August 14, 2004

Next time you consider stiffing the server at your local restaurant, be prepared for a bit of fame on the World Wide Web. The Bitter Waitress has launched a Shitty Tipper Database. Each alleged incident report includes the names of the patrons involved and a link to offer an apology. Unfortunately, there is no comment box for folks to rebut the report or to complain about crappy service.

"Fortune-tellers of Los Angeles, relax. Your future is safe from unwanted government regulation. But you probably knew that anyway."
--Reuters, "Fortune-Tellers Safe From Police Crackdown"

August 13, 2004

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels recently sent a surprising message to a local church group: Stop Feeding the Homeless or the City Will Ticket You.

Clearly this unfeeling fellow doesn't plan on staying in office much longer.

(Update: Mayor Nickels has decided against ticketing people who feed the hungry. Instead, he's moving the homeless meals program to the downtown Public Safety Building's plaza.)

Robert Lenkiewicz, a portrait artist who died in 2002, left behind a gruesome collection of artifacts and £2 million in debt. Despite protests from the public, his family has decided to auction off the collection, which includes the embalmed body of a tramp and a lamp shade made from the skins of Jews who died at Auschwitz in 1940.

August 12, 2004

...from Spider-Man. I kid you not.

(The Blue Violet/Red Violet debate is my personal favorite.)

The folks at X-Entertainment have created an advertising time capsule filled with commercials from the 1980s. Feel free to join me in reminiscing about She-Ra action figures, Cosmic Ark Atari games and real Whatchamacalit bars.

August 11, 2004

A new Jaded Writings column has been posted. This week, I address the issue of breastfeeding in public.

* Andre Dubus - 8/11/36
* William Goldman - 8/12/31
* Russell Baker - 8/14/25
* Steve Martin - 8/14/45
* Lynne Kositsky - 8/14/47
* Sir Walter Scott - 8/15/1771
* Ben Affleck - 8/15/72
* Charles Bukowski - 8/16/20
* V.S. Naipaul - 8/17/32
* Paula Danziger - 8/18/44
* Valerie Hardin - 8/18/74

August 10, 2004

You are a Crusader, Lawful Good.

Lawful good characters are committed to opposing evil
and believe evil may best be opposed through institutions
created for that purpose, such as church and government.
They are honest and dependable, defenders of underdogs
and staunch supporters of justice. They champion the cause
of greater good. As a general rule, lawful good characters
do not lie, bring harm to the innocent, torture,
refuse an honest appeal for aid, work outside the law,
take bribes or betray their friends. King Arthur is one example
of a lawful good character. Another is Joan d'Arc.

What is your d&d alignment?
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You are Cyclops of the X-men!

You are strong headed and very course-driven.
When you get into it, nothing can stop you.
A devoted man by heart, and very passionate by choice.

Which of the X-men do you resemble most?
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August 9, 2004

It's been 2,000 years since the Seven Wonders of the World were selected. Would you choose seven new ones? Or stick with the old ones? Share your opinions with the New Open World Foundation.

My choices?

* The Roman Coliseum
* The Statues of Easter Island
* The Taj Mahal
* The Leaning Tower of Pisa
* The Pyramid at Chichen Itza
* The Great Wall of China
* The Old City of Sana'a

(I'm also partial to the Great Pyramids of Egypt.)

* lying in a hammock
* hiking
* sunsets
* banana pudding
* see-saws

Past Afterthoughts