Friday, December 29, 2006

DirecTV DVR Needs to See Satellite To Funtion?

[DirecTV]

That big wind storm knocked out dish out of alignment and killed our
TV reception - but it also disabled the DVR and refuses to let us
watch pre-recorded entertainment.

(Remind me again why I didn't get a DVR directly from TiVO?)

Also, I can't belive I am actually agreeing with a Comcast commercia right now.

I guess recording this year's Rose Parade (Storm Troopers!!) is not
going to happen. Hmpf!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

No Humbugs Here

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Did I mention last week-end we went to see A.C.T.'s A Christmas Carol ? A wonderful production complete with dancing onions and figs. The passage that really hit home:

Half-a-dozen gas-lamps out of the street wouldn't have lighted the entry too well, so you may suppose that it was pretty dark with Scrooge's dip.

Up Scrooge went, not caring a button for that. Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.



Here is today's Big Nate which reminded me to post this:


Retro-crush Update

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For reasons that remain unspoken I was looking up the name of the actress who played "Dr. Juliet Parrish" on the NBC TV show V: the Series (Faye Grant) when I came across this listing in her IMDB bio:

"V: The Second Generation" (2007) (mini) (in production)

20 years after their arrival on Earth, the Visitors have deeply entrenched themselves on the planet, enslaving the human race turning them into followers. The Resistance is losing the war with their alien masters until they gain a powerful and mysterious new ally.

This could be a disaster but it does have 4 of the major cast-members reprising their original roles so file this under wait and see. In the meantime, enjoy this YouTube clip:


OMG: Does this mean a "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" update/remake isn't far behind?

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Drunk as a Duck

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Bruce Tinsley, creator of the near-legendarily unfunny Mallard Fillmore, was arrested for public intoxication last week with his blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit.

The second time in four months.

Story and a link to his mugshot over at The Comics Curmudgeon.

39 Free Holiday Recordings From the USAF

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"The United States Air Force Band produces and distributes compact disc recordings to complement its live performing mission. These recordings are approved by the Department of the Air Force for use in public service broadcasting, recruiting, educational activities, troop morale and retention. The Band's CDs are not for sale, but are distributed to radio stations, public libraries and educational institutions."

If you can't find these CDs at your local public library they do have a selection of their music available at their website where you can limit the search to patriotic, jazz, classical and holiday.

I think so far my favourite would have to be "Fantasia for a King - Variations on Good King Wenceslas" as arranged by TSgt Robert Thurston from 'Wintertime, Seasonal Samplings Old and New'.

Christmas Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends...

[]

Christmas Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends.

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa wraps

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
white on house, coloured on tree

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
no, but keep meaning to get holly over the door

5. When do you put your decorations up?
in December

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Persimmon pudding

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Lego from Santa in shorts @ Club Med, Tahiti

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
saw a Fisher-Price airport in the trunk of the Buick

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
yes & no

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
lights, balls, Victorian tinsel

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it more now that I don't live/bike/walk in it (Boston)

12. Can you ice skate?
Only tried once (Birdcage Walk, Sacramento)

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Aforementioned Fisher-Price Airport

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Family & food

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Persimmon pudding and hard sauce

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
calling the 24th 'Christmas'

17. What tops your tree?
Angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
giving, although shopping fills me with (mild dread)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Here We Come A-Wassailing / Good King Wenceslas

20. Candy Canes?
yes, please – just put it in my hot chocolate


____________________________________________________________________________________
Cheap talk?
Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.
http://voice.yahoo.com

Have a Green Christmas

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From The Sacramento Bee:
For the first time, a small hydrogen fuel cell system will power the tree's 6,500 lights. "We are now environmentally a cool state," Schwarzenegger said. "We are protecting the environment. We are fighting global warming. This state has its act together."

Monday, December 11, 2006

Video iPod Thoughts

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While the rest of the Mac world seems to be getting in a lather over the rumoured iPhone, I thought I would share a week-end musing about the other iProduct that keeps the Apple rumour mills churning – the 'true' video iPod.


I was watching some shorts I pulled down from the Prelinger archive while on the exercise bike and trying to balance my PowerBook on the magazine rack, when I thought 'it sure would be nice if there was a combination of those personal DVD player that look like mini laptops stuffed with flash-memory.'

Then I remembered there was something already made along those lines, albeit a tad bigger and not as 16:9 as I think it would have to be, nor having the video-out options that I would like, but.... (Side note: don't the new iPods play various downloadable games in addition to movies?)

Honestly – would the clamshell factor instead of the bar format be a deal breaker for people?

OK – enough musing. I don't get paid to work for Apple, nor am I electronically inclined to know if this is even feasible.

Where Was This When I Made My Xmas List?

[]

PAINT BY NUMBER CALENDAR 2007



"The most fun you can have with your smock on. The PAINT BY NUMBER CALENDAR will encourage anyone and everyone to liberate their inner artiste and create masterpieces worthy of proud display. 2007 introduces a quartet of all new paint-by-number canvases—breathtaking Yellowstone Park, festive old Havana, a pair of adorable kittens, and a do-it-yourself rendition of American Gothic—to paint and enjoy. Included with the calendar are twelve pots of acrylic paint, a brush, and a cover that doubles as a slip-in display frame. Wire-O binding makes it easy to tear off the monthly grids without disturbing the painting above."

Sign of the End Times

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Editor-in-Chief of American Dictionaries Erin McKean, appeared on the Rachael Ray show recently to present a Certificate of Recognition to Rachael – as they are putting EVOO into the next edition of the Oxford American College Dictionary.

McKean said that the addition of "EVOO" was caused by Rachael's use of the word.

Not mentioned was the fact that almost nobody I know actually says this, especially after you point out to them that it talks almost as long to say E-V-O-O as is does Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Anthony Bourdain, you better put your analyst on danger money, baby!

UPDATE: Oh Holy Night

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Straight off of the Tipitina Foundation site:

New Orleans Musicians featured on NBC’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Music Featured on the show is available for FREE download at the Studio 60 website.

On Monday, December 4th, the highly-acclaimed new television program "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" aired its Christmas episode, which featured a group of New Orleans musicians organized by the Tipitina's Foundation. On November 9-10th, foundation Executive Director Bill Taylor traveled with this all-star ensemble to the Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA, where they performed an original arrangement of "Oh Holy Night" for the show. The song is now available for free download on I-Tunes (sic).

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Wait Wait

[NPR, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me]

Mo Rocca: "I assume Panda porn is in black and white?"

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Midweek Laugh Break

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...and shampoo Chewie too! (original FP title)

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Oh Holy Night

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Straight off of the Tipitina Foundation site:

New Orleans Musicians featured on NBC’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Music Featured on the show is available for FREE download on iTunes. Please visit the Studio 60 website for further details.

On Monday, December 4th, the highly-acclaimed new television program "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" aired its Christmas episode, which featured a group of New Orleans musicians organized by the Tipitina's Foundation. On November 9-10th, foundation Executive Director Bill Taylor traveled with this all-star ensemble to the Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA, where they performed an original arrangement of "Oh Holy Night" for the show. The song is now available for free download on I-Tunes (sic).

**So far this seems to not be downloadable (free or not) but keep your eyes peeled.

Irn Bru Snowman

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Drawn in the style of Raymond Briggs' The Snowman comes this spot for Irn Bru, Scotland's other national drink.



Could this be the best Christmas ad on TV this year? Of all time? Comes damn close – how many Scottish landmarks can find?

Monday, December 04, 2006

Merry Christmas, War Is (Not) Over

[White House, ]

From Tim Grieve's "War Room" column over at Salon.com comes "Let Them Eat Cake [...]" which lists the menu the Office of the First Lady is distributing for this year's White House holiday receptions:

  • Display of Specialty Cheeses and Winter Fruits (Served with a Bountiful Display of Lavish Specialty Crackers and Spiced Pecans).

  • Colossal Shrimp Cocktail and Jonah Crab Claws (Served with Ramsey’s Cocktail Sauce and Spiced Remoulade).

  • Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Winter Mushrooms, Cheese and Brandied Cranberries.

  • Sugar Cured Virginia Ham with Hot Pepper Mustard (Served with Warm Blue Corn Muffins).

  • Chicken Fried Beef Tenderloin with White Onion Gravy (Served with Tiny Icebox Rolls).

  • Herb Roasted Lollipop Lamb Chops served with Warm Yeast Rolls.

  • Honey Cup Mustard Sauce.

  • Fresh Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce and Black Beans.

  • Baked White Cheddar Farfalle.

  • Sweet Potato Soufflé.

  • Asparagus Tier with Lemon-Garlic Aioli.

  • Golden and Crimson Beet Salad with Orange, Fennel, and Feta.

  • Chocolate Peppermint Cookies with Peppermint Crunch.

  • Pecan Sandie Tree (Mexican Wedding Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes) with Layers of Cookies.

  • Holiday Ornamental Cookies: Barney, Miss Beazley, Christmas Trees, Snowflakes, Candy Canes.

  • Red Hat Box Mascarpone Cake.

  • White Pound Cake with Mascarpone Cream Filling, Red Marzipan Frosting and Red Ribbon Bow Decoration.

  • Coconut Cake.

  • Coconut Chiffon Cake, Coconut Pastry Cream Filling and 7 Minute Meringue Frosting.

  • Chocolate Roulade (Christmas Log): Soft Ganache Frosting with a Chocolate Sponge, Meringue Mushrooms, Magnolia Leaves in White Chocolate, Raspberries.

  • Mini Tartlettes.

  • Pecan Pie, Lemon Meringue Pie, Orange Chiffon and Chocolate Boston Cream Pie.

  • Chocolate Truffles.

  • Homemade, Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache.

  • Long Stem Strawberries with Dark Chocolate Dipping Sauce.

  • Warm Macintosh Apple Cobbler With Oatmeal Crumble.

  • Pumpkin Trifle.

  • Spiced Pumpkin Mousse with Whipped Cream and Shaved Dark Chocolate.

Civil Defense Logo Goes Bargain Basement


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Penelope Houston is most likely unavailable for comment but I know I will be among those who mourn the loss of a once familiar site – the Civil Defense logo is no more. The red circle in a white triangle on a blue disk found on many a surplus geiger-counter and fallout shelter sign has been replaced by what one designer called “more appropriate to an upstart airline.”

Interesting side-note: Charles T. Coiner, creator of the original CD logo also designed the National Recovery Administration’s blue eagle.
idogcow. Get yours at bighugelabs.com/flickr

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