It's the little things: in this time between Holidays there are very few people commuting to work. Thus, I am driving and making my normal 3 hour round-trip in about 1.75hrs.
---
I've been ogling infographics lately. Academically, I am interested in them because they compress complex information into simple and often beautiful packages. I revel in the appealing mixture of science and art to create these almost poetic creations. It also appeals to my belief that through careful choice and construction, the most complex things can be transferred with the most simplicity (see: haiku).
They're also pretty.
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The New York times has some truly fantastic infographics:
Movie box office performance
Spread of nuclear weapons
Consumer spending
A year in Iraq
Human disease
Especially notable is how frightening information can be displayed so beautifully.
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Furthermore: The New York Times data illustration lab. Using a the NYTimes library of Datasets, you can construct not only neat looking but interactive flash representations.
Sadly, the tools are limited to the (scant) data sets provided by the Times. Also, the amount of customization for each representation is greatly limited. It's still fun, though. Worth at least a few short moments of your time.
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This isn't really an infographic, but it is still very neat. The New York times breaks down the new NASA launch architecture one element at a time. Brought to you in tastefully mute-tone flash.
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Unrelated: Now you too can join me in the land of iPhone bliss!
Keep in mind that these are 3g phones, not like my little 2g that slides quietly passed the nastier AT&T restrictions. Still, a good deal.
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
All Cleaned Up
Shaved, showered, and ready to face tomorrow. After defeating airports, plane delays, and many other sundry antagonists I have arrived home and prepared myself for work tomorrow.
I had a great time over my little vacation. It was a joy to see everyone again, and my only regret is that I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked in any one place.
Christmas behind, New Years ahead.
I had a great time over my little vacation. It was a joy to see everyone again, and my only regret is that I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked in any one place.
Christmas behind, New Years ahead.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Trapped In The Airpot (Updated)
I am trapped in the Indianapolis airport. Normally, I wouldn't mind since delays are just part of flying these days. This particular airport even has free wireless, which is very nice -- luxurious, even. However, I don't have a seat assignment yet. This makes me incredibly nervous.
Worst case scenario is that I sleep in the airport and miss a day of work. I'd rather not, but what can you do?
---
Yesterday, I saw The Spirit. As all the reviews will tell you, it is not a "good movie." At least not in the same sense that Casablanca is a "good movie." However, it is a very fun movie to watch. It is, simply put, the comedy event of the century. Not because it is so bad (although that might be part of it), but because you will never see a movie that goes as over-the-top as this one does. It makes Buckaroo Banzai look like A Room With A View. Tank Girl becomes a predictable, but enjoyable, romantic comedy when compared with The Spirit.
A lot of what makes the movie great is how surprising it is, so I don't want to go to into detail. But I will say that if you want a movie that is straightforward in intent, DO NOT see this movie. If you, like me, enjoy the absurd and don't mind laughing while wondering "ARE THEY SERIOUS?!" then this movie is for you.
I pulled a line from an article on The Spirit taken from a comic book blog. Personally, I don't think it's worth comparing the two. Miller's movie captures the (no pun intended) spirit of Eisner's creation with its use of comic book style violence and emotions (read: ridiculous, over-the-top). All the characters stand, move, and speak like they came right off the page. This is problematic for two reasons. First, because all this hokeyness is a little jarring when compared to Miller's trademark style of film. Second, because if you don't realize that it's supposed to be silly, then it won't be any fun at all.
Anyway, this line sums up the major problem with the movie: Miller never seems to decide how cartoony the movie is supposed to be.
If it was clear from the get-go that this was going to be like Dick Tracy, then I think the critics would have been a little kinder.
---
UPDATE: I have a seat, but the plane is still delayed. Progress!
Worst case scenario is that I sleep in the airport and miss a day of work. I'd rather not, but what can you do?
---
Yesterday, I saw The Spirit. As all the reviews will tell you, it is not a "good movie." At least not in the same sense that Casablanca is a "good movie." However, it is a very fun movie to watch. It is, simply put, the comedy event of the century. Not because it is so bad (although that might be part of it), but because you will never see a movie that goes as over-the-top as this one does. It makes Buckaroo Banzai look like A Room With A View. Tank Girl becomes a predictable, but enjoyable, romantic comedy when compared with The Spirit.
A lot of what makes the movie great is how surprising it is, so I don't want to go to into detail. But I will say that if you want a movie that is straightforward in intent, DO NOT see this movie. If you, like me, enjoy the absurd and don't mind laughing while wondering "ARE THEY SERIOUS?!" then this movie is for you.
I pulled a line from an article on The Spirit taken from a comic book blog. Personally, I don't think it's worth comparing the two. Miller's movie captures the (no pun intended) spirit of Eisner's creation with its use of comic book style violence and emotions (read: ridiculous, over-the-top). All the characters stand, move, and speak like they came right off the page. This is problematic for two reasons. First, because all this hokeyness is a little jarring when compared to Miller's trademark style of film. Second, because if you don't realize that it's supposed to be silly, then it won't be any fun at all.
Anyway, this line sums up the major problem with the movie: Miller never seems to decide how cartoony the movie is supposed to be.
If it was clear from the get-go that this was going to be like Dick Tracy, then I think the critics would have been a little kinder.
---
UPDATE: I have a seat, but the plane is still delayed. Progress!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Good Morning
It's time for the official song of the auto bailout.
Don't forget!
New phone number!
Don't forget!
New phone number!
SAME AREA CODE AS BEFORE
SAME FIRST THREE DIGITS
THEN
9157
Monday, December 22, 2008
ATTN: iPhone
Original title was going to be iPHONE or IPHONE, but the problem with apple's lowercase-i-based nomenclature is that it is impossible to put in all caps.
The point is, friends, that I have an iPhone.
Because I changed carriers, I had to get a new number. Thankfully it's easy to remember.
I look forward to your calls!
The point is, friends, that I have an iPhone.
Because I changed carriers, I had to get a new number. Thankfully it's easy to remember.
SAME AREA CODE AS BEFORE
SAME FIRST THREE DIGITS
THEN
9517
I look forward to your calls!
End of the Marathon
On the thirteenth of December, I began a magical journey.
It was that day that I began my non-stop all-out work-every-day effort on the Weapon's System Handbook. Well, part of that is a lie. Admittedly, my primary motivator when I hauled myself out of bed everyday was to earn enough extra hours in one pay period to take a big swatch of time off around Christmas. Because I travel home (from VA to MI) for the Holidays, I had to decide early on how many days I would take off. Meaning that I had to come up with twenty-four additional hours this week, or pay exorbitant cancelation fees from the airlines.
My original plan had me working nine hours a day for eight days. The obvious problem here is that I wouldn't get home until very late every day. The less obvious but more pressing problem was that I tend to either run out of work or run out of energy before nine hours. In the end, I came up about two days short and had to burn through my comp. leave time.
Yesterday, the big decision was whether or not to go into work and make up the -.15hr I now have. I decided against it.
---
That's not very interesting, but do you know what is interesting?
CHRISTMAS.
As mentioned earlier, my plans are to trek up to Michigan followed by the annual Indiana Pilgrimage. However, Christmas has found a home at 1801 DeWitt. About two weeks ago, Claire and I bought a very small Christmas Tree while coming back from the Cathedral. It's about 3.5-4ft tall, and is one of the famous Frasier Fir trees.
Most people may not remember this, but in the mid- to late-90's a survey was released which placed the then-unkown Frasier Fir as KING OF CHRISTMAS TREES. And I can see why. The needles are fat, blunt, and resiliant. Its perfection of shape and structure is such that it sometimes looks more like a fake tree. As far as needle-retention goes it is peerless. I clipped several branches and used them to fashion a festive spray for the front door. These branches have had no water for over two weeks and despite being very dry are still supple and have all their needles.
I was also able to score some LED Christmas lights for the first time ever -- they are awesome, and also ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY. Or they at least lead you to believe that they are, and that's all that is really important anyway.
But it's what's under the tree that counts, and this year that has included some excellent woolen winter gear and delightful Christmas ornaments from Claire (in addition to a delicious meal) but also gifts for the faithful hound Tenzing.
Click to see the exciting battle between Tenzing and a tasty bone wrapped in paper towel. I figure that everyone deserves to unwrap something.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
It was that day that I began my non-stop all-out work-every-day effort on the Weapon's System Handbook. Well, part of that is a lie. Admittedly, my primary motivator when I hauled myself out of bed everyday was to earn enough extra hours in one pay period to take a big swatch of time off around Christmas. Because I travel home (from VA to MI) for the Holidays, I had to decide early on how many days I would take off. Meaning that I had to come up with twenty-four additional hours this week, or pay exorbitant cancelation fees from the airlines.
My original plan had me working nine hours a day for eight days. The obvious problem here is that I wouldn't get home until very late every day. The less obvious but more pressing problem was that I tend to either run out of work or run out of energy before nine hours. In the end, I came up about two days short and had to burn through my comp. leave time.
Yesterday, the big decision was whether or not to go into work and make up the -.15hr I now have. I decided against it.
---
That's not very interesting, but do you know what is interesting?
CHRISTMAS.
As mentioned earlier, my plans are to trek up to Michigan followed by the annual Indiana Pilgrimage. However, Christmas has found a home at 1801 DeWitt. About two weeks ago, Claire and I bought a very small Christmas Tree while coming back from the Cathedral. It's about 3.5-4ft tall, and is one of the famous Frasier Fir trees.
Most people may not remember this, but in the mid- to late-90's a survey was released which placed the then-unkown Frasier Fir as KING OF CHRISTMAS TREES. And I can see why. The needles are fat, blunt, and resiliant. Its perfection of shape and structure is such that it sometimes looks more like a fake tree. As far as needle-retention goes it is peerless. I clipped several branches and used them to fashion a festive spray for the front door. These branches have had no water for over two weeks and despite being very dry are still supple and have all their needles.
I was also able to score some LED Christmas lights for the first time ever -- they are awesome, and also ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY. Or they at least lead you to believe that they are, and that's all that is really important anyway.
But it's what's under the tree that counts, and this year that has included some excellent woolen winter gear and delightful Christmas ornaments from Claire (in addition to a delicious meal) but also gifts for the faithful hound Tenzing.
 |
| From Tenzing |
Click to see the exciting battle between Tenzing and a tasty bone wrapped in paper towel. I figure that everyone deserves to unwrap something.
 |
| From Virginia Apartment: Awesome |
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Monday, December 08, 2008
It's Still the Seventh
I break the story of the century.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
---
Sorry, ABC. But I am not interested in seeing a Fables TV show at all. I am tired of having my heart broken.
(And you had better ALL be reading Fables. C'mon, people!)
---
The development of the touch-tone phone keypad. Neat!
---
Awesome archaeological dig in the Sahara. The Big Picture is the best photoblog.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
---
Sorry, ABC. But I am not interested in seeing a Fables TV show at all. I am tired of having my heart broken.
(And you had better ALL be reading Fables. C'mon, people!)
---
The development of the touch-tone phone keypad. Neat!
---
Awesome archaeological dig in the Sahara. The Big Picture is the best photoblog.
Friday, December 05, 2008
It's Six AM
Do you know where your children are?
---
Yes, actually. I do want this guy's job.
---
A few weeks ago I caught up with Garg-alum and all around cool guy Matt Thompson at a performance of his band Mason Proper. Keith (Garg-alum and all around cool guy) snapped a few commemorative frames.
Incidentally, Mason Proper has a new album out and it is great. Highly recommend it.
(Fun fact: the last two pictures are BACK STAGE with Mason Proper! Lead Guitarist Brian explains to me that they were told to pick one beer, and the club provided 40-some bottles of it. They choose Red Stripe.)
---
Further plug: buy the new Mason Proper album via InSound or iTunes.
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Floating cranes are cool. Floating cranes picking up submarines is even cooler. Scroll about halfway down.
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Yes, actually. I do want this guy's job.
---
A few weeks ago I caught up with Garg-alum and all around cool guy Matt Thompson at a performance of his band Mason Proper. Keith (Garg-alum and all around cool guy) snapped a few commemorative frames.
Incidentally, Mason Proper has a new album out and it is great. Highly recommend it.
(Fun fact: the last two pictures are BACK STAGE with Mason Proper! Lead Guitarist Brian explains to me that they were told to pick one beer, and the club provided 40-some bottles of it. They choose Red Stripe.)
---
Further plug: buy the new Mason Proper album via InSound or iTunes.
---
Floating cranes are cool. Floating cranes picking up submarines is even cooler. Scroll about halfway down.
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