Chawlk

1. Drawar
2. Fenxy
3. Decaflon
4. Two Credits
5. Wriging
6. Loose Suits
7. Chixe
8. Dud3s
9. Wing Colors

 

At the behest of Kamigoroshi, my wife and I watched it last night. It was awesome, and had us laughing a good part of the time. And the songs were actually catchy enough to make me want to sing them.

(Just as a sidenote, if you've watched this and enjoyed it, you'll likely be very interested in the book Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman.)

Bret Favre in Tampa = Joe Montana in KC. Basically just a waiting room for retirement which won't really be good for either side.

Hoever, if he can still play, I don't see why not. Hell, maybe Atlanta -- his first team -- would like to have their prodigious son return. (Yes, prodigious, not prodigal.)

It makes too much sense. It'll never fly. Which is unfortunate because I agree with just about everything he said in the video. (I say just about everything because I don't know enough about natural gas to say whether I agree or don't.)

I think this marks the first time I agree with fuscom in just about anything.

@RightOn: ORLY?

I'm with you 100%. I despise that.

Actually, I did. I've also been eying this beauty. Thing is I have to make sure the typewriter is visually pleasing to The Wife, and I'm fairly certain the blue won't be something she welcomes. (I showed her that one and in an uncertain, fearful voice she replied, "If that's what you REALLY, REALLY want...") Strangely, she didn't mind the tan/green-keys combination, though like most, I'm sure, she prefers the black.

@Nils: By the way, nice pictures. When I read this before I guess Flickr was down (or at least slow, since I couldn't quite access it) so I couldn't see them. VERY well kept, congrats on that. And yea, if it wasn't for the shipping I'd take you up on that typewriter offer. If my note sounded a bit snippy before, know that it had nothing to do with you, only with the utter lack of availability for decent manual typewriters at an affordable price anywhere in the general vicinity of, say, 50 miles.

I'll probably end up ordering some from either bluemooncamera.com (Yes, they sell typewriters) or MrTypewriter.com, Pricey, yes, but if they work and last me a while, then by golly they're worth it.

Why haven't you just gone and got one? It isn't a vintage car is it? Maybe they're harder to get by where you are, but over here you could easily find one in any thrift shop or at any flea market. Besides, they cost next to nothing. You could by ten and try them all out to see which works best (but don't tell the wife that).

Unfortunately, it seems people unload all their heavy stuff before moving to FL. I've found a grand total of ZERO usable typewriters for sale in antique stores, garage sales or Craig's List. Haven't tried any estate sales yet or flea markets, though.

Most of the stuff I find is electrical, and frankly I'm not interested in those. I'm interested in something that'll work when there's no power just as well as when there is. (Otherwise, I'd stick to my computer.) And for some reason the only cheap ones I find are online, meaning shipping costs are present (usually in the $20 - 40 range, depending on what part of the country), so the cheapest I'll likely get is $30. Even then, that which I've found usually have keys that stick, no end-line bell, etc. $50 is a more likely base minimum for a usable one. I've found some shops that refurbish these, but those tend to cost between $70 and $200+ for working typewriters, not counting shipping. Buying ten and trying them all out isn't much of an option for me.

I'll likely be using it intermittently for special occasions, or just when I want to try to work in other ways. (I've written enough stuff -- full projects -- with pencil to know that the mentality used when writing on a PC is decidedly different than the mentality used when writing otherwise. And I rather enjoy those differences.) I may, temporarily, steal my parents' old electric typewriter, though, the one I used to write reports on in 9th grade.

FYI: I've narrowed down my options to one of the following:

* Royal Quiet De Luxe (1950's: gray with green keys seems to be the most commonly available)-- I love the so-ugly-it's-kitschy-beautiful retro look.

* Smith - Corona (Sterling or Silent) -- It's rather elegant.

By the way, funny you should mention Olivetti, I started by looking -- and almost buying -- an Underwood, which Olivetti bought out somewhere in the 1950's/60's, I think. I was looking at some of their late 1940's/early 1950's offerings. And I've heard a fair amount about the quality of the Underwood Hermes style, and wouldn't mind trying one of those.

Make sure it's something you can work on and repair, and you have access to parts if necessary down the road.

THAT's the big question here. Theoretically, everything I've been looking at I can work on. However. having never actually played around with one, this bit still remains theory. Parts are only as accessible as my nearest internet connection, and whether that's good or bad depends heavily on the extent of the repair necessary. (And, of course, my ability to perform it.) However, I know of no repair shops for old typewriters anywhere near.

Still, at the very least this'll serve as a great experiment. And maybe it'll kickstart some unholy, damned-by-the-wife typewriter collection. (She cringes every time I bring up that possibility, yet lights up whenever I describe my dream office, the one I may actually get to build when we buy a home in the hopefully-not-to-distant future. That dream office, of course, includes a typewriter.)

Not odd at all. Profit.

Of course, Apple could be trying to give SMS the floppy drive system treatment. Remember when the iMacs were first introduced without floppy drives? Many, many people screamed at Apple for not having one, while their supporters said they were "ahead of the curve". Still, doesn't quite make much sense, considering the system's rather useful. Here's a guess: AT&T decided to go with the draconian SMS policy despite Apple's objections. And I'll also venture to guess that services which turn SMS's sent to you into emails and emails you send out into SMS's will grow in usage.

Still, RightOn, I'm sort of with you on SMS. I'm not a big fan of it myself. I still do receive a few, however, which means that if I decided to get the new iPhone (as I had planed) I'm either stuck paying an outrageous $.20 per message, or paying an extra $5/mo for 200.

I'll continue to consider getting one, mostly because of the interoperational functionality with the other Apple devices in my house, but I'm now also considering other options whereas a week ago, it was a sure thing I'd get one.

Meanwhile, AT&T is screwing over the people actually paying for the service by not including SMS with the phone plan, and charging $10/month more for the service.

Funny. I saw this video this past weekend when I randomly found it on YouTube (in the "what people are watching" flash bar at the top of the page). By Tuesday, I've seen it not only here, but on about 12 other websites I frequent. So THAT'S how viral videos work...

Gah! Fusecom! Your internets video thingy broke the page!

Fuscom, I disagree. In fact, that whole "elitist" tag is standard, first attack from the GOP to Democratic Presidential nominees.

Gore: "Elitist! He uses multi-syllabic words!"

Kerry. "Elitist! He's a rich guy from Massachusetts!"

Obama, "Elitist, he's... Got a logo, and, err... Hubris! Hubris! He's so young, why does he think he can run the country1"

That's why I don't buy the "Elitist" tag.

As for having an ego, realize that ANYONE running for President has an ego, and they're pretty much by definition elitists. Think about it: these are people saying "I'm the best person to run the most powerful nation in all of history." Doesn't matter who it is, that REEKS of ego, hence the saying "Anyone seeking the office shouldn't have it and anyone who should doesn't want it."

And that whole "My way or the highway" mentality you talk about is utter BS. He hasn't displayed that up to now in any position he's held, (nor has McCain), and that's really about the only indication we can get of what type of President he'll be. His talk is all about how Lincoln had advisors from the entire political spectrum and he'd do the same. That's not the talk you'd get from a "my way or the highway" person. (Then again, every presidential wannabe's talked about "reaching across the isle" to the other party, so talk is cheap. Still, he and McCain are the first candidates in a very long I actually believe when they say that.)

So he's using a modified Presidential seal when running for the office of the Presidency. Seriously, I utterly fail to see the issue with that. Yes, he had a pretty good logo before. So what? Campaigns evolve and change according to their perceived need and desired direction. Hell, the Republicans call themselves the "Grand Old Party". That could sound pretty elitist and hubristic. After all, the Dems have been around MUCH longer, in one form or another. Shouldn't THEY be the "Grand Old Party"?

Sorry, but this whole thing is trying to make a tag stick in the minds of people who already don't like the guy, and who'll pass on the message to people who may be on the fence. It's an attack, plain and simple, one with scant substance AT BEST. When you are inclined to think one way, then you likely won't put up much resistance when someone tells you something you'd generally agree with. When you are inclined to think the opposite way, you tend to scrutinize the validity of the statement much more closely. That's just human nature, and it's what the "right" is using in order to bruise Obama's image (because they can't publicly use "terrorist" and "Obama/Osama"). The "left" isn't innocent of this either, attempting to make McCain into Bush's third term (completely ignoring the fact that the tax cuts he wants to make permanent would come with a tighter reign on fiscal responsibility, instead of a messed up version of supply-side economics).

Again, the logo issue is a non-issue, though it may be the only way the GOP can tarnish his "squeaky clean, everyone's governmental panacea" image, which is why it's coming up.

@Tjenkins: Yeah, I'm with Article19 on this one. Going back on the whole "Public Funding" thing is one thing. That could be considered an issue. The fact that he has less experience than McCain, that can also be an issue. His rhetoric against Bush's power, then looking to OK granting immunity to telecoms is a BIG issue. "Oh, look at his logo!" is... a flag pin on the lapel of sidetracked media.

The seal of the President of the United States is in any form reserved for one person... the President.

So should I turn in those cards, mugs, and golf balls that sport the presidential seal which (a) I bought when last in Washington DC (Edit: In an airport shop selling everything from Presidential seal mugs and shirts to US constitution toilet paper) and (b) were made in China? Sorry, but the seal's not in any way, shape or form holy, or even exclusive to the office or person of the president.

The only person with a strong chance who may have entered the race and become a legitimate contender would have been Michael Bloomberg, if for no other reason than he has the deep pockets to support a political campaign, even without donations.

I noticed the logo says "Vero Possumus". Is that latin for "I see possums"? Because it is, I'm not voting for that guy.

On the one hand, I like the "kill your opponent at all costs" strategy side of it.

Having heard NUMEROUS of his speeches, I... have not earthly idea what you're talking about. Maybe I missed something?

But regarding the issue at hand, it sort of sounds like a fabricated issue. So what if he used the Presidential Seal as a template? He is, after all, running for President. Frankly, I find it kind of tacky -- I liked his previous logo -- but still don't know what the (big?) deal is.

Now, what I'm really incensed over is this:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Friday that could shield phone companies from billions of dollars in lawsuits for their participation in the warrantless surveillance program begun by President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The White House-backed, compromise measure -- which triggered a firestorm of opposition from civil liberties groups -- would also overhaul U.S. spy powers and replace a temporary surveillance law that expired in February.

When this is voted on by the Senate, exactly one of these two things will happen:

a) Barack Obama will forcefully denounce this and vote against the bill next week.

b) I will vote for Ralph Nader in November. (I've done it before, I'll do it again.)

"Simple Gifts" from Appalachian Springs (Aaron Copeland)

There are a couple of reasons Gore might have waited this long, though my guess is that he didn't want more division within the party. Everyone presumes that he would have endorsed Obama, but what if he had instead endorsed Clinton? How would that have played out, given what actually went down? And what if he would have backed Obama but Clinton had won, what then? As quite possibly the most popular Democrat of the past few years, his voice held a lot of sway, and going any direction would possibly have caused more trouble for the party in the race.

There are 3 science fiction series which absolutely redefined the genre (insofar as TV is concerned):

1) The original Twilight Zone, which presented a universe of philosophical questions.

2) Star Trek (TOS), which presented a multi-cultural universe.

3) Babylon 5, which revolutionized the way stories were told.

(I'll add a fourth: the original Dr. Who, but not for sci-fi reasons. The things they did with audio, given the equipment they had, was nothing short of revolutionary, and had long-term effects on the electronic music industry.)

NOTE: The site's down, so I can't see it. I don't know if these are in there or not.

If this isn't the norm for you, I would have been concerned something was wrong and (wedding or not) took a second to see if you were ok, especially since you had a 4 hr. drive.

Totally not the norm for me. I'm generally punctual, and when I can't be I always, always call. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone tells me we'll meet up somewhere, then cancels or is unable to meet and doesn't call to explain why. At that point I'm the one calling, asking if everything's OK. If it's something big, I'll call multiple times to ensure the person gets the message. (Oddly, mailing something has never before been a requirement, especially since I'm usually able to secure face to face meetings, which I'll attend even if it means my having to drive long distances. I like to keep my word. To me the act of giving is one that should be done in person, because it is so personal.) In the calls I both explained my illness and attempted to schedule a date to meet with them. Of course, sickness alone would not explain all the aberrant behavior (remember that "personal" issue?), particularly calling the day BEFORE the wedding (for which I apologized profusely in messages both during the occurrence and after), though it would explain missing the wedding.

As for seeing patterns of this in the past, in retrospect I can see where this type of behavior would come from. Even then, the extent to which this was taken and the utter lack of communication were completely surprising. What pisses me off most is that most of this could have been cleared up with a 30 minute phone call. Doing this kind of stuff through email sucks, especially if it's the only way.

Right now my biggest concerns are (1) learning to forgive myself, having done all I believe I can without being creepy, and (2) taking lessons from this so that it never happens again. Of course, I may never agree to go to anyone's wedding again, but that's not a big concern.

Actually, you all hit a few unspoken nails on the head. First and foremost, however, I did admit to her and will forever admit that she has a right to be angry, that I made the mistakes, and that my mistakes caused her hurt. She has an absolute right to be mad, and I've said as much. Reparations for this, insofar as they can be made, are what I've offered in return.

1) Turns out I only believed I overslept. The wedding, I later found out, was at 6pm, but of course, the "ticket" part of the invitation is what had that, not the main part. Didn't matter in any case: I was too feverish to go on a 4 hr drive. (Hence the oversleeping. Sorta happens when you run a 102 degree fever.) I tried to explain that I was sick over the phone (message -- she never answered), but either she never got the message or simply ignored it. I tried multiple times to talk to her, but nothing. (FYI: Actually, I tried to leave the night before, but after about 1/2 an hour I realized that driving that distance would be totally unsafe, which is why I came back home and slept.)

2) That I didn't send something is ENTIRELY my fault. I admitted to it, over and over again. Originally, the way I addressed it was as follows: Called her with a message of apology and wanting to meet to give them their gift. (I have this thing of giving gifts personally, especially when they require a performance: I wrote them a piece of music.) Apparently, this was the wrong way to handle things. This I didn't know. Of course, I didn't have her new mailing address, but I did have her parents' address. The emails I sent were entirely apologetic, and offered to do whatever she felt necessary for reparations. The first was a pure apology, the second was a deep explanation of everything that went on. There's more to the story I can't reveal here due to personal reasons.

3) @Tyme: She could have also had someone else call me. Either one would have worked. In any case, that I didn't know the day before the wedding, was... well, unfortunately that had to do with the personal reasons I can't speak of. Something supremely more important had sort of pushed the wedding out of my mind at the time. But from her point of view, I totally understood and acknowledged it then, and from your point of view, I totally understand and acknowledge it now.

What gets me is that she never said anything, simply shut me out. That part of it seemed entirely juvenile, especially given our history. If I screwed up, she could have come to me, yelled at me, done whatever. But she didn't. Instead she just walked away never letting me know why. I don't believe in the unforgivable sin, though I realize fully that hurt requires time to heal, and things may never go back to the way they were, pretending as if nothing had happened. I also understand very well that at one point or another people will always disappoint. I hated that my first big disappointment to this person came in the form it did. But the fact remains that I screwed up, and to that I'll own up, plain and simple. If it cost me a friendship, then it was an expensive set of lessons (including "send a card, because all other forms of communication are apparently unreliable").

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned it's a lost cause. If in time she decides to mend things, great. But I won't force the issue. I've done what I can in retrospect do.

Just think if all this money was focused on something actually useful.

*cough*Iraq*cough*

@Tyme: Which would bring his fund raising total to $5.0001 trillion instead of $5 trillion. (All with small donor money, of course.)

@RightOn: What you miss here is that for many, perception is reality. They only have to perceive they like him on order to give him a shot. I know, strange but true. If he starts GWB'ing the rest of the world, then that good feeling's going away, fast. To many, from day 1 there'll be complains of his ineptness. Happens with every president. But to others he's a symbol of hope now, and hope's all they really want at the moment.

if Myspace got wind of this before (the previous case) and they didn't delete it then/ban the user, I'd happily sue them. And I'd take the girl and her father to court. That the girl hasn't gotten any punishment for it is beyond sickening.

Wild prediction: After she fails to get the official nomination at the convention, she runs as an independent, and chooses Joe Lieberman as her VP.

First of all, any reasonably decent lawyer (sorry for the oxymoron) should be able to quickly argue "entrapment". The guy wasn't going out trolling for 13 year olds, he was looking for someone of legal age. He didn't know he'd officially committed a crime until AFTER he found out her age. And before anyone thinks of arguing this, honestly, when was the last time you asked anyone for ID before you proceeded with a relationship? This is the kind of stuff you tend to take someone's word for.

It's a bit surprising that he couldn't tell 18 from 13,

It seems after you hit a certain age it's hard to tell the difference. particularly if she's overdeveloped. (Gotta love all those chemicals in our food. Yumm-o!)

As for the situation, screw the girl (no pun intended) getting in trouble. STD's will take care of that, though I'm guessing she'll have a pretty good life doing porn flicks in a few years, anyway. But the father's letting his little whore run around and do this kind of crap now. He's at least as guilty of the whole affair.

they will do what they think will get them into the big house.

Jail?

Unfortunately, our current policy in the middle east is making Iran stronger than before, unifying it with its allies. This means that they currently have NO incentive to concede anything in order to talk to us. How is our changing strategy and starting the dialog a bad thing? How is staying the current course going to do anything to ease tensions and move forward toward a resolution that doesn't involve thousands of new graves? Bush may have been an OK president when it came to domestic policy, but his foreign policy is nothing short of atrocious. Why keep emulating him?

Obama adamantly opposes even the mere thought of any possibility that a military conflict with Iran could even occur in our future and Carter loves him for that.

I think you're equating Obama's stance on "first wanting to talk" with "never wanting to go to war." What he HAS said is that the nuclear option is off the table. He hasn't said anything about there not being any military action if necessary.

Jimmy Carter stumping for Obama just sealed the deal for me. Anyone who is A-OK by Carter doesn't get my vote.

Care to explain your logic? (Seriously, anytime anyone mentions Carter, you start foaming at the mouth and ranting about what a horrible person he is.)

But this guy needs the help...