Blog from the Loft

Every so often I get one of these emails in my inbox. Today’s example:
Hello!
I have decided to join the ranks of half the people I know, and switch to
Gmail.
Therefore, effective immediately, please start emailing me at *xxxxxxx@gmail.com*.
I’ll keep receiving verizon.net emails for another month.
I hope you’re all well and that you have a lovely day!
Nothing [...]

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I don’t read the xkcd comics each day. I save them up. So here it is, if you have missed it — about Python, our fav. programming language on xkcd.

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I was at a conference today, held at a top class hotel. I had a lot of calls to make (or is it that I keep checking my emails?). Near the end of the day I am in dangerous red territories regarding battery life. I went to the concierge to see if they have a [...]

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I downloaded a piece of 21-days trail primium software from a vendor for evaluation. They offer a set of free add-ons as part of the download. Unfortunately they only let me pick one of the several free add-ons to try. The download URL is in the form of something like: company/download-location/etc/free_add_on_addon_type… So how hard is [...]

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No, this is not a technical/crypto post. I was getting lunch today, somewhere which has one of those non-bank ATM cash machine. This guy came in, dressed very casually in t-shirts and shorts, and exchanged a metal box from the machine. I had to think that he just refilled the machine with new cash. I [...]

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As I was leaving one of my favorite hotels in Singapore, I saw some kid of VIP reception at the entrance. All the staff were lining up (queuing up) outside. This lady got out of a mercedes. They proceeded to introduce everyone, handed her flowers, and more introduction. Being Singapore, it was English, Cantonese, Mandarin [...]

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As an Asian-Amerian, I see two threats to my well being right now. I cannot help but compare and contrast these two:

Name
SARS
Saddam

aka
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Saddam Hussein al Majd al Takriti

Size
a few microns, i.e. really really small
5 foot something

Known Clones
billions
2-3? Unknown

incubation Period
~2-10 days
~2-10 years

Known Deaths caused:world/american
103/0See WHO
unknown/122 (U.S. & Coalition)

CNN Coverage per day average
~1 hours
~10 hour

Chances [...]

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This morning I ordered, as part of my breakfast, a sesame bagel. Apparently they ran out. So the server brought over the breakfast with a poppy seed bagel and ask if that was okay as a substitute. I said sure. The observation is why did she think a poppy seed bagel is the right substitute [...]

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In the spirit of home land security, these are my two favorite quotes on duct tape:

In life you only need two things — if it moves and it shouldn’t, apply duct tape, if it should move and it does not, apply WD40.
Duct tape is like The Force; it has a light side & a dark [...]

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Happened yesterday leaving work:
Elevator opens, well dress man inside. I entered.
WDM: Hi
Me: Hi
(strong smell of perfume or aftershave in elevator)
WDM: someone over did the perfume huh
Me: Yup
WDM: Just want to let you know that it’s not me
(this thought came across my mind — so I added)
Me: How do I know it’s not you?
WDM: Good point, [...]

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