This magazine showed up in my mailbox this month. Despite it bearing a mailing label wtih my correct name and address, I guarantee I have no idea of why I got this. Perhaps someone objects to my regular attire?

Strangely, it’s the February edition, but I received it on January 7th. I had no idea they sent these out so early.

I remember when my cats were kittens… everything was new and ready to be killed.

For those who didn’t use computers much before about 1996, we used to connect our own computer to other computers “directly” via modems and regular telephone lines, rather than via the Internet. The computer being connected to was called a BBS (Bulletin Board System), where visitors could check their mail, chat on message boards, and play games. Very similar to websites now, except only one person per incoming phone line could use the BBS. Those BBS games had no graphics, only coloured text, but were still fun.

One of the more popular ones, Legend of the Red Dragon, had the premise of being a lone warrior whose goal was to build up enough skill to kill the Red Dragon terrorizing the countryside. Players could perform various RPG-like activities, message each other, and slay each others’ characters. One had a fixed number of “turns” per day with which to accomplish activities, however, which prevented players from playing all day and monopolizing the BBS.

LoRD was popular enough to spawn an Internet era clone: Legend of the Green Dragon. It is a complete rewrite for web browsers, taking the original premise and “feel” of the game, and extending the content in many directions. Except graphics, that would ruin the nostalgia.

For those worried that this may turn into yet another time consuming web game addiction, don’t worry. The game server at http://lotgd.net only gives out new “turns” at midnight and noon (EST). Depending on how fast one is, using all the turns might take 15-20 minutes.

My friend recently visited Ecuador and took hundreds of nature pictures while there. Many of them are quite fascinating, especially to a city slicker like me. Quite a different venue than the usual cities of Europe or Asia.

Ecuador - Galapagos Gen
Ecuador - Jungle Gen

Last December, I was distracted while unparking my ZipCar rental, and misjudged my proximity to a nearby support pillar of the parking garage. Thankfuly, it was slow and a “near hit”, but I still managed to cause a small nick and some scratches.

Now, trying to be an honest, upright person, I took the above picture of the damage and reported it in to ZipCar. In my mind, I was prepared to be fined, but since I had seen other cars carrying nicks and scratches, I didn’t think it would be replacement cost.

Naturally, it was replacement cost. In the span of two days after I reported it, ZipCar had sent someone in to examine it, taking it to an auto body shop, and had the offending bumper and panel replaced. It ended up costing me around $500.

I got a second opinion that confirmed the costs were reasonable. As it was explained to me, there’s not really much you can do to fix scratches and dents except to replace the entire component, be it a bumper or a outer panel.

I can’t find fault with what ZipCar did, but it’s a little frustrating to pay the full replacement cost instead of a fine. It seemed a minor cosmetic issue that I guess most car owners would ignore. No benefit to being honest either; even parking infractions provide a discount for being forthright.

So what did I learn?

• There’s an incentive to be dishonest, since unreported damage may never get reported (and thus never fixed), or may get applied to some other ZipCar member.
• ZipCar has an incentive to immediately apply the full replacement process as quickly as possible, because it gives them a better car. Cost isn’t an issue, as it will be covered either by the insurer or the deductible.
• The additional $75 annual fee that ZipCar charges to waive all deductibles is probably worth it, if you rent with them often.

I’m sticking with ZipCar, because it’s still cost effective (more or less), but I’m definitely adding this experience as a reason to own a car instead of rent. Quality of life (lack of annoyances) is worth something, too.

As I grow older, I find my desire for tangible gifts wanes. I certainly appreciate the thought and effort that goes into many of the gifts I receive (personalized gifts are a nice reminder that your friends know you), but I often find myself mentally reorganizing my home layout to reduce clutter - concluding each time in exasperation at the impossibility.

As this year is a landmark year for me, I’d like to ask for something unusual from my friends: no gifts. However, if you’re in the area, I’d like to see you; time spent in good company is priceless.

There is one other thing, however, that I can never get enough of, so if you’re so inclined to get me something, I’d like some enlightenment. Perplexed? I’ll explain further.

As we go through life, most of us learn from our experiences and mistakes. The lessons and insights vary; some of them may be universal truths, some may be very specific to a person, but I like to think we all have something to teach each other.

Most of my friends have known me a long time, and I expect that gives them insight into my strengths, weaknesses, and peculiarities. Coupled with their own experiences, I thought that might give rise to unique advice or parables that only a friend might provide.

If this seems strange, well, it probably is. I was sitting around thinking about what I would really want for my birthday, and I recalled a comment from a coworker that I have an “insatiable thirst for knowledge”. I was struck by how true that was, and that while I have no trouble acquiring the kind of knowledge one can get from books, the kind of wisdom I can get is limited to living my particular life.

So for those so inclined, share a story with me, something you learned in life that you think is particularly important. Alternatively, provide some advice that you wish someone had provided you, and explain why it’s important. Insight seems very valuable to me; it can’t be purchased with money, but is instead paid for through coincidence, consequences, and the irreversible flow of time.

I even prepared an anonymous birthday survey for the hard-hitting advice and stories! I can’t see any identifying information (including IP addresses) for submissions sent via the aforementioned link. I think it avoids double submissions by IP address, though, so people with routers (most of us), can only submit one entry from home and probably one entry from work.

Also, if you think I’ve finally gone off the deep end on this one, or that I’m taking life too seriously or whimsically with this… well that’s good advice, too.