Once upon a time, I went to one of those sites that offers to do a logo for you on the cheap. I wanted to try something new with Various and Sundry, so I gave them carte blanche to come up with something fun.
They came back with this:
And that’s why it hasn’t been seen at this website until today. No, it’s not going to be this site’s logo anytime soon.
I could go Web 2.0 trendy and use this one:
Back to the drawing board. . .
. . . that comes up on Google image search for “Augie”:
(C) HB, but of course
Technorati Tags: Augie
* Fug of the Day: Lisa Vidal. Be sure to read the text under the pic.
* Web game of the day: Sling. Tests your patience, but ultimately a fun challenge.
* SPACEBALLS: The Animated Series. Coming soon to G4.
* Act now: Costco has an external 600 GB hard drive on sale for $300. Sale’s good until the 24th, I believe. Very tempting. It sounds like the perfect drive for OS X Leopard’s Time Machine, though I imagine these drives will be even cheaper by the time that comes out. . .
* I like Sony in so many ways. I love my Sony TV and surround sound system, for two examples. But they’re really flailing lately. First, there’s this whole PlayStation 3 mess. Now, their laptop division is just copying Apple. No, ripping off. Take a look.
* 10 years ago, lots of pundits predicted Apple’s impending doom. Whoops.
Everyone is saying that tonight’s TV schedule is amongst the most competitive of all time.
The thing I find funny about that is that I don’t have ANY conflicts at all.
Let’s start with 8:00:
GREY’S ANATOMY clip show? No.
SURVIVOR? Finally kicked the habit last week. It had nothing to do with the ‘big twist.’ I just decided not to bother with it. I got sucked in last year, but I held back successfully this year.
And on FOX and NBC, it’s all sit-coms. THE OFFICE is a can’t miss, but that’s it for the hour for me.
SMALLVILLE? Never got past episode 3 or 4 of Season 1.
On to 9:00:
DEAL OR NO DEAL? I liked the show before the contestants started coming straight out of Central Casting, complete with heart-tugging stories, effusive personalities, and hooks that the producers could tie into the game.
CSI? Gave up on it last year.
CELEBRITY DUETS? Watched the first couple of weeks, and that was plenty.
GREY’S ANATOMY? Never got into it.
10:00:
Now, here’s the only possible conflict, and it’s probably a wash anyway. James Woods is always fun to watch, so SHARK might be fun. ABC’s SIX DEGREES might be interesting, or it might be another overwraught soap opera with a silly high concept. I’ll Tivo both, never have time to watch either, and never record another episode.
ER? Gave up on it about a decade ago in college.
So the advertisers might be going nuts, but it won’t be for my money.
It was two years ago today that I posted my first blog entry from my new PowerMac. And while in PC time that’s an epoch and it would be time to consider a new computer, I’m not worried about that with the Mac. Sure, the Intel transition and the ability to run Windows programs in Parallels makes it slightly tempting at times, but the PowerMac still does everything I could ask of it — and fairly quickly. Yes, dual 1.8 GHz chips seem antiquated in a day and age when just about everything is dual core 2.x and up, but it still works for me without complaining.
Funny enough, I sometimes think I’m just starting now to become a “power” user for my Mac. I’m starting to poke around behind the scenes of it now, adjusting more and more options as I go along. I read all the magazines (well, MacAddict and MacWorld, occasionally Mac Format) with an eye towards whatever features I’m missing in my current programs, plus whatever else is new out there to help me out. The blogs are immensely helpul, as well, particularly The Unofficial Apple Weblog. I’m becoming addicted to downloading widgets and small utilities to make every little thing simpler. (Damn you, MacZot!) I’ve even toyed with the Automator, though it’s not completely useful to me just yet. Eventually, I know I’ll find the right script that will save me beaucoup time that I didn’t even know I was wasting.
It’s no longer about just learning the system. It’s about advancing my knowledge of it and doing more than just the limited things that provide the knowledge base for the system. And it’s not that it takes two years of day-to-day use to learn a Mac. Far from it. It’s just that it’s so comfortable to learn the basics and then merely use them that your comfort level lulls you to sleep. But the “advanced user wannabe” has been peeking out of me again, and I’m getting curious. . .
I was thinking the other day back to a guy I used to work with at a previous job. He was in the graphic design department and he had a couple of large Macs in his office. I always busted him about it, but it was all good-natured. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he was right about using the Mac at that point - this was all pre-Mac OS X - but he was closer to the right track than I realized at the time. And it’s all Mac OS X’s fault. I think the new operating system has made the Mac an attractive system once again, and inspired a whole new generation of great apps and users. While Leopard isn’t the leap ahead (yet) that Tiger was for me (Spotlight and Dashboard, most notably), I’m looking forward to Time Machine and Front Row and Spaces (I miss that from my Linux days). And it’s a positive thing that Apple has a vision for where it wants to go, and keeps releasing new stuff in that path. It’s all definitely a step further ahead than Vista could ever hope to be. Windows needs a similar ground-up rewrite and a corporate culture change to ever hope to be a challenger to OS X in the realm of quality operating systems. So far, all they’ve manage to do with Vista is rewrite the network stack, which is an open invitation to network insecurity the likes of which we haven’t seen since — well, Internet Explorer.
In my one year anniversary post and follow-up comments last year, we were thinking that the Intel transition would begin in June or July this year. Instead, it was finished by August. Pretty impressive. And the future now looks exciting from a hardware point of view, with the potential of an iPhone and a ‘true widescreen’ iPod still in the air. That iTv will bring the media on my computer into the living room for half the cost that a Mac Mini would be to do many of the same things. I can’t wait to see how that turns out.
Most amusingly, Griffin finally released its surround sound solution, about a year after my interest in it had faded to zero. But now I’m considering an HD receiver if I can find on cheap enough on eBay.
In the meantime, my iPod will still be running on a daily basis. I’ll still enjoy High Def movie trailers on the 23″ cinema display for movies I know I’ll never have the time to go out to the theater to see. GarageBand will make putting the podcast together simple. (I hope to add a compressor to the hardware workflow on that next.) I’ll actually be using Adobe Illustrator for a project or two by the end of the year. I’m sure I’m forgetting two or three things, also, that just blend into the background of the day to day grind, too.
Life is pretty good.
Mac has already lasted twice as long on my computer as Linux did. In another ten years, it’ll surpass the evil and dreaded Windows. Fingers crossed.
* The new Nintendo Wii box art design is now up. There follows a discussion as to whether the asymmetrical design of it is ugly, or counterintuitive to the general audience Nintendo is trying to grab. Methinks they’re thinking too deeply into the box design. It has one major flaw: the cover art is not adjusted for the asymmetrical design. The logo should be pushed further into the negative zone in the upper left corner, not still centered on the box like there should be a typical banner up there.
* Grand Theft Auto on the Wii?!?
* Even better: GUITAR HERO II on the Wii?
* Here’s the info on a flying game for the Wii.
* The Wall Street Journal hunts for truly random numbers, and how one researcher is testing an iPod Shuffle for randomness.
* Linked to in the previous article: Give six monkeys a typewriter for a month, and they won’t produce Shakespeare.
* It looks like Zune may not be adding DRM to CC-licensed files, after all. And if you can understand that sentence, then you spend way too much time on the web.
* An update to an earlier story: Yes, the M&Ms people will honor their reward for the return of “The Scream.”
* There will be no ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA update today. It’s a brave new world out there now.
* You can’t pre-order a Nintendo Wii through Amazon. They’re sold out already.
* Nintendo threw some Wii parties, and this fanboy had fun.
* The most interesting profile on Apple designer Jonathan Ive that I’ve seen so far.
* I hope I’m related to Daniel De Blieck, a Belgian artist of the 17th century. Look at this pic. It looks like you can find more of his art on the web, too.
Technorati Tags: Nintendo, Wii, Amazon, Apple, Ive, Daniel De Blieck, Belgian
Elton John’s “The Captain and the Kid.”
It’s a sequel to “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.”
Quick update: I tried to download this from iTunes last night, but it would seem they’re having issues with this album. The files won’t download. I’ll try again tonight and update this post again.
Second Update (21 Sep 11:00 a.m.): Downloaded the files without a problem last night. Whatever glitch there was turned out to be temporary.
Technorati Tags: Elton John, iTunes
* Looks like Supernova has found a way to get around the lawsuit from the extant Supernova music group. Gilby, Tommy, Jason, and Lukas will instead tour under the band name of “Rock Star: Supernova.”
* BOSTON LEGAL’s third season debuts tonight. Great show. One of the funniest hour long dramas I’ve ever seen.
* Here’s a picture of the space shuttle shortly after disconnecting from the space station — as silhouetted in front of the sun. Very cool. You’ll have to zoom in to catch it all, though.
* There are four basic UIs with Windows Vista. This page lets you do a compare and contrast. The much-vaunted Aero Glass design isn’t really all that remarkable, if you ask me. It just adds transparency around the edges of the windows.
Technorati Tags: Supernova, space shuttle, Vista, Aero Glass
Over at the Television Without Pity forum, a kind poster pointed out that PROPERTY LADDER hostess Kirsten Kemp’s maiden name was Holmquist. We knew she was an actress, so it was time to have some fun.
First, she played “Rhonda Robistelli” on three episodes of SAVED BY THE BELL. You can read a description of her first episode over here. That’s scary.
Better yet, scroll down to the March 29th entry on this page for some Rhonda quotes.
Or, best yet, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: A screen grab of Kirsten on the show. She was tall even back then. (She’s 6′1″ now, according to another poster at the TWOP forum.)
Her complete IMDB profile has some other interesting highlights. She played a saloon girl in the pilot episode of THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY, and even appeared in an episode of the great but forgotten HERMAN’S HEAD.
Fascinating.
There are a couple of pleasant surprises in this week’s release list.
Chucky: The Killer DVD Collection (2-disc set)
This isn’t one of them.
Bob Newhart: Button Down Concert
This definitely is. If you’ve never heard the concert CD, buy the video. It’s hilarious stuff. I’ve seen other comedians lift the idea for short segments, but Newhart made it work in longer segments. He has that perfectly subtle and dead pan delivery that only Steven Wright could possibly live up to. (Speaking of which, why doesn’t he have concert DVDs out there? His original HBO special is available, but there should be more..)
Newhart’s comedy concert schtick was in the realm of fake phone calls from various eras. You only ever heard his side of the conversation, whether it’s as the newly hired security guard at the Empire State Building dealing with a giant ape climbing up the building, or Abraham Lincoln working with Madison Avenue on a Civil War PR campaign. And don’t miss the laugh-out-loud funny “Sir Walter Raleigh Explains Tobacco.”
This isn’t one of those discs that’s going to show up on an end cap at Best Buy this week. You might need to order it from Amazon, which is what I’m doing. It’s why I’m giving you the box art here to click through on.
It’s only an hour-long concert, but that doesn’t bother me.
Backdraft: Anniversary Edition (2-disc set) (1991)
Unnecessary Special Edition of the week? Perhaps.
Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (3-disc set)
Someday, I’ll have the time to watch this show. . .
The Ellen DeGeneres Show: DVD-licious
Hey, if Oprah can have a DVD, then why not Ellen?
The Gilmore Girls: Season Six (6-disc set)
A horribly underrated show that no man should ever feel the need to apologize for liking. There’s nothing wrong with it. I even like the small bouts of silliness.
Grease: Rockin’ Rydell Edition (1978)
Greece: Secrets of the Past: IMAX
Well, that’s just a little bit confusing. I’m glad this isn’t a podcast, or the pronunciation would really confuse you.
And this might just be the most Unnecessary Special Edition of the week.
Radiohead: OK Computer: Under Review
If you miss ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA, maybe this DVD will give you the fill of that music that you’re looking for.
Roar: The Complete Series
Also known as: Heath Ledger’s so dreamy!
The Unit: Season One (4-disc set)
I’m ashamed to admit that I never watched this show after the first 3 or 4 episodes. They’re all still sitting on my TiVo. The DVDs are in widescreen, but at this point I can’t even remember if CBS was airing the show in widescreen already or not. Maybe I’ll just pick it up, delete the TiVo space, and catch up on it via the DVDs. There’s only one commentary track on the set and, even sadder, it doesn’t include David Mamet. It’s a very cool show, but I was easily distracted by other things during its run, notably AMERICAN IDOL.
Yanni: Live! The Concert Event (2005)
I admit it - I liked the Acropolis concert that was a staple on PBS a decade or more ago. That doesn’t mean I’m going to buy this disc. I just think confession is good for the soul. ;-)
Next week: WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY! FAST AND THE FURIOUS 3, and a special edition of SAVE THE LAST DANCE to go with your helping of TAKE THE LEAD and BRING IT ON and STEP UP. . .
Oops, I’m a little late on this one. Sorry about that.
Christie Brinkley Files for Divorce
Christie Brinkley has filed for divorce from Peter Cook, two months after reports surfaced about his alleged affair with an 18-year-old employee, Cook’s lawyer confirmed Thursday.
It was about time for Brinkley to trade up again, anyway. She’s a serial bride that way. If you’re middle-aged or older with a portfolio worth at least $10 million and — as a bonus — access to a private jet, drop her a line.
* David Pogue unearthed some funny reactions at Digg to the story about the toothbrush that plays music while you brush. (Seriously, has humanity reached a point now that it has to be entertained at every waking moment? Is it too much to ask someone to sit in silence and do nothing for 30 seconds?)
* Phil the bartender from ‘Murphy Brown’ died. I was surprised to read he was still alive. . .
* How to use your watch as a compass and find true north.
* Microsoft’s Zune violates the Creative Commons license. Podcasters, garageband.com to sue. (Kidding on that last part. So far.)
* PC World lists its choices for the 25 Worst Web Sites. Many are Dot Com bombers, but I think you’ll agree with the #1 Worst Site. I’m just going to out and out spoil it on you — MySpace.
* 32 video game systems and one monitor salvaged from a dumpster. Pretty impressive.
Tom Jones is still the man.
Patti Russo decided at the last minute to leave the band and won’t be touring with Meat Loaf anymore. She’s been replaced, it seems, by someone about half Meat Loaf’s age by the name of Aspen Miller.
Here’s the complete track listing for BAT OUT OF HELL III, due out on Halloween. Jim Steinman fans will notice a couple of familiar tunes: from DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES comes “Seize The Night.” From Pandora’s Box comes “The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be” — one of my favorite tracks from that album. I’ll be curious to hear how they’re reworked for the album. My favorite song title is “If It Ain’t Broke Break It,” but I don’t know who wrote that one. Steinman’s “Bad For Good” originally appeared on his own album that he sang himself. And, of course, the first single is the song that Celine Dion originally took to the Top 10 in the mid-to-late-90s, “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now,” although Pandora’s Box did it first in 1989. We’ll see if the general public is at all interested in what they’ll see as Meat Loaf covering a Celine Dion song. What an odd combo.
Did Meat Loaf originally want Scarlett Johansson to sing with him on the lead single? Somehow, I doubt it. . .
The full album track listing, of course, can also be seen on the Amazon.com page where you can pre-order the album.
Meat Loaf is laughing off any worries about his recent health problems.
Meat Loaf hired a vocal coach to help him get rid of the extra vibratto he’s acquired in his voice over the years. I like that idea.
According to this report, the lawsuit between Steinman and Meat Loaf has been settled. Details were not made public. There are still seven Steinman songs on the new album, so I guess it’s all good.
There are slightly more details at this link, which includes this nice bit of good news:
[Meat Loaf] said Steinman and Child will co-produce another musical project involving himself, but declined to give details. He said it wouldn’t be a fourth instalment of Bat Out of Hell.
Steinman has a blog. He talks about BAT3, his love for the Yankees, and something about a BAT OUT OF HELL Musical project. Is that what the last item is referencing? He also talks a lot about the failed Batman musical project, and where those songs wound up.
Steinman also has a new group called Dream Engine in the works. You can hear song samples on the typically-bloated and slow-to-load MySpace page for the project. Or just go to the Wikipedia page for the group to learn more.
Augie De Blieck Jr. doesn't know when to shut up, which makes him the perfect blogger. That, and he reads a lot of other blogs. You can e-mail him, if you really wanted to.
