It’s an interesting question, isn’t it? In the absence of epic new plans for the coming year what does “ready” mean? I’m not panicked about the coming year, if that’s what she meant. I’m not planning to do anything for which I am not ready, too.

This bit was, of course, a bit of a non sequitur.

Basically, I want to wish everyone that reads this a happy new year. Be well, be happy. Hopefully your coming year is as good as my previous one.

So, it’s all the more impressive when something goes right. Really right. Like, “Sorry, Mr. Offby1, your part is going to take too long to ship. How about a brand new, massive upgrade?”.

So, shipping to me next week is a 17” Macbook Pro. No charge.

/me gets geeky shivers of glee.

The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.

A.A. Milne

Sure looks horrible, eh?

At least it’s not a total loss; I can still back up my data and take it in for service. Looks like my $300 applecare just paid for itself…

I finally got around to checking it out, and I have to admit, there’s a lot there.

It’s a time-consumer, no question, with the video talks running to 20 minutes each, so you might not get to see all of it at a shot, but I’m convinced it’s worthwhile. Right now I’m watching a talk on the application of economics to explaining AIDS in Africa, and there’s more like that.

Check it out.

So, being a thunder nerd, I slept on the balcony. Very, very nice.

Not a lot, as usual, to report. I’ve been building nifty things at work, as we bring our product up to a new Alpha release. I’ve been grinding away at the details, hacking ODBC code to work with Oracle, planning new extensions to the product. It’s a satisfying process.

In other news, I have not had a chance to jump this weekend. Sadness.

What you don’t know is that… um…

Let’s see. In the spirit of the Facebook thingy, how about a few things you don’t know about me?

1. I have a soft spot for sappy romantic movies (not comedies).
2. For all that I’m a private person, I love it when people randomly visit.
3. I cannot make myself play evil characters in computer games, no matter how hard I try.
4. I am pessimistic about the future of our species.
5. Adventure? Excitement? Oh, yes, I crave these things!

So, I’m not dead. I’ve got some neat things I want to talk about, but will do so later.

That is all.

Yeah, I’m still here.

I’ve been working on school a lot, and work — I’m pretty stressed these days, and my time is at a premium, so I haven’t been writing as often as I want to. I’ll try to remedy that, but this won’t be the post that does

To all of my assorted friends, book time while you can!

I’m just waiting for something to pop. I know it’s coming, although I don’t know what it is, or when it’ll happen, but it’s coming.

As requested in a letter from your client, Mr. Chris Staros, dated October 3, 2006, please be advised that I have now completed my review of the goods, namely a boxed set of three graphic novels, entitled Lost Girls. The three graphic novels were reviewed in full, and were found not to fall within the provisions of Customs Tariff item 9899.00.00.

This boxed set was found to contain depictions and descriptions of incest and bestiality, which are indicators of obscenity under current Canada Border Services Agency guidelines. However, these depictions and descriptions are integral to the development of an intricate, imaginative and artfully rendered storyline. When considering the “internal necessities” test, it appears that, in this instance, the portrayal of sex is necessary to a wider artistic and literary purpose. As a result, it is my opinion that this boxed set does not constitute obscenity.

The boxed set was also found to contain depictions and descriptions of sexual acts involving persons under the age of 18. However, it would appear that these representations serve a legitimate purpose related to art and to the very detailed story about the sexual awakening and development of the three main female characters. Furthermore, it is my opinion that this item does not pose an undue risk of harm to persons under the age of 18 years. As a result, it is my opinion that this boxed set does not constitute child pornography.

As the boxed set entitled Lost Girls does not constitute obscenity or child pornography, it does not fall within the provisions of tariff item 9899.00.00. Its importation into Canada is therefore allowed.

I’ve already read the “boxed set entitled Lost Girls,” and it’s pretty impressive. Good writing, although it could have done without the last page and a half of book three, which was just wankery of a different sort, if you ask me, but other than that it was a lot better than I expected. It really was erotica, as opposed to pornography.

I would recommend it, but… well, truth be told I’m not sure many of you reading this would enjoy it. It’s pretty bent in some places, and really does have to be read in its entirety to appreciate it.