The SST-768 Harmony Remote.
Yes, I have many, MANY remotes. I even have one very expensive and supposedly programmable one. But no luck. So we try this one. Now Mac OS X compatible!
Be a Hero: Vote
12 years ago
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
As Seen on Fark
I'm a bald man and I have no problem with that. I'm fine with the way I look. Actually, I kinda like it this way. I started loosing hair in my early 20's and it went pretty quickly. I could pull off a "thinning" hair look, but instead I shave the top of my head and keep the rest buzz-cut short. Easy to deal with and no shame.
But some day, I expect to have a full head of hair. Just not this way: One Day We'll Grow Hair Like Wheat.
Some day, maybe inside the next 20 years, I expect medical science to perfect a lot of treatments that will extend life and youth. At least I'm holding out hope. I envision a simple treatment, maybe a pill or a nose spray, that will correct all of my bodily ills. My back won't hurt any more. I'll drop all the extra pounds. My hair will grow back, my scars disappear, I'll throw away my glasses, and I'll stop snoring.
Last Sunday, Bob Hope died at the age of 100, a very old man. I look forward to 100 when it's considered nothing but a milestone and we don't know how long people live.
But some day, I expect to have a full head of hair. Just not this way: One Day We'll Grow Hair Like Wheat.
Some day, maybe inside the next 20 years, I expect medical science to perfect a lot of treatments that will extend life and youth. At least I'm holding out hope. I envision a simple treatment, maybe a pill or a nose spray, that will correct all of my bodily ills. My back won't hurt any more. I'll drop all the extra pounds. My hair will grow back, my scars disappear, I'll throw away my glasses, and I'll stop snoring.
Last Sunday, Bob Hope died at the age of 100, a very old man. I look forward to 100 when it's considered nothing but a milestone and we don't know how long people live.
Monday, July 28, 2003
Interesting, and probably right
The Dominion: The Conceited Empire
Although I think he gives Europe too much credit. When I put on my oraclular hat, I see China as a particularly interesting future economic power. I see Russia as the India (cheap, well educated labor). I see Europe much as it is today - still struggling through 2,000 years of backbiting and spending the month of August on holiday.
Although I think he gives Europe too much credit. When I put on my oraclular hat, I see China as a particularly interesting future economic power. I see Russia as the India (cheap, well educated labor). I see Europe much as it is today - still struggling through 2,000 years of backbiting and spending the month of August on holiday.
A Pocket Full Of Great Books
On occasion I run across a selection of these wonderful little blue books, published by Konemann. They are a marvel and a bargain, to book. They're perfectly sized for slipping in a coat pocket. Very well made. They are classic books and I've enjoyed picking them up as I find them. All are hardback, with slip cover. About five by four inches and rarely more than a half inch thick. I usually find them in discount book stores, although new. My greatest success has been Half Price Books, but I've also found them in book stores in NYC and San Francisco (the legendary City Lights, I believe). My latest find was in the independent and highly recommend Columbus (German Village, really) The Book Loft.
This Saturday, I came their version of "War and Peace" and what a wonderful way to read it. A little boxed set, broken into four volumes. I've also found copies of Poe, Dickens, Jane Austen (one can't just say "Austen", can one?) as well as titles like Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. J & Mr. H, 20,000 Leagues, etc.
I recommend them to your attention: Konemann's War and Peace
This Saturday, I came their version of "War and Peace" and what a wonderful way to read it. A little boxed set, broken into four volumes. I've also found copies of Poe, Dickens, Jane Austen (one can't just say "Austen", can one?) as well as titles like Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. J & Mr. H, 20,000 Leagues, etc.
I recommend them to your attention: Konemann's War and Peace
A Word To The Wise
I'm a lazy and stubborn man, much given to my own comfort and entertainment. But if one tries often enough, I can be made to understand where I've gone off course.
Case in point, my particular friend, Penny, has been gently arguing that my choice of title for "The Wanted Way Of Things" is off course. She is my first reader (and sometimes only!) in much that I produce and I value her input, for good reason. But in this case I've resisted her with "That's what I want it to mean!".
Of course, she's right. I've added the quote to the story, but I'm holding out on the title. My point in the story, which perhaps I have not achieved, is to build a strange fear that things might actually want something. Or more to the point, that things have an accustomed way - that of entropy - and by giving them a voice it may turn to actual want. But in not providing the quote, I don't allow that dissonance to fully emerge.
In my defence, I don't think that most people are familiar with "wont". The story must work on its own, regardless of the title. But a good title is more than just a hand way to remember which story we're talking about. A title can provide a frame, a context all its own. I hope that with the added quote and context I'll get a little closer to a successful and satisfying tale.
I've learned to listen to the wise old owl. You'd be wise to listen as well.
Case in point, my particular friend, Penny, has been gently arguing that my choice of title for "The Wanted Way Of Things" is off course. She is my first reader (and sometimes only!) in much that I produce and I value her input, for good reason. But in this case I've resisted her with "That's what I want it to mean!".
Now that you show the contextual source of the title, I see that the quote you remember contains the phrase "the wonted way of things."
I urge you strongly to change the actual title of the story to The Wonted Way of Things. Or, if what you want is to leave your title as is, because you are playing against the other (Jack London) meaning, then I urge you to include the quote as a headnote to your story. [I should say that I don't get this sense of 'playing against' from your story, but that's your call.]
The differences in denotation between wanted and wonted are very large, enough that it will make a huge difference -- it's not just a spelling variation. (like flog and flag).
Of course, she's right. I've added the quote to the story, but I'm holding out on the title. My point in the story, which perhaps I have not achieved, is to build a strange fear that things might actually want something. Or more to the point, that things have an accustomed way - that of entropy - and by giving them a voice it may turn to actual want. But in not providing the quote, I don't allow that dissonance to fully emerge.
In my defence, I don't think that most people are familiar with "wont". The story must work on its own, regardless of the title. But a good title is more than just a hand way to remember which story we're talking about. A title can provide a frame, a context all its own. I hope that with the added quote and context I'll get a little closer to a successful and satisfying tale.
I've learned to listen to the wise old owl. You'd be wise to listen as well.
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