WebSense (5) Nov 16, 2006
WebSense is a wonderful little program that businesses use to filter objectionable material from the internet.  Actually, it's an evil monstrosity that arbitrarily participates in information control.  Each time a user visits a website with questionable content, it intercepts the requested site and displays a stupid page with lots of capital letters and empty threats.  In some cases, it can be good.  I've looked up information and clicked on a link, only to have it blocked because it was labeled as a site with "Adult Content".  My intention wasn't to look for "Adult Content", so I'm kinda glad it got blocked.  But other times, it's just plain ridiculous.  For instance, I was searching for information about the Windows Autorun command, and one of the links I clicked on got blocked because of "Potentially Unwanted Software".  What does that mean?  Who potentially doesn't want the software?  Me?  Wrong ... I'm the one who's searching for it.  My employer?  Wrong ... they allow almost all kinds of software to be installed on their machines.  Apparently, Mr. WebSense doesn't want me to have this software.  But even he isn't too sure.  Unwanted?  Nah.  Potentially unwanted.  What a stupid jerk. #technology
Speedflying Nov 16, 2006
Last winter, while snowboarding down some snow-covered mountains, I periodically had a thought:  Wouldn't it be cool if there was a way to use the speed you gain while traveling downhill to create lift and fly?  A couple of crazy Frenchmen (I think) have done exactly that by successfully inventing the sport of speedflying, a combination of skiing and parachuting.  These two videos show it being done.  Where do I sign up?  (via kottke) #sports
Frozen meals Nov 16, 2006
My opinion of frozen microwaveable meals is pretty negative and largely based on the people who eat them.  These people usually suffer from one (or more) of the following conditions:  laziness, single-and-living-alone-ness, and extreme obesity.  Lazy people (in terms of food) usually don't cook, which means they tend to either eat a lot of their food in restaurants or buy a lot of it pre-prepared (Note:  I don't usually cook, which makes me fit quite nicely into this category).  People who are single and who live by themselves often have frightening personal hygiene habits and other strange quirks.  This leads them to buy large quantities of imperishables and frozen foods "just in case".  Extremely obese people are usually looking for a simple solution to their problem, so they eat microwaveable meals with Oprah's name on them instead of eating something like fresh vegetables and/or lean meats. 

If that didn't offend at least 1 person, I haven't done my job. 

Despite all this, my life changed 6 days ago.  That's when I ate my first frozen meal since I was 10.  I was getting a little sick of sandwiches, and Wendy's been traveling so we have no more leftovers (again, I don't usually cook).  So I decided to try my hand at some microwaveable mashups.  I decided against the stuff I ate when I was 10 (Kid Cuisine) and went for Healthy Choice.  Wow, was I impressed.  It was a good-tasting meal that was relatively healthy, served in a manageable portion for a pretty low price (sounds like a commercial; it's not).  I went back to the store and bought 4 more (different brand) for lunch this week.  If I can feed myself lunch for $10-15 per week and eat something different every day, I'm a fan.  Plus, I'm not overfilling myself, and I'm getting at least some amount of nutrition. #food
Quarterback (2) Nov 16, 2006
John Madden on the importance of the quarterback: 
Color commentator John Madden spent the third quarter of the San Diego Chargers-Denver Broncos game explaining exactly how important it is for an NFL team to have a quarterback. "You're definitely gonna need one of these guys on your team if you want to have any success in the NFL," Madden said, explaining how having somebody standing directly behind the center when the ball is snapped provides a feeling of stability and consistency. "If Denver, for example, didn't have a quarterback, they could maybe hand the ball off to the running back, but there's absolutely no way the Broncos could pass the ball to the receivers. Frankly, I don't know how the Raiders do it." Madden later went on to talk about how different football would be if there were no end zone and the field "just went on and on forever."
This is why I've been reading the Onion lately. #sports