Lunamania

Sometimes the gear weenie in me wishes I were a 15 year old who had no responsibilities, lightning reflexes, encless access to tasty snacks and all the time in the world. What would I do with that kind of lifestyle? Obviously, play video games.

I missed the full on Play Station, Xbox, Nintendo Cube bandwagon. My quality gaming time ended with Super Mario Brothers III, picked up again with Mine Sweeper -- but that was purely a procrastination thing. While I do own a PS2 (Japanese version), I've never been able to devote the time it really deserves. I'm lame.

As fellow geeks and devoted readers of Circuits know, Sony and Nintendo just released their next generation game systems. I've been "casually" following the reviews. I recently stopped by a store to see demo versions and stood in front of the monitor with my mouth open for 20 minutes as I tried to take in all the incredible visuals in the Play Station 3 demo. I won't even try to describe it, just go see. Check out the demo of the Genji game, it's beautiful--although kinda repetitive looking in terms of game play. All that said, based on my non-hardcore status and budget, my vote goes to the Nintendo Wii.

ok, ok, I'll stop going on and on about this and get on with posting pictures from Thanksgiving weekend. They will be up soon.

Posted by at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jukari, Elaine and I used to play this strange game Janagino founded and titled, Qui es mas macho? For those of you not fluent in mangled Spanish/French/English that would loosely translate to, Who is more macho?

I recall many occasions where one of us would exlaim, "Qui es mas macho?! Tom Cruise or Katie Holmes?" or something along those lines.

George W or Condoleeza Rice? Condi.
Martha or Oprah...close call, but I'd have to say Oprah.

There are no written, imaginary, or rational rules to this game. (This really is leading to a Wednesday music selection.) See, it isn't about machismo in the common vernacular. In this game, macho isn't all about toughness, but it is. It isn't really about butchness. It's not about just who would win in a smackdown, but that's close. You see, it's about....macho. Somehow it made sense and brought hours of endless entertainment.

With Jay-Z's comeback from non-retirement, one must ask the inevitable...Qui es mas macho?! Jay-Z or Beyonce?
If you had to go with external image, hit making history and objective markers of success, I'd have to say Jay-Z. Unfortunately, one can correctly argue that macho-ness is not defined by platinum albums, CEO status or the number of chincilla coats. The intro horns in this Wednesday's track are like the macho anthem. Since Crazy in Love was written by Beyonce, I think she is mas macho. Let the debate begin.

Posted by at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Al-b said of last week's song pick, "I like the song where she tells me to go try that new ice cream flavor."
Which got me thinking about other food related songs and bands. That led me to Naoko Yamano of Shonen Knife who says, "Sweets make me happy, and I like to eat, so I write songs about food."
Their discography include choice titles such as "Fish Parade" and "Cookie Day"
Lyrics from the latter--
"I suddenly wanted to eat some cookies and dip them in milk. I wanna go to the cookie shop. cookie day, cookie day, its a beautiful day..."

How cheery, but that's not the track I'm posting. I'm difficult like that. Here's a Shonen Knife cover of that Carpenter's chirpy classic "Top of the World." I think it's one of the best covers ever. Check it out here.

Posted by at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I sometimes get requests for tech support or gear recommendations. No one has asked recently, but here are some unsolicited recommendations for useful free services that facilitate online connectivity.
First, there are too many instant messaging platforms. Before my weenie friend from high school hipped my to Meebo, I used Trillian as the common interface for IM accounts, but they don't support google talk unless you pay $25 and I'm too cheap to front for the pro version. Click image below for FREE integrated yahoo, google, icq and msm IM

My lone wishlist item for meebo is skype compatibility.

Second, on a skype related note, I'm eagerly awaiting the v.1 release of EQO this is an awesome (and for now free) program that allows skype users to skype via cellphone without a wi-fi connection. In a nutshell, free international calls. It also allows mobile IM with yahoo, google, ICQ, AOL and MSM. The current iteration is definitely a beta version, but it's functional and if the v.1 works out some kinks, even my cheap self may actually PAY for this program. It's that good.

No, I don't get paid to plug these products, but wish I did.

Posted by at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beginning this week, as my small contribution to those of us struggling to get over hump Wednesday (hang in there Al-b), I will post a tune each Wednesday.

Faithful readers, I mean reader, of Lunamania knows I occassionally share music in a post. If you look at the left sidebar of this cluttered blog and click on "tunes" you will see all past featured tunes. Some might say posting free music is a crass bribe to get my friends to read this. Others may call it a copyright violation...I will be deleting tracks as I go along.

I would like to say each song is the product of hours of digging through dusty record bins, or that I braved nasty computer viruses and offers of free porn in order to download a rare track from an obscure file sharing site, but I'd be lying. My musical tastes are pretty mundane. But I do choose things that I want to share with others. Even if that's only so others can share my misery at having Bert and Ernie stuck in my head. Unless it brings tears to my eyes (shout out to Elaine), I will not oblige specific track requests--I think that takes me into gray filesharnig territory, but do encourage thematic suggestions such as...post a song that make me want to run to a norebang (nod to MJ.)

In looking at past posts, I was surprised that I hadn't shared anything by Bebel Gilberto. Over the last 4 years or so, she is probably the most regular artist in rotation on my iPod. Denying me my Bebel could result in acts of violence (hi, Bob.) Listening to her music kind of puts me in a trance. It's very strange. Anyway, this week's track is her Jabuticaba. Some may hate since this is one of the songs she sings in English, but it's what I've been enjoying this week.

Posted by at 12:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Thank you, Catherine for this gem.

Posted by at 9:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Did some poll monitoring today. Glad I did. Even though I can't write in full sentences. Woke up before sunrise. Maybe that's why there are no full sentences. First woman speaker of the house. Buh-bye Rick Santorum. Not exactly related to this topic. But elections related. San Francisco and Berkeley need to stop with the fucking resolutions to impeach George Bush. Just confirms the kookiness of the Bay Area. So stop wasting money and take action on issues in your jurisdiction.

Was poll monitoring for language rights violations. Some choice responses from poll inspectors who were asked, "What would you do if a limited-English proficient voter needed assistance?"
1. "I'd be up shit creek."
Me: No really, what would you do?
Inspector: I'd be up shit creek.
Me: I see, what did the poll worker manual and poll worker training actually instruct you to do?
Inspector: I'd be up shit creek.

2. "First, I would look them in the eye. I would really try to connect with them. I mean truly understand them as a human. Then I would speak to them very slowly..."

3. "Oh my, I would call my friend."...

Let us remember that SF County maintains multi-lingual voter assistance lines in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian and can connect to any other language via contract interpreters...oh and that all voters have the right to cast a ballot, regardless of ability to speak English.

Anyhoo, looks like the dems control the House, moderate reeps are out and conservative dems are in, big tobacco and oil prevail in CA, and it's 4 more years of Aaah-nold.

Posted by at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Like many queer women, I have tested positive for that affliction known as whalewatcheritis. I don't know what it is about us, but there's is a disturbingly high number of people who are just really into sea mammals. Dolphins, otters, whales...

This weekend, the Non-Sea Monkey planned a surprise nature observation "cruise" out to the Farrallon Islands.

This sign on the Huli Cat, our prison, I mean boat for the day should have made me pause before finishing my coffee and munching on a croissant.

I should have really thought twice before deciding not to wear a sweater, opting for the light jacket, and forgetting a hat, gloves, heating pads, wool socks, scarf, and ear muffs because the weather looked like this.

This was even before we hit the choppy breakwaters.

All in all, the poor Sea Monkey turned green and passed out for about 7.5 of the 8 hour ride. I fared slightly better, but was glued to one spot on the deck for about 6 hours. We both managed crawled around to see some nature action, but it was all kind of surreal.

A low budget re-enactment of the experience can be had if you:
1. proceed to the washing machine
2. set it to the cold cycle
3. tune into the Discovery Channel and make sure the volume is at 11
4. jump in the washing machine and tumble around for the full cycle and strain all muscles to hear the TV.
5. repeat 10 times

I'm a little bummed out that I didn't have all my wits because it was really a once in a lifetime experience. Before we saw any whales, we were privy to the rare sight of a Great White Shark mauling some poor seal. To re-create this scene:
1. imagine a Hummer
2. put some big ass fins on it
3. paste a mess of chainsaws all over the grill
4. toss it in the ocean
5. have it pounce on something warm and bloody
6. watch 10 foot radius of blood form at each pouncing.
It was absolutely frightening. The makers of Jaws were definitely on to something.

While my stomach continued to churn, it was a much tamer nature scene after the shark attack. We saw about 10 whales and hundreds of porpoises and dolphins. There are no pictures of any of this because I was too ill to hold anything more than my head up.

Although the Monkey did not recover until we landed, I grew novice sea legs and was able to register this lovely sight...the weather had turned.

But this was the prize...land is my friend.

Posted by at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A new cat on the Cat Calendar. Say hello to Moose! NYC to DC and back. I will soon be putting a call out for cat pics for 2007.
In the meantime, Tamu is building his portfolio of head shots

Posted by at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)