Last night, I received a phone call from movie.girl (most recently mentioned back in November, and before that as "O" or "The Girl" elsewhere in the archives). When last we met, she was engaged to mr.fiancé with a Spring wedding in the works (and he had just moved in with her). The background for the before-mr.fiancé times is relatively simple. Movie.girl had previously been engaged and subsequently canceled the wedding.
So what happened this time? You got it. She broke off the engagement with mr.fiancé. (No additional details to be related here.)
It's almost funny (in a "gee, that's a little odd" sort of way). She and I often end up reconnecting after she breaks off an engagement. This has happened more than once.
So I'm meeting up with her on Wednesday night to go catch an Imax showing of 300. (Yes, a review is forthcoming.)
It all feels a bit.. odd. She and I get along famously. We ended up speaking on the phone for about 1.5 hours last night.
I was going to write more but then I started scrolling through the Oct. 2004 archives linked above, lost my train of thought and ran out of time. *shrug*
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Dreamfather: Birth of a Meme
I'd previously heard about this from Mr. Southworth (of Ugly Hill infamy) in his news postings. However, today he provided an excellent paragraph with links, lovingly reproduced here since I cannot seem to find anywhere that Said Southworth stores his own news posts. (The lunkhead!)
More importantly, after clicking through and reading about the wondrous creation that is The Dreamfather, has it inspired you to contribute to this up-and-coming meme?
Also! I've been meaning to get to this all week, but I've had shirts on the brain. Loyal reader and legendary 1920s amputee Slovakian pugilist Benjamin Hayden has made another one of his amazing Ugly Hill sculptures! [See above.] This time he's rendered the Dreamfather, that mysterious figure that appeared licking an eyeball lollipop in Eli's prophetic dream some weeks ago. As always, I encourage you to take this burgeoning Internet Meme and make it your own!Has this finally inspired me to get off my ass and be creative? Only time will tell, faithful readers. (In other words, not yet.)
More importantly, after clicking through and reading about the wondrous creation that is The Dreamfather, has it inspired you to contribute to this up-and-coming meme?
Misc. Updates
Rather quick-like and in an easily-digestible format.
- Last Thursday (i.e., roughly a week ago), I met up with LT & co. (wherein "& co." comprises her fiancé, another good law school friend of mine) for the first time in about 1.5 years. Long overdue. We met up for dinner. It was incredibly friendly, like we'd just hung out the previous week. Their wedding is in October and marks the third wedding I anticipate attending this year.
- I am seeing 300 tonight. I must. So it is written.
- I'm heading up to Mass. tomorrow to hang out with another law school friend, The Lawless One, and his fiancé. Their wedding is the August one in which I am a member of the wedding party.
- Between today and yesterday, I've been catching up on work. This is a good thing. I'm not entirely caught up yet but the piles on my desk are rapidly diminished. I just need to keep at it.
- After over 2 months of membership, I finally reached Open Communication with a woman on eHarmony. She sounds pretty cool. Hopefully we'll get to meet up in real life sometime, though that would be at least 2 weeks in the future since she's away on Spring Break next week.
- The next This Week in Miscellany post will be delayed since I'm not posting it today or tomorrow. I'm contemplating a change in format for those posts though I have little idea of a new and improved format to implement.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
BUFFYLICIOUS!
I found a post ("I Shoulda Been a Vengeance Demon") over at MY URBAN KVETCH that piqued my interest:
*pause* *breathe* *pause*
OMG, A BUFFY SING-ALONG!!!!!!!
Apparently, there's a monthly BUFFY SING-ALONG! at the IFC Center in the West Village (NYC). Here's the page that lists the next showing (March 23 and 24 at midnight).
OMG, A BUFFY SING-ALONG!!!!!!!
(Sorry, that last one just sorta slipped out.) The sing-along is based on "Once More With Feeling," a musical episode from the sixth season which was also released as a soundtrack. The NY Times describes it so:
All I have to do now is find a friend or two to go with me. I will definitely catch one of these, though. I must.
ADDENDUM: Two things. One, it's a little disconcerting to call a friend, ask them to call you, and then have them know why you're calling when they call you back. Of course, that's only because GamerGirl (The Actuary's girlfriend) read this blog and guessed why I was calling...
Two, WOOT! I just spoke with Mr. The Actuary and he and GamerGirl would like to attend the May showing of the Buffy Sing-along with me! WOOT AGAIN! I have friends who are just as loony as I am! (Is that a relief or a sign that we should form a secret cabal with aspirations of world domination? Incidentally, I vote for the latter.)
If anyone else reading this would be interested in joining us for the May Buffy goodness, just drop me a line. Although if you're a friend of mine who's reading this (i.e., not The Actuary or GamerGirl), I kind of doubt you want in. Pretty much every other friend of mine has looked at me funny when I either (a) espouse the virtues of Buffy; (b) play the audio tracks from the Buffy musical episode; and/or (c) sing along with said audio tracks.
One more WOOT! Yay for Buffy! [10:04 AM, 3/08/07]
ADDENDUM: Because someone recently stumbled across this post from a Google search, so I stumbled across the official Buffy Sing-A-Long site. You can find the upcoming sing-a-longs on that site with options to purchase tickets in advance. It's playing in Boston, NYC, Chicago, Indianapolis, Denver, D.C., Pasadena, Portland and tons more places. BUFFY! [10:35 PM, 3/18/07]
"Every little day, the same arrangement, I go out and fight the fight. Still I always feel this strange estrangement, nothing here is clear, nothing here is right..."A BUFFY SING-ALONG!!!
If you sang the above quote while pretending you were a petite, blonde vampire slayer who had been brought back from the grave by well-meaning friends, you might just belong at the Buffy Singalong, which has officially been noticed in this article in the NY Times [registration required]. The article tells me that the show is monthly, and that the February showing was sold out.
*pause* *breathe* *pause*
OMG, A BUFFY SING-ALONG!!!!!!!
Apparently, there's a monthly BUFFY SING-ALONG! at the IFC Center in the West Village (NYC). Here's the page that lists the next showing (March 23 and 24 at midnight).
OMG, A BUFFY SING-ALONG!!!!!!!
(Sorry, that last one just sorta slipped out.) The sing-along is based on "Once More With Feeling," a musical episode from the sixth season which was also released as a soundtrack. The NY Times describes it so:
Ever since, this "Rocky Horror Picture Show" for the postmodern set has been gaining steam, with the February rendition marking the fifth monthly, over-the-top, costumed, live-cast, sold-out, audience-interactive midnight performance.CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!?? First an Evil Dead Musical and now this!!! WOOT!
[Clinton McClung] is ushering it onto stages around the country. The show has played in Huntington on Long Island, Chicago, Tucson, Pittsburgh and Austin. Mr. McClung, who said he has a licensing agreement with the distributor of the television program, is planning a national tour this summer.
Each guest received a red plastic goody bag filled with bubble soap, vampire teeth, party poppers shaped like champagne bottles, and a rule sheet. The first rule: sing along. Others included shouting "Shut up, Dawn!" in response to the comments of Buffy’s clueless younger sister.
All I have to do now is find a friend or two to go with me. I will definitely catch one of these, though. I must.
ADDENDUM: Two things. One, it's a little disconcerting to call a friend, ask them to call you, and then have them know why you're calling when they call you back. Of course, that's only because GamerGirl (The Actuary's girlfriend) read this blog and guessed why I was calling...
Two, WOOT! I just spoke with Mr. The Actuary and he and GamerGirl would like to attend the May showing of the Buffy Sing-along with me! WOOT AGAIN! I have friends who are just as loony as I am! (Is that a relief or a sign that we should form a secret cabal with aspirations of world domination? Incidentally, I vote for the latter.)
If anyone else reading this would be interested in joining us for the May Buffy goodness, just drop me a line. Although if you're a friend of mine who's reading this (i.e., not The Actuary or GamerGirl), I kind of doubt you want in. Pretty much every other friend of mine has looked at me funny when I either (a) espouse the virtues of Buffy; (b) play the audio tracks from the Buffy musical episode; and/or (c) sing along with said audio tracks.
One more WOOT! Yay for Buffy! [10:04 AM, 3/08/07]
ADDENDUM: Because someone recently stumbled across this post from a Google search, so I stumbled across the official Buffy Sing-A-Long site. You can find the upcoming sing-a-longs on that site with options to purchase tickets in advance. It's playing in Boston, NYC, Chicago, Indianapolis, Denver, D.C., Pasadena, Portland and tons more places. BUFFY! [10:35 PM, 3/18/07]
Dating Language Translation
Today's Ctrl+Alt+Del comic had me laughing, not the least of which is due to my forays with eHarmony.
Premise: Unbeknownst to him, Lucas has been set up on a blind date with Kate by Zeke the Xbox. (Zeke communicated with her online on Lucas' behalf.) During the conversation, the artist has so thoughtfully included translations of what Lucas says. Here's the punchline:
Premise: Unbeknownst to him, Lucas has been set up on a blind date with Kate by Zeke the Xbox. (Zeke communicated with her online on Lucas' behalf.) During the conversation, the artist has so thoughtfully included translations of what Lucas says. Here's the punchline:
Kate:So, what do you usually look for in girls?Perfect!!!
Lucas: Umm...* Well, sense of humor is really important.**
*Not you.
**Looks are important, but nobody can say that out loud without sounding like an asshole.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Closing Matches on eHarmony
Another pet peeve incoming!
I know I've already harped on spelling and grammar as well as non-responsive answers, but I don't think I've extolled the virtues of reasons for closing matches early. And by "extolled the virtues" I mean bitterly complained.
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
What's wrong with these women?!??? I don't get it!
Of course the chemistry isn't there, we just met!!!
Good lord, close me out for distance, for other, for some other random excuse chosen on a whim. Don't cite "chemistry" when there's no way of knowing before we meet!
Let me be clear – I'm not complaining about matches closing me. That I accept, no problem. If you want to close it, go ahead. But for goodness sakes, give me a BS "reason" other than chemistry. Chemistry is something we can determine in person. I'll take 10 minutes in person over 20 months on the internet – you can truly (and finally) sense chemistry only in person.
One of the questions on eHarmony is something along the lines of "When do you need to feel the chemistry?" The right answer, as stated on the eHarmony Blog (and I agree 100%), is "Within the first few dates."
DID YOU HEAR ME? WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DATES! Not seconds, not minutes, not words, not letters, dates. If we've never met, don't give chemistry as the reason for closing the match!
*pant* *pant* *wheeze* *sigh*
I'm sorry for the outburst, folks, but the inanity of it astounds me. Like the spelling and grammar mistakes, this isn't very hard. A word processor with spell check ("They exist?") or a simple moment of thought ("He sounds like an ass. I'll mark chemistry.") would do wonders.
Of course, the other side to this is my theory that these aren't elimination rounds but rather meet 'n greets. As far as I'm concerned, if the match is somewhat physically attractive to me and responds to my inquiry (or sends me an inquiry), I'll see it through all the way to meeting in real life, if at all possible. Everything between "hello" and "goodbye," for me, is simply getting to know the person. Barring the woman revealing she likes to hunt neighborhood housecats in her spare time (though that does sound like fun...), I'm game to see where the rabbit hole leads.
I only wish more eHarmony women thought a bit more and/or had an attitude like this.
I know I've already harped on spelling and grammar as well as non-responsive answers, but I don't think I've extolled the virtues of reasons for closing matches early. And by "extolled the virtues" I mean bitterly complained.
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
Do not consider the stages of the eHarmony communication process as elimination rounds. View them as getting to know the person. Learn from them, do not reject for them.I've had a match close me out after sending my Must Haves/Can't Stands saying we're incompatible. (How would she know? We obviously weren't so incompatible so as to forbid her from sending me questions in the first place.) I've had a match close me after receiving my first answers saying she "didn't feel that the chemistry was there." I've had a match close me right off the bat saying she "didn't feel the chemistry was there!!!"
What's wrong with these women?!??? I don't get it!
Of course the chemistry isn't there, we just met!!!
Good lord, close me out for distance, for other, for some other random excuse chosen on a whim. Don't cite "chemistry" when there's no way of knowing before we meet!
Let me be clear – I'm not complaining about matches closing me. That I accept, no problem. If you want to close it, go ahead. But for goodness sakes, give me a BS "reason" other than chemistry. Chemistry is something we can determine in person. I'll take 10 minutes in person over 20 months on the internet – you can truly (and finally) sense chemistry only in person.
One of the questions on eHarmony is something along the lines of "When do you need to feel the chemistry?" The right answer, as stated on the eHarmony Blog (and I agree 100%), is "Within the first few dates."
DID YOU HEAR ME? WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DATES! Not seconds, not minutes, not words, not letters, dates. If we've never met, don't give chemistry as the reason for closing the match!
*pant* *pant* *wheeze* *sigh*
I'm sorry for the outburst, folks, but the inanity of it astounds me. Like the spelling and grammar mistakes, this isn't very hard. A word processor with spell check ("They exist?") or a simple moment of thought ("He sounds like an ass. I'll mark chemistry.") would do wonders.
Of course, the other side to this is my theory that these aren't elimination rounds but rather meet 'n greets. As far as I'm concerned, if the match is somewhat physically attractive to me and responds to my inquiry (or sends me an inquiry), I'll see it through all the way to meeting in real life, if at all possible. Everything between "hello" and "goodbye," for me, is simply getting to know the person. Barring the woman revealing she likes to hunt neighborhood housecats in her spare time (though that does sound like fun...), I'm game to see where the rabbit hole leads.
I only wish more eHarmony women thought a bit more and/or had an attitude like this.
Open Communication
Yesterday, I heard back from an eHarmony match, thus pushing the chain into the fourth step called "Open Communication." Basically, it's open communication (e-mails/messages) via eHarmony's system.
I am now faced with the somewhat-daunting task of crafting a quasi-introductory e-mail.
When drafting such original works, I tend to have to balance between various competing inclinations. For example: (1) reveal more about myself (even if it's only providing additional details about already-known things, such as my employment); (2) be witty, humorous and/or mildly entertaining; (3) don't come off as a deranged lunatic who has recently escaped from an asylum. Of the three, it's finding a happy combination of (2) and (3) that occasionally eludes me.
I can come off as witty or humorous or mildly entertaining. That's pretty easy since it's a relatively natural tendency. (Or so I would have you believe.) Rather, it's occasionally difficult trying not to concurrently appear as a wild marsupial. (See, that last comment squarely rests in the "deranged lunatic" category as it's probably best not to mention marsupials in Open Communication unless she brings them up first.) I think that sometimes, sometimes I really shine when my mild humorousity (e.g., wittiness) is coupled with a small dose of my own peculiar form of insanity (e.g., to wit, marsupials). It's probably a bit difficult for me to explain but I bet my friends would readily understand what I'm trying to communicate.
IN ANY CASE, based on the above, I sometimes find it tricky to craft introductory e-mails. However, since not writing them isn't an option, I'll end up producing one regardless. I can only hope that it includes anywhere from none to a miniscule amount of my dementia, lest the woman be incited to flee for the hills (with my marsupials, I fear).
ADDENDUM: Okay, okay, truth be told, some of this insanity is an incipient reaction to the whole "communicating with an unknown female" thing. Yes, it is something I find uncomfortable and not a little bit frightening. However, I have made it a goal (for myself in general) not to shy away from confronting things that scare me or cause me discomfort. Each time it gets easier, and each time I become more capable (in general, again). It's also a measure of confidence – in myself and my abilities – that I confront the unknown (per se), do the best I can and learn from the encounter.
Yes, I am also putting off the whole drafting thing by writing this post and addendum. Bite me.
ADDENDUM II: I sent the first message. It ended up being very middle of the road and probably a little too bland. Still, I wasn't sure what else to write or include. I kept it short, included a few questions (nothing deep) and.. well, I'll just hope for the best. I think I managed to convey a modicum of wit without any concurrent insanity. *shrug* [9:44 PM]
I am now faced with the somewhat-daunting task of crafting a quasi-introductory e-mail.
When drafting such original works, I tend to have to balance between various competing inclinations. For example: (1) reveal more about myself (even if it's only providing additional details about already-known things, such as my employment); (2) be witty, humorous and/or mildly entertaining; (3) don't come off as a deranged lunatic who has recently escaped from an asylum. Of the three, it's finding a happy combination of (2) and (3) that occasionally eludes me.
I can come off as witty or humorous or mildly entertaining. That's pretty easy since it's a relatively natural tendency. (Or so I would have you believe.) Rather, it's occasionally difficult trying not to concurrently appear as a wild marsupial. (See, that last comment squarely rests in the "deranged lunatic" category as it's probably best not to mention marsupials in Open Communication unless she brings them up first.) I think that sometimes, sometimes I really shine when my mild humorousity (e.g., wittiness) is coupled with a small dose of my own peculiar form of insanity (e.g., to wit, marsupials). It's probably a bit difficult for me to explain but I bet my friends would readily understand what I'm trying to communicate.
IN ANY CASE, based on the above, I sometimes find it tricky to craft introductory e-mails. However, since not writing them isn't an option, I'll end up producing one regardless. I can only hope that it includes anywhere from none to a miniscule amount of my dementia, lest the woman be incited to flee for the hills (with my marsupials, I fear).
ADDENDUM: Okay, okay, truth be told, some of this insanity is an incipient reaction to the whole "communicating with an unknown female" thing. Yes, it is something I find uncomfortable and not a little bit frightening. However, I have made it a goal (for myself in general) not to shy away from confronting things that scare me or cause me discomfort. Each time it gets easier, and each time I become more capable (in general, again). It's also a measure of confidence – in myself and my abilities – that I confront the unknown (per se), do the best I can and learn from the encounter.
Yes, I am also putting off the whole drafting thing by writing this post and addendum. Bite me.
ADDENDUM II: I sent the first message. It ended up being very middle of the road and probably a little too bland. Still, I wasn't sure what else to write or include. I kept it short, included a few questions (nothing deep) and.. well, I'll just hope for the best. I think I managed to convey a modicum of wit without any concurrent insanity. *shrug* [9:44 PM]
Friday, March 02, 2007
This Week in Miscellany XI
This Week's Anthem: "Let Me In" by R.E.M.
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
Quotes:
"Careful. We don't want to learn from this." -- Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
This Week in Miscellany IX
This Week in Miscellany X
Yeah, all the stars drip down like butter,
Promises are sweet,
We hold out our pans, lift our hands to catch them.
We eat them up, drink them up, up, up, up
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
- The Story: Boston police blow up traffic counter chained to lightpost (BB). Boston police prove, once again, that if it's electronic and
could be mistaken for a bombunknown, it must be a terrorist attack. - The Good, The Bad & The Not-So-Ugly: Bloggers Immune From Suits Against Commenters (/.); Man dies after 'marathon' online session (CNN); DIY cocktail umbrellas (BB).
- The Somewhat Amusing: indexed & The Three Fates (background); UserFriendly 42 Reference (3/01/07).
- The Artists to Add: Nebulaskin (DA) (Flikr) (from Warren Ellis); Claire Hummel (DA) (from Scott Kurtz of PvP); Jeffrey Scott (from BB); Symon Chow (from BB).
- The Things to Read, Watch & Hear: Warren Ellis' Second Life Columns; Dark Roasted Blend – cool articles, pics 'n more; RevolutionSF – SF stories; "We See Things Differently" – a story by Bruce Sterling; Hi-Fructose, Vol 4 (BB); BoingBoingBoing podcast 10: Bonnie Burton, Star Wars fandom (BB); First sci fi film retracked online: Voyage dans la lune, 1902 (BB); Recommended Tarzan graphic novels (from Tycho of PA); "Politics and the English Language" by George Orwell (from Guy Kawasaki).
- The Shopping: Release The Freaks – a commercial site with character art (weird toys/figures/etc.) (from Warren Ellis); Forbidden Planet International - comic-y store; The Mr. Hell Show – DVD out on April 2 (Wikipedia) (from gapingvoid).
- The Gratuitous WoW Links: a World of Warcraft cake (BB); a 35/5/21 Warrior Spec to keep in mind.
Quotes:
"Careful. We don't want to learn from this." -- Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Bimbette #1: Would you ever eat snow?Two:
Bimbette #2: I dunno. Would you?
Bimbette #1: Well, imagine if you were really thirsty and in the desert and there's a whole bunch of snow...
Female coworker hearing drilling from another part of the building: What is that noise?
Male coworker: A brontosaurus.
Female coworker: What?!
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
This Week in Miscellany IX
This Week in Miscellany X
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Errr... whoops?
Someone found this blog by Googling alan eharmony. Honestly, I hadn't thought about my eHarmony matches finding my blog. Of course, this is the first time (or at least the first that I know of) and I have no assurance that the person who did find this blog was an eHarmony match of mine. But it's certainly something I should be aware of.
I don't think I'll change anything or do anything in response. I've never tried to make this blog truly anonymous and I'm constantly aware of this. If someone finds this blog by performing a search like the one above, then bully for them. They get a sneak peak at myinsanity thoughts. Besides, I haven't (yet) blogged about any specific eHarmony matches. Of course, I also haven't reached Open Communication with any eHarmony matches (yet). *sigh*
I don't think I'll change anything or do anything in response. I've never tried to make this blog truly anonymous and I'm constantly aware of this. If someone finds this blog by performing a search like the one above, then bully for them. They get a sneak peak at my
Sunday, February 25, 2007
This Week in Miscellany X
This Week's Anthem: "Love" by Sixpence None The Richer
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
Quotes:
"Sneakier than an imaginary ninja on a stealth fighter!" -- Diesel Sweeties (2/21/07)
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke
Overheards: (I may have gone a little overboard this week.)
Overheard One:
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
This Week in Miscellany IX
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
- Things to do on March 3: Look up in the night sky and see a total lunar eclipse (BB).
- Evan Schaeffer (of LU) linked to a fantastic Time Magazine article: Behind the Sunni-Shi'ite Divide. He also linked to a PC Magazine article: The Best Free Software.
- There's a fire sale over at ThinkGeek for Penny Arcade merchandise.
- What did you do this weekend? (Indexed)
- Scott Adams opines on a Happiness Formula.
- After the ATHF Boston incident, it's getting a bit ridiculous. Police blow up profanity-spewing CD players found in church (BB).
- Links to add: Blessing of Kings, Warren Ellis, Red vs. Blue, Song Meanings.net, Wellington Grey – Amusing Charts & Stuff, Marketing Blog List (gapingvoid).
- Misc. Things: 419 scammers tricked into re-creating Dead Parrot Sketch (BB); New Barenaked Ladies video starring YouTube celebs (BB); Thin-sliced post-grandfather clock (BB); Science and faith: two flowcharts (BB); 101 ways to beat drawer's block (BB); Blog with "nothing but pictures of cute girls at tea" (BB).
Quotes:
"Sneakier than an imaginary ninja on a stealth fighter!" -- Diesel Sweeties (2/21/07)
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke
Overheards: (I may have gone a little overboard this week.)
Overheard One:
Philosophy student: Basically, all I really want is to survive until I die.Two:
Receptionist: Can I help you this morning?Three:
Mom: Yes. I need a shot to keep my daughter from being a complete bitch.
Teen girl: Like they've invented that, Mom.
Lady: You think wearing the skin of a dead cow is cool or something? You're promoting murder by wearing that.Four:
Leather jacket guy: I don't wear this because I like leather. I wear this because I hate cows. My father was gored to death by a bull. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to Burger King.
Customer with CD: Don't make fun of the Transformers.Five:
Bookseller: I'm not making fun. I had that soundtrack. I lost it in the hurricane.
Customer with CD: Well, you can't have mine.
Bookseller: I have The Matrix.
Customer with CD: I have the touch.
Passing customer: And I have the power!
Dude #1: I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.Six:
Dude #2: Ummm... Hmmm.
Columbia student: Do you go to NYU?Seven:
NYU student: Yes, how did you know?
Columbia student: I could tell by your dirty shoes. NYU gets their students from the homeless shelter.
NYU student: Excuse me?
Columbia student: I'm your biggest enemy.
NYU student: What?
Columbia student: I go to Columbia.
NYU student: Can you leave me alone?
Girl: Oh my god! That guy over there across the street -- I went out with him last Saturday! We made plans for this weekend, and when I asked him what was up he told me he had to go home to Long Island 'cause his grandmother was sick.Eight:
Guy friend: The one with his arm around that girl? Clearly, he was lying.
Girl: No shit. C'mon, let's cross the street.
[They cross the street.]
Girl: Oh my god! Alex*! Wow, this is funny.
Alex: Oh... Jenny*... Hi... What are you doing here?
[Introductions are made all around.]
Jenny: So, how's your grandmother? I take it you saw her this weekend?
Girl with Alex: Yeah, Alex, how is your grandmother? You saw her two weekends in a row? You are quite the devoted grandson.
Jenny's guy friend: Dude, you are so fucked.
Little boy: Oprah, save me!Nine:
~//~
Hot Asian chick: I want to go, but do we have enough David Hasselhoff shirts to last us the whole weekend?
~//~
Guy chatting up girl: Yeah, this is a real celebrity hangout. There are probably famous people in here right now, we just don't know who they are.
Guy on cell: 28 Days was just stupid. Zombies aren't like that. Dawn of the Dead is the most realistic portrayal of zombies I've ever seen!Ten:
~//~
Chick to hipsters: I did my first autopsy to The Wizard of Oz.
Crazy lady: Don't touch my coat! I don't know where your hands have been!
Passenger: I was fixing something.
Crazy lady: Well, don't fix anything! I don't know you! And get your fucking hand out of my face!
Passenger: My hand wasn't in your face.
Crazy lady: I wasn't talking to you! I was talking to myself! Stop stalking me or I'll cut you right on this train!
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
This Week in Miscellany IX
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Warlock Haikus
My main in World of Warcraft is a Warlock. I realize this means nothing to +90% of the people reading this. (Too bad.) On the official WoW Warlock Board, someone started a thread for Warlock Haikus. (Link will likely be broken.) I contributed the following:
THE WARLOCKS COMETH
DEATH TO ALL WHO OPPOSE US
WE WILL EAT YOUR SOULS
(It was screaming for caps. And technically, "EAT" should probably be "TAKE." I just like "EAT" better.)
Warlocks are wicked.
Have you done your evil deed?
Kittens make good snacks.
("Kittens" could easily be "Gnomes" or "Trolls" instead.)
Curse of Agony,
Corruption, Siphon Life, and
Drain Life mean you die.
(This is kinda fun!)
Do not run away!
We come in peace. Do not fear.
Oops, did I kill you?
(Infernal in Goldshire maybe?)
I saw the Rogue first,
but then he popped his Cloak.
The graveyard is nice.
(I'm looking forward to Peeveepee. And graveyards. And repair bills. *sigh*)
Felguards smash faces.
They can also stun and cleave
those who laugh at them.
(Go Demo Spec! And no, it's not nubguard or lolguard. Don't hate us because we pwn.)
I am a Warlock.
I kill for fun and profit.
I am immortal.
(Probably sacreligious.. which fits as we're Warlocks.)
THE WARLOCKS COMETH
DEATH TO ALL WHO OPPOSE US
WE WILL EAT YOUR SOULS
(It was screaming for caps. And technically, "EAT" should probably be "TAKE." I just like "EAT" better.)
Warlocks are wicked.
Have you done your evil deed?
Kittens make good snacks.
("Kittens" could easily be "Gnomes" or "Trolls" instead.)
Curse of Agony,
Corruption, Siphon Life, and
Drain Life mean you die.
(This is kinda fun!)
Do not run away!
We come in peace. Do not fear.
Oops, did I kill you?
(Infernal in Goldshire maybe?)
I saw the Rogue first,
but then he popped his Cloak.
The graveyard is nice.
(I'm looking forward to Peeveepee. And graveyards. And repair bills. *sigh*)
Felguards smash faces.
They can also stun and cleave
those who laugh at them.
(Go Demo Spec! And no, it's not nubguard or lolguard. Don't hate us because we pwn.)
I am a Warlock.
I kill for fun and profit.
I am immortal.
(Probably sacreligious.. which fits as we're Warlocks.)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
This Morning's E-Mails
Every day, as part of my morning work ritual, I check my four G-mail accounts. I actually have at least another 3-4 e-mail accounts but they are largely unused. This morning, I came across two "bombs" in my personal e-mail account.
1. Captain Kate, who was rather pregnant when last we spoke, had her baby! I think the baby was a bit premature (I remember April something as the due date) but both mother and daughter are healthy and well. Congratulations to Capt. Kate and Señor Pete!!!
2. My best friend from college (haven't seen him in 4-5 years or so) sent me an e-mail a month or two ago telling me that he's getting married later this year and inviting me to the wedding. Today, he asked me to be a groomsman! (To which I replied I would be honored.) His will be the second wedding I attend this year and also the second wedding in which I am a groomsman. Whoah.
I know there's a 3-time rule for women serving in the Bridal Party. Is there any such "rule" for men?
Quite a way to begin the day.
1. Captain Kate, who was rather pregnant when last we spoke, had her baby! I think the baby was a bit premature (I remember April something as the due date) but both mother and daughter are healthy and well. Congratulations to Capt. Kate and Señor Pete!!!
2. My best friend from college (haven't seen him in 4-5 years or so) sent me an e-mail a month or two ago telling me that he's getting married later this year and inviting me to the wedding. Today, he asked me to be a groomsman! (To which I replied I would be honored.) His will be the second wedding I attend this year and also the second wedding in which I am a groomsman. Whoah.
I know there's a 3-time rule for women serving in the Bridal Party. Is there any such "rule" for men?
Quite a way to begin the day.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Evil Dead The Musical
On Saturday, The Actuary, Gamer Girl (his girlfriend) and I went into "The City" (aka The Big Apple) to see Evil Dead The Musical. We actually caught the second-to-last show. Lamentably, it's no longer showing in NYC (or anywhere else (yet)).
Links:
Evil Dead The Musical - Main Site
EDTM Myspace Page
EDTM Cast Album (Soundtrack) Page (Coming out March 24!)
EDTM Merchandise
Background:
The Evil Dead (1981) is a campy horror flick written and directed by Sam Raimi and starring the illustrious Bruce Campbell as Ash.
Plot Summary:
This was followed by Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992). The pieces most people remember are from the middle of Evil Dead II through Army of Darkness. For example, Ash as a shotgun ("boomstick")-armed, one-handed, chainsaw-wielding hero.
Review:
WONDERFUL! As a fan of Evil Dead, Ash and all-things-Bruce-Campbell, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical! The writers managed to translate the fun, campy attitude to song and dance. The entire atmosphere of the story is that it's making fun of itself - at no time is anything taken too seriously. The musical numbers are downright amazing and the cast succeeded in bringing them alive. The lead actor, Ryan Ward, was excellent and it certainly didn't hurt that the producers cast someone who closely resembles a younger Bruce Campbell. The musical went out of its way to include many hallmarks of the Evil Dead movies, including well-known phrases, references and plenty of T&A. The writers also went so far as to include many trademarks of the campy horror genre, such as the drawn-out-fists-shaking-at-the-sky "NOOOOOOOO!!!" and some overzealous, bloody dismemberment.
If the musical were still running, I would strongly recommend it for fans of the movies and anyone who would enjoy a silly, irreverential horror musical. Truly a good time.
Links:
Evil Dead The Musical - Main Site
EDTM Myspace Page
EDTM Cast Album (Soundtrack) Page (Coming out March 24!)
EDTM Merchandise
Background:
The Evil Dead (1981) is a campy horror flick written and directed by Sam Raimi and starring the illustrious Bruce Campbell as Ash.
Plot Summary:
Five friends go up to a cabin in the woods where they find unspeakable evil lurking in the forest. They find the Necronomicon and the taped translation of the text. Once the tape is played, the evil is released. One by one, the teens become deadly zombies. With only one remaining, it is up to him to survive the night and battle the evil dead.(Incidentally, this is also the plot of the musical.)
This was followed by Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992). The pieces most people remember are from the middle of Evil Dead II through Army of Darkness. For example, Ash as a shotgun ("boomstick")-armed, one-handed, chainsaw-wielding hero.
Review:
WONDERFUL! As a fan of Evil Dead, Ash and all-things-Bruce-Campbell, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical! The writers managed to translate the fun, campy attitude to song and dance. The entire atmosphere of the story is that it's making fun of itself - at no time is anything taken too seriously. The musical numbers are downright amazing and the cast succeeded in bringing them alive. The lead actor, Ryan Ward, was excellent and it certainly didn't hurt that the producers cast someone who closely resembles a younger Bruce Campbell. The musical went out of its way to include many hallmarks of the Evil Dead movies, including well-known phrases, references and plenty of T&A. The writers also went so far as to include many trademarks of the campy horror genre, such as the drawn-out-fists-shaking-at-the-sky "NOOOOOOOO!!!" and some overzealous, bloody dismemberment.
If the musical were still running, I would strongly recommend it for fans of the movies and anyone who would enjoy a silly, irreverential horror musical. Truly a good time.
This Week in Miscellany IX
This Week's Anthems: "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash; "Falling in Love" by Lisa Loeb
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
Quotes:
"Valentine's Day: Because love isn't quite complicated enough as it is." -- xkcd (2/14/06)
"I Death Coil mages, and not because I have to, but because I can." -- Kjarne, Ursin Server (Official WoW Warlock Forum)
"You should generally not put a warlock in heroic mode, as the maximum raid size of 40 members will be unlikely to defeat him." -- Dellevin, Chromaggus Server (Official WoW Warlock Forum)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
- Delete Wikipedia: A Webcomics Case Study (Halfpixel). There were recent Wikipedia deletion attempts on the entries for Evil Inc. and Ugly Hill. To illustrate/prove a point, Kristopher over at Halfpixel gamed the system and got the entry for his comic Starslip Crisis deleted. His point wasn't just that Wikipedia can be gamed. As he stated: "...instead of worrying about what Wikipedia thinks about our webcomics, there's a better use of our time: making truly notable webcomics."
- Sohmer (of LICD infamy) has some thoughts on Valentine's Day.
- Misc. Things: Neil Gaiman public interview on the WELL (BB); Parrot uses 950 words to converse with people (BB); Dating advice for men explained in electrical diagrams (BB); How would you live if you knew when you'd die - call for stories (BB).
Quotes:
"Valentine's Day: Because love isn't quite complicated enough as it is." -- xkcd (2/14/06)
"I Death Coil mages, and not because I have to, but because I can." -- Kjarne, Ursin Server (Official WoW Warlock Forum)
"You should generally not put a warlock in heroic mode, as the maximum raid size of 40 members will be unlikely to defeat him." -- Dellevin, Chromaggus Server (Official WoW Warlock Forum)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Chick: A new day, another dollar. A new day, another dollar. A new day, another dollar. As long as I have my smoothie, I'm okay. Smoothie -- okay. No smoothie -- not okay.Two:
Frustrated employee to dim coworker: If you'd stop being an idiot I wouldn't have to hate you anymore.Three:
Coworker: You know, they really need to make more Queen Latifah movies.Four:
Patron: Ummm, I'm looking for a book.
Librarian: Okay, well, do you know what it's called?
Patron: No.
Librarian: Do you know who wrote it?
Patron: No.
Librarian: Are you just hoping that we have some sort of book?
Patron: Yeah.
Librarian: You know you're in a fuckin' library, right?
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
This Week in Miscellany VIII
This Week's Anthems: "Rain All Day" by Fleming & John; "My Lover's Box" by Garbage; "Forgotten" by Avril Lavigne
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
Quotes:
"If everybody liked us, we would be rich." -- Elvis Duran, The Z-100 Morning Zoo (1/30/07)
"Our love is like a honey-baked ham: pink, salty and unclean in the eyes of the lord." -- Diesel Sweeties Valentine e-Cards 2.0
"My goal is to replace my soul with coffee and become immortal." -- Dilbert (2/08/07)
"The trick to staying in a relationship is digging yourself into the shallowest graves possible." -- Diesel Sweeties (2/08/07)
"Overlords are not required to come up with business plans!" -- User Friendly (2/09/07)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
- Cheap, Safe, Patentless Cancer Drug Discovered (/.) "DCA can cause pain, numbness and gait disturbances in some patients, but this may be a price worth paying if it turns out to be effective against all cancers. The next step is to run clinical trials of DCA in people with cancer. These may have to be funded by charities, universities and governments: pharmaceutical companies are unlikely to pay because they can't make money on unpatented medicines. The pay-off is that if DCA does work, it will be easy to manufacture and dirt cheap." (New Scientist)
- Seth Godin's post on Really Bad Powerpoint reminded me of Guy Kawasaki's post on The 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint.
- This BB post linked to the 7 Deadly Sins and their Combinations over at indexed.
- Misc. Stories: Turner Broadcasting Pays $2m Over Boston Bomb Scare (Gizmodo); Help save Pandemonium, Boston's sf bookstore! (BB) (Pandemonium Books).
- Misc. Links: Stephen Colbert's Ice Cream Flavor (Americone Dream) from Ben and Jerry's (BB) (Source); Mind Grenades: Manifestoes from the Future (Book) (Mad Professor); The New Way Things Work by David Macauley (Book) (Mad Professor); How to Cheat at Everything by Simon Lovell (Book) (BB); Getting/Staying Organized: my Moleskine PDA (Creating Passionate Users) (Two other good CPU posts); Blue Origin (Amazon's space flight program).
- Gratuitous Not-Quote-WoW Link: The World of Whorecraft (BB, SFW) (NSFW link)
Quotes:
"If everybody liked us, we would be rich." -- Elvis Duran, The Z-100 Morning Zoo (1/30/07)
"Our love is like a honey-baked ham: pink, salty and unclean in the eyes of the lord." -- Diesel Sweeties Valentine e-Cards 2.0
"My goal is to replace my soul with coffee and become immortal." -- Dilbert (2/08/07)
"The trick to staying in a relationship is digging yourself into the shallowest graves possible." -- Diesel Sweeties (2/08/07)
"Overlords are not required to come up with business plans!" -- User Friendly (2/09/07)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Male flight attendant: Okay, folks, one last time -- please turn your cell phones off. If the person next to you is talking on their phone, smack 'em! That should teach them.
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
This Week in Miscellany VII
eHarmony Update
I haven't mentioned eHarmony in a long time because there hasn't been anything to say. I've been getting new matches on and off. Until a few days ago, none had requested communication (at least in the previous 1-2 months). As it is, I don't have anything to update with though I do have a few thoughts/comments.
eHarmony apparently has a flexible matching system in addition to the normal, non-flexible one. The flexible system matches you with people (slightly) outside your stated preferences for those preferences you indicated were of less importance. For example, I know I specified 22 as the bottom limit for age. (My reasoning is that she must be old enough to drink and... well, no great reason for 22 vs. 21 other than I feel upping it to 22 will help increase maturity by a small but significant notch.) eHarmony matched me with a 20 year old. That's all fine, well and good, but I don't think so. I'm probably a little flexible on upper age but not on lower. Thank you, try again.
One of eHarmony's fill-in-the-blank fields is: "One thing that only [person]'s best friends know is:" Easily 50% of the profiles I've seen respond with something like: "I am not going to tell, its a secret and that is why they are the only ones who know." or "Hahaha, if I tell the world of eharmony, then it would no longer be a thing that only my best friend knows." or "Well if only my best friends know, then it means you have to get to know me, to know what that is..." (Incidentally, those are direct quotes from profiles.)
Let's think about this for a minute. If they ("they" being the omniscient g-ds of eHarmony) put that question in their questionnaire, chances are they didn't want people to respond with a "cute" quip about being secretive. Somewhat like the last field ("Some additional information [person] wanted you to know is:"), they were trying to provide additional opportunities to relate pertinent information.
The goal here is to meet people while also being somewhat selective about it. eHarmony's matching system is the first screen. They only send you profiles of people with whom they think you'd be a good match, based on their patented matching system that was undoubtedly procured from the aliens. The second screen is the person's profile. A profile needs to relate enough information about a person so that someone reading it can make an initial guesstimation as to whether or not they'd like to start the eHarmony 49-step process of communication. (Okay, so the process is really only 4 or 5 steps, but with delays and the fact that each step comprises action by both parties, it takes forever.)
By being "cute" and "witty" (where responding as in the above quotes is actually neither cute nor witty), you only indicate your inability to understand the question and its purpose.
You read that right. It's not that the person has chosen to not answer the question. (I could respect, though not agree, with that choice.) It's the fact that they took time to tap out a brief, meaningless response that illustrates their total and complete lack of comprehension. I have yet to selectively not-select (i.e., eliminate) a match based solely on such a non-response, but do not doubt that any answers like the ones above go in the "minus" column. If I reject based on spelling or grammar, you better believe I'd consider rejecting for idiocy or stupid answers like the ones above.
I'm still being matched with social workers and teachers, though I was also recently matched with a waitress (aspiring marketer) and law student. I'm dubious about dating a law student. Been there, done that, know that it's Hell (law school that is). However, my reason for not initiating with the law student in question was that she's very much into the outdoors and, although I used to be and probably would enjoy it, I'm generally not.
I'm starting to suspect that the majority of eHarmony women in the age bracket (22-32) and location (CT) I've specified are... (how do I phrase this delicately?) not very smart. I'm looking for an intelligent woman. She doesn't have to have attended law school. She doesn't have to be an "A" student (I sure wasn't, at least in law school). She doesn't have to be working, in her spare time, on cold fusion as the solution to the world's energy crisis. However, she does have to be at least moderately well-spoken and bright. Thus far, at least 75% of the matches eHarmony has sent me fail in this one regard. It's positively painful at times.
But I s'pose I'm patient or at least I can pretend to be or at least in this regard I can pretend to be. So it goes and so I keep looking.
ADDENDUM: Two other women I was matched with - a musician and an actress. In fact, the actress is Ellen Muth of the short-lived series Dead Like Me. She closed the match stating she was pursuing another relationship. I wish the reply options weren't so limited - I'd have loved to say "You were great in 'Dead Like Me'!" instead of "Good luck with your search." [12:52 PM]
ADDENDUM II: In reviewing, I realized that I didn't actually opine on what kind of answers the eHarmony g-ds were looking for. Here's my theory:
Most of the questions are directed to revealing general impressions about yourself and what you're looking for. The questions are very open-ended and could be bent to any one of a dozen different directions. They are there as talking points – to incite the writer to reveal something.
So what is this particular question ("One thing that only [person]'s best friends know is:") directed towards? Rather than trying to get the writer to disclose a dark, hidden secret (e.g., in my spare time I kill puppies for fun and profit), I think this question is trying to shift the vantage point (the point-of-view). I don't think the question should read "One thing that only [person]'s best friends know is:" I think the question really asks "One thing thatonly [person]'s best friends know is:" In other words, What is something your friends have learned about you? How would they describe you?
My answer was very succinct: "I will try (almost) anything once, twice if I like it."
My (best) friends know that I am up for (almost) anything. If they say: "Let's go to Mohegan Sun!" then I say: "Who's driving?!" If they say: "Let's go to a strip club!" then I say: "Where's the nearest one?!" (Incidentally, those are somewhat accurate quotes from law school.) Half the time I'm the one who proposes some relatively-outlandish course. My answer to the question reflects something that is not secretive but instead reflects something that my best friends might say in describing me. My answer also reveals something more about myself (as all of the answers should).
I almost wish the question was phrased better. I suspect that the intent was either (a) to be as vague as possible to enable many answers; or (b) to ask the writer to reveal something from their friend's p.o.v. I don't think the question succeeds on either level, as evidenced by the clear misinterpretation by many writers. The question cannot be asking the writer to reveal a secret as that is plain idiocy. I give the eHarmony g-ds more credit than that. After all, they are omniscient. (Right?)
By the way, I do not kill puppies for fun and profit in my spare time... just kittens.. and bunny rabbits. [5:44 PM]
eHarmony apparently has a flexible matching system in addition to the normal, non-flexible one. The flexible system matches you with people (slightly) outside your stated preferences for those preferences you indicated were of less importance. For example, I know I specified 22 as the bottom limit for age. (My reasoning is that she must be old enough to drink and... well, no great reason for 22 vs. 21 other than I feel upping it to 22 will help increase maturity by a small but significant notch.) eHarmony matched me with a 20 year old. That's all fine, well and good, but I don't think so. I'm probably a little flexible on upper age but not on lower. Thank you, try again.
One of eHarmony's fill-in-the-blank fields is: "One thing that only [person]'s best friends know is:" Easily 50% of the profiles I've seen respond with something like: "I am not going to tell, its a secret and that is why they are the only ones who know." or "Hahaha, if I tell the world of eharmony, then it would no longer be a thing that only my best friend knows." or "Well if only my best friends know, then it means you have to get to know me, to know what that is..." (Incidentally, those are direct quotes from profiles.)
Let's think about this for a minute. If they ("they" being the omniscient g-ds of eHarmony) put that question in their questionnaire, chances are they didn't want people to respond with a "cute" quip about being secretive. Somewhat like the last field ("Some additional information [person] wanted you to know is:"), they were trying to provide additional opportunities to relate pertinent information.
The goal here is to meet people while also being somewhat selective about it. eHarmony's matching system is the first screen. They only send you profiles of people with whom they think you'd be a good match, based on their patented matching system that was undoubtedly procured from the aliens. The second screen is the person's profile. A profile needs to relate enough information about a person so that someone reading it can make an initial guesstimation as to whether or not they'd like to start the eHarmony 49-step process of communication. (Okay, so the process is really only 4 or 5 steps, but with delays and the fact that each step comprises action by both parties, it takes forever.)
By being "cute" and "witty" (where responding as in the above quotes is actually neither cute nor witty), you only indicate your inability to understand the question and its purpose.
You read that right. It's not that the person has chosen to not answer the question. (I could respect, though not agree, with that choice.) It's the fact that they took time to tap out a brief, meaningless response that illustrates their total and complete lack of comprehension. I have yet to selectively not-select (i.e., eliminate) a match based solely on such a non-response, but do not doubt that any answers like the ones above go in the "minus" column. If I reject based on spelling or grammar, you better believe I'd consider rejecting for idiocy or stupid answers like the ones above.
I'm still being matched with social workers and teachers, though I was also recently matched with a waitress (aspiring marketer) and law student. I'm dubious about dating a law student. Been there, done that, know that it's Hell (law school that is). However, my reason for not initiating with the law student in question was that she's very much into the outdoors and, although I used to be and probably would enjoy it, I'm generally not.
I'm starting to suspect that the majority of eHarmony women in the age bracket (22-32) and location (CT) I've specified are... (how do I phrase this delicately?) not very smart. I'm looking for an intelligent woman. She doesn't have to have attended law school. She doesn't have to be an "A" student (I sure wasn't, at least in law school). She doesn't have to be working, in her spare time, on cold fusion as the solution to the world's energy crisis. However, she does have to be at least moderately well-spoken and bright. Thus far, at least 75% of the matches eHarmony has sent me fail in this one regard. It's positively painful at times.
But I s'pose I'm patient or at least I can pretend to be or at least in this regard I can pretend to be. So it goes and so I keep looking.
ADDENDUM: Two other women I was matched with - a musician and an actress. In fact, the actress is Ellen Muth of the short-lived series Dead Like Me. She closed the match stating she was pursuing another relationship. I wish the reply options weren't so limited - I'd have loved to say "You were great in 'Dead Like Me'!" instead of "Good luck with your search." [12:52 PM]
ADDENDUM II: In reviewing, I realized that I didn't actually opine on what kind of answers the eHarmony g-ds were looking for. Here's my theory:
Most of the questions are directed to revealing general impressions about yourself and what you're looking for. The questions are very open-ended and could be bent to any one of a dozen different directions. They are there as talking points – to incite the writer to reveal something.
So what is this particular question ("One thing that only [person]'s best friends know is:") directed towards? Rather than trying to get the writer to disclose a dark, hidden secret (e.g., in my spare time I kill puppies for fun and profit), I think this question is trying to shift the vantage point (the point-of-view). I don't think the question should read "One thing that only [person]'s best friends know is:" I think the question really asks "One thing that
My answer was very succinct: "I will try (almost) anything once, twice if I like it."
My (best) friends know that I am up for (almost) anything. If they say: "Let's go to Mohegan Sun!" then I say: "Who's driving?!" If they say: "Let's go to a strip club!" then I say: "Where's the nearest one?!" (Incidentally, those are somewhat accurate quotes from law school.) Half the time I'm the one who proposes some relatively-outlandish course. My answer to the question reflects something that is not secretive but instead reflects something that my best friends might say in describing me. My answer also reveals something more about myself (as all of the answers should).
I almost wish the question was phrased better. I suspect that the intent was either (a) to be as vague as possible to enable many answers; or (b) to ask the writer to reveal something from their friend's p.o.v. I don't think the question succeeds on either level, as evidenced by the clear misinterpretation by many writers. The question cannot be asking the writer to reveal a secret as that is plain idiocy. I give the eHarmony g-ds more credit than that. After all, they are omniscient. (Right?)
By the way, I do not kill puppies for fun and profit in my spare time... just kittens.. and bunny rabbits. [5:44 PM]
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
The Non-Continuing Saga
Previously, I described The December-to-February Pit of Despair (The Pit). As it so happens The Pit is in full force and effect and I'm in the pits. I'm just generally unmotivated and uninterested these days.
For example, here's my initial morning ritual of late:
My concentration is shot to Hell. I have little-to-no focus. My thinking ranges from acute to duller than a weathered log, based on nothing in particular. Two weekends ago, I hung out with The Actuary and his g/f Gamer Girl – we and two friends of theirs saw the movie Smokin' Aces. I was hoping some activity might help shake me from my ostensibly self-induced stupor. Alas, it did not.
I didn't change my diet. I didn't initially change my slate of non-work activities. I don't know that there was a single causative agent for this. I also don't know how to snap out of it any time soon (i.e., asap).
So, for now, I muddle my way through. I'm generally not happy nor remotely content. I hate how I feel but don't know how to kick it. It's really rather odd and occasionally disconcerting. But I also don't care too much so I figure it will eventually pass and I'll be, well, I don't know where I'll be but it won't be here and it won't be as I am now.
So it goes.
For example, here's my initial morning ritual of late:
- Wake up 1.
- Am I going to stay awake?
- Nope.
- Set alarm for another 10 min.
- Wake up 2.
- Am I going to stay awake?
- Ponder this for 15 sec.
- Decide to get up.
- Sit up in bed.
- Wish I didn't have to get up yet.
- Wish I weren't going to work today.
- Pause.
- Wipe crust from eyes.
- Pause again.
- Blink.
- Get out of bed.
My concentration is shot to Hell. I have little-to-no focus. My thinking ranges from acute to duller than a weathered log, based on nothing in particular. Two weekends ago, I hung out with The Actuary and his g/f Gamer Girl – we and two friends of theirs saw the movie Smokin' Aces. I was hoping some activity might help shake me from my ostensibly self-induced stupor. Alas, it did not.
I didn't change my diet. I didn't initially change my slate of non-work activities. I don't know that there was a single causative agent for this. I also don't know how to snap out of it any time soon (i.e., asap).
So, for now, I muddle my way through. I'm generally not happy nor remotely content. I hate how I feel but don't know how to kick it. It's really rather odd and occasionally disconcerting. But I also don't care too much so I figure it will eventually pass and I'll be, well, I don't know where I'll be but it won't be here and it won't be as I am now.
So it goes.
Friday, February 02, 2007
This Week in Miscelleny VII
This Week's Anthem: (World of Warcraft Theme Music)
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
Quotes:
Law of probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
-- Jandon of Lightbringer (WoW Paladin Forum)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
Miscellaneous Miscellany:
- If you missed this news item from Wednesday, you missed a good one. LED ad campaign ignites terrorism scare in Boston (BB). See also news posts at Daily Kos, Engadget and Universal Hub. If you're curious, the ad campaign is/was for the upcoming Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie.
- RStevens of Diesel Sweeties led me to a post over at Warren Ellis' Blog linking to an interview with W.E. about his upcoming book. Based on works of his I've read (comic books, graphic novels), I have a lot of faith that his book will be well worth a read.
- Succumb to Google paranoia or perish. When Being a Verb is Not Enough: Google wants to be YOUR Internet (PBS).
- Misc. story links: Jewish porno can't use kosher symbol, says upset Rabbi (BB); Sleeping pill causes "inappropriate or strange automatic behaviour" (namely Ambien; BB); How To Start A War (Daily Kos); The Last Question by Isaac Asimov (a short story).
- Misc. links: The Imaginary Foundation (think tank with cool t-shirts); Goth zen (BB); BEASTS! a comix bestiary of cryptids (BB); Powder turns bathwater into thick slime; Main Contenders for 2008 Election; 2007 Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards; 2007 Bloggies; Akaida (a web comic, currently on hiatus); art links (Begoths.com); 1938 Media.
- Gratuitous WoW link: WoW Dungeon Keys.
Quotes:
Law of probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
-- Jandon of Lightbringer (WoW Paladin Forum)
Overheards:
Overheard 1:
Cube worker #1: I think I found the secret project.Two:
Cube worker #2: Mine?
Cube worker #1: You have a secret project?
Cube worker #2: Uh, no.
IT guy #1: What is boxing day, anyway?Three:
IT guy #2: Well, I Wikipedia-ed it and could only gather that it either has to do with killing birds, beating up servant girls, or selling off Christmas stuff nobody wants.
Man to female coworker: I don't think you understand -- you brought in fried chicken for us. This gesture is a little more serious than, 'I can tolerate your presence,' and quite honestly, I'm not sure if I'm ready to take our relationship to that level.
Old Miscellany:
This Week in Miscelleny I
This Week in Miscellany II
This Week in Miscellany III
This Week in Miscellany IV
This Week in Miscellany V
This Week in Miscelleny VI (there is no VI)
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