iPhone Arrives

Some companies understand the value of an exemplary user experience. Apple is one of them. Does the iPhone deliver? Here’s what the critics say. I do know that people are lining up at stores around the country hours in advance for a chance to buy one. No worries. I’ll just bide my time with my [insert some derogatory remark here] phone as they work the bugs out. *wink*

For the gamblers among us, some companies are setting iPhone odds. Could our world get any crazier?

Sneak Peek at ’08 Accord

Could this be Paladin’s next ride?

Kentucky v. LSA (1996)

This comes from the “Because I Can” file. Kentucky scores 86 points in the 1st half against LSU. Scary.

‘Rock Band’ Is Going to Be Huge

I think my strong affinity to Guitar Hero has been well documented. (For the record, here are 16 posts since December on the topic. And “yes” I’m a geek.) I’m still totally stoked for the upcoming games—GH Rock the 80s and GH3. But today, something even more impressive happened… I read a story about Rock Band in the latest issue of GameInformer.

The full story isn’t online yet, but you can check out the sweet controller. Can you believe they actually worked with Fender to get things right?. Did you notice the extra set of frets for the high-pitched solos? Suh-weet!

Their official Web site is getting hammered by traffic but there’s plenty of buzz on the Nets. Here’s a decent write-up on USAToday about the upcoming game planned for release around the Holidays.

There’s plenty more to learn about on the Wiki but let’s just say, Paladin will be purchasing either a PS3 or an XBox 360 for the privilege to play Rock Band this Christmas. It’s the price I pay to be a “good Dad.” (sshhh… don’t tell my kids the truth…)

Seinfeld’s Bee Movie Teaser

Since Seinfeld has done relatively little since stopping his successful TV show, I’d have to guess that expectations are pretty high for his first major motion picture release. Too bad we have to wait until November to find out.

Dojo Info 6/23/07

1. AT&T Launches Cell-To-Cell Live Video
   Oh man is this stuff getting cool.
2. The VP of Common Sense offers his draft advice
   Here’s an example of why everyone in sports is trying to write like Bill Simmons or are treading water as they circle the drain: “Here’s what I think Kevin McHale will do: Wear an ugly sweater, back out of a KG deal at the last second and take Spencer Hawes at No. 7, followed by KG snapping in mid-December after a 30-point loss to the Spurs and killing everyone in Minnesota’s locker room except Ricky Davis, who will calmly sit in front of his locker watching it happen while drinking a malt 40.”
3. iPhone – A Guided Tour
   This product’s coolness factor just doesn’t quit. I predict some poor kid will get killed for it.
4. Lawsuit shows how to sue spammers
   It’s about freakin’ time.
5. What are Unlocked Cell Phones?
   Showing true noob form, I didn’t know what an “unlocked” phone was… so I looked it up. It’s amazing what information is available for free on this here Internet.

Dojo Info 6/21/07

1. Ancestry.com adding DNA test results
   Am I the only one who finds this a bit frightening?
2. Apple: IPhone Battery Life Improved
   Brand new and already they’re improving it. I wonder if I could test drive one?
3. `Ocean’s Thirteen’ No. 1 With $36M Debut
   I took my Dad to see this for Father’s Day and I must say it was great. My kind of film. He loved it too.
4. New Nintendo Game Gives Beauty Tips
   See ya later Avon Lady… hello Peach!
5. Top 20 Magic Trick Tutorials
   Isn’t it GREAT when people explain this stuff?

Parody Done Right for Microsoft Surface

With all the trending towards smaller, I’m surprised they didn’t do one where the cell phone, PDA, GPS, MP3 player, etc. device was the size of a postage stamp. Flame on!

Dojo Info 6/20/07

1. Video: The ‘Tesla’ of scooters
   Can you imagine screaming along at 60mph on an electric scooter? How long before some anti-liberty organization wants to outlaw cars and make these guys mandatory?
2. Pyongyang Roller Coaster
   Not looking exactly “safe” is it? How about this for a marketing message, “Your thrills are increased because you don’t know that in any given moment you actually could die!”
3. Heightened basket deters dunks in exhibition game
   Yeah, 11-foot goals do change the game quite a bit. I’d love to watch some teams give it a go. [via aSoB]
4. How the Presidents Stack Up
   “With the sole exception of Clinton, Americans like their presidents less at the ends of their terms than at the beginnings.” More than anything I believe this shows the power of the media, who are supposed to be impartial, to promote a politician. Unfortunately, it’s a phenomenon that’s becoming more and more common. [via kottke]
5. Fathers and Kids Bond Over Video Games
   Can you say, “Zelda”?

World Health Problems Conveniently Mapped for Your Convenience

Google Map’s API is useful for literally thousands of applications. For all you hypochondriacs, just zoom in and identify any trouble diseases in your area. Fun for all ages!

We’re sitting pretty here in Kentucky with our nearest problem being “Barley yellow dwarf virus” (sounds icky) just north of us in Indiana. See?!? I knew “those people” had issues. ;^)

Dojo Info 6/16/07

1. Hated blogger leaves U.S., threatens lawsuits
   I’ve posted about this before, but now it looks like the guy is scared for his life. Scary.
2. Make Beliefs Comix
   Make your own comic strips online with simple speech and thought bubbles. It’s plug-and-play bay-bay.
3. New video-game league seeks mass appeal
   It won’t be long now…
4. Stanford robot passes driving test
   This doesn’t surprise me at all. I think my calculator could drive better than most 16-year-olds.
5. Wall-E Trailer
   Pixar’s next movie won’t launch until Summer 2008 but since it’s Pixar, you know it’ll be good.

Children See, Children Do

There is such power in motion pictures. This time that power is being utilized for a good cause. Cheers!

Dojo Info 6/14/07

1. Video: A possible iPhone killer?
   The iPhone is the epitome of coolness so all new the cell designers are trying to emulate at least one thing about the iPhone in order to receive the comparisons. In my eyes the biggest mark against the iPhone is being forced to use AT&T but who knows, I may bite the bullet and make the switch anyway. Oh yeah, this new Touch phone is at least 1 iteration away from being even good, IMO.
2. BioShock Hands-On
   I’m so loving this game franchise.
3. CinemaNow to Relaunch Music Video Site
   2 bucks? Fun!
4. Time to fix the NBA playoffs
   Simmons is so right even he doesn’t know how right he is.
5. Hate Crime Laws: Censoring the Church and Silencing Christians
   “With massive funding from the homosexual lobby, these advocates are moving one step closer to the day when the federal government will be able to investigate, and punish, politically incorrect speech and thoughts.” There are already laws on the books for crime. The problem would be judges making more and more gigantic leaps away from the facts of the case towards the psychology of intent. What this really is is trying to create a protected class of people based on their behavior.

id Announces New Graphics Engine

So what has id been up to? (I’m sure this has been holding your thoughts captive.) Now we know! They’ve been building a next-gen graphics engine. I guess we could have figured that out.

Planned Parenthood is a Misnomer

One of the saddest things I’ve read this month.

The 2005-2006 Planned Parenthood Annual Report shows that the organization performed a record 264,943 abortions in 2005 yet did not record a single adoption referral.

If we as a nation don’t protect innocent life, what does that say about us?

Here’s how you might respond.