Beware: Slashers in the A².

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I'm always a champ in the game of life. Last night, between the hours of 2AM and 6AM some lucky Ann Arborians won the coveted 1 to 4 tires slashed.

According the Area Tow-Truck Guy, the count at his office was 500 cars. While these numbers are unconfirmed, it seems about right with all the chaos from graduation.

As we all filed out into the street this morning, we quickly became aware that we were in some great company. The building next to us, the lot behind and the side street around the corner all got their little "welcome to the neighborhood".

The upshot is $250 in repairs for two new tires and a $200 deductible. Hmmm...Did I say champ in the game of life? or Chump?

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All your Jean Picard are belong to us.

I try not to post about single links. But this one is too damn catchy.

The back story is about one-ups...those websites that are on single page, usually a flash animation, and that all there is. The best of which is Zombo.com, a site that hasn't change since it's inception years ago.

The one we've found is based on You'reTheManNowDog.com. The main domain allows registered users to make their own...and this one is f'kin awesome. Careful...it's the new Tom's Diner. [Via George]

Note: doesn't seem to produce sound in FireFox.

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How are they made? Martyr Posters

After seeing the senseless killings of Palestinians, Israelis, Americans, Iraqis and others around the world due to terrorism, one artifact always pops up in the follow-up news reports: The Martyr Poster.

I was curious how these posters are made so quickly, who funds them, and where are they done. Working in photoshop on a daily basis, I am wary of the time it takes to make a comp, furthermore to get it printed. I usually separate myself from the subject matter almost entirely. For the martyr poster printer it can't be that easy.

What I discovered was sparse and news-magaziny , but the information was interesting...

The grimy, dimly-lit shop is one of two in Jenin that print what are known as "martyr" posters, which eulogise Palestinians who have killed or been killed in the conflict with Israel and cover almost every wall in town.

Since the Palestinian uprising began in 2000, they have become a regular feature of life across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where they even adorn hospitals and classrooms.

Nowhere is this unsettling art form more visible than in Jenin and its refugee quarter, a militant stronghold seething with hostility towards Israel for its crushing military assault in 2002 and numerous raids since.

"If this continues, we will run out of wall space for our martyrs," said Mohammed Abu Hammad, leader of the Jenin cell of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement. . . .

Israel sees the glorified images of gunmen plastered throughout this poor town of 40,000 as incitement to further attacks, a point some Palestinians readily acknowledge. . . .

A typical poster features a photograph of the grimly staring deceased posing with an assault rifle superimposed against the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem or a picture of Muslims kneeling in prayer. The images are often surrounded by Koranic verses and lavish praise written in Arabic script. . . .

If the dead person is a militant, his faction commissions the work. Al Aqsa is his biggest repeat customer. It picks the photo. The family has no say. When a non-combatant is killed, a coalition of local Islamic charities pays for the print run. . . .

Like many Palestinians, Abu Hamza sees suicide attacks not as terrorism -- as does Israel and much of the international community -- but as resistance to the occupation of Arab land.

In his work, he draws no distinction between suicide bombers who target Israeli civilians, gunmen killed fighting Israeli soldiers and unarmed bystanders shot dead during tank raids.

"Each one is a sacred 'shahid'," Abu Hamza said, using the Arabic word for martyr, defined by Islam as one who dies during "jihad", or holy war, a guarantee of instant entry to paradise.

Hanging on a wall above his printing press is a poster of a former schoolmate who blew himself up in 2001 in a bomb-laden car he and an accomplice tried to crash into a bus.

With ink-stained hands, Abu Hamza waved away the question of whether he felt any sympathy for the 60 people wounded. But he said: "I cried for my friend while I made his poster."

Once a poster goes up, no Palestinian will dare take it down because of fear of how the militants might respond.

Israeli troops raiding the town have left their mark, sometimes daubing Stars of David across pictures of dead gunmen. Wind and rain have also taken a toll.

Mindful of how Israelis regard his work, Abu Hamza, recently married and thinking of having children, keeps his guard up.

Three months ago, soldiers ransacked his shop searching for information on the militant groups he does business with.

They found nothing. "I keep the plates and proofs hidden but within easy reach. You never know when I might need them."

-- Reuters

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Overheard: IM away message.

"judging by the commotion, i would have to assume that this morning, between the hours of 8 AM and 11 AM, every elementary school in the area went on a field trip to the tree in front of my apartment building."[via Jeremy]

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Public Displays of Technology.

As we're rounding this new vocational bend, our old Handspring Visor isn't going to make the grade. The University of Michigan was kind enough to give all of its students a PDA, however being a educational institution they weren't about to pony up the dough for the new hotness.

As a result we are in the market for a new PDA. Naturally there's no such thing that takes care of all the gadgets we currently haul about. We're talking PDA, Digital Camera, MP3 (Though I don't think we'd would ever replace the iPod) and ideally a cell phone. While were not sure of the system being used at the hospital, and have had great difficulty getting that information, we are curious about peoples experience with the current cache of PDAs out there. We're looking for recommendations, suggestions, or newer hotness.

I like the idea of having WiFi on the PDA, but that pretty much knocks out having a phone as well. Some day it will all be one perfect gadget. The dodad that does it all. Until that time, I'm afraid the ladies will have more clutter and the gents will be stuck with the murse.

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Deity Luncheon: 12:15PM // Feinman Bar Mitzvah: 6:00PM

After commenting on a brief religious discussion on george.hotelling.net about the Decalogue and polytheism I realized that it would be pretty interesting to have lunch with a couple of Gods (and or prophets, sages etc.). What would you talk about? Where would you go? When would you look at your watch and make some lame-ass excuse to cut out? Who would you have divvy up the bill? Let's hear about your lunch...Reservations are suggested.

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Boob Tube? Well I Never!

More and more people are just saying 'No' to owning a television. I'm not suggesting that I would do anything as reckless as that, but the people who do, stand by it. They have myriad reasons for not owning one: Never owned one; there's nothing good on; I would watch too much; I hate America. One thing seems true, people who love television think those who don't watch are losing out on a part of life.

Ironic how sitting and watching six hours of television a day constitutes 'life'. But what about those in between TV times when we are conversing with our fellow man. The conversation inevitably finds it's way to a show we saw, a quote we make that we expect our friend to know, celebrity gossip, or products.

My father, who saw the popularity of television grow from it's genesis, says there are three stages of conversation (I'm not sure if it's his idea, but he's my source):

Talking about ideas, talking about events, and talking about things(people, places, products).
Going from highest to lowest respectively.

After hearing this philosophy, I couldn't disagree. So following that idea, to have the highest form of conversation you don't need a TV, while for the second two it certainly helps.

I subscribe to a half-assed solution. I think owning a television is good, it works for me. I have a TiVo* which allows me to watch less. But I think about when I was a kid and the effect television had on me. I would watch from 3ish to 8ish, mostly cartoons. The result? I have a pretty good grasp on pop culture, I do well with Trivial Pursuit, and know all my classical music from Looney Tunes. On the playground however, I would imagine that since kids don't talk about ideas too much, events and things was all I'd have -- my source material being the tube.

I'm curious what effect not having a television had on those kids. My friend's who currently don't own televisions only suffer from a significant lack of celebrity name recognition. Beyond that it doesn't seem to have had any effect.

[UPDATE:] I just found out it's TV Turnoff Week. Delicious.

[UPDATE:] * Since getting TiVo, I watch significantly less television. I don't make time for shows, I just record everything. If I actually watch something, I cut out commercials and slow bits. But most of the time I forget I have the show recorded and skip it altogether. I get a hell of a lot of work done instead.

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Get It Out Of Here!

Good news everyone....due to our move to what's looking like a smaller apartment, we're selling off loads of stuff. That's right, our loss is your gain!

Check out what's on sale!!!

Books, Shelves, Cars, Jamboxes, Binders it's all gotta go!

Everything is priced to move, so don't delay!

!!!

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The Web, She Bleeds.

Recognizing obscure pop culture references is one of the simple joys of life. It's especially delicious when you and maybe one other person in the room know what that reference is from. When the quips were simply song lyrics or old movie quotes, the people who could be "in the know" would be on a level playing field. But references have changed. No longer are Caddy Shack, Star Wars and Madonna lyrics the pop culture fodder of today's references. I guess another one bites the dust.
Quizno's still-running marketing campaign is the brainchild of Rathergood.com, a strange site I came across about 3 years ago. On Buffy, Trogdor from Homestarrunner was mentioned a couple of times [Thanks George]. My favorite of all time is "Plutonians are teh suck" from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. While the last show is, I'm sure, largely watched by a web savvy crowd, the other two have much wide audiences, many of which wouldn't get it.
It seems that the future of the inside joke, the call back, or the almighty reference might be the Web. While movies and music are becoming more and more forgettable, the Web's audience growing at an exponential rate. So, if you don't think it's hip to be square, you might want to better acquaint yourself with the The Subservient Chicken who will be guest staring on According to Jim during sweeps week.

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The Way-Way Back.

Driving into work today, I caught a glimpse of a childhood pastime that I thought was long lost to the dogma of safety and law.

Once coveted by the members of my carpool, the Way Way Back was where all the fun happened. Unsuspecting motorists would pull up behind your mother's 1984 Buick station wagon and be bombarded with a barrage of facial expressions, poorly drawn signs, and seemingly taunting giggles.

The Way Way Back was an adventure. You never knew what you were going to see, or where the hell you were going. Your life was in the hands of two people at that point. The driver of your car, and the motorist behind you, for one false move, and it was kid sandwich time.

What I never understood is why parents would put their kids in this extremely dangerous seating arrangement. Back then seatbelts were a fad, and the Way Way Back seat itself was an afterthought of safety. Most of the time that seat lay hidden in the floor of the trunk.

Today, the kids I saw....no smiling....no jeering....nothing. Just well behaved kids staring back at a bleary eyed adult trying to get to work. They don't know how good they have it. Shoulda known though...it was a Volvo.

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President Ford Loves The Metric System 1.6m Much.

In 1975, President Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 whereby the United States would switch all its weights and measures over to the metric system. The goal was to bring America closer to the rest of the world in trade and commerce. Federal agencies would be transferred over by 1992, and furthermore the government would support programs to better educate the youth about the glory and honor of the metric system.

The Congressional findings were as follows:

1. The United States was an original signatory party to the 1875 Treaty of the Meter (20 Stat. 709), which established the General Conference of Weights and Measures, the International Committee of Weights and Measures and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
2. Although the use of metric measurement standards in the United States has been authorized by law since 1866 (Act of July 28, 1866; 14 Stat. 339), this Nation today is the only industrially developed nation which has not established a national policy of committing itself and taking steps to facilitate conversion to the metric system.
3. World trade is increasingly geared towards the metric system of measurement.
4. Industry in the United States is often at a competitive disadvantage when dealing in international markets because of its nonstandard measurement system, and is sometimes excluded when it is unable to deliver goods which are measured in metric terms.
5. The inherent simplicity of the metric system of measurement and standardization of weights and measures has led to major cost savings in certain industries which have converted to that system.
6. The Federal Government has a responsibility to develop procedures and techniques to assist industry, especially small business, as it voluntarily converts to the metric system of measurement
7. The metric system of measurement can provide substantial advantages to the Federal Government in its own operations.

Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology

I'm not sure what's changed since they made this assessment. My friend pointed out that car manufacturers would have a hell of a time making the switch, as would American Football and their yards. No, don't get me wrong, yards are cute, but....

Seems like it's an ongoing idea. I like it.

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In Search Of: Div Height Control with CSS

When building sites, I want things to be standard. The ultimate goal is the make your sites flexible so changing, upgrading and programming is quick, easy and painless. A wall that I constantly come up on is the column height issue. Creating two columns with equal height without using a hack or the "faux columns" trick is my Holy Grail.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like it can be done. In fact, it seems that CSS is specifically geared against this practice without some dynamic intervention.

I've come to realize that I'm not alone. Zeldman's solution works well. But if you want to go with an expanding layout, unless you plan to use a very long horizontal graphic, it seems like your screwed. So if anyone has any ideas, I'm wide open. I've looked into the Box Lessons, but haven't found anything solving my problem. Anyone? Anyone? V-O-O economics?

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Face Man.

George has redesigned his site.

Check it out.

[Update:] It's tizight.

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Advertisement: Funeral Professional

Funeral home seeking Space Vikings for future funeral arrangments. Work for a young company expecting big things in the future of funerals and viking related ceremonies. Located near Omicron Persei 8, facilities are state of the art.

Must have experiences with space viking funerals, space viking funeral mechanics and own space ship.

Please send resumes to svfunerals@spacevikingfuneralhome.com

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Welcome Back, Klotter.

After more than a year, I have returned to the world of fast food. But really, I'm a victim of circumstance. Easter: Nothing Open. Wife's on call: It's annoying to cook for one. Sunday: uh...I'm lazy. So off I go to McDonald's for dinner. Sacrificing personal goals for laziness...that's what I do.

To start off, I should say that I left the world of fast food for two reasons; High cholesterol and Fast Food Nation. Before reading the book, I knew what I was getting into. I still ate faster food, but I was going to swear off the Uberfasts for good.

Good thing I did.

As I drove around looking for a Wendy's, which I think most people would agree with me, "feels healthier", I found that Easter means everything is closed. Everything. But then, on the horizon, McDonald's. It's golden arches glowing in an otherwise abandoned strip mall. I ordered my childhood standard: Quarter Pounder with Cheese, 6 Pc. McNugget, medium fries and a fountain coke. Oh how I miss that fountain coke. It has been a long time because apparently they don't manually get your drink anymore. Another job lost to a robot.

The aroma wafting from the bag in the passenger seat was succulent. Deep fat fried chicken, likewise potatoes and ketchup, it was awe inspiring. Until 15 minutes later when the smell began to stale in the car, and it just started smelling like oil.

Not quite what the picture advertised, but close. The hamburger was cold, the bun hard, and the pickle count embarrassing. Interesting to note (for me anyway, not you seasoned Mac's) is the change in the standard McNugget. You no longer have to discriminate the order of your McNugget consumption because all McNugget's are white meat, regardless of their punched out shape. And the fries, which have been argued to be the best fast food fries, were adequate at best. According to Josh this particular McDonald's sucks.

Fifteen minutes, and a transparent GI system later, I've completed the deed. I must admit, I feel naughty. I don't think McDonald's has won me over, and a day later I still want to barf, but I may have to do more research. I've danced with the McDevil, and I'm lovin it.

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All Your Favorite Holiday Hits.

It's funny to see Jewish singers making Christmas albums. There's no question why they do it. You have an audience. That audience loves you. They also happen to love Christmas songs. "Loves me, loves Christmas songs. Me. Songs. Me. Songs. Ahhhhhhh...."

Neil Diamond is my favorite example of this phenomenon. He's had a Christmas special on HBO, as well as two successful Christmas albums. Don't forget this is the same man who starred in The Jazz Singer. He's not alone. Barbara Steisand is another HBOer who did a special. But look deeper and you will find that many of those classic Christmas songs were actually written by Jews. Mel Torme wrote "The Christmas Song", Irving Berlin wrote "White Christmas", and Johnny Marks wrote "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas". Even "O' Holy Night was written by a Jew.

So why do I bring this up? Simple. The tables should be turned.

While sitting at my Seder table, one of my non-Jewish friends, Amy (MP3), really caught on to the songs' melodies, and frankly, she was excellent. We suggested that she make an album of only Jewish holiday songs. She was into it, and when it goes on sale, I'll let you know. (We're still shopping for an album title).

Who would object to Ann Murray singing a pan-pipe version of "Chad Gadya", or "I Had A Little Dreidel"? I'm sure we could get Tony Bennett to do snappy rendition of "Hava Nagila." If there's an audience going one way, I'm sure there's an audience going the other.

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AOL IMAP A-OKAY.

AOL has opened it proprietary doors and allowed IMAP in. This lets you use one client to check all your mail...so you've got that going for you...which is nice.

Unless you have loads of proprietary accounts...which in that case, you're screwed.

imap.aol.com (inbound)

smtp.aol.com (outbound)

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3hr Party People.

As my 10 year high school reunion creeps closer and closer, my in-touch high school friends have been discussing whether or not to go. Two of them succinctly made an observation that I got to experience firsthand this weekend.

Simply put, she said that she already sees the people she keeps in touch with, so the reunion is either an opportunity to see the people you don't really care about, or to reconnect briefly with someone who you liked, but didn't necessarily take with you when you left. More so, the people you don't plan to continue to talk to, but you're happy to see them, catch up, and then move on.

Point of fact, last night Saturday night. I went to a birthday party for my friends at Pioneer Bar [Bowery & Prince] (). Immediately when I walked in I was greeted by a friend of mine from whom I had fallen out of touch with, largely because we went different ways in life. But I'm glad that we got a chance to catch up, and furthermore I actually do plan to keep in better touch with him in the future.

That being said, I think it bolsters the girl's account that the reunion's purpose only serves those two goals: Judging or updating, and sometimes though rarely, as in my case, reconnecting.

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Review - HellBomb

In the tradition of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Mystery Men, and The Punisher (1989), Hellboy has a hell of a lot going on, while at the same time, nothing really happens.

The movie is packed with anticlimactic action that will leave you breathless...until you catch your breath...then something happens....then there's some pithy dialogue.....then....nothing.

The characters are fun. Ron Perlman plays a great 20 something demon dude and David Hyde Pierce is Niles with gills. So I guess I have to blame the writers for making this movie teh suck.

Bottom Line: () Rent it when you got nothin.

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Week Roundup!

Renting an apartment in NYC is now on my list of the three most painful purchasing scenarios one can endure. [1. Buying an engagement ring; 2. Buying high(er)-end speakers; and recently bumped 3. Buying a car.]

After scouring the city, walking the entire West Side, up and down, left to right, and after viewing 30+ apartments, we have chosen our new home. The bottom line is, you gotta go with what feels right.

As you may have seen in a previous post, "Luxury" one-bedroom apartments all look the same. They have no personality, so what it comes down to is where do you want it, and how much do you want to pay for it. We must have looked at 20 apartments like that....all identical.

So where are we now? Well, we ditched those faceless shoeboxes for something a little more us: UWS Amazing VWS, 1BR, Elev, EIK, hardwood FLRS, LDRY in BSMT, DW, Bright.

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In the Bag.

On the vacation, finding a home....found a home...will post images soon.

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