8/28    If you were to check into a reasonably fancy downtown hotel with
        only a regular-sized backpack, how much would you tip the guy
        who shows you to yoru room? [and you carry the pack on your back].
        \_ As much as your generosity and budget allows.
           This is a free market. He treated you nicely because he was
           hoping to do a good job, and perhaps earn extra money on the
           side. He could have done the same thing to someone who dressed
           poorly. But it's a free market. He took a risk. He hoped to
           get a return. He may not have expected anything. But it's a
           free market. Anything goes. So next time someone helps you
           out, remember, that person has already seen it all, from
           huge ass tips to no tips, and no matter how much you give,
           to that person, it's just part of work.
        \_ POWs only had one hotel - the Hanoi Hilton!
           \_ are they old?  you should fire them.
        \_ I'm a pretty generous tipper and I wouldn't tip him anything. In
           fact, I'd let him know that in advance by telling him that you have
           it under control and there's no need to show you to your room.
        \_ Yeah, second the above guy. I would say "I am good, thanks" when
           offered assistance and then not tip him if he insisted.

8/28    More Zombie: DNC giant puppet parade!
        http://csua.org/u/m7o
        \_ If you were a POW, you wouldn't be worried about silly parades!
        \_ you know, anyone who really thinks zombietime is interesting could
           go see his schtick themselves.
           \_ Sure, I could go hang around all day to watch some protestors,
              but I have better things to do.  This takes 5 min. in my compy
              office and is free.
              \_ I'm saying you don't need to post it to MOTD.
                 \_ Ok fine, but come on, giant puppet parade.  That bears
                    posting no matter who took the pictures.

8/28    Blanka Vlasic: HOT!!!!!!!!!
        \_ Aww, she's not even green.
           \_ Yelena Isinbayeva >> Blanka Vlasic
              \_ Stokke is at Cal
                 http://usversusthem.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/allison-stokke-update-new-pics-still-bring-the-thunder

8/28    Wow, remember how Obama complained about being compared to Britney
        Spears?  His holy temple set is being built by...Spears' set builder.
        http://tinyurl.com/5ft7yl
        \_ Wow, that's so meaningful!
        \_ Stay on track, little GOPpuppet. Keep telling America that it is
        \_ Stay on track, little GOPuppet. Keep telling America that it is
           a bad thing to elect leaders who are popular and charismatic, I
           just love this line of attack.
           \_ Hilarious.  I'm not a GOP. -op
            \_ as independant as o'reilly eh?

8/28    Another example of why concealed carry is a good idea, especially
        if you are a drug dealer:
        http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10104142?source=most_viewed
        \_ This is the second story like this I've read recently, for heaven's
           sakes people, don't try to use a fake gun in a robbery!
           \_ People do that all the time.  Guns are expensive.  Toys aren't.

8/28    Solzhenitsyn's Harvard Address from 1978.  Quite amazing, I'd never
        read it.
        http://csua.org/u/m82
        \_ do you agree with it, or is it an interesting curiosity to you?
           (it appears to support gw bush!)
           "a decline in courage has been considered the beginning of the end"
           "people also have the right not to know, and it is a much more
           valuable one"
           "socialism of any type and shade leads to a total destruction"
           "politicians who signed the hasty Vietnam capitulation seemingly
           gave America a carefree breathing pause; however, a hundredfold
           Vietnam now looms"
           "It is not possible that assessment of the President's performance
           be reduced to the question of how much money one makes or of
           unlimited availability of gasoline. Only voluntary, inspired
           self-restraint can raise man above the world stream of materialism."
           \_ Only if you read it selectivly and with blinders on.  And now I
              see from a Google search that seems to be a favorite talking
              point on the right wing blogs these days.
              \_ Actually I wasn't selective. If I'm blind, what did I miss?
                 \_ Bush is courageous? Didn't he turn tail and hide on 9/11?
        \_ I can list about 500 reasons why Bush should be stuck on his
           own prison planet.  I don't use just one metric.
        \_ Suggest you learn about his book 200 Years Together - might
           reveal some insights on WWII, the power structure in this
           country, and why you don't hear much about him these days.

8/28    Yahtzee reviews Braid
        http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/203-Braid
        \_ 100% right on.  Great game, with amazing art direction, but a
           frustrating mix of total awesome mixed with occasional meh.  The
           story was far too pretentious but the"boss" level at the end was
           well done.  Anyone who really cares about games should play it,
           and will love it, but recognize that it is a flawed masterpiece.