31st Oct2008
0 Comm
29th Oct2008
David Tennant Leaving Doctor Who
Oh my.
I’m not sure how I feel. David Tennant is full of awesome with a cherry on top. I wonder who’ll be there to try to fill his shoes.
Source: Oh No They Didn’t!
25th Oct2008
Oprah Raises the Profile of the Kindle
Snagged from the SmartBitches Blog!
I learned that Oprah has declared that her new favorite thing is the Kindle.
In fact, you can get $50 off your Kindle if you order and use the code "OPRAHWINFREY" to get a $50 discount.
I haven’t tried the Kindle, but I have played with the Sony eReader at Borders. ePaper is all sorts of neat.
Still, there’s just something about holding a book.
Question:
Can a user sell their used ebooks? I’ve been wondering about that.
Anyway…. According to readers on the SmartBitches Blog, it’s something they all love.
Still, $309 is a lot of money. With the economy full of suck, I’m really focusing on used books and buying books only with discounts and during sales.
Some of the bonus features for the Kindle are really appealing. It’s hooked into the internets so you can download books on the fly. You can subscribe to feeds of 900 sites, including newspapers and popular blogs.
Really, really tempting.
I don’t doubt the speculation that a new version of the Kindle will be eventually released. I’m leaning towards waiting for either a new version or a cheaper price.
I love the smell and feel of books and switching to ebooks would mean I’d lose those things. Also, if I fell asleep with an eBook, I might drop it. Probably on my face. Or on the ground. And breaking a $300+ item would suck. Majorly.
24th Oct2008
Pushing Daisies – Must NOT be Cancelled
I’ve heard whispers that Pushing Daisies is not doing very well in the ratings. It’s really frustrating. That show is brilliantly creative, beautifully shot, and has talented actors! (Field Cate – Young Ned pictured from Comic-Con)
Please watch it! Please please please!
Beyond how cute Ned and Chuck are, there’s a great thread going through the whole series about love, family, and human nature.
Think of it as a murder mystery show with surreal tendencies. Lee Pace is full of brilliant in this show. How he can be so sheepish and adorable with a dash of self-depreciating charm, I don’t know. He makes it all work so that Ned is really touching and human, even with his amazing raise-em-from-the-dead powers.
22nd Oct2008
2008 Elections – Early Voting
I reserved Monday for a leisurely trip to the mall.
Not to go shopping, though I did stop in at Borders to see if anything caught my eye. I went to my local mall to cast my vote for the 2008 US Elections.
Apparently, many other US citizens had the same idea.
The early polling place at the mall was tucked away in a vacant store space. When I lived in Torrence, CA, my voting location was conveniently centered in my condo complex. I would just stop in before work and ink in my vote.
I didn’t want to rush around on Election Day, so it was an ideal solution to complete my civic privilege at the mall.
It’s really the first time I have used an electronic voting machine. The neat thing about the touch screens that I used in that location that you could go back and change/review your vote. Plus, the print out confirmation was all sorts of reassuring.
Anyway, I encourage you to go in early if you are registered and have early voting available.
You don’t have to worry about crowds or the pressure of finding your voting location on a busy Tuesday.
I also got a bonus candy (covered in with the red, white, and blue and made in the USA) in addition to the sticker.
I feel all sorts of relieved and happy that I’ve gotten in my vote in. There are very important issues on the ballot here in California.
As always, elections are important.
2 weeks. It’s kinda strange, but it’s so exciting.
19th Oct2008
My Shocking Story: Tree Man
Since we switched from cable to FIOS, we got loads of new HD channels at home. This evening, I turned on TLC in HD and watched about a man from Indonesia known as Tree Man. Due to an uncontrollable HPV infection, he grew wood-like protrusions from his body.
All I can say is say is that surgery is very, um, graphic in HD.
You can read spoilers here.
The world is an amazing place. And this series is really shocking. Truth in advertising,
16th Oct2008
National Novel Writing Month 2008
Thousands of potential writers crack their knuckles each November and participate in National Novel Writing Month.
The goal: 175 pages (50,000 words) in 30 days.
I’ve written several fanfiction stories and considered participating last year. This year, I am determined to do it! Well, at least I’m going to try my damn best.
I’ve mostly stuck to writing fanfiction. Since fanfiction inherently has built in characters, I know that setting up characters will be a challenge. I really believe in characters moving a story so I’m trying to set the groundwork right now.
I’ve also joined a group of other NaNoWriMo writers in San Diego for support and to throw ideas around.
So I’m going to buckle down and write. No matter what.
Wish me luck, y’all.
Update:
I added a link to No Plot? No Problem, a guide to writing during NaNoWriMo.
08th Oct2008
Doesn’t This Only Happen In LA?
Apparently, I missed a GIANT car chase here in Temecula!
I usually go near there on my way home, but since I went to the gym at 3, I missed the action.
The guy had his CHILD in the back of his van during the chase. The 12 year old boy was tossed around while his father speed around the town trying to get away from the cops.
I didn’t think anything like that happened around here. Temecula is a sleepy town compared to LA. Most people work in LA or San Diego, so it’s pretty quiet during the day. It’s always surprising when this kind of stuff happens around here. I tend to think of this area as so different from the city.
07th Oct2008
Random Japanese Shirt-dude… Sake hito, indeed
I was visiting my local mall today in a shop-therapy effort that seemed sadly futile. I didn’t buy anything but a book at Borders at 30% off.
Well, books make me happy, but that’s besides the point. I proceeded to wander aimlessly around the mall. For excersise….
Anyway, in JC Penny, I spotted a gentleman wearing a shirt that said:
酒人
I whispered “sake hito” to myself while rode the escalator, avoiding his gaze.
Was he trying to say he was an alcoholic?
Was he trying to advertise that he was made of alcohol?
I mean, could he be a super hero who’s water content was actually switched out for alcohol that allowed him to flame up easily? Or evaporate into gas?
Over the years, I’ve seen shirts asking for a Japanese boyfriend or girlfriend in Japanese and shirts that proudly proclaim the wearer’s pervy-nature and base hentai-ness, but I don’t think i’ve seen an alcohol person before.
Anyway, I left the alcohol dude alone. I wasn’t about to strike up a conversation. I just wish I could have snagged a picture.
I checked online and apparently the shirt is available. Maybe it said Bito, but I wasn’t that close to him. So i guess the shirt really means he’s proud of being an alcohol person. That’s nice. But my superhero theory was also cool. No? No?
*silence*
That’s ok. I’m not hurt.
07th Oct2008
Mackenzie Series (Linda Howard)
Mackenzie’s Mountain, Mackenzie’s Mission, Mackenzie’s Pleasure, Mackenzie’s Magic and A Game of Chance.
Sometimes, when I’m in the mood for a comfort read, I reach for Linda Howard’s Mackenzie books.
For one thing, they are quick reads.
And for another, they are good reads.
Beginning with Mackenzie’s Mountain (Published with Mackenzie’s Mission in Mackenzie’s Legacy), she creates a family of characters who are lusty, loving, and just plain tough guys who have soft spots for their loved ones.
It’s like seeing a big tough warrior holding a soft kitten with love. Utterly adorable. At least in a book.
Anyway, the series follows Wolf Mackenzie as he falls in love and continues with the stories of several of his 5 children. Each character is flawed (or just stubborn). Linda Howard’s humor and ability to create sexual tension is evident in each of these books.
Her penchant for military/FBI agent lead characters can be seen in all of the books. And there are several moments of quiet emotion in each story.
The Mackenzie books were originally published as category romance and are shorter — around 300 pages long each story. Linda Howard is able to get a lot of texture into this short format. All the text is devoted to building the main characters up and getting them to fall in love.
Reading older category romances written by best sellers really shows you how these writers have built up their skills. Like Iris Johanson, Linda Howard has honed her talent in a format that leaves little room for error. These stories move and move fast.
While I think Mackenzie’s Magic is the weakest of the stories, I still enjoy reading about the only daughter in the Mackenzie clan. These books have a place on my keeper shelf. And seriously, I do read them over and over again.
In chronological order, the stories are
- Mackenzie’s Legacy (Originally published as The Mackenzies)
- Mackenzie’s MountainWolf Mackenzie
- Mackenzie’s MissionJoe Mackenzie
- Mackenzie’s Honor (Originally published as The Mackenzie Family)
- Mackenzie’s PleasureZane Mackenzie
- Mackenzie’s MagicMaris Mackenzie
- A Game of ChanceFeaturing Chance Mackenzie.
06th Oct2008
San Diego Air and Space Museum Hosting STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION
My youngest sister passed this on to me today. I think I have to take a trip to San Diego for this.
STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION
Jun 21, 08 thru Jan 19, 09
Opening for a limited engagement at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park, this 12,500 square foot touring exhibition contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of authentic Star Trek ships, re-creations, sets, costumes and props from 5 TV series and 10 films over the last 40+ years.
This unparalleled experience enables the public to step inside the Star Trek world and become active participants in the legacy that has captivated our imagination for generations. Whether it is sitting on a re-creation of the original U.S.S. Enterprise bridge or traveling through space on motion simulators, STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION fully immerses the visitor in the legendary journey that has become synonymous with scientific exploration, adventure and technological innovation.
Tickets are available at www.StarTrekTickets.com and the San Diego Air and Space Museum box office.
Highlights of STAR TREK THE EXHIBITION include:
• Once in a lifetime opportunity to become part of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew and stand on the bridge from the original television series.
• Re-creations of original sets from Star Trek: The Next Generation®, including Captain Picard’s quarters and command chair.• Ride through the Galaxy in two full-motion flight simulators.
• Re-creation of the Transporter Room from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• The Guardian of Forever from the original Star Trek series.
Hours: Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
last admission 4:30pm
Contact:
(619) 234-8291
http://www.sandiegoairandspace.orgDirections:
Map to Park Location 25
Hello? Flight simluators? I’m there.
06th Oct2008
Doctor Who Series 4 Coming in November
I didn’t realize that this was coming out already.
Featuring Catherine Tate as Companion Donna Noble and David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor, Doctor Who Series 4 was one of the best and I’m definately putting this on my preorder list.
A lot of Doctor Who fans who watched Catherine Tate’s debut turn in the Christmas Special, the Runaway Bride, were not very happy that she was returning. Donna Noble was shrill, selfish, and shallow. But this series, Donna’s character grew so much and was so amazing that by the end, the doubters had to say they were wrong. Well, at lest most did.
The emotional depth and character growth during this series was just so satisfying.
It’s a little over a year since I started watching Doctor Who. I’m really glad that I flipped to BBC America that day and watched it during that marathon. I’m a better geek for it. ^_^
All the DVD released for Doctor Who have a lot of extras and info that are a lot of fun. I really enjoy the Doctor Who Confidentials, even though they are cut down to shorter segments for US DVD release.
Series 4 featured several wonderful episodes including the chilling Midnight (which the Fringe referenced a bit last week) and the amazing Turn Left.
Seriously, Catherine Tate was freaking amazing. Since she’s known for comedic skills, I expected series 4 to be funny, but Donna Noble made me tear up a few times last summer.
And for all of the not bits, Doctor Who Series 4 was still great fun. And David Tennant was swoon-worthy as usual.
05th Oct2008
Dino Time
My friends, Shizuki & Dietrich, came over yesterday from LA to visit. We went on adventure. Well, we went to Target to look for:
- Domo-kun stuff (Found a few things)
- the Iron Man Blu-ray disc.
- A gift for a little boy just turning 4 years old
After scouring 2 different Target stores, I ended up with one of those reed diffuser air fresheners (in apple vanilla!), a domo-kun bag, a wii game, and my disc.
We also found this:
How fun is that?
The dino grunts and moves to some drummy/porno music, but it’s full of fun. I pushed the demo button like 3 or 4 times and didn’t get tired of it. I asked Shizuki to record it, so we can remember the porno-dino forever.
He’s full of awesome.
04th Oct2008
Old Anime & Manga Papers – Finally Up! Um, Again
I’ve finaly gotten the rest of my old anime & manga research papers up. Click on the RESEARCH PAPERS link above to get to them.
I wrote these while I attended UCLA. I tried my darndest to get anime & manga into whatever liberal arts class I was taking during my stint there. I even wrote a paper on Native Americans in anime & manga, which I, alas, cannot find.
Actually, it was probably a bad paper since I wrote it during my freshman year (1995) and tried demonstrate how Native Americans were very present in anime & manga in stories like Blade of the Kamui. Seriously. I think he has a knife fight with an American Indian for a few seconds. But I think the topic was weird enough to earn an A for that class.
I can’t remember which classes I wrote which papers for. I can probably double check against my transcripts, but I don’t know if I want to go through so much and think about all of the Biochem classes that I didn’t do so well. You know, because I loved Japanese so much more. Well, loved anime & manga so much more.
These papers have been up on the internet in one form or another for years. Hm, I can probably use Archive.org to look up the old paper references!
Come to think of it, I have a stack of 3.5 inch floppies that probably have more papers. But I shan’t dust them off. I don’t think I even have a disc drive that can read those!
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