- Proverbs for Paranoids, 3: If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.—Gravity’s Rainbow
‘Is it about a bicycle?’ he asked.—The Third Policeman
Tag Archives: daily life
Logotype
I came across this on a Facebook wall belonging to a company called Motto Agency. I was surprised at how many brands I could identify from a single stylized letter. But then, that’s what companies like Motto are all about.
I don’t think I’ll get them all, thank God. But a few of them will continue [...]
Scrimping
I’ve walked past this sign so many times I finally had to memorialize it:
Not bad: more than $100,000 a year! Maybe even $200,000! Clearly all income is pure profit—why bother paying for a professional-looking sign? And don’t worry if you can’t spell—the boss can’t either!
In the process I’m also memorializing the huge rolling, grassy expanse [...]
¡Corre!
While I was in Ecuador recently, I noticed that cars don’t slow down for pedestrians. And it seems the red octagonal PARE sign is discretionary. So pedestrians there keep a sharp eye out and are ready to accelerate in an instant—without, however, looking like their life is in mortal danger. Outward nonchalance is to be [...]
Caught
The New York Times reported today that Google is being threatened with sanctions in Germany over its Street View feature, which allows users to “stroll” along streets in areas that are covered by the service, taking in the buildings, scenery, vehicles, pedestrians, etc., in a 360-degree view. The “data protection regulator” for the city-state of [...]
Posted in Agora Also tagged Germany, Great Britain, New York, privacy, technology, Washington DC Leave a comment
Autobiograffiti
Not only am I getting tired of Facebook (after a mere 13 months of use), I’ve started wondering how much time I’ve already wasted there. It didn’t take very long for me to get fed up and shut down all applications, so if a Facebook bot sends me an egg or kidnaps me or asks [...]
Guns
When you’re caught between apoplexy and despair, your writing might get a little disjointed. You’re prone to ask too many rhetorical questions. Like this:
For hundreds of years, we have understood in this country that “keeping and bearing arms” is different from “having a loaded gun in the drawer of your nightstand.” Now we don’t. Devolution. [...]
Relaxing
The lefty blogs have gone so batscheiss crazy over the fact that Clinton is still in the race, it’s impossible to read them. So, for some weeks now, I haven’t. It’s very pleasant.
I finally got around to reading a novel a friend gave me a while back, Beyond Sleep, by the Dutch writer Willem Frederik [...]
Liberation
Happy Birthday, Miss Ion Accomplished! Five years old today. You’ve gotten so big I hardly recognize you.
Freedom is on the march everywhere. In my town, starting today you can look just about anywhere and smile into the camera. A friendly Homeland Security employee will take note. Feel free to give the “thumbs up” sign—they love [...]
Space
Sunday was Show Us Your Blog Space Day. I found out about it (belatedly) over at the Newsrack Blog, whose proprietor was invited to participate. I figure my invitation was lost in the mail or something (this being the busy holiday season for the good old US Postal Service).
I hadn’t realized there was a pent-up [...]
Idling