Allow me to start by stating, for the record, that I’m an Apple fan. I may even go so far as to say that I’m an Apple fanboy. I like the products, the way they’re designed, and most of the ways the company conducts business. My computers are great. And I love my iPhone: I use it for everything, from emailing and texting to Facebook updates, from game playing to bill paying. It’s the best phone on the market right now. That being said…
I’m cheering for WP7 (and Android, for that matter) because good products from competitors only make Apple products better. It’s like elite sports: good competition makes for better products. Excellent WP7 and Android OSes will make iOS even better, just like the slew of really good smartphones released in the past 18 months has pushed the engineers at Apple to make the iPhone even better than it already is.
The same goes for the seemingly countless tablets being released this year. I really do hope that several of them bring some heat to the iPad, in terms of both hardware and software. Not that I mind seeing the iPad dominate the market, but the way I see it, healthy competition is good for everyone, challengers and champion alike.
Since when are wristwatches NOT useful? Are they non-utilitarian because they “only” tell the time? What, not multitasking? Ugh, that’s soooo last-century!
Sorry Adrian, but I must respectfully disagree with your opinion that a watch on your wrist is redundant thanks to the clock on your phone. See, the thing about a watch is that it’s about more than “just” telling the time. It’s a reflection of several aspects of the wearer’s personality: fashion sense and style (or lack thereof), utility, pragmatism, ostentatiousness, attention to detail, and an eye for quality.
In compu-speak, it’s like the difference between computer users who regularly use keyboard shortcuts and those who don’t. Sure, the mouse is easy to use and convenient and right there on your desktop next to the keyboard. But when I’m in the throes of writing a paper or a blog entry, the last thing I want to do is stop writing, for whatever reason. I want the least amount of distraction and the maximum amount of efficiency in my workspace. Using keyboard shortcuts for simple commands like bolding text or saving or printing can help keep me in my writing flow, leaving my hands on the keyboard where the belong instead of shuffling back and forth to a peripheral. The same can be said for using a wristwatch instead of a phone for timekeeping. In one motion, it’s easy for me to tell the time with minimum effort. I don’t have to reach into my pocket, pull out a device, and push a button when the time of day is already on my wrist, ready to be viewed at a moment’s notice.
Of course, it could just be that I’m just a traditional kind of guy when it comes to stuff like wristwatches. The way I see it, my watch is more than just a part of my wardrobe. My watch silently speaks volumes about me. There have been several occasions that I have left the house without a watch on and felt totally out of my element, just like I do when I accidentally leave my phone at home. So, I guess what I’m saying is that my “old-school” wristwatch is useful. It always has been and it always will be. I don’t need it to tell me the weather or control my iPod or change slides on a Keynote presentation. I need it to tell me the time, quickly and accurately. I have my phone for everything else.
9:58 a.m. - Yup, totally slept on the couch last night.10:20 a.m. - Killed the OJ. Few things are more refreshing than ice-cold orange juice. Simply Orange = my favorite.11:20 a.m. - Decided to noodle around a bit in GarageBand. The '09 version is pretty powerful, especially for a pre-loaded program.1:36 p.m. - Nerding out with a little "Champions of Norrath: Return to Arms." Oh, how I love this game.5:23 p.m. - The requisite Facebook status update. It really was a lazy day.5:48 p.m. - How was I supposed to be motivated to do anything productive on a grey day like this?6:32 p.m. - On the way to Mike's to pick up Oreo, the sun peeks through the clouds. Beautiful.7:02 p.m. - Mike got two new monitors. He's now surrounded by screens. Quite literally.7:40 p.m. - Screenshot of Xan's FlightTrack info. The plane flew way off course to avoid inclement weather, causing her a delayed arrival.7:50 p.m. - On the way to the airport, U2's "Gloria" (from 1981) played on the radio. Anyone still doubt the band's relevance and longevity? Well done, 92.5 FM "The River."9:07 p.m. - Keeping myself busy in the Cell Phone Lot at Logan with a round of "Plants vs. Zombies."BONUS PIC #1: Oreo, passed the eff OUT!! Seriously, people, cutest dog I've ever seen.BONUS PIC #2: Oreo, awake and showing her Seminole pride. She's not only cute, but a loyal FSU fan! Man, those eyes get me every time.
Being wrong is not easy to admit, especially for a proud man such as myself. But, I was wrong this morning: I had no idea that the preferred plural for “octupus” is “octopuses,” NOT “octopi.”
Shock me like an electric octopus.
Reading an article on Wired.com this morning about new species of octopuses (from whence the above image came), I was stunned that the author and/or editor used “es” instead of “i.” The grammarian in me was SURE the plural was octopi; after all, that’s how I learned it. However, in these rapidly changing times, where technology changes in the blink of an eye and the English languages seems to change almost as quickly, I had to look it up for myself. Lo and behold, what did I find on Dictionary.com but octopuses listed first. Not only that, but“octopi” is actually incorrect, due to the word’s Greek origin (words with Latin origins ending in “-us” get the “-i” plural ending).
Needless to say, I’m shocked. So shocked, in fact, that I had to look it up in The Oxford American College Dictionary (yup, that’s right: a paper dictionary. Hardback cover and everything! Ah, old school.) just to make sure. Here’s what I found:
My world = thrown for a loop.
Whoa.
Utterly. Flabbergasted.
Yeah, I know, it’s only the word octopus, but the way I see it, since I’m usually a stickler for proper grammar, this is blowing my mind. I wonder how many other “rules” I’ve learned incorrectly.
If you know of any such errors, please enlighten me.
Wow, has it been that long? *sigh* Laziness strikes again! I did, however, manage to remember that yesterday was the 12th of the month, and took pics to document the day. 🙂
9:13 a.m. - No, this is not when I got up this morning. It's the time I remembered that it was the 12th of the month.9:34 a.m. - Our desk was not holding up to the weight of the computer stuff. Staples, here I come!10:41 a.m. - After taking my sweet-ass time to decide on a new desk, the thing wouldn't fit into my trunk. Speaking of which: I really need to clean my car!10:47 a.m. - Tried to Shazam a song on the way home from Staples and got this message. I have to pay for more than 5 tags per month?!? Boo, Shazam! Your "favorite app" status has been revoked!11:54 a.m. - Finally hung up the MJ poster we found at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the badass pics of Edge and Bono.12:34 p.m. - From our new place, I can now walk to the gym. Bonus! 1:42 p.m. - Taking a break from the racquetball drubbing Mike was giving me to take this pic.5:34 p.m. - Out for a quasi-early Mexican-food dinner. I WHOMPED on my food.8:30 p.m. - The new desk, unwrapped and awaiting assembly. Mmm, adult Legos.11:33 p.m. - 3 hours and one headache later, the new desk is up and in place. I'd be up for another 2 hours putting the computer stuff back together again.1:20 a.m. - This is why the desk couldn't fit into my little Civic's trunk: The box was HUGE!
* All photos (except the last one) taken with my new iPhone 4. Yeah, buddy!!
Here it is, in all its glory: my April 2010 12 of 12.
6:18 a.m. - The sunrise coming up over the blossoming trees...and the Dunkin Donuts.6:25 a.m. - Spring is here!8:57 a.m. - Setting up the DocCam for Theory 2.10:34 a.m. - The view from the piano after my Aural Skills 4 singing exams.12:14 p.m. - Making up the Aural Skills dictation exam sheets for Wednesday.12:48 p.m. - Mmm, lunch!5:43 p.m. - CUBS WIN!!6:24 p.m. - We went Outback last night. Unfortunately, the dinner wasn't very good.7:13 p.m. - The Nutter Butter pie dessert, however, was delicious. It didn't stand a chance.7:33 p.m. - Before the movie, Xan waited patiently as I listened to the classical radio station, trying to identify the composer. I correctly ID'd the piece as a Haydn symphony (No. 96, to be exact, which I had never heard before). Go me!9:51 p.m. - On date night, we saw "Date Night." Much like the food earlier in the evening, it was disappointing.10:57 p.m. - Wrapping up my evening with some Cubs highlights and a little CV updating.BONUS PIC: Oreo, looking attentive in the sunshine.
A picture chronicle of my March 12th, 2010. Enjoy!
6:18 a.m. - It was tough to get out of bed, but the fact that it was the Friday before Spring Break made it easier.9:19 a.m. - It's Exam/Casual Friday, hence the non-tie duds.10:51 a.m. - Part of the analysis example for my Theory 3 exam. I thought the example was pretty straightfoward; my students, on the other hand, had other ideas. VII6/5? Really?? HONESTLY???1:20 p.m. - Part of my lunch that I scarfed down before some racquetball with Mike. Man, do I love those Welch's fruit snacks!5:22 p.m. - The crumpled, sweaty, dirty heap formerly known as my racquetball glove. It may be time for a new one.5:40 p.m. - Enjoying some Peanut Butter Crunch and some PTI.6:16 p.m. - Playing Vector Tanks EXTREME on the iPhone before passing out for a juicy nap.8:44 p.m. - Some like it hot.9:12 p.m. - Enjoying an IZZE soda with dinner. YUM.11:14 p.m. - Cereal for a late-night snack? Don't mind if I do!12:01 a.m. - Deciding what the fall-asleep movie will be. We watched all of 5 minutes of The Breakfast Club before passing out.12:02 p.m. - Trying to get artsy with the nightstand light. I think I need to set the lens to stay open just a little longer.BONUS PIC: Oreo, asleep in Xan's lap while we're watching TV. I've said it before and I'll say it again: That dog is TOO. CUTE.
It’s hard to accept, but the reality that there’s hardly an original artistic idea left in Hollywood is a sobering one. The latest case in point is the new rendition of The Karate Kid coming out this summer. Let me preface this by saying that I love the original movie, not just because it’s the version that I grew up with (but that certainly weighs heavily in my pre-judgment of the remake), but also because it’s a good movie. Below are the trailers for both the 1984 original and the 2010 version, respectively.
1984:
2010:
In fairness, the trailer for the new movie looks pretty good. I’m going to see it when it comes out this summer. And I like the casting of Jackie Chan in the Mr. Miyagi role. He’s funny and actually knows martial arts in addition to “movie martial arts,” which can only be a plus.. Nevertheless, I still have several issues with what I’ve seen thus far of new version.
Firstly, the movie’s title is The KARATE Kid. So, why on earth is the kid being taught kung fu? They’re different martial arts. I’d have much less of a problem with the movie if it were titled The Kung Fu Kid because then it would tie in directly to the movie. What’s with the weapons training? Something as seemingly innocuous as that scene could ruin the entire spirit of the movie. “Karate” means “empty hand,” so let’s the save the staff training for other martial arts movies. Some may just say that I’m just being a grouch, or that it’s semantics and that it doesn’t matter. But it does matter, especially when this is a remake of a movie as highly revered as The Karate Kid. And yup, I’m being a grouch. Grow up with something, have people “update” it 25 years later, and see how you feel about the new version.
Secondly, the Miyagi character isn’t supposed to want to teach Daniel karate at first. In the 2010 trailer, it’s unclear just how active a role Chan’s character takes in promoting the instruction. Again, the spirit of the movie will be radically different from the 1984 version–and dare I say not nearly as effective or meaningful–if the Miyagi character is more aggressive in wanting to teach the kid. Fidelity to the spirit of the original is all I ask. (Well, OK, not all, but it’s a major factor.)
Thirdly, the best part of the first movie (for me, anyway) was the constant infusion of “life lessons” Mr. Miyagi gave Daniel. It’s an approach I bring with me into the classroom: not only am I teaching music theory and aural skills, but lessons that my students can take with them and apply to other areas of their lives. Without those lessons, the Miyagi character is just another martial arts instructor. I think Jackie Chan is capable of delivering a performance that includes those “life lesson” pearls of wisdom, like the “Life will knock us down, but we can choose to get back up” line. I can only hope there are more like this.
Lastly, and perhaps most simply, why mess with a gem? The way I see it, just leave well enough alone. In this case, it’s far more than merely “well enough.” The original is a classic film. I see no need for a remake.
Perhaps this is just the Seminole fan in me talking, but all this hype about Tim Tebow NOT working out at the NFL Combine this week is making me a little sick. I’ve said it all along and I’ll say it again: Tebow won’t do anything of note in the NFL at the quarterback position. Defensive players in the NFL are too fast and too strong for him to escape like he did regularly in college. And now he’s working on a new delivery and his footwork. As Mike tells his students about practicing aural skills, “You can’t fatten the calf the day of the market.” Yes, Tebow was a great college player. It pains me to say that, but it’s true. He won often and he won big. Fact. But, as many a Gator quarterback has proven, the NFL ain’t college. What he’s been doing for four years in Gainesville can’t simply be unlearned and reprogrammed in less than a month before Pro Day (17 March). As another adage goes, “Old habits die hard.”
On the other hand, Myron Rolle from FSU has been getting a lot of attention lately because of his unique combination of brains and athletic talent, and rightfully so. He’s a brilliant guy whose future is amazingly bright, both on and off the field. However, there are some in NFL circles who feel like his mental aptitude will hinder his NFL career. I just don’t understand how people think that being intelligent and having aspirations IN ADDITION to NFL success can be hindrances. Um, what? The way I see it, his mental acuity can only HELP him, especially at the free safety position. He’s the last line of defense: he has to read the whole field and react accordingly, which takes both athletic talent and intelligence. Whatever team drafts Myron will be lucky to have him. As he did at Florida State, he’ll represent that organization well in every aspect of his life.
Throughout their college careers, there was a gross incongruity in press coverage between Tebow and Rolle, due, in part, to Tebow’s success on the field. Despite some of the NFL cynics, I’m glad to see some of press finally recognizing Rolle. I’m looking forward to watching how these two men develop, both as players and as humanitarians.
Here’s an acoustic rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979.” For those of you out there who don’t think the concepts presented in music theory classes doesn’t apply to modern music, think again. Mike transcribed the song and arranged it for guitar and vocals. With the exception of the double neighbor, all the embellishing tones discussed thus far in this song. As Mike would say: BOOM.
Christopher Endrinal 