Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Ambush Bug Returns!
I'm very excited to see that DC comics is finally doing another Ambush Bug series -- the original mini-series were hysterical, and extremely overdue for being republished in a graphic novel collection. I hope that this is a sign that it finally happens, because I'll be first in line for that!
The original comic was hysterical, and definitely ahead of its time and a true classic.
The original comic was hysterical, and definitely ahead of its time and a true classic.
Labels: comics
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
One Week Until Caucus Time
I figure someone's blog is much like the bumper sticker on a car. In many ways, it's the primary and/or caucus season that is more interesting to me -- because more often than not party affiliation will determine who I vote for in the November election. And for that not to be the case something really, really unusual has to have happened at the caucus level, and that's not in the cards this year.
And this is one of the more interesting caucus experiences with a Senate race as well, and so here's a little video from Al Franken showing how that part of the process will work here.
And this is one of the more interesting caucus experiences with a Senate race as well, and so here's a little video from Al Franken showing how that part of the process will work here.
Labels: mnpolitics, politics
Monday, January 28, 2008
Beyond Shinders
I was looking at the end of Shinders a while ago, and so it's interesting to see that a new store is starting up called Beyond Shinders. I think there's definitely a hole around malls where Shinders used to be -- so I'm glad to see some stores opening up that fill that sort of role.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Changing Calhoun Square
I was at Famous Dave's this afternoon, so I was interested to read about how Calhoun Square is on the move at the Star Tribune. While I certainly think that the mall needs a refresh -- especially after the disappointing departure of Border's -- I'll also be very sad to see ZRS Fossils to leave if they do as reported in this article, as I always found the mix of artifacts to be one of the more unique things there. I haven't ever purchased anything there -- it's the type of store that you visit a whole lot more than you buy someting from -- but it is always interesting to visit.
In a lot of ways, I'm the type of person that Calhoun Square should try to pull in, I would think -- I live close enough that it's a reasonable place for me to stop by, and I drive by it at least once a week. But the mix of stores have really meant that I only go inside two or three times a year.
So I hope that any changes are for the better -- because the departure of ZRS Fossils removes the only store that I would have made a point of going into when at Calhoun Square.
In a lot of ways, I'm the type of person that Calhoun Square should try to pull in, I would think -- I live close enough that it's a reasonable place for me to stop by, and I drive by it at least once a week. But the mix of stores have really meant that I only go inside two or three times a year.
So I hope that any changes are for the better -- because the departure of ZRS Fossils removes the only store that I would have made a point of going into when at Calhoun Square.
Labels: minnesota
Where No One Has Gone Before
I can imagine wanting to bring important pieces of you into your funeral, but having a Star Trek themed funeral is a bit incredible.
But perhaps I'd be thinking about this differently if you could have a police box shaped casket. No, probably not.
But perhaps I'd be thinking about this differently if you could have a police box shaped casket. No, probably not.
Labels: startrek
Friday, January 25, 2008
Inside Cloverfield
Speaking of all of the extra-material for Bad Robot projects, there is a whole layer of mythology for Cloverfield that's been revealed in various web and other projects. I know that I can't actually keep up with all of the ARGs -- so projects like the Cloverfield Despoiler Wiki are really useful for giving us insight into the origins of the Monster, or Slusho, or everything else.
NCC-1701
One of the things that I was wondering is how much the new Star Trek film would be like other Bad Robot productions like Alias, Lost, and Cloverfield. And Star Trek -- as one of those large franchises -- is something that could have lots of obscure corners and things that are beyond just the movie.
I know that I want to see a JJ Abrams Star Trek film -- one that has the character and personality of the creator. I think that brings about the best sort of franchise work -- when it's not just putting something out there generically, but brings the talents of the people to play. That's what has worked with the better comic book adaptations -- and if you look at Star Trek as something similar to that, you should want that here as well.
But the NCC-1701 site -- where you have to dial in the shipyard cameras -- is one of the first real solid signs that we're going to have that same sort of fun, and a film isn't just a two hour trip to the movie theater, but an experience over a much longer period of time.
I know that I want to see a JJ Abrams Star Trek film -- one that has the character and personality of the creator. I think that brings about the best sort of franchise work -- when it's not just putting something out there generically, but brings the talents of the people to play. That's what has worked with the better comic book adaptations -- and if you look at Star Trek as something similar to that, you should want that here as well.
But the NCC-1701 site -- where you have to dial in the shipyard cameras -- is one of the first real solid signs that we're going to have that same sort of fun, and a film isn't just a two hour trip to the movie theater, but an experience over a much longer period of time.
Labels: startrek
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The TV Multiverse
It's fun to see how all of these various televisions shows relate to each other when it is graphically demonstrated.
Labels: tv
Is this the Star Trek uniform?
I'm surprised that it took this long for them to get out..
And I've got one comment, which given that it's a spoiler for the costume, I'll put it as the first comment on this post...
And I've got one comment, which given that it's a spoiler for the costume, I'll put it as the first comment on this post...
Labels: startrek
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
All Those Conventions
One of the things you realize when you look at something like Con-News is how many science fiction-type conventions there are out there, especially once you expand it to include comics, anime, gaming, and all of the other styles.
Labels: fandom
Monday, January 21, 2008
CONvergence/MISFITS Future
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I was a candidate for the CONvergence Events Division Coordinator position, and I got the most votes, so I'll be running the events division for the 2009 and 2010 CONvergence. (I just realized that was 2010. Can I be scared now?)
It's a bit daunting looking at the nine ring circus an event with 3000 science fiction and fantasy fans can be But it'll be an exciting challenge -- and I hope you check it out, and if you're willing to help -- I'm sure we'll need it.
It's a bit daunting looking at the nine ring circus an event with 3000 science fiction and fantasy fans can be But it'll be an exciting challenge -- and I hope you check it out, and if you're willing to help -- I'm sure we'll need it.
Labels: convergence, fandom, scifi
Star Trek Teaser On Line
It's nice to see a high-quality version of the Star Trek Teaser -- I really want to be very optimistic about this film project, as I'm a JJ Abrams fan as well as a Star Trek viewer from childhood. And the teaser is certainly sends the right message.
And oddly, I think it is fitting that it would get distributed today, on Martin Luther King Day. It's perhaps trivial to compare Star Trek to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s -- but I think the optimism of the Star Trek future is that same optimism that we celebrate today. And one of the things I like about this teaser is that it looks at both the New Frontier as well as the Final Frontier.
And oddly, I think it is fitting that it would get distributed today, on Martin Luther King Day. It's perhaps trivial to compare Star Trek to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s -- but I think the optimism of the Star Trek future is that same optimism that we celebrate today. And one of the things I like about this teaser is that it looks at both the New Frontier as well as the Final Frontier.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
JJ Abrams Is Cool
There are a lot of neat videos but also a nice story from JJ Abrams on AICN. I'm in a positive mood for JJ, after seeing Cloverfield and the Star Trek teaser -- and so it's neat to have little story like this as well.
I'll be curious to see how Star Trek is a JJ Abrams film -- my hope is that it can actually be his movie, as well as being a Star Trek film.
I'll be curious to see how Star Trek is a JJ Abrams film -- my hope is that it can actually be his movie, as well as being a Star Trek film.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Getting Enterprise Right
One of the interesting things about the Star Trek teaser is that it looks like this is actually trying to do the same thing that it looked like Enterprise was doing -- bringing something like the 1960s Star Trek into the present day.
I think there is certainly an open question about how accepting a fan audience would be to see a new cast play the same characters -- I'm happy with the cast, and I would like to see the definitive dream of a better future for mankind be revitalized for the present day.
You wonder if this will fall apart because it's tied to tightly to the original series -- Nimoy's involvement makes this a concern --- or that it'll end up so different than the Star Trek we have grown up with that it'll be difficult to accept. I don't think it's impossible to recast; after all, characters like James Bond and Batman are reguarly recast.
It'll be interesting to see -- I know I certainly plan to.
I think there is certainly an open question about how accepting a fan audience would be to see a new cast play the same characters -- I'm happy with the cast, and I would like to see the definitive dream of a better future for mankind be revitalized for the present day.
You wonder if this will fall apart because it's tied to tightly to the original series -- Nimoy's involvement makes this a concern --- or that it'll end up so different than the Star Trek we have grown up with that it'll be difficult to accept. I don't think it's impossible to recast; after all, characters like James Bond and Batman are reguarly recast.
It'll be interesting to see -- I know I certainly plan to.
Labels: movies, scifi, startrek
Stan (No Relation) Lee
I think Stan claiming the same last name as me was one reason why I became a Marvel Zombie as a kid. And one of the things that is neat is seeing how comics characters are reinterpreted in a variety of styles and settings -- and this collection of artwork does exactly that.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Licensing On Demand
I'm a fan of the Salesforce.com platform, which is really moving beyond just the CRM and Sales applications in capabilities -- but I think the licensing is one of the more challenging pieces, especially considering that some people would use an application very rarely. So I'm interested to read that Salesforce adds a per login pricing option. I can certainly see the appeal of that sort of thing, especially if you want to have something where a wide variety of people use an online application very rarely, but you still want to take advantage of the platform.
It'll be very interesting to see how this develops. We'll see a variety of things like this, especially as the types of computers have change --- browser based computing seems to make more and more sense as we see things like iPhones, Blackberrys, MacBook Air, multiple OS environments, and so on.
It'll be very interesting to see how this develops. We'll see a variety of things like this, especially as the types of computers have change --- browser based computing seems to make more and more sense as we see things like iPhones, Blackberrys, MacBook Air, multiple OS environments, and so on.
Labels: it, salesforce
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Computer Science and Engineering
An interesting article from Coding Horror about how we should teach Computer Science.
As most of the comments mention, part of the confusion is mixing Computer Science and Software Engineering. They're not the same, and while there is certainly some overlap -- and a software professional outside of academia is going to need some of each -- confusing the two shortchanges both.
One of the problems with any sort of computer education is that the computer industry changes a great deal -- the programming languages that you learn today aren't likely to be the ones that you will use in ten years. And it is more diverse than ever, as computers enter every part of our lives. A solid education needs to be a solid foundation for a variety of different educational paths
One comparison is how people expect that software developers are also the best systems administrators or help desk support. But they're all different skill sets -- and recognizing that is the most important part of an education.
As most of the comments mention, part of the confusion is mixing Computer Science and Software Engineering. They're not the same, and while there is certainly some overlap -- and a software professional outside of academia is going to need some of each -- confusing the two shortchanges both.
One of the problems with any sort of computer education is that the computer industry changes a great deal -- the programming languages that you learn today aren't likely to be the ones that you will use in ten years. And it is more diverse than ever, as computers enter every part of our lives. A solid education needs to be a solid foundation for a variety of different educational paths
One comparison is how people expect that software developers are also the best systems administrators or help desk support. But they're all different skill sets -- and recognizing that is the most important part of an education.
Labels: computers
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Life Outside Your Apartment
I went to see the touring production of Avenue Q tonight here in Minneapolis. I've had the soundtrack for a while, and have hoped to see the show for a long time.
I was familiar with the soundtrack -- and as someone who grew up with Sesame Street that sort of style is very much ingrained in my brain, but it was interesting to see an actual production.
And this is something that's really most appropriate for a live production -- a filmed version would be tempted to hide the actors, and you'd lose half of the acting there. It's a great example of something that is done well as a live production, and would be something completely different in a filmed version.
They'll only be in Minneapolis for a few more days, but the tour is going to continue around the country for most of the year -- and is definitely worth seeing.
Labels: muppets, music, theater
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
It's a contest!
As a political junkie, I think it's going to be an interesting month to watch in both parties over the next few weeks. And it'll make Minnesota's Caucus on the first Tuesday in February very interesting and exciting -- I can't wait.
I know that some people would like a nationwide primary -- but I think there's some virtue to having a series of primaries over multiple weeks, so we can see how a Presidential candidate wins -- and loses. Because a President is going to have to deal with both of these when they are in office.
I'm not necessarily thrilled that Iowa and New Hampshire are always the first ones are out there. But at the end, it's going to be more than just the 1% of the country that decides -- and that's going to be a healthy thing as well.
I know that some people would like a nationwide primary -- but I think there's some virtue to having a series of primaries over multiple weeks, so we can see how a Presidential candidate wins -- and loses. Because a President is going to have to deal with both of these when they are in office.
I'm not necessarily thrilled that Iowa and New Hampshire are always the first ones are out there. But at the end, it's going to be more than just the 1% of the country that decides -- and that's going to be a healthy thing as well.
Labels: politics
Friday, January 04, 2008
One of the better political speeches I've seen..
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
io9
Gawker media -- which brings you some of my favorite blogs like Lifehacker, Valleywag, and Wonkette -- has launched a new blog about science fiction. So obviously I've subscribed...
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Guinea Pig Ipod - Goal Reached
The goal was made on the Guinea Pig Ipod -- a good way to start 2008. Not in a big way, but a small way.
Almost there
I see that the Guinea Pig iPod fund has almost made it to the goal -- only $25 left! So hopefully soon the goal will be reached!
The Guinea Pig Ipod
I know that this isn't a crank posting because I know the person who put it up, so I think the Guinea Pig Ipod story is a nice one about responsible pet ownership and rewarding that behavior. And I think it might be worth throwing a dollar or two at, especially at the start of a new year.
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