Quality.
-BT
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Song of the Day (sort of): Coldplay, Fix you (guest appearance on Extras)
Chris Martin from Coldplay - guest appearance on Extras with Ricky Gervais.
What's Chris Martin doing in a factory in Wiggan?? It's mental!
If you haven't seen Extras you are missing out, it was the funniest show from the UK in about a generation, a true "diamond in the rough". Also below is some outtakes and interviews, in which Chris Martin says if he hadn't done the show he would have spent the day masturbating which would have been "a waste of another day".
Guest appearance:
Outtakes and interviews:
-BT
What's Chris Martin doing in a factory in Wiggan?? It's mental!
If you haven't seen Extras you are missing out, it was the funniest show from the UK in about a generation, a true "diamond in the rough". Also below is some outtakes and interviews, in which Chris Martin says if he hadn't done the show he would have spent the day masturbating which would have been "a waste of another day".
Guest appearance:
Outtakes and interviews:
-BT
Friday, October 24, 2008
There is a silver bullet
"There's no silver bullet"
-Fred Brooks
So goes one of the most beloved quotes of computer programmers. There's only one problem: Fred was wrong. There is a silver bullet. The silver bullet is having a truly outstanding team. With great people you will get projects done, with excellent quality and on time, in the vast majority of cases.
Why not in all cases?
Well, even a silver bullet misses its target once in a while.
-Buford Twain
Coding faster and better - by not coding
So, this morning I was stuck on a thorny problem. I was going around in circles and getting frustrated. I ended up just stopping work completely, had lunch and went for a walk. When I got back, an idea had popped into my head that simplified the problem and I was able to finish coding the feature in a couple of hours. If I had stayed at my keyboard I am pretty sure I would never had come up with that idea and would probably still be stuck. It's paradoxical but sometimes it's best to step away and do nothing in order to be more productive.
Time for the quote of the day:
"The trouble with programmers is that you can never tell what a programmer is doing
until it's too late."
-Seymour Cray
-Buford Twain
Time for the quote of the day:
"The trouble with programmers is that you can never tell what a programmer is doing
until it's too late."
-Seymour Cray
-Buford Twain
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Song of the Day: Willie Nelson - My Heroes have always Been Cowboys
This one sends shivers down my spine every time.
Lyrics:
I grew up a-dreamin' of bein' a cowboy,
and Lovin' the cowboy ways.
Pursuin' the life of my high-ridin' heroes,
I burned up my childhood days.
I learned of all the rules of the modern-day drifter,
Don't you hold on to nothin' too long.
Just take what you need from the ladies, then leave them,
With the words of a sad country song.
My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
Cowboys are special with their own brand of misery,
From being alone too long.
You could die from the cold in the arms of a nightmare,
Knowin' well that your best days are gone.
Pickin' up hookers instead of my pen (keyboard??),
I let the words of my years fade away.
Old worn-out saddles, and 'old worn-out memories,
With no one and no place to stay.
My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
-BT
Lyrics:
I grew up a-dreamin' of bein' a cowboy,
and Lovin' the cowboy ways.
Pursuin' the life of my high-ridin' heroes,
I burned up my childhood days.
I learned of all the rules of the modern-day drifter,
Don't you hold on to nothin' too long.
Just take what you need from the ladies, then leave them,
With the words of a sad country song.
My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
Cowboys are special with their own brand of misery,
From being alone too long.
You could die from the cold in the arms of a nightmare,
Knowin' well that your best days are gone.
Pickin' up hookers instead of my pen (keyboard??),
I let the words of my years fade away.
Old worn-out saddles, and 'old worn-out memories,
With no one and no place to stay.
My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
Sadly, in search of, but one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.
-BT
Reduce PC internal temp by 10 degrees in 10 seconds
Simply remove the side of the PC case. Voila!
So it doesn't look great - who cares? Do you want it to be pretty or do you want it to run cool? Also makes future changes more convenient and you can blow the dust out once in a while. You're welcome.
-BT
So it doesn't look great - who cares? Do you want it to be pretty or do you want it to run cool? Also makes future changes more convenient and you can blow the dust out once in a while. You're welcome.
-BT
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Song of the Day: Amy Winehouse - You know I'm no Good
Amy I don't care that you do drugs, etc. etc. - all is forgiven because of this single song.
Click to view/listen
Lyrics:
Meet you downstairs in the bar and heard
Your rolled up sleeves in your skull t-shirt
You say, "Why did you do with him today?"
And sniff me out like I was Tanqueray
Cause you're my fella, my guy
Hand me your Stella and fly
By the time I'm out the door
You tear men down like Roger Moore
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
Upstairs in bed, with my ex boy,
He's in the place, but I can't get joy,
Thinking on you in the final throws
This is when my buzzer goes
Run out to meet your chips and pita
You say "When we're married" 'cause you're not bitter
There'll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
Sweet reunion, Jamaica and Spain
We're like how we were again
I'm in the tub you on the sink
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
Then you notice little carpet burn
My stomach drop and my guts churn
You shrug and it's the worst
Who truly stuck the knife in first?
I cheated myself like I knew I would
I told ya I was trouble, you know that I'm no good
I cheated myself, like I knew I would
I told ya I was trouble, yeah ya know that I'm no good
-BT
Click to view/listen
Lyrics:
Meet you downstairs in the bar and heard
Your rolled up sleeves in your skull t-shirt
You say, "Why did you do with him today?"
And sniff me out like I was Tanqueray
Cause you're my fella, my guy
Hand me your Stella and fly
By the time I'm out the door
You tear men down like Roger Moore
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
Upstairs in bed, with my ex boy,
He's in the place, but I can't get joy,
Thinking on you in the final throws
This is when my buzzer goes
Run out to meet your chips and pita
You say "When we're married" 'cause you're not bitter
There'll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was trouble
You know that I'm no good
Sweet reunion, Jamaica and Spain
We're like how we were again
I'm in the tub you on the sink
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
Then you notice little carpet burn
My stomach drop and my guts churn
You shrug and it's the worst
Who truly stuck the knife in first?
I cheated myself like I knew I would
I told ya I was trouble, you know that I'm no good
I cheated myself, like I knew I would
I told ya I was trouble, yeah ya know that I'm no good
-BT
Monday, October 20, 2008
Other Song of the Day: Squeeze - Cool for Cats
Pure fun - dancing girls and a cockney accent, what's not to like?? Also, you can play "spot the double entendre" towards the end.
Lyrics:
The indians send signals
From the rocks above the pass
The cowboys take positions
In the bushes and the grass
The squaw is with the corporal
She is tied against the tree
She doesn't mind the language
Its the beating she don't need
She lets loose all the horses
When the corporal is asleep
He wakes to find the fires dead
And arrows in his hats
And davy crockett rides around
And says its cool for cats its cool for cats
The sweeney's doing ninety
cos they've got the word to go
They get a gang of villains
In a shed up at heathrow
They're counting out the fivers
When the handcuffs lock again
In and out of Wandsworth
With the numbers on their names
Its funny how their missus
Always look the bleeding same
And meanwhile at the station
There's a couple of likely lads
Who swear like how's your father
And they're very cool for cats
They're cool for cats
To change the mood a little
Ive been posing down the pub
On seeing my reflection
I'm looking slightly rough
I fancy this, I fancy that
I wanna be so flash
I give a little muscle
And I spend a little cash
But all I get is bitter and a nasty little rash
And by the time I'm sober
Ive forgotten what Ive had
And everybody tells me that its cool to be a cat
Cool for cats
Shake up at the disco
And I think Ive got a pull
I ask her lots of questions
And she hangs on to the wall
I kiss her for the first time
And then I take her home
I'm invited in for coffee
And I give the dog a bone <--- DOUBLE ENTENDRE ALERT!
She likes to go to discos
But she's never on her own
I said I'll see you later
And I give her some old chat
But its not like that on the tv
When its cool for cats
It's cool for cats
Until the next time,
-BT
Lyrics:
The indians send signals
From the rocks above the pass
The cowboys take positions
In the bushes and the grass
The squaw is with the corporal
She is tied against the tree
She doesn't mind the language
Its the beating she don't need
She lets loose all the horses
When the corporal is asleep
He wakes to find the fires dead
And arrows in his hats
And davy crockett rides around
And says its cool for cats its cool for cats
The sweeney's doing ninety
cos they've got the word to go
They get a gang of villains
In a shed up at heathrow
They're counting out the fivers
When the handcuffs lock again
In and out of Wandsworth
With the numbers on their names
Its funny how their missus
Always look the bleeding same
And meanwhile at the station
There's a couple of likely lads
Who swear like how's your father
And they're very cool for cats
They're cool for cats
To change the mood a little
Ive been posing down the pub
On seeing my reflection
I'm looking slightly rough
I fancy this, I fancy that
I wanna be so flash
I give a little muscle
And I spend a little cash
But all I get is bitter and a nasty little rash
And by the time I'm sober
Ive forgotten what Ive had
And everybody tells me that its cool to be a cat
Cool for cats
Shake up at the disco
And I think Ive got a pull
I ask her lots of questions
And she hangs on to the wall
I kiss her for the first time
And then I take her home
I'm invited in for coffee
And I give the dog a bone <--- DOUBLE ENTENDRE ALERT!
She likes to go to discos
But she's never on her own
I said I'll see you later
And I give her some old chat
But its not like that on the tv
When its cool for cats
It's cool for cats
Until the next time,
-BT
Song of the Day - Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum
Not much to look at video-wise I'm afraid, but the melody, lyrics and above all, the accent, for once sounding like a real person (not fake-American) are perfect. This is one of those rare albums that is worth buying (the album is called "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not").
For those who want to sing along at home, here are the lyrics:
Well now then Mardy Bum
I've seen your frown
And it's like looking down the barrel of a gun
And it goes off
And out come all these words
Oh there's a very pleasant side to you
A side I much prefer
It's one that laughs and jokes around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen
Yeah, to get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember
That on a day like today when you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on
Well now then Mardy Bum
Oh I'm in trouble again, aren't I
I thought as much
Cause you turned over there
Pulling that silent disappointment face
The one that I can't bear
Can't we, laugh and joke around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen
Yeah, to get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember
That on a day like today when you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on
And yeah I'm sorry I was late
well I missed the train
And then the traffic was a state
And I can't be arsed to carry on in this debate
That reoccurs, oh when you say I don't care
but of course I do, yeah I clearly do!
So laugh and joke around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen
Yeah, to get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Still, but it's right hard to remember
That on a day like today when you're all...argumentative
And you've got the face on.
Translations:
Mardy Bum - sulky person
got the face on - looking miserable
can't be arsed - can't be bothered
right hard - very hard
-BT
For those who want to sing along at home, here are the lyrics:
Well now then Mardy Bum
I've seen your frown
And it's like looking down the barrel of a gun
And it goes off
And out come all these words
Oh there's a very pleasant side to you
A side I much prefer
It's one that laughs and jokes around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen
Yeah, to get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember
That on a day like today when you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on
Well now then Mardy Bum
Oh I'm in trouble again, aren't I
I thought as much
Cause you turned over there
Pulling that silent disappointment face
The one that I can't bear
Can't we, laugh and joke around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen
Yeah, to get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember
That on a day like today when you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on
And yeah I'm sorry I was late
well I missed the train
And then the traffic was a state
And I can't be arsed to carry on in this debate
That reoccurs, oh when you say I don't care
but of course I do, yeah I clearly do!
So laugh and joke around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen
Yeah, to get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Still, but it's right hard to remember
That on a day like today when you're all...argumentative
And you've got the face on.
Translations:
Mardy Bum - sulky person
got the face on - looking miserable
can't be arsed - can't be bothered
right hard - very hard
-BT
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Song of the Day - Kinks, Waterloo Sunset
I have a special place in my heart and head for The Kinks. I think I have something in common with Ray Davies (and it's certainly not talent!) - a premature type of nostalgia for an era that never really happened the way you remember it. This song often appears in lists as the best song ever written - I don't know about that, but it does have a strange quality - it makes me feel both happy and sad at the same time. He is talking about Waterloo train station in London.
Here are the lyrics for those who want to sing along at home:
Dirty old river, must you keep rolling
Flowing into the night
People so busy, makes me feel dizzy
Taxi light shines so bright
But I don't need no friends
As long as I gaze on waterloo sunset
I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunsets fine
Terry meets julie, waterloo station
Every friday night
But I am so lazy, dont want to wander
I stay at home at night
But I don't feel afraid
As long as I gaze on waterloo sunset
I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunsets fine
Millions of people swarming like flies round waterloo underground
But terry and julie cross over the river
Where they feel safe and sound
And the dont need no friends
As long as they gaze on waterloo sunset
They are in paradise
Waterloo sunset's fine
Ray Davies also once said something that is one of my all-time favorite quotes:
"If I had to do my life over, I would change every single thing I have done."
An interesting piece of trivia that I just found out, courtesy of the internet: In 1983, Davies had a daughter, Natalie Rae, with then-girlfriend Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. Hope you enjoy the song.
-BT
Here are the lyrics for those who want to sing along at home:
Dirty old river, must you keep rolling
Flowing into the night
People so busy, makes me feel dizzy
Taxi light shines so bright
But I don't need no friends
As long as I gaze on waterloo sunset
I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunsets fine
Terry meets julie, waterloo station
Every friday night
But I am so lazy, dont want to wander
I stay at home at night
But I don't feel afraid
As long as I gaze on waterloo sunset
I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunsets fine
Millions of people swarming like flies round waterloo underground
But terry and julie cross over the river
Where they feel safe and sound
And the dont need no friends
As long as they gaze on waterloo sunset
They are in paradise
Waterloo sunset's fine
Ray Davies also once said something that is one of my all-time favorite quotes:
"If I had to do my life over, I would change every single thing I have done."
An interesting piece of trivia that I just found out, courtesy of the internet: In 1983, Davies had a daughter, Natalie Rae, with then-girlfriend Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. Hope you enjoy the song.
-BT
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Song of the Day - Buzzcocks, Ever Fallen in Love
(with someone you shouldn't have fallen in love with)
Here are the lyrics if you're in the mood to sing along...
You stir my natural emotions
You make me feel I'm dirt
And I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I run the risk of losing you
And that's worse
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
I can't see much of a future
Unless we find out what's to blame
What a shame
And we won't be together much longer
Unless we realize that we are the same
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
You disturb my natural emotions
You make me feel I'm dirt
And I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I'll only end up losing you
And that's worse
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with…
-BT
Here are the lyrics if you're in the mood to sing along...
You stir my natural emotions
You make me feel I'm dirt
And I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I run the risk of losing you
And that's worse
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
I can't see much of a future
Unless we find out what's to blame
What a shame
And we won't be together much longer
Unless we realize that we are the same
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
You disturb my natural emotions
You make me feel I'm dirt
And I'm hurt
And if I start a commotion
I'll only end up losing you
And that's worse
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love with someone?
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love?
In love with someone
Ever fallen in love? (Love…)
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with
Fallen in love with
Ever fallen in love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with…
-BT
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Song of the Day - Matisyahu, King Without a Crown
You'll have to click the link below, embedding was "disabled by request"..wtf??
Matisyahu, King Without a Crown
It's worth it though. The "Live @ Skaggs" version is by far and away the best version and never fails to pick me up if I have the blues.
It is almost enough to turn me religious. Almost :)
-BT
Matisyahu, King Without a Crown
It's worth it though. The "Live @ Skaggs" version is by far and away the best version and never fails to pick me up if I have the blues.
It is almost enough to turn me religious. Almost :)
-BT
Cool thing of the day: Look into Uncle Chuck's eye
Or, what is left after the eye was removed.
Warning: not for the squeamish!!
-BT
Warning: not for the squeamish!!
-BT
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Robot Almost Passes The Turing Test? Yeah, Right
Dear reader,
So I just read an article about how a computer program named Elbot was able to make 3 of 12 judges think it was a human. My question is, where did they get these judges from? I went to the Elbot web site that you can use to interact with this robot, and within about 3 questions the poor robot was talking a load of absolute bollocks. Back to the drawing board I'm afraid, artificial intelligence researchers.
Time for today's quote:
Trying is the first step towards failure.
-Homer Simpson
Until the next time,
-Buford Twain
So I just read an article about how a computer program named Elbot was able to make 3 of 12 judges think it was a human. My question is, where did they get these judges from? I went to the Elbot web site that you can use to interact with this robot, and within about 3 questions the poor robot was talking a load of absolute bollocks. Back to the drawing board I'm afraid, artificial intelligence researchers.
Time for today's quote:
Trying is the first step towards failure.
-Homer Simpson
Until the next time,
-Buford Twain
Friday, October 10, 2008
Another song of the day!!??
I am on a roll today.
This gem is by none other than The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again.
As someone once said, if you wrote a short list of all the hugely influential bands from the 1980's, then crossed out all the ones that were shit, you'd be left with one band: The Smiths.
The money shot for this song is the lyrics, for example...
"and now I know how joan of arc felt,
as the flames rose, to her roman nose,
and her walkman started to melt"
well, that plus Johnny Marr's unbelievable guitar as always.
Until the next time, and who knows when that might be?
Your friend,
Buford Twain
This gem is by none other than The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again.
As someone once said, if you wrote a short list of all the hugely influential bands from the 1980's, then crossed out all the ones that were shit, you'd be left with one band: The Smiths.
The money shot for this song is the lyrics, for example...
"and now I know how joan of arc felt,
as the flames rose, to her roman nose,
and her walkman started to melt"
well, that plus Johnny Marr's unbelievable guitar as always.
Until the next time, and who knows when that might be?
Your friend,
Buford Twain
Political message
Just a quick message to all my loyal readers (ho ho). Those of you who know me will know (probably) that I am not a US citizen and therefore cannot vote. However, I am pleading with you all to vote for Obama/Biden.
In yet another indication that the McCain/Palin ticket is hopelessly flawed, read the following press release in which we are told that Palin abused her power (in cohoots with her husband) to try to get a state trooper fired. This person is not fit to run a school PTA, yet alone a country.
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming, the song of the day. It's "Say it ain't so", by Weezer. Some pent-up emotions there, surely. Who said nothing good ever came from alcoholism?
Until the next time,
Your friend,
Buford Twain
P.S. PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE, VOTE OBAMA
In yet another indication that the McCain/Palin ticket is hopelessly flawed, read the following press release in which we are told that Palin abused her power (in cohoots with her husband) to try to get a state trooper fired. This person is not fit to run a school PTA, yet alone a country.
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming, the song of the day. It's "Say it ain't so", by Weezer. Some pent-up emotions there, surely. Who said nothing good ever came from alcoholism?
Until the next time,
Your friend,
Buford Twain
P.S. PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE, VOTE OBAMA
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Song of the Day - Rain by The Beatles
The Beatles' finest B-side? You be the judge. Absolutely classic bass line that is *so* Beatles and has been a huge influence on later music.
Lyrics:
If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
They might as well be dead.
If the rain comes, if the rain comes.
When the sun shines they slip into the shade
(When the sun shines down.)
And sip their lemonade.
(When the sun shines down.)
When the sun shines, when the sun shines.
Rain, I don't mind.
Shine, the world looks fine.
I can show you that when it starts to rain,
(When the Rain comes down.)
Everything's the same.
(When the Rain comes down.)
I can show you, I can show you.
Rain, I don't mind.
Shine, the world looks fine.
Can you hear me, that when it rains and shines,
(When it Rains and shines.)
It's just a state of mind?
(When it rains and shines.)
Can you hear me, can you hear me?
If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
sdaeh rieht edih dna nur yeht semoc niar eht fI.
(Rain)
niaR.
(Rain)
enihsnuS.
-BT
Lyrics:
If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
They might as well be dead.
If the rain comes, if the rain comes.
When the sun shines they slip into the shade
(When the sun shines down.)
And sip their lemonade.
(When the sun shines down.)
When the sun shines, when the sun shines.
Rain, I don't mind.
Shine, the world looks fine.
I can show you that when it starts to rain,
(When the Rain comes down.)
Everything's the same.
(When the Rain comes down.)
I can show you, I can show you.
Rain, I don't mind.
Shine, the world looks fine.
Can you hear me, that when it rains and shines,
(When it Rains and shines.)
It's just a state of mind?
(When it rains and shines.)
Can you hear me, can you hear me?
If the rain comes they run and hide their heads.
sdaeh rieht edih dna nur yeht semoc niar eht fI.
(Rain)
niaR.
(Rain)
enihsnuS.
-BT
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