Snow Adventures 2012

In 2009, we had a snow storm in Wisconsin that canceled classes. I reported about the snow adventures  I had that day.  In 2010, there was another big snow storm, but I must not have had anything to share about it.  The winter of 2011 was very mild.  Whatever snow fell would melt in a few days.

Now its 2012 and we had a really big snow storm (and apparently we are naming winter storms now and this one was called Draco).  The storm hit on Thursday during the middle of finals week.  The university canceled finals that day, but announced that finals were on for Friday.  I think the university got ahead of itself here because they made this announcement before the Madison bus system announced that it was not operating on Friday.  The university provost sent an email to the entire university both confirming that finals were still on and suggesting that students that normally require bus transportation to campus could call one of the four cab companies in town.

Shannon had Thursday off as well but went back to work on Friday.  I followed her outside 8:00 to make sure she could get our Prius out of our underground garage and onto the city streets safely.  She made it out of the garage ok (the key is not to chicken out by slowing down) but had to wait in the parking lot behind someone who got stuck.  I helped this person get unstuck.  It was only the first.

Behind Shannon was another person that got stuck coming out of the underground garage of the neighboring apartment building.  After this person, someone else got stuck in the same place as the first.  At this point, it was 8:30 and I went inside to rest and warm up.  Then at 8:45, I went back out to see if there was anyone else I could help.  I walked around our apartment complex several times and helped seven people in total that day.

In the middle of one parking lot was a car that had apparently been left there over night.  The picture below shows this car after we dug much of it out (someone that I had just helped get unstuck decided to help me).

On the inside of the left rear window was a note with the owners name, address, and phone number.  (I thought I had a closeup of the window and the message, but alas.)  That is a really good idea!  He didn't answer my call, but this other guy with me lived in his building and must have notified him because his car was gone during my next trip around our complex.

On Wednesday night, I had parked our Oldsmobile facing our garage door so that I could easily bring the car inside to warm up and have the snow melt off.

The reason that so many cars were stuck in our parking lots is that the people responsible for removing the snow got very far behind.  One of our maintenance workers that was also out and about said they were either getting suck themselves or their equipment was breaking.  I didn't bother removing the snow in front of our Oldsmobile in the hopes that they would clear out the rest of the snow that night.

No dice.  It only took about 20 minutes to dig it out.  Here is my car in our garage:

As you can see, I only cleared off the bare minimum of snow to get my car into the garage.  Furthermore, I only dug an Oldsmobile-size hole out of the drift in front of the car.

Here's to not having to do this again for another year.

The UNO T-Shirt Offer

Back in November 2011, my wife and I spent Thanksgiving at her parent's house. While there, we played an old fashion game of UNO. I don't think I won the whole time.

Although the cards appeared to be in mint condition, I couldn't help but notice that they were older than me!

Check out that expiration date: 2/28/82!

Ah, the good-old days...when you could buy a t-shirt for $4.95 and that INCLUDED "postage and handling".

My Favorite Christmas Songs

Now that Thanksgiving is over, many people (including my wife) new permit Christmas music to be played. For the last two Christmases, I have saved my favorite Christmas songs and favorite version. Here is my current list:

1. Angels We Have Heard On High - Chris Tomlin - WOW Christmas: Green
2. Away in a Manger - Casting Crowns - WOW Christmas: Green
3. Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) - Amy Grant - Home For Christmas
4. Do You Hear What I Hear? - FFH - WOW Christmas: Green
5. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Kutlass - WOW Christmas: Green
6. Light of the Stable - Selah - Rose of Bethlehem
7. Little Town - Amy Grant - A Christmas Album
8. Mary Did You Know? - Clay Aiken - WOW Christmas: Green
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Rebecca St. James - Christmas
11. O Holy Night - Josh Groban - Josh Groban In Concert
12. O Little Town of Bethlehem
13. Silent Night
14. The First Noel - Mark Schultz - WOW Christmas: Green
15. We Three Kings - DC Talk - Joyful Christmas
16. Welcome To Our World - Michael W. Smith - WOW Christmas: Green
17. What Child is This? - Rebecca St. James - Christmas

Of these, my favorite is We Three Kings by DC Talk because it is the most unique of all these songs.

You should notice that I have three songs listed without a version. This is because I don't know what my favorite version of these songs is. Do you have a favorite version of one of these songs? If so, please share it with me. Maybe it will become my favorite as well.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song that I don't have listed? Please share it with me. Maybe I will it will become my favorite as well.

UPDATE:

Here are some new additions.

1. 2000 Decembers Ago - Joy Williams - A Christmas Reunion
2. Christmas This Year - tobyMac - (No album)
3. Emmanuel - Michael W Smith - WOW Christmas (Red)
4. The Night Before Christmas - Brandon Heath - WOW Christmas 2011
5. When Love was Born - Mark Schultz - WOW Christmas 2011

Now, I really prefer to have one favorite version of each song, but Wee Three Kings by Go Fish from Christmas With A Capital 'C': Snow Deluxe Edition is too good to pass by.

Ode to TED (Day 6): Siftables

Welcome to the penultimate "Ode to TED" day.

Siftables are an ingenious invention with amazing possibilities. My favorite part is the lack of need to explain the interface. Even though people have never seen them before, they will either know what to do from the beginning or have fun trying to figure it out. This is also one of Shannon's favorite TED videos.

TED2009: David Merrill demos Siftables (TED link)

(The length of this video is 7:12.)

Copyright Education: A FedEx Kinko's Case Study

Wake up class. It is time for some more copyright education.

Does everyone remember our previous lesson? It was about a KODAK photo printing kiosk that I found in a Target store. This time, our case study is from a FedEx Kinko printing store where Shannon was printing some resumes. Reviewing the KODAK case study will help significantly in today's case study.

Ok class. Let's begin.

This notice is next to a computer.

Copyright Law Notice:
The Copyright Law of the U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted works. A computer program or software protected by copyright may not be copied without the authorization of the copyright owner, except that a copy may be made in accordance with §117 of the Copyright Law for backup purposes for protection in the event that the original software malfunctions. FedEx Kinko's Office and Printing Services, Inc. does not authorize the use for this computer of the reproduction of copyrighted software other than allowed under §117. The person using this machine is responsible for and would be liable for any infringement. Our primary objective is to take care of your needs. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation in complying with the FedEx Kinko's copying policy.

Who can spot the first sentence with a false statement? Well, it is the second sentence.

A computer program or software protected by copyright may not be copied without the authorization of the copyright owner, except that a copy may be made in accordance with §117 of the Copyright Law for backup purposes for protection in the event that the original software malfunctions.

Like last time, copying software can be legal by fair use. Specifically, the two (court approved) fair uses are

• modification of copyright software for personal use (Galoob v. Nintendo) and
• making copies in the course of is a fair use, when it is the only way to get access to the "ideas and functional elements" in the copyrighted code, and when "there is a legitimate reason for seeking such access" (Sega v. Accolade).

The second reason that the sentence is wrong is similar to last time. Even if the copyright owner does not "authorize" the copying of their software, it is still legal to do so if the copyright of the software says that it is legal to copy the software. The most popular software copyright with this property is the GPL.

You might be wondering, "why would the copyright owner copyright their software under a copyright like the GPL if they do not authorize copying?" The easiest explanation for this is that the copyright owner changed their mind, such as when the copyright is sold to another party.

There are no more factual errors in this copyright notice, but there is an interesting contradiction yet to be discussed.

FedEx Kinko's Office and Printing Services, Inc. does not authorize the use for this computer of the reproduction of copyrighted software other than allowed under §117. ... Our primary objective is to take care of your needs.

If the "primary objective" of FedEx Kinko is to serve their customers, then they would allow there customers to do any legal activities (such as copying GPL'ed software or copying any software for fair use).

This sign was next to a location where someone would connect a laptop.

The Copyright Law:
The Copyright Law of the U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of reproductions of copyrighted works.

The Person using the reproduction equipment is liable for any infringement.

For more information on the laws regarding copyrights contact the United States Copyright Office at 202.707.3000.

The FedEx Kinko's policy requires written permission from the copyright holder in order to reproduce any copyrighted works.

Our primary objective is to take care of your needs. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation in complying with the FedEx Kinko's copying policy. Thank you for your business.

Please see a FedEx Kinko's team member to obtain a Copyright Permission Request form.

It is the prerogative of FedEx Kinko to stipulate what services the do and do not offer, but their "primary objective" is certainly not "taking care of your needs" if they burden you by requiring you to go above and beyond what is required by law in order to create a legal reproduction of a copyrighted work.

With such taxing requirements to carrying out a legal activity, it is clear that FedEx Kinko is "primarily" concerned for copyright holders and only secondarily concerned for their customers.

Dead Sea Scrolls

On Tuesday, Shannon and I went to the Milwaukee Public Museum to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Their version of the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit only lasts until June 6th.

At the beginning of the exhibit, there were many artifacts, including pots, coins, (chest) ossuaries, medical tools, makeup tools, oil lamps, and probably some more things that I am forgetting. My favorite were the coins (because there were probably the type of shekel mentioned in the Bible) and a particular ossuary. The display said that the ossuary probably belonged to Alexander Son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried the cross of Jesus. Upon reading Wikipedia about Simon of Cyrene, it says

A burial cave in Kidron Valley discovered in 1941, belonging to Cyrenian Jews and dating before AD 70, was found to have an ossuary inscribed twice in Greek "Alexander Son of Simon." It cannot, however, be certain that this refers to the same person.

There was also a model of Jerusalem accompanied by a few aerial photographs.

After a few displays about finding the scrolls, we got to see a facsimile of the of the Great Isaiah Scroll. Created circa 100BC, it predates the previous oldest copy of Isaish by 1000 years. Finally, the next room contained actual dead sea scrolls. They were pieces ranging in size from a softball to a fingernail and set between glass. After this room, there were a couple more hallways with other examples of old copies of the Bible.

The model of Jerusalem reminded me of a thought that I have had before. I think that people should make famous buildings, such as the temple at Jerusalem, into virtual worlds (not unlike World of Warcraft or Second Life) that can be explored via computer. What better way to learn what the temple looked like than to explore it?!

My Favorite Season

My favorite season is summer. I enjoy wearing less clothes (does that sound bad?) and I would rather be too hot than too cold.

Shannon's favorite season is fall, which is part of the reason that we are getting married in October. Now, you do not have to agree with your spouse about everything. For example, my favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate, Shannon very much dislikes chocolate, and I have no plans on changing my favorite flavor of ice cream.

However, I have decided that I would be willing to change my favorite season from summer to not winter. Why? Because I am so elated winter is over and spring has begin (not officially, but actual weather wise).

I only know of one plus that winter has over the other seasons. In winter, no thought is needed about what coat to wear (if any). Everyday, you wear your winter coat...no questions asked. Yesterday, in my blinded love of spring's arrival, I left without a coat and had to walk in the rain twice. At least rain drops are not painful like the bitter cold is.

Thoughts on my Safety

Last weekend, Shannon and I went to a pre-marriage retreat. It was not the most fun I have ever had, but here is something funny that came out of it.

While doing an activity to access the amount of genuineness in our relationship, I was asked to respond the following statement with a "Yes", "No", or "?":

My partner makes me feel safer with him/her than with any other person.

My first thought was about my physical safety, so my response was "No"...I feel equally safe with almost all people. Later that day, we were joking about my response and only remembered the beginning of the statement:

My partner makes me feel safer...

Then I thought that my answer should be "Yes". Assume that someone was shooting at me. If Shannon is with me, then there is a small (very small ;) ) chance that a bullet would hit her instead of me.

But that thought was followed by another. If someone is shooting at us, then I am in more danger because I will be putting myself in the line of fire so that I get shot instead of Shannon.

Therefore, I concluded that "my partner does not make me feel safer with her than with any other person" because when I am with her, I am responsible for her safety and my own.

...married life is going to be dangerous :(

Satellites in the Night Sky

This summer I went with the Shannon's family on their annual summer vacation to Chippewa Lake near Brandon, MN, which is about two hours northwest of the Twin Cities.

Because there is almost no light pollution in this area, we decided to look for shooting stars. I only saw three in the span of half an hour. I thought that I would see more, like one every three to five minutes. However, we did see something else every three to five minutes...satellites! I was not aware that you could see them with your naked eye.

The Best Movie Line I have Ever Written

When going out to eat Shannon says that she does not like when the waiter/waitress says "Hello, my name is John/Jane and I will be taking care of you today." She does not like the "taking care" part because its too broad. As if your response should be, "Awesome, because I have this knot in my back. Would you take care of that for me?" Instead, she prefers it if they should say "I will be serving you today" or "I will be your server today".

Well, inspired by the original line that annoys Shannon, I came up with a great movie line - the best movie line that I have ever written. It would be in a movie about the mob and it goes like this:

[A man with the appearance of a waiter walks up to the table of a notorious mobster.]

Hello, my name is Big Fat Paulie and I will be taking care of you today......*pop*..*pop*

[Big Fat Paulie successfully executes the hit by shooting through the menu he was holding with his silenced pistol.]

Now all I need is a movie to go with my line :/

US Go Congress (1 of 3)

I was going to blog about everything that is happening with me here in DC, but that would take me more than an hour every day, and I don't have that much time. Since I am here for the US Go Congress, I will mostly blog about go related activities.

Shannon and I flew here on Friday. We had to get up at 4 AM for our 7:10 AM departure. We are staying with my friend Ramon's (and is finance's) place. Before going to bed. Ramon and I played a game. He won 73-43. I played poorly. I was playing unconventional moves when I knew the conventional move. Also, I need to remember that I cannot have it all. I need to either give my opponent the worse half or give up something in return for something better.

On Saturday, we spent most of the day in Baltimore. At the end of the day, we went back to George Mason (where the congress is held this year) to register for the congress. Ramon and I would have probably stayed and watched some people that were playing go, but the our ladies did not want to stay and the buildings on campus were closing in the next 10-15 minutes anyway.

It is now Sunday morning and we are about to leave. Each day we will play one game in the US Open tournament. Wish me luck!

Right Idea, Wrong Delivery

I just went to Applebee's with Shannon for some half price appetizers after 9 where they were also playing some Applebee's Bingo. Instead of the regular bingo letters of B-I-N-G-O, Applebee's Bingo uses A-P-L-B-E.

Now, A and L do not rhyme with any of the other letters, but P, B, and E all rhyme with each other. To avoid confusion, it is common for a person to say, "B, B as in boy"...or some other word that starts with that letter. However, it does not make sense to use just any word that begins one of these letters.

During Applebee's Bingo, the person reading off the letter-number combinations said, "P, P as in Paul." So, what is wrong with this?? The speaker knows that she needs to distinguish between the letters P, B, and E...but I don't think she knows why. The "why" is because P, B, and E (pronounced Pee, Bee, and Eee) are all words that rhyme in each syllable. To distinguish P, she used the word "Paul", which rhymes with "Ball" (in all...one...syllables), which starts with B!! She ruled out E, but she still has the same problem she started with...two words that only differ when pronounced by a single consonant!

Minutes later, the speaker topped herself. To distinguish B, she used the word "Butter", which rhymes with "Putter" (in all two syllables), which starts with P! Again, she ruled out E, but we still can't be sure if she said P or B. I thought that this one was pretty amazing because she was able to do this even though she used a two syllable word.

As a final word, I actually thought of that fact that "Putter" rhymes with "Butter" just after the speaker gave her "Paul" example. I thought, "Wow, I hope she doesn't say that one too." Well, I spoke (in my head) too soon.

Copyright Education: A KODAK Case Study

Today I went to Target with my fiance Shannon to print a picture that she needed. While clicking through the various prompts at the KODAK Picture Kiosk, she did not hesitate to fly by the following screen. I however could not help but go through the prompts on another kiosk and take this picture with my cell phone:

"It is illegal to reproduce photographs taken by a professional photographer or other copyrighted pictures without permission of the copyright owner.

By reproducing this photograph, I acknowledge that the picture I am reproducing is not copyrighted, or I have obtained permission from the copyright holder."

Now, pretend that we are back in elementary school. Instead of a DOL (daily oral language) problem (in which you try to find various grammar mistakes in an example sentence), try to find the mistakes in the above paragraphs on the issue of copyright.

Are you done yet?...Ok. Here is what I found.

1. The first paragraph seems to group all pictures which are illegal to reproduce into two categories. If a picture was taken by a professional photographer, it belongs in group A. Then, any remaining pictures that are copyrighted belong in group B. Why is it that it is illegal for me to reproduce any picture from group A? What if a professional photographer took a picture (which is then automatically copyrighted) and then gave me permission to reproduce it? That should be legal, but the wording at this kiosk suggests otherwise.
2. Now, suppose that a picture X was taken by a professional photographer, was copyrighted, and I do not have permission from the copyright owner to reproduce it. Does that mean it is always illegal for me to reproduce X...as alluded to by this kiosk? Absolutely not! I can legally use or reproduce (or several other verbs) any copyrighted work as long as my actions are covered by fair use.
3. Ok, so now suppose that...a picture X was taken by a professional photographer, was copyrighted, I do not have permission from the copyright owner to reproduce it, and my reproduction of X is not covered by fair use. Surely now it is always illegal for me to reproduce X, right? However, the answer is still no because not all copyrights forbid me from reproducing the copyrighted work. If the photograph that I wanted to reproduce was copyrighted under a Creative Commons License, then anyone can (among other things) "copy, distribute and transmit the work."

It is interesting to note that there is no mention of professional photographers in the second paragraph, which would agree with my first argument above.

The statement that you have to accept in order to use the kiosk suggests that its list of conditions is exhaustive. However, it is also legal to reproduce photographs when the reproduction is covered by fair use or when allowed by copyright. People are being misinformed everyday with benign messages like this that leave out such crucial features of our copyright law.

In conclusion, I think it should be illegal to lie about what is illegal!

3-4-10 UPDATE:
ars technica just wrote an article about this same issue in relation to the Super Bowl.