*sigh* All right, this "reality show" thing has now officially gotten out of hand. However, I do have to admit that I am glad that I don't have cable....because I know that I'm dumb enough to fall for a show like this. Hell, I can't stop watching "The Apprentice." Next on "Whoring and Pimping Your Lifestyle"...
Mad Mad House
"WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE!
"People who live in different worlds have to live in the same house.
"Did you know that there are practicing vampires in the United States? Or that the Wiccan religion is sometimes called "witchcraft"? And why, exactly, do nudists like being naked?
"SCI FI invites you to experience life around the edges, in the colliding worlds of its newest alternative-reality series, Mad Mad House.
"Five practitioners of "alternative lifestyles" — a Wiccan, a Naturist, a Modern Primitive, a Voodoo Priestess and a real-life Vampire (known collectively as the Alts) — rule the roost. Meanwhile, 10 ordinary folks move into the House as the Alts' Guests — and compete against one another for the $100,000 jackpot.
"Our Guests will live out a Survivor meets The Real World meets The Osbournes lifestyle — and try to get along living under one roof together. The eclectic and unpredictable Alts will challenge them, judge them and eliminate them one by one — ultimately deciding which Guest is most fit for life in the Mad Mad House."
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Monday, March 01, 2004
Barcode Yourself
Come friend and apply for your own barcode. Completely personalized and no danger involved whatsoever. No secret plot...honest...
Barcode Yourself
Barcode Yourself
Janet Jackson Complaint Letters to FCC
The Smoking Gun
"MARCH 1--With today marking the one-month anniversary of Janet Jackson's Super Bowl, um, appearance, TSG is presenting a sampling of letters sent to the Federal Communications Commission following the controversial halftime show. While the FCC received more than 200,000 e-mails and letters about the incident, we were only willing to fork over $249.90 for 1570 representative letters."
"MARCH 1--With today marking the one-month anniversary of Janet Jackson's Super Bowl, um, appearance, TSG is presenting a sampling of letters sent to the Federal Communications Commission following the controversial halftime show. While the FCC received more than 200,000 e-mails and letters about the incident, we were only willing to fork over $249.90 for 1570 representative letters."
CNN.com - Passion tickets bear 'mark of the beast' - Mar. 1, 2004
Passion tickets bear 'mark of the beast' - Mar. 1, 2004
"The number 666, which many Christians recognize as the 'mark of the beast,' is appearing on movie tickets for Gibson's film at a Georgia theater, drawing complaints from some moviegoers. "
"The number 666, which many Christians recognize as the 'mark of the beast,' is appearing on movie tickets for Gibson's film at a Georgia theater, drawing complaints from some moviegoers. "
The Non-Expert
The Morning News - The Non-Expert: Lift
"Why, when you're waiting for an elevator (having already pressed the 'call lift' button), does someone always arrive after you and insist on re-pressing the button?"
"Why, when you're waiting for an elevator (having already pressed the 'call lift' button), does someone always arrive after you and insist on re-pressing the button?"
Free Your Books
I just registered and am set to release my first BookCrossings.com book. If you're in Cleveland, you might find it.
T.A.Z. the Temporary Autonomous Zone
T.A.Z. the Temporary Autonomous Zone
Friday, February 27, 2004
The Serpent Gods
The Serpent Gods
"I do NOT hate the Reptilians. They are not Evil. It is in their nature to act as they do. This group and my websites are NOT about spreading hatred for the Reptilians. They are about bringing awareness that the Reptilians exist. Reptilians and Global Elite insiders are welcome to join this group. :)"
"I do NOT hate the Reptilians. They are not Evil. It is in their nature to act as they do. This group and my websites are NOT about spreading hatred for the Reptilians. They are about bringing awareness that the Reptilians exist. Reptilians and Global Elite insiders are welcome to join this group. :)"
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Undead Films - The Best in Zombie Movies
Undead Films - The Best in Zombie Movies
"Evil has come to the Butte County Institute of Special Education, and its students will never be the same. After surviving a battle to the death with his own monstrous creation, Dr. Stern returns to continue his horrible research in this blood-drenched sequel to the cult hit 'Monsturd.' Armed with a fatal hyper-intelligence serum, the mad doctor transforms a quiet community into an army of flesh-eating zombies. It's a showdown of limb-chopping, head-bursting proportions as Stern's nemesis, F.B.I. agent Susan Hannigan, and the local Sheriff's department take on the zombie plague in the ultimate battle royale."
"Evil has come to the Butte County Institute of Special Education, and its students will never be the same. After surviving a battle to the death with his own monstrous creation, Dr. Stern returns to continue his horrible research in this blood-drenched sequel to the cult hit 'Monsturd.' Armed with a fatal hyper-intelligence serum, the mad doctor transforms a quiet community into an army of flesh-eating zombies. It's a showdown of limb-chopping, head-bursting proportions as Stern's nemesis, F.B.I. agent Susan Hannigan, and the local Sheriff's department take on the zombie plague in the ultimate battle royale."
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Death From The Skies!!
News
"The Thames is home to over a hundred species of fish but never, until now, has a piranha been found in its murky waters.
One of the deadly Amazonian fish, shoals of which can devour big prey in seconds, mysteriously landed on a moored vessel in Dagenham, east London, having apparently fallen out of the sky." [via Undiscovered]
"The Thames is home to over a hundred species of fish but never, until now, has a piranha been found in its murky waters.
One of the deadly Amazonian fish, shoals of which can devour big prey in seconds, mysteriously landed on a moored vessel in Dagenham, east London, having apparently fallen out of the sky." [via Undiscovered]
OberCon
A gaming con at Oberlin this weekend, Something*Positive creator R*K Milholland will be in attendance and apparently running a game.
OberCon
OberCon
Furryweekend: What Happened?
This seems curious to me. I know its already happened....but it makes me wonder what was going on that they were trying to hide so zealously. I know furries, and I know a bit about the "subculture." I can imagine what they might have wanted to keep secret, but frankly it bothers me. It bothers me because this is something that could reflect badly on geekdom in general. So...who knows what happened?
FWA 2004: Press & Media
"Policy: As per our policy, the staff has decided not to allow ANY media coverage at the convention for our first year - the press and media are NOT welcome at Furry Weekend. Our goal is to produce the best convention for our attendees and it is our right as a private function to deny entry to the media. Attendees purchasing a membership agree not to act as media agents in any way, shape, or form while attending Furry Weekend. Questions about this policy should be addressed to ceo@furryweekend.com.
"Making photographic, audio or video recordings of any Convention event for investigative or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden."
FWA 2004: Press & Media
"Policy: As per our policy, the staff has decided not to allow ANY media coverage at the convention for our first year - the press and media are NOT welcome at Furry Weekend. Our goal is to produce the best convention for our attendees and it is our right as a private function to deny entry to the media. Attendees purchasing a membership agree not to act as media agents in any way, shape, or form while attending Furry Weekend. Questions about this policy should be addressed to ceo@furryweekend.com.
"Making photographic, audio or video recordings of any Convention event for investigative or commercial purposes is strictly forbidden."
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Pot For Teacher
Pot For Teacher
"FEBRUARY 23--Here's a bit of advice for high school administrators everywhere: If a drug-sniffing police dog somehow misses the pot you planted in a troublemaker's locker, just let it go. Patrick Conroy, however, felt the need to tell Michigan cops about his harebrained attempt to frame a student he believed was selling drugs at L.C. Mohr High School. Conroy, who resigned his assistant principal's post Friday when the Herald-Palladium reported on his scheme, last month laughingly told a K-9 cop about planting the pot, according to the below South Haven Police Department reports. Saying, 'I know this isn't or wasn't ethical,' Conroy, 52, told the cop he put the baggie of marijuana in the student's locker since 'we both know he is dealing drugs, and I wanted to catch him so I put drugs in the locker.' The dog, named Herbie, did not cooperate, however, failing to detect the weed. For his part, Conroy repeatedly steered the K-9 team past the bank of lockers, to no avail. Conroy is now the subject of a criminal probe. (7 pages)"
"FEBRUARY 23--Here's a bit of advice for high school administrators everywhere: If a drug-sniffing police dog somehow misses the pot you planted in a troublemaker's locker, just let it go. Patrick Conroy, however, felt the need to tell Michigan cops about his harebrained attempt to frame a student he believed was selling drugs at L.C. Mohr High School. Conroy, who resigned his assistant principal's post Friday when the Herald-Palladium reported on his scheme, last month laughingly told a K-9 cop about planting the pot, according to the below South Haven Police Department reports. Saying, 'I know this isn't or wasn't ethical,' Conroy, 52, told the cop he put the baggie of marijuana in the student's locker since 'we both know he is dealing drugs, and I wanted to catch him so I put drugs in the locker.' The dog, named Herbie, did not cooperate, however, failing to detect the weed. For his part, Conroy repeatedly steered the K-9 team past the bank of lockers, to no avail. Conroy is now the subject of a criminal probe. (7 pages)"
YETI@Home
YETI@Home
"What is that rustling around in your backyard? What was that shadow darkening the flatbed of Junior's abandoned El Camino? What left that clump of brown hair sticking to the prized azalea bushes? Could it be a large dog? Curious George? Burt Reynolds? Your mother-in-law?
"Or -- better yet (apologies to Burt Reynolds fans) -- a YETI? Yes, the mysterious Yeti...also known as the Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Momo, Skunk Ape, Abominable Snowman, and 'Mahatma Gandhi on a teeter-totter, Vern -- what the hell is THAT over yonder in the dumpster!?!'"
"What is that rustling around in your backyard? What was that shadow darkening the flatbed of Junior's abandoned El Camino? What left that clump of brown hair sticking to the prized azalea bushes? Could it be a large dog? Curious George? Burt Reynolds? Your mother-in-law?
"Or -- better yet (apologies to Burt Reynolds fans) -- a YETI? Yes, the mysterious Yeti...also known as the Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Momo, Skunk Ape, Abominable Snowman, and 'Mahatma Gandhi on a teeter-totter, Vern -- what the hell is THAT over yonder in the dumpster!?!'"
Friday, February 20, 2004
FBI Press Room
FBI, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ENTERTAINMENT AND SOFTWARE INDUSTRIES
"Los Angeles, CA- The FBI, in conjunction with leaders from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced a broad initiative to combat the theft of copyright protected material -- a multi-billion dollar a year crime problem.
"At a press conference at the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Jana Monroe highlighted the FBI's ongoing efforts and successes in addressing the growing number of criminal complaints. Also released at the press conference was an 'Education Letter' designed to inform the public of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with sites where users exchange file information as well an introduction of the FBI's new 'Anti-Piracy' seal and warning text to be displayed on future copyrighted materials."
"Los Angeles, CA- The FBI, in conjunction with leaders from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced a broad initiative to combat the theft of copyright protected material -- a multi-billion dollar a year crime problem.
"At a press conference at the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Jana Monroe highlighted the FBI's ongoing efforts and successes in addressing the growing number of criminal complaints. Also released at the press conference was an 'Education Letter' designed to inform the public of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with sites where users exchange file information as well an introduction of the FBI's new 'Anti-Piracy' seal and warning text to be displayed on future copyrighted materials."
ShirleyBlog
John Shirley
"I feel vindicated--I always felt I might come off like a crank in stories like 'Where it's Safe' and in novels like DEMONS, where I talked about this sort of thing. Now the Nobel laureates are getting my back. This from the San Francisco Chronicle, look it up at sfgate.com: 'Sixty-two of the nation's top scientists, including a dozen Nobel laureates, denounced the Bush administration Wednesday for 'misrepresenting and suppressing scientific knowledge for political purposes.' In an unusually harsh critique of White House policy-making, the scientists signed a joint statement accusing the administration of systematically distorting research findings, disbanding scientific advisory panels, ignoring or demoting its own staff experts and misleading the public on issues ranging from lead poisoning to climate change. The statement accompanied a lengthy report from the Union of Concerned Scientists... detailing example after example of what it called 'the Bush administration's misuse of science.''"
"I feel vindicated--I always felt I might come off like a crank in stories like 'Where it's Safe' and in novels like DEMONS, where I talked about this sort of thing. Now the Nobel laureates are getting my back. This from the San Francisco Chronicle, look it up at sfgate.com: 'Sixty-two of the nation's top scientists, including a dozen Nobel laureates, denounced the Bush administration Wednesday for 'misrepresenting and suppressing scientific knowledge for political purposes.' In an unusually harsh critique of White House policy-making, the scientists signed a joint statement accusing the administration of systematically distorting research findings, disbanding scientific advisory panels, ignoring or demoting its own staff experts and misleading the public on issues ranging from lead poisoning to climate change. The statement accompanied a lengthy report from the Union of Concerned Scientists... detailing example after example of what it called 'the Bush administration's misuse of science.''"
Alvin Toffler
Toffler's books Future Shock and The Third Wave are two of my favorite sociology books. I really have to re-read them again soon. I became introduced to Future Shock after reading the late John Brunner's spectacular novel Shockwave Rider. Pay no attention to the crass knock-off of Shockwave Rider (the TV show Pretender).
Alvin Toffler and the Third Wave
"In the annals of contemporary change literature, Alvin Toffler is the 600-pound gorilla. He and his wife and collaborator Heidi Toffler have written a baker's dozen of books that have all been best-sellers, starting way, way back in 1970 with Future Shock. The family tree of thousands of books about the future, and about how to cope with it, all lead to the leafy canopy where he makes his roost."
Alvin Toffler and the Third Wave
"In the annals of contemporary change literature, Alvin Toffler is the 600-pound gorilla. He and his wife and collaborator Heidi Toffler have written a baker's dozen of books that have all been best-sellers, starting way, way back in 1970 with Future Shock. The family tree of thousands of books about the future, and about how to cope with it, all lead to the leafy canopy where he makes his roost."
How To Network With Blogger
How To Network With Blogger
"In 1973 a guy named Mark Granovetter wrote an article called The Strength of Weak Ties. The thing was lousy with brilliance and included the idea that you're more likely to get a job through a friend of a friend than a close friend. I think he even had pie charts backing him up. Very scientific, but it's not the seventies any more.
"Now it's the future and we have lots of social networking web sites that show us our weak ties. So many in fact that people are getting overwhelmed. Folks, you don't need a hired hand to manage your social networking duties. If you're a Blogger user, then you're already signed up to the ultimate networking tool--one that plugs you into a world blind to height, weight, and eye color; where your thoughts, opinions, and ideas represent who you are.
"I invite you to join me in an only slightly different dimension. A dimension in which Blogger exists as 'Push Button Networking for the People.' In this version of reality, Blogger does not change, just our perception of it. Let's tour some crazy features to see how blogging doubles as social networking of a different color."
"In 1973 a guy named Mark Granovetter wrote an article called The Strength of Weak Ties. The thing was lousy with brilliance and included the idea that you're more likely to get a job through a friend of a friend than a close friend. I think he even had pie charts backing him up. Very scientific, but it's not the seventies any more.
"Now it's the future and we have lots of social networking web sites that show us our weak ties. So many in fact that people are getting overwhelmed. Folks, you don't need a hired hand to manage your social networking duties. If you're a Blogger user, then you're already signed up to the ultimate networking tool--one that plugs you into a world blind to height, weight, and eye color; where your thoughts, opinions, and ideas represent who you are.
"I invite you to join me in an only slightly different dimension. A dimension in which Blogger exists as 'Push Button Networking for the People.' In this version of reality, Blogger does not change, just our perception of it. Let's tour some crazy features to see how blogging doubles as social networking of a different color."
Paranoia XP
The Computer is Your Friend. The Computer Announces the return of Paranoia.
Paranoia XP
"This blog is for the use of the people working on Paranoia XP, the next version of the Paranoia tabletop roleplaying game. The people you'll see posting here are Greg Costikyan and Eric Goldberg (two of the original designers); Allen Varney and Aaron Allston (who are primarily responsible for writing the new version); and Alex Fennel and Matthew Sprange, who run Mongoose Publishing, which will publish the game. Greg is maintaining the site. We'll also invite Daniel Gelber (the third of the original designers) and Ken Rolston (who worked on the second edition) to chime in.
"In other words, all of these folks will have IDs and passwords allowing them to post; however, everyone and anyone is invited to comment."
Paranoia XP
"This blog is for the use of the people working on Paranoia XP, the next version of the Paranoia tabletop roleplaying game. The people you'll see posting here are Greg Costikyan and Eric Goldberg (two of the original designers); Allen Varney and Aaron Allston (who are primarily responsible for writing the new version); and Alex Fennel and Matthew Sprange, who run Mongoose Publishing, which will publish the game. Greg is maintaining the site. We'll also invite Daniel Gelber (the third of the original designers) and Ken Rolston (who worked on the second edition) to chime in.
"In other words, all of these folks will have IDs and passwords allowing them to post; however, everyone and anyone is invited to comment."
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
hsHome Page
Home Page
"The pictures and information contained hereon can be very unsettling for some peoples realities. Our observation's show that over 7 out of 10 people when viewing certain pictures that relate directly to their belief systems have a tendency to shut down the reasoning part of the brain and show signs of nervous tension. We believe that this directly relates to reality programming that has been instilled in our race since its conception. 'By whom', is the ultimate question that needs an answer. Please proceed with caution."
"The pictures and information contained hereon can be very unsettling for some peoples realities. Our observation's show that over 7 out of 10 people when viewing certain pictures that relate directly to their belief systems have a tendency to shut down the reasoning part of the brain and show signs of nervous tension. We believe that this directly relates to reality programming that has been instilled in our race since its conception. 'By whom', is the ultimate question that needs an answer. Please proceed with caution."
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Words Fail
Censor Scooby Doo?
"The Bush administration has decided that people with bad hearing have bad judgment, too, and need special guidance from the federal government.
So the U.S. Department of Education is declaring about 200 television programs inappropriate for closed-captioning and denying federal grant requests to make them accessible to the hearing-impaired.
"The department made its decisions based on the recommendations of a five-member panel. Who the five members are, only the government seems to know, and it isn't saying. But the shows they censored suggest a perspective that is Talibanesque.
"The government is refusing to caption Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, apparently fearing that the deaf would fall prey to witchcraft if they viewed the classic sitcoms.
"Your government also believes that Law & Order is too intense for the hard-of-hearing. So is Power Rangers. You can rest easy knowing that your federal tax dollars aren't being spent to promote Sanford and Son, Judge Wapner's Animal Court and The Loretta Young Show within the deaf community. Kids with hearing problems can forget about watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, classic cartoons or Nickelodeon features. Even Roy Rogers and Robin Hood are out.
"Sports programming took a heavy hit, too. The government has decided that people with hearing problems don't need to watch NASCAR, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League or Professional Golf Association tournaments."
"The Bush administration has decided that people with bad hearing have bad judgment, too, and need special guidance from the federal government.
So the U.S. Department of Education is declaring about 200 television programs inappropriate for closed-captioning and denying federal grant requests to make them accessible to the hearing-impaired.
"The department made its decisions based on the recommendations of a five-member panel. Who the five members are, only the government seems to know, and it isn't saying. But the shows they censored suggest a perspective that is Talibanesque.
"The government is refusing to caption Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, apparently fearing that the deaf would fall prey to witchcraft if they viewed the classic sitcoms.
"Your government also believes that Law & Order is too intense for the hard-of-hearing. So is Power Rangers. You can rest easy knowing that your federal tax dollars aren't being spent to promote Sanford and Son, Judge Wapner's Animal Court and The Loretta Young Show within the deaf community. Kids with hearing problems can forget about watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, classic cartoons or Nickelodeon features. Even Roy Rogers and Robin Hood are out.
"Sports programming took a heavy hit, too. The government has decided that people with hearing problems don't need to watch NASCAR, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League or Professional Golf Association tournaments."
AskOxford: Tolkien and the OED
AskOxford: Tolkien and the OED
"In a much-publicized media and phone-based poll conducted by the BBC over the last few weeks and culminating in a grand finale on Saturday 13 December, J. R. R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings was voted Britain's favourite novel, beating Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which was also on the final short list.
"Most readers of The Lord of the Rings know that J. R. R. Tolkien was a Professor of English Language and Literature, but few know that before he became a professor, Tolkien spent some time working on the staff of the Oxford English Dictionary. The Dictionary evidently enriched Tolkien's mind; he later said that he ‘learned more in those two years than in any other equal period of my life’."
"In a much-publicized media and phone-based poll conducted by the BBC over the last few weeks and culminating in a grand finale on Saturday 13 December, J. R. R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings was voted Britain's favourite novel, beating Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which was also on the final short list.
"Most readers of The Lord of the Rings know that J. R. R. Tolkien was a Professor of English Language and Literature, but few know that before he became a professor, Tolkien spent some time working on the staff of the Oxford English Dictionary. The Dictionary evidently enriched Tolkien's mind; he later said that he ‘learned more in those two years than in any other equal period of my life’."
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Julius Schwartz, RIP
The passing of a man who's like will never again be seen in the worlds of comics. It would be easier to list the things that he didn't do than what he did do. Along with Stan Lee, Julius Schwartz was responsible for what we now know as the "silver age" of comics. He will be missed. Click here for the AP wire service obituary.
Julius Schwartz Tribute at DC Comics
Julius Schwartz, one of the best-loved and most influential members of both the comics and science fiction communities, died Sunday morning, February 8, in Winthrop Hospital in New York from complications from pneumonia. Schwartz was 88 years old.
Schwartz, who was popularly called "a living legend" and served as DC's Editor Emeritus, will be remembered as one of the founders of science fiction fandom, as a comic-book editor whose vision spanned five decades with DC Comics, and as the architect of comics' Silver Age, revitalizing the careers of such super-heroes as Batman, Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern and The Justice League of America.
"DC has lost a living legend this weekend and a true original," says Paul Levitz, DC's President & Publisher. "Julie was an editor who entertained and educated millions over three generations, performed the near-impossible feat of getting great work out of his contributors without ever ruffling their feelings, and taught many of us our craft. If the measure of an editor is the respect of his peers, he was immeasurable — for his peers who loved and respected him were often legends in their own right. Most of us were simply left in awe."
Check out further tributes at Mark Evanier's site.
And here is the one from Neil Gaiman's site.
Another rememberance at Mike Grell's site.
Julius Schwartz Tribute at DC Comics
Julius Schwartz, one of the best-loved and most influential members of both the comics and science fiction communities, died Sunday morning, February 8, in Winthrop Hospital in New York from complications from pneumonia. Schwartz was 88 years old.
Schwartz, who was popularly called "a living legend" and served as DC's Editor Emeritus, will be remembered as one of the founders of science fiction fandom, as a comic-book editor whose vision spanned five decades with DC Comics, and as the architect of comics' Silver Age, revitalizing the careers of such super-heroes as Batman, Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern and The Justice League of America.
"DC has lost a living legend this weekend and a true original," says Paul Levitz, DC's President & Publisher. "Julie was an editor who entertained and educated millions over three generations, performed the near-impossible feat of getting great work out of his contributors without ever ruffling their feelings, and taught many of us our craft. If the measure of an editor is the respect of his peers, he was immeasurable — for his peers who loved and respected him were often legends in their own right. Most of us were simply left in awe."
Check out further tributes at Mark Evanier's site.
And here is the one from Neil Gaiman's site.
Another rememberance at Mike Grell's site.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)