July 2008 Archives

Did you read that Canadian psychologists, the Gold Brothers, are claiming that they have identified a new delusion -- "patients who claim they are subjects of their own reality TV shows."

This delusion has always been a key strategy for staying sane. What am I going do now?

Joe and I went to see The Hold Steady again last night. The venue was First Avenue, which is a great place to see a band like this -- much better than the Orpheum where the constraints of balconies and seating plans kills the fun of seeing a live show.

I was honestly a luke-warm at best on the most recent Hold Steady album, "Stay Positive". Unlike previous albums I felt like the band was more heavily re-using their riffs and that there was little additional development of the character mythos included in the songs. I liked the first single, "Sequestered In Memphis", with it's catchy hook but overall the album just didn't excite me. In particular the slow song "Lord, I'm Discouraged" just didn't work for me and I really enjoy downer albums -- just check how many times I've listened to Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen.

If you want the story of the album from Craig Finn, read it on the label web site.

Seeing the songs performed in person was totally different. They sound was brighter and more frenetic. They just sparkled in a way they didn't on the album. "Lord I'm Discouraged" was no exception. I like the album more now than before I saw the show.

I don't know how Craig Finn does his magic but between his presentation and the bands riffs, it just works.

Then there is the crowd factor. I have never really seen a show, outside of the oldies circuit where you get the audience acting as the backup vocalists. It makes the whole show connect in a big way.

If I wasn't so busy I would drive up to Fargo and see them again tonight.

Thanks for organizing the trip Joe!

Must have shortcuts for the blackberry. Lots of good stuff although the advice to move the trackball to move the cursor seems a little basic to me.

A video conversation about Phillip Johnson's Glass House.

I really need to visit this place one of these days.

I went to Casper & Runyon's Nook yesterday in St. Paul. It was one of the best burgers I have ever had. I had the triple-b burger with bacon and burboun bar-b-q on the perfect bun. Absolutely amazing food. The atmosphere typical neighborhood bar and diner but neater than most. The service was quick and friendly. I live no where near this place, but I will be back.

Casper & Runyon's Nook
492 Hamline Ave S
St Paul, MN 55116-1613
Phone: (651) 698-4347

Next up, find a reason to go to Austin to get a "loose meat" burger at the Tasti Maid.

I work at a large software company and I've been in the tech industry for 12+ years - I've come to understand that bugs happen.

I was still annoyed to get an email from Bob Meighan at Turbo Tax explaining their "whoops" and not offering to do anything about it. That's lame especially since there was not even a return email address in the notification, just an 800 number. Thanks for making me amend my taxes. Next year maybe I should go back to paper.

Then let's talk about spin. The phrase "may not have included functionality ..." is totally inaccurate. It said I wasn't eligilble period. I suppose technically I could have asked Turbo Tax to print the blank forms and filled it in with pencil, but that seems to defeat the purpose of buying tax prep software.

Did I mention the fact that this especially galls me because I was paying for all day kindergarten that year. In Minnesota the legislature funds 1/2 day kindergarten. If the district wants to offer all-day classes someone coughs up the money. In many districts, but not all, parents pay out of pocket for something that everyone should have access to.

It appears that I can now create a document in google docs and publish it to my blog.

I can also save it to a public web page hosted by google.

I do wish my lawn was nicer, btw.

Cartoon inspired by gizmodo.

It makes me chuckle when he says "we've got the cables".

Even if you think bloggers are dilettantes, blowhards and egomaniacs, it is tough for me to imagine wanting to irritate them like this. Just ask Trett Lott.

McCain got a nice laugh out of the room, underscoring the fact that he seems to connect in small rooms. I don't think he has a prayer in November unless Obama has a big Chicago-sized skeleton that hasn't been unearthed yet.

I really couldn't say anything better about the 4th of July than I did a few years back. Read it again, please. Did I mention yet how annoyed I am that no candidate is really serious about ending the illegal wiretap programs. It was ok to throw Mr. Wright under the bus, but why the FISA compromise?

Read the lame article in the NY Times for yourself.

I work at an email driven company. I get the idea that we spend too much time in email worrying about things that don't matter. I have been known to set-up the out-of-office notice when I want to concentrate on more than one occasion. I just think it's a dumb article.