For a while, it seemed that Minnesota had bred an honest-to-goodness computer super criminal. Alas, it turns out that Jeffrey Parson is just another script kiddie. How disappointing. We Midwesterners just aren’t very creative, I guess.
I’ve been on vacation all week and still have one more day because Monday is Labor Day. It’s strange how the days seem to jumble together when you’re not on your normal schedule. I woke up this morning not exactly sure what day it was. I remember feeling the same way a few years ago when I was unemployed for about a month. But I’m ready to get back to work and I’m also ready for autumn. I really enjoy summer, but in autumn life seems to quicken and everything just feels crisp and cool. It’s like watching a film come out of slow motion and resume its regular pace.
And now I think I’ll resume my game of Civ 3. I’m playing as the French and before I’m done, by God, everyone from Alaska to Azerbaijan will be eating croissants and laughing their asses off at Jerry Lewis films.

I watched some of the VMAs last night. Yawn. If the highlight is Britney and Xtina getting kissed by Madonna, you know it was a snoozer. Pop music is long overdue for someone or something to come along and give it a hard kick in the ass. And it sure as hell ain’t gonna be Justin Timberlake.
I’ve used this metaphor before, but corporate America is turning us all into denizens of a Kafka novel. Read this article written by a guy who bought a Dell notebook. I probably wouldn’t have sent it back, but his point is a good one.
After a brief break while my brother was here, I’ve been trying to get back on my regular writing schedule. My comic book script is coming along well. And the book is making slow but steady progress. I really can’t imagine what I would do without my HeadMaster and keyboard software. When I was in high school and college, I dictated just about everything that I needed to write down. That’s fine for writing papers, but I find that dictating fiction, or even something like this blog, can be awkward. If I was forced to do my creative writing through dictation, I think I would be constantly censoring myself or watching for some kind of reaction from the person doing the transcription. This way, I can keep my insecurities just between me and all of you.

I had a chance to play with a digital camera yesterday, so I thought I’d share some views from the 19th Floor. This one is looking west towards downtown Minneapolis. The tall building in the center is the IDS Center and to the left is the historic Foshay Tower. When the sun sets in the evening, the play of the light off the glass and steel can be really beautiful. I’ll try to get a shot of this view at dusk sometime. And here is a view looking south towards the suburbs. Not as interesting, I must admit.
And here’s me. I need a haircut.

So Fox dropped its lawsuit against Al Franken. How their lawyers were able to choke down their professional pride to pursue something so laughable, I’ll never understand.
Taking my brother out for a beer later. Mmmm, beer.

My brother is coming for a visit tomorrow. He’s 3 years younger than me and a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell, so we don’t see each other very often. In fact, he’s leaving soon to spend a year in Europe. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he said “Play computer games!” That kind of surprised me. We used to be gaming buddies when we were kids, but I thought he had outgrown that stuff. But I shouldn’t talk. I certainly never grew out of it. Maybe I’ll take him to the State Fair too. He can pig out on Pronto Pups and mini donuts. My blogging shouldn’t be affected, but it might be a little lighter.
I set up my wireless network today. Every computer-related task should be this easy. Now my system won’t be tied up by my sister when she stays with me in September. That girl can chat on AIM for hours and hours.
My friend Allison sent me a CD with some great music that included some Australian artists. Stuff like Christine Anu, Endorphin, and george. Awesome stuff. The US music scene is wonderful, but the good material never gets any airplay. I hope radio is more diverse Down Under.