The Robot's Thoughts

This is a story I found about another blogger, in Portland, who apparently found out that her identity was being mis-used. The University of Utah sent her a parking ticket for a car she's never drove and never owned, to find out that the university actually creates a mini-student record for anyone who fills out interest in the university.

For some reason, probably because she was college hunting, they get her information off a college info card, where it sat in their databases for 7 years with no activity until some meter maid accidentally messed up the Student ID number and wrote her a parking ticket.

When she calls them up, asking for her information to be removed, they respond with "We never delete people".

Good job University of Utah! Brillant!

You scored 311 out of 350 possible points, or 88.86%

B+
You should update your knowledge and then vote.



For the record, a tabulation error screwed me out of an A. I know who the Secretary General Of the United Nations is -- but I apparently misclicked.

Oh, and I already voted -- I did so last week during WV's first day of early voting. Or at least, I think I voted, since it was a touch screen machine.

I'm interested in seeing what other people get on the voting test. Post your score in the comments section.

I know I haven't really been posting much to my site. One of the main issues has been I've been having trouble blogging. Its not writer's block. Its more like, "blogger is down".

DreamHost.com has been great. I have not experienced any major downtime issues with them, other than my soapbox mailing list going down while I switched the two hosts. That was my fault, because I switched in the middle of the week, without warning anyone. I didn't even check to see if it was a high traffic period.

No, the issue is that the Blogger software engine is rotting. Software, unlike buildings, bridges, and teeth, shouldn't rot, you say. Ah, but if you have a veritable horde of new users starting new blogs every day, and you do not grow or replace your hardware, its possible that the issues of reliablity and scalability will creep up. And that they did.

Blogger has not put out a major release of its software since it was aquired by Google. That was nearly 4 years ago. They currently have a new version in beta that runs on Google-quality hardware. Its also a lot easier to customize templates, and adds new features like tagging into their model.

I can't wait. When they had their first few, er, unplanned outages they hadn't moved their Status Blog over to the new blogging engine. This means they couldn't publish a post to tell you that post publishing is down. Ouch. Talk about a catch-22.

So I've had a few posts that wouldn't publish, and one disappear off into the void. It was nothing special. They seem to be up-and-running right now, so I'd like to wish everyone a happy halloween.

I don't normally discuss the articles that I read when I browse Reddit.com because if I did a blog post about every single article that I found that either set me off (politics) or found interesting (programming, science) or funny, I wouldn't get anything done at home or at work. Take that as a glaring endorsement of collaborative filters.

However, I found an article that is a really interesting read. Its about how the Elepants in africa are going crazy and attacking humans. The reasoning behind it is similar to "post-tramatic stress".

The only way to get an Elephant into the circus or zoo is to kill its family. Its mother. Its father. Its allomothers (other females who share the burden of raising the child elephant).

Elephants stand vigil over their dead. They take a week to bury it while they stand vigil. When they re-visit a grave site, they weep. They also greet the dead the same way they greet the living.

The question that we face is whether or not we want to learn to live with Elephants, because they're reaching the snapping point.

I've gotten into the bad habit of not working out after work. I need to reverse my thinking on that.

I've been reading the book "User Interface Design For Programmers" and its actually very pleasant to read. You also learn guidelines that teach you how to design for people who can't read (or won't), people who forget everything but their own name, and other quirky user traits.

Its enjoyable reading.

A friend of mine had her car towed, because she parked in front of a driveway by accident. That definitely sucks, especially if you can relate to being broke till payday, which thankfully is this friday. However, she needed someone to cheer her up, and actually bugged me online. This alleviated my boredom last night, and it was good to do a friend a favor. Thank you.

Ever have a stressful day? I know I have. Ever have a kitten sit on your lap and just pur for two hours while you read after a stressful day? Its awesome.

Its official: Freak Squad has been shuffled off to thursday night, and Drawn Together has been set up to follow South Park. As much as I a fan of David Cross, Freak Squad just doesn't get you to laugh out loud. Its too cliche. Drawn Together has been off the hook lately.

I've recently been putting all the blogs I read on Myspace onto my subscription page. And I've been using Feeds.Reddit.com to do the same with the blogs that I've been reading off of myspace.

A friend of mine tried to turn me on to Imogen Heap when they first came out, but I was wary of becoming pretencious with music, but now that I've come across their album and I'm loving it, I'd like to give an official shout out to Maryland Emo Girls Who Love Sushi.

I find it funny how many attack ads I see on TV these days. You think there was an upcoming election or something. Here in WV, we're allowed to vote early, and since I'm registered to vote, that's exactly what I did. So I've already decided -- my vote has already been counted -- there is little someone can do to influence my decision now that I've already made it. I wonder how many people have done the same, and if enough people do it, if it will stave off these last minute negative-ad blitzs that just remind you that pretty much everyone in politics is crooked.

I am addicted to Grid Wars 2.

I actually remember bits and pieces of my dream last night.

Someone at the high tech foundation was trying to unravel the secrets behind this occult book that she had somehow come upon. It was something like 250 years old.

For some reason the evidence lead us to Philadelphia. Oh, and my high school cross country team was there. This dream also involved a lot of running uphills.

At least I was able to run effortlessly up and down hills.
But still, since somehow my mind flashbacked to high school, everyone still acted like the jerks they were back then.

Still, first dream I've vividly remembered in a long time.

I can't wait until I get my flu shot.

Don't I look just dapper?


Close up of Courage.

You can find all my photos here

And all my kitten pics: here

I just realized its one day before my 25th.

That's all that's dawned on me. Birthday wishes via email, blog post comments, myspace, phone or whatever are appreciated.

After owning this domain for something like 3 and 1/2 years, I finally created an index.html page for people to look at if you just go to http://www.christopherwilson.net/

You can check it out or not. Its just something I threw together really quick with iWeb to try it out.

Here's the rest of the 100 items.

1. Thing I care the least about: If my socks match.


2. I sponsor a child in India. His name is Sudha Bag.


3. Most Worrying: That I find VH1 has better programming than MTV these days.


4. Second Most Worrying: Children growing up now will probably assume the Bush Administration is how the US has always governed.


5. Favorite Superhero: Orgasmo, The Mormom Porn Star Superhero created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone.


6. I keep a skateboard in the trunk of my car. Just in case.


7. Favorite Thing about WV: The Rail Trails. unless I see a snake.


8. Best Line Ever: "I need you to be strong." Sam Jackson, "Snakes On A Plane"


9. Worst Myspace Friend: Sam.


10. Person from college I want to visit the most: Valasek. He stole me an entire bottle of hot sauce from a Pirate's game while drunk. I owe him.


11. Second on the Visitation List: Jason and Lumi.


12. Favorite Time of Yaer: Spring


13. Favorite Holiday Food: Pumpkin Pie


14. Favorite Fight Club Phrase: "You are not a unique snowflake."


15. Most hated part of me: The selfish side


16. Biggest Regret: That my words and voice couldn't you move you, then or now.

Okay. That's 100.

As October is "National Christopher Wilson Awareness" Month, I thought I'd make a list of tidbits about me to raise awareness.

100 Things About Me

1. unnecessary Bank Charges Drive Me Nuts. File it under Pet Peeve.


2. I've been using Macintosh computers since I was 5. The Mac Plus 1MB model.


3. I've been online for 18 years. I remember when there was no world wide web, and to get something resembling an image from off the net, you have to be an expert at binary image extraction.


4. I love sushi.


5. I've been running an email discussion list since I was 18. It started as a way to keep everyone in touch, and journal my life.


6. Sometimes I believe in destiny.


7. Other times, I think we're all fucked no matter what we do.


8. I turn 25 in 5 days.
9. 
   
10. I love to read, mostly Sci-Fi series. The occasional best seller.


11. I love sketch comedy. The state. Kids In The Hall. UCB. Love it. Even SNL at times.


12. I once was in love with someone for the bounce in her step. I had been on Pitt's campus no more than 3 days.


13. I think varsity jackets and hoodies are stupid.


14. I think the new Battlestar Galactica kicks ass.


15. I'm left handed and left footed.


16. I like soccer and ultimate Frisbee.


17. I recycle whenever possible.


18. I'm against plastic surgery. But now that I have 4 facial scars, and one is pretty hard to miss, I'm considering it later in life.


19. As material oriented as I sometimes sound on my blog, I own very little. Just what I need.


20. I want to master the art of Asian cooking.


21. I love to dance.


22. I think rappers should figure out better things to do with their millions than create a sweatshop backed clothing line. Especially if they're going to get all righteous about slavery.


23. I've wanted to be a computer engineer since I was 16.


24. I am so not a morning person.


25. I love caffeine


26. I think dying of cancer is terrifying.


27. I think watching a loved one die of cancer is terrifying.


28. I love spicy food.


29. I've rescued two kittens. named them cuddle and courage, based off their personalities.


30. I think its our new manifest destiny to explore and colonize space.


31. I have a perfectly rational fear of a zombie holocaust.


32. I'm cool with everyone owning guns so long as only I have the ammo.


33. Huge fan of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report


34. I have a turtle named "Logo".


35. I love road trips.


36. There is a place on my shoulders when kissed gives me goosebumps. Only 4 girlfriends have found it.


37. I was vegetarian for three years. What did me in: A craving for buffalo wings.


38. I wonder who reads this that I don't talk to anymore.


39. I used to rock climb. Despite, actually because of, a fear of heights.


40. The punchline to the funniest joke ever told? "Your mom."


41. I can sing exactly like the lead singer to "Saves the Day", but only when I don't think anyone else is around. (When caught, my voice immediately goes to shit)


42. I cheated on a book report in 3rd grade and got caught. I didn't cheat because I didn't read. I just didn't care. I was sick of school.


43. I had no idea my first girlfriend had a crush on me for a year before we went out.


44. I want to take up snowboarding.


45. I like scary movies.


46. Favorite Movie: Transformers: The Movie (The Animated one, where Optimus Prime dies)


47. Second Favorite Movie: Six String Samurai.


48. Worst Prequels Ever: Star Wars Episode 1 through 3. George Lucas should be ashamed.


49. I like to make people laugh.


50. I think Scientology is bullshit.


51. I think Scientology is bullshit.


52. I think Scientology is BULLSHIT


53. I love to cook fish.


54. I dare you to try to catch me ridin' dirty.


55. At this point I don't think I'm going to make it to 100 without some cheap tricks.


56. Pirates vs. Ninjas? Definitely Ninjas.


57. What's the difference between jersery girls and trash? Trash gets picked up.


58. My favorite ramen flavor is picante chicken.


59. Aside from mastering the art of Asian cooking, I plan on making some mighty fine Mexican.


60. Like the main character in office space, I love Kung Fu movies.


61. I'm a Buddhist.


62. I still have my wisdom teeth.


63. I don't have my appendix.


64. I like a girl with a giant head.


65. I like dark beers. I was drinking Negro Modelo before the douchebags were.


66. I used to be a scenester, but now I hate people who are overly pretencious because of what music they listen to.


67. Its depressing to see punk become a fashion statement.


68. I can't sleep if there's a lot noise.


69. Favorite Childhood Story: The Proudest General, a Chinese folktale.


70. I invented the phrase, "What Would Peter North Do?".


71. Favorite Snack Food: Chips and Salsa.


72. Gameboy DS vs. PSP: Gameboy DS


73. I recommend Dreamhost.com for all your hosting needs


74. I'm training for 5Ks


75. Favorite Album: "Dear You" by Jawbreaker.


76. Favorite Author: Neal Stephenson -- Snow Crash and The Diamond Age rule.


77. Battery Percentage on my laptop at this moment: 25%


78. Favorite TV show: Scrubs


79. Favorite City: Seattle


80. Biggest Concert I've ever been to: Live 8, in Philadelphia. 1.2 million people in attendance.


81. Favorite Hookah Flavor: Fruit Punch. Mango is a close second.


82. Least reflective moment about my life: about 30 things ago.


83. Most Missed Thing About Pittsburgh: Late Night Trips to Ritters.


84. What you're going to hate most about this list? I'm stopping now.
    

I'll get the remaining 15 after I get some sleep.

North Korea supposedly has the bomb. Which reminds me, we should play this game:

http://www.everyone-dies.com/

For the readers on this list that play PC Games, check out DEFCON. Its the only game where no matter what you do, you're going to participate in a full-scale nuclear exhcange. Everyone is going to die. The question is, can you die the least?

Check it out. Let me know how it goes.

Hello everyone who's tuning in with an RSS feed reader. Sorry for the huge lack of updates. Its small fault. I was posting, but the feed was being published to the wrong place, and an old feed was sitting in as a placeholder.

Its a small configuration mistake on my part from when I moved from Myhosting.com to Dreamhost.com.

Thanks to Speed Racer for the heads up.

My girlfriend got me a Nintendo Gameboy DS Lite for my birthday, almost three weeks early. I guess promoting October as National Christopher Wilson awareness month is working.

The DS is AWESOME. Its a little on the slim/small side for something you would play frequently. My hands cramp up when using it for half-hour/hour periods of time.
But the screen quality, graphics quality, gameplay, everything I've used with it so far, has be freakin' AWESOME.

Aside from the aforementioned hand cramps, the only thing I have to complain about is I can't get the "speed boost" start in Maro Kart DS. Someone's going to have to "school" me in mario kart.

Also, since my girlfriend is a fan of Animal Crossing for the Gamecube and I know we have friends with Animal Crossing on the DS, I went out and purchased Animal Crossing: Wild Worlds DS. IM me or email me your friend codes everyone.

Friday Night the dance floor was weak. Too many 'girl power' pop anthems that are sweet enough to rot your teeth. It was Planet Marla Singer, and I hugged the walls.

I still had a good time. Just not a great time.

On the way back, while taking a friend home, I took a short cut, unknowing it was a 25 mph zone, and was flagged doing 40. Police typically aren't friendly at 3am on a friday night, where most of the people zooming around have been drinking.

I was going to be given a field sobriety test because the officer smelled booze in the car. Not a problem, my guests had been drinking, and I stopped three hours ago. I was sober.

But I also have acid reflux, and the scary thing about acid reflux is that you belch up a lot more stomach gas, which has a much higher alcohal than the oxygen in your lungs. Breathelyzers don't know that. They're programmed to multiply the alcohal concentration by a set ratio of oxygen:alcohal found in the human lung. Thanks again, reddit.com for linking to that handy advice.

Thankfully, it didn't come to that. As I'm sitting in the back of the police car, prior to being given some kind of field sobriety test, he asks why I moved here. (PA drivers license gives away the fact that I'm not from here. I tell him where I work, and what we're doing.

"That's awesome," He says, "When I was in Iraq in 03, it took forever for us to get our shit."

He asks me about the girls that I'm driving home. We keep chatting, simply because we're waiting for my drivers record to come back, and there are a lot of traffic stops going on. When my record comes back clean, he decides to let me go. He figures the fact that I can have a coherant conversation on security clearances, military logistics, driving habits and accident statistics, etc then I can probably drive the block and half to JS's place.

We get there, and I'm still wired from the fact that I was pulled over. Stuff like that has a tendency to freak you out. So I eat some vegetarian imitation bacon and recount stories of other traffic stops with my SO and JS. After a while, my SO gets tired, so around 4 we drive (obeying the speed limit this time) through the fog back to our place in south village.

Still it was freaky. I knew I was sober, and able to drive. That's why we made a point to go out early, have me stop early, and then finish out the night with water and soda.

Anyway, that was my weekend freakout. I didn't even get a ticket.

I thought that would be more entertaining for all of you that bitching about the current table-rendering/css-incompatibility bug I'm trying to squash at work. Also, to the Microsoft Internet Explorer team out there, I know there's a fellow also named Chris Wilson working there. I appreciate your efforts, but a product as bad as IE6 should simply be voted off the island. Having to deal with its quirks makes me swear at work, and that makes me feel bad for my officemate.