I like listening to podcasts. It makes my work day go by faster and I feel like I can learn something while I update spreadsheets or whatever. I love things that can make me feel real emotion, be it anger or sadness, humor or compassion. I love to discover new music and books, and to hear people talk about my areas of interest.
I respect people who have the dedication, planning, and lack of other hobbies that allows them to create something that is like an hour long every week, and then spend the time to edit it. Or not, as the case may be.
But I really fucking hate podcasts with poor sound quality. I understand that not every podcaster can have radio quality sound and... actually no. I don't fucking understand, because they CAN. It is possible, and even affordable. There are a million tutorials and shit out there.
Knitting podcasts are often terrible. I just downloaded several new ones after a hiatus and didn't really find one I felt like I could commit to.
Podcast #1: ECHO Echo echo... some people use the echo function. I am not sure what it is supposed to accomplish, but it sounds like I am in an auditorium. Alone. Listening to one person talk for 15 minutes about their favorite snack food. WHERE IS THE FUCKING KNITTING. I don't mind asides, but seriously this person just rambled about snacks and diet aimlessly for a full third of their weekly podcast and the whole time ECHO ECHO ECHO.
Podcast #2 : Put out by a yarn retailer. This one waffles back and forth between someone who can't manage to not breathe into the mike constantly and some. who. speaks. like. she. is . reading. very. carefully. Extremely poor sound management during interviews, the breathing into the mike on one side and the hollow far-away sound of the interviewee, or the poor underwater quality skype/phone recording. Inconsistent and irritating.
Podcast #3 : A spinoff from another popular knitting podcast. I include this one because the first episode was actually fine, then it kind of went to crap, and then a couple episodes later said "better audio", and it was actually true! So this is proof it can be done!
Podcast #4: Another extremely hollow sounding podcast. Two host sound like they are sharing a mike. STOP IT. Get your own!! Even in the same room!!
Podcast #5: Besides having a trite theme song that I can't believe is podcast-safe (ie, not under copywrite), the sound is not too bad. But it is like digital photos... almost too clear and lets us hear all the mouth noises a person normally makes while talking, that are super amplified by the mic. In addition, a self-proclaimed SNL NPR ladies skit type of dialogue makes it difficult to listen to.
Podcast #6: Not great sound, the biggest problem is that it is very inconsistent one show it is fine, then echoy, then background noise, then muffled. It begins with the theme song, which is custom and clever but horrible sound quality. Generally poor enunciation also makes this a difficult listen. Interviews on terrible phone audio.
All of these podcast have many episodes. All but one over 50, a couple over 100. That is a long time to get this stuff figured out. (If you have a weekly podcast, 52 episodes is a whole year...long enough!!)
This doesn't address the actual content of the podcasts for the most part because it is really subjective. Some people are not bothered by hearing about someone's snacks, or by hearing about someone's summer plans at length, or hearing twee stories about bike rides in the evening with their beau as if it is a fucking musical.
That crap bugs the shit out of me, but I am cynical and abrasive.
I listen to podcasts through iTunes on my work laptop, and HP Elitebook, with some moderate quality Panasonic noise cancelling headphones.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The most neglected blog ever?
Perhaps.
It is hard to keep up with so many, and sometimes I just don't have a lot to say. I try to post on the food blog, and on the Tumblrs, and then there is facebook and Ravelry and Examiner. I have completely dropped my twitter to zero, which is kind of sad but I think I reached my peak with the constant noise of it. The name is spot on.
Sometimes I feel like reaching out to the Universe, sometimes I feel like hiding behind my shell of snark, and most times I feel like just hiding.
I am not quite sure what I want this blog to be. Maybe just a catchall for things that are not knitting or food related. Gardening and house stuff, plus everyday junk.
Let's start here: October 19th we had a house fire. All humans and animals got out alive and uninjured. The house and everything in it were pretty much a total loss. We were able to have some things cleaned and restored, which is great. However we set out on a nightmarish path of the rebuilding of our house, the accounting of all our possessions, the blow of getting back "depreciated" value of items, and the trials of deciding on new everything for the house.
I have ranted periodically about it in various places, but as we near the end of the process I feel more anxious than ever. I have been toe to toe with the project manager at the restoration company several times. We have been able to reach an agreement every time, but I can feel him pulling away now and it frustrates me. He is detached and already on to his next project, leaving me feeling like the proverbial red-headed stepchild.
What annoys me the most is that if he would LISTEN and READ and FOLLOW UP then none of these conflicts would take place. HE is the professional. HE needs to see the potential problems, check on the work of his contractors, and follow up on my concerns. I have never had a house painted before, how would I know that when I say "Paint the walls X." that you would assume without asking I also meant paint the ceilings X? OH WAIT, MOST PEOPLE WOULD CLARIFY WHAT I WANTED.
Bleargh.
Anyway, instead of just complaining I think I will try to show off. Here is my kitchen color scheme, after the ceilings are repainted white and not stupid yellow like all the walls.
White cabinets, appliances, and trim complete the look.
It is hard to keep up with so many, and sometimes I just don't have a lot to say. I try to post on the food blog, and on the Tumblrs, and then there is facebook and Ravelry and Examiner. I have completely dropped my twitter to zero, which is kind of sad but I think I reached my peak with the constant noise of it. The name is spot on.
Sometimes I feel like reaching out to the Universe, sometimes I feel like hiding behind my shell of snark, and most times I feel like just hiding.
I am not quite sure what I want this blog to be. Maybe just a catchall for things that are not knitting or food related. Gardening and house stuff, plus everyday junk.
Let's start here: October 19th we had a house fire. All humans and animals got out alive and uninjured. The house and everything in it were pretty much a total loss. We were able to have some things cleaned and restored, which is great. However we set out on a nightmarish path of the rebuilding of our house, the accounting of all our possessions, the blow of getting back "depreciated" value of items, and the trials of deciding on new everything for the house.
I have ranted periodically about it in various places, but as we near the end of the process I feel more anxious than ever. I have been toe to toe with the project manager at the restoration company several times. We have been able to reach an agreement every time, but I can feel him pulling away now and it frustrates me. He is detached and already on to his next project, leaving me feeling like the proverbial red-headed stepchild.
What annoys me the most is that if he would LISTEN and READ and FOLLOW UP then none of these conflicts would take place. HE is the professional. HE needs to see the potential problems, check on the work of his contractors, and follow up on my concerns. I have never had a house painted before, how would I know that when I say "Paint the walls X." that you would assume without asking I also meant paint the ceilings X? OH WAIT, MOST PEOPLE WOULD CLARIFY WHAT I WANTED.
Bleargh.
Anyway, instead of just complaining I think I will try to show off. Here is my kitchen color scheme, after the ceilings are repainted white and not stupid yellow like all the walls.
 |
| Laminate countertop |
 |
| Wall paint "lemon whip" |
 |
| Mosaic tile backsplash |
White cabinets, appliances, and trim complete the look.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
This *IS* my blog.
I work with this woman who insists on boycotting things for the most absurd reasons.
She stopped giving money to public television because they have a Spanish language channel (which I cannot even find). Her logic: she grew up in a heavily Ukrainian neighborhood (though she herself is not Ukraine), and why didn't PBS have a Ukrainian channel?
I didn't have the patience to explain how demographics, supply and demand, and advertising dollars (or in this case donation dollars) work.
Also she hates the AKC (American Kennel Club). For -- this is a direct quote -- "they enforce breed standards". Uh, yes. That is the whole, entire sole purpose of the AKC. She said that there are "many different kinds of Jack Russells' and that the AKC "renamed the Jack Russell the Parson Russell". I said, "oh I thought those were two different breeds? She said, no, they just made it up so they could enforce their rules.
She is a lunatic. She also was surprised when a bear ripped the cover off her bird feeder. The cover was made of that green plastic-coated rabbit wire. That shit will hardly keep my DOG out, much less a bear.
She stopped giving money to public television because they have a Spanish language channel (which I cannot even find). Her logic: she grew up in a heavily Ukrainian neighborhood (though she herself is not Ukraine), and why didn't PBS have a Ukrainian channel?
I didn't have the patience to explain how demographics, supply and demand, and advertising dollars (or in this case donation dollars) work.
Also she hates the AKC (American Kennel Club). For -- this is a direct quote -- "they enforce breed standards". Uh, yes. That is the whole, entire sole purpose of the AKC. She said that there are "many different kinds of Jack Russells' and that the AKC "renamed the Jack Russell the Parson Russell". I said, "oh I thought those were two different breeds? She said, no, they just made it up so they could enforce their rules.
She is a lunatic. She also was surprised when a bear ripped the cover off her bird feeder. The cover was made of that green plastic-coated rabbit wire. That shit will hardly keep my DOG out, much less a bear.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Only half? Well, at least it is the good half.
I am joking, of course.
visited 26 states (52%)
Create your own visited map of The United States
But 26 seems like not enough states.
I guess at some point I will HAVE to go to the South. East Texas is really the closest I have been to the real South, and that was a little weird. Of course I would love to see New Orleans, and Florida beaches could be fun.
I don't really have much desire to see the Carolinas, except that I have heard that it is beautiful and they have good BBQ.
Where I really, really want to go is MAINE. I think it would be awesome. Plus, LOBSTER!
I didn't add any states that I have had layovers in, or just driven through a corner. But if I stopped for planned roadside attractions and spent more time than just a gas station stop, I added it. So Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania all have to wait for a "real" visit.
visited 26 states (52%)
Create your own visited map of The United States
But 26 seems like not enough states.
I guess at some point I will HAVE to go to the South. East Texas is really the closest I have been to the real South, and that was a little weird. Of course I would love to see New Orleans, and Florida beaches could be fun.
I don't really have much desire to see the Carolinas, except that I have heard that it is beautiful and they have good BBQ.
Where I really, really want to go is MAINE. I think it would be awesome. Plus, LOBSTER!
I didn't add any states that I have had layovers in, or just driven through a corner. But if I stopped for planned roadside attractions and spent more time than just a gas station stop, I added it. So Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania all have to wait for a "real" visit.
Monday, June 28, 2010
It was 17yrs ago today...
June 28th, 1993 was a Monday. I had a 7am appointment to go to the hospital, so they could figure out why my baby didn't want to be born. But since we didn't really know when his whore of a mother actually got pregnant, we weren't *sure* if he was 2 weeks late like we thought.
I endured the most painful ultrasound of all time. If you don't think an ultrasound can be painful, please strap two bowling balls to your abdomen then lie head down on an incline board so that the balls press heavily on your diaphragm. Stay there for 20 minutes with a nurse bitching at you. Yay!
Once they determined the parasite was of an appropriate age to be released into the wild, they admitted me. Some cunting nurse called me "uneducated" because I didn't take any stupid fucking Lamaze classes. I wanted to kill her. Luckily her shift ended right after she helped me into my room.
I walked around the hospital for a few hours, and then around 2pm they manually broke my water. I don't really remember much after that, because it was on like Donkey Kong between me and the baby. At around 5:30 he was finally ejected into the world. That's right bitches, just over 3 hours of labor. I am a champ at this birthin' thing! Or I was that one time I did it.
So now I am sitting here thinking about my giant 6ft tall, 190 lb baby who is sleeping in his dirty cave of a room, farting and snoring. Not much different from the day we took him home.
I endured the most painful ultrasound of all time. If you don't think an ultrasound can be painful, please strap two bowling balls to your abdomen then lie head down on an incline board so that the balls press heavily on your diaphragm. Stay there for 20 minutes with a nurse bitching at you. Yay!
Once they determined the parasite was of an appropriate age to be released into the wild, they admitted me. Some cunting nurse called me "uneducated" because I didn't take any stupid fucking Lamaze classes. I wanted to kill her. Luckily her shift ended right after she helped me into my room.
I walked around the hospital for a few hours, and then around 2pm they manually broke my water. I don't really remember much after that, because it was on like Donkey Kong between me and the baby. At around 5:30 he was finally ejected into the world. That's right bitches, just over 3 hours of labor. I am a champ at this birthin' thing! Or I was that one time I did it.
So now I am sitting here thinking about my giant 6ft tall, 190 lb baby who is sleeping in his dirty cave of a room, farting and snoring. Not much different from the day we took him home.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Another informative bit about the new healthcare bill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/
Interactive tool to see how the bill could affect you.
Interactive tool to see how the bill could affect you.
Here is the summary.
Coverage:
* Would expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured.
Health Insurance Exchanges:
* The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level.
* Separate exchanges would be created for small businesses to purchase coverage — effective 2014.
* Funding available to states to establish exchanges within one year of enactment and until January 1, 2015.
Subsidies:
* Individuals and families who make between 100 percent – 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and want to purchase their own health insurance on an exchange are eligible for subsidies. They cannot be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and cannot be covered by an employer. Eligible buyers receive premium credits and there is a cap for how much they have to contribute to their premiums on a sliding scale.
Federal Poverty Level for family of four is $22,050
Paying for the Plan:
* Medicare Payroll tax on investment income — Starting in 2012, the Medicare Payroll Tax will be expanded to include unearned income. That will be a 3.8 percent tax on investment income for families making more than $250,000 per year ($200,000 for individuals).
* Excise Tax — Beginning in 2018, insurance companies will pay a 40 percent excise tax on so-called “Cadillac” high-end insurance plans worth over $27,500 for families ($10,200 for individuals). Dental and vision plans are exempt and will not be counted in the total cost of a family’s plan.
* Tanning Tax — 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning services.
Medicare:
* Closes the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” by 2020. Seniors who hit the donut hole by 2010 will receive a $250 rebate.
* Beginning in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs. The bill also includes $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next decade.
Medicaid:
* Expands Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level which is $29,327 for a family of four.
* Requires states to expand Medicaid to include childless adults starting in 2014.
* Federal Government pays 100 percent of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016.
* Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid.
Insurance Reforms:
* Six months after enactment, insurance companies could no longer denying children coverage based on a preexisting condition.
* Starting in 2014, insurance companies cannot deny coverage to anyone with preexisting conditions.
* Insurance companies must allow children to stay on their parent’s insurance plans through age 26.
Abortion:
* The bill segregates private insurance premium funds from taxpayer funds. Individuals would have to pay for abortion coverage by making two separate payments, private funds would have to be kept in a separate account from federal and taxpayer funds.
* No health care plan would be required to offer abortion coverage. States could pass legislation choosing to opt out of offering abortion coverage through the exchange.
**Separately, anti-abortion Democrats worked out language with the White House on an executive order that would state that no federal funds can be used to pay for abortions except in the case of rape, incest or health of the mother. (Read more here)
Individual Mandate:
* In 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. There are some exceptions for low-income people.
Note: If you are eligible for Medicare/Medicaid, or make less than the limit for filing income tax you are also not fined.
Employer Mandate:
* Technically, there is no employer mandate. Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance. Fines applied to entire number of employees minus some allowances.
Immigration:
* Illegal immigrants will not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges — even if they pay completely with their own money
Coverage:
* Would expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured.
Health Insurance Exchanges:
* The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level.
* Separate exchanges would be created for small businesses to purchase coverage — effective 2014.
* Funding available to states to establish exchanges within one year of enactment and until January 1, 2015.
Subsidies:
* Individuals and families who make between 100 percent – 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and want to purchase their own health insurance on an exchange are eligible for subsidies. They cannot be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and cannot be covered by an employer. Eligible buyers receive premium credits and there is a cap for how much they have to contribute to their premiums on a sliding scale.
Federal Poverty Level for family of four is $22,050
Paying for the Plan:
* Medicare Payroll tax on investment income — Starting in 2012, the Medicare Payroll Tax will be expanded to include unearned income. That will be a 3.8 percent tax on investment income for families making more than $250,000 per year ($200,000 for individuals).
* Excise Tax — Beginning in 2018, insurance companies will pay a 40 percent excise tax on so-called “Cadillac” high-end insurance plans worth over $27,500 for families ($10,200 for individuals). Dental and vision plans are exempt and will not be counted in the total cost of a family’s plan.
* Tanning Tax — 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning services.
Medicare:
* Closes the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” by 2020. Seniors who hit the donut hole by 2010 will receive a $250 rebate.
* Beginning in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs. The bill also includes $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next decade.
Medicaid:
* Expands Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level which is $29,327 for a family of four.
* Requires states to expand Medicaid to include childless adults starting in 2014.
* Federal Government pays 100 percent of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016.
* Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid.
Insurance Reforms:
* Six months after enactment, insurance companies could no longer denying children coverage based on a preexisting condition.
* Starting in 2014, insurance companies cannot deny coverage to anyone with preexisting conditions.
* Insurance companies must allow children to stay on their parent’s insurance plans through age 26.
Abortion:
* The bill segregates private insurance premium funds from taxpayer funds. Individuals would have to pay for abortion coverage by making two separate payments, private funds would have to be kept in a separate account from federal and taxpayer funds.
* No health care plan would be required to offer abortion coverage. States could pass legislation choosing to opt out of offering abortion coverage through the exchange.
**Separately, anti-abortion Democrats worked out language with the White House on an executive order that would state that no federal funds can be used to pay for abortions except in the case of rape, incest or health of the mother. (Read more here)
Individual Mandate:
* In 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. There are some exceptions for low-income people.
Note: If you are eligible for Medicare/Medicaid, or make less than the limit for filing income tax you are also not fined.
Employer Mandate:
* Technically, there is no employer mandate. Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance. Fines applied to entire number of employees minus some allowances.
Immigration:
* Illegal immigrants will not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges — even if they pay completely with their own money
Monday, March 1, 2010
Daily agenda
7:33 Arrive at work
7:35 to 7:50 Wait for computer to boot up. To save time, Get coffee and gossip while waiting.
7:50 - 8:00 more gossip, talk about WoW
8:00 - 8:15 read email and meeting invites. cry because of how insipid it all is, especially the meeting invite for 2-4pm from the big boss saying he will explain what is going on since our supervisor was fired last week. TWO HOURS? ugh
8:15 - 9:00 IM with coworkers, plan for meetings, eavesdrop
9:00 - 9:15 smoke break when team meeting is canceled because our supervisor was fired, and now big boss is our direct supervisor.
9:15 - 9:30 screw around reading xkcd in a coworkers cube and speculate on agenda of meeting with big boss later.
9:30 - 10:00 research prices of digital voice recorders to record big boss's speech in the 2 hour meeting later
10:00 - 10:20 meeting where people discuss obvious things and create a process which violates all best business practices for IT. Hear coworker say (when asked who we report to now) "no one" when two other coworkers simultaneously say name of big boss. Suspect that coworker will be the next boss just because she is so dumb.
10:20 - 10:33 look at instantchewbacca.com , clicking the button repeatedly because it is exactly how I feel right now
10:34 - 10:42 dick around on the internet reading xkcd and the fake AP Stylebook
10:42 - 10:45 watch annoying Visa commercial from the Olympics
10:45 - 11:00 contemplate quitting, talk to coworker about work stuff
11:00 - 11:38 Lunch and smoke break, wherein I joke with former supervisor about hitting the liquor store on the way back from lunch, she replies we should just go to her house and I say I am free from 2 to 4pm
11:38 - 11:42 read email about using a patching agent to deploy another patching agent, which is like using Google to search for Bing
11:45 - 11:50 take and fail an online quiz about postpartum depression
11:50 - 11:57 read and eyeroll at top 10 radical parenting methods article
11:58 - 12:10 dick around with "parenting skills" game on Discovery health
12:10 - 12:25 edit star wars propaganda poster with vader on it to refer to my workplace
12:26 - 12:38 read Found magazine while drinking Red Bull to get pumped for my 2pm meeting
12:39 - 12:53 talk about books and Found magazine with coworker, also enlighten her as to the size of Powell's City of Books
12:54 - 12:58 pee out the redbull/coffee/dietcoke
12:59 - 1:10 smoke break
1:12 - 1:30 talk about when big boss will show up, talk about knitting and reading some more
1:30 - 1:55 glue handle on rainbow coffee mug, IM with coworkers, fill out time sheet, write draft of resignation letter, blog
2:00 - 4:00 Listen to the big boss
4:02 drink heavily
More on what the big boss had to say after I actually hear it. Whee.
7:35 to 7:50 Wait for computer to boot up. To save time, Get coffee and gossip while waiting.
7:50 - 8:00 more gossip, talk about WoW
8:00 - 8:15 read email and meeting invites. cry because of how insipid it all is, especially the meeting invite for 2-4pm from the big boss saying he will explain what is going on since our supervisor was fired last week. TWO HOURS? ugh
8:15 - 9:00 IM with coworkers, plan for meetings, eavesdrop
9:00 - 9:15 smoke break when team meeting is canceled because our supervisor was fired, and now big boss is our direct supervisor.
9:15 - 9:30 screw around reading xkcd in a coworkers cube and speculate on agenda of meeting with big boss later.
9:30 - 10:00 research prices of digital voice recorders to record big boss's speech in the 2 hour meeting later
10:00 - 10:20 meeting where people discuss obvious things and create a process which violates all best business practices for IT. Hear coworker say (when asked who we report to now) "no one" when two other coworkers simultaneously say name of big boss. Suspect that coworker will be the next boss just because she is so dumb.
10:20 - 10:33 look at instantchewbacca.com , clicking the button repeatedly because it is exactly how I feel right now
10:34 - 10:42 dick around on the internet reading xkcd and the fake AP Stylebook
10:42 - 10:45 watch annoying Visa commercial from the Olympics
10:45 - 11:00 contemplate quitting, talk to coworker about work stuff
11:00 - 11:38 Lunch and smoke break, wherein I joke with former supervisor about hitting the liquor store on the way back from lunch, she replies we should just go to her house and I say I am free from 2 to 4pm
11:38 - 11:42 read email about using a patching agent to deploy another patching agent, which is like using Google to search for Bing
11:45 - 11:50 take and fail an online quiz about postpartum depression
11:50 - 11:57 read and eyeroll at top 10 radical parenting methods article
11:58 - 12:10 dick around with "parenting skills" game on Discovery health
12:10 - 12:25 edit star wars propaganda poster with vader on it to refer to my workplace
12:26 - 12:38 read Found magazine while drinking Red Bull to get pumped for my 2pm meeting
12:39 - 12:53 talk about books and Found magazine with coworker, also enlighten her as to the size of Powell's City of Books
12:54 - 12:58 pee out the redbull/coffee/dietcoke
12:59 - 1:10 smoke break
1:12 - 1:30 talk about when big boss will show up, talk about knitting and reading some more
1:30 - 1:55 glue handle on rainbow coffee mug, IM with coworkers, fill out time sheet, write draft of resignation letter, blog
2:00 - 4:00 Listen to the big boss
4:02 drink heavily
More on what the big boss had to say after I actually hear it. Whee.
Monday, January 4, 2010
No G-Spot?
In a BBC News article today, some people are claiming the "G-Spot" doesn't exist.
The following conversation ensued...
The following conversation ensued...
2:39:57 PM: Captan: not only does the BBC say websit4es are getting rid of fat people, they also have an article about how there is no GSpot . “Recently Italian scientists claimed they could locate the G-spot using ultrasound scans. " LOL
2:40:17 PM: MeezerManx: I KNOW
2:40:24 PM: MeezerManx: They can't find it becayuse they are all MEN
2:40:33 PM: Captan: exactly
2:40:38 PM: MeezerManx: I almost sent you that one too
2:40:41 PM: Captan: lol
2:40:51 PM: MeezerManx: it is easier for them to beliueve it does not exist than it is for them to find iut
2:41:46 PM: Captan: or it is easier to pretend that differences that occur from person to person can prove that something doesn't exist. Like penises don't exist because i don't have one
2:41:54 PM: MeezerManx: lol
2:41:56 PM: MeezerManx: good call
2:42:03 PM: MeezerManx: if we all don't have it, no one has it
2:42:17 PM: Captan: I hate science sometimes
2:42:23 PM: MeezerManx: men are just jealous because ours is not in our ass
2:42:31 PM: Captan: HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHA
Friday, November 20, 2009
Blowhard McGillcutty
The following is an email from a coworker. It is important to note a few things first.
A) This was sent in November, the restriction of removing admin rights from computers was executed in September.
B) The person writing this is a developer.
C) This is the Federal Government, a job where you have to pass a background check, get fingerprinted, etc.
D) The author was involved in a situation which forced the agency to purchase a piece of software that the team independently purchased (with their own money) and installed illegally and then the author broke the license by installing it on too many computers, but they HAD TO HAVE IT ( the agency re-purchased the software) because it was what they were developing the app on.
I had a discussion with L about the requirement to restrict Admin rights on laptops. As you may recall (L would recall since he is the one who told you what the reasoning was in the first place!), IT made the case that as long as we run computers on a network those computers that are running with admin rights are vulnerable to hacker attacks. In other words, malware software cannot be installed on a computer if the computer is not running with admin privileges. From a purely technical perspective, it is difficult to refute that argument.
To better address the security issues I put together a list of questions we should present to IT and other security personnel at our next meeting. Feel free to add to this list. Perhaps there are solutions and we just need to be better educated ourselves as to how we can work more effectively in more secure environments.
Is the risk of being infected with malware great enough to justify draconian (Really?)security measures to prevent an attack? (I don't know. Why not ask someone who has had their identity stolen?)
What documentation is there to show the extent of the risk? (Yes. It is called the news. Check it out.)
Does the law of diminishing returns apply when it comes to computer security? (Probably. But we have way more freedom than most government agencies. I can youtube, google, and even blog from work, so I doubt we have too much security.)
How adequate are existing network security measures? Can firewalls and anti virus software be used to prevent malware from reaching a computer? (Hmm. You might have a point. I am sure that anti-virus software is a scam. Also firewalls. They were only invented to bilk us out of money. The lack of viruses is not evidence at all. thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will remove them immediately.)
Does restricting admin access to their systems have a significant impact on the ability of IT professionals to do their jobs? If so, to what extent? Are mitigation efforts effective? (What is this called? Some sort of logical fallacy i am sure.)
Some software writes to the user's hard drive during the course of running and using the software. If the user does not have admin rights then the software cannot run. Should IT professionals use only software that does not require them to have admin rights in order to use it effectively? (Maybe the IT PROFESSIONAL could figure out a way to give that specific software those rights.)
Should IT consider open source software as an alternative to more expensive software products which are more difficult to use on systems having tighter security restrictions? Are there security concerns when running open source software? (How is open-source software easier to use on a system without admin rights? Are you saying no open source software writes to the hard drive? Or was there something specific you had in mind? Yet another logical fallacy, I am sure of it.)
So you want the Federal government to justify it's security policies to you with documentation of the risk posed by allowing users to install unauthorized software? Well, despite the fact that the reasons are obvious to anyone who knows anything about computer viruses, trojans and other types of malware, here is my reason: I WANT MY $200 DOLLARS BACK FOR THAT SOFTWARE ASSHOLE.
Those were my tax dollars you forced our agency to spend.
Dicks like you costing the government money because you think you know better than anyone else should be fired at the least. Preferably rolled in tallow and dropped into a pit of hyenas.
A) This was sent in November, the restriction of removing admin rights from computers was executed in September.
B) The person writing this is a developer.
C) This is the Federal Government, a job where you have to pass a background check, get fingerprinted, etc.
D) The author was involved in a situation which forced the agency to purchase a piece of software that the team independently purchased (with their own money) and installed illegally and then the author broke the license by installing it on too many computers, but they HAD TO HAVE IT ( the agency re-purchased the software) because it was what they were developing the app on.
I had a discussion with L about the requirement to restrict Admin rights on laptops. As you may recall (L would recall since he is the one who told you what the reasoning was in the first place!), IT made the case that as long as we run computers on a network those computers that are running with admin rights are vulnerable to hacker attacks. In other words, malware software cannot be installed on a computer if the computer is not running with admin privileges. From a purely technical perspective, it is difficult to refute that argument.
To better address the security issues I put together a list of questions we should present to IT and other security personnel at our next meeting. Feel free to add to this list. Perhaps there are solutions and we just need to be better educated ourselves as to how we can work more effectively in more secure environments.
Is the risk of being infected with malware great enough to justify draconian (Really?)security measures to prevent an attack? (I don't know. Why not ask someone who has had their identity stolen?)
What documentation is there to show the extent of the risk? (Yes. It is called the news. Check it out.)
Does the law of diminishing returns apply when it comes to computer security? (Probably. But we have way more freedom than most government agencies. I can youtube, google, and even blog from work, so I doubt we have too much security.)
How adequate are existing network security measures? Can firewalls and anti virus software be used to prevent malware from reaching a computer? (Hmm. You might have a point. I am sure that anti-virus software is a scam. Also firewalls. They were only invented to bilk us out of money. The lack of viruses is not evidence at all. thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will remove them immediately.)
Does restricting admin access to their systems have a significant impact on the ability of IT professionals to do their jobs? If so, to what extent? Are mitigation efforts effective? (What is this called? Some sort of logical fallacy i am sure.)
Some software writes to the user's hard drive during the course of running and using the software. If the user does not have admin rights then the software cannot run. Should IT professionals use only software that does not require them to have admin rights in order to use it effectively? (Maybe the IT PROFESSIONAL could figure out a way to give that specific software those rights.)
Should IT consider open source software as an alternative to more expensive software products which are more difficult to use on systems having tighter security restrictions? Are there security concerns when running open source software? (How is open-source software easier to use on a system without admin rights? Are you saying no open source software writes to the hard drive? Or was there something specific you had in mind? Yet another logical fallacy, I am sure of it.)
So you want the Federal government to justify it's security policies to you with documentation of the risk posed by allowing users to install unauthorized software? Well, despite the fact that the reasons are obvious to anyone who knows anything about computer viruses, trojans and other types of malware, here is my reason: I WANT MY $200 DOLLARS BACK FOR THAT SOFTWARE ASSHOLE.
Those were my tax dollars you forced our agency to spend.
Dicks like you costing the government money because you think you know better than anyone else should be fired at the least. Preferably rolled in tallow and dropped into a pit of hyenas.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Don't steal my idea.
◄ echo echo echo echo 12:02:29 PM
◄ lol 12:02:53 PM
◄ if you make the same rule, we could probably crash the notes server. 12:02:57 PM
◄ 1. you send me email 12:03:08 PM
◄ 2. my email automatically sends copy 12:03:16 PM
◄ 3. your email automatically sends copy 12:03:21 PM
◄ 4. ad infinitum 12:03:35 PM
Captan : that sounds like a genius plan 12:03:43 PM
Flucas : make sur eyour email has a large attaachment 12:03:58 PM
Captan: like my idea for tattooing babies in the womb in such a way that the design appears as they grow 12:04:11 PM
Flucas: just like that 12:04:12 PM
◄ wut 12:04:27 PM
Captan: PATENT PENDING BEYOTCH. Don't steal my idea 12:04:31 PM
◄ hahahaha 12:04:38 PM
Flucas: you idea is full of wut 12:04:38 PM
Captan: it is a genius plan 12:04:53 PM
Flucas: no 12:04:55 PM
◄ it isn't 12:04:57 PM
◄ lol 12:05:25 PM
Captan: It's like reality TV, a terrible idea that people will flock to 12:06:27 PM
Flucas: *rubs chin*
I are uber super duper IT geek.
Not really, but I was pretty impressed with myself because last night I disassembled my wife's laptop to put on new cover and hinge assembly, put it back together, and it still works!
And I am not getting paid for this, but if you are DIY inclined when it comes to electronics, and you have a Dell computer, I recommend parts-people.com.
Order placed September 26th, order shipped Sept. 28th, order received Sept. 30th with free UPS ground.
I got the LCD Cover with hinges and the front cover bezel. They tell you if it comes with screws or not. Also they sell individual screws of all sizes used on Dell laptops. They sell some gently used parts for even cheaper.
I am very happy! I have no idea how much Dell would have charged me if I sent it in (I don't have the extended coverage) or how much a local dude would charge, but I am sure it is more than I paid.
And I am not getting paid for this, but if you are DIY inclined when it comes to electronics, and you have a Dell computer, I recommend parts-people.com.
Order placed September 26th, order shipped Sept. 28th, order received Sept. 30th with free UPS ground.
I got the LCD Cover with hinges and the front cover bezel. They tell you if it comes with screws or not. Also they sell individual screws of all sizes used on Dell laptops. They sell some gently used parts for even cheaper.
I am very happy! I have no idea how much Dell would have charged me if I sent it in (I don't have the extended coverage) or how much a local dude would charge, but I am sure it is more than I paid.
Ouch.
Almost two months since my last post.
This is because I have hated my job so much I can think of almost nothing else.
Today I simply have a rant about insurance companies. Even people lucky enough to have insurance get fucked regularly.
I am taking a common anti-anxiety/antidepressant (SSRI) . It is a brand name drug so according to my insurance plan it is $35.00 each time I fill it.
Here is what my insurance company says:
"Retail Pharmacy Program:
• PPO: $10 generic/$35 formulary brand-name per prescription/50%
coinsurance ($45 minimum) for non-formulary brand-name drugs.
34-day maximum supply on initial prescription; up to 90 days for
refills with 3 copayments"
So it is $35.00 a month. No matter how much the drug costs, or how much you get -- as long as it is only a 34 day supply.
So my doctor, being the kind and generous person he is, gives me a script for 30 20mg tablets, which I then cut in half, so I have two months of pills for $35.00.
Well the insurance company got wise. Yesterday I went to get my meds and the girl said it was $70.00 WHAT!?
So she says, "Well is it probably your deductible." No, it isn't -- I don't have a deductible because all I get is meds and twice yearly Dr. visits... couldn't touch a normal deductible until halfway through the year. So she says "Well retail price is $104". Seriously? So I am paying $250 dollars a month for a savings of $34 on my meds!?
Wait, this is for two months worth, 60 days. So I am being charged two co-pays. If I was on twice the medication I would pay only $35.00. Right that makes sense. Oh, and actually it is only a savings of $17 per month for my $250. Cool. Thanks, Insurance. Gold star for you.
So really what is happening? Well the drug companies and the insurance companies and the pharmacies (as entities, not as the individual pharmacists) all get a little slice on this. The insurance company gives you a discounted price so you use the expensive drug the pharma companies make, but makes sure you pay every month for more pills, and the pharmacy gets more foot traffic for people coming in monthly. Win, win, win...until we get to the consumer.
Yes, I know, it is stupid for me to bitch about it. I am lucky to have a job and insurance. But remember this: I am saving 32% on my meds. And paying 12% of my salary for that.
Better to get one of those pharmacy savings cards, really.
This is because I have hated my job so much I can think of almost nothing else.
Today I simply have a rant about insurance companies. Even people lucky enough to have insurance get fucked regularly.
I am taking a common anti-anxiety/antidepressant (SSRI) . It is a brand name drug so according to my insurance plan it is $35.00 each time I fill it.
Here is what my insurance company says:
"Retail Pharmacy Program:
• PPO: $10 generic/$35 formulary brand-name per prescription/50%
coinsurance ($45 minimum) for non-formulary brand-name drugs.
34-day maximum supply on initial prescription; up to 90 days for
refills with 3 copayments"
So it is $35.00 a month. No matter how much the drug costs, or how much you get -- as long as it is only a 34 day supply.
So my doctor, being the kind and generous person he is, gives me a script for 30 20mg tablets, which I then cut in half, so I have two months of pills for $35.00.
Well the insurance company got wise. Yesterday I went to get my meds and the girl said it was $70.00 WHAT!?
So she says, "Well is it probably your deductible." No, it isn't -- I don't have a deductible because all I get is meds and twice yearly Dr. visits... couldn't touch a normal deductible until halfway through the year. So she says "Well retail price is $104". Seriously? So I am paying $250 dollars a month for a savings of $34 on my meds!?
Wait, this is for two months worth, 60 days. So I am being charged two co-pays. If I was on twice the medication I would pay only $35.00. Right that makes sense. Oh, and actually it is only a savings of $17 per month for my $250. Cool. Thanks, Insurance. Gold star for you.
So really what is happening? Well the drug companies and the insurance companies and the pharmacies (as entities, not as the individual pharmacists) all get a little slice on this. The insurance company gives you a discounted price so you use the expensive drug the pharma companies make, but makes sure you pay every month for more pills, and the pharmacy gets more foot traffic for people coming in monthly. Win, win, win...until we get to the consumer.
Yes, I know, it is stupid for me to bitch about it. I am lucky to have a job and insurance. But remember this: I am saving 32% on my meds. And paying 12% of my salary for that.
Better to get one of those pharmacy savings cards, really.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Generic update for mid-August
Well, today is WAC -- Wednesday Afternoon Club. Which means brewery day!
Summer is the best and worst. There are more people but also way more room because of the patio. I have to say I cannot wait until Odell Brewing gets their new building finished.
The two beers I have my sights on for tonight are Ze Bolshevik Beet Pale and Crimson Shenanigans. Crimson Shenanigans sounds like period sex to me, or something else only found on the Urban Dictionary. I hope it doesn't taste like either of those things.
I am really tired of my work life bleeding (oh, puns) into my "real life". This week one of my coworkers "realized" (I had mentioned it before) that I help out at my friend's bar. A bar she used to frequent. I watched it dawn on her that I know the same people she knows, the owners. And I know why she doesn't go there any more. Now she is acting all weird to me (we speak fairly frequently at work-- rather we did).
I am also completely STUPID, and have been for the last few weeks. I need to go back to my old hypervigilant, keep track of everything self.
Summer is the best and worst. There are more people but also way more room because of the patio. I have to say I cannot wait until Odell Brewing gets their new building finished.
The two beers I have my sights on for tonight are Ze Bolshevik Beet Pale and Crimson Shenanigans. Crimson Shenanigans sounds like period sex to me, or something else only found on the Urban Dictionary. I hope it doesn't taste like either of those things.
I am really tired of my work life bleeding (oh, puns) into my "real life". This week one of my coworkers "realized" (I had mentioned it before) that I help out at my friend's bar. A bar she used to frequent. I watched it dawn on her that I know the same people she knows, the owners. And I know why she doesn't go there any more. Now she is acting all weird to me (we speak fairly frequently at work-- rather we did).
I am also completely STUPID, and have been for the last few weeks. I need to go back to my old hypervigilant, keep track of everything self.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Hit out on IE6, prepare to collect bounty.
CNN has a story about web developers trying to crush IE6 out of existence so that the "Web can move forward." Where the hell is the web going? Faster porn? Downloading more iPhone apps?
I think that the developers should worry more about the quality of their product as far as actual content and usability, than whether they have a fucking Flash, Java, or wtf ever other kind of goddamn movie or script or interactive BS. People don't actually need those things, because 90% of the time they serve no purpose.
Besides, everyone who is in the know uses Firefox anyway. Even Mac users do, admit it.
I think that the developers should worry more about the quality of their product as far as actual content and usability, than whether they have a fucking Flash, Java, or wtf ever other kind of goddamn movie or script or interactive BS. People don't actually need those things, because 90% of the time they serve no purpose.
Besides, everyone who is in the know uses Firefox anyway. Even Mac users do, admit it.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Who less than threes Iowa? I do.
I have decided that while I do not LOVE Iowa I can less-than-three it in a temporary internet-fickle kind of way. Like "I don't really know you but I am a friendly person and I like what your wrote there so I will <3>
So days 2-3: Day two was mostly about work. I kind of started to settle in, do some things rather than just follow like a puppy. Finally got my email setand the work laptop wrangled into submission. I set up some printers and other menial crap. After work I went to Olde Main Brewing for dinner and a delicious beer. I set my ambition too high, because not only did I not have dinner, I didn't get to find out if it was delicious beer. I was seated by the hostess and then ignored until I walked out 25 minutes later. I did read today that yesterday was some Zoo Brew event so maybe they were short staffed in the actual restaurant but seriously? How long does it take to get a drink order from one person? I wouldn't have cared about the wait if I had been sipping beer. Well, I will try again another night.
I stopped by the HyVee grocery store and got three things: candied ginger which was $3 for like half a pound (good deal!), "masala roasted chick peas", and a prepack salad from the deli. The chick peas were disappointing because they tasted heavily of sulphur. The ginger was okay, very spicy but not so much crystallized as heavily sugared. Some bitterness and skin on some pieces.
So I went back to the hotel, drank a cider, found out my kid was getting out of kid jail, had a long talk with my wife and had lousy sleep again.
Day 3 has been all about the food. Finally checked out the hotel breakfast, which was okay because of juice and coffee to-go cups. But lunch is Taco Time. I love Taco Time because when I was a kid and lived with my paternal grandparents every weekend was marked by a couple of important things. My grandfather had very specific food needs on the weekend. On Sunday it was 3pm popcorn from the big air popper, but Saturday for lunch it was two crisp bean burritos from the Taco Time down the hill. So today for lunch I got two crisp bean burritos and enjoyed the hell out of them.
Also stopped by the convenience store, where they sell 24oz soda bottles instead of the usual 20oz. So weird.
So tonight I may try some local flavor such as the Doolittle Prairie Walk. Or go back to my room and watch crap TV again for the 3rd night in a row with some Olde Main beer in a bottle from the convenience store next to my hotel.
Still a lot of corn and penises:
So days 2-3: Day two was mostly about work. I kind of started to settle in, do some things rather than just follow like a puppy. Finally got my email setand the work laptop wrangled into submission. I set up some printers and other menial crap. After work I went to Olde Main Brewing for dinner and a delicious beer. I set my ambition too high, because not only did I not have dinner, I didn't get to find out if it was delicious beer. I was seated by the hostess and then ignored until I walked out 25 minutes later. I did read today that yesterday was some Zoo Brew event so maybe they were short staffed in the actual restaurant but seriously? How long does it take to get a drink order from one person? I wouldn't have cared about the wait if I had been sipping beer. Well, I will try again another night.
I stopped by the HyVee grocery store and got three things: candied ginger which was $3 for like half a pound (good deal!), "masala roasted chick peas", and a prepack salad from the deli. The chick peas were disappointing because they tasted heavily of sulphur. The ginger was okay, very spicy but not so much crystallized as heavily sugared. Some bitterness and skin on some pieces.
So I went back to the hotel, drank a cider, found out my kid was getting out of kid jail, had a long talk with my wife and had lousy sleep again.
Day 3 has been all about the food. Finally checked out the hotel breakfast, which was okay because of juice and coffee to-go cups. But lunch is Taco Time. I love Taco Time because when I was a kid and lived with my paternal grandparents every weekend was marked by a couple of important things. My grandfather had very specific food needs on the weekend. On Sunday it was 3pm popcorn from the big air popper, but Saturday for lunch it was two crisp bean burritos from the Taco Time down the hill. So today for lunch I got two crisp bean burritos and enjoyed the hell out of them.
Also stopped by the convenience store, where they sell 24oz soda bottles instead of the usual 20oz. So weird.
So tonight I may try some local flavor such as the Doolittle Prairie Walk. Or go back to my room and watch crap TV again for the 3rd night in a row with some Olde Main beer in a bottle from the convenience store next to my hotel.
Still a lot of corn and penises:
LATER on Day 3: Iowa just went up a lot in standing because I just got to see a whole bunch of little baby bison. Awwww... cuh-cute! I want to sqeeeeze them.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Iowa detail -- Day 1
So this is Iowa. I get off the plane which was two hours late and can already feel the humidity.
The airport is tiny and easy to escape, and the car rental lady is very nice.
No one in Iowa seems to care that I am a big old queer.
I drive to Ames, find my hotel finally, then go out for a drive to see the sights and find dinner... also to get a bunch of crap I forgot.
I find the University and it is AWESOME. Well I really just love the trees and the buildings like the great red brick horse barn.
I drive around, finally run into an area with a lot of stores and hit the Big KMart for the things I forgot. Soda is really expensive here, and there are no liqour stores. Finally find a liquor store which informs me that all grocery stores and convenince stores sell booze. Ah.
The airport is tiny and easy to escape, and the car rental lady is very nice.
No one in Iowa seems to care that I am a big old queer.
I drive to Ames, find my hotel finally, then go out for a drive to see the sights and find dinner... also to get a bunch of crap I forgot.
I find the University and it is AWESOME. Well I really just love the trees and the buildings like the great red brick horse barn.
I drive around, finally run into an area with a lot of stores and hit the Big KMart for the things I forgot. Soda is really expensive here, and there are no liqour stores. Finally find a liquor store which informs me that all grocery stores and convenince stores sell booze. Ah.
A shining beacon of hope in the night.
I find a Taco John's (across from a Taco Time!) and return to the hotel.
The next morning I run to the work campus and figure out what the hell I will be doing all day, which is WALK. The square footage of the building is 11 football fields on 4 floors. Whew. There are also cool things like level 2 and 3 labs, which are empty so you can go in and look at them with no danger of contamination.
For lunch the boss of the customer service folks takes me to a great pizza place Great Plains Sauce and Dough. It should be called Great Plains Dough and Cheese because that is what most of the pizza is made of. TONS of cheese, on thick whole wheat or oat crust. I liked it quite a bit, and it was cheap. 2 slices and a coke set me back 5.66, with free soda refills.
We tour the main street a little and then head back to the campus. After work I go to cool down in my room then venture back out to look for the supposed gay bar, a big box store, and a proper grocery store. Gay bar is non-existent. Grocery store is odd, frozen food is NOT cheap here. The soda is still not cheap, which I figure is because of the deposit on bottles. The store brand soda makes me laugh.
The next morning I run to the work campus and figure out what the hell I will be doing all day, which is WALK. The square footage of the building is 11 football fields on 4 floors. Whew. There are also cool things like level 2 and 3 labs, which are empty so you can go in and look at them with no danger of contamination.
For lunch the boss of the customer service folks takes me to a great pizza place Great Plains Sauce and Dough. It should be called Great Plains Dough and Cheese because that is what most of the pizza is made of. TONS of cheese, on thick whole wheat or oat crust. I liked it quite a bit, and it was cheap. 2 slices and a coke set me back 5.66, with free soda refills.
We tour the main street a little and then head back to the campus. After work I go to cool down in my room then venture back out to look for the supposed gay bar, a big box store, and a proper grocery store. Gay bar is non-existent. Grocery store is odd, frozen food is NOT cheap here. The soda is still not cheap, which I figure is because of the deposit on bottles. The store brand soda makes me laugh.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaw!
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