Bad Luck Email

I am sure they think it's funny but with the holidays coming....

Minipop - Like I Do

Here's a little treat for you.

Quick ..... Look

Quick Look has completely changed the way I read txt files on my Mac. README.txt actually gets glanced at now when before it was thrown away with the rest of cruft developers attach to their apps.

Blacktree.com is down.

Blacktree.com the teet all Quicksilver addicts suckle at seems to be down, and at the worst possible time, when everyone is updating to Leopard. Hopefully good things are in store though, since it was rumored that Quicksilver was going Open Source as soon as the big cat leapt.

A different kind of switcher.

I've made the switch from Mac OS X to Ubuntu. I'll post my comments and observations in the coming weeks.

Bush Fires

Diatribe Tic just became a current events blog.

Fires are raging in Southern California from a Malibu to Disneyland. Hope all the rich people's fire insurance is paid up.

The Burmese Government continues to oppress it's people. Which makes no sense since the government doesn't exist without the people no matter how oppressive. The more correct phrase would be: "Those in power in Burma who change the name to Mynamar and the new media slavishly calls it that for accuracies sake are oppressing the good people of Burma who would prefer to be left alone to live out their lives, but instead they've been forced to fight for what's right as patriots have to do from time to time."

Lame Duck Bush continues to edit the constitution relentlessly while a corporate owned do nothing congress pisses all over itself with an even lower approval rating than a man who can barely speak. I can not believe this is what the United States has become.

I am moving to Canada.

Spend some time in the labs.

A lifehacker post reminded me the rich treasure chest of internet goodness called google labs. I used to spend much more time exploring all the tools but since gmail and reader have graduate I've spent a lot less time in the lab. Little did I know the feature to beat all features was hiding out in the lab. Keyboard Shortcuts for Google searches. Some how I feel like everyone at google uses Emacs not vi. Gee, I wonder why?

Better than a coin toss.

58%

Meet California Singles

Link Love the Hype Machine

The Hype Machine is not coming back until 10,000 people view the home page. So get clicking!

Al Gore = Communist?

Now those left wing wackos at Wikipedia are accusing Nobel Peace Prize Winning Al Gore of being a communist like them.

Review Century City Gulfstream

I called Houston’s and asked if we needed a reservation. They said for parties larger than four we don’t take reservations. When we showed up at 8:30 PM at night they said the wait is somewhere around 50 minutes. We went across the street to the Gulfstream since it is also owned by the Hillstone Restaurant Group. We were seated immediately.
The entrance and waiting area is badly designed. There is no seating for the waiting guests and the hostess doesn’t have a desk, except at the end of the bar. An unused, unopened Grand Piano sits off to the side where I would put seating, behind it hangs one of the most hideous paintings I’ve ever seen.

The hostess has seated us in the bar area because she seems to be doing her best to keep people out of the terribly designed waiting room. We were not given the choice of where we would sit.

Drew is our server he’s very nice and attentive. He offers suggestions without us asking and is personable in his presentation of the specials. Specials include Oysters which Drew insists are in season despite what the menu says. Lousianna Red Fish, Simple Salmon, and Snapper. He also points out the Hawaiin Rib Eye even though it’s on the menu.
My date orders 4 Heavenly Biscuits at $3 per order. They taste great and Drew offers some advice about using the honey to make them taste even better. I order and ice tea and she orders water, which comes in an old style milk jug with two small glasses. Great idea so servers don’t have to waste time filling water glasses. I also liked the Lighthouse shaped pepper shakers.

Drew comes around again and we haven’t decided on our order. He’s fine with this and comes back after about five minutes. My date orders Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes for $32. I order the Hawaiian Rib Eye for $32 on Drew’s recommendation and because I had my mind set on steak this evening.

The bar fills up while we wait for our food.

Our food comes and we tuck in. My Rib Eye is perfectly grilled and firm as a Rib Eye should be. The teriyaki coating blends nicely with the perfectly medium rare steak. The dish comes with a Baked Potato and I ordered it with everything Bacon, Sour Cream, Chives and Cheese, Parmesan I think, a nice touch.

My dates dish however is a different story.

Remember she ordered the crab cakes. Drew said he had been told they are the best crab cakes on the west coast. I assure you this is not true. They taste horribly fishy and are tossed on the plate with peppers soaked in oil but never cooked and plain old coleslaw. The only bright spot of the whole dish is the sauce covering the crab cakes.
As I eat my way through the Rib Eye I realize the steak came with a two ounce blob of fat right in the middle.
The bar is filling up and it’s getting crowded. As an Industrial Engineer I can see flow was not taken into consideration when designing the restaurant. Customers walk in right next to the kitchen so it feels like you’re walking in the backdoor. It’s not a welcoming entrance.

Drew asks us if we want dessert and we ask for our bill. It’s delivered in a timely fashion and far to expensive for the experience we’ve had. My date doesn’t want to come back.

I used the bathroom after we payed and can I just say the televisions with a carwash and rushing water in the men’s bathroom are not a nice addition.

Delta

Is it just me or is every internet service down today. rememberthemilk, gmail pop access, reddit is getting an update, radiohead's releasing a free digital album, AAHHH. Too much change!

ilove it.

Never, has there been a better explanation of a day?

Countdown to Ubuntu

Everyone's favorite Linxu distribution is about to be released!

A Resolution for Ubuntu

Okay I am sorry. I love the idea of Ubuntu but getting the proper screen resolution for my Macbook Pro should not be at all challenging. It works great at 1204x768 but I don't know anyone with that small of a screen anymore. Let's get with the times Linux people. Drop X and figure something else out. I know it's been around forever, but honestly. Let go.

Come Back to Me

I’d like to make a confession.

The first time I ever threw a boomerang. I lost it. Never saw it again. Make of that what you will.

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Whoohoo! - Pixelmator

Pixelmator is Here! A full review tomorrow. Get excited!

zen

minimalism and the zen aesthetic are the best choices i have ever made.

Insane = "You're Funny!"

Right meow, I am wondering when people will discover that I am not really funny I am just insane. And that I mean the things I say pretty much all of the time.

Ah the blessings of instability.

Backed Out On The.... makes me cry.

This video so expresses how one should live their life it makes me want to cry.

A Trip Through Hell

It's 110 degrees and the skin on my face is flaking off. I have driving for five hours in this god forsaken hell hole. With the windows open. Dashboard board flashing warning lights. The steering wheel fighting me like a mexican pit bull in Guadalajara.

I had pushed my why through the spaghetti roads of Zion and pulled my way through the Black Hills of Northern Arizona. I was on the home stretch. I was going to make it.

I pull into Vegas and weave my way through traffic. Exit to Sahara – Salvation, but which way... I pick west. I hope it's right. I drive and hit my first stop light since Denver. The car starts to die. I slam on the gas. It comes back. Green = go, second light repeat. Third light, the whole dashboard lights up like a christmas tree. The gas gauge drops from 1/2 to none. I gun it, shift into neutral, turn right, and glide into the gas station. The car is still running I can still fill up.

I hop out – it dies. Shit! 5 hours and it dies a mile from my final destination.

Tow truck is called, jump start, glide into the shop.

that was hard.

4 AM

I love the TED talks. Every presenter is impeccable.

Last Day of Work

It's my last day of real work. I've decided to move to a nudist colony in Borneau (not really).

Emoticons for the road

Well it must be true, idea worth having has already been dreamt up. I have wanted a way of communicating with other drivers for a few months now and lo and behold: DRIVEMOCION it's not exactly what I was after since I would appreciate customizable messages. Nevertheless it's pretty damn close and pretty damn cool. via MAKE

Quicksilver to open it's source

The very best thing about the Mac OS X experience will go open source with the release of Leopard. I was on the fence about upgrading but alcor also said it would be Leopard only, there is no choice I must upgrade. I am completely and utterly dependent on the little tool that can do everything.

The subject + predicate + attributes = action model is extremely powerful for acting on all kinds of data. It's possibly even more powerful, and certainly faster, than a command line, plus the CLI is accessible via Quicksilver and vice versa with the command line "qs", literally everything is accessible and you can usually type your actions in any way you please. For instance I can say "Camino | Open | Diatribetic" or "Diatribetic | Open URL with... | Camino" and it's the same action. Searching for literally anything is possible with a few plug-ins and it's much much much faster than spotlight in 10.4. I can also type for commands in my menubar without having to memorize key commands for every application. I just need to know how to use Quicksilver and every application works the same.

Add to this the work already done by Vacuous Virtuoso and others; equals great things in que for the QuickAddicts out there.

New Breed of Game - Fly Amongst the Clouds

This is great example of a new breed of video game. The video game as art.

It has beautifully painted back drops and from the looks of it an actual story line. Although it is a bit abstract. I believe this is what the USC Interactive Media Division is talking about when they try and sell me on "serious games." If this is them, then I'm excited for the future of videogaming.

read more | digg story

Things I've Learned From My Black Lab

• Always be energetic.
• Always be fearless.
• Don't avoid casual sexual encounters as long as the proper precautions have been taken.
• Pee outside.
• Be naked.
• Be friendly.
• Be open.
• Get massaged, alot.
• Play
• Fetch
• Work
• Run everywhere
• Taste new and interesting things
• Let small things excite you
• Love
• Bark
• Use your tongue.
  
• Trust
• Don't poop in the house
  

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One person has drowned.

35W Bridge Collapses

The the southbound 35W bridge across the Missippi collapsed into the river during the evening rush hour today at 6:05 pm. Workers have been repairing
the bridge it clearly just gave way. Many people have been injured and some are critical. The bridge was 64 four foot high steel-arch deck truss bridge, built in 1967. For all intensive purposes it should have never fallen down. I am sure the stress of the repairs coupled with the added weight and the heat we've been having made it finally give out. Add to that the coming storms and it's going to be a difficult night at the scene. I just hope no one is permanently injured from this terrible incident.

it's time

"The total cost of owning crossed under that of owning a fuel powered vehicle one year ago." Shai Agassi

Bride of Ikea

It's the end of the world.

Ikea is opening a hostel.

According to a report by Guardian Unlimited 30 "lucky" travelers will get to stay in the IKEA of Oslo. There will also be a bridal suite complete with Chandelier.

Every night, the 30 lucky few will be able to stack up on meatballs, Norwegian salmon and cranberry mousse, as Ikea is offering free dinner and breakfast at the usual canteen.

I fear for humanities future.

Lunch for the poor.

I bought a man's lunch today. I am not sure he was homeless but that was the general idea. He wanted to buy bologna and bread, which is a good opening line, instead of just asking for money. I told him I was uncomfortable just giving him money but I'd go and buy it with him. He agreed. It was a silent walk we both felt a bit awkward I think. We only signaled when we wanted to cross the street and where to go. At the market they didn't have bologna or bread, which I found strange; instead I bought him two cheeseburgers and a tea. I offered to buy him milk but he told me it gave him gas. In hindsight I should have bought him an Orange Juice, more nutritious. We parted without introducing ourselves and he gave me a weak handshake.

What do Jerry Seinfeld, Aristotle, and Winston Churchill have in Common?

Lifehacker has a wonderful post about Jerry Seinfeld's "productivity system." He hangs a calendar on the wall and puts a big red X through every day he writes jokes. Aristotle said "Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” It seems the jester and the philosopher are expressing the same wisdom different ways. They act in there own sphere's but they are the same type of person. They do the same thing to succeed, they "never, never, never give up." Or something like that.

ULTIMATE menu master

So I went to all the trouble of setting up menu access using proxies via Quicksilver, Merlin Mann of 43 Folders so kindly video podcast for us, which is great because it's searchable; however, similar functionality Menu Master functionality is already available in Mac OS X for those times when you know where you're going. Plus the Quicksilver way is a little buggy in Camino and other browsers. I end up with a lot of duplicate bookmark listings.

If you haven't looked at the pro tips section of the apple website please do. It has a bunch of wonderful tips, like this Two Seconds to Sleep tip.

Pictures of Kalirabi

The great thing about Getting Things Done is you have room in your brain for all these crazy ideas. Like pictures of of... kalirabi.

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Small Changes -> Small Miracles

Before I started writing this post. I feel like I need to share I considered the risk I assume when posting this information publicly. It's not like it's a secret to friends or anyone really but I don't advertise it nor do I believe anyone with a disability should advertise it or use it as a crutch. Now that I am considering getting a "real" job I felt I should share that I considered not exercising my free speech rights due to fear of corporation; however, this message is important enough. When in doubt, do the right thing.

I am a Type I Diabetic, I have been for as long as a I can remember. I was diagnosed at fourteen months old and I am sure I had it at eight. My parents used to check my blood sugar by poking my toes. They would dilute the insulin to quarter strength so I had a chance of control. I was eating 1800 calories when I wasn't old enough to walk. I was on a regimen of R and N for many years. I switched the N to U (ultra-lente) when U came out, and despite my Diabetes I stayed on my growth chart and lead a fairly normal life when I was growing up.

College and more specifically engineering had new challenges in store. Gone were the days of structured schedules and regular meals. I was eating dinner at 10 pm and the fourth meal. Breakfast was a luxury. The dining hall offered pizza, pasta and other breads, despite having a dietitian formulate the meals. Not at all a good choice for a Diabetic diet. As a result I lost weight, lots of it, and my sugars where out of control. I had an A1C, the test that measures diabetic control, of... well let's just say "bad."

Endocrinologist: "You should go on an insulin-pump."
Me: "I'm an athlete."
Endocrinologist: "You can still do most things."
Me: "Not good enough, Diabetes will not control my life."

But it was.

I switched to a regimen of Lantus via syringe at night and Novolog via pen needle at meals. This worked okay, but I soon figured out Lantus does not, as advertised, last twenty-four hours. My sugar sky rocketed at dinner time and the Novolog dose was twice that of breakfast (when possible) and lunch doses. I struggled with this a long time (four years). Because I thought It was insanely hectic schedule I reduced the Lantus dose in favor of more Novolog believing it would provide more incremental control. One Saturday night I ran out Lantus, I had forgotten to refill my prescription. The pharmacy was closed on Sunday I was going to have to last until Monday morning at 10 AM. I had always told myself I would just cover with Novolog if something like this had ever happened, THIS DOES NOT WORK. No matter how much Novolog I gave my sugar would not go down. I am convinced the stuff is practically water. I suddenly realized I had not given Lantus the proper respect. I had discounted it's effectiveness because it did not work as advertised. This illustrates an important point about advertising at it's relation to pomodern life. Just because marketing is filled with hyperbolic (yes, curved) assholes does not mean the scientists think like this. They are doing real work and getting real results. Lantus was the most important piece of the puzzle but I refused to see it. That morning I immediately gave enough to cover me until the night. At my normal shot time I upped the dose. My numbers immediately improved; however, the Lantus still ran out early. I hobbled along for a little longer. I swore to myself I would change my habits; eat better, exercise, cut the carbs, no fast food. Only the exercise really helped my blood sugar and I was going low at night, which meant a lack of good sleep at night. I had to cut back on the Lantus again and eat like a maniac right before bed. If I got up at anytime during the night I would go and drink Orange Juice just in case. It was a horrible habit and it lead to wildly erratic results. I was spiraling out of control again. My A1C was the same; "bad".

Then one day I realized all I had to do was give Lantus in the morning. The insulin would fade away at 3 AM when I am neither active nor eating anything. It wouldn't matter. Since switching to this my numbers barely ever reach 200 and rarely drop below 70. It's like I am not even Diabetic. It's beautiful. For the first time in my life I am like everyone else.




P.S. I am not really like anyone else, but it was a nice ending.

Grey Skies of Minnesota

I realized today that I am homesick. Even though I am technically home. It's just not the same as the brightly lit campus of USC or relaxing reprieve of the cabin. Minnesota's just simply not a very nice place to be. The buildings, sky and people are ... grey, for lack of a better word. It's a like a blank sheet of paper that's been dropped in a puddle. It's mind numbing and uninspiring and I can't wait to leave.

The Interweb Vaccum

There seems to be a lack of content on the interweb today. I am not sure if it's because it's Monday or July. So I thought I'd add a little something. I am back from "vacation" aka "work camp 2007." Much longer well thought out posts are on the way. Also, the promised photos.

Hyperslanboldery

Hyperslanboldery - Hyperbole and slander combined.


Ex: My co-author’s claims regarding the scope of his contributions to My First Presidentiary are not just hyperbole, they are slander. Hyperslanboldery.

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lack of photographic proof of the dreck springing from my mind

Okay so I realize I haven't included any images with t
he posts I have done so far, but no more. I hereby solemnly promise to post an image or two in the coming months until then... stay tuned.

updated google docs and spreadsheets

Google updated Docs&Spreadsheets yesterday. Take a look for yourself.

alternative fuels throughout the ages

I can't help my self I had to post this xkcd comic on alternative energy (WINK WINK).

barbershop

The Barbershop is the last bastion of free speech in this country. When a man enters a barbershop he feels comfortable at peace. He knows he can air his opinions and they will be weighed with the gravity they should in everyday life. There are no winners and losers in a barbershop, just an old guard of free men, who like short hair. The position of barber goes as far back as ancient egyptian times and came of age in Rome where all free man had to be clean shave and all slaves wore beards. This served as a signifier of class and rank amongst the Romans, it's also how the term barbarian ("the unbarbered") came about. A similar feeling is expressed in the modern day barbershop, it is a place of civility and courtesy's, an open forum for the discussion of the mundane and magnificent, spurious and true. The issues of are time are addressed in simple language with no fear of recrimination. Unlike the freemen are bones no special skill is required for admission to this fraternity it is a true democracy. Perhaps the shops origins in greece and rome explain the open nature of barbershop. I think it comes from the shop itself.

The conversation in barbershops focuses on what we all have in common. For a few minutes every few months we are just citizens, not bankers, lawyers, students; just citizens. We discuss the issues of the day, talk to the same people we despise so much on the freeways, at the grocery store, in the DMV. We take the time to step outside ourselves and see things from another's perspective, and now matter how harsh the criticism, how racist the rebukes, how sexist the jokes all is heard.

I just joined Technorati

Apparently I have a new Technorati Profile

Night Owls Unite

Denmark as usual is governing with it's head instead of it's ... what organ is responsible for religious zealotry again? They are creating the B-Schedule for people like me who rise late and only see sunrise if they are coming in from the other side. They are starting school at 10 am instead of the absurd bleary eyed hour of whenever American children go to school so they can sleep through the first few classes. Denmark and Scandinavians in general seem to allow for citizens to be human, to have flaws, to work on different schedules, enjoy a vice or two. The result is healthier more peaceful society.

Ben Franklin's 13 Perfect Virtues

These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:

1. TEMPERANCE.

Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. SILENCE.

Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. ORDER.

Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. RESOLUTION.

Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. FRUGALITY.

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i. e., waste nothing.

6. INDUSTRY.

Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. SINCERITY.

Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. JUSTICE.

Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. MODERATION.

Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. CLEANLINESS.

Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

11. TRANQUILLITY.

Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. CHASTITY.

Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13. HUMILITY.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Wired Style

I have noticed WiredDOTcom does a great job of linking to their sources with out interrupting the flow of the read. This is the advantage of hypertext documents in the first place. I wish more people would realize this and stop citing sources in the text itself. It makes no sense. Click Here! crowd take note. Click here.

follow the rules

I forgot my security badge today. A woman politely let me into the office, then promptly turned around and asked if I had badge. I told her I forgot, she bowed her neck and told me to go down and get one. I scoffed turned heel and obeyed.

Later, my manager told me you "gotta play by the rules." A statement so thoroughly against my nature it hurt. Is this what I've been reduced too. Playing by the rules, if it is, I need a new job. I don't even know the rules, and I certainly refuse to play by them. I don't care about loopholes because I don't pay attention to what I need to get through. Play by the rules never got anyone anywhere significant the very definition of accomplishment is changing the rules.

Twins Win.

I went to the Minnesota Twins vs. Atlanta Braves game last night with my cousin who has Williams Syndrome. We sat in the cheap seats, home run section I think they called it. I was surrounded by people ... I am not sure how to phrase this, a class below. They where perfectly nice people for the most part, but there was just something you could feel in the air and see on their faces. Of course many of them where younger and that could have contributed to the feeling but most of the older faces spoke of better days gone by. All drank beer, even the women, and none seemed truly happy or even satisfied. I felt a real lack of connection to the people around my and think it has to do with a simple difference in intelligence. They where outside the little bubble I've constructed. And that got me to thinking.

If the population is truly structured on a normal curve and testing has any merit. Then the people in my life just don't have as many people to relate too as the "home run section." Furthermore, the people we can relate to are spread few and far between and mostly located in cities outside the United States. As my friend often reiterates -- "to be great is to be alone."

Fake it til you make it.

I fear what this bloggin is doin to me. I no longer feel bad about not doing my work. I just had someone else submit my hours for me. This is just generally bad for my productivity I have a feeling. I even procrastinated on reading my productivity book "Getting Things Done" because I am really just a copy cat aren't I. Fake it until you can make it, tis what I always say. Longer posts are coming soon. I just have to warm up to the idea.

Happy Birthday to me.

So it's clearly the end of my life I all the imporant birthdays are gone. Well at least I have this blog now.

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reFit with Linux?

I have been considering installing a flavor of Linux on my Macbook Pro for a while now, but I just can't bring myself to do it. My setup is perfect right now. It syncs seamlessly with google services. I am using gmail, box.net and iDisk as online storage. My resume is in Pages format and I just bought (love) Aperture. I can't come up with a good reason to switch I can use all the useful open source software on my mac anyways. I guess when it comes right down to it I am just not enough of an idealogue to do it. Apple will have to do something heinous to get me switch. Anymore it's just a waiting game. Come on Apple do something awful, WWDC would be the perfect opportunity.

Government Waste

So I am seriously thinking about quitting my job right now. It offers absolutely no stimulation whatsoever. I feel like a leach doing this "job." It's a complete waste of resources and time. I also can't have lunch because I forgot to reload my insulin doser. The days not looking up.

Creativity

So I have been thinking a lot about creativity lately. How it happens the elements of creative endeavor. What yields the most creative thoughts and solutions to complex problems. Since noone knows me yet. I'll just say I am obsessed with simple elegant solutions to complex problems. This came from me trying to describe an artist friend of mine's structured creativity. He comes up with ideas in a way I know but can't describe. I imagine that will be in another post.

So I suppose I should describe the name.
define: Diatribe - ironic or satirical criticism
define: Tic - A tic is a repeated, impulsive action, almost reflexive in nature, which the actor feels powerless to control or avoid. Tics can be triggered by an emotional state (stress is a common trigger) or sensation, or can happen for no obvious reason.
define: Diatribetic - repeated impulsive satirical criticism.

More on that later.