Tryin’ to catch me ridin’ dirty…
Posted on October 20th, 2008
Filed under: General — Karl Olson @ 5:26 am
So, over the course of the past couple years now, I’ve probably crossed the US/Canada border atleast 20 or 30 times to visit my girlfriend, Danielle. Maybe even more. For most of that time, I’ve been unemployed and the Canadian border cops had absolutely no issue with that response. In fact, the majority of the time they just asked me who I was, where I was going and for how long, then waved me on through, and that was even before I’d gotten my passport.
Last night however, I was driving Danielle back up to Canada as I’ve done repeatedly before, and we get flagged in, have to wait a freakin’ hour at immigration, and I’m told I’m suddenly a risk to let in because I might not leave, and that the previous times I’d made the exact same journey didn’t count for anything. This fact is made extra ridiculous as earlier this year, I was still unemployed, I flew in on a ONE-WAY TICKET to Montreal, and no one said a single word about this being a problem. Eventually, after tearing through the contents of my car, they let me in. However, they only let me in for 24 hours, at which point I’d better have gotten back over the border or else they’d PUT A WARRANT OUT FOR MY ARREST. Further still, they’ve flagged my passport number so that the next time I drive up to visit my girlfriend, I’d better bring proof that I have “ties to the US that show that I’d return,” like mail that has come to the address on my driver’s license. So much for “as long you have your passport, it’s still easy to visit between countries.” Apparently you better present your papers and a bank statement or a bill or something if you’re unemployed.
Look, I know the US Economy’s taken a nose dive, so maybe they’re are some jerks who are going to try to sneak into the land of relative opportunity, but when someone has entered and left your country dozens of time in past year, it’s a pretty safe bet that when they say they’re going back home that evening, THEY’RE GOING HOME THAT EVENING.
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Last Chance To Buy My Stuff
Posted on October 18th, 2008
Filed under: Music News — Karl Olson @ 3:21 pm
It goes on Craigslist on Monday.
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A Grand Gear Sell Off
Posted on October 12th, 2008
Filed under: Music News — Karl Olson @ 1:48 pm
Before I put these up on ebay or take them to a Guitar Center/a Pawn Shop, I figured I’d have a shot a getting rid some pieces of gear directly to people I know. Is anyone interested in:
–Behringer EuroRack UB502 Mixer – $25 + Shipping.
–Alesis NanoVerb – $50 + Shipping.
–KeyFax Phat-Boy v.1 Midi Parameter Controller – $60 + Shipping.
–Yamaha SU200 Sampler – $125 + Shipping.
They’re all in very, very good condition, have been very gently used, and the sampler and mixer still have their original boxes. Hit me up via one of the methods on the contact page if you’re interested or have questions.
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2 More Schools
Posted on October 10th, 2008
Filed under: General — Karl Olson @ 12:43 pm
OSU and WSU both sent me letters. Hard to believe 6 schools now have taken me. I wish I’d casted a net like earlier this year – I’d be in school already.
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Two More Letters
Posted on October 8th, 2008
Filed under: General — Karl Olson @ 8:59 pm
From Eastern Washington University and the University of Idaho. That makes four schools, though Portland still tops my list of school who have accepted me so far (come on, UVic.)
Meanwhile, I’ve probably logged roughly 150,000 votes via the script. Fun stuff.
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Rick Astley Python Lessons
Posted on October 7th, 2008
Filed under: General — Karl Olson @ 11:50 pm
I’ve mentioned RickRolling before on the blog, and imagine many people have heard about the attempt to get him voted the best act ever. What you might not know is that this attempt at the biggest RickRoll yet has resulted in various scripts and sites to automatically and repeatedly vote for Rick. Well, I started to play with some of the scripts so I could participate in this ridiculous endeavor, and I found the scripts to be lacking. So, what’s a boy to do? Hack together multiple scripts to not only present the information I want, but also to ensure that the number votes I want to register actually registers (not just a certain number of attempts at voting.) Thus, after the break (unless you’re reading this on the nerdcore.info nerdcore metablog, where it’ll just display,) you can see my first python script.
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No Frosting Yet
Posted on October 6th, 2008
Filed under: General — Karl Olson @ 11:32 pm
But the Twinkies arrived. Namely, an acceptance letter to University of Texas Arlington, my last-ditch back up school. Of course Portland > Texas (sorry MC Router, Funimation, ADV,) but it’s nice to know atleast two schools thought I was worthwhile. Back to waiting for frosting.
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Relief is spelled A-C-C-E-P-T-E-D
Posted on October 4th, 2008
Filed under: General — Karl Olson @ 9:26 pm
Why is “accepted” my word for relief? Because the 10 (terribly dull and bureaucratic) college applications I submitted have yielded their first acceptance letter (specifically to Portland State University in Portland, OR.) There’s the cake, every letter after this is the frosting, and now I can stop worrying whether the 600 or so bucks those applications cost were worth it and whether or not I’ve got a school come January. The baseline goal has been achieved.
Also, I cleaned my room up a bit today too. Nice to have the space open. 😀
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Shael vs. Karl?
Posted on October 1st, 2008
Filed under: Music News — Karl Olson @ 8:00 pm
Nope, it’s not a feud, but rather a little collaboration on a cover of Weezer’s “The World Has Turned and Left Me Here.” Shael takes lead vocal duties while I do backing vox and production. It was fun to do, hope y’all enjoy it.
Oh, and if you just want to listen to it in a convenient, in-browser flash player, it’s up on Shael’s Sixty-One page too.
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“C – H – I – C – A – G – O” – Gemstones.
Posted on October 1st, 2008
Filed under: Music News — Karl Olson @ 6:12 pm
As, in I’m on Chicago Public Radio. Right at 3 minutes and 45 seconds. It’s a clip of me from Nerdcore For Life, and yes, it is exceedingly nerdy. No name drop though, but hey, maybe This American Life can end up using some of the documentary in a future episode.