Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Links From Today's Lunch Break.
Since I posted a small rant last night and have yet to get any comments, I figure I'll dazzle everyone with a small list of links that I stumbled on today while taking a break from the research I'm doing for one of my software projects.
Rhapsody Music is selling 114 songs in DRM free 256kpbs MP3 format from the smashing pumpkins. That's $.18/song. Its all rarities or B-sides. This won't last long, so if you're got the $20 to spend on the album, go for it.
This post on the consumerist gives the skinny about the "non-mechanics" at a Jiffy Lube intentionally wrecking a new Pontiac G6's oil plug when the owner requests that they leave it a little loose now that "her husband will be changing her oil from now on". It goes without saying that places like Jiffy Lube and Grease Monkey employ people willing to work on cars all day for $6/hour and have no vocational school training (at least, none is required) or any certifications. That's why its always a good idea to either do it yourself (if you're capable) or take it to a trained, skilled, and (hopefully bonded) mechanic. Consider any difference in price "piece of mind".
If you are in the market for a new car, say because you've found out that Mazda, Honda, and Mitsubishi are all offering 0% APR for 60 months (that's a long time) for qualified buyers, or because you're getting married and need to lay the old clunker to rest before its wheels fall off, Consumer Reports has published a list of the top 10 most fuel efficient cars in price per mpg. That means getting the most fuel bang for you buck. The Honda Fit Sport leads the pack, with the Mazda 3 and Toyota Prius following close behind it. Not seen on the list: Any American made economy cars. Let's hope GM's still around to release the Chevy Volt in 2010.
Speaking of the Chevy Volt, if the idea of a plug in series hybrid car that's almost as aerodynamic as the Honda Insight that can get nearly 40 miles range on its electric motor, there's an "Unofficial Wait List" to indicate interest to GM. They also want to know what you think the Volt is worth (as in your ideal MSRP) and what you'd put down on one as a down payment/deposit.
Even though the Volt is planning on being released in 2010, don't expect to see too many of them. GM is having them built by hand just like the EV1. That means production is going to be limited to 10,000 vehicles the first year. And it means its very easy to shut down production because the labor is costly (making the car more expensive) and the factory doesn't have to be re-tooled. Expect GM to bet that the price of oil will drop, gas will level out at $3.50/gallon for a year or two, and people will feel comfortable with a V6 Chevy Tahoe "CrossOver". The American auto industry's tombstone will read "They just didn't get it".
On a lighter note, here's a post titled "10 Things You Should Know About Asian Girls...Revised". If you're well adjusted, this is going to read as "common sense". Things like "Don't assume I speak bad english. I could be faking it to get away from the creepy old guy." and "Don't assume I get turned on by you knowing Kung Fu." and "My family will want to see if you're interested in just me, or also interested and accepting of my culture."
So it may not be an interesting read for you. Its the tone that I like. Its written like its talking down to the kind of D.C. douchebag that bemoans that "dating is sooooo hard" and that from now on, he's only dating Latina or Asian women exclusively, because white women figure out his passive-aggressive bullshit before he could even mention that he "used to be a millionaire on paper". Old soapbox postings like that get me all choked up, if just because the level of pathetic and stupid mixed in such a douchey way.
Lastly, after that rant, I'm going out on a classy note. Here's an article talking about the easiest income source for hot chicks: Internet Money. You don't even have to get naked or be a cam-whore. These days, so many people are online, that a video of you playing Wii Fit in your boyfriend's t-shirt and a bikini bottom might be enough to earn you some crazy AdSense cash. Didn't really watch any of the videos since YouTube is kinda "not acceptable use" but I'm sure someone, somewhere is offended at the idea of "hinting about showing your boobies == money".
Rhapsody Music is selling 114 songs in DRM free 256kpbs MP3 format from the smashing pumpkins. That's $.18/song. Its all rarities or B-sides. This won't last long, so if you're got the $20 to spend on the album, go for it.
This post on the consumerist gives the skinny about the "non-mechanics" at a Jiffy Lube intentionally wrecking a new Pontiac G6's oil plug when the owner requests that they leave it a little loose now that "her husband will be changing her oil from now on". It goes without saying that places like Jiffy Lube and Grease Monkey employ people willing to work on cars all day for $6/hour and have no vocational school training (at least, none is required) or any certifications. That's why its always a good idea to either do it yourself (if you're capable) or take it to a trained, skilled, and (hopefully bonded) mechanic. Consider any difference in price "piece of mind".
If you are in the market for a new car, say because you've found out that Mazda, Honda, and Mitsubishi are all offering 0% APR for 60 months (that's a long time) for qualified buyers, or because you're getting married and need to lay the old clunker to rest before its wheels fall off, Consumer Reports has published a list of the top 10 most fuel efficient cars in price per mpg. That means getting the most fuel bang for you buck. The Honda Fit Sport leads the pack, with the Mazda 3 and Toyota Prius following close behind it. Not seen on the list: Any American made economy cars. Let's hope GM's still around to release the Chevy Volt in 2010.
Speaking of the Chevy Volt, if the idea of a plug in series hybrid car that's almost as aerodynamic as the Honda Insight that can get nearly 40 miles range on its electric motor, there's an "Unofficial Wait List" to indicate interest to GM. They also want to know what you think the Volt is worth (as in your ideal MSRP) and what you'd put down on one as a down payment/deposit.
Even though the Volt is planning on being released in 2010, don't expect to see too many of them. GM is having them built by hand just like the EV1. That means production is going to be limited to 10,000 vehicles the first year. And it means its very easy to shut down production because the labor is costly (making the car more expensive) and the factory doesn't have to be re-tooled. Expect GM to bet that the price of oil will drop, gas will level out at $3.50/gallon for a year or two, and people will feel comfortable with a V6 Chevy Tahoe "CrossOver". The American auto industry's tombstone will read "They just didn't get it".
On a lighter note, here's a post titled "10 Things You Should Know About Asian Girls...Revised". If you're well adjusted, this is going to read as "common sense". Things like "Don't assume I speak bad english. I could be faking it to get away from the creepy old guy." and "Don't assume I get turned on by you knowing Kung Fu." and "My family will want to see if you're interested in just me, or also interested and accepting of my culture."
So it may not be an interesting read for you. Its the tone that I like. Its written like its talking down to the kind of D.C. douchebag that bemoans that "dating is sooooo hard" and that from now on, he's only dating Latina or Asian women exclusively, because white women figure out his passive-aggressive bullshit before he could even mention that he "used to be a millionaire on paper". Old soapbox postings like that get me all choked up, if just because the level of pathetic and stupid mixed in such a douchey way.
Lastly, after that rant, I'm going out on a classy note. Here's an article talking about the easiest income source for hot chicks: Internet Money. You don't even have to get naked or be a cam-whore. These days, so many people are online, that a video of you playing Wii Fit in your boyfriend's t-shirt and a bikini bottom might be enough to earn you some crazy AdSense cash. Didn't really watch any of the videos since YouTube is kinda "not acceptable use" but I'm sure someone, somewhere is offended at the idea of "hinting about showing your boobies == money".
Labels: blogging, cars, gas prices, links, music, Reddit, soapbox, video, youtube
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A few of my favorite things
I thought I'd post a few of my favorite things on my website. Friends are of course welcome to comment.
First off: Favorite Bond that does not involve Sean Connery:
What can I say? The Bad Boy Bond rocks.
This next picture is a "screw up". I was trying to take a self portrait of Melissa (my friend's wife) and me when home for thanksgiving this past year. I ended up photographing a picture of her eye, and my teeth. She constantly tells me I'm a horrible photographer. She probably hates this picture. Me, I love it. Even though its a screw up, you can tell we were happy when this picture was taken. That's all the picture was meant to say. And it makes me smile when I think of the good times with hometown heros, especially when I miss them.
Here's the finished product. Its not half bad, either.
Here's my favorite "Me Expressing My Thoughts About the Greek System @ Pitt" Picture. But I'm not bitter.
Favorite Cat / Chinese Cooking Picture.
My new thing is shoes. I guess the "drool for shoes" aspect of JPOD (by Douglas Coupland) rubbed off on me. I'm really into cool shoes. These are my new running shoes -- Addias Goodyears. They're made from recycled race car tires. They're designed for distance road races. They look like golf cleats. And they were $39.99 on sale.
Here's my other favorite pair of shoes. These are "Diesel" brand shoes. Very, very comfortable. I'd recommend a pair to anyone that can afford them. (They're $80 when not on sale, which is pricey to me.) Girls, don't miss out. If you have big feet, see if you can fit into a men's size 8 and try them on.
Favorite Car Picture I've recently taken: This one. Its a Lotus. It was parked in the last line of parking spaces at my grocery store.
Favorite Comedian: David Cross. His stand up is incredibly raw and political and angry, and I like it that way.
Favorite License Plate: This one.
First off: Favorite Bond that does not involve Sean Connery:
What can I say? The Bad Boy Bond rocks.
This next picture is a "screw up". I was trying to take a self portrait of Melissa (my friend's wife) and me when home for thanksgiving this past year. I ended up photographing a picture of her eye, and my teeth. She constantly tells me I'm a horrible photographer. She probably hates this picture. Me, I love it. Even though its a screw up, you can tell we were happy when this picture was taken. That's all the picture was meant to say. And it makes me smile when I think of the good times with hometown heros, especially when I miss them.
Here's the finished product. Its not half bad, either.
Here's my favorite "Me Expressing My Thoughts About the Greek System @ Pitt" Picture. But I'm not bitter.
Favorite Cat / Chinese Cooking Picture.
My new thing is shoes. I guess the "drool for shoes" aspect of JPOD (by Douglas Coupland) rubbed off on me. I'm really into cool shoes. These are my new running shoes -- Addias Goodyears. They're made from recycled race car tires. They're designed for distance road races. They look like golf cleats. And they were $39.99 on sale.
Here's my other favorite pair of shoes. These are "Diesel" brand shoes. Very, very comfortable. I'd recommend a pair to anyone that can afford them. (They're $80 when not on sale, which is pricey to me.) Girls, don't miss out. If you have big feet, see if you can fit into a men's size 8 and try them on.
Favorite Car Picture I've recently taken: This one. Its a Lotus. It was parked in the last line of parking spaces at my grocery store.
Favorite Comedian: David Cross. His stand up is incredibly raw and political and angry, and I like it that way.
Favorite License Plate: This one.
Labels: blogging, cars, cat, Frat's Suck, movies, personal, pictures, ramblings
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Update-mania
I just bought a new Sony Handycam camcorder. I'm pretty stoked by it. Decent Image quality. MiniDV tape storage. Firewire interface. The "Night Shot" -- made famous by Pairs Hilton. Electronic Image Stabilization. Upgradeable Lens. Tripod Capable. Can utilize bluetooth microphones. All the cool features I need to start humiliating myself (and friends) on YouTube.
I got it on sale. It was also the floor model. It was cheap.
And it sounds ridiculous to announce that when I'm in a mode of fiscal responsibility. I am now tracking transactions using
Buddi, an open-source money management software. By tracking my money, it can help me learn where I splurge or mis-manage my assets. Or so the theory goes. We shall see, n'est-ce pas?
I've also recently taken steps to find cheaper car insurance (but maintain the same coverage) and while its been a hassle filing out so many applications, the end result is that I've found a place that will be $168/year cheaper. As dumb as it sounds, it pays the shop around.
I've also researched my credit history, and surprise surprise, found three black marks that did not belong to me. They're being removed as we speak.
And as lame as this sounds, I've started saving for a house. Its a long term thing, but that's how compound interest works in your favor. Again, we'll see how long I can maintain the discipline of saving 10% of my income.
But there's even bigger news than all the bullshit number crunching I've been doing. My SO got into grad school. She'll be getting her master's in counseling. Everyone is excited for her, and relieved to know that she got in.
This means two things: I'll probably be moving to Morgantown sometime soon, probably this summer, and that I'll probably be paying all of the rent. Hopefully I can carpool with some of my Morgantown dwelling co-workers.
While waiting for my SO to get home, I played Resident Evil 4 again. I love that game. I've beaten it twice, going on three times. I am on the "PRO" difficulty. Its insane. I have no ammo. Or health. I am fighting off zombies with a pocket knife. This game was a 24th birthday gift, or anniversary gift, or something my SO got me for Valentine's. I'm still playing it because when I lived in my older apartment here in Fairmont, living by myself, I played this game in the dark for hours at a time. It was terrifying. You start to run from a zombie to get breathing room and time to reload, and they chase you the moment your back is turned. When you turn around to face you un-living enemy, they're right there. You're about to be grabbed.
I can play this game, easily, without a need to move on to the next generation of "Hi-Def" gameplay. "High Definition" comes from storyline, voice acting, interactive cut scenes, and gameplay. Not graphics. Its a mistake people make everytime a system comes out, with new "proof of concept games".
But still, I lust for crackdown. I won't deny that at all. And when my friend, the Saint of all Chucks, turns 25 this friday/saturday and officially becomes old and lame (as I did, when I turned 25) I'm hoping my friend Bill will actually haul his lame ass out of his apartment, and bring his Xbox 360 with him, so that we can engage in a systemlink co-op game of crackdown.
I got it on sale. It was also the floor model. It was cheap.
And it sounds ridiculous to announce that when I'm in a mode of fiscal responsibility. I am now tracking transactions using
Buddi, an open-source money management software. By tracking my money, it can help me learn where I splurge or mis-manage my assets. Or so the theory goes. We shall see, n'est-ce pas?
I've also recently taken steps to find cheaper car insurance (but maintain the same coverage) and while its been a hassle filing out so many applications, the end result is that I've found a place that will be $168/year cheaper. As dumb as it sounds, it pays the shop around.
I've also researched my credit history, and surprise surprise, found three black marks that did not belong to me. They're being removed as we speak.
And as lame as this sounds, I've started saving for a house. Its a long term thing, but that's how compound interest works in your favor. Again, we'll see how long I can maintain the discipline of saving 10% of my income.
But there's even bigger news than all the bullshit number crunching I've been doing. My SO got into grad school. She'll be getting her master's in counseling. Everyone is excited for her, and relieved to know that she got in.
This means two things: I'll probably be moving to Morgantown sometime soon, probably this summer, and that I'll probably be paying all of the rent. Hopefully I can carpool with some of my Morgantown dwelling co-workers.
While waiting for my SO to get home, I played Resident Evil 4 again. I love that game. I've beaten it twice, going on three times. I am on the "PRO" difficulty. Its insane. I have no ammo. Or health. I am fighting off zombies with a pocket knife. This game was a 24th birthday gift, or anniversary gift, or something my SO got me for Valentine's. I'm still playing it because when I lived in my older apartment here in Fairmont, living by myself, I played this game in the dark for hours at a time. It was terrifying. You start to run from a zombie to get breathing room and time to reload, and they chase you the moment your back is turned. When you turn around to face you un-living enemy, they're right there. You're about to be grabbed.
I can play this game, easily, without a need to move on to the next generation of "Hi-Def" gameplay. "High Definition" comes from storyline, voice acting, interactive cut scenes, and gameplay. Not graphics. Its a mistake people make everytime a system comes out, with new "proof of concept games".
But still, I lust for crackdown. I won't deny that at all. And when my friend, the Saint of all Chucks, turns 25 this friday/saturday and officially becomes old and lame (as I did, when I turned 25) I'm hoping my friend Bill will actually haul his lame ass out of his apartment, and bring his Xbox 360 with him, so that we can engage in a systemlink co-op game of crackdown.
Labels: cars, gadgets, personal
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
This made me laugh out loud
Big Ben Hill's Used Cars.
I was un-winding from work, and going over some old personal email before I deleted it, and stumbled upon a link to this YouTube video that someone made after they were pissed off at a used car dealer and literally (for one) laughed out loud.
I was un-winding from work, and going over some old personal email before I deleted it, and stumbled upon a link to this YouTube video that someone made after they were pissed off at a used car dealer and literally (for one) laughed out loud.
Labels: cars, me trying to be funny, video
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Stream of Consciousness Post
I got an early call today. My SO was driving to work and went off the road. She's okay. On the way to pick her up, I spun out onto the grass going down the hill my development is on.
My tires were bald -- Patrick Stewart bald, if I can afford to coin the term. If not, just let it go -- I ended up getting four new high performance tires for my car. There's something about cars that makes me feel pimp. Besides that the fact that my friend Danni called me for car buying advice, and called my car "pimp" -- that's a quote.
One thing I've found about taking a week off from work is that returning to an in-progress development cycle makes you feel like you never left. While not a negative thing, it just makes me wish I hadn't returned to unfinished business.
I just got vonage. I got a portable WiFi phone. Think of it as a cell phone that only uses WiFi hotspots. Its mostly a back up phone, but I'm still pretty psyched. It seems pretty cool. I would recommend vonage to people who feel the need for a landline phone.
I've also tested out Skype's webcam chat between Mac Book Pro to Mac Book Pro. Its not as high quality as iChat. Skype picks up on background noise more, and the sound is a little bit more tinny, but, still, its pretty impressive.
So I now have way too many ways to communicate. I'm glad I can make that official.
Soapbox has been growing lately. Another psych major joined it. Casper has created an informal and totally unofficial (but with my blessing) summary of the members of soapbox. Its an inside joke, but I welcome all to check it out: click here.
Someone I know looks really good as a strawberry blonde. I thought I'd announce that publicly.
JS left for New York to pursue her career as a model and as an independent artist representative. Mario left for philly, because the music scene is obviously better in Philly for goth industrial music than it is here in Fairmont. He's giving himself a year to make it before he just packs it in, goes to college, and gets a real job. I'm pulling for him. Both are going to be greatly missed. They both were great friends -- the best of friends, that made Fairmont cool. Both of you need to keep in touch.
Wedding Crasher is quite possibly my favorite movie ever. If just because of Will Farrell's smart part as the end, as the pioneer of both crashing weddings and funerals. I love his lines, "Grief is nature's most powerful aphrodisiac. Its not even fair, its like fishing with dynamite."
I've been listening to the second (and final) album of the indie-rock group, "The Anniversary" in my car non-stop. Worse, I've been singing along with wild abandon to the songs and chorus. Thankfully, the noise isn't escaping the car, but I'm really enjoying my butchering of the indie rock classics.
I got Kyle to join facebook. haha.
This is a bad week for innovators. The inventor of "Ramen Noodles", a staple of my diet in college, passed away this weekend. Shortly after him, the creator of Scooby Doo (where ARE you?) passed away at the ripe old age of 81.
I puked this new year's from too many Gin and Tonics. My cousin pretty much drank me under the table. I guess you could say that's karma, seeing as a recent christmas party, i was handing someone shots and tossing back water shots until he puked. I mention it here because I'm likely not going to hear the end of it until someone else gets nicknamed hank the tank by getting wasted at the company christmas party.
New Year's Resolutions:
To be more loving.
To be healthier. (This includes stopping the occasional bummed cigarette simply because you're bored at a bar and what not.)
Resume my gym schedule from last year.
Oracle Certs.
Keep reading more books by the Dali Lama.
And the half-serious ones:
Keep the apartment cleaner.
Become more of an early bird.
And now I sleep.
My tires were bald -- Patrick Stewart bald, if I can afford to coin the term. If not, just let it go -- I ended up getting four new high performance tires for my car. There's something about cars that makes me feel pimp. Besides that the fact that my friend Danni called me for car buying advice, and called my car "pimp" -- that's a quote.
One thing I've found about taking a week off from work is that returning to an in-progress development cycle makes you feel like you never left. While not a negative thing, it just makes me wish I hadn't returned to unfinished business.
I just got vonage. I got a portable WiFi phone. Think of it as a cell phone that only uses WiFi hotspots. Its mostly a back up phone, but I'm still pretty psyched. It seems pretty cool. I would recommend vonage to people who feel the need for a landline phone.
I've also tested out Skype's webcam chat between Mac Book Pro to Mac Book Pro. Its not as high quality as iChat. Skype picks up on background noise more, and the sound is a little bit more tinny, but, still, its pretty impressive.
So I now have way too many ways to communicate. I'm glad I can make that official.
Soapbox has been growing lately. Another psych major joined it. Casper has created an informal and totally unofficial (but with my blessing) summary of the members of soapbox. Its an inside joke, but I welcome all to check it out: click here.
Someone I know looks really good as a strawberry blonde. I thought I'd announce that publicly.
JS left for New York to pursue her career as a model and as an independent artist representative. Mario left for philly, because the music scene is obviously better in Philly for goth industrial music than it is here in Fairmont. He's giving himself a year to make it before he just packs it in, goes to college, and gets a real job. I'm pulling for him. Both are going to be greatly missed. They both were great friends -- the best of friends, that made Fairmont cool. Both of you need to keep in touch.
Wedding Crasher is quite possibly my favorite movie ever. If just because of Will Farrell's smart part as the end, as the pioneer of both crashing weddings and funerals. I love his lines, "Grief is nature's most powerful aphrodisiac. Its not even fair, its like fishing with dynamite."
I've been listening to the second (and final) album of the indie-rock group, "The Anniversary" in my car non-stop. Worse, I've been singing along with wild abandon to the songs and chorus. Thankfully, the noise isn't escaping the car, but I'm really enjoying my butchering of the indie rock classics.
I got Kyle to join facebook. haha.
This is a bad week for innovators. The inventor of "Ramen Noodles", a staple of my diet in college, passed away this weekend. Shortly after him, the creator of Scooby Doo (where ARE you?) passed away at the ripe old age of 81.
I puked this new year's from too many Gin and Tonics. My cousin pretty much drank me under the table. I guess you could say that's karma, seeing as a recent christmas party, i was handing someone shots and tossing back water shots until he puked. I mention it here because I'm likely not going to hear the end of it until someone else gets nicknamed hank the tank by getting wasted at the company christmas party.
New Year's Resolutions:
To be more loving.
To be healthier. (This includes stopping the occasional bummed cigarette simply because you're bored at a bar and what not.)
Resume my gym schedule from last year.
Oracle Certs.
Keep reading more books by the Dali Lama.
And the half-serious ones:
Keep the apartment cleaner.
Become more of an early bird.
And now I sleep.
Labels: cars, late night, life is short, personal, Web Development
