Monday, April 28, 2008

Perils of automated technologies

To what ends do we give up our autonomy such that we lose ourselves and become nothing more than an entry in database hosted in some datacenter? Have our lives dwindled down to a mere tape backup only to be reused every 30 days at an off-site? Our families, our friends, our daily activities. All captured through the various calendar and scheduling applications, round the clock, 24/7, 365 days year round.

People we have met along the way. Those that we have hurt, left behind, betrayed, or simply lost track. In an instant, all come back through a simple API that allows anyone to mine through your contacts and extract anyone and everyone's email address.

In a blink of an eye, that one-night-stand that you horribly wanted to forget now receives an email on behalf of a third party "cordially invites" them to reconnect. Or the one that you had a horrible falling out with issues left opened, now receives an email asking them that you somehow want to reconnect because they have been searching for you? Who in the world would want to reconnect with someone whom you consider to be on the lowest rung of the evolutionary food chain?

One user name, one password. In a single moment bring back feelings of a lost love.

Betrayal - yeah. I really want that doggie in the window...




Sent from two cups and a string.

Christina wants to connect with you!

Hi,

I looked for you on Reunion.com, but you weren't there. I use Reunion.com to search for lost friends and contacts, and to stay connected with people I know, so please connect with me.

Christina

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Winds of September (九降風), Taiwan's Chapter (2008-06-06)

Monday, April 21, 2008

Out of reach, and out of touch.



I know for certain I cannot describe in detail what this picture means. Despite a beautiful Saturday in late April, we can see the paradox that is called living (struggling) here in Washington D.C. With only a few hundred yards away separated by lawn, special events shelter, and asphalt, a disabled person in a wheel chair finds comfort in the warmth of mother nature.

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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Our Fashionista-in-Chief

For those of you that watched the debacle that was the Democratic Debate last night hosted by ABC, one has to wonder what really is important? While we are at it, we should be wondering who is doing the thinking, and what they are thinking? Since these debates are really for the voters, let's look at some of the questions. To be quite honest, I really couldn't stomach all of the debate. The two things that I did recall from last night were the question of Senator Obama's patriotism and the question of capital gains.

Let's examine the question that I dub now the "Fashionista-in-Chief."

Senator Obama was asked he question why he doesn't wear an American Flag pin. The police wear it. Military service members wear it. President Bush wears it. I think Obama's cousin VP Dick Cheney wears one from time to time. So why doesn't Obama wear one, too? Is it really that hard to pin a little shiny metal on in the morning before he leaves the door? He is American still right? Or is he really a Muslim Manchurian candidate in disguise just waiting for the right moment to enslave us all like the infidels that we are?

"Excuse me Senator, if I may answer this question?" Said the writer.
The writer responds "...The grim fact that $4/gallon of gasoline is upon us. Food prices are sky rocketing through the roof all around the world. Despite our bickering on the existence of global warming or cooling, what is certain is that large amounts of ice caps are melting each year. As more ice melts, sea levels will rise as explained by Archimedes Principle. All that ice that was above the water level, when it melts, it will level out and it will rise. You don't need a graduate degree to know that. Someone that works at McDonalds will know that as they pour more ice tea into your cup, eventually, it will over flow. American citizens are dying each and everyday as we spend one more dollar and one more day in a country that is torn from within and starting a conflict in a region that we culturally do not fully understand and let's be honest, confused. The rich continue to get richer. The poor continue to be poor. The once stable working middle-class are now teetering on verge of financial crisis as the energy costs are trickling into ever facet of American life: from the morning coffee, to the all important job interview. Everything cost money, but more importantly, energy. We need it, we want it, and we just got to have it. And we want it as cheap as possible. So with all these problems in mind, the moderators of ABC sponsored Democratic Debate felt that the Senator Obama's fashion accessory (or in this case lack there of) out-weighed all these issues. But let's not forget, it is very important to present yourself in the best light as possible because when you have money to spend, the last thing you are thinking about is not how much it will cost to fill your H2 Hummer, but how big your tires will be on your H2 Hummer. To be quite honest, when you have money, the only thing you really need to worry about is what not to wear. Clearly, ABC has TLC to thank for that. Let's also remember that a bridge collapsed recently. But that's ok because the H2 Hummer is equipped to go off-road so they will be just fine as they drive right over the crushed Toyota Hybrids."

And what about question to the candidates about Capital Gain? This is very important to the bitter working-class that Senator Obama offended quite harshly just a few weeks ago. People who have lost their jobs and now barely scraping by. Surely these people have a lot to be afraid of because of their ownership in stocks, bonds, precious metals and property to sell that would greatly impact their financial return as the capital gain tax rate is raised. No doubt, we must discuss this important topic that the rest of "bitter Pennsylvania" understand because losing a good job that pays a decent wage is not as important as the financial transaction of selling stocks, bonds, precious metals, and investment properties.

So what did I learn from last night's debate?

  • Senator Obama appearing on "What not to wear" on TLC would make a great show.
  • The American middle-class that struggles to pay for $4/gallon gasoline has mch to fear from Senator Barack Obama as he imposes a higher capital gains tax rate. Be careful. The next time you take your precious aluminum cans to the recycling center, Senator Obama is looking to take his 25%-35% cut.

Senator Obama\'s capital gains tax on the poor

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Saturday, April 12, 2008

The portability of a BFF

I am not quite sure how to frame the subject of this post, mainly because I have yet obtained all the background information. However, what I have come to realize are the bonds and friendships that exist today are very different those of the previous generation. The so-called friendships of today seem as easily tossed away as the "Made-in-China" electronics we have grown accustomed to over the years. Perhaps I am generalizing because at least from personal experiences, people today make and break these relationships far too quickly and much too often.

Sent from two cups and a string.

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Newseum: $20 worth of poor communication

To whom this may concern at NBC4 (nbc4dc@nbcuni.com),

I am standing in front of the Newseum and have been standing here since 4:30. The museum supposedly closes at 5PM today, but there has not been any communications to the people standing outside (myself included) that they closed early today at 4PM. The management has been unreachable and their PR person was not reachable at her telephone contact. Various indidviduals have came forward to appease the crowd by saying they will try to find a manager. However, it is now almost 6PM and no one has come to adress the crowd.

Just thought I'd send this in.

Thanks!

Krack Barry

Sent from two cups and a string.

Newseum: part III

Now the crowd is chanting "We want Larry." Well, they were... And now they stopped.

I think I have blogged more today than I have blogged this whole year. I sure do miss my old blog. *sigh* It is too bad that blogspot doesn't have an option to undelete a blog..... :-/

Sent from two cups and a string.

Newseum: part II

Update: the crowd feels vindicated by the presence of WTOP. It is interesting how the possibility of voice and expression can raise the spirits of an angry mob. Perhaps it was a good thing that a member of the media came and spoke to the crowd because there was definitely something brewing.

The freedom to express as well as the freedom to capture is something that we use everyday. With the advent of new technology, we push the envelople of these freedoms to new frontiers. The extent to which we can express and how much and of what to capture is something that old media has only began to recognize as a powerful tool. Oh wait, Larry the Manager is coming to meet the mob....

I wonder if Larry knows what he is walking into. And I wonder if I will get myself a free ticket.... Sure would be nice.... :-)

Well, at least there is a breeze blowing through the main entrance now....

Sent from two cups and a string.

Newseum: poor communication

Newseum. It is a new museum that opened today here in DC. As I am writing this, I am standing outside its doors along with a large crowd of people who are getting rather frustrated at this so-called "greatest museum.". Several individuals here are from the local media outlets. What makes this interesting is that the museum officially closes at 5PM today. A few minutes ago, an individual came out from the museum and told a few people that doors closed at 4PM. Well, if that is the case, where are the signs? I don't see any signs at all announcing this. The only thing that the people can go on are the writing on the walls that say 5PM.

It is rather interesting to note that this monstrosity of a museum is to demonstrate the greatness of mass communications. Yet, in front of its very own doors, on its opening day, it failed at the most basic of task to deliver a simple message of announcing its early closing.

Luckily, I have the patience of a turtle and I am just standing here. But I find it quite funny that it couldn't even spare a simple sheet of paper to let the people know "Sorry. Closed for the business after 4PM. Come back tomorrow."

Oh well. I guess the little heat didn't help cool the crowd because there sure are some angry folks here. There is an old lady that is crying out "We want justice."

Funny day :-)




Sent from two cups and a string.

Cute girl from McPherson Square

Leopard ballerina flats
Black lycra pants
Pink short sleeve shirt
Shoulder length dark strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a pony tails with about 4 hair pins.
5'4
110 lbs
Cute lips
Good skin, not too oily, not much make up.
No jewlery on either hands
Clear nail polish
Small pearl earrings
Small charm necklace around her neck
Very cute butt.
Wondering brown eyes.
Small, pink, kissable lips


Sent from two cups and a string.

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