« June 2005 | Main | August 2005 »
Following on the heels of Google Maps, Google has launched Google Moon to commemorate the anniversary of the first manned Moon landing. Unfortunately, unlike Google Maps, there are no driving directions available.
Technorati Tags:
Google Moon
Whew...finished the Half-Blood Prince! I won't spoil anything for anyone. Drop me a line if you want to discuss the book.
Technorati Tags:
Harry Potter
So I was, in fact, crazy enough to go to Borders to pick up my copy of Harry Potter last night. I didn't think it was going to be this big a deal. I did pre-order, so I knew that I would have a book reserved for me. But, let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.
When I arrived at Borders at about 11:45, there was already a line outside. That didn't really phase me since the line wasn't that long and it should move fairly quickly. However, I found out when I got to the line that the line was outside the store since the store was already at the maximum allowed by the fire code. I started talking with the people in line in front of me to try to figure out what was going on. Apparently, Borders had decided to hand out tickets to people who came earlier in the day without making this fact widely known. This is in fact different from previous years and confused/angered many of the people in the line.
Now that I've talked about the people in front of me in line, I have to discuss who was behind me in line. I promise the man talked just like Cleveland from Family Guy. At first, I found it a little bit disconcerting. After a little while, I found some enjoyment listening to "Cleveland" and his son Cleveland Jr.
As I moved toward the front of the line, I noticed a man off to the side practicing some type of Karate/Tae Kwon Do/Your favorite martail art here. I found this a little odd. Was he confused and thought that he was at a Star Wars premiere?
Eventually, the line moved forward and I was able to get into the store. There was no indication as to what was going on. There were no signs, no employees providing directions, and no Half-Blood Prince books anywhere in sight. I finally got a ticket that would eventually entitle me to get in line to pick up a copy of the long awaited novel. After waiting to get in that line, and then finally waiting through the line, I was able to get my hand on the sixth installment of Harry's adventure. Only the line for the cashier stood between me and the ride home to get started in earnest.
In any event, I do not understand why Borders did not organize the event better. I did get the book and read quite a bit, but the whole ordeal could have been organized much better.
(My apologies for starting the story and then not totally finishing it. Perhaps I just should have written, "And then I found a dollar." At least Noah would have known that the story was over.)
Technorati Tags:
Family Guy
Harry Potter
Now, I'm going to read it. I'll write more later.
Recently, I have noticed that there is an amazing lack of common courtesy in simple interaction in restaurants. I am not talking about someone using the salad fork at the wrong course. People have arrived at a sense of entitlement that manifests itself as breathtaking rudeness.
When you arrive at a restaurant instead of telling the server that, "We'll need a high chair," try asking, "Could we have a high chair when you get a chance?" The server will almost assuredly will meet your request. If for some reason, this approach doesn't work, then take a more direct tack. Similarly, when ordering, instead of saying, "I'll have the..." try "Could I have the... ?" It doesn't cost you anything to be polite.
Please, please don't ask for a to-go bag at a buffet. I can't even believe that this point is not entirely obvious.
End of Rant
I took some more great photos over the last few days. The photos may be as breathtaking as Scott's, but not everyone can be perfect.
I will try to set up a new photo gallery soon, but in the mean time, here is a magnolia that I thought was amazing.
Happy Fourth of July!! I hope everyone is having a great day. Hopefully you can spend some time with your family and enjoy the sun.
Had a great picnic by the pool. Thanks to everyone who made the party so much fun. Special thanks to grillmaster Joy and skewer diva Dawn. As the bald man always says, "The dinner was lovely and we had a wonderful time!"