Home of the Soul Cookie

From Slashdot (emphasis mine):

Resolving Everything: VeriSign Adds Wildcards:
DragonHawk writes ‘As of a little while ago (it is around 7:45 PM US Eastern on Mon 15 Sep 2003 as I write this), VeriSign added a wildcard A record to the .COM and .NET TLD DNS zones. The IP address returned is 64.94.110.11, which reverses to sitefinder.verisign.com. What that means in plain English is that most mis-typed domain names that would formerly have resulted in a helpful error message now results in a VeriSign advertising opportunity. For example, if my domain name was ’somecompany.com,’ and somebody typed ’soemcompany.com’ by mistake, they would get VeriSign’s advertising.’” [more]

This is such an abuse of power…

Scott actually called them up to ask them to knock this shit off. Their response? They own the .com TLD so they can do whatever they want.

Scott’s solution, which I’ve modified slightly, was to create a batch file and run it from a command window:

:squeal
nslookup verisign_are_evil_pig_fuckers.com
goto squeal

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

You are the Final Lover. Romanic, honey-tongued romeo, you are the master of love’s last kiss. You woo the young ladies, pluck them from light’s caress and give them a smile as they sink into death.

What Fictional Vampire Archtype are You?
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From Once More with Feeling, sung by Tara to Willow:

I lived my life in shadow
Never the sun on my face
It didn’t seem so sad, though
I figured that was my place
Now I’m bathed in light
Something just isn’t right

I’m under your spell
How else could it be
Anyone would notice me
It’s magic I can tell
How you set me free
Brought me out so easily

I saw a world enchanted
Spirits and charms in the air
I always took for granted
I was the only one there
But your power shone
Brighter than any I’ve known

I’m under your spell
Nothing I can do
You just took my soul with you
You worked your charms so well
Finally I knew
Everything I dreamed was true
You make me believe

The moon to the tide
I can feel you inside

I’m under your spell
Surging like the sea
Pulled to you so helplessly
I break with every spell
Lost in ecstacy
Spread beneath my willow tree
You make me complete
You make me complete
You make me complete

Such a lovely song. (sigh)

The shop is once again putting on Desert Con, a two-day game convention. A lot of last-minute activity and hecticness has now culminated in a horde of players engaged in cerebral play.

And I’m over here at the shop. The mostly-deserted shop.

We decided to keep the shop open so that we could a) pick up incidental sales not coverable by the in-convention vendors, and b) answer the [many] questions on where the convention it is.

(The convention is at a hotel across the street. We’ve advertised that fact on every promotional flyer we’ve produced for the con. I’ve got a sign up on the door reminding people of the con’s location. And I’ve still had every single person who’s walked up to the door and read the sign also come into the shop and ask me where the con is. Calgon, take me away!)

I’ve only been over there for a few minutes this morning; I’ll be heading back over this evening (and closing the shop temporarily) for a new addition to this, our second convention: an auction! We’ve got some good auction lots; here’s hoping the Backwater ‘Burb syndrome doesn’t keep us from getting some similarly good bids.

You are Footsie

You’re into turning your partner on… but you just like to keep it on the down low. You can get things totally fired up - without anyone the wiser.

You work your foreplay technique everywherefrom family dinners to work meetings. It’s all good - as long as you keep your foot in the right crotch!

What Kind of Foreplay Are You?
More Great Quizzes from Quiz Diva

(Warning: Blah blah blah not work-safe. Blah blah blah be careful.)

And now, the Committee demands that you name names! http://www.fridayfive.org/

1. Is the name you have now the same name that’s on your birth certificate? If not, what’s changed?
Nope, Name_{(birth certificate)} = Name_{(currently using)}.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be?
I don’t know that I would. My name is such a part of who I am that unless I were to become a totally new person I wouldn’t want to change it.

Now, if I had access to the magic Identity Transmutation Device…

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?)
From what I understand, it was both my parents, but primarily my mom, who named me Kevin Sean. I wasn’t named for anyone; I think it was just a name they liked.

Contrast that with my sister: My mom mentioned once that she’d planned since she was a girl to name her daughter what she ended up naming my sister.

One time, in the second grade, I found out that the other name “in the running” for newborn me was Michael, and at the time I really wanted to be renamed to match. That lasted about four days.

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why?
“Name” names? Not really.

I love the few nicknames I have; I’ve never really had any until recently in life, and to be now known, for example, as “Batman” thanks to Amber is pretty cool.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com accurate? How or how isn’t it?

Brief Analysis

The name of Kevin creates an overly-sensitive nature which causes you to sense and feel far more than you can understand or put into words. You have a deep, artistic, and creative side which shows through a love for music and literature. Writing is a more natural mode of expression for your deeper thoughts and feelings than the spoken word. You have an ability to concentrate and work intently on anything which holds your interest. However, you prefer to avoid routine, monotony, and mental tasks. You enjoy the out-of-doors and find your greatest peace and relaxation from the beauty and harmony of nature. You prefer to limit your friendships and associations to those who share your interests and appreciate your quiet, refined ways. Others often find it difficult to understand you. Your feelings tend to build up within you and, if you cannot release them through a creative, constructive channel, you could suffer with frustration, moods, and much inner turmoil.

It’s actually quite accurate.

One slight variance from the analysis is that while I do derive a great deal of peace and relaxation from nature, I also really enjoy the energy of cities, experiencing how each one “feels” - San Diego is different from Los Angeles is different from Boston is different from San Francisco.

And on the “overly-sensitive” part, I will confess that I feel deeply, in no half-measures. If someone I care about is in pain, I anguish. If a loved one finds success, I rejoice. The analysis’ assertion that I “feel far more than [I] can understand or put into words” would have been wholly true some years ago, but I’m constantly learning how to express the bounty of emotion that my heart feels.

(Oh, and I’m guessing that “mental tasks” is a typo and should read “menial tasks.” And I’m no fan of busywork.)

It’s a floor wax! It’s a dessert topping! http://www.fridayfive.org/

1. What housekeeping chore(s) do you hate doing the most?
Cleaning the cats’ litter boxes. You’d think I’d be used to it after owning cats for over two decades.

2. Are there any that you like or don’t mind doing?
Dusting, nominally. Dishes, but only if I’m one of many keeping current on them. (If others let them pile up, I hate having to later scrub off their mutated food remnants.)

3. Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it’s needed?
As it’s needed.

4. Do you have any odd cleaning/housekeeping quirks or rules?
It’s easier to keep myself from getting distracted if I clean with music going in the background.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned?
Dishes.