So I finally found a decent DVD ripper that lets me do it for free (legally, I might add), but I’m not sure the audio is up to snuff. I ripped my skydiving video and am currently experimenting with different audio types on BT’s This Binary Universe videos (from the DVD) to see what sounds better. Kind of an interesting process, and I’ve only had DVD-ripping and burning possibilities for a year, so why not now?



I think I’m going to buy some more memory for this beast tomorrow. I am currently running at 2GB, but I’m thinking of pushing that up to 4, simply because I feel I strain it sometimes (I realized a few minutes ago I was running iTunes, photoshop, a DVD ripping program, and 2 video programs at once, plus AIM and Firefox. No wonder I need more RAM – especially with my plans for additional screen real estate!)



Well, lots has happened since my last entry. NIN released a free album – The Slip – online and for free. As if you needed me to tell you this. I think it’s a good album, a bit short, sure. But I like how each track has embedded artwork with it, something that Ghosts started and I think it’s evolved here. In the graphic below that I’ve compiled (crudely), it gives an idea of the overall feel of the album. I haven’t quite put it all together yet, but I’m pretty sure that it has more significance to future releases or projects, either that or the picture combinations creates something else entirely. I think this because of the red lines throughout, and leading up to the red background of the last track.



Good call on the MS Office, Kevin. But the only reason I’d support it (being a new version and the fact that I hate the .docx extension), I feel it’s time to start paying my dues for some of the stuff I’ve been using for years. I’ve only been using Office 2001 Pro for 5-6 years now.



I came across this blog entry a couple of days ago, summing up a man who, for 18 years, took Polaroid pictures until his death in 1997 on his 41st birthday. Kind of cool and sad at the same time. Very much chronicling the human condition, I think the project is very neat and I wish the site hosting the polaroids was up and running, but I assume the recent traffic has shut it down due to bandwidth constraints.

The DVD ripper is apparently taking 90 minutes to rip This Binary Universe. Yikes…I just hope the quality is better this time around. I mainly want it on my iPod/iPhone, since I think they’re cool little “music video” type of files. (And I’m pretty sure the audio isn’t better – damn!).

Speaking of audio, I’m looking for a good, free program (for Windows) that would allow me to mix multitracks. Any suggestions? I have Wavepad, but it’s grossly outdated and very limited as far as multitrack compilations goes.

I went skydiving last weekend, as a lot of people know. It was an exhilarating experience that can seldom be described in words. I was anxious while jumping from the plane, sure…but the thing about that was that you’re in this “soft” part of the air for a few seconds (and 12 until you reach terminal velocity); that is – your body is searching for something to “catch” as you fall. Eventually, this is the air. We ended up jumping from 12,500 above ground (keeping in mind the ground is over a mile high from sea level), and freefalling nearly 8,000 feet until our parachute was deployed at 4,700 feet. Our freefall averaged something like 127 MPH, but our top speed was 135 MPH. Even as the parachute was open, we were going a steady 20 MPH and descending at about 6-7 MPH. It was an experience I will never forget, with pictures and video to prove it!



video!

I suppose it’s getting late and I should head to bed pretty quick. I’m excited by the rush I’ve been feeling lately in my life, good things are always happening. And I’ve decided I’ve got to live it up while I still can – so at this point, I’m not going to stop for anything.

I take back everything I ever said about giving Trent Reznor one more chance (read here). This redeems him fully.

Talk about sticking it to the RIAA. He posts on his website on February 16th "2 weeks." Earlier tonight, he posts "2 hours." 2 hours later: BLAM! New NIN album, available NOW.



http://ghosts.nin.com/

No marketing. No hype. Not a freaking clue this was coming, and 36 tracks of creative commons licensed, completely independent, 100% lyrical free music.


Can we say The Fragile 2.0? Okay, maybe not so blatantly, but I've been waiting for a similar follow-up to that album ever since it came out. Sign me up. It's only been 9 years since The Fragile was released...and a lull of 6 years after that between NIN albums. It could even be argued (by me especially) that The Fragile was his last great album.

3 albums since Spring of 2005 is a record for Trent Reznor. I think he pushed those last 2 out just so that he could be off his label, do Ghosts and have it be completely free from the mind-numbing ties to the RIAA.

Not only that, but the whole packaging of it is just awesome. Cheap, high-quality music that helps Trent out more than Interscope ever could have, and sticking to the record industry is a major bonus. The concept, being a "soundtrack to daydreams" seems to be more along the lines of BT's This Binary Universe also. Which I obviously have praised many times. I listen to that album, as well as The Fragile, often.

One thing's certain: the ground's shaking. I can't believe what's coming from some artists these days. What an exciting time, as the record labels shatter to pieces and artists like Trent Reznor and BT release the stuff they want to, how they want to.

I bought the $10 one, even though I'm thinking the $75 one would probably have been worth it. So I get 2 CD's in April in the mail, with a booklet, and have the privilege of downloading the entire album (plus extras) for that amount. DRM is dead. The RIAA is a joke. NIN is paving new ground.

Rock on, Trent. More power to you.

I know it's been a while since I've written, but what a crazy month it's been! I've finally updated all of my information on the travel blog, and am about to post more entries there from my trip to Brazil last fall.

Along those lines, it's always crazy to see headlines and realize that I've been to some of the places that are mentioned. For instance, this story illustrates a reporter getting killed en route to Sucre to cover the unrest that's been evident for quite some time:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7112875.stm

Which is just crazy.

I got back from Minneapolis last night to enjoy a good Thanksgiving with my family. I counted 10 airports that I've traveled through in 4 states and 3 countries in the last 2 months. I've never traveled so much. It's weird because my timelines have shifted: I'm not sure exactly where I've been or what I've done since/between/before these travels.

3 weeks ago I bought the iPhone, just because I'm a consumer whore. Well that's not the only reason, but I really wanted one after playing with Kevin's in Texas. I must say that I love the little thing. That being my 4th major electronics purchase this year (including a new computer, surround sound system and digital camera), I'm spent. I hope that I'm caught up at least for the next year, because I can't afford my tech habits!

My Jeep is currently in the service department at the local dealership, simply because I'm tallying up all the "damage" as I like to call it - to determine if it's worth keeping around or trying to get a new vehicle.



I'm certainly considering this:



But am not sure if it will fit into my budget. A lot of realigning is going to happen with finances, but fortunately with a good trade in value on my Wrangler, it shouldn't be a huge issue. Tomorrow then, is D-Day.

I love surfing online and realizing one of my favorite musicians (Jon Crosby of VAST) has released a new album that's a solo piece with just him and acoustic guitar (apparently). I was just thinking today that at his rate, he'd have something new (or modified) out by the end of the year. So $4.99 later, I've got the MP3's and am ready to go. Jeez I love technology!



Lots of things are coming up in the next month or so including the holiday party for my company, possibly acquiring a new vehicle (likely), DVD's (LOST, 24) and just the holidays in general.

I hosted another LAN party a couple of weeks ago and it was just as fun and successful as the last. The third one won't happen at least until 2008, but that being 5 weeks away, that's not too far.

Once again I'm excited (as always) about everything that's coming up. I'm thankful for all that I have and am excited to push on towards my dreams. I feel that now I can sort of focus on some job stuff and get that done, and am confident that a lot of things seem to be going my way. Even after this lousy speeding ticket.



Ouch.

My brother and niece are coming out for Christmas which I'm genuinely excited for. It's been a long time since I've been around any children during Christmas (probably myself and my brother growing up), so seeing the family expand and such is great. I'm stoked. My niece is the first woman to be born on my dad's side in nearly 100 years. And on my mom's side, the first in about 50 years. So she's a pretty big deal. And so very cute.



Anyway, I will update more later. I hope everyone's well and enjoying the season.

Keep your fingers crossed for snow!

I had a huge long winded entry all written out and then the connection was “lost,” and I lost my entry. Oh well. Gotta love technology.

So as many of you knew (or know), I had planned on trying to relocat myself next year to Australia. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, to go to a foreign place and try to make my way. I had intended to go on a skilled worker’s Visa, but hit a snag. I expected many of these and was happy to know that the majority of everyone I knew was very supportive of my endeavor. Eventually I discovered that my career hasn’t been happening for long enough, so the ability to go down there in the fashion that I wanted to is not possible for the time being.



Understandably I’ve been a little bit bummed, as I had planned to go down there and try to make my way, even by working retail or in the food industry. I am thinking that I still may be able to visit for a month (give or take), and though I haven’t ruled out the possibility of trying to live there someday, I’m not so sure it’ll ever happen. Who knows where I’ll be in 2-3 years.

So while that’s been a disappointment, it gives me the freedom to explore other options. Even though I have little interest in any other foreign country, I think there’s plenty to experience here in the States that I wouldn’t mind relocating to. I’ve always held an interest in the Northeast, Northwest, and Alaska. They draw me because of their adverse terrain and seemingly laid back pace of life. Though I enjoy the city living of Denver (and Heaven knows plenty of opportunities are here), I’m ready for something different.

Indeed this takes me to the idea that I want to travel more. I plan on scoping out more of the East coast early next year. Presumably March is when I’d like to go, and I plan on visiting Maine, Ithaca (to see Justin at Cornell), NYC to visit Kevin (and Traci) as well as DC to see Jonathan. I’m excited to explore more of the continent I live on, in hopes that I may find something to eventually explore further. Though the move wouldn’t be permanent I don’t think, I feel like I should take advantage to see more of the world while I have the chance.


Apparently a sight in Maine. I'm hoping there's a bit more...

It’s going to be an exciting next few weeks and months. Halo 3 comes out in nearly 2 weeks. I’ve already started to arrange a LAN party to have at my place on October 20th. It will have probably 8 Xbox 360’s and TV's, all hooked together to experience Halo 3. I can't wait for the trash talking to ensue. Nerdgasm, indeed.



With plenty of Mountain Dew to go around.



I bought my 2nd iPod last weekend. For my trip to South America my dad wants to view videos on my current 30gb iPod, and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t without tunes. Plus I’ve been wanting to find something smaller in size and weight for exercise. I am glad I didn’t go with the Nano, as Apple unveiled the new ones this week. On a sidenote: are you pissed Kevin on the dramatic reduction in price of the iPhone? Being an early adopter has its price, but certainly less than 3 months and 33% price cut is rather dramatic. (Read: Letter to iPhone users) I decided to buy the Shuffle. I really do love the designs and after considering a ZUNE heavily for about 3 seconds, I wanted to go with another iPod. I'm very impressed so far with the Shuffle. It's small, sleek, and is just pretty neat overall. I also am enjoying the new earbuds (what an improvement over the last ones!) It makes me want to go out and grab the new Nano or iPod touch. Apple has a brilliant execution of its products. By the time the keynote was delivered on Wednesday, 75% of the new or revamped products were on their way to outlets. That’s impressive.



If there’s one thing that Microsoft has executed brilliantly, it’s the Xbox 360. Though they’ve had tremendous overheating issues, one cannot deny the fact that it’s a great machine. The Wii is a great one as well, but certainly in a different category altogether. They’ve made some good improvements to the box over the last 2 years, and though I bought one nearly 5 weeks after its release, I’m not unhappy with mine. Has anyone played Bioshock? I must admit I was skeptical at first but I've been drawn into this fictional twist of reality. It's quite entertaining, and certainly a time passer until Halo 3.



Has anyone seen this story? I don’t think that internet usage should be prohibited or set into tiers to divide the information highway. Equality is important…and restricting bandwidth or transfer rates I think is silly.

Anyway, I’m excited to see where the next few weeks and months take me. The short list includes Halo 3, South America, Texas, Minnesota, and the East coast. I’m trying to fit in San Diego somewhere in there too…so if it all happens according to plan, that will be 11 states and 2 countries I visit within a year’s time. I do look forward to more travel in 2008 as I had planned on this for 2007. Overall I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. I wouldn’t mind dating someone in there too, but at this point I’m really not too interested. I’ve been exhausted by the events of the last couple of years. And frankly, it’s exhausting to see that effort go nowhere.

Additionally Jonathan and I have been scripting (pun intended) our screenplay. I’m happy with where it’s going and the effort lately we’ve been giving it. Equally I’m just as excited on a book I’m putting together with a friend composed of poetry I’ve written in the last 9 years. It will also contain graphical enhancements to suit the poetry style and meaning. Though I’m not really ready to reveal more than that at this point, it’s something that’s given me a lot of confidence and hope in what I think will be a great outcome. If it’s anything like I think, it’s going to just be awesome. Some of you have seen a preview of it, but I’m really waiting until more of it is completed before giving more details. Rest assured, those will be revealed in due time.

Exciting times are ahead, with uncertain outcomes. But we shall see.

We shall see.

Yes.

Halo 3! At this point, the whole game is about 4 weeks away (closer to 3 at this point probably). September 25th couldn't come sooner.

And I know some people just roll their eyes (*cough* girls *cough*) at such a ridiculous obsession, but really, let's look at it.

1. The Halo universe is a shoot em up. That's always a plus, for destroying your enemies and getting some pent-up frustration out occasionally.

2. Creating bonds everyday. I know some of my favorite Halo moments are shared with my friends, especially when in large groups and enjoying ourselves. Part of the fun of the game is the teamwork and camaraderie.

3. The violence isn't overbearing. Though there are guns (and blood), it's not as if arms are being ripped off and guts are being spilled on the floor. The violence in it is normal FPS (First-Person Shooter) material, just with a tasteful twist.

With all those things in mind, why do some people have such a hatred towards it? I dated this girl once (who shall remain nameless) who HATED that I LOVED Halo. I should've seen it sooner that she should've gotten the boot. Such is hindsight. 20/20, as they say.

Anyway, Halo 3's marketing machine is already rolling. There are commercials all over the TV, Halo 3 Mountain Dew ("Game Fuel") being sold now, with Slurpee cups at 7-11. It feels like Star Wars. For our generation of gamers, it pretty much is.

Halo 2 made 125 million its opening weekend in November 2004. At that point, it was the largest opening weekend EVER for ANY media (movies, games, etc).

Spider-Man 3 made the biggest opening weekend ever this May at 151 million dollars.

Halo 3 will kick the living hell out of that figure. I guarantee it.

Additionally, why won't they just man up and make the movie already? Another great way to create buzz on the franchise is to basically continue with "shorts" that are live-action. I think the intentions of these are two-fold: to move forward with what the movie would look and feel like, as well as to create so much buzz that a Hollywood distributor/studio picks it up yesterday.

Okay, so it'll cost 200 million. And granted, movie tickets (5-15 dollars a piece) is harder to justify such a large budget (when the base Halo 3 game will be 60 dollars, special edition for 70 dollars, and legendary edition for 130 dollars), but anyone can see that this movie is just going to rock. I've attached 2 of the live-action sequences thus far. What else is it going to take to get Hollywood on board?

They're stupid enough to make DOOM, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Super Mario Bros., Far Cry, Hitman, and Postal...why won't someone shell out for this? Of course there's probably more than meets the eye behind the scenes, but they need to straighten this out. Someone's sitting on a gold mine.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3sQfc0VIRMk

And:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cdkPYA5vxHw

Seriously. Make this freaking thing already.

I can't wait for September 25th.