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Taco Bell Goes Green | 100% Unnatural Ingredients
Friday, July 03, 2009 by icy

Ertugrul Osman | Ziyaret
Sunday, June 21, 2009 by icy

Ertugrul_Osman(oglu)_Ihsan_Cem_Onur.jpeg

Bugun Ertugrul Osman(oglu)'nun yaninda idik; babalar gunu icin. Hediye aldik, cicek aldik. Elini opmek istedik, ama o kadar hasta ki... Doktor kimseye el opturtmesin, mikrop kapmasin demis. Zeynep hanim (esi) "zaten kimseye opturmezdi tam ustune geldi" dedi. Yaninda bes dakika kadar vakit gecirebildik. Birseyler sorabilmek, konusabilmek isterdik, kismet. O kadar uzuldum ki. Birkac resim cekebildk, Zeynep hanim ile konustuk biraz. Istanbul'a donmeye calisiyor, orada vefat etsin, son gunlerini evinde huzur icinde gecirebilsin diye; boyle demiyor tabii ki. O kadar dik merdivenlerden inip cikmak gerekiyor ki cati katindaki evlerine, son birkac aydir hic disari cikmamis Ertugrul bey. Bu vesile ile Ittihat ve Terakki ve onun neferinden turemis butun okuzlere; Turkiye'nin son 80 yilini bu hale getirmis butun fasist Ismet pasa ve takimina; hala ne oldugunu anlayamayacak kadar Fenerbahce Galatasaray modunda olan butun okuzlere; Ergenekon'u "Tayyip'in oyunu", Cumhuriyet mitinglerini "halkin isyani" zanneden davarlara; Cumhuriyeti devrim zanneden ve imparatorlugun son doneminde ulkede Magna Carta, bir parlamento bir de senato oldugunu hatirlamayan ve yapilan mesrutiyetleri tamamen unutan butun dangalaklara bir kere daha; agiz tadi ile; dolu dolu; doyasiya kufur ettim. Cok icim buruk bugun cok. Anlatmadi, yazdirmadi, islettirmedi olup bitenleri, "gercekten" olup bitenleri, mezarina goturecek. Birinci agizdan dinleyemeyecegiz, ben ona yaniyorum. Daha cok "Ah Su Cilgin Turkler" yazilir, daha cok "Kurtlar Vadisi" cekilir, satin alan oldugu surece, daha cooook mal uretilir.

"He who controls the past, controls the future. He who controls today, controls the past." - George Orwell

Tepenizde paralansin, e mi...

 

Okuyun, ogrenin, birazcik olsun hic olmazsa. Nereden baslasaniz kardir.

Fred Bernstein, New York Times
Muge Mengu, Turk of America
Murat Bardakci, Hurriyet
Mehmet Demirci, Zaman
Asli Aydintasbas, Sabah

 

Reads: 31

Ufaciktim, tefeciktim, adam oldum sandim, meger miniciktim | Zirva Sacma
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 by icy
  • sinop'ta dogdum
  • evde, koyde oynadim, mahallede pek oynamadim
  • ilkokulu sinop'ta bitirdigimde sehirde topu topu 10,000 kisi yasiyordu
  • her yaz tersane'de calistim, dukkanda, kah agladim, kah guldum
  • anadolu lisesini kazandim, istanbul'a gittim
  • yazlari kah karakoy'de persembe pazarinda, kah sinop'ta tersanede calistim
  • bazi yazlar merter'de keresteciler sitesinde handa bekcilik yaptim
  • mimar sinan universitesi mimarligi kazandim
  • yazlari cerceve, dograma taktim, kendi isimizdi
  • mimar sinan universitesinin tarihindeki ilk ogrenci asistan oldum, ars. grv. (o zamanlar, simdi prof.) oguzhan ozcan sayesinde doner sermayeden maas aldim
  • turkiye'nin ilk, avrupa'nin dorduncu sanal muzesini yazdim
  • evsiz kaldim, arkadasimin ofisinin arka odasinda yasadim, cagatay ile beraber
  • "internet isleri" ile ugrasmaya basladim, prizmanet'de calistim. turkiye'nin ilk webmasterlarindan biri oldum. ofiste yattim kalktim, yoktu evim
  • turk petrol holding'e danisman oldum, turkiye'nin ilk e-ticaret projesini yaptim, internet uzerinden ilk kredi karti islemini gecirdim, ilk sanal subesini yazdim
  • hala evim yoktu, ve hala ofiste yatip kalkardim
  • evim oldu, ama esyam olmadi.
  • esyam oldu, evim oldu, evsahibim beni cok sevdi, evi yeniden insa ettirdi bana. ev o kadar guzel oldu ki biri evi satin aldi, evsiz kaldim baska yere tasindim
  • arabam oldu
  • kotu yola dusmedim, ama her turlu kotulugu taddim, yaptim ettim
  • tatil diye amerika'ya geldim kismet cikti is buldum kaldim
  • kismet cikti, amerika'nin en buyuk mimari reklam ve tasarim ofisinde "bas programci" oldum
  • kismet cikti, wallstreet'de, hedge-fund'da bilisim muduru (director of it) oldum, gokdelende, manhattan'da ofisim oldu 40. katta

ne cok yol gelmisim sandim. ama bir de baktim, hala basladigim yerdeyim. sinop'ta, tersanede, dukkanda.

Reads: 22

Apple, Android, MS and Us | The Mumblings
Thursday, June 11, 2009 by icy

 While we're at it, I want to share an insight that I have in regards to iPhone and Palm Pre. They are both a hardware, running a proprietary OS developed by a company - in their case all of them by just one - and their OS is way too integrated to the hardware. I believe this is both the strongest and the weakest point of  both of these devices and ultimately will lead to their demise. However "amazing" the iPhone seems to be, it is just groundbreakingly different and being a classic Apple product, it works seamlessly on its own platform.

Palm Pre is sort of a dead on arrival product in my view - it's more of the same thing. It looks cool, and I am sure it will perform well too. But this is a different world now. We want more and we will get more. A good OS on a wider supported hardware will out-perform and out-do both iPhone and Pre in the medium to long term. It's OK for Apple to lose market share or whatnot, but Palm, come on guys, wake up and smell the roses.

Next year will be Android's. If Microsoft cannot get its act together and create something that is actually designed for the average Joe Android will kick some serious butt. Building an OS for the phone hardware is the way to go, and since all phone hardwares differ tremendously, MS's closed circuit development mentality is doomed to fail unless they come up with an immense product support developer group that will keep hardware manufacturers' problems at bay. Using the mobile device with a stylus is so 20th century. Android, on the other hand, is trying to achieve just that. Build an OS with robust kernel, let it be open, don't expect to make any money out of it and let the world rock. Since they have millions of dollars to spend on public service, they will hire a gazillion developers to support the OS and keep the customers (ahem, users) happy.

So, pick up an Android phone and start developing. Don't expect to sell your product though, but I am sure uncle Google will subsidize your expenses and compensate for your losses.

Microsoft, please, please get out of that isolated Seattle haven and enter the world of lame users, who need flashy, cool looking, finger poking, 21st century gadgets. That scroll bar looks hideous, the buttons are disgusting and frankly, I cannot type anything on that on-screen keyboard. Bring back the magic, or you are history dude.

Apple, the evil empire. Well, keep on doing what you are doing. You have your obedient, happy customers to buy whatever you produce. As long as they look cool, the price is of no concern for them - apparently. You can strike exclusive deals all you want. Someday that empire will come crumbling down, because, well, it's an empire. You are as good as your emperor.

Goody

Reads: 14

George Orwell | Foresights
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 by icy

All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome.

Every war when it comes, or before it comes, is represented not as a war but as an act of self-defense against a homicidal maniac.

All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.

Mankind is not likely to salvage civilization unless he can evolve a system of good and evil which is independent of heaven and hell.

Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

There are some ideas so wrong that only a very intelligent person could believe in them.

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.

War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it.

We may find in the long run that tinned food is a deadlier weapon than the machine-gun.

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

What can you do against the lunatic who is more intelligent than yourself, who gives your arguments a fair hearing and then simply persists in his lunacy?

Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.

- George Orwell (1903-1950)

The foresight that Orwell had, alongside Ray Bradbury never fails to astonish me. These man made pinpoint accurate predictions, observations from half a century ago about today. Just read Fahrenheit 451 with a little bit of interest and you will see what I mean.

Reads: 12

Photograph | Ara Guler
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by icy

Ara Guler

Ara Guler is an amazing, amazing photographer. Along with Isa Celik, he is the second reason why I love photography so much. He had the magic; when he took a picture he told the story with one simple, quick, a flash of a second composition. How he did it, even he does not know. His Istanbul, is my Istanbul, or was. His people were my people... One simple click, and a story unfolds, layer within layer.

Click here to do a quick search for his photographs on Google.
 

And here is another "one simple click" photograph. This is probably one of the best photographs ever taken. The story it tells is so deep, so fundamental, there probably could have been no other way to tell it.

http://araguler.com.tr/

Reads: 25

Down at the Shooting Range | by the Delaware Water Gap
Monday, May 18, 2009 by icy

Yes baby, down at the range... AR-30, AR-15, Beretta Storm CX4, Desert Eagle .50, Smith&Wesson 9mm, Glock 17 9mm... what a day! Now, how much did you say the Storm was? Right, please wrap one for me, to go. Thank you Alper...

The name of the shooting range is "Sunset Hill Shooting Range", it is in Philledelphia.

 

Beretta CX 4CX4 Storm 9mm

One of the best close combat carbines out there. Fires 9mm, exceptional handling, amazing weight distribution, and guess what, you shoot what you aim at, period. Breathtaking experience to shoot with this gun. Amazing, amazing piece of weapon. If you can find it, buy it, or let me know, I'll buy it (it is quite hard to find one; apparently it is one of the most sought after gun in the US right now). My favorite weapon so far. Next, I want to try FN-P90, Steyr Aug and MTAR-21; though I doubt if they have these babies for civillian fun shooting purposes.

http://www.berettaweb.com/Beretta%20CX4_Storm/CX4_storm1.htm

 

 

AR-30ArmaLite's AR30 & AR15

Pretty impressive sniper. Very loud and frightening to watch, but surprisingly smooth and easy to use actually. With a good scope, this sniper is an absolute thunder. The trigger is firm but light and the bolt action is fast.

AR-15

I definitely prefer shooting with AR-30 to AR-15; which had a badly calibrated scope and actually had a worse kickback than AR-30 today. Boo-hoo.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/armalite_121206/

 

 

 

Desert Eagle .50 Desert Eagle .50 AE

Yes, it is very heavy (~8pounds) and yes, it has a kick back... but, not that much. I mean, I had no trouble shooting what I aimed at 20ft. It is an experience but just like Kingda Ka, I would do it only for the experience, nothing else. This is one heavy, bulky, troublesome weapon. Good luck to anyone who has to carry it around all day long.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Eagle

 

 

 

Glock 17 9mmGlock 17 9mm

This handgun had a lot of kickback for its size. I mean, I was taken by surprise. It is quite light to the touch and pretty fun to use also has a very comfortable grip - for my hand at least.

http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/09/04/glock-17-chambered-for-9mm-review/

 

 

 

 

Smith&Wesson 9mm

Not much to say. It is a real blast to fire this beauty, though I've read a lot of reports of misfires, jams all sorts of mischiefs under stress. Still, this gun has a place in my heart: it was the first semi-auto pistol I had fired. If I had to choose between this and Glock, I'd go for the glock

http://www.gunblast.com/SW_MP9.htm

 

Reads: 1,775

One Minute(s)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 by icy
  • one minute I am fixing computers
  • one minute I am db admin
  • one minute I am doing consultancy for software developers
  • one minute I am on the phone tracking invoices
  • one minute I am on the tele-conf deciding server solution
  • one minute I am typing code
  • one minute I am installing software on client computers
  • one minute I am looking out through the window to Hudson
  • one minute I am in a meeting solving payment issues
  • one minute I am purchasing hardware
  • one minute I am chatting
  • one minute I am happy
  • Reads: 34

    New York City Guitar Lessons | Udi Levy
    Tuesday, February 24, 2009 by icy
    Udi Levy | Smooth Jazz Tales Guitar Lessons in New York from Udi Levy

     

    Udi Levy's guitar lessons web site for New York City residents. He is also my tutor, so I'm hoping for some cash back for this reference to his web site :)

     

    Oh and by the way, check out his album too: http://cdbaby.com/cd/udilevy
    It's gotten great review from critiques:

    '...One of the best smooth jazz albums of 2008, Udi's 'Tales' are telling an urban funk story. His command of the language of his guitar is most admirable and helps him conjure the sentiments of a lifetime dedicated to music. It makes me feel excited about what is there to come after his first. This album is a promise of delicious moments both on and off the tracks. Well done Udi, thank you...'

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3jI1l16ZDs
     

     

     

    Reads: 109

    Fried Food | If You Want to Fry Something, Learn About Oils
    Monday, March 30, 2009 by icy

    Today, I wondered "why is fried food so unhealthy?" and a quick research revealed these facts... (Yesterday I was wondering why we humans could not fly, at least without the aid of technology; and a quick research revealed nothing, but I'll get back to it someday... promise...) 

    Meanwhile...

    Heating vegetable oil above 300 degrees Fahrenheit damages the oil causing toxin formation. Heating the oil increases the rate of chemical reactions (oxidation) especially if it is in the presence of air (oxygen) and light. Many toxic products of oxidation occur, including trans fatty acid and other unnatural breakdown products (dimers and polymers etc). Our cells accumulate these toxic product and age more rapidly.

    The nutritional value of browned food is poor. Proteins turn into acrolein a known carcinogen.

    Frying food is an unhealthy practice and should be avoided.

    For those who cannot help themselves and insist on frying, the following suggestions are made:

    Saturated fats are the most stable to heat.
    Monounsaturated fats are the second most stable.
    Polyunsaturated fats are unstable to heat. Canola oil, corn oil and other liquid vegetable oils form the most toxins when heated. This is because they are damaged the quickest with heat and air. Never fry with Canola oil.

    Saturated fats that are low in the essential fatty acids are safer for frying. They are however also to be avoided because they raise your cholesterol.

    Mixing water with the oil when cooking helps prevents overheating of the oil.

    Safer (not safe but less toxic) oils for frying are (in order of safety):
    - Butter
    - Tropical fats
    - Peanut oil
    - Sesame oil
    - Olive oil

    By the way, Virgin Olive Oil is the only Supermarket oil that has not been heated to 392+ during processing!

    Reads: 75

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