I came across this internet archive that stores web sites from years ago, letting you browse back in time. I could go back and look at my web sites as they were in 2001!
Check it out: www.archive.org
All posts in Geek
Episode III is PG-13
Revenge of the Sith has received a PG-13 rating. This can only mean good things. I remain cautiously optimistic. I almost saw a spot they played during Lost with the “Arise, Lord Vader” scene. There was a flash of Vader sitting up from a table before I turned it off. This is going to be great: I’ve literally only seen about 2 second’s worth of images from this movie. I’ll go in completely fresh. It’s the last time I can experience a new Star Wars movie and I want to see if I can recapture the childhood wonder I felt during the original trilogy.
This is a Good Start
I’ll take five. Be sure to check out the video of this baby in action!
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000043038904
Google Maps
Google Maps has recently become my route planning site of choice over Mapquest simply because it is more fun and (I think) easier to use. What I like is how you can click and drag the map around instead of clicking on compass points and moving in clunky square-shaped jumps. You can also look for non-specific addresses, like where all the Blockbuster Video stores are in a certain zip code.
Just recently they added a satellite imagery feature up in the upper right corner so you can toggle between a traditional street map and super cool satellite photos of the same view. Now I can literally see my house from here!
World of Podcasting
Since podcasting is still relatively new, the community is very accessible and friendly. I heard a very literate and high quality podcast on openpodcast.org on the topic of comparative mythology. I felt compelled to write the guy, Jerry Trowbridge, and ask if I could get a direct feed of his ‘cast instead of having to wade through the ads on openpodcast. He said he didn’t have one as yet, but would think about it. Later that day he had it all set up! We chatted briefly about podcasts and audio work in general. Very cool. Check out his feed at http://pbcliberal.users.blogmatrix.com/podcasts/index.xml
And then, out of the blue, a podcaster from what has become one of my favorite shows, Chub Creek, wrote me because he saw my mention of the ‘cast on my site. Having Dave from Chub Creek decide to write me was like getting an email from someone on the cast of “Lost” or “Stargate SG-1.” Well, maybe not SG-1. The show is basically these two Canadian guys who have been friends since childhood but drifted apart in their adult years. They are using the show as a way to reconnect. Chub Creek typically offers a well-edited collection of skits, bizarre songs, excellent original music, and random musings. Listen here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ChubCreek
It’s worth it to download every episode from 1 to the most recent.
More than Meets the Eye
I promised Bill this photo long ago, but forgot to send it. It’s my Isuzu Decepticon, complete with laser damage. It’s great when I’m stuck in traffic because I can just go into robot mode and stride over the other vehicles, often crushing them like so many aluminum cans.
A Thing of Beauty
Oh, how I adore my iPod. Just look at it, sitting there all svelte, brimming with music. And who’s that looking out at me from the screen? Why, it’s Ryan! Yes, I can take Ryan with me wherever I go. He rides in my pocket like Gulliver.
Podcasting
Cool Stuff You Might Not Know About: Podcasting
This is the concept: Imagine a radio program that you can listen to at any time because it is downloaded to your computer or iPod automatically. But it is better than radio because it is unregulated, anyone can have their own show and it is distributed for free all over the world.
Right now podcasting is still a relatively new concept, but even so, there are tons of shows out there already. Just like web sites, you can find an astonishing assortment of subject matter and formats: talk shows, technology reports, cooking shows, poetry, astronomy, radio dramas, bizarre experimental shows, music promos, and on and on.
To enjoy podcasting, you just need a broadband connection (or a lot of patience) and a program such as iPodder that lets you seek out shows you can subscribe to and download. iPodder.org is also a great source for info on podcasting and new shows.
Some of my favorite shows are Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code, 2600: The Hacker Quarterly, Chub Creek, Open Podcast, and American Copywriter. There’s a great ‘cast for Battlestar Galactica fans. It’s basically audio commentary from the show runners that you can listen to while you watch the broadcast of the show, sort of like realtime directory commentary.
Of course, I have some ideas about how I could use this technology… 
Sin City
If you’ve come within a stone’s throw of any press about Sin City, you already know Rodriguez hit a home run. I don’t have to tell you it’s fantastic.
I love Rodriguez’ maverick style and his way of making films. He writes and directs. He uses his own cameras, he shoots and edits the thing himself and usually writes a good deal of the music. Nothing compromises his vision. And when he wanted Frank Miller as co-director, he resigned from the Director’s Guild to make it happen. He cares more about the art and staying true to the source material than anything else. Rodriguez reminds me that it is still possible to do fantastic, large scale creative things if you are passionate enough.
What I expected from Sin City was a dazzling demonstration of digital technology, a la Sky Captain. What I got instead was fantastic storytelling supported by a mature and painterly use of what digital can deliver. This is not a living graphic novel. For that, you’ll need to hold out for Linklater’s Scanner Darkly (2006?! WTF?).
This is a film noir Pulp Fiction, completely confident and unapologetic. Everyone you see on screen is either rough and used or beautiful as a diamond knife. It’s violent on a Tarantino scale, even with most of the blood colored white. The anti-heroes you meet are such badasses that you can’t kill them by running them down or merely shooting them. No, you have to be really dedicated to taking them out. And when I say “anti-heroes” I mean that not a one of them is pleasant. Mickey Rourke was my favorite as “Marv.” His exploits cross over into the realm of superheroics and anime. When you meet the villains, the slimy and soulless cretins of Sin City, you almost don’t care how the heroes take them down. If anyone was concerned about Elijah Wood being typecast as Frodo, you can put such fears to rest. He is freakish and utterly evil as the silent assassin, Kevin.
Fun, dark and brutal. That’s Sin City.
Episode 3
When I went to see Sin City today, the excellent Hitchhiker’s trailer had just finished when that slightly-too bright digital green of the next trailer warned me even before I saw the Lucasfilm logo. There was a flash of a spaceship before I shut my eyes and tried to cover my ears as best as possible. Yes, my resolve was tested for what seemed like five minutes. I could still hear some of the dialogue, so I had to kind of hum inside my head so as not to disturb the other movie-goers.
I am on a complete media blackout for Star Wars Episode III. I don’t want to know anything about it until I see it. I feel guilty for seeing cereal boxes with Darth Vader on them. I don’t want to see the toys or video games or anything else until after May 19th.
One more chance, George. You’ve got one more chance.