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Thought you guys might want to check out some of the SJ Prospects on a.. not hockey related basis. Haha.

( Videos Here!! )

Enjoy!! Or be disturbed! I'm not sure which! : )

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: 'She Only Drinks When She Smokes'

SUMMER HOURS
what the summer hours for the comd printing lab? and gym?

THANKS!

Ready to Hit the Road
( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: Love At First Sight-Kylie Minogue

Japan and Korea for 2 months
Hi! I'm going to be leaving for Japan in June 14th for a week, then going to Seoul for about 2 months after that. This is my first time out of the country for such a long amount of time and I was wondering if I could get some advice.

Japan
I'm going to be in Japan for a week and I plan on getting the rail pass to visist Kyoto and Osaka and Tokyo. I have a place to stay in Tokyo, is it possible if I wake up early to take the rail from Tokyo out to Kyoto/Osaka each day? Or should I get the hotel in Kyoto. Any must see places around those areas?

Voltage
I plan on bringing a lot of electronics. Laptop, curler, straightner, blow dryer, etc. Is it possible just to buy a voltage converter for all those things? I don't have an experience with voltage converters. I don't want to ruin my electronics cause of the voltage difference.

Food
I calculated and if I spend 10 dollars a day that amounts to nearly 600 dollars for food alone. Any budget tips food wise? Should I bring ramen from the US to eat over there?

Cell phone
Last time I rented a cell phone from the airport in Korea. It wasn't too bad since I only stayed for 3 days, but since I'm staying so long this time, are there any better options?

I probably have a ton more questions but for right now that's all I can think of.

**Crossposted to a few places*

Family gatherings...
Tonight I was obliged to go to a surprise birthday party for my uncle Steve's 50th. The whole family was there of course, which meant that this also included all of the tweens and teens in the family. As soon as I set foot in the door, I immediately get accosted by three of my tween cousins (two of them a pair of twins plus their gang leader), all somewhere in between the ages of 10 and 15. They begin accusing me of passing on a tiny cold to my other cousin Nic's infant daughter, despite this being none of their business. To be fair, I probably did, but Nic didn't really care all that much. I pretty much told them to bite me.
I also got an odd look from them when they noticed my new haircut. Sorry for offending your sensibilities by shaving the side of my head!

I really effing hate judgmental and snobbish children raised by conservative twats.

Bay to Breakers
Hi all,

I know this is completely last minute, but we're all meeting at the Hyatt on the Embarcardero tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. so that we can rendezvous from there to the race with enough time to make it just in case something happens along the way.

If you need directions or to get a hold of us, call Tim Miyazaki as my phone has died.

Can't wait to see you all!

Google Apps
I took the plunge and sold my soul to the Google devil. I moved my domain, email, everything to Google Apps. The process was painless (I think), and they make it very easy to enable things - pretty slick. I did it basically for the geeky factor only, I am too much of the "Manager" at work now, I need to get my hands dirty (and yes I know this is hardly difficult or too technical).

Now all I need is a tool to sync my Apple address book with the Google contacts, something coming soon from a couple of vendors from what I can see (Spanning Sync for one).

The only problem I faced with this was my old DNS/domain hosting company didn't allow for the creation of CNAME records. So in the end I had to move my DNS to DNSExit.com, who offer free DNS hosting and allow just about any record type - nice :) It was very annoying to find a lot of US companies don't understand there are TLD's other than .com! Yes, I use a .co.uk domain, deal with it :P GoDaddy (my current web host) can't handle DNS for .co.uk domains :( So now I have three 4 companies managing things for me, easily.co.uk is my registrar, DNSExit is my DNS host, Godaddy is my web host and Goggle does everything else.

If you're interested, DNSExit also offer Dynamic DNS, that could be a fun thing to play with - have my Mac at home host some stuff...

Geeking over with for now.

Happy Birthday...
to a truly great guy. I hope you enjoyed your dinner last night,

kasul.

-Ren

Being childfree means...
...you never have to explain to people how you gave life to someone who made it to their teenage years without learning trains are gauranteed moron-manglers.

budapest to london
a friend and i are going on the Topdeck Travel's Budapest to London 2008 trip in July, and i was curious if anyone has ever traveled with Topdeck before?

this is the actual trip: CLICK HERE

we'll be staying an extra day in london, so if anyone could recommend some amazing hostels, that'd be great. we want to do all the touristy stuff as cheaply as possible, but still get a lot out of it so if you have any interesting attractions or suggestions/tips/advice on how to execute this, that'd be great.

what is the weather like in this part of europe during july? i'm assuming pretty hot, but what are some essentials we should pack? neither of us has traveled to europe during this time of year so we're pretty much newbies. we want to pack lightly, obviously, but we need to know what is absolutely essential.

when it says we will be traveling via modern air conditioned coach, does that mean bus? haha

also, it mentioned visas, do we need visas just for passing through for a few days? i checked the topdeck visa guide and all the countries we're going to say no, but i guess i just want to be more safe than sorry.

basically, if you have anything else you can share, we'd greatly appreciate it. thank you!

An idea
Ladies...

Inspired by a discussion on my blog (about weight/BMI/bone density) and criticisms of the BMI Project photo log, as well as hearing other teen's parents concern about body image messages the media are giving tot eens, I thought it might be interesting to get photos of women who weigh the same and post them as an example of how weight alone doesn't define what you look like.

If you are interested in being weighed and then photographed in a swim suit with other women of your weight and approximate height, and don't mind having your photo put on a website for people to see... please contact me privately. I have no idea what weight ranges we'll be doing, depends on how many women contact me.
We'll probably be doing this in June sometime.

If men are interested in doing this project too and don't mind a female photographer (or a male photographer is interested in doing the same for men) let me know. I'm planning on opening a photo account (Flickr seems most likely) just for these.

My email address is my LJ user name at Yahoo.com

Current Mood: creative

Does anyone here make DIY cold process soap? If so, is there a local store to get supplies (east valley preferred)? Everything I am finding is order- online, and I'd rather start by going to a shop for ingredients, talking to people, etc.

thanks!

COME TO THE TRUNK SPACE ON SATURDAY, May 24th
To support some pretty great Arizona local music as well as national touring band the Physics of Meaning-- Daniel Hart from the Polyphonic Spree and John Vanderslice's indie-experimental project! Great Job are an adorable indie-folk quartet hailing from Tucson (who you may have seen perform with Kimya Dawson recently). Liz Eymann is the lovely lady from Tempe behind the band Beanstalk Soup for fans of whimsical piano-driven music ala Regina Spector/Mates of State/Stereolab.The Flying Foxes are an up and coming indie rock band from Phoenix for those who love good old fashioned rock with a Beatlesque twist.And lastly, Uggamugga is a folk-pop duo that I am in-- come hang out with us before we head out to California to play an exclusive two-day guerilla festival!

This show is also featured on www.silverplatter.info .

Current Music: French Quarter

Murray, Sweeden Fall in Bronze Medal Match

http://sharks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=363734

Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray and Team Sweden were on the losing side of a 4-0 Bronze Medal Match against Team Finland in the IIHF World Championships on Saturday. The 28-year-old native of Bromma, Sweden played a phsyical game, but was unable ...

Well, THAT Was Pointless, Then
In a previous post, I mentioned how my friend Chuck got tracked down by his crazy ex-girlfriend Brenda, who informed him that she has a five-year-old who's probably his.

You all generally attributed her motives to $$$$$. And believe me, I agreed. Now, the kicker?

Chuck was all ready to move up to Nashville with his boyfriend, both of them were willing to fulfill a father's role in the little girl's life, and Chuck was going to get a paternity test to see what's the what.

Brenda has just informed him that not only does she not want him to get a paternity test, she doesn't want him in their daughter's life at all...but she just wanted him to know.

......

......okay, so I'm just at a loss on this one.

IN OTHER NEWS:
I just found out last night that my cousin Heather, who has been crazily suicidal since January (she's been institutionalized twice for attempts), has been sleeping around with caution to the winds and big surprise, is now pregnant. She doesn't even call me to tell me this; she hits me with it through fucking MySpace. (To be fair, I wouldn't have called me either; took me two Ativan just to stop hyperventilating.) She says she is going to carry the baby to term and give it up for adoption.

Now, I'm really, REALLY glad she's not going to keep it. Good. That's like 20% responsible. But...I'm really pissed off at her for being so fucking stupid! I love this kid like a sister and she just...urgh. I don't want to react in the way that I honestly feel, but I don't want to come off sounding like I remotely condone this sort of thing. What's a nice, tactful way to say ANYTHING to her without feeling like I'm a complete liar?

*siiiiiiiiiiigggghhhhhh* Two more years and I'm getting my tubal....

Most Excellent
Yesterday turned into a hell of a lot of fun.

Granted, at the beginning (and the beginning, for me, generally starts around 3:00pm), I was barely able to think from the heat. I took another shower that felt kind of pointless, got myself together, and kind of decided that since it was rush hour, and getting late, that maybe I should just head over to La Fondue on my own.

Partway through stopping for gas I got a slightly panicky call from

timenchanter, wondering where the hell I was. Uhhh...

So I swung back by the Duplex, we piled into his car, and then proceeded to fight our way through some of the worst rush-hour traffic I've ever seen to Saratoga.

We were about 10 minutes late. Fortunately, this isn't one of those restaurants that cancels reservations if you're 30 seconds over. At least, they don't if it's early in the evening.

Much fun. The party ended up being the two of us,

k_magic, and

princesskiti22. Keri was just slightly later than the rest of us, and there was some discussion of seating, so I decided she'd sit directly across from me.

So the décor was definitely nice.

That of the restaurant itself was... odd...

It kind of looked like what a 25th century archeologist would do, trying to recreate a typical early 1970s home.

So anyway, that was my first experience with La Fondue, and I have to say, the food lived up to the reputation. The worst I can say is that while the meat course was very good (I've always loved Fondue Bourguignonne), the cheese and chocolate were better. It might be interesting to just try an evening there sans meat.

And I just may have to try the whole Frangelico/bittersweet chocolate thing at home - or Hamptons...

Afterwards, the four of us had a nice, leisurely walk along the snooty streets of Saratoga (Well, street, really), where Keri and I probably didn't help the other two feel too great, because somehow the conversation turned to the odd stuff women have used to douche...

Then we all climbed in our cars and headed to Oakridge, where we met up with

cekyr0 and

jeffercine to see Prince Caspian. For some reason, I really can't remember the book (sad, since I own the boxed set, and have read it several times). Apparently, given the deviations from the story, I should be glad of that.

I can't help but think, though, that Lewis would have approved. It was a fun story, with much action and excellent CGI, and the Christian propaganda was just as heavy-handed as any of the originals. I had a wonderful time.

And that was pretty much the night, and a truly marvelous one it was.

What's really unfair is that I'm getting another swank birthday dinner tonight, this time with family. And Timmie, if he's still alive after cutting down

sugarbare's weeds...

Current Mood: cheerful

Remeber to Vote by Tuesday!
Just a friendly reminder to submit your ballot for the upcoming primary election.

Doesn't matter who you are voting for, just make your voice heard!

This is an important election for everyone!

It is too late to send your ballot via US Mail

But there are plenty of ballot boxes throughout your area.
Here in Eugene, there are many! Downtown, Amazon Park, Creswell, MLK across from Autzen. And MANY MORE.

Just remember to submit your ballot and be heard!

Ballots are due by 8PM on this Tuesday, May 20!

Enjoy the sun!

x-posted to personal journal and eugenecommunity

TiVo's Recent Filing In EchoStar Case
TiVo made a filing with the court yesterday in their case with EchoStar, and it has been posted over at InvestorVillage. Here's the first part of their filing:

Dear Judge Folsom:

Pursuant to the Court's April 23, 2008 Order (Docket No. 822), plaintiff TiVo submits two topics of discussion for the status conference on May 30, 2008: (1) Enforcement of the Court's Permanent Injunction, and (2) Determination of the damages TiVo sustained during the stay of the injunction. The issues relating to each topic are set forth in Section B of this letter.

To provide prompt resolution of these issues, TiVo requests:

• A hearing at the earliest possible date to determine whether EchoStar should be held in contempt for its failure to disable the DVR functionality in the Infringing Products and for its placement of new infringing DVRs (and new EchoStar products that are only colorably different); and

• Permission to serve limited discovery to obtain additional information before determining the damages TiVo sustained during the stay of the injunction, and, if necessary, bringing a motion for an order to show cause why EchoStar is not in contempt for the continuing use of the Infringing Products, changed only by downloading modified, but still infringing, software (and new EchoStar products that are only colorably different).

TiVo is also prepared to address any questions that the Court may have about the pending Bill of Costs that TiVo submitted on September 22, 2006, which is awaiting resolution. TiVo's requested costs total $333,600.03.

The Honorable David Folsom

There is a lot more in the complete filing, so check it out if you're interested. TiVo does not agree with EchoStar that the latter's software update has eliminated the infringement:

On May 12, 2008, EchoStar made its modified source code available for review by TiVo. EchoStar also waived privilege and produced to TiVo three opinions of counsel relating to EchoStar’s modified software. After review of the software that EchoStar provided and the opinion letters, TiVo does not believe that the modifications avoid infringement.

So the saga continues, despite recent analyst speculation that Dish Network is close to settling with TiVo.

Thanks to reader Jack for the heads up on the post.

Disclaimer: I'm currently employed by Sling Media, which is owned by EchoStar.

Current Mood: rushed
Current Music: quiet

Videos from our safari in Botswana, April 2007
We took an HD camera with us on our trip to Botswana last year, which meant we got great video that was nearly impossible to share. My husband recently found some software to convert HD format to something we could upload to YouTube, and he's started a YT channel for those videos at AfricanVideo07. He's got 50 videos up now and probably 50 more to go.

( Some videos under the cut. )

Off on my cruise!
Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm off cruising this week! Heading out of L.A. on Royal Caribbean! I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have, so I may not be able to update while I'm gone like I did on my Virginia trip.

See you all in a week!

Richard :)

Current Mood: excited

Hostel weirdness!
I'm planning a trip to Spain and since I recently paid off a huge chunk of my credit card (yay!) I decided I would start booking my hostels now, so as to not have unpleasant surprises in July.

While booking my hostel in Barcelona, I saw this message on the website :

As private rooms cannot be shared by multiple parties, you must pay for each bed in the room.

I'd picked the 5-person room because it was cheapest. What was supposed to be a 132$ stay (4 nights X 33$ a night) has become a 675$ stay (4 nights X 5 beds X 33$ a night plus tax).

I've never stayed at a hostel before, so maybe this is ignorant of me, but I don't think this makes any fucking sense! Everyone I've spoken to who's stayed at a hostel said that they roomed with total strangers, so I assumed that this was a hostel-specific policy, but then I tried to book a room in Madrid with the same results. Is this normal? ?__?

medication
SO, my doctor prescribed some nasal spray stuff for me. Understand, I don't like nasal sprays, and I haven't used one in probably over 10 years. Well, I buckled, and decided to go his way this time.

*sprays into nose, inhales*

OH FUCK! OMG! *Eyes water.....Adam stumbles away whimpering*

this...sucks......

Current Mood: cranky

pet hotels
does anyone here have experience with leaving their pets at a pet hotel? my family and i might be going on a boat cruise so we'll be gone for about 2 weeks if we do end up going. normally we take our dog to pet-friendly hotels. i'm really concerned about my dog. places you recommend? places i should stay away from? i have a chihuahua if that makes any difference. i'm also considering looking for family friends who are willing to take care of my dog, but if no one wants to we'll have to send my dog to a pet hotel. thanks.

Oh Fuck... Wish Me Luck Guys.
Remember the complaint I had a few weeks ago, about how I was really sick and everyone I had to tell I was sick (because they wanted me to hang out/chat/talk on the phone ect and I just wasn't up too it) told me to make sure I wasn't pregnant?

Well, they're doing it again but this time I'm more scared then annoyed, because now I'm not only sick, but I'm 3 days late. My body is usually like clockwork, to the point where I was upset today and will probably panic tomorrow...

So I decided to avoid the panic and make an appointment at Planned Parenthood - it's free and more accurate then the $24 "most accurate on the market, but here's two just in case" over the counter tests.

As I told my best friend when she tried to tell me it was a happy thing; "Please... no well wishes or congratulations... if some homeless embrio bum is squatting in my uterus it's getting evicted."

I'm really hoping the sick is just making me over-react.

The question I'm putting to you guys is, I'm freaking out after 3 days... what's the kosher freak out date? Because I dun friggin know...

*Fat Bastard Voice* Get Outta Mah Belleh!!!