Saturday, September 13, 2003
Aazmnig!!
Aoccdrnig to a rscheeahcr at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
Tihs cmae form tihs stie.
posted by Daz M at 11:03 PM link
Aoccdrnig to a rscheeahcr at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
Tihs cmae form tihs stie.
posted by Daz M at 11:03 PM link
Hey Douglas Coupland!
Douglas Coupland's new novel, Hey Nostradamus! is available. Wonder if I'll like it?
My history with Coupland-
Generation X, liked it, the classic early nineties tale of ennui.
Shampoo Planet, I haven't read this yet. Hey, somebody buy me a copy!
Life After God. This one caught me at a bad time. A book about a bad break up right after I'd gone through a bad break up.
Microserfs. My favourite piece of fiction ever, and the only book I have read three times. When this came out the only British twentysomething tales were the appalling This Life and novels that tried to do Pulp Fiction in Sarf Lahndun. This tale of geeks struggling to get lives, even if it was set in California and Seattle, was much more obviously about my peers.
Girlfriend In A Coma. I never finished this book. Maybe one day.
Miss Wyoming. This one has the good old Coupland charm, which makes it a good read but a little too gentle to really be a satire on celebrity.
And then there's a whole bundle of his books that I haven't read and really should.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:27 PM link
Douglas Coupland's new novel, Hey Nostradamus! is available. Wonder if I'll like it?
My history with Coupland-
Generation X, liked it, the classic early nineties tale of ennui.
Shampoo Planet, I haven't read this yet. Hey, somebody buy me a copy!
Life After God. This one caught me at a bad time. A book about a bad break up right after I'd gone through a bad break up.
Microserfs. My favourite piece of fiction ever, and the only book I have read three times. When this came out the only British twentysomething tales were the appalling This Life and novels that tried to do Pulp Fiction in Sarf Lahndun. This tale of geeks struggling to get lives, even if it was set in California and Seattle, was much more obviously about my peers.
Girlfriend In A Coma. I never finished this book. Maybe one day.
Miss Wyoming. This one has the good old Coupland charm, which makes it a good read but a little too gentle to really be a satire on celebrity.
And then there's a whole bundle of his books that I haven't read and really should.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:27 PM link
Bottled Recycled Water
Have a look at the campaign ads. They're hilarious.
And the best thing is - they GENERATED demand :)
Spring Water
posted by Daz M at 5:53 PM link
Have a look at the campaign ads. They're hilarious.
And the best thing is - they GENERATED demand :)
Spring Water
posted by Daz M at 5:53 PM link
I'm going to cram objects into you from every conceivable angle!!!
What's your battle cry?
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:51 PM link
What's your battle cry?
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:51 PM link
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Brian has changed service providers and thus URL.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:44 PM link
Brian has changed service providers and thus URL.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:44 PM link
Decent Proposal
Well, I finally got round to putting my Union Jack script in the post to Epic (how many months after I started it?). Now I just have to wait 5+ weeks to see if they liked it.
Everybody cross their finger sfor me. (It's okay, you don't have to keep them crossed for all five weeks, a few minutes every day will do.)
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:36 PM link
Well, I finally got round to putting my Union Jack script in the post to Epic (how many months after I started it?). Now I just have to wait 5+ weeks to see if they liked it.
Everybody cross their finger sfor me. (It's okay, you don't have to keep them crossed for all five weeks, a few minutes every day will do.)
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:36 PM link
Friday, September 12, 2003
I Went Down, Down, Down And The Flames Went Higher
It's not a good day for well known Johns. John Ritter has died. He was one of those American comedy actors who I sort of knew about but never really saw- I remember him most for one episode of Buffy.
John II is Johnny Cash, who was discharged from hospital on Wednesday only to pass away this morning. As I write this, the news is just breaking and hasn't made it onto any websites I've looked at.
Update: It didn't take long for the BBC to put the story up.
Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire (And before anyone gets offended that I'm suggesting either John is headed to hell, just ask yourself- what was the first Johnny Cash song you thought of?)
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:23 AM link
It's not a good day for well known Johns. John Ritter has died. He was one of those American comedy actors who I sort of knew about but never really saw- I remember him most for one episode of Buffy.
John II is Johnny Cash, who was discharged from hospital on Wednesday only to pass away this morning. As I write this, the news is just breaking and hasn't made it onto any websites I've looked at.
Update: It didn't take long for the BBC to put the story up.
Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire (And before anyone gets offended that I'm suggesting either John is headed to hell, just ask yourself- what was the first Johnny Cash song you thought of?)
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:23 AM link
Photo Friday
This week's subject is Faith-
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:48 AM link
This week's subject is Faith-
Click on the image for full picture
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:48 AM link
Thursday, September 11, 2003
The Drugs Don't Work
Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong, has been sentenced to nine months for selling bongs online.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:52 PM link
Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong, has been sentenced to nine months for selling bongs online.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:52 PM link
I've got too many legs!
Nik points out that Coupling series 3 is available to pre-order on DVD, and series 4 is about to go into production. I'm a very happy bunny!
Will any UK station be silly enough to buy the US remake, I wonder? Even if it isn't as bad as reported, what would be the point?
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:37 PM link
Nik points out that Coupling series 3 is available to pre-order on DVD, and series 4 is about to go into production. I'm a very happy bunny!
Will any UK station be silly enough to buy the US remake, I wonder? Even if it isn't as bad as reported, what would be the point?
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:37 PM link
Moonlighting
Monitor Duty, which has been in my blogroll for a while, was looking for contributors with less of a DC slant. So I volunteered this morning and got back a reply early this afternoon saying 'Welcome to the club.' I've just posted my first post. I usually have a couple of comic related pieces every week that I can share with the MD people, and it shiuld increase my traffic, so it's all good.
Well, there is one niggle- they have Movable Type. There's nothing wrong with Movable Type, quite the opposite, but it does show up where Blogger is lacking. Having said which, I remain a Blogger loyalist at least until my free Blogger hoodie arrives.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:09 PM link
Monitor Duty, which has been in my blogroll for a while, was looking for contributors with less of a DC slant. So I volunteered this morning and got back a reply early this afternoon saying 'Welcome to the club.' I've just posted my first post. I usually have a couple of comic related pieces every week that I can share with the MD people, and it shiuld increase my traffic, so it's all good.
Well, there is one niggle- they have Movable Type. There's nothing wrong with Movable Type, quite the opposite, but it does show up where Blogger is lacking. Having said which, I remain a Blogger loyalist at least until my free Blogger hoodie arrives.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:09 PM link
Art for Art's Sake
Art Spiegelman, who won a Pulitzer for Maus, has been writing and drawing a comic strip about the aftermath of September 11th. The Independent interviewed him about it, and the troubles he has had getting it published in the US. I have to go and get the paper version now, because that has some of the strips in it.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 2:01 PM link
Art Spiegelman, who won a Pulitzer for Maus, has been writing and drawing a comic strip about the aftermath of September 11th. The Independent interviewed him about it, and the troubles he has had getting it published in the US. I have to go and get the paper version now, because that has some of the strips in it.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 2:01 PM link
Like, nuts, dude
An evil, and very silly, plan is forming in my head. In the back garden we have squirrels, which are snuffling along the ground trying to find or create winter stashes. In the freezer we have a small slice of chocolate brownie that has been..... spiced up.
I think it's time to get the squirrels stoned. Just no-one tell the RSPCA, okay.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 1:46 PM link
An evil, and very silly, plan is forming in my head. In the back garden we have squirrels, which are snuffling along the ground trying to find or create winter stashes. In the freezer we have a small slice of chocolate brownie that has been..... spiced up.
I think it's time to get the squirrels stoned. Just no-one tell the RSPCA, okay.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 1:46 PM link
Victoria Baths
It seems to be a week for me to copy and paste e-mails I have received-
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:16 AM link
It seems to be a week for me to copy and paste e-mails I have received-
PLEASE FORWARD -I have a small, but perfectly formed, gallery from the last Vicky Baths open day if you want another view of what you'll be voting for.
Its not every day you get the chance to save an historic building for the cost of a phone call... From today until Sunday this week you do!
Manchester's Victoria Baths is through to the live final of BBCs 'Restoration' this Sunday and the nation decides which of the 10 buildings will win the prize money to restore it.
To see for yourself why this stunning building should be saved for everyone to enjoy, visit our website - www.victoriabaths.org.uk or pop in to one of our free open days, on EVERY DAY, 12-6PM from now until 21 Sept.
What to do-
****VOTE... as many times as you like! - Lines are open from the early hours of this Thursday morning through to Sunday at 9.45pm. We expect the lines to be very busy on Sunday evening, so the message is please vote EARLY & OFTEN!!!*****
The all-important number: 09010 77 50 01
(note: some mobiles/switchboards can't make this call, so if you have any difficulties, do try again on another line) Calls cost 30p of which 17.9p goes directly to the restoration fund.
***Please forward this email to all your friends, family, colleagues and contacts****
Make a note of the phone number in your diary or phone NOW with a reminder to call on Thursday....
Thank you to everyone for your support - fingers crossed (and on that redial button!)
Melanie Phillips
Secretary- Friends of Victoria Baths
www.victoriabaths.org.uk
visit www.bbc.co.uk/restoration
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:16 AM link
Wave of Mutilation
There's no longer any speculation about the Pixies reforming.
They're touring in April!
The speculation is now about whether or not we get a new album.
via die puny humans
posted by Brian Frost at 10:28 AM link
There's no longer any speculation about the Pixies reforming.
They're touring in April!
The speculation is now about whether or not we get a new album.
via die puny humans
posted by Brian Frost at 10:28 AM link
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Dear Sinner,
Ian Pattinson has had his/her soul valued at £15795, which means 56% of people have a purer soul than him.
To find out the current monetary value of your soul go here:
www.wewantyoursoul.com
posted by Ian Pattinson at 10:15 PM link
Ian Pattinson has had his/her soul valued at £15795, which means 56% of people have a purer soul than him.
To find out the current monetary value of your soul go here:
www.wewantyoursoul.com
posted by Ian Pattinson at 10:15 PM link
Funny Money
Police in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina are hunting for a man who bought $150 worth of groceries with a $200 dollar bill. For those of us who don't handle American currency regularly it has to be pointed out that there is no such legal tender as a $200 bill. The one used was drawn on the 'Moral Reserve', had pictures of GW and the White House on it and important declarations such as 'We like broccoli'.
and it's not the first time this has happened either.
via editthispage and Democratic Underground, a Moral Reserve Note looks like this-
posted by Ian Pattinson at 10:04 PM link
Police in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina are hunting for a man who bought $150 worth of groceries with a $200 dollar bill. For those of us who don't handle American currency regularly it has to be pointed out that there is no such legal tender as a $200 bill. The one used was drawn on the 'Moral Reserve', had pictures of GW and the White House on it and important declarations such as 'We like broccoli'.
and it's not the first time this has happened either.
via editthispage and Democratic Underground, a Moral Reserve Note looks like this-
posted by Ian Pattinson at 10:04 PM link
Busy
I've been putting comics onto EBay all day. There are some beauties in the list, and they all start really low because of the free listing rules for today.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:28 PM link
I've been putting comics onto EBay all day. There are some beauties in the list, and they all start really low because of the free listing rules for today.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:28 PM link
Arse!
Bare your bum at Bush! Though given that he's now known as Whistle-Ass, he might think it's a show of support.
via Carlton Hibbert
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:32 PM link
Bare your bum at Bush! Though given that he's now known as Whistle-Ass, he might think it's a show of support.
via Carlton Hibbert
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:32 PM link
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Don't believe the hype
The latest cartoon over at the Inquirer show the perils of listening to hype. The test that Apple are using for their claim of "the worlds fastest personal computer" is quite interesting (in a geeky sort of way). It compares the new Power Mac G5 to a 3.0 GHz Pentium (rather than the 3.2 GHz which has been available for a while). Also the tests were compiled with Apple's own optimised complier for the G5 and the GNU complier for the Pentium (rather than Intel's own optimised complier). Draw your own conclusions.
posted by Brian Frost at 5:05 PM link
The latest cartoon over at the Inquirer show the perils of listening to hype. The test that Apple are using for their claim of "the worlds fastest personal computer" is quite interesting (in a geeky sort of way). It compares the new Power Mac G5 to a 3.0 GHz Pentium (rather than the 3.2 GHz which has been available for a while). Also the tests were compiled with Apple's own optimised complier for the G5 and the GNU complier for the Pentium (rather than Intel's own optimised complier). Draw your own conclusions.
posted by Brian Frost at 5:05 PM link
Googlism
Just found this (so I apologise if this has appeared before). Googlism.com tells you what google thinks about certain sites such as Spinneyhead.
Googlism for: spinneyhead
spinneyhead is the only citation on popdex for alyson hannigan's feet
spinneyhead is going to clear 30
spinneyhead is definitely a "hold" position
spinneyhead is the top site for this search
spinneyhead is a yank who came here for a few weeks and hasn't
spinneyhead is so good
Googlism For JohnnytheO:
johnnytheo is finally up and running
johnnytheo is that there are far more important things in life than worrying about some comments made by an actor
johnnytheo is working on improving the interface
posted by Tim Wilkes at 2:27 PM link
Just found this (so I apologise if this has appeared before). Googlism.com tells you what google thinks about certain sites such as Spinneyhead.
Googlism for: spinneyhead
spinneyhead is the only citation on popdex for alyson hannigan's feet
spinneyhead is going to clear 30
spinneyhead is definitely a "hold" position
spinneyhead is the top site for this search
spinneyhead is a yank who came here for a few weeks and hasn't
spinneyhead is so good
Googlism For JohnnytheO:
johnnytheo is finally up and running
johnnytheo is that there are far more important things in life than worrying about some comments made by an actor
johnnytheo is working on improving the interface
posted by Tim Wilkes at 2:27 PM link
Plot Thickens
You may remember the 727 that was disappeared from a runway in Angola, only to turn up a few months later with a new paint job in Guinea. By virtue of mentioning the story twice, I got this in my Inbox this morning-
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:32 AM link
You may remember the 727 that was disappeared from a runway in Angola, only to turn up a few months later with a new paint job in Guinea. By virtue of mentioning the story twice, I got this in my Inbox this morning-
Yes,I present it to you as received, I've resized the pictures to be more suited to the Internet. I've had too many 419 emails to be totally trusting, particularly with the spelling and grammar errors, but he's not asking for any money and I want to know more about this whole thing as well, so I'm accepting his story until and unless a little Googling proves me wrong.
I am Joseph B. Padilla, SR.
I live in Pensacola, Florida - U.S.A.
I am the Brother of Ben Charles Padilla Jr.
He is suspected to be the Pilot of the Missing Boeing 727 Plane that left the Airport in Angola on May 25 2003.
I am tring to reach news organizations to help me locate anyone that has seen or heard anything about this missing plane or my brother.
I appeared on ABC's , Good Morning Amercia alone with my Sister Benita Padilla-Kirkland on June 19 2003 in hopes to get the story out and to Locate my brother.
We both also appeared on CNN's Morning show, American Morning on June 24 2003.
Can you please help me by broadcasting a story or by your website news or newspaper?
I have alot of information about the dissapearance of the plane and my brother.
You can contact me at : 850-944-9688 or either by e-mail - padilla1956@cox.net
I hope that you will give me your help in hopes that someone seeing the story will either know something about the dissappearance of the plane and my brother or know someone that does.
Here is what I have so far about the story.
As in the begining as I told ABC News on The Good Morning America Show that I appeared on in New York, I thought that the Boeing 727 Plane had been sitting there in Angola for 14 months unattended to and not maintained.
Now, I have found out that My Brother, Ben Charles Padilla, Jr. had been in Angola for 2 months overseeing a crew of aircraft mechanics re-working the plane from one end to the other.
A B-Check was done and it was found to be fine.
I talked to the owner of the plane, Mr. Maury Joseph, which is also the owner of Aerospace Sales And Leasing in South Florida.
I too live in florida, Pensacola, Fl. and my brother too was born and raised here.
Maury Joseph told me that he was there in Angola two weeks before the disappearance to see how things were going with the re-build of the 727 and also talked to my brother 2 days before the plane became missing and he had sent my brother $43,000.00 for him to pay the fees to the airport there in Angola. My brother paid the airport and faxed Maury Joseph the reciept, This is what Maury Joseph told me this past friday night during our two and a half hour phone conversation.
My brother was also incharge of the hiring of a pilot and co-pilot. He was to be the Flight Engineer for the flight out of Angola for the repossession of the Boeing 727 plane.
My brother is not licensed to fly a 727 and never has flown an aircraft this large.
He is a Licensed Aircraft Mechanic, Flight Engineer, and Pilot of smaller airplanes.
I was told that he had took the plane out to the end of the runway and ran the engines up to check to see how they performed.
I feel that when my brother was checking the engines, someone was on the plane and hijacked him.
My brother isn't a criminal nor has never done any wrong doings.
Maury Joseph told me that he trusts my brother and doesn't believe the reports of my brother stealing the plane.
Maury Joseph also told me that he had talked to the Airport there in Angola and had found out that the control tower had radioed the 727 and told them as they were headed out to the runway to take off, that they didn't have clearance nor permission to take off and the tower never recieved a response from the 727.
I talked to my brother Ben Padilla, Jr. back in either Jan. or Feb. and we talked about the Sept. 11 2001 ordeal and he himself told me that if this sort of thing ever happend to him, that he would down the plane in a New York Second.
So, with that said I really believe my brother was hijacked and taken prisonier and held against his will and possibly was killed.
My mother had a heart attack on Mothers day and my brother was e-mailed about this and he responded to the e-mail he recieved from another brother of ours and told him that he would contact us as soon as he could and we haven't heard anything from him. So, that tells me that something isn't right since he would of contacted the family about our mother.
I have talked to the FBI and State Department in Washington, D.C. and all they are willing to tell me is that they have not found my brother nor the plane. So, I am tring to search for any information that I can get thru news organizations.
I find alot of stories on the internet and try to get any of the news organizations to run this story.
I also include a couple of pictures of my brother so incase anyone knows anything or has seen him before, to please contact me.
I am including in this e-mail 2 pictures (1, 2) of him incase you run this story inwhich I hope you do.
I would like to include my e-mail address and phone number incase some one reads or sees this that they can contact me.
My phone number is, 850-944-9688 and my e-mail address is, padilla1956@cox.net
Our family has already lost 2 siblings and can not bear to lose another one.
I would appreciate any help you can give me.
If you need any additional information, Please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you so much for your time.
Joseph B. Padilla, SR.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:32 AM link
Monday, September 08, 2003
Sheer Genius
This is what Flash is for. It's an interactive Czech animation, save your tree home (which is floating in space, of course. If it's good enough for the Clangers it's good enough for me) from impending doom as another space log hurtles towards it. There are triggers on every page which have to be pressed in the correct order (though just hitting them randomly is fun too) to get you off the page.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:35 PM link
This is what Flash is for. It's an interactive Czech animation, save your tree home (which is floating in space, of course. If it's good enough for the Clangers it's good enough for me) from impending doom as another space log hurtles towards it. There are triggers on every page which have to be pressed in the correct order (though just hitting them randomly is fun too) to get you off the page.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:35 PM link
The force is strong....
Star Wars kid- the boy who video'd himself practising lightsaber moves then found the video all over the Net- could get a part in Episode Three, if an online petition works its magic. Hell, he's a lot more interesting than Jar Jar Binks!
posted by Ian Pattinson at 12:58 PM link
Star Wars kid- the boy who video'd himself practising lightsaber moves then found the video all over the Net- could get a part in Episode Three, if an online petition works its magic. Hell, he's a lot more interesting than Jar Jar Binks!
posted by Ian Pattinson at 12:58 PM link
Keep the mouse in the house
There's nothing wrong with encouraging abstinence amongst teenagers. It, along with self dating, should be promoted as a positive option. It should not, as the US government wants, be presented as the only option. A mature approach would be to take the extra months won by True Love Waits type agreements to run sex education classes that emphasise mutual respect and safe sex.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 10:52 AM link
There's nothing wrong with encouraging abstinence amongst teenagers. It, along with self dating, should be promoted as a positive option. It should not, as the US government wants, be presented as the only option. A mature approach would be to take the extra months won by True Love Waits type agreements to run sex education classes that emphasise mutual respect and safe sex.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 10:52 AM link
Sunday, September 07, 2003
Berlin, Texas
In 1840, when Texas was still an independent, but impoverished, republic, a band of German aristocrats tried to win it for themselves. Someone should do a bit of counterfactual history on that and imagine what could have been.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 9:14 PM link
In 1840, when Texas was still an independent, but impoverished, republic, a band of German aristocrats tried to win it for themselves. Someone should do a bit of counterfactual history on that and imagine what could have been.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 9:14 PM link
One for sorrow
Look out for swooping magpies. An Australian man has died and a tourist been hospitalised after being hit by a swooping magpie.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 7:17 PM link
Look out for swooping magpies. An Australian man has died and a tourist been hospitalised after being hit by a swooping magpie.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 7:17 PM link
Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap
Ebay's having another free listing day on Wednesday- provided I set the starting price between 1p and 99p. Expect to see a load of single issues of comics starting at 95p each.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:58 PM link
Ebay's having another free listing day on Wednesday- provided I set the starting price between 1p and 99p. Expect to see a load of single issues of comics starting at 95p each.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:58 PM link
Keep taking the tablets
A 'breakthrough' scientific study published last year- which damned ecstasy as potentially brain damaging- has been revealed as false because the monkey test subjects were actually being injected with speed in mislabelled bottles.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:51 PM link
A 'breakthrough' scientific study published last year- which damned ecstasy as potentially brain damaging- has been revealed as false because the monkey test subjects were actually being injected with speed in mislabelled bottles.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:51 PM link
Self Dating
Don't forget to check out the Doonesbury masturbation strip.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:39 PM link
Don't forget to check out the Doonesbury masturbation strip.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:39 PM link
Ovine Frippery
I'm contemplating new T Shirt designs (and potential Googlewhacks) so there may be more 'Must Not Mention Sheep' products on the way.
Or not. I haven't made my mind up yet. It could be time to take advantage of the poll option available through my host and see how popular various designs are.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 1:52 AM link
I'm contemplating new T Shirt designs (and potential Googlewhacks) so there may be more 'Must Not Mention Sheep' products on the way.
Or not. I haven't made my mind up yet. It could be time to take advantage of the poll option available through my host and see how popular various designs are.
posted by Ian Pattinson at 1:52 AM link
