The Playstation 2 is, hands down, the most popular game system sold today. The PS2 controller has not changed in size or shape since it was introduced, and it’s no surprise that other systems either emulate it, or, as is the case for Nintendo, change their controller dramatically with each release just hoping to get it right. (In this regard they are a little like Apple, as they foist experimental design on the consumer while charging full price for it.) And as for the new Wii controller, I’m pretty sure I still like to sit down while playing video games. (That is still the point, right?) Btw, those are some sweet graphics there. They look like Fisher Price Little People. The evolution of the game system is complete!

Sorry Nintendo, but I won’t be your guinea pig.

This is a sign I see on a local trail that I ride almost daily. How did bicycles end up on the low end of the totem pole? Why don’t they just have a drawing of horse stomping on a bicycle while a hiker kicks the rider in the nuts?! (Plus, I noticed they didn’t even bother to include a human on the bicycle, as if bikes just ride themselves like evil, autonomous machines.)

And what’s the deal with riding horses anyway? A hiker must walk, a cyclist must pedal, but all an equestrian has to do is sit on his fat ass and abuse a poor animal.
This is not the 1800s, people. Get off your “high horses” and leave those animals alone!

The cop asked me to provide ID, and when I told him I wasn’t carrying one, he said that was a problem. The last I checked there is no law requiring a cyclist to carry ID. (Peace officers out there please correct me if I’m wrong.) He made a point to lecture me about this saying he could rightfully take me into custody. He then asked me recite my info so he could call it in to make sure I checked out. Meanwhile, I was losing daylight and patience and wondering why this guy wasn’t out catching bad guys. Let’s face it, how many cyclists do you know that actually stop at stop signs?! Basically, I was being harassed for trying to get some excercise. When he announced he was letting me off with a warning, It seemed like he was expecting me to be so very grateful. I wasn’t. I did thank him for ruining my ride and promptly took off.

Just to be clear, I want to set up the situation in which I ran the stop sign, and then ask you cyclists out there what you would have done.

The Scene: 7:15 pm. You are on a 2-way street in the middle of a residential block. There’s not a car in sight ahead of you or behind you. You’re approaching a 4-Way stop at a decent pace. Again there are no cars in sight. You slow a bit as you reach the intersection and no cars pull up in any direction. You are now only about 15 feet from the intersection.

The Question: Do you (A) come to a complete stop, look both ways for traffic that isn’t there, and then proceed with caution? Or (B) step on it and cruise right through the intersection knowing that even if a car were to pull up in any direction, you would have the right-of-way because you would have gotten there first?

Well, gentle reader, pencils down. What would you do?

Why Photoshop Is Simultaneously the best, and worst, software known to man.

Why It’s the Best: The new CS version finally understands the concept of vector artwork and can actually export vecotors formats!

Why It’s the Worst: Every Fucking time I hit the tab key (to hide all the crowdy palettes and finally see my artwork), I then start tweaking the text or something… Well f***… once you’re in the the typebox mode, you cant just hit fucking TAB to get your palettes back, can you?!

Ah, feel better.

“I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery. When I got there, the guy was locking the front door. I said, ‘Hey, the sign says you’re open 24 hours.’ He said, ‘Yes, but not in a row.’”

As I stood there cooling down (yeah, the whole reason I jogged to the gym in the first place just fading away), folks were lining up to the side of the door like it was some trendy nightclub. I’m really not a morning person. I can’t stand how jovial gym regulars tend to be at this time of day as it is, so by the time the place opened I was in a real crummy mood.

I can only logically assume a liberal interpretation of the name “24 Hour Fitness”, as in, ‘We want you to be healthy no matter what time of day it is, so when you’re not with us, think healthy!’ Is it their grand scheme of wellness to inspire me to work out and then make me go through mood swings at 5am?! One thing I can say is that they sure are lucky that I’ve been with them so long that I pay next to nothing in dues, because I’m so ready to switch.