Go Ahead, Say "What the Hell?" again!

Hookay everybody,

It's time to wish me luck, pray for me, or do a little positive energy dance or whatever you do. I have an interview in just over an hour with CWI.

Dang but I want this job.

I recently was reading an article on http://digg.com about MS pushing out updates that cause FireFox to be slightly less secure than usual. I guess they were feeling bad about Internet Explorer losing market share based on security issues and wanted to take Mozilla down a notch or something. It was with relief that I thought to myself that since I don't use Windows I don't have to worry about MS Automatic Updates changing the behavior of non MS software. Usually I like automatic updates, I let Ubuntu do it without asking me any questions other than my password (Fl0ffy_bunny01)*, and I let the IT guys at work determine what the WUS policies will be and don't really think about it.

This morning, FireFox informed me that there were some problems that needed taking care of due to a security problem caused by MicroSoft. It had automatically disabled two add-ons that were installed without my express consent.

I don't think it's right that MS can make changes to non MS software via the update process without user consent.

*That might not be it.

Hey everybody*,

One of my friends in the UK who I met at a party hosted by Mr. Stephen Fry, @PrincessRob, has asked me to shamelessly plug a service he provides, so here goes:

Every once in a while one may find themselves thinking 'Damn but I sure could use a viewing of a picture of a really handsome man right now!' And sometimes one might not know where to look. Folks, set your minds at ease and worry no more, just point your favorite browser to http://twitter.com/dailymancandy and your needs will be satisfied! It's sorta safe for work, but some Puritans may be offended.

So there you go, http://twitter.com/dailymancandy is there for you, and at the right price too!

*For a value of "everybody" which means "those who are into men, or perhaps more precisely would like men to be into them as well".)

The Email I Sent to PenTel:

Hello,

 

The person who monitors mentions of Pentel products on
Twitter.com asked me to contact you about a problem I recently mentioned having
with one of your GraphGear 500 mechanical pencils.

 

I had purchased the pencil from a Fred Meyer store in Nampa,
Idaho about two weeks ago, and found yesterday that it had ceased to function. 
The button to extend the lead would press easily enough, and there was a clicky
sound and everything, but the lead would not extend. I pulled the fill that was
in with my fingernails in order to try to get a new one through from the
chamber, but nothing happened. So I tried the age old trick of putting a new
lead through from the writing end and that didn’t work either. It seems the
shaft was clogged somewhere between where the leads are stored and where they
exit. I was not able to clear the blockage with a slender sewing needle so I
had to throw that pencil out and revert to using a Dixon Ticonderoga #2 wooden
pencil.

 

Is this a problem that people have commonly had with that
model? Is there an easy fix when that happens?

Update 10/17/2009

Have not heard anything from them yet. I guess I'm out $7.00

A brief essay written on the difference between ordering pizza as food and ordering pizza as an event in order to answer a stranger's question, while enduring a severe iatrogenic toothache:

Often in my life, pizza acts as more of a prop than a dietary goal. For example, a pizza parlour makes an excellent location for gathering with friends and enjoying some beers instead of going to a loud, crowded, and smoky bar. Pizza joints are often handy when working on collaborative projects as well.

I would say that about 70% of my restaurant pizza intake is based more on getting together with people than on dining.

Be sure to tip!

It turns out that cleaning the gutter isn't really hard work, it's just tedious.  I feel a bit Catholic, up then down, then up, then down & repeat.

Don't buy a Gutter Helmet.  There is just no way that those things could possibly work.  They may keep the leaves out, but they would not be able to do anything about the grime, and the compost from the leaves leaning up against them.  Water erodes all things.

2 15 ounce cans great northern beans
1 16 ounce can tomatoes, cut up
1 4 or 5 ounce package pepperoni, cut up.
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt if you like, but hell, there's so much in the tomatoes and beans that it's a little superfluous.

Mix all this in your slow cooker, add 2 cups of water.
Set that puppy on high for 3-4 hours.
Spoon off excess fat before serving.

I serve mine with fresh made cornbread.

Share and enjoy!

A couple more things.

First, if you burn candles in your house on glass surfaces, wax will inevitably get on said surface.  This is yet another occasion where the 1 or 1.5 inch nylon scraper you keep in your kitchen next to your sink will come in handy.  The scraper will lift the wax right up without damaging your glass surface.  The remaining wax will require a little elbow grease and glass cleaner to get rid of, but that's okay, it's worth it if you let yourself burn candles sometimes.

Also, don't forget that nothing cleans your glass surfaces, mirrors, and windows better than Grandma's Own Depression Era Recipe Glass Cleaner.

1 cup water.
1 cup rubbing alcohol
1 Tbsp white vinegar.

Put this junk in a reusable spray bottle and use good quality, lint free, absorbent towels and say goodbye to expensive, chemically, and wastefully packaged glass cleaner. And streaks!

Household Hints,
by darrin


When you have gift clothing which does not fit and you need to exchange it, pin the receipt to the item, on the outside.  This will not only help you not lose the receipt, but it will also serve to remind you to take care of the exchange whenever you see it.  The advantage of having the receipt on the outside, instead of concealed in a box or a pocket is obvious.

Now, it goes without saying that

Also, remember to use safety pins instead of straight if you have small smelly things around your house, such as pets or children.

This will save you entire minutes of seeking gift receipts each year!