SilentService

Carputer

2011-04-11T21:38:00.006-04:00

Here's a few pics of my latest project--Carputer!

It's a Coby Kryos installed in my 5.0 Mustang.

Here's a view from the driver's seat:

A view from the passenger's seat:

Here's a screen shot of the home screen:

Here's a screen shot of the samba screen:

Happy 24th Anniversary

2011-03-11T07:49:00.002-05:00

Jawbitch and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary with the kids at Teller's - An American Chophouse.

G-man (standing up in the middle of the crowded restaurant on Friday evening): They say that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but there are exceptions. 24 years ago, I ran away with this girl and got married in the Little Chapel of the West, and I'm still craaaazzzzyyyy about her. So, I propose a toast: To love and future, may you all have plenty of both.

Everybody clapped.

AP public sector unions - a civil right?

2011-03-11T06:27:00.002-05:00

What about all citizens' civil right to keep their money from being taxed instead of giving it to public sector employees' grossly inflated pensions and medical care?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWVTLq_J6-wOk4LmUmb8xEvi4ZXA?docId=ec23f0df64c04adf8ebb4885626dedc2

Judge Vinson's Stay

2011-03-04T06:54:00.002-05:00

By the media spouting off, see, e.g., here, one would think Obama's legal team won a huge victory with Judge Vinson's stay of his own order (putting aside the fact that it is only for a week). But then you read the actual decision:

So to “clarify” my order and judgment: The individual mandate was declared unconstitutional. Because that “essential” provision was unseverable from the rest of the Act, the entire legislation was void. This declaratory judgment was expected to be treated as the “practical” and “functional equivalent of an injunction” with respect to the parties to the litigation. This expectation was based on the “longstanding presumption” that the defendants themselves identified and agreed to be bound by, which provides that a declaratory judgment against federal officials is a de facto injunction. To the extent that the defendants were unable (or believed that they were unable) to comply, it was expected that they would immediately seek a stay of the ruling, and at that point in time present their arguments for why such a stay is necessary, which is the usual and standard procedure. It was not expected that they would effectively ignore the order and declaratory judgment for two and one-half weeks, continue to implement the Act, and only then file a belated motion to “clarify.” ...

The defendants have suggested, for example, that my order and judgment could not have been intended to have the full force of an injunction because, if I had so intended, I would have been “required to apply the familiar four-factor test” to determine if injunctive relief was appropriate. …

I did not undertake this four-factor analysis for a simple reason: it was not necessary. Even though the defendants had technically disputed that the plaintiffs could satisfy those four factors, the defendants had acknowledged in their summary judgment opposition brief that, if I were to find for the plaintiffs, separate injunctive relief would be superfluous and unnecessary. The defendants expressly assured the court that, in light of the “long-standing presumption that a declaratory judgment provides adequate relief as against an executive officer, as it will not be presumed that that officer will ignore the judgment of the Court,” any declaratory judgment in the plaintiffs’ favor “would [ ] be adequate to vindicate [the plaintiffs’] claims.” Defendants’ Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for summary Judgment (doc. 137), at 43. Consequently, there was no need to discuss and apply the four-factor test to determine if injunctive relief was appropriate because the defendants had confirmed that they would “not . . . ignore the judgment of the Court” and that my “declaratory judgment would [ ] be adequate.” In other words, the defendants are now claiming that it is somehow confusing that I bypassed the four-factor test and applied the “long-standing presumption” that they themselves had identified and specifically insisted that they would honor."

G-man

Squeezing Oliver The Cat

2011-02-22T07:18:00.004-05:00

This has to be one of the sickest, and funniest videos i've ever published. Please note that the cat is alright--he, in fact, feels quite relieved after this procedure.

FiOS Customer Service

2010-11-21T07:27:00.001-05:00

Chat Subject: FiOS Television (DVR)

Your Question: I can't program my DVR to record a show from the Web. I get error message: BAD GATEWAY

A Verizon Service Representative will be with you shortly. Thank you.(13:22:31)

Agent Sudheer has joined. (13:22:52)

Sudheer : Chat ID for this session is 11191089688. (13:22:52)

Sudheer(13:23:01): Thank you for visiting the Verizon FIOS technical chat support. My name is Sudheer. We thank you for your patience in reaching us.

G-Man(13:23:23): How's the weather in Mumbai Sudheer?

Sudheer(13:24:18): The weather here is Awesome Sir. However I am not in Mumbai, I am in the south eastern part of India.

Sudheer(13:24:23): Thank you for asking.

Sudheer(13:24:33): Are you from the state NY?

G-Man(13:24:56): Yes, I'm in Manhattan. I visited Madras once many years ago.

Sudheer(13:25:46): Great to hear that.

G-Man(13:27:09): It's getting cold here. About 9 C now

Sudheer(13:27:29): Wow

Sudheer(13:27:34): I would have been glad to continue the conversation with you however I will not be to. I would be glad to help. However, for your respective state my access to your records remain restricted. So, let me connect you to one of my colleagues from another technical team who will help you at the earliest.

G-Man(13:27:48): ok, nice chatting

Sudheer(13:28:08): Same here.

Sudheer(13:28:14): Thank you for choosing Verizon and you have a great day.

G-Man(13:28:19): u2

Allen(14:30:29): Thank you for using Live Chat technical support, my name is Roger. I apologize for any delays in reaching an agent. I am also working with multiple systems at the same time, so please be patient if it takes a few moments for me to respond. One moment please.

Allen(14:30:59): For security purposes, can you provide your street address; including city and state, and a phone number you can be reached at right now on the account please?

G-Man(14:32:02):

Allen(14:32:58): Thanks, I will send you an email along with other valuable information about your FiOS service. Please check outwww.verizon.com/connect and download the new Verizon In-Home Agent advertised to your right when it is convenient for you.

Allen(14:36:33): so can you log into fiostv central?

G-Man(14:36:45): Yes, of course

Allen(14:38:03): okay I need to escalate this to another department. I am getting: User Id/Name not found in 'FiOS TV Central' database.

G-Man(14:38:03): For example, the URLhttps://www36.verizon.com/fiostv/web/members/Recordings.aspx reports back "Set-Top Box - 0000307662692221 is not responding." And URLhttps://www36.verizon.com/fiostv/web/members/Schedules.aspx reports back "Bad Gateway"

G-Man(14:39:21): Yeah, something's really borked.

Allen(14:42:51): what's the best number to reach you

G-Man(14:43:24):

Allen(14:45:49): NYEGXYZ is ticket number, someone will call you once issue is resolved. it may take up to 48 hours.

Allen(14:45:54): Great! I will be sending an email that you can use as an extra resource to resolve any issues you may have with FiOS services in the future, in addition to using the In-Home Agent.

Allen(14:45:59): Please remember to visit www.verizon.com/connect and download our new FIOS support tool the In Home Agent, it will assist you solve most questions regarding your service. Simply follow the prompts to download and install.

Allen(14:45:59): You may receive a survey regarding this chat, based on your experience with me today I hope you can rate us a 10. Thank you for choosing Verizon. If you have any other questions, feel free to access live chat again, available daily 8am - 9p, CST or call us 24/7 at 1-888-553-1555.

G-Man(14:47:33): Well, by that time, the show will be over.

G-Man(14:48:26): It will be quicker for me to return to the premises and program the DVR directly, but thanks for your support.

Gillian's Island

2010-11-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

The SplendOrDeal at Sea

2010-11-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

Sell My House

2010-10-23T09:15:00.000-04:00

A Habitable Exoplanet

2010-10-01T17:30:00.001-04:00

http://m.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/09/real-habitable-exoplanet/

Eliminating The Paris Hilton Effect

2010-09-20T19:02:00.001-04:00

I have an idea. Propose a flat income tax at whatever rate balances the federal budget. And institute a death tax at a rate of 100% above a $5M exemption. The latter will eliminate dynasties and force rich people to give back before they die. The former will force everyone to pay attention and will provide an incentive toward the American dream of properity from hard work, and will eliminate the Paris Hilton effect.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/senate_dems_move_towards_vote.html

Yet Another Wake-up Call

2010-08-03T19:16:00.004-04:00

I just got shot down for another in-house job I applied for last month. I thought I had a pretty good shot because I met or exceeded all the requirements. But then the recruiter called and told me I was no longer being considered:

G-man: I'd like some clarification. Did you say I'm no longer being considered because of my law school, or because of my law firm? Please let me know, because as far as my career goes, while I can't change the school I graduated from, I can switch jobs
Recruiter: It was because of your law school. Right now they are only considering 1st or 2nd tier law school graduates. I'll let you know if that changes.
G-man: I guess they're not interested in atypical candidates like me who went to third tier law school at night while holding down a full time job, with a wife and kids and a mortgage. This strikes me as elitist and age discriminatory.

Mr. Cheapness

2010-07-23T07:56:00.002-04:00

G-man: I got to clean my gutters this weekend. It's a two-story house.
Train-pal Al: I got those gutter guards, because as I've gotten older, I'm more afraid of heights. They leave my gutters dirty though. You can't win. Are you afraid of heights?
G-man: No. But I'm more afraid of the ridicule, should I survive the fall.

Is Health Care Constitutional?

2010-03-23T21:02:00.003-04:00

Many of my family members have asked me this question, not because I'm some kind of expert on the Constitution, but because I'm an attorney. My thoughts are pretty much in line with Andrew Napolitano on this issue. SCOTUS has been increasing the Federal Government's power through its liberal application of the Commerce Clause since the 1930's. This time, I believe Congress has stepped over the line. Even the Congresscritters think they have unlimited power. And of course, the liberals believe that any such discussion is wrong or political posturing.

While I'm conservative in my own views, lately I haven't liked what the Republicans have done. When it comes to the federal government, I generally hold Federalist beliefs. But the Democrats' social agenda is repugnant to me.

Then there are the recipients. Too many people think they should have free health care. They expect things to be handed to them, and don't care about who has to pay for it. This sense of entitlement is just plain wrong. Working Americans strive to achieve the American dream, and its yet another drag to carry slackers, and their sense of entitlement, on their backs.

Pelosi Wants us to Sign a Blank Health Care Check

2010-03-11T07:47:00.001-05:00

Pelosi told the National Association of Counties that the health care bill must be passed before the details are revealed. "We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy," she said. Almost every American would be affected by the legislation.

Swell, the check's in the mail, hon.

Ruined Career?

2010-03-05T09:22:00.001-05:00

As you may know, I was not asked to throw my hat into the ring for partnership this past fall. So yesterday, I applied for an interesting in-house job position. the 81 y.o. recruiter asked me to explain why I haven't made partner yet.

I think I'll ask my boss what I should tell the recruiter.

My life

2010-01-30T08:18:00.001-05:00

Jawbitch: Daddy thinks he is in a movie.
Gman: My life is a movie.
Mac: Your life is a pile of dung.
Jawbitch: Yeah, warm on the inside, crunchy on the outside.
Gman: Smelly and messy when I grab it.

SOTU

2010-01-29T07:47:00.003-05:00

Stepdad:

This is the first SOTU address I've missed since my teens. I just couldn't take watching it. What's your take on the issue with the Supreme Court.

Gman: Clearly, Alito cares about what he does himself, otherwise he wouldn't say "Not true." Between him and Obama, who do you think has more integrity?

The hypocracy in all of this is the hundreds of millions the Democrats took in from overseas Bush haters. Now we're going to have a level playing field. Personally, my interests are aligned with big business anyway, rather than those socialist Democrats with their hands in our pockets, so I'm happy with the repeal of that law. It's a nice idea in theory, but in practice it is unworkable. Besides, I believe very strongly in free speech, and especially in political free speech, so let them spend money on commercials -- I got my DVR.

I have never heard a more partisan SOTU address of the ones I've seen. I think Obama hit a new low with his lack of decorum for a coequal branch of government, and hasn't heeded the warnings cast in Mass. The people are fed up with big government that spends money helping special interests and not main street. They will continue to vote the ins out until that message is heard, no matter who or what spends ungodly sums on campaigns.

In short, Obama owes the Court an apology.

New Year

2010-01-26T08:14:00.002-05:00

Lame, it's a new year, and this is my first post, on my new droid, which I can read on my new PS3. I wonder what the new year has in store.

Well, looks like I can't upload images directly from the droid. I may have to try a photopost.

Memento Redux

2009-11-28T23:49:00.003-05:00

As you can see from my last post, I'm on drugs, and have lots of time on my hand (my other one is in a sling). So I decided to get to one of my projects: editing a movie difficult to enjoy -- Memento. The funny thing is, Redbox was briefly offering it, so I rented it. The movie comprises a series of color scenes displayed in reverse chronological order, seperated by black and white scenes that are in forward chronological order, which provide background information in to the main character Leonard Shelby, an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer build new memories, as he attempts to find the murderer of his wife, which is the last thing he remembers. This cinematic presentation leaves the viewer feeling like Leonard does -- unable to form new memories, and therefore, unable to understand the story line.

04/06 Movie Trailer Project: Memento

Hoffman | MySpace Video

So, G-man has to save his sanity. Over the course of two days, I clipped out mpeg sections using avidemux. I had to set the frame rate to 24 fps, and change the sound to 2 channel stereo, using the lavc ac3 codec. I adjusted the audio skew for each clip, to ensure perfect synchronization. I then transcoded each mpeg clip using Mobile media converter (which uses an ffmpeg backend) to high quality avi. One clip in the beginning was flimed backwards (where Teddy gets shot in the head), so I used avidemux to seperate the audio from the video. I took the audio clip and converted it to wav format, then used Microsloth's sound recorder to reverse the playback. I filtered the video to reverse, then remuxed using avidemux, and coverted the merged clip to avi again. Then I appended each clip in chrono order, editing the transitions, and added the credits and title back. This melded into the completed movie.

If you would like to view it with me, come over and we can watch it over a bowl of popcorn. Or send me your email address in the comments, and I will work out an arrangement to satisfy the fair use provisions of the copyright law.

Best regards,

G-man

Broken Shoulder

2009-11-24T15:45:00.001-05:00

I broke my shoulder Labor Day weekend water skiing. It was much worse than they could see on MRI. I tore almost all the cartilage off the ball, tore the front and back of my labrum away from the bone, and frayed my bicep tendon too. They took out the chunks from my joint, reattached labrum (socket) and punctured my upper arm bone to help stimulate new cartilage growth.

It may be a long recovery -- I probably won't be back in to the office until Tuesday, December 1st.‬‪ Good thing I have health insurance and a job.

Health Insurance

2009-11-05T18:41:00.001-05:00

Today, as I was not busy, I decided to see whether I should shop for private health insurance, or stick with the crappy insurance offered to me by my firm. I pay about a grand a month in premiums. So I found an article linked by the title of this article. Therein is a website mentioned in the article, which is like a priceline for health insurance. The really interesting thing is changing your zipcode to other states, and seeing how expensive New York is.‬

I think I'm sticking with my firm's crappy group policy.

Inspiration

2009-09-25T09:02:00.000-04:00

"And if you feel that you can't go on. And you feel sick and low. Just believe that you can't go wrong. In the light, you will find the road."

Prednisone

2009-09-18T21:51:00.003-04:00

It's fall, and Max's asthma is really bad. So is Jawbitch's. Max is taking Prednisone. It's making him a little wacky.

Max, with tapemeasure in hand: The foreigners cleaning my room are touching my stuff.
Jawbitch: You need to put your magic tricks away.
Max, measuring the bathroom walls: I need to put up some sheetrock and build a miniature room to put my stuff in so that they can't touch it.
Jawbitch: Why don't you go through all your toys, and get rid of the baby toys? Then you will have more room to put your stuff away.
Max: Good idea, Mom!
Jawbitch: Just make three piles: one for your little cousin Alex, one to give away, and one for stuff you throw away.
Max: ok . . .

Several hours later, Jawbitch inspects the piles. There's a small one for Alex, a large one for goodwill, and hardly anything in the throwaway pile.

Jawbitch: What's up with the giveaway pile? Most of these toys are broken. Other kids shouldn't get broken toys.
Max: That's ok, the church kids don't know any better anyway.

Tire Swing

2009-09-02T23:24:00.000-04:00

Circuit City --Where the streets are paved with bargains?

2009-03-10T07:16:00.001-04:00

Gram found a pile of gift cards that had been laying around, one from Circuit City. I drove to East Northport, which the store locator still indicated was open, a couple of weekends ago with the kids to use it, because they closed the store in Bayshore. It was closed.

So late last week, I decided to bring it into the city. The store was completely picked through. They were selling the fixtures. No joy.

So I walked over to a couple of sales associates remaining and asked them what I could do. They just ignored me, and continued their conversation reminiscing about the past.

Did you get any bargains at Circuit City? I would like to know -- please comment.

Ask for me, I tossed the card down at the associates' feets, grabbed a cart, and walked out. There's a bum I'd seen, hanging out at Bond45 who could probably use it.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Please Don't Release the Detainees, Mr. President!

2009-01-23T07:28:00.001-05:00

NYT reports that a Saudi militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the United States Embassy in Yemen's capital, Sana, in September, 2008. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists, that our country pays for in part, before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen. His status was announced in an Internet statement by the militant group and was confirmed by an American counterterrorism official. "The lesson here is, whoever receives former Guantánamo detainees needs to keep a close eye on them," the American official said. Yeah, right.

Tell me, dear ACLU bleeding hearts, how can you "rehabilitate" a terrorist? This proves that you can't.

Mr. Obama, please allow our courts to try the terrorists, and when they are found guilty, sentence them accordingly.

G-man

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

What a dummy

2009-01-16T06:10:00.003-05:00

I think the Verizon tech fixed a cabling problem that led to my Internet woes. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, the cleaning folks knocked out power to my clock. I reset it last night. This morning, I felt especially tired. Then I noticed the kitchen clock was off by an hour. Then I noticed all the clocks were off by an hour. Then I noticed my watch was off by an hour. Too many clocks to be a coincidence. Boy am I tired.

Go Nuclear and Fix My Internet

2009-01-14T08:27:00.001-05:00

When asked about nuclear power, Dr. Chu, Obama's prospective Energy Secretary said it had to be "part of our mix." He favored tapping loan guarantees to restart the nuclear industry.

Verizon meanwhile has rescheduled my appointment. We'll see if they show up today.

At least 24 taped. Too bad you can't watch the DVR on any of the STBs in the house. That sux, its not like they aren't networked together.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fix My Internet

2009-01-13T06:37:00.001-05:00

Just after Thanksgiving, I switched my Internet and television service from Cablevision to Verizon, just so I can arbitrage. Verizon promised cheaper service with more features. Instead, I got a more expensive service with more channels of shit, and worse customer service.

Because my Internet goes out, so goes my telephone (I have Vonage). The government should mandate 24 hour repair for broadband Internet, just like it does for telephone service, since many now use VoIP. Hello?

Obama has made the deployment of high-speed Internet networks as a central part of his plan to create jobs and better compete with global economies offering much faster broadband Internet speeds, often at lower prices.

But we have to have working Internet first.

Next year, I may try Direct TV. In the meantime, fix my Internet, please.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Split Atoms, Not Wood

2009-01-12T07:37:00.001-05:00

In light of the Russian gas crisis, French government-owned electricity giant EDF is now marketing its expertise, as demonstrated by high-profile moves into Britain and the United States over the past few months.

Meanwhile, back at home, our federal government gives more money to the unscrupulous bad actors that line their own pockets with bonus money.

Senate Democratic leaders said a vote could come as early as this week on providing a second $350 billion for the financial industry. The incoming Obama team has undertaken an effort to obtain the money from reluctant lawmakers, to have it waiting for Obama when he's sworn in Jan. 20. Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama and Obama's economic adviser, Larry Summers, made assurances that the for roughly $800 billion in spending and tax breaks to spur the economy for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, would be better monitored and spent.

But banks and other financial institutions have received billions from the government with few rules, and most won't say where the money has gone. Yeah, we knew that would happen.

Instead of our government helps the private sector to rape the public. The government should remember its history of public works programs from the last depression, and should be building infrastructure like the French have.

G-Man

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Mayor Mike Routs Hamas

2009-01-07T19:49:00.001-05:00

Asked about the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza, Mr. Bloomberg replied sharply: "That they [Hamas] are putting people at risk is an outrage. If Hamas would focus on building a country instead of trying to destroy another one, then those people would not be getting injured or killed."

My sentiments exactly, Mr. Mayor. I'd even take it a step further and say that if people elect a terrorist organization as their government, then they shouldn't complain about being in terror.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2008-12-24T14:45:00.002-05:00

I'm sure the next year will be better than the last!

Love,

G-Man

Re: Made where ?

2008-11-23T12:47:00.001-05:00

Dear whole host of others:

Sorry to disturb you, especially since I don't know most of you, but I'd like to add my 2 cents to my stepfather's email chain.

Ever since the U.S. entered a global economy, as you well know, the U.S. has lost most of its manufacturing capacity. Why? Because it is impossible for U.S. businesses to cost-effectively produce goods here. It is cheaper to employ inexpensive, overseas labor and materials to make the things that we consume in the U.S. This is bad if you have a manufacturing job, but good if you buy things, because you get them at the lowest possible cost.

The global economy is capitalism at its finest. It will help to raise the standard of living for everyone that participates in it. It also promotes world harmony and deterrence from waging war on each other, because we trade with each other.

So, if you want to buy American, that's fine, but if you're paying a higher price out of patriotism, your money will not be well spent, because if we can't sell it to you at the lowest price, then we won't be selling to you for much longer.

And if you want to manufacture something here, you ought to automate so that you can produce it cheaper than those working for slave wages overseas, or produce something that they can't, e.g., provide a service here that can't be imported.

Best regards,

G-man
http://sneezing.blogspot.com

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Cousin Lou
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:54:23
To: A whole host of others
Subject: RE: Made where ?

No really - see http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/barcodes.asp - especially the last paragraph " In any case, the bar codes used in the United States are almost exclusively based on the Universal Product Code, type A (UPC-A) standard, not the EAN-13 standard, so most Americans don't even see the three-digit prefixes that indicate the code's point of origin. In determining the country of origin of a product sold in the U.S., consumers should still look for "Made in [country name]" labels on the packaging."

-----Original Message-----
From: Stepdad
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 3:41 PM
To: A whole host of others
Subject: Fw: Made where ?

----- Original Message -----
From: Sally Cable
To: Harry Broadband
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 12:56 PM
Subject: Made where ?

PRODUCTS BAR CODING

For your Information ... the first 3 digits of the barcode is the
country code wherein the product was made.

Sample: all barcodes that start with 690 to 695 are all MADE IN CHINA .
471 is Made in Taiwan .

Error! Filename not specified.
This bar code is 471 – Made in Taiwan

This is our human right to know, but the government and
related department never educate the public, therefore
we have to RESCUE ourselves.

Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers
avoid products 'made in china', so they don't show
from which country it is made.

However, you may now refer to the barcode, remember if
the first 3 digits is 690-695 then it is Made in China .
00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA
30 ~ 37 FRANCE
40 ~ 44 GERMANY
49 ~ JAPAN
50 ~ UK
57 ~ Denmark
64 ~ Finland
76 ~ Switzerland and Lienchtenstein
471 ~ Taiwan
628 ~ Saudi-Arabien
629 ~ United Arab Emirates
690-695 ~ China
740 ~ 745 - Central America
All 480 Codes are Made in the Philippines.

Slammed by the LIRR

2008-11-19T19:52:00.010-05:00

You may have seen the news about the accident, that they term a "bump." Click the title of this blog for video. I was on the 6:42 a.m. Babylon train that was hit by the Port Jefferson train outside of Jamaica in the morning. My train is normally 8 cars long, but was six this morning, and was packed to the gills with people, standing room only. WABC-7 seems to have the best reporting and video of this incident. WABC-7 reports that LIRR admitted it was human error -- perhaps the engineer of the Port Jeff train was too busy texting on his blackberry instead of looking at his signals. Here's News-12 video too.

It could have been much worse -- it could have been like this.

G-man

Better Luck Next Time

2008-11-06T21:25:00.003-05:00

Game started at 6 p.m., 114 players, 22 got $10K seats, 23rd got $8K in cash. Went on third break at 12:30 a.m., 28 players left. I'm sitting 2 away from button, blinds are 3000/6000 with 500 ante, I have 21K in chips.

Action folds to me, I look down at AQ clubs, figure 3x$6K = $18K, so I shoved. Action folds to small blind, who has $32K, and is known to me to be a donkey. He asks for a count, then calls with 77.

Flop comes Q64, I cheer, but one of the other players says to put the celebration on hold, all cards were diamonds, and so was one of his 7s. Turn is 2s. He rivers the 2 outer, and I finish 28th, basically at or near the bubble yet again.

Maybe one day soon I'll get paid.

The Rush Continues

2008-11-05T09:14:00.002-05:00

I lost my first Act III last Saturday. Came in 51st out of 152. But I decided to play another Act II, and did quite well in that game to earn yet another entry in an Act III.

I played my second Act III almost flawlessly. There were 164 entrants. I made one big all-in move against another player that joined our table about half-way through the tournament. I had a stack of about $25K chips, and he had me covered. Blinds were 1000/2000 with an 200 ante. I limped in UTG with AsKs, another guy limped too, and he raised to $8000. Action folded around to me, so I smooth called, and the other guy folded.

The flop came Qs7d3s. He looked worried, so I decided to check, with the intent that I would come over the top of him if he showed weakness. He laid out another $8,000, so I thought he might have had a small pair (below a Queen), or he was trying to milk me with an overpair. In any event, I proceeded with my plan, and shoved all-in. He insta-called me and flipped over aces.

The turn came spade, making me a chip monster, and virtually wiping the poor guy out.

I won a few hands along the way, and had a $60K stack when we got down to two tables. Then I started to bleed chips, as others were going all-in almost every hand, and the blinds and antes went up fast. I had about $32K in chips, when we approached the bubble. 18 players left, 16 places win the $10,000 seats, and two of them had much smaller stacks that I did. I did not get any cards up until that point, and made one steal with garbage. I needed to pick a spot to steal again, but couldn't with all the action on the table -- I just never got the opportunity.

The two other shorter stacks went all-in on the next two hands. One busted, but the other quadrupled up. Now, I'm the short stack with $29K, the blinds of $6000/12,000 with $1000 ante were approaching, and I still wasn't getting cards. Plus, savvy players were limping in, hoping to catch me and knock me out.

The blinds passed through my stack, and I would have had to call PF raises all-in with crappy cards, so I folded. My stack was now devastated, down to a big blind or less. I anted off two more hands, and had $9K in chips, then realized I was going out on the bubble, and there was nothing I could do about it. The others behind me would just limp in to call. I couldn't beat that many hands unless I got lucky. I looked at my cards, AsTc. Then someone tried to broker a deal. I could accept $100 from each of the remaining players, and give up.

But I didn't do it. I announced to the 16 other remaining players that I came to play for a seat, not for their charity, and tossed my $9K in chips into the pot.

Needless to say, everyone behind me called. The board came out J8J28. I had hope, but one of the players had a jack.

However, I did win a $1100 ticket to play in the Act III yet again. But I couldn't do it, because I had to work. So I called the Tournament Director the next day to ask for a check instead, and he said no. But he did say that they would credit my winning toward an entry in the Final Act, which was played yesterday, and today at 6 p.m.

I'm taking the Port Jeff Ferry across the sound at 1:30. Wish me luck....

G-Man

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

2008-10-20T08:52:00.003-04:00

The last two Saturdays, I've been making a run up to Foxwoods to play in some satellite games for a seat in the World Poker Finals in November. It costs $10K to enter directly, which is way above my price range. Besides, if I can't win the satellite, I don't deserve to be in the main tournament.

The Saturday before last, I played three tournaments, and busted out in every single one of them. I came in 12th out of 57 in the $150 multitable event -- six got seats. The bubble got $43, so I'm actually glad I didn't bust out then.

But I won last Saturday. First, I played in the $150 super satellite again, and didn't catch a hand until blinds were 100/200, and I picked up AQ. The guy in the small blind re-raised all in after I raised for about half my stack, so I called. I was up against KK, and couldn't catch an ace. I ended up crippled, and then waited three more hands until the antes kicked in and I reached the big blind, then went allin with motown J5, got protected by a 77, caught a jack, but he flopped a set.

So I bought into another Act 2, figuring this would be my last game, except for maybe a few Act 1 satellites. Well, there was this old man across the table who was extremely aggressive. My ability to read people was really on time. Eventually, I became short stacked, and raise in late position with AJ for about half my stack. He called in the small blind, calling station that he was (and boy did he get lucky catching cards against people). Anyway, flop was Q rag rag, so I figured I could either push or go, but instead, I checked to see what he would do. He made his standard 1200 chip bet. I knew he had an ace, but I figured he didn't pair, and perhaps I had him dominated, so I shoved for my remaining 1500, and he of course called, then flipped over Ace three (with no threes on the board). I turned a jack and doubled up against him.

Very next hand, I catch AA, and with his doubling of me, I was healthy, so I put in a 3X raise to 1200. He called, and all others folded. Great, I'm thinking, now to play this right. Flop came King rag-rag rainbow, and since I was first to act (him on the button now), I checked, and he bet 1200. I think for a while, see no danger on the board, so I smooth call. Turn is a blank also, but now two clubs. So I check, counting precisely on his aggression. He again bets 1200. I had 3000 left, so I raised him allin. He thinks for a good long while, then folds. I never showed the rockets.

After that, people got desperate because the blinds were so high, and I either had drawing hands with tons of outs (like 14 in one instance for the nut flush, which I caught), or had them beat, so I called every instance and mowed down three of them. Now, I'm the massive chipleader. After it got down to three, and the bubble was yet to pop, I started shoving people around. I bluffed one hand (the only one in the game) for like 4000 chips (about 1/3 of my stack) against the middle stack, and he folded. I stole about three orbits of blinds. I really put the heat on them. Then the guy who was short proposed we all chip in $80 for the loser to rebuy into Act 2. I thought it was a bad proposition for me, since I had most of the chips, and figured I could let the other two beat each other, but then I acquiesced, because it could have been a long, pitched battle. Sure enough, the next hand I catch 99 on the button, so I raise, and the dude in the SB goes allin for like 800 more than my 3.5X raise. I instacalled, he had A8, and my nines held. I won a $1100 entry into the final satellite game for a $10000 seat in the WPT Foxwoods Poker Finals.

There were virtually no entrants for Act 3, so I figured I have to go back next weekend, or the following weekend for Act 3. Wish me luck.

After I took that down, Jawbitch told me she was taking the kids into the city to see a show, so I might as well stay and play. So I did. I took down another $500 in the cash games. Not bad for a day's work!

See You In Seattle

2008-09-28T09:33:00.003-04:00

Jawbitch went to Seattle for her national OMFS meeting. She sent me a picture on a ferry ride. Notice the space needle in the background:

Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a self-portrait. Nice work, my lady!

My worst day of poker, ever

2008-08-31T23:49:00.003-04:00

Click the title link, then watch the last or key hand of each of these games, or watch here:

Max Takes a Bubble Bath

2008-07-20T15:32:00.002-04:00

I think he left the jets in the tub on too long.

His Name is True

2008-06-03T20:22:00.002-04:00

I knew this guy was not a good player, because he wet an unopened side pot after the flop in a hand against me in the BB and the SB all in (same config shown here). I decided to exact revenge, but boy was my timing off.

Pre-flop, I raise 6X thinking he's got ace baby, and I don't want him to call. Then he re-raises me after his UTG limp. I go all-in and am psyched because I have him dominated. At the flop, I fret that I'm going to be the one who catches the set of Kings, making him broadway. But he does so on the turn, and I'm elated -- until the river one-outer.

They Just Keep Messing with Me

2008-05-29T23:42:00.003-04:00

After two totally dissatisfying sucked-out $11 tourney, I decide to play one more. Thirsting for victory, I find five way action, and me on the short stack yet again. After a steal, I reach UTG with QsJc, so I raise 3X BB. All fold except the BB. Flop comes Jh4h7h, and BB checks. I got a little more than pot, and so I go allin. He calls, flips over the 8h3h. I go to bed.

Don't Mess With G-Man

2008-05-26T12:28:00.010-04:00

I had enough of this guy's stuff in our heads-up battle, so I decide to trap him and limp in on the button with AA at 300/600. He checks, then goes all-in on the flop. I got 2950 left and, as I said, I'm tired of him, so I call. Watch what happens:

The quality of Blogger video is just as bad as YouTube. He has 6s9s and catches the flush on the turn. Unfortunately for him, the third queen rivers him.

Buy My Box

2008-03-05T08:08:00.000-05:00

Check out my latest offering -- after four years, we're back in business, just click the title link.

Little G's Political Satire

2008-02-20T20:19:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year

2008-01-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

I've been EXTREMELY busy, and so I have not posted. It may not let up until after April. Hope everybody is well. Still looking for nested bifurcation -- will post when I find it.

G-man

Sudoku Lesson IX - Bifurcation

2007-10-16T23:22:00.000-04:00

WARNING - This technique pertains only to the boxes in the rows or columns that you have completely marked. You can check whether you've fully marked a box by looking at the check marks you've made at the perimeters. Do not try this on incompleted boxes, it will not work. I've borked many a puzzle by forgetting this rule. Your only other option is to completely mark the puzzle, and it may come down to that, but let's try to solve some of the remaining boxes first, shall we? Let's consider a puzzle we started in Lesson I. I've marked it completely and have solved as many boxes as I could, but now I'm stuck:

Now, pick a marked box having only two numbers marked in it. Try not to pick a coupled pair -- they won't get you very far. Make some indication of this starting box, perhaps by drawing an outline around the box. I picked (4,9):

Slash one of the dots indicating a marked number. Pretend like that number is in the box. If that number is in the box, use all of the techniques that I taught you in the previous lessons to solve another box. Slash the dot indicating the solution for that box. Continue onward until you find that you can't solve anymore boxes, or you find a conflict. In my example, I slashed the 9 dot. That led me to slash the following dots in the succeeding boxes:
7 in (4,3); 2 in (4,6); 7 in (5,6); 5 in (4,8); 4 in (1,8); 5 in (1,7); 6 in (7,8); 4 in (9,9); 2 in (6,8); 6 in (5,9); 4 in (7,6); 6 in (8,6); and 8 in (4,2). The puzzle now looks like this:

A conflict is where you have slashed the same dot for two boxes in any row, column or square. If you find a conflict, then go back to the starting box and write in the unslashed number. For example, I continue to slash dots in the above puzzle, in the following order: 4 in (8,2); 2 in (6,2). But I note that there is already a 2 marked in (6,8), thus creating a conflict:

So now, since picking a 9 in (4,9) lead to a conflict, I must pick the non-slashed dot, starting with the box (4,9), and then continue to fill in numbers as I go. I filled in 4 in (4,9); 6 in (9,9); 4 in (7,8); 9 in (5,9); 5 in (1,8); 4 in (1,7); 5 in (4,7); 4 in (8,6); 6 in (7,6); 2 in (4,8); and 6 in (6,8). The puzzle now looks like this:

If you are just stuck, go back to the starting box and put a backslash (or some other tick mark of your own choosing) on the other dot. Then repeat this process, using the other indicator, until you reach a conflict, or get stuck. If you reach a conflict, write in the slash dot number in the starting box. This did not happen for our example, the rest of the numbers followed, and the puzzle was easily completed:

If you are not so lucky, don't give up. You tried both ways, and neither path reached a conflict. Go back and mark the remaining squares, then try to solve more /s and \s to find a conflict for either branch. Mark the whole puzzle if you must.

Have you reached the end? If you have marked all the boxes in the entire puzzle and can / all the boxes without reaching a conflict, then you got lucky and picked the right branch! All the /s represent the solution to the puzzle. Congratulations, write all the numbers in.

If you mark the same dot with / and \, forming an X, then that box is solved. Write in the number, and see if you can solve other boxes with that number.

If you are still stuck, all the possible / and \ are indicated, no conflicts appear, then move on to the next lesson.

Sudoku Lesson VIII - Completing Markings in a Stack

2007-10-13T17:53:00.000-04:00

Let's say you've cycled through the numbers twice, have tried to solve every square, row and column, but you still have a bunch of empty, unmarked boxes, because you have numbers that fit in more than two spots for many rows, columns or squares. For example, continuing with the puzzle from the last lesson, I'm working on the third column, and I notice that 4 and 8 can only go in the top and eighth boxes, so 6 must go in the second box (3,2):

The solution of a 9 in box (1,9) leads to two numbers 1 and 9 in the middle left square:

Next, let's say that you finish checking everything else, and you just can't get anywhere -- you are stuck. Here's my advice: now you can break the mark-only-two rule and finish marking all the dots in three squares in a row or in a column, plus any three additional rows or columns. Go ahead, mark all the possible numbers in every box for every square that you are marking, but skip over those coupled pairs:

When you're finished marking a stack of squares or three squares in a row, plus three more rows or columns, you might find a coupled-triple. A coupled-triple is three boxes having the same numbers marked in a particular square, row or column. You can use the same technique for solving squares, rows and columns from Lessons V and VI to skip over these and fill in the number(s) that are left in the square/row/column. But coupled-triples are much more rare than coupled pairs. I can't find a coupled-triple in the rows/columns that I've marked in the above puzzle.

After you've so-marked, move on to the next, and most difficult lesson, but make sure that you put a check mark beside every row/column that you've fully marked the boxes in.

Sudoku Lesson VII - Solving Rows and Columns

2007-10-03T20:11:00.000-04:00

Let's continue with the puzzle from Lesson VI. Much like solving squares, solving rows and columns can take advantage of coupling pairs to skip over them and find numbers that remain.

I like to take the following approach when solving rows and columns:

Try to find a solution for the blank boxes first. Often, a result of the cycle is that there are some boxes left blank. Many times, these boxes might only have one number that fits. If so, write it in, then eliminate dots for that number in that box's row and column, and put in dots in other squares that have not yet been marked. If you eliminate a dot, be sure to check the square for a corresponding dot, and write the number in there too, then wash, rinse and repeat before going back to the rest of the row/column that you were checking.

For example, let's attack column 4. Note that 1 can only go in (4,5). We put that in, and then mark the left and right middle squares for 1:

All that is left is to put a 9 in box (4,7), and column 4 is done, check mark it, then erase the 9 dot in (8,7), put a 9 in (8,8), and put a 9 in lower left square at (1,9), thus solving the 2 in (3,9).

Next, check all of the one-dot boxes. If the dot indicates the only number that fits, write it in and eliminate any other dots for that number in that box's square. Then follow the process for 1. above.

Next, check all of the two-dot boxes. Remember the rule for coupling pairs from Lesson VI.

If you happen to mark all the boxes in a row or a column, put a check mark beside the row or column to indicate that you've completely marked the row/column. This helps prevent wasting time, and will help you later when you bifurcate. For example, I'm going to mark rows 3 and 9:

Feedback on Sudoku

2007-10-01T08:57:00.000-04:00

How do you like my Sudoku lessons so far? Are you learning from them, or do they just bore you?

I've often been accused of leaving too many steps out between one proposition and the next, in effect, taking incomprehensible quantum leaps. Please tell me if this is the case, so that I can further explain and make my expression simpler, easier to understand, and hopefully useful. I plan to submit the ten lessons to a publisher, so your help is greatly appreciated.

A reader writes: "You lost me at 'cycled through all the numbers twice.' That's some long commute you have, yes?"

G-man: Yes, I developed these lessons and my method to solve Sudoku on my one-hour commute. Cycle through all the numbers twice means that you should try to project the number 1 into all nine squares, then try 2 through 9. As you find solutions, you fill them in. This will change the available spots in each square, so you might be able to solve other numbers that you couldn't the first time through. That's why you start over and do the projections again a second time. I find that when you cycle a third time, you may only solve a paltry few extra numbers, and you time is better spent using other techniques to solve numbers in each square. The other techniques are demonstrated in the subsequent lessons. I've updated lesson V per your query.

But what we really appreciate are the adoration vids, like this one:

Sudoku Lesson VI - Solving Squares

2007-09-29T11:01:00.000-04:00

O.k., is the suspense concerning coupling pairs from Lesson IV killing you yet? Here's why coupling pairs are so important. Let's add a new tool to your box -- solving a square. In this operation, we cycle through the numbers inside of a square, i.e., without projection. As we check possibilities, we can skip over boxes having the coupling pairs, and we can eliminate the coupled pair numbers from our test to see what numbers are left that fit.

Take, for example, the puzzle below. I've cycled through twice, and marked all the boxes:

Note in the middle top square that we have the numbers 2 and 9 marked for boxes (5,1) and (5,2). Despite the marking of a 5 in box (5,2), the 2 and the 9 are a coupling pair. That means that the 5 cannot go in (5,2), and therefore must go in (5,3):

In the top middle square, we can put a 4 only in (6,3), and thus 8 goes in (4,3), because 2 and 9 are already slated to go in the other two boxes (5,1) and (5,2) in the top middle square:

Thus, using the coupling pair, we've largely completed the top middle square!

Are You Hungry? I Had Surgery.

2007-09-24T10:49:00.001-04:00

Didn't write the next Sudoku lesson yet. I had surgery on my right great toe to remove an ingrown nail. You may remember this saga, if not, click the title of this post for a little history. The nail basically wrapped itself around the inside of my toe by growing sideways, ever since I had the suitcase dropped on it (more history). The doctor cut it out and burned the root with carbolic acid to ensure that nothing ever grows there again. When the doctor showed me what he pulled out, I had to take a picture of it, superimposed on my good left toe in the position it was in, just so you can get some perspective how deep this thing was growing inside of the other side of my right toe. When Mac saw it, he gagged down his food:

Sudoku Lesson V - Solving Hard Boxes

2007-09-15T13:02:00.000-04:00

Ok, so you've cycled through all the numbers twice, and have done all the projections possible. Cycle through all the numbers twice means that you should try to project the number 1 into all nine squares, then try 2 through 9. As you find solutions, you fill them in. This will change the available spots in each square, so you might be able to solve other numbers that you couldn't the first time through. That's why you start over and do the projections again a second time. I find that when you cycle a third time, you may only solve a paltry few extra numbers, and you time is better spent using other techniques to solve numbers in each square. Thus, you can cycle through a third time, but in my experience, that's going to be a waste of time. Instead, you should proceed with the next few lessons, which will provide you with some powerful Sudoku tools to solve the puzzle.

Sometimes it looks like you're going to get stuck early, with no way to get even a few boxes solved. When this happens, step back and take a look at the forest. Let's take our early puzzle example, which I've marked only using projection, and by cycling through all of the numbers only twice. Here's where we stand:

Pick any three squares in a row or a column that you haven't solved a particular number in yet. See if you have pairs (not necessarily coupling pairs) marked in all three squares. If so, then if there are two pairs in the same two rows or same two columns, then another different number, marked in a third pair in the last square in that same row or column as the other two pairs is a solution. Remember, a square is a set of nine boxes, illustrated with the bold lines surrounding it. There are nine squares in a sudoku puzzle.

Confused? Let's look at an example. Take the number 8 for example. Look at the middle row of squares. Can you see what I'm talking about? I can mark an 8 in the two middle boxes of the center square at (5,5) and (6,5), because 8 is marked in the top and bottom rows in the left and right middle squares, at (3,4), (3,6), (7,4) and (7,6). This is because, if the left middle square has an 8 in the top row of the middle squares, i.e., row 4, then the right middle square must have an eight in the bottom row 6, and vice-versa. Therefore, the only place that an 8 can go in the center square is in the middle row 5, so this is how I mark the center square:

Continue to look for potential solutions using this tool. Sometimes there will only be two boxes that you will mark, and sometimes you will find only one box, which you will solve.

Laboring Day

2007-09-03T17:19:00.000-04:00

As the summer wanes, my family abandoned me for the last vacation. They booked a cruise, poised to return just before school begins. I would have traveled with them, but my work was too heavy to provide me with the amount of time that they wanted to expend. Two weeks. Far too long for an attorney to be away from his practice.

Left alone to my own devices, and unable to find anyone willing to travel back down to Atlantic City for yet another poker rampage, I decided to take my old Bic board out from the shed where it had been stored since moving to West Islip. At 9 a.m., I gathered my parts and secured them to the roof of the Windstar to make the 60 second journey to the end of the block where I can launch from the community beach.

There's a fresh breeze and quite a bit of chop, but the tide's coming in and I'm optimistic. Having taken a few lessons on beach starting and harness in Aruba this winter past, I'm eager to ply my new found knowledge on my rig. I chose the bigger 6.2 square meter sail for today, but I question whether I should have opted for the 5.6. Nevertheless, after a quick beach start, I hook in and head across the Great South Bay. But I let the board point too far into the wind, and inevitably it shift, launching me into the soup. My watch unfastened, but remained on my wrist. It's 9:30 a.m.

After securing my watch, I begin to uphaul, but notice that something is wrong. The boom has parted from the mast. I enter the water to find that the pivot arm securing the cleat to the mast has broken. I wave down a jet skier. Jim tows me back to shore. Regretfully, I pack my things and truly believe that summer is now over.

Sudoku Lesson IV - Cycle Once and Take Advantage of Pairs

2007-09-02T12:59:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you'll find that two pairs of numbers are marked in a pair of boxes. When these boxes line up in the same row or column, or are in the same square, they are known as "coupling pairs." During the second projection cycle, you should take advantage of such marked pairs. In this lesson, I will show you how to do that.

In the above puzzle, I've marked all of the boxes in the lower three squares, for illustrative purposes only. DON'T DO THIS, as you should only mark boxes only if there is two occurrences of a number in the box. This marking is only to help you understand the principle of coupling pairs.

The numbers 2 and 5 in the bottom row, boxes (2, 9) and (6, 9) form a coupling pair in the bottom row. Consequently, boxes (4, 9) and (5, 9) can have all occurrences of 2 and 5 removed. This forms a second coupling pair of the numbers 7 and 9 within the lower middle square. Any other occurrences of 7 and 9 can be removed from that square. Box (5, 8) forms yet another coupling pair with box (6, 9) using numbers 2 and 5, and a new coupling pair is revealed in row 7. Here is the resultant marking:

I've taken the liberty of removing the markings of 2 and 6 from the 7th column, since they must go in the 7th column in the top right box.

Remember in Lesson II when I told you to mark only boxes when there were two and no more than two possibilities? This is so that you can establish and recognize coupling pairs. I cheated above, just to show you how the coupling pairs come about, but don't cheat. Why is that so important? I'll tell you in the next two lessons. In the meantime, cycle through the numbers two times, like I've been telling you, but use these pairs to your solving advantage.

As you project and find solutions in a box, if the box already has a dot for a different number, find the other spot in that square with the dot and fill in that number too. It's like getting two-for-one.

In the above example, I marked all the 1s and 2s. As I started to mark the 3s, I found that the top square had only one spot for a 3, in (3, 2), due to the upward projection of the virtual number pair of 3 from the bottom left square. So now, I can put a 3 in (3, 2) and a 2 in box (3, 3). After getting a two-for-one, then try to figure out why coupling pairs are so cool.

Sudoku Lesson III - Virtual number pairs

2007-08-22T12:50:00.000-04:00

Today's lesson is short and continues from Lesson II. As you are marking squares, you may find that the marked possibilities line up in a particular row or column. When that happens, you can project a "virtual" number across the row or up/down the column that the possibilities line up in:

As you can see in the above example, a virtual pair of 3's can be found in the bottom middle square, in boxes (5, 7) and (6, 7). Disjointed pairs of 2's and 5's in boxes (1, 7) and (2, 9) leads to the required virtual number pairs of 4's and 7's in boxes (3, 7) and (3, 8), because these are the only numbers left in the lower left square. Since a four from the lower middle square projects to the left, the solution to these boxes is easily recognized (and in fact, box (3,8) is improperly marked).

Sometimes projection of a virtual pair leads to a solution in another target square, and sometimes it uncovers another virtual pair. In the above example, an unmarked virtual pair of 7's can be solved in the top middle square, and that virtual pair leads to a virtual pair of 7's in the top left square, by projecting the virtual pair we marked in the lower left square. See if you can mark these virtual 7 pairs properly in the top middle and left squares.

Be sure to take advantage of this feature as you cycle through all nine numbers.

Sudoku Lesson II - Projecting the numbers

2007-08-13T08:53:00.000-04:00

The easiest and most basic technique toward solving Sudoku puzzles is figuring out when a number must go in a box. One way to do this is to choose a number, then cycle thorough all the squares to see if the chosen number has been entered or not in the target square. If not, then project the number down rows and columns from other squares to exclude boxes in the target square. When all projections are made, if there is only one box where the number can go, write it in:

Here we can see that the number 1 fits in box (9, 9), then (8, 1,), then (3, 3).

If there are only two boxes in a square where a number can go, mark those boxes:

In this picture, the number 2 can go in boxes (1, 7) and (2, 9). If there are more than two boxes where a number can go, move on to the next target square and try again. Do not be tempted to mark three or more boxes. we need to save that kind of activity for later. Don't worry, I'll tell you when you can do that -- you gotta trust me for now.

42nd St. & 7th Ave. w/o Subway

2007-08-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

These pictures don't do justice to the 80+ degrees and 100% humidity. Tea and Fresh, aren't u glad ur no longer here?

Sudoku Lesson I - Develop a Marking System

2007-08-06T08:56:00.000-04:00

First, to avoid confusion, let's agree that a "box" is a space where numbers may be recorded and a "square" is a collection of nine boxes, 3 X 3, where the numbers 1-9 are recorded.

As you know, the puzzle comprises nine rows, nine columns and nine squares. The solution has the numbers 1-9 recorded in each row, column and square, with no number repeated. I admit that, when I'm solving a puzzle and I record two numbers the same in any row, column or square, I have borked it. When this happens, I find that it's extremely difficult to determine where I made a mistake. I usually just cross the whole puzzle off and move on. It's ok, you can do the same -- just chalk it up to experience.

The key toward solving any Sudoku puzzle is to have a good marking system. A marking system provides the solver with an indication of possible numbers that can fit in each box. In my system, I place a small dot in the box to indicate that a particular number should go in that box. The location of the dot inside the box determines which number it is.

I place the dot in the box in a 3 x 3 matrix fashion to represent 1-9, starting from top left for 1 and going to bottom right for 9. For example, in one of the boxes, i marked a "3":

For your convenience, I will identify particular boxes by a simple left-to-right, top-to-bottom coordinate system. In this picture, box (1,1) in the first square has a 3 marked in it.

Also in the above picture, box (3,3) has a 2 and a 7 marked in it. I will identify the boxes by column and row. So, for example, the 4 is in box (1, 3).

When recording dots, at first I never place more than two dots in any square, row or column. The reasoning for this will not become apparent to you until much later in the lessons, but if you remember this basic rule, it will make solving the puzzle much easier later on.

Immigration Nation

2007-08-04T10:42:00.003-04:00

I recently got an email with this comment:

Calling an illegal alien an undocumented worker is like calling a crack dealer an unlicensed pharmacist.

This nation was founded by people who were immigrants. Unless you are pure American Indian, your parents/grandparents/ancestors were immigrants. I highly doubt that illegal working aliens are putting a financial strain on this country greater than the value of the services they provide. If somebody can show me a study that determines their burden versus their benefit on the taxpayers of this great nation, then I'll listen more closely to comments like this one.

The measure of how great a country is can be determined by the number of people trying to get into it, minus the number trying to leave.

Ten Lessons To Become a Sudoku Master

2007-07-30T06:56:00.000-04:00

Sudoku puzzles are fun and often addictive. My cousin gave me a series of four Sudoku puzzle books, each book containing puzzles of a particular difficulty, ranging from gentle to downright ridiculously near impossible. I commute on a train everyday for work, and over the course of a couple of weeks, I developed a fairly sure-fire algorithm toward solving even the most diabolical puzzles. It works so well that, in fact, I usually tackle my puzzles in pen. Over the next couple of posts, I'd like to share my algorithm with you, so that you too can become a Sudoku Master.

Early access to arpanet

2007-07-27T07:27:00.001-04:00

Check out this guy's story of his early online experience. This description was written a while ago. http://keithlynch.net/history.net.html

It bring back memories. I used a teletype (tty) with 110/300 baud acoustically coupled modem from my high school in Fairfax Co., VA to dial in like Keith. I used to type @O 77 on the TIP (Telephone Interface Processor) from my tty to get into MIT's DM machine back in '76 and '77. I played Adventure (ADVENT), but when Zork came out, it had way cooler maps.

Fear

2007-07-26T23:10:00.001-04:00

I was catching a late train home last night, and ducked into the bathroom at Penn Station before boarding. After I unzipped, some crazy guy emerges from one of the toilets and talking to himself very loudly, and he wont stop.

Crazy guy: They don't even know what their doing. They keep pushing you around and shit. Then the next thing you know, you get twenty-five-to-life for ax-i-dental-ly kill-in somebody. Twenty-five to life. Can you imagine that shit? ....
Guy 2 sheet metal urinals down from me: SHUT-UP
Crazy guy: And then, you be walkin down the street tryin to find yo next meal and shit, and there's this long line outsida one dem clubs, and I'll be thinkin to myself, hey, you know, maybe I can get some o dat shit after gettin out ....
G-man, quickly finishing his business and leaving without washing, but trying to decide which guy he's afraid of most.

Telephone Service, or Telephone Number?

2007-07-24T09:51:00.000-04:00

What the telephone companies sell you is a telephone number -- an easy, ubiquitous way for people to get in touch with you. My question is, do you really need to pay for it?

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/peer-to-peer-telephone-service/#comment-9035

How To Travel With Your Child on Priceline

2007-07-22T09:07:00.000-04:00

----- Original Message -----
Subject: Traveler under 18
Product: AIRLINE
Category: About Airline Tickets
Name: G-Man
E-mail Address: robsbox@optonline.net
Request Number:
Comments:
I wish to book three round-trip tickets between LGA and IAD:

One for my 10 y.o.daughter, who will stay with my parents, but travel with me, departing 8/11 on U.S. Airways flight 7505, returning 8/19 on U.S. Airways flight 7929.

Two for me:

First 8/11 on 7505 with my daughter, returning 8/12 on 7929.
Second on 8/17 on 7925, returning 8/19 on 7929 with my daughter.

You see the problem? System won't let me book her ticket because she's "travelling alone", when in fact she's not.

Please advise how I can get around this problem?

----- Response Message -----
From: 'Customer Service'
Date: Saturday, July 21, 2007 10:19 am
Subject: Customer Service (KMM24061323V27531L0KM)
To: G-Man

Dear Mr. G-Man,

Thank you for taking the time to send us an e-mail. We understand that you were unable to book a ticket for your daughter for a trip to IAD.

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (age 18 or > older) when traveling on tickets purchased through us. If you need to purchase a ticket for someone younger than 18 who will be traveling alone, we recommend that you book through the airlines directly so that you can choose appropriate flight times and avoid potential boarding problems.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Vimesh A.
Customer Service Specialist

----- Reply Message -----
From: G-Man
Date: Sunday, July 22, 2007 9:19 am
Subject: Customer Service (KMM24061323V27531L0KM)
To: 'Customer Service'

Dear Vimesh Clueless,

You should read my complaint before answering. The correct answer is, by booking the end legs of the trip as two round-trip tickets together, and then booking the middle legs in reverse as a third round-trip ticket, the tickets could have been booked.

In other words, as an example, instead of booking:

8/11 LGA-IAD
8/12 IDA-LGA

and

8/18 LGA-IAD
8/19 IAD-LGA

for the parent and

8/11 LGA-IAD
8/19 IAD-LGA

for the child, instead book:

8/11 LGA-IAD
8/19 IAD-LGA
for both parent and child together, then book

8/12 IAD-LGA
8/18 LGA-IAD

for parent. My wife Jawbitch figured this out by booking for less through her Amex travel service. Next time, you might want to provide this advice to other potential customers.

Regards,

G-Man

LIRR Vandals

2007-07-20T11:16:00.000-04:00

How To Convert Video for Sansa Media Players

2007-07-18T21:04:00.000-04:00

When I got my Sansa e260 Media Player, I promptly threw away the CD-ROM that came with it. I figured it was compatible with XP, so why do I need the CD? Turns out, if you want to watch videos, you have to use the Sansa Media Converter to convert them.

I've been waiting for a copy to arrive in the mail from Sansa, but it never came. In the meantime, I figured out how to convert videos myself, which I will share with you.

1. Download MPEG Streamclip.
2. Run it, and open the video file you wish to convert.
3. Make sure Sansa USB Mode is MSC. Plug in your Sansa.
4. Choose File, Export to Quicktime.
5. Pick the following options (see below picture):
a. Compression: Apple Motion JPEG B
b. Quality: 0% (or something less than 50% for sure)
c. Frame Size: Other 160 x 208
d. Frame Rate: 15
e. Rotation: 90 CW
f. Zoom: 75%
g. Cropping: checked; Top 0, Left 35, Bottom 0, Right 35
h. Scale: checked

6. Click Make Movie, and save to your Sansa VIDEO directory.
7. Disconnect Sansa and enjoy.

LIRR Graffiti

2007-07-11T09:14:00.000-04:00

Poster: There are 16 million eyes in the city. We're counting on all of them.* If you see something, say something.

Vandal [suppling asterix above]: *They can't see the gap, but are expected to spot terrorists!

I Just Want To Hurt Somebody

2007-07-04T20:12:00.000-04:00

It's tough playing low dollar tournaments. Especially early in the game, when you're playing against complete novices that make bad mistakes, but then suck out on you, like this guy did in the very first hand of this tournament. After I made a nice pre-flop raise, check raised him on the flop, he calls both bets. Then bet all-in on the turn after catching a set of jacks, and I don't fault him for calling, but watch what happens:

Full Tilt Poker Game #2852263594: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (21691880), Table 47 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:01:00 ET - 2007/07/04
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to G_man234 [Jh Jc]
barmaid13 folds
kobe0824 folds
G_man234 has 15 seconds left to act
G_man234 raises to 150
klaymonstr folds
dussault969 folds
ABINRML folds
YneGrwr calls 150
stevo3400 folds
bronzerleaf folds
*** FLOP *** [As 3h Td]
G_man234 checks
YneGrwr has 15 seconds left to act
YneGrwr bets 190
G_man234 raises to 380
YneGrwr has 15 seconds left to act
YneGrwr calls 190
*** TURN *** [As 3h Td] [Jd]
G_man234 bets 970, and is all in
YneGrwr calls 970, and is all in
G_man234 shows [Jh Jc]
YneGrwr shows [8d 9d]
*** RIVER *** [As 3h Td Jd] [Qh]
G_man234 shows three of a kind, Jacks
YneGrwr shows a straight, Queen high
YneGrwr wins the pot (3,045) with a straight, Queen high
G_man234 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,045 | Rake 0
Board: [As 3h Td Jd Qh]
Seat 1: stevo3400 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: bronzerleaf (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: barmaid13 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: kobe0824 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: G_man234 showed [Jh Jc] and lost with three of a kind, Jacks
Seat 6: klaymonstr didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: dussault969 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: ABINRML didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: YneGrwr (button) showed [8d 9d] and won (3,045) with a straight, Queen high

Venus and Saturn

2007-07-01T10:34:00.000-04:00

Last night at dusk, Jawbitch was in awe of Venus. It was very bright near the horizon. She got the telescope out and started looking at it. I noticed a fainter light just above it, so I went in to the Web to see if I could figure it out. I used to have a cool program called Redshift, but instead of loading it, I found this site: Fourmilab. Turns out that the fainter planet was Saturn. Through the telescope, we could see the rings! First time for that, it was really pretty amazing.

Frogburger

2007-06-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

Followup -- Racist Wii

2007-05-18T09:36:00.000-04:00

Apparently I'm not the only one noticing problems:

http://www.gamepoliticsforums.com/showthread.php?t=898

Should I post something on Nintendo's main web site?

Here's a Rerun

2007-05-17T06:55:00.000-04:00

Wii Is A Racist Game

2007-05-14T06:53:00.000-04:00

See for yourself -- my six year old son, playing this particular Mii, said, "here goes the melon thrower."

Why Most Men Are Republicans

2007-05-12T16:50:00.000-04:00

Dink

2007-05-12T06:55:00.000-04:00

You've probably noticed I've been keeping things quiet. Main reason is I've been working really hard. I just got back from vacation, after winning a huge motion that has brought all of my litigation work all-stop hard. Plus, things aren't so blogging friendly at work lately, so I've had to keep my blogging to a minimum. Not to mention that there isn't much newsworthy or striking to report on.

Explanation for "I thought I Could Make It"

2007-04-28T01:56:00.000-04:00

G-Man: So, how did the matress get under your car?

Jawbitch: Well, I was driving back with Mac from CVS, and I saw it hanging half off the curb. You know the part where the dumpsters are? Someone must have ditched it, but it fell off into the narrow alleyway. I tried to go around it, thinking it would just squish down, but somehow, after I turned onto the street, I heard this scraping noise, so I turned both of my sideview mirrors, and there it was, hanging out of the back. I tried to take a sharp curve, but it stuck with me.

G-Man: Why didn't you just try to lose it on the highway?

Jawbitch: Because I was just going home around the corner from the CVS. I couldn't believe that it made it all the way home with me. That's when I called you about the jacks for the car and sent you the picture. Normally our street is a freeway, but nobody was driving down the street and could help me. Then, after I got the car jacked up, the neighbors came. They were hysterical.

G-Man: Yeah, probably because you're like the only person who can perform the toilet paper on your shoe routine with your car.

Don't Blame the Link Theater

2007-04-23T06:50:00.000-04:00

All the trouble with the Link Theater isn't the Link Theater's fault. It's actually MythTV's problem. MythTV's uPnP server is quite buggy in release 0.20. A guy on the forums was trying to get me to compile using the SVN (subversioning) system, but homie don't play that. I'll wait for release 0.21 to come out.

As for transcoding, MythTV can't as yet do lossless transcoding in HD (from MPEG-2 to MPEG-2) to remove commercials. In fact, if you transcode from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, the storage requirements are actually increased. So, for now, I must watch all of my HD programs recorded by MythTV in my bedroom, commercials and all. I can't even fast forward through the commercials. Ce la vie.

"But I Thought I Could Make It"

2007-04-13T19:49:00.000-04:00

I'm taking the train home. At 7 p.m., I get a call from my wife. At first I thought the cell phone connection was bad, but she was laughing hysterically.

Jawbitch: Bwaahhahhahhaha, where's the jack?
G-Man: There's one in the van.
Jawbitch: Ho ho ho, where?
G-Man: In the back on the RHS behind a panel -- WHY?
Jawbitch: Because, ha, I, ha ha ha, asdpouxzhjop8urstls
G-Man: What?
Jawbitch: Ha ha ha ha ahh ha. I'll send you a picture.
G-Man: ok.

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T14:51:00.000-04:00

Nobody's Perfect

2007-03-29T14:54:00.000-04:00

Subject	Tech Support Issues - Link Theater
From	G-man
Date	Wednesday, March 28, 2007 11:25 pm

OS: Linux -- uShare and MythTV servers

1. Can't fast forward .mpg video (max 30 sec, then Link Theater stops). Can hit FF, then PLAY, and it will skip ahead a few seconds -- but it really doesn't work like it should.
2. Can't play .m4a files (I know, probably unsupported codec).
3. Can't find media on linked NFS drive in server's filesystem.
4. Can't find recorded media on MythTV server, except in "all recordings" folder.
5. Music/Video/Photo buttons do not work (screen reports "invalid") -- does not work as advertised.

Other issues related to tech support:

A. 24x7 tech support line does not answer at midnight (waited 20 minutes on hold), never got a hold of a human.

B. Contact form on web site does not allow me to enter this information (Region: US).

Nupplevideo

2007-03-28T22:40:00.000-04:00

Just an addition of an extension name from .nuv to .nuv.mpg and voila! All my old videos are playable on the Link Theater. I got some 24 to catch up on.

Geexbox

2007-03-27T23:23:00.000-04:00

My Link Theater worked like a champ! It found my MythTV server right away. My old recordings, though, were in .nuv format. I must learn how to transcode them so that Link Theater can play them.

Meanwhile, I learned that all kinds of media could be shared by using uShare. I upgraded my Freevo box so that the half-a-terabyte of goodies are available to my Link Theater, in all of its High Definition glory.

Goodbye Xbox

2007-03-25T23:25:00.000-04:00

Well, I think I found the $250 solution to my HiDef problems. First, I did some research on the net, and present the results here. It turns out my MythTV upgrade is uPnP compatible. For you non-techies, what that means is, my backend system is plug-n-play compatible. It's a new standard for audio and video media. In other words, if you purchase a commercially available product that meets the uPnP standard, then it should work with other uPnP products, even my homebrew MythTV box.

After looking at the compatibility list, I decided the best option was the Buffalo Link Theater. I found the least expensive option on NewEgg, at $229. I've placed my order, and will report back with the results.

Goodbye Xbox. Hello Link Theater

Insurance Companies be Dammed

2007-03-24T09:55:00.000-04:00

My stepdad rails against doctors and insurance companies. IMHO, and the real problem is, ins. cos. are in business for themselves. They want to make money, and unfortunately, they can do things that are not in the beneficiaries' best interest, like delay and pay (their most common M.O.). Doctors deliver a service, and now that businesses have shifted health ins. premiums at least partially to the beneficiaries (that is, if you're lucky enough to even have health ins.), it has become a hot button issue.

AFAIK, the best way to fix the problem is to have a baseline federal health insurance HMO, currently known as medicare, and require that all federal employees subscribe to it, including the Congresscritters. If that were the case, you'd see how quickly the problem gets fixed.

Suck Out

2007-03-22T00:17:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting with $20K in chips. I flop the wheel draw. I check it. On the turn, I make the nuts, plus a nut flush draw. To my surprise, LuckyLee bets big and IceColdNuts raises. I come over the top, putting them both all in. They each show a set, and the river screws me.

I'm Totally Uninsurable

2007-03-21T21:12:00.000-04:00

Not even for an unreasonable premium.

If You Can't Say It In Words

2007-03-20T20:58:00.000-04:00

Well, this settles it. My brick ain't too quick. I copied the HD recording of Extreme Makeover Home Edition to /tmp, and then tried to play it with xine. It didn't work. That means NFS is not the problem -- its the stupid 733 MHz Coppermine CPUs that Microsloth put in the box.

And that's what I'm talking about.

So, I need a new, discreet but quick brick.

MythTV upgrade

2007-03-19T21:24:00.000-04:00

Well, the good news is, after a day farting around with it, I got my mythtv backend upgraded to Knoppmyth R5E50. Absolutely no hardware problems. Just sucked on mysql (they changed the protocol in my.cnf) and I kept setting up the backend as root when I should have been mythtv. I could not restore the database either (I was on 0.17). So now I have recorded programs, but no easy way to launch them. But it's done.

I recorded my first program in HD right off the wire. The backend PC plays it like a champ. I upgraded my xbox frontend by updating my /etc/apt/sources.list, as suggested here, but without going to the 1.14 (I'm still on 1.0.3). That worked fine, but the xbox is woefully slow, and does not play the HD program.

I'm going to copy the file over and try playing it locally with mplayer, just to troubleshoot if the problem is NFS. SDTV works fine, and you already know that I got 720p working and playing EDTV. Xbox hasn't the RAM for 1080i.

But face it, our frontends might not have enough horsepower to play HDTV. If this is the case, then we need to search for a new, low cost brick. One with lots of CPU and ram, but that doesn't mean a huge HD. Perhaps one that etherboots really fast.

Let the quest begin.

Crazy Train

2007-03-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

I need your advice. I was mean to a complete stranger today. Here's what happened.

The train was short today, so everyone was packed in like sardines. At Seaford, a woman with a cell phone to her ear walks up and sits in the bench catycorner from me. I recognize her as a repeat offender. She's talking loud, and I could barely hear what I was listening to on my mp3 player. After several minutes of waiting for a break in her conversation:

G-Man: Could you please finish your conversation and hang up?
Lady, obnoxiously: No.
G-Man: Please.
Lady, very nasty and annoyed: No.
G-Man: Can you see the sign above my head? It indicates no radios.
Lady: It's not a radio, it's a cell phone.
G-Man: It's a radiotelephone. Please turn it off.
Lady: It's a cell phone. NO.

Now I'm pissed.

G-Man: How do you think the signal gets from your phone to the other one, idiot?
Lady: I'm not an idiot, it's a cell phone. Why don't you turn off your radio?
G-Man: Oh, I'm sorry. I can't hear what I was listening to with all your blabbering, but if its really bothering you, I'll just turn it off and listen to your half of your conversation.
Lady, on her cell phone: Hold on, i got another call (hits flashook, ignores me).

I felt bad. 5 minutes after she hangs up, her phone rings again, and she answers it, but sulks talking quietly in the corner.

My question is, should I have said I was sorry for calling her an idiot?

Cleaning Up

2007-02-23T12:38:00.000-05:00

My kitchen is done, but not yet painted. I'll post pictures of the job soon, probably some construction pics this weekend. Just got back from Kalamazoo, MI, and have much to catch up on. In the meantime, now that our firm has followed suit and raised our salaries to NY market rate (thus giving me a 25% raise -- which is HUGE), I have to clean up my house too.

Won't you buy some of my shit? Hurry, offer expires really soon:

Color TV
Sharp Microwave Oven
HiFi VCR
Computer Monitor

Your Cheating Harp

2007-01-31T22:02:00.000-05:00

Just a little tribute to my stepdad. You go man!

Owned By A Baby

2007-01-27T11:55:00.000-05:00

Philosopher?

2007-01-25T20:11:00.000-05:00

Digging up Videos

2007-01-22T12:37:00.000-05:00

I moved 13 times before I graduated from high school. After moving 3 times during and before graduating from college, I entered the navy, and moved 6 more times. I've lived in five different places after leaving the navy before I bought my first house. I stayed in that house for 7 years before I moved again into my present house. I hate moving.

But, I've almost forgot the sheer joy of going through all my possessions, getting rid of the junk, and revisiting the treasures. Because of the kitchen remodelling, I've been looking through stuff and found a small cache of videos. I'll post a few for ya on youtube.

Stomach Virus

2007-01-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I started to feel bad just before lunchtime. Thinking maybe some soup would help, I grabbed a can of clam chowder sitting on our makeshift shelves in the dining room. As I opened it, I noticed the consistency appeared somewhat like dog food. I figured that it would melt in the microwave, but then I looked at the bottom of the can. It was dated November 5, 2003.

I spent the rest of the day in bed with 102 degree temperature and the runs. I wonder if I would have lived had I ate that soup.

The Kitchen Remodelling

2007-01-14T11:58:00.000-05:00

Jawbitch is making a makeshift kitchen in the dining room in advance of the gutting of our kitchen.

Jawbitch: What am I gonna do with this stuff in the back refrigerator? We have to defrost it so we can move it into the dining room.

G-Man: I'll just order a half-yarder and we can fill it up to the brim with all these condiments.

Jawbitch: Boy we have alot of condiments, don't we? Hey, those resin shelves you put up look crooked.

G-Man: That's because the floor isn't level. Besides, those shelves are going into the garage after this is all over with. I'll level them as best I can, but just put stuff on them. It's not like they are a picture. The stuff won't roll off of it.

Happy New Year

2007-01-07T14:08:00.000-05:00

We all need something to hold on to.

And Happy Kwanzaa

2006-12-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

The origin of Kwanzaa.