Light Grenades

Incubus - Light Grenades
In stores now, go buy.

The Car That Parks Itself

The all-new 2006 Lexus LS has been getting a lot of attention lately. I'm sure most people have seen the TV commercial or the printed ad, but most have probably heard of this car by word of mouth. While the bland styling of this particular Lexus will confuse most consumers with the latest offerings from every other automobile manufacturer, this model Lexus features automated parallel parking technology. It's a feature that is currently exclusive to Lexus. It's also a feature that is unnecessary and reconfirms my belief that people should learn how to drive (and PARK) before getting their licenses.

With the MSRP starting at $61,000 for a standard LS , I highly doubt the upper level executive who is driving this car is going to 1) need to pay for a parking spot 2) opt for the $5.00 parallel parking spot over the security and comfort of the $20.00 stall in the parking garage. That is unless the driver is an extremely pompous ass who wants to show off the parallel parking feature of his car.

Maybe the reason I'm so bitter is because it makes parallel parking accessible to more people. Parallel parking is an art in itself--the less number of turns of the steering wheel and the less number of bumper checks separating the Van Gough's from Warhol's. It's a technical skill that is reminiscant of tuning a TV station in with rabbit ears or making a phone call with a rotary phone. Parallel parking used to be about the driver becoming one with the car and one with the road and its surroundings. Unfortunately parallel parking, like everything else in the world, has become a push-button experience.

Atlanta

Taken on the corner of Peachtree and Lenox Blvd

Last week I was sent to Atlanta, GA for a professional training course (work related). While previous training trips have afforded me the opportunity to explore the inner-workings of cities, my explorations of Atlanta were cut short by training sessions lasting nearly 11 hours each day and by homework assignments that required a couple hours of my evening to complete. At the end of the day, I was lucky enough to get to check my e-mail. Until I get to visit Atlanta again, I will remember Atlanta as just a 3-star Sheraton hotel located 5 hours away from home.

On the last day of training I had a few hours to kill before my flight back to Seattle. I’m usually the person who likes to wander around and discover cities on my own, avoiding the “touristy” things that cities offer, but with only a few hours to spare and with no direction, I became a tourist.

The first stop I made when I arrived in downtown Atlanta, besides the tourist information booth, was CNN Center (no cameras allowed on the tour). While on the tour I got to see some of the technologies behind the show including the tele-prompter and the chroma key (green screen). I even got to see some of the Headline News personalities including Robin Meade (Robin & Co.) and Erica Hill. I was really hoping to see Chuck Roberts as he was the face of Headline News as I was growing up. Probably the most surprising thing I learned at the CNN Center was how small the studios and workspaces are. Although it might not seem like it on TV, these shows are literally filmed out of shoeboxes. And yes the people you see in the background during the news are really working.

CNN Center from Olympic Centennial Park

Inside CNN Center

Just a few blocks away from CNN headquarters was the World of Coca-Cola Museum. While it wasn’t as exciting as CNN, I did learn more about Coca-Cola than any one person should ever know. Did you know that worldwide Coca-Cola produces over 400 soft drink varieties? Here in the U.S. only 40 or so make it to the market. While on the tour, we were offered samples of domestic Coke products and the most popular of their foreign brands. Here’s a tip, if you ever find yourself overseas with the opportunity to try the Coca-Cola beverage called Beverly, pass on it. While they wouldn't tell me the recipe for Beverly, I could have swore I tasted mouth wash, tonic water, and a splash of sour milk.

The World of Coca-Cola Museum

Domestic Coke Fountains

Puerto Vallarta 2006

I finally got around to posting the pictures of my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta. They are available in two places:

-the narrated version
-the non-narrated/full-size version

Enjoy!

Talmud

"Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved." - the Talmud

The Final Countdown

Crank this up:



Then go here:

Countdown to Mexico

Enjoy!

Wheel

The Idea

After a hectic day of playing catch-up from just a week off from work, I had an opportunity this evening to finally take a breather and read that internet giant, Google, intends to completely conquer the internet, and eventually the world, by buying YouTube for $1.65 billion dollars. With Google being the #1 internet search engine and with YouTube being the #1 internet video media site, it's just a matter of time before their secret plans to infiltrate our minds and completely control us blossoms.

When I see big numbers that I can't fathom, I like to break out the HP 10b and try to wrap my head around what $1.65 billion dollars is. In my world, $1.65 billion is 55 $30-million dollar post-tension concrete condo projects, or 66,000 Audi A4's, or 1,650,000 Gibson SG's, or 1.65 billion Diet Coke's. In my life there will never be a need for that much money--I will never rock so hard to destroy 1.65 million guitars, there aren't enough elderly ladies crossings or children's school crossings to run down and crash behind the wheel of 60,000 Audi's, I would rather serve a 3-year prison term at a minimal security prison than to develop another condo, nor are there enough days in my lifetime to drink a Diet Coke every hour on the hour for the rest of my life.

What completely frustrates me about Google is their gameplan. It's so very simple and it is only now that I'm realizing that it could have been me or anyone with half of a brain cell left and a dial-up internet connection.

So I started thinking, what is the stupidest idea in my mind right now. It took about 45 minutes to sift through all of them, but then it all came to me. It is so stupid that 5 years from now people will read this blog entry and wonder, like I wonder about Google or YouTube, why didn't they think of this. I am so certain it will yield me more than $1.65 billion dollars. It will revolutionize the way we communicate, it will challenge the way our current economic systems work, hell, it could bring upon World Peace. I challenge you to come up with a stupider idea with the following:

I'm going to patent this and then repatent this and then repatent it again and then leave it to my children to patent and their children to patent because my girlfriend reminds me of patents and their 20 year terms whenever I see her.

I will you warn you now, in 5-years don't let your children or your grandparents cross a street unattended, I will have 66,000 Audi's to run them down with.

St. Louis

Maybe it was the unusual October weather—record high temperatures in the mid-90’s and the humidity nearing 100%, or maybe it was the fact that the Cardinals are in the play-offs, or maybe everyone is passed out drunk lying in a ditch or behind a dumpster because it’s the hometown of Budweiser beer, or maybe it’s the harsh reality that no one lives, works, or wanders around downtown St. Louis.

To St. Louis’ credit, I did catch some anti-war, anti-Bush protestors across the street from the Old Courthouse.

While I was in St. Louis I got an opportunity to view two very important works of architecture, the world recognized Gateway Arch by Eero Saarinen and the first modern-day skyscraper, the Wainwright Building by Louis Sullivan. Unfortunately I was unable to ride the tram to the top of the arch—maybe next time.

More pictures…

Snakes on the Plane

I was thinking that the plane ride down to St. Louis would have been much more interesting if there were in fact Snakes on a Plane.

Summer Reading

I'm a little disappointed that I only read two books this summer. My summer reading record, probably disappointing to some, was 11 books which included a few of Daniel Quinn's books, a re-read of all of Alex Garland's books, and 5 or 6 Star Wars novels (read "nerd"). Usually the summer serves as the perfect time to read all the material that doesn't pertain to work or school--as I'm usually away from one or the other, both mentally and physically--and the summer weather makes for an excellent outdoor reading environment. My schedule this summer was hectic and most of my reading was left to either late at night when I suffered from bouts of insomnia or while traveling to and from Seattle.

"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

I spent the first half of my summer reading this book. It was recommended to me back in college from my old roommate who was an English major first and a History minor second. He recommended the book not because of the great story telling but based upon the war stories of the soldiers of the Vietnam War. I enjoyed this book even though I’ve probably read over everything that makes this a repeated best-selling book. What I enjoyed most were how well the stories were told—I’ve never been a soldier and I’ve never been to war, but while reading this book I somehow felt as if I was sitting up in the trees or somewhere in the back of the pack witnessing first-hand the emotions of horror and mayhem the soldiers were going through. It was through O’Brien’s surrealistic tone and recollections from memory that made this book chilling and exciting.

"The Devil in the White City" by Eric Larson

I'm deeply fascinated by architecture, especially the history of architecture in the United States. This book was recommended to me in college as supplemental reading material when we discussed the White City and the formation of urban planning. The book was also recommended by girlfriend who knows about my fascination with architecture. Anyhow, this book is chalk-full of architectural history mostly pertaining to Chicago, the 1893 World's Fair, and the White City. From what I have been told, the architectural accounts of the book are all researched facts. At over 400 pages long, the amount of study and detail put into this book is incredible.

Did I mention the serial mass-murderer in the book? In this great account of U.S. architectural history, the author inter-weaves a serial mass-murderer into the storyline. As gruesome as the murderer was, I tended to gloss over his murderous ways in favor of the history. Yes, I’m a nerd.

Fallingwater

I've always wanted to visit Fallingwater. I'm a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and Fallingwater is probably the most recognized Wright home. It's also one of my favorite examples of a home built into its environment. Unfortunately, this animation is probably as close as I will come.

At the Show

MxPx in Bremerton Tonight

Be there or be square.

Continuum

I have a love/hate relationship with John Mayer. Actually, I can't say that I love the guy, but I do like what he does. I like his guitar playing--he is a very talented and technical guitar player--probably one of the best of the singer/songwriters out there right now. I hate the lyrics to roughly 80% of his songs--save 3-4 songs per CD (prior to "Continuum"). I like his voice--it's very smooth and soulful, he knows his vocal range and doesn't overestimate his ability. I hate the face he makes when he sings--I don't know if he needs his meds or if he just shit himself. I like that he "knows" music and talented musicians. I hate that he's arrogant about it.

With all that said, I'm really enjoying his new album "Continuum." Mayer has come along way from the days of "running through the halls of my high-school." This album is a more mature Mayer exhibiting the higheset level of his guitar playing ability, song writing finesse, and ear for producing. There is substance to this CD that was lacking on his previous studio albums. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but it's there. Of all the Mayer albums, he gets this one right--the CD speaks for itself and I highly recommend it.

Douchebag Until Further Notice

I shouldn't even be posting the video as it's title puts off the very city I am working in and trying to make a better place, but maybe if enough viewers e-mail the creator or reply to the video and help him realize that he is upset with a person and not the City that he might change the title of his video.

Your e-mail to him might go like the one I sent him earlier,

Hi.

There is a lot taking in place in Bremerton to help "right" the "wrong" impressions people might have about the city. If you don't believe it's taking place, I invite you downtown to where the change is starting to take place.

Bremerton has historically had an issue with slumlords and your issues with the Iguana's is no exception. A lot of the agencies who are tied to the cities revitalization are working to oust these slumlords in attempts to make the city more attractive for people to live in.

I ask that you reconsider the title of your video. Maybe if it were re-titled, "Joe Iguana is a douchebag" or "Joe Iguana is a rapist" it would degrade the Iguana's rather than the city.

Thanks for your time.

One Year Ago

On Sunday, my girlfriend and I reached a milestone in our relationship--we celebrated our one-year anniversary. Although it might not seem like such an accomplishment, it really is. Especially when you consider that my girlfriend and I are complete opposites--she, unorganized, messy, highly intelligent, and attractive and me, organized, clean, smart (ass), and odd-looking. For all my lacking qualities, she has, and visa-versa. The saying is true, "opposites attract."

For our first real date one year ago, that was outside of work, I asked my girlfriend to the Bumbershoot Music Festival with the promise that a bunch of my friends were going to attend and that it would be a lot of fun. Fast-forward to the day of the show and only one of my friends decides to show (I begged him to come with me the night before). Fast-forward to when we get to the show and somehow my only friend disappears into the Beer Garden an hour into the show only to return home 3 hours later without explanation of how he got home, with his departure I thought for sure I would be in "awkward silence hell."

Fortunately, we connected. We talked the entire time, we found we had similar interests (including music) and similar goals and dreams. It was unreal.

To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we went back to Bumbershoot. This year's show was just as special as the previous year. None of our friends came and like last year, we talked the entire time. This time around I was welcome to hold her hand, give her hugs, let her use me as a giant pillow, and kiss her when I wanted.

The last year has been without a doubt the best year of my life and I owe it all to my girlfriend. We have done a lot in the last year and we have great memories to carry with us. I don't know what's in store for the next year, but I am definitely looking forward to it.

The Roots on Letterman

Tight, Tight, Tight!

Personality Test

My Personality

Neuroticism	64
Extraversion	52
Openness To Experience	75
Agreeableness	33
Conscientiousness	93

Test Yourself Compare Yourself View Full Report MySpace Stuff, MySpace Codes and Personality Test by Pulseware Survey Software

iPod

Late last week I finally broke down and bought an iPod video. It's the 30GB model, black, used--came loaded with the finest R&B hits from the last 20 years and few episodes of Family Guy, and doesn't feature Bono singing.

I might be the last person on the internet to buy a mp3 player and if it weren't for the excellent price I got on the iPod, I probably would have never bought one. Now that I do have an mp3 player and have spent some quality time with it, I have to admit that it is quite handy. It comes in convenient in a lot of places I didn't think music would be, namely the toilet.