Where Do You Think It Comes From?

And where the fuck do you think it goes?  A study (granted, a study by a bio-plastic company) was found that 72% of Americans don't know that conventional plastic is made from petroleum products.  And a full 40% believe that plastic will biodegrade.  So are their compost piles pocked with soda bottles, that for some reason haven't changed into dirt yet?   I guess that might be one reason you see plastic litter around; they think its the same as throwing an apple core out the window.  This is almost as embarrassing as our pitifully low evolution acceptance rate.

70% Of Americans Don't Know Plastic Is Made With Oil (TreeHugger)

Strangely Familiar.

I drank a Vault yesterday and the first thing I thought was "this tastes like Surge."  And other seem to agree, although die hards like on savesurge.org are quick to note that it is yellow, not green.  Which surely diminishes the enjoyment.  As for "finishing like an energy drink"  I don't know what the hell they're talking about.  I still think energy drinks are bullshit, this one being no exception.  Placing my head in a large pot and banging it with a wooden spoon would be a little more effective at stimulating me than drinking bubbly sugar water.  I mean, sure its got more caffeine than coke, which losers who like to fake a chemical addiction get all hot and bothered about.  But come on.  If all that's keeping you going is yellow liquid, maybe you should step away from the LAN party and go eat a meal.  Take a nap.  Walk around outside for a while.

• soda vault and surge - Google Search

Fast and Philanthropic.

Two weeks ago I had my first test drive. I guess that's long enough ago for this to be funny now. This was no ordinary drive, it was part of BMW's ultimate drive in partnership with the Susan G Komen foundation. Which means that for every mile you drive, they donate a dollar to the breast cancer charity.

Maybe my expectations were unreasonable, but I figured they'd give me the keys and tell me to come back in an hour. After all, the sign ups were in hourly increments. Not so. They had a 17.2 mile route mapped out, so there was no hour long cruise. But on the up-side that meant you got to take out more than one car. I imagine they let most people take out as many as they're interested in; after all its an advertisement.

I'd signed up for the 325Ci but there was a Z4 sitting there when I arrived, so I jumped in that one first. First impression: that car is small. My second impression: that car is tiny. I know I say I like small cars, but my civic seems roomy compared to that shoe box. The mirrors seemed like they would hit me in the head and I had to slouch severely to see through the windshield. I don't know what I would have done if the top was up. So basically I was very disoriented for a few minutes, but finally got used to the size and figured out the paddle shifting.

Paddle shifting is stupid. All it helped do was distract me from the road while I tried to figure out what gear I was in. Anyway, I proceeded along the route following the laminated directions and praying they didn't blow out of the car.

I got stuck behind a maintenance truck and the cars began to pile up behind me. A 5 series. An X5. Another Z4. A 7 series. All with the pink logos and impatient looking drivers waiting for this truck to get the hell out of the way. Finally he turned off and we got some driving done. There was a nice little back road with twists and weaves and bobs; perfect for carving some esses.

I got the distinct feeling that I was on the old time car ride at Hershey Park. (The big numbered decals on the cars probably helped with the illusion.) You know that one with the gas powered cars on a rail so you can't drive off? Bumper to bumper cause that one kid in front has a busted ass car that goes half as fast as everyone else's. Not that my car was busted, but this was my first time on the route and I had no idea where the next turn was.

Even at our (what I'd call) leisurely pace we came upon an old maroon VW rabbit who was flying along at oh... 15 miles an hour. It was grueling. Finally he slowed and turned right. I hit the paddle twice, down shifted and put some horses on the road. As I rounded the next bend I glanced in the rear view. The five series is behind me but moving very slowly and I see the 7 series as it round the corner and slips out of view. Shit. That was Lime Kiln road, wasn't it? I hit the brakes as the 5 ducks into a driveway. I rev up the road till the next one and pull in to turn around. I got back to Lime Kiln pretty quick and felt the difference in rear wheel drive as I rounded the corner. Now I was at the end of the line, which was fine with me. I didn't need to set the pace or find the route. We hit the highway after a couple minutes more and zipped back down to the dealer at, lets say, more than the posted speed limit. It was kinda neat; a caravan of BMWs painted with pink logos moving amongst the normal traffic.

Next I waited for my 325Ci. I liked that car way better. I could sit in it and not feel freakishly huge. Plus I felt like it had more pickup than the Z4, despite its higher weight. The same guy who was in the 5 series behind me last time was in a 6 series this time. The two of us proceeded through the loop and didn't get stuck behind anyone for very long this time. Rounded Lime Kiln road like a pro, hit the highway, and pulled into the lot. An event organizer walked over.

"Hello Sir."
"Hi."
"We got a call from the police about the speed you were traveling."
"Really?" (which I'm hoping came off as "Really? Was I going too fast?" and not "Really? I didn't see any cops.")
"Unfortunately we're not going to be able to let you out any more today."

Yes, I was asked to stop participating in a cancer charity. Not that I wasn't going faster than they'd have liked, but I just sucks that we were the only two that got ratted on. But I drove the two cars I wanted to so I didn't really feel shorted; its just a little embarrassing. Plus those usual fear-of-authority thoughts rolled around in the back of my head. "The cops? ...are they... coming here?" and "So... are you going to tell them who was driving number 5? Should I expect mail?" I don't think any of that went down, it was more like a bartender cutting off that really drunk dude. He can't give you any more right now, but he really hopes you come back tomorrow with a bunch of your friends.

I've been busy.

Alright, I'm done shopping for cars. I discovered my civic stopped holding its oil so well at the last change. And I needed new tires. And a new timing belt soon. So I made the call that it was time to send the good old boy out to pasture. I tracked down some leads and I pulled the trigger last night. I continued my peanut butter sammich for lunch regiment but midway through I realized that I had not portioned the butter properly and thought I might die on 495. Not from high velocity collision like most people, but from peanut butter asphyxiation. Luckily I choked it down, but didn't finish the sandwich. So it occurs to me that the dealer, not only got our agreed price and a well used 1996 Honda Civic but (whether they know it or not) a bonus half a peanut butter and honey sandwich I'd placed in the driver's side door pocket.

So my first real car buying experience down, I've come to the following conclusion:
Car shopping on the Internet makes you feel like a deep cover agent talking to his handlers in the middle of an op that is blowing up in everyone's face...

"I'm so glad you contacted me, we need you to come in."
"You really should stop by so we can talk in person."
"I'd like to get you in for a test drive, are you busy right now?"

Very mission impossible.

The only downside I can think of to the way this went down is that I had 199,975 miles on the Civic when I traded it in. I only noticed when they wrote down the miles on the trade-in form, otherwise I woulda put the last 25 on there just to see all those 0's click. But other than that I'm pretty happy. I got a 2005 RSX type S. It is smoke. The color is smoke. I love telling that to people and watching the facial expressions of about half of them. Its like a Labrador puppy tasting pop rocks for the first time. Or something.

So the end of an era, the fall of Civic. It was as true a car as any. It only broke down once on me. And I was in highschool then. And on a date. And it was raining. So who's complaining? Yes that car was the finest of wingmen, and I mourn his loss.

Baaaaaad dog.

Stole this from one of Dee S. Nutts profiles.

Several Australian companies have been selling poodles to people in japan, where the poodle is little known and fairly rare.  The price is rock bottom, about half of competitors prices, which might seem like a good deal till you hear how they pull it off.  No, they don't cut the dogs in half or anything like that.  There are, in fact, no dogs at all.  They're selling sheep.  Unbeknownst to the Japanese buyers, who have little ideal what a poodle should look like, lambs are being taunted up a bit and hoisted as pedigree canines.

Hilarious.

A well known actor brought a picture of her "dog" on a talk show complaining that the dog never barked and would not eat dog food only to be informed that it was, in fact, a sheep.  I wish I could see that conversation.

"My poor dog, he's so quiet.  And he never eats.  I think he's depressed."
"Well, that's a sheep.  So maybe your sheep is depressed."

What happens when these "poodles" grow up?  Aren't sheep bigger than most dogs?  They're certainly heavier.  And how the hell do you overlook hooves?  Honestly hooves!

• metro.co.uk: Dog Owners fleeced

Not Cool.

This is kinda effed up.  Truckers are protesting something or other by driving ass-slow around the beltway this week.  The site says that cops cracked down on truckers with empty loads to interfere with the protest but every highway I was on and arteries leading to them were fucked.  Not that it effected my commute, but I passed a lot of pissed off folks headed the other way.

• "Save America Fund"

Apparently the protest is over Mexican truck drivers taking away jobs.  You know what?  If they work for less and don't fuck up the beltway with protest "slow-rolls" then I'm all for it.  Why can't you assholes get out of your truck and have a damn picket rally like everyone else?  If I'm upset and work for the department of public works, can I poison the water supply?  Best of all they're wasting countless gallons of fuel and most likely causing accidents by creating stop an go traffic.  Screw you guys, I'm all for passing whatever you're against.

Old People Material.

Last week I ran across an article about a guy in Washinton who was suing spammers and the legal difficulties he went through.  I didn't write about it and lost interest.  I don't even know what site it was on.  Maybe Slate.  Maybe Slashdot.  It doesn't matter.  What did stick in my mind was one of the complaints (in an unrelated case) that was lodged against a judge.  Among other complaints of loosed tongue indiscretions Gary W. Velie had apparently

stated to an attorney in open court and in front of a female court reporter and female clerk that the attorney looked like he had been "jacking off a bobcat in a phone booth;"

That is freaking hilarious.  Not just the mental image (Imagine how you would go about such a thing and what the pitfalls might be.  I'll wait a sec for you to stop laughing... .... ... all set?  Me neither... ... ... ok lets go.) but that this dude found it a normal way to characterize an attorney in court.  If I ever go to court, I want that judge.  Anyway, I think we should start using this expression.  The next time one of your friends walks in looking particularly disheveled, whip it out.  He'll never know what hit him, all courtesy of the honorable Gary W. Velie.

Washington State: Comission on Judicial Conduct (scroll to Feb 7 1992)

Mixin It Up.

So last week I started my peanut butter experiment.  It went honey, honey, banana, honey.  And I'm finding it a little repetitive.  After lunch on Friday I didn't think I could eat any more peanut butter; luckily its Monday and my zeal is refreshed.  Mildly.  I'm thinking of busting out my marmalade today.  Does anyone know if you have to refrigerate that stuff?  I know the company says you have to, cause there are no preservatives, but come on.  That's just covering their asses, right?  Its sugar, and I don't refrigerate sugar.  What could happen?

Yes this is an odd gambit to be playing because the fridge in the kitchen, not 20 steps away always has plenty of space.  But have you ever reached into a drawer and pulled out all the supplies you need for a week of lunches?  Its like my own hammer space.

Under Dressed.

I went to a concert on Friday in the city.  As I waited out front for the other members of my party, I sized up the other patrons entering the theatre.  It was an odd mix, but resulted in an amusing show.  Anyway, as I waited I saw person after person wearing VT hats, jerseys, ribbons, and even with their faces painted.  I began to think I missed a memo, I mean, I knew some bad shit went down there last week.  But why the hell are you all wearing VT gear?  This is a concert for a semi-popular group from Newfoundland and we're in DC.  There's no direct link, right?  Do you really need to show your support for the victims of disaster (or crime) by wearing their products?  And furthermore, does it make me a dick for not?  Am I saying, by my conspicuous choice of grey t-hirt and unpainted face, that I do not support the VT students and families?  Cause that wasn't my intention, I just didn't think that my wearing a hokies shirt would make them feel better.  Course I don't really get "compassion" and "support" anyway so...

Let The Nav System Wars Begin.

Face it, the commute many people undertake every day is war.  Sure, we'd like to think that everyone around you is working together to get where you're going safely, but that's not the case.  They want to beat you there and they don't care if it happens safely or not.  Some road warriors spend money on horsepower or height, others opt for fancy intel systems in the hopes of getting a leg up.  Sucks to be them cause the age of counter-intelligence is ramping up.  Two Italians have figured out how to fake traffic information signals received by many in dash navigation systems.  They can fictionalize traffic reports using an FM data stream that reaches about a mile.  Imagine being able to re-route cars out of your way a full mile before you get there.  That's even better than the ambulances have it.

• Don't let your navigation system fool you | CNET News.com

But We Do What They're Doing.

Why do we allow Ticketmaster to continue to exist?  This is possibly the worst system in the world for consumers.  A single company controls access to all of a commodity and lobbies against and harangues anyone that may try to provide a similar service.  Yeah, that'll make those surcharges hover in the as-much-as-they-can-squeeze-out-of-us range.

Well, I'm proud to say that I took a stand this week.  I took a 30 min metro ride during rush hour to buy tickets from the box office, rather than pay their service charge.  Yeah, my time, metro fare and aggravation may have made the $18 tax on two tickets worthwhile.  But honestly its more about sticking it to Ticketmaster.  I'd still have done it if I lost money just to rub it in their faces.

• Techdirt: Ticketmaster Sues Competitors For... Well, Being Competitors

Would You Sit For Six Hours?

Dave Chappelle jumped into a 10:36 slot a the laugh factory and didn't give up the stage till 4:43 the next morning.  Wow, talk about bonus footage.  I'd like to think I'd have something better to take care of than to camp out at an impromptu sleepover, but honestly I doubt I could have walked out.  Lets hope this kinda thing doesn't catch on, gunning for the longest performance record, because I smell a new sur-reality TV abomination coming.  Its the kinda smell that makes you excited about vomiting cause then you'll just smell stomach acid.

• EURweb.com: Dave Chappelle sets laugh factory record

You Thought Sailing Moved Slowly.

Alright, fine, you just can't get all up on the America's Cup.  I don't really blame you after the second day of round robin 1 was canceled today.  Light wind will stop even the best designed boats. 

So no sailing, how about a more natural race?  11 leatherback sea turtles have been equipped with tracking backpacks for their 500 mile migration from Costa Rica to the Galapagos.  We're smack in the middle of day two (those turtles should have thought about having to share media coverage with the LVC when they scheduled this thing) and there are already some pretty clear contenders.  Stephanie Colburtle sprinted out to an early lead, but has since dropped back to third place, perhaps smartly drafting and biding her time.  All the turtles have corporate sponsors, but somehow I don't think that means their hotel rooms and meals are taken car of.  Check it out, big turtles are cool.

• GREAT TURTLE RACE

Let The Insanity Begin.

Alright I just went to the store and bought 2 loves of bread, a jar of marmalade, a jar of grape jelly and a twin pack of creamy Jiff.  The theory is to let these implements reside in my desk drawer so I can make a peanut butter sandwich at lunchtime.  Of course if I feel like getting fancy I can make sandwiches at home that use ingredients like the aforementioned bananas, pickles, or mayonnaise.  I figure I'll run out of bread before anything else (there's only 9 sandwiches in a loaf) and at 10 sandwiches a week I'll need to remember to pack a loaf on Mondays.

So here we go-

day one: peanut butter and honey on potato bread.  Tasty, I haven't had peanut butter in a while and the honey is of much better quality than the unfortunate remains of the little bear I have at home.

Lets Just Make Phone Calls Illegal.

You don't see "cock-up" in headlines too often, but when the shoe fits...

A 15-year old was thrown in juvie for 12 days after school officials deduced that he had called the school around the time a bomb threat was left on the hotline.  He refused to confess and was eventually released when cell phone records were subpoenaed showing that he'd called an hour earlier for school closing information.  The school had forgotten to change their clock for daylight savings time, a pretty serious "cock-up" when you use it as evidence to detain minors on felony weapon of mass destruction charges.

• US teen jailed for school's daylight-saving cock-up | The Register

Always Carry Your Camera.

Say what you will, but National Geographic is my favorite magazine in the world.  I can't count the number of times I've finished reading an article and thought to myself "man I wish there was a link so I could blog about this."  That and they've got some amazing photographs.

If I'm ever gonna get into National Geographic, I'm going to 1) always have my camera with me and 2) hope some weird shit starts going down more often.  For example:



This zookeeper's hand was bitten off by an inadequately sedated crocodile (above) and reattached after 7 hours or surgery.

• Week in Photos: Croc Bites Off Hand

Like a House Cat Attacking a Hippo.

I find it interesting when I make conclusions about the meaning of a sentence before I'm finished reading it.  I tend to do this more often when I'm blazing through article titles in my RSS reader looking for words that jump out and drag my attention back, even though my eyes have already moved three articles down.  So like:

blah blah blah, computer stuff, world news, blah blah, more computer stuff, giant mice, blah blah, internet forum, blah. 

Obviously "giant mice" stands out there and my spidey sense is tingling.  Unfortunately I'm still in "shock value" mode and it takes me longer than a second grader dipped in chocolate to actually understand what the article is about.

"Giant Mice Devouring" (holy crap!) "Island" (a small island?  well, they are giant mice.) "Seabird" (ok, bird-eating mice, still unusual) "Chicks" (oh, so not pit bull sized mice?)

Hmm, a little bit of a let-down after that first mental image, but still kinda freaky.

DP-super-quick-abstract:
An island off the coast of South Africa is home to 10 million birds and 1 million invasive house mice.  The 3x normal size house mice consume all usual food on the island during winter and begin to attack other mice and birds.  The lack of competition and natural predators have allowed the mice to adopt a predatory role.  While a baby albatross can weight up to 22 lbs, the mice weigh only 1.2 oz, making the hunt similar to "a house cat attacking a hippo."
Warning, jibblies inducing content:
The baby albatross have instincts to defend themselves from other birds, but do not respond to attacks from mice, even when being consumed from within.

• Giant Mice Devouring Island Seabird Chicks, Threatening Extinction

Brown Baggin It.

This is kinda an interesting site.  Its called the PB&J Campaign and its devoted to noting the environmental benefits of eating a peanut butter sandwich instead of a meat based lunch.  It says you'd save 2.5 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over that animal-wich.  And I don't even think that counts driving around for lunch vs packing a sammich.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still all about the beef.  (Heck, I went out for a $36 steak on Saturday and then ordered another to split for dessert)  But it makes me wonder how many days in a row I could have a peanut butter sandwich before losing my mind.

There's all kinds of variations I could pull: strawberry jam, grape jelly, orange preserves, honey, apple butter, bananas, pickles and mayo.  Don't tell me any of that is disgusting till you've tried it.

• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

And actually, no I don't brown bag it any more; I tend to plastic bag it.  That's a reuse before recycle.  Although I'm pretty sure I'm going to move to the bring your own canvas bag route at the grocery.  I mean if they can do it in California, I can swing it here.  Especially now that there are so many cool bags to choose from.

• DP-Tote
• Onion tote

Yes, the onion's is way cheaper than mine, but I swear there's no markup.  Just think of the esotericism and go with your gut.

There's A Reason F1 Doesn't Use Plastic Tires.

Take Lombard street in San Francisco, close it, and add a few hundred people racing down in costumes on Big Wheels and you'll have a spectacle so grand it can only be captured by Internet video. Luckily we're smack in the middle of the Internet video age, so you didn't miss out completely by not stealing your kid-brother's big wheel and last year's Halloween costume. Seriously, watch at least one video about this avalanche of costumed miscreants.

• Laughing Squid: BYOBW2007

I Can't Park In The Lobby?

Was this the plan? "I'm upset that my phone doesn't work so I drive my car into your building"? A man in South Korea drove a Mercedes with "Delinquent SK" written on it through the front door. (Well, as far through a revolving door as a car will fit.) Somehow I don't think this resolved his troubles, even though it was a very effective attention getting device.

• Engadget: Man returns phone to carrier... without leaving car

China Goes Overboard On Women's Rights.

I'm all for women's rights, you all can do whatever you want.  Treating people equally doesn't detract anything from me.  But this idea for a woman-town in China sounds a little bonkers. 

China is to create the world's first 'Woman Town' where women make all the decisions and disobedient men face punishments.
The slogan: "A woman never makes a mistake. A man can never reject a woman's request" will be carved into the town gates.
A disobedient man will be punished by kneeling on an uneven wooden board or by washing dishes in a restaurant.

What the fuck?  I'm sure there must be more to it than this.  Am I crazy or does that sound like a terrible idea?  I'm sure not hoping in line to get in there.  But maybe that's the point, it'll create a man vacuum and the innate superiority of woman will manifest a commune utopia.  And any man that wants to see it will have to submit to being led around on a leash.

• Ananova: Women to rule new town

The Repo Man Cometh.

A poor guy minding his own business had his car jacked by a repo company while he slept.  Sure, it happens every day, but usually only when you can't make the payments.  The truck driver was sposed to gank a 2001 Saab, but stole this guy's 1999 Audi because it was the right color.  4wd cars are not sposed to be towed.

Luckily a roommate saw it going down and the cops got there as the driver was returning the car, but its still like pulling teeth trying to hold the repo company responsible.  These cowboys do make me uncomfortable, especially since they think whatever they do is legal.  I'm pretty sure this shouldn't fall under those confines.

• Equal Time Radio » Blog Archive » When stealing a car is "legal"

Shit, I Can Provide "Unlimited" Internet Access.

I'd been collecting up articles from various sources over the last couple weeks about Comcast and Verizon's fraudulent advertising in reference to "unlimited" Internet service.  I was gonna write it all up at once and point out how ridiculous it is that these companies both advertise unlimited use, but suspend users' accounts when they cross a threshold.  I was, but Dave beat me to it, so you should just go read his summary.

• Zatznotfunny: When Unlimited... Isn't

Its like they're daring users to use as much as they want, but less than is too much.  Kinda arbitrary.  I can't help getting an image of Indiana Jones sizing up the weight of that idol, measuring out how much sand he thinks is right and slowly moving closer and closer.  His hand twitches as he contemplates his guess and then he bites the bullet; makes the switch and thinks he's done it.  Nope, you didn't guess right.  Now we're gonna shoot you with poison darts.

Not that I blame them for setting limits, seems very reasonable.  But when they realized they couldn't acutally provide an "all you can eat" service they should have discontinued the service and called it something else, educating their customers (and more importantly their potential customers) about the reason for the change.  I would like to see someone sue over this, if only to hammer home the message that you shouldn't lie to your customers.  Its kinda like running an all you can eat steak house and writing "by using this service you agree not to eat more than two steaks" on the back of the place mats.  And then you throw everyone who goes after a third steak out on the curb without explaining why they're being cut off.  Even if the tiny print that no one reads is accurate the big sign out front is still misleading and you shouldn't be such a dick.

Top Story: Your Stove Is Trying To Kill You.

Lookout you corrupt fat cats in the home appliance installation industry.  There's a new consumer watchdog group in town and they're gonna take you to the cleaners.  They're gonna make sure the torment this country has gone through at your reckless whim is put to an end.  They're gonna make sure 26 more people aren't crushed by tipping stoves.

• News from The Associated Press: Concern About Tipping Stoves

Um, 26 people?  In 26 years?  Seriously?  That sounds pretty good.

Lets get a few comparative stats for reference.  I'm gonna assume that averages out to one person per year killed by stove fall, and not some giant stove killing 17 in 1993.

• National Safety Council: What are the odds of dying?

You are twice as likely to die in a streetcar accident (not as a pedestrian) as get crushed by a stove.  Or how about three times as likely for your pajamas to catch fire and kill you in your sleep.  How about a mundane slip, trip, or stumble (on a level surface, not including stairs or a fall from a height) - five hundred ninety seven times more likely to kill you than a tipping stove.

Shit, maybe these consumer groups should be railing against walking around since its about a 500 times more dangerous than your stove.  Honestly, stop trying to coddle me.  I know no one wants to hear it, and its different when it happens to someone close to you, but people have got to die somehow.  I don't think its a failure of the government or a corporation if millions of people can keep out from under these things, but 26 people just couldn't hack it.  You know where the problem was.

You Can't Snap Masts In 4 Knots.

Freaking wind delays.  They're bobbing around off Spain in 4 knots of breeze waiting for the 2nd delayed start to come around on the guitar.  Boring.  How are we gonna get crashes and broaches and busted spinnaker poles in such light wind?  In the mean time Gizmag has a pretty nice gallery of the skirt dropping from earlier this week.  Check out all the different bulb designs on those things.  And that red bull boat just looks slow; not just cause I hate red bull.

• Gizmag: America's Cup Secrets Revealed

• LVC: Live race updates

Federal Bureau of Internet?

So gambling online isn't allowed and the FBI is stepping into Second Life to make sure nothing untoward is going down.  (Losers, please tell me their avatars are all dressed in black suits with earpieces) Apparently people have been betting Lindens which can be cashed out as dollars at the end of the day.  Its not an officially sponsored casino or anything, but the premise of second life is that its users create the content and pay for its use.  So Linden Labs is asking the Government if its doing anything illegal, because they don't wanna get taken down and arrested over this.

Can't we apply the DMCA to this, just like on youtube, with its host platform shelter provision?  Or even better, can't the FBI spend its time tracking down things that are actually a detriment to our society.  You know like illegal wars, misrepresentation, and all around douchebaggery in high office?

Its a fuzzy line when you start dictating what virtual acts fall under the jurisdiction of laws that were not intended to control them.  Are they gonna go after ebay next?  I might need to watch out, the government might be coming after me because of the stuff Vince Vance does when I'm playing Grand Theft Auto.

• Techdirt: If Gambling In Virtual Worlds Is Illegal, Does The Avatar Get Arrested?

Old Stuff.

Somehow I just can't bring myself to delete these old ideas, so the only way to get rid of them is to throw them in a poorly thought out post that barely even comments on their content.

Good job Spain, look them rocking 70% clean, green energy. 

• Treehugger: 70% Of Navarra's Power Comes From Wind, Solar

But wait, the race isn't over and here come a new contender, Samso, the Danish island of about 4,000 is completely energy-self sufficient.  That 100% electric from wind, and 75% of heat comes from biomass and solar.  There's also an awesome picture of wind turbines if you click through.

• GotoReviews: Danish Island Is Energy Self-Sufficient

The guy who thought up the DMCA in the first place is admitting that its being abused and isn't really accomplishing what it was intended to do.  How long before we can pull the plug on this thing?  You'd think the media giants would be all for it so that they can go after Google without worrying about its safe harbor clause.

• Techdirt:Architect of DMCA admits it hasn't worked out

They're trying to rig horse races by hiding dart shooting contraptions in the dirt in Hong Kong.  Sounds like a Bond movie, right?  Luckily the mystery liquid filled darts were discovered before some scammer made a bundle by sending Mr Ed to the glue factory.

• Engadget:Dart shooting contraption

Tired of watching the linoleum peel?  Try speeding up paint drying by watching it.  This study suggests that paint actually does dry faster if someone watches it.  I don't even want to get into all the problems with this, but isn't is a bit of a schrodinger's cat situation?

• Lifehacker: Make paint dry faster

Remember that pain gun the airforce came up with but we weren't too sure we wanted to test it on the American public?  Well now you can see what you're missing out on as they unleash it on a dim-witted AP reporter. 

• Engadget: AF turns pain gun on AP reporter

There's a parasite that infects rats and hijacks their brains to make them do very stupid things.  Essentially, it makes them get eaten by cats.  The parasite makes the rat love the smell of cat urine so that when the rat gets eaten, the parasite completes its life cycle in the felines' intestinal tract.  Kinda reminds me of guys thinking with their peckers rather than thinking things though.

• NewScientist: Parasite hijacks brain

Louis Vuitton Act 13 day 2

So I'm "watching" the race on the little distance graph thing. Its pretty cool, for not having the boats on a map or video feed or anything. Its shows each boats' place and distance from the leader. There are also remarks and commentary about what's happening. Its pretty exciting. Then I see that +39 CHallenge's mast has snapped and the Germans are retiring from the race. Alinghi is trying to reel in the Americans from a 120m deficit, and now they're 115m ahead. Really really makes me wish I had video of this. Why can't they yank something and put on the oldest and most expensive sporting competition in the world?

32nd America's Cup Official Website - Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13

If You Look Out Your Left Window You'll See Fiery Death.

I was a little nervous when I first learned how many man-made objects are orbiting the earth at any one point.  Like right now, wikipedia says there are 2465 objects whipping around us.  Take into account that we have nothing to do with these things when we're done with them except send them into a higher orbit and wait for them to come tumbling down in a big fiery mess.  Most of them are sposed to burn up before they can do any damage, but you only need one to take down an airliner to leave us all in a frenzy.  Meanwhile there's a room full of guys with collared sort sleeved shirts and pocket protectors going "Wow, what are the chances?"

• Slashdot: Space Debris Narrowly Misses Airliner

The Country Gets Its Blossom On.

Ah, that wonderful time of year when the leaves are filled with flowers and the streets are lined with slack jawed gawkers. I drove through downtown yesterday by accident and decided that maybe I should head back over on foot today with my camera. I like to think that walking with purpose separates me from the rabble pouring out of tour buses. 'No, I'm not here to see the monuments, and wander aimlessly. I have a goal and limited light, move.' But you can't wait for the endless line of visitors to clear from that perfect shot, so they usually just end up part of it. And I guess that's fine. Part of the spectacle of the cherry blossoms is the human contingent out to see it, right?