2010.12.17
Weekly Metapost : 2010.12.10 - 2010.12.17
03.00.01 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from December 10th, 2010 to December 17th, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
James Burke: Connections | Watch Free Documentary Online
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/james-burke-connections/
Tagged : Connections history James Burke science technology videos youtube
Years ago I loved James Burke's articles on connecting past discovery to modern inventions. I even played the Connections video game. However for some reason I never really say the TV series. Maybe missed the time they aired. In any case, it's cool to discover that they're available on YouTube so as I get time I'm sure I'll be watching them. This is a nice list of the episodes and while it's not as nice as Hulu or Netflix streaming, it's simple enough to use. [via AdaFruit]
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Cloverfield (2008) RatedCapricorn One (1978) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.12.10
Weekly Metapost : 2010.12.03 - 2010.12.10
03.00.02 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from December 3rd, 2010 to December 10th, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
YouTube - Wiley Vs. Rhodes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ5p9WttVhE
Tagged : Acme cartoons funny Roadrunner video Wiley E. Coyote youtube
A live action version of a Wiley E. Coyote vs Roadrunner cartoon. Well done, and a blast to watch. [via AppleGeeks]
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.11.26
Weekly Metapost : 2010.11.19 - 2010.11.26
03.00.01 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from November 19th, 2010 to November 26th, 2010
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
The Wrestler (2008) RatedFun with Dick and Jane (2005) Rated
Food for Thought [other noteworthy books]
Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale [Hardcover] RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Reading Materials
2010.11.12
Weekly Metapost : 2010.11.05 - 2010.11.12
03.00.01 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from November 5th, 2010 to November 12th, 2010
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Hacking Democracy (2006) RatedJohan Hex (2010) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.10.29
Weekly Metapost : 2010.10.22 - 2010.10.29
03.00.09 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from October 22nd, 2010 to October 29th, 2010
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Despicable Me (2010) RatedCypher (2002) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.10.15
Weekly Metapost : 2010.10.08 - 2010.10.15
03.00.01 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from October 8th, 2010 to October 15th, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
Thumpbunny's Same-X Game for MACOSX
http://www.thumpbunny.com/
Tagged : classic games mac macigame macintosh nostalgia software
More modern version of macigame, a simple but addicting game that I used to play like crazy on my first Macs nearly 20 years ago (ahh, 68k Macs). macigame was actually updated for PPC and OS X macs over the year, but it desn't seem to work on an Intel Mac. Same-X while it has some differences, plays the same and runs in 10.6
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Kick Ass (2010) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.09.24
Weekly Metapost : 2010.09.17 - 2010.09.24
03.00.02 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from September 17th, 2010 to September 24th, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
Inside the Secret Science of Packing Material
http://gizmodo.com/5640713/inside-the-secret-science-of-packing-material
Tagged : gizmodo shipping technology weird
More information about packing materials than I probably needed to know, but a lot of useful tidbits.
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf or Death (2007) RatedFood for Thought [other noteworthy books]
Dr. Horrible (Paperback) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Reading Materials Weblinks
2010.09.03
Weekly Metapost : 2010.08.27 - 2010.09.03
03.00.11 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from August 27th, 2010 to September 3rd, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
DIY PIXAR: Luxo Jr. Lamp
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-PIXAR-Luxo-Jr-Lamp/
Tagged : DIY instructables Luxo Jr. Make Pixar todo
I am a Pixar fan, and I've mentioned it several times, and I love making things, so making my own Luxo Jr. Lamp is pretty tempting. Even if I wasn't going to, it's always cool to see some Pixar animation become a "real" object.
1 frame every 12 clicks | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37227626@N00/2534192401/
Tagged : attempts camera done film hack howto MAKE photography
An idea I attempted trying on an old Kodak Jiffy Six-20 camera that's been floating around my house unused for years. Pretty clever and a whole lot less expensive than 620 film. Now to see if I can save a couple exposures...
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) RatedThe Book of Eli (2010) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.08.20
Weekly Metapost : 2010.08.13 - 2010.08.20
03.00.01 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from August 13th, 2010 to August 20th, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
YouTube - Exploding electronic components in HD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCPXckfT-6g
Tagged : amusing electronics funny life technology videos youtube
Assorted electronic components, destroyed with the technology they're designed for. Something I've done myself for many years, both accidentally and intentionally. [via Adafruit]
EL Wire Spiderweb
http://www.instructables.com/id/EL-Wire-Spiderweb/
Tagged : art articles electronics howto instructables todo
Very tempting project. Electronics crossed with some wood working I've yet to try, all to create an art piece. Yeah, I can see myself doing something similar.
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Speed Racer (2008) RatedEagle Eye (2008) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.05.28
Weekly Metapost : 2010.05.21 - 2010.05.28
00.00.02 - Mark
Weekly Metapost from May 21st, 2010 to May 28th, 2010
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
Beef Jerky Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/beef-jerky-recipe/index.html
Tagged : Alton Brown beef jerky cooking DIY food fun geek good eats
A long time ago I saw this episode of Good Eats where Alton Brown made beef jerky. At the time the making jerky thing didn't do much for me - it's easy enough to buy, but the idea of using a box fan and a few air filters, I loved that idea. Beeing a geek I tried it out, and I love his recipie - it's far better than commercial jerky.
pcb_fabrication [tanjent.com wiki]
http://tanjent.com/doku.php?id=pcb_fabrication
Tagged : articles electronics hackaday howto todo
While I've known about this technique for preparing and etching circuit boards for a while, I more or less followed it's instructions, and I'm sold. Inexpencive, accurate, and and wildly difficult. [via hack-a-day]
YouTube - Pixel - A pixel art documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mqAZ06dwKU
Tagged : art creativity documentary pixels videos youtube
Nice little mini-documentary on Pixel Art, from it's origins in video games to it's use of art, music, and creativity. Plus I had to run off and look at half the stuff it uses as clips or referances [via Adafruit]
One More Production - video - Pixels
http://www.onemoreproduction.com/video/209.html
Tagged : animation art entertainment pixel videos
One of the video clips from the Pixel - A Pixel Art Documenraty. The clip in there was amazing, the alternative universe the full video creates is lovely, and the work put into it is a bit mindboggling.
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
District 9 (2009) RatedMaverick (1994) Rated
The Sting (1973) Rated
2012 (2009) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.04.02
April 1st, 2010 Metapost
00.00.02 - Mark
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
How to make a rugged and handy Paracord Belt.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-rugged-and-handy-Paracord-Belt/
Tagged : belts clothing howto ideas instructables MAKE paracord todo
Having been active in scouting for a while, I've seen plent of paracord neckaces and bracelets, but I don't think I've seen many Paracord belts. I'll probably try this one.
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010) RatedThe Invincible Iron Man (2007) Rated
The Amazing Screw-on Head (2006) Rated
Appleseed Ex Machina (2007) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.03.09
March 8th, 2010 Metapost
00.00.04 - Mark
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
The Hurt Locker RatedThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.02.19
February 18th, 2010 Metapost
00.00.02 - Mark
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Yes Man (2008) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.02.14
February 13th, 2010 Metapost
00.00.02 - Mark
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
Cool Tools: No-Knead Bread
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/004156.php
Tagged : bread cooltools food ideas kk recipies todo
Saw this a while ago, but I'm actually trying it now, and hoping it's worth linking to.
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Get Smart (2008) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2010.02.11
February 10th, 2010 Metapost
00.00.02 - Mark
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
9 (2009) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.02.05
February 4th, 2010 Metapost
00.00.02 - Mark
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Hardwired (2009) RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.02.01
January 31st, 2010 Metapost
00.00.02 - Mark
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Frost/Nixon RatedDollhouse: The Complete Second Season Rated
Link | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies
2010.01.19
January 18th, 2010 Metapost
00.00.03 - Mark
Elsewhere Online [collection of past links]
First-Person Tetris
http://www.firstpersontetris.com/
Tagged : flash games puzzles tetris
A literally twisted version of Tetris, which makes it a fun little puzzle. It would be either more entertaining and/or more sickening if it was using the accelerometer on an iPhone / iPod touch to control it. [via BoingBoing]
Religion of Comic Book Characters (esp. Super-Heroes)
http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_book_religion.html
Tagged : articles comics fiction ideas religion
I enjoy comics, but I'll admit that I never put alot of thought into the religions of the characters, from beliefs in the real world to created faiths created within their universe. And while the wide range itself is interesting, there are also notes on the religions of the creators. [via neatorama]
Les Dangereux - A Ninja Love Story
http://www.lesdangereux.com/
Tagged : animations funny ninja videos
Fun little video I found [via notcot]
E.T.A. by JUNK on Vimeo
http://vimeo.com/1165693
Tagged : animation films funny movies scifi space
Somehow easy to find good little short films today, this one fits well aftr I watched Moon the other day [via Laughing Squid]
Eye Candy [list of other movies]
Moon RatedLink | 0 Comments | metaposts Movies Weblinks
2008.02.10
A Collection of Thoughts
22.54.59 - Mark
I've been lazy this past week. There have been things I've wanted to say, but nothing that really deserved it's own post So I'm going to lump a few together. There's some other stuff that I want to get out, but deserve more thought and longer posts - like how "old media" still can't produce a useful website, even after 15 years of the world wide web and a solid five years since "new media" platforms like blogging started appearing in a big way.
First up I finished George Carlin's When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops last week, and while I enjoy Carlin's material it felt like binge reading a thing-a-day calendar. I'm pretty sure they formatted it so it was easy to stop after 5 or 10 pages, which in a way helps but for a book that has a list price of $24 (I was given the hard cover edition as a gift) you would hope there's at least a little continuity.
Next, Voice actors are amazing. Period. Almost entirely unrecognized and it's a true shame. I love animation and have been chewing though some "old" cartoons from the mid to late 90's (back before the FCC's Educational and Informational rules kicked in, when Saturday morning cartoons still existed and didn't totally suck) as well as some more recent stuff (like Futurama) and it's amazing when you watch these shows and realize that in a recording booth somewhere, these guys are having conversations with themselves. It's great when you can just see (or hear) these people working - like the Simpsons episode of Inside the Actors Studio or some of the DVD extras - The live reading of the comic on Bender's Big Score comes to mind. It's a shame that more and more animated movies want to fill ranks with celebrity voices. Afro Samurai strikes a good balance - a few big name voices supported by some voice actors.
Third, and kind of similar to voice acting I never realized how amazing Who Framed Rodger Rabbit? was, and how it's the sort of movie that would never get made today. Intellectual property lawyers, standards and practices, animators, and celebrity voices would totally ruin the thing before it got started. You would never see alcoholic detectives helping cartoons, kids with cigarettes, social commentary (the description of freeways is far from positive) the same level of animated violence, or some of the more sexual scenes and obfuscated language in the easter eggs. Maybe some of them, but not all of them. It's a treat
Link | 0 Comments | animation cartoons entertainment geek life media movies thoughts voice actors
2008.01.09
A Year of Rating Stuff
22.10.20 - Mark
For the last year I've been rating the books and movies I've read or watched (and then bothered looking up on Amazon) and I just entered the last book I finished (Scalzi's The Android's Dream) and I skimmed over the 25 books and 100 or so movies I've rated in the last year and started thinking about how I actually rate them.
Books I tend to rate higher. I'm using an 10 point scale (5 stars in half star increments) and I tend to rate high. The lowest rating I've given was 3 stars to William Gibson's Spook County which was lower than the 3.5 I gave to Children of Men (the book, not the movie) which is off because I liked Spook Country a whole lot more than Children of Men.
I think part of the reason is I was comparing Spook County to other Gibson works that I love, and felt that Spook Country wasn't hitting the same pace. In a similar vein I was comparing Children of Men to the movie. The movie was amazing (and is one of the few that I've bought since getting Netflix) but the book was slow and had a lot less action, I'm not the type who likes reading scenes that take place in Bed and Breakfasts. The other part is that I have a low tolerance for bad books if something is less than average - like the books you're forced to read in High School English class, or ill advised college textbooks that get selected because there was a great sales pitch from the publisher - I don't finish it.
To an extent the same is true with movies. If I managed to sit though the Dukes of Hazzard with out massive brain damage I'd probably rate it under 1 star (I've got the common sense to walk away when it's on) but I've got a higher tolerance for bad movies that only eat up an hour or two of my life (I managed to walk away from The Fast and the Furious 3 - Toyko Drift more or less unharmed and it got 2.5 stars) Overall though, I rate movies more on enjoyment than cinematography or story, or plot, or acting. Snakes on a Plane (which got points for campiness) is a whole different beast than Helvetica (a smart visual documentary about fonts) and they don't have anything in common with The Last King of Scotland (which had great acting) but I gave all three 5 stars.
Something to think about if you ever look at my ratings.