Huh. I think I just got ripped off by UPS...

Was shipping a box. Online calculations said $26, paid $26 and printed a label. Went to store to ship it, but clerk said the box was insufficient and probably wouldn't qualify for claims, should anything happen (it's the original iBook G4 box. A pretty decent one, if you ask me.)

So I let them pack my box into another box. Looks like a 24x18x6. o.O Except the total came down to $54, which I didn't notice until after I stepped out of the store. $10 for "PCTFR 24X18X6", $4.25 "24X18X6 SERV FEE", $36.82 for the actual shipping!?, and $1.6 for "LARGE BUBBLES QTY 2".

.........I dunno. Dear gods I hope I didn't get ripped off. That would be very, VERY annoying. Especially since shipping was quoted to take up to 10 days, and by then, I'll be back in Illinois.

That Socializing Thing...

http://www.dresscodeguide.com/

The very useful: How to exit a conversation - http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-exit-a-conversation.html
In short, for me, I may be too polite.

An interesting post, "networking like a human, not a computer": http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/06/how-to-network-like-a-human-not-a-computer/
In short: Avoid favors-for-a-favor/tit-for-tat/what-can-he-do-for-me sort of mindset.

No recarnation for you!

"China tells living Buddhas to obtain permission before they reincarnate"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2194682.ece

Tibet’s living Buddhas have been banned from reincarnation without permission from China’s atheist leaders. The ban is included in new rules intended to assert Beijing’s authority over Tibet’s restive and deeply Buddhist people.

“The so-called reincarnated living Buddha without government approval is illegal and invalid,” according to the order, which comes into effect on September 1.

Hahahahahahaha.

Think before you post

Think before you post: http://www.infosecblog.org/2007/08/think_before_you_post.html

"Think before you post. Its not just advice for bloggers like Whole Foods CEO John Mackey. New generations are growing up with an entirely different expectation on what needs to remain private.

While watching TV tonight, I saw a public service announcement (PSA) from cybertipline.com titled "Bulletin Board." In this PSA, a girl puts here picture on a physical bulletin board but quickly finds that its not so easy to take something back once its been put out there...."

The site that the entry points to is here: http://tcs.cybertipline.com/knowthedangers8.htm