Death by Facebook?

OK, we’re not quite there yet, but if I don’t get some motivation pretty soon, I might have to get out the old chisel and start working on this headstone.

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Categorized as Navel Gazing

Ordeals just aren’t what they used to be

I was a little amused by this story in today’s local newspaper, which describes the situation where the Texas law governing the issuance of concealed handgun permits to retired law enforcement officers differs from the federal statute. It seems that in Texas, some officers have to undergo the same requirements as regular citizens to obtain… Continue reading Ordeals just aren’t what they used to be

Amazon reluctantly does the right thing

Amazon.com’s “commitment to principle” lasted about twelve hours, and then it showed that it’s still in the business of turning a profit and dependent on the good graces of its customers to do so. In pulling from its virtual bookshelf the disgusting The Pedophile’s Guide To Love & Pleasure: A Child-Lover’s Code of Conduct, Amazon… Continue reading Amazon reluctantly does the right thing

Turning Eight

Of all the made-up words that accompanied the advent of blogging, “blogiversary” is the most unwieldy and nonsensical…and yet I can’t think of another one to use while announcing that today the Fire Ant Gazette turns eight years old. In many ways, Facebook (and to a lesser extent, Twitter) has brought blogging to its knees,… Continue reading Turning Eight

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Categorized as Navel Gazing

Apple to increase iTunes previews to 90 seconds

It’s about time, literally and figuratively. The AppleBlog reports that iTunes song previews (for tracks longer than 2.5 minutes) will be tripled in length, to 90 seconds. I’ve long argued for this change. Thirty seconds simply isn’t long enough to decide if you like a relatively unfamiliar song (or a familiar one in a new… Continue reading Apple to increase iTunes previews to 90 seconds

Random Thursday

A few observations while marveling at the fact that a “Random Thursday” post is actually getting posted on a Thursday. I was reading the fifth chapter of Lamentations this morning (when’s the last time you read the most depressing book of the Bible?) and a particular verse caught my attention. Now, keep in mind that… Continue reading Random Thursday