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  • Observation #22 - Blog Fodder For Staffers

    Based on limited research on my part, there are more than a few people working for the Senate and the House of Representatives who frequent FamousDC.

    Word up, legislature!

    Similar Posts: American Community Survey Makes Me Uncomfortable Unfounded Tax Advice for the Clueless [...]

    Posted: December 03, 2009, 5:11am EST
    by Alex
  • What is a Sandwick, Anyways?

    BBQ Sandwick at Hideaways

    Behold, the $5 BQ Sandwick from Hideaways. And yes, it’s spelled that way.

    There was definitely shredded pork. And a BBQ flavor. But it had a tomatoey hot dog sort of flavor to it [...]

    Posted: December 01, 2009, 5:40am EST
    by Alex
  • The UPS Truck in House

    Instead of risking life and limb by venturing outside on Black Friday, I opted to re-watch the first season of House. A fantastic invention, television series on DVD.

    There are multiple aerial shots of Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital — which is actually Princeton’s student center — throughout the season, normally used [...]

    Posted: November 30, 2009, 5:45am EST
    by Alex
  • Taking the Long Way Home

    After a night of zombie movies up in Wilmington, I crashed in the guest bedroom. There’s something about sleeping in your own bed that’s comforting. But there’s something to be said for leaving all your cares, troubles and responsibilities at home, too. I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had [...]

    Posted: November 29, 2009, 11:29am EST
    by Alex
  • Evening with Friends at Pad Thai Annapolis

    A group of my friends were in town for Thanksgiving, so we all went out to dinner at Pad Thai last night. The restaurant is located on West Street in Annapolis, just across the street from Stan & Joe’s Saloon and a brief walk from Rams Head Tavern. Warm and [...]

    Posted: November 28, 2009, 8:10am EST
    by Alex
  • Upcoming Tech Workshops

    Listening to my RJD2 station on Pandora, I’m feeling upbeat and slightly introspective.

    Learning by example — by doing, really — is my favorite way to learn, and that is how I learned most of what I know about the technical side of theater. I’ve sat in on a few [...]

    Posted: November 28, 2009, 5:52am EST
    by Alex
  • Just Saw a Skit on PBS

    I’m a big fan of educational programming. I think it’d be really difficult to write educational materials that are enlightening to both kids and parents, which actually promoting learning. I especially like the ones that have pop culture references.

    Just like Mathnet was a parody of Dragnet whose characters taught mathematical [...]

    Posted: November 27, 2009, 1:35pm EST
    by Alex
  • Importing an Archive

    I’ve been blogging since 2001.

    After a brief stint using my own PHP-based blogging platform, I started using an external blog host in 2002. Then in 2004 I started using MovableType, hoping to provide a more polished and professional-looking site. Back then, my writing was mostly technical in nature [...]

    Posted: November 26, 2009, 8:47pm EST
    by Alex
  • Dress-Mounted Radios for the Ladies

    In the now-that’s-awkward department, there’s a picture from the White House’s photostream depicting a woman — described as an aide — wearing a Motorola XTS 5000 clipped to the back of her dress. In my experience these radios are neither slim, lightweight, nor subtle. The handset alone [...]

    Posted: November 26, 2009, 6:56am EST
    by Alex
  • Perl Return Code -1

    If your Perl system() calls are returning -1, be sure to check whether $SIG{CHLD} is set to IGNORE. While useful in some situations, it makes troubleshooting a bit tedious. Especially when the calls execute flawlessly on the console.

    I ran into this while working on inherited code. I thought I was [...]

    Posted: November 25, 2009, 3:49pm EST
    by Alex
  • Los Portales, Good if You’re In the Area

    You’ll find fresh appetizers, good food and decent service at Los Portales, across Aviation Boulevard from the BWI airfield. I would eat there again, but only if I were in the area. If I were catching a movie at Hoyt’s or taking someone to/from the airport. The margaritas — [...]

    Posted: November 23, 2009, 5:07am EST
    by Alex
  • Movember Pub Crawl Nets $1400 for Charity

    Number of comments: 3

    When I signed up for the Boh Knows Movember pub crawl, I knew that there would be a pub crawl involved. I knew that I’d grow a mustache, or at least attempt to. I wasn’t quite sure whether we’d raise awareness about men’s health issues or not. I also [...]

    Posted: November 22, 2009, 6:23pm EST
    by Alex
  • Automated Phone Spam on My Cell

    Number of comments: 3

    I just received a call on my cell from 269-768-2213. An automated call, wherein the recorded voice — belonging to someone named Rachel, supposedly — informed me that there are no problems with my credit card but that I’m eligible for a lower rate of 6 point something percent. My [...]

    Posted: November 21, 2009, 11:41am EST
    by Alex
  • The Diary of Anne Frank at PHS

    Last night I saw The Diary of Anne Frank as performed by The Pikesville Players. It’s a two act play based on “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” recently re-adapted by Wendy Kesselman. Set in the hidden rooms of an Amsterdam office building between July 1942 and February [...]

    Posted: November 21, 2009, 9:20am EST
    by Alex
  • Bank Shot Bar & Grill

    After playing host to a truck driving school for a few months, the former Utopia club is now home to Bank Shot Bar & Grill. Make no mistake, it’s a pool hall that happens to contain a bar and a grill. Weekends and tournament nights the place is packed [...]

    Posted: November 19, 2009, 5:28am EST
    by Alex
  • Damages Season One, In Two Days

    A friend loaned me the first season of Damages several weeks ago, but it sat untouched on the TV table until this weekend when I watched the entire thing. It’s not that I didn’t have other things to do, but that it was that interesting. Posit, a legal drama [...]

    Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:45am EST
    by Alex
  • Treated Like Everyone Else

    When eating out, I prefer not to mention payment terms until the bill comes due. If you were comped a meal or have some sort of discount coming your way, it shouldn’t have any affect on the quality of food or service. Yet in my gut, I feel that it [...]

    Posted: November 16, 2009, 4:56am EST
    by Alex
  • Payouts for Motorola Users with Battery Charging Troubles

    From the courts of Ohio, a settlement has been reached in a recent class action lawsuit against Motorola. If you bought a cell phone and have had battery troubles, it might be due to “an allegedly defective charging port.” I had a Motorola V325 that had all sorts of battery [...]

    Posted: November 13, 2009, 5:15am EST
    by Alex
  • Observation #21 - Paradigm Shift on Cleaning

    Number of comments: 1

    I had a thought about cleaning technologies. It stemmed from a tangential Jabber rant which itself stemmed from a spectacular lack of motivation on my part to get moving and actually do something on a rainy Wednesday morning.

    Me: I think — after due consideration — that my laundry could have [...]

    Posted: November 12, 2009, 5:09am EST
    by Alex
  • I’ve Got Invites to Google Wave

    Number of comments: 8

    I received an invitation to start using Google Wave this morning. Ironically, this is mere hours after reading about JJT not wanting an invite. I don’t remember asking for an invite, but I am a frequent user of their other services. I had to dust off my Google [...]

    Posted: November 11, 2009, 8:22am EST
    by Alex
  • The Cost of My Commute

    Number of comments: 4

    I was cleaning out the starred items in Google Reader and found one of Snay’s posts wherein he calculated the cost of his daily commute. He commutes via the Washington Metro system — a combination of bus and rail — at a cost of $5.40 per day.

    A year [...]

    Posted: November 10, 2009, 8:11pm EST
    by Alex
  • Out in the Cornfields of Delaware, Pumpkins Fly Into the Sky

    Yankee Siege

    On a chilly Sunday morning, a small carload of folks drove out to Bridgeville, Delaware, for the 24th Annual World Championship Punkin Chunkin. Soon after we arrived, the morning gave way to an uncharacteristically warm November afternoon. We [...]

    Posted: November 08, 2009, 5:47am EST
    by Alex
  • Cooking is Better than Potpourri

    Number of comments: 1

    I am one of nine participants in my office’s chili cook-off this coming Tuesday, contending for nothing more than bragging rights. I decided to go off-reservation a bit by utilizing a recipe I’ve never tried before. I wanted to allow the flavors to meld for a few days, so I [...]

    Posted: November 07, 2009, 2:30pm EST
    by Alex
  • No Goats No Glory

    So The Men Who Stare at Goats has its moments, but not enough. Sadly, it is a case where the trailer holds most of the good stuff.

    Clooney is a face actor. One of those guys who can bring intensity and disbelief at the same time. Like a lot his [...]

    Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:31pm EST
    by Alex
  • Observation #20 - Weather Theory

    Theory: If it’s a beautiful day outside — perfect for working outside or taking a leisurely ride — there will be a dozen tasks to be performed, mostly inside.

    Corollary: Days with no scheduled plans or tasks, it will be overcast, rainy, and/or too cold to be outside.

    Similar Posts: [...]

    Posted: November 03, 2009, 5:34am EST
    by Alex
  • Movies and Movember

    Number of comments: 2

    It just occurred to me that I’ve seen a lot of movies lately.

    I really enjoyed Zombieland. Funny, violent, and quirky, with a spectacular cameo. It was just as someone described it to me: “It’s definitely a zombie movie, but different than anything I could have expected.” I almost went [...]

    Posted: November 02, 2009, 5:11am EST
    by Alex
  • Verizon Hikes FiOS Rates by Six Percent

    Number of comments: 5

    I just got an “important notice” in the mail from Verizon.

    We will be upgrading your FiOS Internet speed to up to 10/2 Mbps in the next few months.

    Emphasis theirs, it’s strange the way that the sentence is phrased. Maybe it’s boilerplate in that they can’t say that they’ll give you [...]

    Posted: November 01, 2009, 5:42am EST
    by Alex
  • The Tallest Building in the United States

    While I was in Chicago, I visited the tallest building in United States. Sears Tower — though technically named Willis Tower since July 16th 2009 — is currently the fifth tallest building in the world. It’s roof-mounted antennae standing 1,730 feet above ground, it’s hard to believe that it’s dwarfed [...]

    Posted: October 31, 2009, 12:42pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Hot Doug’s in Chicago

    Number of comments: 4
    Hot Doug's

    After reading an online review of Hot Doug’s, I knew I had to go there. Billed as “The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium,” I craved hot dogs for more than three weeks before my trip to [...]

    Posted: October 29, 2009, 11:13pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Observation #19 - Definition of Fatigue

    Fatigue. n.

    Opening the fridge in the morning and spotting the jug of milk, then grabbing the water pitcher and pouring the contents atop a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios before realizing what was happening. Being slightly embarrassed about aforementioned scenario, but eating the cereals as-is rather than attempt to dislodge water [...]
    Posted: October 27, 2009, 4:34am EDT
    by Alex
  • No Handlebars

    Number of comments: 1

    The song itself dropped out of favor after repeated airplay, despite being upbeat and good. But the video still stands; a clever mix of illustrated Akira-like animation atop Photoshopesqe backdrops.

    I really like this video. The means are different, but it reminds me of Take on Me.

    Similar Posts: [...]

    Posted: October 23, 2009, 7:27am EDT
    by Alex
  • Observation #18 - Post Party Messes

    I take comfort in seeing a big mess when I come downstairs in the morning, following a party. As clean and tidy as your guests may be normally, in the midst of a heated discussion or story people aren’t usually concerned if their empty glass ends up in the sink [...]

    Posted: October 20, 2009, 5:45am EDT
    by Alex
  • Five Distinct Steps to Take After Hosting a Party

    Number of comments: 1

    There are five distinct steps to be taken after hosting a party.

    Hydrate Send out thank you notes and emails Clean up kitchen Rinse and discard empties Patch server

    The first step is obvious.

    The second step isn’t required, but it’s something I like to do. Especially for the folks that left early or I didn’t get [...]

    Posted: October 18, 2009, 9:32am EDT
    by Alex
  • Comfort of Music

    Number of comments: 1

    This week’s duties complete, I’m kicking back and enjoying a live recording of Pete Francis and Boo Reiners. Though they played the Grand Ballroom almost two years ago, I still haven’t grown tired of the 74 minute acoustic set. It’s a semi-permanent fixture in my home CD player.

    Music [...]

    Posted: October 16, 2009, 11:22pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Comfort is Found at Pho 89

    Number of comments: 6
    Pho 89 Exterior

    Pho. Pronounced “fu” as in fu__… yes, that’s correct. Vietnamese noodles and beef in broth. The ingredients can vary, but that’s the essence. It’s simple and tasty soup.

    Pho 89 — based solely on its bland exterior [...]

    Posted: October 14, 2009, 9:26pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Shoebox Full of Mementos

    Cleaning out the basement in preparation for a party, I found a shoe box full of mementos. Inside were baseball cards, crisply folded notes on aging notebook paper from classmates and girlfriends, birthday cards from family and friends, ticket stubs from concerts and socials, yearbook photos with notes written on [...]

    Posted: October 12, 2009, 3:09pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Observation #17 - October Temperature Sweeps

    It’s 39 degrees outside now. That’s cold enough for snow, yet supposedly it’ll get up to 70 today. That’s more than warm enough to go riding. Or swimming.

    When I left the house for work on Friday it was in the mid-50’s. When I left work that day, it was 80. [...]

    Posted: October 11, 2009, 8:52am EDT
    by Alex
  • Garage Door Opener Saturday

    Number of comments: 3
    Genie PowerLift H4000-07

    After eleven hours, I managed to replace my garage door opener. At last, the old Craftsman chain drive — which was having fundamental problems staying powered during such routine actions such as opening and closing, as well [...]

    Posted: October 10, 2009, 11:00pm EDT
    by Alex
  • The Day in Purchases

    Despite my penchant for helping out the little guy, I feel like most of my shopping is done online these days. Today however, was an exception. I found myself quite the consumer all afternoon and into the evening.

    Chili
    Area Rug
    Gasoline
    Phone
    Cereal
    Aluminum Foil
    Bread
    Steam Trays
    Ginger Ale[...]

    Posted: October 05, 2009, 10:10pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Waterskiing in October

    Number of comments: 3

    I left work early yesterday to go water skiing on the Potomac River. My father and I drove up to Middletown to meet Ed (our host). The boat already prepped, we drove to the boat ramp at Four Locks. Just upstream from a dam, the facility is operated and [...]

    Posted: October 03, 2009, 11:03am EDT
    by Alex
  • Amusing Warnings from Nmap

    Number of comments: 2

    As a budding software developer/engineer/guy, I enjoy seeing humorous errors and warnings. Especially in shipped products. It makes interacting with software a less blah experience.

    -bash-3.2$ nmap -p 3389,3390,3391,3391 -P0 desire.this.org

    Starting Nmap 4.11 ( http://www.insecure.org/nmap/ ) at 2009-09-30 10:55 GMT
    WARNING: Duplicate port number(s) specified. Are you alert enough to be [...]

    Posted: September 30, 2009, 7:10am EDT
    by Alex
  • RIT Big Shot in Our Nation’s Capital

    2009 RIT Big Shot - Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

    The 25th annual RIT Big Shot took place last night at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Despite the rain, over 800 people came out to help light the building. For [...]

    Posted: September 27, 2009, 4:09pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Observation #16 - Taping

    Number of comments: 3

    When most people say they’re going to tape a show, they really mean DVR. Not me. It means I’m going to whip out a previously used VHS cassette, pop it into the VCR, and program the thing to record.

    I was the youngest person at a business meeting today, but I [...]

    Posted: September 24, 2009, 6:15pm EDT
    by Alex
  • It Comes in Passion Red

    Number of comments: 3
    IMG_2337

    License? Check.

    Insurance? Check.

    Rolling on two wheels? Sweet in way that is hard to describe, but I’ll try. It’s got something to do with the wind in your face. Seeing familiar roads from a vastly different (and taller) viewpoint than when in [...]

    Posted: September 21, 2009, 6:43am EDT
    by Alex
  • Well I’m Up Now

    Number of comments: 1

    Dreaming peacefully, I heard several loud cracks. I didn’t think much of it.

    Then again after a minute or two — still half asleep — there were several sharp raps at what sounded like my front door. I remember five, though there may have been more. Not knocks, like your knuckles [...]

    Posted: September 20, 2009, 8:22am EDT
    by Alex
  • All Things by The Cinematic Orchestra

    Number of comments: 2

    There’s this song called All Things, by The Cinematic Orchestra. It’s driving me nuts.

    A sample is available from Pandora. The full track on Last.fm, and according to a comment there, “at the beginning: samples from John Barry’s work on the soundtrack of Petulia (1968).”

    I haven’t seen the [...]

    Posted: September 19, 2009, 5:57am EDT
    by Alex
  • Best of Baltimore 2009

    The same night Amanda was photographed for the Baltimore Sun’s Glimpse column at Little Havana, we voted in the City Paper’s Best of Baltimore 2009 Reader Poll. More than a few of our picks just happened to win.

    Artscape
    Patterson Park
    Washington, D.C.
    Mayor Sheila Dixon
    Sugar
    Rocket To [...]

    Posted: September 18, 2009, 6:14am EDT
    by Alex
  • Cabela’s is Huge

    On the way up to a wedding at Perona Farms, we stopped at Cabela’s. Now I’m not much of an outdoorsman, nor am I an aficionado of sporting goods, and retail locations aren’t my thing, but…

    Wow.

    Forget Bass Pro. Forget Dick’s. Forget Sports Authority. Cabela’s is the Disney World [...]

    Posted: September 17, 2009, 5:31pm EDT
    by Alex
  • Observation #15 - Living Off the Grid

    Number of comments: 3

    Living off the grid.

    Interesting concept, in theory. Difficult in practice, especially if you need to travel or communicate with others in a timely fashion.

    There are of lots of web pages whose respective authors take great pains to offer tips and tricks about living off the grid. Somewhat ironic, there.

    Similar Posts: [...]

    Posted: September 15, 2009, 6:04am EDT
    by Alex
  • Spicy Chinese Takeout

    Number of comments: 3

    Knowing full well that most Chinese takeout is Americanized and unauthentic, still I like it. The value of any takeout joint is in their MSG-laden lunch specials. I was perusing through a menu one Sunday afternoon and having difficulty deciding what to order. Since most menus lack sufficient descriptions and [...]

    Posted: September 14, 2009, 6:27am EDT
    by Alex

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