Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me About This?

A Lark of Perspective.

I've just had something of an epiphany.

On the comment "It's a boy!" to my mother, the response was;

"Boys are fine. I had 3 of them."

All of a sudden my parents weren't "My Parents," rather they were "A Couple Who Had Raised Three Sons."

I have this strange feeling that "People With Children" inhabit an entire other world, sharing a secret language.

Snobs.

Copy Right.

A magnificently elocuted display on the topic, by Stephen Fry.

His podcast is among, if not top of, my favourites.

Damn Those People That Move Around, Damn Them All.

But you know what he can't do? Grow hair.

In Console Able.

I stumbled across inconsolata via the author's page on Spiro while familiarising myself with Inkscape (long story).  I'm not really a typography guy, although I like to think I can tell when my eyes are bleeding.

I've spent the last ten minutes staring at the Inconsolata set.  It's simply beautiful.  I had no idea a monospace font could look that good.  The attention to detail, the understated beauty - it's a work of art.

The snapshot on the main page doesn't come close to doing it justice, I implore you to take some time to look at the PDF display sheet, zoomed in to 800%.  Pay particular attention to the "t", "v", "w", and "y" - not to mention the numerals.

Congratulations, Raph Levien.

Terms of Endearment.

For the life of me, I can't work out why I am so surprised at one company doing "the right thing" when it comes to on-line signup forms.  This is how Ovi, the new online service from Nokia, presents the customary "Now that we have your contact details, are you sure you don't want us to not stop starting to ignore your preferences with regard to being constantly irritated by a barrage of advertising sputum? (Full stop, no returns.)"

Using well-written, positive language they focus on the simple benefit of being on their mailing list, and - most importantly - the default option is off.

They've already earned my respect.

A Sense of Humanity.

From the user guide for my Nokia mobile phone, regarding the utility for "wiping" the device;

"When the device is wiped, the phone will appear to be new from the factory (except for scratches)."

Love it.

"We'll Be Ready To Go To Market In 12 to 18 Months."

I'm now searching for a "paper" theme for my computer to achieve the same effect.

Oar Inspiring.

His name is Bill Shannon, and he has osteonecrosis, and I have a new hero.

Quiet Time.

"The mind is its own place, and in itself
can make heaven of hell or a hell of heaven."

-- Milton

Special Affect

Imaginations

dry, rotting. Hearts now empty, 

left unsatisfied

X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The wondrous, mundane.

Though for sheer entertainment,

give it two thumbs up.

Yet I Cannot Look Away.

Topical Treatment.

Henson's 11.

I would watch this.

I'd even pay cinema prices.

Gran Torino.

Off the beaten slope,
a racist? Unconvincing.
(Perhaps that's the point.)

"The Machinist"

Somewhat predictable, although not unpleasantly so. 

Beautifully constructed, like watching a rat successfully negotiate a maze only to realise that it is, in fact, already dead.

Dreams Are Not Ideal.

And you certainly don't want them intruding on real life.

Excellent points, well made.

Jesus Made Me Miss My Bus.

True story. Ask me about it some time.

The Source Of Progress.

"Did you ride a horse to work today? I didn't. I'm sure plenty of people swore they would never ride in or operate a "horseless carriage"—and they never did! And then they died."

- John Siracusa