Amazon is now listing The Confusion ![[amazon]](http://molelog.molehill.org/blog/amzn-y12.png){kind=small}
as "Volume Two of The Baroque Cycle", due in January 2004. The long-awaited Quicksilver (still due September 23rd) is of course "Volume One", and I had been assuming that Cryptonomicon would retroactively be "Volume Two", but apparently not.
We have two packages of Stephenson goodness to look forward to over the next few months!
Of course, Amazon says I ordered Quicksilver on October 15th of last year, and I was waiting for it long before that, so it's hardly like he's being speedy in general...
Julius Zimmerman draws funny erotic art; there's a very large gallery available as well as a Yahoo! group.
It pains me to do this, but I disallow using images on this server directly on other servers; inlining images here on other servers uses uses my bandwidth ithout giving any real possibility of additional readers. In particular, inlining images on forums is particularly pernicious, since my bandwidth gets used in discussions I'm not even allowed to read.
Linking directly to images isn't as bad, but there's no way to disallow inlining without also blocking direct linking. In any case, I'd prefer people who wish to use images from here to host the image themselves and link to the story the image is from; that allows interested readers to find what I said about the image and possibly find other material they're interested in.
Will I buy this product or service? Yes, yes I will.
What is this product or service? I have no idea. But I like the bouncy bits.
The USB Vibe is a 'personal massager' that gets its power via the USB port. It's not clear if the vibration speed/intensity/whatnot can be controlled via USB ro not. If so, it goes a long long ways towards bringing the dream of real online sex closer to reality.
Lara Specialty Tools has a stunningly good selection of tamper resistant and unusual driver bits, including bits to remove the "one-way" screws commonly seen in bathroom stalls. Their site is also well-designed, clearly showing what each bit style looks like.
Their prices, on the other hand, are a tad on the steep side. If your needs aren't quite so esoteric, you might be more satisfied with this 100 piece set, this 39 piece set or this 33 piece set might be more suitable.
The very first release of a textile 2 plugin for Blosxom is now available, based on Brad Choate's MT Textile 2 beta.
This is beta, or worse. It's been tested on all of half a dozen documents. The underlying engine it uses is also beta. You should expect both the plugin syntax and the markup syntax to change.
To use:
mttextile-2_0b.zip from Brad Choate's pagetextile2-0-1i.ziplib and lib/Text directories in your plugin extlib/Text/Textile.pm from mttextile-2_0b in that directorytextile2 from textile2-0-1i.zip in your plugin directorymeta plugin if you don't have it installedmeta needs to be before textile2, and is required. If you're using it, SmartyPants needs to be after textile2. Although it's not as important (or necessarily right), most other plugins that do text changes probably should be after textile2; that would include macros, wikiwordish, imagesizer (which isn't actually needed, in its stock form), and the like.3meta-markup: textile2 in its headerThe textile2 syntax is both more regular and more extensive than the textile 1 syntax, and is intended to be at least mostly backwards compatible. In at least one way that matters to me, it isn't, though1, so this plugin is designed to be usable side-by-side with the earlier textile plugin. If you're willing & wanting to switch over entirely, configure the $handle_textile_1 variable to 1 and remove the textile plugin; then meta-markup: textile will invoke textile2.
1 With textile 1, there doesn't have to be any space between the final '!' on an image link and following text; with textile 2, there does.
2 That's your plugin directory, not your plugin state directory; thanks to Andy Fragen for the note.
3 This step added following Andy Fragen's difficulties -- thanks for being a guinea pig, Andy!
this is a blockquote
this ia a normal paragraph
| this is | a wiki | style table |
| with two | rows and | three columns |
Up to there, that's all textile-1 syntax too
this is a code blockthis is a paragraph with id "first"
This is code here.
bq.* Can blockquotes
* contain lists
* now?
Today is Parents' Day, 2003.
My Administration is committed to supporting our Nation's families. We are working with faith-based and community organizations to promote healthy marriages, responsible parenting, and education. And we are committed to fully funding and supporting the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, which helps strengthen family bonds, promote adoption, and provide help for vulnerable children across our country.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States and consistent with Public Law 103-362, as amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 27, 2003, as Parents' Day. I encourage all Americans to express their respect and appreciation to parents everywhere for their contributions to their children, families, communities, and our Nation. I also call upon citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities
Today is Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2003.
The Military Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953, ended 3 years of bitter warfare on the Korean Peninsula and stopped the spread of Communism in Korea, signaling to the world America's resolve to stand against tyranny and totalitarian regimes. Fifty years later, our Nation remains grateful for the bravery and sacrifice of our Korean War veterans. They defended human freedom, liberated the oppressed, and selflessly protected the democratic ideals that made our Nation strong. Their efforts reflect the honorable and decent spirit of America. More than 34,000 of America's service men and women gave their lives in battle in the Korean War. As we continue our fight to extend freedom today, we remember and honor their sacrifices and those of their families.
The Congress, by Public Law 104-19 as amended (36 U.S.C. 127), has designated July 27, 2003, as "National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day.
Although the proclamation doesn't mention it, this is the last year for National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, at least as required by law:
Designation. - July 27 of each year until 2003 is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.
Another good reason to join DOMAI -- Olianna:
Just one set so far, but we can hope.
And no, I don't get a kickback or anything.
The Pyongyang International Tribunal on US Crimes in Korea has announced its unbiased verdict!
Verdict of Pyongyang International Tribunal on U.S. crimes
Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- The international joint justice team of the Pyongyang international tribunal on U.S. crimes in Korea announced its verdict today. According to the verdict, the international joint justice team considered that all the criminal acts committed by the United States in Korea from 1945 to 2003 are grave violations of the un charter, the universal declaration of human rights, the charter and the principles of the international military tribunal of nuremberg, the codes on crimes against human peace and security, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and other international laws and regulations and principles, and held that the U.S. government should bear full responsibility for them.
The verdict reads:
1.The U.S. government and the other accused mentioned in the indictment are guilty of the charges leveled by the prosecution and detailed in the indictment submitted to the tribunal.
2.The U.S. government must make an official apology for all its criminal acts in Korea, and make due compensation for physical, mental and material losses inflicted upon the Korean people.
3.The U.S. must find out all those involved in planning, preparation, organization, instruction, execution and backing of the crimes against the Korean people, and sentence them to criminal punishment.
4.The U.S. must enact a relevant law for it to assume full responsibility for its crimes on the Korean Peninsula, and establish a special institution in congress and administration with the mandate to investigate and address this issue.
5.The U.S. government must immediately abandon its hostile policy towards the DPRK, put an end to its military threat against it, sign a non-aggression treaty with it, and settle the issue of peace on the Korean peninsula in a peaceful way through the DPRK-U.S. talks.
6.The U.S. must immediately pull its troops and all nuclear weapons from the south of Korea, and end its political pressure, economic sanctions and blockade, and psychological warfare against the DPRK.
7.The U.S. government must refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Korea, contrary to the will of the Korean people to reunify the country by the Korean nation itself in a peaceful way, true to the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
This verdict has been reached on the basis of objective and fair principles of setting up the tribunal and its procedures and the U.S. government has a legal and moral obligation to take practical measures in this regard.
Now, I know what you're thinking -- this was a show trial by a communist regime whose outcome was pre-determined. But it's not so! The tribunal was co-sponsored by the International Democratic Organizations and the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People and the presiding judge was itendra Sharma, chairman of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers. Moreover,
Speeches were made by Masataka Mori, head of a group of investigation into damage by U.S. germ warfare: Kristian Robert Carter, representative of the British Friendship Society with Korea: J. Gary Campbell, head of a delegation of the U.S. veterans' organization for the peace: Kim Jin Bom, vice-chairman of the Korean Democratic Lawyers Association: and Hussein Mujalli, representative of the Arab Lawyers Union and chairman of the Jordanian Lawyers Association.
They're democratic! They're for peace! How could they be biased?
I'm now running Blosxom 2.0 release version, with one minor patch. If you notice anything that seems broken or otherwise different, please let me know.
If you were a member of DOMAI, you could see the other 172 pictures of this lovely young woman.
If that won't convince you, I don't know what will.
teedlo asks, "I just want to know where you can get huge balloons like that. Anyone know?".
I didn't, but looking at the various looner sites gives some useful google keywords, like tuftex, qualatex and unique (okay, that one isn't actually very useful). Those take us to Balloon Lovers Corner (where they cleverly use Java instead of html for their navigation links, so your browser will run more slowly, it won't work for paranoid people, and you can't tell that those things are links until you click on them), Balloon Ideas, Big Balloon Factory, Qualatex and Prosper Balloons.
And then, of course, I remembered Ken "Тату Kissing" William's post with the scary scary picture, from Big Boys Balloons.
Lords of Acid's "I Must Increase My Bust" as on Lust
Do that thing!
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I've got to admit, I'm obsessed by tits
I've had this problems since I was a kid
I used to look up to my Auntie Marie
Cuz she had [big|three] tits hanging down to her knees
Her nipples were poking right out of her gown
If boobs could be wings she'd be flying around
As I grew older. I made up my mind
I'd get me the biggest ones I could find
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
Do that thing!
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
My ass just got big and my boobs stayed the same
I had to do something cuz I was ashamed
I filled up my bra with melons and seeds
I looked like a faggot a vamp in 3-d
The trick with the melons, a shot in the eye
Not long did I wait to catch the first guy
Of course I forgot that melons do rot
I smelled like garbage, shit warmed up
Do that thing!
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I got a new plan, the idea it's real cool
i decided to go to a gymnastics school,
there I found out that I'm not alone
suffering from this flat-chested syndrome
so when I wake up or go back into bed
I rmeember the wise words that my teacher said:
"if you want a man to drown in your lust,
you must, you must increase your bust"
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
Do that thing!
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
I must, I must, I must increase my bust
Captive Nations Week, 2003 started July 20th; the proclamation was supposedly issued the 18th but wasn't posted on the web until today.
During Captive Nations Week, first declared in 1959 as a statement against the continuing Communist domination of Eastern Europe, America expresses its dedication to freedom and democracy. While many countries around the world uphold these principles, millions of people still live under regimes that violate their citizens' rights daily. In countries such as Burma and Iran, citizens lack the right to choose their government, speak out against oppres-sion, and practice their religion freely. The despot who rules Cuba imprisons political opponents and crushes peaceful opposition, while in North Korea hundreds of thousands languish in prison camps and citizens suffer from malnutrition as the regime pursues weapons of mass destruction. Violence, corruption, and mismanagement reign in Zimbabwe and an authori-tarian government in Belarus smothers political dissent.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2003, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-determination.
Update: I think we're getting this straightened out in a way that will make everyone happy, so the rest of this post is being removed.
I asked earlier if Gray Davis could run to replace himself, if he's recalled. It turns out he can't, according to the California Contitution, 2.15.c:
The officer [being recalled] may not be a candidate,
A pretty girl is like a pretty girl
The Magnetic Fields' "Book of Love" as on 69 Love Songs (Volume 1)
A pretty girl is like a minstrel show:
It makes you laugh
It makes you cry
You go, it just isn't the same on radio
It's all about the makeup and the dancing and the "ohhh"
A pretty girl is like a violent crime:
If you do it wrong you could do time
But if you do it right it is sublime
I'm so love in love you girl it's like I'm on the moon
I can't really breathe
But I feel lighter
A melody is like a pretty girl
Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world
It's all about the way it unfurls
A pretty girl is like a pretty girl
As you know, Bob, there's an effort underway to recall California Governor Gray Davis, and it looks likely that such an election will be held this September. The question would be held in two parts : should Davis be recalled, and who should replace him? The recall question would be decided by majority vote, but the replacement question by simple plurality. That, combined with the relative ease of making the ballot (65 signatures + $3500 or 10,065 signatures) will very possibly lead to the election of a governor with a very small approval rating, possibly even lower than Davis's.
So, my question is, can Davis run to replace himself? He's apparently exceedingly unpopular, but with a fragmented opposition he might still be the most popular person in the race.
The Secretary of State's FAQ says:
Who can run as a replacement candidate?
A replacement candidate must meet existing legal qualifications and requirements to run for the office of Governor. For example, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter and otherwise qualified to vote for that office at the time nomination papers are issued.
Davis certainly meets all those requirements.
Does something actually specify that a recall-ee can't run to replace him or herself?
The Magnetic Fields' "The Things We Did and Didn't Do" as on 69 Love Songs (Volume 1)
All the things I knew I didn't know and didn't want to know
that you told me just to tell me later that you told me so
come flooding back to me now come on come on
come flooding back to me now
All the things we said you'd never say and you said anyway
the things we did and didn't do the things we did and didn't do
come flooding back to me now
The Glamour Girls of Bill Ward , a collection of some of Bill Ward's 1950s drawings, was supposed to be released this May; according to Amazon it still isn't available, but hopefully soon.
In the meantime...
There's a gallery in Brazil:
And there's a section of the Great American Pin-Up Girls gallery (which, of course, is a Russian site):
And there's a section in The Pun-up Files :
And finally, there's the official site, Women of Ward :
There are some very affordable prints available.
There's a new asian-oriented babe log called Kimochi ii?; some of my favorite pics of the first few days are below:
Not that I have a thing about boobs, nuh uh. I can't imagine why people keep saying that.
The schoolyard classic: "Tough Titty" said the kitty "but the milk's still good"
how about "OUCH!!!" - msl
yum
Well jerry he didn't always look like that but he grew up that way.
Additions, corrections, and annotations welcomed.
I've incorporated some corrections and updates into the Pan Versions list, thanks to Charles Kerr (okay, the link is a 404, but that's where his homepage would be, according to the Pan contact page).
Thanks to mskl for doing the summaries on this one! Laziness is its own reward.
So, who is that? It's Michelle Meyrink, as 88 of you knew (three within mere minutes of posting her picture. I love my readers!), either by name or by description (ie, "that awesome girl from Real Genius!").
Other semi-reasonable guesses: Drew Barrymore (37), Selma Blair (24), Melanie griffith (5), Phoebe Cates (4), Molly Ringwald (3), Jodie Foster (3), Bridget Fonda (2), Demi Moore (2), Data's daughter (1), and "the cock-suckotron pleasurebot from orbitron V" (1).
Completely unreasonable guesses included James Marsters (2) and Bob Dole (1).
And, of course, there were the persistent confusions over search box vs. who's-that box: Corina Ungureanu (4), Milosovici (2), etc.
And what's the deal with somali nudes and urdu sex stories?
Further Update: In an attempt to flush out some seach results harmful to her career, the name of the non-Barbie-Griffin woman in this saga has been 'x'ed out.
Update: I'm told by Tracy Reed, Mxxxxxxx MxCxxxx's manager, that she is not Barbie Griffin. As such, the rest of this post is being removed -- expect to see some Mxxxxxxx MxCxxxx pics back soon under just her own name.
A good example of what makes D Squared Digest such an entertaining economics blog:
I'd be interested in anyone's opinion on the subject of which is more of a stretch; to assume that a person is a rational utility-maximiser, or to assume that he's a sphere of radius a. Actually, from now on, it is probably official policy of this site that homo economicus is spherical, except in contexts where we have to work on the economics of overcrowding, in which case we'll assume he's a cuboid or other tessellating polyhedron.
Sometime in the past two months, CGI.pm got a feature I'd been carping about (but not, mea culpa, doing anything about) for a while -- it no longer tries (and fails, miserably) to parse POSTed data that's not form-encoded; it now makes it available via a POSTDATA pseudo-parameter. Not that that's mentioned in the POD documentation, mind you, but it's there.
That means that, with just a one-line change, my old XML-RPC blosxom plugin Just Works without requiring any awful awful Blosxom hacks or Perl 5.8 (but it does, of course, still require a CGI.pm upgrade for most people). And my old half-finished Blogger API plugin seems to work as well as I remembered -- at least, byline is able to post to it.
Now, I try to sleep. Maybe I'll finish up Blogger1 and MetaWeblog tonight and take a stab at the (n)Echo-API draft.
If other people want to try other Blogger clients, that'd be just fine and dandy; the RPC URL is http://molelog2.molehill.org/blox/index.xmlrpc; username 'blogger', password 'password'. You can see the results at http://molelog2.molehill.org/blox/. The Blogger API calls 'newPost', 'editPost', 'getUsersBlogs', and 'getUserInfo' are at least partially implemented. 'getTemplate' and 'setTemplate' are implemented enough to return hopefully-correct error messages that they aren't implemented.
