the old normal

demand or speculation? you decide…

imnotjesus — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:55:55 +0000

This article postulates that a sharp drop in oil prices is attributable to consumer demand changes. But does this actually make sense? Weren’t speculators to blame only a week ago? Does anyone have any clue as to what’s really going on?

The good news, i guess, is that people seem to be driving less. Of course, this turns out to be bad news for our roads. Talk about policy unraveling in the face of crisis. This isn’t over, folks. I’ll try to keep you, dear reader, posted on the latest insanity.

hot cocoa

imnotjesus — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:31:21 +0000

I haven’t posted in a while because, frankly, i’ve mainly been working on homework and learning cocoa. i have some grand plans that i’ll be more willing to share when they are a little better baked. at this point, let me just say that i’m excited to be writing software again.

this does not mean that i’m giving up my day job. instead, i’m trying to find ways to make the two work together in the long run, as economists would say. i guess in a way i’m hedging my bets in case i don’t find a suitable tenure track position in an area i actually want to live. i am dreading the process of seeking such a job, even in the best of locations.

i realize this post is unusual compared to most of my others, but i felt i needed to update with something and i didn’t have much else to contribute at this point. the books i’ve been reading lately haven’t been anything too inspiring, but none of them have been terrible either. i’m just a little more focused on my latest obsession. back to xcode!

Can you handle it (the truth)?

imnotjesus — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:20:24 +0000

I just received this email from a really trusted friend. He wouldn’t speak anything but the truth. Pass this along to 10 more friends or your family, including your dog/cat/snake, will die in a plane crash. Even if you don’t fly anywhere, you will still die as a plane will come after your house. You should know by now no one is safe from airplane attacks.

From: [Redacted]

To: [Redacted]

Subject: WHO IS BARACK OBAMA?

There are many things people do not know about BARACK OBAMA. It is every American’s duty to read this message and pass it along to all of their friends and loved ones.

Barack Obama wears a FLAG PIN at all times. Even in the shower.

Barack Obama says the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE every time he sees an American flag. He also ends every sentence by saying, “WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.” Click here for video of Obama quietly mouthing the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in his sleep.

A tape exists of Michelle Obama saying the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE at a conference on PATRIOTISM.

Every weekend, Barack and Michelle take their daughters HUNTING.

Barack Obama is a PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. He has one HAND over his HEART at all times. He occasionally switches when one arm gets tired, which is almost never because he is STRONG.

Barack Obama has the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE tattooed on his stomach. It’s upside-down, so he can read it while doing sit-ups.

There’s only one artist on Barack Obama’s iPod: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.

Barack Obama is a DEVOUT CHRISTIAN. His favorite book is the BIBLE, which he has memorized. His name means HE WHO LOVES JESUS in the ancient language of Aramaic. He is PROUD that Jesus was an American.

Barack Obama goes to church every morning. He goes to church every afternoon. He goes to church every evening. He is IN CHURCH RIGHT NOW.

Barack Obama’s new airplane includes a conference room, a kitchen, and a MEGACHURCH.

Barack Obama’s skin is the color of AMERICAN SOIL.

Barack Obama buys AMERICAN STUFF. He owns a FORD, a BASEBALL TEAM, and a COMPUTER HE BUILT HIMSELF FROM AMERICAN PARTS. He travels mostly by FORKLIFT.

Barack Obama says that Americans cling to GUNS and RELIGION because they are AWESOME.

your friend,
Barry Bonds

drink up

imnotjesus — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:47:14 +0000

I have a strong aversion to bottled water and this op-ed piece hits it pretty close to the mark. New York is struggling with the volume of plastic bottles its residents consume, and they’re trying hard to alleviate this problem. But there’s still no drinking fountain in Penn Station. Argh!

When WOOOs turn to tears

imnotjesus — Sun, 25 May 2008 04:18:43 +0000

Just after getting home from our usual early evening walk, we heard sirens on the street. Annoyed by the deafening pitch, I mockingly said, “is that really necessary?” J looked out the window and replied wryly, “um, the house across the street is on fire.” Soon enough about a hundred firefighters were occupying the street in front of our row house. They used the sidewalk as a staging area with a little white marker board to keep track of logistics and coolers filled with water and some strange green liquid served from a large pump bottle. After about two hours, one firefighter arrived with four large pizzas. It seems the fire wasn’t the only thing burning calories.

The aftermath was filled with gawkers passing by, firefighters coming and going, and displaced residents returning to their charred homes to scavenge their belongings. About 30 residents in total were displaced by the fire, most of them belonging to the Phi Chi fraternity house where the fire began. All the people made it out safely, but a few pets didn’t.

Tonight, the City has posted private security to keep people from entering the heavily damaged buildings—two row houses filled with smokey black water. I wonder if they do that for all residential fires or just in certain places. The whole block still smells like camp fire.

I’m definitely grateful for the hard working Philadelphia firefighters and the roof over my head tonight.