"Anonimity... is like a warm blanket."
--Max, Mission: Impossible, 1996
If you are truly anonymous Anonymous in Blogger, you really can't delete your comment.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Quotes
I don't put quotes on my email signature, not work email because nobody needs my secondhand wisdom at work. I don't put quotes for my private email because my friends don't need my preachings.
But sometimes I do movie quotes on blog comments, just can't help it. I sin.
Recently found from The Devil Wears Prada.
Miranda Priesly: The details of your incompetence do not interest me.
Miranda Priestly: You have no style nor any sense of fashion...
Andy Sachs: I think that depends on...
Miranda Priestly: No no. That wasn't a question.
More here from IMDB.COM.
But sometimes I do movie quotes on blog comments, just can't help it. I sin.
Recently found from The Devil Wears Prada.
Miranda Priesly: The details of your incompetence do not interest me.
Miranda Priestly: You have no style nor any sense of fashion...
Andy Sachs: I think that depends on...
Miranda Priestly: No no. That wasn't a question.
More here from IMDB.COM.
Etiquette
I was waiting in my doctor's office, got nothing better to do so I did some quick reading. You know something, doctors or dentists, they don't understand the concept of appointment and your time is never as important as theirs. Anyway, I kind of got used to it. And in all fairness I arrived 10 minutes early and I waited about 40 minutes in total, so that wasn't too bad. It was my long overdue annual medical checkup, just in case you wonder. When you reach certain age and pay a few hundred dollars on insurance premium every month, you may as well use it.
There was this New York Magazine on urban etiquette. I found it pretty interesting.
I think the funnist may be this piece: Amy Poehler’s 8 Simple Rules For being a civilized New Yorker By Adam Sternbergh. Here is the list just in case the link no longer works by the time you or you click it.
1. Be nice to everyone, especially people wearing hospital bracelets.
2. Don’t ask white girls if they “left their ass at home.”
3. If you have to bring your baby to a movie, make sure he laughs at appropriate times.
4. Don’t eat Cheetos and then sit down at a fancy hotel piano.
5. If you are in Central Park and think you are getting mugged, first check to see if maybe you’re just part of a student film.
6. If you see Oprah at a fancy function, don’t grab her wrist and ask for money. Quietly sneak up behind her and whisper, “You give me that money, Oprah. You hear me?”
7. When walking on a New York street, try not to spit, litter, bleed, or take a crap.
8. If you need to do any of these things, try to do it between two parked cars.
My favorite is 7 and 8, I am still like kids who love all the jokes that have to do with bodily functions.
There was this New York Magazine on urban etiquette. I found it pretty interesting.
I think the funnist may be this piece: Amy Poehler’s 8 Simple Rules For being a civilized New Yorker By Adam Sternbergh. Here is the list just in case the link no longer works by the time you or you click it.
1. Be nice to everyone, especially people wearing hospital bracelets.
2. Don’t ask white girls if they “left their ass at home.”
3. If you have to bring your baby to a movie, make sure he laughs at appropriate times.
4. Don’t eat Cheetos and then sit down at a fancy hotel piano.
5. If you are in Central Park and think you are getting mugged, first check to see if maybe you’re just part of a student film.
6. If you see Oprah at a fancy function, don’t grab her wrist and ask for money. Quietly sneak up behind her and whisper, “You give me that money, Oprah. You hear me?”
7. When walking on a New York street, try not to spit, litter, bleed, or take a crap.
8. If you need to do any of these things, try to do it between two parked cars.
My favorite is 7 and 8, I am still like kids who love all the jokes that have to do with bodily functions.
Technorati
Technorati tells the truth about my blog, that it really sucks big time and has virtually no traffic.
I learnt about technorati's existence probably a few months back, I guess that says how tech not savvy I am. Anyway, I was wandering on the Web and I did a vanity search on Technorati and it dutifully informed me, without sugarcoating anything, that my blog ranks 1,050,117. And to my biggest surprise, I got one inbound link, which is totally unexpected.
My blog ranking pretty much reflects my own existence. It doesn't matter to the whole world but I have my own fun.
I learnt about technorati's existence probably a few months back, I guess that says how tech not savvy I am. Anyway, I was wandering on the Web and I did a vanity search on Technorati and it dutifully informed me, without sugarcoating anything, that my blog ranks 1,050,117. And to my biggest surprise, I got one inbound link, which is totally unexpected.
My blog ranking pretty much reflects my own existence. It doesn't matter to the whole world but I have my own fun.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Superman Returns
So I am going to check out Superman Returns tonight, one day ahead of the June 28 release date. Thanks Mei.
This summer we have 2 leading men in tights, Superman in Superman Returns and Nacho in Nacho Libre, which stars Jack Black as Nacho. I have a weakness for funny guys, except Adam Sandler whose brand of humor I don't get and hence fail to appreciate. Apparently, Adam Sandler's brand of humor really does wonder in the box office.
The Devil Wears Prada seems promising. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep on a story based on the same name novel allegedly or not so allegedly based on the author Lauren Weisberger working experience as an intern/assistant(?) for US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
UPDATE:
Superman Returns
I enjoyed Superman Returns. What made the experience enjoyable was I got free ticket, finger foods, candy, beverages, and pop-corn.
The movie itself is not bad either.
To quote the director, it's really a "chick flick." If you look for some hand to hand combat or a fair amount of violence, you have to look elsewhere. What it is is about unrequited love, gasp, I can't believe I even say that. Some critics go on to say that Superman is gay, not that there is anything wrong with it, but I think that's really a stretch, and it says something more about the critics than the movie itself. Personally, I don't see any religious reference either. But then again, I didn't see Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ." or myself a religious expert.
I think director Bryant Singer did a very good job to tell a story. The special effect is good and not overbearing. Brandon Routh is plain good looking albeit mildly boring and hence I consider him good Superman material. The ending is a bit unsatisfactory but overall I think it's a good movie.
Also, both Jimmy from Daily Planet and Lex Luthor shoot Nikon. When Lex was in the musuem, he was carrying a Nikon D2 something, though I really didn't see him shooting with it. And Jimmy, Kent Clark's co worker was seen actually shooting with a Nikon D2 something. Probably D2Xs, D2X, D2Hs, or D2H. Sorry, in the world of Metropolis, people don't shoot Canon, though in the real world, the opposite seems to be true. And Lois Lane's choice of vehicle was an Audi SUV.
Discovery is going to launch in Florida this Saturday, Superman, are you ready? Hope NASA got it covered this time.
For who: People who love Superman or people who enjoy a good story.
Not for: People who only love senseless violence and hand to hand combat.
For children: Over eight years old or any children who have attention span of more than 2.5 hours, factor in the previews, make it 3 hours. Younger children may get upset when Superman got beat up or appeared to be fatally injured.
Adult situation: Is there any? None. Okay, maybe when Superman and Lois Lane tried to kiss.
Violence: Mild violence with no blood. A villian killed by a grand piano, off camera. Younger children may get upset with certain scenes when Superman got beat up and appeared to be fatally injured.
Disclosure: I am not a Superman fan. I am middle-aged. I grew up knowing Ultraman as superman, not knowing there is really a Superman until perhaps a bit later in my life.
Read what the real critic says here and here.
This summer we have 2 leading men in tights, Superman in Superman Returns and Nacho in Nacho Libre, which stars Jack Black as Nacho. I have a weakness for funny guys, except Adam Sandler whose brand of humor I don't get and hence fail to appreciate. Apparently, Adam Sandler's brand of humor really does wonder in the box office.
The Devil Wears Prada seems promising. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep on a story based on the same name novel allegedly or not so allegedly based on the author Lauren Weisberger working experience as an intern/assistant(?) for US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
UPDATE:
Superman Returns
I enjoyed Superman Returns. What made the experience enjoyable was I got free ticket, finger foods, candy, beverages, and pop-corn.
The movie itself is not bad either.
To quote the director, it's really a "chick flick." If you look for some hand to hand combat or a fair amount of violence, you have to look elsewhere. What it is is about unrequited love, gasp, I can't believe I even say that. Some critics go on to say that Superman is gay, not that there is anything wrong with it, but I think that's really a stretch, and it says something more about the critics than the movie itself. Personally, I don't see any religious reference either. But then again, I didn't see Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ." or myself a religious expert.
I think director Bryant Singer did a very good job to tell a story. The special effect is good and not overbearing. Brandon Routh is plain good looking albeit mildly boring and hence I consider him good Superman material. The ending is a bit unsatisfactory but overall I think it's a good movie.
Also, both Jimmy from Daily Planet and Lex Luthor shoot Nikon. When Lex was in the musuem, he was carrying a Nikon D2 something, though I really didn't see him shooting with it. And Jimmy, Kent Clark's co worker was seen actually shooting with a Nikon D2 something. Probably D2Xs, D2X, D2Hs, or D2H. Sorry, in the world of Metropolis, people don't shoot Canon, though in the real world, the opposite seems to be true. And Lois Lane's choice of vehicle was an Audi SUV.
Discovery is going to launch in Florida this Saturday, Superman, are you ready? Hope NASA got it covered this time.
For who: People who love Superman or people who enjoy a good story.
Not for: People who only love senseless violence and hand to hand combat.
For children: Over eight years old or any children who have attention span of more than 2.5 hours, factor in the previews, make it 3 hours. Younger children may get upset when Superman got beat up or appeared to be fatally injured.
Adult situation: Is there any? None. Okay, maybe when Superman and Lois Lane tried to kiss.
Violence: Mild violence with no blood. A villian killed by a grand piano, off camera. Younger children may get upset with certain scenes when Superman got beat up and appeared to be fatally injured.
Disclosure: I am not a Superman fan. I am middle-aged. I grew up knowing Ultraman as superman, not knowing there is really a Superman until perhaps a bit later in my life.
Read what the real critic says here and here.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Beckham can still Bend it like Beckham
Beckham gave England a one to nothing lead against Ecuado. And went on to win the game with this only one goal. The game was a total bore.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Reuters Headlines
Morgan Stanley earnings more than double.
Last week, it was like Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Bear Sterns. No wonder last year, Wall Street handed out 21 billion in bonus.
I am in the wrong industry.
Last week, it was like Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Bear Sterns. No wonder last year, Wall Street handed out 21 billion in bonus.
I am in the wrong industry.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Breaking: NBA Final, Miami Heat won
Miami Heat, the NBA champion beat Dallas Mavericks 95-92. O'neal and coach Riley carried the Miami Heat to the NBA final and won it. Alonzo Mourning got his ring, finally.
MIA 93
DAL 90
26.2 Minutes remaining ...
MIA leads 3-2
MIA 93
DAL 90
26.2 Minutes remaining ...
MIA leads 3-2
Breaking: Welcome to New York ...
Reader's Digest, magazine choice of your dentist office, just found out what we New Yorkers always knew, we are courteous of all.
Holding door for people, checked.
Picking up dropped papers, checked.
Saying thanks, checked.
Other city dwellers, shame on you, shame on you.
Other New York related overheards ...
Welcome to New York, Now get the fuck out of here...
Tourist: Excuse me, but do you know how I can get to Penn station?
Woman in camo: Do I look like a fucking tour guide?
Tourist: Now that's what I came to New York to find!
Holding door for people, checked.
Picking up dropped papers, checked.
Saying thanks, checked.
Other city dwellers, shame on you, shame on you.
Other New York related overheards ...
Welcome to New York, Now get the fuck out of here...
Tourist: Excuse me, but do you know how I can get to Penn station?
Woman in camo: Do I look like a fucking tour guide?
Tourist: Now that's what I came to New York to find!
--5th & 82nd
Simpsons Guest Star touring
Simpsons guest-star Stephen Hawking is touring China, making his round in Hong Kong and Beijing. Besides guest-starring in Simpsons, he moonlights in astrophysics and writes about blackholes.
Here is a very brief video footage at YouTube. The video and audio is remarkably good. I do mean his synthesized speech.
The video made no mention of his Simpsons appearances. Bummer.
Here is a very brief video footage at YouTube. The video and audio is remarkably good. I do mean his synthesized speech.
The video made no mention of his Simpsons appearances. Bummer.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Science Questions for 4-6 year olds
Which parts of your body are made of cartilage?
What is the name of the smallest shark?
What do you call a baby shark?
What is the name of the smallest shark?
What do you call a baby shark?
The Joy of Simple Toy
DSC_5165
Originally uploaded by rnj97.
This is something even I can enjoy playing. This is I guess a handheld pinball machine. But the mechanism is not perfect, actually far from it. And the tiny beads sometimes got stuck between the sidewalls and the hitting arm. But the kids really don't mind, they just play the way they want to play it. And yes, I make up my own play rules too.
Untitled
In America, we play football with our hands and we call the what the rest of the world calls football soccer, which people actually play with their feet.
I don't know if the 2006 World Cup is just plain boring (think Brazil, so far) or America's ABC and ESPN2 make it look boring. I am no soccer fan myself and not even every four years. Basically the commentators fail to generate any excitement at all. Whenever I listen to their comments, I will think of people running SQL statements in the background, SELECT nbr_goals from goal_table WHERE player='someplayer';. The comments are laden with statistics but totally lacks excitement. I remember in the old days when television was uncommon, people actually had to listen to radio to know the match, back then the commentators are really entertainers in their own rights. Not so for soccer here.
If you don't find the play exciting then at least you should find the hairstyle more exciting. In today's NYT's Styles section, Eric Wilson did an excellent job dissecting the players' sytle, from hair to tattoo. The major disappointment perhaps is Beckham, the most valuable/expensive player who brought metrosexual to the rest of us. The once advanced practitioner of funny hairstyle is no longer in the hair game, at least not on the first game.
This post sucks, and so are yours ... OKAY, maybe not yours.
I don't know if the 2006 World Cup is just plain boring (think Brazil, so far) or America's ABC and ESPN2 make it look boring. I am no soccer fan myself and not even every four years. Basically the commentators fail to generate any excitement at all. Whenever I listen to their comments, I will think of people running SQL statements in the background, SELECT nbr_goals from goal_table WHERE player='someplayer';. The comments are laden with statistics but totally lacks excitement. I remember in the old days when television was uncommon, people actually had to listen to radio to know the match, back then the commentators are really entertainers in their own rights. Not so for soccer here.
If you don't find the play exciting then at least you should find the hairstyle more exciting. In today's NYT's Styles section, Eric Wilson did an excellent job dissecting the players' sytle, from hair to tattoo. The major disappointment perhaps is Beckham, the most valuable/expensive player who brought metrosexual to the rest of us. The once advanced practitioner of funny hairstyle is no longer in the hair game, at least not on the first game.
This post sucks, and so are yours ... OKAY, maybe not yours.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Heath Related.
Coffee is said to protect liver from liver cirrhosis, especially alcholic cirrhosis.
Breast-Feed or Else. Breast-feeding is the gold standard, anything else is just inferior. That's pretty much scientific conclusive. However, if the mother is not able to do it, infant formula is probably a god-send. Statistically speaking, mothers who are better educated, more affluent, relatively older and married are more likely to breast-feed.
Breast-Feed or Else. Breast-feeding is the gold standard, anything else is just inferior. That's pretty much scientific conclusive. However, if the mother is not able to do it, infant formula is probably a god-send. Statistically speaking, mothers who are better educated, more affluent, relatively older and married are more likely to breast-feed.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Dow diarrhea continues unabated
Another day, another 100 points drop. Or close to 100 points drop.
In anticipation of Bernanke's 3 speeches this week, the market reacts by selling more.
In anticipation of Bernanke's 3 speeches this week, the market reacts by selling more.
Windows Vista Beta
It's available for download for the brave or stupid and reckless. For the record, I am still stuck in Windows Millennium Edition at home, remember Y2K, the Millennium bug? And is the millennieum zero based or one based, like the Millennieum should begin 2001 instead of 2000?
I celebrate Year 2000 with Microsoft every time I power up my PC, even we are almost half way through year 2006.
Straight From the Horse's Mouth:-
I celebrate Year 2000 with Microsoft every time I power up my PC, even we are almost half way through year 2006.
Straight From the Horse's Mouth:-
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
- A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
- 512 MB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
Friday, June 09, 2006
ABC GMA, NBC Today
ABC broadcasts Good Morning America in High Definition, while NBC's Today still does it the bad old way, 480i standard definition. And NBC is wondering why ABC is closing the gap in rating. No wonder Katie Couric left.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Cast Iron Is The Real Non-stick
[Picture: Lars Klove for The New York Times, all rights belong to their rightful owners.]Teflon non-stick cookware is bullshit. Cast iron is the real non-stick. Apparently I am not alone in this department of thinking. See this New York Times article here. A well seasoned cast iron pan gives you the best non-stick cooking experience for a long long time.
American Runs on Dunkin
If you despise anything Starbucks, you are in luck. McDonald's, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts are all competing for your crave for premium and not-too-premium caffeine indulgence.
Here is Dunkin's average-guy ad campaign, he sure looks like he is so capable of beating up all the Starbucks snobs. I don't know if he looks average, but I think he looks pretty scarry.
"Hey I just killed my 5th Starbucks snob ... this week, want to be the sixth?" You see this Dunkin man, you better run.
[photo linked from New York Times, all rights belong to their rightful owners]
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Arnold Newman dead at 88
[self-portrait of Mr. Newman taken in his studio in 1987, image linked from the New York Times. All Rights belong to their rightful owners]The pioneer of the so called environmental protraiture, Arnold Newman is dead at 88. June 6, 2006 didn't end the world but it did end the life of Mr. Newman.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Katrina and Louis Vuitton
You can't use FEMA fund to buy a Vuitton bag.
Last year, some FEMA and Red Cross issued debit cards for Katrina victims were alleged being used to pay for Vuitton handbags and booze. More here.
You can't be a victim in style and that's the law.
Last year, some FEMA and Red Cross issued debit cards for Katrina victims were alleged being used to pay for Vuitton handbags and booze. More here.
You can't be a victim in style and that's the law.
Hong Kong Media Get Global News Coverage
While the notorious Bus Uncle is finishing up its 15 minutes of fame, Hong Kong media get another coverage from Reuters. When news media become the news, it's usually bad news. Commercial Radio has to publicly apologize for a poll in which respondents are asked to pick their favorite sexual assault targets. Some starlets were pride of being the favorite picks.
Google Spreadsheet
As reported, Google is going to beta it's Google Spreadsheet today at its http://labs.google.com. As of now, I still am not able to see the link there. Or I am not sure how it's rolled out to its potential beta users. Anyway, if I see it, great, if not, that's OKAY too.
I always have mixed feelings to Excel. I thought on the one hand it's great (for small business), on the other hand, it's the biggest evil in a corporate enterprise environment. I always believe you should have a central data reportory, or at least in theory, you should. If you have to resort to Excel to do any analysis, then your enterprise software is really lacking and what's worse, you have data untamed lying around everywhere in spreadsheets. Sometimes, I think Excel is the worse thing you can have in a corporate environment.
But accountants really love Excel.
UPDATE: I became of the those beta testers of Google Spreadsheets. It isn't Excel, but then I don't expect or want it to be like Excel. I tried right-click, and of course, it gives web page behavior as opposed to right-click mouse menu. And I couldn't find formula help. I did resort to go to Excel 2003 to get the help function on certain formula. I was able to use =PMT() and =IPMT() to calculate mortgage payments.
I always have mixed feelings to Excel. I thought on the one hand it's great (for small business), on the other hand, it's the biggest evil in a corporate enterprise environment. I always believe you should have a central data reportory, or at least in theory, you should. If you have to resort to Excel to do any analysis, then your enterprise software is really lacking and what's worse, you have data untamed lying around everywhere in spreadsheets. Sometimes, I think Excel is the worse thing you can have in a corporate environment.
But accountants really love Excel.
UPDATE: I became of the those beta testers of Google Spreadsheets. It isn't Excel, but then I don't expect or want it to be like Excel. I tried right-click, and of course, it gives web page behavior as opposed to right-click mouse menu. And I couldn't find formula help. I did resort to go to Excel 2003 to get the help function on certain formula. I was able to use =PMT() and =IPMT() to calculate mortgage payments.
6 days old news: Nikon D2Xs
On June 1, Nikon announced D2Xs, an incremental upgrade to its flagship D2X digital SLR. Nikon D2Xs may be hawked by Kate Moss or her once boyfriend Pete Doghery or both. The alleged ad would feature Pete smashing the D2Xs recklessly or using the D2Xs as an ashtray.
I totally made that up.
I totally made that up.
Miscellaneous
President Bush talked about marriage. I really don't give a damn. He should be talking about the economy, job, and the war in Iraq. He shouldn't in the bedroom business.
Mr. Bernanke, once again, proved himself could and would screw up the stock market. He effectively talked down the DOW almost 200 points. Wall Street interpreted his remarks at some event as the Fed might raise short term interest rate at month end.
NYC needs citywide wi-fi as the New York Time editorial elloquently stated today. Because no matter which side of the digital divide you are on, you deserve to waste your time on the World Wide Web.
Mr. Tom Robinson is indeed a descendent of Genghis Khan.
Mr. Bernanke, once again, proved himself could and would screw up the stock market. He effectively talked down the DOW almost 200 points. Wall Street interpreted his remarks at some event as the Fed might raise short term interest rate at month end.
NYC needs citywide wi-fi as the New York Time editorial elloquently stated today. Because no matter which side of the digital divide you are on, you deserve to waste your time on the World Wide Web.
Mr. Tom Robinson is indeed a descendent of Genghis Khan.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Spelling Bee
ABC is live broadcasting the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in HD. Spelling is a competitive sport I guess. I am just tuning in and is recording the show just for further and future humiliation for myself.
I know none of the words.
Stupidity reaffirmed.
UPDATE:
WELTSCHMERZ and URSPRACHE, the two words that separate the runner-up, Finola Hackett and the champion, Katharine Close.
I know none of the words.
Stupidity reaffirmed.
UPDATE:
WELTSCHMERZ and URSPRACHE, the two words that separate the runner-up, Finola Hackett and the champion, Katharine Close.
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