tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:16:42 +0000An experiment in short attention span theater.http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)Blogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-1538535138111645523Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:11:00 +00002009-09-12T20:25:43.253-06:00forgivenessWhole Foodsrandom acts of kindnessmercychocolateThey gave me chocolate. With "Thank you!" written on the back in Sharpie. Even though I was the one who inconvenienced them.It was the classic stupid: I got up to the register and my stuff was all on the belt and the nice guys are halfway through the checkout-and-bag procedure and then I realized OH CRAP NO WALLET. Panic! Panic! Panic!But they're all like, "No problem, happens all the time. You http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-my-neighborhood-whole-foods-team.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-442452293390860175Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:55:00 +00002009-06-30T12:59:25.330-06:00lyricsform-follows-function isn't always a fallacyKings of ConvenienceSimon and Garfunkle"Homesick", by Kings of Convenience. I never remember it between hearings. Then it'll play unexpectedly on the stereo in a cafe or tea house, and my reaction is always the same: "Goodness, that sounds like Simon & Garfunkle. Wait--this is that song, isn't it? The one that's obviously meant to sound like Simon & Garfunkle? And clearly references them? Yes it is."I'll lose some salesand my boss http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/06/on-music-that-does-what-its-probably.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-8494176593402880647Thu, 28 May 2009 05:06:00 +00002009-05-27T23:16:05.519-06:00why hotel chains need beta testers#hotelfailStarwood propertiesDear Starwood,So I understand who your target audience at the W is. I do see how this is a population calculated to appreciate that you blew your budget on tempting incidentals and on cutsy alliterative branding, and didn't save much for things like free wi-fi or even bathtubs.I get that your target audience has money to spare and probably throws away the soap bar when it's used to the point thathttp://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/05/open-letter-to-starwood-properties.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-1304636270989122340Tue, 26 May 2009 06:08:00 +00002009-05-26T00:16:27.189-06:00wonderful helpful people making my dayChicagobike stufflost and foundThis morning I got ready to leave my hotel room to seek breakfast. I gathered up my bookbag, my bike tool bag, my helmet, and my AOPA visor cap. And I tried to gather up my bike pump, but could not find it. I had been bringing it up with me rather than leaving it on my bike to avoid this precise calamity. (Not that I'm anywhere near as punctilious in Boulder. Generally I just leave it strapped tohttp://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-have-my-bike-pump-back-squeeeee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-436097781408890974Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:29:00 +00002009-04-20T18:34:49.676-06:00airport security theaterhow to travel with sharp objectsTravel By TrainExhibit #157 evincing the laid-back-ness of train stations as compared to airports in our Post 9/11 World:"Once again, ladies and gentlemen, will all visitors please detrain. We are about to depart."Exhibits #107-110 are the absence of metal-detector arches, my shoes having remained on my feet until McComb, the pocket-knife in my left jeans pocket, and the total lack of seat-belts in coach.More http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/04/trains-are-all-laid-back-and-stuff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-474202644578755290Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:13:00 +00002009-03-19T12:39:26.975-06:00U.S. xenophobiaelectricitytruth in advertising and lack thereofcustomer service failRadio ShackRadio Shack gets major props for having in stock, all the time, so I can waltz in 4 days before a cross-Atlantic flight and buy them, 85W Voltage Converters and Foreign Travel Outlet Adapters. Granted, it would be nice if the outlet adapters came by the singles and not just in $20 4-piece sets; if I'm going to England I'm not likely to make a side trip to "South America, the Caribbean, Canada, http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/03/americans-beware-of-foreign-electricity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-8379558736643794281Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:34:00 +00002009-03-07T17:46:28.107-07:00these hints ain't from Heloise but they work for mestainsI'm helpingdenimpaintBright spring green latex paint splotches on deep black jeans. Unsightly! And this happened last week. Says eHow, "We hope you were wearing work clothes when you were doing that painting job ... because latex paint is almost impossible to get out of clothing." Then they talk about scraping off fresh paint and washing immediately, and sponging dried stains with turpentine. Then, just to rub my http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/03/these-jeans-are-cleeeeeeeean.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-6022098487323871722Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:50:00 +00002009-02-09T18:02:57.739-07:00Neil GaimansqueeCoralinemovie reviewsfeminismI thoroughly concur with Joe Hill.Also, on the subject of how appropriate the movie is for kids, I'm reading comments all over the blogosphere along the lines of "I took my 3-year-old. She was mesmerized! She wants to see it again!"John and I saw the 10:00 PM showing on opening night in downtown Denver - in 3D, of course. I saw very happy children coming out of the previous showing with that http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-of-course-it-was-awesome.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-2554153827993442524Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:18:00 +00002009-02-06T11:50:48.542-07:00Neil Gaimanmovie non-reviewsthrills'n'chillsCoralineunwanted pontifications on motherhood by the childlessGoing to see Coraline tonight. Have avoided most reviews, but cannot resist some links presented at Neil Gaiman's blog. Compare and contrast:While watching this movie I couldn’t help thinking it’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers for kids. I wouldn’t let any of my children under 12 see this version of Coraline.--Diana Saenger's Review Express, via.There are many scenes and images in “Coraline” thathttp://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/02/two-sides-to-every-story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-6809501373692056101Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:56:00 +00002009-01-21T14:06:38.358-07:00alternate universe mobilitynewsnew brooms sweep cleancnncomedyProposed: That during the Bush administration, comedians were often doing a better job at news than the news reporters were, cf. The Onion, The Daily Show/Jon Stewart.Observed: That on the first day of the Obama administration, CNN is calling on comedians to augment their news segments, cf. Carlos Mencia interview, recap of last night's Colbert Report "Did you think you'd ever live to see this http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2009/01/so-this-is-good-alternate-universe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-2111356228289120109Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:06:00 +00002008-12-27T19:12:21.584-07:00Edward Cullen is no VincentBeauty and the BeasticonicIf I did the LJ icon thing (which I don't), I'd make me an icon right now. It would feature, off-center on a black background, a scary pic of Vincent going all snarly and I KILL YOU NOW RAWR. And the caption would read:CAN RIP YOUR THROAT OUTDOESN'T NEED TO SPARKLEIn other news, the 1989 episode "Arabesque" still reduces me to a sobbing little girl with the ending "these hands" dialogue. Every. http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/12/upon-rewatching-beauty-and-beast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-2979456463937986204Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:04:00 +00002008-12-26T21:05:39.430-07:00tv from across the pondsqueexmasdoctor whobecause i have new Doctor Who downloaded to hard drive like RIGHT NOW and we're all gonna watch it tomorrow SQUEEEEEE*ahem*That will be all.http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/12/like-kid-at-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-113686760492382867Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:40:00 +00002008-12-07T12:54:48.373-07:00web sites that rocknew orleanspreternaturally up-to-date web sitessaintsAn unofficial title, of course, but, seriously, I haven't come across any other NFL franchise web site that keeps its site quite as updated on game day. You watch. The "Game Day" page updates with score and key plays throughout the game (typically running about two to five minutes behind; at the time of this screenshot, the score was actually Saint:16 to Falcons:14)......and at the same time the http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/12/among-new-orleans-saints-records-most.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-4270482862059447115Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:51:00 +00002008-11-30T16:53:44.520-07:00star warspastichetroll whisperingwhimsyHad occasion to reread the Making Light thread with the timely fruitcake recipe. Why? Because there's fruitcake in the oven right now (but not that recipe). Found this. Aren't you glad I did?http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/11/bestest-star-wars-pastiche-evar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-2365451708798523004Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:38:00 +00002008-11-20T08:40:33.913-07:00peacocksnorth boulderpeahensboulderreasons to bike not driveReally.Round about the corner of Vinca and Upland.Peacocks. In North Boulder. Yesterday afternoon. Just... peacockin' around.Huh.http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/11/peacocks-in-north-boulder.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-8914593684011354690Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:40:00 +00002008-09-29T10:47:04.422-06:00piratesgamessoftwareBecause when it comes to the inherent problems of DRM and making money on software, Three Rings Design have a clue.The cheddary 'Free to Play' is not just a cheesy marketing slogan, but a shift in assumptions; it costs approaching nothing to give away some bits, or let people play Puzzle Pirates for free. Every player, free or paid, adds value to the community and excitement for other players. http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/09/another-reason-to-play-ypppuzzlepirates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-193975762593457602Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:31:00 +00002008-09-29T10:47:50.845-06:00dummyelectricityoopsheatvoided warrantyRemember: Before plugging in your Fry Daddy Jr., always remove the black plastic storage lid!The stupid of it is, my first instinct was to write to the company. "I just plugged it in, like normal, and the black hard-plastic rim melted! It's not supposed to be able to do that! It's supposed to be heat-resistant!"Then I remembered that the appliance doesn't have a black hard-plastic rim. And that Ihttp://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-not-to-use-your-fry-daddy-jr-tm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-2218421295887234418Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:20:00 +00002008-07-19T22:32:20.034-06:00oldiespopautumn came earlyradiorockIt's not that I was listening to the local Oldies station that was my clue. It was that the local Oldies station was playing songs by Blondie and Eddie Money.I suppose the Eddie Money song gets a pass, since it directly references The Ronnettes' 1963 hit "Be My Baby" and in fact features Ronnie Spector her very own self. But there is no such mitigating factor for Blondie's 1978 track "Heart of http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/07/its-official-im-old-clue-456.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-8381507047728866407Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:01:00 +00002008-06-13T14:09:26.656-06:00double standardsrudenessI would like to register a complaintlunchprivacyI am putting the work-a-day world on notice: Starting now, I am no longer going to answer the question, "Oooh, that smells good! What are you eating?" with anything more specific than "Food." Because what I decided to put in my body today is not a subject for public inspection, even if I did have the temerity to eat it in the office. Dammit.Actually, I did that the other day. "What's that http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/06/but-youre-supposed-to-be-polite-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-6998019473220708010Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:58:00 +00002008-06-07T16:05:35.175-06:00Because sometimes you just have to take photos of your cat. There are laws.http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/06/beware-fringe-beast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-6245345480509327673Sat, 24 May 2008 23:24:00 +00002008-05-24T17:28:37.552-06:00polyamoryFrank Sinatra's A DickfeminismShorter Frank Sinatra: "Ladylike behavior means acting like I own you."Lady Luck's response: "Waiddaminit. You thought we were on a what? Excuse me while I laugh myself sick over there by that guy at the roulette wheel."http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2008/05/luck-be-playah-tonight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-1783682196310882933Fri, 16 Nov 2007 03:42:00 +00002007-11-15T20:52:53.290-07:00disemvowelmentblog faunafruitcakeabortionExhibit A:It is one thing to call a blog-comments-troll a fruitcake. It is a thing of an entirely other and more elegant order to give the troll a fruitcake recipe.Exhibit B:After two threads about Ron Paul devolved into abortion debates (this is vaguely legit given Ron Paul's pro-forced-pregnancy policies thinly disguised as a states-rights stance), Teresa made a brand new thread for those http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-heart-making-light.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-8559418104917584269Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:15:00 +00002007-10-16T16:50:39.688-06:00howling blundersmapskatrinanew orleansDear Heroes screenwriters:Your touching montage of flooded-out homes superimposed over a melancholy facial expression fell a little flat after having the owner of that melancholy facial expression say, "Half the folks in this county are still living in FEMA trailers." This is because Louisiana does not have counties. It has parishes. This is important to know when writing dialogue for fictional http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2007/10/modicum-of-research-needed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-8341175477504163806Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:15:00 +00002007-10-16T16:15:24.964-06:00lyricsflashbackradio.comcoinkidinksCompare and contrast:Cake's "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," 2001I want a girl with a mind like a diamondI want a girl who knows what's bestI want a girl with shoes that cutAnd eyes that burn like cigarettesI want a girl with the right allocationsWho's fast and thorough and sharp as a tackShe's playing with her jewelry, she's putting up her hairShe's touring the facility and picking up slackwiththe Jimhttp://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2007/10/cake-doing-jim-carroll-band-maybe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8645838998757179562.post-1267031795559902813Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:36:00 +00002008-11-06T20:49:54.524-07:00sysadmins of the high seaspiratesgamesOverheard while workin' me pirate's hindquarters off at a distillin' joint:Hephaestus broadcasts, "We are aware of the problem with lag on Viridian at the moment."Hephaestus broadcasts, "It is under investigation."Hephaestus broadcasts, "We are confident that it is *not* the server, but some problem elsewhere."Hephaestus broadcasts, "So all the petitions suggestion we reboot aren't helping."http://shiiiiny.blogspot.com/2007/08/oceanmasters-tell-it-like-it-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Nicole J. LeBoeuf-Little)0