pure ambition

Chicken/Egg Dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:53:00 +0000

Courtesy of The Daily WTF. Thanks Seth!

The Anti-Cold

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:28:00 +0000

Whatever bug I have, it redefines "cold." Granted, with a high fever, I have been cold at times. But this NyQuil-resistant SOB also seems immune to Tylenol, Advil, and Excedrin. I'll be in quarantine if you need me...

Michael Vick Sentenced

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:19:00 +0000

In August, I felt like former NFL'er Michael Vick's sentencing day would never arrive. I don't feel the need to rehash the crimes, but you can certainly hit Google and find the gruesome details.

Today we found out Vick will serve 23 months in a federal prison. With good behavior, he'll be eligible for parole in 20 months. The sentence is delightfully longer than I expected, and preliminary reactions from animal rights groups indicate they approve as well.

The media has barely touched on what is to become of the dogs seized in the raid. I am pleased to say that 22 of the 48 dogs are on their way to the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Here, the dogs will receive the medical attention they need and be socialized until they are ready to be adopted through a rigorous screening process. Animals that may be too emotionally or psychologically damaged to ever go to a new family will have 'forever homes' at Best Friends.

Gift of Yarn

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:21:00 +0000

Today I received my Ravelry secret Santa gift. Thanks Santa in MN!

Elfster

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:05:00 +0000

If you are involved in a Secret Santa, Pollyanna, or any other type of random gift exchange this holiday season, check out Elfster. It's free, participation is unlimited, and they manage the name selection for you. In addition, your information is kept confidential, so only your "Santa" sees your address, etc. if you choose to enter that information. Elfster also includes an integrated wishlist, anonymous question-asking feature, and integration with popular search engines and websites. Here's to the fun of gifting!

"Where my stiches at?"

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:54:00 +0000

I recently started knitting and found an indispensable site, Ravelry.com. It provides knitters and crocheters a community, personalized toolbox, inspiration, and so much more. The motto: "where my stitches at?"

I'm back...

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:43:00 +0000

After many months, I'm going to get back into blogging. Don't be surprised if pure ambition has a slightly modified flavor, I'm a slightly modified person!

iWood, WoodU?

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 02:37:00 +0000

I'm enamored with these beautiful hardwood iPod cases from Miniot. Crafted from a single piece of cherry, maple, walnut, or oak, these cases are works of art for your iPod. You can order your case from Miniot. Prices start at 75€.

errorwear

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 03:36:00 +0000

This shirt gave me a little giggle when I found it. My organization has recently been struggling with many mysterious Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issues. I'd get one for each member of that project team, but somehow I don't think they would share in my amusement. $14.50 USD from errorwear.

Trans Fat Ban

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:30:00 +0000

Philadelphia has jumped on the "banned-wagon" and decided to keep trans fat out of food served in the city. I think this sort of restriction is absurd. Now, if this is what we were banning, I would feel differently!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:29:00 +0000

ASCII Star Wars

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:48:00 +0000

I'm not sure what was more fun: watching the first few minutes of Star Wars in ASCII or just tapping into it via telnet. Here's how you get there:

Open a Windows Command Prompt (Start>All Programs>Accessories)
Type telnet and press Enter
Type o towel.blinkenlights.nl and press Enter
Enjoy!

Voicemail Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:10:00 +0000

I think it's time for a new greeting on the home voicemail. Here are some ideas I got here:

You have reached the number you have dialed. Please leave a message after the beep.
Please leave a message. However, you have the right to remain silent. Everything you say will be recorded and will be used by us.
Hi. I'm probably home, I'm just avoiding someone I don't like. Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you.

Interstates - Simplified

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:39:00 +0000

If urban planners had rulers...

This cool diagram is courtesy of artist Chris Yates.

Pet Peek

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:43:00 +0000

This little window for your fence allows your pup to see who they smell on the other side. Only $30 USD for the Pet Peek.

Wishlist: Submersible Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 04:02:00 +0000

You may be wondering why anyone (or specifically I) need a waterproof cordless phone. Well, dear readers, it is because I have damaged a phone in the past by using it in moisture-rich environments (i.e. the bathtub). It still works but hasn't been 'right' ever since.

Thus, I am tempted to invest $50 USD in Uniden's Submersible 900 MHz Cordless Specialty Phone. You might be thinking, "but 900 MHz is old technology," and you would be right. I'm all about old technology, though, if I don't have to worry about it interfering with the rest of my 2.4 GHz wireless home. And did I mention it floats?!

The Microsoft Mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 03:02:00 +0000

The year was 1983: Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" topped the charts and compact discs made their debut. Also born was the Microsoft Mouse. For a mere $195, you got the mouse, Microsoft Word, and a few useless programs. Other 1983 highlights included the first juice box (Ocean Spray), Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and parachute pants.

Luckily we kept the mouse as a standard - and not the parachute pants.

via Gearlog

Vista Upgrade Flowchart

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:19:00 +0000

From one of my favorite satirical sites, BBspot. Download the .jpg or .pdf.

Happy 1st Anniversary, Pure Ambition!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:40:00 +0000

To celebrate I want to share with you a passage from Dean Koontz's From the Corner of His Eye:

“Not one day in anyone’s life…is an uneventful day, no day without profound meaning, no matter how dull and boring it might seem, no matter whether you are a seamstress or a queen, a shoeshine boy or a movie star, a renowned philosopher or a Down’s-syndrome child. Because in every day of your life, there are opportunities to perform little kindnesses for others, both by conscious acts of will and unconscious example. Each smallest act of kindness–even just words of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of a birthday, a compliment that engenders a smile–reverberates across great distances and spans of time, affecting lives unknown to the one whose generous spirit was the source of this good echo, because kindness is passed on and grows each time it’s passed, until a simple courtesy becomes an act of selfless courage years later and far away. Likewise, each small meanness, each thoughtless expression of hatred, each envious and bitter act, regardless of how petty, can inspire others, and is therefore the seed that ultimately produces evil fruit, poisoning people whom you have never met and never will. All human lives are so profoundly and intricately entwined–those dead, those living, those generations yet to come–that the fate of all is the fate of each, and the hope of humanity rests in every heart and in every pair of hands. Therefore, after every failure, we are obliged to strive again for success, and when faced with the end of one thing, we must build something new and better in the ashes, just as from pain and grief, we must weave hope, for each of us is a thread critical to the strength–to the very survival–of the human tapestry. Every hour in every life contains such often-unrecognized potential to affect the world that the great days for which we, in our dissatisfaction, so often yearn are already with us; all great days and thrilling possibilities are combined always in this momentous day."

T-Scam

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:47:00 +0000

Take one t-shirt design, add a dozen twenty-somethings, and stir in a retail store. What do you get? A great gag! Space Hijackers carried out this "project" in central London. Enjoy their pics and story here.

Buildings of Disaster

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 02:52:00 +0000

Design firm Moss brings us Buildings of Disaster. Remember some interesting moments in human history (and sometimes, stupidity). Choose from Three Mile Island, the O.J. car chase, the Watergate building, and more. Sure they're pricey, but for the twisted exec that has everything, why not?

First Class Art

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 01:33:00 +0000

This Brit didn't know his friend's address, though he did have a good idea of where he lived. The sketch above was drawn on the letter's envelope in lieu of an address and postal code. It was delivered to the correct recipient only 9 days after being mailed. As reported in The Sun Online.

Rant: New Dog Breeds

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 03:37:00 +0000

Too often I hear people say they have a 'new' breed of dog. In the past few years, we've seen the invent of the cockapoo, labradoodle, and puggle. If you ask me, the whole thing is a scheme for people to make a larger dollar on a mixed breed dog. There's certainly nothing wrong with these pups so let's love them for the mixes and mutts they are!

With that said, enjoy some selections from an article I stumbled upon, entitled Dog Cross-Breeds.

Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet
Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed
Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog
Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle
Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists
Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway
Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work
Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

Ladle Rat Rotten Hut

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 01:20:00 +0000

Around 1940, Professor H. L. Chace imagined what life would be like if we had to ration our words. If our vocabulary was cut in half, could we managed with other words? Here's an excerpt of his version of Little Red Riding Hood. Read it aloud a couple times and you'll get the hang of it!

Disk ladle gull orphan worry putty ladle rat cluck wetter ladle rat hut, an fur disk raisin pimple colder Ladle Rat Rotten Hut.

Check out more of Chace's "Anguish Languish" here.

3 People + 1 Guitar = Corporeal

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 01:12:00 +0000