Idiotprogrammer: Texas Literary Blog

Month: May 2007

  • My question for Al Gore

    Non Sequitur dissects the David Brooks  column that criticizes Gore’s recent book. See Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3. I have no insights to add here; (I’d be just piling on). I just wanted to address a tangential issue raised in the comments about why the New York Times covers certain books and…

  • In the motherhood

    I’ve not been keeping up with the sitcoms/dramas on the web, but In the motherhood seems promising.

  • Video of Xiao Pang (aka Little Fatty)

    Remember that Asian kid everybody was doing photoshop parodies of? Here’s a video of him

  • The effect of blogging on writing style

    From time to time I consider blogging vs. writing vs. journalism. And basically I always reach the conclusion that blogging is probably good, although not super good; and if anything provides a goad to write, the net effect is positive overall. But blogging has have pernicious effects on writing style: blogging prevents you from writing…

  • Let’s repeal special tax breaks, tariffs and subsidies for Corn Ethanol Farmers

    If I had one question to ask each presidential candidate, it would be this: “do you think the 54 cents per gallon tariff on cheaper imported ethanol should be eliminated? If not, can you explain to American taxpayers why the resulting higher prices for oil would be beneficial for them. I propose a policy generally…

  • Al Gore at Charlie Rose

    Great one hour interview with Al Gore on Charlie Rose. It’s amazing how much exposure Al Gore has received recently on mainstream media. I’m beginning to think the only way a political figure can get airtime on MSM is to publish a book with a big publisher. Al Gore has the Midas touch right now.…

  • Erica is moving up!

    Erica O’Grady asks herself why she isn’t the number #1 Erica on search results. I know why: because I haven’t put her on my blogroll! (Erica is a Houston friend who knows about all the hot new things six months before I hear about them–and I consider myself a pretty early adopter). This silly thing…

  • Cool Podcast & Levelator

    Here’s some cool podcasts I’ve discovered recently: Podcast Voice Training tips for public speaking and delivering a good podcast Pakcast, personal reporting about Pakistan by writer Ethan Casey Mortal Ghost Podcast, L Lee Lowe recites his own fantasy novel. Tech Writer Voices, random talks by successful tech writers. SonicErotica, erotic explicit stories. CMS Colloquia Podcast,…

  • Not linking to something funny

    I am torn. Two weeks ago I found a hilarious movie review of a hilarious film (which I have not actually seen). i would love to link to it, but it is definitely NOT SAFE for work (and probably not safe for nonwork either!). (to be more clear: there is profanity, sexual language and wacky…

  • Revisiting old Predictions

    In 2001 and 2002 I was such a radical liberal. Actually I was in 1999-2000 as well, but I didn’t seriously think George W. Bush had a chance, so I was complacent. When I went to Ukraine for a visit in 1999, I brought with me a cover of Time magazine showing George W. on…

  • Congressional Votes as an RSS Feed

    While wondering if my congressman Al Green would be dumb enough to vote for the price gouging bill (he was), I wanted some way to track the votes of your congressman. In the past that has been surprisingly difficult and has contributed in some part to lack of accountability. (If you don’t know what to…

  • Congress Keeps 54 Cent Tax on Brazilian Ethanol to Keep Oil Prices High

    While listening to the PBS Newshour last night, I heard an amazing statistic from an energy analyst. He mentioned that the US government imposes a 54 cent tariff per gallon of imported ethanol. I couldn’t believe it so I double-checked it on google. Gosh, it’s true. Adam Dean comments: At the heart of the issue…

  • Opposite day in the Bush administration

    In response to an article saying that Bush’s chief domestic advisor was quoted as saying, ““I am never going to hire another woman because they just get pregnant and leave.” a Digg commenter writes: It’s upside down land. I think every BushCo or GOP official is told to do the exact opposite of their job…

  • Stylus Magazine’s 100 Best Music Vids (and mine)

    Stylus Magazine’s 100 Best Music Videos of All Time. There were some surprising choices, way too much Gondry (and I love Gondry), some blatant oversights, but hey, it’s just a list. This thread will keep a running list of my favorite music vids. I won’t link to them. (You can youtube them). Offhandedly, I can’t…

  • Balancing Online Resumes with Online Identities

    (I was interviewed recently for a social science study about online resumes and identities. My answers are listed below). 1. In your response to the survey questionnaire, you wrote that you have found your linkedin page to be more useful than an independent resume / business site, though you have plans to develop an independent…

  • I get this tab almost every day

    Sometimes I forget how many tabs I have open. I think once I had about 120 tabs open.