Kamilah’s Neighborhood

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Under the sea

Patty
Yesterday
3 comments

I'm taking scuba lessons and I'm pretty darn excited about it.

While Dave's away in Germany this time, he signed me up to get certified so we can go diving together. He's already official, gear geeked up and ready to go and I'll be able to join him once I pass the test.

The class takes place in the pool, but our final exercise happens in the ocean waters off Monterey Bay.

I've got some homework to do, but I know lots about breathing calmly under pressure so I should do just fine!

Vonnegut

Smiley
4 days ago
1 comment

I came across this article listing Kurt Vonnegut's advice on writing with style while surfing this morning. It seems like good advice and something I think I had forgotten in my own recent attempts at writing; I got so wrapped up in character and conflict that I forgot to write like myself.

In other words, this is a good read for anybody who has something to write.

Vonnegut's advice, in summary:

1. Find a subject you care about

2. Do not ramble, though

3. Keep it simple

4. Have guts to cut

5. Sound like yourself

6. Say what you mean

7. Pity the readers

The Totoro Forest Project

Smiley
5 days ago
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The Totoro Forest Projext

Longtime fans of both Studio Ghibli and Totoro, like myself, will be interested in this:

The Totoro Forest Project is an effort to save the Sayama Forest, on the outskirts of Tokyo, as it is in danger of being developed. This forest is where Hayao Miyazaki was inspired to create the Totoro character and story. Artists are donating works to be auctioned off with the proceeds going to support the foundation.

A book will be published in late 2008 containing images of the donated works as well as other information related to the project.

While this is charity on a much smaller scale than I usually endorse, I think this is a worthwhile cause, if only because I do like the movie and, frankly, Tokyo could use a few more green spaces and a bit less urban development. On the other hand, presently, I do not really have the cash to even consider the auction so I will be waiting for the book. If you have the means, though, please consider participating in the auction.

Music QotW: Favorite Soundtrack

Smiley
Jul 3, 2008
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What's your favorite soundtrack?

This is a tough call. I mean, "Pump Up the Volume" is a fantastic collection, but on the other hand, so is "The Harder They Come." And how about "The Wedding Singer" or "So I Married an Axe Murderer"? There are so many great soundtracks it really is hard to choose, so I'm going by the only criteria that matters: Which one is on my iPod right now? This one:

Pretty in Pink

Yeah. Laugh if you want, but I'll bet I wasn't the only one singing along.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Wig In a Box

Smiley
Jul 2, 2008
2 comments

God help me, but this song, this movie connects with me on an emotional level. Something about the alienation and resolution to keep on keepin' on even in the face of overwhelming defeat. Or maybe I'm just being maudlin again. Either way, this is a great song:

Wig In a Box

Clara Belle - Run

Smiley
Jul 1, 2008
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Currently, my favorite YouTube song:

Clara Belle - Run

It's all in the cards

Patty
Jul 2, 2008
1 comment

At a two day management off-site. My favorite parts are the personality tests.

Color me yellow, mostly. Except for the jelly beans. With those, I like the black licorice ones best.

what color am I today?

1 comment

Second Life, Google Earth, and my Nintendo Wii

Smiley
Jun 30, 2008
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Most of the time, the Second Life application button sits on my desktop completely untouched. Then, occasionally, I jump in, see what's changed, maybe chat with a few people and then get back out.

And I do almost the same thing with Google Earth.

I think the reason is that I consider both of these programs entertainment, and I primarily try to keep my machine to work related software. I try to push most of my entertainment to the t.v., where I have a DVD player and my Nintendo Wii.

Which got me to thinking - why can't I install SL and GE on my Nintendo as Wii Ware or Wii Channels? This seems like the sort of natural match that geeks and nerds seem to love. I'm sure there is a hack out there, or some version of Wii Linux that would let me install both, but I don't want that. I want legitimate options on my Wii for both pieces of software. Someone get on that. Please?

Clarity and gratitude in the details

Patty
Jun 29, 2008
6 comments

I've been feeling a wee bit sorry for myself, for no particular reason other than a confluence of life's regular up and down stresses and a need to remind myself to focus on what I have to be grateful for.

When I get like that I tend to make myself feel better by buying things and so last week I opened my Amazon Wishlist and one-clicked ordered a couple of new lens for the camera; a telephoto * and a macro **. I haven't played around much with the telephoto, but yesterday I took a few shots with the macro just to start to learn the settings.

I'm feeling better already.

Raise a glass to a cold beer on a hot day!

1 comment

Blowing in the wind

* Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS
** the Canon EF-S 60mm f 2.8 Macro USM

Ice on the Prize

Smiley
Jun 27, 2008
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A Deep Well of Ice Cream

My wife and I were wandering through our local supermarket the other day, just doing the shopping when we came across a new game: The Ice Cream UFO catcher.

So, UFO Catcher is the catch-all name for claw games in Japanese arcades and game centers. All the ones I had seen prior to this contained all the usual toys and candies and random pieces of junk. But now we have ice cream in there.

And it's a good selection of ice cream too. There were a few of the cheaper brands, true, but there were also several flavors of Hagen Daas single serving cups and even a few Dove ice cream sandwhiches.

All for only ¥100 per try.

Naturally, we tried. Unfortunately, we quickly realized that we would be spending far more in trying than we would spend just by buying the ice cream from the very supermarket we were in. Still, the idea is intriguing and I can imagine all the kids on the weekend having a really good time trying to get their little hands on as much ice cream as their (no doubt incredible) skills allow.