Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Meet Cash Porter
I've never really liked my name. I don't know why exactly. I just always thought of myself as a more interesting person than just "John". In the past 10 years or so, I've been going by Johnny, and I've added an exclamation point at the end in the last two years (Johnny!)
Growing up, I usually fought the idea of "John". Once, when I was lost in a grocery store (or so goes the story), I told the store clerk that my name was "Michael". "We have a little lost boy by the name of Michael in tan pants and a brown t-shirt." I've gone by Dave and Steve and Jack and even Javier. My favorite name to give at restaurants is "El Guapo" and "Senior Hombre". In grade school, when my sister was learning shorthand, I learned to write my name in shorthand - and signed my school papers that way.
Of all my aliases though, "God" would have to be the most odd. I believe I even signed my schoolwork as "God". Everyone must've had an interesting time with that one. I found out later, that my teacher, Miss Reader, would just record all the graded papers, and the one what was left with whatever odd name - was mine by process of elimination.
"John" is just not a name that I can get excited about, and I had very little say in the decision to give me it. I was on a team in college with 4 "John's", and about a quarter of my department at work are named "John", including the two managers.
I know a "Jonathan", but that seems too highbrow for me. John isn't just a short version of Jonathan, like Dave is to David. It's more like what Bart is to Bartholomew. Fancy, eh?
I used to frequent a Borders bookstore in Los Gatos when I would work remotely or on weekends. One of the cashiers decided that my name wasn't Steve - most likely because one day I started going by Dave instead. So, she decided to come up with a name for me. She really put some thought into it, and gave some good reasons for my new made up name. After about a week of thinking, she finally introduced me to my new name, "Cash Porter".
Growing up, I usually fought the idea of "John". Once, when I was lost in a grocery store (or so goes the story), I told the store clerk that my name was "Michael". "We have a little lost boy by the name of Michael in tan pants and a brown t-shirt." I've gone by Dave and Steve and Jack and even Javier. My favorite name to give at restaurants is "El Guapo" and "Senior Hombre". In grade school, when my sister was learning shorthand, I learned to write my name in shorthand - and signed my school papers that way.
Of all my aliases though, "God" would have to be the most odd. I believe I even signed my schoolwork as "God". Everyone must've had an interesting time with that one. I found out later, that my teacher, Miss Reader, would just record all the graded papers, and the one what was left with whatever odd name - was mine by process of elimination.
"John" is just not a name that I can get excited about, and I had very little say in the decision to give me it. I was on a team in college with 4 "John's", and about a quarter of my department at work are named "John", including the two managers.
I know a "Jonathan", but that seems too highbrow for me. John isn't just a short version of Jonathan, like Dave is to David. It's more like what Bart is to Bartholomew. Fancy, eh?
I used to frequent a Borders bookstore in Los Gatos when I would work remotely or on weekends. One of the cashiers decided that my name wasn't Steve - most likely because one day I started going by Dave instead. So, she decided to come up with a name for me. She really put some thought into it, and gave some good reasons for my new made up name. After about a week of thinking, she finally introduced me to my new name, "Cash Porter".
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
When in doubt, KISS
Open letter to all digital camera manufacturers:
Every year about this time, I think about getting my Mom a digital camera for Christmas. And every year, I go out to a few stores looking at what's available. And every year, I'm discouraged by the lack of simple to use, one-touch, point and shoot cameras out there. ALL of the cameras I've seen have at least 12 buttons/knobs/settings that will probably just confuse my "target audience".
Here's my idea for the best entry level digital camera for people over 70. :-) I've applied the KISS rule.
1. No zoom. Do grandparents use zoom?
2. No picture preview, but the image you just took will stay on the screen for a few seconds.
3. No delete. You can do that later since my 2GB card holds about a thousand 5MP pictures. I don't see a need for a delete button on the camera anymore.
BE GONE: 5 way select button of doom!
BE GONE: 16 position selection wheel - which grandparents would set to "auto" 99.9999% of the time.
BE GONE: 8 point type and strange hieroglyphics telling them (in three different colors) everything each button can do.
YES TO: AA batteries
YES TO: 1 GB static internal memory
YES TO: USB connectivity so their computer "sees" the camera as a hard drive. No software to load - ever.
There, I've ranted. :-)
Keywords for the WF robots to pick up this post...
Agfa, Canon, Casio, Contax, Epson, Fuji, Fujifilm, HP, JVC, Kodak, Minolta, Kyocrera, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Samsung, Sanyo, Sigma, Sony, Toshiba, digital camera, best, better, worse, worst, quality, reliability, damage, return, warranty, purchased, Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Frys, Sears, Kmart
Every year about this time, I think about getting my Mom a digital camera for Christmas. And every year, I go out to a few stores looking at what's available. And every year, I'm discouraged by the lack of simple to use, one-touch, point and shoot cameras out there. ALL of the cameras I've seen have at least 12 buttons/knobs/settings that will probably just confuse my "target audience".
Here's my idea for the best entry level digital camera for people over 70. :-) I've applied the KISS rule.
1. No zoom. Do grandparents use zoom?
2. No picture preview, but the image you just took will stay on the screen for a few seconds.
3. No delete. You can do that later since my 2GB card holds about a thousand 5MP pictures. I don't see a need for a delete button on the camera anymore.
BE GONE: 5 way select button of doom!
BE GONE: 16 position selection wheel - which grandparents would set to "auto" 99.9999% of the time.
BE GONE: 8 point type and strange hieroglyphics telling them (in three different colors) everything each button can do.
YES TO: AA batteries
YES TO: 1 GB static internal memory
YES TO: USB connectivity so their computer "sees" the camera as a hard drive. No software to load - ever.
There, I've ranted. :-)
Keywords for the WF robots to pick up this post...
Agfa, Canon, Casio, Contax, Epson, Fuji, Fujifilm, HP, JVC, Kodak, Minolta, Kyocrera, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Samsung, Sanyo, Sigma, Sony, Toshiba, digital camera, best, better, worse, worst, quality, reliability, damage, return, warranty, purchased, Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Frys, Sears, Kmart
Monday, December 11, 2006
My first SL spam
I got my first piece of spam on Second Life. It will be an interesting social experiment to see how they handle issues like this.
Dear Friends:
I am relatively new to SL just like many of you probably are. About 10 months ago I was walking round looking for ways to make money, when asked one guy who told me he made his money by a money pyramid. I have never heard of these, but after he explained how it works,, I guessed all I had to lose was a bit of my time and L$10. (Which i could earn by camping for about a half hour), so I thought, 'why not?'so I gave it a go.
I asked him for a copy of the notes and I followed the instructions exactly - mailed 200 copies, and sure enough, after a week or so the money started coming in! It arrived slowly at first, but coming. I kept a precise record of the earnings, and in the end, it totaled L$978,490! I could hardly believe it. I met with my friend for lunch to find out exactly how it worked. He told me there are quite a few similar letters around, but this one is different because there are six names at the end of the letter, not five like some others. This fact alone results in your name being in far more returns.
He also explained that you should NEVER have to pay ANYONE for these notes, and you should never just pick these up from anywhere In order for this to work,, People need to be offered this by another person in order to give the money direction. if you just pick these notes up, wherever you pick them up from, whoever is at the top of the list will stay there, and constantly be taking your money. I decided to try the letter again, but this time I sent 500 copies. Three months later, I had totaled L$2,341,178!
Here are a few reasons a person might give for not trying this program:
* Some people think they can never make a lot of money with anything this simple. * Some are afraid they will be ridiculed for trying * Some dream of large sums of money, but do nothing to actually achieve it. * Some are just plain lazy. * Some are afraid of losing their investment. They think this program is designed to beat them out of a few dollars. The system works if you will just try it. But you must follow the simple instructions exactly, and in less than three months, you will receive L$800,000 GUARANTEED! Keep what you are doing to yourself for a while. Many will tell you it won`t work and will try to talk you out of your dreams. Let them know of your success after it works.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Immediately Pay L$10 to the person who is number one on the list. (In order to receive we must be prepared to give, after all,, if it wasnt for #1 you wouldnt have this opportunity now!) you can do this by searching for #1s name in search and clicking 'pay'.
2. Remove the name next to the #1 on the list (the person who you have sent L$10 to), and move the rest of the names up one position (#2 becomes #1, #3 becomes #2, etc?..) Then place your name in the #6 position. Then save it.
3. Pass the new letter to 200 people. (Just walk around, and, everyone you see,, offer them this, and tell them it will make them a fortune if they follow the instructions like you are)
HOW DOES THIS WORK???
When you send this to 200 people, it is estimated that at least 2% (10) people will respond,
and in turn, pass this on to (10 x 200) 2000 people.(With your name at #5). 2% of these 2000 (40 people), will in turn
pass this onto (40 x 200) 8000 people. (with your name at #4). 2% of these 8000 (80 people), will in turn
pass this onto (80 x 200) 16000 people. (with your name at #3). 2% of these 16000 (160 people), will in turn
pass this onto (160 x 200) 32000 people. (with your name at #2). 2% of these 32000 (320 people), will in turn
pass this onto (320 x 200) 64000 people. (with your name at #1). 2% of these will pay you L$10 each totalling L$640,000
#1- Hdd Yap#2 - Pulsik Ah#3 - Basic Burns#4 - Li Burns#5 - Smengi Deadlight#6 - Jimsken Vanbeeck
Dear Friends:
I am relatively new to SL just like many of you probably are. About 10 months ago I was walking round looking for ways to make money, when asked one guy who told me he made his money by a money pyramid. I have never heard of these, but after he explained how it works,, I guessed all I had to lose was a bit of my time and L$10. (Which i could earn by camping for about a half hour), so I thought, 'why not?'so I gave it a go.
I asked him for a copy of the notes and I followed the instructions exactly - mailed 200 copies, and sure enough, after a week or so the money started coming in! It arrived slowly at first, but coming. I kept a precise record of the earnings, and in the end, it totaled L$978,490! I could hardly believe it. I met with my friend for lunch to find out exactly how it worked. He told me there are quite a few similar letters around, but this one is different because there are six names at the end of the letter, not five like some others. This fact alone results in your name being in far more returns.
He also explained that you should NEVER have to pay ANYONE for these notes, and you should never just pick these up from anywhere In order for this to work,, People need to be offered this by another person in order to give the money direction. if you just pick these notes up, wherever you pick them up from, whoever is at the top of the list will stay there, and constantly be taking your money. I decided to try the letter again, but this time I sent 500 copies. Three months later, I had totaled L$2,341,178!
Here are a few reasons a person might give for not trying this program:
* Some people think they can never make a lot of money with anything this simple. * Some are afraid they will be ridiculed for trying * Some dream of large sums of money, but do nothing to actually achieve it. * Some are just plain lazy. * Some are afraid of losing their investment. They think this program is designed to beat them out of a few dollars. The system works if you will just try it. But you must follow the simple instructions exactly, and in less than three months, you will receive L$800,000 GUARANTEED! Keep what you are doing to yourself for a while. Many will tell you it won`t work and will try to talk you out of your dreams. Let them know of your success after it works.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Immediately Pay L$10 to the person who is number one on the list. (In order to receive we must be prepared to give, after all,, if it wasnt for #1 you wouldnt have this opportunity now!) you can do this by searching for #1s name in search and clicking 'pay'.
2. Remove the name next to the #1 on the list (the person who you have sent L$10 to), and move the rest of the names up one position (#2 becomes #1, #3 becomes #2, etc?..) Then place your name in the #6 position. Then save it.
3. Pass the new letter to 200 people. (Just walk around, and, everyone you see,, offer them this, and tell them it will make them a fortune if they follow the instructions like you are)
HOW DOES THIS WORK???
When you send this to 200 people, it is estimated that at least 2% (10) people will respond,
and in turn, pass this on to (10 x 200) 2000 people.(With your name at #5). 2% of these 2000 (40 people), will in turn
pass this onto (40 x 200) 8000 people. (with your name at #4). 2% of these 8000 (80 people), will in turn
pass this onto (80 x 200) 16000 people. (with your name at #3). 2% of these 16000 (160 people), will in turn
pass this onto (160 x 200) 32000 people. (with your name at #2). 2% of these 32000 (320 people), will in turn
pass this onto (320 x 200) 64000 people. (with your name at #1). 2% of these will pay you L$10 each totalling L$640,000
#1- Hdd Yap#2 - Pulsik Ah#3 - Basic Burns#4 - Li Burns#5 - Smengi Deadlight#6 - Jimsken Vanbeeck
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Is this normal?
Christmas party 2006:
O.K. I just know that I'm going to get a hard time from Rocco for posting this photo this way, but c'mon. Is this normal? Otherwise, a fun time was had by all. I can't believe that Adeline is growing up right in front of me.
P.S. Rocco, don't forget about the "magic 8-ball" idea I had. Feel free to run with it.
[Objects in the camera lens may be stranger than they appear]
Left: Captain Content [as in 'satisfied' or 'at ease'] and Right: Rocco Juliano.
O.K. I just know that I'm going to get a hard time from Rocco for posting this photo this way, but c'mon. Is this normal? Otherwise, a fun time was had by all. I can't believe that Adeline is growing up right in front of me.
P.S. Rocco, don't forget about the "magic 8-ball" idea I had. Feel free to run with it.
[Objects in the camera lens may be stranger than they appear]
Left: Captain Content [as in 'satisfied' or 'at ease'] and Right: Rocco Juliano.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Where you're not likely to find me
One place you're not likely to find me is a Sharks game. Yet, there I was. A coworker had an extra ticket, so I tagged along. They lost 5-2. Go Av's!
Anywho, it was nice to get out. Are those really what my feet look like? Hmph, but I really love those shoes - as much as a straight man can love shoes, I guess. Maybe someday, I'll make a coffee table book about all the pictures I take with my feet/shoes as the subject.
Anywho, it was nice to get out. Are those really what my feet look like? Hmph, but I really love those shoes - as much as a straight man can love shoes, I guess. Maybe someday, I'll make a coffee table book about all the pictures I take with my feet/shoes as the subject.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
2nd and 3rd lives
Welcome to Second Life (www.secondlife.com), where my name is Johnny Perenti. We don't really have a choice of last names, but I like this one. If you don't already know what SecondLife is, it's "the next Internet". I went there recently to see what all the buzz what about - and sure enough, it's filled with gambling and porn. Hence, the next Internet.
I don't own any property yet, but I'm working on some ideas. I'm thinking about some beachfront property that I can terraform into a white sand beach for some virtual snorkeling. More to come, but this might be big.
Oh, my third life - I broke down and bought an answering machine. Finally, eh?
I don't own any property yet, but I'm working on some ideas. I'm thinking about some beachfront property that I can terraform into a white sand beach for some virtual snorkeling. More to come, but this might be big.
Oh, my third life - I broke down and bought an answering machine. Finally, eh?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Angel Island
It's hard to believe that just a week ago, it was short-sleeved shirts on Angel Island.
Got Milk? (and a dog?)
I'm making chocolate chip cookies right now. I took the first batch out and was moving them ever so carefully to the cutting board to cool (I'm sans a cooling rack). One of them didn't make it and broke in half while being transported. So, I did what any warm blooded human would do, I decided to put it out of its misery and eat it. Yum! I couldn't resist it - before I knew it, I was eating 1/2 of the first batch.
I went to the fridge to get a nice big red plastic cup of milk. Hmph. There was a little left, but not nearly enough to quench this thirst I'd created. :-( I later found a full 1/2 gallon hiding on the door - so I can gorge to my hearts content on cookies tonight. :-)
The house smells wonderful right now, and it's cozy and warm inside against the stinging cold of the outside world. Some neighbors have put up strings of lights which creates a sort of cartoonish outline of their porches. I wish it would rain. I wish I had a fireplace. And maybe a dog.
On my soundtrack tonight:
Closer walk with thee - Pete Fountain
Hands & Feet - Audio Adrenaline
Come Monday - Jimmy Buffet
Again I go unnoticed - Dashboard Confessional
Nightswimming - Dashboard Confessional
Mexican Hat Dance - Jack Grunsky
Leaving on a jet plane - John Denver
One of these days - FFH
Peaceful easy feeling - Eagles
I went to the fridge to get a nice big red plastic cup of milk. Hmph. There was a little left, but not nearly enough to quench this thirst I'd created. :-( I later found a full 1/2 gallon hiding on the door - so I can gorge to my hearts content on cookies tonight. :-)
The house smells wonderful right now, and it's cozy and warm inside against the stinging cold of the outside world. Some neighbors have put up strings of lights which creates a sort of cartoonish outline of their porches. I wish it would rain. I wish I had a fireplace. And maybe a dog.
On my soundtrack tonight:
Closer walk with thee - Pete Fountain
Hands & Feet - Audio Adrenaline
Come Monday - Jimmy Buffet
Again I go unnoticed - Dashboard Confessional
Nightswimming - Dashboard Confessional
Mexican Hat Dance - Jack Grunsky
Leaving on a jet plane - John Denver
One of these days - FFH
Peaceful easy feeling - Eagles
Friday, December 01, 2006
Bachelor Chow
Today:
Went to work. Got some stuff done, so I can say I got stuff done at the meetings next week. Electrician called and said he could be at my house in 1/2 hour. Took off for home, and got the electrical work done [w00t]. The house is complete now. Made a full crockpot of Bachelor Chow. This time, I added corn - just for giggles. Last time, I added salad dressing and mustard - couldn't taste any difference.
Bachelor Chow: Brown 1 to 3 lbs of ground turkey or medium firmness tofu or Garden Burgers, put into a crockpot with 1 can each of the following: pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, [corn], jalapeno peppers, [red/green bell peppers-diced], [onion], assorted "whatever's in the fridge". Feel free to experiment. Add spices - Cumin, chili powder, onion powder, etc.. Simmer for a couple of hours or until you get hungry. Separate into several tupperware bowls with covers. Eat same thing for about a week (lunch and dinner).
I used to do the typical bachelor thing and eat over the sink, but lately, I've been sitting at the table (the only real piece of furniture I have as a minimalist). Sometimes, I'll cover the bachelor chow in cheese and microwave it, or sometimes, I'll warm up some tortillas. I still have some fillo dough in the freezer just begging to be a pie crust. Any other ideas are welcome. I don't mind eating the same thing every day - as long as I get to mix it up every once in a while.
Lately, I've been toasting sourdough rolls with Montery Jack on top and smothering them with the chow. Now, that's a fork and knife meal. Yummmmm.
Went to work. Got some stuff done, so I can say I got stuff done at the meetings next week. Electrician called and said he could be at my house in 1/2 hour. Took off for home, and got the electrical work done [w00t]. The house is complete now. Made a full crockpot of Bachelor Chow. This time, I added corn - just for giggles. Last time, I added salad dressing and mustard - couldn't taste any difference.
Bachelor Chow: Brown 1 to 3 lbs of ground turkey or medium firmness tofu or Garden Burgers, put into a crockpot with 1 can each of the following: pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, [corn], jalapeno peppers, [red/green bell peppers-diced], [onion], assorted "whatever's in the fridge". Feel free to experiment. Add spices - Cumin, chili powder, onion powder, etc.. Simmer for a couple of hours or until you get hungry. Separate into several tupperware bowls with covers. Eat same thing for about a week (lunch and dinner).
I used to do the typical bachelor thing and eat over the sink, but lately, I've been sitting at the table (the only real piece of furniture I have as a minimalist). Sometimes, I'll cover the bachelor chow in cheese and microwave it, or sometimes, I'll warm up some tortillas. I still have some fillo dough in the freezer just begging to be a pie crust. Any other ideas are welcome. I don't mind eating the same thing every day - as long as I get to mix it up every once in a while.
Lately, I've been toasting sourdough rolls with Montery Jack on top and smothering them with the chow. Now, that's a fork and knife meal. Yummmmm.
