4/5 Tack on PPP

This week my Overall Tack Rating at Payperpost is 4/5.


This is the first time I reach that level eversince the Overall Tack Rating was introduced. Votes and Bans remained the same. Tack rating went up by one. looks nice.

Craving for McD for Lunch

I was done and ready for spring break. I was hungry. Really hungry. And I was craving for McDonald's Big Mac and French Fries. So I hopped onto my bike and braved the cold weather and the raindrops to cycle a few blocks down Regent St. to buy my warm food. Really really good.

Got my food and had a yummy lunch.

Denver Preview

Denver has the 10th largest downtown in the USA.


Just recently renovated, Denver Marriott City Center's spacious guest rooms are perfect for relaxing or getting down to business.


The Denver Marriott City Center, located in the heart of downtown Denver, is walking distance to Coor's Field, Pepsi Center, Larimer Square, Pavilions and LoDo.

Madison to Denver $649 for Return Tickets

I got an email from Northwest Airlines with a table of sample air fares as shown on the left. It shows a sample fare from Madison to Denver for about $122 each way, which totals up to about $244 per round trip ticket. However, when I went to NWA.com to check out the price, it's $649 per round trip ticket.That's more than double of the advertisd price!
Inaccurate pricing. Sample air fares suck.

Then I tried searching for Chicago-Denver, and it came out to $460 per round trip ticket. Catching a bus to Chicago from Madison costs about $35.

I Crashed Into Lamp Post

I was coming back to my class yesterday when I accidentally crashed my bike into a lamp post. And now my left big toe is bruised.

Finally, I Own a Gillette Fusion

I checked my mailbox today and saw a Gillette Fusion box. I knew instantly. This is gonna replace my Schick Quattro which hasn't been very effective lately.

Gillette Fusion has a 5 blade shaving surface plus a precision trimmer at the back. But the colors are kinda ugly though. :P

The Quiet World

I saw this, and love can exist in a quiet world indeed.
I love you Baby Jerry.
You ask if I shall love you always,
My answer would be .. 'til the end of days.

I bring forward ladies and gentlemen:
The Quiet World

In an effort to get people to look
into each other's eyes more,
the government has decided to allot
each person exactly one hundred
and sixty-seven words, per day.

When the phone rings, I put it
to my ear without saying hello.
In the restaurant I point
at chicken noodle soup. I am
adjusting well to the new way.

Late at night, I call my long
distance lover and proudly say
I only used fifty-nine today.
I saved the rest for you.

When she doesn't respond, I know
she's used up all her words
so I slowly whisper I love you,
thirty-two and a third times.
After that, we just sit on the line
and listen to each other breathe.

-- Jeffrey McDaniel

"It's not always about what others can do for you, it's about what you can do for others." -- me

Remember to Bring Back Your Food

I went to Hong Kong Cafe for dinner last night and forgot to bring back my leftover food. Already put them in the box but left the restaurant without realising that it was still on the table. Foolish. Silly. Waste of money ahhh!!!!!!!!!

GoDaddy 12% Discount

It's still March Madness! The Ohio State Buckeyes camefrom 20 points down to topple (barely) Tennessee. That's how they do it. And they are that good.Clutch at crunch time. I like. So here's the deal. GODaddy is running a promo in conjuction with March Madness. The clock is running down. This special 12%** offer expires March 25, 2007 at midnight (Pacific time), so don't wait — start shopping now! Order online at www.GoDaddy.com or call 1-480-505-8821 today! To get your discount, simply enter source code gdm0319c in your shopping cart, or mention the code when you call.

Spring Is Here

SO are the midterms. Right before Spring Break. Geez I am so stressed out now. For once I had doubts over my future. Cloudy. Shady. Smurky. I wonder how would time pass.

Lifesavers (POLO substitute) is expensive

$0.85 for a small roll of Lifesavers is just not really that worth it.
I always buy HALLS, but the kiosk store in Union South doesnt have HALLS, so I just grabbed a Lifesavers and go. Wont be buying another one anytime soon.

Win a PSP from DiGi Contest

DiGi is having a contest called Ducks in da Tub.
The grand prize is a Sony PSP.
Prizes will be awarded according to the highest scores (sum of scores from all 5 levels) shown within the game.
It is 2 week challenge and you can keep on playing to improve your highest score.
http://www.ducksindatub.com/index.cfm

Malaysia's Nicol David is World No. 1

http://www.wispa.net/view_rankings.asp

http://www.horizonsoftware.net/entry/wispa/ranking.php?player=T00457

When Life Is A Tragedy, Death Is The Savior

This is a quote from Daily Cardinal a while back.

When life is a tragedy, death is the savior.

Think about it.

In-flight iPods in the works

Our friends over at BudgetTravelOnline.com note that United, Delta, and Continental "hope to install iPod seat connections in their planes by mid-2007."
But what, you may ask, does that mean?
I was wondering, too. Apple's website explains it like this: "[The] iPod seat connections [will allow travelers to] power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the seat back displays."

In addition to the three domestic carriers already mentioned, Apple says that Air France, Emirates, and KLM also plan to get in on the iPod action.

NCAA Men's Basketball Printable Brackets

Click on the image to see the full-sized brackets. Let the Madness of March begin!

Undisclosed iPhone features?

Over at AppleInsider, there's an article about a video team from Actioncorp who went over Steve Jobs’ keynote speech with a fine-tooth comb to find hidden features on the iPhone. Now that's dedication! Apparently they broke the video down frame-by-frame, looking for interface bits and pieces that might signify exciting undisclosed iPhone features.
Among their findings, a ringtones tab makes an appearance, which the group suggests may mean iPhone users will have a lot of flexibility in that area–maybe even the ability to browse and buy ringtones from the iTunes Store. The calendar app also was mentioned, with a brief description of what action each button might do. Another possible feature from the video findings is possible GPS directions via the Google Maps feature. Apparently, the video team noticed extra buttons on the map tool, indicating that iPhone users would be able to get traffic indicators and possibly directions to their destination. You can watch Actioncorp's video of these findings here.
While these possible features are entirely speculative, it’s an interesting video and we highly recommend you take a look if you're as interested in the iPhone as we are (not likely!).
What do you think? Does Apple have a secret plan to offer iPhone ringtones at the iTunes Store? What other features do you think we'll get with the iPhone? Are we wasting our time looking at specualtive iPhone videos?

Wisconsin Meets Michigan State for the Third Time in Four Games

Wisconsin is taking on Michigan State for the 3rd time in 4 games. This time it's the Big Ten Tournament. After not having a match vs Michigan St. in the first 28 games of the season, the Badgers will try to contain Drew Neitzel again and surely they'll be more that ready after playing twice against his team. Without Brian Butch, Greg Stiesma and Carl Landry will have more minutes, and hopefully both can contribute offensively and lighten the load of Alando Tucker, the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Lenovo Recalls Thinkpad Batteries

Several Lenovo Thinkpad batteries have been recalled because they may overheat.

Lenovo has recalled batteries for the ThinkPad notebook models R60, R60e, T60, T60p, Z60m, Z61e, Z61m and Z61p.

The batteries in question are 9-cell batteries with the part number FRU P/N 92P1131 and were sold between November 2005 and February 2007 for about 180 dollars as an add on to the ThinkPads listed above. About 205,000 of these batteries were sold word wide.

The batteries themselves work fine, but if someone drops their laptop it could cause the batteries to overheat a spokesmen for Lenovo said.

To check if you have the recalled battery visit: http://www.lenovo.com/news/us//en/2007/03/battery_recall.html
Or call 800-426-7378

Vonage Loses VOIP Patent Case vs Verizon

Vonage today was ordered by an eight member jury to pay Verizon 58 million dollars plus 5.5% royalty rate on future Vonage earnings.Verizon was asking the Jury to award them over 197 million and 4.95 royalty rates per customer. But it would appear that h Jury settled for a quarter of Verizon's request.With various other VoIP companies breathing down Vonage's neck, Vonage really needed to win this case. The dispute revolves around 5 patents Verizon engineers devised in the mid 1990’s.It is unclear how Vonage customers are going to be effected by the decision but same analyst are already claiming that their customers will see an increase in fees. Some also warn that other VoIP providers my face similar lawsuits.

t'd be mighty painful for Vonage to cut off service to all 2.2 million of its customers (they'd still be able to make VoIP calls to other Vonage subscribers, but who'd stick around for that?), and it's not clear how likely it is that Verizon will receive the injunction it's seeking.

5 Most Popular Smartphones

5 Most Popular Wirefly Smartphones

From Wirefly's data, it shows that there is a sharp growth in smartphone sales. Undeniably, smartphones has gained broader coverage each and everyday. The 1st quarter sales of 2007 grew a whopping 70% from the third quarter sales of 2006.

Being a smartphone user myself, the possibilities of a smartphone is endless with the wide selections of mobile softwares availble in the market. That is the edge a smartphone has overs its other couterparts, besides having multiple functions built into it. Here are the
top 5 smartphones according to Wirefly:

1. Cingular BlackJack
2. BlackBerry Pearl (for Cingular and T-Mobile)
3. 8700 series (for Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon)
4. Cingular BlackBerry 8800
5. Motorola Q for Verizon Wireles

I want to sell my unlocked Cingular 8125 to raise money for a new Blackberry Pearl. I like the Blackberry Pearl because it has this executive and sleek look.
Brought to you by HardwareGeeks

Wisconsin - Beer, Cheese and Frostbites

People often say Wisconsin is great and popular for its beer, cheese and frostbites. I couldn't agree more.
The beer is plentiful, the cheese is everywhere and the coldness is just a freaking killer.

FIFA Soccer 07 for Xbox 360 - $29.99 @ Amazon

Circuit City and bestbuy sell it for $49.99.


List Price: $49.99
Price: $29.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $20.00 (40%)

Read What I Wrote @ Helium [iPod]

I have always wanted to be a good if not great writer. But I am not that good. How nice if I could be the writer of a column in a magazine or a newspaper.

Register your TiVo DVRs with Amazon Unbox and Get $15 in Videos

Register your TiVo DVRs with Amazon Unbox and Get $15 free in Videos

Purchase or rent selected videos at Amazon Unbox and download them directly to your TiVo Now Playing List.

Register your broadband-connected Series2 or Series3 TiVo DVRs by April 30th and get $15 in videos from Amazon Unbox (see details). Sorry, not available for DIRECTV TiVo subscribers.

Logitech VX Revolution Notebook Mouse 34.95 AR at Amazon

Amazon now has Logitech VX Revolution Notebook Mouse for $34.95 after $20 rebate. It qualifies for free 5-7 ground shipping as well. Amazon charges no tax. This is a very good mouse ( I am currently using it) and a very hot price too! I got mine from Buy.com a while back when they had the GoogleCheckout promo.

Ron Artest Arrested

Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest was arrested Monday after a woman inside his home in a Sacramento suburb called 911 and said she had been assaulted. Ron Artest slapped a woman's face and grabbed her repeatedly, causing visible injuries, according to a sheriff's report made public TuesdayIn a portion of the 911 tape released by authorities, the woman described injuries to her hand and leg. The report also said Artest took a phone from the woman the first time she tried to call 911.

"Cingular is Now the New AT&T"

What's up with Cingular? First AT&T became Cingular, now Cingular is becoming AT&T again. (??)
What is the main driving force behind the change of name? After Cingular established itself as the taking over of AT&T, after all those switching account status by the ex-AT&T customers, now Cingular is becoming AT&T again. Fun fact: The first cell phone under the new AT&T brand will probably be the Apple iPhone.
However, it does make sense for everyone to think the Apple iPhone is exclusively available through Cingular Wireless, as the official carrier.
Just weird that after such a long period of having AT&T removed from the list of cellular carriers, now they're back, replacing Cingular.
The point is, Cingular is already very well know at this point. Can it be that the AT&T name is just more embedded in people's heads? Reports cited that they plan to use the same name for all aspects of the company—from local and long distance to wireless, data and video services. Well, this totally makes sense. You wouldn't want some services under the name Cingular and another service under the name AT&T when they are actually both under the same company.
I read on Engadget a while back about Cingular being scheduled to be rebranded as AT&T by iPhone launch, which is sometime around June/July 2007. Note that it is now AT&T instead of AT&T Wireless.
So I guess the iPhone would then have a second name of "The AT&T iPhone"? That doesnt sound nice, at all. What's gonna happen to the Cingular branded phones, such as my Cingular 8125? Will it become AT&T 8125?
The Cingular / AT&T confusion seems to be cleared up with the on going TV commercials of the catch phrase of Cingular being the new AT&T now. I think that plan is going the righ direction and not long people will know.

Ten Most Expensive College Tuitions

Here is a quickfact on the top ten most expensive tuitions in the United States.

1. George Washington University ($37820)
2. University of Richmond ($36550)
3. Sarah Lawrence College ($36088)
4. Kenyon College ($36050)
5. Vassar College ($36030)
6. Bucknell Univeristy ($36002)
7. Bennington College ($35250)
8. Columbia University ($35166)
9. Wesleyan University ($35144)
10. Trinity College ($35130)

Just when you think you're paying too much for tuitions, there are some who are paying way more!

The Acceptance of Reality

I read this on my friend's blog. I feel for her.

:Quote:
:: THE ACCEPTANCE OF REALITY ::
It takes buckets and buckets of tears for me to accept truth.The truth said that i cudnt just get away with crimes everytime and let other people bail me out.The truth also said that it was wrong to love someone that isn't yours.The truth also said that glory also lead to many falls by many historical examples.i read and knew all of these by heart,yet along the way i lost track of my own standing.
:Unquote:

Life is hard, only if you are normal. Life makes us tougher, only if learn from it. Life makes us stronger, only if we come out of it. Life makes us smile in the rain, it makes us cry in the sun. Life makes me realise, life is too short to look back in anger.

Free after rebate iPod Nano & Video Speck ToughSkin

If your iPod still lacks a skin to protect it from scratches and cosmetic defects, now is the time to get one, FREE!
This item is available from Amazon.com for FREE after rebate ($19.99)
Rebate form is available here.

The one on the right is for an iPod Video.

Take the power of Google Maps with you on your mobile phone

Take the power of Google Maps with you on your mobile phone.
Real-time traffic — See where the congestion is, and estimate delays in over 30 major US metropolitan areas.
Detailed directions — Whether you plan to walk or drive, your route is displayed on the map itself, together with step-by-step directions.
Integrated search results — Local business locations and contact information appear all in one place, integrated on your map.
Easily movable maps — Interactive maps let you zoom in or out, and move in all directions so you can orient yourself visually.
Satellite imagery — Get a bird's eye view of your desired location. (It's like you're there, we swear.)
Looking for other ways to access Google local listings from your mobile device? Try text messaging Google or using your mobile web browser to get local listings.

Password Complexity

Recently I had to change password for my NetID and the new policy requires me to have passwords which must be a minimum of eight (8) characters in length. They must contain characters from at least three (3) of the following categories: uppercase letters (A-Z); lowercase letters (a-z); digits (0-9); and special characters (~`!@#$%^&*()+=_-{}[]\|:;"’?/<>,.)

Now why would I need uppercase letters and special characters in my password? Too complex for my tiny brain. What's your password like? My favorite is 1234567890. Easy as a piece of cake.

PPP Has Auto Approval System?

catmommy9 asked this question in the PPP Townhall Meeting: What’s the deal with *auto-approved* posts?

Ted Murphy provided a brief response, that is:

"This is based on your previous performance in the system, how many approval vs. rejections, how many tacks and bans."

A few posts were on auto-approval system (i.e. approved automatically and instantly after they were submitted. Which to me, simply means the requirements are not strict for those opps and not monitored for approval. I am just wondering how effective will that be since it appears to me that only basic link exposure is wanted. ^^shrugs^^

Movies: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2007)

I just saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer aired over the TV last night. Being a big TMNT fan, I can hardly wait. March 23rd 2007. A CGI movie. Right on!
This first video is the trailer from youtube:

This second one is the one I saw on TV:

The third one is a clip from G4TV:



More links:
IMDB
Multiple sources of its trailer are available on this page.