Darth Gerard's PlanTM for the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith premiere is coming together. He now has the Gold Class cinema booked. Imagine my frustration when, just days ago, I agreed to book tickets with other friends instead of, say, bringing them along with me to Gold Class to finally meet the Dark Lord of the Office.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I should really have got a photo of Darth Gerard before he left.
PPS - One of the ones with his lightsabre would have worked well.
Wednesday, 13 April 2005
Tuesday, 12 April 2005
Cheque me out update
As it stood, my previous electronic cheque proposal required widespread changes to online businesses, presumably at great cost. Those changes that catch on most quickly require change only from one end and are backwards-compatible. Therefore, I'd propose that the banks issuing electronic cheques verify those charges through the same external interface by which they perform ordinary credit card transactions. That is, an electronic cheque for use online becomes a one-use, quick-expiry very-low-limit credit card, with its own valid number, but linked to its parent account.
Here's an example: I want to buy something from SlightlyDodgy.com, an online store that is not particularly reputable, but is the only place I can find the goods I want. I go to my bank website and log in to get access to my credit card account. Let's say, for argument's sake that it has a limit of $4000.00 - clearly more than I want to risk in dealing with SlightlyDodgy.com. I instruct the bank to fill out an electronic cheque for $50, the amount of my purchase, and it issues me with a temporary card number in my name and with an expiry date 2 months from now (since card expiry dates are by month and it might be right near the end of a month). I can now go to SlightlyDodgy.com and enter the temporary card details, knowing full well that they cannot take more than the purchase price and cannot hold my card details for later fraudulent use.
The disadvantage of this system is still the same as before - it's very slightly harder to use than just giving out full access to my $4000.00 credit card. It also means that banks will issue lots more credit card numbers than they currently do, but since they expire so quickly, they can be re-used now and then.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - It turns out that my original idea is not too original.
PPS - I think this is a resonable compromise.
Here's an example: I want to buy something from SlightlyDodgy.com, an online store that is not particularly reputable, but is the only place I can find the goods I want. I go to my bank website and log in to get access to my credit card account. Let's say, for argument's sake that it has a limit of $4000.00 - clearly more than I want to risk in dealing with SlightlyDodgy.com. I instruct the bank to fill out an electronic cheque for $50, the amount of my purchase, and it issues me with a temporary card number in my name and with an expiry date 2 months from now (since card expiry dates are by month and it might be right near the end of a month). I can now go to SlightlyDodgy.com and enter the temporary card details, knowing full well that they cannot take more than the purchase price and cannot hold my card details for later fraudulent use.
The disadvantage of this system is still the same as before - it's very slightly harder to use than just giving out full access to my $4000.00 credit card. It also means that banks will issue lots more credit card numbers than they currently do, but since they expire so quickly, they can be re-used now and then.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - It turns out that my original idea is not too original.
PPS - I think this is a resonable compromise.
Monday, 11 April 2005
The Great Nerd Drive of '05
Supanova. There are three kinds of people who stink: those who are covered in something smelly, those whose sweat naturally stinks, and those who smell bad because they simply do not wash. This third type is the kind you will meet at a pop culture convention. I carried deodorant and was sorely tempted to use it on more than one occasion, if only to mask the smell of these other people. Fortunately, not everyone was part of the mass of the unwashed - some were costumed instead.
The best reason to go to a convention is if you are a comic book or figurine collector. I am neither, so most of my time was spent wandering around pretending to be interested in such things. I did catch Ray Park talking about Star Wars and teaching some people to spin lightsabres, at least in theory. I also saw the first three episodes of Full Metal Alchemist, and I think I could get into anime, as long as it's about good stories. I'd definitely be interested in a Fullmetal Alchemist MMORPG.
It's good every now and then to remind yourself that there are people who are sadder than you. Seeing fourty-five-year-old men dressed as Spiderman, The Phantom and Batman really encouraged me that I am normal. The fact that I had no interest in the trading card games and could not identify most of the merchandise for sale lifted my spirits. I am, relatively speaking, grounded in reality and have normal interests.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I'm bringing nose plugs for next year.
PPS - And possibly a Jedi robe.
The best reason to go to a convention is if you are a comic book or figurine collector. I am neither, so most of my time was spent wandering around pretending to be interested in such things. I did catch Ray Park talking about Star Wars and teaching some people to spin lightsabres, at least in theory. I also saw the first three episodes of Full Metal Alchemist, and I think I could get into anime, as long as it's about good stories. I'd definitely be interested in a Fullmetal Alchemist MMORPG.
It's good every now and then to remind yourself that there are people who are sadder than you. Seeing fourty-five-year-old men dressed as Spiderman, The Phantom and Batman really encouraged me that I am normal. The fact that I had no interest in the trading card games and could not identify most of the merchandise for sale lifted my spirits. I am, relatively speaking, grounded in reality and have normal interests.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I'm bringing nose plugs for next year.
PPS - And possibly a Jedi robe.
Sunday, 10 April 2005
The Sunday Mok - Concentrated Action
Last Sunday morning was the first time since the Easter play that I'd walked into church and seen the chairs moved back to their usual configuration. That was, somehow, a little sad for me. I caught a bus home, and I saw a bus that had collided with a ute just past my stop. I would have been on that bus if I'd left church a few minutes earlier.
Monday at work was just more of the daily routine. It's getting a little bit tedious, I suppose. I played City of Heroes in the evening and got to level 14 with my second character - she can fly properly now, rather than just hovering.
Tuesday I skipped karate to attend the final church fair meeting, which started rather early - 6pm. They ordered pizza and I couldn't recall hearing in advance that there would be food. More CoH in the evening.
I spent Wednesday mostly in design mode, so the amount of code I wrote was minimal. I'd like to hear concretely exactly what we want out of this Venture system. I felt stressed, and it's the kind of stress that doesn't go away just by relaxing.
Thursday was bits and pieces of everything. Work, phone calls, leaflet delivery (for the church fair) and signing up for Relay For Life.
Friday I knuckled down at work to get the broad strokes of Venture up and running, because we want it going by next week, even if it's basic. In the evening I went to Bronwyn's farewell party and got home about 02:30. It was good to see people again, since I'm way too slack to organise such a thing myself.
On Saturday I went to Supanova. The best bits were seeing Ray Park (AKA Darth Maul) and Fullmetal Alchemist, about to be released on DVD. I'll post a fuller report tomorrow.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Tired now.
PPS - Today promises to be as busy as yesterday.
Monday at work was just more of the daily routine. It's getting a little bit tedious, I suppose. I played City of Heroes in the evening and got to level 14 with my second character - she can fly properly now, rather than just hovering.
Tuesday I skipped karate to attend the final church fair meeting, which started rather early - 6pm. They ordered pizza and I couldn't recall hearing in advance that there would be food. More CoH in the evening.
I spent Wednesday mostly in design mode, so the amount of code I wrote was minimal. I'd like to hear concretely exactly what we want out of this Venture system. I felt stressed, and it's the kind of stress that doesn't go away just by relaxing.
Thursday was bits and pieces of everything. Work, phone calls, leaflet delivery (for the church fair) and signing up for Relay For Life.
Friday I knuckled down at work to get the broad strokes of Venture up and running, because we want it going by next week, even if it's basic. In the evening I went to Bronwyn's farewell party and got home about 02:30. It was good to see people again, since I'm way too slack to organise such a thing myself.
On Saturday I went to Supanova. The best bits were seeing Ray Park (AKA Darth Maul) and Fullmetal Alchemist, about to be released on DVD. I'll post a fuller report tomorrow.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Tired now.
PPS - Today promises to be as busy as yesterday.
Friday, 8 April 2005
It's gonna be a long weekend
And by "long" I don't mean that there's a public holiday on Monday, either. I mean I've got a party tonight, Supanova and another party on Saturday and two church services plus a lunch and training event on Sunday. I'll probably stumble into work on Monday still asleep.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - That's assuming I catch the right bus while asleep.
PPS - Maybe I should wake up for that part.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - That's assuming I catch the right bus while asleep.
PPS - Maybe I should wake up for that part.
Thursday, 7 April 2005
It looks easier on the ad
Every couple of months a responsible cat owner treats their pet for the various kinds of worms that can somehow invade their bodies. We previously used some chewy meat-flavoured tablets to treat for heartworm and let the vet handle the rest. The heartworm tablets were good. Our feline friend enjoyed them. She would appear and happily wolf it down, just barely remembering to chew.
Last time we went back to buy more, they were unavailable and we got some vials of poison that treat for fleas plus four kinds of worms. That is the only sense in which they are better. Now the cat can smell it coming, and she hates it. When we can find her, she turns into a spinning vortex of razor blades and it takes three of us to hold her still long enough to squeeze out the tiny drop of liquid onto her skin. She's not even that big and she usually manages to show all three of us the colour of our blood by the end.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - The vet assistant said these things were "better".
PPS - Maybe other cats are different.
Last time we went back to buy more, they were unavailable and we got some vials of poison that treat for fleas plus four kinds of worms. That is the only sense in which they are better. Now the cat can smell it coming, and she hates it. When we can find her, she turns into a spinning vortex of razor blades and it takes three of us to hold her still long enough to squeeze out the tiny drop of liquid onto her skin. She's not even that big and she usually manages to show all three of us the colour of our blood by the end.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - The vet assistant said these things were "better".
PPS - Maybe other cats are different.
Wednesday, 6 April 2005
An interpretation issue
I saw a brunette girl wearing a t-shirt that sported the slogan "Blondes do it Better" and I am at a loss how to interpret it. Is it self-deprecating humour? Can she not read? Is she in denial? Does she dye her hair? Better than what (or whom)? These mysteries and more, I suppose, will have to wait for another day.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Your planet is a confusing place.
PPS - Er ... I mean our planet, obviously.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Your planet is a confusing place.
PPS - Er ... I mean our planet, obviously.
Tuesday, 5 April 2005
The Big Brother Black Hole
The hype machine is gearing up for Big Brother '05 already. Next month I will drop off the face of the earth, once again slave to the glowing box that makes noises. I'll still be posting here, and I guess I'll still come to work, but only out of habit.
One ad proclaims "35 000 people applied for Big Brother 2005. Think you know how many are going in? Think again." Sam, upon seeing this, immediately theorised that all of them would go in. Just seal them up and say "no food - you'll have to eat each other". Mmm, cannibalism. Now that's entertainment!
I took the idea just a few steps further and imagined the biggest, most expensive, least real reality TV show ever: ZombieTown. Cordon off a massive playing field, hide food and foam/paintball weapons, hire about a thousand actors to play zombies. Last one "alive" or first one to reach the military-controlled safe zone wins, depending on which happens first. Prize is dependent on how many people arrive at the safe zone together, to encourage cooperation.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - You must have seen the zombie link coming.
PPS - Seriously, what else do I ever talk about?
One ad proclaims "35 000 people applied for Big Brother 2005. Think you know how many are going in? Think again." Sam, upon seeing this, immediately theorised that all of them would go in. Just seal them up and say "no food - you'll have to eat each other". Mmm, cannibalism. Now that's entertainment!
I took the idea just a few steps further and imagined the biggest, most expensive, least real reality TV show ever: ZombieTown. Cordon off a massive playing field, hide food and foam/paintball weapons, hire about a thousand actors to play zombies. Last one "alive" or first one to reach the military-controlled safe zone wins, depending on which happens first. Prize is dependent on how many people arrive at the safe zone together, to encourage cooperation.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - You must have seen the zombie link coming.
PPS - Seriously, what else do I ever talk about?
Monday, 4 April 2005
A dark sense of foreboding
We have a "staff briefing" on today from 9am until who-knows-when. Last year the topics of discussion included:
Mokalus of Borg
PS - The "other people" mentioned are the company shareholders.
PPS - Our managers are all shareholders above a certain level. They give the presentation.
- How much money our hard work is making for other people.
- How long certain people have been working hard to make lots of money for other people.
- How much the public opinion helps us make money for other people.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - The "other people" mentioned are the company shareholders.
PPS - Our managers are all shareholders above a certain level. They give the presentation.
Sunday, 3 April 2005
The Sunday Mok - Another Short Week
Last Sunday I was still at AGMF, which is why no Sunday Mok appeared then. I suppose I could have done it later but, er, I didn't. It was a good day, I saw some good bands, and that's about it.
Monday we packed up and left Toowoomba. My own luggage had decreased in volume, and the girls had managed to expand. I was horrified at the way their tent was packed up. Our late breakfast at McDonald's would have been the second-last straw in a weekend load of fatty food. One more day there and I think I would have taken ill.
Tuesday was back to work, where I achieved some positive things. Karate in the evening meant being separated from the group to work on my kata. Since kata is one of the more strenuous aspects of karate for me, I was sore for a couple of days following that.
On Wednesday, besides the office grind and watching myself on video, I played City of Heroes as my defender and completed a zombie-killing mission that was giving me trouble.
Thursday the weather turned colder. Cold for sub-tropical Brisbane, that is. It's not like we can see our breath or anything. I got some real user feedback about DailyDownloads, one of my personal projects, so I spent my lunch hour fixing it up for a new release. I played more CoH in the evening.
On Friday I worked more on DailyDownloads, just up to the point where it needed debugging and tidying up before a release. I missed the first night of youth group in order to attend a cast & crew party for the Easter play, which was cool. I like hanging out with musicians and actors.
Saturday I succumbed to a kind of madness - I went into the office to finish off DailyDownloads and also scan some more of my university notes. In the afternoon I slept and cleaned out a backlog of recorded television on my PC, as well as finally getting the internal audio connector cable working for the TV tuner card. That's much better than the external version for several reasons.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - DailyDownloads is a program I wrote to get my web comics daily and make sure I don't miss any.
PPS - Available on request. ;)
Monday we packed up and left Toowoomba. My own luggage had decreased in volume, and the girls had managed to expand. I was horrified at the way their tent was packed up. Our late breakfast at McDonald's would have been the second-last straw in a weekend load of fatty food. One more day there and I think I would have taken ill.
Tuesday was back to work, where I achieved some positive things. Karate in the evening meant being separated from the group to work on my kata. Since kata is one of the more strenuous aspects of karate for me, I was sore for a couple of days following that.
On Wednesday, besides the office grind and watching myself on video, I played City of Heroes as my defender and completed a zombie-killing mission that was giving me trouble.
Thursday the weather turned colder. Cold for sub-tropical Brisbane, that is. It's not like we can see our breath or anything. I got some real user feedback about DailyDownloads, one of my personal projects, so I spent my lunch hour fixing it up for a new release. I played more CoH in the evening.
On Friday I worked more on DailyDownloads, just up to the point where it needed debugging and tidying up before a release. I missed the first night of youth group in order to attend a cast & crew party for the Easter play, which was cool. I like hanging out with musicians and actors.
Saturday I succumbed to a kind of madness - I went into the office to finish off DailyDownloads and also scan some more of my university notes. In the afternoon I slept and cleaned out a backlog of recorded television on my PC, as well as finally getting the internal audio connector cable working for the TV tuner card. That's much better than the external version for several reasons.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - DailyDownloads is a program I wrote to get my web comics daily and make sure I don't miss any.
PPS - Available on request. ;)
Saturday, 2 April 2005
LMAO
Okay, this right here contains the funniest stuff I've seen in over a month. It's from Mitch Hedberg's standup comedy, which is cool, coz he's funny. Watch the video clips in order if you've got the bandwidth. If you can only watch one, watch the last one.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Tragically, he's dead now.
PPS - That was one funny dude.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Tragically, he's dead now.
PPS - That was one funny dude.
Friday, 1 April 2005
Empathise this
Checking the Big Brother site just now (because I have no life) I found this under the other info about house building status and housemate background checks:
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Or "Stubbed my toe on new house foundation".
PPS - "Tested InsanityCorp 'Icy-Cold(TM)' bedroom sprinkler system".
- Ten pregnancy empathy bellies ordered.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Or "Stubbed my toe on new house foundation".
PPS - "Tested InsanityCorp 'Icy-Cold(TM)' bedroom sprinkler system".
Thursday, 31 March 2005
Like your voice on tape, but worse
So last night I watched the video recording of the Easter play. In my opinion, from that distance, my performance was static and tense, like a life-size marionette with arthritis. I can understand why so many actors refuse to watch their own work, as if that makes it any better. I can also see tremendous value in it - I must know these things if I am to get better at anything I do. If I'd had the benefit of a videotaped dress rehearsal between then and opening night, I'm sure I would have done better.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I started working on improving the physical expression immediately.
PPS - Then I remembered that I'll never be performing that script again.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I started working on improving the physical expression immediately.
PPS - Then I remembered that I'll never be performing that script again.
Wednesday, 30 March 2005
Resident Evil 2
Movie Review: Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Would you see it again in the cinema? Probably only if it was free.
Would you buy the DVD? Not this time.
Will you watch it again on television? Once is enough.
Good points? Girls kicking serious zombie ass.
Bad points? Weak second half.
One of my favourite passtimes is being scared to death of zombies. In a pinch I'll take an action-oriented zombie movie instead. That's RE:A - action, not horror. Technically there's sci-fi too, but it's so weak nobody should have bothered. As long as Milla was running around shooting zombies, I was happy. I'm easy to please that way. Once the Umbrella Corp bigwig got involved the movie took a downturn. I guess that's upper management for you.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I feel this movie was worth the two dollars I paid.
PPS - Plus I get to give it back now.
Would you see it again in the cinema? Probably only if it was free.
Would you buy the DVD? Not this time.
Will you watch it again on television? Once is enough.
Good points? Girls kicking serious zombie ass.
Bad points? Weak second half.
One of my favourite passtimes is being scared to death of zombies. In a pinch I'll take an action-oriented zombie movie instead. That's RE:A - action, not horror. Technically there's sci-fi too, but it's so weak nobody should have bothered. As long as Milla was running around shooting zombies, I was happy. I'm easy to please that way. Once the Umbrella Corp bigwig got involved the movie took a downturn. I guess that's upper management for you.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I feel this movie was worth the two dollars I paid.
PPS - Plus I get to give it back now.
Tuesday, 29 March 2005
AGMF Annual Report
There are probably only one or two better ways to spend a long weekend than camping in Toowoomba for the Australian Gospel Music Festival. I had an awesome time and enjoyed all the music I heard. The following bands/performers are awesome, in alphabetical order:
5th Attempt
Alabaster Box
Anita Thomas
Another Day Down
Brooke Fraser
Chris Poulsen Trio
Compliments of Gus
Delirious?
The Frugals
Half Way Out
Halfway There
Hillsong United
Jael
Joel Hockey
The Lads
Light of Love
Nikki Kummerow
Nuclear Penguin
Planetshakers
Rookie
Scat
Shrimp Shack Jazz Band
Simeon
Sonicflood
Soulframe
Speaking of Sarah
Wone
I got myself signed CDs by The Lads and The Frugals, and an unsigned one by Scat. I spent most of the weekend looking through the program booklet for the words "punk" or "ska", and this has served me rather well, although I did expose myself to some jazz and straight rock, too. If you've never been, and you enjoy Christian music of any style, I definitely recommend AGMF.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I'm now sponsoring a boy in the Philippines through the Compassion organisation.
PPS - Because I can.
5th Attempt
Alabaster Box
Anita Thomas
Another Day Down
Brooke Fraser
Chris Poulsen Trio
Compliments of Gus
Delirious?
The Frugals
Half Way Out
Halfway There
Hillsong United
Jael
Joel Hockey
The Lads
Light of Love
Nikki Kummerow
Nuclear Penguin
Planetshakers
Rookie
Scat
Shrimp Shack Jazz Band
Simeon
Sonicflood
Soulframe
Speaking of Sarah
Wone
I got myself signed CDs by The Lads and The Frugals, and an unsigned one by Scat. I spent most of the weekend looking through the program booklet for the words "punk" or "ska", and this has served me rather well, although I did expose myself to some jazz and straight rock, too. If you've never been, and you enjoy Christian music of any style, I definitely recommend AGMF.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I'm now sponsoring a boy in the Philippines through the Compassion organisation.
PPS - Because I can.
Monday, 28 March 2005
Real Showers Rule
I've just got back from a weekend in Toowoomba - the Australian Gospel Music Festival. I'll have a full report on your desk in the morning, sir.
I was camping on-site, which meant portable hired showers and toilets for thousands of people. The shower trailer I chose to use had tiny cubicles separated by vinyl dividers and thin shower curtains. A shelf ran down the entire length of the trailer above head height for storing personal items like clothes and towels.
Although the quality of these mobile shower trailers was better than I expected, the first thing I did when I got home was jump in a real shower where you have room to swing your elbows and can place your belongings safely a short distance away.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - The trailer was inadequately ventilated, too.
PPS - So all the steam condensed on the ceiling and dripped back down.
I was camping on-site, which meant portable hired showers and toilets for thousands of people. The shower trailer I chose to use had tiny cubicles separated by vinyl dividers and thin shower curtains. A shelf ran down the entire length of the trailer above head height for storing personal items like clothes and towels.
Although the quality of these mobile shower trailers was better than I expected, the first thing I did when I got home was jump in a real shower where you have room to swing your elbows and can place your belongings safely a short distance away.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - The trailer was inadequately ventilated, too.
PPS - So all the steam condensed on the ceiling and dripped back down.
Thursday, 24 March 2005
The first rule of Anti-Social Club is...
Our office social club is currently holding a "hot" cross bun morning tea. I went downstairs and buttered two rolls, then came straight back upstairs to my desk. That's the way it works in the Anti-Social Club (membership: me). Here's the rules:
Mokalus of Borg
PS - There are a few by-laws and so forth to help interpretation of the rules.
PPS - There are bonus points for being particularly ZEN and weird at social club events.
- If you want in, you're out.
- We do not actively participate in social club functions, though we are members.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - There are a few by-laws and so forth to help interpretation of the rules.
PPS - There are bonus points for being particularly ZEN and weird at social club events.
Australian Idiot
I remember being a bit disappointed with Green Day's album American Idiot at first, thinking that they had been too concerned with telling their "Jesus of Suburbia" story, but the more I listen to the album the more I appreciate it. This is not just Green Day punk rock. This is punk music. A cohesive, frankly brilliant, rock opera.
It's not packed with high-energy hits like the title track, so it takes a little more time to sink in and be appreciated. I'd say this is one of those albums that will get mentioned near the top of Green Day's discography as a defining work. It'll hang around for years, gaining fans and position in the list.
I can't speak for the future of the band, or the taste of their fans-yet-to-be, but I do believe in this album as quality, even if it's the story of Jesus of Suburbia, Saint Jimmy and Whatsername.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I often find myself queueing up the entire album for a long session.
PPS - That's really the best way to hear it.
It's not packed with high-energy hits like the title track, so it takes a little more time to sink in and be appreciated. I'd say this is one of those albums that will get mentioned near the top of Green Day's discography as a defining work. It'll hang around for years, gaining fans and position in the list.
I can't speak for the future of the band, or the taste of their fans-yet-to-be, but I do believe in this album as quality, even if it's the story of Jesus of Suburbia, Saint Jimmy and Whatsername.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I often find myself queueing up the entire album for a long session.
PPS - That's really the best way to hear it.
Wednesday, 23 March 2005
That bug
After rehearsing for a little over two months and performing just two nights, I feel like it's not enough. I don't want to let it go. I can't stop the dialogue ringing in my head. I'm refining a performance days after it's all over.
I want to be doing this all the time. I want to live, breathe, eat, sleep and drink acting. I want regular rehearsals. I want to have to constantly be remembering new dialogue. I want to be on stage and on screen. I want to meet other actors and study with them. I want to pretend to be a new person every single day.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Perhaps this year I will enroll in a part-time acting course.
PPS - Or maybe I'll just memorise dialogue from sitcoms and repeat it at random moments.
I want to be doing this all the time. I want to live, breathe, eat, sleep and drink acting. I want regular rehearsals. I want to have to constantly be remembering new dialogue. I want to be on stage and on screen. I want to meet other actors and study with them. I want to pretend to be a new person every single day.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - Perhaps this year I will enroll in a part-time acting course.
PPS - Or maybe I'll just memorise dialogue from sitcoms and repeat it at random moments.
Tuesday, 22 March 2005
Cheque me out
I had a thought the other day about limiting online credit card fraud: digital cheques. Imagine that I go to my bank's website and instruct them to set aside a certain amount from one of my accounts. This reserved amount is assigned a code, and that code can be given out to vendors instead of my credit card details.
Advantages: I'm guaranteed, in the worst case scenario, to lose only the amount of that one cheque. Keep credit card details safe. Don't even need a credit card, in theory. Can give cheques to others (family members, for example) to spend on your behalf.
Disadvantages: Some usability loss, still no guarantee on receipt of goods.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I'd be interested to know if any banks are already offering a service like this.
PPS - I don't think anyone is, though.
Advantages: I'm guaranteed, in the worst case scenario, to lose only the amount of that one cheque. Keep credit card details safe. Don't even need a credit card, in theory. Can give cheques to others (family members, for example) to spend on your behalf.
Disadvantages: Some usability loss, still no guarantee on receipt of goods.
Mokalus of Borg
PS - I'd be interested to know if any banks are already offering a service like this.
PPS - I don't think anyone is, though.
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