Sep 25 2008
This is pretty cool. Ever wanted to know more about Google? How it came about, where it’s going? Check out their timeline.
April 20th, 2000 – First April Fools Joke
“We announce the MentalPlex: Google’s ability to read your mind as you visualize the search results you want. Thus begins our annual foray in the Silicon Valley tradition of April 1 hoaxes.”
Sep 25 2008
I just stumbled across this on the internet. I was actually looking for a video sharing service that used higher quality video than YouTube. Twitch was one of the first sites that came up when I googled “better video sharing”, it opened to this video. It’s called Ong Bak 2, and it looks like it could be the greatest marital arts movie ever. It’s currently in production and scheduled for release December 4th, 2008… In Thailand. I doubt the cinemas in Bangor, Maine will ever decide to play this. I’ll have to wait for the Bluray, or the internet download.
Sep 23 2008
MacBook ‘Brick’ Codename Speculation
Monday September 22, 2008 05:57 PM EST; Category: MacBook
Written by Arnold Kim from MacRumors.com
There’s been some speculation amongst the mac web about a codename (“Brick”) associated with the upcoming MacBook update.
The name originates from 9to5Mac, apparently based on the same Asian sources as the “rainbow” iPod Nanos. The “rainbow” iPod nano rumors were apparently misinterpreted as multi-colored individual iPods, but in retrospect, it seems the term instead related to the colors of the rainbow that the new iPod nano are now available in.
Since then, the site has been told that the new MacBook update will be ‘all about the Brick’. The exact meaning of which is left up for debate.
Some are speculating that it is a completely separate device, but based on 9to5’s reports it seems clear it has to do specifically with the MacBook which is also rumored to have a glass touchpad.
Sep 23 2008
I’m sure you’ve seen them on TV, the new Microsoft ads, being the Apple pundit that I am I thought I’d offer my 2 cents. Overall I like the MS commercials, there’s a lot of sentiment on the web going both directions, most of which seems to be negative. I like the Seinfeld ones more than the I’m a PC ones, they were funny if nothing else. Who really cares about the message or lack thereof, Gates is an icon, even if you look at just the end of the spot, where he did the robot in the street, and consider the unconscious impact it will have on most people the next time they’re in Best Buy, they’ll be distracted from their ‘Vista sucks’ conditioning by the image of Gates doing the robot – laugh to themselves and say ‘Silly Bill… Windows isn’t so bad’. I think MS would have done well pursuing the Seinfeld / Gates team up.
Sep 23 2008
They stole my idea…
I actually came up with something very similar to this about a year ago. Bastards stole my idea… It is a damn good idea though. I’ll have to make a prototype of my idea and pick one of these up for $20 and compare.
The original idea came to me when playing golf, riding around in the golf cart we wanted some tunes, so I used my iPhone and just turned it up so we could hear it… but we could barely hear it, esp. when driving. When it was my turn to t-off, I put the phone in the cup holder (speaker pointed down), it fit well, and to my surprise amplified the music a whole lot, to the point I had to turn it down because it was too loud.
It basically redirects / concentrates the sound-waves, kind of how the Bose wave radio works. Only this was a thin plastic cup holder, with a small hole in the bottom. It worked great, I wanted to patent the idea or something, but never got around to it… damn it.
You could easily construct something like this for yourself from junk at home, it’s would come in very handy for camping and travel and you could probably easily incorporate an optional charging plug into your design.
Griffin Aircurve
“AirCurve from Griffin is designed specifically to work with the iPhone and the iPhone 3G. No power source is needed—the AirCurve directs sound from the iPhone speakers through a “coiled waveguide” that, according to Griffin, produces a sound akin to a set of desktop speakers.” -Gizmodo
Sep 22 2008
Day 6
Took 4 days off from my workout on Day 5, which included the weekend to go to camp. I wasn’t without exercise though. Walking for a few miles through grassy river plains and mud, up hills in the woods and wading through fast moving water with bulky waders and boots really gets the blood flowing. Back at camp I split and stacked firewood. That was actually a lot of fun, really got the heart racing and felt like it required a decent amount of lung capacity. I would do that every day for an hour or so if I had a use for firewood at home.
Todays workout was basic, 45 minutes and included squats, bench press, military press, pull downs, and abs – including the blast. Worked hard and fast with very short water breaks in between exercises. In addition to the major exercises completed I usually try and keep my heart rate up by using light free weights or using the edge of the Bowflex base to do calf raises. After being off the Bowlfex, for even a couple days, it’s good to get back into it with a workout that just uses the basic moves, otherwise you can to easily excuse yourself from putting forth the necessary effort to make it worthwhile.
Next workout is day 7, so I’ll be posting a new picture. I’m curious to see how the progress will turn out over time. I’m not dieting, drinking less beer or making any big lifestyle changes other than exercising with the Bowflex. Their probably won’t be much of a change from Day 1 to Day 7, but over time, all the photos together should show a progression… should.
Sep 22 2008
Went to camp this weekend with Jess, my dad and my good friend Jimmy. We went to go salmon fishing on the river, however it was clear that many other people had the same plan. The river had been fished hard and I was only able to round up one salmon from a spot I was familiar with. We tried everything, old spots, new spots, new flies and fishing for the whole day, unfortunately no one had any better luck. So instead we went for a drive on the logging roads, and then back to camp for dinner. The weather was great, the fire was warm and the food was filling. Nothing recharges the soul like a trip to camp. Pictures of the trip will be posted soon!
Me at a secret spot on the river.
Sep 17 2008
Day 5
Good workout today. Had a my friend Jim try out the Bowlfex too. We did 200lb squats, 50 lbs for bench and miliarty, 35 for curls and 50 for pulldowns. Solid work for 45 minutes. Between sets, whoever wasn’t on the bowflex, kept their heart rate up with a medicine ball.
The Blast
The final exercise we did, for abs, was a combination of crunches followed by the ad routine I mentioned on Day 4, I’m going to refer to this move as the ‘Blast’. I call it the Blast because when done properly you end looking like super hero sending a blast at your enemy. Basically all your upper body strength from your abs and core up to your arms and shoulders goes into it, straining you fight the resistance, giving the appearance that you’re forcing back an enemy with all your power. You’re hands stay open, not closed around the handles, and you don’t bring them together, as if the source of your power was generated between that gap, this maximizes the resistance through your arms, chest, shoulders and abs, plus all of the stabilizer muscles in between.
Sep 15 2008
Click on any of the pictures to the right to view it. These are being pulled from my flickr Photostream. You can view all of my flickr photos here.
Friends and family and the inquisitive public can also see my photo gallery on mobile me. This is collection of photos (sometimes quite a few) from many different events and outings and adventures with Jess, friends and family. Oh, and there’s also video. Click Here
Sep 15 2008
Day 4
After taking the weekend off from working out I got back on the Bowlex today, upping the weight. 200lbs for squats. 100lbs for pull-downs. 50 (per side) for military press and bench press. The Bowflex is great for experimenting with different exercises. There are a lot of different ways to work abs on it, one I’ve started using basically looks like your lunging forward while seated. Using your core muscles to pull you forward with the weight of the Bowflex holding you back. It’s a fast switch from any seated exercise and since the resistance is coming from your hands the farther you force them in front of you the harder is on your abs, allowing you to hit all different level of resistance in one motion. This also allows you to quickly change directions, reaching more muscle groups.
