How many rings (7) Jan 30, 2007
How many times should I let my co-worker's phone ring before I throw it on the floor and smash it to pieces? 

Update (2007-01-31 11:48am):  I completely forgot about this, but a Dilbert comic from December hit the nail on the head. #technology
Best headline ever Jan 30, 2007
Best headline ever: 
Eagle carrying deer head crashes into power lines, causes outages
The story goes on to say: 
About 10,000 Juneau residents lost power Sunday after a bald eagle lugging a deer head crashed into an Alaska Electric Light & Power transmission system in Lemon Creek.
#entertainment
Internet accessibility for the blind Jan 30, 2007
I just noticed a funny thing on a website's comment form: 
blindcaptcha.png
After typing in a comment, the user is asked to type in a series of letters (CAPTCHA) to verify that the comment is coming from a person and not a machine trying to leave spam.  There's a little handicap symbol next to the input field, and clicking on it plays a sound of a person speaking numbers (interspersed with random unintelligible noise) that will also pass the spam test.  I have nothing against blind people, so I applaud things that attempt to help them without simultaneously degrading them.  But I have to admit I'm slightly confused by this situation.  If all things work as expected, we have
  1. A blind person using a computer.
  2. Said blind person reading/hearing blogs.
  3. Said blind person desiring to leave a comment.
  4. Said blind person leaving a comment, attempting to pass spam test.
  5. Said blind person finding the handicap button and listening to confusing sounds.
  6. Said blind person entering perceived sounds into input field.
  7. Said blind person feeling satisfied by leaving a comment.
This process is confusing enough for a non-blind person.  Take away the ability to see, and I can't imagine it's very user-friendly. #technology
Caffeine Jan 30, 2007
I don't drink highly-caffeinated beverages very often, so caffeine usually has a pretty big effect on me.  As part of my quest for the perfect coffee, this morning's brew came out a bit strong.  Now here I am at work, flipping out like a hippie on acid.  My toes are tapping, my fingers are drumming, my eyes are twitching.  It's like the world is moving in slow motion.  I'm like that squirrel from Over the Hedge.  And the problem is that it's completely unnecessary.  I don't have a high-paced job, and I don't need to be moving/thinking this fast.  I don't need anywhere near this much energy.  If anything, I should be taking some depressants to slow me down a bit.  So now I have to find some activities to keep me occupied for the next few hours until this rush wears off.  This is ridiculous.  My entire body is vibrating. #food