The Apathy Lounge

I am weak

2006-06-12T19:22:00.000-04:00

I just can't help myself. They're sooooo nice.

-DCB

Wow

2006-04-27T07:36:00.000-04:00

I had opened up the iTunes Music Store this morning and I couldn't help but notice a thumbnail for a rap video. Is it just me, or does this guy (Chamillionaire) bare a striking resemblance to a Critter?

Coincidence ... I think not.

-DCB

The Easter Bunny hates you

2006-04-17T13:31:00.000-04:00

I love the part with the elevator.

-DCB

How SBC Yahoo/ATT screwed my Dad over

2006-04-13T00:15:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, I unfortunately had to move back in with my parents. Once I noticed how slow their SBC Yahoo DSL was, I asked my Mom to get Optimum Online (local cable ISP). She did, then shortly after that was up and running we cancelled the DSL. At that time my Dad was using an SBC Yahoo mail account through Thunderbird as his email client. After canceling DSL, Thunderbird wouldn't connect to the POP server. But seeing as it was technically a Yahoo Mail account, I tried logging him in through the Yahoo Mail webpage. Success. At some point after that, his computer was infected with some malicious spyware or maybe even a virus, so I had to wipe eveything out. I didn't bother to backup his mail because it was now all online. Since it was just a stupid web based "free" email, I figured he could keep using it indefinitely ... I was wrong.
Within the last week he tried to log in, but it wouldn't let him. After a couple of days to see if it was a Yahoo problem, he called me to tell me that he can't get into his email. I tried from my Mac, since I know his password (I'm the one who set it up). Log in error. I tried to reset the password, thats when I got the page telling me the account was deactivated.
First, I combed through the Yahoo help pages ... useless. I sent them a message using their web form. They got back within a day and told me it was because the DSL had been cancelled and that I should contact SBC to clear any problem up. So I tried their live chat with a support rep. She let me know that there wasn't much she could do and that I should call their number and talk to someone directly.
I call the number she gave me. The voice activated menu system is all but useless due to the unique nature of my problem, but I manage to get through. After explaining the situation, the rep had to check with someone else. After a 5 minute wait, he finally came back and said the only way to reactivate the account is to order a dial-up service in order to keep the account active. Since that would require a contract, I told him no. It would be stupid to pay a monthly charge for essentially free email. I ask nicely one more time if it could just be reactivated for a couple of days so I could get my Dad's contacts at the very least. No luck.
Now my poor Dad is undergoing hip replacement surgery next week. He'd like to keep in contact with family and friends via email, but because Yahoo's stubbornness, he won't be able to do that.
Bottom line, if you can avoid it, DON'T USE YAHOO.

-DCB

More sage-like chicken wisdom ...

2006-02-15T00:47:00.000-05:00

Amen

-DCB

Podcasts Vol. I: Laughing my 'cast' off

2006-02-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

About a month before iTunes added the podcast feature, I started listening to a few of them. Since then I've become a podcast addict. So I figured I would start posting some of my favorites.
I'll start with the funny ones. Although in the minority, these are the ones that I'm sure get the most looks around the office as I start cracking up listening to (and watching) my iPod. Happy Tree Friends and Tiki Bar TV are pretty damn funny. Channel Frederator always seems to crack me up as well as impress me with its independent animation. The low brow humor of Infected is always a welcome addition to my iPod library. And Ask a Ninja, pure genius.
I'll weigh in on some other categories in the coming weeks, so stay tuned ...

-DCB

One year later, with a new design to boot ...

2006-01-30T22:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it has indeed been a year of blogging here on the Lounge. Not that I want to make that big a deal about it, I certainly don't have many posts in the archives. I'm hoping to do more here in this coming year. Again, I make no promises. It's merely a hope.
On to the assorted editorials. First thing on my radar is the Gillette Fusion. I spotted it in Stop & Shop and had to laugh. For those of you who don't know, I am a bald headed man, I shave it regularly. So I found that I've become a connoisseur of razors. Currently I use the Schick Quattro. It has four blades, which honestly, I find excessive. Frankly, I like the weight and the feel of the handle, that's why I use it. But I could easily go back to using the Mach 3 which has a mere three blades. Now if the Quattro is excessive, then the Fusion with five blades, is just overkill. Not to mention the $25 pricetag for 8 replacement cartridges. That's over $3 a cartridge. The tagline for the Fusion must be "For a shave so close, you'd swear it was muscle tissue". Needless to say I won't be making the leap to five blades just yet.

-DCB

It has been quite a while, but ...

2005-12-08T13:49:00.000-05:00

once again those chickens have done it again.

-DCB

I hate to admit it ...

2005-10-26T07:54:00.000-04:00

But Lugz has a point about Apple ripping off one of Lugz's ads with their new iPod commercial featuring Slim Shady. When I first saw this mentioned on Cult of Mac, I thought it was just because of the color scheme. After watching both videos back to back, the similarities are astounding. Especially the use of moving arrows. For shame Apple, do your homework. I know you probably had an outside firm do the spot for you. But when the 2 ads look so similar, someone should be doing a little research before these things reach the general public. And biting ideas off of someone else, that's such a Microsoft thing to do.

-DCB

The Big E and Retro Post 2

2005-10-01T10:25:00.000-04:00

So I went to the Big E a few days ago with my lovely girlfriend, Laura (pictured below with Lorenzo Llamas), and I have to say that the deep fried Oreos are everything I thought they could be.

Now, continuing with my retro theme, I found a couple more old pictures while cleaning out my room. The first one is me on a Christmas morning (probably around'82). And if you weren't sure if I was an OG geek from way back, just take a gander at me holding my brand new copy of Pac-Man for my brand new Atari 5200 whilst wearing my Pac-Man PJs.

And here's a shot from that same day, probably only a few hours later. It's me and my Grandpa playing Pac-Man on the 5200 (dig that Zenith, baby). Note the Pac-Man tabletop arcade game in the foreground. I think it can be said without refute that I had Pac-Man fever.

-DCB

Okay, so maybe not ...

2005-09-07T23:29:00.000-04:00

Apparently Apple Insider missed the mark on the whole new iPod minis. So much so that the next big iPod announcement wasn't later this month in Paris, but rather today in the good ol' U.S.. But not only that, the rumored upgrade to the minis didn't happen. In fact they've killed off the mini (mistake in my book, but I won't rant). Instead, they've been replaced with this sweet baby:

The iPod Nano! Available in both white and black (very nice). So it looks like this and not a mini will be my next iPod. I plan on getting the 4GB flavor of it. So its time to place an order and hope it'll get here sooner than my Mighty Mouse (which is awesome) took to get here, thanks to UPS really dropping the ball on that.

-DCB

Retro Post

2005-08-30T16:25:00.000-04:00

While I've been digging through the crawl space in my old room (which is going to be my new room in under a month), I found a couple of items that brought back some memories for me ...

This is me, probably on Christmas day, riding my brand new General Lee big wheel. That thing flew like lightening. All the kids on the block raced once, most on big wheels, but there was even a bicycle involved. The General and I came out on top. Good times. I like looking at pictures from my "skinny days" too.

Ahhh, the cottage. In addition to living here for 4 years, there were many a "boys night out" and some cookouts on the deck with some fiery goodness here as well. My family has since tore it down and put up a beautiful new house that my grandfather lives in. It's nice, but sometimes I look fondly back at some of those weekends we spent there, and I miss the old "lean to". 2 words, lubrication box.

Holy crap, Batman the videogame. Anyone who's known me for a while probably knows the lore behind this game. Batman infuriated soooo much that I took it out of my NES, beat it up, immersed it in water(which they tell you NOT to do right on the back of the game), and stapled it. So help me God, I stapled that son of a bitch. And you know what, the game still worked. I couldn't kill it. When I came across this in the crawl space, one thing came to mind. I had put so much effort into to killing this game, and hated it with such a passion, yet as of this day, its the only cartridge for the Nintendo Entertainment System that I still own. I don't know if it still works, but I have a feeling this game will outlast me.

-DCB

More Chickeny Madness

2005-08-26T21:58:00.000-04:00

Savage Chickens rule!

-DCB

It Hath Brewed

2005-08-19T22:03:00.000-04:00

For some stupid reason, I felt like instituting a message board for a site that 3 people visit. Like the comment section just isn't enough. It's free and very basic, so let's try not to break it. As for content, its no holds barred. But if you piss someone off, we settle it with an old fashion knife fight. Enjoy!

-DCB

My next iPod

2005-08-16T07:31:00.000-04:00

Apple Insider is reporting that Steve Jobs will announce an upgrade to the iPod Mini line in Paris late in September. Rumor has it that Apple will phase out the 4GB Mini and offer both 6GB and a new 8GB version with color screens. If they do, that 8GB version is soooo mine. With the iPod recycling program's 10% off, and my student discount on top of that, I'll be getting mine for a decent price too. And of course I'll get the pink one, 'cuz I'm such a fruit.

-DCB

I might have something brewing

2005-08-09T13:52:00.000-04:00

Stay tuned ....

-DCB

delineature. Redux

2005-08-09T08:03:00.000-04:00

So I've relaunched delineature. If you haven't already, check it out.

-DCB

More Chickeny Goodness

2005-08-05T07:32:00.000-04:00

The Bottom Line

The Key To Happiness

All your base ...

2005-07-26T17:25:00.000-04:00

I had to share this little engrish gem.

-DCB

Mesmerizing ...

2005-07-09T12:15:00.000-04:00

yet disturbing all at the same time.

-DCB

And now to lighten up the mood, but ...

2005-07-03T10:40:00.000-04:00

You gotta bweathe on it foist.

-DCB

::update::
I think I've fixed the issue, but here's the site it came from anyhow.

I hate, therefore I am ...

2005-07-01T19:54:00.000-04:00

And the source of my hatred is my evil corporate employer, LabCorp. Now I've hated them for a while, ever since they bought out our company, Dianon Systems. Granted, life wasn't peachy keen beforehand, but after the buy out, its been dismal at best. And I've been pissed off at the depths of stupidity displayed by our managerial staff for quite some time, but yesterday just may have been the straw that broke this camel's back. Let's take you back to the beginning of last week. I was behind on work because of taking a couple of days off the week prior, plus the simple fact that we're understaffed and overworked in general. I knew that I was going to be off for 3 days this week, and someone else in the department was out this entire week as well. In a department with only 4 people, being down by 2 for the better part of the week is a big deal. So I decided I'd be a nice guy and work harder and more overtime than I usually care to work, seeing as I still had classes, not to mention finals. By Friday I was not only caught up, but even a little ahead of the curve. I also had a soar back and knees to show for it. In fact, I would've needed a few days off just to recuperate. And when I come in after my mini vacation, how am I rewarded for my hard work? I find out that my douche bag of a manager had IT remove access to the internet from our computer because clearly we're spending waaaaaay to much time online. Now I could do without the internet at work, but it was nice to be able to check my email and surf a bit during lunch. It's petty bullshit like that which has pushed me over the edge. I am officially on the hunt for a new job. And seeing as I'm (to date) severely underqualified for most good jobs, I'll have to take a shitty job that pays me much less than what I'm making now. But to be out of this god forsaken hellhole I'm at now, it'll be worth it. Unfortunately, this means I'll have to move out of my apartment and go crawling back home with the folks. But at least, in about 2 years or so, I'll be able to pursue a career instead of just a job.

-DCB

A slight redesign

2005-06-23T04:01:00.000-04:00

It's probably not permanent, but it'll do for now.

-DCB

:: update ::
I think this one will stick, at least for awhile.

Savage Chickens

2005-06-15T22:47:00.000-04:00

Saw this and I had to post.

-DCB

Holy crap, an update ...

2005-06-15T11:48:00.000-04:00

Yeah yeah, I know, I update about as often as Mercury makes a complete orbit of the sun. I'm going to try to get back in the habit of making a post at least once a week. Whether I will or not remains to be seen. Anyhow, When I started this here blog I had said something about reviewing movies, music, gadgets and whatnot. So why not throw in a movie review. Today I'm reviewing ...
Madagascar

Let me start off by saying that I wasn't expecting much from the movie, just to a fun 3D animated flick. And when I first saw the previews for it, I wasn't overly impressed with the art style of the 3D graphics. I quickly warmed up to it though, it sets itself apart from movies like The Incredibles and especially Shrek (which was done by the same company, Dreamworks). I look at it as a 2D cartoon done in a 3D world. All the characters were at least likeable, and had distinct personalities. The plot was simple enough for a kid to follow, yet interesting enough to keep the adults into it as well. A good amount of humor, some of it a little tongue in cheek, but not so much that it seemed over the top. Overall, I give it a thumbs up and recommend it for a matinee.

-DCB

Yeah, I know, its been a while ...

2005-05-20T21:45:00.000-04:00

but I thought I'd share the greatest animated gif EVER ...

::edit::
I changed it to the link only, took forever to load the damn thing.

Let's make "Weird Al" a star

2005-04-18T10:56:00.000-04:00

I've been a fan of Al since the 3rd grade. To think that other less deserving "stars" have been honored with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, yet "Weird Al" Yankovic has not, is a tragedy. WeirdAlStar.com is raising money to get Al a star on the walk of fame. I've contributed 10 bucks to the cause, and I encourage everyone to back me up on this and give something, be it only a dollar, but something. "Weird Al" truly does deserve a star, let's help him out.

-DCB

So long, webcam

2005-04-08T01:59:00.007-04:00

I've decided to put an end to the webcam. The novelty of it has worn off. To be perfectly honest, I did it just to see if I could. And I will admit, it was kind of neat to have at times, I had even exchanged a couple of emails with someone in Spain who saw the webcam(como estas, Alex). But I hardly turn the damn thing on anymore. It also sucks up some serious bandwidth if there's a lot of viewers. So, to reduce sidebar clutter, I'm doing away with it. Bu-bye, webcam!

-DCB

delineature launched

2005-04-01T03:57:00.000-05:00

My community webfolio has become a reality. Now if I can only get people to contribute towards it on a regular basis, I could call it a success. Come on gang, help me out!

-DCB

Interview with Brad Bird

2005-03-30T03:18:00.000-05:00

There's an interview on ReadyMade with Brad Bird, the writer/director behind The Iron Giant and The Incredibles(A.K.A. my hero).

-DCB

Oh man, I love the 80's ...

2005-03-25T12:30:00.000-05:00

I know I'm not the only one out there to remember the Saturday Supercade. I used to get up on Saturday mornings, have my Pac-Man pancakes (courtesy of Dad), and watch the Supercade and Pac-Man. Ahh, good times. It makes me reminisce about Voltron and Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors.

-DCB

2005-03-22T17:40:00.000-05:00

And now I'm 30

2005-03-20T12:23:00.000-05:00

Yeah, its a milestone on the road of life. I just don't think of my self as being this old though. I still consider myself just a stupid kid. I've still got 35 years more until I retire, so there's more ahead than there are behind. And I've got to work for all of them. Okay I'm just starting to depress myself here, so I'll switch gears and post a picture that my friend Jack drew last night on my Treo. I thought it was quite profound.

-DCB

In the works ...

2005-03-19T16:43:00.000-05:00

Just to let everyone know, the previously mentioned webfolio project will become a reality soon. I've just got to work out the logistics of how it'll work. Look for delineature to come to fruition by April one(I hope).

-DCB

Eat lead, suckers!

2005-03-14T02:38:00.000-05:00

I saw the link for this site over on BoingBoing, I shared it with my friend Gino, and now I pay it forward onto all netizens within the sound of my keystrokes. This site and my enrollment in school are inspiring me to pick up the ole pencil and make with the doodling. If I draw something cool, maybe I'll post it here. On second thought, maybe I'll make a whole new drawing blog. I can even make it open for anyone to post a drawing. A public webfolio, if you will. If anyone has an interest in such a thing, let me know and I'll get crankin' on starting one up.

-DCB

Ring of Honor picture

2005-03-13T01:17:00.000-05:00

No, not a picture taken of action from the show, but rather a picture I drew on my Treo during the intermission. We were so damn hungry.

-DCB

Stupid observation ... a.k.a. my $.02

2005-03-12T02:00:00.000-05:00

I just noticed that there is no ¢ key (I had to use character map to put that there) on the keyboard, at least not on mine. Does anyone else have a ¢ key, Mac maybe? There is a ^ key. Other than for an emoticon (|:^,), why would you ever need the ^ key. I think we should lobby to get shift+6 to be ¢.
Hmmm ... All of my recent posts have a picture. Well, far be it from me to break with tradition.

-Dabney Coleman B

Violet, is that you?

2005-03-10T14:29:00.000-05:00

This is just way too addicting

-DCB

Pimp my Blog!

2005-03-09T20:22:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not looking to put hot rims all over my blog, I'm just looking to give it a slight graphical overhaul. Make it uniquely mine and not just a Blogger template. If anyone knows of any easy to use stylesheet editing/authoring software, drop me a line or post in the comments. I'm also looking to change the name to something a little more catchy. "Random Thoughts" was only meant to be a place holder. I've been bandying about a few different names, but I'm open to suggestions. Ooh, I can make it a contest out of it. If anyone submits a title for my blog and I end up using it, I'll give that person a ... um ... shiny new nickel?

-DCB

::UPDATE::
Changed the title (all my idea, I can keep my nickel), still have yet to redecorate.

Hello, old friend

2005-03-08T10:53:00.000-05:00

Wow, I haven't used a Netscape browser in about 2 years. Last time I did it seemed to work alright, but was overloaded with a lot of unnecessary junk. But there is a side of me who is nostalgic for the old days, Netscape was the first web browser that I used when I got my first computer back in '96. So I downloaded and have been using the new 8.0 preview beta for about a day now and I'll admit, I'm impressed with it. Although I was expecting it to work well, it is based on Firefox which I am a strong advocate of, what its got going on under the hood pleasantly surprised me. Most notable is its ability to render webpages using either the Firefox or the Internet Explorer engine. Very nice. Its still has a ways to go before it can surpass Firefox as my primary browser. Once it starts to have themes(I can't say that I'm in love with the Crest minty green color scheme) and, more importantly, some of my favorite extensions available for it, there may come a day when Netscape becomes my default web browser. Then again if someone crafty releases an extension for Firefox that lets you render pages with the IE engine, I'll probably stick with the Fox.

-DCB

Daaaaaaaamn ...

2005-03-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

This new Segway is fresh. Anybody want to spot me 5G's?

Oh my god, I killed Kenny

2005-02-28T00:54:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what you'd look like on South Park?

-DCB

Just because I'm an A-hole ...

2005-02-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

See how well you know me ...

I made a Quiz for you! Take my Quiz! and then Check out the Scoreboard!

-DCB

Sherman, fire up the Way Back Machine!

2005-02-25T13:08:00.000-05:00

Much love to Sarah Lane on The Screensavers for this damn good website. Head on over to archive.org's Web Way Back Machine and take a peek at some websites as they used to appear. Is there a site you used to like to go to, but isn't there any more? You might just find it there. As an example, here's an early incarnation of my friend Paul's Smash Factory site. If anyone comes up with any other good ones, post it in the comments for all to enjoy.

-DCB

Oh for Pete's sake

2005-02-24T01:58:00.000-05:00

Why do I suddenly have the urge? Hmmmm .....

-DCB

A Musical Giant

2005-02-19T01:06:00.000-05:00

It's a little distressing to find out you're shorter than Barry Manilow. He writes the songs that make the whole world sing AND he's taller than I am. No wonder I can't get any chicks.

-DCB

My crippling addiction

2005-02-11T10:42:00.000-05:00

Hello my name is Dan ::crowded room responds "hello Dan":: and I'm addicted to gadgets. Its all so very true. My one true weakness. Gizmos, tech gear, geek accessories, whatever you want to call them, they are my Achilles heel. Case in point, not less than 3 months ago I bought myself a T-Mobile Sidekick II, which I've enjoyed the hell out of and highly recommend. But already I've grown tired of it. So what am I to do? Well, I bought myself a palmOne Treo 650. What's wrong with me, can't I ever be satisfied with the not-so-green grass on this side of the fence? Anyhow, the good news is it looks like its already on the fedex truck to be delivered today. Maybe as early as tomorrow I'll have that bad boy fired up and runnin'. What's this all mean to anyone reading this? Slightly better looking pictures on my MoBlog, and ... umm, that's pretty much it. CURSE YOU, TECHNOLOGY!

-DCB

:: UPDATE ::
It has arrived, its charging, and holy crap its actually smaller than my sidekick. I've yet to delve into what it can do, but already I'm in love.

My plans for becoming a total shut-in are almost complete ...

2005-02-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

I just spotted this sweet baby over on engadget. Its a cinema bed. Apparently it has a fold out screen with a projector and a home theater system. And it has a place for a DVD player which I imagine I could substitute an xbox there instead. I'm telling ya, if they sold a deluxe model that came with a toilet, minifridge and microwave, lookout. Then all I'd have to do is put it by a window, direct all deliveries from the mail, UPS, and Peapod to that window, and I'd never have to leave the bed again. Although there is the tricky business of getting paid to live in my bed. I'm sure I could find a corporate sponsor. Oh yeah, they're gonna have to bury me in a Steinway box.

-DCB

So now I have a Blog!

2005-01-31T01:34:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems like everyone and there cousins has a blog nowadays, so I might as well jump on the ole bandwagon or be left in the cyber-dust. As the little sub-heading reads on the top of the page, this will be the place I post rants about whatever I see fit. If on the off chance I do offend anyone in the process of doing so, I don't apologize. Grow up you baby. People take themselves way too seriously. Enjoy life, don't sweat the small stuff. Honestly, I don't think I will offend, I'll probably just give my opinions on movies, music, gadgets, things of that nature. Well, I'll try to update this at least once a week. I'm not sure if anyone will be reading it, but at least it'll be good therapy for me.

-DCB