These monsters came from the EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN. They even built a replica of the My Neighbor Totoro house--which apparently came from 1950's Japan.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
First Recordings — Electronic Music Winners
Wanting to listen to this album including a work by Paul Lansky, after listening to the first 10 minutes of Mild und Leise on YouTube.
Mike Birbiglia
Listened to a May 5, 2009 rebroadcast of Mike Birbiglia on NPR's This American Life, recounting his story of a traffic cop finding him at fault after a drunk driver hit his vehicle and sped away, later hitting a tree.
Losers
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/12QUESTIONS.html?...
"Q (Deborah Solomon for the New York Times): What is your I.Q.?
"A (Stephen Hawking): I have no idea. People who boast about their I.Q. are losers."
"Q (Deborah Solomon for the New York Times): What is your I.Q.?
"A (Stephen Hawking): I have no idea. People who boast about their I.Q. are losers."
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Clutch
Reading about replacing clutches this evening and remembered why I chose to not get my hands dirty repairing engines. A man has to know his limitations. :o)
Tempting, still....
Davis: "anal probing world capital"
:o)
Someone has placed a sign of an alien's head on the Davis Chamber of Commerce Welcome Sign on Richards Boulevard, with the text, "anal probing world capital."
Cute.
Woodstock's Pizza + Beer
Dawn and I visited Woodstock's Pizza in Davis, CA this evening.
We tried the medium Pesto Primavera (Pesto Sauce, Broccoli, Red Onions, Artichoke Hearts, Fresh Tomatoes) and a medium Vegetarian (Black Olives, 'Shrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, Fresh Tomatoes).
Dawn had a Fox Barrel Pacific Pear Cider and I had an Anderson Valley Brewing Company Bahl Hornin' Imperial Boont Amber Ale.
We tried the medium Pesto Primavera (Pesto Sauce, Broccoli, Red Onions, Artichoke Hearts, Fresh Tomatoes) and a medium Vegetarian (Black Olives, 'Shrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, Fresh Tomatoes).
Dawn had a Fox Barrel Pacific Pear Cider and I had an Anderson Valley Brewing Company Bahl Hornin' Imperial Boont Amber Ale.
Automatic cat feeders with multiple cats
Purchased!
UPDATE 2012-05-06: turns out it works great for Hill's Prescription Diet c/d (Multicare Feline Bladder Health - Dry), but not Hill's Prescription Diet t/d (Feline Dental Health).
The c/d kibbles measure approximately 1/2" on all sides, while the owners of the Super Feed recommend 1/4" kibbles.
I believe they originally marketed this for feeding fish, which makes sense. One comment on Amazon.com suggests the company will soon have a product supporting larger kibble.
Contrasting bumper stickers
Just messing with people: put contrasting bumper stickers/magnets/what have you on your vehicle.
For example, the National Rifle Association (NRA) contrasted with something written by Michael Moore.
KMA233
Saw KMA233 on a license plate frame while walking to work this week. Seems like a public safety radio frequency out of the Santa Cruz area?
Green coffee beans seem to burn fat fast
Dr. Oz plans to visit Sacramento on Monday to present. I honestly do not know much about him, so I visited his web site.
I randomly saw one of the front page rotating articles included a guest blog post by Lindsey Duncan, ND, CN, which spoke about the benefits of Green Coffee Bean extract in burning fat.
The authors of the original study have published it online, for free.
I randomly saw one of the front page rotating articles included a guest blog post by Lindsey Duncan, ND, CN, which spoke about the benefits of Green Coffee Bean extract in burning fat.
The authors of the original study have published it online, for free.
Sphygmomanometer
A wonderful word :o)
Origin: 1860–65; sphygmo- + manometer:
- sphygmo: From Greek sphugmos (pulsation), from sphuzein (to throb)
- manometer : From French manomètre, from Greek manos (loose, rare, sparse) + metron (measure)
So, measure loose/rare/sparse pulsations. :o)
Sunday, April 22, 2012
10160 Totoro
"A main-belt asteroid was named 10160 Totoro after the film's central character Totoro."
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Facial expressions
I noticed Kimbra's remarkably expressive facial expressions (about 15 seconds in) in a video on her web site from last Tuesday, while listening to her collaboration with Gotye on "Somebody That I Used to Know."
Johnsonville Brats: How I Learned to Let My Workers Lead
One philosophy. Revisionist hagiography or actual philosophy? Hrm.
How I Learned to Let My Workers Lead
http://people.wku.edu/rich.patterson/CFS-452/Readings/stayer.htm
How I Learned to Let My Workers Lead
http://people.wku.edu/rich.patterson/CFS-452/Readings/stayer.htm
Alien anal probing welcome sign for Davis, CA
The Davis, California Chamber of Commerce's "Welcome to Davis" sign on the south side of the Richards Boulevard underpass in Davis, California, features--in addition to Soroptimist International, Rotary, and other organizations--a sign with an alien face and the text "Anal probing...."
We have not figured out what the rest of the sign says but I smile every time I see it.
We have not figured out what the rest of the sign says but I smile every time I see it.
Sarah Vowell
Oh City Arts & Lectures, why have you not podcasted your programs yet?
The Education of Little Tree
On Friday I heard a remarkable NPR story of the origins of the novel The Education of Little Tree, written under the pseudonym Forrest Carter by Asa Earl Carter, noted white supremacist and speech writer for George Wallace.
Sacramento Japanese Film Festival Annual Community Spring Screening
We attended the Sacramento Japanese Film Festival's Annual Community Spring Screening this Friday evening and watched "A Matter of Size" (2009, Israel; Hebrew: סיפור גדול, lit. "A Big
Prior to the event, however, we felt hungry. So, after surveying the local options, we stopped at Pizza Hut and ate a medium pan pizza with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and garlic.
We arrived 10 minutes late, but did not seem to miss much. The event, like previous years, showed subtitles in white, which made them difficult to read from the back. One man stopped the movie momentarily to decrease the projector brightness, which helped, but the event staff need to come up with a solution to change the subtitles from white to yellow.
I struggled to relate to several of the characters; I have lived as a beanpole my entire life. I found Geola, the diet coach, (played by Evelin Hagoel) an unbelievable character, as I did Zehava's (played tenderly by Irit Kaplan) quixotic nutritionist efforts within the local prison. Why would a nutritionist serve only broccoli for the inaugural meal to a captive population? It makes no sense, nutritionally, and any nutritionist worth her salt would know it.
The movie pigeonholes several characters into trite gender and sexual roles; Zehava acquiesces and accepts sumo has no place for women. Gidi (played by Alon Dahan) comes out of the closet. Women, as a whole, do not come out so well in this movie: I cannot remember any really successful women portrayed; they nag, they fail, they acquiesce, they scheme naively. The men also seem stuck. However, through the help of Kitano (wonderfully played by Togo Igawa), they transform themselves mentally--and physically--through embracing their physical stature.
"A Matter of Size" does shine, though. Herzl's (played by Itzik Cohen) desperate pleas to Zehava moved me. The cinematography of rural training and the fights looked gorgeous. I laughed and silently cheered as the sumo trainees walked back into town, getting lots of attention from passers by. The Japanese food (for example, chakonabe) seemed delicious. The subtle sexual flirtation between Herzl's widowed mother Mona (played by Levana Finkelstein) and Kitano seemed believable, as well as Kitano's barely perceptible smiles after his first sumo lesson with Herzl. Zehava's quickly sexualized relationship with Herzl seemed genuine.
"A Matter of Size" has a number of things to like and represents an unconventional story: an Israeli film about Japanese sumo wrestling. I give it 3/5 stars. :o)
After the movie, event organizers opened up an enormous table of treats for attendees, many things handmade, including mochi, lychee jello, lady finger brownies, multiple rice ball treats, fruit, popcorn balls, tea, and coffee--and much more.
This year, the event organizers moved the movie to the basketball gymnasium, which looked new and shiny. They must have had 100-200 people in attendance--a good sign.
Looking forward to mid-July for the festival itself!
Prior to the event, however, we felt hungry. So, after surveying the local options, we stopped at Pizza Hut and ate a medium pan pizza with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and garlic.
We arrived 10 minutes late, but did not seem to miss much. The event, like previous years, showed subtitles in white, which made them difficult to read from the back. One man stopped the movie momentarily to decrease the projector brightness, which helped, but the event staff need to come up with a solution to change the subtitles from white to yellow.
I struggled to relate to several of the characters; I have lived as a beanpole my entire life. I found Geola, the diet coach, (played by Evelin Hagoel) an unbelievable character, as I did Zehava's (played tenderly by Irit Kaplan) quixotic nutritionist efforts within the local prison. Why would a nutritionist serve only broccoli for the inaugural meal to a captive population? It makes no sense, nutritionally, and any nutritionist worth her salt would know it.
The movie pigeonholes several characters into trite gender and sexual roles; Zehava acquiesces and accepts sumo has no place for women. Gidi (played by Alon Dahan) comes out of the closet. Women, as a whole, do not come out so well in this movie: I cannot remember any really successful women portrayed; they nag, they fail, they acquiesce, they scheme naively. The men also seem stuck. However, through the help of Kitano (wonderfully played by Togo Igawa), they transform themselves mentally--and physically--through embracing their physical stature.
"A Matter of Size" does shine, though. Herzl's (played by Itzik Cohen) desperate pleas to Zehava moved me. The cinematography of rural training and the fights looked gorgeous. I laughed and silently cheered as the sumo trainees walked back into town, getting lots of attention from passers by. The Japanese food (for example, chakonabe) seemed delicious. The subtle sexual flirtation between Herzl's widowed mother Mona (played by Levana Finkelstein) and Kitano seemed believable, as well as Kitano's barely perceptible smiles after his first sumo lesson with Herzl. Zehava's quickly sexualized relationship with Herzl seemed genuine.
"A Matter of Size" has a number of things to like and represents an unconventional story: an Israeli film about Japanese sumo wrestling. I give it 3/5 stars. :o)
After the movie, event organizers opened up an enormous table of treats for attendees, many things handmade, including mochi, lychee jello, lady finger brownies, multiple rice ball treats, fruit, popcorn balls, tea, and coffee--and much more.
This year, the event organizers moved the movie to the basketball gymnasium, which looked new and shiny. They must have had 100-200 people in attendance--a good sign.
Looking forward to mid-July for the festival itself!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sean Young's video of the making of Dune
Cute :o)
Lots of younger looking people: Sting, David Lynch, Sean Young, Patrick Stewart, Francesca Annis, Linda Hunt, Max Von Sydow....
Despite the 59% fresh rating at Rotton Tomatoes, I have fond memories of watching Dune (1984)...I think I have seen it several times, including the 137 minute theatrical release as well as either the 190 or the 177 minute special/extended version.
Also, too: "I will kill him!" ;o)
Lots of younger looking people: Sting, David Lynch, Sean Young, Patrick Stewart, Francesca Annis, Linda Hunt, Max Von Sydow....
Despite the 59% fresh rating at Rotton Tomatoes, I have fond memories of watching Dune (1984)...I think I have seen it several times, including the 137 minute theatrical release as well as either the 190 or the 177 minute special/extended version.
Also, too: "I will kill him!" ;o)
Movie trailer of the day
Hilarious:
"So a bunch of Muslim-American comedians travel across the country, and… that’s the punchline! In a new documentary — called, naturally, The Muslims Are Coming! — they fight Middle America’s misconceptions and prejudice with humor and wit, and they document the fallout so we can crack up alongside them. They’ve got $4,938 up on a $40,000 goal needed to complete the movie and counter the hate."
Barney Frank: If It Feels Good, You’re Doing It Wrong
Wise words:
"I believe very strongly that people on the left are too prone to do things that are emotionally satisfying and not politically useful. I have a rule, and it’s true of Occupy, it’s true of the gay-rights movement: If you care deeply about a cause, and you are engaged in an activity on behalf of that cause that is great fun and makes you feel good and warm and enthusiastic, you’re probably not helping, because you’re out there with your friends, and political work is much tougher and harder. And I think it’s now clear that it is the disciplined political work that we’ve been able to do that’s won us victories. I am going to write about the history of the LGBT movement partly to make the point that, in America at least, this is the way you do progressive causes."
Via.
Lavar
Read an article today in SacTown magazine which stated Lavar Burton grew up in Sacramento :o) Nice.
Bloomberg: “Sacramento Is Fresh Victim of Bad Stadium Deals”
Call me a skeptic; I am relieved the arena deal fell through...for many reasons detailed at RanSACked Media and the Apr 16 Bloomberg article:
- Overblown estimates
- " It’s about the foolishness of city officials who pin urban renewal hopes and taxpayer dollars on sports complexes despite the public’s declining willingness to pony up the cash…"
- “…These deals are not about economic growth, but civic pride... Second-tier cities believe that professional sports put them on the map, although all they do is provide some unexceptional entertainment and enrich team owners, who cleverly manipulate the local inferiority complex to gain arena subsidies…”
One article I read this week says, however, the "process for leasing out the "public" parking facilities is moving forward regardless." Yuck.
Previous.
Previous.
Have you ever noticed...
... how repeating a phrase over and over again causes it to lose all meaning?
Yes!
For me, it was the word "city."
Yes!
For me, it was the word "city."
Monday, April 16, 2012
Radiohead: The King of Limbs Tour
For Dawn's birthday present we attended a Radiohead concert the evening of April 11 at the HP Pavilion arena in downtown San Jose.
Dawn purchased these two tour items:
 |
| Crying minotaur: Dawn's is black with the grey minotaur's tee desgin |
 |
| Purple bearhead dolman: 100% certified recycled plastic PET bottles and certified organic cotton |
Police controlled traffic and we passed this art installation featuring a half-windmill. We entered the arena without any problem and debated whether standing in line for merchandise. A passerby instructed us to walk further away from the entrance to find similar items, and we did. After failing to find the purple tee Dawn wanted at the first booth, we found it at a second one. With 15 minutes before the show, we elected to purchase the items rather than take the risk of not getting it afterward. By random chance, we chose the slow line, and heard the opening act (we thought Radiohead had started) begin to play. Finally, we reached the front of the line, made our purchase, and hurried to our seats. It turns out we could have waited. We sat in section Upper 228, Row 14, Seats 9 and 10:
 |
| Imagine a stage between the blue line and the faceoff circles.... |
- Bloom
- 15 Step
- Morning Mr. Magpie
- Kid A
- Staircase
- The Gloaming
- The National Anthem
- The Amazing Sounds of Orgy
- Climbing Up the Walls
- Karma Police
- Identikit
- Lotus Flower
- There There
- Feral
- Little by Little
- Reckoner
- Encore: Separator
- I Might Be Wrong (Tour debut)
- Myxomatosis
- Everything In Its Right Place
- Encore 2: The Daily Mail
- Planet Telex (Tour debut, first performance since 2009)
- Idioteque
The show wrapped up sometime between 22:15-22:30, about a two hour performance.
We neglected to anticipate the place getting smoked up--marijuana and tobacco seemed fairly abundant and Dawn seemed visibly distracted during a few pieces. On a positive note, people had no problem getting up and dancing in our section. We both felt tired and fairly restrained, but appreciated the energy of others.
After the show, everyone exited peacefully. We passed someone dressed in a furry costume. Rain began lightly coming down as we walked. Street vendors sold delicious-smelling meats and older tour shirts. We left the parking lot out the back way onto W San Fernando, then south onto Market to 280 East—almost no traffic. :o)
Ignorance: how it drives science
'Ignorance: How It Drives Science' In his new book "Ignorance," neuroscientist Stuart Firestein argues that science is less about an accumulation of facts and more about embracing what we don't know. Using case histories on topics ranging from astronomy to psychology, Firestein demonstrates how discoveries often arise from cultivated, high-quality ignorance.This program featured a reference to Václav Havel's quote, “Keep the company of those who seek the truth- run from those who have found it."
Radio song
Melbourne, Australia-native Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" 2011 single on the Eleven label. Audio. Vocals like Sting, in a good way.
Monday, April 09, 2012
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Best advice never taken?
I forget where I heard this...but I thought I would add my story...nothing too fancy.
Back in high school, I visited the guidance counselor to discuss career options. I said I was interested in pursuing computer science...he told me not to go for that but to go for electrical engineering instead.
So glad I never took that advice!
Back in high school, I visited the guidance counselor to discuss career options. I said I was interested in pursuing computer science...he told me not to go for that but to go for electrical engineering instead.
So glad I never took that advice!
Thai hot
We visited the Thai Cottage restaurant on Saturday and I tried "Thai hot" (out of mild, medium, hot, and Thai hot).
Fairly strong burning sensation but not what I expected. I ate it slowly and drank a Thai ice tea every once in a while to cool things down.
Perhaps Thai hot no longer means what it used to?
Friday, April 06, 2012
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Trench coat
Wet weather reminds me of my desire to own an affordable wool, navy, ankle-length, double-breasted trench coat...
Since 2009, Newport Harbor online seems to have gone offline.
By distributor...
Yahoo shopping: nope
Amazon shopping: nope
Zappos: nope
6pm: nope
ClothingConnectionOnline
ContempoSuits: nope
Gap: nope
Overstock: nope
J. Crew: nope
Lands End: nope
REI: nope
Allegri Milano:
DKNY:
Acne:
Express:
Sierra Trading Post: black and taupe
Banana Republic: nope
Nextag: led me to Neiman Marcus, but otherwise, nope
Neiman Marcus:
By vendors...
7 Diamonds
ASOS
Alexander McQueen
Alfani
Allegri
Band of Outsiders
Ben Sherman
Beverly Hills Club
Billy London
Burton
Buyers Picks
D&G Dolce & Gabbana
DKNY
Diesel
G-Star
Jacob Siegel
Joseph Abboud
Kenneth Cole
London Fog
Melinda Gloss
Nautica
New Monarchy
Prada
Ralph Lauren
Shades of Grey
History
http://artofmanliness.com/2010/10/20/man-guide-trench-coat/
Since 2009, Newport Harbor online seems to have gone offline.
By distributor...
Yahoo shopping: nope
Amazon shopping: nope
Zappos: nope
6pm: nope
ClothingConnectionOnline
ContempoSuits: nope
Gap: nope
Overstock: nope
J. Crew: nope
Lands End: nope
REI: nope
Allegri Milano:
DKNY:
Acne:
Express:
Sierra Trading Post: black and taupe
Banana Republic: nope
Nextag: led me to Neiman Marcus, but otherwise, nope
Neiman Marcus:
- Valentino Leather-Trim Trenchcoat... no
Bluefly: nope
ShopStyle: some leads on vendors...
- Alibaba: wow, lots to choose
- Doublju (also known as Jiniy):
DHGate: nope
By vendors...
7 Diamonds
ASOS
Alexander McQueen
Alfani
Allegri
Band of Outsiders
Ben Sherman
Beverly Hills Club
Billy London
Burton
Buyers Picks
D&G Dolce & Gabbana
DKNY
Diesel
G-Star
Jacob Siegel
Joseph Abboud
Kenneth Cole
London Fog
Melinda Gloss
Nautica
New Monarchy
Prada
Ralph Lauren
Shades of Grey
History
http://artofmanliness.com/2010/10/20/man-guide-trench-coat/
Radio song
Heard on 89.9 FM KXPR out of Sacramento, CA:
Alan Hovhaness: Symphony No. 2 "Mysterious Mountain"
Dallas Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton
Dorian 90224
Audio
Alan Hovhaness: Symphony No. 2 "Mysterious Mountain"
Dallas Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton
Dorian 90224
Audio
Englebert
The billboard simply said "Englebert Humperdink / April 27" in black text on a yellow background, with a promo pic of his face.
What more does one need? I have known about him for years...great voice. Discovered an LP my mom had of his music many years ago. My friend Tim and I have joked about him as a stereotypical lounge act.
Kent
We listen to Capital Public Radio 88.9 FM KXPR classical radio in the morning drive to Davis...really a nice way to open the day...sun rising, everything fresh.
For the longest time, now, we have had no idea whether the host of the morning show self-identifies as Ken or Kent Teeters...turns out he says Kent.
For the longest time, now, we have had no idea whether the host of the morning show self-identifies as Ken or Kent Teeters...turns out he says Kent.
My banana was out of control
Dawn and I tuned-in and heard this phrase, out of context, on the radio last week and laughed....
Turns out it comes from an KQED 89.3 FM perspective:
How to Peel a Banana
Luke Pease discovers that even peeling a banana comes with a dose of cultural relativity.
Turns out it comes from an KQED 89.3 FM perspective:
How to Peel a Banana
Luke Pease discovers that even peeling a banana comes with a dose of cultural relativity.
Love Isn't All You Need: 3 Relationship Building Reads
Loved listening to author and psychologist Harriet Lerner's voice as she shared her three favorite relationship-building books. Full of emotion, humor, wisdom, and grace.
"It takes two to couple up, but it takes only one to make things a whole lot better."
The books:
We Love Each Other, But ...
Simple Secrets To Strengthen Your Relationship And Make Love Last
by Ellen F. Wachtel, paperback, 215 pages
Mating In Captivity
Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
by Esther Perel, Paperback, 244 pages
Geography Of The Heart: A Memoir
by Fenton Johnson, Paperback, 239 pages
Via KQED 89.3 FM out of North Highlands, Sacramento, on NPR on April 26, 2012.
"It takes two to couple up, but it takes only one to make things a whole lot better."
The books:
We Love Each Other, But ...
Simple Secrets To Strengthen Your Relationship And Make Love Last
by Ellen F. Wachtel, paperback, 215 pages
Mating In Captivity
Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
by Esther Perel, Paperback, 244 pages
Geography Of The Heart: A Memoir
by Fenton Johnson, Paperback, 239 pages
Via KQED 89.3 FM out of North Highlands, Sacramento, on NPR on April 26, 2012.