Journaling on estrip is free and easy. get started today

Last Visit 2012-11-09 18:06:58 |Start Date 2005-09-01 15:28:14 |Comments 1,246 |Entries 866 |Images 935 |Sounds 4 |Videos 95 |Mobl 173 |Theme |

06/14/09 03:42 - 73ºF - ID#48974 pmobl

Water Rocket


image
print add/read comments

Permalink: Water_Rocket.html
Words: 4
Location: Buffalo, NY


06/13/09 11:53 - 67ºF - ID#48934

D&D

image

Finally mainstream?

(also iPhone is losing orientation metadata like Paul says... hmm)
print add/read comments

Permalink: D_amp_D.html
Words: 18
Location: Buffalo, NY


06/12/09 01:02 - 65ºF - ID#48896

Traffic Monster

Some kid was arrested for making this:

image

News article:

print add/read comments

Permalink: Traffic_Monster.html
Words: 20
Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: tech

06/08/09 09:41 - 63ºF - ID#48872

iPhone 3G S

image

I can't wait to get it, my current phone's battery is starting to die the past month or so, only holds about a day's charge. Didn't want to pay for a new battery in the mean time so I'm glad they're releasing this in June.

I've been using the beta version of the iPhone 3.0 OS for a few months and it rocks, and as always Apple's API's are a joy to use. Since I use it for development I can write off most of the cost of the hardware ;) Now I just have to actually release finish one of the my half finished iPhone apps...

I've heard from a couple people that it's kind of a boring incremental update, but since I have the original version of the iPhone, it's actually a fairly large step up for me. Mostly, due to the 3G network and 4x as much storage. 32gb, yum. Also, the new camera is a huge upgrade, w/ auto-focus and macro. Sick of blurry looking crap photos.
print add/read comments

Permalink: iPhone_3G_S.html
Words: 172
Location: Buffalo, NY


06/08/09 06:13 - 61ºF - ID#48870

NY Senate Coup

Well, big news today: two Democratic NYS Senators have agreed to caucus with the Republicans, flipping control of the chamber.

NY Times:

I am disheartened this basically kills my chance of getting married in NY.

I was pleasantly surprised at some of the rule changes that were voted for after the coup (partial list):



- Committee Chairs and Rankers are term-limited to 8 years.

- Proxy voting in committee is eliminated.

- All agendas and voting records will be published on the Senate Website; all committee meetings recorded and webcast. A plan will be put forward by January 1, 2010 to create NY-SPAN statewide broadcast of legislative proceedings similar to C-SPAN for Congress.

- No bill may be introduced without a named Senate sponsor.

- A non-sponsor amendment if successful will retain its place on the calendar for three days and then shall be taken up by the body for final passage, not returned to committee. Messages of Necessity shall only be permitted in cases of actual emergencies.

- A new motion for consideration is created. A sponsor may move to have his or her bill included on the next active list if a majority of members present and voting agree to the motion.

- A petition for consideration is also created, which allows a majority of the members elected to request a bill be put to the floor. If successful, the bill shall be placed on the active list for the next session day. If within the last four days of session, it shall be immediately considered by the body if successful.

- All procedural votes require only a majority of members present and voting, rather than members elected.

- Debate may exceed 4 hours on budget bills, any bill considered pursuant to a message of necessity, or those which appropriate money.

-- source: (via )




Now granted, this is mostly all just so in 2010 when they end up back in the minority they're not locked out of power (demographic shifts virtually guarantee they'll be ousted again shortly). But still.

This also means that the Republicans will be mostly in charge of redistricting NYS Senate districts, which will keep them from losing as much ground in 2010 versus what the NYS Senate Dems would've drawn.

Ah -- one other new rule I just parsed the meaning of: 'Member items will be divided evenly.' -- essentially pork will be able to be given out by the minority and majority equally, so they can keep the folks back home happy.

An interesting day. Well played, Tom Golisano.

Wasn't he supposed to be in Florida by now?
print addComment

Permalink: NY_Senate_Coup.html
Words: 452
Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: life

06/05/09 02:26 - 73ºF - ID#48845

Boston?

I may have a chance to permanently transfer to Boston, MA, for my company... it wouldn't happen for a few or six months.

Has anyone here lived in Boston? Should we stay or should we go? I know it's a very expensive city. Presuming I got a cost-of-living adjustment to Boston wages, is it a fun/cool city to actually live in?

image

Plus, (e:james) and I could get married there :)
print add/read comments

Permalink: Boston_.html
Words: 73
Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: economics

06/01/09 08:32 - 46ºF - ID#48810

GM: Goodbye and Hello

image

The car industry almost single handedly killed universal healthcare in the mid 20th century. They saw that sooner or later everyone would demand it, so they came up with a scheme where health insurance was paid for by the company that the workers worked at.

Which of course just about did kill them when, as technology improved, they had far more retirees then active workers due to efficiency. If they hadn't opposed universal health care, they'd be in fine financial shape. What they fought for has bankrupted them, and so wiped out their shareholders. Opposing universal health care turned out to be a violation of their fiduciary duties, oh irony of ironies.

They fought airbags and seat belts, higher fuel efficiency and safety standards, the classification as SUV's as passenger vehicles instead of commercial trucks.

GM was largely responsible for killing mass transit in the early 20th century. They purchased privately run and profitable intracity train lines only so that they could close them. And they were powerful, so we let them.

I am sorry for the workers who are hurt by this, but this is more of a suicide then a bankruptcy. Here's to hoping for a brand new, 21st century smart company when the dust settles. Think bigger GM! Think long term. I am not holding my breath.

image
print add/read comments

Permalink: GM_Goodbye_and_Hello.html
Words: 224
Location: Buffalo, NY


05/29/09 04:07 - 61ºF - ID#48785

Buffalo Crime - Mapped

Check this search:

As per this article:

image
print add/read comments

Permalink: Buffalo_Crime_Mapped.html
Words: 31
Location: Buffalo, NY


05/29/09 08:46 - 56ºF - ID#48781

Auto-Tune The News #4

I just love these so much.


print addComment

Permalink: Auto_Tune_The_News_4.html
Words: 14
Location: Buffalo, NY


Category: geek

05/28/09 03:51 - 79ºF - ID#48774

Super Excited

I just got to do a favor for Kent Beck ( ), which for any normal non-geeky person would be like getting to do a favor for like, Jesus, or something.

image

print add/read comments

Permalink: Super_Excited.html
Words: 38
Location: Buffalo, NY


Search

Chatter

New Site Wide Comments

sina said to sina
yes thank you!
Well, since 2018 I am living in France, I have finished my second master of science,...

paul said to sina
Nice to hear from you!! Hope everything is going great....

paul said to twisted
Hello from the east coast! It took me so long to see this, it might as well have arrived in a lette...

joe said to Ronqualityglas
I really don't think people should worry about how their eyelids work. Don't you?...