hand me my alethiometer, I'm lost

By Ron on December 11, 2007

alethiometer icon from The Icon FactoryThis review at wired.com — The Golden Compass Gets Hopelessly Lost — pretty much nails the way I felt after seeing The Golden Compass. I have not read the book(s) nor was I familiar with the story before seeing the film, and I was a bit lost at times. The ending is totally lame. Some of the effects seemed indulgent. We could have done with a little less of the polar bear. And most disappointingly, Daniel Craig was barely to be seen. I would estimate he had a scant 10 minutes of screen time. Sigh.

I am, however, intrigued enough to possibly read the book. This story, plus all the character development, plus the original anti-religion message, plus the original tragic ending. That sounds much more entertaining and provocative than this limp film.

[Note: The cool alethiometer icon is by Dave Brasgalla and is currently a free download at The Icon Factory.]

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smart addressing?

By Ron on December 11, 2007

I was excited to find the article Manage your holiday mailing list with Address Book on The Unofficial Apple Weblog. One thing I dread this time every year is fighting with Microsoft Word and Outlook to print out mailing addresses for holiday cards. But now that I’m 2/3 converted* to the wonderful world of Mac, I decided to try the mailing label output options in Address Book.

The verdict? Mixed results. The techniques outlined at TUAW work to a certain extent, but as one of the commenters there points out, Address Book is “tricky” smart in ways I can’t quite comprehend. For instance, theoretically, if you have an entry for John Doe and a spouse listed as Jane Doe, the mailing label is output for John and Jane Doe. But if you have friends like Mark Smith and Mary Ellen Smith, all bets are off (I couldn’t get it to print in the “smart” way).

And if I had a child or multiple children listed, the output was all over the board. On some labels the child trumped the mother and the mother’s name disappeared. On some labels I couldn’t get spouse or children to appear. In some cases where I have friends with spouses that have different last names, they both printed out. But in some cases, only the main name printed out. Some names were left hanging: “John Public and”

Address Book is not quite there yet for my needs, and it’s “tricky smart” features had me outsmarted and flummoxed. I ended up going back to the old stand-by: an Excel sheet I keep updated just for this purpose, and a mail merge with Word.

(*I’m waiting on the expected hardware upgrade for the Mac Pro before replacing my aging WIndows machine at home.)

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the autumn bullet list update+

By Ron on October 31, 2007

Reuters photo of construction workers holding a Red Sox banner

I love this photo I saw on the Boston Globe site, attributed simply to Reuters, of construction workers flying a banner during the Red Sox rolling rally. They apparently didn’t have any white paint to cover up the misspelled D-corrected-to-T in CONGRATULATIONS. And you just know the “Yankees Still Suck” was added after a lot of heated discussion that probably resulted in the loser walking away with the can of orange paint.

Now it’s the first Wednesday night in many months without a baseball game to watch on television. There are dozens of other things I need to be doing (instead of browsing the Red Sox gallery). But I didn’t want to see the month of October 2007 go by without a blog update. Plus it’s Halloween night and I’m upstairs having turned all the lights out downstairs because I didn’t buy candy for trick or treaters. It just wasn’t on my radar. Marlin is always excited and ready for Halloween, but he’s been in L.A. for more than two weeks now tending to his mother who is quite ill.

There’s been a lot going on since my last blog update (7 weeks! give or take…). Some of it was incredibly wonderful and some was incredibly maddening. I could sit for hours writing and editing, but even I probably wouldn’t want to read a lot of it. Instead, I’m opting for the bullet list update of the last two months. In no particular order:

  • Alaskan Cruise. If you’ve visited the gallery in the past month you’ve probably noticed another 50+ photos. We went to Seattle for a couple days, then took a week-long cruise to Alaska. Friends, fun, food and drink, glaciers, whales, eagles … a delightful time.
  • Stomach Ulcer. Nights with little-to-no sleep, stomach cramps, vomiting … I puked so hard one night I broke a blood vessel in my eyeball. After the tests and diagnosis, I was on drugs for 2+ weeks and was finally back to eating regularly at about the half-way point of our cruise.
  • I don’t drink coffee any more. This is as shocking for me to type as it will be for many friends to read it. But mostly because of the ulcer, I have transitioned to using tea as my caffeine delivery beverage of choice.
  • Hit and Run. When we returned home after the cruise I had a rather unpleasant surprise awaiting me: someone sideswiped my truck while we were away. Dents on front fender and driver’s door, scrape marks the entire length of the truck. Probably a drunk driver.
  • A Dreaded Settlement Letter. I could write volumes about this, but due to the situation I’ll be somewhat vague since my settlement was negotiated anonymously. Lawyers for some Really Incredibly Annoying Assholes came after me for some alleged peer-to-peer filesharing. The settlement cost less than what it would have cost to fight the allegations. And as this lawsuit demonstrated (merely days after my settlement was finalized), it could have been a helluva lot worse had I fought it.
  • Baseball. Ah yes, the Red Sox. The American League East is ready for a new dynasty.
  • Football. Penn State’s in a rebuilding year; the Steelers haven’t found a consistent identity yet but are probably still a playoff team; the Patriots are scary good; and my fantasy football team is 4-4 after 8 weeks and still in search of a running back that is a threat to put a few points on the board each week.
  • Home Renovations: Don’t ask! While on the cruise we talked about a re-dedicated commitment to getting the living room done by the holidays. But due to current circumstances, it’s not happening. Looks like we’ll be sitting on porch furniture in our living room and will have to pull the drop cloth off the TV to watch football on Thanksgiving.
  • Feline Food Allergies: Unfortunately, Miss Tux has seen a return of her food allergies. We had it all under control until mid-summer when the venison-based dry food we had been using was part of the second wave of pet food recalls. Now we’re back to a very limited and restricted diet for the cats, and her symptoms are clearing up. But now we have to purchase all of our cat food through mail order.

I’m probably forgetting something along the way, but that fills in most of the blanks from the past couple months. I hope your autumn has been fantastic thus far.

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invasion of the gloggers

By Ron on September 6, 2007

screen shots from nfl.comIn the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” department, the NFL has rolled out a new site design and so far, it gets an “F” grade in my book. Way, way, way, way, way too much eye candy. Everything is glossy and reflective and looks good enough to eat. Lots of flashy multimedia, including a horizontal scrolling scoreboard with color coding. (Scrolling only gets you the last two games, which makes the whole menu seem senseless and makes you wonder why they just didn’t design it for all the games to fit.) And it’s all SO SLOW. This is just opening night with only one game being played. It will surely crash on Sunday with a full slate of games. For much of the first quarter of the game after the Colts’ touchdown, the site read Colts 1, Saints 0. In case you’re not football-literate, it’s impossible to have a 1-0 score in a football game. Ever. Apparently 4 weeks of preseason testing wasn’t enough. As for game stats, nothing has been updated past the first 20-or-so plays of the first quarter (it’s now halftime as I write).

The last time the NFL went through these pains (a few years ago), they eventually ironed out a great site that had all the information you needed, updated fairly quickly and reliably, and didn’t have a lot of splashy eye candy to slow the site down. The new site is a big step backwards in many ways.

Of course, being the fantasy football fanatic that I am, I need the stats. So I switch over to CBS Sportsline where they had their own hiccups. The first Indianapolis touchdown was attributed to the wrong wide receiver, and for a while was stuck indicating the play was “under review.” (There was no review on the field.) CBS eventually got it corrected and now has up-to-date stats.

CBS is also using the worst web term ever: Glog.

From what I can gather, the “Live Glog” is an inline game log, or game blog, written by CBS Sports writers and fans. You can filter by “CBS Glogger only” or “All Gloggers.” I have no idea how one becomes a glogger … I feel strained and icky just typing the word. I really like the idea of a real-time game blog, but still: Glog? Why oh why call it that? It a word that feels so forced and totally unhip. No question. Worst web term ever.

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connections

By Ron on August 28, 2007

See if you can spot the connections. This morning, Alberto Gonzales resigned. Finally. Don’t let the door hit you in ass on the way out, Fredo. I hope to see you and Turd Blossom in front of congressional hearings soon to answer for your misdeeds.

But the Attorney General resigning couldn’t even hold the headlines for a full day. Later in the day it was reported that conservative Republican Senator Larry Craig pleaded guilty earlier this month to disorderly conduct in an airport men’s restroom. Craig preaches high moral values, yes his arrest report cited “lewd conduct.” Nope — nothing gay or lewd about soliciting sex from an adjoining stall in the men’s room. Up is down and black is white. Craig now “regrets” pleading guilty.

Michael Vick is really, really, really, really sorry today and said he needs to grow up. Oh, and he also found Jesus and has turned his life over to God because he thinks that’s a pretty good thing to do, at least for now (I paraphrase, but that’s basically what he said). I watched his press statement on ESPN this evening. Vick seemed so sincere a nearby crocodile was spotted crying.

Do you see the pattern? Deflect any and all criticism. Say anything, no matter how false or insincere … just as long as it deflects. And hide from any remaining criticism behind religion.

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dog eat dog

By Ron on August 14, 2007

Life isn’t looking too good for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick these days. Vick, who has repeatedly professed his innocence on federal dogfighting charges, is now the last man standing of the four men indicted last month — the other three have agreed to plea bargains.

Michael Vick, in happier daysOf course, Vick was professing his innocence before his co-defendants copped plea bargains. And Vick reportedly has a plea bargain offer on the table and has until Friday of this week to make up his mind. In a clear sign that Vick is between a rock and a hard place, the outstanding indictment against him includes a superseding indictment that would add at least two more charges if he doesn’t sign on to the plea agreement.

Basically, the federal government is telling Vick to take the plea bargain or face the prospect of additional charges being filed against him. And with his three other co-defendants now turning against him (and presumedly prepared to testify against him), Vick is down the proverbial creek without a paddle.

This story is playing out not only with the dogfighting charges but with claims of racism as well. Vick was, at one time, the golden boy of the NFL — the elusive black quarterback that would finally shatter the NFL cliche that if you have a perennial Super Bowl contender, the team is being lead by a white quarterback. But in his short NFL career, Vick never lived up to the hype. Yes, he was a dynamic and exciting player, but he made more happen on the field with his legs rather than with his throwing arm.

Despite his lack of immediate and unqualified success on the the field, Vick was also a popular conduit for marketing to NFL fans. And let’s face it — he’s handsome, and cocky, and a bit outspoken. But the companies he endorsed have all pulled or suspended their deals. You can’t even buy a Vick jersey these days. His trading cards have even been pulled from circulation.

It’s a sad downfall for a man that many NFL people consider bighearted and generous to a fault. But with several incidents in the past year, including flipping the bird at fans after a game, and the infamous water bottle incident, more than a few NFL observers are wondering how Vick could be so dumb.

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now playing

By Ron on August 13, 2007

I’ve added a new widget to the site, over there in the left column … my current playlist via last.fm. Right now it only works at the office, thanks to the auto-updating feature built into the fantastic iTunes add-on Cover Sutra. Alas, it’s all Mac-only, so full playlist coverage likely won’t be accomplished until I get a new computer for home — targeted to be a Mac Pro, but only after Leopard OS is shipping (late October). In the meantime, if you’re a last.fm user, send a note or message and I’ll see if I can figure out how to add you as a friend.

UPDATE DEC. 2007: Last FM temporarily disabled, as the Windows plugin caused me all sorts of headaches. It will be reinstalled when I switch over entirely to Mac in January 08.

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47 things

By Ron on August 13, 2007

Courtesy of Will at designerblog, here’s a multi-question meme with some out-of-the-ordinary questions that struck me as interesting. Your mileage may vary.

1. What Do You Say Most When You’re Trying Not To Swear?
I don’t bother trying not to swear, god damn it.

2. Do You Own An iPod?
I own 4 iPods (5 if you count the nano I got free when I bought my parents an iMac last month … I was going to give it to my niece for Christmas, but she doesn’t want it so I gave it to Marlin). For the record in order of purchase: 3rd generation 40GB (now with a headphone plug that shorts out so I use it only with a JVC base); 1st generation iPod Shuffle (formerly used for working out); 60GB black video iPod (always have it with me); orange 2nd generation iPod Shuffle (used for working out … on those rare occasions I get to the gym).

3. Which Person(s) In Your Top Friends Do You Talk To The Most?
Hard to say … locally it would be a former work colleague and now drinking buddy. Elsewhere, lots of PSU friends — especially during football season.

4. What Time Is Your Alarm Clock Set To?
Today it was 6:55am.

5. Do You Want To Fall In Love?
Been there, done that, still going strong.

6. Do You Wear Flip-Flops When It’s Cold?
The only place I wear flip-flops is in the shower at the gym.

7. Would You Rather Take The Picture Or Be In The Picture?
I’d rather take the picture.

8. What Was The Last Movie You Watched?
Bourne Ultimatum on Saturday night. Fantastic action flick.

9. Do Any Of Your Friends Have Children?
Most of the have children.

10. Has Anyone Ever Called You Lazy?
I suppose someone has done so along the way, but I don’t recall specifically.

11. Do You Ever Take Medication To Help You Fall Asleep?
Nope. The occasional cocktail will do the trick, and I always fall asleep with a sound machine playing ocean surf.

12. What CD Is Currently In Your CD Player?
CD player? How quaint.

13. Do You Prefer Regular Or Chocolate Milk?
I don’t drink milk.

14. Has Anyone Told You A Secret This Week?
Yes.

15. When Was The Last Time You Had Starbucks?
Iced tea with Drew.

16. Can You Whistle?
You betcha, and I do so often.

17. Do You Have A Trampoline In Your Back Yard?
Not in my back yard, but the house behind mine has a trampoline in their back yard which you can see from my back yard.

18. Do You Think People Talk About You Behind Your Back?
Never think about it … why bother with that sort of thinking.

19. Did You Watch Cartoons As A Child?
I rarely watched television as a child.

20. What Movie Do You Know Every Line To?
Tossup between Rocky Horror and the original Tim Burton Batman.

21. What Is The Last Thing You Purchased?
Luggage. Lots of luggage for the upcoming Alaska cruise.

22. Is There Anything Wrong With Girls Kissing Girls?
Not at all.

23. Do You Own Any Band T-Shirts?
Yes (that’s the answer and the band). That’s just the most recent one … I’m sure I have several others tucked away.

24. What Is Your Favorite Salad Dressing?
Creamy ranch with bacon.

25. Is anyone in love with you?
Marlin tells me so every day, so I think that would be a big yes.

26. Do You Do Your Own Dishes?
Most of the time. Marlin usually cooks, I usually clean up. And I rarely run the dishwasher.

27. Ever Cry In Public?
Yes (movie theater counts as public?)

28. Do You Like Anyone?
Yes (this gets the award to stupidest question of this meme)

29. Are You Currently Wanting Any Piercings Or Tattoo?
When I get around to it, I plan to design a big cat for tattoo #3.

30. Who Was The Last Person To Make You Mad?
Some idiot on the subway this morning who was loudly complaining about how rude and self-centered Bostonians are.

31. Would You Ever Date Anyone Covered In Tattoos?
Sure.

32. What Did You Do Before This?
Finished my morning cup of tea.

33. When Was The Last Time You Slept On The Floor?
January 2006, when I was experiencing back problems. I didn’t sleep the night on the floor, but occasionally napped on the floor in the living room.

34. How Many Hours Of Sleep Do You Need To Function?
Six. Give or take.

35. Do You Eat Breakfast Daily?
Yes … usually coffee and a muffin or bagel.

36. Are Your Days Full And Fast Paced?
Notice how infrequently the blog is updated nowadays?

37. What are you doing right now?
At work, taking a break from some research into content management systems.

38. Do you use sarcasm?
Absolutely, positively, never ;)

39. Have You Ever Been In A Fight?
My one and only real fight was in 4th grade, and I didn’t fare so well in that.

40. Are You Picky About Spelling And Grammar?
Why are some of these questions using initial caps for every word, and some aren’t?

41. Have You Ever Been To Six Flags?
Yes, several times.

42. Have You Ever Gotten Beat up?
Not really beat up, but embarrassed — yes. See #39.

43. Do You Get Along Better With The Same Sex Or The Opposite?
That’s a toss up. Depends on what the conversation is about.

44. Do you like mustard?
Love mustard … dark and spicy is best.

45. Do You Sleep On Your Side, Stomach, Or Back?
Side and stomach.

46. Do You Watch The News?
“Watch” implies television, so no. Television news sucks.

47. How Did You Get Three Of Your Scars?
Stitches from a car accident when I was young; stitches from a gash near my eye from using mom and dad’s bed as a trampoline; back surgery.

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