Cool Computer Tips

I somehow ended up on a blog that linked to this. The best and most useful tips for computer/Internet users this week.

Food Timeline

Interesting page where the history of food is laid out in a timeline. Includes brief but effective cultural/ethnic origins of foods.

Food Timeline

Quote of the Day

"Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."

Stephen King, from On Writing

I Won a Book!

One of the very cool things that happened to me last week, when I was out at the conference, was winning a book. It's the second book I've won this year, and in my life!

Here's the link to the blog entry where a very kind Elizabeth, who selected me as one of the winners, posted recently. I will receive a copy of her book: Project Management in the Real World. Her blog, A Girl's Guide to Project Management is enlightening and a very enjoyable read.

I can't wait to receive the book and read it cover to cover, thank you Elizabeth!

Kitchen Tool Basics

A great article from the LA Times today lists a clear and concise set of useful and practical kitchen tools worth the investment for long term enjoyment.

The homemade vinegar is awfully tempting...

You Know It's Autumn, When...

Apple and pear ciders predominate at the local farmer's markets--and nothing goes better with a cold glass of cider than a slice of zucchini bread. Apples of every color and size pile up in quarts and bushels on tables, and light jackets take over flip flops and shorts (mostly, but not always!).

The warm sun picks out shapes and shadows on the ground as you walk along park pathways. Strolls linger for a little bit longer--as crunchy leaves under-foot fill the air with their rustling. Green trees now mingle with autumn shades of tan, yellow, gold, and copper. Leaves fall freely and delicately on the breeze all around.

The last hurrahs of summer materialize in harvest and fall festivals, and while children relish in their last warm weather rumbles and shouts, grown ups pull their sweaters a little bit tighter around them as the sun slides slowly down into a cooler night.

Simon Pegg-Athon

Big Nothing - Schwimmer and the chick from Ronin...and Simon Pegg acting American, wow did he do a good job!! Quirky in a "Joe vs the Volcano" meets a comedy of errors, meets an Indie movie way.

The Good Night - really cute movie about pulling onself up from your bootstraps and getting a reality check based on what we really value. A likeable movie and a surprise for me.

And I'm planning on seeing "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead" again sometime soon *big sappy grin*

I am also eyeing How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, though the premise reminds me a lot of "Devil Wears Prada" except w/ a guy.

Weekend Movie Playlist

Appaloosa - I had to see this because Viggo Mortensen was in it, and I was curious at seeing Ed Harris' vision for this neo-Western. Was not that bad though I kept wondering where the story was heading. Viggo walked away with the movie at the end, literally.

Good night, and Good Luck - I liked the retro feel and Robert Downey Jr. (of course) but I wasn't all that much into it, as a matter of fact, I was multitasking and just listening to the dialogue.

Grindhouse, Planet Terror - I hadn't seen this all the way through the first time and I'm glad I have given it a second chance now, because I thought it was a hoot to see the guy from Six Feet Under as the hero. Now I knew who he was! Rose McGowen has had too much surgery, she's not the same. The best part for me though, were 1) Quentin Tarantino, he was totally self-deprecating in his cameo and 2) Tulum Mexico in the Cancun Riviera Maya *sigh*. I hope to catch Machete when it comes out, that's totally on my Quentin must-see list. I love the retro feel of the Grindhouse movies, it's genious and they took pains to ensure it looked authentic. I hope they do more like this. Rose did a good job on that song in the ending titles sequence.

For later:

Religulous - a must for any Bill Maher fan. You are god Bill.

Let the Right One In - interesting spin on the vampire genre/story

And... We're Back!

Yes, before we knew it, conference was over and now we're all back to our happy little lives and homes. One thing I have to say for Denver: dry. Very, very dry. I kept waking up with sinus issues and exceptionally bloodshot eyes. My hands even got dry, as if it were the middle of winter.

It's a safe city to walk around, if you find something interesting to walk to. A kind, older gentleman (a resident of Denver for several decades now) who was attending one of our conference events in a ballroom on the 38th floor of one of the hotels, took me under his wing and pointed out where things were in the Denver skyline. I'm only sorry I didn't have the time to check out the museums, though the convention center had quite a few art items on display as I walked through. I've uploaded some photos I took of the gorgeous convention center and some other conference-related stuff on my picasaweb account.

Today was a fun day! The weather cooperated to the best of its ability! I went to get a relaxing spa treatment and then later went to see a new art installation at a local college's brand new arts building. The installation was named "Of People and Places: Contemporary Art." It featured 10 Warhols, and a really great naif-island (my words) style farmer's stand depiction. One of the Warhols was of Christopher Lee as dracula on matte black background with black paint and pink chalk. Very nice.

I also took a wonderful walk in downtown Naperville's famed Riverwalk, and took a few photos just for fun (photos will be uploaded later to my picasaweb account). It's really gorgeous on the riverwalk. They luckily didn't suffer much damage from the storm surge a few weeks ago when everything got flooded. I can't get enough of the full river swishing about in swirls and eddies, and the lush, green leafy landscaping. They did a really great job. The last time I walked here in the afternoon, was in the mid-1990s with my mom and grandmother (!).

Tomorrow I have an early morning appointment and then I want to visit the Naper Settlement, where there apparently is a photo installation on music and its meaning to people. I haven't decided yet if I'm going downtown Chicago to see one of the museums, but I'm considering taking the train so it would have to match to that train schedule of theirs, that I'm not too terribly fond of.

Well, that's all for now!
:o)

- J

When Computer Animation Strikes Back

Is when the animators have to fight back... be prepared for when you instantly laugh, cackle, and guffaw openly.

Animator  vs. Animation, Part I

Animator vs. Animation, Part II

General Update

I'm getting ready to go to the annual conference. I leave Saturday. Every year it feels like a cross between finally getting rid of annoying house guests and letting go of your first born.

Mostly, it's me being anal retentive about forgetting something and making sure I'm bring everything I need for myself, for a week away from home living long hours, early mornings, and poor or no food. Mind you they scared half the office when they discussed the danger of distress from the high altitude in Denver. As activities neared an incessant climax the past few weeks, compounded with a lack of sleep, lots of busywork, and a strange stomach...I'm faring fairly well though I don't like the feeling I keep getting, that I'm watching things from far away versus actually being there doing them.

Getting some extra rest has helped a bit, but with the long hours of conference coming up, I'm sure it's just going to get a little worse before it gets any better. The plus is that I have days off next week on Thurs, Fri, and Mon, to recoup and vegetate...and cry from the resulting boredom! Must.Try.To Find. Something.To.Do. I'm going to look into museums and music opportunities in downtown Chicago and nearby, and see what I come up with.

I updated and re-arranged photos on my picasaweb and flickr album pages.
I am pleased with many of my landscape photos, though it takes a lot of outtakes to get to what I consider an ok or good photo. I hope to keep capturing things on the fly with my always handy red pocket nikon coolpix (7 mpxls). I'll see if I get any interesting photo ops at the conference and upload the results. My good friend Linda showed me the wedding album giveaway from her youngest son's recent wedding. She took all the photos of her son and his wife prior to the wedding in various locations downtown Chicago. Her pictures are fantastic. What an eye. I hope to be half as good as her some day.

On the other hand, the iPhone camera is really not a favorite. Bad iPhone. Bad. Considering your phone is always with you, they could have worked the capture news as they happen angle. I don't even think it has video capture capabilities. It does, however, capture clearer pix than my old cell phone's camera--but they should have really added a mini flash, at least?

Ok enough rambling at myself, because I am 99.9% sure only three people read this blog. Hope everyone's autumn (Northern Hemisphere) is coming along nicely. Wishes for a good weekend to those who get to enjoy a real one (that won't be me, I can assure you). ;o)

:o)
- J

Desktop Whim of the Day

As I've Matured...

Two friends have shared with me this message this year, and it always brightens my day.

As I've Matured...

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do
isstalk them and hope they panic and give in.

I've learned that one good turn gets most of the blankets.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just
jack asses.

I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly
distributed.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others - they
are more screwed up than you think.

I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
I've learned that it is not what you wear, it is how you take it  off.

I've learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you're
finished.

I've learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.

I've learned that ex's are like fungus, and keep coming back.

I've learned age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are
celebrities.

I've learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

I've learned that 99% of the time when something isn't working in
your  house, one of your kids did it.

I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.

I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from
you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And
the real pains in the ass are permanent.

Yummy Car Porn for the Day

Mercedes McLaren SLR

For an explanation, see here. This Top Gear website's tv show on BBC America is becoming a fast favorite--whenever I turn on the tv, I always look for it.

Happy World Vegetarian Day

To learn more, see here.

Tarantino Babies

No that's not a mistake, and yes, it's actually a really cool shirt.

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