I've started doing Kendo in Kutchan. So far I've learn the stance, how to move forwards, backwards, left and right while remaining in the stance, and how to do simple movements with the sword. My arms hurt, my legs hurt and my feet have blisters on blisters in places I've never thought blisters could be made. It feels good and I'm loving it.
Another Internet mapping site.
This project was created to make a visual representation of a space that is very much one-dimensional, a metaphysical universe. The data represented and collected here serves a multitude of purposes: Modeling the Internet, analyzing wasted IP space, IP space distribution, detecting the result of natural disasters, weather, war, and esthetics/art. This project is free and represents a lot of donated time, please enjoy.
Another Linux distribution based on Debian. I haven't check the distro out, but good on 'em I say.
I couldn't help laughing when I hit their site. There slogan is 'Where no Linux has gone before'. And I thought to myself...where no web developer/designer has gone before either. [Not that I can talk...right?]
I'm starting to write some P2P software. This protocol simulator will help;
p2psim is a free, multi-threaded, discrete event simulator to evaluate, investigate, and explore peer-to-peer (p2p) protocols. p2psim runs in Linux and FreeBSD. p2psim is part of the IRIS project.
So after reading that intro, naturally I headed over to the IRIS project.
The IRIS project is developing a novel decentralized infrastructure, based on distributed hash tables (DHTs), that will enable a new generation of large-scale distributed applications. DHTs are robust in the face of failures, attacks and unexpectedly high loads. They are scalable, achieving large system sizes without incurring undue overhead. They are self-configuring, automatically incorporating new nodes without manual intervention or oversight. They provide a simple and flexible interface and are simultaneously usable by many applications.
Here I found a bounty of P2P information.
It's raining today. Usually at this time of the year, people are waking up early to head up to the top of the mountain and ski/board/fall down it. And it usually would be snowing. The rain should have stoped long ago. But no...this year the rain continues. With today's rainfall, what was left of the last snowfall will probably vanish. And according to weather forcasts, it's not likely to change in the next week or so.
By now you gotta know about my keeness for anything robotic. How about New Robotic Gliders Can Soar Under Water. Wow...imagine tracking this baby for weeks as it travels the depths. Would be cool if you could get a live video feed happening. Now I just need to find me a robotic plane that can traverse the planet using solar power ;)
I received this email the other day and thought I'd share it on my blog rather than forward it and add to all the 'potentially' unwanted email traffic out there.
I never believed that I would be saying this, but we all have to dig deep and give to G.W. in this most important way. Please read on...
A lobbyist, on his way home from work in Washington, D.C., came to a dead halt in traffic and thought to himself, "Wow, this seems worse than usual."
He noticed a police officer walking between the lines of stopped cars so he rolled down his window and asked, "Officer, what's the hold-up?"
The officer replied, "The President is depressed so he stopped his motorcade and is threatening to douse himself with gasoline and set himself on fire. He says no one believes his stories about why we went to war in Iraq, or the connection between Saddam and al-Quada, or that his tax cuts will help anyone except his wealthy friends; the press called him on the lie about Iraq trying to buy uranium from Niger, and now Campbell Brown is threatening to sue him for a sexual innuendo he made at a recent press conference. So we're taking up a collection for him."
The lobbyist asked, "How much have you got so far?"
The officer replied, "About four gallons, but a lot of folks are still siphoning."
WARNING: Any fish-lovers out there may be shocked by the following.
Want a fish that glows in the dark? Go here. The bio-tech company behind this site has crossed tropical zebra fish with a gene from a sea anemone that makes it glow in the dark. Here are some photos.
I can see a whole range of cross products coming from this. Glow in the dark dogs for the elderly. What about a glow in the dark tattoo.
Here's the /. article where I first read about it.
And this time I hope it lasts. The season was suppose to start today, lifts were suppose to open, but there's no base yet, so I really hope this keeps up.
It snow all afternoon today in Niseko...finally. Hopefully it'll keep coming. I'd hate to see this stuff melt and have to wait again for more. I just want it to keep piling up. The season's first day has already been pushed back a week. I'm itching to get on the mountain. It's been a long year waiting for this place to supply some powder.
No big deal really, but...wow. I'm amazed I've been able to write so much. Feels pretty good storing thoughts like this. And I've had some great feedback from readers...thanks everyone.
I've been really busy with work lately. It's good because I'm enjoying it heaps, but the posts have suffered because of it.
Anyways...
I'm back in Niseko.
A 17" LCD screen I bought in Osaka has a dead pixel [grrrrr], so I'm going to embark on a journey through BenQ customer support land. I'll post all the details.
I'm trying to get my Linux box to play DVDs. This is not as easy as it sounds. I've found a great app that will play them, but I've first got to get my Sony MPD-AP20U [an all in one portable CD/DVD/MP3/WAV player & CD Burner] hooked up and woking with REITOEI [the linux box].
I came across a great link to a robot you can build using a mini-ATX motherboard. Mmmmmmm....robots.....mmmmmm.....mini-ATX motherboards.
Here's a review of the new [yes...another model] Zaurus handheld.
And this Church Sign Generator seems to be popular at the moment.
Speaking of popular. Social networking is also the big thing to get into these days. These guys think so.
1:26am Niseko time...I'm tired. More later.
Following the host of bad reviews, the Matrix crew have decided to release a online game of Matrix. My friend Peter [the only person I know who likes the last two movies so far] will love this.
I went and saw this movie last night. Talk about a disappointment. If I were to describe this film in one word, it would be - shit. It was so bad, so very very bad. The worse film I've seen since...oh...Matrix Reloaded.
Wikipedia is a multilingual project to create a complete and accurate free content encyclopedia. We started in January 2001 and are currently working on 170394 articles in the English version. Visit the help page and experiment in the sandbox to learn how you can edit any article right now.
Check it out.
I really really really want one of these. What fun could be had with such a device and a shitload of MP3s. And it's powered via the USB port as well, so all you need is the console and a notebook...now that's mobile DJing.
PS. But I'm not going to sell my 1200s just yet. And it would take ages for me to rip all my records.
Those Hollywood movie execs are starting to become really transparent [I know, it's been happening for years]. Right on the heals of Freddy vs. Jason comes Alien vs. Predator. Seems like comics have replaced treatments.
Update: Treatments are kindof like cut down versions of scripts before they get approved [and therefore worked on].
So, I've just recovered from what has to be one of the worst air travelling experiences in my life. I thought the reduced price on the Korean Airlines ticket was too good to be true. The flight was ok, and Korean Air is a pretty cool people-carrier, but the flight left at 9pm and the 4 hour stop over in Incheon [even though it a great airport] was a killer. I've spent the last few days in bed, tired as anything and feeling sick to boot.
I think this flight cemented the fact that I can't sleep on planes. I can get to a point of nodding off, but it never turns into sleep, which is really annoying and a killer on the body. And it was a little hard crashing at the Seoul international airport. The place was like a ghost town at 5am.
And if all that isn't bad enough, there's the damn 'second wind' that kicks in after about 30 hours of no sleep.
All in all the cheaper flight wasn't worth staying awake for 48+ hours and feeling like shit when arriving.
Note to self: No matter where you arrive in Japan, there's always at least a 45min train/bus/car ride from the airport to anywhere there's a bed or shower.
Anyways, glad I finally got all that out...it's behind me now.
It's actually called Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Airport, but really...who cares.
I've got just over an hour before my flight leaves. Needless to say, I'm really starting to airports and air travel. Boring as anything. But I really shouldn't bitch about it. I use to worry about having no shoes until I met a man with no feet....and all that ;)
BTW, Sydney airport is the only airport I've been to where they charge for the luggage carts. $2 a cart, for as long as you can hold onto it for. With the amount of tax we pay in Australia, you'd think we'd get a damn luggage cart for free...don't 'cha?
I head back to Japan today, via Seoul, Korea. 4 hours in Incheon International...that'll be interesting. I'll be in Osaka for a little while before going back to Niseko. Should be snowing by the time I arrive in Hokkaido...horay!!!
