Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Humble Pie
On 2nd June, I wrote
So ... Lakers/Pistons. I suppose we might as well have them on TV - I'm sure advertisers and networks have poured several millions into booking airtime. I say we need not bother - show us some replays instead. Or hold another All Stars tournament. Anything but the all-to-predictable Lakers wins.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Go Pistons! Anything to see uber-egos shattered! I think it was the clash of high-profile players in the starting line-up that led to the demise of the Lakers. I wonder if Phil Jackson will be given the sack.
So ... Lakers/Pistons. I suppose we might as well have them on TV - I'm sure advertisers and networks have poured several millions into booking airtime. I say we need not bother - show us some replays instead. Or hold another All Stars tournament. Anything but the all-to-predictable Lakers wins.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Go Pistons! Anything to see uber-egos shattered! I think it was the clash of high-profile players in the starting line-up that led to the demise of the Lakers. I wonder if Phil Jackson will be given the sack.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
The Soccer World Cup
Folks like Vodka - and I suspect, a few other US-bashers - hate to hear me say "soccer". "It's football!" they scream, adding "Learn the !@#$ing language". Well I googled around for a bit, and came up with an explanation for the word's origin.
From the website wordorigins.org:
Soccer
Soccer is an abbreviation for Association Football. The Football Association was formed in London in October 1863 when representatives of eleven clubs and schools met in an attempt to standardize the rules of the game. One of the rules prohibited the carrying of the ball, a rule that would lead to the Rugby-oriented clubs leaving the Association several months later. The name Association Football was coined to distinguish it from Rugby.
By 1889, the abbreviation socca' was in use, and the spelling soccer had made its appearance by 1895.
So, Vodka, I can quite honestly say to you, "I do know the language, you Higgins-wannabe!"
From the website wordorigins.org:
Soccer
Soccer is an abbreviation for Association Football. The Football Association was formed in London in October 1863 when representatives of eleven clubs and schools met in an attempt to standardize the rules of the game. One of the rules prohibited the carrying of the ball, a rule that would lead to the Rugby-oriented clubs leaving the Association several months later. The name Association Football was coined to distinguish it from Rugby.
By 1889, the abbreviation socca' was in use, and the spelling soccer had made its appearance by 1895.
So, Vodka, I can quite honestly say to you, "I do know the language, you Higgins-wannabe!"
Monday, June 14, 2004
Team Survival in Rainbow Six 3
I played my first game of Rainbow Six 3/Team Survival with Nikhil. Or in my case, repeated suicide.
It kinda felt like I'd crashed a LAN party cos the 6 other guys seemed to know each other pretty well. I think they were from Texas or one of the Bible Belt states ... for 2 reasons:
1. The southern states accent
2. The blatant racism/white trash talk
Kinda off-putting, I thought. It'd be better, IMO, to get together with people you know. It'd be a lot more fun, online or in the play-by-play analysis offline.
It kinda felt like I'd crashed a LAN party cos the 6 other guys seemed to know each other pretty well. I think they were from Texas or one of the Bible Belt states ... for 2 reasons:
1. The southern states accent
2. The blatant racism/white trash talk
Kinda off-putting, I thought. It'd be better, IMO, to get together with people you know. It'd be a lot more fun, online or in the play-by-play analysis offline.
Erratum/More on Harry Potter
I have been corrected by Arun that Harry Potter summons a Patronus and not a Petronas. Had that happened, some people would've been very surprised to find themselves near Hogwarts, rather than downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Arun goes onto say (slightly paraphrased):
Many of crucial sub plots have been missed.
James Potter/ Sirius Snape conflicts can be found in great detail in the fifth book, but there is some amount of conflict revealed in PoAzkaban. Also, Snape's near death experience in the whopping willow has not found a place in the movie.
Thanks for the e-mail Arun!
There was a point I missed in my review about Harry Potter, and that was that it seemed to be very psychedelic - perhaps more so than the first two. For example - a garish purple bus, where your body gets stretched out (re: passing between the 2 double-decker buses), or clouds taking on the shape of the black dog, Prof. Trelawney's trances (yes, I know its all there in the book, but its very hippie stuff, wot?)
Arun goes onto say (slightly paraphrased):
Many of crucial sub plots have been missed.
James Potter/ Sirius Snape conflicts can be found in great detail in the fifth book, but there is some amount of conflict revealed in PoAzkaban. Also, Snape's near death experience in the whopping willow has not found a place in the movie.
Thanks for the e-mail Arun!
There was a point I missed in my review about Harry Potter, and that was that it seemed to be very psychedelic - perhaps more so than the first two. For example - a garish purple bus, where your body gets stretched out (re: passing between the 2 double-decker buses), or clouds taking on the shape of the black dog, Prof. Trelawney's trances (yes, I know its all there in the book, but its very hippie stuff, wot?)
Friday, June 11, 2004
Harry Potter 3 - 9.5/10.0
By all the gods, what a difference Alfonso Cuarón has made to the Harry Potter franchise. The third installment makes the first two look like childrens' cartoons. The new movie is more somber & darker in tone and image - the cinematography is amazing. Faded colors, somber landscapes, and I love the expansion of Hogwarts from a facade into a baroque castle.
The movie is definitely "scarier" than the first two, and features a lot more of character development by tossing out excessive garbage - Quidditch matches, new lessons, etc. I mean, it would've been nice to see Harry call forth the Petronum (Petronas?) in the Quiddditch match to scare the heck out of Draco, but its ommission does make sense in the overall movie progression. It's akin to say, Peter Jackson not filming the Houses of Healing scene for (the theatrical release) LoTR:RotK. That was the only reason my rating wasn't a full 10 on 10.
The new Draco Malfoy is definitely an improvement. He's transformed from a spoilt brat to a sneering malcontent. The sort who (in the Muggle world) would skip classes, wear leather jackets, and smoke in the restrooms. Of equal delight was the new darker Harry Potter. It's like seeing Anakin Skywalker take the first steps towards becoming Darth Vader. I love it! More, I say!
There is a fairly significant plot point - and I can't remember if this is in Azkaban, or in one of the later books - is that Snape's aminosity towards Harry is due to the fact that he was bullied by Harry's father & his gang. If this was revealed in Azkaban, then I'd say it's a major hole that should be plugged in the next installment.
There has been speculation of whether Daniel Radcliffe, et al., would continue to play the Hogwarts gang in coming movies. The current shooting schedule is a little behind the books - Daniel Radcliffe is nearly 15 now - a year older than Harry - and the shooting schedule is definitely going to throw the age difference out of whack. I think that the present cast should continue on till the end. These actors have definied the characters at inception and have indelibly etched themselves in our minds. To me, Richard Harris still defines Dumbledore, no matter how well Michael Gambon may fit the shoes. And besides, its common in Hollywood to have 30 year-olds playing 20 year-olds, or even teens! Why are poeple suddenly queasy about the Potter cast?
In conclusion ... damned fine movie. I would definitely see it again if I had the chance, and will definitely buy the DVD (and I haven't bought the first two!)
The movie is definitely "scarier" than the first two, and features a lot more of character development by tossing out excessive garbage - Quidditch matches, new lessons, etc. I mean, it would've been nice to see Harry call forth the Petronum (Petronas?) in the Quiddditch match to scare the heck out of Draco, but its ommission does make sense in the overall movie progression. It's akin to say, Peter Jackson not filming the Houses of Healing scene for (the theatrical release) LoTR:RotK. That was the only reason my rating wasn't a full 10 on 10.
The new Draco Malfoy is definitely an improvement. He's transformed from a spoilt brat to a sneering malcontent. The sort who (in the Muggle world) would skip classes, wear leather jackets, and smoke in the restrooms. Of equal delight was the new darker Harry Potter. It's like seeing Anakin Skywalker take the first steps towards becoming Darth Vader. I love it! More, I say!
There is a fairly significant plot point - and I can't remember if this is in Azkaban, or in one of the later books - is that Snape's aminosity towards Harry is due to the fact that he was bullied by Harry's father & his gang. If this was revealed in Azkaban, then I'd say it's a major hole that should be plugged in the next installment.
There has been speculation of whether Daniel Radcliffe, et al., would continue to play the Hogwarts gang in coming movies. The current shooting schedule is a little behind the books - Daniel Radcliffe is nearly 15 now - a year older than Harry - and the shooting schedule is definitely going to throw the age difference out of whack. I think that the present cast should continue on till the end. These actors have definied the characters at inception and have indelibly etched themselves in our minds. To me, Richard Harris still defines Dumbledore, no matter how well Michael Gambon may fit the shoes. And besides, its common in Hollywood to have 30 year-olds playing 20 year-olds, or even teens! Why are poeple suddenly queasy about the Potter cast?
In conclusion ... damned fine movie. I would definitely see it again if I had the chance, and will definitely buy the DVD (and I haven't bought the first two!)
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Yaaaaay!
Cable TV's finally hooked up! And high-speed net!
Homer Simpson was never such a welcome sight. Believe it or not, my mom was watching some spiritualism program that was airing around 2pm ... you gotta admit, US daytime TV sucks.
Mercifully, my DVR didn't lose its settings ... so here's to many more weeks of Stargate SG-1 marathons! And The Daily Show with Jon Stewart!
Nikhil called me last night for a quick (read 30 mins) game of Terrorist Hunt on Rainbow Six 3. I still got it ... a body count of 2:1 in my favor. Though I've got to try this team survival thing soon. Nikhil was telling me I've got to get upto speed on that in time for the next Rainbow Six installment ... August release I think.
Homer Simpson was never such a welcome sight. Believe it or not, my mom was watching some spiritualism program that was airing around 2pm ... you gotta admit, US daytime TV sucks.
Mercifully, my DVR didn't lose its settings ... so here's to many more weeks of Stargate SG-1 marathons! And The Daily Show with Jon Stewart!
Nikhil called me last night for a quick (read 30 mins) game of Terrorist Hunt on Rainbow Six 3. I still got it ... a body count of 2:1 in my favor. Though I've got to try this team survival thing soon. Nikhil was telling me I've got to get upto speed on that in time for the next Rainbow Six installment ... August release I think.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
A New Movie Award
Well, not new ... it's apparently been around since 1999. I heard about it on the latest edition of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.
It's The Golden Trailer Awards. Apparently, these 2 people wanted to figure out who was the best at creating trailers, and then the whole thing snowballed into an awards show.
I think it's a good idea. The people who make the trailers are rarely - usually never - creditted in the trailer or in the movie. And those trailers are sometimes (unfortunately) the best parts of going to the movies! It's only fair we give them their dues, what?
Another nugget of info from Wait Wait - trailers are so named because they initially appeared after the main feature. And then studios realized that people were leaving, instead of sticking around to watch the trailers ... and so the trailers were moved in front of the feature presentation, and became previews!
It's The Golden Trailer Awards. Apparently, these 2 people wanted to figure out who was the best at creating trailers, and then the whole thing snowballed into an awards show.
I think it's a good idea. The people who make the trailers are rarely - usually never - creditted in the trailer or in the movie. And those trailers are sometimes (unfortunately) the best parts of going to the movies! It's only fair we give them their dues, what?
Another nugget of info from Wait Wait - trailers are so named because they initially appeared after the main feature. And then studios realized that people were leaving, instead of sticking around to watch the trailers ... and so the trailers were moved in front of the feature presentation, and became previews!
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
How to Hunt Elephants
A golden oldie if I ever saw one ...
Axe
How to Hunt Elephants
Mathematicians hunt elephants by going to Africa, throwing out everything that is not an elephant, and catching one of whatever is left.
Professors of mathematics prove the existence of at least one elephant and leave the capture of an actual elephant as an exercise for one of their graduate students.
Computer scientists hunt elephants using algorithm A:
1. Go to Africa
2. Start at the Cape of Good Hope
3. Work northward in an orderly manner, traversing the
continent alternately East and West.
4. During each traverse
a. Catch each animal seen
b. Compare each animal caught to a known elephant
c. Stop when a match is detected.
Experienced computer programmers modify Algorithm A by placing a known elephant in Cairo to ensure that the algorithm will terminate.
Assembly level programmers will use Algorithm A, crawling on their hands and knees.
Engineers hunt elephants by going to Africa, catching gray animals at random, and stopping when any one of them weighs within plus or minus 15 percent of any previously observed elephant.
Economists don't hunt elephants, but they believe that if elephants are paid enough they will hunt themselves.
Statisticians hunt the first animal they see N times and call it an elephant.
Consultants don't hunt elephants, but they can be hired by the hour to advise those who do.
Operations research consultants can measure the correlation of hat size and bullet color to the efficiency of elephant hunting strategies, if someone else will identify the elephants.
Politicians don't hunt elephants, but they will share the elephants you catch with the people who voted for them.
Lawyers don't hunt elephants, but they do follow the herds around arguing about who owns the droppings. Software lawyers will claim that they own an entire herd based on the look and feel of one dropping.
When the Vice President of R&D tries to hunt elephants, his staff will try to ensure that all elephants are completely prehunted before he sees them. If the VP sees a nonprehunted elephant, the staff will (1) Compliment the vice president's keen eyesight and (2) enlarge itself to prevent any recurrence.
Senior managers set broad elephant hunting policies based on the assumption that elephants are just like field mice, but with deeper voices.
Quality assurance inspectors ignore the elephants and look for mistakes the other hunters made when they were packing the jeep.
Salespeople don't hunt elephants but spend their time selling elephants they haven't caught, for delivery two days before the season opens.
Software salespeople ship the first thing they catch and write up an invoice for an elephant.
Hardware salespeople catch rabbits, paint them gray and sell them as "desktop elephants."
Axe
How to Hunt Elephants
Mathematicians hunt elephants by going to Africa, throwing out everything that is not an elephant, and catching one of whatever is left.
Professors of mathematics prove the existence of at least one elephant and leave the capture of an actual elephant as an exercise for one of their graduate students.
Computer scientists hunt elephants using algorithm A:
1. Go to Africa
2. Start at the Cape of Good Hope
3. Work northward in an orderly manner, traversing the
continent alternately East and West.
4. During each traverse
a. Catch each animal seen
b. Compare each animal caught to a known elephant
c. Stop when a match is detected.
Experienced computer programmers modify Algorithm A by placing a known elephant in Cairo to ensure that the algorithm will terminate.
Assembly level programmers will use Algorithm A, crawling on their hands and knees.
Engineers hunt elephants by going to Africa, catching gray animals at random, and stopping when any one of them weighs within plus or minus 15 percent of any previously observed elephant.
Economists don't hunt elephants, but they believe that if elephants are paid enough they will hunt themselves.
Statisticians hunt the first animal they see N times and call it an elephant.
Consultants don't hunt elephants, but they can be hired by the hour to advise those who do.
Operations research consultants can measure the correlation of hat size and bullet color to the efficiency of elephant hunting strategies, if someone else will identify the elephants.
Politicians don't hunt elephants, but they will share the elephants you catch with the people who voted for them.
Lawyers don't hunt elephants, but they do follow the herds around arguing about who owns the droppings. Software lawyers will claim that they own an entire herd based on the look and feel of one dropping.
When the Vice President of R&D tries to hunt elephants, his staff will try to ensure that all elephants are completely prehunted before he sees them. If the VP sees a nonprehunted elephant, the staff will (1) Compliment the vice president's keen eyesight and (2) enlarge itself to prevent any recurrence.
Senior managers set broad elephant hunting policies based on the assumption that elephants are just like field mice, but with deeper voices.
Quality assurance inspectors ignore the elephants and look for mistakes the other hunters made when they were packing the jeep.
Salespeople don't hunt elephants but spend their time selling elephants they haven't caught, for delivery two days before the season opens.
Software salespeople ship the first thing they catch and write up an invoice for an elephant.
Hardware salespeople catch rabbits, paint them gray and sell them as "desktop elephants."
Shifted Apartments
The move's over ... but no cable or high-speed Internet connection at home - hence no updates for the last few days. That situation should be remedied tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I'd managed to download a whole bunch of Spawn comics last week, and have been reading several every night.
Shockingly, I still haven't watched Harry Potter :-) but plan to go tonight. I'll probably pick up the Velvet Revolver CD today. The reviews have been pretty positive, and I was always a fan of GnR!
Mornings are a logistical nightmare in the apartment, cos Mom & Kartik are staying with me for a month (or two, in Kartik's case). Going to bed and getting ready for work involve moving a lot of suitcases back and forth to be able to get from one side of the studio to the other.
Shockingly, I still haven't watched Harry Potter :-) but plan to go tonight. I'll probably pick up the Velvet Revolver CD today. The reviews have been pretty positive, and I was always a fan of GnR!
Mornings are a logistical nightmare in the apartment, cos Mom & Kartik are staying with me for a month (or two, in Kartik's case). Going to bed and getting ready for work involve moving a lot of suitcases back and forth to be able to get from one side of the studio to the other.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
In Sports Today ...
Sigh. I remember when I used to watch NBA games. Good times, they was. I was ... er, am, a Kings fan. But it seems to me that the Kings are to the Lakers as South Africa are to Australia in cricket. Kings/SA teams will win all league matches and then choke in playoffs. While the Lakers/Aussies have variable successes in the league matches and then trounce everyone on the way to winning the tournament.
So ... Lakers/Pistons. I suppose we might as well have them on TV - I'm sure advertisers and networks have poured several millions into booking airtime. I say we need not bother - show us some replays instead. Or hold another All Stars tournament. Anything but the all-to-predictable Lakers wins.
In other news ... looks like we'll get to see local cricket on US television. Who knows, if we get exhibition matches from the country teams we might get to see world-class cricket without shelling out $150 for webcasts and without staying up to watch games that start at 1am.
So ... Lakers/Pistons. I suppose we might as well have them on TV - I'm sure advertisers and networks have poured several millions into booking airtime. I say we need not bother - show us some replays instead. Or hold another All Stars tournament. Anything but the all-to-predictable Lakers wins.
In other news ... looks like we'll get to see local cricket on US television. Who knows, if we get exhibition matches from the country teams we might get to see world-class cricket without shelling out $150 for webcasts and without staying up to watch games that start at 1am.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Weird XBox Goings-on/ RIP Mithrandir
So I setup my home theater system in my new apartment, and moved my XBox over yesterday. For some reason it'd rejigged my character in Top Spin (an excellent tennis game, for those wondering). "Mithrandir" was transformed from an excellent serve-and-volley character to a strong baseline player. Pissing off, especially considring the pain I had to go through to get him to #1 ... beaten by Keurten in the French Open, and nearly beaten by Chang at Wimbledon.
So now, I've created a new character - Bjorn Again (get it?!) He's currently ranked #85 and will probably require several hours of play before he can become Mithrandir's heir.
Haven't played Rainbow Six 3 with Nikhil for a while either ... I'm probably getting pretty rusty.
Sigh.
So now, I've created a new character - Bjorn Again (get it?!) He's currently ranked #85 and will probably require several hours of play before he can become Mithrandir's heir.
Haven't played Rainbow Six 3 with Nikhil for a while either ... I'm probably getting pretty rusty.
Sigh.
