Everybody Wants To Be My Neighbour

I happen to come home from work today, and as I usually do, get my trusty little iPod touch to connect to my Wifi network (will not do this anywhere else; too scared about unsecured wifi no matter what) and find a rather interesting email today posted from "Rogers Wireless":

It seems Mr. Rogers thinks I'm a valuable customer, and feels I must buy one of his iPhones from him.  (I blocked out the number to call, because, who knows, that number could well be exclusive to my falling for the bait.)  Wow, I'll be rush-delivered this new prized technology from Cupertino, as long as I act before Tuesday.  I should feel so honoured.  Until, of course, I read the end of said "exclusive offer."  Get a load of this!

MINIMUM TWO IPHONES?!?!  WTF?!?!   It's bad enough how much ONE of these things cost through Mr. Robbers' Neighbourhood (quick primer: $200/$300 for the phone depending on storage size, 3 year contract that's at a MINIMUM of $80/month for the cheapest voice and data plan, and trust me, you'll eat up that data within a day or two.) There is NO unlimited data plan with Mr. Rogers, and of course you'll be subject to a whole multitude of sneaky fees (my favourite is the $6.95 "system access fee." which of course is not stated up front and you'll only find that out squinting through the fine print, or scratching your head what this charge is on your phone bill.) BUT TO HAVE TO BUY AT LEAST TWO OF THEM??? Don't even ask how much caller ID costs, and I don't even dare want to know what visual voicemail will set you back with these rat bastards.

Aren't you glad Rogers is the only GSM network in Canada, and therefore the only ones that can offer you Mr. Control Freak's object of technolust?  Me neither.

Update: Twinkle Didn't Crash!

I actually got to post that last tweet! Hurray for little miracles. Thanks for reading.

I Tweet, You Tweet, We All Tweet...

I'll admit it. I'm addicted to Twitter. Ever since I first heard about it on many a tech podcast, and wondered "why bother?", the Lure of the Temptress got to me, and signed up a few months back. Hell, if you're completely disturbed, you can follow me by clicking on that link on that right pane over there, or perhaps clicking here.

But that's not just the point of this blog post. I'm also here to talk about a couple of apps that have made the Twittering experience a bit more jovial - for those times I've sat outside stealing Wifi from elsewhere to my reliable iPod. Without further adieu...
First off is Twitterific (link to app store). Makes me want to actually tweet something when I'm not in front of my computer. I have many kudos for this app, except the fact that if you like it to not display ads or nag you when you want to change settings, you have to shell out $15. While this is a fine app for what it does, I don't think it's worth that kinda money for just doing what I could have simply done with twitter on the browser. Sure, the addition of letting you add geo tags to your tweets is nice, but then again, there's something that does a better job...
But then along came Twinkle (link to App store). And yes, I really, truly, truly want to love this app. It uses geolocation in a sweet way - to find others near you. It also lets you attach photos stored in your photo library on the phone/pod (or whatever else you decided to snap whilst browsing). And you can't complain about the price (exactly zero dollars, pounds, euro, yen, or whatever currency you currently use.) But alas, this thing is chock-full of bugs! I barely had enough time to snap that screen before the thing crashed on me. I don't know, I really like this app, but it's not all that useful if it keeps crashing on you!

But I will continue to tweet. With my trusty iPod. Even if it means going back to the mobile page.

Update: They still don't want my portrait of Sir John A MacDonald

But at least they're kind enough to pop up this alert box after I feverishly continue clicking on that "Learn More" button. Haven't seen this yet. Maybe it was a secret push Apple did after a few gazillion clicks. Strange how it was relatively pain-free this morning to get the iTunes 7.7 update. But this is ridiculous.

Doesn't Apple Want My Ten Bucks?

No doubt enough of you have been clicking feverishly on that "Learn More" button today (those of you with iPod touches that is, yearning for that new 2.0 firmware update.) Only to return you to your iPod screen in iTunes. Hey Steve, ever think of allocating a few more servers to firmware updates on day one? Especially when you have the gall to charge us for them now? Or do I have to go arr ... arr ... arr'n for the leaked .ipsw file (which no doubt I'd get a lot faster, and save the ten bucks in doing so.)

C'mon, Steve Nazi, let me give you some more of my money. Or is my money not good enough for you?

Shit, piss, cunt, fuck, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits

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Methinks iTunes is trying to tell us something...

When I got home today, I do what I usually do: turn on this stupid computer, get the iPod out of my pocket, and get it to charge/sync with iTunes. Anyone who owns one of said devices knows that when its syncing, the screen will show you if your firmware ("iPod software" as Apple will say) is up to date and will check again at a certain date. Of course, you could force it to check right now, and what usually happens when you do so if that if it doesn't find one, it will refresh the "I'll check myself" date for a week later.

So, without further aideu, I tried to force said update just now (Jun 08/08) to find that:


So what you may ask? The so what is that once I clicked OK and saw my iPod there again in iTunes I discover that something didn't change:





Sorry if this image above isn't clear - this is what I get for playing cut 'n paste with ALT-PrintScreen and Microsoft Paint. Maybe I should've used Live Writer to post this rather than the default editor in Blogger. Awell, methinks you see the point if you squint real good - or click on the image - that auto-update still reads 09/06/2008 (June 9 to anyone American who would think it'll check sometime in September.).

What are you saying here, Steve? A new firmware update tomorrow? Looks like your own software's just spilt the beans. Thank you.

I drank the Kool-aid. And it only made my wallet sick

I love this new toy of mine. Now all I gotta do is get around to jailbreaking it. Thank you, Control Freak Steve Jobs for making this a bit more complicated. And also thank you for steering me over to WorstBuy to buy it - seeing as your Taj Mahal outlet (link is the store I went to) wants to charge $50 more for the same bloody thing! What's the deal with that?

But I will admit one thing - it's the most fun I've had with something in my pocket.

"$ci€nto£og¥" - Do I Get A Cookie?

I thought someone on this planet must have done this depiction of the Registered Trademark of the evil cult before I did in my last blog post.

But Googling said word says otherwise.

Now I feel special. Though I did see said word on protest signs during the Feb. 10 demo.

Hope to see more March 15.

(Expletives Deleted)

DAMN IT! Why didn't I know about this sooner?

The two biggest nutjobs in Hollywood in town, and me not knowing about it? No, I'm not talking about Hillary's whore, nor that swish Elton. I'm talking about those two prime $ci€nto£og¥ members: Tommy and Johnny.

It would have been great if I have had known about this. To have been able to say "hi" to them as they walked into the dinner reception (which I did know was at the Westin Harbour Castle, but didn't know of all the celebrities showing up.) Maybe if I had the chance to meet them, I could have had a chance to ask them about Xenu, or Lisa McPherson, or Shawn Lonsdale. Of course, given the chance, they would have suck their $ci€nto£og¥ guards on me, but at least I would have had that shot.

Beware the Ides of March.

It's official - we Canuks are blind!

...and not just in the figurative sense (just look at who we elect into office, especially here in Toronto!)

But I just had to point this out, because I wanted to. I've been playing with my Wii now for about a month and it's still yet to collect dust, unlike most of the other game systems I even owned over the years. I bring your attention to the "Everybody Votes" channel - all you Wii owners know about it, if not, you either don't own a Wii or can't read this, or either. It's simple enough - answer one way or the other to a basic, non-political question, only to feed Nintendo's interest a little more, make them target ads your way via WiiConnect24 (as if you didn't think they would? Stay tuned!) But the results are now in from their last worldwide poll. The question: "Do you wear glasses?" OK, pretty basic, but check these two pics out:


Even though I'm four-eyed, I pretty much figured out most of the rest of the world either doesn't need them, got contacts, laser eye surgery, or are lying. Check out my stupid mii down there (he would be jumping like he's just lost his virginity if this were a video, if you know anything about this channel if you got a prediction right.) Please don't chastise me for my lousy recreation of myself.

But this is what I couldn't believe, once I clicked on the breakdown by country: It seems as though we are in more need in visual aids than any other country. Just thought I'd point it out. Why? Because I needed something to update this blog with.



If you found this at all as interesting as I did, may I suggest locking yourself in your garage, close the door, start your car, and sit there until the funny gases put you into a permanent sleep.

Looks like Nintendo loves to rub it in...

I couldn't help but notice this, now that I've got my Wii working fine online:

If you've been on the Wii News Channel of late, it seems Ninty's doing a fine job in ensuring any bad publicity about other game platforms make their way into the headlines. Today I see two articles in the Technology section about Microsoft's problems with the Xbox 360 - one about their announcement that they're going to take a billion USD hit to extend warranties from 1/2 to 3 years on their consoles, and another about Microsoft not admitting the real problem about their boxes - that they've rushed them out the door in late 2005, not realizing the potential of overheating.

Good old Nintendo. Not the company that would rub salt in the wounds of the competition, now, wouldn't they?

Wow! I actually FOUND one.

No, not one of those iPhones I couldn't care less about. Not only because they're not available here in T-dot, but who, other than those who'd do Steve Jobs' bidding, could really justify spending $600 on a device that's inferior to any Palm or Blackberry (which at that price wouldn't stifle you with a two-year, $60/month data plan, and PRAY you're not browsing the web away from an unlocked wi-fi connection else you'll be paying for what, 40kpbs access at how much per minute?) Never mind, I'll stay away from that.

What I'm really amazed about is that I actually, today, no shit, on a Saturday afternoon, actually, really, truly found a place in town that ACTUALLY had a Wii for sale. In fact, I was amazed that the local Best Buy had quite a number of them, and proudly had some hand-made sign on the front door proclaiming as such (seeing as the Wallyworld next door didn't have any in sight.) Now if only I wish I would have known one thing about them: if you're using ZoneAlarm as a firewall, and buy that USB Wifi connector to share your PC's internet connection with your Wii, you're like screwed. Unless you disable the firewall, which of course potentially screws your computer. And why can't Ninty write a Vista-compatible front-end for this thing? Going back to XP to keep my Wii happy ain't cool. Mind you, I should have just bought a freakin' router... except I would have needed to find a place to plug it in (the Wii just ate up the last available plug on my power bar. Shed a tear for me...)

But don't get me wrong - I truly am impressed by this thing. About as much as I was back when the N64 first came out almost 11 years ago. Of course then I got lucky and found an EB that were selling them a day earlier than they should have - no preordering necessary, just pay and go - and I got to brag about it. Now all I need are a few more games. Once I figure out how to keep a firewall going and still let my Wii stay connected. Without running to the Best Buy again to buy a router.

How did she get out of Mr. Slave's Ass?

Like, seriously, I'm still trying to comprehend how this Stupid Spoiled Whore manages to keep herself in the news. Crying for mommy when your little bribe to that L.A. sheriff didn't work? Aww... poor baby.

Though I do love this game:

Happy New Year (albeit 4 months late)

Wow. It's been awhile since I last posted something to this blog. So lets see, what can I bitch about?

Can I bitch about this wonderful new operating system of Microsloth's? I'm sure you already know about it.

Can I bitch about this beautiful internet provider? Most people already know about that.

Can I bitch about my Leafs, once again not providing me with at least one hope of seeing them hoisting Lord Stanley's Mug before my own eyes?

Or should I just shut up now, and perhaps watch the Raptors make it past a playoff round?

I think I need another beer. Later, boys and girls.

It's been awhile...

... and I still sit and wonder to myself "why do I put up with the world I live in?"

So the loony-lefty LIEberals are trying to find themselves a new leader today. So far the lunatic fringe is leaning toward someone who hasn't even lived here in 30 years, teaching some lib-leaning crap in some Ivy League school, finding his way back here and becoming an instant MP. Sorry Iggy, you shouldn't have even been elected MP last election. Alas, there are too many brainwashed Lib-leaning pinkos living around here, so I can only shake my head and wish I didn't live here.

But on a lighter note - how 'bout those Leafs? OK, best I become more depressed talking about the LIEberal convention.

My new anthem

It just seems too fitting...

The Return of His Weirdness!

Ahh, the 80s. When you'd be glued to (not)MuchMusic and come across a Weird Al video. One thing that must be said - he had a certain pinache for making his stupid parodies work on-screen. Then came the 90s, when the videos got even better ("Amish Paradise" ruled! So did "Bedrock Anthem".)

But then came the 2000s, and Al videos became an afterthought. At least on (not)MuchMusic, where it used to be that whenever Al came up with a new album, he'd get 2 hours or so to plug it on "Al Music" (yes, I know it was a blatant ripoff of what he did on MTV, with "Al TV".)

The last album I remembered from him was "Running With Scissors" back in 1999, which was lame compared to his previous 90s efforts. "The Saga Begins" just never worked for me, although "Alberqurque" was kinda cute in a long-winded sort of way. (And you don't have to tell me about "Poodle Hat" - I know he did an album since, but I never heard one track or saw one video from it.)

Then yesterday I stumble around ytmnd.com (Why? Don't ask) and hear a clip from his latest track. Which of course, became a Google quest for more. How ironic a title for a tune that's being encouraged to download at will: "Don't Download This Song." Clever marketing ploy, Al - makes me want to buy your new CD. All you have to do is tell me where the slot is on my iPod to play it %]

If you haven't heard the track yet, head for dontdownloadthissong.com and download your own copy. While you're at it, check out the video too: at least in this day and age, we don't have to sit around and wait for (not)MuchMusic to air it. It's on Yahoo - a place normally avoided by me, except that it's the only place I found the video, which is hilarious, I'll add - good to see Al back.

What to talk about today...

Beirut's being turned into another crater. I'm sure you already know about that. What else to talk about today? Nothing. I'm just going to sit here and rant about absouletly nothing. Not into talkbing squat tonight. So blah blah blah, what a waste of a couple hundred bytes.

It's Friday - Time To Get Lucky!

Hot night here in Tranna. Fuck yeah, it's one hell of a hot one.

Here are my two suggestions to survive a hot night like this:

1: A fridge full of beer
2: The A/C cranked to the max.

On a night like this, methinx I'll stay cocooned in this well-cranked A/Ced house. And sit in front of this computer and go on either PokerStars or Score Poker. You can find me on either site as fafaflunkie. Will I win? Probably not - I stink online. At a real poker table, however, that's another story. I'll get into that a little later. (Fuck, I'm rambling big time here, ain't I?)

Hope to see someone I know online. Perhaps you? TIme to win...