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The Life of a Freelancer
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Link of the day
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The unwary write David Thorne. The author of the 27b/6 weblog, which you can view here: http://www.27bslash6.com/, search for the hidden link, or follow the links below.
What is tragic, really tragic, is that many of his victims have visited his website, or know him, and really, really oughta know better.
Really.
Still, that said, he frequently nails it on the head:
Like here, wherein an unwitting Mr. Simon Edhouse writes David with a hot opportunity to showcase his pie chart and logo skills...which David shows off to remarkable effect. Truly Mr. Simon Edhouse overestimates their friendship, but David manages to persuade him with pie charts and logo where it really stands.
He should have known better. I don't buy his story of David having made up the emails for a second, and as anyone who's freelanced can attest, getting payment can be like pulling teeth. And if that weren't enough, there's a long list of his other victims....
Like Mr Carganovsky (Not Skye Cargan). Or poor Lucius. (one wonders what his offense was, apart from perhaps being a little too short or vain...). Or the manly and very politically correct Les Copeland. The erudite Richard Matthews. The fit and friendly Jeff Peters. Or the wealthy socialite, Roz Knorr.
Somehow it's tough feeling sorry for them. Well, maybe a bit for Scott Mintred, because his only crime seems to be that he's trying too hard to be funny and just not succeeding, but the rest, well... make up your own mind.
**Note: Couldn't sleep last night and it dawned on me where Mr. Thorne got the title of his weblog. 27B/6 is the form required by Sam Lowry to have his apartment repaired in Terry Gilliam's masterpiece 'Brazil'. It's also the number of an apartment occupied by George Orwell. The Wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_(film).
Choderlos de Laclos - Les Liasons Dangereuses
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Books
- Hits: 1176
Revisiting a delightful book after a 20-odd year absence can be a tricky thing, but in no ways does this disappoint. Well, perhaps in a couple small respects, I shall never write a letter again (and why would I if I couldn't at least maintain the standards set by the esteemed Valmont and Marquise de Merteuil?).
The reason for revisiting it is to place in context "The Letters of Casanova", the original, unedited manuscripts, with other writings on courtly manners and etiquette of the same period. Sort of a "get a feel for the life and times". And it succeeds admirably. To quote André Gide of the author: "There is no doubt as to his being hand in glove with Satan...". But on the off chance you haven't read it, I won't give away any more.
Now on to Lord Chesterfield's "Letters to his Son". As well of the same period, but of a completely different tenor....
**Note the translation I reread was by Richard Aldington - I can't guarantee the veracity of others, especially should they sport a glamorous cover with Glenn Close or John Malkovich. I've read clips of the Parmee translation and recommend heartily that you skip it, or wait for something a little more resonant...
Rick Rosner
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Audio & Podcasts
- Hits: 1692
A brilliant interview with the "World's highest IQ" - Rick Rosner, this is strangely compelling viewing. It demonstrates the total disconnect between measured intelligence and achievement, personality, vocabulary, or anything else for that matter. Were you not told or otherwise aware of Rick's prodigious mental capacities, you would never guess from the hour long interview. You can view the rest of the documentary/interview here. Note things like the directors use of disconnected puzzle pieces, the obviously transplanted hair, and heed the warnings that "Intelligence isn't everything". In it's own way, a curious bookend to his more successful cousin, Karl Pilkington.
Beings of Spirit and Light
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Conversations
- Hits: 1280
He's got this idea that if he can just meditate enough he'll become a being of pure spirit and light.
And he's telling me about it, he's a little discouraged that it hasn't happened yet but probably it just needs more practice....
"I'll go to Ottawa and sit in on Parliament... and they'll say to me 'You shouldn't be here'...and I'll just sit there..."
He pauses for dramatic effect.
"They'll tell me to leave, and I won't, then they'll try to move me and their hands will go right through..."
He mimes the security guards grabbing at empty air....
"and I'll tell them to leave and they won't know what to do...then ppphhhhwwweeewww"
He makes an expansive gesture with his hands and smiles, blows with his mouth as if he's the wind, then leans back in his chair with a satisfied look on his face.
I change the topic.
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