I haven't fully thought this out, but I could really use Amazon's SimpleDB as a good logging service. Part of the reason I can't turn on logging for more users on Tabulas is because it absolutely kills the mySQL database. Unfortunately, SimpleDB's in a limited beta, so I can't actually hack together something.

SimpleDB isn't as obvious as S3 and EC2 in its impact, but I'm slowly thinking up of ideas where I can make use of it.

. . .

I spent a good chunk of this weekend reading on Wikipedia some random topics: Hellenic philosophical schools and the European monarchies leading up to WWI. It's amazing how complicated and twisted European history was (especially the overlaps between all the ruling parties).

When reading about history, I like to try place my life within the perspective of that era. Had I been an emperor during the 18th century, I would have been Joseph II. Enlightened absolutism makes sense to me. It's a shame Joseph II made so many enemies; what was up with all those monarchs, constantly going to war? I guess it's the equivalent of today's rich kids making trouble.

. . .

It'll soon be Christmas - I took a long break over Thanksgiving to go to NC, so I'll be spending Christmas here, decompressing from a rather stressful (in a good way) year. I've been reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, which has been helpful in gaining some perspective on life. Tibetan Buddhism surely is interesting.

. . .

It's all over ESPN: The Miami Dolphins finally won a game this year, thus avoiding become the first team in NFL history to go winless. I can't believe how much coverage this is getting. I also cannot believe the picture of them celebrating one win:

I guess the only thing worse than being the 1-15 team is being the team to lose to the 1-15 team.

. . .

I wonder what happens when all these companies with massive oil revenue surpluses start developing their nations heavily to the point where they start requiring oil imports themselves.

. . .

Saw "I Am Legend." Was very enjoyable! Will Smith is awesome. I'd pay $8 to watch Will Smith mow lawns.