UtterlyBoring.com

They're Just Trying To Do Their Job

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:29:55 -0800

But reporters still get harassed by people -- a lot, as this site shows.

Should We Bail Out Detroit?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:40:23 -0800

Ziff Davis To Close PC Magazine Print Edition

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:46:29 -0800

One of the oldest computer magazines is shutting down its print edition. The magazine arguably created the concept of comparative reivews and benchmarks, and its columnists and Editor's Choice awards were always great. I'm sad to see it go, but the reality is that tech print publications are slowly dying, and most of the writers are doing more of their writing online. I knew PC Mag would be going away from print soon, as their magazine had just gotten smaller and smaller. I bought a copy a couple years back when I went to Colorado, expecting to have plenty of reading material for the plane ride (as PC Mag was usually full of articles and content), and there was little content -- mostly short blurbs that said to read more at their Web site.

It saddens me, too, because back in the day, long before I got married and had kids, I went to college to become a journalist, specifically a technology journalist, and would've loved to have written for one of these types of publications. When I got married and had a family to feed (which was before I got out of school), I gave up being a reporter and decided that tech was going to pay my bills and feed my family while being a geek writer probably wouldn't. I always had a place in my heart for tech magazines, and even did several reports and assignments on a few of them (was the only guy in my classes that did, with most of them focusing on music/culture magazines). I still have a WinMag coffee mug from when I got published on the back page of the magazine back in the day.* But I saw this day coming, like I'm sure most folks did.

* That coffee mug, a couple Intel bunny people dolls, my "Cloned by Ghost" ghost doll (before Symantec bought the program), and my "I'm Feeling Lucky" Google boxers that I won during Google's original beta period (long before they were re-released) are probably my geekiest historical things that aren't computer parts. What do you guys have?

Free To Good Home: Small Critters

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:57:32 -0800

We have a long-haired Guinea Pig and a Teddy Bear Hamster with full cage setup that need homes. The Guinea Pig just doesn't get along with our current pig, but is very nice and friendly and calm piggie otherwise (easy to handle and does fine by itself), and the hamster is just too nocturnal for us. They're both very sweet and nice. I'm posting it here as I know many of the people who comment on this site, and hopefully will find somebody who can give it a good home. E-mail me (or comment below) if you're interested.

Another Reason to Love Google: LIFE Photography Archive

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:06:51 -0800

Google is now hosting LIFE Magazine's photo archive. Some of the world's most memorable news photos were published in that magazine, and having an archive of the LIFE library -- most of which were never published -- is an amazing resource.

Link via the Google Blog

Want to Lose Your Lunch?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:59:08 -0800

If you cover your eyes, these female body builders look like men with bikini tops.

Thanks Kottke -- now I need to go bleach my brain.

Baltimore's One Scary Place

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:32:59 -0800

Apparently Baltimore is more dangerous than Mogadishu (screenshot with highlighted text below as because with all Wiki type of sites, this will probably get changed pretty quick):

Update: And as I post this, it's already been changed. You can see the historical page here.

"These cuts on my arms? I was trying to be a hero..."

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:54:50 -0800

"It has nothing to do with the break in at the adult toy store up the street. Really. I promise."

There's A Fetish For Everything...

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:17:24 -0800

...and for those people, here's a blog with nothing but pictures of cute girls at tea (safe for work, don't worry).

Insanely Difficult Game For The Day

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:02:09 -0800

Try as I might, I wasn't able to get this guy to go past three meters. Apparently there's a long jump pit if you make it far enough.

Here, try this far less frustrating game instead.

Did Bend Have A Ninja Problem in the Early 80s?

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:17:46 -0800

It's a good question that Jon asks, based on what he found in the Bend City code.

Possession of a Throwing Star.

(1) Definition: "Throwing Star" means any instrument, without handles, consisting of a metal plate having three or more radiation points with one or more sharp edges, and designed in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond, or other geometric shape for use as a weapon for throwing.

(2) A person commits the offense of possession of a throwing star if the person knowingly manufactures, causes to be manufactured, brings into the city, keeps for sale, offers for sale, exposes for sale, gives, lends or possesses a throwing star as defined in section l herein.

(3) Possession of a throwing star is a Class A misdemeanor.

[Section 5.070 added by Ord. NS-l398, passed 6-20-84]

Now, looking at that date, it appeared that it was adopted into law two days before Karate Kid hit the theaters. I was six years old then, but I used to think karate stuff (and throwing stars) were pretty sweet (what little boy didn't?), but I wouldn't have ever know they were illegal (my buddy had a few of them, but we didn't live in the city limits at the time, so I'm sure we were fine). And ol' timers know the story behind this?

I wonder how often this law is enforced. I remember seeing them for sale at some store around town at one point in recent memory, but can't remember where.

But Jon's inspired me -- I think I'm going to have to start digging into the city code. I'm sure there are some goodies in there.

Update on 11/15: Thanks to Cheryl, who talked to some folks at the city, we have an answer:

Yes, the problems was associated with one store owner who was importing various weapons and selling them to kids. The police asked that the owner not sell the throwing stars to kids under 18, but the store owner wouldn't comply. Then the newspaper got wind of the concern expressed by some folks in the community and it was referred to the Council and became a total ban.

Here We Go Again

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:54:30 -0800

Bend's formally pregnant "man" -- created all sorts of press locally, had a baby just four months ago -- is apparently pregnant again, due on June 12.

Am I the only one that is starting to get sick of this guy/gal/whatever?

Thanks Cheryl for ruining my day.

Luke Skywalker Is An Idiot

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:01:20 -0800

I love Star Wars fans who can look at the lighter side of things. Like Luke's plan to rescue Han:

You: "Okay, if you can just use your Force powers to get in to the palace and all the way to Jabba, then let's just have you go in right now and get Han out."

Luke: "No, that's stupid. I'm going to get myself captured. Because then you see, we'll be taken to the sarlacc pit and then, when we're on the skiff, I'll get sent out first and then R2-D2 will manage to get to the top of Jabba's sail barge and shoot out my lightsaber, and then with Lando's help, we'll just rescue everyone and then everything will be fine!"

You: "That is the stupidest plan I've ever heard of."

Luke: "I've thought of everything."

Best Halloween Costume Ever

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:55:15 -0800

While we all know how much I love Halloween, I would dress up in this costume.

Steven Segal Runs Like A Girl

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:42:10 -0800

But he could still kick your butt:

On a related note, I still get odd-ball comments on this really old Steven Segal entry.