Saturday, November 30, 2002


Toast Davis says: check out TAZL Design ::: My Desktop Collection.

Friday, November 29, 2002


International
"Three decades later, the bomb shelters remain, hidden far below the skyscrapers of the booming capital, and still inspected regularly by national security officials. But entrepreneurs such as Mr. Crook are transforming Mao's underground maze into a symbol of the rampant consumerism of the new free-market era. The bomb shelters are being turned into hotels, nightclubs, markets, shopping malls and restaurants."

Someone call William Gibson!

Walgreens builds a lot of discontent with new store

The old (and somewhat beloved) City People's store on Capitol Hill is being replaced by a Walgreens. Apparently Walgreens has been able to utilize a loophole in the city land-use code to bypass neighborhood approval for their plan. The neighborhood is fighting back with protests and a web site: www.badwalgreens.com. Walgreens has responded by making changes to their plan. Example of evil corporate greed, or grass-roots activism having a positive effect (or both!)? Discuss.

Today is Buy Nothing Day

Adbusters Magazine sponsors Buy Nothing Day.
Here's a Seattle PI article about BND: Is nothing sacred? It's the day to not buy

"In 2000 outstanding consumer debt topped $1 trillion in the United States. Just last year, consumer credit card debt crested over $600 billion."

Thursday, November 28, 2002


plot treatment

Link a la Philos


Pravda.RU Shhh! American Prisoners Being Held in Afghanistan

"Guerrillas have captured five more American soldiers in Afghanistan. This is an extension to the list of 40 American soldiers who have been missing for more than a year now. This information was published in the Pakistani newspaper Frontier Post, with reference to Afghani resources. "

Please note that this story has not been confirmed by any sources in the US that I know of.

Ghost Towns | Pictures of ghost towns in Arizona, California, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico | Ghost Town Gallery

"This website is about Ghost Towns, abandoned settlements and historic places in the western United States. This has nothing to do with hauntings or paranormal phenomena."

Wednesday, November 27, 2002


Yahoo! News - Reading Between Lines, Peru Unravels Nasca Riddle

"And fittingly, the puzzle contains a paradox: According to one of the archeologists, Johny Isla, the famous Nasca lines (often spelled Nazca) and less well-known Palpa lines nearby, were all about water in one of the world's driest deserts. "

Galaxy Builder Home Page

"Galaxy Builder is a program which simulates the evolution of a galaxy and its intelligent life over the course of 10 billion years. Stars form, age, and supernova, spreading metals for use in future stars. Planets appear; life starts on some planets; some life develops intelligence. Intelligent cultures face a number of threats, but can develop star travel and visit nearby systems. When several starfaring cultures exist at the same time, they will interact, forming alliances or having wars. "

Star Frontiers: Dark Nebula

"Welcome brave travelers! You have pierced the void and have arrived in the DARK NEBULA! Here you will find numerous links, rules and additions to help enhance your experience in frontier space. Please feel free to browse these pages in your search for useful data. Feel free to send a subspace message if you should have any questions during your visit to the DARK NEBULA."

I just found this - a fan page for enhancing and expanding the old TSR Star Frontiers RPG. SF was one of the first games I played and GM-ed seriously. Sci-Fi has always been my preferred genre, so I'm thrilled to see someone's keeping the game alive!

Tuesday, November 26, 2002


Turkey Finds Its Inner Duck (and Chicken)

"ONCE upon a time, possibly at a lodge in Wyoming, possibly at a butcher shop in Maurice, La., or maybe even at a plantation in South Carolina, an enterprising cook decided to take a boned chicken, a boned duck and a boned turkey, stuff them one inside the other like Russian dolls, and roast them. He called his masterpiece turducken."

Last year, Hosehead made a turducken feast for 12. It was one of the most amazing culinary experiences I have ever had.

A Pumpakin Carve-nival

Perhaps the best Homestar ever. DING!
Note the easter eggs in the final splash screen.

BBC NEWS | Americas | 'Concept of justice' philosopher dies

"John Rawls, one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th Century, has died aged 81."

Our Troubled Sound: Report on toxic fish rips state

"Despite growing concern about mercury in the environment, Washington state's system for warning people against eating contaminated fish is a confusing mishmash that fails to protect young children, environmental groups charge in a report being released today."

Link thanks to Orkgrrrl

Monday, November 25, 2002


Dee Snyder is Christina Aguilera!!!

"If you don’t know who Dee Snider is, he is the lead singer for the 80’s metal band Twisted Sister. I think that the similarities between Snyder and Aguilera are uncanny, and can only lead to one conclusion – they are the same person! In order to jump-start his fading career, Snider simply sings pop songs and makes his voice a little higher. He doesn’t have to change his wardrobe either – he has plenty of makeup and dresses left-over from Twisted Sister!"

"When they say, 'Gee it's an information explosion!', no, it's not an explosion, it's a disgorgement of the bowels is what it is. Every idiotic thing that anybody could possibly write or say or think can get into the body politic now, where before things would have to have some merit to go through the publishing routine, now, ANYTHING." - Harlan Ellison

Quotation thanks to Ethel the Blog

The Playmobile Tarot

"An important choice
will have to be made,
to your toy collection."

Ted's Caving Page, with the story of his discovery in a local cave.

"I remember that I frequently looked and the hole and thought, "Hey, it's big enough. I think I can squeeze through" only to be disappointed in my attempt. However, even after the first attempt and failure I knew that I would keep working on the hole until I got through. This despite the fact that I knew it would take many more hours of hard work. It actually became an obsession with me. I tried to get out to the cave and work as often as I could. I hoped that the passage led to a larger undiscovered cave that we would be the first ones to enter. I guess the explorer in me wanted to find a new frontier there in the cave. Since B is such an avid caver he was motivated by the same desire to find a new unexplored cave. What we did find was not at all what I expected... "

Friday, November 22, 2002



Final Save Farscape Cable Ad

Proof that geeks like farscape, uh.. I mean, the latest in culture jamming DIY media: Save Farscape TV ad.

can we have our ball back?

"1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 8.1 9.0 X 11.0 12.0 13.0"

Peppercorn Products | Powered by CafePress.com

The baby's not even here, and already the merchandising has begun! Thanks to Farida's friends Penelope and Stephen for setting the page up.

Thursday, November 21, 2002



BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Genome man to create new life

"Scientists in the United States are to press ahead with plans to create a new lifeform in the laboratory."

Wednesday, November 20, 2002



Modern Humorist - 4-5 Discs to Rule Them All

"Additional hidden commentary track by second unit assistant director Simon Warnock, foam technician Ray Massa, assistant to Liv Tyler Kate Jones, Michael Deluca's former coke dealer Jason Spinoza, some European guy who once bought one of Viggo Mortensen's paintings and Sean Astin."

Dark Passage

where you can sign up for the implosion list.

Tuesday, November 19, 2002


Corbis Seattle Kids Gallery

"In October, Corbis gave cameras to 35 children from five area clubs with the assignment of photographing "My Seattle"—those things that articulate their ideals of Seattle, community, and happiness."

Final answer? Green light for monorail

"It looks like Seattle's going to get a new monorail."

Bernard Cornwell Q&A

"Q: What do you think would have happened if Wellington, born earlier, had been put in charge of containing the colonial uprising? (Yikes! Maybe you never would have had to create Sharpe...)

BC: The Colonial uprising would have been subdued, I suspect, for he was a genius. But, interestingly, the Duke was asked, in 1814, to take over the British forces then fighting in North America and he refused, on the grounds that a war there was unwinnable - the US having too much ground that they could always trade for time - just as the Russians did in defeating Napoleon and Hitler. He warned against fighting in the US, sensible man, but it's still an intriguing question. Certainly he was far more sensible than any of the British generals who fought in the was of American Independence, and a far greater soldier, so undoubtedly he would have made a difference, though I suspect, like Sir William Howe, his basic sympathies would have been with the rebels."


We just finished the BBC Sharpe's Rifles series, a historical fiction set in the Napoleonic wars and starring Sean Beam (and based on the novles of Bernard Cornwell, interviewed here). It's great fun and highly recommended.

Amazon.com: Electronics: Segway Human Transporter -- First come, first served for delivery starting March 2003

"Exclusively at Amazon.com! You won't find Segway anywhere else. Be the first on your block! Available now for delivery starting March 2003. First come, first served."

Monday, November 18, 2002


You Are a Suspect

"Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade you receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book and every event you attend — all these transactions and communications will go into what the Defense Department describes as 'a virtual, centralized grand database.'"

HoustonChronicle.com - Chip glitch hands victory to wrong candidate

"A defective computer chip in the county's optical scanner misread ballots Tuesday night and incorrectly tallied a landslide victory for Republicans. Democrats actually won by wide margins."

Planet Ark : US foodmakers urge ban on food crops for medicine

"U.S. food companies urged the government last week to temporarily ban the use of corn, soybeans and other food crops to produce pharmaceuticals after a Texas company accidentally mixed its gene-altered corn with other crops."

Friday, November 15, 2002


WorldNetDaily: CIA releases new 'Noah's Ark' documents

"The CIA has released two new documents that indicate the search for ''Noah's Ark'' reached the level of the White House, according to a report in Insight Magazine."

Thursday, November 14, 2002


Spplat Attack :: Are you ready?

"Spplat Attack pits three teams against each other in a sci-fi themed paintball war scenario. The teams fight to be the last survivor using not only combat but strategy and alliances as they face mission based challenges to earn extra points. The three teams were BLUE (led by paint ball equipment pioneer Tom Kaye), GREEN (led by radio shock jock Mancow) and RED(led by none other than William Shatner). The space theme invokes plots from classic episodes of the original Star Trek series like “The Squire Gothos,” and “The Gamesters of Triskelion.” But the best way to get a feel for the scenario's theme might be to read: Shatner's Log."

Omniglot - a guide to writing systems

Thanks to Philos for this way cool linkage.

cooltech.iafrica.com | coolscience Ancient map of Africa poses questions

"The unveiling in South Africa's parliament on Monday of a replica of an ancient Chinese map of the then known world which includes a recognisable outline of Africa is raising intriguing questions of which foreigners first explored the continent."

City Under the Sea

"The myths of Mahabalipuram were written down by British traveler J. Goldingham, who visited the town in 1798, at which time it was known to sailors as the Seven Pagodas. Legend had it that six temples were submerged beneath the waves, with the seventh temple still standing on the seashore."

Wednesday, November 13, 2002


BBC NEWS | UK | England | Hate crime police raid 150 homes

"Police investigating allegations of racism, homophobia and domestic violence have raided about 150 addresses across London."

lighting bolt!

This ones been around the net, but in case you haven't seen it yet: Geek Pack Slays Ogre.

The Bunion

"Area Man Finds Headline Amusing but That's About it"

Game Green? Games Phobia? Gamegrene.com!

GameGrene has just published an article I wrote for them a while back.


Robot Club

"We're a robot-themed restaurant open for lunch and dinner. You don't need to be a member to enjoy a great meal while you see famous and soon-to-be-famous fighting robots."

A Technology for Designing Tensegrity Domes and Spheres

"A technology based on tensegrity techniques is proposed for the economical construction of tough, rigid, large-scale domes. Sample structures, possible applications, related technologies and plans for future research are also presented."

Tuesday, November 12, 2002


DDR Freak - Videos

Who'd've thought that videos of competition Dance Dance Revolution players could be so much fun...

Rudy Rucker's Home Page

Featuring the software, science fiction, and methematical writings of Rudy Rucker.

Monday, November 11, 2002


Archaeological Collage Interactive

This site has some stunning collages of past and present superimposed. Pretty neat stuff.

The Register: Leaked MS Memo?

"tattoo it on your butt if you have to..."


Falafel Game Home - English

I shouldn't blog this, but I'm going to anyway.

anti-telemarketing EGBG counterscript

"Which toothpaste would you recommend?"

Akiyoshi's illusion pages

Thanks to denormalize for the link.

Sunday, November 10, 2002


ImplosionWorld.com

A site for people who like to see things imploding.

Pentagon Plans a Computer System That Would Peek at Personal Data of Americans

"Historically, military and intelligence agencies have not been permitted to spy on Americans without extraordinary legal authorization. But Admiral Poindexter, the former national security adviser in the Reagan administration, has argued that the government needs broad new powers to process, store and mine billions of minute details of electronic life in the United States."

daily news, uk weather, business news - online newspaper - The Telegraph - Belgian pensioner killed by his own booby-trap

"A reclusive pensioner who booby-trapped his home with the intention of killing his estranged family, died himself when he inadvertently triggered one of his own devices, Belgian police revealed last week."

Saturday, November 09, 2002


Seattle's Waterfront 2002-1907

Featuring a neat slider thingy.

Friday, November 08, 2002


ctnow.com: LIFESTYLE

"Gabe Hudson would prefer to be called a satirist, but there seems a more fitting word at this point: liar."

You may remember I blogged the story about the author who claimed to have received a scathing letter from the President dissing his work. It turns out he lied.

Paradox Entertainment - Hearts of Iron

A new WWII game from Paradox. This looks like it might be built on the Europa Universalis engine. Oh please let it be so.

Yahoo! News - Florida Finds 103,000 'Lost' Votes

"Just when Florida finally seemed to have carried out a flub-free election, supervisors in one county discovered they had failed to count more than 103,000 ballots in some tallies."

Earlier this week I blogged some material about electronic voting and about rumors of problems in Florida. Is this related? Or is this just the usual Flordia election incompetence. Also note that this is the same county were problems resulted when electronic voting was introduced in the 2000 election.

The New Yorker: The Talk of the Town

"The world is full of lost love letters if you know where to look."

Strange Science: The Rocky Road to Modern Paleontology and Biology

"Ever wonder how people figured out there used to be such things as dinosaurs? Curious about how scientists learned to reconstruct fossil skeletons? The knowledge we take for granted today was slow in coming, and along the way, scientists and scholars had some weird ideas. This Web site shows some of their mistakes, provides a timeline of events, gives biographies of a few of the people who have gotten us where we are today, and lists resources you can use to learn more. "

Thursday, November 07, 2002


Funny stuff at overduemedia.com, courtesy of my wife, the librarian.

Read in order: 1, 2, 3, 4

Al Qaeda Fighting American Robots - On Point Commentary by Austin Bay  StrategyPage.com

"The Predator attack in Yemen verges on assassination, echoing the U.S. Army Air Corps ambush of Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943. US P-38s flew 415 miles to intercept a bomber carrying Yamamoto. Intercepting bombers is a military mission, but killing Yamamoto -- the architect of Pearl Harbor -- was the goal. "

Wednesday, November 06, 2002


d r e a d g a z e b o . c o m

"...have a favourite die/dice that you won't let anyone else touch
...warm up your dice between rounds so they don't get cold
...get shivers when you hear 20d6 roll across the kitchen table "


israelinsider: Views: Ossuary was genuine, inscription was faked

"You have to be blind as a bat not to see that the second part is a fraud..."