I have mixed feelings on this one

Usually I detest rock'n'roll, good rock'n'roll, being used to market shit in TV ads.

Then Victoria's Secret started using Hendrix's Red House. Not only do they use our barcodes, it's Jimi.

Do I hate the corporate propaganda more than I love classic Jimi? Not to mention the babes...

Seeing a man 'bout a horse

I find myself in Boston. Usually that's a good thing: one of my favorite cities, lived here for 7 hrs & visit often, old friends, know my way around without a map, etc.

This day-after-Election-Day sees me here after a JetBlue redeye outta Seattle, meeting a potential business partner at the Concord Starbucks at 11, and home again tonight. Cross country in less than 24 hours; no hotel involved.

Not to mention that I was just in The Bay for a long weekend leading up to this. Road warrior, that's me.

If nothing else it looks like the GOP got spanked last night. Now if only the Dems grow a spine...

Speak up if you drink Starbucks coffee

Starbucks loves to brag about how socially responsible they are. I'll admit that they're less slimey than the average corporation. Reading this makes me think that there's more they could be doing. What do you think???

Ahhhh.... barcodes. Warms me heart they do.

There's something deeply satisfying about bringing a new barcode web site to life. Doubly so when one is about Code 128 barcodes. Know what I mean?

Home Ec

I never learned how to sew, but this article makes me wish I did.

Never too late, ehhh?

Good Advice From OakTown

Black Panther Party reunion in Oakland

We had a great weekend in Oakland. Spent time with my brother David. Iguana Joe was in from Boston. Saw both Craig and his brother Mick. Dropped by to see Pirkle in Mill Valley.

The trip centered around a number of events surrounding the 40th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. We went to a book signing and banquet dinner Saturday night. There was a photo op on the Alameda County Court House steps Sunday morning. I took lots of pictures Sunday. Pretty darn good pictures if I may say so myself.

Coleman and Bryan were truly inspired, as were we all.

Barcodes: once jargon, now slang

I collect photos of barcode tattoos, barcode graffiti, , graffiti t-shirts, etc. No surprise given that I own a barcode software company.

I've written a white paper, "Barcodes: once jargon, now slang" (PDF). Summary: barcodes have been part of our collective visual vocabulary.

Now go read it.

It's that "life" thing again.

Or maybe I should say that "living on this planet, in this corner of the universe" thing. I do hope someone explains when it's all over. Or during the commercial break between incarnations.

Shouldn't I never see this?

Someone tell me why oh why I should ever see this dialog box. The check box is checked.

Jackass Number Two Trailer

Go Number Two on September 22nd

...one more thing Santa

As long as we're talking about wood (no, not that kind perv), Santa can ya git me this too.

You the man, Nick.

Dear Santa

Santa, I've been a good boy this year. Soooo, would you entertain something like this as a holiday reward? You don't even have to read Japanese to appreciate how hip this is.

Pleeeeease...

Jones Soda

It seems like forever since I've had a photo of mine grace a bottle of Jones Soda.

So I'm back at it again.

HHDL Vancouver webcast et al.

Seminal event. That's the best way I can describe seeing HH The Dalai Lama in Vancouver a couple weeks ago. You can read the books but there's nothing like being in his presence.

Just to make sure I wasn't fooling myself I listened to his talk again via this webcast (Cultivating Happiness, skip to :50). Yep. He's the real deal.

Bryan and I watched Kundun last night. Whoa. Great compliment to Little Monk, an HBO documentary we saw about a young monk.

I've been sitting since March. I've gone as far as I can. I need a teacher. (That's me asking the Buddha.)

BTW, HHDL is coming to The Bay in April07.

engadet does gizmodo

Is it me or does the newly redesigned engadget bear a suspiciously striking resemblence to Gizmodo?

You be the judge.

Teen-aged boys

It's been over 6 weeks since my 17 yr old hit me. Needless to say, I've never gone this long without seeing any of my kids. Number one son is hiding at his mother's house or should I say "behind his mother's apron".

Some women recognize what's going on, almost all men grok it in fullness.

1a: karma is real
1b: payback's a bitch
1c: now I know how my father felt (tho I never smacked him nor spent time in juvy

2: as a Buddhist who believes in reincarnation, I realize it may take while before Michael grows up and learns the lesson(s) at hand

3: while my other two are watching their older brother, I pray they at least make their own (different) mistakes

This may take awhile.

Speaking of family, I had a great trip home last week. Spent lots of time with Mom, who's doing incredibly well after 2 breast cancer operations in 6 weeks. The unexpected joy was spending mucho quality time with my brother. As in 3 meals in three days. Not to mention is seemingly normal new girlfriend. Big shout out to Bruce'n'Barb as well. Ahhhh, Cleveland. Land of my birth.

HHDL in Vancouver

Lisa and I saw His Holiness the Dalai Lama today in Vancouver. He's here for the opening of a new center.

Tears streamed down my face though his speech was what I called "Dalai Lama Lite". Lovely enough but not a spiritual talk per se. I've been reading a handful of his books lately and I guess I had my hopes set a bit too high.

Being in his presence and hearing his voice was a joy. A true joy.

Perhaps the most touching moment was when he entered the room and his two RCMP escorts clasped their hands together and bowed to him. F*cking secret service agents wouldn't have done that. Oh yeah, it was qualatatively different being in Canada seeing him.

I promise to work harder for the enlightenment of all sentient beings. Each and every day.


Om mani padme hum.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Lisa and I are on our way to Vancouver BC today to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak tomorrow.

First time. I could use the inspiration about now.