Arcane Heretic's Cloister

Stop Howie

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:23:05 GMT

Howie Mandell has a new show that piloted on Hulu called "Howie Do It". It is basically a prank shock show like "punked". This is all the description needed as the show has little substance. It is awful. I would be surprised if it lasted passed the pilot let alone a full season.
On a lighter side I discovered something about Howie I never noticed before.

I think it explains a lot.

Amazing Open Source Creative Commons software

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:22:35 GMT

Blender

Blender is a new Creative Commons software for creating CGI animation that is of high quality like a Pixar film. They have a demo cartoon called Big Buck Bunny. Link here.

This software is available on several platforms, Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and others. It is really amazing, I can't wait to see the projects that will be produced by the Internet community.

Yet another sign that Hollywood is dying.

Too funny

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:16:11 GMT

Be careful when using the online Internet translators. Or you could end up with a restaurant called this...

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/15/chinese-restaurant-c.html

This food can't be that good. Talk about GIGO.

>>

I am still sick with sinus issues. I has allergies and they is killing me.

Cheezing

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:05:55 GMT

So it all started as a bad dream I think. I found myself in South Park.
I don't know if was the fumes after cleaning out the catbox or the ambien-vicodin cocktail but here I was floating through space.

Then I found myself in the Fountain of Varnoth. I had to appease the Gods by lathering her boobs with soapy suds.

Hey it beats the time I was on The Simpsons. Maybe I need to change my prescription?

boring

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:00:05 GMT

I have been sick with a sinus infection for a couple of weeks now. I've been to the Doctor and they gave me amoxicillan. I think it is more allergy at this point but nose is stuffed up my head hurts and I feel like the Young Ones in the episode sick.

Speaking of the Young Ones, I read that Rik Mayall was in motorcycle accident in 1998. He was in a coma for 3 days in hospital. When he regained consciousness he looked at the doctor and said. "So your the bastard who keeps sticking me with needles."

Thats funny.

SciFi no clue

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:06:27 GMT

OK I don't actually watch cable, everything I watch come from free to air, DVD's, or from the internet live stream sites like Hulu or Netflix. It's just too damn expensive. 100 bucks a month for crap you have no control over.

I haven't watched the Scifi channel in over a few years, back when the only thing I remember seeing at any time while watching/channel surfing that channel was Stargate. Seemed to be a Stargate free for all. Morning, noon, night,..welcome to the Stargate channel'

With said and understood that I have little faith im them to produce a decent film'

Exceptions listed
The Dune Movie's were very well done.
The Invisible Man was great
The early Twilight Zones were good.

But they did/Do produce a lot of crap one-off movies and well as series of drek. -I'm drifting-

It seems last year, the SciFi channel made series called "The Dresden Files" which is a great show.

Well thought scripting, well written humor, lite cheese humor. Characters you give a shit about.
So i watched the series 1 on hulu only to later find that Scifi dropped the show. Just like "FireFly" (OH Don't Get Me Started)

This was great and had a lot of potential, people are still hearing about and learning it in reruns.
Why did you kill the show? That was dumb. You should lose a huge bonus or something. Bad network, no biscuit.

And now 2 more cents worth of my opinions.

Ironman 5 stars
Indiana Jones 4.5 stars -1/5 for the stuff that was obvious
Hellboy II 3.5 stars The first Hellboy was better
Batman DarkKnight not yet reviewed but expecting 5 stars

Technology

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:10:24 GMT

If you have a Netflix account, The new Roku box for live streaming video is worth a look. Since the netflix account already includes the Watch Instantly feature, an investment of 99 bucks for a Roku box seemed worth the try.

Well the box showed up today. Hookup took less than 5 minutes. I already had movies in the watch instant queue so they showed up in the Home page of the Roku box. Buffering took a few seconds and is based on your internet connection. The video hookup I was using was composite video. According to the setup instructions, Composite is the lowest quality with higher video quality by S-Video, Component, and then HDMI. So even using the lowest video available, it was pretty good.

The Roku box supports box ethernet and wireless connections, and the box is tiny, about the footprint of a CD jewel case and maybe 2 inches thick.

I honestly have to say it is worth the price. I have read some other reviews of this product and there were alot of complaints of the video quality. To me it doesn't look any different than viewing a DVD.

I recommend the Roku box.

Courtesy of my Goombah

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:42:03 GMT

…and as Jim listened to the new signal, after attempting to fix the aim on

his satellite dish, he heard a strange, reedy voice as it described Earth’s

defenses and weaknesses. What the Hell?

A second voice confirmed the information, and added that soon the invasion force

would be ready, and would hide behind the comet Halley on its fourth pass from now.

A strange combination of clicks and whistles, reminding Jim of cetacean noises,

followed this. The second voice warned to use only English, the predominan

language of most of the globe, to avoid suspicion. “The Earthers won’t know

what hit them” said the second voice. “They are like squid… soft, oblivious,

but delicious!” What sounded like evil laughter followed, and then silence.

Jim pondered. What should he do? Who should he tell? Were dolphins, or maybe

whales, going to invade Earth? Who would believe him? How could he prove it?

Fourth pass of Halley’s? That was, like, more than three hundred years away!

We may very well have destroyed ourselves for these invaders by that time,

and the Zim on Earth would have his choice of places to live before his kinsmen

arrived. And he’d be long dead by then anyway.

Jim pondered a bit longer, and then turned the satellite dish another four degrees

up and to the left, and got another hundred or so channels. “I was way off” he

said around a handful of popcorn as the opening credits to X-Files played.

He left the dish aimed there.

And I name that snippet: “Mark Snow Wrote Earth’s Requiem”
Written by - RogueSpidor

Rescued from the Jaws of Death

Thu, 29 May 2008 22:27:19 GMT

I have a new cat, she was rescued from the shelter. I don't want to say too much but lets just say she has had a rough first year of life.

But she is in a happy environment now. She just had the spay surgery and she is getting over a viral cold. Still got the sneezes.

She is a very lovable and affectionate cat. I have named her Cally.

Hollywood Vacation

Mon, 26 May 2008 03:25:42 GMT

Well with the price of gas being at an all time high I won't be doing any extra traveling this year. So for vacations It is a good thing that we will have a blockbuster movie year.

I highly recommend seeing Ironman, and The new Indiana Jones movies.

Both were excellent.

Robert Downey nailed the roll of Tony Stark. Lots of action, brilliant CGI, great story.
This movie screams sequel. Stay after for the credits.

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Another excellent movie. What can I say?, Indiana Jones. This movie has a lower cheese factor than the Last Crusade IMO. The story line was unexpected. I wont give a spoiler just go see it. There were a few things that were easily guessed but it didn't ruin the movie for me.

I am looking forward to The new Hellboy movie. Batman, X-Files, and maybe the new Mummy movie. (unless it is as bad as the second one)

The Anathema case no.2; hybrid species

Fri, 02 May 2008 20:47:52 GMT

AlexCF is an artist in the UK who make some amazing artistic props. Checkout his site to see some of the amazing things he has created. AlexCF

Awesome music coming from ... Canada

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:12:18 GMT

Another great new band from Canada. First it was Hot Hot Heat. Now a group called Neverending White Lights. I heard on the radio this morning on my way to work a song called "Always". It can be heard on their website HERE They have a very familiar sound and I can't place it. However after doing a little research I discovered they also meld other sounds to their music by featuring guest vocals from other bands. It's an interesting idea. But the band also still has it's own distinct sound.

Too bad the U.S. is hell bent on producing nothing but "McDonalds" grade music.

Go Canada!

addn:
I just heard a song on the radio by the former group 24 Gone entitled "The way that I am"
The group split up a while back but their music continues on. It pays to listen to Canadian radio.

Also check out Canadia 2056 A resurgence of Radio drama for Canada Radio One.

Too bad it will never happen here.

Samurai Hornets

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:40:57 GMT

I saw a special on the National Geographic channel about deadly insects. Killer bees and black widows aside these things are scary. The Asian giant hornet hands down is f'ing scary. They are huge! apprx 2 inches long or more. They have a deadly sting venom that dissolves flesh (not unlike the brown recluse) but that is only one part of the monster.

The venom contains at least eight distinct chemicals, some of which damage tissue, some of which cause pain, and at least one which has an odor that attracts more hornets to the victim.

The venom contains 5% acetylcholine, a greater concentration than is present in bee or other wasp venoms. Acetylcholine stimulates the pain nerve fibres, intensifying the pain of the sting.

Vespa mandarinia uses its large crushing mandibles, rather than its sting, to kill prey.

The venom of the Asian giant hornet is more toxic than that of most other bees or wasps, giving this species one of the greatest lethal capacities per colony.

The enzyme in the venom is so strong that it can dissolve human tissue.

Like all hornets, V. mandarinia has a barbless stinger, allowing it to sting repeatedly.

Not to mention its highly aggressive nature. In the documentary the hornets came after the show host like Samurai. They spray their venom on the invader which contains a pheromone that calls more hornets. And they don't seem to show any fear.

Their main staple is the harvest of honey bees. Next was shown how a small group of 30 hornets attacked a hive an tore into the honey bees like a pack of mad dogs. This is a accurate description the hornets are 5 times times bigger and they rapidly ran around the hive biting the bees in half, it was a slaughter. I felt bad for the bees in the hive. After they wiped out the hive the hornets go in and take the bee larvae for food for their young.

But after doing a wiki search on the hornet I discovered the bees have adapted to defend themselves. if they are scouted by only 2 or 3 hornets they can swarm the attackers. They smell the hornet pheromone and this signals the bees to clear the entrance to the hive thus allowing the hornets to come in a size the place up. But the bees swarm the hornets and form a ball around the hornet. Then they flex their wing muscles and generate heat. The hornet cannot tolerate heat above a certain level. (117 F if I remember correctly) once it gets too hot the hornet dies. Unfortunately a few bees will die when they do this as the hornet tries desperately to get away. But I felt better knowing that the bees can at least defend themselves. I don't usually worry about bees, but I hate to see an aggressive attacker pick on something smaller than it. It's nice to see the little guy stand up for themselves.

Now the section on the giant amazon leeches.... 3 inch Proboscis, all that blood (faints)

Derogatory slang based on American Government Officials

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:36:17 GMT

"lecondel” I have experienced this quite often as doe severyone. Interesting that Israel invents a word to describe the phenomenon based on you know who.

The long buildup to Annapolis, together with Ms. Rice’s many trips to the region, have given birth to a new verb in Israeli government circles: “lecondel,” meaning, to come and go for meetings that produce few results. The word is based on Ms. Rice’s first name.

I understand that "lebush" means to be "Optimistically Hallucinating" about what is really going on around you.

Getting my Star Trek geek on

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:07:46 GMT

Tonight I am going to see "The Menagerie" in the theater as part of its 40 anniversary. This is enhanced version of the star trek episode. I will comment on the experience afterwards.

To some it might be an emergency

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:12:58 GMT

Stupid redneck disease is spreading North.

Attention people of Connecticut, 911 is not for beer runs.

HEBRON, CT (NBC) -- It may have seemed like an emergency at the time, but a Connecticut man is now regretting his call to 911.

35-year-old Brian Poulin of Hebron was arrested Sunday after police said he called 911 several times and asked them to bring him beer.

Poulin was charged with disorderly conduct.

Police said he called 911 numerous times and told the dispatcher he was out of beer and asked them to pick up more for him.

Poulin was transported to Windham Community Memorial Hospital after officers arrested him at his home.

Police did not say what he was treated for. (Probably fell a few times while being escorted out of his house.)

He is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Rockville on Nov. 20.

Broke my crown!

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:07:43 GMT

I broke my God Damn new crown over the weekend. I just got it in the spring after getting a root canal. (Long story but it is the 3rd one on the same tooth)

The crown cost me 350 out of pocket , so I am pissed. Now it will cost me another 350. Im going to see if I can get an all metal one. Something that wont break when you try to eat.

Man this pisses me off!

Fetch The Comfy Chair

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:36:58 GMT

Well, after sitting on a horrible card table chair for near over a year, I finally got a new chair.
A comfy chair. I found it at the UM Property Dispo for dirt cheap.

Now I can sit at my computer in extreme comfort, As I relax with nestled against the headrest with the wing back. I can listen to my Old Time Radio collection.

It has that Archie Bunker class to it. The chair has character, But I intend on cleaning it this weekend. The only character in this house is me.

Cheeriebye

Solar Energy

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:20:31 GMT

The International Space Station has spotted some interested structures in Africa.

Look here

A rather large solar farm. Not sure the size but sine this was photographed from space Im guessing it is huge. Thus someone has invested a huge some of money in this.

I wonder who?

Dumber than I thought

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:19:26 GMT

Well it seems they caught the idiot who robbed us. The news reported the following.
I am surprised they caught him so quick but it sounds like he got real cocky.

I like how they set his bond at more than what he stole in value.

A Sumpter Township man is accused of stealing more than $20,000 in computers from a University of Michigan Medical School building, police said.

Scott Matthews, 25, was arraigned Sunday on one count of larceny in a building exceeding $20,000 and one count of breaking and entering, said Lt. Robert Neumann of the U-M Department of Public Safety.

Matthews was arrested by Van Burn Township officers who responded to a report of suspicious activity at motel Saturday evening, Neumann said. Officers found a computer with a U-M serial number in his room and a vehicle that was reported missing from the Taubman Center library last week, he said.

Several other computers were found at the home of Matthews' mother in Sumpter Township, police said.

Employees at the library said a window was broken, and a computer room was ransacked when they arrived on Sept. 24, Neumann said. Matthews' bond was set at $25,000.

Blade Runner

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 01:14:07 GMT

The are releasing a Blade Runner 5 DVD disk set of the final final cut version. It's suppose to have tons of extras. I just hope it will have the real original theatrical release of the film. But I look forward to the Final cut version. Maybe it will have the Holden scene in it. Either way it should be good.

Bloody Bastards!!!!

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:19:11 GMT

I work at UofM in the Medical School area as an IT guy.

My workspace was broken into last night by some low-life scum-sucking degenerate pig-fucking snot-nosed filthy son's of a whore. They trashed our cubes and stole some of our computer equipment. Fortunately they did not take my beloved iMac but that is probably because they didn't have the time. They smashed everything about and took some equipment but they left a bunch of stuff on the floor strewn about probably because they got spooked and ran away.

They did considerable damage, and DPS made a mess dusting for fingerprints. The powder they use is a black graphite not unlike toner. It was a bitch to clean up.

So needless to say things were topsy turvy and it will be a few days before things settle down a bit.

The thing that amazes me is how stupid these idiots were. They really wasted a lot of time smashing the place up
and they didn't take as much as they could have. I hope these bastards are caught. A bunch of them have been knocking over various areas of UofM lately. It's gotta stop.

Flickr site created

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:05:33 GMT

I created a Flickr site today.

I posted a bunch of images of books I have bound. Take a look and see what you think.

Flickr images

Aaaaarrrrrrr-crap

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:08:41 GMT

It is talk like a pirate day.

I did not.

I wish next November we would have "vote like your concerned for your freedom day" But I think the Republicans will have "vote like your afraid day".

(Some guy in the gulf of Mexico built his own island. I admire that.)

Book finished

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:20:48 GMT

I have just finished re-covering a book for a friend. it turned out pretty good.
The book was a hard cover sketch journal that was literally falling apart.
The cover was ripped and hanging on barely, the spine was split and pages were falling out.

I repaired the spine and recovered the book in brown leather. They wanted a "SteamPunk" design to the cover. It was a symbol of the sun with gears in the center. The picture below shows how it came out. I was going to put brass corners on but they were too small and would not work. So I opted for leather with studs. It still turned out well.