Terradyme: Trials and Tribulations

Sunday, January 30, 2005
Gates: good grammar

Ten years ago, there were really only two magazines that focussed on Mac content: MacWorld and MacUser. I subscribed to both, and as the internet was in its infancy then, I used to relish receiving each new issue so that I could pour through the latest reviews, news and rumours. Now I'm blessed (or cursed) as there are more than half a dozen that I read with regularity, and a half dozen more that I may pick up every so often if the content catches my eye. Very often (as was the case this weekend) I have to devote a significant amount of time to catch up on the pile that's accumulated on the side table. These are all slick, glossy, professional magazines published by trained, educated staffs. Imagine my horror, then, when upon opening up a recent issue's letters page, I saw the following graphic accompanying a letter bemoaning the lack of Apple hardware in the UK's primary schools:

I wouldn't normally bother, but I immediately sent an email to the magazine's editor:

Dear Sir, I hope that William's computer will one day teach him that when indicating the possessive, he should use "Whose", and not "Who's", hopefully increasing his chances of some day growing up to become Editor of a flashy computer magazine.

6:42:00 PM

Friday, January 28, 2005
Stick it, BT

I had a last minute change of plans, mainly due to the weather, and cancelled my plans to visit HL in London tonight after work. Instead, I rang P (13 hours ahead) to make sure she was home & awake, then she and I had a nice audio chat with the webcam I got over Christmas. Totally free, pretty good quality and as soon as I work out the bugs she should be able to both see and hear me while we're chatting. Anyone else who wants to get in on the action (this means you, mudder and brudder) only has to download the latest AIM software from http://www.aol.com/aim/downloadaim.adp No rush.
8:53:00 PM

Wednesday, January 26, 2005
In this case, "two ewes" is appropriate.

It's my ex-work collague P's birthday today. Sorta. See, as she's in New Zealand it's technically tomorrow as I write this. That's OK, because I was fortunately able to call her yesterday evening when I got home, to wish her a proper Happy B-Day on the day, before she left for work. Except the 26th of January isn't when she was actually born, even though that's what's on her birth certificate. Confused? Boy, howdy.
10:00:00 PM

the Grouches

I haven't seen any of the films that were nominated for this year's Academy Awards. Unfortunately by choice I won't be seeing Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby, even though I think Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman are superb actors, because I loathe the "sport" of boxing. Neither will I be catching The Aviator, as Leonardo gives me the shivers. CG and I have a date next Wednesday, however, as Orange is sponsoring "Orange Wednesdays 2-1 Movie Tickets" and we're both interested in seeing Closer with Clive Owen and Natalie Portman (only I wish Clive were joining us for the viewing.) Vera Drake is also on my list of must-sees.
9:46:00 PM

Not all bitch, bitch bitch

When I took the coach to Heathrow on my way back to the States last month, I naturally bought a return ticket, as it was only �18 and two singles would have been 2x�15. Unfortunately, I'm losing it in my old age and despite having seen it twice while I was in DC, I was unable to locate after my flight back. I was forced to spend �15 for a single from Heathrow back to Oxford. Ouch. I don't know what possessed me, but last week I decided to go through all the rubbish before putting it out on the kerb. The thought of picking through two weeks of garbage wasn't appealing, but neither was the idea of having to swallow a �15 mistake. I found the return ticket. I posted it to the airline bus company, asking if they would be kind enough to refund me the money for the unused part. Today I got a cheque in the post to compensate me for the single �15 ticket I'd been forced to purchase at Heathrow. Isn't that a fascinating story?
9:36:00 PM

Monday, January 24, 2005
The moral majority is neither

Two weeks ago, I meant to post how incensed I was to hear that library officials in two Mississippi districts had banned John Stewart's best seller America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. The director of the library system, upset over the nude depiction of the nine Supreme Court justices on one page of this satirical book, indicated "We're not an adult bookstore. Our entire collection is open to the entire public. If they had published the book without that one picture, that one page, we'd have the book." Wal-Mart has also declined to stock the book because of the page. Before I had a chance to check out the page in question (as I did today after work), the Board, which had received a large number of complaints from out of state via phone and email, reversed the decision: "There were 12 to 15 people in the audience and most spoke up in defense of the book. The board responds to community input and they made that decision." Good decision. The episode has inspired me to read up on censorship issues. Just a few days later, however, I read that FOX television had decided to pixelate the bare derriere of one of its cartoon characters during the recent broadcast of an episode IT HAD PREVIOUSLY SHOWN FIVE YEARS AGO WITHOUT SELF-CENSORSHIP and with no complaints, for fear the FCC would fine them. Also:

PBS said it would cut scenes from "A Dirty War," a film produced by the BBC that centres on the aftermath of a dirty bomb attack on London. The scenes in question feature a few seconds of a nude woman being decontaminated in a shower.
Fox TV has already been hit by fines from the FCC, with its network of affiliate stations each fined $7,000 in October for airing Married by America, a reality series in which a female contestant was seen licking cream from a male stripper's chest.
Fearful of even the slightest protest, Fox this year turned down an advert for a cold remedy because it contained a brief flash of 84-year-old actor Mickey Rooney's bottom. (!!!)
Nervousness about the use of the F-word and the threat of sanctions from the FCC hit 66 stations who dropped plans last year to show Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan because of its explicit language.
Oprah, daytime TV's Queen, has received warnings about a show broadcast in March which featured frank discussions about sex.

Where's it end?
10:33:00 PM

Laugh, dammit.

I'm posting this 2nd today for a reason. I've ripped it off directly from a recent post by Todd S. Somehow I don't think he'll sue me.

As an agnostic, I have to admit that I am a bit unclear on a lot of divine rules and regulations. Since it looks like we are going to be a theocracy now, I think it's important for people like me to get some clarification on exactly how this will work out in a day-to-day manner. Fortunately, someone is already asking the right questions: Dear President Bush,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination...end of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15: 19-24). The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev. 24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev. 20:14)?

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan,
Mary Cheney

10:17:00 PM

...and here's this week's update

Thank goodness January is passing by in a dark blur. Last week I managed a full week of work, with very few outdoor activities after, as it's been bitter cold and some nights also wet. I've been trying to instill fiscal responsibility too, as I may have gone slightly overboard over the christmas break. Saturday I slept all day. Actually I was awake between 1 and 4:30 or so, and nearly went out in the afternoon for some fresh milk, but it started to drizzle and I turned back. Sunday it was no problem to get up early & get ready for a nice long day out at CM's cottage in Islip. She'd made a beautiful roast leg of lamb dinner for us, and we had a walk in the fields with her deaf dog Spot and many cups of tea in front of the fire upon our return. I was able to finish watching the 2nd season of The Office last week, and then The Office Christmas Special, which tied up loose ends much better than the show's finale. I much prefer a happy ending.
10:07:00 PM

Thursday, January 20, 2005
Mid-winter Mini-break

ITINERARY: ====================================== MR TIMOTHY G. ====================================== AER LINGUS EI 711 ECONOMY CLASS CONFIRMED DEP LONDON/HEATHROW THU 24FEB05 9.55AM LHR -TERMINAL 1 - TERMINAL 1 ARR CORK THU 24FEB05 11.20AM AER LINGUS EI 712 ECONOMY CLASS CONFIRMED DEP CORK SUN 27FEB05 12.15PM ARR LONDON/HEATHROW SUN 27FEB05 1.40PM LHR -TERMINAL 1 - TERMINAL 1 All Times Local

10:53:00 PM

Saturday, January 15, 2005
Down a different way

It's been an odd week. There's been a bug making its way through the unit and many people have been out. I was off Thursday & slept through the day. That means I've yet to work a full week since the last week of November. It's still dark (and cold) when I get home in the evenings. This week I've been experimenting with some video editing software, as I've been trying to find a way to convert some UK shows and movies so they can be seen in the States, and I think I've finally worked out all the tricks. I've also been making my way through the 30+ hours of recording my TIVO made for me while I was on holiday, and I've seen a couple DVDs from my new rental subscription with Amazon.co.uk (including Fail Safe and The Day After Tomorrow, neither of which is a classic of Comedy). I think the unit is still adjusting to our colleague's death last month. I had to delete her accounts and files on Friday. Some days it's easier to talk about. I found out D is buried in the same cemetery where Tolkein is buried, not far from CG's. I'll probably pop around to visit in a few weeks. There's quite a bit of travel coming up, though, both to and from Oxford. I'm trying to arrange a long weekend to see my sweetie darling Nicky next month. P will be here for a few weeks in March or April, and I'll be flying to DC at the end of April. My mom is flying in to DC that same week so it will be nice to see her as well. My dad is talking about coming for a visit in May, and Beth B has already purchased her tix for her trip here in July. Guess I should start clearing out the 2nd bedroom! I was able to visit Gran today-- the first time since christmas. A very odd day, really, featuring a discourse on prisons and suicide and very pitiful christmases past. She seemed in good health, however, and glad that I came, and managed to serve the requisite two pots of tea, biscuits & bread and jam.
11:58:00 PM

Sunday, January 09, 2005
Down once more

CG surprised me by ringing at noon and inviting me to see The Phantom of the Opera with her and her friend this afternoon. I'd tried to catch it in DC but those plans had fallen through, so I was happy to have the opportunity to go with someone here. The movie was billed at two and three quarters of and hour, and with over a half hour of commercials and previews that made for a very long afternoon. I enjoyed the film, though. I'd known Minnie Driver and Patrick Wilson (whom I'd seen in Angels in America) would be good, but the actors who played Christine and the Phantom were also excellent. Of course comparisons will be made with the stage production, but I think the freedom from fixed sets and linearity, along with closer intereaction between the audience and the characters actually improved the experience. The Phantom's story was fleshed out more, and you sympathize with him in the end. The rest of my weekend plans were bust, as a gale hit England and Gran decided I shouldn't travel to visit her. I'll try again next weekend. Lots of laundry and sorting accomplished instead. I'm still trying to find places for all the items I brougth back with me from the U.S.

10:44:00 PM

Friday, January 07, 2005
Hippo Birdy

My blog/site is three years old. I haven't yet looked to see whether I marked the occasion last year. I recall when I started there were a handful of blogs I read that had been online a year or more, and I never dreamed I'd stick with it for 36 months. Now, according to a popular blog tracker, 15,000 are created every day. This year, blog topped Merriam-Webster's "Words of the Year" list. Time magazine just ran an article entitled "10 Things We Learned About Blogs". Also, according to ABC News, bloggers are People of the Year. Hooray for us.
8:51:00 PM

Tuesday, January 04, 2005
I'm not that hungry

P and I had made plans to get together for New Year's Eve, as neither of us are big ones for going out to party. We had planned to watch a few movies at home, order a Hawaiian pizza from Dominos, and play with her new, pink iPod mini. After watching American Beauty, we decided to go out for a ramble and to look at some of the holiday lights. Towards the end I suggested a pint, to which she agreed, but for the life of us we couldn't find a pub that was open. I was very surprised - I don't know whether most were shut in preparation for private parties or had just not opened because most of the Oxford students weren't around. After visiting five or six pubs, we finally found one (the Duke of York) that was (barely) open. The two of us made up half the crowd. After, we went back to mine & called Dominos. No luck--they were closed too, as had been nearly every restaurant we'd seen on our walkabout. We wound up eating at McDonald's, of all places. P left the next afternoon, and her flight to New Zealand was the next day. I've been in touch with her via phone since then (Teledicount.com's 1p/min works for calls there too) but I'm missing her already.

10:54:00 PM

Apples don't suck

I've had a chance, during the days between returning from DC and having to start work again, to investigate some new Mac software I've been reading about. Two in particular have showcased how useful and easy software should be: http://www.delicious-monster.com/

Delicious Library's digital shelves act as a visual card-catalog of your books, movies, music and video games. A scan of a barcode is all Delicious Library needs to add an item to your digital shelves, downloading tons of info from the internet like the author, release date, current value, description, and even a high-resolution picture of the cover.

I was particuarly keen try try this app as it works great with the new iSight web cam I bought as an X-mas gift for myself. You just show the barcode of the movie or book you want to add to the iSight camera, and Delicious Library looks up it's info in Amazon and populates the library. What could be more simple? The other piece of software is Pod2Go, which allows me to download my address book, calendar, weather reports, and updated text from web sites (including news sites like CNN and BBC.co.uk) to my iPod to peruse e.g. on the bus to or from work, while listening to tunes. MacWorld Expo is next week and the rumour mills are talking about an under-$500 monitor-less Mac, geared towards current PC users who already have a monitor but have seen how elegant Apple's iPod and iTunes are and want to dip their toes into the stability and virus-freeness of Mac OS X. Sounds like a plan.
10:20:00 PM

Monday, January 03, 2005
The sun is setting in New Zealand

My body is back in Oxford, after a great three weeks' holiday in DC, but my mind is still on Eastern Standard Time, unfortunately. I've still got one day of vacation left, and I intend to squeeze every last drop of productivity out of it (which is why I'm up at this ungodly hour). I hadn't meant not to blog during the time I was in DC, but it just turned out that way. I mis-remembered doing the same last year but looking back at the archives I now see I was as prolific as ever. This year I was just busy and more busy, and then too tired at night to type. Apologies. As for some of the highlights: I managed to arrive at Heathrow early enough to be moved to an exit row (aisle seat) with no one sitting next to me. United seem to have wider seats than Virgin, but no seat-back video screens. It was an uneventful flight. As always, I didn't bother with the headphones but "watched" Around the World in Eighty Days. Dan and Ainsley's house is very nice (if full) and only five minutes away from my Dad's so I split my time between the two. D&A have three dogs and five cats currently and had an extra guest (Dan's friend Jeff) and Jeff's dog so mealtimes were a fully regimented affair. I got to help out with the Boivins' decorations soon after arriving, and got to see Beth's new (huge, decorated) home when I attended a pre-Christmas Eve dinner with Dad, her parents, and her roommate's family. Christmas Day was the comfortable, usual fun-filled day of excess. D&A took me out for a german meal at Cafe Mozart before treating me to excellent seats at the National Theater where Moving Out was finishing its run. Dan took Ains, Beth and me on a tour of the Pentagon on one of the slow days there, and we went to see the National Museum of the Native American and the new World War II memorial on the Mall. I had a great night out with Steve F who very kindly picked me up in Woodbridge and drove us into DC and back, so we could catch a meal at the Italian Kitchen & have a few beers, catching up on events from the last year. D&A were very generous with their cars and I was able to arrange a few lunches with colleagues. Traffic in DC, I must say, is as bad as ever. I had the radio tuned perpetually to WTOP for local news, traffic and weather.* *one day of blowing snow, one night of rain, and COLD but otherwise not bad. This time I noticed many more foods marketed as "low carb" for the Atkins Aficionados. I also had a craving for IHOP and twinkies and (not fulfilled) Au Bon Pain's Corn Chowder. I managed to pack almost all into my suitcases & only had one small box to airmail and another box of books I sent by boat. Luckily many people took into consideration my travel restrictions & I rec'd many flat, small and/or squishy items for Christmas. The exchange rate was absurd, in my favour. I'll be back in April so I should start a new shopping list now.
4:41:00 AM