Random Access Memories

The Washington State government is whining that it won’t be able to find the money to back the proposed ballot initiative I-1163, which calls for better licensing and regulation of long-term care workers.

What is really funny is another version of this same ballot measure passed in 2008 (I-1029) with an overwhelming 72.53% of the vote and yet, they couldn’t find the money to pay for that one either.

They’ve been all about cuts and not nearly enough about increasing revenue (IE. raising taxes).

So, when is it time to say that democracy is more important than the local politicians that don’t dare to pass tax increases? The people have voted for this measure, the government should fund it, end of story.

So “New guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture would eliminate potatoes altogether from school breakfasts and drastically reduce the amount of potatoes served in lunches.”

And of course politicians from potato-heavy states like Idaho and Maine are up in arms about this.

Since of course everyone knows that politicians and farmers know what is truly healthy, not doctors and nutritionists.

A Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera

You literally toss the thing in the air, and when it reaches the highest point in it’s trajectory it takes a picture with each of it’s 36 digital cameras giving you a complete 360 degree panorama around all three axis.

I am certain that people who know me will find this utterly hilarious, if only due to the name of the song, heh. For those unaware this is a dream sequence from the House M.D. Episode “Bombshells”.

As far as I was able to find out that is in fact Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein singing, and Hugh playing the piano. (I just love that, I hate it when they dub in someone Else’s voice or piano playing in a show/movie.)

(Direct Download link: Here)

Yeah, I know, “Who?”.

Take a minute and look at your computer, look at all the software you are running, look at all the websites you visit, look at all the portable devices you use. Chances are almost all of them owe a big thanks to Dennis Ritchie.

Dennis Ritchie is the writer of the “C” programming language. Between it and it’s derivatives they are responsible for almost all the software you run or use online. It is also the basis of most operating systems that run your computers as well

Yeah, he wasn’t rich, or powerful, or famous, but his idea and work was the very foundation of our modern computing system.

Perhaps you should know who he was.

I ran across a tidbit from back in 2009 on Cracked.

The list is as follows:

1. Power
2. Genius
3. Beauty
4. Wealth
5. Fame

What DOES make people happy?

Friendships, altruism and religious practices.

And the number of people killing themselves for wealth, power, fame, etc. that actually believe this information? Too infinitesimal to bother pondering.