January 2005 Archives

For the first time in 5 years, I have a new pair of glasses. Hard to believe, but my prescription only changed slightly and it was for the better. I think the doctor wanted my left eye to do some more work, At first, I it took some getting used to the glasses, but now I am fine. I have 30 days at Lenscrafters to take them back if I don't like them. The best part is now I have an up to date prescription, I can go shopping for a cool pair of Disney approved sunglasses. Me thinks that statement might contradict itself, but we shall see. I haven't had sunglasses since mine were scratched back at Lake Mead a few years ago. Gosh since I the summer before I started working at the park.

Other stuff going well. I had a nice relaxing weekend for the first and last time for a while. It is crunch time at the attraction as we gear up for all the final this and that and training begins in the future. I am feeling a lot of pressure, mainly because my rear is on the line since I have been working on most of the training outlines and such. On the other hand, it is a great feeling to have been able to contribute so much. I can't wait to see the fruits of my labor bear out.

One of the things that amazes me is the people who posted construction photos of the attraction. I hope legal gets down on them hard and finds out who did it. I admit before I worked at the park, I enjoyed any peak that I could get. Now that I work there, I see the other side of the coin. We are all trying so hard to give the best show for the guest when we open. When those pictures get posted, it is almost like getting caught with your pants down in the dressing room.

On a programming note, I watched the Discovery Channel show: Pompeii: Last Day. The main problem I have with most of these Discovery Events is that the show is really 75 minutes when you take out commercials and recapping and reusing footage over and over. There also wasn't anything really new revealed. I think the whole thing would have worked better as a movie rather than a narrated mess. Then for the last 40 minutes, it feels like you are watching something else as all of a sudden you are watching some lady interview Italian Volcano experts on the dangers of Vesuvius. All in all a mixed bag. To think I have been drawn in by the buildup since December - that’s what I get for believing hype.

I finally received my service update and can now enjoy the wonders of TiVo to go. This nifty feature allows me to transfer my TiVo'ed shows to my computer and then using Sonic's MyDVD software, transfer the shows to DVD. Only problem? The version of MyDVD that came with my computer doesn't support the files. I already bought Nero and think I might have found a solution. What really gets me is that TiVo really wanted people to only use one software. They should have developed plugins for all the different softwares out there. Personally, I fully support encryption on the programs, but I'd like to choose which software suite works best for me.

I guess that is one of the problems with Piracy. Poor honest users like me (who don't go posting their programs on the Internet, and just want an archive a la old VHS tapes, want to be able to record random shows (like ones where Charo is a guest star). These shows will never be out on DVD and I am not eating into anyones profits. But alas, there are hoodlums out there who sell TV series on DVD for cheap. Oh well. I am sure that I can find some software to help me. (Note: I have, now just need to try it out!)

At any rate, even if I end up only backing the files up as data, I am glad to be able to clear off some programs from 2003 from my TiVo. Also, I can archive episodes of Kath and Kim until they are available on DVD in the US.

I discovered that the BBC is bringing back one of the greatest Sci-Fi series of all time (and not in lame TV Movie format like the ill fated Fox Movie in 1996). BBC One will show it sometime in 2005. To help kick start your Who mojo here are some tasty links:

Doctor Who Wikipedia - get caught up on the last 8 doctors.
Download a version of the theme song.
If you don't like 'em , mix your own.
Finally, the BBC page with all the news, episode guides and more!

I blame it all on Scott who would sit us down and watch complete serials at a time - the only way I could really watch the show since I hate having things dragged out over lengthy periods of time.

Just yesterday, I had read an article about Johnny Carson writing jokes for Letterman. I was happy, hoping that maybe, just maybe he might make another Cameo on the show soon. Then today, the other shoe dropped as it was announced that he had passed away. I always liked The Tonight Show when he hosted it. Despite who was on the show, I always tried to catch the monologue and was always po'ed when it was another repeat cuz he was on vacation (then again that was better than suffering through a guest host). No one has ever come close to recreating the same sense of atmosphere on their show. Letterman never tried, and kudos to him for sticking to his style. The others who emulated never got it because they lacked the same charisma and charm that he had.

The Mini Mac went on sale yesterday, and for the first time since being in Cartography class at UCD, I want a Mac. I know Andy made the switch awhile ago. I still think I would rather have a new Windows based laptop, but the software titles that Apple has produced are really awesome. Now if I can get a copy of Dreamweaver for the Mac, the decision becomes even more difficult.

I watched A View to a Kill the other night. I figured since I had picked it up last weekend and I hadn't seen it in forever, it was a good way to kill some time. I was surprised how much I liked it, despite Roger Moore's advanced age. Next up Ring 0: Birthday - no where as creepy as the first two. Call me crazy, but I think Ring 2 permanently scarred me, and this one was enjoyable, but still a bit of a let down. Finally, I picked up the 40th anniversary edition of Mary Poppins. The film has never looked better. In my other DVD, there was a glaring difference between the "effects shots" and the regular ones. In this DVD, they are closely matched, and unless you are looking for it, you can't really tell.

For some reason, I love Mary Poppins more and more as the years progress. I think it is because it was Walt's crowning achievement, and (as they explain on the DVD) was the result of Walt's ability to get the best from all those around him. I think it also inspires me to give my best when I am at work. Just to make him proud.

The Michael Palin DVDs have arrived. It takes about 2 hours per disc to convert to NTSC Region 1 backups. Trying to fit a double layered DVD onto a single layer DVD is a bit of a pain. For the most part the picture quality is fine, but when you have to compress near 50%, any high-speed motion (or rain as it turns out) gets real messy. As for the program, it really is quite good. I think it is better than the Sahara series (probably due to more interest on my part in the Himalaya than the Sahara. I also think the music in this series is better than the last few. I only wish that Nepal and the neighboring region wasn't having so much difficulty with the Maoists, I certainly would like to travel there.

In web news: I think I finally nearing the last corner with the last web site for Haim. That means nice Club Josh updates will be coming.

In Buzz news: Time waits for no one. The opening date marches closer and closer, and I am beginning to feel some of the stress. Thankfully, I had a nice shift of pure cycling over the weekend which was a lot of fun. Today was pretty low key and was a half day due to the holiday. Lots to wrap up this week!

Daniel and I made it up to Amoeba records last night in Hollywood. I traded in 9 DVDs and got 2 in return. Basically old versions of the Trek movies and Mary Poppins. (My Mulan DVD has some scratches so they said no to that - I guess I'm not buying that one). I picked up Ring 0 and A View to A Kill. I think I am only 4 James Bond DVDs away from having the whole collection.

The other day I ordered the book and DVD of the new Michael Palin series, Himalaya from Amazon UK. It is a region 2 DVD set, but I will be able to watch it on my computer and maybe just be able to convert it to Region 1 to watch on my TV. As most of you know, I am a BIG Michael Palin travel series fan (and of course a big Michael Palin fan), and I have been waiting for the new series ever since it was announced over a year ago. The UK also has DVD versions of all of my favorite series and depending on how well these go, I might just have to get the whole lot of them.

My favorite is still Pole to Pole. This is the one that I was showing back in college when the Geography Department had an exhibit for Picnic Day.

Good Geo-News this week! You can take your pick from the La Conchita Landslide Disaster, Flooding in Utah and Ohio, or if you prefer something a bit more extra-terrestrial, there is the Huygens probe landing on Titan today. A lot to keep me busy.

Work on Buzz is progressing nicely. Lots of work yet to be done before the big opening. I enjoy the testing environment, but I always forget how the long hours wear you down to a point where when you get home, you just want to eat and then go to bed. Before I know it, I'll be back in the same-ol same-ol routine, and the way I figure it, I can catch up on sleep then.

Someone stole one of my web design and a bunch of content from the Charo page. The worst part is that the site "supposedly" belongs to Charo Entertainment. I have fired off an e-mail telling the web master that they need to take down all of the offending material - and if I can swing it, I am seriously considering legal action.

If it turns out that the site is run by Charo or people associated with her, then I might just take the whole site down. Why would I want to support and promote someone who can't even create their own web site? Heck, if they asked, I'd probably would have done their site for them.

Oh well, 10 years and finally, someone copies me. I am almost flattered.

Wow 2005. Thank God. Can you be a bit nicer than 2004? She could use some Ritlin. One moment she's the best ever, next moment your finger is black and blue. I think I was sick more in 2004 than I have been in a long time (one hopes I am not harboring some major illness - more on that see below). The personal life didn't improve much over the year, but at least I got to visit Japan - Twice!.

Highlights of 2004:
Going to Japan Twice
Meeting William Shatner
Charo on the Surreal Life (and the increased traffic to the site)
Seeing Jonathan and Nathan for the first time in years
Wendy and Mice having a baby!
Hanging with the Coopers before they moved
Amazing Race!
Learning the Big Boats and meeting new friends

Lowlights:
My left ring finger still hurts
Getting sick so many times (but hey at least not on vacation!)
Not seeing so many of my friends often enough
Having issues with friends I see too often
Still single after almost two years
Not making Emerging Leader
Not hanging out and developing a deeper friendship with people I met this year

So in hindsight 2004 wasn't that bad. I am fortunate to work in a place that I enjoy and am relatively healthy and make ends meet. Having said that, there is still a lot of room for improvement. So here are my official 2005 resolutions:
Go see the doctor (just so I know I'm not dying)
Go to the dentist
Go to eye doctor and get new glasses
Become an Emerging Leader
Travel to someplace new
Visit Nathan, Jonathan, Joe, Susie, and Matt n Steve.
Redesign the site for the 10th Anniversary

I am a simple guy, not very big ambitions I know. Maybe next year I'll go for that whole get in shape/eat better thing.

Side note: A couple of years ago, I used to have a list of what I did on New Year's eve. The last two years I have welcomed the new year doing one of my favorite activities - sleep. I was supposed to go to a masquerade ball (sorry Vance - don't hate me), but I was reeling from the last few days of sickness (thanks Alisa!). Not the best way to ring in the new year, but after today's dinner at the Outback, I'm feeling much better.

Extra side note: I am going to keep a list of every place I eat out for the whole year. Why? I am a dork. Plus I was wondering if I could list every McDonald's in the world I ate at, and I couldn't even remember all the ones in Japan. So I thought, "Maybe I can just list them for a year and see how horrible I eat" and then I'd have some motivation for 2006's resolution.