May 2007 Archives

Wiimbledon: The World's First Wii Tennis Tournament

MAY 29, 2007

I'll probably be unavailable, but you should totally rock your Wii Tennis skills. And if you think you can beat me, I dare you to come to my house...

Quick Post link: http://wiimbledon.net/

Posted in Quick Post at 9:17 pm.
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MP3: New Lupe Fiasco Track with Pharrell over a Thom Yorke Track

MAY 27, 2007

Quick Post link: http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2007/05/new-lupe-fiasco.html

Posted in Quick Post at 11:54 pm.
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I'm Not a Whino, But I'm Totally in Love with Wine Library TV

MAY 25, 2007

Quick Post link: http://tv.winelibrary.com/

Posted in Quick Post at 1:38 pm.
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Finger Length Predicts Test Scores

MAY 25, 2007

"[Researchers] found a clear link between high prenatal testosterone exposure, indicated by the longer index finger compared to the ring finger, and higher scores on the math SAT."

Quick Post link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070523/sc_livescience/fingerlengthpredictssatperformance

Posted in Quick Post at 1:29 pm.
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Helix: A Skyscraper with Only One Long Corkscrewing Floor

MAY 23, 2007

The author proposes no elevators, only moving walkways, to move office workers the 12 miles it takes to reach the top. I think you could figure out a way to include elevators. [via kottke]

Quick Post link: http://absidea.free.fr/wordpress/index.php/helix-a-1d-skyscraper-with-a-single-corridor/

Posted in Quick Post at 11:05 am.
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Passive-Agressive Notes

MAY 23, 2007

Lots of "don't pee on the toilet notes", but it's always funny when people are angry at someone who isn't you.

Quick Post link: http://passiveaggressivenotes.wordpress.com/

Posted in Quick Post at 10:01 am.
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Songs for Ice Cream Trucks

MAY 21, 2007

Alternate versions of the Mr. Softee theme song, from Michael Hearst of One Ring Zero. "The Sprinkle Twinkle" is my favorite.

Quick Post link: http://www.songsforicecreamtrucks.com/

Posted in Quick Post at 7:42 pm.
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Video: How to Give the Perfect Man Hug

MAY 18, 2007

"Lean back ever so slightly. This is a non-threatening stance, making it clear you are not about to attack."

Quick Post link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUdWApwbudQ

Posted in Quick Post at 12:58 pm.
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Matthew Fluxblog Rounds Up Blogs That Discuss Every Song in a Band's Catalog

MAY 17, 2007

Mmmm, Talking Heads

Quick Post link: http://www.fluxblog.org/2007/05/miss-me-when-im-gone.html

Posted in Quick Post at 1:35 pm.
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Do Research: A Modern Prefab Process Document

MAY 17, 2007

Lotsa pictures of prefab houses, which you probably know I love.

Quick Post link: http://doresearch.blogspot.com/

Posted in Quick Post at 10:20 am.
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Nike SB Fly Milk Blazer Premium

MAY 15, 2007

Matty wants.

Quick Post link: http://forums.nikeskateboarding.org/index.php?showtopic=50833

Posted in Quick Post at 6:52 pm.
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Wearing a Helmet Leads to Cars Driving Closer to Cyclists

MAY 14, 2007

Their headline says "Wearing a helmet puts cyclists at risk", but they have no evidence of greater injury. I'd rather have a car come 3.3" closer to me than get doored without a helmet on.

Quick Post link: http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/2006/9/11/overtaking110906.html

Posted in Quick Post at 3:12 pm.
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28 Weeks Later is Getting Good Reviews

MAY 11, 2007

I really want to see it. I lurved first one.

Quick Post link: http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/28weekslater

Posted in Quick Post at 1:29 am.
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The Long Take

MAY 10, 2007

A collection of great, long tracking shots with explanation.

Quick Post link: http://dailyfilmdose.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-take.html

Posted in Quick Post at 10:21 am.
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The Minisode Sounds Promising

MAY 6, 2007

Youtube and its siblings have introduced the world to the 3 to 5 minute video and big media has noticed. Last week Sony announced they would start to produce 3 to 5 minute versions of old tv shows for the web. Some of the early shows will be TJ Hooker and Charlie's Angels.

Neither of these shows should have been 60 minutes in the first place, so I'm totally behind this. Sure, it's blatant money-grubbing but these shows will be fun to watch (assuming they're supported by advertising and don't cost money).

That being said, I'd rather see big media companies making original, well-produced minisodes. While there's some great comedy coming out of Acceptable TV and Super Deluxe, the production quality is (intentionally) low. I want to see something more.

The beauty of releasing content on the web is the lack of a programming schedule; shows don't have to fit into a grid. I see this as an opportunity to cut costs on critically acclaimed shows that didn't work with the traditional model, like Arrested Development. If the show had come back for a fourth season on the web, they could have done 30 ten minute episodes. This would have shaved costs significantly and their young viewer base would likely have followed (I know I would have).

It seems just a matter of time before big media tries something like this. Asynchronous content delivery allows for so many options and we're likely to see some great innovation over the next couple years. I have a feeling some of the riskier ideas out there might survive just a little bit longer.

Posted in Music\TV\Film\Media at 1:22 pm.
1 Comment |

Improve Your Photography with Classical Art

MAY 4, 2007

It uses a Photoshop command called "Match Color" and it's pretty frickin' cool.

Quick Post link: http://www.unfocusedbrain.com/projects/match_color/

Posted in Quick Post at 4:19 pm.
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Flip-book Style Ads on Moving Trains

MAY 3, 2007

Apperceptive recently added a new member to the team and she's already giving me great info. She's currently riding the PATH train to work and mentioned that they have these crazy flipbook style ads in the subways. As you pass by in the dark tunnel, there are a series of images pasted to the wall. Like a flip-book, the images in succession look like a movie. This video should give you a better idea of what I mean.

I have yet to see this in person but I'm completely awed by the concept. I might (gasp!) take a trip on the PATH just to check it out.

Update: I just found out that this was invented by Josh Spodek and the company he founded is Submedia. The sites have tons of info and some more videos. It turns out I have two friends who know Josh. Small world!

Posted in Music\TV\Film\Media at 2:04 pm.
2 Comments |

Map of Online Communities

MAY 3, 2007

I'm definitely somewhere in the Blogipeligo

Quick Post link: http://xkcd.com/c256.html

Posted in Quick Post at 10:20 am.
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This Laptop Bag is Nice, But Too Businessy for Me

MAY 1, 2007

Thusly, if you are businessy, you should get this bag. It's loaded.

Quick Post link: http://booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.252/.f

Posted in Quick Post at 9:16 am.
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