Feh. Between the rain, humidity and the library being shut today (well,at least they’re supposedly updating their “technology” so perhaps the connection speed will be a bit less laggy than it’s been these last few months?), it’s be a hell of a slog trying to work. Well, I did get a formerly busted computer up and running and some stuff shipped out that needed to get on its merry way before tinkering around with a new game for a bit and starting up a small bit of artwork before rolling in here to post. Anyway, like the fold-able female in this clip, I need to be more flexible about certain things so I can just get more stuff DONE that I’d like to do. I got a nice kick in the pants thanks to Henry Miller’s 11 tips on writing (and NO, I’m not going to write like him, silly – I like his takes on inspiration and getting stuff done) and between that and some other kicks to the noggin and other parts (ouch!), I think I’m a bit more energized for the remainder of the week…
With all the fuss and bother over 4K televisions as the *new* new standard at last week’s CE Week,I was actually quite bored by this latest in the resolution revolution. Sure, all those massive TV’s LOOK phenomenal, but the current problem here is they all fall under the “bigger is best!” and “early adopters will indeed pay MORE for this new technology!” categories more than doing anything actually revolutionary.
That’s right folks, you’ll need a room the size of a small classroom and above and an entire wall or equivalent floor space for these door and door plus sized higher-def sets that come in at thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. If that’s not enough to keep the folks with small apartments and smaller wallets away in droves, there’s not a single 4K ready program out there to watch, meaning you’re buying into a TV that’s TOO good for what you’ll probably be watching. Yes, I’m sure that high-high def TV programming is on the way, but you all KNOW it’s going to be a reality show cavalcade and more sports (and if you’re spending that much on a TV and not season tickets… um… oh, nevermind)…
Don’t get me wrong – the image quality on every set I saw was phenomenal and I had to admit that had I the space and funds, I’d probably dive right in feet first just for gaming purposes and to check out my current blu-rays to see if I could notice whatever benefits upscaling had. Then again, I’m not that discriminating video guy other than demanding that black are blacks and not shades of greyish or blob-like darkness found in off-brand and some major HD sets. Other than assorted internet functions that basically turn your TV into a wall-sized facebook page or super-crowded screen full of apps, none of these new and expensive sets seemed to offer anything game changing other than bigger screens and nothing to do with them but engage in the usual passive viewer behavior. However, as soon as I walked around to the Westinghouse booth and saw their new 84″ LED 4K Interactive Whiteboard being displayed, my head nearly spun itself off in amazement.
You can DRAW directly on the screen. If you’re thinking or saying out loud “And?”, guess what – you’ll catch on eventually (I think). As my brain was whirling around from all the artistic applications of such a device, one of the reps started in with his pitch about how the TV is “a high quality alternative to projectors in many government, educations and corporate settings” and I was really wishing he was thinking as far outside of the box as I was…
“Hey, Boo Boo!” indeed. Yeah, that’s pretty much how it’s been, but you take the good with the bad (or else). Eh, I guess I can’t complain much, all things considered. OK, I’ll complain about the horrible Watermelon Oreo I ate about an hour or so ago. Yuk. It’s a good thing it was a freebie, as I’d be really pissed off had I actually spent money on a pack of those. I guess that’s why it’s called a guilty pleasure, huh? OK, enough rambling – off to take something for this headache and maybe have a cup of tea.Oddly enough… I’m all out of honey.
Blib. Blub. Beelzebub. My head hurts (well not so much now). Maybe I’m missing something, but I can’t help thinking the tech world sometimes lives at the 1939 World’s Fair and occasionally flits forward in time to the 1964 one. Lots of cool stuff is on the way, but like the old days, it relies on spending lots and lots of money for some things that won’t e a reality until lots and lots more money is spent setting up circumstances for these products to work. Anyone know of a 4K television program or network yet? No? Well, you better get ready for TV’s that have colors and detail you might not want to see (and maybe the return of 3D. Again.). While this will be great for the demanding cinephiles out there, I can’t wait to see classics like Citizen Kane, The Gold Rush and many others re-re (and in some cases, RE)-restored in SUPER pore-counting detail and not a hair or scratch on screen (he said slightly snarkily)…
Hoo boy. I still can’t breathe properly after watching how the folks at NWA World stick a few forks in the Xbox One and it’s recent reversal to a more “user friendly” gaming system and former Food Network host Paula Deen losing her TV shows after a bit of controversy from statements she made some time ago. Even if you’re waving flags for them in both camps, if you don’t get a slight grin in after these two videos, you may still be able to recycle that sense of humor at the local supermarket by screaming into the nearest redeemable can or bottle and trading that in for a nickel or whatever your state’s deposit is.
File this under “Now I’ve seen everything…”, folks. Stride Gum has teamed up with W+K London and Johnny Two Shoes to create Gumulon, which as you can see above is… yes, a game controlled by players chewing to jump. And I’m betting you’ll want a gum with a long-lasting flavor to play, meaning (cue Stride Gum theme music… if they don’t have a theme, they better get one and fast)… you’ll be buying some Stride with this new iOS game (as in: iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad 3rd & 4th generation, iPad Mini, iPod Touch 4th & 5th generation). I normally don’t cover iOS stuff (hey, do I look as if own anything Apple other than actual apples which aren’t “owned” for long because they’re eaten in a few delightful ways), but this was amusing enough to catch my eye when it hit my inbox, so here you go. Er, I guess if you get REALLY good at this one you can consider yourself… (wait for it…) chew chew trained. A ha ha and ha…
EMBED. EMBED. EMBED. Old habits die hard. Think of the children. If you’d like to make a call, please hang up and try again. Good Guys Wear Black, Elvis needs Boats!
That is all. This has been a public service announcement. And Eeek!, *THUD!*. Now I need to go back and update close to what, 2500 posts? Oh, that’s going to be fun (someone cue up “19th Nervous Breakdown”, please…). Yeah, that move from Blogger a while back didn’t move ANY of the older videos at their old large size (640 x 480), but it’s not that much work as far as copy/past busywork goes. Right? Bleh. Eh, I’ll get to THAT new and tasty tedious project over time, as my lone plate has cracks in it from all the stuff I’ve still got to do and then some.
I need a robot or a smart monkey that can type, dammit. Or maybe one who can stop time and go back to drop in html code. Anyone? “Bueller?… Bueller?” OK, OK, enough ruminating. I’m supposed to be busy here – back to the grind (*whipcrack!!*)…
Yikes and “Hmmmmmm…” Here we go. OK, folks – given the quality of some fan-made Lego movies (go hit the YouTube at your leisure and see for yourself), the very idea of spending a TON of loot for a CG film and all that expensive voice talent just makes me cringe a wee it too much. Yeah, it looks funny and yes indeed, LEGO probably got all the proper clearances for all those characters in one internet video conference call. Still, there’s something… off about this flick that I’ll most likely not see at all in a theater, but catch on the cable rebound circuit and think it’s not too bad at all (but still wonder if some super-fan could have done it for a few hundred bucks over the course of a few weekends)… as usual, we shall see…
Yeah, you had a bad day at work, right? You look like you could use a break from that grumbling and mumbling about chasing your boss around the office with a blunt object as well as a little lesson in karma. Here’s probably the best cure for your troubles in one of the most amazing film noir gems you’ll ever hit your eyeballs with. I think I did a Random Film of the Week on Detour previously, but I’m too tired to check.
EDIT! Nope, I did NOT do one – this will be rectified soon!)
Anyway, pull up a seat, Pete and feast your eyeballs on this dusty jewel that still packs quite a punch. Watch out for Ann Savage as Vera here – she’ll cut you if you don’t watch your back… or worse… maybe.
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 