Rock Star alter egos are growing in numbers "You're forming a fake band -- that's what you do," says Sadri, calling the game "the best part of karaoke, adding in a drummer and guitars."
The Magpie Developer Jeff Atwood is one of the best programmer/writers around. I love reading his stuff, some I agree wholeheartedly with, other stuff we disagree, but this post is about a dead-on as they come. This idea has been floating in my head for a long time, but it is hard for me to conceptualize it in words, Atwood does a brilliant job at it. Must read for any developer.
Andy Olmsted's Last Blog Entry. (Warning: Pretty rough) No matter how you feel politically about the war, this reminds you that each number people throw around as statistics is a human life. This is extremely well written, and pretty rough on your soul towards the end, but something everyone should read. Its a shitty situation all around, but there is always a human face behind the statistics and I want to make sure I never forget that.
To preserve his body during the voyage home, the second-in-command stored Nelson's body in the ship's vat of rum and halted all liquor rations to the crew. Not a bad idea, but when the ship reached port, officials went to retrieve Nelson's body and found the vat dry.
Disregarding good taste (in every sense), the crew had been secretly drinking from it the entire way home. After that, naval rum was referred to as Nelson's Blood.
making vodka pills in 24 hours Recently, Chef Fabian was experimenting further with the Adria/Torreblanca technique of making 'vodka pills.' I use this word to describe the process of making liquid-filled candies by pouring flavored alcohol syrups into cornstarch and letting it set until a hard outer shell forms.
Strategy Letter VI - joelonsoftware.com As a programmer, thanks to plummeting memory prices, and CPU speeds doubling every year, you had a choice. You could spend six months rewriting your inner loops in Assembler, or take six months off to play drums in a rock and roll band, and in either case, your program would run faster. Assembler programmers don’t have groupies.
Entire Article is Dead On. A must read for anyone in the software biz.
So many emotions in a period of about 5 mins. I never thought I could be excited and scared just by a movie annoucement.
So I saw this on a message board and my heart and head exploded:
Dragons Take Wing In Movie.
My favorite books of ALL TIME. Hands down. The trilogy that I cherished as a kid. That I have read through the entire trilogy at least 5 times, is having a movie made. An animated movie.
I don't know how to feel about it. I was excited till I saw the part about Lucy Lawless as a voice actor. I was looking at her voice over work credits and there are not many to date. I have never personally really gotten into Xena Warrior princess, although I do see that she is an actress on one of my new favorite shows (Battlestar Galactica - which looks like she might be on season 2, I am still working on season 1). She could be pretty good. I assume she will be playing Kitara (she looks kinda like what I would envision for Kitara).
I don't know how I feel about this. This is either gonna be a movie I cherish for the rest of my life, or an utter failure in my eyes. I know I will be extremely critical either way, but I am generally a pretty laid back movie watcher and understand stuff is going to deviate from the original source (if there is one).
I will most certainly be updating this blog a bunch about this as it start to flesh out more.
If there was ever any doubt in how much I love this series this hangs in my office (click for larger):
Update: Found some more info about it:
Official Movie Site (Paramount)
Post about info on Official Dragonlance ForumsDragonlance.com Announcement
and this quote, which really has me scared:
I played a character called "Goldmoon," a Native American. We played around with accents awhile. I didn't know she was Native A till I got there and so didn't have time to research the accent (not many of those where I come from). More staccato! More commanding! More warm! Less disjointed! . . . Ummm, do you just want me to do Xena? Ahh, yes! That's it, do Xena! The voice is perfect! So warm, so commanding, so . . . yeah, yeah, let's get on with it.
Taken From Here.
Native American? WTF?
This isn't looking good.
It's late, just got back from seeing Superman Returns, but I am tried so I will keep it concise. 9 out of 10 for me. Characters, Storyline were well done, not overdone. Acting was superb. Cheese factor was extremely limited and actually in some parts I found myself laughing ("It's a bird, It's a plane..."). I won't ruin the overarching Superman storyline breakthrough, but it is definitely great in the scene it is majorly hinted at and I loved the way it was confirmed.
Brendon Routh WAS the perfect choice for superman, he did an excellent job, all other actors/actresses acted the parts perfectly, no one was over the top. My favorite character that I didn't think would crack me up as much as I did was Jimmy Olsen.
So far, its a must see for me. Certainly will buy the DVD when it comes out. I may elaborate more tomorrow.
Brainstorm it:
I always wanted to be Superman - or a Park Ranger. I never could make up my mind so I picked a traditional Internet Business path.
fantastic film... classy and nicely path... characters filled with emotions and the action sequences are exhilirating ... for todays standard... great..
I am sure that everyone around the Atlanta area has already heard about bodies, and most have probably already gone to see it, but if not PLEASE go check it out. It is only a $25 admission (Splurge the extra $5 and get the audio tour, but you only really need one per group of people) and well worth it. There are a few different "types" of body elements to it, first off all the specimens are/were real people at one point, so you are not seeing plastic models, there are real people who have gone through (from what I understand) 2 different types of chemical reactions to be preserved in the fashion that they were.
The first type (I don�t remember the scientific name, I am sure you can find it on the website) preserves the bones/muscle/tissue parts of the specimen and allows you to see in extreme detail those specific parts of the bodies. There are, of course, bone structures of almost every part of the body, but also muscle sets too. These were probably the most interesting to me just because they looked so freaky. There is one display which, when you first walk upon it, looks like 2 people holding hands and leaning back to support each other's weight. As you read/listen to the description you will see that the "2" people are actually "1" person, 1 side is the muscle mass of the body, the other is the skeletal structure of the same person. Very neat to look at. Although of course you cannot touch the specimens, you can get pretty much as close as you like to look at the minute details of the bodies. There are also about 4 or 5 other bodies all in various sporting poses which you can see how the muscles interact during the course of which ever sport they are playing.
The second "type" or preservation of the bodies is probably the coolest of the two for me. Basically (from a non-biologist/chemist standpoint) they inject this gas into the veins and circulatory system of the cadaver and then inject something else which causes a reaction of the hardening of the circulatory system. The hardening is all the way down to the smallest microscopic endpoints of the veins and circulatory system, so you get to see these amazing webs of blood delivery to almost all the parts of the body. The above picture (not the best, but pretty good) looks like a cadaver's shell, but it is actually an insane amount of blood vessels which have all been hardened so it still give the shape it once took of the cadavers body. All this is shown in a very dim room and the areas of the circulatory system have been colored so you see amazing organs and such exactly how the organs circulation looks. It is extremely cool and interesting.
There are other rooms with focuses on cardiovascular systems, male / female reproductive systems, child birth system, and a couple more. A couple of other highlights besides the circulatory system for me, where the complete nervous system dissection (complete with brain and eyes only the bodies nerve endings which makes it look remarkably like those aliens from the Muppets, "jib jib jib jib", those guys) also at the very end there is a horizontal dissection of a body into 88 pieces (the cadaver must have played piano).
The exhibit has a strict no camera, no purses, no talisman of the undead +3s, but all and all it is extremely cool and if you live in Atlanta, there is no excuse to miss this before it leaves town. It looks like it is also showing in Vegas, London, New York and the cultural center of the new world, Tampa Bay.
The Bodies Website:
http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/bodies.html
The Atlanta Exhibition Website (Tickets):
http://www.clicknprinttickets.com/atlantabodies.htm
Brainstorm it:
My brother and I checked it out a couple months ago. I tried to take my wife, but she was in the NO WAY JOSE category...
So the wife and me have been on a huge workout kick these last few weeks, we are both down some weight and basically hitting the gym about 4 times a week (we hope to move up to 5 soon). She usually takes a class and I go do cardio on either the climber or stairmaster for 45 mins while she is in a class. 45 mins is just enough time to watch a 1 hour long show on DVD, so basically I have decided that as long as I am working out then I can purchase dvd sets to go through as I work out then I will sell them on ebay when I am done. Each exercise machine has its own dvd player and lcd screen to watch (barring you brought headphones) I have already gone through season 4 of 24 (Jack Bauer is a patriot), and 2 seasons of Seinfeld (4&5 arguably the best 2) using this workout methodology. I was going to start watching Deadwood season 1 (I only got about halfway through it last time, but I remembered that it was on HBO and showed some boob and the (Y)oung (M)ens (C)hristian (Ass)ociation probably would not dig me watching boob (and hearing the word 'Fuck' from my headphones as every other word from Al Swearengen) so I decided that I would instead start watching Battlestar Galactica.
I am a huge Star Wars and FireFly fan, but Battlestar Galactica always seemed one small step away from Star Trek (I love Star Trek movies, but never really got into ST:TNG) but I picked up season one and decided to watch it while I workout. For those that don't know, it started out as a mini series (3 or 4 parts I think) and did fairly well, which then because its own show (and soon to have a spin off). I believe it just wrapped up season 2, and season 1 and the first half of season 2 are available on DVD to purchase. I bought season 1 and started watching it. The show is absolutely awesome. Take the character development of Fire Fly and combine it with more realistic emotional writing aboard a dying exiled population and you get Battlestar Galactica. I can't say enough about how good this show is, except if you are going to watch any scene with Dr. Baltar and the blond she devil (#6) at your local YMCA. Although there is no nudity (this was originally on Sci-fi) there is some thrusting and some curvature of ass/tit in some of the scenes). Nothing I wouldn't care about anyone seeing personally, but you never know with other people working out right next to you with thier kids, I really don't feel like droppin' a bow on some conservative nut soccer mom because Dr. Baltar needed to test out his Cylon Detecting Meat Wand in episode 4. So basically anytime I think something steamy might be coming up on the show, I switch the video input over to the tv and pretend like I am watching the Simpsons (I usually get there around 7:30 ish) while I listen to the audio on Battlestar Galactica (BG) then switch back to the BG episode when I think that the detector wand has been fully tested and has been resecured in Balthazar's pants. It's my own little trite game that actually was a pain in the ass at first, but now seems to be a little funny for anyone that watches me closely because unless they know the scenes in BG, I look uber-geeky like I can't watch a dvd too long before I need a Matt Groening fix, then I switch it back to the DVD. Regardless I saw this on the net today and just broke down laughing because this guy actually drew the Battlestar Galactica cast in Simpson-esque form which really is just seems too ironic for words for me. It is really very good.
So take a look it is certainly worth it (click image for link):
"The researchers, using a cryogenic test station, achieved the speed milestone by 'freezing' the chip to 451 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, using liquid helium. That temperature, normally found only in outer space, is just nine degrees above absolute zero, or the temperature at which all movement is thought to cease.
At 500 gigahertz, the technology is 250 times faster than chips in today's cellphones, which operate at 2 gigahertz. At room temperature, the chips operate at 350 gigahertz, far faster than other chips in commercial use today."
We went and saw Matt Costa Friday night at vinyl, and as me and the wife were walking back to the car I said "We will never again see Matt Costa for $12". It was honestly one of the best shows I have ever been to at a small venue. Costa and band (wasn't solo) were on the second night of a pretty busy next 3 months that started off at Bonarooo on Thur night and will take them through Florida and the rest of the southeast these next few weeks. Elvis Perkins opened and was somewhat melancholy but reminded me of a mix of Dylan and Mason Jennings. Costa was dead on and it was also his birthday. We honestly didn't know how old he was, but my wife snagged a setlist from the soundboard guy and found Costa after the show and got him to sign and date it and he dated it with his birthday of 1982. Of course me and my wife having been born in 1979 totally felt old, but hey what can you do. Costa played most everything off of 'Songs We Sing' except the title track (which I really wanted to hear) but also played some stuff off his earlier EPs and a Buddy Holly cover (which the sound man corrected for us on the setlist). All in all it was a stellar show. Costa is going to be big in a few years and I am glad to be able to say we saw him in such a small venue.
MattCosta.com
"this'll make you laugh.
i was told yesterday that one of the daughters of the president came to NY show 2.
we were playing THe Tourist at the end of the show.. and yyes we did wander what the shuffling manhandling fighting was in the distance of the audience.
turns out it was her 6 bodyguards clearing the way for the first daughters exit. and some pour soul objected at being manhandled by the secret service. i think i would have to.
infact if i had known all this my objections would have been more forthright and extensive...if you know what i mean. which is perhaps why our lot chose not to tell me who was in the building before we went on. probably a good idea.
hmm
i dont know if we should be
A. honoured
B. amused
C. bemused
D. ask if she had a valid ticket
E. object belatedly on moral grounds
F. ask again if she had a ticket and question whether this really what our gigs are about
G. dont blame the daughter for the father
H. shutup and smile
answers on a postcard
bonaroo today woo hoo
Thom"
V.P. Cheney was in town for a fundraiser. I thought it would be cool to get him to sign my shotgun since he is also a big hunter. I brought it toward him and was tackled by the secret service. I agree that those guys are pricks.
I gotta admit this is perfectly weird marketing at it's finest. I cannot tell if it's original point was supposed to actually be somewhat serious "Just get some cute girls talking about MMOs" or just purely satircal from the get go.
It makes me laugh because it is so lame either way.
(but, I *DID* post about it so it is working)
Brainstorm it:
Brilliant! And I assume they're talking about World of Warcraft, so now I'm dissappointed I gave my account away.
"The comments left a bad taste in Jay-Z's mouth. The rapper said he would pull Cristal from his small chain of popular sports lounges -- where bottles of Cristal sell for $450 (�357) and $600 (�476) -- as well as from his personal flutes."
Couple of thoughts here:
a.) This is on the frontpage of CNN.com?
b.) Do you think that Jay-Z might be ready to introduce an alternative to Cristal soon (which just happens to be made by himself?)
c.) Can you imagine trying to play a woodwind with liquid running through it?
d.) I really like Jay-Z, he is extremely talented but I am NOT going to stop drinking Cristal.
I really prefer the light brand, lemonade.
CNN.com - Jay-Z leads?Cristal?boycott - Jun 15, 2006
So I use Google Calendars as my main calendar(s), the only problem is that I have a MS Windows Smartphone. What I have been doing is using a handy tool that converts my GCal(s) from the iCal XML to my ipod calender, so I have all my upcoming stuff on my ipod for reference, but to tell you the truth I really wish it was on my cell phone. I have a windows Smartphone that i love, it just sucks because since I use GCal online I can't sync with my smartphone. I know that with Vista MS is going to have 'Windows Calendars' and I might switch down the road, but as of now GCal is where I am at. But, there is a way with Office 2k7 Beta (and I expect it would stay in the release).
Basically this is the path:
1.) GCal is the core (use it for additions/deletions)
2.) Gcal -> out to Ical (create link using webcal: as protocal to the private iCal URL)
3.) Ical/webcal link imported into OUtlook 2007 Beta
4.) Outlook syncs with Smartphone via Active Sync
Kinda a pain, but nice to have cal on the phone (and not have to worry about running 2 diff versions).
Brainstorm it:
This is by far the coolest thing i think you have ever posted about. Keep up the good work, popular culture needs you Cyanbane.
Cool idea, but... I just downloaded the ical file from the private gcal link and tried to import to Outlook (2k3), but the Outlook import process doesn't sync the events, so the second time you do the import, everything you imported the first time is duplicated. Did I miss a step? Is "webcal" some intermediary app that does the syncing? Or do you think this is just the diff between 2k3 and 2k7?
Been through it 5 times so far, keeps getting better and better. They say that bands that have good first releases usually hit the sophomore record slump unless they have staying power (DMB [Under the Table], Coldplay [Rush of Blood], etc). If that is true Keane is going to be around for a long time. I rated Hopes & Fears as #1 on my 2004 list. This one is probably going to be in top 10 for sure for 2006.
Good Stuff.
"Interestingly enough, the one character I felt they completely nailed better than any other in the whole trilogy only had about 5 minutes of screen time. Jamie Madrox, AKA Multiple Man, is probably my favorite comic book character. Eric Dane completely nailed him in about 3000% less time than Halle Berry has had to completely miss the point of Storm. In the scene where he is freed from imprisonment he takes a very brief glance at Mystique�s ass as she walks by. Those not familiar with the character (should be killed) wouldn�t think twice about it, but that was a perfect moment. The cheesy grin when he says �You got me� is also dead on. If I were fifteen years younger and female I would make a fan page dedicated to Eric Dane as Multiple Man�as soon as I finished exploring my new body."
I was doing ok until it got to the part about bunny exploring his 15 year old female body. I don't know - I just kinda got sick and confused after that.
I Gave the new X-men a C-. Totally lost point and correct explanation with Phoenix, and was absolutly not on storyline. Very generic storyline, i think a 15 year old with slight knoledge of the comic books could have done better. Also, they showed the sentinals in the first sequence, as a program for training, even though they had not even been introduced yet? Doesn't comply with normal story line either. I think the new producer shot more for the effects and sales asociated with it then to actually make old comic book readers happy. I heard a 15 year old boy, who used to only watch the cartoon, comment about how it was "just way to wrong". Also, no Gambit... sad. Archangel = no cool part but as a young, confused boy/man? Sad. Rogue didn't become as active member, though kitty did?!?! SAD. Only cool part i thought was when Magnito startled launching the flaming cars. Only funny part was when Jugernaut said, :I'm the Juggernaut, BITCH!" at kitty. Was a definite nod to the creaters of the online dub over. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAlQc6keOgA
Robot Chicken rules. It's like what would happen if a bunch of us had a lot of free time, money, clay, and oh yeah did I mention money and free time? Seth Green does kick ass after doing this show though.
Travis - The Boy With No Name Travis is back. I wouldn't say I hated 12 memories, it was meant to be very political, I just thought it went a little overboard and was somewhat preachy. Then when the greatest hits CD came out to be honest I was really hoping it didn't mean the end to one of my favorite brit bands. Boy With No Name is everything they were capable of. Supurb CD all the way through. Every song is brilliant. Big Chair is probably my favorite song and the opening to the CD on 3 Times is as good as it gets in music imho.
Pop! Why Bubbles are Great For The Economys (Gross) One of the better economic books I have read in while, where the author gets their premise across in a well written, clear and concise manner. Basically Gross believes that the infrastructure left over after economic bubbles, provides companies with the ability to move forward (maybe more than the original bubble did). Not a hard read, I would definitely suggest it for a day and the beach/lake.
Feist - The Reminder I CANNOT GET "I feel it all" OUT OF MY HEAD. Period. Great album, angelic voice.
Catan - Xbox Live Arcade I am hopelessly addicted to this board-turned-video game on the xbox360. I had never played the board game but had seen it being played in some comic shops growing up. Click the Pick and play the demo, it isn't the 360 interface, but same game.
Arctic Monkeys - Favorite Worse Nightmare No Sophomore slump here. Just as good (if not better) than Whatever they Say.
Beautiful Evidence (Tufte) Tufte reads like a text book, most people would say bleh, but the information about "information" that he can deliver is top notch. My first Tufte book was "A Visual Display To Quantitative Information" and it was extremely well done, albeit confusing at time. I think beautiful Evidence is a little easier of a read (I am still only half way through it) and a little easier for myself to understand the ideas he is presenting..
Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather Fountains of Wayne are the Gods of pop music. If Welcome Interstate Managers was a collection of short stories in song form, then Traffic and Weather is an even better collection with more humor. I already feel like CNN has the hottest female anchors, imagining them throwing their lust around like the Title track to the CD makes it even better.
Game of Thrones (Martin) I started this book assuming it was going to be a high fantasy novel. Elfs, Dragons, Magic and the like. It isn't. It IS fantasy but more surrounding the politics and cunning of a few high ranking families. Incest, Murder, Intrigue, unscrupulous midgets. It has it all and more.
