More custom paint jobs here.
November 30, 2008
November 26, 2008
Been Waking Up At Night
Insomnia has been creeping in as of late. And this cold is starting to get annoying. Don't like it too much.
November 25, 2008
More Phone Stuff
- I find the GPS on the device practically useless. It takes so long to get in sync with the Sat, you might as well just type in the address manually.
- When the apps start to act up, they don't close gracefully. It seems like the apps create memory leaks that the OS does not recover from. The only way to get it back is a reboot. Feels like you are using Windows 98.
- Windows Live Mobile is fucking awesome. It's actually stable, and one of those uber functional apps. I would actually call it the killer app for Windows Mobile devices. You'll be far less annoyed with using a stylus when that little stick gets you a ton of information you'd have to download a half dozen iPhone apps to get.
If I was a better typer, I'd probably love the iPhone. But a dedicated keyboard is a must have feature for me, and given that need... This phone is fairly solid. Personally I think I'd prefer the X1 keyboard though. I think they nailed the form factor.
- When the apps start to act up, they don't close gracefully. It seems like the apps create memory leaks that the OS does not recover from. The only way to get it back is a reboot. Feels like you are using Windows 98.
- Windows Live Mobile is fucking awesome. It's actually stable, and one of those uber functional apps. I would actually call it the killer app for Windows Mobile devices. You'll be far less annoyed with using a stylus when that little stick gets you a ton of information you'd have to download a half dozen iPhone apps to get.
If I was a better typer, I'd probably love the iPhone. But a dedicated keyboard is a must have feature for me, and given that need... This phone is fairly solid. Personally I think I'd prefer the X1 keyboard though. I think they nailed the form factor.
November 20, 2008
November 17, 2008
Running Phones?
So as I noted on twitter, I got this new phone. It's decent... but is it better than an iPhone... I feel no, and My reasons are below.
Bottom line, it all comes down to Windows Mobile. After 2 or three selections, eventually you end up in a platform that look uncannily like Windows NT 4.0. Several dialog boxes come up, and they are extremely small. Fairly annoying actually. They are small enough for the phone to include a stylus, like a old palm device. That gives you an idea. I can't use it with fingers alone.
Also, let's be honest, the apps just aren't there, and all the attention is going to Android and the iPhone OS. If you want 3rd party support, looking to Palm, OpenMoko, or WinMo... is just lacking. Even Blackberry is lacking in that regard.
I'm probably going to hate the keyboard, but I'll learn to live with it. Because don't get me wrong, I like the hardware keyboard of the Fuze. I think Sprint's version has a even better keyboard, but hardware is better than not. Also, the 3r party support is decent. It's just that third party apps rarely have the shine that iPhone apps do. And beyond what's currently out, there's more development forthcoming on the iPhone than WinMo. Since I will have this phone for 2 years, I don't want to be stuck with yesterday's apps. Looking for a nice blogging app, I know they are out there, I just want a good one. Also have to download and try a podcatcher app.
Also how the phone switches view modes by using the keyboard as an activator rocks. This is actually common on a slider phone, but when someone nails it perfectly, you have to admit they nailed it.
The Marathon
Glad I finally did it. Finished 1830th overall,with a time of 4 hours, 43 minutes. I fell apart during the second half of the race. My first 13 mile split was under 2 hrs. But I know I can run it, and I know a little bit what to expect. I want to do one in the spring, and then get ready for Richmond again in the fall of next year. I really want to break 4 hours before the end of 2009. I think that is possible. Also I want to run a 40 minute 10K.
Of course, thanks to my brother... all I could think of during the whole race was don't be like this guy. I love my brother.
I tried Mozy for the Mac, and it messed up my OS. Had to use Time Machine to restore my computer from the backup doing some damage to the file system. Thanks. For Nothing.
Bottom line, it all comes down to Windows Mobile. After 2 or three selections, eventually you end up in a platform that look uncannily like Windows NT 4.0. Several dialog boxes come up, and they are extremely small. Fairly annoying actually. They are small enough for the phone to include a stylus, like a old palm device. That gives you an idea. I can't use it with fingers alone.
Also, let's be honest, the apps just aren't there, and all the attention is going to Android and the iPhone OS. If you want 3rd party support, looking to Palm, OpenMoko, or WinMo... is just lacking. Even Blackberry is lacking in that regard.
I'm probably going to hate the keyboard, but I'll learn to live with it. Because don't get me wrong, I like the hardware keyboard of the Fuze. I think Sprint's version has a even better keyboard, but hardware is better than not. Also, the 3r party support is decent. It's just that third party apps rarely have the shine that iPhone apps do. And beyond what's currently out, there's more development forthcoming on the iPhone than WinMo. Since I will have this phone for 2 years, I don't want to be stuck with yesterday's apps. Looking for a nice blogging app, I know they are out there, I just want a good one. Also have to download and try a podcatcher app.
Also how the phone switches view modes by using the keyboard as an activator rocks. This is actually common on a slider phone, but when someone nails it perfectly, you have to admit they nailed it.
The Marathon
Glad I finally did it. Finished 1830th overall,with a time of 4 hours, 43 minutes. I fell apart during the second half of the race. My first 13 mile split was under 2 hrs. But I know I can run it, and I know a little bit what to expect. I want to do one in the spring, and then get ready for Richmond again in the fall of next year. I really want to break 4 hours before the end of 2009. I think that is possible. Also I want to run a 40 minute 10K.
Of course, thanks to my brother... all I could think of during the whole race was don't be like this guy. I love my brother.
I tried Mozy for the Mac, and it messed up my OS. Had to use Time Machine to restore my computer from the backup doing some damage to the file system. Thanks. For Nothing.
November 12, 2008
2008 Movies in Review - Part 1
I try to do a year in review when it comes to movies, but the problem is that movies to me are relatively disposable entertainment. Without a list of what came out, it's actually kind of hard to remember what I've seen. The crap movie list probably won't fill out until next year, when IMDB does their end of the year page. But thanks to Rotten Tomatoes and NetFlix, the top should fill out well. Starting the year in review kind of early, but I think I got a good start. A fair amount of these are already on DVD.
So In order of preference:
Highly Recommended
Slumdog Millionaire - I think the vision and scope of this film, is perhaps the grandest of any movie I've seen this year. How a movie seems to accomplish so much, wow is all I can say. What can Danny Boyle not direct (besides a stalker movie)? *Added 1/1
Wall-E - Yeah I said it. Wall E before Dark Knight. Suck it. But seriously. Arguably more impressive than Keith Ledger's performance was the sheer amount of emotion this movie contained, and how that emotion was portrayed by animated mimes. There's no dialog from the principle characters, yet everyone in the theater teared up. This movie proves that less is more.
Batman, The Dark Knight - Underwhelming act 3, and average performance from Christian Bale do bring the movie down from what I would call one of the top breakout acting performances of my lifetime. Kieth was known before this movie, but after this movie, but watching him perform here is like watching a pitcher throw a perfect game at the World Series.
Mongol - This year had few epic sword and sandal movies. But this one ranks up there with the best of them. It's movies like this one that gives me a reason to keep tabs on what's playing in the Limited release market. Best Cinematography of the year. I really want the sequels to get made.
Che, Part 1 - Benico Del Toro's best role. There are some major acting performances I haven't seen, but I can tell you this one deserves an acting nomination. *Added 1/1
Bigger Stronger Faster* - This documentary deserves kudos alone for challenging conventional wisdom. Add to it its slightly whimsical nature, and well researched and advocated position, it takes the approach of a Michael Moore and Morgon Spurlock film, and ranks among the best of its class.
Tropic Thunder - What can Robert Downing Jr. not do? Funniest movie of the year. Also best ensemble cast performance of the year.
Iron Man
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
The Bank Job
Milk
W.
Kung Fu Panda
Hellboy II - The Golden Army
Recommended
Elite Squad *Added 12/1
Traitor
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Religulous
Gran Torino *Added 1/1
The Promotion
Step Brothers
Transporter 3 *Added 1/1
Red Cliff *(Note that this is the Asian cut [1 part of a 2 parter], not the 2.5hr single film version)
Watchable
Kabluey
Chicago 10
Sukiyaki Western Django
In Bruges *Added 11/17
Burn After Reading
Hancock
Choke *Added 1/1
Balls Out *Added 1/1
Cass *Added 1/1
Not Recommended
The Incredible Hulk
Cloverfield
So In order of preference:
Highly Recommended
Slumdog Millionaire - I think the vision and scope of this film, is perhaps the grandest of any movie I've seen this year. How a movie seems to accomplish so much, wow is all I can say. What can Danny Boyle not direct (besides a stalker movie)? *Added 1/1
Wall-E - Yeah I said it. Wall E before Dark Knight. Suck it. But seriously. Arguably more impressive than Keith Ledger's performance was the sheer amount of emotion this movie contained, and how that emotion was portrayed by animated mimes. There's no dialog from the principle characters, yet everyone in the theater teared up. This movie proves that less is more.
Batman, The Dark Knight - Underwhelming act 3, and average performance from Christian Bale do bring the movie down from what I would call one of the top breakout acting performances of my lifetime. Kieth was known before this movie, but after this movie, but watching him perform here is like watching a pitcher throw a perfect game at the World Series.
Mongol - This year had few epic sword and sandal movies. But this one ranks up there with the best of them. It's movies like this one that gives me a reason to keep tabs on what's playing in the Limited release market. Best Cinematography of the year. I really want the sequels to get made.
Che, Part 1 - Benico Del Toro's best role. There are some major acting performances I haven't seen, but I can tell you this one deserves an acting nomination. *Added 1/1
Bigger Stronger Faster* - This documentary deserves kudos alone for challenging conventional wisdom. Add to it its slightly whimsical nature, and well researched and advocated position, it takes the approach of a Michael Moore and Morgon Spurlock film, and ranks among the best of its class.
Tropic Thunder - What can Robert Downing Jr. not do? Funniest movie of the year. Also best ensemble cast performance of the year.
Iron Man
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
The Bank Job
Milk
W.
Kung Fu Panda
Hellboy II - The Golden Army
Recommended
Elite Squad *Added 12/1
Traitor
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Religulous
Gran Torino *Added 1/1
The Promotion
Step Brothers
Transporter 3 *Added 1/1
Red Cliff *(Note that this is the Asian cut [1 part of a 2 parter], not the 2.5hr single film version)
Watchable
Kabluey
Chicago 10
Sukiyaki Western Django
In Bruges *Added 11/17
Burn After Reading
Hancock
Choke *Added 1/1
Balls Out *Added 1/1
Cass *Added 1/1
Not Recommended
The Incredible Hulk
Cloverfield
November 7, 2008
November 6, 2008
November 5, 2008
Palin during the campaign
In the aftermath of yesterday's historic election, rumors are flying out of the McCain camp.
Palin thought South Africa was a part of a country, not a country in and of itself. She didn't know what countries were in NAFTA?
Palin thought South Africa was a part of a country, not a country in and of itself. She didn't know what countries were in NAFTA?
November 3, 2008
In Search of a Midnight Kiss & Traitor
Saw 2 movies over the weekend. In Search of a Midnight Kiss was an indie romantic comedy, and actually surprisingly good. Quirky, slightly cliche, but I have to admit I loved the performances, and the ending wasn't typical. I have to admit I loved how the film skipped through parts of LA, where the city set an interesting backdrop to a lot of dialog. It's a movie that felt like it was mostly filmed on location, but the location wasn't closed down. Life just went on around the characters as it normally would, and that added something to the realism the movie wanted to imply. Love is sometimes messy, and doesn't end well, but it's the journey as much as the destination.
The other movie was Traitor, starring the man who would replace Terrance Howard in Iron Man. One of the better War on Terror movies, since the movie has come and left, I will spoil some of the movie. Personally, I think I would have preferred it if Don Cheadle was simply a terrorist vs an agent. The movie lost a fair amount of the energy when it became clear that he was deep cover. Personally I hope someone looks at this movie, and decides to make a evil Bond movie. And I don't mean Bond going rogue for personal reasons, but Bond working for the bad guys, and maybe even winning for the bad guys. Kind of like No Country for Old Men. Don was great in the movie, and honestly I like Guy Pierce's performance too, but towards the end it became kind of conventional, and a non-major movie like this has to be non-conventional.
The other movie was Traitor, starring the man who would replace Terrance Howard in Iron Man. One of the better War on Terror movies, since the movie has come and left, I will spoil some of the movie. Personally, I think I would have preferred it if Don Cheadle was simply a terrorist vs an agent. The movie lost a fair amount of the energy when it became clear that he was deep cover. Personally I hope someone looks at this movie, and decides to make a evil Bond movie. And I don't mean Bond going rogue for personal reasons, but Bond working for the bad guys, and maybe even winning for the bad guys. Kind of like No Country for Old Men. Don was great in the movie, and honestly I like Guy Pierce's performance too, but towards the end it became kind of conventional, and a non-major movie like this has to be non-conventional.
Local Election Info
There's a surprising amount of information around the web concerning the local Mayor's race. If interested, a decent first place to look is here.
If you can cut through the noise/humor, you'll also find lots of good info at some of the other links below.
First Debate Live Blog
Second Debate Live Blog
Third Debate Live Blog
If you can cut through the noise/humor, you'll also find lots of good info at some of the other links below.
First Debate Live Blog
Second Debate Live Blog
Third Debate Live Blog
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