Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Ella - for Bruce

Ella, Ella, Ella...

Who first comes to mind?


Hint:

ella fitzgerald

The person behind the name is a legend.

So is the dog behind the name.

ella the malamute

Ella is Bruce's malamute. The American Kennel Club describes the malamute like this: "The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, is a powerful and substantially built dog with a deep chest and strong, well-muscled body." Wikipedia's entry includes this description of a malamute's bark: "While they may bark like other dog breeds, Malamutes normally tend to "talk" by vocalizing a "woo woo" sound. They may howl like wolves or coyotes when feeling excited, sad, or lonely."

Ella is a BIG dog! The photo above was taken in the summer; now, in late fall/winter, she's much bigger due to her double coat. She likes to destroy squeaky toys, responds to refrigerator doors opening, and is working on her Christmas list. The Big Dog store is probably one of her fave places to shop!

Bruce, this one is for you!

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Plethora of passwords and logjam of logins

I have now officially hit my limit of logins and passwords that I can remember! I don't plan on resorting to post-its on my computer or not-so-secret files on my computer or hints written on a card I carry in my wallet. I don't! But I've found that all the "normal" variations on the themes that I use for both logins and passwords have just exceeded the capacity of my short-term memory. + or - seven, hunh? Well, now I'm into the double-digits on accounts. At least UC Berkeley is moving towards a single authenticated login. Hexadecimal WEP keys? Forget it!

The parking guys on campus like my car!

Sunday, November 27, 2005

My new car -- The Blue Toaster!

After 11 years of loving my Toyota Corolla wagon, I succumbed to pain, or rather the relief of pain while driving (details provided upon request, many versions are available) and bought, on the recommendation of Steve, The Mechanic, a Scion XB.

Dianne's blue Scion XB also known as The Toaster

The Scion line is made by Toyota (a Corolla engine underneath) and marketed to the 18-25 year old set. Gen Y? Gen Z? Gen ...? Ergo the iPod connection, the sound system, the options that include flames on the sides and neon-lit foot pedals. However, blogs for Scion XB owners reveal a different story: the older folks are the strongest advocates!

It's the inside space.

It's the way the seat helps you Sit Up.

It's the great visibility.

It's the height.

So, the Toaster angle. Susan, a 30-something, said it was "cool, BUT reminded [her] of a toaster." This comment, unfortunately, I heard the day before seeing a couple of Wallace and Gromit films. These multiple exposures to the "toaster" concept became fixed in my mind. It now becomes part of how I, er, "explain" the car.

Wallace and Gromit at the breakfast table with the tv-toaster

OK, this is a picture of Wallace's toaster-tv, an idea whose time has not yet come, but the concept is communicated: Square. A box.

Now when you're driving in a car that people stop and look at (as in "That car is weird! It looks like a toaster!), you tend to not be aware that they're actually pointing to or indicating YOUR vehicle. I was, like most of us, used to driving a pretty typical car, hard to describe since there are so many on the road. Certainly no one stopped me and said, with my previous car, "Hey! Is that your car?" Now, however, they do.

My identity has never been tied up in my car. I didn't even have a car the eight years I lived in Asia. (Although there is a story of a carjacking in the Philippines to tell someday.)

I love my car! I give people rides. Comments range from:

* "It's so...minimlist!" (Jim)
* "Cool!" (Terence)
* "I like it!" (Jose)
* "Can you take me to school tomorrow morning at 7:30?" and "Can all my friends go for a ride?" (Suzie)
* "Cool car, isn't it?" (A neighbor who has one)
* "I think it's pretty cool. Where's the iPod connection? Good sound!" (Thomas)

and

* "It reminds me of a toaster!" (Susan)

Heh, heh.

dw