Smoke and Mirrors

"Pride and Joy"

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:00:17 +0000

With a couple small gigs coming up this and next month, I needed to get a new guitar as my Yamaha has been crapping out on me and is beyond repair. I only went into Hands Music in Kingston (great store, btw) to get some strings and ended up walking out with a 12 string Crafter D8-12/N. While it wasn't expensive compared to some other 12-strings Ive priced up, this one wasn't cheap either, and will serve as a XMas present to myself for a couple of years, I think... So, just for the boys who wanted to hear what it sounds like instead of seeing pictures, here's a rough-cut video of me singing Stevie Ray Vaughan. Boy, I need to practice some more. Hadn't heard this song before yesterday - went YouTubeing for some 12-string inspiration and found this Unplugged performance. He's definitely using a different (perhaps open?) tuning. I'm nervous to try alternate tunings at the moment as I've only one set of backup strings.

links for 2008-07-22

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:33:19 +0000

links for 2008-07-19

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:31:34 +0000

Mingle2 - 9 Reasons Not to Date a Tyrannosaurus Rex

(tags: blog Comics funny humor)
The L Magazine, New York City's Local Event Guide

(tags: tattoo funny writing language)

links for 2008-07-18

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:33:13 +0000

YouTube - Simon's Cat 'TV Dinner'

(tags: video cat animation funny)

links for 2008-07-17

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:36:48 +0000

Chinese restaurant called TRANSLATE SERVER ERROR - Boing Boing

(tags: boingboing funny language translation)

links for 2008-07-16

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:36:42 +0000

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster produces fanboy-approved bread - Engadget

So glad I blew up my toaster last month. Now I have an excuse to get this one...

(tags: BSG toaster cylon)

links for 2008-07-15

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:32:59 +0000

YouTube - MIT Bunny Letter Opener

(tags: video bunny)
Asimov's 30 Laws of Robotics

(tags: robots robotics 30 laws asmiov)
Neatorama » Blog Archive » Mapping My Day

I wonder if she thought about embedding a GPS device in the pin?

(tags: gps autolocate google map)
Severed USB cable is really a 2GB flash drive - Engadget

What a fantastic idea.
Science of becoming Batman - Boing Boing
lightning strike caught on camera on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Travis in the park

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:28:23 +0000

IMG_0804, originally uploaded by jim.christian.

Alison and I took some shots of Travis in the park today on our way home. Click here to view the Flickr set.

links for 2008-07-14

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:32:39 +0000

Report: Oyster card crypto leak - Boing Boing

Cracking crypto is eventual, anyway.

(tags: boingboing oystercard cryptography security)
Tagline Guru • Tagline & Jingle Survey

"I can't believe I ate the whole thing."

(tags: advertising History reference resources writing neatorama)
Neatorama » Blog Archive » Judge Ruled that Pringles Aren’t Potato Chips (For Tax Purposes, Anyhow)

Urg. What are they, then?

(tags: pringles potatos)
mental_floss Blog » Lunchtime Quiz: MST3K

In the not too distant future, somewhere in time and space, I scored 8 out of 10 on this little quiz, and now have egg on my face.

(tags: mst3k)
iPhone line-waiter strikes back at jackass TV reporter - Boing Boing

Jackass: The News Broadcast

(tags: boingboing funny video)

links for 2008-07-13

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:32:09 +0000

It's a man's IT world? | Ask Metafilter

Any excuse to watch the IT Crowd.

(tags: it tech)

Today on Seesmic

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:13:28 +0000

What I Am Is What I Am

Sat, 03 May 2008 16:15:25 +0000

jim christian is a great choice to continue that success and build on that tradition jim christian is prohibited jim christian is raving about gates' improved play this summer jim christian is framed in jim christian is getting into the data collection business with the jim christian is excited about getting the kent state head coaching job jim christian is finding an added benefit of an elite eight run in the ncaa tournament jim christian is expected to become kent state's 21st head men's basketball coach as early as this afternoon jim christian is seeking confirmation or correction of facts and any additional information on the individuals listed in the table or families listed below jim christian is front runner for kent job posted by mollautt 216 jim christian is a 1969 graduate of vanderbilt university jim christian is expected to interview at the school today and all indications are that he is the leading candidate and could jim christian is not with them jim christian is the heir apparent to replace heath at kent jim christian is the afternoon drive host on 50 jim christian is using googlism

My Child Is On Facebook, Now What?

Fri, 02 May 2008 22:37:53 +0000

The following is an article I wrote for our school newsletters this week. It (and all other content on this blog) is licensed under Creative Commons and cannot be reprinted without attribution. Bebo. MySpace. Facebook. Odds are you've heard about these websites by word-of-mouth, or mentioned in the media, but you probably weren't aware that there are even more (over 100 at last count) social networking websites online and waiting in the wings, ready to occupy your free time. You may already be using them yourself, perhaps to share photos or to discuss your favourite books. However, it is also likely that, with the speed and momentum at which social network sites cater to aspects of mainstream, sub and counter cultures, your kids are already finding a place on the web to call their own, too. For those of you wondering, a social network service:

"...uses software to build online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others."

Social networking websites are definitely here to stay, and already have a well-established foothold in the workplace and schoolyard. In the course of their growth they have also raised important issues surrounding identity, child/teen use and, of course, privacy. Common perceptions towards social networks sites lean towards the alarmist point of view, ie: that if your child is online, they are "in danger". And while there may indeed be some factual basis to support that attitude, there are things you can do to protect your children online and still enjoy the benefits of online social interaction. If you're comfortable with your kids using social networking sites, you may wish to consider the following points, and indeed discuss them with your children: Review websites' privacy policies Of particular importance, you need to know your rights as a parent to manage (or even delete) your child's online profile if they are younger than 13. (Facebook in particular frowns upon anyone signed up to their website who is under 13 and considers them in violation of their Terms of Use policy.) Use privacy settings to restrict who can access and post on your child's website. Most social networking sites have advanced privacy settings where users can lock away very specific parts of their information from casual passers-by. On Facebook and MySpace for example, the Privacy link is now part of their primary navigation menu, in the top-right of the page. Talk to your children about what information should be kept private Children may now be computer-savvy enough to create Powerpoint presentations, but may not realise the importance of not posting their age, hometown, etc. Look at the friend list Consider limiting the amount of 'friends' your child communicates with to people you are sure he or she already knows. Join your kids online Sign up for and use the same social networking sites your child is using. Make them aware of your presence and demonstrate good behaviour online. Know how your kids are getting online Apart from computers and cell phones, don't forget that modern games consoles like the Nintendo DS, Wii, Sony PSP and PS3 all offer internet access via wireless networks, but also have parental controls for you to limit and restrict their access. If you'd prefer your children not be online (but are concerned they may be anyway), consider:

Creating a restricted access user account on your computer that limits what programs the user can run
Reviewing your child's internet history - this is turned on by default in most browsers and usually catalogues about a week's worth of visited sites.

Communication with your child is always the best possible course of action against a perceived threat, but if in doubt, turn off the computer, call up some school friends and arrange to go bowling. The advent of online social networking may be drastically changing the way we interact with one another, but it's not yet anything like the real experience. Discussion on this post is welcome, please add your point of view by clicking 'Comments'. References can be viewed by clicking 'Permalink'.

Got Nuts?

Fri, 02 May 2008 22:05:48 +0000

Got Nuts?, originally uploaded by jim.christian.

More squirrel goodness from Hyde Park.

Wake. Up. Now.

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:37:50 +0000

Wake. Up. Now., originally uploaded by jim.christian.

wakeupwakeupwakeupfeedmewakeup