Explaining the "Other" Thing

Sometimes people go into way too much detail about why they can't make something.  This would work fine:

 

"Sorry, I won't be able to make lunch.  I have an important meeting that came up last minute."

 

Being nice, you might add:

 

"Sorry, I won't be able to make lunch.  I have an important meeting that came up last minute.  I really wanted to make it – I'd skip this meeting if I didn't have to make it.  I'll make it up to you…"

 

Something along those lines – letting the other person know that lunch was important to you and that you aren't just snubbing them – seems well called for.  But sometimes you get:

 

"Sorry, I won't be able to make lunch.  I have an important meeting that came up last minute.  I really wanted to make it – I'd skip this meeting if I didn't have to make it.  We're weren't supposed to have it – the whole deal was off the table but then Jim got a call from the guys over at More Important Than Lunch, Inc. and they suddenly want to discuss it again.  So Jim calls me and is like, 'Chris, we're talking to them in 15 minutes.' And Jim's really concerned because More Important Than Lunch could like bring in so much revenue and . . ."

 

And what was an apologetic explanation turns into a detailed description of just how important/interesting the "Other" thing is.  It's another way the fact that people like talking about themselves trickles into typical situations.  We've probably all done it.

Nineth

It should be spelled "Nineth" not Ninth...well...maybe people would then say "Nine - eth"

A *little* legal stuff?

I think we're going a little overboard here with "Loopt".  I remember Phil and I actually did a project along these lines for an Info Sci class - we called it "Linkables" (had a bit more to do with social networking).  Obviously we didn't actually create it - we just put together the idea for it and designed a possible interface (it was a design-oriented class).  And I think we even thought more about privacy issues that Loopt:

I ACCEPT; A little legal stuff before you finish! Loopt shows your phone's current geo-location to Loopt friends (even when the Loopt app is not open). Click ACCEPT to consent to: (a) the use, display, & disclosure of your phone's location to provide Loopt to you & your Loopt friends, geo-tag your messages & content, and otherwise as in Loopt's Privacy Notice; (b) receive text messages; (c) pay carrier data, messaging, & other charges or fees from Loopt usage; and (d) Loopt's TERMS OF USE & PRIVACY NOTICE, which is a binding contract between you and Loopt.

Yeah, you know, just a little legal notice that all your "friends" will know exactly where your phone is even when you're not running our application.  Ridiculous.  Combine this with using Twitter and you life is literally public.

Cleverest Headline of the Day

The "iPocalypse"

WordPerfect is far from Perfect

Maybe I'm just used to Word, but each little difference is really annoying me.  All the Word shortcuts seem to make more sense - basic things I want to do are not possible or I have to switch them.  Bullets/Numbering is stupid, footnote shortcut key needed to be inserted (which required far too many menu clicks to do), the track changes thing is way worse than Word, control+delete and control+backspace are not as intuitive, Word Perfect has already crashed on me a few times (maybe just my computer - but everything has run fast and fine), etc.  Even the fact that the default cursor is ready to place a tabbed space wherever I click is stupid.

Oh, and it won't open separate documents in the taskbar like with Word (they're separate documents within the program).  So, unlike with Word where I can alt-tab my way through open documents, I have to point and click at the bottom of the program.  There's probably a way to switch but a) it should not be that by default and b) if I can't figure it out in a minute or so then it's stupid.

This is like the only-pro Microsoft thing I'll write - Word is far better than WordPerfect.  I'm sure there are plenty of pros about WP that I don't know about, but for basic document stuff that I and everyone else at the office is doing, why don't we just use Word?  Not to mention everyone else in the entire universe does - even if WP was slightly better than Word, that compatability issue alone should justify using Word.

Ironic

Google News headlines right next to each other:

Zambian President Mwanawasa Is Alive, Government Says (Update1) Bloomberg
Zambian president Mwanawasa dies in Paris hospital Times Online

How you handle a telemarketer

"But wouldn't you consider this offer a good deal?"
"What I consider you is annoying. Do not call back." [hangup]

-fellow ESAer gets the job done.

You've Been Communicated!

Derek Jamison,

You have been communicated!

It's interesting how people choose to communicate to each other digitally today. Like when you would use a facebook message as opposed to a wall post or an email or an IM or a call. That got me thinking that there is a ridiculous amount of ways to communicate to someone instantly.

So, I decided to instantly communicate to Derek Jamison through 20 different relatively simultaneous (arguably) distinct digital actions. Admittedly, a bunch can obviously be grouped together, but at least they are each distinct in that they are separate actions that will each to communicate to Derek in some form or fashion. Maybe it's an interesting take on digital communication today (or completely stupid), but I also thought it would be pretty funny to bomb him with messages from every angle.

I call it to "communicate someone."

The List:

- my blog post (technically didn't notify him but probably showed up on his RSS feed)
- comment on his blog
- email to his 1st email address
- email to his 2nd email address
- email to his school email address
- email from a different email of mine to his 1st email address
- email from a different email of mine to his 2nd email address
- email from a different email of mine to his school email address (stopped with this line after this one)
- IM
- facebook note with him tagged
- facebook message
- facebook poke
- facebook wall
- facebook photo tag
- facebook event invite (to the You've Been Communicated! Party)
- facebook group invite (to the I Like to Communicate! group)
- google calendar event invite
- cell phone call
- text message
- yahoo! group invite to the "I Like To Communicate" group (kinda represents any online "invitation" you could make)

(so they might not all be able to communicate the same types of messages, but I think the idea still makes sense, right?)

and as a bonus - I told Joni to tell Derek he's been "communicated"

Russert was the Man :0(

Very simply - I always got the impression he was a good, honest, hard-nosed journalist.  Cared about the average Joe.  Talked about his humble roots without the snobbish wink-wink of "but really I'm a sophisticated elitist."  Seemed like a good family man.  And of course, no Washingtonian talked or cared more about Buffalo than Russert.  He was the real deal.  Unbelievable news.

Imagine That

"Imagine all the people
Sharing all [at least some of] the world[s]."

ID Evolution and Copyright, can it get any better?

Great Addon

Just added this puppy...I like it...now a more convenient way to waste time!

Jellybean Intellidispenser

Imagine walking up to a machine, selecting the combination and ratio of jelly beans you'd like (select either popular mixes, like The Landrimix, or customize it yourself) and then having your bag filled with the perfect combination of jellybeans.

Or you could order such a bag online.  And not just limited to JellyBeans.

Think big, people, think big.

2nd LandyMan

The Land Rover LandyMan.  He's older but I still claim prior ownership of LandyMan.  Someday he may find this blog and challenge this claim (and likely win), but until then, I am LandyMan, and he shall be LandyMan LR.

Plus, if the "LandyMan" comes from Land Rover, I say Landrigan trumps Land Rover.

A needless mouse click

Why do websites do this so often? It took me a second, but i noticed that the "features" section changed depending on what you click.  Well just let me customize that in your home page if I want to.  I don't think I've ever used one of these option effectively - I'll find what I want to find on your homepage.  And if your homepage doesn't have an easy link to whatever I'm looking for, change your homepage.  ESA doesn't ask "Are you a game publisher? Are you a consumer? Are you an ESA Employee? Are you here to complain about Grand Theft Auto?"

Sorry designers, it's stupid.


And for me, I know enough to just not care.  But for people like my dad, he'll sit there and read the options, think about it, then select the right one.

Buffer Zone of Decision-Making

I was talking on my cell phone when I went into Dunkin Donuts today.  Not wanting to be that guy who stands in line on his cell phone, I walked in and stood far away from the line near the doors.  I wasn't even close to the cash registers.  Apparently having nothing to do, the person at the register leaned over the register and called over to me: "Hello, how can I help you?"  I smiled and pointed politely to my phone into which I was clearly talking.

Though this particular odd situation hadn't happened to me before, it reminded me of the times when you're standing in front of the billboard menu trying to think of what to order and you get hit immediately with the "What would you like today?" question.  Now, if someone is behind you - I agree you should be ready to order or get out of the way - that's how fast food works.  But if you're just walking in and not in front of anyone, you should be allowed a buffer zone of decision-making.  I've definitely found myself awkwardly trying to read to just read the menu/decide without signaling I'm ready to order.  This usually includes standing a bit back from where you'd normally order, looking strictly above the register at the menu making no eye contact with the employee, and putting a very quizzical almost confused look on my face (as if I've never seen a sub menu before).  Even these gestures still often fail to signal indecision.  I'm calling for a clear buffer zone.

Come on now Facebook

I didn't notice this until now, but in some stupid application requests, they actually send you a "message" from the friend?

"Hey you'll really enjoy this game! It's like so rad and this is really your friend specifically typing this message with particular details about playing this dumb game!  Doesn't it make you want to add it?  Yeah, I know I'm a friend that hasn't talked to you in a while, or maybe I am a close friend but it kinda doesn't sound like what I'd normally type, but hey - I really mean it!"

Join the Comment Train!

With this post I am commenting on Doug Feaver's comments on comments (online posters) on comments (Peter Slevin and Darryl Fears article) on comments (Obama's) on comments (Rev. Wright's).

I suppose this is a communication major's dream? Or just awful journalism (yet still top link in Google News).

Join in the adventure!

Bills on Monday Night!

Cleveland's going doooooooooooooooown

Yet another example...

How is this news? This is just copying and pasting anonymous comments posted to news stories...it's not even as reliable as someone calling into a radio show.  And it's not like I'm hunting for this...this was the top link on a Google News Headline...

Stupid H&R Block

So I unsubscribed to receiving H&R Block's emails and, as many other organizations do, they told me it would take 5-7 days to process this request.  Well that's funny, when I signed up it took them a few seconds to start sending me emails.  Gee, I know deleting is such a harder function then adding, but come on now...

Second complaint: there is no easy way to just delete my account with their service.  I had signed up for their tax service, then switched to a different company, and wanted to delete my account with them.  I'm sure there is a way, but I couldn't find it in the couple minutes of checking.  It's absurd.  Especially when you're receiving sensitive data like that, you should have a very easy and straightforward way to delete everything you sent them.  But no...no retaining your customer because he can't find the "delete account" button is much more important.

Junky Punks.  That's right, I said it.

No need to be skimpy

I think the whole procedure for weighing the amount of meat to put in a sub is fundamentally misunderstood by some places.  I feel it should be a bar for how much you need to have in the sub.  It's way for me to know that you're giving me a at least a standard amount.  Anything above is a nice gift from your organization to me, and I appreciate it.  But I do not appreciate you weighing the amount of meat, realizing it's like an ounce over the "standard" and taking a juicy, amazing slice off the pile.  And doing it in front of me.  Is it really necessary?  Look, I understand that you over time giving a slice over the "limit" will cost your business a little bit of money, but right now, all I'm seeing is you taking that off the pile that is being advertised as soon to belong to me.  Originally, you thought that whole pile was about right for the sandwich...and I agreed.  Now, we're at a disagreement - I still concur with your original estimation.  You can't go back...

No one scoops some ice cream then shaves off a little bit if it's a bit too big.  Don't take the slice away.  Just let her ride...it's going to be ok...you won't be fired and I will be happy.


Otherwise, you will get Landriblogged.


(Landriblogged? yes/no? I like it)

Wow...America is boring...why can't our elected officials be this...awesome?

This parliament discussion in New Zealand worth the time to read...get through the first couple paragraphs and then it kicks in...trust me

And don't worry, the copyright law is not the focus.

Google - Apply [lips] Directly to My Buttocks

Google - I hate your search results, but I love your email

Screw you Google and your putting this "Landyman Luke" and his Land Rover Forum posts above LandyMan Land in your search results. LandyMan Luke...seriously? Landrathetic.

News flash to "madmatt" - know one cares about you wanting to "rewire all [your] auxilary lights...using Busbars to take earths back to battery etc" other than this LandyMan Luke and his not-as-cool-as-the-real-Merlin Merlin Power Store. What does that even mean? And 7 Question marks in your title doesn't make your question any more interesting and/or deserving of a number one Google search result. And using the word "Power" doesn't make something automatically cool.

Clearly my post about your post is far more deserving of such fame.



(note - if you, LandyMan Luke or madmatt, ever actually read this post - i'm a jealous/sarcastic idiot and have to actually give props to anyone using the name LandyMan...use it well, my friend, use it well...)

I Don't Need a Receipt for a Donut

I give you the money, you give me the donut. End of Transaction.

So True.

Delivery Tipping

So a bit ago I only tipped the person who delivered two bags of lunch to our work a few dollars (maybe like 5 or something) - I was basing it off of what I'd give a pizza delivery guy or something.  The person I went down with was surprised and said he always tips like at least 10%-15% of the meal.  I said "for delivery??" He said yes.  I said that makes no sense - you give a percentage tip for when someone waits on you - not when someone delivers to you.  For delivery, I just tack on some extra money depending on how much the person had to carry, etc.  But it's not a percentage of the meal...

The rest of the office seemed split - specifically, my boss agreed with me, the receptionist agreed with the other guy.

And besides just generally making sense, another argument I made was that according to the "percentage," the pizza guy gets shafted while your couple bags of this food gets way more money.  Makes no sense.

Agree/Disagree?

The Face of a Guy Who Saves the World

So supposedly according to some here at ESA, I look like this fellow on the cover of BlackSite: Area 51. One thought it looked like an older me...or my dad (who visited once and this lady is like obsessed with him).

I'm not quite sure I see it...but I could see my face being used as the face of a dashing, muscular military hero


Can't You?...

"Hi Mom, and may it please the court"

So I was annoyed that all the study rooms were taken and there was no place to practice my closing argument, so I was walking around...but it was annoying to just think the stuff in my head - wanted to try it out loud...and not look like me be crazy.  Then, I got an idea! Use my cell phone as if I was in a conversation...but really just be practicing my speech.

After the first person past me while walking...I realized this one of the worst ideas I've had.

Who is to blame?

According to a survey reported in this article, many parents "know little or nothing about a ratings system designed to tell them whether video games are age-appropriate for their children."

Then the writer asks, "So, who's to blame for the lack of ratings awareness reported in the survey?"  And later suggests retailers need to do more to help parents.

What do parents want? Each game has a clear label...there are actually 6 ratings (even more than movie ratings), and I'm not sure how you could be any clearer, for example:

TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

Would you like a retailer to hold your and your kid's hand as you walk through the game aisle and read the labels to you? Would you like the retailer to give you a summary of each and every game on the shelf?  Is it that hard to figure out that something like "MANHUNT" or "Grand Theft Auto" are more violent than "SimBunnyRabbits" or "TommyTheTeachingTrainTeachesTinyTots!"

Or are you just letting your kids buy whatever they want and not taking two seconds to read the stupid box?

The Internet...on TV!!

I love how when news programs show a video, picture, news article, etc. that is hosted on a website, news programs can't simply show the information - they have to let you know it has been gathered from the "Internet." They usually put some cheesy "laptop" graphic and then show the actual information inside that graphic...

So, I propose that the Internet should also let users know when something is gathered from TV...I'm thinking:

What do you think?

Since when are "posters" news sources?

Is anyone else getting tired of this?  I don't care what JimBob9876 thinks or what I<3Lavar22 is commenting about.  I've already commented I don't care what viewers of Jack Cafferty think, but at least that's the whole point of the show.  I'm talking about someone reporting news - in writing/online/TV - and then suddenly they quote some stupid post someone made on an article/myspace page/etc. as actual news. 

You're reporting the news - you aren't a stupid, ranting, rambling blog.

Derek Speaks the Truth

Credit Cards...so much potential...such a sad reality

"The Hurt Ankle"

Nearly every athlete has performed this maneuver, even if it's without realizing it.  All the person needs is a slight excuse of pain or disruption.  The act involves the nonverbally implying that an error or loss in a certain activity (generally in a game) was affected by some specific pain or disruption.  For instance, let's say I've just gotten my hit blocked in volleyball.  It could have been for a number of reasons- I hit into the block, I hit it out, my approach was bad, or maybe the block was just a strong one.  But since I've been having a little trouble with my ankle, let's say, I'll look down at my ankle and twist it around and maybe give a little wince.  I'm, of course, implying that my ankle had something to do with me not getting the block – taking some of the pressure of my mistake, but it reality it had absolutely nothing to do with it. 

(From the LandriGallagher Vault)

Judg[e]ment of English Language

We're stupid...a simple acknowledg[e]ment that there is no reason to drop the "e" in "judgment" and it continues to constantly annoy me as I continue to constantly misspell it. Why isn't it mispell? or mispel? If you're concerned about the integrity of keeping "spell," let's be more concerned about the integrity of "judge" and "acknowledge." They're getting the shaft.

Oh, and we don't want to infringe on "infringe" when we write "infringement." So every time I have to give an acknowledgment of a judgment in a copyright infringement case, I get annoyed.

And for those interested in its origins.

Sky & Crocs = Blue

Oh yeah, you know it. It was socks n' crocs today folks.

The Put In On Your Bed Theory

You know what never works but always seems like it's a great idea at the time? Putting something on your bed because it will "force you" to take care of it/put it away before you sleep.  And no matter how many times I simply remove it from my bed and place it on the floor, desk, dresser, chair, etc. when I am tired, I somehow always still think it'll be effective next time...

Come on now France...

"In order to facilitate the fulfilment of the preliminary formalities for the implementation of the
processing of personal data..."

Reading this for work.  Really no other way to word these things? It's not impressive, it's annoying.

The Amazing Disappearing Pen Cap

What is it with pen caps and their ability to travel miles away from the spot you dropped them and hide in the only place you can't see?  You start to think you're going crazy - "I did just drop this right here, right? I didn't throw it across the room...I'm looking at the only place it could have landed and I'm seeing nothing."

Or the times when it drops in the perfect angle where you can't see if from where you're sitting...or crawls under your backpack...

A conspiracy, I say.

Definitely not out of a movie

I read "spectacular" in the first paragraph about this huge art robbery and got excited - but then I realized it was only spectacular because of how spectacularly pathetic the security was.  I think it might be harder to rob a convenience store if the cashier is having a bad day.

Arresting Development

Would be better than a banger in the mouth.

Whatchya Want On Dat Cake?

The WalMart Cake

Out of a Movie

In short, this guy at church explained that he and his wife were recently driving down a highway when they saw what appeared to be an accident that just happened.  He got his wife to stop the car and he ran across 4 lanes to get to the vehicle.  The car was flipped on its side with a woman trapped inside.  As he tried to figure out how to get her out, he notice that a small fire had started in the back seat.  By this time, another man had run over to help him.  They began to pound on the glass to be able to reach in and grab her - he said you'd never believe how hard it is to break that glass - and after ripping their hands breaking and pulling apart the glass, he reached in and pulled her out (he said it was a good thing she was a skinny lady).  10 seconds later the car exploded.  And he showed the pictures - completely in flames.

Crazy stuff.

LandyMan Land Rocks Google's Earth

Google knows Sweetness when it sees it.

Propelled by Jackson's endorsement on my facebook note, Google has deemed LandyMan Land fit to occupy the top slot when its exact name is searched for.

You can't stop this LandriTrain.

Your Anonymity is now Protected

thepowerfunk: I tried to leave a comment on your blog
thepowerfunk: ironically I was denied cause I couldnt do it anonamously
thepowerfunk: you'd think a left wing hippie like one supporting stanford would allow for constitutionally protected anonymous free speech
thepowerfunk: you'd think I could spell
thepowerfunk: you were rong