If you want something that’s like a regular book, then GET regular books! Here is a handy-dandy list of what you CAN do with regular books that you cannot with iPad books (or any other electronic book, for that matter):

• Give to a friend after you finish
• Lend out to a friend
• Sell for money
• Work without electricity
• Work anywhere from ungodly cold temperatures to 451°F
• Read during takeoff and landing

Until I can do the first three things on that list regardless of which platform my book’s new owner has, I will be sticking to my regular books, thank you very much.

NO

I saw this on my Facebook feed today: Texas Water in UT Tower-Shaped Bottle to Raise Millions for Academic Scholarships. This completely flies in the face of the school’s push for environmental stewardship.  Also, this is just one of those things where being green will save green.

* – For the Brita system, non-recurring cost includes the first 40 gallons of service.  For the water filtration system, non-recurring cost includes the first 1,320 gallons of service.

Prices are approximate in the above table.  For the home and dorm room settings, I think there is no excuse to be drinking bottled water.

From an artistic standpoint, I would find much more favorable a glass-etch scale model.  It is surely not as flimsy as a water bottle, and it would not be blemished with this HUMONGOUS  burnt orange H2Orange text splattered on one side.

Even as a UT alumni, I cannot support this.  My donations will always be in cash, the form in which it is most beneficial to the organization and myself (in the form of a tax deduction).

Respect is a fundamental element of friendships, and some people are about to lose a friend.  This is their last warning.

The Apple iPad - Up to and including the day of its debut, the Apple iPad received quite a bit of coverage.  The only two words I can conjure up are:

EPIC FAIL

Let’s start with some of its features (or lack thereof):

• No multitasking
• No Flash
• No built-in connectivity options (e.g. USB, memory card reader, HDMI out, etc.)
• 4:3 screen (seriously?  Whoever designed this display clearly did not take into consideration how books are generally laid out)
• Glossy screen = unable to read in broad daylight (the iPad’s chief competitor, by the way, performs excellently in that arena)
• Only one place to get apps (legitimately), and Apple tends to lock out competitors who are able to expand the platform’s potential

People say that this will revolutionize the eBook industry, but I believe that until an eBook is just as versatile as a physical book, that will not be true.  In particular, I present you with two equally-priced versions of a book – choose one:

• iPad version – Locked to your iPad with DRM (Digital RESTRICTIONS Management), which means you cannot lend it to a friend or sell it when you are finished.
• Hardback version – No DRM, which means you can lend your book to a friend or sell it when you are finished

I have a passion for technology, but I, and anybody sensible with their money, would most likely take the latter.  The premium of consolidating a book collection is simply too steep, both financially and with respect to freedom.

I got news for you: I got to play around with a tablet computer about five and a half years ago, and even it is capable of doing more than what this iPad can.

Clearly, there are alternatives that are not only superior to the iPad technically, but truly provide more computing power and more versatility.  Besides making things look pretty, I do not see how Apple is an innovator.

Many people, including myself, disagree with some of the things President Obama is doing.  But for the last time, you do NOT create a Facebook poll over whether he should get killed, pray for his death, or show any dispositions of violence against the President.  Remember, folks:

Source: Uncyclopedia*

Rationally, these threats of violence only serve to dilute whatever these people have to say.  I have trouble justifying why I have to take those people seriously.  Some of them claim to be speaking for God, but the God I know is loving and non-violent.  That is probably too liberal for some people (http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservative_Bible_Project), and they seek to change it.  Well, from sinner to sinner, I refer you to Revelation 22:18-19.  It means the Bible is NOT a wiki that you can change willy-nilly!  Luke 23:34

While on the subject of government and religion, I got into an argument one time with someone over gay marriage, and it struck me when someone said that “our country was founded off God.”  While this may be true, the reason why the Plymouth sailed here was to escape the state-established Protestant faith.  The First Amendment of the Constitution and my interpretation of the Bible (which this entry describes very elaborately) reinforce my belief that divine and secular authorities are to be isolated from one another.  Besides, with the divorce rate the way it is, I feel that marriage is, more importantly, an exclusive, lifetime commitment between two people.  This means no mistresses and no divorces.  The government should only see it as a legally-binding partnership between two people that confers various benefits and responsibilities and nothing more.

Random thought: What if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad developed oil refining capabilities in his country instead of his current nuclear aspirations?  That, I think, would have been a better action because I think it would be likely to bring more economic stability to his own people.

* The above logo is a parody of MPAA’s “You Can Click But You Can’t Hide” campaign.  The text said “Illegal Downloading / Inappropriate for all ages.”

Key: Green = Me; Yellow = Friend; Red = Foe

In an attempt to stand up for my friend, I told that guy to think before he types because several little birds tell me that copulation is a physically-stressing activity, and those types of activities are the last thing an injured person would want (for risk of worsening the injury).  Anyways, he replied some racially-charged order for Chinese food:

• Kung pao delight
• Fried rice
• Egg drop soup
• No egg roll
• Fortune cookie that says “go **** yourself”

It took about five minutes of anger before my logic kicked in.  My logic says that he wants a fortune cookie with an insult directed towards him.  Ai-ya!  What did I say about thinking and typing?!  In any case, I used to think that the phrase “think before you type” applies to issuing commands to computers, but I would like to share this lesson: It applies to real life as well.

To my friend: I hope you feel better.  Let me know if there’s something I can do for you.  I got your back.

For those who read this, please rate my English skills by leaving a comment.

So the rule is “Obey?”  Now I’m confused, because the definition of “obey” is “to conform to or comply with” (reference).  Somebody call the grammar police — we have an incident of vagueness here!

Just so you know, they’re scams (reference: Consumerist.com).  Let’s play a game of “What’s Wrong With This Picture?”  Wait… is it really a scam?  It really works, and I have my before/after pics to prove it:

Before	After

Oh, wait… that’s the Photoshop diet.  My apologies.  But still, if that’s not enough express weight shedding for you, you could try the Knight Bus diet, brought to you by Harry Potter:

Call me a cynic, but I’ve seen too many of these fad diets.  The bus widening up is no accident and is reflective of what will happen to most people: They will regress and will be seeking desperate measures like these again.

I’m no fan of quick fixes, for I have yet to be convinced that I won’t have to come back and fix it again.  I would rather take the sting of a fix that will last me a longer period of time.  Finally, for those of you who happen to have a stocky build, just continue to be well (i.e. eat healthy foods, exercise — even if it’s taking the stairs or walking a bit more, etc.).

History?!

During the semester, I have been doing all my reading and I can recall a lot of information.  Yet, I have been getting Cs on my all-essay tests.  During the tests, I write practically nonstop.  To gain a better understanding of the situation, I visited the TA on Friday.  Unfortunately, that was counterproductive as I left more ticked off because they appear to just want regurtitation of information and little sense of organization.  I ran into one of my colleagues while checking out the synchrophasor stuff Professor Mack Grady just finished setting up, and he echoes my sentiment.

My ability to maintain my composure seemed incredible at the time, but as soon as the final is over, I’m selling those books and ensuring those blue books are taken care of like company top trade secrets.

Funny Pics

Also on Friday, I spent the evening with some friends at a barbecue.  On the way back, I noticed that a storefront has this painted: “If it’s in stock, we’ve got it!”  My car trip today involved taking a picture of this:

My challenge to you: Devise something to contradict this statement.  Now for something not so obvious:

I found the typo on the receipt after I went to the Asian food mart to get this sauce.  I shall refrain from making jokes here…

I do not know how to write printer drivers, but I know that it will be a while before HP will see a dime from me again. Don’t be surprised if I take this printer down Office Space-style. I take that back… maybe I do something more civil and EE-like: Take the entire printer apart. Either way, it really deserves to rest in pieces.

Basically, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s going on:

• When we got our house, there are these rocks in the landscape bed that lead up to the front porch.
• Over time, these rocks became buried or discolored, so we replace them.
• First Colony Community Association sends us a letter about this unauthorized modification.

A picture of the front of my house. The white rocks are the thing they’re complaing about.

By performing the maintenance work, we feel that we are doing our part in “an effort to maintain property values in [our neighborhood].” There is no need for “a full understanding of [any] restrictions.” It is simply common sense. I went to this Andrew Vacek’s office in an attempt to get it resolved, but I was merely handed this:

That’s right, folks! A 1/8″ packet of their by-laws that is totally irrelevant to the issue at hand and describes all the bureaucracy.

For the record, this association seems to lack common sense, and I could probably come to the conclusion that this Andrew Vacek is a stubborn blockhead. This lack of common sense stems from one thing: Greed — greed for revenue. Consequently, I will state again that after I get my degree, I shall not live in First Colony, for “common sense revolts at the idea”¹ that I am required to submit a “modification approval” request to keep my yard in decent order.