Monthly Archives: August 2004

Linux Insider reports: Microsoft portrayed its Longhorn decision as a necessary winnowing to hit the 2006 timetable. The announcement on Friday, Microsoft executives insisted, did not point to a setback in software development but showed that the company had a … Continue reading →

I’m heading out to march against Bush and the Republican convention. It’s my first political demonstration in many years. Once I did protest politics more often; ultimately I became disenchanted, not with the causes but with the organizations (or, given … Continue reading →

Once upon a time I was a pale thin sixth grader with soft wire-rim glasses. The glasses bent hangdog to the curves of my face, and in the discount undercurrent of the times I favored shirts in slicky plastic blends … Continue reading →

While our mission for last week’s trip to Amsterdam was to disencumber a friend’s beer cellar, doing the job right was thirsty work. Silent Seth and I shirked our scheduled vices one day and snuck off for a long full … Continue reading →

The truth of it is that late in college, pot just got boring. Somewhere around 1986 the fumes wore off the rose. I remember the moment precisely, probably because I wasn’t smoking at the time. Mom, you can just stop … Continue reading →

To the questionable index of Sorta Great Ideas we must add the Godchecker site, a Holy database (or d@tabase, as they would have it) of all known gods. Make that all the gods they’ve gotten to, rather — no entries … Continue reading →

Salk Institute scientists report that they have turned ordinary mice into marathon racers with a single mutation. They immediately leap to the conclusion that an “exercise pill” is just around the corner. They’re scientists, they must know. And I want … Continue reading →

I first learned to ride a bicycle in the bazaar in Udaipur when I was nearly 30, and frankly it’s lucky we all got out of there in one coherent chunk. We rented our steel-girder Hero bikes from a nearby … Continue reading →

By reputation, Amsterdam is a smoldering crucible of sin, scandal, and iniquity, casually decked with a garland of nested canals. In fact, Amsterdam is a friendly, popular, and diverse city which gives every indication of being a terrific place to … Continue reading →

We three Pepper principals - Pierre and I, and Silent Seth - are bound for Amsterdam this afternoon. Nudge nudge, wink wink, yes, apparently they consume narcotics in Amsterdam, who knew. Believe it or not, we’re going for the beer, … Continue reading →