No user-serviceable parts inside.
Name: The Rt Hon KJP
resistance is useless
today
July 2007
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visited *loading* times
[ houses that don't flood ]
Despite having a very very bad experience with a person from that country, I have great respect for the ingenuity of the Dutch. When it comes to efficient thinking they outrank even the Germans.
So it is no surprise to see they have solved flooding by building houses that float.
[ 42 ]
Here is some C code that defines SIX as "1 + 5" and NINE as "8 + 1", and then performs the computation "SIX * NINE". It returns the answer "42", because "SIX * NINE" is expanded by the computer to "1 + 5 * 8 + 1", and the multiplication takes precedence over the additions.
#include <stdio.h>
#define SIX 1 + 5
#define NINE 8 + 1
int main(void)
{
printf( "What do you get if you multiply
%d by %d? %d\n", SIX, NINE, SIX * NINE );
return 0;
}
Falsely assuming that the answer is indeed correct, that means that the answer to life, the universe and everything would be 42. We miss you Douglas.
[ amazingly clever music ]
This uses, of all things, MS Windows system sounds to create some interesting music. Some is reminiscent of the work of The Who (which is either an old British rock band or the creators of the theme tunes for several current TV series , or both)
While you are about it you may also enjoy Toy Noise Failing that the appropriately named http://www.iiiiiiii.com/ may amuse you for a while. If it wasn't obvious, you need sound turned on to appreciate (if that is the word) these wonderful sites.
[ complaint letter of the week]
Might be some handy phrases in here: a poor guy's story of failed technical support.
"During this three-month period I have encountered inadequacy of service which I had not previously considered possible, as well as ignorance and stupidity of monolithic proportions."
"I estimate your internet server's downtime is roughly 35%... hours between about 6pm -midnight, Mon-Fri, and most of the weekend"
"the technician did forget to bring a number of vital tools - such as a drill-bit, and his cerebrum."
"I suggest that you cease any potential future attempts to extort payment from me for the services which you have so pointedly and catastrophically failed to deliver - any such activity will be greeted initially with hilarity and disbelief quickly be replaced by derision, and even perhaps bemused "
http://www.pureesoiree.be/forum/topic.do?id=70605
[ more unusual art ]
this relies on visual puns, and the inherent sinuous form of the human body. Some borders on kitsch but in general it's clever.
[ unusual art work : art of imagination]
Some of this is good, other stuff is just high-school "fantasy world" nonsense. Talent and subsequent quality varies immensely, which perhaps highlights the issue of how some people confuse subject with talent or technique. Even the most pathetic portrait of the Sydney Swans football team would sell right now.
[ some people baffled by computer jargon ]
"From java-script and cookies to Trojan horses and worms, over two-thirds (68%) of office workers believe IT lingo is incomprehensible. And almost 32% of office blunders are caused by misunderstandings surrounding 'IT speak'."
In other news, scientists discover water is wet and it's dark at night.
Survey by recruitment consultants Computer People.
[ a comedy skit that comes close to being philosophically rigorous ]
George Carlin on organised religion.
quotes:
"You know who I pray to? Joe Pesci. Two reasons: First of all, I think he's a good actor, okay? To me, that counts. Second, he looks like a guy who can get things done. Joe Pesci doesn't ****around. In fact, Joe Pesci came through on a couple of things that God was having trouble with.
For years I asked God to do something about my noisy neighbor with the barking dog, Joe Pesci straightened that ********** out with one visit. It's amazing what you can accomplish with a simple baseball bat.
So I've been praying to Joe for about a year now. And I noticed something. I noticed that all the prayers I used to offer to God, and all the prayers I now offer to Joe Pesci, are being answered at about the same 50% rate. Half the time I get what I want, half the time I don't. Same as God, 50-50. Same as the four-leaf clover and the horseshoe, the wishing well and the rabbit's foot, same as the Mojo Man, same as the Voodoo Lady who tells you your fortune by squeezing the goat's testicles, it's all the same: 50-50. So just pick your superstition, sit back, make a wish, and enjoy yourself. "
and
" I've often thought people treat God rather rudely, don't you? Asking trillions and trillions of prayers every day. Asking and pleading and begging for favors. Do this, gimme that, I need a new car, I want a better job. And most of this praying takes place on Sunday His day off. It's not nice. And it's no way to treat a friend. "
and finally
" Overnight I became a sun-worshipper. Well, not overnight, you can't see the sun at night. But first thing the next morning, I became a sun-worshipper. Several reasons. First of all, I can see the sun, okay? Unlike some other gods I could mention, I can actually see the sun. I'm big on that. If I can see something, I don't know, it kind of helps the credibility along, you know? So everyday I can see the sun, as it gives me everything I need; heat, light, food, flowers in the park, reflections on the lake, an occasional skin cancer, but hey. At least there are no crucifixions, and we're not setting people on fire simply because they don't agree with us. "
[ mouthwash in flavours ]
Now perhaps i am being silly, but mouthwash really doesn't have flavour as one of its attributes. But HERE it does.
Sweet Almond, Darjeeling Tea, Caramel, Coffee, Pumpkin Pudding... What???
This exceeds the flavour range of condoms but there is little overlap. Moutwashes seem to go for prepared food flavours, condoms for fruit.
is that thinking i can hear?
[ Conversion to religion ]
Honestly, some people need to GET A LIFE. Though you have to hand it to these guys, they have found more ways to locate impressionable people
[ why things clump together ]
When you float say muesli on milk, the bits cling together. Here's why
A similar logic might explain why petrol stations are always clumped together, or fast-food places, or camping shops, or used-car lots. Or not.
[ Favourite Words ]
I have a few. These people have submitted theirs.
[ how to fold dinner napkins ]
Now lest ye be thinkin' that I live in a land of formality, these things appeal to me mainly as a curiousity. But the idea of folding things sometimes occupies my mind. Perhaps as a diversion.
http://www.customlinenservice.com/napkins.htm
[ cook eggs with a mobile phone ]
oh dear, I hope this DOESN'T work as shown. Give us an H. "h". Give us an O. "o" Gives as an A. "a". Give us an X. "x"
http://www.wymsey.co.uk/wymchron/cooking.htm
[ electric personality ]
This bloke started a fire with personal static electricity
[ CAUTION: this mind makes wide left turns.]
[ an infinite night sky ]
a beautiful, endless night sky, one point on the blue side of total blackness. Stars bright, whiite-hot, yet their brightness doesn't extend beyond their perimeter, they dont illuminate the black-blue. A sense of wondering who else's eyes see this same sky.
And crickets hollowly chirping below. And coldness.
[ fashion bullet-proof suits ]
From the wonderful tailor Miguel Caballero, bulletproof business suits. For the well-dressed crim about town.
The "Classic" model might be a bit coarse for normal daywear, at least where I work.
[ "Rock Paper Scissors" extended to n=15 ]
Oh my. Oh my oh my. What a concept.
[ camouflage ]
"Razzle -Dazzle"a wonderfully elegant and clever form of camouflage used in WW1, and based on cubism. This boat is one example, and a full description is here.
Hmm... elegant, clever, beautiful...needs a name. I think I have one.
