Amazing what beauty you can find even in your backyard.
November 15th, 2009
November 14th, 2009
November 11th, 2009
Bored? Try a little post-apocalyptic cinema. "A Boy and His Dog!" http://blip.tv/file/1100366 Stream to your heart's content.
It's a film about...well, a boy and his dog, but set in a post-nuclear USA that the Fallout games drew a lot of inspiration from. It's funny, rather twisted, and not at all PC.
It's a film about...well, a boy and his dog, but set in a post-nuclear USA that the Fallout games drew a lot of inspiration from. It's funny, rather twisted, and not at all PC.
November 6th, 2009
StumbleUpon took me here today, http://www.michaeldashow.com/zoom/zoom_
and I'm floored by this guy's work. It's funny, the details are rich, the colors and shading are excellent...just top-notch. If he's still around when I start getting books published, I'll definitely try and get him for the cover art.
and I'm floored by this guy's work. It's funny, the details are rich, the colors and shading are excellent...just top-notch. If he's still around when I start getting books published, I'll definitely try and get him for the cover art.
http://www.disinfo.com/2009/11/pent
The explanation is interesting, and seeing it in motion is...truly creepy. It seems to breathe, and its grub-white coloring doesn't help.
The explanation is interesting, and seeing it in motion is...truly creepy. It seems to breathe, and its grub-white coloring doesn't help.
November 3rd, 2009
http://members.upc.nl/a.kutsenko/gu
It's not a cheap project, but...how could you assume it would be?
Of course you'll need to adjust it to accommodate whatever you'll be using as the delivery device *cough-http://rp181.110mb.com/index.php?p=1
It's not a cheap project, but...how could you assume it would be?
Of course you'll need to adjust it to accommodate whatever you'll be using as the delivery device *cough-http://rp181.110mb.com/index.php?p=1
October 31st, 2009
I might as well give it up, 'cuz no one's going to beat this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_PgQCY1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_PgQCY1
October 28th, 2009
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/1
This makes me so angry. A man who was home alone made coffee in his kitchen at 5:30 am, naked. A woman who was walking with a 7 year-old kid (trespassing on his front lawn too incidentally) saw him through the window and called the cops. The cops arrested him, and now if convicted he faces up to a year in jail and a $2000 fine.
I don't think I have to enumerate the many retarded elements of this story. I hope this guy sues the woman who instigated this.
This makes me so angry. A man who was home alone made coffee in his kitchen at 5:30 am, naked. A woman who was walking with a 7 year-old kid (trespassing on his front lawn too incidentally) saw him through the window and called the cops. The cops arrested him, and now if convicted he faces up to a year in jail and a $2000 fine.
I don't think I have to enumerate the many retarded elements of this story. I hope this guy sues the woman who instigated this.
October 20th, 2009
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/s
A new theory put forth by respected scientists (respected up until now anyways) posits that the Higgs boson may be 'abhorrent to nature,' and time distortion waves are rippling back from the point in time when the particle is finally created to stop the process that eventually creates it. Or in a nutshell, God hates it.
I find this simultaneously hilarious and awesome. If it's true, it throws a little wonder back into reality, because science this freakin' weird is indistinguishable from magic. :K)
John Hammond pointed out that when the first Disney theme park opened, nothing worked. Ian Malcom retorted that, 'Yes John, but when the Pirates of the Caribbean break down, the pirates don't collapse into a black hole and destroy the solar system.'
A new theory put forth by respected scientists (respected up until now anyways) posits that the Higgs boson may be 'abhorrent to nature,' and time distortion waves are rippling back from the point in time when the particle is finally created to stop the process that eventually creates it. Or in a nutshell, God hates it.
I find this simultaneously hilarious and awesome. If it's true, it throws a little wonder back into reality, because science this freakin' weird is indistinguishable from magic. :K)
John Hammond pointed out that when the first Disney theme park opened, nothing worked. Ian Malcom retorted that, 'Yes John, but when the Pirates of the Caribbean break down, the pirates don't collapse into a black hole and destroy the solar system.'
October 19th, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scot
Yay! I can't wait to buy my first pack of Crystal-RWs! They'll be so pretty...and they'll sit in this little docking station, while laser light flashes through them, creating a tiny cubical disco. And as it fills up, different colors will show you how much of your cube is still available for writing! AND THEN IT GETS TOO HOT IN YOUR ROOM AND YOUR DATA MELTS!
Well, I'd hope not.
Yay! I can't wait to buy my first pack of Crystal-RWs! They'll be so pretty...and they'll sit in this little docking station, while laser light flashes through them, creating a tiny cubical disco. And as it fills up, different colors will show you how much of your cube is still available for writing! AND THEN IT GETS TOO HOT IN YOUR ROOM AND YOUR DATA MELTS!
Well, I'd hope not.
October 17th, 2009
So my brother got married about 10 hours ago. It was a very simple ceremony with no bridesmaids or groomsmen standing up front, performing any duties. Afterwards was a nice low-budget reception, wherein I did some awful dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5qAH7w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5qAH7w
October 11th, 2009
Mom was discharged from the hospital today, though they sent her home with a lovely gift basket of junk she'll be pouring into her veins for the next two weeks.
Well, maybe we can disguise the IV pole as a roving flower arrangement for the wedding on Friday.
Playing Fallout 3, now on the PC instead of the long-departed 360. I FINALLY found the %*%@ing sheet music for Agatha. Those Bethesda people are sneaky bastards. Step One: Never reward the player for opening bathroom stall doors. Step Two: Hide a single elusive quest item behind a toilet.
After running through the game normally, I plan to cheat like Bill Clinton on ecstasy and meth, and experiment with mods. I wouldn't say no to replacing the Mysterious Stranger with Stephen Colbert, armed with an American flagstaff. Would you?
Well, maybe we can disguise the IV pole as a roving flower arrangement for the wedding on Friday.
Playing Fallout 3, now on the PC instead of the long-departed 360. I FINALLY found the %*%@ing sheet music for Agatha. Those Bethesda people are sneaky bastards. Step One: Never reward the player for opening bathroom stall doors. Step Two: Hide a single elusive quest item behind a toilet.
After running through the game normally, I plan to cheat like Bill Clinton on ecstasy and meth, and experiment with mods. I wouldn't say no to replacing the Mysterious Stranger with Stephen Colbert, armed with an American flagstaff. Would you?
October 10th, 2009
I started using StumbleUpon again, and it took me to Elfwood. I was tired enough to read the site's banner as ElfWad, and not question it. Really, I think that's a far better name for the place.
October 8th, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091007/wl
Now, firstly, this is funny because two tiny skiffs attacked an enormous military flagship.
This is funny secondly because the French only managed to catch one of the skiffs. I hope all the night-show comics pick up on this.
Now, firstly, this is funny because two tiny skiffs attacked an enormous military flagship.
This is funny secondly because the French only managed to catch one of the skiffs. I hope all the night-show comics pick up on this.
October 7th, 2009
Though her surgeon bungled during her first operation, after a second Mom is doing better. Today she had some soup, the first thing she's been permitted to eat in over a week.
I wanted to talk about hospitals for a second. We know that first off, they smell bad. And for the most part, they're even more hideous than airports. Maybe someday we'll be able to have sterile environments that also look good, but for now, it would be easier to feel at home in a submarine.
Mom used to work at this hospital, and she's staying on her old unit's floor to see old friends and to (supposedly) get a more personal kind of attention/service. Instead, I was annoyed to see how long she had to wait for anything. The IV pump pitches a fit and starts beeping. She pages the nursing station, but it takes them 15 minutes to drop by and do anything about it. The excuse is they're understaffed. But a look down the hall or into the nurse's station shows over half a dozen people, and only two of them seem busy at a time.
If you can't make the room itself comforting, then you really have to rely on the medical personnel to to 'make' the environment. Years ago I would've been told 'you don't go to the hospital to be comforted, you go to get better' but these days we know our attitude and state of mind have a significant impact on our immune system and healing speed. If you make your patient feel like they've been stuck in an out-of-the-way room like an inconvenient piece of furniture, well...you're going to lose patients.
I wanted to talk about hospitals for a second. We know that first off, they smell bad. And for the most part, they're even more hideous than airports. Maybe someday we'll be able to have sterile environments that also look good, but for now, it would be easier to feel at home in a submarine.
Mom used to work at this hospital, and she's staying on her old unit's floor to see old friends and to (supposedly) get a more personal kind of attention/service. Instead, I was annoyed to see how long she had to wait for anything. The IV pump pitches a fit and starts beeping. She pages the nursing station, but it takes them 15 minutes to drop by and do anything about it. The excuse is they're understaffed. But a look down the hall or into the nurse's station shows over half a dozen people, and only two of them seem busy at a time.
If you can't make the room itself comforting, then you really have to rely on the medical personnel to to 'make' the environment. Years ago I would've been told 'you don't go to the hospital to be comforted, you go to get better' but these days we know our attitude and state of mind have a significant impact on our immune system and healing speed. If you make your patient feel like they've been stuck in an out-of-the-way room like an inconvenient piece of furniture, well...you're going to lose patients.
October 5th, 2009
Elly pointed this out to me today, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/commen
Here's a quote, "The pain started out mildly, but I knew from past experience that this would build to a delightful fiery sensation. I was even looking forward to it. But the moment soon passed. In a matter of seconds I was in agony. After maybe a minute I was frightened that I might die. After five I was frightened that I might not."
Here's a quote, "The pain started out mildly, but I knew from past experience that this would build to a delightful fiery sensation. I was even looking forward to it. But the moment soon passed. In a matter of seconds I was in agony. After maybe a minute I was frightened that I might die. After five I was frightened that I might not."
October 4th, 2009
It's nikkyvix's birthday today!
And in 21 minutes, it'll be Kamber's birthday!
Happy birthday sexy ladies. I'm sure *someone* will deliver the requisite spankings!
And in 21 minutes, it'll be Kamber's birthday!
Happy birthday sexy ladies. I'm sure *someone* will deliver the requisite spankings!
September 30th, 2009
Official: I no longer care about the plastic and composite 3D-printers, 'cuz Nasa is carving stuff with ELECTRON BEAMS now.
http://gizmodo.com/5370586/nasa-can-n
I had to love one person's reply on Gizmodo though. "I love how the first thing they made with it is a butt plug."
http://gizmodo.com/5370586/nasa-can-n
I had to love one person's reply on Gizmodo though. "I love how the first thing they made with it is a butt plug."
September 29th, 2009
It's not another steampunk fiddlygibbet, it's a dark matter detector.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2
...Is...is that a pentagram I see inscribed on the window there?
September 28th, 2009
Friday: Mum had surgery. Docs expected to keep her one day afterwards.
Saturday: Attended the Ohio Renfaire with Mystee, Bastian, Jewel, Trickster, Joe Silverhand, Katarina, Aloha, Aloha's friend (never got introduced) and our resident transplanted New Yorkers: Joe Cat and Mike.
Sunday: Mum is kept at the hospital because she's in severe pain. To give you an idea how much, her current medication is five times more powerful than morphine. She spiked a 102 fever.
Today: Using less pain medication but still miserable, and the docs have no idea what's wrong. My brother's wedding is in 18 days.
Ugh.
Saturday: Attended the Ohio Renfaire with Mystee, Bastian, Jewel, Trickster, Joe Silverhand, Katarina, Aloha, Aloha's friend (never got introduced) and our resident transplanted New Yorkers: Joe Cat and Mike.
Sunday: Mum is kept at the hospital because she's in severe pain. To give you an idea how much, her current medication is five times more powerful than morphine. She spiked a 102 fever.
Today: Using less pain medication but still miserable, and the docs have no idea what's wrong. My brother's wedding is in 18 days.
Ugh.
September 25th, 2009
September 23rd, 2009
[18:33] Animakitty: What's brown and rhymes with Snoop?
[18:33] J Otterbein 81: D:
[18:33] Animakitty: Dr. Dre
[18:33] J Otterbein 81: Oh!
[18:34] Animakitty: :K)
[18:37] Animakitty: What do you call a man with no arms and no legs in a pile of leaves?
[18:38] J Otterbein 81: =\
[18:38] Animakitty: Russel
[18:38] J Otterbein 81: *slap*
[18:38] Animakitty: So there was a shooting at the Gap... There were many casualtees.
[18:39] J Otterbein 81: *slapslap*
[18:42] Animakitty: I went to an urologist. He said: 'You have to stop masturbating.' I asked: 'Why that?'. 'Because I can't examine you!'
[18:42] J Otterbein 81: *stab*
[18:43] Animakitty: How does every racist joke begin?
*look around cautiously*
[18:45] J Otterbein 81: DIE
[18:45] Animakitty: Did you hear about the two antennas that got married? Well, the wedding was terrible... but the reception was great!
[18:48] Animakitty: Thanks folks, I'll be here all night!
[18:33] J Otterbein 81: D:
[18:33] Animakitty: Dr. Dre
[18:33] J Otterbein 81: Oh!
[18:34] Animakitty: :K)
[18:37] Animakitty: What do you call a man with no arms and no legs in a pile of leaves?
[18:38] J Otterbein 81: =\
[18:38] Animakitty: Russel
[18:38] J Otterbein 81: *slap*
[18:38] Animakitty: So there was a shooting at the Gap... There were many casualtees.
[18:39] J Otterbein 81: *slapslap*
[18:42] Animakitty: I went to an urologist. He said: 'You have to stop masturbating.' I asked: 'Why that?'. 'Because I can't examine you!'
[18:42] J Otterbein 81: *stab*
[18:43] Animakitty: How does every racist joke begin?
*look around cautiously*
[18:45] J Otterbein 81: DIE
[18:45] Animakitty: Did you hear about the two antennas that got married? Well, the wedding was terrible... but the reception was great!
[18:48] Animakitty: Thanks folks, I'll be here all night!
September 18th, 2009
Shameless product plug, http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/ProductsBy
The Nerf N-Strike Raider is here. I don't have one, and won't be able to get my hands on one any time soon, so I'm afraid i can't tell you anything about ranges or fun in general.
However... You see that big fat drum magazine? It's compatible with the Longshot and the Recon. That's right. And if you happen to have modded either of those, then you possess the ability to inflict 35 stinging welts before reloading.
Note that the Raider is not automatic like the Vulcan, it's cocked via that front handle for every shot.
The Nerf N-Strike Raider is here. I don't have one, and won't be able to get my hands on one any time soon, so I'm afraid i can't tell you anything about ranges or fun in general.
However... You see that big fat drum magazine? It's compatible with the Longshot and the Recon. That's right. And if you happen to have modded either of those, then you possess the ability to inflict 35 stinging welts before reloading.
Note that the Raider is not automatic like the Vulcan, it's cocked via that front handle for every shot.
September 16th, 2009
http://gizmodo.com/5359797/student-kill
A) Did the burglar deserve to die? No.
B) Is the student wrong for defending his household, but more importantly, himself? No.
C) Was the student stupid for confronting the thief personally instead of calling the cops? ...Yeah.
D) Despite all of the above, I cannot find this story less awesome.
The stupidity of the burglar in returning to a previous crime scene for more goodies is obvious. Your victims are alert, discovery far more likely, and they're fricking pissed to boot. I can't know how thoroughly the idiot cased the joint on his first shopping spree, but if he noticed the household's sword/s then...I can only conclude he was suicidal.
I was talking with Lly about this, and imagining how awesome it would be (for a brief time) if the burglar/homeowner war escalated, and the thieves started showing up in chain-mail or plate armor.
A) Did the burglar deserve to die? No.
B) Is the student wrong for defending his household, but more importantly, himself? No.
C) Was the student stupid for confronting the thief personally instead of calling the cops? ...Yeah.
D) Despite all of the above, I cannot find this story less awesome.
The stupidity of the burglar in returning to a previous crime scene for more goodies is obvious. Your victims are alert, discovery far more likely, and they're fricking pissed to boot. I can't know how thoroughly the idiot cased the joint on his first shopping spree, but if he noticed the household's sword/s then...I can only conclude he was suicidal.
I was talking with Lly about this, and imagining how awesome it would be (for a brief time) if the burglar/homeowner war escalated, and the thieves started showing up in chain-mail or plate armor.
September 13th, 2009
I paid a visit to Yellow Springs today, which is sort of the closest thing my area has to a hippie-town. Awesome book stores, interesting boutiques, and the expected head/healthfood shops.
I saw this in a store that specializes in small sculptures, jewelry, and semiprecious stones.
I immediately thought of![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
tugrik. More for the build of this fine creature than for the number of horns, obviously. :K)
Here are a few other neat shots from the outing.
I saw this in a store that specializes in small sculptures, jewelry, and semiprecious stones.
I immediately thought of
tugrik. More for the build of this fine creature than for the number of horns, obviously. :K)Here are a few other neat shots from the outing.
September 9th, 2009
Cute TMBG music video. Not as cute as Experimental Film, but they had the Homestar people to help with that.
September 8th, 2009
R.O.U.S. discovered in Papua New Guinea!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2
Also, fanged frogs, tree-kangaroos, and grunting fish.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2
Also, fanged frogs, tree-kangaroos, and grunting fish.
September 4th, 2009
A bit of Battlestar Galactica humor from Dragoncon. You'd better click that frakkin' play button.
September 3rd, 2009
Mystee and I might try to pull of some BSG costumes for Halloween this year. I figured she'd go in the casual BDUs (that weird wifebeater outfit) and I'd go as one of the deck crew, in the orange coveralls. Apparently the closest thing that comes in orange is http://www.sullivanuniforms.com/uniform
And those need quite a bit of work to get them close to the show's version.
Anyone done something like this already? Advice? Screen captures for reference? Sources for BSG patches/dogtags etc?
And Tugrik, ever thought about doing some BSG props? Like the 'ignition key' you see now and then with the cold-cathode type light in it.
Oh, and here's another flutterby pic.
And those need quite a bit of work to get them close to the show's version.
Anyone done something like this already? Advice? Screen captures for reference? Sources for BSG patches/dogtags etc?
And Tugrik, ever thought about doing some BSG props? Like the 'ignition key' you see now and then with the cold-cathode type light in it.
Oh, and here's another flutterby pic.
August 30th, 2009
Visited Cox Arboretum today with Mystee and Joe. The butterfly house was incredible.
Also, I've never seen so many funnel-web spiders in one place before.
*grumbles about the free Flickr account's image size limitations*
Also, I've never seen so many funnel-web spiders in one place before.
*grumbles about the free Flickr account's image size limitations*
August 28th, 2009
Seen on Twitter. http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/
...Best business plan I've seen since the WWJD bracelets.
...Best business plan I've seen since the WWJD bracelets.
August 18th, 2009
Cool beans. Tekstation on Furaffinity has been compiling RubyQuest into flash. Here's the first chapter, http://www.furaffinity.net/view/263
Seriously folks, give it a shot. It's doing it a disservice to say it's like Silent Hill meets Zork, but that at least slots it into a genre for you.
Seriously folks, give it a shot. It's doing it a disservice to say it's like Silent Hill meets Zork, but that at least slots it into a genre for you.
August 17th, 2009
The less I tell you about this, the better it will be.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/r
Give it a chance. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
While the story itself is...SFW in the sense that most employers care about, some of the tardish comments between relevant posts are NSFW.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/r
Give it a chance. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
While the story itself is...SFW in the sense that most employers care about, some of the tardish comments between relevant posts are NSFW.
August 15th, 2009
We've been holding a garage sale the last couple of days, and giving away kittens at the same time. Duke, the affectionate lanky black cat and Cheeky, the rambunctious likes-to-climb-your-back cat were both adopted by a family and taken home to be barn cats. Good luck, kittens... I hope you live out your days in vermin-chasing happiness.
August 14th, 2009
Because I know how fast some of us go through the gigs,
Newegg promo code for 15% off hard drives. HDDSALE15
So, not too much going on. I'm slowly trying to return to a sane sleep schedule. We're having a garage sale tomorrow, trying to dump some of the stuff cluttering up the house. Packrat that I am, I'm not putting much in it myself. x,x
Newegg promo code for 15% off hard drives. HDDSALE15
So, not too much going on. I'm slowly trying to return to a sane sleep schedule. We're having a garage sale tomorrow, trying to dump some of the stuff cluttering up the house. Packrat that I am, I'm not putting much in it myself. x,x
August 12th, 2009
I was just on Hulu, watching http://www.hulu.com/watch/87648/sec
They show you the addicted people, the people who found romance through their games, and the households where gaming has replaced all other social activity. They even tell the story of a Mom whose kid killed himself, apparently because of his addiction to EQ, and her founding of an online gaming addiction organization.
It's an interesting watch, with a very few interesting interviews with people in the gaming industry. I can definitely point to several people shown in the documentary and say 'Wow, that's just like x.'
It isn't all 'gamers are subhuman' though. They definitely ask the question 'What is wrong with our world, our society, that millions of people feel they have to escape from it by dumping all of their free time into a virtual environment?' And that's an important question to ask.
If you're asked to choose between a life with no magic left in it and 'wonder' that we have to travel thousands of miles and pay thousands of dollars to see--and a world where not only are you significant, you're very likely a hero, respected and capable of instilling self respect in you because of your accomplishments...which would you choose? Many will say 'but it's not real' but how much does that matter anymore? Reality is what our mass consciousness has agreed is reality, and over in these virtual worlds we've got a burgeoning population imagining another reality.
The key is, the virtual realities we've gotten tangled up in are not replacements for real life. Very few can make a living with their gaming, and we've still got our physical bodies to manage. How long will that hold true though? How far off are companies that will gladly stick you in a capsule for the cost of college tuition, and let you live out your days in a different world, earning a living in countless ways?
Is that tragic? By most of the arguments we'd come up with, no. Romance, friendship, these things wouldn't change so long as the environment in question is well-populated. Creation of artwork, music, and literature? How many of us actually create anymore? In America at least we're far more accustomed to consumption. But even creation isn't missing from these future worlds. Your creations will be digital, but that certainly wouldn't stop them from appearing in the real world.
Argh. I wish I was asleep.
They show you the addicted people, the people who found romance through their games, and the households where gaming has replaced all other social activity. They even tell the story of a Mom whose kid killed himself, apparently because of his addiction to EQ, and her founding of an online gaming addiction organization.
It's an interesting watch, with a very few interesting interviews with people in the gaming industry. I can definitely point to several people shown in the documentary and say 'Wow, that's just like x.'
It isn't all 'gamers are subhuman' though. They definitely ask the question 'What is wrong with our world, our society, that millions of people feel they have to escape from it by dumping all of their free time into a virtual environment?' And that's an important question to ask.
If you're asked to choose between a life with no magic left in it and 'wonder' that we have to travel thousands of miles and pay thousands of dollars to see--and a world where not only are you significant, you're very likely a hero, respected and capable of instilling self respect in you because of your accomplishments...which would you choose? Many will say 'but it's not real' but how much does that matter anymore? Reality is what our mass consciousness has agreed is reality, and over in these virtual worlds we've got a burgeoning population imagining another reality.
The key is, the virtual realities we've gotten tangled up in are not replacements for real life. Very few can make a living with their gaming, and we've still got our physical bodies to manage. How long will that hold true though? How far off are companies that will gladly stick you in a capsule for the cost of college tuition, and let you live out your days in a different world, earning a living in countless ways?
Is that tragic? By most of the arguments we'd come up with, no. Romance, friendship, these things wouldn't change so long as the environment in question is well-populated. Creation of artwork, music, and literature? How many of us actually create anymore? In America at least we're far more accustomed to consumption. But even creation isn't missing from these future worlds. Your creations will be digital, but that certainly wouldn't stop them from appearing in the real world.
Argh. I wish I was asleep.
August 9th, 2009
Been putting it off for a long time now, but I finally decided to take my poor old Corolla into the shop when the brakes failed for the third time. Sadly it wasn't a cheap fix either, nearly 700 bucks. Still, if it keeps my ride rolling, so be it. Can't hold a job without some way to get there.
In other news, I picked up a cheap copy of Painkiller at 1/2 Price Books. I look forward to assaulting demons with shurikens and lightning.
Saw 'Funny People' last night, the new Adam Sandler movie. It...wasn't awful, but it ran too long, dragging painfully in spots. I'd compare it to a good frozen pizza that didn't cook all the way through: the cooked parts are quite nice, but the small still-frozen bits ruin the overall experience. ...What a lousy metaphor.
In other news, I picked up a cheap copy of Painkiller at 1/2 Price Books. I look forward to assaulting demons with shurikens and lightning.
Saw 'Funny People' last night, the new Adam Sandler movie. It...wasn't awful, but it ran too long, dragging painfully in spots. I'd compare it to a good frozen pizza that didn't cook all the way through: the cooked parts are quite nice, but the small still-frozen bits ruin the overall experience. ...What a lousy metaphor.
July 30th, 2009
July 27th, 2009
I encourage you to check out Chris Rose's Flickr gallery. Whimsical and intriguing robots abound! Some have mustaches. If you don't like the one pictured, look anyways, 'cuz there's a ton of variety in his work.
July 22nd, 2009
Your forecast for this winter: cloudy with a chance of ice-cream snow.
http://gizmodo.com/5318966/the-cloud-pro
As if that wasn't enough, have a headless motorcycle-riding robot. Not as cool as the animal-cycles, but picture it with a flaming pumpkin plopped on top of its neck.
http://gizmodo.com/5318885/flossie-the-h
http://gizmodo.com/5318966/the-cloud-pro
As if that wasn't enough, have a headless motorcycle-riding robot. Not as cool as the animal-cycles, but picture it with a flaming pumpkin plopped on top of its neck.
http://gizmodo.com/5318885/flossie-the-h
July 21st, 2009
While in Michigan a couple months ago, I saw a man, roughly 65 years old, and around 5' nothing. He was dressed in old-man shorts, a panama hat, and a black T-shirt with enormous white block lettering. It read 'I Run This Town.' Just seeing this little old guy, standing by a bus-stop in downtown Detroit, just made me giggle so hard. I cannot apologize to you all enough for not getting my camera out in time to get a shot.
July 18th, 2009
Welcome to my journal, barbara_hambly. I've been a big fan of your work since picking up a copy of Winterlands when it popped up on the Science Fiction Book Club. :K)
Here's some somewhat unsettling news. A study has linked mental illness with creativity. Or vice versa. http://tinyurl.com/lgpt68
It made me think, "Well, exactly how creative am I? Does the level of creativity correspond to the seriousness of your mental illness? I mean, I'm no van Gogh or Shakespeare, so I shouldn't be Charles Manson or Rain Man." But reading the article, it seems to indicate that creativity can readily go hand-in-hand with mental illness...not that mental illness often goes hand in hand with creativity. Phew.
And for you visual people, here's a pic.
Here's some somewhat unsettling news. A study has linked mental illness with creativity. Or vice versa. http://tinyurl.com/lgpt68
It made me think, "Well, exactly how creative am I? Does the level of creativity correspond to the seriousness of your mental illness? I mean, I'm no van Gogh or Shakespeare, so I shouldn't be Charles Manson or Rain Man." But reading the article, it seems to indicate that creativity can readily go hand-in-hand with mental illness...not that mental illness often goes hand in hand with creativity. Phew.
And for you visual people, here's a pic.
July 14th, 2009
Couldn't sleep. Searched for interesting Twitter accounts. If you know any, comment with 'em.
jay_lake - Writer, author of the clockwork-flavored "Mainspring" and "Escapement".
BrentSpiner - No guess work here.
warrenellis - Prepare to be sworn at?
doctorow - Hot air balloon blogger.
MrsTad - Tad Williams' (fantasy author) wife. Tad doesn't tweet, so, next best thing.
JMCousteau - Jean-Michel Cousteau, real-life Captain Planet.
HadronWatch - Might be the closet thing you get to advance warning of reality-ceasure.
jonathancoulton - My favorite modern troubadour.
donttrythis - Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame.
greatdismal - William Gibson
jay_lake - Writer, author of the clockwork-flavored "Mainspring" and "Escapement".
BrentSpiner - No guess work here.
warrenellis - Prepare to be sworn at?
doctorow - Hot air balloon blogger.
MrsTad - Tad Williams' (fantasy author) wife. Tad doesn't tweet, so, next best thing.
JMCousteau - Jean-Michel Cousteau, real-life Captain Planet.
HadronWatch - Might be the closet thing you get to advance warning of reality-ceasure.
jonathancoulton - My favorite modern troubadour.
donttrythis - Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame.
greatdismal - William Gibson
July 10th, 2009
Best thing I've seen on Youtube for months. Re-voiced and abridged DBZ episodes. Set aside a couple hours and waaaaatch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZNza6-X
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZNza6-X
July 7th, 2009
What can I say but, DO WANT.
http://gizmodo.com/5308459/project-noma
It's as if someone asked, 'How can we make motorcycle gangs more menacing than they already are?' And someone responded, 'Throw in Beast Wars.'
http://gizmodo.com/5308459/project-noma
It's as if someone asked, 'How can we make motorcycle gangs more menacing than they already are?' And someone responded, 'Throw in Beast Wars.'
July 6th, 2009
Latest awesome discovery: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/7
"Approximately $2.50 per minute of laser cutting time." "Our custom laser cutting service is ideal for making custom parts quickly and economically for any project. You can get started with making custom laser-cut parts for only $25."
While they can't do metal sadly, they do plastic, wood, cloth, paper, etc. Just whip up a CAD file, and they'll send you a quote. What's really special about this (to me) is that there are no set-up fees. I like that. Mmm. You don't know how much. Oh yeah.
Goodnight, x,x
"Approximately $2.50 per minute of laser cutting time." "Our custom laser cutting service is ideal for making custom parts quickly and economically for any project. You can get started with making custom laser-cut parts for only $25."
While they can't do metal sadly, they do plastic, wood, cloth, paper, etc. Just whip up a CAD file, and they'll send you a quote. What's really special about this (to me) is that there are no set-up fees. I like that. Mmm. You don't know how much. Oh yeah.
Goodnight, x,x
July 3rd, 2009
While reluctantly watching Wheel of Fortune last night with the family, a puzzle came up that ended up mostly complete, but for the first word.
_ _ _ _ burning
st ve
The contestants last night were especially thick. "Coal burning stove!" "Fast burning stove!"
"...FOOD burning stove!!!"
I just lost it.
_ _ _ _ burning
st ve
The contestants last night were especially thick. "Coal burning stove!" "Fast burning stove!"
"...FOOD burning stove!!!"
I just lost it.