Showing posts with label nerd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nerd. Show all posts
Sunday, May 13
Tuesday, November 22
JFK Death Day
I know very little about JFK and have done no additional research
Today is probably the 48th anniversary of what definitely is the day that John Fitzgerald Kennedy who was probably our 33rd President was shot in Dallas. Jackie O was definitely in the car which was a convertible. Either her dress was pink and the car was 50s blue or versa vice. Harvey Lee Oswald probably didnt act alone in the shooting of JFK.
Other than the shooting: JFK was sickly in some way. JFK was a babe magnet who didnt wear a hat to his innaugeration. The K family made their money in the depression by either selling oil or coal. JFK had an older brother who was being groomed to do all the stuff JFK did then the brother died in WW2. JFK asked what we could do for the country. JFK is on the Half Dollar Coin.
-jv
Very Amateur Historian
Any additional information can be found on JFK's Wikipedia Page
A Plus1Press Publication
Today is probably the 48th anniversary of what definitely is the day that John Fitzgerald Kennedy who was probably our 33rd President was shot in Dallas. Jackie O was definitely in the car which was a convertible. Either her dress was pink and the car was 50s blue or versa vice. Harvey Lee Oswald probably didnt act alone in the shooting of JFK.
Other than the shooting: JFK was sickly in some way. JFK was a babe magnet who didnt wear a hat to his innaugeration. The K family made their money in the depression by either selling oil or coal. JFK had an older brother who was being groomed to do all the stuff JFK did then the brother died in WW2. JFK asked what we could do for the country. JFK is on the Half Dollar Coin.
-jv
Very Amateur Historian
Any additional information can be found on JFK's Wikipedia Page
A Plus1Press Publication
Monday, November 14
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
If you've taken Psych 100 and this is old news to you, I apologize. Last week, some article made an off hand reference to the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator assessment. Being an Senser (more on that later), I did some research. It's basically an assessment that measures psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. And using a free online knock off version, I got results that kind of blew me away. Apparently it's the most widely used personality test in the world and I've been living under a rock.
Four days later, eight people were sitting around a kitchen table taking the test, sharing results and then reading the wikipedia page for each person's results. And we still haven't stopped talking about it.
So if you're interested, take the test here, and then you can go to wikipedia and put in your 4-letter results and get all sorts of information about it. And if you'd like to post your results in the comments, feel free. I've been speculating about everyone I know, and I'd love to know how my perception lines up with your results. So far only two people have had the same type.
Want more info? As an ESFJ (Provider), I'm happy to help. Read on!
The test is based on the idea of 4 pairs of dichotomies, or opposing psychological preferences, which makes for a possible 16 types. The terms have specific meanings to this test which may differ from their everyday usage.
1. extraversion/introversion (E/I)
People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: they tend to act, then reflect, then act further. Conversely, those who prefer introversion expend energy through action: they prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect again.
2. sensing/intuition (S/N)
Sensing and intuition are the information-gathering (perceiving) functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer sensing are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible and concrete: that is, information that can be understood by the five senses. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is more abstract or theoretical, that can be associated with other information (either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern)
3.thinking/feeling (T/F)
Thinking and feeling are the decision-making functions. Those who prefer thinking tend to decide things from a more detached standpoint, measuring the decision by what seems reasonable, logical, causal, consistent and matching a given set of rules. Those who prefer feeling tend to come to decisions by associating or empathizing with the situation, looking at it 'from the inside' and weighing the situation to achieve, on balance, the greatest harmony, consensus and fit, considering the needs of the people involved.
4. judgment/perception (J/P)
Judgment and perception reflect the implementation of the above preferences. Those who favor judgment prefer a planned or orderly way of life, like to have things settled and organized, feel more comfortable when decisions are made, and like to bring life under control as much as possible.Those who favor perception prefer a flexible and spontaneous way of life, and like to understand and adapt to the world rather than organize it.
Happy introspection!
-av, lover of tests.
A Plus1Press Publication
Four days later, eight people were sitting around a kitchen table taking the test, sharing results and then reading the wikipedia page for each person's results. And we still haven't stopped talking about it.
So if you're interested, take the test here, and then you can go to wikipedia and put in your 4-letter results and get all sorts of information about it. And if you'd like to post your results in the comments, feel free. I've been speculating about everyone I know, and I'd love to know how my perception lines up with your results. So far only two people have had the same type.
Want more info? As an ESFJ (Provider), I'm happy to help. Read on!
The test is based on the idea of 4 pairs of dichotomies, or opposing psychological preferences, which makes for a possible 16 types. The terms have specific meanings to this test which may differ from their everyday usage.
 |
| Some of these descriptions are a bit judge-y, which is off-base, but I thought it was somewhat helpful as a visual. |
1. extraversion/introversion (E/I)
People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: they tend to act, then reflect, then act further. Conversely, those who prefer introversion expend energy through action: they prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect again.
2. sensing/intuition (S/N)
Sensing and intuition are the information-gathering (perceiving) functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer sensing are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible and concrete: that is, information that can be understood by the five senses. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is more abstract or theoretical, that can be associated with other information (either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern)
3.thinking/feeling (T/F)
Thinking and feeling are the decision-making functions. Those who prefer thinking tend to decide things from a more detached standpoint, measuring the decision by what seems reasonable, logical, causal, consistent and matching a given set of rules. Those who prefer feeling tend to come to decisions by associating or empathizing with the situation, looking at it 'from the inside' and weighing the situation to achieve, on balance, the greatest harmony, consensus and fit, considering the needs of the people involved.
4. judgment/perception (J/P)
Judgment and perception reflect the implementation of the above preferences. Those who favor judgment prefer a planned or orderly way of life, like to have things settled and organized, feel more comfortable when decisions are made, and like to bring life under control as much as possible.Those who favor perception prefer a flexible and spontaneous way of life, and like to understand and adapt to the world rather than organize it.
Happy introspection!
-av, lover of tests.
A Plus1Press Publication
Tuesday, October 18
Cyclops Shark!
In other news
Imagine if they remade the X-Men with all the characters being Sea creatures. An octopus for Prof. X and definitely Cyclops Shark for Cyclops. Maybe a blue whale for beast and before he was a dolphin. Juggernaut could be a Hammerhead Shark. Jean Grey could be a jellyfish. Wolverine could be a Sting Ray.
-jv
imagination-run-wilder
A Plus1Press Publication
Friday, October 7
The Magicians on TV?!
Breaking news for all fans of Lev Grossman's "The Magicians," Fox has bought a one hour drama adaptation of the book series.
This is kind of cool, because the books are so dense you could easily get two seasons out of each book. But it's kind of weird because its on Fox...and I don't know, I just didn't see this coming. I've never even considered what the characters would look like if they were being played by actors. (Confession, when I picture most characters from books while reading, they are almost always drawings of people, not real people. Is that super weird? I think it's because of Great Illustrated Classics.)
Hopefully someone can reassure me that this will be totally sweet and they won't make everything lame, and Alice will be played by an awesome person and not a terrible 16 year old that makes me want to puke. Teenage characters should be played by actors 21 and up! Did you learn nothing from Dawson's Creek, makers of TV?
Also, what is Elliot's weird facial thing going to look like? It's always so weird when they mention it in the book, because the characters are so used to it they don't notice, but on TV it will always be there.
Basically, I'm nervous. I wish there were more details, but all I can tell you is the pilot is being written by the people who wrote X-Men: First Class and Thor, which we both pretty great, so that's reassuring.
Though this fan created t-shirt featuring the Beast is pretty sweet.
Do they wear uniforms at Brakebills? I'm sort of exited to see Brakebills.
-av
Adaptation unenthusiast
A Plus1Press Publication
This is kind of cool, because the books are so dense you could easily get two seasons out of each book. But it's kind of weird because its on Fox...and I don't know, I just didn't see this coming. I've never even considered what the characters would look like if they were being played by actors. (Confession, when I picture most characters from books while reading, they are almost always drawings of people, not real people. Is that super weird? I think it's because of Great Illustrated Classics.)
Hopefully someone can reassure me that this will be totally sweet and they won't make everything lame, and Alice will be played by an awesome person and not a terrible 16 year old that makes me want to puke. Teenage characters should be played by actors 21 and up! Did you learn nothing from Dawson's Creek, makers of TV?
Also, what is Elliot's weird facial thing going to look like? It's always so weird when they mention it in the book, because the characters are so used to it they don't notice, but on TV it will always be there.
Basically, I'm nervous. I wish there were more details, but all I can tell you is the pilot is being written by the people who wrote X-Men: First Class and Thor, which we both pretty great, so that's reassuring.
Though this fan created t-shirt featuring the Beast is pretty sweet.
Do they wear uniforms at Brakebills? I'm sort of exited to see Brakebills.
-av
Adaptation unenthusiast
A Plus1Press Publication
Saturday, October 1
MORTAL KOMBAT!
It was just announced that a new Mortal Kombat movie is going to be coming out in 2013. The new movie will be directed by the man who created Mortal Kombat Rebirth in 2010 which is an amazing re-imagining of the Mortal Kombat characters in a pseduo-Dark Knight world, its awesome.
There is a web series inspired by the short film called Mortal Kombat Legacy.
This will always be the best part of Mortal Kombat.
-jv
A Plus1Press Publication
There is a web series inspired by the short film called Mortal Kombat Legacy.
This will always be the best part of Mortal Kombat.
-jv
A Plus1Press Publication
Sunday, August 28
Darth Vader Gargoyle
On the North West tower of the Washington National Cathedral there is a Darth Vader Gargoyle. The Cathedral did get messed up by the DC Earthquake, Darth Vader made it out fine though.
-jv
A Plus1Press Publication
A Plus1Press Publication
Wednesday, August 3
Comic Con Lost Video.
Lost has been popping up in entertainment news quite a lot lately as the one year anniversary of the series finale just passed. This video was played at ComicCon and was supposedly (not really at all though) a deleted scene from the Season 1 Finale of Lost. If it had actually have been it would have totally ruined EVERYTHING. I haven't thought about Lost in a while. I think the end of the show had a lot more potential then it ended with but there were tons of GREAT episodes that I entertained myself with over the course of many hours in college/post college. The Lost page on facebook still updates their status pretty regularly if you need a fix.
Jillicious
A Plus1Press Publication
Jillicious
A Plus1Press Publication
Wednesday, June 29
Pottermore: more of what exactly?
By now you've probably heard about Pottermore, JK Rowling's latest project. It was shrouded in mystery and steeped in anticipation and now that we know what it is, we still don't really know what it is.
According to the site: "Pottermore is a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books."
According to JK herself:
But what does all the mean? Here's what we know:
-The site goes public in the fall, for now you can submit your e-mail address and wait
-UNLESS you get selected to be in the preview stage this summer
-Pottermore will have the only way to get official digital e-books and audio books of Harry Potter
-The books will release one at a time, will gaps between them
-Some content will be user generated, hopefully more stuff like the awesome curling paper in the above video
-Rowling will use the site to share more secrets of Harry Potter, like Dumbledore being gay, etc.
I submitted my e-mail address. You probably should too. And if anyone gets in the site this summer, TELL US!
There's also a twitter account that is spewing updates. Apparently the first three chapters are going into preview tomorrow. And on July 31st, aka Harry's birthday, they're will be an opportunity to win early access.
Also JK Rowling is the most powerful person in the world that she can get people jazzed up about three chapters from a book that came out 14 years ago.
-av
A Plus1Press Publication
According to the site: "Pottermore is a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books."
According to JK herself:
But what does all the mean? Here's what we know:
-The site goes public in the fall, for now you can submit your e-mail address and wait
-UNLESS you get selected to be in the preview stage this summer
-Pottermore will have the only way to get official digital e-books and audio books of Harry Potter
-The books will release one at a time, will gaps between them
-Some content will be user generated, hopefully more stuff like the awesome curling paper in the above video
-Rowling will use the site to share more secrets of Harry Potter, like Dumbledore being gay, etc.
I submitted my e-mail address. You probably should too. And if anyone gets in the site this summer, TELL US!
There's also a twitter account that is spewing updates. Apparently the first three chapters are going into preview tomorrow. And on July 31st, aka Harry's birthday, they're will be an opportunity to win early access.
Also JK Rowling is the most powerful person in the world that she can get people jazzed up about three chapters from a book that came out 14 years ago.
-av
A Plus1Press Publication
Sunday, June 19
I Won't Be Seeing Green Lantern
I like Ryan Reynolds. I think he is very funny in Waiting and Van Wilder. And I thought he was really cool in his tough sarcastic way in Blade: Trinity and Wolverine, and I think that the Deadpool movie will be really cool.
I do not think that Green Lantern looks good. I wanted it to, I wish it did, it does not. This morning I was looking for a new preview something that would show me anything to push me over the top to wanting to see it, because I was close, I like Ryan Reynolds.
Instead I found this trailer that makes the damn thing look even worse.
I'm sure Ryan Reynolds next movie will be great, Green Lantern looks pretty awful though.
-jv
A Plus1Press Publication
I do not think that Green Lantern looks good. I wanted it to, I wish it did, it does not. This morning I was looking for a new preview something that would show me anything to push me over the top to wanting to see it, because I was close, I like Ryan Reynolds.
Instead I found this trailer that makes the damn thing look even worse.
I'm sure Ryan Reynolds next movie will be great, Green Lantern looks pretty awful though.
-jv
A Plus1Press Publication
Monday, June 13
The Book of Mormon: Do you believe now?
This is not exactly news, I admit that. But the day after being awarded 7 Tonys, for the music, book, design, direction, acting and overall awesomeness of this show, seems as good a time as any to start taking this show seriously.
I'll admit, I've seen less than a handful of South Park episodes. It was on way too late at night when it started, so by the time I could have watched it, I'd missed so much I just never got started. But I was intrigued to find out that South Park creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker had written musical. Then a musical called "the Book of Mormon" and I was pretty much sold on the spot.
Mormons are almost as crazy to me as scientologists, but much more forthcoming with all the wacky beliefs, which makes them infinitely more interesting to me. So I've supported this musical at a concept level but have not actually taken action to see how it all turn out, other than skimming reviews.
Last night the Broadway community made it official, Book of Mormon is a great concept and a great show. Here's a performance by Tony nominated newcomer Andrew Rannells, that showcases the Mormon craziness and just plain great musicality of those South Park guys.
That song is awesome. So let's take action: listen to the soundtrack (1.99 for the whole thing!), read the synopsis, maybe even go see it (yeah right, not after the Tonys shoot the prices up), but let's become true believers in the Book of Mormon, the musical.
For a full write up of the Tony Awards, check this out.
-av
A Plus1Press Publication
I'll admit, I've seen less than a handful of South Park episodes. It was on way too late at night when it started, so by the time I could have watched it, I'd missed so much I just never got started. But I was intrigued to find out that South Park creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker had written musical. Then a musical called "the Book of Mormon" and I was pretty much sold on the spot.
Mormons are almost as crazy to me as scientologists, but much more forthcoming with all the wacky beliefs, which makes them infinitely more interesting to me. So I've supported this musical at a concept level but have not actually taken action to see how it all turn out, other than skimming reviews.
Last night the Broadway community made it official, Book of Mormon is a great concept and a great show. Here's a performance by Tony nominated newcomer Andrew Rannells, that showcases the Mormon craziness and just plain great musicality of those South Park guys.
That song is awesome. So let's take action: listen to the soundtrack (1.99 for the whole thing!), read the synopsis, maybe even go see it (yeah right, not after the Tonys shoot the prices up), but let's become true believers in the Book of Mormon, the musical.
For a full write up of the Tony Awards, check this out.
-av
A Plus1Press Publication
Tuesday, May 17
SCIENCE
Alright folks, It's time to get rid of your electric guitars and drum kits. The Future of Music is here.
So the other day I was watching The Sorcerer's Apprentice starring Nick Cage and although THAT is a story in an of itself, I want to focus on something cool I learned from seeing that movie:
SCIENCE IS MAGIC.
Now I had always been aware of this fact but it took seeing a scene in The Sorcerers Apprentice where the main non-Nick Cage character woos his sweetheart in a metal cage while Tesla Coils send serpent lightning arcing around the entire impossibly bohemian New York City underground lab space causing the sheer force of the vibrations generated by the currents of electricity to play the notes to a cheesy emo song to make me realize that science is truly magic as well. And that i watch too many Netflix.
The point is; Here's a video of some dude playing the Dr. Who Theme Song Using Tesla Coils, followed by a performance where he channels Zeus to rock our socks off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuV4fL4Yqvw
-Eroc Ramm
So the other day I was watching The Sorcerer's Apprentice starring Nick Cage and although THAT is a story in an of itself, I want to focus on something cool I learned from seeing that movie:
SCIENCE IS MAGIC.
Now I had always been aware of this fact but it took seeing a scene in The Sorcerers Apprentice where the main non-Nick Cage character woos his sweetheart in a metal cage while Tesla Coils send serpent lightning arcing around the entire impossibly bohemian New York City underground lab space causing the sheer force of the vibrations generated by the currents of electricity to play the notes to a cheesy emo song to make me realize that science is truly magic as well. And that i watch too many Netflix.
The point is; Here's a video of some dude playing the Dr. Who Theme Song Using Tesla Coils, followed by a performance where he channels Zeus to rock our socks off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuV4fL4Yqvw
-Eroc Ramm
Pendulum Dance: Cinderella's Ball
Natural Science Lecture Demonstration team, basically a group that makes awesome show and tell things for Harvard, made this amazing pendulum device that from the side angel looks like a huge dance scene. I can totally see people doing this dance. In fact I'll keep a eye out for a version with people.
For now feast you eyes on this. The sequence starts at :27 and lasts exactly 60 seconds, you can see it begin again at 1:27. Amazing.
-av
A Plus1Press Publication
For now feast you eyes on this. The sequence starts at :27 and lasts exactly 60 seconds, you can see it begin again at 1:27. Amazing.
-av
A Plus1Press Publication
Tuesday, May 10
Great Television
I love television and I've been a fan since Sesame street and Barney. But as times have changed so has my taste for quality television. I follow this podcast called The Nerdist which stars stand up comedian Chris Hardwick and his two friends, Matt and Jonah, as they discuss nerd society and all things related to that. They have had great guests in the past (Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Colin Hanks, Kevin Smith, Jimmy Fallon, etc.) but I bring it up because of episode # 85 starring Damon Lindelof. Damon Lindelof, for those not in the know, executive produced Lost and wrote the Star Trek movie. The conversation that takes place is great for any of us who have wondered what the fate of television is going to be in regards to the new Kevin Spacey series on Netflix and google tv being launched and what our society has become in regards to ingesting entertainment. Also if your a fan of Lost it is great for that too. This podcast is amazing and free, check it out.
- sf
A Plus1Press Publication
- sf
A Plus1Press Publication
Friday, April 29
Goldeneye Spawn Patterns: Facility
Facility was the second level I learned the spawn pattern to. Like before the top of the picture is the hunter and the bottom is the hunted.
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
-jv
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
-jv
Monday, April 25
Geek Rappers
As fans of music, television, comedy, and general 'geekiness' I feel that all of our palettes are broad enough that I can put this out there for all to love. I have assembled a few artists that if you don't know, then you should.
Donald Glover (member of derrick comedy and cast member of the show community) has a rapping alias known as Childish Gambino. If I could oversimplify his style and flow is to simply say that he makes songs using indie beats (adele and sleigh bells to name 2 off of the top of my head) to make amazing songs. Check out his new single off of his latest EP called Freaks and Geeks.
[its not the official music video b/c I wasn't able to embed the video file :-(]
The next one on my list who fits into this new category is Nyle. I have been a fan of this guy for a few years ever since I heard his remake of Lil Wayne's Let the Beat Build. Born in Philadelphia and schooled at NYU this guy is paying his dues on the underground for notoriety and respect and he has the chops to back it up. He has a couple of mixtapes available for free at his website and I suggest that if you like any of the following songs you should definitely download his mix tapes.
(As an incredible side note; the above video was shot entirely in 1 take by 1 camera man and the audio was recorded live. Amazing.)
The last rapper/hip-hopper I'll mention is a man by the name of Reggie Watts. To simply put it; awesome! He is literally a 1 man band with only a weird voice-distorter-machine-thingy and his own vocal chords and this guy is starting to get some real notice as of late. He has been a fairly regular act on Conan since he has switched to TBS but if you haven't seen him before check out this performance from the Conan O'Brien show and his uber famous single "Fuck Shit Stack" below.
Conclusion
I believe that the above artists are at the forefront of the next generation of hip-hop, R&B, rap and as well as comedy. Childish Gambino has some of the freshest beats I have heard in a while and the fact that the beats are all sampled from Indie bands is pretty amazing; plus his lyrics are incredibly fun/filthy which is a lovely reminder of B.I.G. Nyle is a smart young man trying to find his own voice in hip-hop and at the same time, I believe, he is helping others in the rap arena realize that they don't have to impersonate another mainstream voice in order to sound dope as all hell. Plus his lyrics are incredibly refreshing in a rap community mired in the dissolution that bigger cars and more chris brown-esque acts is what hip-hop needs. Reggie Watts is simply incredible and so fun to watch perform and the fact that he hasn't been scooped up by a Kanye West or even Andre 3000 to help make original and amazing beats is beyond me.
Peace & Love,
- sf
Donald Glover (member of derrick comedy and cast member of the show community) has a rapping alias known as Childish Gambino. If I could oversimplify his style and flow is to simply say that he makes songs using indie beats (adele and sleigh bells to name 2 off of the top of my head) to make amazing songs. Check out his new single off of his latest EP called Freaks and Geeks.
[its not the official music video b/c I wasn't able to embed the video file :-(]
The next one on my list who fits into this new category is Nyle. I have been a fan of this guy for a few years ever since I heard his remake of Lil Wayne's Let the Beat Build. Born in Philadelphia and schooled at NYU this guy is paying his dues on the underground for notoriety and respect and he has the chops to back it up. He has a couple of mixtapes available for free at his website and I suggest that if you like any of the following songs you should definitely download his mix tapes.
(As an incredible side note; the above video was shot entirely in 1 take by 1 camera man and the audio was recorded live. Amazing.)
The last rapper/hip-hopper I'll mention is a man by the name of Reggie Watts. To simply put it; awesome! He is literally a 1 man band with only a weird voice-distorter-machine-thingy and his own vocal chords and this guy is starting to get some real notice as of late. He has been a fairly regular act on Conan since he has switched to TBS but if you haven't seen him before check out this performance from the Conan O'Brien show and his uber famous single "Fuck Shit Stack" below.
Conclusion
I believe that the above artists are at the forefront of the next generation of hip-hop, R&B, rap and as well as comedy. Childish Gambino has some of the freshest beats I have heard in a while and the fact that the beats are all sampled from Indie bands is pretty amazing; plus his lyrics are incredibly fun/filthy which is a lovely reminder of B.I.G. Nyle is a smart young man trying to find his own voice in hip-hop and at the same time, I believe, he is helping others in the rap arena realize that they don't have to impersonate another mainstream voice in order to sound dope as all hell. Plus his lyrics are incredibly refreshing in a rap community mired in the dissolution that bigger cars and more chris brown-esque acts is what hip-hop needs. Reggie Watts is simply incredible and so fun to watch perform and the fact that he hasn't been scooped up by a Kanye West or even Andre 3000 to help make original and amazing beats is beyond me.
Peace & Love,
- sf
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