The Ethics of Digital Manipulation This past weekend we celebrated my father’s 80th birthday. His actual birthday was August 3, but the weekend worked out better for a surprise party, and surprise him we did. About 80 people turned out for the first Taylor male to make it to the age of 80. Obviously, such … Read More “To Photoshop or Not To Photoshop:” »
Happy 80th!
No, I’m not talking about a porno film. Paul W and I decided to paddle a section of the French Broad River today. I was tired of the crowds of "float bubbas" with their inner tubes on the Green River, so another venue was in order. Specifically, I was looking for the following: 1. a … Read More “Paddling the French Broad” »
On Weekend Edition on Sunday, July 18, commentator Daniel Shorr spoke of the sameness of the news lately. He offered a fill-in-the-blanks version of current headlines. To honor his commentary, I have re-created his do-it-yourself news using HTML forms… number of people were killed today in Select One suicide bombing roadside ambush sniper attach in Select One … Read More “Choose Your News” »
First Law: A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Second Law: A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Third Law: A robot must protect its own existence as long as … Read More “I, Ripoff?” »
NOTE: This restaurant is now closed Some restaurant locations are jinxed. On Wade Hampton Boulevard stands an unusual building with a multipointed roof that has been The Gazebo, Swensens Ice Cream, Driggers Barbecue, and now is the new home of the Acropolis. I’m hoping the Acropolis can overcome the curse, because their food is superb, … Read More “A Visit to the Acropolis” »
When I started out in educational technology I had next to no budget for equipment. I had 12 computers in my classroom, eight of which would run Windows 3.1, and the rest limited to DOS. I became a big fan of Fred d’Ignazio’s Multimedia on a Shoestring Budget, collecting old VCRs and other cast-off gear … Read More “Upgrade Fever” »
This was supposed to be a review of Latitude, a very nice restaurant on the West End of town. Instead, it’s a review of The Palms, located in the former Thunderbird Motor Inn, reborn some years ago as the Phoenix Inn. Five of us had reservations for Latitude, but when we arrived, the restaurant had … Read More “Changes in Latitiude” »
July 4, 2004 – If we were to believe science fiction predictions, by today’s date the following would have already come to pass… The Jupiter 2 would be lost in space with a family named Robinson, a madman named Smith, and a robot named, well, Robot. From the television series Lost in Space, broadcast from … Read More “Yesterday’s Tomorrows” »
“Hello. My Name is Tom” (Group responds – “Hello Tom”) “I am a choir director. It has been one year since my last rehearsal.” …and so the 12-step program goes. So what has happened in the one year since McCarter? We haven’t taken anywhere near the number of weekend trips we said we would be … Read More “Choir Directors Anonymous” »