D i g i t a l H a m s t e r

2003-08-06T15:58:00.000-04:00

Our New Home

I am pleased to announce that I have just registered Digitalhamster.org. The domain will be the new home of DigitalHamster and it will run on Movable Type. It will probably be up in a week or so - if everything goes smoothly.

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements...

2003-08-05T23:31:00.000-04:00

Every blog that I go to lately looks like every other blog that I go to lately. What I'm trying to say, aside from a few blogs (you know who you are), everything is repeated. Everyone is discussing the same topics, whether it be news, politics, culture, technology. There are a few blogs at the top that generate original content, and then everyone else seems to regurgitate it. Not to sound cynical (and perhaps I've spent too much time in the blogosphere this past week), but there seems to be a lack creativity. Well, maybe not creativity, but surely originality. I mean does anyone else feel this way, or is just me? And what I hate the most is the "rant" or exactly what I'm doing right now. Meaningless drivel spewed on the screen for everyone to read or no one. Like I said to my friend at work, or maybe like he said to me, at least people are writing instead of watching TV. I will probably feel differently tomorrow after a good nights sleep.

2003-08-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

Typepad

I setup a typepad version of digital hamster. I think I like it better, but I'm not sure.. I don't think it's as customizable as blogger? Please let me know what you think. I have a thirty day trial on the plus version.

2003-08-05T01:15:00.000-04:00

This just in from the right wing news -

20 Worst Figures In American History:

Honorable Mentions: Ted Bundy (5), Jane Fonda (5), John Wayne Gacy (5), John Walker Lindh (5), Joe McCarthy (5), Michael Moore (5), Boss Tweed (5)

17) Franklin Delano Roosevelt (6)
17) John Walker (6)
17) Lee Harvey Oswald (6)
17) Robert Byrd (6)
16) Aldrich Ames (7)
14) Richard Nixon (8)
14) Aaron Burr (8)
12) Al Sharpton (9)
12) Charles Manson (9)
8) Timothy McVeigh (10)
8) Lyndon Johnson (10)
8) Hillary Clinton (10)
8) John Wilkes Booth (10)
7) Alger Hiss (12)
6) Noam Chomsky (13)
4) Jesse Jackson (14)
4) Jimmy Carter (14)
3) Bill Clinton (15)
2) Benedict Arnold (19)
1) The Rosenbergs (15) & Julius Rosenberg (5) (20 total votes)

2003-08-05T01:08:00.000-04:00

Fates Worse Than Death

Just read a few chapters of Kurt Vonnegut's "Fates Worse Than Death" and I can already say -- I highly recommend it!

2003-08-05T00:44:00.000-04:00

I thought this comment deserves to be a post:

Berkserker writes:

"here's an easy way to get past security at dallas/ fort worth intl - act like you don't speak english. last fall, a well-dressed, middle-aged spanish-speaking couple in front of me at the security check-in were repeatedly asked by the pimply-faced 20-ish 'security guard' if they had any scissors or other sharp objects with them. after 3-4 minutes of the couple's confused, wild gesticulations and repeated 'no hablamos ingles', the guard rushed them through the checkpoint without checking a damn thing (much to the happiness of the 100+ people behind them in line - including me, i might add!)."

2003-08-05T00:41:00.000-04:00

Strange Yahoo Referral

Someone searched Kobe + Accuser + Picture and Digital Hamster came up.

2003-08-05T00:34:00.000-04:00

Supermarket "Self" Checkout Machines

This weekend I coaxed my wife into trying one of those new-fangled self checkout machines at the local supermarket. Without going into too much detail, our last experience was anything but productive. The premise is that any dumbass can locate the barcode and then scan the product past the laser. A touch screen guides you through every step of the process. Every annoying step. There are slots to put in credit cards, coupons, frequent customer cards, etc.. The machine even gives you cash back. Sounds nice? Well, either there is more skill to this than I thought or I am a blathering idiot. The main problem is that the scanner doesn't work. My wife kept telling me that I wasn't swiping it right. Actually I wasn't swiping the product at all, I was sort of just holding the produce stationary, waiting for something to happen. Frustrated with my incompetence, my wife grabbed the product from my hand, and started waving it side to side in front of the laser. I have to admit, she was more successful than I was, but it was still a pain in the ass to get a good scan in. One of the major problems is that a timeout occurs when it doesn't read the barcode after a few passes, which is followed by a message that pops up on the screen "please wait for assistance." Nobody ever shows up, and within 30 seconds it just resets itself. There are two isles devoted to these self checkout machines, and they are pretty popular. But as I panned around to see how others were doing, all I saw were frustrated customers. Apparently it was blathering idiot day.

2003-08-04T23:19:00.000-04:00

The Buzzed Machine

Usually I agree with a lot of what Jeff Jarvis has to say, but today I read Jarvis' response to Dan Gilmore's defense.

Jarvis:

"Listen, I stood a few hundred yards below two jets as they slammed into the World Trade Center. The Nazis were the Islamofascists who took over those planes. We, as a civilization of laws and respect for the primary of human life, must do what we must do to protect ourselves from these murderers. You got a problem with that, jerk, then I repeat my advice: Walk."

I guess wearing a "suspected terrorist" pin represents a clear threat to those on the aircraft. Surely people are smart enough to tell the difference between a real threat and a pin on some guys shirt. What next reading material? Should I now have to clear all my books with the FAA before I board the plane? Give me a break.

2003-08-04T01:13:00.000-04:00

Window Dressing

I just read John Glimore's response to his British Airways "suspected terrorist" experience. For those of you who don't know, Gilmore's refusal to remove his "suspected terrorist" button prompted the crew to turn the plane around and remove Gilmore from the plane.

In the next post, Lessig makes a good point, if Gilmore had removed the pin when asked, it would not have made the flight any safer.

All of this reminds me of the window dressing security that we have when entering our building. Instead of presenting a picture ID, we show the guard a security card with the building's address on it. Basically it means nothing. Anyone carrying this card could easily gain access to the building. Of course, you could just sign-in at the front desk and get a guest sticker. Gosh I feel better now.

Too often we create this pseudo-security which does nothing but waste our time. If we are going to have our privacy invaded, bags searched, etc.... Can we at least have some meaningful security measures? Something that will truly protect us, so we can be safe, instead of just feeling safe.

2003-08-03T02:38:00.000-04:00

The Grand Ennui

The boz brings up a great question... It's unclear whether "digital hamster" is a he or she. Go to the Boz's site and find out.

Ennui - Listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; boredom: “The servants relieved their ennui with gambling and gossip about their masters” (John Barth).

2003-08-03T01:16:00.000-04:00

Please pass the pepper

2003-08-03T00:44:00.000-04:00

Rated R - Parental guidance is suggested

If you are a fan of the Reverse Cowgirl, you are going to love-- Profane Prayers. Be sure to leave a prayer for me!

2003-08-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

Technorati Newcomers

I often browse the newcomers list on technorati and here are some sites I found interesting:

Cleverhack - Intelligent tech girls turn me on! Notice ee is 33. Clever.

Jewdez - she's hot, she works raises two children, goes to school and runs a fine blog.

Dave Winer's Test Site - This is a gratuitous plug to lure readers.

BTW, this our fresh link heavy style. I hope you love it. Please mouseover before you click!

2003-08-02T14:41:00.000-04:00

Ticketmaster Johnson Rods Me de novo!

Wasn't the internet supposed to ameliorate our lives and save us mazuma? Well, this morning I procured two tickets for the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at 45 bucks a piece. Not a bad price I guess, but Ticketmiester added an eight dollar convenience charge per ticket!! I thought it was cheaper to do transactions over the internet because it reduces overhead. No wonder the music industry continues to suffer.

2003-08-02T01:09:00.000-04:00

It's late...

I'm buying tickets for the Red Hot Chilli Pepper's concert in September at the Tweeter Center.

The Chili Pepper's is one of the few mainstream bands that have gotten better with age. In fact I think their last two albums have been my favorites.

Anywho, waking up tomorrow at 10:00am and logging on to ticketmaster. I hope I can get some decent seats.

The concert is on Friday and I am working. Which means I will have to bring a change of clothes so I don't look like an office cockpunch.

BTW, Queens of the Stone Age is opening.

2003-08-02T00:29:00.000-04:00

Added Comments

Now you can comment on the hamster's musings. Pearls of wisdom preferred.

2003-08-01T14:43:00.000-04:00

Dreary Summer Day on Rittenhouse Square

2003-07-31T23:22:00.000-04:00

Dixie Chicks get rammed from behind - no this isn't some homemade sex tape circulating on the kazaa... their tour bus got rear ended on it's way to Houston.

2003-07-31T23:15:00.000-04:00

The man who discovered Elvis, Sam Phillips died today at 80.

2003-07-31T23:09:00.000-04:00

I think Gigli comes out this weekend, and the first review I've read doesn't look promising. One star out of four. It's a shame, I'm a Ben Affleck fan even though he is a block of wood and generally plays himself.

2003-07-31T22:56:00.000-04:00

Check out out Angelina Jolie's nips on the gothamist. She has just moved into the number 1 position on my babes I would give a pinky finger for power rankings.

2003-07-31T22:37:00.000-04:00

Photo Fridge

Gadgets weblog Gizmodo gives us a peek at Electrolux's Screenfridge. This baby takes a picture of the rotting crap inside your fridge and posts it to a webserver. What is the big deal you ask? Well picture this; you're at the supermarket beating your brains in - do we have ketchup? shit I can't remember!!! boy ketchup would go great with my eggs.. ummm.. and bacon.... well I digress. The solution... Whip open you cell phone and download your fridge fridge-shot... yes! I have ketchup... thank god!

2003-07-31T22:12:00.000-04:00

So much to learn about the blogosphere

I just discovered w.bloggar and I'm using it now.

For those of you ignorant bastards like myself who don't know what w.bloggar is, I'll splain'... It's a windows based blog posting application. Basically what this means is that it gives you feature rich editor that is not browser based (it's fast baby)... It's compatible with all the popular blogging software on the market. w.bloggar has a great toolbar allowing you quickly add links, pictures, change templates, etc..

The verdict - It f-ing(my wife doesn't like it when I curse) rocks! Get it today.

2003-07-31T15:01:00.000-04:00

Hamster ain't scarred of no freakin rain

Can someone tell me the location of this thing?

Now if they could only get rid of the sand...

2003-07-31T13:40:00.000-04:00

Flat Sink

This is way cool. Somebody's thinking out of the bun...

2003-07-31T09:48:00.000-04:00

Blogscurity

It's been a few days since I first started this blog, and it has dawned on me that I will probably have very few visitors here. I have to say I'm a little bit bummed. Even my wife and my friend at work have stopped checking in. Maybe I need more advertising, pictures... I dunno. Perhaps, more compelling original content, like Utter Wonder? That pic of G. Bush next to the Wu Tang Clan lyrics is fucking brilliant. Anyway, if you do read this blog, or just stumble upon it, send porkchopper88 at yahoo.com an email with a suggestion on what would make this site better.

2003-07-31T01:15:00.000-04:00

More changes.

The martini template/theme was making me claustrophobic.

I hope everyone likes the new template.

On second thought... I don't care.

Have good night!

2003-07-30T09:55:00.000-04:00

Iraq Demystified

I'm sick and tired of this debate about whether Iraq had WMDs.

Here are five little, but obvious points:

1. Obviously there were WMD's in Iraq, for god sake they've used them against their own people (kurds) and in the Iran-Iraq war.
2. Brutal Dictator... Hello... Saddam Hussein anyone? How many mass graves do we have to uncover?
3. OIL... No one wants to admit it.. but let's face it. Oil crucial for this nation to function. Iraq is the 2nd largest oil producing country in the middle east.
4. Stability of the Middle East... Now that Saddam is gone, and Iraq has been disarmed, the world is much safer... It is... Accept it!
5. The US had to flex its muscles to prove we were not a paper dragon. The Middle East is a basket case of modern society. Terrorists, fundamentalists, extremists have to learn that if they perform acts of terrorism against us or our allies they will pay an enormous price. It's the only way to deal with these people.

2003-07-30T09:39:00.000-04:00

Maybe some walls are good?

According to the Washington Post there has been a lot less crossfire since an 8 foot fence was put up in Kashmir, between India and Pakistan.

On that note, I'm putting a fence around my office cube.

2003-07-30T09:28:00.000-04:00

First mention today

Thanks to Melissa at Profane Prayers for mentioning our little site.
And yes, there is no hamster on our page, but I think I saw your hamster...

2003-07-29T23:58:00.000-04:00

Pitch for new reality show - Homeless American Idol

I work in Center City Philadelphia, home of brotherly love, the cheesesteak, soft pretzels and STREET MUSICIANS!! Well, maybe it's not the home of street musicians, but gosh darn-it, there a lot of them out there.

I am willing to bet that a large percentage of these musicians are homeless. My guess is there is a lot of undiscovered raw talent out there...

Ok, if you are still with me, you probably know what I'm getting at.

Yes, "Homeless American Idol."

Think about it...

I'd rather listen to an off-key street musician singing a incomprehensible rendition of "Born in the USA," than hear Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Klay Aiken belt out another sappy ballad.

The talent is on the streets.

The winner of course gets a recording contract, and all profits go to charity.

All I want is a producer credit.

At the very least this a good Stern show skit.

That's it I'm going to bed. Good night!

2003-07-29T23:14:00.000-04:00

Another long day in the blogosphere

It's been another long day. I haven't written my paper. Basically I've been working on developing this site.

Remember tomorrow I will unveil my idea for the next reality tv hit.

Stay Tuned.

2003-07-29T16:47:00.000-04:00

Guilty Till Proven Innocent

Goodbye Olympic Team... More Kobe fallout.... Stay tuned

2003-07-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

Vanity is nothing new...

Archaeologists have found a 2000 year old sealed container with some sort of cosmetic or face cream inside. Apparently people have been vain since the beginning of time. They even found fingerprints of the last person who carried the container.

I have a hunch those fingerprints will be none other than those of Joan Rivers.

2003-07-29T16:33:00.000-04:00

Brilliant New Reality TV Show Idea!!!

Stay Tuned!

2003-07-29T14:29:00.000-04:00

Napster's reclusive brother

CNN article discusses private file swapping networks emerging in response to the increasingly litigious RIAA.

2003-07-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

Betting on future terrorist targets

According to the LA Times, the Pentagon is setting up a commodity market based on possible terrorist target locations. Their belief is that the market will encourage people with information to come forward. I'm hoping that everything in the Philadelphia commodity market doesn't sell!

2003-07-29T14:00:00.000-04:00

Coffee Clarity Update

Three cups of coffee in the morning created too much amperage and killed my "coffee clarity."

2003-07-29T11:33:00.000-04:00

"Fifteen ways to leave your lover"

The Guardian Unlimited lists the top 15 strangest and cruelest ways celebrities have dumped their significant others. I think Guardian left out Jennifer Love Hewitt dumping Carson Daley, live, on the Howard Stern show. Or was it the other way around? Who really cares I guess.

2003-07-29T11:22:00.000-04:00

WiFi Debacle

Corey Doctorow wonderfully deconstructs a misleading Washington Post article on the lack of security on WiFi networks. More importantly, Doctorow debunks the security consultants outlandish claims cooked up to boost their own sales.

This reminds of the pre-dotcom bubble days, when we never had enough storage, bandwidth or manpower.

2003-07-29T11:09:00.000-04:00

"toilet paper game"

Funny essay on Textism about games to play with toilet paper. The author did however not mention the spare a square episode from Seinfeld?

2003-07-29T11:03:00.000-04:00

"coffee clarity"

Coffee clarity occurs when one is deprived of a precise amount of sleep and digests a precise amount of coffee the following morning. With this crucial balance of java and sleep deprivation, it gives oneself a perfect hyper-lucidity. Attention span is quadrupled. Senses are now laser sharp. Subsequently, I can now understand the works of Gertrude Stein, Jean Baudrillard and Bernie Mac.

Today I experienced this clarity, and I was actually able to stay focused for the full duration of an IT meeting. I'll keep you posted, as I am now on my third cup.

2003-07-29T00:29:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!! I LUV U!!,

I reset your homepage so you can get this message. Hope you don't mind, Check your yahoo email.

In Other News:
As you can see, I'm still ironing out the look and feel of this blog. Tomorrow, is an all content day...

2003-07-28T11:34:00.000-04:00

Welcome back everyone

I hope you had a great weekend. I have been pretty busy today. Haven't really checked the blogosphere. Will be back after 1 with some updates. I'm entering photo friday, so hopefully I won't be talking to myself for much longer.

2003-07-25T17:44:00.000-04:00

Not much going on today

I've been straight jacketed at my institution (job) today, so I haven't been able to add much.

2003-07-25T09:50:00.000-04:00

Get outside your own skin!

Volunteering

Of course no picture can translate the beauty of actually being there. CosmicVolunteers offers assitance and placement to those looking to volunteer abroad.

2003-07-25T09:46:00.000-04:00

Scenes from Nepal

Some beautiful pics from an amateur photographer in Nepal. Check out the smoking guy!

2003-07-25T00:23:00.000-04:00

It's late... Going to bed

It's been a late night of blogging. I hope I actually keep up with this. Going to clean the kitty litter!

Good night folks.

PS

it's kinda of weird writing here because I'm probably the only one reading this crap!

2003-07-24T23:36:00.000-04:00

Nice "shots" of Uday and Qusay.

Warning: These are pretty graphic

Uday & Qusay

2003-07-24T23:30:00.000-04:00

Raging Debate

Do you like 'afro kobe' or 'cue ball kobe'? Well, that's not really the debate.

Actually there's an on going debate whether to release the name of Kobe's rape accuser. Although I understand keeping the accuser's name private makes it easier for the alleged victim to come forward, but in today's media zoo the accused is tried in the court of public opinion long before they ever reach a courtroom. Kobe, guilty or innocent, will carry the stigma of 'suspected rapist' for the rest of his life.

Kobe Accuser Debate

2003-07-24T23:14:00.000-04:00

Code Level 'Shit Brown'

It looks as though some terrorists have stolen ID's and Uniforms to sneak into 'sensitive facilities'. Good grief.

Stolen Uniforms and ID

Good thing I live in Philly...

2003-07-24T20:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Digital Hamster.