I upgraded my TV this past weekend, by a factor of a lot. I purchased, and installed, a Viewsonic PJ506D DLP front projection system with an Elite 80" screen that pulls down in front of my RCA 27" CRT. The old boob tube is about 7 years old now and cost as much then as this system did now. Mind you, this is a lower-end package deal that threw the screen and ceiling mount in for free, but at under $600 to my door, it's hard to beat. The projector is only 800x600 SVGA quality, that's standard def in modern parlance, which is fine because I don't have a high definition source anyway. And both the projector and screen are the old 4:3 aspect ratio, just like TV, which is also fine. Throw on a widescreen DVD and you've got a 5' wide image that's about 3' tall. Turn it to a TV channel and woah, the picture is enormous in the little room I've got it. It's almost too big and I suppose I could move the projector closer to reduce the size, but that would be just wrong. At 2000 lumens, it's brighter than most and can be seen easily in daylight, and with a 2000:1 contrast ratio, it's got a great dark-to-light range. These are features seldom seen together in this price range, which has made this a hot commodity for people looking to get started in the front projection world.
An important aspect about a projector is that it's located at the opposite end of the room (if small enough) than is the screen, so if your cable / satellite receiver is by the old CRT like mine is, you need a cable that's long enough to traverse the distance. To hide mine properly, I needed about 40' of wire. The projector has no fancy digital inputs, like DVI or HDMI, so I looked for an SVGA cable at Best Buy. Their longest was 12' at $50. I laughed and went to a home theatre specialty store where I found a very helpful employee. I expected him to try to sell me an expensive Monster cable, but listening to my story, he explained to my a simple 50' shielded coaxial cable with screw-in RCA connectors at either end should work well enough. At about $38 out the door, I was in business. I've since learned of an online store that sells a 50' S-video cable for about the same, so I -might- try that. But for now, I've got a very workable solution, and we're happy.
My friend turned me onto the deal (the idea was in my head years ago) and he bought the same system first, so I was able to check out his after it was installed. I was impressed enough that I decided to bite the bullet too. He also has an HD receiver and was able to show me an HD signal. VERY impressive, much moreso than SD. The projector only has 600 vertical lines of resolution, short of the 720 or greater normally associated with HD, but qualifies for the little-known EDTV resolution of 576 which is the same as the European PAL standard. The HD signal is downconverted to display and I must say that even so, it looked really good. I might need an HD receiver too. Too bad Discovery is not one of my satellite provider StarChoice's free HD channels though. I did get to watch their original show Race to Mars last night anyway. That was cool.
I've now witnessed first hand the infamous Rainbow Effect that DLP projectors are known for. In dark regions of the picture, if you look suddenly to a different area of the screen, you'll see a flash of RGB banding. It's also apparent in scenes of motion. This is because the projector uses a rotating disc that has colour windows on it. A monochrome image is shone through one of the windows as it passes by the solitary DLP chip, and the projected frame is synchronized with the colour presented at that time. The Rainbow Effect is an artifact of the eye/brain computer processing the image on the screen at a slightly different rate. More expensive projectors have a different chip for each of RGB, being a 3-chip system, with no rotating disc and thereby eliminating this effect. If you want to see how cool that picture is, go to the cinema and watch one of the digital screens, they use a 3-chip DLP projector. I saw Star Wars Episodes 2 and 3 this way and the detail was incredible. Back at home, I've noticed the effect is less pronounced the more you watch it, so it's quickly getting more bearable.
All in all, I'm glad with my purchase, and so is the wife. And that matters the most, because if the boss ain't happy, there's no avoiding it.
It is the wee hours of the morning here in the rural countryside north of Kingston, Ontario. I spent the last few days in Ottawa with my professional colleagues from worldwide in a workshop, and stayed at a nice hotel just steps from Parliament Hill. Ottawa is a wonderful city and the architecture evident around the hill is stunning in its antiquity and grandeur. Unless you're visiting the University of Toronto, it's something you rarely see in Canada's largest city. Rather, there is a sense of national pride that makes up the stone of our capital's halls. Fitting it is, though, that such architecture would be found at the centre of our country's government, for what place of higher esteem is there than Parliament Hill?
When my work was done and I said goodbye to my professional friends, my wife, son and I decided to stay an extra night in town so that I could see what sights I could before vacating. We took a nice stroll down Sparks Street and I found the coolest little shop, Astrolabe. It's an historical cartography shop, with framed maps from days gone by, geographical artwork in my eyes. I didn't step inside but at least I know it's there now so I can return. I've been to Sparks Street before, but it's nice once again to see the pedestrian-only laneway next to the parliament buildings. The cafes in the middle of the road are a nice touch, no?
We proceeded around the Hill and I saw the house of ferrell cats I'd recently heard about. There was a man sitting on a nearby bench who apparently takes care of the cats, and built the large house for them some 37 years ago. I understand that the government gives them the residence and pays for their food. It's quirky and it's neat. A great view of the Ottawa River can be had from an outlook next to the cathouse. Around back of the Hill, the Museum of Civilization can be seen across the river in Hull. You can't miss it's wavy appearance apparently due to the native mythology that right angled corners trap bad spirits. It's hogwash of course, but makes for a neat building design. I really love the Parliamentary Library at the back of the Hill. You have to see the stonework to really appreciate it. We rounded the Hill checking out the locks of the canal and made for the Rideau Centre shopping mall nearby for some grub and beer before heading back to the hotel to eat and drink.
What fun Ottawa is!
I had to comment on the Globe and Mail's article today about the Boy Scouts' centenary yesterday. You can read the article and its comments at this link, but I provide my comment in full below.
I give a bitter-sweet congratulations to the scouting movement on its centenary. With the inclusion of so many different cultures now, why is it that I, as an atheist, am discriminated against? The first principle of scouting is a Duty to God. I spent much of my childhood in the Boy Scouts of Canada: first as a Beaver, then a Cub, then a Scout, 7 years total. I still have my uniform, lanyard and sash with all my badges, yet this sole "principle" is the one reason I am not active in scouting today. This troubles me because I have a new son who I'd like to enroll, and I would love to be able to volunteer as a leader, but as I matured and studied the natural world around me, any such supernatural beliefs were shed. I am now an upstanding and productive member of society who contributes the best he can, yet I cannot yield to this barrier. I ask the scouting world, if you can be accommodating to so many different people, why can you still find it acceptable to reject me?
Earlier today I listened to the latest Point of Inquiry podcast that is produced by the Center For Inquiry. The interviewee was asked about his thoughts of atheism being the last form of discrimination that is publicly acceptable in our society, his being American. It's much easier, I think, to be an atheist in central urban Canada because it's such an inclusive society, but the interviewee made a good point. He didn't believe that we are persecuted to the point that we have to ride at the back of the bus (though that was a coveted seat in my school days), or have to use a separate water fountain. It's not nearly that dire, but it is still difficult to be a leading public figure and be an atheist. George Bush the First stated that he didn't believe that an atheist should be allowed to be president of the USA, I doubt that George II is any more lenient. CNN actually allowed an atheist to ask a question to the recent Democratic debate, and he probed the candidates for the personal stance on belief / non-belief and whether they would consider him an equal citizen. This prompted each candidate to, what else, state they were good Christians, but it also brought out a couple of proclamations of equality and church/state separate. Praise be to Obama!
Our current Prime Minister is cut from a similar cloth as the Bushes, but then, look at who he represents. And I'm not talking about a forward thinking constituency. He looks like a used car salesman for gawd's sake, and we all know how trustworthy they are. No, I think that society at large is still apprehensive about my kind because they don't believe that we have morals enough to lead. Well, we've got morals all right, just not the backward, archaic morals they've managed to cling to. Thankfully there is a march forward among atheistic notables with Hitchens', Dawkins' and Harris' books catching wind. Someday we will be equal, someday, and I'll get to scout again.
When I was young, I played with toys just most other little guys. Some played with G.I.Joe or Star Wars action figures, others with Thundercats or Hot Wheels, but my toy of choice was a fairly popular type of alien robot that would camouflage as various modes of transportation in order to fit into our world. No, I'm not talking about those wimpy GoBots! I play with the superior toy, the only toy that mattered, the Transformer.
Now that I'm all grown up, at least by years lived, I play with the real thing in my cars and motorcycles, but there's still an affinity for the toy in this man. In fact, there are a lot of grown men now who used to play with Transformers when they were young, and some of these men work in film, an industry that has been transformed with the advent of computer graphics. In recent years comic books have been adapted exceptionally well because scenes are now produced that previously could only be imagined. It's been a windfall for people like me who also grew up on comic books, and my Transformers have now finally hit the silver screen.
Opening last week, I finally got to see it for myself on Saturday after my plans for opening day fell through. I wore my Autobot t-shirt and was not disappointed, neither was my neighbour who saw it with me. The characters were changed somewhat from the original cartoon, which my parents lamented was only used to suck kids into buying the toys, but they retained a fair bit of the traits that made each one special. I was really happy to hear Peter Cullen's voice revived for Optimus Prime, but sorely disappointed that Frank Welker was not chosen for Megatron, who's bark had a certain evilness that cannot be replicated. Hugo Weaving did an adequate job on the Decepticon leader, but it wasn't the same. The rest of the robotic characters didn't get much in talking, but I guess that's the way the movie goes. The story revolved mainly around Sam Witwicky (originally Spike Witwicky in the cartoon) and his smoking hot girlfriend Whats Hername.
The action scenes were excellent, but the new design for the aliens made it difficult to see who was who when things got intense. The original toys transformed such that a fair amount of coloured vehicular bodywork was covering the robot body and the Transformer was easy to identify. But the movie robots had a lot of exposed internal componentry, too much at times, especially around the faces. And since the internals tended to be similar in colour between all the Transformers, when two or more battled it out it was difficult to tell them apart. Back to the facial structure, I wasn't keen on Megatron's appearance at all. And what the hell was he supposed to resemble. He was a Walther P-38 handgun originally, but was an alien jet for some reason this time 'round. Didn't like that much at all.
I liked that the filmmakers added a heavy dose of comedy, like when these five gargantuan robots are hiding in Sam's backyard from his parents, crouching under the veranda or pressed up against the wall. It was really quite humerous and Sam's mom had some choice lines too, much like Eugene Levy's father figure in American Pie. Ahhh, understanding 21st century parents are good for a laugh, eh? Also cool were the many jokes or hidden gems from the animated Transformers The Movie and the cartoon that really fleshed out the characters.
But I think best of all was how the movie was left open in the end to add a sequel or two which would, er, just be awesome. I enjoyed this one so much, and I can see watching it a hundred times over like I did the animated movie, that I can only hope for much more to come. Thank-you Michael Bay for making this film, and if I can suggest for the next one, more Starscream (the insolant punk) and many more Transformers. I can see this being a franchise that could kick some serious Decepticon ass! Not that some Autobots shouldn't get their due.
And thank-you to the two guys in crew cuts that had a grey Nissan Xterra in the parking lot with a big Autobot symbol in white on the hood. That gave me a good laugh!
edit: Reading an interview with Peter Cullen, there will be sequels! Spoke Cullen, "But Optimus will be to a larger degree in the second and third movie and that was explained to me from the very beginning by one of the producers."
Ever notice how people go ga-ga over babies? It's a very strange phenomenon, but I'm getting to make use of it nowadays and it's kind of fun. Until shortly before I had my own kid, I was pretty anti-child ever since I was in high-school. Even when I got married I wasn't looking forward to kids. Now the story is a little different with the little guy in the house and it's been fairly pleasant. Mind you, that's just one baby, I don't know how people with multiples do it.
One benefit I didn't foresee was the inordinate amount of attention he gets when he goes out into the world. It helps that he's super-cute (cute wasn't in my vocabulary before), but it's like he's got the power to make people melt when they look at him. The waitress at our weekend breakfast diner goes totally nuts over the little dude, and she doesn't much like kids either. Yesterday my wife and little guy visited the office. The office women flocked to see the beauty of the product of my loins, and much new-parental talk ensued. Afterwards, we went to the free Toronto Outdoor Art Expo downtown and it was busy. Once again, a baby catches the eye of many people who would otherwise have no interest, and for good reason. Including that creepy, staring, bag lady in the park.
Babies and puppies too are great pickup tools for guys. Chicks seem to flock to such a public display of cuteness. Of course, if one's wife is on one's arm at the time, the usefulness of this tactic is limited but not entirely negated. A baby is a lot of work and a lot of my free time at home is involved with him since he can't fend for himself. My wife devotes even more time because I'm at work all day. How couples survive with more than one child I cannot fathom without losing my sanity. It's a good thing our guy is so great and easy to get along with. I think the story I told him of the recycling bin for bad babies might have had something to do with it.
What a momentous early post:
I'm an avid motorcyclist, saddling up much later in life than I wanted to. I had a minibike as a kid and found an old 80's standard in university that never saw road duty in my hands. However, it wasn't until September 11, 2001 when I picked up my first real streetbike. That's right, I started officially riding on the morning of 9/11. That was a heavy day, but the heaviest day of my riding career came last Friday when it was almost my last. I consider myself a proficient and smart rider, having started out on an underpowered v-twin cruiser, progressing to a powerful cruiser and then to a very powerful sport-touring bike. I've had a close call or two with all of them, but quickly put such incidents behind me and focussed on the next threat. This last close call was a little more than close, it was intimate.
I was traveling at a reasonable pace through the busy core of a village near my home, keeping a watchful eye out for unwary kids running into the street or cars blindly turning onto my road, but somehow the most important threat snuck in under my radar. A sedan pulled out from a parking lot right across my lane and by the time I saw it there wasn't anything more I could do more than what braking I had already begun. I'm not big on steak, but I ate t-bone that day. I recall watching the car "approach" me like lightning and when it was apparent I was going to be reading the dashboard VIN whether I liked it or not, I made some remark to myself along the lines of "fuck" or "shit". I heard a crunch, most likely the compression of my motorcycle's fairing, and felt my shoulder collide with the car, along with my helmet. My brand new brain bucket punched a big hole in the windshield and my body was tossed up into the air. My eyelids closed instinctively to protect my eyes beneath, even though the dual protective layers of sunglasses and faceshield covered them all. I landed about fifty feet beyond the car, having the common courtesy to remain in my own lane.
My flighted body came to a rest face down, my head pointed back towards the car and bike, my feet toward my intended destination, and my hands tucked up underneath my chest. Once upon a time, I was actually in shape and actively involved in football and rugby. Whether or not I was any good at it was a matter of opinion. But It became instinctive for me to tuck my hands to my chest when I went down, because I inevitably ended up on the bottom of a pile of massive bodies, and I found that this helped me to breathe. As a bonus, this also helped prevent lower arm injuries in this instance. I only succumbed to a dislocated left shoulder, a separated right shoulder, and general soft tissue damage. The fact that I was wearing a new fullface helmet, an armoured jacket, and padded boots did wonders for saving my skin and my life.
Three days post-impact, a bottle of painkillers and some R&R have seen me progress a great deal from where I was laid out on the gurney in the hospital, moaning insufferably. The legal and therapeutic followups have been initiated and I hope to be upon two wheels before two long.
Let this be a lesson that speed may kill, but lack thereof can hurt like a hell! It's also a good demonstration for the acronym ATGATT - All The Gear, All The Time. Without the jacket, my arms might be hamburger. Without the helmet, my brain might be soup. For my wife's and son's sakes, I'm glad I follow ATGATT.
http://www.pbase.com/timothypilgrim/rip_poseidon&page=all
This isn't my first blog, that one was a LiveJournal account I activated back before most people knew what blogs were. I would write about my daily life as a single guy and it was quite active, until I met my wife. I pretty much stopped regular blogging then as I became a little more preoccupied. A Blogger account to post jokes to friends was used in the meantime and I also began podcasting, which uses Blogger as well since the feed is tracked easily. Well, now I've found Vox and I like the design and interface, so I'm giving this variant a shot. I aim to make this a more professional-looking blog, with content that is not devoid of, well, content. Now I'm married, a father, and a homeowner, so there is plenty of material to draw from. Hopefully it'll be as interesting as I anticipate. Who knows? We'll see.
