Another Reason MySpace Sucks January 31, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : gnash-teeth, Science, Marketing, Castle, Religion , add a commentI’ve never liked MySpace. From a developer & user perspective - the interface, design, performance, “features”, you name it. I consider it a complete waste of bandwidth. The core concept isn’t bad, but the implementation and follow-thru I simply can’t condone.
That said, take a look at this piece, where alledgedly MySapce has no space for Atheists.
Social networking site, MySpace.com, panders to religious intolerants by deleting atheist users, groups and content.
Early this month, MySpace again deleted the Atheist and Agnostic Group (35,000 members). This deletion, due largely to complaints from people who find atheism offensive, marks the second time MySpace has canceled the group since November 2007.
I’m not interested in voicing my own beliefs or hearing about anyone else’s. I’m entirely content to let people do or believe what they wish to do so long as it doesn’t interfere with my own happiness. I find most religious beliefs (& sports, ugly people, foods with sour cream, short people, etc) personally offensive, so I avoid them. Had I stumbled upon a website, a TV show, or radio station that I did not care for its message - I move on and don’t come back. No one is forcing anyone to goto a web page, to read the contents and take a test afterwards.
I’m not clear on the legal issues without more definitive information, but it would seem that from a moral standpoint - unless this group violated the terms of service they should be allowed to exist right next to every other group.
I ask all of you who read my blog or otherwise find this page to join me in the public ridicule and denouncement of MySpace for it’s crimes against common sense (as it relates to it’s site structure) and should this article prove true, then doubly so. Delete your MySpace account and setup shop elsewhere. Your friends will follow.
Here’s a blog post which makes a few design points that I’m too lazy to articulate myself. http://www.moundalexis.com/tm/archives/000124.php
Cats Demand Attention - The Wake Up Call January 31, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Squirrels, gnash-teeth, TimeWaster, Castle , add a commentAs any cat owner knows, waking up suddenly to loud meowing, having a body part nibbled on - including nipples, nose and feet and my personal favorite when they shove their cold, wet nose up mine. This is all common practice among felines.
The following video isn’t far from the truth…
And the Angel of Death behind January 30, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Picture of the Day, Castle, Religion, Friends , add a comment
Post title in reference to the Sirat (Orange Catholic Bible) or As-Sirāt.
Currently Feeling: A mixture of relief and concern.
Currently Wishing: A friend will move back to town.
Currently Anticipating: Reading some new books a friend recommended.
Night Castle A Complete Bastard January 30, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : gnash-teeth, Science, Castle, Religion , add a commentI’ve been trapped in my home for the last few days due to snow and the inability to get dressed. My reserves of smokes was depleted late last evening. Night Castle knew Morning Castle would want a cig, but he giggled and said, ‘not my problem’, as he lit up the last cigarette, around midnight. Those two have never gotten along.
In theory I could bundle up and try walking to the nearest gas station. Had Morning Castle been thinking properly, he would have just ordered some online or something last week. I can feel the craving inside, like a wild cat in a small cage, frantically pacing to get out. My jaws new natural state is to be painfully clenched.
Ironically I find all my lost lighters this morning too.
In any case I’m going into survival mode, which pretty much entails whinnying loudly like a lonely puppy.
Hotel Hygenie January 28, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : gnash-teeth, Science, Castle, Travel , 1 comment so farThis is a disturbing video to watch - one of those hidden camera exposes about what really happens to the glasses you use in hotels. One health expert lists all the diseases you can catch from this type of practice. This in combination with how dirty you know the bedding is - I think I’m going to just start sleeping in rental cars and boiling everything before I touch it when I travel.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1329217643/bctid1329232712
Mostly Dead January 27, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Science , 2commentsThis is an interesting article from NewsWeek, about how current methods of post cardiac resuscitation can actually lead to death. A better understanding of the mechanics at the cellular level, could lead to new procedures to increase the likelihood of cellular survival from oxygen deprivation, perhaps even hours later.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/35045/page/1
Macworld Expo - Pictures January 26, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Puter Stuff, gnash-teeth, OSX, Picture of the Day, Marketing, Castle, Travel , 2comments
There were a ton of people at Macworld. Registration was a nightmare, I kept getting redirected to different registration stations by the staff even though I had registered online, but they sent the wrong ID badge. Finally I got it all straightened out and received a Macworld purse filled with MS Office M&M’s, a pen, notebook, lunch coupons for each day of the week, a magazine about the expo and a CDW 1GB flash drive. The number of Apple employees they had on hand to handle registration was impressive, it reminded me a lot of the INS.
Next was to tour all the booths and there were so many different vendors from the one man shops to the big names. The picture with the 3D glasses, yeah I have no idea. We were visiting a booth about backup software. Yet they were giving away 3D glasses, perhaps in an attempt to distract from the fact that with TimeMachine they really don’t have product anymore. This was perhaps one of the lamer marketing ideas, but I still had fun with it. Of course I can’t remember the name of the company so they get no plug here.
While wandering around, I noticed that comedian Sinbad had showed up. A crowd had gathered around him and he was being interviewed on camera. Not wanting to wait for the hub bub to die down I just ended up sneaking into the middle of the interview to get my picture taken.
Free WiFi was available, but it couldn’t realiably withstand the onslaught of thousands of geeks with their iPhones, iPodTouch, and notebooks all trying to connect to the Internet. While taking a break we headed outside of the Moscone Center, to a small corner where we happened upon a stronger signal to another business in the area. Here’s a lovely shot as we made camp to download some much needed iPhone upgrades and ate $6.00 cookies.
The place was pretty well packed the entire week, especially around the Macbook Air. We managed to fight our way through a crowd of disabled elderly people and actually play with one of the new notebooks. It’s a pretty slick looking peice of hardware, but a wee bit pricey.
While wandering about I noticed that someone from Apple Corp was making a fat joke about me. The enormous sign for everyone to see originally said “iPod Touch”, but Steve Jobs thought it would be cute to make fun of my extra pounds. At first I couldn’t believe it, but then we all had a good chuckle about it.
Nearby Intego’s “booth” was actually a giant green castle in my honor. All the attention was a bit embarrassing at first, but I just rolled with it. I wish they would have consulted me about the color though…
Since I was such a good sport about the whole “more to touch” thing, along with all the great work I’ve done over the years I was given an unexpected award. I was so excited I could barely contain it. I know during my acceptance speech I left out some very important people. I’m truly sorry, I was just so shocked by the whole thing and with the cameras flashing it was hard to focus. You all know who you are anyways.
Please note - This post *may* contain some satire, exageration, falsehoods, trophies, pictures, Apple products, me, Sinbad, misc people, green castles, my backpack and characters from the Roman alphabet. Yellow dye #6, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and berry juice.
Long term exposure to this post may cause retardation, compulsive masturbation and the desire to eat Mexican food. This post has not been approved by the FDA, NRA, CDC, ATF, JFK, LAX, or any letters brought to us by Sesame Street.
Stake Thru The Heart January 22, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Squirrels, gnash-teeth, Family, Picture of the Day, Castle , 1 comment so far
Tuesday my oldest cat, has always been a little…off. As a kitten he was bobble head-ish, a jet black furball from the other side where all evil stems from. He once ran into a marshy swamp probably chasing frogs or butterflies like kittens are want to do. He was too scared to come back though. And as I searched through the muck, late at night, trying to follow the meowing cries I could not find him. The next day another search party was organized and again we followed the cries.
Things like this would always happen to him. He used to get into cat fights a lot, would never back down from a dog and generally was always in a foul mood. Stubborn or stupid I could never quite decide. He’s been to the vet so many times, overdosed on catnip, and eventually began to drool and wet himself a lot. His attitude the last few years has become one of a senile, bitter, old man. Hissing at the walls and inanimate objects.
I’ve mentioned his evilness before and joked that only a stake through the heart could actually kill the beast.
This last vet visit they informed us of his terminal disease. His evil has been eating him from the inside out, he had to be put down. The staff were all quite somber and gave me time alone with the demon.
So as I sat there with him in the small examine room, I petted him and told him that I forgave him for being such an evil little shit the last 12 years. He looked at me in the eyes with that same look he’s always saved for me. Part contempt and part wanting to give in an enjoy my pets. As I held him, the doctor came in and administered the shot, just as Tuesday began to enjoy my gentle caresses and actually purr for me. I watched the fiery glow ebb slowly away and his eyes became dull.
Tuesday Castle was born from a half-wild cat out in the county some 12 years ago and has been with me ever since. He is survived by at least two sisters my mother-in-law has and his step-siblings WeeWee (Wednesday-Elmo) and Izzy (Inspector Schmores). Our relationship has always been strained, but had a few good moments every now and then.
He died at 4:02 PM PST.
He’s now buried in my backyard, far away from the dogs and deep enough that he should rest peacefully. I may plant a tree over him as his marker.
Currently Feeling: Relieved and a lil sad.
Currently Anticipating: Some Taco Time Mexi Fries.
Currently Loving: Izzy.
An Outlook On Death January 21, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Squirrels, gnash-teeth, Castle, Religion, Friends , 1 comment so farA friend and I were talking about death and how upsetting it is for those of us left behind.
I told her I was kinda looking forward to the end of this life. Not that I want to go right now, but I don’t think it’s something to be afraid of. I said,
“Well on the one hand it could be something completely new and different. On the other it could just be nothingness and sweet oblivion is the ultimate nap.”
Nothing like a good nap.
Macworld Expo - Home January 19, 2008
Posted by Al Castle in : Puter Stuff, gnash-teeth, OSX, Castle, Travel , 7comments1am PST - I’m finally home and in my own bed, after landing around 10pm in Seattle tonight. I flew out of Oakland and that airport is a joke, it has very limited selection for shops or food and is no smoking - it is the Lynden of airports. I arrived too early because my roomie had a flight out an hour and a half before mine. The shuttle van we took from the hotel was driven by a superbly bad ass, road-ninja. He must have greased the sides of the van with vaseline to make it past some of the tight spots.
Once at the airport I have about 4 hours to kill. I buy a day pass for overpriced wifi and reply to a few emails, IM a little, which ended with me close to tears. On the plane I throw greenies at the flight attendant and manage to maintain a nice vodka/sprite buzz while jamming out to my cranked ipod music. The people around me weren’t pleased, but tough noogies I was in no mood to pander to the commoners. Upon landing in Seatac it continued…
First, I had to harass the airline to find my luggage, eventually getting my luggage, and then making my way to the Master Park Valet garage. Here I realize I lost my printout for the discounted weekly rate. After retrieving the Benz and sending a few texts, I get ditched by a friend and decided to skip finding a hotel for the night and make the long drive back. No point brooding alone in a crappy Seatac hotel.
Traffic was down to one lane in part of Everette, before and after that I made excellent time with the cruise control always set to at least 8 miles over the speed limit. A quick stop in Marysville for McDonalds and coffee I continue on northward bound.
By the time I reach the Bellingham city limits I’m pretty tired, dangerously so. I’ve got my window open, cold air blasting me, and my stereo on repeat, playing Hurt by Johnny Cash. A cigerette in one hand, iced McDonalds coffee in the other and steering with my knees I manage to make it to mi casa.
I’m exhausted, my back is killing me and my feet are still throbbing from carrying around a heavy backpack and walking around San Francisco and Macworld 8 hrs a day for a week.
Sigh. Someone send me a hug or two.
I’m stealing this idea of a documented status from 20Something, a really great writer.
Currently Feeling: Exhausted & unloved by most of the universe.
Currently Anticipating: Hopefully some restful sleep and no dreams.
Currently Loving: My comfy bed, pillows and comforter.
