Ponderings as the season gets colder (links!)
Nov 20, 2007 11:43 Filed in: Observations
I'll be watching and cheering for the Kansas Jayhawks
this weekend as they try for an undefeated miracle
season as they take on Missouri. Hope either one of
them can go all the way. Interesting article about their relatively short
QBs.
Played and beat an incredible game called Portal (part of the Half-Life 2 Orange Box for Xbox 360 and PC). It wasn't very long, and no shooting, all about solving puzzles, but there was incredible narration to the story where you are a guinea pig. The end had me awestruck and throughout the game I was laughing even at the sinister aspects. Apparently it was written by Erik Wolpaw, one of the 2 great minds who wrote my favorite game for the original Xbox, Psychonauts (Tim Schafer is the other). This wonderful interview sheds some life on the great mind at work. Even now I'm listening to the youtube video of the final end-game song that is well-done in its own right - a new ipod addition!
If you were thinking of getting a Playstation3 with 15 free Blu-ray movies, this Saturday's secret sale is your best chance at WalMart. I've debated it, but am sticking with my 360 & HD-DVD player. Both formats will be around for a long while.
And for my future movie theater, here's the chart detailing on when you can tell the differences between 720p & 1080p projectors.
In the more controversial links, here's a 2 hour movie, Zeitgeist, (in three parts) that's entertaining and thought-provoking, though good at making one angry as well. Lots of paranoia in presenting this "documentary", but some aspects I enjoyed debating with others. Each part puts together relatively well-discussed (ie. old) arguments as to 1) Christianity was created for social control, 2) 911 was an inside job & 3) world is run by international bank cartels. Here's a decent review. There's a bit of truth to all of it, but I don't agree with much of the main messages/conclusions. The 2nd part has been what has upset me the most. How we (mankind, US, etc) have gotten into many of our recent wars. Anyway, if it doesn't create some sort of reaction within you, check your pulse.
In a more constructive conversation, there is an interesting series called Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival. I haven't watched more than one, but will do so bit by bit over the coming weeks.
I'm currently into watching Heroes, season 1. Suspect it may go the way of many popular new drama series (ie. go downhill fast), but here's to hoping. I'm not a fan of the narrator or his character (acting-wise) and I could go on for other criticisms, but the premise and multiple-converging stories are great hooks.
Lastly on the tech theme, the new Beowulf movie is absolutely gorgeous! One to see soon in a digital, IMAX and/or 3D theater. (Sadly none of which are near me - wait, in Olathe, KS!)
And some more help on what to buy this Black Friday.
Played and beat an incredible game called Portal (part of the Half-Life 2 Orange Box for Xbox 360 and PC). It wasn't very long, and no shooting, all about solving puzzles, but there was incredible narration to the story where you are a guinea pig. The end had me awestruck and throughout the game I was laughing even at the sinister aspects. Apparently it was written by Erik Wolpaw, one of the 2 great minds who wrote my favorite game for the original Xbox, Psychonauts (Tim Schafer is the other). This wonderful interview sheds some life on the great mind at work. Even now I'm listening to the youtube video of the final end-game song that is well-done in its own right - a new ipod addition!
If you were thinking of getting a Playstation3 with 15 free Blu-ray movies, this Saturday's secret sale is your best chance at WalMart. I've debated it, but am sticking with my 360 & HD-DVD player. Both formats will be around for a long while.
And for my future movie theater, here's the chart detailing on when you can tell the differences between 720p & 1080p projectors.
In the more controversial links, here's a 2 hour movie, Zeitgeist, (in three parts) that's entertaining and thought-provoking, though good at making one angry as well. Lots of paranoia in presenting this "documentary", but some aspects I enjoyed debating with others. Each part puts together relatively well-discussed (ie. old) arguments as to 1) Christianity was created for social control, 2) 911 was an inside job & 3) world is run by international bank cartels. Here's a decent review. There's a bit of truth to all of it, but I don't agree with much of the main messages/conclusions. The 2nd part has been what has upset me the most. How we (mankind, US, etc) have gotten into many of our recent wars. Anyway, if it doesn't create some sort of reaction within you, check your pulse.
In a more constructive conversation, there is an interesting series called Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival. I haven't watched more than one, but will do so bit by bit over the coming weeks.
I'm currently into watching Heroes, season 1. Suspect it may go the way of many popular new drama series (ie. go downhill fast), but here's to hoping. I'm not a fan of the narrator or his character (acting-wise) and I could go on for other criticisms, but the premise and multiple-converging stories are great hooks.
Lastly on the tech theme, the new Beowulf movie is absolutely gorgeous! One to see soon in a digital, IMAX and/or 3D theater. (Sadly none of which are near me - wait, in Olathe, KS!)
And some more help on what to buy this Black Friday.
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