The Diogenes Club

"There are many men in London, you know, who, some from shyness, some from misanthropy, have no wish for the company of their fellows. Yet they are not averse to comfortable chairs and the latest periodicals. It is for the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club was started, and it now contains the most unsociable and unclubable men in town. No member is permitted to take the least notice of any other one. Save in the Stranger's Room, no talking is, under any circumstances, allowed, and three offences, if brought to the notice of the committee, render the talker liable to expulsion."

from the story "The Greek Interpreter"
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

A place to hide. A place to nest. A place to retreat. This is something we all long for. A little zone of peace in a mad world. Just like those abandoned in place spots, places like these--or at least the idea of places like these--attract me. When I was attending classes at UH-Park campus, the upper floors of the library had some really secluded desks and tables. It was the perfect place to settle down to study. Almost nobody got up there.

When the little town I live in just outside of Houston finally got it's own Starbucks I thought Lavie and I had found it. I imagined quiet sit-downs sipping coffee and making notes for a novel--ala JKR. Unfortunately, it is across town--so much for unplanned visits--and 3/4 of the town also had the same thought. Some new enterprising individuals are coming up with alternatives for the former Starbucks crowd. Check out these new hangouts: theOffice and Paragraph. Are these cool or what? (Thanks to TinyApps blog for the links for the quote and sites.)

Animal Crackers:

• freeCommander--the best windows file manager tool (along with A43) has a major update released. This is a really good one. It is faster and the icons/buttons have been upgraded.)
• Awesome file security application/wipe tool Blowfish Advanced CS. We use this to encrypt financial data stored on our drive. (Note: the main download site is down but you can find it on C|net.) How to guide.
  
• Article about the cat and mouse battle between rootkits and their detectors.
• Article about the resurgence of rootkits.
• While hiding out at the Diogenes Club, going to do work for my full-time, part-time-job with these guys. Ever since they hired me, they refuse to tell me where to report to work or where their office is!
• animefringe is closing down after December. I have enjoyed their site. Simple but thoughtful anime and manga reviews. Good luck guys and gals!

--UPDATE TO YESTERDAY'S POST--Lavie's parents now have power & a/c!!!! The well pump needs some additional assistance, but should be pressured back up by the end of the day! Thank goodness! I wonder if they would be willing to consider a solar-powered water-well setup? Link#1, Link#2, Google Search Link.

See you in the skies!
--Claus