ElectricDisk

Youtube is now offering wide screen full length movies. If you have never seen “Koyaanisqatsi”, then maybe it’s about time. In this movie, there is no dialog, just music by Philip Glass through the whole thing.

You might be saying, “I can’t sit in front of my computer for 2 hours”, if that is the case, just hit play and go do some housework and listen to the music. Every once in a while, come back to the PC and see what is going on. You will get stuck.

There is something facinating about watching machinery, twinkie assembly, people, cars, bingo players and mall patrons move in slow motion, fast motion during night and day. Rockets launch, skylines grow, and buildings fall in stark contrast with grand canyon flyovers, poverty and sadness. You will feel connected with humanity.

The first 15 minutes are pretty non-descript, but don’t let that discourage you. It gets really good. The director is trying to show you the beauty of nature, the scale of creation and then pull you into the discord and wastefullness of our generation. Hang in there until the 16 minute mark, where signs of humanity begin to dot the landscape.

Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance

Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance

Koyaanisqatsi - Full Length Movie (here)

Stuff you learn on the History Channel.

The soft serve formula was first developed in 1938 by John Fremont McCullough and his son Alex. They went on to open the first Dairy Queen store in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois. Since 1940 DQ has used a franchise system to expand its operations globally.

Its largest franchise is the Texas Dairy Queen Operating Council which runs the majority of DQ locations in the state of Texas.Some of the popular items on the Texas menu include the Hunger-buster and Belt-buster hamburgers. Bob Phillips, host of the popular Texas syndicated television series Texas Country Reporter, was for many years the DQ spokesman in Texas. Dairy Queen appears in many small Texas towns, such as Devine, Jacksboro, and Hamilton, and uses the nickname “The Texas Stop Sign” to illustrate its presence. Source (wikipedia)

I once damaged my dad’s car driving home from a Dairy Queen.

I get a lot of email. I like to read the signatures from the various writers. Some are poetic, some are patriotic and some are inspiring. This email signature made an impression on me.

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

I found a nice photo from flickr that represents our ability to change something bad into something good with the proper perspective. I think these people are actually enjoying the rain.

Original Flickr Photo (here)

From 1Happysnapper’s photostream (here)

What I take from this signature is, “have a nice day, even if it is raining”. If you don’t have an inspiring signature on the end of your email, perhaps you can think of something? It might go farther than you could ever imagine, just like this post here.

Back in the 80’s I was living overseas right around the time MTV started. I would hear stories about a channel that would play music videos 24-7. I was part of that teenage audience that the channel was designed for.  Since then, videos have gone from good to bad to truly awful.

This video is refreshing because it reminds me of the days when music videos were innovative. There are a couple of things to watch for.

“We got the beat the 808″ @ 1:38 is referring to this machine, the Roland TR-808, created in 1980. Sounds from this machine were used in this song. The sounds are very characteristic and can be easily picked out by those who know what one sounds like. Yes, you’ve heard an 808, many, many times. (if you doubt, click HERE)

a great deal of effort has been put into sampling the sounds of the TR-808 for use in modern devices; however, due to the nature of analog circuitry, the result is often considered unsatisfactory and can sound unduly static and digital. Demand for the real 808 sound is so great that street prices for a used TR-808 have stayed close to what the cost of a new TR-808 was upon its initial release in 1980 when adjusted for inflation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-808

The polygon face renders are a tribute to the MTV pop friendly video stylings of Kraftwerk’s “Electric Cafe” LP. In 1986, computers weren’t doing pixar quality renders and computer graphics were very, very expensive. The polygonal-mesh in the “Music Non Stop” video wasn’t intentional, it was the best they could do.

Music Non-Stop
Youtube (video)

“Will-I-Am” is credited for creating the music. The video’s theme is about analog and digital ideas coming together to create a new sound. This is visually represented by the smooth renders v/s polygonal renders and how dangerous images like guns and bombs are turned into musical instruments (thus making them harmless).

The Energy Never Dies - Youtube (video)

Dear Hollywood Video,

I’ve been a customer for years. I like your store layout, you are close to my home and your prices are reasonable. I’m writing this letter to let you know that there is something broken in your business model.

Normally, I would not write a letter like this, but I feel that we can all use a little advice in this tumultuous economy.

About 3 weeks ago, my son and I went to Hollywood Video and rented 2 kids movies. These were just “old” movies, not the first run releases, but “old” movies. Something you’d see on Saturday afternoon on a cable network.

Tonight, I remembered that we had rented them. That means, our movies were already 2 weeks late.

Here is what I am suggesting. Since I am already a customer and I’ve been in your store in the past, you already have my phone number, mailing address and personal email address. Would you mind sending me a courtesy email reminding me that my movies are due?

My Dr. Calls me 24 hours before an appointment. Just as a courtesy.
Dish Network calls me 24 hours before a scheduled install. Just as a courtesy.
My local library sends me an email 2 days before my books are due. Just as a courtesy.

In this day and age, it is easy to lose a customer due to all the competing services (Netflix, Blockbuster) but I’m suggesting that since I am already patronizing your establishment, it’s easier to keep me coming in than to lose me. Once you have my business and attention, it seems like you would want to help me not get a late fee.

Yes, I realize that it is my own fault for not returning the movie. I don’t expect you to refund my late fees. I just wish you would reciprocate the favor. I patronize your store, you help me not get a late fee. Shoot me an email 2 days before my movies are due. I might just step inside and rent more movies.

Now, you’ve put me into a box. In order for me to go back and rent more, I have to shamefully admit to your store clerks (and everyone in line behind me) that I have “late fees” on my account. Rather than subject myself to that scorn, I just avoid renting movies for a really, really long time. This isn’t good for you or me.

Please, don’t make me despise coming back into the store to rent a movie. Help me prevent the situation in the first place. I might even encourage others to rent from you due to the great service I get. As it stands now, I’m inclined to think (but I could be wrong) that the 10.00 in late fees is more important than providing a quality service to your existing patrons. Is the 10.00 worth that much? Enough to send me away and look for alternatives?

Sincerely,

–All Your Customers

We’ve all heard the stories telling us that our cell phones are insecure. Somehow the CIA or another TLA (Three Letter Acronymn) agency can spy on our conversations.  It happens all the time in high tech / espionage flicks. According to all things paranoid, there has been a concerted effort to add chips and software that install “back doors” in your cell phone, TV, cable box, computer. Now, even your local supermarket can ‘give up the goods’ if law enforcement comes knocking. [ask me about the supermarket thing later]

In reality, anyone with a couple of bucks can do it themselves without belonging to the MIB. In fact, given the right situation, your private conversations can be overheard, collected, recorded and rebroadcast at a later date, all without you even being on the phone.

Sure…. like that could really happen. Well, OK, you do need access to the target phone and although I haven’t tried it myself, you should at least be aware that it is possible. Not only is it possible, it is being widely used on people that don’t know any better. So, now you know better.

Spy on anyone that has a cellphone
Youtube video (here)

After a few months without XM radio, a card came in the mail offering a steep discount, so I signed up. I hadn’t had it more than 3 days when my kids wanted to listen to “Kids Place Live” again. Good thing. The song below was broadcast on the trip to the toy store in a loud and bass heavy manner.

What does every dad do when he hears a good song on the radio? He goes to youtube to see if it is there. Certainly, having the XM radio display the song title and artist are one of the benefits of having XM. I guarantee I’ve bought more music because of it. But that isn’t exactly the reason for this post.

The reason I think it is significant is because there are subtitles on this video. Usually, they are annoying and I reguarly turn them off. However, in this case, it makes a good song better. Japanese? Check. English? Check. Spanish? Check.  The uploader added translations for the various languages and matched it to the music. So, along with the spectacular eye candy, you get to learn a new language and listen to a remix as well.

The song is by the “Ali Dee and The Deekompressors” and is *not* found on the S.R. soundtrack. The offical movie site is (here) and to get the song, you have to go their Amazon store. If you haven’t seen the movie, the official site has the trailer.

Learn a new language with Speed Racer
Youtube Video (here)

I’m not good at judging crowd size. Today, San Antonio held their Tea Party rally at the Alamo. It was crowded, but not as crowded as a Fiesta Event. I’d guess 10 thousand people were there. Funny, even after the event, local coverage hasn’t given an official number.

I went because, I wanted to see what was happening at the Alamo. There was a largely pro-American, patriotic and “don’t tax me without representation” crowd.  Everyone was as friendly as if they were at a family reunion.

For some reason, our legislators are bound and determined to reward failure (i.e. bailout money for crooks, liars and bad decision making), but the Tea Party events, held around the country are a sign of solidarity, against such idiocy. Choosing April 15th (Tax Day) wasn’t a bad idea either.

The events I stayed for were (in order of appearance): Glenn Beck, Live Music, Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, “God Bless America” (sung), Story of the Alamo, Katharine Moreno (an excellent immigrant story. I hope someone puts it on youtube) and Ted Nugent played the National Anthem.

Contrary to all the rumblings of Acorn being on the prowl, they weren’t there.

The many signs I saw were excellent, to the point and very creative. “Don’t Tread On Me”, “This is Texas, not Tax-us” and so on.

Here are a couple of pictures and a video to boot.

Alamo Plaza Closed Down for the Day

Texas flag on top of high building
Multiple American flags on Stage
Alamo in the Background

Short but powerful, uniquely Texan- Youtube Video (here)

I’ve been to many flea markets since I was a kid. The last place I would have thought to get a history lesson from was at a flea market. Recently, I’ve started collecting coins from the Apollo 11 moon landing. The obvious place to find coins like this (other than ebay) is the flea market. Now, I’m not saying they weren’t there (they weren’t btw), but recently a slew of old coin merchants have been appearing at my local flea market. First there was 1 booth, then 2 then 3 and now there are like 4-5 coin vendors there.  I swear, until I started collecting my apollo stuff, these guys weren’t there.

So I was admiring this coin collection from afar, and I started asking questions. To hear him tell it (and this is what he said…) He goes through a 500 dollar bag of Eisenhower 1 dollar coins each weekend. Funny thing, I’ve never seen him there before and had only recently aquired my personal stash of the Eisenhower 1 dollar coins, so I didn’t need any.

Then, without provocation, he proceeds to show me his 2 cent coins. He says, these are the first coins with the words “In God We Trust” on them. I’m not collecting 2 cent coins, so I don’t need one, but he continues… this is where the phrase “get your 2 cents in” comes from. Because, (in his opinion) the church had been battling to get these words on coins and currency. So supposedly, once the words were engraved, people started saying that the church finally “got their 2 cents in” or something like that. I just smiled and walked away.

Flash forward to today. I’ve been reading the “Straight Dope” book I recently got from the library. There is a section on the origin of words. Which inspired me to look up the crazy idea that the 2 cent coin is the first one with the words “In God We Trust”. Until I went to the flea market, I didn’t even know a 2 cent coin existed. [did you?]

The Congress passed the Act of April 22, 1864. This legislation changed the composition of the one-cent coin and authorized the minting of the two-cent coin. The Mint Director was directed to develop the designs for these coins for final approval of the Secretary. IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin. From the US Dept of the Treasury (link here)

Ok… so maybe I did learn something at the flea market.

Now for another bit of trivia. Heads or Tails? Neither. When collecting coins, the proper terminology is (Obverse - Heads) and (Reverse - Tails).

If you want to read more about the 2 cent coin (I might buy one this weekend just to have one), you can do so at the following link (here).

Flea markets are interesting because you get to see all the little trinkets and doo-dads that people bring out, hoping to get rid of something. Sometimes, if you are in the right place and ask the right questions, you might learn a thing or two as well.

Here is the place, 

The City of Cripple Creek is a Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic Landmark status in 1961, includes part or all of city and includes surrounding area. The population was 1,115 at the 2000 census.

Here are the lyrics,

Cripple Creek
  (Kentucky, traditional)

Hey, I got a gal,
At the head of the creek,
An’ I’m goin’ up t’ see her,
‘Bout three times a week.

Kisses on the mouth,
Jus’ as sweet as any wine,
Wrap myself aroun’ her,
Like a sweet potato vine.

chorus:
      Goin’ up Cripple Creek,
      Goin’ on a run,
      Goin’ up Cripple Creek,
      T’ have some fun.

      Goin’ up Cripple Creek,
      Goin’ in a whirl,
      Goin’ up Cripple Creek,
      T’ see my girl.

I got a gal,
An’ she loves me,
She’s as sweet
As she can be.

She’s got eyes,
Of baby blue,
An’ her love,
Fer me is true.

      chorus:

Now the girls up Cripple Creek,
‘Bout half grown,
Jump on a boy,
Like a dog on a bone.

Roll my britches,
Up to my knees,
An’ wade ol’ Cripple Creek,
When I please.

      chorus:

Cripple Creek’s wide,
An’ Cripple Creek’s deep,
Gonna wade ol’ Cripple Creek,
‘Fore I sleep.

Hills are steep,
An’ the road is muddy,
An’ I’m so drunk,
I can’t stan’ steady.

      chorus:
Cripple Creek’s wide,
An’ Cripple Creek’s deep,
Gonna wade ol’ Cripple Creek,
‘Fore I sleep.

Roll my britches,
To my knees,
‘An wade ol’ Cripple Creek,
When I please.

      chorus:

Drive in a buggy,
That’s for me,
Watch the wheels roll,
Merrily.

Through the mud.
An’ over the stones,
Buckin’ horses,
Break good bones.

      chorus:

I went down,
To Cripple Creek,
To see what them gals,
Had to eat.

Got so drunk,
I fell against the wall,
Ol’ corn likker,
Was the cause of it all.

      chorus

I went down,
To Cripple Creek,
To see what them gals,
Had to eat.
What they cooked,
I couldn’t eat at all,
Harder than,
A brick in the wall.

Here is the audio,

here