Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Darth Vader Dreams

A couple of weeks ago I was told by my doctor that I have severe sleep apnea. I'll have to wear a mask to help me breath at night. A lot of things make sense now... my health problems, my 'mind' problems, and to think... all I seem to need is a good night's sleep. Look at this mask, though. I'm pretty sure this is an old school one. I was told the machines are smaller and quieter.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Revised Solar System

[music: none]
[mood: tired]

Pluto has been reclassified as a 'dwarf planet', which means it's no longer a planet. I'm on the fence with this, since I was raised with nine planets. I guess that's science for you. It allows for change. I'm a bit disappointed, because I liked the idea of a 12 planet solar system. It gave me the feeling that we're expanding. In any case, I guess we're down to eight planets.

Now all the text books need to be re-written, planetariums changed, documentaries are out of date.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Into the Future

[music: Last Dance by The Cure]
[mood: tired]

Ever since watching Blade Runner a month ago, I remember being so fascinated by The Future when I was a kid. Even now, I can't help but get a kick out of living beyond the year 2000. I can't imagine what life will be like in 2050. I'll be in my 70s, so I HOPEFULLY will be around for it. I love watching movies that take place in the future. Weather it's cheesy sci-fi or something as strange and captivating as The Fountain, it'll always hook me in.

I played a mean game of racquetball today. While I was searching for a pic to show on 'the future' I found this one from Star Trek. Hah. Is that what we'll really wear to play raquetball in the 24th century?

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Selling the Drama

[music: Selling the Drama by Live]
[mood: nostalgic]

I had my childhood in the '80s, but I was 'growing up' in the '90s. It's where my musical tastes dramatically changed. I went from Slick Rick and Redman to Nirvana & Nine Inch Nails in one summer. I discovered Live, and I was immediately hooked.

The cover of their album Throwing Copper remains one of my favorites, especially because the painting has a somewhat haunting background.

Their MTV Unplugged performance is one of my all time favorites. It's too bad they never released it. It's been 11 years since that performance, and I'm sure there would be plenty of buyers.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Music in the Air

[music: Waking Up by 10 Years]
[mood: tired]

I've known about 10 years since they first came out, but for some reason they didn't speak to me. Maybe I'm finally seeking out that post A Perfect Circle rock sound I love so much. Well, this album has it. I'm sorry to be like everyone else and compare them to APC. Maybe I'll make an effort to write a true critique later on.

Being the music snob that I am, I usually stay away from the mainstream (unless a friend really wants me to try something) ...anyway, while on iTunes I noticed a few notable names have some new material coming out. The Killers (finally), Evanessance (sounds great), Audioslave (bleh) and The Roots (the only hip hop I care for.)

Monday, August 14, 2006

Behind the Scene

[music: Jenny was a Friend of Mine by The Killers]
[mood: inspired]

I had some dinner after work and decided to watch The Office series 2 video diary. I love watching behind the scene documentaries. Not so much the kind where they show you how they created all the special effects and everything, but where they show you the creators in their enviornment, and the crew who all worked together to create something. I always thought it'd be cool to be a part of something like the creation of a show like The Office.

Another good documentary of that sort is on the Loony Toons Golden Collection Vol. 1, where it takes you behind the scenes of the people behind those great cartoons. I would've loved to been a part of that crew, to be a part of something that's become a classic, and is a part of cultural history.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Videodrone

[music: Smile Like You Mean it by The Killers]
[mood: amused]

I'm helping my wife create a video for her parents. I like being behind the camera, but I especially had fun with my wife and bro-in-law doing take after take on the introduction to the segments. A good way to spend a Saturday night.

We shot so many takes that we decided to create a blooper reel as an 'extra' for the dvd.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

On The Pitch

[music: Rosetta Stoned by Tool]
[mood: okay]

In 1999 Madden Football for Playstation was my game of choice. I wanted something different, but didn't care for the shoot-em-up games. A friend let me borrow FIFA Soccer 2000. I was aware of soccer as an international sport, but never followed it or played it. So, I popped in the game, and chose a team to try out. Arsenal sounded good. Never heard of them.

Never heard of these names... Overmars, Henry, Vierra, Bergkamp. I won that first game, and picked up on the rules of soccer pretty quickly.

That night, I flipped on a sports channel (we get 4 of them) and an English soccer game is on. Low and behold... it's Arsenal. Caught the game late, but it was pretty exciting. They won, of course, and not only that... I was suddenly HOOKED on soccer.

I knew they broadcasted Mexican league soccer on Univision, so I tuned in that weekend. I never heard such passionate sportscasting! I couldn't understand a word of it, but if a player got anywhere near the box with the ball they talked faster and louder, the crowd would go crazy (and of course Goooooool!) As I continued watching these games, I noticed they always showed a team called P.U.M.A.S.

I followed the U.S. National team's journey in the 2002 World Cup. I was very sad when they lost, and since there was a lack of decent Premiership coverage, I couldn't keep track of Arsenal (except the internet), and with no Philadelphia MLS team to root for (and lack of coverage,) I stopped watching soccer.

The USA was goiong to be huge in the 2006 World Cup. We all know how that turned out, but I was hooked again. As I understand it, I missed some great Arsenal moments over the years. There are rumors of an MLS Philadelphia team, but I guess I can default to New York Red Bull for now (I drink enough of it) ...I set the TiVo for the P.U.M.A.S. match this Sunday.

As for Arsenal... Bergkamp may be gone, but let the good times role again!

Monday, August 07, 2006

Not Ready Yet

[music: Slide Away by The Verve]
[mood: concerned]

The first time I realized I felt very uncomfortable watching images of 9/11 was when I saw Fahrenheit 911 in the theater. I just didn't like seeing the images.

I didn't lose anyone in the attack, and I wasn't in New York at the time. I don't like 9/11 used in jokes and humorous tones, and I can't stand to see the image of a cartoon Bin Laden used on Flash banners on websites to win XBoxes or iPods.

I saw United 93 a few months back. That uncomfortable feeling came back during that scene in the control tower watching the first plane strike. I was sure I could handle the movie, and I did for the most part. But, I'll never see it again. It was at that moment when I decided I will not watch any movies about 9/11.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Fifteen Minutes

[music: All Tomorrow's Parties by The Velvet Undgerground]
[mood: good]

Today Andy Warhol would've been 78 years old. I wonder what he would think of the world today. I wonder what he would think of the 'pop art' filter that's built into the Intel iMac's iSight camera. Well, here's to you, Andy.

"Lou-Pop"
iSight Pop Art filter
2006









"Mission Accomplished"
digital collage
2006





"The Paris Hilton Axiom"
digital collage
2006

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Our Town

[music: Keys to the World by Richard Ashcroft]
[mood: okay]

A recent article in the Morning Call by Bill White about local bloggers, described blogging as the 'karaoke of journalism.' While the article was aimed at local political bloggers, I'm not at all surprised he didn't mention any other type of bloggers. He goes to mention that many bloggers post anonymously, and carry no professional constraints.

It helped me realize one thing... I don't care too much about local politics. While this is my soap box, and my posts come to the reader unfiltered, I guarantee they are my genuine opinion, with my name attached. I know there are more of us out there in this Valley.

Friday, August 04, 2006

A Space Odyssey

[music: Into Deep mixed by Paul Oakenfold]
[mood: enthralled]

My favorite science fiction stories all take place in the future. A few in particular include Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey. They explore what life could be like in the future. While many stories take place in an apocolyptic future, I'm more into the ones where imagination is the key ingredient, and the possibilities of what man can accomplish is explored.

I found an article that talks about two bodies of gas that may either be planets or stars. (For more information, read the BBC article.) It really makes me smile when articles like this show up. It's a reminder that despite all the crazy shit that's happening all over the world, scientists are making discoveries. Technology is advancing, and people are looking ahead.

Since this is a recent discovery (and more of these have been coming out lately) ...how can anyone think that we're alone in this universe?

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Details of Our Ending

[music: Rosetta Stoned by Tool]
[mood: null]

November 20th, 1983... I was six years old, and I sat down to watch a TV movie on ABC called The Day After. That's the only time I ever saw it, but I was very affraid of nuclear war. I wasn't aware of the politics involved, or how close America may have come in the past, but ever since that movie, I was always affraid of the possibility.

As I got older, I learned that 'World War III' would most likely be a nuclear war. The comments made a few weeks ago in the media by Newt Gingrich suggested that America is in World War III. Right away I associate that with nuclear war, and it got my attention. Although I don't agree with that suggestion, I can agree that our world is in chaos, when you consider all the conflicts and violence happening in the world all at once, including North Korea's missile tests.

Could this be more fear mongering on the part of the Republicans? Who knows. All I know is I'm not a kid anymore. I try to keep myself informed, and I'm not easily scared by what's said on network news.

Pass it On

[music: Cry Little Sister by Gerard McMann] -Yes, Lost Boys soundtrack.
[mood: content]

I'm thankful that the Internet provides access to many independent film and video productions. I've seen them both big and small. Every now and then I'm glad to see someone get inspired by someone else's inspiration.

I listen to a podcast called GeeksOn, and they produced an audio-only Star Wars Episode 3 spoof. They were inspired enough to create a funny script complete with familiar sound effects. However, someone ELSE has been inspired to take part of that audio spoof and edit it back into the film.

This is what I love to see. Somone is inspired enough to take something and invest time and effort into creating something else. I'm quite sure this editor doesn't personally know the podcasters, but they shared a similar vision and it worked.

Here's the video: It's in m4u format. Editing credit goes to 'Chewbaca'

And to spread the word on GeeksOn, check out their site, VERY active forum, and of course, their podcast.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

To the Max

[music: Gone Daddy Gone by Violent Femmes]
[mood: bleh]

It's too hot out. Stay in, have a bag of crisps, and watch an 80s film or two: