Tangent: An Interesting Development

This shouldn’t be called a tangent as it has absolutely no relationship to Richard Armitage other than the fact it’s loosely about the economy and what that may portend for spending power on the pursuit of entertainment. Having said that, I was entertained by the implication that a significnt number of us (U.S. citizens) have gotten over the TARP situation (aka the Bank Bailout). That is news to me and the reason I chuckled as I read. But after the initial mirth at this wrongheaded thinking, I felt an ire and a question building in me which usually happens whenever I think of TARP. Am I in the minority on thinking that Wall Street and Washington ran their hands in our back pockets and in some cases our front ones?

Man Who Helped Saved America From Financial Armageddon Is Running For Office

kaskariNeel Kashkari, one of the main operatives of the bank rescue TARP (and therefore one of the men who helped save America from financial Armageddon) is leaving PIMCO, and running for office, according to Dealbook.

It’s not clear what office he’ll run for, except that it will be in California, and it will be as a Republican.

Frankly, if someone at the heart of TARP can entertain a run for office without being totally laughed out of the room, that tells you a lot about how America has gotten over the crisis.

He has a website set up discussing some of his background.

Read more

I’m not sure what to think at this point except that I believe we were screwed over, and no, I’m not part of the Occupy movement. That smacks too much of a puppet master at work seizing on the anger of the masses. No thanks.

Gone to read Kashkari’s website.

edit:

The Frenz fix in lieu of TARP would have been to give every adult citizen a hundred thousand dollars. This would have been a lot cheaper, would have definitely made the economy robust, and we sure as hell would have easily seen where the money went!

January 24, 2013
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 4 Comments

And You’re Wondering How to Think About Twitter

Most people I talk to about Twitter are not sure how to think of it. Eagled-Eyed Editor has made a marvelous post explaining it in terms so apt, I chuckled while I was reading:

"You talking to me? Are you tweeting ME?" Dove image courtesy of dzz, Morguefile.

“You talking to me? Are you tweeting ME?” Dove image courtesy of dzz, Morguefile.

I’ve been on Twitter for a considerable time now and I’m enjoying the fact that more and more people are talking to me. At first, it seemed like Twitter was just a giant firehose, spraying thoughts from people all over the world. One friend of mine has compared it to the world’s biggest tea party, with conversations going on in various spaces.

But in a way, Twitter is also like blogging: you have to give to receive. The more I respond to other people’s tweets or send tweets to them, the more likely they are to say something in return.

I like to imagine that Twitter users fall into different bird categories:

read the rest here

If you’re not that interested in learning about Twitter, check out her blog anyway. It’s a good one!

And I have not forgotten the Twitter posts I promised. :D

January 19, 2013
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 5 Comments

It’s Friday, and I Don’t Have a Job…

Okay, I do have a job and return to my usual schedule on Monday. But I’ve needed something to displace this wonderful lethargy. Just need a yellow suit and a red Mercedes:

And yeah, I know it’s not a Mercedes. If I’m going to dream about a sports car, it’s going to be better than a Mazda. :D

January 4, 2013
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: Leave a comment

There Will Be Typos

November 21, 2012

Some of you are thinking about writing, perhaps blogging, and I look forward to what you will share. Doesn’t matter if it’s Richard Armitage related or not. Just bring it, and I think you will find a group amongst the readers and fellow bloggers here who will not only support your efforts but is thoughtful and dare I say educated enough to give you some helpful input. So what are you waiting for?

If it’s about your identity, start off anonymously. There is no law that says you can’t. And if it’s about making a mistake, then get over that. You ARE going to make a mistake. More than one. Digest that thought as a reality and you’re good to go.

This is getting the ‘Richard Armitage’ tag because Richard has been a great conduit for many of us coming together to discuss many more things than him. Thanks, Rich.

And a picture of our dear boy going for it:

Oh, and I made a comment on Twitter about being on a caffeine high this morning. You’ll believe me sometime today. :D

Screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.Com

November 21, 2012
Categories: Tangents, The Impressionists . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 15 Comments

Drawing Conclusions

No, this post isn’t what you think it is. I’m taking a breather for a couple of hours because my brain is on overload. Again, this is not what you think. My brain is not having a meltdown due to the monsoon of Richard Armitage information yesterday. Oh, perhaps I could have a meltdown over that, but well, I’m not. I’ve been expecting that flood. I thought it would come more near the first of November, but what do I know?! LOL!

So here’s what this post is really about. I’ve been coming to the conclusion for a good while that there is entirely too much to write about. I can’t get to all of it. When I started this blog, I was wondering if I would be able to crank out enough writing. Now? I’ve branched into others things and can’t seem to stop! It’s stunning to me what I’ve been doing the last few years. Me, the person who swore up and down I would never write anything unless I was forced to do it, writing and writing and writing and getting high on that! One of these days, I may post a story I’ve written. That will be another major step for me. Phew! I want to laugh that I am actually writing ficiton and enjoying it. Who woulda thunk?

If you’re thinking about writing, but you think it’s too late for you or you’re not a writer because you have this lofty and dare I say ridiculous standard of what a writer is supposed to be, let it go and start writing! You’ve heard people say this, and I’m joining the chorus. Don’t wait. Don’t leave writing to those individuals who supposedly have some gift that’s been granted to a chosen few. That’s all bull. You’ve got something to say. So say it. It may not come out exactly how you want it when you begin. Keep at it!

Not sure how to start? Well, you could write a journal. Or maybe you did that, and now it’s gotten old ’cause you need input. Maybe you can start a blog and if you’re really concerned about looking like a fool, make yourself anonymous. There’s an idea. :D

Yeah, this is getting the Richard Armitage tag ’cause Richard has been a kind of impetus, and I don’t mean of the sexual kind but of something much greater. Thank you, Rich.

© Photograph by Martin Bangemann

October 26, 2012
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 9 Comments

Connecting the Dots or Establishing an Identity on the Web — Part 2

October 17, 2012

A couple of days ago I retweeted Part 1 of this series and got lots of questions. I’m only covering two here.

Number 1 Question: What’s the big deal about having all these profiles?

You don’t have to have “all these profiles.” It really depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. If you have no interest in directing people to specific places when they see your presence somewhere on the Web, this post is not for you. Keep doing what you’re doing, and don’t read what I’m about to say.

For those who do want to direct people somewhere specific, whether it be a blog or a social media app for hanging out online, you need to give enough information about your whereabouts to help them find that place. For instance, if you have a Twitter, Facebook or Google+ id (to name a few) and you also want people to read your blog, you’re shooting yourself in the foot if a link to your blog is not in your profile. Putting the link in your updates is too much work for someone just discovering you. Don’t make people work to find your blog. Make it easy to find or many will not bother to find it.

Number 2 question: What is Gravatar?

I’m so glad you asked. Gravatar is a profile used by some major sites to help people establish an identity on the Web. The cool thing about Gravatar is you can comment on sites run by WordPress or using Disqus (a comment app), and someone curious about you can click the avatar left with your comment in order to find out what you want them to know and where you want them to go. Here’s mine. If you looked at my Gravatar profile, you noticed there is a list of places to find me. I list them because some people are more comfortable in some places than others. Some people contact me only via Twitter or only via YouTube or only via Facebook. Instead of trying to make the initial contact point my blog, I give them several points of contact. But wherever they interact with me, I ensure one thing is obvious — I have a blog. That’s where I spend most of my time, so if people know where it is, then there’s a good chance they can find it. :D Too often those who “like” my blog posts or comment on them, do not have anything on their Gravatar profiles. It’s a dead end. I hate that. Of course I realize some people don’t want to lead others somewhere, but I know many of you do hence this post.

Gravatar is not the only “universal” identity profile on the Web, but it’s significant enough, you should probably have one. If you have a WordPress blog, you already have a Gravatar, but that doesn’t mean the profile is complete. What’s in it is entirely up to you. As for other profiles that may be of interest in establishing your presence on the Web, of course Google is prominent, but the avatar does not move outside of Google products unless a particular site owner using Blogger as their platform has installed Disqus. Okay, that’s as technical as I’m going to get on that. Net: I’ve found more people use my Gravatar than my Google id to find out who I am. Another identity profile to be aware of is MyOpenId. This site is not user friendly, but best to grab your id now in case this profile becomes pervasive on the Web. I have my doubts about this, but I have an id just in case.

I feel the urge to write about the differences between WordPress and Google, but I’ll spare you that today. Maybe another post. I still need to publish the post about filtering tweets. ;P But just to make this fun, a photo of the founder of Gravatar and WordPress, the smilin’ Matt Mullenweg:

I had to post this pic since Matt is a Texan. Oh, you’re not fond of Texans? Uh oh, you may not always like this place.

Every time I see a picture of these young entrepreneurs, I have this urge to say, “I know a very intelligent, good looking blonde who is unattached.” Actually, I know two, and their mother would make a fantastic mother-in-law. ;-)

I hesitate to include Richard Armitage in this, but well, he is a geek, so he fits. No pictures though. Your imagination will have to suffice.

October 17, 2012
Categories: Geek, Tangents . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 3 Comments

One More Political Post

I’ll try to make this my last political post in a place that’s supposed to be fun. It’s such a crucial issue that I can’t go blithely on with my nonsense before addressing it. And I’m talking to the Americans with this post, so if you’re not a Yank, it won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t read further.

No matter your political ideology, there is a problem which must be addressed in the U.S., and the class warfare being waged is not helping.

I like the way Michael Arrington presents it here:

“Huge tax cuts for the rich”

An addendum to my notes from yesterday.

One of the big talking points for people is the notion that the Republicans want to “sharply cut social services for the poor to pay for huge tax cuts for the rich.”

example

This talking point really works, because everyone knows the Republicans want to rework entitlements and they don’t like raising taxes on the rich. People get really pissed thinking about it. Rich people want a new ferrari or something, so some dirt poor family has to go without shoes.

But anyone who says this is either completely misinformed or (worse) dishonest. Most of my friends here in San Francisco are one of these.

And this is the kind of dishonesty that is really going to make the final reckoning a
whole lot more painful.

read the rest here

And if this just isn’t hip enough to hold your attention, perhaps you can spend time checking out the lofty summit which may have taken place between Julian Assange and Lady Gaga. Definitely more fun to contemplate and honestly, to make fun of, but my will is not cooperating this morning.

Wait. I can’t resist:

Click for the story

Man, if there’s anything Gaga knows, it’s a photo op.

Pardon me if I file this one under “who gives a damn.”

Should I even mention our guy’s name? I think I’ll leave him out of this one.

October 11, 2012
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 5 Comments

Something Political

It’s never been my intent to get political on this blog, but I have to say something about politics. I feel myself on the verge of exploding if I don’t. So, here it is. There actually does come a time when I do not want to give my opinion. Hard to believe but it’s true. Or let me put it this way. Do you know what misery it is to live in a swing state? Pollsters drive you crazy! My phone’s ringer has to be turned off during the election season; otherwise, we would hear it going about every 15-20 minutes from early in the morning until late at night, and it happened again a few minutes ago when we were fool enough to turn on the ringer this evening. Sheesh! It was almost 10pm here. Give it a rest, people!

And if it’s not a pollster calling, it’s the candidate or their spouses with a nice canned message. Did I ever say I liked computers? These particular computers can go to hell.

Then there’s our front door, which is assaulted with all manner of door hangers, and I should probably be more kind about those since they’re much better than the strangers who ring our bell.

How much longer until November 6th?

Certainly enough time to watch North and South again.

Oh yeah, put a clipboard in his hand! I’d answer the door to that pollster. :D

October 10, 2012
Categories: North and South, Tangents . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 16 Comments

A Good Problem

So I started my new blog, but I have a problem. Actually, until this evening I’ve been looking at the issue I’m about to reveal as a problem. It seems that I can’t shift out of snark mode. That’s supposed to be a serious blog, but I’ve been at snark for so long, I keep straying into it. This evening I decided that a little snark over there is not going to be a bad thing. It is possible to be passionate and a smart ass? Or am I wrong that’s it’s possible to be taken seriously as a smart ass? Wait. Let me rephrase. Can you be a smart ass and be taken seriously?

How is this a good problem? I used to be so serious, I bored myself. Now I just want to write, and if that means a little bit smart ass, so be it.

A picture for your trouble:

Oh yeah, Ricky was a smart ass — especially in this scene.

Screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.Com

September 23, 2012
Categories: George Gently, Tangents . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 13 Comments

Fiat, It’s What’s For Dinner

Disclaimer: this post is not about a political party but about something much bigger.

It seems the White House is not satisfied with the defeat of SOPA and PIPA:

There Is No Need For A Cybersecurity Executive Order

Since the collapse of the Congressional attempt to pass the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 there has been mounting pressure for the Obama Administration to “do something”, that something being the imposition of a regulatory regime to protect critical infrastructure. But the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 failed because it was fatally flawed.

On Friday, Federal News Radio reported that they had obtained a copy of a proposed Executive Order that would attempt, through executive fiat – as Steve Bucci at the Heritage Foundation terms it– to impose most of the measures called for by Senators Lieberman and Collins.

Bucci raises an important point:

“[Regulation] is exactly the wrong approach for dealing with a fast-moving and incredibly dynamic field like cybersecurity. Give hackers—whether working for themselves or for another nation-state—a static standard, and they will waltz around it and have their way with the target entity.”

Congress has gone through several dozen cybersecurity bills in the last three years, not to mention the failed attempt to pass a data breach law which dates back to 2005. Even as they revise and re-write, there have been dramatic changes in the defensive posture of our critical infrastructure providers. Effective changes.

Let’s look at the proposed Executive Order as revealed by Federal news Radio. There are ten sections of the draft. Most of them call for nebulous voluntary information sharing or requirements that DHS create frameworks within three months. I can just see the scramble that will occur, and the watered down frameworks that will result, after multiple extensions to the due date are granted.

Read the rest here

I have many thoughts about this issue. I’ll spare you most of them. But I will say that it’s interesting how there is no hue and cry from the mainstream press over this potentially far reaching access to private information, and especially when I consider the righteous indignation exhibited when the Bush administration obtained phone records without a narrowly defined court order.

And for the record (again), I have not been a fan of the Homeland Security Act from its beginning. Sadly, Homeland will probably surf my site since I’ve said this, and it wouldn’t be the first time. Shaking my head as I write this because I know others who have experienced the same but feel skittish to talk about it. What the hell is our country coming to?

September 9, 2012
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 7 Comments

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