11 Sep 2009
A New Drivers License

For some reason, glanced at my own drivers license the other day and noticed to my horror that it had expired last January! A trip to the BMV was called for, and when I got there I encountered some strange new protocols.

First, because my license expired more than 6 months ago, I had to take a written drivers test. Annoying, but no problem.

All over the license branch were posters warning of new rules effective in 2010 - apparently Indiana is complying with Real ID, and it's gonna be a major pain in the ass to get renewed once that lunacy takes effect. But I have some time to get ready - new drivers licenses are valid for six years now, rather than the old four year term. Of course, the price better than doubled, but, well, what can you do?

But the most surprising change was when I was asked to remove my glasses for the picture. Without my glasses, I couldn't even see the camera! If you ever see me driving without glasses, get off the road! I was told this was for new "face recognition" technologies that will be deployed in all police cruisers next year. Yeah, that technology is soooo cutting edge!

I hope Otto von Hapsburg doesn't get pulled over in Indiana...

10:38 /Home | 0 comments | permanent link

Fantasy football spawns bizarre businesses

I don't find this bizarre at all - "insurance" is just a polite way to say "gambling". That goes for health, auto, life - insurance = gambling, any way you cut the mustard.

Henry Olszewski was stoked in 2008 when he, along with millions of Americans, drafted New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to his fantasy football team.

(link) [CNN.com]

10:02 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Most ancient coloured twine found

That's the early Paleolithic - Old Stone Age. Apparently these were plant fibers, cotton, hemp, flax? I wonder when (and how) wool was first utilized?

Archaeologists discover 30,000 year old coloured fibres that they say are the earliest examples of humans making rope.

(link) [BBC News]

09:59 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link