayton Yeutter
Secretary of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
My friends, Wayne and Janelle, over at Wichita Falls, Texas received a
check the other day for $1,000 from the government for not raising hogs.
So, I want to go into the "not raising hogs" business myself next year.
What I want to know is, in your opinion, what is the best type of
farm not to raise hogs on, and what is the best breed of hogs not to
raise?
I want to be sure that I approach this endeavor in keeping with all
government policies. I would prefer not to raise Razor hogs, but if
that is not a good breed not to raise, then I can just as easily not raise
Yorkshires or Durocs.
My friend Wayne is very excited about the future of this business. He has
been raising hogs for 20 years and the most he ever made was $420 in 1978,
until this year, when he got your check for $1,000 for not raising hogs.
If I can get $1,000 for not raising 50 hogs, will I get $2,000 for
not raising 100 hogs? I plan to operate on a small scale at first,
holding myself down to not raising about 4,000 hogs, which will give me
$80,000 income the first year. Then I can buy an airplane to better keep
track of the hogs I'm not raising.
As I see it, the hardest part of this program will be keeping an
accurate inventory of how many hogs I haven't raised.
Now another thing: these hogs I will not raise will not eat 100,000
bushels of corn. I understand that you also pay farmers for not
raising corn and wheat. Will I qualify for payments for not raising
wheat and corn not to feed the 4,000 hogs I am not going to raise?
I want to get started not feeding as soon as possible, as this seems to be
a good time of the year to not raise hogs and grain and I don't want to
miss the best of the season.
I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send me
any information on that also.
In view of these circumstances, I understand that the government will
consider me totally unemployed, so I plan to file for unemployment and
food stamps as well.
Be assured that you will have my vote in the coming elections.
Patriotically yours,
Otis Deal
PS: Would you please notify me when you plan to distribute more free
cheese.
To: Mr. Clayton Yeutter
Secretary of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
My friends, Wayne and Janelle, over at Wichita Falls, Texas received a
check the other day for $1,000 from the government for not raising hogs.
So, I want to go into the "not raising hogs" business myself next year.
What I want to know is, in your opinion, what is the best type of
farm not to raise hogs on, and what is the best breed of hogs not to
raise?
I want to be sure that I approach this endeavor in keeping with all
government policies. I would prefer not to raise Razor hogs, but if
that is not a good breed not to raise, then I can just as easily not raise
Yorkshires or Durocs.
My friend Wayne is very excited about the future of this business. He has
been raising hogs for 20 years and the most he ever made was $420 in 1978,
until this year, when he got your check for $1,000 for not raising hogs.
If I can get $1,000 for not raising 50 hogs, will I get $2,000 for
not raising 100 hogs? I plan to operate on a small scale at first,
holding myself down to not raising about 4,000 hogs, which will give me
$80,000 income the first year. Then I can buy an airplane to better keep
track of the hogs I'm not raising.
As I see it, the hardest part of this program will be keeping an
accurate inventory of how many hogs I haven't raised.
Now another thing: these hogs I will not raise will not eat 100,000
bushels of corn. I understand that you also pay farmers for not
raising corn and wheat. Will I qualify for payments for not raising
wheat and corn not to feed the 4,000 hogs I am not going to raise?
I want to get started not feeding as soon as possible, as this seems to be
a good time of the year to not raise hogs and grain and I don't want to
miss the best of the season.
I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send me
any information on that also.
In view of these circumstances, I understand that the government will
consider me totally unemployed, so I plan to file for unemployment and
food stamps as well.
Be assured that you will have my vote in the coming elections.
Patriotically yours,
Otis Deal
PS: Would you please notify me when you plan to distribute more free
cheese.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Missing it a bit
My friends the teachers are back at work today, or rather they have been for week now. Actually they might have the day off. I don't know. I've tried to keep up with the gossip.
They've been in the dreaded SLC meetings for two days straight... the thought of which hasn't made me miss teaching. I think I am going to miss it though, once school starts. So I thought I'd get a fix. Sorry for the subtitles... maybe you can learn Spanish while you're at it.
They've been in the dreaded SLC meetings for two days straight... the thought of which hasn't made me miss teaching. I think I am going to miss it though, once school starts. So I thought I'd get a fix. Sorry for the subtitles... maybe you can learn Spanish while you're at it.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Erin
For those of you who are not in Houston I would like to provide you with the following image.
This is what you call "the dirty side of the storm." All reports on a radio would indicate that the storm was hitting Corpus and South Padre. While technically true it would leave out for the fact that this is my errand day.
Today I... went to the bank (actually three banks, after making phone calls to indicate they would indeed have a notary available... apparently there is a conspiracy to not give bank notaries their stamps in a timely manner and all the other managers are new), I went to the post office where I mailed said notarized package and where they did not have the stamps I wanted (this will be delayed). I also went to pick up a package and sign my lease because the rain had let up. By the time I actually got to sign the lease, however, the rain was coming down in torrents and the puddles in the parking lot were turning from lakes to seas.
At two I have to be at the museum, site of all the flooding in 2001. Joy of joys. Oh, and then to the Dikeman's and to the Gordon's. I've been stranded at all of those before.
I'm pretty sick of the rain, pretty sick of the lakes turning into seas and the rivers turning to straits. But it didn't rain when we were camping. So I don't feel totally smited.
This is what you call "the dirty side of the storm." All reports on a radio would indicate that the storm was hitting Corpus and South Padre. While technically true it would leave out for the fact that this is my errand day.
Today I... went to the bank (actually three banks, after making phone calls to indicate they would indeed have a notary available... apparently there is a conspiracy to not give bank notaries their stamps in a timely manner and all the other managers are new), I went to the post office where I mailed said notarized package and where they did not have the stamps I wanted (this will be delayed). I also went to pick up a package and sign my lease because the rain had let up. By the time I actually got to sign the lease, however, the rain was coming down in torrents and the puddles in the parking lot were turning from lakes to seas.
At two I have to be at the museum, site of all the flooding in 2001. Joy of joys. Oh, and then to the Dikeman's and to the Gordon's. I've been stranded at all of those before.
I'm pretty sick of the rain, pretty sick of the lakes turning into seas and the rivers turning to straits. But it didn't rain when we were camping. So I don't feel totally smited.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Online learning
I looked up my grades today. Seems in one class (previously known as the bull shit class) they posted my final without actually giving me credit for writing my final or turning it in. At all. Awesome.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Censorship?
I read the comics online... yesterday this came from the Houston Chronicle:
But is a repeat, from maybe two weeks ago. This is what went out in Google Reader (by the way Google thinks "Google" is mistyped). Anyway, this is what came out in Google Reader:
Why would you censor that?
But is a repeat, from maybe two weeks ago. This is what went out in Google Reader (by the way Google thinks "Google" is mistyped). Anyway, this is what came out in Google Reader:
Why would you censor that?
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Endless summer...
I have three (hopefully two) days left on my classes. I took three this summer (actually 12, but that's another story) all in the name of an easier fall. I think my lowest grade is going to come from what I'm calling the "bull shit class" which I knew would be "easy" but well, didn't think would be total bull shit. Seems they care if a colon comes after my name or not... or at least I think thats what they care about cause I never get back any feedback than a number. Bleh. So thats almost over... Whatever. Blogs are meant to bring delight so I'll spare you from the bitching.
Folks at church keep asking when school starts. I'm not really sure what they are asking, since memories (if they had them) are short. Their questions rarely match what is actually going on in my life. This school starting thing is a complicated subject. Texas, in its infinite wisdom, voted to push back the start of school till the last week of summer. Something about saving money on the air conditioning. Actually I'm pretty sure they had this vote when I was in high school. So the vote was actually not to have as many waivers for school districts wanting that early start.
Doesn't matter, they will have turned on everything in HISD two weeks before... thats when the teachers have to report to not miss a paycheck. Other teachers are going back the week after (and not missing a paycheck, funny how that works). I'm going back labor day weekend... but that isn't the question they are asking.
I would also like to introduce you to the concept of niche marketing.
In other news I got the wedding invitation for Granddad's wedding. Kate spells Catherine the way I spell Katharine. The wright way. Yuck yuck yuck.
Oh... if I asked you what did James Wright invent as a substitute for rubber during World War II would you know it?
Or what state do you have to visit to see the Grand Canyon?
Or what actor married his long time girlfriend Anne Stringfield on July 22nd?
What was Wendy in Peter Pan's last name?
Shakespeare: What was Juliet's family name?
What is the GDP per capita of Mexico?
Who was the first European to lead an over land expedition to the Pacific?
Music/FEMA: which city is too close to New Orleans?
What year did Henry of Navarre become Henry IV of France?
Who was drafted by the Trail Blazers in 1974, played for the Clippers and finished with the Celtics?
Who had his mural removed in New York over a controversy that it had a portrait of Lenin?
And finally... If Indiana is the 19th state, and California is the 31st. Name seven states that fell in between.
Folks at church keep asking when school starts. I'm not really sure what they are asking, since memories (if they had them) are short. Their questions rarely match what is actually going on in my life. This school starting thing is a complicated subject. Texas, in its infinite wisdom, voted to push back the start of school till the last week of summer. Something about saving money on the air conditioning. Actually I'm pretty sure they had this vote when I was in high school. So the vote was actually not to have as many waivers for school districts wanting that early start.
Doesn't matter, they will have turned on everything in HISD two weeks before... thats when the teachers have to report to not miss a paycheck. Other teachers are going back the week after (and not missing a paycheck, funny how that works). I'm going back labor day weekend... but that isn't the question they are asking.
I would also like to introduce you to the concept of niche marketing.
In other news I got the wedding invitation for Granddad's wedding. Kate spells Catherine the way I spell Katharine. The wright way. Yuck yuck yuck.
Oh... if I asked you what did James Wright invent as a substitute for rubber during World War II would you know it?
Or what state do you have to visit to see the Grand Canyon?
Or what actor married his long time girlfriend Anne Stringfield on July 22nd?
What was Wendy in Peter Pan's last name?
Shakespeare: What was Juliet's family name?
What is the GDP per capita of Mexico?
Who was the first European to lead an over land expedition to the Pacific?
Music/FEMA: which city is too close to New Orleans?
What year did Henry of Navarre become Henry IV of France?
Who was drafted by the Trail Blazers in 1974, played for the Clippers and finished with the Celtics?
Who had his mural removed in New York over a controversy that it had a portrait of Lenin?
And finally... If Indiana is the 19th state, and California is the 31st. Name seven states that fell in between.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Budapest is for lovers?
So I was reading today about Budapest... long walks along the river, the best places to see the sunset. Oooolala good thing Bethany's going.
Ohh... and there's a bar called "Paris, Texas" cheers to hoping I can go line dancing in Hungary.
Ohh... and there's a bar called "Paris, Texas" cheers to hoping I can go line dancing in Hungary.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Simpsonize Me
I'm really just posting in response to Bethany these days. I'm a bit of a follower... cause I've found that as a leader... I don't often have sheep. I'd tried the Simpsonizing business when it first came out, when the servers were too small to facilitate the demand for Simpsonizing. Then I forgot about it. Here though, is the newest picture.
I kinda wish they could have me posing next to Milhouse. Cause that would be awesome.
I kinda wish they could have me posing next to Milhouse. Cause that would be awesome.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
COBRA
If you ever apply for insurance with Cobra I suggest you apply and then leave the house for a couple of days. Cause they'll keep on calling you... a lot. What is your deductable? What is your co-pay? What kind of rate would you get on drugs? What is the maximum out of pocket expense? You already know that company is in network with your doctor? Oh, we can't give you a better deal than that... I'll e-mail you an application...
So if you want to talk to me don't call the house line... or you can, but leave a message. I'm screening my calls.
So if you want to talk to me don't call the house line... or you can, but leave a message. I'm screening my calls.
The Big Review
Ok, this is a little late, but here's the review of The Simpsons' Big Movie.
First I'll say if you aren't already a Simpsons fan, if you don't already like a sarcastic, dry humor you can stop reading now. I don't think that will actually eliminate any of my fair readers, since well... thats the company I keep. Kind of.
I went to Bible study (actually not Bible study these days but Lewis study) before the show. I wore my "Someone in Springfield Loves Me" shirt (it's Milhouse) and much to my chagrin my friends asked me where Springfield is. I don't know... from the state line you can see Ohio, Arizona, Maine, and Kentucky... it's within hours drive of Knoxville and South Florida...
Anyway... to answer my friends' t-shirt question... "it's the movie." "What movie? That movie you are living for is coming out in November." "Oh you mean Hairspray?" Some of my friends are uh... different these days. That's why they weren't invited.
I promised a review though. I'll say, if you are still reading... go see it. Remember in college when you used to gather around the twelve inch television and watch it on the futon? Remember how it it was just better back then? That's what you are paying for. To watch it with other people who love the Simpsons, but on a much larger screen, with much better colors... the reception is good, no static and only one commercial. It isn't the same watching it by yourself.
The script feels like it was written back then as well, which should get rid of any worry that it is just "weird."
It does play out like an extended episode, and unfortunately most of the focus is on the nuclear family. There is a reset... and all is well (I think, this could be debated). Oh, and FOX and the FCC didn't get to it. Not to say that it is "raw and uncut" by any means. This isn't South Park...
First I'll say if you aren't already a Simpsons fan, if you don't already like a sarcastic, dry humor you can stop reading now. I don't think that will actually eliminate any of my fair readers, since well... thats the company I keep. Kind of.
I went to Bible study (actually not Bible study these days but Lewis study) before the show. I wore my "Someone in Springfield Loves Me" shirt (it's Milhouse) and much to my chagrin my friends asked me where Springfield is. I don't know... from the state line you can see Ohio, Arizona, Maine, and Kentucky... it's within hours drive of Knoxville and South Florida...
Anyway... to answer my friends' t-shirt question... "it's the movie." "What movie? That movie you are living for is coming out in November." "Oh you mean Hairspray?" Some of my friends are uh... different these days. That's why they weren't invited.
I promised a review though. I'll say, if you are still reading... go see it. Remember in college when you used to gather around the twelve inch television and watch it on the futon? Remember how it it was just better back then? That's what you are paying for. To watch it with other people who love the Simpsons, but on a much larger screen, with much better colors... the reception is good, no static and only one commercial. It isn't the same watching it by yourself.
The script feels like it was written back then as well, which should get rid of any worry that it is just "weird."
It does play out like an extended episode, and unfortunately most of the focus is on the nuclear family. There is a reset... and all is well (I think, this could be debated). Oh, and FOX and the FCC didn't get to it. Not to say that it is "raw and uncut" by any means. This isn't South Park...
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Awesomeness...
It is a word if you say its a word. It is indeed official, and given that I'm lazy I'll just refer you here. I'll have to spend an hour in Paris to get there, and a couple of hours to get back... but it is all good.
I didn't get to see the Gummy Bears with my dad this weekend, but I do get to see the Simpsons' movie in 26 hours. Spider pig...
I didn't get to see the Gummy Bears with my dad this weekend, but I do get to see the Simpsons' movie in 26 hours. Spider pig...
Monday, July 23, 2007
Update
Hello all you crazy cats out there.
I'm sure you missed me. Unless of course you actually see me. I've been busy. Seems taking three classes during summer school and working on an internship was exactly what I thought it would be and no less. But alas, I can do just about anything for a couple of weeks, and in a couple of weeks at least some of that will be over. I'll have one fewer class to take in the fall too, which will be nice.
We won't mention the other things I've been up to, save to say it hasn't been all work and no play. That would make a dull boy.
Some things have come up though, so I'll invite your thoughts on the matters.
1) In an Ode Magazine article "The Case of the Alphabet" (June 2007) they cited research (kind of bothers me when they mention there is research but don't actually say what the research is... guess that's why I'd buy the book they are hocking) anyway... they cited research that said that readers, specifically whole cultures that read, are more violent than those that do not. There were historical references, the highlights being: Religions of The Book, vs. oral traditions, Sparta v. Athens, Middle Ages v. Reformation (the turning point of course the printing press), and the coincidence of the advent of television and the civil rights movement. Mixed up in the argument is not only the prevalence of war and peace but also the presence of equality of the sexes in minimally literate societies. The scientific argument is that the brain is much more passive watching television than reading a book: alpha and theta vs. beta brain waves. I've heard these arguments before, tying historical periods and literacy to war and peace (but also sensual cultures to be prone to takeover), but the division where male=war and female=peace seems to be a bit of a jump. Brings up new questions about all those fights caused by video games huh? And what about graphic novels?
2) I'm not really "up" on the gaming world. Some of my friends are, so I asked them about the virtual world Second Life. They thought it was kind of weird too. I'll link to it here, but not as an endorsement. Someone will have to explain what it is beyond a tremendous waste of time AND money. If the numbers are true, in a 24 hour period $1.7 million was traded on the site...so people could buy and sell virtual land and virtual products. My take on it is that the ones profiting are the ones that built the site, and therefore own the land, which can be expanded at a total profit to them. This isn't Manhattan, this is Houston... where when land prices go up we just start commuting... or in virtual world don't go to work. Yet there seems to be a contingent of librarians out there that think this is a great tool for advancing libraries. Which I don't get either. So we'll chalk this one up to a what-the-hell-are-people-thinking-???? category and move on.
3) Insha'Allah. If God wills. It seems a noble thing "thy will be done." At the end of the day that might be the only prayer worth praying. Except if you can change God's mind. For better or for worse... it's been done before. Insha'Allah. It takes a lot of faith perhaps, but it could also be an excuse for procrastination.
I'm sure you missed me. Unless of course you actually see me. I've been busy. Seems taking three classes during summer school and working on an internship was exactly what I thought it would be and no less. But alas, I can do just about anything for a couple of weeks, and in a couple of weeks at least some of that will be over. I'll have one fewer class to take in the fall too, which will be nice.
We won't mention the other things I've been up to, save to say it hasn't been all work and no play. That would make a dull boy.
Some things have come up though, so I'll invite your thoughts on the matters.
1) In an Ode Magazine article "The Case of the Alphabet" (June 2007) they cited research (kind of bothers me when they mention there is research but don't actually say what the research is... guess that's why I'd buy the book they are hocking) anyway... they cited research that said that readers, specifically whole cultures that read, are more violent than those that do not. There were historical references, the highlights being: Religions of The Book, vs. oral traditions, Sparta v. Athens, Middle Ages v. Reformation (the turning point of course the printing press), and the coincidence of the advent of television and the civil rights movement. Mixed up in the argument is not only the prevalence of war and peace but also the presence of equality of the sexes in minimally literate societies. The scientific argument is that the brain is much more passive watching television than reading a book: alpha and theta vs. beta brain waves. I've heard these arguments before, tying historical periods and literacy to war and peace (but also sensual cultures to be prone to takeover), but the division where male=war and female=peace seems to be a bit of a jump. Brings up new questions about all those fights caused by video games huh? And what about graphic novels?
2) I'm not really "up" on the gaming world. Some of my friends are, so I asked them about the virtual world Second Life. They thought it was kind of weird too. I'll link to it here, but not as an endorsement. Someone will have to explain what it is beyond a tremendous waste of time AND money. If the numbers are true, in a 24 hour period $1.7 million was traded on the site...so people could buy and sell virtual land and virtual products. My take on it is that the ones profiting are the ones that built the site, and therefore own the land, which can be expanded at a total profit to them. This isn't Manhattan, this is Houston... where when land prices go up we just start commuting... or in virtual world don't go to work. Yet there seems to be a contingent of librarians out there that think this is a great tool for advancing libraries. Which I don't get either. So we'll chalk this one up to a what-the-hell-are-people-thinking-???? category and move on.
3) Insha'Allah. If God wills. It seems a noble thing "thy will be done." At the end of the day that might be the only prayer worth praying. Except if you can change God's mind. For better or for worse... it's been done before. Insha'Allah. It takes a lot of faith perhaps, but it could also be an excuse for procrastination.
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