Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit / SBMNH
draft
The Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosts a once a month "astronomy party". They have a fabulous 20 inch telescope in the dome and a variety of other devices of about 9.5 inches and more outside and helpful people by each one.
The event was well attended, perhaps 50 or more people of all ages.
There was certainly some light pollution and coastal haze, as we would expect, but it was still very entertaining and value added.
I also determined that the Planetarium has an Evans & Sutherland Digistar 5.
The Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosts a once a month "astronomy party". They have a fabulous 20 inch telescope in the dome and a variety of other devices of about 9.5 inches and more outside and helpful people by each one.
The event was well attended, perhaps 50 or more people of all ages.
There was certainly some light pollution and coastal haze, as we would expect, but it was still very entertaining and value added.
I also determined that the Planetarium has an Evans & Sutherland Digistar 5.
Its Called A Coverup (stupid)
draft
At the end of the day, people get the government they deserve. The "guidelines" say that you can not indict a sitting president. Really? Who says? Oh, the DOJ says, OK fine. But the rules say you can not release publicly evidence of a crime if you are not going to indict. Well, that makes a little more sense.
So if Mueller does not indict because of the rules, in spite of the obvious evidence of collusion, treason and obstruction, but then you do not release the evidence so that people can see what is discovered, well that is called a coverup.
Even if the report is released in full, which it will not be, the fact is that the FBI betrayed their country by failing to indict the treasonous piece of garbage that is Trump, his family and his enablers. At the end of the day, the system failed and the country failed with it.
And those who make excuses for the system are enabling Trump. That includes you, Nancy Pelosi. You failed and took the country down with you.
Thanks, thats great, I really appreciate that. Now people will attack me (the few who care) and say that I am wrong because I am angry. Yeah, well, a little. But mostly its not anger. Its disgust and contempt.
Have a nice day, but the children in cages separated from their parents wont. The men and women murdered in pain because of Gorsuch wont. Kids, black, white, green or otherwise will grow up in an oppresive society. Poor women wont be able to get an abortion legally. Pruitt went nuts destroying the environment but you didnt have the guts to stop him.
What did you do to try and stop these people?
At the end of the day, people get the government they deserve. The "guidelines" say that you can not indict a sitting president. Really? Who says? Oh, the DOJ says, OK fine. But the rules say you can not release publicly evidence of a crime if you are not going to indict. Well, that makes a little more sense.
So if Mueller does not indict because of the rules, in spite of the obvious evidence of collusion, treason and obstruction, but then you do not release the evidence so that people can see what is discovered, well that is called a coverup.
Even if the report is released in full, which it will not be, the fact is that the FBI betrayed their country by failing to indict the treasonous piece of garbage that is Trump, his family and his enablers. At the end of the day, the system failed and the country failed with it.
And those who make excuses for the system are enabling Trump. That includes you, Nancy Pelosi. You failed and took the country down with you.
Thanks, thats great, I really appreciate that. Now people will attack me (the few who care) and say that I am wrong because I am angry. Yeah, well, a little. But mostly its not anger. Its disgust and contempt.
Have a nice day, but the children in cages separated from their parents wont. The men and women murdered in pain because of Gorsuch wont. Kids, black, white, green or otherwise will grow up in an oppresive society. Poor women wont be able to get an abortion legally. Pruitt went nuts destroying the environment but you didnt have the guts to stop him.
What did you do to try and stop these people?
Friday, April 12, 2019
Jeff Vandermeer and the Next Novel
Jeff Vandermeer did one of his rare posts on Facebook. I took this opportunity to tell him that "I was ready for the next novel, please". And he replied "Soon, Michael, soon". A small ray of hope in another wise dismal and self-destructive world.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Assange is Thrown to the Wolves
draft
Ultimately they could not protect their agent, Assange, from the forces of counter intelligence. Everyone who matters has known that he is a spy for Russia, but if Russia exfiltrated him, it would blow his cover with the many people who still believe that he was a selfless fighter for freedom. So they could not bring him to Russia, the way they did Snowden. And ultimately he had to go to protect their more important agent in place, Donald Trump. They can be confident that Assange will not confess his role with Russian intelligence, he will go to his death protecting his place in history even though it is a lie.
Ultimately they could not protect their agent, Assange, from the forces of counter intelligence. Everyone who matters has known that he is a spy for Russia, but if Russia exfiltrated him, it would blow his cover with the many people who still believe that he was a selfless fighter for freedom. So they could not bring him to Russia, the way they did Snowden. And ultimately he had to go to protect their more important agent in place, Donald Trump. They can be confident that Assange will not confess his role with Russian intelligence, he will go to his death protecting his place in history even though it is a lie.
Monday, April 8, 2019
Not Angry, Exactly
draft
For those of you who thought I have been too angry or obsessed with the political issues, here is a correction. Whether I was originally angry or not, I am not now. Now I am disgusted and contemptuous, that's better. As for being obsessed, well, maybe. Its not everyday that you watch your country descend into fascism while your friends and colleagues pretend everything is OK. I have ascended to a higher plane!
For those of you who thought I have been too angry or obsessed with the political issues, here is a correction. Whether I was originally angry or not, I am not now. Now I am disgusted and contemptuous, that's better. As for being obsessed, well, maybe. Its not everyday that you watch your country descend into fascism while your friends and colleagues pretend everything is OK. I have ascended to a higher plane!
Sunday, April 7, 2019
The New Republican Argument
draft
Trump chief of staff Mulvaney says that the Democrats will never get Trump's tax returns and this is his argument: 1. Voters knew that Trump was not going to release his tax returns before the election. (This is of course a lie, Trump said he would release his tax returns, but bear with me) 2. Voters elected Trump. (Actually it is not at all clear that Trump was legally elected). 3. Therefore, voters have legislated that it is OK for Trump to not release his tax returns, even if ordered to by a court. 4. QED
So in other words, he is saying something like this. "You knew Trump was a criminal before you elected him. You elected him. Therefore he can commit any crime and it is legal".
This is an incredible argument. There is no shame in these people. There is no amount of hypocrisy that is too much for them. This is why I say Republicans, all Republicans, are a cancer in our society and must be cut out.
[I checked with an attorney and yes, as I thought, the argument is nonsense.]
Trump chief of staff Mulvaney says that the Democrats will never get Trump's tax returns and this is his argument: 1. Voters knew that Trump was not going to release his tax returns before the election. (This is of course a lie, Trump said he would release his tax returns, but bear with me) 2. Voters elected Trump. (Actually it is not at all clear that Trump was legally elected). 3. Therefore, voters have legislated that it is OK for Trump to not release his tax returns, even if ordered to by a court. 4. QED
So in other words, he is saying something like this. "You knew Trump was a criminal before you elected him. You elected him. Therefore he can commit any crime and it is legal".
This is an incredible argument. There is no shame in these people. There is no amount of hypocrisy that is too much for them. This is why I say Republicans, all Republicans, are a cancer in our society and must be cut out.
[I checked with an attorney and yes, as I thought, the argument is nonsense.]
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Note to Andy Who Lives in Berlin
draft
We have all had to self-medicate, each in our various ways. Perhaps when we read the glamourous histories of our favorite artists living through exciting times it did not occur to us how terrifying it must have been for them. And now for us. They may have indulged in wild sex, taking mistresses or lovers, writing short stories and plays, but we all do what we can. I write my blog, and I review the great movies of old, particularly involving the marvel cinematic universe. I read light-science about evolutionary behavior but avoid cosmology because it gives me a headache.
You are lucky to have excellent workers rights in Germany. And our friends Bart and Kimball are now in New Zealand. Dale Herigstad and Soren Ragsdale now are citizens of Great Britain. Many other friends and colleagues live in Vancouver or Hong Kong. Is there some hint I should be taking here?
You can not imagine what it is like to wake up every day and have to read about the crimes and insanity of Trump and the Republicans. The nightmare that would not end.
I am on edge to see Avengers: Endgame. They are doing a great job of hiding what will happen in this movie.
I just watched the FBI and the Dept of Justice betray America. Its really hard to come back from that.
Creation of the Humanoids! Terrified me as a kid. I cant wait to see it again. Yes, it is the small cultural contribution of Youtube.
We have all had to self-medicate, each in our various ways. Perhaps when we read the glamourous histories of our favorite artists living through exciting times it did not occur to us how terrifying it must have been for them. And now for us. They may have indulged in wild sex, taking mistresses or lovers, writing short stories and plays, but we all do what we can. I write my blog, and I review the great movies of old, particularly involving the marvel cinematic universe. I read light-science about evolutionary behavior but avoid cosmology because it gives me a headache.
You are lucky to have excellent workers rights in Germany. And our friends Bart and Kimball are now in New Zealand. Dale Herigstad and Soren Ragsdale now are citizens of Great Britain. Many other friends and colleagues live in Vancouver or Hong Kong. Is there some hint I should be taking here?
You can not imagine what it is like to wake up every day and have to read about the crimes and insanity of Trump and the Republicans. The nightmare that would not end.
I am on edge to see Avengers: Endgame. They are doing a great job of hiding what will happen in this movie.
I just watched the FBI and the Dept of Justice betray America. Its really hard to come back from that.
Creation of the Humanoids! Terrified me as a kid. I cant wait to see it again. Yes, it is the small cultural contribution of Youtube.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Behringer Customer Support
draft
I just spent 15 minutes figuring out how to ask Behringer in Germany for information on the USB interface to their Xtouch Mini. They make it as difficult as possible.
I just spent 15 minutes figuring out how to ask Behringer in Germany for information on the USB interface to their Xtouch Mini. They make it as difficult as possible.
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Democratic National Committee You Have Got to Be Kidding Me
draft
The DNC just asked me for money. After the way they treated Bernie Sanders in 2016? After the recent rules prohibiting candidates like AOC. After their failure to do the minimum necessary to deal with Trump (get his taxes, demand he resign, call for an investigation of the FBI), this is just a joke.
You want money? Do something good for a change.
In the meantime, I will send money to Warren, Sanders and AOC.
The DNC just asked me for money. After the way they treated Bernie Sanders in 2016? After the recent rules prohibiting candidates like AOC. After their failure to do the minimum necessary to deal with Trump (get his taxes, demand he resign, call for an investigation of the FBI), this is just a joke.
You want money? Do something good for a change.
In the meantime, I will send money to Warren, Sanders and AOC.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
The Horrible Situation
draft
Trump, Pence, Kavanaugh, Nunes, McConnell and others should resign and we should have a complete review of why the FBI betrayed their country.
I personally think that Trump will be reelected because the Republicans are corrupt and the Democrats are stupid and weak.
Trump, Pence, Kavanaugh, Nunes, McConnell and others should resign and we should have a complete review of why the FBI betrayed their country.
I personally think that Trump will be reelected because the Republicans are corrupt and the Democrats are stupid and weak.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Camera Purchase Notes 3/25/2019
draft
Too many choices, it is confusing and unclear which path to take. And be sure that whatever path you take (nearly) forever will your destiny be affected.
Intended use: generating imagery to support computer graphics (textures, macro photography, plates), also handheld available light photography, also low light architectural photography (urban archaeology)
Prime lenses only, shooting aperture priority, no flash, manual focus. Probably a roughly 50 mm equivalent, a 21 mm equivalent, and possibly a macro lens.
Remote and programmable computer control preferred. If a Fujifilm body, then possibly the two Zeiss lenses.
Too many choices, it is confusing and unclear which path to take. And be sure that whatever path you take (nearly) forever will your destiny be affected.
Intended use: generating imagery to support computer graphics (textures, macro photography, plates), also handheld available light photography, also low light architectural photography (urban archaeology)
Prime lenses only, shooting aperture priority, no flash, manual focus. Probably a roughly 50 mm equivalent, a 21 mm equivalent, and possibly a macro lens.
Remote and programmable computer control preferred. If a Fujifilm body, then possibly the two Zeiss lenses.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Global Climate Change?
Anyone else notice that the predictions for global climate disaster keep getting closer and closer. It used to be in the indefinite future, now its more like 2050. Well, 2050 is right around the corner. You and I may have kicked off but your kids are likely to still be here. And boy, are they going to be mad! Ha ha! Ooops!
Dear Google Maps!
Found the feedback button on google maps! Yeah!
I was in Joshua Tree, CA during the recent blizzard and Google Maps INSISTED on taking me off the main road and down some side roads which were closed off and covered with snow. I got stuck and would have died if some local people were not there to help people get unstuck who had been sent there by Google Maps. I guess you guys are not too smart. Maybe you want to fix this, I dont know.
Google Maps took me "The Turnpike Roads" in Orange county on my way to Laguna Beach. Turnpike Roads tried to extort several hundred dollars from me because I used their toll road. FIX THIS RIGHT NOW. Do not take people down that road. If this happens again I will sue you assholes.
[Of course I will not really sue Google, but I wanted to indicate how mad I was at being forced to interact with the criminals at The Turnpike Roads.]
I was in Joshua Tree, CA during the recent blizzard and Google Maps INSISTED on taking me off the main road and down some side roads which were closed off and covered with snow. I got stuck and would have died if some local people were not there to help people get unstuck who had been sent there by Google Maps. I guess you guys are not too smart. Maybe you want to fix this, I dont know.
Google Maps took me "The Turnpike Roads" in Orange county on my way to Laguna Beach. Turnpike Roads tried to extort several hundred dollars from me because I used their toll road. FIX THIS RIGHT NOW. Do not take people down that road. If this happens again I will sue you assholes.
[Of course I will not really sue Google, but I wanted to indicate how mad I was at being forced to interact with the criminals at The Turnpike Roads.]
Planetarium in Santa Barbara
draft
The Museum of Natural History has a planetarium! And a 20" telescope in their observatory!
The Monseignor has said that I can spend 1 day a month outside my crypt helping them in the planetarium!
Contact Google Maps?
draft
Does anyone know how to send feedback to Google Maps? In the last few months they have (a) tried to kill me and (b) worked with Republicans in Orange County to steal several hundred dollars. Is this deliberate or (more likely) just stupid programmers?
Does anyone know how to send feedback to Google Maps? In the last few months they have (a) tried to kill me and (b) worked with Republicans in Orange County to steal several hundred dollars. Is this deliberate or (more likely) just stupid programmers?
Friday, March 15, 2019
Three Test Images for the Dome in Arnold
draft
One image made with a fisheye lens whose field of view is 180 degrees, one whose fov is 270 and one whose fov is 360. The "Arnold" watermark is there because I have a demo / unlicensed copy.
These images were fast to compute and trivial to technical direct.
Special thanks to the nice people at Solid Angle for helping me out.
One image made with a fisheye lens whose field of view is 180 degrees, one whose fov is 270 and one whose fov is 360. The "Arnold" watermark is there because I have a demo / unlicensed copy.
These images were fast to compute and trivial to technical direct.
Special thanks to the nice people at Solid Angle for helping me out.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Feral and Venom in Santa Barbara
draft
I am walking to my local pharmacy, CVS. I go in the back way, talking on my phone, as usual, in this case about superhero movies and stereoscopic conversion. I say that some of these movies are too dark to be great in stereo and trying to think of an example, someone says "Venom".
She is working in the back of the store, attractive some would say, that is if you like hot, slender women with 1/2 " hair that has been bleached white, skintight jeans, ritual scarification, and excellent knowledge of the Marvel superhero cinema.
We agreed that the relationship in Venom between the antihero (youre a loser, eddie), the ex-girlfriend and the symbiont ("I like her." "This may be the last chance you might have to apologize to her") is charming.
Her name is Feral. She talks to me three different times while I am at the store. I practically run away. When was the last time I actually talked to a non-gender specific girl type person who I might ask out? Long, long ago, in a different life.
I hope she works there, I might be able to see her again.
If I was in a playwriting class, I would write this up as a skit.
I am walking to my local pharmacy, CVS. I go in the back way, talking on my phone, as usual, in this case about superhero movies and stereoscopic conversion. I say that some of these movies are too dark to be great in stereo and trying to think of an example, someone says "Venom".
She is working in the back of the store, attractive some would say, that is if you like hot, slender women with 1/2 " hair that has been bleached white, skintight jeans, ritual scarification, and excellent knowledge of the Marvel superhero cinema.
We agreed that the relationship in Venom between the antihero (youre a loser, eddie), the ex-girlfriend and the symbiont ("I like her." "This may be the last chance you might have to apologize to her") is charming.
Her name is Feral. She talks to me three different times while I am at the store. I practically run away. When was the last time I actually talked to a non-gender specific girl type person who I might ask out? Long, long ago, in a different life.
I hope she works there, I might be able to see her again.
If I was in a playwriting class, I would write this up as a skit.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
The Democrats Are Too Afraid
draft
We are back at the same old issue. Democrats too afraid to take a stand on principle for fear of ... fear of ... fear of ... what? Rousing the Trump base? I have bad news for you, the Trump base is not only aroused, they are never NOT aroused. I like Nancy Pelosi, I am not too stupid to understand what she and Shumer (whose name I can never spell) are talking about. But my patience with these people is over. I expect the Democrats will nominate Biden, I expect that Biden can win over Trump. Who cares?
Yes, I know what is going on. I know what Pelosi is thinking, and why it makes sense. But I am a little broken issue on this issue.
Sad!
We are back at the same old issue. Democrats too afraid to take a stand on principle for fear of ... fear of ... fear of ... what? Rousing the Trump base? I have bad news for you, the Trump base is not only aroused, they are never NOT aroused. I like Nancy Pelosi, I am not too stupid to understand what she and Shumer (whose name I can never spell) are talking about. But my patience with these people is over. I expect the Democrats will nominate Biden, I expect that Biden can win over Trump. Who cares?
Yes, I know what is going on. I know what Pelosi is thinking, and why it makes sense. But I am a little broken issue on this issue.
Sad!
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Steve Gano
draft
A good friend recently passed away, unexpectedly. Steve Gano was a graduate of the Media Lab and a mutual friend of dozens of people I know. Very sad. Very sudden and unexpected.
A good friend recently passed away, unexpectedly. Steve Gano was a graduate of the Media Lab and a mutual friend of dozens of people I know. Very sad. Very sudden and unexpected.
Friday, March 8, 2019
Captain Marvel.... Dont Ask Dont Tell?
draft
I am having a complicated (aka "meh") reaction to Captain Marvel.
On the positive side I should make it clear that the opening night audience in Santa Barbara had no reservations, they liked this movie. Second, this is certainly some sort of solid representation film with standout feminist and pro-cat sensibilities. But is it really that solid if we have a "dont ask dont tell" situation going on here? A very strong cast, but to what end? I saw it all coming a mile away. Carol Danvers/Brie Larson is hot in her BDSM-inspired latex onesie, or whatever that was.
At the end of the day, this felt more like a classic movie for TV but repurposed for the big screen. I think it could have told a very similar story but been much stronger.
I am having a complicated (aka "meh") reaction to Captain Marvel.
On the positive side I should make it clear that the opening night audience in Santa Barbara had no reservations, they liked this movie. Second, this is certainly some sort of solid representation film with standout feminist and pro-cat sensibilities. But is it really that solid if we have a "dont ask dont tell" situation going on here? A very strong cast, but to what end? I saw it all coming a mile away. Carol Danvers/Brie Larson is hot in her BDSM-inspired latex onesie, or whatever that was.
At the end of the day, this felt more like a classic movie for TV but repurposed for the big screen. I think it could have told a very similar story but been much stronger.
Notice that they carefully look away from each other... Oh no, we are not in the closet, not us!
But then I realized, after a day's thinking about it, that this is perfectly in period, It would be an anachronism for two gay women in the USAF to come out. It would hurt their careers at the very least. So of course they would be in the closet. So in retrospect, this is an entertaining nuance.
But then I realized, after a day's thinking about it, that this is perfectly in period, It would be an anachronism for two gay women in the USAF to come out. It would hurt their careers at the very least. So of course they would be in the closet. So in retrospect, this is an entertaining nuance.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Corrupt American Justice System
draft
The sentencing today of Manafort convinces me that our legal system is in denial about what is going on here. The system failed again and there is very little chance that relying on a corrupt and failed system like ours will result in justice. A black kid who steals food would be given more prison time than Manafort received.
Dont these people understand what is going on? No, I guess not.
The sentencing today of Manafort convinces me that our legal system is in denial about what is going on here. The system failed again and there is very little chance that relying on a corrupt and failed system like ours will result in justice. A black kid who steals food would be given more prison time than Manafort received.
Dont these people understand what is going on? No, I guess not.
Monday, March 4, 2019
GAN Generated Rainforest Flower Images
draft
Generated by a variation of a GAN from rainforest flowers as suitably modified.
Assume that these images are used in a large rendered scene where the textures are also used to generate suitable geometry.
[3/19/2019 Notes: Back in the day, this would have been enough to get me into many magazines and get lots of publicity! Not anymore! Now I must walk the path of ascetic renunciation of all worldly fame! Sad!]
Generated by a variation of a GAN from rainforest flowers as suitably modified.
Assume that these images are used in a large rendered scene where the textures are also used to generate suitable geometry.
[3/19/2019 Notes: Back in the day, this would have been enough to get me into many magazines and get lots of publicity! Not anymore! Now I must walk the path of ascetic renunciation of all worldly fame! Sad!]
Liza Keith Memorial March 3, 2019
draft
Memorial for Liza Keith at Restaurant Hama in Venice on March 3, 2019.
Memorial for Liza Keith at Restaurant Hama in Venice on March 3, 2019.
Allen Battino, Phillipe Bergeron, Joseph Goldstone, Jerry Weil
Darnell Williams (Rosa Ferrer is waiting out in the car)
Donna Tracy, Di Piepol, Debbie Goydos Nelson
Reid Baker
Picture of Liza Keith (on the right)
Aliza Corzon Chaimedes, John Nelson, Scott Anderson
Jane Stefan and Jimbo Hillin
Tom Lynnes and Joan Collins
Scott Anderson, Jimbo Hillin, Donna Tracy, Mark Hardin
Scott Anderson and Aliza Corson
Friday, March 1, 2019
Movies Not Yet Made
"Hell on Wheels"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_on_Wheels
"Mercury 13"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_13
"1969 Peoples Park Riot"
http://www.dailycal.org/2017/04/21/remembering-bloody-thursday-1969-peoples-park-riot/
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Naming a Project is So Annoying
draft
If at first you walk down the dark path, forever is your destiny affected. What you name a project may indeed be changable later, or it may not be. So, choose wisely.
A piece of software to assemble various elements to create a single render stream for an image shall be called ... what?
Contenders (to be updated)
Opaque
Wedge
If at first you walk down the dark path, forever is your destiny affected. What you name a project may indeed be changable later, or it may not be. So, choose wisely.
A piece of software to assemble various elements to create a single render stream for an image shall be called ... what?
Contenders (to be updated)
Opaque
Wedge
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Short Trip to Joshua Tree (postmortem)
draft
Instead of just hauling ass down the road for a month or two, I decided to start off slowly and do a few day trip to Joshua Tree. Many interesting things were learned and here is a list of a few of them.
1. Check the weather. We had a record setting blizzard during the exact time I chose to go. It was exciting but maybe not the best choice. For the kids and adults of Joshua Tree, this was a peak experience. They had not had a snow storm like this for at least 11 years, according to one native.
2. Many exciting new symptoms seem to be present when I travel when sick, without the usual medication and in a blizzard. Memo to File: Do not do this again.
3. Just a little further down the road from Joshua Tree is a 24 hour medical center. The staff was very nice to me and let me hang out until I felt better. They were particularly impressed with the blizzard. A reminder that even medical workers on the night shift can act like big kids.
4. The Safari Inn was a perfect little motel for a great price.
5. The Crossroads Cafe was very good and I immediately fell in love with the hostess.
6. The mexican restaurant is just so so, but it is open 24 hours which is nice.
7. Google Maps does not check the weather when giving directions and nearly got me killed.
8. Joshua Tree is really nice when there is a foot of snow dumped on it.
9. Azuza, CA apparently stands for A - Z in the USA.
10. CalArts is right on the way to Joshua Tree if you take the Santa Clarita route.
11. Its important to pack critical items (like vitamins, medication, food, etc) in a place where you can trivially find them in your car when you are sick, havent slept for 24 hours, you are in the middle of an amazing snow storm, and everything in the car has been shuffled several times.
Other Notes:
12. The wind farm on the way to Joshua Tree is really interesting. Plays on size and scale.
13. There is a nice donut store back up the road from Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley.
Instead of just hauling ass down the road for a month or two, I decided to start off slowly and do a few day trip to Joshua Tree. Many interesting things were learned and here is a list of a few of them.
1. Check the weather. We had a record setting blizzard during the exact time I chose to go. It was exciting but maybe not the best choice. For the kids and adults of Joshua Tree, this was a peak experience. They had not had a snow storm like this for at least 11 years, according to one native.
2. Many exciting new symptoms seem to be present when I travel when sick, without the usual medication and in a blizzard. Memo to File: Do not do this again.
3. Just a little further down the road from Joshua Tree is a 24 hour medical center. The staff was very nice to me and let me hang out until I felt better. They were particularly impressed with the blizzard. A reminder that even medical workers on the night shift can act like big kids.
4. The Safari Inn was a perfect little motel for a great price.
5. The Crossroads Cafe was very good and I immediately fell in love with the hostess.
6. The mexican restaurant is just so so, but it is open 24 hours which is nice.
7. Google Maps does not check the weather when giving directions and nearly got me killed.
8. Joshua Tree is really nice when there is a foot of snow dumped on it.
9. Azuza, CA apparently stands for A - Z in the USA.
10. CalArts is right on the way to Joshua Tree if you take the Santa Clarita route.
11. Its important to pack critical items (like vitamins, medication, food, etc) in a place where you can trivially find them in your car when you are sick, havent slept for 24 hours, you are in the middle of an amazing snow storm, and everything in the car has been shuffled several times.
Other Notes:
12. The wind farm on the way to Joshua Tree is really interesting. Plays on size and scale.
13. There is a nice donut store back up the road from Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley.
For Those of You Attending the Academy Awards
draft
For those of you who are attending the awards tonight, I have compiled a short list of things to remember to help make everyone's experience more rewarding.
First, remember to wave at your fans as you get out of your car. They have waited since last night to get a glimpse of you. Second, dont walk too fast down the red carpet, you want the best chance possible for the TV cameras to linger on you. Third, its never a problem to get a date to the Academy Awards (tm) but think carefully about whether the person you choose will send the correct optic to those who are in a position to help your career. Fourth, as men get older, they are advised to either grow a beard or go clean shaven. The unshaven look just looks disreputable over a certain age. Fifth, and finally, on the one hand you should remember to thank the little people when you pick up an award, but dont overdo it as that would be tiresome.
Good luck tonight!
For those of you who are attending the awards tonight, I have compiled a short list of things to remember to help make everyone's experience more rewarding.
First, remember to wave at your fans as you get out of your car. They have waited since last night to get a glimpse of you. Second, dont walk too fast down the red carpet, you want the best chance possible for the TV cameras to linger on you. Third, its never a problem to get a date to the Academy Awards (tm) but think carefully about whether the person you choose will send the correct optic to those who are in a position to help your career. Fourth, as men get older, they are advised to either grow a beard or go clean shaven. The unshaven look just looks disreputable over a certain age. Fifth, and finally, on the one hand you should remember to thank the little people when you pick up an award, but dont overdo it as that would be tiresome.
Good luck tonight!
Monday, February 18, 2019
Dream as reported to Geoff Allen in Ireland
draft
Near a hill in Ireland. Sleeping there to find out where to dig ... something. Rabbit/hare shows me a hole/place to dig. I set off fireworks to alert the people. They come by and ask could I not wait until morning? Then they discussed rock and roll (Cream?) in gaelic. Or what my sleeping brain thought was gaelic, god only knows. What does it mean?
According to Geoff this may mean that it is time for me to do a "walkabout" He never thought I was very aboriginal.
Near a hill in Ireland. Sleeping there to find out where to dig ... something. Rabbit/hare shows me a hole/place to dig. I set off fireworks to alert the people. They come by and ask could I not wait until morning? Then they discussed rock and roll (Cream?) in gaelic. Or what my sleeping brain thought was gaelic, god only knows. What does it mean?
According to Geoff this may mean that it is time for me to do a "walkabout" He never thought I was very aboriginal.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Called My CongressPerson
draft
So I called my Congressman, Carbajal, CA-24, and talked to a nice intern. I asked to leave a message to ask Congressman Carbajal, and wanted to know when they were going to impeach Trump and the rapist Kavanaugh.
I am really getting tired of this shit. Too bad the american government failed.
So I called my Congressman, Carbajal, CA-24, and talked to a nice intern. I asked to leave a message to ask Congressman Carbajal, and wanted to know when they were going to impeach Trump and the rapist Kavanaugh.
I am really getting tired of this shit. Too bad the american government failed.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Anne Adams Feb 3 2019
My friend Anne Anne M. Adams is in a hospice and is not expected to regain consciousness. She did an amazing job of fighting cancer and the chemo worked very well for years. She was completely Anne until less than a week ago when she stopped being lucid. I worked with Anne at Degraf/Wahrman and Viacom, and she worked at many of the early "multimedia" companies as well. She really did not deserve this. It makes me very sad. The picture is from her farewell party less than a week ago.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
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