About Lisp, Pandora, Central New York and Other things on my Mind

I’m working my way through Paul Graham’s Book Ansi Common Lisp. I’m feeling lazy right now ( I think that it being almost midnight has a lot to do with it), and I want the answers to some of the excercises. I went here, and looked up for some answers. Unfortunately, the writer did’nt post answers for chapter excercises that I was looking for. I guess I’ll have to figure this out the hard way.

Pandora’s automated selection of music has good and bad days. I spent Saturday morning and afternoon listening to it, while I randomly clicked around on the web, and I enjoyed song after song. Today, its just dismal. I dont get it. Maybe my preferences change between Saturday morning and Monday evening.

Central New York’s weather sucks big-time today and will remain crummy until Friday, when the lake-effect snow and arctive wind finally subside. We’ve had a uncharacteristically warm December, and I had almost dared to hope that the warm spell may have just last. It was wishful thinking. Winter came back roaring back. Looking at the weather outside, it would be hard to believe that global warming is occuring because it sure does’nt look like it. Its no wonder there are so many environmental skeptics out there, when they have to go through these kinds of winters. I’m bracing myself for about a foot of snow this winter.

Other things on my mind? Tax Season. I made a New Year Resolution that I would get my taxes done as soon as I got my W-2 forms. I got mine about 2 weeks ago. Procrastination will be the end of me. I found an interesting tax tip today. I need to confirm this but an extra $30 is’nt bad.

Currently Listening to…

“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” by U2.

I finally downloaded this album this afternoon. Initially I was pretty excited about it, but now that I’ve been listening to this album, I’m beginning to have some mixed feelings. Some songs are awesome. Not quite at par with Joshua Tree, but geetting close. Some have a hint of that disaster of an album, Pop. Anyway here’s my run-down

	My Rating	Comments
Vertigo	***	Great First time song, got tired of it after repetedly listerning to it
Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own	****
Love and Peace or Else	*	Kind of like Vertigo, but just did’nt enjoy it as much.
City of Blinding Lights	***
All Because of You	***	Vertigo style song, enjoyable. Might be good track to listen to on the job.
A Man and a Moon	**	A Sappy Song. I dont know I might enjoy it a little more in another mood.
Crumbs from your Table.	****	Nice socially concious song. Something along the lines of if good will send his angels
One Step Closer	****	Nice slow song, I think I’m going to be listening to this one a lot
Original of the Species	****	Another slow song, kind of inspiring
Yahweh	*****	Awesome song to wrap up the album

Top 10 Strangest iPod Accessories

I love my iPod. I’ve always admired products that do a few things and do them extremely well. The iPod does that perfectly, i.e. play music and do it very very well. That’s one of the reasons why I did’nt bother with the new video iPod. As far as I’m concerned, its a waste of money. I’m never going to use it to watch a video. And because I take the effort to organize my playlists, I don’t have to more than a few gig of memory.

That’s why I’m always surprised at people making and selling products that enhance the iPod. The only accessories that I’m going to ever need are those that enhance my listening experience.

…or maybe I dont have enoough imagination to come up with a better use of my iPod.

Currently Listening to …

Malena (Main Theme) from the album “Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone” by Yo-Yo Ma, Roma Sinfonietta & Ennio Morricone and the rest of the songs from the album.

Currently listening to…

Boulevard of Broken Dreams from the album “Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Single” by Green Day

Currently Listening to …

Oxygen from the album “Untitled 5-Song EP – EP” by Willy Mason.

H.