David Bowie... acoustic... what's not to love?

I'm particularly digging the version of Heroes from the 1996 Bridge School Benefit Concert, which you can see on YouTube. Listen to the bass--it's rockin'.

My appreciation for bass has been increased since I started playing it myself. Okay, I didn't really start playing bass (I wish!)--I only played it a few times. On Guitar Hero. That counts, right?

Just when you thought it was the end...

Okay, so there was a time when "director's cut" meant that was the movie as supposedly envisioned by the mastermind behind it. Now, there's a "final cut" of Bladerunner. Supposedly remastered. Supposedly with new scenes. I'm going to see it, of course (how could I not?) but I have to wonder, will this really be the final one?

Farewell

R.I.P Slinky the cat, a.k.a. "The Whacker"; 1992(?)-Dec 19 2007

I will always remember your bright, earnest eyes, your poor battered ears, and your ready purr. Your claws may have been sharp and your strike swift, but your heart was gold. Farewell, my furry friend. You will be dearly missed!

3:10 to Yuma

And so passes another Halloween spent hiding from the kids. It's not that I'm against Halloween. I like Halloween. But we never seem able to get our stuff together. Rather than risk angry mobs of kids at our door demanding candy, we turn out all the lights and slip away.

This time we decided to see a movie, and selected 3:10 to Yuma. My choice. I sort of knew it wouldn't be your average Western, and indeed, it turned out not to be. Ebert has a descent review of it here, and I don't have a lot to add. It's a character piece--not a lot actually happens, and yet it's fraught with tension and drama. Christian Bale is an amazing actor, and plays off well against Russel Crow.

There were a few things that threatened to snap the illusion, but not enough to ruin the movie for me.

Geico Cabbage Patch Kid

This is why I love commercials.

Gimme some pirate love, matey!

That's right, it's that time of year again. So shake the dust off your pirate hat, get your eye-patch out of its drawer, and give some cpr to that parrot to revive it. Time to get your pirate on!

Argh!

New google maps feature brought to you by me!

Well, I was at least one of the people that suggested it to them. I can take credit for it, right?

With the new google maps feature you can Customize your route

I pointed out to them in a long and detailed email that people like to take detours on their route or want to pass through or avoid a specific area (such as the MacArthur Maze, for my hood). So now you can drag your route to include a side trip or a route you want to take.

Yeah, I know. It's brilliant. Though really, Google, a little appreciation would be nice. So here's my next suggestion: "Dear Google, I think you should try to thank the visionaries whose ideas you use to increase the value of your stock. One share should be enough. Thanks!"