Endangered Species

The path I have chosen is the very model of assimilation into broader culture.
– My blood is nearly 100% Japanese (whatever the hell that means), although I may have some Russian blood in me as well (that would explain my fondness for vodka and the occasional rogue orange whisker that sprouts from my chin).
– My children will be of (nearly) 50% Japanese ancestry.
– My grandchildren will be mostly machine, but partially designed in Japan.
UPDATE: In a parallel history, my Japanese bloodlines have already disappeared due to a nefarious government plot.
Fuckers!

What’s Your Flavor?

Here is a user-friendly tool to help decide which Linux distros are a good match for your needs: Linux Distribution Chooser
I’ve recently been carrying around a JP version of a Knoppix Live CD for use at net cafes and public terminals – very handy.
The distros that this test recommended for me include Debian, Ubuntu, and Gentoo, which I have been hearing a lot about but just have not had time to check out yet.

Do As I Say, Federal Emergency Management Edition

Oh my god.
It’s like something I’d consider funny, except that it’s too retarded:

If I can help people focus on preparedness, how to be better prepared in their homes and better prepared in their businesses – because that goes straight to the bottom line – then I hope I can help the country in some way

Because we all know that loss of businesses is the real tragedy, right?
Rescue teams are still searching house to house looking for 600+ missing businesses in the swampy waters, right?

Questions to Which I Have Answered, “Oh, Fuck No!”

In Japan:
– Do you wear shoes inside your home in America?
> (…my mom would have a cow.)
– Would you like to try a slice of Salmon Cream Pizza?
> (…get that nasty shit away from me. squid, seaweed, and most other stuff from the sea have no fucking business on a pizza. fucking heathens.)
– Do you want to come to karaoke?
> (…i think i’ll have to miss out on this round of Drunken Asshole Vanity)
– Do you want to play sex?
> (…no, i’m waiting till i get married. plus, i don’t know how to say “double bagger” in japanese.)
– How do you do?
> (…oops, of course i meant, “fine, thank you. and you?”)
In America:
– Why do people take their shoes off before entering a house in Japan?
> (…tatami doesn’t quite clean the dog shit off your shoes like carpet does.)
– Have you tried our New Caribbean MexiChili Teriyaki Sushi-eggroll Low-carb Wrap?
> (…Let me repeat: oh, fuck no.)
– Can you spare a dollar?
> (…you may think my response severe, but the last bum i actually had a conversation with punched me in the throat. he ruined it for all you assholes.)
– Can we search your car?
> (…oops mr. officer, that just slipped out, what i meant to say was, “sure!”)
– Do you want to come to karaoke?
> (…)
///
to be continued…

Shades of Cryptonomicon

HavenCo Limited is exploiting a unique opportunity to set up the world’s first real data haven. The initial showcase datacenter is the Principality of Sealand, the world’s smallest sovereign territory. It was founded over thirty years ago and has obtained a unique legal status as the only sovereign man-made island. Its claim to sovereignty has been tested and supported in several legal challenges.”
I’d heard of Sealand before, but never really thought about what it looked like. As it turns out, it wouldn’t have looked out of place on the set of Waterworld:
sealand.jpg
Kewl.
More pics here: LINK