Thursday, September 26, 2002 :::
Ooorgh.
We've found a problem with a number of programs I wrote some years back. I'm busy on another project so the task of fixing the programs went to the programmer in the next cubicle.
I hear her over there moaning and groaning about my code. Can't say I blame her.
Time to put on the headphones.
PS in case you don't know me personally: the dog on that album cover linked above is a dead ringer for mine.
::: posted by Brian Jones at 12:10 PM
Just because my teeth are pearly...
We're supposed to walk in the Promina Corporate Run/Walk tonight. Man, it looks like it'd be fun but the weather is hellish. The event is supposed to be rain or shine.
Tasha & I are decidedly "shine," however.
::: posted by Brian Jones at 11:45 AM
Wednesday, September 25, 2002 :::
Tim Blair has a few more questions the anti-war left could be asking.
::: posted by Brian Jones at 10:04 AM
Tuesday, September 24, 2002 :::
Archiving is hard. I think.
UPDATE: No it isn't.
::: posted by Brian Jones at 4:13 PM
I'm trying to activate archiving after an anonymous reader (hint: his initials are My Brother) pointed out this page is getting pretty large. It seems to be relatively simple (that is, if it works.) However, blogspot is doing maintenance and some of the processing apparently has to take place there, I guess, so it could take awhile. Oh, I also have to select a template for my archives too.
I'm pretty sick of this template, actually. I don't know why the letter sizes act so weird. Believe it or not, most of this blog is in regular size letters; on my browser, at least, that translates into a sine-wavelike variation that makes me seasick. So I'll probably do something about that, too.
Update: Crap crap crap on a crap stick. Now blogger won't publish at all for me.
::: posted by Brian Jones at 8:53 AM
Monday, September 23, 2002 :::
The cost of unrecognized bias:
This link to Ray & Tom Magliozzi's page soliciting suggestions for what to do with 3.1 Million yogurt lids printed with references to NPR implies that they simply neglected to ask NPR, which does not openly promote any political viewpoint.
However, the September 2 New Yorker tells a different tale:
Jenny Lawhorn, an NPR spokeswoman, says that when "Car Talk" proposed the idea she didn't see any problem. "At first, I said, 'Oh, that sounds interesting.' " Stonyfield went ahead and printed up 3.1 million anti-S.U.V. yogurt lids.
"But then our legal department said, 'You have to cease printing!' The 'Car Talk' guys can do whatever the heck they want—they
have editorial control over their show. But using NPR's name isn't something they're free to do.'
Not so surprisingly, the PR person still doesn't get it:
It's ironic that this whole environmental thing ends up producing several million useless plastic yogurt lids."
Useless? Perhaps. Not as useless as your PR skills, though. Career hint: might leave off the NPR gig on your resume, which you're going to need several copies of soon, I'm sure.
::: posted by Brian Jones at 11:53 AM
Poseur alert: Roger Ebert likes "The Four Feathers:"
a skilled update of the same imperialist swashbuckler that's been made into six earlier films and a TV movie
The picture is handsomely mounted
Epic battle scenes, including one where the British form a square and gun down waves of horsemen, are well-staged and thrilling
As mindless swashbuckling in a well-designed production, it can't be faulted.
Alas, the political poseur, Roger can't give it a good rating (even though it seems to be cut from the same cloth as many movies he would give higher ratings to. Why?
I don't expect a director born in India to be quite so fond of the British Empire
also have problems with the faithful Abou Fatma. Why do the dark-skinned natives always get to be the best buddy, never the hero?
The less you know about the British Empire and human nature, the more you will like it,
(Note on the last: Sorry but, Bite me, Roger.)
And don't forget that other form of catnip that cinematic poseurs can't resist: They've seen a better movie. I'm actually sort of surprised at Ebert using this one:
A newly restored print of "Lawrence of Arabia," as it happens, is opening on the same day as "The Four Feathers" in many cities, and this is bad luck for the new picture. If you want to see drama in the desert, you're best off with the real thing.
This is obviously cover for Roger to dis the movie for reasons other than his disgust at its politically incorrect trappings. Why does he feel that's necessary? Hey, Roger. I thought that movies aren't about what they're about; they're about how they're about what they're about. I've understood that and internalized it ever since I first read it, as have others. It's the smartest thing you've ever said.
By your own rules, Roger, this movie should have received 4 stars instead of the 2 you gave it. I know what movie I'm taking my son to next weekend!
::: posted by Brian Jones at 9:00 AM
