Alex Vernon.com

Have you ever noticed that ATM screens never seem to lineup with the buttons you push on the side. I suppose it has something to do with the low resolution of the screens and they way they’re mounted in the machines. You would think they would make it lineup since they’re raping you on surcharges. I know some banks are putting in nice color screens now (so they can show you ads) hopefully this will solve the problem. On an interesting side note, I have a friend that works with ATMs and he was telling me that they are going to start using Windows as the ATM OS (currently most of them are using OS/2). So much for security, huh?

-Alex

On the way home today after picking up my Seattle Sutton meals, I saw car car with a John Kerry bumper sticker. That’s not all that unusual except for the fact that a Confederate Battle Flag was hanging from the rear-view mirror. These two items of expression would seem to be at odds, at least to me. It would have been interesting to hear their explanation.

-Alex

I’m a Georgia Voter

This morning as I was getting dressed I started wondering about the history of socks. So I did a quick search on Google (I love Internet searching, how did we get along without it?) and came up with this site: Sock it to Me. It’s very in depth and interesting (to me at least). Here is a faster read: Socks — History.

Keep your feet warm,

-Alex

I plan on posting a review for my DC trip. I’ve been a little busy this weekend however so I haven’t had a chance to yet. It’s coming soon though, no really it is I wouldn’t lie to you.

While I was in my backyard today I saw some interesting insects. A butterfly with light green wings (looked like a leaf), some sort of fly that looked like a bumblebee and appeared to have a couple of eyes on its thorax and a bluish green iridescent fly (not like a house fly, maybe it wasn’t a fly). Unfortunately I did not get any pictures, I saw them all only briefly and I did not have my camera with me at the time.

Well back to work tomorrow
l8r

-Alex

Well back at the airport, I had a great time on this trip. I am going to post a picture gallery of it here soon. On the way to the airport in the shuttle I was listening to a conversation that two of the other passengers were having. Part of it was about different things that the UNdoes in the third world to help cultures better themselves. One passenger was talking about the Mayan adobe huts in Ecuador. He said a big cause of death there is earthquakes, when one occurs the huts collapse in on themselves and crush the occupants. So they designed a hut with barbed wire in the bricks to act as trusses, a door that opens out for a faster exit and a metal roof that was lighter than the thatch roofs. So they went there and built a demonstration hut, however none of the Mayan wanted anything to do with it. The metal roof had a negative connotation on the male of the hut’s virility, and the outward opening door meant the woman of the house was loose. They also built the hut at a crossroads, which is where ghosts and spirits hang out in Mayan culture. Finally the door was facing west instead of east which is also a no no in their culture. So what’s the morale of the story boys and girls? Even if something is technologically superior you still need to check on the local cultures and customs or you might be wasting your time.
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Well we finally took off about 15 minutes ago 3 hours late. Aaahhhh!!!, oh well the pilot is cool a very nice guy who did a great job diffusing the situation. He asked a trivia question for an upgrade to business class. “What year month and day did Elvis die on?” It was August 16th 1977 a little unfair for younger generations but of well. I should write a letter about him, actually I think I will. I’ll post it here, maybe.

It’s actually my namesake Tropical Storm Alex that caused the delay. Go figure. Just ordered a Heineken and they comped it WooHoo! Gotta love free beer, even if it is Heineken.

There are a couple of girls sitting in front of me reading, well I actually I wouldn’t call it reading more like glancing. One is looking at Star Magazine and the other has a paperback book. The girl with the paperback is glancing at a page for a while skipping ahead a few chapters then repeating the process. I am tempted to ask her about her reading style but I’m pretty sure she would be offended.

From the friendly skies,

-Alex

Ok so I promised a Hiss concert review, well it was a good show but nothing eventful enough to merit a full review. Plus I’ve been busy this weekend so it’s not that fresh in my mind anymore. I will say that the lead singer of the Hiss looked a lot like Adrian from Rocky. During the show someone yelled out “Yo Adriaaan” in a Stallone imitation. The singer has apparently heard this many times before because he immediately said “that was original” and proceeded to say something about being called that when he was up to the guy’s knee or something like that. If you get a chance to see them check them out, I think you will enjoy yourself. Starlite Desperation was the headliner, they were a very energetic band, and the lead singer was a very good guitar player as well.

Well I’m sitting in the airport right now waiting for my flight to DC. I’ve been so busy the past week I haven’t had anytime to get excited about it yet. In fact I just packed this morning (although that isn’t unusual for me). George Pataki is on CNN airport right now, man this guys has his nose so far up Bush’s ass it’s not even funny. It’s actually pretty pathetic he sounds like one of those mindless conservative radio talk show hosts. Anyway this trip is personal so I plan on taking a bunch of pics, I will post them on the website when I get back, and I’ll probably put a few on my Photoblog during my trip.

Last night I saw the Corporation. Wow! Was that an eye opener. I was aware of some of the issues the movie brought up but I learned of quite a few more. They also explained why corporations are the why they are. And had interviews with prominent people on both sides of the fence. Ray Anderson CEO of Interface was especially inspiring, it gives me hope that someone in a position like his can do an about face and honestly admit he was wrong. Maybe we aren’t doomed after all. I highly recommend seeing this movie, it will make you think twice before purchasing that next widget.

On a related note; some of the themes in this movie remind me of a book I’ve been meaning to write about for a while. The book is Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit I highly recommend it, don’t let the telepathic gorilla thing throw you off it is just a vehicle to drive the philosophy. It’s a fast read and I believe it will introduce you to a new way of thinking. Buy it from Amazon or pick it up at your local library.

One more thing, I saw a loaded flattop tow truck on I85 the other day. What’s unusual about that you say? Two people were sitting in the car being towed, there was also a passenger in the cab so apparently they didn’t have a choice. I hope he connected the safety chains.

All right, I need to make a couple of calls. I’m out.

-Alex
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The Presto ATMs at Publix stores now charge a fee! I guess all good things come to an end…

-Alex