Friday, June 9, 2006

Mind Over Matter

Hey, what am I thinking? No, don't journey into the dirty side of my mind, this is a PG-13 blog...or at least I try. Tell me what's on my mind besides the things that a typical 20something year-old boy has on his mind 24/7. Can you read my mind? Can you see past mysterious eyes and peer into another's thoughts? In a step toward linking a person’s thoughts to machines, Japanese automaker Honda said it has developed a technology that uses brain signals to control a robot’s very simple moves.


In a video demonstration in Tokyo, brain signals detected by a magnetic resonance imaging scanner were relayed to a robotic hand. A person in the MRI machine made a fist, spread his fingers and then made a V-sign. Several seconds later, a robotic hand mimicked the movements. See, this is why they would never let me work on this project. I would of had the robot demo it's abilities by programming it to giving the guys in the little white lab coats the middle finger. What dork had it give the "peace sign"? Nerd. I'm thinking this hand could come in handy in the ghetto. When girls get into fights, they don't have to lose their "lady-like appearance" by rolling around and scrapping in a back alley. Instead they can mentally tell the robotic hand to bitch-slap the other girl for them! Genius!

Honda officials said the latest research was important not only for developing intelligence for the company's walking bubble-headed robot, Asimo, but also for future auto technology. I know some people that can barely do 2 things at once, like walking and chewing gum at the same time. So I'm not too sure I would trust them to steer a car strictly by thinking how it should maneuver. Although when you think about it, people are already way too distracted behind the wheel. How on earth would America survive if they were unable to gab on their cell phone because they had to focus on traffic?

I'm thinking this robotic hand will find more use in hospital operating rooms. Let's just hope the doctor doesn't find the sudden urge to bitch-slap the assisting surgeon while you are lying on the operating table. It probably wouldn't be a good thing for him to let go of your pulmonary artery to engage in a cat-fight. Of course, I will tell my robotic hand to give the doctor the finger if such an act takes place...and it will mark my final words (gesture) on Earth. May I, and my robotic hand, rest in peace.

Thursday, June 8, 2006

See-Thru Skirts Are All The Rage, Really?

Most of the time, Japan is on the cutting age when it comes to technology. But when it comes to fashion, I think Japan should stop trying to "outhip" New Yorkers. In my opinion, the Japanese should stick to designing video game consoles and stay away from woman's apparel. And I don't say that as a video game junkie or a fashion critic. I say that as a straight guy with more than a half a brain who can easily say "this just isn't a good look for anyone, no matter how hot you may be". This latest Japanese fashion trend has been drawing alot of attention and it's obvious why. It's as close as you can come to public nudity while not actually being nude. Take a look for yourself.

What you are looking at (perhaps drooling at or maybe puking a little in your mouth at) is the latest fad to hit Japan. They are skirts with a "see-thru" appearance. At first glance, I too was fooled. It appears that the skirts are made of mesh or some type of very thin fabric, but really what you are seeing is nothing other than a printed image on the back of the skirt. The idea is to fool you into thinking what you are seeing is the girl's panties thru the skirt. However, that is really not a wedgie butt that you are seeing. Well it is, it's just not a REAL wedgie butt. Ok, it is a real wedgie butt, BUT it's not the butt of the girl who is actually wearing the skirt. There, all clear? Yeah, I thought I made perfect sense.

Rumor has it that this trend, fad, craze or as I like to call it "slut slip" will be moving to the US! By all means Japan, keep making cars. Keep making electronics. But for the love of God, please stop trying to make fashion statements! My sister made me proud when she sent me an e-mail saying..."This is one fashion move I will NOT be making. I'm forwarding this to our skirt buyers at work to see if they ever heard of such a thing." Yeah my sister buys clothes for a living. Isn't that every girl's dream job - to get paid to shop? Maybe she can accompany a bunch of Japanese tourists on the "do's and don'ts" when it comes to shopping for clothes.

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Drunk Chicks Are Super Entertaining!

Few things in life are more entertaining than watching girls get completely wasted and making idiots out of themselves. Sure guys get trashed sometimes too and can be rather humorous as well, but it's just not as entertaining as when it happens to a girl. And the classier girl, the better! All her inhibitions go right out the window. All her poise and grace and good manners were drowned in a tequila shot and slammed down Coyote Ugly style. Take the most prim and proper girl you know and if she gets the right amount of booze in her (or I should say an OVER amount), you will see her transform into a sloppy drunken fool right before your very eyes. Although, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's actually quite entertaining to onlookers. It's unscripted comedy at it's finest...and of course ugliest. Here is a prime example of such a case.


After a long night out partying, a group of guys and girls decided to continue the drinking festivities at a friend's house. One girl in particular had way too much to drink. Who is to say what the rest of her night entailed, we can only guess. Although I do know this, she awoke in the morning still drunk! She hadn't even made it to the hangover stage, that would undoubtedly arrive later in the day. Feeling nauseated, she went to find the bathroom. While hugging the porcelain throne, she came to a brilliant discovery, or so she thought in her inebriated haze. She believed that because she felt nauseas and had been throwing up in the morning, that to her it could only mean one thing - I'm pregnant! I can't say what was running thru her head at this point, but whatever foggy thought passed thru her brain wasn't brilliant, to say the least. She had pretty much drank away any last functioning brain cells she had left. And what she did next, was proof of just that.

While in the bathroom on her knees...which may be a clue as to how she misread puking from drinking too much, to her being pregnant. Being on her knees may of triggered a flashback memory from the prior evening's late night activities? Anyway, while in the bathroom on her knees, she saw a white strip on the counter, which she thought to be a pregnancy test. So she peed on it. When finished, she came out of the bathroom and showed it to her friends in hopes they could figure out the test result.

According to EPT (the "Error Proof Test" or for many it should be the "Idiot Proof Test") reading your results are very simple. 2 lines, you're pregnant. 1 line, you're not pregnant (and don't ask me how I know that). Sounds simple, right? Well when this drunk girl took the pregnancy test, the test results were awfully hard to determine. That's because it turned out to be an iPod Nano, not a pregnancy test stick! She peed on a iPod Nana! I have to admit there is a similarity between an iPod Nano and an EPT stick. Ok, not really and I hate to admit I've seen worse. So what happened to the iPod? It stopped working, obviously. The owner tried to send it in for warranty repairs, only to be informed that "the warranty does not cover pee-related damage". Can you believe Apple doesn't cover pee-related damage? Next you will tell me Apple doesn't cover something like puke-related damaged products! Now it's just absurd that Apple hasn't done something to insure bodily fluids are fully covered in all iPod warranties.

And what happened to the girl you ask? I don't know if she turned out to be pregnant or not, but who really cares? With that embarrassing true tale of hers floating around the net, it's probably safe to assume she won't be showing her face out in public for awhile. She will resort to getting drunk at home. Of course things could be worse. She should be happy she isn't the doctor that told one family their daughter is dead and another family their daughter is in a coma, only later to discover he had the daughters mixed up! That's actually not funny at all, but this is...

What about the black swan that fell deeply in love with a white swan only to learn their love could never be! No, there isn't any racial swan discrimination law. White and black swans alike can all drink out of the same water fountain, I mean lake. The heart break is the swooning swan doesn't realize he is trying to swoon a paddle boat! Yes, a giant sized wooden paddle boat made to look like a beautiful white swan. Apparently looks can be deceiving and he has fallen for her bodacious "carved" feathers. Aww. I feel for this little guy. Moral of the story...life can be a bitch, but that's why there's alcohol. Now go drink and be merry. And where is that love sick swan? I want to buy him a drink. I think he could use it when I break the news to him.

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

6 New Year's Resolutions For 2006 & 6 Wishes For 6/6/06

I'm a little belated, actually I'm very belated, in stating my New Year's Resolutions for 2006. I may be 6 months late with this post, but in a way, this is the perfect day to post this. Today marks the dreaded 666 on calendars and despite the superstition that surrounds this day, I'm hoping that today brings me a little luck. If not luck, then perhaps some hope for the future and a clearer idea of what I'm striving for in the upcoming 6 months and a reminder of what I've accomplished in the past 6 months. I actually started compiling this short New Year's Resolution post back in January, but for whatever reasons, I sat it on the back burner (and if you read my list below, it's about the only thing I know how to put on a burner). So some of these resolutions may of already been reached and some of these wishes may of already been granted, but I'm including them because...well just because. I don't need to share my "because" reasons.

By the way, "do not procrastinate" was one of my original resolutions before I realized that making "do not procrastinate" a New Year's resolution and then putting off actually declaring it for 6 months defeats the purpose of having it as a resolution in the first place. Deep thought, huh? Anyway, I don't want to procrastinate another minute rambling, so here is the list...

6 New Year's Resolutions For 2006

  • make a conscious effort not to ramble
  • learn to cook
  • get my Masters from Carnegie Mellon
  • when the time comes, find the strength to say goodbye to my childhood dog, a final unselfish act of love
  • fly 3,000 miles to cheer my sister on when she runs her first LA marathon
  • continue to shed any negativity in my life...they may choose to be ugly on the inside, I just don't have to endure it

6 Wishes For 6/6/06

  • fall in love with a really great girl
  • hmm...
  • umm...
  • I'm realizing something...
  • that anything I could wish for, I could achieve without "magic"...
  • but that one thing.

Monday, June 5, 2006

Nike + iPod = A Match Made In Heaven...Or Hell

It's time to lace up your Nikes and sync up your iPod because a new marriage between Apple and Nike will have your iPod barking out orders to your feet! That will then trigger your unmotivated ass into whipping the rest of your body into shape. Sounds fun, right? Apple is teaming up with Nike to cross-promote sneakers and iPods. The footwear and earwear giants are soon launching a new line of iPod-compatible sneakers, plus a wireless pedometer-cum-connection-kit that pumps exercise feedback into runners' ears. In non-tech terms, your sneakers are finally going to talk to you! Your Nike Airs will now be coaching you! If it's anything like the uplifting and inspirational words my 7th grade football coach spewed, my shoes will say something like "You stink" or "Faster fat ass!" (Note: I did stink in 7th grade football, but I wasn't a fat ass. Just a FYI, not that anyone asked or cared to know.)


The Nike+iPod cross promotion encourages runners to buy a new pair of Nike+ sneakers, which have a little pocket for a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor is part of a $30 Nike+iPod Sport Kit from Apple, which is expected to ship within 60 days. The Nike+iPod Sport Kit also includes a small receiver that plugs into the dock connector on the bottom of the iPod. Out on the road, the sensor sends data about time, distance and pace to the iPod. This then provides unspecified "workout-based voice feedback" while you run. Presumably, it's encouraging...or so we can only hope.

Back at home, the iPod uploads the exercise data to your Mac or PC. It then syncs with iTunes and the NikePlus website which records runs and sets goals. In addition, sporty iMixes, chosen and introduced by top athletes, will be available for download. The site will also allow runners to challenge each other to "virtual races" and download time or distance-based workout routines. Ah yes, competition...NOW you have my interest, considering the fact that I'm a competitive freak!

According to Apple's website (www.apple.com/ipod/nike), you don’t just take iPod on your run. You let it take you. Music is your motivation. Nike+iPod becomes your coach. Your personal trainer. Your favorite workout companion. Until this product hits store shelves, I think I will continue to reminisce about cruel Coach K cussing in my ear at the tender age of 12. He had such a way with words. It truly warmed the heart - sigh.

Friday, June 2, 2006

Tech News and Random Ramblings v2.0

I'm working on a new template/layout for my blog. With time permitting and if all goes well, I hope to have it implemented by the end of the month. I'm throwing around a couple different looks, but haven't settled on anything just yet. Ideally, I would like to work with a professional web designer who could create something for me that I see in my head, but they could produce on paper. Then of course eventually code it. So if anyone out there would like to work with me on it, let me know. If not, then I'm going to do my best to design something myself. Wish me luck!

Thursday, June 1, 2006

Scarred

A scar lets you know the past was real. There was a time. There was a place. There was a turning point in your life. As it passed, a scar formed. It began the healing process. Scars. Little remaining reminders that it wasn't a figment of your imagination. Reminding us of mistakes, accidents and incidents that left their mark on us physically, mentally and of course emotionally. We often add makeup to cover the scars, pretending they matter not. A phony mask that tells the world we have healed. The reality is the pain has faded, but we will never forget the reason we have these permanent defects. Defects? I rather think of them as "bravery badges". A certificate proving you have heart. You have character. Unique and beautiful in your own way. Scars that compose and even compliment the very makeup of who you are.

If you are lucky and if you are strong, you have the power to overcome. Most scars fade over time, but what about the ones that linger on? Prominent reminders of the pain you once endured. The same pain you still feel today, but hopefully to a lesser degree. And what about the scars that have faded? They too can be just as prominent...but only in your own head. Nobody sees these scars, but yet you still carry them, buried deep in your heart. Insecurity, self loathing, low self worth, anxiety and depression. All the ugly bitterness. Memories you placed in a box. Tucking it away inside your head, closing the lid. If you dare to re-open the box and peer inside, you will realize it doesn't help. Dwelling on those times just feeds the wounds. Festering like a dirty open sore. Does it ever really fade away? Even the deepest, most filthy cuts? Does time really heal all wounds? Or is that something Hallmark just wants you to buy into?

If I can make scars, do I have the power to heal them? Do I have the power to heal scars created by another before me? It would be amazing if I could lightly trace the scarred line with the tip of my finger. With each passing inch, my finger would act as a magic eraser. Not only removing the thin purplish line, but healing what lies beneath the skin. It is a power I wish to hold. Now that be a wonderful gift to be granted!