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| Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 |
andygates
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10:13p |
Just sayin'
Obama's campaign has in-game ads in Burnout Paradise. McCain's is fighting Youtube's lawyers over the DMCA.
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ino_chii
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5:06p |
My hero Current Mood:  contentCurrent Music: None |
kittiethedragon
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5:00p |
...wow.
I called someone on their drama-whoring bitching about the current Monthly collectibles on Gaia and... they said nothing. No one argued. Utter silence.
I actually won an internet argument.
Holy Shit. |
kat1031
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1:59p |
Schadenfreude, part zwei Time must be reading my blog. Current Mood:  giggly |
senator_jaiz
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4:59p |
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grian_ruadh
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1:54p |
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diello
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4:52p |
The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Recession (this whole entry is copied/pasted from Jezebel.com)
When the market crashed in '29, people were probably kind of shocked. But when our Recession hit, we were ready! Within five minutes, experts were cranking out lists of ways to stay 'fabulous' on a budget, become a "recessionista," treat the economic downturn like the opportunity for fun and self-celebration that everything ultimately is! Who doesn't love to see rich people doling out incredibly obvious tips that anyone who isn't a millionaire has already been doing forever? But for those for whom "not being rich" is a delightful, Marie Antoinette-style novelty, I bring you the Ultimate Recession Guide for Dummies.
Buy Cheap Shit: Buying less expensive stuff seems to have come as a revelation to a lot of people. Like, surprise! There are generics! And bulk prices! And cheap stores like Target! And they make stuff! And you can buy it! And it's kind of like expensive stuff but it's cheaper! Buy Old Shit:Did you realize that there are actually places where you can buy things that aren't new? I know, this is Big. It may gross you out - this is a recurring meme - but sometimes you can find really awesome things at places like "thrift stores." And "consignment stores." And on "eBay." And via "swaps." (Swaps are very big right now.) And sometimes the old things? Are different from the things you can find in new stores! You Don't Need To Own Everything! Okay, brace yourselves. There are these things called libraries where you can get books for free. They even have music! And movies! You know what else you can do? Borrow stuff from other people and then give it back. Don't Buy Stuff You Don't Need: Hard to grasp, I know. But if you think about what to buy, you apparently spend less. Make StuffThere are many earnest tips about cooking your own food instead of going to restaurants. It is cheaper, you see. Apparently you can also sew on your own buttons and iron stuff instead of getting it dry-cleaned. Do Less of Expensive Stuff:We know, we know: it's really hard to not take cabs everywhere and not get weekly pedicures and facials and buy high heels. Because we want to, and we don't like to not get stuff we want! But the thing is, that stuff is apparently very expensive and - wait for it - not essential. Get Crappy, Small Amounts of Expensive Stuff :This kind of thing is really big on these lists. Like, going to expensive restaurants but then just ordering an appetizer or something. Or not ordering wine. Half of the alleged "cheap eats" issues are just this kind of crumminess, which sounds like a recipe for a)hunger and b)depression. Also big: getting free services from, like, massage schools and beauty academies. As someone who has done this a lot, it's seriously no substitute for the real thing. Be Crafty:Suddenly everybody's really into the novelty of coupon-clipping, and getting airfare deals and early bird specials and various other schemes that seem to take a lot of time and sound like awesome ideas to various rich editors who don't need to do them. Pretend Being Broke Is Really Fun: Swaps, various at-home functions and girls' nights in are another popular bromide. For those of us who don't go out, sure. I'm guessing the Cosmo brigade whose weekends consist of some SATC club marathon aren't going to really find an evening of Scrabble and Netflix an acceptable substitute. Wait, what am I saying? Those dames don't buy their own drinks! Don't Be A Moron: Basically, all of these tips can fit under this heading. "Live the way most of us do already" would be another good one. But since we all really enjoy frugality tips from rich people, please, keep patronizing us. It's a form of free entertainment we've been onto for years! |
shugenja
|
4:33p |
Take Me Down, But Know The Truth
I am generally averse to mocking what someone else likes. I slip sometimes, I know. But one of the reasons I don't often post opinions here or write scathing Amazon reviews is that I don't see the point. If you like something - be it music, book, or movie - I grant that that's your prerogative, even if I happen to think it's awful. I especially shy away from making a negative generalization in a public or semi-public forum such as LJ.
Let's take an example. I loathe D&D 4th edition. It has its improvements and cool bits, but overall, I have no desire whatsoever to play it and I will purchase no more products. That's me. I don't have any desire to see WoTC overrun by angry Gnomish druids and the employees thrown to rabid wolverines. Nor, on a slightly less drastic and more reality-based note, do I want them to go under for what was obviously a horrible rewrite of a nearly perfect game*, which seems to be a theme among those who share my opinion of the edition.
I also have absolutely no antagonism in my heart for those who adore it. I don't want to play in their games, but I wish them many an orc slain.
Now, I'll mock things privately, when I am fairly sure that no proponent of whatever I'm slamming is present. Usually, I still mean it as a joke. I was, admittedly, a little less jocular about 4th edition, but that was mostly disappointment speaking. I enjoy buying new game stuff and my dislike closed a whole line off to me.
What baffles me is the need to publicly trash [insert novel/group/movie/etc. here] and either say or insinuate that anybody who likes it must be a moron. This is especially strange to me if one does so in a place where fans of X are likely to see it. What purpose does it serve?
(Yes, I saw something like this today. No, it was not about D&D.)
*N.B. Sarcasm, folks.
Current Music: And She Would Darken the Memory of Youth - The Twilight Sad |
multiplexer
|
4:44p |
Be afraid. Be Afraid. BE AFRAID!
I am sitting here wondering why John McCain's "Be AFRAID" campaign scare tactics are driving people away. For a while I thought, well okay, perhaps we are all watching the stock market crash and that's really pretty scary. But it's sort of bigger than that.
Going back to, oh, Nixon, the Conservative attack line has always had this boogie man: the Viet Cong, Dirty Commies, the Russians, Al Qaida, terrifying gay people who might SING, and our new favorite, nebulous ill-defined "Terrorists." The terrorist line worked pretty well in 2004 for the Republicans. People were scared! Scared of nebulous people who might be scary! They might do things and oh dear God will you remember September 11th already! Oh say can you seeeeeeeeeee....
Here we are in 2008 with a great big stinking very real October surprise (SURPRISE!) on our hands and the boogie man is -- us. We all need to be afraid of... what exactly? Credit cards? The state of Delaware?* New York City? Pants? We are all afraid and we have no idea what to be afraid of but we damn well know we are good and afraid! Along comes people to tell us who to be afraid of! YAY!!! So from the GOP we have:
A. Be afraid of some old 60s baby boomer white dude who did something in 1970.**
B. Be afraid of brown people -- as all brown people are MUSLIM TERRORISTS.
C. Be afraid of (the scariest of all) community organizers. Especially community organizers who deal with poor and possibly brown people!
Here's the deal. First off, none of this is scary. Second off, it all hits a little too close to home on the person front. Commies or Russians or Viet Cong are far away. They might as well be on another planet. But community organizers? People canvassing? This quickly becomes: "fear your neighbors, your coworkers and your friends." Be afraid of your neighbor because they might be brown/a terrorist from the 1970s/a community organizer. Maybe that would sort of work in a sort of way if the economy would stop, I don't know, sucking. But in the face of reality, it's really silly.
Third, and more importantly: IT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE AFRAID OF! Terrorists are LAST WEEK! Get a new villain, dude! Like... like... like Skyler! Or Mohinder! REALLY! We're afraid of REAL THINGS NOW! REALITY!
Anyway.
The SunTrust bank branch across the street from my gym closed and there's a big 'call for leasing' sign on the building. I am relatively certain that bank used to be there. The ATMs were boarded over. I don't know why it bothered me so much, but seeing an actual bank branch closed is much more real than some numbers on a screen. And I thought: "This is Maryland. This is next to the Federal Government. We are some of the biggest leeches in the nation and the economy of Maryland isn't going anywhere except some minor rough spots. I cannot imagine what it must be like back in the land of the flyover." That's real and tangible.
People must be going: my local bank branch has gone under. I see "for lease" signs everywhere. Maybe this stuff is real. And they look for the calmest and coolest guy in the room and say, well, okay, he's black, but at least he's not screaming about terrorists and he can string words together in a sentence. Let's go with him.
In other news: does anyone know why the hell the SysReq key is still on keyboard? Anyone? A CICS*** thing?
* Delaware, I am so on to you.
** I am actually quite aware of the Weather Underground and I do believe they should have gone to prison.
*** CICS -- Also a terrorist! |
kimboosan
|
4:41p |
Damn you, Kid Rock!
Every time I hear the opening chords/notes/whatever (yes, I totally know nothing about music) to his new song on the radio (yes, I do listen to the radio), I think "WHOA! Zevon's Werewolves of London! Aces!!!!"
...only to be severely, utterly, tragically disappointed.
Since the song is referencing Sweet Home Alabama I have to assume that the opening is actually part of THAT song, but it sure sounds like Werewolves of London to me. |
otto_germain
|
1:37p |
( Art behind the cut. )1 hr on Skizzetag - 1 page done. 1.25 hrs on Herobot - Just need to finish dropping the text onto the finished pages, and this thing's ready to go. |
kittiethedragon
|
4:08p |
FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY!
If you didn't see X's facebook thing, it happens. But I'm moving on Friday! We need able-bodied souls willing to trek out to Staten Island, help us load our truck, and meet us in Astoria to UN-load same truck! If you help out, there will be pizza! Bring Your Own Booze! I recommend lots, because dehydration and worn muscles = AWESOME!
Let me know if you can be in Staten Island at ten AM (Sharp or I stab you, if we are leaving and you just show up, no tears get shed for you. Gamer Standard time is a LIE.) and I can give you directions and phone numbers and the like.
Free Pizza! Bring Booze! Help us move all of our ridiculous quantities of shit!
WHEEEEEEE!
*headdesk* |
elionwyr
|
4:04p |
Happy happy! Happy birthday, ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) exit_neverland!!! Here's a cake, just for YOU!!!  Hope the day has been full of win!!! |
hollyking
|
1:01p |
Seattle Progressive & Art Rock Community To get updated information about progressive rock in the Seattle area check out the SPARC website and sign up for the announcement mailing list. Current Music: Sylvan - When the Leaves Fall Down |
lightning_rose
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1:36p |
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senator_jaiz
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3:21p |
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hollyking
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12:11p |
Sylvan Last night was a great night for me. Here is my poor attempt at
capturing the events of the evening before it fades from my memory too
much. I’m certain several key things will be in my head forever, but
I want to capture the small things too.
I left work at 3:30 so I had time to drop the car off at home and take
a cab to El Corazon. On the way I called the cab company and
asked them to pick me up at 4:15. I had a few moments at home so I was chatting with a few friends online while waiting for the cab. I apologize for abandoning them
while we were chatting because the cab arrived at 4:10 and I had to
rush out of the house suddenly. The driver asked if I minded a bit of
AC/DC, which I didn’t, and we started talking about music. I told him
about the show and The Rogues’ Gallery on The Dividing
Line. I think I created a new listener. :)
I arrived at the venue right on time at 4:30 and was wondering how I
would get in as it was hours before the doors were supposed to open.
That wasn’t an issue because the door was wide open. As I walked in I
was approached and asked if I was Brendan. I had never seen his face
but I recognized the voice of Frans the DJ for The Rogues’
Gallery. After our quick introduction Frans took me to meet the
members of Sylvan: Jan (guitar), Sebastian (bass), Marco (vocals),
Volker (keyboards) and Matthias (drums). Then the band went back to
their sound check and I enjoyed a personal concert.
Dinner was supposed to start at 5:30 but at 5:15 the sound check was
still underway as there was a problem with some of the equipment. I
was getting a bit nervous but decided I would just relax and go with
the flow. At 5:30 I called another dinner guest and asked him to pass
on the message that we were running late and would join them at the
restaurant as soon as we could. Sylvan finished setting up at about
5:45 and we made it to 13 Coins at 6pm. Only 30 minutes late
but with plenty of time for dinner. The other guests had already
found each other and had ordered, so we joined them and had dinner.
During dinner I kept my eye on the entire table, but everyone looked
like they were having a good time and talking. I sat at one end next
to cambler and had a good conversation with him and a
couple of the other guests. I had been wanting to meet Chris for a
while because I’ve followed him here on LJ and I listen to The Gates
of Delirium, his show on The Dividing Line. We talked
about his show, music, programming and a few other things. He posed
an interesting programming problem and I’m going to think about this a
bit and see if I can figure out the answer. (Which will be in a
separate post.)
The only problems with my planning and dinner was one of the guests
didn’t understand that we were covering the band’s dinner and I mixed
up two credit cards and the wrong amounts were charged to them. Both
people were understanding as I explained the situation so it wasn’t a
big problem. Still I should have kept better track of the cards so
that didn’t happen.
Next we all walked from the restaurant back to the venue. I noticed
that there was a full moon last night which is a good omen for
completing projects. At the venue I met up with esurient1 and omg_teh_funnay who were enjoying
the opening act. The name on the poster was “Still Water,” but I was
told that’s just a temporary name. I had heard that the guitarist,
who used to be in Lyranthe, was excellent and what I did hear
rocked the house. I’ll have to pay attention to them in the future.
While Sylvan was setting up esurient1 was ill and had
to leave. omg_tey_funnay, being a gentleman, escorted her
home. I guess there were about 50 people in the venue who had bought
tickets. The sign by the door said the capacity was 807, which I
can’t imagine, so there was tons of room for everyone. Some people
held back or sat on the few benches. I was right up front just to the
left of center. The entire show I had an unobstructed view of the
entire band and wasn’t crowded. The extra time taken during the sound
check was worth every second as the sound was awesome. I was told it
was fuzzy in the back but right by the stage was a sweet spot. I only
owned one Sylvan album so there were quite a few new songs. You’ll
have to find someone who knows more about the band to say if it was a
great performance for them, but I can’t see how it was anything else.
After the show I bought the CD and DVD that was for sale. There was a
bit of CF because everyone wanted to get their CDs autographed and
there weren’t enough pens. In the end we all got our autographs and I
think everyone who loaned out a pen got them back. As the crowd
thinned I went to each band member and told them I hoped they had a
good dinner. Each one thanked my for the dinner and for taking the
time to organizing it. Mattias wanted to give everyone who helped
organize the show a CD but I had already bought the one he had with
them. He offered to give me back my money but I wouldn’t accept it.
I enjoyed planning the dinner and wanted to support the band by buying
the CD and DVD. He kept asking me what they could give me and
eventually I agreed to give him my address so he could mail me
something when they got back to Germany. I’m floored and flattered
that he wanted to do this, but really it was no trouble and I enjoyed
myself. (As you all might have noticed.)
I had brought a few of my calling cards to hand out but I don’t look
like the picture on them anymore. So I talked to cambler
about getting a few head shots to make new cards and I’ll be getting
with him as soon as we both have time available. (Damn, I look good
now!) I also talked with Frans about helping out with events like
this in the future. Sylvan was the first concert that Frans is
planning and I volunteered to help out with them all. Planning
dinner, ferrying band members, promotions… I have a new project
which I’ll talk about more once it becomes more solid.
Far too soon it was time to take the band back to the hotel and as it
was way down in Kent I decided to head home. Called up a cab and
chatted with everyone for a few minutes. I was able to use my small
amount of German to talk to Sebastian and tell him that I only spoke a
little German. Before I was ready to leave the cab showed up and I
took off. Everyone in the band waved as I rode away to head home.
At home I was much too wound up to sleep. I read email and ripped the
new CD so that I could listen to it today. At 2AM I finally forced
myself to lay down and before I knew it the thing what makes the
noise was blaring at me. Here I am at Noon and I’m still buzzed
about last night. Damn that was a lot of fun.
Notes for the future: Bring post-it notes to write amounts on cards
as I collect them to keep from mixing up how much to put on each.
Bring plenty of current calling cards to hand out. Include all my
contact information on them so I can get stuff by mail as well as
phone. Bring a few Sharpies to get autographs from band members.
Instead of people trying to find pens give them to the band to use
while signing. Current Music: Sylvan - That's Why It Hurts |
gailcarriger
|
12:08p |
Things a Lady Would Like to Know This Week's Things a Lady Would Like to Know Bill of Fare for October 15, 1876
Hashed wild duck on toast with port and mushroom sauce
Stewed sirloin of veal with carrots, onion, and parsley gravy
Steamed vegetables
Raisin pudding with nutmeg and brandyGail's Daily DoseYour Infusion of Cute:  Your Tisane of Smart: Mike Stackpole of The Dragon Page lords a Mac application, Delicious Library, that can catalog just about anything with a barcode: books, DVDs, action figures, and more. Your Writerly Tinctures: Ask a Ninja has given us...a book.LPTC, Part the Second:  LPTC, Part the First Edits: 28% - will do more today! Quote of the Day: Barnard girl, examining other girl's wrist brace: Oh, I thought it was, like, some cool Urban Outfitters... Other girl: No! Barnard girl: Aw, baby! ~ 115th & Broadway (Alex for ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif) overheardnyc ) Current Mood:  busyCurrent Music: Just Like That - The Connells |
clown_bobo
|
10:10p |
ПАКА! Спокойной ночи всем!  |
bindusara
|
2:04p |
A copy of the open invitation for this years Apocalypse Ball: For those of you sans myspace:  ( The rest, under this cut ) Current Mood: busyCurrent Music: computer humm |
clown_bobo
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10:07p |
Ещё чавото благочестивоя. Чаво точно не скажу слов не разобрать никому и нигде.
но настроение у их явно богомысленноя.
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ozgolith
|
3:06p |
tweet tweet tweets for the last 24hours: via LoudTwitter |
kennyth
|
2:39p |
Yum
I don't really have much to say. Someone asked me for a soup recipe a while back. I've made Leek-Gruyere Soup twice, so I'm done fiddling with the composition and willing to share. This French concoction smells and tastes great long before the main calories are added. If you've never eaten Gruyere, know that it tastes like Swiss cheese. If you've never eaten leeks, know that they taste like onions. If you've never cooked leeks, know that they are muddy. I pity the people who harvest them because I imagine they toil in quicksand day after day.
3 cups chicken broth
6 medium leeks
4 white mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon tarragon
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup flour (optional)
3 ounces Gruyere (optional)
1/2 cup half-and-half (optional)
Wash leeks thoroughly. Slice leeks and mushrooms into 1/4-inch pieces.
Combine 2 1/2 cups broth, leeks, mushrooms, tarragon, and pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes or until leeks are tender.
If you like cheese keep going.
Shred cheese. Whisk remaining broth and flour together; then stir into soup along with cheese. Cook on low heat until cheese melts and soup becomes thick and bubbly. Stir in half-and-half.
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lightning_rose
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12:57p |
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mercat
|
2:50p |
Okay, I have a twitter now (mercat). I am just tired of LJ not updating when I send texts...
I sent one a couple months ago about Chuck Norris folders at WalMart, and I don't think that ever got posted.
Last weekend I was at Michaels and said "It's comforting to know that after a decade, craft companies still use the same confetti cutouts, haha." BUT that one didn't post either. FOCK.
So I don't know how this is all going to work out but *just in case* I now have a twitter I can mess around with. (Important stuff, I know.) |
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