There’re quite a few posts on security screening and its shortcomings over the past week or so, which prompted me to do a little round-up:
Bruce Schneier and Xeni at BoingBoing have posts about the poor performance of security screeners at Newark airport. My relatives just went through that airport on their way back from here. The also had stories of a run-in with an overly zealous screener in Midland.
Then there’s another BoingBoing article about a mouthbreathing screener in New Zealand who wouldn’t allow a passenger to bring on his clearly marked insulin, causing the passenger to go into DKA and require hospitalization.
These reminded me of a Scott Adams post about dangerous containers. And if you haven’t already heard about it, check out his post about how he cured himself of Spasmodic Dysphonia. You should read Scott’s blog because he’s a political genius and because this last run of Dilbert strips was hilarious.
And don’t forget your Kip Hawley Is An Idiot baggie when you’re on your way through screening so you can test the War on Free Speech as well.
P.S. I totally forgot the part where I make this all about me…because everyone knows that’s all that matters. The most important casualty in the War on Moisture is that I can no longer get relatives (mainly my sister) to smuggle bottles of Stone Pale Ale, Ruination or other special flavors that I can’t get deep in the heart of Texas in carry-on luggage when they happen to be in more enlightened parts of the country. Damn you, Greg Koch! Distribute all of your highly addictive products in Austin! Stat!
Austinist has a list of horror films showing around town tonight. However, they left out a two classics showing at Spider House in addition to Alien.
Chipotle is giving away free burritos today to customers dressed like a burrito or other Chipotle food product. I know what Ozzy Osbourne is dressing up as today. I’m guessing the price of a roll of aluminum foil is cheaper than a burrito? Can’t Freebirds come up with something better?
The kids from Escuelita Del Alma will do their annual downtown trick-or-treat rounds this afternoon, so watch out for all the little ghouls, goblins and princesses. They’re ending their walk at city hall this year to deliver postcards of support in their bid to remain downtown in the face of new development that could displace them.
News8Austin takes us on a tour of Haunted Austin. I’ve also heard that the now vacant Hard Rock Cafe building may have a ghost or two.
Most of you probably already know John Hodgman as PC from the Get a Mac ad campaign for Apple. He’s also a contributor to This American Life and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
He’ll be at BookPeople tonight at 7pm, plugging the paperback release of his book, Areas of My Expertise. BoingBoing had a post earlier this month on the book tour and other Hodgmania. He’s supposed to be very funny. Go check it out!
Must…avoid…obligatory…juvenile…urine…reference…
Wiley got to attend a super seekret invite only preview party of the unfortunately named new Nintendo console, Wii, last night. (What the hell was wrong with Revolution anyway?). Check out his full review here.
I’d really like to get one of these, but I’m having a hard time convincing myself that it’s ok to spend over $200 on a console. Sure, it’s cheaper than an XBox 360 or a Playstation 3, but what happened to $99? I got bills to pay.
I’ve seen this a few different places, but you’ve only got two hours left before the onslaught of the undead.
From Natasha:
Join other zombies as we terrorize downtown in our search for delicious brains! We will meet Friday, October 27th at 7:30pm at City Hall to organize our zombie invasion. The mob will last for about an hour. The route we will take will take us from 1) City Hall to 2) 4th & Colorado to 3) 5th & Congress and finally to 4) 6th & Brazos. The group will take various methods to get to each point so it seems that zombies are coming from all directions.
What to Wear: If you show up still living be prepared to be eaten and turned into the undead. There are really two ways to go here, freshly killed or decomposing corpse. A freshly killed zombie will look normal except for some obvious flesh wounds. A decomposing zombie will have been around longer and therefore be in a much worse condition. Be creative!
I’ll look for photos on Flickr tomorrow, but if anyone sees any or attends, please link them in the comments.
Update (2006.10.31): Here’s a flickr set from the zombie flashmob.
Earlier this month, Austinist pointed me to the UT Campus Safety reports and they’ve been providing endless amusement ever since. I couldn’t help but post a few highlights from last night.
You’ve got to love the sarcastic tone of the reports and kudos to the second subject who appears to have thoroughly marked his territory at the intersection of Guadalupe and 26th. I can’t help but wonder what these people have planned for the rest of the weekend. It was only Thursday night for cryin’ out loud. I guess they’re just trying to live up to the #1 Party School ranking released at the end of August. Well done, kids.
10-27-06, at 12:33 AM. – 2000 BLOCK RIO GRANDE
Public Intoxication: A UT student was observed staggering and stumbling as she attempted to walk along a flat sidewalk. The officer observed that the subject was missing a shoe. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the subject’s breath and noted her confused state of mind. The subject informed the officer that she had drunk too much at a party and that the boys were kissing her. She then informed the officer that she got upset when her boyfriend left the party. The officer allowed the subject the opportunity to use a life line and contact a friend, the friend hung up on her. The subject was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and transported to Central Booking.
10-27-06, at 2:07 AM. – 400 BLOCK WEST 26th STREET
Public Intoxication: A UT student was observed falling into a metal fence while providing alcohol-enriched compost for a local area home owner. After filling the allotment, the subject continued to vomit on himself. During the investigation the officer observed that the subject had attempted, unsuccessfully, to evacuate other bodily fluids. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the subject’s breath and observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. While talking to the subject, the subject lost his balance and fell, causing the officer to catch him before he hit the ground. The subject was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and transported to Central Booking.
10-27-06, at 3:28 AM – 100 BLOCK WEST 21st STREET
Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor (2 Counts): A UT student was observed supporting another UT student as both were attempting to negotiate the hidden contours of a straight sidewalk. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the breaths of both subjects. The officer discovered that both subjects were under the legal age of 21. Both subjects were issued a field release citation for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor.