Beware of Leopard ⁽²⁵⁵⁾

Brian Bilbrey July 23, 2011

Sundry

Events of the last couple of days were ... relatively uneventful. That is, my 'oscopy was much more unpleasant to prepare for than it was to sleep through. The doc reported snipping out something small, and biopsy results pend until Tuesday, but either way, it ain't the big C. Depending on the type, I get another screening in three years, or in five. I'll be happier with five, thanks. And Marcia's molar extraction in the afternoon was as simple as could be hoped for: no jackhammering, and minimal pain already today. * * * The summer garden is doing fine.

Brian Bilbrey July 21, 2011

Two Days Off

Today and tomorrow, I'm off work. Yes, of course I checked email a few times. But that's it. Today was all about schoolwork. I'm caught up with everything, and ahead of the game in a few things - all of this weekend's due items are already submitted. The downside is that all I've had today are clear liquids. And I just finished my first of two SUPREP rounds, before tomorrow's "Gosh, it sucks to be 50" diagnostic test. So I've got a stack of magazines, and perhaps some video gaming to while away the hours this evening... while I drink…

Brian Bilbrey July 19, 2011

What Day Is This?

I have it on reliable authority that it is, in fact, Tuesday. That's amusing, since this clearly isn't Belgium. But with a bunch of reorg work yesterday in the data center, and fun with ZFS and the backup system today, I'm all a-whirl! Things to do next: That third item is fun, because I've been known exhibit Anglophilic tendencies in my writing from time to time. So I'm going to get a different set of corrections after finding and killing that configuration. But I rarely spell that word in the first paragraph "centre", so I think it'll be a net…

Brian Bilbrey July 16, 2011

Just Don't Lie To Me

Karon(09:06:39): Hello. Thank you for choosing Verizon and visiting our Verizon chat service. How can I help you place your order? You(09:07:06): Old bundle expiring, looking at new bundles... Confused by pricing, let me explain: Karon(09:08:42): Thank you for being a valued Verizon customer. Karon(09:08:52): Please go ahead with your question. You(09:09:07): I select the bundle with Ultimate HD, 35/35 Internet, Freedom Essentials - price listed as 139.99. I click the button to do a 2-year deal. The next page shows the price: 139.99 (same as before), only it *ALSO* says "Price included these discounts: $5 24-Month Contract Discount". You(09:09:22): There's no actual $5 discount reflected.

Brian Bilbrey July 15, 2011

Creepy Thoughts

I was in the chair at my dentist's office on Wednesday morning. I chose not to tell them what I thought of as I was falling asleep the night before... I'm talking to my dentist. "You know, I was looking on the Internet, and found evidence that 90% of problems with teeth originate with the gums." The dentist nods in agreement, and I continue. "So I found a couple of sites that made specific recommendations, and followed them. I got a fresh #11 X-Acto blade and cut all the gums way, way back. Once the screaming and bleeding was done,…