Monthly Archive for August, 2005

One-hour-workday

It’s almost 9PM again, and I already have that feeling that my day is almost over, without me able to account for anything worthwhile done. Hey, that last sentence doesn’t read like a sentence at all, and I’m almost positive it’s not proper grammar. See, that’s part of my problem:

All day I sit in front of the computer, translating one poorly written document into another language, in the course of which I’m trying to iron out the creases of what the original author thinks to be German. I smoke too much, I eat too much and today for example, I was sweating too much. See, air conditioning doesn’t work in that factory. And yes, I’m sitting next to a machine while translating, so I am indeed right inside the factory. No office with plush chairs, fat carpets and humming air-conditioning. It’s the sound of bolts, screws, rivets, sensors, actuators and thousands of other little pieces feverishly working together in their quest to create a blood clot inside my head the size of my fist. But I’m digressing.

I just wanted to mention that I don’t like working fixed hours. Especially if they are fixed to a time at which I’d usually not wake up, even if a jet had just crashed throught the roof. Thus, I hereby propose the one-hour-workday. Choose your hour, come in, work, leave happy. A fifteen-minute trip to the vending machine is of course included.

Backyard metalfest

Yesterday my brother had his farewell party in our backyard. There were three of his pal-bands scheduled to play, but only “H.A.L.” was fortunate enough to get through their whole set. About halfway through the set of “I not dance” , the heat showed up and after threatening to take away the instruments, they had destroyed what could have easily become the best backyard party ever (I would have liked seeing them carry off the drum kit though). Unfortunately, through the brave intervention of our powerful Austrian police force, “The Omission” - nomen est omen - didn’t get a chance to take off the edge of the night’s musical presentations.

Here’s a picture of H.A.L.’s explosive renditions of good old party music:

blurry metal

Finally, here’s an artistically valuable picture of post-party mayhem:

blurry metal

MSN beta

msn beta
So this is what the the new beta version of MSN looks like in Firefox. Interesting, interesting. I like that new simplicity, but the overlapping areas don’t really add to the experience (click image to see large version).

Ramen

Well, I’m now officially (well, in my book) a Pastafarian. Please note the button in the top half of my sidebar, and visit this and this and this site to find out more about the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The lighter side of life

When I stopped by the local supermarket to buy some coffee, I noticed a car parked outside which looked like a tour-bus for Playboy bunnies. Only that it was in fact not a bus, but a short little car. That tiny car, inconspicuous in brand and colour, was adorned with a truckload of Playboy bunny symbols. One sticker on the rear window, one dangling from the rear view mirror, and both front seats decorated with huge versions. There were all kinds of things in there indicating that it’s owned by a woman, and it wouldn’t be the first bunny car I saw which is owned by a woman. I’ve also seen quite a few girls wearing t-shirts, earrings, etc. sporting the bunny. That stupid bunny.

Now, I just don’t get it. What he hell is going on with these girls/women? What good has Playboy ever done, except for injecting a fake tits, blond hair, blue eyes stereotype into the consciousness of the public, which would warrant such a display of adoration? Is it actually desirable for women today to be a Playboy model? I mean, seriously, can it be so many women’s wish to be displayed on a glossy fold-out, which will probably end up on the wall of an auto-repair shop? Of course, maybe they don’t even want to be in Playboy, they just like reading the articles, subsequently buying all their merchandise because a bunny looks cute like that. Ach, I don’t know.

I went to the Playboy Enterprises website, trying to find the source of this fascination. I checked their FAQ, where I found this:

What is the origin of the Rabbit Head logo?
[...] The logo was designed to depict the lighter side of life, the rabbit being, to many people, the “playboy” of the animal world.

Well, interesting choice. I would’ve opted for something more subtle, maybe some feline creature. Oh well, if association with an animal used as a synonym for frantic fucking was their wish, then they got it.

Here’s another good one:

Who are Playboy”s main competitors?
Playboy’s competition includes other men’s monthlies such as Maxim, Men’s Health, Rolling Stone, GQ, Esquire and Men’s Journal.

Now, I’ve always thought that the other magazine which features articles and a nude fold-out woman is Penthouse. How come it’s not on that list? Maybe because Playboy Enterprises doesn’t want to disclose their real competitor?

But I’m digressing. I still don’t really know why any self-respecting woman would want to adorn herself with a pictogram of a rabbit, but maybe the “lightness” of that side of life tends to move towards ones head.




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