Month: January 2009

Posted on

NASA Facts…Cool who you meet!

Amazing who you meet….

So the other day I have the privilege to speak with someone who worked for NASA.  We talked about a lot, I attended Space Camp and love the idea of Space exploration.  Here are some cool facts…

  • The Space Shuttle can both take off and land unattended.  This would allow the use when inspection reveals some potential flaws which may cause an accident.  With that said, in order to save costs until a new space vehicle has been produced, may spend less time getting the shuttle cleaned up and simply launch it unmanned with the eventual destruction of the aging fleet.  The only problem with this…..the Smithsonian is supposed to get one 🙂
  • The American Flag on the Moon is plastic!  I guess it should be expected since there is 1/6 gravity on the Moon.  I used to think that since there was not any gravity and therefore by “molding” the flag, it would just stay that way.
  • The blast off of the lunar lander likely knocked the flag down.  This being said, the first person to commercially visit the moon will likely swipe the flag.
Posted on

Review: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans – Spoilers

WOW….Great Movie!

Let me start with that.  When you have seen Star Wars, and likely Star Trek FAIL at making prequels, you get a little skeptical.  I have to say I was pleasantly proven wrong!  The movie has the same characters as the others and at the very end……. leads right into the opening of the “first” Underworld movie.  Well done!

Victor is back as the head of the coven and does an excellent job in the movie.  Not sure it was the actor, but the part was great.  The love of a disobedient daughter to eventually having her executed following the protocol of the coven and leading the vampires.  This is definitely a hard task and he remains strong by following through with the execution.

I am not sure how long the movie was and even my partner was awake through the whole movie which is  a first.  So with that said, definitely a good movie to see.  

You learn about the start of the Lycans and that there are 2 breeds. One that can sustain human form and another that is in animal form all of the time.  It was also interesting to learn that they Lycans were created in order to protect the Vampires while they were sleeping during the daylight.

As with most prequels, there is no need to watch the other ones before seeing this movie.  Let me know what you think.  This is definitely the best movie I have seen this year.  Last week I saw “The Unborn.”  I won’t even waste time talking about that horrible movie.

Posted on

2000 miles and counting

Since mid April 2008 I have been riding my bicycle almost exclusively.  Besides a cold or vacation, I have ridden every day.  My motivation was 3 fold….

  1. Save time on way to work….. Georgetown University, in response to complaints by rich stay at home residents, changed the bus route from direct one to one that utilized major roadways and not a side street.  It did not seem logical to me, nor did I want to get up earlier.  It takes me less time to ride from my apt to work than the bus ride alone!
  2. Save money…. my part time job was in Friendship Heights immediately following my main job and it was necessary to take public transportation to make it in time.
  3. Save time on way to volunteer activities.  There are bike racks in the parking garage at the Air and Space Museum and one near the entrance of the National Zoo.  Again, saving metrofare.
  4. Vehicle for fun.  If I ever do get a chance, there are lots of beautiful trails to go on in the Greater Metro Area.  My partner got one as well.
  5. Exercise – More of a side effect, but certainly a benefit.
Posted on

Remote App for iPhone and iTouch!

Awesome!

That is all I have to say about the “Remote” app for the iPhone and iTouch from Apple.

What is does:

Allows you to connect via wireless to a computer on the same network that has iTunes installed.

How it works:

Once installed, you get a code on your portable device.  Go over to your iTunes library on your Mac or PC and under Devices, select your portable device.  If it is not there, I would restart iTunes and the app on your device.

Enter the code generated on your iPhone or iTouch on your computer and viola, you are linked and your portable device can now access your playlists.  I think you can get to the whole library, but besides searching, was only able to list by album or artist.

Some cool things:

  • You can control the volume of your speakers from the slider on your phone.  It looks as if you have the music on your phone with the familiar look of iTunes.
  • Works anywhere on the network.  Originally I thought that “remote” meant it worked as the optional remote controls did and needed to be in line of sight.  I was so wrong!  Full control of your iTunes library, can configure for more than one, from anywhere on the same network!
The Best and Worst v1.1 Proudly powered by WordPress
Translate