July 2006

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

Went to Alice's today, crosswinds on 280 can be a scary thing. Realized need for 6th gear.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

Someone once told me that if you bother repeating something to 3 or more people, you might as well blog about it. Well, OK.

The coming format war between industry heavyweights (electronics or movie) over whose next-generation DVD will own the living room is already over. It will be a very expensive, but ultimately pointless pissing match honored for its place in history as the last gasp of physical media.

Why? Dead prez and Tubes.

The medium for delivery of HD movies is already here--the Internet. The same millions of people who'd otherwise spend the $600 on an HD-DVD player can already download the equivalent amount of data in less time than a trip to Blockbuster.

Some brilliant person at Sony's movie division is going to figure out that instead of wasting the time & money chasing half a bifurcated market they can sell HD movies Right Now sans physical duplication, packaging and distribution costs. Therein lies the trick.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

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Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

What's the most extreme weather you've been in? A memorable storm? Heat wave? Or something else?

Aha, the second time I can use this story for a QotD. Hint: Kyushu + blizzard + bicycle.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

What's your favorite drink or cocktail? What's in it?
Question submitted by charm.vox.com

I call it The Alcoholic. Ingredients:

• one part Gin

I kid!

copper stills

Depending on the time of day, er night, the phase of the moon, and general welfare of imbimement budget, my drink of choice varies widely. When I'm feeling posh and not looking for a big night, it's a Lagavulin, neat. Typical night-out fuel is Hangar One & soda (Hangar One are out in Alameda, they have an excellent tasting room).

My wine rack is never without a bottle of Honig Sauvignon Blanc and a Robert Sinskey Pinot.

On the hop side, I favor the somewhat local brew of the Anderson Valley, in particular Boont Amber. For special occasions, my fridge stocks Saison DuPont, a Belgian farmhouse ale and a good one at that. The other Belgian, or in this case Flemish bottle that makes the cut is the Duchess.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

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Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

I almost have a Wikipedia entry. Dear lazyweb...

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

San Francisco never fails in the random WTF department.

Edit: Further explanation.

So every evening after work I go for a ride. Yesterday evening as I passed through Aquatic Park (next to Fisherman's Wharf) I saw this crowd standing around a couple cop cars near the bleachers between the bay and the museum.

I initially thought someone was either hurt or committing some heinous crime like being homeless in tourist attraction, but as I got closer I realized everyone was either A) laughing or B) filming something with their digital cameras/camcorders/phones/whatever. Naturally I joined the fray, getting these shots of the police car adorned with marine mammal sporting an electronic fauxhawk complete with antennas. No giant lasers, I'm afraid.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

Boy, 15, Beaten with his Artificial Leg

Also in the news: Israel & Lebanon trying to start World War III, Congress bending to the will of King Bush, and DC in a state of emergency.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in July 2006.

What was your most memorable or favorite school field trip?

25 years ago I went on a field trip to the Zoo with my class from the American School in Vogelweh, Germany.  When we got to the Orangutan cages, the beasts uncerimoniously started hurling feces at the military brats. Your narrator was singled out by one particularly vicious mother orangutan for a rather nasty shit missle. I hated those stupid monkeys for a long time.