So if you read about that teenager in South Carolina who was planning to blow up his school, some new information has emerged about him:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/29/teen.charged.ap/index.html
Yes that's right folks. He planned to die and go to Heaven and kill Jesus. I found this link through digg.com, and there were some pretty good comments. One person noted that "Jesus has a respawn time of 3 days." (a reference to video games, where your 'spawn time' is how long it takes for you to re-enter the game after dying).
Another insightful poster noted that Jesus is like some sort of "reverse-zombie", because "he rises from the dead, but the living feast on his flesh and drink his blood."
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Not Quite Back-to-work
The New York Times reports that "About 48 percent of West Coast members are unemployed, according to guild statistics.".
So even though the strike is over, not all of the writer's are going back to work. Almost half are going back to looking-for-work.
So even though the strike is over, not all of the writer's are going back to work. Almost half are going back to looking-for-work.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
What I was about to read
I picked up Unhooked at the library this past weekend. I thought it would be an interesting study of my generation and their dating habits, but then I got pissed. When was the last time someone criticized men about their sexual behavior? Give me a book that does that, and I will read it.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Hard Questions...
I haven't selected a presidential candidate to support yet. I am still trying to figure out what I believe would be the next best step for our country to take. I, of course, have more questions than answers. The first set of questions I have deal with the War on Terror.
9/11 happened seven years ago, and the United States has not experienced another attack from Al-Qaeda. I have been thinking of the following:
1. Did we grossly overestimate the threat Al-Qaeda posed to our country?
2. Was Bush and his administration correct by toppling the Tailban in Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq?
3. Have we just been extremely lucky and it's only a matter of time before our country is attacked again?
What do you think?
9/11 happened seven years ago, and the United States has not experienced another attack from Al-Qaeda. I have been thinking of the following:
1. Did we grossly overestimate the threat Al-Qaeda posed to our country?
2. Was Bush and his administration correct by toppling the Tailban in Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq?
3. Have we just been extremely lucky and it's only a matter of time before our country is attacked again?
What do you think?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Back when I had a job
It's amazing how quickly your whole life can change. Yesterday I was gainfully employed at a software development firm. Today I'm not.
The reason they gave for letting me go was that I wasn't "senior" enough for the position. Apparently through the interview process and my recommendations they assumed that I was a higher level developer than I really am. They were expecting someone who could work more independently than I have been capable of.
But seriously. No warning. You just walk in one day and it's "Hey man, we need to talk with you in the conference room". When my (now former) colleague gave me the news, I asked if he was joking twice. Twice!
So now the future is open to me. Do I search for a new job in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area? Do I jump right into my dream of living in California and move there with little more than a bookcase full of books and a prayer? Do I return to Boston with my tail between my legs and try to get rehired for my old position at Brightcove? Personally, I'd love to do the last one. But besides the fact that they might not take me back, I don't think it's a good idea to be breaking my lease (which isn't up until this November).
So I'm officially on the hunt for a software engineering job in the Metro DC area. Here we go again....!
The reason they gave for letting me go was that I wasn't "senior" enough for the position. Apparently through the interview process and my recommendations they assumed that I was a higher level developer than I really am. They were expecting someone who could work more independently than I have been capable of.
But seriously. No warning. You just walk in one day and it's "Hey man, we need to talk with you in the conference room". When my (now former) colleague gave me the news, I asked if he was joking twice. Twice!
So now the future is open to me. Do I search for a new job in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area? Do I jump right into my dream of living in California and move there with little more than a bookcase full of books and a prayer? Do I return to Boston with my tail between my legs and try to get rehired for my old position at Brightcove? Personally, I'd love to do the last one. But besides the fact that they might not take me back, I don't think it's a good idea to be breaking my lease (which isn't up until this November).
So I'm officially on the hunt for a software engineering job in the Metro DC area. Here we go again....!
Monday, January 14, 2008
I LOVE BROWN!
(I am writing this post after attending a Brown alumni party.)
If you have gone to a "good" school, you are required to be modest. While people from state schools have their college's name written on every piece of athletic gear they own, you are supposed to barely mention where you went to school and when you do, don't even spend too much time talking about it because you will look like a snob. Well, I'm going to admit I LOVE BROWN. I loved the a cappella groups (all fourteen of them), the crazy liberals, the small Greek life, and all the crazy, brilliant, and dorky people I met.
I miss college so much sometimes. The environment in college was so intellectually stimulating. I got to take cool courses that challenged me, I met new people regularly, and had the time to attend readings and lectures. In the real world, it's the same thing every day....
P.S. There you go, Travis. It's a lame post, but it's a post.
If you have gone to a "good" school, you are required to be modest. While people from state schools have their college's name written on every piece of athletic gear they own, you are supposed to barely mention where you went to school and when you do, don't even spend too much time talking about it because you will look like a snob. Well, I'm going to admit I LOVE BROWN. I loved the a cappella groups (all fourteen of them), the crazy liberals, the small Greek life, and all the crazy, brilliant, and dorky people I met.
I miss college so much sometimes. The environment in college was so intellectually stimulating. I got to take cool courses that challenged me, I met new people regularly, and had the time to attend readings and lectures. In the real world, it's the same thing every day....
P.S. There you go, Travis. It's a lame post, but it's a post.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Fat without the PH
Today is my birthday. Whoopee! It's hard to get excited, since I'm not really celebrating it. Granted, Sheila made me some cupcakes and they were delicious!
It strikes me that if you didn't make a new year's resolution, or you haven't really been living up to it, your birthday is a great time to make a new one or to get back on track. You've been alive an entire year longer. Why not resolve to do better in the coming year? Which is to say that I'm totally getting fat, but I'm too lazy to do anything about it, like start exercising. I am the epitome of American obesity.
Quite honestly, it's hard for me to appreciate that I'm now 23 years old. Like, turning 21 was a big deal. It was a "finally I'm an adult" type moment and it came right after I started my first big bad new job of my adult life. Turning 22 was cute in a "Oh haha, look there's something after 21" kind of way. But 23? What a mutt. Turning 23 does nothing but remind me that my early twenties are almost gone. In a year I will firmly be in my mid-twenties.
Better go out there and do something with myself before I get too fat to leave my bed.
It strikes me that if you didn't make a new year's resolution, or you haven't really been living up to it, your birthday is a great time to make a new one or to get back on track. You've been alive an entire year longer. Why not resolve to do better in the coming year? Which is to say that I'm totally getting fat, but I'm too lazy to do anything about it, like start exercising. I am the epitome of American obesity.
Quite honestly, it's hard for me to appreciate that I'm now 23 years old. Like, turning 21 was a big deal. It was a "finally I'm an adult" type moment and it came right after I started my first big bad new job of my adult life. Turning 22 was cute in a "Oh haha, look there's something after 21" kind of way. But 23? What a mutt. Turning 23 does nothing but remind me that my early twenties are almost gone. In a year I will firmly be in my mid-twenties.
Better go out there and do something with myself before I get too fat to leave my bed.
Friday, January 11, 2008
I'm Virtually Burned Out
World of Warcraft is the largest and most popular MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) in existence today. It is estimated that at any given time, hundreds of thousands of users are logged on to the system. People, some of whom I've met in person and worked with, have become massively addicted to the game. They delight in traveling great distances through the gigantic virtual world, or accomplishing quests that involve defeating creatures and collecting items.
Me? I just couldn't really get into it.
I tried, you see. Around this time last year, I downloaded the WoW application and logged on to my free trial account. I traipsed across the world, killing small trolls and collecting trinkets. But it never really 'stuck' for me. I never was able to become really engaged in the virtual world.
I think I burned myself out when it comes to MMO games by playing an online MUD all through high school. This was a text-based dungeon, similar to the "Zork" games but with multiple players. I took two characters (a ranger and a necromancer) all the way to level 50 though killing NPCs (non-player characters) and roleplay. I must have logged hundreds of hours on the game, staying up late into the early morning on weekends.
After that, the prospect of "bumming around" a virtual world again simply doesn't appeal to me. Especially a graphical one. All I can think about is the expressive power of plain text when it comes to role playing. That, and the fact that I never figured out how to make virtual friends in these virtual environments.
Me? I just couldn't really get into it.
I tried, you see. Around this time last year, I downloaded the WoW application and logged on to my free trial account. I traipsed across the world, killing small trolls and collecting trinkets. But it never really 'stuck' for me. I never was able to become really engaged in the virtual world.
I think I burned myself out when it comes to MMO games by playing an online MUD all through high school. This was a text-based dungeon, similar to the "Zork" games but with multiple players. I took two characters (a ranger and a necromancer) all the way to level 50 though killing NPCs (non-player characters) and roleplay. I must have logged hundreds of hours on the game, staying up late into the early morning on weekends.
After that, the prospect of "bumming around" a virtual world again simply doesn't appeal to me. Especially a graphical one. All I can think about is the expressive power of plain text when it comes to role playing. That, and the fact that I never figured out how to make virtual friends in these virtual environments.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Edwards must be pissed!
John Kerry endorsed Barack Obama today. That's a pretty much a slap in the face to John Edwards, who was Kerry's running mate in 2004. Before everyone starts revising their Black History Month curriculum to incorporate Obama, I would like to argue that Hillary still has a chance. (As well as McCain...)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Fuzzy Images
If you've never used Skype before, where have you been? I remember that people were addicted to it back in 2002 and even earlier. The basic premise is that you use your internet connection to make phone calls. But don't confuse this with VoIP services such as Vonage. Those technologies operate at a lower technical level.
Anyways, I tried Skype for the first time a little while ago to chat with my girlfriend who lives in Boston (while I live in Southern Maryland near DC). We realized that we both had video cameras attached to our computers, so why not try a live video chat. It was very exciting for about the first 5 seconds. But honestly, the image was grainy-looking and choppy, and most of the time quite out of sync with the sound coming through. All I could think about while using this technology is some 2 year old kid somewhere being held up by his Mom and told to wave at Daddy who's stationed in Iraq. Or maybe an international grad student trying to talk to family back home in Uzbekistan.
Also, when you're logged into Skype, there's a "Skype Me" status which basically advertises that you'd like random strangers to contact you. Am I the only one that thinks that's a bit weird?
Either way, it's just not for me. I'll stick to cell phones and normal voice calls for now.
Anyways, I tried Skype for the first time a little while ago to chat with my girlfriend who lives in Boston (while I live in Southern Maryland near DC). We realized that we both had video cameras attached to our computers, so why not try a live video chat. It was very exciting for about the first 5 seconds. But honestly, the image was grainy-looking and choppy, and most of the time quite out of sync with the sound coming through. All I could think about while using this technology is some 2 year old kid somewhere being held up by his Mom and told to wave at Daddy who's stationed in Iraq. Or maybe an international grad student trying to talk to family back home in Uzbekistan.
Also, when you're logged into Skype, there's a "Skype Me" status which basically advertises that you'd like random strangers to contact you. Am I the only one that thinks that's a bit weird?
Either way, it's just not for me. I'll stick to cell phones and normal voice calls for now.
Monday, January 7, 2008
"We're black. We don't cut our hair..."
That is what my cousin Tasha said after a woman in the elevator commented on her the length of her son's hair and expressed concern that people would mistake him for a girl. My cousin laughed and said the above, when she told me the story later. Anyone with a lick of sense would realize he had "good hair," soft little curls that could be easily controlled with a wet brush.
I don't have hair like my cousin's child. My hair is nappy, only made manageable after slathering my roots with a concoction of chemicals with the consistency of mayonnaise. For the first week after I "perm", relax, or chemically straighten my hair, I love my hair. It curls perfectly, lies flat, and behaves. I wrap it in a scarf each night and it falls into place the next morning. But that soon fades. My hair grows into tight little coils near my scalp that must be straightened again.
I don't use harsh relaxers that sting and burn my scalp. The process to straighten my hair isn't particularly time-consuming. Despite how easy it is to get it done, I know it is not good for my hair. My hair is perpetually dry. I try not to wash it often and deep condition it when I do. I all but gave up using a blow dryer out of fear of heat damage. My hair snaps, breaks, and needs to be brushed from my shoulders.
I should cut my hair, go natural, and grow a luscious little afro, but I won't. I fear that I will not longer look attractive...too ethnic...like a Negro. With my a wide nose, thick lips, and skin considerably darker than Halle Berry or Beyonce (or any other popular black celebrity that manages to be a mainstream sex object), I fear that I will no longer be found attractive by the white men that control the media and the black men who eagerly accept this standard of beauty. Even when I read magazines like Essence which celebrates black women, I find myself seeing photograph after photograph of black women with sleek, dark hair lengthened by flawlessly camouflaged extensions. (Don't even get me started on the blonde highlights.)
I ultimately believe a woman should do whatever the hell she wants to do with their appearance. I don't judge women for straitening their hair, dyeing it, braiding it, or shaving it off. I'm just ashamed that I hate the way my hair is when it is natural...
I don't have hair like my cousin's child. My hair is nappy, only made manageable after slathering my roots with a concoction of chemicals with the consistency of mayonnaise. For the first week after I "perm", relax, or chemically straighten my hair, I love my hair. It curls perfectly, lies flat, and behaves. I wrap it in a scarf each night and it falls into place the next morning. But that soon fades. My hair grows into tight little coils near my scalp that must be straightened again.
I don't use harsh relaxers that sting and burn my scalp. The process to straighten my hair isn't particularly time-consuming. Despite how easy it is to get it done, I know it is not good for my hair. My hair is perpetually dry. I try not to wash it often and deep condition it when I do. I all but gave up using a blow dryer out of fear of heat damage. My hair snaps, breaks, and needs to be brushed from my shoulders.
I should cut my hair, go natural, and grow a luscious little afro, but I won't. I fear that I will not longer look attractive...too ethnic...like a Negro. With my a wide nose, thick lips, and skin considerably darker than Halle Berry or Beyonce (or any other popular black celebrity that manages to be a mainstream sex object), I fear that I will no longer be found attractive by the white men that control the media and the black men who eagerly accept this standard of beauty. Even when I read magazines like Essence which celebrates black women, I find myself seeing photograph after photograph of black women with sleek, dark hair lengthened by flawlessly camouflaged extensions. (Don't even get me started on the blonde highlights.)
I ultimately believe a woman should do whatever the hell she wants to do with their appearance. I don't judge women for straitening their hair, dyeing it, braiding it, or shaving it off. I'm just ashamed that I hate the way my hair is when it is natural...
Is that what you really think Graydon Carter?
My new issue of Vanity Fair arrived today. The first thing I did was turn to the "Editor's Letter." Although I disagree with Graydon Carter on 99.9% of political issues, I do admire him for using some prime magazine real estate to encourage readers to think critically about our current president's record (i.e. attack George W. Bush). In the February issue, Carter goes a little too far and claims episode titles from The Office should be turned into chapter headings "for a biography of our soon-to-be-ex president." Here is an example:
"The Early Years: "Cocktails"; "Booze Cruise"; "Business School"
I think that is barely clever. Leave humor to the professionals.
On a happier note, if you are a woman I URGE you to use Johnson's Creamy Baby Oil. It moisturizes (without making your skin greasy) and makes your skin sooo soft.
"The Early Years: "Cocktails"; "Booze Cruise"; "Business School"
I think that is barely clever. Leave humor to the professionals.
On a happier note, if you are a woman I URGE you to use Johnson's Creamy Baby Oil. It moisturizes (without making your skin greasy) and makes your skin sooo soft.
Supreme Battle for the Future Of Our Country
There is a battle raging on as we speak. A Supreme Battle which will determine the very fate of the USA, and perhaps the whole world!
I'm speaking of course, of the Presidential Campaigns of those seeking either the Republican or Democrat nomination for president in 2008. Now I'll admit, I don't really know alot about how primaries work. I'm not completely clear on how voting in a primary translates into a candidate.
But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching the potential candidates beat the living crap out of each other. That's right, the folks at Atom Films have had the brilliant idea of creating a flash game where the potential candidates take center stage and duke it out for the ultimate prize.
I have to admit that as a game, it's a bit too difficult. The controls are clunky and the AI is totally unfair (it seems to always be blocking at just the right time). But as a concept, this sucker is pure gold. Have fun!
I'm speaking of course, of the Presidential Campaigns of those seeking either the Republican or Democrat nomination for president in 2008. Now I'll admit, I don't really know alot about how primaries work. I'm not completely clear on how voting in a primary translates into a candidate.
But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching the potential candidates beat the living crap out of each other. That's right, the folks at Atom Films have had the brilliant idea of creating a flash game where the potential candidates take center stage and duke it out for the ultimate prize.
I have to admit that as a game, it's a bit too difficult. The controls are clunky and the AI is totally unfair (it seems to always be blocking at just the right time). But as a concept, this sucker is pure gold. Have fun!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Good afternoon!
In an effort to save money, I'm trying to replace my NY Times Sunday Edition ($5) addiction with the Washington Post ($1.50). I thought it would be easy, but it's pretty damn difficult. I guess I could start by making a list why the Post is superior to the Times.
Why I love the Post:
1. The early edition of the Sunday paper is sold on Saturday.
2. The price.
3. Book World is not so bad: "Poet's Choice," a column written by Robert Pinsky is fantastic, plus their Literary Calendar lists all the cool readings I never have time to go to during the week.
4. Coupons!
5. The comics. (They are never that funny, but they are in color.)
6. No Maureen Dowd.
7. The wedding announcements are not full of people that make me feel like a loser.
That is about it. The Post should really consider working on their magazine. Their cover pieces is always some silly story about a local girl's soccer team or something even more boring.
Sigh...I may have to walk to 7-11 to buy the NY Times...
Why I love the Post:
1. The early edition of the Sunday paper is sold on Saturday.
2. The price.
3. Book World is not so bad: "Poet's Choice," a column written by Robert Pinsky is fantastic, plus their Literary Calendar lists all the cool readings I never have time to go to during the week.
4. Coupons!
5. The comics. (They are never that funny, but they are in color.)
6. No Maureen Dowd.
7. The wedding announcements are not full of people that make me feel like a loser.
That is about it. The Post should really consider working on their magazine. Their cover pieces is always some silly story about a local girl's soccer team or something even more boring.
Sigh...I may have to walk to 7-11 to buy the NY Times...
Saturday, January 5, 2008
A To-Do List
I have plans to see J.M.W. Turner exhibit at the National Gallery of Art before it closes. I don't know too much about Turner, but I've heard excellent reviews about the exhibition. I want to take advantage of the fact that I no longer live in South Carolina where there were just a handful of museums.
Other things on my to-do list:
1. Annie Leibovitz's at the Corcoran Gallery of Art (until January 13, 2008)
2. Iranian Film Festival
3. Watch Juno
Other things on my to-do list:
1. Annie Leibovitz's at the Corcoran Gallery of Art (until January 13, 2008)
2. Iranian Film Festival
3. Watch Juno
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Climates Are A-Changin'
Last night I watched the "How It All Ends" video (http://wonderingmind42.com/) which has been getting a lot of buzz on the internet. I must admit that the guy is pretty charismatic. I saw An Inconvenient Truth probably in November of 2006, and I became a believer. Forget Saw III, that documentary is a scary movie. I believe that Global Climate Change is definitely caused by humans, and there are specific steps we need to take to halt it.
Luckily I live in Maryland, so I have Senators and Representatives that I can contact. I've totally emailed my representatives before, but I have a feeling that emailing is the most ignored form of communications possible. Think of all those sites that let you just type in your email address and send a form letter. Though I suppose that if the representative's office gets totally bombarded by a certain email form, they're forced to pay attention.
Luckily I live in Maryland, so I have Senators and Representatives that I can contact. I've totally emailed my representatives before, but I have a feeling that emailing is the most ignored form of communications possible. Think of all those sites that let you just type in your email address and send a form letter. Though I suppose that if the representative's office gets totally bombarded by a certain email form, they're forced to pay attention.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
I promise I won't say the "I" word too much....
It's difficult being in a classroom all day (for professional development) and not being close to a computer with Internet access. Sadly, I didn't need to obsessively check CNN.com every five minutes to know that the media is obsessed with the Iowa Caucuses. (As they should be.) I predict (or mostly likely pray) Barack Obama will kick ass. Then we can be treated to a flurry of newspaper reports about the first "real" black candidate for president. (Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were just jokes where people didn't know the punchlines.)
I'm don't care about the Republicans yet. We have to wait until South Carolina to figure out which candidate seduced the evangelicals. I'm sure it won't be difficult for someone like Giuliani to do this. After Pat Robertson's endorsement of Giuliani, our nation learned the "evangelical" movements acts like a cheap slut that will give it up to any man who promises them a date to the Inaugural Ball.
I'm don't care about the Republicans yet. We have to wait until South Carolina to figure out which candidate seduced the evangelicals. I'm sure it won't be difficult for someone like Giuliani to do this. After Pat Robertson's endorsement of Giuliani, our nation learned the "evangelical" movements acts like a cheap slut that will give it up to any man who promises them a date to the Inaugural Ball.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year, Seriously
There's an utter lack of accountability when it comes to New Year's resolutions. Those who are part of the weight loss device industry love the fact that the most common resolution is consistently "Lose Weight". I feel like most people, however, don't have a real plan for their weight loss. They're not taking up a diet or exercise regimen. It's just a wishy-washy, hand-waving sort of "what-I-would-like-to-change-about-myself" statement. Given that, in 2006, the average individual television watcher watched 4 hours and 35 minutes of television per day, I think that "watch less television" should be the most common New Year's resolution. They're called 'books' in case you've never heard of them.
Which is a wonderful way to admit that my own New Year's resolution is "make more music". It's something I love, and I simply don't do it enough. This is a good resolution because it's nicely vague, and there's no readily apparent metric to measure my success or failure.
If you disagree with me and think that New Year's resolutions are actually useful, have I got the website for you! 43 Things is a rounded-corners, web 2.0-y website where you list your goals, find others who share the same goals, and endlessly comment and recommend goals for each other. Of course, like most "social" websites, it works best if you have some friends that are doing it with you.
Happy New Year!
Which is a wonderful way to admit that my own New Year's resolution is "make more music". It's something I love, and I simply don't do it enough. This is a good resolution because it's nicely vague, and there's no readily apparent metric to measure my success or failure.
If you disagree with me and think that New Year's resolutions are actually useful, have I got the website for you! 43 Things is a rounded-corners, web 2.0-y website where you list your goals, find others who share the same goals, and endlessly comment and recommend goals for each other. Of course, like most "social" websites, it works best if you have some friends that are doing it with you.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
It's finally 2008. I typically don't have any new year's resolutions, but I figure I could give it a try this year. They are listed below.
1. Find a presidential candidate to support. I hate all the Republican choices, as well as all of the Democrats. (I know for sure I will not vote for Rudy Giuliani. If you think the Clintons appeared as if they took a limo from the trailer park to the White House, I don't even know how I can begin to describe Rudy. He is on his third wife, and I'm sure his son hates him.)
2. Stop reading Cosmo.
3. Write on this blog.
Happy New Year!
1. Find a presidential candidate to support. I hate all the Republican choices, as well as all of the Democrats. (I know for sure I will not vote for Rudy Giuliani. If you think the Clintons appeared as if they took a limo from the trailer park to the White House, I don't even know how I can begin to describe Rudy. He is on his third wife, and I'm sure his son hates him.)
2. Stop reading Cosmo.
3. Write on this blog.
Happy New Year!
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