From a concert poster in my hood: Why so serious?

Reverse Solomon

Just pulled a "reverse Solomon" at work. A "reverse Solomon" is when a subordinate resolves the issue of two or more bickering managers. I'm pretty sure some guy at Harvard Business School has a jargon laden term for the concept. Something like, "inverted subordinate solution matrix validation and synchronization."

Regardless, I'm so content with myself. I think I will reward myself with some Styx.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

5 Songs That Instantly Put Me In a Better Mood

1. "Life is Just a Tire Swing" - Jimmy Buffett (Yes, I listen to Jimmy Buffett...I also wear sweatpants....don't judge.)

2. "Tangled Up in Blue" -Bob Dylan (I feel like I am rediscovering Dylan lately. Not a bad thing to rediscover.)

3. "Carry The Weight" - The Beatles (Not so much the lyrics, but the brass section interlude before the 1st chorus.)

4. "If You're Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough" -Roger Alan Wade (I generally think country music is pretty damn stupid, but for some reason this shenanigan anthem works for me.)

5. "Ghetto Pop Life" - Danger Mouse and Jemini (Not a huge fan of hip-hop, but DM produces some catchy tunes.)

Cat Catches Bat in Mid Air

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

I'm really diggin' the song "Life is Long" on David Byrne/Brian Eno's  new album.  You can listen to the whole album below or purchase the album (like I did) from http://www.everythingthathappens.com/ 

 

Dingo!

A gift for Aaron

I made this all by myself, with the help of a LOLCat builder:




Build your own LOLCat at: http://kscakes.com/LolCats/Default.aspx

25lbs at a Good Price

[link via And I Am Not Lying]

This explains everything...

Ever wonder why you when you try to swear via cellphone text you never get the predicted word you want? Here is an explanation (NSFW):

Test of iTunes Rentals and the Discovery of a Good Movie

So, last week Steve Jobs made some major announcements during his annual MacWorld Keynote address.  In addition to the MacBook Air and a new backup device called Time Capsule, he unveiled a new movie rental feature.  Users can download movies from the iTunes store and watch rented movies on their computer, their iPod, their iPhone, or if they have an Apple TV on their television sets.  

I tested out this new feature last night when I downloaded the foreign language film, "The Lives of Others" via iTunes.  The download cost $3.99 and it downloaded to my computer in about 30 minutes.  I watched the movie on my computer (22" widescreen monitor) this morning.  The picture looked pretty good and the sound quality was great.  I haven't viewed the film on my iPhone, but that will be my next test unless time expires.

Apparently, when you download a movie from iTunes you have to start watching it within 30 days of downloading.  And I'm OK with that.  However, once you start the film, you have to finish it within 24 hours.  In all honesty, 90% of the time this would be just fine.  I'm just worried about the times when I get pulled into some project (either at work or at home) and I am unable to get back to the movie within the 24 hour time frame.  I'm not sure why Apple chose this limit (maybe it was the studios), but I think it should be extended to the 30 day period.  

Tinkering with Blogger and My Somewhat New Camera

So I was going to write some diatribe on needing a vacation or some such thing, when I noticed a new button on Blogger.  Well, I think its new...for all I know it has been around since day 1.  Anywho, the button allows me, the user, to insert video for all to enjoy.  This is quite fortuitous because prior to my cruise last month, Christina and I bought a relatively cheap Sony video camera for $140.  

It takes pictures and video.  Here is an example of one of the pictures (and yes that is the ship we were on): 

And below is an example of some video I shot in Key West, I call it "Wild Cocks."

If you wondering about the subject matter, apparently Key West is filled with wild chickens.  Granted the image isn't the best, the zoom feature is clunky, and my last name isn't Spielberg, but for what we paid, I think the video is pretty decent.   

Here is a link to the camera:  http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644507277

Brace Yourself....for Science!

In an effort to be more energy efficient (and to mitigate our electric bill), the girlfriend and I have replaced most of the traditional light bulbs with more efficient incandescent bulbs.   According to the packaging, these bulbs require 75% less energy.

We replaced the bulbs in 4 ceiling fans (3 bulbs per fan), a hall light, the light fixture in the bathroom (2 bulbs) for a total of 15 bulbs.  We had previously replaced the bulbs in a 5th ceiling fan in the kitchen a few months ago, brining our grand total to 18  bulbs.  I think we spent about $40 for all of the bulbs, but I am too lazy to confirm this amount.   

Now for some benchmarks: 

From 11/19/07 through 12/21/07 we consumed a grand total of 273 kilowatts/hr, which resulted in a electric bill of $34.53.   I tried to find out what the average energy consumption is for a typical Chicago 2 bedroom apartment, but alas, Google failed me.  I suspect that we have a slightly higher monthly consumption for the following reasons: 

1.  I run a computer and a external hard drive 24/7.  I recently switched from a Dell PowerWhore to a Mac Mini (the Mini is quite amazing and I will at some point give it a proper blog posting, but I digress).  

2.  We have two fridges.  Well...not quite.  We have a 3/4 sized fridge that sucks for space and we have a mini fridge for beer, wine, and of course the girlfriend's mud (seriously, she stores mud she buys at place called Lush in our fridge).

Other than those two items, I suspect we are fairly average.  We both have an alarm clock, we share an 1100 watt microwave, we primarily watch the same television (although, sometimes I watch a small 15" television in the office).   

Predictions: 

I am not quite sure how much our consumption will drop based on the new bulbs.  Honestly, I think by our next bill our consumption will be around 260 kWh.  I'm basing this on the fact that during our last billing cycle we were on vacation for a week and I am installing these new bulbs half way through our billing cycle.  However, by March 6th, I honestly think we can hit 230 kWh, which would bring our bill to around $29.  

I'll send out a follow up posting in February and again in March to announce the results. 

Queen's English

So I was reading this article in The Economist today about the looming public transportation crisis set to screw a whole bunch of commuters (including myself) in Chicago and the neighboring suburbs when I came across this passage:

"Commuters will be forced to drive on already crowded roads or walk to a distant bus or train—this in the depths of winter, with pavements icy and kerbs surrounded by lakes of frigid slush."

...and I have to admit, I am in love with the UK spelling of 'curb.' To me the spelling of 'kerb' almost seems like an insult, as in, "drop dead you fucking kerb!" In this humble American writer's opinion, 'kerb' is ten times better than 'colour' or 'centre' could ever hope to be.

Anywho, just thought I would share. Oh, on a related note, the Brits call potato chips 'crisps.' I learned this term last night while watching a BBC documentary about an obese teenager that weighed "34 stone." (Apparently that is like 476 of our American 'pounds.')

Mmmmmmm.....crisps.....I could eat a stone of crisps whilst sitting on the kerb.

Initial Impressions

Cruise ships are filled with old people wearing "Members Only"
jackets. Seriously, I'm waiting to speak with the maître d' to take
care of our dinner seating and I count three of the vintage garments.

Travel Tip du Jour

Avoid Fort Lauderdale International Airport. It smells like urine.

Last Minute Xmas Ideas

Xmas is a mere 20 days away. If you are looking to get me something special, might I suggest these "Wonder Sauna Hot Pants"



(via Gizmodo)

Finnish Cover of YMCA

Registered Druid

A co-worker of mine used to have the thankless job of proofreading business cards. At least, it was a thankless job, until the day he came across these gems:




If you are having trouble reading the scan, click on it to make it bigger.

What's worse, the nonconsensual sodomy or being forced to perform Michael Jackson's "Thriller?"

Here is "Thriller" as performed by inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center located in the Philippines. I really like the prison skank in drag:

Swear Jar

If you are watching from work, you may want to keep the volume low or use headphones: