Monday, July 31, 2006

Who has Time for Space-Time

While watching a few minutes of some sci-fi series on spike in the breakroom at target, I came across a thought I hadn't previously considered.

If one was to develop a way to instantaneously travel through the time dimension (that's a big if of course), one might end up in the middle of space, or - depending on how much time they travel - one could even end up buried underground.

Its a pretty common notion, just one I haven't really considered until now. Because we know the earth is moving in the space dimension as it moves along in the time dimension. So basically make sure you have an understanding of the entire space-time continuum before you go and do anything stupid like invent instantaneous time travel.

Or at the very least, bring a spacesuit and a shovel for those emergency cases.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

VCast My Ass

James Earl Jones and that dorky guy with the glasses who is always asking whether or not someone can hear him now have finally decided to start taking advantage of me.

I recently upgraded my phone and got the whole Mobile Web thing from Verizon Wireless. This allows me to do numerous things such as check my email, find movie times, directions, and even instant message people through AIM or Yahoo. Its turned out to be a nice little tool when I dont have my laptop with a wireless connection around.

But it turns out that if you are instant messaging people using AIM or any other form of instant messenger, ever message you recieve and send counts as a text message and goes into your usage. So apparently I pay a monthly flat fee for the web usage (roughly $15), but I also am supposed to pay for every single instant message that goes through this web I am already paying for.

This wouldnt be a huge deal, except everytime I am signed on both my computer and on my phone, I recieve messages on both. So if I was instant messaging you on the computer, every message you sent me also goes to my phone, and I get charged for it. So needless to say, I am getting dramatically ripped off, and not only that, but this was all never mentioned to me once when purchasing my new plan.

I am going to do my best to get out of these ridiculous charges, and of course, I am going to stop using my phone for instant messaging (which I have already done for the most part anyways). And if Verizon doesnt cooperate at all, they are going to lose a customer the same way Cingular did a few years ago, when they were always fucking up my bills.

Stupid Technology (except iPod's...mmm iPods).

Friday, July 28, 2006

Animation Proclamation

I got my animated movie fix today with the anticipated viewing of 'Monster House'. For those of you who know me, I am a huge fan of animated movies, and combine that with the Zemekis, Spielberg combination, who are best known for their work together on 'Back to the Future', and you've got one happy Nick.

I haven't seen an animated movie in the theatres in a while. Since 'Wallace and Gromit' actually. There are a lot I wanted to see, but never got around to it. Like 'Over the Hedge', 'Hoodwinked', and 'Cars' even. I can honestly say 'Cars' doesnt look to thrilling, but Pixar has never failed to satisfy me.

And its that time of the year where the animated movies start piling up to. 'Open Season' and 'The Barnyard' are coming up, and the list will just keep going on.

I don't know what the point of this post was other to express my love for animated movies, and to say that 'Monster House' was good. It wasnt your average 'the house is alive...ooo' scary story. There was a hint of originality, despite the obvious 'Goonies' character influences. Its a fun filled adventure for the whole family!!!

And you get to see the preview for 'Night at the Museum' which looks great. Ben Stiller you've done it again.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

The Typecast Sense Sign thats Unbreakable...

...in the village? (**Spoilers**)

What happens when you make a great movie with an amazing twist at the end of the story that no one ever expected?

Apparently you are expected to do the same over and over again. Much like M. Night Shyamalan.

I went to see 'Lady in the Water' today and I was pleased. Judging from other peoples reactions, the feeling was not mutual. I heard numerous comments that sounded a lot like this, 'Where is the twist?'. As the end credits rolled, everyone was confused as to why M. Night didnt make Paul Giamatti 'dead the whole time', instead of enjoying the beautiful story he put on the screen for us.

I wasn't completely satisfied with the movie, but I did love the story, and despite what most people would say there are a few 'twists' throughout the end of the movie that were very important for the overall message of the movie.

So what I'm trying to say is that M. Night is a great story teller, and at the same time he gets in some good burns on film critics, and does quite a bit of acting himself. He combines fairy tale with realism to create a beautiful story about change and about bringing people together. I recommend seeing it.

I realize this should probably be in 'my reviews' blog, but oh well.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Share and Share alike...

Whats up with those fancy-pants restaurants where everyone orders a dish or two and you share everything? I mean I know its probably common in a lot of cultures, especially when dealing with family type situations, but I've been to a couple of these places and had a couple different experiences.

The first time I went there was only about 4 of us, so it was kindof a huddled order to make sure everyone was happy. I got my fill of delicious meat products and we all drank liquor out of a giant bowl in the middle of the table with little plastic giraffes floating inside. It sounds crazy I know, but it was a lot of fun. Mainly because it was a small party and we all knew what each other would like.

The second time I went was still fun, but only cause I got lucky. There was about 10 of us this time, and we all ordered a couple small plates of food. The food was delicious and I did get to try some things I would have never thought of ordering, but I also turned down a lot of plates, cause who the hell wants to eat white bean salad while someone else is taking a mini burger off of my plate. Lucky for me, every guy at the table ordered the steak plate, so I pretty much had that one to myself. I'm not complaining, cause its cool to get together with everyone and sit around a big table and eat, but call me selfish cause I would much rather prefer to order my own food and then pick at everyone else's plates anyways.

Monday, July 17, 2006

I'm Alone, I'm an Easy Target

Tonight I start working at Target. Hooray! I got the 3am til 11am shift unloading trucks and stocking shelves. It ought to be about as much fun as working at Wal-Mart. In other words, none.

The good thing is it will give me a few hundred dollars a week to spend on studio time and new equipment. And its an easy job, so it will be stress free and will still give me a lot of freedom to keep the music going and whatnot.

The even better thing is that it will most likely be over before I know it. Kathy is working on getting me some contract work which would start within the next couple weeks if I am lucky. I will have to commute all the way to San Fran, which would suck on a lot of days, but I can make a lot of money in the 2 months or so that I would be working - which will in turn give me a lot of freedom to start promoting my debut album - which will hopefully be done around the same time the job will be done. - Octoberish.

So I've got to rearrange my schedule a little bit, and most days I won't be getting too much sleep. But we will see what happens, and hopefully things will work out pretty well. I'm more then willing to sacrifice a little sleep to keep the music going, and I am reaching the point where a little money is needed in order to do so. Hopefully the hard work will pay off and some doors will start to open...but I don't like to get into that these days...I just will work hard and see what happens.

The first official not an Airplane show is this thursday.

And to top off the week, a lot of great movies come out on friday. I love movies.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Not So Ultimate Frisbee

Since when did Ultimate Frisbee become a pansie sport? Short from tackling each other, I recall that it was pretty much full contact back when I used to play it on those cold thanksgiving reunion parking lot trips. Sure I know that we never played ANY rules, and Im sure that there has always had to be a few, especially in the college game, but its gone haywire.

I played a pickup game today with some UC Davis alum, and current students that I found online. Of course I was quite a bit rusty, given that its been years since I've played in an actual game. But I was unpleasantly surprised at the similarities between Ultimate Frisbee in Basketball. In other words 'Oww he fouled me' (in whiny pansie voice).

Not only was I baffled at the fact that everyone was wearing cleats and were calling plays (which were useless) but to top it off, the stoppage of play due to 'fouls' and 'picks' made things even more ridiculous. There was one time during the game where a teammate and myself criss-crossed and the defender defending him started yelling 'PICK PICK' about 5 feet before he ran into me. Of course this led to a stoppage of play where I was reprimanded for not remaining in my exact location until the frisbee was put back into play. What?!

Its amazing how California can turn such a great game as Ultimate Frisbee into such a whiny sport. I should have seen it coming considering the only people who ever end up playing Ultimate on a 'serious' level only do so because they can't succeed at any real sports.

I used to love playing the free for all back and forth non-stop Ultimate games in high school and the early college years. Those were fast paced and fun, and nobody whined, even when me and Sparky kicked everyone's ass. I would take Sparky and yes even Kearney over any of these professional cry-baby's anyday.

This is worse then what Californian's have done to Beer Pong with their allowing defensive blowing from everyone. Idiots.