Archive for December, 2004

Jerry Orbach and Susan Sontag

December 31st, 2004

Two of my favourite New Yorkers died this week:

Jerry Orbach – Lennie Briscoe for many, many seasons on Law & Order – one of the few pieces of TV that doesn’t suck arse. A great actor and a real loss to the Arts.

Susan Sontag – intellectual, feminist, writer, thinker and agitator. A loss to the thinking community of America and indeed the world.

Tsunami in Burma

December 29th, 2004

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At the time of this disaster one country has been ominously silent – Burma. Recent reports indicate that the Burmese government – the less than talkative artist formally known as SLORC (now I believe they are calling themselves the SPDC) – has acknowledged 90 dead and 17 coastal villages destroyed. Now Burma has a nearly 1000 kilometre coastline on the Andaman Sea, a population of 42 odd million and a heavy reliance on fishing as agri-business. Hence a lot of people live on the Burmese coast. I figure the death toll there is going to be considerable larger than 90 people. I doubt we’ll ever know the true extent of the damage or loss of life.

Fear Itself

December 29th, 2004

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Great article on fear and terrorism from the Washington Post. Fascinating reading and interesting political and sociological slant.

Slashdot | Neal Stephenson Responds With Wit and Humor

December 29th, 2004

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Slashdot interview with Neal Stephenson. And interesting read with some quite good comments after it – not the normal Slashdot trolling.

Flooredrobe

December 26th, 2004

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Invented a new word:

flooredrobe

n.

1. The collection of clothing and other items that should live in your wardrobe but in fact end up dumped on the floor.
2. Garments you frequently wear which it is much easier to just leave on the floor rather than hang up.

[Middle English flor, from Old English flr and Middle English robe, from Old French, of Germanic origin.”>

Bah Humbug

December 25th, 2004

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My response to the season is as normal … Bah Humbug.

Compromise

December 23rd, 2004

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So. The Dog. We discussed my concerns over the issue. And we compromised. As anyone who is in a relationship can assertain, this meant nothing changed at all. Dog is allegedly not allowed to come inside – that is working out well because I am currently watching the dog bolt past me across the sitting room floor. Argh.

Dog Part II

December 21st, 2004

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Hmph. I think a child would have been easier.

I spoke too soon. Have not slept. Dog yowled, barked, snuffled and about 14 other annoying things all night.

Not amused.

Dog

December 21st, 2004

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So. Lu bought a dog. Well got one from the RSPCA. A kelpie-staffie cross thing that is about 10 weeks old. It’s called Alfred. Or Alfie. *sigh* Not keen on this. Am not a dog person.

Cats not thrilled either. Well 2/3rds of them aren’t thrilled. Boojum doesn’t care. She has shrugged and went back to seeking food. Extra mouth in the house means an extra potential source of food. She has already scoped out Alfred’s bowl. Mitsu and Romeo have both appeared and hissed and snarled at the dog – the dog being safely outside at the moment.

Hmph. I think a child would have been easier.

Darp and the PYL

December 19th, 2004

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It appears that Darp has been a busy boy. More power to him against those racist fuckwits.