xyz.the-end-of-me

jay's got it (greg, you're fired:)

Sparklez108 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:17:43 GMT

all i'm sayin is that last night's music was bumpin, yo... (therefore: i spun fun) :D

listening to

Sparklez108 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:32:43 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h5FNLu4jKc&NR=1 [live - funny intro... with nirvana riff apparent] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8NWh_qvOuI

i'm 25 now!

Sparklez108 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:23:03 GMT

yuppers. big hugz to the vulcan crew & co for letting me hang out all day yesterday hehe apologies for no notice but i usually keep it to myself entirely though this year i was actually *glad* for the coming of my birthday... (though i haven't figured out yet exactly why) so the impromptu gifts really, really surprised me... (and they're perfect -- thank you :D ) plus -- it was soooooo nice to start it with a spinjam and finish it at your rehearsal cos my mentorz are amaaaaaazing and i'm gonna miss you while you're gone :o( [[ yes, i know *i* disappear for weeks at a time but that doesn't mean i want *you* to do that :P ]]

FBI investigating Indymac for fraud [once one of the nation's largest home lenders] -- 2 articles

Sparklez108 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:39:06 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/16/fbi.indymac/?iref=hpmostpop [2nd article is below this one] From Kelli Arena CNN Justice Department correspondent WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI is investigating Indymac Bancorp for fraud, a source tells CNN. The California-based bank was taken over by federal regulators last week. Indymac's collapse was the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history. A source said the federal government is looking into whether the bank engaged in fraud when it made home loans to high-risk borrowers. The source said the investigation is focused primarily on the company, not individuals. In a written statement, the FBI didn't specifically comment on Indymac but noted that it is investigating 21 corporations in the subprime lending market for possible mortgage fraud. "We receive information from a variety of sources on a daily basis, and we have an obligation to review each allegation on its own merits," the statement said. "Given the volatility of today's subprime market, we have seen an increase in subprime related complaints." The statement said that in order to protect the integrity of its investigations, the bureau does not comment about or confirm specific companies that may be under scrutiny. Friday's closure of IndyMac bank sparked investor panic that sent shares of mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on a wild ride and fueled speculation of a government rescue. See a timeline of other banks that have failed » IndyMac, which reopened Monday under federal supervision, was once one of the nation's largest home lenders. Thanks in part to the nation's mortgage crisis, it lost hundreds of millions of dollars this year and in 2007, and concerns about the bank led customers to withdraw $1.3 billion in the last two weeks, prompting the government takeover. On Sunday, the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve announced steps to make funds available to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac if necessary. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were created to help individuals realize the American dream of home ownership, but they now find their survival at risk in the U.S. mortgage crisis. About 95 percent of the $19 billion in deposits in Indymac bank are insured, but that leaves $1 billion that was not covered by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. guarantees, according to CNNMoney. According to the FDIC, 10,000 IndyMac customers could lose as much as half of that amount, or $500 million. The agency says the failure will cost the Deposit Insurance Fund between $4 billion and $8 billion, based on preliminary estimates. "This will certainly be a costly failure. Whether it's the costliest, we just don't know at this point," FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair said late Friday night. The failure of Indymac could also affect premiums paid by all banks for deposit insurance, she added. IndyMac grew rapidly during the real estate and home building boom. Its specialty was so-called Alt-A loans, those for which home buyers were asked to produce little or no evidence of income or assets other than the house they were buying. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hT1oSaa5zGcVzjgbZMWTW6eYOPTwD91V6EUO1 FBI probes possible home-loan fraud at IndyMac By LARA JAKES JORDAN – 2 hours ago WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is investigating failed bank IndyMac Bancorp Inc. for possible fraud, an official said Wednesday of the government's latest target following the collapse of the nation's subprime mortgage market. It was not immediately clear how long the FBI's probe of the bank has been ongoing — or whether it was opened before last Friday's takeover of IndyMac by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The investigation appears to be is focused on the company and not individuals who ran it, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation. IndyMac Bank's assets were seized by federal regulators after the mortgage lender succumbed to the pressures of tighter credit, tumbling home prices and rising foreclosures. The bank is the largest regulated thrift to fail in the last 20 years, regulators said. Across the country, reports of mortgage fraud have soared over the past year as the subprime mortgage market collapsed, and defaults and foreclosures soared. IndyMac's operations were transferred to the FDIC because bank regulators did not think the lender could meet its depositors' demands. The FDIC is now running the bank under the name IndyMac Federal Bank, FSB. FDIC spokesman David Barr declined comment Wednesday. It's unclear what penalties IndyMac could face now that it has been taken over by the FDIC. Generally, companies guilty of illegal activity can face civil charges and be forced to pay sanctions. In some cases, investigations that uncover new information can lead to focusing on new targets — like individuals. But it's unknown whether the FBI's case against IndyMac will do so, or how it could pursue charges against a now-defunct corporation. Shortly after the FDIC took over operations, Barr said most depositors were given immediate access to up to $100,000 in their accounts and 50 percent of any money beyond that threshold. Depositors with joint accounts or retirement accounts could immediately withdraw greater sums. Depositors were given receivership certificates for any money they couldn't immediately withdraw and may be able to receive some of that money after the bank's assets are sold off. Early this week, hundreds of worried IndyMac customers lined up out of the bank's headquarters branch in Pasadena, Calif., demanding to withdraw as much money as they could or get answers about the fate of their funds. Over the last year, and faced with a cratering housing market, the FBI has opened a wide-ranging probe of companies across the financial services industry, from mortgage lenders to investment banks that bundle home loans into securities sold to investors. Countrywide Financial Corp., formerly the nation's largest mortgage lender and now owned by Bank of America Corp., is also under scrutiny. Additionally, two former Bear Stearns managers were indicted last month on conspiracy and securities and wire fraud charges alleging they lied to investors in a hedge fund that tanked last year as the subprime market collapsed. Those charges marked the first criminal charges to arise on Wall Street from the subprime mortgage debacle. In all, the FBI is now investigating 21 companies tied to the subprime mortgage crisis, up from 19 last month. Authorities are looking into at least 1,400 mortgage fraud cases nationwide, and more than 400 real estate industry players have been indicted since March. FBI Director Robert Mueller has said the investigations focus on accounting fraud, insider trading, and failure to disclose the value of mortgage-related securities and other investments. Losses to homeowners and other borrowers are estimated at over $1 billion.

[approx. 61] Ravers lose [up to 80%] sight at [Russian] laser show -- PERMANENTLY

Sparklez108 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:56:19 GMT

Ravers lose sight at laser show Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:23pm EDT http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSL1452972520080714 By Chris Baldwin MOSCOW (Reuters) - Dozens of partygoers at an outdoor rave near Moscow last week have lost partial vision after a laser light show burned their retinas, Russian health officials said on Monday. Moscow city health department officials confirmed 12 cases of laser-blindness at the Central Ophthalmological Clinic, and daily newspaper Kommersant said another 17 were registered at City Hospital 32 in the centre of the capital. Attendees at the July 5 Aquamarine Open Air Festival in Kirzhach, 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Moscow, began seeking medical help days after the show, complaining of eye and vision problems, health officials told Reuters. "They all have retinal burns, scarring is visible on them. Loss of vision in individual cases is as high as 80 percent, and regaining it is already impossible," Kommersant quoted a treating ophthalmologist as saying. Attendees said heavy rains forced organizers to erect massive tents for the all-night dance party, and lasers that normally illuminate upwards into the sky were instead partially refracted into the ravers' eyes. "I immediately had a spot like when you stare into the sun," rave-attendee Dmitry told Kommersant. "After three days I decided to go to the hospital. They examined me, asked if I had been at Open Air, and then put me straight in the hospital. I didn't even get to go home and get my stuff," he said. Cosmic Connection, promoters of the Aquamarine rave, were unreachable and did not list contact numbers on their Web site. Industry Web site www.laserfx.com said focused laser light can cause eye damage almost instantly. The owner of a Moscow laser rental company told Reuters the accidental blindings were due to "illiteracy on the part of technicians." "It was partly the rain, but also partly the size of the laser. Somebody set up an extremely powerful laser for such a small space," said Valentin Vasiliev, who said his company did not provide the Aquamarine lasers. (Additional reporting by Tatiana Ustinova; Editing by Giles Elgood)

sitting up at nearly 3 a.m.

Sparklez108 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:52:31 GMT

i'm still appreciatively contemplating greg's use of the word 'fulcrum' to show me how to open a beer with a lighter... meaning i.can't.WAIT.to.LEAVE.sf !! meaning i came home (but a li'l too intox) to grab some clothes & whatnot so i crashed to sober up, and... four hours later, i'm lonely again. laaaaaaaaaaaame.

Britain urging return to wartime food frugality

Sparklez108 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:18:10 GMT

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080711/ap_on_re_eu/britain_war_on_waste By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 43 minutes ago LONDON - Waste not, want not. Evoking an era of World War II austerity, British families are being urged to cut food waste and use leftovers in a nationwide effort to fight sharply rising global food prices. It's not back to ration books, "victory gardens" or squirrel-tail soup yet, but warning bells are being rung by experts at all levels of Britain's government as well as from the World Food Program. With food and energy prices soaring around the world, a constant supply of high-quality, affordable food is no longer guaranteed, the officials are warning Britons. That could mean an era of scarcity like Britain's 1940-54 food rationing, during the war and its aftermath. "Well, of course, in the war years it was not only immoral to waste food — this was one of our slogans then — it also was illegal," said Marguerite Patten, 92, who worked at the Ministry of Food during World War II and urges a return to those more thrifty days. "I know it's old fashioned, but some old fashioned things are worth doing," she said. During the war, Nazi Germany's U-boats crippled the flow of ships carrying food to Britain. Diets were tightly controlled by rationing. Bananas and pineapples became exotic treats, and enterprising housewives traded recipes for baked hedgehog and carrot fudge. The experts say the postwar era of cheap food has ended — squeezed by the demands of a growing world population, a greater appetite for meat among emerging middle classes in China and India and the pressure on agricultural land from biofuel production. "Recent food price rises are a powerful reminder that access to ever more affordable food cannot be taken for granted," Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in a foreword to a bleak new report by Britain's Cabinet Office. The report says the task of feeding a larger, richer world population — while simultaneously tackling climate change — is far greater than imagined. The World Bank estimates the cost of food staples has risen 83 percent in three years. Tim Lang, professor of food policy at London's City University, said junk food will remain readily available, but good quality, nutritious produce could become scarce worldwide. "There has been 60 years of silence on this issue," he said. "We haven't had any sort of overview of food policy since the end of the Second World War. I think we need to accept that food is once again in a wartime state." Some Britons might find it a tad galling to take advice on food frugality from the prime minister, who along with fellow Group of Eight leaders dined on sumptuous feasts during their summit this week. But the government says the public might find one solution by looking into their garbage pail. Britons throw out 4.5 million tons of edible food a year, or about $830 worth per home — wastefulness the government says contributes substantially to rising prices. Brown wants Britons to store their fruit and vegetables better to avoid waste and plan their meals more carefully. Some municipal authorities want to go further and increase taxes on those who throw away the most rubbish. "If I throw away food I feel guilty — even if it's just a little bit," said Tania Carbonare, a 45-year-old jewelry seller at the Camden Lock market in London. Those who remember Britain's 1940s "Dig for Victory" campaign to turn home gardens and soccer fields into vegetable patches say the past holds lessons for any food crisis. Eggs, butter, meat and cheese were all strictly rationed, prompting an adventurous few to turn to squirrels or horses for protein. "We didn't live very grandly, but we learned to make do with what we'd got," said Helen Trevena, 82, who recalled sweetening her tea with jam when sugar was scarce. Britain's Women's Institute, launched in 1915 to help cut waste and encourage thrift during World War I, is once again offering classes on cutting food waste and livening up leftovers. "People want those skills," said Ruth Bond, an institute stalwart from Cambridge in southern England. "Apart from anything else, it helps them save money." ___ Associated Press writer Emily Ristow contributed to this report. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080711/ap_on_re_eu/britain_war_on_waste

hey! you're part of it

Sparklez108 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:45:01 GMT

i love sociopolitical dance beats http://fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20iGeneration.mp3 the i-generation new organization met optimization and unification when imagination gave participation and creation of culture a manifestation ... l-o-l o-m-g yo b-r-b space colon dash quote parentheses :-') we sat at our laptops and typed away and found that we each had something to say weblogged our fears, our hopes and dreams individuated by a digital means fiber optic lenses, d-v-d coca cola, disney and mickey-d's flat mass culture the norm that took hold i hope i die before i get sold hey! you're part of it talking about the i-generation yeah! you're part of it talking about my i-generation this is the i-n-t-e-r-n-e-t gen-er-a-tion http://fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20iGeneration.mp3

when nerds put on their glasses...and blush [sweet, he makes me dance]

Sparklez108 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:50:18 GMT

You are amazing. I want to put more puzzles together with you. High five -mc lars referring to his concept of his music, my concept of my poi spinning, and LIFE... trying to reach the kids for the greater good (he and his producer really dug alien jon's unit circle & arizona spinvids tonight, yo) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOlCZMFIBMI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFez03GHpTE so... mc lars is awesome he's previously done 'the raven'... yes, poe's: (mr.raven) http://fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20Mr.%20Raven.mp3 and tonight i got to hear him work on 'hamlet' ... :D (also: 'ahab' samples supergrass! http://fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20Ahab.mp3) i first heard him off a track with oakland punk band 'the matches' 'hot topic is not punk rock': www.fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20Hot%20Topic%20is%20Not%20Punk%20Rock.mp3 then supervibed with 'download this song' www.fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20Download%20This%20Song.mp3 and 'hurricane fresh' www.fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20Hurricane%20Fresh.mp3 but current particular favorite: 'space game' www.fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20Space%20Game.mp3 though ya might know him from 'white kids aren't hyphy' www.fantasycrash.net/mclars/MC%20Lars%20-%20White%20Kids%20Aren't%20Hyphy.mp3 :D he makes me dance... www.fantasycrash.net/mclars/ www.myspace.com/mclars /

omgosh, blazer = FOUND! (so, ah, could someone pick it up for me, pretty plz?)

Sparklez108 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:59:13 GMT

so... i left my green jacket in *charlie's* unit (haaaaha.) could sombody pick it up for me some time before/by wednesday... (cos you know i don't get over there til past his bedtime) THANKS!

good morning :)

Sparklez108 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:58:30 GMT

before 7 a.m... set your precedent.... and dance!! :) www.fantasycrash.net/justloseit.mp3

i call this one 'fuck blurry'

Sparklez108 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:43:04 GMT

(if you want a more clear image, COME TO THE SHOW :) oohhhh man i got so many klown kisses tonight... now i'm super-spoiled for sure...!! :D p.s. those be hundred-dollar billz forreal tucked around my waist, yo... i love you, holly -- my night got started bouncin to the drums with you! i love you, jonesy (and i'm glad i didn't break your badass jeweled scepter) i love you, boe & vegas... derr :o) i love you, other boys in the band :D (dave, KATZ!!) i love you, kristy and ra$pa -- sorry to be a bother...thx for comin to my rescue! oh, and i love you CJ, girl!! (security officer at my work building) cos you're a glo-stickr and i LOVE YOU! congrats on yer first circus show. did i forget anyone?... oh! ksea and nightshade -- you were both sorely missed... SORELY, i say pamela, i saw you a split second on my way out -- but u looked good! :D and angela -- you are *always* admirable... oh, isaac & your boy! i love you, too!... but i wasn't good in my exbf's jugglin show either :P (i forgot to mention -- your hair -- love it -- i'm a fan of hawks AND swirly designs!!) and the loincloth'd isaac, you always rock... thanks for keepin me comforting company outside! (the owner finally showed me in when i opened my coat & showed him some skirt, hah...) *sigh* OK I GO BACK TO GET MY ID TODAY!! HAH!! yeah, it was a super-fuckin fab night cos the drink tickets were good for RUM&COKE (and i do WELL with caffeinated sugared alcohol -- whereas beer crashes me quickly...) p.s. YO MEM i got to rock the shirt u gave me back at the stich-n-bitch, yo!! loved it. totally loved it. nothin to offset some sparkly sequins like black mesh over red... mm.... gotta balance the cute wit da bitch, yo. keeps em guessin... hah.

precom tonight - dreams&delusions

Sparklez108 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:26:17 GMT

fun-fun circus gig starting a little after midnight but fou fou ha!'s abound beforehand plus a few other items of interest... including this act, i think http://people.tribe.net/tk033/photos/5241051e-fd5b-48d1-8737-259a83beca13 anyway... i'll be there :) http://burningman.com/blackrockcity_yearround/special_events/ SF PRECOMPRESSION: DREAMS & DELUSIONS FlambÉ! Friday, June 20th, 2008 — 9PM-4AM This is a MEGA-Flambé Lounge and not to be missed!!! At 1015 Folsom @ 6th St (with Burner-friendly security team and kinder attitude) $15 in Playa costume finery; $25 in street clothes 21+ over; Come early, stay late! Don't miss any of it!!! Details and forthcoming schedule of acts: http://www.burningman.com/special_events BURNING MAN 08 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THIS EVENT! (Cash only. Save the service and shipping charges) Live out your American DREAMS & DELUSIONS! American Dream-inspired attire encouraged—from Wild West to repossessed...and sea to shining sequin! This will be a SUPERSIZED Flambe with dancing, mad-capped circus, Vaudeville and aerial arts, your favorite DJs, fantastic bands and Mom's Apple Pie served piping HOT over four rooms and three floors, including a conversation-friendly subTYRANNYean Lounge to share art and theme camp plans for Burning Man 08! Discuss the old dreams and create The New Frontier - for the playa, America , and the planet! Save the date...pARTicipate! We have a star spangled lineup of live music and circus arts from our community appearing in the grand INDEPEN-DANCE HALL, including: Vau de Vire Society (avant circus cabaret), Gooferman (Kings of Klown Fi), Aeion & The Red Devil Lounge (live funk), Fou Fou HA! (sexy go go buffoons), Belinda Blair (uke lounge songstress), Michael “Firefingers” Olson (flameno guitar), Cyoakha Grace (live electronica), Loyd Family Players (samba thunder), Hannah Griffith (aerial tissu), Kerri Kresinski (acro-vaudeville), Isaac & Travis (sideshow antics), BK (aerial straps), AmesEla (live beats & vox), Thrillpeddlers (grand guignol theatre), Miranda Carolgine & Amy Leblanc (performance fashions), Karen Shelar (LED hoops) and MORE!!! Participating DJs and Camps include: Dex Stakker (Opel/Opulent Temple/Pronoia), Clark Hamon (DEEP END), Tim Dietz (The FRINGE), DJ Shissla, Beth Murphy (House of Lotus), Adnan, Fortdax Alex, Toma Ramirez, Sparkinzi, Justin Credible, Mark Yee and Gomer (NOMAD), Sparkle, Lokesh, DJ Dean (Luscious Grooves), fLOORCRAfT, Brian Swift Bernel, DJ Yäk, and MORE!!! A sneak peak at theme art planned for the playa and Burning Man, Black Rock Arts Foundation, Burners Without Borders and Blackrock Solar information tables! Art projects and groups looking for collaborators and MORE MORE MORE! DREAMS & DELUSIONS: TENTATIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE ROVING PERFORMERS: Stephanie Hanson stilts 1. ELLIS SPACEISLAND (Entry Room): Stage Mgr and MC: Tim Barsky (8-11pm) / Ty (11pm-3am) Asst: Yvonness 9:00-10:00 DJ Playdoughboy 10:00-10:45 AmesEla 10:45-11:30 Uncle Fishbits w/Firefingers (live guitar) 11:30-12:00 Belinda Blair 12:00-12:45 Cyoakha Grace 12:45-1:30 DJ Toma Ramirez 1:30-2:15 DJ Shissla 2:15-3:00 DJ fLOORCRAft 3:00-4:00 Brian Swift Bernal 2. INDEPEN-DANCE HALL (Main Room) MCs: $teven Ra$pa, Justin, Shameless Heather, Broncar Stage Managers: Bill Barany, Justin, Heather Sound: Alex Newman / Zone AV 10:00-10:30 DJ PumpkinDonkeyDance 10:30-11:00 Aeion & The Red Devil Lounge 11:00-11:10 Hannah Griffith tissu / aerial 11:10-11:20 Thrillpeddlers Present: Penny¹s Guide 11:20-11:25 Kerri Kresinski of Sweet Can 11:25-11:35 Isaac & Tyler bed of nails & sideshow antics 11:35-11:45 BK aerial straps 11:45-11:50 Fou Fou HA! 11:50-12:30 Loyd Family Players 12:30-1:15 Gooferman 1:15-2:15 3L3tronic (Disorient, Excursion) 2:15-3:00 Dex Stakker (Opel/Opulent Temple/Pronoia) 3:00-4:00 Clark Hamon (DEEP END) TO Go-Go Mobile Platforms Schedule in Main Room: 10:00-10:30 Miranda Caroligne + Amy Leblanc 10:45-11:15 Fou Fou HA! 11:15-11:45 Karen Shelar 12:15-12:45 Members of Vau de Vire 12:45-1:00 Gooferman dancers 1:00-1:30 Members of Vau de Vire 1:30-2:00 Nilambari 3. LIBERTY LOUNGE (Top Floor) DJ Schedule Mgr: Whiskeydevil & Anna Q. 11:00-12:00 DJ Yäk 12:00-1:00 Fortdax Alex 1:00-2:00 Beth Murphy (House of Lotus) 2:00-3:00 Tim Dietz (Fringe) 3:00-4:00 Sparkle 4. SUB-TYRANNY-EAN BRAIN (Downstairs Conversation & Burning Info) DJ Schedule Mgr: Whiskeydevil & Anna Q. 9:00-10:00 DJ Liberty 10:00-10:10 Burn on the Bayou (Preview) 10:10-11:00 Zdj 3.o 11:00-11:10 Green Man Theme (TV Free Burning Man pod) 11:10-12:00 Zdj 3.o 12:00-12:10 Dept. of Mutant Vehicles (TV Free Burning Man pod) 12:10-1:00 DJ Dean 1:00-2:00 DJ Lokesh 2:00-3:00 DJ Adnan room closes 3am

Hitler gets ready for BM (reeeeeeepost)

Sparklez108 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:02:18 GMT

a very funny fella uploaded this video a month ago... it's his own subtitles (german 'translation') over a scene from some film... and it had me rotfl :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV4i7dWeu0c thx, holly!

Location-Aware iPhone Tools Set to Flood the Web

Sparklez108 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:03:15 GMT

http://www.webmonkey.com/blog/WWDC%3A_Location-Aware_iPhone_Tools_Set_to_Flood_the_Web By Scott Gilbertson June 9th, 2008 Categories: Software & Tools If the rumors are to be believed, Apple is going to announce new iPhones — possibly GPS-enabled iPhones — at the company’s WWDC event, set to kick off later today. It’s the sort of news that has GPS manufacturers quaking in their boots, but for iPhone fans it could mean access to all kinds of useful, location-aware data. One interesting possibility is a new service by the name of CitySense. CitySense attempts to show you what parts of your city are most active right now. The data is pulled from geo tracking devices inside taxis, though the company is looking into other ways of gathering data — like from your iPhone. CitySense is currently only available to Blackberry customers, though the site is advertising a “coming soon to the iPhone” service. The other downside is that CitySense only supports San Francisco at the moment, though six other cities are reportedly in the works. So what does CitySense do? Essentially the plan is track users (with privacy options to delete your data) and then map that data in real-time so you can find people like you. CitySense’s research has found that there are seven basic types of users and that those users follow patterns that remain constant across cities. Here’s how SenseNetworks, the company behind CitySense, explains the data: For example: rock clubs and hip-hop clubs each retain distinct tribal distributions. When a user is out at night, Citysense learns their preferred tribe distribution from time spent in these places. When that user visits another city, they see hotspots recommended on the basis of this distribution and combined with overall activity information. In other words, say you like hanging out in indie rock clubs. Now say you’re on vacation in another city and want to see a show. Fire up CitySense and look for the hotspots to find out where the rock clubs are. To get a better idea of what it looks like check out the Processing-based demo on the SenseNetworks site. Or of course you could just pick up the local weekly rag and look for an interesting show — but who reads newspapers anymore?

i can't even explain

Sparklez108 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:58:39 GMT

the secret conversations we had this morning... [bulk edit] inspired, rejuvenated... scared to death, but absolutely ready to die. in other words... i'm completely in love.

holy....holy....holy....

Sparklez108 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:02:44 GMT

Gurudeva flies in tomorrow morning... we will be there to meet him... and i'm so scared. . . . . . . . . . why scared -- in short, because i am not worthy. in detail... let's just say... usually when i get to see him i feel overwelmed with joy and relief that someone could know me inside and out (thru spiritual omniscience & all that) yet *still* love me (to a spiritually pure depth & all that)... and at the same time i am humbled to tears that i haven't tried harder to follow his guidance in his physical absence. BECAUSE were i to progress well on that spiritual path my loving relationships here on earth would also be so much the better... as that is *certainly* a symptom of spiritual advancement.

on (communal) interaction and creative plateaus

Sparklez108 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:55:40 GMT

in sf i have learned (quite a lot) by 'monkey see, monkey do' but now i lean toward oakland, cos there the monkeys say '(come) here, let me show you...' . . . friday night was bohemian carnival i paid my ticket & played dress-up per usual... but the NEXT night i got to learn (and do) fire safety at my friends' gig and *that* was (an invitation toward) something new. but love *all* the silly monkeys? oh, yeah... i certainly do :) i mean who doesn't love coming home with MORE klown makeup on than ya went out in... black? i painted no black... and where'd this white come from all over my *ear*? someone needs to practice their powder skillz... :P but seriously.... the first fire prop i ever put out was possibly the biggest one i've ever seen...

you can't catch me.

Sparklez108 — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:25:42 GMT

omgosh, new dance partners! so beautiful & stylish, i love you!... but now...to bed...

(chocolate) cake, caffeine, and (hf) corn syrup!

Sparklez108 — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:34:40 GMT

what a fkkn high. it tells me everything will be alright... i wanna sign, i just wanna sign... heeeeeeeeelp! ...that is, i'm tryin'a move to a place with more space... so wish me luck (oh, pleeeeeeeeease).

missing clothing

Sparklez108 — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:22:23 GMT

anybody got an idea where my green blazer and stripey bowed hat have gone? i've lost them both in the past 2 days / 2 weeks... somebody's got 'em... cough 'em up :)

repost: 'balance and control'

Sparklez108 — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:16:05 GMT

People talk of being balanced but in actuality what they’re really talking about is about being “in” control and not being triggered into their denied issues. When we’ve healed our issues, we are “in” balance as what used to activate us no longer does.. We are no longer running form one end of the denial teeter-totter to the other end “looking” for balance in our life.. We are living it... The problem created by people looking for balance in their lives is that they ignorantly expect the "other" person to move or behave in a certain way (known only to them) that will give them a feeling of balance and being "in" control. Being "in" control is not the same as being "in" balance. If the other person moves in the wrong direction or in the wrong way (which they always do unless they are in denial) the person locking for balance claims that the other person is either attacking them or not co-operating or whatever form of blame that surfaces as a result of their denied issues and imprints of their lack of control that is being activated. The blindness, ignorance and irony in all this is that the person that is looking to be in balance fails to see that the only person on the teeter-totter that is rocking their boat, so to speak, is themselves. Each is oblivious to the fact that they are on separate teeter-totters and are not even touching one another, yet each is demanding that the other move in such a way that will allow the other to feel that they have control and balance of the teeter-totter which they think they share. If it wasn’t so pathetic, it would be funny. Of course if they don't like the end of the teeter-totter that they are on, they can always run to the opposite end, and be firmly rooted in their new point of view, that now, because they are doing and experiencing the opposite of what they were, they have found balance. On one end of the denial teeter-totter they blamed other people, places and things, and on the opposite end, they blame themselves and everything in them. Where there is blame and judgment there are control issues and no balance. Balance is when there is no blame and no denials because there are no issues triggering you. To be "in" balance, we need to first be in balance with our inner being, our right side (Spirit and Mind) male with our left side (Will and feelings) female. Unless we find our inner balance we can't possibly hope to find balance in the outer world, and to find this inner balance, we need to give up being in control. Shenreed "Healing begins in the Heart"

on inspiration (no matter how much)

Sparklez108 — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:22:50 GMT

http://fantasycrash.net/crazyinlove.mp3 too much is never enough (no matter how much)

mornin' bump

Sparklez108 — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:10:51 GMT

http://fantasycrash.net/rainman.mp3 --shit, this is the same verse i just did this... ...anyway. anyway i don't know how else to put it this is the only thing that i'm good at i am the bad guy--kryptonite the green chronic--demonic yep yep don't worry--i'm on it i got it...

thanks for the healing hugz [+p.s.]

Sparklez108 — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:32:36 GMT

thanks, dear friends, for helping me while i was down this past week thanks for putting up with my moaning all over your floors and couches and with my staying over for days on end (of course, where else *would* i wanna go when i can't go to work? :) and for the rides, food, advice, handiwork, healing efforts, well wishes, and company -- now today i'm sure that i am FINALLY REALLY on the mend, over a week later and sooooooo, soooooooooooo happy now... i'm lucky. much love. (so no more practice til i find a partner...) p.s. and thanks for letting me hack up all that green vomit (cos when i finally got to my apt on sunday, i lurched up a mouthful of FOAM) and did i ever mention the solids i passed... black. completely black.