R.I.P. Dad (May 25: A Joyful Remembrance)


Archive for March, 2007

Technology’s A Bitch

In addition to my dead DVD player, I now have an iPod which no longer syncs properly, won’t restore to the defaults, won’t do anything other than hang to the point of requiring me to force quit iTunes. I now officially have no day-to-day wherever-I-go access to my music.

The Ethics Of Oregon’s Ethics Commission

Now, the commission has spoken, and Major Tom won’t face an inquiry over the two free courtside Blazers tickets he used. Fine, that’s not my concern. Rather, my concern is this.

Continue reading ‘The Ethics Of Oregon’s Ethics Commission’

Stringing Us Along

MetroFi seems to have launched a website all about its Portland wifi network (although it’s mainly just links into its standard site, including the “Customer Stories” bit). It boldly states that the network comes with “no strings”. Oddly, I don’t see a footnote disclaimer explaining that MetroFi does not consider intermittent service outdoors, service indoors only with the purchase of additional equipment, and the presence of an ad banner and MSN wrappers to be strings.

Buckman Blackout

Seven hours of a 4000-customer power outage always makes for an interesting Friday night. It almost got ugly when I discovered that I was down to my last cigarette and the Plaid Pantry was in the blackout zone. Things calmed down when I decided just to go to bed.

MetroFi To PTP: Up Yours

Personal Telco Project members in essence shitcan the current state of MetroFi’s intermittently-available and ad-driven municipal wifi network. So what does MetroFi do? Issues a statement (pdf) questioning PTP’s motives and expertise.

Continue reading ‘MetroFi To PTP: Up Yours’

Send Me To Serenity LA

STARFURY’s first U.S. convention hits Los Angeles in November 2007. But the tickets go on sale in “early April” — which technically begins a scant two days from now. So here’s where I get inappropriately greedy and flaunt an entirely distasteful sense of entitlement. Donate here to give me the money to buy my ticket as soon as they go on sale.

A Northern Return

Rejoice, for the band which nearly gave me an aneurysm when I first encountered them is returning to Portland on April 14 for a show at Dante’s.

There’s Too Much Confusion

Don’t click any of these links if you still haven’t seen the season finale of Battlestar Galactica. But a word to Ain’t It Cool News: Please note that when you reference a certain interview, all it states is that “Ron [Moore] has said” — just like the other place this came up. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the case. It could mean, as I’ve argued, that it’s simply what Moore wants you to believe at this time.

70 Percent?

Perhaps we ought to have capped the Mt. Tabor reservoirs after all, because outside of some foreign substance having been dumped into our water supply, I’m at a loss to explain a 70% approval rating for a man who consistently proclaims that he’s all about the citizens, and yet (just to name a few) has violated both Code and Charter by barring a citizen from pulling items off the City Council’s consent agenda, cynically fast-tracked Charter revisions that now even his office admits will need fixing, instituted “feel good” but ultimately pointless security impediments at City Hall, and debased the very “public discussion” he claims he wants.

Oh, Please

“Fake protesters Saturday afternoon will chuck smoke grenades, block building entrances and mob a police officers as part of a training session for police and fire departments,” says Peter Zuckerman. “In one scenario, protesters will trap a police officer inside a patrol car and rock the car.” Because this sort of thing happens all the time in Clackamas County, and they need to be prepared?