Monkey See; Monkey Do
Article Index
- All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace a Chance
- Around the World with Mike Pugh
- Codex Seraphinianus
- Coming Soon to a Planet Near You!
- Electronic Voting in Santa Clara County
- Escape to SeaEscape
- Grated Potato Pancakes
- Happy Valentine's Day, Baby
- Hey, I Resemble That Remark
- I love you, OBL, oh yes, I do...
- Is it Possible: Vote Fraud in the USA?
- London by Night
- Make Love, Not War
- Monkey See; Monkey Do
- On Leadership
- Second Place Winner, Nikon 2002 Small World Contest
- Signs of the Times
- Swedish Apple Cake
- There Will Be No Time for Discussion
- They're at it Again!
- What's So Funny 'Bout
« January 2003 | Main | March 2003 »
February 28, 2003
February 27, 2003
London by Night
Click on the image for more information, or view a much larger version of the image.
Digging deeper, it turns out there is an entire NASA site devoted to displaying photographs of Earth, taken by astronauts. The opening page is fun, as a photo of a random location on earth is presented, and you may choose from a set of 3 choices as to its' location. It's another place to get lost, looking at different parts of the world you have lived in or visited or are planning to visit.
February 26, 2003
What's So Funny 'Bout
February 25, 2003
Codex Seraphinianus
Imagine a book, vividly and somewhat bizarrely illustrated, written in a language for which there is no known translation. Imagine further that the pretext for the book is a travalogue or scientific study of an alien world ... one that is a perverse reflection of our own!
You would have imagined Codex Seraphinianus, a collection of original artwork by Italian artist Luigi Serafini.
In the book, the evoked topics are: gardening, anatomy, mathematics, geometry, hairstyles, cards, machines to be flown, transport, chemical analyses, labyrinth, Babel, costumes, foods...
This topic very much reminds me of the work of Borges, in the sense of how they could both work the edges of absurdity in such a brilliant manner! There has been at least one effort to to rationalize and interpret the text, but it didn't get very far.
There is even a website that is nominally wriitten using the language of the Codex Seraphinianus, which has some images from the book on display. There's something evocative of the tenuous connections we have with others in real life reflected in the intriguing image below:
February 24, 2003
Hey, I Resemble That Remark
The Atlantic Online has published an insightful article on the topic of introversion. Among other points, the article tries to dispel one myth: that introverts are, by definition, shy. Introverts suffer less from shyness than from simply not needing as much human interaction as other people, and especially not as much as extroverts.
Speaking of extroverts, the article was almost as much about extrovert bashing as it was an exploration of the topic of introversion. Also, I save the "oppressed" label for people with real problems, suffering true oppression, so the article's labeling of introverts as such was a bit much. Still, all and all it's worth the time to read, expecially for folks who deal with (potential) introverts (large parts of the hi-tech industry).
One of my favorite albums, (long since out of print, and only available via MP3!), is Neil Young's introspective work called On the Beach. Perhaps after reading the Atlantic article I've a better understanding of my affinity for this album. Here are a couple of relevant lyrics:
I'm deep inside myself, but I'll get out somehow, ... Motion Pictures, Neil Young
I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day. On the Beach, Neil Young
February 23, 2003
Signs of the Times
I found a list of the best slogans seen at a recent NYC peace rally, and also a slideshow of some of the best posters (a couple are shown below; the photo above is taken w/the Danger Hiptop phone: click on the image to see more of the same):
February 22, 2003
Swedish Apple Cake
Sheryl's mom, Laurina, was famous for her Swedish Apple Cake, which she brought to virtually every big family gathering. She got the recipe from Sheryl's Aunt Harriet, and now custody has passed to me. I first made the cake a few years ago, and it's been a big hit every time I've made it since then. It's an honour to make this delicious dessert, and my privilege to share it with a larger audience. As Julia says "Bon Appetit!"
Swedish Apple Cake
Laurina Cipra, via Aunt Harriet
1.5 C Sugar
1/2 C shortening
2 eggs
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 C raw apples
(3-5 apples. Fuji/gala work well, as do granny smith. try a combo as well!)
1/2 C nuts (walnuts, pecans)
1.5 C sifted flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
dash cloves
Cream together shortening and sugar. Add beaten eggs, salt & vanilla.
Sift together flour, spices, & soda and add to first mixture. Mix in apples & nuts last.
Pour into greased and floured baking pan (I use a 9in springform).
Bake for 25 min in 350 degree oven, then add the following topping:
Heat the following together in a small sauce pan:
3 T melted butter
3 T milk
1.5 C brown sugar
Spread on cake and bake 25 minutes more.
February 21, 2003
Make Love, Not War
Lysistrata, a Greek comedy written over 2000 years ago, is assuming a modern relevance which culminates on March 3rd, 2003. That's the day when over 600 groups will perform public readings of the tale of how the wives and girlfriends of the warriors of the Peloponnesian War brought an end to that war. (Is it really in my interest to go on here? :-)
How did they accomplish such a daunting task? In the words of Tara Sue, who in 2002 started the first blogging-based campaign (blogpaign) for public office: "Peace on earth is possible. Ladies, We must stop raising assholes, or at least stop having sex with them."
Around the World with Mike Pugh
Vagabonding.com chronicles the solo, one year, round-the-world journey of Mike Pugh, an optimist from Chicago, USA. As of this writing, Mike has been on the road for 143 days and is visiting Varanasi, India.
He started his journey in SE Asia, and has already compiled a rich set of commentary and photos to document his adventure. His site is well worth repeat visits as his journey continues.
February 19, 2003
They're at it Again!
We've all heard that "Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom"*. In light of the current assault on our constitution, truer words were never spoken! After the TIA (Total Information Awareness) proposal (which congress has put on hold), and the proposed update called (un)Patriot II, we now find another bold attempt to circumvent privacy rights. The US Department of Transportation, in the words of the PrivacyActivism group, "proposes to add a system of records to the list of DOT Privacy Act Systems of Records that are exempt from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act. Public comment is invited."
They go on to elaborate: "The DOT is asking for approval for a system that would allow files with extensive information to be kept for every airline passenger. The proposal asks for approval to store essentially any information in the system, using such open-ended terms as “Passenger Name Records (PNRs) and associated data; financial and transactional data; public source information; proprietary data; and information from law enforcement and intelligence sources.” You would not be able to view information gathered about you, nor would you be allowed to amend or correct incorrect information."
The only good news is that the DOT is accepting comments from the public regarding these plans. More details on the proposal as well as some tips on effectively providing comments are available at the PrivacyActivism web site. Hurry, though, as comments (snail mail only, no faxes or email) must be received by 24Feb03.
* Most agree that the full quote reads:
"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." -- John Philpot Curran (1790)
Thanks to Declan for this one.
February 17, 2003
Grated Potato Pancakes
I originally downloaded this recipe from the SOAR web site almost 6 years ago. I've modified it a bit over the years, and the pancakes are always a hit! I made a batch this morning, and decided it was time to share. My changes are in (parens).
* Exported from MasterCook *
GRATED POTATO PANCAKES
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Potatoes Side dish Pancakes
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 Egg
2 (1.5) C Milk
1 1/4 (1) C Sifted enriched flour
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 d Pepper
1 1/2 lb (3 large) Potatoes
(1/4 C sauteed onion)
(fresh thyme to taste)
(dried dill to taste)
(cayenne, season salt, paprika depending on your mood)
Butter or bacon drippings
Beat egg with a little of the milk. Stir in the sifted dry ingredients alternately with the remaining milk, beating until mixture is smooth.
Wash and peel potatoes, grate directly into batter, then beat well.
Fry on a hot greased griddle and serve hot with crisply fried bacon, with stewed berries, or with applesauce.
Source ...... Mary Margaret McBride ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COOKING Editor ...... Anne London, director, Homemakers Research Institute Publisher ... homemakers Research Institute, Evanston IL, (c) 1960
Posted by Jim Speerbrecher Jan.'94
Second Place Winner, Nikon 2002 Small World Contest
Polarized Light
All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace a Chance
I came across an inspirational site recently, one that provides food for thought, and a sense of hope, given the positive messages from the various cultures represented. The site contains Twelve Prayers for Peace, from at least 10 different groups from all around the world. The list includes:
The Prayer of St Francis
Baha'i Prayer for Peace
Buddhist Prayer for Peace
Hindu Prayer for Peace
Jainist Prayer for peace
Musliim Prayer for Peace
Native American Prayer for Peace
Another Native American Prayer for Peace
Shinto Prayer for Peace
Zoroastrian Prayer for Peace
Sikh Prayer for Peace
Christian Prayer for Peace
I've included the entire Prayer of St Francis, because I think the message it speaks is mostly relevant no matter one's personal faith and convictions:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me show love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . .hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . .joy
Divine Master,
grant that i may not so much seek
To be consoled . . .as to console
To be understood . . .as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . .that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . .that we are born to eternal life
I hope the world-wide peace marches this past weekend will help bring about peace, and helped demonstrate that a unilateral first-strike would be considered a crime by most of the world's people.
February 14, 2003
Happy Valentine's Day, Baby
I love you, OBL, oh yes, I do...
Little Melissa comes home from first grade and tells her father that they learned about the history of Valentine's Day. "Since Valentine's Day is for a Christian saint and we're Jewish," she asks, "will God get mad at me for giving someone a valentine?"
Melissa's father thinks a bit,then says, "No, I don't think God would get mad. Who do you want to give a valentine to?"
"Osama bin Laden," she says.
"Why Osama bin Laden?" her father asks in shock.
"Well," she says, "I thought that if a little American Jewish girl could have enough love to give Osama a valentine, he might start to think that maybe we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit. And if other kids saw what I did and sent valentines to Osama, he'd love everyone a lot. And then he'd start going all over the place to tell everyone how much he loved them and how he didn't hate anyone anymore."
Her father's heart swells and he looks at his daughter with newfound pride. "Melissa, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."
"I know," Melissa says, "and once that gets him out in the open, our Marines could blow the crap out of him."
Thanks to rec.humor.funny and Ronn Owens!
February 13, 2003
On Leadership
"The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant." -Max De Pree, "Leadership Is an Art"
Electronic Voting in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County is facing the issue of secure, tamper-proof, electronic voting. The issue came up recently when the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters recommended that the county acquire touch-screen DRE machines from Sequoia Voting Systems. These machines do not provide a voter-verifiable audit trail.
More info on the important issue of the risks related to electronic voting is available here, here and here.
Coming Soon to a Planet Near You!
February 12, 2003
Escape to SeaEscape
We recently spent a nice long weekend at SeaEscape, near Elk on the Mendocino coast. SeaEscape is a private vacation rental, perched on a cliff directly above the Pacific ocean. The house features 3 bedrooms, 2 that are ocean facing, a large hottub, and a fully equipped (and well stocked!) kitchen, a fireplace and a very nice outdoor deck.
Great views, nice place, fantastic hosts!
We had previously stayed at the owners' other property, SeaEscape Too, which is located next door to SeaEscape. We had a great time both visits, and plan to return!
As usual, we took some photos during our trip, and an edited selection is available for your viewing pleasure.
February 7, 2003
There Will Be No Time for Discussion
when Patriot II, a greatly expanded version of the original Patriot I anti-terrorist act, is introduced.
The introduction will come at a time of national crisis, perhaps after another terrorist attack (against us, not by us, silly) or during a war w/Iraq. There will be immense pressure to pass the abill w/out due consideration. That's the conclusion of this in-depth review of the Patriot II bill, long denied to even exist.
Word of this even stronger assault on the constitution and civil rights was uncovered by the Center for Public Integrity in early February. The draft bill, dated 9Jan03, provides a chilling look at the future envisioned by the current regime. The proposed bill "will give the government broad, sweeping new powers to increase domestic intelligence-gathering, surveillance and law enforcement prerogatives, and simultaneously decrease judicial review and public access to information."
Finally, the article finishes with a conclusion I find only too plausible, especially given how Patriot I was slipped in during a time of great national crisis:
"Cole found it disturbing that there have been no consultations with Congress on the draft legislation. “It raises a lot of serious concerns and is troubling as a generic matter that they have gotten this far along and tell people that there is nothing in the works. What that suggests is that they’re waiting for a propitious time to introduce it, which might well be when a war is begun. At that time there would be less opportunity for discussion and they’ll have a much stronger hand in saying that they need these right away.”"
Thanks to boingboing for the tip!
February 4, 2003
Is it Possible: Vote Fraud in the USA?
Sometimes I think like the simple country boy that I am at heart, following the path of least resistance and pointing out the obvious.
Let's see, in my life, awareness beginning in the 60's: rigged elections in foreign countries w/our CIA involved; George Bush, head of the CIA; George Bush, elected as US President ...
OK, at this point I'm only slightly nervous and speaking somewhat facetiously.
Then comes the suspect 2000 "regime change" with virtually all the reports of voting problems conveniently being resolved in the shrub's favor. Now, looking back on the 2002 election we have a continuing (scroll about 1/2 way through the linked article for the relevant notes) and growing awareness that something is not quite right.