9 years ago
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Best Picture of a Sunset ever Taken Tribute
Driving through northeastern Connecticut on monday night, I experienced a setting sun so large it looked as if I would run into it if I kept driving. Over each hill and around each bend, I experienced some spectacular vistas fit only for a Canon SLR Digital Rebel, but unfortunately I only could shake out my Canon Powershot 230. It's 3.0 Megapixels, while barely adequate for stationary photos, would now have to stand in to capture grandeur. The sun's fading rays cast burnt orange across the pine swept hills and lit up the melting snow like a candle over a white table linen. Absolutely grand. As I braced for each shutter, my car swerved in and out of lanes, my mind solely occupied with finding each successive shot. As I climbed a hill that seemed to end in the outstretched rays of the sun, I held the camera firm. I aimed the camera to take the best sunset photo in the world. As soon as I tried to press the button to snap the picture, the lens went dark and I lost the shot. This article is a tribute to almost taking the best shot of a sunset in the world.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Take a ride on the MBTA
Charlie Cards, Green Line renovation and today's article in the globe still highlights a general dissatisfaction with our city's rapid transit. Complaints ranged from crowded, constant delays, and slow speed, to crabby staff and insensitive passengers, but the jury is out: The Boston "T" needs a little bump to liven its appearance to its passengers. Globe internet posts frequently cited all lines as being difficult for either one of the above reasons or another, with the Green line pulling in behind as the worst rated rapid transit line. This article underscores a bigger point, however, that with one of the oldest transit systems in use in the world, infrastructure renovations and improvements have not kept pace with the modern world and other cities, especially world cities, have left our meagre transit in the dust, literally. It is time to add, extend and augment the Boston subway system. This whole discussion started on the news that the MBTA is adding new Blue Line subway cars.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine's Day Quotes - A Few I Like
Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939
I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Unknown
Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever. ~Unknown
We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Unknown
Love is a game that two can play and both win. ~Eva Gabor
Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly. ~Rose Franken
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. ~Robert Frost
Come live in my heart and pay no rent. ~Samuel Lover
Love is what you've been through with somebody. ~James Thurber, quoted in Life magazine, 1960
Love is the greatest refreshment in life. ~Pablo Picasso
The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them. ~Stephen King
If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~Attributed to Claudia Ghandi
I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Unknown
Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever. ~Unknown
We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Unknown
Love is a game that two can play and both win. ~Eva Gabor
Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly. ~Rose Franken
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. ~Robert Frost
Come live in my heart and pay no rent. ~Samuel Lover
Love is what you've been through with somebody. ~James Thurber, quoted in Life magazine, 1960
Love is the greatest refreshment in life. ~Pablo Picasso
The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them. ~Stephen King
If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~Attributed to Claudia Ghandi
Sunday, February 10, 2008
How I feel about the election season
After getting into a heated debate/argument about the political future of the USA at a local bar last night with two friends...Nicco being one, I think it will be helpful to sort out my own thoughts on the current Election season.
First, a few words about the importance of this election.
It's really not all that important who wins. All three front runners [McCain, Obama, Clinton] are moderate candidates. All candidates boast significant experience and all have tasted the seat of federal government... they're all established in the U.S. Senate. While the economy beseeches the parties' primary campaigns, the focus should switch to foreign policy when we reach a nominee from both parties. This election is about fixing the poor policies of the former president. It's about finding a rational way to reach back out to foreign nations to get them on the band wagon again. It's about the best candidate to envoke a change in sentiment towards the U.S., from bully to peacemaker. There's no doubt that our reputation has suffered. From no weapons of mass destruction to Abu Ghraib et al., our image in the middle east is suffering and without a plan to improve anytime soon.
I do not consider myself a blanket Democrat although my politics lean to the liberal side. While I don't think the differences between each of these candidates is that wide, there are a few critical points that concern me.
Clinton: Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton? Are we becoming an empire. Let's give some fresh hearts and minds to lead America. Hillary Clinton is very intelligent. It is high time for a mindful politician to take the reigns of power after the last 8 years of cowboy diplomacy. I'd rather a shrewd leader than one pig-headed. Healthcare could be improved. It's about time for that. However, we are clinging to military campaigns by a thread now and a moment of weakness could cost us. This is not to say change is not essential in regard to foreign policy; our Iraq strategy has been a snafu since the first year's rapid victory. Clinton will remove the troops from Iraq and allow them to operate with more striking power in the region.
McCain: Initially, I really liked McCain. He seems to make his own decisions in his voting record and understands the political processes well enouth to reach across political lines. These lines have become entrenched to a depth that only a president with experience in reaching across the aisle can get bills passed and end the stalemate. But, the other two candidates from the democratic side also understand the chamber and have experience getting bills passed. McCain is a warrior who suffered for his country in a North Vietnam prison during the war. I have a lot of respect for his dedication to duty. His military service does not guarantee wise-decision making with regards to military diplomacy. He mentioned that he would stay a hundred years in Iraq if that's what it would take to secure victory. That is frightening. He admitted that he doesn't know much about how the economy functions. I don't want aides dictating economic policy behind the scenes for the world's leading economy.
Obama: He, so far, is the dark horse (no pun intended) of the election. He is great with speeches. He spews messages for Hope and Change. He intends to be a uniter in the mold of Kennedy or Reagan. I know because his campaign spin doctors have said both. What a boost America would see in the rest of the world electing a man of color to the presidency. Feelings of inferiority and despair well entrenched within the black community would be erased overnight with the election of a black man to the most powerful position in America. He has the makings of a great man, but there are a lot of questions left unanswered at the moment. I am sure that if he gets the nod from the Democratic committee, we will soon find out... at the hands of the republican political machine that will leave no stone in Obama's backyard untouched.
First, a few words about the importance of this election.
It's really not all that important who wins. All three front runners [McCain, Obama, Clinton] are moderate candidates. All candidates boast significant experience and all have tasted the seat of federal government... they're all established in the U.S. Senate. While the economy beseeches the parties' primary campaigns, the focus should switch to foreign policy when we reach a nominee from both parties. This election is about fixing the poor policies of the former president. It's about finding a rational way to reach back out to foreign nations to get them on the band wagon again. It's about the best candidate to envoke a change in sentiment towards the U.S., from bully to peacemaker. There's no doubt that our reputation has suffered. From no weapons of mass destruction to Abu Ghraib et al., our image in the middle east is suffering and without a plan to improve anytime soon.
I do not consider myself a blanket Democrat although my politics lean to the liberal side. While I don't think the differences between each of these candidates is that wide, there are a few critical points that concern me.
Clinton: Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton? Are we becoming an empire. Let's give some fresh hearts and minds to lead America. Hillary Clinton is very intelligent. It is high time for a mindful politician to take the reigns of power after the last 8 years of cowboy diplomacy. I'd rather a shrewd leader than one pig-headed. Healthcare could be improved. It's about time for that. However, we are clinging to military campaigns by a thread now and a moment of weakness could cost us. This is not to say change is not essential in regard to foreign policy; our Iraq strategy has been a snafu since the first year's rapid victory. Clinton will remove the troops from Iraq and allow them to operate with more striking power in the region.
McCain: Initially, I really liked McCain. He seems to make his own decisions in his voting record and understands the political processes well enouth to reach across political lines. These lines have become entrenched to a depth that only a president with experience in reaching across the aisle can get bills passed and end the stalemate. But, the other two candidates from the democratic side also understand the chamber and have experience getting bills passed. McCain is a warrior who suffered for his country in a North Vietnam prison during the war. I have a lot of respect for his dedication to duty. His military service does not guarantee wise-decision making with regards to military diplomacy. He mentioned that he would stay a hundred years in Iraq if that's what it would take to secure victory. That is frightening. He admitted that he doesn't know much about how the economy functions. I don't want aides dictating economic policy behind the scenes for the world's leading economy.
Obama: He, so far, is the dark horse (no pun intended) of the election. He is great with speeches. He spews messages for Hope and Change. He intends to be a uniter in the mold of Kennedy or Reagan. I know because his campaign spin doctors have said both. What a boost America would see in the rest of the world electing a man of color to the presidency. Feelings of inferiority and despair well entrenched within the black community would be erased overnight with the election of a black man to the most powerful position in America. He has the makings of a great man, but there are a lot of questions left unanswered at the moment. I am sure that if he gets the nod from the Democratic committee, we will soon find out... at the hands of the republican political machine that will leave no stone in Obama's backyard untouched.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
UMass-Boston changes name to JFK U
Wouldn't that be a good spin. I think the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should rename the state university at Columbia Point to a more majestic, legendary and attractive name. UMass-Boston, the name itself, implies commuter school, second tier education, bland, and boring. A name like that suggests no frills, no excitement. Is there any rule why a state school cannot be renamed (after all, it wasn't much more than 50 years ago when UMass got its name!) with something a little more jazzy?
The city and state have a tremendous opportunity right now to take an existing institution which can boast an extraodinary campus and location with adequate but improveable facilities and turn it into one of the most prestigious state schools in the country.
Imagine: John Fitzgerald Kennedy University.
Overnight, the institution becomes attractive to students across the country as being an affordable state school with gorgeous location. All the pieces would fit together over the years and while the school could still be a prominent commuter campus for those working in and around Boston, the notoreity would attract a strong resident population.
The city and state have a tremendous opportunity right now to take an existing institution which can boast an extraodinary campus and location with adequate but improveable facilities and turn it into one of the most prestigious state schools in the country.
Imagine: John Fitzgerald Kennedy University.
Overnight, the institution becomes attractive to students across the country as being an affordable state school with gorgeous location. All the pieces would fit together over the years and while the school could still be a prominent commuter campus for those working in and around Boston, the notoreity would attract a strong resident population.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Blog Riotus Top Music this Week
Street of Dreams - Oysterband
Lluvia de Estrellas - Terri Hendrix
Love is Just a Dream - Johnny Clegg
Pretty Girls Don't Cry - Chris Isaak
Guajiras de Lucia - Paco de Lucia
Gymnopedies [for Piano] - Erik Satie
Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - Yo Yo Ma
I've Tried Everything - Eurythmics
Lluvia de Estrellas - Terri Hendrix
Love is Just a Dream - Johnny Clegg
Pretty Girls Don't Cry - Chris Isaak
Guajiras de Lucia - Paco de Lucia
Gymnopedies [for Piano] - Erik Satie
Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - Yo Yo Ma
I've Tried Everything - Eurythmics
Monday, February 4, 2008
Patriots dethroned!
Not much to say about 18-1. Giants roughed up the Patriots and in doing so gave themselves a chance to win. It took a few plays bordering on the miraculous, but missed opportunities got the better of the Patriots and all it took the vaunted Red Zone defense was a stumble and an easy score. Ball Game.
Obviously because of the loss, but nonetheless, it gives us amateurs a chance to replay the game with hindsight as if we were coaches again. The Patriots of perfection had taken that from us with their undefeated streak. Now I can say Belichick is not a football god, he is a mortal man. And he made some mistakes in judgment last night. It's just too bad it happened in the Super Bowl.
Obviously because of the loss, but nonetheless, it gives us amateurs a chance to replay the game with hindsight as if we were coaches again. The Patriots of perfection had taken that from us with their undefeated streak. Now I can say Belichick is not a football god, he is a mortal man. And he made some mistakes in judgment last night. It's just too bad it happened in the Super Bowl.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
My latest experience with overseas customer service
This issue is over the download of an $0.89 song from Amazon.com. If you did not read my last experience with overseas customer service, you can here.
01/30/08 18:11:05
INITIAL COMPLAINT:
I tried to download this song (order# D01-2221883-6829641) on my old labtop and could not download the amazon music player. When I tried to re download it to my newer computer with the amazon player, I read that once you download the file you cannot download again. Since I was never allowed to download the file in the first case, is there a way that I can do it now? I appreciate your help.
AMAZON RESPONSE:
Hello from Amazon.com. Thank you for writing about where your music purchases are stored. If you used the Amazon MP3 Downloader, the default directory to which your files are saved is named "Amazon MP3." Please search your computer for that folder, and you should be able to locate the music you downloaded. For Windows users, this folder is typically within your "My Music" folder. For Mac users, this folder is typically within your "Music" folder. Also, you can launch the Amazon MP3 Downloader on your computer and view or change the default directory by choosing File/Preferences from the application menu. Your download location is specified in the "Output Directory" section. You can also have the Downloader place music directly into Windows Media Player or iTunes by changing the "Media Library" setting. If you downloaded a song from your browser without the Amazon MP3 Downloader, your Web browser settings control the location of the download. If you search for files with the extension ".mp3," you should be able to locate your purchases. Be sure when you are downloading songs without the Downloader that you choose "Save" instead of "Open" when prompted. Please only open your downloaded files after they have been saved. I hope this information helps. If you continue to experience a problem, please contact us again. You can always find information about MP3 Music Downloader on our Help pages at the URL below. You can also contact Amazon customer service via phone or e-mail by using the Contact Us buttons on our Help pages at: http://www.amazon.com/help/amazonmp3 Thank you for shopping for MP3 Music Downloads on Amazon.com.
MY RESPONSE:
Rather than look at my customer history and recognize the accuracy of my assertions about the purchased download in question, you have instead, forced me to navigate through this red e-tape just to get a response that presupposes my technical ineptitude. I realize it was my error and the cost of the download is only $.89; if it is really too difficult to reward my situation with the RE download of the song I previously had bought two days earlier then I guess I will get the "shitty end of the stick" sort to speak. I am not looking for technical expertise, rather, for a clear answer whether my situation would dictate a refund or redownload of the purchased MP3...or neither. Thank you.
AMAZON RESPONSE (surprise):
Thanks for writing to us at Amazon.com. I'm sorry to hear that you encountered a problem. Because of the circumstances, I've restored your access to the song. So you can try the download again from Your Media Library on Amazon.com.
I can't say that I wasn't surprised (and appreciative) to see this reply by my friends over at Amazon!
01/30/08 18:11:05
INITIAL COMPLAINT:
I tried to download this song (order# D01-2221883-6829641) on my old labtop and could not download the amazon music player. When I tried to re download it to my newer computer with the amazon player, I read that once you download the file you cannot download again. Since I was never allowed to download the file in the first case, is there a way that I can do it now? I appreciate your help.
AMAZON RESPONSE:
Hello from Amazon.com. Thank you for writing about where your music purchases are stored. If you used the Amazon MP3 Downloader, the default directory to which your files are saved is named "Amazon MP3." Please search your computer for that folder, and you should be able to locate the music you downloaded. For Windows users, this folder is typically within your "My Music" folder. For Mac users, this folder is typically within your "Music" folder. Also, you can launch the Amazon MP3 Downloader on your computer and view or change the default directory by choosing File/Preferences from the application menu. Your download location is specified in the "Output Directory" section. You can also have the Downloader place music directly into Windows Media Player or iTunes by changing the "Media Library" setting. If you downloaded a song from your browser without the Amazon MP3 Downloader, your Web browser settings control the location of the download. If you search for files with the extension ".mp3," you should be able to locate your purchases. Be sure when you are downloading songs without the Downloader that you choose "Save" instead of "Open" when prompted. Please only open your downloaded files after they have been saved. I hope this information helps. If you continue to experience a problem, please contact us again. You can always find information about MP3 Music Downloader on our Help pages at the URL below. You can also contact Amazon customer service via phone or e-mail by using the Contact Us buttons on our Help pages at: http://www.amazon.com/help/amazonmp3 Thank you for shopping for MP3 Music Downloads on Amazon.com.
MY RESPONSE:
Rather than look at my customer history and recognize the accuracy of my assertions about the purchased download in question, you have instead, forced me to navigate through this red e-tape just to get a response that presupposes my technical ineptitude. I realize it was my error and the cost of the download is only $.89; if it is really too difficult to reward my situation with the RE download of the song I previously had bought two days earlier then I guess I will get the "shitty end of the stick" sort to speak. I am not looking for technical expertise, rather, for a clear answer whether my situation would dictate a refund or redownload of the purchased MP3...or neither. Thank you.
AMAZON RESPONSE (surprise):
Thanks for writing to us at Amazon.com. I'm sorry to hear that you encountered a problem. Because of the circumstances, I've restored your access to the song. So you can try the download again from Your Media Library on Amazon.com.
I can't say that I wasn't surprised (and appreciative) to see this reply by my friends over at Amazon!
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