To Mac or Not To Mac...

I have been thinking now for a while whether to get a new laptop or not with my leave for Europe for one year. I am especially keen on the new updated Mac. at 2.0 Ghz, 1 gb of RAM and 80GB HDD the lowest price you can get is 999 $, which is quite decent taking into account the features of the Mac, sleek look and the fact you can run windows on them now. Unfortunately, since money is low this time of year, I had to give it up a settle myself with an upgrade to my old old buddy, the T22.

Amazing 3D Pavement Chalk Drawings

Check the link above.
Julian Beever is an English chalk artist who has been creating chalk drawings on pavement since the mid-1990s that create the illusion of three dimensions when viewed from the right location. These trompe-l'œil drawings are created using a projection called anamorphosis and appear to defy the laws of perspective.

New Things to Try

Today it was a good day for experiments. foods and drinks were on the menu. thus I have started with a pork Lo-Mein with plenty of vegetables, fresh thin cut pork rib meat and naturally noodles. It is quite easy to prepare (as most of the Chinese dishes) and delicious. Two things are vital: a big big pan and plenty of soy sauce.
The second things I have experimented today was a drink blending with orange juice, some Japanese gin and good old Coke. Cheezzy.
Cheers

Self Cross-Advertising..:)

New cool stuff posted on my photoblog. Follow the link in the bar above. Cheers.

End of the Week Movies

Today: 21grams and Apocalypto.


21 grams (2003)
They say we all loose 21 grams when we die. All of us. But how much is gained?
21 grams, the weight of a humming bird, a chocolate bar...
This dark movie was shot in chronological order, but is edited in a non-linear arrangement where the lives of the characters are depicted before and after the accident. The three main characters each have 'past' 'present' and 'future' story threads, which are shown as non-linear fragments which punctuate elements of the overall story, all imminently coming toward each other and coalescing as the story progresses. Great acting by Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro on top of the supporting cast.


Apocalypto (2006)
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations. On top of Braveheart's hero directing it. I was expecting something totally different...bloodier and harder. Instead what I got from it was a similar sensation as from the Last of the Mohicans, a great movie with Daniel Day Lewis back in 1992, where a silent type of hero does the job. Indeed some cruelty was shown but, again, those were the days (1) and not too heavy (less than "Saving Private Ryan" for example, in my opion). In essence a good movie and a great representation of the Mayan civilisation.

Great Music: Pelican City

I just came across their two releases and I was truly mesmerized by their music.


LP: Rhode Island
Pelican City are from Athens GA. This cd has been in the works for about 2 years.
his whole project is an Experiment of blending different types of music together.
BAND_MEMBERS: (Brian Burton - Producer/Composer, Programmer/Keyboards/Guitars) (Todd Monfalcone - Guitars) (Josh Perry - Horns) (Scott Patton - Guitars). A dark, moody, instrumental trip hop, with heavy downtempo hip hop beats, lush strings, and guitars that is perfect for listening anytime and type of day you have.

LP: The Chilling Effect OST
The music on the soundtrack almost sounds as if it is being played from an old record. It is a very moody and sad soundtrack and can be very intense at times. The are lots of layers to each song and each listen can bring you closer to a full understanding of the music.

LISTEN & ENJOY!

Assateague Island

10 miles south of Ocean City you reach the Assateague Island and its National and State Park. Here people and wildlife live in harmony, the former within their camping facilities while the letter enjoy a perfect climate of freedom and respect. Two herds of wild horses have their home here.

They are separated by the boundary between the states of Maryland and Virginia. In the summer the refuge's freshwater pools and marshes host a large variety of birds like herons, egrets and other wading birds. On top of this, clamming is at its best in the island's MD end. A great place to relax and enjoy the nature (less the mosquitoes and ticks).
Somehow, it is hard to believe how untouched and beautiful this place is, only 10 miles away from Ocean City, a popular resort where building and crowding is something quite casual and accepted. Two different worlds!

Remembering the short OC Getaway

The main street in Ocean City is called "Ocean Gateway" and it's a couple of feet away from the real deal, the ocean. For some reason or other, I always (and not solely me) call it Ocean Getaway.:)) Seemed more naturally and straightforward.
This post is just a short memento for the wonderful days spent there in, what was, my only vacation for a few years now.

Crustation - some mellow great trip-hop

Crustation is formed by Ian Dark, Stig Manley and Mark Taylerthe, three producers from Bristol. Aren't they all from there?:) In the 80s they played in bands with Adrian Utley of Portishead. For their late Crustation songs they used the collaboration of female vocalist Bronagh Slevin (great voice!!). In 1994 they released two EPs under Cup of Tea Records (label of Monk & Canatella, Statik Sound System and Purple Penguin). Released their only album Bloom in 1997, under the name of Crustation with Bronagh Slevin. They do a mellow and dreamy trip hop.
I got Bloom and it's amaizingly beautiful. Try it if you can get your hands on that one!

Din nou in Troy

Back again in Troy,NY. Not the best to spend your summer but again, I haven't done that yet. Heat and moist..two things that I don't enjoy about this place (and USA) in general, in the summer. On top of that, some serious T-storms paved my way back home from Albany International and I was seriously afraid that I could not make it soon enough. Finally got there around 8 and without a drop of rain on me after several waves of big hail and awful rampages of rain crossed Colonie, Albany and the whole capital region. The next day (with temps around 96 F and high humidity) the Grid decided to leave Troy (and other cities up north) without power throughout the day. Couldn't work, couldn't stay in the house, it was strange. But I (we) made it. the institute was closed. It's amazing to realize how much we depend on electricity. Felt amost like in Jericho.lol.