The Morning Drizzle

I figured some of you might enjoy this:

It is Rush Limbaugh on Family Guy

Ok, quick announcement.

I will be graduating on June 17th, 2007 from UCSC, but I will not be done with classes until this December, my time in Santa Cruz for school is almost up, and I wanted to inform everyone.

Secondly on my graduation form I have to write 30 words or less about my college experience and/or future plans but... I have a bad memory and I am not going to graduate school (at least for now) and I am not currently lined up with a job. So if you have any ideas let me know

Thirdly, just to complain a bit, for about 3 months i have been applying for summer internships/jobs and have probably sent out around 12 resumes, with no response. I have experience, I have a 3.64 GPA, Im going to a well ranked school... I feel like I've been blacklisted during the McCarthy era... but im not a HIPPIE dammit....

Did any of you have History 40, modern east asia with Christy in Fall 2006? I still have no evaluation, does anyone else have this problem? it is WAYY over due.

hey everyone, below is a link to a satire of the Johnny Cash song "ring of fire"

I found it hillarious: http://mfile.akamai.com/5020/wma/rushlimb.download.akamai.com/5020/New/balloffire.asx

Before any of you jump to any conclusions, the title has nothing to do with gayness. I have applied for an internship with Microsoft over the summer (and have yet to hear back...) I also sent a copy of my resume to a local accountant that Bryan's office uses, and hopefully sometime soon I will stop being a sloth, and have a job.

Also, I wanted to say shame on the Academy that gives out the Oscars. Although I have never seen Al Gore's movie, yet, I did run across a news article today that his movie had won an Oscar. According to the Nashville Electric Service Al Gore's Mansion in Tennessee uses more electricity in one MONTH than the average household does in ONE YEAR. Gore's electricity bill per month averages $1,359. "Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006. "

Although I am not a true denier that there is a chance for global warming to exist, shouldn't one of the main proponents of its existence, a doom-sayer such as Al Gore lead the charge on cutting our wasteful energy consumption?

In case you do not believe me please see the following: http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367

Although many of you may have heard or read this story, I still wanted to share it with you. As pointless as this may seem, it does appear to show that conflict, war, and freedom span everywhere in human idealism.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070224/ts_alt_afp/usitinternetattacks_070224005516

Virtual terror strikes Second Life

by Glenn Chapman Sat Feb 24, 11:54 AM ET

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - In an explosive display, virtual-world banes now mirror the havoc of the real one as terrorists have launched a bombing campaign in Second Life.
ADVERTISEMENT

People controlling animated avatar members of a self-proclaimed Second Life Liberation Army (SLLA) have set off computer-code versions of atomic bombs at virtual world stores in the past six months -- with their own manifesto.

The SLLA claims to be an "in-world military wing of a national liberation movement" devoted to replacing the rule of Second Life creator Linden Labs with a democracy representing the nearly four million residents.

"As Linden Labs is functioning as an authoritarian government the only appropriate response is to fight," the SLLA said in a message on its website at http://secondlla.googlepages.com.

"When the SLLA succeeds in its aims it will disband and hand power back to the political wing of the movement."

Creative dissent is welcomed in Second Life as long as it doesn't interfere with the ability of other residents to enjoy the virtual world, according to San Francisco-based Linden.

Second Life said it stopped charging a tax on items created by residents after avatars fashioned in the images of American revolutionaries recreated the Boston Tea Party in the virtual world about three years ago.

Since then, website users adept at manipulating computer codes have engineered mischief including a "push gun" that blasted other avatars back when fired, according to Linden.

"We do the utmost to ensure the protection of creative expression, within certain bounds," Linden marketing director Catherine Smith told AFP on Friday.

"Ultimately, instances in which residents engage in simulated violence will have to be taken on a case-by-case basis."

The virtual bomb blasts in Second Life explode in hazy white balls, blotting out portions of a screen and battering nearby avatars, animated figures that are residents' proxies in the virtual world.

The disruptions are brief and do not cause lasting damage in Second Life, according to Linden.

Residents are given free rein in Second Life, as long as they don't harass or interfere with other avatars in what is referred to in-world as "griefing."

SLLA bombings have been viewed by Linden as "mock terrorism" done in fun to catalyze debate about the in-world power structure.

"We believe recent events involving SLLA protest lack malicious intent," Smith said. "Resident reaction to such attacks has been decidedly tongue-in-cheek."

The SLLA website demands that Linden give Second Life residents "basic rights" by going public and allowing each avatar to buy a share of stock at a set price.

In instances where residents feel harassed by the SLLA, Linden will dole out temporary banishment or other such penalties as outlined in the virtual world's written terms of service, according to Smith.

From Drudgereport.com
(http://drudgereport.com/flash8.htm)

HOUSE HEARING ON 'WARMING OF THE PLANET' CANCELED AFTER SNOW/ICE STORM
HEARING NOTICE
Tue Feb 13 2007 19:31:25 ET

The Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building has been postponed due to inclement weather. The hearing is entitled “Climate Change: Are Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Human Activities Contributing to a Warming of the Planet?”

The hearing will be rescheduled to a date and time to be announced later.

DC WEATHER REPORT:

Wednesday: Freezing rain in the morning...then a chance of snow in the afternoon. Ice accumulation of less than one quarter of an inch. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 18. Northwest winds around 20 mph.



(Does anyone else see the irony in this, or is it just me?)

To Everyone:

My local AM independent radio station's owner recently released a commentary on the radio. She is commenting on the State of the Union. Below is a link, it is audio, not text... so you will need to turn on your speakers.

Kay's commentary is well spoken, and seems to be researched. It is very paul harvey-ish for those of you who know who paul harvey is:

http://ksco.got.net/Kay/2007-02-05.mp3

J

Shown below, is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an
86 year old woman. The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it
published in the New York Times.
> >
> > Dear Sir:
> >
> > I am writing to thank you for bouncing my check with which I endeavored to
pay my plumber last month.
> >
> >
> > By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his
presenting the check and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honor
it.
> >
> >
> > I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire pension,
an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only eight years.
> >
> >
> > You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and
also for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused
to your bank.
> >
> >
> > My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused
me to rethink my errant financial ways.
> >
> >
> > I noticed that whereas I personally answer your telephone calls and
letters, --- when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal,
overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become.
> >
> > From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person.
> >
> >
> > My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer be
automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed personally and
confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate.
> >
> >
> > Be aware that it is an offense under the Postal Act for any other person to
open such an envelope. Please find attached an Appl ication Contact which I
require your chosen employee to complete.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about
him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative.
> >
> >
> > Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be
countersigned by a Notary Public, and the mandatory details of his/her financial
situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by
documented proof.
> >
> >
> > In due course, at MY convenience, I will issue your employee with a PIN
number which he/she must quote in dealings with me.
> >
> >
> > I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have
modeled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account
balance on your phone bank service. As they say, imit ation is the sincerest form
of flattery.
> > Let me level the playing field even further.
> >
> > When you call me, press buttons as follows:
> >
> >
> > IMMEDIETELY AFTER DIALING, PRESS THE STAR (*) BUTTON FOR ENGLISH
> >
> >
> > #1. To make an appointment to see me
> > #2. To query a missing payment.
> > # 3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there.
> > # 4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping.
> > # 5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature.
> > # 6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home .
> > #7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is
required. Password will be communicated to you at a later date to that
Authorized Contact mentioned earlier.
> > # 8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through 7.
> > # 9. To make a general complaint or inquiry. The contact will then be put on
hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service.
> > # 10. This is a second reminder to press* for English.
> >
> >
> >
> > While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music
will play for the duration of the call
> >
> >
> >
> > Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an
establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement.
> > May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous New Year?
> > Your Humble Client
> >
> > (Remember: This was written by a 86 year old woman)
> > "YA JUST GOTTA LOVE "US SENIORS" !!!!!
> >




Thanks and GOD BLESS America and You,

George Zukowski <>

I just had to!

First off, I am new to this, so dont judge my quality of live journaling. I had my first midterm today in Econometrics (statistical analysis of economic change)... other than that don't ask. And As to respond to Jon's posting, I just hadnt had a chance to do this live journaling thing, I was mostly just keeping up on Dan's travels through Europa.

I walked by a deer today on campus, about three feet away. I was tempted to yell hippy-crap at the deer. The problem is two fold. First it might have attacked me, as that seems to be my luck, and additionally there Are actual hippies where I go to school, that might not be responded to well by the human population either.

PS - Jon glad to hear its all comin together.

It finally works... i have a lj...