Lester - this one is for you. Now you can go back and read all your comments in the blog by just clicking here: all of Lester's comments.
As can anyone else with a distinctive name. Go to the advanced search by clicking the search button and then set the category to blog, fill in your own name and you should find a collection or your own writing. Good grief, what won't they think of next.
3/01/2006
International Orders
The worst Post Office in New York City is on 85th street between 2nd and 3rd avenues. I use them when I need to ship international. I had a 16 x 20 going to England and it had been packaged and waiting to go but given my coughing and now my sore ribcage (muscle pulled from cough) I didn't have the energy or patience to do the Post Office thing. But I went today. It didn't look that bad when I got there. About 10 people on line, and three clerks.
It took over 45 minutes to get to a clerk. By the time I left, people on line were shouting at the clerks to hurry up. The line stretched to the very back of the post office.
What happened was that every single person who arrived in the clerk's presence had either filled out the wrong form, or complex transactions to perform such as getting a passport! So you had your three clerks. One was working on a passport for the whole time. And now the line has about thirty people on it.
But to make it worse - they've never gotten the heating system right - so as you are standing there in your overcoat - the ceiling vents begin spitting out hot air. So now people are taking their coats off and grumbling about the heat.
The manager pokes his nose out to take a look. Sees the line stretching back to the door and then disappears, never to be seen again.
The woman behind me sneezes in my face and then I start to cough. The sound of the deep chest cough backs people away.
And there - ahead of me - is the complete moron of a clerk who always tells me that I've filled out the wrong customs form and why. He's just finished telling someone else they've filled out the wrong form.
He looks at the package and says, "this isn't more than 36 inches around."
Ah, but now I've got him.
Yes - it's 40 inches! I tell him with a tired grin. It's 40 inches and that, I say, means it has to go parcel post air-mail. It also means that this is the correct customs form.
He stops in his tracks.
(Personally, I wish that it wasn't more than 36 inches around since it costs twice as much, but not much you can do with the packaging if the mat is 16 x 20 is there? You've hit 36 around right there unless people in Britain want to get folded mat boards.)
Really - he asks, staring down at the flat package. It doesn't look like it's more than 36 inches.
He has a tape measure and insists on measuring it anyway.
He looks up at me with watery defeated eyes.
You're right, he says. This is 40 inches around. Parcel post air-mail.
I hand him the multi-page form and he begins stamping each copy.
Anything else, he asks - just to annoy me. Any stamps, any envelopes?
He forces me to say, nothing else. If there was something else I would have told him - no?
And he puts the sticker on someone yells from the line: Hey! Put on more clerks! Put on more clerks!
Coat in hand, I turn and walk slowly past the snaking line. That's it for me. I'm coughing and sweaty - but I've done my bit for the day.
It took over 45 minutes to get to a clerk. By the time I left, people on line were shouting at the clerks to hurry up. The line stretched to the very back of the post office.
What happened was that every single person who arrived in the clerk's presence had either filled out the wrong form, or complex transactions to perform such as getting a passport! So you had your three clerks. One was working on a passport for the whole time. And now the line has about thirty people on it.
But to make it worse - they've never gotten the heating system right - so as you are standing there in your overcoat - the ceiling vents begin spitting out hot air. So now people are taking their coats off and grumbling about the heat.
The manager pokes his nose out to take a look. Sees the line stretching back to the door and then disappears, never to be seen again.
The woman behind me sneezes in my face and then I start to cough. The sound of the deep chest cough backs people away.
And there - ahead of me - is the complete moron of a clerk who always tells me that I've filled out the wrong customs form and why. He's just finished telling someone else they've filled out the wrong form.
He looks at the package and says, "this isn't more than 36 inches around."
Ah, but now I've got him.
Yes - it's 40 inches! I tell him with a tired grin. It's 40 inches and that, I say, means it has to go parcel post air-mail. It also means that this is the correct customs form.
He stops in his tracks.
(Personally, I wish that it wasn't more than 36 inches around since it costs twice as much, but not much you can do with the packaging if the mat is 16 x 20 is there? You've hit 36 around right there unless people in Britain want to get folded mat boards.)
Really - he asks, staring down at the flat package. It doesn't look like it's more than 36 inches.
He has a tape measure and insists on measuring it anyway.
He looks up at me with watery defeated eyes.
You're right, he says. This is 40 inches around. Parcel post air-mail.
I hand him the multi-page form and he begins stamping each copy.
Anything else, he asks - just to annoy me. Any stamps, any envelopes?
He forces me to say, nothing else. If there was something else I would have told him - no?
And he puts the sticker on someone yells from the line: Hey! Put on more clerks! Put on more clerks!
Coat in hand, I turn and walk slowly past the snaking line. That's it for me. I'm coughing and sweaty - but I've done my bit for the day.
Try the Search Again
OK. I think it's going through the blog properly now. Try searching for Vuescan and see what you get (yeah, eventually this post will wind up in it too once it has been re-indexed).
2/28/2006
Search for What
My health is beginning to return. I put together an order for someone today but couldn't exactly stand on line at Post Office, so I'll do that tomorrow.
Now - the search mechanism is just about there. If you play with it for a while, you'll be able to dig up amazing things. As an example, type in "Jesus" and see where it leads you.
I've set it up so that you can search individual parts of the site, or the entire site. The "Articles" section isn't exactly right because it also includes all my old old journal entries from the very beginning - but that makes it fun. I can sort that out later.
Or type in evanescent and see where it leads you.
Now - the search mechanism is just about there. If you play with it for a while, you'll be able to dig up amazing things. As an example, type in "Jesus" and see where it leads you.
I've set it up so that you can search individual parts of the site, or the entire site. The "Articles" section isn't exactly right because it also includes all my old old journal entries from the very beginning - but that makes it fun. I can sort that out later.
Or type in evanescent and see where it leads you.
2/27/2006
FREEDOM
FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD.
Is it true? What does it mean? If God did give us freedom as a gift then why didn't he do it sooner and why does everyone have to fight to get some of it and - oh yes - why is it so rare?
And if freedom is the big prize - then why are those who proclaim it always trying to tell me what to do and what is right and wrong. The worshipful give me freedom so long as I'm like them and do as they do. Believe in our God and you shall be free.
Hey you! Don't smoke marijuana, boy. Hold on a second while we execute a couple of murderers and throw stones at that gay couple.
Huh? Doesn't your God say that is wrong?
Remember this, friend: FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AND THERE IS NO FREEDOM WITHOUT RULES. FREEDOM WITHOUT RULES IS CHAOS. OBEY THE RULES
Your rules?
Yes. Obey them all. Don't question anything. You can't be free unless you're willing to follow our rule book. You see that, don't you?
I'm not sure.
When we talk about FREEDOM, son -- we are not talking about individual freedom to do anything - that would be dangerous. We are not talking about allowing actions between consenting adults because that would be bad. Oh sure if a couple of gays want to get married that would be okay - but you can't allow it because you've got the camel's nose under the tent. Next thing you know the whole country is gay and there's no procreation. You wouldn't want us to stop procreating - would you, son?
You mean that secretly we're all gay - and just waiting for someone to tell us it's okay?
We might be. Who knows. But we sure as hell ain't gonna find out. Freedom has it's limits, you know. You look confused. Don't be. Don't think about it. All you need to do is remember that FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AND IN ORDER TO BE FREE, YOU NEED TO OBEY THE RULES. Got that?
Yes. I think I do.
Good. Have a nice day, friend.
Thank you - your royal moralness. Oh, what's playin' on my iPod. It's Mr. Bob Marley:
Is it true? What does it mean? If God did give us freedom as a gift then why didn't he do it sooner and why does everyone have to fight to get some of it and - oh yes - why is it so rare?
And if freedom is the big prize - then why are those who proclaim it always trying to tell me what to do and what is right and wrong. The worshipful give me freedom so long as I'm like them and do as they do. Believe in our God and you shall be free.
Hey you! Don't smoke marijuana, boy. Hold on a second while we execute a couple of murderers and throw stones at that gay couple.
Huh? Doesn't your God say that is wrong?
Remember this, friend: FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AND THERE IS NO FREEDOM WITHOUT RULES. FREEDOM WITHOUT RULES IS CHAOS. OBEY THE RULES
Your rules?
Yes. Obey them all. Don't question anything. You can't be free unless you're willing to follow our rule book. You see that, don't you?
I'm not sure.
When we talk about FREEDOM, son -- we are not talking about individual freedom to do anything - that would be dangerous. We are not talking about allowing actions between consenting adults because that would be bad. Oh sure if a couple of gays want to get married that would be okay - but you can't allow it because you've got the camel's nose under the tent. Next thing you know the whole country is gay and there's no procreation. You wouldn't want us to stop procreating - would you, son?
You mean that secretly we're all gay - and just waiting for someone to tell us it's okay?
We might be. Who knows. But we sure as hell ain't gonna find out. Freedom has it's limits, you know. You look confused. Don't be. Don't think about it. All you need to do is remember that FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AND IN ORDER TO BE FREE, YOU NEED TO OBEY THE RULES. Got that?
Yes. I think I do.
Good. Have a nice day, friend.
Thank you - your royal moralness. Oh, what's playin' on my iPod. It's Mr. Bob Marley:
Now, son. Bob Marley is not on our approved list. Give me that a second while I erase him...
Most people think,
Great God will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. Jah!
2/26/2006
Anti-Menu Guard
Don't mess with this dog you menu guys! He'll rip you apart!
I know that everyone is always complaining about the menus that are slipped under your door on the upper east- or west- side of the city, but I like getting the menus. Someday, maybe I'll do a collage of them. At this point I have about 50 menus in my top drawer. Everything from Indian to Italian. It's like a free subscription to what's available. Introduction to the great melting pot. The only thing I don't like is when they slip a menu under the door late at night. Cat hears it. Thinks its a mouse. Jumps down from the loft (and he's pushing 17 pounds now) so there is a thud, and scrambles to the door only to be disappointed to find the latest Thai menu. Oh well. Now that he's up he needs to patrol the rest of the house and make sure nothing has moved around since he went to bed. And then it's time for a crunchy late-night snack. And then: hop, hop, and one final hop takes him back up to his big carton in the loft.
Epson Perfection V750-M Pro
From the just in dept, from Barrett, new Epson Scanner with wet mount capability!
I need all my reporters now, since I'm still suffering with the bronchitis and haven't been sleeping well at all.
I need all my reporters now, since I'm still suffering with the bronchitis and haven't been sleeping well at all.
Kodak sees Two Roads
From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, by Ben Rand (sent to me by Barrett)
Kodak believes that as the industry evolves, some photographers will continue to use film, some will prefer digital imaging and some will use both technologies, says Mary Jane Hellyar, president of Kodak's film and photofinishing systems group.
"Many people portray our industry as a winner-take-all battle between digital and film. But it is not that at all," Hellyar will tell reporters at the 82nd annual Photo Marketing Association International convention, which starts Sunday in Orlando, Fla. "By focusing on technologies, you miss the most important element, the end user."
That end user, she says, has a range of needs. For instance, an estimated nine out of 10 professionals use digital cameras — but of that number, Kodak estimates that two-thirds still use film for a portion of their work. Among consumers, Kodak says that half of U.S. households continue to use and process film and single-use cameras.
Read the full article (opens new window)2/25/2006
Predictions
I now have bronchitis. Visited the doctor yesterday and was told the lungs are clear but he doesn't know whether its viral or bacterial. That's perfect because the coughing has made my back worse.
Maybe, all these evil spirits that were supposed to come out during that yoga class and enter the floor through the third eye got caught on the way out and are embedded somewhere in my body. 55 days into my new health program - this is where I've wound up. Things will go as they've got a mind to go.
The reason that I ask for predictions on the political front is that they give us a chance to question our beliefs, and what we think we know. In other words I like to try and bring some little bit of scientific principle to what is often a blank screen that we toss our own prejudices on.
I tried to give President Bush the benefit of the doubt before he went into Iraq by saying that if this didn't turn into a civil war with house to house fighting - then the President understood what was going on better than me.
I try to get a gauge on how political the president is by asking for predictions about whether he will stand up to the congress about the port issue. Would he really risk it all for something he says he believes in. In fact, if he did - I could at least say he really does stick to his principles and core beliefs.
It is tough to know what's going on inside the white house because secrecy is critical to their operations. It becomes clear that President Bush has turned off a lot of conservative republicans with the Iraqi invasion - but now I get the feeling just because the true conservative doesn't want to get involved in this foreign policy nation building business - but also the money involved.
That brings us to what I think is the heart of the matter - is the war good for business? On the one hand - there are chants from the left that the war is enriching the pockets of (fill in the company name here) and that the secret owners of society are getting richer. The cry is that this is all about oil.
On the other hand, prominent conservatives are decrying the fact that the surplus has been squandered and that the combination of tax-cuts and more spending has become dangerous.
Follow the money.
There are other theories floating around that the Bushes are tied in some way to the UAE. So what is their prediction?
Lester has supplied two possible endings: one that Iraq does go into, or perhaps is already, in a civil war and that the President will be forced to withdraw.
Two: that the factions will unite against the U.S. and force the U.S. out.
At the bottom of these predictions is a question about the will of the United States, the purpose of the war, whether Sunnis and Shiites can get together, and even more interesting what will happen when and if the U.S. leaves.
My own hunch is that this is some world domination attempt that was dreamed up when the USSR went kaput. And that the christian fundamentalists also see it as a worthy crusade. The problem is that this "feeling" doesn't lead to a thought experiment or prediction. It doesn't tell you what the world domination powers will do next. They seem to back down if the Americans turn against them? How many times can you fool the people?
Yes, the media did a bad job going in the build-up to Iraq. They were like little kids waving flags and playing inbeds with no idea of what the consequences of all this would be. Now where do they stand? I don't think they know much about what is going on from their bunkers.
Now they're following the next story which is how the emperor has no clothes, how the whole thing is falling apart. That's just as good a story to them as playing soldier was. There two stories they love: the rise of an idol and the toppling of an idol. In that respect they're neutral.
Anyway - predictions. According to my theory president Bush and his companions will never pull out of Iraq. Never. No matter what. This is a part of their religious, moral, and empire-building plan. It cannot be undone.
Now the people may get sick of it all and elect someone who promises to end the war, but that's another story for another time.
Maybe, all these evil spirits that were supposed to come out during that yoga class and enter the floor through the third eye got caught on the way out and are embedded somewhere in my body. 55 days into my new health program - this is where I've wound up. Things will go as they've got a mind to go.
The reason that I ask for predictions on the political front is that they give us a chance to question our beliefs, and what we think we know. In other words I like to try and bring some little bit of scientific principle to what is often a blank screen that we toss our own prejudices on.
I tried to give President Bush the benefit of the doubt before he went into Iraq by saying that if this didn't turn into a civil war with house to house fighting - then the President understood what was going on better than me.
I try to get a gauge on how political the president is by asking for predictions about whether he will stand up to the congress about the port issue. Would he really risk it all for something he says he believes in. In fact, if he did - I could at least say he really does stick to his principles and core beliefs.
It is tough to know what's going on inside the white house because secrecy is critical to their operations. It becomes clear that President Bush has turned off a lot of conservative republicans with the Iraqi invasion - but now I get the feeling just because the true conservative doesn't want to get involved in this foreign policy nation building business - but also the money involved.
That brings us to what I think is the heart of the matter - is the war good for business? On the one hand - there are chants from the left that the war is enriching the pockets of (fill in the company name here) and that the secret owners of society are getting richer. The cry is that this is all about oil.
On the other hand, prominent conservatives are decrying the fact that the surplus has been squandered and that the combination of tax-cuts and more spending has become dangerous.
Follow the money.
There are other theories floating around that the Bushes are tied in some way to the UAE. So what is their prediction?
Lester has supplied two possible endings: one that Iraq does go into, or perhaps is already, in a civil war and that the President will be forced to withdraw.
Two: that the factions will unite against the U.S. and force the U.S. out.
At the bottom of these predictions is a question about the will of the United States, the purpose of the war, whether Sunnis and Shiites can get together, and even more interesting what will happen when and if the U.S. leaves.
My own hunch is that this is some world domination attempt that was dreamed up when the USSR went kaput. And that the christian fundamentalists also see it as a worthy crusade. The problem is that this "feeling" doesn't lead to a thought experiment or prediction. It doesn't tell you what the world domination powers will do next. They seem to back down if the Americans turn against them? How many times can you fool the people?
Yes, the media did a bad job going in the build-up to Iraq. They were like little kids waving flags and playing inbeds with no idea of what the consequences of all this would be. Now where do they stand? I don't think they know much about what is going on from their bunkers.
Now they're following the next story which is how the emperor has no clothes, how the whole thing is falling apart. That's just as good a story to them as playing soldier was. There two stories they love: the rise of an idol and the toppling of an idol. In that respect they're neutral.
Anyway - predictions. According to my theory president Bush and his companions will never pull out of Iraq. Never. No matter what. This is a part of their religious, moral, and empire-building plan. It cannot be undone.
Now the people may get sick of it all and elect someone who promises to end the war, but that's another story for another time.
2/24/2006
history of the world 2006
Okay - now for some politics. You see Iraq tottering on civil war. Question: what next? What does el Presidente do if Shiites and Sunnis really go at each other. Is that it? End game is get the hell out? End game is bring in more troops to try and control civil war? (Has that ever worked?) The world spins out of control.
Bush's mantra (read the books by the disgruntled insiders) : I don't try to doublethink myself. I don't question myself. I know what's right and what's wrong. But how does he know? What is it based on? From what I can see it's based on what he's told by his cabinet.
It might have worked - the big idea - the Iraq invasion - but he grabbed hold of the wrong end of the bull and now the bull is turning. And all the republicans and all the advisors can't put him back together again. He's finished.
Bush's mantra (read the books by the disgruntled insiders) : I don't try to doublethink myself. I don't question myself. I know what's right and what's wrong. But how does he know? What is it based on? From what I can see it's based on what he's told by his cabinet.
It might have worked - the big idea - the Iraq invasion - but he grabbed hold of the wrong end of the bull and now the bull is turning. And all the republicans and all the advisors can't put him back together again. He's finished.
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