helpful Aphorisms for the terminally busy

The other day matt_arnold came to a SFOHA meeting (Look Ma! I updated the website!) and after a discussion of audio file types and recording straight to MP3 vs capturing a less lossy .wav or tape recording first, he commented to me that Mp3 may be a bit lossy in comparison, but an MP3 up on the web where thousands can see it is better than a recording on tape in an archive somewhere any day. And he suggested this rule:

Perfect is the enemy of Good


I mentioned this suggested aphorism to my father, who is a design engineer, and he responded with a slightly less absolute one they use in his shop:

Better is the enemy of Good Enough


These all remind me of the saying that floated around the shop when I was doing technical theater for the summer reperatory program at the University of Findlay (often said to me, then a Physics major, following the phrase "This ain't rocket science"):

Done is Good


So I offer them to you, and myself, as a reminder not to be so worried about getting something right that you don't get it done at all.

Wikipedia history meme

Go to Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/). Type in your birth date (but not year). List three events that happened on your birthday. List two important birthdays and one interesting death. Post this in your journal.

Dec. 4:

Events
1777 - Lydia Barrington Daragh gets word to George Washington of British plans to attack that night at Whitemarch, allowing the Continental Army time to arm and be ready (okay, I cheated. This event is not on wikipedia. But wikipedia is rather shy on women's history).
1952 - Great Smog of 1952: A cold fog descends upon London, combining with air pollution and killing up to 12,000 in the weeks and months that follow.
2005 - Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong protested for democracy and called on the Government to allow universal and equal suffrage.

Births
1860 - Lillian Russell (Helen Louise Leonard) - one of the most famous and beautiful actresses of the late 19th century and early 20th century.
1945 - Roberta Bondar - Canadian astronaut and scientist.

Death
1696 - Empress Meisho of Japan (b. 1624)



Oh, and in roman times, secret ceremonies in honor of Bona Dea (Goddess of fertility, healing, virginity and women) were held on December 4.

2008 worldcon site selection

I am torn about what site to vote for for the 2008 worldcon. I know quite a few people working on the Chicago Bid, and I'm sure they can run a terrific con, though I've never been to a Chicago worldcon. But, frankly, I'm leaning toward voting for Denver.

Here's why: ( interested smofs read on )