Month: June 2009

Chronoptimist

June 12: chronoptimist

A person who always under estimates the time necessary to do something or get somewhere.

“Hey, Cindy. you know my parents are expecting us in 20 minutes.”
“No problem. I just have to wash the dishes, take a shower, do my hair, walk the dog and then I’m all good to go. See you in 15.”
“You are such a chronoptimist! I’ll see you in 45.”

I think this is the opposite of the Scotty Syndrome. You overestimate the time a job will take and then look like a hero when you do it in less.
Gawd I miss Star Trek.

Gene pool

bighairreunion

Oh, my.  I don’t know what this picture is, but I suspect it is my father’s 10 yr HS reunion. Maybe 15.  But OMFG, is that some BIG HAIR or what?  My dad is the guy with the big ‘burns on the far right.  He had longish hair, everybody else looks like they were sporting army haircuts.   My hippie genes are come by honestly.

Also, all the men are on one side, then all the ladies.  And then my dad.  What up wit dat?

No More Geeky Glasses to Watch 3D

ICT Results (06/10/09)

European researchers are working on technology that may make it unnecessary to wear special eyewear in order to watch three-dimensional (3D) video. The breakthrough was accomplished through the HOLOVISION project, which ended in April 2008, and the OSIRIS project, which will be completed at the end of 2009.

The chief goal of the HOLOVISION effort was to develop technologies that could generate a very high-resolution 3D image.

“We basically organized projection engines in a special way and used holographic imaging film for the display screen,” says Akos Demeter of Holografika. “The combination of these, with the projection engines being driven by a cluster of nine high-end PCs, and new sophisticated software, allowed us to achieve our aims.”

HOLOVISION yielded a prototype system with about 10 times the resolution of high-definition TV at 25 frames per second in six colors, rather than the standard three. One of OSIRIS’ key objectives is the development of high-resolution, big screen, reflective projection 3D cinema, and the prototype being worked on has a wall-mounted screen and a ceiling-mounted projector.

The OSIRIS technology employs an array of mirrors and light sources to provide the re-projected images and give the screen a depth of between 15 and 20 inches. Holografika’s Zsuzsa Dobranyi envisions military combat training and gaming as potential applications for the technology, while computer-aided design and other industrial and professional applications could be rolled out in a matter of months.

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I just love it when science fiction becomes reality, don’t you?  I immediately thought of the odd 3-D hair buns of  Princess Leia while she was saying, “Help me, Obi Wan Kenobe! Help Me!”

Blues on Saturday

Great show!  Great weather!

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Click here for more pics  ….

They had a food stand with organic and weird meat.  We all had buffalo burgers which were pretty good.  What I really wanted was a  Wild Boar Bratwurst, just so I could say I had eaten one.   They even had ostrich burgers.  Next time..

Coloma Blues Festival

Tomorrow we do our annual foray into Lotus country for the Coloma Blues Live! show. It’s fun, we do it as a birthday celebration for Bob and his sister Marcia.  This is, um, year 5? for us.  Here’s last year.

Usually we have to worry about sunburn and heat stroke.  This year we’re worried about freezing to death.  Really!  Instead of being a gnarly 95, we’ll be be lucky if it hits 70.  For those of us (me!) with a two degree temperature comfort zone, it may be a challenge.

We generally sit on the river side of the park, and cooling breezes off the river come up just in time to keep us from keeling over from the heat.  I guess this year we’ll sit on the other side.  No need for the mist tent!  And instead of beers to cool us down, we may need other higher octane fare to keep us toasty.  If I recall correctly, there may be premium tequila shots to be had for a premium price.  Hmm.  I may have to find my flask.

Coats!  In the Sacramento area, in June!  It’s just plain freaking me out!

Last year Roy Rogers played the festival.  He was as hot as I’ve ever seen him and re-affirmed my faith in humans as musical instruments of the Gods.  Lordy but that man can PLAY.  Seriously, it gets me wet when he plays.  Whew.  [If you’re someone from my work, please disregard that last sentence.]

This year, Kenny Wayne Shepherd headlines,  and Mighty Mike Schermer , Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, and Joe Louis Walker are up, too.  It’s going to be great.    Shouldn’t have to try too hard to keep the ice chipped off – I suspect there will be DANCING!!!

Cherry picking with the dogs

Oh, hallelujah!  The cherries are coming on.   My garden is starting to produce, too. We had yellow crookneck squash for dinner last night.  And cucumbers (and steak!)

sissymoo

The dogs and I have been out grazing the cherries morning and night.  Click Sissy for a few more shots of the cherry eating dogs.  And a few shots of the garden, such as it is.  I’m a crappy gardener … lazy as the day is long. 

 

I love this shot of Lewie.  Nom nom nomming the cherries. 

chewielewie

Cool Idea!

from Boing Boing Gadgets newsletter this morning

Print your photos on a shower curtain

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 10:53 AM PDT

photoshowercurtains.jpg

PhotoShowerCurtain.com will print your photo on shower curtains for $150 – $200, depending on size, using a dye sublimation process that they promise won’t fade or crack. You can even machine launder them—or, you know, wash them in the shower.

A nice way to sauce up a bathroom, for sure. I’d suggest using a picture of you naked in the shower. [via BoingBoing via Red Ferret]