Slugfest
December 8, 2007
I really like slugs. More specifically, I really like nudibranchs, the wildly colored, shell-less critters that wend their way through kelp beds, coral formations and sea floors around the world.
In fact, I’ve been making glass in honor of nudibranchs whenever the mood takes me:
Scamatorium
December 6, 2007
Have you ever deleted yet another bank of those semi-literate Nigerian get-rich letters and wished you could really zing the miscreants at the other end?
Here’s a guy that entered a virtual endurance contest with one. Good for at least a couple of chuckles.
Is your computer channeling Beethoven?
December 2, 2007
As a Windows user, Microsoft’s knowledgebase is an invaluable tool, one I rely on heavily, as in my recent Apple Leopard installation debacle.
For those of you that don’t know, Microsoft’s Knowledgebase is an incredibly useful collection of “what to do when” articles, based on real life problems solved by Microsoft support teams. If you can figure out what Microsoft calls the problem, and search the knowledgebase for it, chances are you’ll find an answer, even if it’s not specifically related to a Windows product. (Bravo, MS)
So, was paddling around the thing and came across this gem: “Computer randomly plays classical music,” dated March 27, 2007.
Amazon succumbs?
December 1, 2007
OK, call me crazy and non-observant, but I’ve been holiday shopping on Amazon’s new interface for days now and just noticed an odd thing: They’ve got a gen-u-wine ad on the home page. A really, truly, somebody-besides-Amazon-is-buying-space ad on their front page.
A glance at their advertising section, and I see they’re selling “best of breed brands” on the home page, product pages, and “Thank You” page. (And there are more ads below, from “trusted partners,” but Amazon’s flirted with that kind of stuff before.)
Dammit.
Nostrana Italian
December 1, 2007
-
Location: Southeast Portland
-
Cost to fill up two people (minus booze): $70-$85
If you’re willing to hit the $75 range for full dinner for two (minus booze) this is some of the best Italian food I’ve had in the Northwest (including a couple of gazillion-star hotshots in Seattle).
It’s not downtown, it’s over on the SE side, and good luck getting in on a Friday night. But I will brave the crowd for their woodfire-baked ciabatta, and their antipasti is a sin. Never had an even questionable morsel there.
My only complaint: Crowds and noise—think Italian soccer riots. I may see if a Saturday lunch is any quieter.
Tip: If you want to tone down the budget a bit, opt for one of the antipasti or cheese plates and the rhubarb crisp for about $20. You’ll get the best of the restaurant (IMHO) and save some bucks.