The Animation Podcast

The Animation Podcast



Great animation podcast of interviews w/ big names in animation.

Junky Car Club

Junky Car Club - Living with Less So We Can Give More

Check it out and support how you can.

The Human Engine Waits

Check out Andy Melvin's new CD...





His music is always impressive and solid all around. Great work!

MAKE: Blog: Open source hardware gift guide

MAKE: Blog: Open source hardware gift guide

Fun! If anyone gets and builds the 3D printer, please print me a 3D printer.

How To Read a Film

How To Read a Film

Not a movie, but a good book (and it's free online).

24: The Unaired 1994 Pilot - CollegeHumor video

24: The Unaired 1994 Pilot - CollegeHumor video

Since we probably won't have a 24 season this coming season, this video does well to substitute.

"He has complete control of our Geocities page!"

"Buy the Book" - the failing of "Sixteen Candles"

"Sixteen Candles" probably the most classic 80's movie there is to date.

The power and potency of this film can not be surmised or summarized. There's no "Cliff Notes" like some Shakespearean play. There's no "Sixteen Candles for Dummies." Oh, that there were. But a thousand volumes of such works could only further the mystery. Like JFK, the moon landing and Velveeta - we can never really know the full revelation of truth behind it.



The reader's representation in the film, Long Duk Dong, played by Gedde Watanabe, couldn't be a better "exchange student" for us within the film itself. Allowing the viewer to be ingrained in the file. He invites us to literally imbibe the film, to steep ourselves in it's richness, to drink it down to the very dregs to the point where no more physical pleasure can be desired as is uttered "No more yanky my wanky."

Flat? My goodness no.

The journey is as multi-faceted as any jewel yet discovered: the passage to manhood, the coming of age, the forgotten birthday, a Porsche - it's all there. One is tempted to pre-date this film before "Citizen Kane."

The culmination of the film's primary arch is more symbolic than anything. Two young soon-to-be adults. A cake. Candles (fire). A kiss above the "fire." Sitting on the table. An where did the cake come from? Was this planned all along? Who suggested sitting on the table? Is this something only the rich kids do? Can this be safe?

The lights above, the lights below, the lights within.



The imagery and metaphors flow like so many lost years in high school. I have to wonder if the entire film was made only to be able to film this scene. This one defining scene that leaves us believing all things are possible. The Geek can get the girl, the forgotten birthday will be restored, I too can sit on the table, candles lit!

Yet for all it's truth and glory, there is the one failing of "Sixteen Candles" - the attempt to ingrain the world with the delightful saying "buy the book." Oh, how I wish I could buy the book. Yet, neither was the book realized nor the dream of a new phrase for teens and adults alike. To use the Donger's explanation: "Lake, big lake."

Though even it's failing, "Sixteen Candles" proves to us that even the very best may fall short. And in that we learn the core lesson: it's ok to not grasp that star - the beauty was in striving to grab it with both hands and wring it for the life blood it has.

One has to wonder though, if the lesson was in foresight, if reaching for all and falling short means we are human and we are taught that by Molly, et. al., then perhaps this faux-paux is simply a cleverly disguised high-five to all of us dreamers. How many layers does this onion have? I can only strive to know. "Buy the book" indeed.



So dream on, lively dreamers. Grasp that rascally star and grasp firmly for this comet flies fleet of foot. Yet, weary be the selection of such towage - thine star yet may be fallen of Jud Nelson. Despite all, take refuge fellow traveler in the immortal and sagely words of our representative head: "The Donger need food."

Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

Very fun - lots to watch!

The Rightnow Campaign

The Rightnow Campaign



The Rightnot Campaign is a movement of 20 and 30-somethings who are passionate about serving Jesus Christ. We recognize the simple, yet profound truth that Jesus Christ alone is the hope for our world. Rightnow does whatever it takes to get our generation to put their specific passions, skills and desires in action for Christ.

Musicovery : interactive webRadio

Musicovery : interactive webRadio

Pick your music by the 'mood chart.' There is an 'energetic-calm' Y axis and a 'dark-positive' X axis. Click anywhere on the chart and enjoy!

Booples.com has a new affiliation program

Booples.com has a affiliation/referral program. It's SO easy! Go here and get the code from the text boxes, put it in your website or blog and that's it! You're in business!

It's great for Christian "work at home moms" or church fund raising or raising support for a mission trip. It's free and easy and could make me some money, so...

I have mine below so that's what they look like.

The videos are great. They're Dove Foundation approved, Parents Television Council approved (click on the seal images below for the reviews) and the stories and songs are great!

Christian Volunteer Directory: Matching Volunteers with Urban Ministries, Short Term Missions Trips, Community Service & Virtual Online Volunteering O

Christian Volunteer Directory: Matching Volunteers with Urban Ministries, Short Term Missions Trips, Community Service & Virtual Online Volunteering Opportunities: ChristianVolunteering.org: "ChristianVolunteering.org matches volunteers to volunteer opportunities similar to how job sites like Monster.com work, but for volunteering."

Boom: X-Wing Rocket Launches, Disintegrates Mid-Air - Gizmodo

Boom: X-Wing Rocket Launches, Disintegrates Mid-Air - Gizmodo: "The first is: absolutely amazing. And the second: poor Porkins."

The stuff dreams are made off.

Booples Bible Verse Songs CD!

The Booples Bible Verse Songs CD has been released!



The Booples songs CD includes all the Booples songs from the first 2 DVDs each containing a Bible verse in the song...

* "Not Curly, But Straight"- Proverbs 3:5-6
* "Love One Another" - John 13:34-35
* "Treasure In Heaven" - Matthew 6:20-21
* "Forgive Each Other" - Ephesians 4:32
* "Don't Want to go to Tarshish" - Luke 11:28
* "David Rocked Goliath" - 1 Corinthians 1:25
* "For All to See" - Psalm 33:4
* BONUS TRACK: "Look Around" - John 1:12 - Not Previously Released!


Also available for download at CDBaby.com and iTunes.

Booples named #6 on About.com's "Top 10 Christian DVD and Video Series for Children"

American Rhetoric: Mr. Rogers - Testimony Before the U.S. Senate on Funding for PBS

American Rhetoric: Mr. Rogers - Testimony Before the U.S. Senate on Funding for PBS

There's really not much that can be said about this - it speaks for itself.

Read more about Mr. Rogers here.

LOT OF POKEMON CARDS THAT MY KIDS TRIED TO SNEAK BY ME - (eBay item 130144061675 end time Aug-22-07 12:03:50 PDT)

LOT OF POKEMON CARDS THAT MY KIDS TRIED TO SNEAK BY ME - (eBay item 130144061675 end time Aug-22-07 12:03:50 PDT): "One of them is shiny. There are a few creature-like things on many of them."

devizen � Archive � Programming Can Ruin Your Life

devizen � Archive � Programming Can Ruin Your Life

I now feel like I'm not alone... someone understands me... others are like me... but I'm still going crazy. :)

How to Turn Cheap “Choice” Steaks into Gucci “Prime” Steaks | Jaden's Steamy Kitchen

How to Turn Cheap “Choice” Steaks into Gucci “Prime” Steaks | Jaden's Steamy Kitchen: "If you are a meat-lover, I hope that the title of this post luscious photo is enticing enough for you to read though the entire article. Because I promise you that it’s worth it."

Full Original Post

Your Unique Design

Welcome to Your Unique Design: "YOU are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14) Just imagine how effective you would be if you could discover your one-of-a-kind design authored by God!

Wouldn’t it be awesome if every person could learn to employ their unique design in service to Him and to others?"

My wife and I went thru this "course" this weekend led by some friends of ours. I have to say it's by far the best "personality profile" type course I've taken. Maybe b/c it's from a Christian perspective and goal or maybe it's just better (or maybe b/c I'm different).

I got a lot out of it about myself, how I'm designed, what things energize/distress me (and how to see signs of that), to see the same things in others to better communicate, understand and minister. Also, it sd help me do better at the same things w/ family, friends, work, ministry, play, etc. and how to better choose things like that that fit better w/ my design.

The test results give you a lot of information about your design and going thru the course really solidifies the material.

I recommend few things, but I recommend this for anyone.

"Booples 2: Yikity Blar" children's Bible song DVD Released!!!

The second Booples DVD: "Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" has been released!!!

You can view clips at Booples.com.



The Booples site has be redesigned as well as the clothing and other merchandise.

"Yikity Blar!" is also available to buy at Booples.com. There's even a combo deal of the 2 DVDs.

"Booples 2: Yikity Blar!" contains...

* "Forgive Each Other" (Ephesians 4:32)
* "Jonah and the Tarshish Fish" (Luke 11:28)
* "David Rocked Goliath" (1 Corinthians 1:25)
* "God is Faithful" (Psalm 33:4)
* Plus all 4 song videos from the episodes!
* And a Booples! short: "Fruit of the Spirit"


Each episode uses a Bible verse to teach a lesson from God's word to the Booples and the viewer. The episode's song includes the verse to help apply the message. The songs are catchy and help children remember the lesson and recall the verse!

The DVD also includes the song portion of each episode as separate titles!

Approximate runtime: 45 mins

Closed Caption and English Subtitles

Check it out here!

Simpsonize Me

Simpsonize Me

Create an image of your self as a Simpson!

Here's me...

Booples - "God is Faithful"

Hi!

Another Booples video is posted at Booples.com - "God is Faithful"

In the story, Doodle Boople wonders where rainbows come from and what they mean. Bah explains they are God's promise to not flood the earth again and that God is always faithful to His promises:

Psalm 33:4

"For the word of the LORD is right and true;
He is faithful in all He does."

Check it out here and send any thoughts you have (comment below or here)!

Cholesterol: From 310 to 123!

All from diet and exercise over 2.5 years and 45 pounds lost. I hadn't had my cholesterol tested in a while (it was like 208 last year) so I can't really say it took me that long???

There's a lot of specifics and some generals, but here's what I've done (I'll try to put a summary at the bottom if you want to skip to that now)...

You can read previous posts to see some details of different things I've tried and why here - The Maker's Diet post and here - various foods and supplements I've tried.

But my current program is...

Exercise

I ride my recumbent exercise bike 1 hour basically every day. I watch movies while watching which makes it not only feel quicker, but quite enjoyable. I have a heart rate monitor (see trifuel.com for some good articles on heart rate) which I use occasionally.

I use a timer and normally ride for 4 mins and then put my feet on the ground, lean forward and "pedal" w/ my hands (using gloves) to vary my workout.

I worked up in the first couple months to the hardest resistance which on my bike is "8" though there's no measurement for that. I go 13 miles an hour, but I don't think that's accurate b/c I recent rode a road bike for an hour and went 18 miles.

Bottom line: exercise bike - 1 hour/day.

Diet

Eat healthy and as organic as reasonably possible.

Breakfast

---

4/5 days a week I have a...

• bowl of granola with
  
• raisins (and/or other dried fruit)
  
• walnuts
  
• local honey
  
• plain organic (sometimes homemade) kefir or yogurt
  
• blueberries
  
• bananas
  
• optional: strawberries, other fruit, nuts, etc.
  

Some other days I have Kashi oatmeal b/c it's good, organic and tends to have more fiber (soluble and insoluble) than most brands. I put a lot of the same stuff in that. The other days I have whatever.

I have my "vitamin cocktail" w/ it: (light) concord grape juice, liquid vitamins and super greens (this is a good one, but I try various ones).

Supplements

• Cinnamon Bark - 500 mg/day
  
• Fish oil - 1000 mg fish oil, 500 mg Omega-3 / day
  
• niacin - 1000 mg/day
  

Snacks

• (homemade) granola bars
  
• DARK chocolate - like 1/7th of a bar per day (2 squares of the Panther bars)
  
• Various Kashi cereals (handful or 2)
  
• fruit and such as needed
  

Drinks

Water: I try to drink at least a 1/2 gallon while at work and some more at home in the morning and at night.

Red Wine: A small glass every night.

Concord grape juice: A small glass in the morning (see "vitamin cocktail" in breakfast above)

Lunch and Dinner

I try to eat at the local "health food store" most lunches or bring my lunch from home. The store here has an organic salad bar which is great. BTW, that's also where I try to buy most of my supplements: The Cupboard.

I get it buy the pound so that motivates me to only get what I want to pay for. :) Usually about 1/2 a pound or so.

My wife usually cooks dinner and cooks good, healthy, light, organic, tasty food. I have that for dinner and often for lunch at work.

I often have another bowl of granola (see breakfast above) for a snack later at night if I get hungry.

Splurge

I splurge a lot. Probably every other day or so I'll get pizza, a burger w/ fries (not fast food), donuts, etc. Pretty much whatever I want a couple times per week.

I'm motivated to eat well and not throw away the exercise on just any treat ("Is this treat worth 45 mins on the bike?"). Also, I try to remember that I never regret making the healthier choices.

Soft drinks are pretty deadly. Diet soft drinks are basically cleaning fluid in my mind.

Summary

• Breakfast: oatmeal high in soluble fiber or granola w/ dried fruit, nuts, blueberries, etc. and kefir/yogurt.
  
• Lunch/Dinner: good, healthy meals (most reasonable people know what "healthy" means and if you're trying to eat that way, you'll find out) and reasonable portions
  
• Good vitamins and super greens
  
• Small glasses of concord grape juice and red wine each day.
  
• Cinnamon, fish oil and niacin supplements
  
• granola bars, healthy cereal, DARK chocolate and fruit for snacks
  
• WATER!!!
  
• EXERCISE!!!
  

'The Simpsons Movie' Hometown Premiere Contest - USATODAY.com

'The Simpsons Movie' Hometown Premiere Contest - USATODAY.com

It's finally official - Springfield is in Vermont!

Booples - "David Rocked Goliath"

There's a new Booples video just completed: "David Rocked Goliath"



Tootle wants to be a super hero so she can be used by God. Poodle and Doodle explain that God can use anyone and often does things in ways you wouldn't expect like send a baby (Jesus) to save the world and defeat a giant with a shepard boy (David).

The verse for this episode is 1 Corinthians 1:25:
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

So we can all remember when we're feeling too small for God to use that "David Rocked Goliath".

See the song video and episode preview at TheBooples.com

The video should soon be available for purchase to download from SermonSpice.com

And on DVD in the next few months!!!

Locate A Kwik-E-Mart

For the Simpson's Movie, they are converting some 7/11's to Kwik-E-Marts!

They're suppose to have some Simpson's products in there too like Squishees, Krusty-O's and Buzz Cola.

Locate A Kwik-E-Mart

Woot : USB Missile Launcher

Woot : USB Missile Launcher

A review and video here



There's also a fancier model here - another video - this video shows the software a little.

Someone's losing a lot of money... I mean the company.

Super cool interactive picture

Super cool interactive picture

Grand Illusions - Optical Illusions - Dragon Illusion

Grand Illusions - Optical Illusions - Dragon Illusion

Very cool illusion of eyes (and head) that follow you.

Friends of the Five Day Weekend - www.fivedayweekend.org

Friends of the Five Day Weekend - www.fivedayweekend.org



Why stop at 5? Computers!!! Or at least...

Vote Yes for Trees!

Vote Yes for Trees!: "One trick for figuring out whether you're looking at a tree or a bird is to try climbing it"



Did you know?
The word "tree" comes from the Mayan word meaning "to sauté and serve with a side of rice or hushpuppies."

The Ex 5-piece Knife Set with Unique Holder : Kitchen & Dining

No affiliation to Overstock... or your ex's.

Overstock.com: The Ex 5-piece Knife Set with Unique Holder : Kitchen & Dining

Foxit Software

Foxit Software

Adobe PDF reader replacement - small and fast.

Mozy Online Backup: Free. Automatic. Secure.

Mozy Online Backup: Free. Automatic. Secure.

2GB of Free automated backup of data to online.

I'm just checking it out now. If it's particularly good or bad, I'll update this entry.

Source code searching

Looking for Java source code? Know the problem has been solved before?

Check out http://www.allthecode.com/