A good book, except for that whole almost killing me part.

The Internet is full of absurd exaggerations. The best ever bowling party. The best ever date pudding. The best ever compost. The best ever titanosaur skeleton.

So it's refreshing to see something understated once in a while. One example is the second review of this book.

The reviewer gives the book 2 stars, with the title of "good description and listings but rough maps". Then, in the body, they say:

We followed this book to Cold Spring for a day-trip but ended up lost in the woods. It took 8 firefighters to rescure us from the mountain. According to the firefighters, we were the third group that got lost this year because of this book.

Sounds like two stars to me.

Money for (almost) nothing

I like stories like this. Whenever you install software, the EULA (End-User License Agreement) always pops up, and you need to agree to whatever it says before continuing. Most everyone just presses the "I agree" button to get on with life. But someone put a clause in their EULA that said (in poor English):

A special consideration which may include financial compensation will be awarded to a limited number of authorize licensee to read this section of the license agreement and contact PC Pitstop...

After 3,000 people had installed the software, someone finally wrote in, and they gave him $1,000.

On a not-at-all related note, there are lots (well, like 5) of random hits to this esteemed blog. And I don't mean the outpouring of comments last week from people who I know. I mean people who I don't know who either don't post comments, or post messages asking for Gmail accounts for Mexican Warez distribution.

So, if you're reading this and you don't know me from Dave, post a message and let me know how you found this site.

A special consideration which may include financial compensation will be awarded to a limited number of respondee.

Sometimes ...

I miss Richmond.

The value of money

If your Wisconsin state quarter looks like this:

it is worth several hundred dollars.

If your Wisconsin state quarter looks like this:

it is also worth several hundred dollars.

Sadly, the Wisconsin state quarter in your pocket almost certainly looks like this:

and so it is worth just about a quarter (with free shipping).

Where I work

So many comments, so much anonymity. But one of the comments asked where I work now. To find out:

In google, search for:

"Eric [lastname]" site:msn.com

Of course, replace [lastname] with my actual last name. The first link will give you my company name. Our web site is that company name as one word (.com) where you'll find an awful picture of me along with lots of other content.

Why so secretive about linking this blog to my current or previous emplyer? It's just not a good idea.

Plus, it's kind of fun to be mysterious for no good reason ...

I am now offically really really old.

It's been two years ...

... since I left my, um, previous employer.

Anyone need a job?

Wow ...

Sounds to me like this could be a fun story in a year or two.