Brandon's Blog

6/7/2007 #

Time Lag

I haven’t tried Winamp in quite a while.  Frankly, MCE 2005 is really good, and there hasn’t been a big reason.

Until I got my music running through my webserver, at which point I found out that WMP 11 refuses to open unDRM’ed m3u playlists.  At which point I told Quicktime to handle m3u playlists, at which point it refused to do it right.  So, enter Winamp.

First reaction: This is slick.

Second reaction: Oh, this is slicker than I originally thought.

I have the sucker “shaded” into my taskbar, always on top, with a scrolling bar announcing the track title.  The taskbar item for the program is also scrolling, in case I choose to minimize the app.

I’m starting to wonder what I was thinking a few years ago.

6/1/2007 #

The Distant Memory of 7 Mary 3

7 Mary 3 surprised me when I popped their original CD American Standard into the CD player.  In more impecunious days, I had been eminently close to purchasing a CD of theirs (this would be circa 1996), but I failed to seal the deal.  So, I had this perception of their timbre and style based on their singles and my imagination.

This impression was an STP drive rock band with perhaps an even more alternative feel a la Bush.

What I got was a southern rock band with a depth of emotional sensibility that took me somewhat aback.  They had a Tonic feel to them; Tonic’s song Soldier’s Daughter was invoked by a song or two on American Standard.  Their lyrics were painful, strained, very real.  Not 130 bpm steady workout music, for sure.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised after the initial shock wore off.  Probably pleased enough to get their second album, Rock Crown.  The stingingly negative review by Rolling Stone serves to encourage my yen for more.  Ever since they patted Dave on the head for the mess that was Stand Up.

5/31/2007 #

Make Like a Sean Penn and, 'Whoaaaa...'

Street View is nutso.

5/29/2007 #

Cox, Ugh

Why does Cox Communication have some of the highest levels of customer satisfaction?  I don’t know!

On a personal level, I have:

• This
• and This

blog-wise, plus my horrible journey of getting my cable disconnected after the end of a prepaid student cable plan.  They made me prove I was no longer a student at OU in order to get it shut off and stop them from billing me.  This was about two years ago.

Then, I see this one on the Postfix list, which – to decipher all the Postfix-ese – boils down to Cox requiring their business internet customers ($$$) to POP3 before SMTP in order to relay mail.

POP3 before SMTP is the filthiest authentication hack in existence for all e-mail servers anywhere.  What a laugh.  I’m excited to hear what the list regulars have to say about that one.

5/27/2007 #

Fun with Visa

This is hilarious.

5/26/2007 #

Rebel without a Computer

Believe it or not, I do not have a functioning computer right now, as my laptop is currently being re-imaged as part of my routine, every-year housecleaning.

Anyway, funny quote at the house today regarding Molecular Gastronomy:

Mom: Are you ready for me to start serving our food on an antenna?
Dad: No.  But we can watch the antenna wiggle as we drive to Whataburger.

5/25/2007 #

The Self-Strawman

The genius of the C & D Scrap Metal operation is the “We’ll pay you in $2 bills!” pitch.  They essentially set up an all-business fact as a goofy marketing ploy, while it actually is saying: “We pay cash, totally untraceable.”

So steal some copper, and watch Uncle Sam try to trace your cash.

5/24/2007 #

Bublé, Bono, and Whoopi

I’m not a big fan of Whoopi or Bono, but I do like Michael Bublé.  And, it turns out there is a cameo in his Everything video by both Whoopi and Bono.

The lip-sync seems a bit off on this video, but it’s a good way to preview or otherwise enjoy the nice little song.

5/18/2007 #

DNS Upset

If something goes wrong with the site overnight, give it time, give it time.  I’ve changed some DNS configuration to prepare for all that the summer brings.

5/17/2007 #

Request for Advice

I want a web alias I can use for throwaway stuff like forums.  I generally use “bmac83,” but I’m looking for something with no real name or birthyear connotations.  I’m also looking for something that won’t draw in the FBI, so “bloodmoney” is probably out.

Hmm?