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, July 30, 2008
Informative Information
Here's some links to entertain you. This is what I was reading today that made me laugh.
There's a new search engine on the block trying to take down "The Google". Its called Cuil.com. Its supposed to be pronounced as "Cool". It also apparently sucks (but I haven't tried it). But here's a story about how Cuil.com has supposedly blown through 33 million in venture capital by doing things like paying for lunch and breakfast for every employee, having a personal trainer on staff for all employees, every employee having a gym membership, a doctor making the rounds after the company wide Friday BBQ, and a sports car for every executive.
Carl's Jr. has come out with a new breakfast sandwhich that can only be described as "Nothing I’d rather shut my heart down with more than bacon, egg, cheese, and sausage. I just hope it’s not too big. I would hate to not be able to eat one of these while I cram a second one straight up my asshole."
Finally, here's a documentary if you've got an hour to kill: Its called "The Future of Food". It takes about genetically engineered food and the risks involved in contaminating the food supply, and organic food. Its really, really interesting and I recommend it.
There's a new search engine on the block trying to take down "The Google". Its called Cuil.com. Its supposed to be pronounced as "Cool". It also apparently sucks (but I haven't tried it). But here's a story about how Cuil.com has supposedly blown through 33 million in venture capital by doing things like paying for lunch and breakfast for every employee, having a personal trainer on staff for all employees, every employee having a gym membership, a doctor making the rounds after the company wide Friday BBQ, and a sports car for every executive.
Carl's Jr. has come out with a new breakfast sandwhich that can only be described as "Nothing I’d rather shut my heart down with more than bacon, egg, cheese, and sausage. I just hope it’s not too big. I would hate to not be able to eat one of these while I cram a second one straight up my asshole."
Finally, here's a documentary if you've got an hour to kill: Its called "The Future of Food". It takes about genetically engineered food and the risks involved in contaminating the food supply, and organic food. Its really, really interesting and I recommend it.
Labels: links, movies, Reddit, software, video, web 2.0
Sunday, June 01, 2008
The New Dark Night Trailer, synced up Side By Side with the original Batman trailer. Also known as the coolest thing ever.
This is like the coolest thing I've seen on youTube in a while.
Friday, May 30, 2008
From the "I forgot to post this" department.
I helped make this video. Mostly, I just let someone use iMovie 08 on my Mac Book Pro, but hey, that's why I'm pimping this video. It is totally awesome, right?
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
My sentiments exactly
This open letter over at iLounge is addressed to NBC, the makers of Heros, Battlestar Galactica, and The Office, who're pulling out from Apple's iTunes Store. Granted, he's a little fanboyish -- urging other people to stop supporting NBC -- but his point -- that people are actually paying good money for downloadable content that is broadcast everyday, for free, into the airwaves unprotected, was a pretty lucrative thing. And that people have an alternative: PVR/DVRs.
I was already considering some kind of PVR/DVR set up but I knew for most of my shows I could always snag the iTunes version of it if I missed an episode and that was a lot less mess and hassle. Now, it seems I'll have to Do-it-myself.
I was already considering some kind of PVR/DVR set up but I knew for most of my shows I could always snag the iTunes version of it if I missed an episode and that was a lot less mess and hassle. Now, it seems I'll have to Do-it-myself.
Labels: apple, iTunes, links, NBC, TV, video
Monday, August 27, 2007
Kate's Bday Blogger Video Post
I'm trying this blogger video post to see if it will work better than hosting the videos on my own domain. Give it a shot if you had problems with quicktime. This is FLV so it should work.
Labels: birthdays, blogger, Fairmont, friends, video
Kat blowing out the candles at her 21st Birthday
If you click the link to this picture, you will see a movie of my friend Kat blowing out the candles of her 21st birthday cake. Props to Kat.Labels: birthdays, Fairmont, video
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Post 445
Tomorrow I get to participate in the largest meeting of my career. It's the first time I've been asked to wear a full business suit to work. Usually the witty t-shirt and ripped jeans will play. I've been meaning to go to bed, but a nap has spoiled me, and I've been up thinking and ironing shirts.
I take the GREs on Thursday. I'm prepared and I know what to expect, but I still a little jittery about it. Anyone who wants to wish me luck is more than welcome.
I'm also sorry to my two best friends that left Fairmont but are in town this weekend. I'd love to spend time with both of you, but there's some pressing stuff going on right now, otherwise I'd be out with you right now.
- Some minor updates
- Transformers is of course, awesome. Loved it.
- Harry Potter wasn't half bad. I saw it with the girlfriend over the weekend.
- I went hiking at Cooper's Rock and it wasn't half bad. That's a nice way to start off your saturday.
- Erin and I attended an above ground pool party with her co-workers in the mental health profession. It was one of those times in my life where I'm reminded that when it comes to binge drinking, I'm still in the little leagues. I can't drink too much shitty beer because it makes me feel full and it tastes worse when chugged. I can't do crazy "expresso sized" shots of jager. Those make me puke (especially when warm). On the other hand, my baby plays a mean game of flip cup.
- Here's the Family Guy 300 trailer. This will leave you in stiches.
- I added the honesty box on Facebook -- it's a "mini-app" that lets people basically write you anonymous messages. Here's the only message I've received:
"i have had a crush on you forever. You are so cute and funny and smart. but alas nothing will ever happen. good luck in life i know you will go far."
In my group of friends, there's no telling who wrote that. Or if they were serious. Its one of those things that will drive you mad if you think about it. But its pretty easy to let go. - I want to see I am Legend so bad. It looks awesome.
I take the GREs on Thursday. I'm prepared and I know what to expect, but I still a little jittery about it. Anyone who wants to wish me luck is more than welcome.
I'm also sorry to my two best friends that left Fairmont but are in town this weekend. I'd love to spend time with both of you, but there's some pressing stuff going on right now, otherwise I'd be out with you right now.
Labels: late night, links, personal, Reddit, video, youtube
Monday, May 07, 2007
Bill Moyers Interviews Jon Stewart
Bill Moyers interviews Jon Stewart.
Jon Stewart, in this interview, is as insightful about the truth of the games being played in D.C. as he is funny on comedy central. Well worth the half hour.
Check it out here.
Jon Stewart, in this interview, is as insightful about the truth of the games being played in D.C. as he is funny on comedy central. Well worth the half hour.
Check it out here.
Labels: Bill Moyers, Jon Stewart, PBS, politics, quicktime, Reddit, video
Sunday, March 18, 2007
No post in almost 2 weeks? What's up with that?
I've gone deep, and gone silent. I'm as horrible a blogger as I am a human being :).
Anyway, to entertain everyone while I cook up a post (fresh and hot, just how you like it) I thought I'd post a link to a hilarious clip from youtube: Pinky the cat. Its an old internet classic, and it just blows me away with laughter every time I see it.
Pinky The Cat.
Enjoy! (And yes, I got this link from soapbox -- thanks Alan)
Anyway, to entertain everyone while I cook up a post (fresh and hot, just how you like it) I thought I'd post a link to a hilarious clip from youtube: Pinky the cat. Its an old internet classic, and it just blows me away with laughter every time I see it.
Pinky The Cat.
Enjoy! (And yes, I got this link from soapbox -- thanks Alan)
Labels: cat, Reddit, soapbox, video, youtube
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
