Common Themes

Working with a large group of people and seeing varying client has really taught me of a similar force out there that tends to have influence on people. Sometimes it's the full moon. Sometimes it's Friday the 13th. And sometimes, there's no reason at all. Today, all of my coworkers that I spoke to simply had the hardest time getting out of bed this morning. Woah, big deal you say. Not only my coworkers, but clients. Several who are never late and never have these difficulties, had them today. So my question is why?

Now if all of us have varying influences in our lives and we all do unrelated things, why is there often a common similarity among the people I interact with on some days? Seeing these things always makes me wonder.

Google Glasses

The other day I heard a story on the radio about Google Glasses.  For those not familiar with the concept, essentially the glasses would contain a camera and the lenses could be used both as lenses and the equivalent to a screen.  Overlays can occur on roads, business could be recognized with feedback given about them when you look at them and at some point facial recognition can occur for your "friends" on facebook.

Although the above things don't scare me, other things that can be done with it do.  I was immediately reminded of WALL-E when I heard of this.  If you haven't seen it, this screen capture should attempt to illustrate my concern.

Initially it will be glasses and people will see overlays.  After it is then released to the public and people become more reliant on it, advertising will become a part of it.  Additionally, people will use it when they shouldn't (while driving, walking down the street, in other people's houses, etc).  Everything that person is exposed to can then be recorded and archived.  They can intentionally bait people, record what they say or do and use it against them or use it for whatever purpose they desire.

Yes, it can be useful but like much technology people don't know how to use it properly or how to safeguard themselves against thieves and hackers.  Even if they do, there is usually a backdoor in the coding or somebody else who knows to get into it.

To make a long story short (too late), I think I'll stay away from it and stick with my dumb phone as long as I possibly can.

Phrase of the Day

"I want to be cryogenetically frozen until this comes out."

The word cryo or cryos (κρύο) is Greek and means "icy cold" (from crystallos).

Genetics from Ancient Greek γενετικός genetikos, "genitive" and that from γένεσις genesis, "origin".


Hmmm . . . I think this person might be confused.

Random Thoughts of the Day

When I have to take a full 5 minutes for gravy in the microwave and it barely starts to return to a liquid state, I think I should be concerned.

I always considered going out for Chinese food a treat.  But today it hit me, why don't I try to make some of it at home?  This occurred to me for varying other ethnic foods not for Chinese food for some reason.

Lingering Song

You know when you wake up in the morning and you have a song stuck in your head?  Considering my music interest, it's always fascinating to see what jumps in my head.  This morning it was the "Stepford Waltz."  It comes from the movie Stepford Wives, which was absolutely horrible.

Nonetheless, if you want to here it you need to go here.  Skip the intro, click "NAV" on the bottom of the screen then select "Media."  It's the third title from the top "The Stepford Wives: Waltz."

First, what do you think?  Second, why did it get stuck in my head?

Let It Snow

Well, the past few days have been interesting.

On Monday it snowed a little bit in the evening. Tuesday was crystal clear but my job decided to announce that the office would be closed on Wednesday due to the impending snow storm that would hit us that night. So I pretended like it was a weekend and did my normal thing. It didn't start snowing until after I went to bed. When I woke up on Wednesday, there was about 6 to 12 inches of show on the ground. It was beautiful.

I received an e-mail on Wednesday at 5:00PM from my job stating that the office would be open on Thursday morning at the regular time. Admittedly, I doubted it would occur. As such I turned off my alarm and went to bed.

I woke up today 30 minutes after I normally do on a work day and found out that there is no power at my office and so it is closed. Aside from that, the roads are complete ice. If my work didn't close, I wouldn't go in anyway because it is too dangerous on the roads out here when there are no traction tires and people being more "cautious" actually makes it more dangerous because they do not know how to drive in the snow.

Long story short . . . (too late) I have two days off so far. It is currently raining which is turning the top layer of snow into ice. Most likely work will be open as normal tomorrow, but it is an interesting occurrence up here which will doubtfully happen again.

Happy Snow Day to one and all.

Online Bonus

Every so often, I like buying stuff. Since I have been watching the Muppets recently, I decided to look at some of their albums. Well . . . back in 1978 they released an LP. Many of the songs have not been released in their complete forms on CD and so, I bought one of the albums.

Whenever I get something online, it's always fun to get an unintentional bonus. This time, aside from the music, there was something else inside the record.


So if I send in $3.00 I can join the Muppet Show fan club? See all the stuff you can get? Wahoo!

New Year's Resolutions

Ah yes, the obligatory post about New Year's Resolutions. I can hear what you're thinking now. Does this mean he's going to try and gain weight? Is he going to open his own private practice? Is he going to become the next president of the United States? In answer to all of those . . . "No Comment."

For years I have not been a fan of the new year's resolution idea. Why wait until the next year to create a goal or a plan. Why completely give up on a year because it seems like crap.

This past year, I accomplished all of the goals I had planned for my life. That is, those goals that were completely dependent upon myself and my own actions.

So what next? Honestly, I don't know. The big goals are accomplished. So maybe smaller goals?

I do have some ideas of things I would like to do, but they will not effect my overall happiness or lack thereof this year.

Previously I always thought that if you don't have any expectations you won't be disappointed. It is true. Although I don't have expectations, I do have hopes.

For some reason, I do feel refreshed this year. It is something I haven't felt before. I don't know what this year will entail but I have already made some very small changes and I am extremely satisfied with them.

:: Unintentional preaching part below ::

If you fail, don't wait until next year to start a new goal. Try again a little bit later today.