I was forced to reset my MobileMe password twice in the past few days. The cryptic message on the site mentioned something about too many attempted log-ins. The first time, I suspected it was because some dolt was trying to use my rather simple first-initial-last-name account name. I’d gotten emails in the past indicating a new password had been requested but had been advised by Apple support to ignore them if I hadn’t made the request.
Still, having to go through the steps of resetting my password annoyed me because it means I’ve got to reset it on three Macs, two iPhones and one iPad in multiple places. The Apple ID scheme works for MobileMe, iTunes, even the support site where I went to voice my irritation. Apple’s chat support advisor pointed out that I could just answer the security questions and reset the password to the same one. Fine. Done.
Over the weekend though, Rich mentioned that he was getting a password error on his phone when trying to update apps. I realized what was going on but didn’t want to deal with it just then. Fast forward to this morning and sure enough, same too many login attempts message. Only this time the Apple system won’t let me reset to the same password. I’ve got to select an entirely new one.
Grrrr.
After another venting session with Apple’s chat support where I learn that 1) I should use the @me.com login (rather than the @mac.com version I prefer from a decade of habit), 2) I should clear my cookies/cache (so helpful) and 3) Apple hasn’t changed any security policies (I’m clearly stupid and/or crazy), I decide to look around to see if anyone else is having these issues.
Now I get the root cause of this issue. The internet is filled with miscreants who wreck all sorts of havoc on servers that store personal info and credit card numbers. Exactly the info unlocked by my Apple ID.
My issue is the way Apple is handling the situation. Instead of being up front and saying, “Yes the bad guys have forced us to take draconian steps, we’re sorry.” They obfuscate and put out half truths. They allow support droids to treat the unwashed masses (i.e. paying customers) as morons. And they generally seem not to care.
Exactly the kind of behavior I expect from Redmond. Not Cupertino.
Rich and I have been wanting to try the newish Prospect for several months. We’re huge fans of chef Nancy Oakes’ other restaurant Boulevard. So when I realized that they had tables available for tonight, Christmas Eve, we jumped at the chance. Seemed like a special way to kick off the holiday.
My highpoint of the evening was at the very beginning. I found a nice Tablas Creek Roussanne blend half bottle on the list and had a pleasant exchange with the sommelier. Then the food started arriving and things went rapidly down hill. I started with the Dungeness crab and gold beets. It was okay if a bit bland. The main course was the true disappointment. A rock cod with chanterelles, celery root and sunchoke puree. While the vegetables and sauce were great, the fish wasn’t. In fact, the dish would have been improved the if cod had been left in the kitchen. It had no discernible seasoning and tasted primarily of overcooked butter. I left half of it uneaten.
Then we moved onto dessert, mostly because I was still hungry, hoping it would salvage the evening. I even made a point of asking the waiter for a recommendation. He said that the Black and Tan was the best. Since it had been my leading choice based on the description, I went with it. Wish I hadn’t. Not that it was bad. Chocolate, caramel and salt are pretty surefire ingredients. However, the plate left me unmoved. I would have preferred a scoop of Bi-Rite Salted Caramel ice cream and a couple of Recchiuti truffles.
Needless to say, we’re not going to be rushing back to Prospect. It wasn’t bad, except for my fish, but it wasn’t a wow evening either. Maybe I just expected too much. In the end though, I realized that I’ve had better tasting food at 35,000 feet.
Guess I worked retail too many holiday seasons when I was in school. But few things rankle me quite so much as holiday music pumping through stores. I always feel like mourning when Starbucks rolls out the red cups and jingle belly tunes.
That said, you can browse the holiday genre in my iTunes library and discover I am, unsurprisingly, a hypocrite. Diana Krall’s Christmas Songs in particular hits a sweet spot for me. In my defense, I could give a wit about the lyrics when the performances swing the way the do here. Much of the credit, as usual, goes to the stellar musicians backing her—notably John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton and Anthony Wilson. I’ve been lucky enough to see the foursome perform live a handful of times. This studio album comes close to capturing the excitement and punch of those gigs. To me, it’s second only to Live in Paris in that regard. So much better than the dreck that usually passes for seasonal sounds.
So Sarah Palin thinks (an oxymoron if ever there was) Michelle Obama’s healthy eating initiative for children is all about “telling us she cannot trust parents to make decisions for their own children, for their own families in what we should eat.” Given that the average American weighs in at 300 lbs. or so, I’d say you’ve got something right for once, Swifty.
While I’m happy that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was finally repealed, I remain dismayed that it’s taken so long. I’m also struck (though probably should be surprised) that all 31 senators who voted no are Republicans. Like we need more proof that discrimination, intolerance and hate are core Republican values.
Looking over the NYTimes graphic of how senators from each state voted, I was struck by the geography. As with other times in our history, the south and rural west stand for bigotry. Just to be clear, here are the places to avoid in future travel and commerce:
Looks like the New York road trip episode arrives on the 21st with the Three Wise Men special on the 26th. Or you can wait until about July for BBC America to get around to running them.
The highest capacity iPhone has been at 32GB for 18 months. Meanwhile the iPad and iPod Touch have both hit 64GB. Tonight, I had to choose between syncing music videos and podcasts on the 3GS. I see no point in getting an iPhone 4 if it can’t hold all my songs and ephemera. Get your act together and bring out the 64GB phone we all know is lurking in the shadows.
Love Kathy Griffin. Love Chelsea Handler. So of course I adore watching the two of them dish together. This is from late this past week. I get the actual days confused because I let several episodes collect on the Tivo then watch them in a batch. Doesn’t matter. I totally cracked up over the Bristol Palin is a white Precious gag.
A year ago, I thought the Chevrolet Volt was the right answer for the next generation car. The Nissan Leaf seemed like a lame punchline in comparison. Now having poked, prodded and sat in both (and driven a Leaf), I’m not so sure.
Still, I think it’s telling that while GM has been pumping out mass quantities of Voltage-charged air, Nissan has been thoroughly rethinking the car ownership experience for the electric era. The level of education they’re now rolling out is impressive. Almost every objection I’ve had to the Leaf has been answered. In comparison, I’m seeing more and more holes in the Volt story.
Take maintenance alone. The Volt has an intricate, complex drive system. Primary electric motor and battery pack that requires its own heating and cooling circuits. A secondary motor/generator. And a traditional four-cylinder gasoline engine. Plus a trick transmission with multiple clutches and devilishly complex software orchestrating the whole shebang. In comparison, the Leaf is quite simple mechanically. Big battery plus electric motor. The transmission is just a single-speed direct drive affair.
A Volt is going to have all the maintenance cost and annoynance of a traditional car–oil changes, tune ups, smog certificates, etc. But the Leaf only requires checking brake, coolant and windshield wiper fluids annually.
When a third of the scheduled maintenance consists of refilling wiper fluid, well that’s a pretty giant change.
Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m not convinced yet. Oh sure, I’m very intrigued and a bit excited about an all-electic second car. I’m just not convinced this seemingly inevitable purchase will wear a Nissan badge. You see I’ve got a deep bias for European cars. I’ve never owned or seriously considered an Asian nameplate. Saab. VW. BMW. They captured my heart with their driving dynamics and now they get my money.
I respect what Nissan is attempting with the Leaf but I’ll probably wait for the aluminum and carbon fiber BMW Megacity or the reborn 92 that Saab’s new boss keeps talking up.
