Interesting Facts

from 1,411 Quite Interesting Facts to Knock You Sideways by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin:

"Everyone has at least 50,000 thoughts a day but 95% of them are the same as the day before."

"The hole in a guillotine through which you stick your neck is called a “lunette.”"

from 1,339 Quite Interesting Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin:

"The faint trace of perfume left in the wake of a passing person is known as “sillage.”"

"Locust swarms move so fast because each locust is trying to eat the one in front and avoid being eaten by the one behind."

"When the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in 1911, people flocked to look at the space where it had been."

"Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, spent nine years sitting facing a wall."

"General Franco kept the mummified hand of St. Teresa of Avila on his bedside table until his death."

"Everyone sleeps in one of six different positions: “fetus,” “log,” “yearner,” “soldier,” “freefaller,” or “starfish.”"

"The medical condition known as a “stroke” is short for “a stroke of God’s hand.”"

from 1,227 Quite Interesting Facts to Blow Your Socks Off by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, James Harkin:

"Oranges and lemons smell different due to chemically identical molecules that are mirror images of each other. An orange is really just a left-handed lemon."

"50% more US soldiers committed suicide in 2012 than were killed in action in Afghanistan."

"Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest in San Francisco. Not only did he not win, he failed even to make the final."

"Metrophobia n. Fear of poetry."

"Aborigines, whose culture reaches back to the last Ice Age, have names for (and can locate) mountains that have been under the sea for 8,000 years."

"There is more information in one edition of the New York Times than the average person in 17th-century England would have come across in a lifetime."

"The Italian verb asolare means “to pass time in a delightful but meaningless way.”"

"As soon as tiger shark embryos develop teeth they attack and eat each other in the womb."

And not a fact, but a good quote from "The Museum of Literary Souls by John Connolly:

"“I met Hamlet at a number 48B bus stop,” said Mr. Gedeon. “He’d been there for some time, poor chap. At least eight buses had passed him by, and he hadn’t taken any of them. It’s to be expected, I suppose. It’s in his nature.”"

Direct TV: Public Service Announcement

7/14/2016

My AT&T Universe contract was coming to an end, and I called to see if I could get a good deal or if it was time to switch providers. The AT&T person told me that I could get better internet and pretty much the same television service if I went with a Direct TV bundle instead.  I hesitated.  I asked if they got the channels I needed (as we cannot be without WWE Raw and Smackdown for Joe).  Yes.  I hesitated.  I asked if I was going to lose my signal when there was a storm.  No--the signal is as or more reliable than cable.  I hesitated. I said I would think about it and call back.  I thought about it.  I called back.  I asked again, "Am I going to lose my signal when the weather is bad?"  No. Okay.  I scheduled installation.  

When the tech came out I asked her about the signal during bad weather.  She said that she had had Direct TV for seven years and had never lost her signal.  I felt better about it.

A couple of days later it rained.  I lost my signal.  Joe went nuts. The signal came back.  Then it went back out.  Then it came back. Then it went back out.  

In the next couple of weeks it rained several times.  I lost my signal every time for at least a few minutes.  I asked a Direct TV salesperson about it.  He said that I shouldn't have lost my signal, and that the antenna might have been installed improperly.  I called another number and they said they would send a tech out.

The tech came out.  He checked everything.  Said everything looked good.  I told him I was losing my signal every time it rained.  He said, "Yeah, that happens.  It's a satellite connection, so when there is cloud cover . . . even if you can't see the cloud cover  . . . you will lose your signal."  I told him that four other Direct TV people had told me that I wouldn't lose my signal during bad weather.  He said, "Yeah, we need to work on that."

Fuuuuuuuck.

So to conclude, (1) I hate Direct TV and really wish that I had gone over to Time Warner instead, and (2) I have 21 more months to put up with this bullshit, so I hope that I can save you that frustration.

UPDATE: 1/5/2017

The Bad News: Direct TV . . . which is actually DIRECTV, I've learned . . . just got worse. As of New Year's Eve, they are not carrying WLKY. I'm guessing that they will eventually get it back, but we're talking about the channel that carries Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!  And I'm talking about an autistic daughter who loves those shows, and even lets me sit next to her for a whole hour while she watches. So . . . . fuck DIRECTV, man. I went to Best Buy and bought an ANT1275F AMPLIFIED DIGITAL INDOOR ANTEN (and no, I don't have the slightest idea what that means) for  29.99 + Sales Tax of1.80, took it home and unscrewed the antenna cable that was in and screwed in the cable from the antenna, set it up in the window on top of an ironing board, fired it up and . . . 

WLKY in all of its glory. That's what I'm talking about. And if I can find a way to get the other channels the kids watch, I am never going to sign up for satellite or cable tv again.

The Good News: Only 16 more months to go on my DIRECTV contract. Time flies when you're getting fucked.

UPDATE: 1/7/2017

WLKY has returned to the DIRECTV fold. But I've still got that fine antenna and its dozen and a half (or maybe more) channels. 16 months and counting.

Mr. Robot Season 2 Premiere: 84 Things I Liked and 1 Thing That I Didn't Like

1.  I like that we start with the beginning of the "lost three days"
2.  Elliott eats popcorn.
3.  The sound of popcorn becomes the sound of Eliot falling back in the snow.
4.  The pan up from fallen Eliott is a pan down which goes up to the window he fell out of.  Or "fell" out of.
5.  The way the camera circles the room while the doctor discusses Eliot's injuries with the parents.
6.  The way the sound blurs out as the doctor talks to Elliot.
7.  The use of the song "Daydreamin'" to transition us to Elliot's present.  Speaking of which, the use of music in this show is pretty fantastic.
8.  Breakfast with Leon . . . who talks exclusively about Seinfeld.
9.  The way Elliot thinks, "It's really fucking with him."  and then Leon says, " It's really fuckin' wif me."
10. The use of President Obama to talk about the Evil Corp hack.  Is it okay to use the president for this kind of thing?  I wonder if they had to get permision.
11.  "Hot Carla, the local pyro, is usually there."
12.  "I still don't understand why people like sports.  They get so emotional over the weirdest things.  But I do see the beauty in the rules.  The invisible code of chaos hiding behind the menacing face of order."
13.  The fact that he eats three meals a day with Leon . . . and that Leon is still talking about Seinfeld.  And that Eliot never says anything back. 
14.  The human condition is a straight up tragesy, cuz."
15.  The church group--espcially the guy in the black hat.
16. "And then I go to bed."  Elliot's day is
17. Ordinary analogue sleep.
18. When I saw that Elliot was talking to a psychiarrist, I immediately thought, "Don't let it be Krista; there's no way that she would take him back on as a client."  And then I saw it was indeed her, but within a minute they addressed the question of why she took him back on.  I didn't buy the explanation, but it made me happy that they addressed it.  (It would have made me even happier if they'd done some fourth wall thing, like, "You know I only agreed to take you back on because the continuity of the show required it.")
19. Elliot telling "us" that he doesn't trust us after what we did.
20. Elliot writing, "Something about Che Guevera throwing up" in his journal.
21. Mr. Robot shooting Elliot in the forehead.
22. Elliot still having a head wound when he sits up after being shot, 
23. and the wound bleeding onto his journal 
24. as he writes, "He shot me in the head again." and other things.
25. Cutting the balls off of the Wall Street bull.  Although for the most part I don't approve of cutting off balls scenes of any sort.
26. The open market on the street with people shouting out.
27. "Unfortunately my Fitness has stopped."  Unfortunately, heh heh.  This whole "polite machines" thing really cracks me up.  I think it's a good indication of just how supremely fucked up we 21st century denizens are.
28. Again, Music Visions:  the Mozart which plays as Susan Jacobs / Madame Executioner swims in her indoor pool . . .
29 . . . and how creepy it seems when it abruptly cuts off.
30.  And, of course, the whole "Smart House Done Went Crazy" schtick.  A good metaphor for how out increasing technological sophistication has made us vulnerable to exploitation by people who know some shit.  And maybe a comment on how we use things we don't even vaguely understand.  Reminds me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance when Pirsig talked about how when some farmer guys got a truck they immediately took it apart and put it back together again so that they knew how it worked and how to fix it when (a given, so not if) it stopped working properly.
1.  I really dislike these HP Star Trek commercials.  It seems like character abuse to me.  Or at least concept abuse.
31. The fact that Madame Executioner turns the temperature to 75 degrees.  Or attempts to, anyway.  Who the fuck sets their thermostat to 75 degrees???
32. A Cyber Pearl Harbor . . . that's a pretty great phrase, isn't it?
33. The way that Elliot tries to pay attention to Gideon, but is constantly distracted by Mr. Robot.
34. Christian Slater may have the best smart ass voice of all time. 
35. He also does the most menacing apple peeling I've ever seen.
36. "Now he's doing what all small animals do when they're scared: pretend they're bigger and scarier."  It's funny because it's true.  
37. The way that Elliot's "no" to Mr. Robot is perceived as "no" to him by Gideon.
38. That hideous industrial music that comes in as we go to a close up on the apple peel.
39.  The way that this show pretends to be about hacking, but is really completely about mental illness. 
40. "I am not some tumor to be excised, understand?"
41. " . . . the thick grimy film of Facebook Friend requests and Vine stars . . . . "
42. The way that pretty Darlene (Carly Chaikin) allows herself to be shown sitting on the floor looking unattractive and forlorn.  
43. How stupid the Castrated Balls Party partiers are.  "We got the BALLS!"  I have to admit (and I am chagrined to do so) that it makes me happy to see the stupidity of people portrayed on the screen.  I think it's because I get so sick of not being able to respond to the stupidity I encounter in my daily life . . . though of course I wouldn't really want to respond to it, as that would be rude at best and probably cruel as well.
44. The way Darlene screams as she stomps the CBP's phone.
45. Darlene's "First of all, that's low" in response to the bearded hacker guy saying her speech was like George W. Bush. 
46. "It took me three weeks to get this appointment, madam.  Now you're telling me that you can't help me."  This is especially resonant if you happen to have a special needs child or two and have had to deal with Medicaid, Social Security, etc.
47. "And frankly, I think we can find $5.9 million in between our couch cushions.  It's nothing."  Just think . . . there are actually people who think this way . . . there are actually people for whom this statement is true.  
48. Burning $5.9 million while Phil Collins's "Take Me Home" plays.  Although I really hate seeing people burn money.  That would have bought a lot of food for homeless people, you know.
49. And I like that that was reflected in the faces of many of the people who were watching the money burn.  
50. And that there were people videoing it . . . but not a single person tried to grab any of the money.  What the fuck?
51. "No, no, on your face."
52. Michael Cristofer as Phillip Price.  Another great voice, btw. 
53. I also like it that he plays The Bad Guy in both this show and Rubicon.  Speaking of which . . . 
54. "Those reports . . . they're mostly lies."  Here's how good this show it:  I don't even feel that I have to check on this
55. "It doesn't matter . . . as long as the con works, and people buy, sell, whatever it is we want them to."
56. "And we all know . . . a con doesn't work without the CONfidence."
57. I was thinking how much Grace Gummer looks like a young Meryl Steep.  

Ha ha.  I'll bet she gets that a lot, eh?

58.  "Which is why I'm a little jealous of Maxine over here, cause all she gives a shit about is eating and sleeping."  The key to happiness there.
59. "loquacious"
60. and e.e. cummings
61.  "That's some cold brutal shit right there.  I'm going to have to go listen to some Adele on repeat when I get home."
62.  I really like Ray, but I don't trust him at all.  How did he know Elliot's name?
63. And you know, the black actors in this show are just playing people, not the way most shows work.  If you know what I mean. Put it this way, there are many shows I can't watch because the black actors because it seems like they're doing a modern day version of Stepin Fetchit.
64. Stephanie Corneliussen.  Even though they sometimes make her look like a fish, which isn't something that I like.
65.  "Tell her whatever you want, but right now, get out of my fucking cubicle."  Angela turned into a tough bitch, didn't she?  Not really what I would call a good thing . . . but I like it, like it, yes I do.
66. "Please . . . it's been a month."  Cause that's how long a family gets to grieve over the father / husband committing suicide on national television.  Like Claudius to Hamlet, Jr.: " . . . to persever /
In obstinate condolement is a course / Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief."
67. "They are barbarians in ten thousand dollar suits."
68. "We've already figured that out.  Now we're just negotiating." Burn!
69.  The affirmations program.  "I am confident.  I am confident." That shit really cracks me up.  Gee . . . I wonder if it actually works?  I'm pretty sure that I'll ever know the answer to that question.
70. "Maxine wants to come over and say hi, she missed you."  Ray just won't quit.  I hope it's because he's a really nice guy 
71. "See her smile?"
72. "Ha ha ha ha.  Sorry, I actually don't know why I'm laughing.  I thought you'd made some joke I don't get, so I usually just fake laugh at those."
73. That Elliot doesn't remember speaking to Ray "last night" . . . which is pretty ominous, as I'm guessing that means that despite Elliot's attempts to live analogue, Mr. Robot has found a way back into the world.
74. That Elliot writes in his journal in pencil.  And the pencil isn't even sharp.  THAT's analogue.
75. "That they see . . . me."  Oh.  Oh oh oh.  That's a game changer, ennit?
76. Rami Malek does crazy quite well.  That laugh sequence.  She-it.  I am really sorry that he had to take so many shitty parts in the past . . . and glad that he has enjoyed success with Mr. Robot.  
77.  "I'm married."  "I'm Brock."  At least I think he said Brock. But just the whole idea that maybe somebody is just trying to talk, not pick you up.  Although of course "Brock" wasn't just wanting to talk, so . . . . 
78. Oh my God, they killed Gideon!
79. And the whole Lee Harvey Oswald thing.
80. Um . . . it's possible that I missed something . . . but didn't season one end (well, "end" . . . since there was that post-credits thing) with Elliot going to answer the door . . . and we still haven't seen him answer the door?  Shit, I don't want to go back and look for it, I just finished watching the whole series one in just a few days.  Enhanced version . . . which didn't do much for me, since I didn't pay enough attention to the left hand bottom corner of the scene most of the time . . . though I did enjoy the post show talks.
81. Elliot falling asleep in the church meeting.
82. That old time hymn playing . . . and you can hear the pops and fuzzy sound of the old phonograph system.
83. That there is a Talking Dead for Mr. Robot . . .
84. And that the host is a nyerd.

Hate hate hate hate.

Driving down Shelbyville Road this morning, I saw a bumper sticker which caught my eye:

Here's a reasonable facsimile:

WELCOME TO AMERICA

 NOW  SPEAK  ENGLISH.

Because that's what it's all about, right?  If you want to be in our club, then you agree to our terms.  And if you don't like it . . . tough shit.  Hit the door, motherfucker.

And you're thinking, "Fucking Silverado driving conservative bastard," right?

Oddly enough, I just encountered the same attitude from the other side of the political fence.  In this case, it was from a liberal who was suggesting that straight people had no business being at a gay pride parade, and that if they had to be there then they should keep their mouths shut and be as unobtrusive as possible.  So as not to disturb the Gay Force.  If you want to be in our club, then you agree to our terms.  And if you don't like it . . . tough shit.  Hit the door, motherfucker.

To quote my favorite philosopher, Jacqueline Michelle Kalb, "I'm sick of it and I'm sick of it."  

I'm sick of conservatives who seem to hate everyone who is not in their club, and I'm sick of liberals who think that they're superior to everyone who is not in their club.  I think they're all assholes.  I also think that both of those groups are directly responsible for the rise of Donald Trump.  By either being unreasonably hateful or by insisting that we cannot talk honestly about issues without being branded as hateful, both sides have allowed that mealy mouthed fucker the opportunity to tap into the vast reserves of anger that lie just beneath the topsoil of We, the People.  

This probably won't end well.