Re: Starting Engineer's Salaries
Rob wrote: Insert GOATSE Here Maru Every time I think I've completely excised the sight of that picture from my mind forever, someone reminds me of it. Seriously, getting stealth linked to that was one of the less pleasant shocks of my life. Jim JESUS, WHAT IS THAT?! Maru ___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: Is anybody home?
Dee wrote Counting down, just a few weeks til I get a bit more breathing room and hope to get a new list of good books to read. Start me a list please. If you're looking for something that's got a little bite without being terribly taxing, I rather enjoyed _The Hunger Game_ just recently. It's more YA than adult SF, but it's a nice, quick read that's actually got a point to go with it. Jim ___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
RE: Is anybody home?
Dan wrote: I think most email lists are dropping themselves. The modern thing to write is less than 144 charact That's one of the reasons I still have my LJ. There are certain thoughts and ideas that A) need more than a brief, pithy comment to properly express and B) don't really want the world at large to read anyway. It isn't that I mind tweeting, etc., per se; I indulge in it myself now and again. It isn't even that I mind the Short Attention Span Theater aspect of it - someone raised on cartoons and mac and cheese has no room to talk. :-) But when folks start taking the attitude that anything longer than a sentence is tl;dr territory, it's mildly frightening, I think. Jim ___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: Having kids makes some people fulfilled
Dave Land wrote: Anyway, I had time to read the full NYMag article this evening, and the author is very aware of the fact that it's not a simple matter of pleasurable activities vs. parenting: I think this boils down to a philosophical question, rather than a psychological one, says Gilovich. Should you value moment-to-moment happiness more than retrospective evaluations of your life? I took the time to read the article in its entirety as well. I found the following quote to be the most telling: Children may provide unrivaled moments of joy. But they also provide unrivaled moments of frustration, tedium, anxiety, heartbreak. In my experience - especially with my eldest scion in the throes of early adolescence and all that implies - that pair of sentences pretty much sums it up. In fairness to WTG, while he has his usual axes to grind, some people are frankly not suited to parenting. And if they're aware of that and act accordingly, it's probably a good thing. It's worse, in my mind, to see people who clearly have no idea what they're doing attempting to raise children and getting it repeatedly wrong. On thing the article doesn't seem touch on, particularly in light of how it indicates single parents are worse off, is how much children can be a source of friction in their parents' relationship. It can be hard to be on the same page vis a vis the rules and regulations of your household at all times, and *that* can create some unforeseen problems, IMO. For example, I wish I'd had a camera to take a picture of my wife's face when my aforementioned eldest asked if she could get her hair dyed purple and I said I don't see why not. I believe in picking my battles. :-) Jim Sharkey Will you please stop bothering your sister Maru___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
RE: On Listmail
As far as where everyone's been, the Sharkey scions are in the prime of their doing lots of activities ages right now. Between dance, baseball, softball and Boy Scouts there's barely a moment for plain old family time, let alone lengthy discussions on the pros and cons of the Arizona immigration law and the like. I do always check for list mail, though, in case something interesting happens! Jim ___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: Riding to raise money for MS research...
Charlie Bell wrote: I don't normally do this here, so I thought I'd ask. I'm doing the Melbourne Summer Cycle this Sunday to help raise money for MS research. My sister's civil partner has just been diagnosed with MS. They're having quite a time of it. I'll throw a few dollars into the kitty for you, Charlie. It's 40km around Melbourne. Only 40km, I hear you say. I can't speak for anyone else, but *I'm* not saying that, anyway. It's been a lng time since I tried to bike that far. :-) Jim Put your loved ones in good hands with quality senior assisted living. Click now! Senior Assisted Living http://tagline.excite.com/c?cp=WLZTcg775pfovYXq0ACBvgAAKZT738qPhjQFbf9pb8pfqpVcAAYAAADNAAASUUbztS0=___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: Brin on global warming
Nick Arnett wrote: http://open.salon.com/blog/david_brin/2010/02/09/the_real_struggle_behind_climate_change_-_a_war_on_expertise Ironically, Dr. Brin seems to know very little about the Know Nothing Party. They were anti-immigration, jingoistic Protestants, not anti-intellectuals. Just sayin'. Jim History lesson Maru Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! Weight Loss Program http://tagline.excite.com/c?cp=x_LCOcdL1IBCORkIzapmtwAAKZT738qPhjQFbf9pb8pfqpVcAAYAAADNAAAEUq2oIGE=___ http://box535.bluehost.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: The worst
Nick wrote: My younger sister, Lesley, the youngest of the four of us, mother of my five-year-old niece, Sarah, could not fight off the sepsis that attacked her body. Lesley died this morning. Oh, Nick, I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to you and your family. Jim Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! Weight Loss Program http://tagline.excite.com/c?cp=Iwzk_O7st8cQgaQrqCb7HgAAKZT738qPhjQFbf9pb8pfqpVcAAYAAADNAAAEUtErCmY=___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: Foswiki up and running
Nick Arnett wrote: I'd like to hear if anybody strongly objects. I certainly do not object. It's been a long time. Jim Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! Weight Loss Program http://tagline.excite.com/c?cp=POPbXRwTCm9nQDOwbJInyQAAKZT738qPhjQFbf9pb8pfqpVcAAYAAADNAAAEUkbztS0=___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: May not be around
Nick Arnett wrote: Yes, Im in Santa Clara... waiting to see if I should head to NC. Apparently the recovery from something like this is very long, so Im not rushing there unless the medical people say that its time for family to gather. They havent quite said that, but close. Let's hope you don't get that call, Nick. Jim Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! Weight Loss Program http://tagline.excite.com/c?cp=Zmu9aN4DnBEfuYO3JPKHrAAAKZT738qPhjQFbf9pb8pfqpVcAAYAAADNAAAEUkbztS0=___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: What's to read?
kananda...@aol.com wrote: One recent read question (blending threads)- finally tried my first Pratchett book- Night Watch. I found it to be lighter and a good brain break, but I am not sure if there is any particular order to things. Is there another book related to Vetinari? Pratchett's main characters can be grouped into various mini-series of books. For example, the Night Watch books are _Guards! Guards!_, _Men At Arms_, _Feet of Clay_, etc. I've read all of Pratchett's Discworld books, so I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I can tell you there aren't many Vetinari-centric books. _Jingo_ is probably the one outside of _The Night Watch_ that gives him the most screen time, followed probably by _Men At Arms_. And while Pratchett might be lighter reading, he's got a lot to say about the human condition. He just wraps it in humor. Jim Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! Weight Loss Program http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1gv0RQFaJFnbmjnRp6fsM1Y7s4V6HgxopDMpPUD33Nk0chEPddFEAo/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: Posted in a workcube
Rob wrote: I will not brew Decaf. Decaf is the mind-killer. Decaf brings the little sleep that leads to total oblivion. I will embrace my caffeine. I will brew my beverages and let them... flow through me, and when they are gone, I will remain...alert I prefer The LItany of Beer, myself: I must drink beer Beer is the mind-killer Beer is the little death that brings total obliteration I will face my beer I will allow it to pass over me and through me And when it has gone I will follow its path with my mind's eye When the beer is gone there will be nothing Only I will remain Jim Thanks to Jon Rosenberg Maru Data Recovery All is not lost! Click now for professional data recovery. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1g2AY87lS0DPrHRBHzYcbSPUC5rxa1Uimrv5QBAoFeroMOzz6hTukY/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Entertainment? (was Re: The Role of Government in a Libertarian Free Market)
Rob wrote: We are the entertainment Well, if it makes you happy to think so... :-p Jim Pithy remarks Maru Free Learning Centers Information. Click here. Learning Center http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1g0ZWEerlNvjcTnRsNo52A1FP8ZVZe157BQ3SDIvPzph2znOsEVGog/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: The Role of Government in a Libertarian Free Market
Doug wrote: Has he been arrogant at times? The arrogance doesn't fuss me; there's far too many brainy people here to expect excessive modesty. :-) The passive-agressive posts, though? I don't mind admitting that kind of stuff gets under my skin. Jim Admitting weakness maru Scale Find precision scales that can weigh anything. Click now! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1gvzpWGF2KUFOuCRBhuD3d0cdOEh7z7ZnvsCQC5zIswiJDK6r17ZUs/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: The Role of Government in a Libertarian Free Market
John Williams wrote: I would go with lazy more than ignorant I think that intellectual laziness leads to stupidity, though. How can live your whole life in this country and not know Medicare is a government program, to cite one of Maher's examples? Let alone not know there are two senators per state, or any other of a number of things. I personally have no interest at all in who Miley Cyrus is, but just by being alive (and having two tween daughters, to be fair) you pick things up. Additionally, it's one thing to be ignorant because you haven't had an opportunity to learn. It's entirely another to be *purposefully* ignorant. You don't have to want to learn everything about everything; there's no way to do that. And it's OK to have topics that are of no interest to you - I have no more interest in learning to operate a bulldozer than one of my clients has in learning ERISA. But if you squeeze your eyes shut and put your fingers in your ears and yell LALALALALALAAA anytime a piece of knowledge is dropped on you, whether it's because it contradicts your religious dogma or makes you question your personal weltanschauung or because you find learning to be far too onerous a task, I will argue that you're stupid. Jim Darn you guys for making me de-lurk Maru The difference is clear. Click now for a great laminating machine! Laminating Machine http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1gxFAkkKCkz6GEzJTpopAVficpBNQiXpa3dex1f7ocUQnPBrl6qcCk/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Passive-Agressive posting (was Re: The Role of Government in a Libertarian Free Market)
Doug wrote: Now see, I guess I dont understand what passive-aggressive means because I would think that his confrontational, sometimes sarcastic style has any passivity to it. I see it differently, perhaps. Passive-agressive may not be the right clinical term here, but I find repeated statements such as Im just asking questions and intimations of it being the other persons' faults for how they interpret what you're writing as a way to irritate someone and present a point of view without *really* presenting it. It may not be a textbook definition, but that's how it strikes me. I'm not saying JW does this regularly, it's just something I get exposed to on a lot of lists and it pushes my buttons, so it's certainly possible the fault lies within me. Erik used to do it to people here all the time (JVB was *especially* prone to rising to that particular bait(, and that was one of the reasons I could barely stand to read even his quality posts. Jim Confessionals Maru Click for a wide selection of quality scales. Scale http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1gvzpYOpCE2YebVUiKlopvQmf2vqQ0AtBC07PsS2vG1Cs1XlWJuYa0/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: On the Occasion of a Seventeenth Birthday
Warren Ockrassa wrote: Son of a friend is turning 17 Saturday. I think I've distilled my life's wisdom (for 17-yer-olds anyway) down to three things. 1. You're too young to drink and too young to vote. But you're old enough to be tried as an adult. 2. Always, always, ALWAYS use a condom. 3. Never say I love you until after you come. Not so sure about that last one. I would replace it with Don't let your dick run your life. Jim Heating and Cooling Systems Save on a home Heating and Cooling System. Click Now! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1gwWEaBBHbBMLGo2OiQmRpWGZDXnQ8Ax32uj7SNMwVqgr5NeCp1C7G/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Re: In despair for the state of SF
From: Warren Ockrassa [war...@nightwares.com] Kevin J. Anderson See, I spotted your problem right away, Warren. :-p Jim ___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
The Ombudsmen
For those of you who don't regularly follow Scott Kurtz's PVP webcomic, this is a pro click: http://www.pvponline.com/2009/03/02/ombudsmen/ There are four more after it. If you are a _Watchmen_ fan you'll be tickled by this little storyline. It does contain spoilers, so if you've never read the GN but intend to I'd avoid it. Jim No Compromise. Not even in the face of Maru Water Treatment Purify your water with professional water treatment. Click now! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1g1KH84q4k2zu4TKxxW6Og0OSwZ7uCvbhPeiRybY8Q6p5HYhAakP1u/___ http://mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l_mccmedia.com
Scouted: Would you like some mercury with your Coke?
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/2 According to this recent study, the process used to create some high fructose corn syrups adds at least trace amounts of mercury to the end product. As if there weren't already enough reasons to avoid it. Jim Dublin Dr. Pepper rules Maru Life Insurance Click to compare life insurance rates. Great rates, quick and easy. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZaazWvVMUzwIkPUw9xGjT52qR53XFS37Lgu1onrp1CSaAV4Y/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
DDP (was Re: Scouted: Would you like some mercury with your Coke?)
Bruce wrote: Julia wrote: Jim Dublin Dr. Pepper rules Maru Damn straight it does! I became a convert to DDP some years ago Fun fact: For our anniversary a couple of years ago I made my wife get me a couple of cases of DDP. They cost more to ship than to buy. :-p Jim Worth it Maru ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Portal Gun
Dave Land wrote: On Jan 22, 2009, at 2:40 PM, Rceeberger wrote: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30109...@n03/sets/72157612758626401/ I'm making a note here: huge success. I HAVE to show that to my son, who is a huge Portal fan. Your son has excellent taste in games. Portal was the best game of 2007 in my opinion. Interesting puzzles and a loopy, dark sense of humor. Jim The cake is a Maru Used Car Click here and choose from thousands of high quality used cars. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZbm4A1mVKkpT3pZh642sV1RmuhCyWaZNKCzqZn0R7qEFfjpK/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Brazil's Twin Town
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/4307262/Nazi-angel-of-death-Josef-Mengele-created-twin-town-in-Brazil.html Joseph Mengele apparently found a way to increase the birthrate of the master race, at least in this small Brazilian enclave. Pretty wacky stuff, though it's unfortunate they get into any of the science of how he did it. Sure, there's some fertility treatments involved I'm sure, but the article seems to suggest the multiple births have continued long since his death. Jim Photography School Learn digital and video photography techniques, lighting and printing. Click now. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZbtWPoL1XCMfiJm9b1wWp1P4tk9QWrGDFO3IEGVeaeZTianC/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Number 6 is dead
John Garcia wrote: he wasn't a number, but a free man. My dad of all people turned me onto that show. So great and weird. I'll have to play Maiden's The Village later on. Jim Who is number Maru? MBA Program Click for free info on getting an MBA, $200K/ year potential. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZZfz6E3oOc00Y99Iay0UTrXA4VmZpzzR4bAzafGBVy05ySrq/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Belgian Beer (was Re: Russia (Was What is wealth?))
Wayne wrote: 5. The nicest beer I ever had the pleasure of drinking was in Russia. It was a Belgian brew and I wish I remembered the brand name. I know it betrays my Irish-ness, but I think the Belgians make the best beers. Chimay, Corsendonk, Maredsous...all delicious and with some fairly high alcohol contents to boot, which is a bit of a bonus I must admit. I like their Trippels the best, but YMMV. Jim Beer snob Maru Debt Consolidation Lower your debt by up to 50%. Click here to find out how. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZaafJZOMSsj7EE4r0dyhtS4pKIFviZ7lGh81I4M4X8l5e3Qg/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Giant (3 cm across) single-celled organism makes tracks
Ronn wrote: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/11/20/gromia-cambrian.html That was really interesting, thanks! Though I can hear the howls of derision coming from the anti-science people out there already, due to the way they say in the article how it will change how we see fossil records. Lack of understanding of the scientific method FTL. Jim RUN!! It's the Blob! Maru Fashion Design Education Fashion Design Education - Click Here! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZbqeWhTI0vOPRWY2CFmWwLZTphJxRzEbaHHPGSPOHSRPo7UI/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Giant (3 cm across) single-celled organism makes tracks
Ronn wrote: Faster Than Light? For the loss Jim Internet acronyms maru Graphic Design School Love Graphic Design? Find a school near you. Click Now. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZbtOKEJJKxpzX1CUj4jdUfhZ9AEIYpLcVS76jhwCZ7qeaq0M/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Space based solar power
Alberto Monteiro wrote: With oil going to 50 $/bbl? Forget solar power. Forget biofuels. Forget nuclear. Forget hydro. Forget renewable sources. The world will miss the good old days of George W. Bush, when we had hope in carbon-free energy. I'm not entirely sure about that. I think, just maybe, this time my fellow 'Merkins learned their lesson. Most of the people I talk to are fairly convinced the cheap gas we have again is only temporary, and no one seems inclined to go get a gas guzzler again, at least thus far. If prices stay low for a year or two, I'm sure a lot of us will forget how quickly this particular worm keeps turning, but for now at least, we're playing it smart. We'll see if it lasts. Jim Payday Loan Need cash? Click to get a payday loan. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/BK72PcZabdxFW1uFLHrgs3VzLgpLMs9rO6HoRwlJyvbOXi9twmx1tK/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: OT: Q. on Stirling's _In the Courts of the Crimson Kings_
I'm just wrapping up _The Sky People_ and this book is on the pile. When I get to it, I'll be happy to have a... wait for it...I know this simply isn't done around here...book discussion if you want. Jim Hardwood Floors Buy Hardwood Floors Direct - Click Here. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/JkJQPTgLS9gLifzc8wXMkDHSYbhDqd7x1PjC7l8tOhKN1AXanFrXgo/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Health Care costs (was: the same topic all damn week)
Dave Land wrote: On Oct 28, 2008, at 11:11 AM, John Williams wrote: Do you think other people should pay for your daughter's health care while you should only contribute a small amount, even though you could contribute much more? This is *precisely* how private insurance works: everyone pays a little bit so that anyone who has enormous expenses can be taken care of. Exactly. The larger the pool of participants in a health plan, the smaller the cost to each participant in that pool. Assuming your actuaries are competent, anyway. :-) Jim Cash Loan Need cash? Click to get a loan. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/JkJQPTgKWCyU2Xl4czaUR4LyXqZX1KYiebXgnSFBVIzXrHZK7UyyFO/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Two Weeks To Go
Olin wrote: As much as I disagree with McCain on just about everything, I really do believe that he's better than the people who are running his campaign. But of course, since he made the choice to let those people -- the same people who savaged him in 2000 when he was running against Bush -- control his campaign, the responsibility is his. He made a deal with the devil's of the right, who he had previously opposed. I think that'st the root of a lot of the ambiguity in his campaign though. That fact is amazing to me. The very same people who whispered eight years ago that 5.5 years as a prisoner of war made McCain unstable and untrustworthy spent months using that same heroic survival tale as a clarion call to dismiss legitimate questions about the man. I'd ask how those people sleep at night, but since I know that answer is probably On a large pile of money, with many beautiful ladies I guess I know how after all. Jim Cognitive Dissonance Maru Photo Search Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://tagline.excite.com/fc/JkJQPTgKO6IgyvfXnhcRBqty9qU8AJ4ygqevmOv1h6ImvMWoleGckk/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Books, was Proper function..
David wrote: How about Saturn's Children? I just bought a buttload of books from SFBC, and that was among them. If people are interested in talking about it, I could move it up in the queue. I'm in the middle of re-reading _Watchmen_, which has held up very well over the past ~25 years. Jim Rorschach Maru Lobster This will do in a pinch. Click here to have fresh, delicious lobster delivered to your door! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/JkJQPTgLehFoAifIyQ7Gh2AS1NPL605MuIPvlObBvAvdzEprLSi9B6/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Fair Trade
Bruce wrote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duggar_family - more specific example Someone needs to tell them it's a uterus, not a clown car. :-p Jim Brazil Visit beautiful Brazil. Click now for great vacation packages! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/JkJQPTgLVVDjtb6q7s8CQt2Hr4L976lv5M0dc0EM34QXVnTZA4z79C/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Vasectomy
Julia wrote: If you don't want to father a child but you want to have sexual intercourse with a woman, a vasectomy is a really great line of defense there. Then there are guys who act like it's emasculating. Me? The second my wife and I decided we were done having children, I was at the urologist's making an appointment. It was one of the smarter decisions I've made in my life, given that we are the Amazing Fertile Sharkeys. :-p Jim Rambo sperm Maru Motor Home You can take it with you! Click here for a luxurious new motor home and travel in style! http://tagline.excite.com/fc/JkJQPTgKDEVLxSLoKzSHaKd7bMfGIkEeJBN4ULArnIheiztMDBLVqE/ ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Limericks (was Re: Greg Bear)
This is one of my favorites: There was a young woman from Tottingham Who had no manners or else had forgotten 'em At tea at the Vicar's She took off her knickers Because, she explained, she felt hot in 'em By the by, I *loved* the math limerick. It definitely tickled me. Jim A poet who didn't know it Maru ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
On Jul 17, 2008, at 11:22 AM, William T Goodall wrote: http://www.drhorrible.com/ Anyone not watching this? Why yes. Yes I have been. It's funny as hell. Jim ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Hello
Jon Gabriel wrote: William T Goodall wrote: xponentrob wrote: Not much has changed round here, but I am involved in protesting a criminal cult that calls itself a religion. You just need to widen your scope a bit :-) And, it's like I never left. :D I believe it's vital to have at least a few constants in one's life. :-) Jim No second line Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: A videogame that will make William happy
Charlie Bell wrote: Andrew Crystall wrote: Played Planescape:Torment? No. Should I? Yes. Yes you should. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Portal (was Re: A videogame that will make William happy)
Rceeberger wrote: I've been having fun on the achievement servers, at least the ones that are not under constant attack by purist trolls. BTW Jim.what servers do you play? I may try to meet up with you to play a bit. forumocalypse.nuclearfallout.net A lot of really good players, but generally good guys. Asshattery isn't tolerated, though on Forumopolis-only nights we do open-mike and trash talk a bit. :-) I'm not on as often as I'd like, but I hope to be around some this weekend. What's your Steam ID? Mine's http://steamcommunity.com/id/Templar569 if you want to friend me. Jim Ubermensch Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Portal (was Re: A videogame that will make William happy)
Martin Lewis wrote: There is a Flash adaption: http://portal.wecreatestuff.com/ My understanding is that Portal was originally a Flash game and the Valve guys liked it so much they hired them people who created it to make a game with their engine. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: A videogame that will make William happy
Andrew Crystall wrote: Played Planescape:Torment? PS:T is a masterpiece. Finest RPG I ever played. It took over my life from the moment I started it up until I finished it. I must have played that game 6-10 hours a day, obsessing over every detail. Jim The Nameless Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Portal (was Re: A videogame that will make William happy)
Dave Land wrote: I just finished Portal with my son: it's a fun, short puzzle game, kind of a first-person-shooter where you don't shoot anything living. I'm sure that would ruin it for Call of Duty or GTA fans. The Orange Box was the best game purchase I have made in at least five years, and that's in large part due to the sheer awesome of Portal, which I consider to be easily the best game of 2007 (although to be fair, my graphics card is poo so I never got to play Bioshock). Excellent puzzles, just the right length, and a wonky, dark sense of humor made it a truly excellent experience. The other part of its awesome is TF2, which as I once mentioned in my LJ is just about the most fun you can have at your computer while still wearing pants. :-) Jim Valve rules Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Portal (was Re: A videogame that will make William happy)
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: The other part of its awesome is TF2, which as I once mentioned in my LJ is just about the most fun you can have at your computer while still wearing pants. :-) You have your computer in your bathroom too? If I did, you can be sure I'd be playing on the can too. Jim Another succeful procedure Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: A videogame that will make William happy
David Hobby wrote: Google has no hits for declared the cake to be a lie, and hits without the quotes don't really produce a clear picture. In Portal, a disembodied female voice assures you that if you pass all the puzzles, there will be cake at the end. But you find evidence that not all is as it seems, and several times you see this on the walls: http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/268/cakeisalieka8.jpg Assuming the link works, anyway. Jim We do what we must because we can Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: CITOKATE
Julia Thompson wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: Alberto Monteiro wrote: PS: oops, I used nazi, muslims and name-calling in the same post. Am I going to get banned? :-) No, just shunned. Or tarred and feathered. We have to have a vote. I don't like tarring and feathering, it sounds more painful than necessary. Also, I think shunning is a little extreme for the situation. That's an awfully easygoing stance on crime you have there, Ms. Thompson. What the heck kind of Texan are you? :-p Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: CITOKATE
Alberto Monteiro wrote: PS: oops, I used nazi, muslims and name-calling in the same post. Am I going to get banned? :-) No, just shunned. Or tarred and feathered. We have to have a vote. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: wtg
jon louis mann wrote: Alberto wrote: The acceptable justification for the disappearance of the slave daughter and the appearance of the children/grandchildren was that the slave daughter had joined a religious fanatical sect. So, all this happened because people are tolerant of religious fanaticism. i don't think you can assume this happened because people are tolerant of religious fanaticism. i think the neighbors (and the mother?) were told the daughter ran away to join a cult and then dropped her children off on the doorstep with a note she was unable to care for them. Even if WTG is slacking in his crusade, at least we can still count on that world-famously keen sense of humor the collective Brin list has shown over the years to pay us a visit. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Courage in facing death
Please accept my condolences for you loss. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: April Fool's 2008
Julia Thompson wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: Workshop Aggro Maru I get nervous around the word aggro, as *actual* aggro, or drama, often follows. :) Actual aggro is *supposed* to follow! The whole point of Workshop aggro is to quickly drop large mechanical beasties and beat some poor sucker's face in with them! :-) Jim Magic terms almost no one here will get Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: April Fool's 2008
Julia Thompson wrote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_1%2C_2008 Highlights a Ninjas vs. Pirates Magic: The Gathering expansion I was terribly disappointed when I realized what day it was. I think a Pirates vs. Ninjas duel set like their Elves vs. Goblins one would have been pretty kickass! :-) Jim Workshop Aggro Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: 'Lost'
William T Goodall wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: ABC and the Lost crew agreed to end the series around episode 100 Which probably has something to do with the way the plot has been moving forward at a greatly accelerated pace this season. Absolutely. Getting an official end date for the series was the best thing that could have happened to it. It avoids the X-Files scenario of just running out of things to do and lets everyone involved plan for the future a lot better. Jim Fans 1, Suckage 0 Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: The Postman
Pat Mathews wrote: http://pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF202-Post_Apocalyptic.jpg Hehehe. It's a shame that strip is going away, as I understand it. Jim Kevin Costner Always Rings Twice Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: 'Lost'
Julia Thompson wrote: Ronn! Blankenship wrote: Or chuck it and watch Law and Order instead . . . *Very* good plan, IMO! :) Not sure I agree. I've seen so many LO episodes over the past 10+ years that the twist is almost always obvious and it kind of ruins the show for me. And the mini-sermon wrap up at the end of the show has gotten grating. Might be familiarity breeding contempt, but still... Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Apologies
William T Goodall wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: OK. S, Mormonism and Catholicism then. :-D At 2% and 24% of the US population maybe not a close analogy. A closer religious analogy for the US would be nonreligious/secular (13.2%) and Christian (76.5%). It's your whimsy and keen sense of humor that I admire. Jim Sucking the funny out of a clown car Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: 'Lost'
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: One thing not unique to that show is that most viewers will not appreciate it when things happen which may be subplots or may be integral to the main plot but because it's an open-ended series Nope. It has an end. ABC and the Lost crew agreed to end the series around episode 100, give or take. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Apologies
William T Goodall wrote: Nick Arnett wrote: Hmmm... the cult of Macintosh. It is like a religion with many people, you know. Creepy sometimes. Calling Mac users a cult is like calling atheists a religion. One of those rhetorical devices where you turn the turn the truth upside down. Microsoft is much more like a cult, in Redmond/Mordor trying to forge the One OS/Ring to bind all the users in darkness :-) I dunno. I think Nick's right. Apple fanatics are like a small, fringe cult; let's say the Jim Jones' group. Whereas Microsoft is more like one of the large, established monolithic religions with millions of followers and lots more money to throw around on converting the masses. :-p Jim Following the metaphor Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Apologies
William T Goodall wrote: Apple's market share (14% of US retail in February) is more than large enough to be mainstream and has been for the last couple of years. Microsoft's market share peaked a few years ago. The question is how far and how fast it will decline. OK. S, Mormonism and Catholicism then. :-D Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Br*n: The Latest In Dolphin Technology
Lance A. Brown wrote: Was wondering if this was some new kind of rickrolling... Fairly similar, but far more insidious. Exposing people to stealth CoS links is worse than goatse.cx. :-p Jim Hole of terror Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Celebrating 31 years of even more juvenile humor!
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: On this day in 1977, astronomers discovered rings around Uranus. When I was a kid, there was always at least one spoilsport teacher who would insist it was pronounces yur-eh-nuss. Jim Scottie, I need your help to wipe out the Klingons Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Gary Gygax
I haven't slung dice in a while now, for various reasons, but this news seems to call for it. The red boxed set I got some 27 Christmases or so ago led me on a path of gaming and good times I wouldn't trade for anything. Jim Jesus saves; he takes half damage Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Brin: Life after People
Alberto Vieira Ferreira Monteiro wrote: Life After People will air on 2008-03-10 21:00 on brazilian's tetrahydrocanabiol oops... The History Channel. I just finished Cormac McCarthy's _The Road_. I've had as much life after people as my psyche can handle for a few days. :-p Great book, by the by. If there's a chance that anyone here hasn't read it, you should fix that. Jim Carrying the fire Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: I do love me some xkcd
Lance A. Brown wrote: http://xkcd.com/386/ I got linked to that on a forum I'm active on. The number of people I am 'Net-acquainted with to whom that cartoon applies staggers the imagination, and I can include myself on that list every now and again too. :-) Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Wal-Mart and more
Dan M wrote: However, since I try to be polite, I will refrain from that until I can devote a day or two per post honing my responses down to strict, yet unspecified, page limitations or I am told that I am allowed to write long posts. Passive-aggressiveness aside, I personally wouldn't want you to do that. On the occasions when I have time to read your posts and not just skim them in a short attention span theater tl;dr style, I find them rewarding. But that may simply be because you're usually better educated on whatever topic we're going on about. But that's just me. You want to talk about the subtleties of American foreign policy, I'm happy to be a listener. You want to discuss the subtle nuances of the current mortality tables, or preferably - since I'd rather leave work at the office - the crit rocket, I'm your man. :-) Jim Deadly actuary with deadly accuracy Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Wal-Mart
Nick Arnett wrote: Confession: I take our daughter to Wal-Mart (her choice, not mine) and pay for her insulin. She can't get insurance and they do have the lowest price. But at least insulin isn't being produced in sweat shops, as far as I know. And I'm tempted by all the cheap stuff they sell, but I resist. I generally avoid shopping at Wal-Mart because a lot of its stuff is crap. Wal-Mart's only real vice, in my opinion, is the pressure it puts on the makers of its products to lower costs, which can (and sometimes does, most particularly in its clothes IMO) lead to shoddy merchandise. Low costs are nice, but remember you often get what you pay for. I must admit I am not immune to its cost-cutting, though. I needed baseballs for my son's Cal Ripken team's practices, and at $0.10 per ball on clearance - even if they are cruddy cork centered practice balls - it made little sense not to grab as many as I could, especially given the way boys his age can lose things. So while I'm no fan of Wal-Mart, I do not believe it is Evil with a capital E. A lower case e, maybe. :-) Jim Put me in coach Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Paging Jim
Robert Seeberger wrote: Been meaning to send you this: http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Portal Basically, Portal is a game about a gun that shoots vaginas. Rob, I clearly owe you a beer for sharing this with me. I would never have realized the Portal gun was shooting space-bending vaginas without it, nor would I have ever caught the feminist undertone in the game! It's all so clear to me now! Of course, I might never have seen Chell performing oral sex on herself either, and that I probably could have done without. 0_o Jim The cake is a lie The cake is a lie The cake is a lie The cake is a Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Paging Jim
Julia Thompson wrote: My off-list e-mails to you are bouncing, your e-mail provider doesn't like my e-mail provider or something. :( Just wanted to say, I'll check it out next week and may pass along info to other friends. That's odd. I have your address on my safe list, and have for some time now. ( Anyway, give that a look; one of my LJ/forum friends is involved in it and it seems kind of interesting. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: CoS in the news
Because I love you guys, I give you the CS orientation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJtUDcm3bBw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfiZehbTAxU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7W9Duq145Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdSqzl9QYTQ It's pretty funny stuff. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Portal (was RE: Fundamentalist Wisdom)
Robert Seeberger wrote: I couldn't play TF because my PC had a crappy Nvidia 5200 card You need to upgrade then, because TF2 is a complete blast! At least, assuming you can find non-a--holes to play with, anyway. If you get yourself up and running, let me know. My forum has a great server. Jim Crit Rocket Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Portal (was RE: Fundamentalist Wisdom)
Robert Seeberger wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: William T Goodall wrote: Evolution is a lie So is the cake. I was going to have a party and invite all your friends. I'm glad at least someone knew that one. Despite its brevity, I think Portal ought to be game of the year. It was fun, darkly hilarious, and features a great Jonathon Coulton song at the end. What's not to love? And the best part is it requires very few twitch skills. I honestly think it's a game almost anyone could enjoy. Jim I'm not even angry Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Fundamentalist Wisdom
William T Goodall wrote: Evolution is a lie So is the cake. Jim Aperture Science Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: US Doomed
Charlie Bell wrote: It's really quite scary that dominionists and other theocrats are so close to the real power in the States, and that reality-based thinking is under such attack. You know, my wife's family consists almost entirely of fairly devout Catholics. Yet not one of them has ever, at least within my earshot, claimed that a guy like Huckabee has the right idea. I just can't quite grasp what it is about a certain mindset that forces people to stop thinking entirely, that God (setting aside whether He exists or not) has all the answers and has some master plan that we have no control over, and that He only gave us these brains we have for show, to be treated like that particular kind of fancy car one never drives. Jim Magical thinking Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: US Doomed
Charlie Bell wrote: Plenty of room Down Under... Sure, nestled in right next to the various and sundry venomous arthropods, the sharks, the jellyfish and various other natural dangers. Still, I think I'd prefer those over Huckabee. :-) Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Take that, Iowa!!
Alberto Vieira Ferreira Monteiro wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: _Scientific American_ is saying grass as a source of ethanol has the potential to be vastly more efficient than corn. Pretty cool stuff, I think. But still less efficient than sugarcane :-P Probably true, but I'd wager grass is a lot easier to grow than sugar cane, at least here in the U.S. :-) And sadly, we don't use real sugar here anymore, except in tasty and delicious Dublin Dr. Pepper. If you like Dr. Pepper and you're in the U.S. where finding soda without corn syrup is nigh-impossible, it's well worth the cost. Though to be fair, I rarely drink soda so I maybe order two cases a year, tops. Jim And now they're after 7-UP Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Soda (was Re: Take that, Iowa!!)
Julia Thompson wrote: 1) Where do you order Dublin Dr. Pepper? I just order it from here: http://www.dublindrpepper.com/ 2) Mexican Coke. I've heard its praises sung before, but I'm in NJ, so... Some high-end US soda bottlers are making their stuff with cane sugar. They did an article about those in one of the Philly papers just recently. I'll have to stop by one of Princeton's high-end groceries and see if they have them. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Take that, Iowa!!
Lance A. Brown wrote: Being able to grow switchgrass on marginal land not suitable for other, more traditional, crops is one of its benefits. To me that certainly seems like one of its biggest benefits. It's grass; it doesn't require nearly the same kind of care that more traditional food crops do. And I recall the article indicated that unlike those crops, it doesn't need replanting every year. If they can work around the cellulouse issues, I think it's very promising. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Take that, Iowa!!
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: I, too, have issues with all those cellulouses who yakity-yak constantly, oblivious of where they are driving . . . Hang up and ferment, you cellulouses! We're having an energy crisis here! Oh, the costs of an extra u. :-( Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Take that, Iowa!!
I'm sure some of you knew this, what with your big brains and all, but I found it interesting: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=grass-makes-better-ethanol-than-corn _Scientific American_ is saying grass as a source of ethanol has the potential to be vastly more efficient than corn. Pretty cool stuff, I think. Jim Where's my hovercar? Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: A Family Tragedy
My sincere condolences to you and your family, Rob. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Nothing to do?
Julia Thompson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Wed, 12 Dec 2007, Ronn! Blankenship wrote: http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/nerd_sniping.png And then there are those of us who would be sniped. :) I could see myself falling victim to that as well. Though maybe not for a physics problem. That one would likely just get a blank stare. :-p Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Pratchett has Alzheimer's
http://www.paulkidby.com/news/index.html I'll warrant we've got a fan or two on board here, so I thought I'd share the sad news. Alzheimer's has to be one of the truly awful scourges of our ability to live longer. Yet, as a fan of the man's work, I can't help but want to make jokes, even though I know it's not really funny. He just doesn't strike me as someone who'd want his fans to get maudlin about it. jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Germany moves to ban Scientology
Ronn! wrote: Other people make a hobby out of constantly complaining about religion. It's more of a lifestyle choice than a hobby, I think. :-p Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Don't drink and drive: Smoke marijuana and drive
Alberto Monteiro wrote: http://peety-passion.com/relax/2007/11/27/stoned-drivers-are-safe-drivers/ Stoned drivers are safe drivers Two decades of research show that marijuana use may actually reduce driver accidents. I can't be the only one who thought this was going to be a Bill Hicks routine, can I? Jim Arizona Bay Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Need an artist?
Alberto Vieira Ferreira Monteiro wrote: These guys scare the hell out of me. Me too, but not for the same reason. It scares me that that boy has prettier hair than my wife! Jim Metal Gods Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Hybrid Cars: An unexpected complaint
Horn, John wrote: My experience here is that many cyclists appear not to realize they are subject to the same rules of the road as motorists. That's been mine as well. Too many cyclists in my area grew up with the bike as a toy rather than as a mode of transportation and used it accordingly. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Brin: Tame rats and foxes?
I apologize if this is something that's been posted before (the article is over a year old) but I saw this on a forum I frequent and thought it might be of interest: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/health/25rats.html?_r=2pagewanted=alloref=sloginoref=slogin It's about a group of scientists in Russia who have been experimenting over the past 50 years with domestication and how it might be possible through selective breeding in a short time rather than a long one. They're also attempting to establish whether or not there are certain genes that more readily allow domestication than others. I found it fascinating, especially the sheer scope of it. I'm sure some of you were probably already aware of this experiment, but for the rest of us I thought it might be an interesting read. Jim I want a pet silver fox Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Hybrid Cars: An unexpected complaint
Apparently, they're too quiet: http://money.excite.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt_top.jsp?news_id=ap-d8s1n79o0; The National Federation for the Blind is complaining that when the cars are running on solely electricity, blind people cannot hear them and it could be dangerous as they cross the street. I'm not sure what they want to do about this. I just can't see manufacturers going back to the drawing board to make their cars louder to satisfy less than 0.5% of the population. Jim NBF has a big sign on their building you can see from I-95. Who's it for? Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Feeling a k'chu-non :-(
Charlie Bell wrote: You're losing content somewhere in these posts. Silly rabbit. Content-free posts are what we're best at around here. Jim Fat free, content free Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Brin: Financial waste in Iraq
Rolling Stone has a long article on wasteful spending and outright thievery by civilian contractors in Iraq: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/16076312/the_great_iraq_swindle I know it's not exactly news that people are swindling the government. It's the government's complicity in it as detailed in the article that's truly disgusting. There's also a story floating around that clergy are being trained to quell dissent in the case of martial law. This one sounds like some crazy left-wing conspiracy nut went off his meds, but it was reported on KLSA-TV in Louisiana, so it's not like it's just on some random blog out in the Internet wilderness: http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=6937987 I dunno. It sounds crazy. But a plausible kind of crazy, which is maybe the craziest thing of all: The Administration has done enough shady shit to make this sort of thing sound like it might happen. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: culture list
jon louis mann wrote: i just tried to sign up and this was my reply: List server report: Unknown list server command: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Recipient: Culture List listserver [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unknown list server command: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Oh that? That's just how they keep us Brin-L riff-raff out. :-p Jim A Player of Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: So Austin
Doug wrote: Robert wrote: Yesterday I was moving, packing boxes into a Uhaul, lifting furniture and all that for over 10 hours. I'll bet. I was humping sod all morning Saturday, and digging in the mud in the afternoon. Boy, those sound *way* more fun than my day yesterday, spent drinking beer and taking in a Trenton Thunder baseball game. You guys are lucky. :-D Jim Rubbing it in Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Deathly Hallows - no spoilers
Gautam Mukunda wrote: It's amazing, wonderful, deeply moving, and not just everything I hoped for, but far more. Yes, it was an excellenet capstone to the series. There were a couple of parts that were underwhelming, such as the epilogue, but for the most part it was a great read. I got to finish it today during my brother-in-law's birthday gathering. Which certainly beat actually having to *talk* to those people. :-p Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: this is really cute
jon louis mann wrote: http://www.junkmails.org/6-year-old-that-made-simon-cowell-smile/49/ I saw that around the same time as I saw the videos of Paul Potts. Pretty cool. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Straczynski Fan Update
Bryon Daly wrote: I thought Rising Stars and Midnight Nation were great, also. I've never been a big Spiderman fan, though, so I haven't bothered with any of that stuff from him. Has he done anything comic-wise besides those? Fantastic Four and Supreme Power. The latter was OK, since it was a reboot, but the FF stuff wasn't so good. His ASM work was uneven; some of it was good and some of it was like he'd never read a Spidey comic in his life. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Straczynski Fan Update
Bryon Daly wrote: Jim Sharkey wrote: The Sharkey family is going to SDCC this year, so I'll try and keep my ears and eyes open for this announcement. Please report back here on any pin your ears back announcements! Will do! Though I suspect that any juicy information will be posted to the Intarweb by any number of my fellow nerds about ten seconds after it's announced, so it may be old news by the time I get back and have time to send it out to you guys. :-) I have to say I haven't been too enamored of JMS' comics work on titles he himself didn't create. I enjoyed Rising Stars and Midnight Nation a lot, but some of his work for Marvel has been kinda meh. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Straczynski Fan Update
Mauro Diotallevi wrote: And there are still at least two, and possibly three major announcements yet to be made at Comic Con, which regardless of whether one is a TV or movie fan, an SF fan or a comics fan...are gonna pin people's ears back. The Sharkey family is going to SDCC this year, so I'll try and keep my ears and eyes open for this announcement. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Most unlikely tenor of all
For those of you who enjoyed that prior link, Paul Potts won the whole shootin' match and will be performing for the Queen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwkVnyfdGYQ I may check out the links to the other finalists at some point. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Most unlikely tenor of all
Vilyhem wrote: Well, once the seaside inn has a stage, I want Alvin to put on an all hoon production of H. M. S. Pinafore. Then because of their double-jointed doubled joints per limb, their wrists that can rotate 270 degrees, and their toe hooks that can let them fight off balance, the second play would be Cyrano de Bergerac. What, no Pirates of Penzance? I suppose the whole pirate thing might not sit too well with the law and order-y hoons, though. :) Jim Umble in the jungle Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Most unlikely tenor of all
Robert Seeberger wrote: I have to agree. Not just because the performance was great and greatly unexpected (coming from such a mundane looking fellow), but mostly because of the shock induced into the two leading assholes on television. I thought the female judge was going to climb on top of him there for a second with the look she was wearing at the end. :-p Personally, I was moved to tears, I found the piece just that beautiful. And of course, at 4:30 AM I was waking my wife to get her to see this. Puccini can do that to a person. I don't get why the yahoos out think opera is so unmanly. Its usual themes of lust, passion, revenge and loss ought to satisfy almost anyone! Thanks for sharing this Jim! You're welcome. I know I've been lurker-boy a lot lately, but when I came across this I had to share. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Most unlikely tenor of all
Dave Land wrote: Returning to an earlier thread, lucky for him he's a guy. Not only because it makes singing tenor a whole lot easier, but a woman who was equally attractive and equally talented wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell. Very true! I imagine that a woman 30-40 pounds overweight with what looks like a mouth full of broken Chiclets would have a pretty hard time getting past the judges, regardless of talent. In addition, being a tenor he also had a great piece to use; if you can listen to Nessun Dorma performed by a talented (albeit slightly raw in this case) singer and not be moved, you might be just a *little* dead inside. Jim Puccini Maru ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Most unlikely tenor of all
Apparently, Britain really does have talent... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oxTy7KIAaA I just had to share, because if you look at this guy, you'd expect him to be a guy you'd share a pint with at the pub, maybe help you out with some plumbing, something like that. Not what you get, and the expressions on everyone's faces are worth it alone. Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
