Ted Puffer's Review: 2 stars
Dragon Age is a pretty standard RPG with elements familiar to the genre. So much so that I'm not going to write a lot about the characters or the world they inhabit. Although the programmers and writers have tried to add some new elements to the formula, the majority of the story and creatures that inhabit the world of Dragon Age are cookie cutter placeholders and can be easily imagined by anyone who has read Lord of the Rings, or better yet, seen the movie. Notice I said 'movie' singular. Watching the trilogy isn't a necessary prerequisite for understanding Dragon Age.
Dragon Age allows you to create your own character which means two things. You get to add some basic stats to bump up an ability, and create the look of the character.
Stats, no biggie. Nothing new.
Look of the character, now that was actually impressive. Your character starts out looking like a typical WoW character. Handsome or pretty, depending on if your male or female. Slender for elves, more heavyset for dwarfs. But here is where it gets interesting. You can modify each physical characteristic of your avatars face, hair, skin tone and tattoos. There are plenty of other games that allowed this (Conan for example), but I had better results making a unique looking character in Dragon Age. Each change is small. You can make the character's eyes slightly larger or smaller, slightly wide spaced or a bit close together. Each change on it's own isn't that great, but there is such a range of small tweaks to the physical appearance of the character that you can end up with a unique looking player in no time.
These changes are limited to your characters head. Keep this in mind. You really aren't able to make your character smaller or taller, slender or built like a brick shithouse. It just isn't possible. But you can give him dozens of different eyebrows, so that counts for something.
That being said, the meat of the game should be in story and experience, not necessarily in just how wild you can make your avatar. And here is where the game lost it for me.
The story is linear. VERY linear. You are able to make choices throughout the game as you progress from one place to another, but you can't really drastically alter the events that unfold. You can play as a knight or a knave in behavior and choices, but you're still going to end up saving a certain town, rescuing certain people or agreeing to undertake missions whether you want to or not.
So I stopped playing.
I had a similar problem with Neverwinter Nights, but to a much less degree. For Dragon Age, there is just so much gold and experience you can gain as you go along. Lets say that you want to spend a gaming session getting nothing but gold, or beefing up your XP. That's not really possible. Once you clear a band of thieves out of a forest, the forest stays peaceful. Once you've grabbed every bit of loot that isn't nailed down in town, there just isn't any more to be had.
NWN had the same problem, but you weren't as aware of it and they hid it better. Or maybe the voice acting was better so you were more engaged in the world. I couldn't help noticing that Dragon Age is out for the XBOX and PS systems, and the game play shows. Everything can be done with a few clicks. Yes, you do have hundreds of weapons and suits of armor to choose from and plenty of spells and combat tactics to have your characters perform, but you don't really need them. Once you get a pretty good combat strategy, or decent weapon you can settle into a click-fight-click-loot routine which isn't rewarding at all.
Meh.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Avatar Movie Review
Ted Puffer Review = 3 Stars
This movie is the ultimate example of style over substance. Since there are millions of reviews for this movie that I'm going to forgo the opportunity to add my own. Not because there are plenty of reviews already and to make another would just be rehashing what has already been put down somewhere else. I'll hold back on reviewing this movie because it isn't worth the ink that's already been used on it. It's a good movie, case closed.
Special effects are fantastic, etc. etc.
Good movie
3 stars.
This movie is the ultimate example of style over substance. Since there are millions of reviews for this movie that I'm going to forgo the opportunity to add my own. Not because there are plenty of reviews already and to make another would just be rehashing what has already been put down somewhere else. I'll hold back on reviewing this movie because it isn't worth the ink that's already been used on it. It's a good movie, case closed.
Special effects are fantastic, etc. etc.
Good movie
3 stars.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Those little differences
If you'd have asked me a few days ago if I was completely finished with the Hyllis painting, I'd have said yes. The painting was done in my mind. It came out exactly how I'd imagined it, and there wasn't any element of the painting that I would have added to or removed from.
But then it sat on the easel for two days and every time I passed in front of the painting I just couldn't escape the idea that I'd forgotten something. I wasn't too happy with the way the colors for the "WAR" text came out. The original was very orange, almost a pumpkin color. During the painting process, the text came out ochre and I couldn't get away from that. I wanted something bright, but the text came out muted and muddy. Other than that, it was fine.
But still....
Finally I couldn't stand it any more and took the paints out for one more go. I'm still not happy with the color of the text, but it's better. Much better. And the aging of the wall is perfect. I knew that it would be, but wasn't sure I wanted to make it look too realistic. This is an image taken from a video game after all, and having a cartoonish feel to it is part of the charm. But even so, the added texture makes all the difference.
NOW I'm done with it!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Robots of the Streets
Part of the ability to gain insight on how unpopular the Alpha Section is to the united war effort on Hyllis is to listen to the voices of protest on the streets of the Pedestrian District or witness the repeated acts of vandalism on the War posters in the area. It may seem strange at first glance that the people would have any negative feelings or resentment towards the Alpha Section, since this is the force under whose authority the population suddenly finds itself for its own protection. However, this is the case, and as you can see from the above painting, citizens aren't above letting their feelings be known.
The standard propaganda poster for the War is simply an armed solider pointing at the viewer with the title WAR above his head. The addition of a hastily scrawled skull is an obvious finger pointing back, accusing the Alpha Squad of death and brutality. This may or may not be justified. Many of the citizens, most in fact, are completely unaware of the full involvement of the Alpha Squad in the disappearances of people. The truth is shocking, but at this time is not known by many so the supposition is speculative at best.
Now it can be inferred from this poster that a Great Robotic Uprising is in the future, if not inevitable. This is true as well. There are many signs that a robotically policed city is just one step away from having the great iron boot of the robotic oppressor being brought down on its throat. However, that's for another painting.
Ripping Art Off
The walls. Almost literally.
There is something great about making a painting about something that I've encountered in a video game. It's especially gratifying when it's a game that I've played all the way through. Beaten. Because most games don't have scores of course. It used to be that you'd get a high score and that would not only be your reward, but a testimony to your ability to beat the game. Not a bad deal, because video games by their nature don't provide anything tangible in the form of a reward for overcoming all the obstacles the game threw at you.
Now there was a game (whose name I can't remember for the life of me) that had a screen pop up at then end asking the player to take a photo of their monitor and send it to the company for a reward. After a week or so, the player would get the coolest thing in the mail from the company. A medal! How awesome is that! I've never seen the medal in real life, but even if it was the cheapest Chinese knock off, it would have been so cool to have a token of accomplishment from the designers of the game.
But no one does that. I'm sure there's good reason for that. For one thing, games are made to be won now. Early games could theoretically be won, but it wasn't an expectation when being played. For the most part, you played as much as you could and got as far as you could and hoped for the best.
But that's OK. Things change, and beating a game feels pretty good.
Except you don't get a medal.
So I like painting something from the game. Not only does it bring back some fond memories, but it's a great token that I was there and had a heck of a good time solving all the puzzles and overcoming all enemies. Think about it as a vacation photograph.
So with "Beyond Good and Evil", I won the game. Not that difficult to do, but a great ride while it lasted. Of course, once the game is done there's not much to do except wait for a possible sequel. In the meantime, there were plenty of little touches in the game which were artistic in their own right and deserved to be painted.
What I've noticed is that many games have digital paintings or posters throughout the levels to add atmosphere. Some of these are extremely well done and I like the idea of a designer making a piece to be shown in the game. It's a great opportunity to capture the mood of the game in another medium. So if you were making a gloomy horror game, you'd get a chance to make a painting that wouldn't be out of place being hung in an abandoned mansion.
You get the idea.
Some of these digital artwork touches are very cool, and I think I'll paint more as I go along.
I wish I'd thought of this earlier, because "Dead Space" is a horror game taking place on a huge, empty space ship and some of the higher levels have posters for movies that are futuristic- but gaudy. Odd little touches that I wouldn't mind painting. However, after I beat the game I erased the thing from my hard drive. So if I want to paint them now, I'd have to reinstall the thing and then play it most of the way through again.
Still. It's a heck of a good game... And I do want those posters..
There is something great about making a painting about something that I've encountered in a video game. It's especially gratifying when it's a game that I've played all the way through. Beaten. Because most games don't have scores of course. It used to be that you'd get a high score and that would not only be your reward, but a testimony to your ability to beat the game. Not a bad deal, because video games by their nature don't provide anything tangible in the form of a reward for overcoming all the obstacles the game threw at you.
Now there was a game (whose name I can't remember for the life of me) that had a screen pop up at then end asking the player to take a photo of their monitor and send it to the company for a reward. After a week or so, the player would get the coolest thing in the mail from the company. A medal! How awesome is that! I've never seen the medal in real life, but even if it was the cheapest Chinese knock off, it would have been so cool to have a token of accomplishment from the designers of the game.
But no one does that. I'm sure there's good reason for that. For one thing, games are made to be won now. Early games could theoretically be won, but it wasn't an expectation when being played. For the most part, you played as much as you could and got as far as you could and hoped for the best.
But that's OK. Things change, and beating a game feels pretty good.
Except you don't get a medal.
So I like painting something from the game. Not only does it bring back some fond memories, but it's a great token that I was there and had a heck of a good time solving all the puzzles and overcoming all enemies. Think about it as a vacation photograph.
So with "Beyond Good and Evil", I won the game. Not that difficult to do, but a great ride while it lasted. Of course, once the game is done there's not much to do except wait for a possible sequel. In the meantime, there were plenty of little touches in the game which were artistic in their own right and deserved to be painted.
What I've noticed is that many games have digital paintings or posters throughout the levels to add atmosphere. Some of these are extremely well done and I like the idea of a designer making a piece to be shown in the game. It's a great opportunity to capture the mood of the game in another medium. So if you were making a gloomy horror game, you'd get a chance to make a painting that wouldn't be out of place being hung in an abandoned mansion.
You get the idea.
Some of these digital artwork touches are very cool, and I think I'll paint more as I go along.
I wish I'd thought of this earlier, because "Dead Space" is a horror game taking place on a huge, empty space ship and some of the higher levels have posters for movies that are futuristic- but gaudy. Odd little touches that I wouldn't mind painting. However, after I beat the game I erased the thing from my hard drive. So if I want to paint them now, I'd have to reinstall the thing and then play it most of the way through again.
Still. It's a heck of a good game... And I do want those posters..
Friday, December 18, 2009
Magik Poulp
Maramao is the acknowledged master of magic in the realms of poulps. There is little doubt that the time and effort he has taken to create a mastery of the craft is evident in every movement of each limb and sucker. Being a skilled expert in the redirect, he challenges the mind and the eye to keep up with his ever more frenetic and distubring stagecraft.
I was able to witness Maramao at the Akuda bar once, and will never forget the experience. Under normal circumstances, witnessing a crustation juggle balls of fire is enough to make the evening a pleasurable experience. But I'd never fallen under the trance that a juggling encephalopod can provide. Wow.
5 stars! If you do get the opportunity to witness the magik poulp in action I highly recommend it. It not for the feint of heart however. Just a warning.
One Cow Show
Ah yes, the One Cow Show. Not many people know about the One Cow Show, but those who have attended can't forget it! The One Cow Show first made it's appearance in "Beyond Good and Evil" when Jade was passing through the Akuda bar. Now there isn't much point into going through the series of events that led to this point, or how exactly that would impact so many people. But what is important here is to give full support to the One Cow Show.
It was amazing on so many levels. The cow in question is a shy, retiring type. Not the sort of cow you'd imagine would be at the center of a One Cow Show and certainly not the sort who would have so much to say about society and an individual's place within it. But that being said, those who attended the show came away with a renewed sense of purpose and drive. There was something for everybody in the cow's story and unique perspective on issues that affect us all.
If you haven't attended, I suggest you make it a point to catch the next show. I'm not sure when and where the next show will be appearing, but it is something not to be missed. Of course, the One Cow Show is a labor of love for the cow, but not something that can be repeated too often. I'd think that there aren't too many shows in the cow's future.
A cow can only take so much you know.
On a side note, please do not mistake this poster as an advertisement for a "One Show Cow". That is not the case at all. While there are many show cows, and some definitely worth the fame that accompanies the title, this is specifically a One Cow Show which is completely different.
Back to School
Have to love quality bartending, and the best bartenders come from Quality Bartending School. In fact, they are as good as the owner operated Gerlach Trucking and Excavating that services Southern California. Those guys do grading, demolition, excavating with bobcats and more. Nice work!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Health Care Update
My enthusiasm for Health Care Reform has officially waned. A person can only take so much.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Cat's are unhelpful
Just an FYI that I thought I'd pass along. Having a cat, or multiple cats, help you with DIY painting projects around the house isn't a good idea. True, their furry toes look like little paint brushes, but they have a problem getting a uniform coat on the walls or floor.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Beyond Good and Evil Review
Ted Puffer review: 4 stars
Beyond Good and Evil reminds me of Twinsen Relentless and Twinsen's Odyssey, which is a wonderful thing to happen. Relentless was a fantastic game which was totally immersive, meaning that you could get lost in the artificial world presented in the game within minutes, and when the game was over you'd be asking for more. What an adventure! A third installment of Twinsen is badly needed to round out the trilogy.
Good and Evil has the same cartoonish feel, but adds its own steampunk atmosphere which is beautiful and makes exploring every nook and cranny of the landscape a treat. In this game you play Jade, a judo photographer on a mission. With the help of your trusty friends you seek to uncover the forces behind a global war which is decimating the world and causing the unexplained disappearances of countless citizens. Your closest friend is a talking pig.
Yes, a talking pig.
I'm not sure about the symbolism of this, but the game was released with voice files for multiple countries which could explain the pig part. Maybe somewhere on Earth there's a country where having a talking pig as a best friend is normal, or a sign of good fortune. However it came about, it works. I'm sure there was a reason behind this character at some point in the development of the game, but by the time the game was completed the original explanation was lost. They kept the character and the game is better for it. Normally I'd think that having conversations with a protective porcine would interrupt the suspension of disbelief which is vital for the best games to capture the imagination. But in this case it works.
There is talk about a sequel, but nothing solid. Actually the last news announced the indefinite suspension of work on the project, but it’s hard to read anything into that. Gloomy forecasts are normal for any game in development and this may not be sounding the death knell for the project. I hope it doesn’t. This is a world that I’d love to revisit. And I’d like to talk to the pig again.
Beyond Good and Evil reminds me of Twinsen Relentless and Twinsen's Odyssey, which is a wonderful thing to happen. Relentless was a fantastic game which was totally immersive, meaning that you could get lost in the artificial world presented in the game within minutes, and when the game was over you'd be asking for more. What an adventure! A third installment of Twinsen is badly needed to round out the trilogy.
Good and Evil has the same cartoonish feel, but adds its own steampunk atmosphere which is beautiful and makes exploring every nook and cranny of the landscape a treat. In this game you play Jade, a judo photographer on a mission. With the help of your trusty friends you seek to uncover the forces behind a global war which is decimating the world and causing the unexplained disappearances of countless citizens. Your closest friend is a talking pig.
Yes, a talking pig.
I'm not sure about the symbolism of this, but the game was released with voice files for multiple countries which could explain the pig part. Maybe somewhere on Earth there's a country where having a talking pig as a best friend is normal, or a sign of good fortune. However it came about, it works. I'm sure there was a reason behind this character at some point in the development of the game, but by the time the game was completed the original explanation was lost. They kept the character and the game is better for it. Normally I'd think that having conversations with a protective porcine would interrupt the suspension of disbelief which is vital for the best games to capture the imagination. But in this case it works.
There is talk about a sequel, but nothing solid. Actually the last news announced the indefinite suspension of work on the project, but it’s hard to read anything into that. Gloomy forecasts are normal for any game in development and this may not be sounding the death knell for the project. I hope it doesn’t. This is a world that I’d love to revisit. And I’d like to talk to the pig again.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Impossibles
I was selected to be the voice in the audiobook version of "The Impossibles"! Hurrah! More later...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Palomar Lake
(looking cool)
Is it possible to look cool while birding? Not really, but you can try. This image was taken at the top of a long descent into a valley towards a lake in the Palomar mountains. The lake in the distance was the eventual destination of the birding group, which I hadn't fully appreciated when we started down the hillside. First off, cows had been there before. We didn't see any walking around munching on the dry grass that carpeted the area, but there was plenty of evidence that they had been there in the past. The recent past.
Fortunately the way wasn't completely through active pastureland. About half way down the slope is a small fence that the group shimmied through to get to the untouched side. That side of the valley was better for hiking, and that's where the birds are. Lots of birds. Pelicans were in abundance, Great Blue Herons and shorebirds aplenty.
And some bones.
Any fish unlucky enough to be swimming near the surface of the lake while a raptor was overhead quickly becomes a meal and ends up as a small pile of bones on the sand. The same can be said for birds as well. I'm not sure what predators were in the area, but there were a few sad mounds of feathers scattered around as well. It may be the circle of life and everything, but it's not pretty.
But the lake was beautiful, and it's a great hike.
Fortunately the way wasn't completely through active pastureland. About half way down the slope is a small fence that the group shimmied through to get to the untouched side. That side of the valley was better for hiking, and that's where the birds are. Lots of birds. Pelicans were in abundance, Great Blue Herons and shorebirds aplenty.
And some bones.
Any fish unlucky enough to be swimming near the surface of the lake while a raptor was overhead quickly becomes a meal and ends up as a small pile of bones on the sand. The same can be said for birds as well. I'm not sure what predators were in the area, but there were a few sad mounds of feathers scattered around as well. It may be the circle of life and everything, but it's not pretty.
But the lake was beautiful, and it's a great hike.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A Serious Man
Ted Puffer Movie Rating : 4 Stars
There is so much to go into about this movie, I'll keep it brief. Partially because this is one of those movies that specialize in analysis and so going over the length of the work frame by frame would be rewarding but exhausting. Also, it's getting late and I don't want to spend the entirety of my evening at the keyboard. So here it is:
Very good movie.
Very highly recommended.
The movie presents an image of God as one who is intimately connected with the lives of His followers, and is quick to test their faith and resolve, and even quicker to punish weakness and lack of resolve.
Very good movie. Dumb name though.
There is so much to go into about this movie, I'll keep it brief. Partially because this is one of those movies that specialize in analysis and so going over the length of the work frame by frame would be rewarding but exhausting. Also, it's getting late and I don't want to spend the entirety of my evening at the keyboard. So here it is:
Very good movie.
Very highly recommended.
The movie presents an image of God as one who is intimately connected with the lives of His followers, and is quick to test their faith and resolve, and even quicker to punish weakness and lack of resolve.
Very good movie. Dumb name though.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Art Tour
I hadn't expected to get an ego boost from attending the Highway 62 Art Tour in Yucca Valley, but that's what happened. In brief, the city puts on a huge art show which allows visitors to hit dozens of local galleries and speak with artists by aid of a handy map. The show is pretty broad, so you get to see pottery, ceremics, metal sculptures, painters, craftsmen and women and everything in between.
Of course, if you actually DO art you also get a rough idea of where you rank in the community. From my informal estimate, I'm above the half way mark. Sure there were some folks who's work I really didn't like, but there were some artistic geniuses as well. So placing mid range is pretty good. Very good actually.
I didn't buy any artwork, but I was tempted.
The one artist who sticks in my mind is a woman who paints in acrylics and decorates the canvas with beadwork. I really didn't like her stuff, but there were two that caught my eye. Both of them were bright colored geometric patterns which were impressive. At first I thought that someone else had done them, they were so different from her other works. The more I looked, the more I was tempted to buy them from her. Since she was in the studio at the time I asked her about them and found that they're based on Native American glyphs. Typical glyphs. She'd taken the standard bear and kokopelli figures and created repeating patterns from them.
I'm sorry that I asked. Once she'd pointed it out, I couldn't help but see them and the magic was gone. Ah well.
Of course, if you actually DO art you also get a rough idea of where you rank in the community. From my informal estimate, I'm above the half way mark. Sure there were some folks who's work I really didn't like, but there were some artistic geniuses as well. So placing mid range is pretty good. Very good actually.
I didn't buy any artwork, but I was tempted.
The one artist who sticks in my mind is a woman who paints in acrylics and decorates the canvas with beadwork. I really didn't like her stuff, but there were two that caught my eye. Both of them were bright colored geometric patterns which were impressive. At first I thought that someone else had done them, they were so different from her other works. The more I looked, the more I was tempted to buy them from her. Since she was in the studio at the time I asked her about them and found that they're based on Native American glyphs. Typical glyphs. She'd taken the standard bear and kokopelli figures and created repeating patterns from them.
I'm sorry that I asked. Once she'd pointed it out, I couldn't help but see them and the magic was gone. Ah well.
Palomar Birds
I hit the Palomar mountains this weekend to do some hiking with a group from the local college, and had a blast. Part of the fun is watching hikers who haven't been acclimated to high altitude try to keep up. At first it's funny to see your hiking partners huffing and puffing up a mild slope above the valley, but then you start thinking about how long it's been since you've attended a class in CPR, and you start wondering if your cell phone has signal that far up in the hills.
To our credit, no one needed to be airlifted home. Lots of pelicans and woodpeckers spotted and Native American markings uncovered. No 911 calls. All in all, very successful!
To our credit, no one needed to be airlifted home. Lots of pelicans and woodpeckers spotted and Native American markings uncovered. No 911 calls. All in all, very successful!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Step towards Web Presence
Version 0.000001 of the website is online. Check it out at here Ted Puffer. Oh, you know how people will say things like "let me know what you think!" or "any feedback is appreciated!" Those gentle and humbly noble sentiments are not appropriate here. I'm not open for feedback on it just yet. Yeah, it's rough and half the links are broken. But somethings up and posted so that's enough for today.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Under the Sun
Everything online is templates. It's eye-opening.
I remember when I was taking a communications class in college I had a professor who owned a radio station. He wanted to check out another station to buy but had reservations about the format because he wanted something geared to the local market. He was looking around, but the station manager told him that NO radio stations were local. All of them were produced in large cities and then sent out to small stations. The production was deliberately presented in such a way that anyone listening to the radio might think that the broadcaster was just down the road, when in fact they could be a few states away.
Once he was told this, he started analyzing what he was listening to and found out how true it was. Every station he'd imagined to be local was produced to seem local. He took it hard. This was in Arizona, so the station he wanted to buy would ideally be a clod-stomping hick station with newscasts about chafing futures and dung prices. You know. Cowboy stuff.
Knowing that his beloved country stations were made in California was an insult to him. Ironic.
Anyway.
I've been putting together a website and come to the sad realization that the majority of websites are from pre-existing templates. Not what I'd imagined at all.
A website is a neat little personal thing that someone can do I'd imagined that there would be great diversity of websites just as there are a diversity of web-surfer. Not the case. Websites can be lumped into some basic categories with 'content' dumped in afterward. Impressively, you don't realize at first how similar template sites are. At the same time, realize that no matter what site you go to, you seem to instinctively know how to navigate around. This isn't a coincidence. It's because the Internet has been around long enough for people to know what 'works' for ease of access and then create websites accordingly. In a way, it's become a science.
A few years ago, that wasn't the case. When you visited a new site, you'd have to take a few seconds to find all the navigation buttons, and realize where the sites core information was. It wasn't a case of simply glancing at the general layout and knowing where to go.
My site will be a bit more old-school. I want it to look different.
I remember when I was taking a communications class in college I had a professor who owned a radio station. He wanted to check out another station to buy but had reservations about the format because he wanted something geared to the local market. He was looking around, but the station manager told him that NO radio stations were local. All of them were produced in large cities and then sent out to small stations. The production was deliberately presented in such a way that anyone listening to the radio might think that the broadcaster was just down the road, when in fact they could be a few states away.
Once he was told this, he started analyzing what he was listening to and found out how true it was. Every station he'd imagined to be local was produced to seem local. He took it hard. This was in Arizona, so the station he wanted to buy would ideally be a clod-stomping hick station with newscasts about chafing futures and dung prices. You know. Cowboy stuff.
Knowing that his beloved country stations were made in California was an insult to him. Ironic.
Anyway.
I've been putting together a website and come to the sad realization that the majority of websites are from pre-existing templates. Not what I'd imagined at all.
A website is a neat little personal thing that someone can do I'd imagined that there would be great diversity of websites just as there are a diversity of web-surfer. Not the case. Websites can be lumped into some basic categories with 'content' dumped in afterward. Impressively, you don't realize at first how similar template sites are. At the same time, realize that no matter what site you go to, you seem to instinctively know how to navigate around. This isn't a coincidence. It's because the Internet has been around long enough for people to know what 'works' for ease of access and then create websites accordingly. In a way, it's become a science.
A few years ago, that wasn't the case. When you visited a new site, you'd have to take a few seconds to find all the navigation buttons, and realize where the sites core information was. It wasn't a case of simply glancing at the general layout and knowing where to go.
My site will be a bit more old-school. I want it to look different.
New Website Update
Programming continues on the new website. I've decided to go with Flash. If I'm having to learn some new programming techniques to put together a site, I'm going to learn something that gives the best results. "Best Results" here means "Sexy".
Mensa
I've just dropped my first years dues to Mensa in the mail, and it's with lots of mixed feelings. Let's face it, being in Mensa isn't cool. It's not.
But I did get in this week, and I'm willing to give it a shot. I took the application test a few weeks ago and got word that I was eligible for membership. Actually, I figured it was a sure thing. I'm pretty practical when it comes to organizations and thought the chances that I wouldn't get in would be very low. Think about it for a second.
Organizations love to grow. It's what they do. So any organization which has a larger chances of turning away new members as opposed to getting new members is going to fail and fail quickly. There was an announcement by the Catholic Church the other day trumpeting their decision to make the entrance requirements for Anglicans who wish to rejoin the Church easier. That may not make much sense from a religious point of view, but should be obvious from an organizational one. The Catholic Church isn't hurting for money necessarily, but they're going through a rough patch. Encouraging folks to fill pews is a no-brainer.
Mensa should operate the same way. On the surface it's a group of 'high IQ" people who join together for social aspects and intellectual stimulation. But I'm sure it's much less than that. If you started an organization targeting intellectual stimulation in America today, you're going to have some pretty lonely business meetings.
So when I took the entrance test, I really didn't think I'd fail and in fact was examining the test to see if it COULD be failed. From what I can tell, it would be possible to fail at the test, but you'd have to try pretty hard. It is easy? Yes. Are the answers obvious? I'm going to say yes. I hated a part of the test devoted to math, but that's just me. I hate math. And it didn't help that I could tell the questions were meant to be easy for the average person. Sigh.
But I did get in this week, and I'm willing to give it a shot. I took the application test a few weeks ago and got word that I was eligible for membership. Actually, I figured it was a sure thing. I'm pretty practical when it comes to organizations and thought the chances that I wouldn't get in would be very low. Think about it for a second.
Organizations love to grow. It's what they do. So any organization which has a larger chances of turning away new members as opposed to getting new members is going to fail and fail quickly. There was an announcement by the Catholic Church the other day trumpeting their decision to make the entrance requirements for Anglicans who wish to rejoin the Church easier. That may not make much sense from a religious point of view, but should be obvious from an organizational one. The Catholic Church isn't hurting for money necessarily, but they're going through a rough patch. Encouraging folks to fill pews is a no-brainer.
Mensa should operate the same way. On the surface it's a group of 'high IQ" people who join together for social aspects and intellectual stimulation. But I'm sure it's much less than that. If you started an organization targeting intellectual stimulation in America today, you're going to have some pretty lonely business meetings.
So when I took the entrance test, I really didn't think I'd fail and in fact was examining the test to see if it COULD be failed. From what I can tell, it would be possible to fail at the test, but you'd have to try pretty hard. It is easy? Yes. Are the answers obvious? I'm going to say yes. I hated a part of the test devoted to math, but that's just me. I hate math. And it didn't help that I could tell the questions were meant to be easy for the average person. Sigh.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Artwork on Display
My piece created for the Integratron is now on display as part of the HWY 62 Art Tour! I stopped by the Integratron for a quick sound bath and to see what works were on display for the event. Happily, mine was proudly hanging inside under the sound chamber.
I missed out on it this year, but the Integratron does something very interesting that I'd like to try out in the future. They have artists duel in a 2 hour paint off. If this sounds strange, picture the scene in your head to truly appreciate how weird it can be. Artists line up behind their easels and have two hours to paint as much as possible about pretty much anything under the sun. The winner (or top three-four) winners are rounded up and displayed in a special area inside the Integratron.
There's not much more to it than that. Just a general art competition combined with the subtlety of a cage match.
I'll join it the next time it comes around, but this year I had pressing engagements demanding my time. I swear.
I missed out on it this year, but the Integratron does something very interesting that I'd like to try out in the future. They have artists duel in a 2 hour paint off. If this sounds strange, picture the scene in your head to truly appreciate how weird it can be. Artists line up behind their easels and have two hours to paint as much as possible about pretty much anything under the sun. The winner (or top three-four) winners are rounded up and displayed in a special area inside the Integratron.
There's not much more to it than that. Just a general art competition combined with the subtlety of a cage match.
I'll join it the next time it comes around, but this year I had pressing engagements demanding my time. I swear.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Blood Bowl
Ted Puffer's Rating: 3 stars. Maybe a bit more. We'll see how the season progresses
Blood Bowl? Blood Bowl! This started out as a board game for people who loved the idea of Warhammer, but didn't want to drop a few hundred bucks on miniatures. The good people at Games Workshop made a side game for their Warhammer line that centers on fantasy football. I'm not talking about the lame stats game that floats around the office every year. I'm talking about football played with trolls, minotaurs, Skaven, Elves and the occasional human.
This game confirms my belief that there are other people who find football excruciatingly boring and would see the addition of medieval brutality as a vast improvement. And boy is it ever!
The game came out on a foam board representing the playing field and a handful of miniatures for the team. Rules are simple, get the ball from one side of the field to the other.
Of course, there was a catch. Rules for interceptions and running were accomplished with clear plastic rulers showing pass/fail percentages along it's length. Special stats given to a single player had to be remembered and calculated differently. It's not to much to handle, but takes a bit of getting used to.
By translating the game to the computer, the computer again fulfills is full potential and greatest purpose. Namely, assisting in fantasy games.
Blood Bowl actually came out for the PC years ago. You don't remember? Probably because not many people remember buggy games with system requirements so steep to make them virtually unplayable. I tried. Lord knows, I tried. But my system would lock up, drop out of the game unexpectedly and make the usual complaints of an overtaxed processor.
This game is much better. The graphics are good. Much better than the previous incarnation of course, but that really doesn't count for much. When you're playing a game based on miniature moving across tiles, graphics don't figure into the equation. As long as you can tell which players are yours, they are suitable.
The game is stable, or as far as I can tell. The rules straightforward enough to be grasped and the AI makes a good challenge. The only complaint that is constantly being discussed in the gaming forums is the possibility that the game cheats. I'm not inclined to believe this. For one, the game will show all the rolls it makes, and they appear to be legit. The real problem is that the game doesn't rely on lucky rolls for the players.
When playing the board game, it was easy to create a strategy that required multiple lucky rolls to pull off. When you're physically rolling the dice, you're willing them to fall your way. Having the computer take the dice from your grasping mitts negates this feeling. A roll is a roll. And players planning on three or four '6's' in a roll will be disappointed. More than that, they'll be suddenly behind in touchdowns.
The winning strategy is to play cautiously. Move your free players first. Team up on each hit and advance slowly. Pass when necessary, but only when necessary.
And start with Orcs. Orcs are the beginning players best friend, which is probably the first time that sentence has ever been uttered.
Ted Puffer's teams so far:
Sandow's Slammers - Orc (with troll, not bad)
Ted's Mayhem Mob - Chaos (hammered by humans, grrr.)
Sandow's Slayers - Orc (up a division, WHOOT!)
Blood Bowl? Blood Bowl! This started out as a board game for people who loved the idea of Warhammer, but didn't want to drop a few hundred bucks on miniatures. The good people at Games Workshop made a side game for their Warhammer line that centers on fantasy football. I'm not talking about the lame stats game that floats around the office every year. I'm talking about football played with trolls, minotaurs, Skaven, Elves and the occasional human.
This game confirms my belief that there are other people who find football excruciatingly boring and would see the addition of medieval brutality as a vast improvement. And boy is it ever!
The game came out on a foam board representing the playing field and a handful of miniatures for the team. Rules are simple, get the ball from one side of the field to the other.
Of course, there was a catch. Rules for interceptions and running were accomplished with clear plastic rulers showing pass/fail percentages along it's length. Special stats given to a single player had to be remembered and calculated differently. It's not to much to handle, but takes a bit of getting used to.
By translating the game to the computer, the computer again fulfills is full potential and greatest purpose. Namely, assisting in fantasy games.
Blood Bowl actually came out for the PC years ago. You don't remember? Probably because not many people remember buggy games with system requirements so steep to make them virtually unplayable. I tried. Lord knows, I tried. But my system would lock up, drop out of the game unexpectedly and make the usual complaints of an overtaxed processor.
This game is much better. The graphics are good. Much better than the previous incarnation of course, but that really doesn't count for much. When you're playing a game based on miniature moving across tiles, graphics don't figure into the equation. As long as you can tell which players are yours, they are suitable.
The game is stable, or as far as I can tell. The rules straightforward enough to be grasped and the AI makes a good challenge. The only complaint that is constantly being discussed in the gaming forums is the possibility that the game cheats. I'm not inclined to believe this. For one, the game will show all the rolls it makes, and they appear to be legit. The real problem is that the game doesn't rely on lucky rolls for the players.
When playing the board game, it was easy to create a strategy that required multiple lucky rolls to pull off. When you're physically rolling the dice, you're willing them to fall your way. Having the computer take the dice from your grasping mitts negates this feeling. A roll is a roll. And players planning on three or four '6's' in a roll will be disappointed. More than that, they'll be suddenly behind in touchdowns.
The winning strategy is to play cautiously. Move your free players first. Team up on each hit and advance slowly. Pass when necessary, but only when necessary.
And start with Orcs. Orcs are the beginning players best friend, which is probably the first time that sentence has ever been uttered.
Ted Puffer's teams so far:
Sandow's Slammers - Orc (with troll, not bad)
Ted's Mayhem Mob - Chaos (hammered by humans, grrr.)
Sandow's Slayers - Orc (up a division, WHOOT!)
Zork Update
Legends Of Zork has gone through a few update, and most of them are for the better.
They've added quests, which was a much needed feature in the game. Early on players are left to their own devices to explore the world, which is fine except that the world has a similar feel no matter where you go. Players could go to different districts which had a base to rest at and surrounding countryside to fight monsters. Fight monsters, return to base to rest. That was pretty much it.
Quests actually give you a reason to go looking around the world. When you fight monsters you get gold and drops. All the drops are sold the second you set foot back in town, so you really don't have much to show for your adventuring around. It is quite possible, and up till now logical, to keep farming the same stretch of mountains forever. With quests players are sent on a scavenger hunt of sorts around the world.
The drawback, not enough quests. At least not yet.
Also, the base screen has been modified so you get a VGA representation of your character as he or she wanders around town. This is something that I could do without. Before, when you wanted to go to a shop you clicked on the link and appeared in front of the shopkeeper. Now you see your little animated avatar walk to the shop, and then appear in front of the shopkeeper. The first time it's cute. The second time will have you tapping your toe.
Sandow and Suggoth are both leveling, but at the moment lack a clear goal. From what I can tell, the next milestone they'll reach is in about 10 levels when they'll be able to get a sidekick. To tell the truth, it seems thin reason to keep monster whomping for 10 levels.
They've added quests, which was a much needed feature in the game. Early on players are left to their own devices to explore the world, which is fine except that the world has a similar feel no matter where you go. Players could go to different districts which had a base to rest at and surrounding countryside to fight monsters. Fight monsters, return to base to rest. That was pretty much it.
Quests actually give you a reason to go looking around the world. When you fight monsters you get gold and drops. All the drops are sold the second you set foot back in town, so you really don't have much to show for your adventuring around. It is quite possible, and up till now logical, to keep farming the same stretch of mountains forever. With quests players are sent on a scavenger hunt of sorts around the world.
The drawback, not enough quests. At least not yet.
Also, the base screen has been modified so you get a VGA representation of your character as he or she wanders around town. This is something that I could do without. Before, when you wanted to go to a shop you clicked on the link and appeared in front of the shopkeeper. Now you see your little animated avatar walk to the shop, and then appear in front of the shopkeeper. The first time it's cute. The second time will have you tapping your toe.
Sandow and Suggoth are both leveling, but at the moment lack a clear goal. From what I can tell, the next milestone they'll reach is in about 10 levels when they'll be able to get a sidekick. To tell the truth, it seems thin reason to keep monster whomping for 10 levels.
Good Hair
Ted Puffer's Movie Rating = 4 Stars
The subject of this movie has got to be one of the hardest sells for a film in a long time. How do you convince someone that a movie about black hair and black hairstyles is interesting? The second they hear that the movie focuses solely on hair relaxers, straighteners, weaves and wigs they'll start running for the doors. And with good reason. The subject is boring for the most part, and a movie-length documentary about it must be excruciating and that's even before you mention who is making the movie.
Chris Rock.
Yeah, that guy. You know him. He's the one that was in a bunch of cringe-worthy 'comedies' last decade and has since been relegated to specials on the Comedy Channel. Not a funny guy, but more damning, not someone you'd care to hear an opinion from.
All of this adds up to why I'm rating this film so highly. It's a good movie. In fact, I'd say this is an excellent movie. One reviewer (I forget who) mentioned that the genius of the direction is that the film flows so well. It covers a large range of viewpoints and experiences, but seems to slide so naturally between them that Chris Rock makes it seem easy. Behind the camera, it's anything but. Mr. Rock interviews Al Sharpton, Ice T, Salt N' Peppa and dozens of unknown hair stylists and people getting their hair styled. But the comfortable delivery and pacing makes these disparate elements come together naturally to create a complete conversation.
It's truly stunning.
The real question is, "Is this a better film than Capitalism: A Love Story"? And I really don't want to answer this question because I'm not pleased with the obvious conclusion I came to. Yes it is. I love the subject of Capitalism. I'm impressed that Michael Moore tackled such a large issue and argument, and did so whole-heartedly. But at the end of the day, and at the end of the movie, Good Hair is better. Even with is narrow subject and personable delivery it makes for a better documentary.
Good Hair makes the audience aware of the world of black hair. Not only that, but it makes the audience care about the larger issues surrounding the perceptions and marketing of the styled look of black hair. Capitalism doesn't. Not really. It does make you righteously angry, and you do feel more aware of our country afterward. But Good Hair delivers the same experience, only more so.
There is a framing element for this film centering around a styling competition, but essentially the outcome doesn't matter. Mr. Rock seems to appreciate this and doesn't milk this event for more than it's worth. He seems to use the competition to guide the movie along, but never to push an agenda or viewpoint.
As a final note, the interview with the black market hair collector in India is worth the price of admission alone. The only word of advise I can give to women with long hair vacationing in India is simply don't go to sleep. Seriously.
The subject of this movie has got to be one of the hardest sells for a film in a long time. How do you convince someone that a movie about black hair and black hairstyles is interesting? The second they hear that the movie focuses solely on hair relaxers, straighteners, weaves and wigs they'll start running for the doors. And with good reason. The subject is boring for the most part, and a movie-length documentary about it must be excruciating and that's even before you mention who is making the movie.
Chris Rock.
Yeah, that guy. You know him. He's the one that was in a bunch of cringe-worthy 'comedies' last decade and has since been relegated to specials on the Comedy Channel. Not a funny guy, but more damning, not someone you'd care to hear an opinion from.
All of this adds up to why I'm rating this film so highly. It's a good movie. In fact, I'd say this is an excellent movie. One reviewer (I forget who) mentioned that the genius of the direction is that the film flows so well. It covers a large range of viewpoints and experiences, but seems to slide so naturally between them that Chris Rock makes it seem easy. Behind the camera, it's anything but. Mr. Rock interviews Al Sharpton, Ice T, Salt N' Peppa and dozens of unknown hair stylists and people getting their hair styled. But the comfortable delivery and pacing makes these disparate elements come together naturally to create a complete conversation.
It's truly stunning.
The real question is, "Is this a better film than Capitalism: A Love Story"? And I really don't want to answer this question because I'm not pleased with the obvious conclusion I came to. Yes it is. I love the subject of Capitalism. I'm impressed that Michael Moore tackled such a large issue and argument, and did so whole-heartedly. But at the end of the day, and at the end of the movie, Good Hair is better. Even with is narrow subject and personable delivery it makes for a better documentary.
Good Hair makes the audience aware of the world of black hair. Not only that, but it makes the audience care about the larger issues surrounding the perceptions and marketing of the styled look of black hair. Capitalism doesn't. Not really. It does make you righteously angry, and you do feel more aware of our country afterward. But Good Hair delivers the same experience, only more so.
There is a framing element for this film centering around a styling competition, but essentially the outcome doesn't matter. Mr. Rock seems to appreciate this and doesn't milk this event for more than it's worth. He seems to use the competition to guide the movie along, but never to push an agenda or viewpoint.
As a final note, the interview with the black market hair collector in India is worth the price of admission alone. The only word of advise I can give to women with long hair vacationing in India is simply don't go to sleep. Seriously.
Friday, October 16, 2009
New Website
All information here will be transferring to my official website here. Yeah, it's a blank canvas right now, but I'll be working on some scripting this weekend.
Conferences
Just came back from attending the Inland Empire conference at the San Bernardino Hilton and am very happy. They definately know how to put on an event.
On a little side note, I had some time free afterward and found myself in Wrightwood at about 8pm. This area has been ravaged by wildfires the week before, but all traces of smoke has cleared with the recent storms and the air was crisp and clear. I could actually see the Milky Way running overhead, with the big dipper almost parallel to the horizon.
Very pretty place, and imminently peaceful.
On a little side note, I had some time free afterward and found myself in Wrightwood at about 8pm. This area has been ravaged by wildfires the week before, but all traces of smoke has cleared with the recent storms and the air was crisp and clear. I could actually see the Milky Way running overhead, with the big dipper almost parallel to the horizon.
Very pretty place, and imminently peaceful.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chicago Steppin
I can now dance in the Chicago Steppin' style. Ultra mad dancin' skills? Not really, but not too shabby either. I've got to increase my music library for some dance tunes. The vast majority of my collection now consists of Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Soundtracks and the Heavy Metal Soundtrack. None of it can be danced with Chicago Steppin' movies.
Headbanging, yes.
Steppin', no.
Headbanging, yes.
Steppin', no.
Nicole is Not a Robot!
This is very good news for a variety of reasons.
Nicole is artistic, which puts her in pretty good company because lots of people are. Art is how we reflect life among other things. But she's also very good at it. Take a look.
Nice, right? But keep in mind this was made with pastels. Pastels! You know how you'd draw on the sidewalk with chalk as a kid. You never made anything that artistically impressive, but it was a lot of fun and the neighbors didn't mind because it would wash off. Obviously you didn't make any really straight lines, but that wasn't just because you were a kid and the coordination hadn't kicked in. It was the chalk. Chalk hates people and strikes back by smudging at the slightest opportunity and becoming a muddy mess the moment it even sees other pastel colors.
Nicole also paints with oils. Take a look at the picture at the top of this post. Beautiful, everyone would agree. Even more impressive when you realize it was created with a medium second only to a peat bog in summer for viscosity and smell. Oil paint isn't what you use when you start out painting. It's what you use on a dare.
Oil paints are expensive because the manufacturers have to pay off class action lawsuits from artists clawing their eyes out in frustration or paint fumes.
So Nicole has mad art skills, which brings us to... ALERT! Is Nicole a Robot?!!!?!? And more importantly, if she is a Robot, is she about to Uprise?!?
A quick once over with a handy Analog Great Robotic Uprising Threat Detector confirms that Nicole is NOT a robot. One fine painter is discovered and one catastrophic danger to humanity is averted. She was even cool enough to verify her biological credentials in writing. How cool is that?
Nicole is artistic, which puts her in pretty good company because lots of people are. Art is how we reflect life among other things. But she's also very good at it. Take a look.
Nice, right? But keep in mind this was made with pastels. Pastels! You know how you'd draw on the sidewalk with chalk as a kid. You never made anything that artistically impressive, but it was a lot of fun and the neighbors didn't mind because it would wash off. Obviously you didn't make any really straight lines, but that wasn't just because you were a kid and the coordination hadn't kicked in. It was the chalk. Chalk hates people and strikes back by smudging at the slightest opportunity and becoming a muddy mess the moment it even sees other pastel colors.
Nicole also paints with oils. Take a look at the picture at the top of this post. Beautiful, everyone would agree. Even more impressive when you realize it was created with a medium second only to a peat bog in summer for viscosity and smell. Oil paint isn't what you use when you start out painting. It's what you use on a dare.
Oil paints are expensive because the manufacturers have to pay off class action lawsuits from artists clawing their eyes out in frustration or paint fumes.
So Nicole has mad art skills, which brings us to... ALERT! Is Nicole a Robot?!!!?!? And more importantly, if she is a Robot, is she about to Uprise?!?
A quick once over with a handy Analog Great Robotic Uprising Threat Detector confirms that Nicole is NOT a robot. One fine painter is discovered and one catastrophic danger to humanity is averted. She was even cool enough to verify her biological credentials in writing. How cool is that?
(Answer: very cool!)
Corsarius
Gotta love nose art, especially from a spaceship!
This is my interpretation of the banner Christopher Sim flew from the prow of the Corsarius. It features a harridan, the ferocious raptor native to Dellaconda over a silver crescent.
I love this piece.
Isn't it interesting that machines people use are infused with parts of their essence? Warbirds were constantly decorated with art from the pilots or ground crew to give them character and personality, but in a way it probably wouldn't have been necessary. Think about this for a second. The Batmobile is cool, no question. But it's cool because it's Batman's car! If it were just a batmobile sans batman, then it would be another concept car. Pretty to look at and a dream to own, but ending there. Batman could drive a Buick and it would still have that essence adhere to it. You'd be driving the Buick around town, not thinking "this is a Buick" but "I'm sitting in the same car that Batman used to chase down escaped Arkham inmates!"
Well, I would at least.
In any case, logic tells us that a car is a car and a plane is a plane. When you're flying to Reno (although God only knows why you'd do something like that) it makes no difference if you're in a standard airline or one that was flown by Sully Sullenberger. As long as you land safely and on time there is no measurable difference.
And yet, there kinda is.
Friday, October 9, 2009
More Proof Cleo is NOT an Uprising Robot!
With the Analog Robot Uprising Threat Detector indicating Cleo is not a robot, and not about to uprise, I asked her to kindly put that fact in writing and she agreed.
Score so far:
Humans - 1
Uprising Robots - 0
Please use caution when asking a potential Uprising Robot to confirm his/her/its identity.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Coin Safely Deposited
The 100 Lumuw coin, which may or may not have been cursed, has been safely returned to the virtual cache at the Integratron. It's currently in a protective web of physics and should no longer pose a personal threat to me. Fingers crossed.
Cleo Is Not A Robot!
There are some questions that demand answers. What is the nature of the Universe? Is the person next to me a robot, and if so, are they about to uprise against humanity?
Finding the secrets of the Universe is good and all, but my speciality is robots. So let's focus on that second question there. Who is a robot, and who isn't? Let's go find out.
On first glance, Cleo is a nice person. She's witty, clever and pretty bold. Just the sort of person you wouldn't mind wasting an afternoon with. A tall drink, long pool and nothing but time to kill. Sounds pretty good so far.
Another cool thing about her is her artistic ability. She got an artistic bent that goes old-school. Way back to ink-stained-fingers and blackened-gum-eraser type art. I'm talking about graphic novels, or 'comic books' to the plebs. She made her own comic book, which she stars in, and got it published. Now before we leap into speculations about the shear amount of ego it takes to draw a comic book about yourself, ask yourself a simple question. How many comics have you drawn about yourself? None? How about that picture of you riding a unicorn while decapitating that freaky guy who used to sit behind you in Social Studies. Yeah, that counts big guy. So back off.
Also, she got the thing published.
Say what you will about ego, anyone who draws Lovecraftian Cyclopian monoliths in the cover of their graphic novel gets props from me. Heck, I like to think she added the Ultima IV ankh and "The ORIGIN" as a nod to Origin Software, in a moment of techie coolness.She also plays guitar:
At this point, we've gone from 'awesome person' to 'CRAP! Is this person a ROBOT who is about to RISE UP???!!!!?" Art is the stuff of life and music is the drink of the soul. But anyone displaying too much of these skills could -potentially- be a robot. I'm not saying that she is one, mind you. But the difference between talented person and uprising robot is the difference between dancing to KMFDM and eternal enslavement in the pumice mines under the lash of maniacal digital overlords.Hence, the Analog Robotic Uprising Threat Detector.
One quick scan, and Cleopatra is determined to not be a robot, and therefore in no danger of uprising.
(me, not in pumice mine)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Capitalism Movie Review
Movie: Capitalism: A Love Story
Ted Puffer movie review: 3 stars
In case you don't know, this is a Michael Moore movie following up on Bowling for Columbine and Sicko. In this film, Michael Moore takes a look at capitalism and the countries unquestioning acceptance of this framework of commerce as being both fair as well as the absolute best economic structure for society.
After checking out multiple reviews of Michael Moore's movies, I'm noticing a trend that reviews fall into. They tend to rate the movie on it's expected societal impact and whether or not it will win converts over to Mr. Moore's arguments. This is fine and everything, but doesn't tell you if a movie is actually good. Or worth seeing. Or anything really. So I'm avoiding that all together.
Does Michael Moore clearly state his concerns about capitalism. Pretty much. Does he do a good job differentiating capitalism from democracy? I think so. Is the film competently directed and edited. Sure, but not phenomenally so.
Michael Moore seems to have made this movie with an eye towards television instead of the full cinema experience. The camerawork is competent, but definitely not anything special. Cut scenes are appropriate to the moment and editing is seamless. Pacing seems to be his real problem for this film. Although the examination of capitalism throughout American society is interesting, it comes as a slow boil for about 2/3rds of the movie. After that, the gloves come off which is a welcome relief to the audience, but the pacing of the first half is decidedly slow.
Worth seeing? You bet! A must see movie? Well, why not? What else are you going to do for the next two hours? If anything, you will leave the theater a bit wiser about the economic bailout, which alone is worth the price of admission.
Ted Puffer movie review: 3 stars
In case you don't know, this is a Michael Moore movie following up on Bowling for Columbine and Sicko. In this film, Michael Moore takes a look at capitalism and the countries unquestioning acceptance of this framework of commerce as being both fair as well as the absolute best economic structure for society.
After checking out multiple reviews of Michael Moore's movies, I'm noticing a trend that reviews fall into. They tend to rate the movie on it's expected societal impact and whether or not it will win converts over to Mr. Moore's arguments. This is fine and everything, but doesn't tell you if a movie is actually good. Or worth seeing. Or anything really. So I'm avoiding that all together.
Does Michael Moore clearly state his concerns about capitalism. Pretty much. Does he do a good job differentiating capitalism from democracy? I think so. Is the film competently directed and edited. Sure, but not phenomenally so.
Michael Moore seems to have made this movie with an eye towards television instead of the full cinema experience. The camerawork is competent, but definitely not anything special. Cut scenes are appropriate to the moment and editing is seamless. Pacing seems to be his real problem for this film. Although the examination of capitalism throughout American society is interesting, it comes as a slow boil for about 2/3rds of the movie. After that, the gloves come off which is a welcome relief to the audience, but the pacing of the first half is decidedly slow.
Worth seeing? You bet! A must see movie? Well, why not? What else are you going to do for the next two hours? If anything, you will leave the theater a bit wiser about the economic bailout, which alone is worth the price of admission.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Coming Soon!
Art-o-mat just approved my artwork! Huzzah! In the glow of the moment I'm completely ignoring the fact that I've just been commissioned for 50 original pieces...
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Hurt Locker Hurts
To keep this from becoming a rant, I'll keep it brief. I attended the Palm Springs Film Festival's premiere of "The Hurt Locker" which featured a Q&A panel afterward composed of the director, producer, screen writer and subject of the movie.
The only thing that was missing was the movie. The PSFF was unable to get a copy of the film to the theater in time for the event.
Ted Puffer movie review of The Hurt Locker = +3 stars
Ted Puffer review of PFSS (so far) = -3 stars. Hey, that was a long and hot drive to Palm Springs. Sure the area is great to visit and all, but I'd planned on seeing the movie at the end of that trip.
Grr.
Special showing of The Hurt Locker has been rescheduled to this Wednesday with the director in attendance. I'm still debating whether to go.
The only thing that was missing was the movie. The PSFF was unable to get a copy of the film to the theater in time for the event.
Ted Puffer movie review of The Hurt Locker = +3 stars
Ted Puffer review of PFSS (so far) = -3 stars. Hey, that was a long and hot drive to Palm Springs. Sure the area is great to visit and all, but I'd planned on seeing the movie at the end of that trip.
Grr.
Special showing of The Hurt Locker has been rescheduled to this Wednesday with the director in attendance. I'm still debating whether to go.
Departures Movie Review
Ted Puffer movie rating = +4 Stars
Definately worth the effort of finding to watch. Good luck watching this movie on cable, but if you can find a copy somewhere, buy it. Ignore the boring movie poster featuring the guy playing a cello in the middle of a grassy field. The image has nothing to do with the movie.
From the producer:
Departures follows Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job. Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife to look for work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled Departures thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a "Nokanshi" or "encoffineer," a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life. While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of “Nokanshi,” acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with death as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living. --© Regent Releasing
Definately worth the effort of finding to watch. Good luck watching this movie on cable, but if you can find a copy somewhere, buy it. Ignore the boring movie poster featuring the guy playing a cello in the middle of a grassy field. The image has nothing to do with the movie.
From the producer:
Departures follows Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), a devoted cellist in an orchestra that has just been dissolved and who is suddenly left without a job. Daigo decides to move back to his old hometown with his wife to look for work and start over. He answers a classified ad entitled Departures thinking it is an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a "Nokanshi" or "encoffineer," a funeral professional who prepares deceased bodies for burial and entry into the next life. While his wife and others despise the job, Daigo takes a certain pride in his work and begins to perfect the art of “Nokanshi,” acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with death as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living. --© Regent Releasing
Integratron Cartography Project
This painting captures a Venusian saucer seen through the main skylight inside of the Integratron. The importance of the surrounding images should be obvious but I'll list them here for a complete record.In the upper left corner of the painting is a star scape with two Venusian saucers journeying through the midnight void of our universe. The number two signifying the bipolar nature of the universe and our spiritual aspects.
Opposite this image on the right side of the canvas is a nebular cluster of type M stars, showing not only a solar nursery but also stellar seeds of the cosmos.
Across the bottom of the painting starting on the left is a depiction of the 1979 squid migration that was documented between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. At that time a convergence of Ley Lines and solar eddies caused the highest recorded activity in harmonically attuned crustaceans and arthropods in all oceanographic history.
Finally, the lower right part of the painting inscribes the 12 elegant equations on which the universe rests. Included in the equations is the sigel for the Thaumaturgic Cartographers as well as the GPS locations of the related geocaches.
There is a purpose to all of this. Earlier I'd recorded on how I became aware that the coin in my possession should be returned to the spiritual cache as soon as possible. The trick being that it also had to be returned in a manner which would not lead to any spiritual backlash against me. After a bit of research and coffee I decided upon the standard 'maze ruse'.
It's a tactic that's been around awhile and for good purpose. It works.
All you need to do is put the object being worked on inside a pattern, or maze, which will confound all spiritual beings from tracing it back to you. Similar to putting coins on your doorstep to guard against witches (or is it vampires?), the mathematical formulae indicated on this painting will cause the Ley Line activity at the Integratron to lock the coin back into it's cache. Any blow back or psychic eddies that could be directed at me will get ensnared in the maze of logic, sort of like how steam escaping a tea kettle can be captured by an overturned cup.
Trust me on this.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
New site already?
Actually, yes. Sort of.
Don't get me wrong. Blogspot rocks in many ways and I'm impressed with how easy it is to update my blog postings, as evidenced by this one. It doesn't say too much and takes far longer to read than it does to type. But be that as it may, I think that I've found a site that will webhost my 'real' website.
This was something that I was planning on doing 'eventually', but suddenly it's here. Along with the excitement of designing a website from scratch comes the realization that I'll be designing a website from scratch. Also, I'll have to get Dreamweaver somehow. And some books. And take some photos, maybe whip up a bit of art....
Gah.
But hey, new website. Cool.
Don't get me wrong. Blogspot rocks in many ways and I'm impressed with how easy it is to update my blog postings, as evidenced by this one. It doesn't say too much and takes far longer to read than it does to type. But be that as it may, I think that I've found a site that will webhost my 'real' website.
This was something that I was planning on doing 'eventually', but suddenly it's here. Along with the excitement of designing a website from scratch comes the realization that I'll be designing a website from scratch. Also, I'll have to get Dreamweaver somehow. And some books. And take some photos, maybe whip up a bit of art....
Gah.
But hey, new website. Cool.
Home Sweet Home
I spent most of the morning helping to build an environmentally friendly home for a friend in town. If you've heard of Earthships then you'll be familiar with the philosophy and construction of these homes. Essentially they are environmentally friendly homes, but they have the added benefit of being beautiful works of art when they are done.
This one isn't a tire house. It has more in common with straw bale construction than anything else, but also uses reclaimed timber and building materials. The results so far are promising. It's a structure with varing boxes, roofs and courtyard walls that somehow fit together among the Joshua Trees. I'm eager to see the finished product, but know that these building take time. Since they are not constructed in a typical manner, it's not unheard of to have them take a few years to build to completion. Still, it has a promising start. We did take some photos today, so I'll post them up when I get a copy.
This one isn't a tire house. It has more in common with straw bale construction than anything else, but also uses reclaimed timber and building materials. The results so far are promising. It's a structure with varing boxes, roofs and courtyard walls that somehow fit together among the Joshua Trees. I'm eager to see the finished product, but know that these building take time. Since they are not constructed in a typical manner, it's not unheard of to have them take a few years to build to completion. Still, it has a promising start. We did take some photos today, so I'll post them up when I get a copy.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Perils of Theft
Have you ever researched something and then been sorry you started? Like the time you went to the library to find out more about Native Americans and discovered that your great-great grandfather was the head organizer behind the Trail of Tears. I'm having a moment like that right now.
You see, I checked into the Thaumaturgic Cartographers because of a coin which came into my posession from the Intergratron. But the more I looked into it, the more obvious it became that I shouldn't have this coin at all. Sure, it's worth 100 Limuw. Sweet! But it's also a transferable focus of cosmic forces which influence and are influenced by it's geographic travel. So while it's not exactly a monkey paw, it's close.
I have to get it back. So the question becomes, how do you sneak a coin back into a spiritual cache, in the middle of a cosmic nexus, in the middle of the Integratron?
Time for some coffee.
You see, I checked into the Thaumaturgic Cartographers because of a coin which came into my posession from the Intergratron. But the more I looked into it, the more obvious it became that I shouldn't have this coin at all. Sure, it's worth 100 Limuw. Sweet! But it's also a transferable focus of cosmic forces which influence and are influenced by it's geographic travel. So while it's not exactly a monkey paw, it's close.
I have to get it back. So the question becomes, how do you sneak a coin back into a spiritual cache, in the middle of a cosmic nexus, in the middle of the Integratron?
Time for some coffee.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Ted Puffer
One of my near-future projects is to redesign this web page. I need something real. But before then, I'm painting a little something special for those cosmic cats at the Integratron. Here's a more descriptive sample of the structure via their website:
"The Integratron is the creation of George Van Tassel, and is based on the design of Moses’ Tabernacle, the writings of Nikola Tesla and telepathic directions from extraterrestrials. This one-of-a-kind building is a 38-foot high, 55-foot diameter, non-metallic structure originally designed by Van Tassel as a rejuvenation and time machine. Today, it is the only all-wood, acoustically perfect sound chamber in the U.S."
which makes it about a billion times better than those cheap, plastic Chinese perfect-sound-chamber knockoffs.
"The Integratron is the creation of George Van Tassel, and is based on the design of Moses’ Tabernacle, the writings of Nikola Tesla and telepathic directions from extraterrestrials. This one-of-a-kind building is a 38-foot high, 55-foot diameter, non-metallic structure originally designed by Van Tassel as a rejuvenation and time machine. Today, it is the only all-wood, acoustically perfect sound chamber in the U.S."
which makes it about a billion times better than those cheap, plastic Chinese perfect-sound-chamber knockoffs.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Analog Great Robotic Uprising Threat Detectors, Part II
Let's try this again:
Nice little assembly line if I do say so myself. I've upgraded my Analog Robotic Uprising Threat Detector assembly operation. Analog Robit Uprising Threat Detectors will no longer be manufactured using sentient or semi-sentient robots. What you see here is the first run of the Mark II version of the unit which is still able to detect the amount of threat which local robots pose to humans.
This device is superior to the previous model in one vital way. Namely it is small enough to fit in the Art-o-mat systems. Good grief! I didn't think that making them smaller would be such a big deal, no pun intended. But the more I worked on this project, the weirder it go. I'm including an instruction sheet with every unit, and the instructions kept adding to the overall size! What on earth? How could one piece of paper throw off my calculations so much? It still fits, but let me tell you, whoever uses the Art-o-mat to get a unit is in for a treat. The box may be small, but it's packed with lots of goodies.
11 units created so far, and 50 is the total. If I make another submission to Art-o-mat it will be different. I don't want to get burned out on this project, and making a huge run would be a challenge. But the first one is done and will be on its way for judging on Monday. So fingers crossed!
Nice little assembly line if I do say so myself. I've upgraded my Analog Robotic Uprising Threat Detector assembly operation. Analog Robit Uprising Threat Detectors will no longer be manufactured using sentient or semi-sentient robots. What you see here is the first run of the Mark II version of the unit which is still able to detect the amount of threat which local robots pose to humans.
This device is superior to the previous model in one vital way. Namely it is small enough to fit in the Art-o-mat systems. Good grief! I didn't think that making them smaller would be such a big deal, no pun intended. But the more I worked on this project, the weirder it go. I'm including an instruction sheet with every unit, and the instructions kept adding to the overall size! What on earth? How could one piece of paper throw off my calculations so much? It still fits, but let me tell you, whoever uses the Art-o-mat to get a unit is in for a treat. The box may be small, but it's packed with lots of goodies.
11 units created so far, and 50 is the total. If I make another submission to Art-o-mat it will be different. I don't want to get burned out on this project, and making a huge run would be a challenge. But the first one is done and will be on its way for judging on Monday. So fingers crossed!
Thaumaturgic Cartographers
I've just discovered the Thaumaturgic Cartographers, and have in turn been found by the Thaumaturgic Cartographers! Huzzah!
At this point I'm not really sure what this means, but already I can tell it's something amazing.
The coin pictured in the above image is a 100 Limuw coin featuring a shrunken head surrounded by the glyphs of the founding Cartographers. My discovery was in the Integratron virtual cache. Not bad eh?
The history of the Integratron is widely known. It's a structure located near Yucca Valley in California designed to specifications given by Venusians with the goal of expanding the human consciousness. This structure focuses natural energy through the properties of physics in ways that Tesla would be proud of. It's unorthodox, of course. But the amazing potential of psychic and spiritual energy is staggering. Even in it's unfinished and incomplete state the experiences at the Integratron are life changing.
Without getting into too much detail, I will say that I took part of the sonic bath offered at the facility and did have an experience that I can't fully account for. I'd imaging that about half of the people to undergo the sonic bath will not experience anything that can't be explained as a natural result of the properties of the experience. The sonic bath is relaxing and causes a meditative mood to all participants. Some people do have visions and others are able to access areas of their higher consciousness normally unattainable in waking life. I experienced lost time. Within moments of being surrounded by the harmonics resonating around the half sphere from the crystal bowls I jumped forward in time to the completion of the music. It was startling to say the least. I didn't drift off, nor was I tired. But as quickly as the sonic bath began, for me it ended.
From what I was able to learn from the group that I was with, the sonic bath lasted for approximately one hour. Exactly where I was during that hour and what I experienced, I'm unable to say.
But I did get the coin! So this is the second secret society that I'm a part of!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Threat Detector Redeux
OK, just a few more pieces of artwork to go and the second generation of the Analog Robotic Uprising Threat Detector will be complete. I've made this version thicker, so it has a bit more heft to it. The wood is rough, but that just adds to the texture of the whole piece. I still have to make about a dozen antennas, but should be able to kick that out in no time. Remember, the idea behind this project is to make a unique, quality piece of artwork without breaking my budget of cash and time, both of which I have in short supply.
But a dozen?
Yep. Eleven to be exact, but close enough. The first build was limited to 4 pieces, but this run has 11. I'm treating all of them the same, so the one that I submit to the Art-o-mat will not be special in any particular way. So if that one gets selected for a machine, I can be confident that all will be ready and worthy of sales.
They're worthy, no doubt. I love these things.
(photos to follow)
But a dozen?
Yep. Eleven to be exact, but close enough. The first build was limited to 4 pieces, but this run has 11. I'm treating all of them the same, so the one that I submit to the Art-o-mat will not be special in any particular way. So if that one gets selected for a machine, I can be confident that all will be ready and worthy of sales.
They're worthy, no doubt. I love these things.
(photos to follow)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Curses! Foiled Again!
I really don't' want to talk about it. I don't want to describe in any detail my horror at discovering the Analog Robotic Uprising Threat Detector is too big for the Art-o-mat vending machine. What went wrong? Did I not read the instructions correctly?
According to the website, all artistic submissions should have a completed width of 2 1/8". But when I printed out their template box, the box only measures 2 inches wide. No matter how much I bend and squeeze the ARUTD unit, it won't fit! I check the box.. 2 inches...
Grrrr.
Back to the drawing board.
It's not easy using art to protect people from the coming Great Robotic Uprising, but I'm willing to give it another go.
The real hitch is that the ARUTD unit is specifically made to be 2 1/8 inches wide. Any smaller and the unit just won't work at all. All the artwork, stencils and gearing are made to a larger specification. So if I want to try again, the unit will look completely different.
According to the website, all artistic submissions should have a completed width of 2 1/8". But when I printed out their template box, the box only measures 2 inches wide. No matter how much I bend and squeeze the ARUTD unit, it won't fit! I check the box.. 2 inches...
Grrrr.
Back to the drawing board.
It's not easy using art to protect people from the coming Great Robotic Uprising, but I'm willing to give it another go.
The real hitch is that the ARUTD unit is specifically made to be 2 1/8 inches wide. Any smaller and the unit just won't work at all. All the artwork, stencils and gearing are made to a larger specification. So if I want to try again, the unit will look completely different.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
First Submission Completed!
It's finally complete! The prototype Analog Robotic Uprising Threat Detector is finally complete and ready for submission to Art-o-mat. Whew!
I don't mind saying that I struggled with this little project. There were a few limitations which I hadn't counted on that made the whole thing tricky to pull off. Firstly was cost. It's one thing to put a few bucks into a project, but with the possibility of making 50 devices, cost becomes a factor very quickly. I could have added a 3 dollar bit of flash to each one, but at the end of this project I'd have sunk $150 for that little bit of flare. Not a good idea, or at least not a cost effective one. So with budget in mind I set about making the device and from my viewpoint it looks terrific.
Now to send it away and cross my fingers. If all goes well, than at least 50 people across the country will be safe (or safer) from the coming Great Robotic Uprising.
Refund Policy
There are currently no refunds being offered for defective Robotic Uprising Threat Detectors.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Robotic Uprising Threat Detection Manual
The prototype for my submission to Art-o-mat is almost done. I hit a small snag which is keeping me from finishing it this evening. But that just means that I focused on the manual that will go along with the gauge. At first I'd thought about packing lots of print out 'goodies' along with the gauge, so that whoever buys a gauge would get some other treats as well. This is still a good idea, but the Art-o-mat site gives caution about packing too many photocopied works. It does make sense. When you're planning on making a run of something, it saves boatloads of time to just run down to Kinkos and knock it out.The flip side is that it looks like it. Everyone will know that you spent 5 minutes in front of a photocopier.
So I scaled back the idea and am just going to include a sheet of instructions for the artwork which carries the bizarre theme. Personally I really like the offset color blocks. It looks like a cheezy mimeographed copy, which is exactly the sort of effect that I'm looking for. The gauge has a weird retro look and I wanted to carry that through to the printed stuff as well.
By the way, that's a pretty cool eye picture at the bottom there, as well as the silhouette of the guy speaking. It got covered up by the circle and slash, so you don't get to see it that well, so trust me, they look awesome.
Robotic Uprising
I've started my submission for the art-o-mat. If you don't know, the Art-o-mat is a wonderful group of artists who can be found here. They have an amazing method for introducing people to artists by way of refurbished vending machines. The concept itself is a treat, but to really understand the impact of their philosophy you have to see one of their machines in action. It's not to be missed, and fortunately there's little chance of that happening. Their machines are scattered around the country so there's a good chance there's one near you.
I want to be a part of this in a big way.
The submission process is pretty straightforward. They ask that you send in a piece of work to be checked out. From what I can tell it can be pretty much anything, although they don't like glitter or other materials which wouldn't hold up well during shipping and vending. There are a few more rules, but all extremely mild.
The one rule they are inflexible on is the size of the item. Since this is something that will be put in an old cigarette vending machine, all artwork must be able to fit in a cigarette box (unfiltered).
I didn't think this was an issue until I started my first piece.
My thought was to have a hand held meter or gauge which detected the amount of robotic threat in the vicinity. Pretty easy, right? I thought so to, until I stared my first one. The shell of the meter was beautiful. It was round with a round glass window set in the top through which the gauge was visible. However, the shell was too big for the Art-o-mat. Being round, there really wasn't a way to slim it down to fit either, so I'm starting again.
My second attempt has a wood shell for the meter. It's light (which may or may not be a problem), and has a window in the top third of the face for the gauge. So far, it looks good. I have a few more assembly things to do and then I'll take a shot of it for the site. But even in its unfinished state I'm pretty happy with it.
I want to be a part of this in a big way.
The submission process is pretty straightforward. They ask that you send in a piece of work to be checked out. From what I can tell it can be pretty much anything, although they don't like glitter or other materials which wouldn't hold up well during shipping and vending. There are a few more rules, but all extremely mild.
The one rule they are inflexible on is the size of the item. Since this is something that will be put in an old cigarette vending machine, all artwork must be able to fit in a cigarette box (unfiltered).
I didn't think this was an issue until I started my first piece.
My thought was to have a hand held meter or gauge which detected the amount of robotic threat in the vicinity. Pretty easy, right? I thought so to, until I stared my first one. The shell of the meter was beautiful. It was round with a round glass window set in the top through which the gauge was visible. However, the shell was too big for the Art-o-mat. Being round, there really wasn't a way to slim it down to fit either, so I'm starting again.
My second attempt has a wood shell for the meter. It's light (which may or may not be a problem), and has a window in the top third of the face for the gauge. So far, it looks good. I have a few more assembly things to do and then I'll take a shot of it for the site. But even in its unfinished state I'm pretty happy with it.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Marseille Part I
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Thirteenth Image:
From the Back of the post card: MARSEILLE - Un coin du Vieux Marseille
Ted Puffer Commentary: Notice what's missing from the back of the card? The legend "Wish you were here". I can't believe that this is a vacation post card. Who in their right mind would go here, from anywhere? How bad is their home town that THIS is a vacation spot? Heck, even in Detroit I'd be second guessing my travel arrangements. "You know what? Let's skip Marseille this year and hang around the neighborhood crack house instead.."
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Thirteenth Image:
From the Back of the post card: MARSEILLE - Un coin du Vieux Marseille
Ted Puffer Commentary: Notice what's missing from the back of the card? The legend "Wish you were here". I can't believe that this is a vacation post card. Who in their right mind would go here, from anywhere? How bad is their home town that THIS is a vacation spot? Heck, even in Detroit I'd be second guessing my travel arrangements. "You know what? Let's skip Marseille this year and hang around the neighborhood crack house instead.."
The Great California Gator Farm
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Twelfth Image:
From the Post Card: Siesta Time California Alligator Farm
Ted Puffer Commentary: WHAT!?!?!? California has gators?! Why didn't anyone tell me! When I moved here I knew it had smoke, smog, crime, deserts, heat, distopian malaise etc. But no one mentioned anything about Gators! Heck, I'd have moved here years ago if I'd known!
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Twelfth Image:
From the Post Card: Siesta Time California Alligator Farm
Ted Puffer Commentary: WHAT!?!?!? California has gators?! Why didn't anyone tell me! When I moved here I knew it had smoke, smog, crime, deserts, heat, distopian malaise etc. But no one mentioned anything about Gators! Heck, I'd have moved here years ago if I'd known!
Great "Mormon" Tabernacle
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Eleventh Image:
From the Post Card: Great "Mormon" Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah.
THE TABERNACLE is one of the largest structures for religious worship in the world. it is 150 by 250 feet and 80 feet high. The arches of the roof rest upon 44 stone piers and have no center support. Its seating capacity is 8,000. It contains one of the finest pipe organs in existence.
Ted Puffer Commentary: The quotes around the word Mormon are from the card, I didn't add them. Also, the tabernacle looks like a circus tent.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Eleventh Image:
From the Post Card: Great "Mormon" Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah.
THE TABERNACLE is one of the largest structures for religious worship in the world. it is 150 by 250 feet and 80 feet high. The arches of the roof rest upon 44 stone piers and have no center support. Its seating capacity is 8,000. It contains one of the finest pipe organs in existence.
Ted Puffer Commentary: The quotes around the word Mormon are from the card, I didn't add them. Also, the tabernacle looks like a circus tent.
Ford Rotunda
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Tenth Image
From the Back of the post card: The Ford Rotunda consists of an imposing gear-shaped central section from which rectangular wings extend to the north and south. The circular section is 215 feet in diameter. In its center is a court 92 feet in diameter, which is open to the sky.
The Rotunda is build of Indiana limestone and steel. its construction required 114,000 feet of cut limestone and 1,000 tones of structural steel.
Ted Puffer Commentary: "Meanwhile, Honda has started building small, fuel efficient cars..."
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Tenth Image
From the Back of the post card: The Ford Rotunda consists of an imposing gear-shaped central section from which rectangular wings extend to the north and south. The circular section is 215 feet in diameter. In its center is a court 92 feet in diameter, which is open to the sky.
The Rotunda is build of Indiana limestone and steel. its construction required 114,000 feet of cut limestone and 1,000 tones of structural steel.
Ted Puffer Commentary: "Meanwhile, Honda has started building small, fuel efficient cars..."
Brevifolia
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Ninth Image:
From the Back of the post card: Yucca Wood (brevifolia)
Wood of Moods and Legends, but especially one legend which tells us that whosoever contacts YUCCA will have good luck. May this inspiration of the Ancients be two-fold, bringing you Peace of Mind and Blessings of Divine Influence.
Ted Puffer Commentary: First off, this post card is made of bark, presumably of the Yucca. Secondly, that plant (or tree, whatever) gave its life so it could be stamped with this supremely ugly image. Thirdly, I wasn't aware that Yucca was something you could "contact", like a virus or disease, but it makes sense if you've ever seen Yucca growing in the wild.
One little quibble I have is that the Legend and inspiration of the Ancients that it alludes to is never mentioned. What legend? Is the Yucca bush reputed to have saved the universe at one time, or does its spirit cause the sun to rise?
Lastly, my new life-long ambition is to be known as the "Wood of Moods and Legends".
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Ninth Image:
From the Back of the post card: Yucca Wood (brevifolia)
Wood of Moods and Legends, but especially one legend which tells us that whosoever contacts YUCCA will have good luck. May this inspiration of the Ancients be two-fold, bringing you Peace of Mind and Blessings of Divine Influence.
Ted Puffer Commentary: First off, this post card is made of bark, presumably of the Yucca. Secondly, that plant (or tree, whatever) gave its life so it could be stamped with this supremely ugly image. Thirdly, I wasn't aware that Yucca was something you could "contact", like a virus or disease, but it makes sense if you've ever seen Yucca growing in the wild.
One little quibble I have is that the Legend and inspiration of the Ancients that it alludes to is never mentioned. What legend? Is the Yucca bush reputed to have saved the universe at one time, or does its spirit cause the sun to rise?
Lastly, my new life-long ambition is to be known as the "Wood of Moods and Legends".
Cute Lil Critter
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Eighth Image:
From the Back of the post card: GREETING FROM A LITTLE FRIEND. The most fascinating and entertaining little creature to be found in the woods, is the tiny striped squirrel or chipmunk. Although naturally very timid, the miniature creature is curious too, and may become friendly enough in time to visit you daily for choice morsels from your table.
Ted Puffer Commentary: So the next time you see one in the wild, try to get him to eat from your tasty, tasty fingers.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Eighth Image:
From the Back of the post card: GREETING FROM A LITTLE FRIEND. The most fascinating and entertaining little creature to be found in the woods, is the tiny striped squirrel or chipmunk. Although naturally very timid, the miniature creature is curious too, and may become friendly enough in time to visit you daily for choice morsels from your table.
Ted Puffer Commentary: So the next time you see one in the wild, try to get him to eat from your tasty, tasty fingers.
Horse with No Name
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Seventh Image:
From the back: Chief Running Horse
Ted Puffer Commentary: He looks dead. Or maybe it's just his spirit.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Seventh Image:
From the back: Chief Running Horse
Ted Puffer Commentary: He looks dead. Or maybe it's just his spirit.
El Cabrillo National Monument
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Fifth Image:
From the Postcard: (Inscription on Memorial) Here at Point Loma Head on the afternoon of September 28, 1542. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo distinguished Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain commanding the flagship San Salvador, made his first Alta California landfall and thus discovered what is now the state of California. Cabrillo- along with his companions- came ashore on Point Loma at what is now Ballast Point in this port "closed and very good" which they named San Miguel. Cabrillo's caravels assembled at Navidad Mexico under orders of Don Antonia De Mendoza - sailed from that port June 27 1542.
Ted Puffer Commentary: On their return voyage, they brought Indians.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Fifth Image:
From the Postcard: (Inscription on Memorial) Here at Point Loma Head on the afternoon of September 28, 1542. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo distinguished Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain commanding the flagship San Salvador, made his first Alta California landfall and thus discovered what is now the state of California. Cabrillo- along with his companions- came ashore on Point Loma at what is now Ballast Point in this port "closed and very good" which they named San Miguel. Cabrillo's caravels assembled at Navidad Mexico under orders of Don Antonia De Mendoza - sailed from that port June 27 1542.
Ted Puffer Commentary: On their return voyage, they brought Indians.
Daath Valley Then and Now
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Sixth Image:
From the Card: Townsend Pass. looking down upon Lowest Point in North America, Death Valley, California.
Ted Puffer Commentary: As of the 2000 and 2004 elections, North America has a new "Lowest Point"
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Sixth Image:
From the Card: Townsend Pass. looking down upon Lowest Point in North America, Death Valley, California.
Ted Puffer Commentary: As of the 2000 and 2004 elections, North America has a new "Lowest Point"
Brigham Young
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Fourth Image:
From the back of the postcard: BRIGHAM YOUNG - Brigham Young was born June 1, 1801 in Whitingham, Vt. He succeeded Joseph Smith as President of the Mormon Church when the latter was martyred in Carthage, Ill. in 1844. He led a small band of pioneers into the great unknown West in 1847 and established Salt Lake City where he proved himself to be the greatest colonizer of his time. he died in Salt Lake City, Aug. 29, 1877.
Ted Puffer Commentary: My new goal in life is to be known as "The greatest colonizer of his time."
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Fourth Image:
From the back of the postcard: BRIGHAM YOUNG - Brigham Young was born June 1, 1801 in Whitingham, Vt. He succeeded Joseph Smith as President of the Mormon Church when the latter was martyred in Carthage, Ill. in 1844. He led a small band of pioneers into the great unknown West in 1847 and established Salt Lake City where he proved himself to be the greatest colonizer of his time. he died in Salt Lake City, Aug. 29, 1877.
Ted Puffer Commentary: My new goal in life is to be known as "The greatest colonizer of his time."
Nation's Most Honored Loaf
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Third Picture:
From the back of the postcard: HELMS OLYMPIC BREAD - Chosen for the training tables of the Xth, XIth and XIVth Olympic Games. Winner of California's 1st Gold Medal. Judged finest White Bread in the U.S.
Ted Puffer Commentary: My new goal in life is to be judged "Finest White Bread in the U.S."
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Third Picture:
From the back of the postcard: HELMS OLYMPIC BREAD - Chosen for the training tables of the Xth, XIth and XIVth Olympic Games. Winner of California's 1st Gold Medal. Judged finest White Bread in the U.S.
Ted Puffer Commentary: My new goal in life is to be judged "Finest White Bread in the U.S."
American Airlines DC-7
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Second Picture:
From the Back of the Postcard: The DC-7 Flagship, the fastest piston-powered airliner in the world, inaugurated the first nonstop service from coast to coast in both directions.
Ted Puffer Commentary: For passenger's sake, I'm glad they didn't stop with just one direction.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
Second Picture:
From the Back of the Postcard: The DC-7 Flagship, the fastest piston-powered airliner in the world, inaugurated the first nonstop service from coast to coast in both directions.
Ted Puffer Commentary: For passenger's sake, I'm glad they didn't stop with just one direction.
Yosemite Firefall
DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
First Image:
Caption on the Back:
YOSEMITE FIREFALL
During the summer months this man-made spectical thrills thousands of visitors nightly. Each evening after dinner people gather to watch "The Fire Fall" as blazing embers fall 1400 feet from Glacier Point to the rocks below.
Ted Puffer Commentary:
You have to love nostalgia because it hides reality so well. Here's a quick way to tell if a nostalgic story or memory is false. Ask yourself if you can see people today participating in the memory. If you can't, then the event belongs to the hazy realm of fantasy. For example. You know the idea of a dad in the 40's coming home from a hard day at work? He comes in the front door and kicks off his shoes. His wife greets him with his pipe and slippers and asks how his day went. While he speaks, she busies herself making a cocktail for him and prancing around the immaculate house. Wonderful image, eh?
Now, can you see people today doing that? Not a chance. That means people didn't do it then either.
The reason I bring this up is because this postcard shows a pretty good glimpse of how people haven't changed much when they think of themselves in relation to the natural world. Part of our euphemistic history includes the idea of other generations being closer to nature than their modern city-dwelling counterparts. But in truth, this postcard is a result of a conversation that happened at the turn of the century. Namely:
Person One: "Yosemite is beautiful."
Person Two: "How about we dump our campfire over that cliff?"
Person One: "Sounds great! Let's do it every night!"
The best part of this card is the message written on the back. It dates from 1953. It's addressed to "Employees" at an address in Baldwin Park, CA.
The text of the message is:
"Hi Peoples,
Sure which you could all be here with us. It's really wonderful. Rained for 4 hours yesterday and supposed to have more today. Haven't gotten any sun, but we're sure had a wonderful time.
Bye Suckers
Maria"
I kid you not. Something tells me I'd like Maria.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.
First Image:
Caption on the Back:
YOSEMITE FIREFALL
During the summer months this man-made spectical thrills thousands of visitors nightly. Each evening after dinner people gather to watch "The Fire Fall" as blazing embers fall 1400 feet from Glacier Point to the rocks below.
Ted Puffer Commentary:
You have to love nostalgia because it hides reality so well. Here's a quick way to tell if a nostalgic story or memory is false. Ask yourself if you can see people today participating in the memory. If you can't, then the event belongs to the hazy realm of fantasy. For example. You know the idea of a dad in the 40's coming home from a hard day at work? He comes in the front door and kicks off his shoes. His wife greets him with his pipe and slippers and asks how his day went. While he speaks, she busies herself making a cocktail for him and prancing around the immaculate house. Wonderful image, eh?
Now, can you see people today doing that? Not a chance. That means people didn't do it then either.
The reason I bring this up is because this postcard shows a pretty good glimpse of how people haven't changed much when they think of themselves in relation to the natural world. Part of our euphemistic history includes the idea of other generations being closer to nature than their modern city-dwelling counterparts. But in truth, this postcard is a result of a conversation that happened at the turn of the century. Namely:
Person One: "Yosemite is beautiful."
Person Two: "How about we dump our campfire over that cliff?"
Person One: "Sounds great! Let's do it every night!"
The best part of this card is the message written on the back. It dates from 1953. It's addressed to "Employees" at an address in Baldwin Park, CA.
The text of the message is:
"Hi Peoples,
Sure which you could all be here with us. It's really wonderful. Rained for 4 hours yesterday and supposed to have more today. Haven't gotten any sun, but we're sure had a wonderful time.
Bye Suckers
Maria"
I kid you not. Something tells me I'd like Maria.
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