Work Web Cam

We are setting up webcams up at work so we can reduce movement when we have to talk to people. Here's a shot of the UltraCubes view. I'll get the other window when its not as foggy out to show you Miller Park.

Milwaukee River

Batman Logtistics

Many people know that I'm a big fan of Batman. I've always liked the look and style throughout the years, from the Golden Age to the Dark Age of comics. The many facets of Batman and the variety of stories have always kept me interested. The range of stories go from the campy battles with such characters as Joker, Tally Man or King Tut to the stories of internal conflict of Batmans true arch nemesis, himself. The Batman franchise has always inspired me and captured my interest.

Yes, the franchise has been bastardized in many many many ways. I will be the first to admit that and the first to march up to Shoemacher Castle with pitch forks and torches. Many people see the franchise as the campy Adam West adventure with his "boy wonder" and others believe that Joker killed Mr. Mom's parents. Over the years the American icon of Batman has been interperted by everyone into different entities.

To me it is about a man whose pain drived him to make things better and nothing, absoluting no one will stop him from a promise he made. When a story is fine tuned and it hits the right notes you see a solid premise emerge from the story.

What I enjoy more about Batman and the story is contemplating, debate and bicker about the world of Gotham City with people who enjoy it too. People who see the stories as more then just comic book adventures and enjoy talking about the storylines and possibilities of the franchise is always a good time. Not just talking about the material aspects of Batman (kick ass fighting or awesome explosions) but about the deeper things. The coolest part is that it is infact a "silly" character in a "fake" world. But when they weave in real issues and emotions, it disquises itself in its "comic book" way of telling a story.

While searching the internet for Batman pictures I came across a Science Fiction writers blog. Lou Anders' blog "Bowing to the Future" wrote the blog article "Batman Begins - Dressed to Chill". In the article he writes about his opinion of the Batman franchises various depictions of Batmans suit and the logistics and plausibility of a man to fulfill the duities and uphold the mantle of the Bat. He references almost all the movies from Golden Age Adam West Batman, Burton's Bat, Shumocker's Bat, Nolan's Bat, some of the cartoon renditions of Batman, and even Sandy Collora's Batman (read one of my earlier entries to learn more of his work)

Even though I didin't agree with everything he wrote on the different franchise adventures, I did enjoy his opinion and plausibility of the Dark Knight fighting crime.

Viking God Oden Down to Last 4 Worshipers

I always check the Onion Radio News for latest breaking news.

To add to this story the last 4 worshipers are Jim, Kevin, Kitzke and myself.

TTAC Lunch Directory

At work we try to go to new places every week. I created a spreadsheet of all the places we have gone and places we wanted to go. From there I found a feature in Google Maps that lets you make your own maps and mark only the places you want on your map. I created the TTAC Lunch Directory to help us choose where to go to lunch.


Some of the nice features Google "My Maps" gives is that you can select your own locations, give their own descriptions and use any of the well known Google Map icons. It is also a nice feautre to make it Public or Unpublished. By keeping it unpublished you can still send the link to friends. By making it Public it can be seen in search engines and such. Nice options.

Some things I don't like, but still learning to work out the tweaks, is that I can't reorder my locations on the left side. I would prefer alphabetical, or order of priorty but it only sorts in the order they were entered. It would also be cool to hide certain icons and only view other icons, making selecting locations easier.

Denver's Song is Colorado's 2nd Song

Well Stan, they got your letters.

Colorado makes "Rocky Mountain High" their official 2nd state song.

I don't know why they would make it the 2nd song. It almost sounds like a catch 22 of naming rights.

The Governor probably didn't want to piss off any of the Columbines lobbyist so instead of making "Rocky Mountain High" the true state song (as he wants to and knows it to be true) he makes it the 2nd State Song even though nobody knows any of the words of Where The Columbines Grow or why we even chose that for their state song. I mean, are their even Columbines in Colorado?

Eh, that theory is stupid. Who would do something like that?

Post

So I have been chastised for posting, now being chastised for not posting. Can't win. I will try to post more.

For my first post of 07 I wanted to show Kevin the new Scarecrow figure from DC Direct. Based on Alex Rosses Scarecrow, this figure will be part of Series 6 of his Justice League series (due out in mid Septeber 07)

I also added a twitter to my template.

Sickapedia (clever, huh)

So I came to a conclusion the other week. I don't like Wikipedia. Infact, I would say it grinds my gears.

The idea of Wikipedia is great, infact I wish it was more of a living breathing website. Eating and digesting tons of data; organizing and categorizing all of its components. Making almost every subject built like a subject of text that you could expand upon. Search for Digital Sound Encoding and you could click on a cyber school that would take you to the basics of sound waves and keep clicking on subjects all the way to you completely understand Digital Encoding. Thats what it was going to be, but it has become something else.

At first it was the whole changing of biographies of politicians that proved how juvenile the internet is. I found this only mildly annoying, and even more funny. You could see the direction that Wikipedia was going. However, I was ok with this. Thats the greatness of having an open forum of opinion.

I use Wikipedia alot for research, its a great place to look if you just don't have a source of obscure knowledge. If I can't find something, I'm sure Wikipedia can point me in the right direction. It is a great source of direction.

What I hate is people who think its reference. People have told me about cool technology that is being worked on or a break through study, I ask, "where did you hear about that" They say, "I read it on Wikipedia". You might as well have told me that "Billy the dishwasher at my favorite greek restaurant who has a friend who works for NASA told me", because it honestly could be the same thing.

A lot of the stuff on Wikipedia is very intelligent and has reliable sources, but at the same time with a few clicks, it could become unreliable.

I nearly snapped the other day in a meeting when a coworker was to bring information about a possible alternate medium. He brought a stack of papers that I had to intergrate into our report. I was thouroughly impressed with the amount of research, when asked what site I could get this info he simply replied, "wikipedia". Are you fucking kidding me. You simply printed the wikipedia site for this subject? That's not research!

Wikipedia does state that "it is not a dictionary" "it is not an encyclopedia" and I truly agree with Wikipedia's stance. I just don't like the fact that people believe that this is a source of information. Its a wonderful forum to find obscure information and point you in the direction of information. It's not a reference of information, but a good start.

I maybe wrong, or maybe I just don't know how to word it.

End of an Era

After 10 years of working at North Shore Cinema, I have officially left the front line of movie exhibition. I recieved a promotion to the corporate level doing IT work and Booth Projection services (I fix the broken projectors). I will now have weekends off and what I here that on Holidays people don't have to work, but can "enjoy" the holiday.

North Shore was my first official job and I've wanted to move on for quite some time. I did a lot of great things there, and I did a lot of bad things. All of which I did while growing up and becoming who I am today. It was a good run, but now I get to join the exciting world of cubicle life.

I would like to thank all the great people I worked with in the past and present (many of you came out last night to celebrate my departure and I appreciate that) and I'd like to thank the people I hated to work with over the last ten years. You taught me patience and helped stress the one thing my mom always said, "You are not always going to work with people you like. Get use to it."

Who Shat on Optimus Prime!

As of lately my gripe has been the Transformers movie. For those who don't know, Michael Bay is directing the remake of the cult 80s phenomenon of Transformers.

It has been known by many that I cannot stand Michael Bay. Its something about his movies that not only bore me to new levels, but his attitude of "and your going to fucken like it" is more then obsurd.

As a childhood fan of Transformers (That is a class 2 on the nerd-o-meter, a Class 1 would quote it constantly, class 2 can identify most characters and have a wonderful childhood story of the franchise, a class 3 buys all the dvds because it faintly looks familiar but never really watches them) I enjoyed the transformers series and one christmas deeply wanted an Optimus Prime, luckly I received it. I remember where I was when I opened it, I remember what end of the box I saw first when I realized what it was and I remember the joints slowly getting weaker and the rubber taste of the tires (don't ask, but they were chewy). I am only mildly offended by the Transformer bastardization.

First I detest that Michael Bay is making this movie. Many people think that I'm taking this too personally but I have two reasons why I'm not. 1. Don't really care about Transformers much more. They were cool and I still think they kind of are. 2. I'm not on the "Oh my god he's ruining a pop icon", its more of a "He's making another movie?" soap box.

Second, the rumors, photos and interviews have all pointed at the fact that Michael Bay has changed the style of truck, color and look of Optimus Prime. This has been an especially hot topic with me and anyone who mentions the movie. I don't believe that this is outragous, but if you are making a remake of a pop culture show, you'd think you'd try to capture the original look.

My good friend Jim, who enjoys pushing my buttons by not only taking a strong stand on this, but get this, he doesn't agree with me either!

The upside of Transformers is in the distance though. Ok, its not really an upside, its more of a morbid curiosity that I see.

1. They just announced that Peter Cullen will do the voice of Optimus Prime. He was the original voice.

2. They announced that Dane Cook might be in the film. I have the feeling that when Dane Cook found out that Michael Bay was shooing Transformers he proceeded to stalk him and yell from a tree overlooking Bays bedroom "Let me be in the movie, I want to be in the movie, I can act, I can act, so help me god I will kill you Michael Bay if you don't let me be in the movie! Don't think I won't do it, I already pee'd in your Chai tea yesterday, tasted good didn't it, well it could end up tasting real bad for you Mr. Bay, I can't be stopped".

We'll see where this travesty ends up.

Ten Things I Hate About Commandments

Got this off of Chris Diclerico's site. Not as funny as the Shinning Trailer, but hilarious none the less.

South Park Emmy

South Park was nominated for an emmy this past week. The funny part, is that it was the episode about Scientology that Issac Hayes said enough is enough on and walked out on.

"Trapped in the Closet" Nominated for a Primetime Emmy!
We're very pleased to announce that the South Park episode "Trapped in the Closet" has been nominated for an emmy in the category of "Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour)"

The winners will be announced in August. Best of luck, John & Jane Smith!

What's the Point

Several years back when cable began expanding, they came up with the idea of dedicating certain channels around a specific genre. With the discuss of the Discovery Channel, MTV and QVC, the idea of a channel showing a specific genre for 18 hours was ground breaking. Channels like Comedy Central, ESPN, Cartoon Network, Lifetime, The Learning Channel all began popping up.

When the ability to expand the cable channels even more with the advent of digital cable, the library of genre specific channels grew even more. Showtime 2, HBO Comedy, Tech TV, The Gameshow Network, DIY Network, ESPN 2 and MTV 2 (because they wanted a channel exclusively dedicated to music videos and not be tainted by reality television and spring break specials. *insert punch line by turning on MTV2 now*).

Which brings me to this. Why are they programming shows on channels that have very little to do with the show they are programming. My examples thus far.

G4 TV (channel dedicated to Video Games and Technology) programs The Man Show
Cartoon Network will be programming Pee Wee Playhouse show on the Adult Swim block
The Outdoor Network programs the 2004 MGM Hotel Billiards Champions (its indoors)

I understand that you have to think outside of the box, but at least stay within concept. Even though G4 was quickly circling the drain with its "too cool for the room" reviews, and MTV style news which was usually whatever came up when they typed "news" into Google; it still was interesting to watch. Now all there is are old episodes of The Man Show, oh and don't forget Rides (a show dedicated to pimped out rides, that covers the Technology aspect of the channel, shared only with reruns of Star Trek TNG). If a station is not popular showing its line up, then change the station, don't say its the same loveable station but with something totally different. Revamp and re-sell (*cough* cough TNN *cough *cough).

I understand that television is being redefined by many aspects. In many ways we have devolved as a viewing audience. The barrage of "reality" shows that now plague the air ways (by the way, I can never type the word "plague" without double checking the spelling, thanks to Fred and Big Jim. That's another blog entry), has even been replaced to the thrill of HD. People infact decide what they will watch, not on the quality of the content, but the quality of the image. We have devolved to just watching the pretty images. So why not put girls on trampolines on G4, a former public masturbator on Cartoon Network, and an indoor sport on the Outdoor Network. Basically because thats stupid.

Jaws 3D (without Louis Gosset Jr.)

For those who follow the toy industry, many know that Todd McFarlane is the leader in action figures. The artist who created Spawn went on to create some of the most intricate action figures that have set the standard in collectible plastics.

Earlier this year he announced a line of figures that were 3D recreations of pop culture movie posters and album covers.

Normally I assumed he would do all the Metallic covers and slasher movie posters, but I was happily surprised to see that Jaws was going to be one of the first to debut.

It isn't the most amazing thing in the world, but being a big fan of the classic, its hard to find decent collectibles for Jaws. Its not like Army of Darkness that has 17 different DVDs and thousands of different action figures.

Check out Spawn.com to see many of the other plastic pieces of art out there.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

"Man, Matt has a great since of humor and knows all the funny shows. I wish I could watch some of the funny shows he knows, but most of them are on cable."

For those who read my five part article about my personal top five shows, many know that I'm a huge fan of "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia". They are gearing up for the second season on FX and to promote the unadulterated genius of the show they are airing episodes from Season 1 on Fox this Sunday.

The episode they are airing is a good one, not the best, but still a hilarious episode. Please watch and help weigh in on what you think.

Here's a taste of next season:

Im the Happiest/Intoxicated Boy on the Block

So I had a 2 o'clock meeting downtown and I had to waist a hour before the meeting (its a long story). After bumbing around Borders for 20 minutes, I thought, man, I am hungry.

Now where could I go to get a quick bite at 1 o'clock. No matter where I would go it would take 30 minutes to get my food, and then I would have to wolf it down. Then I realized, it only takes a minute to poor a Mug Club of Beer.

Liquid Lunch is by far the best way to do any lunch in a go. Plus, I knew I was only one visit away from receiving my next Mug Club gift.

Needless to say I'm the proud owner of a Rock Bottom Growler Cooler (actually I have an IOU, but none the less, my growlers will no longer go warm).

By the way, the meeting went really well and I'll have a growler cooler. THANK YOU LIQUID LUNCH! YOUR THE BEST!

I Want to Be a Stormtrooper When I Grow Up

For those who have recently starting reading my blog, it might not be clear, but I'm a nerd.


One thing I want to do before I die is build a custom made Storm Trooper costume. I know I will never buy one, because I truly believe it would be ridiculous to buy a Storm Trooper costume for over 1,500 dollars. I hope that some day I have a job that allows me to say, "I think I shall purchase an Imperial Stormtrooper costume this weekend." So I'll have to end up building one.

I'm sure many of you would say, sure you won't spend 1500 dollars for a costume but you will waste 100s of hours and hundreds of dollars building one. I simply respond with, yes. Its a project. A project that includes both skill and creativity, with a touch of artistic craftsmanship. Plus I can brag about it to my other nerd friends.

Some cool sites to look at are:

How to Build a Stormtrooper Costume - they also have a few other Star Wars costumes that I might use as a starter

TK409 - This guy is cool

Star Wars Helmets - A very cool comparison and good pics on Star Wars helmets and professional helmet makers

I've been doing some research and come to the conclusion that I need a team of people, a well vented work area and some money. I have a few friends that are interested in helping and a few that are interested in investing some experimental money, but I still need a vented work area.

Its almost a crazy subculture that creates and wears these things. The venues for this decor are limited. There are your scifi conventions, movie premeires , Holloween and I even saw a Storm Trooper at Miller Park (I was a little drunk but a friend assured me that there was a Storm Trooper wearing a Cheesehead at Miller Parks TGIFridays).

Great Moments in Mediocre Pool

Mr. Kilsdonk did it again this week in our weekly pool game.

This week on one of his breaks he said "I feel good about this one, I think I'll sink the 8 ball on the break."

There were nay sayers in the crowd but sure enough, the eight ball went straight for the side pocket.

For those who don't know, if you sink the 8 ball on the break you win instantly.

I've seen it done about a half dozen times, I've done it a hand full of times. I've never seen anyone call it and then actually made good on their statement. My advice is to Jeff, NEVER CALL IT AGAIN. Go with the fact that you have a 100% accuracy on the art of calling the 8 ball break. Next time you do sink the 8 ball on the break just go, "huh, didn't expect that, usually I have a feeling about the 8 ball break. Oh well. I WON!"

Huge Miscommunication or Feeble Attempt at Sweeps

"Freezing weather and severe icing claim a life on the Cornelia Marie."

That was the descripition on this weeks episode of The Deadliest Catch. The documentary series about the life on an Alaskan crab fishing boat. Its not really a reality show because there are no physical challenges obstacle courses and people don't have to get along to win the million dollars. They've talked with people who saw people die while fishing and they've talked wtih people that fell over, they even showed someone fall over once. But no matter how many ways you read the description, I was convinced that someone was goign to get it.

All week I was thinking, whose going to die, will they show it. How will it effect the show.

In the end, one of the fishermen rolled his ankle. Really hard.

How does that constitute a claiming of a life?

Anyway, I believe that either the guy at the computer who types in all the info never saw the show and either was lied to about the description for sweeps, or he took it upon him self and assumed they ment someone died.

I'm glad no one died, but if I'm told someone is going to die, someone best die.

Memorial Day

"Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. "

~Daniel Webster


thank you

I've always said that if you love your technology, it will love you back. So this little piece is my dedication to my technology components that, yes, I could live without, but it wouldn't be the same.

My DVR. Though I don't own you, I love you. Its a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000. If you read any reviews of the DVR and its brethren, you will come to the conclusion that it sucks. In many ways it does. Many are prone to overheating, harddrives breaking, and having a boot cycle that could give a commodore 128 a run for its money. But its mine and the only one I can choose through Time Warner Cable, Milwaukees monopoly for cable companies. (by the way, if you are reading this and you heard a distant yell from the north west of Milwaukee, that was thousands of people yelling at once, "at least its not Charter Cable")

Besides the fact that I can watch all my shows that I love at a drop of a remote, I can also fast forward through commercials. There are pros and cons to this and that is what the bulk of this article is about.

I do not miss a handful of commercials. I tend to smile when I see the mere glimpses of an Old Navy commercial fly by, or a commercial about foot fungus, or a poorly made commercial about explaining how an evil corporation missed a big loss by settling with some putz who was going to go with Hupey Hupey and Sons. These commercial don't appeal to me, get under my skin and gets me kicked out of most malls when I throw my Orange Julius at a manikin wearing fleece.

But I'm not anti commercial, they serve there purpose and I understand why they are there. I do however stop the old DVR for a couple of good ones. Mike's Hard Beverage, Nextel and Fruit of the Loom are quality commercials that make me chuckle. I've even been known to stop at the new Heiniken commercials just to jam out to the Pussy Cat Dolls (don't tell anyone, that's our little secret).

DVR technology is such a guilty pleasure that it can screw up your life. When I first got it I thought "Ha, Now I control my tv and not the other way around" Now its more like "Must.....watch......more........AHHH DVR TRIAGE. Who will live who will die, how can one decide, but I must make room for the A-team marathon."

The DVR is a wicked mistress and the power should be respected. One shouldn't have theirs full of episodes of Murphy Brown or American Chopper, but I believe that people shouldn't just flip through the channels and end up watching whatever is on.

So to sum things up, my DVR is wonderful. Sure it makes me feel a little less human, but at the same time, I feel a little more American.