July 2003 Archives

Thanks to the link from Ain't too proud to blog, I had a few more passersby this weekend. Me and 4 others were singled out for weekend reading pleasure. Thanks, Robyn. The other honors went to:

'round the bend - a little cheeky
adampsyche - makes me wanna holla
SquidBlog - day-to-day with Squiddy
hey-lisa.com - longing for simpler days

Click here to see past reading suggestions by Ain't too proud.

Take the time, visit the site, read the information, do your part, get the T-shirt and help the little guy take on the unbalanced legal actions by the over powerful, well funded RIAA. While I do NOT support P2P file-sharing to the extent of a utopian style love festival where music is free and the artist's work is viewed as a humanitarian contribution to the universe, I DO believe that the RIAA is using its awesome power and legal maneuvering to cling to a dying business model. As the EFF points out, there are many business models where the artist can be paid for their work and P2P file-sharing can exist. The following was taken directly from the EFF Site:

Imagine a world where technology can empower us all to share knowledge, ideas, thoughts, humor, music, words and art with friends, strangers and future generations. That world is here and now, made possible with the electronic network -- the Internet -- with the power to connect us all. And future developments in technology will enable us to access information and communicate with others in even more powerful ways.

Based in San Francisco, EFF is a donor-supported membership organization working to protect our fundamental rights regardless of technology; to educate the press, policymakers and the general public about civil liberties issues related to technology; and to act as a defender of those liberties. Among our various activities, EFF opposes misguided legislation, initiates and defends court cases preserving individuals' rights, launches global public campaigns, introduces leading edge proposals and papers, hosts frequent educational events, engages the press regularly, and publishes a comprehensive archive of digital civil liberties information at one of the most linked-to websites in the world: http://www.eff.org

The Wall Street Journal reported today that women have steadily been pushing the fashion boundaries and Islamic law governing their outerwear.

Crackdowns just help business, Ms. Alf insists. She has been through them before. "The more they tighten the leash, the more resolve women get. It's one fight the clerics will never win." read the story.

Apparently, the women of the Islamic world are tired of looking like a head-to-toe black blob and are opting for sexy, figure hugging alternatives that feature leg revealing slits and brighter colors. The government's attempts to "crack down" has only caused increased demand and more creative designs. The new law of slits being no longer than six inches from the ankle hemline has spurred the creation of a zippered slit from hemline to waist, allowing women to adjust at a moment's notice. You go, Arab girl!

9 January 04: Sorry to all those I upset with the geographical mistake. Now corrected, that should have been, "You go, Persian girl!"

This is disgusting! As someone who was there (me) or from the point of view of someone who wasn't (you or others) we should all find this to be of extremely poor taste. Some idiot decided to make an adventure game based on the "survivability" of a business man/woman in the World Trade Towers during 9-11. Check it out and send your hate mail here: 9-11 Survivor.

PS: You might want to include in your tirade that they obviously don't know how to spell survivor either, as it only has one "I".

If you're short on cash but still crave a new Mac (or older model even) you can always download the cut-out version of your new baby and look at how nice your desk will be once you have the cash. Take a look at Paper Mac's Origami Collection. What a trip!

The Apple iD is a smart, sleek all-in-one device. As a PIM, MP3 player, camera, web-browser and world phone, consider it your mobile connection to your digital hub. As a BlueTooth enabled device with Airport Extreme the iD uses voice over IP and the included web-camera to become a global video phone. Plus the camera takes 1.5MP snapshots when you're on the go. The iD packs a powerful software package on its 4OG firewire drive that allows you to work hard and play hard.

Included software:
• iNotes to Stickies
• iCal
• iTunes
• iChat
• iPhotoLite
• Apple Mail
• Address Book
• SafariLite
• iSync

* The above represents a daydream only and is not yet available for purchase - nor it is in any way connected with Apple.

Its been ten months since I succumbed to the crushing blow of LADA and went KETO. Today I have a blood test to gauge my progress toward normal sugar levels and the overall health of my endocrine system. I feel good about it as I tested at 109 this morning and have a fourteen day average of 113. That's very good, nay perfect and should reflect in the metabolic panel and hemoglobin A1C. Here's to health.

The best bar in Brooklyn. Cast your vote here. While I'd prefer that you cast you ballot for Magnetic Field as it is my personal favorite watering hole, be sure to vote either way at Citysearch.

If your stuck, I'll add my pitch for Fields as those in the know call it: with live music every Saturday and DJs Thursday-Saturday, plus the chance to spin your own platters on Mondays, how can you go wrong? Oh yeah they also have a pretty swanky bar staff and great cold brews on tap.

The above is given as a pure and unsolicited opinion and I have no financial or other personal motivation in making the above statements other that its a cool place that needs to do well and make money so that I can continue to frequent there with my friends. Although, I won't turn down a free Sierra if the mood strikes 'em.

I was just checking out the I'm feeling lucky! option of BlogRolling when I happened upon the opportunity to Go to Hell. May freedom of speech move us all to happier ground!

SimCity4 is finally released and shipping to a store near me, 4 months late. Nice job on the timetable, boys. Maybe that's what version 4 means. 4-ever delayed. 4 PC users only. 4 us at Aspyr to play while you tide yourself over with Tropico.

I can't imagine why the Mac version of SimCity experienced so many delays before hitting the store shelves. There have to be dozens (::grin::) of desperate gamers, Maxis fans, and strategy hobbyists who have been waiting months to actually plop down $50 to satisfy an overdue itch. But the wait is over, or will be in about 7-10 days according to Aspyr - authors of the Mac version. This game was originally suggested to be out in March, but the game status page kept updating and pushing out the timetable. After a 4-5 month delay its too bad they don't offer downloaded versions as I would have opted that way so I could play today, saving them printing, packaging and shipping. Ah well. In the future I guess.