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Rance wuz here...
Monday, 22 November 2004

DUE TO AN UDDER, I MEAN UTTER, LACK OF INTEREST THE RASHOMON CONTEST HAS BEEN AXED, CANNED, GONGED, WHATEVER. NO LAMENTING PLEASE.

RANCETTE AND ROB WILL BE OFFERED A GUEST BLOGGIST SPOT FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH AND TUESDAY THE 30TH RESPECTIVELY. YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT WHATEVER YOU WISH. EMAIL THEM TO ME AT RUBBERDEEDUCKIE@YAHOO.COM PLEASE.

IN RESPONSE TO MY ANALYSIS OF HUGH
ROBYN HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU.



Name: Robyn
URL: http://www.hometown.aol.com/meowkitty0
E-Mail: themkickingpoe@aol.com

Comment: I think this is due
to
Hugh
being a perfectionist. You
know... the curse of the artist-intellectual. You
see how things can be better, so how can you
be impressed with something so lacking? Life is full of mediocrity and it can be depressing. The attitu
de happens when you
stop engaging in those social structures you
find so insufficient, or you
go about them painfully because you
have to
to
do
other things you
think are closer to
your ideal situation. Such is Hugh.
A purpose, I think he has... quality. The adherance to
which sacrifices satisfaction, and in turn, joy.

adieu,

robyn


I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO RIK. HE HAS GRACIOUSLY COMPOSED A PIECE OF MISCHIEVOUS FOR US ALL TO READ. I HOPE THAT YOU, IN LIKE KIND, WILL SHARE A MISCHIEVOUS STORY AS WELL. I HAVE PROVIDED A LINK TO RIK'S BLOG. IT'S A GAS.

Name: Rik
rikaitch.blogspot.com
Comment: As promised...

Teachers should never lower their guard

Its 1980-something, and a teenage adolescent by the name of Rikaitch was feeling mischievous. The school computer lessons mostly consisted of word processing, and really were quite drab. It didn't help with the fact that every other school in the area had the popular BBCs and we had to make do with Link 480zs . A small group of us were 'in' with the computer teacher, because we would get to school early, and help her to set up the computers each day. For security reasons the computers were locked away in a cupboard each night, and apparently this cupboard was impenetrable and could withstand attack from local burglars, teenage residents, or even special military forces. Anyway, the room was left unlocked during the day, and it became a game to see who could get onto the server PC for the longest, and do the most subtle alterations. One day Mrs Coleman, the computer teacher (a most interesting and unlikely computer teacher, more then likely just taken the post even though she really was a maths teacher) was away probably selling technical secrets to the Russians. We took the chance and told the cover teacher that we always work on the computer in the room. He looked doubtful, but when we showed him work we had already done he was so impressed he agreed.

So, there it is. 3 mildly pubescent aggravators sat for the next 2 hours at the control centre of each and every computer in the school. Oh yes, the power, I could feel the power. Mmmmmm, what could we do? Well first was to lower the security just enough on the main computers to allow us access again in the future. This was rattled off in a couple of minutes. We needed to do more, but being uncreative 13 year olds we thought we would go looking for inspiration. Some level of security was in place, but we found that this could be disabled by just going around the password program. Eventually we found access to a Commodore Pet.

"Strange," said one of my counterparts, "I didn't know the school has any Pets."

"Oh they don't really, only the one in the head's office," said the other accomplice.

"Gumpf," I said.

Closer examination showed it was said computer. I typed quickly, the chance of being caught now red handed would be fatal. One of the guys told a weedy member of the class to keep a look out for us, or face a dead leg. Not a lot could be found, but one large file was too tempting. Just to stop us losing such bounty, we copied it to the main server and set about looking into it.

"Bloody Hell!!!" cried one person.

"Flippin' 'eck" cried the other.

"Gumpf", I said, again.

It was only the teacher's personal details. Full names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, inside leg measurements. You get the picture. We'd struck hacker's gold. How could we possibly print out the list though, with the teacher's desk next to the printer? We decided we could do better then that. We modified the file so that it would work in the main school database program used by each and every year to learn how to make and query a database. The seed was sown, and it was only a matter of time...

3 weeks passed, and a fellow pupil appeared in registration one morning with a large computer printout. His older brother had come across it, and printed out the entire list. They took the list home, photocopied it (good on them!) and came back in to distribute the list to anyone that cared, for a small fee of course. By break time they'd sold out, and we were getting a tad nervous and hot around the collar. By lunchtime the great "Chester" (the head) had beckoned me... me?!?! Only me. I had to plead my innocence, but apparently because of my knowledge, the computer teacher thought I was the only one that had the ability to do such a thing.

The fact of the matter was she was right. I knew one thing though...

They could prove nothing.

NOTICE: FOR TODAY, AT LEAST, THE COMMENTS WILL BE UNMODERATED. BEHAVE!



Posted by captainhoof at 10:40 AM CST
Post Comment | View Comments (22) | Permalink

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 10:52 AM CST

Name: Professor X

Sorry the contest ended. Perhaps, like me, readers confused by the assignment--it wasn't as clear as last time which characters were in play.

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 11:16 AM CST

Name: Rubber Duckie

Is sorry a lamentation?

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 11:48 AM CST

Name: Grace
Home Page: http://jedimasterbtch.tripod.com/mindlessramblingblog/

I shall not lament. I haven't even had the chance to read the other stories written on here.

I just came to vent because football sucked all day yesterday. I guess praying in Church for personal fortune through gambling isn't the way to start out a Sunday. I'll know better this weekend. I'll first pray for world peace then work on football picks through other means.

So....Cleveland v. Cincinnati? Any guesses? What about Philly v. the Giants? Buffalo v. Seattle is a no-brainer. What about Washington v. Pittsburgh?

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 12:32 PM CST

Name: mikeeeee

Hello RDD... I should've just e mailed the journal entry to you... did you get my post with it or should I e mail it?

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 12:40 PM CST

Name: Rubber Duckie

Hey Mikeeeeee....

I got it. I'm going to use it and put it up on Wednesday to prepare all for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sending it in.

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 1:12 PM CST

Name: princessr9

Unmoderated comments? Now I can't think of anything really good to say. I hate it when that happens!

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 2:24 PM CST

Name: Grace
Home Page: http://jedimasterbtch.tripod.com/mindlessramblingblog/

During these unmoderated times (is this what freedom of speech felt like before this new century?) I have a question. Have any ARR (avid rance readers) ever done volunteer work overseas (ARR that are of north american citizenship that is)? If yes, when, where, what and did you enjoy yourself? Or are you currently logged in from some foreign prison during library internet access hours and if so, how's the food?

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 3:14 PM CST

Name: rancette

RDD! I Liked the Rashomon contest. Bobbie was probably the best character to write from their POV.

Anyhow, I will come up with something for next Monday. Thanks for the opportunity.

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 4:04 PM CST

Name: labsnabys

No lamenting here either. I thought it was a good idea at first and even planned to write a piece, but found that it just took more dedicated time than I have to think and type coherently. I suspect I'm not the only one in that boat.

Regarding Hugh, I'm pretty sure I've heard him in interviews comment on how bored he is with film making and how much he hates it. I would imagine it's hard to put on a happy face when you hate your job so much. Come to think of it, I've been there myself and I know it's true! I will miss him if he quits -- he is quite charming and always a joy to watch. I loved his "Katie, are you on drugs?" comment on the Today Show. Of course, I hate Katie Couric, so anything that makes her look like an ass is okay with me!

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 4:25 PM CST

Name: Rubber Duckie

I missed the Katie comment...what was it in reference to?

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 5:00 PM CST

Name: princessr9

I don't think it would matter how much I hated what I was doing, if I was getting paid what Hugh is for his movies, I think I would tolerate it better. But then that's just me. He is very funny though. I loved watching his interview on Inside the Actor's Studio.

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 5:58 PM CST

Name: Squara

I response to Grace, I spent some time in Italy doing work in an orphanage/school. I had a great time, and the kids were so much fun. We taught each other lots about our languages, and about each others cultures. It was very inspirational to hear these kids who came from very poor areas, or had no families, talk about their goals and dreams. This was in Naples which is a pretty poor city, wiht some very very poor areas. It was the most beautiful place I have even been...even the "slums" were beautiful. It was very humbling to be somewhere and see what their standard of living is compared to ours, and to hear so many people speaking so many languages.
If you are planning to go overseas I have lots of tips, just send me an email.

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 6:16 PM CST

Name: feenxc

rik, i really enjoyed your post. brought back memories. my senior class in high school was the first in our area to teach a computer class. it was an elective, so i signed up. i turned out to be the only girl in the class. it was a blast. we programed by punching holes in cards. we were linked to the mainframe of a local college, my first "internet" experience. they had programmed that computer to not accept swear words (unlike the internet today). if anybody entered one, it would shut down and go no further until you apologized. can you believe it, a computer with excellent manners.

thanks for the memories, rik. it's remarkable that you were 13 when all this happened.

kisshugs

nastrovia

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 7:58 PM CST

Name: rancette

well, no volunteer work. But I was a student in the UK for a month. And I applied for a library card, because Internet access at the library was free. So I had to go through my counselor to get a proof of residence and he looked at me like, why the heck do you want a library card for a month?

But it was great. I read several great books, including K-PAX by Gene Brewer and Pride & Prejudice. It helped when I was on the train going somewhere, and had something to read.

As for the food, the UK is not that great for students on a limited budget, so I ate at McDonalds the whole time practically, with the occasional meal at Pizza Hut. Ah, those were the days. I'm not sure I answered your question, but uh, ok.

Monday, 22 November 2004 - 8:17 PM CST

Name: robyn

Rik, I am shocked and appalled at the pluck of you adolescents. Even if it was the 80's and teen hijinx ruled...jelly shoes and garbage pail kids are one thing, but you all crossed the line. It's bad enough that you fucked around with the school computer, but nothing, NOTHING can excuse lingo like "Flippin' 'eck", or "*umpf." I can't even type that one without barfing on my pleated khakis.

I hope you've cleaned up your language mister. We don't take too kindly to that sort of talk around here.

I've got my eye on you,

robyn

Tuesday, 23 November 2004 - 4:21 AM CST

Name: Curious Girl

Ooooh...unmoderated comments, bloggers gone wild!!

Rik, loved your story about teenage computer geeks running amok at school. I was not into computers, but it sounds like stuff my classmates did back in the 80's.

RDD, fear not - I really liked your Roshamon assignment, but the gloomy November weather has been making me feel lethargic and slothful. I thought about writing an entry from the point of view of the family dog, but somehow never got typing. You are doing an EXCELLENT job RDD - I look forward to checking up every day to see what's new.

Oh, and I love Hugh Grant. Don't know why, but I do.

For those of you that are American - What are your plans for the Thanksgiving weekend?

Tuesday, 23 November 2004 - 10:40 AM CST

Name: Cheryl

(Just a note to RDD. No need to post)

Hey RDD,
I seem to have lost your email addy. Occassionaly I come across things that I think may be of interest to you, and would like to forward them along. Would you be able to post it, or just send it to me? cherylt31@yahoo.com
Thanks:)
Cheryl

Tuesday, 23 November 2004 - 11:04 AM CST

Name: Rubber Duckie

It's rubberdeeduckie@yahoo.com

Tuesday, 23 November 2004 - 12:35 PM CST

Name: Mikeeeee

Awwwwww that's too sweet, you're awesome.

Wednesday, 24 November 2004 - 5:45 AM CST

Name: Rik
Home Page: http://rikaitch.blogspot.com

Robyn: You think that language was bad... I know people that think "meep" is okay to use in everyday conversation.

Wednesday, 24 November 2004 - 5:54 AM CST

Name: Rik
Home Page: http://rikaitch.blogspot.com

Curious Girl: When you are a Teenager in the UK in the 80's you had 2 things to really get into. Football Hooliganism (In-ger-lund!), or computers. I tried to strike a balance with computer hooliganism. I like to think I succeeded.

Wednesday, 24 November 2004 - 5:39 PM CST

Name: labsnabys

I saw it on "The Soup" (formerly "Talk Soup" on E!)...one of those fuzzy dandelion-thingies was floating around the studio behind Hugh during their interview, and she went into this spastic-spacey routine trying to grab at it and talking gibberish. The thing was behind Hugh, so all he could see was Katie acting totally goofy...he goes "Katie, are you on drugs?"

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