“If I increased the budget every time morale was low, the guys in my asbestos factory would be driving around solid gold Cadillacs by now.”

broderic on September 25, 2022

I spent the usual hour on a Sunday at my local Barnes & Noble. I bought a book, a cook book, and some ice tea in bags. It was all on sale about 40% off because they are closing out the store. In month, they will be moving into their new digs just across the parking lot. They’re downsizing and converting to a different store format.

If you’ve been in an brick and mortar Amazon bookstore, then you’ll know what it will be like. It will be an end to wandering on Sundays amongst the shelves just browsing for everything and nothing. It will be the end of white mocas because they will no longer have a cafe. It will be the end of the semi-annually Criterion sale because they will not have music and video section. It will be a smaller selection of books to browse. It won’t have the bookstore feeling anymore to it. It will be just a store.

It will save me money, but I’ll be more sad. I won’t have a place to wander around anymore. I won’t have a place to go when bored. It’s an end of an era.

“Bill thinks having a bird crap on him is a compliment from the gods!”

broderic on September 21, 2022

Quote of the Day [9.21.22]

“What users really want is good tools. They want systems that are easy to learn and easy to use, and that help them do their work. They want software that doesn’t slow them down, that doesn’t trick or confuse them, that doesn’t make it easier to make mistakes or harder to finish the job.”

Larry Constantine, “What do users want?”

“In the future, it might help if you located the source of your rage before you unleashed it on the world.”

broderic on September 11, 2022

In honor of the rumor that Nogizaka46 5th Generation members were seen spotted climbing Mt. Fuji, here’s a solo climber showing what they’re up against. It doesn’t look quite as daunting considering all the amenities along the way, but still attitude sickness is no joke.

If the rumors are true, Nogizaka46 will have climbed Mt. Fuji three times. The first two were associated with their “pray for a hit” campaign for their singles. Although, for the 5th Generation, it is off schedule for the 30th single as they’ve wrapped up the campaign. Unless this effort is supplemental to the previous one.

If you want to look up their past climbs up Mt. Fuji — they’re great as they show you great effort and you’ll cheer for them, then seek out the hit campaigns for their 10th single and 24th single. You’ll know why I love them.

“Why is it that everyone’s solution to everything around here is some sort of covert plan?” “That’s a secret.”

broderic on September 9, 2022

Remember when I decried the lack of movies to watch this past Labor Day? Remember that I did say that I did watch a movie that weekend? Well the film we watched was The Invitation, one of those low budget horror movies that always seem to be a staple of the end of summer movie releases.

This one starts with a lady who had just lost the last member of her family, her mother. She conveniently takes a DNA test and is connected with a branch of her family from England. They invite her to their home for a family reunion as well as a wedding. Things start of fine, but then we never meet the bride and groom. Later we find out why.

It turns out that her long lost relatives were a cabal feeding the last vampire. The head vampire has three brides. They had lost one. Guess who is the third?

I didn’t want to watch this one, but I really wanted to watch a movie. I guess it was something. A lot of this was easy to see coming. There were a few jump scares, but overall it wasn’t too frightening.

2 of 5 stars.

“There’s nothing like the sound of 1500 people not laughing.”

broderic on September 6, 2022

This past weekend was Labor Day here in the States. Usually, there’s a move good enough to watch being released in theaters. This year that was not the case. I really wanted to watch a movie this weekend, but there wasn’t one worth to see. Eventually, I did, but it wasn’t a choice I made — you’ll have to wait for that one later.

What happened? Where have all the movie releases gone? Is it over for movies in the theaters? Are we no longer going to go to a dimly lit public space and watch a movie on the silver screen with many people in the audience? Do we just like it at home? Is streaming movies worth it?

Sometimes I just want to get out of the house. Spend some time away from my computing devices. In darkness would be fine tucked away watching a movie. But there must be something to watch.

What was playing this weekend was movies from earlier in the year. If there was a new release, I did not notice it. I was expecting a somewhat recognizable cast and a particular genre. It wasn’t there. It was gone.

The cinema experience in the theaters is dying. Maybe. It’s not really doing well.

“Oh, never mind. Didn’t realize relieving myself was going to turn into the Danish Inquisition.”

broderic on September 30, 2021

I am on a paella kick. I thought I was going to be on a wok kick, but once I found out how easy it is to make a single serving of paella, I have made about 4 of them in the past week.

I’ve made it with cod, chicken and green beans, cod and green beans, and just some chicken.

You really need the paella pan. I purchased mine at PaellaPans.com. You also really need the round Spanish rice. Beyond those two things, I believe its open to your imagination.

First saute garlic, onions, and other vegetables in some fine olive oil. Next is the sofrito with some tomato and paprika. Salt to taste. Then what ever your main ingredient is — chicken, meat, or ? It goes in. Finally rice and some stock. Boil at medium high for about 10 minutes. The water should be just about boiled away. Lower to medium low for another 5 minutes. Finally, for the socorat — the crunchy rice — bring the heat back up for another 2 minutes.

You’re down!

Let sit for 5 minutes covered then enjoy.

I’ve been following Spain On A Fork‘s recipes. He also has given me the directions. I just follow them generally. It’s strange that a lot of recipes tell you ten minutes at high. They’re usually doing a larger portion and yet it is the same time for my smaller portion. Also, follow the Spaniards and don’t mix seafood and meat. But you can do it anyway.

Mayhaps tomorrow will be another paella for dinner?

“He’s so good. Hard to believe he was fired from 37 different stations.” “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” “Are you saying he was a gay Marine?”

broderic on September 24, 2021

Link of the Day [9.24.21]

Was it really thirty years ago that these albums came out? Yes. Supposedly this was the best release days ever. Others can make the claim. I don’t know. All I know is that I remember the day well.

I was still in university at the U. I was especially waiting for the new Tribe album. I went to a music store called Coconuts. On the radio was playing “Smells like Teen Spirit.” I could not find the Tribe album. It was all sold out. I would get it sometime later, but not that day.

Since this was so long ago, I may be misremembering it all and this happened on a different day.

https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/9/24/22691047/biggest-album-release-dates-in-history-nirvana-tribe-rhcp