MSNBC story on Iran. Its a bit old, but still... relevant to the shape of this battlefield.
Anon Iran
Our support, be it proxy servers, advice, help in disseminating what news can be gathered for the rest of the world to see, or even simple encouragment, to those that face a terrified oppressive regime.
I hope the rest of the world takes notice. From a purely political standpoint the worst thing Obama can do is commit any sort of material response. denounce acts against peaceful protesters and support those that want their voices heard, sure that's awesome. shows we care, but otherwise DO NOTHING. let the rest of the world act so that America can't be used as a scapegoat the extremists in their government can use as a rally point to justify their actions.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Review: Clay Cup
I'd actually written this a couple years back and forgot to put it up anywhere.
I don't get out much to eat, generally as I'm more than a bit strapped for cash and its generally more economical to make it yourself. However as I'm out for a fair bit, and had a bit of money to blow. So just taking a walk downtown. Normally I just wait till I get home to eat, however as I hadn't eaten this morning and it will be roughly six hours before I get a lift back home I thought I may as well.
This brings me to the little shop right on the square that I walked in on. Keep in mind that this places is ON the square right across from the court house. This little fact is important, as location dictates rent, and rent goes a long way to dictating the final pricing.
A note on my grading system: I grade each individual category from a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest score, then I give an overall score. That is not an average. It is simply my subjective opinion of the overall experience.
The Clay Cup
113 N. Maple Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 896-9494
Atmosphere: 7
I'm not sure if this place is intentionally going for a quasi fifties diner motif, but that is what the overall look of the interior reminded me of. It didn't go overboard to be 'perfect'. This was part of the charm though as the feel of the place was more casual, I suppose that was also intentional.
Selection: 5
Not all that much in way of selection from what I could see. However as I opted to read their lunch menu instead of the chalkboard hanging behind the register, and declining the cachear/waitress's offer to read it for me. Yes I'm stubborn but she did offer up a few bits of commentary when I asked for specifics. all in all though since this is about selection I have to give it middle of the road marks. Not as much there as you would find in a franchise, but there is a decent selection.
Helpfulness: 10
As I said in the last section, the lady at the counter was very helpful. In my view her willingness to back off when asked was also a mark in this place's favor as sometimes its better to just let well enough alone, even if it does look like the customer could use assistance. Also, it could have been because they were geared up for the lunch hour rush, or maybe because it was slow, but after I ordered I'd plunked down at a random table and started in on a book I'd just picked up at the local paperback place. Didn't even get halfway through the first page before my food showed up. Beat that McDonalds!
Quality: 8
This is where the Clay Cup shines. What I asked for was a cup of soup(eight ounces for those keeping track) and a ham sandwich(hold the vegetables). What i got was home made roast beef and, I think, lentil soup(I'm not sure) as well as a rather hefty sandwich on light colored wheat. The soup was what you'd expect from apparently home made, that is to say quite good. The sandwich came on fluffly slices of bread with the meat itself being generously applied between these slices of bread. I can't comment on the freshness of the vegetables. However if the rest is any indication than I would expect crisp and fresh to be the two operative words I'd use.
Price: 4
Things fall flat here I'm afraid. With it being conveniently located just on the other side of the courthouse rent for the property is likely quite high. Add in the fact that shipping in fresh meat and other ingredient as opposed to buying by the ton like chain stores and you have a combination that leads to high prices.
Example: This is what I had.
One ham sandwich $4.50
One cup of soup $2.40
A coke $1:35
Total(w/tax): $8.99
I don't blaim these people for their pricing. It costs to have quality. I understand and sympathize. However as a customer I feel slightly ripped off on the deal as lunch for one should not cost ten bucks. Oh well, what I had beat the daylights off of a mcdonalds garbageburger.
Edit:
Thank you Dev for pointing out to me price differences. Depending on where you are a 'meal' for one can cost six or seven bucks at, in his example, Burger King. Just keep in mind that I can find a 'meal' (and i use the term loosly for fast food) for five bucks, less if I want to skimp on a few things.
Overall: 8
Is it a bit pricey? Yes. Is it worth it given the level of service and convenianct location? Yes. Will I eat there again? Again, yes.
Final Thoughts:
The only thing I have left to say is that you should go visit your local eateries. Give the little guy a bit of business as the variety wouldn't kill you.
I don't get out much to eat, generally as I'm more than a bit strapped for cash and its generally more economical to make it yourself. However as I'm out for a fair bit, and had a bit of money to blow. So just taking a walk downtown. Normally I just wait till I get home to eat, however as I hadn't eaten this morning and it will be roughly six hours before I get a lift back home I thought I may as well.
This brings me to the little shop right on the square that I walked in on. Keep in mind that this places is ON the square right across from the court house. This little fact is important, as location dictates rent, and rent goes a long way to dictating the final pricing.
A note on my grading system: I grade each individual category from a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest score, then I give an overall score. That is not an average. It is simply my subjective opinion of the overall experience.
The Clay Cup
113 N. Maple Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 896-9494
Atmosphere: 7
I'm not sure if this place is intentionally going for a quasi fifties diner motif, but that is what the overall look of the interior reminded me of. It didn't go overboard to be 'perfect'. This was part of the charm though as the feel of the place was more casual, I suppose that was also intentional.
Selection: 5
Not all that much in way of selection from what I could see. However as I opted to read their lunch menu instead of the chalkboard hanging behind the register, and declining the cachear/waitress's offer to read it for me. Yes I'm stubborn but she did offer up a few bits of commentary when I asked for specifics. all in all though since this is about selection I have to give it middle of the road marks. Not as much there as you would find in a franchise, but there is a decent selection.
Helpfulness: 10
As I said in the last section, the lady at the counter was very helpful. In my view her willingness to back off when asked was also a mark in this place's favor as sometimes its better to just let well enough alone, even if it does look like the customer could use assistance. Also, it could have been because they were geared up for the lunch hour rush, or maybe because it was slow, but after I ordered I'd plunked down at a random table and started in on a book I'd just picked up at the local paperback place. Didn't even get halfway through the first page before my food showed up. Beat that McDonalds!
Quality: 8
This is where the Clay Cup shines. What I asked for was a cup of soup(eight ounces for those keeping track) and a ham sandwich(hold the vegetables). What i got was home made roast beef and, I think, lentil soup(I'm not sure) as well as a rather hefty sandwich on light colored wheat. The soup was what you'd expect from apparently home made, that is to say quite good. The sandwich came on fluffly slices of bread with the meat itself being generously applied between these slices of bread. I can't comment on the freshness of the vegetables. However if the rest is any indication than I would expect crisp and fresh to be the two operative words I'd use.
Price: 4
Things fall flat here I'm afraid. With it being conveniently located just on the other side of the courthouse rent for the property is likely quite high. Add in the fact that shipping in fresh meat and other ingredient as opposed to buying by the ton like chain stores and you have a combination that leads to high prices.
Example: This is what I had.
One ham sandwich $4.50
One cup of soup $2.40
A coke $1:35
Total(w/tax): $8.99
I don't blaim these people for their pricing. It costs to have quality. I understand and sympathize. However as a customer I feel slightly ripped off on the deal as lunch for one should not cost ten bucks. Oh well, what I had beat the daylights off of a mcdonalds garbageburger.
Edit:
Thank you Dev for pointing out to me price differences. Depending on where you are a 'meal' for one can cost six or seven bucks at, in his example, Burger King. Just keep in mind that I can find a 'meal' (and i use the term loosly for fast food) for five bucks, less if I want to skimp on a few things.
Overall: 8
Is it a bit pricey? Yes. Is it worth it given the level of service and convenianct location? Yes. Will I eat there again? Again, yes.
Final Thoughts:
The only thing I have left to say is that you should go visit your local eateries. Give the little guy a bit of business as the variety wouldn't kill you.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Iranian Bloggers
Iran Protests Via Internet
A timeline of events centered around the Iranian elections, protests, bloggers, and the Iranian's war against the internet to try silencing opposing voices from within. I truly have nothing to say, for I fear that I'm still ill-informed on everything. However All of us who claim the Internet as our home country should look to these brave and determined souls who are literally risking life, limb, and liberty to have their voices heard by the rest of the world.
Praise them for their efforts, and ask yourselves what you can do to make sure their sacrifices and risks are not unrewarded by the world community.
A timeline of events centered around the Iranian elections, protests, bloggers, and the Iranian's war against the internet to try silencing opposing voices from within. I truly have nothing to say, for I fear that I'm still ill-informed on everything. However All of us who claim the Internet as our home country should look to these brave and determined souls who are literally risking life, limb, and liberty to have their voices heard by the rest of the world.
Praise them for their efforts, and ask yourselves what you can do to make sure their sacrifices and risks are not unrewarded by the world community.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Rage-aholics Anonymous
I get angry far too quickly far too often. The reasons tend to become irrelevent once i feel like I've been slighted. My temper's gotten me in trouble, hurt friends, made family think I'm a jerk (at times i can be, won't deny it), and all sorts of unpleasant things.
I might have found something that can help give me a good counter to being mad.
Cute.
http://www.pxlshots.com/blog/2009/06/100-cute-animal-photos-that-make-you-go-awww/
*melt* ...cyyyuuuuuute
I might have found something that can help give me a good counter to being mad.
Cute.
http://www.pxlshots.com/blog/2009/06/100-cute-animal-photos-that-make-you-go-awww/
*melt* ...cyyyuuuuuute
Friday, June 12, 2009
Green!
Lessee. Since 'green tech' is the new in thing, and I like the idea of doing things that don't greatly impact how you would normally do things that can shave a little here or there to help out in both costs and saving on energy used I've decided to throw out a few links.
Mobile Makeover: Turning an Old Laptop into a Media Center
I like it. Video, article to go with the video, and you get to turn that 'old' laptop that's not actually all that old into something that you can find far more use out of.
Ten Practical Ways to Green Your Home-Tech
See, now that's what I'm talking about. You don't have to live in a low consumption home where cold showers, cramped spaces, and feeling slightly ridiculous to help with the whole energy problem. Little steps work wonders if you take enough of 'em.
Ubuntu Desktop in a Tiny Box
See, now this is what I'm talking about when people say 'web tv'. Sure its based on a mobile processor, but lets face it. It isn't goingto get in the way of anything, and with a good wireless keyboard/mouse/remote you can surf and do whatever short of intense gaming to your heart's content without having a gigantic box tucked away, or dressed up, or whatever.
Mobile Makeover: Turning an Old Laptop into a Media Center
I like it. Video, article to go with the video, and you get to turn that 'old' laptop that's not actually all that old into something that you can find far more use out of.
Ten Practical Ways to Green Your Home-Tech
See, now that's what I'm talking about. You don't have to live in a low consumption home where cold showers, cramped spaces, and feeling slightly ridiculous to help with the whole energy problem. Little steps work wonders if you take enough of 'em.
Ubuntu Desktop in a Tiny Box
See, now this is what I'm talking about when people say 'web tv'. Sure its based on a mobile processor, but lets face it. It isn't goingto get in the way of anything, and with a good wireless keyboard/mouse/remote you can surf and do whatever short of intense gaming to your heart's content without having a gigantic box tucked away, or dressed up, or whatever.
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