Dojo Info 7/31/05

1. Gunning for game dollars
   With the continuing success of gaming, more and more advertisers are looking for ways to reach this desirable demographic. Some analysts expect spending to increase 4-fold to $1 billion by 2010. Sounds like they believe the growth in gaming is for real.
2. Beating Stress
   I’ve got to say that for me, exercise is the best way to beat stress. Gives me more energy too. So why don’t I exercise more?
3. Salaries of America’s favorite TV dads
   It seems anything related to charts/diagrams and pop culture has me hooked.
4. Carlton Draught Big Ad
   This is a really, big ad. Seriously.
5. RateBeer Top Widely Distributed Beers
   Guess you can see where this thread came from. In my best Homer voice, “Umm… beer…”

USA u21 Team Finish Prelims

After finishing up with Lithuania (91-86), Slovenia (81-66) and Ukraine (119-64) USA’s Under-21 Team throttled Team Texas 104-62. Now they’ll be traveling to Argentina to get ready for their first game next Friday against China.

I think this team has a legitimate chance of doing better than those NBA All-Stars who either forgot how or don’t care to play team basketball. Stay tuned.

Being Blind Doesn’t Stop Gamer

Brice Mellen is a whiz at video games such as Mortal Kombat. In that regard, the 17-year-old isn’t much different from so many others his age.

Except for one thing: He’s blind.

Read the whole Wired story called Blind Teen Gamer Obliterates Foes. It’s just amazing that when one part of the human body grows weak, other parts pick up the slack… and then some.

Androids Among Us

Don’t know how many of you saw Japan’s newest technology marvel, the Repliee Q1. Here’s what the BBC has to say about “her.” Someone really need to post a video because I hear it’s very lifelike, but it’s going to be years before she’s anywhere near affordable. Plus, what normal person would actually need one of these? Am I wrong? It’s not like this thing is an Amazing Amanda.

Hook Me Up

All I had to do was read the following words:

After five years as a cable modem subscriber, Sushim Mandal is considering switching his broadband connection to a new Verizon Communications service called Fios, which extends a high-speed fiber network directly to consumers’ homes.

to know that I’m interesed. Any Internet addict would welcome the fiber with open… er, uh… receptacles? For those fortunate enough to have an opportunity to test drive this Fios service (Texas, California and Florida) please don’t tell me it’s great. I’d just lose sleep and I’m cranky enough as it is. And for those voting at home, yes I did fill out the Notify Me When Service Is Available in My Area form. I’m that pathetic.

God Speaks

Remember these billboards? There are over 10,000 billboards in 200 towns. Now they’ve also got a God Speaks Web site.

Aquasphere

I used to create wallpapers all the time. Don’t know if I lost my muse or what. Here’s one I made a few years ago called Aquasphere. It’s available for download in the following dimensions: 1600×1200, 1280×1024 or 1024×768.

Hope you enjoy it!

Schumer, Leahy Want It Both Ways

We all know that politicians have an inborn character trait that allows them to say almost anything while believing some, all or none of their own words. Sen. Schumer has been extremely “gifted” in this foreign language called political speech.

Lately he and Leahy have been calling for Supreme Court nominee John Roberts to consider Roe v. Wade to be something called stare decisis or “settled law.” Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council breaks it down like this:

The 1986 Supreme Court case upholding state sodomy laws, Bowers v. Hardwick, was “settled law” until the 2003 Supreme Court roster, in Lawrence v. Texas, found a constitutional right to sodomy. The 1857 Supreme Court in Dred Scott v. Sanford decided that all African Americans are property and thus not citizens. Would Senators Leahy and Schumer, if they lived in the 1850′s, honestly argue that Dred Scott was “settled law”? Those who believe in a constantly evolving Constitution might be the very worst people to ask if the law is actually settled on anything. By treating court opinions as though they are permanent law, we become unwitting abettors in ceding legislative powers to judicial officials. More importantly, the questioning of judicial nominees on topics that are very likely to reappear before them if confirmed is unconscionable.

It’s merely a parlor trick the Democrats are using, hoping to fool those who don’t want to dig a little into another foreign language—lawyer-speak.

Dojo Info 7/28/05

1. Google Maps Saved Me From a Ticket
   Who says technology is cold?
2. Black pastors fail to recognize what Bush has done for Africa
   “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.” Isn’t that what the left is always saying?
3. Take 2 M&M’s and call me in the morning?
   I know a couple of women who are going to be totally psyched about this news.
4. Hollywood’s newfound passion for Christ
   Is Hollywood backing off it’s previous platform plank of “Christian is uncool”?
5. Back to Narnia
   I’m very excited about these upcoming Narnia books. They were the early nurturings of my now full-grown sci-fi passions.

Rock Star: Day 9

America voted and here were the bottom three.

I guessed two out of the three yesterday and wasn’t too surprised to see Heather added since she didn’t have her best stuff. After hearing each of them do their INXS song, it was pretty clear that Jessica’s Elegantly Wasted was the strongest. What wasn’t expected was that the band sent both the others home. Killer.

So, now we’re down to 10. Will J.D. keep up his massive subterfuge? Will Brandon learn how to sing in less than a week? Will Navarro continue to hit on everything that moves? Stay tuned my friends, things are starting to get interesting.

Still in the Hunt

Rondo Makes USA Team

Just posted a day or so ago about the USA under-21 team and then Martelli finalizes the roster faster than he said he would. Good news is that Rajon Rondo made the squad. Big props to the hard working guard from the University of Kentucky.

The championships run from Aug. 5-14 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Gadgets With Style

“Mommy, can I pleeeeeaassseee??”

Rock Star: Day 8

Since Day 1, I’ve thought that Ty and Mig were the strongest competitors for actually getting the gig. Some of the others are talented people, but aren’t a good fit for the band, in my opinion. As of last night, I feel pretty good about my early predictions.

So let’s rundown this week’s full bill:

Bottom of the Barrel

J.D. went from being on the top of the world to looking very fragile. His version of We Are the Champions wasn’t a good idea and he didn’t perform it well. The worst part was the band noticed. He’ll bounce back, but I wonder if for the rest of the contest the band will remembert this dreadful song.

Daphna came out on the stage is a long, poofy evening dress with combat boots and long gloves to play The Clash’s Rock the Casbah. I was like, “What in the world is she thinking?!?” Then she mutilates the song. And when I say “mutilate” it isn’t a positive comment.

Tempted wasn’t a good song for Brandon, because, well, Brandon can’t sing. Ouch.

Fine, If You Like That Sort of Thing

Just shy of bombing, Jessica sang Because the Night by Pat Benatar. Now, I’m not even sure this song was popular back when it was popular. Jessica didn’t do herself any favors either and is likely to get into the Bottom Three with this performance. Then again, Navarro had some nice things to say about her. Uh huh.

Heather’s version of If It Makes You Happy didn’t. She said she was sick and it showed. I felt like I needed one of the surgeon’s masks to avoid whatever vile germ has infected this poor woman.

Jordis sang Gimme Some Lovin’ and really included the crowd but I just didn’t feel like she was a rock star as much as a band leader. Meanwhile, Navarro was working up his marriage proposal.

Good, But Not Great

Give a Little Bit is a great Supertramp song that the Goo Goo Dolls recently remade so it’s on a bit of an upswing and Deanna did a good job with it. By that I mean she didn’t have any major screwups but wasn’t exactly lighting up the stage either. I just don’t get “excitement” when I see Deanna perform

Ty did Everybody Hurts acoustic style and showcased his strong voice. This guy has to be considered one of the leaders for the prize.

Boy was I shocked when Suzie totally rocked Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. The band didn’t seem to love it but thought it was her strongest performance yet. Suzie is now safely off the chopping block.

Mig had a slightly different take on The Kink’s Lola and it was pretty cool. Good but not great. It’s kinda tough when the strongest piece of your performance is your Sergeant Pepper’s coat. Stylin’!

Knocked ‘Em Dead

Imagine my surprise when I found myself jumping around my living room to Tara’s version of Suffragette City. I didn’t think she had it in her. Maybe she found some inspiration from her wanna-be Ziggy Stardust getup but it didn’t matter because she totally killed.

They saved the best for last when Marty cranked out Nirvana’s Lithium. The band wasn’t so enthused but I thought it was clearly the best performance of the night.

My predictions for Bottom Three are: Jessica, Brandon and Daphna. What do you think?

Positive Baby News

We don’t post on personal matters much here at 21st Century Paladin but I wanted to make sure and thank everyone who has been praying for us. After losing our last two children (#3 and #4) to miscarriage, it’s a true blessing to have this child (#5) make it to the 12 week mark. Our doctor told us the risk of losing this one now drops to 2%.

Mrs. Paladin and I both breathed a big sigh of relief at today’s visit. So thank you God and thanks everyone who prayed for us!

Rock Star: Day 7

This episode could have been called, The Bold and the People Who Want to Kill J.D. It began with a big cryfest for voted out Neal. Seems the Black Crows routine got old but tears? Real tears?!?

Next we got to peek in on J.D.’s move-making. He got Jordis alone and started in with the sweet talk. We Are the Champions had J.D. all a’flustered and he was looking to work a song-for-whoopie trade. Don’t think Jordis was buying it.

Then we got to watch the following contestants struggle through their rehearsals.

• Brandon was struggling with his “melodic” song Tempted. Poor kid. It won’t go well for him tonight.
• Ty was singing Everybody Hurts. He’s got nothing to worry about just yet, but the band thinks he needs to loosen up and not be so pre-planned.
• Mig sang Lola. I like Mig and still think he’s in the driver seat for this contest. How can the Aussie’s turn on one of their own?
• Suzie was singing Superstition. Might get her another week.
• Jordis was singing Gimme Some Lovin’ and it didn’t fit her style. She might be wishing she made the song-swap with J.D.
• Jessica is leading the list of people who might get the boot tonight. Because the Night isn’t a good song and she won’t be able to give it any life. Her days are numbered.
• J.D. was trying to make a trip-hop version of We Are the Champions, while the house band leader repeated said, “This is horrible. This is horrible.”

I still say, come Wednesday night, America will still throw Tara into the bottom three. Anyone take my 5:1 odds?