The Borg Blog

Where I was on 9/11...

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:36:47 GMT

OK, I figure that I might as well join the bandwagon of "where I was on 9/11" posts across the blogosphere. Besides, I haven't written a blog post in over 9000 years, and I wanted to make sure all of you readers (all 2 of you) know that I am still alive.

I remember it was a Tuesday. I had been up late the night before hacking on some code for work. Or something. That part of my recollection wasn't terribly good. Anyway I had slept in. I remember getting woken up by a very somber beepbeep. Which was unusual in that (A) she is usually the one who wakes up later than I, and (B) her mood isn't usually quite so somber as it was that day. She said something about the World Trade Center building being on fire.

I remember turning on the TV and seeing the North Towers with smoke pouring out of it, and people jumping to their doom. More than once that day I wondered to myself whether (A) I was still dreaming, and having a nightmare; or (B) I was watching some sort of doomsday movie. Sadly, every time I attempted to pinch myself awake, I discovered that everything I was seeing was real.

And then, I watched with numb shock as a plane plowed into South Tower.

I didn't go to work that day. I just couldn't. I remember hanging around the house in absolute numb shock, watching the reports come in of the people jumping to their doom, the towers collapsing, the evacuation efforts, and the two other crashes at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania.

And in the days that followed, I watched incredulously at the response (or, more accurately, lack of response) of our glorious leaders. And when they finally decided to respond, and attack Iraq, I was absolutely outraged. I remember yelling at the TV something to the effect of "The terrorists are in Afghanistan, you moron!"

And I also remember when, just three days after 9/11, we received an eviction notice from our landlord. Apparently his investments didn't do so well in the wake of the tragedy, and he decided to kick out all of his long-term tenants so that he could rent the apartments at much higher rates. I shit you not.

I also remember the awkward moments in the months that followed whenever some reference to airplanes crashing came up in life. Like, one evening we were watching the Sandra Bullock movie "The Net" with friends, when the scene where Sandra Bullock's friend was trying to warn her about the virus infection, and he hopped in his plane to go visit her, and the bad guys hacked into his GPS causing him to go off course and crash into an oil refinery. Or the scene in the Robert Redford movie "Sneakers" when they discover the true nature of the device they were hired to steal, that it could be used to effortlessly hack into any computer system on the planet. They all gathered around the screen trying to access different (supposedly) unhackable systems, and they were able to get in effortlessly. When they hacked into the FAA's Air Traffic Control net, and one of the characters turned to someone else and said "Want to bring down some planes?", there was an awkward silence in the room. Of course both of these movies were made before 9/11. I'm sure that quite a few movies and TV shows that were already in production at the time of the disaster were Bowdlerized as a result of it.

I also can't help but think of how this affected the way millions of people travel every day. I have been fortunate in that I haven't taken very many trips by air since then. But the few times I did fly, I remember what a royal pain in the ass it was. How this ridiculous "security theater" accomplished nothing except make it seem that people actually gave a crap and were trying to do something about it. How everyone is now treated like a criminal in a country where we are supposedly innocent until proven guilty. When I read stories of the TSA going overboard, with full body scanners, feeling peoples' junk, and worst of all, feeling up little kids, I am filled with revulsion and disgust, and rage. And when I think of the things the government has been able to get away with, with things like the PATRIOT act that allows basically widespread spying without the need of a warrant, and I read of laptops being seized at borders, hard drives and iPods being scanned, and so forth, I am blinded with rage.

But most of all I am filled with a deep and heartbreaking sadness at the loss of life. Children who are never able to see their parents again. Siblings who are forever separated. Husbands who will never again feel the loving embrace of their wives (and vice versa).

I've never been to New York. Always wanted to go. And I have always wanted to visit the World Trade Center when I did manage to make it over there. Now I can't do that anymore. However, I do intend to visit the site itself -- Ground Zero -- to pay my respects. It's the least I could do.

Obama knows UNIX

Mon, 02 May 2011 05:29:24 GMT

bush@whitehouse$ rm -f /bin/laden
rm: /bin/laden: Permission denied
bush@whitehouse$ logout

whitehouse.gov

login: obama
Password:

Welcome to whitehouse.gov

obama@whitehouse$ su
Password:
obana@whitehouse# rm -f /bin/laden
obama@whitehouse# wall << _EOF_
Mission Accomplished
_EOF_
obama@whitehouse#

Today's Tweets

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:02:14 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

08:47 @bbusschots maybe filter out posts that contain "4sq.com"? All 4sq posts I've seen always contain that url. #
10:01 I'm at Via Maestra 42 (3343 State St, Santa Barbara). 4sq.com/dnMtz2 #
11:01 I just became the mayor of The Borg Cube 2.0 on @foursquare! 4sq.com/dl8W7Q #
11:01 I'm at The Borg Cube 2.0. 4sq.com/dl8W7Q #
11:30 @msgeek93 that's not our exact location but It's close enough ;-) #
11:52 @msgeek93 you're right about that :-) #
12:40 RT @jollyroger RT @LulubellToys: Limited amounts of last minute SDCC passes are up for sale now on the official SDCC website... Run!!!!! #
13:29 Om nom nom... lunchtime!!! (@ Flavor Of India) 4sq.com/d1rASr #
13:37 Tandoori chicken = teh awesome twitpic.com/250q13 #
21:10 Finally heading home. Caught the tail end of a gorgeous sunset. #

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Today's Tweets

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:02:04 GMT

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03:27 Otakon bans vuvuzelas; the world rejoices ow.ly/1866No #
10:02 @otakunopodcast testing 1-2-3 #
17:30 Report from the Treasurer: Summer 2010 Edition ow.ly/186Jmx #

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Today's Tweets

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:01:42 GMT

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08:04 I just rented 2 movies at Netflix blippy.com/t/p4q0?s=tw #

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Today's Tweets

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 07:01:58 GMT

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18:16 I'm at Subway (226 E Main St, Santa Maria). 4sq.com/boL5ty #

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Today's Tweets

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:01:53 GMT

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02:56 @not_ratched that happens sometimes when people monkey around with their rss feeds. Not necessarily itunes' fault. #
14:29 Cool Find: Moments with TK ow.ly/184o3N #
18:23 @podfeet worlds better. Thanks! Might even have another of my famous reviews for the 'cast tomorrow... #

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Today's Tweets

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:01:49 GMT

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18:43 Fuck. Landlady inspection tomorrow. Thanks, bitch! #
18:49 *cough* Allow me to rephrase. Drat! Just found out landlady wants 2 pay surprise visit tomorrow. How irritating! #
18:53 Practical upshot is, that now my plans for the night have completely changed. Drat! (curbing the use of stronger language, but it's hard) #
19:27 No, I am ashamed to say that it was a, shall we say, "extremely frustrated" me, and I'm in the process of redacting it. My sincere apolo ... #
19:43 I'm not in my frame of mind. It's been a hellish week, #
19:44 I'll probably be going offline for the rest of the night. No need to inflict my troubles upon the rest of the world. Goodnight all. #
19:51 @msgeek93 Believe me, if we were 100% ready to GTFO, I'd LOVE to tell her where she can shove her inspection. Unfortunately not there yet. #

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Today's Tweets

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:01:59 GMT

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13:57 I just got 7 apps from iTunes blippy.com/t/onfj?s=tw #
22:41 Editing slides + video of my two #AnimeExpo panels. Hope to be able to post these by this weekend. Also set to record next ONP episode Sun. #

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Today's Tweets

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:01:46 GMT

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00:25 It's here! The Summer 2010 anime season is upon us! ow.ly/1811Ks #
00:32 @happysphere Yeah! #
00:48 I'm at The Borg Cube (310 E McCoy Ln, Broadway, Santa Maria). 4sq.com/bSLpM4 #
00:51 @happysphere who knows, it seems funimation is gobbling up old defunct licenses left and right... #
12:27 Cool Find of the Day: VOCA-ON! ow.ly/181vIV #
13:03 1Password app now available in Android Marketplace. YES!!! ow.ly/1qGb9a #
21:29 Ladies and gentlemen, we've found ourselves the real-life Ritsuko Tainaka ow.ly/181QWv #
22:52 @hootdroid three requests: 1. Video support. 2. Relocation using Twitter's API.3. Facebook support. Thanks! #
22:58 Updated the #AnimeExpo 2010 recap post with the final two cosplay photo galleries from @Japanator. ow.ly/27WSC #

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Today's Tweets

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:01:38 GMT

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09:56 I'm at Cherry Pick Café (208 S. Hill St., Los Angeles). 4sq.com/9nkYOy #
19:26 Save $$$ on an Anime Expo 2011 4-day Pass but only if you act quickly! ow.ly/180Sts #

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Today's Tweets

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:01:36 GMT

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05:14 I just rented 2 movies at Netflix blippy.com/t/o87l?s=tw #
05:14 I just rented 2 movies at Netflix blippy.com/t/o87p?s=tw #
08:00 Got something 2 say about Anime? Learn how @ "Anime Podcasting for Beginners"! 9AM in LP1 (LACC 515a) #AnimeExpo #AX2010 #AX #AnimeExpo2010 #
11:04 RT @Japanator: AX 10: May'n and Megumi Nakajima concert and photos bit.ly/c9Tgaw (The concert was truly epic. SO glad I made it) #
11:30 Want to improve your con photos? "Con Photography 101" is here to help! 12:30PM in WS1 (LACC 501) #AnimeExpo #AX2010 #AX #AnimeExpo2010 #
11:45 @KirinDave according to the online scheduling system 85 people have expressed an interest in attending :) #
14:29 I'm at Anime Expo 2010 (1201 South Figueroa St, at Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles) w/ 25 others. 4sq.com/bodaHW #
15:56 Wow! Finally managed to catch up with @cosplayamerica ! I guess miracles DO exist after all! ;-) #
16:20 I'm at Kawada Hotel (200 S Hill St, Los Angeles). 4sq.com/6t4TCJ #
16:22 Back to life, back to reality :( #AnimeExpo was a blast! Thanks to everyone who attended my panels! #
21:24 “B Gata H Kei” Staff Get Multiple Threat Letters ow.ly/26Yno #
21:32 @KirinDave I'd say at least 50 @ photo talk! Sorry u couldn't be there in person, but you were there in spirit (& in name, on the 1st slide) #
23:26 And thus ends another Anime Expo ow.ly/180cXy #
23:50 WOW! My #AnimeExpo Podcasting panel was actually featured on About.com! *squee* ow.ly/26ZNw #

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Today's Tweets

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 07:01:55 GMT

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03:06 I just got 4 apps from iTunes blippy.com/t/o24p?s=tw #
08:30 Is anyone at #AnimeExpo going to "How to Report Anime Conventions" @9am and would be willing to record it for me? #AnimeExpo2010 #ax #ax2010 #
12:12 @HootSuite help! requests to ow.ly are timing out for me. Is there something wrong or is it just my internet connection? #
12:28 "B Gata H Kei" Staff Get Multiple Threat Letters #
16:19 Just got impromptu interviewed at #AnimeExpo !! #

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Today's Tweets

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:01:40 GMT

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00:06 Finally put HootSuite into its own Fluid app. Should have done this a long time ago. #mac #hootsuite #fluid #
01:11 The caffeine is finally starting to wear off. Time to start winding down for the night. #
02:26 ChibiCast #0010 Anime Expo Day 1 "Report" ow.ly/17YfrM #
13:54 We have arrived at last!! ow.ly/i/2nWM #
13:59 I'm at Anime Expo 2010 (1201 South Figueroa St, at Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles) w/ 42 others. 4sq.com/bodaHW #
16:25 ChibiCast #0012 Anime Expo 2010 Megumi Nakajima and May'n ow.ly/17YNfJ #
20:23 I'm at La Bella Cucina (949 South Figueroa St, Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles). 4sq.com/bTjPoE #
21:56 @TJXDJCITY yup so far so good #

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Today's Tweets

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:02:01 GMT

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01:01 Dear Mac Pro: Why won't you let me eject my external hard drive? You claim some program is using it but I'm not running any right now! Baka. #
13:14 Is anybody at #AnimeExpo audio and/or video recording "Anime Treasure Hunters" panel @ 3pm? I'm still on the road and won't make it in time. #
15:05 Ugh. This Twitter API limit is really starting to cramp my style... #
19:47 I'm at Kawada Hotel (200 S Hill St, Los Angeles). 4sq.com/6t4TCJ #
21:29 Finally made it to #AnimeExpo. Horrible traffic! Unfortunately reg closed at 6. They really need later reg/badge pickup for out-of-towners. #
21:31 As a result we're missing the AMV's tonight. Good news is that there's a rescreening Saturday at 1PM. Still, kind of a bummer. #AnimeExpo #
21:37 Latest headcount of ppl attending my panels: Podcasting panel - 36, Photography panel - 79. WOW!! Guess I better finish prepping my slides #
21:45 Hey @AnimeExpo you guys really need badge pickup that's open late. Had 2 work, then stuck in traffic, got in 8pm, now we have to miss AMV :( #

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Today's Tweets

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:02:19 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

12:06 Slow Internets are sloooooowwww... #
13:51 The ad Apple doesn't want you to see... bit.ly/9NJbER #
20:04 I'm at Panera Bread (540 East Betteravia Road, College Drive, Santa Maria). 4sq.com/7Zppto #

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The ad Apple doesn't want you to see...

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:26:20 GMT

This is my first (admittedly lame) attempt at using xtranormal. I was getting a bit sick of the iPhone 4 lovefest that's going on the internets these days, plus I felt I had to rub it in a bit to my iPhone obsessed friends...

Today's Tweets

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:02:13 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

12:19 @cosplayamerica no way... #
14:53 Has Twitter lowered the # of API calls again? Or is it just fail-whaleyness in general? #
15:00 URL shortening test. otakunopodcast.com/2010/06/27/make-the-most-of-your-time-at-ax-with-these-cool-new-scheduling-tools/ #
15:00 Ok, that didn't work... #
16:00 LOL @ the anime-themes spam. Promoted Spam: K-ON! A Clone of Music Band Stories ow.ly/1qEWBO #

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Today's Tweets

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:01:52 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

10:58 LazyTwitter: how badly does WordPress 3.0 break plugin compatibility? Is everyone finding lots of their plugins don't work anymore? #
21:42 Sweet! The #Kindle app for #android is out and available on Marketplace! #

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Today's Tweets

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:01:46 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

18:29 I just got 1 app from iTunes blippy.com/t/ngn8?s=tw #
19:27 Make the most of your time at AX with these cool new scheduling tools ow.ly/17UrqW #
21:24 My AX 2010 Schedule ow.ly/17UukN #

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Today's Tweets

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 07:02:14 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

00:49 @donmcallister "Searching for movie data in file SCO00255-ios4-steywu.mov" #
01:07 @donmcallister sure Don, I can help out if needed #
18:32 I just got 9 apps from iTunes blippy.com/t/nchs?s=tw #

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Today's Tweets

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:01:35 GMT

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/dburr

15:08 ASCAP Declares War On Free Culture, EFF. Dirty rotten scoundrels! ow.ly/1qDC3Y #
18:38 I just unlocked the "Adventurer" badge on @foursquare! 4sq.com/cl9vat #
18:38 I'm at Zodo's Bowling & Beyond, Z's Tap House & Grill (5925 Calle Real, btw N Fairview Ave & Encina Ln, Goleta). 4sq.com/dw53qo #
20:56 A long time ago I made a solemn promise to never, EVER, become an Old Person(tm). But Damn, this music is LOUD. (ps: Get off my lawn!!) #
21:01 At least the neon (or whatever it is) is pretty cool. #
21:07 @CaliLewis nooooo!! Say it ain't so!! A piece of my soul has died tonight. :( #
21:09 @jezlyn thanks! #
21:09 @SKARLIT thanks!! #

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Today's Tweets

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:01:47 GMT

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01:50 Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEE!!!! ;-) #
19:16 I'm at Shin's Sushi Bar (1023 Monterey, Osos, San Luis Obispo). 4sq.com/9vNV1X #
20:47 Happy Birthday to ME!!! yfrog.com/5b15688716j #

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Today's Tweets

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:02:06 GMT

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00:38 FeedR (RSS news reader) on my HTC Evo 4G has suddenly stopped working. This is making me very sad. :( #
08:43 @leolaporte Adobe Audition confirmed for Mac bit.ly/d3vNV7 #
11:48 @KirinDave u can has chezburger? #
12:28 @happysphere @jaycubed HTC Aria has been rooted. Freedom is at hand! bit.ly/9Ga6W5 #
13:35 Suffering tthe Plague of a Thousand Nosebleeds today. And no, I haven't been watching any hentai. Or even ecchi. #

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Today's Tweets

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:02:10 GMT

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12:22 RT @dealsplus Win #Apple #iPhone4 Today. Just retweet this & follow @dealsplus to win a #Free iPhone 4. Details bit.ly/9aq1Su #
16:28 The State of the Podcast: Summer 2010 Edition ow.ly/17Pzcb #

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