Snow Day! or Ice Day! No E-Mail Day! Messages for some of you!

The rumors began a little before lunch -- the University will be closing today at 2 p.m. for impending inclement weather. I never believe that stuff (as I am a student of history) until I have proof -- like the hot little e-mail announcement in my little hands. On my way to my Freshman Seminar, I ran into Austin Gleeson (Physics professor and member (or chair?) of the Campus Planning Steering Committee), and HE told me that the campus was going to be closed from 2 p.m. until 10 a.m. Thursday. Hearing this from Dr. Gleeson lends quite a bit of credibility to the rumor, and when I returned to my office @ 2, our crew was putting up the "closed" signs, because they had gotten the official e-mail as well as a message on the voice mail (important point to remember a couple of paragraphs down.

We're such wimps here -- well, actually, the ice storms are wicked, and I'd much rather drive in Colorado during a snow storm. There's a bit of ice out there now, so I guess it is good that they closed well before rush hour.

When I got home, I thought, "Oh, this would be a good time to catch up on some e-mail", but nooo -- that was not to be. Because the University sent out voicemail to all University phones, there was some horrid overload that caused the webmail service to shut down. Well, I thought, I'll just use the apple/mac mail client, but nooo, I'd forgotten to do the fix that was required to turn on Secure Socket Layers and change ports for security reasons, yadda yadda, so I went to the help page to find out how to set that up, and managed to make it so that now I can neither use Mail for my @mail.utexas address nor my @sbcglobal address. Sigh, I'll be able to fix it, but am too frustrated now. And I can't use my gMail, because I never use it and I can't remember my user name -- they've re-sent my user name, but the glitch is that they've sent it to my utexas e-mail, and I can't get in to read it. Argg.

So, if anyone I e-mail is reading this -- here are your messages:

Sandy, thanks for the address change (what, this is the 5th in 3 months?! What's going on?), and I'll be updating the cousin list soon, and get it in the mail. (Like I meant to do it in September, and was temporarily thwarted by not having the computer for several weeks.)

D.C. & K.G., a belated Happy Thanksgiving, and yes, we will all get to visit each other one of these days -- perhaps in mid-May? I should be in Colorado for my nephew's graduation.

g.l., thanks for your comments -- it's nice to know someone is reading. (and did you get that letter I sent -- "Meet the Parents" or somesuch?) Have you gotten all of your Apple products? I'm thinking PowerBook early next year, but can't decide between 12" or 15" -- the 12" is so nice and compact, but that backlit keyboard sounds keen. but should I get one before they start using the new chips? and when is that, anyway. anyone out there know?

David Miller, I sent you a response, but haven't heard back -- yes, I would like to know more about the Battle for Savo Island -- perhaps I misread your e-mail address?

Michelle G -- Just WHO did Dr. Ellington try to recruit for grad school? The flying spaghetti monster? (or the biology major that joined our club?)

Spence, that last e-mail was NOT FUNNY. but keep sending them anyway.

D.B., I wrote you a long e-mail @ lunch today, but it didn't get sent in the rush to evacuate the University (har har). So, if it is still there, you should get it tomorrow. (and if it accidentally got tossed, you'll get another message in its stead.) Gee, we have had some similarities in our paths over the years.

Fran, I haven't written because you have got to be so busy with school -- let me know when your term is over.

JS, you probably aren't reading this, but if you are, the Sept. issue of Math Horizons (the one with the guy from NUMB3RS on the cover) has an article on mathematical approaches to understanding the impending world oil shortage, in case you haven't seen it yet.

I know there are a couple of other e-mails I was meaning to get out, so the rest of you will have to wait until our e-mail system is back up.


somebody googled the following and found sbrownblog:

"indian jewelry" -"american indian" +austin +music +2005 -native -india -hindu -desi -chief

UT Crimeline

Ya gotta love these -- highlights from recent UT Crimeline messages, especially when they "display a severe involuntary physical reaction to the over-consumption of an alcoholic beverage".

JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street

Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: Two UT students were observed assisting a third UT student up a flight of stairs located on the west side of the dormitory. The two assistants needed to hold the third student upright while the officer spoke with them. The student in need of assistance was found to have consumed alcoholic beverages to the point she was a physical endangerment to herself. The two assistants dropped the intoxicated student when she began to display a severe involuntary physical reaction to her over-consumption of an alcoholic beverage. One of the two assistants stated she is a daily reader of the Campus Watch and requested this report be omitted from today’s watch – oops, too late; my apologies. Occurred on 12-4-05 at 2:20 AM.
Crime Prevention Tip:
I placed this entry into the Campus Watch to illustrate the importance of having sober friends around when you’ve been drinking. As shown in this case, a sober friend will not keep you from getting a citation, but it may keep you from going to jail. If the student in this case did not have sober buddies with her, she would have been arrested for public intoxication. More importantly, a sober buddy will keep you from getting injured or worse. Just be careful when selecting your sober buddy. If that person is squeamish around partially digested stomach contents, he or she may drop you as a friend – literally.

****

and someone enters a room to "clean the room without university authorization"? Gee, wish someone would enter my room to clean it!


JESTER CENTER ACADEMIC, 201 East 21st Street

Criminal Mischief: A UT staff member reported a non-UT subject had been entering a student lounge to clean to the room without university authorization and would frequently slide hand written notes under the door to the lounge when the lounge is closed. On one occasion, the subject wrote on a poster that was displayed in the lounge. Repair cost: $25.00. Reported on 12-1-05 at 7:50 AM.

****

HARRY RANSOM CENTER, 300 West 21st Street

Disorderly Conduct – Exposure (2 counts) / Evading (2 counts): Two UT students were found running on the east side of the building wearing little more than their smiles. The students ran from the police officer when ordered to stop. When stopped, the students stated they had recently watched a movie that included a scene where the actor was streaking and a friend bet them $20.00 they would not streak around the Dobie Center. The students won the bet. Occurred on 11-5-05 at 2:00 AM.

****

PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street

Obscene Display / Criminal Trespass: A UT student reported a non-UT subject who was using a 2nd floor computer to view graphic images that would make even a sailor blush. The subject was reckless about the images being seen by another who could be offended. In addition to other law enforcement action taken, the subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on: 11-14-05 at 10:37 PM.

****

(Fight Club?)

2100 Guadalupe

Disorderly Conduct (Fighting in a Public Place) / Public Intoxication (2 counts): A UT police officer observed a non-UT subject straddling a second non-UT subject, who was lying on the ground. The first subject was repeatedly punching the second subject in the face. Both subjects were found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point they were a physical endangerment to themselves and each other. The subjects stated they wanted to see who was stronger and which one would win if they actually got into a fight. That question was answered as the subject who was being punched in the face needed to be transported by Austin-Travis County EMS to a local hospital for the treatment of a broken nose. Occurred on 11-1-05 at 1:55 AM.

****

JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street

Public Intoxication / Minor in Possession of Alcohol / Possession of Marijuana / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Evading Arrest / Resisting Arrest: A Resident Assistant walked by a table at the outdoor sports court and overheard three students talking. One of the students stated “Go ahead and fire up that blunt.” When the student saw the Resident Assistant, one of them said, “It’s okay – he’s not a cop.” As a police officer approached, an unidentified student flagged the officer down and pointed out one of the three students and said the student was drunk, smoking marijuana and trying to start fights with people. When the three students saw the officer approaching they stood up and began to walk away. One of the three students was still holding a burning blunt. The student with the blunt refused to heed the officer’s order to stop claiming the officer had no jurisdiction to stop him. When the officer was able to stop the student, the student protested and grabbed the epaulettes on the officer’s uniform. The student continued to resist; even after the arrival of an additional officer. Once taken into custody, the student was found to be in possession of a can of beer and a plastic bag containing marijuana. The student was also found to be under the influence of alcohol to the point he was a physical endangerment to himself. Occurred on 10-30-05 at 3:18 AM.

****

LITTLEFIELD FOUNTAIN, 200 East 21st Street

Criminal Mischief: An unknown subject affixed an undergarment to a statue of a female located inside the fountain. Removal cost: $5.00. Discovered on 10-30-05 at 10:45 AM.

****

(Unlawful blow jobs?)

PRINTING AND PRESS BUILDING, 2100 Comal

Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was found sitting on the south side of the building holding a hair dryer in one hand and a beer in the other hand. The hair dryer was plugged into an electrical outlet on the south side of the building. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 10-24-05 at 8:00 AM.

and on the same day. . .

2000 Robert Dedman

Driving While Intoxicated: While on patrol, a UT police officer observed a red Ford 2-door on the side of the road. The vehicle’s engine was running and its lights were turned on. The officer observed a non-UT subject sitting in the driver’s seat with his head back. The officer also observed a second non-UT subject leaning over the lap of the driver. As the officer pulled behind the vehicle, the driver put the vehicle into gear and turned the vehicle’s wheels in what appeared to be a distracted effort to pull away. The driver was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 10-25-05 at 2:25 AM.
****

JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street

Public Intoxication: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was found lying on the ground next to a “puddle” of what appeared to be the student’s stomach testimonial of her alcohol consumption. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point she was a physical endangerment to herself. Occurred on 10-14-05 at 4:00 AM.

****

SAN JACINTO RESIDENCE HALL, 309 East 21st Street

Public Intoxication: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was found unconscious on a 1st floor women’s restroom. When awakened, the student stated he was embarrassed about where he was, but insisted he would be fine in “a few hours.” The student then laid his head back down on a towel that had been impregnated with the contents of the student’s stomach; no doubt due to the amount of alcohol the student had previously consumed. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was a physical endangerment to himself and others. Occurred on 10-13-05 at 11:15 PM.

Ignore Me at Your Peril

Well, this is breaking my vow not to discuss work, students, colleagues, etc., but last week I needed to contact a student -- let's call him/her "Pat Doe", and disguise the details so he/she won't be embarrassed if he/she happens upon this blog from my Facebook profile.

Pat needed to do either X or Y but had done neither. Repeated requests had been ignored. Secure e-mail had not been opened. (I love our secure e-mail system -- you can see when the recipient read the message. Correction -- you can see when the recipient OPENED the message -- who knows if the message is read or not.)

I noticed that Pat had a class one floor up on Thursday, so I printed out the important message, put it in an 8 1/2 x 11 1/2" envelope, wrote on the envelope in large black letters, "PAT DOE -- IGNORE ME AT YOUR PERIL", and parked myself outside the door 5 minutes before the class was due to end. I got a few chuckles as the students start streaming out, and in a few moments, Pat appeared and I was able to deliver the message.

Follow up -- I saw Pat open and read the message, and Pat has since read the secure e-mail, but as far as I know, Pat has done neither X nor Y. Oh well. . .

I Have Become One with the Monitor

New iTunes visualizer (click on title to go to the download site) -- wow. (just for Mac right now, but perhaps a Windows version is on the way?)

Now I just need to see if our dean will buy me another display so that I can still get some work done!

Texas Travesty

The shuttle bus was stopped for about five minutes yesterday, and for the entire time, a young woman was sitting on a bench reading the latest Texas Travesty (click on the title above).

Since one of the founders was a student I knew when I worked in the Government Department, and several math and physics majors have been involved in the production of the Travesty, I was interested in her reaction. Would she wryly smile, lightly chuckle, or perhaps break out into a roaring guffaw? Nothing, nada, zilch, zero! There was no reaction at all. In fact, she looked a bit disgusted at the whole thing, although I thought I saw a brief smile just as the bus drove off. . .

Trash and Recycling Day in South Austin

So, it is trash and recycling day. The day that begins with everyone wondering which of the neighbors' garbage and recycling receptacles I'll hit as I back outta the driveway. This can be quite a spectacle.

oof.

No Suspicious Activity on Tejas Trail

"Amazon Mistress & Friend" seem to have taken a hiatus from their Saturday night orgy down the street -- at least when I drove by after returning from Ft. Worth late last night, there didn't seem to be much going on. Apparently the tv news story and the neighbors shining the flashlights on their paying clients have discouraged them.

Suspicious Activity on Tejas Trail -- Now on Video!

Here's the KVUE report on the "Suspicious Activity on Tejas Trail" -- click on the title above, and look for the title "Sex Party Angers Neighborhood". (Right now you should be able to find it right under "PETA Protests Against Turkey".) Our street is only about 2 blocks long -- this house is across the street and down one block.

Gee, when I bought this place I thought, "hmmm, walking distance to Central Market South" -- this could be the next trendy Austin neighborhood, but instead, we're a red light district!

The news clip didn't give my quote, "Well, I'm upset because I heard they didn't recycle," but then again, they didn't interview me. I'm also upset because this is a business enterprise. Whatever became of Free Love?

It does look like perhaps they are moving out -- for the first time in months, there has been someone there during the week, and all of the lights to the place have been on. (or perhaps they have a large enough clientele for "middle of the week" parties?)

Still Suspicious Activity on Tejas Trail

So this morning, one of my co-workers asked (with this big grin on her face!) "You live in Western Trails, right?"

"Uh, yeah, right."

"Your street was on the news last night -- it was a long segment -- perhaps 5 or 10 minutes! They interviewed the neighbors -- one family had people knocking on their door at 2 a.m. looking for the sex party, and the other neighbors have been taking to shining bright lights on the 'guests' as they arrive. They also showed the home of the people who run this business -- apparently they have a very large house in a very nice neighborhood."

I e-mailed my neighbor -- she said it was on KVUE, and that her husband had taped it, so perhaps we'll get to see it.

S. is still put out that he hasn't been invited to one of their "parties", but as I tell him, it's a business, nothing personal, dude.

(For more details, click on the title of this post.)

11/1 Day of the Dead . . . Well, Sorta

Not a very good start to the day when your dean calls and tells you that one of the students from your center has been shot and is brain dead. I don't know the details, but he had called the police slightly before this happened to report that someone was trying to break into his place, just a few blocks from here, and by the time the police arrived, someone had called in to report gunfire. Your heart just goes out to his family.

The evening ended at Dionysium (click on title for more info). I only went because one of the first people I met when I moved to Austin, Paul Wilson, was taking the opposing side on the debate, "Resolved: That There is an Afterlife".

What I wasn't expecting was to hear Taps on a bugle, a Presentation on Mexico's Day of the Dead (which is tomorrow, November 2, not today), a declamation -- Poe's "The Imp of the Perverse", a rendition of Chopin's Death March, a lecture on embalming by Wayne Allen Brenner, topped off by a rousing sing along of "The Worms go in, the worms go out" (and all accompanied by a couple of glasses of house red.) The stage was decorated with various funeral props, as well as a Mexican altar (I've forgotten the term) which featured a picture of Bush, candles, flowers, incense, drink, pan de muertos (bread of the dead) -- a homage to a dead presidency, perhaps?

Austin's Dionysium is presented once a month at Alamo Drafthouse South by Salvage Vanguard Theater. (How to describe -- a movie theater that serves beer, wine, pizza, salad, sandwiches, noshes, etc., as well as "theme movie events" -- i.e. for the movie Chocolat, they'd have a special chocolate menu, etc.) Next month's Dionysium will feature a debate -- something about the Supreme Court, as well as a talk by Sarah Weddington.

After the debates, a show of hands is given to determine if the proposition of the debate passes or not. The show of hands was so close that the moderator called for the "Pro-afterlifes" to shout hallelujah -- an actually quite "eh" show from that crowd and something like "live for today!" from the "anti-afterlifes" -- a much more rousing sound, so the proposition was defeated.

I have no clue as to whether or not there is an afterlife, so I really can't believe in one. It would be nice, but I can't believe in something because it's a nice idea. That makes this short time we have on this world all the more precious -- it's the only life that I know for sure that I'll have.