I had just checked into my hotel in Daly City, CA this evening when my room started shaking. I reflected on it, and was pretty sure the hotel wasn’t above or below train tracks. I was on the phone with someone in Berkeley, and could be heard saying:

“Did you feel that? No way! Oh cool! My first earthquake!”

Details here.

Dear Valued Guest,

Please be advised that our clocks in the rooms automatically updated the time change and it is the incorrect time.

Unfortunately the time change occurred ahead of schedule and it is not due to change until Sunday November 4th, 2007.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. We appreciate your patience and will work to make this smooth as possible as for you. Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us.

Hospitably Yours,

Hotel Management Team,  Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica

and sometimes y

Earlier this autumn I attended a professional soccer match at Giants Stadium featuring the New York Red Bulls versus the Chicago Fire. At halftime, the score was 0-0. The final score was 1-0. I think New York won.
I got a voicemail on Friday from a guy who works for the New York Red Bulls. This was a real guy reading a script, not a pre-recorded message. He informed me that the Red Bulls were in the playoffs, and that they had a ticket special (4 tickets + 4 t-shirts for $80). Apparently, I’m told, I should come check out the exciting playoff soccer action.
I can’t say I’ve ever been personally invited by a professional sports team to attend a playoff game. Not to mention that it seems I qualified for this special offer by attending one game. I mean, I know they have a stadium to fill, but man, they must be having a hard time over there.

A couple months ago I happened upon a bin of discarded cell phones destined to be “recycled.” One of them in particular caught my eye, and I rescued it. Unfortunately, I had no charger for it until this week. So it languished as a cryptic artifact upon my desk. Last night I was able to charge it up and play around with it. I’ve nicknamed it the “Eye Of Osiris” because it reminds me of a cryptic Egyptian eye carving. BEHOLD! My vintage 2003 Nokia 7600:

Yes, it’s a phone. And it has 3G support, bluetooth, and a video camera.

Depending on how you focus your eyes, she could be spinning either clockwise or counter-clockwise. With some focus, you can see it both ways and change the direction at will.

Carmen Sandiego has been found.

They’re releasing a new version of Monopoly that uses play Visa credit cards instead of cash.

Make sure to watch the video here (Click “Watch It” below the product image).

It also seems as though they’re dispensing with the classic street names. And the classic game pieces. Now there’s a segway.

“I made my arguments and went down in flames. History will prove me right.”

- Texas Rangers owner George W. Bush after voting against realignment and a new wild-card system during a Major League Baseball owners meeting in September 1993. Bush was the lone dissenter in a 27-1 vote.

By all accounts, the wild card system and realignment have been fantastic successes.