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Independence Day Revelry Commences!

irc://irc.slashnet.org/bunnies

Living in a Tourist Town: A Rant, by Lipstick Thespian, Weird Old Local Dude...

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I'm sick of living in a tiny tourist town in New England. Tired of having exactly one season where asshat college students and brain-damaged tourists aren't lining the streets. That season is winter, where the streets are paved four inches thick with snow and ice and it's freezing all the time.

I'm sick of having to walk around drunk people half my age, who are solipsistically telling their too-important life stories (i.e. "why didn't Brad call me?") into their cell phones or girlfriends ears.

I'm sick of slow, bovine visitors from Mass who don't know their way around town and who stop in large packs on the sidewalks to admire baubles and Life Is Good(tm) tee-shirts.

I'm tired of bad drivers who drive the wrong way down one-way streets and who then yell "Asshole!" at me as I use the crosswalk to get to my apartment.

I miss the anonymity of large cities that have places to go to get away from the drunk, or the visiting from out of town.

So, Get Off My Lawn and Out My Damn Town!

That is all.

Oh, hell's bells. Where is it...?

I can't find a pretty funny MetaTalk thread again. Someone, years ago, getting no responses at all on a post, got into a 'what the hey' mood and created a colloquy: the entire page is a back and forth - between one person. Does anyone know which thread this is?

Car shopping rant

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Why does car shopping have to be so freaking miserable?

And a corollary: why are car salesmen so stupidly unable to switch their tactics when their tactics aren't working?

I visited some dealerships today because, even though I wish I didn't have to, I really need to replace my beat ol' Suub with a reliable car. Now, I've done my homework. I know my hard and fast budget, I know what interest rate I qualify for, I know who's financing me, I know the Blue Book and auction rate on my trade in...basically, I know exactly what I can afford. And I know what a dealer should be able to sell me because I know the invoice prices. And yet, when I walk into the dealership and describe all this, they STILL try the shady crap! You'd think they'd recognize that I'm serious - I have a deal to offer if they have a car.

But no. They have to be all "What do you want for a monthly payment?" Doesn't matter, asshat. If the price is right the payments will take care of themselves. I don't want you sweet-talking me into something that actually costs $3000 more but doesn't feel like it because you spread the payments out. "What about these models that are totally different than what you need?" No, thanks. "Hey, it can't hurt to take a test drive!" No, thanks, I'm not looking at those, too inefficient on gas/pricey/low reliability. "How about we play with the numbers, see what we can get you in trade?" Well, I know there's no way you're getting enough from a beat-ass '99 Forester in trade to make a $17000 car magically turn into a $12000 car.

I understand they need to make a little money on a sale and I don't begrudge them that. All I'm complaining about is that they are so bludgeon-headed about reading their customer. If they'd just listen to what I'm after, and match me with something in the inventory that worked, they'd have a freaking super-easy sale. But because they are so desperate for that bonus / incentive / award / additional pocket change, they keep pushing and pushing...until there's nothing to do but just walk out.

How does this make sense? Wouldn't it be smarter of them to just efficiently get you into a suitable vehicle, lickety-split, and move on to the next sale?

The first place I went to had every sleazy trick in the book. Guy I was "supposed" to meet wasn't there (may not even exist. Then, the car I thought I was there to see had (oh, shucky darn) been sold, so coincidentally, since I called last night to check that it was still there. (Amazing, given that my appointment was 10 in the morning). The bad cop tells me thes, then I get passed off to a good-cop sales guy who'll be happy to show me some other things that he thinks I might like, and they start to try bouncing me around. The whole time talking me into purchasing new, which I have no interest doing, as it's so wasteful. When I realized they had no intention of helping me out, I just left. Which sucks, because I drove an hour to see the car they baited me with - my ideal model at a good price and mileage. Fuckers.

I had a better experience at another dealership, where the salespeople were great and listened to what I need, but when I arrived they had also just sold the car I wanted. This time I believed them, because it was sitting on the lot getting prepped for delivery and the saleperson was still working with the people. I was just a few hours too late. It was a sweet ride, too, and a great price again.The nice thing was they promised to call me if something similar came in, and didn't try to strongarm me into buying some other crap I didn't want.

Ugh. I feel like I need a hot shower now. And I'm oooonly at the beginning. I think my plan now is to start taking a more directed approach - I'm going to email dealerships directly with all my criteria, and ask them to call/email me ONLY IF they have something fitting on the lot. And right before I go see it I'm going to call and ask if they still have it. And if I get there and they don't have it, and haven't called to say so, then I'm leaving right away. And I'm going to bring everything they've sent me in email along with me, printed out.

Jesus, Lord. Can you imagine if buying groceries were like this? Or clothes? Or musical instruments?

BabbyBunButt! OMG!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3105411523_a309012999.jpg?v=0

Photo Friday: Out my window

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Sorry it's late! I'm off today and kinda forgot it was Friday.

"So that a man can stand up"

A little link-whorish, but...

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On my blog I wrote about how I did my little bit to combat homophobia, and now I'd like to hear your stories about times where you think you were able to take and make a principled stand for what you believe in.

Flyer template with tear-off tabs

Does anyone have one of these for Word they could e-mail me?

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I've googled and tried to download, but they're all zipped and wrapped up in things my Mac can't open. I'm looking to make a little babysitting flyer to hang at my church.

does debbie rowe realise the ironic implications of her shirt?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1197053/Debbie-Rowe-insists-IS-biological-mother-Michael-Jacksons-oldest-children.html

People like to use the corridor outside my office as a phone booth

so I've made a sign I think might stop them.

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Will it work?

They're coming for you, essexjan.

http://imgur.com/kpbzC.jpg

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Be very afraid.

What Kind Of Cars Should GM Make Now?

http://consumerist.com/5306714/hey-new-stockholders-+-what-kind-of-cars-should-gm-make-now

Good point. As US taxpayers now own GM, we should have a say in what type of cars they make.

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I want a Fiat Cinquecento. I had to leave mine behind in Blighty when I came to the US. It was the best car I ever had: nippy at traffic lights, could park it on a dime, got 48-50 miles to the (UK) gallon (40 mpg US equiv.) and cost less than $10,000 with power windows and central locking. And it was so cute.

Independence Day Readiness Committee

irc://irc.slashnet.org/bunnies

is meeting in #bunnies.

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So if you're off tomorrow for the holidays, stop by and give us a holler.

I AM LISTENING TO JOHN TESCH "RAP" ON THE RADIO.

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Apocalypse! Where is thy sting????!!!!

Bust size and hitchhiking: a field study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18380130

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One of many LOL research papers featured here

Above mentioned paper is here [PDF]

Cool site/project.

http://www.wastedfood.com/

That is all.

This one goes out

https://www.yousendit.com/download/cmcwN3RlZDU3N0JMWEE9PQ

to most of the customers I've dealt with over the last week. (Holiday Weekend. Retail. New York. If you've been there, you'll understand).

They don't allow you to have bees in here!

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090701&content_id=5648144&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

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Game's been delayed for nearly an hour for a swarm of bees in left field. Local Astros announcers getting VERY frustrated trying to find things to talk about. I love baseball.

Fishing for Ideas.

If you went to a local fish and lobster festival, with fishermen, vessel tours, restaurant tastings, and activities, what things would you want to see, do, understand, and experience?

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I'm on a committee planning this for my town. Thought I'd get your brilliant brains to storm for me.

In the Dreamtime of Lady Resurrection

http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/fall2007/fiction-in-the-dreamtime-of-lady-resurrection-by-caitlin-r-kiernan/

by Caitl�n R. Kiernan. For those looking for a short sweet to read, a bit of Lovecraftian licorice.

Stagger Lee:

http://popdose.com/versionalit-stagger-lee/

An interesting article about this song and the art of cover versions, plus 27 (!) versions of "Stagger Lee" available for download.

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If you've never heard Nick Cave's version, this is your chance. Don't miss it.

And now Karl Malden :(

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/07/01/GA2009070103541.html

He was rarely the star of the film, but commanded attention in any role

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Can't say it's surprising, given his age, but sad none the less. I loved him in A Streetcar Named Desire, and even more in Baby Doll. One of the fine actors of old hollywood has said goodnight.

Is it just me or does this week feel somewhat Donny Darkoish?

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What? Just me?

OMG! Axolotl!

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/07/regeneration/

Axolotl research could lead to human limb regeneration. (via nparmalee, via jhabig)

The Puppini Sisters (flash site/sound)

http://www.thepuppinisisters.com/

- A London based trio singing vocal classics and popular music with their fantastic 40's sensibility.

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Also Walk Like An Egiption and don't miss Heart Of Glass.

" I Never Want to See Supergirl's Panties Again."

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/07/let_there_be_bike_shorts_a_gee_1.html?sc=fb&cc=fp

Bumping a Greenie Over Here. . .

http://ask.metafilter.com/126302/Cellphone-Version-of-a-Hummer

Since it's not getting much attention over there.

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What cellphone do you currently have, and do you like it or hate it and why?

What is my job title?

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I'm thinking about applying for a job I found in Hamburg. It entails doing a lot of what I do now. My current job title is officially Webmaster. Well, that's what it was in 2001 when I started. It's kind of an antiquated term these days. I took assumed many other duties as time went on. I work at a very small company. In addition to maintaining our web servers and all of the content, I also maintain all of our computer and network hardware and software. This includes email server, backup system, Software licenses, printers, intranet (file servers, wikis), connectivity, etc. You know, typical company computer guy with an office in the basement kind of stuff.

I guess most people would call that a system administrator. What do you call the guy/girl in your company that does what I do? Webmaster just sounds obsolete.

pigeon at the keyboard?

I can't find an image from awhile back of pigeons (chickens?) sitting at keyboards like they're working. Anyone know which one I'm talking about?

3 Point Update - Slightly Scandalous Version!

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1. My boobies hurt.
2. I ate a hard boiled egg at breakfast. Can't keep up with eggs and their standing on the scandalous food-o-meter.
3. I have gin in my gym bag.

Bunny! OMG!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/3675665271_8afaa553b2.jpg

What made your life so much easier?

Hello all you [inaudible]!

Aviary.com

http://aviary.com

allows you to easily grab screenshots of your website. Just add aviary.com to the beginning of the URL you're viewing (e.g. http://avaiary.com/metachat.org and use the built in tools to edit and post your images.

OMG! JACABUNNIES!

http://ilikecharacters.com/2009/07/01/interview-kit-lane/

SportsFilter: Red Sox Cough Up 10-Run Lead, Lose.....and yet - there's hope...

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...in this uber-bizarro comment on the game:

"mysticsox wrote:
I'm as sick about this..haven't slept..Nietzsche said that what ever does not kill me makes me stronger.The only other metaphysical consolation I have to offer is this:This universe(15 billion light-years across,yes even at the speed of light it takes 15 bil.years to traverse)is only a drop in the cosmic ocean that is the multiverse.
During a shamanic journey,my spirit guide told me 9 dimensions were the keystone to unlocking Einstein's unified field theory. Quantum mechanics(sub atomic)combined with general relativity(E=MC2)would be a theory of everything.
With 9 dimensions the math fits and the singularity does not break down at the quantum particle level,thus also solving the Hawking worm hole paradox in one bold stroke.
My calculations have been sent to the M.I.T.boys and the Cambridge fellows.Soon you will be able to say " I knew mystic back when ".My Nobel Prize and my Linda Puzzatti await."

Happy Canada Day

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to my brothers and sisters to the Way North. What's up?

YIPPEE!

My day is going well!!!!! I�m afraid to say it (jinx it) but goshdarnit, things are going well today!!! How about the rest of the bunnies � is your day sucky or shiny?

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I wore my lucky necklace today. And, I finally slept well last night.

I opened that letter from the IRS that I�ve been afraid to open. So afraid they were auditing me, or something. Instead, they were denying my claim for some back taxes they owed me from a revised tax return. I just knew it was going to be some huge ordeal that I wasn�t up to. Sucks to not get the $, but at least I don�t have to deal with those people.

I�m going to tackle a few more difficult things today and see how it goes!

Vanity Fair profiles Sarah Palin

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/08/sarah-palin200908?printable=true&currentPage=all

Taxi Driver:

Indictment of (a) the Vietnam War, (b) New York City,

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