Blogger busted?

So, my blog appears to be totally non functional at the present time.

Upside-Down-Ternet

Got neighbors stealing your wireless? So did this guy. I think it’s safe to say that they aren’t doing that anymore.

Experimental Hybrid Cars

I find the concept of a hybrid car to be ingenious and I wish the technolog were cheaper. It seems that tech-minded people have started “modding” thier hybrid cars to get even more out of them.

 University of California, Davis engineering professor Andy Frank built a plug-in hybrid from the ground up in 1972 and has since built seven others, one of which gets up to 250 mpg. They were converted from non-hybrids, including a Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Suburban.

I would love 60–80mpg, but 250mpg will definitely do.

Source: Live Science

Play Anywhere Video

My father in law sent this to me at lunch, but it is a video that showcases 2 really neat products at Microsoft Labs. I think the first one, Play Anywhere, is about as cool as it gets. You have to check it out for yourself, but think Minority Report with no Tom Cruise gloves.

http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0607/28068/Andy_Wilson_MBR.asx

Digg Bookmarklet

There was a story on Digg today about a Firefox extension for submitting new stories to digg. In the comments there was a link to a site with a Bookmarklet that I felt was incomplete. I have revised it with the following features:

-If you select text on the page it submits it as the summary, if not, you are left to manually fill that in
-Opens in a new tab

This is untested in any other browser as I don't use it, but here it is: Digg This

NBA Introdues New Game Ball

The NBA unveiled the new game ball this morning before the 2006 Draft. I gotta say the new design and technology makes me want to go out and drop the $99 on this new ball. They are slated to be available for purchase on Oct 31. This is only the 2nd ball change in 60 seasons and the first change in over 35 years. The last change was in 1970 when the ball was changed from a 4 panel to an 8 panel ball. I think the new 2 panel interlocking design will create for a more round ball.

The new Cross Traxxion technology will make for a better experience all around I think.

Source: NBA.com

AdSense

A while back my AdSense account was closed by Google for allegedly a violation of the TOS. I reapplied last week in an effort to rejoin and was rejected. I see sites all the time that merely scrape content from search engines yet Google denies the application of a legit site? Does anyone else see this as a problem?

NBA Finals

I’ve been quiet on the NBA Playoffs since the Spurs got knocked out by Dallas. I hate to blame the officiating so I won’t, but I do agree that it played a larger role than Mavs fans would like to admit. That being said I am rooting for Miami instead of the other Texas team. I kind of feel like a traitor, but I am going to be bitter about Dallas winning for a while. The way it has played out, the Spurs would have had a walk in the park going for a back to back and that was thwarted. So here I am rooting for Miami and hoping that I don’t end up a loser for the 2nd time this post season. When is the draft again?

I can't win

I work Sun – Thurs which is nice and explains why I am posting from work. The problem is that on Thursday some joker decided it would be funny to eat my 2 luscious BBQ Hot Pockets. Yes, someone that I work with actually ate my lunch. What kind of person does that? I lucked out in that there was some leftover lasagna in the breakroom from a lunch meeting. That didn’t make matters any better, it just made me less hungry. I sent out an email thanking the person who ate my food. I only got 1 reply from someone who had their food eaten as well. Do you ever just want to line people up and start slapping them all?

The reason I can’t win is that here I am on a Sunday, and no, nobody ate my food, but I managed to drop one of my 2 eggrolls right on the floor. How fantastic is that? I think I am cursed. Yes, I ate it anyway. I have a feeling the germs in my mouth are far more heinous than the ones on the ground.

How NOT to steal a SideKick II

This was too funny not to post. Stupid people. Score one for technology.

Source: How NOT to steal a SideKick II

SIRA - Section 115 Reform Act of 2006

I just read about SIRA on Slashdot and this could be bad news for consumers across the board. SIRA requires that every additional copy of music/media require it’s own additional and separate license from the original copy. Rip your DVDs to your Media Center PC? Pay for another license. Rip your music to your computer as an MP3 and copy it to 1 or more iPods? Pay for additional licenses.

IPAction.org has the original piece.

Source: Slashdot

Hexic HD

Just thought I would throw out that Hexic HD is the bomb. I spent a good chunk of time playing it last night on my 360.

Lessons Learned on Vacation

Last night I got back from the family vacation to Disneyland and I learned a few valuable lessons while we were gone:

• Don’t speed in Texas
• Yahoo Maps stink and their driving directions are horrible. Opt for a Road Atlas instead
• Don’t buy Road Maps at gas stations, they are like $7 and you can get them free at the visitor center of each state
• I am far too old to ride rides that spin in circles
• Fort Stockton, TX is still one of my least favorite places ever
• Driving 20 or so hours with a 2 yr old is not the wisest thing to do

Spurs vs Mavs - Game 1

Game 1 of the 2nd round of the playoffs have just started and the Spurs are playing very well coming off the incredibly short turnaround from Game 6 of the Kings series. Spurs are up 7 to 4 right now.

NBA MVP

I will admit that I am a bit biased being a huge Spurs fan, but I just saw a blip on TV that suggested that Steve Nash was going to be named MVP for the 2nd straight year. I personally think Nash is a great player, but I don’t think he deserves the MVP this year. Last year they steamrolled a lot of teams and without Amare they have done well, but they nearly didn’t make it out of the 1st round against the Lakers. I have to say that Tony Parker should definitely be considered for the MVP.

Original Star Wars Trilogy coming to DVD

I consider myself a Star Wars loyalist, but I really wasn’t bothered by the initial release of the Trilogy on DVD with the expanded editions etc. For those of you that were you are going to be able to own the original theatrical versions as well as the re-mastered versions. I may have to pick this up just to have it.

Source: StarWars.com

2007 Models and Concepts

I was recently browsing around Automobile Magazine’s website and I cam across some of these sweet rides:

• 2007 Audi TT
• Mazda Kabura Concept
• VW Concept A
• Toyata Urban Cruiser Concept

Pyramind in Bosnia?

I know it sounds odd, but scientists have unearthed a step pyramid in Bosnia. This pyramid was long thought to be a hill, but its perfect 45 degree sides and flat top made some people wonder. This pyramid stands approximately 722 feet high which makes it a third taller than Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza.

Amazing stuff.

Source: MSN

What time is it?

So I was talking to my buddy up at Penn State today and he was describing the following conversation he had with a classmate this morning. Here it is in all it’s glory:

Austin: Dude, look at my new watch
Josh: yeah, it's a watch
Austin: Know how much it cost?
Austin: Huh?
Austin: Huh?
Austin: Do ya?
Austin: Do ya?
Josh: No, Austin, I don't know how much it cost
Austin: $1200
Austin: It doesn't have any numbers on it so I don't ever know what time it is
Austin: and I can't tell time
Austin: so I have to learn

As you can probably guess, my buddy is named Josh and his dull counterpart is Austin. I was left pretty speechless. This Austin character is apparently one bright cookie.

Un-pimp your Ride

Those new VW commercials about un-pimping cars are probably my favorite commercials of the last 5 years. I am posting them here so I can watch them over and over again.

Others coming soon.
Source: YouTube