Joining the world of the Macs...

I have recently purchased a MacBook, mainly because I am supposed to be a liberal academic and liberal academics use Apples exclusively. I have been slowly getting used to using a Mac, made more difficult by the lack of a right mouse button. But, I like what it can do and feel that much more academic-y merely by my purchase of it. Now, if only it came with a PhD dissertation built in that I could use to get the Dr. in front of my name...

The NASA Space Shuttle - the Pinto of Space Travel

It has just been reported that the Space Shuttle Endeavour has landed safely, after lengthy debate about whether it would even be able to land after a small piece of its ever fragile heat shield broke off during the liftoff. Is it just me, or is this becoming such a regular event that we need a special correspondent on the news devoted to just Shuttle gossip? It would seem to me that if your reusable space vehicle is in such dangerous and sorry condition that a baby fart can knock off the protective cover, then it is probably time to start looking for a new space vehicle. Look at the Russians and their vehicle - a disposable meat and potatoes machine that has changed little since the sixties. Less cargo room to be sure, but cheaper launches, less headaches, less hand wringing, and more opportunities to call space travelers "cosmonauts." Yet again, another reason to bring back the Cold War...

Fever dreams influenced by the humidity...

"A smile is just a frown turned upside down, my friend!" Great song, but don't these people kinda freak you out in a Logan's Run coupled with The Omega Man kinda way?

Isn't this a dumb but catchy song? H-Bomb protection!

Where are they now? I would love to see a rock concert culminate with the ritualistic burning of a thousand plus My Buddy dolls, all while a Stooges-esque churning riff via Chrome propelled us into cathartic bliss!

I need some sleep and coolness...

Cool videos of eighties geekdom (that I enjoyed and participated in)

Back in 1980, my father ordered an Apple II+ from CAlifornia. We thought we were riding the wave of the future, with our black and white screen, BASIC programming language, and tape recorder drive that never really worked. Thinking about this time, I decided to go out and look for fun stuff about our old computer. Here is a video on the first years of Apple. Is it just me, or does Steve Wozniak look like Eric Martin? Here's another video of a person using an old Apple to make a neat music video - I knew BASIC but could never do anything like this! And who can forget this game? Or these? (Here's one for those who had a TRS-80 or an Atari 2600).

As for other geeky pursuits, remember Dungeons and Dragons? Yes, I was one of those who played the game, painted lead figures, and drew pictures of elves and wizards. However, I never got to the point of doing this (although, I'll admit that I probably would have tried it given the opportunity). I miss these innocent pursuits, and wish that I had some of a similar vein with which to spend my time. The band idea is still a possibility - if only I could find like minded folks who are interested in making a huge, feedback drenched racket!