March 27, 2003
Google Likes Me

Quite a few people searching for "Damn the French". Bringing in quite the sophistacated crowd. Not quite as annoying as the UR Gay crowd. But it's getting close.

Ah well. As long Fuck Michigan keeps pulling them in, I'll take the good with the bad.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:17 AM
March 26, 2003
Sweet Tea

One of my favorite things about living down here in the quasi-South is the ready availability of Sweet Tea. I love the stuff. Used to make it all time in my pre-Dew days. But up North we generally only get hot tea. And even when you can get sweet tea, it never tastes as good as just about anywhere down here.

Apparently I am not alone in my love of this beverage. Georgia has a bill pending to make it illegal for restaurant to not offer it to patrons.

Only in America...

Posted by danisaacs at 11:22 PM
Pollen. :(

One of the very few things that I DON"T like about living here in central North Carolina is the amount of pollen that we get in the Spring. Now, we have pollen up there in O-hi-O. Just not quite on the scale that we get it here. At it's peak, you need a shop broom to clean off your driveway. Black cars will be yellow. You won't be able to see through your windshield without cleaning it off.

And if you have allergies... My heart goes out to you. Because it started today. At least, this AM was the first I noticed a thin layer atop my garbage can

Posted by danisaacs at 10:01 AM
March 25, 2003
Telemarketing Fun

MCI was generous enough to give me a call yesterday. The following is a transcript* of the call:

Kristi tries telling this guy that we are not interested. But he persists. So she gives me the phone.

Dan: Hello?
MCI Guy: Hi. I noticed you used to be an MCI customer
Dan: Yeah. But I cancelled the service.
MCIG: Why?
Dan: Because I didn't want it.
MCIG: How do you make long distance calls?
Dan: Cell phone. It's "free"
MCIG: Well, you can have our service for only a $2.95 monthly charge, just in case your cell phone was dead.
Dan: I have an extra battery.
MCIG: Well how would you like a $50 gift certificate to Blockbuster?
Dan: I don't use Blockbuster.
MCIG: Why not?
Dan: They don't have any porn. (It's true)
MCIG: Well don't you watch any other kinds of movies?
Dan: Nope. Just porn.
MCIG: Well how would you like a $25 credit on your phone bill?
Dan: That would be nice, but in the long run I'd still be paying MCI more than they paid me. And I wouldn't use the service. So I guess I wouldn't like it.
MCIG: But you could just cancel the service after you get the credit.
Dan (shocked): Are you encouraging me to screw your company?
MCIG: No, I'm just saying you wouldn't be committed.
Dan(Angry): I can't believe you are encouraging me to screw your company. Do you understand how unethical that is?
MCIG(Concerned): Sir, I was just letting you know you would not be committed, and could cancel at any time.
Dan(still faking anger): No, you told me to take the $25 and then dump MCI. You told me to cheat your company. Do you really think you should be encouraging that type of behavior?
MCIG: (perturbed, and trying to end the call) No sir. Is there anything I can do for you?
Dan: You can please add me to your Do not Call list. And then not call me again.
(beep)**

* At least as close to what was actually said as an official transcript of a Presidential press conference.

**Phones don't (click) anymore.

Posted by danisaacs at 08:15 PM
Shaving

When I got a new razor for Xmas that was waterproof, I started shaving in the shower. A few weeks ago, I went to shave, but had no shaving cream in the shower. So I improvised and used soap. I figured the principle was the same. Shaving cream is just a lubricant that reduces the friction of the blade/s against your skin. So I soaped up and let the Norelco do it's job. And it worked just as well, though requried a few extra seconds to rinse off the razor.

This morning, I decided to try it with one of my disposable razors, since I had gone a few days without shaving. And again, the soap proved just as effective as shaving cream.

Any other shavers out there do this? I'm thinking I'll never buy shaving cream again.

Posted by danisaacs at 11:52 AM
Wiggles

One of the few kid's shows that I Tivo is the Wiggles. Like most kid's shows, it's full of songs. Annoyingly addictive ones.

My AM routine goes something like this:

6-7:15 Wake up whenever I hear Trevor get up on the monitor

Go to kitchen, heat up a bottle

Grab Trevor out of his crib, communicate my undying affection via goofy sounds and facial expressions, and change his diaper.

Que up a show from the previous late night. Feed him. Burp him. Chill with him on my lap and finish whatever show I'm watching.

Put him in his swing. Put on the Wiggles (recorded the previous afternoon). Go take shower/get ready.

Then I gather his daycare gear, get my lunch in order, and load us all up into the car. The last thing I do is turn of the TV, which is still playing the Wiggles (Trevor doesn't know how to use the commercial skip button yet).

So I'm exposed to this music for probably 15 minutes. And it's enough to leave it ringing in my head for hours. I've been tapping my toes to the theme song since I got to work.

Such is my Hell.

Posted by danisaacs at 11:24 AM
March 23, 2003
SP Additions

Added a few more Season Passes this week.

1. Kids in the Hall. It's only on once a week, which is amazing.

2. "Understanding", a daily documentary on some topic of interst shown on the Science Channel, which is everything Discovery used to be.

3. Also on Science, "Science of the Deep". Documentary covering some topic particular to oceanic science. I'm a bigger Ocean geek than Space geek, both metaphysically and practically. So I really dig this show.

4. Lingo, on the Game Show Network. It's Kristi's. I encouraged her to nab a few more of the shows she likes to watch.

And on this Oscar Night, as i sit here watching a story about Aquarius (an undersea laboratory), a single thought is repeating itself: Tivo Rocks!

Posted by danisaacs at 08:45 PM
March 22, 2003
Fantasy Baseball Draft today

The draft for Brandt's fantasy baseball league draft was this afternoon. I had the third pick, but was 15 minutes late, so the computer chose my first 6 players. It did alright, only screwing up by taking Derek Jeter with Manny still on the board. I would not have chosen Jeter, since I have a strict no-Yankee policy, but he'll make good trade bait. I have a few offers pending.

Here's who I got:

C Pudge Rodriguez, TEX
1B Erubiel Durazo, OAK
2B Roberto Alomar, NYM
3B Aramis Ramirez, PIT
SS Alex Rodriguez, TEX
OF Luis Gonzalez, ARZ
OF Pat Burrell, PHI
OF Andruw Jones, ATL
OF Jermaine Dye, OAK
OF Austin Kearns, CIN
SS Dick Eater, Fuck the NYY
3B/SS Jose Valentin, CWS
1B Doug Mientkiewicz, MIN

Pitching staff lacks star power, but is solid:

SP A.J. Burnett, FLA
SP Vincente Padilla, PHI
SP Woody Williams, STL
SP Josh Beckett, FLA
SP Ben Sheets, MIL
RP Greg Gagne, LA
RP Billy Koch, CWS
RP J.C. Romero, MIN

Some changes from last year include only 21 players instead of 25, and weekly, rather than daily, lineup changes. The player limit makes things a bit trickier, as you can't have backups when a position player is slumping or facing a team he sucks against. But the once a week changes will make for a more productive professional life.

My team name will change on a weekly basis to whatever the prevailing military buzzword is. Pre-draft, it was "WMD", but I changed it to "Shock and Awe" for this week. I Already have the name for the first week in September: "Quagmire".

Posted by danisaacs at 06:46 PM
IMF says IMF Sucks

Ok, they didn't say they sucked. But they did say that integrating third world economies with ours will not do much to help the poor in those countires, and may actually lead to increased frequency and severity of economic crises. In other words, they agree with all those millions of protesters the world over who've been saying the same thing for a decade (or more).

[link] (from LMB)

Posted by danisaacs at 09:18 AM
March 21, 2003
Access Log Fun

I have a page on my website that is a bit silly. I was going through access logs looking for something, and came across a link that someone had made to an image of mine that isn't related to my kid or dogs, and thus not often accessed. I checked it out to see if i should bring some smack down, but upon seeing it, decided it was an acceptable use.

Not really safe for work.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:01 PM
March 17, 2003
jack kicks ass

Samuri jack is just the best damn thing on Tivo. But then, I'm a sucker for good Bruce Lee-like fighting and Eastern Mysticism. I know I've posted my love for the show before, but that was a new love. This time I know it well, and am 20 episodes into the series. And I like it even more than the day we met.

BTW, I no longer say " Best thing on TV" or "[*] on TV". I don't watch TV anymore.

And the only thing that would prevent me from getting an HDTV if I could afford it, is the present lack of Tivo support for HD video. If they come through with that promise, Trevor may need to spend a few years in Public school.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:29 PM
Supporting Our Troops (or not)

I was never that comfortable with the "Support our Troops" propaganda back in GWI. It seemed an underhanded way to play on our love for our family and friends in the military in order to make us feel guilty about opposing the war they were fighting. We were in many ways still reeling from the awful treatment Vietnam Vets were shown.

We were the sons and daughters of those guys. We knew the stories of their horrors over there, and the contempt they were shown upon returning. We didn't want to be those people that treated our fathers and uncles so poorly. So when we saw a war we didn't believe in,and saw our brothers and nieghbors fighting it, we found ourselves in the same position... well, you get the point.

So the question remains, Ought you support the troops fighting a war you oppose? I should think not.

Give me a bumper sticker that says "I want my friends and family to come back alive and well" and I'll use it. But I'll pass on the "Support our Troops" propaganda this time around. I don't support the orders they are given, and I can't support the people that carry them out.

You may love your brother, and not support him when he is doing something wrong. Just don't forget he's still your brother, and keep those arms ready to embrace him on his return. Even if he is a War Criminal.

Posted by danisaacs at 09:37 PM
NCAA Pool

I'm in charge of the NCAA Mens' Basketball Tournament pool here at work. It's open to friends and family. Doing it through Yahoo!. You get points for a win, point values double after each round. Winner takes %75 of the loot, second place gets %25. Picks and money must be in by Wednesday night.

Entry fee is $10. I have Paypal and Yahoo! Wallet, if you are far away. Email me, and I'll send you the info.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:38 AM
March 14, 2003
Thanks Mitsubishi!

Thank you Mitsubishi! Instead of responding to the technical question I asked on your website via the customer support form, you instead sold my email address to a spammer.

I'll be sure to remember that service when it comes time to get a new big screen TV. Assholes.

Posted by danisaacs at 09:43 PM
Morgan on Trust

Morgan Deters, an old friend from college, responds to an assertion Brian made regarding the role people's mistrust of Bush has in their opposition to his policy on Iraq. An excerpt:

Further (and to swing back on topic), I, for one, would not automatically trust a Gore or Buchanan or Nader (or any other) Administration. Indeed, my training in science would forbid it; the presentation of some sort of evidence is crucial to support the claims this administration has made. The person making such a presentation (and whether or not they are "trusted") is largely irrelevant.

Of course, Brian has relied on a great many logical fallacies to support his position. It's nice that he's added an argument from authority. I think that leaves him with 9 more to go. :P

Posted by danisaacs at 03:12 PM
March 12, 2003
I'm a Dumbass

I recently strengthend the password policy at work. Only I did not do the legwork of educating users prior. Big mistake. Even my sophisticated users were using shitty passwords. I've spent probably 3 hours the last two days helping various individuals with their passwords. I must write up something over lunch for the internal website. Nobody will read it, but I can at least point people there when they call me.

I need a peer. I have them in title, but not in experience. Nobody here will be calling me a dumbass for making this error. Except me.

I did notice our good friend and frequent reader, Paul Robichaux, wrote a nice series of articles a few years ago for Technet about Security. 10 articles in all. I've only read two (so far), but they seem like a very good place to start for thinking about Windows Security.

Posted by danisaacs at 09:59 AM
March 11, 2003
Behind the Music that Sucks

Tivo Alert!

If you have digital cable or DirecTV, Much Music is playing 30 minute episodes of the popular flash animations "Behind the Music that Sucks". Check your guide. These things are hilarious. You'll remember them from Heavy.com. I hadn't really paid attention to them for a few years. But I can't wait to see them again.

And if you know and love those, go ahead and laugh at Metallica. For old times sake.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:11 PM
French Response to "Freedom" Fries

Z tells me that the Capitol cafe may soon be serving "Freedom Fries" instead of French fries in response to France being so bold as to dissent.

In response, France has withdrawn its support from the Battle of Yorktown. The US Gov't has dissolved. People have stopped brushing their teeth. And Absolutely Fabulous has taken the Nielsen ratings by storm.

On the upside, everyone has health insurance. And Soccer really isn't any more boring than Baseball.

Posted by danisaacs at 02:00 PM
March 10, 2003
Sports Nite

On the advice of many Tivoholics, I put a SP in for SportsNite, a show that lasted two seasons, which I watched religiously. It's on in the middle of the night on Comedey Central. It's a great show. Absolutely wonderful.

I watched the first episode I have tonight. And I noticed that two of the actors making appearences on shows this current season were dating on that show. "Will Baily" on West Wing and Ed's new hottie on "Ed".

I recalled instantly upon seeing him that his character on Sports Nite was my absolute favorite. And that show was one of the best to see the light of day. Yet another way that Tivo is making my entertainment more fruitful.

YAWTTIMMEMF. Need to make that a new catagory...

Posted by danisaacs at 10:23 PM
March 07, 2003
Football on the Brain

Spring Practice is starting up. Spring game not too far around the corner. Only Fall is a better time to be in Columbus than Spring. Of course, since neither of those exist climatilogically anymore up there, OSU Football schedules are really the only indications that they have more than just Winter and Summer.

Some guy snapped a few pics from a 6AM conditioning drill a few days ago. Go look at them. Imagine these guys are wearing football uniforms and pads. And are beating the shit out of Michigan. Or just turn on ABC the last Sat. afternoon in Nov, and see it for real.

Guys Sweating. National Championship Sweat.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:07 PM
March 06, 2003
Tivo Rocks!

Tivo fucking rocks. Absolutely, posifuckingtively rocks. Cleveland hath nothing on Tivo.

I got my Sony SVR-3000 on Tuesday while I was working from home and watching Trevor, who was too sick for daycare. Before Kristi got home to help me move the TV, I starting throwing up, and was int he throes of Trevor's illness. So that night and Wednesday were spent very sick. not only due to the illness, but due to having to see my new Tivo sit atop it's box, uninstalled.

By Wed. night, i was feeling better. Moved my too-big entertainment center enough to get things connected. Spent an hour going through setup. And waited until today while the new data was downloaded and sorted.

Got home around 4 today, and started setting up Season Passes. Got my list up to 30 or so. So far I've only grabbed a few shows.

Did an instant recording of Sportscenter, as they had a teaser about Earl Boykins that I wanted to see but would not be home for. Started Survivor, padded 30 minutes on the backend. Got Samuri Jack, Insomniac, and Daily Show.

We got home in time to watch Survivor (well, for Kristi to watch it). I FFW'd through SportsCenter to see the Boykins bit, ran a few minutes past 10. Started watching Samuri Jack from teh recording, about 5 minutes behind Live TV. Paused a few minutes as I finished feeding Trevor and put him to bed. Zipped past commercials with the 30 second skip.

Played around with some stuff, added a few more SPs until 11:15. Then started the Daily Show. Got past the first commercial break and decided this may have been the best 345 dollars I ever spent.

If you don't have a Tivo, but have a few hundred bucks to imporve the Quality of TV time, then Buy a Tivo. It flat out rocks.

Posted by danisaacs at 11:35 PM
March 03, 2003
Monitor Dying

My nice 21" Flat Trinitron CRT that services the 4-5 machines in my cubicle has been flickering and periodically making barely audible popping sounds. :(


I better go put a "BROKEN" sticker on one the few we have left in stock.

Posted by danisaacs at 10:53 AM
IM Illiterate (Again)

This was a point of discussion a little while back, both here and abroad. There is another entry into the debate, this time from GBR. In a paper on what she did last summer, a 13yo begins:

"My smmr hols wr CWOT. B4, we used 2go2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 : kids FTF. ILNY, it's a gr8 plc."


Says the Teacher:

"I could not believe what I was seeing. The page was riddled with hieroglyphics, many of which I simply could not translate,"

Can we say "Generation Gap". I knew we could.


BTW, you'll notice my previous entry is one of my biggest Google results, as evidenced by the multitude of juvenile replies over the span of months. And Kasia's entry would have been a funnier link for "abroad". :)

Posted by danisaacs at 10:08 AM
March 02, 2003
PDC Upgrade Part II: Dan's Revenge

The second time was a charm. Went perfectly smooth. The problem last time turned out to be a misconfiguration on the Windows 2000 DNS server (it wasn't accepting active registrations). But this time I confirmed everything was kosher, did more testing, and had a better backup in place. I was better prepared for failure, and therefore did not encounter any.

I danced a little happy dance in the data center. Good thing I did this off hours. My happy dance is not a pretty sight.

I'm still giddy. :)

Posted by danisaacs at 09:41 AM