Hyper Gumbo » seattle

Ozzie’s Karaoke?

Don — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:39:34 +0000

Much like a friend posted on his facebook, my high school era song-memory turns out to be pretty strong, making me think I’ve been missing out on karaoke possibilities, not looking for Phil Colins/Genesis songs. And of course, it’s off-weekend at Claire’s karaoke, so I’m thinking I might give Ozzie’s a first try. The only thing holding me back is the thought of how long a walk home it would be, at a later hour than seems safe for the route required, which means a taxi. Other people take taxi’s all the time, I suppose I could too.

Joan Rivers at Benaroya Hall

Don — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:43:10 +0000

What a difference a year can make. Last time I saw Joan Rivers, it was at a casino, a long drive out of town. This year, she’s playing the Seattle Symphony’s main hall, technically within walking distance. I wonder if the show will be any different.

Livin in a movie

Don — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:33:44 +0000

It’s a little surreal today, first the governor declares a state of emergency, and now the city is recommending people leave work now, so that they are home before dark. It’s like we expect the zombies and vampires to come out any second now. Will I make the 100 yards to my home?! Only time will tell! Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion. =p

I Tried

Don — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:30:20 +0000

I tried to do a good deed for the day. I see more than a few people, over the course of this ‘storm’, waiting at the bus stop outside my window at work, a stop that is closed when Metro is on snow routes. So, I put a sign up in the window that says “Bus Stop Closed”, and it only took this guy about 10 minutes before he looked up an noticed it.

Coordination

Don — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:03:15 +0000

Yesterday, noticed more than a couple people waiting at bus stops that were closed due to the lines that served those stops being on snow routes.
This morning, I notice that the bus maintenance people are helpfully clearing snow from the same, closed, stops. I pity the sucker that thinks they are open because they’ve been cleared.

SLUT physics

Don — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:37:23 +0000

When I first saw the SLUT off its tracks, I assumed it was weather related. It turns out to have just been a really stupid person, driving without attention to the road before them, or the light that had been red long enough for the train to cross most of Mercer.

I’m sure I could look up the weight of the train, the weight of her car, and measure the distance from impact to final resting place, for both vehicles, but I don’t have a clue what the standard engineering formula is for determining how much of the energy required to lift the train out of the tracks, nor how to determine how much of that energy was imparted by impact from the car, and how much was its own momentum. Or the train’s rolling resistance on pavement.

But my guess would be ‘pretty darn fast’, as an answer to how fast the car was going.

Live Karaoke Mashup

Don — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:19:52 +0000

I’m thinking about trying to replicate one of my favorite GHP mashups, Bus Stop Runner, as a karaoke song tonight. It won’t be an exact replica, since the mashup cut’s and jumps around, but I think I can make it work as a straight sing-along; the tempo of Bus Stop will have to be adjusted in parts, and there’s at least one part where Shoot The Runner is in a chorus, while Bus Stop is in a verse, but it’s all fixable.

Ah Seattle

Don — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:29:52 +0000

Where people will stop for you in the crosswalk, and then take the time to roll down their window and yell ‘fuck you’.

unsafe drivers @ Cleanscapes

Don — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:18:39 +0000

Whatever the qualifications for “Field Supervisor” is at Cleanscapes, it doesn’t seem to include an ability to follow basic laws of the road, not to mention simple human decency. Just watched one of these gems of industry nearly hit a woman in the crosswalk at work. Lucky for the inattentive driving jerk, she was paying attention and quick on her feet, and literally jumped out of the way in the nick of time. We shall see just how seriously they take safety at the company; I called in and reported the guy. He had no excuse. The sun is out, there were no obstructions blocking his view.

UPDATE: I did get a call back from the safety manager at Cleanscapes, who gathered some more details and promised that he would track down who it was, and discipline them appropriately.

Good Job Seattle City Light billing dept (not)

Don — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:57:21 +0000

When I moved into my new place back in July, I transferred service from my old place to the new place, and got 3 copies of the same bill, but none for the new place, so I call them up and ask what’s up, and they assure me that they’ve just not generated a any bills for the first place yet, and I don’t have any balance owing. OK, sounds reasonable.

Then yesterday, I get a call from some collection agent. It seems when I was on the phone with them, they didn’t bother to tell me that they still were showing a balance for the old place. Nevermind that I paid the bill they sent that was marked “final bill” months ago.

Whatever; if I used the electric, I’ll pay for it. I just wish they’d get their shit together. Then again, I noticed that the property management group for my new place’s website only displays the amount due (also incorrectly), but doesn’t actually support online payment. Seriously? What are we, in 1994? =p