TV, Tivo, Media Center and LCD monitors

So it seems my original idea of using my new dell as dual-screen Media Center tv recording box isn't gonna pan out. I actually had the system working for a few weeks before I some how killed the hardware on reinstalling windows. Anyway, Dell is sending someone out to replace the motherboard but once its fixed I don't think I'll be using the computer any more (dad wants it for his room). So now, to make good use of the sweet 21" wide screen LCD I have, I've purchased the AVer MEdia TVBox 9 - an external TV tuner. This box will let me feed cable tv directly to the monitor and also allow peripherals (i.e. xbox) to connect too. Maybe, if the setup is working wll, I'd even add a tivo. Should be wicked cool - I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Happy Weed PC Update

Quick update on whats happening with the game. As I mentioned before I've switched from DirectX to Java3D and I'm working my way through the Killer Game Programming book. And I just got Eclipse setup on my laptop so I'm ready to compile some Java code! Also I want to introduce the first version of the Bumble Bee character I've created. I tried to create the character to look similar to the weed character as they both inhabit the universe of the game (and I want it to have some visual uniformity) Enjoy!

Things I want v1.0

I've thought about doing this list in the past but I thought it was vulgar - especially when I had no money. A long time ago when I worked at Domania for a brief stint I had money and somehow I used it, quickly, but in a way that was tasteful. I say this because the two expensive purchases I made I still use very frequently. (My turntables and the flat panel NEC monitor.) Anyway, I'm hoping that if I put some thought into it, I can make a few tasteful purchases and save away the rest of my funds. Depending on the state of my "Media PC" (dell is sending someone to fix it) I may not need, immediately, a tv and/or tivo - two things I'd definitely like to purchase. An nice HD TV would be a good investment and an hd tivo would complement that very well. Of course there are other nice but more expensive investments like cars, condos and vacations. As for the new car concept I don't think I really need a new car or will I be using one that much as I can get to and from work taking the bus. Maybe down the line in a year or two I'll need to think about this more. I love the idea of buying real estate. I imagine that my dad could one day be my advisor as I make a foray into the world of real estate investment. Again, this isn't really an option now but will be maybe in a few years as I save more money. The vacation idea is a good one though. I'v never been on a self funded vacation. And, with my ample vacation time at work, I could really do something nice. I'd love to go to japan or paris... hmm. I have no experience planning (in advance) for something like this but I bet it isn't to hard. Look out for "Things I want v2.0" coming soon!

HOLY CRAP! I GOT A JOB!

Wow. And so it begins. Mike got himself a joby job. I couldn't be happier with how things worked out - the process was intense but it payed off (literally). After going on five interviews (one on the west coast) and fielding way too many phone calls over the last two months I've finally sealed the deal. And the winner is: Children's Hospital. I'm working in the Emergency Medicine Depatrment doing informatics work under Dr. Stephen Porter. The work place enviornment is amazingly laid back (read: academic style), the benifits are awesome, and I'm acutally doing work that will help people. But I've only got a few weeks of freedom left - I better enjoy 'em!

Video Game Olympics

Tonight was the first ever "official" video game olympics between Alex and myself. We have had a long time disputed rivalry over who is the better video game player. It goes back to an incident when we were in 5th or 6rh gradeknown as "Tecmo Gate". Already at this early age we fought over who was the better Tecmo Basketball player (SNES version I think) and to put the matter to rest we decided to start recording win/loss records (and high scorer info) for each game we played. After a while we amassed a pretty long list but one day when we were disputing who reigned as the dominate player and decided to go back to the list to resovle the issue we found out that the list was missing (it has been alleged that Alex's mom threw it away). The incident became dubbed "Tecmo Gate" because we still, to this day dissagre who had a winning record on that list. Fast forward fifteen years and we are still bitter rivals. Tonight was a big night for me as I walked away with the first Video Game olymips crown winning at Fifa Street, NCAA 07 Football, NBA Live o6. We tied at one game a piece at Madden 07 and Alex won at MLB Baseball. And now, this document, is a record of my dominace over Alex in video game sports forever - until we play again.

Summer of Mike

It seems like the "summer of mike" is at its end. The summer of '06 has been one of the best in recent years. Aside from the Sox imploding, this summer has been nothing short of spectacular. Highlights include attending SIGGRAPH, visiting Portland, and meeting the love of my life (still waiting on the last one). But in all seriousness over the last three months I've discovered an ability to concentrate and study in a self directed way. Whether its writing blog entries, working on sourceforge, or going through maya textbooks I've really taken my intellectual game to the next level. Also, I've rediscovered my confidence largely in part through simply working hard and being proud of what I accomplished at BU during the course of the year. So what's next? Well it seems like I'm gonna get a job sooner or later and that means I'll have to become adapt at life. The little things - washing dishes, goin to the grocery store, payin bills and other mundane shit like that. And so the "summer of mike" segues to the "year of the man-child ". To be continued...

Mike's Guide to the Job Interview

Here is a little advice on how to ace your next job interview. I bring you this info from the trenches on the front line as I have had much experience in this setting.

Rule 1: No matter how hot much of a hot shit you think you are when your in an interview the person interviewing you is GOD! Laugh at their jokes and think about their word's. Everyone likes to listen to themselves talk so let the interviewer ramble on and on - when appropriate ask a question to egg them on in their monologuing .

Being a good listener is an art - an art you need to perfect to ace an interview.

Rule 2: Have questions to ask. The interview format almost requires the employer to ask: "do, do you have any questions?" By faltering at this point you may offed the interviewer - good listening requires analysis of what you have heard. If you can't recall any points of interest in the interviewers monologue I've got a few sure fire questions that make you seem interested int he company:

a) Who would be my supervisor/boss?
b) what would be expected of me in the first six months on the job?
c) is there a system of employee accountability - a performance evaluation system?

Rule 3: Where a suit. There is no excuse to be wearing anything else and if you are wearing anything else you will look foolishly under-dressed.

Rule 4: Research the company before the interview. check the web site and look for your interviewer's profile on the corporate section of the web site. Know what the company does and what products or services they deploy. Also have a job description for the job you are applying before the interview so you know what skills they are looking for you to have.

Rule 5: Don't get stressed out. The thing to remember about an interview is that there is only an upside. By this I mean: you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Enjoy the fact that you got the interview and go in there with the confidence you deserve for having reached to this point in the process.

HappyWeed PC Edition

Happy Weed for the PC is gonna kick ass! I've switched from DirectX to Java 3D but no matter - this game is gonna rock! Check out the web site
and the source forge page. If anyone has cool feature requests or ideas please lemmie know asap!

Top 10 Favorite Graphic Novels

Honorable Mention:
11: Transmetropolitan - A meandering, plot-less story that only achieves in establishing the memorible anti-hero Spider Jeruselem. I do like the dark, Gibson-esq future these books inhabit and how this world is mostly communicated by the images not the print. Every frame has captivating images that tell the story beyond the words, fleshing out a unique and scary future.

Top 10:

10: Preacher/Fables: Both these titles are good but I'm not totally into them as I am with the higher ranked choices. Fables kinda meanders along and doesn't grab the reader (plot wise). To its credit though the author has no intention of ever ending the series so that means if I ever do get into it will be around forever. Preacher is well told and beautifully drawn but I think my reluctance to read it has to do with the story being way too dark and scary.

9: The Couriers - I like Brain Wood and I feel compelled to read everything he publishes. He is a cool indie comic hipster author and the characters he creates ooze coolness (even if they are all kinda the same in that way). This series wasn't beautifully drawn or even that engaging as as a story line but it was a fun read. Reading his stuff as it is released gives me the feeling of watching a young athlete emerge into a superstar but, unlike everyone else, I feel like I'm getting the goods before the entire world find out.

8: A History of Violence - One of the first graphic novels I ever read (and read to completion). This is a great story with wonderful pacing. Not a ton of action but enough emotion and dialogue to keep it entertaining. This comic is much better that its' movie adaptation (and the movie wasn't bad, just a little perverted thanks to Dir David Cronenberg)

7: Runaways - This comic totally surprised me and, for that, I will always love it. (Spoiler! Killing the main character EARLY in the story is a ballsy move) I didn't realize when I started reading this that the intended audience was teens (which makes sense cuz most of the characters are teens) but it reads like a very good "adult" story. It is the first and maybe only Marvel comic I've ever read but it gives me the impression that I might enjoy spending time in the Marvel Universe.

6: DMZ - The thing that makes DMZ so good is the premis: NY is a demilitarized zone in America's civil war and the protaginist is sent into NY as a photo journalist (intern) and gets strainded in the city. Beautifully illustrated and well told.

5: Demo - This is a collection of short stories about young men and women who are aflicted with power or knowledge, how this affliction affects them, and how it effects the one's they love. The books minimalistic black and white illustrations perfectly set the mood.

4: Ex Machina - This comic combines both a wonderful, unique story with a beautiful look. Nothing about this comic is formulaic or for that matter even similar to any of the other comics I've read. I love the way it weaves the events of 9/11 into the story and how real political senarios are delt with in this "super-hero" genre buster.

3: Invincible - Being a newbie to the comic world, I havent really embraced any well known super-hero comics - although I have tried (I'm still struggling through Crisis on Infinite Earths). Invincible introduced me to a new universe full of heros and villians. The story arc is one of the best i've read and this comic is home to my favorite comic book character of all time: Allen the Alien.

2. Y: Last Man - Starting with a great premis (all creatures on earth with a Y chromosone die except the protaginist and his pet monkey) this story goes in directions unimaginable. Constantly interesting and very funny this a must read series (and there are almost 50 issues published!) My only concern is that the movie adaptation will pale in comparison to the comic and ultimatley scare people away from reading it.

1. Walking Dead - This is the one that started it all for me. Reading this series is what got me addicted to graphic novels. Kirkman is a genius and this series is one of the best I'll ever read. The formula is simple: take ordinary people, put them in an extreme situation and watch what happens. The tension between the characters is palpable and the story never goes in directions where you think it will. Reading the Walking Dead is an experience, and a very fun one indeed.

Portland, yeah!

Flying cross country is no picnic. Aside from suffering the indignity of having to watch "8 Below", getting stuck in the back row where the seats don't recline, and staying awake during a 2pm - 5am final leg - I had a good trip. Portland is a nice 2nd-tier city and it has a really laid back, healthy, happy vibe. Working in Portland would be really fun but I don't think I could spend the rest of my life there. A few years though would be perfect. And I'd love to get Blazer's season tickets!

DirectX != Easy

Damn this directx stuff is haaaard. I'm using a book called "Ultimate Game Programming with Direct X" and its pretty good. I'm going slow so I can absorb it all and I'm having fun with it. I also found a good web site with some basic directX tutorials. Its cool cuz the book and the website cover the same programming problems but show different implementations... I can't wait to import models from Maya! That may be a month away though... oh well.
Leaving for Portland tomorrow. I hope things go well with that. Regardless, I'm gonna start looking for entry/junior software engineer work on monster/craiglist etc. I'm definitely ready to start making some money and I think I'm ready to program on a pro level.
Also, I submitted my application on SourceForge for project code name "Happy Weed". Hopefully it will be accepted. My only concern is that I don't own the website (happyweed.com) and don't really have consent from the original author. I'm pretty sure that even the guy running the site doesn't know the original author... If for some reason there is a copyright issue I'll just have to work on "Happie Weed". Its not a terrible variation on the name cuz it sorta alludes to "Hippie Weed"... hmm... I'm still on the fence with this one.

Game ON!

In an attempt to rekindle my love for writing code, I came to the realization that I need to work on a project. And not just a little project . I need a project that would allow collaboration and peer review - something fun too. Thus I was drawn to the world of source forge and the Open Source project. I knew early on I wanted to do a game but for my first project I wanted something manageable with a clear domain. Then I realized that there has always been pet project I've always wanted to do. I want to make Happy Weed for the PC! In the coming days I will document my efforts making the game and provide updates on my project at source forge!

Home Sweet Home

Its a strange thing living at home. That is, living at home well past the time you should be living there. Like a well oiled machine we move about in synchronization, vacating and occupying spaces in lock step. Communication consists of a few mumbled pleasantries and the occasional hug. The way my parents are living their life, in the privacy of their own home is no wildlife refugee - I don't want to play tourist. Yet as fate would have it I am not only an observer but a participant. As a young man, seeing what awaits me on the other side of mid-life is a curious discovery. I'm going to have to work for the rest of my adult life only to return to the life I currently have hoping that I don't have an adult child in my space.

Top 10 Comedic Movie Characters

Top 10 Comedic Movie Characters

This list is dedicated to honoring my top ten comedy movie characters. The key word here is "character". A character may be a franchise character (one who appear in more than one movie) or a mere cameo-character (not part of a movies main or supporting cast) or something in between. Warning: Some of the movies these characters are in are REALLY bad - BUT these character transcend the film and are (at best) cultural icons. Some actors on this list will only be known as their specific character while others are lucky (and talented) enough to have their character become just one of their many faces... This is a very loosely defined list but still an important one. Here we go:

10) Jeff Bridges, Jeffrey Lebowski - The Dude. Jeff Bridges (and the Cohen bros) beautifully create an alternate universe in which the dude exists. It seems though that this universe keeps colliding w/ the reality that we, the audience live in and this is what causes all the drama in the Dude's world. Ultimately I think we align with the Dude because the world he lives in is one of naive contentment and innocence that we would trade for our own. Movie analysis aside, the Dude is certainly the most completely fleshed-out comedic character on this list.

9) Mike Meyers, Austin Powers - The amazing thing about the Austin Powers movies is that Mike Meyers creates not one but TWO of the best comedic characters ever IN THE SAME MOVIE. Also to be able to create characters that can span three movies and still be funny is a feat in itself.

8) Jim Varney, Ernest P. Worrell (Ernest in the Army (1998), Ernest Goes to Africa (1997), Ernest Goes to School (1994), Ernest Rides Again (1993), Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), Ernest Goes to Jail (1990), Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain (1989), Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), Ernest Goes to Camp (1987)) A prolific actor indeed... I don't think I actually ever watched one of these films (and I never will).

7) Paul Reuben, Pee-wee Herman (as Pee-wee Herman) - I want a bumper sticker that says "What would Pee Wee do?" Its one thing to be a pervert but to be a pervert that does children's movies is extra creepy. In his defense I think pee wee as a character (on stage - prior to the movies and tv show) had an adult sense of humor (i.e. sexual innuendo).

6) Chris Farely, Tommy Boy - "Fat guy in a little coat!" This movie is constantly referenced by everyone and is really a classic. To think what Mr. Farley could have done if he were still alive....

5) Will Farell, Ron Burgendy - This movie has some of the best comedic dialogue ever. I get the feeling that most of the dialogue spawned from Will Ferell just wingin' it improvisational style. Definitely places him as one of the best comedians alive.

4) Rob Schnider, Duce Bigalo - "That's a HUGE bitch". The Duce Bigalow movies where bad - really bad. But sometimes when you give up on a movie and just enjoy it for what it is the movie can become really enjoyable and memorable. Also, don't forget Eddie Griffin is in these movies and he is absolutely hilarious as the pimp T.J..

3) Jim Carrey, Ace Ventura - Jim Carrey is the best physical comedian of our time. You can't take your eyes off him when he is on screen because everything he does is funny.

2) Jon Heder, Napoleon Dynamite - To think that a bunch of kids (right out of college) created such a cult phenomenon. I doubt that Mr. Heder will ever break free of Napoleon type-casting but that is just a testament to how memorable a character they created.

1) Peter Sellers, Dr. StrangeLove - This movie isn't just comedy it is high art. Cinema!


Notable Mentions:

Scott William, Old School - The cameo he makes is comedic gold.

Vince Vaughn, Swingers/Made

Adam Sandler, Bill Madison/Happy Gilmore/Wedding Singer

Bill Murry, Groundhog day/What About Bob/Rushmore/Lost in Translation

Top 10 Boston Food & Eatery List

I woke up in the middle of the night last with an epiphany - write a top 10 boston restaurant list. This morning after spending a few minutes reaching into my mind to pull that out i realized "Wow - my subconscious is really pathetic"... I do get excited about food though so I guess its par for the course....

Top 10 Boston Food & Eatery List

10) Ma Ma Goos, Cambridge - This place has a lot of history. Probably the origin of the first Steak & Cheese I ever eat. (courtesy of Gail Rivest) Also, neighbor to the now defunked "Hide Away Pub".

9) Sweet Chilis, Arlington - Best Thai food in the 'burbs. (Rivaled in Boston only by Brown Sugar.) The curries are near perfect.

8) RFO Sullivan, Summerville - Best burger in Boston and great pub atmosphere w/ TVs everywhere. Great place to catch an afternoon sox game.

7) Carl's, Waltham - Once you force yourself to accept how unhealthy the food is you can enjoy it. Really unique menu including the Aunt Terri (grilled chicken in cheese sauce) and Budster (fried chicken, bbq sauce, cheese, & bacon). Also HUGE portions so bring your appetite A-game.

6) Beijing Star, Waltham - Best Chinese food outside Boston. The chef at Beifjing Star treks into China Town every morning to buy fresh produce and ingredients. Inexpensive food that is very high quality.

5) Anna's Taqueria/Bocca Grande, Cambridge - After visiting Alex in Santa Barbra I fell in love with the Burrito. So many flavors and textures in a portable, edible container. It took a few years after that until the burrito arrived in boston but when it did it was gooood. Anna's and Bocca Grande are independent franchises that started as one unified effort (I think Bocca was first) by an Asain Brother and Sister team. After having a falling out the two went to war with each other seeking burrito suprememcy in Boston. Evidence of this is how near every Bocca there is Anna's and near every Anna's there is a Bocca. Not a coincidence - more like a burrito arms race. Good for boston though cuz no matter where you are you can always find a good burrito.

4) Delux Diner, WaterTown - You gotta love a place that seems like its own universe when you walk in the door. The vibe reminds me of an eatery in Portland Org, or Ithaca, Ny - totally laid back staff and healthy menu options. Hence the diner is lovingly referred to as "The Hippie Diner".

3) New Ginza, Watertown - Really amazing food. The only downside is that the resteraunt is small. Going to New Ginza when its busy is not a great experience.

2) Tango, Arlington - Unlike New Ginza, this resteraunt has a wonderful ambiance and beautiful decor. The steak here is really the best I have ever had. A must expereince resteraunt for anyone in Boston... and order the steak!

1) Fugakyu, Brookline - "Foogz" as we call it has the best sushi (and best overall food) in Boston. (I hear that Clio - near mass ave & newbury - is as good)

10 Reasons I love Scarlett (Part I)

This is part I of the list cuz I can't think of anymore reasons at the moment. This might just be an excuse to post the photo of her but umm.... yeah. Enjoy:

10) Ghost World was the first movie I remember seeing her in - I was impressed by her acting chops. Also any movie w/ steve bushemi basically playing himself is great! Note: S.J. too young in this movie to be "hot" but def cute...

9) Lost in Translation - one of my favorite movies of all time. Excellent acting all around and S.J. is certifiably hot.

8) S.J. did the voice of Mindy in Sponge Bob Squarepants movie - sweeet. Shows she has good taste and a sense of humor!

7) with no makeup - "al la natural" - S.J. is beautiful no question. Pictures of her on the runway though show that she can also look elegant if she wants. Some women look uncomfortable or strange w/ make-up on and done up but S.J. pulls it off. Also, she always has great taste in wardrobe choices. (red dress @ oscars)

6) Bad big buget movies the Island have no redeeming value and no draw until you consider that for $10 bucks you can look at S.J. on a big screen for two hours. Interesting to note that this is another S.J./bushemi collab (Notice how bushemi's girlfriend is so way too hot for him - even in fiction)

Comic book ideas ... v 1.0

My inner monologue posed a question to myself: "If I were to write a comic book, what would I write it about?" Initially, before even considering the individual characters, I pondered the story arch and themes. I really like Kirkman's "Waling Dead" because it is a story about internal and external transformation. The cause and effect relationship between a character's surroundings and the character's psychological evolution. Extreme situations creating extreme character responses etc etc. In terms of my comic's "universe" I don't really see myself writing something in world already populated by super heroes (i.e DC or Marvel) although my character's could have "powers" (but I'd pick a self-actualized character over one that can fly). Also, I'd like a character that is in "turmoil" due to physical or behavioral uniqueness (akin to characters from Brian Wood's "Demo"). That quality, while painful at times, propels the character forward and forces action.

Hungry politician

The following is a passage I jotted down after hearing some red-neck sports guy ramble on about victory. I actually think it is more appropriately seen as bit of "political gibberish" - something someone might say when speaking but really not saying anything at all (i.e. G. Bush when hungry...)

"we've tasted victory and it was sweet. But we are hungry for more. (As you know I have a big appetite.) I think there is something cookin. I can almost taste the next one. Take it from me, if you keep your eye's peeled you'll avoid a pickle. Stir the pot - dish out a simmering plate to mull over. Food for thought."

Things to do list... v.1.0

Here is a little insight into what I desire - a list of things I aspire to do and accomplish. I see this list as ever evolving with things being added or removed as I see fit. This list is in no particular order and I guess as I get older I'll start to check some of these things off.

1. Go to Japan (Eat sushi in Tokyo and visit moss gardens of Kyoto)
2. Go to Paris (see the Eiffel Tower & eat a good french cheese w/ baguet)
3. Drive cross country (explore Colarodo, Yellow Stone National Park, visit Texas)
4. Get into "great" shape
5. Do something brazenly romantic (for a woman I admire)
6. Live somewhere other than Boston
7. Learn to sail (and take a boat trip somewhere)
8. Dedicated a chunk of time to a philanthropic activity
9. Start a company

SIGGRAPH 2bOstOn6

Through the courtesy of the fine folks at LIKIA (props to Yona's boyfriend Eric!) I was able to attended this year's SIGGRAPH conference in Boston. This was my first SIGGRAPH experience (my first real "conference" experience at all...) and it was a blast. The event featured tons of cool booths showing off cutting edge technologies, an awesome experimental/tech high- art exhibition area, and a job fair. (Note to self: Attend next year's SIGGRAPH in San Diego and go to more conferences in general... I'd love to become a self-described "conference junky"... just think of all the cool conference opportunities there must be: car shows, FOOD fairs, comic book GEEKFESTS! ) The real thrill of SIGGRAPH for me was the few minutes I spent talking to peeps from some local companies I had recently set my resume too (and of course, either had gotten no reply or was stuck in some bureaucratic vortex). I spoke w/ peeps at Turbine, Mad Doc, Game Loft, Emergent Game Tech, Sony Online, Sony Imageworks and Lakia (pronounced "like ah"... not "la key ah"). When I went to the Sony booth I didn't realize it was for the booth for both Sony Online AND Sony Imageworks. So after introducing myself to the Imageworks guy I left and returned a few minutes later to speak with the Sony Online lady. When I introduced myself to her, I said that I had already met the guy for Sony Online (standing next to her). She then looked at him and said, "Are we gonna have to fight over him?" (and then to me) "It feels good to have people fighting over you, doesn't it!?" Fight over me! wow, certainly the highlight of my day... Ironically, after giving her my resume she said I should also fill out the application on their web site - kinda thing someone says when they are planning on forgetting about you and/or sending your resume to HR limbo... Anyway, just kinda wondering around the Boston Convention center w/ all of the other attendees (estimated at 25,000+) was a fun and unique experience...