WoTD: Epicurean

http://tfd.com/epicurean

Goldfish rant on Cragslist

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/nyc/24656546.html
RANT: The goldfish on my desk.
Date: 2004-02-18, 3:36PM EST

I’ve got a goldfish which lives in a bowl on my desk. It sits about two feet away from me. I feed it flakes everyday.

Just now, the damned thing took a shit, turned around, and ate it. I know I read somewhere that goldfish have a memory span of 3 seconds, but for real, you can’t remember taking a crap a millesecond before turning around and registering it as food?

Oh, god. He just did it again. He belongs in a toilet.

PostingID: 24656546

OS X, UNIX, comfort: Annual retrospective

I bought my MacBook Pro perhaps a year ago now. While Leopard has been disappointing (terrible upgrade experience with the well-known ownership problem and not infrequent enough total hangups) my overall experience vs. Windows is wonderful. I’m very at home and, well, content. Tons of truly excellent software available. This year’s MacUpdate Promo and MacHeist bundles are great. I use DVDRemaster Pro from the MUPromo about once a day average. I use Typinator (which I’d already bought, unfortunately) tons of times every day. I already owned Parallels (got another copy in the MUPromo) but I got it for $9 after rebates (which I did receive) with my MBP purchase. SuperDuper is simply great. Quicksilver is indomitable. iStat menus and MenuCalendarClock are just right.

Hardware-wise, my Kensington Expert Mouse is the best darned pointing device I’ve ever owned or used.

Hell, even Cover Flow in the Finder is pretty good. I don’t use it much but Path Finder is very nice. If it had an Address bar, I’d use it more. And if it could merge folders, look out.

1Password is actually pretty good. NeoOffice is not bad.

I’d like something like BeyondCompare for comparing directories full of files.

F4i: First two rides report

First ride was Saturday, six days ago. Small ride to the dealership, about 13.5 miles each way. Bought that jacket that day. Okay ride, kept it under 6,000RPM with a blip up to 7.5 once. It was fine.

Second ride today. Put maybe 20 more miles on it, which is nothing but I’m not used to it and it was hot so it was enough for me.

Since I’ve now read the manual and found that previous owner did the 300-mile oil change and the bike is now out of the break-in period, I got on it a little.

Compared with my 2001 R6 (sold years ago) this was a little scary. The R6’s power didn’t scare me, though its cornering consistently did. With this Honda, the cornering is very natural and un-scary but the power is something else entirely than the R6. Probably has something to do with the sprocket tooth difference from stock done by previous owner (-1/+2).

I’m getting better at handling the bike when it’s not under power, maneuvering it onto my porch, etc.

F4i battery died

Today is Friday. I went to start my F4i Wednesday to take it to the Tax Collector’s office to apply for title, register it and pay that $500 or so in taxes and such.

It wouldn’t start. It about half turned over on the first try and then just clicking thereafter. Turns out the previous owner kept it on a Battery Tender Jr. all the time and the fella at the dealership that helps me said that’s liable to hurt the battery’s ability to hold a charge.

I bought a Battery Tender Jr. (12V 0.75A) the next day and charged the bike overnight. Today went to the Tax Collector’s office and did the things I intended. It went fine.

New motorcycling jacket: Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0

I bought a Joe Rocket Ballistic (XL) for, IIRC, $169 in about 2002 for use with my R6. It was too hot for me in Florida summer riding. I cooked in traffic in it once and was down for about a week. And I wasn’t happy with the fit — the elbow pads were too far from my elbow, a problem that I couldn’t’ handle since the jacket wasn’t adjustable in the arms.

Yesterday, Saturday, I went to my local  Honda dealer to shop for a tank bag. I instead came home with a Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 (Large) for $115 plus they threw in a black bungee net. So I’d call that $105 for the jacket. Then it occurred to me to sell the old one. I put it on Craigslist. I sold it today to a nice Hayabusa rider named Danny for $75. Good deals all around.

F4i delivery pics

Here it is coming off the truck.

And here’s the gorgeous aftermarket tripleclamp.

F4i: Delivered!

It’s here. Nice guy named Mike delivered it. I didn’t talk to the second delivery guy. Mike said he’s getting a ZX-14 Ninja from a lady that she paid $15K for. He’s paying $8K. Nice.

F4i: Key arrived.

The key arrived USPS. Signed for it minutes ago. Also received my Alpinestars Maze gloves (Large) today, UPS. I like them. They’re not gauntlet, but it’s hot down here!

I miss the sea.

I saw a picture of an iguana swimming with a stingray just now, the ray’s eye breaking the surface. I miss the sea.

F4i: Flemington, FL

As of 12:31pm today, the bike has made it to Flemington, FL. 119 miles or so to go. Whoah.

F4i is in Atlanta, GA

As of 7:47am today, the F4i has made it to Atlanta. That’s fast.

F4i is in Earth City, MO

That means it’s traveled about 1,300 miles from MT and has about 1,000 left to go. Nice.

35mm f/2.0 Nikkor arrived.

This is a replacement for the 50mm f/1.4 that I bartered. Initial impression: Fast and colorful. I like it. Nice to be able to get closer to subject while maintaining the same frame I want.

Iron Man

Saw Iron Man tonight. Holy cow. Best comic book movie I’ve ever seen. At least, no competitors come to mind. Better than Superman Returns.

35-105mm AF-D Nikkor (used)

I just picked up a Nikkor 35-105 AF-D lens (Condition: V) on Adorama.com. What the heck. Well regarded lens. I just hope it’s in good shape, especially optically and autofocus wise. We’ll see. I’m looking forward to it.

Strange internet acquaintances

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: x. Xxxxx <xxxxx@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 1, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: Nikon Len for Camera…SLR or Digital… – $25 (Town N Country)
To: Xxxxxxxx <Xxxxxxxx03@tampabay.rr.com>

Okay. Except that this message will be my last.

/x

On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 3:26 PM, Xxxxxxxx <Xxxxxxxx03@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
> Please don’t email me again, I am NOT interested in shipping the Lens to
> you. That’s all.
>
>
> —– Original Message —–
> From: x. Xxxxx
> To: Xxxxxxxx
>
> Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:24 PM
> Subject: Re: Nikon Len for Camera…SLR or Digital… – $25 (Town N Country)
>
> Shipping isn’t the problem but you don’t want to ship it. Sorry, what
> am I missing?
>
> /xxxxx
>
>
> On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 3:22 PM, Xxxxxxxx <Xxxxxxxx03@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > No that’s not the problem, but if I wanted to ship it out,  I would of
> sold
> > it on eBay.
> > Thanks anyways!
> > D
> >
> > —– Original Message —–
> > From: x. Xxxxx
> > To: Xxxxxxxx
> >
> > Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:19 PM
> > Subject: Re: Nikon Len for Camera…SLR or Digital… – $25 (Town N
> Country)
> >
> > I don’t understand. Is packing it up the problem?
> >
> > /x
> >
> >
> > On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 3:18 PM, Xxxxxxxx <Xxxxxxxx03@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > I will pass…not in a hurry to sell it.
> > >
> > > —– Original Message —–
> > > From: x. Xxxxx
> > > To: Xxxxxxxx
> > >
> > > Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:10 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Nikon Len for Camera…SLR or Digital… – $25 (Town N
> > Country)
> > >
> > > Xxxxxxxx,
> > >
> > > I forgot to mention: I was originally going to offer $20 but I left it
> > > at $25 to cover shipping.
> > >
> > > /x
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 3:06 PM, x. Xxxxx <xxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > Oh, gosh, that’s far. Truthfully, the three hours that’ll cost me to
> > > >  get the 28 miles to your house, transact this, then return will pay
> > > >  for a comparable Nikkor lens.
> > > >
> > > >  If you’re willing to put it in the mail to me (what I had in mind)
> > > >  I’ll pay you any way you like. Paypal, cash in an envelope, whatever.
> > > >
> > > >  Let me know if you’re interested. Or if you’re going to be nearer US
> > > >  19 anytime soon.
> > > >
> > > >  /xxxxx
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >  On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 3:03 PM, Xxxxxxxx <Xxxxxxxx03@tampabay.rr.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > >  >
> > > >  >
> > > >  > Great! My address is XXXX Xxxxxxxx Drive….off of Xxxxxx ave and
> > > Xxxxxxxx
> > > >  > road..
> > > >  > If you need directions just let me know…When and what time are
> you
> > > coming
> > > >  > for the lens.
> > > >  > Thanks,
> > > >  > D
> > > >  >
> > > >  > —– Original Message —–
> > > >  > From: x. Xxxxx
> > > >  > To: Xxxxxxxx
> > > >  > Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 2:54 PM
> > > >  > Subject: Re: Nikon Len for Camera…SLR or Digital… – $25 (Town N
> > > Country)
> > > >  >
> > > >  > No problem. Where are you?
> > > >  >
> > > >  > /xxxxx
> > > >  > xxx-xxx-xxxx
> > > >  >
> > > >  > On Thu, May 1, 2008 at 2:41 PM, Xxxxxxxx <Xxxxxxxx03@tampabay.rr.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > > Sorry no PayPal…I prefer cash when item is picked up.
> > > >  > > Xxxxxxxx
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > > —– Original Message —–
> > > >  > > From: x. Xxxxx
> > > >  > > To: sale-xxxxxxxxx@craigslist.org
> > > >  > > Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 2:28 PM
> > > >  > > Subject: Nikon Len for Camera…SLR or Digital… – $25 (Town N
> > > Country)
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > > ** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY — AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
> > > >  > > ** Avoid:  wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
> > > >  > > ** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
> > > >  > > ** More Info:  http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > > Ref: http://tampa.craigslist.org/pho/xxxxxxxxx.html
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > > You have a deal. Do you accept Paypal?
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > > /xxxxx
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > >
> > > >  > >
> ——————————————————————
> > > >  > > this message was remailed to you via:
> sale-xxxxxxxxx@craigslist.org
> > > >  > >
> ——————————————————————
> > > >

Semulov or Akdov Telmig

I decided to try Semulov today. It puts an item in my menubar from which I can unmount volumes quickly. Saves me having to open a Finder window when I want to do this. Very nice. It was a Mac World Mac Gem recently.

Last.fm update adds Growl

Today’s auto update of my OS X last.fm client resulted in Growl notifications each time iTunes plays a new song. I like this very much.

I don’t know if this was a change to default settings or whether Growl notification it totally new in this version. But I like. And this is a good example of when it is good to enable your new features by default, even when it changes how things work for existing users. This particular case is a safe one in which to do this.