Now I've never been the one to give money away. I don't typically donate to people begging on street corners. I pass when RIT hits me up for alumni money most times. I won't donate to causes that don't appropriately justify their work. I make Girl Scouts explain why I need to buy their cookies and high schoolers tell me why I need to buy their chocolate bars. So when LokiTorrent (now a MPAA billboard, bastards) declared they were being attacked by the MPAA and the site was looking for donations to mount a legal defense, I didn't cave. I didn't give a dime. Why? Because they weren't going to win. They were breaking laws and had no hope of winning. Did I take part in their thievery? I plead the fifth. But they were knowingly helping others share illegal files.
So I read on Slashdot that the whole suit may have been a hoax. While reading the allegation, written by another file sharing community, I began to think "Yep. Good call on that one Dave. If they're willing to so openly break the law they may just be scamming you on this one too."So as I continued reading I was convinced it was a hoax. I was happy. Yay.
But I kept reading on into the readers' comments. And I found the truth is probably somewhere in between. It sounds like an agreement was made quickly once the MPAA contacted the site owner. After the agreement was made, LokiTorrent then proceeded to publicly ask for donations to "mount their legal campaign." HA!
I guess what bugs me most about the whole thing is that BitTorrent sites are based on a community of (illegal) sharing. It policed itself. It supported itself with (other people's) donations to keep servers running. And when the bottom bricks began to be pulled out from LokiTorrent, the owner decided to take it out on the community by taking advantage of them. And I think that's a shame.
So I guess the moral of the story is: don't buy Girl Scout cookies. No... I think the moral is apparent. It's just a shame that things like this happen. I'm at least reassured in knowing the owner didn't make enough in donations to cover the MPAA penalty.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Carnegie Hall
February 22, 2005 will forever be remembered by me as the day I played Carnegie Hall. I didn't have a solo and my name was not mentioned in the playbill, but I was there - front row, leading the bass section. As some may know, I sing (sang) in the Middletown City Chorale. Last season we rehearsed and performed twice Beethoven's Mass in C. We did well performing it on our own with a small orchestra, but that's not the point.
This past Sunday and Monday, I rehearsed in New York City (at the Grand Hyatt New York) as a member of a larger choir, New England Symphonic Ensemble. The choir isn't really a choir as much as an aggregate of several choirs. We were actually few to be from New England. People came from Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina to sing as well. I made some new friends and we all talked about our varied experiences.
Tuesday was the big day. We had a stage rehearsal which went well and a lot of time in the city before call. Mom and I walked for a few hours and listened to the stage rehearsals of the two other performing groups that evening. We ate at this place called Cafe Europa just around the corner which was very clean and nice. With dinner finished, we came back and changed into concert gear - not combat gear.
In all the performance went well. I'm sure many readers probably would have fallen asleep during the performance (it's 40 minutes all in Latin), but it still sounded excellent. I'd like to go back in the next year or so if given the opportunity. It was definitely worth all of the preparation.
This past Sunday and Monday, I rehearsed in New York City (at the Grand Hyatt New York) as a member of a larger choir, New England Symphonic Ensemble. The choir isn't really a choir as much as an aggregate of several choirs. We were actually few to be from New England. People came from Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina to sing as well. I made some new friends and we all talked about our varied experiences.
Tuesday was the big day. We had a stage rehearsal which went well and a lot of time in the city before call. Mom and I walked for a few hours and listened to the stage rehearsals of the two other performing groups that evening. We ate at this place called Cafe Europa just around the corner which was very clean and nice. With dinner finished, we came back and changed into concert gear - not combat gear.
In all the performance went well. I'm sure many readers probably would have fallen asleep during the performance (it's 40 minutes all in Latin), but it still sounded excellent. I'd like to go back in the next year or so if given the opportunity. It was definitely worth all of the preparation.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Valentine's Day 2005
Of course we all know and love/hate Valentine's Day. What a swell guy, Mr. Valentine, to create a day where happy lovers feel extra happy, lonely folks feel extra lonely, stressed out guys spend lots of money and get extra stressed... *sigh* I can just feel it in the air.
My V-Day went as many others do. I hadn't done much planning, so as Anne left for work I was up and getting ready for my "day." I faked the "I'm working" thing with her to see her out and then started my day long mission.
First step: flowers.
Flowers are an important part of Valentine's Day. Why? Because that's where the real cash cow is. I paid several times more for my flowers than I did for Anne's gift. I'm not totally complaining. They look very nice. I took a picture or two, maybe I'll post those. I had to fight with them outside as it was extremely windy. And once I got them into the car, they spilled while I was driving. So it wasn't the best of starts for my day. Regardless, I get the flowers upstairs and make them look nice with some pictures of us.
Part duh: the gift.
The gift is usually the easy part. If you're a real sweet guy, you'll get some jewelry or other very thoughtful gift. If you're like all the other millions of guys, you listen well enough to know there's something she wants and that's what you'll get. (I fall in that category, I got her the Shark Tale DVD) However, if you're like all the other other guys (mostly made of RIT students), you got her what you wanted to get her and not necessarily what she wanted... lingerie and underwear. 'Nuff said on that. I think I just offended a lot of people (mainly RIT students).
Letter three: the candy.
Now the candy is a tricky one. There's a hidden message behind the candy. Get too much candy and your significant other (politically correctness is next to godliness) could possibly be thinking "OMG! Does he think I'm some kind of pig!?" Don't get any candy and you may hear "Where's the candy? Do you think I'm fat?" So the safe bet is to get a nice low dose of sugar and chocolate. Especially when you know she loves M&Ms. (Anne does) (btw, Anne didn't say or think any of those things)
Next: the card.
Kevin James (I just learned from IMDB that it's Kevin James III) has a very funny comedic commentary on greeting cards. I'll defer to him on this one. Get one. Write her name in it. Write "Love" in it. Don't literally write "" in it. Write some X's and O's. Done deal.
Five: some atmosphere.
Anne came home around 4. I made sure to have some candles lit and her gift and card wrapped up and near the flowers. I put the M&Ms out in a bowl nearby as well. Needless to say she was very happy. I think she loved the flowers.
Last but certainly not least: the restaurant.
Make sure you go out to dinner. On a nice evening like Valentine's is supposed to be, couples shouldn't have to worry about cooking dinner. If the experience at the restaurant is good, it's that much better of an evening. If the experience was "eh to poor" like ours was, at least you didn't have to cook. We went to an Italian restaurant down the street called Nino's. They have good food, but their service wasn't very good. Everything was rushed. Our waiter brought out salads while we were eating our appetizer (forgivable) and our entree before we were half-way finished with our salads (barely forgivable). It was later in the evening and we were probably their last table, but I was still surprised when one waitress began running the vacuum while we were clearly still eating. Anne and I had had about enough at that point so we quickly paid and left. It didn't hamper the evening at all- in fact it made for some interesting conversation.
The rest of the evening should be downhill from there. It's a lot of work, but it's almost always worth the effort. That's all for now.
PS- This post may not accurately portray my personal feelings on the whole Valentine's Day thing. Especially if you're reading this and your name is Anne. If you're Anne, then I love the whole day and have nothing bad to say about it. And I love you. .... Anne? Anne?! AAAAAAANNE!!!
My V-Day went as many others do. I hadn't done much planning, so as Anne left for work I was up and getting ready for my "day." I faked the "I'm working" thing with her to see her out and then started my day long mission.
First step: flowers.
Flowers are an important part of Valentine's Day. Why? Because that's where the real cash cow is. I paid several times more for my flowers than I did for Anne's gift. I'm not totally complaining. They look very nice. I took a picture or two, maybe I'll post those. I had to fight with them outside as it was extremely windy. And once I got them into the car, they spilled while I was driving. So it wasn't the best of starts for my day. Regardless, I get the flowers upstairs and make them look nice with some pictures of us.
Part duh: the gift.
The gift is usually the easy part. If you're a real sweet guy, you'll get some jewelry or other very thoughtful gift. If you're like all the other millions of guys, you listen well enough to know there's something she wants and that's what you'll get. (I fall in that category, I got her the Shark Tale DVD) However, if you're like all the other other guys (mostly made of RIT students), you got her what you wanted to get her and not necessarily what she wanted... lingerie and underwear. 'Nuff said on that. I think I just offended a lot of people (mainly RIT students).
Letter three: the candy.
Now the candy is a tricky one. There's a hidden message behind the candy. Get too much candy and your significant other (politically correctness is next to godliness) could possibly be thinking "OMG! Does he think I'm some kind of pig!?" Don't get any candy and you may hear "Where's the candy? Do you think I'm fat?" So the safe bet is to get a nice low dose of sugar and chocolate. Especially when you know she loves M&Ms. (Anne does) (btw, Anne didn't say or think any of those things)
Next: the card.
Kevin James (I just learned from IMDB that it's Kevin James III) has a very funny comedic commentary on greeting cards. I'll defer to him on this one. Get one. Write her name in it. Write "Love
Five: some atmosphere.
Anne came home around 4. I made sure to have some candles lit and her gift and card wrapped up and near the flowers. I put the M&Ms out in a bowl nearby as well. Needless to say she was very happy. I think she loved the flowers.
Last but certainly not least: the restaurant.
Make sure you go out to dinner. On a nice evening like Valentine's is supposed to be, couples shouldn't have to worry about cooking dinner. If the experience at the restaurant is good, it's that much better of an evening. If the experience was "eh to poor" like ours was, at least you didn't have to cook. We went to an Italian restaurant down the street called Nino's. They have good food, but their service wasn't very good. Everything was rushed. Our waiter brought out salads while we were eating our appetizer (forgivable) and our entree before we were half-way finished with our salads (barely forgivable). It was later in the evening and we were probably their last table, but I was still surprised when one waitress began running the vacuum while we were clearly still eating. Anne and I had had about enough at that point so we quickly paid and left. It didn't hamper the evening at all- in fact it made for some interesting conversation.
The rest of the evening should be downhill from there. It's a lot of work, but it's almost always worth the effort. That's all for now.
PS- This post may not accurately portray my personal feelings on the whole Valentine's Day thing. Especially if you're reading this and your name is Anne. If you're Anne, then I love the whole day and have nothing bad to say about it. And I love you. .... Anne? Anne?! AAAAAAANNE!!!
Monday, February 14, 2005
new cell phone
I went home this past weekend with Anne. We had a nice time talking to my Uncle / Pastor Brian about our wedding. But aside from that, my family got new cell phones for our family plan. I was soooo excited to be rid of the brown brick one would call my cell phone. I could slay a small dragon with the thing. Anywho we made our way down to the Verizon Wireless store to sign our new contract and pick up our phones. I got a Samsung SCH-a650.
I really hate cell phone companies. Verizon Wireless is no better than any of the rest. I think they hire their staff knowing that every social American will need to deal with these people no matter what. In that every Cell Phone Sales Clerk is the least helpful, most irritating, slowest individual you've ever met. And cell phone companies don't care... because they know you're buying the cell phone at that point. You could wait for 3 hours and you'd still be there waiting for your cell phone. And Verizon Wireless knows it. To make things worse, they sit behind this counter with a computer. I can hear mouse clicks all over the place. You know Tiffany (as our special clerk was named) is playing Minesweeper or Snood on her computer rather than selecting our contract and phones. The thing that really kills me is that she's probably on commission. Wouldn't you want to do your job quickly if you were on commission in order to sell more phones and thus make more money?!?
So we finished up with "slow Tiffany" and I thought she was going to give us our phones, but no. We were moved over to the Activation Clerk. This was much less eventful except that my brother Steve whispers in my ear that the woman is wearing a wig. I could barely hold my laugh inside. He was probably right.
About an hour after entering the store we got our cell phones. Hurrah. I moved my phone book over and everything already too so no one got dropped in the conversion.
I really hate cell phone companies. Verizon Wireless is no better than any of the rest. I think they hire their staff knowing that every social American will need to deal with these people no matter what. In that every Cell Phone Sales Clerk is the least helpful, most irritating, slowest individual you've ever met. And cell phone companies don't care... because they know you're buying the cell phone at that point. You could wait for 3 hours and you'd still be there waiting for your cell phone. And Verizon Wireless knows it. To make things worse, they sit behind this counter with a computer. I can hear mouse clicks all over the place. You know Tiffany (as our special clerk was named) is playing Minesweeper or Snood on her computer rather than selecting our contract and phones. The thing that really kills me is that she's probably on commission. Wouldn't you want to do your job quickly if you were on commission in order to sell more phones and thus make more money?!?
So we finished up with "slow Tiffany" and I thought she was going to give us our phones, but no. We were moved over to the Activation Clerk. This was much less eventful except that my brother Steve whispers in my ear that the woman is wearing a wig. I could barely hold my laugh inside. He was probably right.
About an hour after entering the store we got our cell phones. Hurrah. I moved my phone book over and everything already too so no one got dropped in the conversion.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Pepsi iTunes Music Promotion
It's back! Last year Pepsi and Apple had the single best promotion. Drink a Pepsi and have a 33% chance of winning a free song! I thought it was brilliant. Why? Because suckers like me drank enough Pepsi products to fill a small ocean (I think they call small oceans "seas"). However they started it again. The big campaign started at the Super Bowl and goes until April 11.
Last time I had an in. I was an RA and buying soda was... how would you put it... ritualistic. I'd buy one for lunch, one for an afternoon snack, sometimes I'd buy one at dinner, I'd usually have one in the evening, and many times I'd have one as a nightcap with my good buddy Tom. You're probably thinking: "Wow! That's a lot of soda!" Well you're right dear reader, it is. See I could afford that because I was a fully funded RA on RIT's funny money system.
And alas, now I am not. Not only do I not have fake money to burn, but I don't live near any soda machines that dispense yummy, good Pepsi. So I need your help! If you drink a Pepsi and find a code, you should send it right away to me! Ok, GO!
Last time I had an in. I was an RA and buying soda was... how would you put it... ritualistic. I'd buy one for lunch, one for an afternoon snack, sometimes I'd buy one at dinner, I'd usually have one in the evening, and many times I'd have one as a nightcap with my good buddy Tom. You're probably thinking: "Wow! That's a lot of soda!" Well you're right dear reader, it is. See I could afford that because I was a fully funded RA on RIT's funny money system.
And alas, now I am not. Not only do I not have fake money to burn, but I don't live near any soda machines that dispense yummy, good Pepsi. So I need your help! If you drink a Pepsi and find a code, you should send it right away to me! Ok, GO!
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Amazing Race 6 Finale
You might be familiar with my guilty reality tv habit called The Amazing Race. It's appropriately named, aMAZing! I love the show. And it didn't I'm glad it didn't disappoint last night as it was the season finale. It wasn't quite as entertaining as watching Charla & Mirna (the midget team) from last season, but you really can't beat midgets anyway. I was rooting for Kris & Jon who were in first place until the final plane flight. They were misquoted by American Airlines (stupid AA) about the first plane back to Chicago and arrived second. Freddy & Kendra were able to capitalize on the mistake by grabbing the first flight and while only minutes separated them, Kris & Jon never had a chance to get back in front. Oh well. Freddy & Kendra won a million bucks. Yipee.
So at the end of the race, they tease us with trailers from Amazing Race 7 which starts in 3 weeks! WHOOO HOOOO!!! One of the teams are former Survivor contestants. That should work real well... *pfft* The Survivor contestants from season 5 were out in the first few weeks.
So then I got this really good idea. I wanted to fill an application with Anne for season 8. Last night there was no link to be found, but today while writing this, I found a link for casting! Unfortunately, like a sucker punch really, they're announcing that they're looking for family teams of 4! WTF!?
... So does anyone wanna be my long lost brother?
So at the end of the race, they tease us with trailers from Amazing Race 7 which starts in 3 weeks! WHOOO HOOOO!!! One of the teams are former Survivor contestants. That should work real well... *pfft* The Survivor contestants from season 5 were out in the first few weeks.
So then I got this really good idea. I wanted to fill an application with Anne for season 8. Last night there was no link to be found, but today while writing this, I found a link for casting! Unfortunately, like a sucker punch really, they're announcing that they're looking for family teams of 4! WTF!?
... So does anyone wanna be my long lost brother?
Saturday, February 05, 2005
almost hit a deer
Short story...
I almost hit a deer tonight! I was coming home around 1am from Montgomery where I was visiting my family. It was obviously dark and the road is twisty and windy. The road is notorious for deer because there are woods on either side of the entire road. The posted speed limit is 55mph, but I was doing 65 - 70.
Now even though I was speeding, I pay careful attention in front of me... always scanning for deer and other animals. I happen to catch one on the right side of the road a ways off and hit the brakes. My car was still going 25mph when I went by it, but I went along my way and it went about its.
Just as I was about to start pouring on the gas again, I saw a young deer right in the middle of the road. I easily avoided it because I was moving slowly and the deer had plenty of time to get off the road before I reached it. However if I was still moving 65 - 70 I probably would have hit it. That would have been bad for all parties: me, my car, and the deer.
Anyway, not much more to that story than that! I had a good two days in New Jersey at work. My company is moving into a new building which is very nice. And the meetings we've had yesterday and today have been quite productive. Needless to say I've got a full plate now. But that's fine because it'll pay the bills.
I almost hit a deer tonight! I was coming home around 1am from Montgomery where I was visiting my family. It was obviously dark and the road is twisty and windy. The road is notorious for deer because there are woods on either side of the entire road. The posted speed limit is 55mph, but I was doing 65 - 70.
Now even though I was speeding, I pay careful attention in front of me... always scanning for deer and other animals. I happen to catch one on the right side of the road a ways off and hit the brakes. My car was still going 25mph when I went by it, but I went along my way and it went about its.
Just as I was about to start pouring on the gas again, I saw a young deer right in the middle of the road. I easily avoided it because I was moving slowly and the deer had plenty of time to get off the road before I reached it. However if I was still moving 65 - 70 I probably would have hit it. That would have been bad for all parties: me, my car, and the deer.
Anyway, not much more to that story than that! I had a good two days in New Jersey at work. My company is moving into a new building which is very nice. And the meetings we've had yesterday and today have been quite productive. Needless to say I've got a full plate now. But that's fine because it'll pay the bills.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
home till saturday
So I'm home for the next few days-- Middletown, New York. Yippee! It's nice to go back to the roots sometimes. Especially when you get to fix computers and work a shift at the resuraunt on the first day back. It was slow at the resuraunt and Sue & Jerry gave me 20 bucks for working; plus, I got to hang out with my cousins Josh and Joe playing GTA San Andreas, so I shouldn't complain.
I just don't like servicing old computers. If I'd have my way, I'd have Holberts Catering (my family's business) pick up a new computer and be done with it. Oh well.
I'll be heading down to New Jersey tomorrow and Friday for some work meetings, but you can always email me if you need to reach me. I think my mom is cooking tomorrow night so I'm looking forward to that. Some good home cooking never hurt anyone. :-)
Take care.
I just don't like servicing old computers. If I'd have my way, I'd have Holberts Catering (my family's business) pick up a new computer and be done with it. Oh well.
I'll be heading down to New Jersey tomorrow and Friday for some work meetings, but you can always email me if you need to reach me. I think my mom is cooking tomorrow night so I'm looking forward to that. Some good home cooking never hurt anyone. :-)
Take care.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Things are going pretty well today. Anne and I finally received our new queen sized mattress. We put all the new sheets on it and took pictures of it; despite Anne wanting only to nap on it right away. I had to coerce her to get up and take a picture of me on it! Anyway, pictures on that forthcoming...
I'm finally fully operational and back up and running with work. I've been experiencing a variety of roadblocks including internet outages, VPN problems, and MS Visual Studio snafus, but I believe we've got them all figured out. Now on to making money!
I also got to catch up with Kyle Smith today. I haven't talked to him in quite a long time. It was nice to hear about his recent goings-on. I'm sure Kyle wouldn't appreciate me for airing them for him, so I'll let him do the talking at his own blog. You can also visit his blog via the link on the right side-bar. Needless to say he's doing well though or else I wouldn't be calling this part of my good day.
So for now I'm going to bed. Gnight all!
I'm finally fully operational and back up and running with work. I've been experiencing a variety of roadblocks including internet outages, VPN problems, and MS Visual Studio snafus, but I believe we've got them all figured out. Now on to making money!
I also got to catch up with Kyle Smith today. I haven't talked to him in quite a long time. It was nice to hear about his recent goings-on. I'm sure Kyle wouldn't appreciate me for airing them for him, so I'll let him do the talking at his own blog. You can also visit his blog via the link on the right side-bar. Needless to say he's doing well though or else I wouldn't be calling this part of my good day.
So for now I'm going to bed. Gnight all!
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