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Likely no entry tomorrow, as I will be spending most of the day off-site doing a training seminar. Since that'll put me relatively near to my favored movie theaters in the area, I think I'll get the chance to see Real Steel or Three Musketeers - whichever has the more convenient start time.
On a completely unrelated note, pop culture is amazing. The way memes spread, replicate and mutate is absolutely fascinating. Let me tell you a short story.
In the early 90's, David Lynch produced a television show called 'On the Air', a slapstick riff on the behind-the-scenes shenanigans at a fictional television station in 1957. The Lester Guy show (Live) was the show-within-the-show, and everything's always a complete disaster. The crew is a motley assembly, each with their own strange defects or mannerisms. The sound guy, Blinky Watts, gets a little narrative disclaimer in each episode, when he first appears, to the effect that he is "not blind. He suffers from Bozeman's Simplex, and actually sees 25.62 times as much as we do. If we could see what Blinky is seeing right now, it would look something like this." Followed by a random collection of images superimposed over what's going on.
It's not a gut-busting gag, it's just a little touch of oddity.
So, this series filmed seven episodes, and aired three. It was released on VHS, but not DVD. But the Bozeman's Simplex gag has popped up again, in a My Little Pony animated music video, of all things. Ponies : The Anthology is a 25 minute clip on YouTube, and they do a bit with the cross-eyed pony known as 'Derpy Hooves', and reference the Bozeman's simplex bit.
I actually saw the Pony video months ago, and then more recently found that a friend of mine had a copy of the On The Air tape. I've been watching it this week, and was floored by the connection.
Truly, nothing ever dies.
On a completely unrelated note, pop culture is amazing. The way memes spread, replicate and mutate is absolutely fascinating. Let me tell you a short story.
In the early 90's, David Lynch produced a television show called 'On the Air', a slapstick riff on the behind-the-scenes shenanigans at a fictional television station in 1957. The Lester Guy show (Live) was the show-within-the-show, and everything's always a complete disaster. The crew is a motley assembly, each with their own strange defects or mannerisms. The sound guy, Blinky Watts, gets a little narrative disclaimer in each episode, when he first appears, to the effect that he is "not blind. He suffers from Bozeman's Simplex, and actually sees 25.62 times as much as we do. If we could see what Blinky is seeing right now, it would look something like this." Followed by a random collection of images superimposed over what's going on.
It's not a gut-busting gag, it's just a little touch of oddity.
So, this series filmed seven episodes, and aired three. It was released on VHS, but not DVD. But the Bozeman's Simplex gag has popped up again, in a My Little Pony animated music video, of all things. Ponies : The Anthology is a 25 minute clip on YouTube, and they do a bit with the cross-eyed pony known as 'Derpy Hooves', and reference the Bozeman's simplex bit.
I actually saw the Pony video months ago, and then more recently found that a friend of mine had a copy of the On The Air tape. I've been watching it this week, and was floored by the connection.
Truly, nothing ever dies.
I had a pleasant weekend wherein I didn't have much to do, so I got a lot done.
But work, this morning, has been a nightmare. One little nag after another, and repeated problems with one of our systems - it's always been flaky, but usually is stable for weeks once it craps out. It's been down three times since yesterday evening.
We had a 'fun' one last week, too. A supervisor type calling to get accounts set up for her student workers. She didn't think she should let them continue to log in as her. That'd be the same username and password for every system on campus that she has access to, by the way. Even being generous and assuming she was manually logging them in as her and keeping the password to herself - that's a huge no-no. We immediately disabled her multiple log-in permissions and told her to stop.
The kicker? I checked on those student workers, and we'd already created the accounts for them months ago. Probably at her request.
I related all this to one of my uninvolved co-workers, and he marveled, "What are we, everybody's dad?" To which I could only reply : "No, we're the special ed teacher. We keep them from eating the paste."
But work, this morning, has been a nightmare. One little nag after another, and repeated problems with one of our systems - it's always been flaky, but usually is stable for weeks once it craps out. It's been down three times since yesterday evening.
We had a 'fun' one last week, too. A supervisor type calling to get accounts set up for her student workers. She didn't think she should let them continue to log in as her. That'd be the same username and password for every system on campus that she has access to, by the way. Even being generous and assuming she was manually logging them in as her and keeping the password to herself - that's a huge no-no. We immediately disabled her multiple log-in permissions and told her to stop.
The kicker? I checked on those student workers, and we'd already created the accounts for them months ago. Probably at her request.
I related all this to one of my uninvolved co-workers, and he marveled, "What are we, everybody's dad?" To which I could only reply : "No, we're the special ed teacher. We keep them from eating the paste."
Work Amusement
Jul. 14th, 2011 10:09 amThe IT folks at my academic place of employment were having a meeting yesterday, and we were discussing a recurring PEBCAK problem. ("Problem exists between chair and keyboard.") Someone suggested signage to reduce the impact of the problem, to which another replied "Yeah. 'Don't be stupid.'"
Another added we could probably put that up at the entrance to the campus, as it's good general advice for college age people, and someone else retorted that no one would come here, so I had to chime in at that point. "Just write it in Latin, put it up as the school motto, it'll be fine."
According to Google Translate : 'ne obstupescas'.
Another added we could probably put that up at the entrance to the campus, as it's good general advice for college age people, and someone else retorted that no one would come here, so I had to chime in at that point. "Just write it in Latin, put it up as the school motto, it'll be fine."
According to Google Translate : 'ne obstupescas'.
Sleeeeeeep
Jul. 12th, 2011 10:53 amNeed more sleep. Ugh.
Mom's in town and brought me some birch seed pods - useful for creating tiny fake leaves (well, can you call them fake if they're real plant material?) for making miniatures terrain. I am pleased.
I have to work a little late today - got to teleconference with Jose from Oracle, who apparently starts work in his time zone at the equivalent of my quitting time, 4PM. I agreed to accommodate his schedule because I have sympathy for people who have to get up earlier, but dammit, Oracle - hire some tech support in the United States, assholes.
Mom's in town and brought me some birch seed pods - useful for creating tiny fake leaves (well, can you call them fake if they're real plant material?) for making miniatures terrain. I am pleased.
I have to work a little late today - got to teleconference with Jose from Oracle, who apparently starts work in his time zone at the equivalent of my quitting time, 4PM. I agreed to accommodate his schedule because I have sympathy for people who have to get up earlier, but dammit, Oracle - hire some tech support in the United States, assholes.
Incepting a New Post
Jul. 8th, 2011 01:40 pmAt work, we're doing some training on a new ticketing system, so my time's been a little scarce. Should be done now, thankfully. The guy doing the training seems to have really enjoyed Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' movie, because every time he talks about starting a ticket, instead of using the words 'start', 'create', or 'begin', he invariably says 'incept'. This usage is accurate, but pompous-sounding and kind of obnoxious the 6th or 7th time. Word variety is your friend.
My hideous bug-bite welts from the 4th are beginning to relent, under my planned assault that includes two kinds of anti-itch cream, and Benadryl before bedtime. The two that looked liked puffy port-wine stains on my leg have started to break up into a more mottled appearance, which is good.
My current theory on my neck pain is that I am clenching my teeth in my sleep, resulting in TMJD. (Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder) I am hoping it will pass like it did last time.
Lastly, I think I may try to do some MST3K mini-marathons with people I know locally. It's time I put my TV and my MST collection to good use. Now I need to think of some themes for the mini-marathons.
My hideous bug-bite welts from the 4th are beginning to relent, under my planned assault that includes two kinds of anti-itch cream, and Benadryl before bedtime. The two that looked liked puffy port-wine stains on my leg have started to break up into a more mottled appearance, which is good.
My current theory on my neck pain is that I am clenching my teeth in my sleep, resulting in TMJD. (Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder) I am hoping it will pass like it did last time.
Lastly, I think I may try to do some MST3K mini-marathons with people I know locally. It's time I put my TV and my MST collection to good use. Now I need to think of some themes for the mini-marathons.
Vacation Craving
Jun. 8th, 2011 09:58 amI really, really don't want to be in the office right now. I want to let my brain check out. I am looking forward to the upcoming week and a half where I will not have to focus on anything work-related.
I need to get back to my Game-a-Week experiment. It'd been going well, but I've been distracted with other hobbies recently. Maybe Spider-Man : Shattered Dimensions..
I need to get back to my Game-a-Week experiment. It'd been going well, but I've been distracted with other hobbies recently. Maybe Spider-Man : Shattered Dimensions..
Missing Day
Jun. 1st, 2011 12:03 pmMy work computer had a software meltdown yesterday, collapsing the 'WinSOCK stack' - basically, the fundamental foundation of Windows networking. The ultimate cause was unknown, but a reset of the WinSOCK drivers took care of the problem almost instantly - once we figured out that was what was wrong.
Really obnoxious.
But I'm back up and running now, at least.
Really obnoxious.
But I'm back up and running now, at least.
Moving Offices
Apr. 29th, 2011 10:36 amThe office next door came open recently, and I was asked if I wanted to move in. I was hesitant, due to the circumstances of the vacancy - employee termination, all too recent - but ultimately, it just recently had its furniture upgraded, and it's even further back in the dark, arcane corners of the IT suite, so.. yeah.
Batman : Arkham Asylum is pretty engaging so far. I'm not great at it, though.
Batman : Arkham Asylum is pretty engaging so far. I'm not great at it, though.
Good Friday? Great Friday.
Apr. 21st, 2011 10:28 amLooking forward to the three day weekend, to do nothing in particular. Next break is Memorial Day, and after that, my June/July vacation.
Tuesday, I ordered myself a new checkbook. See, I have always used the free vinyl checkbook cover that you can get, and the corners and folds get progressively more cracked and worn, forming monomolecular edges that can claim a fingertip when you're fumbling to fish it out. I have had enough of that, though, so I decided to order an inexpensive non-plastic checkbook cover from Amazon. Should arrive today!
Tuesday, I ordered myself a new checkbook. See, I have always used the free vinyl checkbook cover that you can get, and the corners and folds get progressively more cracked and worn, forming monomolecular edges that can claim a fingertip when you're fumbling to fish it out. I have had enough of that, though, so I decided to order an inexpensive non-plastic checkbook cover from Amazon. Should arrive today!
Unplanned Outage
Apr. 20th, 2011 10:22 amWent home early from work yesterday with a churning stomach. It settled down after a few hours - I think it was breakfast that got me. I didn't get to start Dante's Inferno yet, but did play Pokemon and watch some Slayers, and worked on my D&D campaign notes. I think I might actually be able to put them all in digital form in a reasonable timeframe.
Happy Tax Day
Apr. 15th, 2011 09:37 amThe co-worker I mentioned recently who had trouble identifying the 'middle tab' of three possible choices was let go yesterday, so there's that. Nice lady, hope she finds a better fitting job quickly.
The Dark Sun session last night went surprisingly well, nobody died. The game's going to go on hold in May, most likely, as the GM heads off to be an activity director at a summer camp, so we've been discussing possibilities for an alternative short-run campaign for the three months he's gone. I may end up running something.
The Dark Sun session last night went surprisingly well, nobody died. The game's going to go on hold in May, most likely, as the GM heads off to be an activity director at a summer camp, so we've been discussing possibilities for an alternative short-run campaign for the three months he's gone. I may end up running something.
When it Rains, it Pours
Apr. 12th, 2011 10:36 amMy metaphorical swamped status at work became more literal - overnight, the supposedly 'fixed' leak in a pipe above my office ceiling tile got aggressive, dumping a decent bit of water on my desk and chair, and though it spared my workstation, it does need cleanup before I can use my office again - so I am working from home.
Tried Ghostbusters yesterday - I like it, except I die a lot. I should've started on the lowest difficulty, I think.
Tried Ghostbusters yesterday - I like it, except I die a lot. I should've started on the lowest difficulty, I think.
You're looking at a computer screen, at a graphic user interface that lets you interact with a database. You've asked me to help you with a problem. There are three tabs open, each with a different script on it.
How many times must I say "Let's take a look at the middle tab." before you select the correct tab?
If you said three, you may be my co-worker.
How many times must I say "Let's take a look at the middle tab." before you select the correct tab?
If you said three, you may be my co-worker.
Wrapping Up
Mar. 25th, 2011 09:46 amTrying to get my various work projects to a good spot to leave them for a week. My LiveJournal updates next week are likely to be nonexistent, so here's a preview of my vacation schedule :
Saturday : RPG session, video games, DVDs, books.
Sunday : Video games, DVDs, books.
Monday : RPG session, video games, DVDs, books, ship GI Joe Aircraft Carrier.
.. and so on. I will be focusing mostly on the new Pokemon games and on my D&D campaign. Should be a relaxing week.
Saturday : RPG session, video games, DVDs, books.
Sunday : Video games, DVDs, books.
Monday : RPG session, video games, DVDs, books, ship GI Joe Aircraft Carrier.
.. and so on. I will be focusing mostly on the new Pokemon games and on my D&D campaign. Should be a relaxing week.
Once you break your 'one a day' writing discipline, it stays broken, I guess.
I'm still here, I've just been focused on other things. Working on wikis for my various tabletop RPG campaigns. Playing Castlevania HD and psyching myself up for Pokemon Black and White. Trying to find a week that I can take a vacation from work.
I'm looking forward to getting my D&D game up and running again after a two-year hiatus. The post-apocalyptic giant robot game can go on the back burner for a while.
I'm still here, I've just been focused on other things. Working on wikis for my various tabletop RPG campaigns. Playing Castlevania HD and psyching myself up for Pokemon Black and White. Trying to find a week that I can take a vacation from work.
I'm looking forward to getting my D&D game up and running again after a two-year hiatus. The post-apocalyptic giant robot game can go on the back burner for a while.
