Category: ramblings

ramblings

Paper Waste

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I read about AT&T’s titanically large iPhone bills on Slashdot two weeks ago and now this story has made its way to the NYT. Long story short, they are ginormous (now an official word according to Merriam-Webster) because AT&T’s billing system is totally dumb. I probably wouldn’t have even written about this except for the fact that the image below is too damn cute not to post:

For instance, a video blogger, also known as the worst person in the world to get something like this, received instead of an envelope a box which contained a 300-page, double-sided, excruciatingly well itemized bill. To quote the man whose dog is shown above, “It’s nonsense,” said Mike Brophy, 34, who owns a software company near Seattle and posted an item about his 64-page bill on his blog. “Ninety-five percent of the bill is just page after page of 1K data transfers, all with a charge of zero.”
Save the environment. Don’t get an iPhone, or don’t get one before AT&T figures out how to send a smaller bill.

ramblings

Timely Mail

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I’m working from home today due to the storm related transit problems. I finally tried to head into the office and found that the 4/5 line stopped at 86th St and that while the 6 was running sporadically, there were hundreds of people waiting. So, in order to make a 2 pm call, I went home and on the way to my virtual office, I got my mail and saw that I received from the New York City Office of Emergency Management the piece below:

hurricane_mail.jpg

You can’t make this stuff up.

ramblings

Swamped!

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I’m singing Neil Young’s “Helpless” to myself right now – the entire NYC transit system is currently shut down due to flooding and most of my office is working from home – good thing we have a slick VPN set up where nothing is really affected. MTA officials are instructing people to “stay home for now if you can – we cannot support you at this time.” At least they are honest: it’s all about managing expectations in this world, right?
This situation creates a good chicken and the egg type debate: is the horrible weather the cause or is the system not prepared for horrible weather? With the way the world is going (i.e. global warming), more instances of horrible weather are on the horizon so the MTA better do something.
Let’s review the past year: Big Dig tunnel failure in MA. A bridge fell down in MN. The mass transit system is down (for now) in NYC. Is this a USA infrastructure apocalypse or have I just not had my morning cup of coffee yet?

ramblings

Where am I?

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It seems that I have not posted a damn thing for the past almost 3 weeks. It’s the summer: TV shows should be in repeats, your shrink should be away (oh wait, that is just August) and everything moves a bit, well, slower. That being said constant reader, look forward to a post barrage coming your way!

ramblings

Right Rides

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I learned yesterday of a very interesting option for women in New York City who need a safe way of getting home after a long night out. A non-profit called Right Rides runs two programs about which I will spreading the word, through this site and through my own word-of-mouth, because they might save someone I know from a potentially horrid situation.
These programs are RightRides, where they offer women, transpeople and gender queer individuals a free, late-night ride home to ensure their safe commute to or through high-risk areas, and Safe Walk, where they offer walking escorts for any one who doesn’t want to walk alone. The cars are donated by ZipCar and the organization even won NY1’s New Yorker of the Week award last month.
If you wind up using either of these services, drop me a comment and let me know what they experience was like, how long it took to get picked up, etc.
Via Kirsten

ramblings

Nine Words Women Use

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I received the list below in an email from my Uncle and I have to say, it was the first forward in a long time that I not only read but found humorous. Those in a relationship with a woman will find the list below especially useful. So, without futher ado, the nine words that women use and what they mean:
1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine. (Refer back to #1 for the meaning of fine.)
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t do it!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you’re welcome.
8. Whatever: Is a women’s way of saying F@!K YOU!
9. Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?” (For the woman’s response refer to #3)
Via the Mayor

ramblings

My Brothers

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Tidbit of the day: President Dwight D. Einsenhower, Dr. Jonas Salk and Larry David are my brothers.
If you know me, you may (or may not) be surprised to learn that I was in a fraternity when I was in college. Before I headed north I never thought that I would be a “frat guy.” However, when everyone I was friends with started to go to all these rush events, I quickly realized that I would have to make new friends (because they all would be away for the semester pledging) or I could be a follower and join them.
So, to see if it made sense to cave on my convictions, I made the rounds to a bunch of frats and at one of them I found myself sitting on a table in a corner, tired of the inane bullshit and wondering why I ever decided to even think about joining a fraternity. I wound up talking to a guy in a Dead shirt sitting next to me who was smoking a cigarette (which was illegal since we were inside the University Union) and flicking the ashes onto the carpet. “This is so dumb, I hate this shit,” he said. “Me too. Why are you here?” I asked. “Because I have to be – I’m in this frat,” he responded. Then we began to talk…
That simple exchange opened my eyes and made me realize not every frat guy was a loutish rah-rah frat guy – some could be considered “cool” in my book. As rush went on, Tau Epsilon Phi (TEP) became the only one I was interested in. Luckily for me, out of the 5 guys that I was most friendly with, 3 of them liked it as much as I did and we all decided to pledge TEP. They saw the same stuff I did – it existed as a duality – a traditional frat and a non-frat frat at the same time. Years later, I count joining TEP as one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life. I won’t get into the reasons now but one thing that it’s given me is a list of some pretty interesting people to call brothers.
Here is a brief rundown of people should be able to respond to a secret handshake I know (if alive that is):

  • Dwight Eisenhower: Former U.S. President and Famous WWII General
  • Larry David: co-creater of Seinfeld and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Dr. Jonas Salk: scientist who discoverer of the polio vaccine.
  • General Omar Bradley: 5 star general. Former chairman joint chief of staff, WWII hero
  • William O. Douglas: United States Supreme Court Justice 1939-1975. One of the longest serving US Supreme Court Justices. Champion of First Amendment Rights and Civil Liberties.
  • Benny Goodman: Musician
  • Red Auerbach: 4th winningest coach in NBA history
  • Adam Sandler: Comedian/Actor
  • Samuel Lefrak: Internationally renown architect and builder of sky scrappers in New York.
  • Mike Nichols: Director of the “Graduate” and many other well known movies
  • George Stephanopoulos: Former advisor to Pres. Clinton
  • Judge Wapner: Former Judge on People’s Court
  • Jerry Springer: Talk Show Host, former mayor of Cincinnati
  • David Duchovny: Actor

Okay, Skull and Bones isn’t not but still, not a bad list…

ramblings

Malaria Awareness Can Be Fun!

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If you don’t think that this post’s headline can be true, check out the video below. President George Bush gets seriously down tackling this serious issue at the White House lawn yesterday. Give the man some credit – he’s got to know people like me are just going to post a video of his routine to their blogs and he still got down and boogied. All of you wallflowers take note. Laura doesn’t want to be involved but sees George dancing so she has to get into the groove. I love how she gives him the universal “I’m so embarrassed/amused by this man at the same time” look that all women display from time to time.

ramblings

New Meaning To "Bad Day At The Office "

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It’s definitely not elegant but all I have to say is “holy fuck”:
r2590825870.jpg
This copy is a direct lift: A crocodile at a zoo in the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung holds the forearm of a zoo veterinarian in between its teeth, April 11, 2007. The crocodile bit off the arm of the zoo veterinarian treating it, an official reported. Picture taken April 11, 2007.
REUTERS/Frank Lin (TAIWAN)
Via Phyl