Restroom or bathroom (2) Mar 11, 2008
I've been noticing lately that more people use the term "restroom" than "bathroom".  I'm a bathroom person.  I go to the bathroom, not the restroom.  Why would I go to the restroom?  To rest?  That doesn't even make sense.  At least "bath" has some relation to what actually goes on in there.  Realistically, it should be called any of several names that are exact descriptors of the goings-on therein, such as [trying to keep it clean] pottyhouse, toiletshack, or sinkroom. #language
Selective internet filter Mar 6, 2008
My employer blocks pretty much everything fun and interesting that can be found on the internet, including any type of streaming media.  This includes videos from legitimate news sources like CNN.  Today I clicked on a link to a video news segment, fully expecting it to be blocked and to be treated like a criminal trying to do illegal things.  But the video started to load.  Actually it was a commercial before the actual video.  But then after the commercial finished, the actual news video wouldn't load because it was blocked.  So thanks, big stupid employer.  You let me watch meaningless commercials, but not news.  Thanks. #technology
Dumb quotes Mar 6, 2008
John Gruber finds it odd that there are people who prefer dumb quotes to smart quotes, i.e. "these" instead of “these”.  Well, Mr. Daring Fireball, I'm one of them.  I hate smart quotes.  Not only are they often displayed incorrectly on the internet, they make copying and pasting a nightmare.  I don't care if smart quotes look nice.  They're a pain in the butt. #language
Music and mood Mar 5, 2008
Scott Adams wrote a great post about music and mood a while ago, but it's since been removed and put in his book.  A cached copy says,
"Sometimes I wonder why music is legal. Music can alter your mood and your body chemistry just like any illegal drug. The fact that it goes into your body through your ear shouldn't make a difference. We take drugs via practically every other hole in our body -- mouth, butt, eyeballs, nose -- you name it. Ain't nothing special about an ear."
It's amazing how true this really is.  Music has a profound effect on mood, energy, creativity, etc.  It truly affects the body like a drug.  When certain songs come on the radio while I'm driving, I tend to drive faster or more aggressively.  Wendy says certain songs on her iPod make her run faster or work out harder.  Certain songs make you relax.  Certain songs make you think.  Certain songs make you feel like Superman.  It's undeniable (at least for me) that music has a direct effect on my mood. #entertainment
Corporate network obsolescence (4) Mar 5, 2008
I predict that in 5-10 years, corporate IT networks will be obsolete.  Sorry, all my IT readers.  You'll probably still have jobs because people's computers will keep breaking.  But you can forget about network cables and email servers.  With things like wireless broadband and web-based email, there's no need for a corporate-centric network.  Anything that can be done on one of those networks can be done on a wireless broadband network.  There's no need for corporate IT policies, internet filtering, or bandwidth throttling because it'll have nothing to do with the corporate network.  It's all in the hands of each individual user.  And corporate software policies like antivirus protection and the slew of standardized, cookie-cutter bloatware that IT departments ruin install on users' computers will become obsolete because, again, those things are network-centric.  Who cares if one of your users gets a virus on their machine?  It won't affect anyone else on the network because it's a different kind of network.  And I've mentioned before my opinion about web-based email:  It's infinitely better than corporate email.  It's more reliable.  It's easier to access.  There's more storage space.  Who cares about security because nobody does secure things through email anyway (though I have a hard time believing Gmail's https is any less secure than biometrics, a smart card, and a 10-character password).  With a $100 wireless broadband card and $60/month unlimited access, I don't need a corporate network. #technology
Futile tasks (3) Mar 4, 2008
Some tasks are completely futile, but I do them anyway.  It's futile to make my bed in the morning if I know I'll mess it up again at night.  But I do it because it feels better to sleep in a well-made bed than in one that's all messy.  It's futile to clean the house or do my laundry because everything will just get dirty again.  But I do it anyway because it's sort of essential.  Dirty clothes stink.  Dirty dishes are gross. 

It's slightly different with tasks that eventually complete themselves.  For example, sometimes it seems a little futile to rake leaves.  Not only will they be there again in exactly 12 months, if you wait long enough, the leaves will eventually decompose and essentially vanish.  But eventually is a fuzzy word.  They might decompose in a year if they're not piled too densely, or it might take several years. 

A more realistic example is shoveling snow.  All snow will eventually melt.  Fortunately for people who live in temperate regions, not only will snow inevitably melt by around April, it'll probably melt several times during the winter.  It's rare to have snow on the ground for more than a few weeks, let alone a few days. 

With that in mind, every time I shovel snow, I try to put forth as little effort as possible, because I know my efforts are literally futile.  It's like running in a circle:  The end result is exactly the same as the beginning, i.e. no snow.  It's always a game of chance:  Should I shovel the snow several times during the storm so it doesn't pile up and become more difficult, or should I wait until the sun comes out and melts it all away?  That, my friends, is one of the hardest decisions I make. #psychology
Spill Mar 3, 2008
Cleanup on aisle 12. 



Sometimes our dumb little cats stick their big stupid heads in glasses of water we unintentionally leave on the coffee table, which inevitably leads to a spill on our fake hardwood floors.  Then they freak out and run away, but not before depositing a few hairs as evidence. #entertainment
Defunct gas station (3) Mar 3, 2008
I've mentioned this before, but I'll ask it again:  How can a gas station possibly go out of business?  If you have a product everyone wants, you overcharge for it, and you have even a mediocre customer base, how can you possibly not make a profit? #business
iPod aspect ratio Mar 3, 2008
I've always thought it's kinda stupid to put movies on an iPod so you can watch them on a plane or while traveling.  Watching a full-length movie on a 2.5-inch screen seems a little ridiculous.  But when you think about, it makes a ton of sense in terms of aspect ratio.  If you're ok with watching a movie on one of those 10-inch screens on an airplane where you're likely sitting a good 5-10 feet away, it's roughly the same as watching a 2.5-inch screen from 12 inches away. #technology
Hot things in first class (1) Mar 2, 2008
For my trip last week, I had some frequent flyer miles, so I upgraded to first class.  I've only flown first class one or two other times in my life, so I'm still amazed by all the weird things I experience there.  One common thread I noticed among all the strange little procedures in this area of the plane was that there was a tendency for the flight attendants to give us normal things, but to heat them up first.  For example: 
  1. Hot nuts.  Instead of the normal little bags of peanuts, we got mixed nuts in a little glass bowl, heated.  I can't say I've ever had hot nuts before, and I also can't say I see the point.
  2. Hot food.  This would seem normal, except it was almost like they took a meal that would normally be served cold and simply "added value" by serving it hot.  The meal was a turkey and cheese wrap.  I would've rather eaten it cold.
  3. Hot towel.  No matter how many times this is explained to me, I still don't get it.  Why would I want a wet towel?  To clean my hands?  After I ate?  I guess it's like a wet nap, but "better".  Whether it's hot or cold, I don't need it.
  4. Hot cookie.  This is the only one that made sense.  Take a normal chocolate chip cookie.  Now stick it in the microwave.  Bingo.  Its value has been increased tenfold.
#travel