I'm a code monkey and I've been writing web code for over twelve years. People often think that because I work on the Web that I can fix their broken computers. Sure, I probably know how to fix them, but I would really rather not because I know that most people suck. MONKEYS RULE!
Remember how document layout designers and type setters got pissed when desktop publishing empowered untalented people the ability to create their own crappy documents? Well, it's the graphic artists', designers', and Photoshop masters' turn to gripe. Look at this video which describes a very early technology that promises to let allow anyone to create digital compositions based on sketches and keywords.
Here's a social experiment to see if there was a way to make people use the stairs more than the escalator at a subway station in Odenplan, Stockholm (Sweden). See what they did and what happened.
The screen cap above is not from a B-rated sci-fi movie (nor a porn flick), it's from "Battle for Milkquarious," an over-the-top, online rock-opera - about "milk'. Yes, I said milk.
It's the creation of the California Milk Processor Board and ad agency called Goodby Silverstein & Partners San Francisco. (That's the same group that brought you the Got Milk ad campaign). Obviously, this is advert for drinking milk, but it's also part of a contest for students in California. Students will compete in recreating scenes of the rock-opera in order to win money for their school's art education program. Lucky bastards. I wish Florida would come up with something like this.
You can watch and enjoy the whole rock-opera movie at http://www.milkquarious.com. It's definitely something to see and something that will go viral really soon (if it hasn't already).
Here's the video I took of the fireworks during Indepence Day celebration in Pensacola, Florida. This was taken on Palafox Pier, the former location of the Bayfront Auditorium.
The Pensacola Crawfish Festival is happening this weekend. I went this afternoon and managed to take some crappy video with my phone. (That should teach me not to roam about without my digital camera!).
There was a big crowd today and the food was as awesome as it always has. This year, I tried some alligator sausage on a stick for the very first time and I actually think it was pretty good. Without saying, I also had some crawfish at the festival.
The Zydeco music was cool. The crowd was good. The food was really good. It was actually pretty good event!
If you're in Pensacola, you should really try to make it tonight, or tomorrow.
Hit my photoblog here for some camera phone snapshots that I took at the festival!
I’m not prone to writing about cute things, but when I accidentally stumbled up on www.tweenbots.com I decided to break my rule this once. Besides, it’s also about robots and humanity; topics that are both close to my heart.
What are Tweenbots? They are part of the Kacie Kinzer's thesis at ITP in New York which aims to answer the following question:
“. . .could a human-like object traverse sidewalks and streets along with us, and in so doing, create a narrative about our relationship to space and our willingness to interact with what we find in it? More importantly, how could our actions be seen within a larger context of human connection that emerges from the complexity of the city itself?”
To answer that question, she built robots! These robots were named “tweenbots.” Kinzer defines “tweenbots” as:
". . .human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal."
Personally, I think it’s a great project. It demonstrates the propensity of good people to be helpful, and shows how can empathize with someone (or some thing) that is lost or trying to find its way back home. Real decent people will always want to help out someone who is in need. It also doesn’t hurt to have that cheerful happy face.
Last night, I stood in line to see the Watchmen movie like so many others across the country. You could tell from the chatter who were the die-hard fans of the comics, the friends they dragged, and those who just didn’t have anything else better to do. As for me, I fell into that last category.
In regards to the comic, I never really read Watchmen when it first came out since I was living in another country then. Though, I do remember seeing the reprints on the shelves in the comic book stores, but I never really paid much attention to it despite everyone raving about them.
I was content with following my Spider-man, Captain America, and Gen 13 comics. Eventually, I managed to read a compilation of the series during one of my slow nights at Barnes & Noble. It was a decent read. The story line was interesting and intriguing, but I thought it was too serious for a comic book which is probably what made it so popular people.
The movie stayed definitely true to the comic. I won’t mention any details, so, as to not spoil it for those haven’t seen it yet. Parents do be aware. The imagery in the movie, as awesome as they are, does match the tone set in the comic books. Dr. Manhattan is naked as he was in the comic books.
The period music was appropriate, but I was bit confused with the use of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” since I’m pretty sure that was from the 70’s and not the 1985, but the song did match the scene that it was used in.
The acting was a bit rough while the movie was still setting up, but once the story got going, it does smooth itself out. The sex scenes were done tastefully in my opinion. They weren’t anything that hasn’t been done in a movie before. Maybe it’s a first for a costumed-superhero movie, but nothing any normal, well-balanced person should be upset about.
The story was a very interesting study of character, consequences, ethics, and morals. All are wonderful and necessary ingredients in making a good story. The movie shows you the different reasons why these people became superheroes and how they dealt with their changing environment. Different personalities, different backgrounds, and different lifestyles are all touched by this movie. The concept choosing the “Greater Good” or being unwavering with one’s virtues and beliefs is also an integral element in the movie. Also, don’t expect this movie to have the typical “all-is-well-that-ends-well” Hollywood ending. The comic book didn’t, so don’t expect the movie to change.
All in all, I think people should see it. Do keep in mind that it’s a grown-up movie and your kids will probably not like it. This isn’t like Batman, Superman, or Spider-man. This movie deals with complex issues and themes. It’s a welcomed change to the mind-numbing, children-targeted superhero films out there.
Watchmen is for those who loved comic books and have now grown up. It is a movie that expects its viewers to be a bit more mature than the average horny teenager. It’s a movie that appeals to your understanding of history and human nature. It’s a movie that requires be old enough to know that doesn’t usually go the way think it will and that we are all here just dealing with life as it comes.
I can't believe I forgot about the Newton Robot. This R2-D2 wannabe was powered by an "IBM PC XT equivalent system" using a "16-bit real-time microcomputer" with a 20MB hard drive. Watch this cheesy 80's promo video. If you get bored, fast forward to to about 6:20 and listen to the wonderful 80's sound track.
Judging from what I can see, the Newton (or his technology) eventually evolved (devolved?) into the diminutive, mute, and so more useful, Roomba cleaning robot.
