Archive for August, 2008
Flying Still Freaks Me Out
Aug 29th
Why is it that I’m still a little freaked out by flying? Even I, a staunch logician aware of the safety statistics, am still creeped out by every bump and drop? Why?
The Omnivore’s Hundred
Aug 28th
I found this interesting link today from a renowned foodie’s blog.
Here’s what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile (or alligator, in my case)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle (it almost killed me, I’m really allergic)
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
Not too bad. 46/100. I’d love to see some readers’ or OSNewser’s results.
Facebook Blows My Mind
Aug 27th
Everyday, I’m a little more amazed and impressed by Facebook. The way it works, the way information is connected is just so useful and really smart.
First of all, I am simply blown away at the “friend suggestions” that Facebook offers me. I am constantly seeing people I really do know or names I recognize. I understand it’s probably not a very complex algorithm – see who my friends have recently friended who is not on my friend list and present them to me – but you know what? – it works. And that other site is miles behind, tech-wise.
I’ve also noticed that the number of people in my age group on Facebook is seemingly tripling every day. I can’t believe the people I’m coming across these days – people I haven’t even thought of in over a decade are cropping up regularly. And the fact that the “mini-feed” is keeping me informed of what they do via pictures and blurbs is just genius.
There are plenty of concerns about Facebook, from their Beacon debacle to the privacy issues to the data mining they are presumably doing, but the truth is that they are providing an amazing service in the meantime.
In the past few days, I’ve had some really interesting conversations pop up on some photos I posted. The interesting part is that these are people, in some cases, I haven’t spoken to in years, and others I still talk to, but in all cases, it feels like a mini reunion. I get to keep up with my friends easily. I’ve not experienced another social network that has delivered like this, for me.
Kevin McAllister is Legend
Aug 26th
I come across really funny internet videos often, but this one is really too perfect.
Firefox: Like An Old Shoe
Aug 20th
Opera Browser
I’ve had a long and painful war with which browser to use on my Windows machine at work. Firefox has let me down many times before, and the Mozilla Firefox developers have disappointed me. So I switched to Opera, and it’s made me very happy. I have really learned to love Speed Dial, and user javascript is nice. I enjoy the built-in BitTorrent client, the fact that it runs all day without consuming a terabyte of virtual memory, and the fact that it’s about as standards compliant as it gets. But, I’ve had my share of problems with it — small problems that, for the most part, are tiny nitpicks that on most days wouldn’t bug me too much. But today, they got me.
First of all, sometime in the last few months, Gmail version 2 starting working in Opera. It’s frustrating enough that Google rarely support Opera, but in this case, by shooting Gmail the ?nobrowsercheck query string, things were functioning. In the last few weeks, though, that ceased working after about 5 minutes. Things would get stuck on “Still loading…” and I’d have to revert to the “old version.” Easy enough, albeit frustrating losing my “Quick Links.”
I’ve also noticed that the Flashblock component I have installed works so aggressively that about 50% of the time, I can’t actually properly authorize Flash I want to play. I will sit there clicking on the “Play” button over and over to no avail. This one has annoyed me time and again.
Somehow, over the last 30 days, something happened that made Opera crash on a semi-daily basis. At least twice a week, I get the Vista grey-out “This application is no longer responsive. Would you like to Close the App and check online for a solution, or just close the app?” Yeah, thanks. Except, it’s just Opera that’s been doing this.
Firefox: Like an old shoe
As a web developer, this was maybe the killer item for me: for the last month, the “View Source” menu on any web page doesn’t work, or if it does, it’s once in 50 tries. I’ve adjusted the “view source” menu to point to the built in viewer, Programmer’s Notepad, and Windows Notepad. None work. Most of the time, I simply have to open Firefox.
Therefore, I find myself, today, back on Firefox. Like an old shoe, it just fits. Once I slapped on the CamiFox theme, I felt right at home. I imported my Opera bookmarks, updated my extensions, and it was very nice. Now I have a very capable Javascript console, Firebug, Stylish, and a host of other useful tools at my fingers. I’m very happy here 5 hours into the day and feeling comfortable with the choice. Yes, I’m still pissed that I can’t style my RSS, but then, I haven’t gotten around to tinkering with that via Wordpress anyway. I’ll let you know how life in Firefox 3 turns out.
Leroi Moore Passes Away
Aug 20th
All too often, pop culture deaths have a more profound effect than they should. However, I was surprised when in January, I was more affected by the death of Heath Ledger than I expected to be. I guess I felt as though Ledger was part of my “generation.” Fast forward to today, and I’m really quite upset to see that Leroi Moore, saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band, has passed away. It appears that there were complications from an ATV accident in June. He was 46.
Leroi Moore, 1961-2008
This is a great loss for music in general, and while it might not be on par with the passing of Jerry Garcia or Kurt Cobain, I really think the Dave Matthews Band has an enormous following, and like The Grateful Dead, operate as a unit that will certainly be worse off without Moore’s unique style. Not only was Moore the saxophonist for DMB, he also played a large role, we’re told, in helping Dave arrange his many songs.
In July of 1997, I was fortunate enough to get to see Phish in Virginia Beach for their US tour opener. We were so excited, not only because it was the tour opener, not only because they would end up opening the tour with 4 new-to-the-US songs, but also because it had rained torrentially and right before the show, and while we were all drenched, a fantastic rainbow enveloped us and everybody had to simply relax and enjoy the seemingly cosmic event.
Imagine our surprise when, not long into the second set, Mr Leroi Moore joined Phish on stage for solid renditions of Theme From the Bottom and Funky Bitch.
Leroi Moor will be missed, but I suspect his legacy will live on for some time via the Dave Matthews Band.
You Cannot Resist The iPhone
Aug 18th
I have so many gripes about my iPhone 3G that I could write a decent sized essay, and yet, it’s still the greatest phone ever invented, and by a very comfortable long shot. Poor Nate and Jensey caught a glimpse of mine yesterday, and suddenly their plan to “get iPhones this Christmas” was rapidly directed to the rubbish bin as Nate informed me about an hour ago that they were headed to the AT&T store. How many people have purchased the iPhone after inspecting mine? Enough that Apple ought to be giving me some kickbacks.
But alas, I kid, because, honestly, the thing sells itself. One glance at the silky smooth native apps, Google Maps, MobileMail.app, MobileSafari, multi-touch, the App Store… it’s hard to resist.
iPhone 3G
This device is magical, and once you have one, it’s hard to deny that no phone has ever been as slick, as useful, as integrated, and as beautiful.
I had some issues with battery life with my 3G where it would only last about 8 hours, talk or not, with the 3G enabled. I did a reset and restore on it last week and since then, I’ve had fantastic battery life even with 3G on. And you know what, the 3G is faster than before. I love this thing. I feel so damned connected.
Halfway Homemade Chicken Soup & Grilled Cheese
Aug 17th
Halfway Homemade Chicken Soup and Grilled Cheese, originally uploaded by firsttubedotcom.
“Halfway Homemade chicken soup” starts with a mirepois. Then you add pre-made chicken broth and two leg quarters of a chicken and egg noodles. The grilled cheese is hand wrapped fresh mozzarella and peasant bread lightly brushed with grapeseed oil griddled until golden brown. A perfect rainy evening combo.
New Grill
Aug 17th
I am very excited, because today, my lovely wife bought me a new grill. It was precisely the one I wanted. I do a lot of cooking and really enjoy attempting grand recipes, and it’s going to be a lot of fun using this beast. With 42,000 BTUs across three horizontal burners, porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and a 25 year warranty, this might be the last grill I buy for the next few decades.
