Pauls Rants & Revelations

So I was helping out my friend Jennifer with a CSS issue (lightbox was being dunb on IE) when I actually stopped and checked out the site it was for. Bot-Lab it is called. And it looks really nifty.

Basically, a group of folks gets together (in the Seattle area for now) for a tinker day and make interesting things. So far they have done some screen printing, made some nifty artsy lights, and a couple of other things that are interesting curiosities. Makes me a little sad I don’t live up there any more.

Anyways, they have a new event happening soon where they are going to make some Fireflys (lights in the window that are solar powered and light sensitive so they go on when its dark). I keep asking for her to have another tinker day in the Portland area so if you are here also let her know.

You can check out the calendar for more information on it.

OK. Back to my cave I go.

-Cheers

So I was one of the millions of people who weren’t lucky enough to be able to go to Macworld. As such, I was constantly hitting the refresh button on my browser so I could get the latest of what was happening from those who were posting blow by blow commentary.

At the tail end of the hour long keynote address, Steve Jobs reveals the newest Macbook, the Macbook Air. Touted as the thinest Laptop in the world, it is certainly impressive to look at. However, once past that, things start to get a little drab.

Aside from the rather puny processor, and lack of external ports (only 1 USB), and lack of HDD space, it is really not a great machine. Oh, I would not say no if I was presented with one, but I would certainly not spend $1800 just for the novelty of putting my precious mac into an envelope.

You can get the news and highlights and video on these other sites. Apples newest creation can be found here if you want to check it out.

Personally, though, I won’t be pining for this one. Mostly because my Macbook Pro totally kicks that ones ass. The Time Capsule, on the other hand, I would take in a heartbeat (right after I upgrade to Leopard that is).

-Cheers

This is just too cool not to share with as many people as I can. Im a fan of the Steampunk style and a fan of Star Wars, so when I came across this I just has to rave about it.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS :: Steampunk Lightsaber

I originally found it via a Digg article here.  The article was a collection of various steampunk style object including, but not limited too, R2D2, a computer monitor, and laptop. Check out Digg for more but if you just want the article then by all means click here.

Now if only I could convince my wife to let me make one for myself. She just got her office back after my last project so I should probably hold off on it or a bit.

-Cheers

Now I normally don’t succumb to the outside pressure of “this is what is manly and you are a man to have it” type of crap, but this really caught my eye as it goes with what I want in my house.

I was over a Car Guy Garage and I spot some metal cabinets that looked really interesting. The aluminum garage cabinets are what really caught my eye because I was thinking “that would look great in my kitchen”. No really, it would. The aluminum is easy to clean and the finish that comes with it is really pretty impressive. The layout of the cabinets is also quite well thought out so I would be really a smart thing to use them as kitchen cabinets.

I just have to come up with the cash to get them. And, you know, convince my wife that it would be a good thing. She did after all tell me to get a motorcycle, so she would probably go for this as well.

-Cheers

I just came across this story on digg about an etch-a-sketch artist. At first I was like “how good could it be?” until I actually got to the site.

http://etchasketchist.blogspot.com

The first one I saw was an image of Bioshock which was better than a lot of people could do with paper and pencil. I think extra kudos should be given to him just for doing it on the tiny travel etch-a-sketch.

My fav so far is The Puzzler just for the nifty background in it. Second is scene from Star Wars.

-Cheers

This was truly awe inspiring. I really thought it was a photo until the author described and provided screenshots for the steps and used. I am really wishing I paid more attention in art class now. Full article link is below.

BoobleBot Blog: Amazing. This is not a photo.
Amazing. This is not a photo.

I bet the Adobe folks are really stoked that something like this was made with their product. If I were them, I would be hitting this guy up for some testimonials or permission to use the work. Would be great advertising.

It can also be Dugg here:
http://digg.com/design/Amazing_This_is_not_a_photo

Cheers

I made this wallpaper out of boredom and a need to do something in vector. Hope you dig it as much as i do.

I won tickets to a party 800 miles away, so I knew I wouldn’t be going in person. So I made this illustrator version of me.

Then I went to Kinkos and printed out a 6′ by 2′ poster and sent it to the party in my place. I just hope they didn’t use the ‘paper me’ for spitball target practice or anything.

Here is a wallpaper I did for a contest on the Billy Bussey forum. The theme was “BB Studios Explosion” and this was my entry.

I won tickets to the BB studios premeir party and a t-shirt.

Still waiting on the t-shirt though.

Cheers

Here are a few pics form the FF04 conference. I lost a bunch from a bungle at the photo hut.

CLICK HERE NOW

I’m still pissed about my pics getting botched. I emailed 5 people we were hanging out with for their pics but only heard a reply from 1 of them. Ill post more if i get them. Hopefully someone took pics of all the hotties that were there (web design chicks get hotter and hotter every year).

Cheers.