So . . .

Its been a few days, so here's a new entry for y'all out there. Today, I will talk about some new video games and music I have been checking out. Without further ado, here we go . . .
_________________________________________________________________

First, I want to share my newest musical favorites - a little reggae, some smooth jazz/vocal, and absolutlely amazing guitar. Intrigued?

Matisyahu is an orthodox-jewish reggae artist - no wait, let me explain before you scroll down! Appearances notwithstanding, this dude kicks ass! He has been touring with Trey from Phish, and his live album has been consistently selling out. Most of his music has a religious bent to it (track six is dedicated to the anceint temple in Jerusalem), or at the very least references god several times per track. A lot of the lyrics have hebrew words and phrases peppered throughout. But, listen to the tracks and his flows are just ridiculously good, infectious even. The cd has some videos stored on it - you can see Matisyahu go crowd surfing while holding his yarmulke on! I unequivically recommend this one, and my favorite track is #5 (King Without a Crown)

Jamie Cullum's new album dropped a few weeks ago, and I love it. His brand of music definitely borders between Jazz and Easy Listening, but I dig it all the same. The easygoing flow of his music and lyrics really soothes and relaxes me, making for some damn good driving music. His new album, continues the trend from the last one of being mellow and smooth and just plain cool. I get a very rat-pack-cool feel whenever I listen to vocal jazz like this. I recommend tracks 1 & 2 on the album as the best (Get Your Way and London Skies), but there are many good ones that I'm sure people will love.

Santana's most recent album, All That I Am, releases next month, and it is , quite simply, amazing. I have already listened to all the tracks several times, and each one is very well done. Many tracks feature famous guest vocalists or performers, like his other recent releases. Everyone from Michelle Branch, Steven Tyler, Robert Randolph, Joss Stone, Mary J. Blige, Sean Paul, and Los Lonely Boys help round out this amazing album. I would point out particular tracks that I loved, but who's kidding? I love and recommend thw whole album!
________________________________________________________________

Gaming section to come after my dinner break!

Just a quick post today - way too tired after work to go into too much . . .
_____________________________________________________

I will be reviewing several games for the tomorrow/Tuesday edition. In addition, mostly to keep Aloma happy, I will also attempt to review downgrading a PSP from V2.0 to V1.5 (hopefully I don't fry mine!), which should allow me to play homebrew code once again . . . Several new albums have recently come across my desktop, and I'll give you my two cents on those as well. All in all, next time looks like it will be super action packed. Till then y'all . . .

P.S.: If I'm not rooting for any of the baseball teams still playing, shouldn't I be allowed to watch the regularly scheduled programming instead? I want to watch Prison Break tomorrow night, but Baseball is going to interrupt. It's like pouring salt on a wound - not only did the Red Sox not make it, but now we're forced to watch the other teams play instead of our favorite shows?!?!?! Weak dude, weak . . .

Today, I want to blog briefly about my love of the bastard-pop mash ups. Basically, when a DJ or otherwise interested soul combines the vocals and/or backing music from two or more pieces of music to create a composite work from all the sources. The end results are much more satisfying than my description lets on. The most obvious examples of the form would be Danger Mouse's The Grey Album (Jay-Z's Black Album lyrics on top of music remixed from the Beatles' White Album), and also the Collision Course Album MTV put out with Jay-Z and Linkin Park collaborating and mixing their music together live on stage.

I am also getting my weekly (and sometimes even more often) fix of mash-up love via my podcast subscriptions. I am not going to go into podcasting in detail (it's been done to death everywhere else), but I will say that I love the fact that I can automate the process and have free new music waiting for me every time I sync my Ipod up with Itunes. Between the podcasts from Mashuptown.com and my own searching I have more bastard pop than I know what to do with.

My favorite sites right now are the ones for djBC and Lenlow. There is a wealth of music, info, and link to many other mashers via these websites. I personally recommend "Can't you hear Biz knocking?" from djBC and "Mercedes Beck" and "Oooh Cheers" from Lenlow, but I'm sure you will all find tracks that you love. The best thing about any of these tracks is that they explore new directions in the music most of us already hear and know. Hearing how parts of different songs (oftentimes from completely different genres) fit together really intrigues me, and every new mash-up I hear only makes me want to find more of them.

Enjoy y'all, and until tomorrow . . .

First Off -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSIE!!!!!!

It's my sister Susan's 22nd Birthday today, so if you haven't already, wish her well! And now, on with the blog . . .
___________________________________________________________________

I will start with a quick update - there is some new content on the Tenacious D movie website. It's mostly just footage of them performing at the 2005 ComicCon, but whatever. Any new D stuff is better than none!

And, for any of you Lost fans out there who just can't get enough, you should check out this site. I haven't seen anything earth-shattering or super exclusive, but it's cool if you can't wait until the next episode to get your Lost fix! The coolest thing is the two 'secret' websites involved with the show: The Hanso Foundation Website and the Dharma Initiative one. (There is also this alternate dharma page I found while trolling)

I can't even begin to explain either site or its secrets, but I will eventually. If anyone has any info please feel free to share; and, when I get farther I'll post updates to the blog.

To everyone who is fasting, I want to wish you an easy fast!

Today's topic will be my newest diversion - Total Overdose, for the Xbox (also available for PS2 and the PC).

This game is not the best game I've ever played. The graphics are not the best the Xbox has to offer, the camera sometimes works against you, and some of the missions are slightly repetitive. But damn is it fun nonetheless!

The storyline is hilariously demented and over-the-top (you play as yourself, and then your evil identical twin when your first character gets injured), and I love that. The action steals elements from just about every great action/shooter game of the last few years, and makes for a truly enjoyable experience. This is not Socom or a Tom Clancy game, looking to evoke the realest of realism. The main point of this game is to kill the bad guys in as many imaginative and deadly ways as possible, chain all of those impossible shots and deaths together to earn more points and unlock new special moves, to keep right on killing the bad guys!

The music is sometimes weird, but when it hits the mark, it is excellent (and evocative of the setting like the GTA series) and oftentimes humorous as well. Your choice of weapons is perfect, ranging from pistols and sawed-off shotguns to rifles, rocket launchers, and good old sticks of dynamite. There are many secret points and powerups scattered throughout the sprawling, GTA-esque open areas of the Mexican city you traverse in the game. You can earn doubles of most weapons in the game, starting with double pistols and moving up from there. To me, this game seems setup to play like the best of the best and worst action movies. You can explode every vehicle you see in action movie fashion, complete with the last second jump from the open driver's side door. Your character can cartwheel off the walls ala the Matrix and drop two guys at once before his feet touch the ground again.

As my roommate Chuck often says, sometimes you just feel like watching a movie where a lot of shit blows up and people get gunned down. This game is prefect for people looking for that kind of thrill. And with that, I am going back to earn even more spicy moves, and try to nab some new sombreros! Till tomorrow . . .

Back Again . . .

So, It's been a little while since I've blogged, but now I'm back! I guess we'll go light on the first new post, and save the deep thoughts for a little later. Just a simple observation for now. Apple is a company of geniuses. The Ipod and Itunes are cool. The Ipod Nano is absolutely amazing, and the new Video Ipod that has just been made avaialable for order seems like it will be a winner too. But, just how far is Apple going to position itself as the premier media company of the future?

For any of you that have Itunes, check out the two new sections of the music store: Pixar and TV Shows. The first is cool enough, offering downloads of several Pixar short films for only $1.99 a piece. This section is definitely a work in progress; and, when it has more than a half dozen short films available, I am sure Apple will see some money from people wanting to have Pixar content. But, the TV show section is truly inspired.

For a $1.99, you can download the latest episodes of 3 adult shows and 2 kids shows currently (Lost, Desperate Housewives, Night Stalker, The Suite Life, and That's So Raven), with I'm sure many more on the way. For those who don't have a TiVo or the know-how to get shows off the internet, apple is stepping in with a great service. I am sure many people would pay $2 per episode to download and rewatch the new season of Lost at their leisure. Also, the store offers the complete first seasons of Lost or Housewives for only $34.99, which is much less than the retail price of the DVD box sets. I can very easily see this as the wave of the future, or a great precursor to IPTV.

I will not be at all surprised if the TV Show section of the Itunes store grows exponentially over the next few months. With the Video Ipod coming out soon people could buy shows, and download them directly to their pods for on-the-go tv. But, even more importantly the studios will jump onboard if they're smart. They can use this as a way to make an immediate monetary return on their shows. Lots of people would pay on a weekly basis to download their favorite shows. And, people would still buy the DVD box sets after the season is over, provided the studios offer enough extra content to compete with Apple's immediate availability. This could be very win-win monetarily, if done right.

Well, like I said, that's it for today. More new stuff tomorrow!

I have just started playing Tiger Woods 2005 on the XBOX, and am in love. The controls are relatively intuitive, and there are so many mini-games and challenges, that I don't feel bored by the game at all! And, I have to admit, that the many sponsors and the choosing of different apparel and accessories is becoming addictive as well. I will give a more complete report in a later posting, because I have to get back to 'reviewing' the game! (he he)



Until then . . .

Bitches!

Our house was broken into yesterday. Luckily, they only took a small amount of stuff. The only thing I lost was a small container of loose change (with about $30 or $40 worth in there), but my other roommates did not fare quite so well. One of my roommates lost a container of change that had several hundred dollars worth in there (he'd been saving it for a LONG time); and, my other roommate lost several hundred dollars in cash. Several implements of relaxation were taken as well.

We are convinced that it was out upstairs neighbors, or one of the skeevy friends of the upstairs neighbors. One of them just got let out of jail for petty theft. The cops are always around because of them - they broke up a party here about 2 weeks ago. I have even heard of one of the skeevy friends starting a fight by throwing bottles at the guy who lives across the street!

We called the landlord, and he is coming today to install chains/ deadbolts on all our doors. Whoever got in here did so because the upstairs people either forced our back porch door open, or they unlocked the deadbolt in the basement that we share.

I was going to blog about something else today, but I am still very upset by this whole thing . . .

So, today I got a raise. Yeah. I'm still trying to process that. My district manager called me this afternoon, and told me he got me an almost 10 and a half percent increase - over $3000 a year. He said he believes in paying people what they're worth, and that he knows how hard I'm working and he thought I deserved it. Then, he told me that I was probably still going to get my normal increase at the end of September as well. I am honestly flabbergasted and speechless about the whole thing.

Don't get me wrong, I think I deserve this, and I think it's a little overdue. But still, the way he did it really threw me. No real preamble, just 'by the way, here's some more money, and thanks for all the hard work'. I think I've gotten to know my DM relatively well, and he isn't the kind of guy who would hold something over my head, or expect excessive thanks or something like that. But, the way he did this was so incredibly laid back and nonchalant that it made the act itself seem that much more touching and important to me.

I had plans to blog about stuff today, but I just don't feel like it. I'm gonna make some food, and relax instead. In fact, I'm putting on some Peter Gabriel and lighting incense as we speak. Till later then y'all . . .

Hello again . . .

I am currently 'reviewing' the new PSP game Death Jr. for my next edition, but in the mean time I thought I would share something funny I found.

So . . . I stumbled across this the other day, and at first glance thought it was a joke and/or a hoax. Then I thought it was for real. Now, unfortunately, I know that it is once again just a rumor. But, how cool would that have been???

I could just see the 'more cow bell' bill being pushed through Congress . . .

Or President Walken's first State of the Union being both the highest watched political address ever, while also being the most intense/creepy as well . . .

Well, I guess that will never be. Or will it . . . ?

Sorry about the delay in posting, but work has just been too hectic in the last few days. Between firing some dirty people (who confessed to stealing well over $2000 worth of product) and severe over-working (I clocked just under 13 hours yesterday - not counting the hour and a half break I took) anything other than sleep just wasn't an option. But now, I am rested and relaxed and the blogging will resume . . . NOW!
_______________________________________________________

We have two topics to cover today: The hidden powers of GMail, and the full potential of the PSP.

First, let's talk about GMail. A GMail account allows for approximately 2.5 gigabytes of online storage for emails and attachments. And, using the GMail Drive Shell Extension, you can easy upload any file under 10 megabytes and store it as an email attachment. I set myself up with a second GMail account, just for online storage, and began sending files there. Just think - you could have over 500 mp3s waiting to be downloaded from any computer or the PSP (which I'll explain in a sec) and it's all completely free!

Second, let's talk about the PSP's new firmware. I could list all of the really cool new features, but the one I want to focus on is the web browser. The PSP has always had the capability to use local wi-fi from the original launch. But until now, only people who had the Wipeout game and had hacked their PSP could open up the browser built into that game to get online. Now, anyone who has a PSP and the upgraded firmware can go online with their PSP anywhere they can get a signal (Panera, Starbucks, or anywhere there's a wireless internet router . . .) Now, the version 2.0 firmware hasn't officially been released for the US yet, but you can follow the links in this article if you want to install the japanese version. (It's not recommended by SONY, but then what is?) As I stated a few posts ago, the interface isn't always exactly user-friendly or intuitive (which could be why they've delayed the US firmware upgrade . . .), but I have learned how to use it to check email, get movie times, post blog entries, and download songs from my GMail storage.

This is the point of the whole shebang. I have a 512 megabyte storage card for my PSP, which is a lot but not as much as even a higher-end IPOD Shuffle is capable of. But, by managing songs between my online and offline storage, I can easily access over 2 gigs of mp3s without getting a bigger memory stick. And, transferring the songs is easier using the download feature of the browser than it is using a usb cable. I can't forget a file at home anymore, because anywhere there's wi-fi I can always update the files I have on the memory stick.

That's it in a nutshell. I can elaborate more if anyone wants, but for now I'm heading back out to the porch to surf the web and enjoy the outdoors. Later . . .

A small post before work -

I have begun watching the show LOST, and love it. The ensemble cast is quite good, and the pacing is unique and intriguing. As each character's backstory develops each week, a little bit more of the general disaster story unfolds. A little bit more about the whys and hows of the accident and its repercussions spill out each episode. The whole story is a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in jungle foliage. I recommend that, if any of you haven't started watching this show yet, catch up on old episodes now before the next season starts.

For tomorrow's action packed episode, we'll learn how to turn a PSP into a full-featured super machine AND how to turn GMail into your own personal online IPOD. Intrigued? Come back tomorrow then . . .

So . . .

This will be a small post tonight, as it is the first time I am blogging straight from my PSP. Until I get the hang of the text entry system, blogging from here will be a real chore.

Regardless, the PSP is now my favorite thing ever. EVER. The games and movies were pretty cool, but web browsing & new A/V options just blow me away. I will give more details on this and other tech wonders in my next NON-MOBILE edition . . .

Without further ado, I present the first part of my larger story. There's no title yet, but suggestions are welcome. Also, any criticism (positive or not) would be appreciated . . .

___________________________________________________

William Carroll cried softly as he held his wife's hand. Her eyes were closed, and she lay listless on the hospital bed. The only sound in the room, other than his sobbing, was the beeping of the machinery behind his wife, Susan. He squeezed her hand, then stood and wiped his right arm across his eyes. As he strode into the hall towards the coffee machine, the edge of his sleeve was wet from the tears. His back was hunched, and his gait was unsteady and heavy, as if his grief had caused him to forget even how to walk normally.

Carroll poured himself a cup of black coffee, and held it for a moment in his hand, as he stared down the hall. Then, as if shaken, he brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. The hot liquid flowed over his lips and teeth, and Carroll grimaced fro the heat and the slightly burnt taste. He turned back towards his wife's room, the cup of coffee in hand, and then stopped. He looked to the darkened doorframe, but couldn't continue on. As if there were long tongues of flame or great gnashing teeth awaiting him just inside that doorway, Carroll found his legs unable to move forward. Instead, he lowered himself into the row of plastic chairs against the far wall of the hallway. He sat with his shoulders slumped down, and felt all his strength slip from his body. A nurse walked past him and into Susan's room, clipboard in hand; he almost didn't notice her pass by.

Carroll slipped into a sort of half-sleep sitting in the uncomfortable chair. He could see his wife before the transfusions, looking angelic in a yellow sundress. It felt like that first summer in California, a lifetime ago. They were on a hillside, sitting on a blanket. The flowers and grass smelled so fresh, and he could almost taste life in the air. He remembered being here before . . . It was just after she had finished grad school. He saw himself leaning in to kiss his wife, gently cradling her as he pulled himself closer. He could remember the taste of her lips from that first time, and it seemed super real in the dream. He felt love for her like he never had before. It was a combination of his initial feelings for her, the growing love that had developed over the years, and even the melancholy love he felt now. It flowed through him, and he gripped her tighter to his chest, holding their embrace as long as he could. In the back of his mind, he heard an odd beeping noise. It began as a n intermittent beep, and then a steady tone. Carroll turned in the dream, trying to find the sound, but couldn't. He turned back and she was gone. Suddenly, he placed the noise.

Carroll woke with a start, and almost fell from his chair. As the sleep left his body, he felt fear creep into his heart. He rose and moved to the doorway, already seeing the nurses and doctors moving frantically in the room. He cleared the door, and his heart sank. The doctor performed chest compressions. The nurse leaned over his wife's face, breathing for her. They brought out the paddles, and shocked her. They did it once, twice, and then again a third time. Carroll felt his legs give out as they pulled away from his wife. He dropped the cup of coffee, spilling the contents on himself and the floor. He felt his head smack into the wall behind him, and just before Carroll passed out he found himself crying. He couldn't tell whether the tears were for his wife or from his own pain, and that made him truly sad.

______________________________________________________________

Well, there it is. Let me know what you think. Or not. I'll post more in a few days . . .

Sorry, no blog for today - I was working too much! But, starting with tomorrow's edition I will begin posting sections of a story I have been working on for some time. Any comments/feedback would be appreciated, and please bear with me, as I am quite nervous about even showing this unfinished piece to anyone to begin with . . .

So . . .

Having never played XBOX Live, I can only guess at how amazing it is. I have had MANY people tell me that online Halo 2 is next to godliness, and I believe them now. Even though XlinkKai is not the same thing, I think I'm getting the same feelings. Being able to log in, and play against somebody else is truly fun and challenging.

Up to this point (like I said earlier), I had only ever played against other people in the same room, either on the same TV or on an adjacent TV via systemlink. Playing like that, there are entirely different strategies and methods. Like the difference between playing poker online versus in person, its a different experience. You can see the other XBOX players' "tells" when you're in the room with them. Attitude and expression can give away crucial info when you play in the same room. An excited noise can signal an impending sniper hit, and allow you that crucial moment to get out of the way. It also made me a somewhat lazier player - as I found out when I started playing online.

The first few times I played over XlinkKai, I got my butt handed to me. The other guys seemed to be everywhere at once, and were just reacting faster than I could seem to. I realized I had to change my game if I wanted to keep playing online. I learned to watch for subtle clues, and tried to hone my skills, as it were. I also tried to focus on the parts of the game I was better at, to find some kind of edge. I am quite nasty with the energy sword, a pretty decent shot with grenades, and lethal with double needlers. But I'm going on too much - this stuff can be saved for a future post . . .


On another topic, I want to let everyone know about what they can accomplish with a modded XBOX. The XBOX is basically a computer in disguise. It has a hard drive, ram, a video card, etc. It is capable of far, far more than what the basic Microsoft dashboard allows. Running the XBOX Media Center has opened a whole new world of possibilities for me. Beyond allowing me to run tunneling software (like XlinkKai), I can play more than just DVDs through my television. Instead of having one movie per disc, I can put almost any format of video onto a DVD. I can fit a dozen or more high-quality AVI or DIVX files onto a single disc. And, they all look DVD quality or pretty close to it. I can fit a whole season of 24 on 2 or 3 DVDs this way!

Other things the XBMC allows include playing DVDs without the Microsoft DVD playback kit. I already own one, but saving the $30 Microsoft tries to jack you just to play movies is nice. I can get weather updates on my XBOX. I can check IMDB from the XBOX. I can stream the latest movie trailers right from the studio websites from my XBOX to my TV. The list goes on and on. Suffice it to say that I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of the XBOX now!

Well, unfortunately work is a calling, and I must go. Until tomorrow . . .

Just finished seeing Sky High with the boys, and I have to say it was quite fun. It wasn't the greatest movie I've ever seen, or even one of the greatest super hero movies I've seen. But, I still had fun regardless. Disney's teen superhero flick makes fun of superhero and supervillian cliches just enough to poke fun at itself without completely spoofing itself in the process. The effects are quite good, and the staff/teachers at the school totally make the movie. If you're looking for a fun movie that doesn't take it itself too seriously, and will leave you with a smile at the end, then check this one out :)

Also, I just last night rewatched Primer with my new roommates and some friends. This movie is a trip and a half. It is great, because the movie doesn't stop for exposition or try to hit you over the head with obvious explanations. You have to just hang on and hope that you understand what is going on. The film ostensibly revolves around a device that two of the characters create in their garage, their discovery of the device's true capabilities, and the repercussions of that discovery. Their biggest problem revolves around the choices they are forced to make, and the consequences those choices end up having. I can't say any more for two reasons:

1) I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it
2) I can't be sure if any of my assumptions about the movie are right or not!

To call Primer confusing at parts is an understatement. Crucial pieces of information oftentimes slip from the actors lips without any added emphasis, forcing you to connect the dots as best you can. But, for myself, I enjoyed the movie thoroughly. I've also watched it 3 times, and only now feel confident enough to try to explain it to others.

And, as interesting side note, one of the actors from the movie, David Sullivan, just started working at the restaurant where my roommate works. She said she's been training him, and knew he was in a movie or something but not much more. Now that she's seen Primer though, she has a billion questions to ask him, and I'm not surprised. I can only hope she convinces him to come over sometime, so I can rack his brain about writing and films. Here's to hoping!

_____________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: I just realized I never updated my experiences with XLinkKai on my XBOX. I won't give full details until tomorrow (as there is a LOT to cover), but I just wanted to put it out there, and let y'all know that tomorrow I will cover that AND the beauty and wonder you can achieve with a modded XBOX. Until then . . .

Today, I dedicate my blog to my roommate Chuck, who is away in the holyland of Israel. Everyone here at 159 Colburn misses you, and can't wait for you to get back stateside!

_____________________________________________________________________

Anyway, here are two tech/video game related issues that I am looking forward to in the next two-ish weeks.

First, there is the impending US release of firmware Version 2.0 for the PSP. Now, before anyone says anything - I really do KNOW how nerdy that sounds, but hear me out. When I first got the PSP with Aloma, I knew I wanted to use it for so much more than just video games. And on August 12th, I can download new software to unlock even more capabilities on this amazing machine. All of the updated features are cool, but by far the best part is the built in web browser. I can have lunch in the Panera bread down the street, and surf the web for free at the same time. I can check my webmail anywhere there's wi-fi access. I could even write my blog entries from the road . . .

Second, there is a game coming for the PSP called Death Jr., that is coming out a week after the new firmware. This new platformer (made especially for the PSP) looks like it is going to be amazing and really fun. Konami has already cross-marketed the crap out of the characters and the storyline - with everything from toys and comic books to an appearance on the MTV2 show Video Mods. From the game footage I've seen, I can foresee many a night spent staring at the small PSP screen . . . :)

That's it for today, because it's dinner time, and those damn hotdogs won't cook themselves!

It's been a while since I've updated the blog, but I'm back so here goes . . .

First, I want to share my utmost joy about the upcoming Tenacious D movie! Everything I've heard sounds so funny, and I just can't wait. I only hope that there will be lots of new songs created for the flick, instead of them falling back on all the great, but now heavily-overplayed songs of the past. I need more new D!!!!!

Second, I am giving a HUGE shoutout to a local group, Waltham! These guys are a local rock group, and their new album is awesome. I can't stop listening to it, both at work and at home. (In fact, my workers at Sam Goody are starting to get tired of it, cuz I try to play the album once a shift every time!)It's just good thumpin rock, so check it out . . .

Ok, I guess that's it for now - I have to jump in the shower. Until tomorrow . . .

I love Halo 2. That is a fact. The new maps for Halo 2 are awesome. Each one brings something different to the table, and allows for even more multiplayer goodness. As of now, I haven't figured out how to get my XBOX online for some multiplayer gaming. (I can only system link with another XBOX because I modded mine and will not be allowed on XBOX Live)

But, I am going to make it work with something called XLinkKai. Basically, this is program is a piece of tunneling software. It allows me to share my computer's internet connection with my XBOX. I use the software to trick my box into thinking it is connected to another XBOX via systemlink, and can then play any systemlink game over the internet with other XLinkKai users. Not every game is supported, but Halo 2 is!

When I get this to work, I will report back . . .

Hello again! I just got back into town, after spending the weekend down in NY with my Mom and the family. I am very tired now from the drive, but wanted to blog briefly so as not to lose another whole day.

This weekend, in addition to seeing the family and nailing down my plans for grad school, I saw two new movies - Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Wedding Crashers. Both were fun movies, but I must recommend one over the other.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory was good. The production value was very high, and many of the characters (both main and supporting) were exceptional in their parts. Tim Burton is an absolute genius, and his directing style seems to perfectly fit the style of the story that Roald Dahl wrote. The movie was only soured for me in terms of plot. Without saying too much, roughly 2/3 of the way through the movie the plot deviates sharply from both the original Gene Wilder movie and the book that both films are based upon. I really don't want to go into too much detail here, as I think anyone who is reading this would probably like to see it for themselves. I will just say that I would have gone a different way with the latter part of the movie, and leave it at that.

Wedding Crashers is much different. First of all, let me say that I didn't really look into this movie much before I went to see it. I wasn't expecting much - I just wanted to see a comedy with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. I just assumed it was a PG13 affair, with some raunchy humor, and of course some great Christopher Walken bits. Was I wrong! First off, the movie is rated R, and let me say there is plenty of T&A in the movie, right from the get go. The humor is over the top, but almost always on the mark. And, the plot, while a little lacking in the middle, is helped immensely by the improvisation I'm sure both main actors used. I was laughing my ass off through much of the movie. And, as a final little teaser, I just want to say that there is an excellent cameo towards the end. I won't give away who, but will say that the cameo totally seals the deal on this funny, funny movie.

I recommend both movies. But, I recommend Wedding Crashers more than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I always like to see matinees, to save the money on ticket prices, but will say this - Charlie is much better if you are paying matinee price to see it, but Wedding Crashers would be a good bet regardless. Until tomorrow . . .

I was thinking about something earlier today, in preparation for seeing the new Willy Wonka picture tomorrow. Where are all the great authors I remember as a child? I've read almost every Roald Dahl book, and they were all incredible. The same with authors like Asimov, Stephen King, and Philip K. Dick. I read so many books when I was younger - I devoured them.

I would find an author I liked, and get every book I could. The same with music. I liked one Barenaked Ladies album, so I bought the rest. I liked one Ben Harper album, so I bought the rest, and so on. It was great to find myself suddenly immersed in so much new stuff - be it books, or music, or even movies. But it was too much too fast. What was I to do when I read all the books by a particular author, or had heard all the albums from a particular artist?

I found myself in a strange realization - There was a finite amount of new material, and eventually I could find myself having exhausted all of a given source. Like overfarming a parcel of land, I wasn't spreading myself out enough. I started reading the various Star Wars novels set before and after the movies. There were dozens of books. And, in the span of several years, I read them all. I got used to reading so many of them one after the other; that, I felt let down when I picked up the newest book, read it in just a few days, and then had to wait months for the next book. It was a strange feeling.

I am going through the same now, with tv shows like 24 and Lost. It is great to be able to watch so much of these shows, especially in a row. I know that I am experiencing them differently than a first time watcher. I don't have to wait a week for the next episode. But, as I ravenously watch my way through the 4 seasons of this show, I can't help but know that the end of the latest season is coming up soon. This 'on-demand' media craze of late, has me leaning in two directions.

Being able to access and entire season's worth of tv at my leisure seems to fly in the face of the current tv programming paradigm. Why wait each week for a new episode, and have to schedule myself around a tv schedule at all? With Tivo, DVD collections, and the internet, I make my own tv programming. I know I'm not the only person who skips live tv in favor of watching shows on my time. It would seem that the current 'on-demand' culture would almost spell the death of innovation in media and the arts. The movie industry is definitely hurting, with reports of sales drops at theatres all over fro months on end now. Big-name blockbuster movies can't even seem to prop the industry up. And, the new fad of having almost 10 minutes of commercials followed by a similar amount of previews doesn't make it any better.

For myself, I see it as a slap in the face. I already paid for a ticket (which has gotten pretty expensive as it is), but even so I have to sit through ads so the studios can make even more money. No wonder, people don't go to the movies anymore. The fact that the studios are releasing movies onto DVD only months after theatre release doesn't help either. Every change the studios enact to better the situation, only seems to be another nail in the coffin, as it were. But, even with all this, I don't think it's the end of creation in media. I just think the middleman is about to be cut out.

I think the pilot of the new show Global Frequency is an excellent example, The show has never aired on tv, and yet still has a large following. Why do we need tv studios airing content 24/7, when we can get it ourselves. Instead of shooting individual episodes for weekly airing, maybe studios will instead shoot several at a time for immediate release onto DVD or digital release straight to the consumer. The home experience for movies is oftentimes more compelling than the theater too. With people owning flat-panel plasma displays in excess of 50 inches for less than 5 grand, why even bother with the movies? Throw in a theater-style popcorn maker, and a distinct lack of forced ads, and your own home could beat a movie theater any day.

Our IPODs let us choose our own music, and the order (or lack thereof) in which we listen to it. The internet changes the way we get our news and information. And DVD has changed the way we watch tv shows and movies. I love it. I love being in control of my media, and can only imagine what great things are coming next.

Sorry to all of you - I didn't really have a point when I started this post, and I'm not sure I found one by the end either. Oh well, I guess there's always tomorrow's post . . .

There's a funny thing about writing. I procrastinate when I'm thinking about doing it. But, once I actually start, I find it quite hard to stop. As if, once I start releasing the thoughts from my brain, the flow is never-ending.

I enjoy writing for one simple reason - I love to read. And, when I create a story, I enjoy seeing where my characters are going to go. When I write, it is almost as if my conscious mind is unaware of what is coming until it's on the page (or screen). It is almost as much fun for me to write a new story, as it is to read a story from one of the great authors. Oftentimes, I find myself pleasantly surprised by the ideas that spew from my mind.

I use my writing as a cathartic, therapeutic tool as well. I write stories about time traveling to the past, to examine issues regarding mistakes and correcting them. I write stories about time traveling to the future, to envision moving beyond problems in the now and towards a better tomorrow. I write stories about situations other than my own, to do just that - envision a life other than my own. This doesn't mean I don't want to live my life, or that I'm generally unhappy with the situations of my life (although I could do with a better job and more money ;) - like everyone), just that I like to imagine and dream. It's why I play videogames. It's why I see movies. And, it's why I write.

I am a dreamer.

I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't write. Not everyone writes. Some people paint, some people sculpt, and some people work out. The point is, that it is my sincere hope that for all of you out there, that if you haven't found what helps you yet - that you will soon.

And now, I am going to watch another episode of 24 season 2 (only 6 to go!)

Just a brief post for today, actually a question to ponder really. And, here it is:

If all I want to do is feel like I have accomplished something, then why does doing absolutely nothing all day feel so damn good?

Any thoughts on this one . . . ?

24 Season 2 Update: The crisis has been averted, but a new one has arisen in its place. The country is still very much in danger. Kim is danger (when isn't she though) for completely separate reasons. And, Jack Bauer is still a bad ass mofo. I'll say it again . . . BEST SHOW EVER. That is all.

I will be the first to admit that I'm stubborn and more than a little lazy. I'm kind of unique in that I can stubbornly refuse to accept new things, while being an early adopter of others. I waited for 13 hours outside a Best Buy to get a PS2 when it first came out and I have the new PSP (which I got on the first day of release). I've followed shows like Smallville since before they even aired to the last episode of the most recent season.

But, I have been slow to accept other things of the same kind, as well. I didn't get an XBOX until well over a year and several price drops later. I didn't start watching 24 until the 3rd season, and I've only watched one or two episodes of Lost. As good as being an early adopter is, I've found that waiting is sometimes better. Waiting to watch the first 2 seasons of 24 until now means I get to watch all of the episodes at once (or at least several at a time - even I can't sit in front of the TV for that long), experiencing on my own time and at my own speed. Having just finished the first season of 24 I have to admit it is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Watching all of the episodes at once makes some of the drama and suspense feel overly staged/manufactured. But still - awesome!

I have to admit that I would have loved watching this show from the beginning, and as much as I enjoy watching the first season now, I think it would have been fun to see it when it was new. So, in the spirit of learning that perhaps I should have adopted this trend a little sooner, I want to share some of my favorite new shows from this past year that some of you may have missed. (Still don't know if anyone is reading this, because there aren't any comments . . .)


Without further ado, here are my picks from last season/this season of tv:

Grey's Anatomy: Just what everyone needs, another medical drama. But, this mid-season show is really very good. It involves a few young new doctors and the hospital they work in. All of them have just finished medical school, and find themselves now on the lowest rungs of a completely new ladder. Beyond the setting and the tone (which is serious but lighthearted at the same time), the cast is top-notch. Sandra Oh (from Sideways and Dancing at the Blue Iguana), Katherine Heigl (from Roswell and Under Seige 2), and Patrick Dempsey (do I really have to tell you what he's been in???) are the big names in the cast, but everyone is truly phenomenal. Watch the 9 episodes from this past spring, and get ready for great things from this show in the fall.


Numb3rs: Again, this new show treads on very familiar ground - the cop drama - but it does so in a new way. The focus is always on how math can be applied to solve whatever problem occurs that week. I know how that sounds, but the show is truly excellent. The cast is full of big names, and the plots and presentation are superb. The main characters are 2 brothers, one an FBI agent the other a math professor, and their retired father. Rob Morrow (from Northern Exposure and Quiz Show) and David Krumholtz (from Ray, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Slums of Beverly Hills) play the two brothers, and Judd Hirsch (of Taxi and Independence Day) plays their dad. The supporting cast also includes Sabrina Lloyd (from Sliders and Sports Night) and Peter MacNicol (from Ally McBeal and Ghostbusters II), and don't get me started on the weekly guest stars - Lou Diamond Phillips and Doogie Howser! (sorry, I meant Neil Patrick Harris) Check out some of the excellent shows from this past year while you're waiting for this season to start off with a bang.


Global Frequency: This one isn't exactly a show you could watch. It's an unaired pilot for a show based an a comic book. It has been released on the internet, and is making big waves even though it was never actually shown to a tv audience. If you can find it (can't tell you how here - but feel free to email me for more info) it is a quite enjoyable show, and appears to have a lot of potential - if the studio execs ever really give it a chance . . .

Why Life = Suck



As I left for work today, I found out (much to my chagrin) that my tire had gone flat overnight. But, with a quick call to AAA, all was made right again. Or Not. First I was informed that my AAA membership had expired, and unless I renewed by credit card over the phone, they wouldn't come to help me. So I plunk down some money, and the tow truck comes by about 40 minutes later. At which point, I found out my new car did not come with a spare tire! So, the guy was nice enough to tow me to Sears Auto to purchase a replacement.

The man at Sears sold me a new tire. Except, they didn't have my exact tire in stock. So, I bought a slightly smaller tire for now, and ordered the correct one (which should arrive in a few days). All in all, I guess it could have been worse - at least I'll end up with an almost full-size spare tire when all is said and done. To better illustrate my day, I will use mastercard logic:

Renewing my AAA membership so someone would tow my car: $54 Dollars
A new tire slightly smaller than the old one: $87 Dollars
Another new tire, but in the correct size: $104 Dollars
A bag of pretzels and a Pepsi while I waited: $2 Dollars

Spending almost a quarter of my paycheck the day after I get it: Priceless

I was going to talk about some new computer games and 24 today, but I am still feeling bitter, so I'll leave those for tomorrow I guess . . .

The Not-So Fantastic Four . . .

Well, I saw the Fantastic Four movie earlier today, and it was not as good as I had hoped. It definitely wasn't Dolph Lundgren - Punisher bad (not by any means), but definitely not up to the same level as Batman Begins either. The effects were awesome, the characters looked great, and the action sequences (the few that were anyway) were handled well. But, the overall plot was somewhat lacking and much of what there was was overly contrived and what I liked to call 'hollywood-ized' by the studio.

In the first Batman movie, the only real problem I had with it was the plot line that intimated that the Joker was the one who killed Bruce Wayne's parents. It's not the way the comics went, and it felt like something to neatly tie the whole movie together, to bookend it if you will. It was obviously a mistake, since it was fixed by the events in Batman Begins. The Spider-Man movies had a similar situation regarding Peter Parker's webshooters (or lack thereof). In the comics, Peter developed a web-fluid and the wrist mounted devices to use it. It allowed for plot twists, like running out of fluid at a key moment or not having his web shooters on him when he wasn't planning on suiting up, etc. etc. The movies have the webs as something he secretes from behind his palm, organically, and it has always bothered me. Similarly, in Fantastic Four, Dr. Doom was not only included in the accident which gave the four their powers, but he was also given powers himself. Doom never had any superhuman abilities (except for the whole magic angle they oftentimes went back to), instead relying on his intellect, his armor, and his many robots and devices/weapons. It just irks me I guess, when something is clearly set up to help round out the story of a movie, while at the same time flying directly in the face of the original works the movie is based on.

Regardless of all that though, I enjoyed the movie. I think some of the actor choices were excellent. Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing works great, Chris Evans really epitomizes Johnny Storm. Human Torch, and I can't help but like Jessica Alba as the Invisible Girl (It could just be that she is smoking hot . . .) too. As bad as rottentomatoes rates it, and as bad as some people are reviewing it - I have to admit that it was fun. Unlike some movies I've seen that make me feel like I wasted my time, I enjoyed this one. It was a fun summer movie, and that's all there is to it I guess.

Well, since I committed to writing something every day, and I'm always on the web - I thought I should try and combine both together.

As blogs go, I don't yet know what I want to make of mine. I'm sure I'll add some interesting links I find in my travels (everybody else seems to), talk about current events (or at least the events that are current to me), and basically give my opinions about anything and everything (somebody must want to hear my views and - wait - I don't even know if anyone will read this . . .)

For today, I guess I'll focus on some music. Recently, my Ipod died and I got a new 30 gig photo model. I have had to replace most of the music I once had, as I kept forgetting to back up the files on there until it was too late. (Bad Joe!) And, since the player is relatively empty (at least until I get around to re-ripping just about all of my CDs) I have started looking for new music to add to my collection. Two albums in particular have really stood out - Jamiroquai's Dynamite & Flipsyde's We The People - they are really good, and I recommend both. The Jamiroquai has a great funky electro-disco vibe on several songs (I think the first track "Feels like it should" is my favorite right now), while the Flipsyde album infuses some great latin/spanish guitar into their hip-hop sound (check out "US History" and "Someday" to see what I mean . . .)

I guess that's it for day one. Tomorrow I'll talk about the new Fantastic Four movie I'm going to see, and maybe some video games as well . . .