Rob’s blog of posts

Among other things on last night’s Off the Hook, we had the privilege of speaking with Michelle Kempner, wife of James Powderly. There wasn’t all that much new info to report, but the interview is well worth a listen to anyone interested in the story. You can listen to the segment here or the entire show here.

Updates on James and his situation will be posted to his Free Art & Technology blog.

Off the Hook will be off the air for the next couple of weeks, making way for WBAI’s coverage of the Democratic and Republican national conventions. The show will return on September 10.

(in a mocking tone of mockery)
“Oooh, look at me! I’m Rob and I’m correct!”

She’s visiting me tomorrow. I smile!

Nice article on eclecticism here on Witchvox.

A short “best of” from the PLA panel at The Last HOPE has been posted to Youtube. Enjoy ten minutes of universal love and understanding here.

My HOPE photos are almost ready, they’ll go up tonight. Until then, you can check out Whitesword’s gallery entitled “Captain Cactus and friends,” featuring his photos of people all over HOPE holding the inflatable cactus we gave him. Whitesword’s cactus posed with such luminaries as Emmanuel Goldstein, Captain Crunch, the 2600 van, and TV’s Adam Savage. His pic of me, the cactus, and the lovely RogueClown is my new desktop.

Update from my sister Jo and her husband.. I’m having a nephew! Woo and yay!

I’ll bet you thought I wouldn’t do it.

Well, I did.

Got back from The Last HOPE this afternoon, and have been recuperating slowly. I shall write about it and post photos in a day or so.

All my deepest thanks to everyone who attended, presented, volunteered, and was otherwise part of the conference, and special thanks to my fellow core staff members for the privilege of working with them.

A few weeks ago, the Hotel Pennsylvania had officially declared the dates of The Last HOPE - this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - to be sold out completely. However, word is that they have just released a small number of rooms for the con dates due to cancellations, non-payment, and such.

So if you were hoping to get a room there during the con but weren’t able to, call 212-736-5000 and speak to a human ASAP. They probably won’t give you the discounted convention rate, but if you’re really nice to them and have some good karma to burn, anything is possible.

You are on a generic city street.
There are pedestrians here.
There is a car here.

> STEAL CAR

You force open the door of the car, pull out the protesting owner,
and sit in his place.  The victim gesticulates angrily at you from
outside the car.

You are in a car.  There is a rap song playing on the stereo.
There are pedestrians here.
There is an angry car-theft victim here.

> DRIV CAR

I don't know how to DRIV.

> DRIVE CAR

You put your foot on the gas pedal, and the car moves forward.

You are in a moving car.  There is rap music playing on the stereo.

There is traffic here.
There are pedestrians here.

> CHANGE STATION

You change the radio station.

You are in a moving car.  There is country/western music playing on
the stereo.

There is traffic here.
There are pedestrians here.

> KILL PEDESTRIANS

What would you like to kill the pedestrians with?

> KILL PEDESTRIANS WITH CAR

You deliberately drive over some of the pedestrians.  Their horrific
screams of panic and anguish drown out the radio.  Their broken
bodies fly off in various amusing directions.  Other pedestrians flee
in terror at the carnage-laden sight, while still others ignore the
situation entirely.

You are in a moving car.  There is country/western music playing on
the stereo.

There is traffic here.
There are pedestrians here.

> CHANGE STATION

You change the radio station.

You are in a moving car. There is talk radio loaded with subtle
social commentary playing on the stereo.

There is traffic here.
There are pedestrians here.

> _

Due to personal and professional workloads, it looks like Grey and I won’t be able to make it to the backup 2600 meeting tonight like we had planned to.

How shall I put this… hmm, “aw, crap” about covers it.

The work is going great though, and we’re really excited about HOPE. A week from today, folks! Be there or be an equilateral rectangle!

Speaking of shapes, LOOK AT THIS FREAKING PIZZA.

Just a reminder for the NYC2600 crowd.. the meeting is still going on today in whatever altered state we find the city in. It’ll be shorter than normal, because the vaguely-thought-out plan is to make our way over to somewhere we can view the fireworks from.

Next week will be a backup meeting in which things are meant to be back to normal, in case you’re not into all the hullabaloo of today.

(11:07:32) mister murd0c: we will not go quietly into the night
(11:07:37) mister murd0c: we will not vanish without a fight
(11:07:41) mister murd0c: we’re going to live on
(11:07:43) mister murd0c: we’re going to survive
(11:07:46) mister murd0c: TODAY
(11:07:50) mister murd0c: WE CELEBRATE
(11:07:59) mister murd0c: OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY
(11:08:02) mister murd0c: omfg
(11:08:40) Rob T Firefly: Aw HELL naw

Those of you who listen to hacker radio show Off the Hook may have noticed my dulcet tones being blurted out in the studio once or twice over the past few weeks.

I think I finally started to hit my stride on last night’s episode. I actually found myself growing comfortable in front of that microphone.

Sure, I’ve been on podcasts and things now and then, and I could win awards for prattling. But there’s just something about being in that WBAI studio, speaking with a great group of people, as part of a program of which I’ve been a fan for most of my life. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

Ain’t It Cool News reports that a complete print of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis has turned up in Buenos Aires.

(found via Christopher Knight)

My friend drives a space shuttle.