http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvE6JJN0_is
Another thing I never imagined I would see in the 21st century: a computerized video of Stan Lee addressing a 21st century comics convention.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Junior High Head Busted
Was it the huge turn out at the pep rally that provided the first clue? Principal charged with dealing crystal meth - CNN.com: "Principal charged with dealing crystal meth"BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A middle school principal was charged with dealing crystal methamphetamine after police found the drug in his school office.
John Acerra, 50, of Allentown, was arrested Tuesday in his office at Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem, where police said they found meth on his desk.
Police said they began investigating Acerra in early February after an informant told them that the principal was using and distributing the drug, The Morning Call newspaper reported Wednesday. Acerra was arrested in his office after allegedly selling drugs to the informant, authorities said.
John Acerra, 50, of Allentown, was arrested Tuesday in his office at Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem, where police said they found meth on his desk.
Police said they began investigating Acerra in early February after an informant told them that the principal was using and distributing the drug, The Morning Call newspaper reported Wednesday. Acerra was arrested in his office after allegedly selling drugs to the informant, authorities said.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Largest Gathering Ever of Celibate Males
Involuntary celibates that is: New York Comic Con, far more than a comic book show. February 23-25, 2007 New York City.
I knew someone who told me she once went to a science fiction convention and never expected that she would be the hottest chick there. She said that although there were one hundred males for every female, she never once felt unsafe or uncomfortable. Luckily she was an outgoing person and didn't have a problem with starting a conversation.
I knew someone who told me she once went to a science fiction convention and never expected that she would be the hottest chick there. She said that although there were one hundred males for every female, she never once felt unsafe or uncomfortable. Luckily she was an outgoing person and didn't have a problem with starting a conversation.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Smith Tower Goes Condo
Seattle PI article ignores the obvious and and instead worries about how condos in Pioneer Square would affect a pizza stand. Even the tour operator for the Underground Tour gets to weigh in: Smith Tower condo conversion raises concern: "Smith Tower condo conversion raises concern"
The typical Seattle resident is far too reserved and polite to raise the more interesting question: what is the projected market for condos located next to two busy sports stadiums, a party spot for drunken eastsiders and frat boys, and a homeless park marked by despair and the smell of urine?
The typical Seattle resident is far too reserved and polite to raise the more interesting question: what is the projected market for condos located next to two busy sports stadiums, a party spot for drunken eastsiders and frat boys, and a homeless park marked by despair and the smell of urine?
The Eastside Connection
Article about growing crime down the 405 corridor. Eastside police challenged by ID fraud, car thefts, drugs: Local News: The Seattle Times: "'They'll come from Everett, do crimes in Redmond, and drop the car off in Kent,' he said. 'Virtually everyone police arrest is a meth addict. It's an epidemic.'"
Most newspaper articles seem to describe a cause and effect where drug use leads to crime. Could it also work the other way around where crime and its outlaw lifestyle leads to drug use and abuse? From the heightened activity of the criminals, it would seem that criminals are more productive, at least for a while, when they use meth. Eventually, their addiction cause criminals to become sloppy and stupid, thus leading to their eventual capture and incarceration. One last question arises: does a program to take a criminal off drugs leads to a more hard working and efficient criminal just as it would for a non-criminal?
Most newspaper articles seem to describe a cause and effect where drug use leads to crime. Could it also work the other way around where crime and its outlaw lifestyle leads to drug use and abuse? From the heightened activity of the criminals, it would seem that criminals are more productive, at least for a while, when they use meth. Eventually, their addiction cause criminals to become sloppy and stupid, thus leading to their eventual capture and incarceration. One last question arises: does a program to take a criminal off drugs leads to a more hard working and efficient criminal just as it would for a non-criminal?
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Plutarch Explains the Romans
It seems that the Greeks were curious about why Roman guys always called ahead.
Plutarch: Roman Questions (Part 1 of 5): "9 Why is it that, when men who have wives at home are returning either from the country or from abroad, they send ahead to tell their wives that they are coming?
Is it because this is the mark of a man who is confident that his wife is not up to any mischief, whereas coming suddenly and unexpectedly is, as it were, an arrival by stratagem and unfair vigilance; and are they eager to send good tidings about themselves to their wives as if they felt certain that their wives would be longing for them and expecting them?
Or is it rather that the men themselves long to hear news of their wives, if they shall find them safe at home and longing for their husbands?
Or is it because during their husbands' absence the wives have more household duties and occasions, and also dissensions and outbursts against those of the household? Therefore the notice is given in advance that the wife may rid herself of these matters and make for her husband his welcome home undisturbed and pleasant. "
Plutarch: Roman Questions (Part 1 of 5): "9 Why is it that, when men who have wives at home are returning either from the country or from abroad, they send ahead to tell their wives that they are coming?
Is it because this is the mark of a man who is confident that his wife is not up to any mischief, whereas coming suddenly and unexpectedly is, as it were, an arrival by stratagem and unfair vigilance; and are they eager to send good tidings about themselves to their wives as if they felt certain that their wives would be longing for them and expecting them?
Or is it rather that the men themselves long to hear news of their wives, if they shall find them safe at home and longing for their husbands?
Or is it because during their husbands' absence the wives have more household duties and occasions, and also dissensions and outbursts against those of the household? Therefore the notice is given in advance that the wife may rid herself of these matters and make for her husband his welcome home undisturbed and pleasant. "
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Viaduct Options
For the record: the San Francisco Emarcadero freeway mentioned below was an off ramp from the Bay Bridge to North Beach. It was public works boon doggle, and yes, it was torn and replaced by a boulevard that leads to Fisherman's Wharf, America's most well known tourist trap. Mayor Nickels in Seattle is of the opinion that the Alaskan Viaduct, part of the Highway 99, and important north south corridor, cuts off Seattle from the waterfront. To be precise: downtown Seattle is cut off by a hill from the waterfront. The expensive million dollar condos on Harbor Steps would have a majestic view of the Puget Sound and Cascades if it wasn't for the highway. Defiant Nickels promises to campaign hard for a tunnel : Local News: The Seattle Times: "Nickels noted that San Francisco tore down the elevated Embarcadero freeway on its waterfront and replaced it with a surface boulevard and trolley. The result has been a thriving waterfront, which is 'exactly what we’re trying to achieve' Nickels said. "
Friday, February 09, 2007
Pop Culture Half Life
When I was young, I enjoyed reading science fiction magazines and Mechanix Illustrated. I thrilled at the idea that in the 21st century I would be flying my rocket helo-car, possibly to the moon or Mars, to work with giant intelligent computers. Never in the wildest moments of my Star Trek fevered imagination did I envision that in the 21st century Zsa Zsa Gabor would still be in the news (I aslo never imagined that Captain Kirk would be doing ads for a discount outlet). So it seems that Ann Nicole Smith intersected with another pop celebrity from the mid-20th century : From today's SF Chronic-Zsa Zsa's Husband: I Might Be Baby's Dad: "The husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor said Friday that he had a decade-long affair with Anna Nicole Smith and may be her infant daughter's father."
Monday, February 05, 2007
Anti-Mac Rant
Charlie Brooker finds Apple computers and their users to be pretentious and insufferable. I especially like his comparison of the PC to Dr. Who's cranky Tardis. However, think this is the best quote: Guardian Unlimited Comment is free I hate Macs: "If you truly believe you need to pick a mobile phone that 'says something' about your personality, don't bother. You don't have a personality."
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