Leap Seconds

This is a very interesting article to read. It's about how the Earth's rotation doesn't follow the ticks on a clock. Now you say "I already know that", but did you know that now and then (more like every 5-10 years or so), the Earth's rotation speeds up and slows down? A-HA! This article is about "leap seconds", time added to clocks to "keep things in synchronized". Read about it: Interesting Thing of the Day: Leap Seconds

zipdecode map

Whoa! This is kinda cool. Decodes ZIP codes, as you type in each digit. Check it out: zipdecode

The New Internet Economy

Scott McCloud has a page describing a new way to pay for artists' work (music, art, etc..) online. Basically, if we pay pennies, the artists would still get paid very well, and we wouldn't be "pirates" anymore. He also gives a MUCH truer explanation of what's really going on. I think it's a "must see" thing, see it here: I Can't Stop Thinking! #6.

Overheard in New York

This site is hilarious: Overheard in New York

Here's a CLASSIC one overheard on the 1 train:

Dumb teen: Hey, look at this! It says "Train for jobs in beeyotch."

Smarter teen: Fool! That word is biotech. Why you gotta be ignorant all your life?

Alien Loves Predator

There are MANY online serial comic strips (more on them later), but I just ran across this one, "Alien Loves Predator: In New York, no one can hear you scream." and it's funny. The link goes to the first strip, just click "next" to go on.

PS. When you see these really short, linked, one item blog posts, it's because I used BlogThis. (really liking it too).

Superman Returns

The first photo of Brandon Routh as the new Superman (in "Superman Returns) has been released. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is (huge pic). Not too crazy about the costume design, but I'm sure it'll look great in the movie. (fingers crossed)

StumbleUpon

I found this extension for Mozilla Firefox, it's called "StumbleUpon". It basically sends you to different pages on the internet. A real great time-killer, although you'll end up killing time you need to work/study. It becomes real addictive. BUT YOU GOTTA TRY TRY IT!!

PS. I'm posting this using BlogThis. My first time using it. woo-hoo!

It's finally here!

The weekend is finally here! Can't wait to relax.

Also.. I just learned this:

The German word for nipples: Brustwarzen! BREAST WARTS!

....I have nothing to say. I'm just stunned.

100 Year Egg

This is a "100 year" egg. They're supposed to be burried for 100 years, then dug up to be eatten. It may not necessarily have been buried for 100 years, but... yes, it's greenish black!! AND, I ATE IT!!

It's not THAT bad, it's just the aftertaste that gets you.  

Upcoming Movie

Fanboys, get ready. There's a movie coming out from Disney, called "Sky High". The movie stars Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston as "The Commander" and "Jetstream", two superhero parents who send their son to Sky High, the school for the children of heros and other future heros. Also appearing in the movie, are Bruce Campbell and Lynda Carter (go ahead, take a minute.... ah, yes, Lynda Carter... yesssss...). The movie comes out July 2005. Yes, I said the same thing, "Why haven't I heard anything this!?! This is LYNDA CARTER!! I STILL don't know who's she's playing!" Come on, Disney! Give us a website already!! 

Movie Review: "The Woodsman"

I love to watch movies. I hate having to pay to see a movie, but I love to watch them. I hate paying mostly because I hate paying to see crappy movies. I signed up to Netflix, unlimited rentals per month (though no more than three-at-a-time), and there are tons of great movies, new and old.

Last night, I saw "The Woodsman" with Kevin Bacon. AWESOME movie. The "crap quotient" was at zero. Once again, Kevein Bacon kicks ass in a movie. AND, Mos Def was in it, what! Mos Def is a great supporting actor. He takes a small role, and owns it. Also appearing, in small, vital roles are: David Allen Grier, Eve and Benjamin Bratt.

The movie is about a convicted child molester, who's been released after serving 12 years in prison, and is trying to restart his life. Some people think the movie is attempting to humanize child molesters, but I don't think it's trying to go that far. Rather, I think it exposes the "monster" in everyone (society). I don't need a movie showing me a "bad guy" and make me want to hate him more. Here, you get to see the inner workings of a "bad guy" who's trying to straighten out his life, while almost everyone around him is telling him that he can't. It's definitely a good film, and a "must see".

Now, instinctually, I think I might freak out if a child molester lived in my neighborhood (I have two kids), but, intellectually... I'd like to give someone a second chance, an opportunity to redeem themself, and become a better person, or at least a "normal person". I think any other movie would have just demonized the molester and left him as a "bad guy", but this movie shows you a case on the other side of the spectrum, and gives you something to think about.

Things to think about in regards to this movie:

• How does one become an outcast?
• "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone."
• Who is the real monster?
• What is "normal"?
• Is redemption/forgiveness possible?
• How far is "too far"? And, can you come back?
• Who is the real "hero" in this movie?

Also, look for the "symbology"*.
* I love "Boondock Saints" (review coming soon)

Why must it take something like this...

I hate the fact that it usually takes some sad event like a funeral for you to see old friends that you haven't seen in a long time.

I went to a wake today. The guy who used to live next door to me back in my old neighborhood passed away a few days ago. He was a real nice guy. He was old, and had been sick for the last couple of years, so his passing on was more like a release from pain. I hadn't seen his son (about my age) in a while. The last time (almost a year ago, was just a "hi-bye" thing). The family that used to lived upstairs from them, was at the wake. I used to hang out with them, and haven't seen them since they moved away many years ago. Now they're all married and have kids (I am as well). Then we got to talking about old times and older memories.

Hopefully we can get together for a BBQ or something someday.

Drunk Debate Question.

This is a good one. When you're drunk, you talk about a lot of stupid shyt. And argue stupid points and take dumb positions on incredibly moronic issues and... (uh-oh, running out of words for "stupid")... imbecilic situations (whew!) There's a blog post devoted to one of those questions:

"How many five-year olds can you take on at once?" (or, see the original debate site)

Now, I LOVE to talk about kicking ass, man-challenges, Klingon shyt, fight club, etc.. So this question is perfect for me.

Here are rules:

1. You are in an enclosed area, roughly the size of a basketball court. There are no foreign objects.
2. You are not allowed to touch a wall.
3. When you are knocked unconscious, you lose. When they are all knocked unconscious, they lose. Once a kid is knocked unconscious, that kid is "out."
4. Someone intent on seeing to it you fail gets to choose the kids from a pool that is twice the size of your magic number. The pool will be 50/50 in terms of gender and will have no discernable abnormalities in terms of demographics, other than they are all healthy Americans.
5. The kids receive one day of training from hand-to-hand combat experts who will train them specifically to team up to take down one adult. You will receive one hour of "counter-tactics" training.
6. There is no protective padding for any combatant other than the standard-issue cup.
7. The kids are motivated enough to not get scared, regardless of the bloodshed. Even the very last one will give it his/her best to take you down.

I can definitely take on about 15. Maybe closer to 20. More than that, and I'd run the risk of some kid getting a lucky shot in and then being overpowered.

How many do you think can you take on?

Big Brother

Sometimes you fear Big Brother, sometimes you thank God he's there.

Ghost Rider movie

There's a Ghost Rider currently in production, starring Nicholas Cage as Johnny Blaze. There have been a few uninteresting set photos, but recently this shot of the bike showed up on the web.

One word: Niiiiiiiiice!

TWIST-A-MUNDO!

WHOA! What a twist in the "Wendy's finger-in-the-chili" story! No one, NO ONE could have EVER seen this one coming.

What next? A connection to Bin Laden? A DNA match to the Shroud of Turin?

Times have changed.

When I was a kid, 1600 was a perfect score on the SAT. Now there's a new SAT test and a perfect score is 2400. Ok, I can accept. But on March 12th, students took the new test, and 107... ONE-HUNDRED AND SEVEN, achieved perfect scores! Holy Moley! Makes me think of those times on Star Trek when you see little kids in class doing calculus.

Then, I read about a school closing for fear of mercury poisoning after a thermometer breaks, and I think back to seventh grade... My teacher passed around a small amount of mercury (a few drops) in a folded piece of paper. She said, "Look at it. See how it looks like water, but it doesn't soak into the paper? It's metal, but it's liquid at room temperature." Today, we worry about the slightest exposure to an unseen, odorless vapor. Back then, I think there was more worry about losing the sample.

Damn! I TOUCHED that stuff!! Am I going to die? (my kids LOVE that commercial)

NO morals, NO brains...

Pope John Paul II isn't gone a full week, and already the bottomfeeders are using his death to scam people's money. If you see an e-mail from "Pope J.P.2's widow" asking for your help withdrawing some of the $20 MILLION from their joint account, well... just ASSUME it's bogus.

Sin City Images

A few of my friends have never seen/read the comic book, so they didn't really understand when I said "It looks just like the books" or "it's like Frank Miller drew the movie". Here are some links to comparison images of the comic book and the movie.

Sin City Comparison Library
Film Rot's "Comic to the Screen"
Yahoo's Sin City Comparison Shots
Film Rotation's Comparison Shots

Huh?

How long has that been there? It's just a big white spot. Like it doesn't exist.

Somebody go check and get back to me on this.

The struggle for something better

Sometimes Many times, we don't appreciate what we have. There are people who would kill to have the right to worship who they want, to live without religion, live how they want, say what they feel, or at least complain about their poor situation. I guess it's part of human nature to complain about your situation, but some people have more of a right to complain than others. Some people go through a lot to get some of those freedoms (read Billy's story).

I'm not saying you can't complain, that's one of the freedoms we have, I'm just saying once in a while, just say "thanks" for what you've got.

Why SkyNet wants to kill us.

Ever wonder why in so many movies, computers, artificial intelligence (AI), machines, etc.. want to take over the world and either kill or enslave humans?

It's because the majority of us don't take care of our electronics/computer stuff!

I had one friend who bought a computer, and in about 4 months, it was barely working. Why? From the first (maybe second) day he bought it, he downloaded a filesharing program and started downloading. And never stopped! His PC was loaded with viruses and spyware and lots of other crazy stuff. He'd burn stuff to cd's to clear up hard drive space, but never stopped the downloads.

Another friend's computer looked more like a science project than a computer. It was filthy! He'd often drop food and stuff on his keyboard and case, but never cleaned up. If it acted up, he'd kick the case or smack the keyboard. If his mouse was dirty and acted up, he'd slam it on the desk. He never used a surge protector either.

Another friend recently complained that his PC was acting funny, it would shut down or get stuck. I told him that I'd come by one day to check it out. Well, I was helping him move the other day. As I was setting up his computer, I was about to start plugging things in, when I saw what looked like a mouse pushed up againts the airholes in the back. It wasn't a mouse, just a huge dustball. I opened the case.. Holy Moley! There was a lot of dust. It took me a while to get almost all of the dust out. Another friend present said, "Don't get blacklung!" I laughed, though it was a possiblity.

Take care of your stuff, one day that neglected PC might turn around and put a chain on your leg.

New Camera

Something's wrong with my old digicam (Kodak Easyshare, 2.2 MP (megapixels), can use regular batteries). It won't connect to my PC. I have to play around with it to see if I can save it. It lasted us over 4.5 years, maybe more... if I can fix it. But in the meantime, my wife and I bought a new one, a Nikon Coolpix. Nice little camera. Small, easy to use, 5 MP...

BUT I MISS MY OLD CAMERA!!!

Yeah, it was big and clunky, took 4-5 seconds before I could take a pic, it stopped recharging the batteries, didn't zoom a lot, didn't take good videos, recorded sound badly, was a bit scratched up... But it was always there for us, did what it had to do, didn't break when dropped once or twice, and used regular batteries. DAMMIT! I'll bring him back somehow! Just hang on!

You should always take care of your electronic/computer stuff. Which brings me to my next post...

It's coming back!!

YES!! It's true!! It's true!! "Family Guy" is coming back!!

It's been "uncancelled"! Click to see the "teaser promo".

"inside voice": "Uncancelled"... is that even a word? Did Dubya make that one up? Whatever! As long as the show is back.

The ABC Song

This is my daughter singing the ABC Song. And, although she's my own child, I think it's almost too cute. Talent Agencies, recording companies, Hollywood, etc... you may start calling.

Comic News

I am actually nervous that the Watchmen movie is in jeopardy of not being made. This HAS to be made. This is one of the comic books that made comic books what they are today. (wait, is that a good thing? I liked how comic books used to be... well, whatever. It's a great book.) Watchmen is a story even non-readers will like. I still haven't seen Sin City yet, but I will... SOON! I gotz to. It's the first of the "hardcore big three" (in my book)... Sin City, Watchmen and V for Vendetta.

The next season of Justice League Unlimited seems very promising. A lot of real fanboy storylines. SHUT UP! I love the League.

I only have Owlman from the Crime Syndicate set. If anyone wants to get them for me, I will GLADLY accept them. I hope DC puts out a version of the current Syndicate.

SPOILERS BELOW, RE: COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS #1.....
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HOLY MOLEY!! BLUE BEETLE IS DEAD!!
I can't believe it! I just can't believe it! And the way it happened... after everyone igg'ed him, big time! There's going to be some retribution (read as "ass whuppin' fo' real") when the rest of the heroes find out. This issue shows there's going to be some BIG shake ups in the DCU. DO NOT MISS AN ISSUE!

No more PIE

For those who know, websites used to (and still do) track your movements/website visits/internet trends, by using cookies they'd leave on your computer's internet cache. You could delete these by going to your browser's internet options and clicking "delete cookies", and then setting your security settings a bit higher (to prevent future cookies).

But they've found another way to "get" you.

The newest method of tracking is called "PIE" (bastards are even using the name of a favorite food! ARRR!), which stands for "Persistent Identification Element." (click to read) This operates through Flash MX. In the link above, Macromedia has set up information on how to disable this.

The next Pope

In about a week or so, members of the Vatican's voting committee will begin the election process for the person who will be the next Pope. There are many possible "papabili" (Italian word for "papl candidates"). Read some descriptions here.

Many betting pools have Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria as a favorite.



One interesting thing is St. Malachy's prophecies about the Popes, and according to it, there will only be two popes before the destruction of Rome. These prophecies are considered to be "amazingly accurate" (which is up for debate). Read, and make your own decision.

Sure looks lonely up there...

Can you imagine how it feels to be an astronaut on a space walk? The linked image is a photo taken on one of the shuttle missions. It's really amazing.

(Click on the picture below for the full image.)

Fever/Nightmare

My son just woke up crying and with a slight fever. He had a nightmare that there were "webs everywhere" and he couldn't find Mommy, because "she was lost in the webs in the haunted house". So hugged him, and had him take a few deep breaths. Then my wife gave him some medicine and some apple juice.

He's fine now, and back in bed.

Useful Site

Google is trying a new service, Google Ride Finder. It lets you see where cabs are.

Right now, it seems like, for New York, it only shows locations of Super Shuttle vans. It's kind of cool, hit "update vehicle locations" and watch the location tabs move.

penis=boy, vagina=girl

A New York Applelate court has declared that a man, regardless of how he dresses or what gender he considers himself to be, must use the "mens' room".

So guys, brace yourself, you find see a 6'6" blonde bombshell taking a leak at the urinal next to you.

Watchmen Quiz

Take this Quiz: Which Watchmen are you?

I'm Nite Owl II.

"Smart and sensitive but still packing a punch, you'd do well in law enforcement. Your sincerely chivalric approach to life and your fetish for uniforms are the stuff from which heroes are made." (that is so true).
more on Nite Owl II

"Watch your hat and coat"

It's April Fool's Day.

Everyone please keep your eyes open, and watch out for tricks, gags, and falsehoods (ESPECIALLY on the internet). I know I'll be getting two or three times the usual "There's a new virus..." or "free ipods at..." e-mails today.

If you get a warning, or hear about something fantastic/out-of-the-ordinary/amazing, please double check it before you pass it on. ESPCIALLY TO ME!!

Here are a few links about April Fool's pranks:

• Zug's "Fool the Media"
• Google Gulp
• Opera's April Fool's
• Jacaranda's April Fool's
• "There's a moose in your yard!"
• Links to a few headlines

cluck, cluck, clu... (moment of silence)

Chickens everywhere stopped clucking for a moment.

Frank Perdue passed away, at age 84.

"You're not human"

Today after my last class, I was feeling TIRED, wiped-out, stressed, like I could pass out at any moment. My students had me beat. So I went downstairs to get a large cup of coffee. It did nothing for me. I took a walk in the brisk air, thinking that that would wake me up. Nope.

So I went by the fraternity office to hang out for a few. While I was there, I saw this rolled up vinyl shade, and thought "This would be great to smack someone with."

So I asked on of my brothers, Moby, to hit me across the back with it. Yeah, sounds stupid, but it works. He hit me twice, and for the third he really took a good swing. I felt MUCH better.

So I asked Moby if he wanted to try it, he said ok. What was that for? When I hit him, his face controted like a cartoon character. He jumped up and ran screaming, "Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Oh my God, that hurt!"

I maybe the "old guy" around the actives, and I'm probably not even half the man I was "back in the day"; but I can take a hit and whip ass better than 90% of anyone around. And I'm only 57! j/k