Author Archives

Nick

I swear, I’m not just paranoid

News, Rant, Television, Unexplained by

Considering how many notices we are getting on campus right now about flu in the newest pig flavor, I do have to wonder what’s going on. As you might remember, I’ve been a bit skeptical of swine flu since we started hearing about it several months ago.

And now a history lesson from CBS in 1979:

Just strikes me as strange that as early as 1976, the government was freaking everyone out about swine flu and forcing vaccinations – and here we are again. Could 1976 have been a trial run? Could this all just be terrible mismanagement and a fear-obsessed media causing organizations (like my school) to run scared? Is this as sinister as I am starting to suspect yet again?

(Thanks, Digg.)

Random Object Generator

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Installment #3:

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What is it? Interaction WALL-E

What’s its deal? travel gift from Kate to me following a visit to FAO Schwarz

Where does it live? bottom shelf of the TV stand by the XBox 360

Any notable facts? makes an ungodly racket and terrifies the cats, which is awesome to watch

Never clean again!

Technology, Want by
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I wish that’s what this development out of Purdue was promising. Specifically:

The polymer coatings, which can be applied to surfaces including glass and concrete, are 20,000 times thinner than a human hair and have two key layers: A bottom layer of polyethylene glycol, which attracts water, and an upper layer of a Teflon-like molecule that repels oil.

Oh, please be the way to white gloves that repel dirt a la The Diamond Age. I do love washing my car, but this would certainly free up many hours of my time.

(Thanks, GreenBiz.)

I hope this is a new feature

Art, Cars, Internet, Want by
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Jalopnik is a perennial favorite car blog read every day for me. I was delighted to see that they had a piece by Peter Orosz (of Hyperleggera fame) today under the heading of “Design Deconstructed.” The first case study was the 2010 Acura ZDX (a schizophrenic car if I’ve ever seen one.) I enjoyed reading what was essentially the same sort of autistic deconstruction of a motoring form that I myself often force upon the unlucky (Kate.) What most people see as nothing more than an appliance can send me through hundreds of words of compare and contrast. It was truly wonderful to read some else’s similar exploration – especially since I wouldn’t have necessarily chosen the same comparison cars. I’d love to see more Design Deconstructed breakdowns of today’s vehicles.

Here’s hoping it’s a recurring feature, Jalopnik!

(Fuck yo)UPS

Rant, Unexplained by

Thanks, UPS, you bunch of asshats who clearly live in a reality that is not the same as the rest of the Western hemisphere. Exactly WHO is not at work in the middle of the god damned day? I suppose there are retirees, unemployed and second or third shift people amongst your clientele but, by and large, people who receive packages are NOT FUCKING HOME DURING THE DAY! With this fact accepted, I have some questions:

  1. Why do you still insist upon delivering things that require signatures between the hours of 9 and 5?
  2. Why, too, do you refuse to allow me sign the Info Notice (there is a line on the back for this!) or leave a note with my signature as validation of delivery?
  3. Why do you specify that a second attempt will be made between time x and time y and then show up at time z?

To add further insult to this injury, calling 1-800-PICK-UPS (a pick me up it is not) results in a dumbfounded automated voice, two useless customer service reps (“David” and “Christopher” my foot,) and the revelation that you no longer offer second attempt delivery during the same day AND switching to a work address now incurs a $10 fee per package!

These are all WONDERFULLY consumer friendly practices, UPS. For your sake, I really hope that when the sorting center finally does call (as rep #3 promised they would) they CAN send the drive back out because the last I checked, 1:55 pm is BEFORE 2 – 5 and he FUCKED UP, not us.

Random Object Generator

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Installment #2:

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What is it? three ceramic cats

What’s its deal? Xmas gift from me to Kate, representing Andromeda, Narcissa and Bellatrix

Where does it live? end table to the left of the couch

Any notable facts? predicted the addition of Clyde and Rigel into the household well ahead of time

Humanthesizer?

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Calvin Harris has produced a wonderfully imaginative video experiment using his single “Ready for the Weekend.” I’ve never heard of Calvin Harris, but if the goal was to get me interested in his music, it’s worked because this is fantastically clever.

Thanks, boffins. (And TrendHunter.)

A lament for OiNK

Internet, Music, Technology by
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Do you remember OiNK? I do, because it was the best damned music downloading service (that I’m sure we would never have used, legal beagles we all are, yeah?) It was an absolute dream to use, had everything one could ever want and, of course, was free. Gizmodo posted a great summary of a podcast by Greg Kot on the failings of the music industry – specifically, how these missteps produced piracy. I was both surprised and delighted to see author Dan Nosowitz openly proclaim his love for OiNK. In so doing he rightly pointed out that there has still not been a true competitor for this BitTorrent tracker, not even Apple’s iTunes. The story is worth a read, and the podcast is probably worth a listen (I haven’t had time yet, myself, but Greg was highly entertaining when he was at the Lit House this past Spring.)

Random Object Generator

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My house is chock full of strange and interesting objects – so many that I often find myself zoning out while the stereo is on, trying my damnedest to remember what they all are. So, in an effort to aid in this process (and come up with easily generated blog posts,) I give you the Random Object Generator.

Installment #1:

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What is it? antique Japanese teapot

What’s its deal? present from Lindsie to me two Xmases ago

Where does it live? impossible to assemble Danish bookcases in the dining room

Any notable facts? was an awesome surprise of an Xmas gift, especially since it came with four matching teacups

Besides, who doesn’t enjoy taking a look at the knickknacks and gewgaws that other people surround themselves with?