Twisted's Journal

04/02/2006 20:50 #36689

Happy 30th!!!
Category: birthdays

(somebody had to say it)

Faithful, sometimes fanatical Apple customers continue to push the boundaries of loyalty

A Silicon Valley fairy tale: Apple at 30 -- from upstart to Wall Street darling

The man behind the Mac

Apple has made a career out of thinking different -- and regularly charting new courses for the computer industry: Timeline

twisted - 04/02/06 23:43
Oh my god! That is beautiful.

zobar - 04/02/06 23:21
Why I Take Good Care of My Macintosh Computer

Because it broods under its hood like a perched falcon
Because it jumps like a skittish horse
and sometimes throws me
Because it is pokey when cold
Because plastic is a sad, strong material
that is charming to rodents
Because it is flighty
Because my mind flies into it through my fingers
Because it leaps forward and backward,
is an endless sniffer and searcher
Because its keys click like hail on a rock
& it winks when it goes out,
& puts word-heaps in hoards for me, dozens of pockets of
gold under boulders in streambeds, identical seedpods
strong on a vine, or it stores bins of bolts;
And I lose them and find them,
Because whole worlds of writing can be boldly layed out
and then highlighted, & vanished in a flash at
"delete" so it teaches
of impermanence and pain;
& because my computer and me are both brief
in this world, both foolish, and we have earthly fates,
Because I have let it move in with me
right inside the tent
And it goes with me out every morning
We fill up our baskets, get back home,
Feel rich, relax, I throw it a scrap and it hums.

- Gary Snyder, 1989

mrmike - 04/02/06 22:25
I miss my powerbook

twisted - 04/02/06 22:14
I know, can you believe it? I always think of 1984 as the anniversary of Mac -- with the legendary Super Bowl ad. But it all started before then. Gosh, I feel old. ;-)

jenks - 04/02/06 21:29
wow... I didn't realize apple has almost the same bday as me (i'm 30 in a month!) It's fate, I swear. ;) (i'm an apple freak)

paul - 04/02/06 20:57
Terry tried to help our powerbook think different by feeding it a 40oz beer. I didn't survive.

03/31/2006 06:49 #36688

Welcome to the working week
Category: work

Ok, I am so over this working thing. It was fun for a few days, but being held hostage behind the Berlin Wall of firewalls 8 hours a day is getting on my nerves. Plus, I got a High Priority request from one of my Premium Support users yesterday, (ok, it was my sister calling to tell me I missed one of the kids in the upcoming birthday countdown on the family web site), so naturally I had to drop everything to fix that. Spent about 10 minutes trying to poke a hole/get around the firewall to no avail. So I got the password for the "open" computer where you can allegedly check webmail and other potentially subversive tasks under the watchful eyes of the admins. I was there for about five seconds when I was reminded to use it "judiciously" or the question "why does a contractor need to use it" might arise. Because you have me in a freakin' straitjacket, that's why! This would take less than 5 minutes and I would be happy to punch out for the 15 minute minimum time-tracking increment just so nobody thinks I'm pulling a fast one. I mean, come on!

Not that it would be anybody's business how I might use my two 10-minute breaks required by California law, but it would be just my luck the "question" would be asked right in the middle of adding all FIVE birthdays for May. (Does my whole freakin' family go fertile in September?) So I decided I would spend that 10-minute break sulking in my cubicle instead. I know, I'm so mature.

And what important milestone on the critical path would I be impeding, you might ask? Printing out the company web site. That's what they have me doing this week. Oh yes, they got me my very own printer to accomplish this important task, and you can imagine my excitement when the project was escalated from "stapled sections" to "3-ring binder with dividers" at the weekly status meeting. If I had an ego, this would be demoralizing. But if they want to pay me an unseemly amount of money to print out their web site, I have no problem with that.

I wish I could tell you some of the Dilbert-esque stories about this place, but this one photo kind of captures it all for me. The employee handbook explicitly states you can only use the provided paper cups for hot beverages. No personal mugs or travel containers allowed. And you must have the company-issued lid tightly adhered in transit. But under no circumstances should you transport a hot beverage -- lidded or not -- between floors.

I don't think I've used one of these since kindergarten (before the invention of the juice box). I didn't even know they came with lids. It would take approximately 28 of these to make one Starbucks "venti" or whatever the hell they call a large.

Speaking of work, good luck with the job application (e:Leetee,153)! Oh, and for the citizenship question you might want to make a notation that you've got your Permanent Resident (green) card. In other words, have a comeback ready for any potential strike against you. (I don't mean to say that would be a strike against you, but you seemed to be concerned about it. And I'm big on notations, haha.)

Ok, that's all for now, except a few random pix off the cell phone.

Farmers' market at City Hall. No sign of protesters last Sunday.

I just thought this was funny. SF is such a live and let live town.

olemanrunin - 03/31/06 08:08
that was fun - may be those cups are earthquake proof?

03/28/2006 11:17 #36687

Accentuate the Positive

I'm already late for work, so I'm going to be lazy and round up some comments here.

Good luck with the job (e:Leetee,152)! I have a problem with lying too. Although sometimes I just present what is true in a positive way -- leaving it open to interpretation without actually saying whatever it is I'd rather not say. In your case, instead of choosing one of the supplied answers, I would make the notation "Attended high school in Canada -- now studying for U.S. equivalency degree" or something along those lines. If you didn't attend high school at all, just say "attended school" or "home schooled." Do you know how many kids in the US are home schooled these days? And you may very well have a better grasp of US history than most high school graduates, sad to say.

But the most empowering thing would be to get your GED. If it doesn't cost much, or it's free to retake the test, just take it and see how you do. Then you'll know what you have to study. And if you're really worried about US history, pick up Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." I'm sorry I didn't keep my copy from Howie's class at BU, but I'll bet the Larson brothers have a copy lying around. Maybe you can borrow it. ;-)

Speaking of the Larson boys, I'm really sorry I missed seeing (e:Joshua,134)'s protesters and (e:Twisted,353)'s, counter-protesters in person -- especially since I walk by City Hall on a regular basis. So much for being a roving reporter. ;-)

I really and truly believe any counter-protest was relatively balanced against the protest, but no I didn't see it first-hand, so I can't say for sure. I have no doubt the "come back in the summer" comment was in good humor -- albeit a back-handed dig at a wasted day in SF.

If a bunch of people decide to publicly protest the traits we hold dear about the Bay Area, you can bet your bottom dollar San Franciscans will show up to defend our way of life. Which includes being free to embrace and express your sexuality.

As tempting as it might have been to align myself with the "I moved here to get away from people like you" counter-protester, I have to hold out hope these kids still have some growing up to do, and might still benefit from other role models. In the end, I think my sign would say, "I like San Francisco just the way it is. Why don't you check it out before judging?"

Damn. That's going to be a big sign.

p.s. -- I am so late now. I will probably edit this when I get home. WHY can't I get a job blogging?

ajay - 03/28/06 23:47
(e:Joshua), maybe you should re-read what you wrote. You called the counter-protests bigots. And I have yet to hear you call the religious nutcases "bigots".

Case closed.

joshua - 03/28/06 14:23
Actually, Ajay, you need to actually read what I wrote. I've stated explicitly on multiple occasions now that I think both are wrong.

ajay - 03/28/06 13:14
Nice one, (e:Joshua).

To the people who bash gays you say, "pretty please... leave them heathens alone...".
And to those who protest against these hate-mongers, you say "you fascist scumbags!".

Next time, try to be harsher on those who use the word of God to hurt other people. Practice what you preach, brother! ;)

joshua - 03/28/06 12:10
Oh, PS! These uberreligious zealots that infiltrated San Fran are not "my" protesters - I don't think its necessarily right to criticize people for their lifestyle. My message to the religious people who bash gays is this -

Its not your job to judge others, its God's job. If he sees fit to have a problem with gay people, he'll figure that one out on his own and doesn't need your help here on Earth. So, in light of this, lets not keep each other from what makes us happy, because trying to make rules and build barriers explicitly to make other peoples lives miserable is a miserable way to live, and for one, I don't want to live that way.

Man that Josh guy sure is a neocon racist sexist bigot homophobe Christian zealot pig! ;-)

joshua - 03/28/06 12:01
Believe me, I know the art of the back-handed compliment well. My grandmother is a 10th degree black belt in giving back-handed compliments and I grew up with her in the house. I could never bring girlfriends over.

I have a job blogging; my boss just doesn't know it yet! :)

Like I said, I don't necessarily have any problems with San Fran residents sticking up for what they believe in, with the possible exception of the incident with the Navy ship. Then again, I think that they could have handled it alot better than calling teenagers fascist. What went down, if you believe all the reports anyway, smacks of bigotry towards Christianity... which is intolerant. San Fran can be as "heathen" as it wants to be for all I care, but San Fran libs shouldn't cry foul when they themselves are guilty of the same crime at times. Ask the average San Fran resident what they think about voting Republicans, then tell me that these same people are tolerant and embrace diversity. THAT is the problem I have with places like San Fran.

03/27/2006 23:34 #36686

Ha!
Category: intolerance

This is hilarious, (e:Joshua,134). Since when does counter-protesting = intolerance? Ever heard of a debate? Not to mention, the San Francisco counter-protesters were accommodating enough to suggest "next time come back in summer" to avoid any chance of protesting / counter-protesting in the rain. Yeah, that sounds pretty intolerant.

I have a big problem with any organization that exploits people at vulnerable points in their lives. That includes some fraternities and most televangelists. Ron Luce of "Battle Cry for a Generation" may or may not be a televangelist, but he falls into the same category.

And you all know I have a problem with any organization that spends more time pointing fingers at an alleged "common enemy" than focusing on their own aspirations for the future.

If you think "same-sex marriage is another sign of the end of times" and you would rather see "Godly relationships than porn" then why the hell would you come to San Francisco? I mean, there are PLENTY of other places to get that. Is your life so shallow you have to pick a fight to make up for the fact that myspace.com is the Devil's playground so you're stuck with the "Christian alternative?"

All I can say is, I hope any of the protesters with some semblance of open-mindedness will be here next year holding signs saying "I moved here to get away from people like you."

p.s. - first day of work was fine. Thanks for asking.

joshua - 03/28/06 10:25
Oh, and what may be a surprising P.S. to add to all of this. Given my own track record, I'd probably love San Fran. Elmwood can't be much different, with the obvious exceptions of the great weather and better economics of the area.

joshua - 03/28/06 10:21
So you must be okay with grown men and women calling kids "fascists" then, right? I'd hope not. Counterprotesting is just fine as far as I'm concerned, as long as you do it in a rational and dignified way. The residents of San Fran did not. It can't be possible, just maybe, that those people were being sarcastic when they suggested coming back in the summer.... right? I don't buy it for a second, and I'd wager that neither do most people.

I love debates, but to suggest that counterprotesting = debate is a flawed statement. There is nothing dignified about the process, as shown by the residents in San Fran recently. When liberals think you are abjectly wrong, there is no stammering about perpetuating a debate. When in their estimation you are implicitly incorrect, it slips from debate to character assassination to outright mockery of the counterpart. Take a look at anything said about George W. Bush or the Republican Party over the past 5 years in the print media - as Ajay might say, "case closed!"

Battle Cry chose the location for a purpose, just like Cindy Sheehan and her gang of hooligans chose theirs last summer. Was it right to do so? I don't know. It doesn't make a whole ton of sense to protest something in your backyard when the epicenter of the action is somewhere else.

I don't necessarily have an issue with televangelists personally. The thing is, these kids aren't being taken advantage of - this is how they are being raised by their families. Its a segment of Christian life that I don't necessarily see as something I'd want for my kids, but if they want to rally in San Francisco so be it. If Cindy Sheehan thought she was going to make her point stronger by camping out in Crawford, so be it.

twisted - 03/28/06 00:37
p.s. - you should come out to San Francisco and see what your gut reaction is! ;-)

twisted - 03/28/06 00:35
Ok, I do see your point about not preaching to the choir. I guess I have a problem with evangelism in general-- it personally makes me uncomfortable, and makes me wonder why you wouldn't "pick another battle" more likely to be won. Wouldn't someone on the fringe be better served by being taken under your wing? But I guess I can see the sense in trying to stake a claim in your particular "den of iniquity." I grant you that!

I think my problem is more this obsession with picking a worthy adversary rather than trying to convert those who may be close to your way of thinking. I don't know. I really don't want to think about it any more. I trust my gut reaction, even if I can't always justify it.

leetee - 03/28/06 00:18
Like you, i do not like any organization that exploits. And i think anyone that spends more time worrying about what others are doing, instead of self improvement is fooling themselves. But if that is the way they want to live life, so be it... just don't make me.

Having never been to San Francico, i can only say that i have heard of it's reputation... all full of hippie lefties. So, if i am looking for converts, i am not going to go preach to the choir. I am going to go where i will find the most amount of peeps that think different from me. If i am a conservative Christian, then it would make sense for me to go where all the leftie hippies are if i want some new converts.

Of course, i don't have a problem with people disagreeing with the people trying to find new converts...

That made my point crystal clear... lol.

leetee - 03/28/06 00:02
Yay that your first day of work went well! :)

paul - 03/27/06 23:58
I am so glad you liked your job

03/26/2006 12:14 #36685

Bad Timing
Category: estrip

I promised I would write about the new ©Picfeeder and ©Loudfeeder web apps -- although that was before I found out (e:Paul,4255) would throw me over for a Latina peep in a NYminute. ANYway...

I knew I might have some regrets about not getting the sexy, footloose, new MacBook. Don't get me wrong, I still stand behind my decision to go with the equally seductive but more anchored iMac. But having indulged my fantasy of untethered computing with my last two Mac laptops, then being forced to buy a PC laptop, (ok, nobody held a gun to my head, but I had a signed contract for 3 months onsite in Seattle that required I provide my own JSP development environment, so what else was I supposed to do?), I figured I was long overdue for something more substantial. Then (e:Paul,4256) goes and writes all these cool mobile apps for publishing "on the go." D'oh! You know I always wanted to be a roving reporter! This week alone I could be reporting "live" from San Francisco at any of these varied events listed for in the Chron's Pink Section:

NOISE POP FESTIVAL
The festival turns 14 with a jam-packed schedule of indie music, film and comedy at 16 Bay Area venues through April 2. It starts Tuesday at Bimbo's with the Flaming Lips

THE BUTTERFLY ZONE
Go eye to eye with a butterfly: At the Conservatory of Flowers' Butterfly Zone you can watch as butterflies do their thing amid the brightly colored blossoms.

SEX DIARIES
An ever-changing cast of characters read from their journals about getting freaky.

Now wouldn't that be fun? But no, all I get to do is snap pictures and grab sounds in my living room. Anyone want to help me pick out a ringtone? ;-)

But I did try out both apps and they ARE awesome, even though I don't have any content that would do them justice. Maybe when (e:Twisted,345)'s GetADate!® empire gets off the ground, I can justify buying a MacBook to record my interviews -- which not only would be an efficient use of time, but would also provide footage for the reality TV show demo tape. Not to mention an on-the-sly podcast for you guys, but that would be our little secret.

In the meantime, there must be some gizmo for the iPod that turns it into a camera/microphone, right? An iPod would be WAY more stealth -- I mean, convenient -- for my purposes. Hmmm ... I'll have to look into that.

So sorry I can't provide a podcast right now, but I'm working on it. In the meantime, check out the coverville

podcast. Even if you're not into Nick Lowe (happy birthday Nick!) at LEAST fast forward to "Cruel To Be Kind" (time marker 6:30) and sing along at full blast. It'll do you good, I promise. Hey, there's an idea for an estrip-produced podcast -- karaoke covers! Put (e:Mike) in charge of that.

p.s. -- you guys are so lucky. I clipped "Cruel To Be Kind" from the podcast and made it my usersound. So now you have no excuse. Come on everybody -- sing along!!

p.p.s. -- is it me or does Ian Gomm sound remarkably like Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner? Maybe I've just listened to that playlist one too many times. But I swear I can hear strains of Mardy Baum in the background. Maybe it could be a mash-up.