Tip of the hat to Heidi at Letters of Marque.
My own personal favorite poem I've mentioned before - it's Rudyard Kipling's Gods of the Copybook Headings.
However, being a mad poet, reading Cryptonomicon, and once having written a short story in the form of repeating haiku, I'll take a stab at one here and now.
The new crop rises
Delicately breaks the skin
Of my pale scalp
(Thanks for the hair growth Shampoo, Mom!)
Friday
Thursday
50 First Dates
(movie review) I am a total sucker for Adam Sandler movies. I loved The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore (Why don't you go to your HOME?!? Are you too good for your HOME!?!) With the notable exception of Little Nicky, and Big Daddy (both of which I stayed far, far away from...) I've really enjoyed them. Plus we had a free admission to the dollar theater, so we took Claire and went. I went into this one expecting something pretty good. And I think I got it. Drew Barrymore is her usual cute self. Adam Sandler plays that sweet lovable Adam Sandler (as opposed to the annoying, loud Adam Sandler) better than anyone else. Definitely a step up from Anger Management, though I did enjoy that one too.
All in all, if you're a fan of Adam Sandler movies, you'll like this one too. If you're not, then chances are you won't, though I thought there was a lot more to it than just Adam Sandler. Rob Schneider was hi-lar-i-ous. For me, out of +/- 2 Cokes, I give it 2 Cokes. I almost fell out of my chair laughing several times in the movie. Perfect to take the edge off the stress of studying.
All in all, if you're a fan of Adam Sandler movies, you'll like this one too. If you're not, then chances are you won't, though I thought there was a lot more to it than just Adam Sandler. Rob Schneider was hi-lar-i-ous. For me, out of +/- 2 Cokes, I give it 2 Cokes. I almost fell out of my chair laughing several times in the movie. Perfect to take the edge off the stress of studying.
Wednesday
Bad Idea Jeans
(school, life) My first law school exam was today - copyright. I was very, very nervous going in, but I think I did well. At least, I certainly hope so. Copyright is the one area of the law that I've thought about the most. It's the reason I went to law school in the first place. Hopefully, this is where I'll make a name and a reputation.
At the end of every semester, almost like clockwork, I find myself picking up a new Bad Habit. My first semester, it was fansubbed anime. My second semester, it was online comics. Sinfest, MegaTokyo, Penny Arcade.
A few weeks ago, Reeta wanted to buy the new Body for Life cookbook, and I needed to add a little something to the shopping cart to get free shipping.
So I bought Neil Stephenson's Cryptonomicon. After reading the Code Book, and liking it, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I didn't open it until the trip back from Idaho. Now I'm a little over one hundred pages in, still in heavy exposition, and loving it. I'm also staring at brand new Shonen Jump that got here in the mail today. Needless to say, I'm taking the rest of the night off. Tonight, a little manga, a little cypherpunk, and maybe a couple more episodes of Firefly, some exercise, and a relatively early night. Tomorrow - Sales Transactions. I'll take that one Saturday. Then Partnership Tax next Wednesday night, and Crim Pro on Friday next. One major bear test out of the way, three to go (and a paper to finish by a week from Tuesday).
At the end of every semester, almost like clockwork, I find myself picking up a new Bad Habit. My first semester, it was fansubbed anime. My second semester, it was online comics. Sinfest, MegaTokyo, Penny Arcade.
A few weeks ago, Reeta wanted to buy the new Body for Life cookbook, and I needed to add a little something to the shopping cart to get free shipping.
So I bought Neil Stephenson's Cryptonomicon. After reading the Code Book, and liking it, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I didn't open it until the trip back from Idaho. Now I'm a little over one hundred pages in, still in heavy exposition, and loving it. I'm also staring at brand new Shonen Jump that got here in the mail today. Needless to say, I'm taking the rest of the night off. Tonight, a little manga, a little cypherpunk, and maybe a couple more episodes of Firefly, some exercise, and a relatively early night. Tomorrow - Sales Transactions. I'll take that one Saturday. Then Partnership Tax next Wednesday night, and Crim Pro on Friday next. One major bear test out of the way, three to go (and a paper to finish by a week from Tuesday).
The Great And Dreadful Day Of Reckoning and Copyright
First test today, in two hours. A couple minutes of review this morning, including looking at some practice exams has me cautiously optimisitc. But that's not necessarily a good sign. ^.^''
Tuesday
Something I know I'm going to regret...
(religion, society)
Times and Seasons has a conversation going on right now about a couple of issues, the hot one seeming to be abortion. The question comes up: when does life actually begin? I remember debating this one out back in the mission field with one of my illustrious companions. His thought was that life began at birth, and he used for his proof 3rd Nephi 1:13, where Christ announces to a prophet in America that he was to be born the next day.
I found his argument unconvincing, to be honest. This could have been a messenger acting under the direction of God, (in which case he would have the right to speak in God's name). Also, Christ has always been a unique case. I responded with Luke 1:41, where Elizabeth, upon hearing Mary at the door, feels the baby apparently respond to the sound.
This is part of the problem with prooftexts. Everybody's got one for their own pet view.
Times and Seasons has a conversation going on right now about a couple of issues, the hot one seeming to be abortion. The question comes up: when does life actually begin? I remember debating this one out back in the mission field with one of my illustrious companions. His thought was that life began at birth, and he used for his proof 3rd Nephi 1:13, where Christ announces to a prophet in America that he was to be born the next day.
I found his argument unconvincing, to be honest. This could have been a messenger acting under the direction of God, (in which case he would have the right to speak in God's name). Also, Christ has always been a unique case. I responded with Luke 1:41, where Elizabeth, upon hearing Mary at the door, feels the baby apparently respond to the sound.
This is part of the problem with prooftexts. Everybody's got one for their own pet view.
Monday
Home again, Home again...
And we're back (phew). 11 hours - that's pretty good speed. (Bathroom breaks were kept to a minimum). ^.^''
We're moving on out...
Headed back, no more posts today - but here's a quick pic of the whole family.
The Double-Edged Sword
(school, church) At church yesterday, one of my Dad's friends came up to me and asked me how things were going. I told him, honestly, that I was nervous, because finals start on Wednesday. Then we started making funny biblical quotes at each other - along the lines of "the great and terrible day of reckoning is at hand". "And those who have procrastinated the day of their [preparation] will find it is everlastingly too late!" "And there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth" etc., etc., etc.
Good hearted ribbing, (until I realized how freaked out I really am over finals - I really want to do well - especially in Copyright this Wednesday). Like a lot of things, we laugh because it's funny, and we laugh because it's true. Back to Oregon today. Gotta get packing and moving out.
Good hearted ribbing, (until I realized how freaked out I really am over finals - I really want to do well - especially in Copyright this Wednesday). Like a lot of things, we laugh because it's funny, and we laugh because it's true. Back to Oregon today. Gotta get packing and moving out.
Saturday
All's well that starts well... (family)
The wedding went off without a hitch. A lot of advice was given, the ceremony was performed, and we all hung around outside the temple catching up with people and waiting for the bride to emerge in her dress. Cameras abounded. Claire and the cousins (I'll have pics later) ran around.
Then off to Carino's for lunch. Claire was (pretty) good the whole time. But she tripped over Reeta's purse, bonked her head, and dumped a whole plate of ravioli, penne gorgonzola and bowtie festival all on her head and down the front of her sweater. Thank goodness she's okay (and she wasn't wearing her Easter dress).
I sang at the luncheon - I did "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World". I tried to find tabs and lyrics, but the lyrics I found didn't match what I remember from the original songs, so I changed them so I wouldn't have to re-learn them. It went pretty well. I had originally thought that I would sing "There's a Tear in my Beer" because of all the girls who were after Sean back before he got married. He made one of those cheesy pillowcases with his face on it for her for while he was on his mission, and reliable sources say that occasionally the pillow would disappear, and Jenny would find it in someone else's dorm room. I was also thinking "Hey Good Lookin' What'cha got Cookin'" because Sean can't cook worth beans. We always joke that he can't put together a PBJ. But it was a good wedding, lunch was good. Now I'm tired - but I must study ^.^'
Then off to Carino's for lunch. Claire was (pretty) good the whole time. But she tripped over Reeta's purse, bonked her head, and dumped a whole plate of ravioli, penne gorgonzola and bowtie festival all on her head and down the front of her sweater. Thank goodness she's okay (and she wasn't wearing her Easter dress).
I sang at the luncheon - I did "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World". I tried to find tabs and lyrics, but the lyrics I found didn't match what I remember from the original songs, so I changed them so I wouldn't have to re-learn them. It went pretty well. I had originally thought that I would sing "There's a Tear in my Beer" because of all the girls who were after Sean back before he got married. He made one of those cheesy pillowcases with his face on it for her for while he was on his mission, and reliable sources say that occasionally the pillow would disappear, and Jenny would find it in someone else's dorm room. I was also thinking "Hey Good Lookin' What'cha got Cookin'" because Sean can't cook worth beans. We always joke that he can't put together a PBJ. But it was a good wedding, lunch was good. Now I'm tired - but I must study ^.^'
I wish... (blogging, gaming)
That there was a way in Blogger to show categories of posts. J is planning on moving to TypePad over the Summer, I may do the same, but it won't be until the Fall.
I am not a huge fan of the Massive Multiplayer Online Game genre. I've never played one. I've never really gamed online much anyway - my aim's too bad to really compete in online deathmatch, I've never really had a group of people I'd play NWN with online and it's hard to make those connections in the wired for me. Also, I'm too cheap to fork over a monthly fee, and I'm honestly scared of the genre anyway. I've known people from back in my DirecTV life who were so hooked on EverQuest that I'm sure it caused psychological damage. (Getting outside occasionally so the sun provides you with vital vitamins is a good thing - helps prevent depression)
Having said that, there have been a few of them that have caught my imagination, and the latest one is City of Heroes. I saw a beta of it running at a friends place, and it looks like a lot of fun. I think I'd be able to play this one, and really get into it (which is admittedly scary). The one gripe I've consistently heard is that you will not be able to play villains, only Heroes.
So, I was reading Penny Arcade today, when I saw something interesting. Apparently, NC Soft will be showing a new game at E3. Get ready for City of Villains. Some people I know will be happy to hear that.
UPDATE: Apparently City of Villains will be an expansion for City of Heroes, and not a seperate game.
I am not a huge fan of the Massive Multiplayer Online Game genre. I've never played one. I've never really gamed online much anyway - my aim's too bad to really compete in online deathmatch, I've never really had a group of people I'd play NWN with online and it's hard to make those connections in the wired for me. Also, I'm too cheap to fork over a monthly fee, and I'm honestly scared of the genre anyway. I've known people from back in my DirecTV life who were so hooked on EverQuest that I'm sure it caused psychological damage. (Getting outside occasionally so the sun provides you with vital vitamins is a good thing - helps prevent depression)
Having said that, there have been a few of them that have caught my imagination, and the latest one is City of Heroes. I saw a beta of it running at a friends place, and it looks like a lot of fun. I think I'd be able to play this one, and really get into it (which is admittedly scary). The one gripe I've consistently heard is that you will not be able to play villains, only Heroes.
So, I was reading Penny Arcade today, when I saw something interesting. Apparently, NC Soft will be showing a new game at E3. Get ready for City of Villains. Some people I know will be happy to hear that.
UPDATE: Apparently City of Villains will be an expansion for City of Heroes, and not a seperate game.
Friday
And here we are again
Made it. Home just in time to catch my mother-in-law calling here from back home, and try to troubleshoot the internet connection. Apparently it's down. Well, at least I'm out here, and not back there where I'd have a down connection.
The wedding is tomorrow - Sean looks excited, everyone else is happy to see us (and we're happy to see them). Claire's running around with cousin Ethan. We'll have to post pictures.
The wedding is tomorrow - Sean looks excited, everyone else is happy to see us (and we're happy to see them). Claire's running around with cousin Ethan. We'll have to post pictures.
Trippin'
We're off to Idaho today, so I won't be posting until this evening. It's about an eleven hour drive.
So, until later...
GUT FU!!!
So, until later...
GUT FU!!!
Thursday
So I took this quiz...
Happy Random Bomb Time!!!
Part of the perks of having my own blog is the fact that I can do whatever I want with it. In particular, and in this blog, I'm all over the place - sometimes I talk about school, sometimes about religion, sometimes about fun stuff. And I've even posted poetry. So, in keeping with the theme of random bomb throwing...
Got my rough draft back from the professor today. I told him it sucked, and he evidently concurred with my opinion. I've got just under three weeks to tweak, tune, etc. Heck, if "Extreme Makeover" can re-build a house in 5 1/2 days, (seehere) then I can rebuild a measly paper in three times that time, right...?
But, Finals are all next week and the week after...
Going to Idaho for Sean's wedding - leaving tomorrow - 12 hour drive - leaving Corbin and Carol in the house - lots of reading time, right...?
Anime music RAWKS...!
Gotta get the client file together and the self-assessent done tonight, so I can turn it in tomorrow on our way out of town...
Too much Live Wire = Even Bigger Gut... possibly useful in a new martial art which I shall invent, called "Gut Fu"... (All shall kneel before the overwhelming power of my midriff!)
And as a quick aside, would any of this be an indication that the stress is getting to me...?
And here's a quick pic of one of my personal heroes, The Genius of Hard Work, the Master of Disaster (and really, really fuzzy eyebrows), Rock Lee! (note, read the right balloon, then the left one).
And just because I can - here's a shout out to Square Enix. You guys made a version of Sword of Mana for the GBA, let's see a couple of the other classic SNES RPG's, like Final Fantasy VI, and Chrono Trigger! Get cracking...
LEST THEY TASTE MY BLADE!!!
Got my rough draft back from the professor today. I told him it sucked, and he evidently concurred with my opinion. I've got just under three weeks to tweak, tune, etc. Heck, if "Extreme Makeover" can re-build a house in 5 1/2 days, (seehere) then I can rebuild a measly paper in three times that time, right...?
But, Finals are all next week and the week after...
Going to Idaho for Sean's wedding - leaving tomorrow - 12 hour drive - leaving Corbin and Carol in the house - lots of reading time, right...?
Anime music RAWKS...!
Gotta get the client file together and the self-assessent done tonight, so I can turn it in tomorrow on our way out of town...
Too much Live Wire = Even Bigger Gut... possibly useful in a new martial art which I shall invent, called "Gut Fu"... (All shall kneel before the overwhelming power of my midriff!)
And as a quick aside, would any of this be an indication that the stress is getting to me...?
And here's a quick pic of one of my personal heroes, The Genius of Hard Work, the Master of Disaster (and really, really fuzzy eyebrows), Rock Lee! (note, read the right balloon, then the left one).
And just because I can - here's a shout out to Square Enix. You guys made a version of Sword of Mana for the GBA, let's see a couple of the other classic SNES RPG's, like Final Fantasy VI, and Chrono Trigger! Get cracking...
LEST THEY TASTE MY BLADE!!!
A new crazy adventure...
As if I don't have enough going on right now, I thought I'd try something.
G-mail.
I know there are privacy concerns. I know there's some rather heinous terms in the license agreement. But, I figure it'll be a useful second e-mail account, one that will survive where an account with an ISP has the possibility of changing when I change ISP's, etc. Anyway, it's just a test, I don't anticipate that it'll become my new permanent address. So, it's here. Feel free to e-mail me, just don't send anything you wouldn't want Ashcroft to read. ^.^
G-mail.
I know there are privacy concerns. I know there's some rather heinous terms in the license agreement. But, I figure it'll be a useful second e-mail account, one that will survive where an account with an ISP has the possibility of changing when I change ISP's, etc. Anyway, it's just a test, I don't anticipate that it'll become my new permanent address. So, it's here. Feel free to e-mail me, just don't send anything you wouldn't want Ashcroft to read. ^.^
Wednesday
A tale of greed, lies, and corruption
Here's an interesting article I just finished reading summing up the UN Oil-for-food scandal so far. It staggers the imagination to think that this was going on under the U.N.'s nose. I hope we keep them far, far away from any kind of responsibility there in Iraq - I think they've destroyed any credibility they may have once had with the Iraqis. And to be honest, stuff like this seems a whole lot more damning than the occasional "The U.N. wants your gun!" signs I see around. (There's one near the WinCo where we shop in Tigard, and occasionally, I see them in Idaho.) Maybe the U.N. does want my gun, but they ain't getting it. (not that I own a gun).
Strangely, this antipathy the world has for the U.S. seems familiar - it's a lot like the political situation in David Gerrold's War against the Chtorr books.* In that situation, the U.S. had to back down quite a bit, and take care of matters at home - something that only made us stronger as a country.
"Nobody loves us, everybody hates us..." and Ya know what? Screw them. International community, my eye. If this is the international community at work, maybe we should get back to good old fashioned parochialism. Maybe this is a time where the U.S. could adopt something I heard a lot as a kid - that we should be in the world, but not of the world. Let's not go crawling back to those U.N. flunkies on our knees, begging forgiveness for something we should never have had to do in the first place.
Props to Considerettes for the link.
*disclaimer - having read the War against the Chtorr books, and despite having thoroughly enjoyed them, I cannot in good conscience actually recommend them for others - they're very, very dark, there's a lot of things good Mormon boys and girls shouldn't be reading about, and they're really trippy.
Strangely, this antipathy the world has for the U.S. seems familiar - it's a lot like the political situation in David Gerrold's War against the Chtorr books.* In that situation, the U.S. had to back down quite a bit, and take care of matters at home - something that only made us stronger as a country.
"Nobody loves us, everybody hates us..." and Ya know what? Screw them. International community, my eye. If this is the international community at work, maybe we should get back to good old fashioned parochialism. Maybe this is a time where the U.S. could adopt something I heard a lot as a kid - that we should be in the world, but not of the world. Let's not go crawling back to those U.N. flunkies on our knees, begging forgiveness for something we should never have had to do in the first place.
Props to Considerettes for the link.
*disclaimer - having read the War against the Chtorr books, and despite having thoroughly enjoyed them, I cannot in good conscience actually recommend them for others - they're very, very dark, there's a lot of things good Mormon boys and girls shouldn't be reading about, and they're really trippy.
Rectifying the situation.
It's been a week, and I've had one post about anime, and none on gaming. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!? Honestly, it's probably the end of the semester/stress/other-things-going-on story.
And I honestly haven't been gaming much lately. Reeta and I were talking today, and I expressed how frustrated/stressed I'm getting. Her advice?
Go blow up some bad guys. (I love her!)
Eventually I'll get back into some of that, after finals are over. We'll see.
And I honestly haven't been gaming much lately. Reeta and I were talking today, and I expressed how frustrated/stressed I'm getting. Her advice?
Go blow up some bad guys. (I love her!)
Eventually I'll get back into some of that, after finals are over. We'll see.
Signs of things to come?
Hopefully this isn't an indication of the future - I'd like to see Claire at least occasionally while she's growing up.
Why Zach can't learn...
When I was in high school, I was involved in a particularly embarrasing situation where someone told me something about someone (I think she didn't like someone - the details are fuzzy), didn't tell me it was in confidence, and I mentioned it to the person she didn't like.
It kind of blew up in my face. The person who originally said it denied everything when confronted by the second person, I was accused of having exaggerated it to make a good story, etc. It was mortifying.
And I think I did something similar again. The specific reference edited out below was done at request. I've also taken the liberty of excising the comments about the specific reference. And I'm utterly mortified that it happened in the first place. Please consider this my formal apology to all involved. ^.^' I'd hate to think that everyone needs to preface a statement to me with a disclaimer when they want it to remain in confidence, you'd think that a moment's thought would have made it obvious. Yeah, you'd think that, wouldn't you?
Every now and then, I think that an episode of Scrubs had a really fantastic idea when an opera singer followed one of the characters around and warned him every time he was about to do something stupid by singing "Mis-tAAAAAAAAAAAKE!" at the top of his voice. I could have used that guy last night.
It kind of blew up in my face. The person who originally said it denied everything when confronted by the second person, I was accused of having exaggerated it to make a good story, etc. It was mortifying.
And I think I did something similar again. The specific reference edited out below was done at request. I've also taken the liberty of excising the comments about the specific reference. And I'm utterly mortified that it happened in the first place. Please consider this my formal apology to all involved. ^.^' I'd hate to think that everyone needs to preface a statement to me with a disclaimer when they want it to remain in confidence, you'd think that a moment's thought would have made it obvious. Yeah, you'd think that, wouldn't you?
Every now and then, I think that an episode of Scrubs had a really fantastic idea when an opera singer followed one of the characters around and warned him every time he was about to do something stupid by singing "Mis-tAAAAAAAAAAAKE!" at the top of his voice. I could have used that guy last night.
Tuesday
The differences
... may be in the absolutes. I had a couple of interesting conversations last night about the recent brouhaha here and on Mellow Drama about the LDS practice of baptism for the dead. The first one essentially boiled down to an agreement that if it was being done by and for people who were not blood related, (as opposed to the vast majority that are done for members' ancestors) then permission should be obtained from the family before proceeding.
The conversation I had with J was more interesting. There's a small but active community of LDS law students here at the school. And according to J, we sort of stick out. She told me a couple of stories of people approaching other members here on campus with all kinds of crazy questions (specific reference deleted by request). I told J in response that I'd had so many conversations regarding religion here on campus that I was starting to monitor myself, to make sure that I wasn't the one bringing it up. At any rate, my friends here on campus know me, and (hopefully) know what I stand for. The Bible refers to believers as "a peculiar people". (1st Peter 2:9, and part of the description of this blog) I guess there's some truth to that.
The conversation I had with J was more interesting. There's a small but active community of LDS law students here at the school. And according to J, we sort of stick out. She told me a couple of stories of people approaching other members here on campus with all kinds of crazy questions (specific reference deleted by request). I told J in response that I'd had so many conversations regarding religion here on campus that I was starting to monitor myself, to make sure that I wasn't the one bringing it up. At any rate, my friends here on campus know me, and (hopefully) know what I stand for. The Bible refers to believers as "a peculiar people". (1st Peter 2:9, and part of the description of this blog) I guess there's some truth to that.
Monday
Wired News: Mr. Clean Available for DVDs
Wired News: Mr. Clean Available for DVDs
As I recall, dimly past the advent of law school, the capability of DVDs to carry multiple ratings-versions of movies was one of the reasons I initially got excited about the format. That vision has never appeared in the form which I thought it would - different versions on the DVD itself - however, this player seems to be filling that (supposed) gap.
Of course, Hollywood is pissed.
In essence, this is the digital equivalence of putting your hand over your kid's eyes or ears during a questionable scene - something that honestly doesn't work that well in the analog world, but has the capability of seamless operation in the digital.
Big content has been wrong about demand in the past. The real proof of the pudding here will be if it sells a whole bunch (and it's a pretty good DVD player even without the content filtering), and if it allows families that would not have done so in the past to maybe pick up that DVD copy of the Matrix, or Gladiator, or Shawshank Redemption.
As I recall, dimly past the advent of law school, the capability of DVDs to carry multiple ratings-versions of movies was one of the reasons I initially got excited about the format. That vision has never appeared in the form which I thought it would - different versions on the DVD itself - however, this player seems to be filling that (supposed) gap.
Of course, Hollywood is pissed.
In essence, this is the digital equivalence of putting your hand over your kid's eyes or ears during a questionable scene - something that honestly doesn't work that well in the analog world, but has the capability of seamless operation in the digital.
Big content has been wrong about demand in the past. The real proof of the pudding here will be if it sells a whole bunch (and it's a pretty good DVD player even without the content filtering), and if it allows families that would not have done so in the past to maybe pick up that DVD copy of the Matrix, or Gladiator, or Shawshank Redemption.
The Power of the Inside Joke
It's only happened once or twice, but occasionally I find myself surfing in class. And today, I saw this.
And I started giggling. Out loud. In class.
Not everybody gets Penny Arcade. It helps if you're a gamer, and it helps if you read all of them. From the beginning. Funny, funny, funny stuff. New comics every Mon, Wed, Fri.
These are the guys who put together a charity drive for a children's hospital in Seattle, thinking they'd get a couple of consoles and some games for kids who were stuck in the hospital. I don't know how much they were expecting to get, but I'm sure it was a lot lower than the well-over-$25,000-in-Paypal-donations they got, not to mention pallet after pallet after pallet of stuff from their Amazon wish list.
And sometimes, something they write just gets me giggling.
And I started giggling. Out loud. In class.
Not everybody gets Penny Arcade. It helps if you're a gamer, and it helps if you read all of them. From the beginning. Funny, funny, funny stuff. New comics every Mon, Wed, Fri.
These are the guys who put together a charity drive for a children's hospital in Seattle, thinking they'd get a couple of consoles and some games for kids who were stuck in the hospital. I don't know how much they were expecting to get, but I'm sure it was a lot lower than the well-over-$25,000-in-Paypal-donations they got, not to mention pallet after pallet after pallet of stuff from their Amazon wish list.
And sometimes, something they write just gets me giggling.
Sunday
Gundam SEED #1
I was quite impressed. Even though I have a lot of these episodes on CD-ROM already (see earlier posts re: fansubbed anime), it looks and sounds a lot better on TV. Except for the dub (some of the voices don't really fit for me yet). Surprisingly (or not so - this may give you an idea of how much of an anime geek I really am), none of the names were changed from the Japanese to the English version. I was a little taken aback. I mean, with a name like Muu LaFlaga, you'd think someone might take the liberty of calling him "Fred" or something more Americanized. Maybe not, but this is really the first time I've seen a series in the original Japanese before seeing it dubbed in English. Also, I didn't notice any kind of editing. We'll see if that bears out as we get later into the series and Frey starts working those womanly assets of hers. Anyway, aside from a really annoying high-pitched voice for our hero, Kira Yamato, this looks like one that goes on the great DVD wish list in the sky. (along with a complete Bandai set of Trigun, all of the Cowboy Bebop sessions, and the complete Gundam Wing series - what can I say, I'm a sucker for the Gundam Deathscythe Hell Custom model). Reeta actually watched it with me, which is encouraging. (Watching Gundam Wing with me was what got her interested in anime in the first place...) As in all things entertainment, YMMV.
In the jungle, the quiet jungle...
So, apparently Reeta (my one, true love), was in Church today, and the topic of temple work came up. In particular (cosmic coincidences being what they are), baptism for the dead. And the question came up as to what to do if someone questions that belief. Wierd.
In other news, I am no longer Claire's Sunday School teacher. Instead, I'm the Primary (Sunday School for kids) chorister. I start in two weeks, because I'll be in Idaho next weekend for my baby brother's wedding. Yes, Sean, infamous for taking extremely large bites of things (such that our entire family, including Claire, calls them 'Sean Bites'), is getting married next week. He's getting married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple to an awesome girl - Jenny. So, she's awesome, it's a getaway for the weekend before finals, and it's a 12-14 hour drive during which I can read law books to my little heart's content. The downside? I have to play the guitar and sing at the reception. Any suggestions?
In other news, I am no longer Claire's Sunday School teacher. Instead, I'm the Primary (Sunday School for kids) chorister. I start in two weeks, because I'll be in Idaho next weekend for my baby brother's wedding. Yes, Sean, infamous for taking extremely large bites of things (such that our entire family, including Claire, calls them 'Sean Bites'), is getting married next week. He's getting married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple to an awesome girl - Jenny. So, she's awesome, it's a getaway for the weekend before finals, and it's a 12-14 hour drive during which I can read law books to my little heart's content. The downside? I have to play the guitar and sing at the reception. Any suggestions?
Friday
The thing I almost did...
As a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons), I felt a responsibility to respond to recent discussion of baptism for the dead. After a few hours spent writing a response and researching the issue, I've decided that a long, drawn out response is simply unnecessary. Suffice it to say I believe that this is a good practice that makes sense to me and the others who participate in this ordinance. If you don't believe in the doctrine, certainly you can't think that our performing it amounts to more than the curious antics of a peculiar people. At no point in our doctrine do we believe that performing such baptism "guarantees" that the person who's been baptised is "automatically" a Mormon. We believe that the recipient has been given the opportunity to accept or reject the ordinance performed in his or her behalf. (We also believe that the Gospel will be preached in the next life, so everyone will know what's going on - and recognize the opportunity that they are being offered). The choice is up to them to do what they will with it once it's been done.
At any rate, the curious can go to the LDS website, and read up on it here, here, and here. (The whole chapter on the last two).
At no point do we do this out of a desire to insult the memory of anyone's ancestors. At no point do we do this out of a desire to prove our superiority over others. We do it out of a sense of love, service, and duty to those who have gone before. We do this because we believe it is a commandment of God.
If anyone's still curious, I'm more than happy to discuss the issue in e-mail - just click on my name, it's under the Creative Commons notice. I agree not to post any e-mails without express permission first, and they'd be anonymous at any rate.
At any rate, the curious can go to the LDS website, and read up on it here, here, and here. (The whole chapter on the last two).
At no point do we do this out of a desire to insult the memory of anyone's ancestors. At no point do we do this out of a desire to prove our superiority over others. We do it out of a sense of love, service, and duty to those who have gone before. We do this because we believe it is a commandment of God.
If anyone's still curious, I'm more than happy to discuss the issue in e-mail - just click on my name, it's under the Creative Commons notice. I agree not to post any e-mails without express permission first, and they'd be anonymous at any rate.
Well, here we are again...
Just finished my tax extension. Looks like another refund for us (which is nice).
Got to get to Idaho next weekend for Sean's wedding, which means that I need someone to fill in for me at the computer lab on Friday - that request will go out tomorrow afternoon.
And I've got a whole lotta studying to do.
Got to get to Idaho next weekend for Sean's wedding, which means that I need someone to fill in for me at the computer lab on Friday - that request will go out tomorrow afternoon.
And I've got a whole lotta studying to do.
Wednesday
Last Word
With the new name, I guess I should throw some poetry on here. Yeah, I've written some poetry. I've got one up at poetry.com (as Zachary John Ricks) that I won some award for. They keep bugging me about winning this big silver cup, but to get it I have to attend some poetry convention, or pay for it out of my own pocket. Whatever.
Here's one I wrote a few years ago.
Passion
Passion can't be trusted.
Like a naked flame, it dances -
Burning finger, bodies, minds,
Always flaring, never quenched,
Never dead, completely.
The dragon of a man's heart
Cannot die, will not die,
Refuses to leave me here
In sweet, dreamless peace.
Instead, cackling, it casts my
Soul headlong, Throws away the
Shackles - those ties the bind -
And leaps for the sky -
Ever reaching for the sun.
Its black hide shimmering
Its eyes hidden by the
Heat of its breath as it
Rises to eat the sun
Where he stands
In the sky.
Here's one I wrote a few years ago.
Passion
Passion can't be trusted.
Like a naked flame, it dances -
Burning finger, bodies, minds,
Always flaring, never quenched,
Never dead, completely.
The dragon of a man's heart
Cannot die, will not die,
Refuses to leave me here
In sweet, dreamless peace.
Instead, cackling, it casts my
Soul headlong, Throws away the
Shackles - those ties the bind -
And leaps for the sky -
Ever reaching for the sun.
Its black hide shimmering
Its eyes hidden by the
Heat of its breath as it
Rises to eat the sun
Where he stands
In the sky.
The more things change...
First, the new title. Mad Poets Anonymous is what I put down on the "Organization" blank any time I can't install something on the 'puter without selecting an organization. To my knowledge, it hasn't been trademarked (I call first!), or copyrighted by someone else.
I decided to keep the bombs, though not the Bomberman. That lets me remove the disclaimer for that graphic (although it's really cute).
And now Reeta can freely post. I have to admit, I wondered about the propriety of anyone who was not "Zach" posting to "Zach's Random Thoughts". Now it's non-identity-specific. Heck, maybe in a year or two, Claire will start posting.
Won't that be wierd?
I decided to keep the bombs, though not the Bomberman. That lets me remove the disclaimer for that graphic (although it's really cute).
And now Reeta can freely post. I have to admit, I wondered about the propriety of anyone who was not "Zach" posting to "Zach's Random Thoughts". Now it's non-identity-specific. Heck, maybe in a year or two, Claire will start posting.
Won't that be wierd?
Nothin' but love, baby...
I have Merchandise?
Actually, no. It's apparently someone else who previously had a blog titled "Zach's Random Thoughts", but it means that I'm now officially looking for a new name for my little slice of the blogosphere.
After all, I don't want anybody thinking that I'm selling thong panties with the blog title on them.
Actually, no. It's apparently someone else who previously had a blog titled "Zach's Random Thoughts", but it means that I'm now officially looking for a new name for my little slice of the blogosphere.
After all, I don't want anybody thinking that I'm selling thong panties with the blog title on them.
Changes...
But not big ones. As I'm not reading anything interesting right now, or really watching anything much interesting, I've taken those off, and I'm now using a handy little plugin for Winamp to show everyone what I'm listening to (which is a much clearer insight into my psyche, let me tell ya...)
The plug-in is BlogAmp, and after a little tweaking with the script command in my Blogger template, I'm pretty happy with the result. Even if it does show how much I love fat bottomed girls.
The plug-in is BlogAmp, and after a little tweaking with the script command in my Blogger template, I'm pretty happy with the result. Even if it does show how much I love fat bottomed girls.
In completely different news...
Gundam SEED starts on Cartoon Network this Saturday at 10:30, Pacific. Probably 10:30 Eastern, too. YMMV. It's right after Dragonball GT.
At last, I'll be able to see what happens to Kira Yamato, Asran Zala, Lacus Klyne, Cagari, Muu LaFraga, and the rest of them. (Especially psycho-death-chick Frey Alstar - she who dumps her boyfriend to use her feminine wiles on Kira). At least, I will when the series catches up to where I was in watching - about Episode 30 or so.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - this is absolutely the best of the Gundam series that I've seen. (Gundam Wing, G Gundam, and Mobile Suit Gundam - haven't seen X Gundam, Turn-A Gundam, or Z Gundam, or the cutesy kiddy SD Gundam).
At last, I'll be able to see what happens to Kira Yamato, Asran Zala, Lacus Klyne, Cagari, Muu LaFraga, and the rest of them. (Especially psycho-death-chick Frey Alstar - she who dumps her boyfriend to use her feminine wiles on Kira). At least, I will when the series catches up to where I was in watching - about Episode 30 or so.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - this is absolutely the best of the Gundam series that I've seen. (Gundam Wing, G Gundam, and Mobile Suit Gundam - haven't seen X Gundam, Turn-A Gundam, or Z Gundam, or the cutesy kiddy SD Gundam).
Can I fast forward past the icky parts?
(Hats off to Considerettes for this story).
Yes, the darn Utahns are at it again. (good for us). Now we're interfering with the artists' vision of their film, by creating a DVD player that can be programmed to (note, CAN BE PROGRAMMED TO, meaning at the owner's volition) edit movies seamlessly for language, sex, nudity, and violence.
And the movie industry is pissed. So, anyway, gotta start saving my pennies for this one. And for $69.84 right now from Walmart, looks like Reeta can finally watch movies in front of her Mother without feeling too uncomfortable.
ClearPlay dvd player, 69.84 + shipping.
Matrix Reloaded on DVD, @ 19.99.
Peace of mind from not having to see Keanu Reeve's pasty white naked plug-covered body? Priceless.
Yes, the darn Utahns are at it again. (good for us). Now we're interfering with the artists' vision of their film, by creating a DVD player that can be programmed to (note, CAN BE PROGRAMMED TO, meaning at the owner's volition) edit movies seamlessly for language, sex, nudity, and violence.
And the movie industry is pissed. So, anyway, gotta start saving my pennies for this one. And for $69.84 right now from Walmart, looks like Reeta can finally watch movies in front of her Mother without feeling too uncomfortable.
ClearPlay dvd player, 69.84 + shipping.
Matrix Reloaded on DVD, @ 19.99.
Peace of mind from not having to see Keanu Reeve's pasty white naked plug-covered body? Priceless.
Hi, can I read your e-mail?
So, there's a lot of controversy over G-mail, Google's new free e-mail service where they read your e-mail and send you ads based on your e-mail.
And Volokh's position is if you don't like the privacy invasion, don't use g-mail. For the most part, that's a great idea. The only problem that I have with that is the possibility that mail sent to the address would be read regardless of the author's intent for privacy to be maintained. Of course, e-mail in and of itself is fundamentally unsecure, but the point here is that while in other systems, your e-mail COULD be intercepted and read, in g-mail, your e-mail WILL be intercepted and "read" by a program looking for keywords. And if I send an e-mail from my school account to someone using g-mail, that mail will be scanned for keywords, and Google can do anything they want with it, including submitting the information to the government at a mere "request". (See Google's privacy policy.) No warrant, no disinterested judicial gatekeeper, they just ask for it, and Google turns it over.
Scary.
And Volokh's position is if you don't like the privacy invasion, don't use g-mail. For the most part, that's a great idea. The only problem that I have with that is the possibility that mail sent to the address would be read regardless of the author's intent for privacy to be maintained. Of course, e-mail in and of itself is fundamentally unsecure, but the point here is that while in other systems, your e-mail COULD be intercepted and read, in g-mail, your e-mail WILL be intercepted and "read" by a program looking for keywords. And if I send an e-mail from my school account to someone using g-mail, that mail will be scanned for keywords, and Google can do anything they want with it, including submitting the information to the government at a mere "request". (See Google's privacy policy.) No warrant, no disinterested judicial gatekeeper, they just ask for it, and Google turns it over.
Scary.
This is Corbin
By popular request, here's a picture of Corbin. He's nine, loves Spider-Man, Bionicle, and Lightsaber Dueling. Also gyoza.
He was born during Reeta's second year of college, the youngest of four kids. Just don't call him Claire's uncle. Trust me on that.
He's standing next to a volcano science project that Reeta helped him with - they spent a lot of time getting the eruption "formula" just right.
Monday
Types and Shadows
I don't pretend to understand it all. I especially won't pretend that I have some special insight that makes me right, and I'm about to unveil an insight that will fix all of our problems - and I mean ALL of our problems - Americans and Iraqis, Right and Left, Rich and Poor, etc., etc., etc...
Because I'm not. There are a lot of people out there smarter than me (and that takes some real humility to admit that one), who have been thinking about this longer than I have. Go read Instapundit, or Kos, or whoever your political blogger d'jour is for that kind of thing.
Having said that, at least I can respond with a thought or two in response. Tonight I was reading something that reminded me of something in the Book of Mormon. For those of you playing our home game, Alma 46-51 are some of (IMHO) the most interesting chapters in the BoM (and not just for the actions of Teancum in chap 51, although he is, admittedly, one of my favorite people in the book). Here, you have Moroni, a general appointed to safeguard and secure the homeland of his people from enemy attack. He finds that amongst the people are those who honestly want the other side to win (for whatever reason, usually because it means that they expect that they will come into power when the new guy comes in).
To me, that sounds a lot like Kennedy claiming that Iraq is Bush's Vietnam. It sounds like Richard Clarke saying that Bush didn't make Al Qaeda a priority until after 9/11. It sounds like bloggers throughout the sphere nitpicking and nitpicking.
Here's an idea. Let's finish Iraq. Let's allow them to set up a democracy. Let's give them the time and space they need to come up with a representative government, whatever that ultimately looks like. And let's sign a treaty with that fledgling country that says that anyone that screws with them, screws with us. Yeah, let's make Iraq one of our democratic homeboys. They need time and space to do that. They need to decide for themselves what that government needs to look like. They can't spare the time and energy to do that if there's rioting, bombings, pushes for power, coups, etc. So we need to give them that time and space - and the only way to do that is through occupation. Not forever, but for long enough for them to get their feet under them. That might not be in time for the end of June (I'd be VERY surprised if it did happen by then). With their feet under them, and a good neighbor, I think Iraq can go a long way.
Because I'm not. There are a lot of people out there smarter than me (and that takes some real humility to admit that one), who have been thinking about this longer than I have. Go read Instapundit, or Kos, or whoever your political blogger d'jour is for that kind of thing.
Having said that, at least I can respond with a thought or two in response. Tonight I was reading something that reminded me of something in the Book of Mormon. For those of you playing our home game, Alma 46-51 are some of (IMHO) the most interesting chapters in the BoM (and not just for the actions of Teancum in chap 51, although he is, admittedly, one of my favorite people in the book). Here, you have Moroni, a general appointed to safeguard and secure the homeland of his people from enemy attack. He finds that amongst the people are those who honestly want the other side to win (for whatever reason, usually because it means that they expect that they will come into power when the new guy comes in).
To me, that sounds a lot like Kennedy claiming that Iraq is Bush's Vietnam. It sounds like Richard Clarke saying that Bush didn't make Al Qaeda a priority until after 9/11. It sounds like bloggers throughout the sphere nitpicking and nitpicking.
Here's an idea. Let's finish Iraq. Let's allow them to set up a democracy. Let's give them the time and space they need to come up with a representative government, whatever that ultimately looks like. And let's sign a treaty with that fledgling country that says that anyone that screws with them, screws with us. Yeah, let's make Iraq one of our democratic homeboys. They need time and space to do that. They need to decide for themselves what that government needs to look like. They can't spare the time and energy to do that if there's rioting, bombings, pushes for power, coups, etc. So we need to give them that time and space - and the only way to do that is through occupation. Not forever, but for long enough for them to get their feet under them. That might not be in time for the end of June (I'd be VERY surprised if it did happen by then). With their feet under them, and a good neighbor, I think Iraq can go a long way.
Real life
I'm sitting here in Comm law: Sales Transactions, and it seems like my team's transaction is the problem child of the group. Poor deal 3.
Basically, this is a simulated transaction in which a brewery is trying to acquire a bottling system. A bank gets involved.
A finance lease is what the parties thought sounded appropriate - the bank buys the bottling system from the manufacturer, the brewery leases the bottling system from the bank, and the brewery has a seperate installation agreement with the manufacturer. And there's one little term that is getting in the way of this deal just completing. Acceptance. People are having a hard time determining when acceptance is going to occur. -sigh- I'm sure that in the real world, it's even more frustrating.
Basically, this is a simulated transaction in which a brewery is trying to acquire a bottling system. A bank gets involved.
A finance lease is what the parties thought sounded appropriate - the bank buys the bottling system from the manufacturer, the brewery leases the bottling system from the bank, and the brewery has a seperate installation agreement with the manufacturer. And there's one little term that is getting in the way of this deal just completing. Acceptance. People are having a hard time determining when acceptance is going to occur. -sigh- I'm sure that in the real world, it's even more frustrating.
Crazy Japanese non-anime stuff
Have you ever had a craving? I mean, a bizarre, midnight, aw-man-X-would-be-so-good-right-now craving?
I was at Blockbuster the other night, paying off my last late fees, intent on cutting ties with them, as Netflix now has my undying loyalty. But, as long as I was there, I figured that once around the New Release display wouldn't be too bad. And that's where I saw the case for Returner and realized that I was in the mood for yet another silly sci-fi movie. And the fact that it was also a martial arts flick, and Japanese just meant icing on the cake.
Rated R for gore and violence, Returner is a exactly what I described, a cheesy Japanese sci-fi martial arts movie. Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as (what else?) a gun-for-hire with nothing to lose. Enter a time-traveling teenager, a plot concerning aliens, a wristwatch that slows down time, an old lady information broker with a backroom full of guns, a bad guy that just happens to be the gun-for-hire's sworn enemy... that's an awful lot of clichés for just one movie. But it was fun. All in all, considering my personal bias, and the mood I was in, I gave it (out of a +/- 2 Cokes) 1 1/2 Cokes. That's with the Japanese track, and English subtitles on (after so much fansubbed anime, the Japanese doesn't even slow me down any more). Anyone else, English audio, you're probably looking at 1/2 a Coke. As always, YMMV. (Reeta opted for a nap, rather than watch this with me - that's probably as good an unbiased indication of its quality as anything).
I was at Blockbuster the other night, paying off my last late fees, intent on cutting ties with them, as Netflix now has my undying loyalty. But, as long as I was there, I figured that once around the New Release display wouldn't be too bad. And that's where I saw the case for Returner and realized that I was in the mood for yet another silly sci-fi movie. And the fact that it was also a martial arts flick, and Japanese just meant icing on the cake.
Rated R for gore and violence, Returner is a exactly what I described, a cheesy Japanese sci-fi martial arts movie. Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as (what else?) a gun-for-hire with nothing to lose. Enter a time-traveling teenager, a plot concerning aliens, a wristwatch that slows down time, an old lady information broker with a backroom full of guns, a bad guy that just happens to be the gun-for-hire's sworn enemy... that's an awful lot of clichés for just one movie. But it was fun. All in all, considering my personal bias, and the mood I was in, I gave it (out of a +/- 2 Cokes) 1 1/2 Cokes. That's with the Japanese track, and English subtitles on (after so much fansubbed anime, the Japanese doesn't even slow me down any more). Anyone else, English audio, you're probably looking at 1/2 a Coke. As always, YMMV. (Reeta opted for a nap, rather than watch this with me - that's probably as good an unbiased indication of its quality as anything).
Sunday
A&E does it again...
Reeta's Dad got the Horatio Hornblower six DVD set for his birthday, so Reeta and her parents have been watching them all week. I sat down with them tonight, and watched the last two in the set (though not the last in the series, as two more have already been made). We saw "The Mutiny" and "Retribution". Both were pretty good, IMHO.
While a generally positive experience, there were as I recall, a few unnecessary shots of men's naked backsides, and one classic evil overlord mistake having to do with guards submitting to the feminine wiles of prisoners.
Evil overlords could use the scene here as part of an instructional orientation video.
My personal rating - out of a plus or minus two cokes (two cokes being the equivalent of what I can drink during the course of a typical movie), I'd give the two of them 1 1/2 Cokes.
While a generally positive experience, there were as I recall, a few unnecessary shots of men's naked backsides, and one classic evil overlord mistake having to do with guards submitting to the feminine wiles of prisoners.
Evil overlords could use the scene here as part of an instructional orientation video.
My personal rating - out of a plus or minus two cokes (two cokes being the equivalent of what I can drink during the course of a typical movie), I'd give the two of them 1 1/2 Cokes.
Friday
Oops, I'm trying to do it again!
Wired News: Speaking of Music Piracy ....
You know, to this day, I find it difficult to mention the RIAA without immediately following it with "those bastards". And here we are again.
Ya know, the whole reason I started using iTunes was so I could purchase individual songs without having to buy an entire album of crap. Now, the copyright owners are essentially looking for ways to force me to do that again, or charge me more.
Remember when cd's came out, and how one of the big selling points was the fact that they were cheaper to make than albums so naturally prices on them would drop, rather than increase?
Yeah.
Have you considered the fact that in this case, the actual pressing of the CD, the distribution to a bricks and mortars store, etc., etc., etc., is completely GONE?!? So you'd think things would be cheaper, right?
Yeah.
Have you considered the fact that it seems that these people have been looking for a reasonable, cost effective way to compete with free downloading via P2P, and having found something that looks like it just might work, now they're screwing with it to pt more money into their pockets?
Oh yeah.
I'm all for artists being paid. I'm all for distributors being paid. I'm not for a raise in cost without a corresponding rise in service, quality, or product. You want to charge me 2.49 for a song? Fine. For that price, I want the right to send a digital copy to up to three friends, or to attach it as background music to my webpage. You want to make hot tracks unavailable unless I purchase other, less popular tracks? Fine. Tack them on at no additional cost - as an advertisement for little known bands so that they get some exposure too, so maybe more of your artists are discovered by today's music listener.
Added value, folks. That's what makes DVDs infinitely superior to movie downloads. The ability to listen to commentaries, the clearer picture, behind the scenes featurettes, etc. make it WORTH MY MONEY to buy a DVD. You get to do more with a DVD than you can with a movie download over one of the P2P networks. Added value. Failure to present added value with added price will result in a couple of things - First, you'll see people driven away from the online distribution services, and to alternative forms of entertainment. Already, there's data suggesting that poor music sales may be attributed, at least in part, to competition from video games and DVD's. Anyway, enough of my amateurish ranting. Maybe there's a very good reason why we should pay more for digital music than we do on-line. Anyone who can think of one, let me know.
Because I sure can't think of any.
You know, to this day, I find it difficult to mention the RIAA without immediately following it with "those bastards". And here we are again.
Ya know, the whole reason I started using iTunes was so I could purchase individual songs without having to buy an entire album of crap. Now, the copyright owners are essentially looking for ways to force me to do that again, or charge me more.
Remember when cd's came out, and how one of the big selling points was the fact that they were cheaper to make than albums so naturally prices on them would drop, rather than increase?
Yeah.
Have you considered the fact that in this case, the actual pressing of the CD, the distribution to a bricks and mortars store, etc., etc., etc., is completely GONE?!? So you'd think things would be cheaper, right?
Yeah.
Have you considered the fact that it seems that these people have been looking for a reasonable, cost effective way to compete with free downloading via P2P, and having found something that looks like it just might work, now they're screwing with it to pt more money into their pockets?
Oh yeah.
I'm all for artists being paid. I'm all for distributors being paid. I'm not for a raise in cost without a corresponding rise in service, quality, or product. You want to charge me 2.49 for a song? Fine. For that price, I want the right to send a digital copy to up to three friends, or to attach it as background music to my webpage. You want to make hot tracks unavailable unless I purchase other, less popular tracks? Fine. Tack them on at no additional cost - as an advertisement for little known bands so that they get some exposure too, so maybe more of your artists are discovered by today's music listener.
Added value, folks. That's what makes DVDs infinitely superior to movie downloads. The ability to listen to commentaries, the clearer picture, behind the scenes featurettes, etc. make it WORTH MY MONEY to buy a DVD. You get to do more with a DVD than you can with a movie download over one of the P2P networks. Added value. Failure to present added value with added price will result in a couple of things - First, you'll see people driven away from the online distribution services, and to alternative forms of entertainment. Already, there's data suggesting that poor music sales may be attributed, at least in part, to competition from video games and DVD's. Anyway, enough of my amateurish ranting. Maybe there's a very good reason why we should pay more for digital music than we do on-line. Anyone who can think of one, let me know.
Because I sure can't think of any.
(few) thoughts occur...
Reeta and I have often talked about the idea of doing he said/she said movie reviews. We both like movies, and sometimes our viewpoints differ wildly. Reeta has acquired a taste for testosterone-drenched action movies (at least, she's willing to sit through them). I've been pleasantly surprised by the occasional "chick flick" (Down with Love, I thought, was kind of funny - in a sort of Capra on downers kind of way). So, we're considering starting that on a semi-regular basis. Goodness knows that with Netflix around, we won't have a shortage of movies to choose from, at least on a weekly basis.
Here's the thing. I'm trying to decide what to call that. The best we've come up with so far is "He Said/She Said Movie Reviews", which is informative, but seems to be missing a certain snappiness. So, gentle readers, any suggestions? Something better than my second best, "Z said, Ree said"?
In other news, I seem to have put on a few extra pounds. That's the last time I buy a twelve-pack of soda. (Ah, LiveWire Dew, how thou dost mock me!).
Excercised last night, and the night before. Last night, I burned something like 400 calories, according to the machine. So, if I do that consistently, it'll help, right?
In still other news, Orson Scott Card is penning the plot to a video game. Actually, to a planned trilogy of video games. Being a Card fan, and a gaming fan, I immediately geek out whenever I think of Advent Rising. There's screenshots and a trailer up at the website. The interface is actually the glowing orbs in the upper left corner.
Here's the thing. I'm trying to decide what to call that. The best we've come up with so far is "He Said/She Said Movie Reviews", which is informative, but seems to be missing a certain snappiness. So, gentle readers, any suggestions? Something better than my second best, "Z said, Ree said"?
In other news, I seem to have put on a few extra pounds. That's the last time I buy a twelve-pack of soda. (Ah, LiveWire Dew, how thou dost mock me!).
Excercised last night, and the night before. Last night, I burned something like 400 calories, according to the machine. So, if I do that consistently, it'll help, right?
In still other news, Orson Scott Card is penning the plot to a video game. Actually, to a planned trilogy of video games. Being a Card fan, and a gaming fan, I immediately geek out whenever I think of Advent Rising. There's screenshots and a trailer up at the website. The interface is actually the glowing orbs in the upper left corner.
Thursday
Wednesday
More effective, less effective...
Is kind of an inside joke amongst LDS missionaries. When we're being trained, we're never told that something is a good example or a bad example, it's always more effective or less effective. So, there were times when I'd look at my companion and tell him "that was less effective, Elder." And we'd laugh.
After having ranted earlier re: I, Robot and the outrage I'm sure the Grandmaster is feeling out there somewhere at the moment (assuming he's paying attention to what's happening here - nowhere near a sure bet), last night I saw a more effective example of artistic translation to screen: Hellboy.
Here's an example of something being given to the right people, with the artist in control of certain elements of what happens on screen (Mike Mignola, the comic's creator was listed as a co-executive producer and as a special visual consultant). The tone was right, it was fun, some comic elements, and some parts were actually pretty scary. (In more of a jump-shock kind of way than anything else). Creepy enough, enough action (although I felt that the final monster was anti-climactic). All in all, a more effective movie. (Not that I'm saying that I, Robot doesn't look like it'll be good, it just doesn't look like anything Asimov would have signed off on).
After having ranted earlier re: I, Robot and the outrage I'm sure the Grandmaster is feeling out there somewhere at the moment (assuming he's paying attention to what's happening here - nowhere near a sure bet), last night I saw a more effective example of artistic translation to screen: Hellboy.
Here's an example of something being given to the right people, with the artist in control of certain elements of what happens on screen (Mike Mignola, the comic's creator was listed as a co-executive producer and as a special visual consultant). The tone was right, it was fun, some comic elements, and some parts were actually pretty scary. (In more of a jump-shock kind of way than anything else). Creepy enough, enough action (although I felt that the final monster was anti-climactic). All in all, a more effective movie. (Not that I'm saying that I, Robot doesn't look like it'll be good, it just doesn't look like anything Asimov would have signed off on).
Tuesday
The things we love
So, I've been blogging a lot about movies, and games, and in part that's a way to stay connected to the things I love independent of law. And in part that's a response to a lot of the music I've been listening to.
I really am enjoying the study of law (and yes, Mom, I'm studying... studying hard...). I may talk here a lot about Pokemon, or Barsoom, or whatever happens to be sitting in my Game Boy at the moment, but rest assured, gentle readers, that I'm also passionate about the law. At least certain aspects of it.
For example, I find the current battle over P2P filesharing very interesting, and not just because I know people (ahem) who have engaged in filesharing before. I download and watch a lot of anime, and download and read a lot of manga, and the relationship between the fansub groups and the copyright owners is also a very interesting legal situation in and of itself. This wouldn't work so well as a model for domestic copyright holders, but it's interesting nonetheless. And I've gone over this before, but perhaps not in as much detail as I'm about to do. Those of you who have no interest in anime may think about the copyright implicatons, those of you who like anime may find the copyright stuff boring. Maybe not.
Essentially, fansub groups on the 'Net will capture an episode of something (let's say Naruto, because I know the schedule for that pretty well) on Wednesday nights in Japan. That gets posted to a server as a "raw" episode. Then, translators get a hold of it. They translate the episode, and insert subtitles. Typically, a translation of Naruto takes my particular fansub group about 48 hours. They put that episode up for download with BitTorrent, and thousands of people then engage in the download.
That's at least five copyright violations - the posting of the "raw" episode to the web is a distribution, anyone who downloads it is making a copy, the translators are making an unauthorized derivative work, then that derivative work is distributed, then the people downloading it make another copy. How does this continue?
It works for two reasons. First, the fansub groups are very careful not to translate anything that's got a U.S. distributor. (I'm just waiting for Naruto to be licensed here in the States - each episode of Naruto typically has thousands of downloads - and that's just from one translation group - it's inevitable). Once a series is licensed for distribution, translation stops, and all the files are pulled from the web. That happens VERY quickly after the announcement is made.
Second, even though the copyright owners in Japan could very easily shut this down (after all, they own the initial copyrights on the raws, and could attempt to prevent their distribution - no raws=no fansub), and despite the fact that they are VERY MUCH aware that this happens to their series, they do nothing. The fact of the matter is, they are counting on that fansub distribution. It helps them drum up U.S. interest (which is getting higher and higher - check out the manga section of your local Waldenbooks if you don't believe it), and it gives them an idea of which series would work well in this area. If I were a U.S. distributor of anime (and I hope they're not reading this), I'd be paying really, really close attention to download sites like AnimeSuki. The next big thing is right there.
So, an uneasy peace is maintained between the fansubbers and the distributors. As long as the fansubbers provide a valuable service (as a market indicator) and they play by the rules (stopping when U.S. distribution happens), the game continues. Anime fans buy the DVDs when they come out, because they're really well done. (Geneon's Trigun DVD set is the most incredible DVD menu setup I've EVER SEEN. Yes, I am raving over menu screens - they're that good).
I loved reading Rurouni Kenshin and Hikaru No Go online, and now that they're coming into stores, I'm picking up the graphic novels. It's a reasonable price for content that I already know I enjoy. The format makes it handy. It's added-value.
Somewhere out there is a win-win for the music and movie industry and the public at large. It may not have the form of the Japanese fansub community, but it's out there.
I really am enjoying the study of law (and yes, Mom, I'm studying... studying hard...). I may talk here a lot about Pokemon, or Barsoom, or whatever happens to be sitting in my Game Boy at the moment, but rest assured, gentle readers, that I'm also passionate about the law. At least certain aspects of it.
For example, I find the current battle over P2P filesharing very interesting, and not just because I know people (ahem) who have engaged in filesharing before. I download and watch a lot of anime, and download and read a lot of manga, and the relationship between the fansub groups and the copyright owners is also a very interesting legal situation in and of itself. This wouldn't work so well as a model for domestic copyright holders, but it's interesting nonetheless. And I've gone over this before, but perhaps not in as much detail as I'm about to do. Those of you who have no interest in anime may think about the copyright implicatons, those of you who like anime may find the copyright stuff boring. Maybe not.
Essentially, fansub groups on the 'Net will capture an episode of something (let's say Naruto, because I know the schedule for that pretty well) on Wednesday nights in Japan. That gets posted to a server as a "raw" episode. Then, translators get a hold of it. They translate the episode, and insert subtitles. Typically, a translation of Naruto takes my particular fansub group about 48 hours. They put that episode up for download with BitTorrent, and thousands of people then engage in the download.
That's at least five copyright violations - the posting of the "raw" episode to the web is a distribution, anyone who downloads it is making a copy, the translators are making an unauthorized derivative work, then that derivative work is distributed, then the people downloading it make another copy. How does this continue?
It works for two reasons. First, the fansub groups are very careful not to translate anything that's got a U.S. distributor. (I'm just waiting for Naruto to be licensed here in the States - each episode of Naruto typically has thousands of downloads - and that's just from one translation group - it's inevitable). Once a series is licensed for distribution, translation stops, and all the files are pulled from the web. That happens VERY quickly after the announcement is made.
Second, even though the copyright owners in Japan could very easily shut this down (after all, they own the initial copyrights on the raws, and could attempt to prevent their distribution - no raws=no fansub), and despite the fact that they are VERY MUCH aware that this happens to their series, they do nothing. The fact of the matter is, they are counting on that fansub distribution. It helps them drum up U.S. interest (which is getting higher and higher - check out the manga section of your local Waldenbooks if you don't believe it), and it gives them an idea of which series would work well in this area. If I were a U.S. distributor of anime (and I hope they're not reading this), I'd be paying really, really close attention to download sites like AnimeSuki. The next big thing is right there.
So, an uneasy peace is maintained between the fansubbers and the distributors. As long as the fansubbers provide a valuable service (as a market indicator) and they play by the rules (stopping when U.S. distribution happens), the game continues. Anime fans buy the DVDs when they come out, because they're really well done. (Geneon's Trigun DVD set is the most incredible DVD menu setup I've EVER SEEN. Yes, I am raving over menu screens - they're that good).
I loved reading Rurouni Kenshin and Hikaru No Go online, and now that they're coming into stores, I'm picking up the graphic novels. It's a reasonable price for content that I already know I enjoy. The format makes it handy. It's added-value.
Somewhere out there is a win-win for the music and movie industry and the public at large. It may not have the form of the Japanese fansub community, but it's out there.
Unholy Fury
So, last post, I was getting all worked up about the upcoming Barsoom epic. (joy!) And then today, (tip of the hat to Three Years of Hell) I'm told to take a look at the I, Robot trailer.
Words cannot express my utter disgust over the sheer, unadulterated rape of Asimov. I mean, good grief. I love Asimov stories in general, and his Robot stories in particular. It was fascinating to see how the laws worked within the robots to cause them to do some pretty crazy things. But seeing them swarm all over a building a'la Matrix Squiddies is just revolting. The grand master is spinning in his grave.
Part of the reason that I talked myself into going to law school was to try to put myself in a position where I could help avoid bastardizations of artistic works by Hollywood. I think that Artists should be able to control derivative works, and contracts shouldn't shut them out of that control. Perhaps the day will come (when I'm a Hot Shot Lawyer) when they shall taste my steel. In the meantime, apart from the title and the concept of three laws (which were used in Buck Rogers also), I'll accept that this has nothing, absolutely NOTHING to do with Asimov, who was a decided pacifist, and definitely have not approved of what they're doing to his story.
Words cannot express my utter disgust over the sheer, unadulterated rape of Asimov. I mean, good grief. I love Asimov stories in general, and his Robot stories in particular. It was fascinating to see how the laws worked within the robots to cause them to do some pretty crazy things. But seeing them swarm all over a building a'la Matrix Squiddies is just revolting. The grand master is spinning in his grave.
Part of the reason that I talked myself into going to law school was to try to put myself in a position where I could help avoid bastardizations of artistic works by Hollywood. I think that Artists should be able to control derivative works, and contracts shouldn't shut them out of that control. Perhaps the day will come (when I'm a Hot Shot Lawyer) when they shall taste my steel. In the meantime, apart from the title and the concept of three laws (which were used in Buck Rogers also), I'll accept that this has nothing, absolutely NOTHING to do with Asimov, who was a decided pacifist, and definitely have not approved of what they're doing to his story.
La Fromage...
Along with my love of Pokemon, gaming, law (more of a love/hate thing with law, actually), I have a great appreciation for pulp science fiction. My list of all-time late night movies emphasizes this (Logan's Run is #1 in my book), and thanks to iTunes, I've been listening to Queen's music for Flash Gordon (which movie I had to buy for my mother to keep her from stealing my copy), and I just barely found a site that revives one of my great heros from old-school NBC - Buck Rogers. Granted, Twiki was annoying, but my man Buck was the King! And this site is showing what appears to be full episodes of Buck Rogers, uncut, commercial free, through the magic that is Real Player.
Hence my excitement (see Thursday, March 18th) at news that Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, Once Upon a Time in Mexico) will be helming a project to bring Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars to the big screen. And while I (being nothing even close to a purist) would love to see a scene for scene rendition of A Princess of Mars, I also realize that it's probably impossible to do. Besides, the ending sucks. So, here's hoping that we get a rousing swashbuckling adventure in the tradition of the late, great E.R.B. (He who created, amongst other things, Tarzan!) And none of the un-necessary comic relief Hollywood finds itself injecting into things that don't need it (Jar-Jar? Puh-leeze). And hopefully a really seamless animation on the mighty Tars Tarkas. (And a really drop dead gorgeous Dejah Thoris - jewel amongst women).
Lest they taste my blade!
Hence my excitement (see Thursday, March 18th) at news that Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, Once Upon a Time in Mexico) will be helming a project to bring Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars to the big screen. And while I (being nothing even close to a purist) would love to see a scene for scene rendition of A Princess of Mars, I also realize that it's probably impossible to do. Besides, the ending sucks. So, here's hoping that we get a rousing swashbuckling adventure in the tradition of the late, great E.R.B. (He who created, amongst other things, Tarzan!) And none of the un-necessary comic relief Hollywood finds itself injecting into things that don't need it (Jar-Jar? Puh-leeze). And hopefully a really seamless animation on the mighty Tars Tarkas. (And a really drop dead gorgeous Dejah Thoris - jewel amongst women).
Lest they taste my blade!
Monday
What do we do?
Okay, so I've been reading comments about Fallujah. The question comes up in a lot of places as to what do we do? Essentially, we've been kicked by a bully. At this point we, as a country, have a couple of options.
We can run home crying to our collective mommas. Bully wins.
We can cry foul and bring in a referee/teacher (the U.N.) to oversee the playground. Bully still feels that he's gotten away with it.
We can make sure that the bully doesn't do that to anyone else by severely kicking his butt. There's a bit in Ender's Game where Ender realizes that in order to keep from being killed by bullies, he has to make an example of one. He had to win the war right then and there. While I understand that this is an oversimplificaion of international politics and the Iraq occupation, I think we may be at a similar point. Eventually, when we're done kicking the crap out of enough bullies, the bullies will wise up. Or at least they'll be unable to fight us effectively.
While we may question the humanity or sanity of those who killed and mutilated those people in Fallujah, I feel that it's important for (especially AFTER this incident) for us to finish what we've started. If we cut and run, we're handing Iraq to these mobs (and Sadr) on a silver platter. Removing the tinhorn dictator was perhaps the main goal, (and a valid one considering the humanitarian benefits whether there were W.M.D.'s there or not) but we've got to make sure that another one doesn't come along to take his place.
We can run home crying to our collective mommas. Bully wins.
We can cry foul and bring in a referee/teacher (the U.N.) to oversee the playground. Bully still feels that he's gotten away with it.
We can make sure that the bully doesn't do that to anyone else by severely kicking his butt. There's a bit in Ender's Game where Ender realizes that in order to keep from being killed by bullies, he has to make an example of one. He had to win the war right then and there. While I understand that this is an oversimplificaion of international politics and the Iraq occupation, I think we may be at a similar point. Eventually, when we're done kicking the crap out of enough bullies, the bullies will wise up. Or at least they'll be unable to fight us effectively.
While we may question the humanity or sanity of those who killed and mutilated those people in Fallujah, I feel that it's important for (especially AFTER this incident) for us to finish what we've started. If we cut and run, we're handing Iraq to these mobs (and Sadr) on a silver platter. Removing the tinhorn dictator was perhaps the main goal, (and a valid one considering the humanitarian benefits whether there were W.M.D.'s there or not) but we've got to make sure that another one doesn't come along to take his place.
The Spirit is willing...
...but you know how the rest of that goes.
I didn't realize that there was an obligation to comment on Conference. I prefer to let people discover that kind of thing for themselves. The answer means more when you discover it for yourself, and it's important to realize that different people will find that answer in different ways - the things I draw from Conference aren't necessarily the things that Reeta does, aren't necessarily the things my parents would draw from it, etc.
Having said that, there are a couple of things I'll mention. First, I missed the Priesthood session this year for the first time in years. (I had a horrible experience one year wandering around Provo, seeing that women were out and about in all the restaurants, shops, etc., with no men anywhere to be seen, and getting a lot of wierd looks... shudder... very Twilight Zone). Talking it over with Reeta, I decided that the fact that I felt as guilty as I did about it was actually a good sign. Missing and not feeling guilty would be bad.
Second, went to an SBA meeting last night. Sunday meetings have always been Church for me. At least three hours every Sunday. The SBA meeting was interesting, although I felt wierd about being there on a Sunday. That was a little wierd.
Third (and this has nothing to do with Conference, Sunday, or Religion...) I completed my Pokedex. 201 Pokemon sighted, 201 Pokemon caught, evolved, what-have-you. Snorunt -> Glalie was my last evolution. Now what? Battle Tower! Mirage Island! Over 160 hours into this game, and there's still Pokemon Contests to win, more (old-school) pokemon to evolve (working on my faves from earlier games.)
I didn't realize that there was an obligation to comment on Conference. I prefer to let people discover that kind of thing for themselves. The answer means more when you discover it for yourself, and it's important to realize that different people will find that answer in different ways - the things I draw from Conference aren't necessarily the things that Reeta does, aren't necessarily the things my parents would draw from it, etc.
Having said that, there are a couple of things I'll mention. First, I missed the Priesthood session this year for the first time in years. (I had a horrible experience one year wandering around Provo, seeing that women were out and about in all the restaurants, shops, etc., with no men anywhere to be seen, and getting a lot of wierd looks... shudder... very Twilight Zone). Talking it over with Reeta, I decided that the fact that I felt as guilty as I did about it was actually a good sign. Missing and not feeling guilty would be bad.
Second, went to an SBA meeting last night. Sunday meetings have always been Church for me. At least three hours every Sunday. The SBA meeting was interesting, although I felt wierd about being there on a Sunday. That was a little wierd.
Third (and this has nothing to do with Conference, Sunday, or Religion...) I completed my Pokedex. 201 Pokemon sighted, 201 Pokemon caught, evolved, what-have-you. Snorunt -> Glalie was my last evolution. Now what? Battle Tower! Mirage Island! Over 160 hours into this game, and there's still Pokemon Contests to win, more (old-school) pokemon to evolve (working on my faves from earlier games.)
Sunday
Another thing about last night...
At one point, Prof. Wilson's brother-in-law said "You know, someone can be a law school bozo, and still be the greatest lawyer in the world. And they could be a game-boy bozo, and wind up a great computer expert".
Being both a law-school and Game-Boy bozo, I took that as a sign that maybe I am where I'm supposed to be after all... ;)
(How nerdy am I? Found codes for getting old-school Pokemon into my Sapphire game, so now Claire has a Mew, Corbin has a Charmander, and I have a Cyndaquil, a Totodile, a Caterpie, a Mew, a Charmander, Squirtle, Growlithe, Chikorita, etc. Yeah, I'm pretty dang nerdy - like, almost comic book shop guy nerdy).
Being both a law-school and Game-Boy bozo, I took that as a sign that maybe I am where I'm supposed to be after all... ;)
(How nerdy am I? Found codes for getting old-school Pokemon into my Sapphire game, so now Claire has a Mew, Corbin has a Charmander, and I have a Cyndaquil, a Totodile, a Caterpie, a Mew, a Charmander, Squirtle, Growlithe, Chikorita, etc. Yeah, I'm pretty dang nerdy - like, almost comic book shop guy nerdy).
Dinner
...was great. I had donated a dinner (Filipino cooking) to the PILP auction, and got to cook tonight for Prof. Wilson and some of her family members. Reeta and I had a great time, and were struck (not for the first time) by how friendly and approachable our faculty can be.
For the interested, the menu included Pancit Canton (cranked up several notches with the addition of shrimp, and imitation crab meat - surprisingly inexpensive, although Heidi wouldn't approve of the Pancit as a whole as it includes chicken), Chicken Adobo (man those poor birds were getting worked tonight), and Sahog (a sweet sticky rice covered with a sauce made of coconut milk, brown sugar, and vanilla - all to taste - YMMV). Sahog doesn't look like much, but MAN is it good.
Prof. Wilson's family was very gracious - and we were glad to be able to have an intelligent conversation with educated people in a comfortable setting - always a great pleasure.
Got to get to bed now, though. Conference starts back up at 9:00 AM.
For the interested, the menu included Pancit Canton (cranked up several notches with the addition of shrimp, and imitation crab meat - surprisingly inexpensive, although Heidi wouldn't approve of the Pancit as a whole as it includes chicken), Chicken Adobo (man those poor birds were getting worked tonight), and Sahog (a sweet sticky rice covered with a sauce made of coconut milk, brown sugar, and vanilla - all to taste - YMMV). Sahog doesn't look like much, but MAN is it good.
Prof. Wilson's family was very gracious - and we were glad to be able to have an intelligent conversation with educated people in a comfortable setting - always a great pleasure.
Got to get to bed now, though. Conference starts back up at 9:00 AM.
Friday
Assorted randomness
Odd ways people get to my site - a lot of people are looking for information on FullMetal Alchemist, it seems. And more have been looking for info on Maes Hughes (the character whose death I lamented below). But there are some other oddities in the SiteMeter trackers.
For example, someone got to my site by Googling "Should Zach go to Wendy's?" Now, I respect and admire Google's abilities as a search engine, but I draw the line somewhere way, WAY before "all knowing oracle of wisdom".
Some people are looking for ROMs for the Full Metal Alchemist Game Boy Advance game (available only in Japanese, here). Sorry, folks, I don't have any and even if I did, I wouldn't serve them up here - it's copyright infringment, and I'd really like to be admitted to the bar after passing law school.
Also, someone who speaks Japanese was on my site, and had it translated. See here.
For example, someone got to my site by Googling "Should Zach go to Wendy's?" Now, I respect and admire Google's abilities as a search engine, but I draw the line somewhere way, WAY before "all knowing oracle of wisdom".
Some people are looking for ROMs for the Full Metal Alchemist Game Boy Advance game (available only in Japanese, here). Sorry, folks, I don't have any and even if I did, I wouldn't serve them up here - it's copyright infringment, and I'd really like to be admitted to the bar after passing law school.
Also, someone who speaks Japanese was on my site, and had it translated. See here.
What a WASTE...
So, after doing all of this research on cryptography, and law, and circumvention being a generally bad thing (thus sayeth Congress, at the behest of Copyright Owners everywhere), I started looking for privacy products on the web. I found two that are kind of interesting.
The first one is PGP - Pretty Good Privacy, which allows me to encrypt all of my email. It's supposed to be easy to use, easy to encode, and easy to decode. But I don't know anyone else that uses it, and I don't really have anything all that subversive to say. Maybe when I get into actual legal practice, it'll be more important to encrypt my e-mails. (Thank you The Practice for showing the way).
The other one is WASTE, a program that allows encrypted chat, messaging, and (disturbingly enough) file sharing. This one has an interesting history. Apparently, it was created initially by the folks at Nullsoft, creators of (among other things), Winamp. It was up for a short period of time, and then it was taken back down. But enough copies of it got out that people have been working on it. And that's more interesting to me, just because I think IM is kind of where we're heading, and that's probably interceptable the same way e-mail is.
So, I've got two privacy protectors here, but no-one to play with.
Also, there are some real questions in my mind as to who can and can't use Waste - Nullsoft claims that they've revoked any and all licenses to the original program. But the copy I found was created within the last month, and is being distributed under a GPL. So, whose program is it?
Something to think about while I'm (not) studying, I guess.
The first one is PGP - Pretty Good Privacy, which allows me to encrypt all of my email. It's supposed to be easy to use, easy to encode, and easy to decode. But I don't know anyone else that uses it, and I don't really have anything all that subversive to say. Maybe when I get into actual legal practice, it'll be more important to encrypt my e-mails. (Thank you The Practice for showing the way).
The other one is WASTE, a program that allows encrypted chat, messaging, and (disturbingly enough) file sharing. This one has an interesting history. Apparently, it was created initially by the folks at Nullsoft, creators of (among other things), Winamp. It was up for a short period of time, and then it was taken back down. But enough copies of it got out that people have been working on it. And that's more interesting to me, just because I think IM is kind of where we're heading, and that's probably interceptable the same way e-mail is.
So, I've got two privacy protectors here, but no-one to play with.
Also, there are some real questions in my mind as to who can and can't use Waste - Nullsoft claims that they've revoked any and all licenses to the original program. But the copy I found was created within the last month, and is being distributed under a GPL. So, whose program is it?
Something to think about while I'm (not) studying, I guess.
Thursday
What the fisc!
Okay, so yesterday, Lewis and Clark was ranked at 70, and today we're at 77, and U of O moved in front of us.
I am absolutely appalled! All the Oregon schools were below us yesterday.
I guess this is one reason that any and all information on the web is suspect.
I am absolutely appalled! All the Oregon schools were below us yesterday.
I guess this is one reason that any and all information on the web is suspect.
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