Archive for June, 2007

2007.06.08

Hit the Road, Jack!

Tomorrow I leave on a business trip to Paris so posting might get intermittent. I will try to post pictures and adventures. In the meantime I’m just all kinds of nervous about getting things done properly and packing.

2007.06.07

Manga: The Complete Guide

Congratulations to my friend Jason Thompson on completing and publishing Manga: The Complete Guide. I know he’s been working on (and stressing about) this project for a long time and it’s wonderful that he’s completed it. I’m looking forward to picking it up and reading his sometimes dry wit and humor shine through.

He also spoke tonight at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum for the Marvel of Manga exhibition opening featuring manga legend Osamu Tezuka who created Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He also created one of the most interesting twists on a Hitler theme, Adolf.

Congrats, Jason!

2007.06.07

15 Years of Ti Couz

Ti Couz, how I love thee. Thy crepes divine and thy first-come first-serve no-doggy-bag policies. Happy Fifteenth Anniversary.

PS: Get a website so I can link to you!

2007.06.05

Naruto: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow

I just got back from the company screening of the new (to American audiences) Naruto: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow. I was there with co-workers and Jon E, who is probably the biggest Naruto fan I know. Unfortunately it won’t be going into wide distribution because it’s quite good. Worse, it’ll only be showing to the public tomorrow night, June 6th. If you’re an anime fan check if it will play near you and get your tickets ahead of time because it’s already selling out across the country!

2007.06.04

Comparing NYC and SF Neighborhoods

While I admire the idea of comparing neighborhoods in disaparate cities, I think it doesn’t really work. People are different. Cultures are different. The both contribute the flavour of any neighborhood. At the trivial level comparisons could be made but ultimately, if you’re moving to New York City from San Francisco and hope to find a similar neighborhood to the one you’re leaving behind, then you probably shouldn’t be moving in the first place.

2007.06.03

WordPress Geo Plugin Working Again

I’d previously blogged about how the very useful Geo plugin for WordPress snafued my “Write Post” page by not showing anything past the “Publish” button. This was really irritating if I wanted to post a picture.

Since WordPress 2.2 was released I’d been meaning to upgrade and today made the time. The most important thing I discovered with the upgrade is that it fixed my problems with the Geo plugin! Yay!

So now I can get back to maps. I’ll have to go back and tag a few older posts that missed out on Geo data now…

2007.06.03

Don’t Forget the Royalties

Did you know that if sing the very famous Happy Birthday song you’re supposed to pay royalties to the people that happen to own the copyright? Yep, the song is copyrighted and, at least in theory, AOL Time Warner gets a piece of your wallet every time you sing it.

You’d think as a goodwill gesture they’d just let go of the copyright. It’s not like almost everyone on the planet uses the song to mark another year in someone’s life…

2007.06.02

Protesting the G8

The G8, representatives of eight of the world’s most powerful countries in the world, are meeting in Germany. Like many of their previous meetings the summits are being countered by massive protests and, like most of these protests, ending in violence. Why the protest? Why the violence? What is there to get so emotional about? One of the better quotes comes from the SF Gate article:

“The world shaped by the dominance of the G-8 is a world of war, hunger, social divisions, environmental destruction and barriers against migrants and refugees,” organizers said in leaflets handed out on the streets.

Laudible reasons to be unhappy about the state of the world but unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be much useful information on why to bother fighting the G8 in specific. Reading a Socialism Today article seems to indicate that the G8 is rampantly capitalistic and exploitative. Their reasons are some of the best I found: they want to fight poverty and blame in part the G8 for poverty’s continuation in much of the developing world. The London Anarchists talking of a previous G8 meeting in Russia stated, “The Chamber of Commerce is the main link between Russian and British corporations, whose interests are being promoted at the G8 summit atthe expense of the majority of the Russian and British people.The politicans decide our fate and their bully boys ensure that no alternative voices are heard.”

Most of the other reasons I’ve found on the web, though, seem to indicate protesting for the sake of protesting. This example wasn’t unusual in my web searches when I was searching for any good reason to protest the G8.

The G8 is no different from any other powerful alliance in history. This is not an endorsement for their behaviour but I don’t see how they are much different that Britain during their true Imperialist years, or Spain in the New World, or Rome in their heyday. Hell, we have societies in the world now that make the G8 look benign… Look at North Korea for a perfect example of “war, hunger, social divisions, environmental destruction and barriers against migrants and refugees.”

In Iraq the sham leadership prosecuting the fighting often speak of winning the “hearts and minds” of the Iraqis. Of course they aren’t doing anything to win those hearts and minds, and I don’t see the anti-G8 groups doing anything to win mine.

Why should my opinion, thoughts and support go out to these protesters and their movement when every time they take to the streets they incite violence? Especially since their violence seems such a half measure. I mean, if they are really serious I would imagine the only way they will change things is by starting a revolution but they seem very comfortable marching and screaming and causing property damage to people who might otherwise support them. So could someone explain, in normal unemotional language, why should I bother caring?

2007.06.02

Happy Pipes Plumbing

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and are in need of a plumber might I suggest that you look up Michael Dawson at Happy Pipes Plumbing.

For the best plumber in San Francisco, check out Happy Pipes Plumbing they are the professional plumbers. Happy Pipes Plumbing serves San Francisco and the Bay Area. You can find these plumbers at: http://www.happyplumbing.com. For an Expert in Mainline Sewers & Storm Drains in San Francisco and the Bay Area, call Happy Pipes Plumbing!

I’ve known Michael for years and he was my manager in one of the IT departments I worked in. He was one of the best managers I ever had and I’m sure his experience and professionalism then will translate well to his current business.

Best of luck, Michael!

(Disclosure: I get nothing out of this post aside from the satisfaction of helping a friend who I know and trust and who deserves every success in the world)

2007.06.01

Battlestar Galactica Will End

It’s official: BSG will end with the full fourth season. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Though I wish it would go on and on. *sigh*

Thanks to The Stops for the news!