Calhoun Diary

FIVE events this week, one for every day of the week:

Gomem’s Castle Party
My Night Of Crap
Diva’s Naughty Jammies
Diva Mashes It Up
JVon’s 4/20

Not easy to do when the Events calendar on SLBuzz is already stocked, the events list in SL requires land ownership to post (or does it?), the main streaming servers are at a remote location, and I’ve got stumpy little legs.

What I can do is meet, greet, coordinate backups, and provide an alternate streaming server and playlist should all blow to hell.

I’d offer membership in the announcement lists (as well as make announcements), but I think that’s reserved for the Big Kahoona and The Big Kahoonette, possibly also Diva and Marlo since they have SoHo Events Dir flags (mine’s ForeFront for some reason, and I don’t think I’ve got PodShow as 1 of my 25 groups… got to free up another, it seems).

And I’m somewhat glad of that, since I have my hands full as it is during these things, and the more than can be spread out, the better.

Teamwork… leaders, planners, builders, coordinators, and drones herding the visitors and hired hands.

Precious.

Oh, and if you think I can take a break on the weekend when it comes to getting backups and crap ready, nope. Not happening. It’s 7 days solid: Jean’s got Saturday while Foxy’s up for Sunday

I need a third life to destress from the second, don’t I?

Hold on…

/drama off

That Sunday gig might be changing, though Last night, there was some sort of sound issue with the deejay. This came after what I mistook for an ego-tantrum, then silence, but it turned out to be some kind of miscommunication over the start time or something.

After fighting with my WinAmp for a bit, failing, and deciding I’m going to delete and reinstall it cleanly this evening, I got the stream running so the Deejay could be cleared for some chill-out recovery.

Then, I edited my notecard with my Deejays Roster. (If you want to get on that list, send Crap Mariner a link to your playlists, a shot of your spinning av, and what times you’re available. Oh, and whatever fees you command for appearances (not that you’ll necessary command those, but it’s always nice to know what expectations I’m going to break when I say “HOW MUCH?”).

I’m not sure whether I should be putting a WARNING notice by his name, or if I should just strike it out entirely after the second event in five days to get bollixed up one way or another.

Within SL, I try to be extremely forgiving, unless I’m pushed to the wall by SL issues, when I just log off and do something else until the situation resolves itself.

But there are a lot of deejays in SL, each more unreliable than the next, so it’s not like scratching one out for good means we’re going to be relying on Band In A Box or clanking spoons on the cage bars for a beat.

We’ve got a few folks wanting to practice and learn on SoHo, ready to answer the call to their island neighbors, and Night Of Crap if a perfect chance for the rookies to get their feet wet (and equipment settings burned in). There’s also Jean and Gomem and Diva and others who can lend some tips and suggested software platforms (and music sources) in case they’re not worried about the competition.

Aside from these Deejays For A Day, there’s also a core group of them that take their gigs very seriously and get the job done without screwing around or screwing up. Plus, they test their stuff out regularly and have backup plans in place if there’s a problem.

What do you think I should do?

For instance, the auction at Dixie Land Estates for Relay For Life… that sim was full, and I crashed out. Instead of fighting with the teleport issues, I went outside in RL and helped the Mrs garden for a bit.

Didn’t need to help drive up the price on Old Red, anyway… she got rented out for tens of thousands of Lindens, and I’m sure they’ll be paying higher premiums on their insurance plans as a result of that one date. (In these cases, is it bad form to ask for a “souvenir” from the other av to commemorate the occasion? And if that item is set for copy, is it bad form just to give over a copy instead of transferring the original?)

Whatever. I’m off the track again.

In the end, I got WinAmp going, I fired up Audacity and recorded some transition bits with my usual flair for oddness and comedy, trying to mention names of folks that were there without worrying if they’d still be there or not when the bumper came up.

Then I got trapped in a box with some drunk, angry snakes armed with knives while Cee Rap danced on the floor (aka E = M Cee Rap) waving a scythe around. Because… all together now… SCYTHE GOES WITH EVERYTHING… IT IS THE NEW BLACK!

(NOTE TO THE METAVERSE: Help!)

Then I was absorbed into The Monilith and challenged myself to evolve these monkeys up before my next gig on Jupiter.

You know, I need to ask Corey Akula how they do their bucket transitions… are they live interruptions or are they just generic ones that assume a big crowd. Or would this be bad form, since SoHo-Podshow is ramping up Friday nights in direct competition with Nowhereville parties, it seems.

*sigh* I did like those parties in Nowhereville among the monkeys. I will miss them, herding deejays like I do now.

Let’s see… do I have everything ready for 4/20? I guess I’d better check the list that Princess Pinky (my pet name for Andrea, Da Big Bwana Babe of Da Islandplace) left me:

Strange. You’d think she’d be using pink Post-Its instead of yellow ones.

By the way, Andrea in RL has quit smoking and is up to… um… 15 or 16 days or so! Way to go!

After a delay caused by the power adapter on my laptop catching fire, here, finally is the next story up in STORYGLOSSIA Issue 21: Kay Sexton’s “Funeral Games,” which has one of the most transcendent endings of any story I’ve read in a long, long time.

When good herbs go bad We almost always have some leftover fresh herb hanging around, in their clam shell packs or bound in rubber bands from the market. There’s mint that didn’t make it into our iced tea, chives we forgot to add to the buttermilk salad dressing, an extra bunch of parsley from the farmer’s market.

As The Washington Post explains:
One moment we’re tossing heaps of beautiful fresh basil on pasta, and the next the refrigerator drawer (that alleged “crisper”) has a large bag of unappetizing blackened slosh, which goes into the trash.

The article shares some suggestions for storing and using fresh herbs …
Tips for Storing Fresh Herbs from The Washington Post

• Rinse excess sand and soil off herbs as soon as you get them home.

• Store herbs in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Puncture some air holes in the back and keep the leaves away from the interior surface of the bag. Wrap the stems in a moist paper towel.

• As an alternative to storing herbs in a plastic bag, try placing the herbs like cilantro and parsley in a glass of water in the refrigerator

• Use leftover herbs to create pesto-style sauces.

For more herb storage suggestions and a recipe for Save The Herbs Pesto, check out the full article.

(Nick and Blake from The Paupered Chef wrote this piece for The Post. Check out their blog to see how really ugly green beans changed their lives and more.)

I see Miguel is expecting flak for his initiative to implement Silverlight on GNU/Linux, and I’m sure he’ll get it. The thing that caught my eye, however, was what terms I was asked to agree to if I as much as give Silverlight a try on any other platform in the ecosystem Miguel is helping create. Just take a look at the license agreement you’re assumed to agree to if you so much as click the “Get Silverlight” button (yes, your acceptance is there in 4-point text in the Get… graphic). You will be agreeing you will not:

work around any technical limitations in the software;
reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation;
publish the software for others to copy;
rent, lease or lend the software; or
transfer the software or this agreement to any third party.

In addition to that, you are agreeing:
that the limit of Microsoft’s liability in any matter (including “internet services”) is $5;
that Microsoft can gather information about your computer and internet connection;
that they can automatically modify the software.
If you’re a business, you’re also not covered by the MPEG patent licenses, and you may be agreeing to waive some of your other contract terms if you’re a Microsoft competitor.
Now, I’m not a lawyer but to my eyes, all those are terms that are incredibly hostile to the spirit and practice of Free software. Miguel is encouraging you to surrender your freedoms if you’re using the technology he promotes anywhere but the operating system he is working on. He’s the lure for someone else’s trap.
That’s also why I don’t yet share Tim O’Reilly’s enthusiasm for Microsoft’s apparent epiphany. I realise it will take them a long time to modify their historic behaviours, and I would welcome their decision to promote software freedom. Their new projects, however, should not be actively undermining our freedoms like this, and I can only conclude that regardless of any lip-service to “open source”, software freedom is not yet their goal. That’s the issue, Tim.

Over a month ago, Sepia Mutiny reported that New York City was considering issuing a parking holiday in deference to the Diwali holiday on November 1. While New York’s Committee on Transportation unanimously approved the motion, it was rumored that New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg would veto the legislation. On October 28, as the 30 day time-limit for the veto was set to expire, Mayor Bloomberg vetoed it. From one of the organizer’s emails: Because the mayor vetoed the bill so late, “there is not enough time remaining before Diwali (Nov 1 is the date the city was planning to observe it) to override him and observe the holiday this year. Council Member Brewer is confident that the council will override the Mayor, but it will probably happen at one of the two Stated Council meetings in November (I believe 11/17 and 11/31). So the city will officially observe Diwali next year. This year November 1 falls on All Saints day, on which alternate side of the street parking is suspended anyway.” According to the same email, the Mayor is rumored to be planning a Diwali party at Gracie Mansion, a bit puzzling since he vetoed a bill which would highlight the holiday. Even if Bloomberg doesn’t have the party, the City Council is having one on Wednesday, November 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers at city hall. RSVP by 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 here.
We were also informed that back in February of 2005, Representative Joseph Crowley of the seventh district of New York introduced a mostly symbolic resolution recognizing the Diwali holiday. The resolution’s purpose is simply to “express the sentiments of one of the houses,” and will not make Diwali a public holiday. Still it is nice to see some effort to recognize. See the text of the “simple resolution” here.

Lastly, Washington Post reporter S. Mitra Kalita continues her series of India-centric blog posts, entitled “India 2.0,” with her most recent discussing her Diwali partying. Click here to peruse her latest, and click here to see the archives.

Still no word on the stamp.

(WENN)

Kate Moss is serious. She’s tossed out all of Pete Doherty’s things and had the locks changed. He, on the other hand, is claiming she’s stalking him and keeps calling him up and screaming. They remind of me of drunk couples who fight at parties and one of them always ends up laying across the hood of the car trying to prevent the other one from leaving. Except, of course, there’s crack involved.

The fiery love affair between Kate Moss and her musician boyfriend Pete Doherty has come to an abrupt end as furious Kate first hired a removal van to remove his belongings, and now she’s hired some heavies to keep the Babyshambles frontman out.

A source confirmed to The Mirror: “It is so over between Kate and Pete. She has brought in new security guards and Pete can’t get anywhere near.
Pete has another story, and reportedly told Kate prior to their split that it’s like “living with a f*cking stalker”. I don’t believe any of this. There is no way they are this verbal. Because with all the drugs he does, the only sound going on was his forehead smacking the kitchen table after he lifts off via syringe.

Everett, WA, May 17, 2007 - InMediaRes Productions, LLC, is currently negotiating an agreement to acquire the world-wide RPG publishing rights for the Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun Intellectual Properties from WizKids, Inc. To facilitate this, InMediaRes Productions, LLC, is forming a new publishing division, Catalyst Game Labs, to produce and publish products for both properties.

The personnel directly responsible for producing the Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun lines for almost a decade will continue their support of these fantastic properties under the Catalyst Game Labs imprint. The same people who developed Shadowrun Fourth Edition, the EN World RPG Award (”ENnies”) winner for Best Rules and Best Product, and who also developed Total Warfare for the Classic BattleTech line to much acclaim; in less than six months the rulebook has gone back for a second printing.

“Bringing onboard the talented people responsible for such successes with Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun was a natural decision,” said Loren L. Coleman, Acquisitions Editor and one of the managing owners of InMediaRes Productions, LLC. “Catalyst Game Labs will quickly demonstrate our dedication to providing high quality products—licensed and original—in a timely manner to the community.”

InMediaRes Productions, LLC, has dedicated itself to immediately addressing recent problems, such as missed release dates. The formation of Catalyst Game Labs, which will focus on operations and production, is a necessary first step.

“I’m very pleased with this new development,” said Joe Hauck, VP of Marketing at WizKids, Inc. “Maintaining our Classic BattleTech and Shadowrun properties is a priority for WizKids, and we look forward to working with InMediaRes Productions to strengthen both brands.”

www.CatalystGameLabs.com has already launched, and will be developed rapidly in coming weeks and months as Catalyst Game Labs prepares to release its first products this summer. Keep an eye on the website for more details!

About InMediaRes Productions, LLC
InMediaRes Productions LLC has developed BattleCorps.com as the premiere on-line fiction source for Classic BattleTech. BattleCorps.com actively supports the Classic BattleTech community, their BattleShop offers everything from poster maps to PDF sourcebooks, miniatures to software, and is the one-stop-shop for any fan of the BattleTech/MechWarrior universe. Their subscription-based services also take the Classic BattleTech experience to a whole new level, featuring a stable of authors from national best sellers to great new talent, new art, unique product previews, faction specific message boards and moderated chats with authors and developers.

About WizKids, Inc.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company (TOPP), WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Its HeroClix® and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over one hundred million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

-David M. Stansel-Garner
Materials & Operations Manager
InMediaRes Productions

Artictle XIV

By Kanela

When was the last time you heard the word “boycott”? I believe it’s time to use it again against a company that chose to ignore my ultimatum for justice.

Schwebel Baking Company’s insurance people asked me what I wanted for Mother Rose’s unfortunate discovery in her Honey & Oat Bran bread.

I said, “$25,000.”

They said, “Laughter.”

I said, “You asked me what I wanted, not what I thought I would receive.”

They said, “Louder laughter.”

I said, “I will settle for $2,000. If I don’t hear from you by March 24th, I will break my tentative vow of silence.”

I believe they scoffed. (Scoffed is a funny word.)

Well all of you people out there in Readerland, I’m hoping you will join me on a Consumer Crusade. Let’s show SBC (Schwebel Baking Company) that the keyboard is mightier than the Bread Company. This is for all the times you wanted compensation, but were refused and unable to do anything about it. Call or write Roman Meal, SBC, or Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. Tell them you are not going to buy another loaf of their bread, etc. until they start removing pieces of de-panner equipment from their loaves or until Mother Rose gets compensated. (Price has now gone up to $4,000. Delay is costly. Price will continue to double willy-nilly (funny word).

In addition, you can display the disgusting pictures of their product in the bread aisle of your local supermarket. If we do this nationwide, we may get some results.

Meanwhile, if you would like to start contributing to the Mother Rose Fund, feel free to fax your tax deductible donations to:

1-800-GOT-RAW-DEAL

or

1-800-GOT-BIG-ZERO

Keep in mind that bills work best in a fax machine. We accept Euros also.

You can also e-mail your money to money@sandraseeley.com and I will make sure it goes directly to Mother Rose.

This part is for real. Call:

Roman Meal at 1-800-922-0017

Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. at 1-800-437-1266

From this end of the monitor, I will continue the Consumer Crusade until we get compensated for the masses or until I can no longer number my articles in Roman Numerals. Go Consumers!Contact Sandra Seeley today for reference to any of my hats that I wear. That is, Humor Columnist Speaker Author and Writer.

Subject: Could you mention the
Carnival of Space?
Jerry, I am kicking off a Carnival of Space.

Would you be willing to mention it on your blog? Here
is the announcement:

http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2007/04/announcing-carnival-of-space.html 

Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for your consideration.
– — * * * * Henry Cate III <cate3@panix.com> * * * *
"Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you’ll understand what
little chance you have in trying to change others." — Jacob M. Braude Our
blog: http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/ The 67th Carnival of Homeschooling:
http://apollosacademy.blogspot.com/2007/04/coh-week-67-poetry-of-homeschooling.html

From designers to photographers & now bollywood deepkia padukone seems to be everyone’s hot favourite. No other model has captured the imagination oft he junta so much in the last few years, Bollywood Pundits have already labeled her as the next big thing , dubbed as the next aishwarya rai by a few as well. Discovered by Anila Anand in Bangalore this daughter of indian badminton legend prakash padukone is simply the most beautiful girl in india right now. She’s young & fresh which is exactly what bollywood needs right now.The aishwarya-rani-preity-sushmita etc etc forms the 25-30 year old bracket .There is simply no other actress upto the mark in Deepika’s peer group. There are perhaps the ayesha takias & amrita raos of the industry but they dont really seem to be having the best of offers or movies. There hasnt been even seem any high profile bollywood debut in a long time now on the female front , perhaps sonam kapoor could be one, but sanjay bhansali has kept her underwraps & there are almost of photos of her , its hard to say how she will be in sawariya, however its almost seems certain deepika will be well accepted in Om Shaanti Om.

A small biographic video of deepika.

For More Pics Visit http://desibabesandhunks.blogspot.com