Archive for January, 2007

2007.01.16

SF Armory = Porn Palace

The San Francisco ArmoryI’m really saddened by the news that the venerable but decrepit San Francisco Armory has been purchased by web porn company Kink (NSFW link) for $14.5 million.

I’ve always loved this building, and it’s one of the first ones I took note of when I moved out here. Every time I drove past it I dreamed of turning it into a combination restaurant, cafe and club (with some live shows) with apartments on the top floor and possibly studios. If only I had the money that knobbly brick building would be mine!

I have nothing against porn per se, but like most “wholesome” people I prefer it far from the places I love, let alone within a place I love. I rather hope they will not destroy the exterior or the neighborhood. I wonder if there are any limitations because the Armory is a historic landmark.

Image from NoeHill. I find the price of gas at the ARCO station in the picture to be rather quaint these days…

2007.01.16

Whither iLife 2007?

In all the hulabaloo surrounding Apple’s new iPhone it never occurred to me to inquire about updates to Apple’s other software products like iLife, iWork, and other professional applications like Final Cut Studio, Logic Pro and Shake.

Were announcements made that I completely missed? There wasn’t even any hooting and hollering about the next generation operating system, 10.5, codenamed Leopard. BTW, am I the only one irritated with the cats as codenames? I want the next one to be called Tabby or Siamese…

There are rumors that these products will be released with Leopard, possibly because they will rely on something within the OS to function properly. This would be disappointing for most Apple users who will not be able, willing, or ready to make the upgrade. Hopefully Apple will not leave all of us in the proverbial dust.

2007.01.14

Rebellion is Easy

Rebelling is easy. Just do what you want to do for yourself when you want to do it. If someone says black just yell back white, and keep yelling it. Find out what is normal and oppose it. If the rules say not to do something go ahead and do it anyways. For those who are too lazy to action, grumbling and whining are good substitutes for outright rebellion. The only time rebelling is not easy is when it’s something you want to do anyways.

I think not rebelling is much harder when you’re young. Doing what you’re told when you don’t want to, especially when it requires sacrifice, is very difficult. Doing what you know is best or what you are supposed to do requires effort.

Rebelling is easy.

2007.01.13

Gay Eight: Epidemic

Intro. (Sorry for posting this a day late…)

The epidemic that arrived with the comet Pelosi called “Rave” has spread to the West Coast and “Der Governator” now insists on being called “The Governess”. Gay marriages resume in San Francisco and begin in New York, Chicago, DC, LA, and all other major metropolitan areas.

A teamster union spokesman from the Deep South, done up in Jean-Paul Gaultier Coveralls and Prada work boots, spoke to the press: “Working Americans don’t just have a right to warm clothing, they have a right to wear the most fabulous outfits and the cutest shoes. Every day. Period. That’s why the new, higher federal minimum wage doesn’t just make sense, it’s positively pretty!”

Read the rest of this entry…

2007.01.11

Bend It in LA

It looks like soccer superstar David Beckham will be moving to Los Angeles to play for the LA Galaxy. I’m not sure what to think about this. One the one had it will be brilliant for American soccer. On the other hand Beckham and his wife Posh seem to be about as shallow as a celebrity couple can be (based on what can be read in the media). Hmm… Maybe LA is the perfect place for them to go, then.

UPDATE 2007.01.14: Somehow Beckham as a Chia Pet seems frighteningly appropriate, though I can’t put my finger on the connection with LA…

2007.01.07

Gay Three: Infection

Intro.

Reports from various hospitals in the DC area indicate that no fewer than 666 men from various backgrounds are admitted for strange symptoms and behavior. Some are grooming their hair while others are listening to Madonna and other dance hits on their iPods. A few have been seen dry humping other men.

Doctors are calling the infection “Rave” and those who are infected as “the unRapturable.”

2007.01.07

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci CodeI got The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown for xmas (thanks Dad!) and just finished reading it earlier. I’d seen the movie last month. While reading I was amazed at how closely they kept the plot when adapting for the screen. In fact the essential points are one for one until the end of the movie, and those are barely different.

What is missing on the screen, and almost impossible to include, is all of the mental discussion of symbols, numerology, history and conspiricy. I think for me these were the most intriguing portions of the story. It reminded me strongly of The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. In fact now I want to go back and read it. I know The Da Vinci Code brought up many controversies since it claimed it was all factually based but I do know much of the symbology is accurate. Sadly I’d forgotten about Fibonacci Numbers. Now I have something to do with my free time.

It also brought up nostalgic memories from Prague when I’d be up pouring over alchemical symbols and tarot until the wee hours of the morning. I was always interested in the hidden meaning of things. Not in spiritual/ritualistic sense but definately in the psychological and historical sense. My trip to ÄŒeský Krumlov and my love of the architecture of Peter Parléř gave these interests real life applications.

I feel like I need to see the movie again and see just how much information they did manage to pack into it. My memory is that there wasn’t very much. I did like the book; despite the “popularity” it actually lived up to the hype.

2007.01.06

American Anime Awards

Look at that… They have awards for everything these days! The American Anime Awards “showcase the very best anime to make its way to North America. The winners are chosen by anime fans themselves.” That’s actually really cool because without the fans there certainly wouldn’t be any anime here in America. Fans find the best titles *before* anyone in the industry and if they love a show then, even if the title wasn’t huge in Japan, the American rights holders know they have gold on their hands.

I am curious who the “hosts” are (there are only pictures, no bios?). There are a LOT of categories and too many titles I had never heard of. I guess I’m not nearly the anime fan everyone thinks I am. *wink*

If you’re an anime fan go and vote. At the first link you can find the vote link. I know it’s a niche market and even if you’re a fan there is far too much to be truly edumacated on the subject, but it’s a great service to/from the fans and the people who bring anime (legally) to the American markets.

(Disclaimer: I work for VIZ Media and we have several titles up for awards. Don’t let this color your choices!)

2007.01.05

Six Degrees of Wikipedia

I’m sure you’ve all heard of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. If not give it a go for a few minutes.

I’m willing to bet money that you could link any two topics in Wikipedia. We could call it Six Clicks of Wikipedia.

If you are one of the two people in the world that hasn’t explored the vast time leech that is Wikipedia please go check it out. As a very good friend said, “It has to be good if it takes up more time than porn.”

2007.01.04

Gay One: Exposure

Intro.

The comet Pelosi crashes into Arlington National Cemetery just outside of Washington, DC. No one is hurt or even killed, though the bodies of our war dead were scattered more than any roadside bomb’s effect. A strange vapour rises from the crater and a fairy wind blows it gently across the Potomac into the nation’s capital.