You can now get Ben and Jerry's in the mail from Amazon.
Well, maybe not YOU, unless you live in the US.
Well, maybe not YOU, unless you live in the US.
The University of Waterloo, and in fact, all universities, should really have a wiki. Topics such as good places to eat, where to get your car fixed, and how to get your wireless connection on.
Things like this are useful technology, and is not difficult to implement. And all you need is a part time moderator to keep the lists clean.
Things like this are useful technology, and is not difficult to implement. And all you need is a part time moderator to keep the lists clean.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
The rapper Nelly has reported $1 million worth of jewlery missing from his Aladdin hotel room in Vegas while he was there for the Radio Music Awards.
What are you doing travelling with one million dollars worth of jewlery (and not wearing it)? I know that rappers want to show off their bling, but let's get real here. Their flamboyance and prodigality makes me not even feel sorry for the guy. This of course begs the other question of why people are buying into his trite music and supporting his bacchanalian and lavish habits.
At least he got rid of that stupid band-aid.
What are you doing travelling with one million dollars worth of jewlery (and not wearing it)? I know that rappers want to show off their bling, but let's get real here. Their flamboyance and prodigality makes me not even feel sorry for the guy. This of course begs the other question of why people are buying into his trite music and supporting his bacchanalian and lavish habits.
At least he got rid of that stupid band-aid.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
It would seem that Firebird caches pages a little too well. Many times have I clicked on a link to someone's blog, and saw no content change. I had to manually click refresh to see the new posts.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Those lying sons of bitches in the department we call marketing.
Excerpt of a recent email from a friend who is currently teaching English in China:
Excerpt of a recent email from a friend who is currently teaching English in China:
do you remember the commercial from a little while back that had the two guys that turned their apartment into a canadian embassy and tim hortons sent them a coffee maker and coffee? well, i figured i had an even better case, cause the closest coffee shop to hua qiao is a 45 minute bus ride, then the coffee is 20 yuan a cup, and if i want to buy real coffee to make, i have to travel 10 hours south to beijing. so i e-mailed tim horton's, and they told me that they don't have the means to send things overseas. they're liars.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Sam Roberts Concert.
It was great, there was maybe a couple hundred people there, very small venue. I was right up front and centre, even got a pick and the setlist at the end.
More Canadian artists should come to the states and play small venues.
It was great, there was maybe a couple hundred people there, very small venue. I was right up front and centre, even got a pick and the setlist at the end.
More Canadian artists should come to the states and play small venues.
Friday, October 24, 2003
I just discovered this lengthy thread in the imprint, and tried to read it.
I didn't know whether to laugh, or cry, or just to shake my head. The amount of logical fallacies and false dichotomies, and ... It's not a live debate, can't people at least formulate their thoughts and check for grammatical errors? And the self-righteous people pretending to be benign and loving just makes me want to throw up.
I don't hate you for being who you are, you will just burn in hell.
I didn't know whether to laugh, or cry, or just to shake my head. The amount of logical fallacies and false dichotomies, and ... It's not a live debate, can't people at least formulate their thoughts and check for grammatical errors? And the self-righteous people pretending to be benign and loving just makes me want to throw up.
I don't hate you for being who you are, you will just burn in hell.
Kinkos charged me $0.22 for my 61 second usage of their internet. It probably cost them more in credit card service charges than the 22 cents I'm giving them.
Newest made for TV movies in America:
D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear.
Elizabeth Smart Movie (on CBS, no link yet).
Anything to make a buck I guess. I'm surprised there hasn't been a September 11 movie yet.
D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear.
Elizabeth Smart Movie (on CBS, no link yet).
Anything to make a buck I guess. I'm surprised there hasn't been a September 11 movie yet.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Recap of my Monday.
23:00 PDT, Sunday - Write email to Ragde, asking if I apply to nserc directly, instead of through the school, since I've missed the deadline.
09:15 PDT, Monday - Get email back from Ragde, school rankings important, email van Beek.
09:23 PDT, Monday - Write email to van Beek, asking if I can apply directly.
16:51 PDT, Monday - Get email back from van Beek, cannot apply directly, but will still accept my application if I send it in "immediately".
17:00 PDT, Monday - Email Ragde to ask if he and Nishimura will write letters of recommendation.
17:52 PDT, Monday - Get email back from Ragde - Yes.
18:20 PDT, Monday - Take shuttle to US1, then bus to home.
19:27 PDT, Monday - Leave home to head to work, stopping at KFC drive through (and using up the second of my self-imposed twice a month KFC quota).
19:45 PDT, Monday - Arrive work, eat KFC, begin working on application.
22:23 PDT, Monday - Finish application, print, found out Quest was down due to "scheduled maintainence", send copy to Ragde, head home.
08:20 PDT, Tuesday - Go to post office, found out fastest possible way to Waterloo takes 2 days, but also needs contact phone number.
08:25 PDT, Tuesday - Arrive at Kinko's, 3 blocks from post office, use internet console for 1:01 minutes at $0.20 a minute, find out phone number.
08:30 PDT, Tuesday - Send application via DHL.
08:37 PDT, Tuesday - Catch bus to work.
The saga continues.
23:00 PDT, Sunday - Write email to Ragde, asking if I apply to nserc directly, instead of through the school, since I've missed the deadline.
09:15 PDT, Monday - Get email back from Ragde, school rankings important, email van Beek.
09:23 PDT, Monday - Write email to van Beek, asking if I can apply directly.
16:51 PDT, Monday - Get email back from van Beek, cannot apply directly, but will still accept my application if I send it in "immediately".
17:00 PDT, Monday - Email Ragde to ask if he and Nishimura will write letters of recommendation.
17:52 PDT, Monday - Get email back from Ragde - Yes.
18:20 PDT, Monday - Take shuttle to US1, then bus to home.
19:27 PDT, Monday - Leave home to head to work, stopping at KFC drive through (and using up the second of my self-imposed twice a month KFC quota).
19:45 PDT, Monday - Arrive work, eat KFC, begin working on application.
22:23 PDT, Monday - Finish application, print, found out Quest was down due to "scheduled maintainence", send copy to Ragde, head home.
08:20 PDT, Tuesday - Go to post office, found out fastest possible way to Waterloo takes 2 days, but also needs contact phone number.
08:25 PDT, Tuesday - Arrive at Kinko's, 3 blocks from post office, use internet console for 1:01 minutes at $0.20 a minute, find out phone number.
08:30 PDT, Tuesday - Send application via DHL.
08:37 PDT, Tuesday - Catch bus to work.
The saga continues.
I've been getting a lot emails at work about schools selling boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts to raise money. Can't they at least try to sell something a little healthier, like bowlfuls of salad, or a gym membership, instead of perpetuating the American obesity epidemic? I heard Dr. Phil say on Letterman that obesity has taken over smoking as the number one health crisis in the US.
In other news, I thought I did horrible in the verbal section of the GRE, but apparently I got in the 82nd percentile, which is not great, but better than horrible. And 5.5 out of 6 on analytical writing. But then again, a perfect score in the math section was only worth the 92nd percentile.
In other news, I thought I did horrible in the verbal section of the GRE, but apparently I got in the 82nd percentile, which is not great, but better than horrible. And 5.5 out of 6 on analytical writing. But then again, a perfect score in the math section was only worth the 92nd percentile.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Israel dismisses UN Vote.
Well, I didn't really care about that, but there's just one quote that caught my eye
Well, I didn't really care about that, but there's just one quote that caught my eye
If the whole world is on one side, and America and Israel on the other side, I'm proud to be on the American side.Usually, and this is just my personal opinion, if the whole world was on one side, and I (and America) on the other, I would probably wonder what I did to piss them off. But that's just me. (And no, I'm not equating terrorism with self-defence, blah blah blah).
-- Ehud Olmert, Vice Premier
Talk about media bias.
This time it's concerning the Terri Schiavo case (in case you haven't heard, I'll have the synopsis at the bottom of this post).
I was watching MSNBC this morning, and they interviewed 2 talk radio hosts on the case. I noticed a couple of things. First of all, they were using footage presumeably given to them by Terri's parents, which seemed to show her blinking, and slightly swaying her head (no medical opinion was given on whether it was just reflex, or if she was actually responding, Update: apparently the footage was given to the press by the parents who smuggled in video cameras without permission), so to normal viewers, she might not seem vegetative at all. And secondly, and most importantly, both radio hosts had the SAME opinion on the case. Nothing was said about the legality of the bill that was passed or the actions of Governor Bush. They basically said the same thing: that the judge should have not allowed the husband to do what he wanted. And they castigated the husband, saying he had financial motives.
When there's no balance of points, it becomes propaganda, not news.
SYNOPSIS of Schiavo case: she fell into a persistent vegetative state 13 years ago and is being kept alive via a feeding tube. Husband won a lawsuit worth $1 million several years ago to pay for her medical expenses. Husband filed suit to remove feeding tube (said it was what she wanted, and he had power of attorney) with $750 000 still left from law suit, her parents filed suit to block (saying she can be treated still). Husband won. Feeding tube removed 7 days ago. Florida house met and passed a bill last night allowing Jeb Bush to block the judgement. Feeding tube now back. Other points of interest: husband has a new girlfriend (and kid?) -- possible motive, parents crazy Christians who can't let go after 13 years.
This time it's concerning the Terri Schiavo case (in case you haven't heard, I'll have the synopsis at the bottom of this post).
I was watching MSNBC this morning, and they interviewed 2 talk radio hosts on the case. I noticed a couple of things. First of all, they were using footage presumeably given to them by Terri's parents, which seemed to show her blinking, and slightly swaying her head (no medical opinion was given on whether it was just reflex, or if she was actually responding, Update: apparently the footage was given to the press by the parents who smuggled in video cameras without permission), so to normal viewers, she might not seem vegetative at all. And secondly, and most importantly, both radio hosts had the SAME opinion on the case. Nothing was said about the legality of the bill that was passed or the actions of Governor Bush. They basically said the same thing: that the judge should have not allowed the husband to do what he wanted. And they castigated the husband, saying he had financial motives.
When there's no balance of points, it becomes propaganda, not news.
SYNOPSIS of Schiavo case: she fell into a persistent vegetative state 13 years ago and is being kept alive via a feeding tube. Husband won a lawsuit worth $1 million several years ago to pay for her medical expenses. Husband filed suit to remove feeding tube (said it was what she wanted, and he had power of attorney) with $750 000 still left from law suit, her parents filed suit to block (saying she can be treated still). Husband won. Feeding tube removed 7 days ago. Florida house met and passed a bill last night allowing Jeb Bush to block the judgement. Feeding tube now back. Other points of interest: husband has a new girlfriend (and kid?) -- possible motive, parents crazy Christians who can't let go after 13 years.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Looks like the recording industry has finally found its new cash cow. Just look at iTunes: 14 million tracks sold, and Steve Jobs is projecting 100 million by April. Now, suppose the industry is selling tracks wholesale at 65 cents per track (which is what I've heard from various websites), that's $9.1 million so far, and $65 million in another 6 months. All for no distribution costs, no advertising costs, and no packaging costs to them. And, the tracks are still full of DRM which is exactly what the industry wanted in the first place.
Too bad they didn't think of this 4 years ago, when napster came out. It could have easily filled in for their supposed $200 million dollar loss.
Too bad they didn't think of this 4 years ago, when napster came out. It could have easily filled in for their supposed $200 million dollar loss.
Monday, October 20, 2003
When you do a lot of highway driving in the US, you notice that they have signs for nearly everything. They even have a triangular shaped sign that informs you of a no-passing zone, as if the double solid yellow lines are not enough (if you ignore the solid lines, what's to say you won't ignore the sign?).
But I've always be intrigued by the "Bump" sign. Whenever I see a bright orange sign with "BUMP" in big black letters, I infer that there will be a bump up ahead. But as I drive on for 100 m, 200 m, and 1 km, I usually never feel anything that could be characterized by the altogether overblown "Bump" sign. That is, until I saw this picture.
But I've always be intrigued by the "Bump" sign. Whenever I see a bright orange sign with "BUMP" in big black letters, I infer that there will be a bump up ahead. But as I drive on for 100 m, 200 m, and 1 km, I usually never feel anything that could be characterized by the altogether overblown "Bump" sign. That is, until I saw this picture.
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Did a lot of things today. Including going for overpriced Dim Sum (because we couldn't find parking, so we parked at the only restaurant with parking left, and it was a mistake).
We also went to the conservatory at Volunteer park, and then ventured over to the graveyard and checked out Bruce Lee's grave. Now I need to do some studying.
Some other pictures from my SLR.
We also went to the conservatory at Volunteer park, and then ventured over to the graveyard and checked out Bruce Lee's grave. Now I need to do some studying.
Some other pictures from my SLR.
Friday, October 17, 2003
This is what I want. But that would mean getting the new iPod.
I'm kind of disappointed in Apple's lack of support for older equipment. I got my iPod 8 months ago, and already there's no support. How hard would it be for them to port the new iPod software to the old devices? They still have the same controls, so it's not like they can't do it, they just don't want to. And I can't imagine the hardware being so different that they needed to rewrite everything, because that just speaks of a badly designed protocol.
Maybe they should open the sdk for the older ipods now that they're no longer going to support it. I'm sure many people would be happy writting tools like dynamic playlists, etc.
The same idea goes for the Belkin device linked above. If we could get access to the new iPod software, then all Belkin would need to do is make the dock connector replaceable with a firewire connector, and everyone can use it. Apple should realize that of the millions of old iPod users out there, many will not have the money to upgrade to new devices, and if they made new accessories available to the old devices, they can still make a lot of "new" money (even if they don't make the accessories themselves, I'm sure they license out their technology, and the more people the accessories are available to, the more manufacturers will license their technology).
I'm a new customer to Apple, as I'm sure are many other iPod owners out there. And I feel alienated by them forcing me to upgrade. When you have new customers feeling alienated, that's not a good way to do business.
I'm kind of disappointed in Apple's lack of support for older equipment. I got my iPod 8 months ago, and already there's no support. How hard would it be for them to port the new iPod software to the old devices? They still have the same controls, so it's not like they can't do it, they just don't want to. And I can't imagine the hardware being so different that they needed to rewrite everything, because that just speaks of a badly designed protocol.
Maybe they should open the sdk for the older ipods now that they're no longer going to support it. I'm sure many people would be happy writting tools like dynamic playlists, etc.
The same idea goes for the Belkin device linked above. If we could get access to the new iPod software, then all Belkin would need to do is make the dock connector replaceable with a firewire connector, and everyone can use it. Apple should realize that of the millions of old iPod users out there, many will not have the money to upgrade to new devices, and if they made new accessories available to the old devices, they can still make a lot of "new" money (even if they don't make the accessories themselves, I'm sure they license out their technology, and the more people the accessories are available to, the more manufacturers will license their technology).
I'm a new customer to Apple, as I'm sure are many other iPod owners out there. And I feel alienated by them forcing me to upgrade. When you have new customers feeling alienated, that's not a good way to do business.
Who thought the u-district would be so cheap?
Last night we checked out some places there. First was Tommy's Night Club, which is not really a night club, and more like a bomber without the dance floor. But they had $3 pitchers (that's right, pitchers, of High Life), and free pizza. And the ratio was surprisingly good.
Then we headed to Finn MacCool's. Not much happening there, pretty quiet, but pints of Guiness were only $2.50. Imagine how surprised I was when the waitress said it was $7.50 for 3 pints.
Waitress: That's $7.50 please.
Me (pause): each?
Waitress: no, total.
Me: oh.
Me (aside): Score.
Last night we checked out some places there. First was Tommy's Night Club, which is not really a night club, and more like a bomber without the dance floor. But they had $3 pitchers (that's right, pitchers, of High Life), and free pizza. And the ratio was surprisingly good.
Then we headed to Finn MacCool's. Not much happening there, pretty quiet, but pints of Guiness were only $2.50. Imagine how surprised I was when the waitress said it was $7.50 for 3 pints.
Waitress: That's $7.50 please.
Me (pause): each?
Waitress: no, total.
Me: oh.
Me (aside): Score.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Today I learned the perils of riding on slick tires. It just happens to be drizzling this morning, and water + little tread = trouble. At least cars didn't run me over as I hobbled home to catch the bus.
Moral of the story: Don't take fast turns on slicks when the ground is wet.
The scrapes hurt like hell in the shower.
Moral of the story: Don't take fast turns on slicks when the ground is wet.
The scrapes hurt like hell in the shower.
Monday, October 13, 2003
I almost forgot it was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I was wondering why no one was posting, or otherwise marking down their daily adventures.
I saw Kill Bill Vol 1 over the weekend. I didn't like it. The excessively generous blood spills and the banal self-righteous revenge talk just didn't do it for me. The story was easy enough to follow, perhaps unlike some of his other films, but it still seemed to lack coherence. Then again, I'm not an arts major, or a movie critic, so what do I know.
I do know one thing. The amazon.com stock is at $58.30 right now. That's ridiculous. Had I only bought some on my first work term at $12, I'd have enough for tuition next term.
I saw Kill Bill Vol 1 over the weekend. I didn't like it. The excessively generous blood spills and the banal self-righteous revenge talk just didn't do it for me. The story was easy enough to follow, perhaps unlike some of his other films, but it still seemed to lack coherence. Then again, I'm not an arts major, or a movie critic, so what do I know.
I do know one thing. The amazon.com stock is at $58.30 right now. That's ridiculous. Had I only bought some on my first work term at $12, I'd have enough for tuition next term.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Friday, October 10, 2003
I bought a self-titled CD by the Transplants because I heard one of their songs in a Garnier shampoo commercial (I think it was also in an MTV commercial). Was quite surprised to find out that some of their tracks are actually quite metal/hard rock. But for a record that was "Recorded in Tim's Basement", I'd say it's pretty good. Some of their chord patterns are like those of Weezer, and some other tracks are pretty unconventional in everyday rock bands.
Other cd's enjoyed lately:
The Mendoza Line - Lost in Revelry
Broadcast - Haha Sound
Ladytron - Light & Magic
Dido - Life for Rent
I'm selling my Minolta Dimage X, $175 US. Anyone interested?
Other cd's enjoyed lately:
The Mendoza Line - Lost in Revelry
Broadcast - Haha Sound
Ladytron - Light & Magic
Dido - Life for Rent
I'm selling my Minolta Dimage X, $175 US. Anyone interested?
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
I know you can force colours (back/foreground) in Mozilla, but is there a way to force colours only for one website? That would be nice.
And what are the Californians thinking electing Arnold Schwarzenegger anyways. He has no experience and no solid platform. His election campaign consisted of saying "I'll be back", and promising to cut costs but with no concept of how to do it. At least the news media had a field day with "witty" titles like "Total Recall" and the "Governator".
It just goes to show how much media influences people's everyday lives. Every night, all I saw was Arnie's head on TV news, whether it's about his misbehaviour allegations, or his disingenuous "I don't remember"s, with only a passing reference to Davis or Bustamonte. No wonder he got more votes than those who opposed the recall. People really should stop watching TV.
And what are the Californians thinking electing Arnold Schwarzenegger anyways. He has no experience and no solid platform. His election campaign consisted of saying "I'll be back", and promising to cut costs but with no concept of how to do it. At least the news media had a field day with "witty" titles like "Total Recall" and the "Governator".
It just goes to show how much media influences people's everyday lives. Every night, all I saw was Arnie's head on TV news, whether it's about his misbehaviour allegations, or his disingenuous "I don't remember"s, with only a passing reference to Davis or Bustamonte. No wonder he got more votes than those who opposed the recall. People really should stop watching TV.
Monday, October 06, 2003
I came in today and Firebird was taking up 108 Mb of memory on my XP box. I had two windows open with 5-6 tabs in each, and they've been open for a couple of weeks. But that's still a hunk of memory usage.
A spoke broke on my rear tire. Looks like I'll need to take a couple of days rest while I get that fixed. Or I can buy some new rims (mine are kind of crappy). Any suggestions? Nothing too expensive.
A spoke broke on my rear tire. Looks like I'll need to take a couple of days rest while I get that fixed. Or I can buy some new rims (mine are kind of crappy). Any suggestions? Nothing too expensive.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
I just bought an Ani DiFranco cd. (I like the fine print on the back: "unauthorized duplication, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing').
My trash can at work keeps on going missing. This is the second one in a month. Who would take my trash can? I'm going to have to start covert operations to acquire some more. I'll probably need a reserve in case the others go missing too. All I want is a trash can by my desk. Is that really too much to ask for?
My trash can at work keeps on going missing. This is the second one in a month. Who would take my trash can? I'm going to have to start covert operations to acquire some more. I'll probably need a reserve in case the others go missing too. All I want is a trash can by my desk. Is that really too much to ask for?
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
For the fiscal year 2004, the US government will reduce the cap of H-1B visas issued from 195 000 to 65 000. This means that once the 65 000 are used up, there will be no more H-1B visas issued until October 1, 2004. There is some worry that the number will run out as soon as January.
How will this affect hiring strategies for companies in the US?
These protectionist strategies make the US seem more and more closed to the rest of the world. This fear of reverse brain drain is even exhibited on TV, when a med student in last week's ER was called a TWA.
Are Americans really afraid that immigrants are taking over their jobs? Maybe they should get off their lazy asses and do some studying rather than relying on their government to close off their country.
How will this affect hiring strategies for companies in the US?
These protectionist strategies make the US seem more and more closed to the rest of the world. This fear of reverse brain drain is even exhibited on TV, when a med student in last week's ER was called a TWA.
Are Americans really afraid that immigrants are taking over their jobs? Maybe they should get off their lazy asses and do some studying rather than relying on their government to close off their country.