as opposed to the Yellow Sign from 'The King in Yellow'. No, we're talking a normal street sign, showing a stick figure running from tentacles with 'Cthulhu' emblazoned on the bottom.
Check it out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gothcandy/143837543/
I have also found two things to get next payday from Chaosium, the makers of Call of Cthulhu, the roleplaying game I play. One is a Starkweather-Moore Antarctic Expedition T-Shirt (although the patch is rather nifty, too). The other is an Orne Library/Miskatonic University book bag.
:)
Born, like other comic book characters, out of an otherwise trivial but life-changing animal bite, the Rabid Librarian seeks out strange, useless facts, raves about real and perceived injustices, and seeks to meet her greatest challenge of all--her own life.
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
In my head...
All day at work I've had 'All I Ever' and the 'Bad Horse Chorus' from Dr Horrible in my head. So here's the embedded video from Hulu to enjoy so you, too, will suffer. My favourites are 'Brand New Day' and 'My Eyes', of course, with 'All I Ever' running third. But the 'Bad Horse Chorus' is so damn catchy....
I'm almost free
In June of 2006 I made a very stupid decision (although not as bad as the one of June 1991, where I got married). I decided to try to get into some healthy habits, so I joined a gym, which was Gold's Gym at the time and later became Urban Active. This, despite having been a member before and not really using it that much. The first time I was a member I paid $24 a month due to a special with my workplace. This was $39, but that didn't seem too onerous, and my first month was free.
So far, so good. But then I made a major blunder. At no point did the length of the contract come up. I assumed I was signing a year contract like I had before. I didn't even know they had other lengths. I did skim through the contract, but my brain--which is not always my friend--did not process that 36 months equals three years.
Yes, I signed a three-year contract. Stupid of me, and my responsibility. But I find it unacceptable that this fact was not disclosed in the initial proposal. I didn't find out about this until I went to cancel my membership after a year, and I was stunned. I went several times back before I started at the store, but working two jobs and doing all the other stuff I do, I don't really have time to go. I can count on one finger the number of times I've gone in a year. Meanwhile, my account's been deducted that $39 like clockwork, and since there have been several times I've forgotten to account for it, caused some distress by causing other things to bounce and having to pay bank fees.
So I go in today (you have to go in in person, no telephone service for you). I read the small print and ask a couple of questions. Then sign it and fill out the nifty why-are-you-leaving-us survey. Unfortunately in order to get the cancellation notice they need your e-mail, so I figure I'll be deluged with 'come back' pleas, but they had it already, so I figured I might as well give it to them.
What I would not give them is my new debit card information. See, it's a 30-day notice to cancel, so they get one more payment out of me. My debit card on file expires tomorrow, so they wanted me to either give them the new information or pay ahead in person. I preferred the latter. I went over to the bank and withdrew the money then went back.
And here is where I get steamed. The two girls operating the front desk did everything they could to ignore me, taking other people ahead of me. Being a passive, polite Southerner, all told I stood there for about five minutes. One at one point said she'd be right with me, then moved to someone else. Another asked if the other was helping me and I said she had said she'd be right with me, so the girl went back to what she was doing, checking in members and flirting with a guy. After the third person (not counting the check-ins, which were brief) had been helped, I told (not asked) the second girl that I would like to go ahead and pay my bill, now. She took care of me. I half expected them to say they couldn't take cash, but everything went through, I made sure I got a receipt, and I left, and plan never to return, even though I just paid for one last month. But the girls weren't overwhelmed with customers or anything--they were working very hard at not seeing me, ignoring me, etc., and I know what this was all about. I was leaving the gym, so they were as passive aggressive with me as they could be. If I weren't already leaving, that would have been the final straw. Unfortunately I'd already turned in that survey. But I'm going to vent here, and if I receive any phone calls or e-mails about why I left, someone's going to get an ear- or eye-full.
I'm sure they work out for many people, but in my opinion, in some ways gyms are rackets. They rely on people like me to pay but not cause wear and tear on their facilities. And it's not just places like this. I checked out the YMCA and they had no contract *but* (it's a big but) if you missed a month and came back you had to pay a more-than-$50 initiation fee again, which equals more than the monthly fees. And depending on how you looked at it, they were more expensive than the gym. I could go to any of the locations of the gym (there are three) for $39 a month. The Y has you as either a member of one or you can pay more and go to all (also three). But the latter costs more than the gym does.
So I think I'm done with gyms for now. I won't swear to never try it again, but I won't so long as my time is so crunched. I won't go back to this one, though. I have an exercise bike and it doesn't cost anything to walk outside or around my workplace, so I think that will be enough for now. (And no, I'm not in to the cheaper option of a church gym, because I don't want to be the subject of their mission.)
Well, it only took $1,404 to learn that lesson, but I think I got it.
So far, so good. But then I made a major blunder. At no point did the length of the contract come up. I assumed I was signing a year contract like I had before. I didn't even know they had other lengths. I did skim through the contract, but my brain--which is not always my friend--did not process that 36 months equals three years.
Yes, I signed a three-year contract. Stupid of me, and my responsibility. But I find it unacceptable that this fact was not disclosed in the initial proposal. I didn't find out about this until I went to cancel my membership after a year, and I was stunned. I went several times back before I started at the store, but working two jobs and doing all the other stuff I do, I don't really have time to go. I can count on one finger the number of times I've gone in a year. Meanwhile, my account's been deducted that $39 like clockwork, and since there have been several times I've forgotten to account for it, caused some distress by causing other things to bounce and having to pay bank fees.
So I go in today (you have to go in in person, no telephone service for you). I read the small print and ask a couple of questions. Then sign it and fill out the nifty why-are-you-leaving-us survey. Unfortunately in order to get the cancellation notice they need your e-mail, so I figure I'll be deluged with 'come back' pleas, but they had it already, so I figured I might as well give it to them.
What I would not give them is my new debit card information. See, it's a 30-day notice to cancel, so they get one more payment out of me. My debit card on file expires tomorrow, so they wanted me to either give them the new information or pay ahead in person. I preferred the latter. I went over to the bank and withdrew the money then went back.
And here is where I get steamed. The two girls operating the front desk did everything they could to ignore me, taking other people ahead of me. Being a passive, polite Southerner, all told I stood there for about five minutes. One at one point said she'd be right with me, then moved to someone else. Another asked if the other was helping me and I said she had said she'd be right with me, so the girl went back to what she was doing, checking in members and flirting with a guy. After the third person (not counting the check-ins, which were brief) had been helped, I told (not asked) the second girl that I would like to go ahead and pay my bill, now. She took care of me. I half expected them to say they couldn't take cash, but everything went through, I made sure I got a receipt, and I left, and plan never to return, even though I just paid for one last month. But the girls weren't overwhelmed with customers or anything--they were working very hard at not seeing me, ignoring me, etc., and I know what this was all about. I was leaving the gym, so they were as passive aggressive with me as they could be. If I weren't already leaving, that would have been the final straw. Unfortunately I'd already turned in that survey. But I'm going to vent here, and if I receive any phone calls or e-mails about why I left, someone's going to get an ear- or eye-full.
I'm sure they work out for many people, but in my opinion, in some ways gyms are rackets. They rely on people like me to pay but not cause wear and tear on their facilities. And it's not just places like this. I checked out the YMCA and they had no contract *but* (it's a big but) if you missed a month and came back you had to pay a more-than-$50 initiation fee again, which equals more than the monthly fees. And depending on how you looked at it, they were more expensive than the gym. I could go to any of the locations of the gym (there are three) for $39 a month. The Y has you as either a member of one or you can pay more and go to all (also three). But the latter costs more than the gym does.
So I think I'm done with gyms for now. I won't swear to never try it again, but I won't so long as my time is so crunched. I won't go back to this one, though. I have an exercise bike and it doesn't cost anything to walk outside or around my workplace, so I think that will be enough for now. (And no, I'm not in to the cheaper option of a church gym, because I don't want to be the subject of their mission.)
Well, it only took $1,404 to learn that lesson, but I think I got it.
I'm not the only one ranting about glowing monkeys
A friend wonders if glowing monkeys fling glowing poo. Hmmm...
A tragedy of errors
cost Lisa Strong all four limbs, the result of a kidney stone that led to septic infection and gangrene, due to miscommunication and misunderstanding of her condition by the doctors who were supposed to care for her. She sued them, and the jury refused to award her the case despite overwhelming evidence. Since it was such a complicated case, they seemed to have difficulty determining blame. Because the evidence was so compelling, the judge threw out the jury's decision and ordered a new trial, something the defendants have appealed.
Amputee gets second chance to sue doctors: Florida judge orders new trial after jury rules against Florida woman
I had no idea that a kidney stone could lead to septic shock. One doctor who never saw her diagnosed her with a gall bladder condition, leading to useless surgery when she was already very, very sick. She had come to the hospital in pain and with a 106 degree fever. She's lucky to even be alive. But her marriage has fallen apart and she's now on disability, things that could have been avoided if the doctors had done a better job. Plus, on top of everything else, she has over $800,000 in medical bills. That's insult to injury. I hope justice prevails on this one.
Amputee gets second chance to sue doctors: Florida judge orders new trial after jury rules against Florida woman
I had no idea that a kidney stone could lead to septic shock. One doctor who never saw her diagnosed her with a gall bladder condition, leading to useless surgery when she was already very, very sick. She had come to the hospital in pain and with a 106 degree fever. She's lucky to even be alive. But her marriage has fallen apart and she's now on disability, things that could have been avoided if the doctors had done a better job. Plus, on top of everything else, she has over $800,000 in medical bills. That's insult to injury. I hope justice prevails on this one.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Two videos YKWIA found to harm me
that are absolutely hilarious. Well, if you've got my sense of humour, anyway. :)
A well-done and well-known TV series opening...which sails right into the Mythos.
Gilda Sue Rosenstern reviews Robin Spriggs's Wondrous Strange: Tales of the Uncanny
Enjoy.
A well-done and well-known TV series opening...which sails right into the Mythos.
Gilda Sue Rosenstern reviews Robin Spriggs's Wondrous Strange: Tales of the Uncanny
Enjoy.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Does anyone other than me think this is just *wrong*???
Glowing Monkeys Make More Glowing Monkeys the Old-Fashioned Way
666? Oh, the wingnuts will have fun with that! But seriously, I've been saying that transgenetics is a dangerous thing because of its capacity to reproduce in the wild. What happens when this happens outside of a lab? And these are primates, our cousins. What's next, making our kids glow green under UV light? How will they feel about it? Like a freak? And how will those who don't have the novelty of glowing green feel? Normal? or freaks? Argggh!
It looks like, from the pictures, that the child glows stronger than the parent. What also disturbs me is that glowing transgenetic animals aren't made that way just to prove our scientists can. They're made to study all sorts of human diseases. Although I do believe scientific work to cure disease is important, I have trouble with the idea of creating an entire line of designer animals just so you can experiment on it. Not to sound like a religious zealot, but I think there is a point where we have wonder if some people play God in the name of science (As I'm sure you realise from reading this blog, I'm a great advocate of science. But science can run amuck, as its study and manipulation is in the hands of humans, who are in essence imperfect. I give to you the atom bomb and its unforeseen effects.)
The first genetically modified primates that can pass their modifications to their offpsring have been created by Japanese scientists.
The marmosets...express a green fluorescent protein in their skin. The gene for producing the glow was delivered to the first marmoset embryos via a modified virus. But now that modification method could become unnecessary. One male marmoset, number 666, fathered a child...that also contained the transgenes.
666? Oh, the wingnuts will have fun with that! But seriously, I've been saying that transgenetics is a dangerous thing because of its capacity to reproduce in the wild. What happens when this happens outside of a lab? And these are primates, our cousins. What's next, making our kids glow green under UV light? How will they feel about it? Like a freak? And how will those who don't have the novelty of glowing green feel? Normal? or freaks? Argggh!
It looks like, from the pictures, that the child glows stronger than the parent. What also disturbs me is that glowing transgenetic animals aren't made that way just to prove our scientists can. They're made to study all sorts of human diseases. Although I do believe scientific work to cure disease is important, I have trouble with the idea of creating an entire line of designer animals just so you can experiment on it. Not to sound like a religious zealot, but I think there is a point where we have wonder if some people play God in the name of science (As I'm sure you realise from reading this blog, I'm a great advocate of science. But science can run amuck, as its study and manipulation is in the hands of humans, who are in essence imperfect. I give to you the atom bomb and its unforeseen effects.)
Strange
Cat in China grows a pair of wings: Feline was born normal but developed appendages at age 1, family says
Well, at least something that looks like wings, although the cat cannot fly, of course. The strange thing is another case has been documented, also in China. Some think it has to do with chemicals ingested by the mother, which given the recent problems China has in its exports, I really worry about its environment. Anyway, there's a picture for you to judge for yourself.
Well, at least something that looks like wings, although the cat cannot fly, of course. The strange thing is another case has been documented, also in China. Some think it has to do with chemicals ingested by the mother, which given the recent problems China has in its exports, I really worry about its environment. Anyway, there's a picture for you to judge for yourself.
Listening to
I'm trying out Google Chrome because Adobe Flash Player installed an update and I can't get anything to play from YouTube in Windows Explorer. So far I like Chrome. It seems pretty fast and automatically checks my spelling in this post, something I need. :) Anyway, enjoy the Dave Matthews Band. The video is pretty much just their album cover, but it's directly from the band's channel.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Belgian eID in the library
For more about the eID card--a national ID card which all Belgians 12 and over should have by the end of 2009, check out the English website. Also check out the page on what you can do with the eID card. Whether it's getting tickets to a show, gaining entry to your house, showing a conductor your credentials on the train, or keeping a child safely surfing the net, the applications are varied, and several videos highlight these and other uses. Thanks to YKWIA for showing me videos related to the eID, including this one.
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