Archive for February 2007
This One’s For My Wife
T-shirt humor is a website that has the funniest stuff you’ll find online. Well, some of the funniest stuff you’ll find, anyway. I cycle in some of their images in the sidebar of this website for grins and giggles. but when I saw this today I decided to make it into an eCard and send it to my wife. We’re talkin’ about 3.5 year old twins… there are moments like this… but thankfully they are few and far apart. About 8hrs apart lately…
03/01/07 addendum: Just for the record, given some concerns express by my wife about how this is ‘taken’ by the general public, it’s a joke. They’re actually great kids. We really do love them and we don’t really consider them ungrateful… all the time.
This One’s For My Wife
T-shirt humor is a website that has the funniest stuff you’ll find online. Well, some of the funniest stuff you’ll find, anyway. I cycle in some of their images in the sidebar of this website for grins and giggles. but when I saw this today I decided to make it into an eCard and send it to my wife. We’re talkin’ about 3.5 year old twins… there are moments like this… but thankfully they are few and far apart. About 8hrs apart lately…
03/01/07 addendum: Just for the record, given some concerns express by my wife about how this is ‘taken’ by the general public, it’s a joke. They’re actually great kids. We really do love them and we don’t really consider them ungrateful… all the time.
For Your Consideration (0 stars)
“A director (Christopher Guest) who’s never had a hit pins his hopes on the independent drama Home for Purim, a film set in the 1940s South that’s swiftly earning buzz for its performances. Guest’s reliable troupe of improv actors — a cast that includes Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Eugene Levy — grows even funnier with the addition of Ricky Gervais, who plays a Hollywood studio “suit.””
Geoff’s Comments: I think “Dog Show” was brilliant, and “A Mighty Wind” was entertaining as well. These are all done as ‘improv’ pieces, where the basic plot is defined by the dialog and interactions are made up by a very talented ensemble. But this one stunk so bad I had to open a window. This was awful. I actually turned it off 1/3 of the way in, because it was too painful to endure. A big disappointment from a film maker who’s repeatedly delivered in the past. I’m hoping this is just a fluke.
Sending Our Kids to Kelsey Grammer School
It appears that the map I published for friends and family showing the new house and surrounding points of interest includes a typo. When highlighting the schools they’ll attend I spelt Grammar with an ‘e’. “Grammer”. Dan Meader noticed this and he wrote back saying
Kelsey Grammer school? You didn’t misspell grammar did you?
I wrote back and said
It is the Kelsey Grammer school…. it’s only two Niles away from our house.
This image was found on www.worth1000.com.
For Your Consideration (0 stars)
“A director (Christopher Guest) who’s never had a hit pins his hopes on the independent drama Home for Purim, a film set in the 1940s South that’s swiftly earning buzz for its performances. Guest’s reliable troupe of improv actors — a cast that includes Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Eugene Levy — grows even funnier with the addition of Ricky Gervais, who plays a Hollywood studio “suit.””
Geoff’s Comments: I think “Dog Show” was brilliant, and “A Mighty Wind” was entertaining as well. These are all done as ‘improv’ pieces, where the basic plot is defined by the dialog and interactions are made up by a very talented ensemble. But this one stunk so bad I had to open a window. This was awful. I actually turned it off 1/3 of the way in, because it was too painful to endure. A big disappointment from a film maker who’s repeatedly delivered in the past. I’m hoping this is just a fluke.
I Need MySpace Like I Need A Whole In MyHead
I recently found out that my older Brother, my niece Marissa and my niece Lindsey all have ‘MySpace’ accounts. In fact, several months back when Marissa and ‘crew’ were visiting for Lindsey’s graduation, they all exclaimed how desperately I needed to have a ‘MySpace’ account and how cool it was and all that…. uh… crap. And I say ‘crap’ because, without meaning to be offensive to my family members, the whole ‘experience’ of MySpace is as unbearable to view as listening to Maria Carry and Whitney Houston singing…. singing… well, hell, just singing at all. After about 2 minutes of looking at MySpace i’m cringing and feeling the same irritating sensations that typically accompany listening to a styrofoam cooler squeaking on the back seat during a 30min drive to the beach. As somebody that’s had a reasonable amount of exposure to design and usability, it’s unbelievable that it’s gotten the momentum it does.
I went ahead and I created a presence there just as a way to keep tabs on the family, and thankfully there’s RSS feed support that I can subscribe to and avoid stepping foot into the mire that is MySpace. As I state on the ‘About Me” blurb….
I have my own site, my family knows about it, but my brother and nieces are here, so I’m making myself accessible to them. Of course, it’s all about reminding them to go to my real website and get off this lame myspace stuff. I mean, come on… are we still 12? Yeah, I don’t think so.
I don’t mean to come off as a blog-snob, but holy crap… MySpace is the design equivalent of a Pee Chee in the hands of a 7th grader with a four-color click-pen.
The Black Dahlia (4 stars)
“In this thriller based on James Ellroy’s novel, Los Angeles cops Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) uncover corruption and conspiracy within the force while searching for the killer of Tinseltown hopeful Elizabeth Short (Mia Kirshner). The film follows Bleichert and Blanchard as they venture into Hollywood’s darker side to piece together Short’s secret life in an effort to crack the 1947 high-profile case.”
Geoff’s Comments: VERY stylish ‘film noir’ homage, bringing back memories of “L A Confidential” and “Chinatown”. Great performances across the board. A bit of an overplayed conclusion, but still a well rounded suspense film.
The Black Dahlia (4 stars)
“In this thriller based on James Ellroy’s novel, Los Angeles cops Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) uncover corruption and conspiracy within the force while searching for the killer of Tinseltown hopeful Elizabeth Short (Mia Kirshner). The film follows Bleichert and Blanchard as they venture into Hollywood’s darker side to piece together Short’s secret life in an effort to crack the 1947 high-profile case.”
Geoff’s Comments: VERY stylish ‘film noir’ homage, bringing back memories of “L A Confidential” and “Chinatown”. Great performances across the board. A bit of an overplayed conclusion, but still a well rounded suspense film.
Ferguson Nails It
My friend Jess occasionally posts in batches on his blog, and there are times when he posts some true gems and great links to interesting stuff. This post appeared today along with several others and the linked video is totally worth your time. Craig Ferguson so beautiful nails a perspective on the media circus and the cruelty that exists in pop culture and their obsession with people that, regardless of celebrity, might need empathy and compassion. Jess also points to a a post by Dooce along the same lines. BOTH are worthy of your time. Bravo to each of them, thanks for posting it Jess. It’s stuff like this that makes blog reading and writing so great.
A Cool Use for ICE
Kudos and thanks to JJG for passing along this site, and a set of stickers as well. ICE stands for “In Case of Emergency”, and the sticker on your cell phone makes Emergency personnel aware that you’ve programmed emergency contact info into your cell phone. Sure, you’ve got 50 contacts, but how do they know who to call if something were to happen to you? By looking for an address entry titled ICE. Brilliantly simple. icesticker.com
Jesus Camp (4 stars)
“This riveting Oscar-nominated documentary offers an unfiltered look at a revivalist subculture where devout Christian youngsters are being primed to deliver the fundamentalist community’s religious and political messages. Building an evangelical army of tomorrow, the Kids on Fire summer camp in Devil’s Lake, N.D., is dedicated to deepening the preteens’ spirituality and sowing the seeds of political activism as they’re exhorted to “take back America for Christ.””
Geoff’s Comments: It’s frightening and terribly sad to see how free will and critical thinking are supressed in the hearts and minds of innocent children in order to instill dogmatic belief systems. There’s a few mind blowing moments, including the leader of the camp, in reference to all other countries and religions, stating that they’re all lies, and she’s the one with the only truth. Hmmm…. sounds like what every other religion says, doesn’t it? Or the lambasting of, get this, “Harry Potter” as an evil satanic wizard, to be admonished and, if she had control, killed. Lady… lookup the word Fiction, OK?
My two word summation of the subject matter: “Holy Shit”.
Jesus Camp (4 stars)
“This riveting Oscar-nominated documentary offers an unfiltered look at a revivalist subculture where devout Christian youngsters are being primed to deliver the fundamentalist community’s religious and political messages. Building an evangelical army of tomorrow, the Kids on Fire summer camp in Devil’s Lake, N.D., is dedicated to deepening the preteens’ spirituality and sowing the seeds of political activism as they’re exhorted to “take back America for Christ.””
Geoff’s Comments: It’s frightening and terribly sad to see how free will and critical thinking are supressed in the hearts and minds of innocent children in order to instill dogmatic belief systems. There’s a few mind blowing moments, including the leader of the camp, in reference to all other countries and religions, stating that they’re all lies, and she’s the one with the only truth. Hmmm…. sounds like what every other religion says, doesn’t it? Or the lambasting of, get this, “Harry Potter” as an evil satanic wizard, to be admonished and, if she had control, killed. Lady… lookup the word Fiction, OK?
My two word summation of the subject matter: “Holy Shit”.
The Danish Poet [now on iTunes]
In my younger years I’d made annual efforts to attend animation festivals as they rolled through town and were screened at the Camera cinemas. I love good, creative, artist animation, especially when the story is entertaining, heartwarming and human. I’ve not gone to a showing for some years but fortunately, there was an event at Apple this week that revived my interest. Unfortunately, I only had time to sit for a few, but one left a lasting impression. The Danish Poet. It’s wonderful, funny, and touching. And it’s up for an Academy Award as well. I hope it garners it the necessary recognition, and that it becomes available to the general public.
More Photos of the New Place
FYI, I’ve put more photos of the new place online, in my Family Photos section. These are posted in a password protected area. If you don’t already know the password, there’s a hint on the Photos page. Or you can contact me directly and I’ll send it to you. We’re on track to close by the end of the month.
Why’d You Turn Out Like That?
I observe wide right-hand turns practically every day at work, and with rare exception, they’re completely unnecessary and idiotic. I work with some of the brightest minds in the computer industry but thank god they’re not designing roadways or teaching driving schools.
Driving into the underground parking at the office requires a right-hand turn into and down a short ramp, along side a card-reader which you pass your badge over to open the gate. But for some reason beyond my understanding, people seems to have an odd compulsion to first veer to the left, then make a broad and sweeping right hand turn, as if there’s no room to do so otherwise. But there is! There is plenty of room for even a Surburban to navigate this simple turn. But people, even those in Mini Coopers and Civics, still make it into a semi-circle turn. And I’ve actually driven behind people at the prior stoplight, where they’d squeezed through the right side of the road and into the bike lane to successfully make that sharp right-hand turn, only to witness them approach the parking garage turn as if they’re about to guide a Hummer into a compact parking space between two semi-trucks.
Last Friday was the worst. Friday morning, a guy driving ahead of me turned on his right-hand signal, veered completely into the left-hand turn lane that runs parallel to the garage entrance, only to then turn sharply back to the right, straight across the actual lane that he’d just careened out of and which I was still driving in, and down into the parking garage ramp. He was driving a frickin’ Honda. He had no reason to make the turn in such a fashion. Had I not anticipated it, he’d have clipped my front left side as I drove forward, reasonably thinking that somebody that moves into a left hand turn lane and turns on their right hand signal is really planning on making a left hand turn. At least he turned his signal on, which is more then some have done in the past.
I’m marking this down as Pet Peeve #491 in an continuing series.
Why’d You Turn Out Like That?
I observe wide right-hand turns practically every day at work, and with rare exception, they’re completely unnecessary and idiotic. I work with some of the brightest minds in the computer industry but thank god they’re not designing roadways or teaching driving schools.
Driving into the underground parking at the office requires a right-hand turn into and down a short ramp, along side a card-reader which you pass your badge over to open the gate. But for some reason beyond my understanding, people seems to have an odd compulsion to first veer to the left, then make a broad and sweeping right hand turn, as if there’s no room to do so otherwise. But there is! There is plenty of room for even a Surburban to navigate this simple turn. But people, even those in Mini Coopers and Civics, still make it into a semi-circle turn. And I’ve actually driven behind people at the prior stoplight, where they’d squeezed through the right side of the road and into the bike lane to successfully make that sharp right-hand turn, only to witness them approach the parking garage turn as if they’re about to guide a Hummer into a compact parking space between two semi-trucks.
Last Friday was the worst. Friday morning, a guy driving ahead of me turned on his right-hand signal, veered completely into the left-hand turn lane that runs parallel to the garage entrance, only to then turn sharply back to the right, straight across the actual lane that he’d just careened out of and which I was still driving in, and down into the parking garage ramp. He was driving a frickin’ Honda. He had no reason to make the turn in such a fashion. Had I not anticipated it, he’d have clipped my front left side as I drove forward, reasonably thinking that somebody that moves into a left hand turn lane and turns on their right hand signal is really planning on making a left hand turn. At least he turned his signal on, which is more then some have done in the past.
I’m marking this down as Pet Peeve #491 in an continuing series.
Home Bound And Gagged
We’re in escrow. We are buying a house. And for those of you that had been personally aware of the effort, yes, it’s that one we wanted, made a few offers on, and ended up walking away from. Last Thursday were were contacted by the seller and after further discussions, we reached a mutually acceptable agreement. This all happened between Friday and today, including the signing of the papers starting the process. Before then, we’d completely give up on that home and were just waiting for something else we wanted to surface.
We’re gonna be house-poor for awhile. We’ll be bound to a very tight budget in which trips, travel, tech toys and tequila will all be luxury items. Well, maybe not the last one. And I’d like to avoid the “how much” question, only because it’s painful enough to gag every time I think of it to myself, let alone having to actually speak the numbers out loud while watching your faces blanch and your eyes roll back in your heads while muttering “you eediot” under your breath.
Yes, we’re taking on some serious debt. But the location has everything we want, including excellent schools, end-of-culdesac location, proximity to friends and familiar places, and more. Everything else we’ve seen has looked like an interim step. Ultimately, my hope is that in a couple of years we’ll have some financial relief, and in 15 years, this may be the one place my children will have always know as “home”. So it’s worth it.
We’ll be taking possession 3/5, but still renting through 3/31, so we’ll have a decent overlap during which to do a bit of painting and such, and making the move easier on all of us.
UPDATE: I’ve uploaded a few photos to my Family Photos section. These are posted in a password protected area. If you don’t already know the password, there’s a hint on the Photos page. Or you can contact me directly and I’ll send it to you.
I Shot Myself In The Header
I use various images in my website header. Most of which, with only the exception of the ‘icon cluster‘ one, are random images I’ve found online to fit a season or mood. I’ve decided to try using some of my own images instead. I’m no professional photographer but certainly have taken enough images over the years that I expect to be able to fulfill my own needs. I like the added personalization it brings here, too.
The one I’ve just put up is a panoramic image I shot back in 1992, of El Capitan in Yosemite, during a visit with my niece and nephew.
Cinderella Man (4 stars)
“Russell Crowe stars as pugilist Jim Braddock in this riveting biopic created by the Academy Award-winning team of producer Brian Grazer, director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman. Braddock, who garnered boxing glory when he defeated champion Max Baer in a winner-takes-all bout, arrived on the scene during the Great Depression (a time when Americans were woefully in need of a hero) and rose to the occasion with a vengeance.”
Geoff’s Comments: Wonderfully filmed and acted. A stirring and exciting hero story, with a lead character worthy of any man’s admiration.
Cinderella Man (4 stars)
“Russell Crowe stars as pugilist Jim Braddock in this riveting biopic created by the Academy Award-winning team of producer Brian Grazer, director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman. Braddock, who garnered boxing glory when he defeated champion Max Baer in a winner-takes-all bout, arrived on the scene during the Great Depression (a time when Americans were woefully in need of a hero) and rose to the occasion with a vengeance.”
Geoff’s Comments: Wonderfully filmed and acted. A stirring and exciting hero story, with a lead character worthy of any man’s admiration.
Castles Made of Sand
I don’t know where you might be while you read this, but today, February 17th, the sun was shining brightly and it was a pleasant 72 degrees in the Bay Area. I’d offered to take care of the kids in the morning, and with a addition of a little water into the equation, I found the ideal way to kill some time. I frequently take them to the Apple campus to play. It’s completely enclosed, there’s a great set of sidewalks between the buildings and around the inside that make for perfect tricycle riding. There’s a large basketball court they can roll and bounce the balls on, and there’s an adjacent sand lot with a full size volleyball court. Oh, and a hose, with one of those awesome multi-spray nozzles, right at the edge of the sand. So, with buckets and shovels in hand, we planted ourselves on the outer edge and they took turns wetting down a small section of the sand for digging and building sand castles. It was like being at the beach in the middle of winter time. And believe it or not there were gardeners cutting the lawn nearby, sending the smell of fresh cut grass into the air around us. All that was missing was the smell of charcoal. :-)
Wisdom Teeth Meet Idiot Surgeon
The topic of a good friend’s son having his wisdom teeth removed reminded me of my own experiences with this routine surgical procedure. I was about 16 or so. One significant memory of the event occurred the day after the surgery. I had eaten ice cream and taken pain killers while I patiently awaited the end of the Novocain’s effects, and the return of sensation to my gums and lips. (I was missing the ability to speak clearly instead of mumbling incoherent gibberish as if I’d had my cheeks surgically sewn onto my gums.)
It was only the following morning, once the anesthetic had plenty of time to run it’s course, that I started wondering why my speaking was not back on par. That, and the fact that one side of my mouth hurt more then the other side, prompted me to go check things out in the bathroom mirror. And guess what I found? They’d sewn my cheek onto my gum. literally. There was stitching in the gum that had crossed over and been threaded through the inner flesh of my cheek.
It was more frustrating then anything else. What kind of clod would sew a kids cheek to his gum? I was in no mood to go back and hassle with it being addressed by so-called “Professionals”, so I dug up a pair of small sewing scissors, and I methodically cut the cheek free while leaving the rest of the stitches in place to heal as expected. That was my one “McClane” moment.
Of course the Vicodin helped. :-)
Singapore Planning On My Part (updated 2/15)
I was very fortunate to have had an opportunity to travel internationally for Apple in the mid-late 90’s. My role at the time had direct ties to the manufacturing process, specifically the techniques used to download the pre-installed software to the Mac’s heading down the production lines, into boxes and out the doors to their destination countries. The most wonderful aspect of this was that, prior to even starting at Apple, if you to pull me aside and ask me to describe my dream job, i’d have said “Traveling Abroad and working with Macs”. Yet this opportunity was not pursued, it simply manifested itself over time.
These travels all have some fantastic stories that accompany them, each with their own specific situations and memories, each unique, and each to be detailed here at some point, starting today with the one chance I had to visit Singapore. The country itself didn’t leave as long and lasting an impression as did the numerous experiences I had in the span of just one week.
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Weighing In On Grammy Events
Although I did not watch the show, I guess there were two big deals about the Grammy’s last weekend. One being a performance by and the announcement of a reunion tour of the Police, and the other being a broad sweep of awards going to the Dixie Chicks. And both have me thinking and wondering.
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The Illusionist (4 stars)
“Set in early 1900s Vienna, Neil Burger‘s romantic thriller centers on illusionist extraordinaire Eisenheim (Edward Norton), who falls for an aristocrat (Jessica Biel) well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), the master magician employs his powers to win her love. His daring scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti).”
Geoff’s Comments: This was a very well paced drama, with great acting and story telling. I was surprised on numerous levels.
www.geoffmitchell.com 
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