Sun Comprehending Glass

Praise is Good

2009-01-15T16:57:00.000-08:00

I finished the first big point essay for my English class. According to an emailer from the class, I have a "beautiful lyric style". Of course the essay, all about my first real confrontation with mortality, moved my Sister to convulsions of laughter. Perhaps it is only lyric to those who don't know me.

Not my children

2009-01-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

The Curliest is calling the Verbalist an idiot at the top of her lungs. I thought they'd be in their teens before this happened, not 3 and 8.

Shades of Grey

2008-05-12T14:51:00.001-07:00

The blurb for Jasper Fforde's next book:

Britain three thousand years into the future
Everything has been lost
The population has been decimated
Government has collapsed
Only politeness remains
And Cricket
Eddie Russett is tired of both

Skills

2008-05-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Speak Like a Geek linked to 75 things a Man Should Be Able to Do which put me in mind of this quote:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

How did I miss this?

2008-05-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Old Kingdom Trilogy Movies? Woot!

2008-04-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

Anyone familiar with Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series: Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen will agree that the films from these books are just a matter of time. Given the current box office sunshine raked in by Young Adult fantasy blockbusters and zombie flix the very next step is the trilogy which combines the two.

Publishing News tips us that those movies may be closer than we think:

MEGASELLING FANTASY AUTHOR Garth Nix is poised to take Hollywood by storm. He has assembled an A-list dream team in order to bring Sabriel, the first book in his Old Kingdom trilogy, to the screen. The group will pitch the package to studios later this month via Steve Fisher at APA. Nix is co-writing the screenplay with Dan Futterman, actor and Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Capote, and Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner at Plan B (Brad Pitt's company) will produce. The director will be Anand Tucker (Shopgirl, Hilary and Jackie).
Nix's approach is a departure from the typical selling of a film option, which usually happens well before an entire team is coordinated. But the author, who majored in screenwriting in college, decided in 2004 he wanted to at least co-write the script of any potential Sabriel adaptation, as well as “try and team up with filmmakers whose films I admired and respected”. Nix also wasn't entirely uninformed about the process, having formerly worked on options and book-to-film agreements as an agent with Curtis Brown Australia. “I knew [pre-packaging] was at least theoretically possible”, he said.
Nix was willing to wait for the plan to take shape. It wasn't until the end of 2006 that he got a promising inquiry—from Futterman, who happens to be a friend of Nix's New York book agent, Jill Grinberg. Grinberg had given Sabriel to Futterman to read many years earlier, and Futterman, who says he was “bowled over” by the book, now wanted to adapt it. For his part, Nix says he was “blown away” by Futterman's Capote screenplay—and thus, the foundation of the package was in place.
The pair made a list of about a dozen directors to approach, and Futterman went off to India to film A Mighty Heart, in which he played the part of Daniel Pearl. There, he gave a copy of Nix's book to Gardner, the producer of the movie; soon thereafter, she and Kleiner were on board. Finally, last fall, Nix got an e-mail from Tucker's production company. Tucker shares his and Futterman's vision for the film, says Nix — it's “an opportunity to make a fantasy film that [is] not only a great adventure story, but a compelling human drama — as was achieved by the films of The Lord of the Rings”. The three have already begun outlining scenes, said Futterman.

The Old Kingdom series, in which Sabriel is a stand alone, is not for the young - it is as grim, if not grimmer, than the final Harry Potter novel. Sabriel and her father, the Abhorsen, are necromancers which put down, instead of raising, the dead.

Tim Curry reads the audio books and if he is not cast as the voice of Mogget it will be a crying shame.

Back by Popular Demand

2008-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

It seems that I am not the New Coke of Blogging - dismissed with a sigh of relief at the abberation of taste that engendered its genesis. Rather I am Classic Coke gone for a time fated to return in triumph.

I promise to keep political blogging to a minimum, or at the least candidate blogging. My dissatisfaction with our Future President has already gelled. I resent being thought a bigoted Nativist incapable of independant thought, clinging to religion to assuage my sense inadequacy. Yes, that sums up all three candidates pretty well. I may be voting for a VP.

I will get a post up about the kids soon and some random thoughts on TV, movies, and books.

Just as an aside - the blissed out look on the faces of the Teletubbies as they channel the tv signal is disturbing. Makes me begin to feel behind my back for a weapon to defend myself with.

In honor of my Brother in Law

2007-09-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

it's the Terror Alert systems for parents.

This says so much about me

2007-09-12T09:36:00.001-07:00

Silver Screen

2007-08-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

While not as stunningly beautiful as the women in art from a while back this is still lovely.

As You Like It

2007-08-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ken Branagh's 2006 film As You Like It is premiering to US audiences on HBO later this month. I am glad I splurged and added HBO to our cable package. All images found here.

Disasters!

2007-08-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Popular Mechanics has the 10 worst disasters of the century (in the USA). 1905-2005 I am guessing based on the dates they used which is odd considering it's 2007. Anyway, closest to home?:

1980: Mount St. Helens Eruption
One last earthquake turned the sleeping giant loose, and soon 230 sq. mi. of lush forest was entombed in a lunar wasteland. Fifty-seven fatalities and $1 billion of damage later, the eighth—and perhaps most famous—of our 10 Worst Disasters of the Century is now considered the dawn of American earthquake science—and a jumping off point for GPS.

Pirate Master Episode 10 Recap

2007-08-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Braving CBS' pixilation so you don't have to, Welcome to Pirate Master episode 10!

Last Week: rules change tripped up Azmyth. Without the dubious protection of Ben and Jay, Azmyth lost the Captinancy and was set adrift. Christa was nominated and set up for a fall by Jay but was smart enough to sidestep the trap.

This week: Christa, Ben and Jay are cozily chatting in the Captain's quarters about their competitors' strengths and the final four. It's almost as if Ben and Jay are still officers! Jay says that Nessa is strong and smart and sneaky and they ought to employ an "enemies close" strategy and invite her into the cabin. Jay says in a camera confessional that Christa is his new puppet. Christa says in her camera confessional that the ship has only had one captain this entire time and it has been Jay even though he has never worn the hat. I say to the intertubes at large that Jay is finally dealing with a Captain that will not blindly dance to his tune. Jay gets Nessa and they all charmingly lie to each other about how happy they are that they will be the final four. Nessa is feeling "solid" in this group.

Credits

Laurel and Nessa are working in the galley and are in fear of the Cook's curse that has struck other ship mates starting with Sean and hitting Jupiter last. Kendra opines that there is something about galley work that loosens the lips and sure enough the producers oblige with Kendra talking non-stop. Laurel says that everyone wants Kendra gone but she has slipped through the cracks. Ben agrees. They all see two whales.

Jay and Ben conspire to keep Christa in power by pointing out the treasure to someone on Christa's team if they get there first. Ben calls Jay a snake in an admiring tone. Cameron calls the pirates up to open the next part of the Chest of Zanzibar. The next treasure is the Cooper's treasure. Black Team comprises of Christa, Jay, Ben and Laurel. Red team is Louie, Kendra and Nessa. Nessa is screwed.

They grab buckets and then row to shore. First stop is a stream to fill their buckets with water. Black crew leads to shore and races to the stream where they fill their buckets. Red team trails and arrives as the black team finishes filling their buckets. They race off to a bridge where they will have to solve a simple conversion problem: 16 pints equals how many gallons? (answer 2) then fill their appropriately marked bucket to float their next clue to the top. Black team (JAY!)says 4 - dummies. Red team runs up and it is Kendra who directs them to the correct answer.

As both teams realize they do not have enough water to float their clues to the top, Ben asides to Christa, "How many pints are in a gallon?" Christa whispers that she thought it was eight and they realize they are working on the wrong pipe. Black team opens the number two pipe and then they scramble to get water under the bridge as Red teams gets their clue and runs off. Black team gets their clue, mainly due to Ben's long arm.

The next clue sends teams looking for a cave behind a waterfall. Red team reaches the cave first closely followed by the black team who has a lot of hustle in it. The all reach the obligatory skull on a spike and start climbing down to the pool at the base of the 1000 foot fall. The cave is actually to one side of the foot of the fall. They dive into the frigid water and Ben powers over and up into the cave. If you have never climbed up rocks in a waterfall cave it is slippery. Inside the cave is a sign that says "PWN3D! No clues here!" Actually, it tells the teams to seek a clue where the water flows, i.e. under water where the waterfall is pounding down. The production crew laugh their butts off at the hapless contestants. Swim you monkeys! All except Kendra who clings to rocks and looks pathetic.

Ben dives and grabs the next clue and they race up the jungle and looks for a mud pit. Louie dives underwater and grabs Red Team's clue. Red teams hauls themselves out of the water and Nessa encourages her team to "jog it out!" and I am assuming she means the cold and muscle fatigue that everyone has described to the camera after their dip in the waterfall pool's icy water. Nessa runs way ahead of her team mates with the vigor of someone who has never puked after a forced run. I hate people like that.

Ben and Christa dive first into the mud pit, but that thick sucking mud slows them until Red team catches up. Everyone mucks around until Christa touches the treasure and then her and Jay work together to bring it up.

Nessa is sad as she is 6 for 6 on the losing crew. Black Crew counts up a 40 thousand dollar pot.

Jay stumps down to crew quarters and begins to drum up a bitch session about how hard the last expedition was. Nessa pipes up about her love of 90 minute jungle runs and Jay gives her a dirty look I wholeheartedly concur with. Nessa has just confirms to Jay she needs to go.

Christa gives everyone on black crew ten grand. Ben wants Christa to black spot Kendra. Christa again solicits black spot nominations from the entire crew. The penny drops with Jay that Christa has her own brain. Uh oh. Jay tells Christa that he wants her to put Nessa up with Kendra. The plan is to tell Nessa that she is a pawn to get Kendra out but blindside Nessa with votes. Jay will tell Nessa he recommended Laurel and Kendra to Christa. Christa plans to blame everything on Jay. This is a story most crew will buy, actually, and the weakness in Jay's overall strategy. They all know Jay has been playing deep.

Nessa and Kendra get black spots. Nessa feels stabbed in the back and cries foul to Jay. Jay wastes no time in blaming Christa saying now he has to "scramble" for her and that Christa must have it in for Nessa. You can't be Howdy Doody and play this game says Jay.

Kendra tells Louie that Nessa is a threat. Louie agrees and tells the camera that Christa put up the best two people for black spots and that it just depends on your strategy if you want to cut weak or strong. Ben tells Nessa everyone is saying Kendra goes but he doesn't really know.

Pirate court!

Christa CYA's that she put those two up on the block based on what the crew wants. Cameron asks the two to defend themselves. Kendra gives her standard I'll never stop let me say speech. Cameron asks Laurel why has Kendra managed to stay if she is weak enough to be on the block six times. Laurel says baldly it's strategy of going up against a weak person in the end.

Nessa snarks about being flattered to be considered a threat and then says she has been on an expedition losing streak. She asks if she has been missing a secret agreement calling out Christa, Jay and Ben. They all shake their heads innocently. "No scheming going on here, huh uh!"

Four ballets cast. No mutiny. With four votes Nessa is gone. Jay strikes again! Nessa calls them cowards and Christa whacks her loose. She motors off to be with Joe Don at loser lodge.

Next Week jay cheats Ben out of thousands of dollars! Hilarity Ensues,

Homer Simspon Wept.

2007-07-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

Pork Rain and the residents are complaining:

Butchers Pet Care could shelve plans for a factory in Coton Park, near Rugby, because angry Asian families have complained to their residents’ association about pork smells drifting into their garden.

Muslim residents in the area also claim the pork will effectively “rain down” on their homes and gardens after the factory’s 100ft chimney has pumped the meat extracts into the atmosphere.

It's like that scene in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where Charlie slows and inhales the air around the Wonka factory like it was sustenance. Except it isn't. Prats.

A statement from Butchers Pet Care said: “The majority of our natural products are beef and poultry.

“Pork ingredients account for less than 10% of our range.

“At Coton Park we plan to introduce state-of-the-art odour extraction through the chimney stack…

“We would like to reiterate that we do not burn any animal materials.”

Spike

2007-07-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well I had a traffic spike for the Pirate Master Recap so expect another one next Tuesday or Wednesday. Man, I should have blogged Daybreak.

Pineapple

2007-07-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

I am making pizza tonight, specifically bacon, red onion, sun-dried tomato and pineapple - except the can of pineapple I bought has disappeared from the shelves of the pantry. As I rummaged through the shelves muttering darkly ingredients that disappear right when you want them, I had a brain wave. Fruit cocktail. Sometime ago I purchase a case of fruit cocktail because it was on sale. We don't actually eat fruit cocktail, The Muralist insists it's not really fruit and her argument is bolstered by the Verbalist's assertions that the grapes are Ogre eyeballs. But barring the desperation can pulled out of the pantry when the Infant puts away 9 square meals a day, it sits dusty and forlorn next to the cans of extra onion chili, cream corn, and Sirloin Burger Soup which constitutes our disaster rations. The single can of Coconut milk (destined for coconut cream pie and Thai Soup which have yet to materialize on my menu plan) seems hardly worth mentioning.

I opened a can, picked through it for pineapple and came up with 9 miserly tidbits. Nine, NINE! What happened the scads of pineapple that inhabited the fruit cocktails if my youth? For that matter what about the Jello salads chock full of pineapple at the church buffets?

Like Heck!

2007-07-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Discovery Channel is running shark Week and one of the promos was touting the "Misunderstood shark". Like heck! Sharks are soulless eating machines which never die unless they are actively killed. There is no misunderstanding here. In that spirit i present Creepy fish of the deep:

Pirate Master Episode 9 Recap

2007-07-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well the Chuckleheads at CBS have once again cancelled a show without warning. I'm not too broke up, after all Pirate Master is mostly mediocre. Darn it all though, I really was grooving on Jay's wicked gaming and wanted to see who his next sucker was. If you are dedicated you can watch episodes on CBS's crap-tastic Innertube site. I stuck through the pixilation and intermittant sound to recap so you don't have too.

On the last Pirate Master: Captain Azmyth gets big for his britches and the crew murmur that mutiny sounds like a good idea. Jupiter decides that she better warn Azmyth but does so in such a stupid way as to ensure that Azmyth black spots her for being a mutineer herself. Jupiter then seals her fate by announcing that she would never vote for mutiny and Captain A. realizes too late he must cut adrift his best ally. Oops.

Credits.

Cameron-the-host opens the next section of the Chest of Zanzibar and finds the next letter detailing the next treasure was the Cook's, who was a party dude. So the final 8 row to shore, find an old fort, and precede to get drunk to celebrate getting half way through.

The next morning, Cameron shows up and hands out keys and clues and tells them the hunt for the next part of the treasure begins today. Further he explains that the captain no longer has officers and Azmyth is stripped to Ben and Jay who draw shot with the common crew in the team divvys. This suits Jay just fine as he knows a mutiny had been almost certain if Azmyth retains the Captaincy and now he has a chance to get rid of some competition without looking like the backstabber he is.

After they draw shot and the black team is: Azmyth, Nessa, Louie, and Laurell and the red team is: Jay, Ben, Christa, and Kendra. Cameron starts them with a pistol shot and they all huddle and read the clue. "find the stockade", line up your keys from large to small, look through the loops, find the cannon and torture chamber which is their next destination.

Red team is immediately hampered by the fact that Jay's vocabulary skills are better than the producers. "Stockade, stockade means like a prison, look along the walls." says Jay who knows that stockade means "fan enclosure or pen made with posts and stakes." Meanwhile black team makes the same assumption that the producers do and runs over to the stock(a device for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet or feet and hands can be locked) where a skeleton hangs. They line up their keys, site the cannon and go running off.

Christa notes the keyholes on the stock as she passes it and pulls them back from their fruitless search of the walls. They run after the black team.

The black team has run to the cannon and torture chamber beneath and where Louie works at a puzzle to unlock shackles for the next part of their clue. Louie is stumped by the key puzzle long enough for Jay to squirm in beside him, burn through it and squirm out with red team's shackles. Red team makes their way to some steps that they have to count and then work out a simple math problem: x stairs-1/22=y under y is the key to the treasure.

As the red team counts stairs, black team is agitated the Louie can't seem to get their shackles free and Azmyth huffs that he could have done it much faster because he is smarter than Louie.

Back at the stairs, Jay counts 68 and Ben counts 66. "It must be one or the other." says Jay his brain on pause. "You dumbass it's 67! You have to get a whole number when you divide." I shout. Fortunately, Christa knows that one less the final number needs to be divided by 22 evenly and tells them it must be 67. 67-1/22=3. CBS scrolls the equation on the screen quickly for those whose brains have switched off as Jay's seems to have. They hurry back down the steps and scrabble for the key.

Black key finally gets their shackles and runs to the stairs. They have a different equation so they can't just look where red team does. The clues then tell them to put the shackles on someone and have them pace 300 steps in one direction. Jay does the honors for red team and later Louie for black. Jay finds the treasure right as black team arrives in the clearing. Buh-bye Azmyth.

Back on the ship, they pour out the gold and count it up to 50,000 dubloons. Jay directs in the counting in an experienced manner and they whoop at the high number. Cameron asks who is nominated as captain. Jay nominates Christa, who seems less than thrilled to be a target, and Ben and Kendra back Jay's choice. Cameron goes on to explain that because she has no officers that she nominates only 2 people for a black spot and what's more the Captain get ALL the money. Furthermore, this Pirate's court is the last time the pardon will work. Jay interviews he now wishes that he put himself up for captain instead of putting up a puppet. Immediately they are wondering if Christa is going to get greedy or if she is going to divvy it up evenly in shares of 12,500.

Jay starts to butter up Christa dubbing her Sweetbeard and mutters to her that he has a devious plan. His plan is to screw Kendra out of her share while Christa takes the fall for doing it. Sounds pretty good huh?

Back in Captain's quarters Jay tells Ben and Christa his scheme. Christa is to call Kendra in and give her 2,500 now and promise to bid 10,000 on the Royal pardon. Then not actually bid on the pardon, black spot her and cut her adrift. Jay is still steaming that Kendra lied to him a few episodes ago. Christa seems to think it's mostly a good idea but is savvy enough to know that it is dirty pool and reserves the right to change her mind.

Kendra can not swim but she is not stupid and manages to figure out what Jay cooked up with Christa but can only hope that Christa is not as shady as Jay is. Really, she has no other options.

Christa knows that black spotting sets you up as a target so she canvasses the crew's opinions one by one on who ought to get a black spot. Their opinions dovetail with hers and it takes the heat off of her. Kendra and Azmyth get black spots. Kendra is worried as she gets her forth black spot. Azmyth deludes himself that he is safe and doesn't bid on the pardon. Jay is surprised by his blindness.

At this point CBS' crappy site no longer plays audio feed and the picture is stuck on the Picton Castle at sunset. So for the Pirate court I go to the offical episode recap:

At Pirates' Court, Cameron addresses the new Captain and points out that without Officers, the threat of Mutiny is greater than ever. Christa explains that Azmyth was marked tonight because he's the strongest and everyone thinks he'll win if he's not set adrift and Kendra was marked because she's the weakest link on Expeditions.

Azmyth begins his defense by saying that this has been a powerful experience before adding, "You are correct in saying that I am a strong competitor… And I will tell you that I will fight my hardest for myself to be here, to win. And for the rest of the crews that I'm on, I'll stay positive, I'll stay strong." Kendra steps forward and points out that she wanted to do something different for her fourth time as a marked Pirate. She starts to read a poem about her life on the ship, which elicits fond smiles from the crew. "My heart is here with my Captain and crew, breathing deep the possibility of treasure to be found," she reads. "The Black Spot does not cast a shadow, for I saw a red sky tonight, a sailor's prediction of fair winds and good fortune."

When Cameron turns to the crew, Jay reiterates his belief that Kendra deserves the Black Spot, Laurel says she's glad to see Azmyth marked because she doesn't understand him, and Ben says Azmyth is up there because of his strengths. "He never stops," Ben says of Azmyth. "He's smart, so rightfully he's up there."

When it's time to vote, the Pirates cast their ballots atop the dagger's blade. Cameron announces Christa as the highest bidder at $10,000, proving that she didn't comply with Jay's plan to sabotage Kendra. As Christa pays Kendra, Cameron tells her there were no Mutiny ballots. Cameron then points out that Kendra has escaped from Pirates' Court yet again. The vote is unanimous: Azmyth is to be cut adrift. As he disembarks, Azmyth turns to the crew and says, "It'll be interesting to see who the actual Pirate Master is. If it's not me, I don't know who it's gonna be."

Happy Birthday

2007-07-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

Lynda Carter!

Better, stronger, faster.

2007-07-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

"Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster."

Via Ace:

A highly functional bionic hand which was invented by a Scottish NHS worker has gone on the market.

Jackpot!

2007-07-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

A boy buys a PS2 console on eBay and finds 65,400 Euros but not the promised games. The best part is the quote from the eBay spokesman:

"We know eBay is a great place to pick up a bargain although, in this case, we agree that the contents of the parcel were somewhat unusual and we will assist with any inquiries police may wish to make."

Uh huh.

Heart Attack

2007-07-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

...waiting to happen.

Write In

2007-07-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Dave Burge as President in '08. I know I will, but for goodness sakes don't let Goldstein write his speeches!

He's got the support of the troops:

Harry Potter mania

2007-07-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

Amazon.com has a list of the most Harry Potter crazy locales in the USA based on book pre-orders. Washington State has quite a few with Gig Harbor coming in at number 2 on the list and Snohomish at number 8. Washington State cities also took spots 7, 17, 56, 65, 70, and 75.

More Cowbell

2007-07-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

Via Ace, the USAF will be unleashing The Reaper a robotic attack squadron equipted with hunter killer drones:

The airplane is the size of a jet fighter, powered by a turboprop engine, able to fly at 300 mph and reach 50,000 feet. It's outfitted with infrared, laser and radar targeting, and with a ton and a half of guided bombs and missiles.

The Reaper is loaded, but there's no one on board. Its pilot, as it bombs targets in Iraq, will sit at a video console 7,000 miles away in Nevada.

The arrival of these outsized U.S. "hunter-killer" drones, in aviation history's first robot attack squadron, will be a watershed moment even in an Iraq that has seen too many innovative ways to hunt and kill.

That moment, one the Air Force will likely low-key, is expected "soon," says the regional U.S. air commander. How soon? "We're still working that," Lt. Gen. Gary North said in an interview.

The Reaper's first combat deployment is expected in Afghanistan, and senior Air Force officers estimate it will land in Iraq sometime between this fall and next spring. They look forward to it.