|
|
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
| |
9:03 pm - The disease is the cure
|
Been a while, huh? Here's a bit of a warm-up exercise after such a long sabbatical. Click for a larger version.
current music: Nekromantix - "Horrorscope"
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, July 3rd, 2008
| |
8:50 am - R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
|
Months of correspondence via e-mail totaling probably in the hundreds by this point, meeting face-to-face a handful of times, a reply trail at the bottom of the most recent e-mail where my name is referenced no less than 4 times and still you can't do me the professional courtesy of SPELLING MY GODDAMNED NAME CORRECTLY.
current mood: aggravated
current music: Demented Are Go - "Hotrod Vampires"
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, June 12th, 2008
| |
7:09 pm - On a path of death and destruction
|
I have a task for you, dear reader. I'll get to the details in a moment, but first the set up:
There are, in my opinion, no really good comic collecting apps for Mac OS X. Currently, the only dedicated app to be found is Comics 21, which is a decent start but lacks some key features like lists (think iTunes playlists), an "all thumbnails" view, and some key info fields. Also, the fact that it hasn't been updated in 2 years makes me reluctant to spend money on it.
Moving on, there are several good book collecting apps (Delicious Library, Bookpedia, Books) that get about 75% of the way there and would certainly suite many peoples' needs. But I am a nerd.2 I want to have the ability to make a list that contains every comic with Paul Pope as an artist and features Batman or whatever other nerdly things my heart may desire. It's that missing 25% where I want to focus my attention.
I want to make a comic collecting app.
So, I started learning Objective-C and Cocoa (the framework written in Objective-C that most OS X apps employ). Being fairly well-versed in object-oriented programming, getting a handle on Objective-C hasn't been too difficult. Once you understand the basics, it's largely a matter of getting used to a new syntax. No, I'd say using XCode and Interface Builder have been the bigger challenge. These are beasts of programs with options, preferences, toggles, windows galore. After about half a week, I can create an app that has a table of data and a user can add/edit/delete entries. Woo!
Back to my first statement: what should I name the app? "Comics" is obviously taken and I refuse to use "iComics" (been done already, anyway) or any other iName. It should be fairly simple, straightforward, memorable, and comic-related if at all possible. A completely nonsensical name could work too ("Google", "Yahoo"). Keep in mind, I like "z" words. Zomics? Zubutu? ComicBoxes?
And if you have any ideas for features, let me know. I have a considerable list I already want to build in but maybe you'll think of something wicked awesome I didn't. Features: boxes (playlist), smart boxes, thumbnail views, more info views, export (text file, xml, html, etc.), obsessively detailed comic info (pencils, inks, colors, writer, cover colorist, cover pencils, cover inks, genre, age [silver, golden, etc], publisher, grade, character appearances, etc.), and so on.
1. There are several apps to be found that deal with digital comics, however. For instance, ComicBookLover. The name irks me because it's all about digital comics, not comic books.
2. A very handsome, manly nerd.
current music: The Real McKenzies - "Bugger off"
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Saturday, May 31st, 2008
| |
7:15 pm - More Mons
|
That's twice in 3 weeks I've had missionaries come to my door. Those kooky mormons! The whole time they were talking I could see their eyes kept shifting to the various demon masks I have throughout the living room. If I was more of a masochist, I would have invited them in but these days I just don't feel like discussing (arguing) about religion with anyone. So, I wished them well and good luck with their conversions and went back to watching Spongebob.
In other news, I keep looking at one of these:
It's been years since I've ridden a motorcycle (about a decade... damn) and have no real practical purpose for one (doesn't seem to stop me from buying swords) but they can be a lot of fun. Hmmm.
current music: Th' Legendary Shack Shakers - "Born Again Again"
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, May 29th, 2008
| |
2:11 pm - Comic-con
|
|
| Saturday, May 24th, 2008
| |
12:23 pm - Chef Zoo
|
Tonight's menu:
Turkey Piccata, garlic & herb rice, roasted baby carrots, garlic bread, and a bottle of mead. I've never had mead before so I'm eager to give it a go. Anyone ever try it? ... "tried it"? ... what's correct there?
I'm trying to cook more. My diet usually consist of Wendy's, Arby's, pizza, you get the picture. It's not for lack of desire to cook but usually is fault of convenience (I typically only eat lunch and just grab something from the nearby places so I can eat at my desk while working), or because damn near every recipe (book) in existence is for two or more people. I *hate* wasting food, which almost always happens no matter how hard I try to scale back the amounts. For instance, I bought some parsley for tonight's recipe and the smallest bunch I could find was still enough for a good week's worth of meals. Mind you, parsley is cheap, but still... So, to help combat both the desire to cook more/improve cooking skills and not waste food, I've been inviting my parents over occasionally. I've also had an interest in expanding my wine knowledge the past year and my father expressed an interest in the same. A meal, a new wine to try. It works out fairly well in the end.
What are you having for dinner?
Update: My god, I'm amazing. The dinner came out so well and picture-perfect that I'm literally slapping myself for *not* taking a picture of it. Ow... that seriously hurt. The mead was very good! It is, as expected, very sweet and definitely a dessert wine. I could also seeing it going very well with a nice buttery cheese like havarti or maybe something slightly salty like pretzels. I'm not even hungry and the thought of it is making me drool. I read about cyser, a kind of mead that is mixed with apple juice, and *really* want to try that now because I love hard cider, have a newfound love for mead, and the thought of the two seems delicious. Mmmm.
That paragraph took longer than expected due to having drunk the majority of the bottle of mead by myself.
current mood: hungry
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, May 2nd, 2008
| |
1:27 pm - s'plosions
|
Just got back from the theater (skipped out on work, shhhh!) and, in my opinion, Iron Man rocked (no pun intended)!
And I can't wait for The Dark Knight. It's gonna be soooo good.
And there was a preview for The Spirit. Didn't even know they were making a movie. Huh.
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, April 18th, 2008
| |
7:51 am - It's Shake 'n' Bake and I helped
|
Weeeee! Woken up at 5:40am by an earthquake. It being such a rare occurrence in these here parts, I first thought it was strong winds (storm or tornado) but looked outside and saw it was dead calm. Then I wondered if I was, in fact, still asleep and dreaming everything. Blargh. I want my missed hour of sleep back. Damn you, Mother Nature! DAMN YOU!
How's your day going so far?
current mood: hungry
current music: Bile - "Celebrity"
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, April 4th, 2008
| |
9:39 pm - On gaming, plants, and tattoos
|
I've had a renewed interest in gaming the past few months. Traditionally, I've been more of a portable system player. I've only owned two consoles: a Nintendo and a Playstation 2. However, I've owned a Gameboy, Gameboy pocket, Gameboy color, Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Advance SP, Nintendo DS Lite, Sega Game Gear, and most recently, a Playstation Portable. While I use the DS off and on, I've found I spend most of my time on the PSP. In the few months I've had it, I already have over twice as many games for it as I do the DS, which I've had for a year and a half.
I like how portable systems tend to have games that you can play for shorter spans. Got a few minutes while waiting for the car to be serviced or an order to be ready at a restaurant? Whip out a portable system and play a level or two. I will admit here that the DS tends to be far more suited for this type of use than the PSP but, overall, the PSP still works well. And I love the graphics on the PSP.
But, lately, I've been eyeing the XBox and PS3. They both have visually stunning games and a handful each I'd like to play. The PS3 has slightly more games I want to try and the advantage of also being a Blu-ray player. Now that the format wars are essentially over and HD DVD has been taken out back and shot, it's reasonably safe to start buying Blu-ray discs. Anyone try either console or both? Thoughts? If you could get one, which would it be?
--
I miss having a garden. Plant some seeds and spend a modicum amount of care on the growing plants and you get rewarded with fresh vegetables! Mmm. Sadly, living in an apartment and thus having no yard to plant a garden limits one's options. I've been toying with the idea of growing herbs in-doors all year 'round. Anyone done this? Words of advice? Seems easy enough.
--
The itch for ink is damn-near maddening. I must get started on my other sleeve this year. Blue dragon! Wooo!
current music: Royal Crown Revue - "Beyond the sea"
|
|
(8 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, March 13th, 2008
| |
10:30 am - A long journey
|
Finally home. And about 50 pounds (probably more) lighter too! Yes, they lost my luggage.
Pictures of Barcelona, Rome, and Florence coming soon. I just got them imported from the camera and need to weed out the blurry shots, etc.
Some quick thoughts:
- I hate Heathrow airport.
- Italy is expensive. For most things, it seemed they just erased the dollar sign and put in a euro sign. So a $5 item became 5 Euro, which is really like $7.50.
- I got the general impression that people in Italy, as a whole, were ruder than the other countries I've been to. Especially Florence. Mind you, that's just my impression and could certainly have been affected by weather or other external situations (like my bank still blocking my debit card when I gave them details about where I'd be and not to block the card if they saw charges coming from Italy).
- If you plan on going to the Vatican, go early!
Edit: So I went to pick up my car from the shop and it wasn't ready. See, it *was* ready and had been sitting there for a week and then somebody backed into it yesterday and fucked up the front! When told this, all I could do was laugh. With the way the past few days have been going, it just didn't surprise me.
current music: Megadeth - "Elysian Fields"
|
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
| |
9:54 pm - Causing trouble in Italy
|
Greetings from Rome! This post is brought to you by tiny, shitty internet cafes and the letter P (for Pope). The computer is Windows XP in Italian and all the multilingual sites are coming up in German (at least I can read that). And this keyboard is killing me.
Spent a day in Barcelona, which is a very nice city. I have to go back there some day. Got to Rome yesterday and saw the Pantheon and many other famous places (I won't even attempt to spell here). Saw the Vatican and Capitoline (sp?) Hill today. Tried to walk the Roman Forum and Collesseum but they apparently close at 4pm. Huh. There's tomorrow's activity. And then 3 days in Florence. Art overload and sore, sore muscles await my return to the states. Many LJ comments should also await my return. So say something!
|
|
(6 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, February 22nd, 2008
| |
8:04 pm - On the hunt
|
Does anyone know of a good pair of canal headphones with hooks for the ears? I desire a pair for running.
In the past week I've tried both the Sony MDR-EX81LP and Philips SHS8000 Premium Sound Ear hook Headphones. They were complete shyte.
The pair of headphones I used for running were older style like these. They crapped out on me and weren't always the best for exercising. While the sound was good and they stayed in place, the foam would absorb sweat and they'd get hot (felt like wearing earmuffs). I like canal phones as the tighter fit tends to block out background noise a bit better, no earmuff feeling, and I've generally had good, loud sounds with less battery drain. The problem is that they can work loose while running. The ear hooks are nice for that.
The pair I use for every-day office use is the Apple buds that came with my iPod with the Griffin EarJams attached that turn them into canal headphones. With the EarJams, a volume setting of about 3 out of 10 is plenty loud and has good bass (saves a heck on the battery too). Both of the headphones mentioned above had to have the volume turned to about 7 or 8 out of 10 just to match the standard listening volume of the Apple buds w/ EarJams. WTF? Add to this that the volume will undoubtedly be turned a little louder for running. Also, the bass and low-ends sounded horrible. The Phillips sounded like tin-cans and the Sonys only slightly better. Both of these advertise their "mega-bass" qualities. Ha!
So, I either need to devise a way of securing the Apple buds while running, find a pair of buds with ear hooks that can use the EarJams or ... dunno. Any suggestions?
current mood: aggravated
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, February 21st, 2008
| |
5:44 pm
|
Rent being raised - check.
Car fucked up and going to cost $$ to fix (in the same goddamned place that got repaired a year and a half ago from when someone rear-ended me) - check.
A shitty day getting shittier by the moment - check!
Wooo!
Too bad LJ doesn't have a mood for "so beyond anger at this point that were my hatred a physical object it would be a sun going supernova". Is there even a word in the english language for that? If not, we need one.
current mood: angry
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, February 8th, 2008
| |
4:24 pm - Down for the count
|
A couple years ago, I upgraded my web hosting to add PHP and MySQL. I have yet to use those features. So, as of right now, zooley.net is down for a complete rebuild. New look, new functionality, bigger thumbnails, etc. coming soon.
I've also bee trying to decide if I should add a tutorials section (primarily for code). I've gotten questions from multiple people on how to do such-and-such in Javascript or PHP and even some concerning HTML accessibility. Maybe even a few articles on tips, tricks, and general coding things I've learned. Anyone think they'd be interested? (yes, I'd try to add some long-awaited charcoal drawing tutorials as well)
current music: Marilyn Manson - "Heart-shaped glasses"
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
| |
7:43 am
|
It's not even 8am and already my blood is boiling, veins are popping out, and I'm in danger of giving myself an aneurysm all from the mind-boggling acts of stupidity I've witnessed in just the time it took to get on the bus, ride it to work, and get to my office. Is this the kind of day I can expect, Wednesday? Huh? Why you got to be like that?!
current music: Otep - "Confrontation"
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
| Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
| |
6:13 pm - For the love of sharp toys
|
In a bout of fiscal irresponsibility, I bought another one:
Like the previous, it is hand-forged and made using traditional methods. However, unlike the other katana, it is made using a lamination technique. This blade is forged and folded with a softer steel (45-48 RC) surrounding the harder edge steel (59 RC). 11" tsuka, 28.5" blade, with a bamboo motif on the tsuba and fuchi kashira.
( Some pictures under here if anyone is interested )
current music: Otep - "Confrontation"
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Sunday, December 2nd, 2007
| |
5:10 pm - Inky hands
|
I got a new Moleskine pocket sketchbook and busted out the ol' pens and inks because it had been a long, long time since I've used them. I was going to do a mixture of drawings, exploring different styles, but now I'm not so sure I want them all in one sketchbook. After this first drawing, I think I might devout each sketchbook to a particular style - one for japanese style prints (I have plans for using some watercolors, metallic inks, and such, one for calligraphy and illumination. And one of just medical illustrations:
The paper is a little more absorbent than I thought it would be so some detail was lost in the drawing, but I learned some tricks that should make future images nicer.
This could be fun but sort of goes against why I got the pocket sketchbook to begin with: for carrying around to do quick sketches and drawings. Oh well.
current mood: tired
current music: Dethklok - "Murmaider"
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
| |
10:48 am - Public Service Announcement
|
When I got to work this morning my computer wouldn't start. I've tried everything I could think of with no luck.
When Mac OS X Leopard came out, I noted to my boss that I had no backup solution for my computer and if something were to happen to it we'd lose all the design files for not just our projects but the projects for other groups on campus that are paying us $75,000 apiece to develop and build. His response was "Oh crap!" and then he ordered an external drive along with Leopard. I got Leopard installed, hooked up the external HD and turned on Time Machine. Thanks to that, I still have all my files.
So, just a PSA: have some form of a backup plan for your computer(s). The very fact that I didn't have a regular one until about a week and a half ago (I burned everything to DVDs every couple months or so before now) was just plain stupid and Time Machine saved my ass. Don't let your ass get burned (unless, you know, you're into that kind of thing)!
current music: Cigar Store Indians - "Tossin' N Turnin'"
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
| Friday, October 26th, 2007
| |
12:11 pm - Mmm, mozarella sticks
|
So the Dalai Lama is giving a talk here, on campus, on "cultivating happiness" in about 3 hours. I just got back to my office from picking up some lunch and traffic is already approaching clusterfuck levels and police presence has tripled, at least. I would have liked to have gotten a ticket to the talk but apparently it sold out within minutes of going on sale. Ah well.
How's your day going?
current music: No Use For A Name - "Fields of Athenry"
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
| |
8:54 pm - Tuna safe dolphin
|
I had some delicious buffalo burgers recently (as in buffalo meat, not buffalo wing sauce) and ever since I've had this strange desire to eat endangered or formerly endangered species. Fried bald eagle. Rotisserie condor. Ooooh, panda steaks! Maybe I've just been in a foul, malicious mood as of late but this idea sounds tastier by the minute.
Give me a ...
And some ...
I want a ...
And give me ...
And on the side ...
I wanna, I wanna ...
And in the front ...
And in the back ...
I wanna ...
current mood: crappy
current music: Fat Boys - "All you can eat"
|
|
(8 comments | comment on this)
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
zooley's journal