Rounded fieldset in Firefox (12) Jan 24, 2006
Internet Explorer and Firefox interpret <fieldset> differently.  IE makes rounded corners; Firefox makes square ones.  I just randomly found out how to make Firefox display rounded corners:  Put -moz-border-radius: 7pt; in the style sheet (with the leading dash).  I didn't implement this on my site, but I verified that it works.  (via coldforged) #technology
When to buy Jan 24, 2006
This CNN article talks about when the best time is to buy certain things, like airline tickets, electronics, houses, and cars.  (via Digg) #technology
Peeling bananas Jan 24, 2006
Some people have evolved to the point of being like monkeys, who peel bananas from the side that doesn't have the stem.  Apparently, this is the way to do it.  The obvious advantage is that you're holding the stem in your hand while you're eating the banana.  I'll have to try this. #food
Catholic copyright Jan 24, 2006
This is the kind of thing that I think gives Christianity a bad name:  The Vatican is copyrighting everything the Pope says, which means they'll also be charging money for it.  The copyright is also retroactive:  It applies to the past 3 Popes before the current one.  (via Boing Boing)

Even though I don't associate myself with the Catholic Church (Catholicism is in fact different from Christianity, though we can peacefully coexist), a lot of people do, and this is unfortunate.  Christianity is the belief in God and his son Jesus Christ, who acted as a sacrifice for our sins by dying on the cross.  Catholicism is the same thing, with the addition of a Pope (an infallible being sent from God ... or elected by a bunch of high-ranking Catholic officials), confirmation (mandatory membership in the church), and lent (the thing where everybody stops eating chocolate for a month). #religion
NFL drinking problem Jan 23, 2006
Recently, as I've been watching football on TV, I've been noticing that NFL players have drinking problems:  As soon as they get water in their mouths, they spit it out.  Now, I ain't no genius.  But it would seem to me that by spitting out the water, they wouldn't be reaping the benefits of putting the water in their mouths in the first place.  Perhaps someone should tell them, "Hey fella, swallow that water.  You won't be thirsty anymore." #sports
Do not mail (3) Jan 23, 2006
I can't believe it took me this long to think of this. 

I don't get much snail mail.  Maybe a few pieces every few days.  Not a big deal.  Apparently, as soon as you get a mortgage, anybody on earth can mail you anything they want.  But like I said, not a big deal.  I feel slightly bad that I throw out pretty much everything that's mailed to me.  It's such a waste of paper and postage.  I wish there was something I could do ...

And hence the national Do Not Mail registry.  No, this doesn't exist yet.  But obviously it should.  It could be a simple thing like the Do Not Call list:  You put your mailing address on a list, and mass-mailers have to check it before they mail you anything.  Sounds pretty simple to me. 

The only question that remains unanswered is:  Why doesn't this exist yet?  Apparently, there's an organization called the Direct Marketing Association that provides this exact service ... for a $5 fee.  I don't trust anything that charges me money in return for giving my name and address. 

Yes, I visited a similar topic in the recent past:  The National Do Not Spam Registry.  And like that topic, the Do Not Mail list doesn't exist and probably won't exist any time in the near future. #business
Airport sign (5) Jan 22, 2006
My sister Stacy found this sign in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  "Elevators to Teminal".  Not to be racist, but that's what you get for overseas outsourcing. 

#language
Toasted sandwiches Jan 20, 2006
I ate lunch at Quizno's today.  As usual, a beautiful experience (though I've been disappointed in the past).  Quizno's is famous for their toasted sandwiches.  God bless the toasted sandwich. 

I went to Subway a few weeks ago and got something that looked awesome on the commercials:  Some sort of sandwich with chicken and bacon.  How could you go wrong with bacon?  They asked me if I wanted it toasted.  Of course I want it toasted!  I didn't even know they did that, but obviously it's so they can compete with Quizno's.  So I got my toasted chicken and bacon sandwich and ate it up.  But oh, what a disappointment.  It was dry and crunchy.  It was mostly bread.  There were about 4 little tiny pieces of chicken.  The bacon was mushy.  It was no Quizno's sandwich. 

And that's when it occurred to me:  It's not the toasted bread that makes the sandwich; it's the special sauce.  Subway has a cool system where they make the sandwich in front of you and ask you before putting anything on it.  I like to be in control when ordering food, because I'll always turn down mayo or some other weird concoction that doesn't belong in my stomach.  But Quizno's puts special sauce on every one of their sandwiches.  Most of the time, I have no clue what's in it.  What's that spicy stuff that makes the Spicy Monterey Club spicy?  Why doesn't the "Ranch" on the Turkey Ranch & Swiss taste like Ranch dressing?  I don't know.  And I don't care.  The bottom line is that Quizno's sandwiches are unbelievably awesome.  They could put horse urine and bug guts in that sauce, but as long as it tastes great, I'm coming back for more. 

God bless the special sauce. #food
Police and donuts Jan 20, 2006
This article says that police officers in New Hampshire have to disconnect their computer modems when going through the drive-thru at Dunkin' Donuts because they cause interference with the Dunkin' Donuts computer system.  You can't make this stuff up.  New Hampshire is thinking about upgrading their wireless services for police officers, so that "police could have better access to drivers' records and Dunkin' Donuts."  Brilliant.  (via Digg) #food
Hack Jan 19, 2006
The most important thing I've learned in the first 8 months of home ownership is how to be a total hack.  It's not about fixing things; it's about solving problems.  It's not about doing it right; it's about making it work.  I re-learn this every time I try to "fix" something.  I kept putting off installing a plywood wall because I thought it would be difficult or take a lot of time.  It turns out that it was pretty easy.  And I thought I would need to make straight cuts and have everything fit perfectly.  It turns out that caulk is the solution to every problem.  The second solution is trim/molding.  The bottom line is that if it can be covered up, it doesn't need to be perfect. #lifestyle