Category: Uncategorized

Everyone loves lists sometimes. The BBC polled the UK in April to find out the country’s favorite 100 books. Now it’s down to a list of the top 21. Apparently, they are going to winnow them down further still. I’ve heard of almost all 21, but two didn’t ring a bell: Birdsong (Sebastian Faulks) and His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman). I’ve read 13 of the titles on the list. I was startled I hadn’t read more, but there are a bunch of classics I’ve never gotten to. Here’s what I’ve missed: Gone with the Wind (Margaret Mitchell), Little Women (Louisa May Alcott), Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier), The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame), Captain Correlli’s Mandolin (Louis de Berni¶res) and — yes, it’s true — Winnie the Pooh (AA Milne). I figure I’ll get to that last one soon enough with the boy. My favorite of those I’ve read? Tough call between The Lord of the Rings and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe… and Great Expectations is really pretty amazing, too.

One thing you never need to worry about is having enough to read. Ain’t life grand!?

Brian Peddie wants to track RSS usage the same way many websites track site usage or email opens: clear GIFs/web bugs. It works, but it’s dependent on the newsreader… much as tracking email opens is dependent on using an email client which respects HTML (and having subscribers willing to take the HTML version). What I don’t know is whether this partial success is really better than nothing.

Last weekend, while down in Los Angeles for the Women’s World Cup, I finished the last few pages of The Thirteen Gun Salute, book number 13 (coincidence?) in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series. Most of the book is spent in Malaysia, ferrying a diplomatic mission to Pulo Prabang. All through the book, I was wondering exactly where Pulo Prabang was, so I just looked around a bit on the web. I didn’t get a map, but I did find a book I might have to get: Harbors and High Seas: An Atlas and Geographical Guide to the Complete Aubrey-Maturin Novels of Patrick O’Brian. I’ve wanted a map before this volume, but I really wanted it here, even if much of the action was land-bound. I won’t dig into a plot summary here, but Wray and Ledward — two English traitors working for the French — are killed, and the only question that lingers (O’Brian doesn’t answer it, I think) is whether or not Maturin does it himself. I think he does, which settles a score which lingered through many volumes. The novel ends with the ship’s company beached by a typhoon, and just waking up to the post-storm task of having to build themselves a new boat.

I’m going to take a short break from Aubrey-Maturin, in part because I need to pick up the rest in the series. Still looking forward to the movie, though, which is now getting television advertisements, although it’s nearly four weeks away.

The boy is hitting and pushing other kids, at school and elsewhere. We’re as firm as can be about it not being acceptable behavior, and he knows it’s not OK, but it repeats. Considered spanking, but a few voices have said it won’t help (they are not against the practice, necessarily). I was spanked twice, I think, although I really only remember one incident, and I’m not sure what I did… but I probably deserved it, and I’m certain it was for terrorizing one of my sisters. The boy is still good with his four-month-old sister, fortunately, but not with all others. Of course, he turns 3 in five days, so it’s a bit early to sign him up for counseling. But it’s been a change for the worse over the last few months. Either school (which he likes) or his sister, or maybe both. A phase? We’ll hope.

The music industry will not crumble to its knees if its loses my infrequent custom, but it’s just possible that I’ve bought my last CD. The final straw? The forgotten frustration of removing the security strips. After months on my Amazon wish list, The Pretenders Loose Screw made it into my last order. The CD was loose in the box, but wrapped in plastic. Took a knife, but I got that off relatively easily. Then I had to peel off the adhesive plastic along the top edge. Argh. Several minutes later, I could actually play my new music. Petty, but I think about usability on websites, and those thoughts carry over to real-world objects, like CDs. Given that songs like “Gravedigger” on the new Dave Matthews solo album are not available via iTunes, I will probably find myself purchasing another physical CD at some point in the future, but it gets less likely all the time.

The United States beat Canada 3-1 on Saturday, before 25,253 (near capacity, but it felt a lot emptier at the start). Game was engaging, but not sustained play throughout. You could tell both teams wanted to win, but (speculation) the United States wanted to win just to avoid embarrassment, while Canada was enjoying the role of underdog, with no pressure. Kristine Lilly’s goal to start the scoring was cracked from outside the box on a short hop… impressive. None of the others stick in my mind besides the final goal, Shannon Boxx heading in a Mia Hamm corner kick. That’s happened at least once before this tourney. Most stood and cheered the United States team as they did a circuit of the field after the win, but the outpouring of emotion was limited. This was a strong team, already trying to look forward to the Olympics for redemption after their disappointment here.

Played in front of a 26,000+ crowd, the final was, surprisingly, the more exciting game. Based on earlier play this tourney, Germany seemed the much stronger team, but the play yesterday was end-to-end throughout, with strong chances from both sides. Sweden scored first and ended the first half up 1-0. Forty-five seconds into the second half, Germany’s Meinert (their out-of-retirement star) equalized. The rest of the half was thrilling: both teams missed at least one wide-open chance (the Swedes two), proving that nerves — even at this level — are a factor. When Germany converted a free kick in the first extra period to win 2-1, it was startling, as nothing seemed dangerous about the opportunity. Unfortunately, the free kick was earned on a disputable call. The crowd was pro-Swedish… not sure why… because of actual Swedes? (saw some yellow shirts, but doubt that was enough)… because the Americans prefer to root against the team that beat our team? (more likely) In any event, I was glad to see the game, and impressed by the crowd.

More impressive still is the Home Depot Center. I haven’t been to any other soccer-only stadium in America, so I can’t compare the stadium in Carson to that in Columbus, Ohio, for example. The stadium was open, but with some critical shade. Backs on the benches are a small touch, but welcome. Overall, just built for soccer. I hope to get down to Los Angeles for some more games.

Four years ago, we went to the 3rd place game and final of the Women’s World Cup (soccer). Today, due to the move of the 2003 WWC from China to the United States, we’re able to attend the 3rd place game and final once again. Below, a comparison.

1999 thrilled the entire United States, and I’m still proud to say I was there. So loud, so exciting, so emotional. In 2003, I’m trying hard to be as interested again even with the United States’ surprising fall to the 3rd place game. I’m not succeeding yet, but I’m still glad we’re going. Let’s make sure we beat the Canadians, at least.

Several days ago, I finished Patrick O’Brian’s The Letter of Marque. Aubrey is temporarily a licensed privateer (the ‘letter of marque’ is written permission from the government to maraud the enemies of the state), commanding the Surprise, now owned by Maturin. While Aubrey’s situation — especially his longing to be re-instated in the Navy — drives the action, Maturin continues to become ever more central to the omniscient narrator’s storytelling. His influence with the government, via one of its intelligence agencies, supports Aubrey in various ways. There remains some wandering about London in this stage of the ongoing tale, but we have three sea voyages of consequence. First, there is a shakedown cruise to the Azores, where Lucky Jack captures a string of prizes, including a cargo with significant quantities mercury, of value for gold mining. The second outing, of most significance to Aubrey’s chances, is cut out a frigate from a French harbor. The target ship’s name, Diana, reminds us that Maturin is married to, if slightly estranged from, Diane. The third trip is to Sweden, to visit Diane… and eventually, as the book ends, bring her back to England.

Twelve volumes down, eight to go. But I’m not looking forward to finishing the series, even though there are many, many books I want to read.

So many ideas in the email space… here’s one more:

Steven Johnson has an idea: “It would be a huge help to me if my email software would automatically organize incoming messages based on 1) whether I’ve responded to the sender before, and 2) on average how quickly I’ve responded to the sender in the past. So what I imagine is a kind of fuzzy inbox: a message from a complete stranger would stay in my inbox for a week, before getting bounced to the archives. A message from someone I once responded to would stay for two weeks, while a message from a regular correspondent wouldn’t leave the inbox until I removed it myself. Effectively, what I want are filters based on the history of my email interaction with specific people: prioritize mail from people I always respond to immediately; demote mail from people I ignore. Has anybody seen software that will do this?” [E M E R G I C . o r g]

We’re considering new services to develop at work, and there are lots of choices. So far, it feels like nothing is new under the sun, but novelty doesn’t seem necessary, as long as we provide content and services that people want. To date, content has taken care of itself (meaning: the editors and reporters know their stuff, and that is why they keep winning awards). The services are more my department.

Yesterday, during a discussion of our choices, two of the features planned were trimmed (conceptually) because the feeling was ‘start simple’. There was little concern over just repeating the steps of others. I don’t believe in novelty for its own sake, but I’ll admit that I would like to roll out something that makes people wish they had done it. At the same time, I know our readers would benefit from some ‘check the box’ features, if well executed. And executing well is not something to take for granted. Heck, it’s probably why I have a job. I don’t consider myself creative, but I take care of details and keep the trains running. Interesting expression: trains have fared better in our language and turns of phrase than they have as a mode of transportation, even if train travel can be wonderful.

Do I sound convincing? I’ll see if I convinced myself when I get to work.