Cable Freedom isn't for everyone.

I've been slowly working on finding a replacement for Cable TV since September 2009.  My first attempt was using a software solution from ReplayTV.  This allowed me to stream videos from PC to my X-Box 360.

It worked great, when it worked.  The updates were slow to be released, there were timing issues between the software and the x-box 360. While the core software was handled by a small group of programmers, it relied heavily on it's user community to provide "plug-ins" for content. This is where it really started to break down for me.  These plug-ins would stop working whenever the "source" location change  It isn't anyone's fault, but it does make TV viewing frustrating  and unreliable.

With that realization I took the next step and started looking at hardware solutions. My first choice was a Dell Inspiron Zino, but unfortunately after a two month delay it became obvious that Dell had some major production issues.  Of course the delay worked out for the best, because by then Acer had released the Revo 3610.

This little guy running Windows 7 was quick and easy to hook up to my Samsung 50 inch Plasma TV. The Revo is versatile when it comes to video steaming. I'm usingWindows 7 Media Center which has links that jump to the  Hulu Desktop and to Boxee.  With the addition of Google Chrome web browser just because I prefer it over IE, I can now watch any video steam on the net.

While it works for me, I have to admit this isn't a solution for everyone. Since not there are networks that have decided not to allow online viewing of their shows. It does work for me though, and I'm finally Cable Free.

Now if I can only find a way to generate my own Power and get off the grid.  I suppose that'll be my next crazy project.

Apple's iPad let the battle begin.

It has been less than a week since Apple announced the iPad in the patent Steve Jobs mega media event, and already the effects of this new consumer device is already being felt.

On the day the iPad was announced it seemed that people fell into three camps.
1) Love it
2) Hate it.
3) huh ? It is just a big I-phone. ( the undecided.)

As with any new "gadget" / consumer device the initial response is mixed.
This has lead to heated debates concerning its worth on internet forums, facebook, and in office cubes around the world, and it is still 50 days before the first model will be available for retail sale.

Yet there is no denying that when Apple enters a market place its presence is felt almost immediately, and the announcement of the iPad is no different. Just a few short days after Steve Jobs,(Apple Messiah) announced a deal with Macmillian for Apple's iBookstore.  Amazon pulled all digital and regular books from it's digital shelves, in response to Macmillian's new pricing model. Which sets the commission for each book sale at 30%, and the publisher set's the price of the each book title individually. Amazons response was a big F.U., and promptly pulled all Macmillian titles from its "shelves".  Steve you must be so proud.

Of course Apple understands that content makes or breaks a device today. Which is why Apple is willing to agree to a lower commission percentage, and allow Book publishers to set their own price per title. ( Interesting side note: Apple wasn't this flexible when it came to digital music and the music industry when iTunes was launched. )

A quick glance through my news-feed, revealed two tidbits of information. Sony announced that its digital e-book reader wasn't selling so well and they have no plans on making a color version of the e-reader.  While cheaper than the Kindle, it doesn't have the ability to deliver books over the air, nor does it have the selection that Amazon currently has. 

Then there is this little 6 month study from the University of Georgia, which cites that participants wanted more from the e-reader. While all agreed that the e-ink screen was easy to read, they still found current models lacking. Stating they would like have a touch screen and the ability to do crossword puzzles. (The study was comparing digital newspapers with their printed versions.)

The question remains, will the iPad be the consumer device that fill the gaps, and offer consumers the flexibility and content that they are asking for ?  Well only time will tell, but Apple's track record with the iPod and iPhone does give them some street cred. 

Smoke Break Comedian

I was outside today in the company smoking area. Yes I know I should give up the habit, but I just enjoy it too much. Besides you hear all the best gossip in the smoking area.

So there I was in the smoking area, I lit my cigarette and glanced around to see that the people gathered were mostly "regulars" with a few a visiting smokers. For the most part the grey and wet weather was reflected in their expressions.

Exhaling slowly I launched into my impromptu comedy routine, or at least that is what it feels like to me.  So todays little rant went something like this .....

"A friend forwarded me a email today, this email was from her child's school." I began as I continued looking at my I-phone. Pretending not to notice as everyones attention shifts towards me.

"It listed three volunteering opportunities for the parents. but it has to be joke. Ya'll have to hear this, and it is to crazy for me to make up. Here is the first oppurtunity and I quote .....

"The Studio needs someone to come in regularly and sharpen pencils. "

I paused slightly, looking up to see a half of a dozen stunned expressions.

"Really? This is a real need?
What the little tykes can't be trusted to sharpen their own pencils ?
Have we cut that deep in our school budget that we can't afford pencil sharpeners ?
Is this some kind of movement attempting to be environmentally conscientious ?
I've heard of being green but come on people we have to draw the line somewhere don't we ?
Are we really concerned about conserving pencils now ?
Did Al Gore include this in one of his speeches on global warming and I missed it ?

And what of the children ?
I shiver at thought of having a whole generation of children unable to sharpen their own pencils. This is a invaluable life skill. It is obviously in demand since the school is asking for volunteers.
I remember having to sharpen my own pencils. That nervous giddy feeling in your gut as you walk up the aisle to the pencils sharpener bolted next to the door. The sense of satisfaction as you ground a practically brand new pencil down to half it's original size as you worked on achieving that razor sharp point. Which is important when you are trying to get your pencil go through the drop ceiling tile like a patriot missile arching into the air on a intercept course.
These are character building moments, I tell you!
Besides I've got better things to do than stand around and sharpen pencils. I mean isn't that the reason we all started using ink pens in the first place ?

And I don't even know what a "Deep cleaning" is, but I'll tell you this. If I don't do it at home, I'm sure as hell not going to do it in a class-room. I just have this image of a group of parents dressed in neon orange bio-hazard suits as they pressure wash the class-room. Isn't there a janitor on the payroll ?  For the love of god, I'll slip the janitor a 20 spot to use fresh water and extra bleach when he mops up the class-room.

Do I really have to come in on a Saturday to "Deep Clean" a class-room that would make a CDC official break out in a cold sweat. And lets be honest, the kids aren't going outside as much these days.  This is the only chance their immune system gets a decent work out.

I would just like to know how doing these menial tasks is suppose to make me feel more involved in my "child's" education ?  If you are looking for cheap labor isn't that what the kids are for ?

Sherlock Holmes - First Impressions.

I just returned from seeing Sherlock Holmes, and while the character is well known to popular culture. This movie focused more on the relationship between Holmes and Watson, making this more like a cop buddy movie than a movie about a  mystery.

While the movie does pause for a second to illustrate Holmes superior intellect in a rather visually appealing way, the writers seem to focus more on showing us Holmes flaws which makes for interesting situations and plays to Robert Downey's strengths as an actor. I couldn't help but think they were underplaying his genius as depicted in Doyle's stories.

There are a few odd moments where the movie begins to drag under the weight of the story as it plods through the necessary steps of the "evil doers" plot.  Sadly, these small hiccups were made worse by the vanilla, boiler plate dialog that seemed better suited for mid-seventies saturday morning cartoon than a big budget movie.

Even with its flaws this movie had it's charming moments, and it successfully applied the cop buddy movie formula to a classic and timeless duo of Holmes and Watson.  There were foot chase's, disgues, a fair number of fight scenes, explosions and a hint of romance on several fronts.  All the pieces were there and enjoyable to watch.

Overall it was decent movie, and a refreshing interpretation of the characters and their flaws, but I would have to say if you are curious wait for the DVD and rent it. At least that way you will have the option of fast forwarding through the Saturday morning dialog.

Mourning the Loss

I sit here this morning with a cup of coffee, fond memories of her filling my mind as the snow falls gently outside. the memories are jumbled and fast flickers of a more innocent time.

Things like falling asleep in her lap at church when I was 5 yrs old, because every child knows that grandma's lap makes the best pillow. 

I can hear the sound of a whistling tea kettle off in the distance, muted slightly as it reaches out through time and space signaling tea time, the sound of a house filled to capacity on Thanksgiving with aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings as we all wore Corduroy pants and our good shirts. Sitting at the kids table, wishing I was "big enough" to sit with the adults. Watching the animated cartoon of the Hobbit with my cousin Eddie, or playing with trucks in the basement with my cousin Jeff.

I remember afternoon tea, sitting at the kitchen table, as she pulled two small white coffee cup with a simple design and a matching saucer from the cabinet. Filling the cup half way with hot water, with a healthy splash of milk, and two ice cubes from the fridge, as i made a mess of dipping the tea bag.

She patiently waited until i was satisfied with the tea, not saying a word as I added more sugar than any small child should be allowed to have in one drink before turning to make her afternoon tea and probably looking forward to a moment of peace while I slurped my tea nosily in the kitchen.

Grandma would sit on the front porch of her house, and watch me paint the rocks and paving stones with water. The taste of sour grapes and canning green beans were a yearly ritual. I spent more than one afternoon snapping the ends off green beans.

My cousin Jeff and I ran all over sellersburg, doing the things 11 year old boys do. Which is to say we found trouble where ever it was hiding on those summer days.  Our daily adventures always started and ended  at grandma's house. 

Even as my horizons grew, big wheels giving way to dirt bikes and ten speeds,cars and eventually the military. The funny thing is no matter how large my orbit became I always found myself stopping by and visiting grandma tash.  

I may not know much about her life before being grandma, but I can honestly say I've missed the women a great deal over the years. 

Writing .. Need more time to write.

So a little more than a week has passed since I started the Nano writing challenge.  50,000 words sounded reasonable when I first started, especially given that I had 30 days to complete it in.

Of course reality veered off the track somewhere, and the plan that was so pristine and perfect at the start is now little more than a faded dream, with coffee stains and hastily jotted notes in the margins.

With a mixture of dread and surprise I keep typing letting the events unfold, and meeting new characters. Here is hoping that I can wrestle this craptastic work of fiction into something readable once I'm done.

If for some strange reason you are curious on my progress there is a word count widget that displays my current word count, that is assuming that the Nano website is up and running.

Wish me luck, and here is today's snippet warts and all.

Al looked up at Alturis with a puzzled expression on his face as Ankia strolled up with fire in her eyes.  

"What have you been doing !" Anika growled as she reached up and grabbed his foot and squeezed tightly.  

"Oh a little of this and a little of that." Alturis replied non-chaulently. "and on my way back I thought to myself, I should get something for you to celebrate your new post." Alturis grimmanced slightly as her hand squeezed tighter. 

"At first I thought flowers, but there were no shops open. Then I thought wine, but honestly what could compare to the Kings wine cellar. Then I stumbled on this street rat and thought to myself 'Ah Ha!' the perfect gift." Alturis was begining to loose all feeling in his toes as he completed the thought through gritted teeth 


"You just don't realize how hard it is to find the perfect gift for you."  

Anika shot an icy look to poor Al who was attempting to stiffle his laughter by shoving his fist into his mouth.  

"You shouldn't have." she said as she released the vice grip on his foot.  

"Anything for you." Alturis flashed his best boyish grin he could muster.  

"Would you mine helping me untangle myself from my passanger."  


"Hand her down." Anika sighed  

"You may want to raise you shield." Alturis whispered. "She is has a nasty habit of drawing blood first and asking questions later."  

Anika rolled her eyes slightly as she raised her mage shield. Alturis nodded and began to unclasp the hands of Nesha from around his waist, all was going well until Anika reached up and touched her to help guide the sleeping girl down. Alturis felt her hand tense as it shot into her sleeve and grasped the hilt of the dagger.  


"Easy" Alturis said quickly as he grabbed her wrist. 

"Wha .. why've we stop." Nesha said half asleep.  

"We are here Nesha." Alturis said calmly. 

"This is Anika she going to help you down."  

"lemme sleep. tired." Nesha replied as she laid her head back down on Alturis's shoulder.  

"well this is going to get messy." Anika said gloomily.  

"What is the hold up here." Sarita barked as she walked up.  

"My passagner is part mountain lion, and has a habit of biting first and asking questions later." Alturis motioned to the dagger in Nesha's hand.  

"Is that so." Sarita said as she waved Anika back with one hand and uncermonisly grabbed nesha by the shirt collar and hosted the child up and off the horse in one fluid motion. Nesha woke instantly dagger swinging and feet kicking. 

Sarita released the girl and she plummeted the 3 feet to the ground like a stone landing on her backside with a squeal that was a mixture of surprise and pain.  

"Those are some pretty nice daggers you got there little one." Sarita complimentated Nesha, ignoring the glare the little girl fixed her with.  

"of course this is a real dagger." Sarita grinned her slightly lopside grin as she pulled one of her daggers from her belt.  

"Now show me your stance." Sarita ordered as she dropped into a basic fighting stance. Nesha crouched brining the dagger up preparing to strike.  

"Not bad, not bad at all little one." Sarita nodded with approval as she straightend and sheathed her dagger.  

"Sarita don't encourage her." Alturis sighed lightly as he dismounted.  


"Of course I'm going to encourage her, every girl should know how to defend themselves." Sarita replied seriously 

"Something wrong with your foot ?"  

"It's nothing, it must've fallen asleep during the ride." alturis smirked at Anika as he stomped his foot in an attempt to get teh circulation flowing through his tingling foot.

Today's Snippet.

"I'm in no mood for your caviler attitude boy!" Sarita growled putting all the anger she felt into that last word, twisting it until it dripped with contempt.


"THAT IS ENOUGH!"

Sarita felt every bone in her body reverberate as his voice shook the room, wincing she involuntarily took a small step back as she watched Alturis grow in size filling the room, the air was thick with ozone as electricity danced in his milky white eyes. Sarita gripped her daggers tightly, muscles taunt ready to strike a combat reflex. Sarita blinked and Alturis was sitting down again, face drawn, his lips pressed tightly together his eyes returned to normal save for a few lingering sparks.

"This must be done, that is all there is to it." Alturis said flatly.

"Give me one reason that would explain the need to make yourself a walking target for every scumbag in the city ?" Sarita said hoarsely. she felt like her mouth was filled with sand as she walked over and poured herself a glass of water.

"I'll give you four."

"you'll do them no good dead." Sarita shook her head. "we both know it could happen all too easily."

"Perhaps." Alturis shrugged his shoulders lightly

Sarita frowned wishing she could beat some sense into this man, but realizing that would be fruitile she would be content with wiping that annoying smirk off his face.