For Sale: Dirt and other Garbage
By Brian | May 13, 2009
In recent months, I’ve blogged quite a lot
Categories: New York, New York, Sports Talk | 1 Comment »
New York City Sights – Times Square
By Brian | May 9, 2009
This week’s installment of New York City Sights features “the heart of little old New York,” Times Square. Interestingly enough, this takes some explaining. There are a few pictures involved, so I’ve put them below the fold to save some space.
Categories: New York, New York | 3 Comments »
Photo-Op Fiasco: Update
By Brian | May 8, 2009
First of all, here is the picture that F-16 photographer took of the Air Force One 767 flying over the Statue of Liberty. At least they got a good picture out of it. I’m told if you blow it up real big and look real close, you can see New Yorkers on the ground pointing at the sky and running in panic…
On the upside, Louis Caldera, the director of the White House military office who authorized this stunt, has resigned. From his resignation letter to President Obama:
I have concluded that the controversy surrounding the Presidential Airlift Group’s aerial photo shoot over New York City has made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White House Military Office. Moreover, it has become a distraction to the important work you are doing as president. After much reflection, I believe it is incumbent on me to tender my resignation and step down as director of the White House Military Office.
As the saying goes: No shit, Sherlock. Maybe he should consider a job in Hollywood Special Effects? On second thought…
Categories: New York, New York, Political Rantings | 1 Comment »
Popular Baby Names – 2008 Edition
By Brian | May 8, 2009
The Social Security Administration has put out it’s annual list of most popular baby names again (bottom right corner – choose Year = 2008 and Popularity = Top 1000. There’s no direct link to the lists…). Anyway, it’s time for the annual check of how strange/normal my kids names are:
Avery: When Avery was born in 2000, the SSA had his name as the 245th most popular boy’s name of the year. Unfortunately, it also had it listed as the 176th most popular girl’s name. The good news in 2008 is that it’s moved up the list. The bad news is, it’s moved up both lists. Avery is now the 216th most popular boy’s name and the 38th most popular girl’s name! By the time he’s in high school, he’s going to be getting form letters addressed to “Ms. Avery Greenberg.” Ah, well – I guess I’ll have to kick in for some of the therapy…
Brandon: When Brandon was born in 2002, he had to 20th most popular boy’s name. In 2008, it’s 33rd. A bit lower, but still a solid showing. And hey – at least the SSA doesn’t know of any female Brandon’s (at least not in the top 1,000).
And just to round out the family, let’s do the adults, shall we?
Brian: Back in 1969, Brian was the 9th most popular boy’s name. In 2008, I’ve dropped all the way to 87. There are no female Brian’s, but there are Brianna’s (#23) and Briana’s (#145).
Sherry: Back in 1968, Sherry was the 52nd most popular girl’s name. In 2008, it’s not in the top 1,000! Damn…quite the drop off. And here’s the ironic part: my in-laws picked out my wife’s name after seeing the Broadway musical Sherry (book and lyrics by James Lipton, now of Inside the Actor’s Studio fame). In the show, title character’s full name is Sheridan Whiteside, who is male!
Categories: Random Acts of Blogging | 1 Comment »
Best Error Message Ever…
By Brian | May 8, 2009
Trying to open an Microsoft Excel spreadsheet at work, and got this error message:
Non-technical user’s interpretation: There’s been an error. The error is so complicated, that merely explaining it to you would take too long. Seriously, trust me, you don’t want to know.
Actual explanation: The file’s name was very long, and it was downloaded from the web into a folder that was many layers deep in it’s hierarchical tree. The resulting file name (including the full path) exceeded the maximum filename length, causing a DDE error. ALSO, the error message describing the DDE error is designed to include the file name, and the resulting error message exceeded the maximum error message length, hence the above message.
On the upside, the error message’s advice (rename the file or put it in a different folder) is good advice, and actually did solve the problem.
On the downside, DAMN, what an awful error message. If Hodgman and Long ever saw this, it’d be a Mac ad in no time…
Categories: Tech Talk | 4 Comments »
Amazon Kindle has trouble with the news…
By Brian | May 8, 2009
Electronically rendering books is one thing, but the Amazon Kindle is finding out that delivering the news is a whole other kettle of fish. Or is that Keetle of Fice?
From the New York Times:
But if the Kindle, which not only displays the news but also speaks it with a computerized voice, is ever to be the savior of print media, it needs to bone up on its pronunciation.
In particular, the voice of the Kindle mispronounces two important words that show up often in the pages of newspapers:
Categories: Random Acts of Blogging | Comments Off on Amazon Kindle has trouble with the news…
Meta-Weather Forecasting
By Brian | May 7, 2009
Just returning from lunch – passed Al Roker getting into a cab on 49th Street and Sixth Avenue (sorry – no picture, I don’t bring my camera with me to lunch).
Anyway, Al was carrying an umbrella. ‘Nuff said.
UPDATE: We just had thirty minutes of intense downpours. ALL HAIL THE GREAT AND POWERFUL AL!!
Categories: New York, New York, Primetime TV | 2 Comments »
Is it Real?
By Brian | May 5, 2009
The Onion has a long history of classic headlines, such as Misbuttoned Coat Makes Perfectly Sane Woman Look Like Raving Lunatic and For Gay Couple, Fulfilling Lifelong Dream Of Marriage Not Worth Moving To Iowa.
Occasionally, one comes upon a real headline and figures it must have been from a wayward Onion story that escaped and found it’s way into a real newsfeed. Case in point:
London mayor shocked at ‘fat’ waxwork model
LONDON (AFP)Categories: The World Wide Weird | Comments Off on Is it Real?
Happy Holiday
By Brian | May 5, 2009
As you browse around the web today, you’ll probably read a bit about Cinco de Mayo. And yet, while this is a significant holiday for much of the world, there is another holiday today that won’t get as much play.
Today is Oh crap, I’m a Star Wars fan and I forgot to say ‘May the Fourth be With You’ to Somebody Yesterday day.
Let the celebrations begin…
Categories: Random Acts of Blogging | 1 Comment »
More Photo Fun…
By Brian | May 3, 2009
First of all, how cool is this: The Official White House Flickr Photostream. I know there’s always a camera following the President around, but now we can subscribe to the photostream, and see recent pictures whenever we want. Here’s my favorite so far:
Second, The New York Daily News, in reporting on the recent Air Force One Photo-Op Flyover Fiasco, pointed out that The White House could just as easily obtained the publicity shot they wanted with a skilled Photoshop artist. They then asked their readers to submit examples of where Air Force One could be photographed using Photoshop. The results are, well, predictably creative and hilarious. Here’s my favorte from that bunch:
Go ahead and browse both sets. Which are your favorites???
Categories: News and/or Media, Random Acts of Blogging | Comments Off on More Photo Fun…
