Month: November 2006

Does This Seem Weird To Anybody Else?

So the FBI raided a local man’s home and business after he allegedly sent sexually explicit photos of himself to someone posing online as a 13-year-old girl. The thing is, he hasn’t actually been charged with anything. But they decided to announce it to the world anyway.

Now I’m not even remotely condoning what this guy allegedly did, I don’t know him, nor have any interest in this at all. But does the FBI really feel the need to completely bury the guy’s reputation and business before they’ve actually filed charges? I would expect this kind of public announcement after charges have been filed, but it seems odd to me that they’re doing this without formal charges. What if all this turns out to be false and no charge is ever made? From the KTVZ.com story:

Steele acknowledged Thursday to KTVZ.com that the public announcement, without an arrest, “is fairly unusual, but because there is a concern that he worked with children, they wanted to get the information out as soon as possible.”

I can understand that, but wouldn’t it have just been easier to just subpoena his customer records from his Martial Arts Center and talk to the families before we jump to any conclusions and make a big public announcement?

Just my two cents, but maybe I’m just missing something here.

November 30, 2006

The Killer Christmas Light Guys Are Back

Remember that Christmas light display video I served last year that nearly blew up my server? The guys that created it are now available for hire to do custom light displays. Thanks Jo-anne for the tip.

On a related note, as you can see on that past entry I’ve used the YouTube version of the video, even though the quality isn’t nearly as good as the video I was serving before. While I don’t know if my site will get pummeled again with the holidays approaching, I’d like to be prepared if it does. So if you can provide a reliable mirror for the video (which will be used at random), I’d greatly appreciate it and will give you link credit on the page as well. If the load gets spread around, it certainly will make it easier on everybody involved.

Update on 12/03: Thanks to Dan, Henning and Peter, I know have the non YouTube version back up there. It’s a bit better than the YouTube version, and anybody has a BETTER version, I’ll happily post it instead.

November 29, 2006

Some People Are Such Idiots

I linked back in the day to an “elite hacker” who tried to break into somebody’s system by hacking 127.0.0.1. In a similar vein, this moron tries to steal somebody’s Steam username and password and ends up getting his own stolen instead. Thanks Jesse for the link

November 29, 2006

I’m Not Into Cars At All…

…but this BMW covered in chrome is pretty damn sweet. Thanks Barn for the tip.

November 29, 2006

Removing Those Stupid Anti-Shoplifting Ink Tags

While I’ve never had this happen to me, I’ve known people who have bought clothes only to get home and find out the nitwit clerk didn’t remove the impossible-to-remove ink tag. Thankfully, somebody figured out how to remove them. Thanks Al for the tip.

November 29, 2006

I’ve Had Those Kinds Of Mornings

With the nasty cold and snowy weather around here lately (got down below zero in Sunriver this morning), I wouldn’t be surprised if folks around here are doing this:

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November 29, 2006

Two Local Missing Snowmobilers Found, Only One Survived (Updated)

While I have to say that after 48 hours in below freezing (and sometimes below zero) weather, it’s hard to expect anything good to come out of this, but it’s still sad.

Two snowmobiles and footprints in the deep snow led searchers to a Bend father and son, missing for two days in the cold, snowy woods near Mt. Bachelor, but only the son survived, authorities said Wednesday.

Update: The deceased father is apparently still out in the woods, and they plan on getting him tomorrow after they recover from searching for the last 48 hours.

November 29, 2006

Some People Have Far Too Much Free Time

I’ve dealt with some crazy owner’s associations (they made my dad paint a basketball hoop to match the color of the house), but this is a bit nutty:

DENVER, Colorado (AP) — A homeowners’ association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.

Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs.

He said some residents believed the wreath was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.

Peace sign a sign of Satan? I must’ve missed that one in Sunday school, but there ya go.

November 28, 2006

Tired Of Telemarketers?

Try mooing.

LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters Life) – Congratulations! You can win the holiday of your dreams – a break from telemarketers — if you’re willing to moo, fake a murder scene, or follow a list of other diversionary tactics.

Those calls that always come when you’re sitting down to dinner, with a robotic script to give you the secret of solar-powered hot-water bottles, can be a thing of the past. The Web offers many escapes from what Time Magazine has dubbed one of the worst inventions of the last century.

If you’re looking for other contact information on how to get rid of telemarketers or to fight back, the most commented-on entry on this site is still getting traffic and is full of ideas and info.

November 27, 2006

Christmas Story Cingular Commercial

First off, if you haven’t seen this movie, you really won’t appreciate this commercial. If you have, enjoy this spoof that’s actually pretty well done.

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November 27, 2006