So the other day I happened to be wandering around the University Mall in Orem. I went into "Best in Music" and started thumbing through some trombone music. As I was doing so I overheard the clerks talking about a guy that had been in earlier that day. Apparently this guy came in and started picking guitars off the wall and playing Eric Clapton songs. The clerk on duty becoming suspicious asked if he was Eric Clapton to which the guy apparently chuckled and answered affirmatively, saying that he was just passing through the area and was checking out local guitar shops. Whether or not this really was Eric Clapton, I guess we'll never know.
At about this point in the conversation the fire alarms in the mall begin sounding off. I look up to see what the noise is and see that it's the fire alarms, I look around at the people in the store, no on moves. I put back the music I was looking at and beginning heading for the exit, and notice that NO ONE is reacting. In my field of view were the 4 or 5 other shoppers in "Best in Music" and a fair number of people visible in the hall. Probably 20 people in total, they all just continued on their way not even hesitating at the blaring fire alarm. After it had been going off for about 30 seconds I had reached the front of "Best in Music" and was stepping out into the hall when it stopped. I stood there dumbfounded by the fact that, as far as I could tell, I was the only person to think that leaving the mall might be a good idea when the fire alarm went off. No wonder this country is so screwed up, people don't even care about their lives enough to leave a burning building.
On a complete different note: I had a great day on Saturday, I hope to have another day as great next week.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Be Someone
Fairly often my thoughts turn to some rather unusual processes. For instance, have you ever really thought about 'time'? Can you come up with a truly satisfactory answer for "What is time?" I can't, and that bothers me sometimes. Our existence on earth as mortals is entwined with a linear time, things occur in succession from one moment to the next. If we are to understand anything from the scriptures about time, we must concede that time is not simply linear. But, if it's not simply linear, in what fashion will we then interact with time? If life will be in any similar to our current existence it seems that at least moments of time must be linearly arranged. It takes time to do things. By the time you finish reading this sentence, or word, or letter, time will have passed. The only way for existence to make any sense is if you can read this sentence in order and comprehend what it's saying based on the linear arrangement of the words; which takes time. So time must be linear, but supposedly is not simply linear. I am really curious to know how God interacts with mortal events if time is not simply linear, it must be a fascinating existence.
As my mind delves into the realm of abstract philosophy I also find myself wishing I were part of something big. I read books and immerse myself into another existence, and dream that I could be a real part of something like that. To know for sure that I'm fighting the good fight, and that my actions will recorded in history and told as stories. To be in something larger than life. To play a real role that people take notice of. To make a difference. But life isn't like that, at least not for me. Oh sure, some people will talk about how we're all playing that part in our own lives in some way; but I don't want to just be playing the part of CPM in CPM's boring life. I want to set out on an adventure that will become my life for a long period of time. To go places and do things that no one else does. I guess I just feel like the world has become too small for my desires of adventure. When you can get anywhere in the world in 24 hours, it just doesn't seem like a real adventure. And, of course, I have no goal to reach at the end of any journey I may take.
I dunno, I just want to be part of something meaningful, to be someone.
As my mind delves into the realm of abstract philosophy I also find myself wishing I were part of something big. I read books and immerse myself into another existence, and dream that I could be a real part of something like that. To know for sure that I'm fighting the good fight, and that my actions will recorded in history and told as stories. To be in something larger than life. To play a real role that people take notice of. To make a difference. But life isn't like that, at least not for me. Oh sure, some people will talk about how we're all playing that part in our own lives in some way; but I don't want to just be playing the part of CPM in CPM's boring life. I want to set out on an adventure that will become my life for a long period of time. To go places and do things that no one else does. I guess I just feel like the world has become too small for my desires of adventure. When you can get anywhere in the world in 24 hours, it just doesn't seem like a real adventure. And, of course, I have no goal to reach at the end of any journey I may take.
I dunno, I just want to be part of something meaningful, to be someone.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Meat
The following conversation took place between CPM and his roommate Poppa Funk this evening:
CPM: Hey, Poppa Funk, have a good nap.
PF: Yah, I've been asleep for like 3 hours.
CPM: Wow. So, Guess what I had for lunch today. It was a type of animal meat.
PF: Did the animal have four legs?
CPM: No.
PF: hmm... ostrich?
CPM: HOW DID YOU GUESS THAT!
PF: You had ostrich? Where?
CPM: Yeah, I had an ostrich sandwich at Cabela's. And I've got half an elk sandwich in the fridge.
PF: That's awesome.
---
Poppa Funk and I have possibly been living together for too long, we can basically read each others' minds; it's a little scary sometimes.
---
I'm also still lacking in a place to live come end of August, so if anyone knows of somewhere outside the BYU bubble with a private room for under $325, let me know.
---
Work on Board 5.0 has officially started, and boy is everyone in for a treat when it gets finished.
CPM: Hey, Poppa Funk, have a good nap.
PF: Yah, I've been asleep for like 3 hours.
CPM: Wow. So, Guess what I had for lunch today. It was a type of animal meat.
PF: Did the animal have four legs?
CPM: No.
PF: hmm... ostrich?
CPM: HOW DID YOU GUESS THAT!
PF: You had ostrich? Where?
CPM: Yeah, I had an ostrich sandwich at Cabela's. And I've got half an elk sandwich in the fridge.
PF: That's awesome.
---
Poppa Funk and I have possibly been living together for too long, we can basically read each others' minds; it's a little scary sometimes.
---
I'm also still lacking in a place to live come end of August, so if anyone knows of somewhere outside the BYU bubble with a private room for under $325, let me know.
---
Work on Board 5.0 has officially started, and boy is everyone in for a treat when it gets finished.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
New Phone: LG VX5300
My first (gut) impressions of my new LG VX5300 phone:
- Wow, LG is still just ripping off Samsung designs
- Amazing, they've managed to make phones BIGGER in the last two years
- This phone feels like it will shatter into a million pieces if I drop it on cement
Now, for my more lengthy review:
The last time I got a new phone was 2 years ago when my family signed up with Verizon Wireless on a family plan. The model that Verizon was giving out to everybody and their dog at that point was the Samsung SCH-A670. I'm sure you've seen them. It seems like everyone I knew had one at the time, from my friends in Connecticut to my roommates in Utah, they were everywhere. I've been a long time fan of the clam-shell type design, and the Samsung did not disappoint. It is fairly small with a color screen on the inside and outside. The outside screen displays caller ID information, (text or picture, your choice). I set it so that opening the phone picked up a call. The only likely to be useful feature that was not present was speaker phone.
Now, just so we all know where I am coming from: I am sick of everyone trying to make their phone do everything for them. I own a camera, I don't want my phone to be a crappy camera. I own an iPod, I don't want my phone to be a crappy music player. I want my phone to be a good phone. If it's not good at being a phone it shouldn't exist. Unfortunately, trying to find reviews is rather difficult if you actually want your phone to make calls. Apparently everyone else in the world wants their phone to watch tv, listen to the radio, browse the internet, play music, and take pictures-- make calls? I guess that might be useful. So, this quick review will focus on the PHONE qualities of this PHONE.
My Samsung SCH-A670 have been through a lot in the last 2 years. I've dropped it a number of times on hard (cement) surfaces. It lived (completely exposed and turned on) through the storm that killed my previous camera in Ohio. It's been up mountains, and through canyons, it's done it all and has never disappointed me. The design is nothing special, but it works. The material feels sturdy and stands up to a beating. I realize this next part may be the network, but the phone plays a part too: I often maintain service when all my friends are out of luck. So I have high expectations of this new phone.
Sadly, the LG VX5300 is larger than my Samsung. Why they ended up with a larger phone after 2 years of development, I don't know. It is slightly taller and wider, but a hair slimmer. As usual for LG it is a complete rip off of Samsung styling. In my 6+ years of cell phone usage I have yet to see an LG design that appears to be original. I guess they have the Chocolate phone now, but I can hardly bring myself to count that since it hardly focuses on being a phone, and mostly just annoys me in how obnoxious I think it would be to use as a phone.
The material used in the casing of the phone feels cheap and feels like it would be easily broken. The exterior screen functions for caller ID (text only, no picture for some reason). Picture ID shows up in the interior screen. There appears to be no option to make the phone pick up a call upon opening, instead you have to open it and then press a button (really obnoxious in my opinion).
The arrangement of the buttons makes it difficult to dial without looking directly at them-- they are separated by column, but not by row, so sliding from 1 to 4 to 7 can be hard to detect. Also, the buttons are not back lit like my Samsung meaning that dialing in the dark will be a complete pain in the butt. The green "Send" and red "End" buttons are ridiculously over-sized, and I'm beginning to get the feeling that this phone was designed for the finger-dexterity challenged population - a group that is sadly becoming the majority in America.
The headphone jack is exposed, so expect it to get gunked up over time; but I guess they're counting on you buying a more expensive bluetooth headset rather than use such antiquated means as a wired headset. For some reason it has a dedicated voice-memo button on the outside, which I guess is good if you're into that kind of thing, but I've only ever met one person that was. Below the voice-memo button is a little lightning bolt power symbol for unknown reasons, it's not near the bottom of the phone where you plug in the charger; I guess it just looks cool or something. The antenna is the external nub antenna, but does not extend at all.
Overall, I'm not very impressed, and I haven't even used it yet. A large part of me wants to wait and continue using my Samsung until it dies, or the battery life becomes intolerable. Why American consumers keep putting up with such crappy, piss-poor designs is beyond me. Who knows, maybe once I use it a few times I'll like it more, but I think for now I'm going to hang onto my Samsung.
- Wow, LG is still just ripping off Samsung designs
- Amazing, they've managed to make phones BIGGER in the last two years
- This phone feels like it will shatter into a million pieces if I drop it on cement
Now, for my more lengthy review:
The last time I got a new phone was 2 years ago when my family signed up with Verizon Wireless on a family plan. The model that Verizon was giving out to everybody and their dog at that point was the Samsung SCH-A670. I'm sure you've seen them. It seems like everyone I knew had one at the time, from my friends in Connecticut to my roommates in Utah, they were everywhere. I've been a long time fan of the clam-shell type design, and the Samsung did not disappoint. It is fairly small with a color screen on the inside and outside. The outside screen displays caller ID information, (text or picture, your choice). I set it so that opening the phone picked up a call. The only likely to be useful feature that was not present was speaker phone.
Now, just so we all know where I am coming from: I am sick of everyone trying to make their phone do everything for them. I own a camera, I don't want my phone to be a crappy camera. I own an iPod, I don't want my phone to be a crappy music player. I want my phone to be a good phone. If it's not good at being a phone it shouldn't exist. Unfortunately, trying to find reviews is rather difficult if you actually want your phone to make calls. Apparently everyone else in the world wants their phone to watch tv, listen to the radio, browse the internet, play music, and take pictures-- make calls? I guess that might be useful. So, this quick review will focus on the PHONE qualities of this PHONE.
My Samsung SCH-A670 have been through a lot in the last 2 years. I've dropped it a number of times on hard (cement) surfaces. It lived (completely exposed and turned on) through the storm that killed my previous camera in Ohio. It's been up mountains, and through canyons, it's done it all and has never disappointed me. The design is nothing special, but it works. The material feels sturdy and stands up to a beating. I realize this next part may be the network, but the phone plays a part too: I often maintain service when all my friends are out of luck. So I have high expectations of this new phone.
Sadly, the LG VX5300 is larger than my Samsung. Why they ended up with a larger phone after 2 years of development, I don't know. It is slightly taller and wider, but a hair slimmer. As usual for LG it is a complete rip off of Samsung styling. In my 6+ years of cell phone usage I have yet to see an LG design that appears to be original. I guess they have the Chocolate phone now, but I can hardly bring myself to count that since it hardly focuses on being a phone, and mostly just annoys me in how obnoxious I think it would be to use as a phone.
The material used in the casing of the phone feels cheap and feels like it would be easily broken. The exterior screen functions for caller ID (text only, no picture for some reason). Picture ID shows up in the interior screen. There appears to be no option to make the phone pick up a call upon opening, instead you have to open it and then press a button (really obnoxious in my opinion).
The arrangement of the buttons makes it difficult to dial without looking directly at them-- they are separated by column, but not by row, so sliding from 1 to 4 to 7 can be hard to detect. Also, the buttons are not back lit like my Samsung meaning that dialing in the dark will be a complete pain in the butt. The green "Send" and red "End" buttons are ridiculously over-sized, and I'm beginning to get the feeling that this phone was designed for the finger-dexterity challenged population - a group that is sadly becoming the majority in America.
The headphone jack is exposed, so expect it to get gunked up over time; but I guess they're counting on you buying a more expensive bluetooth headset rather than use such antiquated means as a wired headset. For some reason it has a dedicated voice-memo button on the outside, which I guess is good if you're into that kind of thing, but I've only ever met one person that was. Below the voice-memo button is a little lightning bolt power symbol for unknown reasons, it's not near the bottom of the phone where you plug in the charger; I guess it just looks cool or something. The antenna is the external nub antenna, but does not extend at all.
Overall, I'm not very impressed, and I haven't even used it yet. A large part of me wants to wait and continue using my Samsung until it dies, or the battery life becomes intolerable. Why American consumers keep putting up with such crappy, piss-poor designs is beyond me. Who knows, maybe once I use it a few times I'll like it more, but I think for now I'm going to hang onto my Samsung.
Boredom
I work from home these days. I get incredibly bored. The most exciting part of my day, often times, is when I walk around the corner of the building to get the mail. Oddly, I find myself craving human interaction, but also have lost the motivation to date. I guess I've reached one of those points in life, again, where it just doesn't seem like it's worth it.
I'm starting to get used to the idea that I will live alone. I'll get my Master's degree in a couple years, find a job, buy a house, and live by myself -- potentially with a cat. This is not to say that I want to live alone. For the longest time I pictured my future involving at least a wife, and at some point a family. It was difficult to see myself living alone. Sadly, the visions have switched places now. I can much more easily see myself living by myself than having a family. I do have a fair bit of artwork to keep me company-- and my books.
Speaking of books: I've finished "Atlas Shrugged" over the weekend. While it does contain some nice arguments about various subjects, the overall theme seemed to be that purely socialistic policies will destroy a nation. Personally, I can't say it's one of the greatest works I've ever read, but it was pretty good. I also started and finished "The Philosopher at the End of the Universe" which is a foray into various philosophical ideologies as presented in modern science fiction movies. It was a fun read, lots of personality in the writing. Now I'm about half way through "Nickel and Dimed" which discusses the despicable conditions of the wage-slave class in the United States. Oddly, the author, Barbara Ehrenreich, has a Ph.D. in Biology, but writes for a living.
Those are all the random thoughts I have for the moment. Hope you enjoyed them.
Oh, and I still don't have anywhere to live come fall. I was supposed to go view a condo today, and 30 minutes before the appointment the management company called to cancel because they had just signed someone else. Thanks.
I'm starting to get used to the idea that I will live alone. I'll get my Master's degree in a couple years, find a job, buy a house, and live by myself -- potentially with a cat. This is not to say that I want to live alone. For the longest time I pictured my future involving at least a wife, and at some point a family. It was difficult to see myself living alone. Sadly, the visions have switched places now. I can much more easily see myself living by myself than having a family. I do have a fair bit of artwork to keep me company-- and my books.
Speaking of books: I've finished "Atlas Shrugged" over the weekend. While it does contain some nice arguments about various subjects, the overall theme seemed to be that purely socialistic policies will destroy a nation. Personally, I can't say it's one of the greatest works I've ever read, but it was pretty good. I also started and finished "The Philosopher at the End of the Universe" which is a foray into various philosophical ideologies as presented in modern science fiction movies. It was a fun read, lots of personality in the writing. Now I'm about half way through "Nickel and Dimed" which discusses the despicable conditions of the wage-slave class in the United States. Oddly, the author, Barbara Ehrenreich, has a Ph.D. in Biology, but writes for a living.
Those are all the random thoughts I have for the moment. Hope you enjoyed them.
Oh, and I still don't have anywhere to live come fall. I was supposed to go view a condo today, and 30 minutes before the appointment the management company called to cancel because they had just signed someone else. Thanks.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Overheard in New York
So I've been reading through the quotes on http://www.overheardinnewyork.com. Now, I will not take responsibility for the language used in those quotes, so browse are your own risk. However, my current favorite is this:
Thug: So, if I'm half black and half American Indian, that makes me Puerto Rico.
Thugette: I told you that you was Puerto Rican.
Thug: So, if I'm half black and half American Indian, that makes me Puerto Rico.
Thugette: I told you that you was Puerto Rican.
Monday, July 02, 2007
pɹɐʍʞɔɐq puɐ uʍop ǝpısdn
.sʎɐp ǝsǝɥʇ s1ǝǝɟ ǝɟı1 ʎɯ ʍoɥ ʇnoqɐ sı sıɥʇ
But I'll still try to be nice, you can write upside-down and backwards too: http://www.revfad.com/flip.html
But I'll still try to be nice, you can write upside-down and backwards too: http://www.revfad.com/flip.html
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