Another leatherman Micro Confiscated!

Having always been a fan of technology and gadgets I have found that the threats on homeland security are not only threatening our safety they are threatening my way of life. Take for example last night. I was honored to attend a Police concert and like I always do when leaving my car behind, I take my keys (in case Boomer-my car- gets stolen). Well attached to my keys is my all important Leatherman micro. Compared to other knock off, made in China micro multitools, this happens to be very useful and well made.

Needless to say, after being molested by the secrity guard it was confiscated. As i angrily proceeded through the gate I experienced a significant feeling of sadness and loss come over me. Not only had the leatherman micro been by my side on countless occasions to help me rip through UPS boxes (thats right - christmas many times mid year), tighten screws, pry things open, pop a bottle top, the list goes on, but it was now in the hands of some unappreciating security guard who probably wouldn't know what the heck it was.

The funny part is, as the title of the entry conveys, if I didn`t get it taken from me last night I most likely would have lost it today at the airport security check. Somehow I can't remember to leave it behind; probably because I can't live without it.

Looks like I have to buy another when I get back. At $20 its a price point I can live with having to replace.

"How come everything I think I need always comes with batteries."

John Mayer is a pretty cool guy in my book. I find his lyrics to be pretty witty, sharp and intelligent.  His music as well is rythmic yet melodic and soothing to listen to.  He also "gets me" which, I guess, is the real reason we have our favorite artists in the first place.

A while ago I heard a song by him which at the very end really made me reflect on my life. The song is called "something's missing" and it generally sings to the thought that with all the things we have in our lives something is usually missing and its the one thing we really need; especially clever in this day and age of "stuff". Best part of the song is at the very end he says "how come everything I think I need always comes with batteries".  That line caught me off guard the first time I heard it so I played it again in the conext of the whole song and realized that not only does he "get me" but he was freaking right. Everything I think I need in this life generally requires batteries. Does that make me shallow? I would like to think now.

The opinion of me, taken from others, is that I am a very caring person who takes a genuine interest in helping others. There are actually several people in my life who have followed my advice only to see greater success in their own. This is not only a powerful feeling but bestows a feeling of greating meaning on ones life. Yet my obsession with technology has left an inescapable black hole in my life. If I could give it up, I would do so in a heartbeat, because it clearly is a bottomless pit for time, money, and patience. However, I am addicted and somehow I derive so much joy from it which kinda makes it sound like a drug habit and does so even more when it complicates my life.

For example, I am sitting on the plane waithing to take off and am prohibited from using anything for the next 30 minutes. No pda, no phone, no camera computer or ipod,... I even tried to buy the printed word in form of a newspaper but they were sold out.

Paired with my hopeless obsesion/infatuation for tech gadgets is the fact that they all run on batteries, which no matter how hard I try either seem to die or breakdown all at the same time. Funny part is that when they do I am like a man in a row boat without a paddle feeling like  I have somehow lost control of my life.

Sometimes I think that if I were and artist my life would have be
en so much simpler. Brushes and paints are somehow never banned, never break, and never become obsolete

Can We Say "Inner Space"

 

TDC introduces today the WORLD'S SMALLEST SINGLE-CHIP CMOS CAMERA -- just 1/18th of an inch wide. The camera is designed to be used for colonoscopy, as well as tiny spy cameras, camera phones, webcams, toys and games

 

I've got an even better idea.  Give me the camera on a remote controlled robot and let me swallow it!  That would be the most amazing video game ever!

Japanese automakers collaborate on operating system - Engadget

Japanese automakers collaborate on operating system - Engadget

This has got to be some of the most amazing and groundbreaking news I've seen in the autoindustry despite the arrival of alternative fuel vehicles. Not long ago I was piecing together all the components necesarry to build a full fledged windows operating system into my car for everything from entertainment (music/video) to surfing and GPS navigation. I would have eventually figured out how to build some of the cars vital functions into the system, if only to monitor them. There are still alot of questions around what this proposed OS will be but the concept is compelling at the very least!

SPEEDBAG BOXING 2007 MOBILE

Not to overdo it with the speed bag thing, but this video had me rolling. I respect the fact that the man has a concept and a patent, but tell me how the 100 dollars I give you will actually turn into $1000? I can't see people actually buying enough of these to allow such a return on investment. Unless he caps the initial investors to a finite number (like angel investors) and then upon product release and sale (which also assumes Pos cash flow) makes payment back to the investors. Or maybe he is going to package the debt into a subprimbe bond and write it off as business expense. lol

Speedbag - Everlast Pro 9x6 2nd video Jaguiler

After having spend 13 years training in the gym I needed to add something different to my workout. The speedbag was just that thing. A sweet blend of strength, speed, and coordination mixed with a rythmic sound, the speed bag is one of the coolest training tools in the Gym. This guy, I might add, has the most complex and advanced technique I've ever seen. Give it a try if you haven't already.

Interoperability, Intercompatability, Interchangeability, IPHONE?

I've noticed something about tech over the last couple of years that has really blown my mind. Is it really possible that many ofl the devices which comprise the bulk of consumer electronics have reached a state where they really can talk to one another without complex procedures. Just this morning, I plugged my Ricoh Digital camera into my computer via mini usb cable. After downloading all the pictures, i then plugged in my Cingular 8525 windows smart phone to sync up. Sometimes when I am on the go and need to charge my Ipod, I plug it into the same usb charger that I plug all my other devices into. So far I've done all this with one cable and one charger! Simply mind blowing! This past weekend, my brother's digital camera card was full, so I offered him the card from my cell phone; he just plugged it right in. And more convenient than ever is being able to post to this blog from my cell phone using my email address which is linked to my pop3 account all while adding text and picture attachments. Oh, did I mention that My ipod plays in my car, at work, and at home without one single adapter? It's all a standard 3.5mm jack. Now with Google documents, I can acces and edit all my stuff on a Mac and a PC. In case this hasn't hit you yet, never before has such interoperability been possible across such a vast array of devices.

So why do I throw IPhone in there? Because It's screwed up this whole formula. It doesn't take mini USB. It doesn't take Mini or micro SD. It's headphone jack is non standard. It's PC interface is governed by ITunes- so now software needs to be repacked from their regular CAB format. Dragging and dropping files can only occur through ITunes (unless hacked)

Not only is this a reason to not buy the IPhone, It's a great reason to have it banned from the consumer market!

The Hidden Politics of Jersey City

From the Jersey City Reporter

A sledgehammer smashed through a sheetrock wall, revealing a hidden office in the old Jersey City Medical Center.

"As Jersey City's longest-serving mayor and an influential politician on the national level, Hague and his reign have become the stuff of local lore. For years, tales have been told of an office maintained by Hague at the medical center, where clandestine meetings took place with visitors arriving through a "hidden" doorway leading to a "secret" stairwell. Even reputable historical sources sometimes preface their descriptions of the office and stairway as if they're not sure whether it really existed, lending the room an aura of myth. So it's natural that certain parts of the story seem to have been embellished over time. There is, indeed, a back door there, but it may have just seemed hidden because it blends in with the wood-paneled walls. But other parts of the story seem to have been confirmed by discoveries made during the restoration. Across the hall from the Hague office, demolition crews discovered a small, walled-off space that once contained a stairwell. To access it, they had to break through a solid brick wall. It is not clear whether the hidden stairwell is the one spoken of in local legend, since many alterations were made to the medical center in the 60 years since Hague was mayor. Zakalak said many aspects of the building were changed over the years. "Rooms had been rearranged," she said, "corridors had been rearranged, staircases had been closed off. And as we started going through the buildings, we found interesting spaces. There are interesting spaces throughout the entire hospital complex." "

How Cool Is this?

Jersey City Continues to Surprise!

About once a week I take some time to drive slowely through the streets of Jersey City into neighborhoods that retain the Pre War and Art Deco charm that has helped me fall in love with this place I live in. (and helps me hate New Jersey just a little bit less). Aside from people pouring their heart and soul into restoring these homes and buildings, larger scale developers tackle the more insurmountable projects. Three of the most thrilling real estate developments that are currently well underway include

 

www.LibraryHallLofts.com

www.CancoLofts.com

www.TheBeaconJC.com

 

Each has sought a diamond in the rough and taken the risk of developing a historic landmark in a rundown neighborhood.  Far (relatively speaking) from the vibrant and well established waterfront areas to the east of the NJ turnpike, these projects are thrilling in that provide anchors for redevelopment in areas that are in dire need.  Jersey City, by comparison to Hoboken, is much larger and more diverse, yet it's growing up in a way that sets it apart from its dimunitive nieghbor.  Its taken on a life that is much more Manhattan like with it's residential sky scrapers (Trump) and big name corporations (Chase, Goldman etc)

 

 

 

 

Gadget Designs Are sometimes Intelligent. Usually not!

Names Like Panasonic Toughbook, Casio G Shock, and the Classic Yellow Sony Sports, are the only recognizable names in electronics that have been built to withstand every bumps and jolts. Which surprises me because I don't understand how more people don't demand more durable and weatherproofed devices. Quite honestly, the things that are most dangerous to devices are liquid spills and drops onto hard surfaces. If those two things are taken care of, then concerns over pocket lint and makeup spillage become non-issues. Having taken apart many electronics in my day, I can assert that waterproofing a device and adding some shock resistance is not a daunting task and doesn't add much cost (as a percentage of total price) to the device and might even save on the back end in warrantee coverage! Unless of course these companies want you to fall prey to these evil forces of nature and come back to buy another! This actually makes sense since warranty programs actually suck and don't do much for you outside the 90 (1 year if you're lucky) window. If nothing else, the only benefit would be to save many heads in a warrantee department. With that in mind, I always appreciate something like this Olympus Stylus 770SW where the manufacturer acknowledges that we don't all live in padded bubbles like Michael Jackson.