Archive for December, 2013

Back from travel

Sunday, December 29th, 2013

Just returned this evening from a trip to New York. Part of it was fine, but I came down (hard!) with something on Christmas Day. Since then, I’ve been congested, unable to sleep at night, unable to stay awake during the day, and generally miserable.

On my return, I had a few hundred spam emails and pending comments for this blog, mostly trying to advertise sneakers, boots, headphones, sunglasses, drugs, shemale porn, surprises (“click the upcoming website”), and one for personalized Hanukkah pencils. They’ve been simple links, links with text in broken English, links in Japanese characters, in Chinese characters, and several in Arabic characters. At least my blog is so obscure and ignored that I can safely presume that any comments I receive are spam – the last valid comment came in over a year ago.

Some things are not meant to be seen

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Where I work, we’re planning a small Christmas celebration. The company is small enough, and business is tough enough, that we’re not going out to a restaurant for dinner. We are planning, however, to bring in lunch from a local restaurant.

We have a number of restaurant menus available, but the boss wanted to make certain that we had an up-to-date one from the local restaurant we’d decided to use.

Unfortunately, our ISP’s content filter prevented us from accessing the restaurant’s website. The reason given was “Forbidden category: Alcohol/Tobacco.” Really? You can get a drink with a meal? What horror!

Whose decision was this? We have to be prevented from finding out anything about the restaurant because they have a liquor license? I suppose next year I’ll see “Forbidden category: Serving size/Transfat.” Or “Forbidden category: Drink refills.” The way things are going, it may not be long before I’ll see “Forbidden category: Politically incorrect.”

Fortunately, there was a workaround. I downloaded the menu to my cellphone, then sent it as an email attachment to my work email address, from which I could print it. There was a minor glitch there, as the only two menu choices my phone gives me for attachments are “Attach Picture” and “Attach Video.” Fortunately (again), selecting “Attach Picture” gives me the option of attaching any file.

I’ve submitted a request to recategorize the website on the grounds that the current categorization is ridiculous. We’ll see (in about a week) if it has any effect.

I haven’t quit blogging …

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

… it’s just that I’m lazy.

I saw that quote somewhere today, although I don’t remember where. It fits, though. Time to clear some tabs. These are pretty much just some of the tabs I have open, and not the links I’ve accumulated over the last month or so.

A contest to win a Martin guitar.

Some free SF. And some more.

Not always safe for work (depending on your workplace), but an interesting site.

A collection of historical software.

Interesting fact: More whites were killed by blacks in 8 years than blacks were lynched during the 84 years in which lynchings occurred. And don’t forget that a lot of whites were lynched then, also.

A marvelous video of one of Woody Allen’s standup stories.

How to opt out of data tracking on your most-used sites.

UsVsTh3m is a British site that has some fun things. Here’s a link to a list of some of their fun posts.

This looks like a cool tool for guitarists.

Need or want a home distillery? Check here.

Fifty hacks that will make your life easier (for certain values of “will” and “easier”).

Want to get into shape? Try the scientific 7-minute workout.

Every time you make a typo

I haven’t spent any time on this site yet, but it looks interesting.

I’m going to have to spend some time here – I can always do with finding improvements in notetaking and productivity.

Ethanol is not something that should be going into fuel.

My state senator has resigned rather than lose her seat to recall. One of my acquaintances/casual friends was involved in the recall, and has some blogging about what happened on his site. Personally, I didn’t see any of these tactics, but I saw a number of protests at the sites of the petition drive, and I don’t doubt that they occurred.

Which are the best- and worst-run states?

How to choose the perfect board game.

Need some ideas for Christmas presents? Check out Dave Barry’s Gift Guide.

If you’ve never seen the classic WKRP turkey drop, it’s something you need to watch.

This cat has it in for someone.

This is an Advent calendar I can appreciate.

What if buying coffee were like buying health insurance under Obamacare?


What happens in Room 101
? Read the linked article, also; Francis is very good.

This is a good quiz on current news. I’ve taken it a few times. This time, the only question I missed was the one about the graph of the Dow.