tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63337295239746462122024-03-05T13:46:20.109-10:00To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie; The Choice Between Progress or Braaains.Its a new take on the game of "Would You Rather...". In "To Zombie or Not to Zombie" I will take a look at issues regarding education, technology, progress and the 'Walking Dead' aka 'Brain Eaters' aka 'Zombies'. By the end of the blog, the choice will be made between progress or brains; to ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie.Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-9499583097617735232011-05-08T13:37:00.001-10:002011-05-08T13:41:20.028-10:00The Goggles, they do nothing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IBlip92UHdw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL6AuDGKJ6o39XtaXT6ftdl0TgzSaOrwqNSvFVcAbama0C4F9NpKU08ALPv5QMxWE31-Xjo5kI3kgetTYsg1KtPuyzloyykbmZPyF4CZ1M89vhEXLbTdfsl_v2MVKqfct_3dlsUh1s5cA/s1600/laser-tag21-468x521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL6AuDGKJ6o39XtaXT6ftdl0TgzSaOrwqNSvFVcAbama0C4F9NpKU08ALPv5QMxWE31-Xjo5kI3kgetTYsg1KtPuyzloyykbmZPyF4CZ1M89vhEXLbTdfsl_v2MVKqfct_3dlsUh1s5cA/s200/laser-tag21-468x521.jpg" width="179" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyPfNhLLS5hUM_9fiKqu1OnppL1N7pcOLMpjxDFUjKQ0wnBUbKpqcIMx7DnjNnAhy6qbSyrrDGaGmhBWNzOn2c1aP3MSL4NZSimv0wNpPN1TyqUe1puFEliTsrhp0fcCxJmgV4pld_-Hi/s1600/lasertag_kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyPfNhLLS5hUM_9fiKqu1OnppL1N7pcOLMpjxDFUjKQ0wnBUbKpqcIMx7DnjNnAhy6qbSyrrDGaGmhBWNzOn2c1aP3MSL4NZSimv0wNpPN1TyqUe1puFEliTsrhp0fcCxJmgV4pld_-Hi/s200/lasertag_kids.jpg" width="200" /></a>Seriously, do I need to even bring it up? Guns, lasers, vests, codenames, blacklights, neon, adrenaline, domination, strategy, good vs. evil, ego and *Uncle Rico.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRPoyJmVUedxk6p3lSllpefRVU5nmW85uY3ItGgMJ_YXutcjmqtGT3tznlEFIWLaByG12Qr51jY_UI5dTDHgx_fzFaLT_QO0tGr0izWl_8vjVUdYor8gWgu7DO2YTgUSp0F1izOSUaQ_B/s1600/Laser-Tag-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRPoyJmVUedxk6p3lSllpefRVU5nmW85uY3ItGgMJ_YXutcjmqtGT3tznlEFIWLaByG12Qr51jY_UI5dTDHgx_fzFaLT_QO0tGr0izWl_8vjVUdYor8gWgu7DO2YTgUSp0F1izOSUaQ_B/s200/Laser-Tag-4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Oh, all though you may have a gun, the laser will not penetrate a ZOmbie's brain or in any way slow it down. Nor will your "flack jacket" protect you in anyway. Shooting a laser tag gun at a ZomBie is just dumb and if you do it, you deserve to have your brainzzzz eaten.<br />
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Laser Tag: Not to ZoMbie and probably not to have a girlfriend or boyfriend either.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_H6JLeOTTd0c78EGypYq-yZOnEdDDJLoLxE2kqdYc9kRdkagzLBSvAudKNCCqmrl2bU0hya1zmw0zslCCubAClrhsXXNa-Or7DoBnr5wlOgbsQufis5a3lmtp2l-QeuEai5JmqI_u96i/s1600/carney1-750701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_H6JLeOTTd0c78EGypYq-yZOnEdDDJLoLxE2kqdYc9kRdkagzLBSvAudKNCCqmrl2bU0hya1zmw0zslCCubAClrhsXXNa-Or7DoBnr5wlOgbsQufis5a3lmtp2l-QeuEai5JmqI_u96i/s1600/carney1-750701.jpg" /></a></div>**<a href="http://movieclips.com/qV2M-napoleon-dynamite-movie-uncle-rico-could-have-gone-pro/">Uncle Rico </a>Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-56364534127001953052011-05-08T12:09:00.002-10:002011-05-08T13:00:05.236-10:00Do ZOmbies watch films about ZomBies???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuNg9VtJ7DGIFsBmtGKYtu6UmLoZOOlvBs_ab55qui225RkGkiBy1xrOovStGbozzVNUZuwKRVz5j6XP2wV5dMaHwQ5aBdIcrOsqufUFuWFhfgJ5nPQSFSjHrnzljxdqRyjhB5WvxzHJP/s1600/netflix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuNg9VtJ7DGIFsBmtGKYtu6UmLoZOOlvBs_ab55qui225RkGkiBy1xrOovStGbozzVNUZuwKRVz5j6XP2wV5dMaHwQ5aBdIcrOsqufUFuWFhfgJ5nPQSFSjHrnzljxdqRyjhB5WvxzHJP/s320/netflix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I watch movies on occasion and that is probably an understatement. I tend to think film and tv productions are are poorly written, lack creativity and our society depends on these distractions too frequently in an attempt to avoid the real issues that require attention. So, you might already assume I may say that NETFLIX is a catalyst for ZOmbification. Well, in part, you are corrrect. However, due to the use of technology to make information easier, cheaper to access I am in favor of NETFLIX. Not to mention that NETFLIX in some ways reduces the need for brick and mortar businesses which reduces our carbon footprint and abuse of the land. Ha...my side stepping to various soapbox issues makes me laugh only as I begin to see myself as that *old fogey who is displeased with everything.<br />
Yikes, I'm losing it. Sweet, maybe I wont even know that I'm certifiably nuts because I'm certifiably<br />
nuts. Ignorance is bliss.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9vzmVxcsjF__6xBMwf0I870gVF1uUK-Calblu4A4IxHZXDR3Em63F5XgKCXNJmIRVzHpd8wv6VU4f5rGuXR2qbiM8AMzotvI39ZSETfOZazOxh2P91qoLHuTJQmektQB94Oc3edyZ-Np/s1600/funny-pictures-your-child-watched-too-many-zombie-movies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9vzmVxcsjF__6xBMwf0I870gVF1uUK-Calblu4A4IxHZXDR3Em63F5XgKCXNJmIRVzHpd8wv6VU4f5rGuXR2qbiM8AMzotvI39ZSETfOZazOxh2P91qoLHuTJQmektQB94Oc3edyZ-Np/s320/funny-pictures-your-child-watched-too-many-zombie-movies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So, NETFLIX is a sweet deal. We don't need to drive to the store thereby reducing the amount of gas used and the related carbon emissions. NETFLIX offers a flat monthly rate and unlimited viewing of films. The downside to NETFLIX, not all films are available for streaming, but that is not the fault of NETFLIX, but more so a fault of your own...yes you. Watch more movies, obscure movies and documentaries. This way NETFLIX will feel the demand and offer more films for immedaite viewing via the net. Stop being so anti-escapist and watch more movies. Force NETFLIX to update their online films. Let's rid the world of plastic DVDs. Do your part and demand video streaming, save the planet one online video at a time...and you wont have to think about it as you do it because your are avoiding real issues. Do something good, while you turn off your brainzzzzz.<br />
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NETFLIX, to ZomBie or not to ZOmbie? Well, to use NETFLIX is "not to ZomBie", but once you start watching NETFLIX it becomes "to ZOmbie". Get it...use your brain, then turn it off and stare wildy with some druel on your chin as a marathon of Hollywood films tantalize your ravenous eyes.<br />
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*Click: <a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/old_fogey">Old Fogey</a>Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-10665328489079018952011-04-13T15:07:00.001-10:002011-04-13T15:09:25.092-10:00"From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGg9hgfijhV_ywfQJEDaSXa34vVuLR7OX5uzCX4hWmwBoMnpHpU4Kf-EzqCLWCc3XboSbtejZkrsmau8EYzlbKm1YmghApAtSH9uPsdEsdEbriFn7sv5RGrx1fvjbHWp0JEZa2vEIOrYd/s1600/spore_origins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGg9hgfijhV_ywfQJEDaSXa34vVuLR7OX5uzCX4hWmwBoMnpHpU4Kf-EzqCLWCc3XboSbtejZkrsmau8EYzlbKm1YmghApAtSH9uPsdEsdEbriFn7sv5RGrx1fvjbHWp0JEZa2vEIOrYd/s320/spore_origins.png" width="320" /></a></div>I recently purchased "Spore Origins" for my i-Phone. Let me say that there is already enough cannibalism and brain chewing going on this game to even consider ZOmbification. I think a ZomBie would be disgusted with the gluttonous approach these single-cellular, amoeba-like creatures take as they roam around in the birth fluid of Earth. <br />
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The game is fun, especially for the i-Phone. The graphics are sharp and colorful. Multiple creatures are out to get you as well as be eaten by you. The i-Phone is in itself the controller. Tilt to the right, go right, tilt to the left go left, etc. Each level offers new challenges. You can, also, 'morph' the main character's design as you progress through the stages of evolution (If you strongly stand with the "Creationist Theory" this game may actually strike a nerve, considering all living creatures derive from the Spore; seven days and on the last day we got a break, not in this game!).<br />
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The biggest drawback is the repetition of physical environments. Throughout the game the Spore travels through evolutionary stages, I believe 4 steps in each stage. Although, the stages are redecorated with new creatures, colors and challenges, the physical layout is roughly the same. However, considering the game is designed for the i-Phone at a cheap cost of $2.99, I accept it.<br />
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The game is a play-periodically-style game. I pick it up when I'm bored and play an evolutionary step. Then, I put it down for a day or a week. Its fun, but not addicting. The story is minimal and the challenges are not thought provoking. Its just simple fun...a no brainer.<br />
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To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie? No ZomBies needed here, there is already a brain eating spore doing all the work for the walking dead. Unfortunately, that spore will one mellenia grow up to become a human being and possibly evolve further into a ZoMbie. So, we'll just wait and see what occurs.Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-53105528447444756452011-03-09T22:02:00.003-10:002011-03-10T16:03:53.236-10:00To Infinity and....Back Again!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WNa63NhBMIN8dgmAsnDBEg-at-EhR9HAmkALE9jzL6Q79vNgfTqaVDZ4OB7CmhFhRtbt5UQiDf8y39zzqWD45FRamns84cssBYReHyeHawMeBhyLlrXyRo8NxPZqljfCNBoBYDDCQMNO/s1600/Infinity_Blade_Main.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WNa63NhBMIN8dgmAsnDBEg-at-EhR9HAmkALE9jzL6Q79vNgfTqaVDZ4OB7CmhFhRtbt5UQiDf8y39zzqWD45FRamns84cssBYReHyeHawMeBhyLlrXyRo8NxPZqljfCNBoBYDDCQMNO/s400/Infinity_Blade_Main.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JDvPIhCd8N4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><i> Infinity Blade </i><span style="font-style: normal;">is the product of Chair Entertainment Group. The game is specifically designed to be played on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod, iPad Touch 3 and 4. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">According to the iPhone APP store Infinity Blade (as of 03/09/2011) earns a rating of 5/5 stars from 26476 reviewers. For more information check out Chair entertainment Group: <a href="http://infinitybladegame.com/">http://infinitybladegame.com</a>. When I first purchased the game about a week ago it cost $1.99. The price is now set at $5.99. By the way, a couple of blogs back, I wrote about the Nerd Community and their offspring known as Gamers. Its a slippery slope, people! Read my previous blog and save yourself.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> At first, I was unclear as to the meaning of the title, <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, but as I progressed through the game I quickly learned. The game is set in a medieval time. The main character is a knight who is seeking vengeance for the murder of his father. “My name is Ingio Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die” (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWXcDZNgOWs&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWXcDZNgOWs&NR=1</a>).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6JGp7Meg42U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Yes, vigilante justice in the name of a deceased parent, it’s a new concept. I am not so sure if it will hold, but I predict that as time passes, the failure of this concept will lead to new story lines based on one’s revenge for the murder of a significant other. Again, new territory here, so we’ll have to see how it turns out. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EjMNNpIksaI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> So, let's get back to my discussion of the title, <i>Infinity Blade.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Again, the story takes place in the far off past. A dreary castle stands firm upon wind-swept cliffs under a cold blue sky as the young ‘</span><i>Force</i><span style="font-style: normal;">’-filled knight (you) gazes upon it. Within the castle awaits his destiny. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Upon entering the castle grounds, the vengeful knight battles his way through a gauntlet of fiercely mangled and menacing villains. His ultimate goal is to reach the god-king, slay him and therefore honor his murdered father’s name. Oh, yes, twenty years earlier the god-king put the final kybosh to his (your) father and he did it without mercy or remorse. He actually sucked out dad’s essence as he plunged his dastardly sword into his battered shell, which made him (the god-king) stronger. Hey, have you ever seen the movie, “HighLander”? Regardless, it’s tough to be a mortal as the vengeful knight will soon find out. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> After easily defeating the first round of Frankenstein-like ‘evil’ knights, the vengeful knight meets the god-king. At this point it is possible to beat <i>Mr.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> god-king, only his closest friends call him god-king, which he has none. Unfortunately, at this stage of the game, young-grasshoppa, the vengeful knight’s skills and strengths are most likely inadequate for the job. So, with a firm understanding of your youthful weaknesses, except with pleasure the piercing pain of the god-kings sword as it is plunged into the knight’s abdomen and in obnoxious </span><i>shop-vac</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> form sucks the essence from his beleaguered body.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> Good news! It’s six o’clock in the morning, the radio-alarm sings to life with Sunny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe”. The knight (you) wakes up from a comfortable sleep in a quaint bed & breakfast in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. As he rises, he gets the strange feeling that he’s done this before and he may even look a bit irritated by the second, third and fourth time this occurs. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZbtAFq7dP8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> Ultimately, it’s not the same knight each time, but who can tell the difference. The story indicates that it is about 20-some years later and you, the ‘new’ knight, are the son of the previous vengeful knight. Something should be said about familial behavior traits and the debate over nature vs., nurture, but I refuse to digress. So, the vengeful night rises, puts on his armor and walks to the precipice of slaughter. He views the castle from a distance and as his father and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father and still his father’s father’s father’s father aims to avenge his…. father…something like this. “Who gets slaughtered?”, is the question of the new day. At each level the beastly knights of the castle become stronger and faster. The first level was easy and from there each level increases with difficulty. Just like the repeated setting, a player should be able to predict the increasing level of intensity. Good news, if you appreciate mundane predictability, all of the treasures and potions are all in the exact same places…even 20, 40, 60, 80 years later. The castle must have ‘landmark’ status, as physical feature is in exactly the same place at each level. There is certainly no possible way that this castle will succumb to the wave of gentrification, albeit that it one day be surrounded by condos and strip malls filled with StarBucks, Jamba Juice and an Apple store. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is a fun game, but no more exciting than playing </span><i>Mortal Kombat</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> or old-school </span><i>Kung-Foo. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">The story of vengeance is simple, actually it’s not really a story at all. The designers acted as movie directors and gave you, the knight, your motivation for being. Once you reach the end of the level, successfully or unsuccessfully, you return to the beginning of the game, with the a quick note that it is now 20 years later. What makes this game stand out, however, are the responsive controls and interactive screen, all of which were designed for the iPhone and its siblings. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> The moves are easy. Swipe up, down, right, left and diagonally with your finger and the sword comes to life. On the bottom of the screen there are three command icons; a shield to press when you want to block with your shield and arrows (left and right corners) to duck left or right. The only issue I have is that occasionally when I attempt to duck right or left I miss the icon and therefore take a serious bludgeoning. Although, the knight’s opponents become faster at each level, the controls remain effective. Missing the duck icon is probably my finger’s fault and I plan to have a talk with him later. Learning to use the duck right and left buttons is key to survival. I am currently on level 3 and sword swinging, although important, will not keep me alive no matter how fast I can flick my finger. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> Another great feature on <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is the ability to purchase items such as swords, shields, body armor, magical devices, helmets, etc. Also, Certain items come with certain powers. So, be particular as particular items are not as predictable as they appear. Again, as each level increases with intensity, the player will need to outfit his or her knight with effective tools. Using the same old materials from level one will just get you killed quicker, so collect some coins and go shopping. Hey, even if you get killed, its nice to die wearing a shiny new suit of armor rather than wearing yesterday’s outdated fashions. Meet your maker with some dignity for Pete’s sake. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4Vx9ex3qziYdIj_2aFsNYp0978iN-kNHTwqPB2cmdHzKqiXQqcp2whpTwjbcuMaAIqcGKkNDizZEYVD6ZMIMMmaXo-MedMeC_-C3D1_Crb4sN5XiePpYjHKaEX7N8mCk1pkPB6zfC7bl/s1600/paddlin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4Vx9ex3qziYdIj_2aFsNYp0978iN-kNHTwqPB2cmdHzKqiXQqcp2whpTwjbcuMaAIqcGKkNDizZEYVD6ZMIMMmaXo-MedMeC_-C3D1_Crb4sN5XiePpYjHKaEX7N8mCk1pkPB6zfC7bl/s200/paddlin.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> As I have mentioned, I am currently on level 3 of <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. I can care less about the story or my ‘motivation’. For me it’s about Ego. A challenge has been presented, I have fighting moves and weapons, now I just need to learn how to use them. Up to level three I felt pretty good. Now I feel a bit frustrated as I get ‘schooled’, yet I am determined to learn the most effective use of my tools to win. So far, I am getting clobbered while slowly making progress. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> I am pleased that after each unsuccessful battle within the castle’s linear progression, I have the choice to start at the very beginning of the level or re-load the last battle. I am uncertain why someone would want to start at the beginning of the level, considering each level starts at the same place. So, I opt to begin right where I was shredded to pieces. “Thank you, Sir, may I have another?” Unfortunately, for those with a lack of fortitude and self-confidence, also know as “quitters”, there is no way to get around the tougher one-on-one battles. You can fight and win, fight and die or just quit. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XcxKIJTb3Hg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> There is, however, one option that may support a gamer as he or she attempts to achieve predominance. One can actually buy, with actual cash, ‘gold’ from the app store and then spend that ‘gold’ on pricey weapons and armor. Although, in my mind, I agree with the saying, “The man makes the clothes”. You can dress your knight up, but you cannot guarantee with new ‘threads’ that he’ll make it to the ‘big dance’. So, spend wisely or simply build up your determination and commit to learning step-by-step.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> Since the game is strictly linear, all you need to do is focus on the fight. There is no chance you will take a wrong turn and be forever lost in the game. The game does not allow for you to accidentally stroll off a cliff and somehow survive in a technological abyss. In essence, you are a train on rails and there is no getting off track. You simply need to get past the checkpoints in order to move on. You must fight. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> If you are worried about the battles, the designers offer a tutorial as you progress through the first level. You are prompted to swipe a finger here or there, to block with your shield and to duck right or left. A first time player should be able to understand the basic moves easily as he or she dominates level one. But, do not be fooled, after level one you should be ready for some beatings of your own. If one would like to revisit the initial tutorial, an option exists to return to level 1. Also, the designers posted three reviews on YouTube, which demonstrate the use of the game tools. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uySr31INttM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/B8yR399zIQ8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/M8xXCzG7X8Y?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Currently, <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is a solitary game. The designers have stated that updates will allow multi-player settings, but for now you’re on your own, ‘Han Solo’. I hope that when the multi-layer version is available players can battle each other. However, this would change the game into a typical fighting game, just dressed up differently than the many others that exist. The key difference, of course, will be that I will be able to invite a friend for a lunch-break-butt-kicking conducted via my iPhone. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0dV7A70NtO1jS6a5HwFOqxebRS0cRLvSabByfWZWCNy6564zShP4FqLyRuHP5_TPrLoU86NsgwGllNd9cbAtvodypdwaz_1zDIWUCTqKleyS-LgiCqWXbaz_CS7DFzox2lis896ghUGT/s1600/20100503%252BHan%252BSolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0dV7A70NtO1jS6a5HwFOqxebRS0cRLvSabByfWZWCNy6564zShP4FqLyRuHP5_TPrLoU86NsgwGllNd9cbAtvodypdwaz_1zDIWUCTqKleyS-LgiCqWXbaz_CS7DFzox2lis896ghUGT/s200/20100503%252BHan%252BSolo.jpg" width="140" /></a> Although, the game is played in isolation, players’ scores can be recorded for sharing using another APP called “Game Center”. If you cannot beat your friend in hand-to-hand combat, you can at least brag about your high scores. Also, within <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> you can keep track of your achievements, such as winning streaks, quickest cut-downs, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> The graphics, although repeated, are amazing. The designers created a beautiful, virtual medieval world. The dynamic images could easily be sets from <i>Lord of the Rings</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. The details in the work are excellent, although, most escape me as I am getting butchered. I am amazed at how far technology has come, when I do get a chance to pan around the screen; so much detail, so much interaction, great responsiveness and all on an iPhone. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> Should you buy <i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;">? If it is priced at $1.99, then you certainly should. As previously mentioned the cost has risen to $5.99. If you are a true “gamer”, then buy </span><i>Infinity Game</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. I believe you will be amazed at the technological developments. If you are a novice gamer and easily put off by video game challenges and are unaware of the technological advancements in gaming systems, then buy </span><i>Plant Vs. Zombies</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"> Speaking of ZOmbies, the question remains. To ZomBie or Not to ZOmbie? I believe this is a trick question. To recognize the technological achievements demonstrated within </span><i>I</i><i>nfinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> would be characteristic of someone with a heart beat and a full functioning brain. However, the 'bells and whistles' of </span><i>Infinity Blade</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> may have the power to permanently captivate and thus turn a regular gamer into a GAmzie (Half Gamer, half ZOmbie). So, the answer is not to ZomBie, but with Caution! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Resources:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://infinitybladegame.com/">http://infinitybladegame.com</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Infinity Blade Video Review</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XseC2DBB4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56XseC2DBB4</a><o:p></o:p></div>Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-69013693184027928122011-03-07T22:46:00.066-10:002011-05-08T12:51:08.862-10:00Just A Small Town Girl, Living in A Lonely World. She took the Midnight Train Goin' Anywhere...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VjO5mKZEmRTPTvZhTDu6JNXaaStwQAKm4LO2eRFy7BqoCKYQxIVPPycrNNKcpN4ZDS9DkN713yrwdMaRerrgbdlsYcrJVwMoPDQgW9QCvHc524kmMhKtOKt5a9_f0DUYoNSUtFlPyzbg/s1600/20090316_william_hung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VjO5mKZEmRTPTvZhTDu6JNXaaStwQAKm4LO2eRFy7BqoCKYQxIVPPycrNNKcpN4ZDS9DkN713yrwdMaRerrgbdlsYcrJVwMoPDQgW9QCvHc524kmMhKtOKt5a9_f0DUYoNSUtFlPyzbg/s200/20090316_william_hung.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur-xMHxdecFFVKzb_BQR7KWyJJscAPGXpQ8w8FYTfl3u7rLHVwBuN3L4g8xiK5EddIQLgALuFOm0MX9VSa_K5j5qdb86UNz1YbuAH7rI3dnf9HbMi1WLJ10pSIyp_QPq5w8regZ-8adX_/s1600/karaoke-uncle-sam-cpgop.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur-xMHxdecFFVKzb_BQR7KWyJJscAPGXpQ8w8FYTfl3u7rLHVwBuN3L4g8xiK5EddIQLgALuFOm0MX9VSa_K5j5qdb86UNz1YbuAH7rI3dnf9HbMi1WLJ10pSIyp_QPq5w8regZ-8adX_/s200/karaoke-uncle-sam-cpgop.gif" width="181" /></a> <b>WHY? Becaues You Can! WHY? Because You Want To! WHY? Why Not? </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnU8AYMf5al7jwWHHOjIerNHyYEQvzbCY_kKPOs8jwcMZ3AZtgVNdvYe0Lce0k8FRUKbJvjISMfF9InpltAgg4yib5DCvPOH2KgI5xwy1ONvhyphenhyphen5BlVrygHkVeXoObv22s8L4mRsdBYUZu/s320/Karaoke2.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiXcgytw9sRsAF-79thSiAXnCp-X7cFK7Zf_WB7PX2QPEaYTzDS4acF0Rs2pj7eejZO79LGHCrW7mFjKzSq9QG4me8po_UPk9S3eV2YKXG5SK49wtLl_fk8vhurMBDfmjzugmT4FKix4I/s1600/large_5-14karaoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiXcgytw9sRsAF-79thSiAXnCp-X7cFK7Zf_WB7PX2QPEaYTzDS4acF0Rs2pj7eejZO79LGHCrW7mFjKzSq9QG4me8po_UPk9S3eV2YKXG5SK49wtLl_fk8vhurMBDfmjzugmT4FKix4I/s320/large_5-14karaoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8HEB5qaKX6tWaFUCosZKRpDj8p7Gowhx5rGpOUPgvMXQnBSd5hsTpcxdxZUKBLqL0qLwv0fXEzKsvZC_Yq12zLx3y0nzhqppCnih1yDq6BtIq5iJ-NbKsro9Ib-nqCp95gHFazCJ-Ftc/s1600/karaoke-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8HEB5qaKX6tWaFUCosZKRpDj8p7Gowhx5rGpOUPgvMXQnBSd5hsTpcxdxZUKBLqL0qLwv0fXEzKsvZC_Yq12zLx3y0nzhqppCnih1yDq6BtIq5iJ-NbKsro9Ib-nqCp95gHFazCJ-Ftc/s200/karaoke-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXYz20qwgOPRdSHJXFKvsiBzwQmsQ3uMzRrzx1-lOoqCXaFanYzDrG8cMvkfAO5-U_Gc6b0gc8zRgJlUURKrZqIVo_mtkvajYQ-XlLiQA60iV1AwUclLxW8kG_WYoA69JYrcwoWyn9PYJ/s1600/funny-kids-pictures-karaoke-lover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXYz20qwgOPRdSHJXFKvsiBzwQmsQ3uMzRrzx1-lOoqCXaFanYzDrG8cMvkfAO5-U_Gc6b0gc8zRgJlUURKrZqIVo_mtkvajYQ-XlLiQA60iV1AwUclLxW8kG_WYoA69JYrcwoWyn9PYJ/s200/funny-kids-pictures-karaoke-lover.jpg" width="149" /></a>Its pretty apparent why so many love the Karaoke. Actually, if you look at these three pictures (left, above and right) it might not be so apparent, but nonetheless, people like singing with Karaoke even if they can't really sing.<br />
Why pink spandex or underwear over black-tigerstriped leggings? Because you have a microphone in-hand and Karaoke backing you up 100% even if the rest of the world is not. When Karaoke starts everything else just fades away and most listeners hope that you will, too.<br />
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Karaoke a great way to use technology to hone your vocal and stage skills. Its a lot cheaper than actually paying for formal singing lessons, although you would probably be better off with a straight forward suggestion from your voice teacher that you should find another dream to follow. But, what the Hell, you only get to go around in life once, so if singing is your passion, then do it big and do it with Karaoke. If children cry, if ears bleed, if dogs howel, if hearts explode so be it because You are all that counts and if others have to suffer while you rock out, then that is what they must do.<br />
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Hey, if the nation's public school system offered music programs, the pain and suffering might stop. American Idol would no longer have the outtakes of want-to-be rockstars-who-aren't and quality Karaoke singers wouldn't be limited to Hawaii. Let's go USA, Karaoke should not be limited to bars and Karaoke huts, it should be mandated in our public school classrooms. When people are educated properly longevity increases, but when unskilled 'singers' take the stage mental illness spreads like a caucaphony of musical notes emanating from the unskilled mouth of the Karaoke Killer.<br />
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To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie? Well although not mentioned or demonstrated in any ZOmbie film or novel, bad Karaoke singing is actually a great method of detering a ZoMbie onsluaght. If you can capture a ZOmbie and do not want to get blood and brains on your cloths from smashing in its head, get a horrible singer to tear up some tunes with a Karaoke machine. The result will be a massive hemorrhage in the brain of the Zombie. Yes, singing Karaoke will kill ZOmbies as well as your friendships.<br />
Karaoke...Not to ZoMbie.Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-53079946453796613382011-03-03T23:21:00.260-10:002011-03-04T22:58:01.541-10:00DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!<div style="text-align: center;">*Red Alarm Lights blink to life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*Deep, Echoing Sirens pound against the eardrum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*A Computerized Woman's Voice calmly repeats, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
"NERD ALERT" "NERD ALERT" "NERD ALERT" "NERD ALERT" "NERD ALERT"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc68N6EOmZDAGjkplpmtEkLMDRYodn0jbYJPPnBsgj08konRadx1w_xbmMYZ38lpfo_QMKUSLaA4vjjBcuYw-2luE6cXsWPZsE7ktCRRN-8I8lk0QVf19n0VGzN3DgesK05E7kW6qZdaws/s1600/fm_urkel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc68N6EOmZDAGjkplpmtEkLMDRYodn0jbYJPPnBsgj08konRadx1w_xbmMYZ38lpfo_QMKUSLaA4vjjBcuYw-2luE6cXsWPZsE7ktCRRN-8I8lk0QVf19n0VGzN3DgesK05E7kW6qZdaws/s1600/fm_urkel.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"> The Nerds have had their revenge. The fight for equality, which gained strength in the 80's has come to an outright measurable victory for the Nerd Community. Today, many are self-proclaimed, proud-to-be "Nerds", but one sub-group of the 80's movement stands firm, yet disturbingly so, in the hierarchy of the Nerd Community. Gamers.<br />
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What brought this group to the forefront of the awkward, introverted and sometimes a-sexual revolution? Video Games, microchips, fantasy, floppy disks and above all Braaaainz! We have to admit, as far as tech is concerned, the Nerds rule the world! Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Marc Zuckerberg, and Larry Page, just to name a few, are within the collective leadership of this global power and we owe them Big Time! Just as James Brown is the godfather of Soul music, so too are Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney the godfathers of gaming; Atari, the first effective offensive in the war against mainstream normalcy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AEN9Pnj3TBdczgdq6btklm9hucaejv86jWssOhjxLUY6xT6GyLVtMG3SxE0iOPuAoQKVDczFmrXR1FvARD8gF-uLy_GPI_1EsGnaOz3wcRIad85DMlxVVozUJ4Wk6YRBqYGRbuFdS-Ld/s1600/nerd-pride-shirt-black.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AEN9Pnj3TBdczgdq6btklm9hucaejv86jWssOhjxLUY6xT6GyLVtMG3SxE0iOPuAoQKVDczFmrXR1FvARD8gF-uLy_GPI_1EsGnaOz3wcRIad85DMlxVVozUJ4Wk6YRBqYGRbuFdS-Ld/s320/nerd-pride-shirt-black.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cell phones (smart or dumb), ATM cards, FaceBook, Google, YouTube, Pandora, XBOX, WII, E-Mail, Solar Power, Hybrids, GPS and many other tech devices are the 'calling cards' of the once taunted and abused community. Wherever humanity thrives "Nerd Tracks" can be found.<br />
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Once driven into hiding and pushed to the brink of extinction the Nerd has become a mainstream player demanding respect and acceptance. No longer are 'grundies', 'noogies' and locker imprisonments accepted as an appropriate social greeting for "Nerds". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7-XVqg4KgXucupftj0eLq4uIGDYRlAL48EKbHCNvwx_j1hkiFKKfjMZDXIPH6_W-HOQ1pSfuzMyMNBpIaoIgsoTOOgEv__hR6KnfHYbsUav-qkFKT1SGdQirhMhSKjJHUxt6kFIPVqyS/s1600/gamers-always-welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7-XVqg4KgXucupftj0eLq4uIGDYRlAL48EKbHCNvwx_j1hkiFKKfjMZDXIPH6_W-HOQ1pSfuzMyMNBpIaoIgsoTOOgEv__hR6KnfHYbsUav-qkFKT1SGdQirhMhSKjJHUxt6kFIPVqyS/s200/gamers-always-welcome.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Gamers, the offspring of the 80's hard-drive-soddering, binary-code-writing Nerds, now represent the largest proportion of the Nerd population. Whether one has an actual gaming system, a PC or a smart phone doesn't matter. Gamers, highly or lightly active, come in many shapes, ages and sizes and have access to games at anytime during the day. World of WarCraft or Words With Friends, if you play a tech game multiple times during the week and avoid other tasks such as work responsibilities, eating, bathroom breaks, sex, sleeping and talking to 'friends', then you are becoming a Gamer Nerd.<br />
When you play, the Nerds win.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3OrRXNd6PSATQjlk2whFLtYsWg2qlOzbX-lMUiOSfT47VRMhMTxxgNJyjQ-Q3pAYP5dxFRcO_oJEjFYzyjQH7R7qy9rWFdYYyfm6l3_e5CgiNB9Cs8gWGVW3dgk13PD7W7TwERTa_oM3/s1600/gamers_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3OrRXNd6PSATQjlk2whFLtYsWg2qlOzbX-lMUiOSfT47VRMhMTxxgNJyjQ-Q3pAYP5dxFRcO_oJEjFYzyjQH7R7qy9rWFdYYyfm6l3_e5CgiNB9Cs8gWGVW3dgk13PD7W7TwERTa_oM3/s320/gamers_0851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Well, based on results, the Nerds have already won and have fully taken over. Look to the picture on the left, you're there somewhere, or you soon will be.<br />
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Don't panic! Most of you will only morph slightly. In essence, you will become a 'volunteer' or a 'part-time' gamer, occasionally staring at your screen and forgetting to feed your 8 month old child. Only when one becomes a 'full-time' gamer aka addict will an intervention be necessary. However, be certain that if you become a "full-timer", MTV will be there to document your family's enduring battle to save you from fusing to the couch and living a life of sexual solitaire where you're addicted to games with attractive avatars who fill your every fantasy. The young man in the center of the photo above is an a-sexual, "full-time" gamer. The cape, wide eyes and lack of attention to the woman on the couch are strong indicators. However, his Avatar 'girlfriend' is named Zanadou and although she repeats the same statements as he repeatedly plays the game, he relishes in each and every word. <br />
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To better help one recognize the signs and symptoms of a "full-time" gamer watch the following videos.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"MTV True Life: I'm a Gamer". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uE9x8JPrwFc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RLGqNKPD1Cg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/I26oqyoyLBY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lvM4sjyuLYA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/_4ZApnyG48Q/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_4ZApnyG48Q&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_4ZApnyG48Q&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
It is clear, at least for me, why so many minds fall to the pleasures of gaming. Introverts have found a medium in which to express themselves and bond to others. No longer are they limited to face-to-face interactions over an actual Dungeons and Dragons board game, which forces them to speak to actual people. They now have the opportunity to live their lives through a second identity of an avatar. They can become who they always wanted to be, such as a 14 foot tall, blue, jungle warrior with curves named Natasha. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU7k8N9_qn_WxKN_rwxUVr2fqLeupaCM1HB66J8s36iqDqC1GKcuLzndyUupbikw9l9MJz6Jezqe1-0kWx8e2I_1oC6zgOKmWOXGoIIcGKzV4QzEFJXWa9aHzJWEeh-GZkdPPIydpS9f6/s1600/the-gamers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU7k8N9_qn_WxKN_rwxUVr2fqLeupaCM1HB66J8s36iqDqC1GKcuLzndyUupbikw9l9MJz6Jezqe1-0kWx8e2I_1oC6zgOKmWOXGoIIcGKzV4QzEFJXWa9aHzJWEeh-GZkdPPIydpS9f6/s320/the-gamers.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Many gamers who were once chastised for their lack of physical skill and coordination are now as agile and competent as any pro-basketball player, NASCAR driver, medieval night or MMA fighter. Gamers can compete in multiple arenas such as sports, martial arts, dance and so on with exceptional accuracy and success. Dreams...and revenge do come to fruition as long as you shut your doors, own a monitor and can coordinate your eyes and hands. Who needs the Marines when you have military-gamers manning drones from thousands of miles away. Hooorah! Payton Manning, BJ Pen, Danica Patrick, your days are numbered. Once the Nerd Community can create actual AI in a physical avatar the revolution will be complete. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGfj8AWzMeqjuoz4K1LCZ68LRCeExun8c5titkP2ZqWddfMUMouSafyBXKCs2xiGydbeKOH6om7l2zRsyiKJlKSJI_qaqadjni9nyrIJyKKOBEpxKeapSpwcc_SnGgGVQGGsQb5LZcnY_/s1600/hardcore-gamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGfj8AWzMeqjuoz4K1LCZ68LRCeExun8c5titkP2ZqWddfMUMouSafyBXKCs2xiGydbeKOH6om7l2zRsyiKJlKSJI_qaqadjni9nyrIJyKKOBEpxKeapSpwcc_SnGgGVQGGsQb5LZcnY_/s320/hardcore-gamer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Others fall into gaming addiction because it allows them to avoid or further resist their actual responsibilities. Who needs good hygiene? Why do I want to spend hours trying to figure out and support my significant other? Call my parents...do I know them? Work? Whatever! Gamers are escapists. Esthetic pleasures are a waste of time. A t.v., electricity, some games, a seat of some type and another gamer to put food in your mouth and to change your bed pan once in awhile is all you require.<br />
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Just because you think you are at the "volunteer" gamers status, don't allow yourself to maintain a false sense of security. No one every picked up a beer or a crack pipe and hoped to become an addict. The Nerd Community, in its desire to overrun the world recognizes the strategic value of a slow, progressive movement. Too fast and people will start to recognize what is actually occurring. Its like the old adage,<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">"If you drop a frog in a pot of boiling water with an XBOX 360, it will of course frantically try to clamber out. But if you place it gently in a pot of tepid water and turn on Plants Vs. Zombies, it will float there quite placidly enjoying the multiple pea shooters and dancing Elvis Zombies. As the water gradually heats up, the frog will sink into a tranquil stupor, exactly like one of us in a hot bath, and before long, with a smile on its face, it will unresistingly allow itself to be boiled to death." <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog">wikipedia</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> So, if you find yourself walking along a busy street, unaware of the world passing you by while mesmerized by a friendly game of Angry Birds, Beware! Beware if you began to play "Words With Friends" against one other person, but now you realize you have five or more games going on at once. If you have played "FarmVille" and now consider yourself a farmer who needs others to water your cyber crop, Beware! If you find that your social arena is FaceBook and that your only wall posts are from yourself, Beware! You are standing on a slippery slope with a beer in one hand and a crack pipe in the other. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Articles for addicts or those concerned: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2006/07/7265.ars">Betty Ford Clinic for Gamers</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/britains-first-gaming-rehab-opens">Britains first gaming rehab opens</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/15/rehab-center-for-video-game-addicts-opens-in-amsterdam/">Amsterdam Rehab Center</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie? </div><div style="text-align: left;">Its a slippery slope for certain. As much as I like video games and see the potential in our technological devices, and as much as I like laughing at the seriousness gamers maintain while playing 'games', I also recognize the symptoms of ZOmbification. However, GAmbies (Gamer ZOmbies) are not after <i>Braaainz</i>. Caution must be taken however, although GAmbies do not want to eat your <i>braaaainz</i>, they do want to play <i>videeeeeo gaaaames</i>. So, if you in anyway interrupt them, they are likely to crush your brain with the game controller; that is of course if their bodies have not atrophied and they can still get off the couch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4refBkr1mvuUQ63ZwRSLOajEvD988XjAouigPMmIWdvY9WdFCxpabSQ2mCjMXE8zUSrDocjY8SzFc-kQSfi8ma0CYF7Lw0nMqsoOOAw1aPOse1Kd3daAds4gVigD7FkH6rfj3fR-neW8/s1600/urkelzombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4refBkr1mvuUQ63ZwRSLOajEvD988XjAouigPMmIWdvY9WdFCxpabSQ2mCjMXE8zUSrDocjY8SzFc-kQSfi8ma0CYF7Lw0nMqsoOOAw1aPOse1Kd3daAds4gVigD7FkH6rfj3fR-neW8/s320/urkelzombie.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-12973101623241671452011-03-01T22:43:00.006-10:002011-03-01T23:09:49.962-10:00I Love Lamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L3Szqz_jlbfeNFXThDolAvi0sv2G9LQciVv0JeR7iF67QDIktjKG9-d3Ob9DgmoPgpnp_M9IgSqtAAc-UDeN9AbyMKdLcDNcSR7Zy4QIM4xENul4QuvFftIrvcgyDjU8wOLH0-gga_VL/s1600/medium_goat+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L3Szqz_jlbfeNFXThDolAvi0sv2G9LQciVv0JeR7iF67QDIktjKG9-d3Ob9DgmoPgpnp_M9IgSqtAAc-UDeN9AbyMKdLcDNcSR7Zy4QIM4xENul4QuvFftIrvcgyDjU8wOLH0-gga_VL/s400/medium_goat+boy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> "Goat Boy" played by Jim Breuer on SNL<br />
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Humans are fascinating animals. Yes, I am calling you an animal, Animal! Consider it a friendly reminder. Although, we are animals we maintain a significant strength far above the rest of the creatures in the animal kingdom, the ability to think deeply and live beyond the simple 'flight and fight' experience; we are not bound to basic instincts alone.<br />
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Homo-sapiens, with all of our mental capacity, still suffer from various 'program' glitches. Imagine that each of us is run by a computer aka the brain. Most of us appear to run smoothly, with slight re-tooling from time to time. Others have mainframe freeze-ups and require complete overhauls. And the rest fall somewhere in between with slow hard drives, defunct memory storage and unresponsive keys on the keyboard. Its simple if you think of it that way. Where am I going with this....I am not certain, but in short you are a computer and I hope your programs are working with integrity, otherwise you might be insane and not even know it.<br />
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So, the crux of this blog is to point out the insanity that is the human mind. Insert a mother's gasp here_____________. <br />
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Years back I saw a television commercial for Ikea, the Norwegian owned furniture/home accessory store. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/">Ikea</a>. If you are on a budget Ikea offers a lot of goods, just accept the fact that anything you purchase will last for a year or two only; even less if you accidentally add water. My apologies, I've gone off on a tangent.<br />
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Ikea created a commercial to manipulate the viewers' emotions and create business. Nothing new here. However, the commercial was an indicator of just how inept we are at using our minds to logically process information.<br />
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The commercial is captivating because it plays on our emotions and therefore renders our logic useless. Spock would not stand for this, although he would not be surprised that humans resonated with a discarded lamp. Completely illogical, although humanly predictable. If you don't know who Spock is, then "Go in Peace and Prosper" while you search the name on Google. <br />
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The "skinny": use technology to personify everything. Create an emotional story about anything unemotional and therefore captivate an audience. Add some humor, some music, an accent and an insult and your audience will remember the experience.<br />
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Ikea Lamp Commercial: To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie? If you use the techniques employed in the commercial to captivate an audience you are definitely not a ZOmbie. However, if you are in the audience you just may be a ZomBie. If you still are unsure where you sit, if you watched the commercial and then staggered off to buy a new lamp, then you are most certainly a ZomBie, ZOmbie!<br />
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None the less you are crazy because you're human! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6CPwOOK4nEM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Film: "Anchor Man"Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-22474539224467318682011-02-02T11:36:00.008-10:002011-02-02T16:02:46.625-10:00The Fun Theory<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thefuntheory.com/">The Fun Theory</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjFJ2NnsTLaDcY8THWkl6MN8ItQbDXdRSsFlZ6_m7iLkSWa02KQ4BINvJDUeX06kq7HlLJTDEsK9YTDN1dnIhbinD5X-FG9u9hBN8K_F9pAr101xDyFQKf_vjB8YAjuLQiHbuJ6gg_ySN/s1600/donkey-carrot.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjFJ2NnsTLaDcY8THWkl6MN8ItQbDXdRSsFlZ6_m7iLkSWa02KQ4BINvJDUeX06kq7HlLJTDEsK9YTDN1dnIhbinD5X-FG9u9hBN8K_F9pAr101xDyFQKf_vjB8YAjuLQiHbuJ6gg_ySN/s320/donkey-carrot.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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When I was a young boy I threw a small piece of rubbish out of the car window. As my father drove he saw from the corner of his eye and realized he had a teachable moment at hand. He explained that although the piece of rubbish, probably a small gum wrapper, was small, its presence on the ground could have a significant, negative impact on society. As a young boy, the trash I conveniently discarded from the car seemed absolutely insignificant. My father probably expected to see my expression of confusion and/or disbelief, so he connected my action to the billions of people living on the planet. "What if every person, rather than throwing trash in a garage can, simply threw their trash on the ground, even the small 'insignificant' pieces?" I was bright enough to understand the question and formulate an answer. I have a strong visual mind and creating a picture of people standing knee high in gum wrappers was easy to do. The teachable moment was successful. To this day I maintain a conscious effort to reduce my "footprint" on this magnificent planet and to spare mankind the frustration of pulling old, chewed gum from his or her shoes.<br />
Some people seem to have many more 'important' things on their minds as they live their day-to-day lives. We seem to live in a very busy, fast paced, multi-tasked world and some responsibilities tend to be neglected. I suppose a letter could be sent to each person, or mass media could be used to remind people of the responsibilities each has to him/herself, to his/her fellow man and to the planet. Although a possible option, it may take too long to convince people. So, in an effort to trick people into doing the 'right' thing, "The Fun Theory" was established. <br />
As a means to increase motivation, many creative people embarked on a technological and social scientific journey. The question at hand, What if people could be extrinsically motivated to positively act within society? The Fun Theorists created four models to test. The first creation was the "Piano Staircase", the second was the "Bottle Bank Arcade", the third was the "World's Deepest Bin" and the fourth was the "Speed Camera Lottery". Watch the videos and consider what motivates these people.<br />
Is it simply the 'fun' and entertaining design of the project; bells, whistles, bright lights and prizes? Is it that the design welcomes a social interaction with others that normally is overlooked at such locations? Does the design allow the participant(s) to 'escape' from reality, if just for a few minutes? As people participate do they see a mundane and/or annoying tasks as a new form of educational engagement?<br />
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http://www.thefuntheory.com/<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iynzHWwJXaA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zSiHjMU-MUo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cbEKAwCoCKw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2lXh2n0aPyw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The designs created by the Fun Theorists are certainly engaging for individuals and social groups. People laugh with and at each other as they become mesmerized by "new colors" on an "old hat". Certain individuals, appearing to be alone, exstatically completed tasks that previously were done without a second thought. The activities designed certainly entertained those participating and those viewing. Some participating completed a task over and over again as the 'bells and whistles' captivated their minds. To an extent, they probably were less concerned with the actual purpose of the activity and more engaged with the superficial elements. I, also, suppose some people 'escaped' from reality as they performed the functions required to engage in the experiment. I wonder if the 'piano stairs' hypnotized certain individuals enough that they forgot about time and as a result arrived late to their next destination? I also wonder if any participants were inspired to look into music classes or if some went home an dusted off their old instruments? I doubt any thought that they were getting some form of health benefit as they 'played' the stairs. Job well done, Fun Theorists. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> So the question is, To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie? Although some participants may have been captivated to the point of zoning out the outside world, they did not appear to clumsily swagger, angrily mumble or deathly stare into empty spaces. The participants seemed eager, joyous and full of life. Some even appeared deep in thought as they tried to figure out how the contraption at hand functioned. ZOmbies generally do not smile. Many do not even have jaws or teeth or tongues...or arms or esophagi.... ZomBies definitely do not think, since their brainzzzzz 'slushify' and slowly drip from their cranial orifices. Unfortunately, however, what is new will one day become old. This is a trigger for... <i>ZOmbification</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The traffic light was once a new, colorful contraption that mesmerized drivers and pedestrians. In our fast paced, entertainment, experience demanding driven society new tricks gather cobwebs almost as fast as they were created. The resulting problem: ZOmbies. Unless the Fun Theorists continue to adapt and redesign the activities, the people will become bored. They will begin to lose their smiles. They will begin to walk up the stairs and forget to listen to the music of each step; they may even become annoyed by the sounds and growl under their breadth. They will grow tired of bringing their bottles to the "Tokyo/Las Vegas" style recycling depository and simply throw their bottles in the rubbish can under their kitchen sink. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie? Unfortunately, its a slow progression towards ZomBification. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQK_bJOaQn9BdJBo5dsSTe80FZGa9_mlq-681qlxM6s2QUYPrSM-bsbfAOTNn4biYOwJ32B-qgJJtXKA8SiJY15tPsC0OP0iAEnPbBYtqoysvZS3YnhpMhKIenQL7U0UBaIdpgDUa_kBx/s1600/zombie-brains.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQK_bJOaQn9BdJBo5dsSTe80FZGa9_mlq-681qlxM6s2QUYPrSM-bsbfAOTNn4biYOwJ32B-qgJJtXKA8SiJY15tPsC0OP0iAEnPbBYtqoysvZS3YnhpMhKIenQL7U0UBaIdpgDUa_kBx/s320/zombie-brains.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-14253120189806007402011-02-02T11:06:00.009-10:002011-02-07T22:55:30.234-10:00Google Art Project "Virtual World Tour"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN_vWtmo6lN5qt_ln1xxIdkHbCDeW76j5uU_QrwJdITcBy4PijfFoYJ_v6vY-H-ixRDYJ8OyXO5Z_8z-whbxSlVeKSrsp6Y4WzYVRL716B-267ttKKTXs5d83WkLOE2j2nFZaOpxZtjLa/s1600/scream.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN_vWtmo6lN5qt_ln1xxIdkHbCDeW76j5uU_QrwJdITcBy4PijfFoYJ_v6vY-H-ixRDYJ8OyXO5Z_8z-whbxSlVeKSrsp6Y4WzYVRL716B-267ttKKTXs5d83WkLOE2j2nFZaOpxZtjLa/s400/scream.jpeg" width="325" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7sUcbZapB0Gu26BRUW0vxrjDQnzkplXM-gFdy2-YupdCEwi0E-3klqFF9UHKCtxJBQXi5Rj1lEULSxPhYNF0TOiMcovn7_9Y019DtzpG5BIe4J9vLVzVScq8ZA8357xvAAIcIemJeoUJ/s1600/monalisa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7sUcbZapB0Gu26BRUW0vxrjDQnzkplXM-gFdy2-YupdCEwi0E-3klqFF9UHKCtxJBQXi5Rj1lEULSxPhYNF0TOiMcovn7_9Y019DtzpG5BIe4J9vLVzVScq8ZA8357xvAAIcIemJeoUJ/s400/monalisa.jpeg" width="256" /></a><br />
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Google has created a virtual world tour of some of the most famous art museums on the planet. The interactive design is much like that of Google Earth; if you have yet to try Google Earth get on it. I'm currently using Google Earth to watch you as you read this fantastic blog. Anyway, cyber visitors are allowed to 'enter' numerous museums by the way of cyberspace. Use your 'mouse' to direct the tour as you walk in and out of various art galleries within the art museum of your choice. Get up close to each painting with a touch of a button. Go even further and click on the art work for a private screening. How many people actually visiting a museum have this opportunity? Oh, and one more important fact, its free! Check out the videos below for a 'lite' tour and introduction from Google.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GThNZH5Q1yY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYXdEUB0VgQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><a href="http://www.googleartproject.com/">Google </a><a href="http://www.googleartproject.com/">Art Project</a><br />
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As a visitor, I did not find the tour all that exhilarating. Yes, I enjoy art, but I found myself waiting for the echoes, smells and overall ambiance that is experienced as one walks through the different galleries of a tangible museum. Nothing to touch or possibly break. No marble floors to tap your feet on or large wooden railings to make your hands look small as you ascend to another level.<br />
Where were all of the other visitors, aka pseudo-intellectuals? This is a rhetorical question. I know the other cyber nerds were sitting at home viewing the gallery alone...like me. Simply, its fun to watch people take on art and decipher it in their own minds. Viewing art goes hand-in-hand with viewing viewers of art. Its like watching someone uncork a bottle of wine, smell the cork, swirl the wine in the glass and lightly sip to decide its value and the observer knowing full well that the taster has no idea what he is doing. Yes, the site does offer comment sections on artwork, but it is a basic design and its really low-interactive.<br />
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as Taste is in the taste-buds of the taster. Trust me, I have little knowledge of wine and art, but I know when I like one or the other and I definitely like checking both out. No social interaction, no esthetic pleasures, just silent galleries and you. Maybe its just an experience I need to get used to, but so far I prefer the real deal. Unfortunately, that will cost me a pretty penny considering I live in Hawaii and will need to pay quite a sum of money to fly around the world to make the Google Art project a physical reality.<br />
As a lover of art, but a lover in need of an education, I was pleased that links were available for each art piece, which transported the viewer to a 'study' room. This 'room' offers readings, videos and podcasts in addition to the art work. Well, as many museum visitors do, rather don't do, Google should definitely continue to offer podcasts that discuss each piece of art work; reading is overrated! By making the tour a bit more educational and stimulating, Google is inviting more people to attend and appreciate the tour.<br />
Google could definitely add some improvements. In addition to the eyes, stimulate another sense and keep the visitors engaged... if just for one more viewing. Why not add some stereotypical classical music? Or music that stems from the same time period? Or how about some really bad 'elevator tunes'; something is better than nothing. Or allow visitors to pick from a variety of music genres. Anything but the dreaded silence. This experience wasn't meant to be a quick search, find and leave experience.<br />
An added suggestion regarding social interaction; allow visitors to use 'Second Life' to interact with the Google Art Project and each other. <br />
"Hello, do you come here often?"<br />
"Why, yes, I do."<br />
"I'm Wayne and you are?"<br />
"I'm LaRhonda, but you can call me Frank".<br />
Whatever! Its more entertaining that staring at your computer screen by yourself. Hey, maybe "LeRhonda", I mean "Frank, will know something interesting about art or maybe he wont, but the experience just is definitely more memorable either way. <a href="http://secondlife.com/">SecondLife</a>, check it out.<br />
<a href="http://secondlife.com/"></a> Some go to museums to escape, to disappear into another realm, to imagine life in different times. I, too, have done this. However, the Google Art Project really is a quick distraction to my many other online distractions. So, when I need to avoid, neglect and escape from work, study, life, romance...life, I'll probably just jump on my iPhone and look at Facebook or throw some 'Angry Birds' at some deficient swine. Sorry Google...if I force myself to tour the Google Art project I'll bore myself into, you guessed it, a ZOmbie. More progress needed and until that occurs, more braaaaains, please!<br />
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http://www.googleartproject.com/Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333729523974646212.post-92114940174805292402011-01-18T21:13:00.004-10:002011-02-02T11:13:43.609-10:00Imaginarium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsYhkwty0i1ZF2vvItrHDcn2sF7jj1dUUkovWRItAgehSAvPivDlzaecq0HGkpPgOhI1jN1TgliepBMAO3y5cji7or4zB4zn7eqCgd-SB8JdcaqZmxC2r2bqjYuJXB-yOzmOEOYhSW5-u/s320/imaginarium.jpg" width="320" /></div> <a href="http://aerospace.wcc.hawaii.edu/imaginarium.html">Imagniarium</a><br />
Last Friday my girlfriend and I journeyed over the Pali to experience The Hokulani Imaginarium at the Windward Community College. On tap for the evening was "The Tales of Maya Skies", a story of the Mayan people's devotion to studying the heavens. As I entered the planetarium I realized I was going to have a learning experience in... <i>an informal environment</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnirqt-Q8_DDCSG4DLC42y9ohRuPw_ryWDS0OHMR9nMtEj5YezIT2xlvj3Vfnfm63UTg7dhRLFvFSQUpfWhkjnkfBDvAPc0MR8-gFDaXXLHYk6aIL0xMJ-tYPW972GKRJGGXoBpyHU3Os5/s1600/Maya+Skies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnirqt-Q8_DDCSG4DLC42y9ohRuPw_ryWDS0OHMR9nMtEj5YezIT2xlvj3Vfnfm63UTg7dhRLFvFSQUpfWhkjnkfBDvAPc0MR8-gFDaXXLHYk6aIL0xMJ-tYPW972GKRJGGXoBpyHU3Os5/s320/Maya+Skies.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div> As we reclined in our seats and gazed at the domed ceiling I was amazed at how such a place had evaded my my knowledge for so long; one more hidden treasure in paradise. The curator began to acclimate our eyes as she simulated the sun setting. Before we knew it the sun crossed the sky and set; night began its watch. The Hokulani Imagniarium can do many things with high tech. gadgetry and as if someone said, "abracadabra", we were transported into a world without light pollution. Our host ensured us that the amount of stars that twinkled down at us are always there, unfortunately, do to our the amount of light from Earth we no longer see them. Let me say, it was certainly a site to see. We viewed the stars for constellations, located the the Big Dipper and then identified the North star, which to my amazement never moves although everything around it does. We flipped and flopped The Milky Way Galaxy as if it were a banana pancake. How awe inspiring to learn that our very solar system is just a pinpoint in one of the many arms of the spiraling Milky Way. In and of itself, the Milky Way, one might say, resembles that of an octopus performing a cartwheel in front of a (circa 1982) Light Bright. All of this was just the curator showing off what "Hokulani" could do, and we hadn't even begun "Tales of the Maya Skies". </div><div> The film presentation began with the tale of two Mayan brothers; one who became the sun and one the moon, a battle of 'worlds' and the reincarnation of a lost father. From there, we journeyed to Central America to visit the ruins of the Mayan Empire, where the precision and mystifying accuracy of the Mayan calendar was discussed. For those doomsday seekers their was no reference to the sudden end date of the Mayan calendar; December 21, 2012. Through the entire experience, although safe and stationary, I felt as if I was flying through jungles, hovering over Mayan temples and speed racing through the galaxy. The Mayan story story seemed to take on new meaning as I was transported to various locations and saw images from out-of-reach vantage points. </div><div> As I participated in this fabulous, engaging learning experience I continuously thought about how....fabulous and engaging this would be for my former DOE students. I wondered how many schools actually knew of the Hokulani Imaginarium and of those, about how many have actually utilized this great, informal educational resource. The Hokulani Imaginarium offers a supplemental approach to formal education. For many of us, especially those outside of grades k-12 the Hokulani Imaginarium is a "gateway" for curious ambitions and an enriched desire to learn. </div><div> So after after visiting the Hokulani Imaginarium, the question at hand is, "To ZOmbie or Not to ZomBie?" Hokulani Imaginarium is captivating and jaw dropping and thus would be too much stimulus for a braaaain eating ZOmbie. In fact, the experience might even pump some life back into the rotted veins and arteries of one of the Walking Dead. Seated in the Imaginarium next to a ZomBie may actually be the safest place for you and your braaaain as the corpse's shell steers wildly at the planetarium mumbling in shock and awe. The answer, "Not To ZOmbie!"</div><div> http://aerospace.wcc.hawaii.edu/imaginarium.html</div>Sean Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109269763926099226noreply@blogger.com0