half past nomad

It is well known we lose our ability to hear high frequency sounds as we grow older. Play this. If you can hear faint street and background noise, you are just like me. Old. However, if you hear a pulsating buzz also, that means you can still hear high frequency sounds. There is yet some youth in you.

I am 24 and can only hear the pulsating buzz if I boost the high frequencies on an equalizer. It is very faint for me.

A point of caution, some audio players down-sample high frequencies (e.g. winamp; so don’t use winamp). You should hear the background noise and the buzz simultaneously and distinctly. Windows media player (on Windows XP) and ITunes (on Apple OS X) seem to treat the audio file appropriately. But how would I know? I can’t even hear the buzz properly.

Seriously try this out and report back. I can’t be the only one who has lost their ability to hear high frequency sounds.

The additional buzzing sound is distinct. If you can’t hear it, bring a younger sibling in and ask if they can. Or bring an older sibling and make them hecka confused. It’s fun for the whole family!

I can’t believe I just used the word “hecka”..

A new design is in the works. It’s going to be pink(ish).
Seriously.

Fine, I won’t use #F06 as a background color.

I came across a book about the history and society of the Roman era. It mentioned that around 10 BC a guy by the name of Ovidius Naso wrote a book titled: “The Art of Love: a Guidebook for the Seduction of Women“.

For purely academic reasons (naturally), I read a few excerpts. I can’t really give you an objective review because unfortunately I am incapable of emotion. This is largely the cause and effect of being a graduate student.

Anyway, Ovid seemed like a plausible person who could help me; his advice began thusly:

“Now I’ll teach you how to captivate and hold the woman of your choice. This is the most important part of all my lessons. Lovers of every land, lend an attentive ear to my discourse; let goodwill warm your hearts, for I am going to fulfill the promises I made you.”

See, that wasn’t too bad.
I was, however, fairly unprepared for the next excerpt:

“Tears too, are a mighty useful resource in the matter of love. They would melt a diamond. Make a point, therefore, of letting your [woman of choice] see your face all wet with tears. Howbeit, if you can’t manage to squeeze out any tears – and they won’t always flow just when you want them to – put your finger in your eyes.”

Yes. He just suggested guys poke themselves in the eyes (or eye if you are a pirate).. Being desi I often eat spicy foods with my hands. I can’t even begin to explain how painful this has been.

I can barely see from my eye now.

Recently read Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin. The plot: Vampires in pre-civil war south. I kid you not. Anyway, the book was eh, alright; it dragged quiet a bit 3/4th of way. I don’t recommend it unless fantasy is your thing.

In other news, Robert Jordan of Wheel of Time (best. series. ever. almost.) fame has been diagnosed with primary amyloidosis with cardiomyapathy. Which means: proteins are clumping (amyloidosis) in his heart and weakening the heart (cardiomyapathy); and no one knows why (primary).

I think the first 3 books (maybe even first 5) of Wheel of Time are phenomenal (Imad of course disagrees). It’s too bad the series as whole has just dragged on (currently at book 11?). In any case, given the current prognosis, I don’t know if the final book will ever come out..