Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Tonight, I'm just sharing some links I've found recently.
- Here's a column in case you're ever in need of a song with Pittsburgh in the lyrics.
- Here's a column about a guy who got caught with a fake Carnegie Mellon University ID. The key paragraph is five from the end:
"You don't target the specific robotics section ... to meet girls or for something innocuous," Mr. Dembosky said.
Frankly, you don't target any section of the campus to meet girls. For that, you'd have to steal a Pitt or Duquesne ID.
- Funny how, about a month or so before Stephen King and JK Rowling are scheduled to make an appearance together, a possible future scenario appears where someone could go all Misery on Rowling.
- I always find it interesting how some people find words offensive and others don't, simply because the meaning of a word has evolved. Another example is that I know my parents still link the word Bastard with the definition "illegitimate child" and find it really offensive. Most people I know would more match it with "an offensive or disagreeable person" and probably find it less offensive. Of course, calling someone an illegitimate child nowadays isn't really offensive.
- I actually like this idea. Growing meat in labs would take away alot of the arguments against eating meat that vegetarians use. Of course, animals that are only in existence to feed human, which would include most farm animals, would end up existing only in zoos and maybe as pets. Of course, there would be protests. Possible protesters might include those who protest "frankenfoods", those who protest cloning, and those who think even messing with stem cells is trying to play God.
- Here's a column in case you're ever in need of a song with Pittsburgh in the lyrics.
- Here's a column about a guy who got caught with a fake Carnegie Mellon University ID. The key paragraph is five from the end:
"You don't target the specific robotics section ... to meet girls or for something innocuous," Mr. Dembosky said.
Frankly, you don't target any section of the campus to meet girls. For that, you'd have to steal a Pitt or Duquesne ID.
- Funny how, about a month or so before Stephen King and JK Rowling are scheduled to make an appearance together, a possible future scenario appears where someone could go all Misery on Rowling.
- I always find it interesting how some people find words offensive and others don't, simply because the meaning of a word has evolved. Another example is that I know my parents still link the word Bastard with the definition "illegitimate child" and find it really offensive. Most people I know would more match it with "an offensive or disagreeable person" and probably find it less offensive. Of course, calling someone an illegitimate child nowadays isn't really offensive.
- I actually like this idea. Growing meat in labs would take away alot of the arguments against eating meat that vegetarians use. Of course, animals that are only in existence to feed human, which would include most farm animals, would end up existing only in zoos and maybe as pets. Of course, there would be protests. Possible protesters might include those who protest "frankenfoods", those who protest cloning, and those who think even messing with stem cells is trying to play God.
Monday, June 26, 2006
I survived a short weekend home. I also learned a lesson in that you shouldn't mix a group of kids whose average age is five and mix them with eight pound projectiles. Yes, I went to a young kid's birthday party at a bowling alley. Luckily, the party wasn't scheduled too long.
A quick product review. I'm a fan of Boba Fett from Star Wars and have a number of Boba Fett items. When I saw this in the store I thought it was cool. I got the Boba Fett one. It changes from Boba Fett to his ship, Slave 1. Unfortunately, it has problems. The main one being it's quality. The instructions say that if too much pressure is used, some parts might become detached and if that happens, just pop it back. Well, there are pieces that pop off when you barely touch them. And they're a pain to pop back in, especially considering how soon they pop off again. I felt like Lennie petting the rabbits. I can't imagine having one back when I was a kid and played with Transformers. I'm going to keep it in Slave 1 mode, which is more stable than the Boba Fett mode and looks more realistic, and display it with no plans of transforming it any time soon.
Anyway, big five-day weekend coming up, although I'll be working at least one, and maybe more, days, I'll should get a chance to post atleast once during it. Besides work, I plan on getting my apartment slightly more presentable and make atleast one trip into Philly.
A quick product review. I'm a fan of Boba Fett from Star Wars and have a number of Boba Fett items. When I saw this in the store I thought it was cool. I got the Boba Fett one. It changes from Boba Fett to his ship, Slave 1. Unfortunately, it has problems. The main one being it's quality. The instructions say that if too much pressure is used, some parts might become detached and if that happens, just pop it back. Well, there are pieces that pop off when you barely touch them. And they're a pain to pop back in, especially considering how soon they pop off again. I felt like Lennie petting the rabbits. I can't imagine having one back when I was a kid and played with Transformers. I'm going to keep it in Slave 1 mode, which is more stable than the Boba Fett mode and looks more realistic, and display it with no plans of transforming it any time soon.
Anyway, big five-day weekend coming up, although I'll be working at least one, and maybe more, days, I'll should get a chance to post atleast once during it. Besides work, I plan on getting my apartment slightly more presentable and make atleast one trip into Philly.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Someone at work stated a interesting fact that I had never heard before and, frankly, I'm skeptical about. He said that it is physically impossible for a person to drink a gallon of milk in one hour. Now I've drunk over a half gallon of milk without even realizing it before, especially when I have cookies or my mom's chocolate cake.
The reason he stated for this fact is that the human stomach does not produce enough of the enzymes that breaks down milk fast enough. He said that the milk gets backed up in the stomach or something to that effect.
Here are the reason I'm skeptical:
1) Everyone is different so the same maximum value wouldn't apply to everyone.
2) People can adapt their bodies to extreme things. I'm thinking especially about those who train for competitive eating competitions (which was how the subject of drinking mass amounts of milk came up in conversation). So I imagine that some of the competive eating champs could get a gallon of any liquid into their stomach without any of it being broken down.
3) If there was a max value, I doubt it'd be a nice even number like one gallon.
Now he did say that it is cheating to use the milk designed for lactose intolerant people or the pills that can be taken to help with breaking down dairy. I understand that. But I think that, while it might be difficult and might take preparation and multiple attempts, it would be possible.
One side note: the guy who told me this is a younger guy who is not too long out of college. The story he told about him and his friends trying took place, I believe, in college. I'm just saying this to put it in context. A group of guys my age trying it might be seen as stupid or juvenile, but it's definitely the type of thing I would have attempted in college.
Anyway, has anyone else heard that it was possible to drink a gallon of milk in an hour?
The reason he stated for this fact is that the human stomach does not produce enough of the enzymes that breaks down milk fast enough. He said that the milk gets backed up in the stomach or something to that effect.
Here are the reason I'm skeptical:
1) Everyone is different so the same maximum value wouldn't apply to everyone.
2) People can adapt their bodies to extreme things. I'm thinking especially about those who train for competitive eating competitions (which was how the subject of drinking mass amounts of milk came up in conversation). So I imagine that some of the competive eating champs could get a gallon of any liquid into their stomach without any of it being broken down.
3) If there was a max value, I doubt it'd be a nice even number like one gallon.
Now he did say that it is cheating to use the milk designed for lactose intolerant people or the pills that can be taken to help with breaking down dairy. I understand that. But I think that, while it might be difficult and might take preparation and multiple attempts, it would be possible.
One side note: the guy who told me this is a younger guy who is not too long out of college. The story he told about him and his friends trying took place, I believe, in college. I'm just saying this to put it in context. A group of guys my age trying it might be seen as stupid or juvenile, but it's definitely the type of thing I would have attempted in college.
Anyway, has anyone else heard that it was possible to drink a gallon of milk in an hour?
Monday, June 19, 2006
One thing great about following shows on cable, especially premium cable, is that shows are aired multiple times. I've now watched this week's episode of Entourage three times. So far, after two episodes of the third season, the show hasn't disappointed. I even have no problem with the lack of attractive females. We seen very little of E's girlfriend and the only woman that the other guys really had any contact with were related.
Also this weekend, I took a couple shots at the Bravo TV Celebrity Poker Showdown online poker tournament. The winners of the qualifying tournament go on to another tournament and the winner of that tournament gets to play on tv. I tried a couple times and actually finished 3rd out of over 500 players in one of the tournaments. That tournament took three hours. In the end, I was glad to see the tournament end. I don't see how those who play poker online all night do it.
One more thing: I hate musicians.
Also this weekend, I took a couple shots at the Bravo TV Celebrity Poker Showdown online poker tournament. The winners of the qualifying tournament go on to another tournament and the winner of that tournament gets to play on tv. I tried a couple times and actually finished 3rd out of over 500 players in one of the tournaments. That tournament took three hours. In the end, I was glad to see the tournament end. I don't see how those who play poker online all night do it.
One more thing: I hate musicians.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Work has gotten more hectic. From Sunday through Wednesday I didn't leave work til after 10pm. I hit 40 hours for the week on Wednesday. Yesterday was all overtime. I took today off. I got a haircut and took the Mustang in for the first oil change. Things are hopefully going to calm down this week a little, but it's definitely looks to get less busy by the end of July. I realized this week that Fourth of July weekend is a five-day weekend for me. Since I'll be back in Pittsburgh the weekend before, I won't be driving back that weekend. I'm thinking that if things are still busy at work, I can get work three extra days and still get a regular weekend off.
This year, I had planned on not going back to Pittsburgh as much and explore the Philly area more. I even have a informal list in my mind of things I want to do. Such as going to the museum where Rocky ran up the steps, go to a baseball game at Citizens park and a concert at the Tweeter Center, go down to Delaware at least one so I can take it off the list of states I've never been to, and simply make more trips into Philly on my days off and simply walk around. There might be a slight crimp in my plans. Because of his work, my brother won't be around Pittsburgh as much during a extended period this summer, meaning I might be making the trip across state more than I hoped. One thing, though, I already have tickets to the first two games of the three-game series when the Pirates come to town the second weekend in July. I'll probably end up going to the third game as well.
I'm all for new technology when it comes to cleaning. I got one of these a couple months ago. It seems to work. The weird stain disappeared in my bathtub. The only fault I see is that the design has indentations that might have areas or two that the spray doesn't hit. Also, it seems kinda loud when I run it at six in the morning. But it's working better than the spray-every-day cleaner that I didn't keep up with. Now if I can just find one to clean the rest of my bathroom, and don't think I haven't thought of hanging it on the back of the door and spraying my whole bathroom.
I've also discovered sleeping shorts. Shorts that are like knee-length boxers that are great to sleep in. More comfortable than full-length pajama bottoms. Also, they come in Monty Python designs.
This coming wednesday is my nephew's 5th birthday which means it is also the 2nd anniversary of my start at my current company. I got the job offer around the tenth june, drove out to Philly on the 20th and started work on the 21st. Despite my not reaching the two year mark yet, this already has become my second longest job. Interesting thing is, there are people at my company who have been there over fifty years, so saying this job has more security than the dot-coms I worked for is a understatement.
So, if I start getting back from work at a reasonable hour, there should be more posts more often on this blog.
This year, I had planned on not going back to Pittsburgh as much and explore the Philly area more. I even have a informal list in my mind of things I want to do. Such as going to the museum where Rocky ran up the steps, go to a baseball game at Citizens park and a concert at the Tweeter Center, go down to Delaware at least one so I can take it off the list of states I've never been to, and simply make more trips into Philly on my days off and simply walk around. There might be a slight crimp in my plans. Because of his work, my brother won't be around Pittsburgh as much during a extended period this summer, meaning I might be making the trip across state more than I hoped. One thing, though, I already have tickets to the first two games of the three-game series when the Pirates come to town the second weekend in July. I'll probably end up going to the third game as well.
I'm all for new technology when it comes to cleaning. I got one of these a couple months ago. It seems to work. The weird stain disappeared in my bathtub. The only fault I see is that the design has indentations that might have areas or two that the spray doesn't hit. Also, it seems kinda loud when I run it at six in the morning. But it's working better than the spray-every-day cleaner that I didn't keep up with. Now if I can just find one to clean the rest of my bathroom, and don't think I haven't thought of hanging it on the back of the door and spraying my whole bathroom.
I've also discovered sleeping shorts. Shorts that are like knee-length boxers that are great to sleep in. More comfortable than full-length pajama bottoms. Also, they come in Monty Python designs.
This coming wednesday is my nephew's 5th birthday which means it is also the 2nd anniversary of my start at my current company. I got the job offer around the tenth june, drove out to Philly on the 20th and started work on the 21st. Despite my not reaching the two year mark yet, this already has become my second longest job. Interesting thing is, there are people at my company who have been there over fifty years, so saying this job has more security than the dot-coms I worked for is a understatement.
So, if I start getting back from work at a reasonable hour, there should be more posts more often on this blog.
