Oops. This attorney has some unusual payment terms..
over 10,000 satisfied clients indeed!
Upgraded to FLV-Embed 0.3.2
FLV-Embed lets me put Flash videos on Wordpress with great ease.
Find it on the FLV-Embed homepage.
Here’s some tidbits from the homepage
USDirectory.com is a scam
USDirectory.com is a scam.
I went to a local business owner (business initials “K.C”) and she almost got scammed by a company that promised to put her company on the internet, get listed with various search engines and create a web site for her.
US Directory says that they’ll “put you in Directory Internet Yellow Pages, Superpages, Switchboard, MSN, and Area Guides.” and “Create a Promo website”. It’s a scam. First, there is no such thing as “Directory Internet Yellow Pages” or “Area Guides”. Yes, they capitalized them in their letter to her.
The business owner had signed up for their services about 90 days prior to my visit. I went online and checked to see if her rank on various websites had been increased. Nothing. Nada. Niet. Nuffum. The search for USDirectory’s footprint was made easier because they misspelled her company’s name in the letter. While it’s true that she got a listing on USDirectory.com’s website with a little heart next to her company’s name, (spelled incorrectly), there was no sign of her company anywhere else on the internet.
The Dallas, TX Better Business Bureau has an alert about USDirectory.com, saying it’s a scam
http://www.dallas.bbb.org/news_20061115a.html
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Phony Directory Callers Targeting Businesses
Watch out for this scheme against business. The BBB in Fresno reports that businesses there have been receiving calls from USdirectory.com, also known as Directory Billing LLC. The callers say they would like to verify the business’ address and phone number for the Yellow Pages. Then the business receives a notice that their service is activated as a “Preferred Merchant of Directory Billing Internet Yellow Pages,” at a cost of $49.95 a month, bill through the local phone company. The company is based in Boca Raton, FL, and the BBB in West Palm Beach reports USdirectory.com has an unsatisfactory record due to unanswered complaints and a pattern of responding slowly to complaints.
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They had a 90 day money back guarantee that amazingly, they honored when she called and canceled her service.
Man Beheads Tame Hotel Duck, Ducks Outlawed
ST. PAUL, Minn.
…Scott D. Clark, a guest at the Embassy Suites Hotel in St. Paul, cornered the [ tame duck that lived in a hotel lobby’s ornamental pond ] early Saturday morning, grabbed the bird and ripped its head from its body while a hotel security guard and others watched, police said…
“He was allegedly drunk,” Wuorinen said.
Tim Shields, general counsel with the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies … said…
“I think Embassy Suites needs to take another look at this and review how they keep ducks safe, or use fish like most hotels would use,”
I just sent a fax to Mr Shields… I’m looking for Embassy Suites contact info now…
Minnesota Federated Humane Societies
Tim Shields
6613 Penn Ave. S., Ste. 100
Richfield, MN 55423
612-866-8663
Fax: 612-861-1786Lee C. Sonko
[redacted]Mr. Shields,
I recently read your comment about the extremely unfortunate incident at the Embassy Suites Hotel in St. Paul.
“I think Embassy Suites needs to take another look at this and review how they keep ducks safe, or use fish like most hotels would use,” Shields said. (http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2007/09/23/police_man_beheads_tame_hotel_duck/)
I must assume that your remark was taken wildly out of context. I cannot comprehend what you mean by the statement as it stands. Are we to keep ducks behind bullet proof glass windows from now on for fear of snipers? The ducks in this hotel, and in many hotels around the world, have done perfectly well for countless years much to the benefit of the ducks and people that appreciate them. The only fault lies in the person that chased and killed the poor animal. He is solely to blame. Otherwise, are we to take your comment to its logical conclusion and outlaw all places where ducks and humans might interact?
It would be a terrible shame if hotels were persuaded by your comment to keep people away from animals because of this one unfortunate event, which was perpetrated by one person.
Thank you for your time,
Lee Sonko
Webkinz
I’ve been having a very good time playing with Niece Julia on Webkinz. I went out and got a Webkinz pet at a Hallmark store and we’ve been playing online. Julia has 4 webkinz pets, and several rooms and all kinds of stuff and clothing. My poor little Jason (a very well behaved Chihuahua) just has a cowboy hat and a belt that Julia gave me.
Images and videos of Crude Awakening and 4BLEVE at Burning Man 2007
From Nate Smith to David Ellsworth to you:
Nate sent me a list of some good pictures and videos of Crude Awakening / BLEVE. If you have more, please send them to me and I will forward them to Nate.
- David
I listen to podcasts
I listen to podcasts on my way to and from work. I hardly listen to the radio at all any more. Here are the podcasts on my Juice podcast downloader.
I’ve placed a * next to the shows I love the most
- *[RSS] Dr Karl on triple j
- [RSS] Security Now!
- [RSS] NPR: Science Friday
- [RSS] IT Conversations
- [RSS] On The Media
- [RSS] PRI: Whad’Ya Know? - All the News that Isn’t
- [RSS] NPR: Sunday Puzzle
- [RSS] NPR: Health & Science
- [RSS] NPR: 7PM ET News Summary
- [RSS] NPR: Most E-Mailed Stories
- [RSS] NPR: Story of the Day
- [RSS] PRI: To the Best of Our Knowledge
- [RSS] APM: Future Tense
- *[RSS] Best Of Decoder Ring Theatre
- [RSS] Audio Dharma
- [RSS] WGBH Morning Stories
- [RSS] CBC Radio: Quirks & Quarks Segmented Show
- [RSS] The Space Show
- [RSS] Diggnation (Mp3)
- *[RSS] Daily Breakfast - The #1 Catholic Podcast - yes, a “catholic podcast” is on my Favs list
- [RSS] The Wizards of Technology -
- [RSS] this WEEK in TECH - MP3 Edition
- [RSS] Distorted View: Daily Comedy Podcast
- [RSS] Reel Reviews Radio
- [RSS] Skepticality: The Official Podcast of Skeptic Maga
- *[RSS] Penn Radio Podcast - discontinued :-(
- [RSS] Mysterious Universe
- [RSS] KATG Backstage
- [RSS] Talking Robots - The Podcast on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
- *[RSS] Phedippidations - I’ve only caught a few shows so far but -wow- it’s inspiring!
- [RSS] PotterCast: The Harry Potter Podcast
I’m starting to listen to more shows on SQPN. Father Roderick really has something going there!
How I play them:
- download my shows with Juice
- move 650 mb of .mp3 audio into a folder
- burn that folder
- play it on my .mp3 capable car stereo
Yellow Pages Salesman
This Yellow Pages salesman walks into a bar and says, “Hi, I’m Lee Sonko from Valley Yellow Pages.” It’s still kinda weird but it seems that I’ve changed careers again, from
- Software QA engineer at Politzer and Haney, Course Technology, Softkey Intl, Shiva, Picturetel, MCI/Newscorp Internet Ventures, American Internet, Riverton Software Corp, BGS, Firefly, ADP and Wavexpress to
- Owner of “The Computer Guy”, computer repair and training company to
- Substitute teacher to
- Customer Support Manager and QA engineer at Wavexpress to
- Co-owner of Safe and Secure SF, disaster preparedness consultancy to
- Yellow Pages account executive.
Serpent Mother in Amsterdam
I’m not there [slight pout] but Lynn has taken a terrific set of photos chronicling her trip to Amsterdam, Robodock and setting up the Serpent Mother. A mini vacation.
And follow the trip more on the FLG blog
Mozy Referral
If you are signing up for Mozy, an offsite backup tool for Windows (and in beta for Macs), then you should use my referral code. I’ll give you back 1/2 of what I make off the referral… which could mean $15 free money for you. Find out more on my “Mozy Offsite Backup Discount” page.
Buying Authentic French Food in San Francisco
I was just told about this… it happens just once a month or so. To find out when, get on their mailing list. They are in Brisbane.
The site: http://www.villageimports.net
To get on their mailing list: Sign up here
We choose to go the moon within 5 years and do the other things
This is really exciting!
Lulacruza workshops
The two members of Lulacruza are in residency at the Red Poppy Art House for the fall. They are having a myriad of musical workshops and whatnot. I’ll be at at least one and Charlotte another. Find out about the workshops, open laboratory, film screenings on Lulacruza’s Residency site.
What I’ll likely be attending:
Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
Mirroring Nature with Music: Sound Composition using Ableton LiveThis 4-week workshop will use loop-based software music sequencer “Ableton Live” to understand the connection of nature and music. We will learn a series of audio manipulation techniques to create sonic landscapes. We will start with acoustic sound and learn ways in which electronic processing can be used to expand, change, and re-create sound. We will listen to and process field recordings to explore the places they are able to evoke. We will be introduced to computer-generated rhythmic and textural material to broaden our sound world. We will explore and discuss naturally occurring acoustic phenomena and its applications in music. We will listen to bird songs, listen to music, and read about nature & technology.
Participants will gain basic knowledge of “Ableton Live”, as well as expand their concepts of sound, music, space, place, silence and nature. Bring some sonic material to create your own personal sonic landscape. All levels welcome.
Instructed by: Luis Maurette
Cost: $80 / 4 classes ($20 each)
Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
Class size limited to 10 students.
Length: 2 hours
What Charlotte will likely be attending:
Oct 3, 10, 17, 24
Joyful singing: A Voice Workshop for the whole bodyThis 4-week singing workshop will work with breathing and singing exercises to free and strengthen the voice. By grounding ourselves and connecting to the whole body, we will explore the vocal timbre and range, undo hindering vocal habits, and develop a loving non-judgmental singing practice.
Based on the practices of yoga and tai-chi, we will experience mind/body awareness and breath control techniques. We will also discuss the body mechanics of voice production and learn tools for a more aligned posture and present mind. Participants will work with toning and visualization to expand the resonance, color, and flexibility of each individual voice. We will use “sound showers”, collective improvisations and other fun tools to cultivate self-confidence, free the voice and rediscover the joy of singing. Ultimately, we will deepen our connection to ourselves and our community through sounding.
Beginners, amateurs and professional singers are equally welcome.
Instructed by: Alejandra Ortiz
Cost: $100 / 4 classes ($25 each)
Oct 3, 10, 17, 24
Class size limited to 6 students.
Length: 2 hours
PHProxy - a Good Proxy Server
The PHProxy web proxy works with Dreamhost :-) . Get it here. The author isn’t supporting it any more so here’s a copy of the latest version of PHProxy AKA Poxy taken from Sourceforge on 9-9-07. You’ll want to put it behind a password because Dreamhost doesn’t technically allow open proxy servers (just imagine the huge server and bandwidth load on your $7/month account).
Here’s a good guide to anonymous proxy servers. I found it here.
Heavy Ink
Heavy Ink is going to be a better place to buy and trade comics than any currently exist online OR IN PERSON. Doors open in October.
Trav’s “Progress Report #1″ gives you a good primer:
Don’t wheat-paste my city
I emailed the following to Answer@AnswerSF.org today:
I spoke with a volunteer today at about 23rd and Valencia in SF wheat-pasting flyers for the October 27th Fin del la guerra ahora march.
He had wheat-pasted 22″x17″ fliers onto a garbage can and other items. Please do not have your volunteers use wheat-paste on public property for events; wheat-pasted flyers remain up long after the event is forgotten. As the posters degrade over the course of a few years, they make our beautiful city look ugly.
Use tape, use staples, use nails, post on billboards, post where billboards are welcome, post in laundromats, post in community centers. Do not wheat-paste my city.
The volunteer told me in response to my critisism, “the city has a program to take down flyers like these.” No, it is not the city’s responsibility to remove your garbage. It is -your- responsibility. Take responsibility.
San Francisco -does- have a program to deal with graffiti. Call 311. First time, offenders are usually reprimanded. After further offenses fines are levied.
I have no problem at all with the march. I’ve marched in events myself. I have a problem with how you are promoting it.
If your volunteers committed to removing the posters after the event, you would gain much local support.
