Prep-Unit's Tea Partay

Moss' touchdown impersonation enlivens Gillette Stadium crowd

A 12 year old kid at the stadium during the Pats game this past Sunday got the crowd going when he impersonated Moss' touchdown dance on the Jumbotron.  Moss then laughed, and repeated it, getting further exciting the fans.

Slow-mo skiff crashes

Sailing Videos on Sailgroove

You've got a very important date

On March 5, 2010, my favorite director does his own sort of Alice sequel.  Thank god it's not just a retelling, because he's certainly butchered a couple of those already.

iTablet's niche

The wild speculation about a supposed "iTablet" from Apple has been unable to even suggest a fitting market niche for the rumored product.  It could be a Kindle-like reader, a large iPhone for watching movies, a netbook replacement, or a combination of the above.  The real question (beyond whether this product even exists) isn't what the specs are, but what operating system it would run.

A custom version of OSX would make the tablet more like a lightweight computer, that can run regular programs and handle almost any type of file.  Processor power, hard drive space, and RAM would likely prevent it from running intense graphic, art, 3D model or video editing programs such as CAD or Creative Suite programs.  Because of limits to screen size, hard drive capacity, and processor ability, modifications to the OS would be likely such as removal of Expose, and perhaps even a streamlined window system.  Obviously, UI elements such as touch and accelerometer input would also be required.  A screen imbeded full-size touch keyboard would also be an important part of the interface.  Supported video, music, photos and written info could be accessed through an interface similar to Apple's Front Row, itself like a large iPod system.

On the other hand, Apple could create an entirely new OS, just like they did for the iPhone, which might better utilize the power, touch interface, and size of the new product.  This might have a home page like the iPhone, and a series of pages or menus for reaching other apps or functions.  Other minor changes would include custom apps (bigger games, tablet as pen interface, etc.)  However, considering that many might find a 3G network connection too expensive to have one for their laptop as well as their phone, this would handicap the iTablet, making it only slightly more than an iPod Touch with a larger screen/interface.

What I'm hoping for, and considering the significant downside of the latter scenario, the likely situation, is that Apple finds a way to create an iPhone-like interface, that can still run traditional Mac programs, such as Microsoft Office, Google Earth, and perhaps even Aperture, Rhino or Photoshop Elements.  While hardware restrictions are likely to preclude running process-intense programs or games, especially with large files, and the Tablet OS would restrict multi-program workflows, ideally it would still allow traditional file management, and downloading and installation of universal programs.  This would be in addition to new functions, such as using the tablet as a wireless tether, adjunct screen or input element for your regular desktop or laptop Mac.

Crystal Cave

I'm pretty sure this is the most incredible photo I've ever seen.  I wish my architecture looked like that:

Check out these photos

More photos like this one

Extreme Sailing

Several near capsizes made for a fun day at the aptly named "Extreme Sailing Series" in Singapore.

See video

NHL Update

On the morning of Decmber 12, there were 4 teams effectively tied for that eighth spot in the NHL East rankings.  Manwhile, Boston has pulled comfortably into the middle of the conference, and with more good play would threaten to move into the upper tier.  However, this doesn't take into account the B's have had over the past couple weeks, which continues until next weekend when they play the Blackhawks.

America's Cup

Don't ask how I possibly missed this up till now, but there's going to be an America's Cup match this February in Valencia.  Alinghi5 of Switzerland will be defending against BOR90 of San Francisco (BMW/Oracle).  Did I mention that for the first time since the crazy 1988 race, the rules are being drastically altered?  Alinghi5 is a catamaran, while BOR90 is a trimaran, both of carbon fiber, about 90 feet in length, and using enormous sprits.  This after several lawsuits about location, boat type, entrant qualification and more.  A best of three series will begin Feb 8 to determine the next cup defender.

Some more Pics:

Oh yeah, Alinghi5 was flown in to Valencia by helicopter.

Skin Deeper

Does this look familiar?  Kinda sad and creepy at the same time that people keep doing this.

Hackintosh

Apple effectively won it's suit over Psystar for selling "hackintosh" computers running OSX.  But they are still trying to sue for a Psystar program which will turn your regular machine into a Mac.  Why don't they just offer a more expensive version of OSX which works on PC's.  They could add $200 and not provide support and still make a ton of money off of people like me who would love to run the Apple OS on their regular computer; I just want it to work.

Shootout Traffic

Definitely got caught in traffic caused by a shootout today. Not even a bad neighborhood, and it's right in between Hollywood, Silverlake and Downtown, the areas I spend the most in.

Update for the NHL Points Per Game (PPG) standings including the Western conference:

Skin Deep?

Typical architectural argument about how deep the design of an office building goes.  This is one I like, because it has depth to the skin, shape to the form, and also brings the design inside.

These others are only slightly more than a coat of paint, or the selection of an exterior material.  Both do perform a shading function, the way a simple mesh would, and this one has some depth, form, and variation of perforation.  Still, it seems to me that to slap an exterior skin on a building that has no influence on, or roots in the actual design of the space is no better than "sprucing up" a design with marble or columns flanking the doorway.  While I applaud the environmental layering, along with an attempt at post-modern materiality and digital modeling, I can't really get excited about the final product as architecture.

Updated NFL Standings.  Note that New England and Arizona would be the fourth seeds based on winning a division, were the season to end today.

Updated NHL PPG

Even though Boston is ranked 5th and tied for the division lead in conventional standings, you can see from this chart that they are fighting for a top-8 spot:

SCI_Arc Exhibition

A project I worked on at SCI_Arc got a write-up in Dezeen.

Nice Renderings

Top Ten Lists Begin

I just came across the worst (and first) top ten TV shows of the decade list.  It's missing the Office!!!

My personal list of favorites is nothing like this, but if you want to define a decade by ten TV shows, here's how I'd do it:

The Office (spawned an entire genre of shows)
Family Guy (this decade's Simpsons)

24 (you can't forget the sound of that clock -- litteraly)

Lost (largest all-time viewership)

The Sopranos (first great HBO Original Series)

Curb Your Enthusiasm (wouldn't have made this list without the Seinfeld Reunion the past few weeks)
The Daily Show (how the world gets its news)

Survivor (spawned the Reality Craze)

Real World - Road Rules Challenge (emblematic of all these types)

American Idol (can't argue with the popularity)



Honorable Mentions (iconic, but limited in their influence)

Sex and the City (what man watches this?)

South Park (IMO, not quite on the level of Family Guy)

Da Ali G Show (played out too quick)

Entourage (what woman loves this show?)

Arrested Development if you don't know, I can't help you)

Desperate Housewives (for one year)

Scrubs (could have been any decade)

A clearer way to see the NFL playoff race.  The standings are organized by conference, with the divisions demarcated by shaded background.

A clearer way to look at in-season NHL standings. Below are the standings for the Eastern Conference, ranked by Points Per Game Played (PPG), which eliminates the discrepencies in number of games played.  Teams from the three divisions are shaded differently.

Why is it wrong for a professional to eat during a game? Does it matter whether it's a hot dog or a power bar? Either one I can stuff in my face in a few seconds. I understand if Sanchez is back in the locker room tucking into a 4 course meal, but come on guys... it's a stick of mashed up protein on a piece of bread!

Either way, I think the (self-inflicted) punishment fits the crime.

NFL Predictions

Add Carolina and Miami to the teams who won't make the playoffs. I can still see the Fins going 10-6, but they'll have to get pretty lucky to get the right wins and losses, especially against a tough schedule.

In other sports news, the Celtics are undefeated, the Sox lost a former co-GM to the Padres, and their bench coach to Houston. Congrats to them on their promotions.

Are Curtis Steele and Duke Calhoun texas rangers? porn stars? super heroes? No, just Memphis Tigers football players.

(516): Thank God they found balloon boy, I was afraid that Michael Jackson was ordering take out from heaven.

NFL results/predictions

After week 6, there are nine teams which are essentially eliminated from the postseason, based on record, and the records of division rivals: Washington, Detroit, Tampa and St. Louis in the NFC, and Buffalo, Oakland, Tennessee, Cleveland, and KC in the AFC.

Of the 3-loss teams in the AFC, Baltimore seems strongest, while Jacksonville is the worst. However, their respective schedules might continue to keep their records close, as Baltimore plays in a stacked division, and also must face Denver, Indy and Da Bears.

Meanwhile Jacksonville draws Tenn and KC, then NYJ, Buffalo, SF, Houston and Miami before facing it's next 4-win team.