October 31, 2008
October 30, 2008
All Politics is Local
There's a fairly abrasive article about Goldman in this week's Style Weekly, who I stated I was for earlier. And the article brings up a number of good points that I missed. The article is correct, that inside of City Hall re probably acted as if he was bigger than his post, and contributed to much of the animosity within City Hall, and between departments, which is the ultimate legacy of the Wilder administration. With a region that suffered unnecessarily with the division between city and county and a regional and city political atmosphere so marred by divisions (territorial, geographical, and racial)... Goldman probably would not have helped the city in that regard. It doesn't matter if Goldman proposes some great idea on how we can decentralize the city's poverty, if he burns so many bridges we can't agree to do anything beyond knocking down a project or 2.
I was wrong in endorsing him. While I appreciate what ideas he might bring to the table, we elect people, not ideas. The city needs now more than any time in a generation, a person who can bring people together. I'm still not sure who can do that best, but Goldman would have been the least likely candidate to do so.
Another big city issue has been the city's first Charter School called Patrick Henry. The city has a number of special magnet high schools, such as Maggie Walker, Community, and Open. These schools give people like me (I went to Maggie Walker when the program was based in TJ) and Ashley (who graduated from Community), challenging opportunities to learn and grow, more so than the normal school environment. Much of my sense of curiosity beyond my day to day life was fertilized there. Ashley very well might not have entertained college as something achievable if not put through the mental meat grinder that churns out the city's finest high school graduates. Some of Richmond's most unique citizens have walked through the doors of Open, and their cultural impact is one of the jewels of the city. To see the city want to add another institution that can rise to the stature of these schools is something commendable.
But there are flaws with the proposed high school. It needs public transportation. The schools listed above work because they bring people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to challenging curriculum. I was shocked to see that RPS will not bus kids to the new charter school. It's hardly a public school then. Also the schools are mandated to pull kids from Richmond's diverse neighborhoods, from Ginter Park to Blackwell, from Church Hill to the Fan and Westover Hills. There's no such mandate in the charter, and the risk that Patrick Henry becomes a city funded Collegiate is simply too great. I hope the school board settles these issues so that the opportunity is given to any city kid that yearns to learn outside of the regular RPS school structure.
I haven't read the Downtown Master Plan and it probably deserves its own post. But there are a few things I like about Richmond, and I'd like to see the city continue on its success. VCU has grown substantially in the past 10 years, and now looks like a complete urban campus. Along Broad Street at VCU there's a decent number of shops that have returned, and combined with Grace St. it brings a youthful urban feel that's a welcome alternative to the malls scattered around the suburbs. You still have to drive to Mechanicsville or Short Pump to buy a TV, but from books, clothes, food, and even home improvement, I don't have to commute just to get crap. That's welcome. Seeing how Carytown is becoming a Stony Point clone, a urban place that has goods and cheap eats for single people 30 or younger is nice. I wish it was dominated by fewer franchises/chains and more independent offerings, but even the real independent p[laces are around.
That growth even extends east down Broad, so it's not just VCU. Broad st. is coming back. Would suburbanites travel to 2nd and Broad, probably not. But urbanites don't need to head out to Pump Road as much.
Also I enjoy the diverse neighborhoods. When I want to feel inspired during a run, I'll run east towards the financial district. Something about 20 story buildings get me to run faster. Or i can head south to the river, or west to stroll through quiet west end neighborhoods. People here know to respect pedestrians, something you won't find in the more modest of Richmond's suburbs. People in the suburbs expect you to run or bike at American Family, not outside. The architecture on Richmond's suburbs isn't as bad as when I went to Colorado Springs (some parts looked like Weed's fictional suburb of Argestic, CA), but the subdivision bylaws limit everything down to what color lights you can have at Christmas and how high you can fly an American flag. Seriously, I'm not making that up.
I want to see that diversity continue, I want downtown to have more for people after 7PM, I want the north bank of the river tastefully developed, and the south bank kept pristine and natural. James River park should be protected. VCU has been a faithful steward, and if it wants to grow, I'm perfectly OK with that (but I can do without the Chili's). There's more art on a single block of Main street than a in a square mile of Henrico, Hanover, or Chesterfield. The city has its strengths, and it doesn't need to become Charlotte, NC or DC in order to exploit them. The strengths are already here. What's needed is managed growth, so there's a place in the city for people who are attracted to its promise while being preserves so we and people in the future can appreciate them as well.
And none of this requires a stadium.
I was wrong in endorsing him. While I appreciate what ideas he might bring to the table, we elect people, not ideas. The city needs now more than any time in a generation, a person who can bring people together. I'm still not sure who can do that best, but Goldman would have been the least likely candidate to do so.
Another big city issue has been the city's first Charter School called Patrick Henry. The city has a number of special magnet high schools, such as Maggie Walker, Community, and Open. These schools give people like me (I went to Maggie Walker when the program was based in TJ) and Ashley (who graduated from Community), challenging opportunities to learn and grow, more so than the normal school environment. Much of my sense of curiosity beyond my day to day life was fertilized there. Ashley very well might not have entertained college as something achievable if not put through the mental meat grinder that churns out the city's finest high school graduates. Some of Richmond's most unique citizens have walked through the doors of Open, and their cultural impact is one of the jewels of the city. To see the city want to add another institution that can rise to the stature of these schools is something commendable.
But there are flaws with the proposed high school. It needs public transportation. The schools listed above work because they bring people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to challenging curriculum. I was shocked to see that RPS will not bus kids to the new charter school. It's hardly a public school then. Also the schools are mandated to pull kids from Richmond's diverse neighborhoods, from Ginter Park to Blackwell, from Church Hill to the Fan and Westover Hills. There's no such mandate in the charter, and the risk that Patrick Henry becomes a city funded Collegiate is simply too great. I hope the school board settles these issues so that the opportunity is given to any city kid that yearns to learn outside of the regular RPS school structure.
I haven't read the Downtown Master Plan and it probably deserves its own post. But there are a few things I like about Richmond, and I'd like to see the city continue on its success. VCU has grown substantially in the past 10 years, and now looks like a complete urban campus. Along Broad Street at VCU there's a decent number of shops that have returned, and combined with Grace St. it brings a youthful urban feel that's a welcome alternative to the malls scattered around the suburbs. You still have to drive to Mechanicsville or Short Pump to buy a TV, but from books, clothes, food, and even home improvement, I don't have to commute just to get crap. That's welcome. Seeing how Carytown is becoming a Stony Point clone, a urban place that has goods and cheap eats for single people 30 or younger is nice. I wish it was dominated by fewer franchises/chains and more independent offerings, but even the real independent p[laces are around.
That growth even extends east down Broad, so it's not just VCU. Broad st. is coming back. Would suburbanites travel to 2nd and Broad, probably not. But urbanites don't need to head out to Pump Road as much.
Also I enjoy the diverse neighborhoods. When I want to feel inspired during a run, I'll run east towards the financial district. Something about 20 story buildings get me to run faster. Or i can head south to the river, or west to stroll through quiet west end neighborhoods. People here know to respect pedestrians, something you won't find in the more modest of Richmond's suburbs. People in the suburbs expect you to run or bike at American Family, not outside. The architecture on Richmond's suburbs isn't as bad as when I went to Colorado Springs (some parts looked like Weed's fictional suburb of Argestic, CA), but the subdivision bylaws limit everything down to what color lights you can have at Christmas and how high you can fly an American flag. Seriously, I'm not making that up.
I want to see that diversity continue, I want downtown to have more for people after 7PM, I want the north bank of the river tastefully developed, and the south bank kept pristine and natural. James River park should be protected. VCU has been a faithful steward, and if it wants to grow, I'm perfectly OK with that (but I can do without the Chili's). There's more art on a single block of Main street than a in a square mile of Henrico, Hanover, or Chesterfield. The city has its strengths, and it doesn't need to become Charlotte, NC or DC in order to exploit them. The strengths are already here. What's needed is managed growth, so there's a place in the city for people who are attracted to its promise while being preserves so we and people in the future can appreciate them as well.
And none of this requires a stadium.
The Obama Infomercial Hopegasm
You can do a lot with a $600 Million dollars, like run for President!
October 29, 2008
I was trying to keep quiet
I thought I was going to get out of the whole day without saying anything, but I can't help myself.
Saw the Obama infomercial. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!! I think I know who's going to win the Emmy for "Best Production Values" next year. While it wasn't done in HD, that broadcast looked better than most things I see on TV. I think they had the guys from Planet Earth filmed it.
But it was positive, hopeful, contains both specifics and a overarching agenda for he future...
He always seems to do it up kinda big. Epic is the word I would use to describe a person that gets 100K+ crowds. But I have to give him props for that. It is the top job on the planet after all.
Wanted to wash clothes tonight, but I goofed off to much this afternoon, perhaps tomorrow.
Speaking of which, I need to call people tomorrow. Get my weekend planned and all. A few events are happening, but I shouldn't go. I have to make sure rent is covered. I heard of this event in Waldorf, MD. Lots of DJs, but it's outdoors on Halloween night. Shit will be cold as fuck. I don't really want to dress in a costume and freeze my ass off. Sounds like no fun. And then to be kicked out when the cops bust the field party down... No thanks. My Ass is getting old.
Saw the Obama infomercial. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!! I think I know who's going to win the Emmy for "Best Production Values" next year. While it wasn't done in HD, that broadcast looked better than most things I see on TV. I think they had the guys from Planet Earth filmed it.
But it was positive, hopeful, contains both specifics and a overarching agenda for he future...
He always seems to do it up kinda big. Epic is the word I would use to describe a person that gets 100K+ crowds. But I have to give him props for that. It is the top job on the planet after all.
Wanted to wash clothes tonight, but I goofed off to much this afternoon, perhaps tomorrow.
Speaking of which, I need to call people tomorrow. Get my weekend planned and all. A few events are happening, but I shouldn't go. I have to make sure rent is covered. I heard of this event in Waldorf, MD. Lots of DJs, but it's outdoors on Halloween night. Shit will be cold as fuck. I don't really want to dress in a costume and freeze my ass off. Sounds like no fun. And then to be kicked out when the cops bust the field party down... No thanks. My Ass is getting old.
I heart mtvmusic.com
In honor of AMP, Liquid TV, and all the other awesome stuff that used to be on MTV (music).
October 28, 2008
The worst endorsement ever
So Slate did a feature where their writers said who'd they support in the election, and 1 person came out for Bob Barr. But you have to check out what he actually says...
Some endorsement. In the end, he stands by his party rather than the man. But personally, I feel any person who stands by his party's nomination of this charlatan does almost as much a disservice to the Libertarian party as Bob Barr's congressional career has done to libertarian ideals.
Raffi Khatchadourian's profile of Barr in this week's New Yorker depicts him—accurately, I think—as no more Libertarian than your standard Newt Gingrich clone.
Who is the real Bob Barr? When he was an unrepentant hard-right Republican, he did have notes of libertarianism to him. But in his libertarian rebranding, he can't quite mask his old, musky self. He's a fraud.
Some endorsement. In the end, he stands by his party rather than the man. But personally, I feel any person who stands by his party's nomination of this charlatan does almost as much a disservice to the Libertarian party as Bob Barr's congressional career has done to libertarian ideals.
Media Center in Windows 7
We Got Served posted the first screen shots of Windows 7's Media Center, and I'm not all that impressed. I don't really like the Zune typeface the new menu has for WMC, and it looks kinda like a throwback to XP's Media Center.
- Start Menu, Blah... too Zuney
- Gadget is Good
- Mini Guide is too big, I like the smaller miniguide of Vista, less obtrusive
TV Fall 2008
This post will be incomplete, I just don't feel like writing a ton on it, or linking, or whatever.
New Shows for Fall 2008:
Fareed Zakaria GPS
This is a CNN News talk show that started during the summer. It's the only CNN show (actually the only of any 24 hour news channel except for BBCWORLD) to take a global perspective on issues. It's the type of TV show that makes people smarter as they watch it. It also doesn't turn into yelling matches that most other sunday news talk shows degenerate into. It's the best thing on CNN.
The show is also available as a podcast so you can skip commercials and watch it during the week. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/fareed.zakaria.gps/
At the Movies
This is the replacement for Ebert & Roeper. 2 new guys have the format, and I have to saw ehh. Where Roeper used the show to highlight non-studio movies, the new guys have brought it back to mainstream films. I'm not really liking that change, and the two new hosts agree way too much for my tastes. They did add in a guest panel, but the panel sucks, except for the Village Voice movie critic, who I think articulates his opinion well.
http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/
Fringe
There are a few new Sci-Fi shows coming out this fall, and the one that I've grabbed onto is Fringe. It's X-Files + CSI, but I'm liking the mix. I'm enjoying the dynamic between Massive Dynamic (the ubercorp of the show) and the Government. The main cast isn't that appealing, but there seems to be enough back story with the characters that's keeping me guessing.
http://www.fox.com/fringe/
True Blood
HBO's show about vampires in Louisiana. Not too impressed with early episodes, but I'm not ready to drop it. Later episodes have explored more of the alternative reality that's in thei litttle Louisiana town, and that's added a a lot to the show. Also there's been more Vampire backstory too. Color me impressed.
Sons of Anarchy
FX's My favorite new show, and perhaps even my favorite show of Fall 2008. It's part Sopranos, but has a more intense family dynamic. Imagine a Sopranos plot line where Christopher wanted to take the family in a direction Tony wasn't ready to go. The cast really stands out, there's some great acting there.
New Shows for Fall 2008:
Fareed Zakaria GPS
This is a CNN News talk show that started during the summer. It's the only CNN show (actually the only of any 24 hour news channel except for BBCWORLD) to take a global perspective on issues. It's the type of TV show that makes people smarter as they watch it. It also doesn't turn into yelling matches that most other sunday news talk shows degenerate into. It's the best thing on CNN.
The show is also available as a podcast so you can skip commercials and watch it during the week. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/fareed.zakaria.gps/
At the Movies
This is the replacement for Ebert & Roeper. 2 new guys have the format, and I have to saw ehh. Where Roeper used the show to highlight non-studio movies, the new guys have brought it back to mainstream films. I'm not really liking that change, and the two new hosts agree way too much for my tastes. They did add in a guest panel, but the panel sucks, except for the Village Voice movie critic, who I think articulates his opinion well.
http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/
Fringe
There are a few new Sci-Fi shows coming out this fall, and the one that I've grabbed onto is Fringe. It's X-Files + CSI, but I'm liking the mix. I'm enjoying the dynamic between Massive Dynamic (the ubercorp of the show) and the Government. The main cast isn't that appealing, but there seems to be enough back story with the characters that's keeping me guessing.
http://www.fox.com/fringe/
True Blood
HBO's show about vampires in Louisiana. Not too impressed with early episodes, but I'm not ready to drop it. Later episodes have explored more of the alternative reality that's in thei litttle Louisiana town, and that's added a a lot to the show. Also there's been more Vampire backstory too. Color me impressed.
Sons of Anarchy
FX's My favorite new show, and perhaps even my favorite show of Fall 2008. It's part Sopranos, but has a more intense family dynamic. Imagine a Sopranos plot line where Christopher wanted to take the family in a direction Tony wasn't ready to go. The cast really stands out, there's some great acting there.
Heroes is getting better.
I liked last week better than yesterday, but Claire, Peter, Parkman, and Daphne were less annoying, and Mohinder is getting slightly away from his mad scientist stinct. I can't argue with that. Silar's half way bad ass, but I really want a hardcore good guy who can go toe to toe with the baddies. But there are none.
Foilage from Space
How cool is that?
Credit: NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Project via Discovery Channel Blog. Full 7MB version can be found here.
Credit: NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Project via Discovery Channel Blog. Full 7MB version can be found here.
October 27, 2008
Long term gain, short term loss.
Best Buy is carrying the Touch Pro now, and it's the most awesome hardware out there on the market. While I like the tabs of the Sony Xperia X1 (reminds me of some funky Linux windows management GUI), the accelerometer of the iPhone 3G (awesome for gaming), or the Storm (feedback + multitouch?!??!?!?! how insane is that), the Touch Pro is straight business. That's the best looking keyboard I've seen on a phone. Combine it with a GUI that does a decent job of hiding the garbage that is WinMo, a VGA screen, good touch ability, as much 3rd party support as the iPhone, it's God damn awesome. A bit pricey at $300 (or $750 unlocked WTF?). Chances are though I will end up waiting for the AT&T version, so I can move into the corporate account. But it has to be available in just a few days, especially with word that Verizon is getting their version ready as well.
Saw W last night. Like it overall. Was a bit overboard with the psychodrama. The dreams at the end were weak and overbearing. It's like Oliver Stone wanted to beat down stupid people with the message "Our President has daddy issues! We went to war becuase his daddy has daddy issues!" But the portrayals were spot on. That alone worth makes it watching. It jumps around in time a lot, but it serves the movie well. I was under the impression that the various quotes (like Powell's "you break it you buy it" or Tenet's "Slam Dunk") were all in different contexts, but the way the movie keeps the principles together gives you the "internal debate" feel that Bush probably had in his head. As storytelling, it's a effective way to make dozens of different meetings and arguements into a single movie. Oh, and I love Powell v. Cheney. Speaking of Powell, every lne was like "When I was with your dad..." or "Your Dad would have done..." and that seemed disingenuous. I don't recall any biography that refers to Powell constantly referencing Bush 41 that way. Might have done it once or twice IRL, but he did it like a dozen times or more.
Starting to run again, just in time for the big race. It's gonna hurt. Bad.
I'm working the polls this year. Actually, I'll be in City Hall, working with the CAP Central Absentee Prescient. If you live in the city, and mailed in your absentee ballot, there's a decent chance I'll be the one opening the envelop and making sure it counts on election day. It's actually a pretty cool little way to give back to the community. Think of people like Ashley in Michigan, or people in the military, I'll get to make sure people who signed up to defend this country actually have a voice in its government. Kick Ass. But working from 5:30AM to 10PM or 11PM doesn't. Still, it's personally refreshing to see that these ballots actually get counted in the same day totals, and not added in as an after thought for the final tally at Wikipedia.
Learned a lot about the voting process, provisional ballots, etc. Personally, I don't think the system is a fraught with problems as some activists would have you believe. On one hand, there are people who want to win, and will use the rules to their advantage. On the other hand, you're dealing with the public which didn't attend an all day class on a Saturday to review the ins and outs of federal and state election law. So I understand people's concern. All I can say is show up early, expect to wait a little bit, bring a government issued ID, be polite to everyone around you, and don't carry or wear any material referring to the campaign or election to the poll booth.
I never really finished my post on Goldman, but I'm at a loss as to who to vote for Mayor. The last candidate discussion is tomorrow, and I'll be at the Library of Virginia for it. Hopefully someone will stick out. Otherwise... probably just skip that part of the ballot, or vote for the person who is last in the polls to help insure a runoff.
Saw W last night. Like it overall. Was a bit overboard with the psychodrama. The dreams at the end were weak and overbearing. It's like Oliver Stone wanted to beat down stupid people with the message "Our President has daddy issues! We went to war becuase his daddy has daddy issues!" But the portrayals were spot on. That alone worth makes it watching. It jumps around in time a lot, but it serves the movie well. I was under the impression that the various quotes (like Powell's "you break it you buy it" or Tenet's "Slam Dunk") were all in different contexts, but the way the movie keeps the principles together gives you the "internal debate" feel that Bush probably had in his head. As storytelling, it's a effective way to make dozens of different meetings and arguements into a single movie. Oh, and I love Powell v. Cheney. Speaking of Powell, every lne was like "When I was with your dad..." or "Your Dad would have done..." and that seemed disingenuous. I don't recall any biography that refers to Powell constantly referencing Bush 41 that way. Might have done it once or twice IRL, but he did it like a dozen times or more.
Starting to run again, just in time for the big race. It's gonna hurt. Bad.
I'm working the polls this year. Actually, I'll be in City Hall, working with the CAP Central Absentee Prescient. If you live in the city, and mailed in your absentee ballot, there's a decent chance I'll be the one opening the envelop and making sure it counts on election day. It's actually a pretty cool little way to give back to the community. Think of people like Ashley in Michigan, or people in the military, I'll get to make sure people who signed up to defend this country actually have a voice in its government. Kick Ass. But working from 5:30AM to 10PM or 11PM doesn't. Still, it's personally refreshing to see that these ballots actually get counted in the same day totals, and not added in as an after thought for the final tally at Wikipedia.
Learned a lot about the voting process, provisional ballots, etc. Personally, I don't think the system is a fraught with problems as some activists would have you believe. On one hand, there are people who want to win, and will use the rules to their advantage. On the other hand, you're dealing with the public which didn't attend an all day class on a Saturday to review the ins and outs of federal and state election law. So I understand people's concern. All I can say is show up early, expect to wait a little bit, bring a government issued ID, be polite to everyone around you, and don't carry or wear any material referring to the campaign or election to the poll booth.
I never really finished my post on Goldman, but I'm at a loss as to who to vote for Mayor. The last candidate discussion is tomorrow, and I'll be at the Library of Virginia for it. Hopefully someone will stick out. Otherwise... probably just skip that part of the ballot, or vote for the person who is last in the polls to help insure a runoff.
October 23, 2008
October 21, 2008
Goldman droppign out
With Goldman dropping out of race for Mayor, I'm at a bit of a loss as to who to support. Say what you will about Wilder, but I liked watching the 6PM news when "crazy white man" would let loose thought balloons into the air to test the waters and see what the city was interested.
Take for example the city school system. Massive capitol improvements are needed, and let's face it, we can't afford them. Goldman stands up, and says hey, let's close a lot of schools, build a few large mega modern facilities, and reap in the savings with better management of fewer facilities.
Or Stadiums. Why the hell should the city incur a ton of debt and raise my taxes to pay off a new stadium for county parents to take their kids to and high tail it back to whatever ticky tacky community they put their seed to bed in? I can understand my taxes being higher to support a K-12 population that's more disadvantaged, or providing more social services for people who need them, but to build a stadium to attract team that's just going to hit up city for more stadium improvements or threaten to leave? I'm not sure we need that type of corporate welfare.
Why destroy the character of Richmond to build the downtown versions of Twin Hickory or Brandermill? Aren't these single families going to live out in the counties near where they work, in close proximity to their Targets, Best Buys, malls, and Ukrops?
Take for example the city school system. Massive capitol improvements are needed, and let's face it, we can't afford them. Goldman stands up, and says hey, let's close a lot of schools, build a few large mega modern facilities, and reap in the savings with better management of fewer facilities.
Or Stadiums. Why the hell should the city incur a ton of debt and raise my taxes to pay off a new stadium for county parents to take their kids to and high tail it back to whatever ticky tacky community they put their seed to bed in? I can understand my taxes being higher to support a K-12 population that's more disadvantaged, or providing more social services for people who need them, but to build a stadium to attract team that's just going to hit up city for more stadium improvements or threaten to leave? I'm not sure we need that type of corporate welfare.
Why destroy the character of Richmond to build the downtown versions of Twin Hickory or Brandermill? Aren't these single families going to live out in the counties near where they work, in close proximity to their Targets, Best Buys, malls, and Ukrops?
October 15, 2008
More on Mac
In fact... It's even worse...
Displayport? The average home consumer is still getting used to DVI. The normal reason someone would want an external display is for presentations, and now you'll have to carry a dongle around. I would want a DVI connection on my laptop, becuase today's protectors are likely to have DVI and/or VGA.
No FW400. Sucks to be a DV video user. I guess FW800 is ok, but the loss of the FW400 is rather disappointing.
No FW on the MacBook at all on the MacBook is also disappointing. While switchers don't really care so much about FW, seasoned Apple Users have really come to like FW, becuase of the way it handles power. Mac Users get to enjoy that, but now it's gone. Blah.
$1,000 for a laptop is expensive. It's not uber expensive, but it's not cheap. The average person looks at the MacBook and things, high end/luxury. They don't think of them in the same class of computer as a $700 14" widescreen Core 2 Duo machine from Best Buy, or a $350 netbook. Therefore, I think much of the difference between a MB and MBP shouldn't be there. Probably the most significant would be the express card slot. Many of the shortcomings in either model can be fixed with expresscard, and the MB doesn't even cover for it.
Displayport? The average home consumer is still getting used to DVI. The normal reason someone would want an external display is for presentations, and now you'll have to carry a dongle around. I would want a DVI connection on my laptop, becuase today's protectors are likely to have DVI and/or VGA.
No FW400. Sucks to be a DV video user. I guess FW800 is ok, but the loss of the FW400 is rather disappointing.
No FW on the MacBook at all on the MacBook is also disappointing. While switchers don't really care so much about FW, seasoned Apple Users have really come to like FW, becuase of the way it handles power. Mac Users get to enjoy that, but now it's gone. Blah.
$1,000 for a laptop is expensive. It's not uber expensive, but it's not cheap. The average person looks at the MacBook and things, high end/luxury. They don't think of them in the same class of computer as a $700 14" widescreen Core 2 Duo machine from Best Buy, or a $350 netbook. Therefore, I think much of the difference between a MB and MBP shouldn't be there. Probably the most significant would be the express card slot. Many of the shortcomings in either model can be fixed with expresscard, and the MB doesn't even cover for it.
October 14, 2008
New Macs... meh
When it comes to the MacBook Pro, I think it's nearly the perfect laptop. It's a good size, not too heavy, professional design, has a great mix of power and portability. In fact, the only things I would say that are missing are...
eSATA
HDMI
Blu-Ray
Too bad the new MBP lacks all three. The other stuff is kinda nice, but dual integrated/discreet graphic chips aren't groundbreaking, and I'm not going to ignore a missing feature because its built out of a single sheet of aluminum. Try again Steve.
eSATA
HDMI
Blu-Ray
Too bad the new MBP lacks all three. The other stuff is kinda nice, but dual integrated/discreet graphic chips aren't groundbreaking, and I'm not going to ignore a missing feature because its built out of a single sheet of aluminum. Try again Steve.
October 13, 2008
I hate smoking
I hate this shit. When you smoke up for hours, your whole day wastes away, and you really don't want to do shit. Now I'm having a hard time to get into a more sober mood, you know, the type of mood that allows you to complete responsibilities.
I'm suck a slacker.
I haven't run since thrusday. Way to ruin marathon training...
I'm suck a slacker.
I haven't run since thrusday. Way to ruin marathon training...
October 8, 2008
October 3, 2008
October 1, 2008
Goldman for Mayor
Right now for Mayor, I'm supporting Paul Goldman, Wilder's former adviser. From the city debates, it seems like he's the candidate who is willing to put more attention into address citizen's concerns over developers (Pantelle) and is ambivalent over baseball (unlike Jones). I don't want to see the city get into hundreds of millions in debt for a AAA minor league team. I also dislike Jones' proposal for a satelite VCU campus within the city. A huge chunk of revitalized Broad Street is due to VCU. I'd rather see VCU grow vs more boarded up buildings on Broad Street. Also, I like James River Park, and I don't want to see it bulldozed over in the name of Condos. I also kind of like his idea of taking dilapidated properties, remodeling them, and then setting them aside for city civil servants like teachers and cops. They do carry a lot of heavy water for our community, and I think providing them great places to live in the city will attract a new generation of teachers and cops that can improve our streets.
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