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Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been busy lately... if you have a question for Patrick Norton of dl.tv and TWiT or Cali Lewis of Call For Help, just post it here for the interviews. We'll answer the questions on the show. Thanks!

Which gaming console are you getting for the holidays (Wii, PS3, or 360) and with which games? Discuss.

A free service that tracks your musical taste, finds similar users, and provides musical recommendations and free personalized radio.

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Does anyone have a last.fm account? If so, what's your screen name?

Indexfallingnanos20060912

Does anyone have any music recommendations for an iPod playlist? What are you listening to now?

Here are some artists I'm listening to listed in ascending alphabetical order:

Aerosmith, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Low Water, Metallica, Nickelback, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sugarcult, System Of A Down

Pirates-of-the-Carribean-01

Most days are like all of the others,

Go to work, come back home, watch TV,
But, brother, if I had me druthers,
I'd chuck it and head out to sea,

For I dream of the skull and the crossbones,
I dream of the great day to come,
When I dump the mundane for the Old Spanish Main
And trade me computer for rum! ARRR!

T' me,
Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho,
It's "Talk Like A Pirate" Day!
When laptops are benches God gave us fer wenches,
And a sail ain't a low price ta pay!
When timbers are shivered and lillies are livered
And every last buckle is swashed,
We'll abandon our cars for a shipfull of ARRRs
And pound back the grog till we're sloshed! Yo ho....

Don't pick up yer phone and say "Hello,
Our ten-o-clock meeting's delayed",
Ye scrunch up yer face and ye bellow,
"AVAST! Ye've been bleedin' BELAYED!"

Ye can't keep this fun to yerself, I bet,
So sing "Aye!" "ARRR!" "Ayy!" every man!
We ain't got much grasp of the alphabet,
But a damn good retirement plan!

T' me,
Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho,
It's "Talk Like A Pirate" Day!
Whatever's in fashion is in for a thrashin'
And bein' polite is passe!
When it's ev'ry man's duty to grab his proud beauty
And let out a hearty YO HO!
And if this offends you, hold y'r breath as we sends you
Ta Davy Jones' Locker ya go! Yo ho....

We'll tell every banker "Heave to and weigh anchor!"
Buy latte with pieces of eight
We'll fight to be chosen as cap'n or bosun
The loser, o' course, is worst mate!

When we hoist Jolly Roger, the landlubbers dodge 'er,
We fill 'em with loathing and fear,
We'll plunder and pillage each city and village,
Or at least clean out Wal-Mart of beer!

There ain't no computin' or morning commutin',
No "Parking Lot Full" signs for me,
No lawns ta be mowin' or bills to be owin',
I'm knowin' the pull of the sea.

The fresh salty brace of the wind on my face
Through hurricane, sunshine or squalls,
I'm keepin' my eyes on the distant horizon,
Verizon can hold all my calls!

To wear a red coat full o' buckles,
To earn a few duelling scars,
Well, at least we can get a few chuckles
By filling the office with ARRRs!

And maybe we'll never get closer,
Than watchin' 'em on the big screen,
So here's to old Errol and Depp as Jack Sparrow,
And every damn one in between!

T' me,
Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho,
It's "Talk Like A Pirate" Day!
That time in September when sea dogs remember
That grown-ups still know how ta play!
When wenches are curvy and dogs are all scurvy
And a soft-wear patch covers your eye,
Ta hell with our jobs, for one day we're all swabs
And buccaneers all till we die!

So hoist up the mainsils and shut down your brain cells,
They only would get in the way,
Avast there, me hearty, we're havin' a party,
It's "Talk... Like... A Pirate" Day!"

Aye, it was yesterday. I missed it. Gar, Where can I find a bottle o'rum?

Dog

   “What kind of Chinese person are you?” my friend’s mom used to ask when I told her that I couldn’t speak Chinese. Chinese parents tend to make their American-born Chinese children learn the language because of it’s considered an invaluable asset in the world. Both of my parents immersed us in an English-speaking and assimilated household. I’ve been accustomed to basic phrases like “Dinner’s ready” and “Thank you” since my mother speaks to us in fluent Chinese, followed by an English translation. However, as a child, my parents wanted to ensure that I retained my ties to my Chinese heritage and sent me to Chinese school for an abrupt amount of time where I learnt the basics of reading and speaking. My dad explains to his friend, “He doesn’t speak or understand it at all, it’s like his French, it’s out of use… He doesn’t use it in his everyday language anymore.” I’ve forgotten most of it and my friends and relatives know I don’t speak a single syllable of Chinese.
Recently, I’ve been more aware of my linguistic disability. A first grade student asked me, “Do you speak Chinese? No? Good! Then we can say whatever we want!” I felt amused and annoyed at the same time when I heard this. It struck me when I was at the service desk in the Apple Store (now that I’m in the publishing industry I no longer have this problem). It’s a meeting place for the old generation of Macheads in a relaxed environment with comfortable décor and a loft-like feel. Antique radios line the brick exposed walls and oversized scales line my service desk. A customer would approach me after glancing briefly at my Asiatic features and then begin chattering with me in fluent conversational Mandarin. I answer in English with a smirk and the old and tired expression, “I’m sorry, but I don’t speak Chinese.” Perhaps I should get this tattooed on my forehead!
    Chinese is the world’s most spoken language with two primary spoken dialects used in Mainland China: Mandarin and Cantonese. Its written language is composed of traditional and simplified characters. The most disconcerting and humbling experience is to see an American speak Mandarin perfectly. Even Americans have taken the time to study this difficult language. Majoring in Chinese can open job opportunities in translation, education, and business.
    My biggest obstacle in learning Chinese is that I’m too lazy to absorb the words of the language and I tune out the incomprehensible dialogue. When I was younger, my parents would set high standards and expectations for me. Now, I’m an independent adult and I make my own decisions. But I owe it myself to learn, read and speak the language fluently because of my roots and heritage. I want to speak in Chinese comfortably with family, friends, and even strangers. I want to understand what others are saying instead of being kept out of the loop. I don’t want to miss ideas and information in informal conversations so that my professional and personal success won’t be limited when compared to other Chinese Americans. Maybe the words will come flowing back to me and it’ll be like riding on a bicycle. Right now, the notion of re-learning Chinese is still sitting idly on my goal list, perhaps as a sentimental item until I truly appreciate and embrace my heritage. When I’m ready, I can take lessons, buy audiobooks, or ask my friends and relatives for help. It’s going to take a lot of work, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

Xanimal18

Breathing deeply, listening to relaxing music, going outside in the refreshing, calming, and cool air, taking in nature and the great outdoors, and expressing myself with creativity and emotions.

What song or lyrics are stuck in your head at the moment?  What album is it from?
Submitted by Lox Ly. 

Sing The Songs of Avenue Q (karaoke)

Various Artists