Your tax dollars at work.
This shouldn't surprise anyone, but the Federal Trade Commission has recently concluded that spammers lie2. They analyzed 1,000 pieces of spam—which is about six hours worth—and found that 66% of spam contains some type of fraudulent claim. And you thought that by taking two herbal pills you could gain three inches, inherent a fortune from deposed African royalty, and lose weight by trying a new banana split diet.
Tuesday, April 29, 2003 @ 13:12 » 
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Linking Love
Another novel idea3 from Fox (courtesy of The Onion4); a solid read5 from my cousin Dan (aka one funny bastard).
More to follow ...
Saturday, April 26, 2003 @ 09:37 » Comments
Guinness Gets Better For You
As if Guinness wasn't good enough, they're now trying to replicate the Guinness brewed in Nigeria. Apparently, this local version6 is sweeter and heavier than the traditional draught. It also sports almost double the alcohol content, with seven to eight percent versus the standard 4.3% we're all used to. One source was quoted as saying, "I think locals [the Irish] may well go for it." With twice the alcohol content? You think?!
Friday, April 25, 2003 @ 13:57 » Comments
Who's in the know?
Boston.com7 is looking for Boston's social organizers. Anyone out there think that I qualify? Send them a note and let them know that I'm in the know!
Looking for the social butterflies .... The Globe's City Weekly and Boston.com are trying to find out who the social organizers are in Boston. Is there someone in your group of friends who always knows what's happening? Or are you the uber-organizer? Your tips.8
Thursday, April 24, 2003 @ 18:12 » Comments
I'm famous!
So I just got this random IM from a guy named Mark. He asked if I was posting to some message board, but I had no idea what he was talking about. "Not me," I told him. Afterward, I went on Google and found the board he was talking about and it has a bunch of threads about me and my site. Funny! Anyway, there's some fool going around saying he's me and telling them that they're violating my copyrights and what-not. I have no idea who he is, but he seems to care a lot more about this whole thing than I do. This post should settle things once and for all, though. I am the real JackHoya and I say post away.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003 @ 16:33 » Comments
Does he play for the Twins?
Yesterday, Jason sent me a link to an ESPN article9 about Robb Nen, a closer for the San Francisco Giants. He's about to undergo arthroscopic surgery for an injured right arm, but that's not what JJ found most interesting. You see, Robb and I bear a striking resemblance to one another (at least when I have a goatee). Here, judge for yourself:
Saturday, April 19, 2003 @ 00:18 » Comments
Sleep = good
Although I usually get only five or six hours of sleep each night, I won't deny that it catches up with me eventually. Apparently, last night was that night; I went to bed at 1.00a and slept until 3.00p today! I didn't even go out last night (ok, so John and I grabbed one round of Guinness at McSwiggins), but the party at 123 Newbury on Friday night went pretty late. Jun and Parag came up from CT for it and we were some of the last people to leave. I had planned on being productive today, but it didn't happen. I did get to take another nap after dinner, though. 
Sunday, April 13, 2003 @ 23:55 » Comments
My First Portrait
My parents each had their portraits painted years ago by a Chinese artist who was studying in Boston. A family friend introduced them and he has since become well-known for his work. With all of today's digital cameras, it seems like this form of art has become lost on the masses. How many people do you know who have had their portraits painted? (And no, those caricatures they sketch on the sidewalk don't count.) That being said, my parents told each of us kids that they would commission an artist to paint our portraits for our 25th birthdays. My 25th was over a year ago, but this type of work isn't exactly a weekend affair. However, the artist who was working on mine recently finished the job. The oil paints need to set up over the next six months or so, but then it can be lacquered and framed. I had a lot of input during the whole process, so I was able to incorporate a few symbolic subtleties like the globe and the school colors in my tie. I think it came out pretty well!
Sunday, April 13, 2003 @ 16:54 » Comments
You don't cook it first?
Ok, so I had sushi for the first time today. Raw fish never held much appeal for me, but I'm not against trying new things so Carolyn took me to Gyuhama on Boylston. We split three plates: Boston maki (tuna, lettuce, spicy mayo), gourd maki and tuna sashimi. It was actually pretty good! I still wouldn't pick sushi over a big Angus cheeseburger, but I wouldn't turn it down in the future. And apparently it was a big deal that I had plain fish my first time ... I guess most people aren't that adventurous.
Saturday, April 12, 2003 @ 23:48 » Comments
Summer Means Movies
If you ask me, I think this is going to be a great summer for movies. So many to look forward to! There's X-Men 210 (and another11), Dumb & Dumberer12, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life13, Bruce Almighty14, The Hulk15, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen16, Terminator 317, The Matrix: Reloaded18, Pirates of the Caribbean19, Kill Bill20, Johnny English21, Bulletproof Monk22 ... of course, with my track record I probably won't see any of these in the theater.
Monday, April 07, 2003 @ 19:31 » Comments
It's How Late?!
This "spring forward, fall back" thing isn't so hot. I just got home from a night in Boston and it's already after 5.00a ... where'd the time go?! I was at an old haunt, the BHP, with a huge posse, but that seems like hours ago. Everyone was there for Paige and Wil, who are both celebrating their birthdays. They were the first two people I met from MetroLacrosse23 (the program I'm coaching for this spring), so I blame them for sucking me into that whole scene! Actually, I love hanging out with this crowd; they know how to have a good time. In fact, the birthday girl herself was still ready to go at closing time ... to McDonald's, that is. We grabbed a couple of value meals at the drive-thru and inhaled them back at her place before calling it a night. The drive back to Salem afterwards didn't help, so maybe next time I'll plan ahead and arrange for a place to stay in town. It's fun to be a couch nomad.
Sunday, April 06, 2003 @ 05:33 » Comments
Bruins Win 8-5
I just got back from watching the Boston Bruins24 beat the Buffalo Sabres25 in a high-scoring game. I organized this event on behalf of the Georgetown Club of Boston, so we had a decent turnout with both adults and kids. The teams traded goals throughout the game, which made things more interesting for the younger fans. We had tremendous seats on the Halo Level, too, with padded chairs and lots of room to mingle. I have to thank Bob Sweeney, a former Bruin himself, for helping me pull it off. We had such a great time that I'm already thinking about making this event bigger and better next year.
Saturday, April 05, 2003 @ 17:43 » Comments
Boston Symphony Orchestra
My parents have season tickets to the Boston Symphony Orchestra26 this year, but couldn't make it last night. Instead, they passed their tickets along to me! I ended up going with Stef, who had never been to Symphony Hall before. This concert was a little different than what I was expecting, though. I went to another performance earlier this year where they played more traditional music. I rarely listen to classical, but it's an impressive experience to hear it performed by professionals in such an amazing hall. And I remember enough from music classes in grade school that things at least sound familiar. Last night, however, they had a Canadian baritone singing excerpts from a German opera. Not exactly what I'm used to! Anyway, it was something different to do and I had a great time. And now Stef and I can brag that we're full of cul-cha (that's "culture" to you non-Bostonians).
Friday, April 04, 2003 @ 14:13 » Comments
What Season Is It?
Umm ... my sister and I got back from McSwiggins around 1.00a last night and it was sleeting out, but I was a little surprised to wake up this morning to snow. I thought the old saying went "April showers bring May flowers" ... so what does April snow bring?!
Friday, April 04, 2003 @ 10:35 » Comments
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