I can now understand the phone calls of concerns from out of state friends and family. I live in Belltown (downtown area) and the lights flickered, but never went out. Aside from a department holiday party in Ballard on Saturday night, I really didn't do anything or go anywhere.
I'd seen the news reports, but I had no idea how bad it was until I was at work this morning, and people were telling me about how they just got power back this morning or were still without. At least a dozen co-workers are "camping" in hotels downtown, a few more have been spending their nights at emergency shelters.
This is the first year I've made any resolutions. They're astonishingly typical - lose weight, etc.
Maybe I'll add in "stop eating red meat" and "stop consuming refined white sugar" because I do live in Seattle and those are the sorts of things people here seem to like hearing when you say them.
2 degrees from Peter Boyle. An uncle was a student when Boyle taught at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Still gets a Christmas card from him every year.
Sobering to consider how close each mistake could have done permanent damage. However, after reading each entry, I have the mental image of Gilda Radner as Emily Litella saying "Never mind."
Speaking as someone who chose his current place of residence (in part) based on the glorious promise of not having to directly interface with the cable company and DSL provider, I'd say go for it... but not at $50 a month extra.
Aside from the price point, consider that you're going to be the person everyone starts yelling at when the connection goes down. I've seen the rampaging herds of angry MySpace users in this building when the connection burps, and it's scary.
I really think that peoples cell experiences are very regional. There seems to be no consensus when you get people from a wide area talking.
Indeed. I had horrible problems with Sprint when I lived in the Bay Area -- single-bar coverage, dropped calls, voicemail and SMS that would show up hours or days after sent. I've now lived in Seattle for six months, Sprint is still my carrier, and the service couldn't be better.
No landline since 2001. Cable Internet that works as well as anything else from a cable company. I'd ditch them entirely except that I don't feel like putting up a dish for video or arguing with the telco about dry pair.
As for the cell phone, I am always happy to remind people that I pay for the device and its service and it therefore exists for my convenience, not theirs. And when I'd rather not see the flashing lights or hear the warble of an incoming call, I simply turn the thing off (yes, they have off buttons, or standby or whatever, but they exist).
This brings me to a question: While most people will nod in agreement when I tell them "my phone, my rules," why do they act as if I'd just slapped an infant when I tell them I use the off button on the thing?
WalMart likely approached the union with the same technique it has used for suppliers: This is our one and only offer, take it or leave it, you need us more than we need you.
Negotiation is not part of that corporate lexicon.
Your recent story on the "Angel Light" was interesting. I'm just wondering what the demonstration he showed you was like. What happened when he turned it on? What did his contacts at MIT say when you contacted them for interviews? He says it saw through his hand, as well as through walls. How does it know what to look through and what to look at?
He replied very politely with:
I did not see a demonstration since Troy is continuing to make
modifications to the Angel Light.
But his brother Blair was a witness and I will be talking to him for a
follow-up article, which will also include new photos.
I asked Troy for names of people at MIT to talk to.
His very forthright and, I believe, honest response was, the people
there say they like him, like to talk to him and help him, but can't
appear to be publicly associated with him.
As to what it knows what to look at, Troy merely focus the light beam on
what he want to look through.
Well, that's baffling. It appears to be a legitimate local news source, with the usual coverage of local crimes and municipal government action. At least one person there should have the capability to write a straight news story with at least two outside sources for quotes. Perhaps that person was on vacation this week?
I wrote a pompous email message to the alleged reporter asking, in politer terms, just what the hell is going on here. Doubtful a response will be forthcoming, but I'll share if one arrives.
orococo, I think the reference was to the tiny link left by Jerry Junior, an interesting and related read to your post.
I remember going to do "the tourist thing" after living in San Francisco for two years. Caught the MUNI bus out to the visitor's center and walked across the bridge. Got to the first tower, looked out at the Pacific Ocean, looked up at the top of the tower, then looked down at the water below.
It was a hell of a place and time to find out I had a fear of heights.
That wasn't a very nice thing to do.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if the real reason behind the Golden Gate Bridge district's annoyance at the filmmaker's duplicity is that it prevented them from squeezing out a licensing fee.
I can now understand the phone calls of concerns from out of state friends and family. I live in Belltown (downtown area) and the lights flickered, but never went out. Aside from a department holiday party in Ballard on Saturday night, I really didn't do anything or go anywhere. I'd seen the news reports, but I had no idea how bad it was until I was at work this morning, and people were telling me about how they just got power back this morning or were still without. At least a dozen co-workers are "camping" in hotels downtown, a few more have been spending their nights at emergency shelters.
posted by dantsea 17 years ago
In "What's on your desktop?"
The current desktop. I can't remember where I found that background, but I've kept it there for a record three weeks. Definitley one of my favorites.
posted by dantsea 18 years ago
In "My mother's brownies"
Thank you so much for this link. Fannie Farmer, along with Joy of Cooking, are the twin bibles of our family kitchens.
posted by dantsea 18 years ago
In "Big Brother "contestant" has monkey fur coat"
You mean that isn't Amanda Lepore?
posted by dantsea 18 years ago
In "Curious Resolutions 2006"
This is the first year I've made any resolutions. They're astonishingly typical - lose weight, etc. Maybe I'll add in "stop eating red meat" and "stop consuming refined white sugar" because I do live in Seattle and those are the sorts of things people here seem to like hearing when you say them.
posted by dantsea 18 years ago
In "Curious Six Degrees Name Dropping George."
2 degrees from Peter Boyle. An uncle was a student when Boyle taught at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Still gets a Christmas card from him every year.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "Best band name ever!"
For umpteen years running, my favorite band name is still JFKFC.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "20 Mishaps That Might Have Started Accidental Nuclear War"
Sobering to consider how close each mistake could have done permanent damage. However, after reading each entry, I have the mental image of Gilda Radner as Emily Litella saying "Never mind."
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "Curious George... wifi"
Speaking as someone who chose his current place of residence (in part) based on the glorious promise of not having to directly interface with the cable company and DSL provider, I'd say go for it... but not at $50 a month extra. Aside from the price point, consider that you're going to be the person everyone starts yelling at when the connection goes down. I've seen the rampaging herds of angry MySpace users in this building when the connection burps, and it's scary.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In ""
And from 67 miles south of Darshon, congratulations to you and Mr. SideDish.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "Curious George: Landline ahoy!"
I really think that peoples cell experiences are very regional. There seems to be no consensus when you get people from a wide area talking. Indeed. I had horrible problems with Sprint when I lived in the Bay Area -- single-bar coverage, dropped calls, voicemail and SMS that would show up hours or days after sent. I've now lived in Seattle for six months, Sprint is still my carrier, and the service couldn't be better.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
No landline since 2001. Cable Internet that works as well as anything else from a cable company. I'd ditch them entirely except that I don't feel like putting up a dish for video or arguing with the telco about dry pair. As for the cell phone, I am always happy to remind people that I pay for the device and its service and it therefore exists for my convenience, not theirs. And when I'd rather not see the flashing lights or hear the warble of an incoming call, I simply turn the thing off (yes, they have off buttons, or standby or whatever, but they exist). This brings me to a question: While most people will nod in agreement when I tell them "my phone, my rules," why do they act as if I'd just slapped an infant when I tell them I use the off button on the thing?
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "Wal-whiners"
WalMart likely approached the union with the same technique it has used for suppliers: This is our one and only offer, take it or leave it, you need us more than we need you. Negotiation is not part of that corporate lexicon.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "great guitar"
So... was it Jeff Beck playing guitar?
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "Hitler and the Sea-Monkeys"
Pet lobsters and instant frogs. It would have been glorious. Except, uh, for that other thing they talk about.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "The Angel Light."
I sent the following to the reporter:
He replied very politely with: Well, that clears everything up.posted by dantsea 19 years ago
Well, that's baffling. It appears to be a legitimate local news source, with the usual coverage of local crimes and municipal government action. At least one person there should have the capability to write a straight news story with at least two outside sources for quotes. Perhaps that person was on vacation this week? I wrote a pompous email message to the alleged reporter asking, in politer terms, just what the hell is going on here. Doubtful a response will be forthcoming, but I'll share if one arrives.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "Japanese Cute Animal Pic Site"
Want.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
In "golden gate bridge jumpers filmed."
orococo, I think the reference was to the tiny link left by Jerry Junior, an interesting and related read to your post. I remember going to do "the tourist thing" after living in San Francisco for two years. Caught the MUNI bus out to the visitor's center and walked across the bridge. Got to the first tower, looked out at the Pacific Ocean, looked up at the top of the tower, then looked down at the water below. It was a hell of a place and time to find out I had a fear of heights.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
That wasn't a very nice thing to do. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the real reason behind the Golden Gate Bridge district's annoyance at the filmmaker's duplicity is that it prevented them from squeezing out a licensing fee.
posted by dantsea 19 years ago
(limited to the most recent 20 comments)