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October 31, 2006

Poster Girl

This video comes from Ron who asks, "How come the Australians get Beccy Cole and we get stuck with the Ditzy Chix?"

Our thanks to Australia and the diggers for being good allies, and to Beccy Cole for this great song.

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October 31, 2006

Evolution

Every day we're bombarded by hundreds - if not thousands - of airbrushed images of "beauty". These images have the power to affect how we see our bodies and ourselves. Dove and its Campaign for Real Beauty encourage young girls and women to embrace a more positive body image.

Whether you believe comparative body image and resulting low self esteem are the epidemic that Dove portrays, you probably recognize that the images we are subjected to in advertising, movies and related media have an affect on young people, not only in the clothes they wear but in their perceptions of body image. Dove seeks to reverse, or at least subdue, that trend.

This video ad and linked web site make the point. Give it a watch.

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October 31, 2006

Boo

Pretty scary, all right.

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October 31, 2006

"Hey, Sparky, it ain't no picnic for cats, either!"

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October 30, 2006

Why Dogs Hate Halloween

A series of eight images explaining in no uncertain terms why dogs detest this annual humiliation...

Click here or on the image to view the entire set. Have you embarrassed your dog this way? Send me your photos.

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October 27, 2008

3-D Pumpkin Carving Tutorial

Have you ever wanted to carve one of those really neat "3-D' pumpkins? Well, Ray Villafane has put together a tutorial that shows you exactly how it's done and what tools you'll need. Up for a challenge? Feel your creative juices surging? Give it a try!

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October 26, 2006

Giant Mechanical Robot Halloween Costume

Looking for a great costume for this year's big Halloween party? Something original? Something that's sure to win you first place in the costume contest? Well look no more 'cause Kevin Kelm has just the ticket for you, complete with detailed plans and instructions on how to build it here!

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October 25, 2006

Pumpkin Simulator

Ready to carve this year's great pumpkin? It's been a while, so you might want to practice on this pumpkin carving simulator. Just click on the image and carve away...

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October 24, 2006

The Rupert Duncan Band at Dillian's

Dawn and some girlfriends had a sleepover Saturday night, so the guys drove to Lincoln to see The Rupert Duncan Band play at Dillian's Bar & Grill. Lead guitar Larry Gromer had invited us and asked me to bring the camera, so...

More photos here.

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October 23, 2006

Green Anemone

Several of you have asked to see more photography including underwater work. As I've said before, most of my underwater images are on 35mm slides that have yet to be scanned. However, here's one of a tentacled green anemone taken in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary in 1996. Anemones and other sea life thrive in the rich broth of sanctuary waters, a blend of warm southern and cold northern currents.

Anemones are soft-bodied marine animals -- polyps -- that resemble flowers but have oral rings of stinging tentacles at the top of a fleshy stalk. Most live in tide pools or tropical coral reefs and range in size from a few inches to three feet across. They often develop symbiotic relationships with other sea creatures, most notably the clownfish who lives within the protective tentacles of the anemone, immune to its poison, and feeds on the crumbs of its host's meals. They come in a wide variety of colors and are always beautiful to observe.

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October 23, 2006

ASCII-O-Matic

This is kind of fun. Upload an image (faces work best) and the application on this site converts it to ASCII letters or squares. Here's one of Dawn...

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October 20, 2006

Cigars are like soup

"Like fine wine, cigars get better with age," says Michael, our local cigar aficionado. While some people simply toss their smokes in a humidor for a few days, others like to store them for years. Doing so, says Michael, brings out all the complex flavors contained within the cigar. 
 
The thicker the cigar, the more leaves are used to create it. Each leaf brings its own flavor and, over time, they mellow and mix with one another. Thinner cigars have fewer leaves, so the aging process won't be as "complex".
 
"It's like soup," Michael analogizes. "If you open a can of chicken broth and immediately serve it, the taste will be okay but not special. But if you add some vegetables, spices, noodles and let it simmer a while, then you have yourself a hearty soup that people will surely remember."

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October 20, 2006

Lunch Slots

"Where d'ya wanna go for lunch?"

"I dunno, where do you wanna go?"

So you're hungry and you have a group of people and you just can't figure out which restaurant to go to. No problem. Use this site to narrow your choices. Lunch Slots will randomly choose from both local restaurants and global chains like Olive Garden and Chili's and present you with three choices on a place to eat.

It's worth a try. Don't like any of the three offerings? Then "spin the wheels" for more within your selected zip code. Admittedly, you'll need to like fast food since a great many of the offerings fall within that category and you'll have to step around a few spelling errors on the site. But when all else fails you and you can't decide -- let's face it, picking a new restaurant is sometimes a gamble -- this might help make your decision an easy one.

Lunch Slots also lets you can invite your friends or tell them where to meet you to share in the lunch surprise.

Give it a try and. It could be fun!

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October 19, 2006

Beach Romp Regatta

This past weekend, nephews Sean and Patrick (brother Larry's boys) competed in the "Beach Romp Regatta," an annual event sponsored by the Edison Sailing Center in Fort Myers and one of the most eagerly anticipated regattas of the year due in large part to the venue - it's sailed in the Gulf of Mexico, and boats are launched right off Fort Myers Beach.

The regatta included Opti-Green, Opti-RWB, Laser, 420, and Sunfish boats sailing on three separate courses. Weather was as good as anyone could have asked for - temps in the mid-80's, and winds at about 15 kn on Saturday and about 20 kn on Sunday - near perfect conditions for a regatta.
 
This event was Sean's first Opti-Green Fleet regatta and he finished in 40th place out of 71 boats.  The left photo shows Sean in one of Saturday's races. Patrick sailed in the Opti-RWB Fleet, and finished 9th place in Red Fleet and 13th place Overall (out of 87 boats.) Medals went 10 deep, so he brought home some more iron.

Swim Miami

Last month, nephew Seán (brother Larry's youngest boy) swam in "Swim Miami," an open water competition for all ages and abilities. It's been named the official site of the Florida Gold Coast Open Water Jr. Olympics. There were about 245 swimmers including a few from as far away as Holland and California.

Seán (right photo) swam in the 800 meter sprint, and took 3rd in the "10-and-under" category - not bad for an 8 year old in his first open water competition. Gary Hall (US Olympic swimmer who has won 10 medals in Olympic competition) also swam in the same event - he won.

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October 19, 2006

Analysts Say Apple iPhone Is Coming

One of the oldest Apple rumors is being given a big boost this week, as both analysts and some "Far East" trademark filings add weight to the possibility of an iPhone cell phone from Apple Computer.

International Business Times reported late on Monday that a Prudential Equities analyst said that Apple would be unveiling two different iPhone models in early 2007, while AppleInsider reported that Apple had filed for a trademark on the term "iPhone" in September.

IBT reported that Jesse Tortora of Prudential Equities told clients that Apple will be unveiling two iPhone models, perhaps at January's Macworld Expo trade show. "We have learned that one model will be a smart phone" he said, "including integrated keyboard, video and music capability, while the other model will be a slimmer phone with music capability. At least one of the models will include WiFi."... Story

We'll see.

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October 19, 2006

A touchscreen iPod in December to Slam-Dunk Zune?

According to Gizmodo, an "extremely well-informed exec" says that the 6G iPod will be released in December and it will be capable of 480p resolution. The source confirmed that it will be a touchscreen model with virtual click wheel control, but made no mention of whether wireless connectivity would be part of the package. Added the source, "This is why Jobs isn't afraid of the Zune."

Apple patent documentation seems to confirm that an iPod touchscreen is on the drawing board, and there have been countless rumors about an upcoming device. One thing's for sure, if a widescreen iPod is released in the next two months, the Microsoft Zune, with its old-fashioned 4x3 screen and crippled WiFi, will be slam-dunked.

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October 18, 2006

Glasswing Butterfly

Dave R. sent these beautiful images of the glasswing butterfly (Greta oto). I've taken the liberty of adding some information about them.

"A butterfly with transparent wings is rare and beautiful, as delicate as finely blown glass. Rivaling the refined beauty of a stained glass window, the translucent wings of the glasswing butterfly shimmer in the sunlight like polished panes of turquoise, orange, green, and red."

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October 18, 2006

CNN Report: ATM Scam

A creative crook somehow got his hands on a secret code that fooled an ATM into dispensing free money. The override code made the machine think it was filled with five dollar bills when it was actually full of twenties. The guy used an untraceable pre-paid debit card and for every $250 he withdrew, he was actually getting $1000. CNN reported in this video clip:

Here's an interesting part of the story, at least from a human nature standpoint: The ATM dispensed four times the amount people requested for more than a week before one honest citizen admitted she'd received more money than she'd asked for. So here's the question of the day: What would you do if confronted with the same situation? Would you:

Send your answers here.

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October 17, 2006

The de Young Museum

Dawn and I drove to San Francisco's de Young Museum Saturday to see an exhibition of quilts from Gee's Bend, Alabama. The exhibit is touring the country and will be at the de Young until December. The story of the quilts is an interesting part of our history and we'd looked forward to seeing the exhibit for months. As it turned out, our visit coincided with the museum's first anniversary (since it's reopening) birthday party, an all day - all night weekend event that included a giant birthday cake, live entertainment and even Mayor Gavin Newsom sporting his new Hollywood haircut.

We had such a wonderful time! The museum is clad in copper sheeting which, as it ages, will take on a green patina. The exhibits are all first rate, too. We had some other errands and weren't able to spend sufficient time to see all the exhibits, but the ones we did see were great. We've vowed to return!

I'd read that no photography was allowed in the Gee's Bend exhibit and so we carried only our little 4 mp Canon Digital Elph pocket camera, a good thing because, while photography wasn't permitted in some exhibits, non-flash photos could be taken in some of the others. We especially enjoyed the museum's exhibit of antiquities from Polynesia and related areas. Having traveled to several of the regions, I've developed a fondness for primitive examples of deities, ceremonial masks, weapons, utensils and the like. The photos were all taken "hand held," some with the aid of a 6-inch flexible tripod perched precariously on the glass cases of some of the exhibits. Amazingly, most turned out okay! I'd love to return with my SLR and tripod.

I've posted an album of images taken at the museum; you can access it by clicking here or on the image below. Enjoy.

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October 17, 2006

Yes, Hal, so I've been told. Seems some of my band of regular readers prefer my usual razor sharp wit to my periodic venting and sometimes acerbic rants (although these occasionally are misdiagnosed satire.) I'll admit I sometimes get carried away. But, in my own defense, I am, after all, entitled; I'm old and getting older. Still, I listen and I'm responsive. So here's the deal: I'll try to remain my usual jovial self and let my writing so reflect that side of me. Knowing myself, though, I'm sure I'll occasionally need to vent. Or rant. So I will. Just ignore those posts.

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October 13, 2006

Arnold called again while we were out

We received yet another call from our Governator last night and once again he had to leave a recorded message. Seems he wants to make sure we know how important our votes are and how he and Maria have appreciated our support. Too bad we were out because I had some burning questions I'd have asked him. But no worry; I'm sure he'll call again, as will all the other candidates hoping to keep, or win, their political seats in state and local government. What a feeding frenzy!

Dawn and I had dinner last night at the Esquire Grill and then saw Jerry Seinfeld at the Community Center Theater. The food and service were good but we were reminded why we don't often dine there -- it's almost unbearably noisy. We'd reserved table seven, one of their "quietest" tables, so we were able to communicate with only minimal shouting and hand gestures. Geez, you'd think they'd have improved the acoustics somewhere along the line. Then again, maybe it's a deliberate strategy: Be perceived as a "happenin' place" where insiders can see and be seen if not heard. In any event, it couldn't have been more convenient to the Community Center practically next door.

Seinfeld was, as expected, great. He's 52 now, married and a dad. Hard to believe for those of us who thought he might have been leaning the other way. We had great center seats with no super tall guys or women with big hair in front of us and, for once, no huge person in the seat next to Dawn sharing her space. There was an opening act -- I've forgotten his name but he was pretty funny -- and then Jerry did what he does best for about an hour. We laughed until our faces hurt!

I should mention that we got off to a late start. Why? Well, because we're in Sacramento. The 7 o'clock show didn't begin until around 7:20 because a third of the audience was still sauntering in, most carrying their cocktails and water bottles despite prominent signage advising that food and drink were prohibited in the theater. And once the lights dimmed, the opening act consumed fifteen minutes. So Jerry entertained until about 8:45 so the theater could clear for the added 9:30 performance. All in all, though, it was a great show and we'd gladly see his act again.

One thing that always amazes me in Sacramento is why so many people ignore the admonishment about taking photos during the performance. It was printed prominently on the tickets and elsewhere, yet persistent flashes made it seem like a light show. And why do folks seated in the balcony leave their flashes turned on, anyway? A compact camera's strobe is good for maybe ten feet, good enough to light up the bald head directly in front of you, but completely incapable of reaching the stage. If you insist on ignoring the "no cameras or recording devices" rule, at least have the courtesy to disable your camera strobe.

And the same goes for cell phones. Those little one or two megapixel phone cameras, the one's with little flashes, won't reach the stage either, and the photo will be barely viewable anyway. To add insult to injury, the phones playing those rediculous "tunes" for incoming calls are rude, annoying and obnoxious. Were you raised in a cave by wolves?

Which leads me back to our current political frenzy. Mailboxes stuffed with postage-subsidized mailings from candidates I've never even heard of (Charlie Brown? Why, he's a lifelong member of the ACLU!), red, white and blue campaign signs decorating every corner -- I'll be glad when it's all over. I ran across a Sacramento Bee photo of Representative Tim Leslie (R - Tahoe City) taken during a session before taking up Governor Schwarzenegger's multi-billion dollar bond measure. Now, Tim's a pretty good guy and he'd never make an obscene gesture, at least on camera. But his chicken would. My sentiments exactly.

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October 13, 2006

Amazing what you can do with a single sheet of paper

Both Barbara and Larry A. sent this collection of origami-like cutouts, each apparently made from a single sheet of paper. Rather than reproduce the images on my server, I've linked to the site where I first saw them. All are good, some are absolutely amazing! Check them out.

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October 12, 2006

Workplace Nudity

A city prosecutor is in trouble for getting caught on security cameras walking around the office nude. Nude? Why would someone think that was a good idea?

Authorities: Naked prosecutor caught on camera

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A city prosecutor was charged with indecency after a security camera caught him walking around naked in a government building after business hours. ...

OK, that’s funny enough, but it gets better...

... Blauvelt’s lawyer, Michael Gmoser, said in a statement Tuesday that his client was seriously injured in a 2005 car accident, suffers from mental illness and is on medication for seizures. “Scott Blauvelt is an American with a disability,” he said.

Exactly what disability is it that makes you take off your clothes and run naked around the office? And where's his defense lawyer been? The better defense would be the tried and true "He should be forgiven 'cause he's entered rehab..."

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October 12, 2006

Foley and the “It’s Not My Fault Syndrome"

Obviously, the situation with former Representative Mark Foley is very unfortunate for the victims and there's already been too much hand-wringing and political posturing about the case so I'll refrain from adding to the drivel. However, the most interesting aspect of the Foley revelation has been a re-emergence of the “It’s Not My Fault Syndrome."

You'll recall that the day the case was announced to the press, Foley’s handlers responded that Foley was checking into a rehab clinic, setting the stage for “it’s not my fault 'cause I’m an alcoholic.“  The following day the message “it’s not my fault 'cause I was molested“ was added, a classic two-fisted response.

We most recently witnessed the effective deployment of the “it’s not my fault syndrome” strategy with Representative Patrick Kennedy, charged with driving erratically. Yet we “forgave" him because his handlers had him check into a rehab clinic.  I’m not sure where all of this is leading, but it certainly seems to be validating an unfortunate precedent: None of us are responsible for our actions.

I'm reminded of several instances in recent years where offenders have plead innocence based on the innovative theory that they weren't responsible for their acts, sometimes heinous, because they were under the influence of something (drugs, booze, meds, even Twinkies and fast food or, more recently, because they were molested) and that a stint in some form of rehab or counseling would set them straight and serve the common good. Frankly, I think it’s time to come out and call it like it is: Foley is a -- let's be "pc" and call it an "alleged" -- homosexual pedophile and he should be treated as a criminal as dictated by our laws. Am I right?

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October 12, 2006

Still in the news

Arnold sent this to illustrate the results to date following the Pope's apology...

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October 12, 2006

Obscene salaries do not a baseball team make

You probably read recently (I doubt you watched the game) that the New York Yankees went down to defeat in the first round of the American League playoffs. Owner George Steinbrenner noted in interviews that he’s disappointed in his team’s performance. I suppose I would be too if my annual team payroll was nearly $200 million compared to the team to which I lost with a payroll of less than $80 million. Following traditional logic, I'd expect manager Joe Torre to be replaced and all players to receive a raise to encourage them to play better...

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October 11, 2006

In God We Trust

Mike sent this terrific patriotic video. Click on the image to view...

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October 11, 2006

Google Docs & Spreadsheets

It may seem like I've become an evangelist for Google -- maybe, on some levels, I have -- but they seem to be major tech news almost daily and it appears, at least to me, that they're doing some pretty cool stuff. Can you imagine handling all your bread & butter office chores via your internet connection instead of software nested on your hard drive? That's clearly what Google is hoping for with Google Docs & Spreadsheets and the idea certainly has legs.

Of course, it will take some time -- okay, a long time -- for folks to break their Microsoft habit, and some will keep that monkey on their backs forever, especially those who actually need the myriad bells and whistles. But the concept of internet-based applications  with collaboration capabilities seems so logical, I'm surprised it's taken so long to reach fruition.

Major acceptance, however, is a moving target. But imagine this: No security patches, no upgrades, no lost data, peer collaboration and, did I mention... FREE? It's worth checking out and following. More here.

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October 11, 2006

History of Baseball in Sacramento

KVIE Produces First Original High-Definition Production

Based on the book The Golden Game by Kevin Nelson, “The Golden Game: Baseball in Sacramento” examines Sacramento’s long baseball history. The documentary looks at Sacramento’s first clubs and teams, including the Gilt Edge, Senators, Solons, and today’s River Cats.

Recount the day the first official ball game in Sacramento was played. Learn about the greatest players who came through Sacramento, including Stan Hack who played 16 seasons with the Chicago Cubs; Solon Joe Marty, the first Sacramentan to hit a home run in the World Series (and founder of the local tavern Joe Marty’s at 15th and Broadway); Tony Freitas possibly Sacramento’s greatest ball player ever; and Kenso Nushida who is thought to be the first professional baseball player of Asian descent.

Baseball fans, along with some former players, recount just what it is that makes the countries national pastime so special through biographies, life-lessons and tragedies, dramatic moments and classic confrontations. Individuals interviewed for this program, include historian Francis Pendleton; former “Sacramento Bee” reporter Stan Gilliam; author of The Golden Game Kevin Nelson; U.S. District Court Judge and historian William Shubb; 1956-60 Solons announcer Lou Coppola; historian Alan O’Connor; Tim Armstrong, Grandson of Tony Freitas; the Knot hole kids (who traded foul balls for Solons tickets) from Solons 1942 Championship Series; River Cats’ President Alan Ledford and manager Tony DeFrancesco; Cuno Baragan, Bud Watkins; and Wally Westlake.

The “heart and mind” of Sacramento can be found in its 150-years of baseball history, from the countless Little Leaguers with big league dreams, to those who lived the dream and made it to majors. In the 21st Century we take a look at the success of the Sacramento River Cats, and how they’ve brought in fans both new and old.

You can watch the production on KVIE Public Television tonight at 7pm and Wednesday, October 18 at 9:30 pm. The program is also available via Comcast On Demand.

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October 10, 2006

Google snaps up YouTube

SAN FRANCISCO -- Google Inc. is snapping up YouTube Inc. for $1.65 billion in a deal that catapults the Internet search leader to a starring role in the online video revolution.

The all-stock deal announced Monday unites one of the Internet's marquee companies with one of its rapidly rising stars. It came just hours after YouTube unveiled three agreements with media companies in an apparent bid to escape the threat of copyright-infringement lawsuits.

The price makes YouTube, a still-unprofitable startup, by far the most expensive purchase made by Google during its eight-year history.

Although some cynics have questioned YouTube's staying power, Google is betting that the popular Web site will provide it an increasingly lucrative marketing hub as more viewers and advertisers migrate from television to the Internet. ...

The Google guys were in their twenties when they started the search giant and the YouTube guys are in their twenties... Should be a good fit.

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October 10, 2006

Google Gadgets For Your Webpage

Website publishers looking for content to make their sites appear cooler and more interesting can now incorporate Google Gadgets for free. "Gadgets" are mini-applications, usually called applets, that can perform tasks or provide information simply by clicking on an icon. Apple popularized them (called "Widgets") a few years ago as part of its OSX operating system. But Apple, like Yahoo and, if they ever kick off Vista, Microsoft, and even Google until last week, has made them available only to the desktop or, in Google's case, customized Google pages of users. By making its gadgets freely available to other web publishers, Google has set itself apart.

Google calls its range of applets for other websites "Universal Gadgets" and offers a choice of 1220 of them, including applets for calendars, clocks, horoscopes, pacman style games, Google Maps, Google Calendar, jokes, quotes, weather reports, calculators and the list goes on. Google's strategy is to spread its brand throughout the web rather than make users come to the Google site.

According to some analysts, Google is intent on creating an environment where the web is a platform that replaces the desktop. The search company, like other web services providers, has already started working with commercial web publishers, such as real estate lookup sites that have integrated Google Maps into property searches.

Widgets, Gadgets, applets, whatsits, thingies or whatever you choose to call them, these little gems are handy and fun. And before you ask, no, I won't use them on this site until I switch software and web servers, but they're certainly in my sights.

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October 10, 2006

This is cool...

SWAN

The System for Wearable Audio Navigation:

ATLANTA (AP) -- Satellite-based navigation gadgets can guide motorists from high above, saving bumbling drivers countless hours and extra trips to the gas station. But directing people on a much smaller scale - such as inside an office - is a much greater challenge.

Locator equipment based on Global Positioning System satellites is accurate to about 10 feet - fine for drivers searching for the next right turn but not for pedestrians seeking a front door. And the range of GPS is limited indoors, and it can't on its own differentiate between a path and a wall.

Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are trying to pick up where GPS leaves off. Its System for Wearable Audio Navigation, or SWAN, consists of a wearable computer connected to a headband packed with sensors that help sight-impaired users know where they are and how to get where they're going.

Besides a pendant-sized wireless GPS tracker, there are light sensors and thermometers that help distinguish between indoors and outdoors. Cameras gauge how far away objects and obstacles are. A compass establishes direction. And an inertia detector tracks the roll, pitch and yaw of the user's head.

All the data are crunched by a computer in a backpack, which relays high-pitch sonar-like signals that direct users to their destinations. It also works with a database of maps and floor plans to help pinpoint each sidewalk, door, hall and stairwell...

via Scott

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October 9, 2006

Remote Flying with VR Goggles and a Camera

Here's a remarkable video shot from the cockpit of a radio-controlled airplane. The camera's video is transmitted to the flyer on the ground below, who's wearing VR goggles. When he moves his head, the remote camera's pans and tilts correspond exactly to his movements. The result is a extraordinary feeling of actually being in the plane.

Shouldn't all R/C airplanes be made this way?

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October 9, 2006

The CIA World Factbook

The CIA World Factbook has been updated as of October 6, 2006 and makes a worthy addition to your reference folder...

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October 9, 2006

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Due in May 2007

Beaming with pride from last year's acquisition of Macromedia and bursting at the seams with a whole crop of new products to sell you, Adobe plans to release version 3 of its Creative Suite in May of next year. Investor's Business Daily has the report, and it appears it's going to be a whole lot more than "Photoshop, Illustrator and some other stuff" this time around.

The IBD article talks about how the company is folding the Macromedia products into the Adobe family:

Adobe is now integrating into its own products the products it got from its December acquisition of Macromedia... For instance, Acrobat 8 contains Macromedia's Breeze software for Web conferencing. Creative Suite 3 also will contain former Macromedia products.

Two of those former Macromedia products that will most definitely show up in Creative Suite 3 are Dreamweaver, which will replace GoLive as Adobe's premiere web development app; and Flash Professional, which has long been the dominant platform for creating and presenting interactive rich media (a mix of vector graphics, video and sound) on the web. Space Cowboy Ian thinks that Adobe will roll animation features from After Effects into Flash. ...

via Wired

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October 6, 2006

White & Nerdy

"White & Nerdy" is the second single from "Weird Al" Yankovic's album Straight Outta Lynwood, which was released on September 26, 2006. It's a parody of the song "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone. The song is a lamentation by the subject over his inability to "roll with the gangstas" because he's "just too white and nerdy", and includes references to concepts normally associated with nerds, such as Star Trek, Wikipedia, Dungeons & Dragons, Internet slang, computer science, and mathematics. Upon its release, the song rose to #3 on The iTunes Top 100 Songs chart. Not surprisingly, the single was leaked onto the Internet on August 27, 2006, almost one month before the record's release date. What do you know; Weird Al can rap!

Want to add the MP3 to your iPod? Here ya go:

Feel the need to rap along? Here are the lyrics. Git down wit' yo' bad sef!

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October 6, 2006

Squirrels Go On Attack At South Bay Park

I saw this news article and quickly filed it as just another squirrel story. In this case, an aggressive squirrel attacked a 4-year-old boy in a Mountain View park as his mother was eating a muffin. Unfortunate, but it's not the first time it's happened and probably won't be the last as I've often said.

Before I go on, you should read the news article and be sure to view the video (link on right side of the news page, titled "Squirrel Attacks Child At Bay Area Park." Sorry, you can't fast-forward through the commercial.) If you have kids, or just like the little curtain climbers, I'm sure your heart goes out to the little boy and his mom. And I hope the city of Mountain View acts quickly to eradicate the problem. Now, on to the point of this post.

I read Denny Wilson's take on the story and realized I'd missed a significant parallel. Did you catch it? I've reproduced it below for your consideration. An interesting perspective, don't you think?

And so it begins. Can chipmunks be far behind?

Mountain View Community Services Director David Muela said that as many as six people have been bitten or scratched by squirrels since May, and that the attacks have become more ferocious in the last month. ...

It's a squirrel insurgency I tell you!

"I think it's our fault, because we made them aggressive," Carmen Perez of Palo Alto said. "Now it's dangerous and we have to do something." ...

That's right. We created this squirrel insurgency and I'm sure that somehow it is Bush's fault.

In response to attacks, the city of Mountain View has announced it plans to start trapping and killing the aggressive tree squirrels. ...

But won't that just create more squirrel insurgents?

"The squirrels will be back," South Bay wildlife rehabilitator Norma Campbell said. "For every one you take out, two more will come in. It could be a never-ending project that isn't going to accomplish anything." ...

Yep! It's a quagmire. We need an exit strategy to get out of this park in Mountain View, California. How many more children will be sacrificed?

Dead on satire. Thanks Denny.

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October 6, 2006

Nike AirMax360 Ad

Another artsy ad from Nike. They're just selling shoes, but I like the zen-like message...

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October 5, 2006

The Travelers " Snowball" Ad

This is another great example of advertising "art" by the Fallen Agency (remember the "Bouncing Balls" ad for Sony Bravia?). In this TV commercial for Travelers Insurance, a young man walks out of his house and starts down the hill on a city street in San Francisco. He trips onto his neighbors folding sidewalk sale table and then rolls into a garbage can. Instead of collapsing in a pile, the garbage cans start rolling with him, like an expanding snowball. The big pile of rubble soon claims a car door, three more pedestrians, a motorcycle and narrowly avoids swallowing a city bus. Then it does take an old Jeep Cherokee complete with driver and plows its way down a green field to an outdoor wedding, swallowing a bride and groom. It rolls past a cafe and through the financial district and finally comes to a slamming halt at the stock exchange. Everything in the snowball is disgorged intact including the perplexed Jeep Cherokee driver and the original young man who dusts himself off and walks away. Art, pure and simple. The CGI animation, courtesy of Weta Digital, (Peter Jackson’s special effects company responsible for The Lord of the Rings and King Kong) makes the entire crazy premise look absolutely realistic and convincing.

I love the current series of Travelers ads, but I'd worry whether they'll produce the level of brand association that Travelers is seeking. For example, the Travelers logo isn't displayed until the very end. I suspect a lot of viewers will enjoy the commercials but forget who they advertise. Part of the struggle for insurers like the Travelers is to build a brand that means something to the consumer. AFLAC has done a nice job of differentiating themselves as a supplemental insurance carrier with an annoying duck, as GEICO has with a slightly less-annoying Gecko. Travelers' challenge is to first stand out and secondly find a unique, ownable niche.

Their earlier spots which featured a boxer training hard for a title bout only to be knocked out by the announcer’s mike and a man trying to fly from a bridge with wings who discovers too late that he can’t swim were funny and memorable. Each spot is weak on branding (Travelers shows up only at the end) but the net effect of this campaign has been to slowly associate Travelers with this particular sense of humor and "anything can go wrong" worldview. Perhaps the strategy will work, perhaps it won't, but the current campaign is certainly treating us to some very entertaining ads.

Click on the image to view the larger (60 sec 60MB) version (you'll need broadband,) or here to view a smaller (60 sec 11MB) version. Quicktime 7.0 or later required for viewing; click here for free download.

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October 4, 2006

Frank sent an abbreviated email version of this true news story. Here's Snopes' version...

Vented frustration

A dispute between neighbors in the southwest Salt Lake Valley community of Riverton over an adjacent property owner's construction work on his home has apparently been resolved.

The conflict started in 2005 when Darren Wood excavated dirt from a hill on which the homes of his neighbors, Mark Easton and Stan Torgersen, sat. The Eastons and Torgersens were concerned about the stability of the hill and contacted city officials, who ordered Wood to have a soil test performed. Wood was disgruntled by the decision because the previous owner had already done a soil test, and performing it again would cost him $3,000 and delay his construction project by four months.

Then, when Wood began raising the frame for his house around mid-2006, his neighbors were again concerned because the structure rose higher than the rooftops of the other homes around his lot and partially obstructed their view of nearby mountains. Easton and Torgersen again asked city officials to intervene because they believed Wood's house exceeded the maximum height allowed by local building code. Although Wood conceded that his house might have exceeded the height limit by about a foot, he was again disgruntled because he maintained that once the house was completed and the landscaping laid out, the home would fall within the code, and, in any case, the city had already approved his plans.

Feeling that he was being unfairly harassed by his neighbors and upset that the construction interruptions they prompted had cost him an additional $25,000, on August 15, 2006 Wood created a visible symbol of his displeasure by installing the vent covering pictured below, which he described as a decorative piece of "abstract art" representing a cactus. His neighbors, of course, viewed the vent cover as a giant hand flipping them off, sending them back to city officials to complain about Wood's home for a third time.

Wood said he would remove the vent cover art if he received apologies from his neighbors. When, a week later, Mark Easton "expressed to him that I am sorry for any discomfort that I have caused his family or him, and that I had no intent to do any harm to him when I called the city with my concern about safety," Wood apparently found that sufficient and took down the controversial abstract "cactus."

View an ABC News 4 video clip.

I know there's a lesson here... What is it?

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October 4, 2006

Catching up on the news

I haven't posted much lately, still recoiling from our trip to Chicago. I know, a lot's happened in the world of late and you're dying to know what I think about it. With that in mind, here are 4000 words worth:

There. 'Nuf said.

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September 29, 2006

The Businessbib

Telecommuters rejoice! Now there's a way for you to work in your boxer shorts while presenting a professional image during video conferences with the head office. It's called the Businessbib, essentially a velcro-on top half of a suit and tie that allows you the freedom to look professional on screen while working, well, any way you want. It was featured September 17 in the New York Times and on Good Morning America on the 22nd. In the age of computers and video conferencing, this may be the best perk yet for telecommuters!

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September 29, 2006

Perfect Landing

In this series of five photos from Dave R, one of our F-111Cs makes a "without wheels" landing at Amberly Base in Ipswich, Australia (near Brisbane) after the nose wheel dropped off following takeoff. The ground crew installed an arrestor wire across the runway and, after dumping fuel, the pilot made a safe and perfect landing.

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September 28, 2006

We're Back!

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September 20, 2006

Chicago Bound

Chicago evening skyline from Lake Michigan