30.10.07

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.

29.10.07

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.

25.10.07

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.

24.10.07

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?

15.10.07

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.

12.10.07

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.

10.10.07

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.

5.10.07

3.10.07

1.10.07

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.