That episode of Now with PT that I mentioned earlier

is now live.  If you watch it all the way to the end, you'll see one of the two personal connections I mentioned in an earlier blog post.



Not my best moment, to be sure, but I thought folks might find it amusing.

Tomorrow, I'll explain the other connection.

Enjoy.

Sometimes, I hate technology

I use a lot of different types of computers.  I've been doing that for years.  I'm pretty handy with all the major system types.  I'm used to weathering and debugging upgrade and installation issues.  So, late last night, when I did an upgrade to the system I'm currently using as my main home computer, I thought I'd be okay. 

Foolish me.

The system has been a brick ever since, able to boot to a glowing screen and no more.  I have lost a day working on this, and I'm no closer to a solution than I was before.  I've sought online help, but so far, no luck,

Very frustrating.

I generally love tech, and I love working in tech, but not today, not since late last night.

He's baaaack

Liam Neeson, that is, in January, in the third installment of the Taken series. 



Clearly, I will be there.

Gone Girl

is a faithful adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name, which is not a surprise given that she also wrote the screenplay.  The movie, like the book, is a beautiful construct with an unusual and complex plot that ultimately makes us consider the darker side of relationships.  Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike deliver excellent performances; in fact, the entire cast does a very good job.  David Fincher directs with a sure and creepy hand.  Everything works well. 

Of course, by being such a faithful rendering of the novel, the movie shares with the novel a profound weakness:  The more you get to know these characters, the less you care about them, and the more appalled at their behavior you become. 

If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, I don't want to spoil either for you, so I'll stop by saying that I recommend either or both for the skill of their construction, but don't blame me if you walk away afterward not at all happy with any of the characters.

Another thing I don't understand

Huge smiles.

I'm not talking grins here, or regular smiles; no, I'm referring to those politician and model smiles, ones in which the people doing the smiling seem to grow extra teeth just for the occasion.  I honestly don't understand how people do that.  Their lips spread and spread, more and more teeth appear, and still they are clearly, if sometimes obviously forcibly, smiling.

When I try to smile like that, I look positively deranged.  My expression changes from its normal neutral state, which many folks have characterized as "I might just kill you," to a positively insane "I'm going to kill you, rip your skin off in one pull, and gnaw on your bloody bones while abusing myself" sort of look.  Unless you're trying to get a seat on a crowded bus or give small children nightmares for weeks, this is not a good face to deploy.  It worries people. 

I clearly missed the necessary lessons, because I don't understand how these people manage such huge smiles. I expect I never will.

Another episode of Now with PT is live

and you should check it out.  It's the sixth one we've produced, and it covers some very interesting tech.  Enjoy.



Though I'm unwilling to say why, I will note that the upcoming seventh episode has special personal meaning for me.  I'll definitely announced it when it goes live.

Finally

On Friday, a court decision finally made it legal for any two people in North Carolina to marry one another.

About damn time.

Two years ago, my state passed an amendment to its constitution that prohibited same-sex marriage or civil unions.  About 35% of the registered voters turned out, and they passed it overwhelmingly, roughly 61% to 39%.  I was bummed.

Today, a series of court decisions, started about a week ago by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear same-sex marriage cases, effectively over-ruled that amendment.  I am thrilled.

Most of all, I am happy that all my friends--all the citizens of North Carolina--can marry the people they love, should they so choose.