September 19, 2012
AVAST...
...all ye hearties.
Come let me tell you a tale.
I searched so far fer treasure,
that ah've seen the whale.
Smartly dressed Cut-lass be Chikaki from Bodacious Space Pirates.
Come let me tell you a tale.
I searched so far fer treasure,
that ah've seen the whale.
Smartly dressed Cut-lass be Chikaki from Bodacious Space Pirates.
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Arrrrr Maties...Ye Know What To Do
This 'ere scrimshaw be done by Rakuen-No-Musume
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September 18, 2012
Sword Art Online
Its the year 2022, and a new MMORPG is coming online. This one has the latest in interface technology. namely a VR headset that operates through direct neural stimulation. The game is from a well regarded developer and highly anticipated. Our hero, who goes by the online handle of Kirito was one of the games Beta Testers. He logs on and mucks about for a bit, gives pointers to a new player and then tries to help the new player log out...but he can't.
There is no log-out option.
Enter the godlike online Avatar of the games developer who informs the 10,000 odd players that this is by design, and that he is informing the world of his deed. Oh....and if they die in-game their interface helmets will fry their brains. If anyone tries to unhook them, the helmets fail safe will kill them (which happens immediately to over 200 players as frantic loved ones watching his broadcast fail to heed his warning).
Now about 9800 people are stuck in a virtual Tolkienesque world. before he logs himself out, the madman leaves them with one tenuous hope...his assurance that they can escape if they clear all 100 levels.
Sword Art Online greatly exceeded my expectations however, and at 11 episodes in, I'm going to recommend it.
This show has exceptional character development, not only of the male lead but also of Asuna, the heroine, who is smart, tough and genuinely heroic. Although she's not present for a good portion of the show she is surprisingly well realized and has grown noticeably as a person during the course of the series. Asuna is one of the best female action leads in years.
Kirito, the male lead, is the main focus of the story early on and develops noticeably in the first few episodes. He is run through the ringer, but Kirito, while far from perfect learns from his mistakes and does evolve as a person. His development is actually quite believable. Kirito is also smart which is always a pleasant surprise in these shows.
The show can be grim. The premise means that there will be a body count, but it is not gory and there is an optimism that runs through the whole thing. The show touches on things like ostracization, survivors guilt, ethics, love, the definition of happiness, and the difference between bravado and courage far better than one has any business to expect from a cartoon...let alone one about being stuck in a video game.
I am astonished to be so thoroughly enjoying this show. I just hope that they don't completely bollox it toward the end, as is the fate of so many initially good shows.
However, with much of the staff of Moretsu Pirates involved, I'm allowing myself a bit of optimism here.
From one of the more uninspiring series concepts in an uninspiring season comes...a surprise!
Its the year 2022, and a new MMORPG is coming online. This one has the latest in interface technology. namely a VR headset that operates through direct neural stimulation. The game is from a well regarded developer and highly anticipated. Our hero, who goes by the online handle of Kirito was one of the games Beta Testers. He logs on and mucks about for a bit, gives pointers to a new player and then tries to help the new player log out...but he can't.
There is no log-out option.
Enter the godlike online Avatar of the games developer who informs the 10,000 odd players that this is by design, and that he is informing the world of his deed. Oh....and if they die in-game their interface helmets will fry their brains. If anyone tries to unhook them, the helmets fail safe will kill them (which happens immediately to over 200 players as frantic loved ones watching his broadcast fail to heed his warning).
Now about 9800 people are stuck in a virtual Tolkienesque world. before he logs himself out, the madman leaves them with one tenuous hope...his assurance that they can escape if they clear all 100 levels.
***********
OK let's say right up front that the premise of this show does not inspire confidence.Sword Art Online greatly exceeded my expectations however, and at 11 episodes in, I'm going to recommend it.
This show has exceptional character development, not only of the male lead but also of Asuna, the heroine, who is smart, tough and genuinely heroic. Although she's not present for a good portion of the show she is surprisingly well realized and has grown noticeably as a person during the course of the series. Asuna is one of the best female action leads in years.
Kirito, the male lead, is the main focus of the story early on and develops noticeably in the first few episodes. He is run through the ringer, but Kirito, while far from perfect learns from his mistakes and does evolve as a person. His development is actually quite believable. Kirito is also smart which is always a pleasant surprise in these shows.
The show can be grim. The premise means that there will be a body count, but it is not gory and there is an optimism that runs through the whole thing. The show touches on things like ostracization, survivors guilt, ethics, love, the definition of happiness, and the difference between bravado and courage far better than one has any business to expect from a cartoon...let alone one about being stuck in a video game.
I am astonished to be so thoroughly enjoying this show. I just hope that they don't completely bollox it toward the end, as is the fate of so many initially good shows.
However, with much of the staff of Moretsu Pirates involved, I'm allowing myself a bit of optimism here.
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Meanwhile...
While the Arab world burns, the China/Japan dispute over the Senkakus is heating up.
Japanese factories in China were shut down yesterday as the anti-Japanese riots escalated. More here and here.
Nicked from Ampotan
All this is happening as Chinas's prospective leader remains missing.
There's a lot more here and here over at Ampotan which is covering the situation via the local media.
Their coverage includes this interesting tidbit...
There's a bit more going on than just a territorial dispute, but the mobs anger is a monster not readily put to sleep once awakened.
...and this is possibly the most chilling quote...
Wow.
If that's a common attitude, then he and others may indeed discover the true meaning of ugly.
Lets pray they don't.
Interesting times indeed.
Japanese factories in China were shut down yesterday as the anti-Japanese riots escalated. More here and here.
Nicked from Ampotan
Meanwhile 1000 Chinese fishing boats are sailing to the Senkaku Islands and daring the Japanese Coast Guard to stop them.
More on the Senkaku dispute here and here. Scary stuff.
...but wait...there's more...
More on the Senkaku dispute here and here. Scary stuff.
...but wait...there's more...
There's a lot more here and here over at Ampotan which is covering the situation via the local media.
Their coverage includes this interesting tidbit...
This photo appeared on Weibo, the Chinese Twitter. Photographs such as these don’t last long on the Net in China. It reads: Chinese people! What should we oppose? No wage increases. Public officials make large profits from illegal land transactions. We can’t buy a home. We die because we can’t go to a hospital. We can’t die because graves are too expensive. We use all our assets to graduate from college and still can’t get a job.
There are 30 grievances in all. I don’t see any about the Japanese.
Hat Tip Ace
There's a bit more going on than just a territorial dispute, but the mobs anger is a monster not readily put to sleep once awakened.
...and this is possibly the most chilling quote...
"The Mao Zedong era was better, because most people were equal. The methods of the current government are ugly.â€
Wow.
If that's a common attitude, then he and others may indeed discover the true meaning of ugly.
Lets pray they don't.
Interesting times indeed.
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Well, I'll Just Take HER out of my Rolodex
This VOCALOID concert from a couple of years ago was an glorious bit of stagecraft and still impresses.
However, I liked this particular song a heck of a lot more before I found out what the lyrics meant.
However, I liked this particular song a heck of a lot more before I found out what the lyrics meant.
I had no idea the character was supposed to be such a bizarre, spoiled, high-mai debutante. What were they thinking?
OTOH, it's obvious that the pixel-prima donna wouldn't give me the time of day...which means that in at least some ways this VOCALOID is just like real women!
This is practically AI.
Next Len and Rin will be passing a Turing test.
The end times: They are here.
OTOH, it's obvious that the pixel-prima donna wouldn't give me the time of day...which means that in at least some ways this VOCALOID is just like real women!
This is practically AI.
Next Len and Rin will be passing a Turing test.
The end times: They are here.
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September 17, 2012
Grrrlzz
It seems there really are none on teh internets.
From Sword Art Online episode one, which, despite its uninspiring premise, is actually turning out to be kind of interesting.
UPDATE:
OK maybe a few.
Also: Why haven't they starved?
From Sword Art Online episode one, which, despite its uninspiring premise, is actually turning out to be kind of interesting.
UPDATE:
OK maybe a few.
Also: Why haven't they starved?
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September 16, 2012
Oh So THAT'S How It's Done
I noted this in passing the other day on YouTube and I wondered..."How?"
The second opening credits song to Nichijou simply does not seem to lend itself to a trance version in any way shape or form.
Turns out, it's easy as pie...
The second opening credits song to Nichijou simply does not seem to lend itself to a trance version in any way shape or form.
Turns out, it's easy as pie...
...just don't have any idea what "Trance" means.
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Bakemonogatari EP 1
Crunchyroll has now started streaming Bakemonogatari in a possibly futile attempt to have its sequel (Nisemonogatari) make sense.
I'd heard generally good things about this series so I'm giving it a shot. I must say I was unprepared for the sheer SHAFTacular SHAFTieness of this SHAFT production.
How SHAFTy is it?
This is the staircase at the school....
This is a hallway in the same school...
Yes, SHAFT tends to be aggressively surrealist in its art direction and this show rather maxes that out. It's quirky look accentuates the otherworldly feel of the story. The use of "lighting" is particularly effective.
Despite its striking visuals this is not a show that relies on imagery to tell a tale. It is VERY dialog heavy...and text heavy...with episode one having several flashes of 'textposition' that are onscreen for such a short period of time that they frequently defy even the pause button. Despite this one annoyance and opening with one of the most gratuitous panty-shots I have ever seen this is a pretty intelligent and intriguing show.
Our hero, Kyomi Araragi...
...is a senior at the academically challenging and architecturally improbable Naoetsu High School. He's your typical high school senior with the minor exceptions that he's smart and organized enough to be vice president of the student council and he's a former vampire, having spent much of his junior/senior vacation as a blood sucking creature of the night. He's better now, but struggles with lingering eosophobia which frequently makes getting to first period on time a challenge.
His closest thing to a friend in school is...
I'd heard generally good things about this series so I'm giving it a shot. I must say I was unprepared for the sheer SHAFTacular SHAFTieness of this SHAFT production.
How SHAFTy is it?
This is the staircase at the school....
This is a hallway in the same school...Yes, SHAFT tends to be aggressively surrealist in its art direction and this show rather maxes that out. It's quirky look accentuates the otherworldly feel of the story. The use of "lighting" is particularly effective. Despite its striking visuals this is not a show that relies on imagery to tell a tale. It is VERY dialog heavy...and text heavy...with episode one having several flashes of 'textposition' that are onscreen for such a short period of time that they frequently defy even the pause button. Despite this one annoyance and opening with one of the most gratuitous panty-shots I have ever seen this is a pretty intelligent and intriguing show.
Our hero, Kyomi Araragi...
...is a senior at the academically challenging and architecturally improbable Naoetsu High School. He's your typical high school senior with the minor exceptions that he's smart and organized enough to be vice president of the student council and he's a former vampire, having spent much of his junior/senior vacation as a blood sucking creature of the night. He's better now, but struggles with lingering eosophobia which frequently makes getting to first period on time a challenge. His closest thing to a friend in school is...
Tsubasa Hyakawa, the student council president. She she is helpful, smart, adventurous in her choice of undergarments, frighteningly well organized, an exceptional student and quite down to earth. Araragi has immense respect for her. She shares homeroom with...
Hitagi Senjogahara, who our hero recently saved by catching her when she fell down the schools spectacular stairshaft....a kindness for which she is less than grateful.
Hitagi is never without adequate school supplies despite never carrying a bookbag or purse and indeed is a very good student notwithstanding a lingering illness that has caused her to miss much school. Hitagi is a bit underweight and is not particularly sociable. In fact she's a very private person to the point that one might consider her a bit crabby. Despite this, our hero attempts to befriend her which sets in motion a series of bizarre and painful events.
This is an odd show, but it is a clever and even thoughtful supernatural adventure and thus far I'm really liking it.
Next ep streams in 4 days.
Hitagi Senjogahara, who our hero recently saved by catching her when she fell down the schools spectacular stairshaft....a kindness for which she is less than grateful. Hitagi is never without adequate school supplies despite never carrying a bookbag or purse and indeed is a very good student notwithstanding a lingering illness that has caused her to miss much school. Hitagi is a bit underweight and is not particularly sociable. In fact she's a very private person to the point that one might consider her a bit crabby. Despite this, our hero attempts to befriend her which sets in motion a series of bizarre and painful events.
This is an odd show, but it is a clever and even thoughtful supernatural adventure and thus far I'm really liking it.
Next ep streams in 4 days.
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Golly...
I guess it HAS been that long.
I guess it HAS been that long.
Art by tjota.
Lord, I'm old.
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Worrisome
My contribution to the quickmeme of the moment.
This whole thing makes me rather madder than I've been in a long time.
For those of you who don't watch the news or tend to write in a vote for Davros just to show how hip you are, here is a brief review of what's going on.
On September 11th The US Embassy in Cairo and a US Consulate in Benghazi Libya were overrun by Islamists. The Cairo staff fled to safety but the ambassador to Libya was among 4 US personnel murdered in Libya.
Ostensibly they were protesting a preview for a low budget, poorly crafted film mocking Islam.
It makes Troma films look like Citizen Kane
The film had been on Youtube for months, and just happened to go viral in the Middle East just in time to put angry Islamic rage boys out in the streets on Sept 11. In actuality the mob seems to have been stirred up by Al-Queada or similar operatives to give cover to the attacks.
Since then the Arab world has exploded into violence directed at US, UK and German embassies. The protests concerning the film have even reached Sydney (Via Pixy, who is OK)
Fortunately for our Australian friends the Sydney police are dealing with this more forthrightly than our executive branch.
You see, Ambassador Stevens bloody handprints had not yet dried when the Cairo Embassy issued an apology for the film. They've 'memory holed it' so here it is the copypasta
Ummm...no.
We ought'a condemn those who go on a wilding spree when somebody publishes something that offends them.
Shortly after that apology was issued, Mitt Romney, who was not my first...nor my third choice for the Republican nomination issued a tweet condemning the above press release. Romney is being castigated for this despite the fact that Secretary Clinton issued a concurring condemnation.
It gets worse...
There was then a huge hue and cry to shut down this mans film because it got a bunch of violent nasty troglodytes angry.
Romney has been clear that his criticism is directed at the blinkered notion that this idiotic film is an abuse of free speech and should be censored.
On the other hand, The Obama administration actually told YouTube to pull the film. Remarkably, YouTube suddenly chose this moment to develop a spine regards such matters and is refusing to pull the clip.
Now the Obama administration has hauled in the filmaker for questioning because he made a video that offended people.
This is because those people blow up things and slit throats when they are offended.
Well, that is exactly the behavior they are rewarding.
And then there is the whole troubling precedent of hauling people away and censoring art because a vocal constituency finds it offensive.
Glenn Reynolds, a constitutional law professor has an unusually long post on this that I urge you to read in full. Here's a key bit though...
Ann Althouse has thoughts, and a sobering corollary to Sturgeons Law.
Ace of Spades responds to Will Saletan's idiotarianism and nails it in a post that defies excerpting.
Through all this, Romney, who has a well deserved reputation as a political weather-vane, has been remarkably firm and consistent on this matter. He has repeatedly said that we do not apologize for our nations tradition of free speech...even if that speech is offensive. Indeed it is the offensive speech that is rather the point. He's taking a hell of a lot of flack for stating this simple truth, which is disheartening...but not as disheartening as seeing the White House and DOJ haul a uy away in the middle of the night for making a film that is considered blasphemous.
Those of you who told me that you were going to once again write in a vote for Davros because both the candidates remind you of early '30s Germany or early 20's Italy...well, I'll concede something that I would not have a short time ago.
Namely, that you are half right.
For those of you who don't watch the news or tend to write in a vote for Davros just to show how hip you are, here is a brief review of what's going on.
On September 11th The US Embassy in Cairo and a US Consulate in Benghazi Libya were overrun by Islamists. The Cairo staff fled to safety but the ambassador to Libya was among 4 US personnel murdered in Libya.
Ostensibly they were protesting a preview for a low budget, poorly crafted film mocking Islam.
It makes Troma films look like Citizen Kane
The film had been on Youtube for months, and just happened to go viral in the Middle East just in time to put angry Islamic rage boys out in the streets on Sept 11. In actuality the mob seems to have been stirred up by Al-Queada or similar operatives to give cover to the attacks.
Since then the Arab world has exploded into violence directed at US, UK and German embassies. The protests concerning the film have even reached Sydney (Via Pixy, who is OK)
Fortunately for our Australian friends the Sydney police are dealing with this more forthrightly than our executive branch.
You see, Ambassador Stevens bloody handprints had not yet dried when the Cairo Embassy issued an apology for the film. They've 'memory holed it' so here it is the copypasta
U.S. Embassy Condemns Religious Incitement
September 11, 2012
The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.
Ummm...no.
We ought'a condemn those who go on a wilding spree when somebody publishes something that offends them.
Shortly after that apology was issued, Mitt Romney, who was not my first...nor my third choice for the Republican nomination issued a tweet condemning the above press release. Romney is being castigated for this despite the fact that Secretary Clinton issued a concurring condemnation.
It gets worse...
There was then a huge hue and cry to shut down this mans film because it got a bunch of violent nasty troglodytes angry.
Romney has been clear that his criticism is directed at the blinkered notion that this idiotic film is an abuse of free speech and should be censored.
On the other hand, The Obama administration actually told YouTube to pull the film. Remarkably, YouTube suddenly chose this moment to develop a spine regards such matters and is refusing to pull the clip.
Now the Obama administration has hauled in the filmaker for questioning because he made a video that offended people.
This is because those people blow up things and slit throats when they are offended.
Well, that is exactly the behavior they are rewarding.
And then there is the whole troubling precedent of hauling people away and censoring art because a vocal constituency finds it offensive.
Glenn Reynolds, a constitutional law professor has an unusually long post on this that I urge you to read in full. Here's a key bit though...
When taking office, the President does not swear to create jobs. He does not swear to "grow the economy.†He does not swear to institute "fairness.†The only oath the President takes is this one:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Ann Althouse has thoughts, and a sobering corollary to Sturgeons Law.
"90% of everything is crud," said Theodore Sturgeon. It's Sturgeon's Law... to which I humbly offer the Althouse Corollary:
If there's a crud exception to freedom, we are only 10% free.
Ace of Spades responds to Will Saletan's idiotarianism and nails it in a post that defies excerpting.
Through all this, Romney, who has a well deserved reputation as a political weather-vane, has been remarkably firm and consistent on this matter. He has repeatedly said that we do not apologize for our nations tradition of free speech...even if that speech is offensive. Indeed it is the offensive speech that is rather the point. He's taking a hell of a lot of flack for stating this simple truth, which is disheartening...but not as disheartening as seeing the White House and DOJ haul a uy away in the middle of the night for making a film that is considered blasphemous.
Those of you who told me that you were going to once again write in a vote for Davros because both the candidates remind you of early '30s Germany or early 20's Italy...well, I'll concede something that I would not have a short time ago.
Namely, that you are half right.
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September 12, 2012
A Note on Comments
I must commend our newest spammer for his choice in handles.
To Be A Tool is more than appropriate.
To Be A Tool is more than appropriate.
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September 11, 2012
More Pointed Reflections on the 11th Than I Would Have Liked
The US Embassy in Cairo was stormed today and the black flag of Al-Quaeda was raised in the place of Old Glory. Our consulate in Benghazi has been stormed and burned with one of our personnel murdered.
That these savages did this on THIS DAY is no accident.
UPDATE 9/12:This statement now is being disavowed by the President and was strongly rebuked by Secretary of State Clinton. It seems to have preceded the Benghazi attack but that is not entirely clear as everything over there is still higgly piggly. Here it is behind a spoiler tag in case the State Department memory holes it.
Ponder that..
We are still at war.
Kow-Towing to our assailants is unlikely to persuade them to leave us alone.
Den Beste has thoughts.
UPDATE 2: At our embassy in Libya, 4 personnel including Ambassador Stevens were murdered. Stevens is only the 6th US Ambassador to have been murdered on duty.
With the death of our Ambassador the President has issued a much more appropriate response.
More here, here, here, here, and here.
This is still in a state of flux, but for what it's worth, as I type this Libya has issued a strong apology and condemnation of the attack on their soil and Egypt has said nothing.
The US Embassy in Cairo was stormed today and the black flag of Al-Quaeda was raised in the place of Old Glory. Our consulate in Benghazi has been stormed and burned with one of our personnel murdered.
That these savages did this on THIS DAY is no accident.
UPDATE 9/12:This statement now is being disavowed by the President and was strongly rebuked by Secretary of State Clinton. It seems to have preceded the Benghazi attack but that is not entirely clear as everything over there is still higgly piggly. Here it is behind a spoiler tag in case the State Department memory holes it.
Ponder that..
We are still at war.
Kow-Towing to our assailants is unlikely to persuade them to leave us alone.
UPDATE:
UPDATE 2: At our embassy in Libya, 4 personnel including Ambassador Stevens were murdered. Stevens is only the 6th US Ambassador to have been murdered on duty.
With the death of our Ambassador the President has issued a much more appropriate response.
"I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens,†Obama said. "Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.â€
More here, here, here, here, and here.
This is still in a state of flux, but for what it's worth, as I type this Libya has issued a strong apology and condemnation of the attack on their soil and Egypt has said nothing.
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Its Long Sleep is at an End
The Japanese just can't catch a break.
UPDATE: Everyone's favorite Hephaestupheliac, Don, sends this Wired article which takes a rather less pessimistic view. I'd contacted him in part due to another Wired article that made this bizarre statement:
Wow...
Those Edo period geologists were way more sophisticated than I'd thought. ...or there is a translation glitch ...or someone is on crack.
The Volcano Discovery piece I linked to initially seems fairly straight though. Though it to makes mention of the pressure being higher than the 1707 eruption. I'm really thinking something got mistranslated.
Fuji is active, it will erupt again and given its past behavior it seems a tad overdue, but Don is correct to point out that these things are fiendishly difficult to predict.
There's been no deformation and as far as I can tell since I got home, the slight increase in steam has not been enough to cause the government to close the mountain to climbers. So it's not really awakening, but it does seem to be stirring just a bit.
The Japanese just can't catch a break.
UPDATE: Everyone's favorite Hephaestupheliac, Don, sends this Wired article which takes a rather less pessimistic view. I'd contacted him in part due to another Wired article that made this bizarre statement:
The pressure in Mount Fuji's magma chamber is now higher than it was in 1707, the last time the nearly 4,000-metre-high Japanese volcano erupted, causing volcanologists to speculate that a disaster is imminent.
Wow...
Those Edo period geologists were way more sophisticated than I'd thought. ...or there is a translation glitch ...or someone is on crack.
The Volcano Discovery piece I linked to initially seems fairly straight though. Though it to makes mention of the pressure being higher than the 1707 eruption. I'm really thinking something got mistranslated.
Fuji is active, it will erupt again and given its past behavior it seems a tad overdue, but Don is correct to point out that these things are fiendishly difficult to predict.
There's been no deformation and as far as I can tell since I got home, the slight increase in steam has not been enough to cause the government to close the mountain to climbers. So it's not really awakening, but it does seem to be stirring just a bit.
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11 Years
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September 03, 2012
Upon Reflection I've Reached the Following Conclusion....DO WANT!1!
Two of the Brickmuppet's Crack Team of Science Babes gleefully 
report on an interesting project at the AIAA-Houston section newsletter which is undertaking a reprint and analysis of the famous series of articles published in 8 issues of Collier's Magazine in the 1950s titled Man Will Conquer Space Soon.
The series laid out a very forward thinking vision of space exploration that included detailed plans for exploring both the Moon and Mars. The plan, developed largely by Wherner Von Braun and Wley Ley was, surprisingly sound technically (if not fiscally). Scott Lowther, who publishes the superb Aerospace Projects Review, is overseeing the republishing of the articles in high resolution which is particularly significant given the art by Fred Freeman and Chelsey Bonnestell. The ads have been replaces with short aerospace articles relating to the series that include some technical analysis of what they got right and wrong. Upcoming issues of AIAA-Houston will do the same for the remaining 8 installments of the old series.
Here's a sample:
report on an interesting project at the AIAA-Houston section newsletter which is undertaking a reprint and analysis of the famous series of articles published in 8 issues of Collier's Magazine in the 1950s titled Man Will Conquer Space Soon. The series laid out a very forward thinking vision of space exploration that included detailed plans for exploring both the Moon and Mars. The plan, developed largely by Wherner Von Braun and Wley Ley was, surprisingly sound technically (if not fiscally). Scott Lowther, who publishes the superb Aerospace Projects Review, is overseeing the republishing of the articles in high resolution which is particularly significant given the art by Fred Freeman and Chelsey Bonnestell. The ads have been replaces with short aerospace articles relating to the series that include some technical analysis of what they got right and wrong. Upcoming issues of AIAA-Houston will do the same for the remaining 8 installments of the old series.
Here's a sample:
For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these "it might have been."
On a related note,Volume 3 Issue 1of Aerospace Projects Review has a extensive article on Von Braun's Ferry rocket.
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September 02, 2012
Bachelor Chow: Cheapass Japan Tourist Version
This is not a travel suggestion.
So I picked up several cup o' noodles type ramen cups from a Lawson 100. I knew I'd be schlepping around the apartment for several days while my ankle healed. One thing I did NOT have was a pot or teakettle, but this was of no concern to me because there was a microwave in both the communal kitchens back at the maison.
However, upon putting the cup in the microwave I discovered that I had not stared at the hieroglyphics on the side of the cup long enough. You see, in Japan, Nissins' noodle cups are foil lined, resulting in an electrical storm in the microwave.
I didn't want to buy a 30 dollar pot to cook 7 noodle cups over 18 days, so I improvised. Fortunately, I'd also decided to try out the Japanese equivalent to Jiffy-Pop.
This left me with a flimsy aluminum pan on which I was able to fashion into a spout and voila...
So I picked up several cup o' noodles type ramen cups from a Lawson 100. I knew I'd be schlepping around the apartment for several days while my ankle healed. One thing I did NOT have was a pot or teakettle, but this was of no concern to me because there was a microwave in both the communal kitchens back at the maison.
However, upon putting the cup in the microwave I discovered that I had not stared at the hieroglyphics on the side of the cup long enough. You see, in Japan, Nissins' noodle cups are foil lined, resulting in an electrical storm in the microwave.
I didn't want to buy a 30 dollar pot to cook 7 noodle cups over 18 days, so I improvised. Fortunately, I'd also decided to try out the Japanese equivalent to Jiffy-Pop.
Note the paper handle cover, a major technology improvement over the bare scaldy wire of the Jiffy-Pop pan
I'm pretty sure this is not healthy for the long term and I wouldn't use the pan for frying or anything, but for boiling water it worked fine.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
12:05 PM
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Post contains 217 words, total size 2 kb.
September 01, 2012
MGFX : What's Missing?
I discussed Mysterious Girlfriend X a couple of times when I started it. Now that its done I must say it's pretty good.
It's quirky and odd, but it's kind of touching in a socially maladjusted way.
However, I noticed something else as it progressed.
No cellphones.
Also, the camera. It's a camera...not a cellphone ap and seems to use film. Furthermore, Urabe doesn't seem worried about infinite digital copies.
So the show is set in the past.
Is it really a period piece?
If so when is it set and what are the little period trappings that I'm missing?
The "UFO" that Urabe uses on her pencil was seen a lot in the '80s (on Urusei Yatsura for instance) but that might not count.
It's quirky and odd, but it's kind of touching in a socially maladjusted way.
However, I noticed something else as it progressed.
No cellphones.
Also, the camera. It's a camera...not a cellphone ap and seems to use film. Furthermore, Urabe doesn't seem worried about infinite digital copies.
So the show is set in the past.
Is it really a period piece?
If so when is it set and what are the little period trappings that I'm missing?
The "UFO" that Urabe uses on her pencil was seen a lot in the '80s (on Urusei Yatsura for instance) but that might not count.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
09:11 PM
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Post contains 129 words, total size 1 kb.
The Anti-Mac
With Holo in the Mac Hospital, I'm using Kuroi, the Gateway LT4008U netbook I purchased for school just before the trip.
At 170 dollars it's a tad slow and has no frills whistles or bells, but it is a perfectly adequate computer for school, power failures and travel.
It was a much better use of my money than the shoes.
Kuroi in a Japanese hotel, taking care of serious biddness.
At 170 dollars it's a tad slow and has no frills whistles or bells, but it is a perfectly adequate computer for school, power failures and travel.
It was a much better use of my money than the shoes.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
05:41 PM
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A Log Cabin in Tokyo
The Maison I was staying in was was only 7 kilometers outside of Ikebukaro. I decided one evening that rather than taking the train in I'd hoof it. In addition to any cool sights on the way in, this would give me my bearings in case I ever missed the last train in the evening, 3 miles is only a short walk if you know where you are going.
To my great dismay, despite walking all the way there, I saw no headless motorcyclists, flying vending machines, Black Russian sushi chefs, sword wielding meganekos, teeny-boppers wearing the wrong heads or technicolor gangbangers. But I did amble across a log cabin deep in the wilds of Tokyo.
The interior is decorated in early log, with a few cigar store Indians for good measure.
...and there were awesome steaks to be had for 2500 yen. Heavily peppered, marinated, and, inexplicably, buttered (!?). After debuttering it was perfect.
To my great dismay, despite walking all the way there, I saw no headless motorcyclists, flying vending machines, Black Russian sushi chefs, sword wielding meganekos, teeny-boppers wearing the wrong heads or technicolor gangbangers. But I did amble across a log cabin deep in the wilds of Tokyo.
The interior is decorated in early log, with a few cigar store Indians for good measure.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
05:15 PM
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Less Than 2 Weeks
That's how long it took these shoes I bought just before the trip to have their heels degenerate into this....
Which is why there is frequent mention of my feet in the posts on my recent Japan trip.
It's worse than that. The first week I did very little walking because I had a sprained ankle, so the shoes wore out in a remarkably short time. Now, it's true that there were days that I walked 14 miles or more but by the second weekend this had started to happen. The shoes left blood blisters on my heels which I shan't post here out of respect for my audience. Walking the last week was exceedingly painful, but unlike the sprain, bruises and blisters don't threaten long term debilitation, so I was able to hobble about with three pairs of socks to keep the trip from being a bust.
Shorter version of this post:
Spot Bilt sneakers: Don't buy them.
Which is why there is frequent mention of my feet in the posts on my recent Japan trip.
It's worse than that. The first week I did very little walking because I had a sprained ankle, so the shoes wore out in a remarkably short time. Now, it's true that there were days that I walked 14 miles or more but by the second weekend this had started to happen. The shoes left blood blisters on my heels which I shan't post here out of respect for my audience. Walking the last week was exceedingly painful, but unlike the sprain, bruises and blisters don't threaten long term debilitation, so I was able to hobble about with three pairs of socks to keep the trip from being a bust.
Shorter version of this post:
Spot Bilt sneakers: Don't buy them.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
04:44 PM
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Post contains 163 words, total size 1 kb.
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