Friday, February 06, 2004
La la la.
Sometimes I talk about how I have "fundamental differences of perspective" or "fundamental differences of opinion" with other people on other topics. An incident happened on the way home today that I will use to illustrate this idea. I usually bus to the Rideau Center, and then walk home (or take the bus if it's really horrid out). I was about halfway home and waiting for the lights at an intersection, when a bus pulls up. Some guy comes out of nowhere and taps on the bus door asking to be let on. This was not at a stop on the bus' route, so the bus driver said no. The pedestrian got all huffy and pissed off, and started heading my way muttering on how unfair and stupid this was that the bus driver refused to let him on. He mentioned this to me in injured and angry tones as he went by, as if asking for pity or something. I was taken aback. This is where the fundamental difference comes in. I see it as a guy asking for the bus to let him on at a non-spot location. Why should the bus driver do this? It goes against the policies of OCTranspo, and against the logic of the whole bus setup. Why have stops if you let people on anywhere? Buddy apparantly didn't agree. I guess he saw it as "the bus is stopped, so why should the bus driver not let him on?"
These things are kind of like those optical illusions where you can see either a young woman or a chalice, and suddenly make a little flip in your brain and suddenly you see an old crone or two faces in profile. The difference is that they have to do with the way you see the world, and are a lot harder to flip back and forth. It would be similar to seeing the chalice and acknowledging that there are two faces there, but you really have to try to look for it. Like a Magic Eye or something. I can recognize this person's view that he should be allowed to get on the bus, but it doesn't seem right. We have completely different views on something, to the point where we can't even get in the other's shoes because they're so alien.
So if I ever talk about a "fundamental difference of perspective" with you, that's what I mean.
They bring the noise.
A bit on music, if you'll allow me. First up is a couple of clubs in my area. One is called Zaphod Beeblebrox. I kid you not. The other, which I will be attending later on tonight, is called Cafe Deckuf. I don't know what that means, but a bunch of people from work are going to see the Jimmy Swift Band, a local jam band that combines rock, dance, funk and a bunch of other stuff. Sounds from their website are promising, so I'll let you know. Second, my opinions on the Grammys.
Best Record: I think Eminem should get this one, but it's too old to be big nowadays, so I think it should go to Clocks. Probably won't though.
Best Album: White Stripes, White Stripes, White Stripes. Elephant is a completely sublime album, and should be immediately listened to if you have not done so already. These two are FAR more than just their 3 radio singles, so check out their earlier stuff too (3 albums worth!).
Song of the Year: Again, should be Eminem, but probably won't happen.
Artist of the Year: Evanescence all the way. They deserve so much credit for bringing a very obscure style of rock to the forefront of pop culture.
The rest of the awards are less interesting, and my picks are either "don't care" or pretty much in tune with the above.
I bring the links
First up, some silly observations about the states and provinces of North America. It's kind of funny, actually, because I was just reading something about synchronicity and the fact that people can make meaningful connections and observations about pretty much anything. Still, good for a quick chuckle.
Next, we have the unique stylings of Lexi. I really liked this one, since it shows how one can use Photoshopping to achieve some really cool visual effects. That, and I miss my cat back home.
Lastly, further proof that people are genuinely screwy in the head. A documentary about amputee wannabes. Somehow the wiring is so crazy in some people's skulls that they really do want to lose their appendages, and go to great lengths to emulate or even do so. I woudn't mind seeing the movie, but I think I'll pass on actually meeting these folks.
And we finish with the news.
My response to the U of A? DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT! NOW! Please? ¶ 4:19 p.m.
Sometimes I talk about how I have "fundamental differences of perspective" or "fundamental differences of opinion" with other people on other topics. An incident happened on the way home today that I will use to illustrate this idea. I usually bus to the Rideau Center, and then walk home (or take the bus if it's really horrid out). I was about halfway home and waiting for the lights at an intersection, when a bus pulls up. Some guy comes out of nowhere and taps on the bus door asking to be let on. This was not at a stop on the bus' route, so the bus driver said no. The pedestrian got all huffy and pissed off, and started heading my way muttering on how unfair and stupid this was that the bus driver refused to let him on. He mentioned this to me in injured and angry tones as he went by, as if asking for pity or something. I was taken aback. This is where the fundamental difference comes in. I see it as a guy asking for the bus to let him on at a non-spot location. Why should the bus driver do this? It goes against the policies of OCTranspo, and against the logic of the whole bus setup. Why have stops if you let people on anywhere? Buddy apparantly didn't agree. I guess he saw it as "the bus is stopped, so why should the bus driver not let him on?"
These things are kind of like those optical illusions where you can see either a young woman or a chalice, and suddenly make a little flip in your brain and suddenly you see an old crone or two faces in profile. The difference is that they have to do with the way you see the world, and are a lot harder to flip back and forth. It would be similar to seeing the chalice and acknowledging that there are two faces there, but you really have to try to look for it. Like a Magic Eye or something. I can recognize this person's view that he should be allowed to get on the bus, but it doesn't seem right. We have completely different views on something, to the point where we can't even get in the other's shoes because they're so alien.
So if I ever talk about a "fundamental difference of perspective" with you, that's what I mean.
They bring the noise.
A bit on music, if you'll allow me. First up is a couple of clubs in my area. One is called Zaphod Beeblebrox. I kid you not. The other, which I will be attending later on tonight, is called Cafe Deckuf. I don't know what that means, but a bunch of people from work are going to see the Jimmy Swift Band, a local jam band that combines rock, dance, funk and a bunch of other stuff. Sounds from their website are promising, so I'll let you know. Second, my opinions on the Grammys.
Best Record: I think Eminem should get this one, but it's too old to be big nowadays, so I think it should go to Clocks. Probably won't though.
Best Album: White Stripes, White Stripes, White Stripes. Elephant is a completely sublime album, and should be immediately listened to if you have not done so already. These two are FAR more than just their 3 radio singles, so check out their earlier stuff too (3 albums worth!).
Song of the Year: Again, should be Eminem, but probably won't happen.
Artist of the Year: Evanescence all the way. They deserve so much credit for bringing a very obscure style of rock to the forefront of pop culture.
The rest of the awards are less interesting, and my picks are either "don't care" or pretty much in tune with the above.
I bring the links
First up, some silly observations about the states and provinces of North America. It's kind of funny, actually, because I was just reading something about synchronicity and the fact that people can make meaningful connections and observations about pretty much anything. Still, good for a quick chuckle.
Next, we have the unique stylings of Lexi. I really liked this one, since it shows how one can use Photoshopping to achieve some really cool visual effects. That, and I miss my cat back home.
Lastly, further proof that people are genuinely screwy in the head. A documentary about amputee wannabes. Somehow the wiring is so crazy in some people's skulls that they really do want to lose their appendages, and go to great lengths to emulate or even do so. I woudn't mind seeing the movie, but I think I'll pass on actually meeting these folks.
And we finish with the news.
School of rock:
The University of Rochester has inked a deal with Napster to provide streaming music to its 3,700 students living in campus residence halls. It's the second school to sign such an agreement. Penn State began a similar program last month.
The Napster Premium service will be funded by the university at no cost to students. The service, which normally costs $9.95 per month, includes unlimited song streaming, tethered downloads and radio channels. Students may opt to purchase permanent downloads for 99 cents a track or $9.95 an album.
Over the last year, higher education officials have been meeting with executives from the entertainment industry to address the file-sharing problem on college campuses. University of Rochester Provost Charles Phelps chairs a technology task force on the subject.
The school is also considering offering a course on digital copyright issues in the fall. My response to the U of A? DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT! NOW! Please? ¶ 4:19 p.m.
