Myopia, Astigmatism - 2016

Results of my Saturday test, from the CostCo Santa Cruz Optomotrist:

Eyeglass Prescription
O.D. (Oculus Dexter, my right eye):

• SPH: plano (no refractive error)
• CYL: -1.00
• AXIS: 070
• PRISM/BASE: n/a
• ADD: n/a

O.S. (Oculus Sinister, my left eye):

• SPH: -1.00
• CYL: -0.75
• AXIS: 089
• PRISM/BASE: n/a
• ADD: n/a

RESULTS, TRENDS OVER EIGHT YEARS

First eye exam, in about five years--well overdue...surprised how fast time has gone by.

Overall, my new optometrist did not seem concerned. After obtaining my current prescription (by measuring my current eyeglasses), she noted my left eye had a small astigmatism increase, but remains low.

Nearsightedness seems flat, to me, since 2011. Each eye has changed astigmatism direction, by ten degrees, in opposite directions.

Refractive Power - Nearsightedness (Myopia), 2008-2016

Astigmatism - Amount, 2008-2016

Astigmatism - Direction, 2008-2016

BACKGROUND

All measurements represented in units of dioptres, a unit that represents focusing power. More dioptres mean more focusing power--so if the numbers get big, that means you need a "stronger" prescription to see clearly.

SPH means sphere--a positive number represents farsightedness and a negative number represents nearsightedness. Why? In a farsighted eye, the curve of the cornea is flatter than the curve of a normal cornea, so the correction involves "adding" to the farsighted eye to get it back to normal. In a nearsighted eye, the curve of the cornea extends farther than the curve of the normal cornea, so the correction involves "subtracting" from that curve to bring it back to a normal curvature. The point being to get the cornea back to focusing light on the retina like a normally curved cornea does. The larger the number (positive or negative) the larger the deviation from the normal curvature of the cornea, and the blurrier the vision.

CYL means cylinder, and represents the amount of power needed to correct a cornea with astigmatism (a cornea that's oval-shaped, which causes blurring (see the picture at the top), as opposed to a normal cornea that's symmetrically round like a basketball)--DS means no astigmatism.

AXIS, for astigmatic eyes, represents a line passing through the middle of the oval-shaped cornea--in my case through the longer side. In my right eye, I need minus-one dioptre of correction along the axis specified (see the Wikipedia article for an explanation of why it's not "078" like the prescription says). I believe reducing the focusing power of the longer part of the oval-shaped cornea helps the cornea focus in a more spherical manner.

20/20 vision means the ability to read a character 8.84 mm high at a distance of 20 feet.

Lanna's suggestions on glasses frame colors: navy, light blue, plum.

Pupillary Distance:

I don't think this changes, over time: In 2011, CostCo staff measured my PD for me: 32.5 for each eye, for a total of 65.

Previously:

2011

2009

2008

Books

Yellowbill Cafe and Bakery, 1425 14th St, Sacramento, displays two books:

First, a paperback book, from 2007, titled, "7th Letters First", detailing mural artwork by The Seventh Letter collective. From the LA Weekly:

"The seventh letter is, of course, G, which in this case stands for “Gods of Graffiti” and represents what may be the most ambitious, racially diverse and prolific crew ever assembled. With more than 100 members operating under the Seventh Letter banner, names like Revok, Retna, Saber, Push, Rime and Zes are just a few to watch as they fast become L.A.’s modern muralists."

http://www.laweekly.com/arts/the-rise-of-the-seventh-letter-2149613

The book seems out of print, now, and may have represented a promotional tool for a film

More:
http://knowngallery.com/
http://store.theseventhletter.com/
https://www.royalelastics.com/
http://theseventhletter.com/blog/tsl-films/
http://gallery.theseventhletter.com/

Second, a book about coffee, "Hiroshi's Latte Art and Barista Style" (2012)
ISBN-13: 978-4862561091

Capitalism in the Web of Life

Heard this author on 94.1 KPFA FM, out of Berkeley, California:
http://www.jasonwmoore.com/Weboflife.html

Finance. Climate. Food. Work. How are the crises of the 21st century connected? In Capitalism in the Web of Life, Jason W. Moore argues that today’s global turbulence has a common source: capitalism as a way of organizing nature, including human nature. Drawing on environmentalist, feminist, and Marxist thought, Moore offers a groundbreaking new synthesis: capitalism as a “world-ecology” of wealth, power, and nature. Capitalism’s greatest strength – and the source of its crisis today – has been its capacity to create Cheap Natures: labor, food, energy, and raw materials. That capacity is now in question. Rethinking capitalism through the pulsing and renewing dialectic of humanity-in-nature, Moore takes readers on a journey from the rise of capitalism to the crisis today.  The limits to capitalism are real enough. But they cannot be reduced to “natural limits” or “economic crisis.”  They are both – and they are more than their social and environmental dimensions. Capitalism in the Web of Life shows how the critique of capitalism-in-nature – rather than capitalism and nature – is key to understanding the crisis today, and to pursuing the politics of liberation in the century ahead. 

Noting only for reference, later.

https://kpfa.org/episode/against-the-grain-may-16-2016/

Radio Songs

Heard on 94.1 KPFA FM, out of Berkeley, California:

Oakland, California-based Los Rakas' "Abrazame", featuring Faviola (link?), produced by Uproot Andy, a 2011 single. Lyrics. Video; Making of the video. [Note: This seems to represent a cover of Jamaican-native Gyptian's "Hold You", from his 2010 album "Hold You", on the VP and Columbia labels. Video.]

Dental Plaque Disclosing Tablets

Had never heard of them, until today:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disclosing_tablets

Sacramento <> Ocean City, Maryland Highway Signs

Motorists traveling on 50 East in Sacramento may be familiar with this perfectly normal-looking mileage sign — on first glance, it’s like every other mileage sign along California highways listing the cities you’ll be passing with the number of miles to go.

But on second glance, this sign gives pause — Placerville is about an hour away, and South Lake Tahoe double that, depending on traffic. But why does far-off Ocean City, Maryland merit a mention?

The simple fact is that US 50 paves 3,000-plus miles from Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California, but there’s more to the story.

In the 1980s John R. Cropper, Jr. worked as the head of statewide highway maintenance for Caltrans. Cropper, now 92, was the man who instigated the sign listing Ocean City, MD as 3073 down the road.

“Years ago, I was back in Ocean City, and they had a sign that said, ‘Sacramento California so many thousand miles’ so I thought, ‘well, that’s a pretty good idea, we should reciprocate,’ so we did," Cropper says.

And that was that. Cropper says he didn’t have to get approval from anyone; he had the clout to make it happen, but he was met with some resistance.

“I can remember I got a lot of static from Caltrans people because I had been conducting a campaign to get rid of unnecessary signs — and this really was an unnecessary sign,” says Cropper with a wink. “It didn’t mean anything to anybody except people who had some connection — anyway, it’s still there as far as I know.”

The original sign Caltrans put up indicating the terminus of Highway 50. Wikimedia / Creative Commons
Cropper knew that sign maintenance was expensive. This sign ended up costing the state quite a bit of money because it kept getting stolen.

According to a 2002 article in the Sacramento Bee, the sign was stolen twice, once in 1999 and then again two years later. Caltrans redesigned the sign to include the distances to Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, making it bigger and harder to throw in the back of a truck. But when the new sign went up there was a problem with the mileage. Instead of 3,073 miles to Ocean City, the sign incorrectly read 3,037. Caltrans noticed the error and placed a cover over the last two numbers correcting the mistake.

The Bee article reported that it would have taken two to three months and more than $1,000 to replace the whole sign; the patch solution cost $10.

But let’s go back to Cropper’s original motivation for sign on US 50. Where did the “Sacramento, California” sign in Ocean City, Maryland come from?

On the other side of the continent, we found David Buck, a spokesperson for the Maryland State Highway Administration. Buck’s father, Ed Buck, was a Maryland highway engineer in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It was his idea to mark the eastern end of Highway 50 in Ocean City.

The terminus of Highway 50 in Ocean City Maryland. Wikimedia / Creative Commons
“Highway signs obviously are very regulated, in terms of what you can put up there. So when you put something up that’s a little different, or a little unusual like this, people take notice,” says the younger Buck.

One of the people who took notice turned out to be the right person who could approve a reciprocal sign in Sacramento. David says Maryland officials did reach out to Sacramento about doing a sign of their own, but it never went anywhere — until Cropper saw the Sacramento sign himself.

“I think it’s neat that my father was part of something that lasted that long," Buck says. "It’s interesting and unique — it’s not standard.”

Link:
http://www.capradio.org/articles/2016/05/06/two-coasts,-two-cities,-two-signs-the-story-behind-the-ocean-city-md-3073-sign/

Rainy Saturday

Balcony, rain, cats, post-coffee Saturday; if I crane my neck I can see the Pacific Ocean. This is all right.

Banner-towing fixed-wing airplane sign:
HUGE SALE AT ARROW SURF SHOP NOW ! !
http://www.arrowsurfshop.com/

We passed this surf shop earlier, as we went to Jamba Juice, to buy a small Pomegranate Paradise, to soothe Dawn's throat.

Grateful Dead - Notes of a first-time listener of the live shows

Listening to Grateful Dead, live, for the first time, really, via the amazing Archive.org resource.

Today, 1989 concerts, from Rich Stadium and Greek Amphitheater.

Live at Rich Stadium on 1989-07-04
https://archive.org/details/gd89-07-04.aud.wiley.9045.sbeok.shnf
"No our love will not fade away" -- a chant to bring the band back, for an encore.

1989-08-19: Greek Theatre, U. Of California
https://archive.org/details/gd89-08-19.sbd.5213.sbeok.shnf

Can't say I'm a big fan, but am finding the rambling live music infectious. Will try to record thoughts as they seem noteworthy.

Sundown

Second floor, University of California, Santa Cruz McHenry Library, watching the sun set, streaming through redwood tree branches and through multi-story library windows, listening to Grateful Dead, Live at Winterland Arena, on 1977-06-09.

65 F, 29.91 in pressure, clear sky, dew point 49 F, humidity 55%, wind from NNW at 4.2mph, sunset at 7:57 p.m. PDT.

Shoe Shopping, Sockshop and Shoe Company, Santa Cruz:

Shoes seen, at the Sockshop and Shoe Company, Santa Cruz:

• Wolky
• ???
• Naot
• ???
• Romika
• ???
• Pikolinos

Bernie Birdie

A friend placed this Bernie Birdie sticker, in their window.

Noh Masks, at California State University, Sacramento University Library Gallery

The California State University, Sacramento University Library Gallery currently features an exhibit, "Traditions Transfigured Noh Masks of Bidou Yamaguchi", February 11, 2016 - May 21, 2016.

http://www.al.csus.edu/sota/ulg/

"The human face and its expressive potential have inspired artists around the world for millennia. Arguably, Japan’s Noh theater provides an unparalleled domain for exploring emotion and representing the human countenance. Today, Noh continues to inspire a dynamic dialogue between artists from Asia and the west. Expanding on this rich vein, Traditions Transfigured features contemporary works by Bidou Yamaguchi (b. 1970, Fukuoka, Japan). These masks apply the forms, techniques, transformative spirit, and mysterious elegance of Noh masks to iconic female portraits from the European art historical canon, and to Kabuki actor prints by Sharaku, Japan’s enigmatic 18th century portrait master. 

Like a human face, the work of Bidou Yamaguchi opens itself to many angles of interpretation. The product of a Noh mask carver who also creates modern sculpture in the form of masks, Bidou’s art speaks to issues such as cultural identity, gender, portraiture, performance, representation, and appropriation, as well as the roles of beauty and craft in contemporary art. 

Our fundamental premise is that Bidou’s art is informed by the world of Noh, and, in turn, offers insight into this diversely creative realm of theater and image making. We stress the productive links between Bidou’s roles as a “traditional” artisan who works to reproduce old masks and a contemporary artist who makes new objects. We treat these fresh creations as “masks,” although they were not commissioned for use in Noh plays. In fact, the oblique orientation of the eyes in most of these portraits differentiates them from Noh masks. Despite these differences, our approach imagines these works as potential characters in future dramas. 

In the world of Noh, Bidou’s work challenges the conventions of Noh masks and, by extension, might stimulate new types of Noh plays. More expansively, Bidou’s art suggests ways of deploying the aesthetic strategies and ontological assumptions of Noh. This is not simply another strategy for “modernizing within tradition” in Japan, or a new manifestation of Japanese cultural uniqueness with universal application. Bidou’s work is not aimed at any totalizing theory about contemporary art practice, and certainly the artist has produced no manifesto to such an end. 

Instead, his art seems focused on a particular task. Bidou’s masks are a kind of intercession on behalf of half-human, half-artistic spirits. His works are transfigurations that bring about reincarnations into a transformed body (keshin) that is the true body (hontai) for figures like Lisa Gherardini who have become so well known as images (the Mona Lisa) that they all but cease to exist as humans. This act is analogous to the procedure of intercession or recuperation in the texts of Noh plays. However, unlike Noh plays, where this literary rebirth recuperates the socially unacceptable acts and desires of women and other marginalized figures, Bidou gives a new body—literally, a face with the potential of speaking—to persons who have been turned into “ghosts” by mechanical reproduction, popular appropriation, and, perhaps, a deeper unwillingness to comprehend the humanity of people removed from us in time and place. 

Bidou’s art constructs a three-dimensional face for these rhetorical ghosts, and thus brings about an altered understanding of these persons who have become so familiar as images they are almost invisible as the vestiges of souls. Although his art is rooted in a Buddhist worldview, it resonates with the Christian idea of transfiguration as a change in form or appearance that parallels a spiritual change, and it signals the exultant moment when the human meets the divine so that the temporal becomes the eternal. 

By transfiguring both European and Japanese artistic traditions, Bidou Yamaguchi’s work merges past and present. More importantly, it allows contemporary audiences to uncover deeper dimensions of their own humanity. By imagining ourselves wearing different faces, we can forge deeper spiritual connections with each other. 

Kendall H. Brown, PhD
Guest Curator

Dawn's Purse

Noting, for future shopping:
http://www.haikubags.com/

Donaldson Torit, at University of California, Santa Cruz

Saw a Donaldson Torit product, at University of California, Santa Cruz, near the E2 building, of the School of Engineering.

Looked like a collector, of some sort.

Integrated Control Corp. Kitchen Minder Series Quality Grade Display

Saw an Integrated Control Corp. "Kitchen Minder Series" Quality Grade display, at the CSUS Burger King:

At the time, it read, "D+". Curious about what that reflects...service response time (?)
http://www.goicc.com/kmhelp.html

Radio Songs

Listened to KPFA 94.1 FM, out of Berkeley, California, who featured University of Wisconsin, Madison professor Ramzi Fawaz:

"How has the figure of the comic book superhero played into left-wing political projects and aspirations? In his new book, Ramzi Fawaz argues that the reinvention of the American superhero was a response to, and a factor in, the rise of radical political sensibilities and movements in the 1960s and beyond."
Link: https://kpfa.org/episode/against-the-grain-april-25-2016/

Listened to the first part while driving through the Bay Area, then switched to online streaming, for the remainder.

Listening to Grateful Dead, Live at Winterland Arena, on 1977-06-09

Previously.

UC Santa Cruz McHenry Library - 2nd Floor Touch Screen Display

The UC Santa Cruz McHenry Library has a large touch display on the 2nd floor, near the main entrance.

It appears they partnered with vendor Four Winds Interactive, to provide the display hardware and software:
http://www.fourwindsinteractive.com/

Staff write:

"The FourWinds system was installed in the spring of 2012. The screens are 46" NEC / Canvys V462's w/3M Dispersive Signal Technology (DST) Touch Screen overlays. Screen content is driven by Medius FWP61-BSW microcomputers running Windows 7. The interface is proprietary software owned by FourWinds."

Links:

• NEC V-Series V462 displays 
• Namely: V462; V462-AVT; V462-AVT-R; V462-R; V462-TM; and V462-TM-R
• Since replaced by V463 displays
• Canvys seems to represent the name of the Visual Technical Solutions division, of Richardson Electronics, Ltd., which may represent the provider of the 3M Dispersive Signal Technology (DST) Touch Screen overlay technology, to NEC (?)
• Four Winds Interactive NUC (Next Unit of Computing) media player, model FWP61-BSW
• It seems Now Micro may provide the FWP61-BSW
• Seems Four Winds Interactive rebadge a Now Micro Medius Dynamic Digital Signage Solutions media player
• Now Micro may, in turn, simply rebadge the Intel NUC, for Four Winds Interactive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Unit_of_Computing

The Science of Making Friends

An article about making friends, as adults:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-science-of-making-friends-1460992572

Superfeet Copper

Replacing stock insoles with size E, of the following:

https://www.superfeet.com/en-us/copper

Tried on just about every style, at REI. They all felt similar, but these have a memory foam top layer, so giving it a try.

Robert L. Canson - First African-American Police Officer, City of Sacramento

Sign reads:

In Memory Of
Robert L. Canson
1918 - 2001

Beloved Peace Officer and Friend
First African-American Police Officer
City of Sacramento

Radio Songs - Instrumental Surf Music

Kevin has identified Surf Music, specifically, instrumental surf. So good!

Heard on KDVS 90.3 FM out of Davis, CA on Friday, April 15:

• Show Sub Zero, "Exploring classic and modern instrumental surf music and other styles. The music is so cool it's sub zero."

Note: this answers a question, for me, about what style of music this represents, first recognized while watching The Red Elvises, which Wikipedia repots as performing, "funk rock, surf, rockabilly, reggae, folk rock, disco and traditional Russian styles of music...Their music filled the soundtrack of Lance Mungia's independent film released in 1998, Six-String Samurai, a film in which they also had small roles and screen credits."

Can't wait to learn more/listen more.

FasTrak First Use: Antioch Bridge

Used it first during a north-bound crossing of Antioch Bridge, on Monday, April 4, at noon. Worked great.

Note: had planned to use it while crossing the Benicia–Martinez Bridge, but missed my turn and ended up crossing at the Antioch Bridge.

Cliff Swallows Have Returned To Santa Cruz

Note: not sure if this represents the species we see here, in Santa Cruz, or not 

Wikipedia:

"Petrochelidon is a genus of birds known as cliff-nesting swallows. The genus includes all of the five species of birds commonly called cliff swallow...."

Noticed them this weekend, for the first time this year. They speedily swoop by, circle, dive, ascend. Maybe 12-24 in sight, at any one time? They seem to individually fly, not flock. One web site describes their song: "guttural grating sounds and squeaks" which sounds unpleasant, but seems just fine, to me. Our cats seem to find it all very entertaining.

The birds return annually to nest, then return to South America, to over-winter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrochelidon
http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/the-amazing-swallow/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Santa_Cruz_County,_California

Banana Slug Sighting - University of California, Santa Cruz

Saw my first banana slug today, on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. Then, 30 seconds later, I saw my second. Both seemed to have spotted citrus fruit peelings.

Banana slug, top center, slowly moving toward citrus peel, bottom center

Weather: 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity 88%. Overcast clouds at 700 feet. 2.2mph wind, from the SSW. Pressure 29.94 inches. Dew point 53 degress Fahrenheit. Slight drizzle. Had rained the previous day. Everything wet and humid and cool and misty and overcast, with tall redwoods all around.

-- UCSC McHenry Library, Santa Cruz, California, USA

My Golden Days - Film

Heard Subject on the radio in the last week or two; want to see it.

UC Santa Cruz Hike

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6834016

• Baskin School of Engineering
• McHenry Library
• Global Village Cafe
• Bauru: Ham, tomatoes, melted mozzarella cheese & oregano (we chose the whole wheat baguette)
• Acerola smoothie: Amazon cherry, banana, strawberries & OJ
• Now operated by Amazon Juices UCSC
• Features pastries by Kelly's French Bakery
• Noticed the newspaper displays had gone dark
• Liked the regional topographic maps
• Walked through the UCSC Department of Music building, to view the practice rooms:
• Older, but well-maintained equipment
• Several practice rooms occupied, but many free
• Yamaha Clavinova CLP-122S Digital Piano
• Year of manufacture: 1992
• Features: 
• Master volume slider
• Reverb
• OFF ............When no reverb effect is selected (no REVERB indicator is lit), a special natural damper effect is applied to the piano voices. This simulates the natural resonance of an acoustic piano’s strings and sound board when the damper pedal is pressed.
• ROOM ........This setting add a continuous reverb effect to the sound that is similar to the type of acoustic reverberation you would hear in a medium-size room
• HALL 1 ......For a “bigger” reverb sound, use the HALL 1 setting. This effect simulates the natural reverberation of a medium-size concert hall
• HALL 2 ......For a really spacious reverb sound, use the HALL 2 setting. This effect simulates the natural reverberation of a large concert hall
• COSMIC ....The COSMIC reverb effect produces an echo-plus-reverb sound that can add life and animation to your music
• MIDI/Transpose: Allows access to the Clavinova’s Transpose function (to shift the pitch of the entire keyboard up or down), keyboard touch sensitivity adjustment, and MIDI functions
• Voice Selectors: 
• Piano 1
• Piano 2
• Clavinova tone
• E. piano
• Harpsichord
• Organ
• Pedals:
• Soft/Sostenuto (Left) Pedal
• Damper (Right) Pedal
• Playing the Demonstration Tunes
• Press the C7 key (right-most) while holding the [MIDI/TRANSPOSE] button
• Press a selector to start playback of the corresponding tune, featuring the voice normally selected by that voice selector button
• Tunes:
• [PIANO 1] .................. “Grande valse brillante” by F. F. Chopin
• [PIANO 2] .................. “Lake Louise” by Yuhki Kuramoto
• [CLAVINOVA TONE] “Rêverie” by Debussy
• [HARPSICHORD] ..... “Invention 3” by J. S. Bach
• [ORGAN] ................... “Symphonie pour orgue No.5” by Widor
• Dual Mode: allows selecting and configuring two voices at once
• Touch sensitivity configuration: Hard/Medium/Soft
• Transposition:  
• Shift the pitch of the entire keyboard up or down in semitone intervals up to a maximum of six semitones
• “Transposing” the pitch of the Clavinova keyboard facilitates playing in difficult key signatures, and you can easily match the pitch of the keyboard to the range of a singer or other instrumentalist
• Pitch control: Pitch control makes it possible to tune the Clavinova over a ±50-cent range in approximately 1.2-cent intervals
• Yamaha Upright Acoustical Piano
• Serial Number 1213490
• Indicates Hamamatsu, Japan, as the manufacture location, in 1971-1972 (?)
• Found arrangement, in the piano bench, of Étude Op. 25, No. 7 (Chopin), "alternatively known as the "Cello" due to the prominent melody played in the left hand"
• Great Meadow Bike Path
• Passed the UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS)
• Service road: had a number of 40 yard dumpster containers, for various materials: plastics, carpets, metals
• Arboretum, through the back gate, walked into the gift shop
• Smelled rich foliage smells, reminding me of the ravine near my childhood home
• Up the hill, to Oakes College
• Passed a number of signs: Collective Museum, the campus-wide art project by Portland-based artist group Public Doors and Windows (PDW); we sat at Ken's Bench
• Koi fish
• Porter Slug Grill and Cafe: open, but we overheard someone asking about something unrelated, and we though it was closed...not a big deal, since we needed cash and the ATM seemed down
• Walked through Kresge College, to Owl's Nest, but closed
• Back to McHenry BSOE
• Drove to Marini's, on Swift, for ice cream--noticed the Ferris Wheel model working, but the marbles kept falling off

How to Care for a Sad Person

Done:

1. Lay blanket out
2. Pick up sad person
3. Lay sad person in blanket 
4. Roll them like a sushi
5. Place sad roll on bed/couch/comfy place
6. Hug roll close
7. Put on rolls favorite movies 
8. Feed roll snacks
9. Make sure roll is well hydrated. Tears make roll dehydrated 
10. Happy lil’ sushi roll

My Neighbor Totoro, chocolate, wine, sparkling water.

McLaren 12C

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_12C

Seen in a parking spot, at our apartment complex. o_O

Parked between two SUVs. Used models retail for close to USD$200,000.

UPDATE: It's crammed between two Honda CR-V SUVs. Disquieting.

Radio Songs

Heard on KDVS 90.3 FM out of Davis, CA:

Bart Graft's "I Ain't Waiting", from the self-published album, "Nineteen Eighty-Five". Bandcamp.

Super Dry - Japan

Saw someone wearing a coat manufactured by Super Dry - Japan, which seemed pretty cool. No idea what style, but something like a windbreaker (windcheater?):

http://www.superdry.com/us/mens/windcheaters

Zydeco Wake Up Music

Last weekend I listened to a radio program playing zydeco music and it planted the seed of an idea to wake up to zydeco, at some point, in the future. Noting so I do not forget.

Minera Dead Sea Salt

Suggested by Lanna.

Superga Shoes

Saw someone wearing Superga shoes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superga_(brand)

Noting, for reference only.

Inspector Morse

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspector_Morse_(TV_series)

Costco sells this series--look interesting. He seems Oxford-based.

Google Express: Sorting High to Low, Less Than $25

Recently received a $25 gift code, from Google Express and Costco.

Well, how to find something $25 and under, and sort high to low?

The interface does not seem to allow it so well. Google customer support chat did not help.

So, it turns out this works:

https://www.google.com/express/search?c=60&p_max=25&m=9090995&st=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW&s=0

Specifically:

• st=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW
• p_max=25

Pre-Valentines Day 2016

We visited Chocolate: The Restaurant on Valentines Day Saturday, February 13, 2016, the day before Valentines Day.

Food was delicious, staff friendly and accommodating, prices not unreasonable, but, this year, logistics, dripping ceiling water, and web site mis-communications kind of killed our date.

MEAL

• "Our Specialty: Chicken Mole: Free-range chicken... braised in our rich chocolate mole sauce, made with bittersweet chocolate and roasted peanuts. Not sweet. Not very spicy. Served with organic baby greens & pepita seeds w/ balsamic vinaigrette, & our gluten-free polenta pie"
• "Our Own Baked Pasta Rosettes: Fresh Pasta Pinwheels stuffed w/ ricotta & romano cheeses served with Artichoke Pesto Cream Sauce (Half Order w/ Organic Baby Greens)"
• Dessert orgy, small:
• Slice, Coconut Cheesecake: "One of our specialties, made with shredded coconut, coconut milk, and white chocolate. Topped with dark chocolate ganache"
• Slice, Chocolate Ecstacy Cake: "light & bittersweet, dusted with cocoa"
• Small serving, Gelato: extra rich old-fashioned Ice Cream, chocolate-minte (with mini mint chocolate bar sticking up, from the top)
• Cream Pies: "Rich custard in a cookie crumb crust with our homemade whipped cream. Dark Chocolate Cream"
• Chocolate Mousse Truffles: Not sure what flavor we got...to me, it tasted a bit like balsamic vinaigrette, but Dawn is not in agreement...the filling was white; "Mocha, Hazelnut, Coconut, White Amaretto, Rich Milk, White Rose, Salted Caramel Dense Dark French, Mexican Spice, Bittersweet Mousse, Dark Rose, Fresh-Mint"
• Optional: 
• Glass, Pinot Noir: 2008 Aiena Vineyards, Monterey Bright and rich with aromas of cherry and ornage peel. An excellent wine.
• Glass, Pizzolato Spumante: Cantina “Il Pizzolato” Veneto, Italy Dry with complex and pronounced grapefruit flavor in the finish. This sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes has been very popular here at Chocolate for over 14 years.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

Underwhelming experience, to say the least, compared with an exceptional 2015 date (note: regarding logistics, not the food or staff--the food, as usual, was delicious!):

• Web site advertised a Valentines Menu, on both Saturday, February 13, as well as Sunday, February 14 (see image, below)
• On Saturday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m., we reserved a table, for two, for later that night, at 8:15 p.m., verbally, via telephone (note: we did not confirm, at the time, whether they planned to serve the Valentines Menu...caveat emptor)
• Arrived on time, at 8:15 p.m., but found our names not recorded, on the hostess' list; graciously, the hostess directed us to an available indoor table (which normally seats 6-8), without missing a beat--kudos, for that
• However, we soon discovered the air conditioning vent, directly above the table, continually dripped condensation, on one end of the table...we scooted down, and, for the most part, successfully ignored it
• We attempted to order the Valentines Menu prix fixe meal, per the web site advertisement, but restaurant staff (note: waiter confirmed, with the hostess) informed us the restaurant was serving regular menu items only, and not serving the prix fixe meal 

Chocolate, the Restaurant's web site, as of Sunday, February 14, 2016, with text "Valentines Menu...Available Saturday & Sunday February 13 & 14."

• Why did the web site say one thing, but staff say another?
• We thought this might represent an error with updating web site text, year-over-year, but the Wayback Machine indicates the following web site text, from February 15, 2015--no indication of Saturday & Sunday option: "Valentines Menu: A four-course menu for two to share, with three entree courses to choose from. Discounted bottles of excellent red wine, white wine and spumante will be available. Price includes food for two. Gratuity, tax, and beverages extra."
• Additionally, the 2015 Valentines Menu image specifically lists only February 14, 2015
• ???

So, we made the best of it. Caveat emptor. The meal ended up costing ~$75, including tax, tip, and wine, instead of the ~$75 + $20, for wine, plus tax & tip, for Valentines Day, so...we saved some maybe $20-30.

Differences, from 2015:

• Price increase, from $65, to $75 (+$10, or +15%)
• Baby greens salad lists option, "White truffle & balsamic vinaigrette & romano cheese" (note: may have served the same, in 2015, but menu did not mention)
• Main entree change: from "Tender Shrimp Crêpes, with saffron cream", to "Chile Verde Pork, with organic basmati rice"
• Optional wine changes:
• From "Sparkling Pizzolato Spumante", to "Cremant d'Alsace Sparkling dry French Rose"
• From "Ripasso di Valpolicella", to "Le Gouleyant Malbec"

Chocolate, the Restaurant's Valentines Menu 2016 prix fixe menu details

To conclude: Food was delicious, staff friendly and accommodating, prices not unreasonable, but logistics, dripping ceiling water, and web site mis-communications kind of killed our date.

Takeaway(s):

• Make reservations online, as telephone reservations seem sketchy, per this Valentines experience and our Thanksgiving experience, at Hoffman's Downtown
• Confirm, verbally, special meal reservations
• Other (?)

Previously

Personality Test, 2016-02-08: ISFJ-A, “The Defender”

Took another test, this evening:

Your personality type: “The Defender” (ISFJ-A)
Strength of individual traits: Introverted: 57%, Observant: 53%, Feeling: 71%, Judging: 74%, Assertive: 67%.
Role: Sentinel
Strategy: Confident Individualism
Link to your profile: http://www.16personalities.com/profiles/56b94907e908b

This represents the second test to lead with "ISF": Introverted (slightly), observant (slightly), feeling (a lot).

Previously (ISFP)

Santa Cruz Super Bowl 10k, 3K, & 1K Kids Run

This morning, sitting on my balcony, drinking coffee, and listening to whoops and hollering of race volunteers, of the Santa Cruz Super Bowl 10k, 3K, & 1K Kids Run, organized by the Santa Cruz Track Club, which occurs just a few blocks distant, at the back entrance to Natural Bridges State Beach, on Deleware Avenue. Lots of energy!

Maytag Stacked Washer / Dryer

Our apartment has a stacked washer / dryer, a Maytag Neptune Super Stack, model #MLE2000AYW.

Manual:
http://www.maytag.com/digitalassets/MLPDF/Use%20and%20Care%20Guide%20-%202202493.pdf

To clean and freshen the washer interior:

1. Make a solution of one cup chlorine bleach and two cups warm water. Be careful not to spill or splash the bleach solution.
2. Wipe the lower portion of gray door seal with bleach solution and soft cloth.
3. Fill the bleach dispenser with chlorine bleach.
4. Run the washer through a complete cycle using hot water.
5. Repeat the wash cycle if necessary

Redundant Acronyms and Initialisms

A fun list:

http://www.fun-with-words.com/redundant_acronyms.html

A partial selection:

• PIN Number
• ATM Machine

Meyers Brigs, 2016-01-18: ISFP

Took a test, this evening.

RESULT

ISFP

Introvert(25%)  Sensing(3%)  Feeling(12%)  Perceiving(6%)
You have moderate preference of Introversion over Extraversion (25%)
You have marginal or no preference of Sensing over Intuition (3%)
You have slight preference of Feeling over Thinking (12%)
You have slight preference of Perceiving over Judging (6%)

http://www.humanmetrics.com/hr/jtypesresult.aspx?EI=-25&SN=3&TF=-12&JP=-6


ANSWERS

1. You are almost never late for your appointments
uncertain
2. You like to be engaged in an active and fast-paced job
yes
3. You enjoy having a wide circle of acquaintances
uncertain
4. You feel involved when watching TV soaps
uncertain
5. You are usually the first to react to a sudden event: the telephone ringing or unexpected question
no
6. You feel that the world is founded on compassion
yes
7. You think that everything in the world is relative
YES
8. Strict observance of the established rules is likely to prevent attaining a good outcome
yes
9. It is difficult to get you excited
yes
10. When making a decision, you rely more on your feelings than on analysis of the situation
uncertain
11. You often think about humankind and its destiny
uncertain
12. You believe the best decision is one which can be easily changed
uncertain
13. You often ponder the root cause of phenomena and things
uncertain
14. You prefer to act immediately rather than speculate about various options
no
15. You trust reason rather than feelings
uncertain
16. You are inclined to rely more on improvisation than on prior planning
uncertain
17. You spend your leisure time actively socializing with a group of people, attending parties, shopping, etc.
NOa
18. You usually plan your actions in advance
yes
19. Your actions are frequently influenced by your emotions
uncertain
20. You are a person somewhat reserved and distant in communication
yes
21. You know how to put every minute of your time to good purpose
uncertain
22. You often contemplate the complexity of life
uncertain
23. After prolonged socializing you feel you need to get away and be alone
uncertain
24. You often do jobs in a hurry
uncertain
25. You easily see the general principle behind specific occurrences
uncertain
26. You frequently and easily express your feelings and emotions
uncertain
27. You find it difficult to speak loudly
no
28. You get bored if you have to read theoretical books
yes
29. You tend to sympathize with other people
YES
30. You value justice higher than mercy
uncertain
31. You rapidly get involved in the social life of a new workplace
no
32. The more people you speak to, the better you feel
uncertain
33. You tend to rely on your experience rather than on theoretical alternatives
yes
34. As a rule, you proceed only when you have a clear and detailed plan
no
35. You easily empathize with the concerns of other people
yes
36. Often you prefer to read a book than go to a party
yes
37. When with a group of people, you enjoy being directly involved and being at the centre of attention
no
38. You are more inclined to experiment than to follow familiar approaches
yes
39. You are strongly touched by the stories about people's troubles
uncertain
40. Deadlines seem to you to be of relative rather than absolute importance
yes
41. You prefer to isolate yourself from outside noises
YES
42. It is essential for you to try things with your own hands
uncertain
43. You think that almost everything can be analyzed
uncertain
44. For you, no surprises is better than surprises - bad or good ones
no
45. You take pleasure in putting things in order
YES
46. You feel at ease in a crowd
uncertain
47. You have good control over your desires and temptations
uncertain
48. You easily understand new theoretical principles
uncertain
49. You usually place yourself nearer to the side than in the center of the room
uncertain
50. When solving a problem you would rather follow a familiar approach than seek a new one
yes
51. A thirst for adventure is something close to your heart
uncertain
52. When considering a situation you pay more attention to the current situation and less to a possible sequence of events
uncertain
53. When solving a problem you consider the rational approach to be the best
uncertain
54. You find it difficult to talk about your feelings
uncertain
55. Your decisions are based more on the feeling of a moment than on the thorough planning
uncertain
56. You prefer to spend your leisure time alone or relaxing in a tranquil atmosphere
yes
57. You feel more comfortable sticking to conventional ways
uncertain
58. You are easily affected by strong emotions
uncertain
59. You are always looking for opportunities
uncertain
60. As a rule, current preoccupations worry you more than your future plans
yes
61. It is easy for you to communicate in social situations
uncertain
62. You rarely deviate from your habits
yes
63. You willingly involve yourself in matters which engage your sympathies
yes
64. You easily perceive various ways in which events could develop
    yes

Air King Exhaust Fan with Light

http://www.airkinglimited.com/page/energy-star-exhaust-fan-light.html

Our apartment has an Air King Exhaust Fan with Light, in our bathroom. Noting for future reference, for retrieving the owner manual.

Radio Songs

Heard on 91.5 FM, KKUP, out of Santa Cruz, visionary music, like space music, on Sunday, January 10, 2016.

Snoop Dog

Had a dream, last night, in which I was Snoop Dog, going across a dusty patch of urban blight, to a small food stand.

People outside, at some distance, were spray-painting graffiti, first on another building's wall, then just in the air, so the end effect became like a colored signalling smoke grenade.

I woke up at 3:45 a.m., somewhere in the middle of ordering food.

Making note to look up dreams of Snoop in a dream interpretive book. Heh.

Note: I should mention, I did watch Conan O'Brien help train Diana Chang to drive, recently, which hilariously featured Kevin Hart and Ice Cube, along with a random pinata filled with marijuana, and may represent a contributing factor (?) I'm sympathetic, but otherwise rather out of Snoop's target demographic: don't go out of my way to listen to hip hop, don't use recreational drugs, and so forth.

Bouncer records New Years Eve 2014

Night in the life of a bouncer on NYE - Gatsby New Years 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uurT7yVWkQ

Filmed at the Gatsby Sound House & Bar, London, Ontario, just over the border from Detroit (map)
http://gatsbyldn.com/

The first guy saying "It's my brother's birthday" reminds me of Homestar Runner.

The video reminds me of *EVERY* house party I ever attended.

Just very, very loud, disorienting, and rather unpleasant.

I never thought about staying sober! ; o )

Cellos

Looking at electric cellos, lessons, and so forth.

http://www.electricviolinshop.com/blog/resources/faq/#why_electric

Google Star Wars Promotion

https://www.google.com/starwars/#/?side=light

I chose the light side.

Wanting to use  the VR app, later.

Harry Potter Film Marathon

We watched the Harry Potter movies last weekend:

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

An enjoyable break. 

I thought #7, Deathly Hallows - Part 1, represented both the darkest and the most discordant note, in the franchise, like getting repeated visual gut punches over two hours (for example, wedding, the Lovegood betrayal, torture, drowning, no solace in his hometown). In particular, I remember them running from the Snatchers and thinking how minimalist and psychological the movie was, at that moment, with nothing to hear except forest footfalls, frantic breathing, and magic. So, fine film-making, but personally I think it represents a discordant note in the series, with respect to tone. Bleak, wintry, edgy, mature themes (fascism, torture, and so forth). I guess I am trying to say, I liked it, to my surprise, even though immediately I felt bored and impatient with the pacing.

Spoonk Mat

Saw this at a local store:

SPOONK is the leading acupressure massage mat brand sold in fine Health Food stores, including WHOLE FOODS markets throughout the USA AND CANADA. - ECO FOAM FILLING - MADE IN THE USA Spoonk mats have the OPTIMAL NUMBER of 6200 stimulation points FOR THE HIGHEST EFFECT (more spikes decrease the effect by lowering pressure). - 5 YEAR WARRANTY - 30-day money back guarantee STIMULATION POINTS are made with high quality NON-TOXIC ABS PLASTIC that will not cause allergic reactions, as some cheaper mats on the market do. - 100% high quality thick cotton/ eco foam made in USA as a LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION

Tom Killion

California's Wild Edge, by Tom Killion:

"This new volume captures the beauty of the California coast from Mendocino, Point Reyes, and the San Francisco Bay down through Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica. Woodcut artist Tom Killion's prints combine exquisite color with dynamic composition to portray the coast's ever-changing moods and diverse formations: storm tides crashing at Point Lobos, serene moonlit coves at Mendocino, fog encircling the Golden Gate Bridge. Deepening our experience are poetry and prose from Gary Snyder, as well as selections from Native Californian traditional stories, accounts of travelers, and poems by Jane Hirshfield, Robert Hass, and Jaime de Angulo. As Tamalpais Walking and The High Sierra of California did for lovers of mountains, California's Wild Edge will delight anyone who has seen (or wants to see) the meeting of land and sea."

Saw it at Costco for $30.

Previously.

 

Charles Prentiss: Salinas Valley Farm

Salinas Valley Farm: 

Oil on canvas (#322.2013)   24x24

Seen at Kelly's French Bakery, Santa Cruz.

"Charles Prentiss is an artist, museum exhibit designer and architectural consultant living in La Selva Beach,  Santa Cruz County, CA"

Film: Chi-Raq

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-Raq

Listened to an audio review. "The film is based on Aristophanes' Lysistrata, a Classical Greek comedy play in which various women withhold physical affection from their husbands as punishment for fighting in war."

Radio Songs

Heard on KRSA 103.3 FM out of Moss Beach, California:

• New York City-based Son Lux's "I Am The Others", from his 2015 album "Bones", on the Glassnote Records label. Audio.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Tonight, Sunday night/Monday morning 2:30 a.m. showing, in San Francisco, in IMAX 3D.

From the IMAX web site:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released across our various cutting-edge projection technologies including our xenon digital system, IMAX 15/70mm film and our next-generation laser system. Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by J.J. Abrams & Lawrence Kasdan.The IMAX release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of An IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

The AMC Metreon theatre has 3D IMAX Laser projection:

“Another of the largest IMAX theaters in the country, SF’s Metreon also boasts a local connection that makes it the place for Bay Area Star Wars fans to see the new film. Since SF is also the home of Dolby Laboratories, the Metreon theater is fortunate enough to have both 3D IMAX Laser projection as well as a theater equipped with AMC ETX, which features Dolby Atmos sound.”
Via: http://www.wired.com/2015/12/best-star-wars-screens/

Parking:

• SFPark
• Sutter Stockton Garage (444 Stockton St): 
• About 0.5 mile walk to the theatre and back
• Rate: midnight--9:00 a.m., $1/hr

UPDATE:

• Parking went smoothly
• Raining, lightly
• Union Square:
• Saw the ice skating rink, at Union Square--skaters skating through the thin layer of rainwater which had collected
• Inflatable Snoopy, by Macy's (someone had dropped a fork onto the top)
• Saw the "Winter Walk": http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/blog/winter_walk_sf_is_here/ "second annual Winter Walk, organized by the Union Square Business Improvement District with help from the SFMTA. This year there will also be light shows, food trucks, San Francisco-centric live performances such as Velocity Circus and a variety of other attractions set in the pop-up plaza along Stockton Street between Geary and Ellis. Visit WinterWalkSF.com for event schedule and details."
• Walked through Macy's; looked at holiday decorations
• Walked to the theatre, stopping for coffee, on the way
• Waited, in the lobby, sitting on the floor, played Words with Friends
• More coffee and root beer soda, to stay awake
• We attended the 2:30 a.m. showing, the last of the premier weekend
• Premier weekend merchandise:
• Got a number of free "AMC IMAX Star Wars print", #1 of 4: "Every Sunday from December 20 to January 10, get an exclusive AMC IMAX Star Wars print when you see the movie in IMAX 3D! A new poster will be given away each week, so make sure to collect them all!"

  

  Ticket takers encouraged us to "take as many as we liked", so we grabbed about a score of them

• Dawn purchased a women's cut Star Wars tee shirt, for $25:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The concession booth attendants suggested Dawn get the purple "Galaxy Premiere Star Wars Force Awakens Women's Dolman Tee", but, after trying them on, she got the grey one
  
• They also tried to sell me a "Star Wars The Force Awakens: 30,000 Limited Edition Galaxy Premiere Ticket Holder"...but yeah, probably a mistake not to buy and resell, but, then again, lots of stuff floating around never amounts to anything
  
  
  
  
• We had seats G28 and G29, dead center, both front-to-back and right-to-left
• Fans cheered upon the opening crawl, but otherwise very respectful and quiet
• One fan walked in with a "IT'S A TRAP" white trucker cap and a purple plastic lightsaber; we saw a few others with lightsabers
• Movie notes:
• Solid showing; very enjoyable; would watch again
• Poe's character reminded me of Scott Baio, from Charles in Charge
• Leia's character's voice (gravelly?) reminded me of someone...haven't put my finger on it, yet (UPDATE: I think it reminds me of Kate McKinnon's portrayal of Hillary Clinton, on Saturday Night Live. Heh. For example)
• Luke's character looked overweight...sort of out-of-place, for an ascetic living so remotely
• Rey's character did very well--much harder to portray than the others...more complicated
• Finn's character seemed to express the emotions of the audience
• BB-8 a clear winner
• Maz Kanata = the new Yoda

Just for fun:

"NOT AN ENTRANCE [N] OR EXIT"

Corrected. Heh ; o )

This door existed, in West Sacramento, as of September 1, 2010. I saw it after walking across the Tower Bridge, to go pick up our car from the mechanic, who had done some welding on the exhaust. Who knows, if it still exists.

Omar Khayyám: "Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare...."

"Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare;
To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair:
Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why:
Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where."

Source: Omar Khayyám [ عمر خیام Persian] (18 May 1048 – 4 December 1131) was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and writer; originally named Ghiyath al-Din Abu'l-Fath Omar ibn Ibrahim Al-Nisaburi Khayyámi (غیاث الدین ابو الفتح عمر بن ابراهیم خیام نیشابوری) Edward FitzGerald's translations of his poetic Rubaiyat (Quatrains) were immensely popular, and remain influential.

The Bloggess - Book Signing Event

Dawn and I attended a book signing event, at the Bookshop Santa Cruz, for The Bloggess, on Friday, December 4, 2015.

You may have to embiggen, but we do exist, in the top photo of this montage...partially obscured by masks...several rows back

Here we are, in line

Animation - Miyazaki Hayao Complete Box/Works (13BDS) [Japan BD] VWBS-1531

Saw Subject mentioned, today, on Angry Asian Man.

Web site CDJapan lists Crown Tokuma, as the Japanese distributor, while Walt Disney Studios seems to represent the North American distributor, in partnership with Amazon. Amazon seems to list a November 17, 2015 North American release date.

Have read through some commentary, on differences between the Japan and North America versions, as well as comments on the North American release itself. In general, comments seem positive.

Leaving this here, as a page to note details, as I read more.

Differences

• Languages

Notes

• Individual film notes, from the 2015 North American release:
1. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) 
2. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) 
3. Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986) 
4. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) 
5. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
• This collection seems to include Disney's 2010 reissue
• Wikipedia lists the differences between the versions
• An Amazon comment summarizes: "Disney reissued the dub in 2010 without the extra dialogue (notably Jiji's one-liners) and jettisoned the Sydney Forest opening and ending songs for the Japanese ones. Why? Because purists absolutely DETESTED them. They DETESTED them with a vengeance, so Disney bowed to their whims and fixed them. But yes, it came with a price; it's impossible for me to listen to the 2010 DVD update because of the bad sound quality. The original cut of KIKI had crisper audio. Unfortunately because this edit is more accurate to the Japanese presentation, it was decided to include this on the BD release instead. I would have preferred if Disney issued the movie with BOTH versions of the dub, so as to allow people a chance to choose."
6. Porco Rosso (1992) 
7. Princess Mononoke (1997) 
8. Spirited Away (2001) 
9. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) 
10. Ponyo (2008) 
11. The Wind Rises (2013)
• Special features:
• Misses special features from individual releases
• Includes:
• Dubtitles:
• Dubtitle issues have been fixed

Stikkmenn

http://stikkmenn.no/

What's with everyone in Santa Cruz having these amazing vehicles to travel in? Saw a Stikkmenn camper, in the parking lot, at Trader Joe's, a couple of weekends ago.

I Want to Believe: Deercow

The University of California, Santa Cruz "deercow" legend...I want to believe. I also want a poster like the one above, from The X-Files, but with a deercow. I also want to know what a deercow looks like, because I don't know what a deercow looks like. It's a deer and a cow, obviously. In what proportion, though?

I believe the book, "An Unnatural History of UCSC", ISBN 2800840059880, quotes a woman who relates the anecdote of how she coined the term, while walking, at night, through the campus fields and redwoods. I can't find much reference to it, otherwise, other than the book listings and one obscure page. 

Deercow. I want to believe.

Panchosway2015: Simone Rupp & Stefan Leicht

Saw this vehicle, in Santa Cruz, this past weekend:

http://www.panchosway2015.de/

Will Model 4 Toyz

Saw a sticker:
http://www.willmodel4toyz.com/

I called the Nintendo Hotline, in 1987

Really enjoyed reading the Onion Inc.'s A.V. Club's article, "What was it like to be a Nintendo game play counselor?", by Annie Zaleski, published on 2015-11-21:

http://www.avclub.com/article/what-was-it-be-nintendo-game-play-counselor-224289

The article mentions Shadowgate, a 1987 point-and-click adventure video game developed by ICOM Simulations, Inc. and published by Kemco, for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

The name sounds familiar, and after looking it up, I remembered why: it represents the one game I called the Nintendo Powerline about. In the game, you eventually have to kill a werewolf. My 10-year-old self didn't know silver represents a weapon to use against werewolves. Well, to the Nintendo Powerline I went, after many, many hours of frustration. A man answered. In response to my explanation, he began leisurely hinting at the answer. Not knowing the key insight, I just got frustrated, because, at that time, long distance calls cost a non-trivial amount, per minute. A per-minute surcharge may have also existed. Zaleski's article describes this:

CF: The funny thing was, we were originally told to just counsel them into the answer, and help them feel like they’ve figured it out themselves. Give them some hints, or kind of coach them along. But people sometimes would lose their patience completely with that, and want the answer immediately. Which didn’t always end well on the phones.

He finally told me, and I thanked him, and that was that. It went fine, no angry words, just frustration, which I think he sensed. I learned something, succeeded in getting past the room, and eventually completed the game. Ta-da. Looking back, I can appreciate and understand the point of their approach, with giving hints.

An ex-werewolf (via)

So, it provided a very useful service, in the pre-Internet era, and I am grateful for the service.

The other game I called about, to the Origin game help hotline, was an RPG PC game, I think, near the end game, which may have glitched out? Again, very helpful.

UPDATE: It was Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds, a 1993 first-person role-playing video game developed by Looking Glass Technologies and published by Origin Systems. Near the endgame, I would use the colorless potion of Basilisk oil, but nothing proc'd. The person I called got me through it, but I am not sure what the issue was. I think I was attempting to use the basilisk oil potion, at the place of the ritual in the Void, when I needed to use it instead of on mud in the ice caverns, and so forth, and so forth.

Basilisk oil, when only colorless will do (via)

The article mentions the game Legacy of the Wizard, a 1989 fantasy-themed action role-playing platform game, developed by Nihon Falcom and published, for the NES, by Brøderbund. The article mentions the game gave the Nintendo game counselors a bad time:

CF: ...My first day on the phone was just terrifying—just call after call after call. I had no idea what these people were talking about. They were playing The Goonies II, which was one of the most dreaded calls you could possibly get—that and Legacy Of The Wizard. [Bloom and Lowder groan.] 

SB: As soon as someone called me and said, “Legacy Of The Wizard,” I was just like, “There goes my day.” 

AVC: What was wrong with that game? 

SB: We had maps of it, like screenshot maps, and we could see the whole entire game. It was basically a side shot. But how many rooms were in that? Like 100 rooms? 

CF: They all kind of looked the same. “Yeah, I’m in a room with gray bricks.” [Laughs.] You’re like, “Kill me. Kill me now.” So I made a horrible impression my first day. All the veteran game play counselors wanted to kill me. They kept getting transfers from extension 782—why I remember [my extension number], I have no idea. That was a rough first time on the phones....

That game I got through, on my own. That is, probably with the help of Nintendo Power magazine? Heh. ; o )

Good times.