Onto other things... that's life

Probably, when posting to my blog was my preferred pastime at the end of my day, I thought: this is some down-home, feckless albeit sometimes flakish personal amusement. (Hmmm, try to say that fast three times.)

Anyhow...

Recently, an acquaintance and esteemed person in the IT space, as well as being a celebrated blogger, has been accosted in the most vile way. And all for giving us an insightful, valuable blog on a topic that is important for all IT-related thinkers and doers; movers and shakers, if you will.

In light of this event, all I can't think (and must stifle from shouting out) is: WHAT... THUH... FUHH_ ... IS.. WRONG... WITH... SOME... PEOPLE!? CHEESUS!!!

It's no secret that there are baddies out there in the ether of the 'net, but when this heinous element, which we blithely believed would never touch us, does, it's time to think about how the Internet has affected people's motives for connecting with humanity -- especially card-carrying sociopaths. 'Could be that I'm exaggerating with such a characterization but better to be overly cautious and if need be, categorical about this. Perhaps in recent years we're all putting just a bit too much "out there" for too large of a public to consume. It's a pity for the need to scale back from this, overall, fine form of mass communication. However, it seems to be the case.

My blog brought me a strange contact, which I am still, though thankfully less now, trying to shake. That was enough to make me step back and evaluate exactly why I have felt compelled to empty my head onto a personal-thoughts-based weblog.

I've blathered on about all of this to say that I will bid a fine farewell to dedicated blogging (other than the random post when the mood strikes.)

To all of you who have loyally read my blog for the past year+, I hope that it has brought to you an occasional chuckle, "hmmm" or even, once in a while, a "wow." Moreover, I have sincerely appreciated your interest in my regular musings.

And remember, if you "haveaday", use it wisely. It's all we got.

('Guess now I'll have to REALLY try to learn some of those roboty break dance moves I long for...)

Remember Thomas F. Wilson?

Biff's Question Song (Stand-up Comedy)

Lieutant Ehren Watada

A few people that I spoke to back home (in the States) the past few days had not heard of Ehren Watada.

My sister HAD heard of Lisa Nowak.

It's a tragic story for everyone involved. What bugs me is how many of the news headlines smack of schadenfreude.



Anyway...
I heard about Ehren via a Dutch friend who lives in Brussels (where I live too. Thanks, David.):

A Mistrial for Lieut. Watada



This, will hopefully, prove to non-Americans that there are people in America who emphatically oppose the war in Iraq -- 'cause there are.

For instance...

Military Families Speak Out

Courage to Resist

Wazzup? Catsup.

First off -- 'cause I'm still allowed to by eitquette rule:

Happy '007!

The problem with having a blog:

• keeping it up to date
  
  
• avoiding that it doesn't become yet another slice of groupthink pie
  
  
• if you get invited suddenly to a Blogger's networking event (it just so happens) it's important to have some recent content -- even if it's a total slap up job, like this one here...

BUUUT, as I'm a tech-perfectionist so I know I'll "pretty up" this content-heavy post sooner than later.
Sewwwwwww....

A collection of interesting web-minings over the past month ± (not in chronological order) ...

READER WARNING: It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to. And I tend to... Comments are disabled. There's an email address on the right, if anyone wants to send comments that are normal, eg, opinions about what is posted on this blog.

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"GAFFS" & "Gllitches"

This was called a "typo." Yeh, whatever ...
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/04/cnn-steps-into-osamaobama-bramble-blogs-document-it/

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A "glitch"? In an advertising placement? There's no such thing!

McDonald's Logo Flashes on 'Iron Chef'

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070126/D8MSUQ7G0.html

YouTube link of the "glitch":
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LMzbwa6PvEE

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But with marketing, why (the heck) can't a food establishment serve its market? Perhaps I am over simplifying. However, I don't see how this pizza joint is encouraging illegal aliens to enter the US. I thought people went to the US to make US currency, not to spend their own country's.

Pizza for Pesos
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/15/news/pizza.php

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GEN'TREST (?)
I found this tidbit by accident -- a happy accident. The content only goes up to December 2005. Still it's interesting data:
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/staffers/travdat/index.shtml

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A is for Africa; M is for man; Y is for Yorkshire (chromosones)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6293333.stm

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So many are into the webspace and blogosphere. Some still believe in the O² space aka the Freeway-space:
http://freewayblogger.com
--see also--
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.com

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There's no such thing as bad PR. For instance, when (the heck) was the last time you thought about this vocalist? (I can't recall.)
Police: Fugitive Took Singer Gayle's Bus
http://www.wpxi.com/entertainment/10851890/detail.html

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All for publicity; should we be surprised considering the peeps involved? No.

Trump-Rosie spat is for publicity, Ivana says
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070124/ivana_spat_070124/20070126?hub=Entertainmen

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FAITH & "FILOSOPHY"

Someone out there just wants to point out that the genpop could spend expend their energy in more useful ways. It's good to get involved but where is the line between becoming the part of the problem instead of the solution?

For instance the guy pictured with the sign that spins the bible passage Romans 6:23, which is:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Am I not "finding Waldo" here?! I don't see the acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ANYWHERE in that passage.
http://www.jesuswouldbeashamedofyou.com

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"Bong hits 4 Jesus"
The only thing Joe did wrong -- IMHO -- was say his piece. And, okay, he did what lots adolescents do: rebel.
Huuuhhhlooooowwww... ever heard of the First Amendment?
I think we have many other concerns for the US Supreme court to focus on than this. Right, Mr. Flynt?
http://juneauempire.com/stories/012807/loc_20070128006.shtml

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And what's so bad about giving helpful candy to MS sufferers?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6302409.stm

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Overly zealous about God, but what about this person's editing career? It's been smited methinks:

When Censors Go Mad: "God" Bleeped out of 'The Queen'
http://www.playfuls.com/news_0004808_When_Censors_Go_Mad_God_Bleeped_out_of_The_Queen.html

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Jolie to film the cult 'bible of selfishness'
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2000313,00.html

* * *

Merry Trishmas Revisited

(This is a re-post from 2005. Hey, I'm on vacation and reusing content is okay, right?)

"... her own version ..."

Jingle Bells sung by me at age 4.
(Followed by a brief interview with me and my 8 year-old sister; my 6 year-old sister kindly provided background music by playing the slide whistle.)

Belgium hoax

It's weird to be from a country where the media is criticized for being, well, a lot of negative things.

And even weirder to be living in a country where the media pulls a stunt like this -- especially knowing the potential reaction:

"Belgium splits up?"

They celebrate my birthday in Mexico...

...big time.

But of course it has nothing to do with me AT ALL.

And of course I'm nothing compared to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Kinda afTAH; kinda fun(nee)

NetworkWorld.com's Top 10 IT Turkeys

Danny DeVito drunk on The View

He admits he'd had too many limoncellos and he does a great impression of "dubya."

Hey, it's Bird Day USA* ... Enjoy!

* a.k.a. Happy Thanksgiving!

*>*
\/

The rules are simple ...

... Paper covers rock. Scissors cuts paper. Rock breaks scissors.

This is one helluvan interesting World Competition. This year the prize went to a man from London Town...

Held in Toronto, Canada, the Fifth Annual World Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) Championship drew 500 competitors and 250 spectators from 26 U.S. States, four Canadian provinces, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Wales, the UK and Ireland.



I'm definitely buying the strategy guide. (I wonder if it has chapters titled "How to win - psyching out vs. being psychic."

Saving the Apple barrel

Okay. This is not what we want to accept.

THIS is something all Apple users should know...

Let's get active. Let's do something about THIS.

Failing that you may as well just drive a Hummer.

Introducing a new series of content...

... Quips and quotes from Patty in Orlando, Florida, USA:

"You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning."

Stay tuned for the next witticism from Patty, poolside in the Sunshine State!


Patty relaying her content for this blog

Isn't THIS - ONE - life enough?

When AR (alternative reality - did I just coin that acronym?) risks becoming the prime reality:

Your "second life is ready" and waiting...

On person's creepiness is another's happiness.

Is "No War" shirt electioneering?

Colbert calls it quits

"Tomorrow you're all going to wake up in a brave new world, a world where the constitution gets trampled by an army of terrorist clones created in a stem-cell research lab run by homosexual doctors who sterilize their instruments over burning American flags; where tax and spend Democrats take all your hard-earned money and use it to buy electric cars for National Public Radio and teach evolution to illegal immigrants. Oh, and everybody's high!"

--Stephen Colbert

Do not ZZZZZ (aka fall asleep...)

It's only a fly... Stay focused.

Enter the world of e-Zen. Learn about breathing. Learn about meditation. Discover calm...

But don't forget that it's the web, it's not as gentle as intended.

Please be patient. Please meditate while the site loads.

And please don't zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Just because "you're" paranoid...

... doesn't mean there's not a creepy plan.

I got to thinking after listening to this about Video the Vote.

The creator of Video the Vote mentioned in the NPR interview that the plan is to use YouTube - now GooTube to host the videos.

BUT - what if they don't make the upload? (That "might" explain the gihugic amount they paid for this massive access platform for everyone on earth to view rich media content.)

AND so I have to wonder "what if" the YouTube guys said, "Sure Google, we'll sell it. One condition: not until December 1st."

Hmmmm...

The soul would have no rainbow if the eye had no tears. - Tribe Unknown

Today, for Christians, is known as All Saints/Souls Day.

Today should also be a day to remember with gratitude - by everyone regardless of their faith or creed - all people who strived for integrity, respect for all, and honor rooted in their faith.

Having been raised by Catholic parents, I received a Catholic home and school education. I spent my earlier years going to mass to practice my religion. I've flipped through the bible (and still do sometimes - mostly out of curiousity.)

When I moved from my family home to live in New York City - to study theater, and life, I read about other religions and philosophies: Siddhartha, Zen and the Art of Archery, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, Tao Te Ching, . . .

I took from each book what I liked; believed; needed.

When writing became an integrated part of my life, I developed an interest in quotations, especially about life and writing. Since the Internet, it's a snap to find volumes of them.

Today, while searching for a quotation to help my nephew find a topic for a college essay, I came across something that both surprised and angered me. Considering the country I hail from, it should be obvious that I would have already had marvelled - many times - the words of a particular people. Alas, it's only now - RIGHT NOW - that I decided to look for the words by these amazing people (in lieu of the University's suggestions of people like Keates.) I decided to select something by THE REAL forefathers of my country. A country where, if these people had not been and continue to be beaten down, it may have become one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here I share my marvellous discoveries of the wisdom and code of living of the Native "American" Tribes.

It makes complete sense to remember THESE people - living and dead - on this particular day, which celebrates saints who, after all, were just people who lived in a way that should be commemorated. People who offer the purest of inspiration ...


Lakota Instructions for Living



Friend do it this way - that is,

whatever you do in life,

do the very best you can

with both your heart and mind.



And if you do it that way,

the Power Of The Universe

will come to your assistance,

if your heart and mind are in Unity.



When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,

one must be responsible because

All of Creation is related.

And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.

And the honor of one is the honor of all.

And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.



If you do it that way - that is,

if you truly join your heart and mind

as One - whatever you ask for,

that's the Way It's Going To Be.



~ Passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman


A selection of beautiful quotes:

It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace and live in peace. - Shenandoah

A brave man dies but once, a coward many times. - Tribe Unknown.

White men have too many chiefs. - Nez Perce

Cherish youth, but trust old age. - Pueblo

Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand. - Tribe Unknown

It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story. - Tribe Unknown

Don't let yesterday use up too much of today. - Cherokee

Listen, or your tongue will make you deaf. - Tribe Unknown

Man has responsibility, not power. - Tuscarora

The rain falls on the just and the unjust. - Hopi

Each bird loves to hear himself sing. - Arapaho

The way of the troublemaker is thorny. - Umpqua

God gives us each a song. - Ute

Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it. - Arapaho

There are many good moccasin tracks along the trail of a straight arrow. - Sioux

A rocky vinyard does not need a prayer, but a pick ax. - Navajo

With all things and in all things, we are relatives. - Sioux

The one who tells the stories rules the world. - Hopi

The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives. - Sioux

A people without a history is like the wind over buffalo grass. - Sioux


ENDNOTE:

One of my favorite people, American author and regular contributor to the radio program This American Life, Sarah Vowell - who also was the voice of Violet in The Incredibles, made this radio piece. Sarah is "part" Cherokee and decided to follow the Trail of Tears... (If it doesn't play, go here and scroll down to it.)


Sarah Vowell

Shocking, tasteless responses...

..from the hideous, sinister creatures.

Smear ad:
The Tennessee Guerilla Women

I reallllly wonder WHICH EFFIN "Playboy Party" she refers to, seeing (literally) that she wouldn't be invited into Heff's Mansion even with a donkey as part of her act. If this group is so hell-bent on trying to stir racist hatred toward Ford, at least flit the extra cash to hire a believable "Bunny" lookalike.

Oh as for the guy with dirt or whatever on his face wearing hunting-looking attire: um, since when does anyone need to put gook on their face like that without a really specific reason.


Tasteless editing:
If that's not bad enough, go HERE to hear Rush Limbaugh slander Michael J. Fox's non-partisan ad in favor of stem cell research.

Rush is not informed about how medication affects people with Parkinson's LOOK HERE...

Death by caffeine

I just found out that, "Gulp down 82.53 cups of Brewed Coffee and you're history."

Find out how much of your favorite (energy-ish) drink it takes to kill ya at Energy Fiend

I'll do it again

Some people didn't know about Prison Break 'til I evangelized it. And, well, I'll live with that. (I'll deal with my hangup.)

And now, I'll live with this: the hill-friggin-lariousness of Louis CK, is now a series on HBO, Luckie Louie.

('Can't wait to come across Euro-philes who mimick 'im.)

Al Gore presents An Inconvenient Truth at BOZAR cinéma in Brussels

I leant (lended? I'm so out of the English language living abroad for so many years) my camera to a colleague. Otherwise I would have posted this on the day that I went to see Al Gore present An Inconvenient Truth at the BOZAR (phonetic for Beaux Arts, pronounced in French "bozar." ((No brainer.))) cinéma, a satellite to the museum in Brussels.


It began with an introduction by "those guys who do that" for the BOZAR.
The white-haired man who donned his suit with jacket comfortably unbuttoned (heck it was a Sunday evening) is Flemish. The "buttoned-up" guy (more traditionally presented) is French-speaking. There should have been a third guy/person to introduce in German - Belgium's third official language. As I have yet (after several+ years living in Belgium) to meet a German-speaking Belgian -- apparently the demographic was too small/non-existent to ask someone to present.


Al Gore at Bozar to present his film An Inconvenient Truth.

A video clip of Al speaking
(Yeah, yeah, it's crappy. Gimme a break, I'm just learning Final Cut Pro.)



(If it don't load, well refresh, come back, talk to the hand, whahteveh...)

Yet another Bushism

"This morning my administration released the budget numbers for fiscal 2006. These budget numbers are not just estimates; these are the actual results for the fiscal year that ended February the 30th."

—Referring to the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2006.

Go here to see the video clip.

Huge thanks to Peter for sending this to me.

What do I think of this?
I think Georgie uses his stupidity to piss people off and at the same time it's an inside joke with his supporters - whatever. If money's all they care about, then they're not wrong. Eventhough it's pathetic to make that the central goal of this beautiful walk we get aka life.

It's evident that I'm not a fan of 'Resident Bush. (Scroll, scroll, scroll to see that.)
'Guess it gives him some freakishly sick pleasure to know that he will go down in history as one of the "sinistres" right there with Hitler, etc ...

I really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really

... H-A-T-E this poor excuse for a human:

Idaho Killer Holds Key to Laptop Mystery

Creepy entrepreneurial hunters who want to help "chefs"

Y.A.T.S.O.

=> Yet Another Time-Suck Opportunity =>

Worth checking out if you got a mo'

Two links...

Teenager moves video icons just by imagination

(This breakthrough could change the world of "any" hands-dependent activities. [INSERT FIENDISH GIGLE -HERE-])

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Write a Dubya speech

(Note: not all voices are Georgie's. I think there's some Ronny, et al mixed into the library.)

X-mas isn't THAT far off to start making a wishlist...

Sling media...

Remember this?

It STILL cracks me up:


Rock on, Gary...