2 rules among many about Renaissance Festivals:
1. They are not actually based around the renaissance, but the middle ages. The renaissance was in Italy, after the middle ages, not in England with swordfighting.
2. You’re going to see some stupid-ass tatoos. That is not an option.
I have no spiffy links to throw at you guys. No witty Apple commentary (the *ahem* core of this site). The most interesting video game thing I can think of is that North America is getting Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (for the PS2) before Japan is. That’s unheard of. So why am I wasting your time?
Because I’ve had a good week. I achieved two new skills, one of which was looong overdue. See, there are three things that for some reason or another, people seem to skip out on during childhood: the requisite bee sting, learning to swim, and the all important first bike ride. I’ve been stung quite a few times, and I’ve done the junior lifeguard thing, but I just never got around to riding a bike. I know, I know, stupid me. I knew I’d get around to it eventually.
So I’ve been on this activity streak. Many of my friends are big pot smokers, which = lack of activity. I must be striking out against that. Since December, I’ve been into rock climbing and whatnot. It got me interested in other sports. I dug out the old skateboard I bought last summer to kill the time between Tony Hawk Pro Skater installments. Never really got the hang of it.
Two days ago I rode my first fucking bike. A day later, I fell and donated some skin to the school parking lot up the street. Today, against all logical thought, I went skating for two and a half hours (with my scabby knee and elbow), and got to that “hey, this isn’t so scary anymore” place. I can skate now. On said skateboard, I went down the hill that messed me up when I was on my bike. I got further on my ollie than I ever have before.
So what does this all mean?
I am the Shit. I have two wheeled sports, technically three “extreme” sports, and I’ve bleed for ’em. I am fucking hardcore. This week has been great. Just felt like sharing.
In the past 3 days, I’ve spoken on the phone to 2 entites who normally would be assumed to have terrible customer service / phone support: Qwest and the fucking IRS. In BOTH cases, however, I’ve had nothing but helpful people on the other end, eager to help me reach my goal, and pleasant to talk to. Is that insane, or what? Qwest, and the IRS! The federal fucking government, and a company whose size could rival it. Helpful people on the other end of the phone, all 3 calls I’ve had to make. Weird.
This is a great article on that behemoth software application that rules most of our lives, PhotoShop. A history and explanation, it is very informative and interesting. I mean, seriously. Microslop could really learn a thing or two from Adobe, even if they are dragging their feet for an X release. It’s also a great example, judging by the toolbar comparisons and plug-in icons, that once you get an interface right, leave it the fuck alone. Via Timothomson.com.
…was the day that has lived on in the form of code. Yes, exactly one year ago, I coded my day as if it were ht/xml, and was one of the winners of The 5k Contest because of it. So it’s the last time I mention it, I swear.
I apologize for the halt that Alternate has abruptly grinded to… As it turns out, freelance has left me pretty much busy constantly, and the baby takes up other time that’s not spent working. Soon, though, you’ll get some better stuff to read, promise.
go to http://www.google.com/preferences and set your language to Hacker. Then go back and reload the Google homepage… you are now the 3l337 and the envy of all your friends. (Damn, I hope not.)
*I just noticed this is my second post in one day about Google… weird…
MSNBC’s unsurprising take on VA Linux’s move to stop making hardware, and Slashdot’s aim at making money. Or whatever. *Yawn*
I find it really funny that they call these people athletes and that hot dog eating has a season.
